April 24 2024

Alex Sarabia Received the 2024-2025 Altruistic Prestige & Quality Award

Alex Sarabia, STC Psychology Professor and Licensed Professional Counselor, received the 2024-2025 Altruistic Prestige and Quality Award in a ceremony at Payne Arena in Hildago, Texas among other distinguished and influential awardees. There were many community leaders in attendance including the Hidalgo County Tax Collector-Assessor Paul Villarreal and special guest, Boxing World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez “Dinamita” who addressed the audience. Some of Alex Sarabia’s major academic and professional

accolades include graduating Valedictorian from high school, Top Graduate from university, being 2023 South Texas College Faculty of the Year, and receiving the national awards of Who’s Who in America, Top Educator, and Distinguished Humanitarian.

Sarah M. Salinas Selected as the United States Border Patrol RGV Sector Head of the Class

Let’s celebrate Sarah Madison Salinas, chosen as the United States Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector Head of the Class! Sarah’s hard work and leadership shine brightly, making us all proud at RGCGISD. Congratulations, Sarah! Senior Sarah Madison Salinas has been selected to represent Grulla High School as the United States Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector Head of the Class. For over 20 years, the Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol has proudly recognized outstanding high school seniors for their excellent academic achievements and significant community service. This award recognizes senior students from all high schools across the Rio Grande Valley who have been nominated by their counselors. Congratulations Sarah! Gator Pride!

Dictatorship/Self-Serving Leadership

Rio Deal-Rio Progress ???

• Self-serving politics that neglect the voice of citizens

Rio Deal-Rio Progress ???

• Limited Opportunities for Una liated individuals under current leadership

Rio Deal-Rio Progress ???

LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMATION

• Rio Independent Leaders Value Democracy, Transparency, Integrity and Representation

• Leaders use their political power to advance personal agendas rather than serve the public interest

Rio Deal-Rio Progress ???

• Leadership created a culture of favoritism and nepotism within city/school governance

Rio Deal-Rio Progress ???

• Leadership shi from exclusive party politics with a Political Boss to Inclusive Decision Making

• Ensure all voices are heard and opportunities are accessible to all Irrespective of political a liation

• Leaders disregard the voices and concerns of citizens in the decision making process

Community Empowerment:

• Vote for Rio Independent Leaders: Integrity, Transparency, Accountability

TOGETHER, WE CAN BRING THE CHANGE OUR CITY DESPERATELY NEEDS.

Séptimo Aniversario

En memoria de Antonio Cantú

Julio 11, 1952 – Abril 23, 2017

On Wednesday, April 10, the City of Rio Grande City hosted its official State of the City address and luncheon, offering a comprehensive overview of recent accomplishments and developments across various sectors, including the economy, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life.

initiatives aimed at enhancing prosperity and well-being for all residents.

Community leaders, business owners, and residents gathered to hear Mayor Joel Villarreal deliver the State of the City address, providing insights into the city’s progress and outlining future

During the event, Mayor Villarreal highlighted several notable achievements in the city’s economy, including STATE OF THE CITY, page 6

Hoy es otro año más de tu partida. Te extrañamos muchísimo. Cada día te seguimos recordando con amor. Cada Navidad te recordamos y nos juntamos toda la familia para estudiar la Biblia como habías querido hacer para poder aprender más de ella. Ahora, sabemos que descansas allí donde no hay más sufrimiento, ni dolor, donde solo reína la paz que solo Dios puede dar. A pesar de todo, Dios nos enseñó que él se lleva lo mejor.

Te Amamos, Tu esposa Virginia Cantu; hijos(as) Antonio Jr. y Claudia Cantu, Henry y Alissa Cantu, JR y Vicky Urbina; nietos(as) Antonio III, Amaris Felisha, Adriel, Aili An, Idani Yzabel, Andres, Adan, Abram Cantu y So�ia Urbina

Familia Cantú Ramírez

JOIN the City of Rio Grande City for the 7th Annual Autism Living Awareness Fest 2024 at the Basilio Villarreal Municipal Park on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 9am to 12pm. is is a completely FREE event for our community, for more information contact the Martin Family at (956)451-1704.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The misuse of prescription medications is a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 52 million Americans over the age of 12 have deliberately misused prescription drugs at least once in their lifetime.

To help address this vital public safety and public health issue, the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold its nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative on April

successful initiatives to attract new businesses at, promote entrepreneurship, and stimulate economic growth through several phases of the thriving St. Ives Plaza Development. The mayor also underscored ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, citing infrastructure projects aimed at improving city streets and public utilities focusing on expansion on the West side of the City.

