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Pete Gallego
-Washington DC
This thing we call "The Sequester" is a manufactured monster.
Approximately two years ago, the 112th Congress passed extreme across-the-board cuts known as sequestration. This budget measure was designed to be so drastic that it was supposed to force a bipartisan compromise on reducing the deficit. All sides seem to agree that the cuts were never meant to happen.
As we now know, there was no compromise. Partisan gridlock got in the way of good public policy. On March 1, 2013, sequestration took effect. It threatens the future of Texas families and the economic prosperity of our state. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, sequestration would cut economic growth in 2013 by one-third. A report from the House Committee on Appropriations projected a loss of 2.14 million jobs, nearly half of which would come from small businesses.
A 2012 George Mason University study estimated that Texas could lose almost 160,000 jobs. Data compiled by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that in the area of defense, Texas would be among the hardest hit. Of particular importance to this committee today, is the impact of the sequester on border security, trade, and commerce.
Staff
-Eagle Pass
In recent days, the Eagle Pass Police Department have received new information which is important to be able to clear up the disappearance of Patricia Casares who was last seen in January of 2009. Chief Antonio Castañeda informed The News Gram that they are working with this new information, but do not have any new details in the case. He added that the department has received diverse information through phone calls, letters and such and that all this information is being treated seriously, but unfortunately, all the information received is not all true. There is a detective assigned to this case and there is still a $10,000.00 reward for the person who can provide the information to locate her. She was last seen leaving work at the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center, minutes later she disappeared at 44 years of age. Her green Dodge Durango was found abandoned at the parking lot of a store on Bibb Ave. During all this time, the EPPD has bee working on this case with hopes of one day getting information that can help solve this case. Her family and friends have been awaiting some kind of resolution, unfortunately as of now, it has not been determined how or why she disappeared.
Staff
-Eagle Pass
On Friday, March 1st, Eliaz Maldonado tendered his letter of resignation as Commissioner of Precinct 1 which he has held since 2005.
Maldonado turned in his letter to County Judge David Saucedo.
He stated that it was a difficult decision, but one he felt he needed to make.
He added that he will focus his attentions on his upcoming federal court hearing in Del Rio.
Maldonado and Rudy Heredia were suspended from their duties by visiting District Judge Dick Alcala who replaced them with interim Commissioners Javier Libson and Daniela Flores-Aleman.
Maldonado has served for almost eight years and feels that he did all he could for the constituents of Precinct 1 trying to provide services for the community, to help low-income families and to complete important projects.
Among these projects was the construction of Lopitegui Park in Las Quintas, the construction of the water park at Maverick County Lake, and other events such his annual Christmas toy drives among many others.
He tried to do the most he could with the funds available.
Maldonado and Heredia face federal charges of having participated in a kick back and bribery scheme in Maverick County.
Staff
-Eagle Pass
A massive car crash occurred on Friday afternoon on El Indio Highway near the bowling alley which affected traffic in this area.
According to the report from the EPPD, the driver of a 200 Freightliner crashed into the back of a 1991 Chevy S-10 driven by Pedro Soto, 68, who lives on the south side of the city.
The driver of the trailer was identified as Gabriel Balzaldua, 26, from Piedras Negras.
Sergeant Orlando Escareño informed The news Gram that the S-10 also hit another vehicle ahead, a 2011 Jeep Compass driven by a Gene S., 77, who lives in Eagle Pass.
Police and fire department personnel arrived on the scene and wreckers removed the vehicles from the roadway.
There was extensive material damage to all the vehicles, but fortunately, no one sustained life-threatening injuries, the driver of the S-10 was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation.
The EPPD asks for all motorists to drive with precaution as accidents are on the rise in Eagle Pass.
Choca Trailer contra Autos en El Indio Hwy
Staff
-Eagle Pass
Friday, March 1st was the last day to register for the upcoming city elections, but there were no last minute surprises as there are only four candidates in the election.
According to information received from City Secretary Mary Velasquez, Ramsey English Cantu is seeking re-election and he will be running against local businessman Saul Fernandez.
