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PECOS, Jan. 8, 1996 - Fred Dominguez helped re-organize the past
president's association for the Pecos Chamber of Commerce during his
term as president last year.
"Now I am one," Dominguez said this week as he looked back over the
chamber's accomplishments.
Past presidents dubbed themselves "Gold Stars."
"That's going to be a real good thing, because they can put on their
knowledge to us greenhorns," Dominguez said.
Early in his term, the chamber saw a "very good" junior livestock show,
with "lots and lots of kids" involved, he said.
But it was the Golden Gloves regional tournament at the Reeves County
Civic Center that Dominguez feels is the star in his crown. The chamber
backed boxing coach Fred Martin in wooing the tournament and organizing
activities.
"It went over, not too well, but we done good," Dominguez quipped. "We
will do it again next month. It brings in a lot of people from all over
the area and New Mexico."
The biggest event of the year is the West of the Pecos Rodeo, which the
chamber backs with advertising far and wide. In connection with the
rodeo, the chamber hosts Fiesta Night in Old Pecos, which this year was
a big success in attendance and in revenues.
"It is not supposed to be a money-making deal. The chamber puts it on
for the city of Pecos. But we came out $800 or $900 ahead," Dominguez
said. "In years past, it would always lose money - around $1,000."
His daughter, Velma Dominguez, headed up the Fiesta Night committee last
year.
In terms of profits, the concert brought in the most money and the most
people. The profits are used to advertise the city and help the museum,
he said.
Another success at the Fall Fair was the barbecue cookoff, which had 48
entries this year - more than in recent years, although at one time 60
to 70 entries were common.
"We have pushed for a YMCA, but the organizing committee, which we were
part of and share with Oscar Saenz, is still in the making," he said.
"It takes a lot of time."
Dominguez also re-activated the merchants committee, under the direction
of John Saenz.
Sponsorship of the Christmas Parade, with the Women's Division in
charge, rounded out the year.
"Financially, we are in good shape," Dominguez said.
Part of that is due to the advertising and tourism committee, chaired by
Dick Alligood.
"It has turned around into a real good, well-organized effort, with
money distributed efficiently and every penny accounted for," Dominguez
said.
And others who have done a good job will be recognized at the banquet
Friday.
"This year, we have some real good people we are going to honor at our
banquet," he said. "We ask all the people to support us; come out and be
with us. We are going to have a good time."
Securing the Regional Golden Gloves Tournament for the Reeves County
Civic Center was one of the accomplishments that Tom Rivera points to in
the 1995 Pecos Chamber of Commerce calendar.
"We are going to do the second one Feb. 2-3," Rivera said.
The biggest thing accomplished in the chamber office is automation.
With new computer software, the staff can maintain a membership database
with prospects and members listed, fax notices to members and share
information that comes in from various sources.
"Automation will save a tremendous amount of man hours," Rivera said.
To add to its efficiency, the staff was expanded to include a third
full-time employee to answer the telephone and greet tourists.
"That allows us to do a lot more things than shuffling paperwork,"
Rivera said.
On Monday, Reeves County Commissioners approved a lease agreement for
the chamber to operate the civic center. Rivera said they will not move
the chamber office to the civic center as originally planned, but will
use the money a new office would cost to renovate the old railroad depot.
The chamber's present location next to the West of the Pecos Museum and
Windmill Square is better than the civic center would be, he said.
"It is more accessible to tourists, because of the close proximity of
the museum," he said. "If a visitor stops here, we send them to the
museum, and they to us."
While the chamber supports community events such as the cantaloupe
festival, Rivera said he hopes that other organizations will take them
over.
"We are trying to get away from being event oriented," he said. "We need
to service our membership better than in the past and to work on
economic development."
Another step forward is to publish a page advertising events in Pecos on
the TexasUSA bulletin board.
The "event mini-page" on the TexasUSA home page contains community data,
local events, local contacts and events. It will be updated four times
per year. Its address is Webmaster@TEXUSA.Com.
