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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
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Top Stories

Monday, September 17, 2001

Bush wants bin Laden "Dead or Alive"

By CHRISTOPHER NEWTON
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush said he wanted Osama bin Laden  "dead or alive" and warned Monday of American casualties in the gathering war  on terrorism. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates to shore up the economy  as the nation grappled with the aftermath of the worst terrorist strike in its history.

"We will win the war and there will be costs," the president said in a midday visit to the wounded Pentagon, where military planners were readying call-up orders for 35,000 reservists. He said he was confident the armed forces were prepared to "defend freedom at any cost."

The president spoke as Attorney General John Ashcroft called for legislation from Congress this week to help authorities track elusive terrorist networks such as those that carried out last week's destruction of the World Trade Center twin towers and attack on the Pentagon.

The stock market opened, for the first time since last week's attacks, but was buffeted by a sharp slide in prices. Traders observed two minutes of silence and sang "God Bless America" before the opening bell. Major league baseball was returning,

American flags sewn onto players' caps and uniforms, and "God Bless America" replacing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" as the traditional crowd sing-along during the seventh-inning stretch.

Bush spoke with unusual force as he mentioned bin Laden, named as the chief suspect behind the attacks.

"I want justice," the president said. "There's an old poster out West that said: "Wanted, dead or alive."

He spoke as halfway around the globe, Pakistani diplomats traveled to Afghanistan at the urging of the United States, seeking to have bin Laden turned over to American authorities.

"The people who house him, encourage, provide food, comfort or money are on notice. The Taliban must take my statement seriously," Bush said of the ruling regime in Afghanistan.

The wreckage of the World Trade Center smoldered still nearly one week after hijackers flew jetliners into the twin towers. Officials said the cost of repairing the Pentagon, hit by a third jetliner, would reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. A fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

An Associated Press list of people who have been confirmed dead in the attacks and identified by name totaled 304 on Monday, although the toll is expected to reach 5,000 or more.

Ashcroft issued his call for anti-terrorism legislation at the

Justice Department, where he also announced that the administration will place additional armed federal agents aboard commercial airliners. The legislation the administration is seeking would permit authorities to wiretap individuals, no matter what phone they use, and increase current penalties for harboring a terrorist.

"We need these tools to fight the terrorism threat which exists in the United States," he said.

After meeting with officials at the Pentagon, Bush adjourned to a cafeteria to greet workers, one of whom began softly singing "God Bless America." Soon, the entire crowd, including the president, joined their voices to hers.

Bush greeted hundreds, and paused to speak with a pregnant woman holding a photo of her husband, who was killed in Tuesday's attack. He rubbed her back and gave her a peck on the cheek as he said goodbye. She and two other family members stood crying.

Bush made his comments as he and other members of his administration sought to coax the nation back toward a more normal routine. "I have great faith in our economy. I understand it's tough right now," he said.

Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill traveled to the New York Stock Exchange, where the traditional opening bell was rung by search-and-rescue workers who had been laboring in the ruins of the World Trade Center.

The Federal Reserve sought to send reassuring signals after a week of uncertainty, cutting a key interest rate - without any advance buildup speculation - by one-half a percentage point.

U.S. preparing counter-attack

By ROBERT BURNS
AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON - The United States is getting  "overwhelming support from all across the globe"  for its battle against terrorism - a fight that will require the use  of unconventional military methods, Defense Secretary Donald  Rumsfeld says.

"It is clear that there are terrorists and countries harboring terrorists that are determined to cause great damage to the United

States ... It really strikes directly at what we really are. We're free people. So we have to be, as the president said, in a state of heightened awareness," Rumsfeld said today on ABC's "Good Morning America."

America has recieved "overwhelming support from all across the globe," the Pentagon chief said, adding, "This is a question of self-defense. The only conceivable way that the United States can be protected against terrorist acts of this type ... is if we attack the problem of terrorism at its roots and go after the people who are doing it."

U.S. forces are readying for potential military action, a senior Pentagon officer said.

Bush planned to stop by the Pentagon on Monday for a briefing on the reserve call-up, and to meet with reservists, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

In the wake of Bush's declaration that everyone in uniform must get ready, commanders of elite airborne and assault troops have sent out orders to alert troops to potential changes of mission. Such alerts advise troops to get their personal lives in order and be ready for further, more detailed orders that could include short-notice movement, the officer said.

"It's taking prudent action, but it doesn't order them on the plane tomorrow," the officer said.

Top Pentagon officers have been preparing a wide array of potential courses of action for some days now, the officer said.

Rumsfeld said Sunday that fulfilling Bush's pledge to eradicate terrorism will mean relying more on unconventional military methods than on traditional weapons like bombers, tanks and warships.

"These are people who operate in the shadows, and we have to deal with them in the shadows," Rumsfeld said Sunday.

It might require adding to the ranks of military commando units, known as special operations forces, he said.

