City commissioners and school board members, along with City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez and Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez, settle on the bleachers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Collegiate High after entering into a school security contract on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, following 18 months of negotiations. (Courtesy Photo)
HARLINGEN — Nearly 18 months of negotiations came down to a face-to-face deal.
After a two-hour closed-door discussion, Harlingen city commissioners and school board members late Thursday entered into an agreement providing the school district with four Harlingen police officers, including a sergeant, to help work security across 31 campuses, City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez stated after the meeting.
Now, officials are “editing” the memorandum, which they plan to release in “a few days,” Marcy Martinez, the district’s spokeswoman, stated.
Under previous agreements, the district was paying the city $213,714 in exchange for the four officers, along with $14,000 to cover vehicle maintenance and $2,336 for travel and training, city records show.
In closed session, officials were expected to “deliberate the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation of security personnel, critical infrastructure or security devices,” the meeting’s agenda states.
During the meeting, commissioners and board members were also are expected to discuss coordinating law enforcement efforts, the agenda states.
The meeting marked the first time commissioners and board members met in a formal setting to discuss the agreement, giving new schools Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez, who took office in August, a hand in the talks.
To work out the deal, the parties picked neutral ground — the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Collegiate High, the high school which the city and school district helped develop.
As the parties launched negotiations in mid 2022, the community was calling for heightened security in the wake of the May 24, 2022, shootings in which a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at an Uvalde grade school.
The agreement goes back about 20 years.
In 2019, the city’s police department began assigning four full-time officers, including a sergeant and three officers, to help work security across the district’s campuses.
Every year, commissioners and board members had been automatically renewing the agreement.
But in July 2022, talks hit a snag after Police Chief Michael Kester called on district officials to “take steps” to develop a police department like those of many school districts, adding the city would help.
For 18 months, the parties exchanged proposals, with the school district requesting as many as six officers while the city called for a new administrative fee to help offset the program’s costs, including Kester’s time in overseeing the operation, along with payroll expenses, officials said.
Amid negotiations, school leaders took steps to bolster security across the district’s campuses.
In 2022, they entered into agreements with Cameron County and the cities of Primera and Combes to provide officers to work security, with the agencies’ daily assignments of 12 to 17 off-duty sheriff’s deputies, deputy constables and police officers, officials said.
By the opening of the 2022-2023 school year, the district was also hiring more security personnel, boosting their numbers to 42, they said.
At district offices, officials also began operating a “surveillance room,” monitoring hundreds of surveillance cameras across the district’s 31 campuses.
Meanwhile, city officials continued honoring the parties’ previous agreement, assigning four police officers to help work security.
The trio of suspects, including a father and son, accused of misapplying hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grant funds meant to be used for temporarily housing migrant children appeared in Brownsville federal court this week where a May trial date was scheduled.
Ruben Gallegos Sr., Ruben Gallegos Jr. and Juan Jose Gonzalez, who are charged with conspiracy and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, appeared before a judge on Tuesday, court records indicate.
Ruben Gallegos Sr. was the president of International Educational Services, or IES, a shelter for migrant children. His son, Ruben Gallegos Jr., was the chief executive officer, and Juan Jose Gonzalez was the nonprofit’s finance director.
IES abruptly shuttered its doors and fired all of its employees on March 31, 2018. At the time, the organization provided no details as to why. Neither did the federal government.
The Brownsville Herald at the time filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Administration for Children & Families seeking communications between those agencies and IES following the closure. The Herald also reviewed years of IES tax documents.
Six months later, the Herald had received those communications, which along with the review of tax documents, painted a troubling picture of how the organization used millions of dollars in federal grant money meant to shelter migrant children.
In a letter the federal agency sent to IES, its then-director said an audit initiated in 2016 determined that employees profited when IES leased properties owned by its executives and that those executives paid themselves salaries which were hundreds of thousands of dollars more than federal grant rules allowed.
Nearly four years to the date of the Sept. 30, 2018 publication of that story, on Aug. 30, 2022, federal authorities arrested Ruben Gallegos Sr., Ruben Gallegos Jr. and Gonzalez on a federal indictment accusing them of embezzlement.
That indictment matches the findings of the Herald’s reporting and expands on more allegations, including that IES used federal grant funds to lease vacant lots and residential properties from Ruben Gallegos Sr. and Ruben Gallegos Jr.
“Ruben Gallegos Sr. and Juan Jose Gonzalez approved less-than-arms-length transactions in which IES used federal grant funds to pay for multiple leases on the same properties that were owned by Ruben Gallegos Sr., or related entities, in order to inflate rental income paid with federal grant funds to Ruben Gallegos Sr.”
(Courtesy: 3D Animation Production Company/Pixabay)
The 13-page indictment goes on to levy numerous allegations against them, including purchasing a $1 million San Benito property they falsely claimed was operational and would serve more than 1,000 children in Fiscal Year 2015.
