MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 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 Family already-reeling from grandfather’s death loses mother to COVID BY FRANCISCO GUAJARDO messing with the Saenz family. You When asked to refl ect on her moth- SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR hurt my father and you scared him. er Heidi, she defl ects the question We’ll hunt you down,’” Jessica said. and instead offers news that her big Rio Grande City native Heidi “Heidi was a lady, but she was also sister Meagan just tested negative Saenz died on Aug. 3, 2020, unex- from the barrio and wasn’t afraid to — after having previously contract- pectedly taken by COVID-19. She get her hands dirty,” Jessica added. ed the virus. took her last breath at the Resolute Yvonne said. “But Heidi was beyond “She was an amazing person, a good Maddie’s understated manner Health Hospital in New Braunfels, that. Her thinking was that what sister, and a good mother. My sister speaks loudly. She can’t afford to Texas, where she was taken because kids really need is love, not stuff. She was special.” lose anyone else. Starr County Memorial Hospital gave her children all of her love,” Heidi’s 9-year-old daughter Mad- Maddie is surviving, and she’s overfl owed with patients. she said. ison is mostly at a loss for words, as leaning on Meagan, her aunt Jessica Heidi left too early, at 41. As a mom, Heidi was a natural. she wistfully thinks about her moth- and grandmother Yvonne. There’s “She had so many things going for She loved her kids and doted on er. “Maddie,” as the family calls her, deep sadness, but there’s great her,” said Heidi’s sister Jessica, who them with intensity and care. is handling things as one would ex- hope, too. Like her family, Mad- bore witness to Heidi’s entire life. “My mom was my best friend,” Heidi Saenz pect a young child would, but she’s die is excited to welcome Meagan’s “She often lacked self-confi dence, said 25-year-old daughter Meagan. keenly aware of the moment. baby, whose expected delivery is on but she was smart, fearless, beauti- “She had me when she was young, Christmas, we’d go to sleep early A few days after Maddie lost her Feb. 28. ful, and just a great mom.” so we kind of grew up together, and and at midnight she’d make little mother, she lost her grandfather Ju- “I was about fi ve weeks pregnant Heidi’s mother Yvonne Saenz, a we did everything together. She was bells as if Santa was here. Every- lio Saenz, also due to complications when I told my mom,” said Meagan. retired school nurse, admired Hei- always there.” thing was always so special.” from COVID-19. Maddie was close “She was already sick. It was sad di’s masterful parenting skills. “Every birthday and every holi- And she was fearless. Jessica re- to both, so her collective loss has because I had just gotten my ultra- “We didn’t dote on her when she day, she would always make it spe- calls the time someone stole their been especially profound. sound, but she wasn’t able to hear was growing up. We were always cial,” Megan said. “On Easter, we’d father’s car. But like her mother, Maddie ap- the recording.” working so our kids could have stuff wake up to the trail of little eggs and “Heidi got on Facebook and wrote pears strong, even as she attempts that we didn’t have growing up,” go outside to our little baskets. On ‘whoever you are, you will regret to make sense of her new reality. See SAENZ | 4A McAllen kids complete final mile in citywide marathon

STAFF REPORT Facebook page and You- Tube channel . Saturday morning In September 2020, marked the seventh annu- kids ran the McAllen Kids al McAllen Kids Marathon Marathon Kickoff Mile, in Final Mile, in which more which they ran a mile, and than 3,000 students regis- ran an additional 24 miles tered to participate. either at home or at school Unlike previous years, during the fall. where runners would Saturday’s race marked gather and run together, the kids’ completion of the COVID-19 pandemic their marathon. forced the city to make the From kindergarten marathon events virtual. through eighth grade, kids How do you hold a mar- who participated and reg- athon virtually? istered for the event will re- Well, in McAllen ISD’s ceive T-shirts and medals. case, kids who registered The McAllen Marathon for the marathon race were Scott Crane Memorial John Minchillo | The Associated Press asked to take a video or Run was also held through Rioters break into the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6. photo of themselves dur- the weekend, with par- ing their run, according to ticipants uploading videos school district spokesman and images of themselves Mark May. completing the event to A video featuring vari- Facebook as a public event ous entries from kids can was not held due to the Texans among notable be found at McAllen ISD’s pandemic. Capitol riot arrests Mission insurance

