Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 17, 2003 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:
♦
THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
July 17, 2003
90th YEAR No. 29
#215
IIOACi BOOK. HINDKRY
127 RAIL ROAD
SPRINGPORT. Ml -4'>20-4
ZONK 6
Rio Grande
herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
Planners keep wary
eye on Claudette
RGC graduate Saldana awarded scholarships
Rio Grande City High School senior Andrea Saldana, who recently graduated as the valedictorian ot the Class
of 2003. was awarded a number of scholarships. She received the terry Foundation Scholar/!1 I Austin
($9000 per year = $36,000). National Hispanic Finalist Scholarship/U I ($3000); U I Academic Scholarship
($4000), Florida International University ($80,000). Robert C Byrd Honors Scholarship ($6000), Ford Salute
to Education ($750), and RGCCISD/Lilly HSF ($2500). The RGCCISD congratulates Andrea for her
achievements. (RGCCISD photo)
Probe continues into
double murder on ranch
The Sheriff's Department is
continuing an extensive
investigation into the double
murder of two men late Sunday
night or early Monday morning at a
ranch about eight miles north of
Rio Grande City
Sheriff's Department Captain
Homer Flores indicated Tuesday
that two men, believed to be
Mexican nationals, were found shot
to death early Monday afternoon in
a small apartment located inside a
horse stable on the La Sagunada
Ranch.
The ranch is located about eight
miles north of Rio Grande City.
The ranch is located adjacent to La
Sagunada Road, which is situated
west of FM 755.
Flores stated that the Sheriff's
Department was notified of the
murders at approximately 12:30
p.m. Monday He declared, "The
double homicide occurred sometime
Sunday night or before dawn
Monday morning."
"We don't have identities (of the
victims) yet," noted the captain.
"We believe the victims were
Mexican nationals We don't know
if the victims worked on the ranch
or were just visiting."
Flores explained, "The men were
victims of bullet wounds Irom a
high-powered hunting rifle. Each
man was hit once in the head ..It
appears the victims were shot at
short range, possibly from around
five feet. We believe the weapon
was a .30-.30 rifle."
"We feel some fairly promising
leads have cropped up," commented
Flores. "We don't know what the
motive was at this point."
The captain noted that "a vehicle
was apparency stolen from the
ranch and (later) found on the
southwest end of Rio Grande City.
The vehicle was a pickup truck.
The keys were found inside the
truck " Flores indicated that the
truck was found in an undamaged
condition.
Flores stated that autopsies will
be performed on both victims.
Anyone with information about
the slayings is urged to contact the
Sheriff's Department at 487-5571
All information will be kept
confidential.
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Officials and planners of
government and emergency
response agencies in Starr County
kept a watchful eye on Tropical
Storm Claudette over the weekend
and early this week, making
preparations to implement such
measures as emergency shelters and
providing sandbags, if needed.
For most of the weekend, the Rio
Grande Valley w as considered to be
the most likely target of Claudette
which first became a tropical storm
on Wednesday, July 9. sliced
through the far northeast part of the
Yucatan Peninsula early Friday, and
then entered the Gulf of Mexico
On Monday, however, Claudette
changed direction somewhat and
appeared likely to make landfall
somewhere to the north of Corpus
Christi, which would mean the
storm's effects in the Valley would
be somewhat decreased
Forecasters predicted Monday that
Claudette, which packed sustained
winds of 65 miles per hour early in
the day, would probably become a
minimal hurricane before making
landfall on the Texas coast either
late Tuesday or early Wednesday,
most likely between Corpus Christi
Guillen praises quick action
on Webb disaster declaration
AUSTIN — Today, State
Representative Ryan Guillen
announced his appreciation for the
quick action by Governor Rick
Perry and federal officials in
declaring Webb County a disaster
area following the storm damage
on July 2.
