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TOP STORIESThursday, April 16, 1998County applying for home rehab extensionBy RICK L. SMITH Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - County officials are applying for a three-month extension to complete the rehabilitation of five homes in Reeves County. Grant administrator for the project, Mari Maldonado, told commissioners last night that work has been completed on 10 homes. She reported that there is $139,266 left for construction and $12,507 for grant administration of the project. "Construction draws in the amount of $48,404 and a grant administration draw in the amount of $3,115 are pending for a reconciled grant total of $100,253," Maldonado said in her report to the commissioners. Maldonado told commissioners she had prepared a draft of an extension request letter asking for another three months to complete the projects. "I think it's important to get the homes completed as soon as possible," said Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo. "It'll be great if the state grants an extension to finish the homes." Galindo said the regional coordinator for the Texas Community Development Program, Allison Russell, recently inspected the completed homes and was pleased with the work. "I don't think we will have any problem getting the extension," Galindo said. All five projects yet to be completed are supervised by construction manager Norman Roman and include projects number 1A for $34,184, 7A for $35,184, 4 for $14,200, 7 for $25,990, and 12 for $6,390. Roman has received $4,145 for his services and construction manager Arthur Granado has received $4,434 for his services, Maldonado reported. Work has begun on project 7 and is expected to be completed by June 29. A property dispute involving project 7A is expected to be remedied by a letter from TCDP regional coordinator Russell, Maldonado reported. A revised write-up for project 1A has been completed and will be published for bids soon, according to Maldonado. Projects 12 and 4 will be set up for work later this week, she said. "As funds become less and less available, the grant administrator has made appointments with various homeowners throughout the unincorporated areas of Reeves County who have already applied for assistance and undergone the screening process in search of homes that require minimal work to bring up to Section 8 standards," Maldonado said. "We will continue to serve as many homeowners as we can with available funds. "I realize the numbers are surprising, but change orders were unavoidable and necessary to bring these homes up to Section 8 standards, which I feel we've done successfully, as noted by Ms. Russell during her visit. She was meticulous in reviewing the change orders. "I am confident when I say that we have provided a much needed and professional service to these homeowners." Marijuana found in pickup bed linerPECOS, April 16, 1998 - Reeves County Deputy Sheriff Jesse Franco made an unexpected discovery yesterday after pulling over a white pickup for a traffic violation on Interstate 20 near its junction with U.S. 285. Franco said he received permission to search the vehicle, that had been swerving from lane to lane on the highway, from the driver, Eduardo Galindo, 20, of Tell, Tex. From there on out it was all up to Megan. Probably the youngest employee of the Reeves County Sheriff's Department, Megan is a one-and-a-half-year-old Labrador Retriever trained in the fine art of drug detection. "She started sniffing," explained officer Franco, "and then pointed through the bed liner where was discovered what appeared to be marijuana." The driver was booked at the sheriff's department at 9:47 a.m. yesterday, on charges of possession of marijuana over 50 pounds, but under 2,000 pounds. The official weigh-in found the total amount seized to be 71 pounds. Galindo is scheduled to go before Judge Hererra for arraignment later this afternoon. Chamber plans for fall fairBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - Fall fair concert plans were discussed during an executive session held by Pecos Chamber of Commerce Directors Tuesday at the Pecos Senior Center. "We met with Louis (Matta) and agreed to let him and his group be in charge of entertainment and we get proceeds off of it," said chamber president Richard Crider. Crider told the directors that the group had been losing money at the concerts previously and that "this is the way to go to make money and not take all the risk." "We had to let him know something because time is of the essence," said Crider. While the directors agreed to let Matta and his investment group take over the concert, a formal agreement has not yet been signed. The agreement would call for a 5-year contract. "They want this long-term agreement because they eventually want to make money out of this," said Crider. The agreement was made, but plans to finalize everything have to be worked out, according to Crider. "The way I see this thing we don't have the money to back this up," said Crider. Chris Metler told the group that sales of banners to be placed outside businesses for the Fourth of July went really well. "There are still 15 of the rodeo flags that are for sale," said Metler. Profits from the sales will go towards purchasing flowers to be placed by the trees on Cedar Street. "We'll get the planters and everything, but we need