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June 24, 1997
Percentage of employed labor force increases
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From Staff and Wire Reports
PECOS, June 24, 1997 - Unemployment decreased in both Pecos and the
state, according to the latest figures released by the Texas Workforce
Commission.
However, part of Pecos' decrease may be attributed to a drop in the
local labor force.
In May of 1996 the civilian labor force in Pecos was 5,722. That number
dropped to 5,347 by May this year. In 1996 12.8 percent of the labor
force was unemployed. That percentage dropped to 10.2 percent this by
May this year.
Unemployment in Texas fell to 5.1 percent in May, a slight decrease from
the 5.2 percent unemployed in April, according to the Texas Workforce
Commission.
The commission on Tuesday said the number of nonagricultural jobs grew
by 27,800 last month. Service producing industries accounted for 75
percent of those jobs, largely concentrated in services and trade.
May's 5.1 percent unemployment was three-tenths of a percent lower than
the 5.4 percent posted in May 1996.
Bryan-College Station had the lowest unemployment rate, at 2.0 percent,
matching the area's rate in April.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission recorded the highest rate of 15.9 percent. That
was half a percent lower than the 16.4 percent rate posted in April.
Rates of unemployment in the urban areas of Texas as announced by the
Workforce Commission for May, compared with revised April figures (in
parentheses) were:
Abilene 4.2 (4.0)
Amarillo 3.8 (3.7)
Austin-San Marcos 2.9 (2.9)
Beaumont-Port Arthur 7.8 (8.1)
Brazoria 7.2 (7.1)
Brownsville-Harlingen 11.9 (12.1)
Bryan-College Station 2.0 (2.0)
Corpus Christi 7.5 (7.6)
Dallas 3.6 (3.6)
El Paso 10.8 (10.8)
Fort Worth-Arlington 3.5 (3.5)
Galveston-Texas City 7.8 (8.1)
Houston 5.0 (5.1)
Killeen-Temple 4.8 (4.8)
Laredo 9.8 (10.5)
Longview-Marshall 7.0 (7.0)
Lubbock 3.7 (3.6)
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 15.9 (16.4)
Monahans 6.8 (6.5 May, 1996)
Odessa-Midland 5.2 (5.2)
Pecos 10.2% (12.8 May, 1996)
San Angelo 3.4 (3.2)
San Antonio 3.8 (3.7)
Sherman-Denison 4.6 (4.7)
Texarkana 7.3 (7.0)
Tyler 5.3 (5.3)
Victoria 5.1 (5.2)
Waco 4.4 (4.2)
Wichita Falls 4.0 (4.2)
Pecos pioneer family honored in festivities
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By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, June 24, 1997 - A pioneer family whose ancestor came to Pecos
almost 100 years ago will be honored during the West of the Pecos Rodeo
festivities at the West of the Pecos Museum.
Friends and family are invited to the special program which will honor
the Robert Frank and Jane Alice Farnum Kelton families. The program and
reception are scheduled for 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4, at the
West of the Pecos Museum.
This event is sponsored by the Pecos Business and Professional Women,
Friends of the Museum, and the West of the Pecos Museum.
A Pioneer Family Exhibit is on display now until July 15 at the West of
the Pecos Museum.
The Kelton Pioneer Family history began with Robert Frank Kelton. On his
first night in Pecos, Kelton stayed at the Morehead Livery Stable
located on the present site of the Security State Bank. This was on the
last day of February 1899.
R. Frank was born on Sept. 22, 1880 in Callahan County, Tx. He was the
son of R.F. Kelton. At the age of 16, he "went down the trail" with a
herd of cattle from Callahan County to Ozona in Crockett County. He
worked in that area until he came to Pecos in early 1899. The Johnson
brothers of the W Ranch hired him as a horse wrangler and then as a
cowboy. About 1910, R. Frank started his own outfit west of Pecos. He
ran his own stock for 33 years and branded the Cross Bar.
When he was a brand inspector for the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Association, he became acquainted with L.W. Anderson who was the
president. This led to a partnership in the Dixieland and Anderson
Ranches. He was also the foreman of both ranches.
On December 31, 1916, he married Alice Jane "Janie" Farnum of Pecos
where they made their home.
Their children are Joe Bob who married Jessie Mae Wells, Jim Tom who
married Doris Calley and Melba who married Joseph Younce of Houston.
