Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 11, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
February 11,1999
86th Year, No. 6
25 cents
Rin
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le
Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
Gonzalez, Cordova sign
TAMUK football letters
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Texas A&M University-
Kingsvillc found Rio Grande City a
£ fertile football recruiting field as
quarterback Abel Gonzalez and
wide-receiver/halfback Roy Cordova
signed letters of intent on
Wednesday, Feb. 3 to play football
for the traditionally strong Division
II university.
TAMUK Head Coach Ron Harms
told The Rio Grande Herald on
Monday, "We're delighted to have
both of them on board. We do feel
£ that both will add a lot to our
program."
About Gonzalez, Harms
commented, "The kind of offense
Abel has been involved in during
high school will serve him well as
he moves into our program. We run
an option type offense."
Harms added, "I was very
£ impressed by what I saw on the
films. I was very impressed with
his decision making ability in game
situations. He fits very well with
what we do. He has excellent
natural talent."
The Javelina mentor noted that
Gonzalez "will get a shot" to
perform punting duties as well.
Harms said that Cordova "will be
a wide receiver. We feel he has
® excellent potential at that position.
He has good speed, and we think he
will develop into an excellent
receiver at the next level."
Rattler Head Coach Jorge Pena
commented, 'They had outstanding
careers at Rio Grande City High
School. Roy had a big year and
came up big a lot cf times. They
® certainly have the talent. Roy was
the 300-meter champion in the
Valley last year. Roy has great
hands and is a tough runner. He's a
very smart young man."
About Gonzalez, Pena declared,
"Abel has made up his mind that he
will be an impact player for A&M-
Kingsville. I have no doubt that he
will be."
The Rattler coach concluded,
"The main focus is academics first,
athletics second. Both can run track.
They will be hard to replace at
RGC High."
Texas A&M-Kingsville is a
member of the Lone Star
Conference of the NCAA's
Division II.
Shortly after signing his letter of
intent, Gonzalez told The Rio
Grande Herald, "It's been a long
time trying to determine where to
go. It's a lot off our shoulders. It's
nice to have this settled...The
recruiting process was very hectic
and stressful."
"A&M-Kingsville has a top
notch program," stressed Gonzalez.
They're (consistently) in contention
for the national title."
The quarterback added, "I took a
recruiting visit last weekend. I
enjoyed the campus; it's not too far
away from home. They travel all
across the United States to play.
I'm very excited."
Cordova emphasized, "I'm very
excited. I'm also excited to have the
opportunity to be a teammate of
Abel again. I also took a recruiting
visit last weekend and enjoyed it a
lot. I was very comfortable with the
coaching staff. It's a good situation
to be close to home."
Gonzalez pointed out, 'They run
a veer-type option offense and run it
Fair fundraising dinner
scheduled for Feb. 20
The Starr County Fair has been
set for the first week in March,
with a three-day culmination March
% 5-7.
Kicking off the fair will be the
annual Fundraising Dinner on
Saturday, February 20, and will be
organized by the Rio Grande City
Rotary Club. The public is invited
to this big event, and donations
will be accepted to help meet the
expenses of maintaining the
W fairgrounds and buildings
Proceeds from the fair are used
to provide six $1,000 scholarships
and one $1,500 scholarship for
prospective graduates from the three
Starr County high schools.
Applications for the annual
scholarship are now available at the
three high schools and at the Starr
County Extension Office.
Applications must be mailed by
February 20, so pick these up
soon, prospective graduates'
Participants in the annual Starr
County Fair Queen's Pageant are
encourngetl to begin making their
plans to enter Age categories from
preschool through high school will
name four top winners, who will
ride on the Starr County Fair
Association's float in the parade
and will present awards at the
various events from Friday through
Sunday.
This year's parade will be held
on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m.
instead of on Saturday in order to
kick off the three days of events in
grand style. Schools, organizations
and individuals, begin now to make
preparations to participate!
extremely well...I was impressed
about how they develop their
athletes. They get their athletes
really well prepared for college
football with weight training.
Coach Harms is very
straightforward."
