Friday, January 5, 2018
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Vol. 46 No. 21
Looking back: The top 20 stories for the Progress Times
By Jose De Leon III With the start of a new year comes a lot of reflecting on what the previous year has brought to us. For us at the Progress Times, 2017 saw a variety of news to bring to you which brings us to this post. Below is a list of the 20 most popular stories we’ve published this year. All 20 of these stories were selected through a combination of the number of pageviews they’ve received on our site and how they impacted how we covered news this year. Here’s to hoping 2018 brings more excellent coverage from your beloved community newspaper. 1) Newly remodeled Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium (finally) opens Despite being approved by the Mission Consolidated Independent School District board of trustees on November 2016 and with construction starting last February, rain, school testing days, changes in plans and a hurricane pushed the opening day of the $8 million Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium back from its original completion date of Aug. 21. The Nov. 17 playoff game between the VMHS Patriots and Browns-
ville Lobos was the first and only game played in the stadium last year. 2) NABA lawsuit Marianna Treviño-Wright, executive director for the National Butterfly Center, encountered a work crew on the butterfly center’s private property who told her they were on orders from U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearing land for the border wall. This led to a national spotlight on the butterfly center as it, along with the Mission La Lomita Chapel and the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, became national attractions that could be affected by construction of the border wall. As a result, the North American Butterfly Association, which owns the center, filed a lawsuit last month against the federal government to prevent them from building the border wall. If the wall is built through the center, the wall would cut off two-thirds of the center’s 100 acres, effectively destroying the Center and leaving behind “a 70-acre no-man’s land between the proposed border wall and the Rio Grande,” the lawsuit stated. 3) Former Agua SUD employees received nearly a half-million in severance pay
Above is a photo of the north façade of Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium Friday, Nov. 17 as patrons line up for tickets prior to game time. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton 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 currently 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. 4) Mission Regional Medical Center lays off
over 120 employees Less than two weeks after announcing it was being acquired by the California-based health-care foundation Prime Healthcare Foundation, Mission
See TOP 20 STORIES PT Pg. 4
Agua SUD interim GM New technical academy opens in Mission steps down By Jose De Leon III
By Jose De Leon III
Richard LeFevre, former Agua SUD interim general manager. Courtesy photo
During their final meeting of the year, the Agua Special Utility District announced their interim general manager had submitted a letter of resignation, leading the board of directors to appoint a new interim GM. Richard LeFevre, president of the McAllen-based firm LeFevre Engineering & Management Consulting, LLC, was appointed as interim GM during a September 2017 board meeting but stepped down from his role due to health reasons, Board President Roger Hernandez
See GM STEPS DOWN Pg. 5
With more than 2 and a half million jobs available in the technology market, a new technical academy is preparing to train local residents in those fields to ensure they receive the best job possible. Valley Technical Academy, housed inside Mission’s Center for Education and Economic Development Building, will be starting a 12-week program Monday, Jan. 15 that offers lessons in web development, programming fundamentals for creating apps and courses on designing websites and apps. “Our mission is to be the largest influencer of employment in the Valley, period.” Founder Jim Smith said.
“Our goal is to create jobs, we’re connecting high potential individuals with high potential careers and educating them and training them
on how to perform in those careers. According to Smith, jobs in the fields of web application development, user ex-
THE
BIG7 SCHOOLS
INDEX
See NEW ACADEMY OPENS Pg. 5
Valley Technical Academy members (from left to right) Art Alcantar, Kurt Mutz, Alex Silva, Emma Perez, Jim Smith and Joshua Garza. Courtesy photo by Roberto Gonzalez
INSIDE
Spirit of Christmas still lives
Secret Santa Society visits La Joya
Gilpin, Garcia Garner Top Awards
perience design and mobile application development are among the most in demand
Big 7 athletes make presence known in All-Valley Sports Awards. Bryan Ramos has all the details.
William J. Clinton Elementary students received an unexpected surprise on the last day of school.
Santa Claus made a quick stop in Mission this past Christmas. Medical staff at MRMC keep annual tradition of giving alive by sharing their Christmas spirit and gifts with families in need.
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See Pg. 5
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Entertainment | pg.2
Lifestyle | pg.3
Sports | pg. 8
Obituaries | pg. 9
Classifieds | pg. 11
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LOCATIONS IN
LA JOYA • PALMVIEW
entertainment Coming Attractions
Liverpool Legends
Liverpool Legends to perform two shows in RGV
Marty Scott wasn’t sure what was happening. What he did know, however, is that he was sitting on a couch with Louise Harrison, sister of the Beatles’ George Harrison. It was 2001 and the lead guitarist for the legendary band has just recently died. Also sitting on the couch was the Beatles’ Paul McCartney. Marty, who plays the role of Harrison in the Beatles’ tribute band the Liverpool Legends, was singing with his Chicago-area band at a Beatles convention where Louise was the guest of honor. “I just struck up a bizarre friendship with her and we became good friends,” Scott said. “Here I am the guy who sings George stuff in our little local band and a week later I’m on a couch with her and Paul McCartney and just got thrown into this world.” With the guidance of Louise, in 2005 the Liverpool Legends was formed. It has been nothing but a whirlwind of amazing stories and sold-out shows worldwide. The Liverpool Legends are the only Beatles tribute band with a direct link to a family member of the Beatles – and they’re coming back to the Rio Grande Valley. The Liverpool Legends will perform two Rio Grande Valley shows. On Friday, Jan. 12 they will perform at the Edinburg Auditorium from 8 to 10 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 13 they will be at the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium for a 7 to 9 p.m. performance. The group has its own theater, which looks like a giant yellow submarine, in Branson, Mo., where they also own homes. Louise Harrison moved there as well after forming the legendary
look-a-like and sound-a-like group that has headlined the Rose Bowl and Carnegie Hall, and walked the red carpet after being nominated for a Grammy – all just last year. “I didn’t know anything about Branson and when we got there, there was nothing there like us – it was all country acts and magicians and we stuck out like a sore thumb,” Scott said. The band stays in Branson for about six months of the year before they begin traveling. They have performed all over the world including Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, Israel and more. They have sold out an 18,000-seat arena in Mexico City and recently performed a Christmas show there. “There are Beatles fans all over the world but it seems the closer we get to Mexico, the more there are – like in the Valley, they are just everywhere,” Scott said. “We’ve been going to the Valley for about six years and it has been a really great stopping area for us.” Scott said the craziness of being part of the Liverpool Legends hasn’t slowed down since that day he friended Louise and sat with her and McCartney. “Louise is part of our meet and greet in Branson and does some Q and A’s at the shows,” Scott said. “She’s like a mom to me – she’s family. Every year just gets bigger as we build on it. I don’t know how we can top it this year.” Tickets for the Edinburg show on Jan. 12 are available at Hermes Music and The Boot Jack stores, go online to topboxtickets.com or call 800-514-3849. Call 956631-1411 for tickets for the Harlingen Show on Jan. 13.
January 6 • Frank Runyeon will be preforming “The 3-1/2 Stories of Christmas” at 6:30 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in McAllen. Adult ticket admission is $10 and $3 for school children. Family passes are available. Call 956-631-6121 for tickets or information. January 19-21 • The Harlingen Community Theatre presents The Old Lady’s Guide to Survival starring Carol Kent and Randi Lappin. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students under age 18. Tickets are sold one hour before show time, and seating begins 30 minutes prior to the curtain time. The theater is located at 1209 Fair Park Blvd. Call 956-4127529 for information or email playhousefairpark97@gmail. com. January 19 & 26 • The Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Children’s Education Concert Series will present three concerts on Jan. 19 and three on Jan. 26 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. The symphony is looking for schools around the Rio Grande Valley to fill the 10:30 a.m. spot on both days, along with other time slots upon availability. These private concerts are aimed toward elementary and middle school aged children. For more information, teachers and fine arts directors of school districts can contact Vivian Vargas, VSO marketing manager, at 956-661-1615 or via email at vivian@valleyorchestra.org. January 25 • Enter into the world of landscape drawing with instruction by Betty Vermeer at the Upper Valley Art League annex. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $15 for 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 956-5832787 for information. January 27 • Jonathan Blocher will lead a calligraphy workshop for beginners in the Upper Valley Art League annex from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $55 for UVAL members and $65 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. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
Going native
January 5, 2018
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Watercolor Society annual exhibit opens Jan. 13
The Hidalgo Watercolor Society (HWS) will open its annual exhibition with a reception on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Upper Valley Art League’s (UVAL) Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. All artwork, in the exhibit, will be original watercolor paintings created by the HWS members. Watercolor is a painting method in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-based solution. Watercolor refers to both the medium and the resulting artwork. Traditionally, watercolors are painted on paper. The paper is often made entirely or partially of cotton, which gives a good texture and minimizes distortion when wet. Watercolors are usually translucent, and appear luminous because the pigments are laid down in a pure form with few fillers obscuring the pigment colors. HWS members paint together in the UVAL Artlink building on Fridays and provides an opportunity to learn more about the watercolor medium and to paint with a like-minded group of artists. Each year, in conjunction with its exhibition, HWS sponsors a watercolor workshop taught by a visiting artist. This year’s invited artist is Susie Short. Her watercolor paintings have been exhib-
Learn about the Texas native poinsettia and join the staff at Quinta Mazatlan for the Native Plant Walk on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. This wild poinsettia, Euphorbia cyathophora, can bloom in all seasons, but the tiny yellow flower clusters are hardly noticeable until leaf blades nearest them begin turning a classic shade of red. That can happen by midsummer, appropriately naming it summer poinsettia. It also is known as fire-on-the-mountain, Texas poinsettia, and Catarina. A different plant theme is featured each month on the walks. All public tours are included in admission fee. With prior arrangement, private bookings are available for groups with 10 or more. For more information, call 631-3370. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset Drive in McAllen.
ited in regional, national, and international competitions, and have received numerous awards. The public will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite painting. The work chosen will receive the “People’s Choice Award” and will become the image used to promote next year’s exhibition, just as this year’s show poster features last year’s People’s Choice winner, “Mom’s Fostoria,” by Dee Tunseth. The exhibition runs through Feb. 3, and is free and open to the public. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. HWS operates under the auspices of the Upper Valley Art League which 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.
