RGC Public Library Presents Author Xavier Garza

Rio Grande City Public Library is proud to announce children’s author Xavier Garza will read and share stories with children and the community at 5:30pm on Thursday July 28, 2011. Xavier is a prolific writer, artist and storyteller originally from Rio Grande City.
Garza has seven published children's books. His newest, "Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller," is due out 2011 by Cinco Puntos Press in El Paso.

His other books are "Kid Cyclone Fights the Devil and Other Stories" (Cinco Puntos Press, 2010); "Zulema and the Witch Owl" (Piñata Books, 2009); "Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid" (Cinco Puntos Press, 2008); "Juan and the Chupacubras" (Piñata Books, 2006); "Lucha Libre: The Man In The Silver Mask: A Bilingual Cuento" (Cinco Puntos Press, 2005); and "Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys" (Piñata Books, 2004). He illustrated all of his books except for "Juan and the Chupacubras."

Starr County Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling

Starr County Law Enforcement Agencies, from Roma And Rio Grande City are teaming up to crack down on illegal gambling activity throughout the Starr County area (Read Full Article)

Morado Honored with Prestigious Award

MCALLEN - Yolanda Scrivner-Morado was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow by the North McAllen Rotary Club. The Paul Harris Fellow award is one of the highest awards given by Rotary and is named after it’s founder. The award is given annually to a member who
exhibits the highest professional and personal standards set by Rotary International. Ms. Morado was presented this award at a special ceremony on June 30 at the McAllen Country Club in recognition of Ms. Morado’s “service in furthering understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world”. Rotary International was founded in 1905 and based in “fellowship and friendship” and now has over 200,000 members in 75 countries. Ms. Morado serves as County Extension Agent in Starr County and works for Texas AgriLife Extension Service. She has served South Texas as an Extension educator for more than 30 years and was also recently recognized as a Regent Fellow by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. “Ms. Morado is the embodiment of a servant leader” commented Dr. Ruben Saldana, District Extension Administrator. “She leads by serving and she has made an indelible mark on our part of the state” he continued.

RGC Public Library Rewards Readers

Rio Grande City Public Library had a very successful Texas Reading Club Dig Up a Good Book!, and Texas Teens Read! Going Global, Staying Connected! Both programs designed to encourage youth to read for pleasure and to promote library usage. Over 1600 books were checked out during program. Staff kept reading logs for each participant and all books they read or were read to them. Participants also worked on an arts and crafts activity at the end of each session. These free programs are co-sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in collaboration with local libraries.

Local Mariachi Performers to Represent South Texas at National Festival

San Antonio’s Mariachi Extravaganza winners will represent South Texas July 26-31 in Ashland, Oregon at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival GreenShow. Mariachi Cascabel from Rio Grande City High School in Rio Grande City and Karenn Lazo from Roma will represent the Extravaganza as first place winners of the largest and most competitive mariachi group and vocal competitions in the U.S. Mariachi Cascabel won first place in the mariachi group competition high school category last December. Karenn Lazo won “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the U.S.” The young artists were selected by members of the internationally acclaimed and Mexico City based Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán as the best in their respective categories. The 14 members of Mariachi Cascabel and Karenn Lazo will perform 4 thirty-five minute shows July 26-31 under the direction of Alex Rodriguez.

Local College One Step Closer to Offering BAT Degree

South Texas College is one step closer to offering a third Bachelor of Applied Technology degree. The new Bachelor of Applied Technology in Medical and Health Services Management received conditional approval this week from the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The committee recommendation moves forward to the full Coordinating Board for review and approval on July 28, 2011 to begin offering classes in fall 2011.

3 Chases on Same Day; Starr Co. Deputy Injured

Valley media reports; A Starr County Sheriff's Office deputy was injured in one of three chases that happened at the same time in the Starr County area. (Read Full Article)

Starr County Says Farewell to Local Leader

Starr County lost one of its “favorite sons” last week when civic and agriculture leader John A. Shuford died July 7 at his home in Rio Grande City following a brief illness. 

As owner of Shuford Farm, he was widely known in the agriculture community. He served on the board of the Starr County Farm Bureau for 30 years, and in 2005 he received the Farm Bureau Pioneer Award. In 2004, he was inducted into the Texas Produce Association’s Hall of Fame. He also served as director and treasurer for the Rio Grande Growers Cooperative. He continued farming until his recent illness.

He was a quarterback for the Rio Grande City High School Rattlers and made the Texas A&M baseball team as a walk on. At A&M he became famously known as “Lefty” Shuford. He earned his place in the sports history books in 1943 when he pitched the game that shutout the Texas Longhorns with a score of 12 to 0.

Roma High School Students Featured in Art Exhibit

South Texas College’s Starr County Campus Library Art Gallery is showcasing the outstanding talent and creativity of Roma High School art students through is “Annual Roma High School Art Exhibit.” The show features 38 works of art by students who have studied under the tutelage of Roma High School art instructors Monica Gillette, Gabriela Gonzalez and Mario Godinez. The exhibit is on display now through September 9, 2011 at STC’s Starr County Campus Library located at 142 FM 3167, Bldg. F in Rio Grande City. Admission is free and open to the public.

