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

TOP STORIES

Thursday, January 15, 1998

Andris resigns as hospital's administrator

By GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

Terry Andris, interim administrator at the Reeves County
Hospital, has resigned effective next month in order to take
a job in South Central Texas.

Andris turned in his resignation on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and
stated his primary reason for resigning was to accept a job
offer from The Seton Network. He said the senior position he
was offered is with regulatory services and will be based in
Burnet, in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin.

"We're very sorry to lose him," said Jeannette Alligood,
president of the Board of Directors of Reeves County
Hospital District. "He has been a very effective
administrator and helped us through a very difficult time."

Andris said that his decision to accept the offer from Seton
Network was compounded by his wife's decision to resign from
her job at Sweet Success in Dallas and join him in Austin.

"I have never been treated better than here in Pecos. It
(the resignation) has nothing to do with the hospital,"
Andris said.

Andris was named interim administrator in 1996, after the
Reeves County Hospital District board agreed to affiliate
with Lubbock Methodist Hospital's regional health care
system.

Alligood said that Lubbock Methodist would provide for a
professional administrator to fill the soon-to-be vacated
position and was currently looking at several possible
candidates.

"That's one of the benefits of the Lubbock-Methodist
contract," said Alligood.

The most probable course of action at this point, according
to Alligood, would be the appointment of an interim
administrator to enable a more thorough examination of the
applicants.

Andris' resignation is effective as of February 10, 1998.

Appraisal board selects new officers

By GREG HARMAN
Staff Writer

A new board of directors for the Reeves County Appraisal
District, which including a new members and several
re-appointments, was sworn in Wednesday night, and the
annual election of officers was held.

Remarking on the absence of four members, County
Court-at-Law Judge Lee S. Green joked that he didn't need to
swear in the group as a whole but could "drag this out for
days."

Chief Appraiser Carol King Markham, who was at an Odessa
hospital for medical tests, sent her apologies for not being
able to attend the meeting.

Returning members sworn in at last night's meeting include
Valera Gatewood, Brenda McKinney, Raymond Ortega, Helen
Humphries, Marlow Summitt, Hugh Box and Linda Gholson.
Elfida Zuniga was the only new member present at the
ceremony.

Four members were absent at the meeting, including returning
members Paul Ward and Frank Perea, and new members Nancy
Petty and Raul Garcia. These four will be sworn into office
at a later date.

The election of officers went off without a hitch as
Gatewood was named chairman, McKinney was named
vice-chairman, and Gholson was named secretary.

The board also appointed Robert McNutt to the appraisal
review board as a replacement for Jesse Stevens. The
three-member board will review appeals of property and
mineral appraisals in June.

After the approval of both the minutes from the July 9, 1997
meeting, and expenses and balances for July, August and
September of 1997 -- which indicated a surplus of $23,000
for the quarter -- the board heard from Texas Municipal
League representative Thomas Taylor.

Taylor presented the board with a quote for the TML's
Intergovernmental Risk Pool insurance rates and compared
those rates with the Appraisal District's current coverage
through Pecos Insurance Agency.

TML's offer underbid the current provider, according to
Taylor's figures, by a total of $1,612. "That's a 41 percent
difference," he said, adding that his company's bid is good
for 120 days and, if accepted, would not increase for at
least 12 months.

According to Taylor, TML's Intergovernmental Risk Pool could
provide the district with insurance for $2,310 a year. The
current line of coverage costs the district $3,922 per year.

Roy D. Prewit, representing Pecos Insurance Agency, said his
company could not compete with TML's quote. "I understand
you have watchdogs watching over you and you must take the
least expensive," Prewit said.

Prewit also asked for and received permission from the board
to present another bid at a future date. Taylor asked that
he be informed of this possible future meeting so that he
may be present.

No action was taken on Taylor's bid.

Dick Alligood, owner of Allcomm Long Distance in Pecos,
presented a bid for replacing the district's telephone
system. Alligood said that the phone system currently in use
was "old and archaic," and warned the board that replacement
parts were getting hard to find, leading to more expensive
repair costs.

The Allcomm bid of $1,734.18 for a five-phone system, was
"probably in the ballpark of any other company," according
to Alligood.

