BROWNSVILLE — The latest corruption scandal to mar Cameron County unfolded yesterday morning when the Cameron County Administrative building was closed off to the public as a multi-agency investigation force converged on the Cameron County Tax Assessor’s Office.

Four men, including longtime county Tax Assessor-collector Tony Yzaguirre Jr., were arrested as the result of a two-year investigation under the code name “Operation Dirty Deeds,” District Attorney Luis V. Saenz announced in a brief news conference on the steps of the administrative building following the arrests.

Yzaguirre was charged with four counts of bribery, a second-degree felony; engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony; and official oppression, a class A misdemeanor.

County tax investigator Pedro Garza was charged with bribery, engaging in organized criminal activity and official oppression.

Dealer/notary supervisor Omar Sanchez-Paz was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and abuse of official capacity, a class A misdemeanor.

Chief Lt. Jose Mireles was charged with bribery, engaging in organized criminal activity and official oppression.

The investigation was a collaborative effort from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the District Attorney’s Office and the Brownsville Police Department.

Saenz said the tax assessor’s office, two private residences and four local businesses were subject to search warrants from the multi-agency investigation.

A man working on a construction project yesterday morning at the courthouse witnessed Yzaguirre being arrested.

The man, who asked not to be identified, said he was working on a project at the courthouse when a group of lawmen rushed into the administrative building.

“All of a sudden we saw five, six DPS (Texas Department of Public Safety) cars, FBI coming in. They were rushing inside. They almost ran up the stairs and through the door,” the man said.

He said authorities escorted Yzaguirre out the front doors of the administrative office, which houses the tax assessor-collector’s office, but then walked him back inside the building.

“Within five minutes, they were taking Mr. Yzaguirre in custody. They had him in custody, and he saw the people outside looking at him and he said something to the guy who had him handcuffed, an FBI agent, and he took him back in,” the witness said.

Yzaguirre, Garza, Sanchez-Paz and Mireles were released Wednesday afternoon after they were booked at the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito. Each was granted a personal recognizance bond.

Yzaguirre’s family members drove the men from the jail in a white Ford Explorer.

As the group was being processed at the detention center, authorities remained at the tax office all day Wednesday, and shortly before 6 p.m. they were seen removing boxes and file cabinets from the building and loading them into a waiting truck.

County Administrator David A. Garcia said yesterday afternoon that it was too soon to say what would happen in regard to the jobs held by the employees who were arrested earlier in the day.

“We haven’t gotten to that point because there is still an investigation ongoing. We will let that run its course. We will probably get some direction from authorities. I would imagine the commissioners would have an agenda item at their next meeting to discuss any issues regarding the tax office,” Garcia said. “At this point, we are not taking any action one way or the other.”

Yzaguirre has been the county’s tax assessor-collector since 1988. He previously served as tax assessor-collector for the city Brownsville.

County Judge Pete Sepulveda Jr. issued a news release following the arrests to ask that the public postpone their business at the tax offices throughout Cameron County until further notice.

According to Sepulveda, the offices were closed Wednesday but would reopen today for property tax collection purposes only. Sepulveda said county residents could pursue filings with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at H-E-B stores countywide, A.V. Lopez Supermarket in Brownsville on International Boulevard and AMEX Check Cashing on Price Road.

Saenz was unavailable for comments after the announcement. It was unknown at press time if more arrests are expected in the case. According to a news release from the DA’s office, the investigation continues.

HARLINGEN — Business owners with the New Year’s resolution of growing their business in 2016 should attend the “Good Morning Downtown” coffee meetings.

Local business owners will be meeting and networking over coffee and pastries this morning to get important business tips.

The meeting is free and open to the public. It will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at J&B’s Café located at 204 E. Jackson Avenue.

“Anybody who has a small business would be very encouraged to attend,” said Victor Leal, Cybernation business owner and city commissioner.

Leal will be addressing the audience on the importance of protecting business computer data. He will talk about topics on cyber security, passwords and the importance of having an antivirus program.

Leal has been working with computers since the 1970s and has managed a computer repair and networking business called Cybernation since 1997.

Leal said businesses need to be careful about being attacked electronically. He said it is important to protect business computers so important information is not stolen or taken for ransom.

Another speaker scheduled to address the audience is Lionel Levin of SCORE. He will be talking about free resources small businesses can access to develop better business and marketing plans.

“People do business with people they know,” said Cheryl Laberge, downtown manager. “Come for coffee, conversation and to checkout J&B’s Café in Downtown Harlingen,”

Those who attend will learn about upcoming events and the new art exhibit called “Works of Figuration” that will open at the Beyond Arts Gallery on Jan. 14.

The winners of the downtown Harlingen word game and Christmas Window Decorating Contest will also be announced at the meeting.

“We’re excited that J&B’s Café is hosting the event,” Laberge said. “Their new menu will be rolling out this week.”

