Pecos Enterprise

Links to News Photos in Enterprise Files for 2002

July forward

Thursday, June 27, 2002

COURSE HAZARD REMOVED -- Reeves County employee Sergio Salgado watches as summer workers Alex Garcia and Orlando Lara (right) lift a piece of concrete into his frontloader  this morning at the site of the old Pecos Army Airbase Apartments. The concrete was being removed in order to allow a laser leveler to smooth out the site so it can be converted into two new holes for the adjacent Reeves County Golf Course. Seven new holes are planned for the course, to bring it up to a full 18-hole facility.

Tuesday, June 25, 2002

STAND STOCKED FOR HOLIDAY SALES -- Adan Rivera takes a look at all the fireworks Cory Stevenson, the District Supervisor for Mr. W's Fireworks in the Big Bend area left him. The stand located on South Cedar is one of the three fireworks stands that opened up on Monday. State law allows fireworks stands to operate during the days leading up to the July 4th holiday during the summer, and New Year's Day during the winter.

Monday, June 24, 2002

SUNDAY MORNING ACCIDENT -- Pecos Emergency Medical  Service personnel work on two passengers in this GMC pickup who were  injured when the vehicle left the road while northbound on U.S. 285, about 14  miles south of Pecos around sunrise on Sunday. The driver, identified as  Rodney Rodriguez, and a passenger, Ruben Carrasco, where transported to  Reeves County Hospital, where they were treated for their injuries and released.  A third passenger in the pickup, Chandler Pendleton, was not injured in  the rollover, which left the pickup upright and facing south on the east side  of U.S. 285. A report on the accident from the Department of Public Safety  was not available today.

Friday, June 21, 2002

COLD DRINKS -- Dane Daniels and Andy Garcia are ready to serve up some nice, cold lemonade at their  lemonade stand, located at the corner of Fourth and Elm Streets. The two were busy Thursday afternoon, just in time for the  first day of summer, which is today. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2002

PECOS ROCKETTES -- Golden Girl Nominees preformed their production number at the Senior Citizen Center  today at noon. This was the first time the girls preformed the routine outside of practice. The Golden Girls Review will  be held on June 28 at the auditorium. Those interested in attending may buy a ticket from any of the 2002 Golden  Girl Nominees. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2002

UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- Workers are busy at the Pecos High  School, installing new windows and other construction work during the  summer vacation. The school is just one of the local campuses that is  undergoing construction while the students are out. Another project that will be  done this summer includes removing asbestos from the Pecos High  School auditorium and other campuses.

Tuesday, June 4, 2002

ONION SEASON -- Hermina Carrasco works as a grader at the onion sheds behind Pecos Cantaloupe Company on the Balmorhea Highway. Carrasco and approximately 58 other people are working on sorting and packaging the onions for shipping. The first truck rolled into the sheds last Friday and the workers packed over 1,200-50 pound bags on that day and almost 7,000-50 pound bags on the second day. Onion packers are expecting to work 15 to 20 trucks a day when the onion season gets in full swing.
STUDENT DRIVERS ON ROAD -- Pecos High School students sit in a driver's ed car, one of two being used this summer for students learning to drive. Instructor James Thomas said the white and red cars with the special signs would be operating around Pecos for the next five weeks. Thomas, a Pecos High School teacher, said this is his 43rd year of working as a driver's ed instructor.

Monday, June 3, 2002

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY -- Students toss their mortarboards in the air after being officially certified as graduates by PHS principal Danny Rodriguez. A  total of 164 seniors received their diplomas Friday night.

Wednesday, May 29, 2002

SAFETY DONATION -- Trans Pecos Drug Task Force Commander Gary Richards (left) and Abundant Life Church minister Wilson Soko hold up the two bulletproof vests that the church donated to the task force recently. The church purchased the vests for the task force employees in honor of officer Jaime Rodriguez, who was shot and killed two weeks ago.

Tuesday, May 28, 2002

BALMORHEA FESTIVAL -- Kids take a dip in the canal in downtown Balmorhea just before sunset on Saturday. While the shrimp cookoff only had six teams competing,  the overall turnout was double that of a year ago, officials, said, with most of those coming from outside of the  Pecos and Balmorhea areas.
BALMORHEA VALEDICTORIAN -- Balmorhea senior Isaiah Rodriguez raises his arm as he walks off the  stage Saturday night after receiving his diploma during the 2002 Balmorhea High School graduation ceremony.  Rodriguez was valedictorian for this year's graduating class, and received the C.T. Gray Scholarship and History Club and  BPA honors. Salutatorian Arturo Rodriguez was given the St. Catherine's Knight of Columbus Scholarship, and  several other honors were given out during the 90-minute ceremony.

Friday, May 24, 2002

BUDDY POPPIES -- Mayor Dot Stafford (left) buys the first Buddy  Poppy from new VFW Commander Dora Pineda.  Pineda along with many  other members of the VFW will be handing out the poppies for any donations at  La Tienda and the corner of Seventh and Eddy Streets starting at 8 a.m.,  on Saturday.

