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Top StoriesApril 8, 1998Republic of Texas members convictedFORT STOCKTON, Texas (AP), April 8, 1998 - A Texas separatist has been sentenced to life in prison and his wife to 30 years after both were convicted for a military-style raid that led to an armed standoff in the mountains. A Pecos County jury deliberated about five hours Saturday before handing down the sentences for Gregg and Karen Paulson, both members of the Republic of Texas, a group that believes Texas is an independent nation. The same jury had convicted the Paulsons on Friday on one count each of burglary with intent to commit an aggravated assault. The trail was moved to Fort Stockton because of extensive pre-trial publicity in Jeff Davis County, where the crime took place. The charges stemmed from the couple's role in an April 27 assault on the home of Joe and M.A. Rowe, two residents in the Davis Mountains Resort, a remote rural community 175 miles southeast of El Paso. The raid, carried out in retaliation for the arrest of a Republic member, touched off an armed standoff between the separatists and 300 law officers. It ended May 3 when group leader Rick McLaren and other members surrendered. McLaren and his chief aide, Robert Otto, were both convicted Oct. 31 on organized crimes charges stemming from the siege. Gregg Paulson testified during his own trial that McLaren ordered the initial raid. A fifth person, Richard Keyes III, is awaiting trial in the incident. Churches celebrate Easter seasonBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, April 8, 1998 - Church services are marking the Easter season beginning this week. Holy Week began Monday at Santa Rosa Catholic Church with the Stations of the Cross, followed by Mass. On Holy Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m., Santa Rosa Catholic Church will have the washing of the feet, commissioning of the Eucharist Ministers, blessing of the bread and a procession with the blessed sacrament. Holy hour will be observed from 10 until 11 p.m. and an adoration from 11 p.m. to midnight. Good Friday will be observed with at 3 p.m. with station of the crosses procession beginning at St. Catherines Catholic Church and ending at Santa Rosa. At 7 p.m., celebration of the passion of the Lord, the seven words, the adoration of the holy cross and communion service will be held. Holy Saturday will start with the celebration of the Lord's Resurrection at 10 p.m. and the blessing of the fire and paschal candle, the blessing of the water and the renewal of baptismal promises. Easter Sunday will be marked with special services held throughout the day, beginning at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. A procession will be held at 10 a.m. At St. Catherines Catholic Church Holy Thursday, will be observed with Mass of the Last Supper. A communion service and veneration of the cross will be held on Good Friday, at 7 p.m. Holy Saturday will be observed at 8 p.m., with an Easter vigel and a special Easter Service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Sunday. First United Methodist Church will observe Holy Week beginning with Maundy Thursday. A special service is scheduled for 7 p.m. that day. On Easter Sunday a special service will be held at 10:55 a.m. A Sunrise Service will be held Sunday on the hill north of Barstow on Farm to Market road 516 with Jim Daniels officiating. Breakfast will be served at the Community Center in Barstow following the services sponsored by Barstow Baptist Church. Eight different churches will be sponsoring a three-day event, beginning on Sunday, April 12 through Tuesday, April 14. Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames, a dramatized real life presentation, with a cast of 50, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Pecos High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information call 445-4921. Free admission. First Baptist, Calvary Baptist, West Park Baptist, North Temple, Abundant Life, Mount Zion and Primary Iglesia Bautista churches are sponsoring the event. Crockett presents science fairBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, April 8, 1998 - Future scientists had an opportunity to show off their inventions at Crockett Middle School's Science Fair held April 4. The student's projects were judged based on illustration, research and student knowledge of research area. The projects were categorized into three groups consisting of chemistry, life/earth science and physics. "Students worked throughout the fifth six-weeks period on the projects," said teacher Frank Ornelas. Presenting science projects incorporates all of the TAAS skills required by the state, according to Ornelas. "All students are encouraged to participate in the science fair, which enables them to discover the application of the scientific process, while learning to work independently in teams, thus reflecting a practical working environment," said Ornelas. The students at Crockett Middle School continue to marture and apply academic skills to everyday situations. Presenting science projects allows the students involved to acquire and apply those TAAS Life Science skills necessary for promotion and success in our public school system, according