Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 5, 1995 Page: 1 of 8
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Published weekly in Rio Grande City, Texas every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
USPS 466-200
Vol. 82, No. 01, Thursday, January 05,1995
25 cents
(Two suspects accused
in abduction, murder
HfMHMMM
The Sheriffs Department is
awaiting the extradition of a
19-year-old San Juan man and a
* female juvenile from Chicago,
Illinois to Starr County to face
possible capital murder charges in
connection with the brutal stabbing
death of a San Juan woman.
The body of Eleanor Ginder, 58,
was found on Saturday morning,
Dec. 24 inside an abandoned 1990
Chevrolet van at the Starr County
Park in Rio Grande City. She had
~ sustained multiple stab wounds to
> the neck and chest
Jamie Charles Nonn, 19, of San
Juan and a female juvenile
accompanying him were arrested in
Chicago on Wednesday, Dec. 28 by
Chicago Police Department on
authority of the Starr County
Sheriffs Department and charged
with aggravated kidnapping in
% Gindcr's abduction.
Ginder was first reported missing
to the San Juan Police Department
on Tuesday morning, Dec. 20.
Chief Deputy Rey Guerra
indicated Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 3
that Nonn has waived extradition
and will soon be returned to Stan-
County.
Sheriff's Department Chief
^ Investigator Guadalupe Marque/
indicated that both Nonn and the
juvenile have confessed
involvement in both the abduction
and murder. Marquez said, "They
said she was stabbed in a parking
lot, but didn't specify which
one...The suspects said the
abduction took place early in the
^ morning (of Dec. 20)."
Marquez indicated that robbery
was apparently the leading motive
in Gindcr's murder. He stated, "That
is the motive they gave." He
declared that the suspects allegedly
charged over $2000 on Gindcr's
credit card alone.
As of Friday, Dec. 31, Nonn and
the juvenile faced Starr County
charges of aggravated kidnapping.
Possible capital murder charges
against both individuals will be
presented to the Starr County 229th
District Court grand jury at a later
date.
Marquez indicated that the
Sheriffs Department discovered
Ginder's body at the Starr County
Park in Rio Grande City early on
Christmas Eve morning. She was
found inside a 1990 Chevrolet van
that belonged to her husband.
Marquez declared, "An abandoned
vehicle was reported at the park. A
deputy went over to investigate. A
license check was done on the van
and it was discovered that the van
belonged to a missing person. A
foul smell came from inside the
van, and the deputy then opened the
van and discovered the body."
Marquez declared that evidence
indicates Ginder "was abducted
from inside her home. She was
lured outside under false pretenses.
They (the kidnappers) claimed that
the spouse of one of the culprits
had had an accident and needed to
get to the scene. Once inside the
van, she was abducted."
Marquez added. "She was knocked
out inside the vehicle. She was hit
on the head several times and later
stabbed."
The investigator stated, "She was
stabbed about 10 times in the neck
and chest area. The knife was found
inside the van. A kitchen knife was
the murder weapon. She was bound
and gagged and tape was put around
her face."
Marquez said, "Robbery was
apparently a motive. They wanted
some money in order to go to
Chicago. They purchased a lot of
items with the credit card of the
victim and pawned them here. The
woman had $25 in cash in her
possession. The checkbook (of
Ginder) was found and several
checks were missing."
Marquez added, "They originally
planned to steal the van and take it
to Chicago. They purchased tickets
at the local bus station and headed
up to Chicago." He indicated that
Nonn is originally a native ot
Chicago.
Marquez stated, "There were close
to $2000 in charges on the credit
card alone. Three checks were
missing; we still don't know how
much money that amounts to."
The investigator indicated that the
kitchen knife has been sent to the
DPS lab for analysis. He noted,
"We're still awaiting the autopsy
results from the pathologist. We
still don't know when and where the
murder took place."
Marquez indicated on Friday,
"They (the Chicago Police
Department) arc supposed to call
today to see if the suspects are
willing to be extradited. If not, the
process will have to be started to
get an extradition warrant from the
Governor of Texas (in concert with
(See SUSPECTS, Page 5)
RGCCISD trustees approve
audit report for 1993-94
The Rio Grande City CISD board
▼of trustees voted to approve the
1993-94 Audit Report as presented
during their spccial meeting during
the noon hour on Thursday, Dec.
29.
The audit report was presented by
CPA Juan Nunez of Pharr. Nunez
indicated, ' Based on my audit, I was
able to render an unqualified and
% clean opinion.
After the detailed presentation,
Nunez said, "Much improvement
has been made. Many of the items
noted in last year's report were
(completely) corrected and other
have been partially corrected. The
district is on the right track."
Nunez indicated that the district's
total assets as of Aug. 31, 1994
^ amounted to $46,447,329. Cash on
hand amounted to $2,609,038 and
receivables totaled $5,061,828, less
$1,328,061 written off as
uncollce table.
Nunez stated that Fund Equity
amounted to $34,502,349 on Aug.