“The IES San Benito Shelter was not operational during FY-2015,” the indictment stated.
Following the indictment, all of the men pleaded not guilty to charges and have been out on bond.
The case has also been certified as complex as there is voluminous discovery the government must provide to defense attorneys.
That has been at issue during their last two hearings on Dec. 12 and on Tuesday.
Currently, at issue is software needed to view and search files.
A federal judge has ordered the government to provide a case manager with information related to the use of a license to use the software as defense attorneys need a license.
Currently, a final pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 30 with jury selection set for May 6.
A dog rests on a raised bad as dogs stay warn inside the Palm Valley Animal Society on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
Palm Valley Animal Society is asking for the community’s help to keep its furry friends warm from the oncoming cold.
Currently, PVAS is housing about 350 dogs at their Trenton Center, located at 2501 W. Trenton Road in Edinburg, with many of them being held in outdoor kennels.
As the arctic blast approaches, they are looking to the community for help in providing warmth with items such as self-warming mats, heavy-duty tarps, heaters, extension cords, bungee cords and propane tank refills.
Those who wish to help can also do so through the PVAS Amazon Wishlist in which the items are delivered directly to the shelter.
The nonprofit reminded that residents can also help by fostering dogs during the cold front and providing them with a warm place to stay.
For those who want to foster a dog, call the shelter at (956) 278-0702 or email them at [email protected].
Doctors at South Texas Health System Heart use the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system in this undated photo. (Courtesy of South Texas Health System)
A doctor at South Texas Health System Heart uses the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system in this undated photo. (Courtesy of South Texas Health System)
Only six months after the launch of the South Texas Health System robotic program, its heart hospital is celebrating its 100th robotic surgery using the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System.
The first robotic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, at STHS began with Dr. Ernesto Garza in the summer of 2023, six months later Dr. Bob H. Saggi performed its 100th surgery.
For Brenda Ivory, chief executive officer at STHS Heart, the goal of the robotics program was to allow surgeons the ability to see beyond what’s normally possible, allowing them to perform a more thorough surgery.
The da Vinci Xi system is equipped with four thin robotic arms that provide a wider range of motion and a magnified 3D view of the surgical site that allows surgeons to operate with more precision through small incisions.
With this program, patients received a less invasive form of treatment that had a shorter recovery time.
“We’re proud to offer our patients close-to-home advanced surgical options, including minimally invasive procedures, that allow them to get back to their everyday lives as quickly as possible,” Ivory said in a news release.
The system is the third of its kind at STHS with the other two acquired in 2015 and 2021.
“The continued growth of our recently launched robotic program serves as a testament that we’re working to provide the highest level of quality, compassionate care to our patients at STHS Heart,” Ivory said.
For more information on the procedure, call STHS Heart at (956) 994-2000 or visit STHSHeart.com.
Chasse Conque is seen in this Aug. 27, 2019 file photo at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's athletic department in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
UTRGV announced Friday that vice president and director of athletics Chasse Conque has received a contract extension through 2028.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the university is fortunate to have Conque leading its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Chasse is one of the premier athletic directors in the nation, consistently raising the bar for our athletics department through his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said. “His transformative impact has not only enhanced our athletic programs but has also deepened our connection with the community. We are privileged to have such an accomplished leader at the helm, and we anticipate even greater accomplishments under his continued guidance.”
Conque, who signed a five-year contract when he joined UTRGV in 2019, is eligible for an extension every two years as stipulated in his contract. He received his first contract extension in 2021.
RALLYING THE VALLEY
Now in his fifth year at UTRGV, Conque has followed through on his intention to “Rally the Valley” as stated in his introductory press conference. His proclamation has become a rallying cry and a hashtag for not only athletics, but the university. Its significance has grown to mean both rallying the Valley behind UTRGV and UTRGV rallying in support of the Rio Grande Valley.
Making community service a priority is part of rallying the Valley, and UTRGV ranked seventh in NCAA Division I in community service hours in 2022-23. This includes engagement across the entire Valley, with youth clinics and competitions across multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, tennis and track & field in Cameron Country. UTRGV Athletics has also hosted Western Athletic Conference Championships in five different cities – Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen and Pharr – across the Valley.
“I would like to thank President Bailey for his support and commitment to our entire department – our coaches, staff and student-athletes,” Conque said. “I have also been blessed to work with many talented and dedicated colleagues. The growth and success of UTRGV Athletics is due to their loyal commitment to the mission of this great university.”
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vice President and Director of Athletics, Chasse Conque, speaks during a groundbreaking for the Vaqueros Performance Center on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
Academically, UTRGV student-athletes have thrived, currently sporting a department record 3.34 cumulative grade point average. During Conque’s tenure, UTRGV student-athletes have earned 543 Academic All-WAC and 1,334 AD Honor Roll awards. Last year, UTRGV Athletics posted the highest projected APR in department history at 990.
