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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, February 5, 2002
Hospital board Oks bond use for CT scanner
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Feb. 5, 2002 -- The Reeves County Hospital Board of Directors
approved a notice of intention to issue a revenue bond to finance the purchase
of a CAT scan machine, which already has been acquired by the hospital
during a special meeting last night in the hospital's classroom.
Board President Linda Gholsen explained that the action taken during
the meeting last night was only to approve the intention of issuance, after
action was taken late last year towards acquiring the diagnostic machine.
"It was a resolution authorizing a public notice of the intention to
issue a revenue bond," she said.
In a previous meeting, the Board approved the purchase of a new CAT
(CT) scan machine to replace the old and outdated machine that has been
in use for a number of years.
Gholsen said that the revenue bond would have a maximum aggregate principal
amount of $800,000 that would be paid off within 40 years.
During the next regular meeting set for 6 p.m., on Feb. 26, the Board
is scheduled to approve the actual issuance of the revenue bond, according
to the notice of intention.
Gholsen said that the two local banks, Security State Bank and West
Texas National Bank, have come together to issue the revenue bond to the
hospital.
"They knew we had to have (a CT scan system) to service the community
and surrounding areas," she said.
Although the bond vote wasn't taken until Monday night, the new CAT
scan machine has already been installed at the hospital and is currently
in use, according to Gholsen.
The machine was completely installed by early last week, Gholsen said.
She and the Board have requested a report on the CAT scan to include
how well the system functions and the revenue brought to the hospital by
that time.
Gholsen said she wants the report made in order to inform the community
and "to show the purchase is justified."
The revenue brought into the hospital from the CAT scan system would
help pay for the hospital's expenses along with all other revenue brought
into the hospital.
"It was a necessary expense in order to continue to try to give our
community and surrounding areas the best medical service possible," Gholson
said.
Fund set up for Travland; Ramon still in hospital
ODESSA (AP) - As a West Texas law officer recovers from a wound suffered
in a downtown gun battle, the Fraternal Order of Police has set up a fund
to help pay for his medical expenses.
Cpl. Greg Travland, who underwent emergency surgery for a single gunshot
wound to the thigh during the Jan. 18 gun battle, has been on a limited
work schedule since the attack.
The man accused of fatally shooting his former wife and wounding Travland
remained in stable condition early Tuesday at Medical Center Hospital.
Joe Ramon is recovering from four wounds he suffered in the shootout
that police say started with the fatal shooting of Estela Cadena Ramon,
36, of Odessa.
Ramon, 41, has been charged with killing his estranged wife and attempted
capital murder in the wounding of Travland. Bond for Ramon was set at $500,000
in a bedside arraignment Jan. 23 at the hospital.
All three people involved in the Jan. 18 shooting are former Pecos residents.
Both Travland and Joe Ramon are from Pecos, while Estela Ramon moved to
Pecos after marrying Joe Ramon, and both worked for a time at the Reeves
County Detention Center during the early 1990s.
John Young of Sweetwater, Ramon's attorney, said it was unlikely that
Ramon would be able to post bail.
The law enforcement group, which set up a special trust account for
Travland at Medical Community Credit Union, said the officer is not able
to work off-duty security or overtime due to his injury.
Travland had gone to Drug Screen Compliance & Consortium of the
Southwest to talk to Estela Ramon, an employee at the center, about a domestic
dispute. Witnesses said Ramon then entered the building and began firing
a .357 revolver, killing his ex-wife and wounding Travland, who returned
fire.
The gunman was pursued into an alley where more shots were exchanged.
Ramon received four gunshot wounds to the his chest.
Travland, who was released from the hospital on Jan. 24, remains on
paid injury leave.
Heroin reportedly seized in raids on homes
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Feb. 5, 2002 -- Local law enforcement officials were
busy executing narcotics search warrants this past Wednesday morning and
Monday night, and report seizing heroin and drug paraphernalia in both
incidents.
The first warrant was executed on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 8:34 a.m.,
by officers with the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Department
and the Trans Pecos Drug Task Force, at a small apartment located in the
500 block of South Mesquite Street.
"The apartment is located directly west of 510 S. Mesquite Street and
is the home of Sandra Ronquillo (Ortega)," said Pecos Police Investigator
Paul Deishler.
Once the SWAT Team secured the premises, officers proceeded to search
the area. "During the search of the premises a substance believed to be
heroin was found," said Deishler.
Also found on the premises was paraphernalia commonly used in the injecting
and packaging of heroin, according to police.
