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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Top Stories

Friday, December 4, 1998

County backs program to aid victims


By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
A Victim's Assistance Plan proposal was approved along with
a resolution in support of the project, during an emergency
meeting of the Reeves County Commissioners Court meeting at
noon on Thursday.

District Attorney Randall Reynolds outlined the proposal and
said the reason for the emergency was that the paperwork was
to have been in Midland this past Tuesday, but was not ready
at the time. "Now, we want to get them in as soon as
possible to receive the funds needed," said Reynolds.

He told the court that the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund
was not very well supported in rural areas. "In bigger
cities they have staff that is dedicated to this, but rural
areas only have one or two people trying to get the victim's
rights assessed," he said.

The 143rd Judicial District of Texas serves the counties of
Reeves, Ward, and Loving by the prosecution of felony
offenders. Additionally the district court office provides a
victim's assistant cooridinator as manded by state law to
assure that victims are afforded their rights and to work
closely with the appropriate law enforcement and criminal
justice agencies in carrying out the duty.

"If we have this staff person, she or he can come out and
talk to the victim and keep them informed," said Reynolds.

Reynolds stated that at present there is a deficiency in the
number of victims served and in the quality of the services
provided. In the past, victims have been merely provided a
brochure and provided court dates and then all other
victims' concerns have been addressed only when requested by
victim and in response to victims' questions.

According to the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation fund is
below average which is indicative in the quality of services
being provided by present.

Reynolds said his office would create a full time position
of administrative assistant to provide the victim services.

According to Reynolds, the position will enhance services to
victims by identifying victims through law enforcement and
medical reports and thus, communicating with each victim
early following the victimization. The staff will educate
and re-educate the victim as to the victims' rights and
opportunities available and provide assurances that the
services are available and being provided.

"A lot of the times, the victims think our office isn't
doing anything, but there is a lot to do after a crime is
committed and we're very busy," Reynolds said.

This program is designed to serve all victims as defined by
the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as those additional
victims identified by the grant policies by adequately
communicating with each victim and assisting the victim
through the process in the first year of the project.

The total cost of this project will be $36,815.69 with
$5,460 of in-kind match being provided through volunteer
service and $4,293 being a cash match by Reeves County which
leaves the balance of grant funds requested to be $27,061.

"This is right in line in what we're trying to do," said
Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo. "The victim and your
office can keep the communication open and provides a
liaison between you and the victim."

"I feel this is very important, we applaud you for applying
for the funds and anything we can do for our citizens we
support the efforts," said Precinct 3 Commissioner Herman
Tarin.

"I feel we have a great benefit for this," said Precinct 1
Commissioner Felipe Arredondo.

"We want to let people know of the services available out
here," said Reynolds.

Galindo will be the authorized officer, Reeves County
Auditor Lynn Owens will be the financial auditor for the
program and Reynolds will be the project director.

`Christmas' looks to aid 112 families


By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
As of this morning, 112 families are targeted for gifts
from "Christmas for Kids," with applications from needy
families still coming in.

Sophia Baeza, coordinator of the annual drive, said that
Saturday is the last day for applications, and they may be
picked up at the Reeves County Sheriff's Office.

"We have collected $4,418 as of this morning, but our goal
was $5,000-plus," Baeza said. "Anyone who wants to donate
can contact me at the sheriff's office (445-4901) or Linda
Clark at the county treasurer's office (445-2631)."

Christmas lights are also needed to decorate two trailers
the group plans to use to deliver the gifts on December 18,
caroling along the way, Baeza said.

"If anyone has a string they are not using, we would like
to have it," she said.

Gifts consist of coats, shoes or other clothing that
children need, Baeza said. No toys are included.

Baeza said last year over 410 children were helped by the
"Christmas for Kids" program.

Quick decisions shorten stay for visiting judge


By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
Visiting Judge C.W. Milburn of Odessa zipped through civil
and criminal dockets this morning in 143rd District Court,
informally calling each case by the name of the party(s)
involved and dispensing with them quickly.

