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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Thursday, November 16, 2000
Air Force continues toward bombing site construction
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
Despite the lawsuit filed against the U.S. Air Force on Tuesday plans
are moving forward to add an electronic scoring site about 18 miles southwest
of Pecos.
Ranchers and an environmental group filed a federal lawsuit to stop
the Air Force from conducting proposed low-level bomber training missions
in the Lubbock area.
According to an Associated Press story published yesterday the lawsuit
filed by the Heritage Environmental Preservation Association and 18 ranchers,
claims the noise would violate the federal Noise Control Act and would
have an adverse effect on humans and livestock.
Dyess Air Force Base Lt. Wes Ticer said the Air Force has proposed building
two electronic scoring sites, one southwest of Pecos and another near Snyder
to allow Air Force pilots to train for combat.
The Air Force is proposing flying B-1 and B-52 bombers at a low-level
to practice "bombing" targets using the special scoring sites and electronic
signals monitored by radar.
Ticer said the aircrews do the same training right now but have to fly
to other states to be able to receive such training.
"It's really going to provide our aircrews the quality training they
get now," he said. However, with much less distance to travel between home
base and the targets, a lot more training can be accomplished in the same
amount of time and with the same amount of cost to taxpayers.
Ticer said that as far as he knows nobody in the Pecos area has complained
about the Air Force building the new sites.
He said the Air Force has held public meetings in both the Pecos and
Lubbock areas to discuss the concerns of citizens and the benefits of having
the sites in the areas.
"Once we educate people and show them that this is what we're doing
they become less apprehensive," he said.
Ticer explained that building the two sites would bring each area $1.5
million a year with a combined $12.1 million for the construction.
The Air Force would then bring in 30 people to work at each of the sites.
Ticer said the route in the Pecos area has been a route flown by Air
Force aircraft for over 15 years and the flight patterns would not change.
There would be the same number of flights going through the Pecos area
on a given day. The only difference would be the addition of the electronic
signals.
"The actual flying is no different," Ticer said.
He said by having the sites in this area it would allow training to
be closer to home, cheaper and a lot more people would be able to train.
Ticer said that despite the lawsuit the Air Force would continue to
meet with people and try to answer all questions asked.
"We're going to continue to do what we can to educate people," he said.
Trashy weather puts Trash-Off in doubt
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
Plans for the Trash-Off scheduled for this Saturday, may have to be
put on hold.
"We've been listening to the weather report and it seems like chilly
weather is coming our way," said Pecos Beautification Committee member
Michael Benavides. "Which means we may have to cancel the Trash-Off and
postpone it for another day," he said.
Benavides said that if it's raining or really cold on Saturday, the
Trash-Off will be re-scheduled and individuals who wanted to volunteer
for the project can contact him.
"They can call me and I'll let them know if we're still on or not,"
said Benavides.
Those wanting to volunteer can call Benavides at 445-9111. The group
had planned to meet at 8 a.m., at Maxey Park, in front of the miniature
golf course.
Benavides said that he would also be announcing it on the local radio
station and for individuals to tune to KIUN or KTPX, for the latest weather
reports and whether or not the big clean up would still take place.
"We were really looking forward to it, too, because we had a lot more
volunteers this time," he said.
At a recent Town Hall meeting one of the attendees stated that there
were only 10 volunteers at the last Trash-Off and that more were always
needed.
The Town Hall meeting held on Tuesday evening at the Reeves County Civic
Center focused on cleaning up Pecos and demolishing old buildings in Pecos,
to improve the look of the town. The old buildings also pose fire hazards
and other problems, according to those at the meeting.
Another Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Jan. 9 and anyone interested
in improving Pecos is encouraged to attend. All ideas and strategies are
welcome.
Christian Home needs food, volunteers for dinner
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
More turkeys, desserts and especially volunteers are needed for the
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner planned for Thursday, Nov. 23 and which is sponsored
by the Christian Home of Pecos.
The meal will be served from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Reeves County
Civic Center, for those who don't have families or a place to eat Thanksgiving
Dinner.
In addition to serving meals at the center, the group also caters the
Meals on Wheels Program that day.
"The number of Meals On Wheels recipients has gone up, which means we'll
need more of everything," said Christian Home Director Bruce Dury.
Dury said the group fed about 260 individuals last year during the Thanksgiving
Holiday and about 300 more during the Christmas Holidays.
