The valley times August 16, 2017

VOL. I, NO. 3

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2017

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RGVTIMES.COM

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Criticism continues as Hidalgo THIRD GENERATION FIREFIGHTER Commissioners move JOINS EDINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT County on new courthouse

Jorge Saldana has a lot of big boots to fill as a newly promoted Edinburg fire truck driver, representing the third generation of his family to enter the profession. He wasn’t the only one with family ties to the profession as Kevin Gonzalez follows in his wife’s footsteps.

“There is a long tradition in the firefighter community of several generations being firefighters,” Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snider explained. “It’s not unusual for firefighters to have other relatives as firefighters. There’s a strong family connection in this field, not just in Edinburg.”

The Edinburg Fire Department hosted a pinning ceremony last week at City Hall for firefighters promoted to driver positions and firefighters earning full status after passing their probationary period. Four drivers and three firefighters were pinned during the event in front of family, friends and elected officials.

In opening the ceremo-

Newly promoted Edinburg Fire Department driver Jorge Saldana, left, has his badged pinned by his father as family members look on during last week’s pinning ceremony.

ny, Mayor Richard Garcia acknowledged the risks firefighters take and why they do it. “There’s no glamor to be choking and covered in soot. Hopefully, you’re here because you care. You care about public service. You care about your community, about your family. Be proud to be part of a team where most serve something greater than yourself.”

Snider called on family members to pin the newly recognized fire depart-

ment members. Firefighters earning promotions to driver included Rolando Reyes, Jorge Saldana, Kevin Gonzalez and Eric Salinas.

Probationary firefighters earning full status included Jose. D. Barrera and Esteban Mercado. Adrian Cisneros had been pinned at an earlier ceremony. Snider administered the oath to the group.

Roland Reyes is a second generation firefighter.

His father was fire chief

in Hidalgo and a veteran of the McAllen Fire Department. Jorge Saldana’s grandfather, Sandy Saldana, was a firefighter and fire inspector in Mission. One of Jorge’s uncles was fire chief in Misson.

Jorge’s father, Rick Saldana, is a volunteer with the Edinburg Fire Department.

Kevin Gonzalez’s wife was a firefighter in Pharr and volunteer in Edinburg before Kevin entered the profession.

Even as Hidalgo County Commissioners moved this week to jumpstart the work on building a new courthouse building, critics remained unconvinced that the project costs were in line with what was needed and what taxpayers can afford.

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court was expected to finalizing the selection of an architectural firm for the project at this week’s meeting. Two firms, HDR, Inc. and HOK both with offices in Dallas, were scored and tied for the top spot. The two firms outscored a number of local architectural firms. There is no current method for breaking a tie for service contracts.

County Judge Ramon Garcia apologized for last week’s delay in the selection, stating that legal counsel needed time to look into the matter and recommend how to proceed. “The statutes are clear when it comes to tie-breakers for competitive bids,” Garcia said.

“But there is nothing in

the statutes about resolving ties for professional services.

Mayor Norberto Salinas No matter the outcome, Hidalgo County will be well-represented during the next phase of the project, as both firms are highly qualified for the job.”

Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas spoke out this week against the project costs. “We do not need a new courthouse, and it will only add to the long-term tax burden,” Salinas said. According Salinas, the county will sell approximately $150 million in new bonds that will be repaid over a 30year period. He noted that the total 30-year payout would be approximately $300-350 million with principal and interest payments.

Salinas said the county could build it by the (Interstate 2/U.S. 281) freeway and save a lot of

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

OPINION

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OUR DEADLY OPIOID CRISIS

By Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa

In America, opioids kill an average of 165 people a day. Every single day.

Prescription pain killers that are legal are being significantly abused causing overdose deaths and hospitalizations to skyrocket. Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels and has quickly become the deadliest drug crisis in American history. It is the leading cause of death for people under 50 and killed more people last year than guns or car accidents

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-- a pace faster than the HIV epidemic at its peak.

And this is not just an isolated drug problem, opioid abuse is linked to huge increases in crime, unemployment, and suicide, as well as increases in child abuse and neglect cases. It is impacting rural areas where it was not common before and is a huge financial drain on our healthcare system.