Since the replacement system was for a government agency,
they were allowed a governmental discount, said Alligood.
He added that the parts were backed by the manufacturer with
a three-year warranty.

While Alligood's final recommendation to the board was that
they replace their current phone system within the next thee
months, no action was taken on the telephone system proposal.

In closing, the board was informed that the LBO Energy
lawsuit had been settled. As the final act of the meeting
the board voted to reimburse Markham for the out-of-pocket
money she spent on thank-you flowers for the attorney's who
handled the case for the district. The total was just under
$130.

The next meeting of Reeves County Appraisal District was set
for Wednesday, April 8, 1998.

I-10 accident kills two near Reeves-Pecos line

By CARA ALLIGOOD
Staff Writer

Two San Antonio residents were killed in an accident early
Wednesday morning on Interstate 10 between Fort Stockton and
Balmorhea.

The fatal accident occurred at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday near the
Reeves-Pecos County line, at mile marker 228 on I-10,
according to the Department of Publac Safety accident report.

A 1994 Ford pickup was westbound on I-10 when the driver ran
off the left side of the roadway, overcorrected, and rolled
three to four times. A passenger in the truck was ejected.

Both the driver, Jacque Braddock, 38, of San Antonio, and
passenger, Patrick Braddock, 40, also of San Antonio, were
pronounced dead at the scene by Pecos County Justice of the
Peace Robert Gonzales. Their bodies were taken to Fort
Stockton Funeral Home and their next-of-kin were notified.

The driver had been wearing her seat belt, while the
passenger was not wearing a seat belt when the rollover
occurred, according to DPS trooper Joe Rochelle of Fort
Stockton, who investigated the accident.

Stock show weigh-ins set for today

Weigh-ins for the 1998 Reeves-Loving County Junior Livestock
Show and Sale was scheduled to get underway this afternoon
at the Reeves County Civic Center.

Sheep, goat and swine weigh-in will be held from 4:30 to 7
p.m. at the Reeves County Civic Center, while steer weigh-in
will take place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. at the 4-H Complex
south of Interstate 20. Steers need to be in the Civic
Center Show Barn by 6 p.m.

The goat show begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the
steer show at 5:30 p.m. and the lamb show at 6:30 p.m. The
swine show begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

A barbecue in conjunction with the livestock show will take
place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday and run until 6:45 p.m.
Tickets for the barbecue cost $5 per adult, $3 per child,
and may be purchased in advance from any FFA or 4-H member.
The event closes with a premium sale starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday.

Jury quick to convict in marijuana case

By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

Legal issues in the marijuana possession trial of Ricky Lynn
Alexander Wednesday were "most interesting," but there was
not a great deal of controversy in the facts, said Senior
U.S. District Judge Lucius Bunton after the jury returned a
"guilty" verdict in under 10 minutes.

Not only did the jury decide quickly, they wasted no time in
writing a note to the judge. "Ready," was the only word on
the note.

"I don't know whether it is just great minds running in the
same channel," Judge Bunton said. "Until yesterday I had
never received a note from a jury returning a verdict just
using one word - ready. Today is the second time," he said.

Alexander, 37, of Dallas, was stopped by Border Patrol
agents as he traveled north on a farm road toward Marfa from
the Big Bend National Park, and was unable to produce
identification. The officer who stopped him testified that
he thought it peculiar that a man from Dallas would go that
far from home with no driver's license.

One officer looked underneath the vehicle and noticed the
gas tank had been tampered with. Alexander agreed to follow
the officers to the checkpoint near Marfa, where a
drug-sniffing dog alerted to the tank.

Several bundles of marijuana were found inside the tank, the
agent said.

Alexander will be sentenced March 23, along with others who
were convicted or pleaded guilty this week. They include
Raul Roberto Carbajal, misprison of a felony; Erin Martinez,
importing marijuana; LaDonna Lea Walters and Marie Dolores
Dominguez, misprison of a felony; Minerva Jones-Garcia,
misdemeanor possession with intent to distribute marijuana;
and Oscar Armando Martinez, importing and possessing
marijuana with intent to distribute.

Judge Bunton also sentenced Andres Herrera-Olivas to 80
months in prison on each of two counts of possessing
marijuana and cocaine for distribution. The sentences will
run concurrently, with five years supervised release to
follow.

