Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 31, 2005 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
March 31, 2005
92nd YEAR No. 13
Rio Grande
#215
11( )A(i BOOK. BINDERY
127 RAM KOAI)
SPRINGPORT, Ml 49204
/.(>Ni: 6
H EB^ALD
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
Authorities work to identify murder victim found near Garceno
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JROTC prepares for 4Con Mi Gente', Washington parade
The Rio Grande City High School JROTC is preparing for the National Cherry Blossom Parade sci eduled loi
Apul 9, 2005 m Washington, D C. The eadets are checking uniforms, equipment, and practicing drills loi
their national debut. Rick Dia/ from Channel 5 visited with cadets recently to videotape a segment lor Con
Mi Gente. The taping is scheduled to air on April 4 at 5:00 p.m. and again on April 5 at 6:00 a.m. Mr. Rick
Diaz is pictured congratulating cadets for being selected to participate in this event. (RGCCISD photo).
RGC man gets 60-year sentence
in shooting of Webb deputy
A Rio Grande City man could
spend the rest of his life in prison
after pleading guilty on Jan. 21 to
attempted capital murder in the
shooting of a Webb Count)
Sheriffs Deputy near Laredo in
May 2004.
Luis Carlos Mares, 31. was
sentenced to 60 years imprisonment
on Jan. 21. 2005 after pleading
guilty earlier that day to one count
of attempted capital murder in the
shooting of Webb County Sheriff s
Deputy Francisco Fuentes. In the
May I I 2004 shooting. Fuentes
sustained one bullet wound to the
shoulder and was hospitalized for
more than one week
The shooting occurred during a
pursuit that began in Zapata
County near San Ygnacio shortly
before 11:30 p.m. on May II.
Mares was accused of firing more
than 15 shots at pursuing Webb
County Sheriffs Deputies in two
separate episodes. Fuentes was
wounded during the first episode
just south of Laredo.
Mares was arrested shortly before
II a.m. on May 12. 2004 at a
ranch in an isolated, brushy area
roughly 20 miles east of Laredo
Another suspect, Artemio Gonzalo
Lopez of McAllen, evaded pursuing
officers during the early morning
hours of May 12 and still remains
at large.
Assistant Webb County District
Attorney Roberto Balli told The
Rio Grande Herald on Monday.
"Mr. Mares had a long criminal
history and a violent past. The 60-
year sentence was very appropriate,
considering his past...The deputy
was satisfied that the punishment
was appropriate."
Balli emphasized. "We're satisfied
that this person with a long and
violent history is off the street.
STC has scholarships for
Computer Science, CIS students
Recent studies reveal a high job
demand nationwide with high
salaries for computer science and
information professionals.
For applications and other
information, contact Bob Husin at.
(956)618-8354.
sluisin2 ii southtexascollege.edu
mailto:shusin2 a southtexascolleg
e.edu or Saecd Molki at. (956)
618-8326.
smolki ii southtexascollege edu
mailto smolki n southtexascollege.
edu"-. fax: (956) 688-2008 at the
SIC Computer Science
Department ~
I wentv-three SI.000
scholarships are available from the
South Texas College Computer
Science Department. The
scholarships will be awarded to
students interested in pursuing an
associate's degree in Computer
Science or Computer Information
Systems. April 29 is the deadline
for apply ing.
Applicants must be entering
college freshman with a grade point
average of 3.0 and above or high
school seniors in the top 10 percent
ol their class Other qualifications
apply
Free rabies clinic scheduled
Saturday, April 16 in RGC
A free rabies clinic is planned loi
Saturday. April 16 to give Rio
Grande Cits residents the
opportunity to vaccinate their
animals against the deadly rabies
virus.
The clinic will take place from 9
a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday. April
16 at Eil Quiosco in front ol Texas
State Bank
The clinic is free for Rio Grande
Ciiv residents only. For non-
residents. the lee is SI0.00 per each
dog or cat vaccinated Each animal
vaccinated must be three months of
age or older
Anyone seeking more
information should contact Margo
Veterinary Clinic at i956i 4S7-
3623 Margo Veterinary Clinic is
located at 601 West Sixth Street in
Rio Grande City.