Valley native to premiere latest work
MISSION – Mark Hernandez will host a one-time screening of his latest work, “Shrub,” at the Border Theater on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. “Shrub” weaves together the tales of individuals looking to work on themselves through experimental therapy sessions and embark on a journey of introspection and self-discovery. “This film shows that it’s never too late to improve our lives. By acknowledging and accepting our flaws, we can become even stronger,” said Hernandez. Prior to the premiere, there will be a presentation of Hernandez’ first feature, “Unmexican,” and a question and answer session with the cast of “Shrub” immediately follows the double feature. Tickets are $5, and will be available at the box office starting at 6:30 p.m. prior to the premiere. The Border Theater is located on 905 N. Conway Ave. in Mission. For additional information, contact Mark Hernandez at 956-7840737.
Happy New Year from Faith Baptist Church Sunday Service Times: Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday Services: Adults, Teens, Kids 7:00 PM
Saturday, January 13, 2018 2pm - Mission Community Center 1420 E. Kika de la Garza, Mission
For more information call: 585-9724
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Located at 3 Mile & Shary Rd.
lifestyle
January 5, 2018
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Sister Cities exhibit on display at MHM
Now on display, and through February, the Mission Historical Museum is featuring traditional dresses and costumes of Mexico from 24 cities across the states of Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo, Jalisco, Coahuila, Mexico, Sinaloa and Morelos. The cities are partners with the City of Mission and the Mission Sister Cities organization. Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas has long supported the Sister Cities International organization in the City of Mission, along with the support of the city council and a volunteer group of citizens to form long-term relationships with people from these 24 cities. President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded Sister Cities International in 1956. This organization is consid-
ered to be the principle of peace and prosperity to create bonds between people from different cities around the world. Today, it dedicates a special focus on areas with significant opportunities for cultural and educational exchanges, economic partnerships, and humanitarian assistance. Since 1956 there have been nine presidents of the United States who have served as the honorary chairman of Sister Cities International. The exhibit is on display in the main lobby of the Museum at 900 Doherty. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. For a complete schedule of museum events, exhibits and programs, go to missionmuseum.org.
Eat healthy through sustainable agriculture
Visit Quinta Mazatlan on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. for a discussion by Nicole Sosebee on “Sustainable Agriculture.� After purchasing her grandfather’s farm, Sosebee established Eden’s Lilly Farm and Dairy, a sustainable farming homestead located in Weslaco. Sosebee is a South Texas native and wants to reconnect the community to agricultural production. As a crop farmer, and the belief that “we are what we eat,� she states her goal is to maintain healthy soils on her farm to ensure the most nutritious grasses and forbs are grown to nourish the livestock. The program fee is $3 per person. Quinta Mazatlan is located 600 Sunset in McAllen. Call 956-681-3370 for information.
EWBC plans full January line-up
EDINBURG — The Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC) is offering a variety of activities for adults and families throughout the month of January. On Saturday, Jan. 6, learn more about Shinrin-Yoku from 2 to 3 p.m. Shinrin-Yoku is the Japanese practice of soaking up the sights, smells and sounds of nature to promote health. The program is free for members or with regular paid admission. On Saturday, Jan. 20, take the family on a photography scavenger hunt throughout the gardens with Texas Master Naturalist and adventure guide Neil Cassady as he leads an exploration of the trails to search for and photograph wildlife. Cameras will be provided, but families are encouraged to bring their own. The photo adventures run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 20 and Feb. 17. Participation is included in the regular admission. On Saturday, Jan. 27, the EWBC will present a puppet show, “Teeth and Skulls,� where spectators can meet Ruby Rat and her puppet friends as she learns the differences in the teeth of plantand meat-eating animals. After the show, there will be a skull show and tell to figure out what type of food the animal eats. The free puppet show begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, is also Spectacular Saturday, where the EWBC opens its doors free of charge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spectacular Saturday visitors can participate in indoor crafts or activities or walk along the gardens. Children can also read a book in the mini children’s library or color a favorite animal at the Center’s coloring tables. Families with older children are invited to rent a Junior Ranger Field Pack to use on the grounds. They include items such as binoculars, magnifying lenses, animal and plant field guides, scavenger hunt sheets and more. Those with younger children can rent Children’s Garden
Play Sets. Choose from 10 Play Sets, including trucks, explorers, dinosaurs, fairies and gnomes and music making. Ranger Packs and Play Sets are available throughout the week during regular business hours. Rentals are free; however, a picture ID is required for the loan. Spectacular Saturday occurs the last Saturday of every month. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road. For more information, call 956-381-9922.
EVENTS
CALENDAR
Hidalgo County math teachers recently selected for the Harvard Extension School Math for Teaching Graduate Program include Albesa Pedraza (PSJA ISD), Salvador Ovalle (Mission CISD), Evan Curtis (PSJA ISD), Raul Torre (Edinburg CISD), David Garza (La Joya ISD), Francisco Rodriguez (Mercedes ISD), and Ahmad Harb (La Joya ISD).
Local educators selected for Harvard cohort MERCEDES – The Texas Graduate Center (TGC), an initiative of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation, recently announced the teachers selected to participate in the Harvard Extension School Math for Teaching Graduate Program. Rio Grande Valley math teachers selected to Cohort VI will engage in rigorous mathematics instruction delivered by Harvard faculty and develop new teaching strategies to improve their ability to teach middle and high school students math skills. As the teachers progress through the three-year master’s program, they will take courses offered online at the TGC in the fall and spring semesters while teaching in
their district. They are also required to complete courses while in residence at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., during the summer. Local teachers selected for Cohort VI are David Garza, La Joya ISD - La Joya North Academy High School; Ahmad Harb, LJISD - Palmview High School; and Salvador Ovalle, Mission CISD - Mission High School. Other Hidalgo County teachers are Raul Torre, Edinburg CISD - Edinburg High School; Francisco Rodriguez, Mercedes ISD - Mercedes Early College Academy; Evan Curtis, PSJA ISD - PSJA Early College High School; and Albesa Pedraza, PSJA ISD - PSJA Memorial High School.
