Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 15, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
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215
Hoag Book Bindery
127 Rail Rd
Springport , MI 49204
(Zone 6 )
WEEKLY' edition
April 15,1999
86th Year, No. 15
25 cents
Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
County hears report
on Foundation projects
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday, the County
Commissioners heard a detailed
report on several ongoing projects
of the Starr County Industrial
Foundation intended to bolster
economic development, including
increased use of the airport.
Foundation Executive Director
Hector Solis indicated that the
airport is a focal point of
development strategies. He stated,
"We have been talking to at least
two or three operators who want to
set up operations at the airport."
Jose Escamilla, City
Administrator for Rio Grande City,
declared, "I'm presenting an airport
master plan. At least three fixed
base operators are interested in
locating. This master plan should
be effective for 20 years. They tell
us the expansion of the runway
should start any time. About 75
percent of everything that flies
today should be able to land (after
the improvements), including small
jets."
Concerning the industrial park,
Solis noted, "We have sold two
acres of warehouse space. This
prospect will probably want to
expand in the future. We continue
to promote the industrial park at
Border Trade Alliance meetings."
"Congressman Silvestre Reyes
has proposed a funding package that
could bring $40 million to El
Paso," stated Escamilla. "There's a
possibility that a similar package
can be put together for this area."
Escamilla indicated, "We are at
least considering the possibility of
looking for another industrial park
site." County Judge Eloy Vera
suggested, "My vision is to have a
big industrial park between Rio
Grande City and Roma. We need to
unite our efforts."
Escamilla insisted, "If we unite,
we can get funding for all kinds of
things, including infrastructure. We
need to go to Austin frequently to
push for funding of highway
projects of importance to us."
On the issue of making payment
to contractor Horacio Flore/, for the
International Bridge Project,
Precinct Three Commissioner Eloy
Garza contended, "The person
responsible for this, in my opinion,
is Mr. Hickey. I think the court
should take some action. This is an
enormous amount of money. 1
don t blame Mr. Florez."
Precinct One Commissioner
Jaime Alvarez insisted, "This
contract was approved by the
Commissioners Court, so it is the
court's responsibility." Precinct
Four Commissioner Abel N.
Gonzalez, Jr., suggested, "Let's
wait till Friday (to decide the
matter)." Alvarez responded, "I'd
like to stick to my motion."
Precinct Two Commissioner
Raul "Roy" Pena, Jr. indicated,
"There are two things lacking (to
Finish the project)." Vera suggested,
"Let's amend this motion to
approve pending the remaining two
items."
The commissioners proceeded to
approve payment pending
completion of the final two items.
Commissioner Garza voted to
abstain on the payment matter.
Vera commented, "Our only
recourse is against the architect."
Concerning the Starr County
Public Library, Federal/State
Programs Coordinator Elisa Beas
stated, "The Starr County Sub-Zone
Committee met concerning the
library and approved the application
from the city (of RGC) for $98,000
(from the Empowerment Zone).
They're asking for supporting
documentation This documentation
can be attached to the application."
Escamilla suggested, "For a
while at least, we need to count on
the county's continued allocation of
$36,000 (for the library)."
Sheriff Reymundo Guerra
informed the commissioners that
total Detention Center revenues for
March were $198,340. He noted,
"We averaged 198 federal prisoners
a day and 81 non-paying prisoners
daily (during March). Today there
are 187 paying prisoners and 74
non-paying prisoners."
Guerra added, "There are a lot of
figures. I can explain them further
on Friday."
Beas indicated, "A National
Empowerment Zone Conference
will be held in Edinburg May 24-
27."
On another matter, Beas noted,
"Juvenile Detention Center
employees have agreed to
background checks. The Fire Chief
helped get the facility certified."
"We've made appointments with
residents concerning Los Olmos
(project) relocation," stated Beas.
"We will be responsible for
maintaining the levy near El Sauz.
The levy near Rio Grande City will
be maintained by the city.
Maintenance work will involve
things like mowing."
Vera commented, "Hopefully, a
master drainage plan can get done
(See FOUNDATION, Page 4)
Customs inspectors at Roma
seize $30 million of cocaine
U.S. Customs Special Agents
brought a Durango, Mexico man
before a federal magistrate Monday
in McAllen on federal drug charges
in connection with the largest
cocaine seizure ever realized by
Customs Inspectors at the Roma
port of entry.
