Continue reading »]]> By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

The San Benito Lady Greyhounds are seen with their prom tiaras on Saturday after defeating Eagle Pass.
(KSBG TV photo by Isabel Alicia Gomez)

LAREDO – The rain went away, but unfortunately, it’s the game that will come another day.

With rains in the Laredo area all day Friday, the Region-IV final between the Lady ’Hounds (33-2) and Smithson Valley (23-7) was in doubt because of poor field conditions. However, the diligent work of the United ISD field maintenance crew turned up a very playable field so it appeared it was “Game on.”

Not so fast.

The umpires selected for the game by the UIL, based out of Corpus Christi, did not show for the game and were under the assumption that the game was on Saturday. All the while, the teams warmed up and were ready for a supposed 9 p.m. start time.

At 9:30 p.m., the officials contacted the umpire crew, which was still in Alice, almost two hours away. Officials were forced to call the game and postpone it until Saturday at 12 p.m., leaving players, coaches, fans and everyone else disappointed.

“Everybody out here worked their tails off to get this field ready. Everybody was on board and wanted to play the game, and we don’t have any officials,” San Benito High School athletic director Spencer Gantt said. “The officials thought the game was Saturday.”

A huge San Benito crowd, along with a good number of Smithson Valley fans, booed loudly as the SAC public address announcer notified them that the game was postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

“We drove all this way for nothing,” said San Benito fan Hector Gonzalez. “We’re all disappointed. I hope this doesn’t affect the girls.”

The game will begin Saturday at 12 p.m. Officials said ticket stubs from Friday’s game will be honored at the make-up.

Continue reading »]]> By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

Alfonso Obregon

One is in and the other is out.

During the special board meeting of the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees on Thursday, May 23, trustees voted 4-3 in favor of placing Antonio G. Limón on paid administrative leave as the district’s superintendent. Also, the board – in another split decision – voted 4-3 in favor of hiring former Robstown ISD superintendent Alfonso Obregon to serve as SBCISD’s interim super.

“I went ahead and contacted TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) and I asked them to give me recommendations,” Board President Yliana Gonzalez (formerly Yliana G. Rodriguez) said after the meeting on the process in which Obregon was selected. “I asked them to give me recommendations of retired superintendents, or just superintendents that they would recommend here within Region 1 and the San Antonio region, Corpus Christi region. That was one of the names that stood out with his extensive experience.”

“So I think that would be something that the district could work with,” Gonzalez added. “It is on a temporary basis as an interim. That’s what an interim entails. It’s just a temporary arrangement.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 26 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Continue reading »]]> By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of San Benito was Vice President of Immigrant Youth Services for Southwest Key, Alexia Rodriguez, who addressed Rotarians in the meeting room at Blanquita’s Mexican Restaurant.

Rodriguez updated those in attendance on the happenings with the newly restored former Dolly Vinsant Memorial Hospital, which has now opened as a shelter for undocumented children headed by Southwest Key.

A nonprofit organization, Southwest Key officially began operations last week at the former hospital, dubbed Casa Rio Grande, and the former facility known as Twinbrooke South, dubbed Casa Antigua. The buildings will be utilized to help children between the ages of 10 through 17 years who have crossed the border into the US by themselves and helps them locate their families while providing a shelter for them.

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 26 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Continue reading »]]>

Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Sanchez is seen shaking hands with San Benito High School Tennis Coach Dan Hirst as his team looks on. Sanchez visited with the team at the high school tennis court on Thursday to express his appreciation for the athletes sending him a care package and personalized letters. Those shown with the airman in the group photo include (top row, left to right) his father and SBHS Assistant Principal Henry Sanchez, Vicky Sanchez (Matthew’s mother), Assist. Coach Jose Torres, Catalina Hernandez, Cristina Estrella, Christopher Perez, Marco Vega, Esteban Casas, Ivan Prado, Daniel Garcia, Gabriel Mendez, Victor Guerrero, Fernando Garcia, Hirst and Nicholas Sanchez (Mathew’s brother). At bottom (left to right), Elise Garcia, Melissa De Los Santos, Astrid Gonzalez, Brittany Mendez, Matthew Sanchez, David Mendoza and Elizabeth Medina are seen. (Photos by Francisco E. Jimenez and Cecilia Gonzales)

By CECILIA GONZALES and DAVID LOPEZ
Special to the NEWS

Upon arriving home, U.S. soldiers tend to have family and friends to look forward to, but Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Sanchez was sure to make visiting the San Benito High School Tennis team a priority on Thursday.

