Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 12, 2005 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY
EDITION
May 12, 2005
92nd YEAR No. 19
Rio Grande
#215
ilOACi BOOK. BINDHRY
127 RAIL ROAD
SPRINGPORT, Ml 49204
/,()NF 6
HEFLALD
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
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RGC High UIL Spelling team wins Regional
The Rio Grande City High School U.I.L. Spelling and Vocabulary team recently won the Regional
Championship. The Conference 5A competition was held in San Antonio on April 23. 2005. Team members
from left to right are Karla Garcia, Celene Vela, Mr. Rigo Alberto Falcon (coach). Dora Mayorga, and
Josephine Ecle. These students were scheduled to compete at the State level in Austin on May 7, 2005. Rio
Grande City High School students, faculty, and staff congratulate these individuals for their achievements
(RGCC1SD photo).
Aldermen discuss changes
in solid waste collection
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Thursday night, the Rio Grande
City Board of Aldermen discussed
ongoing issues involved with solid
waste collection, including recent
changes in routes and procedures.
Patricio Hernandez, owner of
Grande Garbage emphasized in :i
presentation late in the meeting.
"We'e had a lot of adjustments in
reorganizing 8000 accounts.
Change is always difficult. Alleys
are particularly difficult because
most of them are so narrow In
*
many cases, the lines (electrical,
telephone and cable) are tc low."
"We've tried to irrect this by
requiring trash to be picked up in
front of homes," he explained, "A
lot of customers are not cooperating
with the new requirements."
Hernandez continued, "We're
trying to identify homes in which
the alley fronts the home. We're
asking the public to be patient and
work with us We're willing to
make arrangements with those
homes where the alley is in front."
City Administrator Leonardo
Olivares stressed, "Any efficiencies
that can be introduced will keep
costs down. Major issues will come
up in the future concerning the
landfill, (probably) within the next
year or two."
Hernandez commented, "A lot of
problems are due to the fact that
Rio grew in all directions, to a
large extent before it became a
city."
Hernandez then presented a
number of pictures showing the
various difficulties involved in
collecting solid waste.
Alderman Eloy R. Garcia
insisted. "From what I can see, 90
to 95 percent are in compliance.
There's no way to get complete 100
percent compliance on anything.
We can just deal with these
situations in the appropriate way as
they come along."
Alderman Hernan R. Garza III
contended, "We need to encourage
people through the access channel
to be in compliance."
"A lot of the problems may
involve elderly people." contended
Mayor Kevin Hiles. "These
problems can be lessened by
neighbors providing help. There are
some people who are physically not
able to move the cans "
Finance Director Mary Barrera
indicated, "We're getting the word
out that trash cannot be mixed with
brush." Olivares noted. "The coumy
is carrying out the same procedure
Hiles contended, "Basically, e\en
though we're subcontracting, we're
in the trash collection business. We
need to be proactive." Hernandez
stressed, "You need to keep in
touch with the county regarding the
status of the landfill."
Olivares noted, "Bulk waste refers
to items such as air conditioners,
freezers, refrigerators, etc We pick
up brush, not bulk items. These
types of waste arc the rcspon ibilty
of the landowner."
The aldermen discused an
ordinance amending the utility
connection rate schedule lor water
and sewer hookups, but no action
was taken because final numbers
weren't available Olivares
explained. "The city has adopted a
rate schedule for utility
connections, water and sewer
hookups. Basically, it's a flat fee
regardless of the neighborhood."
The administrator added, "They're
looking at the actual cost (and
work) involved in the different
connections. Basically, we're
proposing that it be based on actual
cost. The staff is working on the
final numbers right now."
The aldermen adopted a resolution
authorizing the city's intervention
in AFP Texas Central Company's
True-Up proceeding at the Public
Utility Commission and other
acii\ itiev
(See ALDERMEN, Page 6>
Woman convicted of aggravated
robbery; gets 25-year sentence
A 25-year-old Hidalgo woman
faces a 25-year prison sentence after
being convicted by a Starr County
381st District Court jury in
connection with a robbery
committed against two men outside
a residence northwest of Rio Grande
City in October 2004.
