Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 25, 2001 Page: 1 of 8
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«
THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
Oct. 25, 2001
88th Year, No. 40
Herald
#215
IIOAG BOOK HINDI KV
127 RAIL ROAD
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A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
'h
'Teach the Children' helps Alto Bonito students
Alto Bonito Elementary recently received school kits from "Teach the Children" and Channel 5. The
students were grateful and excited to receive these donations. Pictured above arc Alto Bonito students and
Mrs Adeline Cantu. School administrators emphasized that thanks to "Teach the Children", Alto Bonito
Elementary students are better equipped to succeed. (RGCCISD photo).
County okays boundaries
for commissioner precincts
At their spccial meeting Monday
morning, the County
Commissioners unanimously voted
to approve proposed redistricting
boundaries for the four
commissioner precincts to conform
to the 2000 Census.
County Judge Eloy Vera later
told The Rio Grande Herald, "There
won't be much change from 1990."
At the meeting. County Attorney
Romero Molina indicated,
"Basically, a power line will serve
as the dividing line between
Precincts One and Two. North
Garza Road will be the dividing line
between Precincts Three and Four."
"C'harco Blanco Road will
continue to serve as part of the
dividing line between Precincts One
and Four," declared Precinct One
Commissioner Jaime Alvarez.
"Highway 83 will also be part of
the boundary."
"From what 1 gathered, there was
consensus among the court on the
lines," said Molina. "I started with
a different database and had to
switch to different software, which
causes some difference among
numbers."
Precinct Three Commissioner
Eloy Garza suggested, "If we go
straight down, that will give me an
equal number." Molina stated,
"We're looking at a margin of error
at around 500."
After the commissioners gave
unanimous approval to the
commissioner precinct boundaries,
Molina declared, "The next step is
for me to meet with the
commissioners to see how they
want their precincts set up for
voting places."
Alvarez commented, "I'm
satisfied with mine the way they
are. I can live with what I have."
Vera suggested, "Early voting is an
issue that can be dealt with later."
Vera later commented to The
Herald, "There won't be much
change from 1990. The biggest
change would be from
Commissioner Garza's precinct to
Commissioner (Abel) Gonzalez's
precinct. Commissioner Garza's
precinct grew considerably in
population, so his precinct had to
lose some territory and population.
Much of that change occurred in the
Las Lomas area."
"Precinct One experienced some
growth, so much of the Rancho
Nuevo area near Roma went over to
Precinct Two," added Vera.
"Between Precinct Four and
Precinct One, Precinct Four gained
some population south of U.S.
83."
The judge emphasized, "We
wanted to avoid meandering types
of boundaries. Commissioner Garza
basically wound up with the
biggest precinct in population. It's
not a big margin.".
Vera concluded, "Now we'll work
on voting precincts and Justice of
the Peace precincts. The general
consensus seems to be to leave
tilings pretty stable."
Concerning another issue, the
commissioners voted to approve a
request by District Attorney
Heriberto Silva to authorize him to
continue with the cooperative
working agreement with the Drug
Enforcement Administration and the
District Attorney's Office 229th
Judicial District to sign any
documents related to the agreement.
The commissioners approved the
granting of easements for the Roma
EDAP Projects. The easements
involve roads in the Escobares,
Garceno and Fronton areas. Molina
explained, "It's my opinion that
these roads have been dedicated by
implication over the years."
