Thank You Veterans! Friday, November 10, 2017
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Vol. 46 No. 14
World War II bomber pilot’s service honored by France Mission’s Robert Fisher to receive Legion of Honor tomorrow
By Joe Hinton When he’s hanging out with fellow veterans Robert Fisher often wears a brown leather vintage World War II pilot’s flight jacket. Near-
ly filling up the back of the jacket are 35 white skulls representing each of the bombing missions he flew over Europe during the height of the second world war.
Written across the shoulders above the skulls, spelled out in large capital letters is the word, WOODCHOPPER, a nickname he picked up when he had to take evasive action to avoid a mid-air
collision with another aircraft that was coming into the airfield about 2 o’clock from his position as he was taking off for what was to be his twenty-ninth mission, a scheduled bombing run over
Kassel, Germany. With nowhere to maneuver but down, Fisher’s B-17 bomber hit six tree tops about 20 feet above the ground. The encounter tore the left wing tip while nearly taking
At left is World War II veteran Robert Fisher photographed on Tuesday in his Mission home holding a replica of the U.S. Army Air Force’s 384th Bomber Group tail insignia. At right is Fisher’s class photo taken while attending basic flight school in San Angelo, TX. Fisher received his wings in Jan. 1944.
Former Agua SUD employees received nearly a half-million in severance pay By Jose De Leon III A slew of documents released last week revealed that two former employees with the Agua Special Utility District received nearly half
a million dollars in severance pay following their termination from the utility district. Oscar “Coach” Salinas and Armin Garza, who cur-
See AGUA SUD Pg. 12
Armin Garza
Oscar “Coach” Salinas
By Jose De Leon III
votes comprising about 59 percent of the ballots cast. Acosta, her running mate, received 658 votes comprising about 55 percent of the ballot. Both candidates were aligned with La Joya Citizens Working Together, a political coalition formed by Salinas’ husband, La Joya Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas. According to the mayor, all
off the left wing, badly denting it and bending it back toward the plane’s fuselage. The collision also damaged the cowling from the plane’s number one engine, smashed the plexi-glass nose, bent in the chin turret in the front of the plane and damaged the ball turret underneath the plane. It also tore off two radio antennas on the plane’s belly. This, all according to the 30-page journal Fisher kept detailing his missions. According to the journal, Fisher was able to pull the plane up despite a damaged left aileron, which controls the front wing, and the left horizontal stabilizer on the tail. After flying out over the North Sea where he dropped his bombs about 30 miles out from land, he was able to make a “relatively smooth landing” back at his airbase near the city of Kettering in central England. “Technically you shouldn’t be walking around,” Fisher’s journal notes were the first words out of the mouth of a major in the U.S. Army Air Force, a technical inspector who greeted the crew. “How could you fly it back?” were the major’s
See ROBERT FISHER Pg. 9
Tom Landry Stadium likely site of VMHS playoff game By Joe Hinton With Mission CISD’s Veterans Memorial High School locked in the District 31-5A playoffs, and having won a recent coin toss to become home team in the first round of bi-district play, school district officials say they are gearing up to host the game in the long awaited Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium. District Athletic Director Leticia “Letty” Ibarra said Wednesday she expects the stadium to be ready by the Nov. 17 playoff game between the VMHS Patriots and Brownsville’s Lopez High School and is not making contingency plans to move the game to another stadium as she has had to
See STADIUM UPDATED Pg. 10
The north side of Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium will have four large banners filling the voids between the vertical brick columns on either side of the stadium’s façade, each containing the images of two inductees from Mission CISD into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame. The void in the center will be filled with a banner depicting the stadium’s namesake. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton.
La Joya CWT slate victorious in city council race Incumbent Mary Salinas and political newcomer Rey Acosta were victorious Tuesday night in their respective races for a seat on the La Joya City Council. According to results from the Hidalgo County elections department, Salinas retained her Place 1 seat on the city council having received 707
La Joya city council members are members of La Joya CWT. After seeing the results, councilwoman Salinas thanked God and all her supporters for her victory. “We’re grateful the Lord has given me four more years to serve his people. I look forward to it and many more beautiful things for the city,” she said.
Undefeated no more
Sharyland High’s Rattlers defeated the previously unbeaten Veterans Memorial Patriots last Friday creating a three-way tie for first place in the 31-5A district. Bryan Ramos has the details.
See Pg. 6
INDEX
Entertainment | pg.2
Lifestyle | pg.3
Acosta also thanked his supporters and said that even though he is only looking to serve one term on the council, he hopes to help bring in more change to the city such as streetlights in the recently annexed community of La Havana. “We make plans to move the city forward, that’s what
See CITY COUNCIL RACE Pg. 11
Mary Salinas, right, embraces a supporter following the results of the La Joya city council elections Tuesday. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III
INSIDE Veterans Day events
Changing the world, and superintendents
Saturday the nation commemorates the men and women who have served their nation in military service. A schedule of numerous events planned across the Rio Grande Valley are detailed inside.
The Mission CISD board of directors has named an interim replacement for the district’s outgoing superintendent, Ricardo López. Find out whom it is inside.
See Pg. 10
Opinion | pg.4
Sports | pg. 6
See Pg. 13
Obituaries | pg. 11
Classifieds | pg. 12
entertainment
November 10, 2017
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Coming Attractions
The students with the Juan Diego Academy drama club presents “John Lennon & Me” in two performances this weekend.
JDA drama club presents ‘John Lennon & Me’
The Juan Diego Academy (JDA) drama club proudly presents “John Lennon & Me” on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., and as a dinner theater on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at the JDA gymnasium located at 5208 South FM 494 in Mission. “John Lennon & Me,” the winner of national awards, is an uproarious play about life, death, power and first boyfriends. It was adapted by the author from her popular book, “Good-bye, Best Friend.” A Hollywood-wannabe, Star, the ultimate Beatles fan, has her path stymied
by cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that assures a young death. Star gets a new roommate, Courtney, who is Star’s opposite—a pretty cheerleader and apparently not very sick. Neither girl knows much about the other’s world, but eventually they come to understand each other, and ultimately, themselves and about living life to the fullest. Tickets are $10 for Friday night and $20, which includes the meal, for Saturday night. For tickets and more information, call the school at 956-583-2752.
VSO opens holiday tradition with ‘Touch of Frost’
McALLEN – The Valley Symphony Orchestra, joined by the VSO Chorale, opens the season with their traditional holiday concert, “A Touch of Frost,” at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, at the McAllen Performing Arts Complex, 801 Convention Center Blvd. A Touch of Frost, VSO Concert III, is one of two concerts in our season that feature the volunteer chorale, directed by Dr. David Means. The chorale is made up of over 120 professional vocalists who will join with the orchestra performing repertoire, including contemporary favorites ranging from Williams’ “Somewhere
in My Memory” heard in “Home Alone,” to classical favorites such as “Gloria in Excelsis” by Antoni Vivaldi. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Dabrowski, the Valley Symphony Orchestra produces five classical concerts and one POPS concert each season. Performances showcase the talents of 92 professionally-trained, local musicians. Single tickets for A Touch of Frost are currently on sale and range in prices from $38 to $58. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, call 800745-3000 or visit the McAllen Performing Arts Center box office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November 10-12 • The second Mainstage production in the fall for the UTRGV Department of Theatre is the William Shakespeare comedy and classic, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It will be staged Nov. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Nov. 12. School matinees will also be available. 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. • The UTRGV Mariachi Juvenil Aztlán and Ballet Folklórico join together for three performances at the Performing Arts Complex at the Edinburg campus. They will perform traditional Mexican folk music including Sones Jalisciences, Huapangos, Canciones Rancheras, and Baladas Romanticas. Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10. Tickets are available at tickets.vendini.com or at the door. November 10-12, 17-19 • In two, weekend performances, the Interact Theatre & Lobo Choir from the La Joya I.S.D., present the Broadway hit musical, “Hairspray.” It will be staged at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyote St., La Joya. Performances are 7 p.m. on both Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $7 per person and will be sold at the door only, one hour prior to show time. For more information call Joey Navarro at 956-323-2895. No credit or debit cards are accepted. November 13 • The UTRGV Faculty Artist Series Harpsichord Festival begins at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg and at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 in the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville. Admission is free. Join students, faculty, and guest artists for concerts of early harpsichord music featuring works by Bach, Scarlatti and others. It offers a unique glimpse into sound and character of Baroque and Renaissance music. November 14 & 21 • The Upper Valley Art League (UVAL) hosts Rio Grande Valley Woodcarver member JimThalacker teaching how to make Christmas ornaments. All materials will be provided. The fee is $25 per session 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 16-17 • Pete Krystiniak will conduct airbrush painting classes in the Upper Valley Art League annex from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. Cost is $10 per workshop for UVAL members and $20 for nonmembers. All supplies will be furnished. Classes must be paid at the time of registration. Register at the UVAL gallery at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. Call 956-583-2787 for information. November 16-19 • The next production of the South Texas College Theatre is Israel Horovitz’s play “The Indian Wants the Bronx.” It will be staged at the Cooper Center located on the Pecan Campus, 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. All Sunday matinee productions are ASL interpreted by student interns. Individual ticket prices for Main Stage productions are $5 for students/faculty/senior citizens/military and $10 general admission. Studio productions are $5 general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at kioskportal.southtexascollege. edu/marketplace.aspx. November 17 • The holiday season begins with the Valley Symphony Orchestra’s traditional concert, “Touch of Frost – Holiday Favorites” at the McAllen Performing Arts Center located at Expressway 83 and Ware Rd. The performance begins at 8 p.m. For information, call the VSO at 956-661-1615. For tickets, go to tickets.vendini.com. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
“It’s Not About Me,” digital collage, 27” x 21” Jose Angel Rodriguez Jr., 2016 People’s Choice winner
UVAL Members Exhibition opens Nov. 11
The Upper Valley Art League officers invite the public to the annual UVAL Members Exhibition, an exhibition of original artwork created by its members and showcasing an array of works in a variety of media. The opening reception will be held this Saturday, Nov. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. Patrons of the arts will find paintings, drawings, collage, photography, digital art, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture and more to view and to purchase.
