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PECOS, Aug. 6, 1996 - Thanks to a district-wide increase in each
category of the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills, the state has
recognized the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, as well as three campuses, for
their performance on the annually mandated TAAS exam.
Superintendent of Schools Mario Sotelo said earlier today that he was,
"thrilled...delighted," with the final outcome, which he didn't
altogether expect.
"I knew campuses would be recognized," he said, "but to be recognized as
a district," came as a wonderful surprise.
Recognition requires that at least 70 percent of students and students
in each group pass each of the subject areas.
No grade levels were in the Exemplary bracket, said Sotelo. Three
schools - Bessie Haynes and Barstow Elementary and Lamar Middle School,
received recognition and six were considered acceptable. None of the
campuses received a low performing rating, while Pecos Kindergarten was
not rated, as its students are not required to take the Texas Assessment
of Academic Skills (TAAS) test, Sotelo said.
Austin Elementary is rated, explained Sotelo, because it is a direct
feeder into Pecos Elementary, whose students are mandated to take the
TAAS.
Sotelo explained that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) sets a target
that each student group and the district as a whole must meet for all
three sections of the TAAS test, and added all the targets were met.
The improvement scores are set for school districts in order to guide
them towards a 90 percentile, which Sotelo said P-B-T ISD will reach by
the year 2000.
Of the 18 school districts in Region 18, P-B-T ISD, Wink-Loving ISD and
Valentine ISD were the only three receiving state recognition.
Individual schools in the Andrews, Fort Stockton, Culberson County,
Terrell County, Ector County and Midland ISDs were also recognized by
the TEA. One elementary school in the Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD did
receive an exemplary rating, but Monahans High School and Midland High
School were placed on the low performing list.
With all the criticism recently directed toward the local TAAS program,
Sotelo agrees that some changes are needed. "I think they (TAAS
Committee) have some valid points," continued Sotelo, "and I think we do
need some modifications."
"We can't continue exactly like last year," he said. "I'm not totally
opposed to what these people are saying."
He added that the TAAS Committee, composed of district staff, parents
and concerned citizens, will be meeting later today to discuss
recommendations before they go before the school board later this week.
Students taking the test were Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh,
Eighth, and 10th graders.
District scores showed that in the TAAS Reading, 76.4 percent of all
students met minimum expectations, a five percent increase from last
year, which surpassed the 3.7 percent increase expected to pass by the
state. Divided by racial categories, 77.4 percent of African-American
students mastered the subject, 6 percent more than last year, exceeding
the 3.7 percent expected by the state; 73.5 of the district's Hispanics
passed, up 4.8 percent from last year and surpassing the 4.3 percent
expected by the state; and 94.2 percent of Anglos mastered the exam,
which showed a 4.6 percent gain from last year, although they did not
need to show an increase.
The report added that 70.9 percent of economically disadvantaged
students met minimum expectations, up 6.1 percent from last year's
scores, and above the 5.1 percent set by the state.
In the TAAS Math, 76.6 percent of all students met minimum expectations,
a 14.9 percent increase from last year, which by far surpassed the 5.7
percent increase expected to pass by the state. Separated out, 83.9
percent of African-Americans mastered the subject, 33.9 percent higher
than last year, although they were not required to show an increase by
the state; 74.3 Hispanics passed, up 15.8 percent from last year,
surpassing the 6.3 percent expected by the state.
Also 88.8 percent of Anglos mastered the exam, which showed a 5.1
percent gain from last year, although they did not need to show an
increase; and 72.5 percent of economically disadvantaged students met
minimum expectations, up 18 percent from last year's scores and well
over the 7.1 percent set by the state.
In the TAAS Writing, 82.3 percent of all students met minimum
expectations, a 6.8 percent increase from last year, while no increase
was expected by the state;
The report said 100 percent of African-Americans mastered the subject,
13.3 percent more than last year, although they were not expected to
show an increase by the state; 79.5 Hispanics passed, up 6.3 percent
from last year and surpassing the 3.4 percent expected by the state; and
94.4 percent of Anglos mastered the exam, which showed a 5 percent gain
from last year, although they did not need to show an increase; and 79
percent of economically disadvantaged students met minimum expectations,
up 9.7 percent from last year's scores, and well over the 4.1 percent
set by the state.
The superintendent said he had to, "give credit where credit is due," to
the teachers and staff that worked with these students. "My hat goes off
to the staff and the number of people who are responsible for this," he
added.
HOUSTON,Aug. 6, 1996 - A judicial panel today redrew the boundaries for
13 congressional districts in Texas, ordering new elections this year in
nearly half the state's House races.
The districts include three majority-minority districts - the 18th, 29th
and 30th - deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court because
they unlawfully depended on race for their boundaries.
