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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, December 15, 1999
Chamber briefed on changes for Rodeo
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Dec. 15, 1999 - Pecos Chamber of Commerce has added new
members to their board and will be continuing current many projects into
the year 2000, according to outgoing president of that organization.
Chamber members met Tuesday for their last meeting of 1999 and welcomed
new members and discussed several items, including changes planned for
the 2000 West of the Pecos Rodeo.
"It's been a fast, furious year, there are still some things in the
planning stages that will be worked on in the future," said Chamber president
Linda Gholson, who presided over her final meeting in that position. "If
there was something that didn't get done this, we'll get to it next year."
Gholson said she enjoyed being president of the organization and appreciated
the support from everyone, especially the directors of the chamber.
"Thanks for all the help," she said.
New Chamber board members include, Paul Henderson, with the Texas Department
of Transportation; George Dominguez with American Home Health; Jarrett
Conger with Grady's Western Supply; Rick Arnold with First National Bank;
Leo Elliott, Elliott's Printing; Kevin Duke, Colt Chevrolet; Carlos Campos,
Flying J; Charles Butts with Reeves County Hospital and Starkey Warren
with Airlawn Furniture. President-elect for the year 2000 is Barbara Creager.
Warren told the group that he is also president of the rodeo committee
for next year, and added "There will be some changes in the rodeo."
The program schedule that they've used for the past few years will be
completely different, according to Warren. "We figured out that the rodeo
program was not making any money, we're going to revamp it and circulate
it to different cities and try to get more people from out of town to attend
the annual event," he said.
The new dates for the rodeo will be July 5-8, with slack scheduled for
July 4. That will allow the final night of the rodeo to be held on a Saturday,
since the Fourth of July is on a Tuesday next year.
"The parade will probably be held on the first day of the rodeo, but
that's up to the chamber," said Warren.
Another change to next year's event will be the rodeo dance held at
the Reeves County Civic Center following each rodeo performance. "We won't
be having that dance at the civic center," said Warren. "We'll cooperate
with the Sheriff's Posse and we won't be competing with them anymore,"
said Warren.
Instead the group will be helping out with that rodeo dance and they'll
donate some funds to the rodeo committee. "They do an excellent job each
year and we're glad to help out," he said.
Warren added there would be other things that the rodeo committee has
agreed to change. "The contracts are all done and we have a new barrel
man, Rodney Gaston, who is full of energy and has some neat ideas," said
Warren.
"It's not a secret that the rodeo's lost money in the last few years,
but we want to keep paid out the same," Warren said, adding that with these
changes and the community's support it can be successful.
Jesse Stephens gave an update on a housing project the group is working
on and stated that the first step needed was to procure a tax-free number.
He outlined the program and told board members that he would have more
information at next month's meeting.
One of his suggestions was to ask two people from each church to a luncheon
and have them speak to their congregation about this project.
"The meeting we had recently is a good beginning, but there is a lot
more to be done," he said.
Women's Division President Judy Tipton stated that the group has adopted
a needy family in the community for the holidays. The new president of
that organization for the year 2000 will be Jenny Abbott.
The group is also sponsoring the Christmas Lighting Contest and entries
can be called in to the chamber at 445-2406.
Chamber Director Tom Rivera told the group of a special speaker who
could come to Pecos to talk to the community. "Ray Stone, is a great speaker
that wants to come to Pecos," said Rivera. Stone covers the Dallas Cowboys
and broadcasts a daily report on the team on many radio stations in Texas
and surrounding states.
Rivera said he's seen his presentation and would like to see about bringing
him to Pecos following the holidays.
Rivera also told Chamber members that efforts should be increased to
keep local dollars in the community. "We need to start doing something
to talk people into shopping locally," he said.
RCH board approves pay raise for workers
By MARI MALDONADO
Special Correspondent
PECOS, Dec. 15, 1999 - Reeves County Hospital employees can expect
to see a 3 percent cost-of-living salary increase, following the first
pay period of the new millennium.
