News|Sports|Opinion|Main Menu|Archives Menu|Classified|Advertising|Monahans
Their service is based on the notion that home health care is providing
service to recovering, disabled, or chronically ill persons who need
treatment and/or assistance with the daily activities of living.
Owners and operators, John and Landa Rediger of Rediger's Pharmacy,
believe, "generally home care is appropriate whenever a person needs
assistance that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by
family or friends on an ongoing basis."
Because advancing technology yields equipment and people trained to use
it, every day more people are able to leave institutions, or never enter
them, they said. "They can be cared for effectively and efficiently at
home under a doctor's supervision."
Delivering a choice in home health care, PHH provides such things as:
skilled nursing services, case management, personal assistance through
home care aides, physical therapy (by contract), lab services, IV
infusion/education, wound and dressing care, diabetic teaching and
therapy, catheter care, parental nutrition, ostomy care, pain management
and support, PICC line placement and management, nutritional counseling
and pediatrics.
PHH arranges services dealing with durable medical equipment,
respiratory therapy and prescription services.
The local home health agency accepts Medicare and Medicaid as payment
in full and will verify insurance benefits, as well as discuss your
coverage as a free service prior to initiating any care.
Home health care is often recommended to families by their physician,
medical social worker or hospital discharge planner.
Patients or their families can, however, seek these services on their
own.
One of the agency's registered nurses will evaluate and assess the
patient's needs at no charge.
Pecos Home Health is located at 721 S. Plum St.
The facility employs about 400 persons that slice, bread, par fry and
freeze onion rings at the plant and ships them to the various
institutional trade customers throughout the country.
Beginning in 1990 with one line, the family-owned business based in
Appleton, Wis. continues to expand by adding new products and outlets.
Improvements to the plant and addition of new equipment has improved
working conditions and speeded up the process at the Pecos plant.
Anchor processes onions grown in the Pecos Valley during the harvest
season from late May through August. They import onions and other
produce in the off season.
Radio Shack products aren't all you'll find at Dave Thomas' place of
business.
One can only be made aware of his assorted supply of electronic,
medical and athletic equipment, and cellular phone service and supplies
by asking.
A Plateau Cellular Network agent, Thomas outlines various price plans
and service packages to interested parties. Along with the cellular
service, he carries a diversified stock of bag, flip, and most recently,
designer cellular phones.
Company plans for three or more phones runs $20 to $25 per month for
100 free minutes, he said.
With activation under PCN, a home call ranges from the area near El
Paso to Sonora and from northern New Mexico to the Texas-Mexico border.
For $25 a month, PCN customers can get 100 free minutes in the home
area. For $29.95, 80 free minutes are available in the Expanded Home
Area, which borders beyond the aforementioned scope of service.
Also offering an array of land-line telephones, Thomas or his staff
will show you through their assortment of cordless, desk, wall and
featured phones.
The Radio Shack dealer also carries line cords, handset cords, duplex
jack and other accessories for phone installation.
Under a recent agreement venture, Radio Shack will soon be selling
Sprint phones and services, said Thomas. "It's like a store within a
store," he said.
Don't need any type of phone, phone service or accessory?
Well, Thomas also offers a variety of the ever-so-popular scanners,
hand-held electronic games, Tandy computers and software.
A Radio Shack Unlimited stand can be found in the South Pecos store
where customers are introduced to over 100,000 parts and products that
Thomas can order almost instantaneously via his computer.
How about a satellite dish?
In the last year or so RCA and PrimeStar dishes started making their
way into Thomas' selection of goods.
"Things are really going to get exciting," he said regarding the
purchase of a Primestar dish. "They've recently started adding 60
channels."
Primestar customers pay a small equipment rental fee in place for the
replacement of any parts and different price plans are available.
A Pecos resident for 40 years now, Thomas first started out as a
medical technician from where he integrated into the medical supply
enterprise.
Under this hat, the Pecos entrepreneur rents and sells wheel chairs,
commode chairs, hospital beds, shower chairs and grab bars.
For the young at heart or simply the young, 14-feet trampolines are
still available at the local shop.
Dan's has a convenient drive up window to make it quicker and easier to
drop off or pickup movies.
Movies may be reserved under a "waiting list" Monday through Thursday.
Lottery tickets are also available at Dan's with the largest selection
of scratch offs in town.
Dan's Music is owned by Ronny Daniel and his mother, Elsie, under the
parent company of Daniel and Sons, Inc.
The company started out in Pecos and the surrounding area in 1954 by
providing coin operated machines to a number of businesses.