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Col. Larry Rendall Brock Washington to attend Jr., of Texas, is a former Trump’s “Save America agency owner named WASHINGTON — More former fi ghter pilot pho- Rally” in a red pickup than 125 people have tographed on the Senate packed with an M4 as- been arrested so far on fl oor wearing a military sault rifl e, multiple loaded to state medical board charges related to the vio- style helmet and body ar- magazines, three hand- lent insurrection led by mor and carrying plastic guns and 11 Mason jars STAFF REPORT Widmer is also a mem- supporters of President zip-tie handcuffs. He is fi lled with homemade na- ber of the Bell County Donald Trump at the U.S. charged with knowingly palm, according to court Gov. Greg Abbott has Medical Society, Ameri- Capitol, where a Capitol entering or remaining in fi lings. The grandfather appointed six mem- can College of Physi- police offi cer and four a restricted building and was arrested that eve- bers to the Texas Medi- cians and Texas Medical others were killed. violent entry and disor- ning when he returned to cal Board District Four Association. Charges from the Jan. 6 derly conduct on Capitol the truck carrying a 9mm Review Committee on Also appointed were riot range from curfew vi- grounds. Smith & Wesson handgun Thursday, including an Dr. Ada Booth of Corpus olations to serious federal ___ and a .22-caliber derrin- insurance agency owner Christi, a child abuse pe- felonies related to theft Tim Fischer | Reporter- Jacob Chansley, 33 ger pistol. He is charged from Mission. diatrician with the Child and weapons possession. Telegram via AP of Arizona was seen in with possession of an Owner of Ruth Villar- Abuse Resource & Evalu- From a man pictured Jenny Cudd, front, a fl ower the capitol wearing face unregistered fi rearm and real Insurance Agency ation team at Driscoll kicking his feet up on a shop owner and former paint, no shirt and a furry carrying a pistol without and board member of the Children’s Hospital, along desk in House Speaker Midland mayoral candidate, hat with horns and car- a license. South Texas Independent with Walton “Boyd” Bush, Nancy Pelosi’s offi ce to a and Eliel Rosa leave the rying a U.S. fl ag attached ___ School District, Ruth Vil- Ed.D. of Bee Cave, who is far right-wing media per- federal courthouse in to a spear. Chansley, also Jenny Cudd of Texas, larreal has been a spon- a recently retired execu- sonality known as “Baked Midland, Texas on Jan. 13. known as Jake Angeli, a former mayoral candi- sor for many Hidalgo tive director of the Texas Alaska” to the bare-chest- She is one of more than calls himself the “QAnon date in Midland, was ar- County community and State Board of Dental Shaman,” a reference to rested after posting a vid- ed guy sporting a furry hat 125 people arrested so far charitable organizations Examiners. with horns, here’s a list the apocalyptic and con- eo bragging that she was on charges related to the such as food drives, the Their terms are both set in alphabetical order of voluted conspiracy theo- part of a group that broke Diabetes Awareness Fair, to expire on Jan. 15, 2022. violent insurrection at the U.S. some of the more notable ry spread largely through down Pelosi’s door. Cudd, the Breast Cancer Aware- Philip “Phil” Worley arrests and allegations Capitol. the internet and promot- who owns a fl ower shop, ness Walk and more. of Hebbronville, a reap- made by authorities. ed by some right-wing deleted the video and told She received a Bachelor pointed member of the ____ faces charges of unlaw- extremists. He is charged The Associated Press she of Architecture from the committee and adjunct Richard Barnett, 60, fully entering a restricted with entering a restricted didn’t personally go into University of Houston. instructor at Laredo Col- of Arkansas was photo- area with a lethal weapon building without lawful Pelosi’s offi ce and didn’t Terms for Villarreal lege, and Dr. Leanne Bur- graphed sitting with his — a stun gun. Barnett is authority, violent entry do anything violent or and Dr. Andrew “Jimmy” nett of Missouri City, who boots on a desk in Pelo- also charged with disor- and disorderly conduct destroy any property. She Widmer of Belton, gen- has served as a neurolo- si’s offi ce during the Jan. derly conduct and theft of on Capitol grounds. was charged with enter- eral internist for Baylor gist at Clear Lake Hous- 6 riot. He was ordered public property. ___ ing a restricted building Scott and White Health, ton Methodist Hospital, Friday to be brought to ___ Lonnie Leroy Coffman, are set to expire Jan. 15, have their terms set to ex- Washington, where he Retired Air Force Lt. 70, of Alabama drove to See TEXANS | 4A 2026. pire on Jan. 15, 2024. 