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SANDERSON
– Terrell County Commissioners Monday approved a $3.16 million budget for the
fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 and a tax rate of 32.43 cents per $100 valuation
to support it.
The
budget was up by $286,000 over the amount published last week when $280,000
was added to the total to accommodate a grant for communications equipment
and $6,000 for the library.
Both
are “pass-through” items with the revenues equaling expenditures.
The
county will purchase a communications tower and related building for $280,000
and then receive a grant for that amount from state Basin Border Security
program.
The
county has also submitted applications for $457,367.68 in additional money
for radios technology equipment.
That
will be added as a budget amendment if the “Border Star” grant from the
office of Gov. Rick Perry is approved.
The
library account had been kept separately but will now be included in the
county budget.
It
included income for things like late fees and donations and has been used to
buy DVDs and books.
The
tax rate includes 28.6 cents for maintenance and operations and 3.83 cents
for debt service.
The
Terrell County Independent School District is scheduled to take up its $9.9
million budget in a special meeting at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, before its
regular 7 p.m. meeting in the high school library.
The
board will also take action on a proposed tax rate of $1.04 per $100
valuation for maintenance and operations and 15.7 cents for debt
service.
In
other action Monday, commissioners agreed to keep the regular Commissioners
Court meeting at 9 a.m. on the second Monday of each month.
Commissioners
also approved 14 county holidays for 2009.
County employees will be off Jan. 1 and 2 for
New Year, Feb. 16 for President’s Day, April 10 for Good Friday, May 25 for
Memorial Day, July 3 for Independence Day, Sept. 7 for Labor Day, November 11
for Veterans Day, Nov. 25 to 27 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for
Christmas and Dec. 31 for New Year.
Benavidez
v. Benavidez
GRANDFALLS – The high school football game
between Sanderson and the Cowboys here last week was important for another
reason, at least for one family.
Dora
and Eddie Benavidez are the proud parents of junior Eagle quarterback Jacob
and his older brother, John Edward, who is in his first year as defensive
coordinator for the Cowboys.
The
brothers wished each other good luck and the game was on.
Jacob’s
Eagles defeated his older brother and his Cowboys, out scoring them 54-6
before the half.
“Speed
was an issue,” John Benavidez told the News
Leader after the game. “The
Eagles executed and we didn’t.”
Sanderson
Coach Jerry Garza was asked what it was like to see a boy that he coached for
many years now coaching the opposing team.
“It
is a good feeling,” he said. “I’m proud of the young man. He has a bright
future in coaching.”
Garza
also said he was pleased with his own charges.
“We
played defense very well,” he said. “It is defense that will win
championships. We expect big plays on D.”
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CHSI
may help fee collection
SANDERSON
– Cactus Health Services, Inc., has agreed to help Terrell County collect ambulance
fees and has suggested doing it at no extra cost in connection with its
agreement with the county.
The
County Commissioners Court Monday authorized County Attorney Marsha Monroe to
negotiate a contract with Cactus and Cactus CEO Teresa Smith told the News
Leader she has suggested it provide the service at no additional charge.
She
said collection agencies frequently charge ten percent or more for collection
services but, because of the close relationship between Cactus and the
county, she will suggest the service be provided as part of the overall
package.
In
other action, commissioners agreed to up the pay for the part-time emergency
medical technician from $6.65 per hour to $8.50.
Under
the agreement, EMT Yolanda Martinez, or any other part-time EMT in that
position, can be asked to be on call for 24-hour periods.
She
had been paid $35 for a “daylight” run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and $50 for a
night run.
Commissioners
last month changed the plan to $52.40 for when she is on call, based on
minimum wage for eight hours, but there was confusion over the per-run pay.
Action
Monday changes the pay to $8.50 per hour, or $68 per day with no per-run
charge.
And
commissioner agreed to a Rabies Clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct.
18, at the courthouse.
County
Judge Leo Smith said the clinic also plans to have a flu vaccination clinic
during the same hours.
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Chamber
to review advertising
SANDERSON
– The Chamber of Commerce has been asked to review potential advertising
placement in magazines to promote tourism in the county.
Terrell
County Commissioners Monday reviewed a proposal for advertising in a new Best
of the Pecos Travel Guide published by AdventGX of College Station, the
company that did a tourism study for the county early last year.
