Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sandra Reyna in lockup 500 days since called stone cold
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 30, 2011
Sandra Reyna stood in Judge Letty Lopez's District court 389 on Monday Oct. 24. With Austin Reyna Contreas’ father in the courtroom, Polo Contreras, and Adan Acuna, the other defendant in the case, as they heard that jury selection would take place on Friday Oct. 28 and Oct. 31. Her lawyer and the lawyers representing the state agreed start the trial for the death of Austin Reyna Contreras on Wednesday November 2, 2011.
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| Sandra Reyna listening to Judge Lopez. |
Austin Contreras died on June 15, 2010 due to blunt trauma to the stomach. His mother was arrested on June 18 at the funeral home Austin was at before the funeral.
Reyna 27-years-old at the time of her arrest was escorted out of the Zavala Family Funeral Home and taken to a La Villa courtroom to be charged with the murder of her son Austin a 2-year-old.
Her boyfriend Adan Acuna was arrested and released on bond for the murder of the toddler.
The local media reported La Villa Chief of Police Eloy Cardenas describing Sandra Reyna as stone cold with a attitude that resembled day and night. Before Reyna’s arrest she was also reported to be a flight risk or having fled to Mexico.
Much has been said and reported on Sandra Reyna since her son’s death. She could have a defamation lawsuit for being called stone cold that is most of the time used for labeling killers as suggested by Cardenas. His comments my not have been malicious but as a leader in the community his prospective counts and is believable. The problem is it may not have been fair in saying Reyna was stone cold in the courtroom because on the day of her arrest she was reported that police offices struggled to hold her up as she cried out of her son’s funeral arrangements and time of mourning.
“He accidentally killed himself or he did it (Adan Acuna), as for my daughter I just cannot believe that, I can’t believe that she did it,” said Debbie Brennan, Sandra Reyna’s mother. “There is really no proof of them doing, either one, the only people that know is him [Adan Acnuna] and my daughter.”
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Going hyper local will gain visitors
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 23, 2011
My reporting has been very good and I know people are reading it but I am not gaining a following on the Internet. For the most part my blog where I have been posting my news information has been very idle. It peaked in April and has steadily been loosing traffic going into November.
My post in week three proved to have lot news information that was published in newsprint. The Valleywood Magazine had some very good new reports that deserve follow-ups and even investigations into the stories. All that have steamed from my blog where each of the reports have multimedia and video presention.
The Weslaco School district school board has been working on a resolution to reset its regular school board elections from May to November. A Senate Bill offered the change to school districts and municipalities but what the change would do is extend the school board members terms, which would void the upcoming election in May—giving the electorate an election moratorium for school board elections until 2014. Even though I didn’t get any feed back on the story there is so much more to look into. And there is information that is still out there that deserves to be reported to the voters of the City of Weslaco.
Mercedes City Commissioner Dianna Tovar is in her second term. In late September at the City’s last city council meeting for the month she read a resignation letter and wished the City of Mercedes all the best. She then walked out on the council and the voters that had elected her as their voice. A lot of tension had built up from issues the council had been dealing with that could have moved her to want to quit. One particular issues was the Wally Prado War Memorial. Tovar had been working for the city to bring the city a monument commerating the city’s son that won a Silver Star in the Vietnam War. The Wally Prado issue has caused a lot dissent in the community as from wanting to have a street named after him in his honor to and commissioning an eight-foot statue saluting his glory.
My report got good review but what readers really liked was the satire cartoon of Tovar and Mercedes Mayor Henry Hinojosa on Tovar resigning and then deciding not to leave the council. Tons of people read the story in new print told me how much they enjoyed the cartoon and told me so many times.
Google Analytics has showed that my website is not gaining a good following. I benched marked he site and showed that it had peaked with more that 10 viewers in April through August. The site has dwindled throughout the end of September and October. I feel that the only thing that can help gain visitors to my site is producing news content consistently with hyper local news covering business and politics and community life and entertainment at a faster pace with multimedia content.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
News Project on Investigative Reporting in the RGV
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 16, 2011
Newspapers have seen the decline in investigative reporting. Already newspapers across the country have put their paper to bed indefinitely like in Colorado's Rocky Mountain News or Philadelphia’s Inquirer and the New York Times has recently announced the downsizing of close to 2,000 jobs at the Times.
Is investigative journalism dead, Why aren't daily newspapers or weekly and monthly publications not investigating or challenging power through the press?
