WEEK OF JANUARY 7, 2009 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2009
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Your Community Newspaper, Serving the Heart of the Rio Grande Valley SINCE
VOLUME 86 NUMBER 1
1923
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News Fire Department Contains Christmas Blaze Briefs Cause of fire still unknown Members of the La Feria Volunteer Fire Department found themselves opening more than just presents on Christmas day. At around noon on Dec. 25, the local firefighters were called out to a house fire located in the southwest part of city at the 200 block of West Jessmine. There was no loss of life or injuries as the home was vacant. The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined. “We were out there for about three hours, that’s about how long it took to (extinguish the fire),” said La Feria Fire Chief Rick Garcia. “We notified the Mercedes Fire Department for assistance, we wanted to protect all exposure with other homes in close proximity.” The La Feria Department along with the Mercedes Fire Department prevented the blaze from spreading and causing further damage to neighboring homes and structures. For now the cause of the fire is being investigated by fire marshal and chief of police Don Garcia. The home was virtually destroyed. The name of the homeowner was not made available at this time, and the fire chief said the owners recently relocated to the Houston area. This recent house fire and especially recent dry conditions prompted Garcia to give the community a little advice. “When burning leaves or brush use extra precaution,” said the fire chief. “We need to use extra precautions all the time, you don’t want any fires spreading to homes.”
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Los Fresnos Music Festival Saturday & Sunday, January 10th & 11th., Rodeo Grounds For more information regarding any event or function please do not hesitate to call your Chamber office at (956) 233-4488.
Candy Giveaway Gives Out 500 Goody Bags
Volunteers of the La Feria Fire Department extinguish the house fire on West Jessmine
Community Comes Forth To Restore Old Church The Community of Santa Maria is ensuring a historic church will not be forgotten. In order to accomplish this goal, one local resident hopes a little more assistance from residents will restore this special church. On Dec. 28 a memorial service was held to commemorate the 128th anniversary of the first cornerstone to be set for the Santa Maria Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church. It was back on Dec. 29, 1880 the first cornerstone of this Catholic Church was laid. According to historic documents, this event was marked with a rare snowstorm in the Rio Grande Valley. Now in 2009, the local community has set plans to restore this historic church. The Cameron County Historical Commission has already helped restore the old church replacing the roof, which had leaks. Rev. Thomas Matondo, parish priest oversaw the memorial service. The event included guests of the community including Larry Lof of the historical commission and artist Mark Clark of Brownsville. Clark donated some of his paintings, which
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The City of La Feria received plenty of goodies over the Christmas holiday. In fact it’s become a long-standing tradition for the local community. La Feria Fire Chief Rick Garcia has been with the volunteer fire department for nearly 20 years, and every year he helps pass out goody bags to area children and residents. “It’s actually a yearly tradition for over 20 years,” said Garcia. Fire trucks take to the streets announcing to area neighborhoods the goody bags were ready to be distributed. From there residents head to the fire department to gather up the tasty, holiday treats. The local fire department with the help of donations was able to distribute 500 free goody bags to the community. From candies to nuts, the goody bags bring much joy to families every holiday season.
Donations Still Needed
Inside the Santa Maria Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church will adorn the church. Also in attendance was Deacon Salvador Saldivar, who has many ties to the old church. Our Lady of Visitation is close to the deacon’s heart as he received his first communion at the church and was a lector there as well. He
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Outside shot of the Church has been a big advocate for much work before its doors the restoration project. And can be opened for mass. although the roof has been re“The church is empty now,” placed, the church still needs said Saldivar. “We want to restore it as it was originally.” The Deacon believes the communities of Santa Maria and Bluetown will be able to utilize this church once again in several months. The old
Kids pose with Santa Claus and their goody bags church closed its doors back in 1972. “We are in desperate need of funds,” added Saldivar. “We need to put in electricity, air conditioning and other important items.”
For those interested, please send in donations care of Salvador Saldivar, P.O. Box 132, Santa Maria, TX, 78592. For more information regarding donations please call (956) 565-6856 or 565-3269.
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