April 3, 2024

487-2440

300 East Main St. R.G.C.

STARR VISION CASTAÑEDA FRED’S PHARMACY ¡Su Farmacia de confianza por mas de 30 Años!

CENTER Fast, Friendly & Reliable Service

Auto Insurance & Bail Bonds

Dr. Angie Ramirez Therapeutic Optometrist

MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED Competitive Cash Prices

FREE DELIVERY From Alto Bonito to Roma

WE ACCEPT MEXICAN PRESCRIPTION

488-0808 487-7000 956-487-2711 280 W. 2nd St. R.G.C.

2790 PHARMACY ROAD, RGC

Conveniently Located Next To Dr. Jose Vazquez

The Law Office Of

J.M. “Chema” Garza Criminal Cases (Federal/State) Car Accidents/ 18 Wheeler Divorces • Real Estate/Deeds

Vol. 39, No. 14 WEEKLY WEDNESDAY • APRIL 3, 2024 Office (956) 487-6544 - Fax (956) 487-6165 - E-Mail: sctc78582@aol.com - www.starrcountytowncrier.com

956-317-1167 206 N. Britton Ave. Ste.B, R.G.C. jmchemagarza@gmail.com

487-2596 Veterans Middle School 3rd Place and General Ricardo Sanchez 4350 E. US HWY 83 R.G.C.

Installment Loans 668 E. Grant St. Ste A&B Roma TX 78584-5312

Phone (956) 849-4497

Elementary 2nd Place at the Odyssey of the Mind State Competition Congratulations to RGCGISD Odyssey of the Mind teams from Veterans Middle School and General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary who competed at the Odyssey of the Mind State Competition in Denton, Texas.

For the first time in VMS history, an OM team was established. The VMS students competed against the top schools in the state of Texas and brought home a 3rd place win for the middle school division. What an incredible accomplishment!!

Judges were left mesmerized with their performance!

General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary, in their second year competing, brought in a 2nd place win missing the championship spot by one point in the Texas Elementary division advancing them to the World Finals Competition in Ames, Iowa!! What an impressive feat!!

Both teams made a grand statement with their performances and received standing ovations

from judges and spectators.

RGCGISD has truly remarkable, talented, and creative students.

On behalf of Mr. Adolfo Peña and the board of trustees, we

express our sincere gratitude to the coaches, students and their parents for their continued commitment and dedication to placing the district on the

map once again. The district is extremely proud of their accomplishments.

This is only the beginning!

RGCGISD continuing to make

history and offering experiences of a lifetime!!

Good luck to the General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary at the World Finals Competition!!!

Roma High’s JROTC Cadets Earn a Score of 97.75% Congratulations to Mayra Vargas for their JROTC Program Accreditation Visit Sanchez for her amazing artwork!!!

Dr. Raymond Cruz Best FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dental Insurance, Medicaid and Chip Accepted

487-2999 419 East 2nd St. Rio Grande City, Tx.

Congratulations to the Roma High School JROTC Program on a highly successful program accreditation visit! There are 1,734 Army JROTC programs nationwide. The minimum score of 95% is needed to earn the Honor Unit Distinction (HUD) among these programs. Roma High’s JROTC cadets earned a score of 97.75% for their JROTC Program Accreditation visit. Only 10% of the Nationwide programs have achieve this goal! The cadets sincerely love the program, which helps them in learning critical life skills and leadership skills that are beneficial to all the stakeholders. The Gladiator Nation is extremely proud of the students and their teachers for this tremendous achievement! Congratulations to Grulla High School student Mayra Vargas Sanchez (Thanks to Roma High JROTC Instructor Hector Rodriguez for on her amazing artwork which earned her an intermediate class the report.) champion award at this year’s Starr County Fair.

• Individual • Partnership • Corporations • LLC’s • Bookkeeping • Payroll • Financial Statements • Form 2290 • IRS Audit Representation

Mario A. Méndez, EA Licensed to practice before the IRS (Internal Revenue Service)

(NEW LOCATION)

201 S. San Antonio. St. Rio Grande City, TX (956)

317-1124

CHUY Alvarez ATTORNEY AT LAW

J.M. “Chuy” Alvarez

501 N. Britton Ave • Rio Grande City, Texas

956-487-4871 Cell: 956-208-0282 NOT CERTIFIED BY THE TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION

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Mighty Gladiator Tennis Team Members Won Mariachi Juvenil De America 3rd Place at the Big at the Roma Invitational Tournament 2024 Festiba Mariachi Group Competition

Congrats to the Roma High Mighty Gladiator Tennis Team members who won big at the Roma Invitational Tournament! Rafael Vasquez Jr. is the Boys Singles Champion. Angelina Garcia and Alaissa Alaniz took home the Girls Doubles Championship. The team as a whole took home 2nd place. Way to go Mighty Congratulations to Rio Grande City Grulla ISD Mariachi Juvenil De America for earning 3rd Place at the 2024 Festiba Mariachi Group Competition held in UTRGV. Once again congratulations and Go Cranes!!

