|
Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Friday, April 2, 1999
Couple believes faith, doctors overcame disease
See Photo
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 2, 1999 -- Romaldo Garcia has much to be thankful for
this Easter. Jesus' atoning death on the cross on Friday and his resurrection
on Sunday give Garcia and other believers hope for their own resurrection
and a new, spiritual body.
But the 73-year-old Barstow resident also has reason to be grateful
for God's touch on his physical body while here on earth. After special
prayer by fellow Catholics, Garcia believes he is being healed from a maddening
itch all over his body.
The itch started six years ago, and dermatologists could not diagnose
the cause. Garcia scratched his dry, scaling skin until it bled at times,
said his wife, Juliana.
"His skin got so bad. It was dry, dead skin all over the body," she
said. Even his ear lobes were peeling off, they got so dry.
Garcia had retired from the gravel plant at Barstow, and Juliana had
to retire from Gibson's last year when the disease caused him to lose his
memory and become disoriented.
"I had to stay with him day and night," Juliana said.
For six years, the couple sought help from dermatologists in Irving,
Odessa and the Veterans Administration hospital in Big Spring.
"Nobody could find what was causing the itch," Juliana said. "They said
it was a drug reaction. We just kept going somewhere else to see if anyone
could help him, and nobody did for six years."
Finally, diagnosed with diabetes, Garcia went to Dr. G.M. Gollapudi
at the Diabetes Center of the Southwest in Midland. He took a tissue sample
for study by a pathologist to determine what was causing the itch, Juliana
said.
He sent it to Marianne Wolff, M.D. "because she is one of the best,"
Juliana said.
Wolff's diagnosis was mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T/cell lymphoma),
for which Garcia was told there is no cure. But it was her differential
diagnosis that interested Dr. Gollapudi.
A reaction to medication can cause a condition that simulates fungoides,
Wolff said. Besides his diabetic condition, Garcia had also had heart bypass
surgery and was taking Norvasc for high blood pressure.
Dr. Gollapudi told Garcia to stop taking all medication and prescribed
a moisturizing lotion recommended by dermatologists.
Not only has the itching lessened, Garcia's memory has improved since
he was taken off all medication, Juliana said.
"His blood pressure is down, and his diabetes is under control," she
said.
Dr. Gollapudi gave Garcia a sample of a new memory-enhancing drug, donepezil,
which may have helped. "It is expensive. We couldn't afford to buy that
stuff," she said.
Another recommended treatment by ultra-violet rays.
But the Garcias believe God has worked to heal the condition, and they
give Him all the glory.
"We have been praying for him. The ladies from the church came over.
We said the rosary and they prayed for him. This has been sustaining us,"
she said.
The Garcias have seven children and 13 grandchildren. Alex works at
Freeport McMoRan Sulphur Mine, Angie at Taylor's Flowers, Stella at Lamar,
and Millie at home in Pecos. Mike lives in Odessa, Celina in Irving and
Naomi in New Mexico.
District judge Gonzalez opts to step down
PECOS, April 2, 1999 -- State District Judge Alex R. Gonzalez of Fort Stockton
has announced his retirement from the bench, effective at the end of this
month.
"On February 1, 1999, I marked my 15th year as district judge of the
83rd Judicial District, State of Texas," Gonzalez wrote to Gov. George
Bush on Feb. 10.
"This letter is to advise you as to my decision to retire from this
office on April 30, 1999."
Gonzales had just started his fourth four-year elected term in office
in January of this year. Gov. Mark White appointed him to the bench on
Feb. 1, 1984, upon the retirement of the late State District Judge William
H. Earney of Marfa.
Gonzalez presided over state district courts in Brewster, Jeff Davis
and Presidio counties until 1995, when the Texas Legislature changed the
court's boundaries and created a new judicial district. His 83rd District
still includs most of Pecos County, along with part of Upton County.