The retail end of the business began in 1964 at Dan's Record Shop with
sales of the latest hit records. In recent years this portion of the
business has added new and additional movies and games each month.
Dan's supplies pool tables, juke boxes in both CD and 45 rpm, dart
games and video games to locations in and around Pecos on a commission
basis.
Presently available at Dan's are cassette and CD music, video
accessories, and VCR sales, in addition to rentals of movie cameras,
VCRs, games and cartridges. Services offered include 8 and 16mm
transfers for putting home movies on video, and VHS duplication.
The shop itself, a favorite spot to stop among local youth, also
features kiddie rides and coin-operated video machines.
"We invite everybody to come down," Daniel said.
Dan's is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; from
10 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from noon to 11 p.m. on
Sundays.
It was spring 1907 when 11 prominent Pecos citizens contributed $36,000
to capitalize the bank, which was chartered June 28, 1907. It has been
at its current location, 100 E. Sixth St, for the past 30 years.
First National has grown to over $5 million in capital and $53 million
in assets at the end of 1996, Duston said.
"The bank has been an active participant in the business and economic
affairs of the community and witness to the dramatic events and changes
throughout the 20th Century," he said.
The First National Bank of Pecos has truly "stood the test of time" and
plans to be a key element in the economic future of Pecos.
Bringing 20 years experience in the grocery business with him, Martinez
said he has really enjoyed the encouraging comments from local residents
since his move from Plainview.
"I had one man come up and tell me, `you're keeping a good store, son,'"
said Martinez, who said the encouraging comments are refreshing.
He also said that the community has really aided in his settling in.
"I've met a few customers. The people are really friendly here."
"I really like the town. I'm beginning to feel comfortable," Martinez
said, adding he'd like to repay the community with top rate customer
service.
Reiterating the store's motto, "We'd like to be your store," Martinez
said he keeps the slogan in mind while on the job.
Some changes are in the making, said the store manager, who said that
plans to integrate a burrito stand to the popular Tortilleria are being
looked at. The stand already offers fresh made wheat, flour and corn
tortillas daily.
"We've already started selling the fried goods," which he said includes
pork rinds and tostadas. The new product line opened about "three weeks
ago."
More plans for La Tienda's deli and bakery are in store, Martinez added.
Regarding his final vision for the store, Martinez said, "I'm not there
yet, but I'm getting there."
He said the bakery already has doughnuts baked fresh every day and cakes
for various occasions.
Martinez said he integrated some changes when he first got on board at
La Tienda to include fresher produce and meat. "The market's great," he
said, "there's fresh meat all the time."
As for his staff, "I enjoy working with these people," said Martinez. "I
have great people. They are all well known."
The brands they carry include Gibson appliances, Crosley electronics
and JVC/Sharp.
"We do credit checks on the loan side of the business, but are willing
to work with individuals," said Matta.
"We like to accomodate our customers with any type of payment that will
better fit their needs," said Matta.
The company will work with individuals who have had credit problems in
the past or who simply wish to establish some credit.
"We've introduced new products to Pecos, such as the new dual deck
VCR," said Matta.
The new VCR is an American-made product that allows the individual to
make an excellent copy of the tape that is currently being viewed.
"As far as we know, we're the only ones that carry this product in
Pecos at this time," said Matta.
Matta stated that a large selection of the new VCRs have been sold
since having been introduced a few months ago.
"They're very popular," he said.
The facility is featuring JVC electronic stereos and televisions this
month.
"JVC makes top of the line merchandise and we are very proud to be able
to handle this line," said Matta.
Matta and all his staff at Desert Rentals invite everyone to come and
view the selection of top-brand products they have to offer.
"Basically it's (cooking) been the same since day one," said SCM Manager
Chon Jasso, who also said that he, Socorro Zubia and sister Luz Jasso
have to date helped with the cooking.
"We offer homemade food and we don't change the recipes," he said.
The restaurant manager claimed that they still like to experiment with
the menu according to customer preference, "the customers help us decide
what stays on the menu and what goes." Jasso said that a variety of
steak cuts have been stated to the menu, including fish fajitas and a
grilled chicken breast on rice, which he stated, "have been selling
pretty good".
In the last year a second dining area on the south end of the building
and a tortilla machine in the north dining area of the restaurant were
added.
The additional eating section was remodeled after owner Socorro Zubia
decided to do away the convenience store formerly known as Beer Depot #3
and add more tables to accommodate the large stream of customers
dropping by to enjoy the authentic Mexican dishes.
"More waitresses and a couple of cooks," were added to the staff as
well, said Jasso.
