June 17, 2016 Progress Times - Section A by Progress Times

Friday, June 17, 2016

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Tres Barrera drafted by Nationals

Former Sharyland player to play pro ball

By Bryan Ramos

s a 15 year old in high school, Tres Barrera realized the ability and passion he possessed for the game of baseball could take him places. Barrera spent his next three years starring at Sharyland High and the following three years as a standout for the University of Texas Longhorns, proving those thoughts to be true. On June 10, dreams became a reality for Barrera when the Washington Nationals selected him as the 184th pick in the sixth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft. “When I was a freshman, that’s when I thought I could really play this game as a career. That’s when it started hitting my dad and me. I really started working hard. I’ve been working for this moment all my life,” Barrera said. Born in Eagle Pass, Barrera’s family moved to the Rio Grande Valley when he was 10 years old. A coach’s son, Barrera learned hard work and credits being

around baseball at an early age for developing his love for the game. “My dad’s been a coach for 21 years, and I’ve been around the game and the fields and a bunch of different teams all my life,” the Sharyland High School graduate said. “I saw guys that my dad coached, some of them went on to play in college and some even got a chance to play pro ball and I wanted to do that too. I just wanted to be great. I love the game and I just love being out there playing ball.” Tres spent his freshman year of high school playing at Hidalgo High under his father Felipe Barrera, where he was named District 323A Most Valuable Player. The next three years Barrera played at Sharyland High School where he was selected to two All-State teams in addition to being awarded District 30-5A MVP and All Valley Player of the Year as a senior. During his time at UT Austin, Barrera saw continued success. As a freshman, he won the 2014 College Home Run Derby champi-

onship and was the full-time catcher for a team that advanced to the College World Series. In his sophomore campaign, he was named to the All-Big 12 second team while the Longhorns won the Big 12 Championship. This past year as a junior, Barrera earned 2016 Academic All-Big 12 Baseball honors and was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention. He racked up 20 home runs and 106 RBI’s in his three years at Texas. Barrera will forego his senior year at the UT for his chance in the big leagues. Playing for the Sharyland Rattlers, one of the premier baseball programs in the Valley, and playing for the Texas Longhorns, one of the premier collegiate programs in the country, Barrera has always had a knack for playing under the bright lights and microscope. The story hasn’t changed as the 21 year old will now take his game to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. “Sharyland prepared me to go to Texas. They’re the New York Yankees of col-

See BARRERA 3A

Local boy lands movie role W By Lea Victoria Juarez ithout any previous acting experience, local Noel Leonardo Carabaza Garza landed a role in the comedy movie “How to be a Latin Lover,” where the 12-year-old plays the younger version of the main character. The film also stars Salma Hayek, Rob Lowe, Raquel Welch and Mexican television actor Eugenio Derbez, who is film’s main character. Derbez plays flashy Casanova type who was dumped by his wealthy female companion and is forced to live with his estranged sister while trying to find another well-off lady friend. The auditions were held in San Juan, and Noel, or Leo as his parents refer to him, didn’t have plans to attend until two days before the auditions took place. A neighborhood friend, who was already planning to read for the role, invited him along. After waiting for six hours and almost missing an opportunity to read for the part, Leo was able to audition in front of director Ken Marino. Even though it was the seventh grader’s acting debut, his mother Briseida Garza said he’s always been talented in the arts. “He would be the first one to volunteer, like ‘I want to do it. I want to sing, I want to dance,’” she explained. “He has talent. This is his first experience acting, but he’s very natural. He doesn’t get

Study finds lower teacher pay at Sharyland ISD

Eugenio Derbez (left) and Noel Leonardo Carabaza Garza on the set of “How to be a Latin Lover.” Courtesy photo

nervous or shy.” One of the key requirements for Leo’s character is that he speak fluent Spanish and English. The soon-tobe Sharyland North Jr. High student beat out more than 800 boys for the part. Leo made two trips to Los Angeles, California for the movie, but he filmed for one day. His parents and younger sister were able to be with him on set. The Missionite finished filming his part in early June. “I felt really excited, kind of nervous but not really. Once the camera was in front of me it was like ‘Oh OK, this is serious,’” the 12-year-

Tres Barrera takes an at bat for the Longhorn baseball team. He racked up 20 home runs and 106 RBI’s in his three years at the University of Texas at Austin. Barrera will forego his senior year as a Longhorn for a chance to play in the big leagues. Photo Courtesy of University of Texas Athletics

old said. “But my character is a showoff, so I had to be a showoff and I was trying to be like that, so I felt kind of cocky. I’m just really thankful for the opportunity.” Leo said he would like to continue to pursue acting if given another opportunity. In school, he has participated in choir, band, UIL ready writing and advanced classes. Garza said that even though she knew her son was talented, she wanted academics to remain his priority. But after being praised by the film’s director, she feels this role is only the beginning.

See MOVIE ROLE 8A

By Lea Victoria Juarez ased on a compensation study conducted by the Texas Association of School Boards, Sharyland ISD is paying teachers of 10-to-15 years below the marketplace median in comparison to the district’s peer group. At a May 23 school board committee meeting, TASB consultant Luz Cadena recommended the district reconfigure pay structures and update a few job titles in an effort to realign to the market. Sharyland ISD’s starting teacher salary is at 98 percent of market, which is slightly lower than the peer group. For teachers at the five-year mark, SISD is right at 100 percent of market. At the 10year mark, there is a gap or lag the market, according to Cadena, and that gap widens at the 15-year mark. Teachers of 15 years at SISD are currently paid 4 percent below market, which is more than $2,000 below the market median of the peer group. The gap then closes for teachers at the 20-year mark. Cadena recommended the district move toward publishing a pay range on the district website, rather than the traditional step-based structure. She presented a cost model, based on a $1.4 million payroll budget, that labeled pay ranges for teachers based on

their years of experience. The cost model would increase current starting pay to $45,750, and ensure that all teachers receive a 2 percent increase – $1,000 per teacher – or are scheduled to receive the increase with the model. There are also equity adjustments to the schedule. But the proposed model for the upcoming year is only to be used for one year. Every year after that, the model needs to be reconfigured based on the district’s finances, depending on what pay increase the district is able to give. “You can’t futurecast that schedule,” Superintendent Robert O’Connor said. “There is a liability for the district to publish that hiring schedule on the website because it becomes an entitlement for teaching staff... because every year it’s reinvented. ‘What’s my next year’s salary?’ Well, we don’t know until we get to next year.” The cost model would bring the 10-to-15-year teachers up to market median, and put the district at a competitive pay level with the surrounding districts in the peer group. However, Cadena said consultants are predicting a 2 percent shift in the market The peer group is comprised of school districts in Donna, Edinburg, Harlingen, La Joya, Los Fresnos,

McAllen, Mercedes, Mission, PSJA, Rio Grande City, Valley View, Hidalgo and Weslaco. Within the budget, the TASB consultant also increased the entry wage of the auxiliary and instructional aides from the current $9.10 and $9.26 an hour to $10 an hour, with placement scale based on years of experience. “We are beginning to see a movement to increase entry wages for non-exempt employees, at least hitting that $10 mark,” Cadena said. “There’s a few other districts in the area that are considering going that route.” The TASB consultant said she works as a compensation consultant for the surrounding district as well, and thinks Sharyland ISD has a higher employee retention rate. “You can’t take that for granted and assume that (retention) will continue or remain. That may not necessarily be the best approach given the tight competition in the area,” Cadena said. “The districts in the area, they’re all fighting for the best teachers.” Stipends In regards to teacher stipends, SISD is paying above market for most areas, Cadena said. The market stipend for a teacher with any master’s degree is $1,000, while Sharyland’s is $1,500.

See TEACHER PAY 8A

INSIDE

Hurricane preparation guide

Top 10 athletic achievements

Peñitas City manager

Tips on how to keep your home and family safe during the 2016 hurricane season.

A ranking of Mission CISD’s top athletic achievements for the 2015-2016 school year, including state medalists and district champions.

Omar Romero has his contract extended and big things in store for the city in Western Hidalgo County.

See Section B

INDEX

Lifestyle | pg. 6A

Entertainment | pg. 7A

See story page 2A

Opinion | pg. 4A

Sports | pg. 2A

See story page 5A

Obituaries | pg. 9A

Classifieds | pg. 11A

sports week June 17, 2016

page 2A

sports@progresstimes.net

Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland High, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview and Juarez-Lincoln sports

Mission CISD Top 10 Sports Achievements of the Year

By Luciano Guerra he 2015/2016 school year brought two major changes to the athletic departments at Mission and Veterans Memorial High Schools. The one that made the biggest headlines was the resigning of Mission Eagles’ head football coach and athletic coordinator Mario Pena and the hiring of former Mission and Philadelphia

Klarissa Blanco

NO.1

Klarissa Blanco – Lady Patriot Wrestler – District and Regional Champion, State Medalist Veterans Memorial senior Klarissa Blanco capped off her high school wrestling career by earning her third district and regional champi-

NO.2

Lady Eagles Powerlifters – State Qualifiers and Medalists Mission High’s Estephany Gonzalez (132 lbs.) and Tabatha Gonzalez (114 lbs.) both qualified for the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s (THSWPA) state meet in Corpus Christi in March and

onships in four years and by qualifying for the state tournament for the fourth year in a row. Blanco, who posted an impressive 30-2 record in her 185 lb. weight class this year, went 5-1 in the UIL State Tournament to earn a bronze medal. Other Lady Patriots’ state qualifiers were Leslie Alaniz (148 lbs.) and Mariah Gonzalez (165 lbs.). both medaled. Estephany earned a silver medal while Tabatha placed 7th. Estephany improved on the bronze medal she earned last year while this was Tabatha’s first trip to state. Estephany’s four-lift total of 890 lbs. was just 10 lbs. less than 900 lbs. the gold medalist lifted. Overall the Lady Eagles placed 11th out of 47 teams that competed at the state meet.