Gonzalez added, "My parents were
very pleased with everything about
TAMUK. They left the decision
completely up to me."
"It will be good to have some of
our hometown fans get to see us
play," emphasized Gonzalez. "We
met coach Harms at a picture
session in Weslaco for the All-
Valley team. Both of us intend to
work hard from the start, beginning
now. The program is very stable."
"I enjoyed the campus and the
town," declared Cordova.
"Everything fell into place right
from the beginning...We went into
their trophy room and saw their
national championship and
conference championship
trophies...They (the coaches) were
straight out."
Gonzalez and Cordova were both
recognized with first team All-
Valley, All-Area and All-District
honors in December. Gonzalez was
selected Offensive Most Valuable
Player for the All-District, All-
Valley and All-Area teams.
During his senior season,
Gonzalez passed for 1390 yards and
18 touchdowns and ran for 984
yards and 14 more scores. He led
the Rattlers deeper into the state
playoffs th m any previoiv: C'
(See FOOTBALL, Page 4)
ICS pastoral
team plans Feb.
11 special mass
The pastoral team at Immaculate
Conception Church plans a special
mass to commemorate the Feast
Day of Our Lady of Lourdes on
Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the
Grotto in Rio Grande City.
Immaculate Conception Parish
extends a warm invitation to
everyone in Starr County to attend.
RGCCISD plans
TAAS testing in
late February
TAAS testing will be scheduled
for Rio Grande City CISD students
on Feb. 23, 24 and 25.
Students, parents, or other district
residents seeking further
information should call the
Guidance and Testing Department at
716-6704.
Gonzalez, Cordova sign TAMUK letters of intent
Wide receiver/halfback Roy Cordova, left, and quarterback Abel Gon/alez, tvo of the most noteworthy
standouts on the 1998 Rio Grande City Rattlers, signed letters of intent on Wednesday, Feb. i> to play football at
Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a perennial power in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference. Gonzalez
and Cordova both received first team All-Valley, All-Area and All-District honors. (RGCCISD photo:
publicinfol0@yahoo.com)
Commissioners get reports on
Detention Center, tobacco funds
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday morning, the County
Com issioners were given reports
on th ■ status of the Detention
Center inmate population and the
possibilit of tobacco settlement
funds bci !g used by the Hospital
District o et up new health clinics
Li rural are.ts.
ih: ;:f Reymundo Guerra
indicated, "V j have inspections
twice a year, once by the U.S.
Marshal's Service and once by the
Texas Commission on Jail
Standards."
"They are serious on the issue of
overcrowding," stressed Guerra.
"The total count for today is 262
inmates, or 13 below the capacity
of 275 beds."
The sheriff emphasized, 'On
crowding, we're in good shape.
We've had to correct some minor
matters in the last two to three
weeks."
Guerra noted that the Detention
Center January revenue total
amounts to $200,226, with
$194,912 coming from the U.S.
Marshal's Service. He stated,
"Today we have 83 non-paying
prisoners. The average for January
was 62."
Precinct One Commissioner Jose
Maria "Chema" Alvarez asked,
"Can the courts move these cases
along faster?" Guerra responded,
"We're working very closely with
the County Attorney and District
Attorney."
Concerning the matter of the
tobacco settlement recently achieved
by the state, County Judge Eloy
Vera declared, "I went before the
Hospital Board to ask if tobacco
settlement monies can be used in
rural areas. They said they were
willing to work with us. We'll need
to prepare a wish list. They didn't
promise anything, but they will
consider our requests."
Vera added, "Over a period of
years, they will receive S3.7
million, with the first check, which
is coming soon, to amount to over
$700,000."
Precinct Two Commissioner
Raul "Roy" Pena, Jr., contended, "I
think the money should be
distributed throughout the county."
Vera stated, 'They are considering
some things, but some initiative
from the court is needed. It's better
to have things in writing."
The commissioners approved a
resolution requesting that the Texas
Legislature allocate a portion of
motor fuel tax revenues to counties
to maintain and suppor the county
road system. Vera said, "We're
asking the Legislature to allocate
some of the taxes to come back to
the counties."
