October 10, 2008
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FORT
STOCKTON – David Michael Meyers, 30, was in the Pecos County Jail at press
time, charged in the murder Friday of Drew Aaron Slater, 25, of Fort Stockton. Slater,
a son-in-law of Mal-one Mitchell III and an employee of the Longfellow Ranch,
was found with multiple gunshot wounds at his home at 1505 Hornbeck Ave. two
blocks north of Wal-Mart Friday morning. Slater’s
pickup was missing and someone called “a person of interest” was seen driving
a vehicle matching that description Saturday near Midland. Police
Chief Juan Castro told the News Leader Monday the vehicle was later
identified as belonging to the victim. He
said Meyers was arrested on a warrant for unauthorized operation of a motor
vehicle and was returned to Pecos County later where he was arraigned on a
murder charge before city magistrate Sylvia Hernandez. Bail was set at
$500,000. Police
Lt. Louie Hernandez told the News Leader Wednesday the suspect had confessed.
He declined to provide a reason for the killing. Castro said the murder was the first in the
city in about ten years. SANDERSON
– It started out all wrong at the Sanderson Eagles’ Homecoming Friday but the
hometown football squad got it in gear and evened their record to 3-3 with a
58-21 victory over the visiting Buena Vista Longhorns. Sanderson
took the opening kickoff but fumbled in its first possession with only four
seconds off the clock. Buena
Vista recovered and Luke Jones then threw to Longhorn teammate Joey Acosta
for 27 yards. Joey ran it in the final four yards and it was 8-0 Buena Vista
before some fans had found their seats. But
the Eagles came right back, sparked by a 36 yard pass from Ryan Rosas to
Jimmy Rapp to the Longhorn seven and Ryan’s little brother Ralston then
hauled in a pass from Jacob Benavidez and it was eight per side. A
few moments later, Ryan intercepted a Longhorn pass at the Eagle 32-yard line
then caught a 48-yard strike from Jacob for six more. David
Shoemaker booted for two more and it was 16-8 Eagles with a scant 10 seconds
left on the first quarter clock. Midway
through the second period, Eagle J.D. Brotherton matched the number on his
jersey with a 20-yard run for six more. Shoe’s kick was blocked but the
Eagles now led 22-8. With
3:29 left in the half, Zack Bugg scored for the Longhorns on a 35-yard
strike. Zack lined up to kick the points after but a high snap put an end to
that idea. It was 22-14 Eagles. But
less than a minute later, Ryan Rosas galloped 36 yards for another Eagle
score. Shoe used his shoe to add two more and it was 30-15 where it stood as
the half ran out. After
entertainment by cheerleaders from both sides and Sanderson’s peppy Pep
Squad, play resumed but the score remained unchanged for half of the third
period. Finally,
with 4:37 left in the quarter, Zack Bugg bugged the Eagles with another pass
reception. Again,
Zack lined up to kick the PAT but, whether by design or a miscue, the holder
Luke Jones stood up and threw to Cory Gibson in the end zone for the
one-point conversion, narrowing the Eagle lead to nine points, 30-21. But
a little more than a minute later, Jacob Benavidez found Travis Roberts for
six on a two-yard pass. Darren Seidel kicked the PAT and it was 38-21. In
six-man football, it is sometimes difficult to find a kicker, thus the two
points for a kicked conversion. Sanderson
is either lucky or talented with three kickers on the squad. Shoe, Darren and
Ryan all use their toes for the Eagles. With
2:56 left in the quarter, Travis Roberts jarred the ball loose from a Longhorn
player and Ryan pounced on the ball at the Eagle 12. J.D.
had runs of 34, 35 and 19 yards on the other side but the ball eventually
went over on downs. The
third quarter went into the books with the scoreboard still reading 38-21 in
favor of the home team. But
the final stanza was a scant 13 seconds old when J.D. galloped for 45 yards.