The
county paid $47,000 for that study but nothing more has happened.
Chamber
President Jim Street suggested before the county make a decision, the Chamber
review the several tourism publications to get the “best bang for the buck.”
The
Chamber also has reviewed proposals from the Big Bend Travel Guide, Texas
Travel Guide and other publications.
There
was no Sanderson listing in the initial issue of the AGX book.
Contributions
to the magazine are $8,000 per issue for “Tier 1 sponsorship,” $6,000 for
“Tier 2” and $3,750 for “Tier 3.”
The
first two provide a page of text in the magazine and the third is for half a
page.
There
are declining numbers of events and directory listings offered for each
“tier.”
The
Chamber will consider other possible contributions at its meeting Sept. 23
and make a recommendation to the county.
“We
should try to be in as many books as we can,” Street said. “At the very
least, we need to determine the best buy in advertising before committing to
any book or other vehicle.”
The
Chamber also plans to publish a new Visitor Guide each year.
There
was a Guide, published by the Community Development Association, but that
book has not been published for several years.
The
Chamber is currently selling ads for the new Guide, to be published early
next year.
Ads
are $100 for a full page, $50 for a half page, $30 for a quarter page and $25
for a business-card sized ad.
Full
color art is available for $25, Street said.
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Magazine
touts Eagles
ODESSA
– The latest issue of The Amazing Pigskin Preview Magazine, published
by CBS-7 here says “hard work and dedication will put [the Sanderson] Eagles
on top.”
The
publication notes that “experience, strength and speed will be the motto as
four of six starters return on offense and defense” for the Eagles
The
magazine, published in July, quotes Head Coach Mark Dominguez as saying “a
tough non-district should prepare us for the district season. This year will
be a dog-fight for the top three spots. Last season’s sophomores and juniors
are this year’s juniors and seniors.
“With
a lot of the same players coming back from last year, we are looking forward
to another successful season in 2008,” Dominguez said.
The
magazine said the Eagles are “undoubtedly an experienced team” but Coach D
and the Eagles know that success doesn’t come easily.
“Hard
work and dedication is what will put the Eagles on top of the heap when
district play concludes,” the preview says.
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La
Entrada meetings postponed
ODESSA
– The third and final round of public meetings for the feasibility study for
“La Entrada al Pacifico” scheduled for September in four West Texas cities
along the designated trade corridor has been postponed.
The
plan was for a major highway connection between the US Midwest and the West
Coast port of Topolopampo, Sin. over Midland/Odessa and the border at
Presidio/Ciudad Ojinaga, Chih.
“There
was some additional internal coordination that needed to take place” before
the meetings could be held said Peggy Thurin, who is overseeing the study for
the Texas Department of Transportation’s planning division.
Meetings
canceled had been scheduled for Sept. 15 in Presidio, Sept. 16 in Alpine,
Sept. 22 in Fort Stockton and Sept. 23 in Odessa/Midland.
The
public will be informed in advance of the date and time for the rescheduled
meetings, Thurin said.
Brian
Swindell, who heads up the Dallas-based HDR Engineering team of consultants
conducting the study, said that the final meetings will present the team’s
recommendations for safety and mobility improvements along the corridor between
the Odessa-Midland area and Presidio.
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US
285 bridges get load limits
PECOS
– The Texas Department of Transportation will restrict loads on two aging
“bridge class” box culverts on US 285 north of Pecos, a highway that serves
as a main route from Sanderson north to New Mexico.
The
large concrete box culverts at Sand Bend and Four-Mile Draw – two water
courses that are usually dry – are between the State Highway 302 intersection
and Farm to Market Road 652 at Orla.
Both
box culverts will be limited to vehicles carrying 11,000 pounds per single
and tandem axle or less.
Cars,
pickups and light trucks will not be affected by the posting.
TxDOT
officials emphasize that the structures remain safe for these vehicles.
Heavier
traffic will be rerouted. Truckers with loads above 11,000 pounds per axle up
to the legal limit should plan to take an alternate route.
Oversize-overweight
vehicles, which require permits, will be diverted to alternate highways by
the TxDOT route permit.
Signs
announcing the load limits will be put up along area highways in the next few
days.
