NOVEMBER 6, 2024

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.

The Law Office Of

J.M. “Chema” Garza Office (956) 487-6544 • E-Mail: sctc78582@aol.com • issuu.com/starrcountytowncrier Vol. 39, No. 45

WEEKLY - WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 6, 2024

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Ramiro Barrera Middle School and Roma Middle School Roma HS student Lorraine Orchestra students earned a chair in the TMEA Competition Garza selected as National Vocal Competition Semifinalist

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Congratulations to the Ramiro Barrera Middle School and Roma Middle School Orchestra students that competed at and earned a chair in the TMEA Middle School Orchestra Competition!

Ramiro Barrera Middle School: Roberto Vazquez, Cello, 6th

chair Symphonic Orchestra, Destiny Guerrero, Violin, 18th chair, Philharmonic Orchestra and German Ramos, Viola, 1st chair Symphonic Orchestra.

Roma Middle School: Valentina Ramirez, Violin, 9th chair Philharmonic Orchestra and Evan

Vazquez-Kanhere, Violin, 18th chair Symphonic Orchestra.

These students will perform on November 16 at the TMEA Region Clinic and Concert. Once again congratulations to these students and their directors! (Report courtesy PAC Director Daniel Renteria.)

Roque Guerra, Jr. Elementary introduce 20242025 Battle of the Books team members Dr. Raymond Cruz Best FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dental Insurance, Medicaid and Chip Accepted

487-2999

Congratulations to Lorraine Garza for being selected as a National Vocal Competition Semifinalist!! She will be competing at the 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza National Vocal Competition on December 7th in San Antonio.

Roma High School Diving Team great showing at the Splash Bash

419 East 2nd St. Rio Grande City, Tx.

Exciting News from Roque Guerra, Jr. Elementary! On behalf of the entire Colt Nation we’re thrilled to introduce this year’s dedicated **Battle of the Books** team members: ROMEL HINOJOSA, MARISSA RODRIGUEZ, JORDYN EGUIA, and SAMARAH DE LA TORRE! These young reading enthusiasts are ready to dive into their book selections and start preparing for the big competition coming up in early 2025. With their passion for literature and teamwork, we’re confident they’ll make Colt Nation proud!

Let’s cheer on our team as they embark on this exciting journey!

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Congratulations to the Roma High School Diving Team on a great showing at their first meet of the season at the Splash Bash at the Harlingen Aquatic Center. Jayda Perez-3rd place, Dayanetzy Moran6th place, and Alyxavier Escobar-8th place. They did an amazing job with their performances and are striving towards a great season!

(Thanks to Coach Clemente Martinez for the report.)

CHUY Alvarez ATTORNEY AT LAW

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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, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 2

Rio Grande City Grulla ISD hosted their Rio Homecoming Parade, pep rally and bonfire this past Thursday. Our Rio community enjoyed seeing the beautiful floats and enjoyed the performances our students masterfully did before burning down the opponent’s letter in anticipation of the homecoming game. Then RGCGISD held their Tailgate Party, on Friday, November 1, 2024. Members of the community enjoyed free food, and music where Rio played Juarez Lincoln Huskies. Our Interim Superintendent of Schools, Elsa V. Morris, as well as some of our Board of Trustee members enjoyed talking to attendees and helped the central office staff and several campuses pass out food and drinks. We would like to thank the entire RGCGISD family for making this event such a success!

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 3

ECHS court shined bright at the RGCHS Homecoming Parade

Preparatory for Early College High School court shined bright at the RGCHS Homecoming Parade! King & Queen: Israel Correa & Jayleen Delgado, Prince & Princess: Raudel RJ Rivera & Kaly Garcia, Duke & Duchess: Brandon Villarreal & Kaylen Reyna, and Baron & Baroness: Donato Medina & Ashley Gonsalez Alonso. On behalf of the ECHS we would like to thank you to everyone who cheered them on and showed school spirit! We’re so proud of each of you!

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STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 4

South Texas Health System is Highlighting the Benefits of the Flu Vaccine as the Influenza Season Ramps Up With a billion influenza cases reported globally each year, health experts are reminding the public that getting the flu shot is the best way to prevent influenza from spreading The fall and winter seasons are an exciting time of year as Rio Grande Valley residents prepare

to celebrate the holidays, spend quality time with loved ones and enjoy a slight break from the scorching temperatures.

But October through January is considered the peak season for the flu, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION - November 9 , 2024

Property to satisfy Landlord’s lien. Sale is on Saturday, NOVEMBER 9, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. Super Starr Storage, 215 North F.M. 3167, Rio Grande City Texas 78582. Property will be sold to the highest bidder for cash only. Cleanup and removal deposit may be required. Seller reserves right to not accept any bid and to withdraw property from sale.

Property unknown until day of the sale.

Property includes contents of spaces of the following tenants: Gregouo Rosa, Lori Moreno and Annette Garza

and lungs.

Flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets when people with the illness cough, sneeze, talk or even sing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza can also be contracted by a person touching an infected surface then putting that same hand up to their eyes, nose or mouth.

The onset of flu symptoms usually happens suddenly and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, even death.

