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July 25, 1997
P&Z OKs beer sales on S. Eddy
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By RICK SMITH
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 25, 1997 - Planning and Zoning Commissioners recently
granted a change in zoning from C-1 to C-2 for the area on S. Eddy
Street know as the Parker Heights Addition. If approved by the Town of
Pecos City Council, the change could allow the sale of beer and wine, on
a take out basis, in the 800 block of S. Eddy.
The request for the zoning change was made by W.J. Investment Company
and Harris Properties.
"We want to develop the property," Gary Thomasson told the P&Z
commissioners. Thomasson was the sole representative of the parties
applying for the zoning change to attend the public hearing held on the
matter Wednesday. Thomasson represented Harris Properties.
"We have no interest in beer sales. We are trying to develop the area
because it has a lot of potential and we have a lot of room," Thomasson
said.
Thomasson explained to the P&Z commissioners that Harris Properties was
interested in bringing amusement-type businesses such as skating,
bowling, or laser tag to the Parker Heights Addition. Other possible
businesses Thomasson suggested for the area included an auto body shop
or a tire repair shop.
Thomasson also told commissioners that plans by Harris Properties to
locate a bingo parlor in the Parker Heights Addition have been
abandoned, or at least placed on hold.
"We're trying to build a place where kids can come and be entertained,"
he said.
According to city attorney Scott Johnson, a C-2 zoning could allow the
sale of liquor and consumption of beer on the premises in a beer parlor.
However, the motion approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission
Wednesday allowed only the sale of beer and wine to go and excluded the
sale of liquor or consumption on the premisses.
It was unclear as to why the P&Z commissioners allowed the zoning change
to include the sale of beer to go when no one present was asking for
that option and three members of the audience claiming to represent
businesses and homeowners in the area opposed allowing the sale of
alcohol of any kind in the area.
The proposed zoning change must be approved by the city council before
it can officially go into effect. The P&Z commission approved the same
zoning change with the same restrictions for part of the area earlier in
the year and the recommendation was rejected by the city council.
"The last time people made a good argument to sale beer for take out,"
P&Z Commissioner Oscar Saenz.
P&Z Co-chairman Frank X. Spencer agreed, "I feel just as strong today as
the last time. Businesses should be able to sale beer for take out in
that area."
The zoning change for the area rejected by the city council earlier this
year was only for certain sections of the area. As Johnson pointed out,
"This time the change is for the entire block."
In May an application by Harris Properties to operate a combination
bingo hall and arcade game room died for lack of support by the Pecos Zoning Board of Adjustments.
Distribution of marijuana earns
Ft. Worth man 40-year sentence
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By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 25, 1997 - Billy Mel Alford, 46 has changed his address
from Fort Worth to a federal prison for the next 40 years, thanks to a
conviction on eight counts of importing and possessing with intent to
distribute marijuana.
Three of the men who helped transport the marijuana drew reduced
sentences Tuesday from Senior Judge Lucius Bunton for confessing and
implicating Alford shortly after their arrest.
Paul Theodore Preston Jr. was the most culpable of the defendants, said
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Blankinship in his motion for downward
departure from the federal sentencing guidelines.
On the night of his arrest, Preston provided valuable information that
resulted in the immediate arrest and conviction of Marvin Ray Marsh Jr.
and seizure of 1,280 pounds of marijuana, Blankinship said.
Using information provided by Preston, agents obtained a search warrant
for a house in Fort Worth which Alford used as a stash house. There they
found marijuana, guns and documentary evidence that helped convict
Alford, along with the testimony of Preston and his co-defendants. Judge
Bunton sentenced Paul Preston to 72 months in prison. Arthur Joseph
Preston was sentenced to 36 months in prison for importing marijuana.
Alex Monty Dawson III was the least culpable of the four, Blankinship
said. He was caught with 65.68 pounds of marijuana, but claimed he did
not know the trip to the Big Bend area was to pick up the dope until he
was told to stop and pick up several bales dropped off beside the road
by Paul Preston.