TxDOT
plans extensive repairs to both structures, which were built in 1932 and
widened in 1959, in the next 12 months.
Load
limits will remain into effect until repairs are completed.
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QB
helps Lobos
By JASON HENNINGTON
Sul Ross News Writer
ALPINE
– After playing quarterback at the collegiate and professional levels, Jason
Johnson is now passing his experience to Lobo receivers.
Johnson,
a graduate assistant coach for Wayne Schroeder’s Sul Ross State University
football staff, played high school football in Palmetto, FL, was a
quarterback in junior college and at Western Kentucky University then
competed with the Odessa Roughnecks in the Intense Football League.
Coaching
became an option when he was injured during his senior year at Western Kentucky
and missed most of the season.
“After
I got hurt and came back, people were telling me to go ahead and try out for
the NFL [National Football League] but I said ‘no I want to coach instead,’”
Johnson said.
After
a few years of coaching, Johnson decided to return to the playing field.
“I
felt like I could still play,” he said and he joined the Roughnecks in arena
competition.
“I
enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s a lot quicker. I had fun, but I missed the
outdoor game.”
After
two seasons with the Roughnecks and a second injury, Johnson decided it was
time to end his professional career and focus more on coaching, not only for
himself, but for his family.
“I
got hurt again and it was my second surgery,”" Johnson said. “I had a
wife and kid so I’m done.”
Johnson
worked with wide receivers at Bacone College in Muskogee, OK. While there, he
coached alongside Greg Davis, the current offensive coordinator at Sul
Ross.
“Coach
Davis gave me the call and the offer to come here,” Johnson said.
He
was hired as a graduate assistant while working on his Master’s degree in
Physical Education.
Time
spent in Odessa helped him adapt to the geographical changes of West Texas.
“I
adjusted pretty well,” he said. “I’ve been in West Texas before so it’s not
new to me. My wife is happy because she is closer to home in Odessa.”
At
Sul Ross, Johnson uses his quarterbacking experience to help receivers gain
insight on the quarterback’s mindset.
“I
help teach them to be disciplined,” he said.
Johnson
said he tries to show receivers to run their routes but also to remember as
individuals they are not the only players running patterns.
He
tries to make them understand what the quarterback sees and gives a
quarterback’s perspective while adding specifics of how routes should be
run.
“We
have a good group of receivers and they will do great things in their four
years here,” he said. “It’s fun and I really enjoy it.”
Johnson
has told stories about his professional career and feels he can be an
inspiration to players.
“I
have a lot of knowledge and experience to help them, academically first, and
to be the best athlete they can be,” Johnson said.
Johnson
sometimes offers his assistance to quarterbacks when invited.
“I
try to give them [other coaches] a hand whenever I can,” he said. “We're all
one team at the end of the day.”
Schroeder
is happy to have Johnson as a part of his coaching staff.
“Coach
Johnson brings lots of positives to our staff,” Schroeder said. “He is highly
motivated and brings a high energy level to the young players he coaches.
“He
drills his players daily with techniques that they must have to be successful
and he insists that they perform them correctly and at full speed,” Schroeder
said. “His positive attitude is felt on both sides of the ball.”
Johnson
in turn enjoys working with his new boss.
“He
lets you do your job, and gives a lot of support,” Johnson said. “I've enjoyed
him as a person and a coach.”
After
a tough overtime loss to Texas Lutheran University in the Lobos’ season
opener last week, Johnson feels the team will get better with time.
“We
are turning the corner,” he said. “I was impressed. It’s just a few inches
away.
“I
was real happy for the kids and I know we will get better,” he said.
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The
Veterans Day holiday was added to those presented by County Judge Leo Smith.
Commissioners decided it would be Nov. 9, 11 or 16, depending on the
“official” holiday.
Veterans
Day is always observed on Nov. 11, previously known as Armistice Day.
It marks the end of World War I, also known as
the “war to end all wars.” The Armistice was signed on Nov. 11, 1918.
Eagles
best Cowboys
in
‘45’ win
By LYN ROSAS
News Leader Business Manager
GRANDFALLS
– As if the game against Grady wasn’t enough to show that the Sanderson
Eagles football team had improved since last year, Friday night here proved
the point in a 54-6 shellacking of the Cowboys before halftime.