Rivera said the chamber has added an agri-business committee to work
more closely with local and area farmers and ranchers, "and do more for
them then we have in the past."
Any information the chamber receives that pertains to business related
to ranchers and farmers will be immediately faxed out to them, Rivera
said.
"We will focus on membership retention, building up the membership and
economic development in the coming year," Rivera said.
Rivera has been chamber executive director for five years and will
complete his fifth year of institute this year. He will have one more to
get his certification in chamber work.
"I love it," he said of the position. "One of the most important things
I found is, when you make friends with fellow chamber folks, if you run
into a problem you can pick up the phone and share with them - borrow
other ideas and build on that.
"Some have been in the business for yers and years. A lot of times I
just call Art Roberts (with the state chamber). If he doesn't know, he
will direct me to someone else."
Roberts will be keynote speaker at Friday's banquet.
Rivera said he would like to have an annual retreat for the chamber
board of directors and bring an outside professional in to act as
facilitator to motivate the board.
"That in turn will, hopefully, rub off on the entire community," he said.
The community benefited last year by hospitality training workshops by
the chamber's three certified trainers.
"People that were in the workshops are doing a better job, but we have a
long way to go," he said. "I see it every day when I walk into a store."
Chamber staffers hand out referral cards when someone comes in to
enquire about a particular type of business. They leave the bright
melon-colored cards with the merchant to whom they were referred.
"It is a service we provide our members," Rivera said. "But we refer
people to non-members it is a type of business we don't have in our
membership. That money stays in Pecos."
Rivera said he has an optimistic outlook for the new year and hopes the
community will take that attitude as well.
Jamin Weidner claims in the suit, filed Friday in 143rd District Court,
that Rodriguez stabbed him on Jan. 8, 1994 on housing authority property.
Rodriguez has possessed the apartment which had been rented to Weidner's
friend, and his personal possessions were still there.
The attack was unprovoked by Weidner and was a knowing, intentional and
vicious act of stabbing the plaintiff in the chest area and near his
heart, the petition alleges.
"This attack and hostility toward plaintiff was provoked and caused by
the act or acts of defendants city and housing authority. The attack
resulted in injuries to Jamin Weidner," the petition continues.
City and housing authority employes were negligent in allowing the
contition to continue an failing to warn Weidner of the hostility they
caused in the former tenant, Rodriguez.
They also failed to properly care for the personal property of tenants
and failed to properly dispose of former tenant's property, failed to
maintain a safe environment for residential living, with proper
security; failed to instruct employees on the proper methods of caring
for or disposing of property left in apartments by former tenants, and
in failing to warn plaintiff of the unsafe condition.
Weidner seeks reimbursement for medical care and expenses, physical pain
and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of earnings and
disfigurement, past and future.
Scott Johnson, attorney for the city and PHA, said today that he has not
received a copy of the petition and would have no comment.
Jose Antonio Galindo-Villa asked for mercy, showing Judge Furgeson a
letter from his wife in Mexico. He said he re-entered the United States
because he was poor and could only earn enough in Mexico to buy beans
and tortillas.
"My child is very young. He needs better food in order to grow up
right," Galindo said. "That's the only reason I came back, not because I
wanted to."
Galindo was on supervised release at the time of his arrest last year by
U.S. Border Patrol agents, who found 63 pounds of marijuana in one of
two vehicles also carrying several illegal aliens, Judge Furgeson said.
Although Galindo denied he helped cross the marijuana into Texas from
Mexico, Senior Judge Lucius Bunton had found that he did and revoked his
supervised release.
"I concur with Judge Bunton's view of the situation," Judge Furgeson
said. "If this were simple re-entry, I might be willing to sentence near
the bottom of the guidline range.
"The fact Mr. Galindo has been involved in a marijuana case before this
that resulted in the sentence terminating his supervised release, and
the fact Judge Bunton found, and I agree, that his coming back in was
also involved with marijuana again really makes me believe that this
sentence should be at the top of the guideline range," Judge Furgeson
said.