Tuesday, May 21, 2002

LOCAL HERO -- Pallbearers for the Jaime Rodriguez funeral take the flagged covered casket to the burial site  at Mount Evergreen Cemetery yesterday morning. The pallbearers are all members of local law enforcement and  were only a few of the hundreds of law enforcement officers, friends and family who attended the Rodriguez'  funeral. Rodriguez was shot and later died while conducting a routine drug check on a Greyhound bus last Thursday.
RELAY WALK -- Cancer survivors are led by Little Miss Cantaloupe nominees around the track at Eagle Stadium  at the start of Friday's Relay for Life. Chairwoman Terri Spence said about 20 survivors participated in the walk, and  the event itself raised over $19,000 for cancer research.

Monday, May 20, 2002

HONORABLE SALUTE -- Hundreds of law enforcement officers salute  the flag covered casket at Jaime Rodriguez' funeral this morning at Santa  Rosa Catholic Church as it is carried by pallbearers from the church for the final  trip to Mount Evergreen Cemetery.  Rodriguez was buried close to his father,  Juan Rodriguez at the cemetery, located on the southwest side of Pecos.

Friday, May 17, 2002

FAMILY PHOTO -- Trans Pecos Drug Task Force Agent Jaime Rodriguez stands with his two children Jessica, 17, and Jayme Lee, 6. Rodriguez was shot yesterday while conducting a drug interdiction on a Greyhound bus. He later died from those injuries at Covenant Memorial Hospital in Lubbock.

Thursday, May 16, 2002 WOUNDED OFFICER REMOVED -- Pecos police officer Tony Dawdy (left) and Police Chief Clay McKinney (center) help Emergency Medical Service personnel lift a stretcher holding Trans Pecos Drug Task Force officer Jaime Rodriguez off a Greyhound bus, after Rodriguez was wounded in a shootout with a bus passenger this morning in Pecos. Rodriguez was conducting a drug interdiction on the bus when he and a female passenger were shot by a male passenger, who was shot and killed. Rodriguez and the female passenger, who was not identified, were flown to Lubbock for treatment of their gunshot wounds.
BUS GUARDED -- Law enforcement officers stand outside a Greyhound bus following a shooting this morning on board during a drug intradiction by two Trans Pecos Drug Task Force officers. The bus, and the body of the shooting suspect are being kept in Pecos pending an investigation by the Department of Public Safety's Crime Scene Unit from Austin.
MURDER SUSPECT CAPTURED -- Reeves County sheriff's deputy Ruben Dominguez (right) holds a rifle on James Robert Moody II, 23, after he surrendered to law enforcement officers after a 90 minute standoff at Motel 6 in Pecos this morning. Moody and a woman traveling with him, identified as Tabitha Hope Colson, 23, were wanted in connection witha a double homicide in Georgia on Sunday.
VEHICLE CHECKED -- Texas Ranger Gerry Villalobos looks inside a Chevrolet pick-up parked at a Motel 6 in Pecos Texas this morning. The vehicle reportedly belonged to a man who was shot and killed in Georgia on Sunday. Two suspects, identidied as James Robert Moody II, 23, and Tabitha Hope Colson, 23, were taken into custody following a 90 minute standoff and are chraged with the murder of the pickup owner and a second person.


Wednesday, May 15, 2002

TEARFUL FAREWELL -- A group of former Anchor West employees gather for one last picture together after the announcement of the first layoffs at the plant. Layoffs are scheduled to continue through the end of this month at the plant, which employed 700 workers last year and still had 650 people on the job as of two months ago. McCain Foods officials said they are continuing talks with one company that is interested in buying the facility.
BRAVE GIRL -- Abigail Orosco, (bottom, center) is pictured with her classmates at Austin Elementary School first grade. The 7-year-old was the first to notice a fire that started in her home and alerted her grandparents who fled the home before the house was engulfed in flames.

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS -- John Canon, Jack Bradley, Chase Laurence, Clifton Brantley and Tim Flanagan  stand in front of a banner that congratulates them for coming home as National Champions in FFA Land Judging  competition during last nights Career & Technology Education's Spring Banquet. The group of boys recently competed in  the National FFA Competition last week where they were recognized as National Champs.
GUN SAFETY PROGRAM -- Pecos Kindergarten students receive help from signs and "Eddie the Eagle" during  a program on gun safety held Monday. The program was sponsored by the Pecos Police Department and the  National Rifle Association, whose mascot, Eddy, told the children that if they see a gun they should stop, don't touch,  leave the area and tell an adult

Monday, May 13, 2002

SMELLY DRUGS -- Trans Pecos Task Force Officer Kevin Roberts and his canine companion, "Rex" are pictured  with about 72.6 pounds of marijuana that was confiscated during a routine traffic stop. The stop also landed two El  Paso residents in Reeves County Jail on possession with intent to distribute charges.

