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TOP STORIESApril 10, 1998Transportation of waste impacts PecosBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, April 10, 1998 - With one facility devoted to the storage of radioactive waste on the verge of opening in Carlsbad, N.M., and another nearing the primary stages of construction at Sierra Blanca, Tex., the transportation of radioactive waste, a byproduct of military, energy and medical development, is now much closer to impacting Pecos residents. Unless legislation is enacted to route radioactive waste around Pecos, trucks carrying shipments of varying levels of waste will be driving through town on U.S. Highway 285 and though the south part of town on Interstate 20. Citizen and political action groups continue to raise concerns regarding the transport and storage of these wastes and the Reeves County Commissioners are no exception. In a letter recently drafted to the U.S. Air Force concerning the proposal to conduct low-level bomber training over much of the county, Reeves County Commissioners stated, "We are particularly concerned about the surprise and wind force effect upon trucks moving radioactive wastes and toxic wastes on Interstate 10 and Interstate 20 and on U.S. Highway 285." According to a spokesman for Department of Energy in Carlsbad, these interstates will be the official transport routes unless the state of Texas designates other routes in its next legislative session. TxDOT Public Information Officer Glen Larum said that it wouldn't necessarily take a state order to open alternative routes for waste around Pecos. If Congressman Bonilla could get Department of Energy funding to build an alternative hazardous/nuclear route around Pecos, the Department of Transportation "would not object" to its construction, he said. "I would be more concerned about waste going to the WIPP site than Sierra Blanca," he said, "Any waste moving from Interstate 20 (to Carlsbad on US 285) would be routed directly through town." TxDOT's Pecos Area Engineer Doug Eichorst II has been studying county roads around Pecos in the hopes of finding a alternative route. However, he said he found the county roads to have too few travelers to qualify as possible state routes for hazardous/radioactive material. At least 250 vehicles must travel on a road per day before the state can be responcible for the road. To appease concerned New Mexicans, the U.S. Department of Energy gave the state of New Mexico $120 million, most of which, will go towards the construction of special roads for the debated transportation of waste. Specifically, officials from the city of Santa Fe, N.M., the state's Highway and Transportation Department and U.S. Department of Energy recently developed an alternate route for shipping defense-generated transuranic waste around the city of Santa Fe. "It's a good agreement that acknowledges the safety concerns of the citizens of Santa Fe," said Santa Fe Mayor Larry Delgado, "I think it will work." The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) outside Carlsbad will begin receiving waste, mostly plutonium-contaminated materials, on or about June 1, according to Department of Energy officials. After the Environmental Protection Agency determines whether or not the facility meets federal nuclear waste disposal standards and the Energy Secretary makes his decision, waste may begin entering WIPP along U.S. 285 from the rest of the country after 30 days. Will there be special routes to route around Pecos? A recently passed federal highway reauthorization bill, which provides almost $400 billion for national highway and transportation funding, and $10.8 billion for Texas developments alone, makes no promises. While the Senate bill carries no stipulations, the House version is literally packed with special provisions. But, according to Information Officer Larum, none of these provisions will affect anything in TxDOT's entire Odessa district, which includes Reeves and 11 other West Texas counties. No specific help will be coming from Senator Gramm's office, according to Gramm spokesperson Larry Neal. "We intend to support Texas projects -not direct them." Constructing a safer route around Pecos, he said, is a "matter for the Texas Department of Transportation to decide." The bill that will allow Vermont and Maine to ship their low-level radioactive waste for storage in Texas was passed by "unanimous consent" by the U.S. Senate late Wednesday night, April 1. The compact is now expected to be re-routed through the legislative process, stripped of the amendments that restrict it to a tri-state compact, increasing the chances of Sierra Blanca becoming a national dump. The state's dump-site of choice, located in Hudspeth County near Sierra Blanca, is one step closer to receiving interstate waste. Recent protests in Juarez, Mexico, that found thousands marching in opposition to the site's proposed location, brought concerns such as the seismic activity of the Sierra Blanca region and its proximity to an international boundary and the Rio Brava River, to public attention. According to Bill Addington, Sierra Blanca Legal Defense Fund spokesperson, part of the waste scheduled to run the long highway from Maine to West Texas is a 1,000 ton reactor which emits 4.2 million curries of radioactivity and is endowed with a half-life of 250,000 years. "The Nuclear Regulatory Committee re-classified it for transport," said Addington. The compact agreement, supported by the three state governors and U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Phil