Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 4, 1996 Page: 1 of 8
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Published weekly in Rio Grande City, Texas every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
USPS 466-200
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VOL. 83, NO. 01 THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1996
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The Rio Grande City Fire Department concluded fire cadet training on Dec. 22 alter
an academy that lasted for more than two months. 'I hese cadets pictured above art-
going through training in the Water Supplies class. The Fire Department offered 28
subjects and each cadet was required to complete 458 hours in order to pass. A total
of 15 firefighters went through and completed the training.
RGC committee formed to
focus on border crossings
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Willi strong encouragement from
the Rio Grande City government, a
committee has been formed to study
matters pertaining to international
relations, particularly border
crossings.
City Administrator Jose
Escamilla indicated, "Camargo has
formed a combination
businessman-Chamber committee.
Camargo formed their committee
first."
Serving as officers on Rio Grande
City's committee are Cris Salinas,
* chairman; Jose A. Escamilla,
vice-chairman; and Bemice Warren,
treasurer. Other committee
members are Sam Vale, president of
Starr-Camargo Bridge Company;
Lauro Lopez, president of the Rio
Grande City Economic
Development Corporation; and
Larry Gonzalez, president of the
Rio Grande City Chamber of
Commerce.
Escamilla said, "The existing
international bridge at Rio Grande
City, the entire facility, will be
expanded. Starr-Camargo Bridge
Company has purchased 14 1/2
acres for expansion of the present
import-export lot They have plans
to refurbish basically the whole
facility."
Escamilla stated, "In Mexico,
they're looking to expand thrir
export lot."
The administrator continued,
"The committee that has been
formed, a combination of those
both here and in Mexico, will make
a presentation to the Binational
Committee. The Binational
Committee is comprised of all
heads of federal agencies that deal
with international crossings.
Mexico has a similar committee."
Escamilla continued, "These
groups, comprised of both officials
in Mexico and the United States,
usually meet once a quarter." The
next meeting of the Binational
Committee, he said, should be in
late January or early February.
He stated, "A program of
construction and expansion will be
presented to the Binational
Committee."
Escamilla added, "We hope to
have a spinoff of these committees
to include all sectors of both the
public and private sectors. These
committees hope to look at other
infrastructure matters, such as
highway construction."
He noted that Diaz Avenue will
be expanded from the International
Bridge to U.S. 83. He indicated that
these committees will work to
expedite expansion and
modernization of U.S. Highway 83
and improve north-south access to
Rio Grande City.
(See COMMITTEE, Page 8)
County okays request from
new 381st District Court
At their special meeting on
Wednesday, Dec. 27, the County
Commissioners approved several
requests concerning salaries for the
new 381st District Court.
The new state district court
strictly for Starr County was
approved by the Texas Legislature
during its 1995 session and John A.
Pope III was sworn in as the judge
for the new court on Nov. 29. Hie
229th District Court will continue
to serve Sutrr, Jim Hogg and Duval
Counties.
Judge Pope told the court, "I have
the right to suggest a salary, but
you must approve it. 1 have talked
with the 229th District Court
interpreter about working with us
and Judge Garcia has given his
permission. I do need money to be
able to hire a court recorder."
After some discussion, the court
approved Pope's requests concerning
funding for a bailiff, court clerk and
court interpreter by amending the
RGC aldermen to meet
Thursday evening
The Rio Grande City Board of
Aldermen will hold their regular
% monthly meeting on Thursday
* evening at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
At i he meeting, the aldermen arc
scheduled to discuss and possibly
take action on these items: a
possible ordinance to prohibit the
burning of garbage in the city, a
possible ordinance prohibiting sale
and use of fireworks in city, and a
request by the Economic
Development Corporation to
^ establish a Historical District in the
city.
The aldermen will also consider
the appointment of five members
and one alternate to serve on the
Board of Adjustment. A resolu': in
to petition the Texas Department of
Transportation to include Starr
County in the Tamaulipas
Understanding, an agreement
* regulating international border
crossings in Hidalgo and Cameron
Counties, will also be considered.
The aldermen arc scheduled to
consider a possible ordinance
establishing a permit requirement
and procedure for private collection
and disposal of garbage.