Friday, May 10, 2002

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM -- Catharine Rambeau sits on her motorcycle "Molly" in front of Laura Lodge  this morning before she headed out toward Odessa.  This is the third trip Rambeau has made around Texas in efforts  to raise money for children's cancer reasearch. Anyone willing to donate to help in cancer research may mail  donations to Lisa Hereford; Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Center; 6621 Fannin CCC 1400.10; Houston, TX 77030.

Thursday, May 9, 2002

NEW COUNCIL -- New Pecos Mayor Dot Stafford (right) swears in new Council members Michael Benavides (left) and Angelica Valenzuela (middle) during the regular meeting this morning at City Hall. Benavides and Valenzuela are replacing former Councilmen Ricky Herrera and Danny Rodriguez while Stafford takes over for Mayor Ray Ortega.
KINDERGARTEN RUNNERS -- Pecos Kindergarten students head towards the finish line this morning at Eagle Stadium, during a track meet held for the students. The school held its end-of-year track meet today, while Austin Elementary students will have their track meet for first, second and third graders later this month.

Wednesday, May 8, 2002

AFTERNOON ACCIDENT -- Pecos Police Officers Cosme Ortega and Helen Vernon discuss what happened  that caused an accident just after noon yesterday at the corner of Third and Eddy Streets.  The drivers of a  Chevrolet pickup and a Ford Tempo were both trying to beat the red light when they collided, according to Ortega.  Pecos  EMS personnel were called to the scene however no transport was made.
CONGRATULATING THE MAYOR -- Mayor-elect Dot Stafford sits at  her festively decorated desk at West Texas National Bank. Bank  employees decorated Stafford's work area in efforts to congratulate her on her  recent election win. Stafford will be sworn in as Mayor during the regular Town  of Pecos City Council meeting at 7 a.m., tomorrow morning at City Hall.

Tuesday, May 7, 2002

CLOWN CAR DONATION -- Woody Merritt sits in his 1916 Ford replica clown car, which he recently donated to the West of the Pecos Museum. The car is displayed in the Lineberry Building next to the Caboose.
ALL-DISTRICT PICKS -- Pecos Eagles senior Rebecca Wein (left) was named Most Valuable player on the All-District 2-4A softball team, while sophomore Stephanie Herrera (right) was named Outstanding Defensive Player in voting by the district coaches. Three other Pecos players were named to the first team squad, and three more were second team selections.
STEPHANIE HERRERA

Thursday, May 2, 2002

RECEIVE AWARDS FOR WORK -- Sandy Esparza (left) Christina  Bitolas (center) and Laura Rodriguez hold up the awards they received from  Pecos Enterprise publisher Smokey Briggs on Wednesday. Bitolas was named  the employee of the year for 2001, while Rodriguez and Esparza also  received awards in recognition for their efforts in the past year.
AMBULANCE CHECK -- Uvaldo Munoz performs a weekly check of one of the Pecos Emergency  Medical Service's ambulances to make sure all the equipment is functioning correctly and all the supplies are stocked  up. The EMS personnel alternate this task every week to make sure the ambulance is ready to go at a  moment's notice.


Wednesday, May 1, 2002

COAST TO COAST ROLLERBLADER -- Stacy Olsen-Butler spent the day in Pecos today to make repairs on his rollerblades he is using to travel from San Diego, Calif., to Daytona Beach, Fla. Olsen-Butler is traveling across country in order to raise donations for his nephew, 13-month-old Kaiden, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
TEACHER OF WEEK -- Pecos Kindergarten Teacher Rachel Tarin was chosen as this week's Teacher of the Week by Monahans Radio Station KLBO-1330 AM. Lorna Navarette, whose son Nicholas, is in Tarin's classroom submitted her name as a possible winner. As part of her submission Navarette wrote a letter telling of Tarin's teaching talents and of the many things she does for her students. Tarin received flowers and a certificate from the station, which honors teachers from the Ward, Reeves, Winkler and northern Pecos County schools.

Tuesday, April 30, 2002

SING-A-LONG -- Toyah Baptist Church members conclude Sunday night's sing-a-long, which they hosted.  Participating churches from Toyah and Pecos presented solo, ensemble and choir specials in English, Spanish and Navajo.  Richard Compton, left, operated the sound system. Other singers are his mother, Linda Compton, Steve and Berta  Begay, Sharon Sanchez, Wayne and Diana Tollett and Damon Compton. Mt. Zion Baptist Church on E. 14th Street will host the next sing-a-long in May.
BALCONY PAINTING CREW -- Roberts Construction  employees (left to right) Oscar Galindo, Juan Natividad and John  Natividad apply paint to the first floor balcony at the West of the Pecos  Museum this morning. The workers were also repainting the balcony area  on Monday, applying a new coat for the first time since the  Museum's Orient Hotel building was restored in 1994 and 1995.

