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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Friday, October 1, 1999
Iguana stands out on cross-country trip
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 1, 1999 -- Thursday's homecoming parade had a new twist:
a five-foot iguana on the sidelines stole the show.
Larry Maleson said his pet drew stares and greetings from people on
the floats as well as parade watchers. He also drew a crowd at Thriftway
on a brief shopping trip to purchase avocadoes and tortillas.
"People started flocking around, bringing their kids over, asking if
she's real and saying she looked fake," Maleson said. "What was a five-minute
shopping trip took 25 minutes."
After the parade, Selina, the 8-pound iguana, again accompanied Maleson
to Thriftway, where an employee told him not to bring her back in because
customers might complain.
"That surprised me," Maleson said. "Nobody seemed to be complaining;
they seemed to be really enjoying her."
Selina is used to attention, and may lick a hand or face. She's never
bitten anyone but her owner. Maleson said he clipped a nail too short one
day, making it bleed, and Selina took a bite out of his arm.
"It wasn't an aggressive bite; more like, `Hey, that hurt a lot,'" he
said.
Selina enjoys basking in the back yard of Maleson's in-laws, Tony and
Tita Herrera, 508 E. 9th St. Since she requires 80-degree heat
to digest her vegetarian diet, she lies under a ceramic lamp when sunlight
is not available.
On their 2,000-mile trip from New Jersey, Selina attracted attention
as she perched on the car's rear shelf, soaking up sunshine through the
rear window.
"It is a perfect spot," Maleson said. "It is carpeted, so she can get
traction. She really seems to enjoy it. She looked out the window the whole
time."
Selina has another 1,000 miles to ride in her favorite spot, as Maleson
and his wife, Ysela, are moving from New Jersey to San Diego, Calif., where
they met at a Christmas party.
Ysela will be part-owner/operator of a clothing manufacturing plant,
and Larry will work in the computer industry.
In that warm climate, Selina may grow to seven feet in length and weigh
up to 30 pounds, Maleson said.
Now she is just right. He can pick her up and carry her around so long
as he keeps the sharp points on her nails filed down.
"They are like razors," he said. "She doesn't mean to hurt you, but
she tries to hold on, and it cuts."
Carrying Selina with them keeps Larry and Ysela from having time alone,
because the bright green reptile is like a celebrity.
"The first time we took her out, we went to a hamburger stand in an
outdoor village," Larry said. "I set her on a big, wooden fence and people
crowded around us instantly. I had to stay outside while my wife went in
and got lunch. We couldn't eat in private."
Ysela refused to have anything to do with the iguana when Larry bought
her about 18 months ago, but now they sit companionably on the couch. She
even held Selina during the parade Thursday.
"It's a matter of being afraid of what you don't know," Larry said.
What people may not know is that iguanas can carry contagious diseases.
But Selina has a clean bill of health after a $140 visit to the vet. Larry
watches her diet to ensure she gets enough calcium for her flexible skeleton.
Bananas, strawberries, squash and other fruits and vegetables are daily
fare for the tropical reptile, but lettuce is junk food because it is mostly
water, he said.
Tropical love birds that Larry gave Ysela following minor surgery last
year joins Ysela's rabbit in the traveling menagerie. When they check into
a motel, Larry doesn't say anything about the pets, and nobody complains,
because they are quiet, he said.
They make the car's back seat a tropical paradise, with the birds chirping
constantly and Selina stretched to her full 53-inch length.
"The birds are terrors," Larry said. "I'm the only one they don't bite.
Larry was born in Baltimore, Md., and moved to New Jersey in 1983, then
to San Diego five years ago. After dating Ysela for 18 months, he moved
back to New Jersey and commuted to California during a year-long separation.
He proposed to Ysela while sitting on the couch in her parents' living
room. They married at the Reeves County Civic Center May 16, 1997 and have
visited Pecos several times since _ always with their "babies" in the back
seat.
City given water field grant cash
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 1, 1999 -- Repairs on the transmission line from the Ward
County water field will continue, with a $350,000 grant approved this week
by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
City Manager Kenneth Neal said that work is already underway on the
latest project to replace the line in segments, and that it will continue.
In the event the city decides to develop the South Worsham field, that
line will still be used to transport water to Pecos, he said.
Pecos' current Worsham and Ward County water fields are expected to
provide the city with enough drinkable water only through the year 2008.
A search for new water sources began five years ago.
U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm said that move than 100 cities and counties sin
Texas are receiving community development block grants totaling $30.9 million
to help finance water, sewer or street improvements.
"I am pleased that some of the tax dollars sent by Texans to Washington
are being returned to benefit area citizens by financing improvements to
the areas where we work and live every day," Gramm said.
The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
and will be administered by TDCA through the community development program.
"My strong commitment is to assure a fair return to Texas taxpayers
on the money we pay in federal taxes," Gramm said.
Monahans will receive $360,000 in funding, while Presidio will receive
$594,408.
Consumers told to watch for Y2K fraud
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 1, 1999 -- Schemes, scams and fraud may cost consumers more
than computer problems as Dec. 31 approaches.
Preparing for emergencies that can occur if computers fail when the
clock strikes midnight to end 1999 and start a new millennium includes
watching out for schemes that prey on Y2K fears.