help with funds for purchasing the flowers," she said. Metler suggested going to businesses and individuals and asking them to sponsor some of these flowers that will be planted along Cedar Street. During the meeting the group was entertained by Alvin Crow, a Texas Folklife fiddler. Crow learned the art on his own and will be performing at different locations in Pecos throughout the week. On Friday, he will perform at the Windmill Square. The Women's Division president updated those assembled on the Golden Girl Revue and the Little Miss Cantaloupe Pageant. Eight girls have signed up for the Golden Girl Pageant and signups for the Little Miss Cantaloupe Pageant will continue until April 24. The Style Show has been scheduled for May 9 at the Pecos Valley Country Club. Tickets for the event can be purchased at Security State Bank. "Tom has indicated that he can get people to help us with setting up the stage, but we still need volunteers," said Suan Cross. Johnny Terrazas will be Master of Ceremonies for the Golden Girl/Little Miss Cantaloupe Pageant. Crider told the group that volunteers are needed for the Relay for Life event. "Basically they need about 10 people who will walk for 30 minutes," said Crider. "It could be made into a fun deal," he said. "I've also talked to Tom about Texas Tourism Week," said Crider. The group will again "kidnap" a family and be treated to a day in Pecos during the Fourth of July festivities. "We need to get people familiar with what the chamber does and what is happening in the chamber," said Crider. Crider suggested visiting more people and telling them what the chamber is all about. "We need to convince them and find out what they feel we ought to be doing and what they think about chamber events," he said. Prosecutor gives details of drug bustBy PEGGY McCRACKEN Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - Obdulio Oyervides and his attorney, Gerald Lopez, made such a good case for the defense that a federal court jury deliberated several hours Tuesday and Wednesday before finding the Fort Stockton man guilty of aiding and abetting marijuana smuggling. U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson set sentencing for July 13. Oyervides, 26, was charged with helping several people involved in marijuana smuggling on Jan. 26. He allegedly drove to Alpine to pick up two of the suspects and return them to Fort Stockton after U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted the 88.6 pound load of marijuana. Prosecutor Jim Blankinship painted a detailed picture of the interception, chase and subsequent arrest of five suspects, beginning before dawn on the day before Super Bowl Sunday south of Marathon on Hwy. 385. Border Patrol agents spotted two vehicles traveling north at 4:30 a.m. that Saturday in an area where "there's not much traffic at all," Blankinship said. Agents attempted to stop the Suburban and Tahoe, but "don't have any luck," he said. "The Tahoe runs from them down Longfellow Road, and they can't find him." Later, the agents did locate the Tahoe, stopped on Hwy. 385. Cesar Gonzales and his father, of Fort Stockton, Omar Trejo and an illegal alien from Mexico occupied the vehicle. They took the senior Gonzales and the alien to Fort Stockton for further investigation and the two young men to the bus station in Alpine. Suspecting they are involved in marijuana smuggling, BP agents watch the two young men. After the senior Gonzales was released, he and Oyervides drove to Alpine to pick up the young men, returning to Fort Stockton by way of Marathon, rather than the more direct route up Hwy. 67, Blankinship said. Other agents began surveillance on Longfellow Road to see if the group returned for the marijuana they believe was dumped after the early-morning chase began. Back in Fort Stockton, Oyervides went to the home of Richard Sheehan at halftime during the Super Bowl game. Sheehan left in his pickup, along with the Cesar Gonzales and Trejo, accompanied by Oyervides' black Ford LTD. After the marijuana was located and loaded into the pickup, agents attempted to stop it, only to have Sheehan drive across a pasture. "The marijuana goes everywhere," Blankinship said. Trejo and Gonzales bailed out of the pickup and headed toward Fort Stockton, while Sheehan went the other direction. While searching for them, an agent spoted three men in a water disposal truck that normally would have had only the driver. When he stoped the truck, the agent drove up on the passenger side to prevent the two young men -Gonzales and Trejo -from escaping. Sheehan's wife told DEA agents later that Oyervides came back to the house looking for Sheehan, who eventually returned home. Lopez had an explanation for all that, saying that Oyvervides was simply doing a favor for a friend when he drove to Alpine to pick up the two young men. He denied any knowledge of a marijuana transaction. Sheehan, the primary witness against Oyervides, is a snitch for the government, Lopez said. Sheehan was arrested Oct. 27, 1997 on a marijuana possession charge, and to avoid going to prison, he made a deal with the government, Lopez said. "He would provide information;... would be a snitch for the government and buy his way out of prison," he said. Jurors deliberated late into the night Tuesday, returning Wednesday for about three more hours of deliberation before finding Oyervides guilty. Judge Furgeson