"I've enjoyed working with him," 83rd District Attorney Albert Valadez
told The Big Bend Sentinel on Wednesday. "He's been fair to the
state, but he made us work for everything we accomplished in the courtroom.
He kept me on my toes.
"Personally, I've enjoyed visiting with him in and out of the courtoom,"
Valadez said. "I learned a lot from him in the seven years we worked together,
and I've grown a lot in the legal profession. I'm going to miss him."
Couple believes faith, doctors overcame disease
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 2, 1999 -- Romaldo Garcia has much to be thankful for
this Easter. Jesus' atoning death on the cross on Friday and his resurrection
on Sunday give Garcia and other believers hope for their own resurrection
and a new, spiritual body.
But the 73-year-old Barstow resident also has reason to be grateful
for God's touch on his physical body while here on earth. After special
prayer by fellow Catholics, Garcia believes he is being healed from a maddening
itch all over his body.
The itch started six years ago, and dermatologists could not diagnose
the cause. Garcia scratched his dry, scaling skin until it bled at times,
said his wife, Juliana.
"His skin got so bad. It was dry, dead skin all over the body," she
said. Even his ear lobes were peeling off, they got so dry.
Garcia had retired from the gravel plant at Barstow, and Juliana had
to retire from Gibson's last year when the disease caused him to lose his
memory and become disoriented.
"I had to stay with him day and night," Juliana said.
For six years, the couple sought help from dermatologists in Irving,
Odessa and the Veterans Administration hospital in Big Spring.
"Nobody could find what was causing the itch," Juliana said. "They said
it was a drug reaction. We just kept going somewhere else to see if anyone
could help him, and nobody did for six years."
Finally, diagnosed with diabetes, Garcia went to Dr. G.M. Gollapudi
at the Diabetes Center of the Southwest in Midland. He took a tissue sample
for study by a pathologist to determine what was causing the itch, Juliana
said.
He sent it to Marianne Wolff, M.D. "because she is one of the best,"
Juliana said.
Wolff's diagnosis was mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T/cell lymphoma),
for which Garcia was told there is no cure. But it was her differential
diagnosis that interested Dr. Gollapudi.
A reaction to medication can cause a condition that simulates fungoides,
Wolff said. Besides his diabetic condition, Garcia had also had heart bypass
surgery and was taking Norvasc for high blood pressure.
Dr. Gollapudi told Garcia to stop taking all medication and prescribed
a moisturizing lotion recommended by dermatologists.
Not only has the itching lessened, Garcia's memory has improved since
he was taken off all medication, Juliana said.
"His blood pressure is down, and his diabetes is under control," she
said.
Dr. Gollapudi gave Garcia a sample of a new memory-enhancing drug, donepezil,
which may have helped. "It is expensive. We couldn't afford to buy that
stuff," she said.
Another recommended treatment by ultra-violet rays.
But the Garcias believe God has worked to heal the condition, and they
give Him all the glory.
"We have been praying for him. The ladies from the church came over.
We said the rosary and they prayed for him. This has been sustaining us,"
she said.
The Garcias have seven children and 13 grandchildren. Alex works at
Freeport McMoRan Sulphur Mine, Angie at Taylor's Flowers, Stella at Lamar,
and Millie at home in Pecos. Mike lives in Odessa, Celina in Irving and
Naomi in New Mexico.
Tarin, Lindley seek help to block low-level flights
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 2, 1999 -- Plans by the U.S. Air Force and German Luftwaffe
to run low-level bomber training flights over sections of West Texas were
topics of concern by one local rancher and a Reeves County Commissioner
on Thursday, during a meeting with U.S. Congressman Henry Bonilla.
Clark Lindley and Reeves County Commissioner Precinct 3 Herman Tarin
spoke to Bonilla briefly about the low-level bomber training flights the
U.S. Air Force is seeking to run over southern Reeves County.
"We're just very concerned about this, because everyone I've talked
to doesn't want the bomber training here," said Tarin, whose precinct covers
most of the area over which the flights are scheduled to travel in Reeves
County.