Tabatha Gonzalez and Estephany Gonzalez

ProgressTimes.net/sports

NO.3

Lady Patriots Volleyball Team - District, Bi-District and Area Champions, Regional Quarterfinalists After back-to-back trips to the Regional Semifinal round of the state playoffs, the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots fell one round short this year but still had a highly successful season. For the third year in a row the Lady Patriots swept their district opponents to claim the District 31-5A title then went on to claim Bi-district and Area championships be-

NO.5

Mission Lady Eagles’ Wrestler Jennifer Juarez – State Qualifier Mission Lady Eagles’ senior wrestler Jennifer Juarez

fore falling to Victoria West in the Regional Quarterfinal round 3-2. Despite their mid-season coaching change, the Lady Patriots still managed to win 44 games while losing eight on the season.

Eagles’ quarterback Koy Detmer to take his place. The other was the reassignment of long-time and highly successful Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots’ head volleyball coach Diana Lerma and the naming of assistant head volleyball coach Vivian Ray as her replacement on an interim basis.

The fact that the Eagles’ head coaching change took place after the completion

NO.4

Patriots’ Boys Track Two Regional Champions, Three State Qualifiers Veterans Memorial’s Fabian Garcia, Jesus Mata and Luis Trujillo all earned the right to compete at the UIL State Track and Field Meet

NO.6

Lady Patriots Volleyball

took third at the Region IV tournament to qualify for the UIL State Tournament in the 185 lb. weight class. Juarez took a 24-9 record into the state tournament but did not manage to add any wins to that record as she lost both her matches by way of falls.

Jennifer Juarez at state

Patriots’ Baseball Team - District and Bi-District Champions The 2015/2016 season marked the fourth year in a row that the Veterans Memorial Patriots’ baseball team has claimed a district championship. After posting an

of their season meant that it had no effect on their 2-4 (4-6 overall) record. However the Lady Patriots’ coaching change took place in-season, which could’ve played a role in the fact that they did not fare as well in the playoffs as they have in recent years. Even so, the Lady Patriots still had a successful enough season to make our Top 10 list. in Austin this year. Mata did so by taking the district and regional championships in the 800m run, Trujillo placed second in district and at regionals in the pole vault and Garcia took the district and the regional championships in the 3,200m run and second place in the 1,600m run at district and at regionals to make him a two-event state qualifier. 11-1 District 31-5A record to take the title, the Patriots defeated the Mercedes Tigers two-games-to-one in the bi-district round to advance into the Area Round. That however would be where their season would come to an end as the Patriots lost to the Flour Bluff Hornets in the Area round two-gamesto-none.

Patriots Baseball Team

June 17, 2016

NO.7

Patriots’ Football Team Bi-District Champions For the second year in a row, the Veterans Memo-

NO.8

Lady Patriots’ Basketball Bi-District Champions The Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots’ basketball team went 8-4 in District 315A play (22-13 overall) to clinch the second seed in the playoffs. They then defeated

page 3A

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com rial Patriots’ football team claimed a bi-district championship. After going 4-2 in District 31-5A play to earn a playoff berth, the Patriots defeated the Donna Redskins in the Bi-district round of the playoffs, also for the second

Patriots Football Team the PSJA Lady Bears 55-40 in the first round of the playoffs to claim the bi-district championship. Unfortunately for the Lady Patriots, they then had to go up against the nemesis of Veterans Memorial playoff teams, Flour Bluff , who they lost to 5936 to bring their season to a close.

Lady Patriots Basketball way for the Lady Patriots with one individual district championship (400m dash) and was a member of two Lady Patriots Girls’ Track district championship relay Team - District Champions teams (400m and 1,600m). The Veterans Memori- She also set a new district al Lady Patriots track team record with a time of 58.12 accumulated 136 points in in the 400m dash. Other inthe District 31-5A district dividual district champions track meet to better the sec- for the Lady Patriots’ were ond place Lady Rattlers by Alexis Vasquez (shot put), 21 points and claim the dis- Nyla Vela (triple jump) and trict championship. Senior Charlize de la Garza (high Mariah Gonzalez led the jump).

NO.9

Lady Patriots Girls Track Lerma placed first in district and was the MVP. She then went on to place 19th in Regionals and was named secLady Eagles’ Golf Team – ond Team All Valley. Leah District Champions Lerma placed second in disLed by freshman Mia Le- trict, 20th in Regional and rma, the Mission Lady Ea- was named third Team All gles’ golf team took the dis- Valley for the Lady Eagles. trict championship this year.

NO.10

Lady Eagles Golf Team

year in a row, to extend their season at least one more week. However the Patriots would not advance any deeper into the playoffs as they fell to Victoria West in the Area Round.

BARRERA from pg 1A

lege baseball — all eyes on you, play on TV every day. I feel like playing at the best football program and baseball program down in the Valley for a long time prepared me to play at a big stage,” said Barrera. “I felt like I grew at Texas and now it’s on to the next chapter, on to a bigger stage and let’s see how we do there.” According to the Washington National’s General Manager Mike Rizzo, the 6-foot, 211 pound catcher who also split time playing first and third base in his last two years at Texas “is going to be an extremely versatile offensive player, but we think he can still stay behind the plate.” The news of being drafted reached Barrera by phone while attending his younger brother Santana’s 6A playoff baseball game. Santana, who played his freshman year of high school ball at Sharyland High before moving to San Antonio, will be playing baseball for UTRGV next year as a freshman. Barrera’s former Sharyland teammate Eric Gutierrez, who played collegiately for Texas Tech, was also drafted in the 20th round by the Florida Marlins. Barrera spoke about their connection and the journey from the Valley to the big leagues. “It’s a dream come true. Not many kids from where we’re from get to say they got drafted or play professional baseball. Not because there’s not talent down there but because a lot of the talent goes overlooked,” Barrera said. Barrera admitted the last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster with his college career coming to an end and beginning a new start as a draft pick of the Nationals, but offered advice to young athletes trying to accomplish similar goals of their own. “Give everything you have at everything you do. It doesn’t matter what it is, the little things matter. This game is too hard for you not to work hard. It’s that extra rep, that extra swing, that extra ground ball; all those things become a factor at the end of the day. Anything is possible. Hard work and dedication can get you anywhere you want to be.”

Mayor, council clash in city workshop

By Jim Brunson hile the Mission City Council workshop held June 10 started out amicably, it ended with harsh words from Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas. The mayor sharply criticized requests from councilmembers Ruben Plata and Armando O’caña that the minimum wage for certain city employees be raised from $8.50 to $9.50 per hour. Councilwoman Jessica Ochoa became so frustrated with the mayor she walked out of the meeting. Preparing the council for a new budget to be adopted later this summer, City Manager Martin Garza Jr. presented a draft proposal of several options for pay raises for 400 civilian city employees. The first option presented by the city manager – the favored one – was a 6 percent across-the-board raise for all civilians. This would not include police and fire department employees under civil service. “Those (civil service) employees already received a 10 percent raise over the past three years. Four percent, three and three,” Garza explained. “We have to balance things out so it’s time to help out the civilian employees who have not received a raise in three years.” However, Councilwom-

an Ochoa asked, “Is it going to make our wage-per-hour comparable to other cities?…We’ve lost a lot of our employees to them.” Several times during the hours-long, strained discussion the council mentioned losing employees to McAllen, which pays their laborers a starting wage of $12.25 – much more than any other Valley city. During the workshop, it was appeared the city manager thought the budget put together by his staff included increasing Mission’s starting wage for laborers from $8.50 to $9.54 per hour, plus an additional 6 percent across the board C.O.L.A. increase. However, HR Director Noemi Munguia set things straight, explaining the $997,000 amount budgeted for pay raises included a 6 percent across-the-board pay increase for all civilian employees, but not an additional pay grade increase in the starting wage for laborers. The 6 percent would increase the starting wage from $8.50 to $9.01 per hour. Councilman Plata said he would like to increase the starting wage to $9.54 per hour, roughly a 12 percent increase, yielding an increase of $2,184 annually for laborers. Councilman O’caña’s recommendation was similar: a

$1 increase across the board. Mayor Salinas, not yet agitated, said, “Why don’t we just give everybody a 6 percent raise. Let’s not get out of hand. This budget is going to go very high. These people are supposed to be getting minimum wage…We don’t have that much money.” Plata responded, “But this is where we have most of the employee turnover.” That’s when the trouble began. The mayor said, “Yes, because that is the kind of worker you get. You get turnover every three days… because it’s hard work. The other people are professionals; these are laborers. It’s not our fault that they’re labor people. There are a lot of people out there that want these jobs.” “Going back six months, I’ve been waiting for this workshop,” Ochoa told the mayor, and I’m just not happy with what is being presented because that’s not what we talked about over a year ago. We’re back to the same. I understand they’re laborers but I still feel that I’m tired of losing them to another city. We need to get them to a salary that’s comparable to surrounding cities. “That’s all I have to say,” she said as she got up and