In addition to economic and

27, 2024. Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands, which is dangerous and can end in tragedy. For more information on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and collection site locations, please visit Take Back Day (dea.gov) Starr County will be hosting a collection site at Walmart Rio Grande City, 4534 E US Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582, 10 am

STATE OF THE CITY

Continued from page 5

infrastructure achievements, the State of the City address addressed significant advancements in public safety, including investments in technology, training, and community policing initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and fostering trust between law enforcement and residents. Also highlighted at the event was the significant efforts of the RGC Fire Department and an update on the soon-to-be opened Public Safety Building. Quality of life initiatives also took center stage during the State of the City address, with Mayor Villarreal highlighting efforts to expand recreational opportunities, enhance parks, and upcoming projects such as new additions to our beloved Trolley Tours, a splash park, and new soccer fields.

You can watch the entire RGC 2024 State of the City address on Facebook.

CDC Announces Important Advances in Protecting Americans from Heat

New Heat and Health Initiative, developed in response to increased health risks from heat exposure, aims to improve American’s ability to stay safe during heat events

On Monday, April 22, 2024, CDC, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), launched a new Heat and Health Initiative to protect Americans from heat exposure. The new initiative has three resources, which combined give proactive actions people can take to protect themselves: stay cool; stay hydrated; know the symptoms.

First, the HeatRisk Forecast Tool, developed by both CDC and NOAA, provides a sevenday heat forecast nationwide that tells you when temperatures may reach levels that could harm your health. Second, CDC’s HeatRisk Dashboard, a consumer-friendly product, integrates the HeatRisk Forecast Tool data with other information, including details

on local air quality, to inform the public on how best to protect themselves when outdoor temperatures are high and could impact their health. Third, newly developed CDC clinical guidance helps clinicians keep at-risk individuals safe when temperatures rise.

“Heat can impact our health, but heat-related illness and death are preventable,” said CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H. “We are releasing new heat and health tools and guidance to help people take simple steps to stay safe in the heat.”

More than two-thirds of all Americans were under heat alerts in 2023. Heat events are becoming more frequent and intense. A recent report from CDC found that daily emergency department visits because of heatrelated illness in 2023 peaked in several regions over the warmseason months and, in those regions, remained exceedingly high for an extended duration.

Heat can be especially dangerous for people with underlying health

conditions.

HeatRisk Forecast Tool

CDC worked with NOAA’s NWS on the HeatRisk Forecast Tool, which is designed for public health audiences, including state and local health officials. The methodology created by CDC and NWS identifies health and temperature data to deliver a seven-day outlook for hot weather.

The tool uses a five-level scale to indicate how risky the heat level is in a specific area. Each level uses a color and number to represent risks from heat exposure. Thresholds associated with health impacts are identified based on relationships between temperature and mortality using CDC-based data assets at the local-level. The tool then accounts for unique relationship differences between heat and health for a specific location, in different geographic areas, and at different times of year. This tool can help jurisdictions in planning their actions to extreme heat forecasts, by, among other activities, implementing their

respective Heat Response Plans. HeatRisk Dashboard

CDC’s HeatRisk Dashboard is designed for the general public. It allows people to access important heat and health information in an easy-touse, intuitive, mobile-friendly interface. Pulling in data from the HeatRisk Forecast Tool, in the Dashboard people can enter their zip code and get personalized heat forecast information for their location alongside protective actions to take. The HeatRisk Dashboard is further supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AIR NOW Air Quality Index, which provides information on local air quality, specifically the presence of pollutants in the air. The

Dashboard provides important heat and health information right alongside CDC’s new clinical guidance materials for people at higher risk from heat-related health effects who may need to take more protective actions.

To view a walkthrough of the HeatRisk Dashboard https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7cNwCAUSBJM

CDC’s new clinical guidance

CDC’s clinical guidance helps health care providers speak with their patients about heat and reduce the risk of negative health impacts due to heat exposure. Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable, and CDC recommends clinicians talk to their patients about how to stay safe where they live, learn, work, and play when it’s hot. If the HeatRisk in a patient’s location is “moderate” for example, then a clinician can reference the CDC guidance for condition-specific heat action plans that contain steps to help keep the patient safe. The heat action plans are tailored to each patient’s unique circumstances. Even though heat can impact anyone’s physical and mental health, children with asthma, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular disease, among other groups, may be more sensitive. That is why CDC’s clinical guidance focuses on some of the people who may be more sensitive to heat and poor air quality. CDC experts in asthma, cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy worked together to create the guidance.

Simple ways to help kids lose weight

Childhood obesity is a global health issue. In fact, childhood obesity is so prevalent that the World Health Organization identifies it as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. As daunting a task as tackling childhood obesity may seem, it’s a problem that can be solved.

