SAN ANTONIO -- An Eagle Pass woman was killed in San Antonio Sunday night after suffering fatal injuries when she was hit by a pick-up.

Rosa Melissa Gutierrez, 27, had stepped out of her stalled vehicle on IH-10 and Loop 410 when she was struck. She died at the scene, news media in San Antonio reported Monday.

The driver of the pick-up suffered minor injuries and was taken to University Hospital.

Photo by Fox San Antonio.

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EAGLE PASS, Texas -- This past weekend, Maverick County endured torrential downpour and flooding.  We received over 17 inches of rain in a 36 hour period.  Over 140 families suffered a complete loss of their home and hundreds of other homes were damaged.  Now that the storm has passed, it is time to recover and rebuild.

Maverick County is my home.  To see my neighbors have to face the upcoming obstacles of searching, salvaging, and cleaning what is left of their homes and personal belongings is heartbreaking. 

Despite the turmoil that ensued from the flooding, I am very proud of how Maverick County and Eagle Pass stood united and worked together to mitigate the consequences of the storm. County, City, State, and Federal authorities joined forces to do everything necessary to ensure the safety of those battling the flood.  Due to their collaborative efforts, there were no reported deaths from the flooding. Many were saved from flood waters by brave rescuers.  Rescue crews saved over 65 persons by boat from their homes.  These rescues would not have been possible but not for the teamwork, focus, and relentless perseverance of County, City, State, and Federal leaders, to make sure every single person was out of danger.

The Office of the Governor Rick Perry has issued a Disaster Declaration for Maverick County and all necessary measures will be taken to continue to see through that the County receives all the assistance available under the law. 

Although the storm is over, the recovery process has just begun and I will do everything that I can to help rebuild.  Maverick County has overcome many challenges before, and this situation will be no different.  Maverick County will rise strong.

-- 74th Dist. State Rep. Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez

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UPDATE: Maverick County Commissioner Jose Luis Rosales just informed us that the city's International Center for Trade is no longer being served as a shelter for the victims of this week's flooding. City and county officials are however, continuing to provide shelter, food, water, and other types of assistance but now at the Eagle Pass Junior High School, located at 1750 N. Bibb Ave.

EAGLE PASS -- Although the Flash Flood Watch for Eagle Pass is no longer in effect, the aftermath of the heavy rains throughout the past days remain.

According to the National Weather Service, a total of 16.61 inches of rain poured down on Eagle Pass, affecting about 140 homes and business, leaving many to seek shelter at local community centers.

Raul Leal, Public Information Officer for TXDOT, said as many as ten state employees worked tirelessly with local authorities to help residents evacuate until 6 a.m. this morning, though said many families still lost everything.

The Texas Department of Transportation on Sunday issued a list of road closures. The worst areas that have remained closed since Friday afternoon are U.S. Highway 277 N. to Del Rio, FM 1908, and FM 1590.  There is still no word on when they will be reopened.

The City of Eagle Pass Emergency Operations Center is currently accepting donations. If you would like to donate, please bring the items to the Maverick County Food Pantry, located at 1609 Del Rio Blvd. before 5 p.m. today.

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Photo Recap: Aerial shot taken Saturday afternoon over N. Elm Creek in Maverick County.

Photo Gallery Courtesy of Eagle Pass Daily News readers. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eaglepassdaily for the latest updates

Electric power on some households in the Deer Run area has been restored. If your home is still affected by the outage, please report it to AEP. 

EAGLE PASS -- Maverick County Commissioner Jose Luis Rosales has announced that over 100 homes in the Deer Run and Elm Creek area have been affected by a major power outage.

"We've received preliminary reports from American Electric Power (AEP) that it will take approximately three to four days to get the power back on," Rosales said. "If you're one of those families that have been affected, please report it with your address to AEP immediately at 800-277-2177."

More information as it becomes available. 

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RELATED:

• Total rainfall in Maverick County exceeds 15 inches in the last 36 hours; Flash Flood Watch remains in effect
• [Updated at 11:21 a.m.] News Release from the City of Eagle Pass
• UPDATE [1:44 P.M.] - ROAD CLOSURES – For Dimmit, Duval, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Val Verde, Webb & Zavala counties

MAVERICK COUNTY:
•US 277 N to Del Rio closed
•FM 1908 remains closed from Maverick to Kinney
•FM 1590 @ FM 1908 remains closed
•FM 481 (Old Uvalde Highway) at SH 57 closed June 14, 10:30 p.m. closed

DIMMIT COUNTY:
•FM 2688 in the vicinity of Catarina remains closed

KINNEY COUNTY:
•FM 3008 closed
•FM 1572 closed
•FM 1908 closed

EAGLE PASS -- The National Weather Service in San Antonio and Austin has just announced that a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for Maverick, Kinney, Real, Uvalde Val Verde, and Zavala Counties until 9 p.m. this evening.

An upper low interacting with deep tropical moisture will continue to produce numerous showers and thunderstorms. An additional two (2) to three (3) inches of rainfall are still possible.

 A compact area of thunderstorms have already produced life threatening flash flooding over the city of Eagle Pass early this morning with rainfall totaling an impressive 15.1 inches.

