The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 20, 1989 Page: 1 of 12
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Ramirez Ford
Specials,
Pgs. 2,3,5
THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Published weekly in Rio Grande Ci y, Texas, every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
USPS 466-200
Vol. 79, No. 23, Thursday, April 20,1989
FIFTEEN CENTS
h
Citizens Warned To Be
Watchful For Cultist-Killers
in
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16
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Jaime Nunez Lanza, pictured above, is close to
completing his two weeks of work with the Starr
County Extension Office. Lanza is an agricultural
specialist from the Central American nation of
Honduras.
Law enforcement officials are
warning Starr County citizcns to be
watchful concerning the possibility
that two suspects wanted in
connection with the grisly
Matamoros mass murders carried
out by a Satanic ritual practicing
cult could be hiding in the area.
Sheriff Gene Falcon told The Rio
Grande Herald Tuesday morning,
"There are strong rumors that both
of these fleeing felons were
supposedly in the northeast part of
the county. The FBI was contacted
on this matter. A few minutes later,
we were contacted. But we were
unable to obtain solid information
about their whereabouts."
The two suspects wanted on
aggravated kidnapping charges are
Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo, 26,
originally from Cuba; and Sara
Honduras Native Working With
Starr Extension Office
A Honduras agricultural specialist
is currently in the process of
working with the Starr County
Extension Office as part of his
ongoing effort to observe and learn
from agricultural programs in the
United States, particularly in Texas.
Jaime Nunez Landa, 36, is about
to finish his two weeks of working
with the Extension Office in Rio
Grande City. He said, "At this
lime, I am in the middle of an
eight-county tour of Texas that
began Jan. 15 and will end at the
end of May."
Lanza expressed the opinion that
"the people in Starr County are
friendly and helpful."
Lanza has also worked in seven
other Texas counties: Howard, Hall,
Dallas, Mills, Brown, Blanco, and
Travis.
Lanza stressed, "My interest in
Starr County is learning about the
crops grown by farmers, the
irrigation systems, and how the
Extension staff is conducting
educational programs, in response
to the needs of the communities."
County Extension Agent Enrique
Perez said, "Jaime has been here for
a short period of time. He has come
to Starr County well prepared in
different areas of agriculture He is
well prepared for the problems he is
confronting."
Perez noted, "He has worked in
this country for over two years and
two months, through the Texas
A&M University System."
Perez commented, "He has
acquired knowledge through his
years here and through his
schooling, especially in vegetable
planting, irrigation systems,
pesticides, and the planning process
needed to conduct such programs."
Perez added, "He has become
familiar with some of the
demonstration work with melons.
He's also done some work on
onions. He's attended several
Agricultural Extension Committee
meetings and has become familiar
with the planning process in
implementing programs."
He noted, "Jaime also has
become familiar with how the
Extension Office works."
Lanza said, "1 have found very
interesting how the technology
from the university flows back to
the Research Extension Center and
to the specialist and to the County
Extension Agents, which they
(See HONDURAS, PageS)
Possible Revenue Shortage
Not Considered Alarming
in
US
According to the Auditor and
County Judge, the possibility now
exists that actual county revenues
for the current fiscal year could
£ come up to 5225,000 short of
expectations, but neither view the
situation as alarming or
unchangeable.
Auditor Jose Guadalupe Villarrcal
said, "The only department that I'm
sure we'll be short of expectations
on is with the bridge, by about
$100,000."
Villarreal stressed, "We need to
^ notify heads of departments. The
message that I'm sending is that we
cannot afford to overspend the
budget. It's not an alarming
situation at this time, but we need
to be careful."
The auditor added, "By being a
little careful with each department's
expenditures, we may even
underspend the budget. It is
0 possible that more revenue will
come in than we're looking for
now."
Villarrcal said, "At this time, we
may still come out with a balanced
budget. I'm making it clear that the
situation is not alarming."
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
said, "It's something that can be
dealt with by careful management.
0 All of these figures are projected
figures."