Opioids can be heroine, but are also prescription In America, painkillopioids kill an ers like average of Vicodin, OxyContin and Hydrocopeople a day. done. UnEvery single day. fortunately, television commercials push these drugs to consumers as the answer to all pain. The pharmaceutical industry paints a pretty picture of pain relief but fails to properly show the side effects or long term consequences. Meanwhile, pill mills have become prevalent in our communities and people continue to become addicted. While law enforcement is going after drug dealers, they are also targeting pharmaceutical companies and doctors who they say are flooding the nation with potent painkillers.

The problem is not having a system in place to check on pain clinics or patients. A person can go doctor shopping and get the same prescription from multiple prescribers or at pill mills.

This is why prescription drug monitoring programs are so critical, and many state legislatures are creating new laws to reduce the supply of prescription opioids that end up being used recreationally while maintaining adequate access for chronic pain patients.

The Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is a database that collects statewide information on controlled substances dispensed in Texas.

The PMP allows prescribers (doctors,

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dentists, nurses, etc,) and dispensers (pharmacists) to check on a patient’s controlled substance prescription history to ensure responsible prescribing and dispensing patterns. Regulatory agencies can also use the database to investigate potentially improper practices. However, the current PMP lacks basic tools needed to maximize its effectiveness.

Mandatory use of the PMP by our medical community is necessary to properly capture prescription data.

In an effort to curb our Texas opioid crisis, I authored legislation this session that becomes law September 1. It requires pharmacists to enter data in the PMP of any controlled substances they dispense within one business day. And more importantly, it will require mandatory PMP checks on a patient’s prescription history before prescribing or dispensing any controlled substances starting September 1, 2019.

While there was much initial resistance from our medical community to require mandatory checking of the PMP for a patient’s prescription history, we worked together to make adjust-

ments and to improve and fully develop the PMP system, and allow a grace period. However, change is inevitable and these requirements are necessary.

Another consequence of the growing opioid crisis is a significant increase in pharmacy burglaries and theft. In Texas there are no special penalty enhancements for offenses dealing specifically with pharmacies or other premises that typically store controlled substances.

This means that the burglary of a pharmacy would be treated the same as the burglary of a convenience store without regard to the controlled substances that are stolen.

Since we must protect our communities from the wave of property crime that is feeding the illegal opioid pipeline, I authored and passed legislation to increase penalties for burglary or theft offenses involving a controlled substance. Effective September 1, 2017 it is a third degree felony for burglary or theft of a controlled substance if it is on premises such as pharmacies, clinics, hospitals or nursing facilities.

The Texas Legislature must continue to address this growing epidemic next session and create more safeguards to prevent doctor shopping, ensure prescribers check patient drug prescription history, and help identify those patients who are addicted or need assistance.

Opioid abuse is not going away as our society relies more and more on prescription drugs for pain relief and other health issues. While I am proud of our hard work this session, more must be done to educate the public and prevent our loved ones from dying at alarming rates.

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COMMUNITY

McAllen Library visitors practice using special viewing goggles for Monday’s solar eclipse. The goggles will protect viewers’ eyes while they see the 50-60% eclipse South Texas will experience.

Eclipse-mania hits South Texas, Libraries host viewing groups Next Monday, August 21, thousands, maybe even millions, of people will be staring up at the sun. If you plan to be one of them, be prepared and learn how to do it safely.

The McAllen Public Library and other libraries across the region will have special viewing glasses that will allow a person to safely view the eclipse. Regular sunglasses and smoked glass will not offer any protection when viewing the sun and may lead to serious eye damage or even blindness. The STAR_Net Project made the approved solar viewing glasses available through an award.

Many local retailers are also selling the glasses. Roberto Zapata, Assistant Director of Public Services for the McAllen Public Library, advised the public to be careful about which glasses they use.

Buyers should look for an ISO 12312-2 international safety standard label and should be aware of counterfeit items.