to Ornelas. The science fair had a total of 28 teams/projects entered. A third of the students at CMS participated in the fair and each team was comprised of three to four students. A total of 106 students participated in the fair. Sweepstakes first place winners included the team of Oscar Arculeta, Lisa Lopez, Ashley Contreras and Brian Fuentez, whose project was in the physics category. Their project was titled, Rotary Traffic Switch. Second place winners were Andrea Herrera, Delissa Munoz and Cessylia Chavez, with their project, What Gas is Produced?, which is in the chemistry category. The third place project, Clean Water, in the life/earth science category, was constructed by Kristina Dominguez, Crystal Garcia, Joey Rodriguez and Michael Chavez. The fair was officiated by students from the Pecos High School science departments. The eight student judges were: Alva Alvarez, Elizabeth Parent, Erin Dominguez, Matt Ivy, Sarah Armstrong, Griselda Zapata, Frank Perea and Efrain Rodriguez. The students participating were from the classes of Jim Workman, Kim Anderson and Francisco Ornelas. "With the advent of new cirrucula for the State of Texas and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), these teachers hope to increase the success of their students in accompanying them as they continue in their areas of teaching and research," said Ornelas. The diverse backgrounds of the teacher-teams in the areas of agronomy, biology, chemistry, and teaching compliment the student potential at Crockett Middle School, according to Ornelas. "As we advance into this technological millenium, the support from administrators and the community for our young scientists is crucial and essential to the success and growth of the students in our community," he said. The science program at the school had attained a passing status of 71 percent for TAAS examinations under the direction of former Crockett Middle School principal, Danny Rodriguez and hopes to receive "recognized" status in the 1997-98 school year. "Juanita Davila has been very supportive of the science program and also has expectations of achieving a `recognized campus' status for the TAAS examination results for 1997-98," said Ornelas. The continued support of the administration of PBT ISD and the community will ensure the success and growth of our students. Public schools continue to be leaders in the preparation of students for the world of tomorrow, according to Ornelas. "Positive changes, constructive criticism and teamwork are necessary in the improvement of the education provided to the children of Pecos," he said. The team approach maintains that students, parents, and the district can provide the most open-minded approach toward the education of a community. Commitment to the success of public education illustrates our appreciation for your participation, according to Ornelas. Boys, drugs add up to jail time for two girlsLow self-esteem compounds problemsBy CARA ALLIGOOD Staff Writer Editor's Note: Some teenagers in custody at the Reeves County Juvenile Detention Center recently agreed to speak to a reporter about their experiences. Their names have been changed to protect their identities. Their detention at this facility does not mean they are from the local area. This is the first of a two-part series telling the juveniles' stories. Today, the girls' stories will be told. PECOS, April 8, 1998 - Both boys and girls get into trouble with the law these days, and drugs, gangs or both are often factors involved in their situations. "Emily," 16, looks like any wholesome American teenager, except for the orange detention center uniform. She is polite, and answers questions purposefully, as if granting interviews was an every day occurrence for her. Emily said that her trouble wasn't because of gang involvement. "I never messed with it," she said, although she said that she has been around a lot of gang activity. "I was arrested for possession of marijuana." Emily said that she wasn't dealing the drug, just transporting it for her then-boyfriend. Emily said that she was 14 when she first tried marijuana, and shortly after that, she started using cocaine. The first time she tried marijuana, Emily said, she and her boyfriend had gone out with a friend. She was nervous at first, but went along with the others, who had smoked marijuana before. She got high that first time, then "did it again and again." "I was worried about growing up too quick, so I didn't have time to worry about the drugs," Emily said. She said that her boyfriend manipulated her into transporting the drugs for him. According to Emily, he wasn't a drug dealer, "just a transporter and a user." Emily's problems with the law go back to when she was 14 and was arrested for auto theft. At that age, she quit school and moved in with a boyfriend. She admits that she was having sex with the young man, and realizes now that she had low self-esteem. She said that she had become rebellious and wanted to be out on her own. "I moved out at a young age, and there was a lot of travel -jump, jump, jump -that's how I ended up here (in custody at the JDC)," Emily said. She said that her self-confidence has improved since she has been at the detention facility, and that she has had the