Students from GMS, ICS
attend GEAR UP program
Students from Grulla Middle
School and Immaculate Conception
School attended the second annual
GEAR UP Kick-Off Conference
held at Texas State Technical
College in Harlingen on Tuesday,
September 25
Gina L Gonzalez, GEAR UP
Facilitator for GMS and ICS,
accompanied the students, along
with several teachers and parents
from each campus
Letty Valadcz-Garza of Channel
5 TV served as Mistress of
Ceremonies for the Opening
Session, held at the TSTC Field
House Point Isabel High School
Tarpon cheerleaders and volunteers
from the various schools helped get
things off to a rousing start
Welcomes were given by Dr J
Gilbert Leal. TSTC president, and
I> Sylvia R Hatton, executive
director of Region I Educational
Service Center, which sponsors the
GEAR UP Program in twenty-five
middle schools throughout the
valley
University of Texas-Pan
American Head Basketball Coach
Bob Hoffman gave a motivational
talk entitled "Finish the Course,"
encouraging the students to PLAN
for their future Persevere,
Defendant in Roma
motel murder acquitted
A 49-year-old man originally
from Cuba was acquitted by a Stan-
County 229th District Court jury
on Wednesday night, Oct. 17 of
murder charges in the slaying of
another former Cuban native in a
Roma motel in Octobcr 2000.
Felix Nibaldo Perez was found
not guilty by the jury at
approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday
after two and one-half to three hours
of deliberation. He had been charged
with murder in the Oct. 17, 2000
slaying of Enrique Roman Morales,
49, at the Roma Inn motel.
Martin Guadalupe Moreno, 33, of
Roma was convicted of murder in
Morales' death by a Starr County
229th District Court jury in June
2001 and sentenced to 15 years in
the state prison system.
Morales' body was found buried
on Dec. 8, 2000 in the back yard of
an abandoned residence in Roma by
the Roma Police Department. The
body was found almost two months
after a large amount of blood, but
no body, was found in a Roma Inn
North Grammar plans
Red Ribbon activities
R<i( ( ISI> News Kt'lt'ust'
October 25, 2001- "Don't Lei Drugs
Give You The Blues" presentation by
Mr. Bocanegra, Mr. Alcazar, and Ms.
Drumont (Police Officer). Students
and stall will wear blue denim.
October 26. 2001- "United We Stand
for a Drug I ree Land" presentation
by Ihe U.S. Border Patrol (in class-
rooms). Students and staff will wear
drug free shirts.
October 2l>, 2001- "Shade out
Drugs" and Ihe District Drug Free
Parade will be at 6:00 p.m. Students
and staff w ill wear sunglasses.
October 30, 2(H) 1- "Put A Cap On
Drugs" in which students and staff
will wear caps.
Octobcr 31,2001- "Halloween Scare
Drugs Away" in which the students
and staff will wear Halloween cos-
tumes.
motel room on Oct. 17, 2000. An
investigator for the Roma Police
Department slated in December
2000 that the victim was apparently
struck in the head with a blunt
object.
Perez was defended by Rio Grande
City attorney Calixtro Villarreal,
Jr. The Rio Grande Herald
attempted to contact Villarreal on
Friday and again on Tuesday, but
was unable to reach him.
Assistant District Attorney Hilda
Gonzalez declared on Friday,
"Obviously I am not pleased. We
presented our case to the best of our
abilities. We allowed the judicial
system to take its course The
defense attorney handled his case to
the best of his ability."
"We had a very reluctant
witness," stated District Attorney
Heriberto Silva. "Jurors apparency
had problems with her credibility. I
believe he (the defendant) was
involved in a drug deal that led to
this individual's death, jurors
apparently had doubt he was
involved in the actual murder."
Silva added, "There was a delay in
finding the body. For that reason, a
lot of evidence could not be
recovered."
Gonzalez commented, "We had a
case involving circumstantial
evidence. The defense attorney did
his best to point out perceived
weaknesses. Basically, it seemed
that the jury did not believe one of
our witnesses."
The case was prosecuted by
District Attorney Silva, Assistant
District Attorney Gonzalez and
Assistant District Attorney Rodolfo
Gutierrez. The final arguments for
the prosecution were given by Silva
and Gutierrez
Gonzalez declared, "He (Perez)
has a prior federal conviction for
bank robbery in the mid-1980's in
Louisiana. He is still on federal
parole. The federal government
could act on the remainder of his
sentence."
Gonzalez argued, "I still believe
(See ACQUITTED, Page 8)
RGCPD offers safety tips on
dealing with anthrax threat
The Rio Grande City Police
Department has expressed
confidence that it is well prepared to
deal with any potential problem
regarding attempts to spread
anthrax.
