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Use "FIND" option on toolbar to search for a specific word or string. TOP STORIESOctober 3, 1997
Eighth-grade students prepare for future careersBy JON FULBRIGHT Staff Writer PECOS, October 3, 1997 - Jump ropes, time clocks, paddle balls and resumes don't seem like items that fit together in one category. But all are part of the career investigation program which students are Crockett Eighth Grade Middle School are participating in again this year. "The kids are discovering their aptitudes. They're finding out what they're good in," said Crockett teacher Kim Calhoun, one of the teachers involved with the class. "It teaches them 'Who am I?' 'Where am I going?' and 'How do I get there?' through self-awareness." She said the class is designed to improve decision making and set a course for a possible career after the students get out of school, but added, "They're not necessarily going to make their minds up now, but this helps get them to fulfill their interests." The program includes an 'interest inventory assessment' both at the beginning and end of the semester. "We do one at the start and another at the end to see how their interests have changed," she said. "They may have thought they wanted to be a doctor, and now they want to be an attorney." The students go through 'aptitude discovery' early in the program, which includes both physical and mental tests. "Somebody with good finger dexterity might be good at typing or fixing bikes, while some others may have an aptitude in math," Calhoun said. The program also gives the eighth graders 'jobs' to do within their class during the school year. "It's set up like a business, with on-job skills," she said. "You learn to do applications and resumes, and when you get your job, you learn about salaries." Students 'clock in' during the day, and a payroll clerk hands out the salaries in play money. "The kids have to clock in and clock out, and learn to calculate their hourly wages," Calhoun said. Salary levels are based on the job level the student attains during the course of the semester. "There's different pay for different jobs. In order to move up to a higher pay level, you have to do a successful job interview," she said. As part of the program, students have taken tours of the Anchor West plant, as well as both local banks and have visited with veterinarian Dr. Ronald Box and with Mary Barfield of the West of the Pecos Museum, where some students in last year's career investigations class did volunteer work. While helping students look towards a future career, the career investigation class also is designed to help them prepare for next year, when they'll be moving up the street to Pecos High School. "We work on how to plan a four-year schedule in high school," Calhoun said. "Mrs. (PHS Career Planning Coordinator Michelle) Workman comes over and is real helpful and (Crockett teacher) Nancy Twining also comes in, and together they teach grade requirements."
Newspapers oppose lawsrestricting access to reportsFrom Staff and AP wire reports AUSTIN, October 3, 1997 - Two newspaper groups - one representing Texas' daily newspapers and the other the state's weekly newspapers - have asked the Texas Department of Public Safety for reports on two accidents that occurred last month. What sounds like a rather routine event on Thursday was the latest step by the Texas Daily Newspaper Association and the Texas Press Association in their fight against a new state law restricting access to traffic accident reports. The DPS has agreed to turn the request over to Attorney General Dan Morales for an official opinion on the new law. But a spokesman for the attorney general said a prompt ruling may not be forthcoming since the newspapers have already filed a lawsuit over the issue. "Our general policy is we don't issue rulings until the litigation is completed," spokesman Ward Tisdale said. "We'd have to review it first." One section of a law passed earlier this year by the Legislature requires that anyone seeking access to a traffic accident report know the name of at least one person involved, as well as the date or location of the accident. Responding to a lawsuit by the newspaper groups, a state district judge in Austin has issued an injunction temporarily blocking enforcement of that provision. A DPS interoffice memorandum from Asst. Chief Charles Graham in Austin issued yesterday instructs DPS offices that all information about motor vehicle traffic accidents can be released except personal information about survivors such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, driver license numbers, Social Security Numbers and medical information. The memo goes on to say that personal information may be released about deceased traffic accident victims. Information about the time, place or other general circumstaces of an accident should also be made public, the memo said.
