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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, July 13, 1999
County OKs victims assistance program
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 13, 1999 -- Crime victims will receive assistance through
a grant program available through the district attorney, Reeves County
Commissioners were told on Monday.
District Attorney Randy Reynolds was on hand at the regular county commissioners
meeting to outline his proposal.
"I had come to the court to ask permission back in the spring to apply
for this grant, for victim's assistance," said Reynolds, who said there
is a great need for a victims assistance program in the area and that funds
are currently available through the federal government.
"We don't have the mass personnel to assist the victims," said Reynolds,
while his proposal included hiring an individual to handle the situations.
"This person will work directly with the victims. There's so much help
available to the offenders, but what about the victims?" he said. "They
might need help with a babysitter, a ride, legal advice, loss of job and
other things."
"We haven't really concentrated on that in our office, we don't actively
go to the victim and they're afraid to go out and ask for help, but we
want to change that," said Reynolds.
He told the court about a murder trial that was held in Reeves County
recently. "The victim's family were from Washington state and they didn't
know anybody here," said Reynolds.
"I have asked for a grant to hire a full-time person to handle all this,
provide compassionate services and help them through the legal process,"
said Reynolds. "That person actually already started working today, with
the court's permission of course."
Reynolds said that the person hired, Cynthia Quintana has worked for
an attorney before and is very knowledgeable.
"She'll be located in Reeves County, in my office, but will travel to
Ward county when necessary," he said.
The employee will also be a liaison with other law enforcement agencies.
"She'll be the first one to look at the cases and look at the victims,"
said Reynolds. "She'll take it from there and find out what the victim's
need."
The complete grant package was for $36,000 and will require matching
funds. The program can go on with the current grant for about two years.
"The first match will be for $4,293," said Reynolds.
In conjunction Reeves County Commissioners approved the transfer of
general funds to the criminal justice victim assistance grant fund.
"We really needed this in the area," said Reynolds.
In other business, commissioners approved the transfer of general funds
to the criminal juvenile accountability grant fund and property and casualty
self insurance agreement.
Reeves County Detention Center issues discussed and approved included
Transit Mix Concrete and Materials Company plant location be put on the
grounds of the facility. Banes General Contractors Request for payment
#3 for the RCDC 1,000 bed addition project was also approved, along with
the geotechnical professional engineering services contract.
"We'll be compensated for allowing them to have their plant at the location,"
said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.
Geotechnical professional services contract was awarded to Trinity Engineering
Testing Services of Odessa. "This came as a recommendation from Miss (Lorraine)
Dailey," said Galindo. Dailey is the current architect in charge of the
project. Dailey, Rabke and Gondeck also worked on the original plans at
the RCDC.
"She will negotiate the terms of the contract and bring them before
the court at the next meeting," said Galindo.
The county judge also told the court about the Census 2000 Resolution.
"The guide lays out the things that will need to be done from now until
March 2000," he said.
"The court will need to appoint a liaison to work with this group and
in essence, we will be working together," he said. "This is to make sure
that everyone in Reeves County is accounted for."
"I think it's very important to get everyone involved in the community,
because this is how grant money is allotted," said Precinct 3 Commissioner
Herman Tarin. "Through the census they determine grants and other help
for the community, in other areas."
Commissioners approved concession stand contract bid specifications
for the Reeves County Golf Course, but tabled the county greenskeeper-maintenance
director job description until the next meeting.
Three computers with specifications for the county's Justices of the
Peace were approved in the amount of $13,400. County auditor Lynn Owens
suggested purchasing the hardware from another provider. "We've been purchasing
our computers from Apollo, but we can look at other vendors for the hardware,"
said Owens.
He said the JP's computers are so old and outdated that there is a great
need for new ones. "It's just time for us to start doing something about
this," he said.
New hires at the Reeves County Detention Center included several Correctional
Officer 1 positions at the starting pay of $19,000 per year. New hires
are Jennifer Cook, Shane Dominguez, Frank Garcia, Arturo Hinojos, Omar
Hinojos, Charles Howard, Jimmy Leonard, Edmundo Lozano, Andres Machuca,
Maria Madrid, Frank Mendoza, Brandon Northcutt, Rachel Orona, Hector Rodriguez,
Brenda Pando, Francisco Ramirez and Vicky Renteria.
Promotions at the facility were Susie Maldonado, promoted to the position
of Commissary Manager at $23,000; Mariano Rico promoted to the position
of Maintenance Supervisor at $28,500 per year and Christopher O. Rodriguez
to the position of Food Service Foreman II at $21,000 per year.
In the Road and Bridges Department, Billy Rodriguez will be working
as a part-time employee at an hourly rate of $6 per hour.
Red Bluff deals with water `surplus'
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 13, 1999 -- Here's a problem the Red Bluff Water Power Control
District board hasn't had to deal with lately — too much water in the Pecos
River.
Actually, the problem was how much — or even whether — to charge downstream
water districts for the extra water generated by recent heavy rains in
northern Reeves and Loving counties.
Even before this past weekend's rains caused flash flooding problems
in the Red Bluff Lake area, the June water report showed the lake's level
was up nearly 17,500 acre/feet from the end of May, despite the release
3,500 acre/feet of water during the month.
