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(Editor's Note: Each year, as the year comes to a close, the staff of
the Pecos Enterprise takes a look back at what has transpired in the
past 12 months on the local scene. This is the second of three
installments on the year of 1996.)
May 1
Residents sign up for internet access with Oil Field Phone Co.'s local
internet access service provider, Bitstreet of Abilene.
May 2
Jury says Reeves County Commissioners abused their discretion in setting
a $32,500 annual salary for court-at-law judge Lee Green. They awarded
Green $10,500 in attorney fees. Green sought to have his $53,000 salary
restored.
May 3
Indictments brought against three board members of the Ward County
Irrigation District #1 are voided, but a new indictment is filed against
the district as a whole, alleging misapplication of fiduciary property.
May 6
Republic of Texas officials claim they will wage a paper war to protest
jailing of their "ambassador," Richard L. McLaren, on federal contempt
of court charges.
State and local officials dedicate cienega at Balmorhea State Park.
May 10
School district's TAAS scores up sharply. Judge Bunton returns Richard
McLaren to jail on his refusal to obey court orders.
May 13
Reeves County Commissioners OK sewer improvement project and perimeter
fence at Reeves County Detention Center.
May 17
Town & Country Food Stores purchase nine acres of land at the
intersection of U.S. Highway 285 and I-20 near the Flying J Travel Plaza.
May 23
Pecos City Council suspends for 90 days a plan by Texas-New Mexico Power
Co. to freeze rates for five years, then offer customers a choice of
provider for electricity.
May 24
Fourteen federal inmates who allegedly led a riot at the Reeves County
Law Enforcement Center Feb. 28 are indicted for aggravated assault.
May 29
West of the Pecos Museum executive director Genora Prewit announces her
resignation, but says she will continue to help the museum.
May 30
Permian Basin Drug Task Force commander Tom Finley calls for resignation
of 143rd District Attorney John Stickels.
June 3
Parents hand out diplomas to 11 graduating Pecos High School seniors.
June 4
Pecos Cantloupe Company begins onion harvest. Cut cable puts Toyah
residents out of power. Survey shows state and local taxes discourage
expansion, new starts.
June 6
Pecos named Tree City U.S.A. for the third year in a row. Traffic picks
up at new federal courthouse, with Republic of Texas ambassador jailed
on contempt charges, MERCO suing its detractors for millions and drug
cartels facing criminal charges.
June 10
Reeves County Commissioners OK ban on sale, possession and use of
fireworks due to drought. Judge Bunton releases Richard L. McLaren on
his promise to obey orders.
June 12
Pecos Chamber of Commerce gains help with annual cantaloupe festival.
Reeves County Hospital links to Internet for help with medical problems.
June 17
Clouds dump .80 inch of rain with tiny hail as thunderstorm moves
through area. It is the heaviest rain in more than six months, doubling
the rain total for the first half of 1996.
June 18
Season's first cantaloupes are unwrapped near Coyanosa. Low beef prices
combined with high feed prices brought on by drought decimates herds on
area ranches and in cattle feed pens.
June 28
Cantaloupe and onion fields at Barilla and Coyanosa stay mostly dry as
welcome rain soaks Pecos and surrounding areas. Officially, Pecos
received 1.79 inches. Fireworks sales are underway, with ban affecting
only aerial fireworks.
July 1
Lindley Workman took the crown as the 1996 Golden Girl of the Old West,
winning over the audience with her outstanding talent, big smile and
winning personality. The West Texas State School in Pyote is operating
more than 18 percent above its designated capacity.
July 2
Slack competition kicks off the 114th Anniversary West of the Pecos
Rodeo with a record number of entries. Anyone wishing to celebrate the
Fourth of July with the use of fireworks will have to go outside the
Pecos City limits.
July 3
Stewart Platt is the choice of judges for the Western District of Texas
to fill the magistrate judge positon for Pecos and Midland-Odessa
Divisions. The 114th Anniversary West of the Pecos Rodeo begins for real
at 8:30 p.m., but at least one bull rider is already quite a bit richer,
following Tuesday night's special slack performance at the Buck Jackson
Rodeo Arena. Chris Littlejohn came out first in Tuesday night's
performance.
