MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 | The Monitor, www.themonitor.com 3A VALLEY & STATE

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“We at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys recognize, more than ever, the value of local journalism. Our community depends on steady and reliable voices to report the facts. Please join J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys in supporting local journalism by reading The Monitor in print and at www.themonitor.com for round-the-clock Coronavirus updates. Stay safe!” ~J. GONZALEZ A family gatherer, Alicia Ortiz’s death leaves family with void BY FRANCISCO GUAJARDO “She was born through there for us too, for me consistency of Alicia’s SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR a midwife in Mercedes, and for the younger kids. selfl essness. Texas, on March 6, 1963,” She helped my parents There is no consola- The day Alicia Ortiz Art said. raise the younger kids.” tion here, because Art de- died on July 16, 2020, all of She was 57 years old “Maybe the biggest loss scribes a palpable void. a sudden the Dallas Cow- when COVID-19 took her. is that she was always “It’s emotional. It’s been boys didn’t seem to matter the rank-and-fi le of the six It’s been a hard time for there to listen,” Art said. more than half a year, but quite so much. That’s the Ortiz children was clear. the family. “If you needed someone we’re still dealing with her assessment of Art Ortiz, Her brothers loved her, “So much loss,” Art said. to talk to, you could al- loss. We’re not over it,” Art Alicia’s brother and some- and they followed her: to “We lost Alicia, but we also ways count on Alicia to said. one who bore close wit- watch the Cowboys, to lost my uncle to COVID, listen.” Que en paz descanse Ali- ness to his big sister’s life. come for Thanksgiving, and we also lost his son.” Alicia leaves two daugh- cia Ortiz. Rest in peace. “Alicia used to rally us to celebrate Christmas. The losses have multi- ters and four grandchil- together. She’d get us to Alicia led, and the family plied in the most unfor- dren, but she also left a Francisco Guajardo, chief go to my parents’ house followed. giving way. In Alicia’s case, generous spirit that was executive offi cer for the on Sundays to watch the “To watch the Cowboys, the virus took a woman clearly impactful. Museum of South Texas Cowboys,” Art said. “She she would tell me to bring unequivocally committed “My sister was the most History at 200 N. Closner loved the Cowboys and drinks and chips,” Art Courtesy photo to family. giving person. She sacri- Blvd. in Edinburg, au- found them as a good way said. “For Thanksgiving, Alicia Ortiz, right, died due to “When my mom was di- fi ced for others, that’s the thored this story as part of to bring all of us together.” she gave other assign- COVID-19 at the age of 57 in agnosed with lupus, Alicia memory and impact she an ongoing series entitled “This past football sea- ments, like to bring pie. 2020. looked after her every sin- leaves behind,” Art said. Bearing Witness. The son was different. I went She was the leader.” gle day. Years later Alicia The perpetual giver, museum’s effort aims to for maybe one game. It “This past Thanksgiv- took Mom to dialysis for Alicia’s last employment document some of the Rio just wasn’t the same with- ing, we got together, and Alicia wasn’t there,” Art about two or three years, was as a home health care Grande Valley lives lost out Alicia. Nobody ral- tried to keep the spirit, said. “She was the glue— the last years of my mom’s provider. to COVID-19. For more lied us to get there, it just and we kind of did. But selfl ess, generous, and the life,” Art said. “She took care of my information about the wasn’t the same,” Art said. Christmas was different, personality that brought “Alicia was always uncle,” said Art, mourn- museum, visit MOSTHis- Alicia’s leadership with a little less full, because us together.” there,” he said. “She was fully refl ecting on the tory.org. South Texas For Beto and Billy College kicks off president search BY MATT WILSON the board notes that ACCT STAFF WRITER has over 50 years of experi- ence and has successfully McALLEN — The South completed over 500 searches Texas College board of trust- for chief executive offi cers at ees approved the engage- community colleges across ment of an organization to the nation. assist with the college’s search “We appreciate the sup- for a new president during a port of the board moving this Jan. 26 meeting. item forward,” Board Presi- For a price of $45,000, the dent Rose Benavidez said. “I Association of Community mentioned earlier, we are fi - College Trustees will help nalizing times and dates that the college fi nd a permanent I believe we will do here this replacement