Gramm, is now on its way to a "House-Senate conference," said Dana Perino spokesperson for the House Energy and Power Subcommittee. The bill's original language, which gave the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority the authority to open the dump for waste from non-compact states, is expected to be restored by stripping the amendments, named after their House and Senate sponsors Doggett and Wellstone, respectively. Senator Olympia Snowe, of Maine, has expressed interest in storing her state's waste at South Carolina's closer Barnwell site and renting Maine's space to another state. "The hand in power of Texas Utilities and Houston Lighting and Power," said Pecos resident-turned-activist Clark Lindley, "is evident in the efforts of the political proponents of the compact bill." The politicians, Lindley complained, continually represent the interests of the large metropolitan cities and "repeatedly pass laws that make rural areas subservient to the interests of the cities." Lobbyists representing both nuclear utility companies have been actively supporting the Sierra Blanca site at the state legislative hearings which began on January 21, 1998, and have been held in Sierra Blanca, Marfa, Austin and El Paso. The Texas Legislature will make the final decision regarding the location of the dump when if reconvenes in January, 1999. The Sierra Blanca site would ultimately house radioactive components from dismantled nuclear power plants, industrial and medical waste. The proposed facility may take in as much as 45,000 to 50,000 cubic feet of waste annually over a projected 30-year lifespan. The states of Maine and Vermont have agreed to spend $25 million each to construct the facility. The State of Texas would thereafter assume responsibility for the maintenance, repair and clean-up costs of the low-level waste dump. Radiation: watch the labelsBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, April 10, 1998 - Radiation carries a particular stigma. Like natural gas, it is odorless, tasteless, and unless you have expensive equipment up to the task: virtually undetectable. But unlike natural gas, even brief exposure can result in considerable harm to living things. Exposure to low levels of the waste may damage human cells, causing long-term illnesses such as cancer or birth defects. Higher levels can actually destroy human cells, resulting in more "immediate" damage. Here in Pecos, residents may be about to witness the transportation of radioactive waste through the middle of town northbound on U.S. Highway 285 and along Interstate 20 to the south. What if the unthinkable happened? Armando Gil and Lupe Nieto, coordinator and assistant coordinator for the local office of emergency management, would be the first on the scene. The office is equipped to test radioactive materials and call for evacuations, but any clean-up must come from an outside agency. Gil said he did not believe anybody near Pecos was "capable" of cleaning up a radioactive spill. In terms of danger to the Pecos population, Gil said that it depended on the type of material, wind direction and duration of exposure, but he was confident in the evacuation procedure. "I believe we will have plenty of time to evacuate the general public if we need to," he said. Gil said his first call after a confirmed radioactive spill would be to the Bureau of Radiological Control. The second call would be to the Regional Liaison Officer Clay Crabtree at Midland's Department of Public Safety. Gil offered this advice: If you see a parcel with the radiation symbol (see the corners of this article box) "Stay away." Then contact the police department, fire department or Gil's office directly. He offered the following story as an anecdote of what NOT to do. "A logging truck had lost a box labeled radioactive material. It was found by a tourist, who picked it up and put it in their car. They brought it to the (Reeves County) Sheriff's Department." The sheriff, he said, ("not this present administration") put the box in the dispatch room -where it sat for "more than 24 hours before they called me." Good turnout in early votingBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, April 10, 1998 - Early voting for run-off elections ended Thursday afternoon with a good turnout, according to Reeves County Clerk Dianne Florez. Final totals showed that 433 people voted by personal appearance while there were 167 by mail. Runoff election date has been set for April 14. Commissioner Precinct 4 race will be in the runoff elections, with Bernardo "Chaquen" Martinez and Gilberto "Hivi" Rayos. In the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 race, incumbent Joel Madrid is being challenged by Rosendo Carrasco. Joseph T. Sullivan and Charlie Urbina Jones are also in the runoff elections in the Congressional U.S. Rep. District 23 race. The courthouse was closed today in observance of Good Friday. "We had a really good turnout for early voting, but expect more voters to come out on runoff election day," said Florez. "We urge everyone that didn't vote in early voting to come out on April 14," she said. Post office open late tax dayPECOS, April 10, 1998 - Federal Income Tax returns must be postmarked by April 15, and with this in mind the Pecos U.S. Post Office will be doing all they can to help local taxpayers. Interim postmaster Tony C. Ramirez stated that the post office will remain open until 7 p.m. April 15 in order to hand stamp IRS returns. "The postal service is committed to operating in a businesslike manner that satisfied customers need," said