July 5
Texas-New Mexico Power Company's plan to freeze prices for electricity
over the next five years has drawn raised eyebrows in area city councils
and opposition in Pecos from at least one businessman. Court-at-law
Judge Lee Green's salary is back on the Reeves County Commissioners
Court agenda.
July 6
County delays action on jail phone pacts following a lengthy Reeves
County Commissioners Court meeting. Arnold Felts earns tops honors in
the 114th West of the Pecos Rodeo with a record total of $210,410 in
prize money.
July 7
Fifty-eight new positions and about $4.8 million in new revenue is a
possibility at the Reeves County Detention Center. Reeves County
Commissioners meet behind closed doors to discuss setting the salary for
the Reeves County Court-At-Law Judge Lee Green.
July 10
Town of Pecos City Council members and Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school
trustees met for two separate meetings on the development of their
1996-1997 budgets. A bid of $718,4000 by Cooper Construction of
Midland-Odessa for a new addition to Balmorhea schools was approved by
the school board meeting.
July 11
Childcare for the youngsters of migrant workers currently working in the
Pecos area is starting each day at the First Presbyterian Church. A bid
for dumpsters was approved at the regular Town of Pecos City Council
meeting with the bid going to Fuque Enterprises, Inc. of Cleburne.
July 12
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board members postpone approval of the Pecos
High School Handbook. Pecos Bill stamp is delivered to the West of the
Pecos Museum. Food prices rise because of hot, dry weather and short
grain supplies.
July 15
Rains give mountain areas drought relief. Eight defendants in a
marijuana smuggling case are set for jury trial in federal court before
Senior Judge Lucius D. Bunton.
July 16
Tax appraisals rise for Pecos, fall for others. Migrant laborers area
big plus in the Pecos area during the summer months when onions and
cantaloupes are being harvested. Scattered thunderstorms and showers
settled the dust in Far West Texas and the Permian Basin.
July 17
Agents help ailing man renew residency. After presiding over a major
drug trial and a hearing on the use of Edwards Aquifer during his first
three days of court in Pecos, U.S. District Judge Lucius D. Bunton faces
return visit from members of the Republic of Texas. Reeves County
Hospital tax rolls are approved and a collection pact discussed.
July 18
Bomb suspected in TWA jet explosion. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD delete
individual appointments to the positions of Special Education Director,
Bilingual Education Director and Barstow Elementary Principal. Van Horn
cleaning up after storm damage.
July 19
Crash blamed on criminal act by investigator. People who park along
South Cedar Street are forced to parallel park. Paroled killer hunted in
area near Marathon following assault on sheriff.
July 22
County facing tax funds drop in 1997 budget. Pablo Salinas Brito of
Midland faces possible life in prison for his part in organizing and
directing a drug-smuggling ring that imported tons of marijuana into the
United States.
July 23
Chamber urges support for Cantaloupe Festival. Three persons were
arrested on drug related charges by officers executing two separate
search warrants, and burglary charges for two of the suspects are
pending. Area Baptists help church's remodeling.
July 24
District Attorney John Stickels files a libel suit against the Permian
Basin Drug Task Force. Town of Pecos City Council award Key Enterprises
Inc. of Odessa the bid for a 24-inch pipeline replacement in the Ward
County well field.
July 25
Searchers find recorders from TWA Jet. Tax office pay hike voided during
a Reeves County Commissioners Court meeting. City wakes up to morning
showers.
July 26
Sudden end of TWA tape points to bomb. Pecos police investigate a
break-in at a local department store that resulted in the theft of
$2,000 or more in merchandise. Chamber says booth space nearly filled
for Cantaloupe Festival.
July 29
Sierra Blanca dump foes seek support locally. Pecos Housing Authority
seeks more funds for cleanup.
July 30
City officals able to gain info on local government during Odessa
workshop. Cantaloupe Festival to have 10 girls compete in pageant, CAF
plane at fly-in breakfast.
July 31
Move to freeze drug task force's assets filed in connection with DA's
libel suit.
August 1
The Mexican-American Network of Odessa seeks local support from
surrounding communities in an effort to bring passenger rail service
back to the Interstate 20 corridor from Fort Worth to El Paso.
August 2
Texas unsure of welfare reform's effects. Two men arrented in the
assault case of a brother and sister which occured near an Eddy Street
Car Wash, Gilbert Rayos, Jr. and Carlos Arenivas served warrants for
aggravated assault.