In 2006 esteemed author and journalist, Bob Woodward visited the Rio Grande Valley's University of Texas - Pan American to talk about Bush and the War on Iraq. He was one of the reporters that broke the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Nixon. One blogger said I wonder what Woodward might find if he started digging in the Rio Grande Valley. The blogger went on to say that local media does not pay to uncover anything important as Watergate.
My project will work to report on investigative work to address the need for investigative journalism in the Rio Grande Valley. My research will consist of looking at the current publications and reviewing their editorial content for investigative reports for sixteen weeks.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Commissioner Tovar resigned and then rescinded
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 12, 2011
At the start of last meeting in September Dianna Tovar read a letter that she was resigning from the commission and she then got up and walked out.
On the following Monday on September 26 the Mercedes City council met for a special meeting to discuss in executive session to accept or deny Tovar’s resignation.
By then Tovar had already made up her mind again that she wanted to rescind her resignation and continue on with her duty as a Mercedes City Commissioner.
During the Special meeting Commissioner Rudy Rodriguez made the motion to accept their decision to reconcile Tovar and it was second by Commissioner Leonard Garcia.
“Mayor Hinojosa asked Dianna to give a statement at the Special meeting and she said no I don’t want to do it I want to do it in front of the people that I walked out on,” said Vernon Hoover a Mercedes resident. “I asked Dianna if she was in or out because they never even said if she was reinstated or not.”
Hoover said she asked Tovar for a brief on what caused her to publish a letter of resignation and walk out of City Hall and the Voters of Mercedes in September. According to Hoover she told him he would have to come to the next city council meeting to hear her reasons for wanting to resign.
“At Tuesday night’s council meeting all that was said was by the mayor that she had not resigned,” Hoover said. “I stayed to the end of the executive session to see if she would give a brief statement and she never did.
“If she would have just said I made a hasty decision because of one of the articles that was brought up and I ask you to forgive me or a brief statement that I didn’t give a formal resignation, and I believe if she had done some thing like that it would have been dropped and that would have been the end of it.
Former Mercedes City Commissioner David Garza said he was at the meeting when she resigned and that her resignation is a joke to the commission.
“She pulled some kind of temper tantrum and all of a sudden she wants back in,” Garza said. “There was sixty people that saw what she did, she resigned in public and I mean that has got to be worth something.”
Garza said the resignation letter only said the commission was going in a direction that she couldn’t go and that they were wrong and she was right.
“She resigned in public and she turned her letter in and the whole valley knows she resigned.
Some of the reasons that may have caused her to resign were the disagreement from local war veterans against her work on a new memorial in honor of Wally Prado a Silver Star decorated Vietnam Veteran. The recent decisions the council made on the ambulance services and engineering firm that were voted on in September.
When asked to comment on the issue of her resignation she said come to the next meeting to hear my statement.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sandra Reyna case reset
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 12, 2011
The Capital Murder trial for Sandra Leilani Reyna has been reset again to Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. in Judge Letty Lopez’s District: 389 Court. She has been in jail close to 500 days in Hidalgo County for the death of her two-year-old son Austin Reyna Contreras.
Austin Contreras died on June 15, 2010 due to blunt trauma to the stomach. His mother was arrested on June 18 at the funeral home Austin was at before the funeral.
Mission resident Debbie Brennan is the mother of Sandra Reyna and said Sandy just wants to get out and mourn her sons life and to get on with her life.
“If it was an accident we’re understanding,” said Debbie Brennan. “We already had one lost life and we don’t want to put anybody away for ever or anything, we’re not that type of people we are a forgiving family.
“I’m exhausted and I’m tired,” the mother said. “I just want the truth out and just let my daughter go.”
Brennan said Reyna’s bond was set for 900,000 dollars and Adan Acuna the other defendant is out on a 100,000 dollar bond. Acuna was the last person with Austin when he was alive.
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| Sandra and Austin Reyna Contreras |
The Capital Murder trial for Sandra Leilani Reyna has been reset again to Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. in Judge Letty Lopez’s District: 389 Court. She has been in jail close to 500 days in Hidalgo County for the death of her two-year-old son Austin Reyna Contreras.
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| Sandra Reyna |
Austin Contreras died on June 15, 2010 due to blunt trauma to the stomach. His mother was arrested on June 18 at the funeral home Austin was at before the funeral.
Mission resident Debbie Brennan is the mother of Sandra Reyna and said Sandy just wants to get out and mourn her sons life and to get on with her life.