Monday, April 29, 2002

HEADING FOR THE BALL -- Youth soccer players in the age 4-12; through 6 division go after a ball during Saturday morning's league play at the Crockett Middle School field. Saturday was scheduled to be the final weekend for the Community Recreation Department's youth soccer leagues, while softball and T-ball play will begin in late May and June.
NEW OPENING -- Movie Gallery Manager Suzi Vasquez cuts the ceremonial ribbon with her staff members and members of the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce watching on as the group gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new video rental store located on the corner of 11th and Cedar streets on Friday.

Friday, April 26, 2002

STREET TO REOPEN -- With the closing of Pecos Elementary last  year, West 10th Street will be reopened to regular vehicle traffic, the Pecos  City Council decided on Thursday. Re-opening the street is expected to make  it easier for parents to drop off and pick up their children at Pecos  Kindergarten, located just east of the Pecos Elementary campus

Thursday, April 25, 2002

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION -- Pecos Head Start students gather around Smokey Bear this morning at the  Head Start campus on East 12th Street. Smokey was on hand this morning as part of the Arbor Day celebrations where  he helped inform the kids that "only you can prevent forest fires."

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

BEHIND BARS -- Security State Bank President Bill Oglesby is behind bars trying to raise money for the Relay for Life project, while Reeves County Sheriff Andy Gomez "watches" over him. Security State Bank employees have to raise a certain amount of money before they are "let out of jail" for their Relay for Life team, which will be participating in the Annual Relay for Life at the Pecos High School track on May 17-18. Events will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and end at 9 a.m., Saturday. Bank employees will be trying to raise funds for their team throughout this week.

Tuesday, April 23, 2002

GETTIN' LUNCH -- Pecos High School Principal Danny Rodriguez pulls up his lunch to eat on his outdoor "patio" last Friday while he was on the roof of the Pecos High School. Rodriguez stayed on the roof of the school for 24-hours after challenging the high school students to score at least 80 percent on their TAAS tests.

Friday, April 19, 2002

HEAD EAGLE LANDS ON ROOF -- Pecos High School Principal Danny Rodriguez (right) talks with News West 9 Reporter Joe Dominguez about why is would be spending 24-hours on the roof of the high school this morning. Rodriguez started his day on the roof at 8 a.m.today and will stay there for 24 hours.after challenging PHS students to score at least 80 percent on the TAAS test this year.

Thursday, April 18, 2002

VFW TEACHER OF THE YEAR -- PHS Teacher Karen Hill holds a plaque she received after being recognized by the state chapter of the VFW as Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. Hill is also entered in the National contest, which would be decided in August.
RETURNED TO FORMER OWNERS -- The old Amistad Lion's Club building at 209 S. Pecan St. was returned to four of its former owners by Town of Pecos City Mayor Ray Ortega and former Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board president Louis Matta in December of last year. Taxes of over $7,000 owed on that property and two adjacent lots became a campaign issue in Matta's unsuccessful bid for Reeves County Judge; by giving back the building and paying city taxes on a separate property, Ortega has avoided being in violation of the Town of Pecos City charter requiring all serving elected officials and candidates for office not to owe the city any property taxes.

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

EARLY VOTING -- Town of Pecos City Council candidate Michael Benavides, his wife Irma and their family is on hand in front of the Community Center early this morning to greet voters and visit with those that are voting early. Early voting began today and will continue until April 30 at the Community Center. Other candidates have signs posted on billboards atop vehicles in front of the early voting site.
ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION -- Town of Pecos City Mayor Ray Ortega and Pecos Tree Board members stand outside City Hall on Tuesday, after Ortega signed a proclamation in honor of Arbor Day next week. The Tree Board plans to hold a tree planting ceremony on April 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Pecos Head STart center at 12th and Locust streets, with Smokey Bear as the special guest for the Head Start students.

Tuesday, April 16, 2002

SAFETY WARNING FOR VANS ISSUED -- Department of Public Safety trooper Larry Wilson looks over  the wreckage of a 15-passenger Ford van that rolled over on Interstate 10,  45 miles west of Pecos last  Wednesday, killing two of the 13 U.S. Marshal's Service inmates being transported from El Paso to Odessa. On Monday,  the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its second advisory in the past year; warning that all  models of 15-passenger vans have a dramatically higher risk of rollovers when fully loaded and only should be operated  by experienced drivers.

Monday, April 15, 2002

BACK OF HOME BURNS -- Flames race through the rear section of a home at 611 Ross Blvd. and the adjacent  carport about 2:45 p.m. Friday. The fire was in an unoccupied house, but would eventually spread to an adjacent  building, leaving a Pecos family homeless.
GOING-AWAY PARTY -- Iris Rives stands in front of a cake given to  her Thursday in honor of her 25 years work at Reeves County Hospital.  Rives' last day at the hospital was Friday, as she is moving with her husband  to Cleburne, southwest of Fort Worth.

Friday, April 12, 2002

BIGGER AND BETTER -- Reeves County Hospital Administrator  Robert Vernor explains the financial plan for the proposed renovation and  expansion of the existing hospital Thursday morning, during a public discussion at the hospital.