The exhibition runs through Saturday, Dec. 2, and is free and open to the public. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 2 p.m. UVAL is a membership-based nonprofit arts organization dedicated to teaching, preserving and inspiring the arts in the RGV. For additional information about UVAL, its classes, events and exhibitions, visit the website at uppervalleyartleague.org or call 956-5832787.
STC drama auditions scout for new talent
McALLEN – Drama department representatives from colleges across the nation will begin scouting to find exceptional talent from the Rio Grande Valley. To facilitate their search, student auditions will be held Monday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Texas College Cooper Center at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. In collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin, PSJA ISD and South Texas College’s drama department, South Texas Theatre Auditions (STTA) will begin offering high school seniors and college students from the Valley who intend to pursue a degree in theatre, an opportunity to present monologues, musical theatre
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selections, and technical theatre portfolios for the consideration of college admissions representatives. Universities the auditions include are The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, University of Texas at El Paso, Abilene Christian University and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. STTA is a pilot program between The University of Texas at Austin and local theatre educators from across the Rio Grande Valley. Students interested in attending the auditions can register at stta.finearts.utexas.edu. For more information, call 956-872-2639 or email jrodriguez@southtexascollege.edu.
Medicare Open Enrollment Is October 15 – December 7
Prominence Health Plan is here to help
You can learn more about Medicare and Prominence Health Plan’s Medicare Advantage plan options by attending a free informational seminar. Seminars are scheduled throughout the Rio Grande Valley. UPCOMING SEMINARS NEAR YOU Friday, Nov. 10 • 10 am & 2 pm Monday, Nov. 13 • 10 am & 2 pm Tuesday, Nov. 14 • 2 pm Wednesday, Nov. 15; Nov. 22 10 am & 2 pm Thursday, Nov. 16 • 2 pm Friday, Nov. 17 • 10 am & 2 pm Monday, Nov. 20 • 10 am & 2 pm Tuesday, Nov. 21 • 2 pm Prominence Health Plan 1700 South 10th Street, Suite 115, McAllen
Thursday, Nov. 16 • 9 am Tuesday, Nov. 21 • 9 am Edinburg Regional Medical Center Mesquite Conference Room 1102 W. Trenton Road, Edinburg Monday, Nov. 13 • 3 pm Costa Messa 1800 South Main Street, McAllen Tuesday, Nov. 14 • 10 am Palm View Community Center 3401 Jordan Avenue, McAllen
Tuesday, Nov. 14 • 3 pm IHOP 4321 North 10th Street, McAllen Wednesday, Nov. 15; Nov. 22 • 3 pm IHOP 517 E. Trenton Road, Edinburg Wednesday, Nov. 15 • 10:30 am Las Palmas Community Center 1921 N. 25th Street, McAllen Thursday, Nov. 16 • 3 pm IHOP 2201 W. Expressway 83, Weslaco
Thursday, Nov. 16 10 am For a full listing of seminars visit ProminenceMedicare.com/stx18 Lark Community Center or call us at 844-408-0080 (TTY: 711) 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. 2601 Lark Avenue McAllen
A sales representative will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 844-408-0080; TTY- 711. Prominence Health plan is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Prominence Health Plan depends on contract renewal. ATTENTION: Language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-855-969-5882 (TTY/TDD: 711). | ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüistica. Llame al 1-855-969-5882 (TTY/TDD: 711). | CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-855-969-5882 (TTY/TDD: 711). | Prominence Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. | Prominence Health Plan cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. | Prominence Health Plan tuân thủ luật dân quyền hiện hành của Liên bang và không phân biệt đối xử dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da, nguồn gốc quốc gia, độ tuổi, khuyết tật, hoặc giới tính.
EVENTS
CALENDAR
lifestyle
November 11 – St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church in Mission will host their Second Annual Cornucopia at the church located at the corner of Stewart Rd. and Griffin Parkway. The family-friendly event and fundraiser includes music, games and food from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information, call 956-585-5005 or go to peterpaul.org. November 14 – The next book discussion at Speer Memorial Library in Mission begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. This month’s book is “The Last Woman Standing,” written by Thelma Adams, and first published in 2016. It is a historical novel based on the true-life story of Josephine Marcus, Wyatt Earp, Tombstone and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Copies of the book are available for check out to those who sign up for the book discussion; stop by the library or call at 580-8754 to obtain a copy. For more information, call William Renner or Rose Alvarez at 580-8754 or 580-8750. Speer Memorial is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. November 14 – Amigos de Los Niños de Mexico will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, 228 S. Main St. in Donna. The group will prepare for the Christmas day celebration to bring food and toys to the children of Progresso, Mexico. At the meeting, sign up for committees, drop off donated items and get general info. For information, contact Carol Schnase, publicity chairman, at 956-332-8855. November 14-16 – Volunteers are needed for the Special Olympics Texas Area 1 Bowling Competition. at IncrediBowl in Mission. Dates and times are Nov. 14, ramp bowling, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Nov. 15, ages 8 to 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Nov. 16, ages 16 and over, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers serve as a lane monitor or assist with presenting athletes with their awards. Prior experience and bowling knowledge is not required. A brief training will be provided before each shift. For sponsorship opportunities or for more information, contact Lauro Garza at lgarza@sotx.org, Ytszel Trinidad at ytrinidad@sotx.org, or call at 956-630-3434. November 18 – Kids will go on a photography scavenger hunt throughout the gardens at the Edinburg World Birding Center with Texas Master Naturalist and adventure guide Neil Cassady to search for and photograph wildlife. Cameras will be provided, but families are encouraged to bring their own. It runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Participation is free with regular paid admission: $3 adults, $2 seniors and children, children ages 5 and under and EWBC members are free. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Call 956-381-9922 for info. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
November 10, 2017
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
‘Give Hunger the Boot’ benefits Mission Food Pantry
Mission Food Pantry is hosting a style show and luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 18, to “Give Hunger the Boot.” The western-themed fundraiser will be held at the City of Mission Social Center, 115 S. Mayberry Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10 per person for the barbecue sandwich, sides and dessert. Models will walk the runway with fashions from Lionel’s Western Wear Boutique. Established in downtown Weslaco by Leonel Oliveira Sr. in 1959, the store originally was established as a department store, but become strictly a western wear store in the 1970s. In 1984,
Sandy Oliveira Peña took over the business and added the ladies’ boutique that will be featured at the fashion show. The pantry is a nonprofit organization that helps those who have encountered unfortunate times through unforeseeable circumstances. The pantry assists only on an emergency basis to provide food, and is able to provide clothing with a referral from a school, church or agency. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting Adela Ortega, Mission Food Pantry manager, at 585-3542, 458-9066 or via email at aortega@missiontexas.us.
McALLEN – South Texas College Theatre presents Israel Horovitz’s play “The Indian Wants the Bronx.” The production will run from Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 16-18, at 8 p.m., and will include a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19. Performances will take place at STC’s Cooper Center Main Stage Theatre located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. In the play, an East Indian man gets lost on his first day in New York as two teenagers find him waiting at a bus stop. He does not understand English and the boys decide to have some fun with him, a decision which quickly gets out of hand. “I chose this play because even though it was written in the late 60s, it speaks to
a loss of simple communication and empathy among people, a growing problem in our country in spite of there being more information available via the internet than ever before,” said guest director Dr. Brian Warren, UTRGV associate professor of theatre. As a part of the theatre experience for this play, audience members will have an opportunity to take part in a pre- and post-show discussion with the director and others. General admission tickets cost $10. Tickets for students, faculty, military, and senior citizens are $5. The play contains strong language and mature themes. Parental discretion is advised. Ticket sales from the Nov. 16 production will go towards the Dr. John F. Carroll Drama Scholarship. The Nov. 19 matinee production will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Ticket cash purchases can be purchased one hour before the performance at the box office, or in advance online using a credit or debit card at secure.touchnet.com.
‘Indian Wants the Bronx’ plays Nov. 16-19
MHS students earn places in TMEA District Treble Choir
Thirteen members of the Mission High School (MHS) choir recently competed in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Treble Choir auditions and earned places in the TMEA Region XV District Treble Choir. Pictured, left to right, top row, are Daniela Serrato, Maria Cantu, Noevelyn Garza, Gabriela Garza and Alejandra Martinez. Middle row, are Kathryn Macias, Jennifer Herrera, Mayra Flores and Enez Balderas. In front, are Anahi Aguilar, Perla Gonzalez, Bethney Ramirez and Sophie Ortiz. These members of the Eagle Choir will perform with the TMEA Region XV District Choir on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the UTRGV Performing Arts Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.
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MHS robotics team brings home honors
The Mission High School (MHS) robotics team recently participated in the 2017 Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology (HESTEC) Robotics Day Competition. The team took first place in the Lego Grand Prix Robotics Challenge and placed fourth overall. Their robot completed the Grand Prix in a record-setting 10 seconds. Team members pictured are Iris Sustaita, Jose Sauceda, Lisa Garza, Andres Cantu and Gabriel Trevino with teacher Joelito Guanzon.
