Exciting opportunity for aspiring string musicians!
Ac2E Middle School is holding tryouts for our Strings Project on **October 2nd & 3rd** at 4:00 p.m. in the Paco Zarate Performing Arts Center. If you’re passionate about the violin, cello, or classical string music, this is your chance! Limited spots and instruments available, so bring your own instrument if you have one. Auditions will include one scale and a selection of your choice. For more information, contact: **noebenitez107@rgccisd.org**
Dr. Mario E. Ramirez Elementary presents the 2024-2025 DMR STUDIOS
Dr. Mario E. Ramirez Elementary are excited to present their 2024-2025 DMR STUDIOS Student Tech Team! These incredible students are all set to lead the tech adventures—managing projects, setting up equipment, and creating amazing digital content for the students and campus.
Veterans Middle School SAVE Promise Club had its first meeting
Veterans Middle School SAVE Promise Club had its first meeting on Friday September 6, 2024. The students discussed important information about the SAVE Promise Club such as the Chapter Bylaws, Mission Statement, Core Values, Code of Conduct, and Member Duties. In addition, the SAVE Promise Club members created a poster for You Matter Week where they wrote encouraging words to their classmates. Always Remember, YOU MATTER!
Monarch butterflies have captured the hearts of Texans for generations, from students in grade school classrooms growing them from caterpillars to full-grown adults to the Texas legislature designating the Monarch butterfly as our official state insect in 1995. What many Texans may not know is that these seemingly delicate creatures share our same grit and steadfast determination to survive.
Each year, Monarchs embark on a journey that spans thousands of miles, one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom. This incredible voyage transcends borders, cultures, and time.
You may have spotted the Monarch migration, which can cover up to 3,000 miles from
Texas’ Reigning Monarchs
Canada to Mexico, passing through Texas. This 300mile wide path stretches from Wichita Falls in the North to Eagle Pass in the South, making Texas a waypoint for these beautiful butterflies. During their migration, the Monarchs face numerous challenges, including extreme weather conditions, habitat loss, and a shrinking food supply, but in true Texas fashion, they face these challenges head— or antennae—first.
During the last days of September, as the start of a month-long migration, the skies over Texas come alive with the fluttering wings of Monarchs as they pause to rest and feed before continuing their southward trek to the forests of Central Mexico, where they will eventually spend
the winter. This temporary stopover in the Lone Star State is not just a beautiful spectacle for onlookers, it is also necessary for the survival of the species.
The return journey begins as these butterflies make their way back north, blessing us in the spring. Seeking emerging milkweeds, they move through Texas, laying eggs before dying, with their offspring continuing the journey northward, eventually leaving most of Texas behind. Texas’ diverse regions, including prairies, tidal wetlands, and urban gardens, are where Monarchs find the nectar-rich flowers they need to refuel through ought their journey.
Among the many towns and cities along the Monarchs’ route, Mission, Texas, stands out. Often
referred to as the “butterfly capital of the USA,” Mission has embraced its role in the preservation of the Monarch.
The city hosts the annual Texas Butterfly Festival each fall, drawing in nature enthusiasts and scientists from across the country to view the roughly 300 species of butterflies on display. The festival not only celebrates the Monarch migration, but also raises awareness about the importance of conserving the fragile habitats sustaining this butterfly species and other pollinators.
Moreover, Texas plays an important role in scientific efforts to study and protect Monarch
Oración a San Expedito
butterflies. Researchers in our state have been at the forefront of tracking their migration patterns, studying their biology, and advocating for conservation measures. These efforts have led to initiatives aimed at restoring native milkweed, the only plant on which Monarchs lay their eggs, and other critical nectar sources. By planting milkweed and other native plants, Texans help support Monarch populations to ensure that future generations will be able to witness this natural marvel.
The Monarchs’ journey is a powerful symbol of endurance, transformation, and the interconnectedness of our planet’s
ecosystems. As these butterflies make their way through Texas, they remind us of the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth and the responsibility we as Texans share in protecting it. In honoring Texas’ reigning Monarchs, our state acknowledges not only the beauty and wonder of these creatures, but also its role in their survival. The Monarch’s journey, with Texas at its heart, is a story of hope and the enduring power of nature. Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
Mi San Expedito de las causas justas y urgentes, intercede por mi junto a Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, para que venga en mi socorro en esta hora de aflicción y desesperanza. Mi San Expedito tú que eres el Santo guerrero. Tú que eres el Santo de los afligidos. Tú que eres el Santo de los desesperados. Tú que eres el Santo de las causas urgentes, protégeme, ayúdame, otorgándome: fuerza, coraje y serenidad. ¡Atiende mi pedido! (hacer el pedido). Mi San Expedito, ayúdame a superar estas horas difíciles, protégeme de todos los que puedan perjudicarme, protege a mi familia, atiende mi pedido con urgencia. Devuélveme la Paz y la tranquilidad. ¡Mi San Expedito! Estaré agradecido por el resto de mi vida y propagaré tu nombre a todos los que tienen Fe. Muchas Gracias. Padre Nuestro, Ave María y Credo.
