02-23-26

By Michael Robinson| Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: Diana Olvedo-Karau; Uvalde Hesperian File Photo

Diana Olvedo-Karua spoke to the Uvalde County elected officials where she addressed issues that she claimed might not be illegal but are, in her opinion, unethical.

Karau addressed the county court during citizens’ comments portion of this morning’s meeting.

“A few years ago, County Commissioner Mariano Pargas moved from Precinct 2 to Precinct 1 and the argument from Judge Mitchell was that he already been elected and he’d finish out his term,” Karau said,

She added that a few more years passed, and the court decided, during required redistricting, the court decided to gerrymander, a little nook out of the east side of Uvalde so that Commissioner Pargas could continue to be in Precinct 2.

“Then a few years more…County Attorney John Dodson no longer lives in Uvalde County, but there’s loopholes, and he continues to be in that position though he no longer lives in this community and is not adequately serving the residents of Uvalde County,” she said.

Additionally, she pointed out that Uvalde County Commissioner John Yeackle filed to run for Uvalde County Judge in November 2025, the same month, Uvalde County Judge William “Bill” Mitchell was suspended. “There was no judge to fill that seat, she said.”

“This court has always argued that if someone is running for an election, it gives them an unfair advantage to remain on the court.” she said.

Karau went on to say Interim Judge Jerry Bates has the ability to appoint someone to fill the Precent 1 seat on the Uvalde County Commissioner’s Court held by Yeackle.

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian 

Two empty seats were seen at this morning’s Monday, February 12th Uvalde County Commissioners Court meeting held on the third floor of the Uvalde County Courthouse.

Among the agenda items discussed were extending the contract for Servpro for fire damage remediation services for the 2923 arson fire contained in the Uvalde County Tax office located on the 1st floor of the Courthouse. 

It was stated at the meeting the flooring of the offices contains asbestos.

A second Servepro contract for the Uvalde County Justice Center was approved to remediate leaks which are preventing the Grand Jury from holding meetings at the courtroom located at the Center. Currently, the grand jury is meeting at another location nearby at the Uvalde County FairPlex.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of a new sound system for the Uvalde County Fairplex. Fairplex Director Wendy Speers presented the purchase request stating the new system was needed for sound to reach the entire arena. 

Commissioners also approved a bid of $1500 for the sale of a small plot of land located in a residential area near Oppenheimer Street. The bid which was placed at a courthouse steps property sale  was lower than the minimum bid price. According to a source,  the  property was so small it would not be suitable to build anything on but would only be of value to expand the size a neighboring property effectively putting the property back on the tax rolls.

The mother of a Robb School student injured during the May 24th, 2922 tragedy spoke to the Court stating that Comissioner Pargas  should not receive payment for his position on the Court going on ti say he can’t make meetings and is incapable of leading.

 

 

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian ; Photos by Robinson

Monday, January 22nd, 2023

 Robb School victim’s family members packed the Uvalde County Commissioners Courtroom this morning along with several television news stations and news outlets with video cameras lined up near the back of the third floor courtroom at the Uvalde County Courthouse. Several family members quoted Commissioner Mariano Pargas’ earlier words to the families where he asked they wait until the investigation and the final report on the Robb School Tragedy is released. 

  Pargas, who was the focus for many who spoke out demanding the County stop paying him to serve as a County Commissioner, was absent from today’s proceedings. Jessie Rizo and other blasted other elected Uvalde County law enforcement officials for seeking re-election in the upcoming primary elections. 

 A video news report will be published soon by the Uvalde Hesperian.

  After  Uvalde County Commissioner Mariano Pargas won his re-election bid and Tuesday’s CNN report revealing new details about Lt. Pargas’ actions during the May 24th Robb School Massacre, today’s Uvalde County Commissioner’s Court was packed with several of the Robb school victim’s family members, citizens and news reporters and TV cameras waiting to see if Commissioner Pargas would be present at the meeting.

  Just a few minutes before the Commissioners Court meeting was called to order, CNN Reporter Shimon Prokupecz confronted Uvalde County Sheriff Rubin Nolasco pressing him for more information about the Sheriff’s Department’s actions on May 24th with TV cameras and reporters surrounding Nolasco. Nolasco repeatedly told Prokupecz he had no comment.  The spectacle came to an end as County Judge Bill Mitchell called the meeting to order.

  According to an exclusive report by CNN, in an interview with Uvalde City Mayor Don McLaughlin, Lt. Mariano Pargas who was the acting police chief the day of the Robb School Massacre will no longer be employed by the City of Uvalde Police Department by the end of the week.

  Of those who spoke to the court during public comments included Diana Olvedo-Karau, Dr. Aide Escamilla , Jesse Rizo, Michelle Proudy,  Gladys Gonzales,  and Berlinda Arreola.

  “I’m the mother of 4th grade victim  Caitlyne Gonzales.  I’m coming to you today as a concerned parent and a citizen of Uvalde. I come to you today in hopes that y’all can reconsider the election results that keeps him (Mariano Pargas) as County Commissioner.  His poor judgment and lack thereof has caused 21 victims and countless survivors with a lifetime trauma they will have to endure. You sir, walked out on my daughter and the rest of her classmates. Mariano Pargas, you are not worthy of this title. I’m not asking, I am demanding you step down as County Commissioner. Thank you,” Gladys Gonzales said.

  Michele Prouty stated she lives next door to Robb Elementary School.  She said, “I was hoping he would be here in person so I can ask him directly, Why he felt like it is a good idea to run? Is it because he feels he can do more good in this community or is he a narcissist?”

   She went on to explain to the court that on two occasions in the weeks before election day,  her family was startled by a voice over a very loud speaker going down Geraldine. 

 “So it was very reminiscent of May 24th hearing radios and loudspeakers. We didn’t know what was happening.

  We flew out of our chairs and ran outside thinking there was another incident happening right there, You know we do have the bailouts.  But, It was a relief to find out that it wasn’t an emergency. It was either Mr. Pargas  himself or one of his representatives driving an SUV with speakers attached to the back  asking us to vote for him in the Robb Neighborhood.

That’s the kind of character this man has in my opinion, He is not considerate and he has no shame. What I’m asking him to do is look at himself in the mirror and make the right decision, to step down.,” Prouty said.

According to an exclusive report by CNN, in an interview with Uvalde City Mayor Don McLaughlin, Lt. Mariano Pargas who was the acting police chief the day of the Robb School Massacre will no longer be employed by the City of Uvalde Police Department by the end of the week.

  According to the CNN Report,

“Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said he was outraged by the actions of Lt. Mariano Pargas whom a CNN report showed failing to organize help for children he knew were trapped with a gunman.

‘Lt. Pargas will not be a member of the Uvalde police department. At the very latest at the end of the week, if not sooner,’ he told CNN on Tuesday.

Mayor Don McLaughlin said that should have started the ball rolling, but it didn’t.”

 This report comes a week after Uvalde County Commissioner Mariano Pargas was reelected for his seat on the Uvalde County Commissioner’s Court.