Darren’s kick was blocked but the Eagles now led 44-21. A
couple of minutes later, Phillip Lascano found the end zone from ten yards
away, Shoe booted the points after and it was 52-21. The
final tally came on a 59-yard gallop by J.D. The point after try was blocked
and the 58-21 went into the books as the final three minutes was scoreless. It
was a sweet homecoming for many former Eagles. Elsewhere
last week, Balmorhea trounced El Paso Bethel Temple 72-47, Fort Davis
defeated Dell City 78-22, El Paso Faith Christian forfeited to
Grandfalls-Royalty, giving the Cowboys a 1-0 victory, and Valentine posted a
similar victory with a forfeit by Marathon. Tonight,
the Eagles host Sierra Blanca at “The Pit.” Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. SHEFFIELD
– The former Texas Young Commission Boot Camp was back in business this week
as the Seaborne ChalleNGe Academy. Cadets
assigned to the Seaborne facility on Galveston Island, “resumed normal
operations and classes in the new academy” here, a spokesman told the News
Leader Wednesday. Hurricane
Ike slammed into Galveston Island at 2:10 a.m. Sept. 13 and severely damaged
the school. No
decision had been reached this week on whether that facility will re-open. In
the meantime, cadets and staff
resumed normal operations and classes in “the new academy in Sheffield”
Monday. The
present class will graduate from the Sheffield Academy the third week in
December. “Students
at risk of dropping out of high school, from 16 to 18 years old, may apply
for the 17 1/2 month program, operated by the Texas National Guard. During
the first five months, cadets are housed under residential supervision. At
the completion the residential phase, they return to their communities across
the state where they are mentored by adult volunteers locally for the next 12
months. The
spokesman stressed that the cadets volunteer for the school, frequently at the
suggestion of school counselors or parents. They
are “not juvenile delinquents in any shape or form” and are free to come and
go from the school. The
chain like fence around the Sheffield facility will not be removed but the
concertina wire has been removed. The
mentors assist students with in-ife plans help the progress, the spokesman
said. More
than 90 cadets transferred to the West Texas campus, which has the capacity
for 128 students. “Since many Seaborne employees were affected and displaced by the hurricane, Texas Joint Counter Drug Task Force personnel are assisting and supporting the Sheffield facility to ensure proper staff coverage,” the spokesman said. ”National Guard members will work in support roles with the focus on safety, security and transition.” SANDERSON
– The Terrell County Sheriff’s Office is back to full strength – although it
is still two deputies short, Sheriff Clint McDonald said this week. Robert
Lewing of Eastland was sworn in last week to replace Lance Perna, who was
dismissed recently. But
there are two new vacancies that have not been filled, McDonald said. Terrell
County Commissioners approved two new positions in the Fiscal Year 2008-09
budget and those vacancies have not been filled. McDonald
had complained that having only four on the staff made it hard to keep people
because each one had to work upwards of 100 hours per week just to have an
officer on duty around the clock. Lewing
said he is married with “two tricycle motors” still at home in Eastland. His
wife, Loni, works in the medical field and is still with the Eastland Hospital.
The children are 17-monthold Kaleigh and four month old Caden. The
family hopes to move to Sanderson, probably next February. Lewing said his
mother, Freda Lewing, also wants to move here “so bad she can’t stand it.” She
is a peace officer who has served as a dispatcher, deputy sheriff and jailer. “She
was the first female jail commander
in Greenlee, Arizona,” he said. Lewing
said he looks forward to living and working in Sanderson. He worked on a
ranch south of Alpine and said he “loves it down here.” McDonald
told the News Leader he had just received about $247,000 from a federal grant
announced earlier which will provide him money to buy equipment for the new
deputies including vehicles, night-vision goggles, protective clothing and
other equipment. The
county received its share of a $4.9 million grant backed by Democrat US Rep.