There are 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Joe Bob went into the concrete construction business and in time, Jim
Tom became the second foreman of the Dixieland and Anderson Ranches. His
son Robert F. "Bob" is the third generation foreman and half owner of
the Dixieland Ranch. "Mr. Frank" died on Oct. 1, 1961 and was buried
beside his wife "Miss Janie" who died on Dec. 7, 1940.
The Farnum Pioneer Family history began with Carvine Watters Farnum Jr.
He married Eliza Ann Montgomery on April 15, 1879 in Chappell Hill, Tx.
Their children were Lovey George Taylor and Alice Jane.
When Eliza Ann was widowed with small children, she moved to Quinlan to
be near her brother Scott Montgomery. In the early 1900s, Eliza Ann and
her daughter, Alice Jane moved to Pecos. Lovey married Effie Talulu
Miles in Quinlan on Aug. 12, 1906 and settled in Barstow about 1907.
Their children were Watters Leander, Clevern Miles "Toots," and Margaret
Clatie.
Lovey George Farnum worked on the George Barstow farm at Barstow. He later bought his own farm and started a dairy.
RCDC food bids awarded
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By MAC McKINNON
Enterprise Editor
PECOS, June 24, 1997 - Bids for food items consumed most of the second
regular meeting of the month for Reeves County Commissioners Monday
evening. The meeting lasted from 5:30 to shortly before 7.
In the past White Swan/U.S. Foods was usually the lowest bidder in the
semi-annual event but this year a new bidder, Ben E. Keith Co., of Fort
Worth, entered the picture and was awarded the bid on a number of items
at what was said to be a considerable savings in a number of categories.
The possibility of a monthly bidding process was briefly discussed with
County Auditor Lynn Owens noting that bidders did not seem to favor such
a process because it is involved and that the prices bid on the 6-months
basis were probably about the best the county could do.
Keith was awarded the bid for general staples at a savings of about
$20,000 over previous bids. Keith also was given the bid on kitchen
supplies.
M&M Packing of Ballinger won the bid on fresh meat with a bid $30,000
lower than the highest bidder. LaTienda Thriftway of Pecos got the bid
for bread items while Borden was named to supply milk and DeCoty Coffee
will furnish coffee and spices.
Keith was also selected to supply frozen foods, refrigerator items and
tortillas. A question over the freshness and quality of tortillas was
asked with County Judge Jimmy Galindo saying he favored going with the
previous supplier, La Nortena, a Pecos company, because of quality as
well as being local and being able to supply quicker on demand.
Owens replied that by law the county has to go with the lowest bidder
which would save $16,000 and that because of the price difference, he
had requested samples which met standards by those checking the
tortillas at the Reeves County Jail and Reeves County Detention Center.
Owens said the county would be able to tell within two weeks if Keith's
products and delivery were up to par and could rescind the bid if not.
Commissioners approved taking part in the American Cancer Society's 1998
golf course plan for all of Texas in which golfers can purchase a pass
to play a round free on as many as 240 golf courses in Texas. Galindo
noted that there are 70 golf courses in this area that participate.
Reeves County has participated in the past. Cost of the pass is $35.
Commissioners also approved four items on the agenda pertaining to a
special election scheduled for Aug. 9 at the request of Texas Gov.
George Bush.
The election will be to determine a constitutional amendment for
providing school property tax relief by increasing the residential
homestead exemption by $10,000 and providing for the transfer of the tax
limitation to another qualified homestead for persons over 65 and a
reduction in taxes on homesteads subject to the limitation.
Currently on school district taxes, property owners receive a 10
percent, or no less than $5,000, homestead exemption and a local 10
percent or $5,000 exemption. Plus, those over 65 get an additional
$10,000 on top of that exemption, plus, it would be transferred to any
other home anywhere in Texas if they sold their current home and bought
another one that is not currently being exempted.
Commissioners approved the request by County Clerk Dianne Florez to use
paper ballots instead of machines to save money as another special
election will be called in November on constitutional amendments as
proposed by the recently concluded session of the Texas Legislature.
Turnout for the August election is expected to be low and should not
pose a problem in counting the ballots, Florez said. She also requested
and received permission to combine election boxes to save money.
Early voting will be conducted in the lobby of the Reeves County
Courthouse beginning at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 21
to Aug. 5.
Boxes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 will be combined at the Reeves County
Civic Center with Box 4 at Toyah City Hall, Box 5 at the Senior Center
in Balmorhea, Box 6 in the Multi-Purpose Center in Saragosa and Box 9 at
Red Bluff Office in Orla.
