By Texas Times Staff

DEL RIO, TX — Val Verde County Precinct 1 Commissioner Kerr Wardlaw says infrastructure improvements remained a top priority throughout the year, with multiple road projects completed despite budget limitations.
According to Wardlaw, one of the first major projects addressed was Rose Avenue, which he described as the worst road in the precinct when he took office. The road has since been fully repaved, along with Echo Cliffs at the end of Rose Avenue.
Additional work included reinforcing the edges of Pepper Lane, repairs on Scotland Road, and ongoing maintenance along Cocobolo Road, an area prone to recurring potholes due to unstable ground conditions.
“Our roads are what citizens see every day,” Wardlaw said. “That’s our infrastructure, and it’s critical we keep it maintained.”
Wardlaw explained that Precinct 1 maintains approximately 30 miles of county roads, with 29 miles paved. Budget constraints allow for roughly one major road project per year, noting that it cost approximately $54,000 to pave just 0.21 miles of roadway.
The only unpaved road in the precinct, Gordonize Road, sees minimal traffic and serves primarily agricultural land.
Wardlaw also provided an update on the new Precinct 1 warehouse, a project initiated by his predecessor his father Martin Wardlaw. The facility sits on 25 acres along the loop between Del Rio and Laughlin Air Force Base and includes a large warehouse and storage buildings. Final office construction is underway, with a ribbon cutting planned for 2026.
Looking ahead, Wardlaw confirmed that groundbreaking is imminent for major fairgrounds improvements, including a large event center with a gymnasium, kitchen facilities, roll-up doors, and expanded vendor space.
Improvements are also planned for the county park near the cemetery, where solar lighting will be installed to enhance safety while preserving the natural views.
“We’re focused on doing things the right way,” Wardlaw said. “Saving taxpayer dollars while improving quality of life.”
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By Texas Times Staff
DEL RIO, TX — As the year comes to a close, City of Del Rio Mayor Al Arreola says 2025 will be remembered as a year of steady progress, economic momentum, and renewed focus on the needs of local residents.
“We had a lot of progress in our community and several economic boosts,” Arreola said during a recent interview on KWMC Radio. “It’s been a blessing for Del Rio. While there were challenges, the city council and administration worked together to address issues and keep the city moving forward.”
Over the past several years, Del Rio has seen consistent economic growth, with new hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses opening across the city. Arreola noted that this expansion has helped strengthen city revenues while creating new opportunities for local workers and entrepreneurs.
A key highlight for the mayor has been the continued revitalization of downtown Del Rio, where small, locally owned businesses have played a central role.
“Del Rio is a traditional community we support small businesses,” Arreola said. “When you see downtown growing, with new restaurants, bars, and shops, that tells you people believe in this city and are willing to invest in it.”
As the city looks toward 2026, Arreola said maintaining focus on core infrastructure needs will remain essential. Street repairs, improved lighting, and ongoing water and sewer maintenance are among the priorities that directly impact residents’ daily lives.
“Our responsibility is to take care of the basics first,” he said. “Streets, lighting, and infrastructure are not luxuries they’re necessities.”
The mayor also emphasized the importance of pursuing state and federal grants to fund improvements without placing additional strain on local taxpayers.
“Money is out there,” Arreola said. “If we stay focused and apply for those grants, we can bring outside dollars into Del Rio and invest them where they’re needed most.”
Looking ahead, Arreola outlined several longer-term goals, including upgrades to city parks, continued creek cleanup efforts, and exploring ways to repurpose city-owned properties for arts, entertainment, and community gatherings.
“We need spaces that bring families together,” he said. “Whether it’s parks, cultural centers, or downtown venues, those investments help improve quality of life.”
Reflecting on the year, Arreola said community unity has been one of Del Rio’s greatest strengths.
“If we continue working together and staying focused on the needs of our citizens,” he said, “2026 can be another strong year for Del Rio.”
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By Texas Times Staff
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DEL RIO, TX — This holiday season, Hyundai of Del Rio proved once again that giving back is more than a slogan it’s a way of life.
The dealership, under the leadership of General Manager Grant Bibb and ownership of the Koury Group, hosted a heartfelt Christmas giveaway that touched dozens of local families. Over the course of several days from a special Saturday event with Santa Claus through Christmas week more than 150 gifts were distributed to children and families throughout the community.
“It feels good to put a smile on someone’s face,” Bibb said. “We’re a very successful dealership, and a lot of that success comes from this community. Our philosophy is simple: how do we give back to the people we live with, worship with, raise our kids with, and cheer alongside at ball games?”

