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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Reynolds says family crisis didn't affect plans
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Jan. 6, 2004 -- Despite a personal tragedy that occurred
in his life last month, current 143rd District Attorney Randy Reynolds
never doubted that he would be vying for his position once more.
"I always intended to run again for office," said Reynolds, whose
wife, Lisa, has been hospitalized in Odessa for the past month,
following a stroke she suffered in early December.
Reynolds said his wife is doing much better and has been moved to a
rehabilitation center in Odessa. "She is doing a lot better, is in
rehabilitation and wants to do more now," he said.
His wife's stroke occurred just after the beginning of the filing
period for the March 9 Democratic Party primary election. Reynolds
filed for a third term as district attorney last week, just prior to
the Jan. 2 deadline.
He has been the 143rd District Attorney for Reeves-Ward-Loving
Counties for the past seven years and has an office in both Monahans
and Pecos.
"If elected I plan to keep both offices open again, to better serve
this area," said Reynolds, who is being challenged by Hal Upchurch, who
had served as 143rd District Attorney in the late 1980s and early
1990s.
The district attorney's race is just one of several contested races
local voters will be deciding in the Democratic primary election.
Reeves County sheriff Andy Gomez is being challenged by former
deputy Jeffrey P. Baeza, Precinct 1 commissioner Felipe Arredondo has
four challengers for his seat, and nine candidates are vying for the
Precinct 3 seat on the Reeves County Commissioner's Court being vacated
by Herman Tarin.
A "Meet the Candidates" Chili Supper has been scheduled for 7 p.m.,
Friday, Jan. 16, at the Reeves County Civic Center. The chili supper
will be $5 per person and each candidate will have five minutes to
speak.
Reeves County Clerk Dianne Florez said that the first day to receive
an application for a ballot by mail will be this Friday, Jan. 9 and
March 1 will be the last day.
Early voting by personal appearance will begin on Feb. 23 and the
last day for early voting will be March 5, in the Reeves County
Courthouse lobby.
For an application for a ballot by mail or for more information
contact the county clerk at 445-5467.
Council scheduled to interview applicants
PECOS, Tues., Jan. 6, 2004 -- The Town of Pecos City Council will
meet over the next three days to interview applicants for city manager
and to discuss the annual employee review for City Secretary Connie
Levario and Police Chief Clay McKinney.
The council is set to interview the applicants Wednesday and Friday
at 4 p.m., while the regular council meeting will be at 7 a.m. on
Thursday in council chambers at City Hall. The interview process will
cover the 10 best applicants for the position, ranging from Pecos'
current financial director to applicants from as far away as Missouri.
According to McKinney, who is also service as interim city manager,
of the field of 26 total applicants, the council has narrowed it down
to the 10 best suited for the job, and is trying to meet with five of
the applicants in Wednesday's meeting and meet with the remaining five
on Friday.
This series of meetings follows the Dec. 29 executive session
meeting that narrowed the applications from the original number down to
its current level.
Further meetings will be needed to allow the council to find the
best person for the job, but it is not know at this time whether the
process will involve the council picking from the field of ten or
shorten the list down to fewer applicants to chose from.
The city manager's post became open in November, when Carlos Yerena
resigned to take a similar job with the city of Kingsville.
The employee reviews during Thursday's council meeting come as the
anniversary of Levario's and McKinney's hire dates near. The council
and the mayor will review the performance each had displayed over the
past year.
Year In Review
June marked by gang attacks, prison's problems
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the sixth in a series of stories
recapping major news events in the Pecos area during 2003. Today's
story covers the month of June.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 2, 2003 Pecos High School's Class of 2003 heard
from the area's state representative on reaching their goals, and from
the top two graduates from this year's class on Friday night, during
commencement ceremonies at Eagle Stadium.
State Rep. Pete Gallego took a break from the closing days of the
2003 session of the Texas Legislature to fly into Pecos and deliver the
commencement address, which came in-between the addresses by 2003
salutatorian Phillip Salcido and valedictorian Kristian Aguilar.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 2, 2003 The body of a man who drowned out at Red
Bluff Lake over the Memorial Day weekend was recovered Friday
afternoon, after it floated to the surface near the last place he had
been seen.
Reeves County Sheriff Department's Lt. Mike Dominguez said that they
were conducting a boat search when he located the body of Nathan Mazoch
through his binoculars late Friday afternoon.