His sentencing was continued to Aug. 12 for further pre-sentence
investigation.
Marsh was sentenced to 180 months in prison on each of two counts of
marijuana possession, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Allison Haskell Jones, 65, of Terlingua had a heart attack after being
sentenced to 48 months in prison and fined $3,600 for marijuana
possession with intent to distribute. He was taken by ambulance to
Reeves County Hospital, then transferred to Odessa Medical Center.
Jones was listed as a patient in CCU this morning, but did not answer
the telephone in his room.
Danny Salcido of Pecos was sentenced to 57 months in prison for
providing false information to acquire a firearm. He was also ordered to
participate in a substance abuse treatment program.
Alfredo Moreno-Chaparro was sentenced to 37 months in prison for
possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Jorge Vasquez-Palado drew 63 months for importing and possessing with
intent to distribute marijuana.
Alejandro Rodriguez-Suarez was sentenced to 40 months for importing a
controlled substance.
Carlos Moya-Leyva drew 36 months for importing a controlled substance.
Bivian Villalobos Jr. was sentenced to 30 months for possession of
marijuana with intent to distribute.
Jorge Torres-Santiago will serve 46 months for illegal entry after
deportation.
Others sentenced for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
are:
Hipolito Ortega-Rodriguez, 18 months; Roberto Salcido-Duran, 48 months;
Jose Pena-Quezada, 18 months; Fernando Olivas-Aldame, 24 months; Sergio
Pena-Gonzales, 30 months; Margarita Wall Friesen, 36 months.
Arturo Natera drew 24 months for importing a controlled substance.
Michael Christopher has already served his six-month sentence for importing flunitrazepam.
Grandfalls mayoral candidates
both have pled guilty to felonies
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By JEROME P. CURRY
The Monahans News
PECOS, July 25, 1997 - Both candidates for mayor in the politically
troubled City of Grandfalls have pleaded guilty to felonies, according
to court records obtained by The Monahans News.
One of them, James M. Everett, is eligible to serve, if elected on Aug.
9. The other, Mark John Barker, is not.
That's the legal opinion of Ward County Attorney Kevin D. Acker.
"I had advised Barker to run," Acker tells The Monahans News. "Based on
what I know now about the mayoral candidates in Grandfalls, Mr. Everett
is eligible to serve. Mr. Barker is not. I plan to contact him and
advise that he withdraw from the mayor's race. Barker will withdraw."
Ballots already have been printed for the Aug. 9 election and city staff
members say they cannot be changed. Although, Acker notes, Barker can
acknowledge his error in filing for the mayor's office and decline
service if he is chosen by the Grandfalls electorate.
Acker was the attorney for Barker in a child custody case and says he
had suggested to Barker at one point: "You're doing well. Why don't you
continue to get your life together and try and give something back to
your community."
That, the County Attorney says, is no longer possible because court
records show Barker has at least until next year before he can seek a
court order restoring his civil rights.
Such an order restoring civil rights to Everett was signed on July 13,
1996, in the 394th District Court. That order terminated a decade's
probation for Everett and notes: "Ordered and adjudged by the Court that
the judgement of conviction heretofore entered against the defendant
(Everett) in this case be and the same is hereby set aside, the
defendant discharged from said probation and the defendant is hereby
released from said probation, and the defendant is hereby released from
all penalties and liabilities resulting from the judgment of conviction
in this case."
Everett had pleaded guilty on March 19, 1991 to assault of a public
official. He was placed on probation for two years. The case was
adjudicated at Marfa in Presidio County. Barker pleaded guilty on Feb.
10 of 1988 in the 64th District Court at Plainview in Hale County to a
felony charge of possession of marijuana. He was placed on 10 years
probation, fined $1,000 and paid court costs.
Bill Wischkaemper, a Lubbock lawyer, represented Barker in the case. He
says it would be at least two years before a court order could be sought
returning Barker's rights to him under law, an order comparable to that
already granted to Everett.