The north dining room offers a smoking section and a chance to check out
how the tortilla machine works, as sombrero hats, posters of folkoric
dancers and bullfighters line the walls. A rustic environment adds to
the Tex-Mex theme in the southern dining room with cow brands, aged farm
tools and a wagon wheel chandelier in the center to elegantly light up
the room.
"People come in here for the food, but also because of the atmosphere,"
said owner Socorro Zubia last year. "We try to provide the right
atmosphere for everyone and make them feel welcome and comfortable."
Jasso said the tortilla machine was purchased to keep up with the
burrito sales and allow them to fill tortilla orders by the dozens. He
also added that children enjoy making, "baby tortillas," at times on the
new equipment.
Along with good food and a comfortable atmosphere, the restaurant also
offers one of Pecos' best imported beer selections including brews from
Jamaica, New Zealand, Germany and of course, Mexico, along with an
extensive wine and champagne selection.
Along with Mexican dinners, American dinners are also offered and the
restaurant specializes in Mexican-style steaks and homemade chili
rellenos which are made fresh daily. Specials are offered each day.
Socorro's Cocina Mexicana opens at 7 a.m. six days a week. "We'll be
closing at 9 p.m. unless we get real busy and then we'll go ahead and
stay open," said Jasso. In those cases, Socorro's usually stays open
until about 11 p.m.
Zubia also owns and operates Beer Depot #2 located on Balmorhea Highway,
which also offers beer, along with a selection of wines and champagne.
Store hours are from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday;
6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays; 6:30 a.m.-1 a.m. on Saturdays and noon to 11
p.m. Sundays. The kitchen does not operate on Sundays.
BD #2 also offers freshly-made breakfast burritos daily and lunch
burritos after 11 a.m. each day.
Both establishments have a drive up windows for customer convenience.
Diners can now pay for their meals with credit cards and those arriving
in larger travel vehicles can now park in the southwest lot at the
intersection of Seventh and Cedar streets, said Jasso.
Future plans for the fast growing restaurant include a patio, kitchen
expansion and a banquet room located in the rear of the building Jasso
said.
Jasso said that he greatly appreciates the restaurant support by both
its local and out-of-town customers.
"We would have never made it without them (Pecos customers)," said
Jasso, who also takes pride in the relationship between the restaurant
and customers from surrounding cities.
Since the time the Aztecs, corn has been harvested and ground by hand in
traditional stone mills without the addition of any preservatives. Thus,
what was served was fit for a king.
In North America it was the knowledge the native Indians had regarding
the corn farming that helped the early settlers survive in the New World.
"The corn transcended through the ages to be with us today and is the
most important and basic element of the products we produce at La
Nortena," emphasizes Castillo.
He added, "our responsibility in keeping the tradition and heritage
handed to us by our ancestors is of great importance to us and one we
are proud to share with our many customers."
For over 30 years, La Nortena has served tamales and corn tortillas to
families at their dinner table. According to Castillo, "we are proud to
be a part of so many traditional holiday or family gatherings and we
work hard not to let them down."
La Nortena's recent history dates back to Miguel P. Castillo, who
purchased the tortilla factory from his, "compadre, Ramon Vasquez," who
introduced tamales to our line with the tremendous help of, "La Senora
Teresa Matta," Miguel's mother-in-law.
"It was Teresa Matta who would cook the meat and assemble the tamales at
her home on Walnut Street here in Pecos, aside from looking after some
of her grandchildren...one of which was (me)," said David.
The tamales' popularity grew and the production had to be moved back to
the factory where more employees could produce them.
Meanwhile, Celia Castillo, Miguel's wife, would oversee the tortilla
production and the retail sales of the factory.
Throughout the years various members of the Castillo Family have had
their hand at helping at La Nortena and have had a positive impact on
the direction in which the company has gone.
"One of our biggest assets have been the fine personnel at La Nortena
that share the dedication in producing the finest food possible," David
said.
He continued, "our many thanks to all our present and past employees and
our many faithful customers...La Nortena-Mexican is our heritage."
The new owners took over in May of 1995, choosing the name from the
Goodyear tire line Eagle, to match Pecos High School's mascot.
Primarily a Goodyear dealer, Eagle also carries the Dunlop and Cooper
lines, along with other lines.
In the service department, they offer front and rear alignment, brakes
and shock service, lube and oil changes, computerized wheel balance,
flat repairs and vehicle state inspections.
Store manager Will Taylor moved to Pecos from Fort Stockton last year
to assume his duties.
Taylor states that he has thoroughly enjoyed working in the area and
meeting all the new customers.
"We always welcome new customers and are ready to provide fast,
efficient service," he said.