RCH board members voted unanimously during Tuesday's meeting for the
increase, following a brief review of the Finance Committee's recommendation
in favor of the pay hike. Board president and committee member, Hiram Luna,
told the board that all pertinent issues surrounding the pay increase were
addressed. "There was a lot of discussion around this," he said.
"(RCH) employees have worked hard to make the hospital what it is today,"
said Marcella Lovett, board vice-president, speaking in favor of the increase.
"Richard ran the numbers," said Lovett, referring to Richard Sherman, RCH
accountant, "and it was agreed that the hospital could well afford it at
this time."
Sherman told the board that the increase would annually cost the hospital,
"a little less than $98,000.
"Only the primary benefits will be affected, like payroll taxes and
retirement," he added.
Board member Jesse Prieto asked when the last cost of living increase
had been approved. Recording secretary, Nadine Smith, answered, "1989,"
the year the current hospital district was formed.
"It's nice to be in this position to be able to offer this raise," said
Lovett, who added, "of course this goes right back into the community."
The motion to approve the 3 percent pay increase was made by Prieto
and seconded by board member Holly Key.
In other business, board members discussed a hospital physician's request
to purchase a harmonic scalpel. "One of the physicians asked that we look
at this piece of equipment," Luna said, adding that unit with accessories
costs $17,000 and the physician, whose name was not mentioned.
"It is being offered to the doctor at a 20% discount," he said.
Luna said requesting physician told him the scalpel, "eliminates a couple
of procedures during the surgical process." He said the unit would save
physicians time and was, "a safe device."
Lovett asked whether any figures at the current surgery level had been
compared regarding, "how long this [scalpel] would pay for itself," and
what it would save the hospital once utilized.
"I don't see at this point and time," said Sherman, "what it will do
for us." He offered to gather more information on the harmonic scalpel
and present to the board during the January, 2000 board meeting. Board
members opted to table the item for next year's first board meeting upon
Prieto's first motion and a second by Key.
Charles Butts, RCH Chief Executive Officer and Administrator, ensured
board members that the physician will be contacted and further details
on the unit requested.
Board members were not presented with a Payment of Bills report due
to the board meeting being moved up from its usual date, said Sherman.
"Are we still staying current?" asked Lovett. "Most definitely," replied
Sherman.
During the medical staff report Butts told the board that current physician's
privileges have been extended for 30 days. "This should take us into January
[2000]," he said, referring to the next scheduled board meeting.
In his report, the CEO told the board that John Sosa of the architectural
firm contracted by the hospital for the emergency room expansion and renovations
would be meeting with RCH employees for a work session, to discuss, "space
allocation," and other pertinent issues involving construction plans.
He also told the board that the hospital's home health department had
another successful clinic at the senior citizen center and passed the floor
to Iris Rives, chief RN, who talked to the board about Senate Bill 43.
She said this was a mandate that called for reporting overdoses involving,
amongst others, heroin, opium, codeine and hydrocodone, treated in the
emergency room and hospital within 24 hours. "No names will be given,"
she said, "just demographics."
Lovett asked what the number of overdoses in Reeves County looked like.
"They're small numbers," said Rives. "One or two a month if any," said
L.G. Crawford, of the ambulance service.
"I just wondered, because everyone is always going on about the drug
problem (in Reeves County)," Lovett said.
Crawford informed the board that the tires have been replaced on the
ambulance unit at a few dollars more than expected, "but the ambulance
ride is much better. We're working on getting someone to reevaluate the
other tires," he said. He and Rives noted that Smithers Transportation
Test Center did, "a great job," with the balancing of the new tires and
alignment of the unit.
With all that said, Butts extended his holiday wishes to the board before
adjournment.
Chase lands three in field, two in jail
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Dec. 15, 1999 - Two Pecos teens were arrested early this
morning and another is being sought in connection with a theft of service
and high-speed chase through the south side of town.
The incident began with a call to the Pecos Police Department at 1:58
a.m., in reference to a theft of service at the Town and Country Convenience
Store, located in the 800 block of West Palmer Street.
