The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 15, 1988 Page: 1 of 8
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H.-.a3 Book Binderv"
127 Rail Road- a9204'
Sprinaport, Michigan
Valley Mart
Inserts
Inside
THE RIO GRAND
Serving Starr County For Five Decades
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
■ ■■■
Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
NO. 45 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15,1988
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Members of Starr Grande and Rio 4-H are pictured above at Rally Day
registration activities at the Fairgrounds Monday night. A total of 115 members
and parents attended. A number of 4-H adult leaders registered also. Anyone
wishing to be a 4-H member or adult leader should come by the County
Extension Office any time in September.
From Associated Press
And Rio Grande Herald
Reports
Hurricane Gilbert
slammed into the resort
island of Cozumel with 175
mph winds today, and
thousands of people on the
nearby Yucatan Peninsula
fled coastal areas for the
interior.
Residents along the gulf
coast of Texas, 560 miles to
the north, stockpiled food
and supplies and prepared
to evacuate. The hurricane,
one of the strongest in
history, is "extremely
dangerous," the U.S. Na-
tional Weather Service said.
Oil companies evacuated
thousands of workers from
rigs in the Gulf of Mexico,
* * * *
STEPS NEEDED FOR
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
B\ YOLANDA MORADO
Countv Home Economist
Between June 1 to November 30
everyone should be prepared for
hurricanes. According to weather
experts, hurricanes are born in the
carribean, the gulf of Mexico, and
th- tropic tJ nor'M atlantic Two
thirds of them foi'n during August
and September Hurricanes strike
most frequently during September
and October.
The best way to get ready is: -to
know what they are and
to know how often they occur
The key to Hurricane protection
is PREPARATION By taking
sensible precautions before, during,
and after a hurricane, homeowners
and individuals can guard
themselves against the violence of
the storm.
It is also important to become
familiar with terms used in hurri-
cane advisories:
ADVISORY Advisory messages
or "advisories" concerning tropical
siorms and hurricanes give warn-
ing information along with details
on where the storm is located, how
intense it is, where is it moving and
what precautions should be taken
BULLETIN: A public release
from a National Weather Service
Hurricane Warning Center during
periods between advisories, giving
latest details on the storm.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS:
Winds of 74 miles per hour (64
knots) or higher
HURRICANE WATCH: An an-
nouncement issued bv the National
Weather Service to the public
whenever a tropical storm or
hurricane becomes a threat to
coastal areas. This announcement
is not a warning; it indicates the
hurricane is near enough so
everyone in the area covered by
the "watch" should listen for
subsequent advisories and be ready
to take precautionary action in
case hurricane warnings are
issued
SQUALL: A strong wind usually
associated with a thunderstorm or
shower that increases suddenly in
speed, maintains its peak speed
over a period of two or more
minutes, and then decreases
quicklv.
STORM TIDE: The abnormally
high water associated with tropical
storms or hurricanes as they
approach or move across the coast
line.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION: An
area of low atmospheric pressure
originating over tropical waters
with winds blowing coun-
terclockwise around the center at
speeds of 38 miles per hour or less,
TROPICAL STORM: A storm of
tropical origin having winds near
its center greater than 38 miles an
hour but less than 74 miles an hour.
HURRICANE WARNING: A
warning indicating that hurricane
winds of 74 miles an hour or higher
or a combination of dangerously
high water and very rough seas are
expected in a specified coastal
area. When a Hurricane Warning is
announced, hurricane conditions
are considered imminent and may
New Basketball Coach
Takes Reins At Rio High
Ed Messbarger, the new varsity
basketball coach at Rio Grande
City High School, has been active
as both a player and a coach in the
sport for many years
The Rio Grande City CISD board
of trustees voted to hire
Messbarger as the new Rattler
varsity basketball skipper in late
August
Messbarger. 25, was born in
Dallas, but lived most of his early
life in San Antonio until age 15. He
then moved to San Angelo, where
he lived for seven years. He is a
graduate of San Angelo Central
High School
Messbarger's father is Ed
Messbarger. who ranks eighth in
victories among active collegiate
basketball coaches. He served as
head basketball coach at St
Mary's University for 16 years, and
has been the head coach at Angelo
State University in San Angelo for
the past 10 years
Messbarger said, "I did most of
my coaching while I was in college,
for two years at Angelo State
University and Missouri Western
College in St Joseph, Missouri "
Messbarger played one year of
college basketball at Angelo State
Univssity He woun ) up graduating
from Pan American University in
Edinburg
Messbarger stressed, "I come
from a very extensive basketball
background. I've grown up with
basketball "
Messbarger noted that for
1988-89, "I was (originally! going to
be an assistant basketball coach at
|S.r CO \( H. Ptipe 71
begin immediately or at least
within 24 hours. Precautionary
actions should be started immedi-
ately.
