|
Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Store becomes family business for Moores
Mama still cracks the whip in the little party and gift store known as “Something Moore.”
Louise Moore, who opened the store after 24 years as a juvenile probation officer, said she learned her work ethic from her mother, Ella Sue Johnson. They work side-by-side to provide everything needed for a party, including gifts and a place to stage it.
Johnson came to Pecos from Aspermont 27 years ago to be with her daughter and her fiancé, Emmitt Moore.
“I came here for the wedding and just stayed,” said Johnson. “All my kids had moved off and left me. I love it here now.”
She worked 18 years at the West Texas State School in Pyote. After retiring in 2000, she wanted something to do, so joined Louise in the store.
“You dry up and die staring at those walls,” she said.
Moore said Pecos is home to her, as well. She was single when she moved here to take the probation officer job and met Moore at the sheriff’s office.
“He had just graduated from the DPS academy,” she said. He is a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Moore said she got the idea for a party service when her two girls were young and she had trouble finding supplies.
“This is something I always wanted to do after retirement,” she said. “Emmitt encouraged me to go ahead with it.”
She also works as continuing education coordinator for Odessa College and as a teacher substitute, “to see if I want to get my teaching certification.”
And she’s learning to be a phlebotomist, joining an OC class to fill out the required 10 students for a class to make. ?“Some ladies had been wanting it for six years,” Moore said. I told them if they could get nine, I would make the 10th.”
Johnson helps out with Girl Scouts and is active in St. James Baptist Church’s missions group, choir, children’s programs and fund raising for the fellowship hall that is soon to be constructed.
Both feel they are serving the community by providing party services.
“The response has been very good,” said Moore. “School students tell their parents they only want a balloon bouquet from our shop, and that’s the biggest compliment you can get.”
Besides birthdays and graduation, they offer favors for showers and weddings, including chair cover and tablecloth rentals. “If someone is looking for a unique favor for a special occasion, this is the place to come,” said Moore.
She said it has been fun working with Johnson.
“Mother is a workaholic, and she keeps me on task,” she said. “She’s always been supportive of everything I have ever tried to do.”
Often, it is Johnson who insists on keeping the store open until the stated 5:30 p.m. closing time, even if Moore wants to close early.
“Maybe a customer will come in,” says Johnson. “It’s all about the customer.”
One unique service the store provides is “Ladies Day Out,” which offers stress management techniques with massages by Kim Ewing, flower arranging, snacks and “just a good way to spend time with other ladies,” said Moore.
Johnson and Moore are part of a group that sponsors the Lee S. Green “Neat Kid” scholarship, which is presented each year to high school graduates. Three were presented this year.
Graduates are invited to submit an essay telling the committee what makes them a neat kid. To receive the scholarship, the winners must show that they have enrolled in college.
“It can be spent for anything they need for college,” said Moore.
Also on the committee are Simona Villalobos, who works part-time at the store; Flo Salcido and Emmitt Moore.
“We have someone from out-of-town to grade the essays,” Moore said.
Local driver receives award from WTO
The West Texas Opportunities, Inc. Transportation Program (TRAX) that serves Pecos and the county, conducts annual testing of all drivers throughout the 17-county transportation district.
This year, Martha De La Garza who works in the TRAX office in Monahans was named one of three Outstanding WTO, I Drivers for 2008.
Drivers are given a written test as well as hands-on testing that includes successfully operating a vehicle wheelchair lift, conducting a driver’s vehicle pre-operation and safety checklist, evaluating a casualty (First Aid), performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (CPR), inspecting a fire extinguisher for compliance, successfully securing a wheelchair client using available restraints and extinguishing a fire using a fire extinguisher.
The West Texas Opportunities, Inc. Transportation Program (TRAX) was recently named the Outstanding Rural Transit System in Texas by the Texas Transit Association.
Local TRAX staff include Rosie Leija, Clorivella Ornelas and Martha De La Garza.
West Texas Opportunities, Inc., (WTO), the rural transit system for a vast region of the Lone Star state, recently expanded its operation from 12 to 22 counties – making it one of the largest rural transportation providers in the nation.
WTO has forged a remarkable transit partnership among the 5310 providers (senior centers across the region), the 5307 provider in Midland-Odessa (EZ Rider, a private taxi service (Midessa Taxi), and a regional Inter-City Bus System (All Aboard America) to cover the full gamut of transportation issues – from public education to donating used vehicles and radios to interlocal agreements for low-sulphur diesel purchases to a proposal for a regional intermodal hub and maintenance facility.