See CLASH 11A

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opinion STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Governors confer about containing spread of Zika USTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on June 9 participated in a White House-hosted conference call for governors to discuss the Zika virus threat and what to do about it. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden led the call. Frieden said no vaccine exists to prevent the Zika virus disease, and the way for individuals to prevent contracting the disease is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. “With the recent floods, and as we enter the height of mosquito season, I encourage Texans to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito exposure and heed all warnings and recommendations from health officials,” Abbott said after the conference call. While the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response and the Department of State Health Services finalize a plan to combat the spread of the virus, the most important thing Texans can do is to remain vigilant, including when traveling abroad to countries experiencing Zika outbreaks and eliminating standing water, Abbott added. On May 13, the CDC gave states and territories until June 13 to apply for funds to fight Zika. The CDC acknowledged the $85 million in available funding is not enough to support a comprehensive Zika response and can only temporarily address what is

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

needed. DSHS reports on Zika The Texas Department of State Health Services on June 10 said Texas has had 41 reported cases of Zika virus disease. Of those cases, 40 were in travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home; one of those travelers was a pregnant woman. One case involved a Dallas County resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad. The DSHS posted this list of Zika cases by county: Bexar, 6; Collin, 1; Dallas, 6; Denton, 2; Ellis, 1; Fort Bend, 2; Grayson, 1; Harris, 13; Tarrant, 4; Travis, 2; Val Verde, 1; Williamson, 1; and Wise, 1, for a total of 41 cases. The DSHS is advising Texans to protect themselves against Zika by applying EPA-registered insect repellents; wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts that cover exposed skin; using screens or closing windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out; removing standing water in and around the home; and covering trash cans or containers where water can collect. West Nile is here, too On June 7, the DSHS posted information about the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, known to be active in Texas. The agency said the state’s first case of the nervous system-attacking disease was diagnosed in a person from El Paso County. In 2015, some 275 human cases of West Nile illness were reported in Texas, reportedly causing 16 deaths.

Hurricane drill is held The Texas Department of Public Safety on June 8 posted information about a multi-agency exercise in which a mock “Hurricane Tejas” led to the evacuation of a sample group of 300 people. The agency’s Texas Division of Emergency Management coordinated the exercise with local, state, federal and private sector partners, moving volunteer “general and medical evacuees” from the lower Rio Grande Valley to the sheltering jurisdictions of San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth and Irving. DPS Director Steven McCraw said, “Protecting Texans from natural disasters demands vigorous preparation, and exercises like this keep our emergency management system honed and ready to assist our local partners should a significant storm threaten Texas.” Tax allocations are lower Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on June 8 announced his office will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $618 million in local sales tax allocations for June, 1.8 percent less than in June 2015. These allocations are based on sales made in April by businesses that report tax monthly. “Energy-centric cities such as Midland, Odessa and Corpus Christi continued to see decreases in sales tax allocations,” Hegar said. “Meanwhile, other areas of the state helped offset those losses as Austin, El Paso and Irving saw moderate increases in allocations.” Waterway gains status The U.S. Department of Transportation has grant-

June 17, 2016

page 4A

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS designation clears the way for federal grants to ports for projects along the waterway that would help relieve roadway congestion. Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Moseley said, “We are now bet-

ter-positioned to shift freight from our congested roads to Marine Highway 69’s waterborne freight system, where it can be more efficiently transported.”

cAllen City Manager Roy Rodriguez summed up the status of changes to McAllen’s Entertainment District after the city commission meeting Monday night. City staffers will meet with property owners and those who have bars and restaurants in the district and bring recommendations back to commissioners that will be “an alternative to an absolute one way or another,” he explained. Commissioners discussed what they want the Entertainment District to be like in a 4 p.m. workshop before their regular 5 p.m. meeting and they heard from interested parties. I counted 91 chairs in the audience in the commission chambers at city hall and it was a standing room only crowd with a contingent of people wearing tee shirts reading ‘Bands not bans’ and ‘Keep 17th St. Amplified’. The Entertainment District, which centers on South

17th Street, also known as Guerra Street, was created a decade ago by the commission to foster development in one of the oldest parts of the city. It was hoped that with relaxation of city regulations and attention from the city, the area would attract fashionable bars and restaurants. The ordinance which created it has to be renewed or it would fade away and with it the incentives to develop there. So, last meeting, commissioners voted 3-2 to keep the district going but with a few changes, including banning live, outdoor amplified music and banning minors from establishments in the area. Pushback The live, outdoor music ban kicked off a big pushback from property owners and patrons, who registered their unhappiness on social media and by starting at least two online petitions. Central McAllen Commissioner John Ingram

pushed the music ban at the May meeting but he signaled afterwards that he might back away a bit from it. And Ingram said a drafting error in the revived ordinance inadvertently excluded ALL under-21 patrons from any establishment in the district and the commission would need to fix that. Not only was the future of the district discussed in the workshop, but the agenda carried an item that would have allowed them to make changes and they declined to do anything because, as City Manager Roy Rodriguez summed up, they’ll take about a month to talk it through with interested parties and recommend to commissioners what to do next. In the meantime, as Darling announced during the meeting, they will not enforce the new ordinance “until we have had a chance to reconsider and make appropriate amendments.”

neighbor has electricity. If they do, have an adult check the fuses or circuit breaker to rule out problems with electricity inside your home. • Once you’re sure it’s an outage, report it to your electric utility company. To report an outage to MVEC you can: - Report it through the MVEC App, report it at magicvalley.coop, call 866225-5683 • Stay up-to-date on outages using a transistor radio, your mobile phone on the MVEC App, Facebook &

Twitter pages. • Use a flashlight when it gets dark; avoid using candles due to risk of fire. • Unplug computers, TV’s, game consoles and other sensitive electronics and appliances to avoid possible damages when the power comes back on. • Turn off all but one of the lights that were on, so you will notice when electricity is restored. The MVEC app will also send you a notification to your phone when power is restored to your home.

ed the Texas Department of Transportation’s application to designate the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from Brownsville to Port Arthur as Marine Highway 69, TxDOT announced June 8. According to TxDOT, the

Power outage safety checklist from Magic Valley

By Luis Reyes he major cause of most power outages comes from damage to power lines due to falling trees and branches. Despite Magic Valley Electric Cooperative’s best efforts, during major storms, damage can occur to transmission stations, substations and power lines. In the event of a power outage, you can trust that Magic Valley is ready to respond. How to report outages: • Check and see if your

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The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Mission Publishing Co., 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $25 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2015 Mission Publishing Company, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

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June 17, 2016

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Arrests made in connection to Mission kidnapping fourth suspect was ardaughter.

raigned on June 4 in collection to an aggravated kidnapping that took place in Mission. Elizabeth Cantu, 19, was charged with trafficking a child and engaging in organized criminal activity, and was given a $1.2 million total cash surety bond for both charges. A 15-year-old victim of aggravated kidnapping was found on May 24 in rural Mission at the 800 block of Ramona Blvd. Erick Martinez Lopez and Ricardo Mata were holding the female victim. Mata, 36, was arraigned for charges of aggravated kidnapping and was given a $1 million cash surety bond. Mata was committed to the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center on May 25. Through the course of the investigation Juan Valdez and 17-year-old- Briseyda Flores were arrested and now in custody. Investigators believed they worked together to facilitate the sale of a 15-year-old female for $300 in cash. On May 24, Zapata Coun-

ty Sheriff’s Investigators notified the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office that a mother received a phone call from a male, requesting a ransom for the release of her daughter. Investigators were told the caller was from the Mission area. Sheriff’s investigators obtained information that led them to Western Hidalgo County. A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that had been under surveillance and the driver was identified as Ricardo Mata. Mata implicated himself as the person who called the mother of the victim and requested $300 for the release of her

Mata then led the investigators to the Mission home where the 15 year old was found. Lopez, 37, fled the scene when sheriff’s deputies arrived to the location. He is currently wanted on a warrant for aggravated kidnapping. During interrogation, Mata admitted to buying the 15 year old female, and that he and Lopez sexually assaulted her. The victim was taken to a local hospital for a sexual assault exam when she was found. The case remains active and the investigation is ongoing, Sheriff’s Investigators are still seeking fugitive Erick Martinez Lopez. The county investigations division can be contacted at 956.383.8114. Anonymous calls can be made at the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers hotline at 668.8477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the smart phone app P3 Tips. If the information provided through the crime stoppers program leads to an arrest, the tipster may be eligible for a cash reward.

