Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1980 Page: 1 of 10
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TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
VOL XXXV
* * * * RIO GRANDE * * * *
E R A L
No. 23
February 21,1980
FIFTEEN CENTS
i
★
★
★
Starr
Trek
BY MARCELO SILVA
EDITOR
Suppose that a residence is reportedly on fire at Roma and the Rio Grande City
Volunteer Fire Department is called The caller mentions that it is a very big fire.
The volunteers answer the alarm and rush to Roma. While on their way to Roma
another residence is reportedly burning, this one in Rio Grande City.
When the volunteers arrive at Roma they learn it was a false alarm. They rush back
to the fire in Rio Grande City and arrive to find only cinders and ashes of what used to
be a home.
This is a hypothetical situation, but it can happen, if persons continue to call in false
alarms to the Rio Grande City Volunteer Fire Department. This is a very serious
matter, and anyone having knowledge of any such calls should report them to their
local poolice immediately.
On Friday afternoon, February 8,1980, history was made in Rio Grande City. U.S.
Highway 83, also known as Second Street, and Main Street became one-ways.
Westbound traffic goes on Second Street and Eastbound traffic goes on Main Street.
There is one traffic light on Second Street, at the intersection with F.M 755, also
known as Flores Street. Main Street has no traffic lights.
The traffic changes were made because of traffic congestion in the two streets.
That heavy traffic was making pretty near impossible for traffic from side streets to
get into those two main East and West streets.
There is one problem though, and history will be made again if that problem is not
solved immediately, if not sooner. If the traffic speed is not controlled, somebody is
going to get run over, the first fatality of the one-ways
To hold .(own the traffic so that these two streets are not drag strips, as some
people think, at least one traffic stop light is needed on Second Street, and maybe two
of those lights on Main Street, it seems to me.
Perhaps stop lights are not the solution We leave that problem to the experts,
knowing they will act soon.
Also, a serious problem exists, as a result of the one-ways, at the Y's at each end of
town. The traffic is going too fast, and pedestrians are finding it very difficult to
cross. This situation is very dangerous to children going to, or coming from, school.
Children are in danger, but so are the many elderly who walk to the Elderly
Nutrition Center, or to do their errands.
The Herald has received a number of calls from concerned citizens about these
problems. Also, we have contacted various business and civic leaders in Rio Grande
City and find that all are in agreement that something needs to be done, now
We thank the Texas Highway Department in anticipation of their cooperation in this
top-priority matter.
We still do not have any indication of when Starr County will have a public library.
In ':m., 1979, the Starr County Commissioners Court set the creation of a public
library as their number one priority.
It is not fair for anyone who works for the public, whether in federal, state, or local
positions, to go around their daily duties displaying political stickers on their cars,
their notebooks, or in any form or fashion to politick while on the job. It is not fair to
their fellow employees, it is specially unfair to the taxpayers.
Their fellow employees might be made to feel obligated to the candidates named on
the stickers. Everybody should be free to vote for whomever they please.
It is unfair to the taxpayers because they pay for a specific amount of work to be
done, and politicking takes away from that amount.
Roma Cagers Win Sweepstakes
Roma High School won the 16-3A
sweepstakes when the Gladiators beat
Raymondville Tuesday night in the second
gameof a two of three match.
The Gladiatorettes had captured the
district title for the girls' Cagerslast week
with a win over Donna.
It only took the girls two tries also for a
best two of three.
The Gladiators, coached by Jesus 0.
"Chuy" Guerra, defeated the Bearkats, 66-
63 Tuesday night in Raymondville to follow
up a 91-71 trounce over the Bearkats at
Roma last Thursday.
Roma coaches met with West Oso coaches
in Falfurrias Wednesday to decide the
location for next Tuesday's bi-district
contest.
Bazan Found
Not Guilty
A six-person jury in County Court found
Daisy Bazan not guilty of assault.
The verdict in Judge Bias Chapa's court
was returned Feb. 15. Bazan had been
charged with the assault of Gina A. Garza
on July 16, 1979.
/ >.
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1 MM M FORT WNMflDf
... IN««I At i-.'HV
Rio Chamber Of Commerce
To Fight For Railroad
A large number of Rio Grande City
business people Tuesday agreed to continue
the battle to keep the railroad open to their
town, and want to go beyond that-to cross
the tracks to Mexico.
