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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Thursday, February 18, 1999
Help sought from Gramm on FSA office
By SMOKEY BRIGGS
Enterprise Editor
PECOS, Feb. 18, 1999 - Agriculture-related issues are on the forefront
of Senator Phil Gramm's agenda for the coming session of Congress.
That was the word from Legislative Assistant Johnny Dietze this morning
during a breakfast and meeting at the Swiss Clock Inn.
The meeting was intended to address agricultural issues facing the Trans-Pecos
area.
Dietze, whose family runs a cattle and cotton operation on the Guadalupe
River, is traveling across West Texas for the senator to discuss agriculture
issues, answer questions, and take suggestions back to Washington.
"Senator Gramm asked me to travel through this part of Texas and visit
with our producers, our agriculture bankers, and concerned citizens," Dietze
said. "Our main goal is to find out what problems you are facing and what
you think might help solve these problems."
Dietze also mentioned that since Sen. Gramm had been selected to chair
the Senate Banking Committee he was unable to continue with his position
with the Senate Agriculture Committee.
"However," Dietze added, "The senator has a very good working relationship
with the Senate committee as well as the House committee and will continue
to address agriculture issues both through his role with the Banking Committee
and through the agriculture committee."
Of primary concern this morning was the future of the local Farm Service
Agency office.
According to Trey Miller, a local producer and an owner of ACID Delinters
of Pecos, Inc., the Reeves County FSA office has had some troubles in the
past but the problems have been addressed.
"I think we have the cleanest office in the state at this point," Miller
said. "It is important to Pecos that the office remain open."
Miller is also a member of the local FSA County Committee, which is
elected by local producers and watches over the FSA office to make sure
it is run according to the rules.
"The primary purpose of the FSA office is to administer federal farm
programs and disaster programs," Miller said.
Pecos Mayor Dot Stafford echoed her concern for the local office.
"This office is of vital importance to the Town of Pecos City," she
said.
Dietze promised that the issue of the local office would be addressed
but could not guarantee that the office would remain open.
"All efforts will be made to keep this office open," he said. "The only
reason the office might close is if the work load just doesn't justify
keeping the office open."
Another issue that topped the agenda this morning was crop insurance.
"Risk management and crop insurance reform will also be a priority for
the senator," Dietze said.
He added that he expected to see the program transform into "profit
insurance," and for more of the agriculture industry to be eligible for
the plan.
Among other things Gramm would like to see livestock producers become
eligible for this type of insurance, he said.
Other topics of discussion included low CRP prices, the impact of endangered
species legislation, private property rights and tax reduction.
In closing Dietze encouraged citizens to approach him with questions
and ideas that he could take back to Washington.
"We're here to act as Senator Gramm's eyes and ears," he said, "and
before the Senator can do his job he needs to know what the problems are
and what your ideas are on possible solutions."
Terrazas, Lovett file for new terms
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 18 --A day after the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board election
got its first candidate, the first candidates for the Town of Pecos City
Council and Reeves County Hospital District board have filed to run in
the May 1 local elections.
Johnny Terrazas has filed to retain his seat on the city council, while
Marcella Lovett has announced her plans to run for a new two-year term
in the hospital district elections.
In Pecos this year, voters will select three city councilmen for two-year
terms. Along with Terrazas, councilmen whose terms expire are Gerald Tellez
Jr. and Randy Graham.
Lovett is currently serving on the Reeves County Hospital District board
as Precinct 2 representative. Board president Jeannette Alligood's Precinct
4 term also is up for election this year.
Billie Sadler has filed as a prospective candidate in the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD board elections, where the three-year terms of trustees Daisy Roquemore
and Alberto Alvarez are expiring.
Prospective candidates may pick up forms for the city election from
Geneva Martinez, city secretary, at City Hall; from secretary Jo Allgood
at the school administration office; and from administrative assistant
Nadine Smith at Reeves County Hospital.
Martinez said that March 17 is the last day to file for the election,
which will be May 1.
Debbie Thomas, elections administrator, will handle early voting for
all three entities.
