November 4, 2016 PT ISSUE

Friday, November 4, 2016

www.ptrgv.com | 25 Cents

Vol. 45 No. 14

Daring to do what God calls you to do

By Jim Brunson On a recent Saturday morning many Mission residents noticed a seemingly never-ending line of people dressed in black wearing black tape across their mouths walking down E. Griffin Parkway toward Shary Road. There were 600 people in that long, black line, walking in silence, single file. It wasn’t a protest, but a silent cry for help on behalf of the victims of human trafficking — modern day slaves used for sex or exploited for labor.

Stephanie Hernandez organized the local “Walk for Freedom” after feeling called of God to do something about a very real problem that affects many young girls, boys and adults here locally as well as across the globe.

Stephanie is a young member of Palm Valley Church in Mission who, when she studied the book, “Undaunted,” in a church

book study group, felt she had to do something.

“It really stirred something in my heart and I felt God was calling me out to bring awareness to a very real problem that exists, not only overseas and far away, but here in our very own backyards,” said Stephanie.

So she reached out to her church family and mobilized a Walk for Freedom and 600 people from Palm Valley and other churches joined that walk to call attention to the problem.

Daring to do what God calls you to do As Stephanie learned more about human trafficking, which she said has surpassed drug trade as the biggest global crime, she decided to do something about it. The subtitle of the book “Undaunted” is “Daring to do what God calls you to do,” and that’s just what Stephanie did as she became determined to become that

An estimated 600 area residents, wearing black, joined the “Walk for Freedom” to call attention to human trafficking and sex trafficking. The walk was organized by Stephanie Hernandez and members of Palm Valley Church.

See WALK FOR FREEDOM Pg. 5

Progress Times Photo

Citizens group wants Prop 1 supporters ousted from office

Record numbers attend halloween bash

By Joe Hinton A record number of children and their parents attended Monday’s Halloween event at the Mission Historical Museum, said one museum official.

“This was the largest group of people we’ve ever had,” said Linda Castaneda, who is in charge of the museum’s membership and business development.

By Joe Hinton Members of an area watchdog group are calling for Hidalgo County residents to defeat a proposition on the Nov. 8 election ballot that, if passed, would create a county health care taxing district. They’re also calling on voters to oust the lawmakers who brought the measure back two years af-

See CITEZENS Pg. 10

Sen. Juan Hinojosa

It was the third year for the event dubbed, “Mission’s Halloween Mysteries at the Boo!seum.” In the previous two years the event drew an estimated 2,500 and 3,000 persons, said Castaneda, a retired banker who has been with the museum for nine years. Castaneda was one of three volunteers manning a beanbag toss game. The beanbag toss was just one of many games of skill or

chance children and sometimes their parents performed to win candy and other prizes.

Mission Police and Crime Stoppers volunteers were out in force at the event. Police spokesman, Lt. Jody Tittle, said he wasn’t sure how many people attended but that it was many.

“We had about a thousand

See BOOSEUM Pg. 12

State Rep. Bobby Guerra

La Joya breaks ground on new city hall, police station

By Jose De Leon III The “Jewel of the Valley” will soon shine brighter.

The city of La Joya held a groundbreaking for a new city hall and police station Wednesday, Oct. 26. Public officials, including La Joya Mayor Fito Salinas and City Administrator Mike Alaniz, were on hand to celebrate the occasion for the city.

The new city hall and police station — formerly

a PlainsCapital Bank that closed last year—will replace the old city hall. According to Alaniz, the former bank building will house administrative offices and the east side of the building will be expanded to accommodate a new police station.

“This new building will be the hub of the community,” Alaniz said. “We want to let residents know there is progress in the city. With this new city hall, we are leading

the community in the right direction as we prepare to grow the city financially and bring in new developers and business.”

Construction should be completed by late next summer, Alaniz said.

The purchase was made possible through a $3.5 million loan the city received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture six years ago,

See GROUNDBREAKING Pg. 9

Julissa Garza, 8, of Palmview, plays pin the spider to the web as volunteer Mary Sanchez coaches.

INSIDE

We’ve all heard the saying: “Spring forward, Fall back” to remind us to turn our clocks back one hour each fall when

INDEX

Daylight Saving Time ends.

This year, Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 6.

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 3

Election day polling locations

Folklorico-Mariachi concert

A Hidalgo County elections official said about a third of the county’s 338,937 registered voters have already voted early. Early voting ended Nov. 4.

Three school music departments will perform jointly later this month at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts center.

See story page 5

See story page 2

Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 6

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Immediate Need

entertainment

La Joya High School Folklorico

Palmview High School Folklorico

LJISD presents ‘Three Schools, One Voice’ folklorico-mariachi concert

The La Joya I.S.D. invites the public to an evening of quality folklorico and mariachi entertainment at the annual “Three Schools, One Voice” folklorico and mariachi concert. The show is a collaboration of folklorico and mariachi students from the district’s three high schools – La Joya High School, Juarez-Lincoln High School and Palmview High School.

It will be staged at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604.N. Coyote Dr., on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. and 7

p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m.

The music and dance program at LJISD has created folklorico and mariachi performers who have always been known for high quality performances and have gone on to receive numerous awards and recognitions.

The La Joya High School Grupo Folklorico Tabasco during the 2015-16, under the direction of Cristobal Rojas walked away with numerous awards during the ACADEZ competition in San Antonio.

Grupo Tabasco placed first in solo and had a clean sweep

‘Aladdin Jr.’ performances begin tonight

Sharyland High School presents a production of Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” on Nov. 4 to 6 at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. It will be staged at the Sharyland High School Auditorium, 1206 N. Shary Rd. in Mission.

The play, based on an Arabian Nights tale, places Princess Jasmine in the quandary of who she must pick as a husband from three visiting princes. At the time

of the princes’ introduction, Aladdin finds himself holding stolen bread and being pursued. Princess Jasmine takes advantage of the turmoil and flees with Aladdin. While there are several attempts to make Princess Jasmine fall in love with one of the princes, it is Aladdin who holds her attention and captures her heart.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Call 956-580-5300 to make a reservation.

in the duet category taking first, second and third places.

They received “Best of the Best” with principal dancers Mariela Gonzalez and Javier Cienega in a duet. Grupo Tabasco also took first place in Large Group and “Best of the Best” in Contemporary Large Group with Flamenco.

They received a third place in Large Group and a third place in the Cuadro category.

At Competencia Folklorico de Tejas in Corpus Christi, they received a first place in duet, first place and second places in Large Group, and second place in Cuadro with

“Llegaron Los Nortenos.”

Cristobal Rojas, artistic director states, “It was a great year for La Joya High School Grupo Folklorico Tabasco students.

Tickets are general admission and cost $8. Advance ticket sales start Monday, Nov. 7, at the La Joya I.S.D. Fine Arts Department from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and1 to 3 p.m. Tickets will also be sold at the door one hour in advance of each performance.

Call 956- 323-2896 for more information.

UVAL plans art rummage sale If it’s time to decorate around the house, the Upper Valley Art League rummage sale might be the place to start to pick up one-of-a-kind artwork by local artists.

UVAL members will be gathering a variety of works from their collections, in a range of mediums, for the sale this Saturday, Nov. 5. It’s a fundraiser benefitting the nonprofit organization, open to the public, and it runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UVAL

home in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921. E. 12th St. in Mission.

Also available at the sale will be unused donated art supplies for individuals who are building a collection of their own works.

For more information, call UVAL at 956-583-2787.

MMA to host Veterans Day parade HARLINGEN – The Marine Military Academy invites veterans, their families and the general public to the annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. on the MMA parade grounds.

MMA’s battalion-size parades are always held in front of the historic Iwo Jima Monument.

Veterans from all military branches will be honored and asked to join the MMA superintendent for the pass in review. Nearly 100 veterans were honored at last year’s parade.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the flag retirement ceremony to follow the parade. Although bleacher seating is available, the public may bring lawn chairs.

MMA is located at 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. next to Valley International Airport in Harlingen. For more information, call 956-421-9225.

November 4, 2016

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Coming Attractions

November 5 • The La Joya I.S.D. presents the Seventh Annual Conjunto Festival from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Alejandro H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyote Dr. In a tribute to all veterans, featured performers are the Juarez Lincoln High School Conjunto Sol, the La Joya High School Conjunto Los Diamantes and the Palmview High School Conjunto La Tradicion. Admission is $6; tickets are sold at the door. For more information, call 956-323-2896.

November 10 • The McAllen Symphonic Band and the South Texas Music Department present a concert of chamber music for winds at 7:30 p.m. at the South Texas College Cooper Center Black Box Theater, 3200 Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. The concert will feature duets and trios for various combinations of wind instruments. Admission is free.