UTRGV Athletics programs have experienced significant competitive success during Conque’s first four and a half years, most recently including the volleyball team winning the 2022 Western Athletic Conference Championship and the department earning the 2022-23 South Texas Showdown Championship.
NEW ERA IN UTRGV ATHLETICS
Two new sports will soon be entering the fold, as Conque was instrumental in guiding UTRGV through a successful student referendum process in fall 2021 that was upheld by the UT System Board of Regents in fall 2022 to start football, women’s swimming & diving and marching band programs while expanding the spirit program. The football team will start competition in fall 2025 with a practice year starting in fall 2024. Women’s swimming & diving is scheduled to begin competition in 2024-25.
Before starting new sports, though, Conque made it his mission to ensure all athletic programs have first-class facilities, with more than $85 million in construction currently underway that will positively impact all 18 sports. This includes the construction of the Vaqueros Performance Center, a 45,000-plus-square-foot facility, that will house the football program and feature a state-of-the-art weight training, academic and sports medicine facilities for use by multiple teams, as well as two practice fields, one of which will be striped for both football and soccer.
These new spaces keep the emphasis on both the student-athlete and fan experience. UTRGV Athletics shattered multiple attendance records for the second straight year in 2022-23 as nearly 100,000 fans cheered on the Vaqueros, more than doubling overall attendance over the past 5 years.
The growing community support has led to record investment in corporate partnerships and ticket sales as well as unprecedented fundraising success. This support includes the two largest attended college basketball games in Rio Grande Valley history, with 6,674 fans watching a men’s doubleheader involving UTRGV and No. 4 Texas at Bert Ogden Arena on Nov. 21, 2022, and 6,591 fans watching UTRGV women’s basketball face No. 5 Texas at Bert Ogden Arena on Dec. 20, 2023. Additionally, UTRGV Athletics has already sold nearly 2,700 football season tickets for the inaugural 2025 season.
“The support from our region is the driving force behind the growth we are experiencing, and I am personally grateful for the Valley’s broad-based investment in our efforts,” Conque said. “My family and I have been blessed to call the Rio Grande Valley home since 2019 and we look forward to serving this great institution and doing our part to #RallyTheValley for many years to come.”
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Conque has also led UTRGV Athletics into the consumables category, partnering with 5×5 Brewing Co. in Mission, Texas to create the first branded beer in the UT System – Los Vaqueros – in the spring of 2023. UTRGV Athletics followed that up by launching a branded salsa – Vaqueros Especial – in partnership with Tio Pelon’s in the fall of 2023.
As UTRGV experiences unprecedented success, Conque is quick to credit the broad-based support and hard work from many.
“A successful Division I athletics program takes a village, and we are fortunate to have an incredibly strong and supportive village at UTRGV. We have the hardest working staff in the country, a community that is cheering us on, and a leadership team that is committed to the success of our student-athletes and coaches. That is the ultimate winning formula.”
On the left, McAllen Memorial's Danny Canul handles the ball during a non-district game against Brownsville Hanna on Nov. 28, 2023 in Brownsville. On the right, Edinburg Vela's Axel Garza handles the ball during a District 31-5A game against PSJA North on Dec. 22, 2022 in Pharr.
EDINBURG — UTRGV junior Hasan Abdul-Hakim hit the go-ahead, step-back jumper with 0.7 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Vaqueros past the Seattle U Redhawks 81-80 during a Western Athletic Conference game Thursday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.
The victory marked the first WAC win of the year for the Vaqueros, snapping a four-game conference losing streak.
“It was great,” UTRGV head coach Matt Figger said. “We just got to continue to grow. I like our spirit and our fight. We did something to Seattle that is very uncharacteristic to those guys and forced them to turn it over 18 times. That team doesn’t turn the ball over. Analytically they’re a top 20 or 30 team in the country defensively. They do a lot of things well. They’re really good, so this is a great quality win for us.”
The Vaqueros came out of the gate blazing hot, shooting over 55% from the field to take a 12-point advantage during the opening period.
UTRGV cooled off late during the first half, shooting 2-of-11 from the field during the final seven minutes of the half. The Vaqueros’ cold streak led to a 14-5 Redhawks run to close out the half, cutting UTRGV’s lead to 37-35 at the break.
“We just got to keep maturing every day,” Figger said. “We have to learn to take the good and not relax. The game swung after we were up 11 or 12. It felt kind of easy for them then we kind of started breaking off and started doing our own thing. We took a bad 3 followed up by a bad 3 followed by a travel instead of doing the things continuously that got us that lead. We lose sight of that sometimes.”
Neither team could pull away during the second, with the Vaqueros and Redhawks trading the lead 19 ties during the final period.
A steal by senior forward Ahren Freeman with one second remaining set the Vaqueros up for the go-ahead basket, but Elijah Elliot’s ensuing 3-point attempt was no good, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the teams traded baskets before Abdul-Hakim’s game-winning bucket during the final seconds.