"This declaration means that
residents of Webb, Zapata, and
Duval counties are now eligible to
apply for low interest SBA disaster
loans Guillen Represents Duval,
Starr, and Zapata counties and part
of Webb county. Other counties
included are Dimmit, Jim Hogg. La
Salle. Maverick, and McMullen
counties
1 lie request for the disaster
designation was based on an
assessment showing that homes and
businesses in the county suffered
Driscoll seeks items for
Cattlemen's Roundup
Listen for the auctioneer s call!
South Texas barn owners and
managers, local agricultural
businesses and 4-H k.ds of all ages
will combine efforts with Driscoll
Children's Hospital during the 17th
annua) South Iexas Cattleman s
Roundup.
This grass roots, community
fundraising effort benefiting the
hospital and its many special,
young patients will take place
during the summer.
A special lunchtime auction will
be held during a break from regular
livestock sales action at auction
houses on seven different dates
throughout the Coastal Bend and
South Texas. Items up for auction
will include donated livestock of all
shapes and sizes such as cattle,
pigs, and goats, as well as pies,
cakes, cookies, other desserts,
jellies, squash and watermelon Past
non traditional auction items have
included Spurs tickets, quilts,
birdhouscs, rain gauges, work
gloves and two signed Nolan Ryan
posters This year's auction hopes
to see the same and more!
South Texas Cattlemen's
Roundup Auction dates, times and
locations for 2003 include;
FRIDAY, JULY 18- R.Y.
Livestock Sales, Inc. in Rio
Grande City
FRIDAY, AUG. I- Cucro
Livestock Commission in Cucro.
Texas
TUESDAY. AUG. 5- Atascosa
Livestock Exchange in Plcasanton,
Texas.
TUESDAY, AUG 12- South
Texas Auction Company in Alice,
Texas
Earlier Auction dates took place
on Friday, June 20 at the Beeville
Livestock Commission in Beeville,
Texas and Tuesday, July I at the
Hallctsville Livestock Commissi in
in Halletsville, Texas
and Galveston.
Forecasters alco predicted that the
most likely period of significant
rain for the Valley would be
Wednesday night and/or Thursday
morning.
Claudette reached hurricane status
in the early morning hours
Tuesday, and slammed into the
Texas coast near Port O Connor
during the mid morning hours,
sporting sustained winds of 80
miles per hour.
An emergency preparation
meeting was held to discuss
Claudette and Us potential problems
Monday morning at the County
Courthouse in Rio Grande City.
Starr County Emergency
Management Coordinator Romeo
Lope/ began by saying, "Most of
us are aware that the storm seems
to be moving away from our area.
It could just as easily change course
again "
"It would be good to know what
the different entities did to gel
prepared." suggested Lope/ "This
is a time to reflect on what we did
or didn't do and what we should
do."
Lope/ added. "I visualize the
uties cooperating with their
respective school districts. 1
visualize the county having some
involvement. The hospital has its
own role and responsibilities
"We were kind of laying low to
make sure we didn't trigger a false
response," stated Gene Falcon. "The
Weather Service in Brownsville
says we're pretty much out of the
woods The sheriff has gotten his
jail and office ready for any kind of
disaster. (County) Commissioner
Gonzalez has been getting
something ready
Precinct Four Commissioner
Abel N. Gonzalez, Jr indicated.
"We help in the providing of
sandbags, working with the Fire
Department. We could do this if we
need to in the current situation "
Rio Grande City Fire Chiel
Ricardo Reyes noted. "We have
18,000 sandbags available (if
needed) We have two shelters
available: the VFW Hall anu the
First Baptist Church "
"What all of us can do is show
confidence to the community that
we will do what needs to be done
and not overreact." explained Lope/
"We are supposed to show a lot ol
confidence."
(See CLAUDETTE, Page 6)
Commissioners accept pending
resignation of County Clerk Garza
an uninsured or under insured loss
of more than 40 percent.
With the disaster declaration,
homeowners can borrow up to
$200,000 and businesses can
borrow up to $1.5 million to repair
or replace property damaged in the
storms. The loans are offered at
rates as low as 2.8 percent interest
for terms up to 30 years.
To apply for loans, residents
may contact the office of Rep
Guillen in San Diego or Austin or
they may contact the SBA toll-free
at (800) 366-6303 or TDD 817-
267-4688 for the hearing impaired.