"Let me tell you, Mr. Galindo, the fact is, not only can you not come
back into the United States, but you can't try to import drugs into the
United States," he said.
"This is the second instance where you have come back here with
marijuana. That's just absolutely unacceptable...If you come back in
again, another judge will do the same thing, and you will spend more and
more of your time in a federal prison.
"It is one thing to come back in to see your family, but it is another
thing to come in with drugs with you."
In handing down the 57-month prison sentence, Judge Furgeson accepted
the agreement between government prosecutors and defense attorney
Christine Kelso to make it concurrent with his present sentence and
imposed three years of supervised release after completion of the
sentence.
Sylvestre Vera-Jiminez walked away with a 40-month sentence for his part
in importing marijuana in a separate incident. While that was near the
lower end of the sentencing guideline range, Judge Furgeson didn't buy
his sad tale of just earning money for his family in Mexico, despite
being shown a color photo of them.
"The thing that just worries me is the fact that you were involved in
these transactions more than once," Judge Furgeson said. "I can only
imagine how it would be not to have money for your family, and what that
might cause you to do. But the fact is, you took an unlawful way to
support your family. You have an attractive family. You will be
separated from them for a long time."
Vera fled from law enforcement officers in April and May of last year
when they tried to stop him with a load of marijuana, Furgeson said. The
first time he fled back to Mexico. The second time, he abandoned his
vehicle and was caught on foot about 200 yards away.
"The fact he flees leads me to believe he is more involved in these
matters and has more information on what's at stake than someone just
bringing it across," Judge Furgeson said.
"It is of special concern to me that, if you you have an agent who has
to chase down Vera in the middle of nowhere, that creates other kinds of
dangers to law enforcement officers that I don't normally see in these
cases," he said.
Judge Furgeson accepted guilty pleas in three drug cases and will
sentence the defendants, Carlos Herrera-Cerda, Jerry Dale Thomas and
Javier Garcia-Quintana, in 60 to 90 days.
Services for Doyce Stroade, 55, were at 2 p.m. today in Pecos Funeral
Home Chapel, with burial in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery. He died Friday, Jan.
5, 1996 in Balmorhea.
He was born Aug. 23, 1940 in Pecos, was self employed and a Methodist.
Survivors include one son, Robert Stroade of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one
daughter, Cristi Cammarono of Tucson, Ariz.; his perents, Fred and
Mildred Stroade of San Angelo; one sister, Carolyn Stroade of Balmorhea;
and four grandchildren.
The final tabulation of seizures amounted to about 11,000 pounds of
marijuana valued at $84 million. Cocaine seizures totaled 14 pounds
valued at $450,000.
These seizures represent 102 cases, with 124 arrests being made. Of
those, 69 were U.S. citizens.
Agents seized 59 vehicles as part of the criminal activities, along with
16 weapons. Currency seizures amounted to $82,000.
Few of the cases were filed in the Pecos Division of federal court.
Smaller loads were turned over to state courts. Larger cases with
connections in the Odessa-Midland area were filed by DEA agents in the
Midland Division.
PECOS, Jan 8, 1996 - High Sunday 47, low last night 23. Tonight, clear.
Low 30 35. Southwest wind 5-15 mph. Tuesday, mostly sunny. High 70 75.
Variable wind 5-15 mph.
County OKs civic center lease
PECOS, Jan. 8, 1996 - Reeves County Commissioners approved a lease
agreement with the Pecos Chamber of Commerce to operate the Reeves
County Civic Center and Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena at the first
commissioners court meeting of 1996.
Chamber of Commerce Director Tom Rivera was on hand at this morning's
regular meeting and said that he saw no problems with the contract.
In the lease agreement the Pecos Chamber of Commerce will provide a site
and facilities for the "West of the Pecos Rodeo, the "Fall Fair" and
other community events, in order that such productions and activities
may at all times in the future be a part of the cultural and
recreational activites of the community and the county.