The McAllen libraries will be hosting a series of programs this week and next Monday to celebrate the Great American Eclipse. McAllen and surrounding areas will experience a partial solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st with 50% to 60% coverage.

“With a fifty to sixty percent solar eclipse, it won’t get completely dark here,” explained Roberto Zapata, Assistant Director of Public Services for the McAllen Public Library. “It will look like it would on a cloudy day. The sun won’t be as bright, but it won’t look completely dark.”

Events are planned at all library locations to inform families about the eclipse through fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities and storytimes. The series will culminate with an Eclipse Viewing Party at the Main Library on August 21st from 12:00-2:00 PM. All programs in this series will offer free solar eclipse viewing glasses while supplies last.

The Palm View Branch Library will host two programs for families. The first program, Mr. Sun Toddler Time on Tuesday, August 15th at 11:00 AM, will be an interactive storytime for children and their caregivers. The second program, Solar Eclipse Bilingual Storytime on Wednesday, August 16th at 6:00 PM, will be in English and Spanish with special songs, stories, and activities.

The Main Library will host three programs for families and teens. Night Sky Exploration for Teens on Wednesday, August 16th at 3:00 PM, will allow teens to explore the night sky and learn about the eclipse inside a portable planetarium. The Children’s Department will host a special STEAMboat program about the eclipse on Thursday, August 17th at 6:30 PM for children and families. Finally, a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party will be held on Monday, August 21st at 12:00 PM under the front canopy of the building. Participants will enjoy music, snacks, and activities while observing the eclipse safely with free solar viewing glasses.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

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COMMUNITY Woman’s identity baffles hospital, authorities Wednesday, August 16, 2017

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Edinburg Regional Medical Center asks for the public’s help in identifying this woman and any friends or relatives who may know her. She goes by the name of Maria Barrera.

South Texas Health Systems is asking for the public’s assistance in contacting relatives of a woman suffering from dementia and no local family contacts.

The woman, going by the name of Maria Barrera, has been at Edinburg Regional Medical Center since March 23.

In March, Barrera was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Edinburg Regional Medical Center. She was anemic, dehydrated, and disorientated, and suffered from dementia.

She had been helped by a family in Edinburg who had been feeding her and giving her a place to sleep; however, Maria became too much to handle for the Good Samaritans. She left, allegedly wandered the streets and fell.

The hospital has done an exhaustive search to help Barrera. Case workers at Edinburg Regional Medical Center have worked with various agencies in the community and with local, state and federal law enforcement officials, but no information has been uncovered that would help identify Maria and

qualify her for any kind of benefits. She is essentially homeless and living in the hospital.

Barrera weighs 73 pounds and said she was born in 1937 or 1945. She said she was born in Mercedes and that her father’s name is Jose Barrera and her mother is Celestina. Barrera said she was raised by her grandmother, had a brother who died and a sister she does not speak to and does not know her whereabouts. She possibly worked at the old Hagar plant in Edinburg. She speaks only Spanish. This information may not be accurate since Maria’s memory is failing.

If anyone has any information to help identify Maria and get her into long-term living arrangements or reunited with family or friends, please call the House Supervisor at 956-3886512. This number is active 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If no one answers right away, please leave a message and the case management team will get in touch with you.

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FREE CHECKING ACCOUNT SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE ANNOUNCES EXTENDED HOURS FOR FALL 2017 REGISTRATION South Texas College staff will be assisting students with extended hours for fall 2017 registration. Classes begin Monday August 28.

Students can choose from more than 120 degree & certificate options and enroll at any of South Texas College’s 5 campuses, two Teaching Centers and South Texas College Online. Day, night, weekend and online classes are available to accommodate busy schedules.

Students Services offices will be open to students on the last Friday in Saturdays in August at the Pecan, Mid-Valley & Starr County campuses, August 12, 19 and 26 from 10 am to 2pm.

Registration is always available 24/7 via Jagnet and at SouthTexasCollege. edu/register. Students can select courses, register and pay online.

To avoid a $60 registration fee, tuition should be paid in full before July 31. The drop payment deadline is Aug. 16. Students may continue registering for classes up until the first class day.