Hector Felipe Alarcon-Luna and Julio Cesar Alarcon-Luna are
on trial today for alleged marijuana possession. That will
conclude this week's docket, Judge Bunton said.

Crider lists goals as Chamber's leader

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

More community involvement and projects are just some of the
plans for the new year, according to new Chamber of Commerce
President Richard Crider.

Crider spoke at the first meeting of 1998 for the chamber's
board of directors, and his first as president of the
organization.

"People have been asking me what we have planned for the
coming year, but it's not what I want to do, it's up to
board members and I think this coming year, will include a
lot of community involvement," said Crider.

He stated that the year will be filled with participation
and receiving input from the community.

"I also want to thank all you for your time and
participation," Crider told board members. "We need to get
past the chamber board and into the community and get more
people involved."

Linda Gholson told the board that merchants are planning a
Groundhog's Day sale on Monday, Feb. 2. She added she is
hoping all the merchants will decide to participate.

"The sales usually begin early in the morning and the idea
is the earlier you get there, the better the bargain," said
Gholson.

Pauline Moore told the board the economic development
committee won't function under the chamber of commerce
anymore. "An economic development committee has been formed
with Bob Curry as president," she said.

Curry told members the committee will still be looking at
the chamber for guidance, advice and help, but will be
separate corporation.

"We want to move forward and hopefully do more things in
this coming year," he said.

Anyone that wants to be a member of the economic development
committee can do so, according to Curry.

Special guest at the meeting was Bruce Dury from the Pecos
Christian Home. Dury also works with computers and gave the
group a small presentation about possibly having an internet
expo.

He said that during the event, booths could be set up and
vendors, exhibits and providers of the service.

"I just thought this would be something interesting to
consider," he said.

Dury added that he has a lot of information on the subject
and anyone wanting to make copies or just take a look at it
can do so.

"This could be a two-day event, and hopefully we could get
everyone involved," he said.

PHA board considers community building use

Utilization of the community building at 902 E. 10th Street
will be discussed during the regular meeting of the Pecos
Housing Authority Board at 5 p.m. Friday.

The board will meet at the PHA office, 600 Meadowbrook Dr.,
to discuss the CIAP 96 bubble charts, bar charts and the
letter to residents on the order to start work on the
housing rehabilitation projects.

A letter from Ed Vaughn, architect pertaining to the
construction administration portion, and a local contact to
provide onsite observation will be discussed, along with a
letter from Steve Brewer regarding the status of the
restructuring for the Department of Housing and Urban
Development's Fort Worth (district) office of public housing.

Under unfinished business, the group will discuss the 96
CIAP and receive an update and discuss the executive
director's merits for PHA Fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1996
and Fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1997.

New business for discussion will include PHA and Farm Labor
Housing Annual report for 1997; resolution, operating budget
for fiscal year 1998; discuss disposition of excess,
salvageable and unsalvageable, equipment, materials and
personal property.

In the Farm Labor Housing portion of the meeting members
will discuss transferral of funds from reserve and security
accounts to the operating account; discuss up-to-date and
pending repairs/expenses and discuss computer program and
other upgrading options.

In regular business the group will discuss:

* Monthly financial statement.

* Monthly accounts payable, Jan. 1998.

* Monthly occupancy status report, Jan. 1998.

* Rent roll and cash journal, Jan. 1998.

* Monthly income and expense report (PHA & CIAP 96).

POLICE REPORT

EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the
Police Report is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos
Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office, or other
officers of those agencies.

The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines
of either traffic citations, animal control violations or
other court costs are considered arrests and will be printed
as such unless indicated that the fines were paid. In such
instances we will indicate payment and release.

***
Angel Anchondo, 21, 7000 Titan, was arrested at 10:45 a.m.
Jan. 9 on an outstanding warrant after turning himself in.

***

A 1989 Jeep Wrangler, white with a soft gray top, was
reported stolen from the Reeves County Civic Center parking
lot at 12:45 a.m. Jan. 10. It was recovered later with
damage to the dashboard, a subsequent report showed.

***

Manuel Florez, 55, 211 S. Cherry St., was arrested at 8:31
p.m. Jan. 9 for assault under the Family Violence Act, a
Class C misdemeanor.