The agreement states that it is agreed and understood that there will be
no use of the rodeo grounds arena by any person or organization that
would disturb the natural surface of the arena floor or ground without
the prior consent of the rodeo committee for such use. All revenues
realized by the Pecos Chamber of Commerce from the annual productions
and presentations and other uses which may be made of the Reeves County
Civic Center and Rodeo grounds by the Pecos Chamber of Commerce will be
used to defray the expenses of such operation and for the general
promotion and welfare of the community ad the county.
All meetings of the Board of Directors of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce
pertaining to the use of said property shall be open to the news media
and the public. The Pecos chamber of Commerce shall annually make and
file with its Board of Directors and Reeves County a complete activity
report showing the use of the Reeves County Civic Center and Rodeo
Grounds, a general itemization of the revenues realized from such
operation and a general itemization of the disbursement of such funds.
This agreement may be cancelled by either party by giving 120 days
notice to the County of Reeves of intention to so terminate. During the
term of this agreement, it is understood by all parties that the Pecos
Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors shall have complete
access to such grounds and facilities at all time sin order that they
may keep and maintain such facilities in a proper state of repair.
Any improvements and additions to the facilities at such shall be at the
discretion of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce.
In the agreement is also states, that the rodeo committee can make
whatever improvements or additions to the rodeo grounds, that in its
opinion, are needed and necessary for the successful annual production
of the "Wst of the Pecos Rodeo" or any other event it sponsors at the
rodeo grounds and the County of Reeves hereby agrees to work with the
Pecos Chamber of Commerce in any manner possible, including, but not
limited to, providing equipment and manpower to properly prepare and
maintain the rodeo grounds and civic center for the annual "West of the
Pecos Rodeo," in order that the Reeves County Cicic Center and rodeo
grounds can be used and maintained for the best interest of all of the
citizens of the County of Reeves and the Town of Pecos City.
Rivera requested that the funds in the amount of $500 budgeted by the
city to be used for utilities be made available to be used in the
operational part of the facility.
"I just wanted a little leeway to use these funds as operational funds
also," said Rivera.
Rivera told the court since the chamber is beginning this operation with
a zero balance he would like to utilize the money where it is needed the
most.
The chamber will set up a separate account for this agreement.
"We'll set up a separate account for this instead of co-mingling the
funds with chamber funds," he said.
Rivera expressed his thanks to the court and stated that they will do
everything in their power to operate both facilities properly and as
efficiently as possible.
A dental bid went to David Lovett of Pecos to provide services for the
Reeves County Detention Center and Sheriff's Department.
Lovett submitted a schedule of fees identical to the low bidder,
according to Galindo.
In personnel and salary changes, Billy Joe Wilson was hired at the
Reeves County Detention Center at an annual salary of $15,000; Larry
Anaya, Reeves County Detention Center at an annual salary of $17,000.
Anaya has two experience in law enforcement. Part-time employees were
hired for Justice of the Peaces. Hilda Mondragon will be working
part-time for J.P. 3 Joel Madrid at an hourly salary of $8.80 for 17½
hours per week and Edith Hamm, for J.P. 2 J.T. Marsh, $8.80 for 17½
hours per week.
A bond for deputy clerk Connie Lozano for the District Clerk's office
was approved.
Under reports from various departments, an ending balance of $477,000
was noted in the budget.
"That's quite an improvement," said Galindo.
Galindo praised all departments for controlling spending and living
within their means.
Reeves County Commissioners approved funds to be used for a West Texas
Exhibit at the National Aqua Culture Conference in Arlington.
Charlie Walker of Monahans made a presentation to the court and stated
that all West Texas Counties and cities needed to work together towards
this particular project for economic growth and diversification.
The exhibit will take place in Arlington Feb. 14-17.
"What we want to do is go in as a region and rent a booth," said Walker.
"We want to show them that we have the resources to go into shrimp
farming," he said.
Over 100 organizations will be doing this, according to Walker.
Walker will be speaking to organizations in Ward, Pecos and Reeves
County, along with chamber of commerces' and the Town of Pecos City.
"You being the economic development chairman for Pecos, do you think of
this," asked County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.
