Economy, crime, med school among top stories of year [Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas]

Dec. 31--Progress toward a medical school, an economic upturn, completion of wind farms and turmoil in San Benito were among the top local stories of 2012.

The University of Texas Board of Regents decided to seek legislative approval for a new emerging research university in the Rio Grande Valley, and to allocate $100 million to transition the Regional Academic Health Center to a school of medicine.

"That has got to be one of the greatest milestones ever for our region and our city," Mayor Chris Boswell said of outstanding events this year.

The new university would include the University of Texas at Brownsville, the University of Texas-Pan American and the school of medicine in a plan that the Board of Regents noted would result in a single institution with a presence in Harlingen, Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen.

Ending the fiscal year with a nearly 10 percent increase in retail sales followed by a month with a 20 percent increase also is among the highlights for the city in 2012.

"It means Harlingen's retail sector is booming with more announcements on the way," Boswell said.

A spokesman for Sam's Club acknowledged this month possible plans to establish a store here in a statement to the Valley Morning Star. Then on Saturday, officials confirmed that Reyna Family Development Ltd. of Weslaco and Sam's Real Estate Business Trust of Arkansas closed on the land purchase for the store's location at Spur 54 and Expressway 77 near Bass Pro Shops.

Furthermore, "we've continued to rid our city of unsightly structures and to beautify other areas like our canal embankments, Gutierrez Park and Casa del Sol," he said of the city's successful demolition and improvement projects.

The demolition of the Sun Valley Motor Hotel will begin shortly after the first of the year, while other new businesses such as the cutting edge Tire Recycling Center with its multimillion-dollar investment have established operations in the city.

"It's been a great year for our city and 2013 is poised to be even better," the mayor said.

In other events this year, the Harlingen Economic Development Corp. saw the departure of CEO Bill Martin, but soon welcomed Raudel Garza who took the helm of the organization, while business leaders continue to rally behind Bass Pro Shops with hopes that its revenue projections will materialize.

The year hasn't been without challenges, however.

The 13th Court of Appeals is expected to render an opinion soon regarding the civil lawsuit filed against the city of Harlingen more than two years ago challenging the annexation of 1,039 acres to the west of the city. The commission first annexed the land, and then de-annexed it, following that up with rescinding the de-annexation. The issue continues to loom over the city.

The year also brought controversy concerning hefty pay increases to select city employees, how to approach game establishments, the change of city elections from May to November, and a shake-up within the City Commission.

With former District 3 Commissioner Kori Marra out of office, the year brought the election and re-election of her successor Mike Mezmar, the ousting of District 4 Commissioner Jerry Prepejchal and installation of Chino Sanchez, and departure of District 5 Commissioner Joey Trevino, who lost a runoff election to Victor Leal.

The economy hit some more than others also, none more noticeably, however, than the 75-year-old firm Ballenger Construction Company, which filed for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month after defaulting on 22 statewide construction projects, listing liabilities of up to $50 million, and involving more than 3,000 creditors and others.

CRIME

On March 31, the body of 20-year-old Brisna Mireles, a former Harlingen High School South student, was found on the outskirts of Combes. Authorities said she died from gunshot wounds to the back and face.

Within days, police had arrested Aroldo Humberto Cadriel, 65, a former corrections officer from Brownsville, and charged him with murder.

Police said a motel key found on Mireles led them to Cadriel. He and Mireles had been seen together at the Hudson House Motel in Harlingen the night before her body was discovered, police said.

An arrest warrant affidavit contained more details from police officers, who said they went to interview Cadriel. "(As we were) preparing to leave Cadriel's residence," the affidavit stated, "we are stopped by Mr. Cadriel, who stated that he did in fact have a sexual relationship with the victim and that he had rented the motel room at the Hudson House Motel.

"Mr. Cadriel also stated that he was frustrated with feeling used by the victim only to buy items and give rides to the victim at her call."

In an unrelated case, Cadriel was later charged with aggravated sexual assault of a 7-year-old Harlingen boy.

The cases are pending.

On Sept. 28, Harlingen police responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a home on East Polk Avenue and discovered a grisly scene. They found the bodies of Sarah Maxwell Montemayor, 29, and her friend Devan Leroy Haynes, 28. They also found Montemayor's estranged husband, Omar Montemayor, 34.

Police said Omar Montemayor had forced his way into his estranged wife's home and shot her and Haynes in the upper torso, and then shot himself in the head. Sarah and Haynes were pronounced dead, but Omar Montemayor survived.

Inside the duplex, police also found a 20-gauge shotgun and a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol.

During Sarah Montemayor's autopsy, the medical examiner discovered she was five to eight weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

Friends of Sarah Montemayor and Haynes said Haynes was visiting from Karnes City and was in Harlingen only two days catching up with old friends before the evening he was shot while visiting Sarah.

Omar Montemayor remained hospitalized until November, when he was arraigned on three counts of murder, including the slaying of his wife's unborn child.

Following arraignment, Montemayor was cleared medically for incarceration. He was released from the hospital and taken to the Cameron County Jail, according to police.

The case is pending.

SAN BENITO

Turmoil rattled the San Benito City Commission and school board this year, cutting deeper rifts into this politically charged city.

At City Hall, Mayor Joe Hernandez fought a two-count indictment that stemmed from his ties to a snow cone stand.

Then this month, the mayor chose to enter a one-year probationary period as part of a deal in which the Cameron County District Attorney's Office agreed to dismiss a misdemeanor charge of abuse of official capacity if he satisfactorily completes the term.

Special Prosecutor Ruben Pena agreed to dismiss a felony charge of tampering with evidence as part of Hernandez's agreement to enter the DA's pre-trial diversion program, which did not require the mayor to enter a plea or admit guilt.

The charges stemmed from a complaint filed in January by resident Alfonso Benavides, a client of former City Attorney Jan Cassidy.