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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Monday, May 19, 2003
Organizers happy with auction, flea market
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., May 19, 2003 -- A beautiful day to be outdoors provided the
perfect background for the second Pecos Peddles Flea Market and Auction
held Saturday on the grounds of the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena.
Almost 750 people walked through the gates to browse through the vendors
camps and to bid on the many vehicles which were being auctioned off in
the back area of the Reeves County Civic Center, while the auction itself
produced sales in excess of $50,000
"We're glad that we had such a beautiful day, the weather cooperated
great," said organizer Debbie Thomas, who said a total of 748 people paid
to enter the rodeo grounds for the second Peddler's Flea Market. The first
was held last November at the Rodeo Grounds.
Saturday's even included an auction for the first time, with the most
expensive items up for bid being surplus equipment from Reeves County and
the Town of Pecos City, including used pickups and sheriff's department
vehicles.
Thomas said that the number of people who went through the gates was
more than they had anticipated. "We're just thrilled that so many people
came out today," she said.
Drawings were held and prizes awarded to many of those who purchased
a ticket. "We had 65 door prizes, which was a real crowd-pleaser," said Thomas.
"When they opened up their ticket and it said 'winner' on it they were all
excited," she said.
Thomas said that they felt lucky that so many people had attended, because
of the many events being held this past weekend. "There was just so much
going on, we're lucky that so many people came out," said Thomas. "It was
a really busy weekend for everyone," she said.
While the second Flea Market was held only six months after the first
one, Thomas said that Chamber of Commerce officials who helped set up the
event would be meeting next week to decide on a definite month and weekend
to have it in the future. "That way it will be held on the same month every
year," she said.
Thomas said that all the vendors were pleased with the outcome and the
many people that attended their booths. "We had a great crowd and everyone
was pleased," she said.
The auction netted over $50,000 and local auctioneer Steve Taylor was
on hand to help it run smoothly.
'Relay for Life' collects $29,000 for cancer fight
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., May 19, 2003 -- Organizers of the annual Relay for Life said
they surpassed their goal of raising $25,000 Friday night and Saturday morning,
during the annual event to help find a cure for cancer.
"We approximately raised $29,000, not including our expenses," Relay
for Life chairwoman Terri Spence said. "However, I feel that we surpassed
our goal of $25,000."
According to Spence, there were a total of 12 teams participating in
this year's event.
The event, which began on Friday at 7 p.m., kicked off with the 18 survivors
walking the first lap of the 14-hour event.
"Over all we had 21 survivors out there," Spence said.
Though the start of event had to compete with the Pecos High School Athletic
Banquet, Spence said that she did not think that it put the spirit of their
event down.
"The opening was a little down," Spence said. "However, after the banquet
people came out to the track."
She added that the luminaries lighting at sunset was a beautiful ceremony,
with Desiree Hernandez giving her testimony.
"We raised $1,000 in luminaries," Spence said. "There was enough to surround
the track."
Throughout the 14-hour event prizes were given away for various categories.
Awards were given to the team raising the most money - West Texas National
Bank, the team with the best relay car - Reeves County Courthouse, the team
with the best camp - Reeves County Courthouse, the team with the most spirit
- Cops and Company, the most money raised by an adult individually - Rhonda
Wade and the most money raised by a child individually - Bradley Shaw.
She added that they would not be able to reach their goal without all
their sponsors and participants.
"I would like to thank the many sponsors and all the teams for raising
all that money," Spence said.
"I would like to thank our underwriters, Security State Bank, American
Home Health and Hospice, Dr. (Orville) Cerna, Pecos Nursing Home, West Texas
National Bank and the Marshall family," Spence said.
She added that she would like to also thank LGL D.J., Cody West and Allan
Morton for supplying them with the music, the Pecos Downtown Lions Club
for providing the hamburgers and the pancakes, the Pecos Rotary Club for
the water and Pizza Hut and Pizza Pro for their donation of the midnight
snacks.
Others contributing food for the night were the First United Methodist
Church, with cookies and the Women's Division, with fresh fruit for the
survivors.
Spence added that she would also like to thank Peaceful Garden Funeral
Home provided them with the main tent used for organizers at the south end
of Eagle Stadium.
"A big thanks to the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD for the use of the stadium,"
Spence said.
Along with Spence, other committee members were Teresa Winkles, Tracy
Shaw, Karen Hornberger, Rosemary Varela, Cindy Velez, Reita Prewit, Virginia
Gibson, Debbie Smith, Raymond Hornberger and Jay Spence.
