The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. [79], No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1988 Page: 1 of 8
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A 40-year-old resident alien was
charged with murder Tuesday
morning in the Sunday afternoon
shooting death of another resident
alien just west of Grulla, in one of
two homicides that took place
Sunday afternoon in Starr County.
In the other murder, the gunman
remains at large after killing a
43-year-old Roma resident in a bar
in Roma early Sunday afternoon.
About the Grulla slaying, Sheriff
Gene Falcon said that Aurelio
Venegas Galaviz, 40, was arraigned
£ Tuesday morning before Justice of
the Peace Hector "Ivo" Perez and
charged with murder. Bond was set
at $50,000.
sr m# •••-•
Falcon said that Manuel Angel
Degollados Vega was shot once in
the facial area near the right eye
and cheek. He said, "The body was
found at 4 p.m Sunday by the
dump site west of Grulla. It was
reported immediately to the
Sheriff's office. The shooting must
have taken place about an hour
before 4 p.m."
The sheriff expressed the opinion
that "from all evidence, both men
were intoxicated most of the day."
Falcon said that Vega was shot
from the front, with the alleged
assailant just a few feet away. He
said that evidence indicates that
the weapon used was a .32 caliber
handgun. Falcon said, "We're still
looking for the weapon."
The sheriff indicated that "one
shot hit the man. Several shots
were fired out there. I don't know
how many shots were fired at the
victim."
Falcon added that "several
empty hulls and several loaded
hulls were found out there." Falcon
said that the bullet was recovered
by the pathologist, Dr. Ruben
Santos of McAllen.
Falcon said that the suspect,
Galaviz, was in possession of a
resident alien card.
Just a couple of hours earlier,
another fatal shooting had taken
place in Roma Jose Isabel Re-
sendez, 43, of Roma was shot to
death inside the Casa Blanca Bar
in Roma just before 2p.m.
Roma Police Officer Rosendo
Cariales said that Resendez was
shot four times in the back and
once in the wrist. He said that an
unidentified man was hit in the
wrist by a bullet that hit Resendez.
Canales said, "The suspect fled
in an unknown direction and
remains at large. We're trying to
determine a direction (of the
suspect's flight) and physical de-
scription."
Resendez was pronounced dead
at the scene by Justice of the
Peace Roy Pena. Casa Blanca Bar
is located in Roma on U.S.
Highway 83 East.
Canales said that the Roma
Police Department was summoned
at 2 p.m., and added that a witness
had indicated the shooting took
place at exactly 1:58 p.m. Two
police units quickly traveled to the
shooting scene.
Canales stressed, "As of yet, no
motivation has been determined
The case is still under investiga-
tion."
SIM '
The gun used in the slaying has
not been recovered Canales said
that "the empty casings we found
were from a 9-millimeter
handgun."
Canales said, "The shooting
happened very suddenly, according
to evidence. According to wit
nesses, the victim and suspect did
not speak to each other." Canales
indicated that seven persons, in
eluding the victim and suspect,
were inside the bar at the time of
the slaying.
The officer added, "According to
witnesses, the suspect shot from a
range of four to six feet."
maaau
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Specials,
Pgs. 5, 7
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Published in Rio Grande City, Texas, Every Thursday By The Rio Grande Publishing Co.
Pre-kinder children at Ringgold Elementary are pictured above as they
celebrate Veterans Day. During the cclcbration, the teachers explained the
significance of the American flag and Veterans Day. Teachers for the pre-kinder
program at Ringgold Elementary are head teacher Diana Gomez, Alejandro
Mascorro, Linda Olivarez, and Emma Martinez. Teacher aides are R. Earhart, B.
Zarate, Anna Wagner and Dora Garcia.
UT Exes Banquet Honors
Outstanding Students
Students from Starr and Zapata
Counties with records of outstand-
ing academic achievements heard
words of encouragement and
challenge from University of Texas
officials including University Pres-
ident William Cunningham and
former football great Earl
Campbell, at a banquet of UT exes
in Roma Thursday night.