Installment plans and emergency loans are available. Visit the nearest cashier’s office to make payment arrangements.

For more information about fall registration, call South Texas College at (956) 872-8311.

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COMMUNITY

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

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Edinburg race sees three challengers, so far

With three announced candidates, the Edinburg mayor’s race will likely be one of the most competitive city elections this coming November.

Mayor Richard Garcia, Commissioner Richard Molina and newcomer Gina Alamia have already filed for the position while another candidate announced for Place Two. Gina Alamia, who had previously announced her intentions to run for mayor, official filed for the position last week at Edinburg City Hall. The 37-year old, who works as an immigration consultant, is the daughter of former Edinburg Mayor Richard Alamia, who held the office from 1981 to 1987.

Alamia will face current mayor Richard Garcia and current Place 1 Council member Richard Molina in the upcoming November city elections. No other candidates have announced for the mayor’s race. The deadline for candidates to file for the November election is this coming Monday, August 21, at 5 pm.

Alamia said she felt the urge to follow in her father’s footstep. “I just feel that it’s in the blood,” Alamia said. “I have the vision. I have the determination.”

Alamia noted that she could commit extensive time to the challenge.

“I’m not married; I don’t have kids,” said Alamia. “I feel that everything happens for a reason, and I think my purpose is to fix Edinburg because it’s broken.”

Alamia said small issues, like potholes in streets and unpaved alleys, have plagued the city, and is an issue she hopes to tackle. Alamia said bigger issues will also be addressed if she is elected.

“I’m not going to make people rich that are not qualified for jobs. I’m not here to play favoritism,” said Alamia.

“I feel that I’ve decided to take on this mayorship because I think it’s my purpose, actually I know it’s my purpose.

I believe in it, so many people believe in me, and my dad believes in me, and that is major because he’s a great mayor.”

Garcia pointed the city’s progress as he filed for re-election. “Strategic planning, persistence and continuity have made Edinburg what it is today,” Gar-

cia said in a news release. “Great cities aren’t built on fly-by-night promises.

The kind of growth that our city is experiencing today does not happen by chance. It happens with vision, careful planning, collaboration and execution.

It is built on a solid foundation that has stood the test of time, by hard-working men and women who are focused on the future.”

Molina pointed to Gina Alamania some outstanding issues in announcing his run for Mayor. “The city of Edinburg has been struggling with infrastructure issues, lack of parks and lighting issues, that have been brought to my attention on a daily basis,” Molina said.

“We need a mayor that is in touch with every constituent that’s out here, not just a certain faction,” said Molina.

“We need a mayor that is well-rounded--that is active.”

Molina served in the U.S. Army and as an Edinburg police sergeant for 11 years. He is currently a local business owner.

If elected as mayor, Molina plans on pushing for two four-year-terms for each elected official and removing the mayor’s position as president of the city’s Economic Development Corporation.

In the Place 2 race, incumbent J.R. Betancourt announced last week that he will not seek re-election to the position. In a press release announcing his decision, Betancourt wrote, “As my term comes to an end, I have decided that the time has come for me to devote more time to my family and my business. A big thank you to my wife and three daughters for their continued support and for never complaining when I couldn’t be present at their school and extracurricular events.

Please know that as a lifelong resident of Edinburg, my affection for this great city remains constant. Again, thank you and God bless you!”

Former Edinburg School Board Trustee Gilbert Enriquez and Roland

Villarreal, a local builder and developer, have both filed for the Place 2 post.

Enriquez, 43, is the president of E-Con Group, LLC.. His priorities, if elected, include advocating for lower property taxes for Edinburg residents, improving infrastructure such as drainage and roads, and a focus on public safety, and parks and recreation.

“I feel that the city needs a change in direction and that we need Richard Garcia people with strong values, integrity and common sense to come in and really govern,” said Enriquez. “I want to bring my experience in public service and business to the council so we can move the city forward fiscally.”

Villarreal is currently chairman of the Edinburg Planning and Zoning board. “I want to partner with city

leaders at all levels to use my personal and professional experience and skills to keep Edinburg at the forefront of innovation and economic vitality,” Villarreal said in his announcement.

