Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 12, 2001 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
April 12 , 2001
88th Year, No. 15
#215
IIOACi BOOK HINDI KY
127 RAII. ROAD
SI'RINGI'ORT. Ml 49204
/.ONI 6
Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
' State officials discuss RGC water needs, options
By KENNETH ROBERTS
The water and wastewater needs
in the Rio Grande City area and
possibilities for suite and federal
^grants or loans for meeting those
' needs were discusscd in detail by
two Texas Water Development
Board officials at a meeting of the
Starr County Good Government
League on Tuesday night, April 3
at the Immaculate Conception
Parish Hall in Rio Grande City.
Noe Fernandez, vice chairman of
the Texas Water Development
Board, and Ignacio Madera, in
charge of colonia matters for the
TWDB, made presentations and
answered questions concerning the
city's water and wastewater
requirements. Fernandez has been a
TWDB board member for more than
one decade.
Madera indicated that Rio Grande
City has clear water and wastewater
needs that amount to $90 million,
with water alone accounting for
$59.5 million.
During the presentation,
Fernandez emphasized that the city
should seek all possible assistance
to maximize its funding and added
that the TWDB was willing to help
in any reasonable way.
More than 500 animals vaccinated at free clinic
This dog was one of more than 5CX) pels that were vaccinated Saturday at the free rabies clinic in front of
Texas State Bank in Rio Grande City. The clinic was carried out under the auspices cf the City of Rio
Grande City Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S. Margo indicated that more than 500 animals were vaccinated
Saturday, an increase of approximately 100 from the 2000 clinic. Margo emphasized, "1 was very pleased
with the turnout. The bulk of those who carne Saturday are people who wouldn't vaccinate otherwise.
People can come in at their leisure during the year and vaccinate their pets, or do the same somewhere else."
Court hears report on Foundation
projects, Detention Center
By KKNM.'H ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday morning, the County
Commissioners received an update
from the Starr County Industrial
Foundation about ongoing projects
and were provided a monthly report
concerning the Detention Center
population.
Foundation Executive Director
Hector Solis indicated, "The Rio
Grande City Board of Aldermen
approved the industrial park plat.
The plat has been recorded at the
County Clerk's Office. Warranty
deeds can now be issued."
"I thank the Commissioners
Court for their patience in this
process," emphasized Solis. "I
thank the County Clerk's Office for
expediting the paperwork. We think
we can keep the prospect that had
threatened to leave. We will follow
up on funding applications at the
state and federal levels." He added
that if the prospect remains, it will
likely serve as an anchor for efforts
to obtain additional funding.
Concerning commercial
prospects, Solis noted, "Applebcc's
has revived their attempts for
financing for a possible restaurant."
He indicated that construction of the
new Best Western Hotel in Rio
Grande City will begin in earnest
this week. Financing for an adjacent
restaurant has been arranged and
will move forward as expected.
Solis noted that on March 16,
County Judge Eloy Vera and
delegations from the cities of Rio
Grande City and Roma, as well as
Industrial Foundation board
members and staff, met with Texas
Department of Transportation
(TEXDOT) District Engineer
Amadeo Saenz in Pharr to discuss
the proposed U.S. Highway 83
relief route, access roads and
possible future industrial park
locations. Concerns were expressed
about the relief route's location and
the number of access roads that will
be planned.
Rose Benavides of the
Foundation indicated, "We will be
traveling to Washington from May
6-9 to discuss border issues. We
have secured meetings with
(See FOUNDATION, Page 6)
City meeting canceled for lack of
quorum, rescheduled for April 17
The regular April meeting of the
Rio Grande City Board of
Aldermen, scheduled for Thursday
night, April 5, was canceled due to
lack of a quorum and was
tentatively rescheduled for Tuesday
night, \pril 17.
The three aldermen absent were
Mayor Pro Tern Lauro Lopez and
Aldermen Ruben D. Saenz and Juan
DcLuna. City Secretary Holly
Guerrero indicated that Lopez had a
court case, Saenz had to deal with a
family illness, and DcLuna was out
of town.