4A The Monitor, www.themonitor.com | MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021 Texas lawmakers Actions by GOP attorneys offered vaccine general could damage credibility BY GEOFF MULVIHILL ing from the Republican or despite ineligibility THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Democratic associations. “The concern with these THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Escott said he’s concerned By supporting efforts to groups is that it’s not about that the fl ood of lawmakers overturn the results of the states’ rights or the Constitu- AUSTIN — Austin’s top coming to Austin for the leg- presidential election, most of tion or the rule of law at all. health authority is offering islative session could make the nation’s Republican state It’s about maintaining power coronavirus vaccines to Tex- it a superspreader event. attorneys general may have and the dark money that sus- as lawmakers and their key The 2021 legislative ses- undermined their offi ces’ tains it,” he said. staffers, regardless of wheth- sion kicked off Tuesday and long-held special status in The push to overturn elec- er they are currently eligible adjourned Thursday until federal courts. tion results based on un- under state guidelines. the end of the month. On In December, Texas At- founded fraud claims did get Dr. Mark Escott, interim Friday, Rep. Joe Deshotel, a torney General Ken Paxton some GOP pushback. Eight medical director for Austin Democrat from Beaumont, fi led legal papers attempting Republican attorneys general Public Health, confi rmed to confi rmed that he tested to overturn the results of the opted against joining Pax- presidential election based ton’s effort. The Dallas Morning News positive for COVID-19. Jacquelyn Martin | The Associated Press on Thursday that he orga- Escott said he pushed, on unfounded claims of elec- One of them, Ohio Attor- tion fraud in four states that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks in Washington on Jan. ney General Dave Yost, urged nized the vaccination effort unsuccessfully, for the 6, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump. with Ascension Seton, a lo- state to put lawmakers on voted for President-elect Joe the U.S. Supreme Court to cal hospital health system. a priority list for the vac- Biden. The Republican at- ment by the Republican at- eral could lose the right to fi le consider the case — but rule He said he knows at least cine. He said he doesn’t torneys general for 17 other torneys general could have a “friend-of-the-court” briefs against Texas. fi ve to 10 legislators of both believe he is breaking any states made legal fi lings sup- lasting effect on how judges in any federal case without “Federal courts, just like parties who were vaccinated rules, saying the state’s porting his effort, which was view legal actions their of- permission because of the state courts, lack authority to through this process in the vaccine guidelines are just rejected by the U.S. Supreme fi ces bring. activities of the Republican order legislatures to appoint past few weeks. recommendations. Court. “States occupy a unique AGs in support of Trump’s electors without regard to the “If they’re going to law- The Department of State More recently, an associa- position and an important election claims. results of an already-com- makers, they’re not going to Health Services has set up tion that is affi liated with their position” in the courts, said But he said the work of pleted election,” he said in a somebody else. But, again, a multi-tiered system for political arm, the Republican Paul Nolette, a Marquette prosecuting crimes and pro- statement last month. the overall strategy is to get vaccine distribution. Front- Attorneys General Associa- University political scientist tecting consumers is handled Sylvia Albert, the director the vaccine in the arms of line health care workers and tion, became entangled in the who studies attorneys gen- mostly by career government of voting and elections for the people as quickly as we can,” nursing home residents are Jan. 6 rally by President Don- eral. “If it turns out that AGs lawyers who are not focused liberal advocacy group Com- Escott said. “We have to rec- fi rst in line. Those age 65 and ald Trump that preceded the are no different from another on political cases. mon Cause said the fi lings ognize that there are com- older or adults with chronic violent insurrection against politician or another inter- “You can still have a very were so troublesome that she peting interests, and that health issues that put them the U.S. Capitol. That group, est group just looking for an strong law offi ce that repre- believes there are grounds to continuity of government is at heightened risk are also the Rule of Law Defense angle trying to get into the sents the best interest of the disbar the attorneys general vital.” priorities. Fund, helped pay for promo- courts, the courts could re- state, the people, when it who made them. An Ascension Seton The state says it will likely tional efforts to