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Vol. 46 No. 37

fires police chief City of Mission holds round-up celebrating April Palmview after settlement

By Jamie Treviño

Celebrating several events, official dates and what the city has to offer in April, residents gathered

outside the city hall for Mission’s first Round Up. Last Sat., April 21, the City of Mission held a Round Up in honor of some of the major celebration days in

April. The event commemorated Earth Day, Arbor Day, Dia de los Niños, National Library Week, Animal Cruelty Prevention Month, the annual Trash Bash, National

Volunteers plant new greenery for the butterfly garden outside the Mission City Hall at the first Round Up. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Community Development Block Grant and Fair Housing Month.

Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Round Up was located outside the city hall.

The event included live performances from Serjio & Ropin’ the Wind, local singer Tony Longoria and folklorico and mariachi groups.

Mission City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. was happy with the work put into the event and glad the city could provide something new for citizens.

“Keeping a family environment is very important for us to continue to have these types of events,” Garza said. “We’re having a lot of fun doing this, and we’re all going to work together to bring something nice to our community.”

Garza credited the new Mission Event Center as a catalyst for the Round Up, as it led to the creation of a city department focused on community events.

See ROUND-UP Pg. 12

negotiations sputter

by Dave Hendricks The Palmview City Council abruptly fired police Chief Chris Barrera on Monday after settlement negotiations sputtered and new allegations emerged against him.

What, exactly, emerged Monday remains a mystery.

The City Council held a closed-door meeting for roughly 25 minutes Monday night. When they emerged from executive session, Interim City Manager Leo Olivares and City Attorney Gus Acevedo recommended firing Barrera.

Without any discussion, the City Council unanimously accepted the recommendation and adjourned the meeting.

“Things have come to light that you can’t ignore,” said City Councilwoman Linda Sarabia, who declined to detail the new allegations.

“And it just kept piling up.”

Chris Barrera Former Palmview Police Chief

Mayor Jerry Perez and City Councilman Joel Garcia remained similarly tightlipped after the meeting, refusing to discuss the new allegations.

Attorney Javier Peña of Edinburg, who represents Barrera, said Palmview made a big mistake.

“It’s sad to see that the city is making decisions that are only going to lead to the spending of more tax

See FIRES CHIEF Pg. 12

Rev. Rafael Cruz to speak at Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon Rev. Rafael Cruz, father of United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s Mission Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon. The annual event is held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer which will be next Thursday, May 3. It will be hosted at the new Mission Event Center at 200 N. Shary Rd. The long-standing tradition is an opportunity for local elected officials, community leaders and citizens to come together to pray and give thanks. Locally, churches and community leaders help to prepare and organize the event, which unites over 300 individuals for prayer.

The National Day of Prayer which has been a part of the country’s heritage since 1775.

The life of Rev. Cruz personifies the opportunities and success available for those in pursuit of the American Dream.

Born in Cuba, he lived and suffered under an oppressive and cruel communist dictatorship. In fighting for his freedom against Batista’s regime, the young Cruz found himself imprisoned and tortured. Escaping the tyranny, he arrived in Texas in 1957 on a student visa and got a job as a dishwasher, making 50 cents an hour. He learned English while working his way through college at the Uni-

versity of Texas and later established a small business in further pursuit of that dream.

In early 1980, Cruz joined the State Board of the Religious Roundtable, a Judeo-Christian organization that mobilized millions of people of faith during the presidential campaign of Ronald Reagan. He is now an ordained minister and director of Grace for America, serving churches and Pastors Conferences around the nation. Additionally, he is the author of “A Time for Action, Empowering the Faithful to Reclaim America.”

“We are excited to bring people together for this event.

Mission has done very well because we have always been supported by our churches,” said Mayor Norberto Salinas.

“I’m looking forward to hosting Senator Cruz’s father in Mission for this event.”

Tickets are available for $20 per person at Mission City Hall, Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, Mission Event Center, and with participating churches. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. for seating and the program begins promptly at 12:05 p.m.

There will be special performances by Mission High School Mariachis and All Heart Worship – Gabriel de la Garza.

For more information, call Aida Lerma, deputy city manager, at 956-580-8729.

David Ramirez, from First Shield Tactical, speaking to LJISD teachers attending one of the active shooter training courses. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

LJISD holds 360 Active Shooter Courses for teachers and security

By Jamie Treviño Aiming to prepare teachers and security guards in the event that an active shooter enters a school, La Joya Independent School District held trainings with First Shield Tactical.

On Friday, April 20, LJISD held different active shooter training courses for 150 teachers and unarmed security guards employed in the school district. The goal of these trainings was to in-

crease safety and awareness for La Joya students.

Dr. Armando O’caña, part of La Joya’s Student Services Department, was in charge of bringing the event to staff in the district. He attended the training courses himself, and spoke about the importance and need of these programs.

“It’s to bring the mindset to our teachers,” O’caña said. “So they can take the mindset to their students.”

According to O’caña, the district is going to try and

bring these courses to all the teachers at La Joya in the future. He cited the recent shooting at Parkland High School in Florida as a “rude awakening” that motivated them to hold these trainings.

“An active shooter, it’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen, it’s a matter of when it’s going to happen,” Ocaña said. “So we need to be prepared. Preparation saves lives.”

O’caña was happy with the responses from teachers

about the course.

“The teachers are responding very positively toward the training,” O’caña said. “At first we kind of predicted that there would be an element of fear, but I think that they can come to the conclusion that it may happen in the classroom.”

He also said that the responsibilities of teachers are now including being first responders in these kinds of situations.

See SHOOTER COURSES Pg. 13

INSIDE

INDEX

Big 7 Softball Teams claim titles

Palmview Festival

Agua SUD Investigation

The Lady Coyotes, Lady Patriots and Lady Diamondbacks have qualified for the state playoffs. Luciano Guerra has more information, inside.

The City of Palmview held their first CommUNITY Fest this past weekend. Jose De Leon III has more details about the event, inside.

Records and documents have uncovered new details about the current Agua SUD investigation. Dave Hendricks has an update on the story, inside.

