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Use "FIND" option on toolbar to search for a specific word or string. TOP STORIESDecember 8, 1997
Report shows Balmorhea ISD improvingBy CARA ALLIGOOD Staff Writer PECOS, December 8, 1997 - Balmorhea ISD's Academic Excellence Indicator System report is in, and the school district is showing steady improvement, according to Superintendent Carl Lee Hoffmeyer and the majority of statistics. The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) tests that the majority of the report is based upon are the tests taken by last year's students. Balmorhea High School's Class of 1997 had a 100 percent pass rate on their exit-level TAAS testing. Balmorhea ISD currently has the accreditation status of academically acceptable. "We're not where we want to be at, but there is definitely improvement from year to year," said Hoffmeyer. "I can't take credit for that, it is due to the work of Jim Haynes and the staff here." Haynes is the former superintendent of Balmorhea ISD, who held the position for about three and a half years before Hoffmeyer came on board. Hoffmeyer has been the district's superintendent since July. "We want to be a recognized campus, and we're almost there," said Hoffmeyer, who is most proud of the overall growth that the report indicates. He predicts that most, if not all, of the class of '98 will pass their exit-level TAAS tests. Hoffmeyer believes that the future looks bright for school children enrolled in the Balmorhea Independent School District. "Because of the emphasis on instruction Mr. Haynes had, the children in the lower grades are starting out well, and that is a trend I think will continue," Hoffmeyer said. Balmorhea ISD TAAS passing percentages: Third grade: Reading - 1996, 86.7%; 1997, 71.4% Math - 1996, 60.0%; 1997, 71.4% All tests - 1996, 60.0%; 1997, 60.0% Fourth grade: Reading - 1996, 38.4%; 1997, 68.8% Writing - 1996, 90.8%; 1997, 87.5% Math - 1996, 18.2%; 1997, 73.3% All tests - 1996, 18.2%; 1997, 68.8% Fifth grade: Reading - 1996, 60%; 1997, 45.5% Math - 1996, 50.0%; 1997, 63.6% All tests - 1996, 50.0%, 1997, 45.5% Sixth grade: Reading - 1996, 50.0%; 1997, 60.0% Math - 1996, 57.1%; 1997, 77.8% All tests - 1996, 60.0%; 1997, 60.0% Seventh grade: Reading - 1996, 87.5%; 1997, 73.3% Math - 1996, 68.8%; 1997, 53.3% All tests - 1996, 68.8%; 1997, 63.3% Eighth grade: Reading - 1996, 76.9%; 1997, 88.9% Writing - 1996, 84.6%; 1997, 88.9% Math - 1996, 84.6%; 1997, 88.9% Science - 1996, 76.9%; 1997, 94.4% Social Studies - 1996, 84.8%; 1997, 72.2% All tests - 1996, 69.2%; 1997, 66.7% Tenth grade: Reading - 1996, 78.6%; 1997, 81.8% Writing - 1996, 100.0%; 1997, 100.0% Math - 1996, 71.4%; 1997, 72.7% The TAAS cumulative pass rate on the exit-level exam for the class of 1996 was 89.5 percent, while the class of 1997 had a 100 percent pass rate. According to the AEIS report, Balmorhea ISD spent $9,156 per pupil to educate their students, while the average for the state of Texas was $5,282 per pupil. There were 236 students enrolled in the district. The AEIS report was produced by the Texas Education Agency, Division of Performance Reporting, Office of Policy Planning and Research. Balmorhea officials will discuss the report at their December school board meeting Thursday, Dec. 11. The agenda for that meeting will be printed in the Pecos Enterprise when it becomes available.
Carrasco seeks J.P. 3PECOS, December 8, 1997 - A new candidate has entered the race for Reeves County Justice of the Peace, Precinct Three. Rosendo Carrasco, who filed with the county clerk's office last week, is seeking the office of Justice of the Peace for Precinct Three. Carrasco, a life-long resident of Balmorhea, promised to be available if elected to office. He has run the Carrasco grocery for 27 years and said he plans to set up his office in the back of his store which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. "The people know me. They know I'll do a good job," he said. "I will be available 24 hours a day." Lamar students shine in academic competitionBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, December 8, 1997 - Some Lamar Middle School students made their school proud this weekend at UIL academic competition. The students traveled to Fort Stockton to compete against several area middle schools. In general math, K.W. Winkles placed second, with Alexandria Martinez taking fourth place, Bethany Evins, fifth place and Sarah McKinney in ninth place. In the science portion of the contest, Dustin Gulihur took fifth place and Jonathan Martinez placed seventh. The math team brought home a second place trophy as did the science team. "I want to recognize all the students that went, not just those that placed," said Principal Gome Olibas. Olibas stated that he is proud of all the students, because of their extra efforts and the hard work they put in. Sponsors for the event are Oscar Guerrero, Martha Ricketson and Dick Hamilton. "They made the school proud," said Hamilton. "They did really good," said Ricketson. Ricketson explained that the materials the students work on are above-level materials. "This material is harder and it's above their grade level, so what they did is really great," she said. The students practice every day before and after school, according to Ricketson. The students plan to attend other competitions scheduled for later during this school year. "We plan to work even harder for the others coming up, because they will be really tough," said Ricketson. The school started attending UIL competition three years ago, in an effort to prepare them for high school UIL competition. "These students work really hard and we're very proud of them," said Olibas.