Voters will also be casting ballots for city council seats in Barstow,
Toyah and Balmorhea, and voters there will also be deciding on positions
on the Balmorhea ISD board.
Allgood will also hand the Barstow City Council election, while candidates
in Balmorhea can pick up forms for the school race at the Balmorhea ISD
office and at Balmorhea City Hall for the council election.
Martinez said that March 17 is the last day to file for the election.
Community Justice Council OKs new plan
By SMOKEY BRIGGS
Enterprise Editor
MONAHANS, Feb. 18, 1999 - The Community Justice Council for the 143rd
Judicial District unanimously approved a new Community Justice Plan on
Wednesday, during a meeting in Monahans.
The Council is a statutorily required organization that oversees the
operations of the local Community Supervision and Corrections Department,
which generally handles what used to be known as probation.
According to District Judge Bob Parks, the new plan is required by law,
and submission of the plan is necessary for the Community Supervision Department
to continue to receive state funding.
Judge Parks resides over the 143rd District Court, which covers all
of Reeves, Loving and Ward counties, and is the chairman of the Community
Justice Counsel.
Parks said that the Council is required to meet every two years and
forward a proposed plan to the state.
"State funding is a very important part of the Department's budget,"
Judge Parks said. He explained that the state contributions are instrumental
in funding many Department projects.
"The Department has many important projects that go beyond simply monitoring
probationers," Parks said. "Projects like substance abuse counseling and
literacy education are instrumental in the future success of people on
probation and make a real difference."
The Council met at the Monahans Convention Center.
According to Judge Parks, the meeting place is rotated between the participating
counties each year.
In other business the council elected new officers for the coming two
years.
Judge Parks was re-elected to that position at Wednesday's meeting.
Pecos Mayor Dot Stafford and Reeves County Court-at-Law Judge Lee Green
also serve as officers on the council, and both were re-elected to their
positions on the council.
Stafford acts as the secretary for the council and Judge Green is the
council's vice-chairman.
Defribillator buy, a-c repair approved by board
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 18 --Reeves County Hospital District board members went
through a series of routine items and voted on purchase of new equipment
during their monthly board meeting on Tuesday.
The group approved the 1999 management/strategic plan, as presented
by the committee.
Several committees were formed, made up by two board members and hospital
personnel, which are designed to take care of a particular item involving
the hospital.
"We have the different committees and on each committee two board members
serve on it, along with different hospital personnel, which makes it really
nice, because we receive input from them," said board member Marcella Lovett.
The committees meet and discuss the item, then bring their decision
and input back to the board to be voted on, according to Lovett.
Board members approved the purchase of a new defribillator, awarding
the bid to the lowest bidder, Hewlett-Packard. The hospital's other two
defribillators are also from Hewlett-Packard.
Board members also approved repains to an air conditioning problem in
the hospital's surgical unit.
Dr. Alexander Kovac, one of four consulting radiologists is retiring,
and his name will be removed from the consulting staff following a motion
by the board.
Routine reports included finances, tax collection, joint conference
committee and administrator.
Youth commission plans car wash
PECOS, Feb 18 --The Pecos Youth Advisory Commission will be sponsoring
a car wash this Saturday at Gibson True Value Store. They will begin at
9 a.m. and continue until vehicles stop coming.
The prices will range from $5 for cars, $7 for trucks, and $10 for vans
and other types of vehicles. Money raised will go towards buying banners
to promote school spirit.
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 the person(s) responsible for
the incident described below.
On Sept. 24, 1998, at approximately 6:45 a.m., the Reeves County Sheriff's
Department was dispatched to the Citgo Service Station in Balmorhea located
on the corner of FM 290 and FM 2903 in reference to a burglary. Upon arrival
the Deputy was advised that between Sept. 23 at 10:30 p.m. and Sept. 24
at 6:45 a.m. the person(s) removed a large amount of cigarettes and beef
jerky from the place of business. Entry was gained by breaking a window
on the east side of the station.
Total value of stolen property was placed at $1,000.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime including
narcotics call "Crime Stoppers" at 445-9898 and you will remain anonymous.
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.