 The exhibit features mixed media artwork by freshman, sophomore, junior and senior Roma High School students including Albeza Barrera, Andrea Cab, Damaris Cantu, Miguel Cantu, Ray Castillo, Daisy Delgado, Maria Estrada, Islen Garcia, Jessica Garcia, Jose D. Garcia, Linda Leal Garcia, Michelle Garcia, Uzziel Garcia, Gissel Garza, Isidoro Garza, Juvenal Garza, Ladiza Garza, Alan Gutierrez, Steven Hernandez, Edgar Hinojosa, San Juanita Juarez, Jaqueline Lopez, Aaron Maldonado, Kassandra Martinez, Armando Molina, Jessica Moreno, Jessica Orta, Anayle Zamora del Real, Edgar Rios, Jaslyn Rios, Conchita Rivas, Vivian Rodriguez, Josylyn Sandoval, Paolo Santana and Erika Solis.

Villareal Questions Water Treatment Plant Expenses

A report by The Monitor's Gail Burkhardt covers details concerning added expenses to the construction of Rio Grande City's new water treatment plant which RGC Mayor Ruben Villarreal is not in agreement with. (Read Full Report)

Fake DirectTV Van Used to Smuggle Drugs

Valley Media Reports: A drug smuggler escaped on foot after authorities pulled over his vehicle with a misspelled DirectTV logo pasted on to it. A search of the vehicle later on resulted in a find of 2,300 lbs of marijuana (Read Full Article)

Boy Dies After Auto Mishap

Valley Media Reports - Gustavo Noel Vega, and 8-year-old boy from Rio Grande City died from injuries resulting from a two-vehicle collision on Monday July 4, 2011. (Read Full Article) (Update)

Rio Grande City HighSchool holds Scholarship Night

RGCCISD Press Release
Rio Grande City High School had scholarship night on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.  Graduating students and their parents were present at the ceremony where many students were awarded several scholarships for their work and dedication during their high school career.  Mrs. Roxanne Garza-College and Career Advisor and the Rio Grande City High School Guidance Counselors have been working very close with students to insure that they completed all the necessary documents and that they met all the criteria needed to enroll in a higher learning institution.  The high school guidance department is diligent in assisting the students in applying for financial aid, scholarships and grants.  (RGCCISD Photo).

Rio Grande City Rattler Football Camp 2011, A Success

RGCCISD Press Release
The Rio Grande City Rattler Football Camp 2011 was held on June 13-16, 2011 at the Rio Grande City High School football field. A total of 59 students participated in this camp ranging from 2nd through 9th grade. The campers worked on drills and terminology  used in offensive and defensive schemes. The younger campers were taught basic football drills that will help them in pop-Warner football. A special thanks to the Rattler Football Coaching Staff including Veterans M.S. and Ringgold M.S. staffs for their time.

VMS Mariachi Undefeated, CD for Sale

RGCCISD Press Release
VETERANS MIDDLE SCHOOL - This award winning group of mariachi students prove their motto: “Tradition of Excellence” not just once or twice but seven times in a row, at 7 different mariachi competitions against other groups from Houston, San Antonio, all the way down to the Rio Grande Valley. The VMS Mariachi attended their last three competitions held in San Diego TX, Alice TX, and Laredo TX, earning all “best” section awards, 1st place, and the overall grand champion middle school award, making it a total of seven competitions for the year 2010-2011! In addition, they also received from all three judges, the highest points in all three competitions! As a result, now the Veterans Middle School Mariachi program is now considered to be one of the best mariachi programs in the state of Texas! The VMS Mariachi Director – Mr. Eloy Garza would like to extent a special thank you to the Rio Grande City CISD, Superintendent – Mr. Roel Gonzalez, School Board, VMS Principal – Mr. Joel Trigo, Jr. and his administration, all the VMS family, the community, and all the proud VMS mariachi parents for their continuous support to the program and for assisting their sons/daughters in accomplishing their goals all year long! Without it, all of the student’s successes would not be possible. Congratulations to the mariachi students, director, school, and parents for such an accomplishment! Keep up the extraordinary work and best wishes for the up coming year of 2011-2012! Pictured: VMS Mariachi Juvenil de America; far left: Mariachi Director – Mr. Eloy Garza; far right: VMS Principal - Mr. Joel Trigo Jr..

RGCCISD Grulla High School Holds Scholarship Night

 RGCCISD Press Release
May 12th marked the date for the very first Scholarship Night held at the new high school, RGCCISD Grulla High School, which was held in their Cafetorium.  The students and parents beamed with the anticipation during the presentation of awards.  Mr. Rick Solis-College and Career Advisor and the counseling department staff worked diligently to secure much needed monies to aid the students in pursuing their educational goals.  A College and Career Center has been established to assist students in applying for colleges,financial aid, scholarships, grants and college entrancce exams.  (RGCCISD Photo).