Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 23, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
six pages : ill. ; page 22 x 14 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
215
^ Book Bind
f7,Ran Rd
c&pr- mi
THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
September 23,1999
86th Year, No. 38
Herald
25 cents
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
Verdict guilty on organized crime; innocent on murder
Jury levies 20-year
sentence in 1998 murder
A Starr County 381st District
Court jury voted Thursday
afternoon to convict Hector Garcia,
37, of engaging in organized
criminal activity, but voted to find
him not guilty of murder in the
November 1998 murder of
Emmnuel Barrera in Roma.
The jury verdict came just after 5
p.m. Thursday after close to five
hours of deliberation. On early
Friday afternoon, af ter evidence was
presented concerning punishment
and after deliberations, the jury set a
penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
The organized criminal activity
charge carred a possible range of
punishment from 5 to 99 years in
prison.
District Attorney Heriberto Silva
noted that the two charges against
Garcia involved separate
indictments, but the charges were
consolidated for the trial.
Silva also indicated that the jury
declined to sentence, Garcia as a
"habitual offender", which would
have required a sentence of at least
25 years. The prosecutor stated,
"They assessed the sentence on a
"repeater" basis, not the habitual
criminal basis. He has two prior
convictions."
In early May, Silva indicated that
the D.A.'s office planned to
prosecute Garcia on a habitual
criminal basis because he faced
other charges in Hidalgo, Bee, Bell
and Brooks Counties.
Silva stated Friday that two
murder charges are pending against
Garcia in Hidalgo County. He is
charged with murder in the October
1996 slaying of a McAllen
obstetrician. He has also been
charged with a 1997 muider in
Mission.
Garcia was one of four
individuals charged with the Nov.
17, 1998 murder of Emmnauel
barrera, 34, who was «hot to death
outside Garza's Drive Inn in Roma
in the early afternoon hours. Barrera
sustained multiple gunshot wounds
to his body.
Garcia was defended by McAllen
attorneys A1 Alvarez and Amulfo
Ruiz. Alvarez told The Rio Grande
Herald on Tuesday, "We were very
pleased that they came back with a
verdict of not guilty on the murder
charge...The law says you have to
take an active part in the crime."
Alvarez added, "We will appeal
the organized criminal activity
conviction. We feel that a number
of significant errors took place."
Garcia and three others were
captured in Zapata County within a
few hours of the murder. Two
handguns were confiscated after the
pursuit.
Silva commneted, "I felt that the
facts of the case warranted a more
severe sentence, but the jury heard
the evidence and made their
decision."
The prosecutor added, "There were
potentially others that could have
been injured. The victim had
committed no aggressive acts
against the individuals charged. The
fact that it happened in the middle
of town in the middle of the day
should have been more seriously
considered
Silva contended, "We feel there
was good evidence in both cases."
Approximately 20 wtinesses
testified in the case. One of the four
defendants in the case, Juan Perez
III, testified against Garcia.
(See SENTENCE, Page 3)
0
u
m
%
m
M
RGC High 1999-2000 varsity cheerleaders
The Rio Grande City High School varsity cheerleaders for 1999-2000 are pictured above. From left to right
in the back row are Betsy Chapa, Joelda Alvarez, Christina Schwartz., Margot Villarreal, Nicole Smedley
Melissa Andradc and Veronica Ibarra. In the center row are Priscilla Villarreal (manager). Alexia Figueroa,
Shantelle C olvin, Monica Chapa, Anastasia Rodriguez, Emily Falcon, Melissa Flores and Elias Alanis
(mascot) In the front row are Clarissa Garza (co-captain). Sarah Falcon, Nida Lopez, Denise Escamilla
Bonnie Amador and Judy Villarreal (captain) (RGCCISD photo: publicinfoI0ayahoo.com)
RGCCISD trustees focus
on wide variety of issues
Eight rabies clinics planned
throughout Starr County
Eight rabies clinics are scheduled
to take place throughout Stan-
County in the next three weeks to
give pet owners the opportunity to
vaccinate their pets against the
deadly rabies virus.
Animals should be vaccinated on
an annual basis starting at thtee
months of age. The fee for the
clinics is $7.00 for each animal
vaccinated. Anyone seeking more
information should call Margo
Veterinary Clinic at 487-3623.