Maricruz Cantu was found guilty
of aggravated robbery during the
mid-moining hours of Tuesday,
April 26 after approximately one
hour of deliberation by the jury.
She was sentenced to 25 years in
prison by 381st District Court
Judge John A. Pope. Jr. on Friday,
May 6.
Assistant District Attorney
Marco A. Trevino indicated on
Monday. May 9, "The punishment
decision was delegated to the ludge
because her earlier motion applying
for a jury decision on sentencing
was denied because the judge ruled
the motion was untimely."
Cantu was ultimately convicted
of aggravated robbery in connection
with a robbery committed against
Juan Caro and Carlos Garcia outside
Caro's residence during the evening
hours of Oct. 29, 2004. Two men
still face pending aggravated
robbery charges in that incident.
Trevino emphasized, "She
(Cantu) was considered the
mastermind and planner of this
episode...One of two other co-
defendants, Rogelio Hernandez, Jr.,
testified against Cantu and
implicated himself in the
episode...The co-defendant,
Hernandez, testified that she was the
mastermind."
Trevino emphatically declared,
"I'm very pleased with the verdict
and sentence. The community
spoke as a whole and sent a strong
message that these types of crimes
will not be tolerated."
Cantu was represented by Rio
Grande Citv attorney David Garza.
Garza insisted on Tuesday
afternoon, May 10, "There will be
an appeal. In my opinion, there was
fundamental error by the
prosecution in the final arguments.
The appeal would first go to the
Fourth Court of Appeals in San
Antonio."
Garza argued, "The only witness
County okays burn ban to
deal with dry conditions
By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their regular monthly meeting
Monday morning, the County
Commissioners, in an effort to deal
with worsening drought conditions,
approved a outdoor burn ban that
goes into effect immediately and
will continue until further notice.
The agenda item called for
"Consideration on matter of
adopting an order prohibiting and
restricting outdoor burning in any
part of the County."
County Judge Eloy Vera
emphasized, "This is due to the lack
of rain. We've had a large number
of fires recently." The
commissioners proceeded to
unanimously adopt the burn ban as
requested.
Vera commented after the
meeting, "This ban is effective
today. It will be in effect till further
notice. There have been just too
many fires (recently). We had a fire
near San Roman Friday that burned
close to 4000 acres."
Precinct One Commissioner
Jaime Alvarez later explained. "It
(the San Roman fire) was just under
3000 acres. Basically, the
firefighters did a very good job
bringing the fire under control.
Fourteen different fire departments
and 80 firefighters were involved in
the effort to put out the fire."
Sheriff's Department Chief
Deputy Rene Fuentes informed the
commissioners that overall
Detention Center revenues for April
2005 totaled Si 13,945.44. He
noted. "We have 230 inmates, 115
local and I 15 federal (on Monday,
May 9)."
Judge Vera commented, "Local
inmates have gone down. At one
point, it was around 140 or 150
local inmates We haven't seen
much of an increase in federal
inmates."
"The sheriff and myself went to
Houston about a month ago to
meet with the head (U.S.)
Marshal," continued the |udge. "We
will continue to keep in contact to
seek ways to increase the
population of federal inmates."
The commissioners were told that
Starr County International Bridge
revenues for April 2005 totaled
$192,519, a decrease of $6943.50
from the April 2004 total of
$109,462.50. The April 2005
figure showed a decrease of
$14,762.50 from the March 2005
total of $207,281.50.
At some length, the
commissioners discussed the statu;
of health insurance for county
employees. Ramon De La Cruz
declared, "We had a good year as far
as health insurance for county
employees is concerned. Over $1.1
million in premiums were paid by
the county; a total of roughly
$585,000 in claims were paid by
Blue Cross/Blue Shield."
Federal/State Programs
Coordinator Elisa Beas noted,
"They're talking about a 4.8 percent
(See COUNTY, Page 6i
CACST to be featured on
Learning Channel program
By Anastasia Rodriguez, Public
Information Officer
The day is finally near for the
highly anticipated appearance of
the Community Action Council of
South Texas (CACST) on national
television
On Sunday, May 22, 2005, at
7:30 a.m., CACST will be
highlighted on The Learning
Channel for its strong principles
and values, good work ethics, and
passionate. mission-driven
dedication to helping the
community.