The
Eagles are back and thirsty to defend their district title and made no bones
about showing it off to the Eagle fans who made the trip – and all others in
the stands.
The
Eagles three starting seniors took to the field for the coin toss and
Grandfalls won, electing to receive.
Grandfalls
lost ground on its first possession and lined up to punt. The ball sailed
over everyone’s head for a safety and the Eagles drew first blood before ever
getting the ball on offense.
Shortly
after the Cowboys kick, Phillip Lascano took a handoff from junior starting
quarterback Jacob Benavidez and dashed 33 yards for six points.
Junior
kicker, David Shoemaker put his shoe to work on the PAT and added two more,
making it 10 to 0 with 7:37 left on the first-quarter clock.
Grandfalls
received the kickoff and advanced just a couple yards. On second down, senior
Jimmy Rapp intercepted the ball, giving the Eagles possession.
The
ball turned over on downs and the Cowboys attempted to gain yardage. On third
down, senior J.D. Brotherton sacked their quarterback.
Grandfalls
elected to punt on fourth down and the Eagles took over.
With
4:23 left in the first quarter, Jacob handed off to J.D. who ran 32 yards for
six more points and “Shoe” again added two more, bringing the Eagles to an
18-point lead over their opponents.
The
Cowboys game was slowly slipping away as the ball turned over on downs.
Junior
running back Ryan Rosas received the punt and galloped 46 yards to give the Eagles
a first down.
With
2:39 left in the first quarter, Benavidez threw an 11-yard pass to Rosas who
then ran it in for six more.
Again,
“Shoe” added two more, advancing the Eagles to a 26-to-zip lead.
The
Eagles kicked off to Grandfalls who received the ball in the end zone and
Brotherton added the second safety of the night. It was now 28-0 as the first
quarter came to an end.
Before
the first-period buzzer, Grandfalls’ junior running back Roy Ramirez suffered
an apparent fracture of the left collarbone when he was tackled by a couple
of Eagles.
Early
in the second quarter, Lascano hauled in a punt and scrambled 26 yards for an
Eagle first down.
With
9:26 left in the half, Brotherton took a handoff from Benavidez and ran it in
from the nine for yet another score, edging the Eagles to a 34-0 lead.
With
his very accurate toe, “Shoe” made good on the PAT, adding two more for 36-0.
Grandfalls
set up to receive the kickoff and with 9:13 on the clock, running back John
Ramirez fumbled the ball on the five-yard line. Lascano scooped it up and put
six more on the board. The PAT was no good.
“We
were ahead by 42 points and I put in some of the younger kids in the second
quarter,” Head Coach and Athletic Director Mark Dominguez said. “They did
real good. I’m happy they did what they needed to do.”
But
the Eagles were not done. With 7:49 ticks left, sophomore Eagle nose guard
Timothy Hopkins blocked a punt and recovered it on the five-yard line.
Seconds later, he received a pass in the end zone for another Eagle
touchdown. The PAT was no good and the score was 48-0.
The
lone Cowboy score came with 3:08 in the first half when John Ramirez ran one
in for six. The PAT failed and it was now 48-6 Eagles.
The
final nail in the Cowboy coffin came just seconds later. J.D. Brotherton
returned the ensuing kickoff and ran the length of the field, some 55 yards
in all, for the final touchdown of the night.
It
was 54-6 with 2:54 left in the half – and the game because of the 45-point
“mercy” rule.
The
Eagles next action was scheduled for last night, September 11, in a double
header.
The
Junior Eagles were to host the Junior Fort Davis Indians for a scrimmage at 4
p.m. and their older classmates would take on the older Indians at 6:30, both
“the pit” in Sanderson.
It
would be another test for the Eagles. The Indians have always been a handful
for the Sanderson team.
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Eagles
ace cross country
ALPINE
– The Sanderson High School Eagles boys and girls teams took home first-place
wins from the Alpine Invitational Cross Country event here last weekend.
In
girl’s action, Noemi Nuñez crossed the line first and Jessica Garza placed
third.
Victoria
Busch placed fifth, Brianna Johnson was right behind her in sixth and in
seventh place was Isabelle Rivera.
