Raymondville Chronicle News

County judge runs off second lowest bidder for road work

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:35:50 +0000

BY TONY VINDELL

Reporter

An executive with a McAllen company that submitted the second lowest bid for road improvements told Willacy County Judge John F. Gonzales Jr. Tuesday that he is not interested in the job because he felt he was put on the witness stand by Gonzales.

Deep sea fishing charter boats sail out of Port Mansfield

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:35:56 +0000

BY TONY VINDELL

Reporter

[img_assist|nid=36189|title=|desc= CATCH OF THE DAY - is shown by Bud Becker who caught the biggest red snapper during a recent trip out of Port Mansfield.

New boss takes over Reber Memorial Library

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:35:57 +0000

BY TONY VINDELL

Reporter

Micaela Wright has taken the helm of the Reber Memorial Library and plans to bring the public facility on par with today’s technology.

One project which will be implemented soon is an e-library system where users of the library will be able to download their favorite books into a Kindle of other device instead of checking out a book as is done today.

Rain helps farmland a little

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:35:57 +0000

BY TONY VINDELL

Reporter

The rain of the last two days did very little to relief the thirsty farmland even though a trace of precipitation is better than nothing.

A couple of tenths of an inch fell on some parts of Willacy County and that amounts to very little particularly when up to six inches of precipitation is needed to get this year’s planting going.

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:00 +0000

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:02 +0000

Gingrich says space exploration is U.S. tradition

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:02 +0000

STUART, Fla. ( AP) - Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich says critics of his call to ramp up U. S. space exploration don’t understand the power of science, technology and entrepreneurship to change the future.

Texas approves Brown contract extension

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:03 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas ( AP) - University of Texas regents agreed Thursday to extend football coach Mack Brown’s contract by four years to 2020, a move school officials hope will be a message of long-term stability for a program eager to get back in the chase for national championships.

Del Rio-Texas Border Sheriffs and more

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:04 +0000

Last week we had the opportunity to travel to Del Rio for our annual Texas Border Sheriffs’ Coalition Winter meeting. We left Wednesday and returned late Friday, and all in all it was a productive and interesting meeting. On the way to Del Rio we arrived in San Antonio to find standing water everywhere.

Lyford man gets 2 years for assaulting woman

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:05 +0000

The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office announced today that Alberto “ Beto” Gonzales, 50, of Lyford, TX, was found guilty of aggravated assault. The defendant was sentenced to 2 years in prison. On September 17, 2011 the victim spoke to the Lyford Police Department and reported an aggravated assault that occurred at her residence.

Matamoros man sentenced to 8 years

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:06 +0000

The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office announced today that David Rey Cazares, 52, of Matamoros, Mexico, was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance. The defendant was sentenced to 8 years in prison. On September 28, 2010 the a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper conducted a red Toyota Tacoma for no valid inspection certificate.

Statewide realignment looming for Bearkats and Bulldogs

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:08 +0000

By Rey Sifuentes Jr.

Raymondville and Lyford Consolidated Independent School District will find out where their sports teams will compete for the next two years when the University Interscholastic League unveils its biannual statewide athletic district realignment on Thursday. Both the Bulldogs and Bearkats currently reside in District 31-3A along with Corpus Christi Miller, West Oso, Orange Grove and Robstown.

County livestock show awards premium $ to participants

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:09 +0000

BY TONY VINDELL

Reporter

Willacy County Livestock Show & Fair generates premium dollars for area students who enter one or more show animals they raise for the annual auction event.

A total of 123 out of 180 entries were auctioned during the premium sale that brought in $175,000 for the participants from Raymondville, San Perlita, Lyford and Willacy FFA and 4H.

2012 Willacy Livestock Show

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:20 +0000

[img_assist|nid=36210|title=|desc= SECOND PLACE WINNER OF THE COOK-OFF LOS BEER BBQRS OF LYFORD.

Defendant pleads guilty in 9-year-old boating fatality

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:21 +0000

BURNET - Travis Aaron Marburger has pleaded guilty in 33rd Judicial District Court to a third-degree felony charge of failure to stop and render aid involving a fatal accident, ending a nine-year-old case that began with a 2002 boat crash on Lake Buchanan that claimed a Lampasas teenager’s life and injured two others.

Mexico: 5 slain police tried to extort cartel suspects

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:22 +0000

TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) - Mexican authorities say five police officers fatally shot near Mexico City after stopping a car were trying to extort money when they were attacked.

Mexico State prosecutor Alfredo Castillo says the officers from the town of Ixtapaluca asked the four La Familia Michoacana cartel members in the vehicle for about $460 to let them go.

San Benito man guilty of cocaine possession

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:27 +0000

The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office announced today that Homar Rodriguez, 40, of San Benito, Texas was found guilty in the 197th District Court by Judge Migdalia Lopez was sentenced to 3 years in the prison for possession of cocaine.