Super Saturday helps students with financial aid
EDINBURG/McALLEN – The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and South Texas College (STC) will host the annual Super Saturday FAFSA/TASFA event this Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at all sites. UTRGV will host it on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses, and STC will hold it on the three main campuses; Starr, Pecan and Mid-Valley. The event allows students opportunity to be stepped through the process of applying for college admissions and financial aid for the coming year with one-on-one help to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). UTRGV will offer assistance with completing college admissions applications. Both campuses will have computer labs open for students to complete FAFSA/ TASFA forms and apply to college. Information will be available from UTRGV departments and community
organizations, and university staff will be on hand to answer any questions students and families may have about financial aid and the admissions process. At UTRGV, students attending the event will be entered into a scholarship drawing. Those attending Super Saturday should bring the following information to help complete the applications: (for student and parent, if applicable) 2016 Tax Returns, 2016 W-2s and 1099 statementsand FSA I.D. Students and parents who do not have an I.D. will be assisted in creating one. Documents showing other pertinent 2016 income information, such as child support paid and received, and other benefits information should also be brought in that day. For more information at UTRGV, contact Jael Perez at jael.garcia@utrgv.edu or 956-665-2958. For more information at STC, contact Student Financial Services at 956-872-8375 or go online to studentservices.southtexascollege.edu.
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November 10, 2017
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association
STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
Proclamation honors World Series winning Houston Astros
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed Nov. 3 as Houston Astros Day, honoring the American League champions for winning the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series. The Astros won their fourth game in the best-ofseven Series against the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Nov. 1. It’s the first World Series championship for the Houston Astros in the 55-year history of the franchise and the first for a Texas team. Players wore “Houston Strong” patches on their uniforms in honor of those affected by Hurricane Harvey’s widespread devastation. More than one million fans lined the streets of downtown Houston Nov. 3 to see the players hoist the championship trophy during a victory parade. “This victory is a great honor for the Astros and the Houston community, which has been severely impacted by, and continues to recover in the aftermath of, Hurricane Harvey. Like the Astros, Texans are known for their spirit and resolve, and in the wake of Harvey’s devastation, we were able to see the persevering nature of Texans on full display. This championship will serve as inspiration to a city and state that is passionate about its sports,” Abbott wrote. Abbott on Oct. 24 continued the long tradition of governors by making a friendly wager with California Gov. Jerry Brown on the outcome of the Series. Abbott
offered a six-pack of Houston-brewed beer and Texas barbecue. Brown offered a selection of wine from his state’s Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties that were impacted severely by recent wildfires. Flags to be at half-staff Gov. Abbott on Nov. 5 ordered that flags across Texas be lowered to half-staff through sunset on Nov. 9 in memory of those who lost their lives in a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, a town 20 miles southeast of San Antonio. Some 26 people were killed and dozens injured when a lone gunman opened fire with an assault rifle in a church while members attended Sunday morning services on Nov. 5. The gunman, identified as Devin Patrick Kelley of New Braunfels, was found dead in his truck with a gunshot wound several miles from the scene. Details continue to emerge in the shooting. Revenue total comes in State Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Nov. 2 reported that state sales tax revenue totaled $2.46 billion in October, an amount 6.9 percent more than he reported in October 2016. Receipts from the mining and manufacturing sectors led sales tax revenue growth, and most other economic sectors also grew moderately compared to the same month last year. Hurricane Harvey does not appear to have had a significant net effect on state sales tax revenue, he added. Also, Hegar said, total
sales tax revenue for the three months ending in October 2017 was up 5.2 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Details on monthly sales tax collections can be found at the Comptroller’s Monthly State Revenue Watch, which is accessible through the website comptroller.texas.gov. AG goes after gougers Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Consumer Protection Division on Oct. 30 sent notices of violations to 127 Texas businesses accused of price gouging during the state of disaster declared for Hurricane Harvey. All of the cases involve consumer complaints against gas stations that allegedly charged $3.99 or higher for a gallon of unleaded gasoline or diesel. The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibits anyone from taking advantage of a disaster declared by the governor and selling or leasing necessities for excessive prices. The Consumer Protection Division received an estimated 5,500 complaints alleging price gouging by businesses. Many Texans emailed photos and receipts as evidence, Paxton said. Job count decreased The Lone Star State lost some 7,300 jobs in September, due largely to effects from Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Workforce Commission reported. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.0 percent, down from 4.2 percent in August, and remained below the national
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rate of 4.2 percent. Annual employment growth for Texas was calculated at 2.1 percent. “Texas’ economic growth is boosted by the resilience of our employers, who have added 230,300 private-sector jobs over the past year,” said Ruth R. Hughs, the TWC commissioner who represents employers. “TWC is committed to ensuring our state resources and services
are provided to help get Texans get back to work after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Harvey.” Depository site chosen Comptroller Hegar on Nov. 3 announced the city of Leander as the future home of the Texas Bullion Depository, with construction to begin in early 2018. In its 2015 regular session, the Texas Legislature created the depository as an
agency within the Office of the Comptroller. The depository, according to the official statement of legislative intent, would be established “so the state, state agencies and private individuals would be able to store precious metals in a secure, Texas-based depository to reduce reliance on out-ofstate facilities and to insulate their assets from unstable market forces.”
Congratulations Denise Rendon. As one of the Progress Times readers I would like to extend a warm welcome to you as the New Publisher of the Progress Times. Looking forward to my weekly Hometown Newspaper. I would also like to ex-
press my thoughts about the outgoing Publisher. Mr. Brunson and his family have set the bar high for all of us. Honesty, Integrity, Kindness, and Loyalty. He has set an example for all of us to follow. Thank you both for still allowing us the privilege of
holding, reading and yes, smelling the ink of a real newspaper. Maxilou Link Progress Times ReaderPresident, Upper Valley Art League
Prepared by the Hidalgo County Public Affairs Office Forensic nurses recognized at Commissioners Court A group of forensic nurses from Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance accepted a proclamation declaring Nov. 6-10 as Forensic Nurses Week. The proclamation was presented by the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office-Special Crimes Unit to highlight the important role that forensic nurses play in association to criminal cases, said Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, Jr. The DA’s office shares a critical concern for victims of sexual violence and other violent crimes and a desire to support their needs for justice and healing. “Thank you for recognizing this specialty of nurses, we are honored to be here representing all Forensic Nurses in Hidalgo County and having the skills needed to take care of victims of abuse,” said Evonne Garcia, Forensic Nurse Manager of the Safe HAVEN Forensic Exam Center at Renaissance. “Thank you for having us.” The Safe H.A.V.E.N. Forensic Exam Center at DHR works in collaboration with the Criminal District Attorney’s Office-Special Crimes Unit and other community members to help expand specialized forensic medical services to sexual assault victims and other victims of crime. “Forensic Nurses are important to DA Offices, Law Enforcement and especially in special crime cases where there is injury to children and adults,” said Rodriguez. “They work to increase victim-centered care and mitigate violence through public health strategies.” Drainage District team wins Walk Across Texas Challenge Congratulations to Drain-
age District #1 Manager Raul Sesin and his staff on winning round 14 of the Walk Across Texas Challenge. Their team, The Walkaholics, walked a total of 4,351.80 miles in an eight-week period. As a county, a total of 21,806.33 miles were walked. “This is a fun way to be competitive, health conscious and to most importantly stay fit,” said Sesin. The WAT challenge is part of the HidalGO FIT Wellness program implemented by the Hidalgo Health and Human Services. The comprehensive wellness program focuses on preventive health and lifestyle modifications and encourage employees to focus on key health behaviors such as increasing physical activity. “The rationale behind this wellness program is that encouraging healthy habits now can prevent or lower the risk of serious health conditions later,” said Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Chief Administrative Officer Eduardo Olivarez. Precincts 1 and 2 hosting ribbon cutting ceremonies for tax office substations The offices of Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes and Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu held ribbon cutting ceremonies for their Tax Office substations stations on Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Thursday, Nov. 9, respectively. Commissioner Fuentes – in collaboration with Tax Assessor-Collector Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr. – hosted a ribbon cutting for the Weslaco Substation Tax Office Express Lanes at the Weslaco Substation Tax Office on 1902 Joe Stephens, Ste. 201 in Weslaco at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov.
8.
“Recently, the county assisted with a tax office remodel that added two new windows that will be dedicated to express lanes,” said Fuentes. “These lanes will be utilized exclusively for vehicle registration.” Facilities Management Department assisted with the project by providing all the labor for the improvements. “This project is an effort to provide more efficient services for those who pay vehicle tax and registration at the Precinct 1 substation,” said Villarreal. Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, in partnership with the Hidalgo County Tax Office, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a tax office and vehicle registration substation located in McAllen. The ceremony was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 300 East Hackberry McAllen, TX 78501. The Hidalgo County Tax Office offers both property tax collection and motor vehicle titling and registration services. The newly remodeled McAllen substation is fully staffed with seven employees. The tax office has three additional substations in Precinct 2 located in Alamo, San Juan and Pharr. The McAllen substation is located in Precinct 2’s largest city. Hidalgo County and City of McAllen officials attended the event along with local dignitaries. Persons who missed Tuesday’s meeting can view it on the Hidalgo County YouTube Channel. The next regular meeting of Commissioners Court will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14.
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Follow Us on Facebook for Friday Night Football Scores and Updates This week the Progress Times will be covering the following week 11 football games:
Sharyland vs. Rio Grande City (Fri.) (Richard Thompson Stadium - MIssion, TX)
Veterans Memorial vs. Valley View (Fri.) (Valley View ISD Tiger Stadium - Hidalgo, TX)
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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.