Federal/State Programs
Coordinator Elisa Beas indicated,
"We have been asked to participate
in the Accident Prevention Plan. A
discount has been offered on
worker's comp. The focus is on
safety, prevention and training.
TAC (Texas Association of
Counties) needs to know by Feb.
12 if the county wants to
participate."
Alvarez contended, "I think it's
important for the county to join the
plan." Beas stressed, "If we don't
join, over $12,000 will be added to
our worker's comp premiums." The
court then approved a motion
supporting and authorizing county
membership in the TAC plan.
The commissioners approved a
resolution requesting that the Texas
Legislature provide financial
assistance to limit financial
liability of some counties from
(See TOBACCO. Page 4)
Aldermen consider problems
with fiber optic cable work
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Thursday night, the Rio Grande
City Board of Aldermen discussed
several problems and issues that
have developed with the installation
of fiber optic cable within the city
limits.
As the aldermen discussed the
issue of an installation permit for a
fiber optic cable to be issued to
CapRock Telecommunications
Service, City Administrator Jose
Escamilla declared, "Sine they came
through town, they have broken
some lines. We have tightened
things up..I think the fee. should be
fixed. We have contacted other
utility departments to get them to
sgn off on the agreement."
J.D. Miller of CapRock said,
"Locally this cable goes from Rio
Grande City to Roma to Zapata.
We have agreed to a depth of five
linear feet and $1.85 per linear foot,
the same as in McAllen."
Miller added, "We're making
quite a few connections that bring
H-E-B, Scouts to work
together on food drive
H-E-B, Scouts join hands on food drive
The Rio Grande City H-E-B store, for the first time joins with the Rio Grande City Boy Scouts in their annual
"Scouting for Food" drive lo be held Saturday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. All nonpcrishable food collected
from homes and dropped off at the rear of the H-E-B store in Rio Grande City will go to the Food Bank of the
Rio Grande Valley, Inc. and then be distributed to local food pantries. Pictured above arc H-E-B Store Manager
Mario DcLeon (left) and retiring Scoutmaster Rev. James I.. Gebhart.
"Scouting for Food", a
Community GOOD TURN! will be
observed Saturday, Feb. 13 by the
local B.S.A. Tigers, Cubs,
Webelos and Boy Scout Troop 93.
This food drive supports the
mission of the Food Bank of the
Rio Grande Valley, Inc. All food
collected will be distributed to local
food pantries.
You can help the local scouts by
having your nonpcrishable food
ready for them to collect when they
come to your door bcwccn 9 a.m.
and 12 noon. Or you may drive to
the rear of the Rio Grande City H-
E-B store on Ayala Street and a
scout will place it in the food drive
for you between 9 a.m. and 12
noon.
Through the generosity of H-E-B
and Store Manager Mario DeLeon,
plastic bags will be provided for
those who need them for their food
contribution.
Scoutmasters Mr and Mrs.
Sonny Olivarez arc directing the
"Scouting far Food" <kive.
information to and from Mexico.
We will pay damages. We agreed to
a two-year performance bond,
instead of a one-year bond."
Escamilla stated. "They said they
wanted to do 17,828 linear feet."
Mayor Baldcmar Garza stressed,
"We want what McAllen is getting,
not a penny less." Alderman
Ricardo Gutierrez commented, "I'm
concerned about right of way."
A motion was then approved
authorizing attorney James Darling
to negotiate an agreement
conditional upon the rate being no
less than that of McAllen. Miller
emphasized, "We will not open
trench anything."
Escamilla later told The Rio
Grande Herald, "J.D. Miller
represents CapRock. They say
they're installing video and audio
and data transmission cables. Thev
showed us a map at the beginning.
We said we needed to know more,
particularly concerning depth."
The administrator added, "We had
some water lines cut and a fire
hydrant knocked over. We wanted to
make sure who they were. We got a
two-year performance bond bond to
make sure any damages arc fixed."
"The third issue was money,"
said Escamilla. "We agreed to issue
(See ALDERMEN. Page 6)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 11, 1999, newspaper, February 11, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195691/m1/1/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.