January 9 – Amigos de Los Niùos de Mexico will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, 228 S. Main St. in Donna when new officers will be elected. The organization annually takes food and toys to the children of Progresso, Mexico, for Christmas. For information, contact Carol Schnase, publicity chairman, at 956-332-8855. January 13 – The Second Annual Ultimate Grapefruit Pie Baking Showdown, sponsored by the Mission chapter of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, takes place in conjunction with the Texas Citrus Fiesta. Competitors will deliver their pies between 9 and 11 a.m. that day to the Mission Community Center, 1420 E. Kika de la Garza, Mission. Winners will be announced during the TCF Product Costume Show that begins at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per person. To enter, contact Nydia Alonzo at nydalonzo14@sbcglobal. net for an entry form and contest guidelines. January 20 – Take the family on a photography scavenger hunt at 9:30 a.m. at the Edinburg World Birding Center with Texas Master Naturalist and Adventure Guide Neil Cassady. Cameras will be provided, but families are encouraged to bring their own. It is included with regular paid admission. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. For information, call 956-381-9922. January 20 – Learn spinning wool at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is required at least two days prior to each class. For more information, or to register, call 956-381-9922. January 26-27 – The annual RGV Quilt Guild’s Quilt Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. There will be approximately 300 quilted items on display, an Opportunity Quilt, classes, lectures, a concert, Military Service Quilts presentations, a Military Opportunity Quilt, a fashion show, vendors, a boutique and catering on site. See RGVQG.com for further information. January 30 – Speer Memorial Library in Mission will host a discussion of The Aviator’s Wife in the library’s Community Room at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information, to sign up for the book discussion or to reserve a copy of the book, call William Renner or Rose Alvarez at 956-580-8754, 956-580-8750 or by email at reference@ missiontexas.us. The library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
National Quilt Museum winners on display
HARLINGEN – Starting Jan. 11 through Feb. 18, 2018, the geese will be flying at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum when quilts from the National Quilt Museum in Paduca, Kentucky, go on display. The theme for this year is “Flying Geese,� a pattern that uses triangles representing the shape of a flock of flying geese in the quilts. This year there are 19 quilts in the exhibit that use the flying geese pattern in some way. The first place quilt was created by Susan Morgan of Mobile, Ala. Her quilt “Migration Patterns� features Flying Geese blocks in an asymmetrical and off-parallel layout considered to be a “completely fresh approach� to quilt design. Second place went to Robin Gausebeck of Rockford, Ill. “Saturday Night at
Welcome to the the Welcome to 22nd Annual 21st Annual
SPI MARKET DAYS
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER
a Honk-y-Tonk Saloon� features brightly colored Flying Geese on a black background. The team of Judy Stokes and Coleen Eskridge of Columbus, Miss., took third
place with their quilt, “Soaring to New Heights,� which was inspired by photos of a military air show they found on the Internet. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday
El Paseo Arts Foundation Presents
Timeless Tuesdays A Classic Film Festival Tuesday, January 10, 2017 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,
Directed by Sergio Leone Starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach A bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to discover a fortune of gold buried in a remote cemetery. Regarded as a highly influential example of the Western Film genre, it is acclaimed as one of the greatest films of all time.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017 It Happened One Night
Directed by Frank Capra Starring: Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert Regarded as one of the best romantic comedies ever made, this was the first film ever to sweep the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing and Best Actor and Actress awards for the stars. A spoiled heiress, trying to run away from her controlling parents, is helped on her journey by a man who is really a reporter in need of a big story.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Love Story
SHOW Dates: DATES Show Jan 5, 14 6, & Jan 13, &715 Feb 23, 24, & 25 Feb 24, 25 & 26 Friday and Saturday Fri & Satto9am - 5pm 9am 5 pm Sunday 10am-4pm Sun 10am - 4pm
Premiere Gifts:
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SHOP
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Treasures from all over the world!!!
Directed by Arthur Hiller Starring: Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw The film is the love story of a wealthy, upper-class Harvard law student who falls in love and marries a bright, talented but lower class Radcliffe student. This romantic drama is tragedy that is considered one of the most romantic films of all time. This film also spawned dozens of imitations. It remains, today, one of the top 100 films on the American Film Institute list of the top 100 list for love stories.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Some Like It Hot
Directed by Billy Wilder Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon The film’s plot is based on the story of two male musicians who witness the Valentine’s Day Massacre and flee Chicago. They take a job in an allfemale band that is heading to Florida and disguise themselves as women. This film was one of the first 25 films inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Singin’ in the Rain
Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor This film is often regarded as the best movie musical ever made. The plot of the film follows the trials and tribulations of a silent film production company trying to make a very difficult transition to sound. The film tops AFI’s Greatest Movie Musical list.
SPI’s Island Cinema 7:15 p.m.
Tuesdays: January 10, 24, February 7, 21, and March 7, 2017 Tickets: Purchase at the door of the cinema for $10 per person per film; Season Pass available pre-sale at Paragraphs Book Store for $40 person
www.elpaseoarts.org
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no set admission but donations are requested. The museum is located at 2425 Boxwood Drive in Harlingen.
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TOP 20 STORIES PT
Regional Medical Center terminated the employment of between 120 and 140 employees. That’s according to a source closely connected to the hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity and who was outraged the workers, some of whom had been with the hospital for more than 25 years, were fired without notice on June 2, 2017. 5) Kika de la Garza Remembered Congressman Eligio “Kika” de la Garza, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2017, at Legends Transitional Care Center in McAllen. Our former publisher, Jim Brunson, wrote this obituary in honor of the late Mission native. “There is much we can learn from Kika, even with him gone on ahead of us in life’s journey. He was always the humble congressman from South Texas who was dedicated to serving “his people.” He remembered his roots and delighted in helping others,” Brunson wrote of him. 6) Palmview city manager laid off Following a management review by a consulting firm that concluded the city of Palmview lacked proper policies and procedures and highlighted several departmental deficiencies due the inexperience of its city manager, the city of Palmview placed their City Manager, Ramon Segovia, on administrative leave last April and ultimately fired him the following June. The city appointed former Weslaco City Manager Leonardo Olivares to replace him. Segovia filed a lawsuit against the city the following month seeking between $100,000 and $200,000 in compensation. The lawsuit is still pending according to court records. 7) MCISD’S superintendent departing In October, or eight months after MCISD trustees extended his contract by two years and gave him a $15,000 a year pay raise bringing his current salary
January 5, 2018
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com to about $240,000, MCISD Superintendent Ricardo López announced he would step down from his position after being named the “lone finalist” to become superintendent for the Dallas-based Garland Independent School District. His last day with the district was Dec. 22, the last day of the fall semester. He started his new job Monday. 8) Snow in the Valley Not since Christmas 2004 have Mission residents experienced snowfall. On Friday, Dec. 8 snow fell from just before sunrise to about mid-morning in a band of snow that, according to National Weather Service charts, spanned from the tip of Texas to North Carolina. The charts indicated Mission received less than an inch of snow accumulation. And by early afternoon there was nary a sign it had fallen here. 9) Palmhurst begins development of Shary Chapel Municipal Park The city of Palmhurst has begun development of the long-awaited Shary Chapel Municipal Park, which the city fathers have envisioned as a scenic centerpiece for the small, close-knit community. Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez and City Planner Lupe Garcia outlined plans for the park located adjacent to the iconic Shary Memorial Chapel. The project will be done in phases and could take several years to complete, as the city tries to complete the work as budget funds become available. The city celebrated the end of phase one of the project, which widened the entrance of the park and added a parking lot, by hosting a Christmas tree lighting ceremony last month. 10) Alton living up to its motto with new developments Known as the “City on the Grow,” Alton lived up to its motto holding a groundbreaking ceremony last month for the Alton branch of Lone Star National Bank, the first standalone bank for the city that will open in April. Other developments in the
from pg 1 city included a new fire academy, a Stars Drive In that is now open, and an urgent care center the city is finalizing details on with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. 11) Mission police sergeant resigns following viral Facebook post Within a week after being suspended following a viral video that showed him under the influence, longtime Mission Police SGT. Manuel Casas resigned from his position last June. 12) La Joya approves smoke free ordinance Last June, the city of La Joya adopted a citywide smoking ordinance that banned smoking indoors in public places, similar to one passed in the city of Mission in June 2016 13) La Lomita and Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge protests With fears that President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall would destroy or leave them at the other side of the wall, several organizations protested at the sites of the La Lomita Chapel and the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge last August in an effort to save both landmarks. 14) Two area cities join opposition to SB 4 The city of La Joya became the first in the Rio Grande Valley to join other cities around the state in a lawsuit against a senate bill that would ban so-called sanctuary cities last June. The city of Palmview joined them later that day. Senate Bill 4 aims to outlaw local governments that don’t enforce immigration laws by requiring local police officers to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and allowing police to inquire about the immigration status of people they lawfully detain. Under SB 4, local authorities are forbidden from adopting policies that prevent a peace officer from asking about a person’s immigration status. 15) Silver anniversary; Peñitas mayors recall the city’s 25 years of growth In honor of their 25th anniversary, the five previous
and current mayors of the city of Peñitas met to discuss how the city has grown since it was first incorporated into a city in 1992. 16) Cruz talks border security, economy, with local leaders During a February visit to the Mission’s Center for Education and Economic Development building, Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz met with local leaders as a group of 40 protesters rallied outside the building to protest the border wall 17) La Joya CWT slate victorious in city council race Incumbent Mary Salinas and political newcomer Rey Acosta were victorious last November 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 votes comprising about 59 percent of the ballots cast.
both increasing for the City of Mission to create its own Animal Shelter/Adoption Center he City of Mission declined to renew their contract for service with the Palm Valley Animal Center in Edinburg. The city recently created a Facebook Page called Mission Pawsible, where photos of animals that are up for adoption can be found. “The ultimate goal is to have an air-conditioned brick and mortar building that will house our animals,” Mission City Manager Martin Garza said. 20) Felissa Ponce de Leon first powerlifting state champion in La Joya history At the Girls State Powerlifting Meet held March 17 and 18 in Waco, Palmview senior Felissa Ponce de Leon won a state championship in the 148-pound class, becoming the first student-athlete to accomplish the goal in La Joya Independent School District history.
