The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 19, 1990 Page: 1 of 10
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THE RIO GflANDE HERALD
Publitbrd week)/ In Rio Craadc City, Ttiti, every Thursday by The RiO Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
USPS 466-200
Vol. 80, No. 21, Thursday, April 19, 1990
25 Cents
HiJMr WlIXfNtK- issls Vela, a sophomore at Rio Grande City High School, was named
recipient of the coveted HOBY (Hugh O'Brien Youth) Award given annually to an
outstanding sophomore. Issis, at left, is the daughter of Lucinda Hlnojosa Vela. She
attended the HOBY Foundation Leadership Seminar held recently in San Antonio, along
with Clarissa Redo, last year's recipient, who attended this year as a counselor.
Counselor Santos Porras heads the selection committee for the award, sponsored
annually by the Florence J. Scott Study Club and the Rio Grande City Woman's Club.
Suspect Charged In Homicide
A 42-year-old man remains
incarcerated in the Start County jail
alter being charged in the shooting
death ol a La Casita native at a
ranch north of La Rosita Sunday
allcrmx>n.
Noc Corrando Alvarez, a resident
ol the Agua Verde Ranch, turned
lumsell in at the County Jail
approximately two hours alter the
shooting Sunday afternoon, lie was
later charged with murder in the
death ol Agustin Lope/. Ill, 30.
Alvarez was arraigned before Justice
of the Peace Dewiit Jones, Jr. who
set bond at SIM),(KM).
SheriII Gene Falcon said that
Lopez was shot twice at
approximately 3:30 p.in Sunday
inside a home at the Rancho Verde
Ranch, located north ol the La
Rosita area about six miles north ol
I S. Highway 83. Lope, was shot
once in the neck and once in the
head, said the sheriff
Falcon indicated that a .222 rilie
was used to lire the fatal shots. He
said, " I he gunman was a short
distance away from the victim,
anywhere between 10 and IK leet.
We think there were several shots
tired inside the residence
An autopsy of the victim was
performed by Dr. Ruben Santos of
McAllcn.
The sheriff said, "Our
investigation is continuing," adding
that early evidence indicates there-
had been a argument between the
two men prior to the shooting.
The sheriff said, "We have two
material witnesses that arc in
custody. The episode took place
inside a home; everyone else was
outside while the shooting took
place inside.
Chachalaca Refuge Dedication
Ceremony Set For Friday
i
A dedication ceremony will be
held Friday at 10 a.m. for a wildlife
refuge at the far west side of the
Fort Ringgold school complex near
the banks of the Rio Grande River
O . hi Rio (jrandc City c "ISD board
ol trustees has tentatively
designated the 60 acres as a wildlile
refuge. David Porias. active in
working for the refuge, said, We
named the park on behall ol the
bud. The chachalaca is on the
endangered species list, but has
been making a comeback.'
Porras indicated (hat a
™ representative from the Texas
Secretary of Agriculture's office
will be on hand lor the ceremony.
A representative on Froutera
Audobon ^ ill also be present
Rcniio Trevino, Jr , vice-president
Rattler Spring
Football
* Workouts Start
April 30
The Rio Grande City High
Rattler football team will begin
their spring workouts starting
Monday, April 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Head Football Coach Jorge Luis
A Pena said, "We re looking at a lot
ol young kids at some very
important positions. Looking at the
quarterback position is the number
one concern He indicated that the
quarterback candidates arc Carlos
Margo, Narciso Posada, Mike
Ramos, and Gcrardo Dc La Cru/.
Pena added, "We're going to
implement the Split Six defense."
a The new linebacker coach will be
Gary Hargcns of Alice, and Dave
Hart of Gregory Portland will be
die new delensive coordinator.
Pena indicated that the lirst
scrimmage will lie Saturday, May 5
at 9 a.m. The second scrimmage
will be Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m.
The varsity spring game is
scheduled for Friday, May 18 at
Q 7:30 p m The freshman spring
game will take place Thursday,
May 17 at 7 p.m.
ol the Rio Grande Wilderness, inc.,
will speak about the significance of
the wildlife refuge and the need to
preserve native habitat.
Porras said, "We'll cut a ribbon,
uncover a sign, and plant a tree."
The 60 acres, he indicated, is
located behind Ringgold Primary
School and the Fire Department
building on the banks ot the Rio
Cirande River.