"We've been real happy with the way things have been going for us. With
the addition of the Dunlop and Cooper lines, we have been able to
increase our inventory, which has allowed us to offer a larger selection
of tires and at a better price," Taylor said.
Taylor also credits the business' growing success to his staff.
Lupe Garcia joined the organization last year and is assistant manager
and credit manager. Garcia is a life-time Pecos resident and welcomes
old and new acquaintances to come in and see what Eagle Tire has to
offer.
"I consider myself lucky to have a great crew working for us. They do a
good job," said owner Howard McKissack. "They all have a positive
attitude, and they take pride in their work."
Rene Garcia heads the alignment and brake department. Hector Hinojos
and Raul Sosa take care of the tire service department, and Gene Mendoza
is the tire technician for the tractor and loader tires. Gloria Matta is
secretary.
They offer 24-hour road service, with a call to 915-447-2257. The store
is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1
p.m. on Saturday.
Andy Patel and Raj Bhakta recently purchased the former Holiday Inn and
are renovating it to give travelers and business people first-class
accommodations.
Sam Patel, general manager, said that 25 rooms are undergoing complete
refurbishing, including wall texture, carpet and television sets.
A contemporary look is planned for the lobby, which lies underneath a
new mansard roof.
Stucco on the outside walls will complete the new look, Patel said.
And inside, better service includes cable, coming satellite channels,
telephone service with data ports, in-room coffee and "all the amenities
that you would ever need," said Patel.
"We are a full-service motel. We can cater to just about everybody, and
our prices match our service," he said.
That is, a big-business customer may want a suite with data ports,
multiple phone lines and fax service. He will pay more than the traveler
who just wants a bed for the night and is gone the next morning.
All will have access to Terri's Restaurant, with a daily buffet and
banquet facilities; a private lounge and courtyard swimming pool.
Truckers will find adequate parking around the 98-room motel perimeter.
Discounts are offered to senior citizens, corporations, government, AAA
and other special groups.
Owner Steve Taylor and Operations Managers Mike Contreras and David
Brantley continue to strive to better accommodate all their customers
needs.
Pecos Valley Field Service is now in its seventh year of service and it
offers all types of oilfield service, such as backhoe roustabout, field
and shop painting and sandblasting, along with road and location
constructions.
The company now employs 60 workers, but is always in need of a few good
men. all employees are required to submit to D.O.T. testing.
As with all other oilfield companies, safety is one of the main concepts
the company is actively involved in.
All employees are required to take special training such as hazardous
materials, CPR, and emergency response, lockout, tagout as well.
Safety awards line the offices occupied by Contreras and Brantley;
awards in H, CPR, Medic first aid, excavation and hazardous materials.
The company is in compliance with all OSHA regulations. Pecos Valley
Field Service wishes to continue serving all the oil and gas fields in
the coming future.
And with cotton prices moving higher, the outlook for 1997 could be
even better.
The average price for strict low middling 1 & 1-16 inch spot cotton
advanced 59 points to 70.20 cents a pound on the seven markets last week.
Futures prices were 10 cents a bale lower to $2.35 higher than the
previous close. Mar. 73.80, May 75.40, July 76.50, Oct. 76.60, Dec.
76.65. Mar. 77.30, May 78.00, July b78.30 Oct. b76.75, and Dec. b75.25.
Alamo-Kerley gin reported 9,874 bales of upland and 3,474 bales of pima
ginned for the 1996 season, and grades were good. Acreage in Reeves
County was down from 1995.
Gail Fritter, general manager for Coyanosa Co-op, said they ginned
6,844 bales from about the same acreage as the previous year.
Trans-Pecos Cotton Association works with producers to create a
favorable market and government programs that are farmer-friendly.
Working together, farmers last fall set up a booth at the
Lubbock-Farmer Stockman Farm Show to let others know of the abundance of
land and water in this area.
Bob Bickley, association executive director, said he would like to see
more cotton planted. He estimates that 75,000 acres in the Pecos Valley
are suitable for cotton production.
The land requires fertilizer, and insect control is a big part of the
cost. Bt cotton that resists insect damage promises some relief.
Under the 1995 Farm Bill, producers may plant cotton or grain or
nothing and still receive government payments on their base acreage.
When a USDA audit of the Reeves County office of the Consolidated Farm
Service Agency held up payments this year, Bickley went into action,
calling FSA state officials and U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla in an effort to
get the checks moving again.
Larry Turnbough of Balmorhea and Fort Davis is Trans-Pecos president.
Directors are Dennis Braden, Elmer Braden, Ted Godfrey, Jesus Ruiz, Dale
Toone, Kenneth Lindemann, David Z. Hess, Sam Miller, and Ysidro
Renteria. Jaroy Moore is an advisory director.
