Maverick County Sheriff's Office - On Saturday April 27, 2013 at approximately 10:30 a.m. units were dispatched to the Kickapoo Reservation in reference to a deceased person. Upon arrival deputies made contact with the U.S. Border Patrol agents who stated that while patrolling the river vega they observed a deceased person in the water. JP 3 Cesar Iracheta was summoned to the location and gave the time of death at 11:29 a.m. Memorial Funeral Chapel was also summoned to the location and took custody of the body. No identification and identifying marks were found on the deceased. If you would like more information about this press release, or to schedule an interview with Sheriff Tom Schmerber, please call the Maverick County Sheriff's Department at 830-773-2321.

A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

Commissioner's Court held a budget workshop on Monday in which two major items were on the agenda, the first being the line item which is calling for the consideration and possible approval of an order awarding the sale of and establishing the rates of interest for obligations designated as "Maverick County, Texas Tax Notes, Series 2013" and resolving other matters incident and related to the sale of the notes.

What this entails is this will be a session in which the accountants who are dealing with the issue of the needing to open Cell 2 of the Maverick County Solid Waste Authority Landfill will be making their recommendations as to the entities which may be willing to provide the financial backing on said project.

The landfill is nearing capacity on the first cell which was projected to last six years in 2010, the year the facility opened.  Now, just three years later, the cel is quickly reaching its full capacity due to the fact that the facility is taking in double the amount of waste tonnage than originally anticipated according to Landfill Manager Mike Castillo.

"We are taking in close to 200 tons a day which is double what was initially projected, at this rate it is no surprise Cell 1 is reaching capacity this early."

The main clients for the Solid Waste Authority are the City of Eagle Pass, companies from the Eagle Ford Shale Project, the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino among others.  Two other potential clients include the City of Laredo and Carrizo Springs as the landfill continues to prepare Cell 2 to be ready to function as Cell 1 reaches capacity.

Another item of note on the agenda is the projected change to what is called the unit system as well as to give reports to the three new commissioners on how to most effectively monitor their budgets as funds continue to dwindle.

The unit system, which never went over well with the former Commissioner's Court, will be revisited in order to handle multiple projects and avoid any stagnant workers as well as to be able to think ahead to expedite the workload of the Road & Bridge Department.

A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

Mary Velasquez, City Secretary, has informed The News Gram of the fact that early voting has begun at the Multi-Purpose Center and hours of operation will be 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

She added that this is a very important election as it is for the position of Mayor of the City of Eagle Pass.

Velasquez stated that you will need some form of ID or your voter's registration card in order to cast your vote.

A state or federal issued ID card with your name and address will also suffice.  These requisites are ways you can expedite your voting experience so that you can get on with your day.

Supporters of both incumbent Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu and Saul Fernandez have been on hand at the polls to attempt to gain the last minute support from voters as they arrive to do their civic duty.

Chairman of the Democratic Party in Eagle Pass, Victor Perry encourages all citizens to come out and make your voices heard as the state and federal government have been watching all of our elections very closely. 

Maverick County has been demonstrating concern as we have seen increasing numbers in voter turnout in both regular elections as well as in recent runoffs which only increases our chances to receive resources and funds from both Austin and Washington.

Most recently, voters have turned out to elect appropriately Democratic representation both in the State Legislature as well as in the US Congress.  Perry says we must awaken the sleeping giant and continue to encourage all of our Hispanic population to vote across the state and the country in order to continue making a difference in major national politics.