A Announcement to Herald Readers

We deeply regret to inform our loyal and longtime readers that the Rio Grande Herald has ceased publication. The last issue of the Herald was published on Thursday, April 29.

The decision to cease publication was made by management based in McAllen, Texas.

The entire business will be closed effective May 30, 2010. Anyone wishing to pick up pictures and other documents should do so within the next week or so.

The Rio Grande Herald staff is very thankful and appreciative to the many outstanding citizens and businesses of Starr County that have worked with us over may years. We have been honored to serve Starr County and try in some small way to contribute to its betterment and growth.

Herald Managing Editor Kenneth Roberts emphasized, "I have been honored to work in this capacity for more than 26 1/2 years. I have experienced tremendous growth both on a personal and professional level. I have formed many lifelong friendships that I will always cherish. I know that my statements are shared by the other Herald staff members. We all wish the best for Starr County in the coming years."

A Note from the Rio Grande Herald's former Ad Manager, Christian Salinas:
I have worked for the Rio Grande Herald since 2002 and like Mr. Roberts, I feel I owe it to Starr County to keep contributing to our growth in any way possible that is within my reach. It is with this goal in mind that I have decided to keep this website active, updating it regularly with as much useful information pertaining to Starr County as I am able to.

RGCCISD Opens Its Doors to a New High School in the Fall 2010

Rio Grande City CISD will open the doors to its second high school in August of 2010 in the Grulla area. The students attending the 3A high school will be known as the RGCCISD Grulla High School Gators. The state of the art facility is most impressive and its hilltop design purposely selected to capture astounding views from the north and south.

The campus will have some extremely unique features in the design that will enhance and add focus to this location. The tall cylindrical building elements that have been incorporated will be the focal points of the campus. In addition to the hilltop location the surrounding vegetation is also being used to allow the natural beauty of the countryside to come through and coexist with the buildings.

The buildings are strategically placed to form a central courtyard that will be utilized by the students during their lunch time. The seven buildings that are part of the campus will house different disciplines. A main entry area unites the Entry, Administration and Library (the Library has a bowed Circulation Desk, carpeted and hardwood floors, high sloped ceilings, large windows to the north and south sides, and a 86 person Lecture Hall with fixed Seating).

One of the highlights of the campus is a Planetarium with 48 person seating that includes a Science Lab that is TEKS aligned and to be used by all the students in the district. This is all part of a plan to be able to expose our students to state of the art facilities, programs and technology in order to prepare them for a competitive world.

Rio Grande City High School Theatre One-Act Play Cast & Crew Give a Radiant Performance

The RGC Rattler Theatre One-Act Play Cast & Crew is pictured left to right:
Top Row- Luis Lopez, Mr. Danny Gonzalez (Director). Middle Row- Albert Barrera, David Ramirez,
Jose Nieblas, Jesus Solis, Luis Alanis, Edgar Santos Jr., Steve Garza. Bottom Row- Clarissa Barrera,
Veronica Trevino, Isabel Becerra, Jasmin Zapata, Selena Flores.

A huge congratulations to the RGC Rattler Theatre One-Act Play Cast & Crew for advancing out of Zone and District Competition this year. In their ascension to the title of District Champions, they now advance to Area Competition on April 10th, 2010 at PSJA Memorial High School. We would like to wish the company a great show. BREAK A LEG RATTLERS! In addition, they have earned two advancing play awards and the cast & crew have accumulated many individual awards as well.

• Jasmin Zapata - Outstanding Technical Award (Zone & District)
• Jose Nieblas - All-Star Cast (District)
• Selena Flores - Honorable Mention All-Star Cast (Zone & District)
• Jesus Solis - Honorable Mention All-Star Cast (District), All-Star Cast (Zone)
• Clarissa Barrera - Honorable Mention All-Star Cast (District), All-Star Cast (Zone)
• Luis Alanis - Honorable Mention All-Star Cast (Zone), All-Star Cast (District)
• Luis Lopez - Best Actor (Zone & District)

The One Act Play is entitled Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz portrays the lives of cigar factory workers in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, when a new lector, perhaps the last to ply his trade, is hired. The men and women remain divided in their loyalties as economic hardship and the pressure to abandon old traditions force the owners of the cigar factory to adopt new, progressive manufacturing methods if they wish to stay in business. As the lector reads from Anna Karenina, a novel of adultery set in nineteenth-century Russia, he casts a spell over the workers, transforming their passions and desires through the affirming power of art. That the love they seek may result in a tragic end is ordained as much by the story of the Russian noblewoman as it is by the actions of the workers themselves.

Garza to attend University of Texas Pan American

Rio Grande City High School runner, Beatrice Garza, signs for a full ride at University of Texas Pan American. Her scholarship will cover all tuition and housing for four years. Garza's high school accomplishments began her freshman year when she became a Regional Qualifier and made the All District First Team in Cross Country. In Track and Field she also was a Regional Qualifier in the 800 meters, 1600 meters and on the All District Team. Her Sophomore year, Garza, came in 2nd at the Cross Country District Meet, a Regional Qualifier, a State Qualifier and on the All Valley First Team. She also led the Lady Rattlers to qualify for Regionals for the first time in Rio Grande City High School history. She personally came in 9th at that meet. In Track and Field Garza was a Regional Qualifier in the 800 meters, 1600 meters and made the All District Team. Garza's junior year she became a Regional Qualifier and led the team to qualify for the Regional Meet. She was selected for All District First Team and All Valley First Team in Cross Country. Her Track and Field career continued strong and continued to be a Regional Qualifier in the 800 meters, 1600 meters, she qualified for Finals in the 800 meters, and made the All District Team. Her senior year in Cross Country she became a Regional Qualifier, All District First Team and All Valley First Team. Pictured left to right are; Sitting- Mrs. Garza (Garza's mother), Beatrice Garza, and Rey Ramirez (Athletic Director). Standing- Jorge Recio (Rio Grande City High School Principal), Ana Cortinas (Coach), Ricardo Altahif (Coach) and Roxanne Garza (College and Career AdvAdviserRGCCISD photo.

Trevino to attend the University of Texas A&M Kingsville

Rio Grande City High School senior, Katherine Trevino, signs a Letter of Intent to attend the University of Texas A&M Kingsville. Her scholarship will cover all tuition and housing for four years. She has been a stand out athlete in Cross Country and has many accolades under her belt. Trevino was a Regional Qualifier in the 400 meter dash, 1600 meter relay and made All District Team in Track and Field her freshman year. Her sophomore year she also was a Regional Qualifier in the 400 meter dash, 1600 meter relay, State Qualifier, All District First Team and All Valley First Team. Trevino was a Regional Qualifier in Cross Country and also led the team to qualify for the Regional Meet. Trevino last and final Track and Field season is underway but is expected to perform extremely well. Pictured left to right are; Sitting- Jorge Recio (RGC High School Principal), Katherine Trevino, and Rey Ramirez (Athletic Director). Standing- Ana Cortinas (Coach), Ricardo Altahif (Coach) and Roxanne Garza (College and Career AAdviser. RGCCISD photo.