“If it was an accident we’re understanding,” said Debbie Brennan. “We already had one lost life and we don’t want to put anybody away for ever or anything, we’re not that type of people we are a forgiving family.
“I’m exhausted and I’m tired,” the mother said. “I just want the truth out and just let my daughter go.”
Brennan said Reyna’s bond was set for 900,000 dollars and Adan Acuna the other defendant is out on a 100,000 dollar bond. Acuna was the last person with Austin when he was alive.
County Commission honors local soldier’s valor
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 12, 2011
The Rio Grande lost two of its sons in the War on Terrorism in the month of September.
Army Sgt. Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr. of Pharr died September 14, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit.
Army Staff Sgt. Estevan Altamirano of Edcouch died in Tikrit, Iraq, serving his county in a non combat accident on September 18, 2011. His body was received by his family on September 27 in McAllen with a heros welcome.
Altamirano enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school at Edcouch-Elsa in 1999.
His heros welcome was televised and showed the community coming together across Hidalgo County in honor of giving the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country.
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| The Hidalgo County Commission gave a Resolution to Sgt. Estevan Altamirano’s family in honor of his service to his country. From L-R Adam Altamirano, Juanita Altamirano, Lorenzo Altamirano and Pablo Gutirerrez received the honor on Oct. 4. |
The Rio Grande lost two of its sons in the War on Terrorism in the month of September.
Army Sgt. Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr. of Pharr died September 14, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit.
Army Staff Sgt. Estevan Altamirano of Edcouch died in Tikrit, Iraq, serving his county in a non combat accident on September 18, 2011. His body was received by his family on September 27 in McAllen with a heros welcome.
Altamirano enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school at Edcouch-Elsa in 1999.
His heros welcome was televised and showed the community coming together across Hidalgo County in honor of giving the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country.
Cuellar starts campaign for county commissioner
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 12, 2011
Already people around the Mid-Valley in Donna, Edcouch, Mercedes, Weslaco, Elsa, Monte Also and parts of Alamo can see the huge effort A.C. Cuellar’s political yard signs, billboards and trailers are making for his bid to be the next person to be elected to a four year term as Hidalgo County Precinct One’s County Commissioner since 1996.
“I’m very excited to see all these people here to help us crank up our campaign.” A.C. Cuellar said. “I see a lot of excitement and a lot of momentum and we plan to keep it up all the way to March the 6th 2012.”
Cuellar held his campaign kick-off party on September 14. It was open to the public and people and supporters for A.C. Cuellar just kept pouring into the Catholic War Veterans Hall in Weslaco that evening to show their support for him as he put his political campaign for Hidalgo County Commissioner for Precinct One’s seat into motion.
He greeted and welcomed his supporters at the door, took photos with them as he strolled through the hall.
Many people and supporters enjoyed food and dance on the night Cuellar officially announce his candidacy for commissioner.
Interim County Judge Rene Ramirez accepted Sylvia Handy’s resignation on March 12, 2010 and appointed Cuellar as her replacement on March 16, 2010.
Cuellar is up against incumbent Joel Quintanilla who was elected on Nov. 2 2010 to serve the remainder of Sylvia Handy’s four year term that Expires on December 2011.
Sylvia Handy plead guilty to tax fraud and harboring illegal immigrants and a federal judge sentenced her to 2.5 years for not admitting to crimes.
“I’m very excited to see all these people here to help us crank up our campaign.” A.C. Cuellar said. “I see a lot of excitement and a lot of momentum and we plan to keep it up all the way to March the 6th 2012.”
Cuellar held his campaign kick-off party on September 14. It was open to the public and people and supporters for A.C. Cuellar just kept pouring into the Catholic War Veterans Hall in Weslaco that evening to show their support for him as he put his political campaign for Hidalgo County Commissioner for Precinct One’s seat into motion.
He greeted and welcomed his supporters at the door, took photos with them as he strolled through the hall.
Many people and supporters enjoyed food and dance on the night Cuellar officially announce his candidacy for commissioner.
Interim County Judge Rene Ramirez accepted Sylvia Handy’s resignation on March 12, 2010 and appointed Cuellar as her replacement on March 16, 2010.
Cuellar is up against incumbent Joel Quintanilla who was elected on Nov. 2 2010 to serve the remainder of Sylvia Handy’s four year term that Expires on December 2011.
Sylvia Handy plead guilty to tax fraud and harboring illegal immigrants and a federal judge sentenced her to 2.5 years for not admitting to crimes.
