Friday, October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | 25 Cents
Vol. 46 No. 12
‘Back to basics,’ goal of Mission’s Chamber of Commerce Jim Brunson announces sale of the Progress Times
By Joe Hinton
Getting “back to the basics” of helping its members grow their businesses is the goal of the head of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. That’s the message Robert Rosell, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer, delivered to about 200 people attending the organization’s annual banquet Thursday, Oct 19 at Mario’s Banquet and Conference Center in Mission where several city businesses received chamber awards. The Progress Times newspaper also bestowed five citizenship awards at the banquet. (See related report.) “What does that mean?” Rosell asked the crowd, many of whom were decked out in large hats for the ladies and bow ties for the men
in a Kentucky Derby-themed event dubbed, “A Night at the Derby.” “It means we are going to provide the tools and resources to our members so that they may have the best opportunity to run a successful business. We are going to provide a collective array of resources so our members use and understand the value of being a member of Mission Chamber of Commerce.” Outgoing board of directors president, Dan Martin, noted some of the measures to which Rosell alluded include smaller educational and informational events for members. And incoming Chamber Board President Trung Nguyen, said the chamber plans to work with Mission’s leadership and Economic Development
See BASICS Pg. 7
Guadalupe “Lupita” Ramirez
Mission Publishing Company President Jim Brunson has announced the sale of the Progress Times newspaper. Denise M. Rendon, Progress Times director of sales and marketing and owner of Savy Publishing LLC, has purchased the Progress Times and has already assumed the role as the newspaper’s
Roberto Ruiz
Robert Rosell and Veronica Ghavidel
The man heading the agency tasked with attracting business and industry to Mission has received a special award for his contributions to the city over the past several years. Alex Meade, chief executive officer of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, received the special “Innovation Award,” from the Progress Times’ former publisher, Jim Brunson, as part of the paper’s annual citizenship awards. The award, and four others, were presented during the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Oct. 19 at Mario’s Banquet and Conference Center. Meade’s recognition was the culmination of the paper’s recognition the city’s Man and Woman of the Year
and the awarding of the Mr. Mission and First Lady of Mission titles. The man and woman of the year awards go to persons for outstanding community service for two or more years and the Mr. and First Lady titles go to persons who have provided outstanding service to the community for at least 11 years.
See CITIZEN Pg. 13
Jim Brunson, former Progress Dolores Cantú, First Lady of Times Publisher and Alex Meade Mission
Bob Dyer, Man of the Year
Overview: last of seven state constitutional amendments Second of two part series By Joe Hinton Last week the Progress Times gave an over view of the first three of seven state constitutional amendments that will appear on the Nov. 7 election ballot. This week
the paper looks at the last four proposed amendments. The overview is based on information obtained from The League of Women Voters of Texas, Ballotpedia and published reports. When not otherwise at-
New Progress Times publisher, Dee Rendon confers with graphic designer Marko O. Gonzalez Thursday afternoon.
NBC prepares for 22nd annual Texas Butterfly Festival By Jose De Leon III
April Chapa, Woman of the Year
Mr. Mission Ruben Moreno
tributed, the majority of the arguments presented for and against a proposition were authored by the Texas House Research Organization and published by the League of Woman Voters and Ballotpedia. The HRO is a nonparti-
See PROGRESS TIMES Pg. 7
Debra Franco
Mission’s EDC CEO recipient of special recognition at this year’s citizen’s awards banquet By Joe Hinton
new publisher. Rendon began working for the Progress Times as an advertising account representative in 2012 and was named director of sales and marketing in 2016. Brunson said, “I am pleased to have Dee Rendon taking over as the newspaper’s new publisher, as I am
san, independent department of the Texas House of Representatives comprised of 15 House members elected by the House membership. It provides impartial information on legislation and issues
The National Butterfly Center received national attention this past summer not because of new butterflies in the area, but due to the federal government trespassing on the center’s private property to clear land for the border wall. The discovery, made by the center’s Executive Director Mariana Treviño-Wright, was covered by major news outlets such as The Texas Observer, NBC News and the BBC. The center ultimately became a flashpoint in the debate regarding President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall, which several outlets have reported would tear through the butterfly center and other nature and wildlife refuges across the border. Despite the attention, Treviño-Wright is looking forward to the center’s 22nd annual Texas Butterfly Festival,
a four-day celebration held at the peak of the butterfly migration season. “The people who come down here for the festival are predominantly out of towners who come down here at the peak of butterfly migration season to experience what happens here during that time,” Treviño-Wright said. “Last year we had visitors from 25 states and five different countries.” The festival, which is set to run from Saturday, Nov. 4 through Tuesday, Nov. 7, celebrates the more than 1,200 species of plants, 500 species of birds and more than 300 species of butterflies in the area. For this year’s festival, Treviño-Wright said the center will be adding a new activity for attendees, while keeping many of the familiar activities the public has come to enjoy. New this year is the Monarch 5K Trail Run & 1Mile
See BUTTERFLY Pg. 16
See CONSTITUTIONAL Pg. 6
Mission High School’s last home football game will be away By Joe Hinton On Wednesday Mission CISD officials decided to move Mission High School’s last home game of the season to Hidalgo after state inspectors failed to approve the el-
evator at Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium. “There are still a lot of different issues aside from the elevator,” said Leticia “Letty” Ibarra, MCISD athletic director, following a meeting of district officials
Wednesday morning. Ibarra said state inspectors were going to reinspect the elevator on Thursday after the builder had an opportunity to address the issue but that the decision had already been made Wednesday
to hold the game between the Mission High School Eagles and the Palmview High School Lobos at Hidalgo High School’s stadium. Neither Rick Rivera, MCISD’s assistant superin-
See TOM LANDRY Pg. 15
A group of nature enthusiasts explore the National Butterfly Center during the 2016 Texas Butterfly Festival. Courtesy photo
INSIDE Winning ways With six straight wins under their belts the Sharyland High School Rattlers football team faces another top district winner tonight, the Laredo Nixon High School Mustangs. Bryan Ramos has the story.
Little princess
Palmview seeks to recoup loss
With great pageantry the Texas Citrus Fiesta last Saturday selected from among 15 entrants its Princess Anna 68th for the upcoming 81st Texas Citrus Fiesta season. Find out who it is inside.
Long after paying a CPA over $15,000 the city of Palmview has not received the fixed assets report and is threatening legal action to get restitution. Jose De Leon III has the story.
See Pg. 5
INDEX
Entertainment | pg.2
Lifestyle | pg.3
See Pg. 5
Opinion | pg.4
Sports | pg. 8
Obituaries | pg. 15
FOOTBALL $50 WEEKLY PRIZE
& $200 BOOSTER CLUB GRAND PRIZE
Classifieds | pg. 17 See Page Inside
CONTEST
entertainment
Dak’ EE SI Pow Wow honors Lipan Apache heritage
By Henry Miller McALLEN – The 47th Annual Dak’ EE Si Pow Wow takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Ave. in McAllen. The event is a way for the Native American tribe to not only keep their heritage alive, but to also share that heritage with other tribes and non-natives, according to Robert Soto, tribe member and vice chairman on the council of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. “Dak’ ee si means the fall ceremony of celebration,” Soto said. “A long time ago my ancestors would have two ceremonies every year – a get together in October to celebrate the end of the harvest, when things go dormant. Then we would have one in spring for the beginning of the new harvest. So it would be every year a celebration for the end and for the beginning.” Those who attend the event will be treated to a celebration of American Indian culture, history, drumming, singing and dancing for all ages. Some of the dances will be open to not only a variety of tribes, but to the public for audience participation. Up to 50 vendors, according to Soto, will be selling native food, arts, crafts, beads, supplies, jewelry and dream catchers. “People really like the fried bread,” said Soto. “But we will have Indian tacos and Indian hot dogs and a variety of food and crafts and a lot of other things for people to see and enjoy.”
Soto has been Indian dancing since he was 8 years old, a little more than 50 years. He has also been a Feather Dancer for approximately 45 years and has won awards for his Indian dancing and artwork in various pow wows across the nation. The entire Soto family and ancestry have played a huge part in keeping the Lipan Apache tradition alive throughout South Texas and beyond. In 1972, the Soto family started dancing together as a group to help preserve their Lipan tradition and in 1977 they became known as the South Texas Indian Dancers (STIDA). The public will have an opportunity to observe a variety of dances. Each type of dance has its own meaning. “There will be intertribal dances, there will also be a gourd dance, war dance, a round dance and other exhibitions,” he said. “Other dances like the buffalo dance, snake dance, the twostep, are all dances we use.” Since its origin, the STIDA has opened its membership to anyone who is of American Indian descent or who would like to learn more about the rich heritage of Native people. The group provides cultural and educational performances in schools, churches, fairs, and civic organizations to help educate the community of the Native, and especially the Lipan Apache, culture. For more information, contact Robert Soto at 956648-9336.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – South Padre Island (SPI) has partnered with the SPI Birding and Nature Center to celebrate Halloween and the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly from North America to Central Mexico with the inaugural HalloWings Across South Padre Island Festival on Oct. 27-29. “With the annual migration cycle of the Monarch butterfly occurring the weekend before Halloween, event organizers had an opportunity to provide an event for families and nature lovers looking for a safe and affordable option to celebrate the holiday and witness one of the most remarkable natural
phenomena in the world,” said Keith Arnold, SPI Convention and Visitors Bureau director. HalloWings Festival activities will be held at the SPI Convention Centre, SPI Birding and Nature Center, Island businesses and Jim’s Pier. Major scheduled events for the weekend begin with the Winged Gala from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, at the SPI Birding and Nature Center. Sample fine wines and beers paired with hors d’oeuvres while listening to the sounds of classical Spanish guitar and viewing works of fine art by local artists. The evening includes a silent auction and magical perfor-
MOSTHistory hosts 14th Annual Día de los Muertos Head out to the Museum of South Texas History and experience the symbolic traditions of Día de los Muertos at their 14th annual celebration on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 10 p.m. as they commemorate the Day of the Dead tradition believing that spirits of loved ones visit the living. The festivities include music ranging from mariachi to Latin post-progressive rock, along with folklórico dance groups. Guests can explore traditional and contemporary Mexican food booths, local and Mexican artisan vendors, free crafts, a community altar exhibit and more. The event is included in the regular museum admission. MOSTHistory is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 N. Closner Blvd. Call 956-383-6911 for information.
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike headline ‘Mixterious’ festival tonight
EDINBURG – HEB Park, 1616 S. Raul Longoria Rd., will host its first EDM festival featuring one of the most popular DJ duo’s – Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. They will headline the dance-infused, stadium-sized party dubbed, “Mixterious,” set for Oct. 27th at 7 p.m. in Edinburg. The DJ pair, made up of brothers Dimitri and Mike Thivaios, is currently on a worldwide tour which also includes a residency at one of the most iconic clubs in Ibiza, Spain, considered the mecca for electronic dance music. DVLM have earned accolades in the electronic music scene and are permanent fixtures on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs Poll as well at the top of the Bilboard Dance Charts.
They quickly skyrocketed to the top of their genre and worked with EDM giants, Steve Aoki and Ummet Ozcan but have also traversed into other varieties including collaborations with R&B superstar Ne-Yo and newcomer Kiiara. When the twosome bring their electrifying act to South Texas, HEB Park will experience a transformation, the first its kind, aimed to create elaborate lighting design and sound akin to that of mega-festivals worldwide. Tickets are available at the HEB Park box office or go online at hebparkrgv.com Prices range from $32 to $113 with VIP tickets available for purchase. Phone 956-972-1144 for information
mance. Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased at the Center or at eventbrite. com. The Boo Bash on Oct. 27 at the Convention Centre is geared for all ages with free arts and crafts at 6:15 p.m. and a showing of “Hotel Transylvania 2” at 7 p.m. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween pajamas and bring their own blankets. The event is free to the public, and refreshments will be provided. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, HalloWings Across South Padre Island takes place at the Birding and Nature Center. Guests can spend the day
learning about the butterfly species and conservation efforts with activities including guided butterfly and bird walks, kite exhibition, nature art contest exhibit, entertainment, vendors and film showings. A butterfly tent is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and tickets are available for purchase at the tent. The guided home garden van tours leave at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., departing from Native Plant Center. Purchase tickets the day of the event. Trick-or-treating takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. Come in a costume and stroll through the participating businesses handing out treats.