31, 1994. Accounts Payable totaled
$780,494 and Total Liabilities
amounted to $11,944,980. Total
Liabilities and Fund Equity
amounted to $46,447,329, indicated
Nunez-
Nunez indicated that total
revenues amounted to $40,759,681,
with expenses totaling
$45,829,994, leaving a deficiency
of $4,769,313. The deficiency when
other resources arc considered
amounted to $1,903,147. Nunez
noted that the ending fund balance
was $3,501,494.
Nunez stated, "This year the
district is required to present
information on a budgetary basis,
rather than the gap basis as was the
Wet and wintry siege
hangs over county
^ Early in the new year, Starr
County has found itself in the
throes of an winter cold snap that
also brought drizzly conditions.
Local weather observer Frank
Anderson indicated that the
temperature dropped to 44 degrees
**• on—TttO.-K-luy uicuiujiil Jle said, "It
was 50 or so Monday morning, but'
it got colder from then on."
Anderson added, "The rain has
* been very spotty, hardly enough to
measure and less than .10 of an
inch." He noted, "We had (a low of)
42 the early part of last week."
Mr. and Mis. Elder Neie, who
live several miles west of Rio
Grande City, recorded low
temperatures of 42 on Monday and
43 on Tuesday. They recorded a
high temperature of only 47 degrees
J on Monday al ter recording a high of
69 on Sunday.
The Noies had previously recorded
a low temperature of 41 on Sunday,
which was New Year's Day.
The Neies recorded . 12 of an inch
in the 24 hours that ended at 7 a.m.
Tuesday and .06 of an inch in the
period ending at 7 a.m. on
Saturday, Dec. 31. They recorded
.01 of an inch in the 24 hours
"eiKirrrgTi Monday-
The cold front blew into Starr
County Sunday afternoon and
brought gusty north winds, a heavy
cloud cover and steadily falling
temperatures. Drizzle began to fall
on Monday and became fairly
persistent light rain by late Monday
afternoon.
Soil Conservation Service
District Conservationist Arturo
Ibarra commented that the drizzle
and light rain is bringing good
moisture that could paive essential
for spring growth.
mm
SI-
NEW PEACE OFFICERS- Starr County Precinct Six Constable Santiago Zarate,
Noe Castillo, and Pedro Castillo, Jr., have recently completed a 640-hour training
course at the Laredo Community College Police Academy. They spent four months
in Laredo learning different aspects of law enforcement and they also endured many
hours of physical training. All three men passed the Texas State Police Officer's
examination, the TCLEOSE. Pictured with them is Heraclio "Laco" Flores,
Commissioner of La Grulia, who attended the graduation ceremonies in Laredo. The
city of La Grulla is very proud of these new officers and looks forward to them
serving the community.
1994 eventful and pivotal
year for Starr County
case in the past."
Nunez indicated that General
Fund revenues showed a favorable
variance (from original projections)
of $54,254, while General Fund
expenses showed an unfavorable
variance of $1,734,424.
The fund balance in the general
fund showed a favorable variance of
$1,423,397, while the special
revenue fund balance had a favorable
variance of $832,551. Debt Service
showed an unfavorable variance of
$505,724.
Michael Saenz of the Nunez CPA
firm reviewed the management
letter. Saenz declared, "Review of
bank reconciliations is a major
detection control. Large account
reconciliations were reviewed, but
this was not the case for small
accounts."
Saenz continued, "Accountability
of USDA commodities was not
incorporated into the general ledger.
This should be integrated into the
general ledger on a monthly basis,
using the consumption method of
accounting."
Business Manager Diana Pcna
indicated, "The accounting is there;
it's a matter of recording in the
central office."
Pena added, "The recommendation
is that we ge'. another accountant
for spccial programs, including
cafeteria. It's no longer on its own."
About some of the fund
variances,*PehF"iTTdrcatodr "-There-
were a number of lease purchases
for such items as computers and
buses."
Saenz said, "The district should
adjust and review property taxes
receivable and related accounts on a
monthly basis. The district should
complete reconciliation of fixed
assets from the individual ledgers to
the general ledger on a monthly
basis."
Saenz added, "A complete
(See AUDIT, Page 6)
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
The recently concluded year of
1994 turned out to be a very
eventful and pivotal year for Starr
County in many respects.
Many important events effected
the lives of Starr County residents
during 1994, but six stories stand
out as most important.
Two longtime incumbcnt County
Commissioners were defeated in the
March primary, the new city
government of Rio Grande City
moved forward and took the crucial
action of naming a City
Administrator, the Rio Grande City
CISD Superintendent made the
decision to retire effective effective
Dec. 31, 1994, the ongoing rabies
problem continued to threaten the
safety of Starr County citizens, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) seized ballot boxes and
election materials related to county
elections in early 1994 and late
1992 and Rio Grande City
incorporation election materials
from 1993, and Starr County was
designated by the federal
government as part of a Valleywide
empowerment zone designed to
bring about improvements in the
economy and quality of life.
