FEBRUARY 19_, 2025

New Location STARR VISION

CENTER

Dr. Angie Ramirez Therapeutic Optometrist

487-2440

CASTAÑEDA Auto Insurance & Bail Bonds

488-0808 487-7000

302 E. 2nd St., R.G.C.

280 W. 2nd St. R.G.C.

Office (956) 487-6544 • E-Mail: sctc78582@aol.com • issuu.com/starrcountytowncrier Vol. 40, No. 8

WEEKLY - WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 19, 2025

487-2596 For 4350 E. US HWY 83 R.G.C.

Installment Loans

The First Time In Over 40 Years…

San Isidro Lady Tigers Win Area Champions!

Lady Tigers dominated the court and took home the Area Championship with a 59-16 victory!

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

Phone (956) 849-4497

Congratulations Lady Tigers on making history with this incredible win! Huge thanks to the coaches for their dedication and hard work, and to the parents, staff, and fans for traveling out to support Lady Tigers team. Your energy made all the difference! Let’s keep this momentum going!

Dr. Raymond Cruz Best FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dental Insurance, Medicaid and Chip Accepted

Grulla Gator wrestler Stephen Merkt ended his season ranked in the Top 10 in the state!

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

Grulla Gators Wrestling Update!

The Gators wrestling teams had an Grulla High School are proud to share outstanding season, filled with positive that at the State Championship in Houston, results and strong momentum heading into TX, Stephen Merkt ended his season next year. ranked in the Top 10 in the state!

Season Highlights:

• 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

Brought home top 2 finishes in 6 out of Congratulations to all the wrestlers and 8 tournaments for the Lady Gators team. coaches for an unforgettable season! The The Gators boys team showed incredible future is bright! progress, climbing from 6th place to Go Gators! finishing in the top 4!

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

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 2

Gladiator LIFE Center students had an RGCHS Migrant Club, ECHS and GHS students amazing Valentine’s Day cupcake sale visit Texas A&M International University

Roma ISD Gladiator LIFE Center students had an amazing Valentine’s Day cupcake sale. They learned to put into practice their baking and cake decorating skills, while also learning about marketing their products and providing outstanding customer service. They decided to use raised funds to purchase Valentine’s Day The RGCHS Migrant Club, along with students from ECHS and GHS, visited Texas A&M International flowers for their mothers. What a sweet reward for all their hard work! (Thanks to Teacher Blanca Garza University in Laredo. They had a great time playing basketball tic-tac-toe with alumni and got an exciting for the report.) tour of the campus. The students also learned about the university’s amazing programs and opportunities.

Texas Beta Eta Tau Presented Sweetheart and Debutantes at the 2025 Sweetheart Dance

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 3

Pida a los 3 Ángeles San Miguel, Rafael y Gabriel.

Prenda 3 velas blancas en un plato con agua y azúcar, haga su petición.

A los tres días publique esta oración.

Aunque no crea mire que pasa el cuarto día.

A. P. R.

2,999.00 FULLWITH FUNERAL SERVICE SILVER $

METAL CASKET

Sanchez CALL JEFF OR SONATA Sanchez Funeral Home

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

(956) 487-2525

SANCHEZ

“Serving Our Community For Over 86 Years” “Caring for you & your loved ones in your time of need ”

Memorial Funeral Home 101 AR Sanchez Sr. Dr. Roma, Tx. 78584

(956) 847-7008

On February 8th, Beta Sigma Phi of Starr County held their annual Sweetheart Dance. Chapter Texas Beta Eta Tau presented RoxAnne Garza Cantu as their 2025 Sweetheart. They also presented nine exceptional young ladies as their 2025 Debutantes. Andrea Muñoz, Arianna Valdez, Arianna Garcia, Arora “Rory” Cantu, Cecilia Hinojosa, Gabriella “Ella” Margo, Gloria Canales, Katarina Mendoza and Laurel Cantu.

Texas Beta Eta Tau wishes to congratulate all the ladies that were presented and thank all Starr County Beta Sigma Phi Chapters for their gracious support.