November 12 • The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana in McAllen, is the venue for a photography exhibit, “Architecture of the Rio Grande Valley: A Visual Journey,” that will be on display through April 10, 2017 in the Welcome Pavilion. Thirty photographs selected from a forthcoming book, Architecture of the Rio Grande Valley: Vol. I, celebrate the architecture that reflects the region, its craftsmen, its cultures and its climate over the past 160 years. For information, call 956-682-0123.

• The next Sunset Live concert features Mayan Oppenheim, Blue Healer, Matt Tedder & Elizabeth Ziman at the Oval Park outside of the McAllen Convention Center. Admission is free, and the event is pet-friendly. Concert-goers should bring a lawn chair or blankets.

To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to ptrgv.com

Open painting begins

The Upper Valley Art League in Mission is now offering open painting for members on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pete Krystiniak will be the

facilitator. For further information he can be contacted at pkrystiniak@yahoo.com.

UVAL is located at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission.

It’s time to sign up for the Fourth Annual Bert Ogden Mission Chevrolet Cowboy Christmas Cook-off. It’s slated for December 16 and 17 in the Bert Ogden Chevrolet parking lot in Mission.

Benefitting the Silver Ribbon Community Partners, the IBCA-sanctioned cook-off carries $15,000 in prize money for the competitors and the title of grand champion and reserve grand champion for the top two teams.

Barbecue categories in-

clude brisket, pork spare ribs and half chicken. The entry fee is $150 for one or all of the main line-up. Register and pay online and save $25 by going to bertogdenchevrolet.com.

The $25 jackpot categories include ribeye steak, beans and fajitas. Judges are needed, and vendors are welcomed.

For more information or to volunteer, call George Lopez at 956-984-9384.

Sign up now for Cowboy Christmas Cook-off

PSJA presents ‘Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’ PHARR – Students with the PSJA Early College High School are finishing up rehearsals for the upcoming production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.”

Close to 100 students are blocking scenes, memorizing lines, building sets and working on lights and sound for the show.

“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” contains various crazy characters in the mash-up of famous and not-so-famous fairy tales, which were collected in the

early 1800s. Over 200 fairy tales are retold with a twist, from Rumpelstiltskin’s devious plans to a retelling of Cinderella’s story told by two characters playing all the parts. The show is non-stop action show to have audiences rolling in the aisles.

Performance dates are Nov. 10 to 12, and 17 to 18 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 13 and 19 at 3 p.m. Admission is $6.

For more information or group reservations call 956354-2319 and leave a message.

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EVENTS

lifestyle

CALENDAR

November 5 – The parish of St. Anne’s Catholic Church is holding a Jamaica to be held at the church, 17109 Coconut Palm Dr. in Peñitas. It runs from 4 to 10 a.m. Call 956-583-9888 for more information.

November 5 – Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 Mission will host the “Armed Forces Veterans Golf Tournament,” and the public is invited. The Post is seeking sponsors and teams for the event at Mission Shary Golf Course, 1900 N. Mayberry. It will be a three-man team tournament with door prizes, drawing, food and more, including a hole-in-one prize vehicle donated by Bert Ogden Mission. To become a sponsor or to sign up a team, call the Post at 583-5961 or the Shary Pro Shop at 580-8770.

November 5 – Juan Diego Academy will their Sixth Annual Gala at 6 p.m. at the school campus, 5208 S. FM 494 in Mission. The “Nautica” themed gala benefits the expansion of the math and science building. Funds will also be used for the continued growth and development of JDA’s academic and extracurricular programs. To become a sponsor, make a donation, purchase tickets or for more information, call the school at 956-583-2752.

November 5 – The Edinburg World Birding Center invites you to the Wetland Waders-Family Style Program from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This special program is in conjunction with the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is being held at the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium from Nov. 2 to 6. The free event is full of activities for families and beginning bird watchers, including bird walks, presentations and birding observations. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. For more information, call 956-381-9922.

November 5 – The members of the Guild with the International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana in McAllen will hold their annual rummage sale at the museum from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call IMAS at 956-682-0123 regarding large items such as furniture. Donations may be dropped off at the museum any day after Oct. 31.

November 6 – The next Tip of Texas Orchid Society meeting will be held in the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco at 2 p.m. Guest speaker is Carol Klonowski who has been growing orchids since the 1980s. She went from a single Cattleya orchid to an entire greenhouse or orchids in her backyard. She is currently an acccredited judge with the American Orchid Society. She will talk on Paphiopedilums, the Venus or Lady Slipper Orchids. There will be an orchid drawing and orchids and orchid supplies for sale.

November 8 – Amigos de Los Ninos de Mexico will meet at the First Methodist Church of Donna, 228 S. Main St., at 1:30 p.m. to prepare for the Christmas day celebration benefitting the children of Progresso, Mexico. Volunteers can sign up to work on various committees, drop off donated items and to get general information on the event.

Call Carol Schnase, publicity chair at 956-332-8855 for more information.

November 10 – Visit Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center at 6 p.m. for a presentation by Dr. Alexis Racelis from UTRGV on the future of sustainable agriculture in Cuba. The program is included in the general admission of $3 per person. Quinta Mazatlan is located 600 Sunset in McAllen. For information, call 956-681-3370.

November 11 – Chimney Park RV resort will honoring all veterans in the courtyard at the park beginning at 3 p.m. There will be a 21-gun salute by American Legion Post 93 from Mission. The public is invited to attend.

Call 956-585-5061 for more information.

November 11 – The Marine Military Academy (MMA) in Harlingen will host a Veterans Day parade at 4 p.m. All parades are held on the academy grounds, and the public is invited. Veterans and former classmates and their families are encouraged to attend.

November 12 – The Aglow International Spanish Lighthouse Chapter of Mission invites the public to their monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Adult Day Care, 1312 Oblate Ave. in Mission. It begins with a continental breakfast followed by the meeting. For information, call Lisa Gomez at 956-776-8505; Sandy Rodriguez, 956-588-9313; or Gaby Rodriguez, 956-240-6607 November 12 – St. John of the Fields Catholic Church will hold a Fashion Show and Luncheon with doors opening at 11 a.m. at the church located at 1052 Washington St. in Mission. Tickets are $10 per person, and all proceeds benefit the church. Fashions will be sponsored by Lionel’s Western Wear and Boutique and Bec’s Fashions.

For more information and tickets, call 585-2325 or 5811289.

(For daily events and upcoming weeks, see the full calendar at ptrgv.com.)

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

‘Fashion with Compassion’ benefits Mission Pantry

It’s Fashion with Compassion as the Mission Food Pantry hosts a luncheon and fall fashion show on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the City of Mission Social Center, 115 S. Mayberry St. All proceeds benefit the food pantry.

The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets are a $15 per person, and proceeds help to feed the hungry in the community Fashions will be sponsored by Bec’s Fashions from McAllen and Lionel’s

Western Wear Boutique from Weslaco. There will also be a silent auction of one-of-akind crosses made by members of the Upper Valley Art League.

The Mission Food Pantry assists only on an emergency basis to provide food. They also provide clothing with a referral from a school, church or agency.

For any additional information, contact Adela Ortega, Pantry manager, at 585-3542 or via email at aortega@missiontexas.us.

The Knights of Columbus Council 2698 with St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission will hold their annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Nov. 12. Plates are $6 each and will be served up from 5 to 7 p.m. The meals are dine-in or take out.

The church is located at 1119 N. Francisco Ave. Plates of spaghetti and meatballs with homemade sauce will be served up with garlic bread sticks and green

salad. Dine-in guests will be offered free tea and coffee.

St. Paul’s Altar Society will be offering homemade desserts for sale.

Tickets are available at the church after all masses: 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. They are also available at the parish office or at the door on the day of the dinner. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.

MCALLEN – The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild, in conjunction with Veterans Services at South Texas College, will hold a special ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and Guild members will present veterans with a handmade quilt in honor of their military service.

Two events will take place that day. The first ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Technology Campus, room B-193. The second event will take place at 2 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Rainbow Room above the library.

“This is a presentation ceremony. Quilting Guilds across the nation have al-

ways had programs to honor military veterans by presenting a handmade quilt in recognition and thanks for their service and sacrifice to our nation,” said Laura Nunn, STC Communication Arts instructor and Guild member.

“It’s our intention to increase awareness of the program because there are over 60,000 veterans living in the Valley, and we want to grow the program,” she continued. “We want to make more quilts, and we want to give out more quilts. We want to recognize as many people as we possibly can for their service to our country.”

Spaghetti dinner supports scholarships

RGV Quilt Guild, STC to honor veterans

Learn CPR at heart seminar

Doing good in the world La Joya ISD joined thousands across the nation during National Day of Doing Good, in one of the largest annual single-days of service by asking the community to donate to LJISD students who are in need from our area. With three locations to facilitate donors, La Joya High, Palmview High and Juarez-Lincoln High received a sizeable donations that ranged from uniform shirts, jean pants and shoes to toiletry and personal hygiene items. Donations are earmarked to benefit La Joya ISD Students. Anyone still interested can make a donations year-round. For more information on drop-off locations, contact the Parental Involvement Office at 956-323-2696.