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November 10, 2017
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Peñitas celebrates 25th anniversary By Jose De Leon III A car show, live bands, celebrities and elected officials past and present were part of the city of Peñitas’ celebration of its 25th Anniversary of incorporation. The Saturday, Nov. 4 festival featured musical performances by bands such as Los Herederos de Nuevo Leon and El Cartel de Nuevo Leon. City Manager Omar Romero estimated at least 1,000 people attended the festival, a number nearly a quarter of the city’s population. A special presentation celebrating the city was made toward the end of the festival. In it, La Joya School Board President Oscar “Coach” Salinas served as emcee and introduced speakers ranging from local celebrity Alexis Chapa, Peñitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez and State Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. Lopez thanked all the residents of the city as well as his predecessors. “Twenty-five years ago, the city’s first mayor and his city commissioners had a dream to make the city what it is now,” he told the crowd. “We’ve still got some ways to go but this city was small and now it has so many services to offer to residents.
The previous mayors were the ones who planted the seed that would serve as the foundation to be where we’re at now.” As an example of the city’s growth Rodriguez cited the creation of full time police and fire departments and noted the city is readying to break ground on a new city hall. “We are here to help the city grow in any way we can,” Rodriguez said to the crowd in Spanish. Chapa, a singer who has appeared on the singing competition series, “American Idol” and “La Voz Kids,” the latter program a Spanish-spinoff of the American singing competition series, “The Voice,” also spoke. Chapa has performed as a backup singer for performers such as Alejandra Guzman and Phil Collins, she said. “Those achievements do not compare to how happy I am in this community,” Chapa said. “I’m honored and thankful for being here and witnessing this event with all of you.” Also presented was a five-minute slideshow touting several city achievements such as the opening of the public library, the local Wal-Mart, which employs 300 residents, and street improvement projects.
Peñitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez speaks to the crowd attending the city’s 25th Anniversary Festival. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III The final speaker of the night was Muñoz, who thanked previous city commissioners and mayors for their accomplishments. “At the end of the day, we
all want the same thing which is to have a better quality of life with honor and dignity,” he said. “It is something we all support and we do what we can in the state so this
city keeps progressing.” The event concluded with the presentation of keys to the city to Lopez and former mayors Efren Garza, Antonio Flores Jr. and Servando
Ramirez. “Everything the city has gone through, it’s been possible because we’re all united,” Salinas said.
Palmhurst man sought in Mission murder
By Joe Hinton The man Hidalgo County authorities are seeking in an October Mission homicide has a prior conviction for possessing marijuana, court
records show. Last week the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release asking for the public’s help locating murder suspect, Michael Valle Chavez, 39, of Palmhurst.
An arrest warrant was issued for Chavez following the Oct. 6 shooting death of Mission resident, Gerardo Alberto Martinez Gomez, 38, whose body was found with a fatal gunshot wound after
Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 will be hosting 3rd Annual Armed Forces Veterans Golf Tournament on Saturday, November 18. Please join us in supporting our Armed Forces. For more details please call any of the following: Shary Municipal Golf Course - 956-580-8770 CWV Post 1065 - 956-583-5961 Robert Garza – 956-222-3871 To sign up a team call Coach Ocana at 956-821-5185
sheriff’s deputies responded to an area north of FM 2221 on Los Ebanos Road in rural Mission just after 10 p.m. According to sheriff’s spokeswoman, Jena Palacios, “sheriff’s investigators reviewed the evidence which demonstrated sufficient probable cause to show that Chavez participated in the offense of murder.” According to Hidalgo County District Court records, on Dec. 9, 2005, Chavez was arrested by Mission police and subsequently indicted on a charge of possessing more than 50 pounds of marijuana but less than 2,000 pounds of marijuana. He was released from jail the same day after posting a $15,000 bond. Court records show he was arrested again by McAllen police on April 22, 2005 and was convicted a year later for possessing
court records indicating how that case was adjudicated or disposed of. Court records show the victim, Gomez, was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in May 2015. He received a one year suspended jail sentence and was placed on one year of community supervision and was ordered to pay a $500 fine. At the time of his arrest and conviction Gomez was living in the 500 block of Rio Grande Drive in south central Mission. Palacios said the murder investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the case are asked to contact the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 956-383-8114 or if one wishes to remain anonymous they can contact Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at 956-668TIPS (8477).
America’s Veterans:
Standing Tall For Freedom We proudly salute America’s veterans and active-duty military for their drive and dedication, contributions and courage. Their commitment to our country and our freedom has protected us for generations, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. This Veterans Day, please join us in honoring the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who fought, sacrificed and served their country with pride.
Gone,
But Never Forgotten
1st Lt. Jose Carlos Santos
Pictured from Left to Right: Robert Garza, Golf Pro Mario Flores, Luis A. Lopez, Coach Ocana, Post Commander Ernesto Flores, Alfredo Vargas and Robert Lopez.
more than five pounds of marijuana but less than 50 pounds, a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison with a maximum $10,000 fine. Court records indicate the Mission charges were combined with the McAllen charges in that case. Court records show Chavez was placed on 10 years community supervision, fined $1,355 and ordered to pay $278 in court costs. Court records indicated Chavez was granted early release from community supervision after four years in April 2010. According to Hidalgo County jail records, Chavez was booked into the jail on July 5, 2012 on charges of theft of more than $20,000 but less than $100,00 and with tampering with evidence. However there are no
Santos Family
Spc. Alex D. Gonzalez
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THE
November 10, 2017
Sports week
BIG7 SCHOOLS
page 6
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Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports
Six Big 7 teams vying for the playoffs
By Luciano Guerra It’s Week 11 of Valley high school football and with six of the Mission, Sharyland and La Joya school districts’ seven teams, otherwise known as the Big 7, still in playoff contention, there is a lot riding on the outcomes of this week’s games. And with two of these six teams vying for a district championship as well, the stakes couldn’t be any higher as the 2017/2018 high school football season is just one week away from post-season play. With each of the five Big 7 games on this week’s schedule having playoff implications, let’s take a look at each of those games and what the different scenarios are for each team to make the playoffs, win a district championship or both. Rio Grande City Rattlers at Sharyland Rattlers In our game of the week, the 4-3 Rio Grande City Rattlers will be taking on the 6-1 Sharyland Rattlers tonight at
Richard Thompson Stadium. Sharyland’s 48-42 win over the Veterans Memorial Patriots last Friday has resulted in a three-way tie for first place in District 31-5A between the Rattlers, the Patriots and the Laredo Nixon Mustangs. A Sharyland win tonight will assure the Rattlers of at least a share of the district championship, their first since 2014, while a loss will most likely result in Coach Ron Adame’s team having to settle for a second, or even a third place finish. For a more in-depth look at this game, turn to our game of the week preview story on page 7 of this paper. Veterans Memorial Patriots at Valley View Tigers After suffering their first loss of the season at the hands of the Sharyland Rattlers last Friday, the 6-1 Veterans Memorial Patriots will be looking to close-out their regular season schedule with a road victory over the Valley View Tigers tonight. As is the case with the Rat-
tlers, a Veterans Memorial win will assure the Patriots of no worse than a share of the 31-5A district championship while a loss will almost certainly drop Coach David Gilpin’s team into either second or third place. The fact that Veterans Memorial is playing a 1-6 Valley View team tonight, while Sharyland is playing 4-3 Rio Grande City and Nixon is playing 3-4 Laredo Martin, should make the Patriots the most likely of the three teams currently deadlocked for first place to win the district title outright. However seeing as how that would require both Sharyland and Nixon to lose, it is more likely that the Patriots will end up sharing the championship with Sharyland, Nixon or both. Pioneer Diamondbacks at Roma Gladiators Entering the final week of District 31-5A play, the 4-3 Pioneer Diamondbacks find themselves in a fourth place tie with the Rio Grande City Rattlers. However, thanks
to Pioneer’s 28-20 Week 7 win over Rio Grande, the Diamondbacks own the tiebreaker over the Rattlers which means that they control their own destiny. Therefore, a victory over the 1-6 Roma Gladiators tonight will clinch a playoff spot for the Diamondbacks regardless of what Rio Grande does against Sharyland. Should Pioneer lose to Roma, the Diamondbacks will still punch their ticket into the playoffs with a Rio Grande loss to Sharyland. The only scenario that will result in the Diamondbacks being eliminated from the playoffs is their losing to Roma while Rio Grande defeats Sharyland. Palmview Lobos at La Joya Coyotes While the 0-5 Palmview Lobos are the only Big 7 team that has already been eliminated from the playoffs, their game tonight against the 2-3 La Joya Coyotes still has post-season implications. That’s because the 2-3 Coy-
otes are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. And of all the playoff scenarios involving Big 7 teams, the Coyotes’ is the least complicated. If they defeat the Lobos tonight, they’re in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. If they lose, they’re out. Mission High Eagles at McAllen High Bulldogs While the 2-3 Mission Eagles played the 2-3 McAllen High Bulldogs last night, their playoff destiny may not be determined until tonight; but only if they defeated the Bulldogs. That’s because should they have fallen to the Bulldogs, they’d be eliminated regardless of the outcome of any of tonight’s games. However if Mission emerged victorious from last night’s game, then they’ll be rooting for Palmview to defeat La Joya tonight because an Eagles’ victory coupled with a Coyotes’ loss is the only way that Mission will reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Juarez-Lincoln Huskies Despite back-to-back losses to La Joya and McAllen Memorial the past two weeks, the 3-3 Juarez-Lincoln Huskies are still in playoff contention. While they have a bye this week, the Huskies will be following the two other games that will determine their playoff fate; Palmview at La Joya and Mission at McAllen High. That’s because should La Joya defeat Palmview and McAllen High defeat Mission, the Huskies will be on the outside looking in come playoff time. Otherwise Juarez-Lincoln will qualify for the playoffs for the third year in a row.