"The terrorists who are attacking our way of life do not have armies, navies or air forces. They do not have capitals. They do not have high-value targets that the typical weapons of war can go in and attack."

"They're in apartments, and they're using laptops, and they're using cell phones and they are functioning in the shadows, not out in front."

Rumsfeld praised the capabilities of the special operations forces, which are rarely in the limelight because much of what they do is secret.

The military has 29,000 special operations troops on active duty and an additional 14,000 in the reserves. They are trained in a wide array of missions, including psychological warfare, sabotage and kidnapping, small-scale offensive strikes, fighting terrorists and training and equipping indigenous forces in foreign lands.

Opinion

Granny D on terrorism

PECOS, Mon., Sept. 17, 2001 -- Granny D knows America like few people do, because she walked from shore to shore and visited with plain folks like you and me along the way. Granny is Doris Haddock of Connecticut, a 91-year-old grandmother whose focus is campaign finance reform. She stopped in Pecos enroute on foot from California to Washington, D.C. in support of a "soft money" bill before the legislature.

When two airliners took out the World Trade Center Tuesday, Granny waited breathlessly for word from three grandchildren who worked nearby. They got out safely, but many of their friends did not. She describes those despicable acts as "so cold-blooded that we cannot wrap our imaginations around what happened."

Amen to that. I was stunned when I walked through the break room at work and saw a black, gaping hole in the side of Building 1 on the TV screen. As I watched, spellbound, thinking that firemen must soon have the fire under control and evacuate the building, a second plane hit Building 2. Then a reporter inside the Pentagon said he had heard an explosion. Minutes later, another airliner crashed near Pittsburgh.

This can't be happening in America, I thought. Sure, others have tried, but with little success. Our defenses are just too good. We have intercepted and foiled many such attempts. Our "one nation, under God" has divine protection.

Or does it? Are we truly under God? How many people were in church Sunday, worshiping God and seeking His will for our individual lives and for our country?

Sure, you see a lot of "moments of silence" and voices lifted in "God Bless America" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee;" groups gathering in the churches, on courthouse steps and in the National Cathedral for prayer. Those represent only a fraction of our nation, though. Is a fraction enough to protect the rest? I saw fewer than 100 people at the Reeves County Courthouse for Friday's prayer meeting.

Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy those sinful cities. God agreed to withhold his judgment if Abraham could find 50 righteous people; 45; 40; 30; 20;10. But not even 10 could be found, and Abraham and his family were forced to flee for their lives.

America could be in that kind of danger now. Terrorists directed by Satan have no power over God's people. If we were truly God's people, we would have no need to worry. Even if we did lose our lives, we would go to a better place for all eternity. Too many of us are looking back, though, and we could be turned into a pillar of salt even as we flee. (Gen. 19:26).

If you think America is not as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah, think again. It is quite possible that God has heard the cry from America (Gen. 18:21) and has come down to see what is going on. I'm not suggesting that He had anything to do with the terrorist attacks. But He could have thwarted them. Why didn't He?

Granny D asks how such cold-bloodedness can arise in the hearts of men. The answer is that Satan put it there. He is the real enemy. We can spend all our nation's resources to track down terrorists, destroy nations and draw the entire world into battle. But we can never defeat Satan in our own strength. That is God's job, and he won that battle on Calvary's cross and Easter's resurrection.

Before we jump on the revenge bandwagon, lets examine our own hearts and excise the evil we harbor. As Jesus said, we cannot take a speck out of someone else's eye when we have a plank in our own. (Matt. 7:4)

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26)

Editor's Note: Peggy McCracken is Enterprise business manager and webmaster. Her e-mail address is peg2@pecos.net.

School board given update on safety plan

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, Mon., Sept. 17, 2001 -- Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board has set a date to canvass  this Saturday's tax rate rollback election results and approved an  Accident Prevention Plan and associated forms from Safety Consultant  concerning Hazardous Employer designation during their regular meeting  held Thursday evening in the board room.

Board members agreed to canvass tax rate rollback election results on Tuesday, Sept. 25, right before board training.

"That's the day that we are having board training and we can canvass the election right before that," said PBT-ISD Superintendent Don Love.

The group will meet at 6 p.m., in the boardroom on that date, according to Love. Early voting for Saturday's rollback election continues through 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Pecos Community Center, 510 S. Oak St.

An Accident Prevention Plan and associated forms from Safety Consultant concerning Hazardous Employer designation was approved during the regular session.

"I had spoken to you about us being designated a hazardous employer and the last week in August they came in and did a walk-through," said PBT-ISD Business Manager Cookie Canon. "We filled out some forms and now have a safety plan in writing," said Canon.

Canon said the forms needed to be submitted by Oct. 12.

Canon said the school district was told that they had a plan already, but that it needed to be in writing. "They were very impressed with our cafeterias and we did receive a lot of compliments," said Canon.