The affected districts include seven in the Houston area and six in the
Dallas area.
In June, the Supreme Court upheld the three-judge panel's decision two
years ago that the 18th in Houston held by Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee,
the 29th in Houston held by Democrat Gene Green and the 30th in Dallas
held by Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson were unconstitutional.
The judges could have accepted one of the many plans submitted to them
by the plaintiffs or other interested parties. The panel decided,
however, to draw its own lines and to order new elections.
The judges' map goes beyond the nine to 10 districts many observers,
both Democrat and Republican, had expected would be redrawn. But they
didn't change some districts that had been considered likely to be
changed, including the 12th District in Fort Worth.
Voters in the 13 districts will participate in a special election
conducted along with the Nov. 5 general election. Candidates must file
by Aug. 30. The Texas Secretary of State must certify the names on the
ballot by Sept. 5.
A runoff election will be held Dec. 10 in districts where no candidate
wins a majority of the vote.
Reeves County is part of the 23rd District, which was not affected by
today's redistricting plan. It's Nov. 5 general election between
two-term incumbent Henry Bonilla (R-San Antonio) and Democratic
challenger Charles Jones will go off as scheduled.
Three incumbents, Ms. Jackson Lee and Republicans Sam Johnson in the
Dallas area's 3rd District and Bill Archer in the Houston area's 7th
District, who hadn't faced primary or major-party general election
opposition, could find themselves drawing rivals.
And challengers in some affected districts could find themselves running
in communities where they haven't campaigned before, rushing to build
name identification and political ties in areas new to them.
Edward Blum, one of the plaintiffs, welcomed the decision.
``No longer will the citizens of our state be forced to endure a system
that is racially unjust and immoral,'' he said in a statement. ``The
Legislature will no longer be allowed to classify and segregate citizens
by race to further the electoral ambitions of some self-serving
politician.''
Paul Hurd, attorney for seven voters who argued that the three districts
improperly were racially gerrymandered, said he had not yet seen the
order and could not comment.
Roger Moore, an attorney whose law firm is representing Lt. Gov. Bob
Bullock and House Speaker Pete Laney, said he also was awaiting a copy
of the lawsuit.
Blum discounted arguments that new elections would be confusing to
voters.
``Because this election is taking place on the same date as the
presidential elections, I'm sure participation of all sectors of our
community will be high,'' Blum said.
Copyright 1996 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SIERRA BLANCA, Aug. 6, 1996 - Public officials from across the state
attacked a proposed West Texas radioactive waste dump as a threat to the
environment and the people of Texas.
Opening a public hearing on the low-level site, Culbertson County Judge
John Conoly told state officials today he felt the dump was forced on
the people in the area.
``We think it's kind of been laid on us,'' Conoly said.
He said residents in his county were particularly concerned because much
of the waste headed for the dump in Hudspeth County would go through
their communities.
County Judge Jake Brisbin of nearby Presidio County, echoed Conoly's
comments.
More than 200 people had attended the daylong hearing by noon in Sierra
Blanca, 120 miles southwest of Pecos. It was the first of several public
hearings on a planned dump for the disposal of low-level waste from
Texas nuclear plants, universities and hospitals.
Anti-dump activists were also planning an evening rally.
Two administrative law judges from the State Office of Administrative
Hearings are collecting public testimony before making a recommendation
on a proposed dump license to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission.
If the commission grants the license, construction on the Hudspeth
County dump could begin as early as next summer and the facility could
begin accepting waste as early as 1998.
The Hudspeth County dump would be capable of taking in 45,000 to 50,000
cubic feet of low-level radioactive waste each year.
Congress is also scheduled to consider an agreement that would allow
Texas to accept waste from Maine and Vermont.
Many West Texas residents are opposed to the site because of the fear
that it would pose a danger to the region and could potentially
contaminate groundwater supplies.
Others, however, support the project and the money it would bring into
Sierra Blanca. State officials contend it would be safe.
Copyright 1996 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cloudy skies spit a few drops of rain Monday, slightly cooling
temperatures but otherwise failing to fulfill a promise of much-needed
moisture over parched West Texas rangeland.
Thunder and lightning over the weekend did much the same in Pecos,
although early morning showers did dump .80 inch on Toyah.
"We got 2.5 inches of thunder and lightning at Verhalen, but just a
sprinkle of rain," said J.C. White.
San Angelo was among the fortunate areas that benefited from isolated
thunderstorms Monday, receiving almost an inch of moisture. Dry cotton
fields between Christoval and northwest Concho County also got a soaking.
Heavy rains also were reported along Interstate 10 east of Fort
Stockton, where a flash flood warning was issued early Monday.
A few scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms dampened portions of
the South Plains and Big Bend area before dawn today.