Acosta, her running mate, received 658 votes comprising about 55 percent of the ballot. 18) La Joya ISD welcomes first female athletic coordinator Last February, Cynthia Canchola was named the new athletic coordinator for Domingo Treviño Middle School, becoming the first female athletic coordinator in the La Joya Independent School District. As athletic coordinator, Canchola oversees all the athletic programs for Domingo Treviño Middle School, she said. Previously, Canchola served as a girl’s track, basketball, cross-country and volleyball coach throughout the school district for the last 27 years before becoming the head of the girl’s athletics program for Domingo Treviño when the school opened in 2011. 19) Mission moving to create animal adoption center Support and action are
Faith Christian Academy of Palmhurst teacher Kerry Dixon (center) kisses a cow Tuesday, Dec. 14 as part of a fundraiser for the FCA Senior Class trip set for the end of the year. As part of the trip, the school’s six seniors are raising money to travel to Washington D.C. and New York City after they graduate this coming May. Dixon was selected to kiss the cow after his class raised the most money for the trip. Senior Nyly Lopez also kissed the cow after she was named the student who raised the most money for the trip, school administrator Robert Munne said. So far, the students have raised $6,000, roughly half of the fundraising goal for the trip. The school is set to have a yard sale today from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. to raise money for the trip, Munne said. Courtesy image.
Texas Classroom Teachers Association Mission CTA Product Sponsors the:
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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; $30 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2018 Savy Publishing, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.
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January 5, 2018
NEW ACADEMY OPENS
positions available. Despite this, he believes less than 100,000 individuals will graduate from schools or universities with the skills needed to fill those positions. “We’re attempting to fill in that gap of 2 and a half million people needed for those positions,” Smith said. “When there aren’t people with the right skills for those jobs, those jobs go overseas. We’ve got a population of about one and a half people in the Valley, so we can fill in those jobs by training everyone here. We’re focused on getting as many as we can get through the system.” Students wanting to enroll in the program must pay a fee of $10,500 dollars. However, students can receive financial assistance from a grant or go through a payment plan to cover the cost of the program. Once they go through the program, Smith says the students can come back for more classes due to Valley Tech’s “Student for life” phi-
losophy where they can retake the program or take new courses at no additional cost. Due to the experience and portfolio that students will create during this course, Smith said within a few years students will be able to find a job with a starting salary of $55,000, a far cry from the median $31,000 average salary for an individual in an entry level position. The first program begins Jan 15 with the enrollment deadline set for Sunday, Jan. 14. Summer classes, aimed primarily for high school and college students as well as teachers, will begin Monday, June 11 and Monday, Oct. 8 will bring in a fall semester for new students. The classes are open to all individuals and run from Monday through Friday starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Smith said the rigorous schedule is part of Valley Tech’s way of developing their skills in class.
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com GM STEP DOWN from pg 1
“We give everyone a cognitive aptitude test that tells us how they think, see the world and what their strengths are,” Smith said. “We then talk to that individual and tell them what their cognitive skills are and what they need to develop. The only way they can develop is by showing up here every day and be here all day. You’re not allowed to miss a class. You’re not allowed to be late, you’re here every day on time to be a responsible human being.” The Mission Valley Tech location is the inaugural campus for the academy and Smith says there are plans to spread their locations to the cities of Harlingen, Weslaco, Brownsville and Rio Grande City within the next five years. Each location is designed to have up to 225 students. Those seeking to apply can do so at http://www.valleytechnicalacademy.com/
stated at the Dec. 27, 2017 board meeting. Jose “Eddie” Saenz, former city engineer for the cities of Edinburg and Pharr, was appointed to replace LeFevre at that December meeting. He was hired as Agua district engineer in 2016. “LeFevre was doing perfect. He came in and he’s an awesome guy but health issues came up so he had to take care of that,” Hernandez said of LeFevre after the meeting. “It’s more important than his job.” Lefevre’s resignation came one week after State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa sent a letter to Hernandez accusing LeFevre of not carrying out his responsibilities as general manager due to him not being there full time. In the letter, Hinojosa also announced the Texas Water Development Board had put a hold on funding Agua’s future projects until their management issues were addressed and a plan of action was presented to the TWDB. LeFevre said in an interview last month he was not
page 5 able to attend Agua meetings due to undisclosed health reasons. This led to him hiring the vice president of his company, Emigdio “Milo” Salinas, as the assistant general manager at Agua SUD. Salinas and LeFevere did not respond to requests to comment for this story as of press time. LeFevre’s hiring came after the former Agua SUD Executive Director Oscar Cancino announced in a September 2017 meeting he would be resigning from the district. This shift caused the executive director position to be phased out and replaced with the general manager position. The original general manager position was filled by Frank Flores, who stepped down in 2015 after the position of executive director was created that same year to oversee the general manager. The position of general manager has been vacant since then. Hernandez spoke highly of Saenz and said he’s a perfect fit to replace LeFevre. “He knows the projects,
from pg 1
he’s been here long enough for the past two years,” Hernandez said. “I know he’s well versed at everything that we do so he will be the number one contact at Agua right now for everything we address.” Saenz said he would contact LeFevre for help during the transition and is eager to serve the district in this position. “I never intended to step in but I’ve stayed here taking care of this district while it needs help,” he said. “The board feels I can handle the job and I like a challenge.” Agua SUD was accepting applications for the general manager position on their website up until Wednesday, Dec. 27 2017.
In an interview Wednesday, Saenz said a total of five people applied for the general manager position. The Agua board of directors would discuss the hiring process, as well as the selection of an interview committee at a meeting later this month, Saenz said.
Secret Santa Society visits William J. Clinton Elementary As part of their efforts to support local charities and underprivileged families in south Texas, the local non-profit Secret Santa Society visited one elementary school in the La Joya Independent School District last month. As part of a grant opportunity, Sheila Mata, assistant principal at William J. Clinton Elementary, sought to make this holiday season one to remember for her students according to a news release
from the district. On Friday, Dec. 22, students at William J. Clinton Elementary received gifts provided by members of Secret Santa Society thanks to a $2,000 grant the campus, as well as 12 other campuses in the Rio Grande Valley, applied for. Joel Ochoa, vice-president of the Secret Santa Society, delivered the gifts which brought joy and happiness to many. Teachers and staff volunteered with the Secret
Santa campus project and were able to share this special moment with students. According to the release, many students had screams of joy upon opening their presents, a gift that was priceless for staff and Secret Santa Society members. Thanks to the Secret Santa Society and the Clinton Elementary staff that volunteered their time and effort to the project, this holiday season was one to remember for many students.
Students at La Joya’s William J. Clinton Elementary receive Christmas gifts from the Secret Santa Society Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. Courtesy image
2018 Winter Texan Golf
“Fiesta On The Greens” February 9th, 2018 - starting time 8am Sign-up - January 24th starting time 8am
Hawaiian Pirate Adventures
Texas Citrus Fiesta
81st Queen Citrianna LXXXI
2018 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SHOE BOX FLOAT COMPETITION Jan 27, 2018 -Entries due at Speer Memorial Library by Jan. 21, 2018 PRODUCT COSTUME SHOE Sat. - Jan. 13, 2018 - 2pm - $5 a person Mission Community Center, 1420 E. Kika de la Garza ROYAL RECEPTION Saturday - Jan. 20, 2018 - $50 a person Balli’s Terrace Event Center 1509 Industrial Blvd. Mission ROYAL CORONATION OF KING CITRUS & QUEEN CITRIANNA Thurs.- Jan. 25, 2018 - 7pm - $5 General Seating $10 Reserved - Mission High School Neuhaus Center - 1802 W. Cleo Dawson
SAT.- JAN. 27, 2018 10am - 10pm
CITRUS YOUTH SHOW Submit Entries between 3-6pm Friday, Jan. 26, 2018
PARADE OF ORANGES Saturday - Jan. 27, 2018 - 3pm Line-Up 11am -2pm - 2 Mile Line & Conway. Parade will run North to South on Conway Starting at FM 495- South to 4th Street Non-Commercial Entry - $50 $50 Commercial (Businesses) Entry - $ 250 FUN FAIR Free Gate Admission- Food Vendors Arts & Crafts Entertainment Each 10’ x 10’ space Non-Commercial -$100 Commercial- $150 PARADE CONCESSIONS Concession Sales on parade route 12pm- 6pm tarting at $ 50 VAQUERO COOK-OFF $250 per team - Additional $100 For advertising (NO political signs) Leo Pena Veterans Park, 9th St. & Conway FUN RUN Call 956-580-8760 Mission Parks & Rec.
Sara Elizabeth Forthuber
Jan. 13th - 27th, 2018 www.texascitrusfiesta.org 956.585.9724
Photo Courtesy: Rio Portrait & Design Studio
“81st Anniversary” Mission, Texas
page 6
January 5, 2018
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page 7
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We Really Appreciate Your Loyal Support And Hope That The New Year Brings An Abundance Of Joy And Good Fortune Your Way As another year begins, we wanted to let you know that we loved every minute of serving you this past year, and look forward to seeing you again in 2018. Happy New Year!
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Agua SUD will be closed December 29 and January 1. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2. In the event of an emergency, please contact 956-585-2459 for water service, sewer service, sewer backups, water breaks and low pressure.
