The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 29, 1987 Page: 1 of 12
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THE RIO GRANDE HERA
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
Valley Mart
Inserts
Inside
Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
NO. 51 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1987
FIFTEEN CENTS
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Directors Talk About Chance
For Combined Fire/EMS District
The Rio Grande City Knights of Columbus are
donating $1600 this month to Immaculate Conception
School. The Knights will be donating around $1500 per
month to the local Catholic School. Presenting the check
to ICS Principal Sister Judy Scheffler, far right, is Abel
Porras, treasurer of the K.C.'s. On the far left is Jose
Adan Garcia, Deputy Grande Knight, and to his right is
Roy Cantu, president of the ICS Parent-Teacher
Organization.
At their regular monthly meeiing
Thursday night, the Board of,
Directors of the Starr County
Hospital District discussed the,
possibility of an ambulance dis-
trict, or a combined
fire/ambulance district.
Board Attorney Carl Hafner
noted that the creation of such
districts depends on the approval of
*n amendment to the Texas
Constitution by statewide voters on
Nov. 3.
Adminstrator Thalia Munoz in-
dicated that a maximum three-cent
tax could be levied per $100
valuation for an ambulance dis-
trict, while a 10 cent tax could be
levied for a combined district.
EMS Director Noel Garcia said,
"This gives you the choice for a
fire district or an ambulance
district, or combining both."
Hafner noted that if the
amendment passes statewide, the
county commissioners would have
to approve the creation of such
districts, and then there would be
an election decided by countywide
voters.
Garcia said, "I have spoken with
several county officials Their
reaction is favorable to one dis-
trict. They weren't even aware of
Rio Overcomes Tough Martin Team
Rattlers Play Mission
For All The Marbles
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
An explosive rushing game,
triggered by the 240 yards of Bobby
9 Garcia, enabled the Rio Grande
City Rattlers to overcome a stub-
born Laredo Martin team 34-20 on
the road Saturday night.
The Rattler victory cleared the
last hurdle before Friday's
showdown with Mission at 8 p.m. at
Rattler Stadium. Both teams enter
the game with 4-1 district records,
and the victor is likely to earn a
trip to the state 5-A playoffs as the
^ runnerup team from District 31-5A.
© Friday night's showdown will
feature the running of Garcia,
whose performance against Laredo
Martin catapulted him to the
number one position among Texas
5-A rushers, and Mission
quarterback Lupe Rodriguez, the
top-ranked passer in Texas 5-A
ranks.
The Rattlers have now won four
consecutive games, with their lone
^ district blemish a 24-3 setback to
W Edinburg in a game much closer
than the score indicated. The
Eagles were pounded 41-20 by the
district-leading Edinburg Bobcats.
In Saturday night's game, the
Rattlers clicked for 344 yards
rushing, 388 total yards, and 23
first downs. But an explosive
Martin offense clicked on several
big plays that kept the game close
until late in the fourth quarter.
^ Garcia had the best game of his
^ career, racking up 240 yards on 30
carries and scoring four
touchdowns Saturday's game was
the third this season in which
Garcia has gained over 200 yards,
and the sixth in which the Rattler
halfback has gained more than 130
yards.
The Rattlers launched a fairly
promising drive on the game's first
possession, with tight end "Lalo"
Guerra catching an eight-yard pass
from quarterback Ruben Saenz
across the middle to set up a fourth
and one situation from the Martin
49. Rio gambled on fourth and one,
and Juan Benitez pounded the right
side for a two-yard gain.
After a holding penalty against
Rio, the Rattlers faced a third and
19 situation from their 44. Saenz
tried to hit a wide-open Russell
Clarke on the right sideline, but the
ball was a little too long, glancing
off the receiver's fingertips.
Late in the first quarter, a short
Laredo Martin punt traveled only
11 yards, allowing the Rattlers to
take over at midfield.
On third and two from the Martin
42, Garcia rambled through the left
side for a 12-yard gain. A holding
penalty against the Rattlers
nullified a 13-yard gain by Garcia
After an ineligible receiver
downfield penalty, Rio faced a
third and 20 situation from the
Martin 40.
The explosive Garcia, however,
Alamo Woman Dies
In Auto Mishap
Local Woman
Wins $1000
In H.E.B. Promotion
Blanca L Rangel of Rio Grande
City has won $1000 in H.E.B.'s
ongoing Wheel of Fortune promo-
tion.
She was presented her check of
$1000 on Monday by H.E.B. Food
Store in Rio Grande City.
A 19-year-old woman from Alamo
was killed late Saturday evening
when the car in which she was a
passenger was hit from the side at
the intersection of U.S. 83 and FM
2360 at Alto Bonita.
Maricela Gonzalez, 19, was pro-
nounced dead at the scene. She had
sustained a fractured skull, a
broken neck, and massive internal
injuries.