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares indicated, "i told the
engineer not to come because of the
anticipated lack of a quorum. That
way, we won't be billed by them."
JROTC passes inspection
with flying colors
RCiC'CISD News Release)
I he JR<) K Rattler Battalion was
busily preparing for a scheduled in-
spection on March X, 2001, but the
inspection came a day early for ca-
dets. I'he Unit Army Inspector from
Fort S;im Houston conducted the in-
pection on March 7 and commented
positively about the group
I'he inspector was impressed with
the professionalism and confidence
of the cadets, upkeep of the facilities,
and the support provided by the Rio
Grande City CISD. The inspector
mentioned that facilities were well
organized and in better condition than
some of the active Army supply
rooms. Due to the excellent rating the
battalion received, there is no doubt
the unit will again be recognized as
Unit Honored with Distinction.
Even with a few hours notice the
cadets felt confident about the whole
inspection and knew their hard work
had paid off. Congratulations for a
job well done!
The two officials were also asked
if any missteps in following
required procedures for procuring an
engineer would result in any loss in
funding. Madera responded that if
there were any failings in that area,
the city would likely be required to
reprocure engineering services.
As his presentation began,
Fernandez noted, "Our main work is
arranging financing. We have
several programs, some utilizing
federal monies and some using state
monies. The suite helps sell bonds
and utilizes its credit to make
financing arrangements. The EDAP
program involving colonias is
especially dear to my hear."
"My prime job is to help arrange
financing for water and wastewater
(WOMAN'S CLUB,
STUDY CLUB HOST
DISTRICT
CONVENTION, SEE
PAGE 3)
projects from EI Paso to
Brownsville," declared Madera.
"Loans usually cover a period of
20-25 years. EDAP projects supply
funding for water and wastewater
projects where there were none
previously."
Madera added, "Regionalization of
projects offer possibilities...The
Clean Water Revolving Fund and
the Safe Drinking Water Fund are
capitalized by the federal
government. Congress appropriates
the funds. TNRCC evaluates needs
of the community in relation to
needs of other communities and
ranks them. Communities can
challenge their ranking. The interest
rates with federal programs are
lower."
"Solicitations have gone out for
the 2000 funding cycle," noted
Madera "Our sister agency,
TNRCC, will be in the process of
ranking. The Starr County Water
District began the EDAP project
on Las Lomas. We haven't yet been
able to finalize the project. That's
the only EDAP project I'm aware
of."
Madera added, "The city has
submitted an application to be
included in the intensive use plan
for wastewater.. A community
typically has the chance to
reimburse itself if the expenses : re
eligible."
He continued, "We are currently
ranking applications. The Starr
County Water District started the
EDAP Project in Las Lomas.
We've not been able to finalize the
project (which now involves the
city of Rio Grande City). There are
no other EDAP applications
involving the city of Rio Grande
City. The city has identified an
estimated need totaling $90
million."
"Right now, Rio Grande City has
(See WATER, Page 6)
RGCPD executes seizure
of576 pounds of marijuana
The Rio Grande City Police
Department executed the seizure of
576 pounds of marijuana valued at
almost $330,000 near the
northeastern outskirts of Rio
Grande City in the predawn hours
of Saturday morning.
Captain Eli Gonzalez indicated
that Lite seizure resulted from an
anonymous tip indicating that
illegal aliens might be situated
inside the bed of a pickup truck. No
arrests were made, but seven
individuals, possibly illegal aliens,
jumped out of the bed of the pickup
and fled into a nearby wooded area.
Officers conducted a search for the
fleeing individuals, but no suspects
were apprehended.
When officers focused their
attention on the pickup truck,
numerous bundles were found in the
bed of the vehicle. Approximately
576 pounds of marijuana were
discovered. Gonzalez indicated, "The
marijuana was contained in 40
bundles. The marijuana was
wrapped in cellophane." The
marijuana had an estimated street
value of $327,744, noted the
captain.
Gonzalez stated, "On Saturday
morning, April 7 at about 5:20
a.m., we received an anonymous
call that there was a red Dodge
pickup with Mexico plates, with
illegal aliens possibly in the bed of
the truck. This happened near Water
and Lopez Streets."