Tickets available for Nov. 5 JDA gala

Tickets are still available for the Sixth Annual Gala fundraiser benefitting Juan Diego Academy Catholic Regional High School. It begins at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 5, on the school’s campus located at 5208 S. FM 494 in Mission. The evening will include a semi-formal dinner, live music, and silent and live auctions. This year’s gala theme is Nautica, a celebration of the sea and the life-giving gift of water.

The school’s students will welcome and seat the guests, serve the meal and provide the entertainment throughout the evening. Bishop Daniel Flores will be the honored guest.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the expansion of Seton Hall, the math and science building, to provide additional classrooms, a teacher workroom, an additional science lab and

a set of restrooms. Funds will also be used for the continued growth and development of our academic and extracurricular programs.

Principal Bob Schmidt said, “The gala provides us with the ability to advance the vision and mission of our school in providing the highest-quality Catholic education possible to the students and families of this area.”

The graduating class of 2016 earned 100 percent admission into college and earned nearly two million dollars in scholarships. Students have distinguished themselves in sports, robotics and dance teams, against larger schools with their Masterminds team and continue to do so.

Individual tickets and sponsorships are available.

For more information, call the school at 583-2752.

The public can learn more about early heart attack care and hands-only CPR during a free heart health education seminar sponsored by Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System. It will be held at Shary Municipal Golf Course, 2201 N. Mayberry in Mission, on Friday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

There will be healthy snacks and giveaways. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

For more information, call 956-362-6273.

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ATTENTION PATIENTS : It is with mixed emotions that we notify you Dr. Hazem Kanaan will no longer be practicing with MissionHealth as of November 14, 2016.

Dr. Kanaan is an OB/GYN physician at MissionHealth Clinic located at 328 E. Expressway 83 La Joya, TX 78560.

MissionHelath advises all patients to select a new OB/GYN physician for their continuity of medical care.

MissionHealth has one doctor that can continue to serve your medical needs. Dr. Jaspreet Kaur is an Internal Medicine doctor and can perform well women exams in addition to primary care. Dr. Kaur is located at 1022 E. Griffin Parkway, Ste 111 Mission, TX 78572. Her office number is (956) 271- 4950.

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opinion

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Officials urge state’s high court not to expand same-sex marriage ruling

A

USTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last week filed a friend-ofthe-court brief with the Texas Supreme Court over issues they say were not addressed in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case declaring samesex marriage a fundamental right.

The three officials asked the Texas Supreme Court to accept their view that Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2015 decision recognizing a right to same-sex marriage “does not resolve all constitutional issues relating same-sex marriage.” The brief points to Parker v. Pigeon and related cases involving a Houston mayor’s extending benefits to same-sex spouses of city employees, and asks that a lower court’s temporary injunction preventing the extension of those benefits be reinstated.

“Both the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit made clear that Obergefell left a host of issues unresolved,” Abbott, Patrick and Paxton asserted. They maintained that “the traditional, Texas definition of marriage” is still in force because “a federal district court judgment against state officials does not amend the Texas Constitution or the Texas Family Code.”

Referenced in the brief is Texas Family Code Section 6.204 paragraph (c), subparagraph (2), which says “The state or an agency or political subdivision of the state may not give effect to a right or claim to any legal protec-

tion, benefit, or responsibility asserted as a result of a marriage between persons of the same sex or a civil union in this state or in any other jurisdiction.” That section of the law took effect on Sept.

1, 2003.

Workgroup is appointed State Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, on Oct. 27 appointed a Senate Finance Workgroup on Child Protection to evaluate funding to address the ongoing crisis at Child Protective Services.

This followed an interim hearing of the committee, in which members heard testimony on unmet needs for children under the care of the state, and calls for the hiring of more full-time employees to meet those needs.

Nelson appointed as members of the workgroup Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, chair; Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury; Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin; and Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston.

“We need a plan that keeps children safe. There is no issue of greater importance,” Nelson said. “This workgroup will review the agency’s request for immediate funding and, in preparation for the next budget cycle, review the agency’s entire proposed budget line by line to ensure that every dollar is being put toward successfully keeping children safe.”

“I am very concerned about the welfare and safety of the 511 children we discussed at our hearing, and I am asking for daily updates

until that number reaches zero,” Nelson added.

School ratings released The Texas Education Agency on Oct. 24 released final financial accountability ratings for more than 1,200 school districts and charters across the state.

Some 97 percent of all Texas school districts and charters earned a successful final rating for 2015-2016.

The Texas Education Agency said its rating system encourages public schools “to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.”

Based on submitted information, a school district or charter is assigned one of four possible letter grades (A, B, C or F) and a financial management rating of Superior, Above Standard Achievement, Meets Standard or Substandard Achievement.

According to the Texas Education Agency, all school districts and charters are required to report information and financial accountability ratings to parents and taxpayers.

In addition, districts and charters must hold a public discussion or hearing regarding its financial report. The Texas Education Agency formally notified school districts and charters of their preliminary rating in August.

Paxton cautions consumers Texas Attorney General Paxton on Oct. 26 cautioned consumers about the dangers of wearing decorative contact lenses for costuming or cos-

November 4, 2016

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS metic reasons.

“The decorative lenses, also marketed as costume, fashion or colored lenses, pose potential serious risks to eye health, including infections and loss of vision,” Paxton said in a news release.

The Office of the Attorney

A

General’s Consumer Protection Division recommends that consumers: - Always visit a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for proper fitting of cosmetic contact lenses; - Never buy contact lenses without a prescription;

- Buy contact lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you purchase in person or online; and - Avoid buying lenses from street vendors, convenience and dollar stores, flea markets and novelty stores.

Countdown to Election Day

s early voting ends today (Friday), the Hidalgo County Elections Department anticipates up to 100,000 people to turn out on election day, Nov. 8. So, vote early and save a long wait in lines on election day. If you do wait to vote on election day, go early in the morning, as the lines are apt to grow longer as the day goes on.

There are a few points I have not addressed regarding Prop 1, the proposition that would create a new healthcare taxing district in Hidalgo County. So I thought in this final column before election day I would highlight some of the main reasons why I am voting “no.”

First, we don’t need to create another taxing entity with its accompanying bureaucracy to address indigent health care. Only a portion of the proposed healthcare district tax is earmarked for indigent health care. Some say that would be $4.8 million; some say more. We don’t really know. The county is already paying $5.5 million for indigent health care out of the current tax rate. So no tax increase, let alone a whole new taxing district, is needed to fund this. If voters want to increase funding for indigent care, then all the extraneous “projects” and other onerous provisions that Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and State

L

ast week the Progress Times printed a letter that I had previously submitted to The Monitor and was, as of that date, unpublished. In addition, I provided the The Monitor’s Email response of, “Your letter was received. And you have had your say on this issue, according to our publisher. You have been published more than anyone else regarding Prop 1. No need to send anymore letters.”

Well folks I submit that, while I have certainly spoken my piece; we, you know those of us that are the tax paying middle class, retired or working poor have certainly not been published more than those supporting Prop.1.

Their opinions appear in the form of full page ads, commentary, editorial opinions

Rep. Bobby Guerra put in the enabling legislation need to be stripped out.

I would be much more amenable to a proposal to provide more funding for indigent healthcare if the legislation was drafted for the right reason and not for the benefit of the hospitals and Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) investors.

Side note: In reviewing the donor list of the businesses and individuals who have donated to the Border Health PAC, there are a great number doctors who work at DHR and own stock in DHR who on the donors list. Border Health PAC is really pushing this healthcare district down our throats, donating many thousands of dollars to our elected officials to win their favor – including our County Judge Ramon Garcia and the county commissioners. Sen. Chuy Hinojosa has received over $675,000 from this one PAC. The fact is, the reason Chuy and Bobby filed new legislation to create the healthcare district almost immediately after the proposal was voted down two years ago was for the benefit of the hospitals, not the indigents.

That said, indigent care and increased funding for the county clinics that provide primary care can be achieved without a healthcare district that is governed by a

non-elected board of directors who will be greatly influenced by the hospitals and the rich and powerful people behind Prop 1. This is taxation without representation.

Sound familiar?

We need accountability.

That comes through having elected positions for those charged with oversight of tax funds.

As further evidence that the proposed healthcare district is primarily for the benefit of the hospitals and doctors who will benefit as more funds are made available to spend on medical care, there has been no planning to determine what is needed for indigent care. If indigent care were the primary concern, one would expect a responsible commissioners’ court to perform a needs analysis first before proposing a tax.