The Missouri Pacific, owners of the
railroad in Starr County, have been seeking
approval from the Interstate Commerce
Commission to abandon the tracks to Rio
Grande City. The I.C.C. has delayed a
decision until April of this year.
The railroad was among the main topics
discussed at the Rio Grande City Chamber
of Commerce meeting Tuesday at the Brass
Bull Restaurant. Several local businesses
took an active part in the discussion, which
was presided over by Beto Garcia, Chamber
of Commerce president.
Ixical real estate broker Joel Guerrero Jr.
explained how there is a very good
possibility to get a railroad bridge to cross
the Rio Grande River in Rio Grande City, to
connect the tracks to the Mexican railroad
about eight miles from the border.
Guerrero, who is president of the Starr
County Industrial Foundation, said a
serious problem for the railroads exists at
the present ports. He said expanded trade
with Mexico has created serious bottlenecks
in Brownsville and other railroad ports and
that an international railroad crossing in
Rio Grande City might be considered.
Both the Chamber and the Industrial
Foundation have been trying to convince the
railroad to continue their service. It was
agreed that the Chamber will share the cost
with the Foundation to send a committee
when railroad officials meet in Brownsville
to discuss the bottleneck situation
The committee will try to convince the
railroad executives about the future
potentials for railroad freight if an in-
ternational crossing is made.
The immediate goal of the Chamber of
Commerce and the Industrial Foundation is
to keep the Missouri Pacific from aban-
doning the tracks.
Dr. Bruno Trevino, executive director of
the Starr County Industrial Foundation,
.-'sked for nil those who htd "eed of the
railroad to come forth with lacto and
figures. Public opinion will not do, he ex-
plained, saying that the I.C.C. needs
tangible proof that the railroad is needed.
On another matter discussed, Garcia said
public opinion does no!, matter either, but
facts would, in the matter of stopping the
industrial waste dump which is planned for
Starr County.
I/jcal businessman Margil Sanchez, who
was not at the meeting, has been trying for
some time to open an industrial waste site in
the P,1 Sauz area of Starr County. Sanchez
has mentioned in other public meetings that
the waste site would generate about 700 jobs
for the local economy.
The Chamber and the Starr County-
Commissioners have already gone on
record opposing the site. So far the fight
against the site has been mainly an
emotional one.
Rodolfo Cantu, president of the First
National Bank of Rio Grande City, said a
hearing on the matter will be held soon, and
if the site is to be stopped, something has to
be done immediately. He said it was up to
the Starr County Commissioners Court to
hire an engineer to look into the matter.
Ixiuro L. I pez,of Triple L. Furniture,
said the Rio Grande Valley Chamber of
Commerce is also in favor of stopping the
industrial waste site from coming to the
Valley.
The main objections to the site have been
that leakage of pollutants might eventually
result, contaminating downstream waters,
including the Rio Grande River.
Geologist George Boyle of Rio Grande
City reported that he and George Edgerton
of Rio Grande City had been asked by the
Rotary Club to do a study on the geological
formations at the proposed site.
Boyle said the formations at the site were
such that it was a good choice for an in-
dustrial waste disposal location
The Chamber voted unanimously to write
the President of Mexico, the Governor of
Tamaulipas, and all the Mayors of the
border communities of Mexico, to get their
support to stop the waste site from being
made in Starr County.
Cynthia liazan yarned
(,rulla Junior High Queen
On February 17, Grulla Jr. High held a with Mrs. J.M. Longoria presented them Flores.
valentine fair at the gym as a fund raising with their prizes. Among those attending the fair were Dr
project. The purpose of the fair was to raise Queen of the coronation and receiving a and Mrs. A.E. Garcia, Supt. of Schools, Mr
funds for the eighth grade class to defray bouquet of carnations and a silver crown on and Mrs. Ricardo Reyes, a school board
expenses that will be incurred during their a beautiful velvet heart was Miss Cynthia member, and Miss Myrthalita Lopez and
promotion exercises in May. Bazan, daughter of Mrs. Celia Bazan of friends from Ciudad Miguel Aleinan
The fair, under the direction of A. Salinas Garciasville. Her escort was Juan Canta
Jr., Mr. J. Villarreal and Mrs. Irma Zepeda, III.
was a huge success. Games and oth°r ac- Firsi runner-up & receiving a carnation
tivities were held at the gym due to the and a gold heart-shaped pendant on a velvet
weather. There was a great response and cushion was Miss Yvette Barrera, daughter
attendance by the public. of Mr and Mrs. Benito Barrera of Gar-
A bar-b-que sponsored by the Grulla ciasville. Her escort was Baltazar Bazan.