The banquet was held at the
Roma High School cafeteria. Stu-
dents present at the banquet were
outstanding academic achievers
from Rio Grande City, Roma, and
San Isidro High Schools in Starr
County, and Zapata High School
The banquet was held by UT
ex-students in honor of area high
school students that have been
excellent academic achievers All
high school students present at the
banquet are in the top 10 percent of
their classes
Dr. Mario Ramirez led off the
program by saying, "We're honor-
ing the high achievers from Starr
County and Zapata County ."
He added, "Starr County is rich
in human potential and heritage A
total of 30 physicians have been
produced by this community; four
more will be graduating soon "
Ramirez emphasized, "Our chil-
dren are our most valuable re-
source Education is the most
realistic channel through which we
can improve ourselves. In our
community, the family unit is still
paramount."
Dr. Isabella Cunningham, wife of
the UT president, addressed the
students in Spanish, and stressed
the importance of education to
young people and to the state of
Texas, especially South Texas.
In introducing UT President
William Cunningham, Ramirez
said, "He <Dr Cunningham) is one
of the main reasons the University
of Texas excels "
Cunningham noted that the Un-
iversity of Texas at Austin is now
105 years old. He said, "UT is a
mature university...that will
become one of the truly preeminent
universities in the world UT is a
multi-cultural pluralistic society "
He noted that Manuel Garcia of
Rio Grande City was the first
Hispanic student to enter UT when
he enrolled in 1888
Cunningham continued, "The in-
stitution provides countless op-
portunities for students to become
involved in smaller groups. Many
of these opportunities exist because
UT is large and has many
resources."
The UT president emphasized, "I
encourage you to continue your
higher education beyond high
Rabid
■I
oyote Killed In Hio
The second Starr County rabies
case in less than three months was
confirmed late last week after a
coyote was killed in the back yard
of the home of Rio Grande City
residents on Monday afternoon,
Nov 7.
Rio Grande City veterinarian Dr
Roberto S. Margo said Friday, "At
Highway Patrolman Raymond
Munsell's house, a coyote was seen
Monday night The coyote was
acting funny and not shying away
from people The coyote was sitting
there in the back yard He
i Munsell) shot the coyote."
Margo said. "The coyote was
known to have bitten three dogs I
sent the head in and it turned out to
be positive for rabies " The con
firmation, after testing, was made
"hy the Texas Department of Health
in Austin.
Margo said, "He (Munsell)
called me at 6 p.m. The coyote was
a young coyoote, 25 to 30 pounds "
Margo stressed, "The Health
Department is alerting people to
stay away from wild animals such
as coyotes, skunks, bats, and
raccoons, or strange-looking dogs
or warm blooded animals "
Margo said, "If needed, we'll set
up clinics. I urge people to bring
their pets' vaccinations, once a
year, up to date. "
In late August, a coyote later
determined to have been rabid was
killed by a couple living in eastern
Starr County near McCook
school. Recognize the incredible
value of a college education
Pursue your education for reasons
beyond a paycheck or profession."
Cunningham urged the students
to "open your mind to diverse
philosophies. Allow yourself the
freedom to take risks and move
beyond rigidity. You have superb
role models."
Cunningham recalled that Dr
Ramirez was one of the four
speakers at the UT commencement
exercises in 1985 He quoted the
following statements that Ramirez
made:
"Dignity, honor and respect are
human attributes that cannot be
bought or legislated, but must be
earned. Education is the foundation
for earning these attributes."
Earl Campbell, the Special
Assistant to the Vice-President for
Student Affairs and the Heisman
Trophy winner of 1977, told the
students, "Congratulations to you
all You probably don't realize the
high honor that you have
achieved."
Campbell went on to stress the
paramount importance of
academic achievement and a col-
lege education.
Agustin Garza, the Deputy Direc-
tor for Admissions, told the stu-
dents, "It is very important to
continue pursuing the most
challenging curriculum that is
available,"
Mike Novae, the Director of
Financial Aid for UT, said, "It will
cost a lot to get through college,
but the benefits of a college
education will make the costs seem
very small and the benefits very
great We hope you will enjoy your
college experience, wherever it is."