"I think we should sponsor this to promote economic stability and
diversification and I know the chamber will," said Chamber of Commerce
Director Tom Rivera.
Walker told the court he has spoken with other commissioners court and
that Ward County had already committed to this project.
"We want to show them that we're seriously considering shrimp farming,
have the facilities and the land for it to improve economic conditions,"
said Walker.
"We also hope to have representatives from Anchor out there at the
exposition," said Walker. "We need to show that we're serious about
improving the economic condition and shrimp farming in West Texas," he
said.
According to Walker Anchor West in Pecos has capabilities to provide the
facility as a shrimp processing producer in Reeves County.
"I'm going to speak to Anchor about providing processing productions for
shrimp and get production going," he said.
Galindo asked where Ward County had taken the funds to sponsor this
exposition, since counties are usually prohibited from funding economic
development.
"Ward County approved it from their Sundry Funds, which I don't know
what that means," he said.
Texas Redfish Company of Grandfalls will supply information and also
supply recruitment efforts and the Pecos River Commission will supply
technical information for Pecos, Reeves and Ward Counties.
"What we would contract under would be livestock and the land that
Reeves County has to offer," said Galindo.
"We need to show that we have the land and facilities to do this," said
Walker. "We would exhibit our own natural resources to farm shrimp," he
said.
Walker told the court an aerial photo of Reeves County would show
prospective shrimp farmers where land is available for farming at the
seminar.
"This in a sense, will also be a fact finding session," said Galindo.
The exposition will give individuals a chance to learn more about the
shrimp industry and where land is available and promote economic
development in West Texas through shrimp farming, according to Walker.
"The primary goal is to show that we have the assets in Reeves County,"
said Walker.
Walker also pointed out that he'd rather see a shrimp farm going up here
in Reeves County or West Texas, than in some other state.
Approval of the expenditure, will go under livestock potential in Reeves
County.
"The more we try to improve our surroundings and our economy the better
off we'll be," said Galindo.
Rivera stated that he would be interested in attending the exposition
and represent Reeves County.
In other business, commissioners approved to table the agenda item
involving pay increases for RCDC employees.
"I overlooked an important factor," RCDC Warden Joe Trujillo, in regards
to the postponement of a ruling on the matter and added, that he was,
"hoping to consider raises for individuals that were not considered last
time."
Comissioners unanimously agreed to extend the Food Service Administrator
contract for another 30 days, pending an employment status decision. The
contract was scheduled to expire Dec. 31.
Because of IRS legalities the FSA and Medical Director for the RCDC will
have to decide on whether or not they want to change their status from
part-time to full-time.
County Road Administrator Russ Salcido briefed the court on his
department's efforts to label all county roads for emergency response
purposes.
Salcido provided county officials with a detailed map that was digitized
and color coded by local Texas Department of Transportation engineer
John Salcido.
The map outlines all county roads per their assigned three digit code,
which local emergency response volunteers and staff will in emergency
instances.
"We've put signs up at every intersection of every county road," Salcido
told the court, with the exception of the Saragosa and Lindsey Addition
areas, which are pending the designation of names for roads.
"I think it's going to be a great help (to emergency response teams),"
said County Auditor Lynn Owens, who is a volunteer fireman. "Hopefully
vandals will leave them up."
Galindo stated that the next step in the 911 Emergency Planning program
will be to meet all emergency response entities to brief them on the
plan, look into money for more signs, discuss a centralized dispatching
unit for the county and monies to upgrade its equipment.
Salcido also addressed the matter involving private landowners putting
up gates on county roads and padlocking them.
County Attorney Weinacht stated that once a road has been designated a
county road, "through either a deed or improvements made by the county,"
a person must follow a certain procedure to put up a gate or cattle
guard.
"They have to follow certain rules," said the county's legal advisor,
who commented that it is a crime to deface public property regarding the
issue of landowners knocking down or taping up road signs.