A Pecos Police unit was in the area and made contact with the vehicle,
which then just took off and were persued by the officer towards the far
west side of town.
The chase ended at the Lindsay Addition, when the vehicle being pursued
lost control and ended up in a field, according to police reports.
"The suspects then ran out into the bushes," said Pecos Police Investigator
Kelly Davis.
One individual that was in the vehicle was tracked down right away,
while a second suspect was later located riding around in a relative's
vehicle in the area.
A warrant was issued for the third suspect who was not located last
evening.
The two who found and arrested were identified be police as Jerry Natividad
Dominguez, 18 and James Santiago Esparza, 19.
Warrants are out for Matthew Ryan Millan, 18.
"During this investigation another theft of service was cleared, involving
Jerry and James," said Davis.
The suspects were charged with theft, engaging in organized criminal
activity, three theft charges, deadly conduct and evading arrest.
Helping out with locating the suspects and making the arrests were Pecos
Police Officers Cosme Ortega, Jeff Green and Reeves County Sheriff Deputies
Richard Natividad, Danny Leos and Bobby Jenkins.
Police Chief Clay McKinney was also at the scene with the infrared scope
to help locate the suspects through the dark.
PHA shifts CIAP funds, reviews daycare repairs
By ROBERT F. RAMIREZ
News Writer
PECOS, Dec. 15, 1999 - The Pecos Housing Authority has been given
permission to transfer $50,000 of their $238,000 CIAP 99 grant to their
regular operating account for capital needs, board members were told during
their regular monthly meeting Tuesday.
The CIAP grant is for improvements to PHA-run facilities around Pecos.
PHA Chairman Frank Perea said the board should not spend more than $100,000
of the CIAP grant on the Eastside Daycare Center, which the housing auothrity
is hoping to reopen.
"We don't want to get into a situation where we have to start drawing
from this (regular) account," Perea said.
"If we spend $100,000 on that place, it better be self-sufficient,"
added board member Ken Winkles.
Only two daycare building repair expenses stand out, according to Perea.
"The only major expenses are the roof and the plumbing," he said.
In a related matter, PHA executive director Nellie Gomez gave the board
a 1998 CIAP update. "Vaughn (architects) will be here tomorrow," she said.
"The fence is being built around Second Street," she added, referring to
the apartments operated by PHA at Second and Willow streets.
"We think it's going to be a real good project," said Gomez.
Also under 1998 CIAP, the board plans to purchase 90 refrigerators from
Brownlee Hardware and 95 stoves from Desert Sales and Rentals.
In other action, the board chose Sandra Lira as their resident commissioner.
"I'm recommending her," said Gomez.
If approved by Pecos Mayor Dot Stafford, Lira will serve a two-year
term as resident commissioner and cannot serve consecutive terms.
Board members also approved all monthly reports.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Cash Five numbers drawn Tuesday by the Texas
Lottery: 19-23-25-31-33 (nineteen, twenty-three, twenty-five, thirty-one,
thirty-three)
***
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Tuesday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 5-1-9 (five, one, nine)
Obituary
Richard R. Hoefs
Richard R. Hoefs, 71, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999, at Odessa Medical Center.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 16, at the United Methodist
Church in Balmorhea with Rev. Bruce Abbott officiating. Burial will be
in Balmorhea Cemetery.
He was born Oct. 7, 1928, in Reeves County and was a lifelong Balmorhea
resident.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the
Balmorhea Library, P.O. Box 250, Balmorhea, Tx. 79718 or to one's favorite
charity.
Survivors include three sons, Mark Hoefs of Austin, Graham Hoefs, and
Fred Hoefs of San Angelo; two daughters, Kathy Armstrong of Midland, Julianne
Martin of Houston; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
High Tuesday 62. Low this morning 22. Forecast for tonight: Clear. Low
in the mid 20s. Southwest wind 5-10 mph. Thursday: Sunny. High in the lower
70s. Southwest wind 10-20 mph. Thursday night: Partly cloudy. Low around
30.
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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