Thursday, April 11, 2002

INMATE VAN CRASH AFTERMATH -- Area law enforcement personnel, along with Emergency Medical Service personnel and Texas Department of Transportation workers stand near the wreckage of a van that crashed on Interstate 10 in Jeff Davis County, Wednesday afternoon while transporting U.S. Marshal's Service inmates from El Paso to Odessa. The bodies of Francisco Letkemon-Wiebe, 48, and Jose Rubio, 25, were thrown from the rear of the vehicle, and at least one of the 11 other inmates was also ejected during the rollover, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Luis Najera. However, reports today say neither the third ejected inmate nor any of the other passengers or guards in the van suffered life-threatening injuries.
AIRLIFTED FROM HOSPITAL -- Local emergency personnel and workers with Aerocare out of Lubbock load  one of two U.S. Marshal's Service inmates into a helicopter, after they were transported to Reeves County  Hospital following Wednesday's two-fatality van crash on Interstate 10, three miles west of the I-20 junction. One of  the inmates was flown to Midland Memorial Hospital, while a second was taken to Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.

Wednesday, April 10, 2002

TEMPORARY REPAIR -- Town of Pecos City crews were busy Tuesday afternoon digging up a water pipeline that was found to be leaking at the corner of Eighth and Cedar streets. Workers were forced to do a temporary repair on the 2-inch pipeline because the leaking section was lined on the outside with asbestos, which is no longer used for pipeline insulation. Workers were back at the site today, to put in a permanent replacement for the leaking section using PVC pipe.

Tuesday, April 9, 2002

HELPING WITH READING -- Angela Pafacio (center) sits with students from Judy Fuentes' class at  Pecos Kindergarten on Friday. Pafacio, who taught Fuentes in Pecos in 1957 while working as a nun at the Santa  Rosa School, was a guest reader and listener for a couple of classes at the kindergarten.

Monday, April 8, 2002

FEELING BETTER! -- Several individuals took advantage of the free  massages at the 15th Annual Reeves County Health Fair held Saturday at the  Reeves County Hospital. Health services were offered throughout the hospital at  no charge or at drastically discounted prices. The annual event proved to be  a huge success and plans are underway for next year's event.
CLEAN UP -- Students from Heather Scheier's and Catherine Allan's third grade classes at Austin Elementary  School joined the volunteers of Keep Pecos Beautiful Committee, by cleaning up their own school on Friday afternoon.  The Keep Pecos Beautiful Committee did their own cleanup on Saturday morning, while the younger students cleaned  up their own school yard and surrounding area on Friday.

Thursday, April 4, 2002

CLEAN-UP AREA -- Trash litters the area along Walthall Street near the intersection with Oak Street this morning. Walthall is one of the streets scheduled to be part of the local Texas Trash-Off project on Saturday, sponsored locally by the Keep Pecos Beautiful Committee. The group is still seeking clean-up volunteers, who will meet to begin their work at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday in the Odessa College-Pecos Technical Training Center parking lot.

Wednesday, April 3, 2002

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER -- Pecos Main Street Director Tom Rivera holds up one of the many books available to small business owners at the new resource center located in the Community Center on Oak Street. Anyone interested in opening a small business or who already owns one is invited to use the resource center where they have access to a fax machine, the Internet and numerous resource materials.
EAGLES EXTEND DISTRICT WIN STREAK -- Pecos Eagles players surround the pitchers mound just prior to the start of Tuesday's game against Clint. The Eagles won their 19th straight game in District 2-4A play and sixth straight this season, with a five-inning, 10-0 win over the Lions. Pecos' boys also stayed unbeaten in the 2-4A baseball standings on Tuesday, with a 9-1 win at El Paso Mountain View.

Tuesday, April 2, 2002

TWO-MILE PAINT JOB -- Rob Lykins with Wilkins International works a paint sprayer around the east side of the Pecos High School track today, as part of a two-day paint job on the track. Lykins had to paint more than 3,600 meters - 2 1/4 miles - of white lines around the eight-lane track first, before putting other lines on the track as part of a resurfacing project prior to next week's District 2-4A Track and Field Championships. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Athletic Director Bubba Williams said the track would be closed to walkers for at least the next two days while the new marking are painted on the track.
UPCOMING REVIVAL -- Tito Hernandez, Sheriff Andy Gomez and local pastor Jose Gonzalez stand for a picture outside the Reeves County Jail where Hernandez will come in May to hold a revival for the inmates. Hernandez will also hold a rally in Saragosa Park in the same weekend in May in efforts to help people in the area.

Monday, April 1, 2002

TWO HURT IN SATURDAY INCIDENT -- Pecos Emergency Medical Service personnel wheel one victim of a Saturday night incident to an ambulance, while other EMT's treat a second victim in a yard in the 500 block of Martinez Street. Police received a call of a hit-and-run accident about 2:20 a.m., but said the victims, a man and woman, may have fallen out of a pickup that then left the scene. The two were taken to Reeves County Hospital, where they were treated and released, police said. No charges reportedly have been filed in the case, and further details on the incident were not available.

