STARR COUNTY

Chick-fil-A applied for a building permit with the Rio Grande Planning Department on Friday morning, the city announced in a news release, to begin construction of the fast-food chain on the corner of U.S. Business 83 and Farm-to-Market Road 755.

Chick-fil-A applied for a building permit with the Rio Grande Planning Department on Friday morning, the city announced in a news release, to begin construction of the fast-food chain on the corner of U.S. Business 83 and Farm-to-Market Road 755.

Statements made by a defendant in a Starr County murder case will not be admissible during trial, an appeals court affirmed Tuesday. Additionally, on two warning forms, Barrera checked off a request for law enforcement to return Torres to him after questioning so he could determine whether Torres’ statements were made voluntarily. However, Barrera testified that he didn’t meet with Torres afterward and he never determined he voluntariness of his statements. 51.095 of the family code and by not making a determination of voluntariness of Torres’ statements, they are now inadmissable. In their conclusion, though, the appellate justices acknowledged their ruling could lead to an unjust outcome in the case.

Abbott unveiled the first 900 feet of border barrier Saturday. But the state has been mum on where it plans to build additional barriers and how many miles it can afford.

Twenty-two days ago, the first contract was awarded to begin construction of a border wall in Starr County, a mile and a half north of the Rio Grande. By Saturday, the construction already spanned 800 feet.

Abbott launched the construction of a wall along the Texas-Mexico border using state money and crowdfunded private donations. The state has at least $1.05 billion for the border barriers.

The Texas attorney general’s office has offered to assist Starr County in its investigation into voter fraud. Omar Escobar, the 229th district attorney, launched the investigation after the Starr County Elections Department was notified of questionable applications for mail-in ballots. During a special session last year, the Texas legislature passed changes to the election laws through Senate Bill 5. On Monday, the attorney general’s office sent a letter to Escobar agreeing to assist in the county’s efforts. “Some people have and some people have not, so we’re going to continue working with the attorney general’s office to make sure that the new laws are implemented.”

A temporary restraining order was partially granted against Starr County’s electioneering regulations. The decision allows the county to continue banning electioneering in parking areas under the county’s building and property use policy, adopted Feb. 12, but temporarily blocks the section of the policy which requires a permit to use other county property. Their application and lawsuit, filed on behalf of a Starr County candidate and the Starr County Republican chair, argued that the policy violated First Amendment rights. The lawsuit initially focused on an electioneering ban adopted in January, which prohibited electioneering on all county property. “When Starr County improperly tried to impose a blanket ban on electioneering, they also silenced Texas voices,” Olivares said in a statement.

A third person has been arrested in Starr County’s ongoing investigation into voter fraud. Belinda Garcia, 45, turned herself in to the Starr County Special Crimes Unit Tuesday afternoon, confirmed 229th District Attorney Omar Escobar. Garcia was charged with one count of election fraud and one count of fraudulent application for ballot by mail. Escobar said this was another case of an application for a mail-in ballot indicating the voter is disabled. However in Garcia’s case, the district attorney said more than one voter was identified so more charges could be forthcoming.

Two defendants accused of belonging to a Starr County drug trafficking organization are set to go to trial next week.

A Starr County grand jury formally indicted a man for his participation in a murder that went cold for nearly two decades.

A Starr County grand jury formally indicted a man for his participation in a murder that went cold for nearly two decades.

A federal grand jury has indicted three men in relation to the seizure of more than a ton of marijuana in Starr County in late October, while prosecutors dismissed the charges against the owner of the ranch where the drugs were found hidden in a recreational vehicle.

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced a lease agreement Monday that will allow the state to build a border wall in Starr County. The commissioner held a news conference in Starr County in July to talk about a lawsuit filed by his office over the unfinished border wall in a property stretching 3,099 acres. Greg Abbott visited Del Río, he announced his plans to create a border wall and barriers. That same day Bush said the construction would receive emergency authorization on state lands. During Bush’s visit to Starr County in July, he announced the General Land Office would be making its 20,000 state-owned border acres available to his plans.

Seven candidates are hoping to defeat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in the 2022 elections and become the representative for U.S. House District 28 which includes Starr County, Laredo, and stretches up to east of San Antonio.