See Pg. 7

See Pg. 8

See Pg. 10

Entertainment | pg.2

Lifestyle | pg.5

Sports | pg. 7

Obituaries | pg. 13

Classifieds | pg. 15

entertainment MHM plans annual Tardeada Zapateada Festival

Down and dirty fun for a cause

The public is invited to go out and cheer on the competing teams at this weekend’s Sixth Annual Lions Mud Volleyball Tournament and Texas Lions Camp BBQ Cook-off. The family-friendly event features food, fun and music all for a good cause coming. It will be held Saturday, April 27-28, at 4-3/4 Miles N. Conway Ave. in Alton. The tournament benefits the Mission Lions Club charitable programs, while all net proceeds from the cook-off benefit the Texas Lions Camp for Crippled Children. The mud volleyball tournament on Saturday runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the staff at the Mission Historical Museum for their annual Tardeada Zapateada Festival. The Cinco de Mayo Festival is a celebration of cultural music and dance in the Rio Grande Valley. It will be held on Friday, May 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mission Market Square, 202 W. Tom Landry.

There will be folklorico and mariachi performances by local talent, an array of food vendors cooking up traditional treats, including funnel cakes, empanadas, tacos, tortas, churros and more. The artisan market will feature unique gifts and novelties and a children’s area with moon jumps, games and crafts.

Admission is free to the festival. For more information, call 956-580-8646 or go to missionmuseum.org.

‘Chemisynthesis’ by Nolan Preece

Nolan Preece ‘Chemigrams’ exhibition opens at IMAS

McALLEN – Chemigrams, a solo exhibition by artist Nolan Preece, has opened

at the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in McAllen. These semi-abstract and peculiar artworks provide a unique visual background for social and environmental content.

Chemigrams is now on view through July 8.

Preece has a spent a lifetime balancing the elusive and primitive techniques of early photography with new and technologically-advanced and inventive photo-based processes.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, his fondness for experimental photography led him to develop a photographic abstraction process that uses chemical masking and staining techniques to create an image on silver based photographic paper.

Preece called his resulting prints “chemograms,” but after recently engaging with a group of artists using similar processes, Preece has renamed his prints “chemigrams.”

The chemigrams are produced without the use of a camera; however, fragments of representational photographic imagery are at times integrated with the various chemical effects. As chem-

April 27, 2018

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Coming Attractions

April 27 • The Brass Ensemble, featuring student brass ensembles from the UTRGV School of Music, will perform at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Complex on the Edinburg campus. Admission is $5. The concert will feature music in a variety of setting from small chamber groups to a large brass ensemble.

For questions, call 956-665-3881. Go to tickets.vendini.com for tickets.

April 27-28 • The public is invited to a showcase the vast musical talent at the UTRGV School of Music Faculty Showcase Recital. Performances will be at the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville on Friday and at 7 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at the library auditorium on the UTRGV Edinburg campus. This performance will feature musical selections in a wide variety of musical styles and on a variety of instruments from the faculty members’ areas of study: woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, piano, guitar and voice. The performances are free and open to the public. For questions, call 956-882-7025.

April 27-29 • “The Tragic Corrido of Romeo and Lupe,” an adaptation of Shakespear’s Romeo & Juliet, plays at the Pharr Community Theater, 213 W. Newcombe. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8 general admission and $6 for students, veterans and seniors.

The play is equivalent to a PG-13 movie. For advance tickets or more information call 956-239-0412 or 956-655-9308.

• The spring season of UTRGV’s Department of Theatre concludes with the Theatre for Young Audiences production of “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” by John Glore. It will run Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 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 information or tickets, contact Elva Galvan, University Productions Box Office, at 956-6653581, or email her at elva.galvan@utrgv.edu.

• The 2017-18 South Texas College Theatre season wraps up with Bernard Pomerance’s moving drama “The Elephant Man.” 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.

April 28 • The UTRGV University Choir will present its Spring Concert at 7 p.m. in the UTRGV Performing Arts Center on the Edinburg campus.. The mostly unaccompanied concert will include compositions by traditional “classical” composers as well as living composers from America, Latin America and Europe. Admission is $5, and tickets are available at tickets. vendini.com. For questions, call 956-665-3881.

• The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W. Nolana in McAllen, hosts Dr. Robert Bradley at 2 p.m. with a presentation titled “The Unbearable Uselessness of the Western Masterpiece.” The program explores the transition between what was and is currently considered a western masterpiece in the world of art. The program is included with General Admission. For information, call 956-681-2800.

May 4 • The McAllen Arts Council will host an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. during Art Walk for an exhibition, “3-D Art/ Mixed Media Exhibit by RGV Artists.” It will be on display throughout May at the McAllen Creative Incubator, 601 N. Main.

• Join the UTRGV Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble as they celebrate International Tuba Day and Cinco de Mayo, or, as they call it, “Tuba de Mayo,” at 7 p.m. in the library auditorium of UTRGV in Edinburg. This annual concert will feature the UTRGV Tuba/Euphonium Studio and Ensemble as soloists, chamber groups, and the full ensemble. The concert is free of charge.

(For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com) ical abstractions that suggest a natural world gone awry, Preece’s art plays an important role in the pronounced and politicized arguments that surround climate change.

The process of making a chemigram involves combining chemicals to form imagery on silver halide photographic papers. Preece experiments with everyday materials such as acrylic floor wax and common photographic chemical solutions to produce his unique images.

Belgian photographer Pierre Cordier, who is widely respected as the founder of the chemigram in the 1950s, recently referred to Preece as “without a doubt, one of the outstanding practitioners of the chemigram.”

Also represented in this

exhibition is a process known as cliché-verre (French for “glass negative”). Preece first experimented with applying chemical solvents on smoke-on-glass plates in 1979. When treated as a negative, the glass plate can be placed in an enlarger and printed on photographic paper as if it were a film negative. Currently, Preece has moved on from the photo enlarger employing a digital scanner to create more expansive images that in turn, open up the field of view to better understanding the fleeting and fluid ‘nature’ of the media.

This exhibition is included in the cost of general admission.

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Let’s Keep Mission In Good Hands RE-ELECT MAYOR

Bet

Salinas

POLITICAL AD PAID FOR BY CANDIDATE - 500 E. 9TH ST. MSSION TEXAS

page 4

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Governor announces extension of hurricane-related sheltering assistance AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on April 17 announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had granted Texas’ request to extend the deadline for Hurricane Harvey survivors to apply for transitional sheltering assistance.