Man arrested on aggravated sexual assault chargePECOS, October 3, 1997 - A man wanted for aggravated sexual assault has brought to justice thanks to a crimestoppers tip. Felix Ornelas, Jr., otherwise known as "Nunie" has been arrested in Midland and is awaiting transfer back to Pecos today. "Reeves County Sheriff's Department officials are on their way to Midland to transport him back here," said Pecos Police Department Investigator Kelly Davis. An anonymous tip to Crimestoppers resulted in the arrest of Ornelas. A reward was being offered by Crimestoppers and the FBI had been called in to help with the aggravated sexual assault case, according to Davis. Midland Police, who had been advised by Pecos Police to be on the lookout for Ornelas, arrested him not even two minutes after Pecos Police called them, according to Davis. Aggravated sexual assault is a first degree felony. "Hopefully, justice will be done in this case," said Davis, who earlier had stated that this was a "very serious matter that officials had been working hard to solve." Schools get spooky for HalloweenPECOS, October 3, 1997 - Things are already beginning to get spooky with several events planned by the schools for Halloween. Pecos Elementary is planning a community-wide Halloween carnival for Oct. 30 at the Reeves County Civic Center. Each class at the school will have a booth, as will other campuses that wish to participate. The Pecos Elementary Parent Teacher Organization will have a "Spook House." School aides, with help from parents and other volunteers, will also be serving enchilada dinners at the carnival again this year. The enchilada supper will be from 5 to 9 p.m. The carnival will be from 6-9 p.m., all at the civic center. Proceeds from the carnival will go toward new books for the school library classroom supplies and books, and school materials and equipment. Barstow Elementary School will be celebrating "spook night" a little bit earlier. The school has scheduled a Halloween Carnival for Saturday, Oct. 25. Everyone in the community is invited to participate. An enchilada supper will be held from 5-8 p.m. while the carnival will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. The enchilada sale will be held in the school cafeteria and tickets are $3.50 for adults and $1.75 for children. Ham and turkey drawings will held, a cake walk and lots of games and prizes will be a part of the evening's festivities. A haunted house will be set and a concession stand open offering a variety of treats.
Judge denies writer access toinformation on sheriff's drug arrestBy PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer PECOS, October 3, 1997 - Alpine writer Jack McNamara said today he will not appeal a federal judge's decision to deny him access to records pertaining to the investigation, arrest and conviction of a sheriff and his drug-dealing partner. "I want to get back to my writing about this instead of litigating it," said McNamara, who filed a Freeedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of Justice and sued when he was denied the records. Representing himself, McNamara twice argued his case before Judge Furgeson in Pecos, the last time on July 18. Judge Furgeson commended McNamara for his work, but nevertheless granted the government's motion for summary judgment. "Your final judgment failed to address many issues raised by this case," McNamara told the judge in a letter outlining what he believes are the court's errors. Furgeson ruled that McNamara's request falls outside the core purpose of FOIA, which was meant to give citizens a window on the workings of their government. The Act is not intended to serve as a mechanism for obtaining private information on a private individual, the judge ruled. Former Presidio County Sheriff Rick Thompson, who was sentenced to life in prison for his part in smuggling more than a ton of cocaine across the Rio Grande in December, 1991, retains his right to privacy, Judge Furgeson said. His partner, Robert Chambers, is serving a 22-year prison sentence, reduced from life for his cooperation after his arrest. "To men and women in law enforcement, it is a dark day when one of their own goes bad," Judge Furgeson said in the background statement filed with his ruling. "Such was the case with long time Presidio County Cheriff Richard (Rick) Dee Thompson. On the morning of December 4, 1991, after receiving a tip from an informant, law enforcement officials seized a horse trailer containing 2,241 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1 billion. This was the biggest drug bust in West Texas history to date. "The horse trailer, which was parked at the Presidio County Fairgrounds, belonged to the Presidio County Sheriff's Office. As soon as news of the seizure became public, (Thompson) called a news conference, during which he announced that he himself had placed the drugs in the trailer in preparation for a reverse sting operation. "What Thompson did not know was that he had been under surveillance by federal counter-narcotics agents for sevral months. Evidence had been collected on Thompson's involvement not only in that haul, but in several others in the preceding months..." McNamara claims in his letter that Thompson's involvement dated back to 1986 when he admitted taking payoffs from Chambers. It was that partnership that McNamara sought records on, and Chambers' ties to Border Patrol Agent Wayne Wiemers, who had signed him up as a confidential informant.