Friday, March 29, 2002

BUT STILL WORKING -- Lourdes Vejil (standing) and Sam Salcido take a look at work on the computer at their office in the Valley Motors building on the Balmorhea Highway. Vejil and Salcido will remain in that office after the dealership closes to continue receiving payments from customers.
DOORS CLOSING -- Cars sit on the lot of Valley Motor Company, which is closing its doors today after 39 years in business. Owner Ben Meek said that the cars remaining in this lot after today would be transferred to other dealerships.

Thursday, March 28, 2002

EGG-HUNTING -- Several classes at Pecos Kindergarten had the opportunity to look for Easter eggs on the school grounds this morning. The classes searched for eggs and enjoyed parties throughout the short school day. Classes were dismissed at 1 p.m., at all the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD schools, which will be closed on Friday and Monday.

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

MASTER PLAN -- Rob Meese, of HGA, Inc., describes some of the ideas his company came up with to help update the look of Reeves County Hospital during the RCH Board of Directors' regular meeting Tuesday night in the RCH classroom. The master plan is only that, a plan, and the board has not approved making changes to the hospital.

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

HAPPY JUDGE -- Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo hugs his wife Michele and daughter, Jayme, upon hearing the results of the Democratic Primary Election. Galindo defeated his opponent Louis Matta in the race for county judge and will serve in that capacity for the next four years.

PRIMARY WINNERS AND LOSERS-- Reeves County Commissioner Precinct #2 candidate Norman Hill is congratulated by his opponent, incumbent David Castillo, after his win Tuesday in the Democratic primary election. Castillo was beaten by Hill in his bid for a second four-year term in office.

CONGRATUATIONS AND CONSOLATIONReeves County Judge candidate Louis Matta is pictured with his brother, Jerry Matta, following the announcement of Tuesday's final election results. Louis Matta lost to incumbent Jimmy Galindo in his bid for Reeves County Judge, but Jerry Matta defeated Clinton Glenn in the election for the Democratic nomination for Constable Precinct #2.

Tues, Mar. 12, 2002 - WINDS HAMPER FIREFIGHTERS - Pecos volunteer firemen fight a fire in the 100 block of North Alamo Street shortly after 1 p.m. Monday. Embers from the fire caused an addition on a neighboring home to also catch fire. Firemen were at the site for several hours and were called back later in the evening. Winds that gusted over 50 m.p.h. in the Trans-Pecos on Monday also forced the Texas Department of Transportation to shut down Texas Hwy. 17 between Pecos and Saragosa. Traffic was diverted through Toyah along FM 2903.

Tues., March 5, 2002 -

NEW SCULPTURE --

Pecos High School Art Teacher Walter Holland (left) instructs students in his 3-D sculpture class how to hand the nine-foot metal sculpture they built in the drive through of West Texas National Bank this morning. The sculpture is one of many that the students will be involved in constructing as part of renovating the downtown area.

BLOOD THIRSTY --

PHS students Mindy Harrison, Vanessa Hernandez (back right) and Will Armstrong (back left) were among those who decided to donate blood this morning at the PHS New Gym. Donor Care Specialists Jay Drpaer (front) and Sylvia Borrego (back) spent the day taking the students' blood. Students who were at least 17-year-old and 110 pounds were able to donate blood.
Monday, March 4, 2002 -

FROZEN FOUNTAIN - The second arctic front in less than a week left the fountain outside the West of the Pecos Museum frozen for the third straight morning. Temperatures downtown dropped to 18 degrees today and were still below freezing at mid-morning, but were expected to warm back up into the high 70s by later this week.

Thurs., Feb. 28, 2002

FIELD TRIP --

Students from Pecos Head Start chat with KIUN's Bill Randall Cole this morning during Pecos Talking. The students took a field trip to the radio station and while there they were able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance over the air.

GOING UP! --

A crane is used to lift a concrete slab at the construction site of the new Reeves County Detention Center III, which is currently underway next to RCDC I and RCDC II. Things are going smoothly and all phases of the construction are on schedule, according to Kurt Nissen, with Carothers Construction. Concrete for the dormitories has been poured and the walls gone up, while other phases of construction can be seen at the site. The addition will increase the prison's capacity from 2,000 to 2,960 inmates.
Tues., Feb. 26, 2002

HAPPY BIRTHDAY --

Several members of Boy Scout Pack 191 gathered for the annual Blue and Gold banquet last night at the First United Methodist Church to celebrate the birthday of boy scouting in America. These boys stand in line for food during the celebration at which they also had birthday cake for the 92-year-old organization.
Friday, Feb. 22, 2002

JAIL ADMINISTRATION --

Former Pecos Police Officer Tony Dawdy stands next to his new office at the Pecos Municipal Criminal Justice Center. He is now serving as jail administrator for the new facility, a job that he is excited about. Dawdy said that he is already proud of his staff and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