get people to visit special solicitude.” comes to consumer protec- “When you submit some- spokesperson said the hos- be spring before people in attend Trump’s rally. The con- The term refers to a state’s tion issues,” he said. thing in court, you’re saying: pital is cooperating with all of those in the priority troversy prompted the AG as- ability to unilaterally weigh in The Republican Attorneys ‘To the best of my knowledge, Escott’s request, adding that categories are inoculated. sociation’s executive director, on any federal lawsuit, giving General Association and its the information I’ve given most of those vaccinated so On Sunday, the Texas De- Adam Piper, to resign. attorneys general and their counterpart group for Demo- you is true and valid,’” she far have been eligible under partment of State Health Massachusetts Attorney states a say in a wide variety crats launched two decades said. state guidelines that priori- Services reported that 13,728 General Maura Healey, a of issues. ago. The groups are major Doug Gansler, a former tize healthcare workers, the people with COVID-19 were Democrat, blasted the Re- Attorneys general are elect- independent spenders in Democratic attorney general elderly and those with cer- hospitalized across the state publican attorneys general ed to offi ce in most states and AG races, pouring money -- in Maryland, said attorneys tain medical vulnerabilities. Sunday. who have continued to sup- frequently use the job as a much of it raised from cor- general should not fi le mo- port Trump’s attempts to platform to run for governor porations -- into ads attack- tions based on “imaginary overturn the election, even or the U.S. Senate. Their of- ing the other side. In the last evidence,” but expects judges SAENZ Que en paz descanse Heidi as he and his allies have lost fi ces serve as the legal arm of decade, the groups ditched to see those fi lings as politi- Saenz. And may her father case after case in court. Even state governments, and they their old agreement not to try cal actions that do not taint From Page 3A Julio Saenz rest in peace as Trump’s former U.S. attorney often band together — al- to oust incumbents. the regular work of attorneys The Saenzes are storytell- well. general, William Barr, said most always with AGs of their The Republican group has general. ers, so it’s inevitable Mea- the Justice Department had own party — to challenge spent $15 million and con- Despite the deep political gan’s baby will hear stories Francisco Guajardo, found no evidence of wide- federal policy. tributed $50 million to other divide, most attorneys gen- about her grandmother chief executive offi cer for spread fraud that would have They also fi le claims on political entities over the last eral joined together this week Heidi. the Museum of South altered the outcome of the behalf of their state’s resi- decade, according to data in a bipartisan condemna- For now, Maddie shows Texas History at 200 N. presidential election. dents over consumer affairs compiled by the National In- tion of the deadly insurrec- off the stuffed leopard big- Closner Blvd. in Edin- “There have been a num- and antitrust matters. Every stitute on Money in Politics. tion against Congress by a sister Meagan gave her for burg, authored this story ber of Republican AGs who state’s AG’s offi ce, for exam- The Democratic group has pro-Trump mob. Those rep- Christmas. as part of an ongoing have gone too far and have ple, has sued companies over spent less, but has recently resenting 46 states, the Dis- “Meagan is like my mom. series entitled Bearing stepped outside of their role, the toll of the opioids crisis. closed the gap. trict of Columbia and some She cares for me,” Maddie Witness. The museum’s and who have deviated from Most attorneys general Anthony Johnstone, the U.S. territories, signed a joint said. effort aims to docu- the obligation to adhere to also are the top law enforce- former state solicitor in Mon- letter to the Department of In this pandemic mo- ment some of the Rio the rule of law,” she said, ment offi cers in their state, tana who now teaches law at Justice condemning the in- ment, we would do well to Grande Valley lives lost characterizing their conduct prosecuting criminal cases the University of Montana, vasion of the Capitol: “The care for each other — like to COVID-19. For more as “un-American and incred- and upholding justice. said the attorneys general are events of January 6 represent Meagan cares for Maddie, information about the ibly destructive.” Greg Zoeller, a Republican falling in line with their party a direct, physical challenge to and like Heidi cared for museum, visit MOSTHis- Some legal experts think and former Indiana attorney more often because of the the rule of law and our demo- everyone. tory.org. the overt political involve- general, said attorneys gen- pursuit of campaign spend- cratic republic itself.”