The deadline has been extended from April 23 to May 31. The transitional sheltering assistance program helps displaced individuals who are unable to return to their homes find short-term shelter in hotels or other temporary housing locations.

“With many Texas families still unable to return home after Harvey, we are committed to ensuring they have a place to stay as the recovery continues,” Abbott said. “We will continue to do everything in our power to help Texans get back in their homes and get our communities rebuilt as quickly as possible. I thank our federal partners and FEMA for helping provide this important assistance for those in need.”

Officials discuss funding Gov. Abbott on April 20 joined U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, and local officials in Houston to discuss the $5 billion recently allocated by Congress to Texas for Hurricane Harvey and disaster recovery.

Provided through the HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program, the intended use of the grant funding is for the rebuilding of housing, businesses and infrastructure following Hurricane Harvey and previous flood events.

“Though Hurricane Har-

April 27, 2018

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vey was the worst of storms, it brought out the best in the people of Texas,” Abbott said. “In each community, so many lives were saved because of the courage and leadership of local officials and the efforts of our incredible first responders. These funds will help give communities the resources they need to continue recovering, and I thank HUD Secretary Ben Carson, as well as all of our federal partners, for their ongoing support throughout this process.” The funding includes: — $652 million to help rebuild damaged homes, businesses and infrastructure.

— $4.3 billion for elevating homes, property buyouts, and hardening structures from wind and water to help protect Texas families from future storms; and — $62 million to Houston and $24 million to San Marcos for mitigation of 2015 floods.

Former first lady dies Former first lady Barbara Pierce Bush died in a Houston hospital on April 17. She was 92.

A funeral for Mrs. Bush, the wife of George H.W. Bush, 41st president of the United States, was conducted on April 21 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Cathedral in Houston. Burial was in the family plot at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station on April 22.

Mrs. Bush was the mother of George W. Bush, 43rd president and former governor of Texas, and Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida.

She was the grandmother of current Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Gov. Abbott on April 17 said of the former first lady: “Barbara Bush dedicated her life to helping others. As only the second woman in history to be both the wife and mother of U.S. presidents, Barbara had a unique and profound impact on our country.

“Spearheading the fight against illiteracy, she created the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, working to improve the lives of those less fortunate through education. Her selfless devotion to service defines the inspiring legacy Barbara has left behind. Her impact on Texas and our nation will forever be treasured.

“Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to President George H.W. Bush and the entire Bush family during this difficult time.

We ask that all Texans join us in keeping them in their thoughts and prayers as they mourn the passing of a devoted wife, mother and public servant.”

Solar industry is studied In the April issue of the Office of the Comptroller’s online digital publication, Fiscal Notes, the solar industry in Texas is examined.

According to the Comptroller’s Office, 532 solar companies and nearly 100 solar product manufacturers are located in Texas.

“There are still unknowns that may affect the industry, including the fate of federal tax credits and a recent tariff on foreign-made solar panels, but the long-term prospects for this industry seem bright as companies work to meet our state’s ever-expanding energy needs,” state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said on April 16.

Mission Regional Medical Center Receives an ‘A’ for Patient Safety in Spring 2018 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

(Mission, TX) April 24, 2018 – When it comes to patient safety, Mission Regional Medical Center was awarded an “A” from The Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C-based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers.

Mission Regional Medical Center was one of 750 awarded an ‘A’ for its efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care.

“We are honored to earn a grade A on Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Score,” said Kane Dawson, CEO of Mission Regional Medical Center. “Maintaining the highest national standards for patient safety is something we strive for day in and day out. This commitment to patient safety represents an inherent dedication by our medical teams to deliver safe, consistent, quality care to our community today and for years to come.”

“This is the only national rating of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and death, such as medical errors, infections, and injuries,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Receiving an ‘A’ Safety Grade means a hospi-

tal is among the best in the country for preventing these terrible problems and putting their patients first, 24 hours a day.”

Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

To see Mission Regional Medical Center full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Leapfrog Group: Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families

from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

About Mission Regional Medical Center: Mission Regional Medical Center is a 297-bed, non-profit hospital that provides inpatient and outpatient hospital services to the people of the Rio Grande Valley. Rated one of the top hospitals in the country for clinical excellence in many services including maternity and orthopedic care, Mission Regional Medical Center has been offering quality healthcare, close to home, for over 60 years. For more information visit www. missionrmc.org About Prime Healthcare and Prime Healthcare Foundation: Prime Healthcare is an award-winning national hospital system with 44 acute-care hospitals providing nearly 43,500 jobs in 14 states. Twelve of the hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity with a mission of providing quality, compassionate healthcare for all. Based in California and one of the largest hospital systems in the country, Prime Healthcare and its hospitals have been recognized as among the “100 Top Hospitals” in the nation 38 times and among the “15 Top Health Systems” three times, and Prime Healthcare is the only “Top 10 Health System” west of the Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.primehealthcare. com.

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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2018

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

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

EVENTS

lifestyle

April 27-28 – Registration is open for the Mission Lions Club Sixth Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament and the Texas Lions Camp Cook-off to be held in Alton. Mud volleyball runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For players age 15 and over, teams may be co-ed, all male or all female.

Volleyball team registration or sponsorship is $300. Registration forms and additional tournament information are available at progresstimes.net or on the Mission Lions Club Mud Volleyball Facebook page. Sponsorships are needed for teams, and corporate sponsorship packages are available.

For information or registration, contact Adela Ortega at 956458-9066. The cook-off is Friday and Saturday and is IBCA sanctioned. For complete IBCA rules, go to ibcabbq.org.

Entry fee for the three main categories is $175. Entry is $25 for the Jackpot categories. To register a cook-off team, contact Esmer Flores at 956-212-5485 or via email at esmer. bernal26@yahoo.com.

April 28 – The next Saturday Safari at Gladys Porter Zoo is “What’s Bugging You?” from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn what separates an insect from other creatures. A zoo tour, arts & crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included. Cost is $15 per child or adult. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@ gpz.org.

April 29 –Inspired by Aztec history and Japanese anime, Pedro Larez brings to life the adventures of the Aztec gods through “Aztectopia,” a comic book. Gerald Padilla, the translator of the comic book, will present these adventures in a discussion, “Aztectopia: The Adventures of the Aztec Gods,” at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History, 200 N. Closner in Edinburg. The presentation includes the influence Aztec history and legends have had in South Texas and northeastern Mexico. Copies of the comic book will be available for purchase in the Museum Store following the presentation. The program is included in regular admission.