Opportunists are looking for investors to finance phony Y2K solutions,
reports Readiness 2000, a coalition of Texas agencies promoting Y2K preparedness.
Consultants or businesses are selling services or software that don't fix
Y2K problems, or even create computer problems.
Solution providers are pitching "miracle" Y2K solutions at prices that
sound too good to be true.
Vendors are charging exorbitant prices for services and so-called "survival
supplies," such as food, lanterns and generators.
Preparedness kits are inexpensive and easy to assemble, said Tom Milwee
state coordinator for the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The kit should include canned goods and non-perishable food;
Drinking water (two quarts per person per day);
Manual can opener and other eating utensils;
Special dietary foods and medication (if needed);
Personal papers _ identification, insurance, bank and financial, prescriptions;
Personal hygiene items _ soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.
Eyeglasses, hearing aids;
Battery operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit,
sleeping bag or blankets and pillow, change of clothing, and rainwear.
Milwee said there is no need for people to purchase costly, pre-assembled
kits. Supply kits can be easily assembled for under $50.
People who are just beginning to assemble their kits should do so gradually
if they are concerned about the cost of building it all at once, Milwee
said.
"And, if you do not use your kit for Y2K, you will be one step ahead
when the next natural disaster strikes," he said.
For more information, check out the Texas web site at www.dir.state.tx.us/y2k/
Bunton puts Wall in cell
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 1, 1999 -- Senior Judge Lucius D. Bunton on Wednesday departed
upward from federal sentencing guidelines in re-sentencing Abraham P. Wall
to 18 months in prison for drug smuggling.
The guideline range for punishment in the case is 0-6 months in prison.
He will serve three years supervised release after completing the prison
term.
Wall, 29, is from Cuauhtemoc, Chih., Mex. He was arrested April 30,
1992, and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana,
for which he later was convicted.
Judge Bunton also revoked probation for two defendants and sent them
to prison. Abel Flores Gonzales will serve nine months in prison, while
Ray David Fuller was assessed 10 months. Neither will be subject to supervised
release.
Jaime Torres-Ruiz entered a guilty plea and will be sentenced later.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Klassen of Midland prosecuted for the government.
He is one of three AUSAs assigned to the Pecos Division.
Cookoff entries finally surpass target
PECOS, Oct. 1, 1999 -- It took until one day past the original deadline,
but the World's Championship Barbeque Beef Cookoff finally got past the
25-entry mark officials said was needed to break even.
The 27th annual event is part of this weekend's 55th
annual Reeves County Fall Fair, and Chamber Executive Director Tom Rivera
said this morning that there were 28 entries, with a deadline of 5 p.m.
today to submit the $75 entry fee.
"We've got 28 entries and we'll take more," said Rivera. The cookoff
will begin this evening at the Reeves County Sheriff's Posse Arena, and
run through Saturday afternoon.
The Fall Fair officially began at 1 p.m. today, and the fair's livestock
show will also get underway tonight, at the Reeves County Civic Center,
and run through Saturday afternoon. A pet show is scheduled for the Civic
Center at 5 p.m. Saturday, and the Fall Fair concert will begin at 6 p.m.
in the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Cash 5 drawing Thursday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 13-14-23-37-39. Number matching five of five: 2. Prize per winner:
$49,782. Winning tickets sold in: Dallas, Houston. Matching four of five:
232. Prize: $644.
***
AUSTIN (AP) — The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Thursday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 1-7-6 (one, seven, six)
Obituary
Elvis Lamb
Elvis L. Lamb, 82, of Carlsbad, N.M., died Tuesday, Sept. 28, at Carlsbad
Medical Center in Carlsbad N.M.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. CDT today, at Denton-Funchess Funeral
Home Chapel with Pastor Brad Reimers of Blodgett Street Baptist Church
officiating. Burial will be in Carlsbad Cemetery, with honors by the Carlsbad
Veteran's Honor Guard.
Lamb was born May 2, 1917 in Anderson County and attended schools in
Groveton, Tx. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Calvary
Division. While in El Paso he worked as a city policeman, moved to Pecos,
where he worked for the Texas Highway Department retiring in 1979. He then
worked as a security guard for the hospital. He was a member of Calvary
Baptist Church in Pecos for 40 years. The family then moved to Carlsbad
in 1992 where he was a member of Blodgett Baptist Church.
Three brothers preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Lillian Lamb of Carlsbad, N.M.; four sons,
Johnny Frank and Larry Joe Lamb of Carlsbad, N.M., Elvis Lee Lamb of Austin
and James Lamb of Pecos; two daughters, Lynda Lee Arrufat of El Paso, Melba
Heath of Carlsbad, N.M.; one brother, Leonard Lamb of Pollock; five sisters,
Ruby Dell McCaleb of Athens, Tx., Addie Vail Phoenix of Lufkin, Lou Lou
Britton and Laneta Greve of Palestine, Vivian Campbell of Victoria; 14
grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Weather
PECOS, Oct. 1, 1999 -- High Thursday 92; low last night 47. Tonight, clear.
Low 55 60. South wind 5-10 mph. Saturday, sunny. High in the mid 80s. South
to southeast wind 10 -20 mph. Extended forecast, Saturday night, partly
cloudy. Low in the mid 50s. Sunday, partly cloudy. High in the mid to upper
80s.
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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