Governing bodies do not just ask for a tax increase without detailing how those taxes are going to be spent.

If we are going to put more money into indigent care, let’s do it right. Let’s get together, do a needs analysis and carefully plan how taxpayers’ money can best be utilized for the maximum benefit. Right now, no one knows.

And let’s come up with a way to keep the burden of providing healthcare for Reynosa off the backs of county taxpayers.

and yes, even letters. We, the over taxed middle class do not have the funds to buy ads in The Monitor. Some of us may not have the income to pay our mortgage, our rent, or the current property tax rate let alone an 8, or is it 6, or is it 25, or maybe 75, cent increase. Most of us are tired of being dictated to by the rich and infamous who are promoting Prop.1. None of us have received an adequate explanation of what or who killed the past program that handled indigent care without an additional taxing entity.

Last Sunday’s The Monitor and its multiple full-page ads, opinions, letters, and commentaries proved the pudding. The Monitor, even after a reporter’s well-balanced article, has no interest in what you as homeowners,

renters, or small business owners can afford. Nor do they care that you have already said you don’t want a Healthcare District. You do not advertise in their paper.

Clearly, as expressed in their full page “From The Monitor Editorial Board”, The Monitor has no interest in the effect Prop. 1 has on you.

They want Prop.1 to pass at any cost. They are not representing the tax paying majority nor the indigent. They are representing those that will profit most from the taxation.

Please, join our mayor, the Owls, me and the anti-tax groups and vote no on Prop. 1. Prove that representative government in Hidalgo County is not dead!

Did you see Obamacare‛s Halloween Costume this year?

Ned Sheats Mission, Texas

Boooo!

PROP. 1

Give me all your tax dollars.

A Pastel Comic by, Francisco Rodriguez

www.ptrvg.com

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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. Periodicals postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2016 Mission Publishing Company. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

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Anonymous cards or letters are neither read nor printed. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to letters@progresstimes.net, but must include the author’s name and daytime phone number.

November 4, 2016 WALK FOR FREEDOM voice for the voiceless victims of this crime.

So she enlisted the help of Monica Folk, the events coordinator at Palm Valley Church, and together they made plans to organize the Walk for Freedom.

Stephanie explained the purpose of this walk.

“Our purpose here is just to bring awareness. And the reason we walk single file and in silence is to bring a voice to the voiceless,” she said.

Stephanie’s walk was one of over 300 walks held Oct. 15 all across the globe in 40 different countries to call attention to the problem, according to the A21 website a21.org. The A21 campaign is a 501 nonprofit, non-governmental organization that works to fight human trafficking, including sexual exploitation and forced labor, according to its website.

Globally, there is an estimated 27 million men, women and children living in slavery – more than at any other time in history, accord-

page 5

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com from pg 1 ing to A21. The average age of a trafficking victim is 12 years of age. And 98 percent of them are never rescued.

“Our hope and A21’s hope is to partner with governments all over the world to bring these traffickers to justice,” she said. “They have offices in many different countries and partnerships with those governments to bring an awareness to law enforcement and to protect these children and adults.”

The Next Step Stephanie wants to continue the journey she has started. For her next step she plans to work with Tamar’s Tapestry who is seeking to establish a shelter in the Rio Grande Valley for young girls and women who are victims of sex trafficking.

Tamar’s Tapestry is a faithbased, nonprofit organization based in McAllen that helps victims of sex trafficking that can be as young as age 12, she said.

The founder of Tamar’s Tapestry, who asked not to be identified for safety rea-

sons, was present the day of the Walk for Freedom at Palm Valley Church. She explained that many of the people involved in human trafficking in the RGV are ruthless drug cartel members.

Currently, sex trafficking victims are taken to shelters for abused women. But there are problems with this solution.

“If we get victims that come in right now they are taken to an abused women’s shelter that is not equipped – nor do they want to be equipped – to do the human trafficking piece of it,” the founder said. Those shelters “are having to kick out the abused women to deal with the trafficking victims that are brought in,” she added.

The process of setting up a shelter for these young trafficking victims is very complicated she stated, largely because there are several different agencies involved.

“We are working with all the different organizations, with Hidalgo County

Monica Folk (left) and Stephanie Hernandez, of Palm Valley Church.

Progress Times Photo Sheriff’s Department, ICE, Border Patrol, the Highway Patrol – at federal, state and local levels,” she said. It is a very long, complicated process to get approvals to establish a shelter, she explained.

But she is undaunted and is

relentlessly pursuing that goal to help the victims of this crime – especially young women who are being taken away from their families and sold as sex slaves.

Anyone who would like to be part of the solution to hu-

man trafficking may contact Tamar’s Tapestry. To learn more about Tamar’s Tapestry and A21, visit their websites at www.tamarstapestry.org, or A21 at www.a21.org.

Identification required at polls

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ProgressTimes

Polling locations for the Nov. 8 general election will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The chart accompanying this article lists the Election Day voting sites for Mission and adjacent communities. While voters can cast their vote at any Early Voting location during the Early Voting period, which ends today, on Election Day voters are required to vote only at the location designated for their precinct number as listed on the voter registration card.

Hidalgo County’s Elections Department is reminding voters that due to a recently passed state law, Texas voters will be required to present valid identification in order to vote. Those forms of identification are a Texas driver’s license, Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, a Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, a Texas license to carry a handgun is-

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sued by DPS, a United States military I.D. card, a United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph and a U.S. passport.

According to Hidalgo County’s Election Department website, voters do not need to bring their voter registration certificate unless they were unable to obtain one of the other valid forms of I.D. listed above. But a secondary form of I.D. would have to be provided with the certificate. Those forms are an original birth certificate, a copy of a current utility bill, a copy of a bank statement, an original government check, a copy of an original paycheck or an original government document with one’s photograph.

One can contact the county voter registrar’s office to obtain a replacement voter registration certificate if one has been lost.

page 6

November 4, 2016

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Sharyland prepared for district finale

T

By, Bryan Ramos he road to the playoffs in District 31-5A has been a grind. In what Sharyland Rattlers head football coach Ron Adame considers the toughest district in the Valley, two playoff spots are taken while two are still up for grabs.

The Rattlers (6-3, 5-2) are in position to punch their own postseason ticket and

claim one of those spots Friday night with a win over the Rio Grande City Rattlers (63, 4-3) in their regular season finale.

Sharyland’s district schedule pitted the Rattlers against playoff contenders the last four weeks of the season. After losing backto-back games against the district leading Pioneer Diamondbacks and Laredo Nixon Mustangs, the Rattlers

2016 Football Scoreboard

Last Week’s Game - Week #10

Palmview – 34, McAllen High – 14 Nikki Rowe – 30, La Joya High - 12 Sharyland Pioneer – 33, Laredo Martin – 3 Sharyland High - 42, Veterans Memorial – 28 McAllen Memorial - 59, Juarez-Lincoln – 7

This Week’s Game - Week #11 McAllen High at Mission High - Thursday 7:00 p.m.* Roma at Sharyland Pioneer - Friday 7:30 p.m.* Valley View at Veterans Memorial - Friday 7:30 p.m.* La Joya High at Palmview - Friday 7:30 p.m.* Sharyland High at Rio Grande City - Friday 7:30 p.m.* Juarez-Lincoln (Open) *District Game Win/Loss Records Season District Pioneer High 7–2 6–1 Sharyland High 6–3 5–2 Veterans Memorial 5–4 4–3 Palmview 4–5 3–2 La Joya High 3–6 2–3 Juarez Lincoln 4–6 2–4 Mission High 2–7 1–4

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were looking to right the ship last week against the Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots.

The Rattlers and the Patriots entered the game boasting the same 4-2-district record. Making his debut at quarterback for the Rattlers was sophomore Edgar Longoria.

The first half started as a shootout, heading into the locker room tied at 21 after Longoria connected with senior receiver Edgar Alanis for two touchdowns passes and a fumble return for a touchdown.

Longoria said his preparation at practice allowed him to be successful on the field.

“Throughout the week I just prepared myself as if I was the starter,” Longoria said. “I gave it 100 percent every day and I had a good week of practice. We just

believed in each other and big plays came out. I trusted them, they trusted me and we were able to get into the end zone.”

Longoria finished the game with four touchdowns through the air and 220 passing yards to go with 116 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Adame said his team performed up to their capabilities in the Rattlers’ final home game.

“Our boys played their butts off. They gave us everything they had and that’s what we asked,” Adame said. “Before the game we talked about this being the last guaranteed home

game for our seniors. It was our underclassmen’s goal to send them off on a good note and get some momentum back on our side after two straight losses.”

Now, Sharyland must get ready to take on the Rattlers from Rio Grande City who are hoping for a playoff berth of their own.