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November 10, 2017
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Sharyland senior Blake Klein goes airborne to deflect a pass intended for Veterans Memorial junior John Aguilar during the second quarter of the Rattlers’ 48-42 win over the Patriots. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
Rattlers’ district championship race comes down to final week By Bryan Ramos
The Sharyland Rattlers have lost twice this season, and each time, bounced back in a big way. A week after suffering their first district defeat to Laredo Nixon, the Rattlers (7-2, 6-1) flipped the script and knocked off the previously unbeaten Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots to put themselves in a threeway tie for the district lead. The matchup between the 31-5A powerhouses didn’t come without dramatics. It took goal line stand from the Rattler defense to secure a 48-42 victory as they stuffed the high-scoring Patriot offense seven times inside the 10-yard line in the final 1:09. Senior middle linebacker and team co-captain Noe Cortez said the defense knew it was in a make-or-break situation in which the Sharyland defense shocked the world. “We just knew it was door-die; there was no try, there was no attempt, there was just do-or-die, make a stop, we win, don’t and we lose,” said middle linebacker Noe Cortez. “It’s just emotions flowing right now, it’s unbelievable. We had a motto all week and that was ‘shock the world’ and we believe we did
that. We just gave it our all each day in practice.” Cornerback Noe Guzman intercepted 31-5A’s leading passer and rusher Landry Gilpin twice, stepping his game up on the team’s biggest stage thus far. Another Rattler who has gotten used to performing his best in big games is junior quarterback Edgar Longoria, who had five passing touchdowns and two rushing against the Patriots, totaling 334 yards. “The thing that drove us is we were being honest with ourselves and nobody believed in us and I guess that drove us,” Longoria said. “Since they were undefeated, they were on top of the world; we lost to the team they beat. We had a chip on our shoulder. Everybody bought in and that’s what we love. Just the fact that nobody believed in us, only ourselves, that’s all we need.” In the game against Mission Vets, Sharyland senior slot back Blake Klein posted 62 rushing yards and six receptions for 48 yards and a score. Receivers Gabriel Tamez, Ruben Davila and Hector Zavala each found their way into the end zone, as Tamez led the group with five catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. The shootout victory
over the Patriots comes just two weeks after the Rattlers’ high-scoring affair with the Pioneer Diamondbacks in a rivalry game between sister schools. Head Coach Ron Adame said his team “I think tonight we drew from prior experiences,” Adame said. “You look at the Pioneer game two weeks ago and it was a see-saw battle that could have gone either way. Two weeks ago our offense bailed us out, tonight our defense did it, and even on special teams. They had given us everything they had and they were battling all night. Despite obstacles, our boys found a way to persevere and to win, so I’m so proud of my boys.” With the Rattlers handing the Patriots their first “L” of the season, three teams now sit at 6-1 in District 31-5A, Sharyland, Mission Vets and Nixon. In order to lock up a share of the district title, the Sharyland must get through the Rio Grande City Rattlers, who are in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot. Adame, who has instilled the motto “E.M.A.R.” which stands for “Every Man A Rattler”, said Sharyland has all the belief and confidence in the guys inside the Rattler locker room. “In all honesty, not many
VETERANS MEMORIAL PATRIOTS OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
#12 Landry Gilpin
#27 Elias Delgado
#90 Augustin Rodriguez
“The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.”
people gave us a chance to win (against Vets) and we told our boys in the locker room, we don’t need anybody but ourselves, our school and our fans,” Adame said. “I think this is a team of destiny, and we’re destined for greatness. We got to seal the deal with a victory next week against Rio.” Rio Grande City enters the matchup off its bye, giving the team two weeks to prepare for its final shot at the postseason, but need help to get there. In addition to the must-win against Sharyland,
WEEK 10
OF THE WEEK
SHARYLAND RATTLERS
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
#4 Edgar Longoria
#25 Noe Guzman
#30 Danny Escalera
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DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
#2 Mikey Morales
#47 Obed Hernandez
#7 Tyler Bulthuis
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and we still have a tough team ahead of us in Rio Grande City, so we know our coaches are going to prepare us, we’re gonna prepare ourselves and it’s just going to be a great game.” Kickoff between Sharyland and Rio Grande City is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight at Richard Thompson Stadium. Follow The Sharyland Times on Facebook for live score updates throughout tonight’s game.
Players
-Vince Lombardi
Norberto “Beto” Salinas
RGC needs the Pioneer Diamondbacks to lose to Roma, who is 1-8 on the season. Leading Rio’s offensive attack is Jason Perez, who has thrown for 1,536 yards and 14 touchdowns, while running for 555 yards and two scores. The Sharyland defense, who came up big against Veterans Memorial a week ago, will be called upon to finish the fight and clinch a share of the 31-5A District Championship. “It’s not over; the fight’s not over,” Cortez said. “We know we still got one more
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November 10, 2017
On Veterans Day, we salute the American veterans and active-duty military whose courage and dedication have protected our freedom and our way of life, through their bravery, their hard work and their faith. Please join us in celebrating the men and women of our military, past and present, this Veterans Day. Proudly fly your flag, thank a veteran and show your support for those who continue to serve today.
THANK YOU
to all of our veterans who sacrificed so much for our way of life!
City of Alton
“The City on the Grow” 509 S. Alton Blvd. Alton, TX 78573 www.alton-tx.gov
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Salvador Vela Mayor
Ricardo Garza Richard Arevalo Emilio Cantu Jr. COMMISSIONER
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Arturo R. Galvan, Jr. Mayor Pro-Tem
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
1201 E. 8th St. (956) 580-8650 www.missiontexas.us
Ruben Plata COUNCILMAN
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Mary Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem
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Maria E. “Geny” Salinas Commissioner
Rey Acosta Commissioner
Ramiro J. Rodriguez, Jr. Mayor
Roberto A. Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem
Jaime Aranda Councilman
Ruben De Leon Councilman
Israel Silva Councilman
Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman
Anna Lisa Ruiz Commissioner Mike Alaniz City Administrator
Roberto Jackson City Attorney
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www.CityOfPenitas.com facebook.com/CityOfPenitas Gerardo Perez Mayor
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ROBERT FISHER next words. Though the crew was fine, Fisher’s journal notes the plane was junked. Fisher said he won’t be wearing the flight jacket Saturday when he and five other WW II veterans are awarded the medal of Knight in the French Order of the Legion of Honor. The medal will be bestowed by Alexis Andres, consulate general of the French Embassy in Houston, for the veteran’s contributions to the liberation of France during World War II. The ceremony will take place at the state capital in Austin immediately following the city’s annual Veterans Day parade. Sitting in his home on Mission’s west side Tuesday afternoon, the silver-haired Fisher, as clear of mind as ever, expressed what the award means to him. “It’s a great honor,” he said. “These missions evidently were a great help to the liberation of France from the Germans.” On their first day on their air base in England Fisher said he and his crew received two pieces of bad news, the first was they would have to sleep in tents because there was no longer any quarters on base in the small village called Grafton Underwood north of Kettering. That problem was solved when an entire bomber crew was lost that day and Fisher’s crew took over their quarters. The other bad news came when Fisher’s crew was told the number of missions required to return home was 35 instead of the 25 required at the war’s start. “They never expected anyone to finish 25 missions,” Fisher recalled. Fisher’s first mission was an airfield over the city of La Perthé over German occupied France on Aug. 12, 1944. His last mission was on Feb. 3, 1945, when, noting it would be his last mission; his commander placed his bomber in the most dangerous position at the rear of the 36-plane formation. It was the most dangerous position because German fighters liked to pick off bombers from the outer edges and the rear of formations. Fisher’s last mission was the first time the U.S. alone sent 1,000 planes over the German capital. Fisher’s journal notes that despite heavy flak over Berlin the weather was “clear as a bell at the target” and he “pulled off a nice landing after a ‘prop wash’ approach, meaning his plane encountered turbulence from the plane landing ahead of him. During his 35 missions, which often included heavily defended targets in France, Germany, Holland and Belgium, Fisher witnessed two mid-air collisions amongst his fellow pilots, and several other close calls, often caused either by poor visibility from dense cloud cover or because of evasive maneuvers the formations took to avoid flak, the shrapnel created by altitude-detonated exploding shells. “One of our mottos was, ‘We flew the course as briefed,’ and the other was ‘keep the show on the road,’” the latter, Fisher explained, came from a member of a downed bomber crew whose
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from pg 1 sentiments were contained in a letter from a German prisoner of war camp. During his 35 missions Fisher’s bombers lost several engines to German fire. Once he had to put the plane into a dangerous dive to put out an engine fire. “They once had fire extinguishers for the engines but it was decided they added too much weight to the aircraft,” Fisher said. “Of course the people making those decisions weren’t the ones flying.” Though 26,000 of the 216,000 air crewman who flew in Europe during the war never returned, Fisher only witnessed one fatality of a crewman, a top turret gunner who died from asphyxiation when, for some undetermined reason, his supplemental oxygen failed to keep the gunner from suffering oxygen deprivation at 28,000 feet. A bombardier was hit in the head by flak and lost his left eye, Fisher said. During one mission a piece of flak hit Fisher on his right leg below the knee knocking his leg to the opposite side of the flight control stick located between his legs. And though the flak did not penetrate his heavy flight suit his leg was bruised and swollen from his hip to his foot. He learned in a medical exam more than 60 years later the leg had been broken. Nevertheless, among the many medals and ribbons Fisher has been awarded for his service the Purple Heart was not one of them. “The doctor said it didn’t break the skin so no Purple Heart for you,” Fisher said. Born in Baraboo, Wisc., Fisher joined the U.S. Army Air Force at age 20 as a private. He was accepted into flight school and graduated as a second lieutenant. After the war Fisher attended Ohio State University where he received both his bachelors and masters degrees in physics in just three years. He retired from the military in 1966 as a lieutenant colonel. Following the war he moved to El Cajon, Calif., where he worked in the Advanced Systems Department of Teledyne Ryan developing unmanned aircraft today known as drones. On his way to California he purchased a 10-acre citrus grove in Mission, which he sold in the early 1980s. Fisher and his late wife, Pauline, who passed away in 2008, eventually retired in Mission after several years of traveling the country in an RV. In between the couple raised four children, of them, Barbara Johnson of McAllen, said her childhood was idyllic, like an episode of “Father Knows Best.” “The only draw back was when he left town sometimes we didn’t know where dad was going because it was classified,” Johnson said. Today, looking back at the hardships and dangers he survived during the war, Fisher has this message for so-called Millennial generation, children born since 2000. “Do everything you can to protect freedom because it’s the most precious thing you can have and well worth fighting for if you get the chance.”