Nearly $3 million in federal funding will be going toward border security efforts in Starr County. This week, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, announced that the Operation Stonegarden program will be receiving over $2.9 million in federal grant money, funding which will impact Starr County residents, according to the congressman’s office. Under Operation Stonegarden, local law enforcement agencies, including the Starr County Sheriff’s Office, assist state and federal agents with border security measures. According to Cuellar’s office, the funding in Hidalgo County had exceeded previous years, which between 2018 and 2020 ranged from $4.5 million to $4.9 million. Like Starr County’s funding, the grant went toward equipment and personnel in Hidalgo County.

A Starr County justice of the peace received a public reprimand Friday from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for using his public office to help his wife’s political campaign and violating other government codes.

Three more men are now facing federal charges in relation to the bust of a little more than a ton of marijuana found hidden last month in the roof of a recreational vehicle on a ranch in Starr County.

The complaint provides details into the large Oct. 27 bust that netted 2,157 pounds of marijuana, which Border Patrol and the Starr County Sheriff’s Office publicized in news releases. Border Patrol agents reportedly saw drug smuggling at the property while conducting surveillance on the ranch. Back at the sheriff’s office, the investigator began drafting a search warrant while Border Patrol set up a perimeter outside the ranch. According to the complaint, Muñiz told Border Patrol they could search his property but was informed that a search warrant was being obtained. During the search, the investigator, Border Patrol and DEA agents entered the recreational vehicle and found the frame molding of the interior walls had been tampered.

A self-employed baker from Zapata became the latest defendant named and arrested Wednesday as part of a drug trafficking operation based in Starr County that resulted in multiple arrests in September.

The entire Rio Grande Valley is under an Elevated Fire Risk because of the extremely low humidity.

Two structures and several vehicles have already been caught by a massive brush fire in northwestern Starr County, but no injuries have been reported.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says someone fired two shots from Mexico into Starr County on Thursday that the agency believes were aimed at the Texas National Guard.

A defendant named in the Starr County drug conspiracy indictment entered a not guilty plea Friday in a case that includes 15 people.

A man accused of supplying drugs to a Starr County justice of the peace was indicted Wednesday.

A 15th person was named in a Starr County drug conspiracy indictment Monday. Ramiro Eden Clarke was arrested Monday and went before U.S. District Judge Nadia S. Medrano on Tuesday for his initial appearance. Clarke is the latest person to be named in the drug conspiracy involving 20 arrests made Sept. 15, mostly in Starr County. Clarke was charged with the overall drug conspiracy count and for his participation in an incident involving 207 kilograms of marijuana that were seized Sept. 1, 2020. Clarke shaked his head as he listened and later acknowledged he understood the charges made against him.

A man accused of supplying marijuana to a Starr County justice of the peace arrested last week on drug conspiracy charges went before a federal judge Wednesday morning. Then Gonzalez said he paid $230 for some hydroponic marijuana he intended to distribute to Valadez, according to an agent interpreting the call. The first was made at 12:19 p.m. when Valadez asked Gonzalez to sell him some drugs for $100. During that custodial interview, he admitted to FBI agents that Gonzalez provided him with “high grade marijuana,” according to the criminal complaint. Hacker set a $50,000 bond and required a $1,000 cash deposit and a co-surety approved by the court.

Daisy Marie Garza, 23, took the witness stand for her stepfather, Isidoro Garza. Special Agent Weightman said other employees working for the company could fall under the same scrutiny as Isidoro Garza. Profit reminded the judge Garza did flee when he was arrested last week, although Treviño argued most people try to run when confronted with the possibility of arrest. At least one of the numbers identified by investigators suggested Isidoro Garza was talking to someone involved with coordinating a large methamphetamine load. GARZA’S PROPERTY AND MONEYAfter Isidoro Garza was arrested, some money, over $100,000, was found in a safe.

