Two Women Arrested for Theft in Several EP Stores
Tuesday, 12 February 2013 21:36 Published in January 2013Staff -Eagle Pass
Two young girls from Del Rio were apprehended by Eagle Pass police on Monday afternoon on charges of stealing $1,700.00 of merchandise from different local stores. The women were identified as Erin Velasquez, 19, and Monhique Marie Moreno, 25. According to the report, police found a large amount of clothing which was taken without being paid for, according to Chief of Police Antonio Castaneda. The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 P.M. on Monday afternoon when police received the report that two women had left a store in Mall de las Aguilas without having paid and who were driving in a BMW sport coupe. Officers proceeded to look for said vehicle and were able to find it on Main Street. When they conducted a routine search of the vehicle, they found many new clothes which was confiscated and returned to the stores from which they came. This has been one of the largest arrests in terms of the amount of clothing in reference to clothing stolen from retail stores.
Staff -Eagle Pass
The Catholic church, Our Lady of Refuge in Eagle Pass, informed The News Gram that the period of Lent begins today with Ash Wednesday which officially kicks off Lent and three masses will be held for those who wish to receive the holy ash to attend. Lent is a forty day period which is honored by Catholics the world over which concludes with Easter Sunday in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Catholic authorities have said that Lent is a perfect time for all to reflect and improve and enrich their lives. Masses have been set at OLOR for 8:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. OLOR would like to remind the community that they will be selling Platillos de Cuaresma for $6.00 on every Wednesday and Friday during Lent from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Proceeds will benefit needy families in our community as OLOR is used to providing vital assistance to low income families in our area.
Commissioners Heredia and Maldonado Suspended Pending Outcome of Federal Trials by District Judge Alcala
Monday, 11 February 2013 21:44 Published in January 2013
A.D. Ibarra -Eagle Pass
In an historic hearing which lasted all of two hours, The Honorable Dick Alcalá, visiting District Judge, heard admissions from both sides and suspended County Commissioners Rodolfo Bainet Heredia and Eliaz Maldonado pending the posting of $2,000 assurance bonds prior to the suspensions taking effect. The petition was formally filed by County Attorney Ricardo Ramos on December 28th calling for the replacement of both commissioners in light of their recent federal indictments which have yet to be settled before Federal Court. According to the US Department of Justice, both commissioners face similar charges of participating in an organized kickback and bribery scheme and who both await their day in court. Local attorney Claudio Heredia was present at the proceedings and approached the bench to advise the visiting judge to take into consideration that his brother had not been given any prior notice to this hearing and that he should be given the opportunity to defend himself. Unfortunately for Heredia, however, Judge Alcalá and County Attorney Ricardo Ramos refuted any such pre-requisites by citing official code from the Texas Government Code and the judge overruled Heredia's objections. "The petition is deficient," reiterated Heredia, a counsel of utmost experience and knowledge of the judicial process and a professional in the courtroom, "Because it's based on incompetency and official misconduct and with special exceptions, it would be a violation of due process, plus the language in the petition is so vague, I have very serious objections, Your Honor, there are pre-requisites that need to be met." The judge replied that he felt Heredia had sufficient notice and overruled the objection before Heredia's counsel asked for a continuance which was not granted. "The primary purpose is that he is still drawing a paycheck," stated Ramos, "It's mostly to protect the public," stating that in essence the commissioners have been, "Corrupt and have violated the public trust." "He's innocent until proven guilty," Heredia rebutted, "If this is only for suspension, defense has provided its objection, but I think we're jumping to conclusions, he has not been convicted." With that, Alcalá retired to his chambers before coming out to officially suspend both commissioners where he thanked Heredia for his presence and his professionalism before taking public statements on a large group of individuals who were recommended to take their places. Those taken into consideration by Judge Alcalá included: Gerardo Morales, Leopoldo Vielma, Oscar Cantú, Jesus casas, Joaquin Rodriguez, Billy Davis, Ricardo Salinas, Javier Libson and Alex Flores for Precinct 1 and Rafael Chancey, Rosa Cantú, Joe Gonzales, Daniela Flores-Aleman and Salvador Rios for Precinct 2. Judge Alcalá said that any of these individuals could've come in and done a good job and he personally thanked them all for their consideration to volunteer their time for such an important cause. He also closed by saying that the suspensions are good only until the two men either clarify their legal problems and/or there is an election to officially fill their positions.