Florez also was given permission to pay temporary election workers $6 an
hour. The workers she proposed were approved. They are:
Early voting - Nora Briceno, judge; Brenda Casillas, alternate; and
Marianne Clark, assistant deputy election worker.
Civic Center boxes - Brenda Casillas, judge; and Hazel Herrera,
alternate.
Toyah box - Elpida Valdez, judge; and Susan Renz, alternate.
Balmorhea box - Bertha Brijalba, judge; and Fidela Jasso, alternate.
Saragosa box - Gus Natividad, judge; and Virginia Martinez, alternate.
Orla box - Antonia Ramirez, judge; and Faye Valles, alternate.
Florez said she needed to notify the justice department about the
preparations and use of paper ballots.
Galindo reported that he was working with RCDC Warden Rudy Franco on an
expansion of the support service area of the RCDC using county workers
and making local plans to determine if a 40'x60' building could be
constructed at a cost of $30 to $35 per square foot at a savings of what
had been said would cost $80 a square foot.
Using plans by Young Construction for the recreation building at the
RCDC, Galindo said he believes the proposal is feasible. If it is, he
said up to a $1 million could be saved on a 20,000 to 24,000 square foot
facility for support services needed under the expansion plan.
Commissioners approved seeking bids for the proposal.
Commissioner Herman Tarin voiced his approval for anything that could
end up saving $1 million.
Also approved was official bond and oath for Deputy County Treasurer
Lupe Montoya.
Under line items, Galindo noted that temporary help was needed at the
golf course and suggested $5,000 because one of the main golf course
employees has been sick and work has fallen behind in maintaining the
course. That was approved.
Under reports from various departments, Galindo noted that he had
furnished a copy of a booklet on development strategies for small towns
in his report for commissioners to read. The judge noted he has
additional booklets on that subject to prepare for work on economic
development for the city and county. He also noted that monies will be
budgeted for the coming year for such work and the county needs to be
fully aware of all the possibilities.
Under bills, Owens noted that the workmens' comp bill of $24,000 for the
quarter is less than half what it was several years ago.
Galindo said there is a problem with the uniform vendor for the RCDC and
sheriff's office and a previous bid may have to be rescinded. He also
noted after the meeting that a special meeting may be necessary for
later this week to use additional monies available for septic tanks.
He also noted just prior to the meeting that a grant application the
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for $500,000 for a community
recreation building can be submitted by Sept. 15 and he will opt to do
so to get more community involvement so as to get more points for the grant request and further the cause of its approval.
Autopsy reveals extent of wounds in shooting
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By EDUARDO MONTES
Associated Press Writer
EL PASO, Texas (AP) June 24, 1997 - The bullet that killed Ezequiel
Hernandez Jr. fragmented after punching into his side and perforated
organs as it ripped across his body, an autopsy report shows.
Eventually, the Big Bend teenager bled to death, the report says. "It
just cut so many organs," Dan Bodine, a justice of the peace in Presidio
County, said Monday after receiving the report.
A diagram accompanying the report shows the bullet fired by a Marine on
a drug patrol entered on the right side of Hernandez's chest. Two
fragments then traveled toward the left side of his body on divergent
paths.
The bullet perforated or injured the diaphragm, liver, stomach, spleen,
kidney, aorta, inferior vena cava and a rib.
The autopsy failed to find any substances in Hernandez's blood, except
maybe "a trace of coffee," said Bodine. "Everything came out clean."
Hernandez, a high school student in Presidio, was killed May 20 while
tending his goats near his home in Redford, a farming community along
the Rio Grande 200 miles southeast of El Paso.
Military officials say a member of a four-man Marine surveillance team
shot Hernandez after the teenager had fired twice at the troops, who
were watching a suspected drug route at the request of the Border
Patrol.
The military maintains Hernandez had raised his .22-caliber rifle for a
third shot when the Marine opened fire.
Hernandez's family and friends have refuted the military's story. They
say Hernandez only carried a gun to protect his livestock and to shoot
at targets.
Civilian investigators have raised questioned about the series of
events. Authorities say the evidence has not matched the Marines'
stories.
A key discrepancy is that Hernandez's wound seems to indicate the
right-handed teenager was not facing the Marines when he was shot, said
Presidio County prosecutor James Jepson.
The Texas Rangers also said that no one called for aid until 22 minutes
after the shooting, even though the injured teenager was still moving.
The autopsy report did not specify how long the boy lived after being
shot.
Evidence gathered by the Rangers will be presented to a Presidio County
grand jury next month.