The agency was chosen in early
November of 2004 to appear on
The Learning Channel on a show
called "Inside Health" hosted by
Peggy Fleming, Olympic gold
medallist. The project commenced
with filming in mid-December by
cameraman Bruce Warner of
Carrolton, Texas. The show was
scheduled to air during the second
quarter of 2005.
The Community Action
Partnership, Inc. recognized
CACST for its achievement with
the Award for Excellence in
Community Action in 2004. In
addition, April 6, 2005 marked 40
years of service to south Texas.
CACST started in 1965 as the
Community Council of Stan-
County. The very first grant
awarded was for $22,197. Now, 40
years later, CACST operates on a
$24 million annual budget and
provides services not only in Starr
County, but also primarily Duval,
Jim Hogg, and Zapata Counties
with specific services in Hidalgo,
Brooks, Bee. Aransas, Cameron,
Bexar. Harris. Jim Wells
McMullen, Sari Patricio. Kenedy,
Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen,
Nueces, Refugio, Webb, and
Willacy Counties. The agency
employs more than 450 people and
reaches more than 21,000
individuals with its services.
The scope of CACST has
touched many lives in south Texas.
Its appearance on "Inside Health"
is a testament to the positive impact
it has had over four prosperous
decades. Undoubtedly. CACST
will continue to serve the
community from womb to tomb for
at least another 40 years. For more
information about CACST, visit
www.cacst.org or call 487-2585
Roel Garza qualifies
for state track meet
A junior athlete on the Rio
Grande City High School boys
varsity track team has qualified for
the 5A state track meet, scheduled
for May 13-14 in Austin.
Roel Garza will be competing in
the long jump event. He is
scheduled to jump on Saturday.
May 14 at 1 1.30 a.m. in Austin.
Garza qualified for the state meet
by finishing first in the long jump
at the regional meet in San Antonio
on April 29-30. He achieved a
jump of 23 feet, 6 inches. Vaisity
track coach Rey Ramirez indicated
that "this performance was his
personal best "
Garza had qualified for the
regional meet by finishing second
in the long jump at the District 30-
5A meet in Rio Grande City on
April 14.
Coach Ramirez emphasized, "I'm
real proud of him. He came through
in a big way (at the regional meet),
improving his personal best by
over a foot. He was very much
focused on improving his
performance. It's a big honor for
him. the school, and the entire
community."
Ramirez declared. "We're hoping
he will match or exceed the
personal best that he recorded at
regiona'."
(See QUALIFIES, Page 6)
they had was a confessed
accomplice in the incident. We feel
his credibility is questionable at
best."
Trevino indicated that "an appeal
by Cantu is pending." He stated
that "the judge also denied her
motion for 'probation and
community service."
The prosecutor noted, "The trial
began on Monday, April 25. lasting
the entire day. The final arguments
took place on Tuesday morning,
April 26. Jury selection began on
Thursday. April 14 and concluded
that same day."
The aggravated robbery took
place on Oct. 29. 2004 at a
residence on Jesse Warren Road just
northwest of Rio Grande City. In
early November 2004, Sheriff's
Department Investigator Larry
Fuentes told The Rio Grande
Herald, "The victims were identified
as Juan Caro and Carlos Garcia, a
family friend. They were
encountered by two armed males
and one unarmed female."
Fuentes continued in November.
(See ROBBERY, Page hi
Gonzalez keynote speaker at STC graduation program
Ruben Saenz. Starr County Campus Coordinator for South Texas College (STC). is pictured above thanking
V vonne (Bonnie) Gonzalez, who delivered the keynote address at the STC Starr Countv graduate recognition
ceremony on Friday. May 13 at the STC Starr Campus Amphitheater Gonzalez, is President and CFO of the
Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Solutions Board The May 9 ccrcmonv recognized students that will
soon graduate. The actual graduation ceremom is scheduled on Saturday. May 14 at the Dodge Arena in
Hidalgo. (See related article on Page 2 and related photo on Page 4)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 12, 2005, newspaper, May 12, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196320/m1/1/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.