Says Wischkaemper: "Baker is not eligible to serve if he is elected
mayor of Grandfalls."
Everett, a rancher whose wife, Mary, is a former mayor of Grandfalls,
and Barker, who works the Oil Patch, are the only candidates on the ballot for the highest office in the Ward County city of 583 persons.
It takes all kinds (and sizes)
to make it in onion business
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By SHANNON BRYER
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 25, 1997 - Pecos Produce Company grows onions for every
preference. They grow 30 varieties of white, yellow, and red onions in
all sizes, from boiler, pre pak, and medium to jumbo, colossal, and
super-colossal.
"We need all sizes and kinds to accommodate the trade," said A.B.
Foster, former owner. Foster still spends a lot of time working with the
current owner, Randy Taylor.
"Most housewives prefer a medium yellow, so most grocery stores carry
them," Foster said. Anchor and other processors want an onion with a
single center and of a certain size, usually from 3 to 4 inches, so that
they can make onion rings.
Chili's Tex-Mex Grill and Outback Steakhouse buy colossal and super
colossal onions for their "awesome blossoms" and "bloomin" onions."
Super colossals are over 4 in. in diameter. Most other restaurants
settle for jumbos.
The colossal and super colossal onions grow that large by chance,
although certain varieties tend to grow larger than others. "Spacing,
fertilizer and farm practice have a lot to do with how large they grow,"
Foster said.
"The biggest volume of onions we sell is jumbo then medium then
colossal," Foster said. Pecos Produce grows 85% yellow, 13% white, and
2% red, and there are yellow, white, and red varieties of each of the
three classes of onions they grow.
The three onion classes, which are planted to mature at different times,
are Grano, Intermediate, and Spanish. The Granos are the first to come
off, around the 1st to the 20th of June. They are planted near Pecos in
the fall.
Most of the Intermediates are transplants. "We send seed out to Arizona
to be planted and grow there through the winter," said Foster. "The
winters there are much more mild than here, where there is always the
risk of a freeze. We transplant them here in the spring." Intermediates
come off from June 20th to July 5th.
Most of the Spanish onions are transplanted from Arizona, but some are
planted here in January. They are harvested from July 5th to the middle
of August.
After harvesting, the onions are bagged and shipped all over the
country.
"Everything we pack and ship we call U.S. #1. They have the best
quality, no defects, no flat side. They are round. To fruit stands we
sell a few #2's, which are misshaped or have mechanical damage," Foster
said. Mechanical damage usually means the onion has been sliced through
the middle by a harvester.
The shed where the onions are graded, separated by size, and shipped,
puts out 15,000 fifty-pound bags per day.
"Most of our onions go to stores in Texas or out East to Florida, New
York, and Canada. Very few go west because they grow onions in Arizona,
New Mexico, and California," Foster said.
The prices they get once they arrive at stores vary from year to year,
and produce prices are strongly affected by weather conditions. "If one
area gets hit with bad weather, another area benefits," Foster said.
Even if the weather is good, the process of growing an onion is rather
involved. The onions have to be planted a few inches apart so that they
will be round and have a single center. Farmers have to water,
fertilize, weed, spray for bugs and foliar feed the growing plants.
"All onions stop growing when they reach maturity because the blade, or
the green part above the ground, gets limber and falls down when it has
matured. When that happens, it is ready to harvest," Foster said.
Also, each green blade makes a ring of the onion. There are 10 to 18
blades per onion. "The more blades, the bigger the onion," Foster said.
As for the flavor of the onions, scientists and seed companies are
continually working on making milder, better onions. "Some people like
them hot, but most people are wishing for a milder onion," Foster said.
Scientists are also looking for and trying to produce onions that are
better for you. A recent U.S. News and World Report stated that pungent
onions serve as anticoagulants, which can decrease the chance of heart
disease and strokes.
"You can't hardly pick up a magazine without reading about the health
benefits of onions. They are supposed to prevent heart attacks," said
Foster.