Ciro He
said there are 20 counties in the coalition and the funds were split equally
21 ways among the coalition and the counties. “Since
2004, we have gotten over $1 million in state and federal grants,” McDonald
said. Art
contest for ‘fishy’ entries set ATHENS
– Texas students in grades four through 12 are invited to enter the eleventh
annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest. Deadline for entries is March
31, 2009. Contestants
must create an illustration of an officially recognized state fish and write
a one-page composition about its behavior, habitat and conservation. One
Texas winner will be selected from each of three grade levels, four to six,
seven to nine and ten to 12. Those
winners will then compete at the national level for best of show and art of
conservation stamp honors. Texas
contest coordinator Zoe Ann Stinchcomb said past winners in the Texas contest
have come from small towns and big cities and have included home-schooled students
as well as private and public school students. For
details on the contest and how to enter, visit the State-Fish Art Contest
page on the TFFC web site. The
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is a facility of the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department that incorporates a visitor center, educational programming
and a production fish hatchery. For more information
call 903/676-2277 or the web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishart BIG
BEND – The flooding long the Rio Grande from Presidio east to Lajitas and Big
Bend National Park has subsided this week but many have been devastated by
the high waters. The
International Bridge between Presidio and Ojinaga reopened this week but
State Highway 170, also known as the River Road, remained closed and is
expected to remain so for a considerable period because of extensive damage. The
Big Bend Baptist Association is coordinating an effort to assist the victims
of the floods in Presidio and Ojinaga. Marathon
residents who want to contribute to the effort may deliver goods to the Marathon
Baptist Church Fellowship Hall behind the church or contact T.J. Joyner at
432/386-4370 to have items picked up. Donors
can also contribute money. Items
required include flour and baking powder in ten-pound bags, beans and rice in
four-pound bags, eight-ounce jars of instant coffee, 25.6-ounce boxes of
powdered milk, 48-ounce bottles of vegetable oil, 26-ounce cardboard cans of
salt, 18-ounce bottles of oatmeal, one-pound packages of instant potatoes,
eight-ounce cans of tomato sauce and 15.25-ounce cans of corn. Items
or money should be turned in by the end of the day on Sunday, Oct. 12, so
they can be delivered to Presidio on Monday. Boxes
for individual families will be packaged with the multiple items. The sizes
stipulated will fit into the boxes. This
is Breast Cancer Awareness Month SANDERSON
– Breast Cancer Awareness Month this month has special meaning to several
area women who have suffered from the disease. An
estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to occur
among women in the US this year and about 40,480 deaths were expected. Studies
have clearly shown that early detection through mammography greatly improves
treatment options, the chances for successful treatment and survival. Early-stage
breast cancer typically produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most
treatable, so it is important that women follow recommended guidelines for
finding breast cancer before the symptoms develop. On
average, mammography will detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in
women without symptoms. Self
examinations on a regular basis are also highly recommended. The
American Cancer Society has invested more than $352 million in breast cancer
research grants since 1972 and has been an important part of nearly every
major breast cancer research breakthrough of the past century, including the
use of tamoxifen to reduce the risk of first or second breast cancer
occurrences. The
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is also active in the fight
against breast cancer, mobilizing more than 100,000 volunteers to defeat
legislation that would have allowed insurance companies to remove laws
guaranteeing cancer-screening coverage for women who need it. ACS CAN continues to support legislation
that would improve the quality of treatment for breast cancer patients and
the quality of life for breast cancer survivors. The
ACS said it is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by
saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research,
education, advocacy and service. Founded
in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional
divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers
across the United States. ACS
CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan partner advocacy organization of the
American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health
problem. ACS
CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to
support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS
CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more
information, visit www.acscan.org.,
call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. There
are many myths about the issue, here are some facts. The
myth, finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer. The
truth, if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in
breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However,
8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes
women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Women
are encouraged to take charge of their health by performing routine breast
self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with their doctor and
scheduling regular
mammograms. The
myth, men do not get breast cancer. The
truth, quite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximately 1,700
men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. While
this percentage is still small, men should also give themselves regular breast self-exams and note any
changes to their physicians. The
myth, a mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread. The
truth, a mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best tools available
for the early detection of breast cancer. It cannot cause cancer to spread,
nor can the pressure put on the breast from the mammogram. Tales
of other people’s experiences should not keep people from having a mammogram.
Decisions
should be based on a physician's recommendation. The
myth, having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it. The
truth, while women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher
risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Those
with a mother, daughter, sister or grandmother who had breast cancer should
have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at
age 35. The
myth, breast cancer is contagious. The
truth, one cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast
cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in one’s own body. However,
people can protect themselves by being aware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan. The
myth, knowing of changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent
breast cancer. The
truth, while alterations in these genes in men and women can predispose and
individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only five to 10 percent of
patients actually have this mutation. This is not an absolute correlation. Like
age or having a family history of breast cancer, it’s a factor cannot be controlled.