Canon said the group would be doing another walk-through to make sure they are in compliance. "They'll be back in about 6-8 months," she said

Canon added that before then there will also be a lot of benefits for the school district. "The report did note some things that need to be taken care of, but he's on our side (the consultant) and wants to help us," she said.

"This is probably something we needed all along and not a bad idea," said Love.

Board members recognized the Athletic Booster Club's donation to improvements at PHS. The group recently donated over $500 to be used towards a camcorder.

"This group does a lot for our athletes," said coach Bubba Williams. "They have painted an eagle at the Rotary house, put up signs in front of athlete's homes, painted the field and the sign in front of the concession stand," said Williams. "They just do a lot for us."

Food Service Manager Helen Miller told the group that Sept. 26 has been designated as National Food Service Employees Day. "Go by the cafeterias and let the employees there know that they are appreciated," said Miller. "These people work very hard to provide food for all the students and they do an excellent job," she said.

PHS pre-college assembly planned

PECOS, Mon., Sept. 17, 2001 -- A Pre-College Senior Assembly is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday at the Pecos High School Auditorium.

Parents are welcome to attend.

Topics of discussion will be post-secondary information, SAT, TASP, Financial Aid, Texas Grant, Automatic Admission and college letters.

The event is sponsored by the Pecos High School Counselors.

No injuries, one arrest made after accident

PECOS, Mon., Sept. 17, 2001 -- Ward County sheriff's deputies arrested a Pecos man early Sunday morning and charged him with driving while intoxicated, following a collision with a Barstow woman just east of Pecos.

According to Ward County Deputy Ben Deishler, a pickup driven by Elie Flores of Barstow was eastbound on Business I-20 when a second vehicle, driven by Ronald Lee of Pecos, pulled out in front of her near Chaparral Village, just east of the Pecos River crossing, causing Flores' pickup to strike Lee's car. No one was reported injured in the 12:43 a.m. accident, but Lee was placed under arrest on the DWI charge and taken to Ward County Jail in Monahans.

Flores' husband, Barstow City Councilman Lucio Flores, Sr., was killed on July 10 in a train-vehicle accident, when an eastbound Union Pacific train struck his pickup at the Brant Street crossing in Barstow. That crossing has been slated for closure by the city council, and was blocked to vehicular traffic in late July.

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 indicate payment and release.

***

Alonzo Munoz, 29, Raul Barrera, 32, and Victor Prieto, 43, were arrested at 11:29 a.m., on September 7 in the 600 block of Mesquite Street all for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance-heroin.

***

Steven C. Perez, 31, was arrested at 9:32 a.m., on September 6 at the Pecos Police Department on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Armando Fuentez, 46, was arrested at 10:17 a.m., on September 6 at the Pecos Police Department on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Santiago Fuentez, 44, was arrested at 10:21 a.m., on September 6 in the 800 block of Palm Street on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Manuel Rivera, 50, was arrested at 11:38 a.m., on September 6 in the 300 block of Pecan Street on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Jose Garcia, 46, was arrested at 11:54 a.m., on September 6 at the Pecos Police Department on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Barnardino Mora, 36, was arrested at 1:08 p.m., on September 6 at the Pecos Police Department on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Ismael Tercero, 46, was arrested at 2:01 p.m., on September 6 at the Pecos Police Department on a warrant for parole violation.

***

Arturo Gallegos, 29, was arrested at 2:12 p.m., on September 6 at the Pecos Police Department on a warrant for parole violation.

***

David Pando, 20, was arrested at 11:50 p.m., on September 13 in the 200 block of West 14th Street for Family Violence.

***

Pedro Morales, 63, was arrested at 12:19 a.m., on September 13 in the 1200 block of South Cedar Street for public intoxication.

***

Ramon Mier, 25, was arrested at 1:26 a.m., on September 13 in the 600 block of South Cedar Street on two DPS warrants.

***

William Bauman, 63, was arrested at 12:52 p.m., on September 12 at Flying J Truck Stop for theft under $50.

***

Lezlie M. Rayos, 17, was arrested at 11:26 p.m., on September 16 in the 700 block of Bois D'Arc Street for assault under the Family Violence Act.

***

Jose Luis Bustamante, 43, was arrested at 9 p.m., on September 15 in the 2300 block of Eddy Street on a warrant for failure to appear for original charge of criminal nonsupport and evading.

***

Julie Contreras, 30, was arrested at 7:50 p.m., on September 14 on FM 1761 for terroristic threat.

Weather

PECOS, Mon., Sept. 17, 2001 -- High Sunday 98. Low this morning 70. Forecast for  tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers  and thunderstorms. Lows 65 to 70. South winds 5 to 15  mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 90s.  West winds 10 to  20 mph. Tuesday night: Partly cloudy.  Lows in the mid  60s. Wednesday: Partly cloudy and cooler. Highs in the mid  80s. Thursday:  Partly cloudy.  Lows 55 to 60.  Highs in the mid 80s.

Obituary

Marie Brown



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