HARLINGEN — Area leaders are closer to bringing a cold storage unit to the Free Trade Bridge as part a push to drive up toll revenues.

Last night, city commissioners approved an agreement with Cameron County and San Benito to share costs of about $414,000.

As part of the agreement, the city would fund $112,500 of the cost to build the 75-foot by 30-foot “walk-in cooler” on federal land on the bridge’s west side at Los Indios.

A cold storage unit is expected to help boost truck traffic at the bridge that continues to generate lower toll revenues than other Cameron County bridges.

Raudel Garza, chief executive officer of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, told city commissioners the bridge needs a cold storage unit to draw produce trucks.

“Because of the lack of amenities, a lot of companies don’t use the bridge very much,” Garza said.

A cold storage unit would help preserve produce during customs inspections that could take two to four hours.

The city continues to negotiate with Cameron County and San Benito to determine the cold storage unit’s operation and maintenance.

So far, Cameron County commissioners have approved the agreement.

Next, San Benito city commissioners will consider its approval.

The city, San Benito and Cameron County own the bridge, which was built at a cost of $40 million in 1992.

The bridge’s toll revenues continued to fall last year.

In 2015, the bridge generated $1.6 million, down $128,784 from the year before. Last year, 389,910 vehicles crossed the bridge, down 20,569.

HARLINGEN — Friends remembered former City Commissioner Jack Hatfield as a visionary who helped launch the Harlingen Literacy Center and the World Birding Center.

Hatfield died Tuesday at his home. He was 87.

“He was just an absolutely wonderful person,” Mayor Chris Boswell said. “He deserves so much credit for his vision.”

Hatfield worked as controller for the Valley Morning Star, the Brownsville Herald and the McAllen Monitor from 1981 to 1993.

With the Star’s $1,000 donation, Hatfield co-founded the literacy center in 1986, helping to teach its classes.

“He spent some of his own money to get it started and raised enough money to sustain it,” said Elaine Lockhart, chairwoman of the center’s board of directors. “He was so proud the center was not in any debt.”

Hatfield’s vision helped Spanish speakers learn English to help them earn their general equivalency diplomas, or GEDs, and become American citizens.

“Jack was the kind of guy that if you asked him to do something, he wouldn’t know the word ‘no,’” Lockhart said. “Jack always listened to people. If it could be done, he’d try to get it done. He was always giving to the community.”

For about 30 years, Hatfield served as senior warden of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, serving as the church’s administrator several times, Lockhart said.

“He was very active in church government and leadership,” Lockhart said. “He acted as head of the church when we were without a priest.”

In 1994, Hatfield won election to the City Commission’s Place 2 seat, going on to win a second term in 1997.

“He was on the City Commission when I was elected and shared a lot of wisdom with the younger commissioners,” Boswell said. “He was a great city commissioner to work with. He was a fiscal conservative and a great friend.”

Boswell said Hatfield pushed to turn Harlingen into the home of one of the biggest birding festivals in the United States.

“He was a real advocate of the World Birding Center and was instrumental in bringing that to fruition,” Boswell said.

In 2000, Hatfield decided not to seek a third term in office.

“It has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience but, at the same time, it is quite demanding time-wise, and I am ready to do other things at this time,” Hatfield said after announcing his decision.

After 26 years, Hatfield resigned from the literacy center’s board of directors in 2012.

“It makes me very proud to be a part of it,” Hatfield said at a ceremony in which city leaders honored his work with the center in 2012.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.

Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre has been arrested and charged with bribery, organized crime and official oppression, says District Attorney Luis V. Saenz.

Federal and state officials raided the administration building at the Cameron County Courthouse in Brownsville this morning.

Saenz said nearly two years ago his office began investigating the tax office for what he called certain questionable actions and activities.

He said the investigation grew to include the Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Rangers, U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security and Brownsville Police.

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Here is a list of those arrested and their charges:

Tony Yzaguirre

• Four counts of bribery, a second degree felony
• Engaging in organized criminal activity, a first degree felony
• Official oppression, a class A misdemeanor

Pedro Garza

• One count of bribery, a second degree felony
• Engaging in organized criminal activity, a first degree felony
• Official oppression, a class A misdemeanor

Omar Sanchez-Paz

• One count of engaging in organized criminal activity, a first degree felony
• Abuse of official capacity, a class A misdemeanor

Jose Mireles

• One count of bribery, a second degree felony
• Engaging in criminal activity, a first degree felony
• Official oppression, a class A misdemeanor

Saenz said warrants were executed for the tax office, two private homes and four businesses. He said the investigation is ongoing.

The tax offices remain closed for the day.

Brownsville Herald reporters Laura B. Martinez, Christina Garza and photographer Yvette Vela contributed to this report.