In
ninth place was Ashley Woosley, Miriam Nuñez placed thirteenth, Angelina
Hopkins came in fifteenth place and Ashley Hagelgans placed 24.
In
boy’s action, placing first was Travis Roberts and little brother Taylor was
right behind him in second.
In
seventh place was Shawn Stegall, Jimmy Rapp placed tenth and Cordell Lawson
finished fourteenth.
Also
running the course was Kelly Lomas and Andrew Woosley.
Coach
Leighton Conway was pleased with the boys.
“They
ran well, “he said.
“They have been working hard.”
The
girls are coached by Trisha Nichols.
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Flag
customs, etiquette seen
By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
With
thoughts on everyone’s mind on that horrible day seven years ago, Sept. 11,
2001, we looked into a little flag etiquette that every American should know.
At
military funerals, there is a 21-gun salute. That stands for the sum of the
numbers in the year 1776.
When
a flag is presented to the next of kin at such a ceremony, the Honor Guard
pays close attention to correctly folding the flag 13 times.
Some
people think it’s to represent the original 13 colonies. In an e-mail, I
recently learned the meaning of each fold.
The
first fold represents life.
The
second is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.
The
third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the
ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to
attain worldwide peace.
Fold
four represents the weaker nature for, as American citizens trusting in God,
it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His
divine guidance.
The
fifth fold is a tribute to the country.
In
the words of Navy Commissioner Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., (1879-1820)
“Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but
it is still our country, right or wrong.”
Fold
number six is for where people’s hearts lie.
It
is with their hand over their heart that they “pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The
seventh fold is a tribute to its armed forces that they protect their country
and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or
without the boundaries of their republic.
Fold
number eight is a tribute to the one entered into the valley of the shadow of
death, that we might see the light of day.
The
ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood and mothers, for it has been through
their faith, their love, their loyalty and devotion that the character of the
men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
Fold
number 10 is a tribute to the father for he, too, has given his sons and
daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.
The
eleventh fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King
Solomon and glorifies, in the Hebrew eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob.
The
twelfth fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in Christian
eyes, God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
The
thirteenth fold – when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost
reminding them of their nation’s motto, “In God we trust.”
After
the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it looks like a cocked hat as a
permanent reminder of soldiers who served the country as far back as those
who served under General George Washington to preserve and protect the
rights, privileges and freedoms we all enjoy today.
Some
traditions and ways of doing things have a deeper meaning.
In
the future, when you see the flag folded a certain way, you’ll know why.
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Two
square off in House race
By MARK GLOVER
Marathon News Leader
Democrat
incumbent US Rep. Ciro Rodriguez hopes to return to Washington, DC, in
January as he takes on Republican challenger Lyle Larson in the upcoming
November 4 general election.
Both
men live in San Antonio and will attempt to represent the largest
Congressional district in Texas.
The
23rd district covers the southern part of San Antonio west to the east part
of El Paso and runs south of Interstate 10 to the border.
It
includes the cities of Laredo, Del Rio and the Big Bend Region of the state.
It also includes Sanderson and Marathon.
Rodriguez
won the special election two years ago in December when a three-judge panel
ruled that some 23rd District voters had been “disenfranchised” and that the
district was “gerrymandered.“
“Gerrymandering
is a universal charge,” Jeff Davis County Republican Chair Harold Patillo
said. “Hell, every city in Texas could be considered gerrymandered. It all
boils down to politics.”
Slight
geographical adjustments were made to the district and the November, 2006,
election in which Republican incumbent Henry Bonilla had won was ruled
invalid.
One
month later, the December, 2006, special election drew seven candidates.
“It
was a free-for-all election,” Patillo said. “After the judges’ ruling all you
had to do was pony up the money and you could run to represent the district
in Washington.”
The
filing fee to run for the two-year term in the US House is $2,000.
“You
didn’t even have to live in the district,” Patillo said.
As
long as you are a Texan, an 1884 law allows representatives to live outside
their districts.
Rodriguez
serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee. During his incumbency, Congress
passed the new G.I. Bill, financially the largest G.I. Bill in the history of
the country. The bill establishes a number of new education benefits for
veterans.
Rodriguez
also serves on the Appropriations Committee and was part of the “Operation
Stone Garden” bill that establishes $60 million to reimburse local law
enforcement expenses incurred monitoring and protecting the border.