Peñitas extends contract for city manager

By Jose De Leon III he city of Peñitas extended a one-year contract for City Manager Omar Romero, which was approved at the May 26 city council meeting. The contract includes a $66,000 salary – a 10 percent increase from his previous contract – as well as a threemonth severance package and the option to stay another year and gain another 10 percent increase. “We’re trying to see what we can we do with what we already have and provide better services to the citizens of Peñitas,” Romero, 32, said of his work ethic. “We want to work smarter and find out how to better utilize the people we already have instead of hiring more people. We have a wealth of knowledge available to us.” Romero has held his position since he was appointed interim city manager in September 2015 following the departure of former City Manager Oscar Cuellar. He was officially appointed city manager in December for a

six-month term. Growth For Peñitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez, having Romero as the city manager is a reflection of his vision for the city with a population of 7,500, which is to see it grow. “Romero exceeds expectations and he’s made the city grow and had brought in a lot of progress,” Lopez, 32, said. “We want Peñitas to grow to be the big attraction for western Hidalgo County and I truly feel everything he’s done for us is responsible for facilitating just that.” Since Romero became city manager, Peñitas has seen new developments. These include a new police substation, a 24-hour emergency medical station and a new volunteer fire department to provide better coverage for the city, all of which Lopez credits Romero for implementing. Romero also plans to replace all their police vehicles with a new fleet by the next budget year which begins this coming October. Both men agree that Peñi-

tas is a city with a lot of potential and Romero’s work has helped in preparing the city for it. According to Romero, Lopez’s plans for Peñitas include improving services for the city along with implementing a city park, a baseball and soccer field within five years. Romero believes his work is helping guide the city to experience retail and residential growth. To jumpstart that growth, Romero has facilitated a partnership with the Agua Special Utilities District to lower water costs in the city. According to Romero, the city is also working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help finish the city’s long-delayed sewer project to provide sewage services to its citizens. “The city is bigger than people realize,” Romero said. “The city currently stretches from the border all the way to north five mile line. It’s a really big city that has a lot of potential and will only keep growing. I am ensuring my staff and the city is prepared for that.”

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June 17, 2016

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

UTRGV folklórico, mariachi take piece of the Valley to D.C.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Young aquanauts get wet and wild

The UTRGV Ballet Folklórico and the Mariachi Juvenil Aztlán pose at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., shortly before their June 10 performance at the venue. Their appearance was part of the 2016 National College Dance Festival. (UTRGV Courtesy Photo)

By Gail Fagan

ASHINGTON, D.C. – A 32-hour bus ride to Washington, D.C., didn’t dim the spirit of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Ballet Folklórico and Mariachi Juvenil Aztlán, who arrived ready to give the performance of a lifetime at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For their June 10 appearance at the 2016 National College Dance Festival, the dance troupe, under the direction of Francisco Muñoz, was accompanied by the university’s newest mariachi ensemble, directed by Francisco Loera. They brought to life the colorful culture of a Mexican community by performing “Puebla – Los Chinacos (1994),” with choreography by renowned guest artist Rafael Zamarripa and restaged by Muñoz. Monica Vargas, who just earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, described it as a nerve wracking but a wonderful experience. “We were not sure how the audience would react,” she said. “But it gave me the chills to see how they responded to folklórico dance, how they accepted us. We put a lot about how we feel about our heritage into our dance. It was amazing.”

During the festival, held June 8-11, 31 schools nationwide representing a wide range of dance styles and forms, performed in three different programs and presented twice each day. Only two other schools from Texas – UT Austin and Sam Houston State University – had been selected to perform. The UTRGV students advanced to perform at the festival after ranking as one of the top two performances at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) South Conference held March 11-14 at The University of South Mississippi. Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss., also advanced. The South Conference is one of 12 ACDA-sponsored nationwide regional conferences, which provide a venue for students not only to perform, but also to engage in workshops, lecture/ demonstrations and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and country. The Ballet Folklórico advanced previously to the National College Dance Festival in 2012 and 2014, as UTRGV legacy institution UT Pan American. This is the first time the troupe has performed with live accompaniment by one of the university’s mariachi groups. The Mariachi Juvenil Aztlán is UTRGV’s newest mariachi troupe, made up of primarily freshman music students.

page 6A

Kids can get wet and explore the wild at the Edinburg World Birding Center’s Aquanauts Camp while learning about water and aquatic life with hands-on activities and adventures. For children ages 9 to 12, it includes a field trip to South Padre Island to learn about coastal habitat special during a boat tour of the Laguna Madre and a visit to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Snacks are provided; campers need to bring a sack lunch each day. It runs June 28 through July 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The fee is $70 for EWBC members and $78 for nonmembers. Space is limited; call to register by June 21. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria. For information call 956-381-9922. (EWBC Staff Photo)

Lecture focuses on diabetics and emergency preparedness

DINBURG – “Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Diabetes” is the topic for the Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association (RGVDA) lecture this month on Tuesday, June 21. It begins 6 p.m. at 420 S, Closner Blvd. Edinburg . Speakers are Orelia Herrrea-Erdem, D.N.P., from the University of Texas RGV, along with Dr. Audrey Jones, FEMA doctor, and Ricardo Saldana, Hidalgo County Emergency Management.

Hurricane season officially began on June 1 and continues through Nov. 30. Diabetics living have extra precautions needed to be prepared for emergency conditions. Bags to waterproof and store important documents and medicines and sample snacks for emergency use will be distributed. The class is free to the public, but space is limited. For information, call the RGVDA office at 956-7821900.

Send kids on a Summer Safari

ROWNSVILLE – Kids can have fun while enhancing their skills during the Summer Safari classes at the Gladys Porter Zoo. The program runs each week through Aug. 12 in the South Texas Discovery Education Center. Activities, specially designed to stimulate learning and encourage conservation, include puppet shows, games, stories, crafts and tours. Each child will receive a certificate of completion, rewards, and mementos

for participating. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided daily. Each class runs for two days. Camps run all day, Monday through Thursday, with a Starlight Sleepover on Friday. The minimum age level for the week-long camps and the Starlight Sleepover is 7. The minimum age is 4 for the twoday, three-hour classes. For more information, times or to register, call the GPZ education department at 956-548-9453.

June 18 – Aglow International McAllen Community Lighthouse invites the public to a complimentary prayer breakfast on at 9:30 a.m. with Norma Belmarez will be speaking on “Wisdom.” For location and directions, call Criselda Alvarado, president of McAllen Aglow International Community Lighthouse at 956-534-7941. June 18 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s College of Education and P-16 Integration is holding an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to introduce prospective students to the college’s programs, student services and financial aid. There also will be a free book fair, Builda-Book and other activities for children and families. Refreshments will be served. For more information or special accommodations, call 956-665-3627 or email cep@ utrgv.edu. June 21 – Celebrate the world’s tallest animal on the year’s longest day during World Giraffe Day at the Gladys Porter Zoo at 500 Ringgold in Brownsville. The Giraffe Landing Feeding Experience will be open for extended hours with staff and docents answering questions about the gentle giants. There will be activities for kids, including making a giraffe mask while learning about giraffe conservation. For more information, visit www.gpz.org or call 956-546-7187. June 21-24 – Children ages 4 to 6 can join the Edinburg World Birding Center Polliwogs Nature Camp from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Each day features a different theme about nature through a fusion of outdoor games, crafts, and puppets. The fee is $24 for EWBC members and $30 for nonmembers. The registration deadline is one week prior to the camp. Registration is required as space is limited. Full payment is due two days prior to the camp. For more information or to register, call 956-381-9922. The EWBC is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. June 22 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Police Department (UTRGV PD) will offer “Below 100” training to active law enforcement and their spouses from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University Ballroom in Edinburg. It is free and open to all active law enforcement officers at local, state and federal agencies. To register, contact Officer Antonio Zarzoza at 956-665-2988, or email him at antonio.zarzoza@utrgv.edu. (For daily events and upcoming weeks, see the full calendar at ptrgv.com.)

PARKS CALENDAR

REUNIONS &MEETINGS

Receives DDS degree

steban Noe Morales graduated from Texas A & M University Baylor College of Dentistry on May 26, and was awarded the Horace R. Beachum Award in Denture Prosthesis. Formerly of Mission, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Esteban Morales and Aminta Iris Morales of San

Antonio. He is the grandson of the late Esteban and Maria Enriqueta Morales and Agustin and Graciela De la Garza of Mission. He will remain in Dallas for the 2016-2017 academic school year where he was accepted to an Advanced Education General Dentistry residency program.

entertainment

Coming Attractions

June 18 • The Mission Historical Museum will host Dr. David Bowles, award-winning author and educator, in a presentation on “Valley Myths, Folklore, and History.” The program begins at 11 a.m. The museum is located at 900 Doherty in Mission and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 956-580-8646. June 21 • Speer Memorial Library in Mission will host a book discussion of “The Time Traveler’s Wife” in the library’s Community Room at 5:30 p.m. in Spanish and at 6:30 p.m. in English. Copies of the book available for check out to those who sign up for the book discussion. Stop by library’s Reference Desk or call at 580-8754 to reserve a copy, for more information or to sign up. Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. June 24 • The Fourth Annual McAllen Blues Night will be held at the McAllen Creative Incubator featuring live blues artists, fine arts exhibit, food, adult beverages and a silent auction. Individual tickets are $25; tables are $400. For tickets, time and more information, contact the McAllen Chamber at 682-2871. (To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to ptrgv.com)

Hidalgo County ranch life presented in new book

DINBURG – Hidalgo County native Robert Ramírez will present a program on the second edition of “Ranch Life in Hidalgo County after 1850” this Sunday, June 19, at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History. Emilia Schunior Ramírez, a well-known education administrator and college professor, originally wrote “Ranch Life” as a chapter for a book about history of the first century in Hidalgo County. Although the project failed to publish, Schunior Ramirez, had preserved the heritage and history of her parents and relatives who lived on ranches. In 1971, Schunior Ramirez’s son, Alfonso R. Ramírez, published her manuscript. More than 40 years later Emilia’s grandson, Robert

Ramírez, has continued this family tradition of preservation by publishing a second edition. The new edition will be a valued resource for South Texas writers and historians because it preserves the original manuscript and Ramirez’s father’s introduction unabridged. Ramirez has also provided a new appendix that includes ranch history, news accounts and biographies of Emilia Schunior Ramírez and her family. Copies of the book will be available at the museum store and Ramírez will be available for a book signing. The program is included in the fee for regular admission. MOSTHistory is located on the courthouse square in Edinburg. Call 383-6911 for more information.

