Rio Grande City’s last surviving World War II veteran passes
Arturo was the city’s last surviving WWII veteran. He was active in his community and was surrounded by family and friends at his celebration of
Military Service: World War II
held at Sanchez funeral home. He was laid to rest at the Starr County/ City Cemetery on fairground road. A luncheon followed for family and friends was held at the Olde Towne Public house located in the historic district.
Arturo M. Garza was born in Rio Grande City, Texas, to Simon and Jesusa B. Garza.
At the age of 18, Arturo was called to serve in the United States Army during World War II. He enlisted on March 27, 1944, and began his military training at Camp Hood in Killeen, Texas, where he underwent specialized training as part of the Tank Destroyer Tactical and Firing Center. Later, he was transferred to Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas, a key site for combat infantry training during the war.
In November of 1940, when Arturo was just 14 years old, his father tragically passed away. This sudden loss placed a heavy responsibility on Arturo’s young shoulders, as he became the primary caregiver for his mother and five younger brothers. This early experience of responsibility and sacrifice would shape his character for the rest of his life.
In December 1945, following his basic training, Garza was sent to Camp Stoneman in California. This U.S. Army facility, located in Pittsburg, California, was a major staging area for troops headed to the Pacific theater. Arturo’s service took him to the Southern Philippines during the campaign for the liberation of the Philippines, a crucial part of the Pacific War.
He was awarded several military honors, including the AsiaticPacific Campaign Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Ribbon, and two Overseas Service Bars. Arturo’s marksmanship skills were also recognized, earning him the qualification of Carbine Marksman (also known as “Gunner”). He received an honorable discharge on June 8, 1946, having served his country with distinction during a pivotal time in history.
Post-WarLife
After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, Arturo returned to civilian life and embarked on a career as a welder. He became self-employed and established General Welding Service in the 1950s, working locally and on projects such
Roma High School unveiled the new Mighty Lady Gladiator Softball Dressing Rooms
as the construction of the Falcon Dam
That same month, Arturo married the love of his life, Imelda “Jimmie” Alvarez. Together, they welcomed three children over the next six years – Arturo “Javier”, Melba, and Melissa Yvonne Garza.
Arturo’s legacy extends beyond his career and military service; it lives on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He was the proud father of three children, and over the years, his family has grown to include grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. His children and grandchildren have carried forward the lessons he imparted: the values of hard work, service, loyalty, and
OBITUARY
Jim Seeden
Jimmy Deane Seeden, known to his friends as Jim, was the only child of John and Lois Seeden. He was born in 1932 in Carroll, Iowa and died on June 30, 2025 in Rio Grande City, Texas. Jim graduated as salutatorian from Minneapolis Patrick Henry High
School and his classmates voted him most likely to succeed. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hamline University with majors in science and speech. Jim worked many summers at Many Point Scout Camp becoming its Program Director and, for his scout training programs and leadership, was awarded a Vigil Honor membership in the Order of the Arrow. He taught biology, general science, environmental issues and speech at New London, Richfield, Minneapolis Marshall-University and South High Schools. He coached high school speech and debate and earned the National Forensic League’s Coach’s Diamond Key Award. Jim served as president of the Minnesota Debate Teacher’s Association and received its first Distinguished Service
Award. He taught speech at the University of Minnesota and Hamline University. He served as president of the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota, and it designated him as an Outstanding Individual in Communication. Jim promoted and advanced the development of the Minnesota State High School League’s “Great Speeches” competition and received the League’s Hall of Fame award for his leadership in speech and debate. Jim served as president of the Iris Society of Minnesota. He founded and served as president of the Daylily Society of Minnesota and chaired the 1991 American Hemerocallis Society’s national convention. He spent the last twenty-plus years of his life in Rio Grande City, Texas at Rancho Lomitas, a
as
of the ranch’s naturalists. As chair of the Rio Grande City Parks Commission, he initiated the City’s park system. During his years in Texas, Jim wrote weekly articles, published in the Starr County Town Crier, about “Wild Things” in the Rio Grande Valley and in support of conservation.