“We stepped up,” Figger said. “Our guys fought. We weren’t perfect by any means. We probably have to clean some things up. I give credit to Seattle. They’re good. I know we have been getting results though. I see it every day in practice. I see the commitment is there. The result just hasn’t been there yet. We’re in a situation now where we make it interesting.”
Abdul-Hakim finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists. Freeman recorded a double-double during the victory, scoring 22 points and nabbing 10 boards, and Freshman J.J. Howard added 14 points.
Alex Shumacher led the Redhawks with a game-high 25 points, adding six assists and four rebounds. Kobe Williamson chipped in 16 points and John Christofilis added 11.
The Vaqueros (5-11, 1-4) continue WAC play at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, hosting Utah Valley (8-8, 3-2) at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.
Weslaco High (top left), Brownsville Rivera (top right), Edinburg Vela (bottom left) and McAllen Memorial (bottom right) at RGV Basketball Media Day. Photos by Andrew Cordero.
VALLEY HS BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Tuesday’s Games – Jan. 9
District 30-5A
Rio Grande City 56, Mission Veterans 29
La Joya Palmview 82, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 48
Laredo Martin 59, Roma 41
District 31-5A
Edinburg Vela 90, PSJA Southwest 50
McAllen High 70, McAllen Rowe 36
McAllen Memorial 80, PSJA North 25
PSJA Memorial 51, Sharyland High 39
Sharyland Pioneer 56, Valley View 50
District 32-5A
Brownsville Veterans 64, Harlingen South 44
Edcouch-Elsa 54, Mercedes 47
Weslaco East 72, Brownsville Porter 39
Brownsville Lopez 47, Donna High 40
Brownsville Pace 71, Donna North 29
District 32-4A
Brownsville Jubilee 56, Raymondville 55
Port Isabel 49, Hidalgo 38
La Feria 75, Brownsville Harmony 9
Zapata 48, Grulla 42
District 31-3A
Edinburg IDEA 53, Edinburg Vanguard 31
Edinburg IDEA Quest 63, North Mission IDEA 47
District 32-3A
Brownsville IDEA Frontier 86, Progreso 52
Rio Hondo 70, Brownsville IDEA Riverview 20
Brownsville IDEA Sports Park 65, Weslaco IDEA Pike 52
Santa Rosa 114, Monte Alto 41
District 32-2A
Santa Maria 77, Freer 50
District 32-1A
San Perlita 95, Bruni 27
TAPPS 5A District 4
St. Anthony’s 81, Brownsville St. Joseph 75
Non-District
Laredo LBJ 50, Mission High 30
Edinburg North 58, Weslaco High 42
STX Saints 51, Lyford 49
Friday’s Games – Jan. 12
District 31-6A
La Joya High 47, Edinburg High 44
Mission High 57, Edinburg Economedes 38
Edinburg North 80, PSJA High 34
District 32-6A
Brownsville Rivera 37, Weslaco High 26
Harlingen High 64, San Benito 42
Los Fresnos 72, Brownsville Hanna 69
District 30-5A
Rio Grande City 42, Roma 32
La Joya Palmview 72, Laredo Cigarroa 36
Laredo Nixon 94, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 18
Mission Veterans at Laredo Martin 7:30 p.m.
District 31-5A
McAllen High 67, PSJA North 31
Edinburg Vela 72, McAllen Memorial 56
Valley View 58, PSJA Memorial 46
Sharyland High 76, PSJA Southwest 44
Sharyland Pioneer at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m.
District 32-5A
Donna High 51, Donna North 33
Harlingen South 58, Mercedes 35
Weslaco East 58, Brownsville Lopez 36
Brownsville Porter at Brownsville Veterans, 7:30 p.m.
Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Pace, 7:30 p.m.
District 32-4A
Brownsville Jubilee 88, Brownsville Harmony 15
Port Isabel 40, La Feria 39
Raymondville 47, Grulla 41
Hidalgo 36, Zapata 26
District 31-3A
Edinburg IDEA 67, Alamo Vanguard 44
Edinburg Vanguard at North Mission IDEA, 7 p.m.
Pharr Vanguard at Donna IDEA, 7 p.m.
District 32-3A
Rio Hondo 65, Brownsville IDEA Sports Park 47
Brownsville IDEA Frontier 58, Weslaco IDEA Pike 33
Lyford 53, Progreso 32
Monte Alto 60, Brownsville IDEA Riverview 48
District 32-2A
Riviera-Kaufer at La Villa, 7:30 p.m.
Santa Maria 40, Agua Dulce 39
District 32-1A
San Perlita 72, Benavides 23
Lasara 48, McMullen County 33
Non-District
Alamo Macedonian Christian 63, Edinburg IDEA Quest 61
Saturday’s Game
TAPPS 5A DISTRICT 4
San Antonio TMI-Episcopal at Brownsville St. Joseph, 2:30 p.m.