Rodriguez
shares credit with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson in a bi-partisan
effort that added language in a 2007 bill that requires Homeland Security to
engage and consult with the public in regards to the proposed Border Wall.
This
year, Rodriguez has initiated another bill that will evaluate Homeland
Security’s public engagement and consultation performance.
In
this election, Rodriguez will face another experienced Republican.
Larson,
who runs a small business in San Antonio, is in his 12th year as a Bexar
County Commissioner and works with Rodriguez’s brother Chico, a fellow Bexar
County Commissioner. He is not a supporter of the border wall.
“No
country in the history of the world has ever been able to stop unilateral
movement between borders by building a wall,” Larson said.
“There
may be some areas where a physical feature will help,” he said. “But I don’t
want to kill the border economy.
“The
issues require bi-lateral cooperation, not only between Republicans and Democrats,
but we have also to sit down at the State Department level with Mexico,” he
said. “And the impetus for Mexico to sit down with us is $1.3 billion in drug
interdiction funds that our congress has approved.”
The
23rd District has 600 miles of border with Mexico.
Larson
was asked about new Mexican President Felipe Calderon and the fact that more
than 500 police officers and close to 10,000 citizens have been murdered in
Mexico since his reign began.
“I
think they’re cleaning up the drug trade, but I am skeptical,” Larson said.
“It’s a real threat to the people on the front line, in Marfa and Presidio.
“The
Mexican government needs to think twice about pushing that into our country,”
he said. “It is not tolerable.”
On
illegal immigration, Larson believes that the “catch and release” program
that was in effect prior to 2006 was an inferior method to apprehending
illegal aliens.
“Now,
everybody they pick-up, they detain. That’s working better than the catch and
release program,” Larson said. “We need more officers on the ground. We need
to saturate the area with federal agents in cooperation with local law enforcement.”
On
energy matters Larson is in favor of offshore drilling.
“Congressman
Rodriguez voted four times against offshore drilling,” he said. “I believe
tax revenues from the new oil finds offshore will help fund R & D on
other forms of energy to power our vehicles of the future.“
He
also commented about the G.I. Bill that was recently passed.
“The
game in Washington is one-up-manship,” he said. ”The Republicans lay out a
plan and the Democrats add to it to make it look like they’re more interested
in veterans than we are.
“It
does not serve the American people when the two parties are bickering,”
Larson said. “We’ve got a $10 trillion deficit and we need to control our
spending but we also need education and job training for the men and women
coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq.
“But
we need to concentrate on what they really need,” he said.
Back
|
The
holiday was moved to a Monday under the Uniform Holidays Law of 1968 but was
changed back to November 11 in 1975 after numerous complaints about the
change.
Back
Firemen,
volunteers erect steel for fire station
SANDERSON
– As promised, members of the Terrell County Volunteer Fire Department became
steel workers over the weekend, erecting the structural steel for an addition
to the fire station at Oak and First here.
Terrell
County Commissioners agreed last month to buy structural steel for “not to
exceed” $18,000 to expand the building to the north.
A
concrete slab was ordered earlier. West Texas Contractors of Fort Stockton
provided the 2,600-square-foot slab behind the existing fire station under a
$22,400 contract.
Fire
Chief Bobby Brotherton said he has several welders among the volunteer
firefighters and they worked over the weekend to erect the steel with the
help of the county’s Road and Bridge Department and other volunteers.
There
is money in the department budget to pay for additional materials for the
building, which will effectively double the size of the garage, which houses
fire trucks and ambulances.
“On
behalf of the commissioners I want to thank the firemen for their work,”
County Judge Leo Smith said. “I really appreciate it. They are volunteer
firemen but they are giving of their time for the benefit of the county.”
Smith
said the next step is to get the sheet metal exterior for the building.
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Cars
stranded in floods
SANDERSON
– After a year-long drought ending this summer, Terrell County had more rain
that it may have wanted Wednesday.
As
much as 11 inches fell in northern Terrell County and the Texas Department of
Trans-portation recorded nine inches at its station west of Iraan.
At
least two vehicles were stranded in high water on Farm Road 2400, including
one belonging to Terrell County Independence School District.