Moore and his wife moved to Pecos in April of 1983 after many years of
traveling around the United States, trouble-shooting for the Sonic
corporation.
"I just said one day, `It's time to put down roots and rest awhile,'"
Moore said.
The Moores have grown to like Pecos because of the town's friendliness.
"People here take to you. I've never felt like a stranger," Moore said.
Known for its burgers, coneys, fries and drinks, Sonic also offers a new
special every month. Beginning on Saturday, the special for March will
be the burger and tator tots for just $1.99. "That's a heck of a deal,"
said Moore, who keeps track of things from his office behind the
restaurant.
Pecos' most popular special is the Brown Bag, which gives the customer
two hamburgers, two orders of french fries and two soft drinks for
$5.99, Moore said. But the Pecos Sonic also has its own, unique dish,
the locally famous Chili Cheese Fries.
"The kids invented these, so I put them right on the menu. They're
probably our biggest seller," Moore said.
Moore has also posted birthdays and anniversaries on the restaurant's
message board over the years. On any given day, you can drive by the
restaurant's location and see the names of another group of local
people, advertising some turning point in their lives.
"That sign just happened," Moore said. "We put up a sign celebrating an
employee's birthday, then the next day one of our regular customers came
by and asked if he could advertise his daughter's birthday. After that
there was no stopping it. People call in every day asking us to put new
names on the sign."
Sonic doesn't charge for putting Pecosites' names on the sign and,
Moore said, having it points up the most important element of Sonic's
business policy - the customer is always number one.
Moore said he stresses that to his new employees.
"For most of our workers, this is their first job, and their first day
on the job I ask them, `Do you know who your boss is?'," said Moore.
"`You?' they'll ask.
"But I'll point out to where people are parked and say, `I sign your
checks, but there's your boss,'" he explained.
"I like the fact, too, that I'm some people's first employer, that I
have the opportunity to teach them things like `be punctual, wear the
uniform and smile for the customer,'" he said.
Those aren't bad values to learn, Moore said. He added that Sonic
combines good food with high standards. A company "secret shopper"
visits the locations regularly to check on cleanliness, quality and that
all-important smile.
"Styles and technology will change with time, but I think we'll always
try to keep the personal touch," he said.
West Texas Gas provides a full line of lubricants and oils for Phillips
66, Chevron, and Conoco brands. Also available are Pennzoil and Shell
Rotella-T oils. They also have available K-1 Kerosene for indoor
heating, regular kerosene, and solvents for customers.
Propane is delivered for house and industrial users. A bottle unit is
located at the office for filling bottles and vehicles for highway motor
fuel. They have a licensed employee to perform propane conversions on
vehicles. Also, a complete line of propane parts and cylinders are
available.
West Texas Gas offers several locations for GasCard (an automated
fueling system) customers. GasCard users have access to over 300
locations in West Texas and eastern new Mexico. The GasCard total
network is available in over 42 states when the customer travels out of
state.
In Pecos, retail outlets where the GasCard is honored are the three
Town and Country Stores at 13th and Cedar Streets, Third and Eddy
Streets, and Interstate 20 and Country Club Drive; the two Uncle's, on
South Eddy Street (Phillips 66) and at Cedar and Third streets (Diamond
Shamrock) and the WTG office on Business Loop 20 West (Phillips 66).
Propane fuel may also be purchased on GasCard.
WTG also has available a lease/purchase program on diesel trailers. The
trailers are mounted with a 500 gallon capacity tank, a 12 volt pump,
and hose and nozzle. Year-end discounts apply on diesel purchases for
trailer tanks when purchased on GasCard.
West Texas Gas appreciates your past business and looks forward to
serving all your needs in the future. The phone number is 915-445-9811.
Jerry Patterson is manager, Janice North is office manager, and other
employees are Jose Cantu, Lloyd Chappell, Johnny Hernandez and Michael
Valenzuela. They are eager to serve you.
West Texas Gas, pulling together for West Texas.
Rediger's can compound prescriptions to your doctor's exact
specifications.
"We can enhance the flavor of antibiotics for kids so they don't mind
taking them, or we help people who have trouble swallowing tablets by
suspending the tablet in liquid and giving it whatever flavor they
want," Rediger said. "We put in some mint flavor for a nursing home
patient, and it took the `yuck' out of the Geritol."
Rediger's has about 30 flavors available, including creme dementhe,
bubble gum, tangerine, tutti fruiti, tropical punch, cherry, apple,
pineapple and banana.