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Top left Robert Fisher stands in front of his B-17 Bomber that was damaged on Jan. 1, 1945 when he hit treetops averting a mid-air collision with another allied aircraft during take off. The top right photo shows damage to the engine’s cowling and the photo on the bottom right shows damage to the left wing. Courtesy photos.
RGV Celebrations Salute Veterans McALLEN – South Texas College will hold Veterans Multiple events across the Rio Grande Valley Please join us in saluting those who served foron our great country. Dayand flag sacrificed raising ceremony Friday, Nov. 10, at the to salute all military veterans for the Nov. 11 Pecan Campus at 9 a.m., Technology Campus at 11 Veteran’s Day. MISSION – American Legion Post 93 will hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10, at the following Mission CISD Elementary Schools. 8:30 a.m. at Mims, 9:30 a.m. at O’Grady, 10 a.m.at Leal, and 1:30 p.m. at Cantu. On Saturday, Nov. 11, they will be at Sam’s on Jackson in Pharr at 9 a.m., at Chimney Park at 11 a.m. and Split Rail Park at 12:30 p.m. *** MISSION: Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 will perform a 21 gun salute and playing of Taps in honor of Veterans on Friday, Nov. 10 at 8 a.m. at the Mission United States Post Office, Bridges Assistant Living at 10 a.m. and Mission Junior High at 2 p.m. *** McALLEN – This year, to accommodate school children who will be attending, organizers of the program at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas will hold a commemoration on Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. This year’s Veterans Day program will be dedicated to WWII veterans and their families. It will be held at the Memorial complex located at 29th St. and Colonel Plummer Dr. in McAllen, just east of the McAllen Convention Center.
a.m., and Nursing and Allied Health at 1 p.m. All campuses are in McAllen. *** HARLINGEN – The Marine Military Academy will host its Veterans Day parade Saturday at 10 a.m. on the MMA Parade Ground in Harlingen. Veterans from all military branches are encouraged to attend and to join the MMA superintendent for the pass in review. All parade-goers are also encouraged to participate in the flag retirement ceremony to follow the parade. MMA’s battalion-size parades are always held in front of the historic Iwo Jima Monument, a symbol of American. Although bleacher seating is available, paradegoers may bring lawn chairs. MMA is located at 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., off Loop 499 and next to Valley International Airport in Harlingen. For more information, call 956-421-9225. *** SAN BENITO – Honoring the U.S. military’s service to their country, the City of San Benito will host a March of Veterans on Saturday starting at 8:50 a.m. Veterans and family members are invited to march down Sam Houston Street with a police escort to the San Benito Veterans War Memorial site at Railroad Tracks and Rowson Street. To participate, or for more information, call Victor Garza at 956-399-7464.
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STADIUM UPDATED
do for all home games this season for both the Patriots and Mission High School’s Eagles football teams. “That’s how confident I am that the game will be played in Tom Landry Stadium,” Ibarra said. “Personally, that’s how I am feeling.” As of Wednesday Ibarra said the stadium had not been declared substantially completed because there were still necessary staff training sessions to be conducted. She said contractors were also awaiting arrival of some electronic equipment needed to operate the stadium’s original scoreboard. And Rick Rivera, the district’s assistant superintendent for operations, said the project’s architect, Eli Alvarado and Associates, still had pending an inspection of
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the press box’s air conditioning system to ensure air flow was being distributed evenly throughout the structure. He said Alvarado had also yet to turn over to the district all of the manuals for the various stadium systems. But both said they had been assured all of the pending matters would be completed by today. Rivera said one pending item that may not be ready by today is the arrival of the five large banners that will hang from the stadium’s north side depicting eight district inductees into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Rivera said he was told by the stadium’s building contractor, Michael C. Montalvo of Holchemont Ltd., the banner’s vendor had been delayed from producing
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named a TOPPS Baseball All-American. Inducted into the Hall in 1993, Roy Garcia was an elite three-sport athlete earning All-American hoops honors in 1962 playing for the Mission High Eagles. He went on to become one of the most winning basketball coaches in the Valley at various high schools including 28 years as a coach and athletic director at Mission High amassing over 660 wins. Carmen G. Martinez is best known for coaching volleyball, having been the first coach in Mission High history winning nearly 500 games over 27 seasons taking a dozen district championships along the way. Inducted in 2006, Rene G. Garza was Mission High’s head girl’s basketball coach for 16 years guiding them to 10 state playoff appearances.
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them because of Hurricane Harvey, forcing Montalvo to seek an alternate source. But Rivera said the absence of the banners would not interfere with the stadium’s use. On Wednesday school district spokesman, Craig Verley, released the names of the eight RGV Sports Hall of Fame inductees whose images will appear on the four banners – two on each. The banners will fill the voids between the four brick columns on the stadium’s north side while also hiding the steel superstructure that supports the home side bleachers. The inductees who will appear on the banners are Lupe Rodriguez, who, according to the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, in his senior year in 1987 threw for 4,179 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes, which remains the Valley’s single season re-
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U.S.C.B.P. seize immigrants Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission stash house raid recognized among top 10% in U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended 18 subjects, all suspected undocumented immigrants, from a Mission house on Halloween, the agency has reported. According to a U.S.C.B.P. press release the smuggled migrants were from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico. The group was taken into custody by Rio Grande Valley Sector agents with assistance from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and the Precinct 4 constable. On Nov. 1 agents apprehended another 14 suspected undocumented im-
migrants who were staying in a Brownsville apartment complex and were said to be from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. No further information was provided about the apprehensions except that all the subjects were “being processed accordingly.” U.S.C.B.P. spokesman Robert Rodriguez declined to provide the location of the Mission stash house, who owns it or if any arrests were made in connection with the apprehension stating the incident remains under investigation.
obituaries Ismael Garcia MISSION – Deacon Ismael Garcia, 92, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at Mission Nursing Home. For many years, Deacon Garcia served at St. Paul’s Catholic Church and other parishes where he assisted with baptisms, weddings, funerals and marriage counseling. He also provided prayer services to residents at Mission Nursing Home. Survivors include his daughters, Olga Salazar, Sara Garcia, Irma Perez, Carolina Perez and Frances Garcia; sister, Delia Rodriguez; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Francisca R. Garcia, and children, Oralia Jimenez, Ismael Garcia Jr., Nazarrio Garcia and Jose Garcia. A funeral mass was held on Nov. 6 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Mission. Hortencia Garza MISSION – Hortencia S.
“Tenchita” Garza, 80, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, at her home in Mission. Mrs. Garza was an active member of Primera Iglesia Apostolica in Mission. Survivors include her daughters, Rebecca Marquez, Yolanda Balderas, Araceli Guerra, Elda Garza, Hortencia Veliz, Sonia Leal and Alejandra Guerrero; siblings, Jose, Federico, Juan and Emilio Saavedra, and Lucila Mendez and Olga Castanon; and 27 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodolfo Garza; parents, Emilio and Toriba Saavedra; and siblings, Noelio Saavedra and Panchita De La Torre. A funeral service was held on Nov. 3 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Ramon Garza MISSION – Ramon Garza Sr., 81, passed away on
nation for orthopedic services
Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC), a member of Prime Healthcare, has been named among the top 10 percent in the nation for Overall Orthopedic Services two years in a row ( 20172018) and is the recipient of the Healthgrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award two years in a row (2017-2018), according to this year’s evaluation from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. According to a MRMC press release, every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide
for 34 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions. “We are very pleased with the recognition, particularly since it is based on patient outcomes,” said MRMC CEO Kane Dawson in the press release. “It’s a credit to everyone involved in caring for orthopedic patients at Mission Regional Medical Center. Most importantly, these ratings demonstrate to the communities we serve that Mission Regional Medical Center is among the very best of hospitals across the country and that exceptional orthopedic care is truly close to their homes.”
Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 at Mission Regional Medical Center. Mr. Garza was born on Aug. 29, 1936, in Mission to Camilo and Juanita Garza. Survivors include his wife, Ofelia B. Garza; children, Martin Garza, Gloria Encinia, Maria Garza, Reynaldo Garza, Rojelio Garza, Ramon Garza Jr., Noe Garza and Alma Garza; sister, Amelia Barrera; and 28 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Mr. Garza was preceded in death by his son, Homero Garza Sr. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Abram. Burial follows at San Jose Cemetery in Abram. Maria Quintanilla MISSION – Maria S. Quintanilla, 96, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at the Village Care Center in McAllen. Survivors include her siblings, Margarita Duarte, Simon Sandoval, Cristina Davila and Celestino Sandoval, all of Mission, and Benito Sandoval of Aurora, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francisco Quintanilla; parents, Eleuterio and Micaela Sandoval; and sister, Juanita Rivera.
A funeral mass was held on Nov. 4 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission.
James Timmons ROANOKE – James Andrew Timmons, 94, passed away Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at his son’s home in Roanoke. Mr. Timmons was born on Feb. 6, 1923, in Chicago Ill. He was a resident of Hacienda Village in Mission for the past 15 years. He was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as a B-17 bomber pilot in the European theater in WWII. He was a former restaurant owner. Mr. Timmons was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as grand master. As an active member of the
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.
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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
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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
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CITY COUNCIL RACE we do,” Acosta said. “The majority of us are dedicated to working for the city and helping it prosper. There’s progress here in La Joya, but we can always improve.” The CWT is aligned with “Team L1berty,” the political coalition in western Hidalgo County that has supporters on the Sullivan City, Peñitas and La Joya city councils, the La Joya school board and the Agua Special Utility District board of directors. Unsuccessful challengers Rosie Treviño and Aurora Ruiz were aligned with the “Progress for La Joya” slate and said they were running on a platform to bring more transparency to the city. They received 40 and 44 percent of the vote in their races, respectively. Both Ruiz and Treviño said they expected to win but were left speechless by the time the early voting results were released.
“We’d have to congratulate our opponents in winning but the results were not what we expected,” Treviño said. “We figured that if we’d lost it would’ve been a close race. We didn’t think we’d lose by so much. It’s disappointing how we expected something that didn’t happen.” Despite running against them, Salinas said she and her fellow city council members extend an invitation to “Progress for La Joya” members and any others who aren’t satisfied with how the city is being run. This sentiment was echoed by Mayor Salinas. “Tonight was a victory for western Hidalgo County,” he said. “If the opponents had come here and told us they didn’t feel like we were doing a good job, we’d talk to them and hear them out. We want to unite the city.”
Methodist Church, he served as a lay leader, was head of the Dinner with Friends at Mission First United Methodist Church for 18 years, started churches in Mexico and served as a Sunday School teacher and in numerous other capacities in his church service throughout his life. Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Harriet; children, Mark, of Roanoke Diana, of Fort Wayne Ind.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Mission on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. His remains have been cremated. The family has requested memorial donations be made to the Dinner with Friends program in lieu of flowers.
burg.
Notices Jose Aguilar MISSION – Jose Luis Aguilar, 58, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edin-
Gloria Almaguer MISSION – Gloria Almaguer, 70, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg. Rodolfo Castillo MISSION – Rodolfo Castillo, 53, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Corpus Christi. Beatriz Garza LOS EBANOS – Beatriz Garza, 89, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Margarito Lopez MISSION – Margarito Lopez, 55, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at his home in Mission. Andrea Molano MISSION – Andrea Molano, 83, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at her home in Mission. Thomas Scott MISSION – Thomas Scott, 75, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at Comfort House in McAllen. Michael Welch MISSION – Michael F. Welch, 73, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Mission.
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AGUA SUD
rently serve as trustees in the La Joya school board, served as employees with the utility district. Both of them left the district following the passage of a state bill that essentially barred them from working there. Garza, who served as a project manager for the district, received $268,000 while Salinas walked away with $221,000. The severance packages were approved by former Agua SUD Executive Director Oscar Cancino last July, the documents showed. As of press time, Cancino had not responded to requests for comment. Garza and Salinas left the utility following passage of Senate Bill 814, which was introduced during the last legislative session by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAl-
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len, to curb potential conflicts of interests within the district, Hinojosa said. The bill stated that if an Agua board director works for another taxing entity, the board couldn’t hire an elected official of that taxing entity. When the bill was introduced in February, Hinojosa told the Progress Times that as the majority of the board of directors for Agua SUD are employees of the La Joya school district, hiring school board trustees as employees created a potential conflict of interest. The bill was ultimately approved by the Texas House and Senate becoming law in September without Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. The documents, which were released following an October 19 public information request submitted by Hinojosa, revealed how the district
handled the payout. On May 1, nearly three months after SB 814 was originally introduced, Garza and Salinas both signed fiveyear contracts with the utility district for which they were both paid an annual salary of $85,000 and $70,000, respectively. According to the settlement agreement between Garza and Salinas, both employees submitted a letter to Agua SUD through their attorneys demanding compliance with the terms of the contract. This led to a July 6 meeting with the board of directors where they passed a resolution authorizing Cancino to resolve any conflicts concerning employees “Which resulted from the passage of SB 814,” the agreement states. “Without the advice or consent of Agua SUD SB 814 became law,” the agreements
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LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Mixed Beverage Permit, Mixed Beverage Late Hours Permit by the City of Mission doing business as the Mission Event Center, to be located at 200 N. Shary Rd., Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas. Martin Garza, City Manager, Mario Flores, Golf Course Director, and John Gonzales, Club House Manager.
said. “Despite Agua SUD’s notice to State Legislation that the passage of SB 814 would affect the constitutional and contractual rights of multiple employees, the legislature saw fit to place Agua SUD and its employees in this conflict.” Board Director Homer Tijerina voted against the resolution and said in a July interview he felt uneasy at the lack of transparency from this resolution giving Cancino unilateral settlement authority, which would’ve essentially kept the board in the dark on payout negotiations. As previously reported, rumors on the payout began to spread following the July resignation of Garza and Salinas but neither they nor their lawyer, Ben Castillo, could comment on the payout due to a confidentiality clause in their separation agreement. The confidentiality clause
cited the 2015 Texas Supreme court decision in the Boeing v. Paxton ruling that blocked the release of certain information in a lease between Boeing and the Port Authority of San Antonio because the aerospace manufacturer said making the details public could tip off its competitors, according to the Texas Tribune. Because of this, the settlement stated, “Both parties agree to keep the [negotiation] and terms of the settlement confidential so as to not hinder the future negotiation ability of Agua SUD with other employees.” Following the release of the documents, Salinas released a statement saying he felt targeted by SB 814 and sought to explore his legal options. “I felt that any negative employment action against me would be a blatant breach of my employment contract,”
he said. “I agreed to enter into possible resolution discussions in an effort to avoid expensive and burdensome legal proceedings. At the conclusion of my discussions, I made a decision to resolve my issues with the best interests of my family in mind.” Garza did not respond to a request for comment. Following the release of the documents, Hinojosa released a statement in which he described the payout as “improper.” “This is a disservice to the general public and it appears to be a fraudulent transaction that fools no one,” Hinojosa stated. “It borders on abuse of official capacity and misapplication of fiduciary duty. These two individuals took money that belongs to the taxpayers and they should give it back.”
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.
PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on November 27, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lot 1, Yessica Pedraza Subdivision, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-3) General Business Discussion and Action Amending Various Portions of Chapter 86 – Signs of the Mission Code of Ordinances Discussion and Action Amending Chapter 98 – Subdivision, Section 98144 of the Mission Code of Ordinances to Allow the Usage of Park Zone Funds with City Council Approval for Regional Recreational Sites Amended Crystal Estates Phase II 8.05 acre tract of land out of Lot 27-2, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE 2017-17-1024 CITY OF ALTON AN ORDINANCE ABANDONING A ROADWAY, UTILITY AND DRAINAGE EASEMENT THE SUBJECT TRACT OF LAND BEING THE 1.3 ACRES EAST OF A 3.506-ACRE (DEED: 3.502ACRE) TRACT OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, OUT OF A CERTAIN 15.28 ACRE TRACT BEING THE NORTH 8.58 ACRES OF LOT 39-1, AND THE SOUTH 6.70 ACRES OF LOT 40-1, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION, HIDALGO COUNTY TEXAS, AS PER MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECOREDED IN VOLUME 1, PAGE 56 MAP RECORDS, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS; AUTHORIZING THE PUBLICATION AND RECORDING OF SAID ORDINANCE IN THE “OFFICIAL RECORDS” OF HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND WAIVING A SECOND AND THIRD READING. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 24th day of October, 2017. Salvador Vela, Mayor, City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM, TRMCCMC, City Secretary
November 10, 2017
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ria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function.”NPI La Joya ISD is one of only 50 agencies in Texas, and one of only 26 school districts in the U.S. and Canada, to receive this award
La Joya ISD Purchasing Department, State and Nationally Recognized From the La Joya ISD public information office
While campuses and departments within a school district are the ones who decide their individual purchasing needs, ensuring that the proper procedures and guidelines are lawfully followed is the responsibility of the Purchasing Department. At La Joya ISD, the Purchasing & Warehouse Operations Department has demonstrated their commitment in following exceptional professional procurement standards, compliant with stringent regulations set by state and federal government agencies. To support this reputation, La Joya ISD received the 2017 Purchasing Award of Merit (AOM) by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). In determining this award, TASBO reviewed various procedures and practices such as organization, con-
tract operations, staff training and certification, use of technology, communication, and warehousing – and La Joya ISD was the ONLY school district in Region 1, and one of 27 in the state, receiving this award. La Joya ISD, as a recipient of this award, is proud to exhibit to the community, its diligence to financial responsibility. “The staff is committed to providing high quality service in facilitating the procurement function to support student achievement – and we operate by this standard on a daily basis,” said Sylvia G. Zapata, La Joya ISD Director of Purchasing and Warehouse Operations. “It is our goal to secure the goods and services necessary to enhance the educational process in accordance with all laws, policies and procedures established by the Fed-
eral Government, the state of Texas, and our school district,” Zapata added. Additionally, once again La Joya ISD is the recipient of this year’s 2017 Achievement of Excellence in Pro-
curement (AEP) Award, granted by the National Procurement Institute (NPI). This honor “recognizes organizational excellence in public and non-profit procurement. The award crite-
Following the removal of one of their own, the Agua Special Utility District board of directors has appointed a replacement to represent Sullivan City. Ivan Sandoval, a math teacher at La Joya’s Hope Academy, was appointed and sworn in as an Agua SUD director during a meeting Monday. The appointment comes two weeks after the board voted to remove the former Sullivan City representative, Francisco “Pancho” Flores. Flores was voted off the board Oct. 23 because he had attended only four of the board’s monthly meetings over the past 12 months. The board consists of seven members elected to represent the cities of Mission, Palmview, Sullivan City and Peñitas – the cities to which the utility provides water and sewer services to more than 14,500 customers. The remaining three board members serve the district in atlarge positions.