A No-Strings-Attached Gift of Joy
The main giveaway event featured Santa Claus, the Grinch, family photos, and free gifts, with no requirement to test drive a vehicle or make a purchase. Bibb emphasized that the goal was to reach families especially those who might otherwise struggle to afford Christmas presents.
“Some people in our community don’t have the means for gifts,” Bibb said. “We wanted them to come in, take a picture with Santa, and leave with a gift no catch. Just come and be blessed.”
Approximately 100 gifts were prepared, with 95 distributed that Saturday. The remaining gifts were donated to a local church to bless children during their Sunday program.
“The smiles on those kids’ faces that’s what it’s all about,” Bibb said. “When you see a child open a gift they weren’t expecting, their whole expression changes. That’s a moment you never forget.”

Giving Didn’t Stop There
What surprised many in Del Rio was that the generosity didn’t end with one event. In the days leading up to Christmas, Hyundai of Del Rio continued daily giveaways, including:
•    55-inch televisions
•    VR headsets
•    AirPods
•    iPads
•    Gift cards
•    Barbecue grills
•    Gaming consoles and accessories

“We kept going Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday right up to Christmas,” Bibb said. “And these weren’t small items. We’re talking big TVs, electronics, and things families could truly enjoy together.”
The giveaways were conducted randomly through social media, with participants simply liking, sharing, and commenting. No purchases were required.
“It’s free. Anyone can win,” Bibb said. “There’s no gimmick. We even gave away three TVs in one day because someone didn’t claim theirs we just kept giving.”

Faith, Gratitude, and Community First
Bibb credited the dealership’s giving spirit to faith, gratitude, and the philosophy of owner Nick Koury, who fully supports community investment without hesitation.
“We don’t give because we have to, we  give because we want to,” Bibb said. “God is great all the time. Christmas is about being grateful for what we have and sharing it.”
He added that Hyundai of Del Rio consistently gives back year-round through scholarships, community partnerships, and sponsorships including local museums and nonprofit organizations.
“This year alone, we’ll give another $15,000 to $20,000 in scholarships,” Bibb said. “We invest in the kids, in education, and in the future of this city.”
As the holidays come to a close, Hyundai of Del Rio’s message remains clear: true success is measured not by sales, but by service.
“You can’t be blessed if you don’t bless others,” Bibb said. “Our success comes from giving and we’re going to keep doing it."