Call 956-383-6911 for information.

May 3 – Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, 600 Sunset in McAllen, hosts Carol Goolsby with “Wildflower Design.” From petal color to shape, Carol Goolsby will present a slide show of native LRGV wildflower diversity, while explaining the botany behind their designs. Admission is $3 per person. For more information, call 956-681-3370.

(For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)

12th & Kika Loop Mission • 580-8750

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Epsilon Upsilon inducts new members

CALENDAR

Speer Memorial Library

April 27, 2018

BETWEEN THE BOOKENDS

By William Renner Join us at Speer Memorial Library in Mission on Tuesday, May 15, for a discussion of Hidden Figures. It will take place in the library’s Community Room at 5:30 p.m. in Spanish, and at 6:30 p.m. in English. The public is invited to attend.

In 1943, the U.S. Government desperately needed help. With World War II raging and millions of young men serving as soldiers, sailors, and pilots, Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Va., put out a call for physicists, mathematicians, and other qualified people to handle the aerodynamics testing and calculations needed to turn combat aircraft prototypes into air-worthy machines capable of winning the war.

Answering the call were a number of African American women—mathematics teachers from segregated public schools in the South— who were hired at Langley as “computers.” Many of the exceptionally gifted women stayed on after the war,

working with the space program when Langley became part of NASA, and did the basic trajectory calculations that put humans in space and on the moon.

Written by Margot Lee Shetterley, and first published in 2016, Hidden Figures is the little-known but true story of African American women whose behind-the-headlines work made the difference in war and in space—women who used their extraordinary talents to combat racism and discrimination both abroad and at home.

Copies of the book are available for check out to those who sign up for the book discussion. For more information or to reserve a book, contact William Renner or Rose Alvarez at 580-8754 or 580-8750 or by email at reference@missiontexas.us, or stop by the reference desk at the library.

This title is also available as an eBook at hidalgocotx. oneclickdigital.com.

The library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

On Saturday, April 14, 2018, the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International welcomed seven new members into their society.

New inductees included Shannon Perales, business administration lecturer at South Texas College; Cynthia Villegas, McAllen I.S.D. college admissions and scholarship specialist; Dr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton, UTRGV interim Provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs; Crystalin Flores, 5th grade teacher at Salinas Elementary, Mission C.I.S.D.; Matilde Reyna, Pre-K teacher at Bryan Elementary, Mission C.I.S.D.; and Megan Johnson, art teacher at W.A. Todd Middle School, Donna I.S.D. DKG is a society promoting professional and personal growth of women educators

and excellence in education.

The chapter offers lifelong learning through programs that reflect members’ interest and by offering grants and scholarships.

For more information, contact Gloria Dietrich, Epsilon Upsilon Chapter president, at gjdiet@yahoo.com.

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MHS FFA cattle judging team heads to state The Mission High School (MHS) Dairy Cattle Judging Team earned a trip to Stephenville to compete at the State Dairy Cattle Judging Career Development Events finals. To qualify, the team placed third at the Area X Dairy Cattle Judging contest held in Floresville and second place at the Rio Grande Valley FFA District contest.

Team member Sebastian Carrillo was ranked third place high point individual at the Area level and second place high point individual at the RGV event. Team members, left to right, are Jorge Calderon, Sebastian Carrillo, Ileana Martinez, Librado Anzaldua.

La Joya I.S.D. presents

A Mother’s Day Mariachi Concert Tuesday, May 1 • 6:00 p.m.

Featuring: La Joya High School Mariachi Los Coyotes

Palmview High School Mariachi Los Lobos

Juarez-Lincoln High School Mariachi Sol de Oro

and Special Guests

Free Admission

Learn from the experts at Master Gardener spring plant sale

SAN BENITO – Gardeners Market is this year’s theme for the popular spring Cameron County Master Gardeners plant sale. Specialty plant and garden vendors will be added to the usual Master Gardener information and demonstration booths.

The event is April 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and takes place at the far end of the Cameron County Annex Building parking lot located at Williams Road and Hwy. 83/77 in San Benito, 1390 W. Expressway 83.

A huge selection of tropical, sub-tropical, perennials, native, cultivated, butterfly nectar plants, herbs, vegetable plants and favorite plants, shrubs and trees will be sold.

Most plants have been donated by the Master Gardener membership from their own gardens or propagated during training classes.

A variety of commercial vendors will offer their wares for sale, including garden art, bird houses, garden tools, cement planters, rainbarrels and garden aprons.

Master Gardener information and demonstration booths will return with gar-

dening advice, children’s activities, native plant experts, bee keeping, hugelkultur composting demonstrations and hypertufa demonstrations.

Hypertufa is the craft of making customized garden pots using Portland cement and other ingredients including reusing old terrycloth towels to make unique planters. Hugelkultur is a German-inspired, raised-bed gardening without the need for irrigation or fertilization that has recently made local news.

An ailing plant and pest clinic also will be offered

by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Plant Pathologist Specialist Dr. Olufemi Alabi, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent on Integrated Pest Management Danielle Sekula, respectively.

Anyone bringing insects and/or ailing plants for analysis and advice from the experts, should transport them in sealed plastic bags or closed containers to avoid spreading infestations or diseases.

Alejandro “Alex” H. Sáenz Performing Arts Center More Information: (956) 323-2898

604 N. Coyotes Drive La Joya, Texas 78560

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8

Monica Garcia Stephanie Solis Ayleene Salinas Andrea Perez Ananda Lozano Kassandra Villarreal Jaretzy Rodriguez Leslie Ochoa

CONTINUE TO MAKE LJISD PROUD!!

Lady Veterans Memorial Patriots

CO - DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

Congratulations To Our

Good Luck In The Playoffs!

