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| Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide for Pecos Country of West Texas Top Stories Friday, August 28, 1998 Sheriffs back drug task force plan By PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer Four county sheriffs have agreed to support a local drug task force hosted by Reeves County, said sheriff Arnulfo Gomez. Gomez and Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney visited Wednesday with sheriffs in Culberson, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties, and all agreed to participate, he said. "Some counties don't have the money, but we are trying to get five beds in their jails to be used strictly to do matching funds on the task force," Gomez said. Revenue from the U.S. Marshal Service inmates using those beds would be earmarked for matching funds. With those funds, Gomez hopes to obtain a state grant to pay the salary of a task force chief and other operating expenses. "We will get grant money," said Gomez. "I have a (application) package and the county judge and commissioners are looking at it." Gomez said it is important that the counties support the task force with local money. "We don't want people to think we are going to pull every car over to make our matching funds," he said. The four counties were among 17 that were part of the former Permian Basin Drug Task Force, which was de-funded by Gov. George W. Bush's office in May. Ector County commissioners opted against hosting a new task force under terms set down by the governor's office, and no other county has offered to serve as host. A new task force, operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, is expected to begin operations in September, but it is opposed by most area sheriffs. Jeff Davis County Sheriff Steve Bailey, Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez and Culberson County Sheriff Glenn Humphries agreed to provide some beds -- although not all can set aside five -- for the Reeves County project, Gomez said. "They are going to send me a letter of support. We can start with three counties and then try to add more of the 17," he said. Cooperation between the counties is already good, but none has the money to buy equipment and pay extra manpower to do undercover work, Gomez said. District Attorney Randy Reynolds said he will prosecute for any legitimate agency that files legitimate cases. As to added liabilities hosting such a task force would bring to Reeves County, Reynolds said it is just expanding law enforcement capabilities. "Aren't we liable anyway?" he asked. "We are just gathering information. We will have to weigh the liabilities as opposed to the benefits, and if it is a liability we want to assume or not." The district attorney's office is one entity that legally can host a task force, but Reynolds said he would not have the time to devote to it. However, he said he would be glad to help in an advisory capacity to ensure the integrity of the local task force. Reynolds said he will also support the DPS task force that is expected to be in operation soon by prosecuting any cases they file. "If the DPS task force works cases in Reeves County, I will welcome them with open arms," he said. "Son Shine `98" to feature Jimmy Edward Good music that soothes the soul will again be featured during the long Labor Day weekend in Pecos, with different performers scheduled throughout the evening at part of the annual Son Shine concert at Windmill Square. The festival has become a tradition for many Christians throughout the area, and for the tenth year, the local group Sudden Impact will host the Festival of Concerts -- Son Shine '98, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. Headlining this years concert will be former Tejano legend Jimmy Edward. In his long career, Jimmy Edward has had roughly 25 albums released. He has had several hit singles, including "Memories" from 1976 and "Tu Prieto" from 1981. His Tejano career brought him the success he dreamed. "I had everything," Edward said, "but there was still a void in my life." Edward went through a long stream of struggles and disappointments in the early 1990s, and a New Year's dance in Pecos in 1994 was one of the last secular engagements he would do. Later that year, Edward surrendered his life completely to the Lord. His life has since changed dramatically. Many had considered him as MIA -- missing in action. This was due to a span of time that he did not tour. It was during this time that the Lord was dealing with him and his life. Now, Edward has returned to the music with a drive that never existed previously. He now has a strong desire to serve the Lord. His performances now emphasize Jesus, not the music of Jimmy Edward. "There is no more pressure on me like before," Edward said. "My concerts are no longer about glorifying myself, they're about glorifying Jesus Christ." Edward is busier now than he had been in the last five years. His first release since his conversion is entitled Los Cristianos. He terms the music on this release as "Christian Tejano music." Songs like "Los Cristianos" and "Ya Regrese" have received heavy air play not only on Christian radio stations but also on many Tejano radio stations. He will make his second appearance at the Son Shine Festival, but this will be his fourth visit to Pecos since his Tejano days. "Pecos is becoming like my