Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 19, 1995 Page: 1 of 8
eight 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:
(T
215
Hoag Book Bindery
1. ; wail Rd
Springport, 111 49^04
(Zone 6)
RAATf)£
weekly in Rio Grande City, Texas every Thursday by The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
USPS 466-200
VOL. 82, NO. 42, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 , 1995
25 cents
*
At Friday's re-dedication ceremonies for the Rio Grande City Fire Department, a
number of citizens were honored for their past and present contributions to fire
protection. Pictured in the front row are David Villarreal, on behalf of the late J.D.
Villarreal; Arturo Trevino, Jr., on behalf of Arturo Trevino, Sr.; Adalberto Gar/a,
Pete Diaz, Jr., Ramiro Molina, on behalf of "Cliema" Molina. In the second row are
Alderman (red Mar go, Alderman Baldemar Gar/a, honoree Martin Galvan, and
Aldermen Jesus "Chuy" Solis, Manuel Canales and Lauro Lopez. Fourth from right
in the third row is John Hull of the Texas Forest Service. Standing at his right are
State Rep. Irma Rangel and honoree Ffrain Duran.
Trustees learn about grant,
hear concerns about safety
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
on Tuesday evening, Oct. 10, the
Rio Grande City CISD board of
trustees heard expressions of
concern from several citizens that
safety in the district's schools is
threatened by growing .inrest and
g.ing activity and also iearneo about
a new SI.2 million grant that has
been awarded to the district in the
area of bilingual education.
The expressions of concern took
place during the "Open Forum"
period designated for public
comments.
Board President Juan M. Cantu
commented, "The g;ing problem \ -
a community problem, not just a
school problem." He declared that
the district s concern about t.ie
problem was the reason lor an Oct.
5 meeting of district administrators
and local ministers that was called
by Superintendent Ramon
Hinojosa.
Trustee Francisco "Paco" Zarate
declared. 'We have an obligation to
ICS will
celebrate 110th
anniversary
Immaculate Conception School
cordially invites all clubs,
organizations and sororities to come
celebrate the school's I 10th
anniversary at the Fall Festival on
Oct 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In order to set up booths for their
organization, clubs, organizations
and sororities should contact ihc
school.
Twenty live percent of the profits
will be donated to Immaculate
Conception School. For
information or .reservations,
interested persons should contact
Sister Christine of ICS at 487-2558
or Carmen Pcna of the PTO at
487-5168.
have sale schools. I don't know
what can be done, but we need to
get working on a with the
administrators."
Rio Grande City resident Dalinda
Escobar said, "I found out that a
handgun was found. It blew my
mind. Parents should know what is
going on. It's gelling to the point
that parents arc afraid to send their
children to school."
She contended, "The dress code
lor some of our students should be
changed. Baggy clothes should not
be allowed. The problem is within
the schools."
Superintendent Hinojosa later
told The Rio Grande Herald that a
ample ol high school students
involved in possessing a handgun
on school grounds were expelled for
the remainder of the school year as
a result ol a hearing before the
school board on the evening of Oct.
10.
Robert Elizondo said, "As At
Risk Coordinator at the (Ringgold)
middle school, I happen to see
many of the problems. Quite a <<'w
have become involved in using
cocaine or crack cocaine. Some of
them want to quit. More young
ladies are getting involved in this."
Elizondo added, "A committee
has been formed. TEC ATA could
provide a S4()(),0()() grant. Five
percent matching support is needed
from the local community. The
county has already approved a sum
ol S5000.'
Cantu said, "I talked with Mr.
Lopez and asked him to get in
touch with Mr. Hinojosa (the
superintendent). I understand the
application deadline is Oct. 18."
High School teacher Julio Saenz
commented, "Our principal has
gone out of his way to help, but he
can only do s~v miich."- — -
Hinojosa later told The Rio
Grande Herald, "Concern was
expressed about middle school
Three suspects charged
in drive-by shooting
Three suspects voluntarily turned
themselves in to the Rio Grande
City Police Department on
Tuesday, Oct. 10 in connection
with a drive-by shooting in the
northeast section of Rio Grande
City on Sunday evening, Oct. 8.
City Marshal Guadalupe Marque/
indicated that Jose Luis Echevcrria,
26, Jimmy Newman, 26, and Israel
Omar Pcna, 33, were all arraigned
later on Oct. 10 before Municipal
Judge William Page and charged
with attempted murder and
organized criminal activity.
Marque/, stated that bond was set at
S.30,000 lor each individual.
Carlos Rodriguez, 35, and a
14-year-old juvenile were slightly
injured as a result ol the Oct. 8
incident. Marque/ previously
indicated that Rodriguez was struck
in the chest by a bullet fragment
and was treated and released from
Starr County Memorial Hospital.
The juvenile sustained a minor
injury when he was struck in the
linger by a bullet fragment
Shortly alter the incident.
Marque/ slated that six shots were
fired Irom the street toward ihe
house.
students and high school students
hav ing to share the same lunch for
15 minutes."
About the gang issue, Hinojosa
said, "I \c talked wiih the principals
at both the middle school and the
high school about security. We're
working to increase parental
involvement and input. We need to
train people on how to react to
situations. The whole community
will have to respond."