Ramirez. "And what a better example than to stay open late for those customers that will rush home, complete final entries on their IRS forms, then rush to the post office to get it mailed," he said. "Not only do we want them to mail it, but we want to hand stamp their letter and provide them with peace of mind for another year," said Ramirez. Balmorhea man bitten by snakeBALMORHEA, April 10, 1998 - A Balmorhea man was bitten by an unknown type of snake last night a little before 10 p.m. According to Reeves County Sheriff's Deputy Danny Reynolds, James Boykin was cleaning fish in his back yard at Balmorhea Lake when he was bitten. Reynolds said that the snake could not be found, so he could not tell what type of snake had bitten Boykin. There is no doubt that the man was bitten by a snake though, Reynolds said, "he had fang marks." This morning, Boykin was listed in stable condition at Reeves County Hospital. Ornelas promoted to lieutenantBy CARA ALLIGOOD Staff Writer PECOS, April 10, 1998 - Ramon Ornelas, who has been a lawman for 23 years, was promoted from sergeant to the rank of lieutenant Monday by Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney. Ornelas began his career with the city as the animal control officer, and has been a police sergeant for the past 15 years, he said. He is also a U.S. Army veteran who spent a year-long tour of duty in Viet Nam. He received his Master Peace Officer certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education in August. Ornelas has a wife, Felipa, and six children, Ramon, 26, Jeremy, 22, Joseph, 21, Jacob, 15, Jason, 13, and Crystal, 11. He and his wife are proud of all of their children, and he noted that Joseph is now in U.S. Army basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He was born in Monahans and raised in Pecos. Ornelas has been in charge of the patrol division, which consists of three sergeants and nine officers. He has also been placed in charge of all dispatchers. Ornelas has already been a shift supervisor, and the reserve officers program, which has seven commissioned reserve officers. "We have a lot of good officers. I'm proud of the police department," Ornelas said. Deliberations continue for R.O.T. membersDALLAS (AP) April 10, 1998 - Jurors who heard more than a month of testimony against Texas separatists are now deciding their guilt or innocence on charges they tried to defraud banks, retailers and others of almost $2 billion. Republic of Texas leader Richard McLaren, his wife Evelyn and seven followers are accused of federal conspiracy, bank fraud, mail fraud and aiding and abetting. Separatists who don't deny passing millions of dollars in Republic "warrants" - documents that resemble checks - to pay their bills starting in 1996 contend the claims were backed by $80 billion in state assets. McLaren, already serving a 99-year prison term for his role in last year's kidnapping of a neighbor in the remote Davis Mountains Resort, has testified Texas was improperly annexed by the United States and its assets belong to an independent republic. McLaren's wife read a statement he wrote to jurors Wednesday, warning them not to "trust the baby killers of Waco," referring to the fiery 1993 siege in which Davidian leader David Koresh and 80 followers died at Mount Carmel. The Davis Mountains incident triggered a weeklong standoff with 300 state troopers and Texas Rangers. Prosecutors in final arguments Wednesday asked for nine convictions in a "case of deception ... and dishonesty." Jurors deliberated more than five hours before U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish dismissed them for the evening, ordering them to return at 9 a.m. Friday. Pecos man indicted for importing marijuanaBy PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer PECOS, April 10, 1998 - A local man is among 12 defendants indicted Thursday by the federal grand jury in Pecos. Several others are residents of the area. Tony Earl McGrew, 39, of 515 S. Elm St., is charged with importing and possessing 159.08 pounds of marijuana on April 1. Melissa Moreno Pena, 27, of Kermit, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 21.88 pounds of marijuana on March 29. Ivan Villalobos, 19, of Alpine, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 26.25 pounds of marijuana on April 2. Celia Quintanilla Urias, 34, of Presidio, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 48.50 pounds of marijuana on April 8. Martin Torres-Sanchez, 18, of Odessa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 61.12 pounds marijuana on March 27. Bertha Alicia Marquez, 39, of Odessa, is charged with structuring currency importation to avoid reporting requirements and with failure to file a currency importation report on Oct. 3, 1997. She allegedly imported more than $10,000 within one calendar day without making a report. Two defendants who failed to show up for Senior Judge Lucius Bunton's court this week are charged with failure to appear. Warrants were issued for Luis Exiquio Carrillo, 18, of El Paso, and Martin Gonzalez, 29, of Chihuahua, Mex. Gilberto Minjares-Barrera, 32, of Chihuahua, Mex., is charged with importing and possessing 761.8 pounds of marijuana on March 23. Jose Luis Contreras-Lara, 26, and Ezequiel Chavez-Salcido, 22, both of Mexico, are charged with importing and possessing 62 pounds of marijuana on April 3. Lorenzo Rojo-Aguilar, 25, of Porvenir, Mex., is charged with illegal entry on March 25 after deportation subsequent to conviction for an aggravated felony. Commissioners meet MondayPECOS, April 10, 1998 - The regular