Applications can also be obtained
from the U.S. Small Business
Administration Disaster Area 3
(See GUILLEN, Page 6)
2 workers perish
in rig explosion
Two oil field workers suddenly
perished Sunday morning near
Sullivan City when a high pressure
valve suddenly exploded.
The incident occurred late Sunday
morning just inside of Starr
County.
Sheriff's Department Captain
Hornet Flores told The Rio Grande
Herald on Tuesday, "An oilfield
crew was working, and a high
pressure valve blew. The incident
occurred close to the county line
near Sullivan City."
"We're completely satisfied at
this point that it was an accident."
explained Flores. "Both victims
died very quickly.'
The captain noted that "OSHA
(Sec EXPLOSION, Page ft)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday morning, the County
Commissioners voted to accept the
pending resignation of the County
Clerk after the official indicated that
he will resign in mid-August due to
a new job opportunity with The
University of Texas Pan American
Precinct Three Commissioner
Eloy Garza, presiding over the
meeting as Judge Pro Tern noted
that "we have a letter" from County
Clerk Omar J. Garza.
Omar Garza told the
commissioners, "I want to resign
effective Aug. 1 I because of other
employment opportunities These
opportunities have come true. I
have done volunteer work for U T-
Pan American for some time. I
would continue this work on a paid
basis."
"These II 1/2 years have been
really nice," emphasized Garza
"I've enjoyed every minute of it
I'll have an office in Rui Grande
City. I'll also work some out of
my home. I will olfer my services
to the county to facilitate the
transition to a new County Clerk
Precinct One Commissioner
Jaime Alvarez told Gar/a. "We
thank you for your many years as
an official and a gentleman."
Precinct Four Commissioner Abel
N. Gonzalez, Jr Emphasized, "We
thank you: you've done a really line
job." Commissioners Garza and
Raul "Roy" Pena, Jr.. also offered
remarks of praise
The letter of resignation from
Garza to the County Judge and
County Commissioners reads as
follows:
"This will serve to inform you
that 1 desire to resign as Starr
County Clerk, effective August I I,
2003 I hope that my tenure has
been satisfactory to you and the
citizens of our county. I have
enjoyed my eleven and one-half
years of service to Starr County I
have nothing but praise for my
office and my stall I think we have
one of the best County Clerk
offices in our region The advances
that have been made have been done
within the budget. I thank you and
our Starr County citizens for giving
me the opportunity and privilege of
sen ice.
"I will pursue oiher employment
opportunities. I will still be in
Starr County and offer my service
to you and whomever you desire to
name as the new Starr County
Clerk Thank you and may God
bless you."
The commissioners were told that
International Budge collections in
June 2003 totaled $192,899. a
decrease of $20,289.50 from the
June 2002 figure of $213.188.50.
The June 2003 figure is also a
decrease from the May 2003 figure
of $213,648.50.
Commissioner Gonzalez
lamented, "The trend continues to
decrease." Commissioner Pena
commented, "The Customs officials
check tour buses very closely at
Roma. The checks lake up to three
hours. One particular company now
goes through Laredo because they're
allowed through easily."
Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen
A Pena informed the
commissioners that the grand toial
collected for June 2003 was
$262,899.44. an increase of
$129,378.40 from the June 2002
(See PENDING. Paee 6)
*
RGC Columbian Squires attend state convention
The Rio Grande City Columbian Squires attended the 37th annual Texas State Squires Convention in
Brownsville recently Pictured left to right are Chief Squire Eddie 1 ope/. Counselor Joey Gar/a, newly elected
State Chief Squire Robert Klein. Counselor Mr Oscar Zcpeda, Deputy Chief Squire John Gabriel \ illarreal
and Bursar Omar Pena. Not pictured is Leo Lopez The know ledge and experience gained from the spiritual,
business and social aspects of this convention will help the squires assume greater responsibilities as leaders
of tomorrow
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. 90, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 17, 2003, newspaper, July 17, 2003; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196225/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.