Veterinarian Dr Roberto S
Margo emphasizes the importance
of all pel owners keeping the
vaccination of their animals up to
date, especially in v iew of the fact
that there have been almost 120
continued rabies cases and one
human fatality in Starr County
since September 1988.
He's not eligible for parole for a
minimum of 30 years. He could
well be imprisoned for the rest of
his life. He is now in custody of
the state prison system "
The prosecutor noted that Mares
could have received a sentence
ranging anywhere from 5 to 99
years or life in prison.
In recalling the shooting, Balli
stated, "The deputy was shot in the
right shoulder. He is still
recovering physically from the
incident. As I understand it, he's
still undergoing therapy. The
injuries were not life-threatening.
He did take a full bullet."
"Evidence showed that Mares
fired all the shots." explained Balli.
"Mares did confess that he was the
shooter."
Balli also declared. "Mares
confessed that he and his
companion were coming to Laredo
with orders to kill someone."
Laurel Almada. Public
Information Officer for the Webb
County D.A's Office, indicated last
week. "The proceedings took place
in the 341st District Court, presided
over by Judge Lima Salinas Ender.
The sentence was handed down
under the plea agreement the same
day."
The case was prosecuted by First
Assistant District Attorney Roberto
Balli. Mares was represented by
Assistant Public Defender Anthony
De La Vina of Laredo.
"He (Mares) pleaded guilty to the
original charge of attempted capital
murder." explained Almada. "He
pleaded guilty to one count of
attempted capital murder."
In the June 10. 2004 edition of
The Rio Grande Herald.
Robert Garcia, who at the time
served as Public Information Officer
for the Webb County Sheriff's
Department, stated. "An AR 15
(assault rifle) was used to fire the
shots. The weapon was never
found. but we did find the
projectiles."
In an article in the May 20. 2004
edition ol The Zapata County
News, as quoted in The Herald
June 10 issue
reporter/photographer Tim Miller
reported that "Zapata Couniv
Sheriff's Deputies were perl>Minii .
narcotics surveillance on Hichw.iv
S3 north of San Ygnacio when -
ol the officers spotted a vehicle
traveling ai a high rate ol speed
I he deputies pur-ued and pulled i
car over, but as one of the officer*
approached, the vehicle sped oil \
(See SENTENCE, Page 6)
Law enforcement authorities are
working intensely in an effort to
determine the identity of a man
found shot to death just north of
Garceno early Sunday afternoon.
March 27.
Sheriffs Department Investigator
Larry Fuentes indicated Tuesday
that the Sheriffs Department was
first notified of the body's discovery
shortly before I p.m. on Sunday.
He stated, "A passer-by had first
discovered the body ."
Fuentes noted. "We found the
body of an unidentified man
wearing blue jeans a blue T-shirt,
and gray tennis shoes. He had a
black plastic bag over his head."
Fuentes declared thai the victim
was found on the riulit side of the
roadway of FM 649 approximately
2.8 miles north of the intersection
of U.S. 83 and FM 649.
"He (the victim) sustained
multiple gunshot wounds to the
chest." explained the investigator.
"...I can't say whether the chest
wounds were entry or exit wounds."
Fuentes staled. "We haven't
officially identified the individual
(victim); we're waiting on an
official identification. We feel we're
close to making an identification."
The investigator emphasized.
"We're following up on some leads
to try to determine and locate
possible suspects."
Fuentes explained, "We haven't
been able to determine the time of
death. We think ii misht have been
Friday. Saturday's extreme heat did
af fect the condition of the body. We
can't be sure at this point aboul the
time of death."
Fuentes noted, "An autopsy is
being conducted (Tuesday afternoon)
at Elizondo Embalming in
Mission."
"We don't knov the location of
the crime scene," stated the
investigator. "We feel sure the body
was dumped there."