A citizen has requested to appear
before the aldermen to suggest the
need for a leash law in the city. Dr.
Richard Irizarry is scheduled to
inform the mayor and the aldermen
about the goals of the STARR
Project. In addition to Uiese items,
the aldermen will discuss and
consider several other matters
At the Economic Development
Corporation meeting at 6 p.m.
Thursday at City Hall, the matter of
possibly setting up a Historical
District within the city will be
considered. City Administrator Jose
Escamilla will request authorization
to appear before the County
Commissioners to begin discussion
of joint operation and/or transfer of
the Starr County Airport.
Forty candidates file for
March 12 primary
A total of 40 candidates have
officially filed as candidates for
various county offices in the March
12, 1996 Democratic Primary.
The list of candidates that filed as
of Tuesday at 6 p.m., the filing
deadline, are listed as follows:
DISTRICT JUDGE 381 ST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT- John A.
Pope III.
COUNTY ATTORNEY- Romero
Molina, David Garza.
COUNTY SHERIFF- Benjamin
"Ben" Perez, Jr., Eugenio "Gene"
Falcon, Jr., Carlos H. Alaniz,
Ricardo "Rick" Munoz.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
PRECINCT ONE- Jose Maria
"Chcma" Alvarez.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
PRECINCT THREE- Eloy Garza,
Eusebio Saenz.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT
ONE- Cornelio "Cone" Alvarez, Sr.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT
TWO- Josue Munoz, Ernie Pilon.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT
THREE- Carlos "Lito" Garza, Max
Perez.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT
FOUR- Ricardo Garza, Sr., Aldo
Medina.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT
FIVE- Leonel "Leo" Laurel.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT SIX-
Victor Cantu, Silvano Saenz, Jr.,
Santiago "Chago" Zarate.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT
EIGHT- Rosendo G. Canales, Jr.,
Jesus "Jessie" Escobar.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
PRECINCT EIGHT- Ricardo I.
Pena, Eloy Flores.
TAX
ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR- Dariu
A. Guerra, Carmen A. Pena, Jose
D. "J.D." Martinez.
COUNTY CHAIRMAN- Chema
Alvarez, Jr.
PRECINCT CHAIR NUMBER
ONE- Elias C. Lopez; PRECINCT
CHAIR TWO- Noel E. Gonzalez;
PRECINCT CHAIR THREE- Juan
Manuel Escobar; PRECINCT
CHAIR FOUR- Maria Celina
"Kennie" Alaniz, PRECINCT
CHAIR FIVE- Juan D. Rosa;
PRECINCT CHAIR SIX-
Elizabeth "Liza" Garza, Alberto A.
Alvarez, Jr.; PRECINCT CHAIR
SEVEM- Janie Castillo;
PRECINCT CHAIR EIGHT-
Alicia O. Chapa; PRECINCT
CHAIR NINE- Manuel Benavidez,
Jr.; PRECINCT CHAIR 10- Rene
G. Trevino.
Pace of deer hunting picks
up with chilly, damp weather
General Order. The matter of court
reporter is still pending, due to
negotiations with a prospective
candidate for that position.
Concerning space for the new
court, Pope said, "I don't really need
much space. The basement is a
possibility." County Judge J.M.
Martinez, Jr., responded, "We're
considering a juvenile detention
center for the basement, to be
funded by the empowerment zone."
Martinez suggested, "Perhaps the
conference room at the jail could be
used." County Attorney Romero
Molina agreed that this suggestion
had merit.
Molina declared, "A percentage of
fines will go to the state to cover
crime prevention, crime victim
compensation, administrative fees,
etc. The bulk will stay here in my
oninirtn "
The court discussed the request by
Jose M. Alvarez, Jr., for an
exception to the conflict of interest
provisions of Sections 5713.489
Chapter 24 CFR as it pertains to
the 1994 paving contract No.
714849.
Molina said, "I received a letter
from Ms. Zedillo of the Texas
Department of Housing and
Community Affairs. I asked her for
her references (concerning her
opinion)."