GALE WARNING: A warning of
winds within the range of 39 to 54
miles an hour.
STORM WARNING: A warning
of winds within the range of 55 to 73
miles an hour.
"STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE
HURRICANE HITS"
1.) If a hurricane is announced
for your area, loose items should
be moved indoors or properly
secured. Flying things can be
hurled at missile speed through the
air.
-lawn furniture
-garbage cans
-potted plants
-bar-b-que pits
-garden tools
-water sprinkler
2.) Large windows should be
boarded and taped up to protect
them from flying debris or wind
pressure. The tape will not keep a
window from breaking, it prevents
flying glass.
3.) Park car on high ground in
case of flooding The best place for
an auto is in a garage or shelter,,
or any place where trees are not
likely to fall. Fill gas tank in case
evacuation is necessary, make sure
windshield wipers are in working
order, and set brakes after park
ing.
4.) Shade trees should be in good
physical shape before going into a
hurricane. So inspect the trees
around your house for weakness.
Any loose limbs or palm fronds
should be cut down to prevent them
from becoming a tool of destruc-
tion.
5.) In advance before storm hits
set freezer to its lowest setting as
insurance. A freezer should keep
food in satisfactory condition up to
36 hours provided it is kept closed.
If the power goes off another
alternative is to wrap the freezer in
blankets to insulate cold.
6.) If you live in a low area that
might flood-evacuate- don't take
chances, no one can ever predict
the amount of water that follows a
storm. When you evacuate and go
to a shelter take with you:
-wash cloths
-towels
-soap
-paper cups
-paper plates
-bedding
blankets
-matches
-can opener
-cooking utensils
-cooking unit
-toilet tissue
(See HURRICANE. Page 3)
according to reports from
New Orleans.
The National Weather
Service in Miami said the
eye of the storm was near
the island, 12 miles off the
Yucatan coast, at 9 a.m.
EDT. Gilbert was reported
at latitude 20.4 north and
longitude 86.6 west moving
west northwest at 15 mph.
Gilbert pounded the
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica and the low-lying
Cayman Islands Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday. At
least 11 people were re-
ported killed, and at least
60,000 were left homeiess in
Jamaica. Rescue teams
worked desperately to re-
store utilities and com-
munications in the shattered
areas.
Starr County Judge J.M.
Martinez, Jr., told The Rio
Grande Herald Wednesday
morning, ''We're meeting
with the school board to-
night to draw up a prelimi-
nary plan. Representatives
of all the utility companies
will be on hand "
Judge Martinez, who will
be supervising all civil de-
fense efforts, said, "I feel
the county is prepared to
face whatever comes. You
add on to the (emergency)
plan as the need arises. If
we need to expand on the
plans tomorrow, we will."
Starr County Sheriff Gene
Falcon told The Herald on
Tuesday, "The Weather
Bureau is afraid that it
might intensify."
Falcon said, "WE're
preparing to make sure that
all our emergency com-
munications systems are
working. We are preparing;
it is always best to be
prepared in advance."
Chief Deputy J C. Gomez
said, "We're getting the
generators ready in case of
power failure. We're
checking our generator at
the radio tower north of
town."
In Brownsville, Cameron
County Sheriff Alex Perez
said he has already posted
special schedules for his
officers to follow if a hurri-
cane watch is issued.