SPI celebrates Monarch migration with HalloWings Festival
October 27, 2017
page 2
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Coming Attractions
October 27-29 • This Way! Musical Theatre Company at Juarez Lincoln High School in La Joya presents the musical production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Performances will be staged at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyote Drive. Show times are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $7 per person and will be sold only at the door one hour prior to each performance. For more information, call Joey Navarro at the fine arts auditorium at 956-323-2895 • The fall Studio performance for the UTRGV Department of Theatre continues with “St. Nicholas,” a Halloween play by Conor MacPherson. It runs Oct. 27 to 28 at 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Oct. 29. Performances are held in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre and the Studio Theatre in the Edinburg Liberal Arts Building South (ELABS) at the corner of University Drive and Sugar Road. For subscription information or tickets, school matinees, groups and special accommodations, contact Elva Galvan, University Productions Box Office, at 956-665-3581, or email her at elva.galvan@utrgv.edu. October 28 • Join the UTRGV Flute Studio for an evening of flute and guitar ensemble music inspired by the season. In the spirit of the Halloween season, there will be candy, as well as prizes for best costumes on stage and in the audience. The performance takes place at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Complex on the Edinburg campus. Admission is free. October 29 • The UTRGV Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble will present its annual Octubafest concert at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Complex on the Edinburg campus. The concert features original and arranged music for tuba/euphonium ensemble, along with added surprises. Admission is free. October 30 • The Rio Bravo Percusssion Ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. in the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville. The slightly Halloween-themed concert explores the percussive sounds of the 20th and and 21st centuries, featuring the music of Warren Benson, Michael Burritt, Brett Dietz, Chad Heiny, Joe W. Moore III, Jeff Perry and Michael Ptacin. Admission is $5, available at tickets.vendini.com. October 31 • The Upper Valley Art League (UVAL) hosts Rio Grande Valley Woodcarver member Jim Trumpy teaching beginning carving. All materials will be provided. The fee is $25 for UVAL members and $35 for nonmembers. Payment is due at sign up. To register, to become a UVAL member, or for more information, call the UVAL gallery at 956-583-2787. UVAL is located in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. November 1 • The Upper Valley Art League is hosting an art history class with Patty Ballinger, instructor, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Artlink building of the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center. This week’s topic is “Impressionists” (French and American). The class is free to UVAL members and $10 per class for nonmembers. Cost to join is $30. To sign up, stop by the UVAL gallery during regular hours at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission or call 956-583-2787. • In the UTRGV Patron of the Arts guest artist series, Ricardo Peixoto and Rogerio Souza perform in a Brazilian guitar concert at the UTRGV library auditorium on the Edinburg campus at 7 p.m. Admission is free. November 4-5 • The La Joya I.S.D. presents “Three Schools, 1 Voice,” a folklorico and mariachi concert with performances by students from three high schools: La Joya, Palmview and Juarez Lincoln. Performances are 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyote Blvd. All tickets are $8 per person, available at the door, and with pre-sale tickets, for the same price, available at the Performing Arts Center box office from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m. No credit or debit cards are accepted. For information, call Joey Navarro at 956-3232895. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
E U S S I T INSTAN D CHIP CAR
ibc.com
lifestyle
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
EVENTS
NBC kicks off Monarch 5K Trail Run On Nov. 4 the National Butterfly Center (NBC) will kick off the 22nd Annual Texas Butterfly Festival with the inaugural Monarch 5K Trail Run & 1K Fun Run. This run is designed to show people a different side of the center, which encompasses 100 acres of cultivated gardens, forested trails and wild scape, where the Southernmost Monarch Waystation is being planted. Register for the inaugural Monarch 5K/1K and learn more about the annual Texas Butterfly Festival at TexasButterflyFestival.com. This will be a non-timed event for participants at all experience levels, starting at 8 a.m. For more information, call 956583-5400. Participants will receive a commemorative Monarch medal and be given seed bombs of native wildflowers to toss along the trail routes. The seeds sprout for seasonal nectar plants and provide the food Monarchs need to make their long journey north in the spring Historic declines in the Monarch population have led to broad concern and public awareness of the plight of this species, especially along
its migratory route. “We welcome runners, butterfly enthusiasts and families to come have a hand in creating this habitat for Monarchs, while doing what they find rewarding,” states Marianna Trevino Wright, NBC executive director. “This event is a great addition to the festival’s Community Day, which is designed to help people to discover our project, our purpose and this beautiful place. What could be better than spending a fall morning outside, surrounded by butterflies?!” This inaugural fun run celebrates the volume and variety of butterflies found around the Mission Trails outdoor recreational area that is home to the National Butterfly Center, a National Wildlife Refuge tract and Bentsen-RGV State Park, headquarters of the World Birding Center. The conservation work taking place at the Center has been complemented by surrounding residential communities which have adopted butterfly-friendly landscape practices to provide breeding and feeding areas for the Monarch and more than 100 other species.
Palmview plans Fall Fest Oct. 31 PALMVIEW – The City of Palmview’s Fall Fest 2017 runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at their Parks & Recreation located at 406 W. Veterans Blvd. The evening offers a variety of activities including hay rides, moon jumps, food,
haunted house, tirck-or-treating, costume contests, vendors and more. Businesses that would like to participate and be a vendor can call the city at 956-432-0300 to sign up.
CALENDAR
JDA readies for Seventh Annual Gala Juan Diego Academy (JDA) invites the public to their Seventh Annual Gala on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 11 p.m. on the JDA campus located at 5208 S. FM 494 in Mission. With this year’s them of “Noche de Rosas,”the evening includes a semi-formal dinner, live music and silent and live auctions. Proceeds will be used to continue funding the campus expansion plan which includes additional science labs and classrooms, to enlarge the cafeteria and provide additional restroom facilities. Funds are also used for development of academic and extracurricular programs and the professional development of faculty and staff. JDA students are shown displaying a few of the items that will be available for the auctions. For more information on tickets or sponsorships, call the school at 956-583-2752.
MHM hosts annual Halloween Family Festival On Tuesday, Oct. 31, celebrate the City of Mission’s Halloween Mysteries at the Boo!seum hosted by the Mission Historical Museum from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout the museum and on the grounds located at 900 Doherty. The family festival features a line-up of kid’s ghostly games, prizes, refreshments, a cake walk,
candy trick-or-treating, jail house Haunted House, moon jumps and a Halloween photo area. Guests won’t want to miss the City of Mission’s Parks and Recreation Folklorico group’s performance of “Thriller.” Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume. Admission is free to the event. For more information, call 956-580-8646.
MCISD teams bring home tournament medals EDINBURG – Special Olympics athletes and their unified “Meet in the Middle” partners brought home a bevy of medals from an Area 1 Special Olympics Bocce tournament held recently at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. The event was held under the direction of the UTRGV Health and Kinesiology Club and Area 1 Special Olympics. Through Meet in the Middle groups formed at Mission High School (MHS) and Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS), Special Olympi-
ans are paired up with high school volunteers under the Unified Champion Schools program. The program is an effort to promote social inclusion and unified activities for the district’s special needs students. The tournament was a round robin event with athletes competing by age and skill level. At the bocce tournament, medals were awarded to both the athlete and partner. Unified doubles results for the VMHS athletes (athletes are named first, followed by their partner’s name): Cesa-
rio Pena and Adam Martinez, first place; Sally Trevino and Nadia Trevino, first place; Lauren Lopez and Valerie Ramirez, first place; Jasmin Villanueva and Fernando de Leon, first place; Emily Gonzalez and Brittaney Hinojosa, second place. Bocce singles results for VMHS: Bryan Arrellano, first place; Ethan Linares, first place; Frankie Torres, first place; Javier Patino, second place; Hayleen Pena, second place; and Sebastian Llamas, third place. Unified doubles results for
the MHS athletes (athletes are named first, followed by their partner’s name): Brandon Garza and Anahi Cerda, first place; Raylene Vela and Luz Quiroz, first place. Bocce singles results for MHS: Emanuel Casas, first place; Itzel Vargas, first place; Ana Villarreal, first place; Adrian Rodriguez, first place; Ashley de la Rosa, second place; Jackie Porcayo, second place; and Joel Bravo, second place.
Progress Times Like Us on Facebook scan this code with your smartphone
October 28 – The members at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church present the 2017 Fall Jamaica Event. There will be food, music, games and a drawing which includes a 2017 Chevy Colorado. It will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. The church is located at 621 W. Main Ave. in Alton. For more information, call the church office at 956-585-8001. October 28 – Get in the Halloween spirit at the Edinburg World Birding Center to explore the spooky world of skeletons during the “Fossil Fright” program. Families will learn how fossils are created and will conduct a mini-excavation. Participants will also receive a fossil goody bag to take home. The program runs from 2 to 3 p.m. and is $4 for members and $6 for non-members. Registration is required by Oct. 26. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Call 956-381-9922 for info. October 28 – “Creatures of the Night” takes a look at animals that hunt in the dark and those that use the night to hide from others during the next Gladys Porter Zoo Saturday Safari. It begins at 10 a.m. in the South Texas Discovery Education Center at 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville. 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 zoo members. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org. October 30-31 – The annual “Boo at the Zoo” weekend returns from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. each night and 5 to 9 p.m. for GPZ members. The Halloween tradition is an alternative to trick or treating on the streets. Guests will have over 50 carnival-style games and treat stations along with a haunted house to visit. Discounted pre-sale tickets will be on sale in the GPZ office for $2.50 for both adults and children. After Oct. 29, ticket prices be $3.50 per person. Zoo members receive free tickets which can be picked up in the membership office. For more information, call 956-546-7187 or visit gpz.org. November November 1 – The Mission Economic Development Corporation will host a Social Media Summit ’17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CEED Building, 801 N. Bryan Rd. in Mission. There will be workshops, panels and networking to learn more about strengthening business through social media. Register at ceedsms.eventbrite.com. November 3 – The Third Annual Superintendent’s Golf Tournament, hosted by the Education Foundation of Mission C.I.S.D., will be a three-person “Florida Scramble” format. Registration fees for three-person teams range from $1,250 to $2,750. For tournament registration and information, call the Shary Golf Pro Shop at 956580-8770 or Hiram Burguete at 956-323-5520 or 323-5505. November 4 – The Damas Catolicas at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission presents their “First Luncheon Style Show,” from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in St. Paul’s parish hall, 1119 N. Francisco Ave. Tickets are $15 per person. There will be door prizes and a silent auction. For tickets, contact Irma Perez at 956-207-9949 or Judy De La Garza at 956-802-9445. November 4 – Juan Diego Academy (JDA) is hosting their annual fundraising gala with this year’s theme of Noche de Rosas. It takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. at the JDA campus located at 5208 S. FM 494 in Mission. For more information on Gala tickets or sponsorships, call the school at 956-583-2752. November 4 – Learn Nature Journaling/Sketching at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is required at least two days prior to each class. For more information, or to register, call 956381-9922. November 4 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church members in McAllen invites the public to their annual “Gran Fiesta” fundraiser from 4 to 10 p.m. There will be drawings, food, entertainment, kiddie rides, games for all ages and more. The church is located at 2209 Kendlewood Ave. in McAllen. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
Your friends at City Of Mission wish you a
Safe and Happy Halloween! Never trick-or-treat alone. Go with a group of friends or a trusted adult. Trick-or-treat in well-lighted areas, avoiding alleys and fields. Set up a trick-or-treat route and curfew with your parents before heading out for the evening. Carry a flashlight or wear reflective tape to ensure you’re visible to cars. Never go inside a stranger’s home, and avoid approaching dark houses. Cross streets at crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars.
MCISD students brought back an array of medals from the Area 1 Special Olympics Bocce tournament held recently at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
Mission First United Methodist Church
Sunday Services:
8am Informal 9am Contemporary 10am Sunday School
11am Traditional 5pm Spanish Worship
ESL Registration begins Oct. 25 9am-11am. Classes begin on Oct. 30.
Annual Trunk or Treat October 31 • 5pm - 7pm
Free Games • Yummy Food • Free Candy • Family Fun
Dinner with Friends - Every Friday @ 5:30pm
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
www.missionfumc.com 1101 Doherty Ave., Mission, TX 78572 • (956) 585-1665
page 3
page 4
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association
STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
Portal enables donors to help Harvey-stricken schools
AUSTIN — Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Oct. 17 announced that school systems needing instructional materials — either because of enrollment of students displaced by Hurricane Harvey or from property damage caused by the hurricane — can create an online list for donors to access. Potential donors can find the lists through the Texas Education Agency’s Instructional Materials Assistance web page: https://tea.texas.gov/ Academics/Hurricane_Harvey_Instructional_Materials... “From the initial days of the hurricane, many people have stepped forward wanting to help. The TEA Instructional Materials Assistance web page provides a way to see what school districts truly need and then allow for those needs to be met,” Morath said. Morath called the electronic system a type of “wedding registry” where school districts can post their instructional materials needs. Donors can elect to fulfill a district’s needs list completely or in part, and the agency’s educational materials ordering system updates the list to help avoid duplication of supply donations. To date, 14 school districts have created needs lists in the system. The materials on those lists total approximately $1.2 million. The system has paired three potential donating districts with three districts in
need. One district has already indicated all its identified needs are filled. Declaration is renewed Gov. Greg Abbott on Oct. 20 issued a proclamation renewing his ongoing disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Harvey, which struck the Lone Star State in late August. Disaster counties include: Aransas, Austin, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Waller, Wharton, Wilson, Angelina, Atascosa, Bastrop, Burleson, Bexar, Brazos, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Jasper, Kerr, Lee, Leon, Madison, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Washington and Willacy. Abbott suspends rules Gov. Abbott on Oct. 16 extended for 30 days a temporary waiver suspending vehicle registration and inspection rules for victims of Hurricane Harvey. The extension allows Texans who reside in any of 48 counties included in the federal disaster declaration to avoid penalties for failure to timely register a vehicle or obtain a vehicle inspection. Debris removal continues
The Texas Division of Emergency Management on Oct. 20 reported that nearly 7.5 million cubic yards of Hurricane Harvey debris had been collected so far. The Texas Department of Transportation, individually, reported on Oct. 16 that its employees had removed more than 10 million cubic feet of debris in the four districts most impacted by Hurricane Harvey since landfall Aug. 25. From Corpus Christi to Beaumont and towns in between those cities, TxDOT crews, composed of more than 600 employees working in weekly rotations, have worked to help clear roadways and help citizens in their ongoing recovery efforts. Of the 25 requests for debris removal TxDOT has received, work has been completed in 10 counties and cities, the agency said. TEA releases reports Preliminary Texas Academic Performance Reports are now available online at tea. state.tx.us, Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced Oct. 17. These reports provide campus-level, district-level, regional and statewide details of academic performance with information about staff, programs and demographics. Final ratings following the resolution of district appeals of preliminary academic accountability ratings are scheduled for release on Nov. 16.
Zika data is reported Information posted by the Texas Department of State Health Services on Oct. 17 shows that some 429 individuals residing in Texas were on the federal Centers for Disease Control’s Zika Pregnancy Registry. The registry includes pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika infection
and their infants, regardless of laboratory evidence. To be reported as a Zika disease case in pregnancy, the pregnant woman must have had at least one clinical sign or symptom compatible with Zika and also have a positive Zika test result, according to the DSHS. Former justice dies Texas Supreme Court Jus-
tice Ted Z. Robertson, 96, who served on the high court from 1982 through 1988, died at his home in Dallas on Oct. 13. Robertson served as a Dallas County probate and juvenile judge and as a state district judge in Dallas County before he was elected to the Texas Supreme Court.