First on the docket was a child custody case in which the
court had ordered the child be brought to court.

"Do you have the child?" the elderly judge asked the mother.

"Yes."

"O.K., that's all," said the judge, calling the next case.

District Attorney Randy Reynolds responded to the docket
call on each criminal case, briefly explaining what
agreement attorneys had reached.

Robert Anchondo Abila and his attorney approached the bench
for arraignment on a grand jury indictment for drug
possession.

"What is it, marijuana or cocaine?" asked Judge Milburn.

Told it was marijuana, Judge Milburn said, "How do you
plead, guilty or not guilty?"

"Not guilty," said Abila.

"You've been arraigned," said Milburn, calling the next case.

Several cases were continued, but some were awaiting
paperwork to be completed for pleas before Judge Milburn.

"When you get ready to so something, let me know," said the
judge as he completed docket call.

Donations to victims total 1,270 pounds

Citizens in the storm-ravaged countries of Honduras,
Guatemala and Nicaragua will soon be receiving some much
needed items from Trans-Pecos residents.

The items will come from both local and area efforts
initiated by the Pecos office of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.

About 1,270 pounds of food items were collected in Pecos,
with donations taken at the Pecos Enterprise and other
donations coming from the local Wal-Mart store.

The supplies, which have been collected for the past few
weeks, was an effort initiated by the INS to help those left
without food and water by Hurricane Mitch, which killed over
9,000 people in Central America.

Felix Chavez stated that he was concerned for the storm's
survivors, tens of thousands of whom were left homeless.

Chavez and the local INS office had been collecting canned
goods and other items, such as food that is easy to make,
along with canned meats, for transport to Honduras,
Guatemala and Honduras.

Bottled water donations were also accepted, along with the
food items.

The local INS office will now help transport those items to
relief workers in the three countries.

Anyone still wanting to help with the effort can do so
financially through relief agencies. "We really don't want
to take cash donations, but if anyone wants to make a cash
donation to this worthy cause they can contact the American
Red Cross at 877-837-8827," said Chavez.

For more information they can contact Chavez or any of the
INS officers at 447-4102.

"We just want to thank everyone that donated something,
we're very glad we received this much help," said Chavez.

Chavez stated that most donations remained anonymous, but he
wanted to extend his gratefulness and thanks. "They know who
they are," he said.

PECOS VALLEY CRIME STOPPERS


Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 in reward for
information leading to the arrest and Grand Jury Indictment
of person(s) responsible for the incident described below.
On July 8, Pecos Police responded to the State Theater
located at 421 S. Oak Street in reference to the back doors
being opened. Upon arrival officers noticed that the back
doors were unsecured. Entry was gained into the building by
removing two 2-by-4's that were securing the doors.
The officers met with the owner of the building who advised
that the only thing taken from inside the building was a 4
foot long weed eater green and yellow in color.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime
call "Crime Stoppers" at 445-9898 and you will remain
anonymous.

OBITUARY

Maria Fuentes


Maria Asucena P. Fuentes, 59, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998 at
her home in Balmorhea.

Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m., today, at Memorial Funeral Home
Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. Mary's
Catholic Church in Marfa, with burial in Merced Cemetery.

She was born May 24, 1939 in Marfa, graduating from high
school in 1959. She was a teacher's aide in the
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, was a member of St. Mary's Catholic
Church.

She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Serapio
Gonzales.

Survivors include her husband, Ruben Fuentes of Pecos;
mother, Francisca Gonzales of Marfa; four daughters, Frances
Parras of Marfa, Cynthia Hernandez of Marfa, Susan Fuentes
and Theresa Fuentes of Balmorhea and five grandchildren.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be
made to the American Cancer Society.

WEATHER


High Thursday 67, low last night 51. Tonight, partly cloudy.
Low in the mid to upper 40s. South wind 10-15 mph. Saturday,
partly cloudy and breezy. High in the mid 70s. Southwest
wind increasing to 15-25 mph and gusty.



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Pecos Enterprise
Ned Cantwell, 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

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Copyright 1998 by Pecos Enterprise