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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Friday, August 30, 2002
TransPecos Foods build customer base for onion ring line
By Jennifer Galvan
Staff Writer
PECOS, Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 -- A month after finalizing the deal with McCain
Food USA, TransPecos Foods has begun its production of onion rings
at the former Anchor Foods plant on I-20.
Patrick Kennedy Jr., chairman of TransPecos Foods, said everyone is excited
about the plant reopening.
"We didn't inherit the customers," Kennedy said. "We need to build the
customers. But the first thing we (had to do was) develop our product line.
However, Kennedy said everything is going well.
"We are working adversity," Kennedy said.
A skeleton team of about 20 people who knew how to manage the plant and
run the production line made the first test batches. Kennedy will hire more
employees as production increases.
Kennedy said that they are working on new products as well.
"We have taken some samples to local restaurants," Kennedy said. "Everybody
has been very excited. We appreciate the Pecos support and enthusiasm."
Plant manager Bruce Salcido was one of the last persons to be laid off
when McCain closed the plant after purchasing it from Anchor Foods.
Now working for TransPecos Foods, Salcido said that he and his wife want
to raise their young children where they can see their grandparents and where
crime and the cost of living are low.
"It means a great deal to the people in this community to get the opportunity
to stay in Pecos," Salcido said. "We're exited about the opportunity to stay
in town and be successful, not only for the plant, but for the town."
Kennedy plans to expand his onion ring lines by providing different sizes
and types of breading, as well as jalapeno poppers.
In providing the different types of onion rings, Kennedy hopes to use
as many locally grown onions as possible.
"Next year, we want to prearrange to obtain a large supply from local
growers," He said.
Farmer Randy Taylor provided about four million pounds of onions annually
to McCain. After they closed the plant, Taylor cut down on the acres dedicated
to growing onions.
"We are real tickled to get started," Taylor said. "I think it's going
to be real good for Pecos."
Kennedy said that in the near future the public could go to the plant
to purchase TransPecos products by the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Peaceful atmosphere is focus of funeral update
By Rosie Flores
Staff Writer
PECOS, Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 -- Changes in décor, both inside and
out, are just some of the few things the director of Peaceful Garden
Funeral Home is doing to provide the best possible service to grieving
families.
Owner Mark Zuniga is hosting open house today to let his hometown residents
see the changes. He invites everyone to come by 116 W. Fourth Street until
5 p.m.
Zuniga, who was born and raised in Pecos, achieved his dream of owning
his own funeral home last year when he purchased Martinez Funeral Home. Since
then he has been busy updating the façade and interior.
"I want to fix it up a little, some small renovations," said Zuniga.
The outside of the facility has been cleaned up, the building painted
and plants added, to add a more serene and comfortable atmosphere for the
loved one of the deceased.
"I want to make it a place that they can relax in, during their time of
trouble," he said.
Zuniga likes to encourage people to shop around and to value professionalism.
"With all the controversies that have happened in the world lately, check
and be sure the funeral facility is licensed," said Zuniga. "By law in the
state of Texas, by the Texas Funeral Commission, all funeral facilities must
be licensed, and they have to have a funeral director that is licensed as
well," he said.
The company began as Martinez Funeral Home in 1987, and the staff has
worked to keep up an excellent quality of service.
"We offer funeral plans, pre-arranged funerals and consultations," said
Zuniga.
Office hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday. "But
really we're always open and available to those who need us," said Zuniga.
Zuniga is on call 24 hours a day and can be easily reached. "I'm always
available," he said.
The funeral home provides services to the surrounding area including,
Alpine, Van Horn, Toyah and Monahans. Their aim is to provide service to
the bereaved with friendliness, courtesy and kindness.
"Friendliness is a must for us. We want to let them feel comfortable in
surroundings that otherwise they would not be comfortable in ," Zuniga said.
Zuniga, who is a Pecos High School graduate, has completed all studies
required by the State of Texas at the college and has also passed the exams
given by the State of Texas and the National Board of the United States,
which allows him to practice anywhere in Texas.
"I would like to let everyone know that we do all our work here at our
location and that we are fully equipped to handle any situation that may
occur," said Zuniga. "I am available at any time, seven days a week, 24 hours
a day to help anyone or to answer any questions they might have," he said.
Band Booster Calendars are here!
PECOS, Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 -- Band students are taking orders for the
first community Birthday Calendar.
The price of the calendars is $10 each.
For more information contact Mr. Lenfest at the Pecos High School Band
Hall at 447-7218, Norma Wentworth at 447-3264 or Bertha Natividad at 447-2225.
The Band Boosters will hold their next meeting at 6 p.m. on September
9 in the PHS Band Hall. All parents are invited to attend this important
meeting. The boosters will be discussing the home games and the October 4
Enchilada Supper.
Parents of any band student are welcome .
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 instances we will indicate payment and release.
***
Jaime Marquez, 38, was arrested at 6:59 p.m. on August 28, at the Flying
J for a parole violation.
***
Geronimo Hignojos, 56, was arrested at 9:38 p.m., on August 28; at the
600 block of E. 4th for Capias default of payment of fines for
open container alcohol and public intoxication.
***
Ruben Hernandez, 21, was arrested at 9:48 p.m., on August 27, at the
800 block of South Mesquite for assault under the Family Violence Act.
***
Melissa Acosta Ortiz, 26, was arrested at 9:28, on August 27, at the
1100 block of South Orange on a Pecos Police Department warrant for parking
in the roadway and an Ector County warrant for theft by check, Class B.
***
Benny H. Juarez, 19, was arrested at 3:07 p.m. August 29, in the 500
block of Oak street, for violation of promise to appear, no drivers license
and no insurance.
***
James Watkins, 45, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. August 29 in the 1000
block of East 3rd street for simple assault.
***
Rosa Miranda, 41, was arrested August 29 in the 200 block of East 12
th street for Capias default payment on a public intoxication conviction.
***
Eloy Navarette, 40, was arrested at 12:27 a.m. at Flying J Travel Plaza
for criminal mischief and aggravated assault.
***
Pedro Barragan, 45, was arrested at 7:09 p.m. Aug. 29 at Jackson and
Plum for driving while license suspended.
***
Imelda Garcia, 45, and Enoe Rodriguez, 38, were arrested at 1:07 a.m.
today at Purple Sage. Garcia for Capias default payment of fine for public
intoxication, and Rodriguez for capias no proof of liability insurance.
Weather
PECOS, Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 -- High Thursday 93, low last night 72.
Today partly cloudy with isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in
the upper 90s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight partly cloudy
with isolated thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds
5 to 15 mph. Saturday partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 90s.
Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Saturday night partly cloudy. Lows near
70. Sunday partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 90s. Labor day through
Thursday partly cloudy. Lows 70 to 75. Highs near 100.
Obituary
Amber-Lee Matta
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 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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