He graduated from Edinburg High School in 2002 and earned a finance degree from the University of Texas - Pan American. He began his career with Farmers Insurance, where he managed the company’s Richard Molina local district, which according to the press release, was the largest in the United States at the time.

Villarreal founded a construction and development consulting firm with his brother, Roman, in 2011. It now specializes in commercial retail, office space and multifamily developments.

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

EDUCATION

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Three PSJA middle school students selected for Lone Star Leadership Academy

Above, Emily Garcia takes part in Lone Star Leadership activities in San Antonio this past summer. Photo bottom right, Ryan Ramirez takes part in rock climbing activities during his Leadership Camp.

Three incoming middle school students from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD were recently selected to travel to Austin/ San Antonio to participate in the 2017 Lone Star Leadership Academy Camp.

Emily Garza an incoming 8th grade student from Austin Middle School in San Juan and Ryan Ramirez and Madeline Venegas both incoming 7th graders from Liberty Middle School in Pharr were selected

based on their outstanding academic success, demonstrated ability, involvement in school and community activities.

The three PSJA students joined a delegation of outstanding students from across the state to

develop leadership skills while learning about the great State of Texas and its leaders. They visited significant sites in the Austin/San Antonio area, including the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the LBJ Library and Museum, the Alamo, the Institute of Texan Cultures, the Texas State Cemetery, the Texas Capitol, the Supreme Court of Texas, Austin City Limits, and the Meadows Center for Water and Environment.

Texas educators facilitate Lone Star Leadership Academy camps,

including leadership groups where Emily and the other participants examine qualities of effective leaders, practicing leadership skills, and discussing what they have learned during their tours. In addition, Emily met other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to her resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information

to supplement what she is learning in school.

Education in Action, a nonprofit organization, hosts Lone Star Leadership Academy camps to empower young people to be informed and active leaders in their communities. Educators are invited to nominate their outstanding 4th – 8th grade students for Lone Star Leadership Academy camps online at www.educationinaction.org.

UTRGV RANKED SIXTH IN THE NATION FOR ITS ONLINE MBA IN FINANCIAL PLANNING The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been ranked sixth among the 50 most affordable online Master of Business Administration in Financial Planning degrees in the country by master-of-finance.org.

UTRGV was recognized in part because there are multiple start dates throughout the year that allow students to get started shortly after being accepted, and for program features that save students time and money.

“The online MBA in Financial Planning at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley can be completed in as little as 12 months of study. The 36 credit hour program is offered 100% online in an accelerated format, saving both time and money,”

the website says. “Courses cover financial planning fundamentals, wealth management, retirement planning, and communication skills.”

The ranking cites the convenience and accessibility of the multiple start dates that “allow students to jump right in and get started shortly after being accepted. Graduates are well prepared to start new business endeavors or be successful in a corporate or non-profit environment.”

Dr. Mark Kroll, dean of the UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said graduating from an online master’s degree program can successfully solidify a student’s career path and position that student for financial success.

“We work hard to provide every opportunity for people interested in a career in finance, and encourage both traditional and non-traditional students to take advantage of our online programs,” Kroll said. “Our goal is to position students to be competitive in the job market, even as they balance the demands of life and family.”

Master-of-finance.org uses information gathered in part from the NCES College Navigator database to identify schools that offer master’s degrees in finance as distance education options. The website then selects the 25 most affordable online Master of Finance degrees, using in-state tuition rates whenever available.

ALEJANDRO GUERRA ATTORNEY AT LAW

FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE

IMMIGRATION

1510 N. 10th. Street, Suite ¨A¨, McAllen, Texas 78501

STATE Facing midnight deadline, Texas legislators race to finish long agenda WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

As in the regular session and in previous special sessions, the legislative dam in Austin is breaking in the last hours of the session. After 28 days of debate, bills are finally getting to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for signing. As of press time, the Texas legislature still had an overflowing agenda of bills and conference committees trying to meet Abbott’s agenda. However, Abbott may call a second special session if he feels that more time is needed to meet his goals.