IMAS plans Father’s Day Bash

cALLEN – The International Museum of Art & Science will host a Father’s Day Bash this Sunday, June 19, from 12 to 5 p.m. for a day filled with hands-on art and science activities. All activities will be centered in the MPU BioZone and the Ann Moore Art Studio where children and their fathers can build their

own bridge; design a tin foil boat and test it to see now many pennies it will hold; sort rocks in their respective types, weigh each rock using a digital scale and triple beam balance; or create their own superhero clips in celebration of their superhero Dads. IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana. Call 956-682-0123 for more information.

STC Theatre presents ‘A Night with Edgar Allan Poe’

cALLEN – South Texas College (STC) Theatre is bringing “A Night with Edgar Allan Poe” to the stage with a production running June 23 to 26. Performances start at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with an additional Sunday, June 26, matinee at 2 p.m. All performances will are staged at STC’s Cooper Center Main Stage located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. The works of Edgar Allan Poe’s tales are that of mystery and horror, and his work is unrivaled in American fiction. He is credited as the father of the detective fiction genre, and even considered to some as the inventor of science fiction. This production portrays a devised and traditional approach to some of his most famous stories. “To create a production based off the work of Edgar Allan Poe, an interesting approach is a devised one,” said Jerrome Warden, director. “You need to be a creative detective, take apart his work, and place it all back together again. The process alone, sounds all too ‘Poe.’ The fun part is presenting our discoveries as a traditional theatre performance.” General admission tickets are $5. The Sunday, June 26, matinee production will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Ticket cash purchases can be made one hour before the performance at the box office or in advance online at secure.touchnet.com. For additional information or for group rates, call 956-8722301 or email namaro1@ southtexascollege.edu or jrodriguez@southtexascollege. edu.

‘Mind-Scapes’ exhibit opens

cALLEN – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) has curated the “Jerry Lyles: Mind-Scapes” exhibition at the McAllen Public Library which is on display now through Aug. 29. The library is located at 4001 N. 23rd Street. The special collaboration between IMAS and the McAllen Art Council presents the artist’s observational and referential reaction to his surrounding environment, the Valley landscapes and the vast Texas sky. The oil paintings feature the minutiae of nature organized into impressionistic still life on canvas and panel board.

NOTICE OF RATE CHANGE REQUEST On April 29, 2016, as required by order of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUCT” or “Commission”) in Docket No. 45414, Sharyland Utilities, L.P. (“Sharyland”), a regulated electric utility company, filed an application with the PUCT titled Rate Filing Package of Sharyland Utilities, L.P. and Statement of Intent to Change Rates (“Application”). The above-referenced proceeding is the first in which Sharyland’s rates will be set on a system-wide basis. The Application is based on a twelve-month test year ending December 31, 2015, and supports an increase over adjusted test-year retail base rate revenues of approximately $107 thousand or 0.11 percent, exclusive of riders. Sharyland’s system-wide cost-based retail base rate revenue requirement is $100.7 million, plus an additional $1.95 million that Sharyland is seeking to recover on an annual basis through certain riders. This includes a proposal to recover $30 million for deferred costs associated with construction of the electric system in the McAllen division during its initial years of operation. In addition, Sharyland is proposing a $3 million rate credit to all of its residential customers, which would result in an overall revenue decrease as compared to adjusted test year base rate revenues for residential customers. As proposed, monthly delivery rates for an average residential customer consuming 1,333 kWh in the Stanton, Brady, and Celeste divisions will remain unchanged, but in McAllen and Mission will increase by approximately $55. The Application also supports a total wholesale transmission cost of service of $145 million, plus an additional $3.4 million that Sharyland is seeking to recover on an annual basis through certain riders. The Application potentially affects all customers and classes of customers in Sharyland’s Stanton, Brady, Celeste, and McAllen divisions. The Application also affects all customers taking service under Sharyland’s Tariff for Wholesale Transmission Service. In addition, the result could be a change in Sharyland’s transmission cost of service rates, which would impact all load serving entities in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Sharyland has proposed that the requested rates be made effective June 18, 2016. A complete copy of Sharyland’s Application is available for inspection at the following locations:

Sharyland 1031 Andrews Highway, Suite 400 Midland, Texas 79701 -or1807 Ross Avenue, Suite 460 Dallas, Texas 75201

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP 600 Congress Avenue, Suite 2000 Austin, Texas 78701

Persons who wish to intervene in or comment upon these proceedings should notify the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Commission) as soon as possible, as an intervention deadline will be imposed. A request to intervene or for further information should be mailed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 787113326. Further information may also be obtained by calling the Public Utility Commission at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearing- and speech impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission through Relay Texas by dialing 7-1-1. The deadline for intervention in the proceeding is June 28, 2016.

June 17, 2016

page 7A

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

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page 8A

June 17, 2016

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Community steps up to aid storm victims

LJISD board holds budget workshop

By Kathy Olivarez olunteers, businesses and agencies who helped the families affected by the recent catastrophic windstorm in the Madero and Chimney Park areas were honored by the Mission City Council Monday. The unusual wind shear caused by the May 31 storm created 85-95 mile-per-hour winds that destroyed or damaged most of the trees and power poles in the Madero, Granjeno and Chimney Park area and caused damages to most of the homes, ranging from shattered windows to rooftops blown away. “Because of the emergency, it was necessary to feed and find shelter for up to 1,000 people for three to four days,” said Deputy City Manager Aida Lerma. “We want to publicly thank the people who handled this emergency for city residents.” Among those honored for their assistance were Dan Martin, Albert Cantu and Yvonne Loflin of H-E-B. The store provided the majority of the food that was served during the three to four-day period. Donations were also made by Foy’s Manager Ramiro Rodriguez and Sam’s Manager, Carlos Jaime. The Salvation Army prepared all the meals. The American Red Cross, represented by Maggie Pena, Juan Mares and Elaisa Montemayor, provided assistance in setting up a temporary

By Kathy Olivarez

The City of Mission presented appreciation certificates to H-E-B and several other organizations for their contributions in helping the Mission area residents affected by the violent windstorm on May 31. H-E-B donated the food for up to 1,000 meals per day. Photo courtesy City of Mission

shelter for storm victims who had to evacuate their homes. AEP District Manager Roque Martinez and Eladio Jaimez were honored for their efforts to get power restored to the stricken areas as quickly as possible. Team Mandy of Herbal Life was honored for their participation in packing and delivering many of the meals that were served during the crisis. Those honored were Mandy Borrego, Desiree Daniel and Cathy Torres. Texas Regional Bank, represented by Laura Villarreal, was also recognized for assistance provided by the bank. The council later ratified all expenses incurred by the city during the emergency. Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas issued a proclamation on June 1, declaring Mission a disaster area due to thun-

derstorms with high winds, hail and possible tornados causing severe property damages to the area. While many different agencies, including the City of Mission and Hidalgo County Pct. 3, brought in valuable resources to help the affected residents clean up downed trees and branches, many homes were heavily damaged. The recovery will likely take months for many of those residents, with or without insurance. Street Receives Honorary Name The council approved a resolution adding the honorary street name “Jose R. Perez” Avenue for a section of Slabaugh Avenue, located between Tom Landry Boulevard and Business 83. Perez was a member of the Catholic War Veterans in Mission for over 45 years. He served as a commander, and was a past state member as well. He served as past Commander of American Legion Post 93 in Mission and was a post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3892 in La Joya. He served as a volunteer fireman for 39 years, as a fireman, training captain, incident commander and president of the Mission Volunteer Firefighters. Other Council Actions In other action, the council authorized staff to contract with third parties for cutting weedy lots, unsanitary and unsightly conditions and right-of-ways all over the city. Fire Chief Rene Lopez brought a revised interlocal agreement for the City of Mission and Hidalgo County fire services. Changes included a statement that the County Fire Marshal must give authorization to the fire department to respond to rural emergencies before the fire department can respond. If they respond without his permission, the department will not be reimbursed for expenses.