Complications from influenza can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions like congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

Globally, one billion cases of influenza are reported each year, according to the World Health Organization, with three to five million of those cases being severe.

Anyone can get the flu and serious problems related to the flu can happen at any age, per the CDC, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and children under the age of five.

There are several ways to prevent the flu, like proper handwashing, staying home when sick and wearing a mask, but the most important step in prevention is to get the annual flu vaccine, which been shown

to reduce flu-related illnesses and the risk of serious complications that can result in hospitalization or death.

A 2021 study conducted shows among adults hospitalized with the flu, vaccinated patients had a 26% lower risk of being admitted into the ICU and a 31% less risk of death from the flu.

Safe and effective vaccines have been used for more than 60 years. Immunity from vaccination goes away over time, so getting the flu shot annually is recommended, especially since vaccines are updated routinely with new one developed that contain viruses matching those circulating.

Everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu shot every year. South Texas Health System recommends that

everyone get a flu shot that’s appropriate for their age and health status. STHS Clinics offers the flu shot at its family medicine clinics throughout the Rio Grande Valley. To find a location near you, visit STHSClinics.com/ locations.

If you, or a loved one, is at elevated risk for the flu, consult with your doctor. If you don’t have a primary care physician, visit doctors.southtexashealthsystem. com to find one near you.

About South Texas Health System - South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www. southtexashealthsystem.com.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 5

Grulla Lady Gators Volleyball Roma High School Medical Assistant Tech teams celebrated senior night Program holds CPR training sessions

Monday, October 28, 2024, marked the end of an incredible season for the Grulla Lady Gators Volleyball teams! Grulla Lady Gators seniors celebrated their senior night surrounded by coaches and family as they played their final game as Lady Gators. Thank you to all the players for giving it your all this season! The Roma High School Medical Assistant Technology Program is holding vital CPR training sessions for students. These are skills that can save lives anywhere at any time. Way to go Mighty Gladiators!

Grulla Lady Gators Volleyball teams are so proud of you! Let’s carry these memories into the future!

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 6

STHS Children’s Encouraging Valley Parents To Take Preventative Measures To Reduce Their Children’s Risk Of Respiratory Syncytial Virus This Season Hospitals across the country are seeing an increase in RSV cases, especially in children, and South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s is offering prevention tips to help parents stay vigilant While the fall season includes slightly cooler temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley and a time change, it also brings about the threat of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The highly contagious virus, which spreads easily among babies and children, infects the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms of RSV are much like the flu and COVID-19 that it may be hard to distinguish in patients until it’s in its more advanced stage.

For many children, RSV can feel like the common cold with symptoms including congestion, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat, sneezing and headache.

But it can lead to serious complications like trouble breathing and may require hospitalization.

Each year, an estimated 58,000 to 80,000 U.S. children under five years of age are hospitalized due to RSV, per the Cleveland Clinic. When it comes to infant hospitalizations, two out of three babies get RSV by age one.

Babies born premature, infants under six months and infants with underlying health problems face the highest risk of complications from RSV. “RSV in its advanced stage can prevent air from getting to the lungs, leading to a decrease in oxygen in the blood supply, which can become extremely dangerous,” says Dr. Ivelisse Santiago, a pediatric hospitalist at South Texas Health System Children’s. “RSV can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing more severe illness like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.”

In severe cases, RSV can be life threatening. In the U.S., the virus leads to an estimated 100 to 300 deaths in children annually, per the National Foundation for Infectious Disease.

So, to keep kids safe and limit the spread of RSV this season, South Texas Health System Children’s offers the following tips for parents and caregivers to keep kids healthy:

Teach Proper Handwashing: Washing your hands well and often is the best way to keep from getting sick. Handwashing can protect one in five young children from respiratory illnesses, per the CDC. Cleaning your hands not only helps reduce the risk of catching germs, but it also limits the risk of spreading germs – especially to others who may be more susceptible to illnesses.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Germs can travel up to five feet from the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Using a tissue or the upper shirt sleeve to cover a cough and sneeze helps limit the spread of germs and prevents others from getting sick.

Avoid Close Contact with Others: Keeping a safe distance from people when sick is one of the best ways to avoid spreading illnesses. If your child is sick, it’s best to the keep them home to prevent them from spreading germs to other children.

Clean Frequently Touched Surfaces: Focus on surfaces that are touched often like tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, counters, desks, toilets, faucets and sinks. And don’t forget your child’s toys and games! Place hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol near frequently touched surfaces.

Mask Up: RSV spreads when droplets from a cough, sneeze or infected surface get inside the eyes, nose and mouth. Wearing a mask can protect from inhaling respiratory hazards and prevent the transmission of RSV. Avoid Touching the Face: This can potentially prevent infection. If kids touch an infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth – which are also entryways for viruses into your body – kids could potentially become infected and get sick.

Seek immediate medical attention if your child – or anyone at risk of severe RSV infection – has difficulty breathing, a high fever or a blue color to the skin, particularly on the lips and in the nail beds.