In the year's top ranking story,
the March 1994 Democratic
Primary elections resulted in a
major shakeup of county
government.
In the Precinct Two
Commissioner's race, challenger
Adrian Gonzalez defeated longtime
incumbcnt Amando Pcna with 51.7
percent of the vote. Pena has held
the position of Precinct Two
Commissioner since 1967.
Gonzalez had run a tight race
against Pena in May 1986.
In the Precinct Four
Commissioner's race, challengers
Abel N. Gonzalez, Jr., and Dr.
Roberto S. Margo received 42.6
percent and 29.4 percent of the
vote, while incumbcnt Reynaldo
"Moreno" Alaniz came just short of
qualifying for the runoff with 27.6
percent of the vote. Alaniz has held
the position of Precinct Four
.-■Commissioner for 24 of the past 28
years.
Also defeated in the March 8
primary were County Treasurer
Jaime Ramirez, Precinct One
Justice of the Peace Arnoldo
Gonzalez, Jr., and Starr County
Democratic Chairman Benito
Saenz. Ramirez was narrowly
defeated by David Porras, while
Gonzalez was defeated by Jaime
Alvarez and Saenz was defeated by
Jose Maria Alvarez, Jr.
Incumbcnts achieving victory on
March 8 were Cnuntv Court-At
Law Judge Alex W. Gabert, County
Clerk Omar Garza, 229th District
Court Judge Ricardo Garcia,
Precinct Six Justice of the Peace
Dewiu Jones and Precinct Three
Justice of the Peace Jose Venecia.
Except for Gabert and Venecia, all
of these victorious incumbents
received less than 60 percent of the
vote.
The only runoff held on Tuesday,
April 12 was in the Precinct Four
Commissioner's race, where Abel
N. Gonzalez, Jr. and Dr. Roberto S.
Margo competed for the position.
Gonzalez served as a Rio Grande
City CISD trustee from 1975-1987
and Margo, a local veterinarian,
also served as an RGCCISD trustee
in the late 1970's and early 1980's.
On April 12, Gonzalez edged
Margo by 97 votes out of slightly
less than 3000 ballots cast.
Gonzalez garnered 1540 votes, or
51.62 percent, to 1443 votes, or
48.37 percent, for Margo.
The newly-elected officials, as
well as those who won re-election,
were scheduled to take the oath of
office in early January.
In the year's second most
important story, the new Rio
Grande City government continued
to progress. Rio Grande City voters
approved the concept of
incorporation in May 1993 and
elected five aldermen and a n.ayor in
November of that year.
In early January, Rio Grande City
voters overwhelmingly approved
two sales tax propositions levying
two cents in city sales tax. The first
proposition approved called for the
levying of a one percent basic sales
tax, while the second proposition
earmarked one-half cent for
economic development and the
other half-cent for ad valorem tax
relief.
Collection of the basic one-cent
tax and ad valorem relief tax became
effective in July, while collection
of the economic development
half-cent tax began in October.
As the year moved along, the city
government process continued to
move forward. On July 7, a special
inauguration ceremonies was held
to officially mark the beginning of
the new city. Numerous county and
(See EVENTFUL, Page 4)
Escobar candidate
for RGCCISD trustee
Gustavo "Gus" Escobar, Jr.. is a
candidate for the Rio Grande City
Consolidated Independent School
District Board of Trustees in the
Jan. 21, 1995 election.
He is the son of the late Gustavo
Escobar, Sr. and Carmen Pcna and
the grandson of Pablo Pcna.
Escobar is 33 years old and a
lifetime resident of Starr County.
Escobar is currently employed by
the U.S. Postal Service, having
served as a rural carrier for the past
eight years.
Prior to this, he worked as a
teachcr's assistant, as a substitute
teacher and for the past two years he
has served as a counselor at Victory
Outreach, working with young men
and teenagers on probation and
parole from drug-related offenses.
Escobar said that having worked
"fir the school distria.h;)s given hirn^
an insight into the problems
"encountering our youngsters on a
daily basis such as lack of books,
dilapidated physical facilities,
outdated portable facilities and
cluttered grounds, to name a few."
Escobar's platfrom includes
"teacher salaries comparable to
those of surrounding areas to not
only attract quality tcachcrs, but to
keep those we already have.'
Escobar contended, The
increasing drug problems in our
Gustavo Escobar, Jr.
schools need to be dealt with."
Escobar emphasized, "Oui
children are the future doctors,
iawrvers; teachers and politicians oi
our community. We must provide
the best education that school hoard
members can provide with their
actions."
Escobar concluded. "As a parent,
taxpayer and citizen, I am most
concerned with the future education
of our children. 1 urge you to
exercise your right to vote The
firsl step towards a belter future for
(See ESCOBAR, Page 5>
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 5, 1995, newspaper, January 5, 1995; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195478/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.