opportunity to contemplate all that has happened in her life. "After you wind up in a place like this, you can look back and see your mistakes. It's up to us to decide if we want to learn from them or keep making them," Emily said. As far as her home life was concerned, Emily said, " My mom drank a little bit while I was growing up, and my father wasn't around. There wasn't anything drastic." She has a stepfather, who is incarcerated. "I don't drink and I don't do drugs anymore," Emily said. "I'm stable enough where I can resist" drug use after being released from the detention facility. Emily is currently re-enrolled in high school and plans to graduate. According to Juvenile Probation Officer Alberto Alvarez, she has a 94.7 percent average, high enough to qualify her for honor roll if she were attending a regular high school. She hopes to become a psychologist and wants to work with troubled teens. "I feel the experience I've had could help other kids," Emily said, "because troubled kids know how troubled kids think." She doesn't yet know where she will go when she is released from the JDC. If she could give one piece of advice to another girl who is following the same path she was on, Emily would say, "Respect yourself. When you respect yourself, you respect everything around you." Emily said she feels that kids who are drawn into crime and gang activity are people who have low self-esteem and are crying out for help, not recrimination. She said that if anyone sees a teen getting into trouble, she hopes that they will try to help instead of ridicule that young person. "Tiffany," a 14-year-old girl who has been in trouble with the law on a variety of charges over the years, admits to drinking, using drugs, running away from home, violating curfew and committing perjury. She denies being involved with a gang. She said that she is in the juvenile detention center because of a probation violation while on probation for the perjury charge. Her probation violation was a curfew violation, and she came up positive on a drug analysis test as well. She first got into trouble with the law after crashing her mother's car at the age of 12. Tiffany said that she lied on the witness stand in order to protect a boyfriend. She had been involved with the same boy since she was 12 years old. At that age, she was already using drugs and having sex, she said. The boy was four years older than her. At first, Tiffany said that although her boyfriend used to beat her up, she wasn't trying to protect him because she was afraid of him, but because she felt that she loved him. It may seem contradictory to other people, but Tiffany said that she felt good with this boy, even though he "tortured" her. Tiffany is a quiet, shy girl who speaks slowly and more often nods than makes a direct statement. She finally looked down at the ground and said that she did lie for the boy because she was scared of what he would do to her if she didn't lie to protect him. "I don't think I would have been on probation" if it hadn't been for the perjury instance, she said. Tiffany couldn't give a specific answer when asked why she risked being in serious trouble with the law to lie for her boyfriend, but when asked if she thought she had low self-esteem, she said, "I probably do." Tiffany grew up in a home with a mother who used to drink, she said, a father who is a heroin addict, and older siblings who she watched getting high with their friends. She said that she started using drugs at the age of eight, and doesn't even remember the first time she got high. Tiffany said that getting high made her feel "stupid" afterward, but "I liked the way I felt when I was high." She said other people "sometimes" talked her into getting high, but she did say more than once that she got high to be part of a crowd. She was doing spray (inhaling spray paint fumes) about once a day for about a year and a half before being sentenced to the juvenile detention center. She said that she doesn't do very well in school, but knows she could do better. Tiffany said that she wants to do better in school, but has a hard time staying out of trouble. She wants to finish high school and hopes to become a physical therapist. Tiffany is scared of losing her family while she is in the detention facility. She said that being locked away from her family makes her think about her life. She believes that her love for her family may give her the motivation she needs to stay out of trouble in the future. If Tiffany met another girl whose life seemed to be heading in the same direction as her's did, she would advise her, "Stay in school, don't do drugs, and even though of course you're going to be interested, try not to get involved with boys until you're older." Resource Agencies If you see yourself, a friend, neighbor or family member in a situation similar to that of one or more of the juveniles portrayed in the above article, here is a list of phone numbers for agencies where you may be able to find help. Stay Together Program -for the prevention of runaways, truant and at-risk youth -1-800-922-STAY Boys Town National Hotline (both boys and girls are welcome to call) -1-800-448-3000 Narcotics Anonymous -1-800-747-8972 Cocaine Hotline -1-800-COCAINE Alanon/Alateen (support