The superintendent emphasized,
"We want to contain these episodes
at an early stage at the campus
level."
Hinojosa informed the trustees
that the district has been awarded a
grant of $1,250,005 for the
Comprehensive Accelerated Dual
Language Project. The grant is a
Title I Bilingual Education
Comprehensive Grant that is being
provided b> the U.S. Office of
Education.
Enrique Gonzalez, the district's
Bilingual Director, indicated, "One
of the three applications went
through. This project will be
implemented at Hinojosa
Elementary and Grulla Elementary,
which are heavily impacted by LEP
(Limited English Proficiency)
propulalions. He noted that
UT-Pan American will be
collaborating wiih the district on
the project.
The trustees approved applying
lor classroom waivers for three
district schools. Director of
Elementary Education Josie Gucrra
declared, "The cutoff date for the
waiver came a little earlier on Sept.
15. Three schools are slightly over
the limit."
She indicated that at the
beginning of the school year,
Roquc Guerra Elcmcantary was 13
-simUutiuuer tjie 22;1_ratio in the
first grade. North Grammar"
Elementary was four students over
in kinder and Grulla Elementary
was two students over in the fourth
grade.
Guerra said, "They have given
Valley schools the option of asking
for which 12 weeks they want
(exemption from the waiver)."
I he trustees approved the district
improvement plan as presented.
Assistant Superintendent Richard
Iri/.arry said, "Each year we have
slightly different ways ol arriving at
a plan. We looked at last year's plan
to see what could be continued,"
In/any added, "This year is on a
data base. A summative will be
done ai the end ol the school year.
A report can be provided at any
given lime." Hinojosa later said,
"This involves input at both the
campus and district levels."
The trustees discussed a bid for a
(See TRUSTKFS, Page 6)
Ceremony focuses on
Fire Dept. past, future
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Dedication ceremonies were held
Friday morning for the Rio Grande
City Fire Department, which
operated for many years under the
auspices of the Starr County
government, and many living and
deceased individuals were honored
lor their contributions to lire
protection over the years.
Among the featured speakers and
honorees at the ceremony were
State Rep. lima Rangel of
Kingsvillc and John Hull of the
Texas Forest Service. Both
individuals played key roles in the
Fire Department acquiring a used
Texas Forest Service lire truck in
recent weeks.
Throughout the ceremony, city
officials and current Fire
Department leaders paid tribute to
the late O F. "Speedy" Guffey, the
longtime chief of the Volunteer
Fire Department until his death in
1987. Guffey was instrumental in
organizing the Volunteer Fire
Department in the late 1940's.
Guffey s widow received a special
plaque honoring both her and
Guffey for their work with the Fire
Department over the years.
The following individuals also
received awards for their roles in
furthering l ire protection over the
years: Pete Diaz, Jr., Martin Galvan
and El rain Duran. Arturo Trevino,
Jr., accepted an award for Arturo
Trevino, Sr.
The following individuals were
honored posthumously: J.D.
Villarreal, award received by David
Villarreal; and "Chcma" Molina,
award received by Ramiro Molina.
Leading off the ceremony,
Alderman Fred Margo expressed
gratitude for ihe presence of county
officials and Roma city officials.
He emphasized, "This is something
we have been working towards for a
long time. We didn't expect to take
on this obligation this soon, but
did so due to certain circumstances.
Because of the importance of lire
protection, we couldn't afford NOT
lo assume this role."
Margo declared, "We're thankful
to Rep. Rangel because she was
able lo acquire this truck from ihe
Te\as Forest Service.' He also
expressed gratitude lo John Hull of
the Texas Forest Service.
Margo fervently praised Mrs.
O.F. Guffey, widow of the late fire
chief. He commented, "I'm sure
Speedy is looking down on us and
I'm sure he's very proud of what the
department has become. We miss
you.
Margo then read a brief history of
the Fire Department. Exccrpls arc
printed below as follows:
"The first lire protection service
lo be offered in Rio Grande City
was through the U.S. Army
stationed at Fort Ringgold. The two
fire trucks were housed on the
grounds of the Fort in what is now
a warehouse located near the Lee
House. When the Fort was closed
in the late forties, the lire trucks
and equpimcnt were deeded to the
Rio Grande City Independent
School District in the same deed
which conveyed the properly that
became the school grounds.
In 1948, Mr. Pete Dia/., Jr., was
instrumental in organizing the iirsl
volunteer lire department in Rio
Grande City. The first meeting was
held in the old Future Farmers of
America building in Fort Ringgold.
Mr. Dia/ was able lo arrange for
training for the volunteers arid the
lirst instructors were Mr. Johnny
Economides of Edinburg and Mr.
Or\ 11 le Guflcy of Weslaco. The
Volunteer Fire Department, through
fund raisers and hard work,
purchased different pieces of
equipment including the first
resuscitator to be used in the city
and a boat for the rescue of
drowning victims. Although ihe
Volunteer Fire Department was
under lie auspices of the
RGCCTSD and was primarily lor
the protection ol the citizens of Rio
Grande City, they did respond to
lire calls outside the City area -
alter first notifying a member of the
schcxil board.
