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Daily Newspaper and Tourism Guide for Reeves County Trans Pecos, Big Bend of West Texas

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November 18, 1997



High school library now available to public



By CARA ALLIGOOD
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 18, 1997 - Last week, the Pecos High School
library became open to the public two nights a week. Anyone
can use the facility, regardless of whether or not they are
parents of a PHS student.

"We've been automated for a year now, but we didn't want to
open it up before we got the bugs worked out," said
Technology Coordinator Jodi Exum.

The PHS library will now be open on Mondays and Thursdays
from 6 to 8 p.m. with computers available to the public. The
people of Pecos can now use the school's hardware and
software, which includes spreadsheet, database, word
processing, Internet and multi-media applications.

Anyone wishing to use the Internet at the high school
library must take the four-hour Internet training that
school personnel receive and sign the district's acceptable
use policy when they finish the course. Once someone
completes the training and signs the policy, the information
that the person is qualified to use the Internet will be
displayed on the library computer system when they sign in
to use the facility. There is no charge for the course, but
the classes, scheduled for early December, are already full,
according to PHS librarian Gary Conner. Call 447-6219 for
more information.

Anyone printing out copies of their work will be charged 10
cents per copy to reimburse the library for its supplies.
Also, if you want to save your work, you will need to bring
your own diskette, Conner said.

"It is not necessary to have prior computer training,"
stressed Conner. "We see kids helping kids, kids helping
adults, and adults helping kids," he said.

"It's a risk-free environment," Conner said. "We grade the
kids in class, but we won't be grading anybody here."

E-mail boxes are not available through the PHS library's
Internet service, but e-mail boxes are available to people
without their own Internet service through the Pecos
Enterprise for a nominal fee. Anyone who already has an
e-mail address will be able to use their own e-mail through
the school library, Exum said.

Library books are available for research at the facility,
but cannot be checked out by anyone other than a PHS
student, "but I'm willing to do it as an inter-library loan
through the public library," Conner said.

Older teens and adults are welcome to use the library at
their convenience, but there are no child care services
being provided, so children below high school age must be
supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

"Technology funds are being used to keep the library open at
night because this is technology training," said Exum. "All
of the goals for the state technology plan, and now the
district's too, include a community component."

"I think it's great, because we want the parents to see what
the kids can do. It's something we are proud of," Conner
said.

People wishing to take advantage of the library's service
during its new evening hours should use the campus main
doors near the flagpole at the front of the building on Park
Street. The library is down the hallway to the left and is
the first door on the right. In the event that there is a
problem with the computers, Exum said, a sign will be posted
on the library door, but the library will still be open.

Beating charge revisited



By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 18, 1997 - Jury selection began this morning
in the criminal conspiracy trial of Gilberto M. Rayos.

Rayos, 29, is charged with agreeing with Gabriel Gonzales
that one of them would hit Ruben Mendoza with a bat or
shovel. Mendoza and his sister, Lupe, were severely beaten
July 21, 1996, in what appeared to be a gang attack at the
car wash located at Eighth and Eddy Streets.

Several suspects were indicted for aggravated assault,
including Rayos. Gonzales was convicted, but then-district
attorney John Stickels dismissed the charge against Rayos
before leaving office last year.

District Attorney Randy Reynolds presented the new charge to
the grand jury this year. He is prosecuting the case before
District Judge Bob Parks. Jeff Parras is defense attorney.

Judge Parks held over 60 members of Monday's jury pool for
questioning this morning, since many know the victim and the
defendant. Testimony is expected to begin this afternoon,
and the trial should conclude Wednesday, Judge Parks said.

Pecan Food Show Friday



PECOS, November 18, 1997 - The First National Bank of Pecos
is the host of the 15th Reeves-Loving Counties Pecan Food
Show this Friday. Food entries will be accepted from 9 to 10
that morning. Judging will be at 10:30 a.m., with a bake
sale immediately following.

Rosettes will be awarded to the Grand and Reserve Champion
food entry in both adult and youth divisions, as well as
"Best Use of Pecans" and "Best of Show" prizes. First,
second, and third place ribbons will be awarded in each
division.

Pecans, which do not have to be grown by the exhibitor, must
be a major ingredient in the recipes. The classes are
breads, candy, pies, cookies, cakes and miscellaneous. A
recipe must be included, and cookies and candies should be
in batches of two dozen. There is no limit on the number of
entries per exhibitor.

Rail-jam causes utilities to scramble



By GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 18, 1997 - As utility companies scramble to
prepare for expected increased energy demands this winter,
congestion on the rails of Union Pacific is complicating
matters. However, local electricity provider, Texas-New
Mexico Power, is confident there will be only a "slight
increase" in customer bills, if any, this winter.