But
people can let their physician know, perform regular breast
self-exams and focus on the fact chances of not having this disease are
greater then 90 percent. |
“At
11:48 a.m. Friday, Fort Stockton Police Department received a 911 distress
call that an individual was hurt at a residence at 1505 W. Hornbeck Ave.,”
Castro said. “EMS responded and the subject was unresponsive. They didn’t
transport and he was dead at the scene.” He
said a crime scene was established and Justice of the Peace Robert Gonzales
pronounced him dead. The family-owned Stockton’s Entertainment Center
was closed until Tuesday. DRYDEN – State Highway 349 between here
and Sheffield, closed last week because of damage from heavy rains Sept. 10
and 11, is scheduled to open this weekend – “barring problems,” the Texas
Department of Transportation said Tuesday. “Allen Keller Company of Fredericksburg began work this week on
emergency repairs to the embankment and approaches to the Big Canyon bridge
on State Highway 349 in Terrell County,” TxDOT Public Affairs Officer Glen
Larum said. “The bridge at Big Canyon Draw has been closed to traffic since
the damage caused by mid-September flooding,” he said. “The bridge is
expected to be open by this weekend – barring problems.” Larum said the contractor also will work at four other locations
to be repaired on State Highway 349 and one location on Ranch Road 2886 near
Interstate 10. “Keller should be finished with the repair work by the end of
November,” Larum said. “TxDOT crews made emergency repairs at the Independence
Creek bridge, allowing it to be remain open to all traffic – including normal
heavy oil field truck traffic.” It had initially been restricted to light loads in the first few
days following the flooding, which eroded embankments. Some pavement repairs were also made last week on Ranch Road
2400. Grey
Ranch gas plant to reopen OKLAHOMA
CITY – Sand-Ridge Energy, Inc., here announced this week it expects to have
its Grey Ranch Gas Plant back in service November 1. A
major explosion at the plant north of Sanderson June 27 caused extensive
damage to the plant but quick evacuation resulted in no casualties. The
announcement came in a statement that recent declines in natural gas prices
has caused the company to reduce its 2009 capital expenditure budget in half
from $2 billion to $1 billion. The
2008 production guidance remains unchanged, the company said. SandRidge
Chief Financial Officer Dirk M. Van Doren told the News Leader Monday there
was no estimate of damage to the Grey Ranch Plant. But
it was estimated at the time that it caused a net loss to SandRidge of
approximately 16.5 million cubic feet per day of methane sales. Meanwhile,
Van Doren said the schedule is “unchanged“ for construction of the “Century
Plant” this fall. SandRidge
and Occidental Petroleum of Los Angeles, CA, announced plans earlier to build
and operate the $1.1 billion carbon dioxide extraction Century Plant near US
285 and Puckett Road in Pecos County. As
a result of the planned reduction in capital expenditures, the SandRidge
production guidance for 2009 was lowered to 120 billion cubit feet from 135
billion cubic feet equivalent. The
reduced 2009 production reflects a 20 percent growth over expected 2008
production of 100 Bcfe. SandRidge
has opened the data room to evaluate the potential sale of its East Texas and
North Louisiana Cotton Valley and Haynesville assets. A
decision will be made in the fourth quarter. If the company chooses not to
sell these assets, it plans to fund its 2009 capital expenditure program with
internally generated cash flow and its existing $1.1 billion revolving credit
facility. SandRidge
continues to maintain its production guidance of 100 Bcfe for the 2008 full
year 2008 and third quarter guidance due to strong drilling performance in
the West Texas Overthrust. The
company entered the third quarter with 25 million cubic feet per day shut-in
because of the Grey Ranch Plant fire and well work in the Gulf Coast. During
the quarter the company was also impacted by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Van
Doren said the company did not lose any of its facilities in the storms but
“infrastructure problems” caused a reduction in the flow. “We
didn’t have any damage ourselves but one pipeline [carrying its product] was
busted,” he said. Overall,
the company experienced about 3.5 Bcfe of shut-ins during the third quarter
and production in the quarter is expected to be flat to second quarter 2008. “The
WTO [West Texas Overthrust] continues to outperform our expectations delivering
healthy metrics in the areas of production growth, reserve growth, and
finding costs,” SandRidge CEO and Chairman Tom L. Ward said. “Due to strong
drilling results in the WTO, we will be able to meet our 2008 production target
after tremendous adversities in Q3. “Identification
of the three major thrust faults from the Piñon 3D seismic data continues to
play a significant role in our company’s future growth,” he said “The ability
to pick locations and drill shallow Caballos wells from 3D in the different
thrust faults enabled us to significantly cut back our 2009 capex [capital
expenditure] budget by $1 billion and continue with production growth
