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June 5, 1997

Airplane makes emergency landing on I-20


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By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Many types of vehicles have gotten off Interstate
20 at Exit 22 to get gas at Kiefer's Truck Stop in Toyah.

Until Wednesday, none of them had been an airplane.

Pilot Dick Clark was en route from Phoenix, Ariz., to Pecos when the
Cessna 150 he was flying began to run low on fuel, according to his
brother, George, who was a passenger in the two-person prop plane.

"We just ran out of gas. We were trying to find Pecos, but the map and
the highway just didn't look the same," George Clark said.

They ended up headed westbound around 5:30 p.m., when Dick Clark set the
plane down on the main lanes of I-20, then taxied off the highway at
Exit 22 and into the Kiefer Truck Stop parking lot.

"They were lucky there was no traffic," said Department of Public Safety
Sgt. Harvey Stamper, who went to the scene to investigate along with DPS
Cpl. Emmit Moore and Reeves County Constable Warren McHorse.

The only damage came as the plane was leaving I-20 on the exit ramp. "As
we were coming down the ramp the wing hit the (exit) sign," George Clark
said. "He almost missed it, and it didn't hurt the sign any."

The tip of the left wing was knocked off by contact with the sign, but
with the help of some Toyah residents, repairs were made and after some
more fuel was added, the plane was able to take off about two hours
after it landed.

"It had duct tape all over it when it got here, so I guess they had it
fixed to their satisfaction," said Pecos Municipal Airport manager
Dennis Blanchard.

George Clark added that neither he nor his brother were overly concerned
during the emergency landing. "He was just mad he banged the wing on the
sign," he said. "We weren't completely out, and were able to taxi in (to
the truck stop), but if there hadn't been something close to land on, we
would have been in trouble."

Moore, who handled the investigation report, said a pilot can face a
citation for landing his plane on a highway, "But since this was an
emergency-type landing, no charges will be filed."

The plane was able to take off from a less-used road than I-20 for its
20-mile trip into Pecos, and Blanchard said Moore arrived about two
minutes after the Cessna. "I guess he followed them in," he said.

George Clark, who is from Ohio, said he and his brother, who lives in
Phoenix, had been planning to spend the night in Pecos even before their
fuel problems arose. Blanchard said the two men took off from Pecos Municipal Airport early this morning to continue their trip to Ohio.

Finance company burglarized


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By CARA ALLIGOOD
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - A local finance company was burglarized early
Monday morning, and Pecos police welcome tips from anyone with
information regarding this crime.

According to Pecos Police Chief Troy Moore, at approximately 6:19 a.m.
Monday morning, Officer Armando Garcia was on patrol when he noticed the
window at Commercial Credit, 201 S. Oak, had been broken out.

Officer Garcia contacted the police department's CID (Criminal
Investigation Department) investigator and the key holder for the
finance company's office.

The key holder came to the office, and upon investigation it was
determined that a substantial amount of cash had been stolen when a safe
in the back of the office was broken into. In addition, a vending
machine was broken into during the burglary.

Anyone with information about this burglary can contact the Pecos Police Department at their non-emergency phone number, 445-4911.

Hospital board choose company
to install new digital phone system


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By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Oilfield Phone Service was awarded the bid for
phone service at the Reeves County Hospital during a special meeting
held at noon yesterday.

A Digital Business Systems phone system will be installed at the
facility beginning today.

Jeannette Alligood abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest.
Alligood is part-owner of the company awarded the bid.

Oilfield Phone Service submitted the lowest bid, $32,758.

A representative from the company was on hand to answer any questions
the board might have and provide any information.

"We had a lot of questions but they have already been answered," said
board member Hiram Luna.

The recommendation to hire this particular company came from the
strategic planning committee.

"When did you want us to start on everything?" asked company
representative Edward Tersero.

"We want to start right away," said RCH administrator Terry Andris.

Other bidders included Midessa, GTE and Lucent.

The board also met in executive session and opted to accept the board's
attorney recommendation in a legal situation.

The family of Nicolas Ortega had filed a suit against the hospital.
Ortega died in Reeves County Hospital two years ago and the suit also
named three members of the staff.

Vivian Ortega, Sr., Anita Flores, Mary Ellen Galindo, Jimmy Ortega,
Vivian Ortega Jr., Jose Ortega and Joann Galindo filed the suit in 143rd
District Court against, RCH, Dr. James Cam, R. Ornelas and M. Whitner.
Plaintiffs alleged that Dr. Cam was negligent in treating Mrs. Ortega
when she arrived at the hospital May 5, 1995 with labored breathing and
bilateral wheezing. They said she received no treatment for almost an
hour and was never examined by a physician until she had already
suffered a complete cardiorespiratory arrest.

