Area Newspaper and Travel Guide for Reeves County, Ward County, Trans-Pecos, Big Bend of West Texas

TOP STORIES

Dec. 26, 1997

White Christmas no gift to area drivers

GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

Reeves County residents experiences their first White Christmas in 23 years, when a winter storm blew through into area just before sunset Thursday.

The heaviest snow lasted just over five hours and left about three inches of accumulation in Pecos, while in far western sections of Reeves County as much as six inches reportedly fell.

The higher totals at the Interstate 10/I-20 junction created major driving problems for travelers headed to and from El Paso, and the Department of Public Safety said this morning if you don't have to be driving today, it's probably better you didn't try it.

The DPS was discouraging travel in all directions out of Pecos this morning. In less than 24 hours, as many as 16 accidents have occurred in the area. According to dispatcher Wanda Ryan, there have been many injuries.

In Pecos, total precipitation for Christmas Day came to .2 inches, bringing the total to 10.42 inches for the year. The first snow accumulation of this winter was also the third overall for Pecos in 1997, after two snow days last January.

The worst of the accidents during the past 24 hours were reported in the higher elevations along I-10 between Balmorhea and Van Horn. Accidents continued this morning, with troopers dispatched to wrecks on either side of Gomez Peak, at the 180 and 197 mile markers.

However, while most of the accidents have taken place in that area, Ryan said other area roads are also hazardous for drivers.

Some roads may appear deceptively clear, but "black ice" is out there. Ryan warned that while there may be only a little ice on some roads, "that's what gets them." Watch bridges and overpasses.

The worst of the accidents, a van rollover at the 166 mile marker on I-10, reportedly sent four people to Culberson County Hospital in Van Horn. Ryan said other accidents Christmas Day and early this morning on I-10 occurred near mile markers 164, 165, 168, 170, 172, 173, 176, 179, 184, 185, and 202.

The flurries gave local children a rare chance to put real snowmen in their yards by Christmas night, and gave Christmas lights on homes and businesses around town a more traditional holiday background.

While snow on Christmas in West Texas is rare, it's not unprecedented. Leon McCracken, National Weather Service cooperative observer since 1969, has recorded three snows on Christmas day: the last major snow left two and a half inches on the ground in 1974, while traces of snow were reported both in 1982 and 1987.

Frank Joplin, a long-time Pecosite, remembers only three only three other times it has snowed on Christmas. "If I remember right, we had about three," he said, "One in the 30's. I guess probably in '34 . . . we had about four inches of snow."

Joplin remembered only one other for sure - around 1917 or 1918.

Roads to El Paso through Guadalupe Pass were also open, but slick today. Between 6 and 8 inches of snow reportedly fell in the Guadalupe Peak area overnight. Up to 4 inches of snow was reported in Hudspeth County while in the Panhandle, Haskell and Fisher counties each reported 2 inches of snowfall.

The forecast for West Texas calls for snow over most areas Saturday. Highs will be in the 30s. Lows will be in the teens.

Temperatures were in the teens.

The white Christmas many Texans were expecting seems to have come a day late.

In North Texas, some areas saw light snow this morning and light rain was expected to change to sleet in the south. Temperatures were in the low 30s. Winds were northerly at 5 to 15 mph.

The forecast for North Texas calls for cloudy skies Saturday with snow likely to the northwest. A total accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is expected. Highs will be in the mid 30s. Lows will dip into the teens.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Terrazas to seek treasurer's post

Terry Terrazas has filed her treasurer's designation, naming herself as treasurer, as her first step in seeking the Reeves County Treasurer's position.

The treasurer's designation is the first step before formally filing to run in either the Democratic or Republican primaries. Candidates have until next Friday, Jan. 2, to file with the local Democratic or Republican Party chairmen to run in the March 3 primary elections.

Terrazas is 38 years old, and has been married to Johnny Terrazas for 20 years.

The couple has four children, Kris, 20, Daniel, 14, Cassandra, 8 and John, 4.

Her parents are Juan and Adela Salcido of Pecos.

Terrazas grew up in Pecos. She graduated from Pecos High School in 1977 and moved to Austin.

"I returned to Pecos in 1990 and began working for Security State Bank and since July of 1992 I have been employed by Pecos High School as secretary to the vice principal," said Terrazas.