Gladiators! (Thanks to Coach Eddie Marquez for the report.)

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STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, APRIL 3, 2024, PAGE 6 crisis are prevalent health concerns that affect America’s parents and caregivers.

Preventing underage alcohol and High rates of youth alcohol substance use is critical use, shifting state laws regarding for the following reasons: marijuana, and the nation’s opioid (1) Approximately 88,000

Americans die from alcoholattributed causes each year, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

(2) An estimated 2.1 million people ages 12 or older had an opioid use disorder, and nearly

30% of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.

Parents have a considerable influence in their children’s decision to experiment with alcohol and other drugs.

Although it may not seem like it,

when parents talk about underage drinking and substance use, their children do hear them. Having honest, frequent, and organic conversations with children allows parents and caregivers to set clear rules about what is expected from them when it

comes to alcohol and substances.

For information and tips on how to talk to youth about alcohol and substances, please visit www. samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/ whats-new Message from: Starr County Community Coalition, SCAN

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, APRIL 3, 2024, PAGE 7

Volunteers Come Together for RGC Main Street Spring Trash Bash World Down Syndrome Day at Grulla Elementary School Community members and volunteers gathered last weekend to participate in the Rio Grande City Main Street Spring Trash Bash, an initiative aimed at beautifying downtown areas and promoting hometown pride.

Volunteers of all ages rolled up their sleeves and joined forces to clean up downtown Rio Grande City. Armed with gloves, trash bags, and determination, participants scoured streets, sidewalks, and public spaces, collecting litter and debris to restore the city’s urban landscape to its pristine condition.

“The Spring Trash Bash is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and make a tangible difference in the cleanliness and appeal of our downtown area,” stated Rio Grande City Main Street Program Coordinator Yandery

De La Cruz. “We are grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers who demonstrate their commitment to our city’s vitality.”

The event, organized by Rio Grande City Main Street, garnered significant support from local businesses, organizations, and residents who recognize the importance of maintaining a clean and vibrant downtown environment. By investing time and effort in the cleanup initiative, participants demonstrated their collective pride in Rio Grande

City and their commitment to preserving its aesthetic appeal.

The success of the Rio Grande City Main Street Spring Trash Bash underscores the power of community collaboration and the impact that collective action can have on enhancing quality of life and fostering civic pride.

As participants returned home with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, the streets of downtown Rio Grande City shone brightly, reflecting the spirit of unity and cooperation that defines the community.

World Down Syndrome Day at the Grulla Elementary School, Mrs. J. Peña’s 1st grade class enjoyed discussing ways of accepting and welcoming differences in others. Discussing about these differences helps us appreciate the many characteristics that make each person unique and valuable. Ethan Loera provided his class with stickers and bracelets.

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ICYMI: Rep. Cuellar Stops New Money for Border Wall in Government Funding Bill In case you missed it, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, voted on Friday to pass the remaining six government funding bills to keep the government open.

In this bipartisan package, supported by the National Border Patrol Council, Ranking Member Cuellar successfully fought to

prohibit new funding for border wall construction in FY24.

“A border wall is a fourteenthcentury solution to a twentyfirst-century problem that does nothing to stop people from crossing the border,” said Ranking Member Cuellar. “In my first year as the top Democrat overseeing the Department of Homeland Security’s budget, I am proud to have successfully fought against wasteful border

wall construction. In South Texas, we know border walls do not work. Instead, we are making meaningful investments back into our hardworking DHS workforce, including frontline Border Patrol Agents and CBP Officers. I will continue to support smart border security solutions that will strengthen our federal border law enforcement while cracking down on fentanyl trafficking.”

The Starr County Office of U.S House of Representative Congressman Henry Cuellar will be hosting Neighborhood Office Hours at the Rio Grande City Public Library on the first Tuesday of every month from 1pm to 2pm.

For more information, you can contact the Starr County Office at (956) 487-5603.

This is a great opportunity for his staff to meet with constituents and offer assistance to federal agencies. Feel free to stop by the library on the first Tuesday of every month.

While you are here allow library staff to update you on Library events and programs.