Sabrina Salinas Alyssa Soliz Belinda Bernal Leslie Marron Nallely Hernandez Alexandria Alaniz Kayla Cantu Jessica Reyna

Jessel Gomez Natalie Cavazos Ana Benavidez Prissy Gonzalez Dulce Rangel Justine Galvan

#12 #15 #16 #20 #22 #23

Karyna Lozano Clarissa Gonzalez Paulina Martinez Iliana Contreras Arielle Quijada Jackie Rivera

#1 #4 #5 #7 #8 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14

Samantha Cortez Nicole Molina Sam Nino Ilianna Casanova Cierah Garcia Andrea Ortiz Jennifer Rivera Mariel Gonzalez Claryssa Madera Callie Bess

13-3

#17 #18 #19 #20 #21 #23 #24 #28 #99

Valeria Olivarez Ytzel Garza Madison Sparks Jasmine Leal Alexia Hernandez Dominikue Martinez Fabiola Gonzalez Yvette Rivera Sarah Odale

Thank you Sharyland ISD School Board for supporting our athletes!

GOOD LUCK AT THE PLAYOFFS!

CONGRATULATIONS Lady Pioneer Diamonbacks!

Richard A. Young D.D.S.

2407 E. Griffin Pkwy. (FM 495 & Shary Rd. Mission • 956-581-2773

Timothy W. Brann D.D.S.

GENERAL DENTISTRY EXCEPTIONAL CARE

To All Our Valley Teams!

Best of Luck

Good Luck In The Playoffs!

#2 #3 #7 #8 #9 #10

13-3

DISTRICT RECORD

DISTRICT 31-5A CO-CHAMPIONS

DISTRICT RECORD

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La Joya ISD congratulates the Lady Coyotes on a successful season and wishes them the very best in the Playoffs.

#9 #10 #12 #13 #14 #16 #17 #18

DISTRICT 30-6A CHAMPIONS

Playoff Bound!

12-0

DISTRICT RECORD page 6 April 27, 2018

April 27, 2018

Sports week

THE

BIG7 SCHOOLS

page 7

www.ptrgv.com/sports

Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports

Three Big 7 softball teams claim titles

By Luciano Guerra

Last year five of the seven Mission, Sharyland and La Joya schools’ softball teams, the Big 7, extended their seasons into the post season. With only three of the seven qualifying for the state playoffs this year, the Big 7 may not have the quantity of teams in the playoffs, but it certainly has the quality. That’s because unlike last year, when only one of the five playoff teams was a district champion, this year all three teams representing the Big 7 in the playoffs are district champions; one outright and two co-champions. And with one of those three teams having gone undefeated, there’s no telling how deep into the playoffs one or more of those teams may go.

With the bi-district round of the UIL state playoffs being played this weekend, let’s take a look at the three Big 7 teams that earned the right to play-on when so many other teams are already looking forward to next year.

La Joya Lady Coyotes Having won the District 30-6A title by four games,

the 12-0 Lady Coyotes made quick work of all their district rivals. So much so that they had the championship all locked up while the three McAllen teams were left battling it out for second, third and fourth place.

Just how dominant were the Lady Coyotes this season? The fact that Coach Charlie Rodriguez’s squad outscored their district opponents by an almost unbelievable combined score of 13624 should give you a pretty good idea. The fact that the majority of their games only went five innings, due to the fact that the Lady Coyotes had a 10-run or greater lead after five and the so-called mercy rule was invoked, makes the fact that they averaged over 11 runs a game all that more impressive.

As the top seed in the district, the Lady Coyotes will be going up against District 29-6A’s fourth seed, the 9-5 Laredo Alexander Lady Bulldogs in a bi-district round best-of-three series. Game one of this series is scheduled to be played tonight at 7 at the La Joya softball complex. Game two is scheduled

to be played tomorrow afternoon at 5 at Laredo Alexander. Should a game three be necessary, it is scheduled to be played 30 minutes after the completion of game two, also at Alexander. The winner of this series will face the winner of the Weslaco High vs Edinburg V e l a best-ofthree series in the Area round of the state playoffs next weekend.

Mission Veterans Lady Patriots What a difference a year makes. Last year the 10-6 Mission Veterans Lady Patriots struggled just to qualify for the playoffs. They beat out the Roma Lady Gladiators by one game to claim the fourth and final playoff spot in the district. And of their six losses, two came at the hands of the Pioneer

Lady Diamondbacks by a combined score of 26-5.

This year the 13-3 Lady Patriots are District 31-5A co-champions. While they are sharing the title with the Lady Diamondbacks, they took both games against l a s t y e a r ’s undefeated district champs making the Lady Patriots the district’s top seed in the playoffs. As a result, they will be facing off against District 32-5A’s fourth seed, the 8-6 Brownsville Lopez Lady Lobos in the bi-district round of the state playoffs this weekend. Lopez is the team that defeated Pioneer in the bi-district round of the playoffs last year.

Game one of the bestof-three series between the Lady Patriots and the Lady Lobos was played last night

at Lopez High School. Game two is scheduled to be played tonight at 7 at Mission Veterans. If necessary, game three is scheduled to be played tomorrow afternoon at 5 at Brownsville Lopez. The winner of this series will be going up against the winner of the Corpus Christi Carroll vs Eagle Pass Winn best-ofthree series in the Area round of the state playoffs next weekend.

Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks For the fourth year in a row, the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks are in the state playoffs. And for the third year in a row, they are entering post-season play as champions. However, as a result of their two losses to the Mission Veterans Lady Patriots, the team Pioneer is sharing the District 31-5A championship with, the 13-3 Lady Diamondbacks are not the top seed in the playoffs this year. Instead, they are the second seed.

Having won five games in a row and seven of their last eight, the Lady Diamondbacks are definitely entering post-season play on a roll.

Even more impressive is the fact that the Lady Diamondbacks defeated their final two district opponents, Laredo Martin and Roma, by a combined score of 41-0.

Whether or not the Lady Diamondbacks’ momentum will continue into the playoffs remains to be seen, however they will have to get past the 9-5 Edcouch-Elsa Lady Yellowjackets if they hope to claim their second bi-district championship in their still relatively short school history.

Game one of this best-ofthree series was played last night at PSJA North High School. Game two is scheduled to be played tonight at 7 also at PSJA North High.

Game three, if necessary, will be played tomorrow afternoon at 5 at, you guessed it, PSJA North High School.

The winner of this series will be going up against the winner of the Corpus Christi Calallen vs Floresville bestof-three series in the Area round of the state playoffs next weekend.

The road to Regionals: Pioneer boys, Mission Veterans and Palmview girls bring home area championships

By Bryan Ramos District. Area. Regionals. State. With each passing meet, the competition gets tougher. Three Big 7 programs proved to be the toughest in their area as the Pioneer boys, Mission Veterans and Palmview girls track teams were crowned Area Champions on April 19 and 20.