Occupy Wall Street’s protest found its way to the capitol of Texas’ city hall doors
By Raul Garcia Jr. / Oct. 12, 2011
Protesters from around the country and public figures have occupied downtown Manhattan for three weeks and the first week of October saw cities across the country applying the same pressure from protesters that are coming together against economic inequality, against corporate greed and against the War on Terrorism.
Urban cities like Austin, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, De Monise, Iowa, San Francisco and Oakland are some of the twenty-five cities around the country that joined the demonstration of protestors against billionaires, big oil and big bankers.
Entertainment artists that have joined the protest are Michael Moore, Kanye West, Russel Simmons, Susan Sarandan, Tom Morello, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tim Robbins and Mark Ruffalo are just some of the celebrities and public figures that joined protesters that were calling to end the Federal Reserve and bringing back Democracy to the United States of America.
According to the President Wilson’s Library website, “Thus as President Wilson on that December evening signed the Federal Reserve bill into law, a new ‘creature’ was born. A unique creature, it was neither government nor private but part of both.’ The Federal Reserve Act, which established the Federal Reserve System, was to consist of 12 regional banks, privately owned by member banks, but governed and regulated by a president-appointed and Senate-confirmed Federal Reserve Board.”
On Monday Oct. 10 Mayor Bloomburg of New York City said he would allow the protesters to demonstrate indefinitely if they abide by the law.
According to wikipedia, “In mid-2011, the Canadian-based group Adbusters Media Foundation, best known for its advertisement-free anti-consumerist magazine called Adbusters, proposed a peaceful occupation of Wall Street to protest corporate influence on democracy, address a growing disparity in wealth, and the absence of legal repercussions behind the recent global financial crisis.”
For the most part the main stream media has not covered the protests or has dismissed the drum beat of thousands of voices and critical mass that includes many different political backgrounds including liberals, political independents, socialists, conservatives, anarchists, and libertarians.
Protesters from around the country and public figures have occupied downtown Manhattan for three weeks and the first week of October saw cities across the country applying the same pressure from protesters that are coming together against economic inequality, against corporate greed and against the War on Terrorism.
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| Photo by Chris Kelly |
Urban cities like Austin, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, De Monise, Iowa, San Francisco and Oakland are some of the twenty-five cities around the country that joined the demonstration of protestors against billionaires, big oil and big bankers.
Entertainment artists that have joined the protest are Michael Moore, Kanye West, Russel Simmons, Susan Sarandan, Tom Morello, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tim Robbins and Mark Ruffalo are just some of the celebrities and public figures that joined protesters that were calling to end the Federal Reserve and bringing back Democracy to the United States of America.
According to the President Wilson’s Library website, “Thus as President Wilson on that December evening signed the Federal Reserve bill into law, a new ‘creature’ was born. A unique creature, it was neither government nor private but part of both.’ The Federal Reserve Act, which established the Federal Reserve System, was to consist of 12 regional banks, privately owned by member banks, but governed and regulated by a president-appointed and Senate-confirmed Federal Reserve Board.”
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| Photo By Chris kELLY |
On Monday Oct. 10 Mayor Bloomburg of New York City said he would allow the protesters to demonstrate indefinitely if they abide by the law.
According to wikipedia, “In mid-2011, the Canadian-based group Adbusters Media Foundation, best known for its advertisement-free anti-consumerist magazine called Adbusters, proposed a peaceful occupation of Wall Street to protest corporate influence on democracy, address a growing disparity in wealth, and the absence of legal repercussions behind the recent global financial crisis.”
For the most part the main stream media has not covered the protests or has dismissed the drum beat of thousands of voices and critical mass that includes many different political backgrounds including liberals, political independents, socialists, conservatives, anarchists, and libertarians.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Political news and investigative journalism in the Rio Grande Valley
Sunday, October 2, 2011
An intro into the investigative journalism of RGV news media and electoral politics
By Raul Garcia Jr / Oct. 2, 2011
With so many news organizations in the Rio Grande Valley aside from the daily news and news channels its difficult to believe there are not as many investigative reports that dig past the surface of covering the news and pressing the elected officials on whats really going on.
In the last five years South Texas politics has seen county a commissioner, state representatives, district judges and school board members violating their oath and committing crimes with their power for monetary gain.
I plan to write a series of news articles with follow ups and investigative features on the local electoral politics while measuring the local media's reporting and investigative journalism in the Rio Grande Valley.
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