guidance of 20 percent. “As
we move into 2010 and 2011 with the start-up of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Century
Plant, we will be able to grow at a rate of 30 percent or more in those
years.” SANDERSON
– Sanderson Band Director Eric Cooksey told The Sanderson Eagle Band Boosters
this week that students will not be given an A just for showing up. They must
earn their grades just as in other classes. Cooksey
said the school answered one of his requests to the school board and provided
a new platform for drums in the stands at Eagle Stadium. The
stands were on display for the first time at Friday’s Homecoming football
game. He said it will soon serve dual duty as a podium. Band
students performing at football games have sported their new orange hoodies. Cooksey
told club members that all band members can earn the hoodies. The football performers
just received them first. Cooksey
also said that In Tune Music of Odessa makes a trip to town every other Monday
and “we are in the process of getting instruments repaired.” Kathy
Lawson said Cooksey has “relit some fires in the camp.” She
said her son Cordell was quickly loosing interest in band but has since made
a turnaround under Cooksey’s leadership. As
of now the Sanderson Eagle Band consists of 20 members. In
other action, the club discussed a few changes in the new by-laws. President
Kristine Woosley expressed concern about better communication among members
and Missy Escamilla was voted new ways and means chair. SAN
ANGELO – Scott Mitchell of Sanderson is running for The Mohair Producers
Board, which will conduct elections in three of its 12 voting districts for
the purpose of electing four new board members to replace members whose terms
have expired. The
district includes Presidio, Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Terrell and Crockett
Counties. Ballots
must be returned to the Board office by the midnight, Oct. 31, deadline. Also
on the ballot are Lanny Leinweber of Mountain Home in District 6 and Jason Bannowsky
of Menard in District 7. Ballots
will be available at Texas AgriLife Extension offices in each of the 14
counties. The
Terrell County office is on the second floor of the courthouse, phone
432/345-2291. Or
producers can call 800/593-3161 to request a ballot by mail. SANDERSON
– Residents here have received a post card from First Choice Power saying
their home rate for power had come down yet several people have complained to
the News Leader lately that their rates have gone up sharply. First
Choice spokesman Catherine Carlton said some people may have failed to renew
a fixed-rate plan, which would launch a price increase. If
the fixed-rate plan expires, the customer is shifted to a month-to-month plan
that may be higher than the fixed-rate plan. “We
notify customers by mail when their plan is up for renewal,” Carlton said.
“You have to actively call to renew.” She
said it is “really important” to renew if the customer wants to continue with
the fixed-rate program. “The month-to-month price plan has
decreased significantly since August,” she said. “It’s down nearly 40
percent.” Power
prices spiked in the summer when the fuel that feeds the power plant’s generators
rose precipitously. Gas
and oil prices have since fallen sharply and electric rates for
month-to-month customers have dropped as well, she said. “We
have dropped the October electricity price 15 percent from the September
price for month-to-month customers in TNMP [Texas New Mexico Power] service
territory,” Carlton said. “We have been working hard to keep electric costs
down and have been able to lower the price nearly 40 percent since August.” She
said customers can choose a fixed-rate plan or month to month. She would not
speculate which would cost more over a 12-month period. Carlton
referred readers to the First Choice website at FirstChoicePower.com/tips
for “energy-efficiency tips by appliance and by room in their home.” AUSTIN
– Terrell County was included in an announcement from Texas Department of
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples of communities that have become the
“newest members” of the GO TEXAN
Rural Community Program, a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative
to market rural Texas. “The
voice of rural Texas continues to be heard thanks to the hard work of its
proud citizens,” Staples said. “Rural Texas is vital to the overall health of
our state’s economy, and with the success of our united Rural Community Program
members, we can be assured of future rewards for all of Texas.” The GO TEXAN Rural Community Program
is a free, member-based program providing resources and expertise to rural
communities, businesses and organizations committed to the economic strength
of rural Texas. Certified
members have access to ongoing reimbursable grants to help promote local
events that encourage tourism as well as to special, one-time grant programs
to assist in other community development efforts. “Rural
Texas has so much to offer,” Staples said. “Every dollar spent on
preservation, beautification, new business development and tourism in rural
Texas creates jobs and generates income, adding to the state’s economy.” Rural