By Texas Times Staff
DEL RIO, TX — The spirit of the holiday season was on full display this past Saturday at the Whitehead Memorial Museum during its annual Christmas at the Museum celebration, an event that combined festive activities with a meaningful food and toy drive for local families in need.
Michael Diaz, Director of the Whitehead Memorial Museum, said the event was a great success and expressed his gratitude to the Del Rio community for its continued generosity and support.
“This is our annual food and toy drive where we collect non-perishable food items for the Val Verde County Food Pantry and toys that will be donated to Ruben Chavira Elementary School,” Diaz said. “These toys will be distributed to students in need during the holiday season.”
The family friendly event featured a visit from Santa Claus, who handed out free goodie bags and posed for photos with children. Young attendees also enjoyed free arts and crafts, face painting, and live performances throughout the evening.
Diaz extended special thanks to the student choirs from Lonnie Green Elementary School and Hill Elementary School for their musical performances, as well as the Ballet Folklórico Toko Rico group, which entertained guests with a vibrant cultural dance presentation.
The event was made possible through the support of community sponsors, including Union Pacific, Friends of Val Verde Health and Wellness, The Bargain Box, the City of Del Rio, and Val Verde County.
“Not everyone experiences a great Christmas, and this is a way for the community to come together in one place and give back whether through food or toy donations,” Diaz said.
Approximately 150 toys were collected during the drive, along with a substantial amount of food donations. Diaz thanked all residents who contributed, emphasizing the importance of community involvement during the holiday season.
In addition to the food and toy drive, the museum has launched its annual Christmas Museum Lights, allowing the public to enjoy the museum’s holiday decorations free of charge.
“Over the years, we’ve expanded our decorations and decided to open the museum to the public on select evenings in December so families can enjoy the lights and take holiday photos,” Diaz said.
The museum is open from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on December 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24, inviting families to walk through the decorated grounds, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and take Christmas photos at no cost.
“Families are welcome to bring their own cameras or photographers and capture their holiday memories here,” Diaz added. “It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together.”
With a full calendar of events throughout the year, Diaz said the museum looks forward to continuing its mission of preserving history while serving the community.
“We truly appreciate the community’s support,” he said. “We’re excited to see what 2026 brings.”
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By Texas Times Staff
DEL RIO, TX — Casa de la Cultura was filled with music, tradition, and community spirit this past weekend as residents gathered for a festive posada and tamalada, celebrating one of the most cherished cultural traditions of the holiday season.
Casa de la Cultura Director Lupita La Paz said the event drew an impressive turnout from start to finish, with families participating in both the traditional and celebratory aspects of the evening.
“We had a really great turnout from the very beginning,” La Paz said. “We started with the traditional pedida de posada, visiting our neighboring homes. As tradition goes, we’re denied entry until the final stop, when Casa de la Cultura opens its doors. That’s what officially kicks off the event.”
Once the posada concluded, the celebration continued with the arrival of Matachines, followed by music, dancing, and food. La Paz noted that many attendees remained throughout the entire event, helping with cleanup afterward an example, she said, of the strong sense of community that defines Casa de la Cultura.
One of the highlights of the evening was the tamalada, made possible by volunteers who spent the previous day preparing masa, tamales, and gathering donated gifts.
“Our volunteers and helpers are incredible,” La Paz said. “From preparing the tamales to organizing the gifts and helping throughout the event, we couldn’t do this without them.”
Live music was provided by La Calle Cuatro, which kept the crowd dancing after the tamalada.
“They were awesome,” La Paz said. “It was perfect timing everyone had just eaten, so they could dance off the tamales. They played a full 90-minute set without even taking a break, and it was fantastic.”
Cultural performances were also a major highlight, including Ballet Folklórico and the Matachines, both staples of Mexican heritage. La Paz emphasized the importance of giving performers ample time to showcase their work.
“We had both our children’s group and our adult group perform,” she said. “This was their final performance of the year, so we made sure they had enough time to highlight all the states and the different dresses they’ve been working on all year.”
The Ballet Folklórico performance lasted nearly an hour and featured dances representing regions from Aguascalientes to Veracruz, taking the audience on a vibrant cultural journey. The groups will now take a short break before resuming rehearsals in late February to begin learning new dances.
La Paz said preserving tradition and culture remains central to Casa de la Cultura’s mission, especially in today’s fast-paced world.
“These traditions can fade away, but not here in Del Rio,” she said. “Casa de la Cultura exists to keep our culture alive in the community.”
La Paz concluded by thanking everyone who attended and encouraging residents to participate in future events.
“If you haven’t been to a posada or any of our events or activities, I definitely invite you to be part of it,” she said. “Casa de la Cultura is an experience. It’s something you truly have to experience for yourself.”
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By Texas Times Staff
DEL RIO, Texas — The City of Del Rio’s annual Christmas Night Parade proved to be a major success, drawing an impressive turnout and highlighting the strong community spirit that continues to define the city.
According to Esme Meza, Community Services Director for the City of Del Rio, the parade, held Friday, December 5, exceeded expectations in both participation and attendance.
“We had about 80 registered entries, but many included multiple units such as walkers, trucks, and trailers,” Meza said. “By the time everything was counted, we had well over 100 units, including floats, walking groups, vehicles, and even animals.”
Meza said the community response was overwhelming, noting that residents braved chilly weather conditions to take part in the long-standing holiday tradition.
“It was cold, so we didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “But people came prepared with jackets, hats, and blankets, and they still came out in large numbers. That really shows how much this parade means to our community.”
Parade participants also noted the size of the crowd. One entry reportedly purchased more than 1,500 candy canes, yet ran out before even reaching the halfway point of the route  a clear sign of the parade’s popularity.
This year’s theme, “Level Up,” inspired by classic arcade video games, was especially well received. Meza said many entries fully embraced the theme, featuring characters and designs from beloved games such as Mario, Donkey Kong, and other retro favorites.
“The creativity was amazing,” Meza said. “People really stuck to the theme, and it showed. The entries were colorful, fun, and very engaging.”
Several groups were recognized for their outstanding participation. The Mayor’s Choice Award was presented to one standout entry, while first place honors went to another top competitor. The Queen City Belles earned second place and also received the Holiday Award for best performance. Additionally, Del Rio High School CTE was recognized for its “Merry and Bright” themed entry, which Mesa described as one of the most memorable of the night.
Meza emphasized that the parade is about more than competition.
“We do this for the citizens, for the families, and especially for the kids both the young and the young at heart,” she said. “Whether someone had a loved one in the parade or was just there to watch, it was about coming together and celebrating the season.”
Looking ahead, Meza said residents can expect announcements early in the new year regarding future city events, including the theme for next year’s Christmas parade and the City of Del Rio’s Halloween Haunted House at City Hall.
“We’re excited for what’s ahead,” Meza said. “This turnout shows that Del Rio truly values these traditions.”
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