***
PECOS, Wed., June 4, 2003 A one-vehicle rollover accident claimed
the life of an Odessa man and injured two others yesterday afternoon on
Interstate 20 between Pecos and Barstow.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the accident
involved a GMC Yukon, which was traveling eastbound on I-20 just west
of the Pecos River crossing. As the vehicle tried to pass a
semi-tracker trailer, its right rear tire blew out, causing the vehicle
to rollover 11/2 times. A passenger in back seat, identified as Joe
Morse Suggs, 79, of Odessa, was ejected from the vehicle and died at
the scene.
***
PECOS, Thurs., June 5, 2003 While the State of New Mexico struggles
to buy up water rights along the Pecos River to meet its obligations to
the State of Texas, farmers along the Pecos River in Texas are going
through their second straight year without any water releases from Red
Bluff Lake.
The river itself has slowed to a trickle in most places south of the
lake, and has stopped flowing completely just east of Pecos. And while
the lake did catch some rainwater during the month of May, the water
level remains below 60,000 acre/feet.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 9, 2003 Reeves County Sheriff Andy Gomez said that
he received a letter from the State of Texas Office of Government
Criminal Justice Division on Friday afternoon informing him that the
Trans Pecos Drug Task Force would not receive funding for the 2003-04
fiscal year.
"CJD appreciates your endeavors in narcotics law enforcement but
declines funding of the application for the 2003-2004 grant period,"
the letter stated.
The funding was to be provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial
Formula Grant Program, which they had applied for back on January 16,
Gomez said. He also added that he did not know what would become of the
Task Force.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 9, 2003 Elizabeth Saenz has resigned from her
position as the Balmorhea School Superintendent to continue her
education and already several individuals have expressed their interest
in the post in the little community, located just 30 miles from Pecos.
Saenz will be attending a two-year program at the University of
Texas in Austin.
***
PECOS, Friday, June 13, 2003 Almost a week after the Trans Pecos
Drug Task Force received a letter stating that it would no longer be
funded, Reeves County Sheriff Andy Gomez received a second letter
stating that they had nothing to worry about.
"Last Friday my office sent you a letter notifying you that your
drug task force was not being funded," Criminal Justice Division
Executive Director Ken Nicolas wrote in the letter. "That letter should
have told you that funding was contingent on certification of the
budget, a process that is likely to take longer than usual because of
the state's economy."
***
PECOS, Fri., June 20, 2003 Two of three guns found at the scene of
last night's shooting have been tentatively identified as weapons
stolen from the Ward County Sheriff's office in Barstow recently.
"The call came in at 10:04 p.m. from 708 E. Eighth St. in reference
to a gunshot victim," Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney said.
McKinney said that when officers arrived to at the scene they found
a male juvenile subject with a gunshot wound to the mouth area. He
added that the juvenile was transported to Reeves County Hospital and
as of this morning McKinney said that there was no word on the
condition on the juvenile.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 23, 2003 Four men were shot early Sunday morning
in an apparent drive-by shooting in the Lindsay addition just south of
Pecos.
According to Lieutenant Mike Dominguez of the Reeves County
Sheriff's Department, deputies were dispatched to 5401 Sierra at 1:17
am. Sunday in reference to shots being heard in the area.
Deputies arriving on the scene found four male victims, two adults
and two juveniles.
Dominguez said that none of the injuries were life threatening. Two
of the victims did go to Reeves County Hospital and two did not, he
said.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 23, 2003 Pecos Eagle football players and fans
will see a new face on the sidelines at Eagle Stadium during the 2003
football season, after Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board members approved
hiring a new Athletic Director/Head Football Coach during a special
meeting held Friday evening in the Technology Center.
Patrick Willis, currently an assistant coach at Abilene Cooper High
School, was selected by the board as the new head coach for the Eagles,
who have had four head coaches in the past 12 1/2 months and have gone
through seven head coaches in the last 10 years.
***
PECOS, Tues., June 24, 2003 Reeves County is facing a major cash
crunch next month due to a shortage of income being produced by the
Reeves County Detention Center, and County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo is
asking for the community's help in urging federal officials to provide
inmates to fill the RCDC's new 960-bed addition and meet earlier
agreements on payments to the county.
County commissioners discussed the matter during the regular meeting
of the Commissioners Court, held Monday in the third floor courtroom,
while approving an interim transfer of $420,000 from the county's
General Fund to the detention center in an effort to meet next week's
payroll.
***
PECOS, Wed., June 25, 2003 Facing a bond payment of nearly $1
million next week for the new 960-bed addition to the Reeves County
Detention Center, and without enough prisoners to meet the payment and
the facility's payroll needs, Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo has
sent a letter to President George W. Bush in hopes of receiving his
support in a conflict involving the county and the U.S. Bureau of
Prisons.