Whitner and Ornelas were nurses at the time of the incident.

"It really wasn't my recommendation, even though I am the board's
attorney," said Scott Johnson. "It was the insurance company's attorney
that made the settlement recommendation," he said.

Mark Keene, RCH's insurance attorney stated that the board had accepted
a recommendation made by his office in which a settlement was awarded.


"Client confidentiality prevents me from disclosing the amount in the
settlement," said Keene.
Keene stated that a settlement had been reached, however.

Cable company bumps up
monthly rate by a dollar


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By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Four days after completing its survey on adding
two new cable channels to its Pecos system, Classic Cable sent letters
out to customers saying it would add $1 to monthly billing charges
beginning in July.

The company cited increases of 22 percent in the past two years in rates
charged by major cable networks such as Disney, ESPN, CNN and
Nickelodeon as the reason for its basic rate increase to $26.95 a month,
effective with the company's July billing.

Meanwhile, no word was available yet from Classic's headquarters in
Plainville, Kan., on the results of its survey, published last month in
the Enterprise, in which the company asked subscribers to pick two
channels off a list of six to add to the local system. Ballots were to
be submitted to the company's Pecos office by May 31.

Among the channels was one removed by the company last November, VH-1.
It was replaced by Nick at Nite's TV Land, while VH-1's sister station,
MTV, was taken off at the same time, and replaced by The History Channel.

While some in Pecos, including members of the city council, had sought
the removal of MTV from the local system for several years because of
the contents of its music videos, game shows and animated programs,
another channel on the list could cause more controversy.

E! Entertainment Television rebroadcasts Howard Stern's radio show
weeknights at 8 p.m. According to the New York Post, the controversial
Stern is currently trying to gain legal rights to air the live recording
of Frank Gifford's alleged affair with an airline stewardess in a New
York hotel room.

Along with E!, the other channels customers were asked to vote on by
Classic Cable are the Cartoon Network, the Classic Sports Network,
Discovery Channel's Animal Planet and House & Garden Television.

Classic Cable's regional manager Rowdy Whittington said in April the new
channels would be added sometime this summer or fall. He also said the
company is considering adding a digital pay-per-view service that would
replace the current system used for one-time events.


The new system would use converter boxes and allow customers to 'dial
up' any pay-per-view events from their home, instead of having to go to the company's local office.

Blood drive turnout exceeds expectations


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By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Pecos residents really pulled through Wednesday
afternoon for the blood drive at Reeves County Hospital.

"We couldn't believe what a great turnout we had," said patient
representative Nancy Ontiveros.

The blood drive was held in conjunction with Reeves County Hospital and
the Permian Basin Blood Institute.

"The turnout was so good, we had to call in more staff," said Clint
Vanlandingham, collections manager for the Permian Basin Blood Institute.

"We had 78 individuals and received 51 units," said Ontiveros.

There were 22 deferrals, individuals who for some reason or another were
not allowed to donate their blood.

"This is the first time in three years that we have reached our goal,
our goal this time was 40 units," said Ontiveros.

The blood drive staff was prepared for the same turnout they had in the
past year, but everyone was very patient and cooperative, explained
Ontiveros.

"The last turnout we had was 12 units," said Ontiveros, "and this is
what the staff was prepared for, not the tremendous turnout we received."

"The institute was amazed and couldn't believe the turnout," she said.

Many individuals were unable to make a donation, but Ontiveros is urging
them to come out for the next one Sept. 4.

"Next time we'll double the staff, double the chairs and we will be
expecting the same turnout we had this time," said Ontiveros.

The staff and auxiliary ladies were at the hospital lobby until 8:30
p.m. trying to accommodate as many individuals as possible.

"We had some long lines, some lengthy waiting, but we want to thank
everyone for being so patient," said Ontiveros.

Everyone who turned out to donate blood received a prize, according to
Ontiveros.

"If there are any individuals who were here and didn't receive their
prize, they can call me here at the hospital," said Ontiveros.

Ontiveros stated that she will be receiving more prizes, such as
T-shirts and koozies to give out and will be happy to give them to those
that didn't get one.

"I'll be receiving those tomorrow, so they can call me then," she said.

"On behalf of the hospital and auxiliary members we would like to thank
the media for all the support and excellent publicity they provided for
us, enabling us to reach our goal," said Ontiveros.
Ontiveros can be reached at the hospital at 447-3551.

Cable company bumps up
monthly rate by a dollar


Skip to next story
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Four days after completing its survey on adding
two new cable channels to its Pecos system, Classic Cable sent letters
out to customers saying it would add $1 to monthly billing charges
beginning in July.

The company cited increases of 22 percent in the past two years in rates
charged by major cable networks such as Disney, ESPN, CNN and
Nickelodeon as the reason for its basic rate increase to $26.95 a month,
effective with the company's July billing.