See below the following dates, times, and locations where you can meet with a member of Congressman Henry Cuellar Office.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024 9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6 Office, 6165 F.M. 1430, RGC 10:45 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. La Grulla City Hall, 194 F.M. 2360, La Grulla 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Rio Grande City Public Library 591 E. 3rd Street, RGC WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024 9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Office, 8938 N. F.M. 755,

Santa Elena, TX THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024 9:45 A.M. - 10:45 A.M. Roma Public Library 1705 N. Athens Street, Roma 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Escobares Community Center 4829 Old Highway 83, Escobares 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. La Rosita Public Library 4192 U.S. Highway 83, La Rosita If you need assistance with a federal agency or would like to share your thoughts with my staff, please stop by! My office is here to serve you. For more information, please contact my Rio Grande City district office at (956) 487-5603.

Congressman Henry Cuellar hosting Neighborhood Office Hours

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Governor Abbott Proclaims April 2024 Adolescence can be a trying time for teenagers and their parents As Sexual Assault Awareness Month Adolescence can be a often crave greater independence hopeless, passive, and resigned.

On April 1, 2024, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation recognizing April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Texas. This month is a time for all Texans to help raise awareness of sexual assault, collaborate on efforts to prevent sexual violence, and recognize the courage of survivors across the state.

“This month and every month, Texas stands with survivors of sexual assault and will work to bring justice and support for victims of this heinous crime,” said Governor Abbott. “Survivors who share their experiences deserve our gratitude, as do law enforcement officials, the judicial system, and advocacy organizations such as the Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force—all of which work to protect the lives and dignity of their fellow Texans.

I encourage all Texans this month

to join us in our ongoing fight to prevent sexual assault in our state. By continuing to advocate for survivors and increase public awareness about sexual assault, we are fostering a society in which these atrocities have no place to build a better Texas for all.”

“We commend the bravery and resilience of survivors, whose strength shines through every day, and applaud the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force for their unwavering commitment to centering survivor voices,” said Texas Association Against Sexual Assault CEO Rose Luna. “As we mark Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we shine a spotlight on the impactful initiatives underway across our state to confront sexual violence and provide support to survivors of assault.”

The Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force (SASTF)

was established in 2019 to ensure a survivor-centered, traumainformed, collaborative, and coordinated response to sexual violence experienced by adults and children across Texas. The SASTF brings together various professionals and survivors who are singularly focused on delivering critical system improvements on behalf of all Texas sexual assault survivors.

Texans are encouraged to honor survivors as the State of Texas continues its mission to encourage healing and empowerment for survivors of sexual violence. Texans can use the hashtag #TXSexualAssault AwarenessMonth to share their support on social media throughout the month of April.

Resources for survivors published by the SASTF can be found at gov.texas.gov/ organization/cjd/sastf-resources

trying time for teenagers and their parents. According to the American Psychological Association, parents and caregivers face an entirely new set of tasks to deal with the changing needs of children as they reach adolescence.

The changes that accompany adolescence include physical, cognitive and social changes, and parents may need to adopt an entirely new approach to parenting as they deal with the changing needs of their children during their period in their lives.

The APA notes that adolescents

and autonomy, and this desire is a natural part of their development process. It’s important that parents of adolescents find a way to maintain the familial bonds they and their children have developed up to this point, while also allowing increasingly mature teens a level of autonomy that can benefit them throughout their lives.

According to clinical psychologist William Stixrud, Ph.D., decades of psychological research has shown that a lack of perceived control leads people to feel overwhelmed, helpless,

So adolescents who feel that they have control over the direction of their lives, feelings which can be strengthened when they are given some level of autonomy as teenagers, are less likely to feel overwhelmed, helpless, hopeless, passive, or resigned as adults.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Adjustments for the City of Roma will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. at the Roma City Council Chambers, located at 201 W. Convent Ave, Roma, Texas to consider the following case(s): 1) Francisco Solis is requesting a variance to the City of Roma’s Zoning Ordinance to allow a five-foot (5 ft.) side yard corner setback, as opposed to the required ten-foot (10 ft.) side yard corner setback, in a Suburban Residential District (SF) for a proposed new residential construction. The property is physically located at 309 Dr. Mario E Ramirez Avenue and is legally described as Lot 8, Block C, Mirador Addition. (BOA#2401) 2) Edgar Gonzalez is requesting a variance to the City of Roma’s Zoning Ordinance to allow a 3-foot (3 ft.) rear setback, as opposed to the required ten-foot (10 ft.) rear setback, in a Suburban Residential District (SF) for an addition to an existing house. The property is physically located at 401 East Garfield Avenue and is legally described as Lot 1, Unit 2, Nicanor Subdivision. (BOA#2402)

INVITATION TO BIDDERS The City of Rio Grande City would like to invite you to submit a bid on the following:

Specifications: A copy of drawings and technical specifications may be obtained at SAMES, Inc, 200 S. 10th Street, Suite 1500, McAllen, TX 78501 phone number (956) 702-8880. A nonrefundable deposit of $150.00 will be assessed for each set of paper documents or an electronic file can be requested via email at no cost to rpena@samengineering-surveying.com, lhernandez@ samengineering-surveying.com, luis@samengineering-surveying.com. Be advised that SAMES, Inc. is the primary source of all bid documents and bidders list. Obtaining bid information from a third-party planning room may lead to incomplete submissions. SAMES, Inc. will issue out any applicable addendums to those listed on their bidders list. Bidders are responsible for obtaining all the necessary information required for a compliant bid.