The schedule of clinics is as
follows:
MONDAY, SEPT. 27- La
Grulla, front of Budget Mart, 6 to 7
p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 28- Alto
Bonito-La Victoria, front of Alto
Bonito Elementary School, 6 to 7
p.m.
Youth Soccer Assn.
plans registration
The Rio Youth Socer
Association will be offering
registration for both boys and girls
on both Thursday, Sept. 23 and
Saturday, Sept. 25.
The registration will take place at
the parking lot of Wal-Mart and the
Fine Arts Building. The Fine Arts
Building is located at 420 E. Main
St. Regustration will take place on
Thursday, Sept. 23 from 5 to 7
p.m. at the Fine Arts Building only
and on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 9
a.m. to 6 p.m. at both locations.
All youth of Rio Grande City are
encouraged to register. The fee is
$10 for registration, insurance, and
uniform. The process of forming
teams is underway. Coaches are
needed, and a coaching class will be
given free of charge.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29-
Garciasville-La Casita, front of La
Union Elementary School, 6 to 7
p.m.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 30- Las
Lomas, Mendoza Orncerv. 6 to 7
p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 4- Los Saenz,
front of Catholic Church, 6 to 7
p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCl. 6- Rancho
Nuevo, El Tigre Exxon, 6 to 7
p.m.
SA1URDAY, OCT. 9- Roma,
TCI Cablcvision-Time Warner, 11
a.m. to 1 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 11- Rios
Lumber (Guero Rios), 6 to 7 p.m.
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S.
Margo stresses the importance of
remaining vigilant against the
rabies problem, especially since
Starr County's first rabies case in
over three years was confirmed two
weeks ago. A steer at a feedyard
near the Hidalgo County line headed
(See CLINICS, Page 3)
Tjc Rio Grande City CISD board
of trustees took action on a wide
variety of issues at their regular
monthly meeting on Tuesday night,
Sept. 14 at the new Alto Bonito
Elementary School, including
several agreements with South
Texas Community College (STCC)
involving usage of facilities.
The trustees approved an
agreement with STCC concerning
use of classrooms and/or labs at
Rio Grande City High School,
Board President Basilio "Bacho"
Villarreal, Jr., later explained to
The Rio Grande Herald, "We asked
if it was possible for STCC to
work with us on concurrent
enrollment for reduced fees. We
asked administrators to see what
could be done."
The trustees also okayed an
agreement with STCC allowing use
of the old Junior High Gym and the
Rio Grande City High School
Weight Room.
The trustees approved an
agreement allowing usage of space
along the fence line immediately
north of the guard house at the
entrance to Fort Ringgold for the
purpose of og parking the driver
training rrucks; and also use of the
building where the State Bilingual
Program is housed.
Gebhart candidate
for Place 4 alderman
Gonzalez blossoms as
TAMUK quarterback
Villarreal declared, "This is for
space to park tractor-trailers near the
Little League field. STCC leaches
young people how to drive tractor-
trailers."
Villarreal indicated that following
the trustees' executive session,
"paraprofessionals and
administrators were given raises,
depending on categories and job
description."
The trustees approved the
Alternative Accountability
proposal. Villarreal declared, "This
is a different altcrnatiave school
setting. This is a center that allows
students to go to school after they
don't qualify for our school system.
This is something designed to help
dropouts and students in other
situations. This is for kids no
longer in our school system."
The trustees voted to again
approve the Juvenile Probation
Department Progressive Sanction
Officer for the 1999-2000 school
year. Villarreal noted, "We've had
the Juvenile Progressive Officer for
some time. The district pays part
and the state pays part. This is a
continuation of what we already
have."
The board approved the 1998
property values study and also an
extension of the contract to conduct
the property value study for 1999.
"The property value study is
something we have every year,"
explained Villarreal. "This is
designed to make sure tha district's
values are assessed properly. In
cases where the values are correct,
there is no charge to the district."
The trustees adopted a resolution
authorizing additional penalty on
delinquent taxes under Section
33.08 of the Tax Code.
Villarreal indicated, 'This
involves collections on properties
amended by the Appraisal District.
This is a very small percentage.
There are a certain amount of days
allowed for the taxpayer to pay
without penalty. After that, the
taxpayer would pay penalty on past
due."