accepted several guilty pleas this week and sentenced 19 defendants, including Michael Matta, 27, of Pecos, and Aubrey Dean Price, 72, of Pyote. Price pleaded guilty to violating his probation on a previous conviction for marijuana possession. He will be sentenced July 13.Matta plead true to violating his probation on a recent conviction for drug possession and was sentenced to 10 months in prison. Carmela Juana Rodriguez cried when Judge Furgeson sentenced her to 70 months in prison for possession of cocaine and ordered her immediate surrender to deputy U.S. Marshals. Turning from the lectern, the young woman voiced a tearful goodby to several family members seated in the courtroom. U.S. Magistrate Stuart Platt accepted numerous guilty pleas for Judge Furgeson during the week and held two hearings this morning. PHS students demonstrate language skillsBy ROSIE FLORES Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - Several Pecos High School students will show off their flair for the Spanish language Friday in San Angelo. The students will be participating in the Foreign Language Festival at Angelo State University. "One group will perform a skit in Spanish," said teacher Barbara Tarango. The skit, which is titled, "Todo Por Una Maleta," was derived from the Spanish language hit show "Sabado Gigante," according to Tarango. "All the students participating are very fluent in Spanish," said Tarango. "These are the top Spanish students," she said. Other students will be participating in prose, poetry, sight reading, extemporaneous speaking and a written test. "Everything is in Spanish, but I have confidence in these students," said Tarango. "I think they'll do real well," said Tarango. "There's no problem with the fluency, they just need to work on getting their lines right," she said. The students performing in the skit will receive points for fluency, how well they remember their lines and their actions. "Everything will be put together and they will be judged on all of it," said Tarango. Ribbons of "excellente" and "superior" will be given out. "Superior ribbons are the highest," she said. About 25 schools will be participating in the annual event. "The skit we are doing is about a woman who mistakenly gets the wrong bag at the airport," said Tarango. "The woman then takes the bag home, only to discover that it is full of money and the plot unfolds from there," she said. Students participating in the skit include, Gladys Izquierdo, Herman Seijas, Bacilio Ortega, Roy Ramos and Heydy Gomez. Other top Spanish students participating in the festival in other events are: Griselda Muniz, Michelle Gabaldon, Adriana Lara, Marissa Salgado, Suzanne Carrasco, Veronica Marruffo, Adela Garcia, Elma Gomez, Karina Castillo, Isabel Madrid, Angela Martinez, Noemi Perez and Freddy Caballero. Teacher sponsors along with Tarango, are Jacqueline Mandujano, Juan Dominguez and Rick Martinez. Teams still needed for cancer fundraiserBy CARA ALLIGOOD Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - American Cancer Society members are gathering teams to participate in the Relay for Life next month, but there is still room for a few more teams to take part in the fundraising event. A team captains' meeting was held yesterday at Reeves County Hospital. The Relay for Life will be held from 6 p.m. May 15 until noon May 16 at the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena. The event will be an overnight fund raiser for cancer research, education and service that will put the "fun" back in fundraiser. Since Relay for Life is raising money for the American Cancer Society, the event will be an alcohol-free, tobacco-free, family and community oriented event. Everyone who has had a friend or family member touched by cancer is invited to participate. So far, teams will participate from the U.S. Post Office, Anchor Foods, Reeves County Hospital, American Home Health, First National Bank, the Pecos Youth Advisory Committee and the Pecos Chamber of Commerce. Teams generally consist of at least 10 members. Team members collect donations from their sponsors before the event, then have a good time camping out and walking their laps during the relay. Each team rotates their members on and off the track, keeping a team member walking laps around the track throughout the relay. Special events during the relay include the kickoff lap by cancer survivors, a luminary lighting ceremony at nightfall to honor those who are fighting or who have battled cancer, and a victory lap at the end of the relay. There will also be food, games and entertainment during the event. Families are welcome to attend with their children. If you are interested in organizing a team or becoming a corporate sponsor, contact Marie Cardenas at 447-9041 or Nancy Ontiveros at 447-3551, ext. 350 for more information. An organization representative will be happy to meet with you to explain details of the relay. Cattle fraud, theft on increase in stateBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - Stolen livestock and ranch equipment, worth more than $4.5 million, were recovered or accounted for in 1997 by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. So reports the Fort Worth-based producer group founded 121 years ago to fight the ranching theft problem. The $4.5 figure represents an increase of $2 million from the previous year, said TSCRA Director of Law Enforcement