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Police Chief Robert Dominguez requested authorization to submit an application to the FY2016-17 COPS Hiring Program to the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant would provide 75 percent of the salary for eight new police officers for three years while the city would provide 25 percent from the drug forfeiture funds for the first year. The council also approved a request by the Police Department to hire three additional patrolmen this year, effective June 14, 2016. This increases the number of patrolmen from 122 to 125. The council authorized awarding the bid for the Bentsen Palm Lift Station was approved to Mor Wil LLC in the amount of $997,427.73, the lowest of the seven bidders. While city staff originally estimated the cost of the project at $866,035, Mor Wil LLC was the lowest bidder. The next lowest bidder was Saenz Brothers, and the high bid came from Sal Construction at $1,747,453. Authorization was also granted to accept the low bid of $192,400 by Garco Utilities for lift station rehabilitation at Shary Road and Rio Grande Drive. There were five bidders for this project. Texas Cordia Construction was awarded a $1,001,719 contract to relocate and upgrade water and sewer lines along Inspiration Road. There were eight bidders for this project. In a final action council authorized staff to solicit bids for property appraisal services and land surveying services.

MOVIE ROLE

from pg 1A

“I haven’t even finished realizing this is happening. I think this is kind of a message that we need to let him fly,” Leo’s mother said. “We’re very excited and we’re very blessed to have this opportunity because I think he deserves it. He’s a very good kid and he’s doing his best.”

ProgressTimes Like Us on Facebook

he La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees held a budget workshop June 7, to consider items listed for the 2016-2017 fiscal budget. One of the major considerations in the budget was a salary increase for district employees. Superintendent Alda Benavides suggested a salary increase of $2,100 for teachers, a 4 percent increase for non-teaching administrative staff and a $1 per hour increase for auxiliary personnel. No final decision was made on the proposed increases. The item that was most discussed was the proposed switching of campuses to LED lighting. The budget had an $11.5 million item to switch seven campuses in the next fiscal year. Cost per campus was set at $1,346,264, and the first payment would not be due for six months so that the savings on utilities from the installation could offset the cost. The estimated payment would be $673,000 every six months. Benavides also presented a list of projects, which are to be funded from various campuses. The first cluster of projects included replacement of library carpet at Sam Fordyce, $25,000; air conditioning replacement (chiller) at Abraham Lincoln Campus, $300,000; new door at La Joya High School $85,000; and repair of windows at Benavides Elementary, $150,000. Other projects included upgrading of 10 air conditioning units at Cavazos Elementary, $30,000; upgrading of 10 air conditioning units at Perez Elementary, $30,000 and adding sprinkler systems to Perez, Cavazos, Dias/Villarreal and Chapa elementaries, $240,000. Installation of new bard units at Memorial and Chavez, $350,000; replacement of windows and repair of walls at Flores Elementary, $400,000; replacement of gutters at Leo Elementary $25,000; repairs to Garcia Middle School roof, $30,000; replacement of DX units air conditioner units at E.B. Reyna, $200,000; replacement of classroom air conditional units at Garcia Middle School, $200,000; replacement of gutters at E.B. Reyna, $25,000; park-

TEACHER PAY SISD has a “very strong” subject area master’s degree stipend of $4,000, according to the TASB consultant. It’s the second highest content area master’s stipend in the peer group. “Kudos to you because there’s quite a bit of research out there that correlates student success in the classroom with the master’s degree in the subject area for a teacher,” Cadena said. “That says a lot for the district.” Although the master’s stipend for math and composite science is above the median, the secondary science stipend is $1,000 lower than what the peer group is paying. Cadena recommended the district discontinue the master’s degree stipend, but grandfather in the current teachers. In addition, she proposed increasing the secondary science stipend to $2,500 to match secondary math stipend, and increasing the composite science stipend because it is valued higher than the secondary science. “What we are seeing is that districts are having tighter and tighter funds available to them,” Cadena said to the board of trustees. “Maybe look into see how you can more efficiently use your monies to pay in areas more effectively.” Department chair stipends are also slightly below at elementary and middle school levels. At the high school level, the median stipend is $1,700, Sharyland ISD’s is at $1,000. UIL stipends, athletic stipends and monies from federal programs were not part

ing lot resurfacing at E. B. Reyna, Leo, Flores, the left field softball and the Tabasco drop-off, $500,000; and the purchase of three Gators for the three high schools, $25,000. Upgrading of the irrigation system at the golf course, $166,000; controls for Memorial Middle School, $170,000; LED Lighting for seven campuses $11,500,000 ($1,346,264.20 per year); artificial turf at Palmview, and Juarez Lincoln High schools, $1,900,000; and Leo House Renovations, $250,000. The grand total of the preceding projects was $7,425,497. Other special projects include curriculum and instruction academic services, AP incentive program, $320,000; college readiness, teacher stipends for dual enrollment, $50,000; ACT Testing fees, $12,501; Mariachi Uniforms for Juarez-Lincoln High school, $26,180; and band uniforms for Juarez-Lincoln High School $95,000. Under student services and counseling, an anti-bullying rally, $10,000; middle school boys and girls conference, $5000; Outpatient chemical dependency counseling services, $25,000 and a two-way radio pilot program center, $33,000. The grand total for these services was $686,981. Other items included tutoring and educational opportunities, $2000, and shelves and cabinets for Gonzalez Elementary reception area, $1300. For the Academy of Health Science; fall/spring tuition, $9376; college textbooks, $6500, additional days for summer administrators, $4550; and additional days for summer school teachers, $13,000. For the College and Career Center, a non-transportation flexible schedule, $54,000; and career opportunities for at-risk students, $58,000. For Lincoln-Juarez, NAATE, $48,000. For LJ Early College High School, fall/spring tuition, $90,000; and college textbooks, $60,000. For CNA certification, tutoring and STC instructors, $60,000. For La Joya High School, office furniture, $20,000; classroom furniture for students and teachers, $40,000;

See WORKSHOP 10A from pg 1A

of the compensation study. Suggested reconfiguration Based on the TASB study, Cadena recommended a reconfiguration of Sharyland ISD’s pay structures, which includes the administrative professional group, instructional support, clerical technical and auxiliary. In the administrative professional group, currently all the director level positions are in pay grade 7, regardless of budget, staff and scope of responsibilities. TASB is recommending SISD split some of those positions so that some remain in pay grade 7 and some move to pay grade 8, based on the market value for those jobs, responsibility, budget and staff. One of the biggest changes would be changing curriculum administrator for elementary and secondary from pay grade 9 to pay grade 7. Given the scope of the job and the placement, Cadena said there are some pay inequities and pay issues pertaining to that placement. Other changes in pay grade include moving the athletic director and executive director to pay grade 9, and moving the assistant director up one pay grade. Suggested title modifications include changing the PEIMS coordinator title to database administrator, and changing the manual trades title to auxiliary. In addition, TASB suggested the transportation employees and Child Nutrition Program department be moved to the auxiliary group, based on their scope of responsibilities.

June 17, 2016

Mission summer activities

By Brittany Asbury here are several fun and educational summer activities planned through the Mission Parks & Recreation Center, Speer Memorial Library, Mission Historical Museum and the Mission Boys & Girls Club. Parks & Rec The Parks & Recreation Center, located at 721 North Bryan in Mission, is offering a range of exercise and sport programs that include archery, basketball and Zumba. Former Pan American University basketball player and European League pro Mire Chatman will teach basketball at the Mission

Parks & Recreation Center in two sessions. Session I is June 13-24, and Session II is July 13-22. Both sessions will run from 11 a.m. to noon for ages 7-10, and from noon to 1 p.m. for ages 11-13. The fee is $50 for two weeks, payable to the City of Mission. Zumba classes will also be at the Parks & Rec Center for $25 a month, payable to the City of Mission. Classes will be from June 13-July 13, every week from Monday through Thursday, 6 to 7 p.m. Archery classes will be held at the Mission Skeet & Trap Club, located on 1001 South Conway Ave, in two sessions. Session I began

obituaries

David Garza Jr. MISSION – David “Crockett” Garza Jr., 59, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016. Mr. Garza served in the Unites States Coast Guard until 1980. He was employed as an auto mechanics instructor with Alvin Community College. Survivors include his wife, Pilar; children, David Garza III, Albert Micheal Garza and Jessica Carrizales; parents, David and Tomasa Garza; siblings, Felipe Susanna, Fernando, Dario, Veronica and Patricia Almendarez; and a grandson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nora Lee Garza. A funeral mass was held on June 16 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in McAllen. Arturo R. Ibarra HOUSTON – Arturo R. Ibarra of Houston, 70, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Mr. Ibarra was born in Mission on Jan. 15, 1946, to Heliodoro and Santa Ibarra. He graduated from Mission High School and received his bachelor’s degree in art from UT-Pan American University and married A. Nora Sando-

val on Nov. 28, 1968. His business career began with Diamond Shamrock and continued with Hercules/Himont and Lyondell. Survivors include his wife of 47 years; sons, Michael and Daniel Ibarra; siblings Hector Ibarra and Irma Becho; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service was held on June 15 at St. Luke’s Evangelist Catholic Church in Houston. Burial followed at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster. Jose Ramiro Ledesma MISSION – Jose Ramiro Ledesma Sr., 67, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at McAllen Medical Center. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Juana Tamez Ledesma; children, Rene Ledesma, Hector Ledesma, Armando Ledesma, Armandina Ledesma, Jose Ramiro Ledesma and David Ledesma; and 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held on June 14 at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Leobardo Salinas MISSION – Leobardo Salinas, 81, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016, in Mission. Mr. Salinas was born in Dr.