The excessive showers and strong winds have already affected more than 80 homes and businesses, leaving many to seek shelter at local community centers.

Photo Gallery Courtesy of Eagle Pass Daily News subscribers. Thank you to all that participated. Do you have more pictures that you want to share? Email them to us to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow us on our Facebook at www.facebook.com/eaglepassdaily for the latest news updates in and around Eagle Pass and Maverick County.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for our area until 6:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013.  We are expecting bands of rainfall between 3” to 5”, which will flood low level areas.  People who live in these areas are urged to stay alert to the current situation and move to higher level areas if past similar conditions have placed them at risk.
 
Emergency personnel are currently preparing for this event and local officials will continue to monitor the situation.  Flooded areas will be barricaded until accumulated water has diminished.  People are prohibited to drive or go into barricaded areas, this will be strictly enforced.

The International Center for Trade at 3295 Bob Roger Blvd., Seco Mines Community Center at 2989 Sanchez Ave., and Kirchner Elementary School in Quemado remain open for anyone seeking shelter.

To keep yourself safe and avoid impeding emergency response, please avoid flooded low-lying areas until further notice.

For information, please call the City of Eagle Pass Police Department at 830-773-9044, the Maverick County Sheriff's Office at 830-773-2321, and the Emergency Operation Center at 830-773-3089.

More:

EAGLE PASS -- The National Weather Service in Austin and San Antonio is announcing that the flash flood warning for Maverick, Dimmit, Zavala and Frio Counties will continue in effect until 12 a.m. Saturday.

An upper level low over northern Mexico along with a very moist air mass will continue to result in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms through this afternoon. Rainfall has already fallen across portions of the Rio Grande Plains with amounts of five (5) inches reported near Eagle Pass.

Additionally, rainfall amounts of two (2) to four (4) inches with isolated amounts of five (5) inches remain possible through this evening until midnight. These rainfall amounts along with recent rainfall over the last 24 hours may result in rapid runoff and flash flooding.

Areas with saturated soils will be most prone to flash flooding.

MORE:

• [Updated at 5:46 p.m.] Maverick County Commissioner Jose Luis Rosales said  that there are approximately 65 homes (and possibly more) in his precinct that have been affected by today's floods. Most of them are located along Rodriguez St., Diaz St. Barrera St., Becos St., Elm Creek subdivision, and the Quemado area. The families affected are currently being evacuated and taken to the Seco Mines Community Center in Eagle Pass and Kirchner Elementary in Quemado, Texas.

• The Eagle Pass Emergency Operation Center has received notice that the following streets have been closed due to flooding: Lance, Memo Robinson/El Indio, 1200 Block of Quarry St., Camarinos/Del Crest, Rooselvelt/Laredo, Bibb/Royal Point (Canal), and Hillcrest Blvd.

The Eagle Pass Emergency Operation Center has opened a shelter at the San Luis Center. If you or your loved ones requir shelter, please call the Police Department at 830-773-9044. 

Extreme caution should be taken by those driving and especially this evening since low water crossings will likely flood. If it is not necessary to go out, please remain in your homes and stay safe. And remember, turn around, don't drown! Please stay tuned to weather news on television, local radio stations and news websites for updated information.

• [Updated at 5:55 p.m.] Current Rd. conditions for Eagle Pass, Maverick County:
* Highway 57 (way to San Antonio, TX ) remains open. 
* Highway 277 S. (way to Carrizo Springs, TX) remains open.
* Highway 277 N. (way to Del Rio, TX) remains closed.
* El Indio Highway (way to El Indio, TX) remains closed.
* Loop 480 remains open.

EAGLE PASS -- Un relámpago provocó el incendio que acabo con toda una residencia en la subdivision Ricks de Eagle Pass.

El incendioocurrió en calle Butler Rd. aproximadamente a las 11 de la mañana.

Miembros del departamento de bomberos acudieron al lugar pero debido a su tardía respuesta en preparar los monos de aguas y mangeras, las llamas se propagaron a toda la casa.

Hasta el momento no se han reportado heridos.

Reportes preliminares indican que la casa pertenecía a la familia Treviño, una familia conocida en la comunidad de negocios del sector privado.

EAGLE PASS -- Las fuertes lluvias que azotan hoy Eagle Pass han provocado inundaciones en diferentes calles y carreteras.

Actualmente ha caído un promedio de 6 a 8 pulgadas de lluvia, afectando El Indio Hwy., Del Rio Blvd. (277 N.) y zonas residenciales como Las Quintas, Loma Bonita, y Elm Creek.

Las lluvias ademas han causado incendios en residencias y lotes baldíos provocados por rayos y tormentas eléctricas.

Se recomendia al público mantenerse en un lugar seguro y no salir a la calle al menos que sea necesario, y de presentarse alguna emergencia, llamar al 911.

Más información en cuanto sea disponible.

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FLASH FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2:00 P.M. CDT.

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR MAVERICK...EXTREME SOUTHERN VAL VERDE AND SOUTHERN KINNEY COUNTIES...

AT 1136 AM CDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED FLASH FLOODING ACROSS THE WARNED AREA. 

