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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Thursday, September 18, 2003
RCH prepares budget for expanded facility
By BRENDEN BRIGGS
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Sept. 18, 2003 -- Construction at the Reeves County Hospital
is on schedule and under budget according to hospital administrator Robert
Verner.
The hospital is also seeking a new physician to work in one of the sections
of the new wing, while at the same time making final plans for the budget
and tax rates for the expanded facility.
The hospital's new wing is scheduled to be complete in March of 2004.
Among the new additions to the facility are a kidney dialysis center, a
new emergency room, new space for the Pecos Valley Rural Heath Center, a
physical therapy clinic and a specialty clinic, giving visiting specialists
an area to practice in.
The dialysis center is expected to especially give Reeves County residents
reason for excitement. Up until now dialysis patients have had to travel
to Midland/Odessa to receive their treatment. Typically three times a week
patients would have to make the hour-long drive to attend a three to four
hour session.
Now Reeves County hospital will be the only dialysis center between El
Paso and Midland/Odessa. Currently the hospital estimates there are 20-plus
people in the town of Pecos alone that need this service. Administrators
are hopeful that the new additions will not only be able to serve Reeves
County but also the surrounding communities.
To accompany the dialysis center, the hospital is lining up a full time
nephrologist to be in residence at the center. The state requires that a
specialist be available at least one day every two weeks, but RCH is acquiring
one full time in the hopes that a full time doctor will make patients more
comfortable staying in Pecos for their treatment.
Once construction is finished in March the hospital hopes to begin the
renovation of the existing facilities. Equipment and staff can be transferred
to the new wing to make room for the renovation work. The project is scheduled
to be completed in March of 2005.
The new facility is scheduled to open several months into the 2004 fiscal
year, and hospital officials and board members are currently working on
the budget and tax rate for the upcoming year, which are due by Sept. 30.
Administrators don't anticipate a tax increase, but due to decreased
property values, may have to raise property taxes by a possible 2 cents
per $100 to bring in the same revenue as last year.
"We want the people to know that any increase is not due to the new
additions," hospital board president Linda Golson said, "the budget will
be designed with last year's revenue in mind."
The hospital's overall budget is going to increase, however, on the anticipation
that the new wing and facilities will bring more patients to Reeves County
and therefore more revenue to the hospital's overall income.
"Staffing the new wing should take up some of that revenue," hospital
administrator Robert Verner said. "We must build the new budget off of
forecasts of what amount business the hospital will do next year."
The hospital board will meet next Tuesday to discuss and hopefully finalize
the 2004 tax rate and budget.
Pecos couple's grandson honored
for actions during combat in Iraq
PECOS, Thurs., Sept. 18, 2003 -- The U.S. military recently honored the
grandson of a Pecos couple with a commendation medal for his actions during
the opening days of the war in Iraq.
Lance Corporal Justin D. Awbrey with the United States Marines received
the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for his heroic
service while serving as wireman, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines,
1st, Marine Division in support C Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25.
According to the commendation issued to Awbrey, he dismounted his vehicle
and returned fire at the entrenched enemy. Throughout an hour of constant
enemy small arms, rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire he helped secure
a hasty defensive position.
Recognizing his platoon commander's need for assistance, Awbrey unhesitatingly
dashed forward from his covered position and exposed himself to enemy fire
to man the radios of a vehicle that was in the ambush kill zone.
He directly assisted in coordinating infantry support that led to the
battery commander's medical evacuation. The battery commander lost a hand,
but did live.
Lance Corporal Awbrey's initiative, perseverance, and total dedication
to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service,
according to the certificate he received.
He is the son of Doug and Tracy Awbrey of Andrews and is stationed at
Camp Pendleton, Calif. His grandparents are Roy D. and Reita Prewit of Pecos.
The Marine was sponsored locally by Debbie Garcia's class and was in the
hearts and prayers of many in Pecos.
Second auction, flea market set for November
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Sept. 18, 2003 -- The second Pecos Peddler's Flea Market and
Auction of the year has been scheduled for November, and organizers of the
event are already making a list of items to be included.
"In November of 2002, we held our first Pecos Peddler's Flea Market,"
said Debbie Thomas. "About 600 people came through the gates."
The second flea market was held this past May, and a surplus auction
to the flea market. Reeves County Road and Bridges Department, the Reeves
County Sheriff's Department, juvenile probation office, Town of Pecos City,
Security State Bank, West Texas National Bank, Trans-Pecos Drug Task Force
and a few individuals sold some items in the auction, according to Thomas.
"There were more than 900 people that came through the gates at the flea
market and auction and everyone involved was pleased with the results and
had fun," said Thomas.
The second Surplus Auction will be held at the flea market, which is
scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15. "We have a licensed auctioneer and auction
house working for us," said Thomas.
Thomas said that there is a commission charge, which covers advertising
and the auctioneer's fee.
Individuals or groups can call the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce office
at 445-2406 for more details.
The flea market will open at 9 a.m., Saturday and the auction begins at
1 p.m. The event concludes at 4 p.m.
"We wish to invite all to participate in the upcoming auction," said Thomas.
"Entities, businesses and individuals may submit items for auction."
Participants must call the chamber office to let the group know if they
will participate, as soon as possible. "Then we need a list of items by Oct.
7, so that they may be included in advertising," said Thomas.
"We hope to nurture this event into something that brings people to Pecos
from miles around, twice a year," said Thomas. "We encourage you to take
the time to consider this invitation and join us," she said.
If the auction is not for you, consider a booth at the flea market, according
to Thomas.
The spaces are 18-by-20 feet and cost $50 ($25 are refundable if the
individuals stay until closing and leave their area clean).
"It's a deal either way," said Thomas.
Funds raised from this event (including a generous donation from the
auctioneer) went towards the purchase of red/white/blue street banners for
the rodeo week festivities.
Schools schedule early release day
PECOS, Thurs., Sept. 18, 2003 -- All Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD students
will be out of school at 1 p.m., Friday for an Early Release Day.
Parents/guardians are asked to make arrangements for their child to be
picked up on time. The early release coincides with Friday night football
game in Brownfield, which is a 170-mile drive from Pecos.
Weather
PECOS, Thurs., Sept. 18, 2003 -- High Wed. 100. Low this morning 68. Forecast
for tonight: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
in the evening. Lows in the mid 50s. NE winds 15 to 25 mph decreasing to
10 to 15 mph after midnight. Friday: Decreasing cloudiness. Highs near 80.
East winds 10 to 15 mph. Friday night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 60. South
winds 10 to 20 mph. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs near 90. South winds
10 to 15 mph. Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 60. Sunday: Partly
cloudy. Highs near 90. Sunday night: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of
thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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