Straus' retirement reverberates through Capitol
By Cassandra Pollock The Texas Tribune
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus shocked Capitol observers Wednesday morning when he announced he would not seek re-election to his House seat in 2018. So what does that mean for the future of Texas politics? Here's what you need to know: • Was this even expected? Straus, whom many call the most powerful moderate Republican in the Capitol, had previously insisted he would be running for a sixth term as speaker. But in an interview with the Tribune's Alana Rocha after his announcement, Straus said that upon reflecting with family and friends, he decided "there's a time that every leader needs to know that it's time to do something else, to move on ... and to be able to do it on your own terms is, I think, important — and I'm proud of that." • This could scramble Texas politics for years. With Straus exiting the scene, as Ross Ramsey wrote in his column after the news broke, expect a shift in the intra-GOP battle between pro-business and socially conservative lawmakers. Moderate Republicans
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announces he won't seek reelection in 2018 at a press conference at the state Capitol on Oct. 25, 2017. Photo by Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
and Democrats are wondering if Straus' departure will open the floodgates to more legislation that they say could damage Texas' business climate. Others, such as members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, are celebrating the news: "It's morning in Texas again!" tweeted state Rep. Matt Schaefer, the caucus' chairman. • A powerful House chairman is retiring, too. Shortly after Straus' announcement, state Rep. Byron Cook — a Corsicana Republican and one of Straus' closest allies — said he, too, was on his way out. Other members of House leadership, such as state Reps. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth,
and Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, reminded everyone they are still planning to run for re-election in 2018. • Who's next? State Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, was already running for speaker before Wednesday's news, but within hours, several more threw their hats in the ring. State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, a Straus ally, announced he had filed paperwork to run. State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, said he was exploring a campaign soon after that. The next legislative session doesn't start until January 2019, but expect more names to come up in the coming months.
Friday Night Lights on facebook
Follow all the action, plus local news stories every week. This week the Progress Times will be covering the following week 9 football games:
Sharyland High vs. Laredo Nixon (Fri.) (Laredo Stadium)
Palmview at Mission High (Fri) (Hidalgo Stadium)
/ProgressTimes
Follow Us on Facebook for Friday Night Football Scores and Updates www.ptrgv.com This week the Progress Times will be covering
the following week 4 football games:
Sharyland vs. Valley View Palmview vs. Brownsville Pace 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 Savy Publishing, LLC, 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $25 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2017 Savy Publishing, LLC. 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.
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Celebrate
“A Night at the Derby”
Sharyland ISD saves on new dictionary purchases
Thank You To Our Sponsors
page 5
page 6
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
CONSTITUTIONAL from pg 1
before the Texas Legislature. Proposition 4 Proposition 4 would authorize the Texas State Legislature to require courts to inform the state attorney general of a legal challenge to the constitutionality of a state law. The measure would also allow the legislature to require a waiting period of not more than 45 days after a judge notifies the attorney general before the judge can rule a state law unconstitutional. In favor of the measure the HRO argues Proposition 4 ensures the state has an opportunity to defend the constitutionality of its laws and that the proposed amendment would not alter the state’s separation of powers doctrine nor restrict the ability of courts to strike down laws as unconstitutional. The HRO says the amendment would only provide the attorney general with notice so the attorney general could offer assistance to defend a state law. It would not change the authority of the attorney general’s office over criminal matters. In presenting the case
against the measure the HRO argues the constitution should not be amended in a way that could undermine the state’s separation of powers doctrine. Each branch of the government should be able to exercise its powers without interference from another branch. The HRO argues the legislature should not establish procedures that delay a Texan’s right to pursue and receive relief from unconstitutional laws and that under current law, in criminal cases the state prosecuting attorney, not the attorney general, represents the state. This law could create confusion regarding the attorney general’s role in criminal cases, the HRO argues. Proposition 5 Proposition 5 would amend Article 3, Section 47(d-1) of the Texas Constitution, enabling certain professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles. Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2016 to allow certain professional sports team charitable foundations that existed on January 1, 2016, to conduct charitable raffles at home games. It au-
thorized the 10 Texas major league sports franchises that had charitable foundations on that date to conduct charitable raffles. Proposition 5 and its enabling legislation, HB 3125, would expand the number of professional sports team charitable foundations that are eligible to hold charitable raffles at home sports games. The amendment proposes to remove the restriction that only charitable foundations existing on January 1, 2016 may conduct charitable raffles. It also seeks to define “professional sports teams” eligible to conduct charitable raffles to allow professional hockey, basketball, football, baseball, soccer, motorsports, and golf teams, including minor leagues as well as major leagues. In arguing for the change the HRO said Proposition 5, in expanding the number of eligible sports teams, allows more teams to capitalize on the large and supportive crowds at sporting events, which increases the amount of charitable funds to support their charitable programs. The HRO also said it would add minor league sports teams representing more
rural and suburban communities, bringing charitable revenue to new and different parts of the state and uniting sports teams and their communities to assist disadvantaged Texans. The HRO also concluded the proposed amendment only expands the number of sports teams that could participate in charitable raffles; it would make no other change and would not remove safeguards that were established to protect against improperly conducted raffles. On the other hand the HRO said the proposed amendment expands gambling in Texas by increasing the number of raffles that sports team foundations can conduct, which could lead to other groups requesting authority to offer such raffles by opening the door to further expansion of charitable raffles conducted by the foundations of less well-established teams. The HRO said current law, which applies only to the 10 Texas major league sports franchises, protects against the creation of entities solely to take advantage of charitable raffles. “By increasing the num-
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
Move in Special! No Deposit Required!
Convenient Access
Low Monthly Rates Fully Fenced, Key Entry Gates Open 7 Day a Week Boat & Trailer Storage Available
ARK STORAGE 1210 U.S. 83 Business, Palmview, TX (956) 584-5788
www.arkstorage.net
ber of such raffles that sports team foundations could conduct…could prompt other groups to request expanded authority to offer such raffles,” the HRO concluded. Proposition 6 Proposition 6 would allow the state legislature to create a property tax exemption for the surviving spouses of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders killed in the line of duty. Proposition 6 would not itself provide a tax exemption, but would authorize the legislature to create one. In May 2017, the legislature passed Senate Bill 15 (SB 15) to authorize a tax exemption that would take effect if voters approve Proposition 6 on November 7, 2017. SB 15 would entitle a surviving spouse to a 100 percent exemption from taxes on the value of his or her house. SB 15 would also define terms used in Proposition 6 such as first responder, and allow surviving spouses to move into new homes with the same exemption as their houses at the time of the first responder’s death. Both Proposition 6 and SB 15 would make a surviving spouse who remarried after the first responder’s death ineligible for the tax exemption. SB 14 would define the following individuals as first responders for the purpose of the tax exemption: police and peace officers, probation officers, parole officers, jailers, members of police reserves who regularly assist officers in enforcing criminal laws, custodial personnel of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, guards of county jails, juvenile correctional employees, employees of the Department of Aging and Disability Services or Department of State Health Services who perform maximum-security work or onsite services for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; employees subject to certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, aircraft crash and rescue firefighters and members of an organized volunteer
DÍA DE LOS
fire-fighting unit. According to FBI statistics, Texas has had more law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty than any other state with 457 officers killed since 1980. Five Dallas police officers were killed in July 2016 when they were ambushed by an Army Reserve Afghan War veteran who was reportedly angry over police shootings of black men. More than 100 state lawmakers have supported the change because it would extend the same “well-deserved” property tax exemption given to surviving spouses of veterans and disabled veterans to surviving spouses of first responders. The HRO notes “the spouse of a fallen first responder loses a source of income, which can jeopardize his or her ability to pay property taxes and may ultimately affect the ability of surviving spouses to maintain their homesteads.” The HRO said the measure “would help ensure that families in these situations were not forced to sell their homes due to this sudden property tax burden. The tax exemption would be appropriate considering the significant sacrifices made by these families.” The HRO’s opposing argument states the change “would continue a pattern of giving tax exemptions to specialized groups, when instead the Legislature should focus its efforts on reducing the aggregate property tax burden. Exempting a specific category of people, regardless of how deserving, results in an increased tax burden on other homeowners.” Proposition 7 As of 2017, the Texas Constitution bans lotteries in the state. To make an exception to this ban, the legislature needed to refer a constitutional amendment providing for an exception to the ballot for voter approval. If voters approve this amendment, the legislature would be authorized to allow finan-
MUERTOS CEMPASÚCHIL: FLOWER OF THE DEAD SATURDAY, OCT. 28 4 P.M. – 10 P.M.
To learn more call +1-956-383-6911 or visit MOSTHistory.org Museum of South Texas History · 200 N Closner Blvd · Edinburg, TX 78541
Photograph by John Faulk/fronteramedia.com
See CONSITUTIONAL Pg. 7
October 27, 2017
BASICS
Corporation to improve commerce in the city. He pointed to the city’s new Center for Education and Economic Development and the soon-to-be Mission Events Center as examples of new initiatives with which the chamber has been involved. “We have an exciting year ahead of us and want to continue to do what has worked and made us successful,” Nguyen said, having just named the members of this year’s board of directors. They are: Albert Chapa, Cathy Garcia, Cesar Suarez, Dan Olgetree, Deborah Franco, Diana Alcocer, Lance Ames, Nick Espinosa, Ryan Krause, Veronica Ghavidel, Macarena Ortiz, Sandra Vecchio, Lorenzo Garza and Dr. Pankajkumar Shah.
CONSTITUTIONAL
be authorized to allow financial institutions to conduct savings promotion raffles. Prop 7 does not itself legalize these raffles. Rather, House Bill 471 (HB 471), which the legislature approved, would allow savings promotion raffles and provide rules for them if voters approved the amendment. HB 471 is referred to as the implementing legislation . If voters reject this amendment, HB 471 would not go into effect. In its argument for the proposed change the HRO notes that allowing banks and credit unions to host savings promotion raffles, also known as prize-linked savings accounts (PLSAs), offer incentives to save rather than spend or gamble away earnings. The HRO argued savings incentives are needed in the state, as more than one-third of Texas households lack a savings account, and about half do not have a three-month emergency fund. The HRO said many states have removed legal barriers to PLSAs and seen millions of dollars in consumer savings and thousands of new accounts as a result. These savings can allow households to weather financial emergencies such as car repairs or medical bills or to accumulate wealth over time to pursue retirement, higher education, or home ownership. Savings also reduce reliance on sometimes destructive short-term lending. The HRO said savings promotion raffles are not gambling, as they require no form of payment or consideration. They are unlike other raffles, in that they directly benefit the consumer even if the consumer does not win a prize. Depositors could withdraw their money at any time and thus could not lose as in a raffle in any other industry. As explained by the HRO, bill would prescribe specific rules for savings promotion raffles conducted by credit unions and other
page 7
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com Rosell later returned to the podium to name Lupita Ramirez and her Conway Avenue-based New York Life Insurance office as the city’s Small Business of the Year. Rosell said the award goes to companies that have “demonstrated exemplary best practices.” Rosell said Ramirez has been operating her business in the city since 2013. Rosell announced the chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year was Sole Racing, a company established in 2013 that organizes “quality road and trail races throughout the Valley while promoting the importance of a healthy running community,” Rosell said. Rosell said the business has had much success holding races on the Mission Hike and Bike Trail and notfinancial institutions, such as banks, savings banks, and savings associations. The criteria for being entered into a savings promotion raffle would be a deposit of a specific amount into a savings account or savings program. HB 471 would establish the following rules for savings promotion raffles:[4] • Each entry in a raffle would have an equal chance of being drawn. • A raffle would not be permitted to jeopardize a financial institution’s safe and sound operation. • A raffle would not be allowed to mislead customers or depositors. • A financial institution would not be allowed to require additional fees to enter a savings promotion raffle. • A financial institution would not be allowed to limit how much money a customer can withdraw from a savings account subject to a raffle, unless the limit would have been applied without a raffle. However, an institution may require that a deposit subject to a raffle be in a savings account for a specific period of time to be counted as an entry in a raf-
from pg 1 ed a recent published report featuring one of the company’s owners, Robert Ruiz. And Rosell announced this year’s Premier Corporate Partner of the Year is produce wholesaler, Grande Produce. Founded in 2004 by Juan Cano, Rosell said the company evolved from Cano’s produce transportation company that, with its connections with many growers throughout Mexico, allows the company to offer a variety of products year round. Rosell said the company has grown tremendously over the past decade in part because the company allows customers to mix and match their orders giving them flexibility they won’t find elsewhere. Veronica Ghavidel accepted the award on behalf of her employer. She later took from pg 6
fle. • A financial institution would be required to pay interest or dividends on a savings account subject to a raffle at a similar rate to what would be paid if there was no raffle. • A financial institution would be required to maintain records on savings promotion raffles. In its argument against the measure, the HRO argues the change is unnecessary “because a savings promotion raffle merely requires a deposit into an ordinary savings account, it would not be subject to the constitutional prohibition or challenge, and thus…would have no functional effect.” The HRO also argues it is not equitable to allow only one industry to conduct raffles and that passage of Prop 7 would permit one industry to do a raffle and would be the only non-charitable raffle allowed in the state. Doing so, the HRO argues, “could lead to other industries requesting permission to hold raffles and to more serious forms of gambling.”
Stay Safe on Halloween! Be aware, never trick-ortreat alone and have an adult check your candy before you eat it.
Safety first on Halloween:
• Strangers’ home are off limits • There’s no doing it alone • Stay close to home • Choose safe costumes • No toy guns • Bring a flashlight along • Stick to the sidewalks • Be wary of masks
Happy Halloween from your friends at
City of Alton
home the award for best hat. German Segura was noted for having the best bow tie amongst the gentleman. It was red with a complementing red carnation flower in his lapel. And Rosell announced the chamber’s Community Organization of the Year is the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association. Rosell said the organization was started by parents of diabetic children as a support system for the children and their families.