The WHO notes that, in 2016, an estimated 41 million children across the globe were overweight. That’s a troubling statistic, as overweight and obese children are likely to remain so into adulthood, increasing their risk for various diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Parents of children who are overweight or obese may find it difficult to get youngsters to change their lifestyles and adopt healthy behaviors that can help them lose weight and keep the weight off. Like adults, many children are creatures of habit, particularly when it comes to diet. And getting kids to change

those habits is not always so easy. However, a few simple strategies might be all it takes to help kids lose weight and get on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

· Limit sugar intake. The WHO recommends reducing kids’ sugar intake. Sodas and juices, even fruit juices, are often loaded with sugar. Many children drink these beverages every day, with some even consuming multiple servings per day. Water is a healthy alternative to soda and juice, and parents can slowly transition their youngsters away from sugary beverages by diluting the beverages with water and only allowing kids to have them on special occasions.

· Switch things up at snack time. Many children eat daily snacks, and that’s perfectly normal. Youngsters are growing and, as a result, tend to get hungry between meals. What parents serve at snack time can have positive or negative effects on youngsters’ weights. The American Academy

of Pediatrics recommends parents use snack time as a way to increase kids’ intake of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense, and the WHO says increasing fruit and vegetable intake is a great way to fight childhood obesity.

· Focus on more than the dinner table. Getting overweight and obese kids to eat healthy diets is just one aspect of helping them lose weight. Routine physical activity is another essential part of a successful weight loss plan.

The WHO recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day.

Parents can promote a physically active lifestyle and limit the time kids spend on devices or playing video games by only allowing access to such distractions after kids have been physically active. Overweight and obese children may need help and some extra encouragement as they try to lose weight.

Stay Safe During Windy Months

The old adage, “In like a lion, out like a lamb,” refers to spring starting out stormy and ending calmly—and that includes wind patterns.

“Across most of the country, spring is the windiest time of the year,” according to a South Carolina weather forecaster’s blog. “Wind speeds and wind power tend to be [three to four] times stronger in March and April than in July and August. In the [Dust Bowl] days, most of the dust storms were in late winter and spring. That continues to be the case in the Plains today.”

High winds can blow objects around and present a threat to your safety. Understanding what to do before, during and after high winds can help you weather windstorms more safely. Medina Electric Cooperative encourages you to prepare to stay safe during high winds. Consider these tips from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Before Strong Winds

•Secure loose gutters and shutters.

•Find an interior room of your house, such as a closet or bathroom, that you can take shelter in if needed.

•If you live in a mobile home, seek out a sturdy building where you can go when it’s windy.

•Charge batteries of all essential items such as cellphones, booster packs and weather radios.

•Secure any items that could blow away to avoid damage or injury once the wind starts picking up.

During Strong Winds

•Immediately go inside a sturdy structure and move to an interior room or basement.

•If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the wind picks up.

•Take shelter in your car if you are not near a sturdy building. If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy structure.

•Trim tree branches away from your house. Call Medina Electric Cooperative about tree branches that are too close to power lines.

•If no shelter is available, avoid trees and power lines.

•If you’re driving and aren’t near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down.

•Keep a safe distance away from high-profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers. One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip a trailer onto its side.

After High Winds

•Do not go near downed power lines. Report downed power lines to the police and Medina EC, or your local utility.

•Report power outages through SmartHub or by calling 1-866632-3532. Alternatively, contact your local utility for assistance.

•Continue to listen to the local news and NOAA Weather Radio for updates following the storm.

Medina EC aims to keep its members and communities safe in all weather conditions and encourages them to have a plan in place for all weather-related emergencies.

Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol Awareness Month is a national public health awareness campaign formerly sponsored by the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), which takes place every April.

Alcohol Awareness Month was established with the aim of raising awareness for communities and to help understand the cause and treatment available for one of the nation’s biggest health issues. The campaign also aims to reduce the social stigma associated with alcoholism and to educate people on how the disease can

be addressed; offering help and advice for families as well as direct engagement with those afflicted with alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol addiction and abuse is not only a considerable burden on government spending, it also claims thousands of lives across the county each year. Some notable statistics on alcohol addiction include: (1) more than 65 million Americans report binge drinking or heavy deinking in a one-month period, which is more than 40% of those who drink alcohol, (2) in 2018, there were 10,511 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, totaling 29% of all traffic fatalities for the year, and (3) teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined. By making people aware of the situation and the viable solutions,

alcohol awareness month aims to reduce the pain and suffering alcohol abuse causes to people’s lives.

For more information, please visit Alcohol Awareness Month 2024: Get Involved! (recovered. org)

Message from the Starr County Community Coalition

Preventing Underage Drinking Starts With You

Alcohol Awareness Month is an important reminder of the need to prevent underage drinking. Let this April be a starting point for meaningful discussions about alcohol misuse and its effects. Together, we can build awareness, share knowledge, and take steps to prevent underage drinking. Ready to start? Take the Pledge today.

Disability Awareness Walk

e Rio Grande City Grulla ISD Special Services Department proudly organized a Disability Awareness Walk on April 5, 2024, at Basilio Villarreal Park. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this event both possible and successful! It was truly heartwarming to see our students engaging and having a blast, creating unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime!