RGC Sandbag Distribution Location

Please be advised that sandbags are available at the Water Tower located on Eisenhower Street between San Antonio and Fairground.

Please come prepared to fill the bags yourself. You will need to bring a utility bill or a picture I.D. to show that you are a resident of Rio Grande City.
For further information, please call 956-487-5312

Limit of six sandbags per household.

Starr County Man Shot in Escobares

 Valley Media reports Starr County Memorial Hospital went into lockdown after a man with gun shot wounds drove himself to the Emergency Room, and claimed the shooter was near by. (Read Full Article)

STC Captain of Captains Football Camp open for registration

South Texas College is ready for some football, as it gears up to host a one-day camp focused on identifying key characteristics that make for effective leadership both on and off the field. The camp, which will be held on July 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free to all entering high school juniors and seniors in Hidalgo and Starr counties. The camp will be held at the college’s Pecan Campus located at 3101 West Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Participants will receive lunch and snacks, as well as a free gift.

The featured guest speaker will be former Valley football stand-out and NFL quarterback Koy Detmer. Detmer’s passion and dedication on the field is rivaled by his off-the-field civic endeavors as he gives back to the community that propelled him to football stardom.

The college’s Department of Student Life will lead the camp, and will be joined by qualified experts in the fields of drug and steroid awareness, strength and conditioning, nutrition, as well as on-the-field instruction. The goal of the camp is to mentor young athletes about the importance of getting an education, rejecting negative attitudes and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

“We understand that high school athletic programs are providing the technical skills that construct the foundation of what makes an athlete successful,” said Armando Ponce, STC coordinator of student activities and camp administrator. “Our program will complement what these young athletes are already learning, as we will emphasize the developing of leadership skills on and off the playing field.”

For additional information contact Ponce at 956-872-2515 or at aponce@southtexascollege.edu.

Beef Cattle Program to be Held at San Isidro

San Isidro, TX. - The type and amount of risk those ranchers face appears to be increasing. The droughts of the mid 1990's and high cattle inventory numbers since 1975 are all reminders that ranching is a risky business. Problems facing the industry next year include tight feeder cattle supplies, low prices for chicken and poultry, high costs of oil and gas, and continued shutdown of the export market. On the plus side, forage conditions hay supplies, and feed costs will be favorable.

Texas AgriLife Extension and Cooperative Extension Program (PVAMU) will be having a beef cattle risk management & marketing program on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the San Isidro Parish. The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. Local Extension agents will be on hand to discuss beef cattle marketing in South Texas through a  project that has involved all the South Texas sale barns. The results of this project will help producers market their cattle more effectively to increase their profits. Mr. Jay Hinojosa, FSA County Executive Director, and Mr. Abel Bermudez, NRCS District Conservationist,  will also be there to discuss USDA risk management  programs.

The sponsors are very excited about this program and hope that you can join them on the 24th. Please feel free to call County Extension office at (956) 487-2306 if you have any questions.

Starr County Woman Arrested in Brownsville

Valley Media Reports a woman from Starr County has been arrested after customs officers in Brownsville allegedly found more than $451,000 dollars worth of cocaine in her SUV. (Read Full Article)

Acclaimed Author to Visit RGC Library

 Image from: www.cincopuntos.com

The Rio Grande City Public Library is proud to announce that on Monday June 28, 2010 at 6pm we will have the pleasure of having Xavier Garza a prolific writer, artist and storyteller introduce his new children's book.  Kid Cyclone Fights the Devil and Other Stories is a sequel of to his earlier Creepy Creatures and other Cucuys.  Garza will be doing a reading / book signing at the library.

Xavier is originally from Rio Grande City he is the son Margarito(t) and Amalia R. Garza. He is a graduate of Rio Grande City High School.

Xavier received his BFA at UT Edinburg in 1994, and his Masters in Art History at UTSA in 2007.  He is the author/illustrator of six books, Creepy Creatures and other Cucuys (Arte Publico Press), Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask (Cinco Puntos), Juan and the Chupacabras (Arte Publico Press), Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid (Cinco Puntos) and Zulema and the Witch Owl (Arte Publico Press), and Kid Cyclone fights the Devil (Arte Publico Press). His seventh book, A Lucha Libre Novela is slated for release in 2011. Xavier has made San Antonio his home since August of 2000.

For more information visit us at 591 East Canales Bros. St, call 956-487-4389 or visit us on the web at www.rgclibrary.org

STC offers classes in La Joya

(File Image, not from STC)

This fall, South Texas College is offering classes at a new satellite teaching site located at 603 North Coyote Drive in La Joya. Called the La Joya Teaching Center, the location offers evening classes weekdays in a variety of subjects including art, biology, education, English, government, history and math. The college will also offer a Health Information Technology course and a Vocational Nursing course at the site.

“We are hoping to help students who would normally commute to another location by offering evening classes in La Joya,” explained Dr. Anahid Petrosian, assistant to STC’s vice president for academic affairs. “Students can enjoy the small classes and one-on-one instructor support unique to STC right in their home city.”

