January 27, 2017 - PT ISSUE

Friday, January 27, 2017

www.ptrgv.com | 25 Cents

Vol. 45 No. 25

Rain or shine the TCF 80th Annual Parade of Oranges will go on

By Joe Hinton As of press time Thursday and with the National Weather Service predicting a 50 percent chance of rain Saturday, Texas Citrus Fiesta

officials say the 80th Annual Parade of Oranges will go on tomorrow no matter the weather.

“Rain or shine we’ll go with the flow,” said TCF President Bill Filut, add-

ing nearly 200 entries have signed on for the parade that starts at 3 p.m. and runs down Conway Avenue from Griffin Parkway to 4th Street.

Parade Chairwoman Joyce Hildebrand said ap-

Jan. 13, 2017

Jan. 17, 2017

Jan. 25, 2017

Jan. 20, 2017

proximately 60 of the entries are floats. Other entrants include politicians, visiting dignitaries and businesses, she said. Also 10 marching bands have entered from area junior and high schools.

Starting on Jan. 9 staff members of Mission’s Speer Memorial Library began work on their Texas Citrus Fiesta float. The Progress Times captured in these photos their progress on Jan. 13, 17, 20 and 25. Staff members who worked on the float are Children’s Librarian Lisa Rivera, Library Coordinator Robert L. Rivera, Dalia I. Quintero, Anna M. Gomez, Joel Magallan, Christian Bolaños, Vanessa Flores, Blanca Martinez and Mary Rios. Friends of the Library sponsored the float. Progress Times photos by Joe Hinton

TxDOT: another few months to complete Inspiration Road extension McAllen project will delay expressway 83 traffic next

By Joe Hinton Though the original contract called for work on the connection of Inspiration Road under Expressway 83 in Mission to have been completed this week, the project’s manager said it could be April before the work is done. Meanwhile another project is just getting under

way in McAllen that will cause traffic delays on the expressway east of Mission.

That’s what Jesus Noriega, an engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation, reported Jan. 24 to the board of directors of the Mission Redevelopment Authority. Noriega briefed the MRA board one day after the originally contract-

ed completion date for the Inspiration Road expansion had passed, he said.

The approximately $46 million project is being constructed by J.D. Abrams L.P., a Houston based civil engineering and construction company.

Noriega reported the bridge that carries Express-

See INSPIRATION RD. Pg. 9

Hildebrand said the bands are perhaps the entrants who might be most adversely affected from rain.

“We may not have as many bands because instruments don’t work well in the rain,” she said when asked to speculate the worst that could happen if it rained on the parade.

Last night former Texas Agriculture Association’s Man of the Year, Dale Murden, of Harlingen, was crowned King Citrus LXXX at the TCF’s Royal Coronation ceremony at Mission High School’s Neuhaus Center. He’ll ride aboard a royal float representing the TCF as Parade Marshal. Previously the City of Mission named Governor Francisco Cabeza de Vaca of Tamaulipas, Mexico, as its Grand Marshal.

Among the other floats will be Mission’s Speer Memorial Library’s entry featuring this year’s theme, celebrating the 80th anniversary with music, said Children’s Librarian Lisa Rivera.

Since Jan. 9 a core group of library staffers and a few who made one-time appearances worked weekdays assembling the float sponsored with a $500 donation from Friends of the Library. On Monday staffers had differing opinions as to whether the float would be completed on time or sooner.

“It will be done Friday,” said Mary Rios, the library’s technical services supervisor.

It will be the seventh year the library has entered a float taking first place in it’s category twice, Rivera said. In 2014 the library’s float took first place with a Mardi Gras theme and last year it took third place with a DC Comics-themed float featuring Batman and the Joker in Gotham City. Rivera said selecting music from the 1940s to today has been left up to Christian Bolaños, a City of Mission computer technician, to accompany this year’s float which was built on a trailer provided by the city’s maintenance department. The float features a large anniversary cake and party horns.

Rivera said the project has been a good bonding experience for coworkers.

“Oh definitely. We usually start in the morning. We start laughing, we put on some music, we’re always joking but we work at the same time,” she said. “We enjoy ourselves.”

That joking took the form of some good-natured ribbing when staffers were asked on day 10 of construction what had been their biggest challenge so far.

“Clash of personalities,” said Rivera.

“Working with women,” said Library Coordinator Robert L. Rivera, who most days was the only man on the project.

See RAIN OR SHINE Pg. 5

Mission Fire Department union draws mayor’s ire

By Jim Brunson It’s a familiar story: Union versus employer. In this case, the union is the Mission Fire Fighters Association (MFFA) and the employer is the City of Mission. Due to their different perspectives, they see the “facts” differently.

To make things yet more interesting, the clash is between Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas and his son-in-law, Mike Silva, president of the Fire Fighters Association.

The conflict flared up at

the Monday, Jan. 23, Mission City Council meeting when Mayor Salinas became upset by posts on the MFFA Facebook page criticizing the city for inadequate staffing of the Fire Department.

He asked the council to table an agenda item that was to approve the purchase of a new fire truck at a cost of roughly $530,000. Adding to the conflict was some confusion about the union wanting a new ladder truck as well. It was later established that was not the case and the mayor said they would call a special meeting to re-post the item to approve the pumper

truck purchase. That meeting has been set for Friday, Jan. 27, at 4:30 p.m.

Silva says the city is not providing full-time crews to man Ladder Truck No. 1 stationed at the Central Fire Station, causing that truck to not be able to respond to calls as required by department protocols.

Mayor Salinas and City Manager Martin Garza Jr., however, say that since the ladder truck only goes out on 30 calls per year, there is no need to have a four-man crew dedicated to man the truck

See FIRE DEPT. Pg. 5

Mission pedestrian killed in vehicular incident Two pedestrian deaths remain under investigation

Westbound traffic on the U.S. 83 frontage road backs up during P.M. rush hour Tuesday at Inspiration Road where construction is underway to connect the north and south portions of the road. The project’s TxDOT engineer said Tuesday the project wouldn’t be completed until April. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton

DETERMINED AND PERSEVERING

As anybody that’s ever seen her on the soccer field can see, senior Vanessa Guevara has played a major role in helping the Sharyland Lady Rattlers remain undefeated.

A 61-year-old Mission woman was killed Jan. 20 when she was struck by a van near the city’s east side, Mission police reported. It was the second pedestrian death in the city in just over a month.

The most recent victim was identified as Lois B. Brooks, who police spokesman, Lt. Jody A. Tittle, described in a press release as a longtime Mission resident.

Tittle said about 6:40 a.m.

Mission Police received a

INSIDE WRONGFULLY FIRED?

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 3

Taking first place in all reporting categories MCISD teams once again dominated Area 1 competitors in the state’s largest robotics competition last week in San Juan.

See Pg. 7

Opinion | pg.4

Sports | pg. 6

On Dec. 23 a vehicle struck and killed Oscar Garza, 59, husband of Mission City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Norie G. Garza, as he was walking his dogs about 6:30 a.m. in the 2900 block of North Bryan Road.

Police have not released the driver’s names in either case. Both cases are still under investigation therefore police are not releasing their names, Tittle said.

MCISD ROBOTICS DOMINATE

Claiming he was wrongfully fired from his job as executive director of La Joya’s public housing authority Juan “J.J.” Garza has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation.

See Pg. 6

INDEX

call regarding an auto pedestrian accident at Business 83 and San Antonio Ave. He said a passenger van was traveling westbound on Business 83 and began to turn south on San Antonio subsequently hitting Brooks. Tittle said the van’s driver stopped and called authorities. Upon arrival police found Brooks’ deceased body. Justice of the Peace Luis Garza was called to the scene and pronounced Brooks dead at 7:26 a.m., Tittle said.

See Pg. 8

Obituaries | pg. 9

Classifieds | pg. 10

entertainment

MCALLEN – South Texas College’s Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) presents its Fifth Annual Tradicones Ballet Folklorico performance at McAllen’s Performing Arts Center on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.

More than 40 performers are slated to participate in Tradiciones 2017, which includes musicians and students from STC, UTRGV, dual enrollment, community members and dance teachers from various high schools and middle schools.

The performance will include dances from various regions of México including Veracruz, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, and Nuevo Leon. For the first time ever, STC will feature a theatrical dance entitled La Obra de Yanga: Fases de la Esclavitud a Liberación, which centers on the

African slave trade present in México during the early period of the Spanish colonial regime.

Norteño legend, Lalo Mora, original singer of Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon will also perform at the event.

“In the Norteño music circles, or Mexican music in general, Lalo Mora is a legend. He’s a well-known and respected singer-songwriter, and he’s performing with us,” said Victor Gomez, STC assistant professor of history.

“It’s a huge honor to have him with us at our concert. In fact, we are the first performing group, either in Mexico or the United States to welcome him to this sort of performance where we will use his music.”

Ballet folklorico is comprised of Mexican traditional

Mission First United Methodist Church 1101 Doherty Ave.

Mission TX 78572 (956) 585-1665

Sunday Services: 8:00 a.m. Informal 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Dinner with 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Friends every 11:00 a.m. Traditional Friday @ 5:30pm 11:00 a.m. Childrens Church 5:00 p.m. Spanish Worship

Everyone is Welcome!

