ADVERTISEMENT 2
ADVERTISEMENT 3
Error: No articles to display
ADVERTISEMENT 1
ADVERTISEMENT 4
Staff
-Eagle Pass
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) conducted a raid on a local home/establishment located on Main Street between Commercial and Ryan St. on Tuesday morning. The exact location of the raid was 165 Mian Street. The establishment apparently being a window tint business.
According to a credible source from the EPPD, the department was asked to provide officers to support federal authorities in said search at approximately 7:00 A.M. Other than this, local officials were not able to release any official information.
When The News Gram arrived on the scene, it was a large presence of law enforcement vehicles, officials and personnel while the owner/resident of what looks to be a home converted into a window tint business was awaiting the results of the search.
FBI officials were on hand at the premises throughout the morning as late as 11:00 A.M. Boxes of confiscated materials were being brought out of the site.
As of yet, the initial findings have not indicated the reason why the FBI has targeted this particular location. Further information and details of the case are forthcoming as the case remains under investigation.
Immediately after this announcement, Flores and his attorney were excused and exited the courtroom together.
Diaz also informed us that this project involves only aesthetics which will in no way improve the function of the system or affect positively or negatively the flow of traffic. City Manager Gloria Barrientos thanked the media for their support and provided insight as to the significance of both bridges to the City's financial standing, "The bridges are a great support for general revenue and allows us to maintain our low tax rates." When asked how the project would be paid for, Barrientos mentioned that it would be taken care of through bonds approved by City Council which were rated high due to the fact that we have two bridges which provide a steady source of income, a luxury not many other municipalities in the country can count on.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Jorge Barrera, Director of Eagle Pass Water Works, informed The News Gram of a two-pronged project which stems from an $8.2 million grant which will greatly improve the system by which Eagle Pass water users receive the life-giving resource.
The first, Barrera said, will be the installation of a new type of radio read meter which will be able to be read by remote control in a drive-by setting.
The new technology is the latest trend in municipal water operation equipment which will vastly modernize our existing system.
The other measure will be the design, planning and changing out of the cast iron pipelines underneath our city and to replace them with the more practical, longer-lasting PVC type pipes which will be installed in phases this year.
The cast iron pipes, which have been in place for almost a hundred years have served their purpose and will be replaced by the more practical PVC pipe as the EPWW System have been called upon to repair broken pipelines which both run at an expensive rate and force workers to break into paved roads to access the broken lines.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
State Representative Alfonso Nevarez welcomed family, friends and colleagues to his new offices located on the premises of La Mansion on Williams Street in Eagle Pass.
"I feel welcomed because so many of my family and friends are here, because I consider all of you my friends and many of you my mentors," the newly elected representative eloquently stated in his brief address.
Nevarez was equally introduced by Chamber of Commerce President Billy Davis who expressed our collective pride in having him as our voice in Austin with an amazingly accurate analogy, "Leaders are like Eagles, they don't flock, you find them one at a time," before bringing on the legislator to address the gathering as he introduced us to his colleagues in Austin which include Chief of Staff Obie Salinas, who said, "I feel like today, this ceremony signifies so much for District 74," which Nevarez said if it were a state, it would be the 38th largest in the United States, "And for Eagle Pass and Maverick County constituents having their representative here will do really good things for the community. We welcome anyone to come by our offices or call (512) 463-0566."
Lauren Cacheaux, Nevarez' General Counsel who helps prepare him to propose his legislation before committees, was also on hand to greet well-wishers and to inform The News Gram of their collective accolades, accomplishments and achievements. Cacheaux, an attorney who hails from Mc Allen said that her greatest satisfaction thus far in her short time in Nevarez' office is having participated in the passing of HB 5 regarding public education.
"What it does is it reduces the amount of over-testing which occurs over the course of the school year," stated the General Counsel who also meets with lobbyists and reads over legislation that may affect our district, "It also gives more flexibility to students to choose an extra elective and not be held to the exorbitant amount of required courses they must enroll in."
Jay Jackson, Nevarez' Legislative aide from Fort Worth, is a Political Science and Communications major at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacodoches, says he ties up loose ends for the State Representative and also does a lot of reading of legislation. When asked what his studies have focused on in this day and age of economic issues, Jackson mentioned that he is learning a lot about water which, he says is not talked about much in the scope of his classes, but which is a vital, dare I say critical issue across the state and around the world which needs to be taken into serious consideration by legislators everywhere.
Nevarez informed The News Gram that this week he was steadfast in rallying his support against the voucher system, "I am against the use of public funds for private schools. I went to a private school. but I don't believe taxpayer's money should fund private education."