Other honored guests at the
banquet included Mrs. Donna
Bellingham, Administrative Serv-
ice Officer; Mrs Shirley Bird
Perry, Vice-President for Devel
opment and University Relations,
Rev Roy Snipes, O Ml, pastor of
Our Lady of Refuge Church in
Roma. Ricardo Hinojosa, a US
District Court judge and a Rio
Grande City native; and Mario
Yzaguirre, member of the UT
IS-. It \\<,M ET. Pnge S|
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
NO. 2 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17,1988
FIFTEEN CENTS
Commissioners Hold
Issue-Packed Meeting
Bv KENNETH ROBERTS
The County Commissioners, at
their regular monthly meeting
Monday, focused on a variety of
issues, hearing in the process about
a veterans housing program from
representatives of the Texas Vet-
erans Land Board.
Eduardo "Eddy" Gonzalez, Vet-
erans Outreach Field Repre-
sentative for the Texas Veterans
Land Board, told the court, "We
want to inform you of the programs
available for veterans. We've had
some business out of Starr County
but very minimal. Hopefully, this
will motivate the veterans to use
the program."
Gonzalez indicated that the pro-
gram has three facets. The Land
program means that the Board will
loan a veteran up to $20,000 to buy
a minimum of five acres at 8.75
percent interest, on a fixed rate
30-year-loan A five percent down
payment is required.
The Housing program makes
possible a loan of up to $20,000 at 9
percent interest on a 30-year,
fixed-rate mortgage. The current
interest rate on this loan is 9
percent.
The Home Improvement pro-
gram makes possible loans ranging
from $4000 to $17,500 to make
substantial repairs to an existing
home. Loans of less than $7500, the
maximum term of the loan will be
10 years For loans of more than
$7500, the term is a 15-year,
fixed-rate note. The interest rate
for these loans is 10.5 percent, not
including FHA insurance
Gonzalez said, "Our definition of
a veteran is someone that served 90
consecutive days. That includes
National Guardsmen and Army
and Navy Reserves, as well as
those on active duty."
Gonzalez said, "This does not
cost the taxpayers a cent. We use
the credit of the state to buy
obligation bonds. This is helping
the economy of the state of Texas.
Basically, many veterans are
blending this program with VA
loans."
Gonzalez urged anyone with
questions about the program to call
the McAllen office at 686-8387, or go
by the Veterans Land Board office
at 1209 East Hackberry in McAllen
Anyone seeking information
about this program is also advised
to call the Starr County Veterans
Service office at 487-5422.
All claims were approved as
presented by County Auditor Jose
Guadalupe Villarreal. A total of
$130,297 84 in claims in the General
Fund will have to be paid accord-
ing to availability of funds. The
same holds true with $61,441 in
claims listed in the General Fund
Student Council
Sponsoring Jamaica
The Jtio Grande City High School
Student Council will be sponsoring
a Fall Fest Jamaica Friday,
November 18, 1988 The Jamaica
will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Old
Tennis Courts
The Student Council invites all
the community to attend Many
high school organization will set up
booths of all kinds for everyone to
enjoy
Anyone is interested in setting up
a booth, should contact Clarissa
Garcia at school (487-5591) or at
home < 487-2137) before Friday.
charged to Road and Bridge.
Villarreal said, "Taxes are not
coming in as expected We're
having cash flow problems, but not
serious ones. I've made arrange-
ments for payment of roadhands
totaling $16,000. I'm recommending
that we pay around $22,000 in
utilities immediately."
After brief discussion, a con-
sensus was reached that roadhands
and election clerks be paid first,
and that $3000 in electricity and
telephone bills be paid swiftly.
Commissioner Amando Pena
moved to that effect, and his
motion passed without dissent .
Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.. told
the court, "We have a letter from
Judge Lindsey, the Harris County
Judge, that recommends amending
the oath of office for county
officials. They're making the oath
more foolproof. It's a disclaimer
type of thing."
Pena moved, seconded bv Eloy
Garza, that Starr County approve
the proposed amendment.
County Attorney Heriberto Silvu
spoke to the commissioners about
Bias Chapas Portion 82 subdivision
located northeast of Rio Grande
City near FM 755 and Los Olmos
Creek.
Showing commissioners the plat,
Silva said, "Quite a few of the lots
do not meet the subdivision regula-
tions Mr. Chapa is already selling
lots there. Last week was the first
time I've seen the plat."