The man was arrested Friday for
attempting to smuggle $30 million
in cocaine following a "cold hit"
enforcement inspection of his 1981
Ken worth tractor's diesel fuel tanks.
Juan Manuel DeLcon Fernandez,
41, a Mexican national residing in
RMS OM team reaches state
The Ringgold Middle School 7th grade CustOMcr Service Odyssey of the
Mind team pictured above will compete at the state level this weekend in
El Paso. In the front row arc Jordan Hiles, Loralee Guerra, Jcancttc
Rescndez. and Amanda Vela. In the back row arc Lilly Florcs, Belinda
Nunez and Jenny Vasquez. Coaches arc lsaias Bazan, Jr., and Rosa Vela.
(RGCC1SD photo: (publicinfol0@yahoo.com)
RGCHS Over the Mountain tesm reaches state in OM
The Rio Grande City High School Over the Mountain Odyssey of the Mind team will compete at state
OM competition this week .od m El Paso. In the front row, left to right, are Melissa Flores, Judy Lee
Villareal, Jessica Falcon ar. \ieh ;sa Andrade. In the back row are coach Mr. Juan L. Andradee, Anastasia
Rodriguez, Elias Vasquez, a Aguilar and Coach Mr. Anthony P. Carandang. (RGCCISD photo:
(publicintolO@yahoo.com).
RGCCISD OM teams to compete
this weekend at state level
Durango, Mexico, made hi? initial
appearance on chargcs of
importation with intent to
distribute just over 666 pounds of
cocaine. The magistrate ordered
DeLeon Fernandez held without
bond and scheduled a detention
hearing for Thursday, April 15.
DeLeon Fernandez arrived at the
port's import lot shortly after 11
a.m. on Friday, April 9 driving a
1991 Ken worth tractor pulling an
empty trailer. He acted nervously.
Customs Inspectors conducting a
stepped-up narcotics interdiction
operation entitled "Robin Hood"
utilized high tech equipment to
inspect the tractor's gas tanks. The
tanks showed signs of tampering.
Using a super fiber optic scope.
Inspectors detected further
discrepancies inside the tanks.
A scan of the tractor's gas tanks
by the Customs cargo search
imaging system in Pharr indicated
foreign objects were inside. A total
of 290 packages containing cocaine
were extracted and seized. The
cocaine has an estimated street
value of nearly $30 million.
Customs Special Agents arrested
DeLeon Fernandez after the seizure.
Their investigation continues.
In a separate incident on Sunday,
April 11, Customs Inspectors
seized 83.5 pounds of marijuana
from Homero Reyna-Marroquin,
27, a Mexican national residing in
Houston. The marijuana was
concealed in metal containers
concealed in a falsi floor Or a 1994
Nissan Scntra. The marijuana has
an estimated street value of
$85,500. Marroquin was arrested by
Customs Special Agents and made
an initita! appearance Monday
before a McAllen federal magistrate.
Persons with any information
about drug and money smuggling
are urged to report it to the U.S.
(See CUSTOMS, Page 4)
RGCCISD News Release
Four teams from the Rio Grande
City CISD will be participating in
State competition in Odyssey of the
Mind in El Paso on April 16-18
Eleven RGCCISD teams
journeyed to PS J A High School on
Saturday, March 6 to compete at
Regional OM competition. The
teams brought back numerous
trophies, medals and awards with
pride after having contributed many
hours of hard work. cirst place
winners advanced to state
competition in El Paso.
RGCCISD administrators,
teachers and staff heartily
congratulate all four teams for their
accomplishments and wish each
team and individual the best of luck
and success at the El Paso
competition.
The following RGCCISD teams
achieved first place honors:
* Ringgold 5th Grade,
Customer Service, 1st Place,
Division I, Anthony Ortega, Andy
Salinas, Robert Garza, Tiffany
Smedley, Alba Garza, Caitlin Diaz
and Rosie Morales. Coaches: Elias
Saenz.
The team competed in Problem
No. 5 CustOMer Service, Division
I. There were 25 teams competing
in this problem. Even though
Ringgold Fifth Grade Campus
performed first, they came through
with an impressive performance.
The team received two special
awards. Anthony Ortega earned his
Ranatra Fusca Award for his
ecellent portrayal of Captain Caine,
and the entire team received a
Ranatra Fusca Award for an
outstanding job on their props,
script, and acting.