Tarjeta de Agradecimiento En Memoria de

Sra. Lesvia H. Gonzalez Septiembre 7, 1939 † Febrero 7, 2025

No sabíamos esa tarde que Dios iba a llamar tu nombre. En vida te quisimos mucho, en la muerte lo mismo. Nuestros corazones se rompieron al perderte pero no te fuiste solo, parte de nosotros se fue contigo el día en que Dios te llamó a su casa. Nos has dejado recuerdos hermosos. Tu amor sigue siendo nuestra guía y aunque no podemos verte siempre estás a nuestro lado. Nuestra cadena familiar se rompió y nada parece lo mismo, pero cuando Dios nos llame uno a uno, la cadena se unirá de nuevo.

Deseamos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento a nuestros familiares y amigos por su amabilidad y simpatía durante la pérdida de nuestro ser querido. En nuestro momento de dolor ustedes nos han dado la fuerza que tanto necesitamos. Gracias por sus expresiones de amor a través de oraciones, misas, flores, llamadas y comida. Que Dios los bendiga.

Familia Hinojosa ~ Gonzalez

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 4

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 5

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 6

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to the provisions contained in ARTICLE V, Section Five (5) of the Texas Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act, we are serving a final notice to the owners and/or lien holders that the below described motor vehicle, has been taken into custody by D&E Wrecker Service, and will be sold. Failure of an owner or lien holder to claim vehicles within thirty (30) days after date of this notice and make payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from the placing of vehicles in custody shall constitute a waiver of the right to reclaim vehicle. Contact Humberto Lucio at 956-4873384, 5879 E. Hwy. 83, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 for information concerning vehicles.

LAND ROVER GREY VIN:# SALSF2D46BA704709 LP: JJK-28-82 MEXICAN LICENSE

The impact of reading on cognitive decline

Aging and change go hand in hand. Although some may bemoan the gray hairs that start to arrive or stiffness in the knees that seems to sneak up on a person in middle age, such concerns are not necessarily enough to lose sleep over. However, many people 50 or older are nervous about the

potential for cognitive issues like dementia as they grow older.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 6.7 million people have Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that there were 733,040 people living with dementia in the country as of January 1, 2024. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can rob people of their memories, personalities and abilities to live satisfying, independent lives.

While it may not be impossible to prevent all cognitive issues completely, there is reason to believe that reading could be an ally in cognitive care.

The American Academy of Neurology says that reading stimulates the brain and has been shown to slow down cognitive decline in old age. Reading also

may help slow down memory loss.

The powers of reading were noticed more than 10 years ago when a 2013 study from researchers at Emory University measured readers’ MRI scans as they read books. They found the deeper readers went into a story, the more areas of their brains were activated. This activity remained elevated for several days after participants finished their books. The more a person reads, the stronger complex networks in the brain become.

Additional evidence that reading can help the brain was noted by researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health.

A 2024 study suggests that older people with mild cognitive impairment who engage in high levels of activities like reading,

hobbies and word games have better memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed than those who do not take part in such endeavors. Furthermore, a 2021 study published in Neurology found that high levels of cognitive activity, like reading and writing letters, can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by five years among those age 80 and over.

Reading can keep brains functioning optimally and potentially delay age-related cognitive decline.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 7

Senator Adam Hinojosa Votes For Historic Property Tax Cuts (SB4 and SJR2) In commemoration of American from 3% to 4.1%, while obesity take a significant toll on the heart

South Texas Health System Heart Offering Heart Healthy Tips to Encourage Rio Grande Valley Residents to Prioritize their Cardiovascular Health Heart Month, STHS Heart is raising awareness of heart disease while offering suggestions for leading a heart-healthy lifestyle Heart disease affects approximately 60% of U.S. adults, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with an estimated 121.5 million adults living with from heart disease, which refers to several types of cardiovascular conditions that affect the heart and how it functions.

But that’s not all… One person succumbs to cardiovascular issues every 33 seconds in the United States, per the CDC, making heart disease the leading cause of death in the nation.

While typically associated with the elderly, the number of heart disease cases among younger adults is increasing at a staggering rate in the U.S., per the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, with the rise in chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes and obesity – the most common risk factors for cardiovascular issues – to blame for the uptick.