page 9A

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com June 6, and session II registration is on July 8 and classes begin July 9. Classes for ages 5-12 are from 9 to 11 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 1318, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Adult classes are Monday and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. Fees are $100 for ages 5-18, and $150 for ages 19 and up for a four-week program, payable to the instructor. Fees are non-refundable, and the instructor may choose to remove participants who don’t follow the rules. More activities and sports offered in Mission can be found at the Parks & Recreation website under the 2016 Mission Parks and Recreation Summer Activities schedule. Speer Memorial Library

For free and fun programs, Speer Memorial Library, located at 801 E. 12th St, has a variety of events. Movies are shown weekends at 2 p.m., a crafts session is held for preschoolers through first grade on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Arts & Crafts for children, grades second through fifth, are on Tuesdays. Storytime is from 2 to 3 p.m. Teen-Tween Time is offered on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. Children’s Kundalini Yoga is held at 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Little Tykes playtime is at 10 a.m. for children ages 1 to 4, and a final Game Day on June 26 closes out the month. Mission Historical Museum Mission Historical Museum, located at 900 Doherty

Ave., is holding a free speaking series, My Mission Oral History. The speaker for June is author David Bowles, who will be presenting Valley Myths, Folklore and History in the Military Room at the museum. Current exhibits include the Migrant Worker exhibit in the Shary Lobby, and Most Recognized Historical Landmarks throughout Mission. Boys & Girls Club The Boys & Girls Club of Mission, located on 209 W. 18th Street, is opening its summer program with a promise of one nutritional meal and snacks throughout the day for each child, ages 5-12. The CWV and Bannworth units go for eight weeks from June 6 to July

29, and will be closed for July 4. Each unit is from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and is $65 per member. The Main unit will go for 11 weeks from June 6 to Aug. 19 (closed July 4), and will run from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cost is $100 per child. The Jensen unit Summer STEM Program will go from June 6 to July 14 (closed July 4), and is limited to the first 50 children signed up. The unit will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and is $50 per member. For questions and more information, contact Xavier Sanchez, the Boys & Girls Club of Mission Program Coordinator, at (956) 5853606.

Coss, N.L., Mexico and lived in Mission most of his life. Survivors include his wife, Josefita Salinas; children, Jose Armando Salinas, Graciela Perez, Criselda Canales, Maria Elena Flores, Idalia Torres and Leobardo Jr. Salinas; siblings, Imelda, Maria Inez, Maria De Los Angeles, Isabel Cristina, Dora Thelma and Alejandro Trevino; and 22 grandchildren. Mr. Salinas was preceded in death by his parents, Leandro and Juanita Salinas, and siblings, Leandro Jr. and Maria Elena Salinas. A funeral mass was held on June 12 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Garden in McAllen. Sam L. Hofer MISSION – Sam L. Hofer, 80, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hofer was born on May 26, 1936, in Smith Center, Kan. to Ralph Hofer and Clista Bell Newbury Hofer and was raised in Gaylord, Kan. He married Donna B. Boston on Nov. 23, 1974. He attended Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., the University of Denver in Denver, Colo. and received his master’s degree in library science. He worked as a librarian for 29 years before his retirement in 1995. He was a 32nd degree Ma-

son, was a past lodge master and was a member through the years of Mighi White Shrine Lodge #18 in Greely, Colo. He was also the past National Chaplin of National Camping Travelers. He is survived by his wife, Donna Hofer of Mission. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service with Masonic honors was held on June 14 at the First Christian Church Disciple of Christ in Mission with Pastor Bill Hicks officiating. Burial will be held at Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley at a later date. Raul Ramirez PEÑITAS – Raul Ramirez, 61, passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Mr. Ramirez was born in Edinburg to Jesus Ramirez and Frances Gutierrez. Survivors include his wife, Ninfa Ramirez; children, B.J. Villarreal, Gina Riojas, Robert Ramirez, R.J. Ramirez and Brenda Ramirez; siblings, Reyes Ramirez, Elizabeth Ramirez and Rudy Lopez; and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service was held on June 14 at Lord and I Funeral Home in Peñitas. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Serving as pallbearers were B.J. Villarreal, William

Ramirez, Ruben Riojas Jr., Rene Garcia, Robert Ramirez Jr. and Orlando Cerda. Guadalupe S. Tijerina ALTON – Guadalupe S. Tijerina, 75, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Solara Hospital in McAllen. Mr. Tijerina was born to Antonio Tijerina and Matilde Salinas on April 3, 1941, at Rancho La Rosita, Tamps., Mexico. Survivors include his wife, Hermila G. Tijerina; children, Wesley B. Tijerina, Wayne Tijerina, Guadalupe Tijerina Jr. and Patricia Tijerina; siblings, Araceli Guerra, Antonio Tijerina and Abelina Arguijo; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Juan and Abelardo Tijerina. A funeral mass was held on June 11 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at La Piedad Cemetery in McAllen.

Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Waterford Gardens in Mission. Maria Del Refugio Lopez SULLIVAN CITY – Maria Del Refugio Lopez, 80, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2016, at Comfort House in McAllen. A funeral service was held on June 13 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Joya. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Mission. Rigoberto Felix Ordaz MISSION – Rigoberto “Rigo” Felix Ordaz, 69, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at his home in Mission. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Hilda E. Ordaz; daughter, Christina Ordaz Dominguez; siblings, Maria Rene O. Cortez, Ricardo Ordaz, Rodolfo Ordaz, Rosa Maria O. Garcia, Rosa Elia O. Chacon; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Delfina G. Ordaz, and sisters, Raquel Vargas, Rebeca Laredo and Rosalinda Hernandez. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 17, at 12 p.m. Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial follows at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Notices Larry Basil Fancher MISSION – Larry Basil Fancher, 70, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Clifford Kuntz MISSION – Clifford Kuntz , 89, passed away on

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY 12TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MISSION THE FATHERS: †FR. JIM, FR. PHILION & FR. ROY (†MAGNA, †SENTINEL, †MAGNO, †AUGIE, †DIDYMUS, †CHUNKLY, GIRLY, CANTINA, VALENTINE, NEWLY, BENDITO & CHARLOTTE)

PADRES OBLATOS

MISSIONARY CATECHIST OF THE POOR: SR. LUPITA DAUGHTERS OF MARY MOTHER OF MERCY: SR. ELIZABETH, SR. BIBIANA & SR. MADONNA † DEACON AYALA & DEACON CASTAÑEDA WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIFE AND LOVE HE GAVE US AND STILL GIVES US THROUGH OUR FATHERS! THEY TELL US THEY LOVE US THE ONLY WAY THEY KNOW HOW!

MASS SCHEDULE “Texas Friendly” spoken at all masses (and confessions) Saturday (English) ........................................... 4:00 P.M. Saturday (Spanish) .......................................... 7:00 P.M. Sunday (Spanish) ........................................... 7:30 A.M. Sunday (English)............................................. 9:00 A.M. Sunday (English)........................................... 10:30 A.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex) Mariachi Mass ......... (Noon)12:30 P.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex)............................................ 5:30 P.M. Monday - Wednesday & Friday (Tex-Mex) ....... 6:55 A.M. Thursday (Tex-Mex) ......................................... 7:00 P.M.

CONFESSIONS

Thursday ....................................................... 6:00 P.M. Saturday......................................................... 3:00 P.M.

620 DUNLAP, MISSION, TX • 585-2623

ONE BLOCK WEST OF CONWAY ON MAGNA DRIVE (6TH ST.)

page 10A

WORKSHOP and an electronic marquee, $52,000. For Salinas STEM ECHS, fall/spring tuition, $20,000, and college textbooks, $45,000. For a masters' program at Harvard University, $70,000 and a masters’ program at Washington University, $25,000. The total for these requests was $1,552,832. Dr. Benavides said there was no way all of the request-

June 17, 2016

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ed projects could be funded in the budget. The items would be dealt with “as needed.” Benavides said there was a need to have more qualified teachers in the district for the dual enrollment programs. There were two LJISD employees working on master’s degrees at Harvard and one at Washington. Once the degrees are completed, the two employees are required to stay at LJISD for at least five years.

MHS FFA advances to state

he 2016-2017 Mission High School FFA officer team recently participated in the Area 10 FFA Regional Banquet and Convention. President Sebastian Carrillo earned third place and Julissa Alvarez placed seventh in their individual senior prepared public speaking events at the area competition. Ariana Peña earned second place with her equine

science proficiency application. Amanda Granados, Jacob Flores, and Brandon De La Cruz are advancing to the state level with their state FFA Degree application. The MHS FFA Chapter has also advanced to the state level as an overall exceptional chapter and will be competing for the following awards: National Chapter Rating award, Superior Chapter Award and Golden

Horizon Award. Sebastian Carrillo also advanced to the state lev-

el with his STAR Chapter Farmer Degree application in agri-science.