VALLEY HS BOYS BASKETBALL BOX SCORES
Tuesday’s Games
District 30-5A
RIO GRANDE CITY 56, MISSION VETERANS 29
Rattlers 22 10 16 8 — 56
Patriots 10 10 5 4 — 29
RIO GRANDE CITY (56): Diego Martinez 20; Ezzy Garcia 12; Louie Falcon 11; Leo Lopez 4; Eduardo Cahapa III 4; Gio Valenciana 2; PJ Rodriguez Jr. 2; Roly Rodriguez III 1.
MISSION VETERANS (29): Mando 7 Galaviz; Carlos Delgadillo 6; Diego Serrano 5; Cornelio Enriquez 5; Tyler Davis 3; Josh Ojeda 2; Gabriel Felix 2.
District 31-5A
McALLEN HIGH 70, McALLEN ROWE 36
Warriors 8 6 11 11 — 36
Bulldogs 10 14 22 24 — 70
McALLEN ROWE (36): Jose Montemayor 13; Matt Campbell 8; CJ Menchaca 4; Sebastian Olvera 4; Jacob Patino 3; Jalen Sandoval 2; J.J. Menchaca 2.
McALLEN HIGH (70): D’Aundre Canada 21; Jackson Ramirez 13; Mario Villegas 11; Dylan Benavidez 9; Judah Rios 8; Said Esparza 4; Jalin Gilmore 2; Andres Barrera 1; Cash Frisby 1.
PSJA MEMORIAL 51, SHARYLAND HIGH 39
Rattlers 6 16 10 7 — 39
Wolverines 9 12 20 10 — 51
SHARYLAND HIGH (39): Jaden Garcia 18; Jorge Guerra 9; Romario De La Garza 5; Ryan Salinas 4; Gavin Keith 3.
PSJA MEMORIAL (51): Damian De Leon 15; Ryan Reyna 10; Andrew Anzaldua 7; Ale Guerra 7; Angel Torres 6; Jared Garcia 4; Hector Martinez 2.
EDINBURG VELA 90, PSJA SOUTHWEST 50
SaberCats 23 17 23 27 — 90
Javelinas 1 21 21 7 — 50
EDINBURG VELA (90): EJ Avelar 21; Jordan Bustamante 12; Axel Garza 11; Diego Salinas 9; JP Olivarez 7; Derek Warkentine 6; Anthony Moreno 5; Owen Serna 5; Tristan Riojas 4; Luis Cruz 3; Junior Garcia 2; Aiden Lopez 2; Noah Lopez 2; Aden Ybarra 1.
McALLEN MEMORIAL (80): Mando Treviño 21; Danny Canul 20; Caden Keller 14; Jon Gonzalez 9; Jaelan Luna 6; Rudy Treviño 3; Nick Luna 3; Evan McGurk 2; Adolfo Castillo 2.
SHARYLAND PIONEER 56, VALLEY VIEW 50
Tigers 4 16 14 16 — 50
D’Backs 8 20 11 17 — 56
VALLEY VIEW (50): D. Sepulveda 14; J. Ventura 10; N. Mouton 6; H. Reyes 6; D. Justice 6; J. Uresti 5; N. Ramirez 2; K. Diaz 1.
SHARYLAND PIONEER (56): Matthew Maldonado 16; Josh Gaither 16; Julian Valdez 9; Edward Chavez 7; Muhamed Shaath 5; Dustin Duty 3.
Non-District
EDINBURG NORTH 58, WESLACO HIGH 42
Panthers 13 9 10 10 — 42
Cougars 19 11 13 15 — 58
WESLACO HIGH (42): Jake Ramirez 11; Peter Cantu 11; Jeremiah Castillo 8; Chris Chavez 6; Franky Treviño 2; Lino Milano 2; Kai Fino 2.
EDINBURG NORTH (58): Josiah Cruz 19; Raul Palacios 15; Joseph Cruz 11; Dre Estrada 6; Richard Molina 2; Roel Palacios 2; Enrique Leal 2; Osmar Alaniz 1.
Friday’s Games
District 31-6A
MISSION HIGH 57, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES 38
Eagles 15 19 9 14 — 57
Jaguars 11 6 8 13 — 38
MISSION HIGH (57): Leon Villarreal 27; Izzy Cerda 18; Isaac Rios 6; Chris Kirk 4; Alex Alvarado 2; Jet Venecia 1.
EDINBURG ECONOMEDES (38): Nathaniel De La Garza 17; Leo Zamora 5; Noah Enriquez 5; Alex Zurita 3; Jeremiah Gomez 3; Jesus Medrano 3; Aniel Solis 2.
LA JOYA HIGH 47, EDINBURG HIGH 44
Bobcats 8 11 12 13 — 44
Coyotes 11 9 13 14 — 47
EDINBURG HIGH (44): Axel Navarro 18; Ryan Rivera 8; Brayan Martinez 7; Edgar Perales 5; Phoenix McBride 3; Fabian Ruiz 3.