In 2023, the number of young adults with diabetes increased

rates rose from 32.7% to 40.9%, leading to increased rates of heart failure and heart attacks among people under 40.

To help Rio Grande Valley residents keep their cardiovascular health in check and take steps to prevent heart disease in their families, South Texas Health System Heart offers the following suggestions for leading a heart healthy lifestyle: Choose a healthy eating plan: What you eat can decrease your risk of heart disease, so pick foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and sodium. It’s also important to incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet and limit your salt and sugar intake.

Be physically active: Regular physical activity at least two days a week can make a significant difference by helping reduce the stress hormones that tend to put an extra burden on the heart.

Studies have also shown that people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer a sudden heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac event.

Avoid alcohol & quit smoking: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can

and increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart failure.

Avoiding alcohol and smoking can improve your blood pressure, as well as your overall heart rate.

Manage your stress: Chronic stress, anxiety and anger can raise your risk of heart disease. A sunny outlook can be as good for your heart as it is for your mood.

Know your numbers: Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in check is important for good heart health.

Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, so manage your weight through diet and exercise.

Losing 10-15% of your body weight can lead to significant health improvements, including better blood pressure, improved heart health and reduced risk of diabetes.

Get enough sleep: Sleep apnea and insomnia are linked to heart disease, with adults who sleep fewer than 7 hours a night more likely to have health problems, per the CDC, which can contribute to cardiovascular issues. Sufficient sleep is vital to overall health.

Public Notice Starr County Invitation for Bids February 12, 2025

The County of Starr is requesting bids for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, supervision and performance of all work required for the reconstruction of single family residential homes. The following homes to be reconstructed are: 109 Juarez St, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 169 Garceno Loop, Roma TX 78584 600 E Dr Martin ST, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 Project Type: Reservation System Participant, RSP Agreement #2024-0003; Starr County Contract Number #1003549/1003550.

Bid Documents (Project Manual) may be obtained in person from Starr County Court House Annex at 100 N FM 3167 Rio Grande City, TX, between the hours of 8:00a.m. & 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays). Bid packages are limited to one package per contractor. For further information contact Connie Cantu, Project Manager at 716-4800 ext. 8115.

Sealed Bids will be accepted by the Starr County Federal & State Programs Staff at Starr County Annex suite 220 at 100 N FM 3167 Rio Grande City, TX. Until 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025. Bids not received prior to the date and time set forth above will not be accepted for consideration. Starr County will consider the lowest responsible Bid. Bids may be held by Starr County for a period not to exceed 90 days from the date of the bid opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the bidder’s qualifications prior to the contract award.

Pre-Bid conference will be held at Starr County Courthouse Annex 100 N. F.M. 3167 Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2025. All Perspective Bidders are encouraged to attend.

All Bidders/Contractors must be registered with the sam.gov and secretary of the State website. Bidder/Contractor shall be an Equal Opportunity Firm and practice nondiscrimination. All Bidders/Contractors must present proper documentation of capability, adequate staffing and experience to perform the tasks required. Starr County supports the submission of Bids from historically underutilized businesses. All qualified Bidders will receive consideration for selection without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, and handicap or as otherwise provided by applicable law.

Proposed Homestead Exemption Raised to $140,000 and $150,000 for Seniors Senator Adam Hinojosa, representing Senate District 27, proudly announces the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 4 (SB4) and Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2) in the Texas Senate, marking a major victory for Texas homeowners by increasing the homestead exemption for school district property taxes.

SB4 and SJR2, which Senator Hinojosa joint-authored, work together to provide the largest property tax cut in history.

SJR2 proposes a constitutional amendment to raise the homestead exemption from

$100,000 to $140,000 giving homeowners additional savings on their property taxes with senior citizens having their exemption raised to $150,000.

Additionally, SB4 would ensure that school districts are protected from revenue losses by providing state funding to offset the tax cuts.

“I am proud to stand alongside Lt. Governor Patrick, Senator Bettencourt, and my colleagues in delivering historic property tax relief to Texas homeowners.