Flights from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene and Holloman Air Force
Base in southern New Mexico would cross several Trans-Pecos and Big Bend
counties. The Air Force released its Enviromental Impact Statement on the
project on March 19 and has scheduled several hearings in the area over
the next few weeks, including one at 5 p.m. next Friday, April 9, at the
Pecos High School cafeteria.
Lindley told Bonilla that areas that weren't supposed to be included
were now included. "And some of these areas are ranches, where crops such
as cantaloupes, onions and bell peppers are grown, and this is posing a
concern to the farmers," said Lindley. "We don't know what kind of health
problems this will pose and would like the Air Force to inform us," he
said.
Bonilla said that the U.S. Air Force will double the response time for
West Texas residents to voice their concerns about the Air Force's Realistic
Bomber Taiing Initiative.
"This will buy us a little more time, to have the residents voice their
concerns and let them know they don't want it in their area," said Bonilla.
The Air Force had originally scheduled a 45 day response period for
West Texans to have their voices heard on the issue, but Bonilla spoke
to Air Force Chief of Staff, General Michael E. Ryan and requested an extension
in the response time. At Bonilla's request, the Air Force will double the
response time to 90 days, and the comment period will end on June 16.
"It is important that West Texans have ample time to voice their concerns
over the Air Force's RBTI program," Bonilla said. "We must do everything
we can to make sure the rights of private property owners are protected
and their concerns are heard," he said.
Bonilla said he has been a strong advocate in Congres for West Texas
on this issue. Last June, the congressman secured language in a Defense
Appropriations report that required the Air Force to complete an Environmental
Impact Statement before implementing their Realistic Bomber Training Initiative.
Tarin said that one of the concerns is that this area doesn't have the
equipment or the manpower, to respond in case of an accident. A four man
B-1 bomber crew flying out of Dyess Air Force Base was killed in December,
1992, when their jet flew into the side of a mountain south of Valentine
in Culberson County. The explosion from the crash was visible to ranchers
in northern Reeves County, over 100 miles away.
"We want to know if the Air Force is going to provide with some kind
of emergency response team," said Tarin.
Bonilla said that he has always been opposed to this training and will
continue to fight for what the constituents want.
Bonilla announces local office during visit
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
A Pecos office to better serve the constituents was one the main item
on the agneda for U.S. Congressman Henry Bonilla, who discussed several
other topics at an informal meeting Thursday morning at the Reeves County
Courthouse.
"I have offered my assistance in helping to accomodate a reresentative
from Mr. Bonilla's office here in Pecos," said Reeves County Judge Jimmy
B. Galindo, who explained that office space for Tony Carrillo will be provided
at the courthouse.
At the meeting, Bonilla (R-San Antonio) will announced the opening of
his new part-time district office to be based in Pecos. Bonilla introduced
Tony Carrillo, Bonilla's constituent liaison based in Midland. Carrillo
will staff the Pecos office on a part-time basis.
The part-time office will serve Pecos and the surrounding area. Carrillo
will officially open the office on Monday, April 19 and will be available
from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on April 19 and April 20.
"My office will do the initial intake of what the constituents need
or want and forward them to the congressman to better serve the community,"
said Galindo.
Carrillo will come to Pecos for several days, four times a year to handle
casework and work as Bonilla's constituent liaison in Pecos. He will handle
requests for information, and will work with constituents on a variety
of issues including: social security, Veteran's Administration concerns,
immigration, information on obtaining a passport, agricultural concerns,
and other items.
"We're just very thankful to the Reeves County judge for helping us
in this effort and offering us office space," said Bonilla.
"We want to better serve the community and help with them with all the
health care issues, veterans issues and whatever else they might have in
mind that needs to be addressed," said Galindo.
Along with the office announcment, Bonilla also update those in attendance
on a variety of issues on the federal level, and was on hand to answer
questions.