From its initial modest effort to provide Title XIX Medicaid Transportation for eligible residents in Dawson, Martin and Upton counties in the late 1970s, WTO has expanded into a full-blown rural transportation program that has kept on reaching out to the underserved and unserved counties of West Texas.
When the Texas Department of Transportation’s Odessa District identified a critical need for public transit in Pecos and Terrell counties, WTO stepped out ahead of any state funding commitment to forge an interlocal agreement with the Pecos County Community Action Agency in Fort Stockton to assume that agency’s four-vehicle fleet in exchange for continuing its transportation mission, then executed a subcontract with Terrell County to provide critically-needed transportation for Sanderson residents through Fort Stockton to Midland-Odessa for shopping and medical trips.
In September 2007, WTO,I met with county judges in the Big Bend area, leading an effort that results in December to the Permian Basin Rural Transit District’s acceptance of five “unserved” counties of the Big Bend – effectively sealing a huge “transportation gap” in West Texas. WTO has assumed all the staff, administrative and implementation costs for the start-up of the operation in these counties.
WTO has worked with the Big Bend Community Action Committee (BBCAC) to plan routes, procure vehicles, acquire communications equipment, identify facilities requirements for the hubs at Marfa and Presidio, and established connector/feeder services with the regional intercity bus service (All Aboard America). WTO officials are also helping the BBCAC set up its Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program from Presidio to Marfa and Fort Davis.
WTO has been the major player in coordinating rural transportation efforts, creating a partnership between the urban transit system (EZ Rider) and a local taxi service (Midessa Taxi) for providing medical transportation services within the Midland and Odessa city limits under a Medicaid contract that features WTO, I as the rural transportation provider.
Along the way, WTO has spearheaded a public awareness outreach, implemented a one-call 800 number for rural residents of West Texas to coordinate transportation schedules with a variety of providers, identified and tapped multiple funding streams, implemented mobile data computers and GPS intelligence systems for the agency’s fleete and real-time dispatching, and provided the opportunity for a volunteer to create a transit management system software program that is being adopted internationally.
WTO has extended public transportation services to residents of 22 counties in West Texas, sealed critical transportation gaps, generated efficiencies for all providers, and established the foundation for a seamless public public transportation network for West Texas residents.
OC program helps Pecos students get degrees
Two students from Pecos benefited from a program and made their dream of a college education become a reality.
Phyllis Brisbin and Angelica Metcalf received their degrees recently with the help of the TRIO Program from Odessa College in Pecos.
A small reception was held at the Odessa College/Pecos campus in their honor recently.
“We provide students with different services,” said advisor Paul Matta.
He explained that the TRIO is a federal program, Educational Opportunity Center out of Odessa College. It provides several services, free of charge, including: GED, SAT, ACT, THEA, Compass and Net Exams; admissions; financial aid, scholarships, academic advisement/course selection; GED assistance; college information and referrals to other service providers.
“We help people go to college, by providing all these services to them,” said Matta.
He said that the two recent graduates had been with the program a long time and received their degrees from Sul Ross.
Brisbin received her BA degree in history and Metcalf in Administrative Systems and Business Technology.
“They should celebrate this accomplishment, because they put in a lot of years and hard work,” said Matta.
Metcalf attended school in Midland, Odessa College and Sul Ross.
Brisbin received college hours from different colleges including OC, Eastern New Mexico and Sul Ross.
Matta said that he wants to help people go to school and fulfill their educational goals and dreams.
“The program is for all ages, starting with high school and up, there is no age limit,” he said.
Metcalf said that the program helped her with financial aid since they opened and helped with all her paperwork, including information on scholarships.
“They kept in contact with me and walked me through up until graduation,” said Metcalf.
“I loved it, I’m finally glad it’s over, but I loved it,” said Metcalf.
Metcalf said she hopes to become a teacher and stay at the campus that she is currently work at, Pecos Kindergarten.
“Paul helped me to find out about grants and all the steps it takes to complete my education,” said Brisbin. “He even proofread my papers,” she said.
Brisbin said that they had been a tremendous help.
“I plan to get a degree in criminal justice and hope to pursue my master’s degree in criminology,” said Brisbin.
Brisbin said that she hopes to teach at college level some day.
“I’m just glad I won’t have to be driving back and forth, three days a week anymore,” she said.
To learn more about the program call 445-1127 and ask to speak to Matta, the local adviser for the TRIO Program.