for founding week in order to meet with President Shirley Reed, who the group. Then the question offi cially retired at the begin- and items that we have for ning of January. this item to move forward, Among ACCT’s responsi- we will be able to do so. We’re bilities are candidate recruit- looking forward to everyone’s ment, processing of candi- participation and thank you date applications, reference for fi nally moving this item reports on up to three fi nal forward.” candidates, technical assis- The proposal also includes tance and preparation of can- a timeline for the search. didate review materials. See PRESIDENT | 4A Photos by Joel Martinez | [email protected] The proposal presented to Beto Carr walks past a mural of himself as Beto’s Boxing Club celebrates him and Billy Schwarz with speeches and a drive-by parade on Saturday in Mercedes. Mercedes legends celebrated with mural, drive-by parade Suspect in 2015 Mission BY EMILY D’GYVES that’s what needs to be STAFF WRITER done,” Stanley explained. double homicide set for To understand Beto’s dif- MERCEDES — Beto’s Box- fi cult decision, one needs to ing Club had an enormous rewind to 1977 — the begin- arraignment white wall. ning of his journey in ama- Had. teur boxing. Also a Korean BY MARK REAGAN steal more than 400 pounds Stanley Carr, 65, the son of War veteran with two Purple STAFF WRITER of marijuana a day after Mercedes legend Herberto Heart awards for his service, Christmas from a residence in “Beto” Carr, saw beauty in Stanley said that boxing had A 42-year-old man accused the 6100 block of Dario Street that wall, pondering what he a big impact on Beto. of participating in a drug rip in rural Mission. could do with the untouched “With what he’s gone that resulted in a double ho- However, a confrontation canvas. through, that’s what helps micide more than six years ensued and the suspects ex- One day, Stanley was keep him sane,” the son said. ago is scheduled to be ar- changed gunfi re with Alvarez, studying the wall when Re- In addition to owning Be- raigned Monday on an in- the owner of the home and becca Schwarz Ruiz, 53, to’s Boxing Club since 1977, dictment charging him with target of the robbery, result- the landlord of the building Rebecca Schwarz Ruiz stands next to a mural of her father Billy Beto has done it all: coached capital murder of multiple ing in Alvarez and Torres’ where the boxing club oper- Schwarz as Beto’s Boxing Club celebrates community leaders boxing, trained future cham- persons. deaths. ates, walked up behind him. Beto Carr and and her father Billy in Mercedes on Saturday. pions (such as former IBA Police ar- Hidalgo County sheriff’s When she asked him what he Light Welterweight Cham- rested Al- deputies found the men was doing, Stanley told her, Beto Carr and Billy Schwarz Rio Grande Valley Boxing pion Tomas Barrientes), was berto Garcia dead behind a small trailer “Oh, nothing. Just thinking.” Wall of Fame. Numerous of- Hall of Fame, surrounded by a cutman, a cornerman and last October at the back of the property at “Well, it’d be nice if we fi cials were in attendance a crowd who loves him. a level three offi cial — the for his alleged around 2:58 p.m. that day, ac- put your dad and my dad such as Mercedes Mayor Os- highest level in amateur box- role in the cording to a probable cause up there,” Rebecca said in car Montoya, former Mayor BETO ing — to name a few. Dec. 26, affi davit. response. Henry Hinojosa, South Texas If you wanted to be a box- “He’s been recognized 2015, shoot- Garcia “Sheriff Investigators re- What was just an idea be- Amateur Boxing Association er, a coach or an offi cial in with all sorts of awards,” ing deaths of viewed surveillance footage came a reality for Stanley President Tom Lindsey, as South Texas, you defi nitely Stanley said. “He’s received 24-year-old Rodriguez Villan- which showed armed men to and Rebecca: two portraits well as the city’s police and met Beto Carr, who was an just about every award you ueva Alvarez and 43-year-old include Juan Camorlinga Tor- of their fathers, conjoined by fi re departments. area coordinator. Due to the can imagine as far as ama- Juan Carmorlinga Torres. res arrive at the residence in a the Beto’s Boxing Club logo The man of the hour, pandemic, however, Stanley teur boxing is concerned.” Garcia, along with 55-year- silver Ford Ranger and a sec- in the middle, painted across 88-year-old Beto Carr was said his father had to retire Even in recent times, Beto old Ramon Aguilar Jr., ondary vehicle. Armed men the previously empty canvas. sitting on a school desk with last year — a painful deci- continues to be recognized. 