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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, October 23, 2000
Job, training options offered during Fair
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, October 23, 2000 - Job applications were plentiful this past
weekend, at the inaugural Job Fair and Trade Exposition held at the Odessa
College Technical Training Center on South Eddy Street.
The jobs fair is designed to offer work options both for people without
jobs at this time and for those who might be looking to change jobs in
the near future. Unemployment in Reeves County has gone down in recent
months, but September's 8.4 percent rate is still about three percent above
the average for the Permian Basin, and nearly five percent higher than
the statewide jobless rate.
Representatives from local companies, along with branches of the United
States armed forces and representatives of the Texas Workforce Center,
were on hand to offer information and help individuals fill out job applications.
Winkles Trucking was one of the companies that is already using Odessa
College to attract new drivers to the company.
Winkles employee Holly Key stated that they had been pretty busy all
morning talking to people and explaining their companies goals and aspirations.
The company has been in business for the past 45 years. "It started
out as an agriculture business and is still family-owned," said Key. "We
have some local hauls and some regional hauling."
Employee Frank Terrazas said Winkles does regional hauling in 29 states,
including Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
"We have 120 drivers right now, but still need more," he said, and the
company is getting some employees from the Odessa College Professional
Driving Training School.
"Some of these students are going on to find a job with Winkles, here
in Pecos," said admissions representative Marilyn Jenkins.
Harold Jenkins, lead instructor for the school, stated that already
the company has recruited some of his "graduates."
"They are pre-hired with an on the road company, so they do have a job
once they get out of school," he said.
Marilyn Jenkins stated that they have life-placements and refresher
courses that other schools don't offer. "Once they're affiliated with us,
they're always affiliated with us," she said.
Applicants need to be 21, but will accept applicants as young as 19,
if they have a GED or high school diploma.
"These individuals can only drive in this state, until they are 21,"
she said.
"We basically deal with big over-the-road companies," Harold Jenkins
said. "Winkles is one of the companies that we have had several students
placed at."
"We've been working with them and the relationship is growing," he said.
"As we get more students from these area, they are wanting a job with a
local company, a growing company, such as Winkles."
"I think it's a real good program and people can really benefit from
this," said Marilyn Jenkins. "A lot of the other companies don't offer
all that we do."
Applicants should apply at Odessa College, or apply locally with the
Pecos Technical Training Center.
Also represented at the Job Fair was the Reeves County Detention Center,
which is in the process of opening up its new 1,000-bed addition, which
will double the prison's capacity. The addition is expected to be completed
in November, and new personnel will be needed to fill different positions
at the center, including the position of correctional officers.
RCDC employees David Flores, Isela Ortiz, Michael Baeza and Jorge Salgado
were on hand to explain the center's duties and goals of the facility.
Belinda Salcido, with Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo's office and who
is also in charge of personnel at the center, provided vital information
and handed out applications.
"There were 30 people who received an application and they had 70 daily
visitors," said RCDC Warden Rudy Franco.
Franco stated that facility would continue to hire workers as it expands.
"We have an 11 percent turnover rate, which is just below the national
average," he said.
"The number of employees is growing and will continue to do so, because
this is a growing facility," said Franco. "With room for advancement and
different positions to be filled."
Texas Health Partners, new to this area, had representatives on hand
at the job fair expo. The company provides services to clients and families
that are on Medicaid and have a local representative.
Texas Department of Transportation employee Naomi Ramirez stated that
TxDOT is currently in need of engineers. "Maintenance is the biggest field,
but right we are looking for young engineers," she said.
Ramirez works in the Odessa office, which is the main office for a 12-county
area, including Reeves County. "We also have a local office in each of
these counties," said Ramirez.
The job fair's trade exposition exhibitors included American Home Health,
Pecos; Anchor West Foods, Pecos; Balmorhea ISD, Balmorhea; Community Council
of Reeves County, Pecos; Odessa College, Pecos; Pecos Economic Development,
Pecos; Reeves County Hospital District, Pecos; Reeves County Extension
Service, Pecos; Reeves County Detention Center, Pecos; Texas Department
of Human Services, Pecos; Texas D.P.S., Midland; TxDOT, Odessa; Texas Health
Partners, Odessa; Texas Workforce Center, Pecos; United States Air Force,
Odessa; United States Border Patrol, Pecos; United States Navy, Odessa;
United States Marines, Odessa; Wal-Mart, Pecos; West Texas Centers for
MHMR, Monahans and Winkles Trucking, Pecos.
Dale E. Williams, with Odessa College's main campus in Odessa, said
jobs fairs are held every few months by the school, which opened its Pecos
campus this past May. "The next one will be held in March of 2001," he
said.
"We offer everything from information to financial aid and focus on
continuing education classes," he said.
New administrator takes over at hospital
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, October 23, 2000 - The Reeves County Hospital Board of Directors
is scheduled to meet the new interim administrator for the hospital, Richard
Murphy at the regular meeting of the Board at 6 p.m., on Tuesday at the
hospital.
Human Resource Director Nadine Smith said the current administrator
Charles Butts, submitted his resignation as RCH administrator last month
and will l be moving on to another job. Butts will be replaced by Murphy,
whose first day on the job was today.
Butts' last day will be tomorrow ending with the board meeting.
Murphy, who is from Point Comfort, has been appointed to this job through
a contract with Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, which operates Reeves
County Hospital through an affiliation agreement.
Smith said the hospital staff is saddened by Butts' resignation.
"We're really going to miss him," she said.
In other action Tuesday, the board is also scheduled to consider a resolution
for Lodging Enterprises.