Water that enters the Pecos River from Screwbean Draw on south is not
collected in the lake, and flows through the seven water districts along
the river south of Red Bluff, until it reaches the Imperial Reservoir.
It was the extra water which board member Manuel Lujan said farmers in
the Barstow area were asking him about.
"Say you're sending 100 (feet of water a second) in to get 50 (feet
to farmers downstream). Why can't we just take the floodwater from the
river?" Lujan asked Red Bluff General Manager Jim Ed Miller, who said it
would be unfair to be sending some districts water for a fee while others
could collect the excess flood water for free.
"It's a difficult deal," Miller said. "I feel like the only way we can
do it if for (the districts) to stop delivery, then I can declare it free
water."
Board member Lloyd Goodrich suggested putting in a flood stage gauge
on the Pecos River at the State Highway 302 bridge at Mentone and to charge
by percentage of flood water in the river. But Miller said that would still
be unfair.
"I don't know how we can be charging them (farmers in the Grandfalls
area) and let them upstream have free water," Miller said. "When we're
releasing out of the lake it's charged and when we're not it's free water.
That's the way it's been ever since I've been here."
Because water released from Red Bluff can take over a week to arrive
at farms in the Grandfalls-Imperial area, Miller said there was no way
to easily adjust for sudden flash floods that fill up the Pecos River.
"Our ditch rider went up to Mentone, and it's full up there," Lujan
said, while board member Jay Lee pointed out that the flood waters that
come down the river can still be held in the Imperial Reservoir and used
by farmers in that area later.
"For every acre (of water) there they have, that's two up there (at
Red Bluff) they don't have to use," Lee said.
On the subject of measuring water, the board also discussed replacing
a weir in Pecos Water Improvement District No. 3, which was giving inaccurate
readings.
"The measuring station little house is sinking," Lee said. "I know we
can't get anything done this year, but next year we need to get something
done."
Miller said the district would be given credit for the faulty readings,
though no final action was taken on replacing the weir and the building.
At the same time, the board also discussed whether or not to offer Reeves
County Water Improvement District No. 2 help in moving their weir downstream
and replacing its leaky canal system with a pipeline to farms north of
Pecos.
"If they have the money they can fund it themselves," board president
Randall Hartman said of moving the weir's location.
As for the pipeline, the board was told it could potentially eliminate
15 miles of canals in the district.
"We need to get them to figure out how much it costs and bring us a
figure," Miller said, while Hartman added, "If it would be a benefit to
one district, it would benefit all of us."
During general discussions, Lujan said he was getting conflicting reports
on the permit status for Loving Salt Company's reclamation ponds. Albert
Wagner has contracted with Red Bluff to divert salt spring water from the
Pecos River to the man-made ponds, and would mine the salt after the water
evaporates.
"Mr. Wagner does not have the permits yet," Hartman said. "That's the
last word he told us."
Board members also discussed, but took no action, on a salary increase
for employee Tommy Mosley, and on a request by Joe Bailey of Tramco Oil
Co. of Houston to set up a drilling rig on the upper east shore of the
lake.
Miller and other board members had concerns that the rig would be built
below the maximum high water level of the lake, and wanted to make sure
no heavy equipment would be taken over Red Bluff Dam. "They'll either have
to build a platform or a pad," for the rig, Goodrich said, while Miller
pointed out that "We've had some other wells up there at times that have
been under water.
Tramco offered $5,500 for the permit for the 6,500-foot deep well. Lujan
said the board should hold out for $8,000.
Accounts payable and cash disbursements for June were approved by the
board during the early portion of the meeting.
State changing vehicle registration laws
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 13, 1999 -- Changes in motor vehicle registration laws may
cause some consternation come September 1, but owners have one consolation:
finding forms for a transaction is a snap. Or a click.
Fire up the computer, turn on the browser and type in www.dot.state.tx.us
to find applications for certificate of title, certified copy of original
title, disabled person placards or license plates, and personalized license
plates.
Those same forms and more are also available by fax from the toll-free
number 1-888-232-7033. And of course at the county tax office.
Consternation may come when new Texas residents find they have to pay
$90 "new resident tax" to register their vehicle. The tax is now $15, said
David Jasso, regional office manager for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Jasso, a Pecos native, was in his hometown this morning to explain the
changes in state law to employees of the Reeves County tax office.
Disabled drivers will have a longer walk to the grocery store after
September 1, Jasso said.
"If you are mobility impaired, you park close in. If you are disabled
but not mobility impaired, you will have to park farther away," Jasso said.
Changes will also have to be made in handicap parking designations and
signs, Jasso said.
The familiar blue color on handicap parking spaces and signs will be
changed. Jasso said he does not know yet what the new color will be.
Placards designating a disabled driver or passenger in a vehicle will
also be changed, Jasso said.
One positive change is that disabled veterans will not be required to
obtain a placard in addition to their VA tags.
Every vehicle owner will pay at least a dollar more at annual registration
time to pay for the new registration and title system, Jasso said.