"I would also like to thank the Town of Pecos," Spence said. "It takes
a community to take up the fight and Pecos really takes up the fight."
A final thanks went out to KIUN and the Pecos Enterprise for supporting
the event and the coverage provided by both business.
She ended by saying that a dent in finding the cure for cancer was made
and that some day they can say they had a part in it.
Senior receives award in honor of Rodriguez
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., May 19, 2003 -- A Pecos High School senior and cancer survivor
accepted a scholarship and an award in memory of a Trans Pecos Task Force
officer on Friday, on the first anniversary of his death during a shootout
in downtown Pecos.
Pecos High School Senior Denise Chabarria tearfully accepted the scholarship
established in the name of Jaime Rodriguez, who was killed during a routine
bus interdiction on May 16, 2002. Chabarria wept quietly when the announcement
was read by Trans Pecos Task Force Commander Gary Richards and administrative
assistant Rosalina Alvarado.
"He was a loving father, son, husband, brother and a hero to all," said
Richards. "He married his high school sweetheart, Diana H. Rodriguez, and
they had two children, Jessica and Jayme Lee Rodriguez."
The award was a trophy and a $1,000 scholarship in the name of and in
honor of Jaime P. Rodriguez. Chabarria is the daughter of Jacinto and Rosemary
Chabarria of Pecos.
Father Gustavo Lopez of Santa Rosa Catholic Church was on hand to bless
those in attendance and to talk about Rodriguez.
Father Lopez said that God wanted to bless everyone, the work that we
do, especially those who work at difficult positions, such as Jaime's.
"He wants to guide us from danger, but sometimes that danger comes to
us, especially when we're trying to do the right thing," said Father Lopez.
"Jaime was killed while trying to serve and protect those he loved, his
job wasn't easy, but God was with him and now he's in his kingdom," said
Father Lopez.
Father Lopez asked everyone to pray for Jaime and for all those who have
difficult and perilous jobs. "Jaime was a hard-working, good man, with a
very difficult job, but one that he loved," he said.
Maritza Sandoval sang the National Anthem during the special reception,
held in Rodriguez' honor in the second-floor courtroom of the Reeves County
Courthouse.
Several law enforcement agencies were on hand for the ceremony, including
the Department of Public Safety, Trans Pecos Task Force Officers, Pecos
Police Officers and Chief Clay McKinney and the Reeves County Sheriff Andy
Gomez and his staff.
Richards said that Rodriguez was a man of the law; it was in his blood
to protect and serve. His career began as an officer at Sul Ross State University,
DEA Task Force, to Border Patrol, then as an officer at Alpine, and then
he went back to the Pecos Task Force.
"His watch ended May 16, in the Lubbock hospital, after suffering gunshot
wounds from a passenger on a Greyhound bus during a routine inspection,"
said Richards. "Jaime died doing the job he loved and took much pride in
doing his job well."
"He is remembered as an honorable man and a hero who is missed by many.
As time goes on Jaime will always be remembered for his 'ultimate sacrifice,'
laying down his life for the safety of the community," said Richards.
Last year's recipient of the award was Rodriguez' daughter, Jessica,
who is currently attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine.
"The award was given to her for the courage and strength she showed
last year, during the events surrounding her father's death," said Richards.
Task force administrative assistant Rosalina Alvarado presented the scholarship
to Chabarria, who was also a Golden Girl Nominee at last year's pageant.
"We are honored to announce that this year's Jaime Rodriguez Courage
Scholarship Award will be presented to a very special 17-year-old senior
at Pecos High School," said Alvarado.
She said that since the age of 12, Chabarria has struggled against an
illness that was so severe she could not attend school. In the beginning,
the doctors were unable to accurately diagnose her internal enemy until one
day it was identified as Acute Lymphocystic Leukemia or A.L.L. She endured
three years of chemotherapy and constant medical review and treatment only
to have her illness go into remission and then relapse in January of 2001.
Chabarria faced her struggle with the full support of her family, including
a bone marrow transplant from her younger sister, Kim, in March 2001, according
to Alvarado.
The transplant was successful and she was able to compete in the Golden
Girl of the Old West pageant in the summer of 2002.
"For her strength and courage and unwillingness to surrender to a deadly
disease, for her zest for life that has inspired everyone around her, this
year's scholarship goes to Denise Chabarria," said Alvarado.