County Treasurer, and rancher, Linda Clark stated, "if you don't lock
the gates, you're going to have gobs of people going in their," in
regards to cattle being stolen and unwanted individuals entering private
property.
"But that's a law enforcement issue," said Galindo.
"You can't put locks on county roads," said Weinacht, "and we need to
look for another solution," to protect the private landowners property.
Commissioner Precinct 3 Herman Tarin stated that elderly individuals who
do not want persons entering their property must also be considered.
Lupe Garcia, commissioner precinct 1, asked Salcido to extend the
court's thanks to John Salcido for his help on outlaying the county's
road plan.
"Also (thanks should also be extended) to Gil Ybarra and Ramon Valdez,"
said Russ Salcido, "for the good job they did putting up signs."
Anchor West leads local business expansion
Anchor West, located on I-20 Access Road, is bringing a note of good
cheer to the Pecos economy.
The company, which employs 400 local individuals, is growing and
expanding its operations, according to plant manager Oscar Saenz.
"We're starting the new year with a bang," said Saenz.
A new line opened on July of 1995 with several employees added to the
payroll.
"We're projecting another line to open in late 1996," said Saenz.
The company is offering Pecos and area individuals a chance of
employment and brightening Pecos' future.
Freeport McMoRan, the Louisiana company that purchased the 25-year-old
Sulphur Mine, employs about 250 employees.
Freeport uses sulphur in its agricultural fertilizer plant. They also
own and operate copper and gold mines and explore for oil and gas.
Agriculture's future looks bright, with dairies supporting new feed
crops and increased interest in produce crops.
Several new business have joined the Pecos community, ranging from new
eateries to health-care facilities.
American Home Health has improved and expanded their facility. The
health care center also relocated offering area residents more
reliability and better health care.
The center is now located at 315 S. Oak.
Pecos Nursing Home, 1819 Memorial Drive, expanded their facility to
include an Alzheimer's Wing and provide residents a more comfortable
atmosphere.
Other new businesses in Pecos include Three Dimensions offering health
care products, clothes and customized items.
Chilango's Grill, corner of Third and Eddy Streets, offers fast food at
reasonable prices.
Discoteca Mexico, located next to Chilangos, brings music to the area,
offering a variety of Latin and American music.
Specialties of Sis, 505 S. Oak, houses craft and specialty items.
Pecos Valley Recycling Center, which held its grand opening on Texas
Recycles Day, Nov. 15 is now open and taking in all types of paper
products, plastics and other recyclables.
Eagles Nest, formerly Mr. Treat, 1201 S. Eddy, features everything from
sandwiches to Chinese cuisine.
Tellez looks for good chamber year
Gerald Tellez, Jr. hopes for, "cooperation," and, "a good attitude,"
during his term as President of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce.
The 42-year-old, lifelong resident of Pecos said that he thinks, "it's
great," that he was appointed for the position by the organization's
nominating committee.
"I have some good ideas for 1996," said Tellez, whose been a Chamber
member for three years and goals involve economic development and,
"putting people to work."
Currently Tellez and his wife are supporting all their three children
through college. He works at the Popular Thriftway business office,
located at 500 E. Third Street, where he always greets customers with a
smile.
He combines his office duties with the responsibilities of the city
council, for which he has served as councilman for almost a year after
having been appointed to current Pecos Mayor Dot Stafford's unexpired
term after she elected for her present position in the March primary
elections.
An avid Cowboy fan, Tellez said he enjoys hunting and fishing, when not
toiling away at the office or in the council chambers.
Tellez said that he hopes that others, like himself, will start off the
new year with a positive attitude and added that the entire community
needs to strive, "to go forward not backwards."
He said he plans to accomplish his goals, not alone, but with the
cooperation and working harmony of all local governing bodies.
Chamber relations guru to speak at banquet
Guest speaker for the 1996 Pecos Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet will
be Art Roberts, Senior Vice-President for Chamber Relations of the Texas
Chamber of Commerce, presently the Texas Association of Business and
Chamber of Commerce.