meeting of the Reeves County Commissioners' Court will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 13, in the third floor courtroom in the Reeves County Courthouse. There are 16 items on the agenda for are discussion and/or action. Those items are: award of a bid for an industrial loader backhoe; RCDC dayroom addition project -Application for Payment #4 on RCDC dayroom addition project -Baynes General Contractors, Inc.; RCDC dayroom addition project -Proposal Request #1, 4, 5, and 8 and authorize them to be incorporated into Change Order #2; declare RCDC unusable equipment and tools as salvage/surplus; award bids for bunk beds at RCDC; storage agreement between RCDC and Bell U Storage; RCDC GED test administrator contract; update of TCDP Housing Rehabilitation Contract #714160; Pecos Petroleum Company regarding property for oil and gas lease; bond and oath on Libby Horsburgh -County Auditor's office; reports from various departments; budget amendments and line-item transfers; personnel and salary changes (RCDC, county library, County Judge, Sheriff's office, JDC); minutes from previous meeting; and payment of semi-monthly bills. The meeting will also include an executive session for discussion/action on personnel matters regarding Reeves County Maintenance Services. Spread on minutes will be notice of over-axle over -gross weight permit; contract for chemical dependency counselor at RCDC; agreement from DRG Architects for RCDC Support Services Building; contract for collection of delinquent taxes; agreement for mutual aid in disaster assistance; RCDC Modification #15 of the statement of work; and continuing education certificates: Bernardo Martinez, Felipe Arredondo, Herman Tarin and Dianne O. Florez. AREA NEWS ROUNDUPApril 10, 1998The Fort Stockton PioneerFORT STOCKTON, Thursday, April 9, 1998 -The trial of Greg and Karen Paulson, two members of the Republic of Texas connected with the invasion of Joe and M.A. Rowe's home in the Davis Mountain Resort, concluded late Friday afternoon. After only 48 minutes of deliberation, the Pecos County jury came back with a verdict of guilty on charges of burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for both Mr. and Mrs. Paulson. A concerted effort by local promoters and government leaders has succeeded in bringing a regional convention of county officials to Fort Stockton according to Pecos County Judge Fredie Capers, who helped direct and coordinate local effort. The Alpine AvalancheALPINE, April 9, 1998 -The U.S. Senate approval last week of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact makes the Sierra Blanca dump site one step nearer to becoming a reality. A vote last year by the House of Representatives went in favor of the compact which would allow Main and Vermont to ship their waste to Texas in exchange for payments of $25 million apiece. Now differences have to be ironed out by a Senate-House conference committee. Then the measure has to go to each body again before a final vote is taken. The Sanderson TimesSANDERSON, April 9, 1998 -In other columns of the Sanderson Times, there is a notice of intention to conduct weather modification operations in the state of Texas that is being done by the Texas Border Weather Modification Association in Del Rio. The purpose of the weather modification operation is to increase rainfall and the operation will be from May 1, 1998 through April 30, 2002, and the proposed cloud-seeding operation may be conducted at any time during that period. The McCamey NewsMcCAMEY, April 9, 1998 - Upton County Animal Control officer, Kathleen Proffitt, informed the "News" that there has been a confirmed case of rabies in McCamey. On Saturday, March 28, animal control, responded to a report of a fox in the yard of Maurine Jacobsen's residence on Shell Road. The fox was killed and the remains sent to the Texas Department of Health lab in Austin. The lab confirmed that the animal was rabid. Van Horn AdvocateVAN HORN AND CULBERSON COUNTY, April 9, 1998 - Van Horn City Council members put their stamp of approve on final plans for this year's Cinco de Mayo festival which is slated for Saturday, May 2, during their meeting Tuesday evening. Convention and Visitors Bureau staffers, Andrea Ramirez and Sara Elms, appeared before council to present the plans and final requests as final planning is underway for this year's second annual event. Council approve the CVB staff applying for a temporary permit to sell beer during the festival, which will be held at Veteran's Memorial Park again this year. It was learned that two beer distributing companies are vying for the right to sponsor the event. The Monahans NewsMONAHANS, April 9, 1998 -Ward County Judge Sam G. Massey read a six-minute ultimatum to the Board of Managers of fiscally troubled Ward Memorial Hospital Tuesday. The focus of his message: "I emphasize we all are going to live within a real budget, avoid debt and live within our means. And if that means cutbacks in staff, salaries and services, then so be it." WEATHERPECOS, April 10, 1998 - High Thursday, 80, low this morning, 45. Pleasant weather is in store for all of Texas for the Easter holiday weekend. The state's weather is expected to remain under the influence of a high pressure system through Sunday. It will be clear tonight and partly cloudy on Saturday across West Texas, lows tonight will be in the 40s and 50s, highs Saturday will be in the 70s and 80s except in the Big Bend area of the Southwest where readings will be in the lower 90s.
Pecos Enterprise
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