Reynolds earns BA degree from UT
Amie Reynolds, daughter of Randy and Lisa Reynolds of Pecos, has earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Sociology from The University of Texas at Austin, which is Texas’ premier public research university and home to more than 50,000 students.
Reynolds graduated from Pecos High School as Valedictorian in 2005 and was the 2004 West of the Pecos Golden Girl. She will be entering law school in the Fall.
Lujan gets degree from Texas Christian University
Betsy Ann Lujan of Pecos successfully completed degree requirements at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth.
Lujan majored in Early Childhood Education, and received a Bachelor of Science degree.
More than 1,300 graduates were honored May 10 at commencement exercises in Daniel Meyer Coliseum on the TCU campus.
Class of ‘08 hears from top grads at ceremony
The words to a song preceded the speech of this year’s 2008 Valedictorian of Pecos High School.
The graduation ceremony was held at 7:30 p.m., Friday evening in the New Gym at Pecos High School.
Rica Pino and Kayla Natividad were the valedictorian and salutatorian for this year’s class. Pino began her speech with the words to a song written by Kyle Matthews.
“She moves her tiny baby closer to the ledge
The mother eagle knows it’s time
Then he’s free falling
Discovering his wings
As the rocks rise up to meet him
He feels his mother underneath him.” Pino said.
“It is my honor to extend a farewell from all the members of the 2008 senior class,” said Pino. “Before I start, please allow me on behalf of my fellow graduates to thank all the people who selflessly guides us to make us reach this far,” she said.
The administrators who never run out of ideas and enthusiasm to plan and give us opportunity to grow into a total person. “Our teachers inspired us and so patient and understanding, that we mature and discover more as we explore things around us,” said Pino. “Our classmates and friends who reach out to us and made our school life more meaningful and exciting,” she said.
Pino said, “Most of all I’d like to thank our families who stayed with us all throughout our journey and pushes us and inspired us to be at our best – thank you.”
“Our success is your success, for you have given us the freedom to dare, the courage to excel and the belief that we can achieve our best. You have been there for us with unconditional love, support, and care; you had faith when we doubted ourselves. You have nudged us to the edge, just like the words from the song I started with,” she said.
Pino told her graduating class that their future was open to all of them. “When we leave this room, we will be faced with countless decisions with what we want to do with our lives. It’s now up to us. We determine the future. We always aim for the best, however in the process we also fail. We should never lose hope. We can always stand and take the failures as our learning experience and this would lead us to a better person.”
Before Pino’s speech, Natividad read her Salutatorian speech to the class of 2008.
“As I stand before you all today, I cannot help but look to the past at what once was, and look at my peers now and see what we have grown to be. In 13 years we have gone from the little kids excited because our parents brought us McDonalds for lunch, to young adults ready to take on the world,” said Natividad.
Natividad said that she was sitting in her room one day thinking of what to write, and as she thought back on her four years at Pecos High School, she realized high school wasn’t so much about getting them prepared for college. “It was about preparing us for the rest of our lives. It has brought about great friendships, greater memories, and always had something new to offer us.
“We’ve gained so many great attributes without even realizing it. Punctuality from all the college and scholarship application deadlines; perseverance from those late nights staying up trying to finish memorizing coach Capshaw or Mr. Wein’s notes; patience from having to wait for the weekend, or even the class bell to arrive; sincerity from our friends and family’s, and of course a great self-esteem from knowing we are graduating in the best class Pecos High School has ever seen,” said Natividad.
“Now I ask all of the siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends in the audience to look at the graduates before them and realize that they have every reason to be proud. When I look at my fellow graduates, I see doctors, lawyers, policemen and firefighters; service men and women in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard; politicians and teachers. But no matter which it is, I see a leader,” said Natividad.
The other speech Friday was delivered by the guest speaker for the evening, State Representative Pete Gallego.
“First of all, I want all the graduates to stand up and thank your parents, grandparents or guardians that helped you to be here today,” said Gallego.
Gallego told the group that education was a lot more important now than it ever was.
“You have the opportunity to impact the world,” said Gallego. “Now you will become a role model for someone,” he said.
Gallego told the graduating class that each of them had the chance to make an impact on the world and to make it a better place.
“I know it’s hard to go to college, it’s getting more and more expensive, but it’s the best investment you can make,” he said.
TxDOT plans July start on Eddy St. construction
Pecos area drivers who’ve had to be careful for loose gravel the past couple of days, due to seal coating work on several area roads, will be experiencing more roadwork and at least one detour in town this summer, when Texas Department of Transportation crews begin work on resurfacing and realigning South Eddy Street.