Union Pacific service disruptions are costing Texas
businesses more than $100 million per month in increased
freight costs and lost sales, according to Dr. Bernard
Weinstein of the University of North Texas Center for
Economic Development and Research.

Current rail problems have led many utility companies to
turn to other suppliers for power needs. UP has reduced the
number of coal cars on the rails by 19 percent to make room
for shipping in other industries.

Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) generates 30 percent of its
power at its single coal plant, TNP One. TNMP purchases
power in long-term agreements from many sources, including
West Texas Utilities and Houston Lighting & Power. However,
Ralph Johnson, Senior Vice-President for Power Resources,
said that TNP One satisfies its coal demand through a
near-by coal mine. Subsequently, that 30 percent is not in
danger of drying up.

Johnson said if the power companies that supply the
remaining 70 percent of TNMP electricity needs have to
charge higher fees for power the impact will be spread
across the entire TNMP customer base, resulting in only
minor increases passed onto ratepayers.

But how utility companies will respond to the power squeeze
remains to be seen. Houston Lighting & Power is down to just
two weeks worth of coal. A utility company in San Antonio
has begun importing coal from Columbia instead of relying on
slowed rail trips from Wyoming mines.

Other utility companies may be forced to be switch to
natural gas.

With more than 30 rail accidents in Texas since June (19
involved Union Pacific) the Surface Transportation Board has
declared a transportation emergency and ordered UP to open
additional lines to competition.

Carole Keeton Rylander, Texas Railroad Commissioner, said
that in Texas almost three out of every four locomotives in
UP's fleet are defective.

"Texans' lives and livelihoods are in the balance...Texas'
economic competitiveness is at stake," Rylander said.

Missionary tells of work abroad



By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 18, 1997 - David Clark had no idea his media
skills were needed on the mission field when he operated a
radio station in Brady. Now he plays an important role in
communications for the Southern Baptist International
Mission Board in South Africa.

Speaking at West Park Baptist Church, the Pecos Rotary Club
and First Baptist Church this week, Clark said he is an
administrator working with churches over a wide area.

One of his ministries included a radio station in
Johannesburg, S. Africa, where local volunteers helped
spread the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross as
a sacrifice for the sins of everyone and rose from the dead
to reveal God's power.

Africans worship a variety of gods, and the power of Satan
is evident everywhere, Clark said. He described how a man
controlled by demons came to him seeking help when he was on
the verge of suicide.

Knowing little of demon possession, Clark said he simply
read the Bible to the man. Obviously struggling with the
spirits whose voices he could hear, the man gradually became
calm as the Spirit of God filled him, Clark said.

God gave Clark the assurance that it would be safe to allow
the man to spend the night in his house, although he could
have harmed his wife and four children and stolen their
possessions.

In the morning, the convert was dressed and waiting when the
family awoke, Clark said. After breakfast, Clark took the
changed man to the railroad station and offered him money
for a train ticket home, but he refused the money. Clark
said he believes the Spirit of God caused the man not to
take advantage of another.

African Christians love to sing, and Clark demonstrated
musical instruments they use, including a thumb piano, seed
pods, shakers and a flute.

Clark's wife, Brenda, ministers through literacy classes in
her home. She and the children narrated a slide presentation
showing students at work and other aspects of life in Africa.

The family is living in Brownfield while on a one-year
furlough.

Grand jury indicts 30



By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 18, 1997 - Grand jurors for the Pecos
Division of federal court returned 30 indictments Thursday.
They returned Friday to hear further testimony, but have not
concluded those deliberations.

Indicted for alleged importation and possession with intent
to distribute marijuana are: Obed Verastegui, 30, and Sofia
Verastegui, 35, both of Dallas; Maria Elena Medlock, 25, and
Erin Martinez, 25, both of Phoenix, Ariz.; Ladonna Lea
Walters, 29, of Odessa; Marie Dolores Dominguez and Oscar
Armando Martinez, no age or address available.

Charged with importing and possessing with intent to
distribute cocaine are Abel Gabaldon, 26, of Presidio, John
Chambers, 34, of Marfa, and Maria Enriquez Ramirez, 21, of
Presidio (3.4 grams on Oct. 31); and Aaron Dominguez Vega,
19, of Odessa.