The team gifted Sanchez with a care package, which included personalized letters from the students and coach plus additional items such as snacks and hygiene products.

“Despite the various groups of people who sent me care packages, these students actually wrote to me with intentional prayers, which made them the group who I felt the most personal tie to,” Sanchez said.

The favor was returned when Sanchez rewarded the students’ generosity with quite the honor: an American flag signed by his aircrew, including his best friend, who perished in combat. He also presented the team a picture of the aircraft he was involved with and another member of his platoon.

“My best friend’s death marked the most significant event of my tour in Afghanistan, so I decided to present the flag as a token of gratitude,” he said. “That flag meant more to me than anything I brought back from Afghanistan.”

The idea for adopting a soldier came when tennis coach Dan Hirst spoke with the airman’s father, Assistant Principal Henry Sanchez, in an emotional exchange.

“I was on my way to talk to Mr. Sanchez about regular business, but he looked pretty stern and solemn when I came in,” said coach Hirst. “After waiting, he said, ‘Sorry, but my son is in Afghanistan.’ We went on about regular business, but afterwards, the idea just came to me. My kids loved the idea, and later Mr. Sanchez gave me his son’s address.”

The students wrote to Matthew regarding their gratitude for his services and their concerns for his safety.

“It was an amazing feeling being able to comfort one of our soldiers coming over from Afghanistan,” said Tennis Team Captain Brittany Mendez. “I was really surprised and grateful that he came to visit us and for us being able to thank him in person for everything he has done.”

Sanchez is getting ready to ship off to Georgia, where he will be stationed for the next three months before his next deployment.

Editor’s Note: Cecilia Gonzales and David Lopez are senior journalism students at San Benito High School. In the fall, Lopez plans to attend Emerson College in Boston to study journalism while Gonzales will attend the University of Texas in Austin, where she will also study journalism.

Continue reading »]]> By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
edi...@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

The events that transpired in San Benito this week exhibited the best and the worst of what this community has to offer. It appeared as though one day we were all jumping for joy in celebration of another appearance of the San Benito Lady ’Hounds in the Elite Eight regional finals, and the next day many of us wished we lived in a different city when the fallout of Antonio G. Limón’s suspension as San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools was nearly too much to stomach.

It suffices to say that there are some despicable and outright disgusting people in this town. Make no mistake, I don’t have a problem stating as much especially when considering the mean-spirited and downright vile things said about Limón, his daughter, SBCISD Board President Yliana Gonzalez and other trustees involved in Thursday’s 4-3 vote to place Limón on paid administrative leave.

Still, my question to the school board is no longer why the majority – four trustees that includes Gonzales, Vice President Julian Huerta and his sister and fellow trustee Fatima Huerta as well as Secretary June Aguilera – suspended the superintendent. After all, Limón decided to divulge as much to the San Benito News on Friday based on the advice of his attorney. What remains to be seen is whether or not citizens believe that Limón attempted to obstruct the online solicitation of a minor investigation into former Berta Cabaza Middle School Choir Director Alfredo Hernandez, Jr. – as the now ex-superintendent informed was the allegation levied against him by the board and the cause for his suspension.

What I’m curious about is why these trustees couldn’t foresee the backlash that would accompany Limón’s sudden ousting, and if it was indeed expected (unless they forgot where they lived) did the board do its best to avoid it by opting for an amicable split? One way or another, the handling of this situation was a massive failure that has further incited an already-divided community on a scale not seen since…well, since the last superintendent was fired.

For argument’s sake, let’s just say the super’s suspension was warranted and has been for some time. Options available to school board members largely depend on the language in said administrator’s contract, not to mention the remainder of the term. Oh yeah, the pay is kind of important too, especially for a poor school district. Ya know…

Anyway, after taking these very practical matters into consideration and deciding whether it’s a matter worth addressing immediately or once the contract expires, school board members would then consult their attorney and eventually engage in severance package negotiations or a separation agreement of some sort with the unwanted superintendent. It may also be important that the outgoing employee help with the new administration’s transition.