second home. I'm anxious to be there again." Pecos native Jennifer Martinez of Pecos will make her debut appearance here next week, aside from her performance in the Golden Girl of the Old West pageant, where she won the runner-up title. Martinez received a standing ovation for her talent performance at the pageant where she sang the popular Christian song, "On My Knees," by Jaci Velasquez. she will again be singing the ever-popular song along with others. The Abundant Life Praise Band will also make their first appearance outside of their church congregation. The local group Sudden Impact will again join the others to perform at this year's event. The group, which began in 1986 as a secular pop/rock band, has four releases out. Their latest No Illusion was recently released this past May. Sudden Impact is not just a group of young men playing Christian music. They truly believe God is using them to reach the youth as well as the young of heart. A young girl once said that Sudden Impact had "made a difference in our lives." Also to be performing will be Arett Janel Wireman of Sonora who shares her country brand of song to Pecos, Oasis of Carlsbad, N.M., which has been involved with the Son Shine Festival for many years. Another artist in this year's event is Darlene Bahr of El Paso. Darlene has a CD out entitled Journey Back, which contains folk/rock driven arrangements that motivates one to examine how God fits in this crazy world. Her contemporary style is light-hearted and seasoned with the soul searching reality of her own journey. Also to appear on the Son Shine '98 stage will be Cheyenne Reeves of San Angelo. Formerly with Blessed Hope, Cheyenne steps out in faith on a solo ministry for Christ. This will be her second time in Pecos for the Son Shine Festival. For those in attendance, there will be plenty of sodas, snacks and water not to mention T-shirts, CDs and cassettes of several of the artists who will be performing. Make plans to attend this year's 10th Annual Festival of Concerts -- Son Shine '98 to be held at Windmill Square, behind the West of the Pecos Museum on South Cedar Street. Admission is free. District court jury clears Lee of charge BY PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer Dr. Chun S. Lee won a jury verdict Thursday in 143rd District Court, which cleared him of an assault allegation. Mary Lou Arenivas claimed that Dr. Lee sexually assaulted her in his office during an examination. However, after hearing testimony, the jury found that Dr. Lee did not assault Arenivas. David Zavoda represented Dr. Lee, while Arenivas was represented by Cindy Wier-Irwin. In a trial earlier in the week, Mary Katherine Zeman won a directed verdict against Mobil, et al, over an oil lease dispute. District Judge Bob Parks returned to the bench this morning for the weekly non-jury docket, disposing of 10 tax suits and several family matters, plus a few criminal matters. Hunt goes on for missing in Del Rio By PAULINE ARRILLAGA Associated Press Writer DEL RIO, Texas (AP) -- Huddled together on the street where their father's house used to be, Aviel and Enrique Zuniga could do nothing but watch and wait as a search dog sniffed under a pile of rubble, hunting for the body. As layers of debris were peeled away, so, too, was their hope. The brothers braced for the worse. They expected it. But when the trash was pushed aside, rescue workers found only a dead racoon. Enrique Zuniga Sr., 73, remained missing. The brothers were overcome with relief -- and a renewed sense of dread. ``It's frustrating, very frustrating,'' said Enrique Zuniga Jr., 52. ``We just want to find out what happened to him. I'd like to know right away.'' The Zuniga family is one of dozens still waiting for word on people who have been missing since a wall of water swept through this border town early Monday, killing at least seven. Authorities released the names today of about 170 people still unaccounted for. Of those, nine are confirmed to have been in the city when the floods struck, said Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Judy Altom. By making the names public authorities hope to track down people who may simply have been out of town when the flooding occurred. ``They might have been here, but we don't know if they were here,'' Ms. Altom said. Like the Zunigas, the authorities are bracing for the worst but trying to remain optimistic. ``We're going to find more,'' said Del Rio police Chief Charles Bruce. ``But some are buried in the mud and we're just not going to ever find them.'' So far, 17 people have died in Texas and Mexico since the remnants of Tropical Storm Charley sent creeks and rivers spilling over their banks. In addition to the seven people in Del Rio, five people were killed across the border in Ciudad Acuna and five died in the Texas Hill Country. The search for the missing has been hampered by the level of devastation. In neighborhoods along Del Rio's San Felipe Creek, about 1,000 home were damaged. More than half of those were destroyed, leaving mountains of rubble under which people might have been trapped. But even those homes still standing could be unsafe for rescue workers to comb through, Ms. Altom said. ``What we're trying to do is preserve life. We don't want somebody getting hurt trying to find a victim,'' she said. Teams are scouring the neighborhoods using dogs, air boats and helicopters. But as the days