Fuentes indicated that
investigate n into the homicide is
continuing. Anyone with
information about the episode is
urged to contact the Sheriff's
Department at 487-5571. All
information will be kept
confidential
RGC High JROTC set to march in
National Cherrv Blossom Parade
The Rio Grande City High
School JROTC 12th Cavalry is
scheduled to participate in the
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Parade in Washington D.C. on
Saturday. April 9, 2005
Each spring Washington D.C. has
a celebration in commemoration of
Japan's 1912 gift of cherrv trees o
the United States. The trees were
planted around the Tidal Basin near
the Jefferson Memorial and the
festival is scheduled to coincide
with the first bloom of the cherry
trees. This two week long event
brings in more tourists than any
another annual event in the city
The National Cherry Blossom
Festival features daily international
cultural performances, sporting
events, arts & crafts demonstrations
and other special events. The
festival will be held March 27-
April I I and showcases highly
anticipated events such as the
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Parade and the Sakura Matsuri
Japanese Street Festival on
Saturday. April 3. The festival
celebrates the 92nd Anniversary of
the gift of the cherry blossom tree/
and the enduring friendship
between the citizens of the United
States and Japan. I his is the first
year that the 12th Cavalry
participates in this event that draws
over 100,000 spectators from
around the world.
" The cadets are extremely
excited because it is a whole new
experience for them. It will give
them the opportunity to participate
in a national level parade. They
will also get to visit an extremely
historical area such as Washington,
D.C'.." savs Master Sergeant Marco
Pert a.
According to Sgt. Pena the
students will have to do some
research before the trip to
familiarize themselves with The
National Cherrv Blossom Parade
and the historical sites in the D.C
area. They will have to prepare
reports to share with other
classmates to incorporate the
educational component into this
endeavor.
"It is important not only to
represent our community and our
school district but also to tie in
education into this trip." says Sgt.
Pena.
The 12th Cavalry battalion has
been practicing to prepare for this
grand event They recently led the
Parade of Oranges m Mission,
Texas in January 2004 and
participated in the Battle of the
Flowers Parade in San Antonio,
l exasj in April 2004. Each of these
events drew in a crowd of over
100,000 spectators. This in itself
gave the 12th Cavalry the
opportunity to practice in front ol
thousands of spectators to prepare
them for upcoming national event.
"I am confident that these parades
have helped but you can never train
enough for a national event such as
this. So, we are traininu four davs a
week for Washington, D.C.," says
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Dhilendy
Garcia. According to Cadet 2nd
Lieutenant Norma Cardenas, the
battalion has been practicing new
formations that Sgt Pena and
Major Rutledge created for the
Battle of the Flowers parade in San
Antonio.
" I was really glad and excited
that our organization was chosen
for this event, it is such an honor."
says Cadet 1st Lieutenant Mayra
Elizondo
It is definitely obvious that the
Rio Grande City High School 12th
Cavalry is setting the pace for the
Rio ?rande Valley and other
JROTC units. They are ready to put
Rio Grande City CISD and Rio
Grande City on the map on a
national level.
"I'm really proud to be wearing
this uniform, when I joined
JROTC. I joined the best and feel
extremely proud representing Rio
Grande City and Rio Grande City
High School." says Cadet 2nd ft.
(See BLOSSOM, Page 6)
Sanchez student Richmond
named 'Kid You Should Know'
Kevin Richmond, a General
Ricardo Sanchez Elementary
student, has been selected as a Kid
You Should Know by Channel 5
This is a segment that the station
telev ises as part of their educational
section. Richmond is a fifth grader
who was nominated by his teacher.
Mr. Elias Saenz.
Richmond has displayed
leadership qualities by serving as
Master of Ceremonies during the
dedication ceremony for the school
when General Ricardo Sanchez
visited He has obtained numerous
awards in Oral Reading at various
U1L competitions. He excels
academically and is at the top of his
class.
"Kevin exemplifies many great
qualities He is noble, kind,
intelligent. helpful. and well
mannered." said Elias Saenz.
Richmond hopes to attend the
University of Texas A & M and
eventually obtain a degree in
medicine " I want to help people
and the way I can do that is if I
become a doctor." said Richmond.
Kevin Richmond is scheduled to
appear on Sunday, April 3. 2005
during the 10:00 p.m. news
broadcast.
!
ft fc.
Richmond honored as Kid You Should Know'
Kevin Richmond, a tilth grader at General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary School, was selected bv Channel 5 as
a Kid You Should Know This segment during the broadcast is part of their educational section Tim Smith.
Chief Meteorologist for Channel 5. presented Kevin with a plaque. Kevin is congratulated for a job well done!
Pictured left to right are Elias Saenz iteachci >. Kevin Richmond and 11in Smith (RGCCISD photo)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 31, 2005, newspaper, March 31, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196314/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.