Join us for communion the First Sunday of every month.

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Gomez said. “The researchers we support seek to rescue and recover these traditions by documenting the dancing, costuming and the music.

The way they do this is they learn from the communities where these dances belong, and teach them to performing groups.”

South Texas College’s Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) presents Fifth Annual Tradiciones Ballet Folklorico on Jan. 28.

‘Steamroller Prints’ exhibit opens Jan. 30

McALLEN – The South Texas College Art Department presents “The Ranch Hand Festival Steamroller Prints,” opening Monday, Jan. 30, and running through April 7. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Art Building Gallery located in B–103 on the Pecan Campus.

The art exhibition was organized by Texas A&M University-Kingsville Department of Art, Communications and Theatre, in partnership with the College of Engineering and the City of Kingsville.

Students will also hold a print event at the exhibit as part of The Ranch Hand Festival, which honors the City of Kingsville’s rich cultural heritage as one of the mainstays of the Texas ranching industry.

TAMUK students, along with local and regional artists will design, ink and

print oversized hand carved woodblocks under the drum of a two-ton steamroller.

The steamroller print event takes the studio practice of printmaking on to a communal stage. This grand public event introduces the audience to relief printmaking, while allowing artists to work on large-scale prints.

The steamroller print event generates an environment of community engagement, teamwork and education.

Additionally, on Thursday, Feb. 9, the exhibition’s coordinator, Jesus De La Rosa will give a talk from 6 to 7 p.m. and will be present during a reception directly following the talk until 8 p.m. The exhibition, talk and reception are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Federico Gonzalez Jr., at 956-872-2501 or at fgonza14@southtexascollege.edu.

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Texas Citrus Fiesta Mission, Texas

SATURDAY- JANUARY 28, 2017 • PARADE OF ORANGES

Saturday - January 28, 2017 - 3 PM Line-Up 11 AM -2 PM at 2 Mile Line and Conway. Parade will run North to South on Conway starting at FM 495- south to 4th Street

• CITRUS YOUTH SHOW • FUN FAIR

All day Saturday at Leo Peña Placita Park 10AM - 10PM at Leo Pena Placita Park Free Gate Admission- Food Vendors –Arts & Crafts Entertainment

• PARADE CONCESSIONS • VAQUERO COOK-OFF • FUN RUN

Concession Sales on parade route 12pm- 6pm Location: Leo Peña Placita Park, 9th St. & Conway

Call: Mission Parks & Recreation @ (956) 580-8760 7:30AM at Mission Hike & Bike Trail

NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Coming Attractions

January 27-28 • The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Show will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Center January 28 • The Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges will be held at 3 p.m. on Conway Avenue. It will run north to south between FM 495 and 4th Street. The Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Run will be held at the Mission Hike and Bike Trail at 8 a.m. Registration at 7 a.m. Registration is $20 adults. The Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair will be open from 10 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. at Leo Pena “Placita” Park in downtown Mission.

• The exhibition Fusing Spirits Old and New: Mexican Masks from the IMAS Permanent Collection goes on display and runs through April 9 in the Cardenas Gallery. It features hammered copper masks created in Altamirano and La Parota in the southwestern Mexican state of Guerrero based on masks used in traditional festival dances. IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana in McAllen. Call 956-682-0123 for information.

• The open studio for Life Drawing with a live model begins at the Upper Valley Art League in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th in Mission. UVAL members can bring their medium of choice. Thomas Murray will facilitate the weekly studio sessions, same time and place. This is a drop-in program; no registration required. There is a $10 model fee.

UVAL membership is $12.50, students; $30,r individuals; and $50, families. For information, call 956-583-2787.

January 28-29 • The National Professional Bull Riders bring top bull riders to the Payne Auto Group Arena at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds in Mercedes. Cris Marshall and James DeBarry open the Saturday, Jan. 28, show with music at 5:30 p.m.

Ruthi opens the Sunday show at 12 p.m. Pro Rodeo clown and barrelman Rockin’ Robbie Hodges of Cave Spring, Georgia is part of the action in the arena.

Pre-sale tickets are available at all Boot Jack Western Stores.

Adults are $14 pre-sale and $16 at the gate. Seniors are $12 pre-sale and $14 at the gate. Kids 6 to 12 are $7 pre-sale and $8 at the gate. Children 5 and under get in free.

January 29 • Men of A-Chord will perform barbershop music at 2 p.m. at Oleander Acres in Mission. Those interested in joining can attend choir practices on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at St. Marks United Methodist Church in McAllen, located on the southwest corner of 2nd and Pecan.

January 31 & February 1 • This year’s annual Snowbird Extravaganza feature a star-studded cast of some of Canada’s most famous performers at the McAllen Convention Center. The free event will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

February 2-4 • “Icon Painting: St. George and the Dragon,” will be offered with instructor Michelle Leggett at the Upper Valley Art League. The course is $65 per person, including the board and all paint. Times for the first two days are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and the third day finishes off with the halfday of the final coating on Saturday morning.

Class size is limited to 12 students, and advance registration is required. Students will bring #2, #4/6 and #8 brushes, paper towel or cotton rags and a water holder. For more information, contact Leggett at 661-742-8785 or amontanacat@yahoo.com.

February 3 • Take a trip to the stars with the Valley Symphony Orchestra’s fourth concert of the season, “Star Wars and Galactic Pops.”

The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the new McAllen Performing Arts Center, 801 Convention Center Blvd. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets begin at $35 for backhouse, $45 front house and $55 orchestra level. To purchase tickets go to ticketmaster.com, call 1-800-745-3000 or stop by the McAllen Convention Center box office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

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“Cheers to 80 Years” January 14th - 28th, 2017 www.texascitrusfiesta.org 956.585.9724

Bryceidee Leos Queen Citrianna LXXX

Photo Courtesy: Rio Portrait & Design Studio

STC presents Tradiciones 2017

dances. The dances derive from the various cultures in México including those from indigenous tribes and communities.

“These dances are a part of customs passed along from generation to generation in communities across México.

However with globalization, these dances are dying off,”

January 27, 2017

lifestyle EVENTS

CALENDAR

January 27 – This is the deadline for submitting antique – or just “old and interesting” – quilts for the annual “Turning of the Quilts” program at the Mission Historical Museum in February.

To share a vintage quilt, take them by the museum located at 900 Doherty in Mission. For information and instructions for submission, call the museum at 956-580-8646. The program is part of the awards ceremony of the 11th Annual Mission Quilt Show at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10.

January 27-28 – Our Savior Lutheran Church will hold their annual rummage sale beginning at 8 a.m. both days. All proceeds are used to serve those who are less fortunate. Donations are welcomed on Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Call 956-631-6121 for more information.

January 28 – Tickets are on sale now for the Food Bank RGV Farm Dinner fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. at 724 N. Cage Blvd.

The dinner will be feature gourmet cuisine by Larry and Jessica Delgado, with all food and drink locally sourced. Tickets are $100 per person and are available at foodbankrgv.com. For more information, contact Chris Bueno, Community Garden manager, at 956-904-4525 or by email at chbueno@foodbankrgv.com.

January 28 – Learn the many uses of aloe vera with Jessica Tanguma at 2 p.m. at Frontera Audubon, 1101 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco. Admission is $5 or $3 for Audubon members. Registration is required. Call 956-968-3275.

January 28 – The next Gladys Porter Zoo Saturday Safari is “Who’s on the Menu?” Children will explore components of food chains and what makes up the cyclical system of the food web. A zoo tour, arts and crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included in each class. Cost is $15 per child or adult with a $5 discount for GPZ members. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org.

GPZ is located at 500 Ringgold St., Brownsville.

January 29 – Juan Diego Academy, a Catholic regional high school in Mission, will host an open house for prospective students and all those interested in learning more about the school from 1 to 4 p.m. at the campus located at 5208 South FM 494.

Guided tours of the campus will be offered along with a meet and greet. Registration materials for the 2017-2018 school year will also be available. For more information, contact the school office at 956-583-2752.

January 29 – Our Savior Lutheran, 1105 W. Fern Ave. in McAllen, will hold their Annual Polka Worship Service at 8 a.m. featuring a four-piece band in the main worship center of the church. For more information, call 956-631-6121.

January 29 – The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) Education Department and UTRGV Book Buzz unveils a new monthly children’s program, Read Aloud. On the fourth Saturday of every month, a children’s illustration book will be read aloud to guests followed by a free craft inspired by the story. It begins at 2 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend.

MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner, Edinburg. Call 956-383-6911 for information.

January 29 – The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) Sunday Speaker Series continues on at 2 p.m. with a special presentation by Dr. Steven Schneider –professor of creative writing and literature and cultural studies at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley. He will present “The Magic of Mariachi/La Magia del Mariachi” which includes a background history of the illustrations by frontera artist Reefka Schneider. MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner, Edinburg. Call 956-383-6911 for information.

February February 1 – The Armstrong Retirees meet the first Wednesday of each month through March at 11:30 a.m. at Ann’s Restaurant in San Juan. For information, call Al Ensley at 515-360-5992 or Dick Overholser at 515-321-4034.