Requirements: Upon submitting sealed bid, bidders are required to properly identify (handwritten, typed, or printed) sealed envelope and/or packet as follows: Bidder’s name and address on the upper left-hand corner of the sealed envelope and/or package RFB # ENG 24.002 “RGC PUBLIC SAFETY SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CREEK” on the lower lefthand corner of sealed envelope/and or packet. Overnight mail must also be properly labeled on the outside of express envelope or package.

Bidder understands that the City of Rio Grande City Reserves the right to accept or reject bids submitted; waive formalities in bidding; accept bid deemed most advantageous to the City, and hold the bids for a period of (60) calendar days without taking action.

The sealed bid must contain (1) original complete bid required documents (including all bonds) and must be clearly identified and addressed for delivery to: Angela Solis, City Secretary City of Rio Grande City Physical Location: City Secretary Office 5332 E. US Highway 83 Rio Grande City, TX 78582

Deadline: Sealed bids will be accepted until Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at which time they will be opened in the City of Rio Grande City Conference room at Physical Location: 5332 E. US Highway 83 Rio Grande City, TX 78582. No facsimiles or late arrivals will be accepted. Any bid received after that time will not be opened and will be returned.

Bid Security: Bid Security in the amount of 5% of the largest possible total of bids submitted must accompany each bid in accordance with the Instruction to Bidders. The surety must be a guaranteed or surety company acceptable to the City of Rio Grande City.

Please direct your questions regarding bid documents and specifications to SAM Engineering and Surveying at 956-702-8880 or by email to rpena@samengineering-surveying.com, lhernandez@samengineering-surveying.com, luis@samengineering-surveying.com

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, APRIL 3, 2024, PAGE 14

LEGAL NOTICE

HOUSE FOR RENT

2,900.00 FULLWITH FUNERAL SERVICE SILVER $

400 Haltiner Lane. 3 Bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, washroom and a restroom. Large outside yard and parking. 650.00. Monthly

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic 956-533-9896 Beverage Commission for a RETAIL DEALER’S OFF S Casa Blanca Apartamentos PREMISE LICENSE (BF) 1 recámaras, 1 baño, $400 mes, by: LUCERO GARZA & $200 deposito. 2 recámaras, 1 baño, $500 mes, $200 deposito.

DAVID VAZQUEZ, dba Estufa y refrigerador, aire central/ HILLTOP 2.0 to be located calefacción, lavanderia. at 158 GUERRA GARZA TRAILER HOUSE LOT FOR RENT $160 1805 W. Main St., RGC RD., RIO GRANDE Horario Lunes a Viernes CITY, STARR COUNTY, 8:00 am a 1:00 pm y 3:00 a 6:00 pm Sra. Blanca Lopez Sr. Fernando Lopez TEXAS.

METAL CASKET

Sanchez CALL JEFF OR SONATA Sanchez Funeral Home

301 E. 2nd. St. Rio Grande City, Tx. 78582

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956-487-8989 1st Annual NFL Combines Bench Press Competition by RGC Rattlers Sports Hall of Fame Group Saturday April 27, 2024 at 10am All proceeds for 7 x 7 High School Flag Football state qualifying tournament June 15, 2024.

All Students welcomed. Prizes for Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Seniors. All receive FREE T-Shirt. All ages former Students welcomed as Coaches. Bench press reps of 220 lbs and max included. Information 7 x 7 HS Flag Football State Tournament will be discussed. Coaches players needed.

Dave Cambell Texas Football a private event.

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STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, APRIL 3, 2024, PAGE 16

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Auto • Home • Business • Life Hablamos Español

1962 First Holy Communion Teacher Alicia Corona

Arroyo:5065 Hwy. 83 ste. A - 956-570-0702 Roma: 834 E. Grant St. Ste. C - 956-570-0701 NOW OPEN NOW OPEN RGC: 4370 E. Hwy 83 Ste. B - 956-309-3549 Escobares: 4522 East Hwy 83 Ste A. 956-429-5625 Penitas - 1715 Expressway 83 Suite A-2 Penitas Tx- 956-424-0133

Photo Submitted by JJ Gonzalez

956-488-0160

103 W. 2nd Street Rio Grande City, Tx 78582