Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 93, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 17, 2006 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
August 17, 2006
93rd YEAR No. 33
#215
HOAC. BOOK BINDERY
127 RAIL ROAD
SPR1NGPORT.M1 49204
ZONE 6
Rio Grande
HERA
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
RGC aldermen okay tax rate, told of election changes
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RGCCISD orientation welcomes new teachers
The Rio Grande City CISD welcomed 88 new teachers to the district as the Human Resource-
Department organized a teacher orientation for them at the Multipurpose Center on Aug. 8. 200ft.
Some of the teachers who are from out of state were hired through the Teach for America program. "A
Salute to Teachers" was the theme for the 2006-2007 school year. The school district welcomes the
2006-2007 new teachers, who are pictured above. (RGCCISD photo).
Escobares man sentenced
for sexual abuse of daughter
An Escobares man was
convicted on Thursday. Aug 3
of three offenses related to
sexual abuse of his biological
daughter that was said to have
taken place over a five-year
period.
On Friday, Aug. 4. Juan
Arnulfo Villegas, 49, was
sentenced by a 229th District
Court jury to 20 years in prison
on one charge of indecency with
a child, 15 years on another
indecency with a child charge,
and 20 years for attempted
aggravated sexual assault.
Assistant District Attorney
Judith Pena indicated that on
Monday. Aug. 14, the judge was
scheduled to "decide whether the
sentence will run consecutively
or concurrently. Consecutively
will mean that the sentences
will be served in their entirety,
one on top of the other. If this
happens, he will be sentenced to
55 years (in prison)...He will be
officially sentenced on Monday,
Oct. 14."
Pena added, "If the sentences
are concurrent, he will be
sentenced to at least 20 years and
it will be at least 10 years before
he's eligible for parole."
The prosecutor explained, "He
was convicted of abusing his
biological daughter for at least
live years, from age II to 15.
He was indicted for only three
incidents."
Assistant District Attorney
Hilda Gar/.u declared, "it is our
County talks need
for food inspections
At their regular monthly
meeting on Monday morning.
Aug. 14, the County
Commissioners discussed the
idea of stricter inspections of
mobile food vendors after
expressions of concern by a
health advisory committee.
Tom Botero spoke for the
Health Advisory Committee.
She indicated, "The panel has
been meeting for over a year.
We've had several walk-a-thons.
A Diabetes Task Force has held
monthly meetings. The
Domestic Violence Task Force
has held candlelight vigils."
Botero added. "Local
physicians are concerned that
mobile food vendors are not
being properly inspected. People
have become ill...We urge you
to take a close look at mobile
food vendors."
"The support of the
Commissioners Court and Judge
Vera has made our efforts
possible." she continued. "Our
partners are Community Action
Council (of South Texas), Starr
County. Rio Grande City CISD.
Roma ISD and Texas
Department of State Health
Services."
Nancy Keene, Public Health
Preparedness Nurse with Region
1 1 of TDSHS. noted. "The
county doesn't have ordinances."
Precinct One Commissioner
Jaime Alvarez declared, "Within
the city, the City of Rio Grande
City deals with that problem and
has shut down a couple of
people."
County Judge Eloy Vera
explained, "Someone from the
county would have jurisdiction
within the cities if the county
approves an ordinance."
Concerning the planned
Courthouse Annex. a
representative ol the architectural
firm indicated. "We had a one-
week delay. It only affected one-
fourth of the slab It will mainly
(See COUNTY, Page ft)
Great News For Expectant Mothers!
Five Star Rated
For Maternity Care
2nd Year in a Row.' '
Mission Regional
Medical Center
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly
meeting on Thursday evening,
Aug. 10, the Rio Grande City
Board ol Aldermen approved the
effective tax rate as the 2006 tax
rate and were informed of
significant changes being
required in the conduct of this
year city election.
After presenting the 2006
certified tax roll, County Tax
Assessor/Collector Carmen A.
Pen;i indicated, "I have consulted
with Mr. Zuniga (the City
Administrator), the mayor, and
Holly (Guerrero). Last year's tax
rate and the proposed tax rate are
listed. Also listed is the taxable
value (of over $254 million)."
Pena stated, "I'm
recommending a rate of .2922,
which will increase the tax levy
by $55,000. Last year's tax rate
wa- .2900."
City Administrator Juan
Zuniga commented, "The
rollback rate is 36 cents, but
that would require additional
hearings and advertisements.
Sometimes taxes increase
because of increased valuations."
Aldermen Eloy R. Garcia then
offered a motion that the tax rate
ol .2922 per $100 valuation be
approved as recommended. The
motion was unanimously
approved. Mayor Pro Tem
Ruben O. Villarreal declared.
"There is no increase in taxes."
Pena stressed. "The rate is
increasing very slightly because
of the property valuations."
In a motion moments earlier,
the aldermen voted to accept the
certified tax roll for tax year
2006.
City Secretary Holly Guerrero
told the aldermen, "There have
been a lot of changes forced on
cities by the state (in conducting
elections). There must be at
least one machine for disabled
voters at each polling place. We
need to use the county locations
-- Roque Guerra and North
Grammar -- for the November
election."