High school students from Roma High School have earned their Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, marking a significant step toward careers in public health. Through their Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, led by instructor Emily Flores, these students completed specialized training in health education, outreach, and community advocacy. The certification equips them with the skills needed to assist individuals in accessing healthcare and understanding wellness practices. This achievement not only enhances their career readiness but also empowers them to make a positive impact in their communities. Their dedication highlights the strength of Roma High School’s commitment to preparing students for realworld service and professional success.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following:
RFP Number Description Date Due Time
24-25-1073 Campus Dining and/or July 24, 2025 2:00 pm Food Truck Services –Technology Campus
25-26-1007 Vending Services – Beverages July 24, 2025 3:00 pm
Request for Proposals packages may be obtained at the Purchasing Department located at 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501 (Corner of Quince & 31st St) or by calling 956-872-4681. Responses received after the specified time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Email or Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFP number.
The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.
Questions regarding this RFP or requests for additional information should be addressed to Deyadira Leal, Director of Purchasing 956-872-4681 daleal@ southtexascollege.edu, or Vanessa Campos, Senior Buyer of Purchasing, 956-8724661 vsolis_3079@southtexascollege.edu. Responses to the RFP must be submitted to South Texas College, 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501.
South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE NOTICE
The Starr County Memorial Hospital is requesting sealed Request for Proposals (“RFP’s”) for employee Group Health Insurance from authorized insurance companies.
Currently, the Starr County Memorial Hospital pays 100% of the eligible employees’ health insurance premium. Our employees currently have a PPO Self-Funded Insurance Plan with Stop Loss and Aggregate Coverage.
Specifications and proposal documents will be available beginning July 9, 2025 and may be obtained at the Hospital’s Administrative Secretary’s office located at 128 N FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 or at the Hospital’s website under the Public Information Tab –Request for Proposals at www.starrcountyhospital.com
The proposal must be submitted and received by Starr County Memorial Hospital no later than 2:00 PM CST on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The RFP’s are to be delivered to the office of the Hospital CEO, Thalia Munoz, located at 128 N FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582.
Questions regarding this RFP should be addressed to Rafael Olivares, Finance Director at (956) 370-6014 or via email at rolivares@starrcountyhospital.com no later than August 1, 2025
The proposals will be publicly opened on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM at the Hospital’s Administrative Board Room located at 128 N FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582.
The Starr County Memorial Hospital reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities.
Bids may be held by the Hospital for a period not to exceed 30 days from the date of the bid opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the bidders’ qualification prior to the contract award.
Roma Police Department SWAT Visits FJ Scott Elementary
applications in law enforcement. The visit aimed to inspire young minds and show how technology and public safety go hand in hand. The Roma Police Department is proud to support educational opportunities for our youth and remains committed to serving as positive role models in our community.
R. Armour Forse, MD, PhD
El Dr. R. Armour Forse es un cirujano general y cirujano bariatra con más de 40 años de experiencia. Está comprometido a ayudar a sus pacientes a perder peso y mejorar su salud, ya sea con tratamientos quirúrgicos o sin cirugía.
Trabaja junto a un equipo de especialistas que incluye endocrinólogos, nutriólogos, psiquiatras, enfermeros practicantes, dietistas, y entrenadores físicos, para asegurar que cada paciente esté bien informado y preparado para su procedimiento y que cuente con el apoyo necesario para adoptar un estilo de vida más saludable.
El Dr. Forse se dedica a brindar atención segura, efectiva y con resultados que realmente marcan la diferencia.
Ahora, está expandiendo sus servicios al Condado de Starr, y llega con el compromiso de brindar atención médica de calidad con el profesionalismo y la calidez que lo distinguen.
2795 Pharmacy Rd. Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Students at Roma ISD’s FJ Scott Elementary were treated to a special visit from the Roma Police Department SWAT Team. As part of a robotics learning session, students had the opportunity to see the department’s tactical I-Robot in action. Members of the SWAT Team gave an engaging presentation on the robot’s features and real-world
Cirugía Laparoscópica Avanzada y Cirugía Bariátrica
San Isidro High School GEAR UP: Pathways to the Future
Rooted In
Rio Grande is the only place I’ve called home. It’s the backdrop of my closest memories I hold tight to- where I took my first steps, went to my first day of school, and where I honestly slowly began to understand the world for what it is. But when I think of Rio, I don’t see what the news says. I don’t think “border.” I think of my family. The ones I have today and the ones we’ve had to say goodbye to. I think of Sunday mornings at church, familiar faces that have encouraged me for as long as I can remember, and that quiet,
unspoken charm that only a small town can hold.