It was a clean sweep in the UIL 5A Area 31/32 Track Meet as the Diamondbacks and Lady Patriots pushed their way to first place team finishes, beating out 16 other programs.

Pioneer Diamondbacks The Pioneer Diamond-

backs scored 101 team points, 13 more than second place Brownsville Veterans Memorial, to pick up their second consecutive area title. Led by gold medal performances in the shot put, high jump and the 4x200 and 4x400 relays, the Diamondbacks are sending six athletes to compete in individual competitions, in addition to all three relay teams.

Senior and University of Houston signee Johnny Howell set an area record with a shot put throw of 5708 to take first place and also came in third in discuss with a throw of 147-07.

Junior Parker Barrett finished first in high jump with a leap of 6-00.00, and is joined

by pole vaulter Roman Garcia, who finished fourth with a height of 12-00.00.

The gold medal 4x200 relay team, made up of Jeff Aubin, Kevin Chavez, Jacob Rosales and Diego Perez, ran a 1:30.47, and brought home a third place finish in the 4x100 with a time of 43.69. The Pioneer 4x400 relay team of Octavio Morales, Diego Salas, Franky Aranda and Daniel Mireles also finished first with a time of 3:24.02.

Morales also qualified for regionals in the 800-meter run, Perez in the 200-meter run, and senior Tyler Bulthuis in the 110-meter hurdles.

Other 31-5A athletes who qualified for state on

The Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots track team won the UIL 31/32 Area Track Meet on April 19 and 20 at Benny Layton Memorial Stadium in Elsa. Courtesy Photo.

the boys side are Sharyland’s Blake Klein, who took home first place in the triple jump (44-00.75) and fourth place (19-11.25) in the long jump. Rattlers joining Klein at regionals are Ruben Davila and Diego Ortiz who finished first and second in the 110-meter hurdles,

Jimmy Esquivel in the pole vault and Will Patterson in the high jump. Two Patriots will also be making the trip to San Antonio as Landry Gilpin finished second in the long jump (20-04.25) and Leo Cantu finished fourth in the triple jump (42-05.25).

Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots The Lady Patriots went back-to-back when they were crowned area champions on April 20 after bringing home the same trophy a year ago, but this one was decided by

See ROAD TO REGIONALS Pg. 8

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page 8

April 27, 2018

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The Pioneer Diamondbacks boys track team was crowned Area champions at the UIL 31/32 Area Track Meet on April 19 and 20 at Benny Layton Memorial Stadium in Elsa.

The Palmview Lady Lobos earned another Area Championship by winning the UIL 29/30 Area Track Meet on April 19 and 20 at La Joya ISD Stadium.

last minute drama.

The stage was set for the final girls race of the day, the 1,600-meter relay. With Edcouch-Elsa holding a slim 84-83 point lead over Mission Veterans, the relay team of Nyla Vela, Alyssa Villarreal, Lizeth Sanchez and Charlize De La Garza came through in clutch with a school and area record-breaking performance of 4:03.31, six seconds better than the Yellow Jackets, securing the crown for the Lady Patriots 103-100.

The Lady Patriots advanced to regionals after qualifying in 12 different events, including seven top four finishes by Vela and De La Garza.

De La Garza won the high jump event with a jump of 5-02.00, finished second in

triple jump, won the 400-meter run (1:00.35) and finished third in the 200-meter run (26.42). Vela finished second in the 800-meter run and fourth in the 400-meter run and long jump.

Makenzie Gerlach placed second in the long jump (1511.25), while Charlee Salinas set a personal record in shot put with a throw of 38-00.00, good enough for third place, Ashley Navarro who finished fourth in discus (117-07), and Alyssa Villarreal placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles.

On the girls side of the 31/32 Area Meet, Pioneer posted a third place finish with Sharyland right on their heels in fourth. Qualifiers include Pioneer’s Daizy Coronado 400-meter run, Nydia De La Garza

from pg. 7 and Gabriela Ramirez in the 800-meter run, Ana Hernandez in the 1,600-meter run, Jessica Zarate in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles, Daizy Monie in shot put and discus, and the 4x400 relay team.

For the Lady Rattlers, Valeria Diaz finished second in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter run, Madison Bickerton in the high jump, Andrea Marcos in pole vault, Diana Perez in triple jump, and the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.

Palmview Lady Lobos The Palmview girls track and field program continued its dominance at the UIL District 29/30 Area meet at La Joya ISD Stadium to score 128 team points on their way to another Area championship.

The Lady Lobos used solid performances from its distance runners and relay teams, with all three relay squads placing in the top two.

Brianna Robles brought home three first place finishes in the 800-meter (2:21.07), 1,600-meter (5:14.10) and 3,200-meter run (11:08.30), while Bailey Villalon earned three top four finishes, including a first place finish as part of the 4x400 Relay team.

Mariana Hernandez won silver in both the 100-meter (12.47) and 200-meter run (26.12) as did Karla Chapa in the 400-meter run (1:00.88), and Brittany Cano finished third in the 300-meter hurdles (48.38).

The rest of the 30-6A Area qualifiers are: Ana Calderon Juarez-Lincoln (100m hur-

By Jose De Leon III

to participate in a car and semi-truck show and even indulged in standard carnival food such as tacos, espiropapas, and even food normally seen in bigger carnivals such as fried twinkies and pizza served in a cone.

Unlike previous events held by the city such as the Winter Festival or the Posada, this event was mostly paid for by sponsors According to Esmie Gar-

cia, community events coordinator for the Palmview Municipal Development District, the Matamoros-based Multimedios Radio company partnered with the city to pay for the event and helped with advertising it.

“Before, the city was the one who’d basically dish out all the money or we couldn’t have afforded it,” Garcia explained. “This time, it was all sponsors. Multimedios of-

fered to put 4,000 spots with all of our sponsors on the radio, TV, and to bring all the great bands. We didn’t have to go out there, Multimedios did everything for us.”

As part of the partnership, Multimedios Radio got to expose themselves to the public and during the ads for the show, Garcia said, noting that Multimedios and all their radio stations transmit from Matamoros to Laredo.

According to the city’s Finance Director, Rachel Chapa, the city didn’t make a profit from the event as it was free to the public and the city was not raising funds.