A strong thunderstorms in Mexico on Monday triggered high winds in the
Lake Amistad area and at Del Rio. Winds were clocked Monday night at 62
mph at Lake Amistad.
Some showers developed in the Del Rio area Monday night, but only .10 of
an inch fell at Del Rio. Some heavier amounts fell near Langtry.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over most areas of West
Texas tonight and Wednesday.
Elsewhere, it will be partly cloudy and hot.
The El Paso area will be the only part of West Texas to miss the
scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Lows tonight will be in the 60s and 70s in West Texas and in the 70s and
80s elsewhere across the state.
Copyright 1996 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PECOS, Aug. 6, 1996 - Appearing in a national magazine was not what
Reeves County District Court Clerk Juana Jaquez envisioned when she was
handling her other regular job in Marfa recently.
Jaquez and her Mariachi group, Aguila, performed at a gathering in Marfa
three months ago, which ended up as part of a profile in the latest
issue of Martha Stewart's Living Magazine.
"I didn't think we would end up in the magazine. I knew they were taking
pictures left and right, but I didn't think anything about it," said
Jaquez.
"It came as a pleasant surprise," she said.
Martha Stewart and her crew were in Marfa in late May for a feature in
her magazine on Marfa, the people, and especially the food of West Texas.
All of which were highlighted in the September issue.
"I was really excited that I got to meet her and it was a lot of fun,"
said Jaquez. "I never dreamed we would be featured in her magazine."
"She (Martha) actually helped with some of the cooking," Jaquez added.
The gathering was sponsored by the Chinati Foundation and the article
itself is titled, "Martha in Marfa."
A former horse arena at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa was the setting
for the West-Texas style barbecue.
Jaquez has been singing since she was 5 years old, and her group has
been together for six years.
"I enjoy playing at all the festivals and I really enjoy meeting new
people, so this was really an experience for me," she said.
All nationalities were represented at this particular gathering,
according to Jaquez.
"We had so many requests for different songs that day, that I was
amazed," she said.
Other members of her group include on trumpets, Beto Franco and Felipe
Ocon; vihuela, Margarito Florez; guitaron, Jimmy Orona; guitar, Fred
Jaquez and Gilberto Madrid.
Martha Stewart also has her own television show, titled, "Living," and
her magazine is one of many published by Time-Warner.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is obtained
from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County
Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, or other agencies;
and from interviews with officers of those agencies.
On July 3, Joe Garcia reported to sheriff's deputies that sometime
between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., July 2, an unknown party had broke out the
back windshield of his 1993 Chevrolet pickup with a BB gun. Damage was
estimated at $600. The location of the crime was not indicated.
James Garcia, 20, of Balmorhea, and Adolfo Mendoza, 18, 220 W. 13th,
were arrested for disorderly conduct by deputies in the Reeves County
Civic Center parking lot July 3, just before midnight.
Gabrela Montez of Saragosa reported to sheriffs deputies that some
between 10 p.m., July 6 and 1:15 a.m., July 7, someone broke out her
kitchen window. Damage was estimated at $50.
Irma Salazar Jimenez was taken into custody by police at the Pecos
Municipal Court after being served with two warrants for outstanding
fines on July 10. Jimenez's age and address were not indicated.
Sheriff's deputies arrested Jose A. Morales, 27, 332 N. Cypress St.,
for evading detention in the 400 block of Mulberry Street on July 10.
During the afternoon of July 10, police arrested Maria Dolores Martinez
in the 400 block of South Mulberry for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Martinez's age and address were not available.
During the late night hours of July 10, police arrested Ramon Munoz for
DWI in the corner of Plum and Walthall streets. Munoz's age and address
were not given.
Raul Garcia, 23, 812 S. Cypress St., was arrested by police for
outstanding DPS warrant on July 11, about 12:45 a.m.
Police arrested John Natividad, 18, 904 E. Eighth St., for abuse of
aerosol paint in the 1100 block of Orange Street, about 11:30 p.m., July
11. Natividad's age and address were not given.
Francisco Orona Medrano, 32, 318 E. Eighth St., was arrested by police
July 11 for public intoxication in the 1100 block of South Orange Street.
On July 11, Jon Igo reported a stolen Panasonic portable stereo from
the Carver Center, located in the corner of Locust and 12th streets.
On the night of July 12, police arrested Francisco Castro for public
intoxication at 2011 Wyoming St. Castro's age and address were not
indicated.
Police arrested Jesus Martinez, 18, 915 S. Cherry St., in the 800 block
of South Cedar Street for public intoxication on July 12.
A gas drive-off was reported by the clerk on duty at the Town and
Country convenience store in the 1200 block of South Cedar Street. The
suspect drove off with $16.66 worth of gas, police were told, about
12:15 a.m. July 13.