* Ringgold Middle School,
CustOMer Service, 1st Place,
Division II, Belinda Nunez, Jennifer
Vasquez, Jordan Hiles, Jennifer
Resendez, Loralee Guerra and
Amanda Vela. Coaches: lsaias
Bazan and Rosa Vela.
This is the first year for three of
the seven members to participate in
Odyssey of the Mind, but teamwork
and dedication have made this a
great year for the seventh grade OM
team.
The team received an outstanding
OMer award for a wonderful
performance in the problem of
CustOMer Service. In addition to
the team award, Amanda Vela
received an outstanding OMer award
for a great performance in long
term.
* High School, O' My
Shakespeare, 1st Place, Division
III, James Falcon, Michelle Falcon,
Severino Garcia, Audra Gonzalez.
Mario Lara and Raudel Rodrigue
Coaches: L.T Guzman an'!
Assistant Coach Yolandit Go
The team was awarded the
Regional Championship Trop:
The team also received an Op
Award and a Renatra Fusca Award,
the highest creativity award
presented. This marked the team's
sixth Regional Championship
Trophy.
This team has won the state
championship in 1995 and 1998.
The team has 54 years of OM
experience combined.
* High School, Over the
Mountain, 1st Place, Division
III, Diane Aguilar, Melissa Ana
Andrade, Jessica Falcon, Anastacia
Rodriguez, Elias Vasquez and Judy
Lee Villarreal. Coaches: Juan
Andrade and Anthony Carandang.
(public info 10@ yahoo.com)
RGC attorney launches legal
project to support unborn
Rio Grande City atorney Joel
Madrigal has launched a special
legal project that is intended to
increase legal protection for the
unborn.
The project is entitled the
"Guadalupana Legal Project for the
Unborn." Madrigal emphasizes that
the project "is dedicated to finding
ways to bring legal protection for
the unborn."
Madrigal noted that he formed
GLP, a nonprofit corporation,
"because it is my personal belief
that taking away the life of an
unborn child violates his/her right
to life. As it stands today, the
different state legislatures, as well
as the U.S Congress, have passed
laws suggesting that an unborn is
Boys & Girls Club
plans Child ID Saturday
Are you worried that your child is
unsafe in our community" Worried
they mey get lost or stolen? Fear
no more!!
The Boys and Girls Club will be
having a Child I.D Day on
Saturday, April 17 from 8 a.m. to
11 a.m. This project will be held
countywide (La Grulla Rio Grande
Citr gnd Roma),
Together with the help of several
agencies (U.S. Border Patrol, Rio
Police Dept., Roma Police Dept.,
and La Grulla Police Dept.), the
children in our county will have a
better chance of staying safe. This
project is part of the Club's
National Youth Service Day and
National Boys and Girls Club Week
^AprU 11-17).
Fingerprinting and information
card with such things as color of
hair, eyes and birth marks/scars for
the identification of their child will
be provided to parents. There will
be a photo taken of the child for a
fee of $1.00 to accompany the card.
Locations will be the following:
* La Grulla, La Grulla
Community Center on Alto Street.
* Rio Grande City, H-E-B Food
Store on Highway 83.
* Roma, Riverview Family
Center on U.S. Highway 83.
A Boys and Girls Club
spokesperson urged, "Come by any
of these locations to get a lasting
imprint of your child. We never
know when we may need them.
Help keep our children safe."
not a person, therefore not a citizen
and not entitled to protection under
the laws of the land."
Madrigal added, "As President of
GLP, I am committed to the legal
protection of the unborn, I believ
that many of these laws are not
constitutional. I know as well as
many of you that there is a vast
amount of medical science that
contradict these laws. . For
example, it can be scientifically
shown that life begins at the
moment of conception."
He continued, "This Legal
Project for the unborn begs the
question: if there is life inside the
womb, then why are there more
than one million abortions in the
United States every year GLP does
not promise to slop abortion, but
with your help and the help of
others, GLP promises to do all that
it legally can to stop it GLP will
engage itself in legal and scientific
research to prepare legal actions on
behalf of the unborn."
Madrigal stated, "The
Guadalupana Legal Project for the
Unborn is a public entity and is
dependent for its support from
individual citizens who want to do
something, but because of their
circumstances arc unable to do s
If you arc one of these indivi
(See UNBORN, Page
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 15, 1999, newspaper, April 15, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195700/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.