pass, the pessimism grows. The Zuniga brothers hold out almost no hope that their father will be found alive. He lived alone and was a heavy sleeper, they said. When the water rushed, he probably was in bed. ``He didn't have a chance,'' said Enrique. ``He lived right on the creek, and the water took everything. ``He could be here. He could be down the creek. He could be at the Rio Grande.'' Enrique has given police a photo of his father. He has even gone to the airport, where those bodies that have been recovered are being kept, to look among the dead. His brother, 43-year-old Aviel Zuniga, arrived from Dallas with his wife to help in the search. Their seven other brothers and sisters, spread from South Carolina to California, are sitting by their phones, waiting for word. ``I have a gut feeling that he's in there somewhere,'' Aviel said, pointing at stacks of debris near where he found one of his father's prescription bottles and some wrenches engraved with his initials. ``But we're not the only ones suffering,'' he said. ``There's a whole lot of grief to go around.'' POLICE REPORT EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office, 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. *** Esiquela Martinez, 42, was arrested at 8 p.m., on August 19, at the corner of Seventh and Sycamore streets, on a warrant for terroristic threat. She was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Joel Rubio, 23, was served with three warrants at 10:59 p.m., on August 20, at Reeves County Jail. The warrants were for a violation of a promise to appear in court, driving without a license, and running a stop sign. *** Jesus Ortega, 18, was arrested at 12:16 a.m., on August 21, in the 1500 block of Cowan Street, on DPS warrants. He paid the fine and was released. *** Arnulfo Miranda Jr., 32, was arrested at 5:11 p.m., on August 21, in the 500 block of Walnut Street, for public intoxication. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Francisco Ortega, 66, and Jeremy Renteria, 18, were arrested at 8:25 p.m., on August 21, at La Tienda Thriftway, for disorderly conduct. They were transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Hal Pratt, 57, was arrested at 2:13 a.m., on August 22, at the corner of Third and Cedar streets, for public intoxication. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Michael Roberts, 19, was arrested at 3:30 a.m., on August 22, on a warrant for aggravated assault. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Robert Abila, 41, was arrested at 11 a.m., on August 22, on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Jose Reyes, 30, was arrested at 11:04 a.m., on August 22, in the 500 block of South Ash Street, on a warrant for assault causing bodily injury. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Doyle Reed, 43, was arrested at 11:30 a.m., on August 22, on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Victor Mendoza, 18, was arrested at 4:13 p.m., on August 22, in the 100 block of North Cedar Street, on a warrant for forgery. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Cesar Zermeno, 20, was arrested at 5:58 p.m., on August 22, at the corner of Fourth and Eddy Streets, on a warrant for theft. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Daniel Sotelo, 24, was arrested at 7:29 p.m., on August 22, at the Circle M Bar, on capias pro fine warrants. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Nicholas Hernandez, 32, was arrested at 2:57 a.m., on August 23, in the 1300 block of East Fourth Street, for assault under the Family Violence Act. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Osvaldo Garcia, 35, was arrested at 3:04 a.m., on August 23, in the 500 block of Mesquite Street, for public intoxication. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Maria Patino, 38, was arrested at noon, on August 23, on capias pro fine warrants. She was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Maria Sauceda was arrested at 11:25 p.m., on August 23, in the 400 block of South Alberta Street, on a DPS warrant. She paid the fine and was released. *** Edmundo Saenz Sr., 54, was arrested at 1:25 p.m., on August 24, for driving without a license. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Pecos police arrested a minor at 9 a.m., on August 24, at 509 S. Pecan St., on a warrant for criminal mischief. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Gary Treadwell, 23, was served with a warrant at 11:27 a.m., on August 25, at Reeves County Jail, for terroristic threat. *** Albert Prieto, 17, was arrested at 11:30 a.m., on August 27, at Pecos High School, on a warrant for a simple assault. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. *** Jose Luis Rodriguez, 45, was arrested at 4:36 p.m., on August 27, in the 100 block of North Pecan Street, for a simple assault under the Family Violence Act. He was transported to Reeves County Jail. WEATHER High Thursday 99. Low this morning 74. Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy. A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low in the upper 60s. Northeast wind 5-10 mph. Saturday, partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. high near 90. East to northeast wind 5-15 mph. Search Entire Site: 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@pecos.net 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. Copyright 1998 by Pecos Enterprise