Registration for classes at the La Joya Teaching Center is currently under way. For more information contact Dr. Arturo Montiel at 956-872-6706 or call the college’s main number at 956-872-8311.

Local 8th Grader, District Spelling Champ

VETERANS MIDDLE SCHOOL – VMS 8th grader, Andres Salazar, is the District Champ for the RGCCISD Spelling Bee for the second year in a row!  This outstanding achievement qualified him for the regional competition that was held at South Texas College in Weslaco in the spring.  VMS is also proud to announce that at the Rio Grande Valley 22nd Annual Regional Spelling Bee competition, Andres earned 2nd Place after competing with students from forty-eight different schools from Roma to Brownsville !  Congratulations Andres for your dedication and achievements! Andres is the son of Pedro and Rosa Salazar and is coached by Ms. Ester Cruz. RGCCISD photo.

RGCCISD Presents Twilight Musical Event

RGCCISD Fine Arts Department held a musical extravaganza in the heart of Rio Grande City where all of the musical talent in the district was showcased.  The spectacular event was held on Britton Ave all the way to the steps of the Starr County Courthouse.  The evening festivities began with the RGC Rattler Mighty Choir performance followed by the different district Mariachi groups.  The Rattler Bands were also present and simulaneously played to the delight of the audience.  The evening's program was deemed a great succees. RGCCISD photo.

Top Students Honored at Banquet

Rio Grande City CISD, Superintendent Mr. Roel A. Gonzalez, honors the Top Ten Percent of the Class of 2010 at the Club at Cimarron.  Mr. Serapio Triyalles served as Master of Ceremonies for this event which was geared at honoring the accomplishments of the students.  Mr. Jorge Recio welcomed everyone and thanked the parents for contributing to the success of the students.  The invocation was recited by Jennifer Diaz  who asked for higher guidance for continued success.  Christina Amador and Heriberto Montalvo lead with the pledge to the U.S. Flag and Texas Flag.

Anabel Rodriguez introduced the guest speaker for the ceremony, Miss Gema Lucia Lopez, who is a local attorney and a Rio Grande City High School Alumni.  Miss Lopez captivated the audience with words of wisdom and encouragement.  She asked the students to remember three very important points in life.  "Be true to yourself and your dreams, be aware of the consequences of your decisions and  value your friends and family," she said.

Miss Lopez spoke of the hardships and battles of attending a post secondary school and recounted her own trials as a law student, but was quick to point out that with hard work and determination anything is possible.  Her humble and sincere words resonated throughout the hall as though her words were reaching the very core of everyone present. She beamed with pride crediting her family and especially her father for having instilled in her that she could achieve what she set out to do. 

Students fixed their eyes on the eloquent speaker who's success is a testament to the spirit of Rio Grande City High School students.  Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Roel Gonzalez, welcomed the students and parents to this momentous occasion and asked the students to think of their lives as a blank canvas in which they should create a great masterpiece with bright bold colors. 
"When you go out Saturday evening, I want to leave you with the following thoughts of your life ahead of you... This is my canvas what shall I be, this is my canvas and nobody else's, " he said.

Fidencio Guerra III, who imparted the following words of wisdom, "we are angels with one wing and we can only fly embracing one another." He then presented the audience a slide show filled with photos, memories and future plans.   Mrs. Jessica Vera Rios presented Mr. Jorge Recio-Rio Grande City High School Principal with a plaque in appreciation for his guidance on behalf of the students and the Counseling Department Staff.

Closing Remarks were made by Jose Arcellana who touched everyone with his heartwarming words as he asked students to remember their accomplishments and cherish all that is important to each and every one of them. Justin Ortega followed with the Benediction in which he asked students to always remember that they are the best of the best. Ediel Saenz and Jessica Guerrero then lead everyone in the Alam Mater. The evening culminated with students and parents congratulating one another and talking about their future goals.  (RGCCISD Photo).

Local Student Wins Essay Contest

 VETERANS MIDDLE SCHOOL – Veterans Middle School is proud to announce that one of its own students, Andres Salazar, has won the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest at the local and district levels!  The Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and it gives middle school students the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy while keeping within the patriotic theme.  This year’s theme was “When is the Right Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?”. 

In the local contest, Andres competed against the three middle schools within the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District . 

At the district level, Andres competed against schools from twenty-two different VFW posts that ranged from Laredo to Brownsville and Hebbronville to Raymondville.  As part of his recognition for winning the contest at the two levels, Andres was awarded two US Savings Bonds in the amounts of $250 and $500, respectively.  VMS congratulates Andres and his parents, Pedro and Rosa Salazar. RGCCISD photo.

RGC Ranch Hosts Livestock Health Program

 Mr. Butch Garcia and Mr. Arturo Gonzalez assisting in a 

Teeth Floating Demonstration with  Dr. Floron Faries.