RCDC III was opened earlier this year and was expected to house
inmates from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which has placed 2,000 inmates
in the prison's other two sections. However, Galnido told county
commissioners during their meeting on Monday that BOP officials have
balked at both sending the county additional prisoners and at paying
the county its requested $54.74 per-day rate for housing inmates at the
facility.
***
PECOS, Wed., June 25, 2003 The second drive-by shooting in three
days occurred early this morning on the south side of Pecos, and police
said the two individuals involved have been arrested.
Pecos Police Department's Lt. Kelly Davis said it was apparent that
there had been an attempt to set the residence on fire and while at the
same time shooting into the residence and shooting at Robert Jimenez,
who lives at 2223 Missouri St.
Arrested in the incident were Miguel Jurado, 17 and Rosalio Carmona,
20, at 5401 Sierra Road out in Lindsay Addition. "A search of the
residence produced a recently fired shotgun," Davis said.
***
PECOS, Thurs., June 26, 2003 Three months after pleading guilty to
firebombing the Monahans Police Department, Travis James Harris was
convicted on Wednesday by federal court jurors in Midland of killing a
man in a carjacking incident just prior to last June's firebomb attack.
According to the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Harris, 23, was
convicted of carjacking and using a firearm to commit voluntary
manslaughter in the May 25, 2002 shooting death of Paul John Ceniceros,
29.
***
PECOS, Fri., June 27, 2003 Support from the community and no "finger
pointing" about the financial problems at the Reeves County Detention
Center is what this county needs at this time, according to Reeves
County Sheriff Andy Gomez.
Gomez said that everyone in the community needed to help to keep the
local facility open. "It's vital to this community to keep that prison
open and it's vital for the workforce in the community," he said.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 30, 2003 For the third time in eight days and the
fourth time in the past five weeks, Pecos Police Department were called
out to investigate a shooting incident, this time involving a
20-year-old man, which resulted in the arrests of five people in
connection with the incident.
Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney said that they received a call at
10:03 p.m., on Saturday of a driver with a gunshot wound to the elbow.
The individuals arrested were identified as Albaro Aranda, 29, Jesus
Escontrias, 25, Antonio Gardea, 27 and Damaso Holguin, 28. Police also
placed a male juvenile in the vehicle under arrest.
***
PECOS, Mon., June 30, 2003 Using her singing talents to woo the
audience and the judges, a Pecos High School junior was crowned Golden
Girl of the Old West Friday night at the PHS Auditorium.
Maritza Sandoval was crowned the 2003 Golden Girl of the Old West by
last year's winner, Dena Dutchover, during the 41st annual performance.
Sandoval sang a medley of songs during the talent portion of the
contest, which was held in conjunction with the annual Little Miss
Cantaloupe Pageant.
A new Little Miss Cantaloupe was also named during the evening. The
honor went to Jacqueline Barrera, the daughter of Ramon and Yvette
Barrera. Runner-up was Bryce Salcido, the daughter of Bruce and Belinda
Salcido.
Sheepdog competition set for Ft. Stockton
PECOS, Tues., Jan. 6, 2004 -- Fort Stockton will host a segment of the
Sheepdog Winter Trials this Friday through next Monday, Jan. 9-12, from
sunrise to sunset. The public is invited, with no admission charge, to
watch these phenomenal dogs work this event.
The trial field is located adjacent to the Silhouette Shooters range
just east of town, one mile off the Interstate 10 access road.
For more information contact Kenda Turman at 432-336-8525, extension
16.
Weather
PECOS, Tues., Jan. 6, 2004 -- High Monday 53. Low this morning 26.
Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows near 25. East winds 10 to 15
mph. Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Warmer. Highs 60 to 65. South winds 10
to 15 mph. Wednesday night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 40. Southwest
winds 10 to 15 mph. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs near 70. Northwest
winds 10 to 15 mph. Thursday night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower to
mid 30s. Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower to mid 60s. Friday
night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower to mid 30s.
Marriages
Marriages for November 2003, as filed with the Reeves County
Clerk's Office.
Dagoberto Rodriguez and Yvette Acosta.
Jaime Campos Soto and April Garcia Rodriguez.
Norman Ray Hill and Dorothy Jean Billieter.
Jesus Ernesto Franco Jr. and Denise Marie Valeriano.
Christopher Medina and Leslie Anne Solis.