"This year we know there will be more, the number goes up every year,"
said Dury.
Last year there were 110 recipients of the Meals on Wheels Program,
a program aimed at serving hot, delicious and nutritious meals to the elderly
and homebound, while this year the number has gone up to 170, he said.
More turkeys are needed for the holiday meal and the group is really
short of desserts.
"So far, in the dessert department, it's zero and we desperately need
more," said Dury.
Volunteers are also at the top of the list of "things" that are needed.
"We always need help and every little bit is needed," said Dury. "The more
people we have to help us serve and deliver the easier it will be for everyone,"
he said.
Dury said that all the help is greatly appreciated and encourages groups
and organizations to come out and lend a helping hand.
He estimated the number of recipients of Thursday's meal to be at a
little over 300.
Volunteers who would like to donate a dessert or would just like to
share some of their time helping to serve or deliver the meals, can call
445-2049.
"I'll be there by 9 a.m. and we'll start serving at 10 a.m.," said Dury.
For those who would like to donate items they can contact Dury at the
Christian Home or go by the office at 1201 S. Elm.
Dury and his group have been serving meals for the homeless and those
who don't have family to share the holidays with for the past several years.
"And every year, we get a great response from the public, I'm hoping
it will happen again," he said.
Ladies auxiliary takes first in October's area fire races
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
Members of the Pecos Volunteer Fire Department attended the Permian
Basin District Fire Fighters Association Fall Convention on October 21
in Rankin along with members of the Pecos Ladies Auxiliary.
The two teams competed in several fire fighting events that included
teams from 18 towns and cities.
The Pecos Ladies Auxiliary team included Gloria Gomez, Kathy Lozoya,
Anita Ybarra, Gina Varela and Monette Arreguey.
The ladies placed first in both the six-man pumper and ladies special
competitions as well as receiving the ladies most in attendance and all
round ladies plaques.
Members of the fire department included Freddy Contreras, Javier Contreras,
Aaron Granado, Hilbert Martinez, Richard Gomez, Melvin Orona and Gus Ybarra.
The men won third place in the six-man hose race and the men's special
trophy.
Two young students from Pecos also won awards for the Fall 2000 District
Poster Contest, both in the intermediate division.
From Bessie Haynes Elementary, Bailey Hernandez won first place while
Joe Tarango won third.
All the winning posters will be delivered to the state convention in
June 2001 in McAllen.
Posters that did not place is this district contest will be brought
to the Spring Permian Basin District Fire Fighters Association conference
in Seminole to be handed out.
Baked goods, burritos for sale at Wal-Mart
Baked goods and burritos will be for sale on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Wal-Mart.
The Pecos Youth Advisory will be sponsoring the fundraiser from 10 a.m.
until 2 p.m., in the store parking lot.
The group holds several projects during the year and volunteers to help
with the trash cleanup and during the holidays deliver turkeys to families.
Obituary
Mary V. Holguin
Mary V. Holguin, 57, of Hobbs, N.M., died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000, in Lubbock.
A rosary will be held at 7 p.m., today at Our Lady of Grace Catholic
Church in Artesia, N.M. with Deacon Pablo Merjil.
Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at Our Lady of Grace
Catholic Church in Artesia, N.M., with Father Vince Peterson officiating.
Burial will be in Woodbine Cemetery in Artesia, N.M.
She was born Feb. 17, 1945, in Candelaria, Tx., was a resident of Hobbs
for the past 30 years and worked as a caretaker in people's homes.
She was preceded in death by her father, Manuel Villanueva in 1990 and
one brother, Juan Villanueva in 1970.
Survivors include one son, Jesse Armendariz of Artesia, N.M.; one daughter,
Roseann Arcidez of Midland; two brothers, Tony Villanueva of Phoenix, Ariz.,
Manuel Villanueva of Pecos; her mother, Refugia Villanueva of Artesia,
N.M.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces
and nephews.
Bethany Funeral Home of Hobbs, N.M. is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
This afternoon mostly sunny. High in the mid 50s. North to Northeast wind
10 to 15 mph. Tonight partly cloudy. Low in the mid 20s. Light and variable
wind. Friday increasing cloudiness. High in the mid 50s. Southeast wind
10 to 15 mph. Friday night cloudy with a chance of snow late. Low near
30. The chance of snow is 50 percent.
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 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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