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No. 34, Volume 124
Robles first, Lady Mavs third at Laredo
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18 Pages / $1.00
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018
Single gunshot to neck; motive unclear...
Uvalde woman confesses to murder of roommate Roman facing first degree murder charge, currently awaiting extradition to Frio County BREYANA SEGURA Staff Writer
A Uvalde woman remains According to a report on in custody after she allegedly the case, Roman requested confessed to murdering her a ride to Uvalde for a family roommate Saturday, August function. It was when the 18. individual arrived at the Although the motive residence on FM 173, remains unclear this that Roman showed week, investigators her the body of the have confirmed the man lying face down woman, 53-year-old on the floor. Mary Jane Roman, was Officers have living with 64-year-old confirmed the man had Larry Pate in Bigfoot. a single gunshot wound The living arrangement to his neck. Arrested: had begun a few weeks Mary Jane Roman A multi-agency task prior to the murder, force that included the the deputy noted in his Frio County Sheriff’s office, report. Medina County Sheriff’s The man was last seen department, Texas Rangers, alive by a neighbor at Uvalde Police and its SWAT approximately 6 p.m. on unit were able to locate Saturday evening, according Roman in an abandoned to a report on the case. home in Uvalde. Investigating officers have As of presstime Roman a preliminary timeline that remains in the Uvalde County has Roman in Uvalde by 8 Jail awaiting extradition to p.m., some two hours after Frio County to face a first the man was seen alive. degree murder charge.
Digging up bones... Forensic archaeologists from Texas State University in San Marcos meticulously work to excavate a skeleton found at the Frio River on Hwy 57 near Pearsall last week. The remains, initially believed to be nearly 50 years old and possibly a cold case are now dated at around 1,000 years. (Photos courtesy of Amy Dugosh)
From cold case to ancient mystery...
Forensics team dates human remains at over 1,000 years MANUEL AZOCAR III
later determined the bones to be much older. “After further inspection of the remains it was determined that they were possibly over 1,000 years old,” Frio County Lt. Investigator Danny Delgado said. “Texas State forensics also discovered an arrowhead close to the spine area of the remains and determined that it was possibly the cause of death. “Once this was discovered it became a matter for TxDOT to handle since it was no longer a cold case for the sheriff’s office to investigate.” Delgado said that Eric Oksanen with the TxDOT Archaeological Studies Program now has jurisdiction of the site.
Managing Editor
Although it’s possible a body found outside of Pearsall last week met an untimely demise, Frio County deputies are no longer investigating the remains found along the Frio River at Hwy 57 as a ‘cold case’. Additional study by a forensic archaeological team from Texas State University in San Marcos has determined that the skeleton could be over 1,000 years old. Initial studies dated the remains at about 50 years and having been placed at their location during the last construction on the Hwy 57 bridge. The TSU forensic team began excavating the bones on Wednesday, August 15 and
“The streets are not built for trucks...”
POPPING PADS - Pearsall running back Meme Cuevas plows into the endzone for a score during action against Sam Houston last Friday at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio. See related photos and story, Page 10. (CURRENT Photo: Manuel Azocar III)
City passes ‘No Truck Zone’ ordinance BREYANA SEGURA Staff Writer
Commercial truck owners will soon have to find a new place to park their vehicles, following a municipal ordinance passed by Pearsall City Councilors on Tuesday, August 14. The ‘no truck zone’ ordinance has found itself on the council table since 2012. However, administration recommended the passing of the ordinance outlining the effect freight trucks have on city streets. “We could put a million dollars a month into the streets and if we do not stop trucks from traveling on it we will be putting a million
dollars a month for the rest of our lives,” City Manager Charles Jackson said. “The streets are not built for trucks, they are built for
said. “They are driving from their residence to their work sites.” Jackson reiterated the city was not responsible
“We have constant complaints that we need to fix the streets but we are not doing anything to help ourselves,”
FIRST DAY JITTERS - A mother comforts her young son on the first day of classes as Ted Flores Elementary in Pearsall on Wednesday, August 15. Classes began last week in Pearsall and Dilley while Cotulla ISD will start on August 27. (CURRENT Photo: Rocky Alcala)
-- Charles Jackson Pearsall City Manager
cars.” Councilors expressed their concerns regarding citizens’ reaction to the passage of the proposed ordinance. “The residents who use their lots, will the city provide parking spots,” Councilor Robert Villarreal
for providing a facility for drivers to park. Along with damaging city streets, according to Jackson, a number of city curbs have been broken due to freight trucks driving over them. “The citizens are going to start coming because they
have lots they own to park,” Councilor Sonia Hernandez said. “They are going to throw that. Because they pay city taxes.” According to Economic Director Uche Echeozo, it is a zoning violation for residents to park their vehicles on the privately owned lots. Echeozo went on to say that the lots are not zoned to serve as a parking lot. “We have constant complaints that we need to fix the streets,” Jackson said. “But we are not doing anything to help ourselves.” The Pearsall Police
(See ORDINANCE, Page 6)
INSIDE / WEATHER CALENDAR.................................2 OPINION.....................................7 LIVING.........................................8 CHURCH.....................................9
SPORTS...................................10 FARM........................................12 DIRECTORY.............................13 CLASSIFIEDS..........................14
Your Hospital. Your ER. Frio Regional Hospital is a full-service hospital, providing emergency medical care around the glock, and is now partnered with Methodist Healthcare, the largest health care provider in South Texas. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911
OBITUARIES: Luis Aguilar Hanley G. Burris Henry E. Carroll
Esperanza V. Cortez William H. Gierisch
FRIDAY
101F / 73F
PRECIP 10%
SATURDAY 100F / 73F
PRECIP 10%
SUNDAY
PRECIP 10%
98F / 74F
Services Include:
A State Designated Level IV Trauma Center Treatment for a wide range of health care issues/injuries 24-hour Laboratory/Radiology/Coverage Physicians on duty 24 hours a day Transfer agreements for patients requiring higher level of care Every resident of Frio County has coverage under the Methodist AirCare membership program, to serve those in need of advanced emergency health care and rapid medical transport Frio Regional Hospital is just off Interstate 35 South at Exit 101 and serves our surrounding communities
200 IH 35 South Pearsall, TX 78061
830-334-3617
www.FrioRegionalHospital.com