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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Top Stories

Tuesday, November 21, 2000

Band surprised by award at D.C. show

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 21, 2000 - A local band is excited not only to have participated in the first-ever Catholic Christians award held this past weekend, but also to have brought home one of the top awards for their efforts.

Sudden Impact, of Pecos, received the Group of the Year Award for 2000 during the Unity Awards ceremony on Saturday in Washington, D.C. The event, held at Harkey Theater on the campus of The Catholic University of America, marked the first-ever music and video awards for Catholic artists.

"This was really exciting for us, we felt like it was a historical event, because it was the first time ever for these awards," said Sudden Impact member Eddie Vasquez.

The big winner of the Unity Awards was Dana, capturing eight Unity trophies, including song of the year for, "We Are One Body," which was the official song for the 1993 World Youth Day held in Denver, Colo.

Sudden Impact brought home the prestigious award of Group of the Year for the year 2000. The group, whose members include the brothers Eddie and Mickey Vasquez and friend Jason Alvarez, traveled to Washington, D.C. with several nominations, but only received one _ the one they did not expect to win.

"Actually, we didn't think we'd get this award, because the competition was so high in this category," said Vasquez. "We thought maybe we'd get one of the songs of the year, so this came as a pleasant surprise."

"The other groups that were nominated for the Group of the Year Award were highly talented and more well known, in my opinion," said Vasquez. "And it's very special because it is the first ever award for a Catholic music group, we are truly honored."

Sudden Impact also performed during the Unity Awards. "We performed a song that is included in the album that won Album of the Year, Catholic Artists for the Millennium," said Vasquez. "We actually won another award, since our song is in that album."

"Faith In Him," the song the group sang at the awards was also nominated for Rock Song of the Year.

The television network, EWTN, on the local cable channel 28, videotaped the ceremony and plan to broadcast the event at the beginning of next year. KIUN and KPTX will inform the public of the airdates as soon as they are made available.

Top award winner Dana is with the same record company, Heart Beat, as Sudden Impact, Vasquez said. "That's how we got our start, we opened up for her in Lubbock several years ago," he added.

She established herself as one of Ireland's most successful entertainers and her chart-topping music has made her a celebrity in Britain and across Europe. She was voted Top Female Vocalist and hosted her own television and radio series with BBC. In 1993, she sang for Pope John Paul II when he visited Denver and again, together with Placido Domingo, in New York in 1997. Also in 1997, Dana made history by becoming the first ever non-political, non-party candidate to secure a nomination in the Irish presidential election. Today, she serves her country as a representative to the European Parliament and is able to perform across the globe when not in session.

Sudden Impact began as a secular pop/rock band in 1986, but today travels the globe and play their Christian music. They performed during the Miami Jubilee Celebration in April and traveled throughout the United States and Europe presenting concerts in both English and Spanish.

The Unity Awards honor Catholic musicians, and follows the Christian music community's creation of the Dove Awards, both of which are based on the Grammy Awards, according to Vasquez.

Former New York Giants football player Chris Godfrey was Master of Ceremonies. He was the starting right guard for the Super Bowl XXI champion Giants in 1987 and is currently the president of Life Athletes, Inc. Godfrey is also a member of the Indiana Bar and author of, "That's Where I Live: A Guide to Good Relations."

UCMVA began in 1999 with founding member companies: Heart Beat Records, publisher and distributor of Catholic music for 16 years; Oregon Catholic Press and Gregorian Institute of America, both intricately involved in Catholic music and publishing for nearly 50 years; The Christopher's, representing the Catholic television and video industries, and veteran Catholic radio pioneer Doug Sherman representing the Catholic radio industry. The purpose of this association is, "to support, encourage and promote the development of all forms of Catholic oriented Christian music and video," according to the organizers of the event.

This year's theme, "Keeping the Faith Alive," highlighted the efforts of Catholic artists in their work to spread God's message of unity, love and evangelization.

"I feel like this event is going to grow," said Vasquez.

The next stop for Sudden Impact is Birmingham, Alabama. The will participate in a National Youth Conference whose officials are expecting around 20,000 young people from across the United States.

Local hopefuls interviewed for position

By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer

PECOS, November 21, 2000 - The Town of Pecos City Council met with two more candidates for the position of the City Manager in a special meeting this morning, after interviewing five applicants during a special meeting on Monday.

This morning the council interviewed the city's current Finance Director, Steve McCormick, and Administrator for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Alternative Education Programs, James Dutchover.

Two more local city manager hopefuls will be interviewed by the council this evening, during an executive session scheduled as part of the regular council meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m.

The two scheduled for interviews tonight are Town of Pecos City Utilities Director Octavio Garcia and Executive Director of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce, Tom Rivera.

Garcia is currently filling in as interim City Manager since August when former City Manager Kenneth Neal left his position to take another city manager's position near Dallas.

The five candidates interviewed yesterday were Manuel Fierro of Kermit, Aref Hassan of Winters, Jaime Perez of El Paso, Oscar Saenz of Pecos and Carlos Yerena of El Paso. They are among 16 people who applied for the city manager's job.

Saenz recently retired as Director of Operations for Anchor West's plant in Pecos.

Fierro has worked for the police department in Santa Barbara, Calif., Odessa and Crane as well as interning for the former City Manager in Alpine.

Hassan is the currant City Manager for Winters and a former Willow Park City Manager.

Perez has been a consultant various companies including Aliviane, Inc., Sun Circle, Inc., Life Management Center, Inc., Southern Union Gas Company, Rio Bravo, Inc. and Fort Bliss and Ysleta Independent School District.

Yerena is the executive director for the El Paso Empowerment Zone Corporation.

Pyote school seeks help

PECOS, November 21, 2000 - The West Texas State School is asking church, civic and other community groups to help sponsor Christmas parties for each of the ten dorms at the facility, according to Donna Garcia, volunteers services coordinator.

This secure, fenced juvenile detention facility at Pyote is a unit of the Texas Youth Commission and currently houses approximately 250 delinquent male youth from across the state who will not be able to be home for Christmas.

In recent years, volunteers, community groups and staff have provided fellowship, refreshments and small gifts for these youth during the holidays. The response has been gratifying and much appreciated, Garcia said

Refreshments planned for the Christmas parties in the dorms include finger foods, fruit, desserts and beverages (punch or sodas). Gifts that may be left include stationary or cards for writing home, journal notebooks (no spirals), colorful pencils, erasers, white socks (unisize 6-13) and crossword puzzle books.

All Christmas parties will be scheduled for the same day, during the same time frame, according to Garcia. This year's parties are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 7-9 p.m. A group may sponsor one dorm or co-sponsor with another group.

The mission of the Texas Youth Commission volunteer services department is to maximize community resources and utilize volunteers to provide opportunities that enable youth to become responsible and productive citizens.

West Texas State School is inviting anyone interested in volunteering to sponsor one of this year's dorm Christmas celebrations to contact Donna Garcia, WTSS volunteer services coordinator at 915-389-5555, ext. 221 for more information and details.

Pecan Show's prize winners are announced

PECOS, November 21, 2000 - One area resident took home a couple of top awards at the 2000 Reeves-Loving County Pecan Food Show, held last Thursday in the lobby of the Security State Bank.

Peggy Dickson won first place with her Chocolate Praline Layer Cake and also won Grand Champion and Best of Show.

In adult pies division, Laura Teal, won first place with her pecan pie and received the award, "Best Use of Pecans."

Luis E. Cardenas placed second in that division with his pecan pumpkin pie.

Marie Cardenas won first place in the adults' candies division, with her caramel pecan turtles. Cardenas also netted the reserve champion award.

In the miscellaneous category, Lisa Ruiz won first place with the cherry pecan chocolate brownies she baked.

In the youth-miscellaneous division, Barbara Cardenas took top honors and placed first with her easy microwave pecan brittle.

Police Report

EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office, or other officers of those agencies.

The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines of either traffic citations, animal control violations or other court costs are considered arrests and will be printed as such unless indicated that the fines were paid. In such instanced we will indication payment and release.

Enrique N. Lujan, 45, was arrested at 2:10 p.m., on November 4 in the 1000 block of South Elm Street for public intoxication.

Daniel Sotelo, 26, was arrested at 1:59 a.m., on November 2 in the 1100 block of Orange Street for assault causing bodily injury under the Family Violence Act, injury to a child-state jail felony, two DPS warrants out of Bryan for speeding and expired motor vehicle certificate.

Geronimo J. Menchaca, 57, was arrested at 10:44 p.m., on November 11 at Saragosa Hall for public intoxication.

Abdon Ramirez, 79, was arrested at 10:14 p.m., on November 7 at the Circle M Bar for public intoxication.

Jesus Flores, 21, was arrested at 5:44 p.m., on November 8 at mile marker 191 on eastbound Interstate 10 for criminal mischief.

Alfonso Banuelos Levario, 73, was arrested at 6:27 p.m., on November 12 in the 900 block of South Almond Street for public intoxication and reckless damage or destruction.

Eric Muniz, 20, was arrested at 3:13 p.m., on November 20 in the 1900 block of South Cedar Street on a warrant for no liability insurance proof.

Gerald Martinez, 24, was arrested at 3:38 p.m., at Third and Cypress Streets for driving while license suspended.

Raul Garcia, 27, was arrested at 8:15 p.m., on November 20 in the 100 block of West Third Street for public intoxication and possession of marijuana under two ounces.

Michelle Carrasco, 23, was arrested at 10:01 p.m., on November 20 at Stafford and Eddy streets on a warrant for theft by check.

Samuel Velez, 21, was arrested at 10:04 a.m., on November 20 at Flying J on an outstanding DPS warrant for speeding.

Norberto C. Rodriguez, 17, was arrested at 2:08 a.m., on November 19 at Ivey and Scott streets for a second offense of driving while intoxicated.

James Esparza, 20, was arrested at 12:12 p.m., on November 17 in the Pecos High School area on a warrant for reckless conduct.

Fred Browning, 45, was arrested at 5 p.m., on November 15 in front of Flying J on a DPS warrant for improper lane usage.

Hector Perez, 22, was arrested at 6:48 p.m., on November 15 in the 800 block of East Second Street on a Sheriff's Office warrant for evading detention.

Jaime Navarette, 19, was arrested at 11:05 a.m., on November 15 at Country Club and Interstate 20 for motion to surrender bond.

Obituary

Joan Coon

Joan Marie Coon, 62, of Loving, N.M., died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, at her residence.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., today, at Denton-Funchess Funeral Home Chapel with her nephew, Rob Coon and Elena Yoder of VistaCare Family Hospice officiating. Burial was in Memory Lawn Memorial Park, Roswell, N.M.

She was born Jan. 28, 1938, in Artesia, N.M., from 1976-1985 worked for the Carlsbad Irrigation District during the winters as a heavy equipment operator. During the summers she worked at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. From 1985-1997 she worked at the Pennzoil Sulphur Plant in Culberson County.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Lonzo Coon on Dec. 31, 1971; one daughter, Leslie Marie Coon, July 11, 1987; one granddaughter, Mindy Hazel, June 1, 1982 and two brothers, Eugene Barrett in 1998 and Bill Barrett in 1997.

Survivors include two daughters, Jerri Lynn Hazel of New Braunfels and Tricia Mashaw of Carlsbad, N.M.; five brothers, Charles Barrett of Carlsbad, N.M., Dale Barrett of Albuquerque, N.M., Ray Barrett of Buena Vista, Colo. and Kenneth and Wayne Barrett of Bowie, Ariz.; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Visa Hospice Care Foundation, 601 North Canal Street, Carlsbad, N.M. or St. Jude's Children's Fund.

Denton-Funchess Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Weather

PECOS, November 21, 2000 - High Monday 62. Low this morning 28. Forecast for tonight: Increasing cloudiness. Low in the mid 30s. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. High in the mid 50s. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Low in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Thanksgiving day through Saturday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the 30s. Highs in the 50s.



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Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
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