If your child is at high risk for severe RSV disease, consult with your pediatrician or family doctor. If you don’t have a primary care provider, visit doctors.southtexashealthsystem. com to find one near you.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 7

ICYMI: Vehicle Safety Inspection Changes Take Effect January 2025 The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds Texans that changes to the state’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program – which eliminate most vehicle safety inspections – begin on Jan. 1, 2025. These changes are due to House Bill 3297. The bill was passed by the 88th Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, abolishing the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles.

Starting New Year’s Day, non-commercial vehicles will no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration.

All non-commercial vehicles in the state will still be subject to a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee. The inspection program replacement fee will

be paid at the time you register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

New vehicles (those of the current or preceding model year on the date of purchase) purchased in Texas that have not been previously registered in Texas or another state are required to pay an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 to cover two years.

Please note the inspection program replacement fee is not an increase in the cost of your vehicle registration. As its name suggests, this fee simply replaces the revenue source for state programs and operations—like the construction and expansion of state highways—once supported by vehicle safety inspections.

Vehicles Registered in

Emissions Counties While comprehensive vehicle safety inspections will be eliminated for all noncommercial vehicles, Texans whose vehicles are registered in emissions counties will still be required to have emissions tests.

The price of vehicle emissions tests varies by vehicle and county.

Emissions tests are required in major metropolitan areas, including Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties; Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant counties; Travis and Williamson counties; and El Paso County. Bexar County will be added to the list of counties requiring emissions tests in 2026.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF STARR COUNTY 1988 N. CHARCO BLANCO ROAD RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS 78582 Telephone: 956-487-3216 Fax: 956-487-7817

PUBLIC NOTICE The Housing Authority of Starr County will no longer be taking applications for Housing Assistance for the Low Rent and Section 8 Programs. The waiting list will be closed EFFECTIVE November 7, 2024.

The waiting list will remain closed until further notice.

NOTICIA PUBLICA Estamos notificando que el Housing Authority del Condado Estrella, no estara tomando applicaciones para el programa de assistancia de viviendas publicas de bajo recursos y de la Seccion 8, efectivo el 7 de noviembre del 2024. La lista de espera continuara cerrada hasta nuevo aviso.

Commercial Vehicles All commercial vehicles in all counties will still be required to obtain a passing vehicle safety inspection. Because they will still need to pay for a safety inspection, commercial vehicles will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee.

Remember, all vehicles will

still need to be registered; the registration process will continue to be managed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Even though vehicle safety inspections are being eliminated for most vehicles, the department reminds Texans to regularly service their vehicles to keep themselves and other motorists

safe on the road. Regular maintenance ensures the proper operation of your vehicle’s headlights, taillights, horn, mirrors, windshield wipers, tires and other critical functions.

Driving a vehicle without many of these properly working safety features is against the law and puts everyone at risk.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 8

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Texas Department of Public Safety visits VMS

On behalf of the Veterans Middle School we would like to express a very heartfelt thank you to the Texas Department of Public Safety for visiting VMS to ensure the safety of our students! Your dedication and commitment to keeping our community secure mean so much to us. We appreciate the time you took to engage with our students and share important safety information. Together, we can create a safe and supportive environment for everyone!

THE COUNTY OF STARR SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Chapter 263.153 of the Texas Local Government Code & Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Transportation Code 683, Subsection B, 683.012, of the Texas Department of Transportation that the County of Starr Sheriff ’s Office, Rio Grande City, Texas will hold a public auction on Saturday, November 23rd , 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for General Surplus, Equipment and Vehicles which have been forfeited to the State of Texas under the provisions of Chapter 59 Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Location: 2101 I-69C, Edinburg, TX 78542. Registration to bid live will be from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and will require a picture identification or register online at www.bondauctioneers.com. Examples of items to be auctioned are cars, trucks, heavy equipment, personal computers, electronics, office furniture, surplus, etc. All items will be sold “As Is - Where Is” to the highest bidder. Onsite Buyer’s Premium 14%, Internet Buyer’s Premium 16%. All sales are final and must be paid on the same day with cash, major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express), Debit & Credit with a 3.99% processing fee. Checks accepted “day of auction” only with certain conditions. For additional information, please contact the County of Starr Sheriff ’s Office, at (956) 4875571. AUC#17532 - Jose A. Camarillo

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 9

CITY OF ROMA POLICE DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Transportation Code 683, Subsection B, 683.012, of the Texas Department of Transportation that the City of Roma Police Department, Roma, Texas will hold a public auction on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 10:00am for said vehicles, equipment & property items. Location: 2101 I-69C, Edinburg, Texas 78542. Registration to bid will be from 8:00am to 10:00am and will require a picture identification. Items to be auctioned are vehicles, equipment, and property items. All items will be sold “As Is-Where Is” to the highest bidder. Onsite Buyer’s Premium 14%, Internet Buyer’s Premium 16%. All sales are final and must be paid on the same day with cash, major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express), Debit & Credit with a 3.99% processing fee.

Checks accepted day of auction only with certain conditions. For additional information, please contact Bond and Bond Auctioneers (956) 283-0422 Jose A. Camarillo AUC#17532.

STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, PAGE 10

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