Work on the Eddy Street section of FM 753, from Third Street to Stafford Boulevard, should get under way following the conclusion of this year’s West of the Pecos Rodeo. “They have a July start of that, but there may be some sidewalk work in mid- to late-June,” said Glen Larum, spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Odessa District office.
Larum said the project would involve the installation of new sidewalks, curbs and gutters along the mile stretch of Eddy Street. “The sidewalks will be replaced and three-foot sidewalks will be widened to five feet,” Larum said. “They will have to do one detour, between Third and Seventh streets, but that will only involve detouring traffic a block away.”
The biggest change will be in the area near Fairview Cemetery, where Eddy meets Washington and Walthall Streets. Larum said a traffic signal will be installed at the Washington Street intersection and a stop sign will be put in at Eddy and Walthall.
In addition to the stoplight, TxDOT will close off the southbound bypass onto Eddy Street for eastbound traffic off Washington, by eliminating the traffic island between Washington and Adams streets. An opening will be cut from Eddy Street into the current traffic island, to allow vehicle access to businesses on the west side of the 1200 block of South Eddy Street.
Seal coating work began last week and is continuing this week along several other state-maintained roads in the area, including the Interstate 20 frontage roads and Business I-20 in Ward County. The seal coating included the section of the north I-20 service road (Raul Florez Boulevard) alongside the Flying J truck stop, where heavy truck use over the years had caused severe deterioration in the roadway.
“The two area engineers working on it, Patrick Ryan and Doug Eichorst, are going to look at it and see if they’re something they can do long-term. It (seal coating) is a temporary thing they can do, but they realize they need something more than temporary,” Larum said.
Seal coating of service roads east and west of Pecos on I-20 was to continue this week. Some work east of Collie Road has been delayed due to other repair work in the area on the service roads, which are used to access both local ranches and oil and gas drilling sites.
Police Report
EDITOR’S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff’s Office, or other officers of those agencies. The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines of either traffic citations, animal control violations or other court costs are considered arrests and will be printed as such unless indicated that the fines were paid. In such instances we will indicate payment and release.
***
Joe Manuel Barrera, 21, 1521 Missouri St., was arrested by police on May 29 on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. Police said the arrest took place following a traffic stop at Walthall and Plum streets. Barrera was then transported by police to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Justin Quinney, 17, 1819 S. Alamo St., and a male juvenile were arrested by police on May 28 on charges of graffiti, a Class B misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made after Quinney and the juvenile were seen spray-painting makings on properties in the alley between the 1500 blocks of Johnson and Morris streets without the owners’ consent. Quinney was then transported by police to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center, while the juvenile was transported to the Reeves County Juvenile Detention Center.
***
Jaime Campos Soto, 29, 201 W. ‘D’ St., was arrested by police on May 22 on a warrant for parole violation, issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Police said the arrest was made at 200 W. Second St., and Soto was then transported by police to Reeves County Jail.
***
Antonio Fuentez, 45, 1117 S. Orange St., Apt. ‘A’, was arrested by police on a charge of assault by threat, under the Family Violence Act. Police said the arrest was made after officers were called to Fuentez’ apartment at 11:55 p.m. on May 26 on a report he had threatened his girlfriend with injury. He was then transported by police to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Alejandro Coria, 17, 1910 Nebraska St., was arrested by police on May 21 on a charge of public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made at 8:37 p.m. following a traffic stop in the 200 block of South Oak Street, and Coria was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Geno Abel Leos, 18, 1614 S. Hackberry St., was arrested by police on May 21 on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made at 8:37 p.m. following a traffic stop in the 200 block of South Oak Street, and Leos was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Miguel Angel Jurado, 22, 2306 Cothrun St., was arrested by police on May 22 on warrants for failure to pay fines on previous charges of no driver’s license and minor in possession of alcohol. Police said the arrest was made after a traffic stop at 4 p.m. at 2232 S. Eddy St., for no seat belt, and Jurado was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Jose Angel Vasquez, 48, 1410 S. Plum St. was arrested by police on May 22 on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made at Vasquez’s home on a search warrant executed at 6:45 p.m., when the paraphernalia was discovered in the garage of the home. He was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Desmond Lakeith Williams, 20, 733 Martinez St., was arrested by police on May 23 on a charge of burglary of a habitation, a Second Degree Felony. Police said the arrest was made after police received a 911 call that a man was crawling through a window at 906 S. Walnut St. Williams was located and placed under arrest, and was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Robert Mendoza, 44, 2210 Country Club Dr., was arrested by police on May 23 on a charge of assault under the Family Violence Act, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made after officers were called to Mendoza’s home at 8:15 p.m. and were told he was intoxicated and had been aggressive towards his wife. Mendoza was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Jesus Franco Jr., 27, 2401 Cactus St., was arrested by police on May 25 on a charge of assault under the Family Violence Act, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest occurred after officers were called to Franco’s home in response to a report of an assault. He was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Police arrested a male juvenile on May 25 on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a state jail felony. Police said the arrest took place after the juvenile reported took a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner from an undisclosed location. The juvenile was transported to the Reeves County Juvenile Detention Center following his arrest.