January 5, 2018
Sports week
THE
page 8
BIG7 Big 7 makes presence felt on All-Area teams SCHOOLS
www.ptrgv.com/sports
Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports
Mission Veterans hoopsters sweep Sharyland
Patriots’ coach claims 401st career victory By Luciano Guerra The Mission Veterans Patriots and Lady Patriots basketball teams swept the Sharyland Rattlers and Lady Rattlers Tuesday in District 31-5A action. The boys’ game was played at Sharyland High at 3 pm while the girls’ game was played at Mission Veterans at 5:30. By not having the boys and girls play their games simultaneously, as is usually the case on Tuesday and Friday evening games, fans of both schools had the opportunity of attending both games, which many did. As it turned out, the Mission Veterans fans had more to cheer about than the Sharyland fans did, but with both games being highly competitive, everyone in attendance was treated to some of the best high school basketball action in the Rio Grande Valley. Mission Veterans Patriots at Sharyland Rattlers The Mission Veterans Patriots defeated the Sharyland Rattlers by a score of 52-47 in District 31-5A action Tuesday. The Patriots jumped out to an early lead and while the Rattlers fought back to close the gap to within two points late in the game, the Patriots never relinquished their lead en-route to their second district victory of the season. Tuesday’s win was also Patriots’ head coach, Romeo de la Garza Jr’s, 401st of his head coaching career. Having reached the 400 career wins mark against the other Sharyland team, the Pioneer Diamondbacks, earlier this season, de la Garza took a few moments immediately after Tuesday’s game to share what reaching this milestone means to him. “It’s a tribute to the kids I’ve had in my program,” de
la Garza said. “I started my head coaching career at Edinburg North and I got a few wins there. Sixteen years ago I returned home to Mission and started the boys’ basketball program here at Veterans Memorial. We’ve had a lot of tremendous players that have bought into our program so 401 wins is a tribute to all of them.” “As coaches, our job is to prepare and guide the student athletes but ultimately they are the ones that have to go out there and take care of business,” added de la Garza. “That’s one thing I’m very thankful for; the young men that go out there night-in and night-out and sell out for you by executing the game plan.
That makes things a lot easier for you as a coach.” De la Garza went on to acknowledge his coaching staff and the part his assistants have played in making the 401 wins possible. “Having a tremendous support group in my coaching staff and the tremendous continuity I’ve had with my assistants has been great,” de la Garza said. “My varsity assistant, Jeff Espino, has been with me 15 years, my junior varsity coach, Joe Espino, has been with me for all 16 years and then I have my freshman coach, Isaac Lozano, that has been with me 14 years. Having that
See VETS SWEEP SHARY Pg. 10
Mission First United Methodist Church 1101 Doherty Ave.
Mission TX 78572 (956) 585-1665
Sunday Services: 8:00 a.m. Informal 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Dinner with 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Friends every 11:00 a.m. Traditional Friday @ 5:30pm 11:00 a.m. Childrens Church 5:00 p.m. Spanish Worship
Everyone is Welcome! Join us for communion the First Sunday of every month.
www.missionfumc.com
of’, I think he started to believe it at that point,” he said. “As the season progressed, he started to gain the confidence and understand what a tremendous weapon he is, I think that led him to have the type of season he had.” The speedy receiver finished with 78 catches for 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns, establishing a dangerous connection with Landry. The duo’s connection began years ago as kids on the playground at the Boys & Girls Club of Mission, which has now blossomed into a lethal one-two punch for the Patriots. Senior defensive end Abram Martinez led the Patriots in sacks (6), hurries (20) and forced two fumbles and recovered three on the year. The defensive lineman also finished fourth on the team in tackles. Coach Gilpin called the senior one of the team’s emotional leaders with the passion he brought to the game. Patriots senior defensive back Giovanni Grimaldo was named to the second team for his play at the safety position. Despite playing in just seven and a half games before suffering a season-ending injury, Grimaldo finished third on the team with 91 tackles and two interceptions. Coach Gilpin said he felt the receiver turned defensive back would’ve been All-State worthy, and will be remembered as one of the most competitive and toughest players to wear the Patriot blue. The Sharyland Rattlers, who shared the district title with the Patriots, had three players named as All-Area
selections. Senior receiver Blake Klein and senior tackle Josh Williams earned first team honors as they led the Rattler offense, while senior kicker Erwin Von Nacher was named to the second team. The all-purpose threat Klein finished the year with 1,703 yards, including 782 rushing yards and 861 receiving yards on 49 receptions, finding the end zone 15 times in total. Von Nacher finished 54 of 55 on extra point attempts and 4 of 4 on field goals with a long of 41 yards, scoring 66 total points. The La Joya Coyotes were represented by a pair of sophomores on the Second Team in running back Eddie Villarreal and guard Alex Rodriguez. Villarreal ran for 1,360
WR
yards and eight touchdowns while Rodriguez cleared the way for the bruising running back, leading the Coyotes to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Juarez-Lincoln senior safety Elias Gutierrez joined Mission High senior linebacker Esteban De Leon on the All-Area First Team as they each were dominant forces on the defensive side of the ball for the Huskies and Eagles. Pioneer senior safety Tyler Bulthuis was named to the second team at the defensive back spot. The last line of the Diamondbacks defense, Bulthuis finished with an impressive eight interceptions, 68 tackles, one sack and blocked two field goals.
GARCIA
Several Big 7 standouts were recognized for their play on the gridiron as The Monitor released its 2017 All-Area Football Teams and Superlatives. Making the biggest splash on the All-Area awards was the Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots. Junior quarterback Landry Gilpin was named the All-Area Player of the Year as the signal-caller for the Patriots finished with 3,172 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air and 1,718 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground. The dual-threat quarterback dominated in his first full-year as the Patriots’ starter with sensational scrambling ability while keeping his eyes downfield. Landry Gilpin, was also named a Texas AP Class 5A All-State honorable
mention. The quarterback was quick to credit his teammates around him for uplifting each other and enabling him to be successful, leading the Patriots to a share of the District 31-5A title. “It was awesome; I felt it was more of a team accomplishment because of all the work we’ve put in and all the help that I’ve gotten to get there,” he said. “We were predicted to be fourth in the district, barely making the playoffs with a new offense so it’s awesome to be here and get this award with these guys.” Head Coach David Gilpin said the quarterback is the motor that makes the Mission Veterans Patriots run. “Landry Gilpin is the motor that makes our team run,” Coach Gilpin said of his son. “We have great
players. Landry is the guy that has to come and bring it on a daily basis, in practice, in the weight room, in summer conditioning, and Landry embraced that. He understands that as he goes, that’s a lot of the way our team goes, and he has to lead by example. He understands completely that nothing he does can be accomplished without his teammates, without his coaching staff, and he’s very appreciative for the effort they’ve put in that’s enabled him to have the kind of success he’s had. He’s a special high school player.” On the receiving end of many of the Patriots’ touchdown passes was Mikey Garcia, the All-Area Newcomer of the Year. Garcia broke onto the scene in his varsity debut in Week 1 against the Harlingen Cardinals, scoring a 79-yard touchdown in the Patriots upset victory on the road. Garcia said that was the moment he knew he was capable of balling on the varsity level. “I really wasn’t expecting much coming in,” he said. “I was taking a spot from Roman De Leon, a great receiver. I was a little bit nervous to fill in a big spot, but ever since I scored that one touchdown against Harlingen, it let me know, hey I can compete at this level.” Coach Gilpin said that was the launching point which allowed Garcia to step into the role as the Patriots’ number one receiver. “I think that kind of jump-started him to say ‘all these things that these coaches are telling me, everything they’re telling me at home of what I’m capable
MIKEY
By Bryan Ramos
LANDRY
QB
GILPIN
Gilpin, Garcia garner Player and Newcomer of the Year Awards
January 5, 2018
obituaries Betty Dondlinger MISSION – Betty Jean Daniel Dondlinger, 85, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Mrs. Dondlinger was born in Mission and was a graduate of Mission High School. She earned a degree in elementary education from Texas Christian University and taught kindergarten and first grade for over 10 years. She married W. S. “Bill” Dondlinger in 1953, and they were married for 59 years before his passing. After returning to the Rio Grande Valley in 1956, she assisted her husband in his businesses and later embarked on a 28-year career in fashion. In her community service, she held various roles in PTA, Booster clubs, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She served on the boards of the Canterbury Middle School, Hidalgo County Cotillion Club and Tip of Texas Girl Scout Council. She was also active in the Mission Junior Service League, Mission Study Club and Friends of the Library. She was a member of PEO, Chapter GH. Survivors include her children, Melinda Bosquez of McAllen, Richard Dondlinger of McAllen and Paul Dondlinger of Houston; brother, Robert Daniel Jr. of Houston; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Robert Daniel and Alfreda Borchers Daniel; siblings Sidney Daniel, Margurite Jenkins, Guy Daniel, Cicero Daniel, Mae Jones, Roberta Daniel and Dorothy McAfee. A graveside service was held on Dec. 29 at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission. Walter James Buzzini IV officiated. Her nephews served as honorary pallbearers. The family requested that memorial gifts be made to C.A.M.P. University, P. O. Box 2294, McAllen, TX 78502 or at campuniversity.org; to the Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease, P. O. Box 5839, Austin TX 78763 or at dkrfund.org; or to the charity of one’s choice. Norma Flores PALMVIEW – Norma Flores, 61, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. Mrs. Flores was born on June 30, 1956, in Rio Grande City to Isidro and Petra Venencia. Survivors include her husband, Gerardo Flores Sr.; children, Gerardo Flores Jr., Roman Flores and Norma Rosales; siblings, Nora Palacios, Isidro Venencia Jr., Efrain Venencia, Alberto Venencia and San Juanita Venencia; and eight grandchildren. A funeral mass was held on Jan. 3 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission.
