March 26, 2025

New Location STARR VISION

CENTER

487-2440 302 E. 2nd St., R.G.C.

Dr. Angie Ramirez Therapeutic Optometrist

CASTAÑEDA Auto Insurance & Bail Bonds

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

Office (956) 487-6544 • E-Mail: sctc78582@aol.com • issuu.com/starrcountytowncrier Vol. 40, No. 13

WEEKLY - WEDNESDAY • MARCH 26, 2025

Lady Gladiator Kayleen Back-to-Back STATE CHAMPION 487-2596 Perez earns 2nd Place Gator Athlete KYLIE TREVIÑO! and Best Bench Award 4350 E. US HWY 83 R.G.C.

Installment Loans 311 E Main St Rio Grande City TX 78582-4448

Phone (956) 487-3925

On behalf of everyone at RGCGISD, we proudly congratulate Kylie Treviño on defending her title as the 4A DII State Champion in the 220 weight class! For the second year in a row, Kylie dominated the platform, smashing her previous total with an incredible 1215 lbs—a true testament to her relentless dedication and hard work. We also celebrate Senior Aylin Resendez, who qualified for the state championships and delivered an outstanding performance. These athletes put in the work day in and day out, and their success speaks for itself! Way to represent Gator Nation and make us all proud!

CONGRATULATIONS to Roma High School Mighty Lady Gladiator Kayleen Perez on earning 2nd Place and Earning The Best Bench Award (270 pound Bench, she weighed in at 144 lbs.) at The State Powerlifting Championships in Edinburg, Texas. Kayleen is a 2-Time State Champion in 2023 and 2024. She is the only Roma athlete to be a 2-Time State Champion. Congratulations on a GREAT High School Powerlifting Career Kayleen! Thanks for always representing The Gladiator Nation with honor and pride!! You make us proud extremely proud!!! (Thanks to Coach Mario Arce for the report.)

The 2024-25 Rio Grande High School Boy Varsity soccer team finished the season on a positive note, achieving a 6-6-4 district record and accumulating 25 points. The team wishes to thank the coaches and parents for their invaluable support throughout the season.

CHAMPION ALERT AT THE REY RAMIREZ INVITATIONAL TRACK MEET! Congratulations to Audrey Zarate for securing 1st place in Pole Vault with an impressive 8 ft clearance! Your hard work and dedication continue to inspire us all! Keep soaring, Audrey!

2024-25 Rio Grande High School Boy Varsity soccer Audrey Zarate 1st place in Pole Vault team finished their season with a 6-6-4 district record at the Rey Ramirez Invitational Dr. Raymond Cruz Best

FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dental Insurance, Medicaid and Chip Accepted

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

• 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

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 2

ICS “Principal for the Day” Roma ISD’s Gladiator Wall of Fame 4th six-weeks ICS had the honor and privilege to have Starr County Sheriff Rene “Orta” Fuentes for Principal for the Day. He started the morning greeting faculty, students, and parents as they arrived at school. He did the announcements, prayers before classes started at the Parish Hall.

He then went to each classroom and spoke to the students in class about how important it is

Congratulations to the Wall of Fame students for the 4th sixweeks of the 2024-205 School Year! The students were honored by the Roma ISD School Board at their March 5, 2025 Meeting.

Roma ISD’s Gladiator Wall of Fame Program shines the light on exemplary students, who are selected for the honor based on citizenship, leadership, academics, and extracurricular activities. The honorees include Ruben Eden Gomez, Adryel Rosales Juarez, to be in class and having a solid and Chaylem Peña of Roma foundation in education. ICS had High School; Amanda Carolina the honor of Deputy Brenda L. Benitez, Mithseidy Reyna, and Martinez visited us as well.

Renata Alexandra Tamayo of God is Good.

Ramiro Barrera Middle School; Fatima Maria Barcenas, David Get ready for City of Roma’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Park!

Garcia, and Dailie J. Guerra of April 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the Roma Municipal Park.

Roma Middle School; Galilea Free event!

Chapa, Erasmo Azael Gomez, and For sponsorship information please contact Jasmin Lopez at jlopez@ Arian Daviel Mireles of Delia G. Garcia Elementary School; Carlos cityofroma.net or (956) 844-1428.

Aguilar, Pedro Adan Arroyo, and Rolando Ramirez Ramos of Emma Vera Elementary School; Nicholas Fernandez, Bruno Garcia, and Eduardo Hinojosa-Garcia of F. J.

Scott Elementary School; Arian Yadhir Barcenas, Luciana Colunga, and Allison Victoria Salinas of R. & C. Saenz Elementary School; Orlando Garza, Mateo Lopez, and

Mateo Villarreal of R. T. Barrera Elementary School; and Fatima Maria Barcenas, David Garcia, and Dailie J. Guerra of Veterans Memorial Elementary School.