***
Nelson McGrew, 44, 1306 S. Cypress St., was arrested by police on May 26 on charges of simple assault under the Family Violence Act, a Class C misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, search of transportation, a Class A misdemeanor. Police said the arrest took place at the Town & Country Food Store, 1219 S. Cedar St., after officers were called there at 10:01 p.m. in response to an assault. McGrew was eventually transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Christopher Ephriam, 36, 2200 Missouri St., was arrested by police on May 27 on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest took place following a traffic stop at 9:38 p.m. outside Uncle’s 201 E. Third St., and Ephriam was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Joe Arthur Salas, 30, 904 S. Oleander St., was arrested by police on May 27 on a charge of public intoxication a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest took place following a traffic stop at 9:38 p.m. outside Uncle’s 201 E. Third St., and Salas was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Mingo Jimenez, 30, 2200 Missouri St., was arrested by police on May 27 on a charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon, a Class A misdemeanor. Police said the arrest took place following a traffic stop at 9:38 p.m. outside Uncle’s 201 E. Third St., and Jimenez was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Victor Jaso Mendoza, 28, 521 S. Willow St., was arrested by police on May 19 on a warrant for theft, a State Jail Felony. Police said the arrest was made at Mendoza’s home at 8:09 p.m., and he was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Jerry Orona, 24, 212 S. Locust St., was arrested by police on May 20 on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of South Cedar Street, and Orona was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Andres Martinez Baeza, 63, 1402 S. Oak St., was arrested by police on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made on May 19 following a traffic stop in the 800 block of South Cedar Street, and Baeza was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Juan Antonio Flores, Jr., 29, 1917 Scott St., was arrested on May 18 on warrants from the police department for failure to pay finds on previous charges of no driver’s license and no proof of financial responsibility and a warrant out of the Reeves County Sheriff’s Department for criminal mischief under $50 and under $500. Police said the arrest was made after police were called to Flores’ home at 10:43 p.m. in response to a disturbance and a records check revealed the outstanding warrants. He was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Jesus Roberto Mendoza, 42, 510 S. Mesquite St., was arrested by police on May 19 on a charge of assault under the Family Violence Act, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made after officers were called to Mendoza’s home at 4:10 a.m. in response to a disturbance call. He was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Abel Eugene Apodaca, P.O. Box 1723, was arrested by police on warrants for theft, and for failure to pay fines on two previous charges of no driver’s license, and one each for possession of drug paraphernalia and front passenger unrestrained by seat belt. Apodaca was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Oscar Saenz Barrera, 44, 1512 Johnson St., was arrested by police on May 20 on a warrant for a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made at 8:01 p.m. at the Town and Country Food Store, 1219 S. Cedar St., and Barrera was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Enrique Rodriguez Jr., 63, 102 W. 13th St., was arrested by police on May 20 on a charge of public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor. Police said the arrest was made at 8:01 p.m. at the Town and Country Food Store, 1219 S. Cedar St., and Rodriguez was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
Victor N. Jaramillo, 54, 411 N. Hickory St., was arrested by police on May 20 on a traffic violation and warrants for failure to pay fines of previous charges of speeding and no driver’s license, both Class C misdemeanors. Jaramillo was arrested at Second and Park streets at 9:06 p.m. and was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
***
John Monroe Flora, 17, 5401 Valley Rd., was arrested by police on a warrant out of the Winkler County Sheriff’s Department for failure to appear on a charge of criminal mischief. The arrest was made at 8:14 p.m. at 13th and Oak streets, and Flora was then transported to the Pecos Criminal Justice Center.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 432-445-5475, FAX 432-445-4321
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 2003-04 by Pecos Enterprise
|