The accident happened at ap-
proximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday at
the intersection of U.S. 83 and FM
2360 at Alto Bonito The point of
impact was in the eastbound lane
of U.S. 83
Jesus Ramirez, 28, of Pharr, the
driver of the 1987 red Dodge
Daytona two-door vehicle in which
Gonzalez was a passenger, sus-
tained massive internal injuries,
including brain damage.
Ramirez is currently listed in
critical but stable condition at
McAllen Medical Center Six hours
of surgery was performed on
Ramirez, and a DPS trooper
the possibilities of an EMS district.
When they heard that, they said
they would favor a combined
district."
Garcia said, "The way I see it,
taxation would come in jointly, but
services could be done indepen-
dently. The commissioners' court
would appoint the board."
Hafner said, "You have to first
decide, before the presentation to
the commissioners' court, what
kind of district you'd go with." It
was noted that 100 signatures on a
petition would be required to place
the matter before the attention of
the commissioners.
Garcia suggested that if an
ambulance district is created, "we
would have to be weaned gradually
from the Hospital District."
Hafner was asksed by the board
to draw up a petition, in case the
amendment passes statewide. He
noted, "You have to specify what
kind of services it is."
On the matter of Hospital Board
► elections, Munoz noted that the 1988
election is already set for May.
Hafner noted that the Legislature
enacted a law in its August special
session that ruled out any April
elections in Texas, with the excep-
tion of a very few metropolitan
areas along the Gulf Coast.
Hafner said, "They amended the
Election Code. Before August, you
had the choice of January, April,
May, August, or September."
Hafnef noted that the 1988
election will automatically be in
"May, but that the board has the
option, in the next two months, of
changing the date for subsequent
years.
The directors voted to name
Maria Lilia G. Trevino of San
Isidro as the new board member
representing Precinct Four.
The matter of Hill-Burton charity
came up for discussion. Social
worker Ronnie Leal noted that "I
divided Hill-Burton into three
categories to give you a better
idea."
Those categories, she said, could
be broken down as follows: Exist-
ing balances, $71,215.50; Bad Debt
Accounts, $8353.08; Total,
$79,568.58; Predicted total of future
OB's and surgeries, $25,200 Leal
projected that obstetrical cases
would cost $700, on the average,
while she projected the average
per surgery at $1500.
Munoz noted that Hill-Burton
charity can be offered, on a
first-come, first-serve basis, in the
amount of three percent charity
minus Medicaid and Medicare
expenses.
Hafner said that as he in-
terpreted federal regulations of last
year, "Any past account, no matter
how old, must be accepted...How
much carryover can you take to
the next year?"
Leal said, "Within two days, they
(the applicants) have to know
whether they're approved or not."
Hafner told LaGrange he sees no
problem with revoking Hill-Burton
CHANCE, Page 7)
Garcia No. 1 Rusher
In Texas
Senior Rattler halfback Bobby Garcia is the top ranking
rusher in all of Texas in the 5-A classification.
Garcia has racked up a phenomenal 1360 yards in 1%
carries, or almost seven yards per carry. His rushing total is
97 yards ahead of the No. 2 rusher in Texas 5-A ranks, Kevin
Williams of Spring (located near Houston!.
He has had three games in which he has gained more than
200 yards, and six games in which he has rushed for more
than 130 yards.
Garcia, a threat to go the distance every time he touches
the ball, has broken off runs of 80. 68, 47, 42, 40, and 37
yards. After his four-touchdown performance against Laredo
Martin Saturday n<ght, he has scored nine touchdowns on
the season,
raced through a gigantic hole in the
middle ci t/ie line, cut left, evaded
numerous defenders and motored
for a 40-yard touchdown with 8:23
left in the second quarter to
conclude a 50-yard, six-play scoring
drive for the Rattlers.
Roel Gomez hit the extra point to
give the Rattlers the initial 7-0
advantage.
The Rattlers soon regained
possession at their own 33. On
second and eight, Saenz scrambled
to the right out of a pass rush, was
hemmed in by several Martin
defenders near the 40, but made a
desperation pitchout to Garcia, who
scampered 11 more yards to
midfield.
Halfback Tommy Martinez then
exploded through a huge hole on
the left side, and raced down the
sideline before being caught from
behind at the 17 for a 33-yard
pickup.
On the next play, Garcia ran
through the left side, cut back
toward the middle, and ran over
several defenders, the last near the
(See RATTLERS, Page 6|
Commissioners Okay
Partial Payroll
The County Commissioners, at
their special meeting Thursday,
voted to go along with the recom-
mendation of the County Judge and
Auditor and approve an October
payroll for non-public officials only.
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
said, "Apparently, there won't be
funds to make a complete payroll."
Auditor Jose Guadalupe Villarreal
indicated, "I've been seeing if
non-public officials can be paid. A
total of $110,000 is needed for this
This would be for the secretaries in
the offices.
Martinez commented, "Elected
officials' jobs are positions of
service, while secretaries are posi-
tions of employment."
A motion by Commissioner
Amando Pena authorized the audi-
tor to make all necessary transfers
to meet the partial payroll.
