RGCCISD Holds New Teacher Orientation

Rio Grande City CISD Hosts New Teacher Orientation on Friday, August 13, 2009. Mr. R.C. Salinas served as Master of Ceremonies for the event . Jennifer Diaz-Senior class President delivered The Invocation by followed by Pledge of Allegiance which was lead by Heriberto Montalvo.

Mr. Basilio Villarreal, Jr,-RGCCISD Board President welcomed the new educators to the best district in the state of Texas. He also commended the students, parents and district personnel for their excellent academic achievement. Mr. Roel Gonzalez-Superintendent welcomed the new teachers and offered guidance and support.

The program continued with a welcome given by Mr. Gilberto E. Garcia-Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources who wished the educators and their students a successful year. He asked the educators to place the RGCCISD pin given to them on their collar or lapel and declared them official Rio Grande City Rattlers.

Mr. Jorge Recio - High School Principal addressed the audience with encouraging words. Mrs. Thelma Ramey-Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance and her staff were at hand to assist the new teachers with insurance and payroll information. The Department of Human Resources Personnel was available to facilitate the transition into the district.

Mr. Rey Ramirez-City of Rio Grande Commissioner and RGCCISD Athletic Director welcomed the educators on behalf of the Rio Grande City Mayor and City of Grulla Mayor. "You have joined a great family" said Ramirez during his address to the audience. Mr. Arcadio Salinas III - Admission, Attendance and Safety Coordinator spoke to the new teachers on safety issues. His staff was also available with safety information to disseminate.

The new educators were treated to a guided historical tour of the city in the Trolley by Mr. R.C. Salinas-Local Historian and Mr. Hernan Garza IV.

Rio Grande City Rattlers Varsity Football Schedule

Reunion - Rio Grande City High School Class of 1977

Rio Grande City High School Class of 1977 will celebrate their "50 birthday" together. A big 50th Birthday Bash with music and firework show is planned for Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Triple L Ranch, FM 755 & El Tanque Rd., Rio Grande City. For more information email us at rioclass77@yahoo.com or contact Norma Gomez Fultz, Flavio Villarreal, Roy Ramirez, Delia Lopez Cruz, Guillermo "WIllie" Gonzalez, Arturo Trevino, Danny Sanchez , Rene Villarreal or Cindy Farias Dela Cruz.

MAJOR BRUSH FIRE BURNS 100 ACRES IN WESTERN RGC

A large fire burned approximately 100 acres of brushland in the western section of Rio Grande City near two subdivisions in the late afternoon and evening of Friday, Aug. 7, but many firefighters at the scene managed to stop the blaze and limit structural damage to the back porch of one home.

Rio Grande City Fire Chief Ricardo Reyes declared on Monday, “It took roughly seven hours to get the fire fully under control…The fire got very close to roughly 10 homes. One home had significant damage to its back porch. It was the homes in Live Oak Subdivision and Stonegate Subdivision that were threatened.”

Reyes noted, “Ambulances were on standbye in case we had to evacuate the nearby rehab and nursing home – the Rio Grande City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.”

He indicated, “The fire broke out at approximately 5:30 p.m. (Friday). Roughly 100 acres were burned…We responded initially with three units – a tanker, a brush truck and one engine.” The fire escalated to the point that 13 other fire departments in Starr County and the Valley arrived at the scene to provide assistance.

“The site of the fire was by the Live Oak Subdivision in western Rio Grande City, just past the Water Department building,” declared the chief. “…The initial fire broke out about 80 to 100 yards or roughly a quarter-mile north of Highway 83.”

Reyes commented, “Right now we don’t have any idea how the fire got started. At this point, we don’t suspect arson.”

Reyes stated, “The fire was under control by 11 p.m. or 12 a.m., but there are still hot spots in the main area of the fire, the pit area, which we’re still having to watch carefully (as of Monday afternoon, Aug. 10). There were a lot of materials being dumped there and that’s apparently where the fire started.”