In a perfect world, maybe.

But San Benito ain’t perfect, nor does it claim to be. Still, that doesn’t mean chaos should ensue. If waiting a week meant giving Limón the opportunity to hand his daughter her diploma at graduation and saving the board from the horrible fate of being branded bullies who victimized the poor superintendent and his daughter, then do it. Unless the man is under investigation for committing a crime of some sort and his mere presence puts the district in immediate danger, it’s difficult not to believe that this was personal.

I’m not necessarily agreeing with the notion that Limón’s suspension was as a result of a vendetta against him by the board majority. I’m merely pointing out the fact that this is how it looks. As leaders of an institution tasked with the education of the community’s children, setting the right example means everything. Considering as much, I’d like to conclude this with my own evaluation of the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees: Ladies and gentlemen, it’s your duty to represent the district in a manner that advocates success, professionalism and transparency. In that regard, you have thus far failed miserably.

Thank God for the Lady ’Hounds. Were it not for the softball team, there’d be little to cheer about in San Benito.

Continue reading »]]> Date: May 27
Time: 8:45 a.m.
Event: Memorial Day and Silent March of Veterans
Where: Beginning at San Benito City Hall, 495 N. Sam Houston Blvd., and ending at the Veterans War Memorial
More Info: (956) 361-3800

Date: May 28-June 6
Event: Registration for the San Benito Public Library Summer Reading Program
Where: San Benito Public Library, 101 W. Rose St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 361-3860

Date: May 30
Time: 6 p.m.
Event: San Benito Historical Society Preservation and Pizza Party
Where: San Benito Community Building, 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito
More Info: toot...@yahoo.com or Rhia...@gmail.com

Date: May 30
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center presents: Ricardo Mejia
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 367-0335 or (956) 571- 3325

Date: June 3
Time: 7 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: June 7-28
Event: San Benito Public Library Summer Reading Program
Where: San Benito Public Library, 101 W. Rose St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 361-3860

Date: June 8
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Event: Remembering Nora Walkathon; proceeds to benefit the Family Crisis Center, Inc., the Crime Victims Compensation Program and scholarships in the memory of Nora L. Saucedo
Where: Heavin Memorial Park, San Benito
More Info: (254) 548-4918

Date: June 15
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Event: Market Day
Where: Plaza de San Benito, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5321

Date: June 15
Event: Movies in the Park
Where: W.H. Heavin Amphitheater on the resaca in San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5590

Date: June 22
Time: 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Event: Kids Fishing Tournament
Where: W.H. Heavin Resaca Trail in San Benito; weigh-in station at Kennedy Park, 400 Freddy Fender Ln., San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5321

Date: June 22
Time: TBA
Event: 13th Annual Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Ceremony
Where: TBA
More Info: (956) 245-1666

Date: June 27
Time: 6 p.m.
Event: San Benito Historical Society Preservation and Pizza Party
Where: San Benito Community Building, 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito
More Info: toot...@yahoo.com or Rhia...@gmail.com

Date: July 3
Time: 7 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: July 6
Time: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Event: ResacaFest 2013
Where: W.H. Heavin Resaca Trail in San Benito
More Info: (956) 361-3800

Date: July 20
Event: Movies in the Park
Where: W.H. Heavin Amphitheater on the resaca in San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5590

Date: August 5
Time: 7 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: August 17
Event: Movies in the Park
Where: W.H. Heavin Amphitheater on the resaca in San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5590

Date: September 2
Time: 7 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: September 21
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Event: Market Day
Where: Plaza de San Benito, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5321

Date: October 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: October 19
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Event: Market Day in downtown San Benito
Where: Plaza de San Benito, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 399-5321

Date: November 4
Time: 7 p.m.
Event: Narciso Martinez Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: Monday-Friday
Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Event: Starz School of Dance Registration
Where: 115 N. Williams Rd., San Benito
More Info: (956) 361-7827

Date: Monday – Friday
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Event: Volunteers Sought
Where: Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley Inc.
More Info: (956) 682-8101

Date: Monday – Friday
Time: 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Event: Recycling
Where: Paper Recycling Center, City Service Center, 925 W. Stenger, San Benito