Silva added, "This is not in any
way in compliance with the subdi
vision regulations. I've notified Mr.
Chapa that he is not legally selling
the lots, and he has ignored this.
He is accusing me of preventing
the plat from being approved by
the court."
He continued, "People are build-
ing next to the Arroyo. According
to this plat, he is subdividing right
|See MEETING. Pa e 5)
Final 1988 General
Election Returns
Final returns from Str.rr County
for the Nov. 8, 1988 general election
were canvassed on Monday by the
Commissioners Court.
One item of unfinished business
is a recount planned for the
Precinct Five Constable race,
where incumbent Noel N. Pena was
challenged by write-in candidate
Lionel "Leo" Laurel. Pena re-
ceived 364 votes to 313 for Laurel
Laurel carried Precinct Four (San
Isidro) by a count of 233 to 215. but
Pena won the absentee vote 149 to
80.
A recount in that race was
planned for Wednesday morning,
Nov. 16 at the County Courthouse
In the Precinct Six Constable's
race, incumbent Honorio H Garza
of La Grulla defeated write-in
candidate Elias Salinas 586 to 335.
The tto.al results in state and
national elections are as follows:
President- Democrat Michael
Dukakis over Republican George
Bush, 6958-1218. U.S. Senate- Dem
ocrat Lloyd Bentsen, Jr over
Republican Beau Boulter- 7128-729
U.S. Congressman- Democrat Kika
De La Garza over Libertarian
Gloria Joyce Hendrix 7096-71
Texas Railroad Commission-
Democrat Clint Hackney over
Republican Kent Hance, 6447-963,
Texas Railroad Commission Jim
Nugent over Republican Ed Em
mett 6681-640; Supreme Court Chief
Justice- Democrat Ted Z Rob-
ertson over Republican Tom
Phillips, 6404-1048; Supreme Court
Justice Place 1 Democrat Lloyd
Doggett over Republican Paul
Murphy, 6764 to 740; Supreme
(*«•«• ELECTION. Paai- i)
Grulla Jr. High Holds
Veterans Day Ceremony
Students at Grulla Jr High
School held a ceremony on Friday.
Veterans Day,to honor America's
past and present veterans.
Grulla Jr High Principal
Merardo Banda told the students.
"We celebrate this day because of
the sacrifices that have been made
by our veterans."
Rio Grande City CISD Supt Dr
A.E Garcia presented resolutions
to families of three veterans -
Rumaldo Rodriguez, Guadalupe
Gomez, and Alberto Ortiz
The featured speaker for the
ceremony was Col Carlan, who
noted that on Nov 11, 1918, the
armistice ending World War 1 was
signed In 1954, Armistice Day was
designated Veterans Day
Carlan noted that a street and
school in Edinburg are named after
Freddy Gonzalez, the Vietnam War
Medal of Honor winner from that
community who died in the con-
flict
Carlan urged visitors to the
nation's capital to visit such
landmarks as the Pentagon, the
Vietnam Memorial, the Marine
Memorial, and the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier
In conclusion, Carlan quoted the
final words of the Declaration of
Independence, and added, "Free-
dom is something we must not take
for granted, but must be continu
ally preserved We need people in
our armed forces who are strong in
mind, body, and spirit "
The U.S. Army Reserve Unit
from Rio Grande City gave a
21-gun salute and played Taps The
flag was raised by the Grulla Girl
Scouts, and the Grulla Jr High
Band played the National Anthem
Jose Solis led in reciting the Pledge
of Allegiance, and Eddie Garza
gave the invocation
Veronica Cortez spoke briefly on
"What is Veterans Day?" Juan J.
Solis spoke on "God Bless the
USA'' Raquel Lopez spoke about
"An Interview with a Veteran
Pedro Villarreal spoke on the
subject, "Why is the Flag Re
spected0"
Eddie Mendoza spoke about
What the Colors of the Flag Stand
For'''' Idani Salinas spoke on the
subject. "Whv Flags for Veterans
Day1"
The Grulla Jr High Band played
both The Battle Hymn of the
Republic", and "America The
Beautiful "
Diana Gonzalez was the Master
of Ceremonies "
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. [79], No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1988, newspaper, November 17, 1988; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195159/m1/1/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.