Frankie Menchaca was arrested by police in the Reeves County Civic
Center parking lot on the evening of July 13 and served with a sheriff's
department warrant. The police blotter did not indicate the charge on
the warrant, nor Menchaca's age or address.
Leticia R. Rodriguez, 23, 905 E. 11th St., was arrested for public
intoxication during the early morning hours of July 14 in the 900 block
of South Cherry Street.
Elia Lujan reported a stolen bicycle from her residence at 1319 S. Elm
St. Police took the report on the morning of July 15. Lujan said the
crime occurred sometime between 11 p.m., July 14 and the time of the
report.
Terry Louis Burkholder, 51, was cited for unsafe backing on July 15,
just before the lunch hour, when he backed up from the parking area in
the 100 block of West Fourth Street in a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban and hit
a 1994 Pontiac Sunbird, driven by 37-year-old Irma Martinez Leon.
Tomas Carmona, 46, 915 S. Cherry St., was arrested for assault under
the Family Violence Act July 15 at his residence. Police were called to
the scene about 10:25 p.m.
He was arrested again on the same charges at his residence July 22.
Joe Coody, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Maintenance Director, reported an act of
criminal mischief in the Pecos High School football field to police on
the morning of July 18. The crime was committed sometime between July 17
and the time of the report. The nature of the incident was not indicated.
Cruz Jimenez, 22, 1014 E. Eighth St., and John Natividad, 18, 904 E.
Eighth St., were arrested by police and charged with abusing aerosol
paint in the 800 block of S. Mesquite Street, July 18.
Gernomino Hignojos was arrested on two warrants for outstanding fines
on July 16. Place of arrest, and Hignojos' age and address were not
given.
On July 16, Jamin Weidner was arrested by police for assault by threat
under the Family Violence Act in the 2200 block of Eddy Street. Address
and age for Weidner were not given.
Police arrested Rudy Mora Minjarez for theft over $50 at the Town and
Country convenience store at 915 W. Third St., July 17.
Ismael Salcido Menchaca, 20, 2201 Veterans Blvd., was arrested at the
corner of Third and Willow Streets on a warrant for outstanding
municipal fines on July 18.
After investigating a two car accident at the corner of Elm and Third
streets, police cited Olga Juarez Garcia, 39, who was driving a 1990
Chevrolet pickup for failing to yield right of way at a stop
intersection and Monica Jo Bustamante, 16, for driving without a
driver's license, on July 19.
Donacio Torres, 56, 527 Martinez St., was arrested for public
intoxication at the Illusion bar, 611 E. Second St., on July 20, about
12:30 a.m.
Police arrested Gilbert Juarez in the 1400 block of 13th Street July
20, just after noon, for outstanding DPS warrants. Age and address for
Juarez were not available.
On July 21, about 1:30 a.m., police arrested Ricardo Rocha for public
intoxication in the 500 block of East 12th Street. Rocha's address and
age were not available.
Police arrested Eric Garcia for criminal trespass in the 2400 block of
Sage Street July 22. Garcia's age and address were not indicated.
Felix J. Madrid, 21, 1938 Scott St., was arrested by police during a
warrant service July 22, He was charged probation revocation on an
original charge of hindering apprehension.
On July 23, about 6:30 p.m., police cited Guadalupe Herrera, 22, for no
driver's license, no insurance, and failing to stop at a designated
stopping point, after investigating an accident in the corner of Bois
D'Arc and Fifth streets. He was driving a 1978 Buick Regal when he
struck a 1995 Pontiac Sunfire, driven by Hilda M. Rodriguez, 31.
Rodriguez received no citations.
Police arrested Ysa Munoz for criminal trespass and outstanding fine
warrants in the 700 block of Meadowbrook Drive, Pecos Housing Authority
projects, the evening of July 23. Munoz's age and address were not
indicated.
On July 25, Diego Arriaga, was arrested by police for no driver's
license and no insurance during a traffic stop in the corner of
Jefferson and Eddy Streets. Arriaga's age and address were not available.
Nicomedes Florez reported to police on July 26 that sometime between
July 23, midnight, and 9 a.m. that day, someone had scratched his
vehicle while parked at his residence at 2129 Hackberry St.
Augustin Valdez Muro, 38, 1901 Scott St., was arrested by police in the
corner of Texas Highway 17 and Business I-20 during the early morning
hours of July 28.
PECOS, Aug. 6, 1996 - High Monday 97, low last night 73. Tonight, partly
cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Low 70-75. Southeast wind
5-15 mph. Wednesday, partly cloudy. A continued slight chance of
thunderstorms. High around 95. Southeast wind 5-15 mph. Rain chance 20
percent.
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_
Copyright 1996 by Pecos Enterprise
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
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