August 5
Lindsey Shaw is named 1996 Little Miss Cantaloupe at the annual pageant
with Michelle Wein coming in as runner-up.
August 6
Three Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD campuses are recognized for their
performance on the TAAS tests. Hearing on Sierra Blanca dump opens.
August 7
Classic Cable plans to add office, pay-per-view events under their plan.
Eagel gridders begin pre-season practice.
August 8
Pecos City Council votes to enter negotiations with Wes Tex Waste for
pickup and disposal of solid waste within the city limits. Dump site
gets local opposition.
August 9
Schools plan no tax hike despite valuation decline. Board members
approve TAAS preparation plan and Pecos Eagle Band opens with more
marchers. Butterflies flock onto alfalfa crop.
August 12
Tax office pay hike vote again delayed. Mexican competition forces local
cutbacks by Griffin and Brand. School board approves teacher pay raise
plan.
August 13
Reeves County Commissioners hear phone proposals. Feds seize $700,000 in
pot after Rio Grande shootout. Red Bluff happy with New Mexico water
release.
August 14
Pay hike has school in hole during the last in a series of budget
workshops. Local officials get look at OC interactive class. Chamber
plans Lubbock, Port Arthur displays.
August 15
Randy Reynolds lays the groundwork for his forth coming four-year term
as 143rd Judicial District Attorney by lining up an investigator. Large
bond set for Pecos man jailed on traffic violations. Hector Pando and
Guadalupe Sanchez are arrested in the 3000 block of Texas Highway 17.
August 16
Reeves County's Democratic Party chairman pleads "not guilty" to two
charges of tampering with government records. A one-vehicle rollover in
Jeff Davis County claims the life of a Fort Davis man and injures four
other persons.
August 20
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD schools report enrollment was down by about four
percent on the first day of school, compared to the opening day of
school a year ago. Magda Montes becomes the first person to become a
United States citizen in the Pecos Division of federal court, when
Senior Judge Lucius D. Bunton III administered the oath. Jim Ed Miller
had no intention of trying to get Ed Armstrong fired when he went into
Terry Burkholder's office on Jan. 12, Miller testifies in court.
August 21
Jim Ed Miller and his attorney, Richard Abalos, will decide whether to
appeal Miller's conviction by a 143rd District Court jury for tampering
with a witness. Property owners who could have expected a lower tax bill
this year from the Reeves County Hospital District due to declining
property valuations may instead see an increase in the tax rate to keep
the hospital afloat.
August 22
City eyes stable tax rate; weighs dumping landfill. Classic Cable's
regional manager defends recent rate increase. Henry Bonilla touts
Dole's plans at fundraiser. Veggies in, fried foods out of school meals.
August 23
Reeves County Commissioners weigh pay for Reeves County Court-At-Law
Judge Lee Green. Eden ships out suspected prison rioters. Distrct Judge
Bob Parks sentences Jim Ed Miller to 180 days in state jail, suspended
in favor ot two years probation.
August 24
Reeves County Commissioners agree to new offer for Judge Lee Green's
salary. Local bidder nets bid for locks for the Reeves County Detention
Center. Rains cause flood threat in areas near mountains. New magistrate
awaits confirmation, computers.
August 27
Series of thunderstorms leave county soaked. School keeps tax rate, OK's
deficit budget. The status of Jim Ed Miller as Red Bluff Water Power
Control District General Manager remains in doubt, due to his recent
felony conviction for witness tampering in 143rd District Court, and
state laws that might affect his position. Foxworth set to close down
store in Pecos on Sept. 13.
August 28
Town of Pecos City's budget proposal sports $900,000 deficit. Split
council approves Penwell waste contract. South side crash leaves five
injured. Local band, Miradas, joins groups at Marfa Lights Festival.
August 29
The Reeves County Hospital Disrict Board of Directors voted to continue
their relationship with the Reeves County Tax Assessor-Collector's
office for another year. U.S. Senator Phil Gramm visits Pecos. Ector
jurors deliberate on drug-related charges against Daniel Salcido
Dutchover.
August 30
District Attorney John Stickels says that he is having problems getting
11 federal prisoners to Pecos to face aggravated assault charges in
143rd District Court. A retrial is planned by the Ector County District
Attorney's office, after jurors were unable to reach a decision Thursday
in the trial of Balmorhea reasident Daniel Salcido Dutchover. Reeves
County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo doubts crackdown on private prisons in
state would hurt Pecos facility.