February 1 – It’s a world of bugs for children ages 5 and under as they learn about the cycle of a butterfly and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and participate in activities at the IMAS Young Adventurer Day. It begins at 10 a.m. The program lasts about 30 minutes. Admission is $5 per IMAS member and $10 per nonmember. To register, call 956-682-0123. IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave., McAllen.

February 1 – The Gladys Porter Zoo will host its annual Winter Texan Discount Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special discounted admission rate of only $5 with proof of out-of-state residence. At the special events building booths will feature popular Brownsville museums and other local attractions, refreshments, a live DJ, karaoke, door prizes and more. Zookeepers will be on hand to answer questions about the animals. For more information, call 956-546-7187.

February 2 – Explore the science behind Groundhog Day from 4 to 8 p.m. at the International Museum of Art & Science,

January 27, 2017

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

1900 Nolana, McAllen. There will be special hands-on science experiments for children to create a groundhog puppet, experiment with shadows, watch Science on a Sphere shows focusing on the reason for the seasons and more.

February 3 – The Winter Texan Community Bingo Breakfast runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sponsored by Bert Ogden Subaru, it will be held in the dealership showroom, 4221 S. U.S. Highway 281, Edinburg. The free breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. Bingo starts promptly at 9:15 a.m. Seating is limited to 75. Call 956-378-4391 for reservations or email moniqueq@ bertogden.com.

February 4 – Juan Diego Academy, a Catholic regional high school in Mission, will hold an entrance exam for students in 8th grade at 8 a.m. at the campus located at 5208 South FM 494 in Mission. The cost for the exam is $25 which takes approximately four hours and is required for all entering freshmen. No materials are needed. For more information or to register for the exam, call the school office at 956-583-2752.

February 4 – “Everything is Coming up Roses” is the theme for the Eighth Annual Puppy Love Gala from 6 to 10 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center. It benefits the Palm Valley Animal Center and Laurie P. Andrews PAWS Center with live, blackboard and silent auctions and a dinner. Open to the public, advanced tickets are required and sponsorship tables are available. Tickets are $150 per person, $1500 for a table for 10. For information, reservations or sponsorships, inquire via email at development@pvaconline.com or by phone at 956-720-4563 or visit pvaconline.com/PuppyLove.

February 4 – Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1105 W. Fern Ave. in McAllen, will host its Annual Lutefisk Dinner with two seatings for the meal. Ticket prices are $18 each for a complete meal of lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, lefse, mashed potatoes, krumkake and lingonberry jam. Call the church office for tickets at 956-631-6121.

February 4 – The Marine Military Academy (MMA) in Harlingen will host the Introductory Training Parade & Graduation at 10 a.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.

February 7 – The Green Bees of Green Gate presents their 14th Annual Quilt Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. The show will include bed quilts, wall hangings, wearable and miscellaneous textile art, scissor sharpening and vendors.

Drawing tickets for a quilt will be available at the show. Proceeds from the show supports the group’s Community Service Projects. Lunch will be available. The park is located at 2135 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Palmview. Call Jan Schaeffer at 956-5838969 for information.

February 11 – Traditional Mennonite quilts, handmade crafts, baked items, and Mexican food will all draw a crowd for the 17th Rio Grande Valley Mennonite Relief Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg. Proceeds raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), an international development, relief, and peace organization. The Rio Grande Bible Institute is located at 4300 S. Business Highway 281, Edinburg. For other information, contact publicity coordinator Quinn Brenneke at qbrenneke@gmail.com or 260-3852657.

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

Refuge entrance fee waived

LOS FRESNOS – Effective Feb. 1, the $3 per vehicle entrance fee at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge will be waived until further notice. Refuge Manager Boyd Blihovde decided to waive the entrance fee since FM 106 leading to the refuge is currently undergo-

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ing construction. It is closed to through traffic, making the trek from Harlingen and Rio Hondo difficult with several detours. For more information, contact the refuge at 956-748-3607 ext. 111, or visit the refuge’s website www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa.

Healthy Hearts 5K set for Feb. 11

McALLEN – McAllen Heart Hospital is planning a Healthy Hearts 5K Fund Run & Walk on Saturday, Feb. 11.

It begins with a 7 a.m.

Health Expo and T-shirt pickup. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. at McAllen Heart Hospital and ends there. The event benefits the American Heart Association.

The Health Expo provides food, screenings, education displays, photo ops and drawings.

The entry fee for individual early registration is $20 and $30 for late registration; couples - $35 early, $50 late; Kids age 5 to 12, $10; Kids

under 5 are free. Teams of 10 or more are $15 early and $20 late. Deadline is today at 11:59 p.m. for early online registration. Late registration begins after that time.

There is no event day registration.

Registration will be capped at 700. Each participant receives a shirt and a medal. This is not a timed event.

Prize categories are “Most Heart” – team and individual; Cutie Cupid, individual; and Loveable Couple.

To register, visit mcallenhearthospital.com/healthyhearts5K.

Llano Grande expands annual quilt show

MERCEDES – The Llano Grande Quilting Bee presents their Eighth Annual Quilt Show on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Llano Grande Hynes Event Center. Over 200 works of textile art are framed the Bordeaux Elegance theme.

Each year this show impresses guests with the many inspiring hand and machine quilted quilts, wall hangings, table décor and clothing.

Plan to spend the day visiting more vendors than in years past and shopping at the Bou-

tique featuring an abundance of handmade crafts. Demonstrators will be sharing new trends in quilting technique.

Llano Grande quilters have created an array of purses and totes for the drawing at the end of the day, and door prizes include an opportunity to win a Baby Lock Sewing Machine. The Hynes Event Center has ample parking and an onsite Café for lunch.

The entry fee is $2 per person. Llano Grande is located at 2215 East West Blvd., Mercedes.

Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics

SOUTH PADRE – Clayton’s Bar and grill on South Padre Island will host the annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Registration is $60 for adults. Funds raised in addition to the entry fee ($150, $400, $800) will qualify participants for various incentive prizes. Incentive prizes include a six-pack cooler, a stainless steel water bottle and a fleece blanket.

Costumes are optional, but awards are given for the Best Costume, Top Fundraising Team and the top Fundraising Plunger.

All proceeds provide sports training for more than 5,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Rio Grande Valley.

For more information, visit sotx.org/polarplunge or contact Lauro Garza at lgarza@sotx.org or 956-6303434.

opinion

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Marches come one day after inauguration of new president

AUSTIN — Thousands of Texans were on hand to witness the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20 in Washington.

President Trump closed his 16-minute inaugural address by saying: “Together, we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again.

We will make America safe again. And yes, together we will make America great again.”

Displays of patriotism took other forms the following day, when the Women’s March on Washington attracted a multitude ranging in size from 500,000 to more than one million people. Similar gatherings were held in Austin and other large cities around the country and the globe. Counters estimated that somewhere between 50,000 and 90,000 people took part in the Women’s March on Austin. The 12-block march up Congress Avenue from the city’s Ann W. Richards Bridge on Lady Bird Lake ended on the south side of the Texas Capitol grounds.

In Washington, Austin, and in many other cities, Women’s March participants spoke in favor of women’s rights and to protest racial inequities. Other prominent topics included “LGBTQ” rights, immigration reform, equal pay for equal work, minimum wage increase and environmental issues.

Most elected representatives were on hand for the

inauguration, but 67 Democratic members of Congress refused to attend, following the example of civil rights champion Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Among those who did not attend were Texas U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Al Green of Houston and Filemon Vela of Brownsville.

Budget proposals are made Earlier in January, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released a 2018-2019 biennial revenue estimate of just under $105 billion in general revenue available for lawmakers to use in crafting a new state budget.

Hegar’s estimate set a benchmark for budgets to be written in the coming weeks by each house of the Texas Legislature.

Last week, the Senate Finance Committee released an initial budget that includes $103.6 billion in general revenue spending. The House Appropriations Committee’s version tipped the scales at $108.9 billion, signaling much work to be done before the two bodies can agree.

One of several key differences in the committees’ budget calculations comes from growth projections in public education. The Senate estimates an increase of 80,000 students in Texas public schools over the next two years. The House estimates an increase of 165,000 students over the period.

Paxton joins others in letter Texas Attorney Gener-

al Ken Paxton on Jan. 19 announced his decision to join 13 other state attorneys general in signing a letter to the Trump administration. Those states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming.

The joint letter urges the repeal of two new rules that signatories said would expand the definition of critical habitat for endangered species promulgated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

“The Obama administration abused the limits of its office when it expanded the power of unelected bureaucrats to kill economic development on private property,” Attorney General Paxton said. According to the letter, “Critical habitat designations, by their very nature, limit human activity. That limitation almost always results in a lost economic opportunity.”

Funding method is studied Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, in the December 2016/January 2017 edition of Fiscal Notes, referred to certificates of obligation as a “controversial funding tool” for local projects.

Local governments, Hegar wrote, normally must seek voter approval before taking on new bond debt for the construction of projects such as hospitals, schools and water infrastructure. Instead of going that route, he

January 27, 2017 November 2, 2015 25, 2016

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS pointed out, some local governments use certificates of obligation to fund such projects without voter approval.