A Starr County justice of the peace arrested last week as part of a drug conspiracy case was suspended Wednesday without pay by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

The roles of some of those arrested in Starr County last week on a drug conspiracy charge were defined Tuesday during the second day of arraignment and detention hearings held virtually at the Mcallen federal courthouse. All defendants entered a not guilty plea during their arraignments, just like the other defendants did Monday. Fourteen people are named in a 10-count indictment that alleges the defendants were involved in a drug conspiracy that moved narcotics — marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine — on eight different occasions starting July 2020 through August. During Tuesday’s hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo Chung explained the government was opposed to releasing Janella Chavarria, Samuel Torres and Noel Avila on bond. Two defendants are pending their arraignment and detention hearings Wednesday.

A justice of the peace from Starr County is suspected of using his position as an elected official to help a drug trafficking organization, according to statements made by a federal prosecutor during a court hearing.

A caravan of over 150 federal, state and local law enforcement officers executed a series of search warrants early Wednesday morning in Starr County. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the lead agency, confirmed they arrested 18 people who were indicted this month on a drug-related conspiracy, according to Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Sanchez. About 20 different agencies participated, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations. Agents arrived at target locations around 6 a.m. At two homes, flash bombs startled neighbors just south of Eisenhower Road in Rio Grande City. Multiple assets, including a vehicle from the neighborhood off of Eisenhower Road, were taken in Wednesday’s organization.

Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety seized about 15 pounds of heroin from a vehicle in Starr County on Monday as part of Operation Lone Star. According to a news release, just after 3 p.m. a state trooper attempted to make a traffic stop after a maroon Hyundai committed a traffic violation on U.S. 83 in Rio Grande City. The driver refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit, DPS stated. The driver of the vehicle eventually came to a stop on Mi Ranchita Road and abandoned the vehicle and fled into a wooded area, according to DPS. The driver of the vehicle has not been apprehended, and no arrests have been made.

The party assumes people of color will eventually turn the state blue. But what if many Tejanos consider themselves white—and vote that way?

A cigarette butt, burnt at a murder crime scene over 20 years ago, left a trail of evidence Starr County authorities picked up again this year. Mares benefitted from the corruption he claimed existed when he kidnapped, killed and moved drugs through Starr County. He claimed to have used his family ties, but mainly, the gang’s money to get cases dismissed in Starr County. In 2000 and 2001, Mares had nine felony cases filed against him in Starr County. “They’ve done too much ‘daño’ already in Starr County,” Mares said.

The Starr County courthouse is set to get a much-needed facelift thanks, in part to nearly $2.4 million in federal funds.

For decades the Rio Grande Valley was one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions, with a healthy combination of natural growth and immigration from both the north and the south.

A Starr County man who died in a state prison was found hanging from his cell, according to a state report. Ismael Mares, 44, died Aug. 22 at the Ramsey Unit in Rosharon, Texas. Mares was found “hanging in his single man cell in restrictive housing” about 11:23 a.m. Aug. 22, according to a report filed with the Texas Attorney General’s office. He was “cut down and administered life saving treatment to include CPR. EMS responded and continued life saving treatment to include two rounds of epinephrine.”By 11:59 a.m., Mares was pronounced dead after “life saving measures were ceased and determined to be unsuccessful,” the report said.

By BERENICE GARCIA and VALERIE GONZALEZA man who was suspected of killing a woman in Rio Grande City in 2019 has died in prison, according to the 229th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Starr County. Ismael Mares Jr., 44, died in custody at the Ramsey unit in Rosharon, Texas, according to Starr County District Attorney Gocha Ramirez. In December 2020, the Texas Rangers turned over the case to the Starr County DA’s office, Escobar told The Monitor. Mares and his older brother, Luis Mares, 47, are both suspected members of the Mexican Mafia. The Starr County Special Crimes Unit made the announcement on July 26 and corroborated Luis Mares’ allegations that a key piece of evidence in the case, a DNA match with Luis Mares, was disregarded 17 years ago.

Funding is currently withheld for multiple grant-based programs in Starr County, including Operation Stonegarden, as of two days ago, Starr County Judge Eloy Vera confirmed Friday.

PRESIDIO COUNTY – The Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District scrambled to secure funding for 2022 and beyond during their board meeting last Thursday after County Attorney Rod Ponton raised questions about the board’s current funding coming from county tax dollars. With the water conservation district’s future funding uncertain, they voted to ask their attorney to write a memorandum and discussed a path where the PCUWCD may become a full-fledged, independent taxing entity.