Marijuana possession with intent to distribute is the
charged against: Daniel Marquez Renteria, 29, Odessa; Ricky
Lynn Alexander, 37, of Dallas; Elizabeth Acosta, 38, of
Loveland, Colo.; Raul Galvan Andrade, 42, Odessa; and Raul
Roberto Carbajal, 24, Odessa and Hector Rodirguez-Pineda;
Antonio Murrillo, 25, of San Antonio; Ranchel Diane
Benavides, 20, of Marfa; Carlos Bermudez, 31, of Tucson,
Ariz; Gabriel Gomez, 19, of Odessa; Melody Katherine Leard,
22, and Cody Wayne Richards, 18, both of Kermit.

Clarence Lavar Allen, 29, of Little Rock, Ark., is charged
with possession of one kilogram of phencyclidine (PCP).

Margaret Picket, 31, of Midland, is charged with importing
and possessing with intent to distribute alprazalam and
phentermine.

Charged with illegal entry after deportation are Filiberto
Lopez-Lira, 29, of Seagraves; Sergio Olivas-Lira, and Miguel
Angel Corona-Gonzalez.

Failure to appear is the charge against Jesus Antonio
Montes-Montes, 43, of Mexico; and Luis Ines
Peregrino-Martinez, 38, of Presidio.

Grand jurors in El Paso also indicted four defendants and
transferred the case to Pecos for prosecution.

Charged with importing and possessing with intent to
distribute marijuana are Serbando Galaz-Bustos, 42, Hector
Felipe Alarcon-Luna, 24, Julio Cesar Alarcon-Luna, 21, and
Jose Manuel Marquez-Nunez, 27. All are Mexican citizens.
Galaz-Bustos gives an address in Casas Grandes, Mex.

Pecosites make good showing at Marfa Show



PECOS, November 18, 1997 - Pecos FFA members earned several
awards last weekend at the Marfa Livestock Show, including
Grand Champion in the swine division.

David Bradley's cross bred barrow was selected Grand
Champion shortly after being named breed champion. Pecos FFA
members exhibited 40 barrows and gilts at the show, bringing
home no less than seventh place in any category.

Placings include:

Chris Armstrong, 1st class 1 Durac;

Amy Armstrong, 2nd class 1 Hamp;

Mitzi Bracy, 2nd class 2 OPB;

Drake Bradley, 4th class 1 Cross;

Clifton Brantley, 3rd class 1 Duroc;

Fred Caballero, 5th class 1 OPB;

Jennie Canon, 2nd class 1 Duroc, 4th class 4 OPB, 6th class
4 Hamp;

John Canon, 2nd class 1 OPB, 3rd class 4 Duroc;

Ashlee Canon, 6th class 1 Hamp;

Joshua Cobos, 6th class 3 cross;

Kattie Davis, 4th class 4 Cross;

David Davis, 5th class 1 Duroc;

Israel Lara, 7th class 3 Hamp;

Jordan McNeil, 4th class 2 Hamp;

Taryn McNeil, Reserve Champion Cross, 2nd class 1 Hamp;

Imari Ornelas, 3rd class 2 Duroc;

Natalia Ornelas, 6th class 4 Cross;

Francisco Ornelas, 7th class 1 Hamp;

Paul Parker, 1st class 2 Duroc;

Everett Parker, 4th class 1 Hamp;

Will Perkins, 4th class 2 OPB, 5th class 4 Duroc;

Trey Perkins, 7th class 3 Cross, 4th class 2 Hamp;

Ignacio Rodriguez, 5th class 4 OPB;

Jack Stickels, Reserve Champion OPB, 4th class 4 Hamp, 4th
class 4 Duroc, 5th class 3 Cross;

Donna Warren, 3rd class 1 Cross;

Dana Warren, 7th class 3 Hamp;

Trevor Warren, 7th class 4 Duroc;

Breann Windham, 6th class 1 Hamp;

Alex Morales, 5th class 2 Duroc, 4th class 2 Hamp.

WEATHER

PECOS, November 18, 1997 - High Monday, 52, low this
morning, 30. Most of Texas started the day cloudy and cool,
with sunshine most abundant in far West Texas. Overnight
temperatures were on the cold side, although not as chilly
as Sunday night. A southerly flow at 10 to 20 mph Monday
brought clouds back to all except the extreme west.The cloud
cover slowed temperature rises. As a result, daytime highs
Monday were running nearly 20 degrees below seasonal normals
of 66 to 70 degrees. Late afternoon temperature extremes
ranged from 45 degrees at Burnet, College Station and
Alliance Airport north of Fort Worth to 64 degrees at
Rockport. Tonight should have clearing in the east and lows
in the upper 20s in the Panhandle to 40s elsewhere.
Wednesday is expected to be sunny and warmer with highs in
the 50s to 70s.



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e-mail news@pecos.net

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