Molina emphasized, "There is a
provision in the law granting an
exception if certain conditions
exist. 1 talked with Mr. Alvarez and
(Federal Program Coordinator) Elisa
(Barrcra), and I found that all the
factors to be considered for
exceptions arc present."
(Sec DISTRICT, Page 8)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
The frequency and productivity of
deer hunting in Starr County has
increased substantially with the
arrival of colder weather and the
Christmas and New Year's holidays.
Horacio Vela, one of the two
Texas Department of Parks and
Wildlife Game Wardens in Stan-
County, declared on Dec. 30,
"There's been some real nice deer
killed at area ranchcs the last couple
of weeks. A lot of real nice deer
have been seen. There have been a
lot of content hunters lately."
Vela indicated, "Until the last
couple of weeks, things were slow
due to the warm weather and the
fact that there was a lot of food and
forage in the pastures. For that
Gonzalez competing
Sunday in PP&K
finals in Kansas City
Abel N. Gonzalez III of Rio
Grande City will compete this
weekend as one of four national
finalists in his age division at the
NFL/Galorade Punt, Pass and Kick
competition.
Abel, the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Abel N. Gonzalez, Jr., and a
freshman at Rio Grande City High
School, will compete Sunday
afternoon 'n the 14-year-old
division at halftime of the AFC
playoff game between the Kansas
City Chiefs and the Indianapolis
Colts in Kansas City.
Abel had his scores matched
against winners in the other 29
team championships around the
country. On Nov. 26, he placed
(See FINALS, Page 8)
reason, they (the deer) didn't travel
as far to look for food and weren't
as active as usual. Now the 'rut'
(mating) has set in and the deer are
moving around regardless of the
(availability of) food."
Vela noted that "light drizzle and
cool to cold weather are ideal for
hunting." The chilly, wet weather
just before and after Christmas
made hunting conditions ideal, he
declared.
The game warden emphasized,
"The horn development and the deer
weights and conditions are above
average this year. This is the case
in spite of the lack of rainfall (for
most of the year). The rains we got
late this year did help."
Vela noted that "antter
development usually starts in May
and reaches its peak all the way into
October. Their antlers are growing
until October. They need the special
protein of the brush."
Vela emphasized that blackbrush,
huajillo, cenizo, granjeno and
retama "offer very high protein for
deer. All these factors make South
(See HUNTING, Page 8)
Probe continues into
vehicle theft at gunpoint
The Sheriffs Department is
continuing to investigate the theft
of a pickup truck at gunpoint near
Alto Bonito Sunday evening.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Sunday,
the Sheriffs Department was
informed of the incident that
occurred at a convenience store just
west of Alto Bonito. The deputy's
report indicated that "complainant
Guadalupe A. Reyes came by the
Starr County Sheriffs Office to
report the stolen vehicle." He was
transported by a friend to the
Sheriffs Office.
Sheriff Gene Falcon said, "A
shotgun was allegedly pointed at
the complainant's head." The
vehicle stolen, a 1990 maroon
"pinkish" Chevy pickup, was
owned by Guadalupe Reyes'
brother, Javier Alonso Reyes.
The deputy's report indicated that
the "complainant stated that he got
off the vehicle to use the public
phone (at the store) when two male
subjects approached him and
pointed a shotgun to his head and
demanded the keys to the vehicle,
otherwise they were going to kill
him."
The report continued, "The
complainant stated that what he
could remember one of the
(subjects) was tall and had light
brown skin (and) also was wearing
a black ski type cap. The other
subject had lighter skin and was
wearing white loose pants."
The report concluded that Reyes
"was unable to give the license
plate or VIN number to deputy,
reason being that he did not know
them and his brother (owner of
vehicle) was out of town (Mexico).
The complainant also stated that he
would bring the license plate
number to the Sheriffs office."
The fire training academy carried out by the the Rio Grande City Fire Department
concluded on Dec. 22 after operating for more than two month. This cadet pictured
above is climbing a ladder as part of the Ladder Training class. The Fire Department
offered 28 s'ibject and each cadet was required to complete 458 hours in order to
pass. A total of 15 firefighters went through the training.
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 4, 1996, newspaper, January 4, 1996; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195529/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.