“We stopped the initial fire at certain points, but the fire had spread to multiple locations,” explained the chief. “We had trouble getting access to the main area of the fire, but bulldozers were used to gain access…We used some army trucks from neighboring jurisdictions to attack the fire.”

Reyes continued, “After it broke out, the fire spread in a northwest direction…I’d say the winds were blowing from the southeast at 15 to 20 miles per hour. The fire was spreading quickly due to the high winds. The smoke made it difficult for surrounding residents and firefighters.”

Reyes noted that the Roma, Salineno, Zapata, La Rosita, San Isidro, La Casita, La Grulla, La Joya, Sullivan City, Palmview, Mission, McAllen and Edinburg Fire Departments sent firefighting units to help contain and extinguish the blaze. He pointed out that the Rio Grande City Police Department and Starr County Sheriff’s Department assisted with traffic control.

The chief explained, “The terrain, with some creeks and ravines, made it difficult for firefighting vehicles to approach the fire…It was a problem that the fire broke out between residential areas.”

Reyes declared that the blaze did not come close to being a serious threat to Starr County Memorial Hospital.

About the current extreme drought and heat wave, Reyes stressed, “People need to avoid doing any outside burning at this point. It’s a very dangerous situation.”

ALDERMEN OKAY ALCOHOL EXTENDED HOURS FOR THREE DAYS

By KENNETH ROBERTS
At their first regular monthly meeting on Wednesday evening, Aug. 5, the Rio Grande City Board of Aldermen approved extended hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages for three days – Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The agenda item read as follows: “Final reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2009-2 revising Article IV, Section 6-404 Extended Hours Sale of Alcoholic Beverages.”

City Administrator Juan Zuniga indicated, “This is the second and final reading related to non-restaurant establishments. It would allow them to stay open till 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They would be required to have a (certified) security officer during the extended hours.”

Mayor Ruben O. Villarreal commented, “We need to allow businesses flexibility to operate. Security and safety are important, so the use of a certified peace officer will be required.”

Zuniga indicated that the action could be rescinded at some point in the future if the city is dissatisfied with the results.

The aldermen approved Resolution No. 2009-6 enacting a Municipal Annexation Plan on three tracts of land. Zuniga indicated that one tract was 385.66 acres behind the Public Utility Department building, another tract is 312.13 acres stretching 2 1/2 miles east of the city limits along U.S. 83, and another tract is 325.49 acres stretching 2 1/2 miles to the west of the city limits to the intersection of U.S. 83 and Alvarez Road.

Zuniga noted that the two latter tracts cover the roadway of U.S. 83, plus 500 feet on each side of the highway.

Zuniga said, “The intersection on Alvarez Road will be inside city limits to facilitate emergency response. These properties cannot be inside city limits until three years from the anniversary of this action, which would be Aug. 5, 2012. After that, an ordinance will need to be adopted.”

Alderman Ruben D. Saenz moved, seconded by Alderman Arcadio Salinas III that the annexation plan be approved and the motion passed without dissent.

City Secretary Holly Guerrero later explained to The Rio Grande Herald, “For the annexation to come about, the city will need to provide fire and police service (in those areas) with a response time as good or better than it has been. We will have to fully pay for any services we provide and provide adequate equipment and personnel.”

The aldermen approved a revision to the Rio Grande City Municipal Library policies for computer online filters. Zuniga explained, “This is our attempt to keep up with technology. This is an attempt to protect our users (of library computers).”

Mayor Villarreal emphasized, “There’s a tremendous demand for use of library computers.” Zuniga noted, “Anyone 13 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.”

Villarreal stressed, “Ms. (Norma) Fultz (Library Director) does a tremendous job with the library. We now have Yi-Fi.” Fultz indicated, “We have 11 computers for public access. We average between 1000 and 1500 users per month.” Villarreal contended, “We run a very good operation on basically a shoestring budget.”

Villarreal asked Fultz, “Do you approve these guidelines?” Fultz responded, “Yes.”

Guerrero later pointed out, “The library action is in compliance with the (federal) Children’s Internet Protection Act.”