Officers completed their search and Sandra Ronquillo Ortega, 38, was
placed under arrest for the offenses of possession of a controlled substance
(heroin) and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was then transported
to Reeves County jail.
The second warrant was executed at 7:30 p.m., Monday by the police,
working with the Reeves County Sheriff's Department and the Trans Pecos
Drug Task Force, on a home located at 508 S. Park St.
"Once the residence was secured by the SWAT Team, officers proceeded
to search the premises," said Deishler.
During the search of the residence, a substance believed to be heroin
was found and paraphernalia commonly used in the injecting of heroin was
located, according to the report.
Officers completed their search and Gilberto Rayos Ortega, 31, Rick
Ornelas Ortiz, 19, and Crissy Sanchez Lopez, 32 were arrested and charged
with the offenses of possession of a controlled substance (heroin) within
1,000 feet of school property (old Pecos Junior High campus) and possession
of drug paraphernalia.
"All the local agencies came together and the hard work the officers
put into this paid off," said Deishler. "We appreciate the cooperation
and the efforts the officers make."
Women's Division to meet at Weatherby House
PECOS, Tues., Feb. 5, 2002 -- The Women's Division of the Pecos Area Chamber
of Commerce will meet at 5:30 p.m., Thursday at the Weatherby House, 423
S. Oleander St.
The women meet on the first Wednesday of the month, but have changed
this month's meeting date.
New members are always welcome.
For more information contact Women's Division President Laura Briggs
at 445-5155 or the chamber office at 445-2406.
Officer, 2nd man hurt in shooting at Anchor plant
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Feb. 5, 2002 -- Two persons, including an off-duty Pecos
police officer, were wounded early this morning in what police said was
an accidental shooting at the Anchor West plant on the south side of Pecos.
The incident was the second of two for police overnight along Interstate
20 in Pecos, with the earlier one involving the discovery of 16 illegal
aliens in a truck tractor parked outside the Flying J Truck Stop on Raul
Florez Boulevard.
"An accidental shooting is currently under investigation," said Town
of Pecos City Police Chief Clay McKinney.
McKinney said that there was a weapon discharged at Anchor West, I-20
Access Road (Palmer Street).
The shooting was reported at 3:30 a.m. and sent both officers and two
ambulances to the plant, where they found the wounded men in the front
area of the building. One of the men was identified as a Pecos police officer,
but police did not release the names of the two shooting victims.
"There are two people with gunshot wounds and I believe both are in
good condition at Reeves County Hospital," said McKinney. One person was
reportedly shot in the hand and the other was shot in the chest when the
weapon discharged.
The incident is being investigated by the Pecos Police Department at
this time, according to McKinney, who added that not as a criminal matter,
but as an administrative procedure.
"There is no indication of foul play, but as a precaution we have contacted
the District Attorney and the Texas Rangers," said McKinney. "Our priorities
at this time are with the officer and citizen who were wounded."
"Our prayers and wishes are with them right now," said McKinney.
Off-duty Pecos police officers are used to work security at times at
the Anchor West plant, which new owner McCain Foods announced late last
year it would close down beginning in early March. The plant is Pecos'
largest employer, with 700 workers at the time of McCain Foods' purchase
last September.
Earlier, police responded to a call at the Flying J Travel Plaza Truck
Stop on I-20 at Exit 42, at about midnight.
"There was a report of an 18-wheeler stranded on U.S. 285 and South
service road (Raul Florez Boulevard)," said McKinney.
Pecos Police Officers Armando Garcia, Arnulfo Rivas and Rick Martinez
responded to the incident. "When they got there, there was no driver available
and upon inspection, the officers located 16 illegal aliens inside," said
McKinney.
U.S. Border Patrol agents out of Fort Stockton were called in and drove
up to Pecos, arriving in town around 2 a.m. The illegal immigrants were
released to the custody of the Border Patrol agents, according to the police
report.
"They are working on that case now," said McKinney.
Weather
PECOS, Tues., Feb. 5, 2002 -- High Monday 46. Low this morning 39. Rainfall
last 24 hours at Texas A&M Experiment Station .80. Forecast for tonight:
Decreasing cloudiness. Lows 25 to 30. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Wednesday:
Partly cloudy and warmer. Highs 50 to 55. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Wednesday
night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 30. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs 55 to
60. Friday: Partly cloudy. Lows 25 to 30. Highs 60 to 65.
Obituary
Alicia Mata
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 newsdesk@nwol.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 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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