Rio Grande is coming off a bye week, giving them two weeks to prepare for a must-win matchup against Sharyland. The Rio offense is predicated

See RATTLERS Pg. 7

Sharyland junior halfback Blake Klein does his best to evade the tackles of two Veterans Memorial defenders during the second quarter of the Rattlers’ 42-28 win over the Patriots last Friday evening.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Six Big 7 teams still in playoff chase

O

By Luciano Guerra f the seven varsity football teams in the Sharyland, Mission and La Joya school districts, six are still alive in the playoff hunt in this the final week of district play. Of those six, two have already clinched playoff berths, three control their own playoff destinies and one is in of need help if they’re going to extend their season into the first week of the UIL state playoffs.

Here is a look at each of the six teams’ playoffs

scenarios starting with the two teams that have already clinched.

Pioneer Diamondbacks In only its third year of existence, the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks’ football team is just one win away from clinching its first-ever district championship. While an outright championship is possible, the more likely scenario is that the Diamondbacks will share the title with the Laredo Nixon Mustangs.

That’s because going into tonight’s games, the Diamondbacks are tied with the

Mustangs with 6-1 District 31-5A records. Therefore, should both teams win or both teams lose, they will finish the regular season with identical records, making them co-champions.

However a Diamondbacks’ win coupled with a Mustangs’ loss to Laredo Martin, would result in Pioneer being crowned as outright district champions.

Likewise, a Diamondbacks’ loss against Roma tonight coupled with a Nixon win, would result in a Mustangs’ outright championship.

Palmview Lobos While the 3-2 Palmview Lobos could theoretically still find themselves in a four-way tie for second place in District 30-6A at the completion of Week 11, they hold a tie-breaking advantage over the other three teams resulting in the Lobos having already punched their ticket into the state playoffs. That means that win, lose or draw against the La Joya Coyotes tonight, the Lobos are in the playoffs for the third year in a row.

See SIX BIG 7 Pg. 7

November 4, 2016

page 7

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Pioneer, Veterans Memorial advance as bi-district champs

T

By Bryan Ramos he 2016 volleyball state playoffs are underway as teams fight in hopes of advancing round by round to keep their seasons alive.

The Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks, the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots, the Mission Lady Eagles and the Sharyland Lady Rattlers were all in action Tuesday night to start postseason play.

The Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks, who finished second in District 31-5A, opened up the playoffs with a tough first-round road test, playing District 32-5A third place finisher, Donna High School, on their home court.

The game began as a back-and-forth match featuring fantastic defensive play from both sides. The Lady Diamondbacks took the first set 25-11 but fell in the second, 23-25. Pioneer responded by winning the third set 25-23 before losing the fourth 25-14. In the fifth and final set, down 10-11, Pioneer’s Audrey Smith and Mikayla Zimmerer came up big for their team as they scored the final five points to win the set 15-11 and take the match 3-2.

“We pushed very had during every set,” Zimmerer said. “The fourth kind of brought us down but we decided during the break that we were going to push because we wanted to do it for us.”

Smith filled the stat sheet, totaling 23 assists, 20 digs and 12 kills on the night.

Zimmerer provided the Lady

Diamondbacks with 16 kills while libero Christina Ybarra stood out defensively for her team with her 21 digs.

“In practice, coach emphasizes all the time that we need to be able to come back from the worst of the worst,” Smith said. “We’re just going to keep working hard, keep our bond and keep the fire inside our heart that God planted inside us.”

Cavazos said she’s counting on her returning players

with postseason experience to lead her team as they advance to the second round of the state playoffs.

“We have four girls with playoff experience and the rest of our team doesn’t have any,” Cavazos said. “I wanted those girls to really show up in a leadership manner and lead the team as we go into this postseason like they did tonight. They persevered, they kept fighting through and they just wanted it.”

The District 31-5A champion Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots, who finished with a perfect 16-0 district record, won their first-round playoff matchup in convincing fashion over the Brownsville Lopez Lady Lobos, sweeping them by scores of 25-7, 25-5 and 2512.

Lady Patriots’ Iliana Contreras and Jackie Howell played big for their team as they stormed past the Brownsville Lopez. Contreras finished with 19 assists, three digs and one kill while Howell posted 15 kills, three blocks and five serving aces.

The Mission Lady Eagles, who finished in fourth place in District 30-6A, suffered a first-round playoff loss to the Laredo Alexander Lady Bulldogs Tuesday night in three sets 25-11, 25-12 and 25-19 to finish their season.

The Sharyland Lady Rattlers season ended after a first-round loss to the Edcouch Elsa Lady Jackets 258, 25-23 and 25-23 Tuesday night.

Next up for the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots and the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks will be a step up in competition as they advance to the second round of the state playoffs.

The Lady Patriots are set to go on the road as they face the Calallen Lady Wildcats on their home floor in Corpus Christi on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Lady Wildcats finished second in District 305A with a 17-3 district record and 30-11 overall.

Lady Patriots senior Alex Jimenez said her team is focused on going one round deeper into the playoffs compared to their third round loss last year.

“We want to go one step further than last year,” Jimenez said. “We’ve been preparing for this in practice so we’ll be ready.”

Lady Patriots head coach Martina Carrillo said her team will test themselves as they prepare for a tough second round test against Calallen.

RATTLERS

Pioneer’s Caitlyn Cottrell goes up for the spike as team mate Samantha Roberts looks on during the Lady Diamondbacks’ bi-district playoff win over Donna Tuesday night. (Progress Times photo by Doug Young)

on the arm and legs of versatile junior quarterback Jason Perez, who has totaled 18 touchdowns on the season, nine through the air and nine on the ground. The Rio Rattlers are the only team this year to beat the Nixon Mustangs, who handed them their one district loss three weeks ago by the score of 14-13.

Adame will have no trouble having his squad prepared for the big game against the Rio Rattlers.

“They know what’s

from pg 6

at stake; they know there are playoff implications,” Adame said. “We’ve been fortunate to make the playoffs the last eight years; they want to keep that streak alive, especially the seniors.

We know we’ve got a tough task ahead of us. We’ll have our boys ready for a big battle in Rio Grande City.”

Sharyland senior left tackle Adolfo Trevino said his team must maintain their focus if they want to keep their season alive with a

SIX BIG 7 Sharyland Rattlers If the 5-2 Sharyland Rattlers defeat the Rio Grande City Rattlers tonight, they are in the playoffs as the third place team in District 31-5A and the second seed in Division II no matter what else happens. Should they lose to RGC by 1-11 points, or lose by 21 points they are still in the playoffs. However should they lose to Rio Grande by 12-20 points and the Patriots defeat Valley View tonight, they are out and Veterans Memorial and Rio Grande City are in. Fi-

“We have to challenge ourselves in practice, our practices will be more intense,” Carrillo said. “The teams from the Corpus area and Victoria have bigger girls so we need to run what they’re running so when we go up against bigger teams we’ll be prepared and focused.”

The Lady Diamondbacks play Tuloso-Midway High School in Alice at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Alice High School.

Tuloso-Midway went unbeaten at 20-0 in District 30-5A and finished the regular season with a 36-8 record overall.

Cavazos said her Lady Diamondbacks will remain focused as they fight on in the state playoffs.

“We’re trying to get them mentally prepared, trying to keep them focused and trying to work in areas where we need to improve,” Cavazos said. “We’re looking forward to it and everyday we’re just grateful to be battling through.”

playoff berth.

“We got to stay focused,” Trevino said. “We got to keep practicing hard because we don’t know if this will be our last week of practice or not so we just have to go all out.”

Kickoff for the regular season finale between the Sharyland Rattlers and the Rio Grande City Rattlers is scheduled for tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Rio Grande City at the Joe R. Sanchez Football Stadium. from pg 6

nally, should Sharyland defeat Rio Grande and should Pioneer and Laredo Nixon both lose, the Rattlers would earn a share of a three-way district championship.

This rather confusing scenario has to do with positive points which are used to determine which teams advance into the playoffs when there are ties that cannot be broken as a result of headto-head results. Currently the Patriots have +3, the Rattlers have +14 and Rio Grande has -17 positive points.

Veterans Memorial Patriots Despite having lost three of their last four games, the 4-3 Veterans Memorial Patriots still control their own playoff destiny. That’s because a win over the 1-6 Valley View Tigers tonight will earn the Patriots their fifth straight trip to the playoffs.

Ironically, should the Patriots fall short against the Tigers, they will need help from the team that handed them their most recent loss, the Sharyland Rattlers, to

make the playoffs. A Rattlers win over Rio Grande will clinch a playoff berth for the Patriots regardless of what they do against Valley View.

La Joya Coyotes The 2-3 La Joya Coyotes need a win against the Palmview Lobos tonight to assure themselves of a trip to the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season, and for only the second time since the three-way split of La Joya High School in 2008.