“Diabetes not only impacts the individual but the entire family,” Rosell said as he accepted the award on behalf of Debra Franco, president and co-founder of the organization. “Therefore, the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association encourages the entire family to be involved with them for support of the diabetic child. STJDA has filled a need in the community for families struggling with how to help their children.”
ProgressTimes Like Us on Facebook
PROGRESS TIMES
from pg 1
confident she will continue to ensure the Progress Times provides the quality news coverage that is needed for each of the communities we serve in Western Hidalgo County. The role of the hometown newspaper is vital to the health and vitality of any community; we serve as watchdogs of local government as well as the support organization for all that is good in the area we call home.” “I have enjoyed working for the Progress Times and learning from the Brunson family (Jim, Mendi, Dan and Lindslee) over the years, Rendon said. “They have in-depth knowledge and wisdom that I will continue to rely on in the coming years. I don’t believe anyone feels completely prepared when taking on a new challenge, but I certainly am determined to continue building on the relationships we have established thus far and creating new ones as well. I am extremely humbled and grateful for the path that God has created for me in leading me to the Progress Times and for the confidence and trust that Mr. Jim Brunson has placed in me to take over something so near and dear to his heart. I will continue in the dedication to our hometown, schools and local communities,” she said. “It has been both exciting and nerve wracking at the same time but I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Brunson started working as advertising manager for the Progress Times in 1981, when his mother-in-law, June K. Brann, recruited him to work in the family business. Brann, who spent her entire life as a journalist in newspaper, radio and TV, had purchased the newspaper in 1980 from a group of Mission businessmen who founded the paper as the Upper Valley Progress in August of 1972. She changed the name of the paper to the Progress Times in 1984. Brann and Brunson saw the need for a Winter Texan newspaper and founded the Winter Texan Times in 1987. The Winter Texan Times quickly grew in circulation, readership and sales revenues as the co-publishers shaped the paper into a Valleywide product, serving Winter Texans from west of Mission to South Padre Island. Brunson decided early on to also increase the publication’s frequency from bi-weekly to weekly. The Winter Texan publication was well received by Winter Texans and advertisers alike, making it a highly successful paper. The Winter Texan Times soon became the Valley’s leading Winter Texan newspaper. In recognition of the growing success of the Winter Texan Times, The Monitor published an article entitled “The Little Newspaper that Could.” When Brann retired in 2003, Brunson purchased her share of both newspapers,
becoming the sole owner and publisher of both the Progress Times and the Winter Texan Times. “I have enjoyed every role in which I served for both newspapers over the past 36 years,” Brunson said. “While I came to the newspaper business with an engineering background, I quickly came to love Mission and working with the businesses and community leaders here. “When my ‘mother-inlove’ retired, I changed gears. I took journalism classes and began writing more news stories. I discovered I had a pretty good ability to write and I have enjoyed helping our readers stay informed about what is going on in the community, whether it’s city hall, the school district or the high school football game. “It’s a bittersweet time,” Brunson added. “This newspaper has been a family business for nearly 40 years, and I have greatly enjoyed the associations I have created through the newspaper. I’ll miss that, but I’ll still be around – part of the community that became my new hometown 36 years ago.” While he will no longer be running the Progress Times, Brunson is not retiring. He still owns the Winter Texan Times and will continue in his role as publisher of that publication. Brunson’s wife, Mendi, will continue as community news editor for the Progress Times, a position she has held since 1981.
2017 Winter Youth Sports Registration --406 W. Veterans Blvd. Palmview, TX 78572
REGISTRATION:
Oct. 9, 2017 - Nov. 8, 2017
Mon.-Thur. 1:00PM - 7:00PM & Fri. 1:00PM - 6:00PM Late Registration - $10 Late Fee After November 9, 2017
509 S. Alton Blvd. Alton, TX 78573 (956) 432-0760 www.alton-tx-gov
Jamaica Festival
San Martin de Porres Catholic Church along with our Jamaica sponsors would like to invite our community, friends and family to come out and join us in celebrating our annual Jamaica.
October 28th 4-10pm
621 W. Main Ave. - Alton, TX There will be plenty of • Great Food • Music • Games ...and more!
Raffle: 1sCt oplorirazedo
2017 Chevy
BASEBALL
BASKETBALL VOLLEYBALL
BASEBALL
BASKETBALL
VOLLEYBALL
AGES: 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 9-10, 11-12
AGES: 4-6 Co-ED, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Girls: 7-9, 10-12
AGES: 8u, 10u, 13u
Ages as of: Aug 31, 2018
Ages as of: Sep. 1, 2017
Ages as of: Sep. 1, 2017
League Games: December 4, 2017 - January 19, 2018 (No games: Dec. 25, 2017 - Jan. 5, 2018)
Method of Payment: Money Orders Only - Fee $50.00 Copy of Birth Certificate Must Be Presented at Registration
For more information, contact: Robert Lugo, Parks & Recreation Asst. Director (956) 907-0105 - (956) 432-0310 - (956) 432-0311
HEALTHIER STRONGER
www.cityofpalmview.com (956) 432-0300 /cityofpalmview
THE
October 27, 2017
Sports week
BIG7 SCHOOLS
page 8
www.ptrgv.com/sports
Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports
Lady Patriots dominate again
By Luciano Guerra Don’t be surprised if you look up the word “domination” in the dictionary and it says something like, “Complete superiority over an opponent, much like the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots volleyball team has exhibited over its district opponents.” While words like domination and superiority tend to be over-used in the world of sports, when it comes to the Lady Patriots record against each and every district opponent they’ve had over the past five years, they are both entirely apropos. Need some convincing? Does the fact that the 2017 the Lady Patriots won every one of their 16 district games in straight sets sway you at all? What about the fact that the Lady Patriots just claimed their fifth outright district championship in as many years? Not convinced yet? Ok, here’s the clincher. Over that same five-year period, the Lady Patriots have won all 68 games they have played against district opponents. That’s five undefeated seasons in a row. That, my friends is domination and superiority. So what accounts for this perennial dominance? Veterans Memorial head coach Diana Lerma believes she has the answer. “Having a group of girls
that are hungry, that are willing to sacrifice their entire summers by participating in conditioning programs and that are willing to work hard year-round makes winning look easy even though it’s not,” Lerma said. “I’ve used the story of the tortoise and the hare to help the girls understand that even though they have the skill and the ability, when they’re playing teams that are struggling they have a choice. They can either lay back and play at their opponent’s level, or they can be prepared and understand their role and play at the same high level no matter who is on the other side of the net.” While it’s true that Lerma was relieved of her coaching duties part way into the 2015 season and was not reinstated until after the 2016 season, she is the architect of the Veterans Memorial volleyball program. And it is under her tutelage that the Lady Patriots have had the most success. That includes back-to-back trips to the Regional Semifinal (fourth) round of the state playoffs in 2013 and 2014. While reaching the fourth round of the state playoffs two years in a row is an accomplishment that most coaches would be more than satisfied with, Lerma has had her girls working towards
a new school record of advancing even further into the playoffs this year ever since her return to the team. What have they been doing to work towards this goal? Lerma explained her strategy designed to work against those teams with much taller players that they will be facing as they advance deeper and deeper into the playoffs. “There’s a drill we’ve been working on that is designed to make our back row come in even when our front row gets blocked,” explained Lerma. “The back row cannot be bumping the ball. They have to be aggressive because they’re going to be counted on to bring it as a hit instead of a free-ball (A ball that is passed over the net because an attack wasn’t possible). That’s because if they free-ball the ball over the net, our opponents have a better chance of getting the point. So we’ll be counting on everybody hitting the ball and that’s going to help us in the playoffs.” Veterans Memorial senior setter Dariana Garza is in her second year on the Lady Patriots’ varsity roster. She credits the Lady Patriots’ incredible run of 16 straight games without losing a single set to team unity. “We’ve been playing together since we were little,” Garza said. “We’ve prac-
ticed together, we’ve played together and now we’re winning together. We’re always together. Even outside of practice. We love our coach, we love our team and we love the sport of volleyball.” Junior outside hitter Makenzie Gerlach has been a member of the Lady Patriots’ varsity squad since her freshman year. As a result, she was part of the teams that fell short of reaching the fourth round of the playoffs like the 2013 and 2014 Lady Patriots did. While Gerlach and her teammates have been using last year’s second-round playoff loss as motivation to go deeper into the playoffs this year than any Lady Patriots team ever has, that is much easier said than done. Especially when they go up against the big city teams with significantly
taller girls up front. But Gerlach believes that she and her fellow Lady Patriots will be ready to take on those vertically superior teams. “We’ve been practicing hitting from tall boxes and hitting down the way the tall girls hit,” Gerlach said. “Also, we went to a Houston tournament over the summer where we won five of the eight games we played. And that’s going up against hitters that were all 6-foot and above including a 6-foot-4 and a 6-foot-6 tall girl. We were the shortest team there but we managed to win games nobody thought we could.” Junior outside hitter Jacqueline Howell believes that the fact that their district schedule included three consecutive Tuesday night road trips to Laredo will help
them come playoff time. “We got used to the threehour trips to Laredo,” Howell said. “We all already knew where our positions on the bus were going to be so we’re used to traveling. We just want to go compete and having to travel shouldn’t be a problem.” The Lady Patriots will begin what they hope to be a historic playoff run with a bi-district game against the fourth place seed in District 32-5A either Monday or Tuesday. However, that could be either Mercedes, Brownsville Lopez or Brownsville Pace since as of press time those three teams were tied for fourth with identical 6-8 records. The day, time and location of that first-round game will be determined later.
Players OF THE WEEK
WEEK 8
La Joya ISD Pack Athletics
OFFENSE
LA JOYA DEFENSE COYOTES & SPECIAL TEAMS
#27 Eddie Villarreal
#40 Arnold Ordaz
Mission 600-7719 McAllen 664-2299 Weslaco 447-2266 Harlingen 425-4097 Brownsville 350-5100 Palmhurst... Coming Soon!
JUAREZ LINCOLN HUSKIES DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
OFFENSE
#21 Eddie Hernandez
#90 Xavier Monreal
Designed to meet your needs. Excellent Customer Service! 1414 Dallas McAllen 956-687-8161
#15 Wesley Frayre
Loans Up To
$
1,300
* Receive $25 for every referral.
603 E. Univertisity Drive 425 E. Coma Ave. Ste. A 901 N. Conway Ave. Edinburg Hidalgo Mission 956-316-1554 956-843-9900 956-583-5236
www.atlascredit.com
239 W. Exp. 83 La Joya 956-585-5992
2017 FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
Makenzie Gerlach going in to spike the ball over the net.
District 30-6A
RECORD -WIN/LOSS
Season 3-4 District 0-3
Season 6-2 District 3-1
Last Week Games Week #8
Season 2-5 District 0-3
Season 3-5 District 1-3
Season 6-1 District 5-0
Season 3-4 District 2-3
District 31-5A
*La Joya. 7 *Memorial 24
*Mission 24 *Rowe 27 *Juarez-Linc. 17 *McHi 7 *Pioneer 49 *Shary 56 Valley View 12 Laredo Cig 17 RGC 14 Laredo Nixon 31
Alberto Vela, R. Ph.
583-2700
1242 Bus. 83, #7 - Mission
Fred Morón, R. Ph.
581-5499
2120 E. Griffin Pkwy. - Mission
Season 7-0 District 5-0
This Week’s Games - Week #9 Juarez-Lincoln at La Joya * Palmview vs. Mission High * Sharyland Pioneer at Valley View * Laredo Nixon at Sharyland High * Veterans Memorial at Rio Grande City*
SPONSORED BY
* District Games
October 27, 2017
Rattlers rolling into matchup with Nixon unbeaten in 31-5A Bryan Ramos Fifty-six days. That’s the last time the Sharyland Rattlers suffered defeat. Since then, the Rattlers have ripped off a streak of six straight victories to find themselves in a tie for the top spot in District 31-5A at 5-0 with the Veterans Memorial Patriots. Sharyland junior wide receiver and return man Adrian Solis, who has five total touchdowns this season, said the team has learned from the early defeat and is now turning that into wins. “For me personally, I love competition,” Solis said. “When it comes to playing on the field, you go all out, and at the end of the day, there’s only one winner, and I don’t believe in losing; I
page 9
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
believe in either learning or winning.” While perfect in 31-5A, the Rattlers’ unblemished district record hasn’t come without facing adversity. That was certainly the case in last week’s 56-49 shootout victory over the Pioneer Diamondbacks, last year’s co-district champion, in the fourth edition of the Snakeskin Classic. Against the Diamondbacks, Head Coach Ron Adame and the Rattlers found themselves down 14 in the first quarter, but recalled experience from their comefrom-behind-win over Edinburg North early in the year to emerge from the rivalry game victorious. Senior quarterback Edgar Longoria put the Rattlers out front for good with only nine seconds
left in regulation on his final touchdown of the night. Adame said he liked the way his team reacted to the challenge Pioneer presented. “I saw a team that was resilient, that didn’t panic, that understood a game is four quarters,” Adame said. “We knew it was going to be a long night, when we went down 21-7 in the first quarter, our kids, I could see it in their eyes, they didn’t really panic and they kept up with the game plan and executed and did the best that we could.” In the game, Pioneer’s passing game was on display, but it was Sharyland’s rushing attack that controlled the night led by Longoria’s six rushing touchdowns and 154 yards. Senior slot back Blake Klein broke the seal
on the scoring with a 75-yard touchdown in the first quarter, as the Rattler playmaker finished with 157 yards on the ground and three receptions for 73 yards. Solis also got in on the scoring action with a 16-yard score on a reverse. The Rattlers are right in the middle of their toughest district stretch, facing the three other playoff teams from a season ago in Pioneer, Nixon and Mission Veterans, and a Rio Grande City team focused on finding its way into the postseason. Now, Sharyland is set for a showdown with the other team who finished at the top of 31-5A a year ago, the Laredo Nixon Mustangs. “Good teams are going to get better as the season goes along and we’re hoping
that’s certainly the case with us and that we’re peaking at the right time,” Adame said. “And that right time is coming upon us because Nixon is going to challenge our kids and it’s going to take bringing our A-game.” Nixon is coming off a 3114 win over the Rio Grande City Rattlers that improved the Mustangs to 5-2, 4-1 on the year. Nixon brings a ground attack designed to wear out its opponents over four quarters, as the team did so against Rio, totaling 321 rushing yards on 50 attempts. Adame acknowledged the threat Nixon brings to the table, praising them for their strength, speed and being fundamentally sound. The Rattler defense will have to step up to the plate to stop the Mustangs from having
the same success they had last week against Rio. “On our side of the ball we’ve had some mistakes, but we’ve worked really hard to get around those and soften the edges of what we have in store for other teams,” said junior defensive end Servando Pruneda. “... because there’s teams like Nixon who have a good offense, so we’re going to try our best to get around them and catch a “W” on Friday.” Kickoff between the Sharyland Rattlers and Nixon Mustangs is set for 7:30 tonight at Richard Thompson Stadium. Solis is looking forward to seeing the best Laredo Nixon has to offer as the two teams fighting for district supremacy prepare for battle under the Friday night lights.