groups for family members/teens affected by another person's drinking) -1-800-344-2666 Runaway Hotline -1-800-392-3352 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children -1-800-843-5678 Battered Women and Their children (call collect) -1-915-683-1300 AIDS Information -1-800-299-2473 There are also Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings here in Pecos several times a week. Monday -AA and Alanon open meeting, 7-8 p.m., St. Mark's at Fifth and Plum in the back Tuesday -AA and Alanon closed meeting (separate rooms) 8-9 p.m., 125 S. Oak, across from the caboose NA -7:30-8:30 p.m. Reeves County Hospital cafeteria Thursday -AA and Alanon closed meeting 7-8 p.m., Fifth and Plum Friday -AA and Alanon open meeting 8-9 p.m., 125 S. Oak Sunday -NA -7-8 p.m., MHMR at the old hospital on Daggett St. Seven juveniles referred to detention centerPECOS, April 8, 1998 - The juvenile monthly report for the month of March shows seven new referrals to the juvenile court's detention facility, bringing the total number of Reeves County youth detained to six and the total number of out-of-county youth to 16. The seven referrals break down as: one runaway; one failure to attend school; two violations of juvenile court order; one charge of criminal mischief causing damage of over $500 and under $1500; one charge of criminal mischief causing damage of over $20 and under $500; and one case of home-related crisis intervention. Of the seven new referrals, three were male and four were female. Six were listed as Hispanic and one was listed as black. One case was referred by Reeves County Sheriff's Department; two by Pecos Police Department; one by parents, one by municipal court, and two by "other." New phone scam diverts callsBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, April 8, 1998 - A story in Friday's Pecos Enterprise warned readers of several phone scams that seem to target Hispanics, but a new one has been detected that targets businesses. According to information received, a swindler calls into a company, identifies himself as a phone company technician who is testing the lines and asks the employee who answers to touch nine, zero and the pound sign, then to hang up. This gives the thief access to a local phone operator, who is then requested to switch the call to an international exchange. "We've received a call about this, but we don't have a lot of information on it," said Katie Bohuslaz, Public Utilities Commission spokesperson. "We're aware of this scam, but most of the information we have has come from different articles," said Bohuslaz. According to Bohuslaz, the scam is being widely publicized by public utilities companies and they are warning their employees and others about it. Employees are warned that if they do receive such a call from someone who asks for an outside line to do tests, to get their name, company, phone number and supervisor's name, then do some checking. Don't simply connet them to an outside line. "This is really outside our jurisdiction, so there isn't much we can do about it, but they are urged to contact local officials," said Bohuslaz. "As soon as we think we've heard of all the scams, they always come up with something new to try to swindle people," she said. Alvin Crow to spend week in PecosBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, April 8, 1998 - At the age of four you are too young to go to school, you can't drive, what has a kid got to do but burn his fingers into the fretboard learning to play one heck of a mean fiddle. That's what Alvin Crow did perched atop his Grandpa's lap in Oklahoma many years ago. A band leader for 20 years, Crow is still going strong with eight albums under his belt and several regional hits, including "Nyquil Blues." Now local talent will have the opportunity to jam with Crow as the West of the Pecos Museum and Texas Folklife Resources sponsors his week-long community residency in Pecos. Crow will be performing and speaking on western swing fiddle music from Monday, April 13, to Sunday, April 19, to groups at the Lions Club, Pecos Nursing Home, Pecos Senior Citizens Center and area churches and schools. He will perform at Balmorhea's Senior Citizens Center on Thursday, April 16. "We'd like to share him a little bit," said Brandy Owen, executive director of the museum. All area musicians, whatever your taste in music, are invited to converge at 7 p.m., Monday, April 13, on Windmill Square, next door to the Convention and Visitors Center, for an evening of impromptu jams. The museum's annual barbecue fundraiser, normally in May, will be held a little early to coincide with Crow's residency. It will be at 7 p.m., Friday, April 17 at the West of the Pecos Museum. "We're inviting all to bring out their lawn chairs and attend this event," said Owen. Interested musicians may call 445-5076 for more information. Two fail to appear in federal courtBY PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer PECOS, April 8, 1998 - Senior Judge Lucius Bunton ordered two federal court defendants arrested this morning when they failed to appear on drug and immigration charges. Luis Exiquio Carrillo of El Paso reported Monday that his car broke down in Sierra Blanca while he was enroute to Pecos for court. He