Burial followed at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission Encarnacion Lopez MISSION – Encarnacion S. “Chon Wito” Lopez passed away on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Mr. Lopez was born on Oct. 5, 1929, in La Reforma. He served his nation in Korea from 1950 to 1952 and received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Korea Services Medal. When he returned, he worked as a roustabout in the oilfields. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Maria Graciela Garza Lopez; children, Santiago Lopez, Belinda Gonzalez, Dora Zamora and Maria Lopez; and two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, Santiago Lopez and Rosenda Salinas Lopez, and siblings, Santos Lopez and Herminia Requenez. A funeral mass was held on Jan. 3 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Military honors were provided by VFW Post #8788 in McAllen. Pallbearers were his nephews, Harold III, Ricardo and Mario Requenez and Ramiro, David and Daniel Lopez.
Eleazar Morin PALMVIEW – Eleazar Morin, 70, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at his home in Palmview. Mr. Morin was born on Jan. 23, 1947, in Camargo, Tamps., Mexico, to the Late Teofilo and Ofilia (Garza) Morin. Survivors include his wife, Maria Imelda Morin; children, Alma Morin, Sonia Morin, Ana Trejo and Eleazar Morin Jr.; siblings, Estella Mendiola, Maria Morin, Norma Morin, Anastacio Morin, Teofilo Morin Jr. and Oscar Morin; and 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Alfonso Morin, and sister, Eva Delia Morin. A funeral service was held on Dec. 29 at Rivera Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission. Joseph Nevanen MISSION – Joseph L. Nevanen, 55, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at his home in Mission.
Mr. Nevanen was born in Chisholm, Minn., in 1962 and graduated from Chisholm High School. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied science in 1986. He began his teaching career in the Rio Grande Valley in 1988 at Nellie Schunior Middle School in La Joya where he taught mathematics. In 1998, he joined the James Nikki Rowe High School teaching staff in McAllen and remained at Rowe until his retirement in May, 2017. An active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission, he was a teacher of religious education with the CCD, RCIA and RCIC programs. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2698 and served as the recording secretary from 2008-2017. Survivors include his wife, Janice; son, Joseph; and brothers, Thomas Nevanen and Gerald Nevanen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Wesley Nevanen and Kathleen Connors Nevanen. The funeral mass was held on Jan. 4, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission. Ricardo Peña MISSION – Ricardo R. Peña, 93, passed away on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg. Mr. Peña was born and raised in Los Ebanos and graduated from La Joya High School and Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. At the age of 16, he converted to Los Ebanos Mennonite Brethren Church and, after graduating from high school, attended a Christian college and earned a degree in business administration. After college, he became a missionary and started churches in Premont and Garciasville and taught at the Rio Grande Bible Institute. In 1953, he married and founded the Mennonite Brethren Church in La Joya. He also served in the Chihuahua M.B. Church, and served 17 years in the Mission M.B. Church. After 30 years of volunteered ministerial service, he retired and served in churches in Alton, McAllen, and Mexico for the next eight years. While serving as a minister, he worked in full-time employment to support his family, retiring after 30 years with the U.S. Postal office in Mission. Survivors include his children, Carlos Peña, Federico Peña, Dina Medina, Ricardo Peña, Rebecca Elam, and David Peña; and 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Carmen Pena Villarreal; parents, Federico and Maria Luisa F. Peña; and siblings, Rafael, Rene, Rodolfo and Ricardo Peña. A funeral service was held on Dec. 28 at Puerta De Salva-
cion La Joya Mennonite Brethren Church. Burial followed at Los Ebanos Cemetery. Virgil Tanner MISSION – Virgil Lee Tanner, 97, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at his home in Mission. Mr. Tanner was born on May 16, 1920, in Brickinridge County, Ky., to Jess and Mabel (Erbin) Tanner. He was a WWII infantry veteran. On Oct. 2, 1963, he married the former Lucille Evelyn Engle. He worked for Owens Illinois Glass in Alton before retiring and moving to Mission. Survivors include his daughter, Percilla Clark of Mission; siblings, Stella Feilbach and Mary Leady; and six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; daughter, Patricia Smith; and siblings, Hubert Tanner, Theodore Tanner and John Tanner. A graveside service was held on Dec. 29 at Upper Alton Cemetery with the Alton VFW Post #1308 officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Mission. The family suggested memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Mission First United Methodist Church. Ruth Walsh MISSION/LAGUNA VISTA – Ruth Walsh, 90, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, in Harlingen. Mrs. Walsh was born on March 14, 1927, in Detroit, Texas, to Clyde Cecil Venable and Lola Kitchens Venable. She came to the Rio Grande Valley at the age of 20 to become a teacher in Mission, where she met and married her husband Edgar Antoine Walsh Sr. They owned and operated Palms Drive-In in McAllen, Texas Theatre in Pharr and Plaza Theatre in Donna. Later, she took over the bookkeeping duties in the family business for Walsh Lumber Co. until the late 1970s. She continued keeping the books for her son in the pharmacy/commercial real estate businesses in the Laguna Madre area until 2010. During the late 60s and early 70s, she completed her college degree in education, with a minor in music and graduated Suma-Cum Laude. She began her teaching career at Mission Public Schools and was a 1st grade teacher at St. Paul’s Catholic School before moving on to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in McAllen as a 5th grade teacher. Survivors include her children, Eileen Walsh and Edgar Walsh Jr.; siblings, Ann Graham and Van Venable; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Ed Walsh Sr., and siblings, Felix
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
IGLESIA PENTECOSTES NUEVA VIDA A/G 211 W. Mile 3 Road Palmhurst • 956-342-9711 Rev. Candelario Banda
LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603 NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln. ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625 OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193 PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy. 585-3203 PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711
PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307 RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH
3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5
Mission • 580-4551
SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822 ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005 SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078 TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831 TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200
PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651
KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW
DAVID H. GUERRA
DARRELL DAVIS
301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622
MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA
ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT
Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”
915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433
Walsh and Nell Jackson. A funeral mass was held on Jan. 3 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church officiated by Rev. Pat Seitz. A graveside service followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen. Serving as honorary pallbearers were her nephews, Alan Jackson, Mike Jackson, Dan Jackson, Joe Venable, John Venable, John Pate, Tommy Vessels and Stephen Vessels.
Notices Guillermo Alvarez MISSION – Guillermo Alvarez, 74, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at his home in Mission. Mary De Kock MISSION – Mary Lois “Mickey” (Abbott) De Kock, 98, passed away on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, at Jackson Place in Dallas. Mario De La Rosa PEÑITAS – Mario Alberto De La Rosa, 40, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at his home in Peñitas. Zenaida Escamillo MISSION – Zenaida Martinez Escamilla, 81, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Maria Del Carmen Garcia MISSION – Maria Del Carmen Garcia, 55, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Maria Garcia MISSION – Maria S. Moreno Garcia, 79, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at her home in Mission. Ramiro Garcia MISSION – Ramiro Garcia, 84, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Maria Gutierrez PALMVIEW – Maria Guadalupe Gutierrez, 75, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen. William Hedger MISSION – William Robert Hedger, 68, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Lucila Hernandez MISSION – Lucila G. Hernandez, 87, passed away on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Valentin Hernandez MISSION – Valentin Hernandez, 80, passed away on Monday, Dec. 26, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Bernadine Johnson MISSION – Bernadine Marie Johnson, 88, passed away on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center.