"The news of health benefits has possibly helped the business, but not
as much as the shift to highly spiced foods," Foster said.
A.B. Foster started Pecos Cantaloupe Shed in 1964. His son-in-law joined him in 1976, and the two sold the business to Randy Taylor in 1992.|
POLICE REPORT
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PECOS, July 25, 1997 - EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the
Police Report is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police
Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public
Safety, or other officers of those agencies.
The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines of either
traffic citations, animal control violations or other court costs are
considered arrests and will be printed as such unless indicated that the
fines were paid. In such instances we will indicate payment and release.
***
On July 15 at 2:40 p.m., Jose Lopez was arrested at the I-10 Fina in
Balmorhea on a charge of terroristic threat.
***
Javier T. Florez was arrested July 16 at 8:04 p.m. on a warrant for
burglary of a habitation, a second degree felony, on the 600 Block of
Hackberry.
***
On July 17 at 7:20 p.m., Isoias Arroyo was arrested at his residence for
assault by threat under the Family Violence Act.
***
Jaime Soto Compos was arrested July 17 and charged with burglary of a
business. A $5,000 bond was set.
***
Rojelio Cerna was arrested July 17 and charged with public intoxication.
***
Randy Ramirez was arrested July 17 on a charge of aggravated assault. A
$5,000 bond was set.
***
Olivia Lara was arrested July 18 at 1:08 p.m. on a capias pro fine
warrant and was released upon paying the fine at Municipal Court.
***
Gerardo Estrello was arrested July 19 on a capias pro fine warrant and
paid the fine.
***
Albert Rubio Corrales was arrested July 19 at 5:45 p.m. for public
intoxication.
***
On July 20 at 2:47 a.m., Juan Manuel Zamudio was arrested about one half
of one mile north of I-10 on State Highway 17 for public intoxication.
***
Conrado Gonzales was arrested July 20 at 5:58 p.m. for theft at the
Allsups store on Cedar.
***
Edmundo Lujan Saenz was arrested on two capias pro fine warrants July 21
at 12:04 p.m.
***
Pamela Johnson was arrested on voluntary promise to appear and expired
drivers license warrants July 21 at 5:26 p.m. on the 400 block of
Oleander.
***
Benito Rubio Ramirez was arrested on a warrant for theft under $50 July
22 at 1:15 at the police department.
***
Benino Sanchez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, a
third degree felony, at Pecos Cantaloupe on July 22 at 11:10 a.m.
***
Guadalupe Baca was arrested July 22 on two counts of possession of
stolen property. A $500 bond was set.
***
Mingo Jiminez was arrested on July 22 on DPS warrants out of Eastland
County for speeding and failure to appear.
***
David Hernandez was arrested July 22 for possession of marijuana.
***
Gilbert R. Chavez was arrested July 23 at 11:27 a.m. on a warrant for
possession of stolen property.
***
Gilbert Ortega was arrested on a warrant service at 1:06 p.m. on July 23
at 4th and Palm.
***
Rene Ramirez was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and a
child not restrained at 6:49 p.m. on July 23.
***
Maria Guadalupe Valenzuela was arrested at 6:49 p.m. on July 23 for possession of drug paraphernalia.
AREA ROUND-UP
July 25, 1997
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The Fort Stockton Pioneer
FORT STOCKTON, July 24, 1997 - Friday, August 1 Fort Stockton will host
the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Shooters Association
competition.
The Big Bend Sentinel
MARFA, July 24, 1997 - All three policemen in the Marfa Police
Department were fired by the Marfa City Commission Tuesday.
The Alpine Avalanche
ALPINE, July 24, 1997 - Alpine will host the Alpine Labor Day
Invitational Balloon Rally August 30 and 31 and September 1.
The International, Presidio Paper
PRESIDIO, July 24, 1997 - Presidio County deputy sheriffs apprehended
four juveniles Monday evening who they believe are responsible for some
of the graffiti in town.