Leaders from both sides of the border along Starr County met Friday to strategize and focus efforts that, they hope, will lead to a prosperous region. “A binational, regional concept” is how Joel Villarreal, Rio Grande City mayor, described the goal of the regional roundtable discussion that drew mayors and chamber of commerce representatives from Starr County, Roma, Rio Grande City, Miguel Aleman, Camargo and Diaz Ordaz. A video put together by the Rio Grande City EDC and played during the meeting highlighted a highway route that went from Monterrey toward Roma and veering into the U.S. through Rio Grande City. We really want to focus on that,” Jaime Escobar Jr., the Roma mayor said. So, if it’s not in my city, it could be with my neighbor,” Villarreal, the Rio Grande City mayor said.

Last Friday, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez confirmed four new cases of the delta variant more than two weeks after the first case in the Rio Grande Valley and days after Starr County confirmed two cases of the variant as well.

A federal judge set bond for the wife of an indicted drug trafficker in Starr County on Wednesday. U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker set bond at $75,000 with a $2,000 cash deposit for Julisa Peña, 32. Peña was arrested last week and charged for her role in using up to $110,000 derived from drug trafficking. Prosecutors did not object to Peña’s release from bond Wednesday, though U.S. Attorney Patricia Profit asked for a higher cash deposit. Garza also said Peña returned to her job as a physical education and substitute teacher at IDEA this week and has two children who depend on her.

The Texas General Land Office filed a lawsuit Wednesday morning against the Biden administration over unused congressionally appropriated funds for border wall construction.

A man who suffered a severe broken arm while being arrested in 2019 has sued Starr County, the jail and its sheriff alleging he languished in jail for nearly a week without proper medical care.

As of press time Wednesday, the National Weather Service Brownsville-Rio Grande Valley station was predicting much lower chances for flash flooding along the coast Thursday compared to Wednesday, when the area was designated at high risk of excessive rainfall causing “rapid onset” flooding.

At this time last year, there were reports of local hospitals so overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients that many needed to be diverted.

Many locals in the Rio Grande Valley complain that the 'surge' of DPS troopers is more of a nuisance than an effective crime-fighting force.

Shovels stuck out of the dirt this week near Texas’ border with Mexico for a...

Many local officials and business leaders along the border say that the rhetoric is misplaced and that the broader needs of their communities can often get lost.

For the first time, two national chains will set up shop in Starr County, signaling a possible new wave of economic development in the county.

Concerns over the governor’s plan to incarcerate migrants entering the country unlawfully continue to deepen across the Rio Grande Valley.

Soldiers with the Texas National Guard work at a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in Smithville on May 5, 2020. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that National Guard troops will vaccinate residents in five rural counties as part of a new pilot program. (Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK)Starting Thursday, state mobile vaccination teams staffed by Texas National Guard members will be deployed to five rural Texas counties to administer coronavirus vaccines to qualified residents. National Guard teams will visit DeWitt, Marion, Real, Sherman and Starr counties as part of a newly-created State Mobile Vaccine Pilot Program announced by Gov. On Wednesday, President Biden ordered full reimbursement to states that use the National Guard to increase the pace of vaccinations nationally.

The situation could become even more complicated if President-elect Joe Biden makes good on his promise to stop border wall construction. The agreements are to build 146 miles of border wall and install nearly three dozen gates. Biden has said he will cease wall construction and drop all the lawsuits on day one. Under the Trump administration, Starr has become one of the agency’s top priorities for the border wall. But Starr County, which lacks a levee system, had no wall before the Trump administration first proposed building there in 2017.

STARR COUNTY, Texas – A 5-year-old boy was rescued after getting stuck in a well on a ranch in South Texas, according to the Texas Game Wardens. The incident happened Dec. 8 in Starr County. On Dec. 8th, Starr County dispatch received a 911 call about a child who had fallen into a well on a ranch. Multiple law... Posted by Texas Game Wardens on Thursday, December 10, 2020He was rescued around 10:30 p.m. and had no visible injuries. As of Thursday afternoon, officials said the boy is still hospitalized but in stable condition.