Jose Longoria MISSION – Jose A. Longoria, 86, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen. Raquel Lopez MISSION – Raquel Lopez, 95, passed away on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Javier Mendoza MISSION – Javier Garcia Mendoza, 51, passed away on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Comfort House in McAllen. Eleazar Morin PALMVIEW – Eleazar Morin, 70, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at his home in Palmview. Maria Oviedo MISSION – Maria De Lourdes Oviedo, 47, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Francisco Padilla SULLIVAN CITY – Francisco Javier Padilla, 51, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Jose Ramirez MISSION – Jose Luis Ramirez, 55, passed away on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, at his home. Sergio Rodriguez PEÑITAS – Sergio Cuellar Rodriguez, 54, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. Norberto Sanchez MISSION – Norberto Sanchez, 89, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. Javier Mendoza MISSION – Javier Garcia Mendoza, 51, passed away on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Comfort House in McAllen. Luciano Tamayo MISSION – Luciano Tamayo, 77, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Maria Valdez MISSION – Maria De Jesus Valdez, 92, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Ernesto Vargas ALTON – Ernesto Vargas, 61, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Oscar Villegas Jr. ALTON – Oscar Villegas Jr., 50, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at University Hospital in San Antonio. Pascual Villarreal LA JOYA – Pascual Villarreal, 80, passed away on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at his home in La Joya. Ronald Williams PALMVIEW – Ronald Leroy Williams, 56, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.
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VETS SWEEP SHARY
kind of continuity and having coaches that have bought into what my philosophy is and implementing it in the sub-varsity teams has helped me out a lot.” The Patriots’ top scorer in Tuesday’s game was de la Garza’s son, Elijah de la
Garza. The freshman guard scored a total of 16 points by sinking two three-pointers and making all 10 of the free throws he attempted. The Rattlers’ top scorer was junior point guard Mauro Fernandez who accounted for 28 of the Rattlers’ 47 total
CITY OF ALTON
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com Ania Pelayo with nine points from pg. 8
points in the game. With the win, the Patriots improved to 2-3 in District 31-5A play while the Rattlers dropped to 0-6 with the loss.
Sharyland Lady Rattlers at Mission Veterans Lady Patriots The Mission Veterans Lady Patriots improved to 6-1 in District 31-5A play with their 39-26 win over the 3-4 Sharyland Lady Rattlers Tuesday. Despite getting off to an uncharacteristically slow start, the Lady Patriots found their rhythm in the second quarter to extend their two point lead, 6-4, at the end of the first quarter to an eight point lead, 18-10, at halftime. The Lady Patriots then extended their lead even further to lead by a score of 30-17 at the end of the third quarter and maintained that 13-point lead throughout the fourth quarter to win by a final score of 39-26. High scorer for the Lady Patriots was sophomore Kaylee Flores with 15 points on five field goals, two free throws and one three-pointer. High scorer for the Lady Rattlers was senior guard
on two field goals and five free throws. Coming off a 2016-2017 season in which they went 10-6 in district play and missed out on the playoffs, the Lady Patriots are off to a much better start this year. When asked what he believes accounts for this turnaround, Lady Patriots’ head coach Rafael Cantu Jr. said, “The girls are a little more in tune with each other. They’re gelling better with more flow to what we’re doing. That’s the whole thing, team chemistry is everything.” With the three Laredo teams taking first, second and third place in the district last year, the fact that the Lady Patriots have already defeated two of those teams, Martin and Cigarroa, this year along with the fact that they fell just one point short in their loss to Laredo Nixon, should be a pretty good indicator of the fact that the 2017-2018 Lady Patriots’ team is one of the better teams Coach Cantu has ever had the privilege of coaching. “In the areas of shooting and ball handling, this is definitely one of our best teams,”
Cantu said. “We’re working on becoming a little more well-rounded and while our zone defense has been really
January 5, 2018
good for us, we do have to continue to improve there.“
CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS City Hall
(956) 432-0760
(Includes Administration, Planning, Human Resources, Finance and Municipal Court)
Police Department
(956) 432-0700
Fire Department
(956) 432-0740
Public Works
(956) 432-0792
Senior Center
(956) 581-4851
Alton Recreation Center
(956) 432-0790
(includes Recycling and Solid Waste)
509 S. Alton Blvd. Alton, Texas 78573
www.alton-tx.gov
Mission Veterans’ junior guard Noe Cantu goes in for a layup as Sharyland junior point guard Mauro Fernandez defends. during the first quarter of the Patriots’ 52-47 District 315A victory over the Rattlers Tuesday afternoon. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
January 5, 2018
Rolando Pablos to be keynote speaker Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos is the keynote speaker at the next Buenas Tardes Luncheon hosted by the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. It will be held on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cimarron Country Club in Mission.
Adrian Villarreal, IBC Bank’s new McAllen market resident and CEO will also speak. Table sponsorships are available for $250 for a table of 10. Advance individual tickets can be reserved for $20. At the door, the price increases to $25, and is on a
first come, first serve basis if available. To make reservations, or for more information, contact the GMCC at 956-5852727 or go to events@missionchamber.com.
Exhibitors sought for 23rd Health Fair The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking sponsors and exhibitors to join in the 23rd Annual Mission Community Health Fair planned for Sunday, Jan. 21. It will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Sharyland High School gym, 1216 N. Shary
Rd. in Mission. The event is hosted by the GMCC, Mission Regional Medical Center, City of Mission and Mission C.I.S.D. Free to the public, there will be free blood tests for the first 500 people (12hour fast required). The free health screenings include flu
vaccines, complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, total cholesterol count, pulmonary function analysis, bone density evaluation and more. For information, or to participate, contact events@ Missionchamber.com or call 956-240-4047.
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For Rent COZY 2/1, NORTH MCALLEN, (107 & Ware Rd. area) fenced, A/C, unfurnished, minutes to UTRGV, restaurants, and shopping, Shary School district, $725/Mo., $700 deposit plus utilities, call 956-874-3098. For Sale ELECTRIC BEDALMOST NEW fully electric Invacare homecare bed with side rails, never used it, Invacare Model G5510 electric bed complete package with head and foot sections, bed ends, bed rails and mattress, compare value at $2,000-$3,000, need the money, so will sell for just $600, call 956-8026530.
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CHECK OUT THESE ITEMS, Superglide 18k hitch $500 OBO, men and women golf clubs $50, Norcold refrigerator four door camper $500 OBO, men and women bikes $20, call 630-276-3545. LARGE COMPUT-
ER DESK FOR sale, $40, 8 inch drill press $65, 4 inch belt sander with 6 inch round sander, miscellaneous power tools, call 956322-7560. FOR SALE 16X12 SHED, wood construction, flooring, plywood walls, elec-
Organic and healthy treats available at UTRGV Farmers Market By Amanda A. Taylor EDINBURG – Fresh produce, home baked goods and vegan and vegetarian items are available for a small cost to university students and the public every month, through the UTRGV Environmental Awareness Club’s Farmers Market. Bunches of deep green kale and fresh rainbow Swiss chard were just a few of the organic items for sale at the November market, the last market for the fall semester. During school breaks, the farmers market, which has been in operation for about two years now, shuts down until students return for the
1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00 WHEEL, 36 ft., 4 slide-outs, excellent condition, awnings all the way around, lowered price to $23,500, please call Gary at 956624-7803 for more information. 1999 NEW VISION 38FT., 3 slideouts, excellent condition,
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PURSUANT TO THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN RULE 85.703. SUBCHAPTER F, FROM CHAPTER 85, PART 4 OF TITLE 16 IN THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, WE ARE OFFICIALLY NOTIFYING YOU THAT THE BELOW DESCRIBED MOTOR VEHICLES HELD IN OUR CUSTODY ARE TO BE PICKED UP, REMOVED AND ALL CHARGES PAID WITHIN (45) DAYS OR THESE VEHICLES WILL BE DECLARED ABANDONED ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAW. YEAR MAKE 2014 TOYOTA 2014 GREAT DANE 2002
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The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on January 22, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: A 2.98 acres (3 acres-Deed call) of land out of Lot 16-6, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, from (C-3) General Business to (I-1) Light Industrial; Rezoning: Being a 14.33 acre tract of land, more or less, lying north of Expressway 83 comprised of 1.90 acres of Lot 1, 3.12 acres of Lot 2, and 9.33 acres of Lot 3, The Goodwin Tract Subdivision No. 3, from (AO-I) Agricultural Open Interim to (C-3) General Business; Rezoning: 0.407 acres out of Lot 265, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (R-1) Single Family Residential to (C-3) General Business; Rezoning: Lot 1, Block 4, Bryan Park Addition, from (R-2) DuplexFourplex Residential to (R-3) Multi-Family Residential; and Rezoning: A 0.65 acre tract of land out of Meadow Creek Country Club Phase II-A Subdivision, from PUD (Planned Unit Development – Permanent Open Space District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development – Commercial) Discussion and Action to amend Ordinance #4044 as it relates to: Carports with a roof composed of tarp, canvas, or other similar fabric-like material. Replat of Lot 6, Ellis No. 6 Subdivision Being a 0.50 acre tract of land, more or less, consisting of all of Lot 6, Re-plat of Lot 6, Ellis No. 6 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
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CITY OF PALMVIEW, TEXAS CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council (the Governing
Body) of the City of Palmview, Texas (the City) will convene at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 400 W. Veterans Blvd., Palmview, TX 78572, at 6:00 o’clock P.M., on February 6, 2018, and, during such meeting, the Governing Body will consider the passage of an ordinance or ordinances and take such other actions as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of one or more series of certificates of obligation in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,950,000.00 (the Certificates) for the purpose or purposes of paying contractual obligations of the City to be incurred for making permanent public improvements and for other public purposes within the City. Funding will be used to pay for street paving and improvements, wastewater utility connections and general ledger software related thereto; including (1) architect and engineering fees; (2) construction costs for the improvements; and (3) the payment of professional services related to the construction and financing of the aforementioned project. The certificates of obligation will be payable from (1) the levy of annual ad valorem property taxes, within the limitations prescribed by law, upon all taxable property within the City; (2) a lien on and pledge of wastewater utility connection fees and (3) a lien on and pledge of revenues received by the City for these purposes as per an inter-local agreement with the Palmview Municipal Development District. The Certificates are to be issued, and this notice is given, under and pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Obligation Act of 1971, as amended, Texas Local Government Code, Section 271.041 through Section 271.065 and Chapter 1502, as amended, Texas Government Code. Annette Villarreal, City Secretary, City of Palmview, Texas
JOB OPENING
JOB OPENING CITY OF LA JOYA Now Accepting Applications For A Full Time La Joya Senior Center Office Clerk/Center Aide For Applications and More Information Please Contact us at: La Joya City Hall 101 N. Leo Avenue La Joya, Texas, 78560 956-581-7002 REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma At least 1 Year Related Experience Resume Responsibilities Include Assist in the daily activities for Elderly Assist with Monthly Reports Deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2018 The City of La Joya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Reserves the right to Accept or Reject any application submitted.