The trustees voted to authorize
solicitation of proposals for a high
school pavilion. Villarreal stated,
"This was authorized because of a
need for more P.E. facilities."
The Reading Recovery program
was approved for the 1999-2000
school year. Villarreal declared, "We
renewed a program which was
started last year. Three teachers are
involved at three different
campuses. This is basically a
reading intervention program."
The vote was affirmative on
implementing the SureScore
program. The board president said,
'This will be implemented at the
high school and the two middle
schools to provtde more materials
and training of teachers to attempt
(See TRUSTEES, Page 3)
Rev. James L. Gebhart, a 34-year
resident of Rio Grande City,
announces his candidacy for the
Board of Aldermen, Place Four in
the Nov. 2, 1999 city elections.
Rev. Gebhart, who is a retired
school teacher and a retired
Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of
America Troop 93 of Rio Grande
City after over 30 years, is offering
his service to Rio Grande City. He
states "He is not running against
anyone but rather to be of service to
the people of Rio Grande City."
Rev. and Mrs. Gebhart have four
children: Carolyn Jordan, a
missionary serving in Ecuador; Col.
Donald L. Gebhart, U.S. Army,
Fort Lewis, Washington; Randall
L. Gebhart, a school teacher in
Silsbce, Texas; and Daniel L.
Gebhart, a school teacher in Spring,
Texas.
'If elected to Place Four, I will be
available to listen to any suggestion
or complaints and will do my best
to find a remedy. I will do my best
James Gebhart
to ser the cuy continue to grow
without having a Rio Grande Ctiy
tax, Gebhart said. "I would feel
honored and would appreciate your
(See GEBHART, P«Re 3)
Abel Gonzalez, who
distinguished himself as one of the
finest football players in Rio
Grande City High School history
from 1996-1998, has assumed the
starting quarterback duties at Texas
A&M Univcrsity-Kingsville as a
true freshman and is already
wreaking havoc on opposing
defenses.
In the third game of the 1999
season this past Saturday,
Gonzalez rushed for 160 yards on
22 carries and passed for 84 more to
lead the Javelinas to their first
victory of the season over East
Central (Oklahoma) University at
Javelina Stadium. He also threw a
33-yard scoring pass, his second
touchdown pass of the season, and
ran for his first collegiate
touchdown, an eight-yarder, in
TAMuK's 20-14 win.
Earlier, onzalez found himself
thrust into starting duties before the
first game of the season aganist
Northeastern (Oklahomc) State
University when the first team
quarterback was temporarily
suspended. Gonzalez threw his first
touchdown pass in the Javelinas'
second game against McNcese
State..
After the first game, Gonzalez
was moved to number two on the
depth chart at quarterback.
Gonzalez did see significant action
against McNcese State and passed
for 69 yards, including a 28 yard
scoring strike.
Gonhalez was the subject of a
lengthy feature article in the Corpur
Christi Caller-Times late last week.
TAMUK Offensive Coordinator
Chris Ballard told the Caller-Times,
"As he gets older he'll understand
the system more. Getting this
much playing time this early is
going to make him better. He will
be a main fixture here."
Gonzalez told The Caller Times,
"By the end of two-a-days, I knew 1
was the backup, and coach told me
that I would probably be playing a
lot."
Gonzalez added. "Now I've been
having to step up into the starting
(See GONZALEZ, Page 3)
Lopez declares Place 4
alderman candidacy
Romeo Lopez has announced his
candidacy for the position of Place
Four on the Rio Grande City Board
of Aldermen in the Nov. 2, 1999
city elections.
Lopez emphasized that he has had
experience in industry, public
education, business and banking.
He commented, 'It is my sincere
desire to serve my community and
consequently I am requesting your
vote snd support so that together
we work for a better future"
Ix>pez added,'The opportunity to
serve as a city alderman would
allow me to apply my skills and
expertise to work cooperatively
with the mayor and City Council to
improve the quality of life for all
our citizens of Rio Grande City."
Lopez graduated from Texas
A&M University in 1960 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in
Chemistry. He was awarded a
Master's degree in Cumculum and
1
Romeo Lopez
Instruction from Texas A&M
University in 1972.
Lope/ is a retired public educator
(See LOPEZ, Page 3)
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 23, 1999, newspaper, September 23, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195723/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.