Texas covers approximately 80 percent of the state’s total land area. Retirees
are increasingly drawn to smaller rural communities with access to urban
services and rural entrepreneurialism is a growing trend. By
2040, the population in Texas’ rural counties is projected to increase by
more than 20 percent. “As rural Texas continues to grow, the preservation
and celebration of our rural roots remains important,” Staples said. “We appreciate
every member of the GO TEXAN Rural
Community Program. Together, we preserve
the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future of rural Texas.” For more information, visit www.gotexan.org. |
Meyers
had worked at the International House of Pancakes next to the entrainment
center. A
memorial service was Monday here and there was a private burial later this
week. SANDERSON
– Work will officially start next week with a groundbreaking ceremony on the
new high school edition to the Sanderson Junior High School Building. Members
of the Terrell County School Board, teachers, students and interested
citizens have been invited to the ceremony at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, on
Second Street south of the existing Junior High School building. Superintendent
Gary Hamilton said school board members, county officials, teachers, students
and the general public are all invited to attend. Mid-Tex
of Midland, Inc., is the “contractor at risk” on the project, to be financed
by a successful $14 million bond issue election last year. Tennis
courts south of the old high school building have been completed, the first
project to be financed by the bonds. The
current $5.4 million project will provide high school classrooms to the south
of the junior high school building and a vocational building to the east of
the junior high. Other
work still to be accomplished includes a new field house at Sanderson Stadium
and improvements to the other campuses. The
present high school, built in 1931, will not be used for classrooms, at least
initially. It
was determined it would take some $5 million to redo the building to conform
with requirement for school classrooms. SANDERSON - The 11th
Annual Prickly Pear Pachanga, one of the red-letter days on the Sanderson
calendar will be tomorrow at St. James Hall. The
Sanderson Arts & Education Alliance is responsible for Pachanga each
year to commemorate Sanderson's designation as the "Cactus Capital of
Texas." All
funds from the dinner, silent auction, photography and cactus crafts contest
will benefit arts and education programs for the citizens of Terrell County.
Tickets
for the catered dinner are $20 per person and seating is limited to the first
150. There
will be a silent auction and pre-dinner time at 7 p.m. with live music by Alpine
violin and guitar duo "Stillwater," Marina Azar and Betty McGehee,
who played for the Arts & Education Alliance "Toe Tappin Tuesday"
concert at the Bicentennial Park Pavil ion Sept. 23. Dinner
will be at 8 p.m. The
photography and cactus speci~;t .£ontests will be ex-pande& to
include a "Cactus :Crafts Contest" for arts and
crafts with-a"cactus theme. The
prizes have been increased to $100 for first place, -$50 for second and $25
for third. "We
still encourage photography but also want to include other forms of art,
whether paintings, clothing items, crafts, sculpture, books, furniture, gift
items and even cooking - with as many being cactus-themed as
possible," President Henry Beth Hogg said. The
Cactus Specimen contest will provide prizes for several entries including
best, biggest, and/ or brightest cactus and" native plants from the
region. Winning
bids and the contest winners will be announced immediately following the
dinner. SANDERSON
– With the current financial crisis around the world and with the rumor mill
present here as is most small towns, it is not surprising we have heard that
the two banks in Sanderson will close. “Not
so,” said Larry Treviño, president of Sanderson State Bank. “We still make
loans.” “It’s
business as usual with us,” Pecos County State Bank President George Hansard
said. “A lot of people were concerned with FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance
Corp.] coverage. “But
it was increased from $100,000 to $250,000 just last Friday,” he said. “There
are just no changes here at all.” In
Marathon, Trans Pecos Bank Branch Manager Marcia Roberts said the bank was “doing
really well. We have no problems.” She
said most of the current problems are at bigger banks. Hansard
said much of the problems have resulted from people getting loans for more
than they could afford and/or with insufficient down payments. “We’re
not involved with that kind of business,” he said. Treviño
said Sanderson State was not involved in the risky lending of the bigger
banks but “what affects them affects everyone. “We
have cut back on real estate lending, particularly in Houston, Dallas and San
Antonio,” he said “We just have to be very cautious, reviewing every loan
application.” He said the bank is exercising more caution
everywhere, including Sanderson. “We
are watching the real estate market very carefully compared with three or
four years ago,” he said. “Most banks are being very judicious in their
lending, particularly on unsecured loans and loans that don’t have enough