LA JOYA HIGH (47): L. Villarreal 16; L. Hinojosa 9; H. Morales 9; D. Treviño 6; O. Benoit 6; D. Pitts 1.
EDINBURG NORTH 80, PSJA HIGH 34
Bears 7 4 15 8 — 34
Cougars 28 18 28 6 — 80
PSJA HIGH (34): J. Balderas 8; J. Garcia 6; M. Garcia 5; H. Sanchez 4; A. Rodriguez 3; A. Webber 3; J. Anderson 2; D. Guajardo 2; J. Martinez 1.
EDINBURG NORTH (80): Jose Ramirez 13; Osmar Alaniz 13; Raul Palacios 12; Josiah Cruz 10; Roel Palacios 9; Joseph Cruz 7; Dre Estrada 7; Enrique Leal 4; Robert Palanco 2; Jayden Mora 2; Richard Molina 1.
District 30-5A
RIO GRANDE CITY 42, ROMA 32
Gladiators 11 7 10 4 — 32
Rattlers 9 11 7 15 — 42
ROMA (32): Jediah Baker 12; David Galan 8; Fernando Lozano 6; Juan Saenz 4; Narrdo Saenz 2.
RIO GRANDE CITY (42): Diego Martinez 13; Leo Lopez 8; Ezzy Garcia 7; Dante Hinojosa 5; Roly Rodriguez III 4; Louie Peña 2; Louie Falcon 2; Gio Valenciana 1.
District 31-5A
EDINBURG VELA 72, McALLEN MEMORIAL 56
Mustangs 15 19 10 12 — 56
SaberCats 14 29 14 15 — 72
McALLEN MEMORIAL (56): Danny Canul 26; Caden Keller 11; Alex Monroy 10; Mando Treviño 9.
EDINBURG VELA (72): JP Olivarez 18; Jordan Bustamante 16; Axel Garza 13; Sam Sepulveda 10; Aiden Lopez 8; EJ Avelar 5; Diego Salinas 2.
SHARYLAND HIGH 76, PSJA SOUTHWEST 44
Rattlers 16 26 17 17 — 76
Javelinas 4 8 16 16 — 44
SHARYLAND HIGH (76): Jaden Garcia 28; Niko Suelto 9; Romario De La Garza 8; Ryan Salinas 8; Gavin Keith 8; Jorge Guerra 5; Joaquin Quintanilla 4; Donovan Lyons 3; Kayra Coban 3.
PSJA SOUTHWEST (44): Justin S. 16; Angel Alvarado 11; Angel H. 6; Adan L. 5; Angel O. 4; Caleb Torres 2; Kyler Abrego 2.
VALLEY VIEW 58, PSJA MEMORIAL 46
Wolverines 12 12 11 11 — 46
Tigers 12 8 22 16 — 58
PSJA MEMORIAL (46): J. Garcia 17; H. Martinez 6; R. Morales 5; D. De Leon 5; A. Guerra 5; A. Anzaldua 4; R. Reyna 4.
VALLEY VIEW (58): D. Sepulveda 24; J. Ventura 13; J. Uresti 8; K. Diaz 7; D. Justice 6; H. Reyes 2.
District 32-4A
HIDALGO 36, ZAPATA 26
Hawks 5 4 5 12 — 26
Pirates 5 15 11 5 — 36
ZAPATA (26): J. Arredondo 12; P. Benavides 6; O. Martinez 4; D. Garcia 2; L. Glenn 2.
HIDALGO (36): Javier Martinez 9; Nick Hernandez 8; Troy Sanchez 6; Christopher Martinez 5; Edgar Jauregui 3; Mike Martinez 2; Rafa Arredondo 2; Shalom De La Torre 1.
Non-District
ALAMO CHRISTIAN MACEDONIAN 63, EDINBURG IDEA QUEST 61
UTRGV head football coach Travis Bush announced on Friday the hiring of Mike Barela, who has nearly 30 years of coaching experience, as the tight ends coach.
Barela’s coaching stops include serving as the offensive line coach at Valdosta State (2022-23), co-offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach at Colorado Mesa (2018-21), tight ends coach, run game coordinator and nickelbacks coach at Incarnate Word (2015-17), offensive and defensive line coach at Kansas High School (2014), offensive line coach, run game coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Northeastern State (2012-13), offensive line coach at Southwestern Baptist (2011), tight ends coach at Texas State (2007-10), director of football operations at North Texas (2002-06), tight ends coach at Sam Houston (2000-01), offensive line coach at Morningside (1999), and graduate assistant coach for the offensive line and tight ends at North Texas (1996-98).
During his time at Texas State, Barela worked with Bush, who was the associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach from 2007-09.