JOB OPPORTUNITY --

Dave Scheider, with the Anchor Food plant in Fort Arkinson, wis., talks with a visitor to the Third Annual Reeves County Job and Career Fair and Trade Expo and hands him an application for employment this morning at the Odessa College-Pecos Technical Training Center. Anchor employers were offering job opportunities at the fair, which runs until 7 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 20, 2002

SMOOTH TRANSITION --

Officer Jaime Montano opens a door for a co-worker inside the new Pecos Municipal Criminal Justice Center. The new jail facility was dedicated two weeks ago and received its first 20 U.S. Marshal Service inmates on Tuesday. The new jail on the southwest side of town can hold up to 96 inmates.

RECOGNIZING A TEAM --

Pecos High School Assistant Coach Joan Capshaw introduces the PHS Swim Team and their coach Terri Morse at the pep rally held in their honor last night at the PHS Natatorium. The team will be traveling to Austin on Thursday to represent Pecos at the State 4A Swim Meet at teh Jamail Aquatic Center on the UT campus on Friday and Saturday.
Friday,Feb. 15, 2002

CHARACTER EDUCATION -- Members of Primary Focus, an educational group out of San Diego, sing and dance for students at Austin Elementary while teaching students about the six pillars of character. Counselors Rosie Salcido and Ruben Cervantes hosted the program with the help of a mini grant from the state.

LEAVING FOR NEW JOBS -- Town of Pecos City Health and Sanitation Director Armando Gil and his former secretary, Lupe Nieto, stand together at a retirement party for Gil on Thursday. He has accepted a position as solid waste superintendent for the bity of Big Spring, while Nieto will interview for a job as code enforcement officer for that city.

COACH OF THE YEAR -- Pecos High School swimming coach Terri Morse accepts plaque from Supt. Don Love duyring the school board meeting Thursday in the new technology building. Morse also received plaques for district and regional champs.

Thursday, February 14, 2002

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH --

The Town of Pecos City declared February Africa American History Month during the regular meeting this morning at City Hall. In the front row are Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board member Billie Sadler, Ella Sue Johnson, Town of Pecos City Mayor Ray Ortega, Reeves County Chief Probation Officer Louise Moore and Donald Hunt, with First Choice Power Co.'s Fort Stockton office.

SPECIAL DELIVERY --

Crockett Middle School "Cupid Mom" Grace Guerra (left) delivers a special valentine to Crockett Middle School student Ashley Jimenez during this morning's Valentine activities. The "Cupid Mom" which are part of the Parent Teacher Organization sold Valentines and helped deliver them today as part of a fundraiser.
Wednesday, February 6, 2002

GRAND OPENING --

Numerous community members and area law enforcement officers gather in line to take a guided tour of the new Pecos Municipal Criminal Justice Center after the grand opening ceremony this morning.

NEW JAIL --

Architect Kendall Phinney (right) hands Mayor Ray Ortega a key to the new Pecos Municipal Criminal Justice Center during the grand opening ceremony this morning. The Town of Pecos City decided to construct the facility to house the Pecos Police Department as well as U.S. Marshal's Service inmates awaiting trial in Pecos.
Tuesday, February 5, 2002 BESSIE HAYNES SCIENCE FAIR -- Bessie Haynes Elementary student Bailey judges PHS senior explains her science project entitled "Parting the Water" to the Dannelley. Over 100 projects were submitted in the Bessie Haynes Science Fair and the winners were announced this afternoon.
Friday, February 1, 2002 --

NEW PHA MEMBER --

Mayor Ray Ortega (right) swears in John Garza as new resident commissioner for the Pecos Housing Authority during the regular meeting of the Town of Pecos City Council last night at City Hall.
Thursday, January 31, 2002 --

RUSH DELIVERY --

Both mother Marina Mendoza and her new  daughter, Faith Breann Guerra, are doing fine at Reeves County Hospital  today, following a scary event that occurred yesterday morning. The baby  was born en-route to the hospital and the delivery was assisted by Pecos  police officers. Pictured with the mother and baby are Pecos Police officer  Felipe Villalobos, dispatcher Wilma Brookshire, officer Ismael "Smiley"  Gamboa and the new father, Jason Guerra.

SCIENCE FAIR --

Zavala Middle School students Angel Millan and Leslie Ortiz explain their science fair project  to Pecos High School student John Chappell (left) and Jacob Sanchez (facing away), while Chappell's brother, Allan,  is told by student Beverly Ortega and Ashley Bustamante (right) about their project this morning in the Zavala  gym. Students in Barbara Scown's science class at the high school were acting as judges for the sixth graders'  projects, and the winners of the fair were to be announced this afternoon.

Tuesday, January 29, 2002

HIDDEN HEROES --

Cathy Travland (left) presents the Ruiz Profile of Courage/Hidden Hero Award to Sofia Baeza and Linda Clark during the Annual Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet held Friday evening. Several awards were handed out during the evening and the two netted the coveted Hidden Hero award for the work they do during the Christmas holidays for the children in the community.