Annual Staff under the direction and Second runner-up and receiving a car-
sponsorship of Merardo Banda was held nation and 3 gold chain bracelets inside a
outside. This too was a huge success. heart shaped ceramic box resting on a silk
A cafe was opened under the sponsorship cushion was Miss Melissa Trillayes,
of Mrs. Lucila Venecia and Mrs. Josefa Gil, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Martin Trillayes
the community aides involved with the- Jr. of La Grulla. Her escort was Jesse
Parental Involvement Program from Bazan.
Grulla Jr High and Grulla Elementary The other runner-ups receiving a car-
School. nation each were: Miss Dalia Guzman,
Highlighting this affair was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs Jesus Guzman of
coronation the valentine queen under the Grulla, escorted by Michael Gomez; Miss
direction of Mrs. Neta Granger and Mrs Melissa Bermea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Carolyn Lopez. The presentations were Jose G. Bermea of Garciasville, escorted by
made by Mr. J.M Ixmgoria, Principal of David Garcia; Miss Dalila Garcia, daughter
Grulla Jr High. At the piano was Mrs. of Mr. and Mrs. Fidelfida Garcia of Sullivan
Dorothy Munsell. City, escorted by Joel Ozuna; Miss Irene
The contest was held during the first days Flores, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Enrique
of February closing on the 14th. During the Flores of Grulla, escorted by Damacio
fair, the contestants lined up with their Borrego; and Miss Juanita Villarreal,
escorts. They were introduced and as each daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Macario
winner was anno; need. Mrs. l ,opez along Villarreal of Alto Bonito, escorted by Jamie
! nfhia Rx/nn
J.P. ( larke H
Shop Lifting Charges Made
Alberto Gallardo, manager of Valley Mart
Store in Rio Grande City, filed charges of
theft against Ramon Gonzalez De Leon, 28,
a Mexican alien, on February 10, 1980.
On Feb. 15, Gallardo also filed charges of
theft against Lydia Lopeno, 30, from
Mexico, both in J.P. Arturo Clarke's court.
Charges were reduced to theft of $5.00 or
under in order to file in J.P. Court. Theft of
over $5.00 goes into County Court and in
order to avoid delays of going into court the
charges are dropped to the $5.00 level,
Clarke reports.
Fine paid by De Leon, who spent five days
in jail, was no less than $50.00 and no more
than $200.00. Ms. Lopeno also pleaded guilty
and paid her fine plus costs, Clarke said.
Several cases of shop lifting have been
filed this past year by HEB, who have
security people working in the store. Valley
Mart also has security people working in
their store in order to stop the shoplifting ,
according to Clarke.
F.lida Castillo was charged with
aggravated assault by Alma T. Anderson on
Sunday Feb. 17. Ms. Castillo 28, of Robs-
town allegedly beat Ms. Anderson in an
argument over a boyfriend. Alma Anderson
was in the Starr County Memorial Hospital.
Judge Clarke set bond of $5,000.00 surety
against Elida G. Castillo. This is pending
grand jury investigation, Clarke reports
New CPL Hates
To Become Effective
229th Judicial District
Court Criminal Docket
During February and March CPL
customers will be receiving their first bills
under new rates.
Different types of customers will have
different increases. An average residential
customer will have 6.9 " increase. For
commercial and small industrial customers
the increase will average 18 /_ Municipal
increases will average 30 7a.
These increases were determined after
the company was authorized a $65 million
increase or 13 based on company revenues
during the 12 months ending June 30, 1979.
The reason different types of customers
were assigned different increases was due
to an evaluation of the costs of serving
customers, the risks associated with each
type, and other considerations. The final
formula was the product of the hearings
held on CPL's request
Residential customers in rural areas now
pay the same rate as those customers in
cities. Also the fuel cost adjustment which
applies to ail customers is now required to
reflect the relative efficiency of the voltage
at which customers are served
A part of the development of the rates was
price elasticity, which simply means that a
slight reduction in usage is expected
because of higher rates. The rates will not
change from time to tune because of this
They will stay the same level charge per
kilowatt hour, thus if a customer reduces
consumption the bill will be less.
The last rate increase granted to CPL was
three years ago, in 1977.