How to spot changes in your homeowners or windstorm insurance
If you’re renewing or changing your homeowners or windstorm insurance, make sure to check for possible costly changes.
Some tips: Read the declarations, or “dec page” of your policy. It shows the dates your policy is in effect and the amounts and types of coverage. It also lists the dollar amount of each deductible –that’s what you have to pay if you need to make a claim before your insurance pays.
Ask your agent if your deductible is staying the same or changing. A common deductible
amount is 2% for wind or hail damage and 1% for other types of damage.
If you’re renewing your policy, look at the last pages of the renewal to see if there are new endorsements or exclusions. If you see anything you don’t understand, ask your agent or company to explain.
Have a question about insurance? Call TDI’s Help Line at 800-252-3439 or visit tdi. texas.gov.
By: U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas
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As Fire Prevention Week approaches,
City of Rio Grande City Fire Department urges residents to make sure their smoke alarms are working
The theme/or Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, 2024 is “Smoke alarms: Make them work/or you!™”
September 9,2024 - The City of Rio Grande City Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) for more than 100 years-to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™” The campaign works to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home
fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.”
The City of Rio Grande City Fire Department encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” “Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said Fire Chief Muniz. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”
Rio Grande City Fire Department offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and
guidelines:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
The Rio Grande City Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s FPW campaign, including fire prevention elementary school presentations.
To find out more about FPW programs and activities in Rio Grande City, please contact the Rio Grande City Fire Department at 956-487-5312. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, visit fpw.org.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION
NOTICE is hereby given that it is the intention of the City Commission of the City of Rio Grande City, Texas (the “City”) to issue interest-bearing Certificates of Obligation of the City to be designated and known as the “CITY OF RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 2024” (the “Certificates”) for the purpose of providing for the payment of contractual obligations to be incurred for the design, planning, acquisition, equipping, construction, and renovation of public property, and designated infrastructure and for other public purposes specifically being (i) water system improvements; and (ii) the payment of contractual obligations for professional services in connection with such projects (including, but not limited to, financial advisory, legal, architectural, and engineering). The City Commission tentatively proposes to authorize the issuance of the Certificates at its regular meeting place at Commission Chambers, City Hall, 5332 East US Highway 83, Suite A, Rio Grande City, Texas, at a Regular Meeting of the City Commission to be commenced at 12:00 p.m., on the 12th day of November, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $5,655,000. The City Commission proposes to provide for payment of the Certificates of Obligation from a pledge of an annual ad valorem tax, as well as a junior lien pledge of the net revenues of the City’s Waterworks and Sewer System. The Certificates are to be issued, and this notice is given, pursuant to Section 271.041, et seq., Texas Local Government Code.
In accordance with the provisions of Subchapter C of Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code, as amended (“Chapter 271”), the following information has been provided by the City (excludes $22,615,000 principal amount of outstanding debt obligations the City has designated as self-supporting and which the City reasonably expects to pay from revenue sources other than ad valorem taxes; provided, however, that in the event such selfsupporting revenues sources are insufficient to pay debt service, the City is obligated to levy ad valorem taxes to pay such debt obligations). The current principal of all outstanding debt obligations of the City is $12,105,000, the combined principal and interest required to pay all currently outstanding debt obligations of the City on time and in full is $15,981,900, the estimated combined principal and interest required to pay the Certificates of Obligation on time and in full is $8,496,195, the estimated interest rate for the Certificates of Obligation is 4.75% and the maximum maturity date of the Certificates of Obligation will not exceed the maximum allowed by law. Market conditions affecting interest rates vary based on a number of factors beyond the control of the City, and the City cannot and does not guarantee a particular interest rate associated with the Certificates of Obligation. The resolution designating certain outstanding debt obligations of the City as self-supporting for purposes of Chapter 271 is available upon request sent to the City at the address noted above.
/s/ Gilberto Falcon Mayor, City of Rio Grande City, Texas