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HARLINGEN — It was supposed to be just another New Year’s service for the parishioners at Faith Pleases God Church.

The sermon was being televised as people waited for the first day of 2016.

Around midnight New Year’s Eve as church members celebrated with each other, fireworks were being blasted outside.

However, it turned out not just fireworks were being shot off.

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Someone, somewhere outside the church fired gunshots into the air to celebrate, as well.

At least two of those bullets crashed through the church ceiling and fell into the service. More than 50 people were inside.

Nobody would have even known — if a bullet hadn’t fallen near one parishioner.

She heard something fly past her head as she walked through the sanctuary during the service.

She even noticed the ceiling tile move.

Young children were close by and when she looked to the floor, she saw one bullet lying there.

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LOS FRESNOS — It’s going to get all shook up at the Little Graceland Elvis Festival on Saturday.

The annual celebration marks the 23rd year Simon Vega hosts the event celebrating his friend’s birthday at his home in Los Fresnos.

The one-day event will bring eight Elvis impersonators who will take the stage for 30-minute sets performing the King’s greatest hits for spectators.

Vega said he is anticipating more than 1,000 people to attend the event throughout the day to celebrate Elvis and his music.

The two were friends in the military.

Long after Vega finished his stint in the Army, he began collecting Elvis memorabilia and created a museum dedicated to his memory at this home.

Vega also recreated the Graceland house gates at his home and called it Little Graceland.

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Robb Carter, a Elvis tribute artist, posed with Braulia Avalos for a quick photo on Saturday afternoon at the 20th annual Elvis festival at the Little Graceland Elvis museum in Los Fresnos.

BY Carol Lutsinger is a NASA/JPL Solar System educator and ambassador Texas Space Grant Consortium collaborator and American Astronomical Society resource agent [email protected] Newspaper in Education

If we do get some clear skies this month, or even one night this week, find a safe dark site and enjoy the view of the cloud of starlight that runs almost east to west to see the Milky Way. The eastern endpoint is south of due east and the western endpoint is north of due west because of earth’s tilt. The Great Square of Pegasus is low in the west by 8 p.m. slowly drifting towards the due west point at the horizon while the rectangle of Gemini is about the same distance above the horizon almost due east.

The brilliant star Sirius that marks the nose (or rabies tag) of Canis Major is emerging from the southeastern horizon just south of the Milky Way and Canis Minor is just above the trail of those same stars.

The canines are accompanying Orion and Auriga who are chasing Taurus the Bull, Zeus in disguise, who is running off with the Seven Sisters. Perseus is almost at the zenith following the W of Cassiopeia. I must admit there is almost as much intrigue in the stars as there is on television programs. To see the outlines of the constellations you may want to go online to Skymaps.com to download a current map of the constellations.

If you are a regular column follower then you have heard the stories about these constellations before. If you are new to the column then you may want to go online to a kidfriendly site to read a softer version of the myths.

The public library also has books suitable for children and young adults to read.

The star Sirius is such a beauty to see on a clear cold dark night; all the colors of the spectrum seem to radiate from it. If you like to read, then you might seek out the book Theodoric’s Rainbow to learn more about the spectrum and how astronomers use it to determine the elements that compose stars and how the temperature of them affects the colors. Sirius is a blue-white star, young and really hot. Its brightness or magnitude is used to compare the magnitude of all other stars.

The red star in Orion’s shoulder is old, expanding, and could go “supernova” in our lifetime. Stars have a definite “life-cycle” even though they are not living.

They form from a massive cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. When enough matter collects forces create a protostar that eventually becomes a yellow star like our sun, a blue giant, or a red dwarf, depending on the amount of matter each one has gathered to its mass.

Keeping our focus on Orion, use that Christmas telescope or a good pair of binoculars to scan the region below the three stars of Orion’s belt to view a lovely glow of gasses that form the Orion Nebula. This is where the sword of Orion rests when he is not battling Taurus.

Go online to the Astronomy Picture of the Day website to see incredible images taken via the Hubble Space Telescope or other observatory telescopes and sit back and be amazed.

Those images are made over several hours collecting light and are impossible for our eyes to detect because we cannot collect that much light.

We are only human after all. But what sights to see via the Internet; just check it out yourself to see what I mean.

Until next week, KLU.

HARLINGEN — The city’s fast-growing west side appears to be moving closer to having its own fire station.

Today, city commissioners will consider a $1.2 million contract with Harlingen-based Pietra Construction to build the city’s eighth fire station.

The station would help the fire department cut response time in half along the city’s west side, Fire Chief Rogelio Rubio said yesterday.

“It’s important that response time be prompt,” Rubio said. “Fire doubles every minute; medical calls are very important.”

The proposed 5,277-square-foot, two-story station would be built at the corner of Stuart Place and Brennaman roads.

Now, the city’s Dixieland Road fire station often handles emergency calls to the west side.

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