State lawmakers on Friday sent “sunset” legislation extending the lives of several state agencies and a bill aimed at cracking down on mail-in ballot fraud — even though it repeals a similar measure in the process — to Abbott, who signed the bills shortly afterward.

Legislation adding abortion reporting requirements was also passed, and as of Sunday night, local annexation reform and a bill restricting abortion insurance were en route to the governor’s desk. Legislators also made progress on measures requiring certain patient approval for do-not-resuscitate orders and extending the state’s maternal mortality task force.

Three big issues are still wrapped up in end-of-session negotiations: School finance, teachers’ health care insurance and property tax reform, the last of which is Abbott’s chief priority of the special session. The “bathroom bill” — perhaps the most contentious issue of them all — appears all but dead, as do a few other measures such as a tree removal bill and a measure that would end union and association payroll deductions for most public employees in the state.

After days of staring each other down over whether and how to improve the way the state funds its public schools, the Texas House and Senate both blinked Monday, with each passing the other’s priority school finance bill.

The House passed Senate Bill 16 to create a commission to study future school funding reform. The Senate later that night voted 25-6 to pass House Bill 21, which would put $351 million into public schools immediately to help struggling small, rural schools and students with special needs and put $212 million into a health insurance program

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TEXAS HOUSE BREAKS SCHOOL FINANCE STALEMATE, TENTATIVELY APPROVES STUDY

By Aliyya Swaby, Texas Tribune

House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in their respective chambers were dealing with the last furious days of the special session.

(Photo: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune)

for retired teachers.

Lawmakers moved closer Monday to giving some — but not all — Texans more say over the property taxes they must pay cities, counties and special-purpose districts each year. But long-brewing tensions within the Republican party ignited after the House passed key property tax legislation in a 105-41 vote.

Amid accusations that Senate Bill 1 won’t apply to enough Texans, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, said the bill is the best bet for getting property tax legislation through both chambers. The chambers’ differences over property taxes partially led to Gov. Greg Abbott calling lawmakers back to Austin for a summer special session.

The version of SB 1 voted out by the Senate required larger local governments to get voter approval when they want to increase tax collections on existing buildings and land by 4 percent compared to the prior year. The House prefers a 6 percent threshold, and made that change to the Senate’s bill before it even reached the House floor. (Some local government officials oppose any election requirements in the property tax bills, fearing they will hamstring their ability to provide necessary services.)

The amendment Bonnen added Monday is meant to make it easier for average Texans to understand how the complicated property tax system affects their individual bills. That includes re-

quirements that landowners be provided clear-cut information about how the tax rates local entities set impact what they pay.

Lawmakers are still negotiating key differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill — bargaining chips that could help get another legislative sticking point, school finance reform, across the finish line by Wednesday’s midnight deadline.

Stickland, R-Bedford, criticized Bonnen for “behind-the-scenes dealings.”

He also said the bill is not strong enough because it only requires voter approval of some property tax rates in larger cities and counties.

“I just want to treat every Texan the same way,” Stickland said.

In an unusual move late Monday night, the Texas Senate voted to reverse itself on several amendments to a controversial tree-removal bill.

The upper chamber on Friday passed an altered version of House Bill 7, a measure governing cities’ authority to regulate tree removal. But after House Speaker Joe Straus returned that version of the bill to the Senate late Saturday, arguing that the body’s alterations to the bill were inconsistent with the legislation’s “sole purpose” of creating tree-planting credits to offset local mitigation fees, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, the bill’s Senate sponsor, on Monday night asked her Senate colleagues to roll back provisions that Straus had rejected.

The Texas House tentatively passed a Senate bill tasking a 15-member commission with studying ways to reform the state’s school funding system, breaking a stalemate on Monday with two days left in the special session. Final action on the measure is expected to take place before tonight’s midnight deadline, allowing to get to Gov. Greg Abbott for signing.

The lower chamber voted 142-2 to tentatively pass Senate Bill 16, which calls for a 15-member commission of legislators and educators to figure out how to relieve financial pressure on public schools and better fund the education of certain disadvantaged student groups.