Pot possession results in 3 year sentence for Hidalgo County residents

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:31 +0000

The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mike Paniagua, 28, of Edinburg, TX and Enrique Gonzalez, Jr., 26, Mission, TX was found guilty of possession of marijuana. Each defendant was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Thieves steal 274 guns from Houston-area stores

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:34 +0000

HOUSTON (AP) - Thieves have stolen 274 guns, including rifles and handguns, in an organized crime spree that targets gun stores and pawn shops in the Houston area, authorities said.

The culprits strike at night when businesses were closed, authorities said Thursday at a Crime Stoppers news conference.

Mexican man sentenced for being in Arizona illegally

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:34 +0000

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A convicted felon from Mexico who was arrested for being in Arizona illegally has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison.

Prosecutors said Friday that 44-year-old Jose Luis Zavala- Vasquez will be formally removed from the U.S. following his 77-month incarceration and banned for life from all legalization processes.

Mexican cops charged in killing of students

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:34 +0000

MEXICO CITY ( AP) - Prosecutors in southern Mexico say two state police officers have been charged in the killings of two student demonstrators during a protest last month.

Guerrero state prosecutors say the shots that killed the two students were fired from where the officers were standing.

Subway coming to Lyford

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:34 +0000

BY TONY VINDELL

Reporter

Healthier foods will soon be on the menu for residents of Lyford and surrounding area.

Subway Sandwiches, a national franchise that advertises itself as offering one of the healthiest providers in today’s food wars, is planning to open a restaurant here.

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:36 +0000

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:38 +0000

Texas game warden shoots armed suspect dead

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:38 +0000

TEXARKANA, Texas (AP) - A man who police say opened fire on officers investigating after a traffic accident is dead, fatally shot by a Texas game warden.

The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. Thursday on a side road near a federal prison on the southern outskirts of Texarkana, Texas.

Pedestrian struck, killed by Dallas police car

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:39 +0000

DALLAS (AP) - A 43-yearold woman was struck and killed by a passing Dallas police patrol car as she stepped into the street.

Police say Beverly Kirk was attempting to cross the road after an ambulance had just passed and apparently did not see the marked squad car traveling behind it at about 3 a.m. Sunday.

The ambulance had its lights and sirens on. The patrol car did not.

Cotton Market weekly

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:41 +0000

For the third consecutive session, cotton futures prices on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) worked to the downside on Thursday and ended in the bottom half of trading ranges.

Abbott sues to speed approval of Voter ID law

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:42 +0000

AUSTIN - Attorney General Greg Abbott on Jan. 23 filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to push the U. S. Department of Justice to approve the voter I.D. law enacted by the Texas Legislature last spring.

High Midwest farm land prices could last through 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:42 +0000

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - Some experts believe this year’s rising farmland prices in central Illinois could continue for at least the next year.

TDA Market Recap - January 30, 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

AUSTIN - For the week ending Jan. 28. feeder cattle prices at the Texas locations covered by USDA Market pews were mostly steady to $5 higher per hundredweight, with a few to $10 higher. Texas direct feeder sales were steady to $4 higher. Oklahoma City was mostly $2 to $4 higher on feeder cattle, steady to $4 lower on steer calves and $1 to $4 higher on heifer calves.

Students show swine at stockshow

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

FEBRUARY 1, 2012 AROUND CAMPUS

Lady Bearkat and Bulldog basketball

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

LADY BEARKATS

Raymondville High School’s varsity girls basketball team was in second place in District 31-3A, at the beginning of this week, after winning both of its conference games last week.

Texas revs up to 75 mph on 1,500 miles of highways

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas ( AP) - Transportation officials on Thursday signed off on a faster speed limit of 75 mph for about 1,500 miles of Texas highways.

The Texas Transportation Commission approved the change for segments of nine interstates where the current limit is 70 mph. Drivers must wait until the new limit is posted.

Texas Young Lawyers address underage binge drinking

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

AUSTIN - The Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) is launching “The Unconscious Truth: Physical and Legal Effects of Underage Binge Drinking.”

Texas teacher salary survey released

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

AUSTIN - Average teacher salaries are unchanged according to the 2011– 12 Salaries and Wages in Texas Public Schools Teacher Report recently released by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). Nearly half (47 percent) of reporting districts froze salaries for all employees for this year.

Police Reports

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

Chief Paul Campbell, Lyford Police Department

Chief Paul Campbell offers the following tips: Keep garage doors and storage rooms locked. Report suspicious activity to police. Loud noises, curfew, junk vehicles, littering, loose dogs and school zone violations strictly enforced. Become an active citizen by attending bi-monthly council meetings. Projects in the making: neighborhood watch and community policing programs.