Meanwhile, no word was available yet from Classic's headquarters in
Plainville, Kan., on the results of its survey, published last month in
the Enterprise, in which the company asked subscribers to pick two
channels off a list of six to add to the local system. Ballots were to
be submitted to the company's Pecos office by May 31.

Among the channels was one removed by the company last November, VH-1.
It was replaced by Nick at Nite's TV Land, while VH-1's sister station,
MTV, was taken off at the same time, and replaced by The History Channel.

While some in Pecos, including members of the city council, had sought
the removal of MTV from the local system for several years because of
the contents of its music videos, game shows and animated programs,
another channel on the list could cause more controversy.

E! Entertainment Television rebroadcasts Howard Stern's radio show
weeknights at 8 p.m. According to the New York Post, the controversial
Stern is currently trying to gain legal rights to air the live recording
of Frank Gifford's alleged affair with an airline stewardess in a New
York hotel room.

Along with E!, the other channels customers were asked to vote on by
Classic Cable are the Cartoon Network, the Classic Sports Network,
Discovery Channel's Animal Planet and House & Garden Television.

Classic Cable's regional manager Rowdy Whittington said in April the new
channels would be added sometime this summer or fall. He also said the
company is considering adding a digital pay-per-view service that would
replace the current system used for one-time events.


The new system would use converter boxes and allow customers to 'dial
up' any pay-per-view events from their home, instead of having to go to the company's local office.

Blood drive turnout exceeds expectations


Skip to next story
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Pecos residents really pulled through Wednesday
afternoon for the blood drive at Reeves County Hospital.

"We couldn't believe what a great turnout we had," said patient
representative Nancy Ontiveros.

The blood drive was held in conjunction with Reeves County Hospital and
the Permian Basin Blood Institute.

"The turnout was so good, we had to call in more staff," said Clint
Vanlandingham, collections manager for the Permian Basin Blood Institute.

"We had 78 individuals and received 51 units," said Ontiveros.

There were 22 deferrals, individuals who for some reason or another were
not allowed to donate their blood.

"This is the first time in three years that we have reached our goal,
our goal this time was 40 units," said Ontiveros.

The blood drive staff was prepared for the same turnout they had in the
past year, but everyone was very patient and cooperative, explained
Ontiveros.

"The last turnout we had was 12 units," said Ontiveros, "and this is
what the staff was prepared for, not the tremendous turnout we received."

"The institute was amazed and couldn't believe the turnout," she said.

Many individuals were unable to make a donation, but Ontiveros is urging
them to come out for the next one Sept. 4.

"Next time we'll double the staff, double the chairs and we will be
expecting the same turnout we had this time," said Ontiveros.

The staff and auxiliary ladies were at the hospital lobby until 8:30
p.m. trying to accommodate as many individuals as possible.

"We had some long lines, some lengthy waiting, but we want to thank
everyone for being so patient," said Ontiveros.

Everyone who turned out to donate blood received a prize, according to
Ontiveros.

"If there are any individuals who were here and didn't receive their
prize, they can call me here at the hospital," said Ontiveros.

Ontiveros stated that she will be receiving more prizes, such as
T-shirts and koozies to give out and will be happy to give them to those
that didn't get one.

"I'll be receiving those tomorrow, so they can call me then," she said.

"On behalf of the hospital and auxiliary members we would like to thank
the media for all the support and excellent publicity they provided for
us, enabling us to reach our goal," said Ontiveros.
Ontiveros can be reached at the hospital at 447-3551.

Dramatic testimony offered in McVeigh trial


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By PAUL QUEARY
Associated Press Writer

DENVER (AP) June 5, 1997 - Five-year-old David Westberry was so
traumatized after his grandfather died in the Oklahoma City bombing that
he started having thoughts of his own death.

"He would ask ... to run a red light so they could crash and die so he
could be with Paw-Paw," his grandmother, Mathilda Westberry, testified
Wednesday.

Emotional stories of fractured bodies, shattered families and destroyed
lives flowed from the witness stand as prosecutors asked jurors to
sentence Timothy McVeigh to death for committing the worst act of
terrorism on U.S. soil.


Ms. Westberry told of how David, after some counseling, sends messages
to his grandfather in helium balloons he releases into the sky.

Officer Allan Prokop recalled feeling the hand of a trapped victim grow
cold as her life drained away. Susan Walton was escorted into court in a
wheelchair and talked about her 20 surgeries to repair facial fractures
and damage to her legs, one of which is now shorter than the other.

McVeigh, convicted Monday of murder and conspiracy in the April 19,
1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, sat stone-faced
during the testimony, which elicited silent sobs from jurors, bombing
survivors and victims' relatives.