HIGHWAY 277 IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING FROM QUEMADO TO EAGLE PASS WITH REPORTS OF AREA CANALS FILLING UP FAST.  MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING ON RADAR SOUTH OF THE WARNED AREA SO MORE HEAVY RAINFALL IS LIKELY OVER THE NEXT 2 HOURS. 

THE STORMS ARE PRODUCING RAIN RATES OF NEARLY 2 INCHES PER HOUR WHICH WILL CONTINUE THE FLASH FLOOD THREAT.  DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH THIS AREA AS CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS.

EAGLE PASS -- In Eagle Pass last night, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents along with Texas Department Public  Safety investigators arrested 52-year-old Salvador Castillon, owner of South Texas Concrete based in Eagle  Pass, in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme announced United  States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

A federal grand jury indictment, returned yesterday and unsealed this morning, charges Castillon with two counts of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. According  to the indictment, Castillon was awarded Maverick County construction contracts totaling $416,800 in 2010 and $148,000 in 2011. 

The indictment alleges that in exchange for each Maverick County construction contract he was awarded, Castillon agreed to pay a Maverick County commissioner between $3,000 and $5,000.

Upon conviction, Castillon faces up to ten years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine percount. Castillon appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Collis White in Del Rio this morning for his initial appearance.

Judge White ordered that Castillon remain in custody pending the outcome of a detention hearing scheduled for 9:00am on Monday, June 17, 2013.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud,  or bribery related to Maverick County are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741.  Assistant  United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station arrested a Mexican national early Tuesday after finding 19 people hidden in the pickup truck he was driving.

Agents working near the intersection of FM 2011 and FM 2644, around 3 a.m. Tuesday, attempted to perform an immigration check on a vehicle after it passed them at a high rate of speed. After stopping once and pulling away, the vehicle - a 2007 Ford F-250 pickup - eventually stopped on FM 2644.

The driver, a 40-year-old Mexican citizen, had a small amount of cocaine in his possession. Agents found a total of 19 people hiding in the pickup truck. The driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution for alien smuggling (8 USC 1324).

Of the 19 passengers in the pickup, nine were from Mexico, six were from El Salvador and four were from Guatemala. Seven of the group were juveniles, including a 20-month-old.

EAGLE PASS -- Un un gran numero de ciudadanos han expresado su malestar por las modificaciones que realiza el Jefe de la Policía de Eagle Pass (EPPD), Bruce Mills, quien representa de manera interina el puesto que por muchos años ocupo Juan Antonio Castañeda. 

Ciudadanos que hablaron bajo la condición del anonimato señalaron la falta de transparencia por parte de la administración de Mills que no practica una agenda diaria y constante de informar a la población eaglepaseña sobre los acontesimientos más sobresalientes de seguridad pública, eventos y cambios administrativos. 

Algunos empleados del EPPD dicen que Mills --con el apoyo de Gloria Barrientos, gerente interina de Eagle Pass, y el concilio encabezado por el Mayor Ramsey Cantu-- realiza cambios 'radicales' dentro de las oficinas de la policía como la cancelación de varios programas que han sido realmente exitosos a lo largo de los últimos años. 

Algunos de los programas cancelados son: D.A.R.E., un programa que se enfoca en guiar a los jovenes locales con la educación de los daños que contrae el consumo de drogas y el alcohol; y Neighborhood Watch, un programa que tiene como objetivo alzar la seguridad en zonas residenciales y comerciales para evitar robos o cualquier tipo de actos ilicitos. 

Los empleados del EPPD ademas dijeron que Mills ha desocupado a varios oficiales de la ley y suspendido a otros más sin razones evidentes ni comprensibles. Otros empleados tambien fueron bajados de rango o puestos en diferentes posiciones. 

Hasta la fecha Mills no ha respondido como la comunidad lo requiere. En ningún momento ha manifestado sus planes de cambios ní mejorías en el departamento. 

Mills fue nombrado jefe de policía el 24 de abril de este año por Gloria Barrientos, misma que desocupo a Tony Castañeda sin citar razon alguna. 

En la foto que fue enviada por uno de los ciudadanos que se quejó aparece Mills junto a Barrientos afuera de un restaurante local. 

EAGLE PASS -- Former Maverick County Solid Waste Authority general manager and chief executive officer of the Maverick County landfill Hector Chavez, Jr., faces up to ten years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution to the County after pleading guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victor Garcia this morning in Del Rio, Chavez admitted that from March 9, 2012, to December 28, 2012, he pocketed over $62,000 in forged Maverick County checks he drafted him self.

Also this morning before Judge Garcia, general contractor Jose Telles, Jr., of Eagle Pass, TX, pleaded guilty to paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. As a result of his plea, Telles faces up to ten years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. By pleading guilty, Telles admitted that in 2010, he paid a $5,000 bribe to a Maverick County commissioner after being awarded an approximate $30,000 construction contract with Maverick County.

Telles is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Alia Moses in Del Rio; Chavez, September 17, 2013, before U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra in Del Rio.

To date, 12 individuals have pleaded guilty to federal charges and await sentencing in connection with this investigation. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Maverick County are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.