Jepson on Monday denied a report that the state has decided to seek a
murder indictment against the Marine who opened fire, identified as Cpl.
Clemente Banuelos, and other charges against the other three.
"Before we would ever consider asking anyone to return an indictment we
would have to be convinced that there is wrongdoing and we haven't
reached that point yet," said Jepson.
Added Texas Rangers Capt. Barry Caver: "All we do is present facts to
the grand jury. It's up to them to decide what charges, if any, to
indict on."
Jepson said the autopsy report is one of the final pieces of information
needed.
Investigators are also awaiting the results of tests to determine whether there was gun power residue on the teenager's body.|
Officer looking for a few good pet owners
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By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, June 24, 1997 - You could say that the city's new Animal Control
Officer is a "pet detective" in reverse. Instead of finding lost pets,
Thomas Escovedo makes finding the owners of stray pets his main goal.
"My main concern is finding the rightful owners, because I know that
most of these strays do have owners," said Escovedo.
Escovedo stated that he doesn't want to fine everybody, but to find a
good, safe place for the animals. Some of the animals Escovedo finds
roaming the streets actually do have owners, but they either got loose
from their chains or just got lost.
Escovedo attended school in Midland last week to get certified.
"This school provided us with a lot of helpful, useful information,"
said Escovedo.
He believes in ongoing education and so does his boss, Armando Gil.
"If there are more seminars or programs that will help us in doing our
job, Armando is all for it and so am I," said Escovedo. "This school I
attended last week is something that the city requires," he said.
During this school Escovedo learned more not only about restraint and
public relations, but they also taught the group about rabies.
"It really gave us something to think about, because even though we
think we know about rabies, there's a lot more new information," said
Escovedo.
Escovedo stated that he would like to educate and share his information
with the public and also receive input.
"It's a bigger problem in other cities and thankfully we don't have a
huge problem here, but it's good to know more about it now, to be better
prepared, before it does become a problem," he said.
Since beginning his new job in April, he has been busy rounding up stray
dogs and trying to find their owners.
"Right now, that's the biggest problem, loose dogs," said Escovedo.
Some owners forget to tie up the animals during the early morning hours
or else the dogs somehow get loose and later lost.
The problem stems when the dogs don't have a tag and the owner cannot be
located.
"If the dog does have tags I return it to the owner immediately, but if
it doesn't it takes me longer to track down the owner," said Escovedo.
Even though the animals should only be kept at the city pound for a
certain amount of time, Escovedo keeps them a little longer and tries to
find the owner.
"Also, if someone calls me and tells they lost their pet in a certain
location I go out and try to find it for them," said Escovedo.
Escovedo stresses to citizens to please provide tags for their animals,
so if they get lost they can be returned home safely.
"Vaccinations are also very important," said Escovedo.
KIUN Radio station announcer Kokie Apolinar has been very instrumental
in helping find some of these owners, according to Escovedo.
The pound houses between 12-15 animals, but is not full at this time.
"Most people think that as soon as I find a stray I put him to sleep
immediately and that's not true," said Escovedo.
Escovedo stated that he goes out of his way to try find the owner.
Even though his job is from 8-5 daily and he is supposed to work one
Saturday a month only, Escovedo is ready to serve the public even on
weekends.
"The public has been great with me and I want to do the same for them,
let them know I am not the bad guy," said Escovedo.
Escovedo states that he likes to leave people with a better feeling
about Animal Control Officers.
"I want them to have a different attitude towards us, and after I have
been visiting with them they usually do, which makes me feel better,"
said Escovedo.
If anybody has a problem with their pet they are urged to contact Escovedo at the city pound at 445-5921.
OBITUARY
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Wanda Fickling
PECOS, June 24, 1997 - Wanda Lavette Fickling, 77, of San Angelo died
Saturday, June 21, in a local hospital.
Graveside service was held today in Pontotoc Cemetery.
Fickling was born May 17, 1920, in Fort Worth. She was a receptionist,
had worked as a dispatcher for the Pecos Police Department and was a
member of Park Heights Baptist Church.
Survivors include: two sisters, Cornelia McCrohan of San Angelo and Beaulah Joplin of Pecos; and numerous nieces and nephews.
WEATHER
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PECOS, June 24, 1997 - High Monday, 102, low this morning, 68. Early
morning skies were mostly clear with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy through Wednesday. There is a
chance of evening showers over the panhandle. Lows tonight will be
mostly in the 60s and 70s.
Pecos Enterprise
Mac McKinnon, Publisher
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
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
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