After spending four years attending Reeves County Commissioners Court
meetings and representing the county in different areas, two Reeves
County representatives will be leaving their post.
"I'm leaving with mixed emotions," said Reeves County Commissioner
Precinct 1 Lupe Garcia. Garcia will be replaced by Felipe Arredondo who
gained the post in a write-in campaign in the November elections.
"At this point in time, I don't think I'll run again in four years, but
who knows, things might change," said Garcia. "I really enjoyed
representing the county for four years and I feel like I learned a lot,"
he said.
Garcia said that he had the opportunity to meet a lot of people, work
with them and see the inside of politics first-hand. "All my goals for
the county were met during the four years," said Garcia.
During his tenure, the expansion of the Reeves County Detention Center
was approved, pay raises for county employees materialized and the
general fund budget was placed on the right track.
County Attorney Bill Weinacht did not run for re-election and will be
replaced by Walter Holcombe. He will however, still be involved to a
certain point in the county's business as legal counsel for the Reeves
County Detention Center, a decision the commissioners court made last
week.
Weinacht stated that, "In my campaign I told you that I would fight
against New York sewage sludge dumping in Reeves County." He noted none
has been dumped here in that time.
Weinacht said that prior to the time he began serving as county
attorney, outside agencies were called in to investigate local law
enforcement problems. That's no longer the case, he noted.
Weinacht stated that in his campaign he had told the people that he
would prosecute thieves. "Theft cases over the last four years have been
cut in half by a strict policy that required everyone who was convicted
of theft to serve time in jail prior to being placed on probation,." he
said.
"While serving as county attorney, my staff and I began the use of court
orders to protect victims of family violence, formulated a local
agreement that would gain the approval of the BOP and allow Reeves
County to continue to operate the detention center."
Weinacht said, "I believe that Reeves County is doing more for its
citizens than any other county its size in the State of Texas."
The conditions of two pairs of mothers and children look good this
morning, while one remains serious, following two separate vehicle
accidents last week.
Gina Lanbrano, 22, was upgraded to satisfactory condition from serious,
but stable, while her son, Guy Nathaniel Lanbrando, 4, remains in
satisfactory condition at Lubbock Methodist Hospital. Both are former
Pecos residents.
The two were involved in a one-vehicle accident Christmas Eve on Texas
Highway 115 between Kermit and Andrews, from where both were taken to an
Andrews hospital and later flown to the Lubbock facility where they were
listed in critical and serious condition their first day there.
Darcee Pritchett, 27, and son, Cody Pritchett, 4, are listed in
satisfactory condition following a one-vehicle rollover between Pecos
and Toyah Friday morning.
The two, along with husband and father, John Pritchett, 29, all of
Dallas, were AeroCared out of Reeves County Hospital that morning to LMH.
John is listed in serious condition, according to a public relations
spokesperson for the hospital.
Services are incomplete for Tony Juarez, 44, of Pecos, who died Sunday,
Dec. 29 at the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Services are incomplete for Rose M. Minter, 87, of Pecos, who died
Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Pecos Nursing Home.
Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Marguez Tarango, 64, of Pecos, died Thursday, Dec. 26 at
University Medical Center in Lubbock.
Services were held today at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church
with Father Rick Zamorano officiating and burial was Mt. Evergreen
Cemetery.
She was born Oct. 18, 1932, was an assistant cook for the Community
Council Meals on Wheels program, a lifetime Pecos resident and a
Catholic.
Survivors include one son, Anthony Villaloboz of Odessa; four daughters,
Pricilla Villescas of Carlsbad, N.M., Sandra Villaloboz of Odessa, Anita
Ybarra and Chrissy Lozano of Pecos; one brother, Elias (C.C.) Marquez of
Pecos; three sisters, Luz Aguilar and Magdalena Abila of Pecos, Jessie
Perez of Rivera, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
High Sunday 73, low last night 32. Tonight, mostly clear. Low around 40.
Light wind. Tuesday, mostly sunny. High in the mid 70s. Southwest wind
5-15 mph. Forecast for new years day, fair. Lows 40-45. Highs in the
70s.
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Copyright 1996 by Pecos Enterprise
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324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
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