While La Joya is currently tied with the McAllen High

Bulldogs for fourth place in District 30-6A, they defeated the Bulldogs earlier this season, giving the Coyotes the tie-breaking advantage over the Bulldogs should they both win. Should the Coyotes lose, they’re out regardless of what else happens.

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies The 2-4 Juarez-Lincoln Huskies are the only one Big 7 teams in playoff contention that does not control its own playoff destiny. That’s because they need the La Joya Coyotes and the McAllen

High Bulldogs to both lose, which would result in a threeway tie for fourth place, to qualify for post season play.

As a result of the fact that the Huskies have a bye this week, they have absolutely no control over whether or not they make the playoffs for the second year in a row.

All they can do is hope that the Mission Eagles defeat the McAllen Bulldogs Thursday night and the Palmview Lobos defeat the La Joya Coyotes Friday night.

page 8

November 4, 2016

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Agua SUD interim executive director named risk manager

By Jose De Leon III The Agua Special Utilities District Board of Directors voted to designate their interim executive director the Agua SUD risk manager.

On Oct. 27 the board named Interim Director Oscar Cancino to implement safety programs for all Agua SUD employees effective immediately.

“Even though our employees were being compliant with safety guidelines set up by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there was nothing on the record for it,” Cancino explained after the meeting.

“Now we have it in writing that we have a program in place so our employees can identify risks and be educated in safety procedures.”

This program, according to Cancino, identifies him as risk manager in charge of safety of employees and to make sure employees will go through the proper training to ensure someone is being held responsible.

During the meeting, the board also voted to extend a contract with an engineering company to continue sludge treatment for the Palmview Water Plant.

Previously, the board voted to table the motion to address a contract renewal for SWG Engineering, but revisited that item once the Agua SUD legal counsel advised the board that contract was set to expire Nov. 8.

SWG Engineering was hired last year to study the sludge accumulation for the plant and draft a report on

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how to prevent it, but was delayed when they were asked by the board to remove the sludge. According to Cancino, SWG succeeded in removing 90 percent of the sludge on site.

Cancino explained to the board the sludge was accumulating due to the treatment of the wastewater and was being hardened so much it was preventing the water from properly flowing. He told the board he feared if they didn’t extend the contract with SWG, Agua SUD would start over on this project.

“If we don’t extend it, we don’t get the initial services we hired them to do,” Cancino told the board. “They’ve cleared up most of the sludge that was asked from them and now they can actually study it and come up with a plan for us to combat it.

With all that sludge cleared up, we can still use SWG and it won’t cost Agua SUD any money.”

Royal Technologies dedicated to community in Mission

By Jamie Treviño Part of the Mission Industrial Park, Royal Technologies, a plastic injection manufacturing facility, hopes to continue the economic growth in Mission.

One of five locations nationwide, the Mission location is the company’s newest facility. It was opened in March 2013. Aside from plastic injection, Royal Technologies also provides engineering and design services and components of assembly.

Arturo Guevara, the operations manager, has been with the company since August 2015. He explained what Royal Technologies is and what it does for the community.

“We service the automotive industry, as well as the office furniture industry,” Guevara said. “We partner with many vendors and suppliers within the greater Mission area.”

Major customers of the Mission location include Steelcase, manufacturers of office furniture, Stanley

Black & Decker for tool boxes, Panasonic’s automotive speakers, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, and Lear Corporation, both of which make automotive components.

Guevara manages the day-to-day operations in production, assembly, materials, warehousing and quality control. According to him, the facility has a “huge economic impact” locally, directly employing 100 people.

“We are also heavily engaged with educational institutions,” Guevara said. “We show the roadmap of what the future is for manufacturing professionals.”

Royal Technologies hosts events with South Texas College, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and several high schools in order to connect with those who are interested in manufacturing.

“We have, basically, open doors to the community,” Guevara said. “We like to broadcast and show what manufacturing is all about.”

Royal Technologies is a privately-owned company based out of Hudsonville, Michigan. The owner, Jim Vander Kolk, keeps in communication with all the em-

ployees, vendors, suppliers, and customers.

Guevara confirmed that the furnishings in the new Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) building in Mission are from Steelcase, with Royal Technologies components. He also spoke about what Royal stands for, and how he connects to those principles.

“I’m pretty satisfied with the philosophy and the notions of this company,” Guevara said. “It’s driven based on values and the commitment to our community. It’s 100 percent customer-driven; they drive the future of this company.”

When the company opened its new location in the RGV, they said they were going to bring 300 jobs to the Valley in five years. In the last three years they have hired 174 employees.

“We’re going to continue to grow,” Guevara said.

“And in the short term we are looking to add ten more lines, which will equate to 15 additional employees.”

TWC awards $92,000 grant to La Joya ISD Academy The La Joya Independent School District’s Academy of Health Science Professions has accepted a $92,539.00 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

The grant will help prepare students for their careers in the medical field, Principal Lee-Ann Alaniz-Herrera said.

“With this contribution we will be able to help fund CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) Certification exams for our students and purchase equipment such as hospital beds, mannequins, stethoscopes, wheelchairs, and oth-

er necessary training tools,” Alaniz-Herrera said.

The grant is open to public community and technical colleges, and to independent school districts, for programs that focus on supporting new, emerging industries or high-demand occupations.

For the LJISD Academy of Health Science Professions the grant will help purchase and install medical equipment to provide 214 students in the medical profession with training for nursing assistants.

The grant is a first for the campus and the district.

Alton Memorial Jr. High takes top prize at HESTEC The Alton Memorial Jr. High School Robo-Rangers robotics team made district history Thursday, Oct. 6 during the 15th annual UTRGV Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology (HESTEC) Robotics Day competitions.

The AMJH Green Robo-Rangers team beat out over 60 other teams from local high schools and middle schools to earn the top prize at the highly competitive robotics event. While the district has been highly competitive for several years in this particular robotics event, this marks the first time that a Mission Consolidated Independent School District robotics team has been awarded the grand champion trophy.

The combined score for the Green Robo-Rangers included their first place finish in the LEGO Pull Challenge, which is a part of the LEGO Quadraton. During the competition, students had to construct a robot that can complete four challenges without adding or removing spare parts throughout the competition.

Robotics in Mission CISD began in 2013 as a small migrant services program at AMJH. Now robotics is offered at all Mission CISD schools, including the elementary schools. Teams from AMJH and/or Mission Junior High School have also advanced to the National Science Bowl competition each of the past three years.

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November 4, 2016

GROUNDBREAKING according to Salinas. The complete five-acre property was appraised at $1.9 million

by PlainsCapital Bank but the city was able to purchase it for $1 million. Salinas said the city will $2 million for construction and renovations and any leftover funds will be used to purchase new vehicles for the city police department.

During the ceremony, Salinas praised his staff for managing the city with the limited resources they have on hand, but noted the city will need to make future improvements to continue to grow.

“This city is growing pretty fast so we need to continue making progress,” he said. “The residents deserve the best and we’ve been able to prepare for a future in continued development to make sure we accommodate what our residents need.”

Salinas also said the city

from pg 1 is working on having a trauma center built on the same property that won’t cost the city a penny.

“We donated one of the five acres to a private contractor who’ll build it for us.

It’s not going to cost us; it’ll just bring in revenue,” Salinas said.

According to Alaniz, the city was worried about moving forward with the new city hall as La Joya was not in good financial shape. Only after the city’s budget was in the black this past year and the city was able to purchase seven new utility vehicles the city decide to move forward with the project.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, the city of La Joya received two grants totaling $60,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to commence preliminary studies for the city’s wastewater project.

obituaries

Jose D. Calderon PEÑITAS – Jose D. Calderon, 83, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Calderon was born on March 19, 1993, to Pedro Calderon and Sofia De La Paz in Nuevo Laredo, Tamps., Mexico.

Survivors include his wife, Oralia G. Calderon; children, Josie Garcia, Eddie Calderon, Janie Sandroussi, Rachel Hinojosa and Guadalupe Calderon; siblings, Pedro Calderon, Rodolfo Calderon, Amparo Alvarado and Guadalupe Munoz; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Sofia Guijon.

A funeral was held on Oct. 28 at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Mission.

Gloria Garza Hidalgo MISSION - Gloria Garza Hidalgo, 57, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, at Comfort House in McAllen.

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Mrs. Hidalgo was born on Oct. 30, 1959, in McAllen.

She graduated from Mission High School in 1978 and lived in Mission the remainder of her life. She had worked for various financial institutions before becoming an employee of Magic Valley Cooperative Survivors include her husband, Joe Louis Hidalgo; son, Marco Ivan Barrera; siblings, Leopoldo Jr. Garza, Benita Hernandez, Armando Garza and Esteban Garza.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leopoldo Sr. and Benita L. Garza.

A funeral mass was held on Nov. 3 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Cremation followed.