The unanimous vote on both SB4 and SJR2 shows our dedication to providing real savings to Texas homeowners,” Senator Hinojosa said. “This is just the first steps.

We now need to undergo the hard

work of ensuring these tax cuts are not eaten up by the rising appraisal values. I look forward to working with my colleagues on addressing this, but for now we are celebrating another historic win for Texas.”

With both bills now moving to the Texas House of Representatives, and SJR2 requiring voter approval in the next election, Senator Hinojosa urges swift adoption and passage to make this relief a reality.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 8

SE RENTA APARTAMENTO (para una o dos personas) Application has been made 2 rec., 1 baño, A/C, ref. y estufa. En RGC with the Texas Alcoholic B e v e r a g e C o m m i s s i o n 956-735-6582 • 844-6898 for a WINE AND I’m looking for M A LT B E V E R A G E R E TA I L E R ’ S O N Pedro Ruiz PREMISE PERMIT (BG) this is Angela. by: MARIO E. DIAZ, dba CAZADORES DRIVE- My husband wants to IN, to be located at 778 adopt the children.

FM 2360, SUITE D, RIO Please contact me at GRANDE CITY, STARR pinkie0130@gmail.com COUNTY, TEXAS.

LEGAL NOTICE

755 ESTATES Se venden lotes Estates ½ ACRES LOTS ende755 ½ acres.

FOR SALE. Financiados por

PUBLIC NOTICE

OWNER FINANCED. el propietario.

Victor Daniec - Mobile (956) 821-7108 Jose Martinez - Mobile (956)-451-5039

Pursuant to the provisions contained in ARTICLE V, Section Five (5) of the Texas Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act, we are serving notice to the owners and/or lien holders that the below described motor vehicle, has been taken into custody by Triple J Wrecker Service, and will be sold. Failure of an owner or lien holder to claim vehicles within thirty (30) days after date of this notice and make payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from the placing of vehicles in custody shall constitute a waiver of the right to reclaim vehicle. Contact Juan J. Lopez, Jr. at 956-735-5144, 6511 E. US Hwy 83, Unit A, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 for information concerning vehicles.

2024 COLEMAN B200R COLOR: RED VIN# L9NLTNBR6R1807483

MANAGER $PECIAL MANAGER $PECIAL 2022 Chevy Malibu 2023 Nissan $

Altima

5 9 4 , 2 2

$

STK#P2465 NICE! ONLY 16K MILES!!!

8 8 8 , 23

STK#26242A

2023 Nissan Kicks

$

STK#26555A

22,995

2023 Chevy Traill Blazer

STK#26419A

$

24,750

2024Chevy Trax

STK#26609A

$

25,995

People across the Valley come home to Rio Motor Co. for big savings and family-friendly service!

No Matter Where You Live, Come Home!

(956) 487-2596 · 1-800-509-0003

Paco Cantu 956-208-1821

Rolando Flores 956-416-8945

www.riomotors.com

Valentine’s Reading Buddy Bears at DMR!

Dr. Mario Ramirez Elementary spread the love of reading on Valentine’s Day by giving the young Diamondback readers a special Valentine’s Reading Buddy Bear! These cuddly friends will help encourage and promote a love for books at home. Mrs. Erica Salinas, DMR librarian, brought the magic of reading to life by sharing The Color Bear with the students, showing them how to enjoy a book with their new reading buddy. Happy reading, Diamondbacks!

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 9

The Cross Country Teams will be hosting a 5K Run/ Walk and kids fun run on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Fort Ringgold Campus. Same day registration will be available near Joe R. Sanchez Stadium.

All funds will go to help the cross country teams buy necessary equipment. You assistance is greatly appreciated.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, PAGE 10

SPACE AVAILABLE CALL 487-6544

You’re in good hands.

Auto • Home • Business • Life Hablamos Español

956-488-0160

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

For limited time only

For Limited Time Only!

Arroyo:5065 Hwy. 83 ste. A - 956-570-0702 Roma: 834 E. Grant St. Ste. C - 956-570-0701 OPEN NOW OPEN RGC: 4370 NOW 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