Larry Gray. Fortunate for locals, there has not been much of an increase in theft in the Trans-Pecos area, said Gray, because most of the crimes have been restricted to white-collar crimes such as fraud and embezzlement that occur close to the industry around Dallas/Fort Worth. "We still have the plain, old everyday cattle theft as always," he said, "but we're having more white-collar type cases." One single instance of embezzlement brought in $1 million, said Gray. "There's been a domino effect," he said, summing up the problem of increased crimes affecting livestock. "There's the bad cattle market, plus the drought a few years back and there has been a lot more mortgaging of cattle." Most horse thefts also occur closer to the larger cities, said Gray. Thieves tend to go after stable or "pleasure" horses, not work-hardened ranch horses. In an annual report presented on April 8, members attending the TSCRA convention in Dallas heard Executive Vice President Steve Munday say that in 1997, the association's 33 field inspectors (all certified peace officers with special Ranger commissions) investigated 1,611 cases in Texas and Oklahoma, primarily involving stray or stolen livestock. Working closely with federal, state and local law enforcement officers, the inspectors recovered or accounted for 6,588 head of cattle, 80 horses, 21 trailers, 23 saddles and miscellaneous ranch property -a total value of $4,527,693. The average value of property recovered or accounted for each day was $12,404. No new scams or crime-rings are in operation in the Trans-Pecos, according to TSCRA field inspector Bobby Upchurch. He summed up the relative quiet with one word: people. "There simply aren't enough people to have much of a problem," he said, "We have a high cattle count and big ranches, but for the most part folks are good to their neighbors." Also, working to the advantage of the small towns, Upchurch said, "Strangers tend to stand out." Offenders were given more than 762 years of prison, probated, deferred, suspended, and jail sentences. In addition, the courts ordered those convicted to pay $1,846,708 in restitution to the victims. The offenders were also required to pay $90,189 in fines, court costs and attorney's fees. Munday said the association employs 80 market inspectors who identify five million to six million head of cattle at the time of sale at more than 140 auction markets in Texas each year. The inspectors report their findings to the group's Fort Worth headquarters, where the information is processed for computer retrieval. Since September 1997, the association has been responsible for similar inspection of all horses processed at commercial slaughter plants in Texas. The Texas Legislature conferred this authority in order to meet a recognized need to identify stolen horses. Prices fetched at these slaughters are also up for horse meat demanded by the mostly European market. "The prices tend to fluctuate," said Gray, "but I think last I checked they were at 60 cents per pound." Munday encouraged all cattle producers and owners of other livestock and farm and ranch equipment to take steps to protect themselves from theft. He invited them to contact their local TSCRA field inspector or the Fort Worth office for theft prevention and brand information. West Texas Gas assumes gas supplyBy GREG HARMAN Staff Writer PECOS, April 16, 1998 - West Texas Gas, Inc., the sole and successful bidder for 81 miles of gas transmission line in Reeves, Jeff Davis, Brewster and Presidio counties, and distribution systems in Reeves County, has assumed the responsibilities for providing gas service throughout the Trans-Pecos area. The company services about 260 customers in southern Reeves County. "Our assumption of operations of these systems was effective April 1, 1998 -on schedule," said Richard Hatchett, vice president of the natural gas division of West Texas Gas, Inc. "We have long been interested in the Alpine, Marfa, and Fort Stockton areas and have watched as the area has continued in its orderly growth. This acquisition is a natural extension of our interest in the area, as we already supply or transport natural gas to Southwest Municipal Gas Corporation at a point near Verhalen, Texas." The Midland-based company purchased the gas systems and transmission line from Southwest Texas Municipal Gas Corporation for $1.8 million. The original bid was placed on Monday, March 23. West Texas Gas plans to maintain a natural gas office at its Liquids District office at East Highway 90 in Alpine. The gas activities in Alpine, Marfa and Fort Davis will be supervised from the company's Fort Stockton office. WEATHERPECOS, April 16, 1998 - High Wednesday, 88, low this morning, 45. A late-season cold front moved southward across Texas today, bringing with it cooler temperatures and a mixture of showers and thunderstorms. Most of the thunderstorm activity was in Young, Jack, Cooke and Wise county with an isolated thunderstorm that developed south of Frisco moving across Collin County. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy across West Texas through Friday. Some rain is possible in Northwest Texas through tonight. Lows tonight will be in the 30s and 40s in West Texas, highs Friday will be in the 50s in the Panhandle and in the 60s and 70s elsewhere in West Texas.
Pecos Enterprise
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