TEXANS ___ was quickly identifi ed af- lawful authority. Capitol rotunda with it. He is charged with de- Derrick Evans, 35, was ter he posted the video ___ He is charged with theft, struction of government From Page 3A a West Virginia lawmaker of the Capitol door being Jack Jesse Griffi th of Ten- violent entry and disor- property, obstruction of and disorderly conduct, who streamed video of smashed and declaring: nessee was arrested after derly conduct on Capitol an offi cial proceeding both misdemeanors. She himself charging into the “The door is cracked! … an informant identifi ed grounds. and illegally entering a re- said she received death building with the mob. The We’re in, we’re in! Derrick him as a person known on ___ stricted building. threats and her business, recently sworn-in delegate Evans is in the Capitol!” Facebook as Juan Bibiano. Nicholas R. Ochs, 34, of ___ Becky’s Flowers, was bom- to the West Virginia House ___ That account shows of Hawaii, founder of a local Jenna Ryan, 50, of Tex- barded with one-star re- resigned after his arrest on Tim Gionet, a far-right Griffi th in what appears Proud Boys chapter, posted as live-streamed a Face- views calling her a traitor two riot-related charges media personality who to be the Capitol Crypt, a photo of himself on Twit- book video walking with a and domestic terrorist. and apologized. Evans calls himself “Baked Alas- raising his closed fi st into ter inside the Capitol grin- group toward the Capitol ka,” entered various offi ces the air. Another post in- ning widely as he smoked and said, “We are going to “WE ARE YOUR ESSENTIAL HOME in the Capitol and cursed cluded a message saying a cigarette. The FBI said it (expletive) go in here” as HOUSE CRACKING? UPKEEP AND REPAIR COMPANY! at a law offi cer he alleged he helped “stormed (sic) identifi ed him from pho- they approached the door. had shoved him. When the capitol today.” He is tos taken when Ochs cam- “Life or death, it doesn’t DISCOUNTS told by law enforcement charged with knowingly paigned unsuccessfully matter. Here we go.” She The AVAILABLE offi cers to move, he iden- entering or remaining in last year as the Republican then turned the camera to OriginalAZTEC tifi ed himself as a mem- any restricted building or nominee for a seat in the expose her face and said, AZTEC UP HOUSE LEVELING & REMODELING CO. TO15% OFF ber of the media. Gionet grounds without lawful Hawaii statehouse. “Y’all know who to hire for live-streamed for about authority to do so. He’s ___ your Realtor, Jenna Ryan.” Licensed/Bonded/Insured FOUNDATION a half hour from inside also accused of engaging Robert Keith Packer, 56, She told KTVT-TV in Fort the building and could be in disorderly or disruptive of Virginia caused an up- Worth she didn’t do any- Slab Repair/Pier & Bean PROBLEMS? heard encouraging other conduct with intent to to roar on social media after thing violent, didn’t real- Roofi ng/Flooring/Insulation & Liner Replacement protesters not to leave, impede or disrupt govern- being seen in the Capitol ize there was violence and cussing and saying “I’m ment business. wearing a sweatshirt bear- hoped Trump would par- Mobile Home Repairs/Service HOUSE staying” and “1776 baby,” ___ ing the name “Camp Aus- don her. “I just want peo- FREE Estimates/30 years experience CRACKING? prosecutors said. He was Emily Hernandez of chwitz,” a reference to the ple to know I’m a normal arrested in Houston and Missouri was seen in pho- Nazi concentration camp person, that I listen to my HARLINGEN MCALLEN BROWNSVILLE faces charges of violent tos holding a splintered where about 1.1 million president who told me to 956-412-1558 956-631-0995 956-546-5657 and disorderly conduct name plate belonging people were killed dur- go to the Capitol, that I was on Capitol grounds and to Pelosi. Hernandez is ing World War II. He was displaying my patriotism.” (MI CASA ES SU CASA) ALL TYPES OF knowingly entering a re- charged with fi ve counts, charged with violent entry She faces a charge of know- REMODELING SERVICES www.aztechouseleveling.com stricted building without including disorderly con- and disorderly conduct ingly entering or remaining duct that impedes the on Capitol grounds, and in the restricted building or conduct of government unlawfully entering a re- grounds without lawful au- business and the stealing stricted building. thority and disorderly con- We Understand Commitment or disposing of govern- ___ duct on Capitol grounds. ment property. Dominic Pezzola, 43, of ___ You can rely on Edward Jones for one-on- ___ New York is a former Ma- Robert Sanford, 55, a Doug Jensen, 41, of Iowa rine identifi ed as a Proud retired Pennsylvania fi re- one attention, our quality-focused investment was seen on video chasing Boys member who was fi ghter, allegedly threw a philosophy and straight talk about your a Black offi cer up an inte- seen in video shattering fi re extinguisher that hit rior fl ight of stairs in the an exterior Capitol win- three Capitol Police of- financial needs. Contact an Edward Jones Capitol as a mob trailed dow with a stolen Capitol fi cers during the violent financial advisor today. several steps behind. Jen- Police riot shield before he siege. He was charged sen, who is white, was and others climbed inside, with assault of a police charged with trespassing the FBI said. The bearded offi cer, disorderly con- Don Mayer, AAMS® www.edwardjones.com and disorderly conduct. man, whose nickname is duct on Capitol grounds, Financial Advisor Member SIPC ___ “Spazzo,” also appears in a civil disorder and unlaw- Adam Johnson, 36, of second video taken inside fully entering the Capitol. 4901 N McColl Rd Florida is accused of swip- the building that shows His lawyer said he was McAllen, TX 78504-2310 ing Pelosi’s lectern dur- him puffi ng a cigar in what a Trump supporter who 956-618-4609 ing the chaos and smiling he calls a “victory smoke,” got caught up in the mob as he walked through the according to a court fi ling. mentality.