The truck involved was a red
Dodge Ram pickup registered in
Frontera, Tamaulipas, said
Gonzalez, who added that the
pickup was apparently an early 80's
model.
The captain noted, "When the
officers got the call, they were
traveling southbound on FM 755.
They encountered the truck
traveling north on Flores Street.
The truck was weaving from side to
side."
Gonzalez continued, "The truck
started to slow down and came to a
stop just south of Country Estates.
Seven possible illegal aliens
jumped out of the bed of the pickup
and fled into a wooded area east of
FM 755. A search was conducted
but none of the possible aliens wa1
apprehended."
Gonzalez declared, "The
investigation is continuing and vi!<
continue. The truck has been
impounded." Anyone with
information about this incident is
encouraged to contact the Polk;
Department at 487-8892 All
information will be kept
confidential.
Roma Customs inspector'
make six major seizures
U.S. Customs Inspectors at the
Roma Port of Entry have kept busy
this past month, effecting six
significant marijuana seizures and
arresting three fugitives.
The largest single marijuana
seizure occurred March 16. A U.S.
Customs Inspector referred a 1986
Ford Crown Victoria for a
secondary examination after a
roving Inspector using a density-
measuring device ("Buster") noticed
discrepancies in the tire area.
During a canine search, Customs
Canine "Kaika" alerted to the
Crown Victoria's tires.
Upon closer examination, U.S.
Customs Inspectors discovered 8N
pounds of marijuana hidden in
compartments in the tires. The
marijuana has an estimated stree!
value of $88,000. Inspectors
arrested the driver, Sharon Lee
Castillo, 39, of Wichita Falls,
Texas and turned her over to U.S.
Customs Special Agents, who
obtained federal prosecution on
chargcs of possession with intent to
distribute a controlled substance
Castillo was released pending
further investigation.
The most recent seizure occurred
on April 3. A U.S. Customs
(See CUSTOMS, Page 6)
Police Chief Guadalupe Marquez
told the mayor and two aldermen
present that "We're having
problems during the day. We have
three officers during the day.
Because of the shortage, we can't do
funeral escorts any more."
"The Police Department is doing
a good job, considering the limited
staff," commented Olivares. "If we
want to continue with the same
level of services or upgrade
services, we'll probably have to
consider a property Uix (in the not-
too-distant future)
Mayor Baldcmar Garza
commented, "I think Mr. (Lauro)
Lopez was referring (at the previous
week's meeting) to the item
'submission of a grant application
for water and wastewater treatment
plants.' It had been on a draft
agenda (for March 29). None of the
aldermen nor I asked for it."
Garza expressed his belief that
this was the item about which
Lopez had complained had been
deleted by the mayor irom the
(See CANCELED, Page 6)
f. H I
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RGC High JROTC passes March 7 inspection
The Rio Grande City High School JROTC passed a scheduled inspection, conducted a day early on March 7
Pictured left to right are: (First row) Cadet 2nd Lt. Cindy Falcon, Cadet Captain Daisy Garcia. Cadet Li
Colonel Carolina Pcna, Cade, Captain Maria Alaffa, and Cadet 2nd Lt. Beatnz Gonzalez. (2nd row) Major
David A. Rutledge, Cadet Captain Venus Barrera, Cadet Sgt. First Class Sandra Cruz, Cadet Master Sgt.
Arasch Moreno, Cadet 2nd Lt. Daisy Martinez, Cadet Master Sgt. Veronica Pcna, Cadet Master Sgt
Gumaro Barrera, Cadet Command Sgt. Major Adam Silva, Cadet Major I idcl Garcia 111, Cadet Major
Christian I rbma. Cadet 1st I t. Aaron Hinojosa, Cadet Suiff Sgt. Brcnda Zunta, Cadet 2nd 1 t ( clut Zurita,
Cadet I st I t Amy Reyes, Cadet 2nd Lt. Jaime Garcia and Master Sgt. Marco A Pcna. (RGCCISD photo).
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 12, 2001, newspaper, April 12, 2001; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195841/m1/1/: accessed July 13, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.