Students, Mata honored at sports banquet
PECOS, Mon., May 19, 2003 -- Pecos High School senior Ruvel Carrasco became
the first winner of the Johnny V. Mata Proud Eagle Award on Friday, at the
annual All-Sports Banquet, while Mata's wife and family were presented the
football jersey number of the 1986 PHS graduate, who was killed in March
while serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq.
Carrasco was one of five seniors to receive awards at the conclusion of
Friday's banquet at the new PHS gym. The awards followed the presentation
of All-District, All-Region and All-State certificates to Pecos Eagle athletes
during the 2002-03 school year, and the keynote speech by McMurry University
head football coach and athletic director Steve Keenum.
Mata's friend, Pecos High School baseball coach Elias Payan, made the
presentation of one of two jerseys to Mata's wife Nancili and his family,
and announced that the Eagles would retire Mata's No. 64. The other jersey
would be hung in the hallway at the high school.
Mata was a member of the 507th Maintenance Company operating out of Fort
Bliss who was killed as a result of a firefight near Nasiriya, in southern
Iraq on March 23. He was first reported missing before being confirmed dead
on April 4, along with seven other soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Company.
"Johnny was not only a warrior on the battlefield, but on the gridiron
as well," Payan said. "No matter how far away or where he was, he was always
a Pecos Eagle."
Carrasco, who played cornerback for the Pecos Eagles the past two seasons,
was joined by three other senior football players in receiving awards on
Friday. Running back Matthew Levario received the Doc Lunday Sportsmanship
Award, linebacker and District 4-3A pole value champion Will Armstrong received
the Craig Woods Award for the top football player and track athlete from
the past year, and quarterback Freddy Torres was given the Joe Bob Kelton
Award.
Senior Mindi Harrison won both awards given out to the Eagles' female
athletes. Harrison won the Joe Shoemaker Award for the most participation
in sports by a PHS senior during her four years in school, and was also given
the Norma Matta Fighting Eagle Award.
Keenum talked about his coaching career, including his time as head coach
at Sul Ross State University, where he recruited ex-Pecos Eagle player and
current coach Brian Gibson to play football for the Lobos. He also spoke
to students about the four things needed too be a winner.
"If you want to be successful, nothing else can be more important," he
said. "You've got to make a choice."
He went on to tell students they need to listen to their coaches, go hard
every time out, and not to care who gets the credit for their team's successes.
Among the other teams and individuals honored were the Eagles' state qualifiers
in girls golf, where Pecos placed second on May 9-10 to Snyder at the Class
3A state tournament; the boys and girls swim teams, who placed fifth and
16th respectively at the Class 4A state finals, and the boys' track team,
which captured the District 4-3A title in April, the first district track
championship for Pecos in the past 53 years.
The only teams not to receive their all-district certificates were baseball
and track, due to Monahans' continued participation in the Class 3A playoffs.
The Loboes' softball team was eliminated on Friday by Kennedale in the Region
I-3A semifinals, while Monahans' baseball team remained alive by beating
Lubbock Cooper in the I-3A quarterfinals.
Senior Neftali Salgado and juniors Brittany Lobstein and Stephanie Herrera
were the softball players who received first team all-district honors, freshman
Jessica Flores and sophomores Kelsey Flores and Danielle Garcia were second
team picks and junior Christi Contreras was an honorable mention selection.
Scouts schedule rally for Tuesday
PECOS, Mon., May 19, 2003 -- A Boy Scout Rally will be held at 7
p.m., Tuesday at the Pecos Community Center, at Fifth and Oak streets.
All boys in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to come out
and join. The students must be accompanied by their parents.
Boys in grades 5-8 are invited to join and must be accompanied by their
parents.
For more information contact Oscar Saenz at 445-1053; Paul Hinojos at
445-9444 or Alfredo Tellez-Giron at 447-2828.
Weather
PECOS, Mon., May 19, 2003 -- High Sun. 109. Low this morning 62. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Windy with areas of blowing dust. Lows in the mid 50s. NE winds 20 to 30
mph: With gusts to 40 mph. Tues.: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance
of showers or thunderstorms. Much cooler. Highs near 70. NE winds 15 to
25 mph, diminishing to 10 to 20 mph. Tues. night: Mostly cloudy with a
20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Wed.:
Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Highs
in the lower 80s.
Obituaries
Manuel Garcia, Dorothy Jackson and James Worsham
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 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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