***
Oscar Gutierrez, 26, was arrested at 10:01 a.m., on Feb. 10, for no
driver's license. He was taken to Reeves County Jail.
***
Samuel Cardona, 53, was arrested at 8:47 p.m., on Feb. 10, at the corner
of Sixth and Peach streets, for driving while intoxicated. He was taken
to Reeves County Jail.
***
Gabriel Pena, 31, was arrested at 9:58 p.m., on Feb. 10, in the 1100
block of South Plum Street, for possession of cocaine. He was taken to
Reeves County Jail.
***
Rosie Rodriguez, 46, and Elaine Ornelas, 28, were arrested at 10:39
p.m., on Feb. 10, at the corner of Fourth and Sycamore streets. Rodriguez
was arrested for no driver's license; Ornelas for public intoxication.
They were taken to Reeves County Jail.
***
Sergio Saenz, 21, was arrested at 4:54 p.m., on Feb. 11, in the 300
block of East Third Street for theft under $50. He was taken to Reeves
County Jail.
***
Edward Navarrete, 22, was arrested at 11:24 p.m., on Feb. 11, in the
1100 block of South Plum Street on capias pro fine warrants for a violation
of a promise to appear and speeding under Class C. He was taken to Reeves
County Jail.
***
Mark Renteria, 18, was arrested at 1:48 p.m., on Feb. 12, at Uncle's
on South Cedar Street on a Sheriff's Office warrant and for disorderly
conduct. He was taken to Reeves County Jail.
***
Carlos Nino, 18, and Jose Romo Jr., 19, were arrested at 7:19 p.m.,
on Feb. 12, in the 1100 block of Veterans Boulevard on warrants under Class
B. They were taken to Reeves County Jail.
***
Noe Nunez, 22, was arrested at 9:13 p.m., on Feb. 12, in the 1900 block
of Scott Street on capias pro fine warrants. He was taken to Reeves County
Jail.
***
David Hinojos, 21, was arrested at 9:41 p.m., on Feb. 12, in the 1300
block of Morris Street on a capias pro fine warrant. He was taken to Reeves
County Jail.
***
Alonzo Munoz, 25, was arrested at 11:54 p.m., on Feb. 12, in the 2400
block of Country Club Drive, for driving while license suspended. He was
taken to Reeves County Jail.
***
Arthur Gallegos, 25, was arrested at 4:17 p.m., on Feb. 13, in the 800
block of East Fifth Street on a capias pro fine warrant. He was taken to
Reeves County Jail.
***
Pedro M. Acosta, 20, was arrested at 1:18 a.m., on Feb. 14, at the corner
of Ninth and Oak streets, for driving while license suspended. He was taken
to Reeves County Jail.
***
Brenda Camacho was arrested at 10 a.m., on Feb. 14, at the Police Department,
on a capias pro fine warrant. She paid the fines and was released.
***
Joanne C. Tersero, 35, was arrested at 2:58 p.m., on Feb. 14, in the
2000 block of Washington Street on a warrant for a motion to revoke probation
(forgery of a financial instrument) out of Ector County. She was taken
to Reeves County Jail.
***
A male juvenile was arrested at 3:57 p.m., on Feb. 14, in the 1600 block
of Johnson Street for interfering with a public servant.
***
Gabriel Pena, 31, was served with a warrant at 10:51 a.m., on Feb. 15,
at Reeves County Jail, for possession of marijuana.
***
Hal Pratt, 57, was arrested at 9:59 p.m., on Feb. 15, in the 500 block
of South Cedar Street for public intoxication. He was taken to Reeves County
Jail.
***
Santiago Ortiz, 34, was arrested at 5:03 p.m., on Feb. 17, in the 700
block of Walnut Street for assault under the Family Violence Act. He was
taken to Reeves County Jail.
Weather
PECOS, Feb. 18 -- High Wednesday 75. Low this morning 42. Forecast for
tonight: Partly cloudy. Low in the lower to mid 30s. North wind 10-15 mph
early, becoming light by midnight. Friday, partly cloudy. High in the mid
70s. South to southwest wind 10-20 mph.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, 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 1999 by Pecos Enterprise
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