I think about the lessons I’ve learned from my parents- about hard work, about love, about staying grounded no matter how far you go or how successful you become. Their love shaped my strength. Their sacrifices and stories gave me the chance to see the world with care, with reason. And it is those values that made me the person I am today. Rio taught me that life doesn’t need to be loud to matter.
Sometimes, it truly is about the small things- the teachers who
believed in me, the realizations I’ve made about myself, the friends who have become family in classrooms. Now, as I pack for college, it’s not just clothes in my suitcase. It’s the heavy weight of goodbye and a desire to not let go- but to hold on tighter. Some of us are leaving, some are staying, some are still figuring it out. But all of us carry Rio in the way we live. I’m not leaving to forget. I’m leaving to make it matter wherever I go. Because Rio isn’t just where I’m from. It’s who I am. It’s rooted in me-always.
Rio by Alma R. Peña
GEAR UP 2025 Summer Camps at South Texas College was a great success! San Isidro HS students participated in HVAC Adventures and Diesel Engine Explorers week long summer camps via the Governor’s Summer Merit Program at the STC Technology Campus. San Isidro HS students look forward to next year’s summer camps.
Roma ISD Gladiator LIFE Center Summer Program sparked creativity
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineering/Surveying Services
The County of Starr is soliciting proposals for qualifications from a Texas-registered engineer to provide engineering services. The [engineering/surveying] contract will encompass all project-related [engineering/surveying] services to the County of Starr, including but not limited to the following:
• Identifying, mapping, surveying, and assessing County Roads in accordance with applicable legal, safety, and infrastructure standards.
Firms and/or individuals should have past experience with federally funded programs. Please submit a proposal of services and/or a statement of qualifications to:
Eloy Vera, County of Starr Judge 100 N. FM 3167 Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 Tel: (956) 716-4800
Submittals for these services shall be submitted to the County of Starr no later than 10:00 am on July 21, 2025, which is at least ten (10) days after this publication and contact dates of RFP/RFQ. The County of Starr reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or firms that submit proposals, as per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards. Section 3: Residents and Business Concerns, Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, Veteran Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises are encouraged to submit proposals.
The County of Starr is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en el Sur de Texas cierra permanentemente, pero la ayuda aún está disponible – La División de Manejo de Emergencias de Texas (TDEM, por sus siglas en inglés), en coordinación con la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), anunció que tres Centros de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) cerrarán permanentemente. Cierra permanentemente el sábado 12 de julio (a las 5 p.m.):
Condado Starr
Starr County Courthouse Annex, 100 N. FM 3167
Rio Grande City, TX 78582
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
The City of Rio Grande City will receive bids for the Rio Grande City Public Library Expansion until 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the City Secretary’s Office located in City Hall at 5332 E. US Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582. Shortly thereafter all submitted bids will be gathered and taken to the City Hall – Chambers located at 5332 E. US Highway 83 – Suite A., Rio Grande City, Texas 78582, to be publicly opened and read aloud.
Bid documents and plans can be downloaded from the City of Rio Grande City web page address: www.cityofrgc.com , or may obtain a copy at the City Secretary’s Office located in City Hall at 5332 E. US Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582. Bids shall be for:
RIO GRANDE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANSION
If you have any questions or require additional information regarding this bid, please contact Ms. Norma Fultz, Library Director at (956) 487-4389 or via-email at nfultz@ cityofrgc.com
Bids are to be Delivered to:
City of Rio Grande City – City Secretary’s Office 5332 E. US Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
Bids must be submitted in an envelope sealed with tape and prominently marked on the lower left-hand corner of the bid envelope labeled with the project name: “Rio Grande City Public Library Expansion”.
Any bids received after the closing time will not be accepted and will be returned to the bidder unopened. It is the responsibility of the bidder to see that any bid submitted shall have sufficient time to be received by the City Secretary’s Office prior to the bid opening date and time. The receiving time in the City Secretary’s Office will be the governing time for acceptability of the bids. Bids will not be accepted by telephone or facsimile machine. All bids must bear original signatures and figures.
The City of Rio Grande City reserves the right to refuse and reject any or all bids and to waive any or all formalities or technicalities and to accept the bid deemed most advantageous to the City, and hold the bids for a period of 60 days without taking action.
Students from the Roma ISD Gladiator LIFE Center Summer Program built dish racks and a countertop in a hands-on carpentry activity that sparked creativity, teamwork and pride in their work. Great job Mighty Gladiators! (Thanks to Teacher Daniel Leal for the report.)