"Yesterday was a long day of arguing budget," stated Nevarez, "But a very important day for all of us," he closed by saying, "Welcome to my office."
Staff
-Eagle Pass
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center was in Eagle Pass this Thursday to conduct a community blood drive where they hoped to collect at least 25 units of blood from local donors. According to Lisa Guzman of the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, this drive is one of at least four visits from the center to Eagle Pass which contributes to the incredibly important cause of collecting much needed blood for people who are in need. Guzman added that Eagle Pass has always been important in the center's on going mission to collect blood and says that our local high schools and college are paramount in their blood drive efforts. "We need a lot of units to support the hospitals in south Texas and the local students do a very good job of donating and account for 20% of the blood that we collect per year."
The center will be back in Eagle Pass to visit C.C Winn High School next week where they hope to collect many more units of blood.
Mayra Murray, a local registered nurse was also on hand at the blood drive and contributed in coordinating the drive and added, "this is a great way for local community members to contribute and feel important in their own community".
Clarissa Morales Bejerano, a local donor was on hand donating blood and stated that the reason she came to the blood drive is because she wants to give back to her community and save lives.
Donors were treated to a T-shirt, a mini-physical, a 10$ gift card and a chance to win a Donor Getaway package.
Local man Elias Hernandez, 63 years old, was sentenced this Tuesday to 15 years for the sexual assault of a female minor here in Maverick County which occurred during the month of February of 2012. District Attorney Roberto Serna stated that this type of an individual is a danger to our children and that time in prison is the only form of justice. Serna further added that Hernandez will be carrying out the complete sentence and there will likely not to be any chance for him to be released before the his sentence is completely carried out.
Roberto Serna also informed The News Gram that in light of the recent Kauffman County DA shooting there have not been any specific procedural changes to security at the District Attorney's office. Serna noted that that case seems to be an isolated incident of retaliation and there have not been different security procedures put in place but assures that the District Attorney's office is and continues to be a secure and safe facility.
A.D. Ibarra
-Loma Bonita
A public forum was held on Tuesday where US Border Patrol officials were on hand along with Tom Schmerber, Maverick County Sheriff, Mexican Consulate Ricardo Santana, Constable Jose Regalado, Sergio Angulo, new Parks Director at the Nick Carr Sports Complex, Apolonio Rodriguez, Road and Bridge Director among others with new County Commissioner Robert Ruiz to allow citizens the opportunity to ask questions and/or voice concerns with a forum of experts there to answer their questions.
Ruiz gave credit to Enrique Ramos for the idea of coming out on this day to publicly address situations which are of major concern to the people who live in and around the area.
Mexican Consulate Santana stated, "I think this is an excellent idea in order to address the needs of the people which we represent," while reminding the gathering that he has proudly been in his position for the past five years.
He also mentioned that as we speak, there has been no major reform in migratory laws which concern his office, President Obama, however has implemented a viable program to address the needs of students aged 14-30 who wish to study at American colleges and universities which has been very successful and helpful to those who qualify.
Consul Santana also reminded those Mexican nationals in our country to file their income taxes and that his office can assist them free of charge to do so.
Commissioner Ruiz turned the microphone over to the public, many of whom voiced very serious concerns which were heard and noted by the panel.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
in their regular meeting held on Tuesday, the Eagle Pass City Council handled all items on their agenda and were unable to complete interviews for the vacant position of city manager which we were told has been tabled until next week as Tuesday night's meeting ran a little long on time. In reference to the vacancy in the Eagle Pass police Department, what is being planned is to have someone in that position within the next two weeks who has prior experience in the position and who will be part of the process which they are hoping to use to assist the city in formally filling the position. This interim chief may come from an association of former police chiefs who are willing to come in and take over a department while the application and interview process is complete while checking standard operating procedures in order to maintain the integrity of law enforcement throughout the hiring process. Such a person could in fact make recommendations as to how to make changes in standard operating procedures which would be like having a consultant in the position who at the same time is doing the job on an interim basis. The News Gram recalls that Eagle Pass once had a chief from out of town by the last name of Mendiola who was named by then city manager Oscar Rodriguez approximately 20 years ago who was chief just before the hiring of Antonio Castañeda.
Brian Shae, Eagle Pass Planning Director was on hand at this week's City Council meeting to receive a proclamation dedicated to Fair Housing Month which will be observed in April. Mayor Cantu presented the proclamation to Mr. Shae and stated that fair housing is a fundamental human concept and entitlement for all Americans and urged all community members to become aware of and support the fair housing law.