Lady Rattlers Soccer Team finished the season with a great win over Roma 3-0

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 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

SANCHEZ

Memorial Funeral Home 101 AR Sanchez Sr. Dr.

Roma, Tx. 78584 “Serving Our Community For Over 86 Years” (956) 487-2525 “Caring for you & your loved ones in your time of need ” (956) 847-7008

The Rio Grande City High School Lady Rattlers Soccer Team finished the season with a great win over Roma 3-0!!!! Goals scored by Briseyda Rodriguez -2 and Kassandra Vargas 1.

CITY OF RIO GRANDE CITY PUBLIC UTILITES DEPARTMENT BID NOTICE NORTH LOPEZ SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION The City of Rio Grande City is soliciting sealed bids to be received at the City Secretary’s Office located in City Hall at 5332 E. U.S. Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582. Normal business days are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and shall be closed on recognized holidays.

Bids shall be addressed an delivered to: Lynette Montemayor, Interim City Secretary City of Rio Grande City Attn: City Secretary’s Office 5332 E. U.S. Highway 83 Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 Bids will be received until 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Shortly after, all submitted bids will be gathered and taken to the City Hall Chambers Room to be publicly opened and read aloud. Any bid received after closing time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. The sealed envelope shall be marked with the following on the lower left-hand corner: “CITY RIO GRANDE CITY – NORTH LOPEZ SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION”.

The project in general includes labor and material, but is not limited to the following: • 358 LF OF 15” SEWER LINE • 472 LF OF 12” SEWER LINE • 817 LF OF 8” SEWER LINE • 30 SANITARY SEWER CONNECTIONS • 11 SANITARY SEWER RECONNECTIOS • 3 SANITARY SEWER MANHOLES Plans, specifications, and contract documents may be viewed at the City of Rio Grande City – Public Utilities Department located in City Hall at 5332 E. U.S. Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas during normal business days. Bidders may obtain the official bid documents and plans by visiting Rio Delta Engineering at 117 Rio Vista Boulevard, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 or by calling (956) 263-1041.

There will be a non-refundable fee of seventy – five dollars ($75.00) per set.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the City Rio Grande City Chamber Room located in City Hall at 5332 E. U.S. Highway 83 – Suite A, Rio Grande City, Texas. All prospective bidders are encouraged to attend.

The City Rio Grande City reserves the right to accept or reject submitted bids, waive formalities in bidding, accept the bid deemed most advantageous to the City, and to hold the bids for a period of sixty (60) calendar days without acting.

Please direct any questions regarding the preparation of bids to Mr. Eric Flores, City of Rio Grande City Public Utilities Director by calling (956) 487-2702 or via-email eflores@cityofrgc.com. The Engineer can be contacted at the number and address previously listed.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 4

iWatchTexas Report Prevents Targeted School Attack

The man responsible for a series of online school shooting threats is behind bars thanks to a report submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS)

iWatchTexas program. Stephen Patrick Furr, 29, was arrested and charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Lubbock on Feb. 3, 2025.

“This is exactly what the iWatchTexas program was designed to do: help Texans quickly alert law enforcement of mass attacks or targeted violence,”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following: RFP Number Description 24-25-1057 Pecan Campus Building D Auditorium Audiovisual Upgrade 24-25-1058 Maintenance Department Vehicles

Date Due April 10, 2025

Time 2:00 PM

April 10, 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 the 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, 956-872-4661 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.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonfire vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login

Public Notice Starr County Invitation for Bids March 19, 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, April 3, 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 responsive, reasonable and responsible Bidder.

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, March 27, 2025. All Perspective Bidders are encouraged to attend.

All Bidders/Contractors must be registered and ACTIVE 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.

said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “By reporting something suspicious, lives were saved. It’s an important reminder of the role we all play in protecting each other by remaining vigilant and speaking up if we see something strange or suspicious.”

In the early morning hours of Feb. 3, the Texas Fusion Center (TXFC) received an iWatchTexas report from a community member indicating school shooting threats posted by another user on social media. Posts by this user included musings about a possible future school shooting then escalated to statements that the user had a gun and intended to carry out the shooting. Upon receiving the information, TXFC immediately began investigating the threats and quickly identified the user as Furr. Hours later, he was arrested and charged via federal criminal complaint with interstate

threatening communications.

More information about this case can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office – Northern District of Texas website.

Texas Fusion Center (TXFC) Serving as the state repository for homeland security information and incident reports, the TXFC is a 24/7 team comprised of multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to provide real-time intelligence and data on suspicious activities and threats to the public. iWatchTexas Program - The iWatchTexas program allows Texans to report any suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate criminal, terroristic or school safety-related threats.