“We are extremely fortunate to get Coach Barela down to the Rio Grande Valley,” Bush said. “His experience and offensive expertise will make our program better as soon as he steps on campus. Coach Barela exemplifies what college coaching should be about. He is a great coach who loves his players, he is an outstanding recruiter, and he works his tail off at everything he does with excellence and integrity. You won’t find a better man in the business. His wife Lauren is a graduate of Edinburg High School, and her father, Brent Miller, played baseball here for the Broncs.”
As the offensive line coach at Valdosta State the last two seasons, Barela’s team posted impressive numbers. This past season, Valdosta State averaged 39 points and 433.6 yards of total offense while ranking fifth in NCAA Division II in passing at 312.2 yards per game and 20th in third down conversion rate at 45.7%. The team went on to finish 12-2, reaching the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals and earning a share of the Gulf South Conference Championship.
The 2022 team averaged 36 points per game while ranking fifth in NCAA Division II in total offense at 475.6 yards per game and 16th in rushing at 213.5 yards per game. The team also ranked second in the nation in sacks allowed per game, giving up just three in 367 pass attempts, and sixth in successful red zone opportunities at 91%, producing 31 touchdowns and 14 field goals in 49 attempts.
Barela helped Colorado Mesa to rank 19th in NCAA Division II in total offense at 452.3 yards per game en route to an 8-2 record in 2021. The team ranked first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in rushing at 194.8 yards per game one year after averaging 243 rushing yards in three games during the pandemic shortened 2020 season.
In addition to working with tight ends, Barela coordinated the kickoff return unit in 2019, averaging 26.95 yards per return, which ranked third in the nation. The team’s primary returner led the nation with 38.1 yards per return.
Barela’s tight ends also contributed to one of the top offenses in the nation in 2018, as the team averaged 485.2 yards of total offense, including 275.4 yards of passing offense, per game.
Barela helped Incarnate Word to post its first-ever winning record at the NCAA Division I level, going 6-5 in 2015 while the tight ends combined for 42 receptions, 443 yards, and two touchdowns. One of Barela’s tight ends was Cole Wick, who went on to play for the Detroit Lions in 2016 and San Francisco 49ers in 2018.
Barela also coordinated the kickoff return unit in 2017, leading FCS with three touchdowns, and the short yardage/goal line package, converting 21-of-24 (87.5%) trips to the red zone, including 19 touchdowns.
In two seasons at Northeastern State, Barela’s squad rushed for 34 touchdowns while averaging 175.7 yards per game in 2012 and 157.5 yards per game in 2013.
His rush offense was responsible for 20 touchdowns at Southwest Baptist in 2011 and he coached his running backs to four 220+ rushing yard performances.
While at Texas State, Barela was part of a staff that helped establish numerous school records while winning a conference championship (2008). In 2009, the offense ranked seventh nationally in passing (289 yards per game) and 12th in scoring offense (32 points per game). The 2008 offense finished seventh nationally in scoring (36 points per game), and eight in total offense (453.2 yards per game). In 2007, for the first time in school history, the offense produced a 1,000-yard rusher, a 1,000-yard receiver, and a 2,000-yard passer in the same year.
From 2002-06, Barela was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the North Texas football program, a time during which North Texas won three-straight Sun Belt Conference Championships (2002-04).
Barela was part of four-straight conference championships, including the 2001 Southland Conference title at Sam Houston, a season in which the team led the conference in total offense (437.4 yards per game), passing offense (278.8 yards per game), and scoring offense (37.5 points per game). Barela coached First-Team All-America tight end Keith Heinrich, who was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2002, playing one seasons there before also playing for the Cleveland Browns (2003-04) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007).
“I’m grateful and excited to join Coach Bush, this coaching staff, and the UTRGV community,” Barela said. “To be a part of this brand-new endeavor, starting a football program from day one, is incredible. This opportunity was the right time for me to come home to Texas and help Coach Bush establish something special in the Rio Grande Valley. I look forward to getting to work!”
Barela graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from North Texas in 1997. As a student-athlete, Barela was a linebacker who also contributed to special teams.
Video evidence of an arrest of a suspect Victor Godinez in the neighborhood near were Texas State Trooper Moises Sanchez was shot on a monitor as Godinez stands trial for the death of Texas State Trooper Moises Sanchez in the 389th state District Count on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
Updated at 3:19 p.m.
By XAVIER ALVAREZ and FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ | Staff Writers
Victor Godinez stands trial for the death of Texas State Trooper Moises Sanchez in the 389th state District Court on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
EDINBURG — Multiple former and current law enforcement officers testified Friday morning regarding the events that occurred before and after the apprehension of the suspect who allegedly shot 49-year-old trooper Moises Sanchez, who died months later in Houston following a surgery, in 2019.
That suspect, 28-year-old Victor Alejandro Godinez, was asking other state troopers if the one he shot was OK during the ambulance ride to McAllen Medical hospital.
Godinez has been charged with one count of capital murder of a peace officer and two counts of attempted capital murder of a peace officer after shooting Sanchez and exchanging gunfire with two Edinburg police officers.