31-year-old Javier Mendez entered the property and On Saturday, an inaugu- a pair of bright red boxing sion for Beto. In 2019, he was the fi rst to be Rodriguez, Torres and then- chased after the homeowner ral drive-by parade was held gloves and his trophy for be- “He is not happy about 29-year-old Guillermo Peña for the work, dubbed the ing the fi rst inductee to the it, but he understands that See LEGENDS | 4A are accused of attempting to See ARRAIGNMENT | 4A 4A The Monitor, www.themonitor.com | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 Weslaco banker Terry Crews to serve as next UTRGV distinguished speaker STAFF REPORT by UTRGV Student Ac- the committee that helps to hear what he has to tivities, will start at select the names say and how his upbring- appointed to state Actor, activist, best-sell- 7:30 p.m. and fea- for the series has ing and experiences have ing author and former ath- ture Crews, who had Crews on the helped him get to where lete Terry Crews will head- is best known for list for a few years he is today,” Mata wrote. line the Distinguished his roles in fi lm and seized the op- Mata said the commit- appraiser board Speaker Series at the Uni- and television, portunity to bring tee is already looking into versity of Texas Rio Grande including The him to UTRGV speakers for the next sea- STAFF REPORT Chance Bolton of Bee Valley on Monday. Expendables fi lms. through a virtual son of DSS, the release Cave and Martha Gayle According to a news re- Director for Stu- Crews event, the release says, and she hinted there Gov. Greg Abbott has Reid Lynch of El Paso lease from the university, dent Activities Cin- read. are some big names on the appointed another Rio share the same term lim- the virtual event, hosted dy Mata said that “We are excited list. Grande Valley resident to its as Castillo. the Texas Appraiser Li- Bolton is a United censing and Certifi cation States Navy veteran and Board. is the managing partner On Feb. 1, the governor of Bolton Real Estates Next stop Mars: 3 spacecraft announced via a news re- Consultants Ltd., a real lease that Paola Escalan- estate broker and a li- te-Castillo of Weslaco, the censed Texas real estate vice president of Frost appraiser. arriving in quick succession Bank, will serve on the He is also a former board with her term set to board member of the BY MARCIA DUNN expire Jan. 31, 2027. Lake Travis Education THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Escalante-Castillo is Foundation and former also a board member of member of the Real Es- the United Way of South tate Council of Austin. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Texas, a red coat am- Bolton received his ed- — After hurtling hundreds bassador of the Weslaco ucation from the Univer- of millions of miles through Area Chamber of Com- sity of Houston. space since last summer, merce and the treasurer Lynch is the owner of three robotic explorers are of the Weslaco Lions Gayle Reid Appraisal Ser- ready to hit the brakes at Club. vices Inc. and — similarly Mars. She received her Bach- to Bolton — is a licensed The stakes — and anxiety elor of Business Adminis- Texas real estate apprais- — are sky high. tration from the Universi- er and real estate broker. The United Arab Emirates’ ty of Texas-Pan American She is also a designated orbiter reaches Mars on Tues- (now UTRGV) and com- member of the Appraisal day, followed less than 24 pleted the banking pro- Institute and Foundation hours later by China’s orbiter- gram from Texas Tech Appraisers Coalition of rover combo. NASA’s rover, University. Texas. the cosmic caboose, will ar- Abbott also reappoint- Lynch received her ed- rive on the scene a week later, ed two other members of ucation in the University on Feb. 18, to collect rocks for the board as well. of Texas at El Paso. return to Earth — a key step in determining whether life ever existed at Mars. Both the UAE and China PRESIDENT with the community to so- Jon Gambrell | The Associated Press licit feedback on the posi- are newcomers at Mars, From Page 3A where more than half of Men watch the launch of the “Amal” or “Hope” space probe at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space tion. Recruitment is slated Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on July 20, 2020. Although Benavidez not- to start at the end of this Earth’s emissaries have ed the timeline is subject month, ACCT is hoping to failed. China’s fi rst Mars mis- to change and will likely be have applications in by the sion, a joint effort with Russia to the Curiosity rover’s grand There’s danger everywhere.” launching in 2026. fi nalized sometime in Feb- end of March and the board in 2011, never made it past Martian entrance in 2012. Steep cliffs, deep pits and Under an elaborate plan ruary, the preliminary time- could be discussing fi nalists Earth’s orbit. The odds are in NASA’s favor: fi elds of rocks could cripple still being worked out