Faith strengthened at weekend retreatBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, December 8, 1997 - Miracle healings and prophetic words have long been associated with evangelical splinter-churches, and the image of staged television healings by big name evangelists has soured many to the possibility of such occurrences. But since what has become known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the quiet practice of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (including the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick) has become more and more common inside Catholic churches. Those who attended this weekend's bilingual conference on healing, sponsored by Santa Rosa Church and held Friday through Sunday at Reeves County Civic Center, received the instruction and encouragement of international speakers Fr. Juan Santillan, Barbara Shlemon Ryan and Frank Arriero. The message of healing presented at the conference was not only directed at matters of physiology, but for emotional and spiritual disorders also, said Ryan, President of Be-Loved Ministry. Ryan, who came all the way from Los Angeles for the conference and has traveled as far as India presenting the message of God's love in action, said Sunday morning that many people had a harsh image of God that needed to be healed. She said that most people she met who had serious illnesses felt that it was God getting even with them. "But, that's not the message of the New Testament," she said. Ryan said she realized that miracles still happen while she was working as a nurse and saw a patient who was dying of cirrhosis of the liver recover after being prayed over and given the sacrament of anointing the sick by a priest. When the man was released from the hospital with a "new" liver, she knew there was more to her faith and began to study the Bible. "People want an experience of God that tells them that God is real," she said. "People here (in Pecos) are very, very devout . . . I will take home all the warm feelings of love from the people." Ryan left to catch her flight home before the final healing mass. Late Sunday afternoon, after taking communion, several attendees stood and testified to healings they received at the weekend conference. Healings over illnesses of mind and body were declared and the priests came forward to pray and lay hands on those in need. Over half the audience came forward to receive a blessing and participate in the strengthening of their faith.
Martinez, RCDC employee of monthPECOS, December 8, 1997 - Martinez chosen RCDC employee of December Joe Martinez has been selected as Reeves County Detention Center Employee of the Month for December 1997. Martinez began his employment at the RCDC in August of last year. As Correctional Officer Martinez is responsible for the custody and control of all inmates within his duty station and is required to perform other duties that are critical to the security of the RCDC. "Joe is very dedicated, responsible and hard working," said Rudy Franco, RCDC Warden. "His mechanical knowledge and his ability and willingness to assist with the service of the perimeter vehicles has earned him this honor.
OBITUARYClarence MountClarence Mount, 95, died Thursday, Dec. 4, at Odessa Medical Center, in Odessa. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8, at Mount Evergreen Cemetery with Les Woodward officiating. Mount was born Dec. 10, 1901, in Big Spring, was a U.S. Navy WWII Veteran, a lifelong Pecos resident and a member of the First Christian Church. He was a member of the Pecos Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years and a member of the VFW and Mason Lodge. Survivors include: two sons, Tommy Mount of Midland and Robert Eral Mount of Round Rock; and five grandchildren. Pecos Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
WEATHERPECOS, December 8, 1997 - High Sunday, 67, low this morning, 49. Rainfall over the weekend totaled 0.17 of an inch bringing the total precipitation for the month to 0.19 of an inch and the year-to-date total to 9.43 inches. Strong thunderstorms roared across eastern areas of Harris County, leaving more than 16,000 homes without electricity. No one was injured, but some roofs were damaged by high winds accompanying the thunderstorms, authorities said. A wind advisory was in effect today across extreme Southwest Texas, the Panhandle, South Plains, Permian Basin and upper Trans Pecos. It will be clear to partly cloudy across West Texas through tonight and partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of rain on Tuesday. Lows tonight will be in the 20s and 30s in West Texas. Highs Tuesday will be in the 40s in the Panhandle and in the 50s and 60s across the rest of West Texas.
Pecos Enterprise
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