W.C. Sheriff’s Dept. Report

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

Larry G. Spence, Sheriff

JANUARY 25 - Theft, San Isidro, TX.

Accident, Industrial Dr., Raymondville.

JANUARY 26 - Animal call, Garcia Rd., Sebastian.

Burglary of a building, 400 blk W. 8th St., Sebastian.

Suspicious person, Bus. 77 and FM 506, Sebastian.

RAYMONDVILLE POLICE BLOTTER

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:43 +0000

JANUARY 30 - Fraudulent use of identifying info., 400 blk N. 7th.

Credit debit card abuse, 700 blk W. Riggs.

Returned property, 500 blk W. Hidalgo.

Incident: Verbal, 100 blk FM 3168.

Arrested: Jesse Sosa, criminal mischief, 100 blk S. 1st.

MODESTO MENDOZA, JR.

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:46 +0000

LYFORD - Modesto Mendoza, Jr., 53, entered peacefully into eternal rest on January 31, 2012 at his residence in Lyford. Modesto was born on August 4, 1958 in Raymondville, TX to Modesto, Sr. and Eustolia Mendoza. He was preceded in death by his father, Modesto Mendoza, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Eustolia Martinez Mendoza; sons, Modesto Mendoza, III, Eli Mendoza, B.J.

Texas state parks suffer as visitors, revenue drop

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:46 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas ( AP) - Wildfires caused as much as $11 million in damage to Texas state parks and, coupled with the worst single- year drought in state history, continue to drive down the parks’ visitation rates, a top official told state lawmakers Tuesday.

Suspect tells Mexican cops he beat Canadian tourist

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:46 +0000

CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) - A man charged with brutally beating a Canadian tourist at a luxury beach hotel told reporters Saturday that he tried to hold the woman in an elevator and punched her several times in the face when she cried for help.

Report: Nation’s cattle herd smallest in 50 years

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:46 +0000

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The National Agricultural Statistics Service says the nation’s cattle herd has shrunk to its smallest size in 50 years.

Ranchers in Texas and Oklahoma made the most drastic cuts to their herds amid drought conditions that shriveled pastures and drove hay prices to record levels.

U.S. Senate hopeful Dewhurst releases tax returns

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:46 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released his income tax returns for the last three years.

They show an adjusted income of more than $4.5 million since 2009.

Dewhurst and his wife Patricia reported nearly $1.5 million in losses in 2009, but made more than $1 million the next year and over an estimated $5 million in 2011.

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:48 +0000

New Mexico football player booked for domestic violence

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:48 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. ( AP) - A University of New Mexico football player has been arrested after police say he sprayed his girlfriend with pepper spray during an argument.

Albuquerque police say 18- year- old Ryan Trujillo was arrested Friday after he confronted his girlfriend as she ate with a friend at a restaurant.

Dead ICE detainee had weapons, meth pipe arrests

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:48 +0000

LAS VEGAS ( AP) - Authorities say a 36-year-old Mexican national who died in U.S. immigration custody was arrested twice this month - first on felony weapons charges and then on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine pipes.

Miguel Sarabia-Ortega was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement after Las Vegas police arrested him Tuesday on the drug paraphernalia charge.

RHS Athletic Booster Club Meeting

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:48 +0000

There will be a RHS Athletic Booster Club meeting on Monday, February 6, 6:30 p.m. at the gym, Room 102-G located at the RHS gym.

Cat survives trip in refrigerated truck

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:51 +0000

EDNEYVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A lucky feline is warming up at an animal shelter in Edneyville after surviving a trip from Canada in the back of a refrigerated truck.

The Times- News of Hendersonville reports that the cat was discovered earlier this month when workers were unloading cargo from the truck at a warehouse in Mills River.

What’s happening at the Library?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:53 +0000

COMPUTER CLASSES

Reber Memorial Library in will host FREE computer classes for adults February 6- March 1, 2012 from 11:30 to 1:00 Monday through Thursday. The University of Texas Pan American is sponsoring these courses.

• February 6-9 - Introduction to Computers

• February 13-16 - Internet

Gateway RV Park Craft Show, Feb. 2

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:54 +0000

Gateway RV Park will have their annual craft show at the Gateway RV Park Rec Hall, U.S. 77 Exp. exit 3168, across from RHS on Thursday, February 2, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Gateway RV Park Entertainment/ Dance Schedule

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:36:54 +0000

February 1: Betty Rydell (Bearse), donation is $5.00. February 8: Tucker & A Little Bit of Branson, donation is $5.00. For more information please contact Betty Ward at (319) 750-5220.

On Feb. 11: The Beers, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Entry is $4.00. For more information contact Steve at ( 270) 306- 1072 or Bonnie at (615) 594-0204.