by line indicates that STC’s new in March. “We are quite excited as It’s nailed eight of its nine at- or doom Perseverance, fol- NASA and the European president could start around The search began on engineers and scientists, at tempted Mars landings. lowing its seven-minute at- Space Agency, the geologic July 1. Jan. 26. the same time quite stressed Despite their differences mospheric plunge. With an 11 treasure would arrive on The preliminary timeline and happy, worried, scared,” — the 1-ton Perseverance is 1/2-minute communication Earth in the early 2030s. Sci- suggests ACCT will begin mwilson@ said Omran Sharaf, project larger and more elaborate lag each way, the rover will be entists contend it’s the only holding virtual open forums themonitor.com manager for the UAE. than the Tianwen-1 rover — on its own, unable to rely on way to ascertain whether life All three spacecraft rock- both will prowl for signs of fl ight controllers. Amal and fl ourished on a wet, watery eted away within days of ancient microscopic life. Tianwen-1 will also need to Mars 3 billion to 4 billion one another last July, dur- Perseverance’s $3 billion operate autonomously while years ago. tence leaves him in jail until ing an Earth-to-Mars launch mission is the fi rst leg in a maneuvering into orbit. NASA’s science mission ARRAIGNMENT 2044. From Page 3A window that occurs only U.S.-European effort to bring Until Perseverance, NASA chief, Thomas Zurbuchen, Rodriguez was a fugitive every two years. That’s why Mars samples to Earth in the sought out fl at, boring ter- considers it “one of the hard- and the other victim’s at lo- for nearly four years. their arrivals are also close next decade. rain on which to land — est things ever done by hu- cation while pointing hand- U.S. Customs and Border together. “To say we’re pumped “one giant parking lot,” manity and certainly in space guns in their direction,” the Protection arrested him at Called Amal, or Hope in Ar- about it, well that would be a Chen said. That’s what Chi- science.” affi davit states. the Hidalgo-Reynosa Inter- abic, the Gulf nation’s space- huge understatement,” said na’s Tianwen-1 rover will be The U.S. is still the only Authorities allege Gar- national Bridge in March craft is seeking an especially Lori Glaze, NASA’s planetary shooting for in Mars’ Utopia country to successfully land cia owned the Ford Ranger, 2019 after biometric infor- high orbit — 13,500 by 27,000 science director. Planitia. on Mars, beginning with the was armed and that he em- mation alerted to an arrest miles high (22,000 kilometers Perseverance is aiming for NASA is upping its game 1976 Vikings. Two spacecraft ployed Torres. warrant. by 44,000 kilometers) — all an ancient river delta that thanks to new navigation are still active on the surface: Investigators say they re- He is also charged with the better to monitor the seems a logical spot for once technology designed to guide Curiosity and InSight. covered guns, bundles of capital murder of multiple Martian weather. harboring life. This landing the rover to a safe spot. The Smashed Russian and Eu- marijuana, cash and video persons and remains jailed China’s duo — called Tian- zone in Jezero Crater is so spacecraft also has a slew of ropean spacecraft litter the surveillance from the scene on a $2 million bond. He is wen-1, or “Quest for Heav- treacherous that NASA nixed cameras and microphones Martian landscape, mean- in rural Mission. scheduled for a jury trial in enly Truth” — will remain it for Curiosity, but so tanta- to capture the sights and while, along with NASA’s Aguilar was the fi rst June and has pleaded not paired in orbit until May, lizing that scientists are keen sounds of descent and land- failed Mars Polar Lander suspect arrested after the guilty. when the rover separates to to get hold of its rocks. ing, a Martian fi rst. from 1999. shooting. He pleaded guilty Garcia also remains jailed descend to the dusty, ruddy “When the scientists take Faster than previous Mars Getting into orbit around to murder in 2017 and is on a $2 million bond. surface. If all goes well, it will a look at a site like Jezero vehicles but still moving at a Mars is less complicated, serving a 28-year prison Peña is still a fugitive. be only the second country to Crater, they see the promise, glacial pace, the six-wheeled but still no easy matter, with sentence. land successfully on the red right?” said Al Chen, who’s in Perseverance will drive about a dozen spacecraft fall- He’s eligible for parole in mreagan@ planet. charge of the entry, descent across Jezero, collecting core ing short. Mars fl y-bys were 2030 and his maximum sen- themonitor.com The U.S. rover Persever- and landing team at NASA’s samples of the most enticing the rage in the 1960s and ance, by contrast, will