was advised to find a way to get here by 9 a.m. today, but failed to do so, said his attorney, Anthony Foster of Alpine. Carrillo's co-defendant, Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez-de Cruz did appear and pleaded guilty to one count of transporting illegal aliens. Martin Gonzalez was scheduled to enter a plea in a drug possession case, but his attorney, Tony Chavez, sent word that he has absconded. "We will issue a warrant for his arrest forthwith," said Judge Bunton, who closed out his week's docket before noon today. Weather bodes well for crops across the stateFrom Staff and Wire Reports COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP), April 8, 1998 - Producers are crying tears of joy as dry and sunny weather has been ideal for Texas 1015 onion production and quality this year, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports. Locally, onion expert A.B. Foster, who recently sold his 1,200 acres of onion land to Randy Taylor, said that everything looks good for now but it is still another two months before local onions will be harvested. "The winds aren't real good for 'em," said Foster, "but it doesn't hurt 'em too much." Leonard Pike, director of the Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A&M University, said the yields, quality and prices of 1015 in his part of the state are good. "The quality is probably as good as we've had in many, many years," he said. Pike said last year's excessive rains destroyed numerous acres of onions. However, he said the weather has been very cooperative, with lots of sun and little rain while the crop was growing and maturing this year. "It was rain, rain, rain for about six weeks last year," he said. "This year the weather has been almost perfect." Pike said the 1015 onions are well-adapted to the Texas environment. "Generally, we have the necessary environment to produce the big, mild, sweet 1015s out of Texas," he said. "It's probably the best in the world." Pike said as an onion breeder, he never imagined an onion could become so popular. However, since the early 1980s, the 1015 onions have remained very popular despite several other marketed onion varieties. Darlene Barter, manager of the South Texas Onion and Melon Committee, said more than 2,000 acres of 1015 onions were planted in the Rio Grande Valley and Winter Garden areas. "The early rains thinned the crop some," she said. "But what's left is absolutely beautiful." Barter said producers are expecting a very good onion crop. She said the tonnage is down, but the quality is excellent. In South Texas, Extension horticulturist Dr. Lynn Brandenberger of Weslaco, said despite recent strong winds, the crop still looks good. "So far, so good," he said. "At least we're not in a real wet and cold mode like last year." Brandenberger said while other onion varieties are presently being harvested, 1015 onions are a late variety. He predicts they will be harvested in mid-to-late April. Brandenberger said 1015 onion prices have decreased, but are steady. ObituaryApril 8, 1998Tatum EisenwineTatum Eisenwine, 86, died Wednesday, April 8, at Reeves County Hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 10, at the First Christian Church of Pecos with Rev. J.E. "Mac" McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the home of Beau Jack and Tina Hendrick, 1519 Katherine Street in Pecos. Eisenwine was born on Nov. 30, 1911, in Reeves County. He served as county commissioner for more than 22 years and was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II from 1942-1945. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maureen in 1997, two daughters, Julie Dyer in 1989 and Melinda Crist in 1995, a brother J.W. Eisenwine in 1995, and a sister, Hazel Hendrick in 1997. Survivors include: his brother, Norman Eisenwine; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; many nieces; and many nephews. The family requests memorials be made to the First Christian Church of Pecos or the West of the Pecos Museum. Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. WEATHERPECOS, April 8, 1998 - High Tuesday, 80, low this morning, 44. Strong thunderstorms raced at a high speed across a vast area of the state during the night and early today. The storms were generated by a southward moving cold front and triggered numerous warnings from the National Weather Service during the early morning hours. The thunderstorms had brief heavy rainfall, hail ranging from the size of peas to the size of golf balls, frequent lightning and winds gusting from 50-70 mph. Hail the size of golf balls pelted Ennis in Ellis County, just south of Dallas, and slightly smaller hail was reported at Garland and in Kaufman County. Several tornado warnings were issued, but there were no reports of significant damage by dawn. Funnel clouds were sighted near Wimberly and Junction. Most of the thunderstorms were in North Texas, South Central Texas, the Edwards Plateau and Concho Valley. One line of thunderstorms was centered in the Tyler area about 5 a.m. It will be partly cloudy through Thursday in West Texas. Lows tonight will be in the 30s in the Panhandle. Highs Thursday will be in the 70s and 80s in West Texas.
Pecos Enterprise
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