Over 20 beef cattle livestock producers from both Starr County and Hidalgo County were present at the Beef Cattle Health Herd and Horse Program which took place on May 27, 2010 at Briggs Ranch off of Hwy 83 in Rio Grande City, Texas. Cooperative Extension Program Agent Ronnie Zamora stated, that “The highlights of the program included topics in; Range & Pasture Insurance by Mr. Adrian Perez, AGRI-INSURANCE, Calf Pulling Demonstration and Floating Teeth in Horses by Dr. Floron Faries, Associate Professor & Extension Program Leader for Veterinarian Medicine”. This four hour program involved much discussion on a pulling calf demonstration provided by Dr. F. Feries along with a floating teeth demonstration on horses from Briggs Ranch.

This program was made possible by the following: Briggs Ranch, Rio Grande City, Texas, Agriculture & Natural Resource Committee, Cooperative Extension Program, and Texas Agrilife Extension Service.

Mr. Fedencio Guerra assisting Dr. Floron Faries 

in a pulling calf demonstration. 

Starr County Bike Club Offers Free Bike Repair Clinic

The Starr County Bike Club will host a free Bike Repair Clinic on Saturday, June 12th at10:00AM located at Colonias Unidas 8019 Embassy Street (Las Lomas), Rio Grande City

In an attempt to promote good health in the community; Caminos del Rio & community agencies have teamed up to create the Starr County Bike Club. Everyone is invited to stop by and repair their bikes and enjoy an exciting bike ride following the bike repair.

For more information please contact, Norma Cantu from Los Caminos del Rio
(956)227-2372 or Priscilla Martinez from Colonias Unidas (956)487-0964

New STC Dual Enrollment Academy Coming to Starr County

Krystal Flores, a graduate of STC’s DEMSA, is now a 

pre-medical student at Texas A&M Kingsville.

If you are an entering junior in high school and interested in computers, then South Texas College has a great new, free program for you. Launching in fall 2010, STC’s Dual Enrollment Computer Science Academy (DECSA) is now open for enrollment.

“Building on the success of our Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy, we are currently seeking Starr County students to help us launch DECSA,” said Lupe Chavez, STC director of high school programs. “The new academy is built on the same model as DEMSA, but is geared at students in computer science, with an emphasis in programming and the new field of medical electronic records.”

Interested participants must be enrolled in high schools in Roma ISD or Rio Grande City CISD. Upon acceptance to the program, participants will have the opportunity to participate in community service activities, attend special seminars, activities and field trips related to the computer science field, and receive mentorship from technology professionals. DECSA students will receive specialized tutoring and advising, academic workshops and scholarship search support. Lastly, students can expect to participate in college site visits and summer internship opportunities.

Upon completion of the two-year round program, each participant will earn an Associate of Science in Computer Science weeks before graduating from high school. The degree is transferable toward earning a bachelor’s degree at colleges across the state and is a step in preparing students for careers in computer software engineering, computer systems analysts, information systems and computer programming. The best part? It’s free for qualifying students. 

“To date, Starr County students have performed remarkably well under our Dual Enrollment Academy Program,” added Chavez. “Currently, 46 students are enrolled in DEMSA, with 63 graduating from the program since its launch in 2005. We know students choosing to enroll in DECSA will be just as successful.”

DEMSA graduates have earned more than $764,330 in scholarships to universities across the state including Texas A&M, Baylor University, Texas State University and Texas A&M International University and The University of Texas-Pan American.

“The advantages are clear – finishing your degree faster, taking college classes close to home and the environment is good,” said Krystal Flores, a graduate of STC’s DEMSA and a pre-medical student at Texas A&M Kingsville. “Dual enrollment can be difficult and time consuming, but it really helps you to take the colleges classes in a familiar environment and then be prepared to go on and transfer. If you can set aside being a traditional high school student, you can do it.”

For more information about STC’s new Dual Enrollment Computer Science Academy available through its Starr County Campus contact Lucia Salinas at 956-872-1274 or at lysalina@southtexascollege.edu.

RGC Library Hosts Summer Reading Program

The 2010 Texas Reading Club, Catch the Reading Express! provides opportunities for children of all ages to enjoy reading. It begins on June 7, 2010 at the Rio Grande City Public Library. This free program is co-sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and includes weekly reading activities and events.

Children from pre-school to entering 2nd Grades will meet from Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m . to10:30 a.m. Children entering 3rd Grades to 5th Grades will meet from Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 12: 00 p.m., Children unable to attend at these times may still participate by maintaining a reading log available at the library.

Information about the Texas Reading Club is available by calling 487-4389 and on the Library's web site, www.rgclibrary.org. Programs will run through July 9, 2010. The Rio Grande City Public Library is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Starr County Jail Employee Arrested

Valley Media reports that a Starr County jailer has been arrested for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs into the workplace. (Read Full Article)

RGC High School-2010 Grad. Ceremony (Slide Show)

The Rio Grande City High School class of 2010 held its graduation ceremony on May 29, 2010 at Fort Ringgold's Stadium. 

Media Reports Plot to Blow up Falcon Dam

Valley Media reports that the Zetas drug cartel might have been involved in a plot to blow up Falcon Dam. (Read Full Article)