Between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2015, Hegar said, outstanding debt in the form of certificates of obligation issued by local governments rose by nearly 85 percent, compared to the 50-percent growth rate for total debt held by these entities.

“Fiscal Notes” can be

found at www.comptroller. texas.gov.

DPS looks at safety threats The Texas Department of Public Safety on Jan. 20 released the 2017 Texas Public Safety Threat Overview, an intelligence estimate drawing data from law enforcement and homeland security agencies.

“As terrorism has become more disaggregated, commu-

nities in Texas and across the nation are facing a heightened threat of terrorism and the continued potential for attacks against civilians and members of law enforcement is a serious ongoing concern,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw.

The report, in addition to terrorism, identifies threats such as organized crime and cartels, natural disasters and cyber attacks.

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan 20 - “There’s no doubt that many of the demonstrators who seek to disrupt President Donald Trump’s term in office do it as a way to vent their ideological views.

But are there paid agitators among them,” asks Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.

Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson exposed the man behind a blatant and phony online attempt to so-called ‘operatives,’ offering cash to attend protest rallies. On his program Wednesday night, Carlson actually interviewed a man calling himself Dom Tullipso who claimed he created an organization called Demand Protest to disrupt President-elect Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

Carlson proved the man to be a liar and shouted him

down, saying: “This is a sham, your company isn’t real, your website is fake.

This is a hoax. [Tullipso] is not your real name; we ran you through law enforcement-level background checks.”

Weber says that every citizen has a right to express his views on issues, it is guaranteed in the Constitution. “But it is one thing for individuals to express their views. It’s another thing for organized ‘operatives’ to threaten the stability of the nation.”

The ‘fake news’ that Mr. Tullipso was spreading was revealed for what it was. But the issue of paid protestors is not a new one. A few days after the elections in November, an alleged Associated Press report appeared on the ABC News Web site claiming that an Arizona man had been paid $3,500 to protest

against Donald Trump. It, too, proved to be a fake.

Why is it important to investigate reports of paid protestors at any political demonstration, including anti-Trump rallies? Weber says that “If they are untrue, we have a right to know, and if they are true we need to be aware of the potential peril to our democracy.”

About AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/ join-amac.

It is important to investigate reports of paid anti-Trump protestors, says AMAC

ATTENTION! ROAD CLOSURES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28th Due to the festivities taking place with the 2017 Texas Citrus Fiesta the following roads will be closed at the times notated.

FUN FAIR

The Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair will be located at the Leo Pena Plazita Park, downtown Mission. Business 83 at Conway intersection will be closed all day long, from 9:00am – 11pm for the Fun Fair.

• Fun Fair parking will be located in the Fallas Paredes parking lot, located between Business 83 & Tom Landry. Entry to the parking lot will only be permitted through Perkins Street.

PARADE OF ORANGES • 3PM

Once again the Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges will be on Conway; the route is from Griffin Parkway (495) to 1st Street.

Spectators should line up north of 1st Street for the Parade.

10am – Conway, from Griffin Parkway (495) north to 2 Mile Road closes.

1pm – Griffin Parkway (495) closes 12pm – All cross streets off of Conway will be closed, with the exception of: •Kika de la Garza Loop •East Tom Landry •6th Steet •4th Street •1st Street 2pm – All Cross streets mentioned above will be closed.

Please make your travel plans accordingly, and allow yourself enough time in your commuting on Saturday to arrive safely at your destination.

In case of an emergency, please call 911.

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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2017

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

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. ©2017 Mission Publishing Company. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

LETTER GUIDELINES

Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear the complete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed to others will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevance is determined by the editor.

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.

January 27, 2017 from pg 1 we can hire more fire fighters,” said the mayor. “They just need to give us a chance to build the fire station first.”

However, Garza said the city is making no promises to add more fire fighters, as he is considering several different options for Fire Department operations. One option would be to close Station No. 2, the oldest city fire station and move those crews to the new station once it is completed. Each fire station covers an assigned area. Station No. 2 and Central Fire Station, since they are located so close together, presently cover almost identical areas, causing duplication.

Plans are already underway to construct the new station, which is to be built on three acres of land located at Schuerbach Rd. and Military Rd. The station will be a combination police and fire station similar to the Station No. 5 on Glasscock Rd. The city plans to have the new station completed in two years.

The city is experiencing rapid growth in that part of the city, like it did in the Sharyland Plantation area a few years ago when the city added Station No. 5, said Garza.

As illustrated by the Facebook post, the union has wanted more fire fighters for several years. Silva says the city has not added any fire fighter positions in nine years. But Garza says Mission has all the coverage it needs at the current staffing levels. He provided comparisons with neighboring cities similar in size to Mission, which show Edinburg has 48 fire fighters and Pharr has 62. Mission has 67. He explained the reason Edinburg is so low is they have volunteer fire fighters who make up the difference.

More importantly, the city manager looks to the fire chief for input on what is needed to adequately provide fire protection for the city, without costing the taxpayer more than is necessary. As an example, while four-man crews are optimum for operating a fire engine, Interim

Fire Chief Gilbert Sanchez said three-man crews are adequate to get the job done. So the city has some four-man crews and some three-man crews and has operated this way for years.

The problem, said Silva, is when men are out due to vacation, illness or training. Then other fire fighters have to work overtime to fill in. The city spent about $569,000 in overtime costs according to Silva.

When asked if the city could save money by hiring more fire fighters to reduce overtime costs, Garza said they have looked into it and it doesn’t work out. It’s not as simple as it sounds, he said. With five fire stations and multiple shifts and job assignments and training levels, there are many factors to consider.

“Right now we have more fire stations, we have more personnel, and we have better pay than Pharr and Edinburg. I think that says a lot about our Fire Department,” said Salinas. “We’ve always been very supportive of the Fire Department; they do a great job for us.”

Comparisons of fire fighter pay show Mission pays more than any other city in the area, including McAllen.

The base pay for a starting fire fighter, after probation, in Mission is $42,048; McAllen is $39,703, and Pharr is $37,662. Figures for Edinburg were not available at press time.

Salinas said it has been his goal to have a fire station built in every quadrant of the city, affording better fire protection and better response times. It has taken him 20 years to get there.

“We’re almost there. This is the last one,” he said, referring to the proposed fire station on the Southwest side.

In discussing the matter, the city manager and interim fire chief noted that the city is receiving fewer calls for fire suppression each year.

This is due to better fire prevention education the department provides in the schools and other settings, fire safety, and code enforcement, Sanchez said.

Some 80 percent of the calls are medical calls requiring EMS response. The other 20 percent includes a mix of fire suppression, vehicle accidents and other calls.

A fire department report for residential structure fire incidents reported from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016 shows a total of 33 structure fires. Of those, 19 were classified as building fires, nine as cooking fire confined to container, four fires in structures other than building and one was a fire in a mobile home.

RAIN OR SHINE

from pg 1

“We try to get in everyone’s little idea but sometimes we clash,” Lisa Rivera said.

For Vanessa Flores the experience helping build the float has been “awesome,” she said.

Neither Rivera, who are not related, will ride the float being busy with other responsibilities. Lisa Rivera is a TCF board member.

Nor will Rios who said she plans to enjoy watching from the sidelines. But staff mem-

ber Anna Gomez said she is looking forward to being on it. She will be joined by staff member, Blanca Martinez, and others. Gomez said she is looking forward to waving to the crowds and dancing to the music.

“I worked for it, to be honest with you. That’s the way we see it,” said Gomez.

“We work for it to be on the float. So that’s the reward because we’re proud of what we accomplished.”

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FIRE DEPT.

24/7. Instead, the practice is to use the same fire fighters and engineer for manning either the pumper engine or the ladder truck, both stationed at Central Fire Station.

The fire command staff decides which truck to take on a call. The decision is based on the nature of the call and which apparatus is better suited to do the job at that time. There is always a four-man crew stationed continuously to respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance.

One of the MFFA Facebook posts reads, in part: “For approximately 8 years, we have been requesting fire fighters and we continue to receive the same answer, ‘NO, because there is no money in the budget.’ We search for grants and even with finding some we get denied to even apply for them.

So tell me, how does a city continue to improve on city projects, yet cannot afford to build on the requests of department heads?”

Another MFFA Facebook post criticized the council’s decision to build a new event center, when the money could be spent on the needs of the Fire Department.

In a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon, Silva said staffing recommendations by the National Fire Protection Association call for a four-man engine company to be assigned to a ladder truck.

To fill all three shifts, this would require 12 additional fire fighters to fully staff the ladder truck. That would cost the city taxpayers about $770,000 per year according to the city manager.

Silva admits the NFPA recommendation is just that – a recommendation – and is not mandated. He said he would be happy with nine additional fire fighters, which would cost $578,000 annually.

The mayor says he would rather use that money to build a new fire station that is needed in the Southwest quadrant of the city. He estimates the new station will cost the city $3.5 million.

“After it is finished then

page 5

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January 27, 2017

page 6

Lady Patriots locked in on the pitch Mission Veterans Memorial aiming for the playoffs

By Bryan Ramos In a competitive nineteam district like 31-5A, getting off to a good start is just as important as finishing strong.

The Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots soccer team, led by head coach Mike Espinoza, is off and running with a 3-0 start in district play and is looking to build on the momentum created early on in the season.

“I like the way the girls are coming along,” Espinoza said. “We’re starting 3-0 so that’s a big plus in our district. We’ll just see if we can stay on a positive note throughout the season.”

The Lady Patriots have their sights set on making the playoffs again this year after qualifying as the fourth seed in District 31-5A last season.

In their first year in the new look 31-5A that includes

four Laredo schools and the dominant Sharyland and Pioneer girls soccer programs, the Lady Patriots currently sit at the top of the standings after picking up wins over Laredo Martin, Roma, and a 1-0 shutout victory over Laredo Cigarroa Tuesday night at Mission Veterans Memorial High School.

“Last year’s team was pretty strong,” Espinoza said. “We had quite a bit of girls that left but the girls that are stepping up this year are looking good so our season looks promising. They’re coming along and they’re being aggressive so this game I put out a more offensive lineup because I’m seeing what the girls are capable of doing.”

31-5A members weren’t afforded as many non-district opportunities to prepare for the grind of district play because of the nine-team

alignment. The Lady Patriots non-district schedule included a scrimmage against Nikki Rowe, taking part in the Laredo Tournament and a match against Palmview.

With the Lady Patriots sitting at 3-0 so far in district, they have put themselves in position to have a big year in 31-5A. Senior defender Denisse Martinez, who plays a big role in the Lady Patriots’ defensive scheme, said she knows finishing as one of the top four teams in the new nine-team district poses a challenge that she finds motivating.

“I definitely want to see us making playoffs, I definitely see it happening,” Martinez said. “There are good teams in our district and I feel like that’s our motivation and that should keep us motivated to make the playoffs.”

Espinoza has his squad

Veterans Memorial sophomore Heaven Deander takes a shot at the goal during the second half of the Lady Patriots’ 1-0, District 31-5A win over Laredo Cigarroa Tuesday night.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

believing they can claim one of the four playoff spots in District 31-5A. “There’s four teams that advance and we’re hoping to get one of those spots,” he said.

Senior midfielder Maria Contreras, who creates plenty of scoring opportunities for her team with her passing ability and ball control, said she knows this team has the potential not only make the playoffs, but to advance into the third round.

“I want to see us make it to playoffs, at least to the third round, because we have that potential as a team,” Contreras said. “I’m looking forward to making more opportunities for my teammates and hopefully we’ll get it going.”

While it is early in District 31-5A, the Lady Patriots know they have a long season ahead of them. Martinez said the team could go a long way if the team keeps a positive mindset.

“I think we can go a long way as long as we keep up the good work and we don’t mess up,” Martinez said.

“It’s us who bring ourselves down and we need to keep a positive mind and keep going and striving to district.”

The Lady Patriots are back on the pitch tonight as they pay the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks a visit at 7 p.m. in a matchup between two teams fighting for the top spot in District 31-5A.

By Luciano Guerra

is a pretty good start, I think that I can score even more throughout the season.”

Playing midfield should give Guevara plenty of opportunities to add to her already impressive goals total as the season continues.

“Since I’m an offensive, attacking midfielder, I usually give the crosses if I’m playing left wing,” explained Guevara. “But if I have the opportunity to score, I can do so. That’s the good thing about that position because you can either help out your

teammates by passing or you can keep the ball and go for the score.”

Like many other onesport high school athletes, Guevara spends as much time with her coach and teammates as she does with her family. As a result, she considers the team to be family as well.

“The team and my coach are pretty much my second family,” shared Guevara.

“I spend my whole day in

Vanessa Guevara helps Lady Rattlers remain undefeated

It’s been said that success belongs to those who are goal oriented, determined and persevering. If that’s true, then Sharyland Lady Rattlers’ senior midfielder Vanessa Guevara is most definitely successful. As anybody that’s ever seen her on the soccer field can see, she is as determined and persevering as they come. She has already scored 14 goals in only seven games this year, demonstrating her success on the soccer field.

In her fourth year on the Sharyland girls’ varsity squad, Guevara has played a major role in the Lady Rattlers’ almost unbelievable success. The Lady Rattlers have not lost a single district game over her now three-plus years on the team. While this cannot be attributed solely to her, she has contributed in a big way.

She’s already halfway to her previous season high in goals just two games into district play. This, she says, is due to determination.

“Ever since my senior year started, I was determined to make the most out of it,” Guevara said. “So while scoring 14 goals so far

See GUEVARA Pg. 7

Sharyland senior midfielder Vanessa Guevara winds up for a corner shot during the first half of the Lady Rattlers’ 6-0, District 31-5A win over Laredo Martin Tuesday night.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

January 27, 2017

Former director files lawsuit against La Joya Housing Authority

MCISD board hires builder for new Tom Landry stadium Construction to begin Feb. 1 on now $10 million renovation project Members of the Mission Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees had a difficult decision this week, hire a builder for a now $10 million renovation project of Tom Landry football stadium with the lowest bid — whose work would not be finished before the Sept. 1 start of this year’s Mission High School football season — or a higher bidder who said they could finish before the season’s start.

In the end they got the best of both worlds when during negotiations earlier this week the lowest bidding contractor agreed to move up their intended completion date.

On Wednesday the school board voted unanimously to hire Holchemont Ltd., a McAllen based construction company whose $7.463 million bid included an expanded press box required to accommodate both home and visiting team coaches as well as operators of the stadium’s scoreboard. That compared to the $7.45 million bid by E-Con Group, an Edinburg based construction company whose bid added $210,000 for the cost of the expanded press box bringing the total cost to $7.66 million. A third contender, San Antonio based Central Builders Inc., bid $ 8 million but said it would cost another half million dollars for the expanded press box.

The major factor in the board’s original dilemma was the length of time the companies said it would take to complete the project that includes 9,000 seats, 700

of which will be reserved 24-inch wide seating with seatbacks. Holchemont’s bid quoted 235 days of construction making the completion date on Sept. 24, three weeks after the start of the 2017 football season. The two other contract contenders bids indicated 180 days of construction making the completion date July 31, assuming construction begins on Feb. 1 as the district is requesting and with no delays, in time for Mission High School’s home opener against city rival Veteran’s Memorial High School.

During a January 18 school board Facilities and Environment Committee meeting community member Rebecca Stubbs expressed concern about moving the season’s first game from Mission High School because that game was a major fundraiser for the school’s booster clubs.

Following the board’s vote Assistant Superintendent for Operations Rick Rivera explained during negotiations earlier this week Holchemont CEO Michael Montalvo agreed to request the bleacher’s manufacturer to provide delivery for the project earlier than previously planned.

Also Wednesday the board approved adding $2 million to the $8 million already budgeted for the project. During the Jan. 18 committee meeting School District Superintendent Dr. Ricardo Lopez told committee members the funding increase was a contingency to deal with the possibility of unforeseen impediments

GUEVARA school and then after school I see the same people and I practice with them so I really do consider them to be family.”

Like most soccer players nowadays, Guevara has been playing the sport from a very young age. When asked what it was that attracted her to the sport in the first place, Guevara said, “What I really like about soccer is its competitiveness. But more than anything it’s the strong sense of family we all have for each other. Most of the players on this team are my best friends and I really like that. However, playing hard and getting all the wins makes it exciting for me.”

While Guevara and the Lady Rattlers’ unblemished record in district over the past three plus years is impressive, back-to-back trips to the Regional semifinal round of the UIL state playoffs the past two seasons is even more so.

One thing that accompanies the kind of success Guevara has had at Sharyland, is receiving post-season district-wide and area-wide recognition. When asked which post-season honors she has received over the years, Lady Rattlers’ head coach Aaron Clemons did his best to remember as many of them as he could.

“The last three years she has been named First-team All-District,” Clemons said.

“She was named Texas As-

Progress Times

such as water. As an example Lopez said the district spent an additional $100,000 on the Mission High School Field House when it’s foundation began filling with water from a high water table after construction commenced on the structure. The field house was completed on July 15, 2014, according to district spokesman, Craig Verley.

“So we had to spend a lot of money just on rock to fill in that water,” said Lopez. “So that in itself cost $100,000. Then when we did the turf we ran into water again and we had to put some sort of filler to keep the thing from shifting for that and the track. That cost money.

We’re expecting water when we drill in for these pipes,” Lopez said, referring to the pylons that will support the stadium and press box.

Due to the tight construction timetable Lopez said it was best to have the additional funds already in place than to wait until later to approve them.

In other business the board approved a change order request giving E-Con Group a 70-day extension on its $33.2 million contract for Phase III renovations and new construction at Mission High School. Assistant Superintendent Rivera said the request would give E-Con additional days for testing concrete pours and to account for rain delays and some unforeseen contingencies such as the need to raise the ceiling in the cafeteria kitchen to accommodate stove ventilation system, among other delays. from pg 6

sociation of Soccer Coaches (TASCO) All-Region her sophomore year, All-Valley her sophomore year, All-Area and top goal scorer in the district last year.”

While post-season honors are one way of measuring an athlete’s success, Clemons uses a different measuring stick: what having Guevara on the field has meant to his team.

“She’s been awesome for us,” Clemons said. “Her sophomore year she came in and helped us offensively.