June 17, 2016

CLASH

from pg 1A

walked out of the meeting. Continuing to argue his point, the mayor said, “These are labor people… You want to give them more than 6 percent. This is a business. It’s not a political game here…We cannot just give everybody 12 percent. “As a matter of fact we should just give them 3 percent...Or just don’t do anything at all and reduce our taxes,” Salinas said. “Why don’t we just give

our taxpayers a two-cent deduction on their taxes? That would solve the whole problem. It goes to everybody in Mission; everybody would get a raise in Mission, and let our employees keep their jobs.” After being silent through most of the discussion, Councilwoman Norie Garza stated her position. “I’ve never liked that straight across the board, because your administrative staff with the bigger

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park, quiet & secure handicap accessible, 956-533-3923 or 956-581-4585. Mobile Homes DBL WIDE MOBILE HOME, TX room, completely remodeled, 3 br, 2 baths, lg storage area, Harlingen, $75,000, 956-4408015. Help Wanted I NEED A CDL Driver to drive interstate, please contact Everardo Pruneda for more information, 956-690-3099. Services FLOORING SERVICE BY Uncle Frank, laminate carpet, tile, vinyl, etc. sales and service, 956-533-9800.

salaries get the bulk of the increase and our laborers that have been here five or six years and are making $8 or $9, they make very little [more] and they’re not really putting anything more in their pockets,” she said. Half an hour later, the division remained unresolved and the council decided to adjourn and reconvene the workshop Monday morning. Something changed on Monday. The city manager reminded the council

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that the projected increase in revenues next year from city property taxes is $1.2 million, which is about $100,000 less than the increased payroll costs discussed Friday. This included the 6 percent pay raise, at a cost of $997,000; hiring six additional Parks Department employees for $156,000; and three additional police officers for another $165,000. In addition, the city needs to purchase a new fire truck at a cost of $550,000.

The council soon reached a consensus to adopt a 6 percent pay increase across the board for civilian workers, as the mayor wanted. No formal action could be taken at the workshop and the proposed pay increases will come before the council for official approval at a later date. Meanwhile, the city manager plans to hold at least two more budget workshops before the city adopts the new budget in August or September.

ProgressTimes scan this code with your smartphone

THE STATE OF TEXAS Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Submit by email or pay by phone 5854893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

ATTENTION TAXPAYERS Property taxes for the year 2015 In order to avoid anymore Penalties and Interest on property you presently own, please be sure that all taxes are paid on or before June 30, 2016. If for some reason you have not received Tax Statements on the property you own, please contact our office for status of your property taxes. Pursuant to Section 33.07 of the Property Tax Code, all taxes, penalties, and interest that remain unpaid as of July 1st will incur and additional attorney fee to defray the cost of collection. To Avoid paying the additional 15% to 20% attorney fees you must pay your 2015 taxes before July 1, 2016. Locations: Edinburg Main Office: 2804 S. US Hwy 281/PO Box 178 Edinburg, TX 78540 (956) 318-2157 Elsa Sub-Station 708 E. Edinburg St. Ste. B Elsa, TX 78543 (956) 292-7622 Weslaco Sub-Station 1902 Joe Stephens Avenue Ste. #201 (Precinct #1 Complex Bldg.) Weslaco, TX 78596 (956) 973-7885 Pharr Sub-Station 300 West HallAces Rd. Ste. C (Precinct #2Administration Complex Bldg.) Pharr, TX 78577 (956) 784-3555 San Juan Sub-Station 509 E. Earling Rd. (Precinct #2 Community Resource Center) San Juan, TX 78589 (956) 283-1645 or (956) 283-1773

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does) not file a written answer with the clerk who issued to this citation by 10:00 A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of fortytwo (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation and Petition, a default Judgement may be taken against you.” TO: PAUL H. McCLURE, TRUSTEE OF THE PAUL H. McCLURE REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DATED MARCH 13, 1995 THE PAUL H. McCLURE REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DATED MARCH 13, 1995, THE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST DATED FEBRUARY 12, 1992, LIONEL W. STROBRIDGE, TRUSTEE OF THE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST DATED FEBRUARY 12, 1992 THE STROBRIDGE, LINONEL W. & ARLENE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST, ARLENE STROBRIDGE, TRUSTEE OF THE STROBRIDGE, LINONEL W. & ARLENE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST, ROBERT HOWARD CRAIG, DONALD R. MALLICOAT and JOE ANN MALLICOAT GREETINGS: You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Orginal Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock A.M. of the Monday next after the expiration of fortytwo (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation the same being the on this the 13th day of May, 2016 before the Honorable Rose G. Reyna, 206th Distirct Court of Hidalgo County, Texas at the Courthouse of said county in Edinburg, Texas. Said PLAINTIFFS ORIGINAL PETITION FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT filed in said court on the on this the 1st day of February, 2016 in this case numbered C-0477-16-D on the docket of said court and styled: JAMES KAY, JESSIE KAY VS. PAUL H. MCCLURE, TRUSTEE OF THE PAUL H. MCCLURE REVOCABLE LIVING, TRUST DATED MARCH 13, 1995, THE PAUL H. MCCLURE REVOCABLE, LIVING TRUST DATED MARCH 13, 1995, THE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST, DATED FEBRUARY 12, 1992, LIONEL W. STROBRIDGE, TRUSTEE OF THE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST, DATED FEBRUARY 12, 1992, ARLENE H. STROBRIDGE, TRUSTEE OF THE STROBRIDGE, LINONEL W. & ARLENE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST ARLENE STROBRIDGE, TRUSTEE OF THE STROBRIDGE, LINONEL W. & ARLENE STROBRIDGE LIVING TRUST ROBERT HOWARD CRAIG DONALD R. MALLICOAT AND JOE ANN MALLICOAT. Said petition was filed in said court by: Attorney DARRELL DAVIS, 301 E. TOM LANDRY ST., MISSION, TX 78572. (956) 585-0628. A brief nature of the suit is as follows: PLAINTIFF(S) SEEK DECLARATORY JUDGMENT THAT PLAINTIFFS ARE OWNERS OF LOT 154 AND 155, BLOCK 4, LAMPLIGHT M/H SUBDIVISION, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS.

Alamo Sub-Station 1429 S. Tower Rd (Precinct #2 Multi-Purpose Center) Alamo, TX 78516 (956) 784-8688

The officer executing this writ shall promptly serve the same according to requirements of law, and the mandates thereof, and make due return as the law directs.

Palmview Sub-Station 722 Breyfogle Rd. (Precinct #3 Multi-Purpose Center) Mission, TX 78574 (956) 205-7050

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at Edinburg, Texas this on this the 13th day of May, 2016.

Pablo “Paul” Villareal, Jr., PCC ORDINANCE NO. 4364

Tax Assessor-Collector Hidalgo County

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #4275 ADOPTING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO THE CLASSIFIED POSITION OF PATROLMAN FOR THE MISSION POLICE DEPARTMENT READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 13TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4361 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRIVE-THRU SERVICE WINDOW – EL PUERTO MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 3221 N. CONWAY AVENUE, A 1.15 OF AN ACRE OUT OF LOT 30, BELLWOODS CO’S “C” SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 13TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4363 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.780 DESIGNATING PLACES WHERE BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE SOLD WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MISSION TO INCLUDE THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 3700 PLANTATION GROVE BLVD., LOT 2, SHARYLAND PLANTATION GROVE HOTEL/BUNGALOW READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 13TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

ORDINANCE NO. 4362 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – CLARION INN & SUITES, 3700 PLANTATION GROVE BLVD., LOT 2, SHARYLAND PLANTATION GROVE HOTEL/BUNGALOW READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 13TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4360 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRIVE-THRU SERVICE WINDOW – SNOWBALL EXPRESS, 1712 W. GRIFFIN PARKWAY, LOT 22, BLOCK 4, OAKWOOD ESTATES SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 13TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

The City of Alton is soliciting sealed Statement of Qualifications; hereinafter referred to as SOQ, to be received by Jorge Arcaute, City Manager, at 509 S. Dawes, Alton, Texas 78573. City of Alton normal business days are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and shall be closed on recognized holidays. SOQ’S will be received until 3:00 p.m. Central Time, on Tuesday July 5, 2016, shortly thereafter all submitted SOQ’S will be gathered and taken to the City’s Conference Room, to be publicly opened and read aloud. Any SOQ received after the closing time will not be accepted and will be returned to the submitter unopened. It is the responsibility of the submitter to see that any SOQ submitted shall have sufficient time to be received by the City prior to the SOQ opening date and time. The receiving time at the City Hall Front Desk will be the governing time for acceptability of the SOQ’s. SOQ’s will not be accepted by telephone or facsimile machine. All SOQ’S must bear original signatures and figures. The SOQ shall be for: SOQ # 2016-01 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DATA CENTER CLUSTER Respondents receiving a “NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS” and/or “REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS” notice in the mail or reading same in the newspaper are advised that the solicitation documents can be downloaded from the City of Alton web page address: www.alton-tx.gov, or may obtain copies of same by contacting the office of: JEFF UNDERWOOD, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, LOCATED AT 509 S. ALTON BOULEVARD, ALTON, TX 78573 by calling (956) 4320760 or by e-mailing your request to the following e-mail address: jeff.underwood@ alton-tx.gov Hand Delivered SOQ’S:

509 S. Alton Boulevard C/o Jorge Arcaute

If using Land Courier (i.e. FedEx, UPS):

City of Alton C/o Jorge Arcaute 509 S. Alton Boulevard Alton, Texas 78573

If Mailing Proposals:

City of Alton C/o Jorge Arcaute 509 S. Alton Boulevard Alton, Texas 78573

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June 17, 2016

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