Terrell
County Chief Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Turner said no children were aboard the
Ford Excursion and the driver, Albert Peña, was rescued.
At
least one other vehicle was stranded with three people standing on top on an
oil lease road near Mitchell Draw and there were other reports of stranded
motorists elsewhere in West Texas.
A
Department of Public Safe-ty helicopter was called for the Mitchell Draw
incident but Turner said he canceled the aircraft when he learned the people
had been rescued.
High
water closed parts of Ranch Roads 2400 and 2886 and State Highway 349
Wed-nesday night.
By
Thursday morning, all roads were open except for 2886 because of pavement
damaged just south of Interstate 10 near Bakersfield and at the Independence
Creek crossing.
Turner
said there also was pavement damage on 2400 and brush on the 349 bridge over
Meyers Canyon north Dryden indicated the bridge had been under water.
“There
is some water on the road but 349 is open to travel,” TxDOT spokesman Glen
Larum said Thursday morning. “But watch out for water on the road and, if it
rains some more, be especially careful.”
More
rain was forecast for most of the area through the weekend.
Elsewhere,
parts of State Highway 163 north of Comstock was closed Thursday morning and
State Highway 170 from Presidio to Big Bend National Park has been closed all
week.
A
discharge upstream from Presidio on Rio Conchos in Mexico caused flooding and
a levee break in Presidio late Wednesday contributed to the deluge.
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Reduction
in tickets questioned
SANDERSON
– In spite of several new deputy sheriffs on staff in Terrell County, writing
of traffic tickets was down last month, County Commissioner Charles Stegall
said Monday.
Stegall
questioned why only ten tickets had been written last month in spite of the increase
in deputies on patrol.
“There
used to be 40 or 50 a month,” Stegall said. “Trucks are still going through
here at 40 or 50 [miles per hour.]”
Stegall
said people in Pecos County also are “raising Cain” about the reduction in
tickets.
“DPS
[Texas Department of Public Safety] is not writing tickets,” he said.
Officials
are concerned they are not getting the revenue they should be getting from
traffic violations.
Sheriff
Clint McDonald said lighter traffic and the presence of more officers on the
road may have resulted in fewer traffic violations being committed.
Stegall
did admit that higher fuel prices may have resulted in fewer cars on the
road.
“There
is not as much traffic on the Interstate [highways],” he said. “And I know.
I’ve just been to Ohio and back.”
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Don’t
leave children alone
in
car
AUSTIN
– State Sen. Carlos I. Uresti of San Antonio has cautioned parents against
leaving children unprotected in car seats.
“As
the summer draws down to an end, busy school-year schedules kick up and the
parenting routine becomes more demanding,” said Uresti, whose Senate district
is the largest in the 48 contiguous US states and includes Terrell County.
”School,
art classes, soccer practice and daycare become part of a parent’s daily
commute and for young children but the extra car time can prove fatal,” he
said. “One of the biggest risks of death for toddlers and infants are hot-car
deaths.”
The
Centers for Disease Control said more than 9,100 children are treated in
emergency rooms from car incidents that do not involve traffic or collisions.
“While
any amount of time a child is left unattended in a car is too long, in Texas
it is illegal to leave a child under seven years old unattended in a vehicle
for longer than five minutes,” Uresti said. “It only takes a few minutes for
a vehicle to reach lethal temperatures on a hot day.”
He
said it only takes ten minutes for a car to hit 100 degrees on a 75-degree
day and on a 100-degree day, a car can reach 140 degrees in just 15 minutes.
“Unfortunately, many of the children who die in unattended
vehicles are found in the backseat of a car with their seatbelts still
fastened,” Uresti said. “While living with the guilt of causing death or
injury to a child is unbearable, a person can also be sentenced to up to two
years in jail and fined up to $10,000 if a child is injured as a result of
being left in a hot car.”
He
said children left unattended are also at risk of abduction. It is much
easier for children to be taken when nobody is watching them.
“Make
sure children know not to play in or around cars and never leave your car
keys where children may find them,” he said. “Lock your car doors and keep
your trunk closed. Always make sure all children are out of the car when you
reach your destination.”
Uresti
said these precautions only take seconds but they can mean the difference
between life and death for a child.