Upon the recommendation of the
auditor, a payment of $8987.55 to
Idela Construction of Mission for
the rural paving project, as part of
a change order, was approved by
the commissioners. The payment
was okayed subject to the final
engineering inspection
Commissioner Pena complained
about the condition of FM Road
649, saying that the clay shoulder
becomes impassible when rain
falls. He said that the road is only
20 feet wide, and very hazardous,
with many accidents having hap-
pened in the past. He asked that
caliche be placed on the shoulder of
the road.
Commissioner Reynaldo
"Moreno" Alaniz indicated that
State Sen. Judith Zaffirini will be
(See PAYROLL, Page 81
Bail Denied To 7
Suspects From Drug Raid
indicated that Ramirez seems to oe
making some progress medically.
Jose Longoria, 21, of La Grulla,
the driver of the 1979 Chevy
Silverado that struck the vehicle
driven by Ramirez, is currently
listed in stable condition at
McAllen Medical Center. He sus-
(See MISHAP, Page 8|
From A«HOciated Press
And Herald Report*
Bond for seven of 22 defendants
in a drug smuggling case was
denied by a federal magistrate.
During a daylong detention
hearing Friday, U.S. Magistrate
Calvin Botley set bond for nine
others in the case.
The 22 defendants were indicted
last week on charges of conspiring
to distribute more than a ton of
marijuana since July. The defen-
dants include a Roma police officer
and a Roma municipal employee.
During the detention hearing,
testimony indicated marijuana had
been smuggled from Mexico to
Roma, then to Cypress and Tom-
ball.
Edward Eden Garza, charged
with organizing and supervising the
alleged Texas drug ring under the
federal "Drug Kingpin" statute,
was among those denied bail.
Garza is believed to have
supervised elements of the drug
ring active in Florida, Illinois,
Missouri and Mexico.
Garza's son, Ramiro, was also
held without bail. Bail for Garza's
wife, Carmen, and son, Eduardo
Jr., was set at $200,000 and $100,000
respectively.
The case grew out of major drug
seizures in Roma and Houston on
Tuesday of last week The nine
persons arrested in Roma last
Tuesday were transported to
Brownsville for initial appearances
before a U.S. magistrate. They
were transported to Houston
Thursday for detention hearings A
total of 10 persons were arrested in
Houston.
The raid, said an FBI agent, was
the "culmination of a Gulf-Coast
organized crime drug enforcement
task force investigation."
Participating in last week's raid
(See BAIL, Page 9|
Rio Trustees Lower
Tax Rate Two Cents
t f
Chamber Christmas
Parade Dec. 12
(Sf REGISTRATION FORM. I'««e 4)
The Rio Grande City Chamber of
Commerce will be holding their
annual Christmas Parade on Sat
urday, Dec 12,at 10 a m
The theme for this year's parade
will be "Christmas on the Border "
There will be cash prizes for first,
second and third place The entry
fee for floats will be $15, and the
fee for cars will be $10
The parade will start from the
Courthouse and finish at the Fort
Ringgold school grounds
Anyone seeking more informa-
tion should call the Chamber of
Commerce office at 487-3024
The Rio Grande City CISD board
of trustees, at their special meeting
Wednesday, voted to cut the 1987
tax rate two cents, down to $1.27
per $100 valuation.
Superintendent Dr. A.E Garcia
noted that the appioved tax rate is
calculated as follows: Maintenance
and Operation, $1.14; and Interest
and Sinking, $13.
The superintendent indicated that
when the vote to approve the $1.27
rate was taken, five trustees voted
yes, board president Rafael Car-
rera voted no, and trustee Eloy
Garcia abstained
Carrera told The Rio Grande
Herald that he voted no because "I
felt that it was not enough of a
cut."
The effective tax rate, calculated
by Tax Assessor-Collector Heberto
Barrera, was figured at $1.37 per
$100 valuation That was the figure
that Barrera had calculated would
generate the same total of revenue
as in 1986-87.
The superintendent noted, how-
ever, that "we figured the budget
on a lower tax rate."
The board approved early pay-
ment discounts for the following
months: November, three percent,
December, two percent; January,
one percent. Taxes for 1987 will
become delinquent on March 1
The board voted to keep the
homestead exemption, for owner-
ship of a residence, at $10,000.
The board voted, subject to
ratification at the next meeting, to
award Williamson Construction of
McAllen the contract for construc-
tion of the new Grulla Elementary
cafeteria. Williamson had the low
bid of approximately $386,000.
The board okayed a field trip by
Roque Guerra Elementary third
grade pupils to the Gladys Porter
Zoo in Brownsville. The pupils took
the trip to the Brownsville Zoo on
Saturday
Ijrr-
* r /H
rT
Ramiro Hinojosa, Vice Grand-Commander of the Order
of the AJhambra El Cid Caravan No. 106, presented Mr*.
Amada Garcia of the Rio Grande City CISD Special
Education program with a $1250 check for the Special
Education department. (Sec related story on Page 7).
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 29, 1987, newspaper, October 29, 1987; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195104/m1/1/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.