In a previous meeting Roy Riggs, corporate director of development for
Lodging Enterprises, asked the board to consider tax abatement for his
company, which is planning to construct an Oak Tree Inn. The Inn would
house Union Pacific crew for rest layovers, and would be located next to
the Flying J Truck Stop on Interstate 20.
The Board approved the abatement and will now consider the resolution.
The Board is scheduled to consider a deferred compensation plan for
employees as well as the Corporate Board of Directors resolution for Home
Health. Members will also discuss the request from the Texas Agricultural
Extension Service for use of a building located on Bickley Avenue. The
Extension Service is seeking a facility larger than their current home
at the old Reeves County Hospital building on Daggett Street.
Other items on the agenda include discussion of the 1999 and 2000 tax
rolls, budgets and a meeting time for December.
Band's results disappointing at UIL event
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, October 23, 2000 - Nerves and harder music prevented the Pecos
High School Marching Band from receiving a one in UIL marching contest
in El Paso this weekend.
Luz Alexander, assistant band director, said this year the band played
division five music, which is harder than what the band is used to.
"The kids worked pretty hard," she said.
Despite their efforts, judges at the UIL contest gave the band a three.
"I personally think they didn't deserve a three," Alexander said.
The Eagles marched at 11 a.m. CDT on Saturday, following much smaller
bands from Class 4A El Paso Ysleta and Clint, and just before Class 4A
El Paso Riverside, whose band was slightly smaller than Pecos' group. Alexander
said the kids looked good on the field but they didn't feel confident.
"The kids got nervous," she said.
After marching in the UIL contest the band loaded up the buses and traveled
to Las Cruces to march in a second contest early Saturday afternoon, which
involved 35 bands from four states.
"From what I saw on the video, they did real well," said Alexander,
who was not able to attend the second contest with the band because she
stayed behind to get the results from UIL judges at the Socorro Special
Events Complex.
She said that from talking to the kids they were more confident and
marched better.
"They were more confident in Las Cruces," she said. "They were more
relaxed."
Superintendent of schools, Don Love said the band was able to go to
Las Cruces with money from the band budget and William Goff, the head band
director, has been planning this trip since May.
"He felt that it would be good for our kids," he said.
In an interview last week, Goff said he wanted to expose the kids to
different types of contests.
Alexander said although the kids looked better in Las Cruces they told
her they felt like they were not ready for UIL competition.
"They feel that they weren't ready," she said. "They weren't confident."
Pecos had received Division I rankings the past two years marching at
the area competition in El Paso. However, under UIL rules, this is the
year Class 4A schools do not advance past area competition, so a higher
rating would not have made a difference for the Eagles as far as advancing
to regionals was concerned.
Alexander said she thinks the kids looked good and that they would be
able to move on to concert season.
""I think they'll bounce back," she said. "They're high spirited."
Barstow residents' water to be cut off Tuesday
PECOS, October 23, 2000 - The City of Barstow will be turning off the city
water from 2-4 p.m., on Tuesday to repair water leaks.
The city asks that residents be patient and remember that from 2-4 p.m.,
the water will be completely turned off.
`Living Rosary' event scheduled for next Sunday
PECOS, October 23, 2000 - The community is invited to a Living Rosary Service
at 5 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Individuals will go on procession from St. Catherine Church to the county
courthouse.
Everyone is invited to go and pray with them, for their county, their
country and the world.
Obituaries
Ruben Abila
Services for Ruben Vejil Abila, who died, Friday, Oct. 21, 2000 in Lewisville,
are incomplete.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jose Ortega
Jose Mendoza Ortega, Sr., 76, of Big Spring, died Friday, Oct. 20, in a
Big Spring hospital.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., today, at the Northside United
Methodist Church, with burial in Mt. Olive Memorial Park.
He was born on Feb. 14, 1924, in Toyah, was a longtime Big Spring resident,
a member and musician for the Northside United Methodist Church, a member
of the Hot Potato Band and had served in the United States Army during
World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Paula Olague of Big Spring; seven sons,
Jose Ortega, Jr., Rudy, Albert and Sammy Ortega all of Big Spring, Johnny
and Carlos Ortega of Phoenix, Ariz. and Raymond Ortega of San Angelo; one
daughter, Mary Lou Puga of Big Spring; one brother, Margarito Ortega of
Big Spring; two sisters, Rosa Diaz and Virginia Sosa of Big Spring. 28
grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to, Northside
United Methodist Church, 501 NE Sixth St., Big Spring, Tx. 79720.
Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral of Big Spring is in charge of arrangements.
Monia Wilson
Monia June Wilson, 60, of Pecos, died Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000, in Dallas.
Services will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, at the First Baptist Church
with Rev. Bill Woodard officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.
She was born Feb. 12, 1940, in Wichita Falls, was a teacher's aide for
the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, a lifelong Pecos resident and a Baptist.
Survivors include her husband, Charles E. Wilson of Pecos; three daughters,
Crystal Grimes and Tracy and Denise Wilson, all of Dallas; her mother,
Willie V. Thomas of San Angelo; two sisters, Carolyn Walker of Sacramento,
Calif. and Susie Walker of Manhattan, Kan., and six grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
PECOS, October 23, 2000 - High Sunday 80. Low this morning 60. Weekend
rainfall at the Texas A&M Experiment Station .31 inch. Forecast for
tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.
Low near 60. East to southeast wind 5-15 mph. Tuesday: Areas of patchy
morning fog: Otherwise mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers
or thunderstorms. High in the lower to mid 70s. Southeast wind 10-20 mph.
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Low in the mid 50s. Wednesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers
and thunderstorms. Low in the lower to mid 50s. High in the lower to mid
70s.
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
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Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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