JOB OPENING
TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED.
PUBLIC NOTICE
is certified organic and has been harvested according to USDA standards. Martha Garcia, co-president of Environmental Awareness Club, said the menu changes from month to month. November’s market offerings included homemade vegan dishes, plantbased chili recipes, camote de piloncillo (a Mexican sweet potato dessert), herbal teas and vegan cheese and chips. The next market is set for February, outside the Recreation Center on the UTRGV Edinburg Campus. For more information, email eac.org@ gmail.com.
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.
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following school semester. “Our goal is to promote healthier lifestyles to students through food and by making these organic foods available at a cheaper cost than grocery stores,” said Suzanne El-Haj, co-president of the club. Some of the produce, when available, is harvested from a garden belonging to the Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems department, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, on the UTRGV Edinburg campus. Produce also is donated by neighboring farms across the Rio Grande Valley. All produce sold at the farmer’s market
CITY OF LA JOYA Now Accepting Applications For Certified Water Plant Operator For Applications and More Information Please Contact us at: La Joya City Hall 101 N. Leo Avenue La Joya, Texas, 78560 956-581-7002 Requirements: Valid Texas Driver’s License, Certified TCEQ “C” License, Related Work Experience, High School Diploma and /or GED Deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2018 The City of La Joya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Reserves the right to Accept or Reject any application submitted.
CITY OF LA JOYA Now Accepting Applications For CHIEF OF POLICE For Applications and More Information Please Contact us at: La Joya City Hall 101 N. Leo Avenue La Joya, Texas, 78560 956-581-7002 Requirements: At least 60 Hours of College 5 Year Experience Include Resume Deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2018 The City of La Joya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Reserves the right to Accept or Reject any application submitted.
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Attention
Auction of Vehicles
According to the provision in the Transportation Code 683, Sub-section B, 683.012, Texas Department of Transportation informs you that the below mentioned cars have been taken into custody by the Penitas Police Department and will be sold at auction. For information on vehicles you can communicate with the Penitas Police Department at (956) 999- 8310. The auction will be held at 2001 E. 3 Mile Rd. Penitas, Texas, 78576 (Penitas Police Substation) on January 27, 2018. Starting auction will be at 1:00 PM, and will be held according to the law. Payment will be in cash (US currency) or Credit/ Debit Cards with a processing fee. The vehicles are auctioned under their conditions which there are no guarantees and/or refunds. Color Make Model VIN 1. Sil Chevrolet Malibu 1G12C5E05A4108735 2. Bro Jeep Cherokee 1J4GW58S6XC640994 3. Blu Mercury Grand Marquis 2MEFM75W13X686851 4. Grn Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ND52J83M548962 5. Whi Ford F-350 1FBSS31L32HA52163 6. Blk Chevrolet Impala 2G1WH55K929154024 7. Gry Nissan Altima 1N4AL11D35C955048 8. Whi Ford Focus 1FAFP34N67W177386 9. Blu Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF52EX39445945 10. Whi Chrysler New Yorker 2C3HC46F3SH672974 11. Mar Cadillac ZTS 1G6DV57V290165811 12. Blk Chevrolet Tahoe 1GNEC13V34R139817 13. Red Mitsubishi Mirage 5A3AY26C21U021225 14. Gry Dodge Intrepid 2B3HD46R24H706295 15. Whi Ford Expedition 1FMRU17L61LB49087 16. Red Chrysler PT Cruiser 3A4FY58B07T577429 17. Blu Ford Mustang 1FAFP4440YF192199 18. Sil Chrysler Caravan 2C8GP74L73R209770
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January 5, 2018
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com
Mission Regional Santa Brings Toys to Children Medical Staff Sees Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child
MISSION - Their faces just light-up and they get excited when they see Juan Larralde dressed in his Red Santa Claus Outfit, “Hey, look its Santa, he came to see us.” It’s all about the children and to see the smiles on all their faces. Some might not have a Christmas without us helping a little bit,” explains Larralde. It begins early on a Saturday morning in December before Christmas. The medical staff at Mission Regional Medical Center starts loading gifts on what you would call a modern day sleigh. Juan Larralde, RN, Critical Care Director dons the traditional Red Santa Claus suit and readies himself for the long day. Larralde and his team wouldn’t have it any other way. The effort to provide Christmas gifts to children in the impoverished area of South Texas began four years ago when physicians donated funds and asked the medical staff to find families
in need. Area school districts provide the hospital a list of area families who could use a little help sharing the Christmas spirt with their children. This year, approximately 90 families and a local hospice received gifts from the Physicians at Mission Regional Medical Center. Over the last 4 years, this effort has become an annual tradition. It begins with identifying families, buying and wrapping the gifts, and assembling a team to deliver the gifts. Often times, even with GPS, it’s difficult to find the families in the rural parts of the area. The need is real. You don’t even have to ask. It’s there in front of you. For many families, there simply isn’t money to buy Christmas gifts for the children. Basic needs, take precedence over holiday gifts. “It’s the most fulfilling project I work on all year,” says Eira Romero, Director ER, Mission Regional Medical Center.
Eira Romero, Director ER, Lorda Tauli, Med Surgical Director, and Juan Larralde, Director, Critical Care, at Mission Regional Medical Center bring gifts to Alberto Acevedo and his brother Abise Acevedo North of Mission off Highway 107.
It’s your year. Go ahead and make the most of it!
We wish you all the best in 2018. Thank you for all you have done to make this past year a success Mary Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem
Jose A. “Fito” Salinas Mayor
Maria E. “Geny” Salinas Commissioner Norberto “Beto” Jessica Ortega-Ochoa Ruben Plata Dr. Armando Ocaña Martin Garza, Jr. Norie Garza COUNCILMAN Salinas - MAYOR MAYOR PRO-TEM COUNCILWOMAN COUNCILMAN CITY MANAGER
Rey Acosta Commissioner
Anna Lisa Ruiz Commissioner
1201 E. 8th St. • (956) 580-8650 www.missiontexas.us
Mike Alaniz City Administrator
Roberto Jackson City Attorney
Julianita Sabala Administrative Secretary
www.CityOfPenitas.com facebook.com/CityOfPenitas
Gerardo Perez Mayor
Javier Ramirez Mayor Pro Tem
Happy New Year!
Ricardo Villarreal Councilman
Leo Olivares Interim City Manager
www.cityofpalmview.com
Joselito Hernandez Councilman
Joel Garcia Councilman
Linda Sarabia Councilwoman
City of Alton
Javier Ramirez Gerardo PerezSalvador Ricardo VillarrealJr. Arturo R. Galvan “The City on the Grow” MayorVela Pro Tem Mayor Councilman Mayor
Leo Olivares 509 S. Alton Blvd. • Alton, TX 78573 • Interim City Manager www.alton-tx.gov • (956) 432-0760 JoselitoRicardo Hernandez Garza
www.cityofpalmview.com
Councilman COMMISSIONER
MAYOR PRO-TEM
Sarabia Joel Garcia Richard Arevalo Emilio Cantu Jr. Linda COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER Councilwoman Councilman
MAYOR PRO-TEM
COUNCILMAN
ALEX GUAJARDO JOSE ROEL FLORES
MAYOR
RIGO LOPEZ
COUNCILMAN
Happy New Year 2018! www.cityofpalmhursttx.com
Roberto A. Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem
Jaime Aranda Councilman
Ruben De Leon Councilman
COUNCILMAN
FELIPE QUINTANILLA RAMIRO LOYA
Israel Silva Councilman
Ramiro J. Rodriguez, Jr. Mayor
Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman