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Friday, October 18, 1996

Beer permit suit ended by plaintiffs

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By PEGGY McCRACKEN

Staff Writer


PECOS, October 18, 1996 - A long court battle over the sale of beer in a
grocery store located in a "dry" zone ended this week with a non-suit
filed by the plaintiffs.

Attorney Randy Reynolds said he dropped the suit against S&B Beverage
Company Inc., dba Furr's #974, et al "because I got what I asked for."

Reynolds claimed in the suit that the Pecos zoning board of adjustment
does not have the power to allow a special exception to allow beer and
wine sales in a C-1 zone where such sales are prohibited.

The Eighth Court of Appeals agreed and remanded the suit to the 143rd
District Court for trial. Reynolds filed an amended petition on Oct. 10,
but on Oct. 15 filed the non-suit.

"We know the special exception can't be used," Reynolds said. "It is
zoned C-1. You can't sell it without some kind of change. I believe
that's where we are."

Reynolds represents West Texas Water Refiners Inc. and other businesses
and individuals located near the former Furr's supermarket at 810 S.
Eddy Street. Furr's has sold the store since the suit was filed.

John Stickels, who represented the defendants, said when the appeals
court issued its ruling that their decision ended the case as far as he
was concerned.

Since Furr's has sold the store, the question is moot, he said.

However, the Allsup's Convenience Store on South Eddy Street had
entered the suit, and other businesses who could benefit from beer and
wine sales for off-premises consumption have expressed interest in the
outcome.

Woman hurt in collision with truck

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By MARI MALDONADO

Staff Writer


PECOS, October 18, 1996 - A local woman was treated and released from
Reeves County Hospital this morning and a Denver, Colo. man cited for
running a stop sign following a two vehicle collision on the south side
of Pecos.

Investigating Patrolman Billy Hull said Elizabeth Barrera, 27, was
lucky this morning when a truck tractor hit the 1991 Chevrolet pickup
she was driving about 8:20 a.m. today. Police were diapatched at 8:22
a.m. to the 1000 block of Pinehurst Street where they found Barrera's
vehicle rested facing east, missing the two passenger's side tires.

Hull reported that Barrera was southbound in the 2400 block of Country
Club Drive when Russell Lacy, 46, of Denver, Colo., ran the stop sign in
the 900 block of Pinehurst while westbound in a 1997 Kenworth truck
tractor, and struck her pickup.

The truck broadsided the larger vehicle, rupturing the rig's passenger
side fuel tank. "Luckily it was almost empty," said Hull.

Hull also attributed luck to the fact that Barrera's vehicle was not
dragged under the 18-wheeler. Instead, the truck tractor caught the back
tire of the Chevrolet extended-cab and spun it around 360 degrees.

The truck endured, "one heck of an impact," said Hull, as there were no
skid marks, indicating, "she didn't have time to stop (apply the
breaks)."

Lacy was cited for failing to yield right of way at a stop sign.

The truck tractor was leased by Lacy from R&R Transportation of Denver,
Colo.

Pecos airman flies to woman's rescue

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By MARI MALDONADO

Staff Writer


PECOS, October 18, 1996 - A U.S. Air Force airman, who was born and
raised in Pecos, was recognized Thursday for his heroic efforts in
saving the life of an elderly, Nevada woman from choking at a Las Vegas
restaurant.

Twenty-year-old, Christopher Corralez, a 1995 graduate of Pecos High
School, said he didn't hesitate when a panicky Taco Bell customer asked
for assistance.

"It was an automatic reaction," said Corralez when he stepped forward
and took the elderly female between his arms and applied the Heimlich
maneuver three times.

Captain Steven Brookes said Corralez was issued a Certificate of
Recognition for being a Red Flag Superior Performer. The document was
signed by Deployed Force Commander, Colonel Thomas A. Gilkey.

Corralez, who is normally stationed at Canon Air Force Base in Clovis,
N.M., was in Las Vegas on temporary duty assignment at Nellis A.F.B.

Red Flag #97-1 is the name of the exercise that involves the instruction
of air-to-air and flying maneuvers, said Captain Brookes. Corralez will
be returning to his regular post next week.

The captain stated that Corralez, along with other airmen from the Canon
A.F.B., had been staying in a hotel outside the Las Vegas base, when
they decided to wander over to the nearby fast food chain.

The group was in line to order their meals, Brookes said, when the
panicked customer, who had already been served, came up to the group and
signalled for assistance.

Corralez, "surveyed the situation," said the USAF captain, "and applied
the Heimlich maneuver three times," clearing the woman's airway and
allowing her to breath again.

"Paramedics confirmed that she might have died," had it not been for
Corralez heroic deed, he expressed. Captain Brookes estimated the woman
to be in her 80s.

"This is part of what we try to teach in the military," continued
Captain Brookes, "and he (Corralez) just stepped right into it."

The Heimlich maneuver consists of the manual application of sudden
upward pressure on the upper abdomen to force a foreign object from the
windpipe.

The officer stated that Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is
taught during basic training of air force recruits.

Corralez completed his basic training the end of March from the Lackland
A.F.B. in San Antonio, after starting his enlistment in February.

During his high school years, Corralez lifeguarded for local swimming
pools, and a San Antonio pool, while staying with his birth mother,
Betty Florez.

In order to be a lifeguard, Corralez said he was certified in CPR, First
Aid and Lifeguarding.

Corralez's recent life saving accomplishment is not his first, however.
Florez said that two years ago the teen saved the life of a young boy in
a San Antonio swimming pool, and Corralez confirmed her statement.

With 3½ years left in his term, Corralez said he plans to
re-enlist and make the military a career. He said he intends to undergo
cross-training.

He is the son of Pecos residents, Ralph and Naty Corralez.

All family members concluded that they were, "very proud," of the young,
heroic airman.

Platt makes first official Pecos visit

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By PEGGY McCRACKEN

Staff Writer


PECOS, October 18, 1996 - Mayor Dot Stafford welcomed federal court
officials to Pecos this morning for the investiture ceremony for the
Honorable L. Stuart Platt, U.S. magistrate judge for the Pecos and
Midland/Odessa Divisions.

Senior Judge Lucius D. Bunton III and District Judge Royal Furgeson
presided for the 10 a.m. session in the new federal courthouse.

Judge Platt's sons, Clayton and Jonathan, led the pledge of allegiance
and invocation.

Marfa Mayor Fritz Kahl brought greetings from the 19-member merit
selection panel, and Judge Furgeson spoke for the judges of the Western
District.

Former associates John M. Bales and Wayne A. Rich Jr. described Judge
Platt as a man of character and integrity. John Neill, deputy clerk for
the Midland-Odessa division, read the commission signed by clerk William
G. Putnicki and Chief Judge Harry Lee Hudspeth of El Paso.

Carissa Platt introduced her parents and the judge's parents, whom he
credited with the foundation that brought him to today's ceremony.

Following the ceremony, Judge Platt led visitors through the
magistrate's courtroom and chambers. Refreshments were served in the
second-floor lobby.

Weather

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PECOS, October 18, 1996 - High Thursday 88, low last night 47. Tonight,
clear. Low in the mid 40s. South wind 5-15 mph. Saturday, mostly sunny
and breezy. High 75-80. South to southwest wind 15-25 mph and gusty.



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Copyright 1996 by Pecos Enterprise
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324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
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