Police Department Captain Eli
Gonzalez indicated Thursday, "We
wish to advise our citizens that we
are prepared in case we have a
situation involving possible
anthrax. Right now there arc no
known threats to our city or
county."
Gonzalez declared, "There have
been two cases of anthrax in the
Valley in the last 30 years. There is
a greater chance of being killed in
an automobile accidcnt due to not
wearing a seatbelt than dying due to
anthrax...Anthrax is a treatable
disease, especially in its early
stages."
As of Thursday, Oct. 18, there
had been no confirmed cases of
anthrax exposure anywhere in
Texas.
The Center for Disease Control
Starr STCC campus
celebrates bond passage
knowing education is in your best
interest, Lay out your goals,
dividing the goal into do-able parts.
Attitude is important to accomplish
your dreams, and Now—don't
wait! These four items are the key
to hi ving an effective PLAN," he
stated, stressing that "If you fail to
plan, you plan to fail " Hoffman
concluded by urging the young
people to "Be who the Lord has
given you the ability to be "
Students formed career cluster
groups to attend breakout sessions
Rtti take tours of the TSTC
campus They selected the four
career pathways offered by Texas
State Technical College as courses
of study. Allied Health,
Engineering, Business and
Computers, and Industrial and
Manufacturing TSTC instructors
led the sessions
Spccial sessions were also
provided for parents to attend
Their sessions were provided by
TSTC, Educational Resource
Consultants. DAAMARS Inter-
national Education Consultants, the
Med Ed Program of the University
of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio, and Avance Edu-
cation Consultants
Community and business
(See PROGRAM, Page «T
A spccial celebration was held
Thursday night at the Starr County
Campus of South Texas
Community College (STCC) near
Rio Grande City to celebrate the
passage of two bond propositions
on Sept. 29.
The two propositions were
approved by Starr County voters by
greater than a 10-1 margin, which
proved decisive in their ultimate
passage since a majority of Hidalgo
County voters voted against both
propositions.
Proposition One authorizes the
issuance of S97.5 million in
construction bonds. Proposition
Two authorizes an additional three-
cent tax increase to help finance the
maintenance and operation of the
new facilities.
STCC President Dr. Shirley Reed
told the audience gathered in the
amphitheater, "We owe a lot to you
for your role in passing the bond
issues. Wc worked hard in Hidalgo
County, but wc didn't quite get to
the pace you did." Reed noted that
Manuel Benavides, Jr., of Starr
County is now chairman of the
STCC board of trustees.
(See CELEBRATES, Page 8)
emphasizes that the public should
not panic. The CDC has issued
guidelines on how to deal with
anthrax threat incidents.
The CDC indicates that anthrax
organisms can cause infection in
the skin, gastrointestinal system, or
the lungs. To do so, the organism
must b' rubbed into abraded skin,
swallowed, or inhaled as a fine,
aerosolized mist. Disease can be
prevented after exposure to the
anthrax spores by early treatment
with the appropriate antibiotics.
Anthrax is not spread from one
person to another person.
For anthrax to be effective as a
covert agent, it must be aerosolized
into very small particles. This is
difficult to do, and requires a great
deal of technical skill and special
equipment. If these small particles
are inhaled, life-threatening lung
infection can occur, but prompt
recognition and treatment arc
effective.
In dealing with a suspicious
unopened letter or package that
could potentially contain anthrax,
individuals should take the
following steps:
(1) Do not shake or empty the
contents of any suspicious letter or
package.
(2) PLACE the envelope or
(See ANTHRAX, Page 8)
CMS, ICS Students Attend GEAR UP Conference
Gina L. Gonzalez. GEAR UP Facilitator for Grulla Middle School and Immaculate Conception School, is
pictured at right with students from GMS and ICS who attended the second annual GEAR UP Kick-Oft
Conference held at Texas State Technical College recently Also attending were -oenil teachers and
parents from each campus.
; •
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 25, 2001, newspaper, October 25, 2001; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195965/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.