Date: Every Third Monday
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Event: Friends of the Library
Where: San Benito Public Library, 101 W. Rose St.
More Info: (956) 456-2960

Date: Every First Tuesday
Event: Writers Forum
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 255 E. Stenger St., San Benito
More Info: (956) 350-3905

Date: Every Second Tuesday
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Event: South Texas United Auto Workers Retiree Meetings
Where: 1509 Morgan Blvd., Harlingen

Date: Every Second Tuesday
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Event: Cancer Support Group
Where: 4501 S. Expressway 83, Harlingen
More Info: (956) 399-3860

Date: Every Second Saturday
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Event: The Valley Byliners
Where: Harlingen Public Library, 410 ’76 Dr., 1:30 p.m.
More Info: (956) 399-8505, rgvbyliners.org

Date: Every Third Tuesday
Event: Fuerza Workers Rights Meetings
Where: South Texas Adult Resource Training (START) Center, San Benito

Date: Every Third Wednesday
Event: Des Moines, Iowa East High School Meetings
Where: Junction Care, Corner of Cage (US 281) and Park Street, Pharr
More Info: (956) 781-6611

Date: Every Last Wednesday
Event: TIFA (Texas Inmate Families Association) Chapter Meetings
Where: South Texas Adult Resource Training (START) Center, San Benito

Date: Every Friday
Event: Story Time at the Library for Head Start students
Where: San Benito Public Library, 101 W. Rose St.
More Info: (956) 361-3860

Date: Monthly
Event: Tunes by the Trail
More Info: (956) 361-3800

Date: Monthly
Event: Chamber of Commerce Pride Beautification Committee meeting
More Info: (956) 399-5763

Date: Ongoing
Event: Volunteers Sought
Where: Amenity Hospice, Inc.
More Info: (956) 361-5100

Date: Ongoing
Event: Mentors Sought
Where: Valley International Community Development Corporation
More Info: (956) 399-3777

Date: Ongoing
Event: Migrant Head Start Recruitment
Where: Head Start, La Paloma
More Info: (956) 399-6046

Continue reading »]]> By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
edi...@sbnewspaper.com

Antonio G. Limón

Antonio G. Limón said he was suspended as the San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools for what he called a “ridiculous” accusation of attempting to block an investigation involving the former Berta Cabaza Middle School Choir Director, Alfredo Hernandez, Jr., for online solicitation of a minor.

Hernandez emailed BCMS Principal William Snavely at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2012 announcing his resignation as the school’s choir director following his arrest for soliciting a 12-year-old Harlingen girl on Facebook. As previously reported by the San Benito News, charges levied against Hernandez stem from allegations that he attempted to lure the girl out of her parents’ house to meet.

The victim’s mother reportedly alerted authorities when she learned of the

Alfredo Hernandez, Jr.

situation and informed that Hernandez had allegedly contacted the 12-year-old on Facebook. Harlingen police believe Hernandez allegedly called himself “Freddy Love” on Facebook to lure the minor out of her home and rendezvous in Harlingen to take part in “illicit sexual conduct.”

Despite his suspension being discussed in closed session at Thursday evening’s special meeting of the Board of Trustees, Limón said he decided to divulge the cause of his suspension as per his attorney, Gus Acevedo’s advice.

“They suspended me because they were claiming that I had done something to obstruct the investigation,” Limón said of the Hernandez case. “In fact, I informed legal counsel from O’Hanlon (the law firm serving the district at the time of the incident), and when I ran it by him he said we were not an investigative unit and if we find evidence that he (Hernandez) did that (soliciting a minor) in our district to turn it over to Harlingen PD.”

The now ex-superintendent said he believed that was the end of it.

“Just a few months ago someone tells the DA’s office that we are holding all this information and hadn’t turned it in.”

The information Limón is referring to he insisted was handed over to Harlingen police, further noting that the department’s chief was aware of as much and confirmed being in possession of said information but only after discovering the information had been held by an officer unbeknownst to the chief.

“They turned it over to the DA; everything we had went over to the DA’s office,” Limón said. “So now all of a sudden a week before graduation I get suspended because I was supposedly trying to block an investigation? We did everything correctly. We thought it was a closed case. Why is this in question now if they’ve had these concerns already? Why did they have to suspend me?”