Multimedios even paid for all seven bands, which included norteño Latin pop bands such as Rebeldes, Costumbre and El Cartel de Nuevo Leon to perform.

Even though Garcia did not have exact figures available, she said the amount spent by the city to have the festival was less than half of what bands like Costumbre and El Cartel charge per performance, which is around $9,000, she said.

“It took some weight off of the city,” Palmview Councilwoman Linda Sarabia of the sponsorships that funded the festival.

For Sarabia, the festival represented a chance to get the community united.

“We want there to be opportunities for the community to know each other, this is our invitation for that,” Sarabia said. “We want them to

ROAD TO REGIONALS

dles - third- 16.08) and (High jump - fourth - 5-00.00) Cynthia Gutierrez - Mission (Long jump - third - 1610.50) Alex Cordova - Mission (200m run - third - 22.69) and (400m run - first - 48.83) Harley Vargas Juarez-Lincoln (800m run second - 1:59.99) La Joya 4x100m Relay Team (second - 43.52) La Joya 4x200 Relay Team (first place - 1:30.13) Juarez-Lincoln 4x200 Relay Team (third - 1:31.30) Mission 4x200 Relay Team (fourth - 1:31.67) Juarez-Lincoln 4x400 Relay Team (first - 3:24.22) La Joya 4x400 Relay Team (second - 3:24.40) Mission 4x400 Relay Team (third - 3:27.26) Alex Rodriguez - La Joya (Shot put - first - 53-03.00) Bryan Lira - Juarez-Lin-

coln (Discus - fourth - 15-10) Luis Flores - Juarez-Lincoln (High jump - third 6-00.00) Adan Torres - Juarez-Lincoln (High jump - fourth 6-00.00) Miguel Frias - Mission (Pole vault - third - 14-00.00) Sebastian Gonzalez Mission (Long jump - first - 21-08.25) and (Triple jump - second - 42-06.00) Alexis Gonzalez - Palmview (Long jump - second - 21-06.00), (Triple jump first - 42-11.00) and (200m run - fourth - 22.74).

The Region IV meets for 5A and 6A will be held at San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium this Friday and Saturday.

The State Meet will take place May 11-13 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

Palmview holds inaugural community fest

High temperatures did little to dissuade Palmview residents from attending the city’s first CommUNITY Fest last Saturday.

Held at 406 W. Veterans Blvd, attendees were treated to a carnival, vendors and live music at the all-day event that was free to the public.

At the event, guests got

Kids enjoying a carnival ride at the inaugural Palmview CommUNITY Fest Saturday, April 21. Progress Times photo

by Jose De Leon III

be united and consistent with these events with the community and provide at least two events like this for the community per year.”

Among the many attendees of the festival was Brenda Zuniga, who came in tow with her daughter.

Zuniga said this was the first time she’s attended any event from Palmview and was pleased to hear of how inexpensive the festival was for the city.

“It’s always great to have events like this to see how the community of Palmview helps each other out to bring everyone together,” Zuniga said. “With all the sponsors they got for this event, hopefully they can use any extra money for other projects like improving the roads and

parks to remind each other of how great our community is.

Garcia said the city is planning a 4th of July celebration, an Autumn Festival in October, along with the city’s annual Posada. Like the Community Fest, those events are planned to be free to the public “The Palmview community fest will bring people together, especially those who can’t afford to go to a carnival, festival or a concert,” Garcia said. “We’re giving back to the community by providing events that have all of that. If they can’t make it to a carnival, we’re bringing it to them.”

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Embattled raspa stand on thin ice with City of Mission

By Jose De Leon III A raspa stand franchise in the city of Mission must comply with its original permit to close their drive-thru window at 10 p.m. everyday.

That’s what members of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted Wednesday when they denied an extension to the hours of the drive-thru service window for the Snowball Express raspa stand which has two locations, one at the intersection of Mile 2 and Mayberry Road and the other between Inspiration and Los Ebanos Road on West Griffin Parkway.

Planning & Zoning Chairman Ned Sheats stressed that even though the drive-thru window cannot be in service past 10 p.m., the business can remain operational as late as it wants.

“Similar businesses are under the same ordinance,” he said, adding that the hours are put in place to prevent long lines at raspa stands late at night, which could disrupt neighbors.

Mission Planning Director Jaime Acevedo said the next step for the business is to go to the Mission City Council at their May 14 regular meeting as the council has a final say on the hours of extension. The council will probably deny the extension on the recommendation from the P&Z Commission, Acevedo said.

Snowball Express owner Elgin Xavier applied for the permit extension after officers with the city’s code enforcement office stopped by both locations last month to shut them down for operating past 10 p.m. This caused Xavier to turn to Facebook where he posted about the incident and created a Change. org petition that garnered 1,600 signatures in support of extending the hours of the business.

Planning and Zoning commissioners, however,

didn’t take the support of the public into consideration in their decision. The commissioners unanimously agreed the business should comply with its own permit to have an operational drive-thru window that closes at 10 p.m.

This permit is one Xavier has gotten renewed by the P&Z Commission since 2013, Mission Planning Director Jaime Acevedo told the commissioners.

“It wasn’t until the city started receiving noise complaints from neighbors in the area that we were in the loop for the actual hours of operation for this business,” Acevedo said of the Griffin Parkway location during a presentation Wednesday. “A resident said people would wait up to 20 minutes for their order, play loud music and rev their engines, basically disrupting the neighbor’s way of life as these people are usually asleep before then. Although we support the business and want it to succeed, we cannot support the extended hours out of respect for the citizens in the area.”

Commissioners were also made aware of issues at both locations.

The Griffin Parkway location, for example, is at a lot that is 60 by 120 square feet with only six parking spots.

The location at Mayberry is at a lot at least four times the size of their Griffin Parkway location and has 20 parking spots available. Both locations also have 12 employees each and serve fried food even though Acevedo said neither Snowball Express locations have grease traps and have stated in their permits they plan to only employ five people.

“If we had known the number of employees and customers they’d have and the fact they wanted to be open so late, we’d never have granted the original permit,” Commissioner Ned Sheats said.

During the public hearing portion of the discussion, Xavier claimed he had no idea he was supposed to inform the P&Z Commission on changes to his business hours. He also said the hours of service are similar to those in his locations in San Juan, McAllen and Edinburg.