AREA NEWS ROUND-UPThe Fort Stockton PioneerFORT STOCKTON, Oct. 2, 1997 - Seeking guidance and input from the community at-large, the Fort Stockton Independent School District's Board of Trustees will turn to the citizens of Fort Stockton as they consider a multi-million-dollar capital improvements program. As reported last week, there is debate - both within the school board and throughout the community - over sending a nearly $18.2-million bond issue to district voters.
The Big Bend SentinelMARFA, Oct. 2, 1997 - The 11th Annual Chinati Foundation Open House is set for this weekend in Marfa. The Open House will be hosted both by the art foundation and the newly formed Judd Foundation. Marfa High School senior Sarah Fellows was crowned 1997 MHS Homecoming Queen at Friday's football game. Her escort was her father, Robert Fellows.
The Alpine AvalancheALPINE, Oct. 2, 1997 - The 52nd Annual Sul Ross State University National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Rodeo is scheduled for this weekend. The top cowboys and cowgirls in NIRA's Southwestern Region will be riding for prize money and points Thursday-Saturday in the Sul Ross San Antonio Livestock Show Equine Center Arena.
The International, Presidio PaperPRESIDIO, Oct. 2, 1997 - A mural by a Presidio artist celebrating the official arrival of Christianity to "La junta de los rios" over 300 years ago will be blessed during this year's Santa Teresa de Jesus Catholic Church Fall Fiesta scheduled for Oct. 18 in Presidio. The fiesta, held by parishioners each October, commemorates the day in late 1683 when the Spanish church authorities in El Paso granted a request by a visiting delegation of various La Junta pueblo Indians, the Jumanos, months earlier and sent priests to minister here.
The Sanderson TimesSANDERSON, Oct. 2, 1997 - The Terrell County Independent School District board of trustees adopted a tax rate of $1.1464 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operation and $.0436 per $100 valuation for interest and sinking. The total tax rate last year was $1.34 per $100 valuation.
The Monahans NewsMONAHANS, Oct. 2, 1997 - The Monahans Economic Development Corp. Board signed off on an agreement with M.M. Reif & Co. Monday afternoon, Sept. 29, during its meeting at City Hall, bringing to a close months of negotiations. According to the agreement, the tax-supported corporation will be placing a $238,000 grant in an escrow account at First National Bank in return for Reif's purchase of the city-owned Camelot Building. In what is being treated as a formality, Reif will purchase the building for $170,000 at a public auction at City Hall at 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2.
OBITUARIESMyrtle GriffithMyrtle Griffith, 64, died Thursday, Oct. 2, 1997, in Pecos. Services will be held at a later date in Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott, Ariz. Griffith was born July 12, 1933, in Bowman, N.D., was a retired aide in a nursing home, had lived in Pecos four years and was a member of North Temple Baptist Church. Survivors include: one brother, Harry Robert Farwell of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two sisters, Phyliss Irene York of El Paso and Caroline Orr of Pecos. Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Joseph StrainJoseph Strain, 19, died in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 2, 1997, at the Reeves County Hospital. A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, at the Pecos Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct 4., at St. Catherine's Catholic Church with Father Antonio Mena officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. He was born July 29, 1978, in Pecos, was a student, a lifelong Pecos resident and a Catholic. Survivors include: his parents Rosemary and Edward Strain of Pecos; two brothers, Edward Strain, Jr. and Johnny Strain of Pecos; two sisters, Tammy Popell of Abilene and Theresa Strain of Pecos. Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
WEATHERPECOS, October 3, 1997 - High Thursday, 93, low this morning, 60.
Pecos Enterprise
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