And while you could say that

last year was an off year for her, she still scored over 25 points for us last year. The bigger the game the better she’s played and this year, with the injury to Katie Watson in the first five minutes of our first game, she’s been impressive with 14 goals over seven games.”

Guevara scored her 14th goal of the season Tuesday night in Sharyland’s 6-0 win over Laredo Martin. Next up for the Lady Rattlers is an away game at Roma tonight at 7.

By Jose De Leon The former executive director for the La Joya Housing Authority (LJHA) filed a lawsuit Tuesday against his former employer accusing it of wrongful termination.

Juan J. “J.J.” Garza, who served as the housing authority’s executive director for the last 17 years, filed the lawsuit in Hidalgo County District Court after he was fired from his position during a special board meeting December 16, 2016, said his lawyer Gustavo Acevedo.

According to its website the La Joya Housing Authority administers both a public housing and Section 8 housing voucher program.

The housing authority owns and manages one project that contains 50 affordable rental units. It also administers 128 Section 8 housing vouchers.

Garza, as well as local contractor Armando Jimenez, were arrested in September by federal agents in connection with an alleged bid-rigging scheme.

The indictment against Garza states that between July 2012 and March 2013, Jimenez and Garza submitted false bids so that Jimenez Construction would win the bidding for construction projects for the Alamo and Donna housing authorities.

The false bids were submitted under the names of Crane Construction and Carlos Orillana, according to the indictment.

Following the indictment, Garza was suspended from his $69,000 a year position with the housing authority before ultimately being fired. The lawsuit alleges Garza’s termination violated his contract with the housing authority.

“Mr. Garza has a three year contract which expires Dec. 31, 2018,” the complaint states. “The LJHA Commission had no evidence which would support termination for cause under the terms of his contract which specifically provides that he must be given full due process...and then the opportunity for Mr. Garza to refute any charges against him.”

In an interview Wednesday, Garza said he is looking for financial compensation to make up for the remainder of his contract.

“I have a two year con-

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tract and that’s what I am going to fight for. I have two more years to fulfill but since I was terminated I’m sure I won’t get my job back but I’m still owed something,” Garza said.

LJHA Chairwoman Francis Salinas De Leon declined to comment on this story.

According to Gustavo Acevedo, Garza’s lawyer, the violation happened when the two were invited to attend the December board meeting but were not told Garza’s contract would be discussed nor did they receive a copy of the agenda. During the meeting, the board was presented with a 2014 audit report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that highlighted several problematic findings under Garza’s management. The audit noted “excessive” write-off amounts of 465% higher than the prior fiscal year due to the housing authority not enforcing its rent collection policy.

Garza and Acevedo both

said those findings are “not uncommon” in audits and Garza’s termination had more to do with the stigma surrounding the indictment than Garza’s work performance.

“We’re fully aware [Garza] has been indicted for actions with other housing authorities but his actions were not in his capacity as housing authority director in La Joya,” Acevedo said. “The housing authority based the decision to terminate Garza on that indictment which had nothing to do with his performance as executive director and they used that report to blindside us. Had we been aware of that report, we could’ve provided a response to make a rebuttal to Garza’s termination.”

Mark Anthony Sanchez, a lawyer representing LJHA, could not be reached for comment. According to Acevedo, the lawsuit would be served to the housing authority by the end of the month.

NOTICE OF RATE CHANGE REQUEST

On December 30, 2016, as required by order of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUCT” or “Commission”) in Docket No. 45414, Sharyland Utilities, L.P. (“Sharyland”) and Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C. (“SDTS”) (collectively “Applicants”), regulated electric utility companies, filed an application with the PUCT titled Amended Application of Sharyland Utilities, L.P. and Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., Statement of Intent to Change Rates, and Request for Grant of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity and Transfer of Certificate Rights (“Amended Application”).

The Amended Application requests: (1) the setting of new wholesale and retail rates that Sharyland will charge its customers; (2) the establishment of rates that SDTS will charge its only customer, Sharyland; and (3) the grant of a certificate of convenience and necessity (“CCN”) and transfer of CCN rights to SDTS. This proceeding is the first in which Sharyland’s rates will be set on a system-wide basis.

The Amended Application is based on a twelvemonth test year ending December 31, 2015. The Amended Application supports an increase in Sharyland’s adjusted testyear retail base rate revenues of approximately $1.4 million or 1.4 percent, exclusive of riders. Sharyland’s system-wide cost-based retail base rate revenue requirement is $101.2 million, plus an additional $2.23 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. As proposed, monthly delivery rates for an average residential customer consuming 1,333 kWh in the Stanton, Brady, and Celeste divisions will decrease by approximately $3.14 per month, exclusive of riders, but in McAllen and Mission they will increase by approximately $35.69 per month, exclusive of riders. The Amended Application also supports a total wholesale transmission cost of service of $147.6 million, plus an additional $3.7 million that Sharyland is seeking to recover on an annual basis through certain riders.

The Amended Application also supports a total revenue requirement for SDTS of approximately $170 million.

SDTS’ proposed rates are lease payments that SDTS will charge only to Sharyland for leasing its transmission and distribution assets. In a new tariff for SDTS, separate rates will be provided for the leasing of transmission assets and for the leasing of distribution assets.

The Amended Application also requests that the PUCT grant a CCN to SDTS and transfer rights under Sharyland’s CCNs to SDTS authorizing SDTS to own transmission and distribution assets and lease those assets to Sharyland for the provision of electric service, along with any other rights as necessary. No new facilities are being sought in the Amended Application.

The Amended Application potentially affects all customers and classes of customers in Sharyland’s Stanton, Brady, Celeste, and McAllen divisions. The Amended 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. The Applicants have proposed that the requested rates be made effective February 3, 2017.

A complete copy of the Amended 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 78711-3326. Further information may also be obtained by calling the Public Utility Commission at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearingand 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 February 13, 2017.

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January 27, 2017

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Correction regarding Vanguard Academy

A report in the Jan. 20 editions of the Progress and Sharyland Times incorrectly stated there are currently 3,800 students enrolled in the academy’s four schools.

According to Deputy Superintendent Ana M. Mendoza the actual figure is 2,800.

Ms. Mendoza said the report also misattributed to her that except in certain pre-kindergarten classes charter

schools do not charge tuition.

That fact is actually attributable to the Texas Education Association’s website under FAQs about charter schools.

Mendoza said none of Vanguard’s schools charge tuition under any circumstance.

Finally, Mendoza said the name of Vanguard Superintendent Robert L. Olivarez name was misspelled in the original report.

New county program to help entrepreneurs from small cities

Hidalgo County entrepreneurs and business owners from small cities may soon receive grants to help their businesses, according to a news release from the county.

During the Tuesday county commissioner’s meeting, members heard of a new initiative that proposes to use $494,000 in unclaimed funds from the state comptroller’s office to provide grants to deserving entrepreneurs and business owners from com-

MCISD Schools dominate in robotics competition

By Joe Hinton Teams from the Mission Consolidated Independent School District dominated teams from surrounding districts in the state’s largest robotics competition Jan. 21.

Approximately 1,200 students participated in the Texas Computer Education Association’s Area 1 Robotics Competition at Raul Yzaguirre Middle School in San Juan, said Dr. Patricia

C. Abrego, TCEA’s Area 1 director. Teams also represented Edinburg, Los Fresnos, PSJA, Roma, Rio Hondo and Weslaco ISDs, per an MCISD news release.

TCEA Convention Chairman and emcee for the event, Dr. Roland Rios, told a packed audience in the Yzaguirre Middle School gymnasium that typically robotics competitions in other parts of the state have three or four tables set up for com-

petitions.

“But today we have 17 tables set up making this by far the largest robotics competition in the state,” he said.

Rios said there were 207 teams comprised of two to four members each. The teams competed in three two-minute rounds with their final scores comprised of the points average from the three rounds.

Saturday’s competition involved a mock disaster

munities with populations that have less than 20,000 residents.

“This new project will allow the county to spur economic development in smaller communities that may not have the same resources as their larger neighbors,” County Judge Ramon Garcia said in a statement. “The cities of Mission and McAllen already have similar grant programs and we plan to use their programs as a model.”

area where plastic golf balls represented a debris field that had to be cleared by the robots. Differently marked pieces of PVC pipefittings represented police, fire and medical personnel that had to be evacuated. Contestants received additional points by having their robots place a mock radio communications tower in the disaster zone.

Among the first contestants Saturday was a team comprised of fifth grade students from Mission’s Leal Elementary School. In their first round of competition the team’s robot ran into a perimeter wall toppling its mock

The money—from unclaimed Electric Cooperative reimbursement checks—is restricted for use in economic development projects.

A committee comprised of professionals in the financial, education, and business sectors will evaluate grant proposals and award funds based on merit, Garcia said.

“We believe the growth and success of our communities is key to the growth and success of Hidalgo County,”

communications tower that, like the robots, were created from Lego brand products.

Despite the glitch the team scored 100 points placing third from among 35 other fifth grade teams, said Leal Elementary School Principal Trinidad B. Peña, adding she was very proud of her “Engineers,” the team’s name.