Benito Trevino, Jr., said, "In an
effort to preserve our native habitat
and its wildlife, we, the officers,
and members of Rio Grande
Wilderness Inc. wish to propose
that the strip of brush which is
located by the river from the small
park on the east end to the water
pumping station on the west end
and along the fence on the north
side and to the river on the south
end be designated as a Chachalaca
Wildlife Refuge.
I he area w e propose to place in
protection is on the Hood plain of
the Rio Grande River. The most
recent flood occurred during
Hurricane Gilbert's heavy rains. It
is this occasional flooding that
makes the area unsuitable for
habitation or for other construction
purposes. On the other hand, n is
its wet, dry conditions which allow
a large number of plants and
animals to exist. The area provides
nesting, food, shelter and resting
places for native as well as
migratory birds. Several rare plant
species are also present in this area
that need to be protected and
propagated if possible.
"This area contains the
endangered Sabal palm (Sabal
Texana) found only in South Texas
and in Mexico The Tcpcguajc,
with its fern-like foliage and the
rare Buttonbush (Caphalanthus) just
to name a few.
"We propose to save this area and
use it as an outdoor laboratory for
students K to 12th grade, and to
provide an educational environment
(See RKFIIGE, Page 2)
Conoco Donating Trees
For Earth Day
The Conoco District based in
Corpus Christi is donating S500
worth of trees to help in the
observance of Earth Day in the Rio
Grande City area on Sunday, April
22.
Earth Day will be celebrated
throughout the United States in an
effort to raise awareness about
environmental issues.
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
said. On behalf ol the people of
Starr County, I want to thank
Conoco for their concern about
environmental protection and area
bcaulification. 1 hope this will
enable organizations and individuals
to become fully aware about Earth
Day's goals. The commissioners
have expressed their desire to help
with the labor.
Roy Baits, the field operations
foreman lor Conoco at Rincon,
said, "Conoco will be donating
$500 worth of trees to aid in the
County Seeks Action On
Livestock Port Designation
Starr County government leaders
are fervently pushing the federal
government to declare Starr County
a livestock import-export
designation, contending that this
action would create many new jobs
locally.
County Judge J.M. Martinez, Jr.,
said, "The public's input is greatly
needed. This is very important to
the economic development of the
county."
Precinct Four Commissioner
Reynaldo "Moreno" Alaniz. said,
"This would boost our economy
quite a bit, possibly creating 180 to
200 jobs in county feed lots."
Alaniz indicated, "This idea
started with the Beef Committee in
1985. We've been trying to get it
anywhere in Starr County, at
Roma, Rio Grande City, or Falcon
Heights."
Alaniz noted, "I wrote letters to
Senators Bentsen and Gramm and
Congressman Kika De La Garza
with signatures from 200 cattle
producers in South Texas. Right
now, the senators say that USDA
sees no need for such a facility in
Starr County."
James W. Glosser, Administrator
of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, wrote
the following letter, dated March 9,
to Sen Gramm:
"Thank you for youi letter on
fan. 25, 1990, on behalf of Judge
Jose M. Martinez, Jr., concerning
the possibility of designating
Roma, Texas as a port of entry for
Mexican cattle.
"We iccogr.ize Judge Martinez'
interest in the availability of
additional port services along the
Texas border, and we have
thoroughly considered the
possibility of establishing a new
port at Roma. All cattle that enter
the United Slates from Mexico are
currently inspected on the Mexican
side of the border. Although we
recognize that a new port could be
convenient for some exporters,
under current conditions we believe
Rabies Clinic
Saturday In
Roma
A clinic to vaccinate pets
against rabies will be held
in Roma this Saturday.
The clinic will take place
from 11 a.m. to noon in
front of Ramirez Firestone
in Roma.
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto
S. Margo stresses the
importance of all pet owners
bringing their pets to be
vaccinated. He emphasizes
that the current rabies
epidemic shows no signs of
slowing down.
that the capacity of our facilities is
sufficient to handle cattle imports
in this area and that opening an
additional port would not be an
efficient use of our resources."
Alaniz lamented that the nearest
port of entries for cattle are 100
miles away in Laredo and
Brownsville. He said that this
obviously poses much
inconvenience for many South
Texas cattle producers.
Alaniz. commented, "The cost for
USDA would be very
minimal...The new government
expenditures will be nominal and
will mainly involve the
veterinarians. .Private enterprise
will build the corrals on this side;
the government in Mexico will
build the corrals diere.
Alaniz stressed that "Mexico is
ready. They've bought the land and
have the electricity set up. We're
just waiting for an okay Iroin iIk
U.S. government."
He added that "the Texas
Department ol Agriculture i. ready
to help us with this facility. The
Southwest Cattle Raisers
Association, t ! in Fort Worth,
have said they v dl do all they can
to help with tins project."
Alaniz strongly emphasm i, "We
need many people to call their
congressman and senators to push
for this."
Alaniz said, 1 have been in
frequent contact with the
Texas-Mexico Exchange
Commission. Naz.ario Pineda
Vargas, the director ol
Imports Exports in Mexico City,
was thrilled to hear that we are
interested in starting such a facility
in this part of the country
Alaniz. added that Gustavo Tom. ,
(See I.IVFS I OCR. Page 10)
Nurses, Doctor Subdue
Gunman At Hospital
A rifle toting gunman was
subdued by the efforts of a
physician, nurses and deputies at
Starr County Memorial Hospital
last Wednesday afternoon alter
allegedly making several threats
against the lives of nurses.
John Garza, 22, of Rio Grande
City has been charged with
aggravated armed robbery. Sheriff
Gene Falcon indicated Garza is the
subject of a blue warrant from the
state prison system on a burglary
charge. Falcon said, "He was on
paroie when the incident happened.
Garza was arraigned before J usuce
of the Peace Hector lvo Perez,
who set bond at $25,000.
Sheriff Falcon said, "This was a
very dangerous situation. He had a
live round in the chamber. One ol
the nurses was very brave and look
the gun away from him. Falcon
indicated that the gunman carried a
.22 Springfield rifle.
The incident occutkJ at
approximately 5:25 p.m. >n
Wednesday, April II at ihe
hospital's Nurses Station '■ in.l* r
Two.
Falcon said. "The nurses at the
station kept the gunman at bay
until the deputies could arrive...'! he
man did not threaten the deputies
when arrested."
Hospital Administrator Thalia
Munoz said, 1 Ihis guy with a riflC
walked in to the Nurse Sta:n>n
Number Two. He told 11 i m lh a
holdup was in progrc
situation lasted live to 10 imnuk
More than once, he threat ned to
kill them (the nurses).
(See GUNMAN, Page 6)
12th Rabies Case Of
1990 Confirmed
An adult Doberman Pinscher
living on the east side of Rio
Grande City was confirmed Monday
to be the 12th animal in Starr
County proven this year to have
been a carrier of rabies.
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S.
Margo indicated that the rabies
epidemic continues to be as
worrisome as ever. He took a little
solace in the fact that "another dog
we sent in turned out negative."
Margo said lhat this 12-year-old
dog lived on Margo Street, located
east of Avasolo Street, on the
eastern side of Rio Grande City.
Margo said, "This dog had never
been vaccinated; tl was always tied
up and chained. A rabid animal got
in (the yard) and bit the animal at
an unknown time.
Margo noted, The dog was
constantly howling like a wolf,
constantly mauling and biting
pieces of wood, and behaving
abnormally. No human was bitten
or exposed to rabies Irom this
animal. Thursday, we put him (the
dog) to sleep."
Margo said lhat a clinic to
vaccinate pets will be held in Roma
this Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon
in front of Ramirez Firestone.
Margo expressed some
satisfaction that quite a number of
stray dogs and cats have been picked
up."
There have been 44 confirmed
cases ol rabies in Siarr County
since the epidemic began in
September 1988.
observance of Earth Day in ihe Rio
Grande City area on April 22...It's
the county's and the people's choice
as to what kind of trees will be
donated."
Martinez said, "The public is
inviied to help in the observance
with any contributions, help and
suggestions. This will include, bul
not be limited to, civic clubs. The
Garden Club will be active in ihe
Earth Day observance."
Balls said, "We're doing this in
each foreman area in Conoco's
Corpus Christi division. Conoco
has always been environmentally
conscious. I've been with Conoco
for 14 years, and out ai Rincon lor
one month."
Precinct One Commissioner Jose
Maria "Chema" Alvarez said. "The
Precinci One crew will help with
ihe planting of trees. Perhaps ihe
cemetery is a good possibiliiy."
Conoco is donating $500 worth of trees to help in the observance of Farth Day in
Ihe Rio Grande City area on April 22. Pictured above from left to right are Precinct
One Commissioner Jose Maria "Chema" Alvarez, Rio Grande City Garden Club
Fx-President Benilde Villarreal, Garden Club Treasurer Inez Carrera, County Judge
J.M. Martinez, Jr., and Roy Batts, Held operations foreman for Conoco at Rincon.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 19, 1990, newspaper, April 19, 1990; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195233/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.