"We've contacted all the
schools for shelters, to see
which ones we'll be using
this time," said Perez,
"We're getting all the e-
mergency generators ready
for the jails, and getting
extra gas for the patrol cars
and getting everything set
up. It seems like it will be
coming this way, so we are
getting prepared."
In a telephone call early
today, receptionist Pablo
Torres of the Carrillos Hotel
in the Yucatan resort of
Cancun said about 150 peo-
ple, most of them tourists,
were crowded in the lobby
on sofas and chairs.
"We are full, and there is
not one tourist now in the
(See GILBERT. Pap.- «|
Court Nixes Tax Discount;
Discuss Park Matters
Bn KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday, the County Commission-
ers agreed to policy decisions made
by the Fort Ringgold Park Board,
and voted against the idea of a
discount for early payment of
taxes.
Justice of the Peace Hector
Ivo" Perez addressed the com-
missioners, noting that he is a
member of the Park Board. He
pointed out that the Park Board
held a meeting on Aug 25 in Rio
Grande City in an effort to hammer
out solutions to several pressing
matters.
Perez said, "The reason we had
that meeting was because of a
tremendous increase in the light
bill in only a few months." He
noted that the light bill had
increased from $94.06 in April to
$414.22 in August.
Perez indicated, "People want to
have a Winter Softball League." He
pointed out that a consensus had
been reached that control of the
park keys should rest with him and
Federal Program Coordinator
Javier Margo.
Perez said. "Lights were staying
on until 4 or 5 in the morning. One
group had the keys to play all
night, while the others did not."
He added that an agreement had
been reached to charge $50 per
team, and an additional $2 for each
player. The purpose of this, he
said, is to make up for the huge
increases in light bills over the past
few months. He indicated that the
winter league teams will play two
games a week, over a period of six
weeks.
Precinct Three Commissioner
Eloy Garza said, "I have main-
tained that park out of my budget.
The whole county uses that park.
These funds should be in a separate
budget." Perez responded, "We
agree that this should be in a
separate account " Garza stressed,
"I have paid for all damages out of
my budget."
Perez noted, "We also suggested
a deposit for the keys. We have
recommended that the back gate
be closed (to traffic) We will try to
- lease the concession stand on a
contract basis. West of the road is
supposed to be a dry area "
Javier Margo said. "We do have
money to put up signs (noting the
dry area). There have been some
problems Some teams have been
practicing every day while others
have not been able to We do not
want use of the keys to be
monopolized by only one group "
Margo suggested. "We could set
up a fund similar to the Airport
Board to defray some of the
IS. . DISCO! "ST. | ae< t|
Golf Course 's Future
Hangs In Balance
4
The Fort Ringgold Golf Course
was closed for over a week in the
early part of September, but has
been reopened in hopes that new
management can be brought in
Owner Pete Diaz. Jr . told The
Rio Grande Herald on Tuesday.
"Right now, the course is open It
was closed for a couple of weeks I
reopened it yesterday "
Diaz added, "We're going to test
it for another month or two I'm
going to try to work out an
arrangement " He said that the
main economic problem for the
course has been the lack of local
golf players
Diaz said he is still optimistic
that an arrangement can be
worked out to keep the golf course
operating He added, "The most
promising thing is that the winter
tourists will be coming ir, another
month or two "
Diaz concluded, "At the present
time, the course is in beautiful
shape "
He stressed that for the course to
survive and ultimately thrive, "We
need more Rio Grande City people
to become interested in golfing
Diaz indicated that golf pro John
Aguillon, who had been operating
the course on a lease basis since
May 1, departed suddenly in early
September Diaz said that he is in
charge at the Pro Shop at the
current time
Aguillon has told friends that no
one could make an investment in
the golf course with the limited
30-dav contract offered bv Diaz
iuTfir4«
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The future status of the Fort Ringgold Golf Course, pictured above, is in doubt.
Owner Pete Diaz, Jr., has said that he will probably close the course unless
business shows encouraging gains in the next month or two.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 15, 1988, newspaper, September 15, 1988; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195150/m1/1/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.