The following cases were being set to be
heard in Judge Richard Garcia's 229th
Judicial District Court Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Sandra Garcia, Possession of Marijuana,
Arraignment; Lee Gilbert Garcia, Jr.,
Possession of Marijuana, Arraignment;
Oscar Ramirez, Possession of Marijuana,
Arraignment; Francisco Chapa III,
Possession of Marijuana, Pre-Trial;
Reynaldo Garza, Theft over $200,000, Pre-
Trial; Cyrildo Garcia, Criminal Mischief,
Pre-Trial; Miguel Angel Valenzuela,
Possession of Marijuana, Pre-Trial;
Demetrio Rodriguez, Possession of
Marijuana, Pre-Trial;
Alicia Medina Leal, Possession of
Marijuana, Pre-Trial; Cruz Eligio Salinas,
Possession of Marijuana, Pre-Trial; Jesus
Maria Zarate, Murder, Pre-Trial; Arthur
John Biegaski, Jr., Murder, Pre-TYial;
Alejandro Perez, Burglary, Pre-Trial &
Trial; Alejandro Perez, Theft of Cattle, Pre-
Trial & Trial; Guillerino R. Valencia,
Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Pre-
Trial & Trial; Santiago Clarke, Involuntary
Manslaughter. Trial;
Luis Longoria, Jr., Burglary, Trial;
Rosendo Flores, Attempted Burglary,
Trial; Jose Elias Pena,Aggravated Assault,
trial; Javier Longoria, Burglary, Trial;
Francisco Adame Mendez, Revocation of
Probation, Hearing; Ruby Ruiz, Revocation
of Probation, hearing;Francisco Chapa 111,
Revocation of Probation, Hearing; Juan
Cortez, Jr., Revocation of Probation,
Hearing;
Roberto Madero, Jr., Revocation ot
Probation, Hearing; Rosendo Flores,
Kevocation of Probation, Hearing; Noe
Navejar, Aggravated Assault, Trial; Noe
Navejar, Burglary (Armed), Trial; Noe
Navejar, Aggravated Kidnapping, Trial.
Tee Club Tournament
Se* For Mar.3
TROPHIES FOR TOURNEY— Golf pro Johnny Aguillon Jr and Tee Club
Members Bibi Rivera and Virginia Garcia display the trophies which will be awarded
following the First Annual Invitational Girls High School Golf Tournament. High
school girls from as far away as Alice have registered for the competition which will
be held on Monday, Mar. 3,1980, at the Fort Ringgold Golf Course The contest will be
hosted by Edinburg High School and is sponsored by the Fort Ringgold Tee Club
Utdies Golf Association of Rio Grande City
The Fort Ringgold Tee Club Indies Golf
Association is sponsoring the first annual
invitational girls high school golf tour-
nament hosted by Edinburg High School on
Monday, Mar. 3.
Approximately 50 girls from Alice,
Bishop, Brownsville Hanna, Pace, and
Porter, Edinburg, McAllen and Mission
are signed up for the event.
The Tee Club will sponsor a continental
breakfast and luncheon for the girls par-
ticipating in the ttournament According to
Tee Club members Bibi Rivera and Virginia
Garcia, the public is invited to come and
observe the competition at the Fort
Ringgold Golf Course.
Awarding of trophies is scheduled for 3:30
p.m.
The Tee Club is having their monthly
meeting at 6 30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at
the Pro Shop.
Fifteenth Annual
Starr County Youth Fair
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24th
7:00 p.m. yueen's Contest- High School Auditorium
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27th
i:00 - 9:00 a m . clothing entries due- Multipurpose Center
9:30 - 12:00 a m . of clothing projects
3:00 4:00 p.m . Remove all clothing articles
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29th
3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Homemaking entries due - Multipurpose Center
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. • Livestock entries
6:00 p.m. - Lamb weighing & sifting - Livestock Tent
6.30 - 10:00 p.m. - Judging of Homemaking entries (Not open to public
SATURDAY,
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10 00 a m
10:30 a.m.
11 00 a.m
2:00 p.m
3.00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
MARCH 1 st
• Judging of Farm Shop & Art Projects
Judging ol Parade Floats front of Courthouse
- Parade
■ Official Fair Opening
- Judging of Livestock entries- Arena
• Parade of Champions
- Lamb & Bake Goods Auction - Arena
■ Fairground closes
SUNDAY, MARCH 2nd
2:00 p.m. Rodeo
l.a Sagunada Ranch
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Silva, Marcelo. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 23, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1980, newspaper, February 21, 1980; Rio Grande City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth194755/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.