Players WEEK 8
MISSION EAGLESSPECIAL TEAMS DEFENSE
OFFENSE
Sharyland sophmore defensive back Sebastian Hinojosa intercepts a pass as time expires to seal the Rattlers’ 56-49 victory over the Pioneer Diamondbacks Friday night. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
OF THE WEEK
#9 Horacio Moronta
#16 Alek Gomez
#12 Stevie Villareal
“The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.”
-Vince Lombardi
Congratulations to our Players of the Week! Norberto “Beto” Salinas M AYO R
SHARYLAND DENTAL CARE GENERAL DENTISTRY EXCEPTIONAL CARE Since 1982
2407-A Griffin Pkwy. Mission, Tx 78572 ( FM 495 and Shary Road )
Timothy W. Brann D.D.S. Sharyland junior quarterback Edgar Longoria leaps to avoid a collision with a teammate during the fourth quarter of the Rattlers’ 56-49 win over the Pioneer Diamondbacks Friday night.. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
(956) 581-2773
Rick A. Young D.D.S.
SHARYLAND RATTLERS
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
#4 Edar Longoria
#10 Javo Lopez
#10 Max Zamora
PIONEER DIAMONDBACKS
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
#4 Roel Cajero
#21 Jacob Calvillo
#12 Eddie Rios
JDA volleyball wins district for 5th consecutive year The Juan Diego Academy volleyball team is the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools’ 3A District Champions for District 6. This is the fifth consecutive year the Lady Lions have won this title, according to an academy press release. The last three seasons the Lady Lions won the title with undefeated district records. They clinched the District Championship Oct. 19 at home against South Texas Christian Academy. The Lady Lions move on to the TAPPS 3A Area Round with a home game scheduled for Oct. 31. Courtesy photo.
FOOTBALL
page 10
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
$50 WEEKLY PRIZE
& $200 BOOSTER CLUB GRAND PRIZE
CONTEST
DISTRICT 30-6A
Cantu A/C
1414 Dallas McAllen 956-687-8161
DISTRICT 31-5A
603 E. Univertisity Drive Edinburg 956-316-1554
& Commercial Regrigeration
Loans Up To
Specializing in A/C & Refrigeration Equipment
Service Check Up $35
$
TACLB018560R
• Installation • Service • Repair
Español: (956) 787-2256 Bilingual: (956) 457-2530 (956) 329-4636
4922 S. Alamo Rd. Edinburg, TX 78542
425 E. Coma Ave. Ste. A Hidalgo 956-843-9900
1,300
* Receive $25 for every referral.
Meet your back to school needs with a fast and easy loan from your friends at Atlas Credit! Designed to meet your needs. Excellent Customer Service!
Visit us at our many convienient locations !
901 N. Conway Ave. Mission • 956-583-5236
Robert Gonzalez Owner
www.alltechcool.com
239 W. Exp. 83 La Joya • 956-585-5992
956-519-3308
www.atlascredit.com
Jesus Saenz, R.Ph.
2121 E Griffin Pkwy. #18 • Mission • (956) 519-6500 3201 W. Epx. 83 #1 • Peñitas • (956) 585-2704 212 Lindberg • McAllen • (956) 630-6465 6900 N. 10th St. #6 • McAllen • (956) 928-0911 1200 E. Ridge Rd #13 • McAllen • (956) 630-2500 801 E. Nolana Loop #22 • McAllen • (956) 687-2500
saenzpharmacy.com
FOOTBALL CONTEST
$50 WEEKLY PRIZE & $200 BOOSTER CLUB GRAND PRIZE Football Contest Official Entry Form
Booster Club Grand Prize
WIN $200
For Your School’s Athletic Booster Club
Check your school or favorite team below. The team with the most entries at the end of the season will win $200 for the school’s Athletic Booster Club. ❑ Sharyland Rattlers ❑ Pioneer Diamondbacks
❑ Juarez-Lincoln Huskies ❑ La Joya Coyotes ❑ Palmview Lobos
WEEK #10 - NOV. 2-4, 2017
❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
• AUTO • HOME • LIFE • COMMERCIAL • MOBILE HOME
JUAREZ LINCOLN PALMVIEW SHARYLAND PIONEER LA JOYA SHARYLAND HIGH VALLEY VIEW SAN BENITO
vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Enter the number of points scored by the winning team of the following game:
SHARYLAND vs. VETERAN MEMORIAL
MCALLEN MEMORIAL MCALLEN HIGH LAREDO MARTIN MCALLEN ROWE VETERANS MEMORIAL LAREDO NIXON WESLACO HIGH
Tie Breaker 2
(North Pointe Business Center)
Mission, Texas • (956) 581-1034
Go Mission EaGlEs!
Beauty Shop
216 Mayberry • Mission • 585-1287
A $50 cash prize will be awarded each week for the winning entry. The entry coming closest to calling all the games correctly wins. In event of a tie, the tying entry that comes closest to the score of Tie Breaker #1 wins. If a tie remains, the tying entry that comes closest to the score of Tie Breaker #2 wins. If a tie still remains, the $50 prize will be divided evenly among the winning entries. Booster Club Grand Prize: At the end of the regular football season, the total number of complete, qualified entries will be tallied for each team with the team’s check box marked. The $200 Grand Prize will be awarded to the Athletic Booster Club of the team with the most entries submitted. No Purchase necessary. Limit one entry per household each week of the contest period. Must be age 18 or older to enter the contest. HOW TO ENTER: Check the box next to the team’s name that you predict to win each high school game. Next, for the tie breakers, predict the total points scored by the winning team in the Tie Breaker #1 game, and the total points scored by the winning team in the Tie Breaker #2 game. Fill in your name, address, phone number (This is how we notify the winners!), and email address. Check the box to receive the FREE Progress Times weekly newsletter and mail or drop off your entry form at Progress Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, TX 78572. Or submit your entry online at www.progresstimes. net. All entries must be received by the Progress Times no later than 2 p.m., Thursday preceding the listed games. All entries must be submitted on the Official Entry Form printed in the Progress Times or Sharyland Times, a photocopy of the entry form, or submitted electronically from our official website submission form. Only one entry per household per week. Previous winners and all members of the same household are ineligible for subsequent weeks of the contest. Prizes must be claimed within 7 days of notification or announcement in the Progress Times. Decisions made by the Progress Times staff are final. The winners agree to allow the Progress Times to use their names and photographs to announce the winners and for promotional purposes online and in print. Employees of the Progress Times and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.
220 E. Tom Landry
INSURANCE AGENCY
Phone: 581-2183
SHARYLAND DENTAL CARE GENERAL DENTISTRY
581-2773
Richard A. Young D.D.S.
2407 E. Griffin Pkwy. • Mission, Tx 78572
Seer) Seer) Seer) Seer)
29
$2750 $3100 $3600 $3895
*
No Insurance Need • Open Evening & Weekends Walk-Ins Welcome
Sharyland
Corner of Shary Rd. & Expressway 83 2401 E. Exp. 83 #300 (956) 584-3311
Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 7:00PM Saturday: 10:00AM - 1:00PM
*Offer valid for first visit only. Initial visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment. Please present offer at time of redemption.
ALL INSURANCE WORK IS WELCOME Pocket Ninjas Available • Collision, Custom Paint & Body Work • Frame Work • Window Tint • Car Wash •
We Repair RVs RV Insurance Accepted
300 W. Exp. 83 • Mission, TX 78572
New location coming soon Owned and Operated by
Alex and Victoria Cantu
302 Tom Gill Rd. Peñitas, TX
Since 1982
(16 (16 (16 (16
956-580-1999
Child Care Program for Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Investing in our children’s future
EXCEPTIONAL CARE
Timothy W. Brann D.D.S.
A Great Place To Learn!
2 3 4 5
PRICE $2500 $2850 $3100 $3500
Financing Available • Includes Tax & Installation 10yr. Part Warranty • Valley-Wide Service
YOUR HOME TOWN INDEPENDENT AGENT
Serving the Rio Grande Valley Since 1911
TON 2 (14 Seer) 3 (14 Seer) 4 (14 Seer) 5 (14 Seer)
adjustment*
SHARYLAND PIONEER vs. LAREDO MARTIN
Name: __________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ Phone & Alt Phone: __________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________ I am age 18 or older. High School Football Contest Rules
2025 N. Conway
$
Enter the number of points scored by the winning team of the following game:
Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter and promotional emails from the Progress Times. We will NEVER share your email address with anyone else. ray@rligroup.com
OCTOBER SPECIAL
❑ Mission Eagles ❑ Veterans Memorial Patriots
Check the box next to the team you think will win from each of the games below
Tie Breaker 1
& MH
Lic. # TACLB26552C
(956)-600-7008
ELECTRICAL, AIR CONDITIONING,
REFRIGERATION PLUMBING SERVICES ELECTRICAL, AIR & CONDITIONING, SERVICES REFRIGERATION & PLUMBING INCORPORATED
INCORPORATED
Buy (956) from the best.... 585-7775
(956) 585-7775 Quality • Sales • Service 956.585.7775 www.atlasrgv.com www.atlasrgv.com
TACLB007120E
• TECL21339
• RMP5130
October 27, 2017
page 11
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
Congratulations On A Great Season
Good Luck in the Playoffs! 2017 DISTRICT 31 - 5A CHAMPIONS
2017 Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots Roster #1 Makenzie Gerlach #2 Kassy Lerma #3 Jacqueline Howell #4 (Home) #9 (Away) Bela Dominguez #5 (Home) #7 (Away) Alyssa Villarreal #6 Dariana Garza #7 (Home) #5 (Away) Dani De La Garza #11 Ronnie Cantu #13 Marietza Puente #14 Thalia Espinoza #15 (Home) #12 (Away) Val De La Fuente
2017 Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks Roster #1 Brianna Ramos , #3 Jessica Zarate , #5 Shelby Cavazos, #6 Daizy Coronado, #7 Mikayla Zimmerer, #8 Alicia Martinez, #9 Christina Ybarra, #10 Samantha Ayala, #11 Daniela Alvarez, #14 Audrey Smith
2017 Sharyland Lady Rattlers Roster #1 Maddy Bickerton, #2 Aydee Hinojosa, #3 Paola Chapa #4 Caleigh Hausenfluck, #5 Megan Jimenez, #6 Andrea Espinoza, #8 Elise Townsend, 9 Abi Castillo, #10 Tristen Maddox, #11 Estefania Hinojosa , #13 Melanie Lazos
2017 DISTRICT 30 - 6A CONTENDERS
2017 Mission Lady Eagles Roster
#1 Anahisa Gonzalez, #2 Lexy Flores , #3 Layla Trevino, #4 Jazmine Sustaita #5 Alondra Leija, #6 Jody Sifuentes, #7 Alexis Farias, #8 Karliza Garza, #9 Rebecca Martinez, #11 Ariel Sanchez , #12 Jasmine Gamino, #13 Anyssa Aguilar. #14 Brianna Barrera, #16 Brianna Prado
SHARYLAND ISD
2017 La Joya Lady Coyotes Roster
#2 Marcy Alanis, #5 Daisy Hernandez, #7 Daisy Villarreal, #8 Karina Casanova, #10 Alexandria Alaniz, #11 Kaly Lopez, #13 Jatzari Resendez, #14 Adriana Martinez, #17 Destiny Garcia, #20 Anyssa Peralez, #23 Deniz Montoya
Congratulations To All Teams! VALLEY MEMORIAL For more information please call:
956-994-1238
Part of the
Dignity Memorial® network
SHARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Way To Go Lady Diamondbacks & Lady Rattlers! Thank you Sharyland ISD School Board for Supporting our Athletes!
Best of Luck
Volleyball Playoff Bound!
from the
Board of Trustees! La Joya ISD congratulates the Coyotes on a successful season and wishes them the very best in the Playoffs.
CONTINUE TO MAKE LJISD PROUD!!
page 12
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
Sign up Today for our Monthly News Letter
956-630-1002 Call us for more details.