The bill still requires a final vote in the House, before going back to the Senate. House Public Education Committee Chairman Dan Huberty, R-Houston, suggested the House would only take a final vote on the commission if the Senate agreed to pass his House Bill 21, which would provide an immediate increase in funding for public schools.

He called the two measures a “package deal” Monday. “We wanted some real action on school finance,” he said.

The upper chamber is set to discuss Huberty’s HB 21 this afternoon.

The study would create a plan for a long-term redesign of a beleaguered funding system that has been the subject of several court cases. In the meantime, HB 21 would make some immediate, necessary changes, said state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the House sponsor of SB 16.

King accepted several amendments from other House members designed to broaden the commission’s scope to study more issues including teacher pay and recruitment, the cost of special education services, and public education revenue sources other than local property taxes. He also accepted an amendment requiring the commission to hold some public meetings outside of Travis County.

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

EDUCATION

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TexPREP Program concludes its ninth year

ECISD Audio Video Production students pose with their awards at the National Leadership Conference of Business Professionals of America in Orlando, Florida. (Pictured back row L-R): Aaron Robledo, Fourth Place Promotional Photography; Leslie Salas, Bryan Flores, and Dariela Rios Second Place Virtual Multimedia and Promotion Team members. (front row L-R): Nick Parkinson, Chris Cepeda, Donovan Luevano, and Yovan Zamora Third Place Virtual Multimedia and Promotion Team members.

ECISD students capture national audio video production awards Students from Edinburg CISD’s Career and Technical Education program recently won awards for audio video production during the National Leadership Conference of Business Professionals of America in Orlando, Florida.

“This was an incredible experience for our students,” ECISD Audio Video Production Teacher Susan Smith said.

“The National Competition offers the students not only an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and educational development, but also exposed them to activities they had never experienced before.”

The Audio Video Production students placed second and third in the nation in Virtual Multimedia and Promotion Team. Members of the second-place team were Leslie Salas, Dariela Rios and Bryan Flores. Members of the thirdplace team included Chris Cepeda, Donovan Luevano, Nick Parkinson and Yovan Zamora.

Each team created a 1 to 2 ½ minute digital promotion and was required to develop a corporate training video to guide employees on how to properly use social media to market and promote

a conference, including the professional use of personal social media to represent a company and conference.

“For many of the students this competition was the first time they had spoken before judges and at a conference, as well as, their first airplane flight,” Smith said. “The dedication displayed by these students is commendable and the students celebrated their accomplishments at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, where, according to Walt Disney – Dreams Come True.”

Approximately 6,000 students, advisors and guests from across the United States participated in Business Professionals of America’s 51st National Leadership Conference.

The National Leadership Conference is a culmination of the hard work and effort put in by members throughout the year. It brings students from across the country together to participate, network and compete. Activities included general sessions with keynote speakers, business meetings, leadership workshops, contests, election of national officers, and tours of Orlando and Central Florida sights and attractions.

South Texas College, in conjunction with school districts across the Valley, achieved a record number of students participating in the college’s summer-long Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program dedicated to promoting future careers in STEM among middle and high school students across the region.

TexPREP is an agreement between South Texas College, The University of Texas at San Antonio and participating school districts that offers an academically intense, mathematics-based summer program stressing the development of abstract reasoning and problem solving skills.

The purpose of the program is to identify high achieving students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and other mathematics-related areas and to increase their potential for careers in these fields.

More than 313 students from various school districts including Roma, PSJA, Hidalgo and Weslaco participated in the summer program held at STC’s Mid Valley, Pecan and Starr County Campuses.

STC hosted the seven-week program in June and July. Closing Ceremonies were held on the last day, July 27, 2017 at each of the participating sites.

“This summer marks our ninth year of the TexPREP Program,” said Dr. Rebecca De Leon, Director of Academies and High School Projects at STC. “Each year we recruit rising seventh grade students from partnering school districts who commit four summers to participate in our program. For each summer successfully completed, students receive a high school elective credit. The STEM-based program provides students with the opportunity to increase their knowledge through hands-on projects and weekly career awareness speakers.”