If he’s convicted, prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Border Patrol agent Steve Chase testified how he volunteered to help in the manhunt for Godinez on April 7, 2019, as he was driving home northbound on 10th Street early that morning.
As he was on standby with his partner, Chase said he saw a man jump a fence on Mon Mack Road and began heading northeast describing him as “walking with a gait” almost as if he was injured or disabled.
Chase assumed he had been struck during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, which was proved to be true after he and his partner caught up to Godinez who laid on a sidewalk.
Along with Chase, Investigator Minnette Carmona, who was a McAllen police officer at the time, provided Godinez with medical assistance as he was bleeding from his right side upper body.
There’s conflicting testimony regarding the injury Godinez sustained and whether it was a gunshot wound or a graze.
Carmona testified that Godinez told her to let him die, that he killed one of their own and asked why she was helping. She said she reassured him that she was there to help and wouldn’t allow him to bleed out.
Victor Godinez waits to be hand-cuffed to leave the courtroom as he stands trial for the death of Texas State Trooper Moises Sanchez in the 389th state District Court on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
It was here that Godinez first asked if Sanchez was OK after he shot him, though no one answered him.
Jurors then saw body cam footage from state trooper Juan Zuniga and former trooper Evan Holguin who were tasked to escort Godinez with paramedics in the ambulance heading to McAllen Medical.
Godinez could be heard whooping and talking to the paramedics, complimenting one’s tattoo.
During the ride, Godinez once again asked about Sanchez.
“Hey, is that trooper alright?” Godinez asked. “I don’t remember. Yes, no, maybe?”
Carmona testified that she smelled alcohol on Godinez despite the overwhelming stench of blood on his person. Holguin stated that Godinez’s speech had sounded slurred, but he couldn’t confirm whether he was intoxicated as he didn’t conduct a field sobriety test on him.
Testimony on Thursday afternoon was highlighted by body camera footage and first hand accounts from law enforcement agents who arrested the man accused of shooting Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Moises Sanchez in 2019.
Prosecutors called Eugenio Garcia, a livestock inspector for the Texas Animal Health Commission. He was working as a DPS patrol officer on April 6, 2019, the night that Sanchez was shot.
Garcia recalled arriving at the scene of the shooting and helping in the manhunt for Godinez. At approximately 12:30 a.m., he was told to take a few minutes to recuperate. He recalled sitting in his DPS unit with the windows rolled down, hoping that the fresh air would help calm his nerves.
He said that he checked the computer in his vehicle to see if there had been any updates in the search for Godinez, and had just poured himself a cup of coffee when he heard gunshots nearby.
A picture is shown ion a monitor in the courtroom of a 357 Magnum on the ground as evidence to the jury as Victor Godinez stands trial for the death of Texas State Trooper Moises Sanchez in the 389th state District Court on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
Prosecutors presented dash camera footage from Garcia’s vehicle to the court which showed him racing toward Mon Mack Road in Edinburg. He was then seen approaching an individual walking on the sidewalk on Mon Mack Road, which is a stone’s throw from where the shooting involving two Edinburg police investigators had just taken place.
The video showed him driving on Mon Mack Road and encountering an individual walking on the sidewalk.
“It’s 12:30 at night. There’s nobody on the road except police,” Garcia recalled. “I said, ‘Stop!’ I was expecting to get shot at. I was expecting the worst in that scenario.”
Prosecutors also showed Garcia’s body camera footage, which was an hour long and only had a few minutes with audio. Seen briefly in the footage was ATF Special Agent Eduardo Ramirez, who is a K9 handler and was on scene with two other agents and his K9, Bo.
Ramirez was also called to testify on his experience from that evening. He and Bo had been searing the area trying to locate a firearm or any bullet casings. He recalled hearing an exchange of gunfire directly south of his location.
He recalled heading to Mon Mack Road and going south on the west side of the road. At that moment, he saw the suspect walking towards him. He said that he did not know who he was, but since he was worried about getting into a “blue on blue” situation, he identified himself as a police officer.
Ramirez said that the suspect did not acknowledge him. He instead began crossing the street and walking away from him. Ramirez said that he did not run and did not appear to be anxious, but he did notice that his clothes were soiled and he was not wearing any shoes. He also did not notice a weapon.
“Get on the ground! Stop!” he recalled saying. The suspect still did not comply and began walking at a faster pace.
As he continued to follow the suspect, two DPS unit’s including Garcia’s pulled up. As they approached the suspect, he went down to his knees on the sidewalk. He was put into a prone position, and Ramirez placed him in handcuffs.
Ramirez said that the suspect was not violent. He did a pat-down search of the suspect, but did not find a weapon.
Garcia recalled the radio chatter saying, “Victor, 28, hit.” The suspect responded saying “I’m Victor. I’m hit.”
The trial is set to continue Tuesday morning.
Editor’s note: This story and its headline were updated to include developments from the fifth day of trial.