RESERVE EARLY WITH A LOW DEPOSIT /LAYAWAY PLANS ON CRUISES, DISNEY/ HONEYMOON VACATIONS & TOURS
LAS VEGAS From $228 Circus The Linq from $368
Check for other Hotels Price Incl. Air, 4 nights Hotel
DISNEYWORLD ON SALE FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS CALL & CHECK SPECIAL PRICING
LOS ANGELES/DISNEY Weekend Get Away Los Angeles Downtown from $343 Redondo Beach from $454p/p Hollywood Area from $436 Inc. Air, 3 nights Hotel
PARIS FRANCE
AIRLINE TICKETS PROMO TO:
Chicago.................. From $210
Atlanta .................... From $198 From $1690 p/p Double New York ............... From $197 Minneapolis......... From $205 Seattle ..................... From $225
* Include R/T Air,
6 Night Hotel
Price each way, 14-21 advance purchase
CALL TODAY TO $AVE ON TOURS, HONEYMOON & LAS VEGAS
For More Promotions visit EXPRESSTRAVEL.ME
Jesus Saenz, R.Ph. • ONLINE REFILLS • DELIVERY SERVICES • COMPOUNDS • MEDICAL EQUIPMENT • HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT • RESPIRATORY SERVICES • COMMUNITY NEWS • HEALTH TIPS
Swing by your community pharmacy with 6 convenient locations, to serve you! McAllen Locations 212 Lindberg • (956) 630-6465 6900 N. 10th St. #6 • (956) 928-0911 1200 E. Ridge Rd #13 • (956) 630-2500 801 E. Nolana Loop #22 • (956) 687-2500 Mission & Peñitas Locations 2121 E Griffin Pkwy. #18 • (956) 519-6500 3201 W. Exp. 83 #1 • (956) 585-2704
saenzpharmacy.com
Prices are p/person based on double occ, subject. to change and availability at any time, plus tax. Restriction Apply.
Vehicle loans as low as
2.65apr %
Fiesta Lube Express Full Service Oil Change
$
3599 $10 OFF $5 OFF
Oil Change with FREE 15 point Inspection Expires: 11/30/17
A/C or Brake Service Expires: 11/30/17
any service with your TLC Pharmacy bottle
585-0115
1418 E. Buss. 83 • Mission
*
New • Used • Refinanced
Membership Available to anyone who lives, works or has an immediate family member in Hidalgo County. Call Us For Details.
LOCATIONS IN: LA JOYA • PALMVIEW
(Between Bryan Rd. & Stewart Rd.)
Expires: 11/30/17
On Sale This Fall
CALL OR CLICK TODAY!
(956) 585-6207 Pharmacy & Medical Equipment
Flu Shots
- With or without an appointment - Covered by most insurance plans
Free Valley Wide Delivery 10-Minute Prescription Refills
- By phone or in person - Specialty Compounding Available!
The Only Pharmacy You Need Fred Moron, R.Ph. 2120 E. Griffin Pkwy. Mission • 581-5499
www.lajoyafcu.com
*Some conditions may apply. APR: Annual Percentage Rate. Insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender.
Alberto Vela, R.Ph. 1242 E. Bus 83, Ste. #7 Mission • 583-2700
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-1pm
ays Make sure it s
L A N O I T A N RESS P LUBE EX’s Fast “America Lube Team”
No Appointment Needed Mon.-Fri. 8:30am to 6pm • Sat. 8am - 5pm
10 Locations Valleywide
2217 Nolana St McAllen, TX 78504-4126 (956) 631-2249
917 E. University Dr Edinburg, TX 78539-3633 (956) 383-1334
503 N 10th St McAllen, TX 78501-4511 (956) 631-5823
602 S. Jackson Rd Edinburg, TX 78539 (956) 381-6457
119 E.US Highway 83 Mission, TX 78572 (956) 581-5823
102 W Nolana Rd Pharr, TX 78577-9655 (956) 782-5823
1708 W. Griffin Parkway Mission, TX 78572 (956) 580-1444
1519 W. US Highway 83 Weslaco, TX 78596-5654 (956) 968-7659
3065 Boca Chica Blvd Brownsville, TX 78521-3507 (956) 541-5823
NEW LOCATION! EDINBURG
1704 S. Sugar Rd. 720-4095
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
page 13
CITIZEN
Brunson said Meade, who has headed the MEDC since 2011, had been nominated for one of the other awards presented by the paper but did not meet the criteria to receive it. “But upon reviewing his accomplishments it became abundantly apparent that this man deserved an award for all that he’s done for Mission,” Brunson said. “And so it seemed very appropriate that the innovation award was the award that this man deserved being a tremendous innovator for the city in implementing new programs and initiatives that have really put Mission at the forefront of technology in the Rio Grande Valley and in the state and in the nation. So we’re very proud of what he’s accomplished for Mission and we felt that he was very deserving of this award.” Brunson said Meade’s nomination would normally have been presented for review by a judging panel consisting of previous award recipients. But because there has never before been such an award, “It was me,” Brunson said, of the person who decided to bestow the award. Meade said later he was surprised by the award and happy he had invited his mother to attend the banquet. “Believe it or not this is the first award I have ever received which makes it that much more special,” Meade said, adding that though he is not a Mission native he is proud to call it home. “The list of accomplishments Mr. Brunson outlined are things that I have not done alone,” Meade said. “The award belongs to the entire Mission EDC team. There is no way that I could have ever managed all those projects without them. Not to mention the support from the mayor, city manager and the Mission EDC board of directors. Many of our projects may have been initiated by Daniel Silva, Mission EDC COO, and I, but without the support of the board and council, none of them would have been possible.” During the presentation Brunson recited a litany of Meade’s accomplishments
from pg 1
including attracting Royal Technologies to the city, which brought 400 new jobs to the city and a $50 million investment. Meade was also credited with overseeing the creation of the Ruby Red Ventures Program, which encourages businesses to expand and grow via competitive grants. Meade was also instrumental in the Downtown Façade Improvement Plan, an annual $100,000 investment toward the improvement of downtown business facades, along with another program, Code the Town, which is geared to teach computer science and coding to area residents and the Ingenuity Program, an initiative with Royal Technologies to expose students to opportunities in engineering, design and manufacturing. The presentation mentioned more than a half dozen more MEDC programs and partnerships geared toward spreading knowledge and use of computer technology in the community. The 2017 Progress Times Man of the Year award went to Bob Dyer who was recognized as one of the founders of the Juan Diego Academy Catholic Regional Church and instrumental in converting former classrooms at La Lomita seminary into the school it has become. Dyer, who was attending a family wedding out of town when he was named Man of the Year, was also credited with overseeing expansion of the school including the construction of its gymnasium and new math and science building. Ruben Moreno, a Mission certified public accountant who has helped many community organizations such as the Mission Historical Museum obtain exempt status with the IRS, was named Mr. Mission for 2017. In awarding a plaque to Moreno, Mr. Mission 2015 Amancio Chapa recognized Moreno for more than 40 years of service to the community including 16 years helping to train fast-pitch softball players, free of charge, to help youths reach their sporting potential. Moreno has also served on
many boards over the years including La Lomita Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Mission Chamber of Commerce, Mission Economic Development Authority, Agape Christian School, Mission Eagles Booster Club, Mission Baccalaureate, Mission Regional Medical Center and The Foundation at the Mission Regional Medical Center, among others. April Chapa was named this year’s Mission Woman of the Year. In making the presentation, Progress Times Director of Sales and Marketing, Dee Rendon, recited a half dozen community organizations Chapa has served including the American Cancer Society, Upper Valley Chair for Relay for Life; president and vice-president for membership and community affairs for the Junior League; president, vice-president and secretary for the Leadership Mission board of directors; historian for the Boys & Girls Club board of directors, Muster Chair and vice president of activities for the Hidalgo/ Starr Texas A&M Club and as a long time member of the Rotary of Mission where she has served as public relations chair the past two years. “Your willingness to share both your time and your talent by volunteering with so many organizations says a lot about you as a human being,” Rendon said of Chapa. A woman recognized for her community service was named First Lady of Mission. Dolores Cantú was recognized by Rendon for, among other things, playing the organ for the 11:30 mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church for over 25 years as well as preparing music for the church choir. Cantú was also recognized for her 35-years as an educator in the Mission CISD and more than 40 years volunteering with organizations such as Damas Catolicas, a group that provides prayer and service for people in need as well a civic volunteer work. “She took a stand and took action,” Rendon said, describing Cantú. “Today we are celebrating her enthusiasm, commitment and sheer hard work.”
October 27, 2017
CITY OF PALMVIEW FALL FEST 2017 October 31, 2017 6:00PM - 9:00PM City of Palmview Parks & Recreation 406 W. Veterans Blvd, Palmview TX The City of Palmview invites everyone to the 2017 Fall Fest! Join us for a night of treats, goblins, and fun, as we celebrate the start of the season!
Are you a business - and want to participate?
Call us today! 956-432-0300
- HAY RIDES - MOON JUMPS - GOODIES - HAUNTED HOUSE - TRICK-OR-TREATS - COSTUMES - VENDORS -MUCH MORE www.cityofpalmview.com
CommUNITY
(956) 432-0300
/cityofpalmview
!
page 14
By Jose De Leon III
Palmview preparing to take legal action against former city auditor
Two years ago the city of Palmview hired an accountant to create a list of its fixed assets. The city is still waiting for it and is seeking a refund. So says Finance Director Rachel Chapa, who announced to city council members Tuesday she is drafting a letter to former City Accountant Frank Rodriguez demanding a refund of the $15,500 the city paid him to complete a Financial Operations Manual with Fixed Asset List. Once he receives the letter, Rodriguez will have 10 days to respond or else the city will pursue legal action against him, Chapa said. “It is my belief Rodriguez may have attempted to defraud the city because we never received a work product and we have yet to hear from him,” Chapa said, explaining she has tried contacting Rodriguez regarding the payment to no avail. “We just want the money back.”
Rodriguez, who resigned last December, was selected in Nov. 2015 to create the city’s Financial Operations Manual and Fixed Asset List. Chapa said she spoke with Rodriguez during a brief phone call shortly after her appointment where they discussed the report. “He told me he didn’t feel his work product would be beneficial due to remodeling in the city hall that would affect the report,” she said, referring to a remodeling of city hall last fall. Chapa said the remodeling should not have affected the report because it was supposed to be completed by June 30, 2016, before the remodeling was set to begin. Attempts to reach Rodriguez were unsuccessful as of press time. According to an unsigned engagement letter between Rodriguez and the city, the report would’ve provided the city with basic policies that outlined the procedures for accounts receivables, ac-
Remember these simple safety rules:
1 2 3 4 5
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
Don’t trick-or-treat alone! Always go in groups, and younger children should always be accompanied by an adult. Beware of confining costumes! Avoid masks that obstruct vision and costumes that restrict movement. Be visible! Carry a flashlight, and apply reflective strips to your costume, so drivers can see you at night. Do not enter! Only accept treats outside the front door never go inside a stranger’s house or car for any reason. No eating! Discard any unwrapped or suspicious looking candy. Have parents inspect all food before eating.
This important safety message courtesy of:
Mission Police Department www.missionpolice.org
956-584-5000
counts payable, payroll and policies for fix assets while assessing inventory for city hall. Chapa said the lack of a signature between both entities was unusual. However, even without a signature, Chapa said the agreement letter was legally binding since Rodriguez was periodically billing the city for work from December 2015 through September 2016. “The lack of signatures is concerning but it’s still an agreement since the minutes of the meeting made this contract official and he accepted payment, acknowledging there is a contract in place,” Chapa said. “He’s billing so he’s acting like there is a contract even without a signature.” This action comes after the city of Palmview approved a 2.5-cent property tax increase last month after Chapa provided to council members a presentation showing that the city was still paying off nearly $2 mil-
lion in loans and that some of the costs associated with the loans could not be accounted for. During that presentation last month, Chapa said financial records showed the city paid about $30,000 to Rodriguez, but she had no idea what that was for as those records could not be found. According to Chapa, she has attempted to reach out to Rodriguez via emails, phone calls and letters to to no avail. Chapa said she sent out three letters between August and September requesting Rodriguez’s reports. “In the second letter, I told him he is violating the ethical standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants AICPA Code of Professional Conduct by not delivering us this product,” Chapa told councilmembers. “I think it’s more than a violation, it’s illegal how he billed the city for something he hasn’t done,” Councilwoman Linda Sarabia said.
Chapa said her fourth letter, which she hoped to have finalized and sent out by the end of the week, would be Rodriguez’s last chance to refund the city their money. Chapa said the city is no longer interested in Rodriguez’s report as the Financial Operations Manual with Fixed Asset List is currently being done internally. “We’re hoping that we’ll get a refund so this money can go back into the general fund,” Chapa said. “We’re in a tough cash flow crunch right now as unfortunately, our city has been mismanaged for so long but we’re making big efforts to get back on track and developing controls in order to prevent this from happening in the future.” In other business, city council members approved the selection of Pharr-based CPA Luis Orozco to complete the city audit for the 2016 fiscal year.
In an article published Oct. 20 titled “La Joya city council candidates platforms,” candidate Reynaldo Acosta’s name was misspelled. The article also inferred that Ana Lisa Ruiz was the daughter-in-law of Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas and Mayor Pro-Tem Mary Salinas but Ruiz is not related to either. The Progress Times apologizes for these errors.
Progress Times Like Us on Facebook scan this code with your smartphone
October 27, 2017
TOMLANDRY
from pg 1
tendent for operations, or the stadium’s builder, Michael C. Montalvo, returned calls seeking comment on the status of the stadium. Montalvo said last week a hoped-for inspection had to be delayed until this week because of issues with the elevator. Montalvo has said previously the state requires about a week’s notice to perform an inspection.
Ibarra said she could not address rumors that school district officials have decided not to allow the Veterans Memorial High School football team to play in the new stadium in its last scheduled home game Nov. 3 even if the stadium has been approved out of fairness to Mission High School players. She said that would be a decision of the district’s board of trustees.
obituaries Diana Arteaga MISSION – Diana Arteaga, 58, passed away on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. Mrs. Arteaga graduated from Mission High School in 1977, received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas in 1981, earned a master’s degree in 2004 and went on to become a family nurse practitioner. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Baldemar Arteaga; children, Andrea, Joshua, Mariana and Elizabeth; and five grandchildren. A funeral mass was held on Oct. 25 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Mission.