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West
Fest scheduled
next
week
MARATHON
– Organizers for Marathon’s 8th Annual West Fest are gearing up for the party
at the Post Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20.
“We’re
moving along with it. Everybody’s doing their part,” Marathon Chamber of
Commerce President Hal Henthorne said.
Friday
Night’s dance will feature Los Pinche Gringos and Saturday’s events will
include the Cabrito Cook Off.
Last
year, 21 teams competed for the best barbequed goat and approximately 400
people attended the two-day event.
This
year, a panel of six to seven judges will roam the cook camps, sampling the
best in cabrito, brisket, beans, desert and showmanship.
“The
showmanship award is judged on what they do, how they do it, the look of
their camp and how they dress up,” civic leader Patsy Cavness said.
Proceeds
from the event will benefit the Marathon Chamber of Commerce.
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Accident
affects business
SANDERSON
– A serious motor vehicle accident in Arkansas has forced some changes in the
operation of Cantina El Galivan and Sanderson Pizza Company here.
Owner
Shellie Martin said she has to go to Little Rock for six months to a year to
take care of her daughter, Lisa Coleman, who was seriously injured recently
in a head-on collision.
“That’s
why we were closed last week,” Martin said.
She
said Aurora “Paris” Galvan will continue operating the bar and Robin Turner
will operate the pizza restaurant.
Both
will be open only Thursday, Friday and Saturday, she said.
Lisa’s
husband has played in Sanderson as Jeff Coleman and the Feeders and the
couple has friends here, Martin said.
“We
regret the change but family comes first,” she said.
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Deputy
Perna released
SANDERSON
– Vince Perna of Fort Stockton, who has been a Terrell County Deputy Sheriff
since March, was relieved of his duties this week.
A
native of New York City and later Middletown near West Point, Perna was the
“Linebacker” deputy, funded by a Texas border security program.
“It
was [because of] a violation of county policy and a violation of state law,”
Sheriff Clint McDonald said. “He was on a trip out of the county transporting
a prisoner when he had an accident.
“He
did not report the accident and did not get the information from the other
driver,” McDonald said. “When the chief deputy asked him about it, he lied to
him.”
McDonald
said the damage to the county vehicle was minor but it should have been
reported.
“If
he lied about that, what else was he not telling us?” McDonald said. “I am
not going to jeopardize the county.”
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Submit
youth loan requests
FORT
STOCKTON – Rural youth between 10 and 20 years old can qualify for Farm Service Agency loans to establish and operate
income-producing projects.
The FSA, a division of the US Department of
Agriculture, allows young people to establish projects of modest size in
connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America
and similar organizations.
Each project must be part of an organized and
supervised program of work.
The project must be planned and operated with the help
of the organization adviser, produce sufficient income to repay the loan and
provide the youth with practical business and educational experience.
Each year, many young entrepreneurs take advantage of
these loans and gain valuable business experience in the process.
To qualify for a loan, an applicant must be a citizen
of the United States between 10 and 20 years old and conduct a modest
income-producing project in a supervised program of work.
Applicants must also be capable of planning, managing
and operating the project under guidance and assistance from a project
adviser.
The project adviser must recommend the project and the
loan and agree to provide adequate supervision.
These loans of up to $5,000 may be used to finance
nearly any kind of agricultural income-producing project.
Loan recipients may use the money to buy livestock,
equipment and supplies, buy, rent or repair needed tools and equipment and
pay operating expenses for running the project.
Projects are limited in physical size, capital
requirements and overall objectives.
Applicants must sign a promissory note and be
responsible for repaying the loan. In some cases, a cosigner may be required.
Loan collateral normally consists of crops produced for
sale, livestock, equipment and other items purchased with loan funds.
The repayment schedule will be worked out with FSA.
Payments will be tailored to the type of project for which the loan was made.
For example, if the loan is to raise livestock or
crops, it would normally be paid when the produce or livestock is sold.
If the project is a repair shop or some other service
operation, the loan can be paid from the weekly or monthly earnings.
The Loan Office is located at 2306 West Dickinson,
Suite 1, here and serves the 14 westernmost counties in Texas.
For an application or additional information contact
the Fort Stockton Office at 432/336-5206 or by email at bill.mcanally@tx.usda.gov
.
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