***

At 3 p.m. Jan. 7, a stolen, tan Ford van from Mesa, Ariz.
was found between mile markers 41 and 42 on the eastbound
service road of I-20.

***

Vianca Mendoza, 19, Balmorhea, was arrested at 1:40 a.m.
Jan. 1 for disorderly conduct.

***

Paul Anthony Cunningham, 58, El Paso, was arrested at 1:32
a.m. Jan. 14 for reckless driving and possession of Valium.

***

Robert Hinojoz Ramirez, 17, 806 S. Walnut St., was arrested
at 7:10 p.m. Jan. 7 on a warrant for theft over $50 but
under $500.

***

Jimmy Valdez Ortiz, 33, 724 S. Walnut St., was arrested at
5:30 p.m. Jan. 7 on a warrant for theft over $50 but less
than $500.

***

Saury Garcia, 18, 508 S. Pecan St., was arrested at 10:58
p.m. Jan. 8 in the 1100 block of S. Mesquite for public
intoxication.

***

Danny Ephriam, 49, 501 E. Second St., was arrested at 1 a.m.
Jan 9 at Flying J on a warrant for contempt of court.

***

Ramiro Ramirez Contreraz, 23, Balmorhea, was arrested at
3:41 a.m. Jan. 9 at Yucca and Nebraska streets for public
intoxication.

***

Matthew Armendariz, 18, 401 E. "D" St., was arrested at 2:36
a.m. Jan. 14 in the 1100 block of S. Ash for evading arrest
or detention, a Class B misdemeanor.

***

Tim Sappington was arrested at 5:12 p.m. Jan. 7 in the 1400
block of S. Cypress Street for public intoxication.

***

Ignacio Suarez was arrested at 8:42 p.m. Jan. 9 at the
Circle M Bar for public intoxication.

***

Ana Barreno was arrested at 4:17 p.m. Jan. 9 at Fifth and
Mesquite streets on a warrant for class B theft.

***

Cecelio Amaya Beyna was arrested at 10:15 p.m. Jan. 9 for
assault causing bodily injury and on a warrant for a parole
violation.

***

Jesus Manuel Salgado was arrested in the early morning hours
of Jan. 10 for public intoxication.

***

Christopher Ephriam was arrested at 1:16 a.m. Jan. 10 at the
zoo in reference to a grand jury indictment for robbery.

***

Jadson Earl Ephriam was arrested at 1:16 a.m. Jan. 10 at the
zoo in reference to a grand jury indictment for robbery.

***

Osvaldo Garcia was arrested early in the morning on Jan. 10
for public intoxication.

***

Dante Lujan Cerna was arrested at 2:23 a.m. Jan. 10 for
evading arrest and theft under $50.

***

Sammuel Carrasco was arrested at 10:19 a.m. Jan. 12 in the
200 block of Arlington under the Family Violence Act.

***

Paul R. Rubio was arrested at 12:39 p.m. Jan. 13 for
possession of stolen property.

OBITUARY

Jesse Hobbs

Jesse Harlan Hobbs, 86, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998.

Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Jan.
16, at Romance Cemetery in Searcy, Ark.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Hobbs of Searcy, Ark.; two
daughters, Carolyn Hobbs, Janis Cambell; one brother, Ronnal
F. Hobbs; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

McEuen Funeral Home of Searcy, Ark., is in charge of
arrangements.

WEATHER

Clearing skies and warmer temperatures are in store across
all of Texas on Friday after another clear and chilly night.
West Texas will have fair skies at night and mostly sunny
days through Friday. It will be clear across North Texas
tonight and partly cloudy and warmer on Friday. It will be
windy in western and central sections tonight. Skies will be
clearing across South Texas tonight as high pressure moves
into the area. It will be mostly sunny and warmer on Friday.
Winds will be from the northwest at 10-20 mph and gusty
tonight, becoming southwesterly on Friday. Lows tonight will
be in the 20s and 30s in West Texas, the 30s across North
Texas, the 30s in the Hill Country and in the 40s elsewhere
in South Texas. Highs Friday will be in the 50s and 60s
except in the Big Bend area of Southwest Texas where the
mercury will climb into the 70s.



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Pecos Enterprise
Mac McKinnon, 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

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Copyright 1998 by Pecos Enterprise