MAY 21, 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. 21

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

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

Phone (956) 487-3925

WEEKLY - WEDNESDAY • MAY 21, 2025

Congratulations to Roma High School’s Mariachi Nuevo Santander on their star on Las Vegas Walk of Stars!!

Roma High School’s Mariachi Nuevo Santander join the Las Vegas Walk of Stars on April 25, 2025, alongside renowned artists and entertainers, as the only mariachi to receive this honor.

What an incredible milestone!

This honor brings them immense pride, reflecting the lasting impact the mariachi has made, and continues to make, in mariachi education both nationally and internationally.

This recognition could not come at a better time, as Roma High School Mariachi program continue to celebrate the 30th anniversary, since 1994, thanks to the vision and dedication of the founding director, Mr. Yamil Yunes, who laid a strong foundation.

This star is a tribute to the incredible dedication and hard work of the current musicians and staff, and also to all former students and past generations.

It stands as a lasting symbol of commitment to excellence in mariachi education, student success, and performance.

It is also a reflection of the continued collaborative efforts of everyone involved, past and present, mariachi parents, entire Roma ISD family, current Board President Mr. Perez, and Superintendent, Mr. Carlos M. Gonzalez, Jr.; the supportive City of Roma, Texas; U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and his office for their unwavering support in advocating for Mariachi Nuevo Santander nomination.

To all the donors, sponsors and mariachi parents, thank you for your generosity and support.

On behalf of Mariachi Nuevo Santander, director Mr. Eloy Garza, staff, and the entire mariachi program, thank you!

May our legacy endure for generations to come.

Veterans Middle School’s Mariachi Son De Cascabel earns Veterans Middle School student 3rd place at the 2025 South Texas Mariachi Competition musician Gema Cervantes place

3rd in Vocal Mariachi Competition

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 Veterans Middle School’s Mariachi Son De Cascabel for earning 3rd place at the 2025 Congratulations to Veterans Middle School student musician Gema South Texas Mariachi Competition held at Valley View ISD Performing Arts Center on Saturday-April Cervantes on placing 3rd in the vocal competition at the South Texas 26, 2025.

Mariachi Competition!!

• 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, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 2

Pedro Cid, Edgardo Gonzalez, and Jose A. Gonzalez represent Roma ISD in the TMEA Region Choir

Roma ISD is proud of their 3 Region Choir boys! Pedro Cid, Edgardo Gonzalez, and Jose A. Gonzalez joined 90 boys from across the region for an all-day clinic and capped it off with a beautiful concert in the evening. It was an honor to watch them represent not only Roma ISD, but as the only boys from Starr County in the TMEA Region Choir. Way to go, gentlemen - you made Roma ISD proud!

Martial Arts Academy attend Kajukenbo Karate Tournament Saturday, April 26, 2025, Martial Arts Academy Students attended KAJUKENBO Memorial Karate Tournament in Mercedes Texas. Students participated in Traditional Forms, Creative Forms, and Sparring.

Participating are: Black Belt Victoria Contreras placed 1st in Creative Form, 2nd in Traditional Form, and 2nd in Sparring, Black Belt Rogelio Gael Contreras placed 1st Creative Form, 1st in Traditional Form and 3rd in Sparring, Red Belt Ruben Garza placed 4th in Traditional Form and 2nd in Sparring, Brown Belt Nathan Leal placed 2nd in Traditional Form and 4th in Sparring, Green Belt Heriberto Barrera placed 3rd in Tradtional Form and 3rd in Sparring, Yellow/ Orange Belt Adaly Garza placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring, Yellow Belt Jaylen Lara

Tercer Aniversario en Memoria de

Jose Cruz Villarreal 05/03/1953 † 05/20/2022 En el silencio de nuestros pensamientos vives y a menudo tu nombre pronunciamos.

Tu sonrisa y tu vida son solo recuerdos como las fotos y objetos que de ti conservamos.

El dolor de tu separación nadie jamas lo podrá saber.

Dios sin embargo su consuelo sobre nosotros derramo, porque a su lado te quiso tener.

Dicen que el tiempo sana las heridas y así ayuda a olvidar, pero por mas que el tiempo pase tu imagen viva nunca se ha de borrar.

Algunos quizá te olvidarán y para ellos serás algo del pasado, pero para los que te queremos tanto, tu memoria en nuestros corazones ocupa un lugar sagrado.

Su esposa Maricela Villarreal e hijos

Familia Villarreal

placed 1st in Tradtional Form and 1st in Sparring, Yellow Belt Belinda Trevino placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring, Yellow Belt Edward Benavides placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring, Yellow Belt Olivia Benavides placed 1st in Traditional

Form and 1st in Sparring, White Belt Emiliano Perez placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring, White Belt Raul Galvan placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring, White Belt Ricardo Rodriguez placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring, White

Belt Ever Salinas placed 1st in Traditional Form, and 1st in Sparring, White Belt Eli Salinas placed 1st in Traditional Form and 1st in Sparring.

Congradulations to the Students and Sensai Marie Peña on a Job Well Done.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 3

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 4

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 5

Class of 2008 Rattler Alumna Erika Peña Solhtalab

Named Corporate Counsel of Ford Motor Credit Rio Grande City, Texas — Erika Peña Solhtalab, a proud graduate of the RGC High School Class of 2008, has recently been named Corporate Counsel of Ford Motor Credit, a major financial arm of the Ford Motor Company.

Erika is a 2019 graduate of Baylor University School of Law. Her post-high school career began at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2011.

Prior to joining Ford, Erika served as Corporate Counsel for Crescent Bank, where she advised on a wide range of commercial and regulatory matters in the automotive lending sector. Her transition to Ford marks an exciting new chapter in a career

defined by integrity, diligence, and intellectual excellence.