Roberts has served at his current position for seven years and for 20
years prior was in the Chamber profession as the Chief Executive Officer
of the Lamesa, Edinberg, Odessa and El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
Today, he is working on completing two books, which have been accepted
for national publication, one on challenges facing key volunteers and
the other, for the staff of volunteer organiztions, which is scheduled
for release this fall.
Roberts' credits include his attendance of Odessa College, The
University of Texas, the U.S. Chamber Institute at Southern Methodist
University (SMU) and the Academy of Organization Management at Notre
Dame University.
He was one of two U.S. Chamber executives serving as the first
instructor at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Central and South America,
when he taught at San Jose, Costa Rica.
He taught graduate courses in association management at the University
of Texas of the Permian Basin and was Chariman of the Borad of Regents
of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management at SMU.
During the last three years, Roberts served as a facilitator for more
than 80 local chambers, and delivered more than 100 speeches on the
activities of the organization. He is a private consultant to several
corporations on employee motivation and training, having recently worked
with the employees of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
in Dallas.
Icy highway blamed for death
A California man lost his life, his wife and many more injured as the
result of icy conditions on U.S. Interstate 10 over the weekend.
Loyd Giza, 77, of Thousand Oaks, Calif was pronounced dead at the scene
Saturday morning at the site of a two-vehicle accident. His wife,
74-year-old Jean Giza was transported to Reeves County Hospital, where
she is listed in stable condition after having suffered minor back
injuries, according to a Department of Public Safety report.
Local DPS Dispatcher Elaine Capers said this morning that DPS Trooper
John Henley was dispatched about 9:03 a.m. to mile marker 185, in Jeff
Davis County, where the Giza's 1988 Ford pickup had rear ended a 1986
Ford two-door, driven by Pam Poston of Euless.
The trooper stated that Giza was behind Poston, westbound, when Poston
struck an icy patch and slid off of the roadway just before Giza struck
the same patch and slid off the highway behind her vehicle, struck the
Ford two-door, causing the Giza's pickup to roll over 1½ times.
The accident report indicated that Poston and the retired couple were
wearing their seatbelts.
Giza was pronounced dead at the scene by Reeves County Justice of the
Peace Precinct 3 Joel Madrid and was taken to Pecos Funeral Home. "Next
of kin has been notified," said the DPS dispatcher.
Although no reports have been completed, the DPS communications
spokesperson stated that over 20 accidents were investigated in less
than a four hour period between the U.S. Interstate 20/I-10 split and
Balmorhea.
"We received the first call at 8 a.m.," said Capers, "and the last one
at 11:40 (a.m.)."
"Seventeen (accidents) were reported to this office," she said, "but
several more (accidents) were discovered (upon arrival). So there were
more than 20 (accidents in all)."
The dispatcher noted that all accidents were due to the icy conditions
and that Van Horn Border Patrol, Reeves County Sheriff's Office assisted
DPS troopers from Pecos, Fort Davis, Kermit and Monahans.
Administrative Technician for the local DPS Office Cindy Jones reported
that reports from accidents occurring just as the new year began are
still being completed, all involving icy road conditions.
On such report, involved an accident occurring Tuesday morning at mile
marker 181, I-10.
Lydia Robles, 18, of El Paso, was eastbound when she lost control of the
1986 BMW she was driving after striking an ice patch on the road and
rolling over one time.
Robles had four passengers: 18-year-old Angela Castillo; Eva Robles, 14;
Elidia Robles, 13 and Pilar Robles, 37, all of El Paso.
Driver and Castillo were taken to Reeves County Hospital.
DPS officials were dispatched at 3 a.m. to mile marker 220, I-10, where
24-year-old John Albert Ikonomos, of Yuma, Ariz., driving a 1993 Mercury
Topaz, rolled over one time after he was traveling west, struck an icy
area and slid into the ceter median.
He was carrying two passengers, Ruben Pena, 47, and Maria Ikonomos, 43.
No injuries were indicated as of this morning.