Naomi Caldwell MISSION – Naomi Yates Caldwell, 93, passed on peacefully in her sleep while convalescing from a fall on Sunday, October 1, 2017, at the Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Kendall, Wisconsin, in 1923 and lived in the mid-West until
page 15
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
she moved to the Rio Grande Valley in the 1940s. In her early years in the Valley, Naomi was employed by H.E Butt, Sr. at the HEB Canning Plant in Harlingen. She then worked many years in the citrus industry assisting her husband, Earl W. Caldwell. She also spent over 20 years as an employee of the Smith, Fankhauser, Voigt & Watson accounting firm in Mission and McAllen. Following the example set by her mother, Naomi spent her lifetime doing for others. Naomi was predeceased by her husband, Earl, and her parents, Dr. Charles and Christine Yates. She is survived by sons James (Karolyn) of Mission, Larry of Albuquerque, N.M., and Dr. Jon Caldwell of Amarillo, and a daughter, Charlene Caldwell, also of Albuquerque, N.M. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, including Carol Cook of Mission. A graveside Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, at Valley Memorial Gardens, on North Taylor Road, Mission. Per their mother’s wishes, the family will receive visitors at the Caldwell home following the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. The family thanks Naomi’s home care provider, friends, and the health care professionals who assisted
School district spokesman, Craig Verley, was asked by the Progress Times Wednesday to confirm or disavow the rumor and said no decision has yet been made concerning next week’s VMHS game. Mission High School’s last game is away at McAllen High School on Nov. 9. Veterans Memorial High School’s last game is a scheduled away game and will be played in Pharr against Valley View High School.
her in the later years of her life. A beautiful light has gone out on earth and now shines brightly in Heaven. Basil Fessenden MISSION – Basil F. “Red” Fessenden, 86, passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Mr. Fessenden was a U.S. Navy veteran. In his earlier years, he raced cars for NASCAR. He was a regular volunteer at Borderfest, and served as Borderfest King. Survivors include his wife, Amelia V. Fessenden; stepchildren, Thelma Brewer and John Ramirez; and one grandchild. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, at 9:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mission. Burial follows at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.
Eliud Reyna MISSION – Eliud Reyna, 43, left to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. He was born on Dec. 10, 1973, in Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico, to Joel and Maria Yolanda Reyna. Left to cherish his memo-
Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium ry is his loving wife, Jessica Reyna, and children, Jessica Bernice Reyna, Eliud Reyna Jr. and Jimena Reyna. He will be greatly missed by his siblings, Joel Reyna, Yolanda Reyna, Carlos Reyna and Mario Alberto Reyna. A funeral mass was held on Thursday, Oct. 26, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Interment followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Ruben Rodriguez MISSION – Ruben Rodriguez, 82, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. Born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, he lived in Illinois for 20 years, and moved to Mission in 1973. He owned The Ahumada Ranch and Elsa Iron Works. Mr. Rodriguez was preceded in death by his parents, Zeferino and Maria Inez Rodriguez, and sister, Maria de Socorro Rodriguez de Garcia. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Ana Rodriguez of Mission; children, David Rodriguez of Mission, Ruben Rodriguez of Mission, Mary Molina of Houston, Rose Lighter of Katy, Ana Sanchez of Katy, Nina Pena of Grand Prairie and Lidia Morales of Weslaco; siblings, Nemosia Medina and Gilberto Rodriguez of McAllen; 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held on Oct. 20 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission.
ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2Mile & Bryan Rd Mission. CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 N. Conway • 585-2413 EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 EL MESIAS UNITED METHODIST 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1302 Doherty • 585-1442 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 12th and Miller - Mission 585-7281 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665 FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112 GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission HERITAGE BAPTIST MCALLEN 2549 Lindbergh Ave. McAllen • 451-6358 IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008 IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898
IGLESIA PENTECOSTES NUEVA VIDA A/G 211 W. Mile 3 Road Palmhurst • 956-342-9711 Rev. Candelario Banda
LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603 NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln. ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625 OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193 PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy. 585-3203 PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711
PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307 RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH
3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5
Mission • 580-4551
SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822 ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005 SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078 TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831 TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200
PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651
KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW
DAVID H. GUERRA
DARRELL DAVIS
301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622
MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA
ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT
Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”
915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433
Paul Saladino MISSION – Paul Saladino, 68, passed away on Oct. 12, 2017, at his home in Mission. Survivors include his children, Kris Saladino, Nicole Saladino and Jarad Saladino; mother, Mary Saladino; sister, Diana Unsworth; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Joseph Saladino. A funeral service was held on Oct. 21 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans, La. Entombment followed at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery.
Notices
Stephanie Cain MISSION – Stephanie Cain, 79, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. Domingo Cardenas PALMVIEW – Domingo Cardenas, 72, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Gavino Chavez Jr. MISSION – Infant Gavino Chavez Jr. passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Oscar Gallegos MISSION – Oscar Cipriano Gallegos, 78, passed away on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Sabas Garcia MISSION – Sabas Garcia, 71, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Lafayette, Ind.
Roger Kendall PALMVIEW – Roger Clarence Kendall, 78, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen. Elizabeth Londrie MISSION – Elizabeth Londrie, 53, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Cima Hospice in Edinburg. Gumaro Matamoros MISSION – Gumaro Matamoros, 81, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2017, at his home. Gerardo Martinez MISSION – Gerardo Alberto Gomez Martinez, 38, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Mission Jesus Reyes PEÑITAS – Jesus Alfredo Reyes, 46, passed away on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at his home in Peñitas, Raul Rodriguez MISSION – Raul Rodriguez, 62, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, at his home. Jose Sanchez MISSION – Jose Guadalupe Sanchez, 98, passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Retina Walker MISSION – Retina Linn “Tina” Walker (Laurence), 52, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, at her home. Ronald Wiscarson MISSION – Ronald Wiscarson, 77, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.
page 16
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
BUTTERFLY
from pg 1
Fun Run to be held on the grounds of the center, located at 3333 Butterfly Park in Mission. Advance registration is required for this event, where participants will receive a commemorative Monarch medal and be given seed bombs of native wildflowers to toss along the trail routes. The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, before the center opens for Community Day when entrance to the park is free. “Community Day is our biggest event of the festival,” Treviño-Wright said, adding that last year’s Community Day drew in nearly 2,500 people. “Community day is always vibrant. I hope everyone comes out to see this beautiful place, the amazing butterflies and other wildlife, so they gain an appreciation for the wonderful landscape
and creatures of deep South Texas and decide they want to do something to preserve it.” The keynote speaker for the event is Samuel Jaffe, a New England-based naturalist, photographer, and educator who created The Caterpillar Lab. He will be presenting to the public at Community Day, and as the Keynote Speaker at the festival’s banquet on Monday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. The full Texas Butterfly Festival includes trips to butterfly hot spots across the Valley complete with tour guides and transportation. For $330, people can register to attend tours to public and private lands, many of which are only accessible to visitors through the festival. The tour also includes iconic sites such as the Santa Ana
Wildlife Refuge and La Sal del Rey Lake. Food for festival registrants is prepared by members of the Texas Chef’s Association Rio Grande Valley Chapter. According to Treviño-Wright, the last day to register for the festival tours is today. Registration can be done online at the Texas Butterfly Festival website. “The feedback for previous festivals has been phenomenal,” Treviño-Wright said. “Attendees say they’ve had an amazing time with all the people and the food here, and of course, the butterflies. We really showcase everything that the RGV should be famous for in terms of our hospitality, diversity, fresh, flavorful foods, knowledgeable naturalists and wildlife.”
MHM’S Dia de los Muertos Festival
At top left, Rosalee Benitves, 8, a third grader at Bentsen Elementary School, was among the hundreds who attended the Mission Historical Museum’s Dia de los Muertos festival Saturday night. She was among the many who received free face painting by Carmen Alvaro, top right. At left is Alvaro’s finished product. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton
The Place to Be. The Place to Be.
High school students take on an electric car challenge
Veterans Memorial High School students work with the electric car they will compete with in an inaugural HESTEC sponsored race in Brownsville in April. Courtesy photo
From the Mission CISD Public Information Office If you have driven along Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) on Mayberry Road recently, you may have done a double take at an unusual site, the running track has also become a test track for an electric car being built by engineering students. Students in the Practicum in STEM course are preparing for the GreenpowerUSA competition by building and refining a battery-powered electric car for a race against other high school teams in April. The 90-minute road race will be at the Brownsville-South Padre Island Airport. Each school will have a team of three drivers. Each driver will race for 30 minutes. Each student team gets a car kit and basic instructions but they have to figure out how to piece the car together, work out technical issues like efficiency, and also design, build, and create the exterior body of the car. “This gives the students a chance to experience auto-
motive technology, especially sustainable technology,” explained Roy Villanueva, teacher. “The project itself requires the students to bring in everything they have learned throughout their high school years, including physics, math, engineering, and many other courses.” Villanueva said the Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology (HESTEC) organization is bringing the competition to the Rio Grande Valley for the first time. “The coolest part is seeing the car run,” said Jorge Ginez, VMHS student. “After all the effort we have put in since the beginning of the school year, it's been fun driving it and watching it, and the progress we are making. That is the most exciting part for me so far.” Students have also said this project is already impacting their thoughts about what to pursue after they graduate from high school. “At first I wasn’t sure what kind of engineering program or pathway I wanted,” said Erick Sanchez,
VMHS student. “I was not sure if I wanted a civil engineering, or a mechanical engineer, or a chemical engineer. After this project, I think I have decided to become either a mechanical engineer or maybe a manufacturing engineer.” “I always wanted to do engineering,” said Daniel Quintanilla, VMHS student. “But now I am more interested in it than I was before.” “I have been thinking about engineering for a while,” said Ginez. “But I also thought about possibilities in the medical field. But then seeing my own work actually come to life, it's amazing, and I want to pursue mechanical engineering because of it.” The VMHS GreenpowerUSA team is currently working on the body’s design and construction, in addition to tweaking the racer’s other operating aspects. A short video about the GreenpowerUSA car project can be viewed on the district’s YouTube channel at, https://youtu.be/8lMuookeSIo.
The Place to Be.
Welcome Home to to MISSION MISSION,, TEXAS... TEXAS.... Welcome MISSION, Welcom e Home TEXAS..
Your Retirem Retirement Community Your Retirement ent Commu nity
Whereyou youwill willenjoy enjoythe thebutterfly butterflygardens, gardens,year-round year-round outdoor outdoor recreational recreational Where Where you will enjoy activities,extensive extensivesocial socialactivities, activities,many many dining dining options, options, activities, activities, extensive andwhere wherewe’re we’resure sureyou’ll you’lllove love the the and and friendlyresidents. residents. friendly
We Are Are Ready Ready toto Serve. We Norberto“Beto” “Beto” Salinas Salinas Norberto Mayor Mayor Mayor
NorieGonzalez Gonzalez Garza Garza Norie MayorPro-Tem Pro-Tem Mayor Mayor Pro-Tem
Jessica JessicaOrtega-Och Ortega-Ochoa oa Jessica Ortega-Ochoa Councilwoman Councilwoman Councilwoman
Ruben Ruben Plata Plata Councilman Councilman Councilman
Dr. Dr.Armando Armando O’Cana O’Cana Dr. Armando Councilman Councilman Councilman
1201 texas.us 1201E. 1201 E. 8th St., Mission, TX 78572 www.missiontexas.us E.8th 8thSt., St.,Mission, Mission,TX TX78572 78572 (956) (956) 580-8650 580-8650 •• www.mission
October 27, 2017
page 17
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
Mission woman charged with theft in Castro joins call for release of connection with home construction company girl detained by immigration agents after surgery
For the second time authorities have arrested the owner of a Mission construction company on charges of theft for allegedly failing to build the homes for which clients had paid. On Monday Alejandra Melendez, 22, surrendered to authorities after being charged with two counts of theft of property. She was released Tuesday after posting a $40,000 surety bond, according to Sheriff’s Spokeswoman Jena Palacios. The charges against Melendez stem from an ongoing investigation involving Briseño Construction. In April Melendez and her 39-year-old mother, Adelina Briseño, were arrested on two counts each of theft of property. All the charges stem from a Texas Attorney General’s investigation started in October 2016 following complaints from company clients who said they paid the majority of the cost of the homes up front but that the homes were either never built or never completed, according to a sheriff’s press release. In February Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced it was filing a lawsuit against the company for allegedly targeting Hispanics in a “scam.” According to the lawsuit, Briseño Construction claimed in ads targeted to Spanish-speaking consumers that it could complete a new home in five months with “no financing” and “no inter-
Adelina Briseno
est.” An investigation by the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, however, found that prospective homebuyers were required to make deposits of up to 60 percent in order to start construction of their homes, but the company would often delay starting or neglect to complete. In addition, a number of consumers complained about facing local fines because their homes were built without proper permits, according to an AG press release. The press release stated Briseño Construction and its owners, Melendez and Briseño, were being charged in the lawsuit with repeat violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practice Act (DTPA). The attorney general’s office sought a permanent injunction against the defendants, restitution for affected home buyers, and civil penalties of up to $20,000 for each of the defendants’ violations of the DTPA. Consumers who believe they have been deceived in the purchase of real estate
Alejandra Melendez
should contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov. Sheriff’s investigators discovered that multiple customers reported the same pattern of events pertaining to Briseño Construction. On Monday Melendez was taken before Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Jaime Munoz, Precinct 2, Place 2, where she was arraigned on the two counts of theft, a second-degree felony. Briseño remains jailed on six counts of theft in lieu of a $1 million bond. Attempts to contact Melendez for comment were unsuccessful. The company’s phone number listed with the Better Business Bureau has been disconnected. Palacios said the investigation is ongoing and asks anyone with information regarding it to contact the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 956383-8114.
theclassifieds
Classified Rate:
1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00
buy • sell • trade • rent • hire
this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity
For Sale ELECTRIC TABLE SAW, good working condition, $85, call 956-350-5529. WHITE KENMORE R E F R I G E R AT O R WITH icemaker & glass shelves, $150 OBO, call 956-8679810. 2011 TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 1700CCs, less than 1,000 miles, loaded, $7,200/ cash, call 361-455-0003. 2007 BOUNDER MOTOR HOME, 38ft., 3 slides, W/D, king bed, approx. 51K miles, $58,000, call 501276-0942. 1986 12X32 PARK MODEL fully furnished, great condition, 2 sheds, carport, washer/ dryer, located at Bentsen Palm RV Park, 3501 N. Bent-
sen Palm Dr., Mission, TX, Lot #147, $10,500 OBO, call 956-605-5594. Help Wanted DRUMMER NEEDED FOR ROCK -N- Roll Jam, Green Gate Grove in Palmview, every Friday beginning December 30, for more information call Martin Strubberg at 636-459-5458. CLERICAL & SHOE FITTER needed, apply in person at 1305 S. 10th St., McAllen. NOW HIRING MEDICAL OFFICE Receptionist, front desk position with 2yrs. experience in medical office & billing, call Ana at 956687-7885 or apply at 1910 S. 1st St., Suite 200, McAllen. HIRING EXECUTIVE LEGAL SEC-
ORDINANCE NO. 4567 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DRIVE- THRU SERVICE WINDOW TACOMONCHIS EL BEBE 1500 W. GRIFFIN PARKWAY, LOT 1, BLOCK B, CINCO DE MAYO RANCH READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23RD DAY OF OCTOBER, 2017. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4569 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 - THE LORETTO AT MISSION, 1233 E. GRIFFIN PARKWAY, LOT 1 & THE S. 25’ OF LOT 2, BLOCK 1, BEL- AIRE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED PASSED, THIS THE DAY OF OCTOBER,
AND 23RD 2017.
Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
RETARY for law firm, 2 yrs. previous experience in a legal setting required, full benefits & good salary, email resume to agarza@vlrhlaw. com. DRIVER-OWNER OPERATORS:
Sign-on Bonus! Great Pay! Dedicated Routes! Plate Program! Fuel discounts. CDL-A, 12mo exp. Tabitha: 855-645-7789 x4
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, along with immigrant rights and civil liberty groups, is calling for the federal government to release an undocumented 10-year old girl who was placed in an immigration facility following surgery. Congressman Joaquin Castro joined a chorus of immigrant rights and civil liberty groups Thursday in calling for the federal government to release an undocumented 10-year old girl who was has been placed in an immigration facility following surgery in Texas. The family was traveling from Laredo when they passed through a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. Agents escorted the girl, Rosa Maria Hernandez, to a Corpus Christi hospital early Tuesday after she and her cousin, a U.S. citizen, traveled through a checkpoint in Freer, the San Antonio Express-News reported. The agents then waited for Hernandez after her gallbladder surgery and told her family she could voluntarily return to Mexico or go through deportation proceedings. “They are treating her like a hardened convict,” Castro, D-San Antonio, said during a conference call Thursday with reporters. “[The Department of Homeland Security] claims to be prioritizing its apprehensions, but Rosa Maria is not a threat to anyone’s safety. We ask
Services APPLIANCE REPAIR & HANDYMAN services for most brands, call Don, 60 years experience, call 956584-7817. HERRERA’S COUNTERTOPS & CABINETS, granite, quartz, solid surface, Formica countertops, custom
made cabinets, 17 years in business, for pictures check Herrera’s Countertops on Facebook, free estimates, accept credit cards & checks, for more information call 956605-1417.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS Mission Consolidated Independent School District’s State Financial Accountability Rating Mission C.I.S.D will hold a public meeting at 6:45 p.m., November 8, 2017 in the Mission C.I.S.D. Boardroom, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, Texas. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Mission C.I.S.D.’s rating on the State’s financial accountability system.
that she be released to her family.” Castro said that according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s own standards, hospitals are usually off-limits when it comes to most enforcement activities. “The policies provide that enforcement actions at or focused on sensitive locations such as schools, places of worship, and hospitals should generally be avoided, and that such actions may only take place when (a) prior approval is obtained from an appropriate supervisory official, or (b) there are exigent circumstances necessitating immediate action without supervisor approval,” an ICE memo on “sensitive locations” reads. But Castro said the Hernandez case clearly shows the agency is not adhering to those guidelines. Rosa Maria was subsequently transferred to a shelter that contracts with the federal government to house unaccompanied minors that come to the country illegally. For now, it’s unclear how long Rosa Maria will be in the facility, Gonzalez said, but they were told the case would be expedited. Meanwhile. her mother said she’s worried Hernandez will not get the care she needs in the facility. “I’d like to have her close to me so I could be there when she needs me the most,” Felipa De La Cruz said.
Man found dead near Alton The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide near Alton after a body was discovered Monday OCT. 16. Sheriff’s deputies responded an area north of Mile 7 and Los Ebanos Road at around 10 p.m. where they found the body of Mission resident Gerardo Alberto Gomez Martinez, according to spokeswoman Jena Palacios. Martinez, 38, was found lying against a fence next to a home with an apparent gunshot wound, Palacios said. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 956-383-8114.
Progress Times Like Us on Facebook scan this code with your smartphone
Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Submit by email or pay by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that the original Letters of Independent Administration for the Estate of Maria Guadalupe Garcia, Deceased were issued on October 23, 2017, in Docket No. P-38,306 pending in the Probate Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, to: Virginia G. Pena. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the Estate addressed as follows: Virginia G. Pena, Independent Administratrix for the Estate of Maria Guadalupe Garcia, Deceased c/o Eugene R. Vaughan, III Jones, Galligan, Key & Lozano, L.L.P. Attorneys at Law P.O. Drawer 1247 Weslaco, Texas 78599-1247 All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present to them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. DATED this 25th day of October, 2017. JONES, GALLIGAN, KEY & LOZANO, L.L.P.
ORDINANCE NO. 4568 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 - BUFFALO WINGS AND RINGS, 907 S. SHARY ROAD, LOT 2A, COLORADO SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED PASSED, THIS THE DAY OF OCTOBER,
AND 23RD 2017.
Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4570 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 780 DESIGNATING PLACES WHERE BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE SOLD WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MISSION TO INCLUDE THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 1928 N. CONWAY STE. A, THE SUGAR SHACK READ, CONSIDERED PASSED, THIS THE DAY OF OCTOBER,
AND 23RD 2017.
Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
RESOLUTION CALLING A HEARING FOR EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN NONIRRIGATED LAND OF HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 6 WHEREAS, the following described property is believed to constitute Nonirrigated Land under Texas Water Code Sections 58.731 and 51.759; and WHEREAS, the District desires to call a public hearing in order to receive evidence regarding the status of such land as Nonirrigated Property; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That in accordance with Texas Water Code, Chapter 58, HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 6, hereby calls a hearing before the District’s Board of Directors concerning the exclusion from the District as Nonirrigated Land the following described real property, to-wit: SUBDIVISIONS TO BE EXCLUDED Los Tres Encinos – being the west 5.0 acres of Tract “A”, Blk 2, La Homa Ranch Citrus Groves Subdivision J.A. Garcia Subdivision - .701 acres out of 4.554 acre Tract of the North 10.84 of Lot 9, Nick Doffing Subdivision No. 3 RSBR FM 681 – being 2.27 acres of Lot 113 & 114 Blk 3, La Homa Ranch Citrus Grove No. 2 That the hearing will be held on November 20, 2017, at 1:00 P.M. in the District boardroom, at 3735 N. FM 492, Mission, Texas wherein all persons interested in the matter of exclusion of the above-described property, or any part thereof, from the District as Nonirrigated Land are invited to attend and to offer evidence in support of or opposing the exclusion of said property, or any part thereof. READ, CONSIDERED, APPROVED, SIGNED AND EFFECTIVE on this 16th day of October, 2017 at a Regular Called Meeting of the Board of Directors of HCID#6 at which a quorum was present and which as in accordance with Vernon’s Texas Codes Ann., Government Code and pursuant to the Texas Open Meeting Act. ATTEST: Diana Izaguirre, President Brandon Thompson, Secretary
Texas Citrus Fiesta names Princess Anna 68th, TCF seeks participants in upcoming events
About 200 people turned out Saturday, Oct. 21 to witness the selection of the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s next Princess Anna, a position in the TCF Royal Court open only to 6 year olds. And hoping to attract as many entrants as possible the deadline to enter at least one TCF event has been extended until Thanksgiving. Last Saturday 15 girls wore ball gowns and walked the green carpet down the center of the crowd gathered at the Mission Community Center. As an announcer read biographies of the girls they took their turn climbing onto the stage and curtseying before Queen Citriana who sat alongside King Citrus
October 27, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
page 18
and between the youngest members of the current Royal Court. The pageantry followed individual interviews by a panel of judges comprised of one man and two women, all from outside of Mission, said TCF Director Bibi Peña. When all the festivities were done the judges named Jalynn Mascorro, a first grader at John H. Shary Elementary School, as Princess Anna 68th. Also selected Saturday were Savannah Nichols, Princess of Tangerine Blossom, Adelyne Perez, Princess of Red Grapefruit Blossom, Emma Lozano, Princess of Lime Blossom and Camilla Longoria, Princess of Lemon Blossom. Two alternates
John H. Shary Elementary School first grader Jalynn Mascorro, 6, as she walked down the runway at the Mission Community Center Saturday afternoon prior to being selected as Princess Anna the 68th for the 81st Texas Citrus Fiesta’s 2018 season. Mascorro was selected by a panel of judges from 15 contestants. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton
were also selected, Mercedes Perez and Katie Garcia. The selection of Princess Anna was the second event of the 2018 Texas Citrus Fiesta. Duchesses in the court were selected in September. The remaining members of the 2018 Royal Court were announced at the end of the TCF’s Royal Coronation in January. Peña said there were originally 16 Princess Anna contestants in this year’s competition but one girl had to miss Saturday’s competition due to illness. She said last year five girls competed. Peña credited better preevent publicity for the higher turnout. CF officials are hoping also for better participation in three other events, all happening on Jan. 13. They are the grapefruit pie baking contest, the shoebox float competition and product fashion show. Bryan Elementary School students were credited with creating the majority of last year’s approximately 210 shoebox float entries where librarian Elizabeth Mendez has made it a point to keep alive the tradition of creating the miniature parade floats
covered in dried regional citrus products with nearly all of the school’s fourth and fifth grade students participating. Though the competition is open to all fourth and fifth graders in Mission CISD, Sharyland and La Joya ISDs, only a few students from Mims and Cavazos elementary schools in the MCISD also participated, said TCF board member, Lisa Rivera, who chairs the shoe box competition committee. There are cash prizes for winners and the librarians of the schools with the winners but as of press time this year’s amounts were still being determined. Winners and librarians last year received $100. All entries must be submitted by Jan. 11 for display at Speer Memorial Library with judging the following day. Winners will be on display and announced Jan. 13 at the Mission Community Center. Rivera said anyone who wants to learn how to prepare the materials that go into making a shoebox float can find instructions on the TCF Facebook page and there is an eight minute instructional video on YouTube explaining the process. TCF board member,
Silvia Vick, is hoping to increase the number of participants in this year’s product costume competition. Vick, who chairs the competition, said the TCF received only five entries in the full costume competition and just three hat entries last year. There is no fee to compete in the three divisions, Elementary, for ages 4 to 12, the Teen Division for ages 13 to 18 and the Adult Division for people 19 and older. At least 50 percent of the costumes must be made of natural materials grown in the Valley. First place winners in each division can win $250, second place earns $200 and third place receives $150. Vick said the hat competition winners receive $100, second place receives $75 and third place, $50. Vick said the original deadline for entering the contest was Oct. 9 but because so few entries were received she has extended the deadline to Nov. 22. She said this year’s theme for the elementary division are Hawaiian characters such as King Kamehameha or Pele, the Fire Goddess. The theme for the teen division is “anything Hawaiian,” Vick said, from a palm tree to a fire dancer. She said the adult theme is pirates, suggesting characters such as Black Beard and even the fictional character made famous by
The Texas Citrus Fiesta’s 2018 Tangerine Court from left are Emma Lozano, Princess of Lime Blossom, Katia Garcia, second alternate, Mercedes Perez, first alternate, Jalynn Mascorro, Princesss Anna 68th, Savannah Nichols, Princess of Tangerine Blossom, Camilla Longoria, Princess of Lemon Blossom and Adalyne Pere, Princess of Red Grapefruit Blossom. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton
actor Johnny Depp, Capt. Jack Black. “This is one of the most costly and labor intensive events so it’s very hard to get people to participate,” said Vick, who hopes more people will enter this year to keep the tradition alive. There will be a fashion show and announcement of winners at the Mission Community Center on Jan. 13. The pie contest winners will also be announced at the product costume show. Contest chairwoman Nydia Alvarez-Alonzo said this will be the second annual event adding, “We’ve ordered trophies for the next 10 years.” She said last year there were about 18 entries and the competition was held during the Citrus Youth Show and Fun Fair at Leo Peña Park. She said the competition is being combined with the others this year at the community center. She said there are guidelines that must be followed for entrants who can find details on the TCF website. As an example she said entrants must provide two pies, one for display and the other for judges. The entry fee is $10. The first place winner receives a trophy and second and third place winners receive medals, she said. Alvarez-Alonzo said entry forms and guidelines can be obtained by contacting the TCF offices or emailing her at nydalonzo14@sbcglobal. She said entries will be accepted up to the day of the competition. A fifth grade teacher at Marcell Elementary School and president of the local Texas Classroom Teachers Association , Alvarez-Alonzo said students receive classes on the citrus industry and the TCF on Fridays in January to teach them about their local heritage. “We’ve promoted citrus forever at our school,” Alvarez-Alonzo said. “You can’t have a winter parade and have the Winter Texans know more about it than our kids in Mission.”