The Sanderson Times
SANDERSON, July 24, 1997 - Landowners oppose the designation of road
adjacent to their property as a county road, which is 14.36 miles long
and turns south off of US 90 just east of Dryden.
The Monahans News
MONAHANS, July 24, 1997 - Monahans is one of two cities being considered
for the corporate relocation of M.M. Reif & Co., which will open a new
plant to manufacture web and canvas products in Monahans or Raymondville
in south Texas.
The McCamey News
McCAMEY, July 24, 1997 - McCamey city officials met with the Permian
Basin Regional Planning Commission Regional Review Committee and TDHCA
assistant manager and regional coordinator from Austin, Texas July 15,
1997 to discuss a grant proposal.
Iraan News
IRAAN, July 24, 1997 - The ten most common complaints received by the
Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General
shifted some in 1996. Tele-marketing scams fell from second to sixth place.
OBITUARIES
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Floyd Estrada Jr.
PECOS, July 25, 1997 - Floyd Estrada Jr., 46, of Saragosa, died
Thursday, July 24, 1997, at the University Medical Center Hospital in
Lubbock.
Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 28, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in
Saragosa. Burial will be in Saragosa Cemetery. Viewings will be 10 a.m.
to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Pecos Funeral Home and 2 p.m. Sunday
at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Rosaries will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday,
July 26, at the Pecos Funeral Home and 7 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of
Guadalupe Church.
Estrada was born Dec. 26, 1950 in Presidio. He was a Reeves County
Sheriff's Department Deputy.
Survivors include: his wife, Ella Estrada of Saragosa; three daughters,
Georgia Eleziade, Jackie Estrada and Samantha Estrada of Amarillo; his
father, Flavio Estrada Sr. of Presidio; one brother, Hector Estrada of
Fresno, Calif., six sisters, Katy Montes, Betty Estrada and Margaret
Estrada of Fresno, Calif., Rosa Estrada of Presidio and Nora Elia Arroyo
and Norma Tarin of Odessa; and three grandchildren.
Arrangements are being handled by Pecos Funeral Home.
Carlos "Chale" Hignojos Rodriguez Sr.
PECOS, July 25, 1997 - Carlos "Chale" Hignojos Rodriguez Sr., 48, of
Berkely, Calif. died July 9, 1997.
Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Martinez Funeral Home.
Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at Santa Rosa Catholic Church.
Burial will be in Santa Rosa Cemetery.
Survivors include: his wife, Carol Martinez Rodriguez of Saragosa; four
sons, Carlos Rodriguez Jr. and Frankie Sanchez of Odessa, Joe Sanchez of
Van Horn, and Abel Sanchez of Pecos; his mother, Frances "Kika" Marquez
of Pecos; nine brothers, Victor H. Rodgriguez III, Alex Marquez Jr.,
Jacob Marquez, Michael "Mikey" Marquez Sr. and James Marquez of Pecos,
Miguel Rodriguez of Vallejo, Calif, Fred H. Rodriguez of Los Angeles,
Calif., Peter John Marquez of Midland and Ray Marquez of La Puente,
Calif.; eight sisters, Angela R. Schissner of Murietta Calif., Hortensia
R. Rubio of Riverside, Calif., Belinda M. Morin of Pecos, Carmen M.
Payan and Jeannie M. Marquez of Odessa, Alice M. Porras of Laguna Niguel
Calif., Sally M. Cortez and Grace Marquez of Pico Rivera, Calif.; and one grandchild.
WEATHER
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PECOS, July 25, 1997 - High Thursday, 99, low this morning, 71. It's
the same song, another verse as far as Texas weather is concerned for
tonight and Saturday. It will be clear to partly cloudy and hot with
scattered showers and thunderstorms across all of Texas for at least the
first half of the weekend. Lows tonight will be in the 60s and 70s in
West Texas. Highs Saturday will be in the 90s in West Texas, ranging
upward to near 102 in the Big Bend area.|
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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
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Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
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