Last year, the program received a record number of school safetyrelated reports in September 2024 – more than double previous years. During that month, the

program recorded a total of 204 school safety-related reports, with a majority involving concerning behaviors such as threats or the possibility of planned attacks centered around school campuses.

The public can report those behaviors via the mobile app, online at www.iwatchtx.org or by calling 1-844-643-2251. A report usually takes less than five minutes, and once submitted, each report is reviewed by law enforcement analysts. All reports are confidential (providing contact information, which is optional, will allow for follow-up questions).

Some examples of behaviors and activities to report: •Comments made regarding killing or harming someone. •A social media post about a possible school attack.

Note: The iWatchTexas program is not designed to report emergencies.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 5

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 6

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 7

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 8

LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a MIXED BEVERAGE PERMIT (MB) by: HILLTOP 2.0 CAFE LLC, dba HILLTOP 2.0 CAFE LLC to be located at 158 GUERRA GARZA RD., SUITE B, RIO GRANDE CITY, STARR COUNTY, TEXAS. OFFICERS OF SAID LLC ARE DAVID VAZQUEZ AND LUCERO GARZA.

755 ESTATES Se venden lotes en 755 Estates de ½ ½ ACRES LOTS acres.

Financiados FOR SALE. por el propietario.

OWNER FINANCED.

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

MANAGER $PECIAL MANAGER $PECIAL 2023 Chevy

2024 Nissan Sentra

$

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22,995

$

STK#26652A NICE! ONLY 16K MILES!!!

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2024 Chevy Trax

STK#26609A

$

25,995

2022 Chevy Blazer

$

26,995$ 8,995

STK#26038A

2

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STK#P2466

$

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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

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 2025, PAGE 9

Insurance fraud investigations recover millions for Texans

Texas investigators identify people committing costly insurance fraud and help get millions of dollars back for fraud victims.

In 2024, the Texas Department of Insurance’s Fraud Unit contributed to investigations landing nearly $58 million in court-ordered restitution.

More than 20 TDI investigators stationed around the state looked

into over 350 insurance fraud allegations—focusing on cases with the biggest possible impact.

Their work potentially saves all consumers money.

Kyson Johnson, among TDI lawyers helping local and federal authorities follow up on investigations, said: “If we recoup restitution for insurance companies and consumers, hopefully that causes less of an

increase in premiums. Those companies and consumers are no longer exposed to the fraud.”

One investigation helped stop Dallas doctors Desi and Deno Barroga. The two had been overprescribing opioids and falsely billing health plans by millions of dollars.

Information collected by a TDI investigator helped the FBI and other agencies build a criminal

case. The doctors pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison. A U.S. district judge ordered them to pay $9 million in restitution.

Both men also were required to give up their medical licenses.

You can report insurance fraud online.

Have a question about insurance? Call TDI’s Help Line at 800-252-3439 or visit tdi. texas.gov.

CITY OF RIO GRANDE CITY PUBLIC UTILITES DEPARTMENT NOTICE TO BIDDERS SLUDGE TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES The City of Rio Grande City is requesting sealed bids for Sludge Transportation and Disposal Services. Bids will be opened and read aloud at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the City of Rio Grande City – City Hall Chambers located at 5332 E. US Highway 83 – Suite A, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582.

Specifications and Bid Documents may be obtained at the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall located at 5332 E. US Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 or at the city website link: https://www.cityofrgc.com/business/bid_opportunities.php. For any questions you can contact the Public Utilities Director – Eric Flores at (956) 487 – 2702.

The sealed bids will be received until 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 and must be clearly identified and addressed for delivery to: Lynette Montemayor, Interim City Secretary City of Rio Grande City Physical Address: City Secretary’s Office 5332 E. US Highway 83 Rio Grande City, TX. 78582 Bidders are required to print on the sealed envelope and/or packet as follows: Bidder’s name and address on the upper left-hand corner and “Sludge Transportation and Disposal Services” on the lower left-hand corner of the sealed envelope and/or packet. Overnight mail must also be properly labeled on the outside of the express envelope or package.

The City of Rio Grande City, reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding. Bids may be held by the City for a period not to exceed 60 days from the date of the bid opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the bidders’ qualifications prior to the contract award.

L or e

People across the Valley come home to Rio Motor Company!

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Not available with lease and some other offers. Must take new retail delivery by 3/31/2025. See Dealer for details. All prices plus tax, title and license. Vehicle is subject to pre-sale.

“No Matter Where You Live, Come Home!”

(956) 487-2596 1-800-509-0003

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MARCH 26, 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