Both candidates will be looking to gain the public's favor and it is hoped that whoever wins he will be able to lead City Council and both are expected to have strong campaigns.
Rudy Villalpando and Luis Sifuentes will run unopposed.
Elections will be held on May 11th and there will be early voting.
Acording to an amendment, candidates will be running for four year terms and elections will be held every two years.
Staff
-Eagle Pass
Authorities representing Eagle Pass will be heading to San Antonio to participate in the second annual conference to discuss the economic impact that the Eagle Ford Shale project will have within our region. Various local and state representatives will also be on hand to take part in this important event.
According to information provided by Ronnie Rivera of the Middle Rio Grande Development Council the conference will take place March 7th and 8th and a large attendance of nearly 1000 people are expected to convene for the meeting.
He stated that they will analyze the impact that the natural gas and oil companies are making in our area.
The companies are generating jobs, but they also require health care, and infrastructure among other things. They are also a factor in the expanding of highways.
Rivera hopes to be a liaison between the oil companies and our workforce.
Thanks to the companies, our unemployment rate has declined.
Last year's job fair was very successful and had almost a thousand attendees, many of which found jobs.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Hundreds gathered at the Old Maverick County Court House on the 365th District Court before The Honorable Amado Abascal on Friday as former JP Cesar Perez was before the judge in what was believed to be an arraignment hearing.
"It was my understanding that today was Pre-trial," stated Perez' counsel Earl Herring as prosecutor Robert Little and the team of attorneys surrounding Perez began to deliberate why they are lacking evidence in the case.
As far as the language which was being bantered about in a crowded courtroom could be heard, two motions were filed by the defense, one of conflict of interest and the other a motion to withdraw which were heard and acknowledged by Judge Abascal.
Attorneys said that the two secretaries who were also charged in the case, Elisa Martinez and Martha Zamarripa had already been arraigned days earlier.
Little stated that the Pre-trial motions and all evidence in this case are presently in boxes in Austin and that defense has received a disk with documents which were given to Perez.
Herring questioned the fact that there may be recorded statements which he made clear he had not received.
"There are statements, but I haven't received them," added Little, "But I have been informed of the gist of what they are."
"I want them and I have not received the affidavit," rebutted Herring.
Perez' attorneys also mentioned that they are having trouble opening some of the documents sent on the disk.
Little informed Judge Abascal that defense has answered all inquiries and that they had been cooperative thus far before the judge confirmed that the next hearing will be on April 2nd at 1:30 P.M.
In Del Rio, 40-year-old Eagle Pass police officer Eriberto Leija faces up to ten years in federal prison and a
maximum $250,000 fine after pleading guilty this afternoon to one count of possession of a stolen firearm
announce United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent In Charge Armando Fernandez.
EAGLE PASS, Texas – An Eagle Pass woman is in custody after attempting to smuggle more than a dozen assault rifles out of the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry selected a 1995 Ford F-150 pickup truck for inspection as the vehicle was leaving the United States, bound for Mexico, Thursday afternoon. During the initial inspection CBP Officers referred the vehicle for an intensified inspection after discovering what appeared to be weapons within the vehicle. With the assistance of electronic imaging equipment and a CBP canine, officers discovered a total of 14 assault rifles hidden in the pickup. The weapons and driver, a 52-year-old U.S. citizen, were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution. “Preventing firearms from illegally being exported from the United States is an important function of CBP officers at the Port of Entry,” said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass. “Every weapon our officers seize helps to ensure the safety of our border communities.”
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
In a special meeting of the EPISD Board of Trustees, a move to what has been deemed an accelerated program will be implemented at the secondary level at Eagle Pass and CC Winn High Schools. Sources report that the move will happen as soon as next school year and preparations are being made to adjust master schedules, records and bell schedules for a four to five period school day as opposed to the present nine period day at the high school level. Students will remain in class for a period of 80 minutes per class period and will complete an entire year of required subject matter in one semester and should they be lacking a credit from the year before, they will be required to take that course a second time, but now in the accelerated format, thus allowing students to complete graduation requirements sooner.