"That's another advantage we have over the drug companies," Rediger
said. "Because they mass market the drugs, they can't offer all these
different flavors. We can individualize the drug to the taste of the
customer."
Individualized drugs that cost less are the aim of Rediger's Pharmacy's
expanded compounding service.
Compounding includes the formulation of all types of prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
"Compounding is where pharmacy started some 2,000 years ago, when
pharmacists used the mortar and pestle to grind leaves and stems to make
drugs," Rediger said.
"We've come full circle and are compounding again, but this time
because compounded drugs are often less expensive, more accurate and
more personalized."
Rediger said that manufactured drugs, because they are made in such
large quantities, are allowed to vary from the published dosage by up to
10 percent. The Food and Drug Administration allows generic drugs to
vary up to 20 percent.
"We compound with less than 1 percent error," Rediger said. "It's more
precise and accurate because we compound in smaller quantities."
Some drugs can be compounded at the pharmacist's counter at Rediger's
while other are compounded in the "glass room," a six-foot square
facility that includes equipment for specialized compounding.
A "hood" area in which air is used to keep drugs sterile meets required
conditions for compounding intravenous and inhalation therapy drugs and
eye drops.
Other types of drugs that can be compounded include medicated lozenges,
popsicles, lollipops, bandages, pastes, sprays, creams and ointments,
capsules and most any other oral medication.
Compounding also allows drugs to be made in the exact strength desired
by the physician for the patient, Rediger said. Manufactured drugs, on
the other hand, usually are only available in standardized strengths.
Compounded drugs are many times less than the over-the-counter price.
All this makes it easier on the patient.
"It's a tripod between the physician, the patient and the pharmacist
working together to best meet the needs of the patient," he said.
Rediger's Pharmacy has been serving the Pecos area since 1954, and has
been in its present location at 724 S. Eddy St. since 1962.
Pharmacists are John T. Rediger, who has been practicing since 1966,
and his father, F. John Rediger, who has been a pharmacist since 1928.
Each is licensed in three different states.
Rediger's Pharmacy is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
"The public is more aware of what home health is about, so they have
utilized the agency even more than they did last year," said Leo Hung,
who administers the home health agency. It had been located in the
Professional Building at 925 Daggett St., but last year relocated to
larger quarters in Downtown Pecos, at 315 S. Oak St., in the old J.C.
Penney building.
With its growing number of clients, AHHA has increased its staff to
include 11 nurses, 10 aides and seven office staff personnel.
"These are all local residents," noted Hung. "That's something I always
try to do is to hire locally," to aid in the creation of local jobs he
added.
Registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurses aides, a physical
therapist and a respiratory therapist are on the staff to meet the needs
of Medicare patients and other homebound individuals.
American Home Health has recently become hospice certified and approved
as a hospice agent by Medicare.
"This is a great service to offer the community," said Gerke.
A speech therapist and social worker are also great additions to the
facility.
"Stroke victims or individuals who have problems swallowing will greatly
benefit from the speech therapist," said Gerke.
Hospice health care workers will offer pain control, pastoral counseling
and emotional support.
"This is a big expansion of our services, and it's truly a great
privilege to be let into these individuals' lives," said Gerke.
Nurses and support staff provide skilled nursing and other therapeutic
services to patients in their own homes through AHHA, which received
Medicare certification in 1989.
Hung said a plan of treatment is prescribed by an attending physician
under requirements of the health and safety code. AHHA performs a
variety of intravenous therapies under physicians' directions, including
IV administration of antibiotics and chemotherapy, prenatal nutrition
and pain management. It also provided post-surgical wound care and burn
care.
"Administering intravenous injections at home has been the medical trend
of the 1990s," Hung said. "It allows the patient to receive quality care
without the expense of a hospital stay."
AHHA Director of Nursing Ava Gerke stated that the home health care
facility serves Pecos, Balmorhea, Saragosa, Toyah and Monahans. "We also
have a branch office in Odessa that opened in 1994," she added.
"It (the Odessa office) really facilitates the coordination of care,"
said the registered nurse, who added that the branch office helps with
preparations for AHHA patients that have been treated at Odessa
hospitals. "It helps me in ordering supplies and preparing for them
(patients) to come home."
Professional Pharmacy, which is also administered by Hung, is located at
the corner of Daggett and Eddy Streets. It began operations in September
of 1980 and has continued throughout the years to provide a wide
spectrum of pharmaceutical goods and services for the community. PP also
carries Durable Medical Equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs, hospital
beds and oxygen therapy.
AHHA hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and from 8
a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and provides 7-days-a-week, 24-hours a day,
on-call nursing care to its clients. For more information interested
parties can call 445-3330.