Forms posted on the TxDOT web site and available by fax will be updated
when the changes take effect in September.
`Neighbor' linked to burglaries
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, July 13, 1999 -- A burglary was solved within a 16-hour period
over the weekend and the suspect is still at the Reeves County Jail on
two bonds totalling $35,000.
Jose Romo, 20, of Pecos, was arrested on burglary charges Saturday,
Pecos police said Monday.
Two burglaries had been reported to the police department early Saturday
morning. One burglary was reported by Cattleman's Restaurant, where money
and property was taken. The second burglary was reported by the First United
Methodist Church on the other side of West Third Street.
"No property was removed in this burglary," said police investigator
Paul Deishler.
At the restaurant burglary, police said Romo allegedly broke out the
glass on the front building and he gained entry to the building. Entry
into the church was gained by breaking out a window and Romo allegedly
climbed through the window to gain entry.
Officer Oscar Machuca began questioning residents surrounding the area
where the burglaries had occurred as part of his investigation.
"While he was at Romo's residence he observed property which fit the
description of the property taken from Cattleman's," said Deishler.
Romo was then brought to the police station for questioning by Deishler
and Police Chief Clay McKinney. Romo provided a confession to chief McKinney
in reference to the Cattleman's burglary and later he gave a confession
to investigator Deishler in reference to the church burglary.
Also assisting with the investigation were Sgt. Tony Dawdy and officer
Kenneth Roberts with the Pecos Police Department.
"It is unknown at this time the amount of property damage done by Romo
while gaining entry into the buildings," said Deishler.
Romo is currently in the Reeves County Jail, charged with misdemeanor
burglary of a building and theft. Bond on the burglary charge has been
set at $20,000 and bond for the theft charge is set at $15,000, for theft
over $1,500 and under $20,000.
GTE expands local calling for Balmorhea
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
BALMORHEA, July 13, 1999 -- Balmorhea residents will be able to call
Alpine, Fort Davis and Toyah next week without paying a toll, and calls
from those cities to Balmorhea will also be local calls.
GTE will extend local calling for all customers in the Balmorhea telephone
service area beginning July 22.
"Prior to the start of extended local calling, each call between these
areas was billed separately as a long-distance call, and customers would
see a long-distance charge per call on their monthly bills. Now these calls
are equivalent to local calls," said Joe Thornton, area manager - customer
operations, Mesa district.
The implementation of this service may require modification to some
telecommunications equipment such as fax machines speed calling, PABXs,
key system, automatic dialers and other equipment that may restrict or
automatically dial long-distance numbers.
Customers are not required to take any action to use the new service.
Once extended calling is operational, it will no longer be necessary for
customers to dial "1+" before the number when placing calls between these
communities, Thornton said.
"Just dial the seven-digit phone number for local and ELC calls," said.
Balmorhea voters approved extended local calling by ballot, under the
rules of Senate Bill 632 and the Public Utility Commission Rule 23.49 (c)
that allows certain communities to petition for extended toll-free local
calling to nearby communities.
A previous ballot brought expanded local calling to Pecos. With the
addition of Alpine, Fort Davis and Toyah, residence line charges will remain
$3.50 per month, while a business will pay $7.
The charges will be listed as "EXPANDED LOCAL CALLING/SURCHARGE" in
the tax portion of the telephone bill. More information will be provided
to affected customers in their monthly telephone bill as the service becomes
operational.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Cash 5 drawing Monday night:
Winning numbers drawn: 1-8-20-21-29. Number matching five of five: 3.
Prize per winner: $27,504. Winning tickets sold in: Houston, South Houston,
Westworth Village. Matching four of five: 246. Prize: $503.
***
AUSTIN (AP) — The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Monday by the Texas Lottery,
in order:
8-5-5 (eight, five, five)
Obituaries
Amador Martinez
Amador Martinez, 70, died Monday, July 12, 1999, at the Pecos Nursing Home.
A rosary is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 15, at Martinez
Funeral Home Chapel.
Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 16, at Santa Rosa Catholic
Church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
He was born April 30, 1929, in Pecos, was a retired yard worker, had
lived in Pecos all his life and was a Catholic.
Survivors include one sister, Anita Rayos of Los Angeles, Calif.
Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Polly Callison
Polly Callison, 72, of San Angelo and formerly of Pecos, died Monday, July
12, 1999, in San Angelo.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Fairmount Cemetery
in San Angelo, officiated by Milton Langston, associate pastor of Southgate
Church of Christ. Johnson's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Callison was born Oct. 18, 1926 in Porum, Okla. She was a retired
office manager for Community Public Service Co. in Pecos.
Survivors include her husband, Hursel C. Callison of San Angelo; one
daughter, Linda Peters of Mertzon; four sons, Hursel David Callison of
Rocksprings, Geary Dale Callison of San Angelo, Alan Dwayne Callison of
Midland and Mark Wayne Callison of Whitney; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
WEATHER
PECOS, July 13, 1999 -- High Monday 88; low last night 69. Tonight, partly
cloudy. Low in the mid 60s. South to southeast
wind 5-10 mph. Wednesday, partly cloudy and breezy. High in the lower
90s. South wind 15-25
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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