Pallbearers were Marco Ivan Barrera, Leopoldo Garza Jr., Armando Garza, Esteban Garza, Noe Hernandez, David del Rio and Nick Hernandez. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruno Cavazos Jr., Armando Garza

Public officials break ground during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new La Joya City Hall Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III

Jr., Keith Hernandez, Noe Alexander Hernandez and John P. Calvillo.

Maria Lourdes Muñoz MISSION – Maria Lourdes “Lulu” Muñoz, 68, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Lifecare Hospital South in McAllen.

Survivors include her children, Petra Vasquez, Rafael Muñoz, Irma Wagoner, Flor Vela, Martin Muñoz, Julia Ortiz and Guadalupe Muñoz, and 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on Nov. 2 at San Jose Cemetery in Mission.

Israel Perez MISSION – Israel Perez, 83, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at his home in Mission.

Survivors include his wife, Elva; children, Candelario Banda, Emanuel Perez and Ruben Perez; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held on Nov. 1 at Funeraria Del Angel in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial

Gardens Cemetery.

Rodolfo Javier Rodriguez MISSION – Rodolfo Javier Rodriguez, 55, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at his home in Mission. Born in McAllen, Mr. Rodriguez lived in Mission most of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Elma Rodriguez; children, Rodolfo Rodriguez and Roxanne Rodriguez of San Antonio and Ruben Rodriguez of Mission; parents, Victor and Carmen Rodriguez of McAllen; siblings, Hector Rodriguez and Juanita Rodriguez of McAllen and Lucia Martinez of Dallas; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Roberto Rodriguez.

A funeral mass was held Oct. 29 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna.

Notices Maria C. Alvarado LA JOYA – Maria C. Alvarado, 99, passed away on

Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

Aurora G. Balderas PALMVIEW – Aurora G. Balderas, 79, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, at her home.

Ramon Barrera MISSION – Ramon Barrera, 49, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, in Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico Robert Gray MISSION – Robert Gray, 100, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, at The Bridges in Mission.

Jose P. Hinojosa MISSION – Jose P. Hinojosa, 67, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

Pedro Lugo MISSION – Pedro Lugo, 80, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Mainland Medical Center in Texas City.

Leonor Mendoza SULLIVAN CITY – Leonor Mendoza, 76, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Allstate Hospice in Edinburg.

Marilyn Ohlman MISSION – Marilyn Ohlman, 82, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Rio Grande Regional Medical Center.

Mark Anthony Rodriguez SULLIVAN CITY – Mark Anthony Rodriguez, 21, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, in Corpus Christi.

Maria Luisa Treviño LA JOYA – Maria Luisa Treviño, 80, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg, Irma Vasquez MISSION – Irma Vasquez, 38, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

“OLG Activity School of the Gospel, Pre-School, Day Care” Open for Registrations

MISSION

PADRES OBLATOS THE FATHERS: †FR. JIM, FR. PHILION & FR. ROY (†MAGNA, †SENTINEL, †MAGNO, †AUGIE, †DIDYMUS, †CHUNKLY, †GIRLY, CANTINA, VALENTINE, NEWLY, BENDITO & CHARLOTTE) MISSIONARY CATECHIST OF THE POOR: SR. LUPITA DAUGHTERS OF MARY MOTHER OF MERCY: SR. ELIZABETH, SR. BIBIANA & SR. MADONNA † DEACON AYALA & DEACON CASTAÑEDA “IN SOME WAY GOD IS CALLING EACH OF US TO BE A SAINT. EVEN AS WE REMEMBER AND MISS OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE DIED, WE GET IN TOUCH WITH HIS CALL IN THE STORY OF OUR LIVES AND WE RENEW OUR EFFORTS TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIM AND TRUE TO HIS CALL, TRUE TO OUR QUEST TO BE HEALTHY AND HOLY, TRUE TO OUR REAL SELVES”.

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.)

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CITIZENS

ter it was defeated in the last general election.

Members of Objective Watchers of the Legal System (OWLS) said they want residents to defeat Proposition 1 because it would put a burden on the county’s poor and its ripple effect would adversely impact everyone by increasing the area’s cost of living. At the top of the list of lawmakers the group wants removed are state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and state Rep. Bobby Guerra, both Democrats.

November 4, 2016

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OWLS member Fern McClaugherty, 67, a concealed weapons course instructor from Edinburg, said 42.5 percent of Hidalgo County residents live in or close to poverty and they cannot afford to have another tax placed on top of taxes needed to fund a new county court house. She cited cost estimates for the courthouse of between $300- and $400-million.

“They are not listening to the people who voted them into office so that’s why I’m

hoping for anyone who is running against them,” said McClaugherty.

OWLS member Richard Montesdeoca said the county doesn’t need a special health care taxing district because it already has a fund that allows hospitals to contribute a percentage of their patient revenue that can be matched for state and federal indigent health care. He said that amounted to $15 million in 2015. Montesdeoca is a retired city planner and community development coordinator for the city of McAllen and former director of regional planning for the Lower Rio Grande Development Council, which includes Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties. He criticized Hinojosa for writing into the bill the elimination of the county’s current indigent health care program if Proposition 1 passes. He blames Guerra for writing the bill that passed both Texas legislative bodies and was forwarded to the Hidalgo County Commissioner’s Court , which put the measure on the ballot.

“All these guys have done since this thing was defeated is accept campaign contributions from the Border Health PAC and change the name from the hospital district to the health care district,” said Montesdeoca.

In his latest campaign finance report filed Oct. 11 with the Texas Ethics Commission, Hinojosa reported $679,045 as his contribution balance with $183,939 in expenditures. OWLS members say $675,000 of that amount came from the Border Health PAC since 2004.

Montesdeoca said Hidalgo county residents will experience a ripple effect if the proposition passes, adding on

to already considerable property tax levels of 97 cents on every $100 of assessed property value.

“And if the city and school taxes are added it becomes two dollars. And if the Healthcare district and courthouse are added it becomes $2.38.

People in one of the poorest counties cannot afford that,” Montesdeoca said.

Hinojosa’s Republican opponent, Velma Arellana—a court reporter and former member of the Judicial Branch Certification Commission— opposes Prop 1 and has not accepted contributions from any health care PAC, she said.

“Our elected officials are not representing the little people, it’s about corporations, not with the people any more,” said Arellana. She claims Hinojosa supported legislation to bring the measure back because he was influenced by the Border Health PAC contributions.

“You would think he’d listen to his constituents. I mean, what part of ‘no,’ don’t you understand?” Arellana said.

Guerra’s Republican opponent, Hilda Deshazo, said her campaign battle cry has been “no to Proposition 1” because two years ago 60 percent of District 41 residents voted against the measure. District 41 comprises most of McAllen, southern parts of Edinburg, part of west Pharr and eastern Mission. Deshazo criticized Guerra for introducing new legislation for the taxing district two months after it was originally defeated.

Said Deshazo, “Hidalgo County is the highest taxed county in the state and yet he wants another tax? The issue is the taxpayers said, ‘no.’

And ‘no’ means ‘no.’ And Mr. Guerra did not listen to, be-

lieve, respect or care about his constituents.”

In an interview Wednesday, Guerra said he and Hinojosa did listen to constituents by introducing legislation on the current proposition that lowers the tax rate cap from 75 cents per $100 of assessed property value to 25 cents. In 2014 the 75 cent cap was similar to the cap in other counties with hospital taxing districts and is the limit set by the Texas state constitution.

Guerra said the new bill also includes safeguards that exempted, or rolled back, certain classes of citizens from the tax including disabled persons and people over the age of 65.

“The bottom line is we wanted to make sure if this came back to voters it had a taxpayer protection provisions in it. And at that time we listened to people like the OWLS and the Tea Party and we wanted to make sure we addressed their concerns and we did, but apparently it’s not good enough,” Guerra said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

Guerra said Deshazo is being hypocritical in criticizing him for supporting the health care district when she supported a record high $297 million bond issue for the McAllen Independent School District in 2015 that was defeated at the polls.

“She voted to put that on the ballot and she was voted out of office because of that and she calls herself a fiscal conservative?” said Guerra.

“I find that hypocritical given the fact we are not the ones, the legislature, that put this on the ballot. All we did was pass taxpayer protection provisions. It is the most fiscally conservative hospital legisla-

tion in the entire state.”

Deshazo responded saying all she did was allow the voters to decide the issue.

“And I could have waited until after my election to push the bond but I had the best intentions for the students,” she said.

Due to a death in his family Tuesday, Hinojosa was not available for comment but his communications director, Jennifer Saenz, said in a telephone interview the senator was not influenced by special health care interests.