Agua SUD attorney Frank Garza said the board vacancy had to be filled within 90 days after Flores’ removal. The decision to appoint Sandoval was a joint agreement between the board of directors, Sullivan City’s mayor and its commissioners, Garza said. Sullivan City Mayor Leo Garcia addressed the board at Monday’s meeting on the need to fill the position even though the 30-day period Flores has to appeal his removal has not expired. “We haven’t seen anyone from the city of Sullivan here since I became mayor five months ago,” Garcia said. “We need all the help we can get and at this point we haven’t had anyone in the city to make contact with. That’s the reason I am pushing for this nomination.” “In the event where [Flores] does file his appeal and is successful, then he would regain his seat and [Sandoval] would be removed,” Garza said. “It’s hard to say what Flores will
See PURCHASING Pg. 14
A photo cutline in the Nov. 3 editions illustrating a story about the Mission Historical Museum’s annual Halloween Family Festival incorrectly identified Ileana Bravo, below, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, as Maria Bravo. The Progress Times apologizes for the error.
The photo above shows an Oct. 25 LJISD training session where over 56 vendors attended to review the district’s procurement guidelines and requirements as well as to learn the district’s e-Bidding system. Courtesy photo
Ileana Bravo
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or will not do, though. He has not contacted the district or responded via certified mail, email, in any type of fashion regarding his absences.” Sandoval said it was his childhood friend, Garcia, who approached him about taking the interim position. Sandoval said he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of running for the spot when Flores’ term expires in the spring. He thanked Garcia, Sullivan City commissioners, the Agua SUD board, La Joya
MCISD’s Super López bids farewell
Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas and Peñitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez for their support of his nomination and appointment to the board. Both Sandoval and Garcia said their main concern for Sullivan City is to fix El Pinto Road, the main street which has remained unpaved for months since Agua SUD installed a sewer line down the street. “It’s a real mess right now, that’s my priority to fix,” Sandoval said.
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Trustees name interim replacement
By Joe Hinton When the Mission Consolidated Independent School Board of Trustees holds its next set of committee meetings Dec. 6 it won’t be their popular school’s superintendent, Ricardo López, officiating. On Wednesday night during their regular monthly meeting the board voted to make the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Criselda “Cris” Valdez, interim superintendent. The action followed López’s announcement earlier in Wednesday’s meeting that negotiations were finalized over the weekend with the Garland Independent School District for him to become its next superintendent. In October López was named the district’s “lone finalist” for the vacant superintendent’s position of the much larger Dallas suburb school system. But by state law he could not formally accept the job for 21 days following his selection as lone finalist. López, who has held his position as MCISD superintendent the past four years, announced his last day with the district is Dec. 22, the last day of the fall semester. He will start his new job on Jan. 2, López said. Board President Patricia O’Caña-Olivarez said Valdez is officially taking charge of the district Dec. 1 with López remaining in an advisory capacity until the semester’s end. “As of Dec. 1 you will be in full control,” O’Caña-Olivarez told Valdez. Earlier in the meeting López said he was departing “with a heavy heart.” López was superintendent of the Ysleta ISD, an El Paso suburb, when he was hired by
– for the fourth consecutive year. Recently, the Purchasing Department conducted a Vendor Training Session titled, “How to do Business with La Joya ISD,” where over 56 vendors attended to review the district’s procurement guidelines and require-
Correction
Paving El Pinto Road priority of newest Agua SUD board member
By Jose De Leon III
page 13
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MCISD. Wednesday he said though he fell in love with MCISD he could not pass up the opportunity to take the Garland job. “It was an opportunity that presented itself that I could not shy away from,” López said. “The people here are wonderful. You guys can conquer the world. The familia aspect that the kids are growing up with is probably the greatest part.” López said one of his daughters is having a very difficult time with his decision because of the many friends she has made here in the past four years. “And I tell her those friendships will last a lifetime,” he said. “I know I’ve met some genuine friends here, too. I love each one of these board members although sometimes they don’t love me so much. You can tell by the ones who laugh first.” López went on to say that “Mission is a very special place and this district will continue to thrive because of the people here. And I want to thank all of the community members; I want to thank everybody because this promotion was possible because
of you, not me. This is really a reflection on your efforts.” López closed his remarks saying he now considers Mission his hometown “and so I hope to make you all proud.”
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La Joya ISD holds 2nd annual NASA Night
Two unidentified students participated in La Joya ISD’s 2nd Annual NASA Night Oct. 26. Courtesy photo The La Joya independent School District Elementary Science Department held La Joya ISD’s 2nd Annual NASA Night last month. Held at the La Joya High School gym Thursday, Oct. 26, elementary students and families were invited to come out and be a part of a night full of learning and ex-
PURCHASING ments, as well as learn the district’s e-Bidding system. “This was an invaluable training opportunity for the vendor community as the content presented, detailed various essential topics, including: the vendor registration process bid participation, contract award, contract management, as well as state and federal procurement laws, local policy and administrative procedures,” stated Ms. Zapata. Participants were provided with useful resources, including a Ven-
November 10, 2017
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ploring, according to a news release from the district. Students had the opportunity to participate in all NASA-related activities to encourage them to pursue possible careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM. This, in an effort to ensure that the next generation of from pg 13 dor’s Registration Guide and a, “Doing Business with La Joya ISD,” handout. These materials are also available on our Purchasing Department’s web page at www. lajoyaisd.com/purchasing.” Whether it’s earning accolades, or providing essential information to the vendor community, the Purchasing & Warehouse Operations Department at La Joya ISD is definitely doing things right and are a clear example for many school districts to follow.
professionals, will take on their roles and responsibilities, which ultimately shape our future, the release stated. The La Joya ISD Science and Math departments put together a total of 28 stations geared at integrating the two subjects in many fun and educational activities, according to the release. “These types of events help young children discover new interests that otherwise they would not explore,” Alejandro Carranza, the district’s elementary science coordinator stated in the release. Students worked together in exciting and interactive sessions such as: Rotor Motor, Pocket Solar System, Foam Rockets and many other NASA-related activities. La Joya ISD also played a key role in preparing and organizing the event, as it was them who were manning the stations and working with
each little visitor, the release said. “Without a doubt, it is our La Joya educators that make these great events possible,” Carranza added. “La Joya ISD teachers are always willing to give of themselves when called upon, especially when it comes to transforming and helping our students succeed.” In the release, the district thanked The University of Texas at Austin’s NASA Texas Space Grant Consortium and their education and outreach program manager, Margaret Baguio, who was on site to share her time and expertise. The La Joya ISD Science Department collaborated with Baguio to coordinate this great learning opportunity for the La Joya ISD community and said in the release they are looking forward to next year’s 3rd Annual La Joya NASA Night.
VMHS student saves mother’s life with Heimlich maneuver
Alex De Leon didn’t know that when he chose to take a CPR training class and learn the Heimlich Maneuver he would be putting those skills to use on someone so close to him like his mother. It was a regular Sunday morning for the De Leon family except their son Alex wasn’t supposed to be at home. His usual routine was to hang out over at his friend’s house except for some unusual reason on Oct. 29 he decided to have his friend come over to his home. It was a good thing for Esmeralda De Leon that while she was eating lunch at the dining table, her husband, son and his friend were watching the football game on the sofa. Suddenly Esmeralda, starting choking on her food and couldn’t breathe. Alex heard a choking sound coming from his mom and he kept asking her if she was ok. He realized she couldn’t breathe and instantly took action. Alex remembered the CPR training he received and the Heimlich maneuver. He asked his mom if she was choking and when she couldn’t respond that is when he got behind her and performed the maneuver. “I just got behind her and
started to do the Heimlich maneuver,” said Alex. “At that point I didn’t hold back, I didn’t know if I was performing the maneuver too hard or not, all I wanted was for her to breathe.” Soon Esmeralda was breathing and opened the front door to get some more air. After experiencing a life and death moment like what had just happened, she needed a moment to assess the ordeal she had just experienced. “I’m very thankful that he was there and that he reacted so quickly,” said Esmeralda De Leon. “It is horrific and very scary when you can’t breathe, so I am very grateful to his educators that taught and trained him.” Alex learned the maneuver in his nursing and health classes and plans to pursue a nursing career following graduation. Following the event Alex said he was thankful for individuals responsible for teaching him the skills and courses that have made an impact on him, his family and in his future: William Proctor, Karen Hurst and Christina Reyes.
Alex De Leon and his mother, Esmeralda. Courtesy photo