Earlier this month. Judge
Martinez sent the following letter
to the County Commissioners:
"I have just completed an
analysis of our budgetary conditions
as of the end of March 1989. With
the help of the Tax Collector and
County Auditor and their staffs I
0 am convinced that our expected
revenues will fall short of our
expectations by some $225,000 (
shortages will be in the categories
of current tax collections (minus
$60,000), Starr County
International Bridge (minus
$100,000), and Fees of Office
(minus $80,000).
"It would be wise to start looking
now lor areas where the budget can
be underspent to make up for these
shortages. A balanced budget for
1989 (2 years in a row) will speak
very favorably for the present
Commissioners Court."
Martinez said, "As of the end of
March, we arc short in Current
Taxes in the Road and Bridge Fund
by $142,500, and by $127,387 in
La Union PTA
Holds Youth Fair
The La Union Elementary
Parent/Teacher Association, which
is chartered with the state and
national PTA Associations, hosted
a PTA Youth Fair on the school
grounds on Saturday, April 15.
At the dining room of the school
cafeteria were exhibits in the
different content areas such as
Social Studies, Science, Health, and
Fine Arts. The children reacted
exubcrandy as they explained their
projects to a capacity crowd.
Mrs. Hilario Guerra, president of
the La Union PTA, crowned Miss
La Union Gracicla Saenz, who was
escorted by Horacio Bazan, Jr.
Afterwards, the large crowd
enjoyed a Pet Parade by grade levels
where children were awarded first,
second and third places,
respectively, for their
Maria Aldrete, 24, of Brownsville.
These two individuals are
believed to have played prominent
roles in the kidnaping, torture, and
human sacrifice type slayings of at
least 15 males, including Mark
Kilroy, a 21-year-old University of
Texas student who disappeared
while visiting Matamoros in
mid-March. His disappearance
triggered a search that attracted
national attention.
Sheriff Falcon said, "I strongly
recommend that the public keep
their eyes open for these
individuals."
Falcon indicated that on Monday,
"We searched several different
residences in northeast Starr
Count), with the consent of the
owners."
The sheriff expressed the opinion
that "they may be trying to get into
an area where they are not known."
He said, "People in Starr County
are very concerned and horrified
about this horrendous crime that
was committed so close to
us...This 'Santaria' witchcraft is
being practiced by some people in
the Valley."
The sheriff indicated, "Several
steps need to be taken by local
people. It is important to just be
aware of what is going on with
your neighbors, including being
suspicious of things not routine.
Such a thing as missing animals
are a sign that something is amiss."
Falcon commented, "We as law
officers will respect the different
beliefs of people as long as they
stay in line with the law. Drugs
will do something to people,
causing them to do things that they
would not normally
do...Unfortunately, this type of
thing may continue to happen."
He urged citizens to "be vigilant
about strangers coming to your
home; be sure that they represent a
legitimate employer or cause."
Constanzo, 26, stands 5 feet, 11
inches tall and weighs
approximately 160 pounds. He has
brown hair, brown eyes, and : light
complexion. His Social Security
number is 262-87-8023.
Sara Maria Aldrete, 24, stands 6
feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 143
pounds. She has brown hair and
brown eyes. Her Social Security
number is 449-59-6019 and her
Texas identification number is
13016853.
Both are wanted on aggravated
kidnaping and are considered
extremely dangerous. Both were last
seen driving a 1989 gold colored
Mercedes with tinted windows and
the license plates 865vzc.
RGC Student Body Helps
Cult Victim's Family
the General Fund. Taxes arc not
designated as delinquent until after
July 1. It's still possible that these
figures may come in."
Martinez stressed that both
current tax collections and Fees of
Office could still come in with the
revenue originally projected.
Martinez said, "The bridge
definitely will be short; payments
to the city of Roma are increasing
because of increasing revenue. The
projected revenue of $300,000 will
come in, but the payment to Rorna
will increase. An increase in
collections for the bridge is not felt
(See REVENUE, Page 6)
The Rio Grande City High
School student body and faculty has
donated $300 to the family of a
Matamoros man slain by the
cultists-mass murderers to aid them
with the burial expenses.