Laura Sue Kennedy's only child, 18-month-old Blake, was among the 19
children who lost their lives, many in the federal building's day-care
center. She testified that Blake's bedroom remains exactly as it was,
with the little clothes he would have outgrown long ago still hanging in
the closet.

"It's painful to be a mother and not have anybody to mother," she said.

The prosecution's case in the penalty phase could wrap up today, lead
prosecutor Joseph Hartzler said.

McVeigh's lawyers chose to delay their opening statement until they
start their defense. They plan to call McVeigh's relatives and witnesses
to describe the influences and events that turned the decorated Gulf War
veteran against his own government.

Before even the first witness took the stand, jurors started crying as
prosecutor Patrick Ryan described how some of the 168 victims lived and
died.

"It would be easy for you as a jury to think of this as one mass murder.
Don't. There are 168 people, all unique, all individual," he said.

Ryan said the death penalty is "the only verdict that justly fits this
crime."

Fifteen witnesses testified, including wives, mothers, a husband, a
father and an adult child of one victim.

"I feel like I died, too, on April 19," said Diane Leonard, whose
husband, Secret Service Agent Don Leonard, was killed. "I feel like my
heart looks like the building. It has a big hole that can never be
mended."

Prokop, one of the first officers on the scene, described trying to
comfort a woman pinned under a 12-foot slab of concrete, only to feel
her pulse stop.

"Her hand got very still and started to get cold," he said.

He also described pulling a young survivor out of the rubble of the
day-care center.

"I cradled him in my arms and he ... appeared to have a brick sticking
out of his forehead," Prokop said.

Later in the day, prosecutors showed a video of the boy, Brandon Denny,
as he struggled in physical therapy designed to help him regain use of
his right arm.

None of the prosecution's witnesses faced even a single question of
cross-examination.

"This was a horrible impact on these people's lives and we understand
that," defense attorney Stephen Jones said as he left the courtroom.

U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch sent jurors home with a strong
warning to put reason over emotion.

"We are not here to seek revenge on Timothy McVeigh," Matsch said. "We
are here to consider the lives and what happened to these people, and as you'll see later, his life."

First day of onion packing means extra jobs


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By CARA ALLIGOOD
Staff Writer

PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Onions are currently being harvested by Pecos
Cantaloupe Shed, Inc., and new employees have been hired at the Pecos
Produce onion shed to handle the load.

Today is the first day of the onion run at the packing shed. Before
onions are brought to the packing shed for processing, they must be
"clipped" in the field, according to Jerry Hartley, Pecos Cantaloupe
onion salesman. The onions are undercut with a blade, the tops and roots
are cut off, then they are left to sit in bags for three to four days to
cure before being brought to the packing shed, he said.


Onions that were clipped Monday are now being sorted, sized, graded and
bagged for sale at the Pecos Produce onion shed, said Norma Parras,
secretary at the packing shed. Parras said that the shed has about 60
hands this year. They have hired sorters, stackers and forklift drivers.

According to Parras, about 60 percent of this year's employees worked
for the company last year, and the other 40 percent are new hires.

Prices this year will be $8 plus freight for a 25-pound bag of yellow or
white onions and $15 plus freight for a 50-pound bag, said Lindley
Workman, secretary at Pecos Cantaloupe.

Hartley said that rains in the southern Texas onion-producing area that
hurt harvests there have not affected local production.

"We haven't increased our acreage," said Hartley, who said that crops
being damaged also did not affect local prices.

Hartley said that what actually will bring a good price for this crop are the late freezes here and in New Mexico that decreased the crop.

OBITUARY


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Maria Carmen Florez



PECOS, June 5, 1997 - Maria Carmen Florez, 61, died Sunday, June 1 in
Pomona Valley Hospital in California.

A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at the Martinez
Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Santa Rosa Catholic
Church with Father Juan Narez officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood
Cemetery.

Survivors include one son, Adolfo Martinez of Midland; one daughter,
Linda Chabarria of Pecos; three brothers, Rafael Corrales of Pecos,
Adolfo Sanchez of Hawaii and Lee Sanchez of Michigan; one sister, Pila
Lujan of Bayard, Neb.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WEATHER


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PECOS, June 5, 1997 - High Wednesday, 94, low this morning, 66.
Tropical moisture flowing northeastward out of Mexico is expected to
trigger a few thunderstorms tonight and Friday. The area will have
partly to mostly cloudy skies through Friday. Lows tonight will be in
the 50s and 60s. Highs Friday will be in the 80s and 90s, ranging upward
to near 105 in the Big Bend area. A few isolated showers and
thunderstorms dampened portions of the Permian Basin before dawn today.

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall
not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or
redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP
Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for
personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for
any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the
transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages
arising from any of the foregoing.
_


Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@bitstreet.com
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