equity. “It’s
a sign of the times,” Treviño said. to
benefit troops SANDERSON
– Lupe Sanchez is gathering Christmas care packages for Marine troop Third
Alpha Company stationed in Iraq. Her
son John is in that troop and she said she was concerned that the ones
protecting our rights and freedoms as Americans won’t spend Christmas with
their family and loved ones. She
is requesting that packages be dropped off at Sanderson Clinic and she will
then see that they get sent. Practical
items such as mouthwash, deodorant and other necessities are recommended but
Sanchez said the troops really like treats such as peanut butter crackers and
tuna packages with everything included. Deadline
for drop off is November 30. SANDERSON
– The Terrell Independent School District has agreed to take over the annual
Halloween celebration but it will be a school-only event on Saturday, Nov. 1. Superintendent
Gary Hamilton said he found out only Sunday, Oct. 5, that St. James Hall
would not be available so he decided to let the school take over the event. Organizer
Tami Carrasco said everyone is welcome to attend. There will be a costume contest
and other events for people of all ages. The
superintendent has traditionally set the date for children to go trick or
treating and the other events have centered around that date. Hamilton
said he did not want to allow any involvement by other civic organizations
because he did not want the liability in case someone was injured. He said he did not know yet where or what hours the party would be. Last
year, there was a large turnout for a costume judging contest on the
Courthouse Lawn, sponsored by the Sanderson High School Junior Class. A
parade, which in years past had been on Main Street was moved to around the
courthouse square and wound up at St. James Hall where the Guadalupanas sponsored
an afternoon fiesta. Carrasco
said there probably will be a parade but firm plans were pending. SANDERSON
– Miriam Nuñez was named homecoming queen and Phillip Lascano is the 2008
king. They
were crowned by 2007 Homecoming Queen Hannah Black just before the Sanderson
Homecoming football game with Buena Vista Friday. Miriam
is the daughter of Jeff and Victoria Imboden. She is a member of the
cross-country, basketball, tennis and track teams. She
plans to be a teacher of Spanish and accounting. Phillip
is the son of Dale Carruthers. He participates in football, basketball and
track. He
is senior class president and a Student Council representative. The
other queen candidates were Raquel Hinkley, daughter of Brian Hinkley and
Deanna Seager, and Monica Lozano, daughter of Louis Lopez and Cynthia Saenz. Other
king candidates were J.D. Brotherton, son of Susan and David Brotherton,
Jimmy Rapp, son of Robert and Kim Rapp, and Jaime Rodriguez, son of Jaime,
Sr., and Dolores Rodriguez. Princesses
were junior Elise Boyd, daughter of Jeff and Tara Boyd, sophomore Taylor Johnson,
daughter of Adam Johnson and Christine Porter, and freshman Ashley Hagelgans,
daughter of David Hagelgans and Laura Ochoa. The crowning came at the end of a week of
homecoming activities, including a parade and bonfire Thursday night. A
large crowd turned out to watch a large pile of wood go up in flame, topped
by an “09” sign. Names
of football teams the Eagles would face this fall led up to the top of the
pile. Elsewhere,
people ponied up 50 cents a whack to bash a 1984 Oldsmobile 98 donated by
David Brotherton. Comptroller offers free seminar on
taxes ODESSA
– Texas Comptroller Susan Combs’ office will offer a free seminar here to
help area businesses with their tax obligations. “Operating
a business has many challenges but figuring out your taxes should not be one
of them,” Combs said. “Whether you are a new taxpayer or one who has been in
business for many years, this seminar will help you understand the laws that
apply to you and your business.” She
said the seminar will provide information on sales tax forms, taxability
issues, taxpayer responsibilities and services provided by the comptroller’s
office. Combs
said members of her office will be available for questions and to provide
assistance. The
seminar will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct., 23, at the Permian Basin
Small Business Development Center at 1400 N. FM 1788 here. For
more information on the seminar, call 432/550-3027. Those who are unable to
attend the seminar can call the comptroller’s toll-free tax assistance line
at 800/252-5555. Tax
forms and information are also available on the website www.window.state.tx.us. place
second ALPINE
– Sanderson High School girls and guys both placed second as teams at the Big
Bend Mountain Ramble cross country meet here last weekend. In
girl’s action, Noemi Nuñez placed sixth, Victoria Busch came in 21st place
and Isabel Rivera placed 23rd. In
29th place was Brianna Johnson, Ashley Woosley was 37th and Miriam Nuñez
placed 36th. In
guy’s action, Travis Roberts placed third, Taylor Roberts came in fifth place
and in eighth place was Shawn Stegall. Jimmy
Rapp came in 35th place and Cordell Lawson placed 43rd. Also
running were Andrew Woosley, who placed 50th and in 52nd was Kelly Lomas. Tomorrow,
the kids head for Iraan. |