Stockton businessman plans KFC/Taco Bell site
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell will share a location at the intersection
of I-20 and U.S. 285 once all hurdles are cleared and construction of a
building is complete.
Terry Foster of Fort Stockton said this morning that the new business
will occupy the site where an abandoned service station now sits on the
east side of U.S. 285, immediately north of the I-20 westbound exit.
"That building will be leveled," Foster said, and the new building will
be one of KFC/Taco Bell's new designs. A similar building went up last
year along U.S. 285 south of Interstate 10 in Fort Stockton.
Fuel tanks buried underneath the ground will also have to be removed
and "quite a bit of dirt work" will be done to the site before construction,
Foster said.
Site preparation includes approval by the Environmental Protection Agency
and the Texas Railroad Commission, Foster said.
"It probably will be a few months before we start construction," he
said. "It is under contract."
The new business will join a chain that Foster owns throughout West
Texas — including the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food outlet on South
Eddy Street.
"I am not sure what we will do with that yet," Foster said. Kentucky
Fried Chicken has operated out of the store at Eddy and Jefferson streets
in Pecos for over 20 years. The old KFC store on Dickenson Blvd. in Fort
Stockton was closed when the new KFC/Taco Bell store opened.
Easter Egg Hunt set for Saturday at Maxey Park
PECOS, April 2, 1999 -- Young children will be in for a treat this Easter
in Pecos.
A Kiddie Easter Egg Hunt has been scheduled beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday
at the Maxey Park.
All children ages 8 and under are invited to participate, but must be
accompanied by a parent or guardian.
In addition, they will have an opportunity to have their picture taken
with the Easter Bunny.
The event is being sponsored by the Reeves County Sheriff's Explorer
Post #600.
Lotto
AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Cash 5 drawing Thursday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 19-22-23-24-25. Number matching five of five: 2. Prize per winner:
$47,917. Winning tickets sold in: Brownsville, Ore City. Matching four
of five: 225. Prize: $639.
***
AUSTIN (AP) — The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Thursday by the Texas
Lottery, in order: 2-8-3 (two, eight, three)
Obituaries
Velma Bell
Graveside services for Velma Verne Bell, 90, of Pecos, are scheduled for
Saturday, April 3, at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Pecos with the Rev.
Greer Willis officiating.
Mrs. Bell died Thursday, April 1, 1999, at Avalon Place.
She was born May 21, 1908, in Eastland County. She moved to Odessa five
years ago from Pecos,, where she had lived since 1936. She was a secretary
of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce and also worked for Rediger's Pharmacy
for many years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pecos.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Bell.
Survivors include two daughters, Patsy Beauchamp of Pecos and Sonnye
Dingler of Odessa; one son, Bobby Bell of Odessa; eight grandchildren;
14 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lucinda Marruffo
Lucinda N. Marruffo, 67, of Pecos died Wednesday, March 31, 1999, at Odessa
Medical Center.
A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the Pecos Funeral
Home Chapel.
Mass will be held at 9 a.m., Monday, April 5, at Santa Rosa Catholic
Church with Father Manuel Munoz officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen
Cemetery.
She was born March 3, 1932, in Pecos, was a homemaker, a lifelong Pecos
resident and a Catholic.
Survivors include five sons, Danny, Israel, Salvador, Arturo and Noel
Marruffo of Pecos; two daughters, Guadalupe Marruffo and Lourdes Eloisa
Machuca of Pecos; two brothers, Severo Natividad of Pecos, Julian Natividad
of Phoenix; four sisters, Rosemary Ramiez and Estella Rodriguez of Pecos,
Juanita Castenada of Arizona, Lenor Natividad of Arizona; 23 grandchildren
and 16 great-grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
High Thursday 85; low last night 60. Tonight, partly cloudy. Low in the
upper 40s. Southwest to west wind 10-20 mph. Saturday, partly cloudy and
breezy. High near 70. West wind 15-25 mph and gusty.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, 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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 1999 by Pecos Enterprise
|