“He has the best interests in mind for the people of the Valley and Hidalgo County, specifically,” she said. “That’s why he created the legislation to create the health care district. However, and he has said this many times, the decision is up to the voters. He did what he could to allow for the creation of the health care district to propel the county into a better state of affairs, to end so much money spent by the county on indigent care, to provide better quality of services to the indigent and the insured. And to have a stable, reliable source of funds stream into the medical school. It will create an economic boom, more jobs, more resources, all of the things the proponents have been saying about this.”

Guerra, who has received $50,000 in Border Health PAC contributions since 2012 said both he and Hinojosa have the best interests of their constituents at heart.

“I’m a very fiscally conservative individual,” Guerra said. “Look at my history you’ll see what I’m talking about. And we tried to do the right thing here.”

theclassifieds November 4, 2016

1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00

TO DISCUSS SHARYLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT’S Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Sharyland Independent School District will hold a public meeting at 5:45 p.m., November 15, 2016 in the Sharyland Pioneer High School Auditorium, 10001 N. Shary Road Mission,Texas.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Sharyland Independent School District’s rating on the State’s Financial Accountability System.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on November 14, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lots 19, 20 & 21, Bryan Point Subdivision Ph. I, from C-1 (Office Building) to C-3 (General Business); Rezoning: A 3.18 acre tract of land out of the North 4.0 acres of Lot 172, John H. Shary Subdivision, from AO-P (Agricultural Open Permanent) to R-1T (Townhouse Residential); Rezoning: A 0.233 acre tract of land out of the North 4.0 acres of Lot 172, John H. Shary Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to R-1T (Townhouse Residential); Rezoning: A 0.521 acre tract of land out of the North 4.0 acres of Lot 172, John H. Shary Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-3 (General Business); Rezoning: A 0.531 acre tract out of Meadow Creek Country Club Phase I-A Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Townhouse Residential); Rezoning: A 0.427 acre tract of land out of Meadow Creek Country Club Phase I-A Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Single Family Residential); Rezoning: A 0.710 acre tract of land out of Meadow Creek Country Club Phase II-A Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Commercial); Rezoning: A 0.850 acre tract of land out of Meadow Creek Country Club Phase 1-A Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Townhouse Residential); Rezoning: A 0.577 acre tract of land out of Meadow Creek Country Club Phase I-B Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Single Family Residential); Rezoning: A 0.193 acre tract of land out of Lot C-2, Meadow Creek Country Club Phase 1-B Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Common Area) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Single Family Residential); Rezoning: A 0.138 acre tract of land out of Lot 15-2, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Single Family Residential); and Rezoning: A 6.658 acre tract of land out of Lot 16-2, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Neighborhood Commercial) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Multi-Family Residential If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT’S Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT will hold a public meeting at 6:00 P.M., November 30, 2016 in the Central Administration at Nellie Schunior Staff Development Center 200 West Expressway 83, La Joya,Texas The purpose of this meeting is to discuss La Joya Independent School District’s rating on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST).

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine & Beer Retailers Permit by La Mansion Ballroom & Catering, LLC dba La Mansion Ballroom & Catering, located at 507 N. Conway, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas. Managing Member is Norma Cruz.

PUBLIC NOTICE Eco-Site is proposing to construct a new telecommunications tower facility located at S. Mayberry Road, approximately 770 feet northeast of the intersection of Mayberry Road and Interstate 2 Frontage Road, Mission, Hidalgo County, TX 78572.

The new facility will consist of a 135-foot monopole tower within a 50-foot by 50-foot lease area.

Any interested party wishing to submit comments regarding the potential effects the proposed facility may have on any historic property may do so by sending comments to: Project 6116004380-TC c/o EBI Consulting, 3703 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 421, 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90807, or via telephone at (339) 234-2597.

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Autos

For Sale

2014 CRUZE 51k mi, $5,900, call 956-8672216.

2015 EQUINOX VERY good on gas, must see, $17,500, call 956-330-2339.

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BEAUTIFUL ENTERTAINMENT CENTER— Excellent condition. Must sell. $50, OBO. Call 956585–4893.

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33 RPM RECORDS like new, hard to find, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley & more, call 956-783-0840.

Garage Sale

For Rent BEAUTIFUL ADOBE HOME for rent in Mission area, 3Bdrm/2BA, unfurnished, electrical gate, $1,000/month, for more information call 956-270-1109.

Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for favors.

This time I ask you this very special one (mention favor). Take it dear Jesus and place it within your own heart where your Father sees it. Then in your merciful eyes it will become your favor not mine.

Amen.

Say this prayer for 3 days, promise publication and favor will be granted. Never known to fail.

T.R.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MISSION

VINTAGE JEWELRY & MORE, visit our booth at the St. John of the Fields Jamaica, November 6th, 4:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m., 1052 Washington St. Help Wanted POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN several Valley resorts for workcampers. We need front desk help and maintenance minor carpentry, painting, mowing, and weedwacking. Please call 956–226-9479, we offer site and electric and pay for extra hours.

NEED LICENSED HAIR dresser FT or PT, please call 956585–1287 for more information.

Mobile Homes 2008 EASY GO electric golf cart, $1,299, call 956–580-3370.

1300 EAST 8TH STREET MISSION, TEXAS 78572

ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING

November 08, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the administrative offices located at 1300 East 8th Street. The purpose of this hearing is to obtain input from city residents in reference to the Capital fund Program annual submission to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Calendar Year 2017. Total funds being allocated are estimated at $300,000.

All residents are encouraged to attend this hearing. A copy of the proposed budget will be available for review from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the public hearing. Persons can also submit written comments prior to public hearing.

For more information please contact Joel A. Gonzalez Executive Director at 956-585-9747 or Jaime Ayala - Director of Public Housing at 956-585-9748.

The Housing Authority of the City of Mission, Texas is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO THE 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 forty-two (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation and Petition, a default Judgment may be taken against you.”

TO: Antonio Rodriguez, DEFENDANT(S) GREETINGS: You are herby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Original 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 12th day of October, 2016 before the Honorable Israel Ramon, Jr., 430th District Court of Hidalto County, Texas at the Courthouse of said county in Edinburg, Texas. Said CITY OF MISSION’S ORIGINAL PETITION, REQUEST FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION, AND REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE filed in said court on the on this the 12th day of January, 2016 in this case numbered C-0176-16-J on the docket of said court and styled CITY OF MISSION VS. ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ. Said petition was filed in said court by Attorney JAIME TIJERINA, 1201 E. 8th ST., Mission, TX 78572.

A brief nature of the suit is as follows: PLAINTIFF(S) PRAY FOR DAMAGES IN AN AMOUNT TO BE PROVEN AT TRIAL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, DIRECT AND CONSEQUEINTIAL DAMAGES, ATTORNEY FEES AND TAXABLE COURT COSTS. 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.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at Edinburg, Texas on the on this the 12th day of October, 2016.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

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 585-4893.

The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

ProgressTimes

The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on November 16, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: A 0.304 acre out of all of Lot C-3, Meadow Creek Country Club Phase I-B Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Common Area) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Single Family Residential) If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

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BOOSEUM

hot dogs we were serving and they were all gone in no time,” said Tittle.

Eight-year-old Julissa Garza won two pieces of candy by pinning pair of spider dolls to a large web strung between two trees in the museum’s courtyard. Julissa’s mother, Lisa Garza, 27, said she brought her three children from Palmview to attend the event.

November 4, 2016

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com from pg 1 “It’s amazing. I really like what they are doing for the community, for the children,” Garza said.

Marylou Gomez, 35, of Mission, whose face was made up as an homage to Dia de los Muertos characters, brought her four children including seven-year-old son, Miguel Angel, who was to perform a dance on stage with other children.

“He’s been rehearsing for four months. He’s very excited about it,” Gomez said.

Despite the popularity of the event attendees said the days of going door-to-door trick or treating are not over.

“Oh not even,” said the museum’s Castaneda. “There are some neighborhoods where they bring the kids in by the truck load.”

Jennifer Shipp and her

husband, Samuel, both of whom were in costumes, said bringing their children, Jonathan, 3 and Trinity, 7, was just the first half of their Halloween plans.

“We’ll do half and half.

Half the night here and the other half trick or treating in the neighborhood and get home in time so Trinity can be in bed at a reasonable time on a school night,” Jennifer Shipp said.

A major attraction at the event was the haunted house set up in the lower level of the museum with costumed performers ready to startle visitors along their route.

At the head of the long line of persons waiting to go in Monday was Savannah Bledsoe, 17, who was escorting her three younger siblings, Zachary Williams, 6, Cassidy Williams, 7, and Ryan Williams, 10. Bledsoe,

whose costume she called poison ivy, said their mother brought all five of her children from McAllen to attend.

“My mom and my eightyear-old brother, Andrew, are up there (in the courtyard) because he doesn’t like to be scared,” said Bledsoe.

Despite the crowds Lt. Tittle said there were no arrests or incidents throughout the city Monday.