“Their response was, ‘Well, we’re going to a conference after graduation and won’t have time to call a meeting.’ Give me a break,” a distraught Limón contended. “It is ridiculous to put me through this ridicule and embarrassment over a personal vendetta from these four board members.”

The board members Limón was referring to include Board President Yliana Gonzalez (formerly Yliana G. Rodriguez), Vice President Julian Huerta, Secretary June Aguilera and trustee Fatima Huerta — all of whom voted in favor of placing Limón, whose annual salary is $162,000, on paid administrative leave Thursday evening with trustees Anna Cruz, Oscar Medrano and Hector Leal opposing the action.

“They’re just trying to hurt me where the can hurt me the most,” Limón said, referring to his daughter’s, a San Benito High School senior, graduation ceremony on Friday, June 7. Limón has alleged that the timing of his suspension was to prevent him from being on stage to hand his daughter her diploma. When asked if he planned on seeking legal action, Limón said it was “too early to tell.”

Six of the seven board members did not comment at Thursday’s meeting; Gonzalez, however, said, “I can’t discuss this matter. It was discussed in executive session and it’s going to remain confidential.”

Other action taken at Thursday’s meeting included the approval of Alfonso Obregon, who retired as superintendent of Robstown ISD in summer 2012, as San Benito CISD’s interim superintendent.

Continue reading »]]>

The San Benito Lady Greyhound varsity softball team is shown Monday outside the dugout at the squad’s home field. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

“Just make my girls look good,” an elated Elias Martinez, head softball coach for the Elite Eight bound San Benito Lady Greyhounds, joked on Tuesday.

Mission already accomplished.

To showcase a team that has not once but twice stood alone as the only Rio Grande Valley varsity softball squad to reach the regional finals, otherwise known as the Elite Eight, one only needs to consider San Benito’s 33-2 record. Still, when asked what he attributes to his team’s success – a question Martinez has answered repeatedly over the years – the longtime Lady ’Hound skipper remained his usual modest self.

“It’s a lot of hard work from the girls and the coaches,” he said of the Valley’s last softball team standing in the playoffs, this after defeating the number two-state ranked San Antonio O’Connor Lady Panthers, 3-2, on Friday. “It’s the girls’ willingness to learn, to be coached, their willingness to be there. When we go out there we work, but we try to have fun with it also. The girls are always out there with a positive attitude, having a good time learning and executing what we’re trying to do. They’ve been very coachable.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 22 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Continue reading »]]> By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

Melanie Ramirez of the San Benito Lady Greyhounds is seen at Friday evening’s game against the San Antonio O’Connor Lady Panthers. (KSBG TV photo by Isabel Alicia Gomez)

In spite of all of the Elite Eight hoopla surrounding them, the San Benito Lady ’Hounds know there’s a game to be played.

And with a victory, the first trip to the UIL state tournament.

That’s been the focus this week for San Benito (33-2) which returns to the Student Activity Center in Laredo, this time for the Region-IV 5A final one-game playoff against Smithson Valley (23-7) on Friday night.

“We told the girls that at this stage, there are a lot of interview requests, photographs and stuff like that,” Lady ’Hound skipper Elias Martinez said. “Even though we were here two years ago, they’re enjoying this because opportunities like this don’t come around very often.

That said, we told them not to forget why we’re here – to advance,” Martinez added. “So we told them not to get too distracted with the hoopla and just to stay focused on our purpose.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 22 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Continue reading »]]> By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

Evangelina Camilla Perez

A San Benito woman has been arrested for allegedly making false claims about her boyfriend.

San Benito police officers said Evangelina Camilla Perez, 25, of San Benito was taken into custody at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Perez had a warrant for her arrest issued by the City of San Benito Municipal Court for a false report stemming from an alleged assault reported in April.

According to police, wounds that Perez said were caused by her boyfriend were allegedly self-inflicted.

“Apparently she did it with the intent of having him arrested,” said Detective Rogelio Banda, Jr. of the San Benito Police Department. “They were going through some problems in their relationship, and one of the parties was making threats as far as leaving the other. There was a big dispute among them, and he was arrested for aggravated assault because she scratched herself and told the officers that he had placed a knife against her throat to end the argument.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 22 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.