As of press time TCEA had released the results of four categories of the competition posting the first through third place teams in each. Of the 12 teams listed all but three were MCISD schools with the other three teams all from Edinburg ISD.

Garcia said. “This new program will help promote economic prosperity in our smaller communities.”The county also plans to partner with the Small Business Development Center at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley to provide assistance in preparing grant proposals for qualified applicants.Once details are worked out, the initiative will be brought back to a later commissioners court meeting for approval.

And MCISD took first place in each of the four categories reported by the TCEA. Among the first place MCISD winners were teams from K. White Junior High School.

“All of our teams placed in the top 10 and took two first place wins,” said Principal Brenda Betancourt.

First and second place teams secured a spot at the State competition, which will take place May 20.

Abrego said the location is still pending but it will most likely be in the Austin-Central Texas vicinity.

Leal Elementary School fifth grader Robert Martinez, left, reacts when his team’s robot hit a wall causing a mock radio communications tower to topple. Team captain, Gerardo De La Torre, resets the robot to try again to have it place the tower within a mock disaster area. The remaining team members are Jacobo Flores, second from left and to his right, Jose Gonzales.

The team placed third out of 30 elementary schools and were among about 1,200 students who participated in the Area 1 robotics competition Jan. 21 sponsored by the Texas Computer Education Association and held at Yzaguirre Middle School in San Juan.

Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton

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INSPIRATION RD.

way 83 traffic over East Business 83 at Inspiration Road was completed on Dec. 12. He said paving the bridge, the effected areas of frontage road and the extended portions of Inspiration Road were all that remained to complete the project.

Conceived in 2011, the Inspiration Road expansion required the expressway bridge lengthened to accommodate both Business 83 and

from pg 1 Inspiration Road, the latter road previously terminated at the north and south sides of the expressway. Inspiration Road is expected to become the main route north from Mexico for commercial vehicles once the Madera Bridge – still in the planning stages - is Completed, creating a second international bridge with Mexico in Mission. The expressway bridge was also widened from three to six

obituaries

Hipolito Chavez MISSION – Hipolito Chavez, 76, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg.

Survivors include his children, Georgina Perez, Jesus Leal, Blanca Gutierrez, Teresa Gonzalez, Leslie Trevino, San Juanita Taylor, Abraham Chavez and Jorge Chavez; and 21 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucia Chavez, and his parents, Abraham and Casimira Chavez.

A funeral service was held on Jan. 21 at Funeraria Del Angel in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Ignacia Gonzalez LA JOYA – Ignacia Gonzalez, 79, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Survivors include her children, Hortencia Gonzalez, Jesus De La Torre and Maria Elena Hernandez; sisters, Dominga Emma Guerra and Maria Luisa Guerra; and 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

No service was held. Her remains were cremated.

Mary Alice Martin MISSION – Mary Alice Conway Martin, 93, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

Mrs. Martin was born on Aug. 1, 1923, in Mission at her family home. A lifelong resident of Mission, she graduated from Mission High School and The University of Texas at Austin

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and married Scott Martin in 1947. She was a teacher at East Side Elementary School in Mission for several years.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission, St. Paul’s Altar Society, and charter and sustaining member of the Mission Junior Service League where she served as an officer.

She served as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout den mother, volunteered with the Mission Little League and was active and participated in numerous facets of the Texas Citrus Fiesta for numerous years. She was an “Orange Blossom” in the very first Citrus Fiesta, worked on parade floats, built citrus displays in the window of Conway, Dooley and Martin Insurance Agency and made costumes for the Product Costume Style Show. She was a volunteer at the Vannie E. Cook Cancer Center in McAllen and at Comfort House in McAllen.

Mrs. Martin gave numerous talks around the community about the early days of Mission. She and her husband are Lifetime members of the Mission Historical Museum. In 2010, she was honored as “First Lady of Mission.”

Survivors include her husband of 69 years; daughters, Rebecca Crook of Mission and Mary Dale Newsome of Fairfax, Va.; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Michael Conway Martin and David Scott Martin.

A funeral mass was held

lanes, Noriega said. Noriega attributed the completion delay to rain days and other items that had been added to the project.

“But we’re coming around the corner and we’re getting there,” Noriega said.

In response to a query from the board’s vice chairman, Charles Zey, regarding another area TxDOT project, Noriega said workers are preparing to divert Westbound traffic on Exp. 83 to the eastbound lanes at on Jan. 21 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission.

Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Arnaldo Corpus, Daniel Crook, Medardo De Leon Jr., Richard Dooley, Scott Dudley, Felix Martinez, Bill Robertson and Charles Zey.

Maria Antonia Rendon GRAND PRAIRIE – Maria Antonia Rendon of Grand Prairie, Tex. entered into her eternal rest on Tuesdaay, Jan. 17, 2017, at the age of 84.

She was born in Mission, Tex. on Feb. 22, 1932, to the late Blas and Juanita Perez Rendon.

She is survived by her sisters, Maria P. Alvarez (Crescenio, Jr.) of Grand Prairie and Josefina Salinas of Mission, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends, including those she made as a long-time parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Oak Cliff.

Maria Antonia was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Martin, Sabino and Rafael Rendon, and baby Enrique; as well as the godparents who raised her, Alonzo and Guadalupe Rivera Perez, also of Mission, Tex. A rosary was held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m., at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home, 500 E. Main Street, Grand Prairie. A

Bicentennial Road in order to facilitate demolition of the bridge that carries Bicentennial Road traffic over the expressway. TxDOT is planning to eliminate the Bicentennial overpass permanently by building an underpass at the expressway.

Noriega referred further Progress Times questions regarding the Bicentennial Road project to TxDOT spokesman, Octavio Saenz, who said Wed. work began on Jan. 3 with plans to widen funeral mass was held on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 400 NE 17th Street, Grand Prairie, Tex. A lifelong, devout Roman Catholic, Maria Antonia worked as a church secretary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission, Tex., from 1948 to 1963. She then moved to San Antonio, Tex. and continued working in a variety of capacities, including as a secretary at Our Lady of the Lake University. In 1971, Maria Antonia moved to Dallas and worked a few years at the National Cursillo Center in Dallas before being employed in the late 1970s at the Texas Dept. of Health & Human Services Food Stamp office, where she retired in 1989.

She also enjoyed world travel to places such as Rome, Jerusalem and the Holy Land and extensive travel throughout Spain and Mexico.

The family would like to extend our appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of Metroplex Nursing & Rehabilitation and the hospice team who oversaw Maria Antonia’s care, as well as to Guerrerro-Dean Funeral home for their compassionate assistance.

Ludivina Valverde MISSION – Ludivina G. Valverde, 89, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2017, in McAllen.

Mrs. Valverde was born on Aug. 14, 1927, to Alfredo Z. and Olivia M. Gorena.

Raised in Mission, she was a homemaker and worked at Valero Energy Corp until her retirement in 1992.

She was a member of Damas Catolicas at St.

Bicentennial from two lanes to three while improving pedestrian sidewalks. Bicentennial Road is the main thoroughfare to McAllen Miller International Airport and is one of the busiest streets in Hidalgo County, said Saenz.

Saenz said the project also includes increasing the overpass height at 10th and 23rd Streets in McAllen. He said expressway traffic will be disrupted for about two miles between Ware and McColl Roads in McAllen Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission for 40 years, where she served as president for nine years. She was also a member of St. Paul’s Altar Society.

Survivors include her children, Victor Valverde, Velma Valverde and Valerie Valverde.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Trinidad M. Valverde, Jr.; and siblings, Maria Olivia Gorena, Jose Alfredo Gorena and Ella Margarita Gorena.

A funeral mass was held on Jan. 25 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

Miguel S. Villalon LOS EBANOS – Miguel S. Villalon, 97, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.

Mr. Villalon served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Survivors include his children, Rebecca Serna, Diana Salazar, Miguel Villalon Jr. and Gilberto Villalon.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Francisca Villalon, Elpidia Garcia, Rafaela Mendiola, Benito Villalon, Manuel Villalon, Porfirio Villalon and Antonio Villalon.

A funeral service was held on Jan. 26 at Lord & I Funeral Home in Peñitas. Burial followed at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Notices J.B. Doyle PALMHURST – J.B. Doyle, 75, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at Amara Hospice Inpatient Facility in Edinburg. Cremation was held on Jan. 25 at

where westbound traffic will share two of the four eastbound lanes during most of the 37-month project.

“There’s no way of sugar coating it that it’s going to be congested and the reason why is because it’s a big project and there’s a lot of traffic there,” Saenz said.

In the words of one MRA board member Tuesday, “It’s going to be a parking lot.”

Memorial Cremation Center in Edinburg.

Yesenia Flores SULLIVAN CITY – Yesenia Flores, 44, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at her home in Sullivan City Rodolfo Fuentes MISSION – Rodolfo Trinidad Fuentes, 71, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Mission.

Guadalupe Gomez LA JOYA – Guadalupe Gomez, 93, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at Life Care South in McAllen.

Rogelio Guerrero Sr. MISSION – Rogelio Guerrero Sr., 84, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Wilfred Jones MISSION – Wilfred Jones, 81, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Maria Luna MISSION – Maria Luisa Luna, 55, passed away on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

Maria Medrano PALMVIEW – Maria Celia Medrano, 92, passed away on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Julia R. Negrete MISSION – Julia R. Negrete, 95, passed away on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg.