Jesse Sauceda and Debra Mae White.
Gilbert A. Plasencia Jr. and Kristen Esmeralda Dominguez.
Divorces
Divorces for December 2003, as filed with the Reeves County
District Clerk's Office.
Jose L. Reyes and Germana H. Reyes.
Moises Castillo and Alexa Sanchez Castillo.
Bobbie Sue Aguilar and Jason Paul Aguilar.
Tanya Kay Rodriguez and Joseph Peter Rodriguez.
Johnny Terrazas and Terry Salcido Terrazas.
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.
***
Roberto C. Rodriguez, 48, was arrested on
a Capias warrant for possession of an open alcoholic beverage on Jan.
3, at 11:12 a.m., in the Gibson's True Value parking lot.
***
Ruben Villegas, 24, was arrested for
possession of marijuana less than two ounces and possession of a
controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school on Jan. 3, at 3:56
p.m., while in custody at the CJC. Villegas was originally charged with
the school proximity violation, but during booking an additional amount
of marijuana was found.
***
Martina Armendariz, 27, was arrested on
four warrants out of Midland County, on a motion to revoke probation in
Reeves County, theft of property, failure to appear, and theft by
check, on Jan. 1, at 7:52 p.m., in the 1700 block of Alamo Street.
***
Efrain Navarette, 46, was arrested for
public intoxication on Jan. 1, at 9:17 p.m., in the 400 block of South
Elm Street.
***
Jose Silva Jr., 23, was arrested on a
warrant for a motion to adjudicate guilt based on an original charge of
assault on Jan. 1, at 11:06 p.m. During the arrest, police discovered
marijuana, and charged Silva with possession of marijuana less than two
ounces as well. The arrest occurred at the Uncle's Convenience Store at
Third and Cedar streets. Police said Javier Villegas, 23, was arrested
for possession of marijuana less than two ounces at the same time as
Silva's arrest.
***
George Natividad, 23, was arrested for
assault under the Family Violence Act and possession of marijuana
within 1000 feet of a school, a Class A misdemeanor, on Jan. 1, 9:40
a.m., in the 1000 block of Plum Street.
***
David Chavez, 20, was arrested on a
Capias warrant for a violation of a promise to appear on Dec. 31, at
11:40 p.m., in the 500 block of West Walthall Street
***
Marco Rubio, 27, was arrested on a DWI
refusal on Dec. 31, at 10:34 p.m., during a traffic stop at the
intersection of Walthall and Cherry streets.
***
Michael Pena, 20, was arrested for
possession of marijuana and evading arrest Dec. 29, at 10:42 p.m., in
the 1100 block of South Plum Street.
***
Hilario Celaya III, 22, was arrested on
three warrants, squealing tires-city ordinance, speeding and a
violation of a promise to appear on Dec. 28, at 7:21 p.m., at the
intersection of Third and Alamo streets.
***
Rafael Martinez, 65, Rhonda Renteria, 21,
and Rodolfo Rodriguez, 52, were arrested during a police walk though of
Club Suavecito on Dec. 28, at 12:55 a.m. Martinez and Renteria were
both arrested for public intoxication, while Rodriguez was arrested on
two warrants, exhibition of acceleration and a violation of a promise
to appear.
***
Roland Baca, 17, and Vanessa Chappa, 20,
were arrested for public intoxication on Dec. 28, at 2:47 a.m., at the
Allsup's in the 2200 block of South Eddy Street.
***
Joe Garcia, 55, was arrested for assault
under the Family Violence Act on Dec. 27, at 9:43 p.m., in the 100
block of South Cedar Street.
***
Nelson Lee McGrew, 40, was arrested on
two warrants, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a
controlled substance, heroin, on Dec. 26, at 10:50 p.m., while staying
at the Best Western Swiss Clock Inn, in the 1000 block of West Palmer
Street.
***
Gilberto Ortega, 33, was arrested on a
parole violation, possession of a controlled substance, heroin, on Dec.
24, at 7:20 p.m., in the 500 block of South Mesquite Street.
***
Joaquin Gonzalez, 23, was arrested on a
Reeves County Sheriffs Office warrant for failure to stop on Dec. 24,
at 9:49 p.m., in the 1600 block of Cowan Street.
***
Jose Rodriguez Bravo, 74, was arrested
for making a wide left turn and violation of driver's license
restrictions on Dec. 24, at 10:13 a.m., in the 1200 block of South
Cedar Street.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 432-445-5475, FAX 432-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
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Copyright 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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