STARR COUNTY, Texas – Located just west of Mission, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, Starr County almost went from stark blue to bright red on Election Day. 4 big takeaways for Texas, Bexar County after 2020 electionRoss Barrera, the Starr County Republican chair, was skeptical when someone first suggested organizing a Trump Train. Barrera said he asked, “You think that’ll work here in Starr County? Do not take us for granted.’”Garza said Starr County, being one of the poorest counties in the nation, deserves economic relief. We do go out to vote, and we can switch our vote,” Garza said.

Dr. Jos Vzquez has resigned from his position as Starr Co. county health authority. Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas TribuneNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? The top doctor advising Starr County on local health policy resigned abruptly Monday, leaving temporarily vacant a key position in a rural border community already battered by the coronavirus. Starr County, population 65,000, is one of the poorest counties in the country. Starr County has had 68 confirmed coronavirus deaths and 2,213 cases as of Monday, according to state data.

STARR COUNTY, Texas Starr County Judge Eloy Vera announced Friday a Stay at home/Stay Safe Emergency Order amid a surge in cases in the Rio Grande Valley. A Facebook post by the county said the order will remain in full force and in effect until 11:59 p.m., Aug. 10. STARR COUNTY STAY AT HOME/STAY SAFE EMERGENCY ORDER Starr County Stay Home/Stay Safe Emergency Order goes into effect... Posted by Starr County Texas on Thursday, July 23, 2020According to Texas Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 dashboard, as of July 25, Starr County has reported 1,559 cases of COVID-19. Starr County Memorial Hospital reported that it was at full capacity and was forced to transfer patients to other cities on Wednesday. Read also:Hidalgo County: New order issued Monday includes shelter at home, curfew

STARR COUNTY, Texas – There is a growing COVID-19 crisis just south of San Antonio in the Rio Grande Valley. “Emergency rooms are holding patients for hours or days because, basically, we do not have any rooms inside the hospital to put those patients,” said Dr. Jose Vazquez, Starr County health authority. About 70,000 people live in Starr County, and more than 1,600 of its residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Starr County Memorial Hospital said its COVID-19 unit is filled with 29 patients. As of Wednesday morning, the hospital held nine patients for admission and transferred two patients to San Antonio hospitals.

AUSTIN, Texas While some big cities in Texas are reporting signs that an alarming surge in cases of the coronavirus may be leveling off, officials in counties along the border with Mexico said Tuesday that the outlook there remains bleak. Greg Abbotts past mandates that do not allow local officials to set their own stay-at-home restrictions. Texas on Tuesday reported more than 9,300 confirmed new cases and 131 deaths, the states second deadliest day of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Texas is pressing ahead with plans for high school football this fall. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

Texas today resembles the state in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Records for COVID-19-related deaths and hospitalizations are set almost daily and Texas, the state that embarked on one of America’s fastest reopenings, is in retreat. And it has been the deadliest week of the pandemic in Texas, with 95 new deaths reported Friday. Abbott announced at the end of that month that Texas would begin reopening after just a few weeks of stay-at-home orders. Mayors in Texas' big cities and health experts winced at the speed, saying it was too soon.

HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas – Hidalgo County, Starr County, and Valley Baptist Health System hospitals have now reached capacity due to the influx of COVID-19 cases in the area, according to a report from KRGV. The Valley Baptist Health System has reached its capacity as well with COVID-19 patients, according to a report from KRGV. KRGV reports the Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen had 141 COVID-19 related patients as of Friday afternoon, and Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville had 97. According to KRGV’s report, every hospital in the Valley is full and patients are being taken to other parts of Texas. As of Friday, the county announced a new daily high of COVID-19 cases with 1,334, totaling 14,212 cases total in the community.

STARR COUNTY, Texas – Ruperto Escobar is the first to admit his stance on the border wall is controversial and unpopular. Escobar admits he doesn't believe a border wall will end illegal activity but he's hopeful it'll slow it down. That barrier is going to slow them down enough to where our (Border Patrol) agents can catch them a lot easier," Escobar said. AdIf a wall isn't built, Escobar said he and his neighbors will continue to have problems with people trespassing on their property. Escobar said surveyors have come out to his land to see if a border wall is possible on his property.