"In the 1960s, the city's need for
a lire station was recognized. Mr.
Efrain Duran, then School Board
President and Commissioner of
County Precinct No. 1, was able to
strike a bargain between the School
Board and the county government -
if the school donated the land, the
County would build a fire station.
Alter obtaining a tract of land from
the School Board, a collaboration
was formed between Mr. Duran,
Mr. Arturo O. Trevino of Zarsky
Lumber Company and Mr. Chcma
Molina, a local contractor, to
construct the building. Because of
the limited county budget, the fire
station took two years to buiid but
still stands today and still serves the
community for which it was built.
"Mr. and Mrs. Orville "Speedy"
Guffey moved to Rio Grande City
in 1949. Speedy was quickly
(See CKRKMONY, Page 6)
Hinojosa seeks input,
meets with ministers
The Rio Grande City
Consolidated Independent School
District is making a strong effort to
involve local religious leaders,
media and governmental agencies
in helping its students.
Ramon Hinojosa, RGCCISD's
new superintendent, met for nearly
two hours with local church
leaders, newspaper editor
municipal court judge and a
supervisor of Texas Department of
Protective Services on Thursday,
Oct 5 at the Multi-purpose Center
"Sometimes we're so focused on
the schools that we forget the
community,'' Hinojosa said
Hinojosa was seeking ideas from
a diverse and perhaps untapped
source of local leaders on how to
help the district's students and
solve juveniles' problems
involving graffiti, gangs, drugs and
dropouts.
"Hopefully, working as a team
we can establish some good
programs for our children."
Hinojosa said
The new superintendent believes
youngsters need more opportunities
to help them succeed and avoid
problems
"'We need to encourage kids, not
put barriers in front of them,"
Hinojosa said at the informal first
meeting
He said it was time children are
given a chance to prove themselves
"We label people without giving
them an opportunity to succeed,"
he said
As examples, Hinojosa said
children who like to fight should
have Golden Gloves available,
children who like to scribble
graffiti should be able lo contribute
to creating a mural on a designated
wall
Hinojosa envisions a lime when
Ihe new City of Rio Grande City
builds a Center for Performing
Arts, where young people could go
to release their talents, energies and
creativity in constructive ways.
Regarding gang and graffiti
troubles, Juan M Cantu, school
board president, said the district
needs to be involved with the city
(See HINOJOSA, Page 8)
Proclamation on Oct. 23 to
kick off Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week kicks off in
grand style on Oct 23 when the
Proclamation Ceremony will be
held at the Starr County Court
House.
-• Th(MHuiualceremojiy. sponsored _
by the Rio Grande City High
School Student Council, is
scheduled to start at 9 a m and
feature speakers who will lout anti-
drug and alcohol behav ior
"The Red Ribbon Campaign, for
almost 13 years, has worked to
mobilize the grassroots to take
action against the unlawful use of
alcohol and other drugs," said
Rocl Smith, special programs
coordinator
Red Ribbon Week is from Oct
23-27 and includes various
coordinated activities al all 11
RGCCISD campuses
"Red Ribbon Week is a powerful
way thai was developed to aid in
helping communities link forces
and develop a strategy for
impacting the drug abuse
problems," Smith said
Following the ceremony a parade
of Student Council members and
local dignitaries will make us way
from the Court House to the Multi-
purpose Center, where a reception
will take place at 10:45 a m
"This year the whole community
is invited to attend this ceremony
and join the parade."' Smith said.
Twenty students representing
each "s'chool campus hi the Starr
County area will be at the
ceremony They will participate in
the parade during which the Rio
High marching band will perform
To involve students more in Ihc
week of activities, there are going
to be theme days
They arc:
Monday "Reverse Peer
Pressure" (Students wear clothes
inside-out
Tuesday "Put a Cap on Drugs
(Students wear caps)
Wednesday "Don't Lit Drugs
Give You the Blues" (Students
wear denim blue)
Thursday "Don't Let Drugs
Cut Your Life Short" (Students
wear shorts).
Friday "Red Day" (Students
wear red shirts)
An assembly is set on Oct 25 at
the High School Students
attending will be taught why not to
use drugs and listen to guest
speakers. Smith said
"This year the Rio Grande City
school district in collaboration
with community agencies plan to
make this campaign the best ever.
Smith said
_Thf pommittec planning Red
Ribbon Week activities is
scheduled to meet Oct 17 to
specify who the speakers for the
Proclamation Ceremony will be,
Smith said
"We're try ing to acquire speakers
to make it more of a local effort."
lie said "We're even thinking of
having a student be a speaker, one
who used to be a (drug or alcohol)
user w ho lias turned around
A member from the m.dical or
law enforcement communities
might also supply a speaker
The Red Ribbon Week steering
committee met rcccntlv to hammer
out details
"The most significant thing that
came about at this meeting is that
they wanted all campuses to conic
up with individual campus
activities to follow up
proclamation ceremony activities,"
Smith said
(See RIBBON, Page 81
\
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. 82, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 19, 1995, newspaper, October 19, 1995; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195518/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.