At 8:45 a.m. that same morning, 77-year-old Sebastian Gangi, of Leroy,
N.Y., was traving westbound near mile marker 186 in a 1986 Chevrolet
pickup, towing a travel trailer, when both vehicles turned into a
jacknife position after striking an ice patch.
Isabel Gangi, 69, was traveling with Sebastian Gangi and no injuries
were indicated as of this morning.
About an hour later, seven miles to the west, DPS officials were
dispatched to the scene of a one vehicle accident, where Acosta Mariano,
Jr., 20, of El Centro, Calif. was reportedly eastbound on I-10 near mile
post 179 when he struck a slick spot and flipped one time. There were no
passengers or injuries were listed as of this morning.
Thursday at 12 p.m., Joel Orosco, 30, of San Antonio, struck a parked
vehicle near mile post 220 with his 1990 Isuzu van.
Orosco was headed east when he struck a 1987 Toyota parked pickup,
driven by Eric Garcia of Whittier, Calif.
Garcia was legally parked in the improved shoulder when Orosco ran off
the roadway, onto the shoulder and struck him.
Cause of the accident or mention of any citations issued were not
indicated as of this morning.
Persons from one end of the country to the other were not immune to the
icy roads and other travelling hazards that plagued area highways during
the first two days of the new year.
Spokesperson for the local Texas Department of Public Safety office
Cindy Jones said she has received only a few completed reports from the
13 accident reported in less than a 24-hour period in the area.
DPS Dispatcher Elaine Capers said no accidents have been reported this
morning and no fatalitities since the new year.
About 9:45 p.m. Monday, DPS troopers were dispatched to mile marker 200,
where Michael Stroud of Upton, Md., hauling a utility trailer with a
1995 Ford Econoline van, lost control of his tow unit after a tire blew
out. The trailer veered to the right and struck the guardrail.
No injuries were recorded.
Thirty minutes later at 10:15 p.m., local DPS officials investigated a
one vehicle rollover at mile marker 216 on U.S. Interstate 10, about
five miles east of Saragosa.
The report indicated that 33-year-old Debra Chavez was westbound in a
1995 Toyota pickup when she lost control due to the icy conditions,
veered to the right of the improved shoulder and overturned 2½ times,
coming to rest on the northwest frontage road.
Chavez, along with passengers, Rodolfo and Patricia Morales, all of El
Paso, were transported to Reeves County Hospital, ??where they were
treated and released, according to a RCH spokesperson.
Another tire blowout had DPS officials at the scene of an early Monday
accident at Farm to Market Road 2903, which runs from Toyah to Balmorhea.
Guadalupe Carrillo, 47, of Hobbs, N.M. was traveling in a 1985 Buick and
lost control when a front tire blew out. The vehicle veered to the left
side of the road and overturned 1½ times, indicated the DPS report.
Riding with Carrillo was 40-year-old Miguel Barajas. There were no
injuries.
Tuesday morning, about 8:05 a.m., local state law enforcement officers
investigated an accident at mile post 214 on I-10.
The DPS report states that John Jackson, 75, of Big Bear, Calif. was
driving a 1994 Jeep Cherokee, pulling a 1996 Cobra travel trailer.
The hauling unit struck an icy patch of highway when it spun arownd the
Cherokee. Both the trailer and jeep struck the guardrail and both came
to rest on their left sides.
Travelling with Jackson was 74-year-old Marjorie Jackson. Both were
taken to RCH, where they were treated and released.
Larry Levario of the local Texas Department of Transportation office,
which tends the federal highway up to Toyah said that the maintenance
crew uses a grade five modified gravel, salt mixture that is combined in
a dump truck and laid out, "mainly on overpasses," when weather
conditions are favorable for threatening roadways.
Roadway maintenance supervisor for the Balmorhea TxDOT Jose Rodriguez
office said this morning that his crew will be preparing for the icy
weekend expected and will cover the areas susceptible to icy conditions
with the same mixture as the Pecos office.
The Balmorhea office covers the I-10 stretch on which most of the
incidents reported during the first two days of the new year took place.
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_
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