“Everything is a partnership,” said Hidalgo Superintendent of Schools Xavier Salinas. “As stakeholders in the education of all our kids, it’s important that the teachers working with the professors make sure we produce productive community members in the future.

That’s our role.

COMMUNITY

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Serving Authentic Mexican Food Since 1983

FOR THE

ON-GOING International Museum of Art & Science McAllen: Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss; Oscar Alvarez: Of Beasts and Butterflies; Imaginary Botanicals: Sculptures in Glass by Kathleen Elliot; and, American Impressionism: The Lure of the Artist’s Colony

THURSDAY, AUG 17 Movie Night in the Park: A Bug’s Life, at Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr., McAllen, starting at 7:00 pm Evening Explorations: Rock Night, at the Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, an evening of entertainment and education in the park, 600 Sunset Dr., McAllen, starting at 7:00 pm

FRIDAY, AUG 18 Donna Library Back 2 School Fair.

The Donna Library presents its annual Back 2 School Fair from 12 noon to 3 pm for pre-K through 12th grade, sponsored by Plains Capital Bank. The Library is located at 301 S. Main St. McAllen Library Spinning Wool Event.

Janice Zezulka presents a session on how to spin wool to create yarn.

Spinning wheels will be available for use, but if you have one, you can bring it along with appropriate fibers.

Mid-Valley Community Health and Wellness Expo 2017.

The back to school event takes place from 9 am to 3 pm at the Knapp Medical Center Conference Room, at 1401 E. 8th Street in Weslaco.

There is no charge to attend. The public is invited. It will include door prizes, vendors, insurers, health screenings, elder care, legal services, travel information, free zumba demos, and one-on-one time with doctors.

Make your reservation with us: 956-585-0832

Clear the Shelter Event at the LPA PAWS Center will host a pet adoption event and will waive adoption fees for 230 homeless pets, from 9 am to 4 pm, 2451 N. U.S. 281, Edinburg.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19 Angler Education Workshop, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd., Edinburg, TX. Become a TPWD certified Angler Education Instructor.

This workshop is open to adults interested in teaching fishing skills in their communities. Call 956-381-9922 for reservations.

SUNDAY, AUG. 20 Pharr From Heaven – A Multimedia Exploration on the Pharr Riot of 1971 is part of the Sunday Speaker Series at the Museum of South Texas History, from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, 200 N Closner Blvd., Edinburg.

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22-23 Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorale Auditions.

The Valley Symphony Orchestra will hold auditions for both the Orchestra and Chorale. Auditions will be held at the UTRGV Performing Arts Center at 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg. Visit the website at www.valleyorchestra. org to set an appointment time.

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT LISTED IN OUR WEEKEND LISTING, PLEASE EMAIL TO EDITOR@RGVTIMES.COM

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Criticism continues as County Commissioners move on new courthouse From Pg 1 money. “It would also make it a lot easier for people from all over the county to get to the courthouse. They would have plenty of space for parking right next to the courthouse,” Salinas said.

“There was no discussion concerning the impact of this bond on a population with a 40% poverty rate,” Salinas said.

“If they didn’t do this project, they could actually reduce the county tax rate by five to ten cents. This is going to lead to more people losing their homes.”

Salinas also objected to non-courthouse related expenses tacked onto the bond issue. This includes $5,000 for countywide building expenses, $2.5 million for the Sheriff’s Department fleet replacement, and $6 million for each of the four county commissioner’s budgets for road/equipment.

Others, including the Objective Watchers of the Legal System (OWLS), have

The existing Hidalgo County Courthouse will be torn down and replaced.

also voiced concern with the project design, the costs and the way the process was implemented. According a press release from the OWLS, the $50 million for downtown drainage will include installation of storm drain lines along West University Drive. According to the OWLS, the new lines will take approximately 1218 months to complete, throwing traffic on the second busiest street in Hidalgo County into chaos. The group also said the drainage work may actually worsen the problem because outfalls in Cameron and Willacy counties, where Hidalgo County’s drainage outflow discharges into the Laguna Madre, have not been improved to handle the added capacity.