Tom Raegan, a reporter for the
Brownsville Herald, noted that the
Rio Grande City High student body
made a $300 donation that went to
aid the family of 14-year-old Jose
Luis Garcia Luna, slain by the
cultisis.
The mass murder victims were
discovered by U.S. and Mexican
MH/MR Softball
Tourney Planned
The sixth annual Starr County
Mental Health/Mental Retardation
Softball Tournament is scheduled to
lake place April 29-30 at the Stan-
County Baseball Park in Rio
Grande City.
The entry fee for participation in
the competition will be $75. There
will be men's and women's
divisions competing in the
tournament.
The teams will have rosters of 16
players. Among the men, trophies
will be awarded for first through
fourth place teams, first and second
ranking individuals, Home Run
King, and Most Valuable Player.
The deadline for registration will
be Friday, April 28. Anyone
seeking further information should
contact Romeo Ramirez at
487-2520, or call 487-3748
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
I
lawmen at a ranch near Matamoros
on Tuesday, April 11.
June Andersen, whose daughter
Janice is a member of the Rio High
faculty, said, "The kids felt they
wanted to do something. The
family had no money for a body
bag."
She added, "The next morning,
she (Janice Anderson) talked with
Mr (Ruben> Saenz 'the principal
Quickly the word went out and
$233 was collected in just a few
hours. Later, more was collected to
bring the total to $300. The
students and teachers worked real
hard on this."
Andersen said, "They were
anxious to do what they could to
help."
It is noteworthy, said Andcr n,
that "So far, the largest
contribution has been from Rio
Grande'"'ii' H ;h Sch<vl.
(See HELPS, Page 5)
Court Okays Idea
Of Prison Studv
At their continued regular
meeting Thursday, the County
Commissioners voted to study the
possibility of the county
government petitioning the Texas
Department of Corrections to locate
and build a prison unit in Starr
County.
The issue came up when Bee
County's request for the Starr
County government's official
support in its bid for a state prison
unit came up on the agenda.
The commissioners voted to go
on record as supporting Bee
County's effort. Several months
ago, a similar request from Karnes
County was approved.
Precinct Two Commissioner
Amando Pena contended, "It was
crazy to go against the prison in
Starr County earlier." Precinct Four
Commissioner Reynaldo "Moreno"
Alaniz said, "There's still a
possibility."
Pena moved that the county study
the possibility of asking the Texas
Department of Corrections to locale
and build a prison unit in Starr
County.
Precinct One Commissioner Jose
Maria "Chema" Alvarez told the
court, "We need some modifications
on the dog pound. The dog pound
man needs to be there full-time; he
also works at the Fire Department."
Alvarez added, "I've done my job
in getting the dog pound up. It's up
to someone else to do the
dogcatching work."
Alvarez noted, "The Humane
Society will come to check the dog
pound soon."
demonstrations with their pets.
Precinct Three County
Commissioner Eloy Garza
presented every third place winner
with a $2 gift, second place winners
with a $3 gift, and first place
winners with $5 gifts.
As a culminating activity, each
homeroom presented a variety show
of songs and dances.
Principal Felicia Garza said, "It
was a tremendous afternoon for all
those who were there to enjoy it.
We love working with the children
and we believe we arc guiding them
to a fruitful future."
Shi added, "The secret of our
success is that we work
cooperatively with the school
parents and we have all their
support. There is nothing as
exceptional as working in unity for
the benefit of everyone."
m
Art work that was displayed to the public Saturday at the La Union Elementary
Youth Fair is pictured above. The Fair featured such activities as a Pet Show,
academic exhibits in various subjects, and the crowning of a Miss La Union
1
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 20, 1989, newspaper, April 20, 1989; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195181/m1/1/?q=%22Rio+Grande+City+%28Tex.%29+--+Newspapers.%22: accessed June 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.