Gerke stated that referrals for home health care can be made by anyone.
"They can be made by social workers, any kind of social service, family
members, friends. A reference can be made by just anybody...anyone that
cares."
After a referral, the patient must then be approved by their physician
for home health care, she said.
Top stories from the front page, weather and obituaries go into one
file, sports into another, and opinion into a third. Daily classified
pages make up the fourth file.
In addition, monthly supplements of «MDUL»Golden Years, La Voz de la
Gente and Living off the Land«MDNM» have their own special section on
the web. Advertisers each have their own page, with a link from the Home
Page.
And links to other sites are included as a special file so browsers can
find sites relating to Pecos, to area state parks, to state government
and to Texas representatives in the nation's Congress.
Publisher Mac McKinnon has offered to create Home Pages for people who
want to publicize their pets or children on the web - or anything else
of interest.
Digital photographs, graphics and sound enhance the site, but are kept
to a user-friendly size so download times are brief.
"This is the most user-friendly site I have seen on the Web," said
McKinnon. "Not only can a browser jump from the index page to the daily
pages, he can locate any subject in our archives by using the powerful
search engine."
All the daily pages are posted on the web, dating back to 1995. Staff
members continue to add archive pages as time permits.
"We hope someday our archives will date back to the first issue in our
microfilm files," said McKinnon. "That first issue is August, 1916."
No charge is made for access to any portion of the Internet site. Staff
members have the expertise to create any type of Home Page a customer
desires, and charges for those are reasonable, McKinnon said.
Not only can a private Home Page be posted on the «MDUL»Enterprise«MDNM»
site, the staff will register it with Internet search engines by name
and category so that browsers can locate it.
McKinnon said he is pleased to continue the tradition of delivering the
news that began in 1883 when a Mr. Vanderhurst published a newspaper in
Pecos.
Nicolas Van Horn established the Pecos City News in 1884,
but the first permanent newspaper to be published in Pecos was the Pecos
Valley News, established in 1887. That same year, the Pecos
Times was established.
The Times began publishing the first daily newspaper, a four-page paper
called the Pecos Daily Times, to give the news to Pecos
ahead of dailies from other towns.
Barney Hubbs established the Pecos Gusher in 1921, primarily as an oil
paper. In 1925 it merged with the Pecos Times and the name
changed to the Pecos Enterprise and Gusher.
The weekly paper converted to semi-weekly in 1956 and to a daily in
1959. Hubbs sold the paper to Dr. Harlow F. Avery in 1960. Avery and Dr.
John Paul Dunn published the Pecos Independent twice a week.
The next year, Billie Sol Estes started a newspaper called the
Pecos Daily News in competition with the ultra-conservative
doctors. The daily was printed in the print shop formerly
owned by Hubbs at 324 S. Cedar Street.
"That newspaper has been there ever since," Hubbs said.
When Estes went broke in 1962, a group of businessmen in Pecos bought
the plant and continued to operate the paper. One of the publishers,
Fred Janca, bought the Independent and merged the two papers
into the Pecos Enterprise, which was purchased in 1967 by
Buckner News Alliance.
The semi-weekly paper was converted to a daily in 1970. Publishers have
been Fred Janca, O'Ferral Pauly, Ken Dulaney, Ray Stafford, Larry
Jackson, Mike Mzyk and McKinnon.
At present, daily circulation of the printed paper is about 2,800,
McKinnon said. Daily visits to the Enterprise website,
http://www.pecos.net/news, average about 250.
Meeting once a month, the economic development committee began an
aggressive plan of action to assist local businesses and attract new
ones.
Farmers set up a booth at the Lubbock Farmer Stockman Show in October to
advertise opportunities for cheap land and plentiful irrigation water.
And a tax incentive committee prepared a tax abatement program to be
presented to all taxing entities within Reeves County that could boost
both business and agriculture development.
Executive director Tom Rivera said management of the Reeves County Civic
Center was the largest undertaking for the chamber staff, who had
already served as booking agent for the county-owned facility.
Capital improvements are needed to keep the building in good condition
and provide equipment for users.
Among events, the Golden Gloves Regional Tournament and the Fall Concert
brought in the biggest profits. The chamber also hosted Fiesta Night in
Old Pecos, the "family kidnapping" during rodeo week, the Fall Fair and
barbecue cookoff.
New this year is appointment of two directors from among the Pecos High
School student body. They will have a vote on all matters brought before
the board, but will not participate in any event where alcoholic
beverages are sold.
Rivera said that computer enhancements and a refurbished copy machine
modernized the chamber office. Through the Internet, the chamber now has
access to everything the Texas Department of Commerce has to offer.