Diana Ramirez MISSION – Diana Ramirez, 45, passed away on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at her home.

Come Join Us At The

ANNIVERS 80TH US PARADARY E CITR

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

PADRES OBLATOS THE FATHERS: †FR. JIM, FR. PHILION & FR. ROY (†MAGNA, †SENTINEL, †MAGNO, †AUGIE, †DIDYMUS, †CHUNKLY, †GIRLY, CANTINA, VALENTINE, NEWLY, BENDITO & CHARLOTTE)

“THE LORD CALLS US TO BE HUMBLE. THAT IS TO FACE THE REALITY OF OUR NEED FOR HIM AND OF THE GOODNESS OF HIS SPIRIT IN US. ‘HAPPY ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT... REJOICE & BE GLAD FOR YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN IS GREAT!’ YOUR LIFE, YOUR LOVE, YOUR HEART, YOUR STORY, IS GREAT!”

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.

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

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney.

If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty two days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you.”

To: THE WALLACE G. COOK REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST CREATED NOVEMBER 23, 1999, THE WALLACE G. COOK SURVIVING TRUST AND THE HEIRS AND THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WALLACE G. COOK AND ELIZABETH COOK GREETING: You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s petition at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. of the first Monday after the expiration of 42 days from the date of issuance of this citation, the same being Monday the 20th day of February, 2017 at or before 10 o’clock a.m., before the 206th District Court of Hidalgo County, at the Courthouse in Edinburg, Texas.

Said Plaintiff’s Petition was filed on December 13, 2016 in this case, numbered C-5522-16-F on the docket of said court.

The names of the parties to the cause are as follows: RUDOLPH ARBANAS and BETTY L. ARBANAS INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEES OF THE RUDOLPH JOSEPH ARBANAS AND BETTY LOU ARBANAS TRUST DATED JUNE 7, 2010 are Plaintiffs and THE WALLACE G. COOK REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST CREATED NOVEMBER 23, 1999, THE WALLACE G. COOK SURVIVING TRUST AND THE HEIRS AND UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WALLACE G. COOK AND ELIZABETH COOK are Defendants.

A brief statement of the nature of the suit is as follows, to-wit: The suit seeks to establish clear title in the Plaintiffs in Lot 240, Amended Plat of Aladdin Villas Subdivision, Phase II, Hidalgo County, Texas, and remove any claim or interest the Defendants may have, resulting from defects occurring in previous conveyances dating back to 1995, all as is more fully shown by Plaintiffs’ Petition on file in this suit.

If this citation is not served within ninety days after the date of its issuance, it shall be returned unserved. The officer executing this writ shall promptly served 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 the SEAL of said court at office in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas, on this January 11, 2017.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on February 13, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: 8.50 acres of land out of Lot 202, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (C-1) Office Building & (AO-I) Agricultural Open Interim to (R-3) MultiFamily Residential; and Rezoning: Lot 9, Glenwood Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-3 (General Business) 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 Send us your classified today!

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ORDINANCE NO. 4453 AN ORDINANCE DENYING THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN RATES OF SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P. AND SHARYLAND DISTRIBUTION & TRANSMISSION SERVICES, L.L.C, FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE IS PASSED IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on February 8, 2017 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 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 (Townhouse Residential); Rezoning: Lots 1-22, Santa Lucia Development Subdivision (Private Subdivision), from (R-3) Multi-Family Residential to (R-1T) Townhouse Residential; Rezoning: 73.087 acres out of the Southern part of Porcion 52, from PUD (Planned Unit Development) to P (Public); Rezoning: Lots 10 & 11, Block 169, Mission Original Townsite Subdivision, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-3) General Business, and Rezoning: Lot 9, Glenwood Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-3 (General Business) 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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Over 25 years ago a goal was established. This goal would promise quality pharmaceutical service to residents of the Mission area, and for over two decades Mission Plaza Pharmacy has committed itself to preserving this goal. Whether you are in need of filling your prescription or find yourself in need of medical equipment, Mission Plaza Pharmacy is the answer.

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Send us your classified today!

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Submit online: www.ptrgv.com Bring it in: 1217 N Conway Mission

Fax it in: 585-2304

ORDINANCE NO. 4452

ORDINANCE NO. 4450

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR RICO SUAVE DRIVE-THRU #2 CONVENIENCE STORE, 3300 N. INSPIRATION ROAD, LOT 1, GOMEZ ESTATES SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

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 – PALMS II LOUNGE, 600 E. 9TH STREET, LOTS 11-15, BLOCK 142, MISSION ORIGINAL TOWNSITE SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4443

ORDINANCE NO. 4451

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF A 2.36 ACRE TRACT OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST ONE-QUARTER (S.W. ¼) OF LOT 24-9, WEST ADDITIION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVSION, FROM AO-I TO R-2 READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4445 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 – INCREDIBOWL, 2140 E. BUSINESS HIGHWAY 83, LOTS 1 & 2, GRAPEFRUIT BOWL, INC. SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4446 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 – TAQUERIA EL ZARAPE #9, 2423 E. EXPRESSWAY 83, STE. 100, LOT 2, BLOCK A, SHARY-TAYLOR EXPRESSWAY COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4449 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 – KALO’S SALON DE EVENTOS, 1516 E. EXPRESSWAY 83, STE. 5K, LOTS 5, 5J, 5K & 5L, STEWART PLAZA SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4448 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 – RANCH HOUSE BURGERS II, 409 N. BRYAN ROAD, SUTIES 104 & 105, LOT 1, CITY PLAZA SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4447 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 – LA FOGATA RESTAURANT, 300 N. SHARY ROAD, LOT 1, EL LUGAR SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRIVE-THRU SERVICE WINDOW – BUCKS PIZZA, 2401 S. SHARY ROAD, STE. A, LOT 1, RIVERSIDE PLAZA AT SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4444 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 – SPAUGY’S ICE HOUSE, 815 N. FRANCISCO AVENUE, THE SOUTH 109.5’ OF LOT 2, BLOCK 137, MISSION ORIGINAL TOWNSITE SUBDIVISION & ALL OF LOT 52, JOHN H. SHARY INDUSTRIAL SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

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CITY OF LA JOYA NEW CITY HALL AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Holchemont Ltd., Construction Manager for the City of La Joya, will receive sealed proposals from sub-contractors and/or suppliers for the construction of a project titled City of La Joya New City Hall and Public Safety Building on February 7, 2017 at 4:00 pm at the office of Holchemont Ltd., located at 900 North Main St., McAllen, Texas 78501.

Proposals are to be submitted in a sealed envelope indicating Proposer’s name and marked “Proposal for City of La Joya New City and Public Safety Building” and addressed to “Michael Montalvo, Holchemont Ltd., 900 North Main St., McAllen, Texas 78501”.

Submit proposals for any of the following specifications sections: City of La Joya New City Hall and Public Safety Building: Division 2 Site Work, Division 3 Concrete, Division 4 Masonry, Division 5 Steel, Division 6 Wood and Plastics, Division 7 Thermal And Moisture Protection, Division 8 Doors and Windows, Division 9 Finishes, Division 10 Specialties, Division 11 Equipment, Division 13 Special Construction, Division 15 Mechanical & Division 16 Electrical Contract Documents are on file at the Rio Grande Valley AGC Plan Rooms, Dodge Reports, and Builders Exchange of Texas at which locations the plans and specifications may be examined.

Copies of the Contract documents may be obtained by providing a check payable to Holchemont, Ltd. in the amount of $200.00 for each set of the documents.

Documents may be obtained from RGV REPROGRAPHICS at the following address: RGV Reprographics 519 S. Broadway McAllen, Texas 78501 (956) 686.1525 The deposit will be refunded if the documents and drawings are returned in good condition within 10 days following proposal due date.

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be conducted at the proposed project site, 701 E. Expressway 83, La Joya, TX. 78560, on January 30, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. All firms proposing to submit proposals on this project are strongly encouraged to attend.

For questions regarding contract documents contact via email Michael Montalvo at: bids@holchemont.com Attention is called to the fact that not less than the federally determined prevailing wage rates must be paid on this project. In addition, successful bidders must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

Holchemont Ltd. reserves the right to reject any or all of the proposals or to waive any informalities in the bidding process. Proposals may be held for a period not to exceed 45 days from the date of the proposal due date for the purpose of reviewing the proposals and investigation of the bidders qualifications prior to awarding construction contracts.

Holchemont Ltd. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and handicapped status in employment or provisions of service.

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January 27, 2017

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The

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LEADBEATER

Tues. January 31 & Wed. February 1, 2017

MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX, 78501 • 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT will be showcased from country to classic to pop.

Presented by Medipac (US) International Inc.

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FREE ADMISSION

to enter the McAllen Convention Center and experience the show. Parking is free.

FEATURE AREAS

at the show offer workshops, exhibits and the comfort of our hospitality center.

For sponsor and exhibitor information please call 1-800-326-9560

www.facebook.com/snowbirdextravaganza