Erika is the daughter of Alvaro and Dina Peña.

Her story is one of hometown pride and national ambition — proof that roots in Rio Grande City can lead to success on any stage. The community of Rio Grande City celebrates this tremendous achievement and wishes Erika continued success as she brings her legal talents to one of America’s most iconic companies.

Erika comes from a family dedicated to public service and the legal profession. Her older brothers, Jay and Isaac Peña, are both practicing attorneys in Starr County. Jay is a partner at Pope & Peña PC, while Isaac leads the Isaac Peña Law Firm PLLC.

Congratulations, Erika — you make us proud!

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Roma will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, June 2, 2025, 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) Rezoning: From Suburban Residential District (SF) to General Commercial District (C2) for a proposed Storage Unit Facility; Legal Description is a 0.7532 acre parcel of land out of and forming a part of portion of Share No. 71 out of Porcion No. 74, Ancient Jurisdiction of Mier, Mexico now Starr County, Texas; Physical Address is 415 Deer Run Avenue, Roma, Texas 78584. (COZ#2502) The City Council for the City of Roma will be holding a Public Hearing for the case(s) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at the Roma City Council Chambers, located at 201 W. Convent Ave., Roma, Texas.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 6

DPS Launches Statewide Patrols to Enforce Seat belt Use and Curb Distracted Driving for Memorial Day The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is increasing patrols statewide as part of its annual AllAmerican enforcement campaign ahead of the Memorial Day Holiday. From May 12 through May 26, the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will focus on enforcing seat belt laws and promoting safe driving behaviors to reduce crashes and save lives.

“Our top priority is saving lives on Texas roads,” said Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee. “As Memorial Day approaches, we’re stepping up enforcement to ensure drivers are buckled up, attentive and following the law. These efforts help protect families and prevent tragedy.”

THP will increase enforcement as part of Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort).

Last year, during DPS’ 2024 AllAmerican enforcement efforts, there were more than 122,361 citations and warnings issued.

To comply with Move Over or Slow Down, Texas law states that a driver must either: •Vacate the lane closest to the

applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction) or •Slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph) Violations of the law result in a misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of up to $1,250. Subsequent offences can increase fines, and if the offense results in bodily injury, the penalty can be up to a state jail felony.

DPS offers the following safety tips: •Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits using portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.

•Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with

emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. So far in 2025, there have been more than 4,485 Move Over, Slow Down violations.

•Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you consume alcohol.

•Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.

•Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.

•Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.

•Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.

•Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas Remember to keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. You can always dial 1-800-525-5555 for any assistance when you’re traveling. That number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS South Texas College (STC) is accepting Request for Proposals (CSP) for the following project: PROJECT NAME:

Pecan Campus Physical Plant Building E Cooling Tower Above Ground Piping System Project No. 24-25-1065

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE TIME & LOCATION:

May 22nd, 2025@ 10:00 a.m.

STC Purchasing Department 3200 W. Pecan Blvd, Bldg. N, Ste. 142 McAllen, Texas 78501

PROPOSAL DEADLINE & May 29th, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.

SUBMITTAL LOCATION: STC Purchasing Department 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg. N Ste 145 McAllen, Texas 78501 CSP documents will be available beginning on, May 14, 2025. The documents may be obtained from RGV Reprographics located at 519 South Broadway, McAllen, Texas (Phone: 956-686-1525) upon the deposit of a refundable check in the amount of $100.00 payable to South Texas College. The deposit check will be returned if project plans are returned in good condition within ten (10) days after the proposal deadline.

Proposals shall be accompanied by a Certified or Cashier’s Check or acceptable bidder’s bond, payable to South Texas College, in an amount not less than five (5%) percent of the proposed project amount.

Proposals received after the specified time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the CSP number and name of the project.

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 South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website at South Texas College - Vendor Registration (Bonfire) to complete the Bonfire 2-part vendor registration for receiving solicitations.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 7

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 8

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

Memorial Funeral Home

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

101 AR Sanchez Sr. Dr. Roma, Tx. 78584

(956) 847-7008

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 2022 Chevy

2021 Toyota Tacoma

Suburban Z71

29,995 $ $

CALL

26,995

STK#26859A NICE! ONLY 16K MILES!!!

STK#26929A

2024 Chevy Silverado 4X4

2023 Volkdwagon Atlas

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STK#25708A

$

38,995

2022 Chevy Equinox LT

STK#26784A

$

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

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 2025, PAGE 9

Pan American Round Table of Rio Grande City-Roma Roma High School and United Way Leadership Donates Over 200 Books to Children’s Literacy Project Mentorship Program wrapped up the year by volunteering

During their March monthly meeting, members of the Pan American Round Table of Rio Grande CityRoma generously donated more than 200 books to the Children’s Book Project of the Starr County Retired School Employees Association (SCRSEA). This meaningful initiative was organized by SCRSEA 2nd Vice President, Soila G. Perez. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all members whose contributions made this project a success, helping to foster a love of reading among children in our community.

On Wednesday, April 16, the Roma High School and United Way Leadership Mentorship Program wrapped up the year by volunteering at their open school.

More than 20 students stayed after school to assist janitors and the maintenance persons, helping ease their workload for the afternoon.

Mr. Felipe spoke to the students about this opportunity and emphasized the important role they play in contributing to the well-being and positive culture of Roma High School. He acknowledged that his department serves all students and works hard to maintain a clean, warm, and

welcoming environment.

He expressed his appreciation for the student volunteers and encouraged their continued involvement, noting that with student leaders like them, will allow the community and school to continue to excel.

(Report courtesy Teacher Romeo Rios)

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, MAY 21, 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