Also on the Internet, the staff can research everything from grants to
import/export regulations to the latest trends in restaurant management.
"We have many challenges facing us in 1997," said Rivera.
President Paul Hinojos said he is putting top priority on membership,
economic development and beautification of the city.
Their motto for this year is "Build the Future with Action and Vision."
Something new this year has been the recognition of "The Student of the
Month" from Pecos High School. These students are selected by the
teachers. Each student of the month is asked to attend the Rotary Club
meeting with their parents to be recognized for their achievement.
Probably best known for starting the Golden Girl Pageant in the early
1960's as a way to have a rodeo queen for the West of the Pecos Rodeo as
well as a representative of Pecos for area events, the Rotary Club has
served to spearhead various projects for the community.
Among those projects were the fund raiser for Kids City at Maxey Park,
sending a high school boy and girl to summer leadership camp, donations
to the DARE program, providing a building and other help for a local Boy
Scout troop, and a scholarship for a high school graduating senior.
For the last two years the local club has helped sponsor the Rotary
float for the New Year's Day Rose Parade. As an international project
the Pecos Rotary Club has helped sponsor a orphanage in Ojinaga, and
now, is helping with the Rotary District 5730 Mexico Relief which helps
with various projects such as buying school supplies or drilling water
wells.
Rotary membership rosters from throughout the years have read like a
Who' s Who in Pecos as the movers and shakers of the community. Pecos
Rotarians are especially proud to welcome to its rolls a growing list of
women members.
The current president is Bob Curry. President Elect is Dot Stafford.
Other officers are James Baker, secretary; Michael Wyles, treasurer;
Kevin LaStrapes, community service and youth leadership; Oscar Saenz,
club service; Victor Thompson, vocational service; Ken Winkles, Jr.,
international service.
The main fund raisers for the Rotary Club to help finance their many
community and international projects include briskets at Christmas, a
July golf tournament, pancake breakfast at the Fall Fair and the Golden
Girl pageant. Proceeds from the pageant are donated to the West of the
Pecos Museum. For the second year there will be a public shrimp feast on
April 26.
The club last year teamed up with the Pecos High School shop class who
built a gazebo for the Golden Girl pageant. The club painted the gazebo
and new stores and maintains it.
Texas-New Mexico Power Company's reliable service has helped customers
take electricity for granted, but the company is committed to doing more
than delivering dependable electricity. "We want to be an important part
of the communities we serve," says Pauline Moore, TNP business unit
manager. "In fact, our company has made that part of its mission
statement."
In Pecos, becoming a part of the community starts with the local office
and the people who work there. While many utilities in Texas have closed
community offices and consolidated operations in major population
centers, TNP has made the decision to provide the service level only
possible with a local office.
The company's Community Affairs programs also help TNP take an active
role in Pecos. These programs include student scholarships and mini
grants for teachers. The scholarships, awarded annually to high school
seniors, may be used at the junior college, college or university of
their choice. The teacher mini-grants assist K-8 classroom teachers in
math, science and energy education.
Another community-focused program is Customer Connection, which uses
money donated by its employees and shareholders, along with customer
contributions, to fund worthy community-based initiatives. TNP will
match donations up to $100,000 annually. "Our customers are able to
nominate and be involved in determining which projects receive funding.
We'd like to see 100 percent involvement from all of our communities,"
Moore said.
This year, TNP has awarded Customer Connection grants to various
programs in the Pecos area, including a $5,000 matching grant for
playground equipment for the Wickett County Park.
One of the newest additions to TNP's community programs is its Community
Coach. This 25-foot-long traveling exhibit space is available for
community programs at area fairs, festivals and other public gatherings.
TNP also has several programs in place to help customers make the most
of their energy usage. From specialized billing and reporting to
assistance in design and construction, TNP's services extend far beyond
electrical power.
While TNP's service focus is rooted in tradition, the company has taken
the lead in responding to changes in the industry. One of those changes
is the nationwide trend toward greater competition in the industry. In
May of last year, TNP became the first Texas utility to embrace
competition when it filed a plan called "Community Choice" with the
Public Utility Commission of Texas. That plan was withdrawn in November,
but TNP is continuing to work with community leaders to determine how
competition can benefit customers.
TNP provides community-based electric service to 85 cities and more than
218,000 customers in Texas and New Mexico.
For more information about programs and services, visit TNP's local
office at 424 South Cypress, or call 445-4501.
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. Neither these AP
Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for
personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for
any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the
transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages
arising from any of the foregoing.
_
Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@bitstreet.com