Guerrero continued, "The
county is unable to loan voting
machines. We're looking at
considerably higher costs, from
$5000 to $20,000. Early voting
will continue here (at City
Hall), with a touch-screen
machine and an optical scanner."
"Election Day voting will be
at Roque Guerra and North
Grammar," stated the City
Secretary. "There will be a
separate ballot counter for
Election Day. Election Day
voting will not take place here.
The City of Roma is faced with
the same situation. We're
working with and supporting
each other."
Guerrero noted in conclusion.
"We have to write the (U.S.)
Justice Department by Aug.
24."
After brief discussion, the
aldermen voted to adopt
Ordinance No. 2006-4 amending
Chapter 4. Animals and Fowl,
by providing for registration of
dogs and cats.
Zuniga explained. "This is a
respond to many calls we've
received about animals running
loose. Many of these animals
are unregistered and
unvaccinated."
Villarreal asked, "Do we have
the manpower to enforce this .'"
Zuniga replied. "This will give
us the ability to warn and cite
people " Villarreal commented,
"I think this is a good first step
toward making sure pet owners
are responsible for their
animals."
The aldermen -voted to approve
a contract for professional
(See ALDERMEN, Page 6)
understanding that this happened
regularly and frequently over five
years." Pena stated, "Evidence to
that effect concerning the regular
abuse-Avas not admitted because
it could have been highly
prejudicial and subject to error
We did not want to require the
victim to recount every single-
episode of abuse."
"I want to thank the jurors and
tell them that they did the right
thing." emphasized Pena. "The
message was loud and clear; this
will assist us in dealing with
other sexual predators."
Pena added. "These sentences
were very tough; I asked them
(the jurors) to send a message
that Starr County will no longer
tolerate the sexual abuse of
children. I asked them to send a
message on both the verdict and
punishment."
Pena explained. "One
indecency charge involved
inappropriate touching of the
(See SENTENCED, Page 6)
Football season
tickets to go on
sale Aug. 21-25
The Rio Grande City Athletic
Department will place 2006
football season tickets on sale
for season ticket holders
only from Monday, Aug. 21
through Friday. Aug. 25.
The tickets for season ticket
holders only will be on sale at
the Athletic Department Office
at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium. The
tickets will be sold from 8:00
a.m. through 3:00 p.m each
day. The price per package is
$25.00, or five home games at
$5.00 each.
Tickets not purchased by 3:00
p.m. on Friday. Aug. 25 will go
on sale to the general public the
(See TICKETS, Page 6)
MHMH
RGCCISD hosts 'A Salute for
Teachers' Orientation for 2006-2007
RCL'CISD News Release)
The Rio Grande City CISD
hosted the new teacher
orientation on August 8. 2006 at
7:30 a.m. in the Multipurpose
Center. Board members and
community members along with
the 88 new teachers were in
attendance.
Teachers were also given a
historical tour of the Fort
Ringgold grounds and all the
schools throughout the district.
The tour was conducted by local
historians R C. Salinas and
Samuel Ramos
The Master of Ceremonies for
this event was Mr. Gilberto F
Gafcia, Assistant Superintendent
for Human Resources. The
group was welcomed by Mr.
Roel A Gonzalez
(Superintendent) and Mr.
Basilio D. Villarreal, Jr. (School
Board President).
Villarreal welcomed the new
teachers and gave them a
special message. "On behalf of
the RGCCISD and communitv
let me welcome you! Welcome
to a school district that is on the
move. In this district children do
come first, they are paramount
and what you do today will be
alive for many years to come."
said Villarreal.
Gonzalez had the following
words to say to all new teachers
for 2006-2007 coinciding with
the theme of the event. "Only in
America can you get up and go
to work, to the mall, to the
movies and that comes with
freedom. As I welcome you to
education and to-your schools let
me tell you we have a bunch of
incredible students and
teachers," said Gonzalez.
Mrs. Josie Guerra (Assistant
for Curriculum and Instruction),
and Mrs. Thelma Ramey
(Assistant Superintendent for
Finance and Operations)
presented new teachers with
important information pertaining
to their perspective departments
The Pledge of Allegiance was
led by Stephanie Trejo ( 2005-
06 BESTT class Representative)
and the Invocation by Mr. Jorge
Recio ( Rio Grande City High
School Principal). Entertainment
was provided by the RMS
Mariacni under the direction of
Mr Jose l.uis Mascorro A very
(See TEACHERS, Page 6)
rPB3
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*
Mayor speaks at new H-E-B grand opening
Rio Grande City Mayor Kevin Hiles is pictured above as he offers remarks during the grand opening
and ribboncutting for the huge new H-E-B plus! store on Thursday. Aug. 3. Hiles praised H-E-B i«>i
being one of Starr County's leading employers and commended them for consistentlv providing
quality service and products. To Hiles' left is Shellev Parks, H-E-B Director of Public Affairs
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 93, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 17, 2006, newspaper, August 17, 2006; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196026/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.