CELEBRATING 100TH BIRTHDAY --

Jessie Barmore celebrates her 100th birthday Saturday, surrounded by her five children, their spouses and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pecos was well represented at the party in the Midland Crestview Baptist Church Trinity Center. Mrs. Barmore, then known as Jessie Cleveland, raised her children in Pecos while working as a barber. She was a charter member of West Park Baptist Church when it was organized in 1945 and attended services there until her move to Midland several years ago.
Friday, January 25, 2002

WORKING FOR TONIGHT --

Ladies Chamber members Laura Briggs and Jenny Abbott work on blowing up balloons for the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. at the Reeves County Civic Center.

CLEANING UP THE ROAD --

Texas Department of Transportation employees work on blowing away dust and debris from the cracks in the road on the west side of Cedar Street. The crew soon came back by filling in those cracks with tar after patching cracks on the east side of Cedar Street on Thursday.
Tuesday, January 22, 2002

NEW BABY -- The new baby for the year 2002 has finally arrived in Pecos at Reeves County Hospital. A girl, born  to Juan and Michelle Ramirez, of Pecos, arrived Monday at 9:40 a.m. Brianna Daphny Ramirez weighed five pounds,  14 ounces and was 18 ½  inches long at birth. Proud grandparents are Clyde and Irma Martinez and Juan and  Dolores Ramirez. A brother, Juan Michael Ramirez, who will celebrate his sixth birthday tomorrow, also welcomed the  new arrival home. The Reeves County Hospital Auxiliary presented the newborn with several gifts. Pictured with  the newborn and her mother, left to right are: Bea Owens, Patsy Rogers, Linda Gholson and Lita Carrasco.

NEW POSITION --

Reeves County Detention Center Assistant Warden  of Programs LaVaughn Garnto stands inside the Special Housing  Unit (Segregation Unit) at the facility. Garnto was approved by the Bureau  of Prisons for the position and is excited about his new role at the  detention center.


PECOS, Wed., Jan. 16, 2002 --

SNOOP STOPS TO SHOP --

Famous rapper Snoop Dogg takes time from his busy shopping schedule to pose for  a picture with numerous Wal-mart associates during a stopover in Pecos this morning.  Snoop and his crew  also surprised customers of McDonald's and the Flying J Truck Stop where the group's tour bus also stopped.   Wal-Mart associates said that Snoop was on his way to Atlanta, and stopped here because one member of Snoop's  entourage has relatives in Pecos.  The veteran rapper, who first came to fame nine years ago, signed autographs for staff  and customers while shopping at the local store.

PECOS BILL PARK -- Pecos Bill stands tall at the West of the Pecos Museum Pecos Bill Park located in the 100  block of Oak Street.  The museum is selling name bricks for a walkway that will be placed at the park.  Anybody  interested in purchasing a name brick contact the museum before the end of January.  Each brick costs $60 with a limit of  three lines per brick.


Pecos, Jan. 14, 2002 - HISTORY LESSON - Brian Williams, center, gives Rev. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech to Head Start students this morning at Reeves County Library. Fellow actors who portrayed restaurant patrons, demonstrators and President Lyndon Johnson in the skit hold hands aloft to signify their joy at Blacks being freed from segregation by Johnson's Civil Rights Act. In the circle, from left, are Clarence Oster, Bill Scarber, (Nancy McAnally and Glenda Cox, partially hidden) Faye Scarber, Kim Ewing, Williams, Police Patrolman Helen Vernon, Louise Moore, Ella Mae Johnson, (Velma Bradley and Peggy McCracken, partially hidden) and Billie Sadler. Digital Photo by Leia Holland

DINE IN - Pizza Pro Manager AnaBell Madril (standing) serves customers with some cheese sticks in the new dine in area. Dan Daniel's Music and Video recently added a lunch menu along with the 10 tables and booths for Pizza Pro dine in customers. Pictured are (l-r) customer Freddy Ornelas, Dan's employee Adela George, customer Ophelia Juarez and customer Leo Ornelas.


BIG BUFFALO - This baby buffalo is one of many animals at the Maxey Park Zoo that community members can come and visit. The city is working on improving and possibly expanding the zoo in order to be able to bring in more animals in the future.

INVITING ENTRANCE - This sign stands at the entrance of Maxey Park inviting people to stop by the zoo. Despite recent rumors, the Town of Pecos City is not planning to close the zoo.

COLD BLOSSOMS - Peeping out from under two inches of snow on the first day of 2002, these purple and gold pansies still show a sunny face.


Digital Photo by Peggy McCracken

SNOWBIRD -- JANUARY 2, 2002 -Tiny dry snowflakes raked into a pile Tuesday create a snowbird resting in the shade of cedar limbs. The first snow of 2002 left about two inches on the ground, and much of it remained this morning.


Digital Photo by Peggy McCracken

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