"The treasurer's office is an integral part of the operations of Reeves County," she said. "In order for Reeves County to progress all the offices must work together to better serve the citizens of the county."

"I have 14 years of banking experience, I believe I am capable of performing the duties required of the Reeves County Treasurer," said Terrazas. "I grew up in Pecos and the surrounding area and I plan to raise my children in this area."

"I look forward to working with the other county officials to make Reeves County a better place to live," said Terrazas.

Home child care providers registration near

By GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

Home child-care providers have only a matter of days to comply with new state law that requires that they register with the State of Texas and undergo a background check.

"The new law applies to people who receive compensation for the regular care of three or fewer unrelated children in their own home," said Karen Eells, deputy director for programs at the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. "The background checks are designed to ensure that no person with a criminal or substantiated child abuse history is entrusted with the care of children."

Once the background check is completed, the provider will be issued a certificate of listing with the state. The provider must pay a fee of $20 to be listed with the state.

The new law, which takes effect next Thursday, Jan. 1, was created as a result of House Bill 155 in the Texas Legislature earlier this year. It applies to persons who care for one, two or three unrelated children for four or more hours per day, three days a week, for more than nine consecutive weeks.

To find out how to comply with the new law, caregivers should contact their local Child Care Licensing office of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or call 1-800-862-5252.

High Christmas Day 38. Low this morning 27. Snow total 3 inches. Precipitation total for past 24 hours .20 inches. Total for month 1.18 inches. Total for year 10.42 inches. Tonight, decreasing clouds. Low near 20. Northwest wind 5-15 mph. Saturday, mostly sunny. High 45 50. Wind becoming west 10-15 mph.

AREA ROUNDUP

The Fort Stockton Pioneer

FORT STOCKTON, Dec. 25, 1997 - The City of Fort Stockton has elected to refinance nearly $1 million in outstanding bonds in amove that could save the city about $37,000. That decision came last week during a special meeting of the Fort Stockton City Council, which was held Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.

The Big Bend Sentinel

MARFA, Dec. 24, 1997 - A Texas public utility holding company and a global energy firm announced that their board of directors have approved plans to merge, according to a joint press release by the two companies.

The Alpine Avalanche

ALPINE, Dec. 24, 1997 - Five Sul Ross State University students were no billed by a Brewster County Grand Jury Thursday, Dec. 18, of aggravated sexual assault. Cecil R. Whitmore, 22, Abdul Jarmaine Battley, 21, Jason Dejuan Jones, 19, Robert Guster, 20 and Timothy Ray Thomas, 18 were accused of forcing an 18-year-old female to perform sexual acts in a Sept. 23 incident.

The International, Presidio Paper

PRESIDIO, Dec. 24, 1997 - The City of Presidio's finances and accounting practices aren't in good shape, according to the audit that City Council membres were presented with a couple of weeks ago by Certified Public Accountant Dan Painter of El Paso.

The Sanderson Times

SANDERSON, Dec. 24, 1997 - Three political offices in Terrell County have contests for nomination by the Democratic Party as candidates for those offices in the general election in November.

The Monahans News

MONAHANS, Dec. 24, 1997 - Friends of Monahans Sandhills State Park watched their Blooming Yucca fund drive hit its $160,000 goal the week before Christmas, reports Richard J. Hoyer, the treasurer of the Sandhills Friends board. The final $25,000 check came from the Monahans-based Dunagan Foundation.

OBITUARY

Manuela Fierro

Manuela Fierro, 84, of Pecos, died today at her residence.

A rosary will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28, at Pecos Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday at Santa Rosa Catholic Church with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.

She was born June 24, 1913, in Ojinaga, Chih., Mexico, was a homemaker and a Catholic.

Survivors include one son, Manuel Fierro of Pecos; four daughters, Maria Luisa Ramirez of Jal, N.M., Gloria Gomez of Pecos, Elisa Fierro and Mary Rangel of Ojinaga, Chih., Mexico; one brother, Florencio Rangel of Ojinaga, Chih., Mexico; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WEATHER

PECOS, Dec. 26, 1997 - High Christmas Day 38. Low this morning 27. Snow total 3 inches. Precipitation total for past 24 hours .20 inches. Total for month 1.18 inches. Total for year 10.42 inches. Tonight, decreasing clouds. Low near 20. Northwest wind 5-15 mph. Saturday, mostly sunny. High 45-50. Wind becoming west 10-15 mph.

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