dive in Jet Propulsion Laboratory in rocks and gravel. The rover most failed; NASA’s Mariner straight away for a harrowing Pasadena, California. “When will set the samples aside 4 was the fi rst to succeed in The -ONITOR PUZZLES YOUR MOST sky-crane touchdown similar I look at Jezero, I see danger. for retrieval by a fetch rover 1965. WEEKLY COMPLETE TV Entertainment Guide & GAMES LOCAL TV & CABLE LEGENDS Rebecca said. an escort lead by the Mer- in them,” Montoya said. Get your copy in Sunday’s edition of Because her father and his cedes Fire Department, fol- Montoya’s word couldn’t be From Page 3A For Your Subscription Call 956-683-4300 or Advertising Information Call 956-683-4147 LISTINGS brothers “were all over the lowed by attendees in their any more truthful, because inducted in the RGV Boxing place,” Rebecca referred to vehicles honking and cheer- the event wasn’t just to cel- Hall of Fame. the radar story as a legend ing for Beto as they drove by. ebrate the lives of Beto and “It wasn’t a hard choice to of things he may have done. As a precaution due to CO- Billy. pick who would be the fi rst “Who knows,” she said. VID-19, attendees were asked Gonzalez, who put in person inducted into this Born in Harlingen and to park in a parking lot across about 50 hours of work into great hall of fame, I mean, raised in Mexico, Billy went the street and watch at a safe the mural, was also recog- we’ve got many, many cham- on to become a minister, distance. nized not just for Beto’s Box- HELP SUPPORT YOUR pions,” Lindsey said. “All where he touched many peo- The speeches of the special ing Club’s mural, but for his roads lead to Beto Carr. All ple’s lives, according to his guests celebrated the lives of work throughout the Valley. roads.” daughter. Beto Carr and Billy Schwarz, He has created murals of LOCAL BUSINESSES! Yet, recognition aside, “He lived a life that only from the mayor reminiscing prominent fi gures and lo- Stanley said the important some people dream about of attending Beto’s gym to Re- cal Valley legends across the part for his father was guid- living,” Rebecca said, adding becca celebrating her father’s region. ing the boxers (children) in that her father was an ex- life. “I think this is the fi rst the right direction and mak- traordinary person. “The mural talks about recognition I’ve ever had,” MONEY SA ERS ing sure they’d stay out of When Beto’s Boxing Club two men who did for their Gonzalez said after he was trouble. moved to the building they’re community and did for their presented with the plaque, “He’s my pride and joy, currently at, Billy was the kids,” Montoya said, adding which fi lled him with emo- he’s my hero,” Stanley said. “I owner at the time. Had it not that both of the men’s chil- tion. “I give everything to believe that this is the least I been for his kindness, Stan- dren — Stanley and Rebecca it, just as they did for the could do for him.” ley said he and his father — have followed in their foot- community.” would’ve had a more diffi cult steps of giving. After the event, attendees BILLY time. Montoya also told a story were allowed to meet Beto Whereas Beto is well- “Whether it’s next month of Billy in his deathbed, tell- and take photos with him, FREE Initial Consultation & s .ECK0AIN3TIFFNESS Shiatsu Massage s .UMBNESS4INGLING known, Billy Schwarz is more or next year or fi ve years from ing Rebecca that the gym was backdropped by the mural. s .O8 2AYS2EQUIRED )N(ANDS!RMS under the radar — literally. now, when your dad retires, important because of the As for Billy, Rebecca said he s 2ESOLVEYOURPAINWITHOUT s ,OW"ACK0AIN Since he was a pilot, Billy you go ahead and take over,” children. He revealed that would have never wanted to DRUGSSURGERY s 2ADIATING,EG0AIN s 3CIATICA would fl y under the radar Billy told Stanley during an Rebecca allowed Stanley to be on the side of a building. TREATMENTS 782-8000 so he could take necessities, exchange at a time where his continue operating the gym “That was not him, but he’s %%XP 3TE& such as food and clothes, to father’s retirement was up in without charging rent during just gonna have to deal with for poor people in Mexico, ac- the air. “It doesn’t matter if the pandemic, which as a re- it,” Rebecca said during her only $ 0HARR 48 TX-95048796 5 120 GOLDCHIROCOM cording to Stanley. you have money or not. We’re sult, allowed Stanley to con- speech, which was met with “There was a lot of things not gonna worry about that.” tinue serving the children of laughter from the crowd. Call Jeff at 956-683-4327 that my dad did that were Mercedes. not really exactly quite legal, THE EVENT “It tells you about their par- edgyves@ for Advertising Opportunities but he didn’t give a damn,” Festivities kicked off with ents and what they instilled themonitor.com