“We are the only [raspa stand] open past 10 p.m.,” he told commissioners. “There is no place to eat after 10 p.m. at Mission, everywhere

else is closed at that time.

People want to come with us after watching a movie or T.V., it’s a place of entertainment for families.”

Xavier also unsuccessfully attempted to show the commissioners signatures from nearby residents from both locations saying they approve of it being open past 10 p.m., adding that he feels the city is bullying his place of business for imposing the hours of operation.

“These issues are entirely self-inflicted, these would not have been a concern if you had come to us at the beginning with these hours,” Sheats told Xavier. “This issue is based on the fact that you originally agreed to a 10 p.m. closing. That is a fact... those hours you agreed to are spelled out in the application you applied for.”

After Snowball Express was forced to close early last month, Acevedo met with Xavier and other staff members of Snowball Express where both parties came to an agreement to remain open through 1 a.m until April 6th.

After, the raspa stand was to comply with the permit.

However, Progress Times observed both locations Tuesday at around 10:45

p.m. and saw they were still serving customers at both locations, something one commission member was aware of.

Chairwoman Diana Izaguirre, who lives near the Mayberry location, said she often sees Snowball Express open past 10 p.m. and has a stacking issue where the line at the drive thru heads out onto the street.

“It’s a great location but there shouldn’t be a stacking issue if it’s such a big lot and has all that parking space,” Izaguirre said.

Also speaking at the public hearing portion of the discussion was San Juanita Cantu, who told commissioners she lives within 30 feet from the location at Griffin Parkway. The noise coming from customers is a nuisance and as a result she and her husband have missed several nights of sleep, she said.

“My health is starting to suffer,” she told commissioners. “I have nothing against this business or peo-

page 9

ple having fun, but they are in the wrong location if they want to stay open until 2 a.m.

The business owner cannot control the behavior of his customers.”

She warned commissioners that if this permit is approved, more raspa stands will also want extension to their hours of operation, causing similar problems in other areas.

Acevedo told commissioners the code enforcement office plans to survey other raspa stands in the city to ensure their drive-thru windows are not operational past 10 p.m. Xavier, however, said he felt like his business was being singled out.

“It’s a totally unfair decision,” he said of the permit denial, adding his businesses could lose $1,000 per night for closing at 10 p.m.

“They’re denying us the opportunity to serve more customers and ways for us to pay more taxes to the city.

We just want to work.”

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page 10

April 27, 2018

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Documents reveal new details about Agua SUD investigation

By Dave Hendricks After the Agua Special Utility District spent nearly $500,000 on severance payments, sparking a political firestorm, the Texas Rangers weighed a first-degree felony charge against former Exec-

utive Director Oscar Cancino.

Records released April 20 by the Department of Public Safety reveal the Texas Rangers investigated whether or not Cancino committed abuse of official capacity. Based on the amount of money involved, the charge

would become a first-degree felony.

“Everything that Mr. Cancino did while he was executive director was well within the law,” said attorney Richard D. Gonzalez, who represents him.

The investigation remains open, according to Lt. John-

ny Hernandez, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety. Cancino hasn’t been charged with any crime.

More than 15,000 customers in Hidalgo County rely on the Agua Special Utility District for water and sewer service.

Cancino accepted the executive director position during October 2016, taking responsibility for more than 60 employees and an approximately $10 million budget.

If the new position had a honeymoon period, it didn’t last long.

Cancino quickly became embroiled in a dispute between the utility district and state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.

Concerned the utility district had become a pawn in western Hidalgo County politics, Hinojosa authored Senate Bill 814. The bill essentially blocked elected officials from hiring each other.

Four members of the utility board worked for the La Joya Independent School District — and two members of the school board worked for the utility district. If the bill passed, they would be forced to choose between elected positions and public employment.

Cancino lobbied against the employment restrictions, but lawmakers passed the bill anyway.

The utility district, though, apparently had a contingency plan.

Before lawmakers passed bill, Cancino signed five-year contracts with school board

President Oscar “Coach” Salinas, the utility’s community relations coordinator, and school board Vice President Armin Garza, a project manager for the utility.

They hired an attorney, who warned the utility district against terminating the contracts. Faced with a potential lawsuit, the utility board called a special meeting on July 7.

The board authorized Cancino “to resolve any potential dispute with employees who will be affected by Senate Bill 814.”

Cancino worked with attorney Javier Peña to negotiate severance agreements. Less than two weeks later, the utility district paid $221,000 to Salinas and $268,000 to Garza.

“I, personally, don’t think it’s criminal because of the fact the guy was told ‘Go negotiate it,’” said former Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra.

Boards normally authorize an administrator to negotiate within certain parameters and bring back the deal for approval, Guerra said.

Unlimited authority to negotiate deals and make payments is highly unusual.

“It’s not their money,” Guerra said. “That’s why it’s so easy.”

Cancino resigned in September 2017. The District Attorney’s Office started reviewing the severance payments in November.

Prosecutors subpoenaed documents from the utility district and the school dis-

trict. They also requested help from the Texas Rangers.

Documents released by the Department of Public Safety show the Texas Rangers opened the case on Feb. 15.

Texas Ranger Reid Rackley “began a criminal investigation regarding the Agua Special Utility District and former Executive Director Oscar Cancino for Abuse of Official Capacity,” according to the 19-page report.

The prosecutor assigned to the case “explained to me that there had been two large payouts to two former employees of Agua SUD which were possibly improper or unauthorized,” according to the report.

Whether or not Cancino cooperated with the investigation or agreed to speak with prosecutors remains unclear.

“I’m really not at liberty to discuss too much of what is going on,” said Gonzales, the attorney who represents Cancino. “Because it is an ongoing criminal investigation.”

The case is a stretch, Guerra said, adding that he didn’t think prosecutors would bring the allegations before a grand jury.

“I don’t see it as criminal.

And I don’t see it as abuse of official capacity,” Guerra said. “What I see is really bad management. I think a higher authority ought to remove everybody and put it under some kind of state oversight.”

From left to right: former Agua Special Utility District Executive Director Oscar Cancino, attorney Javier Peña and state Rep. Oscar Longoria, an attorney who occasionally advises the utility district on legal matters.

Photo by Dave Hendricks.

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April 27, 2018

City of Mission opposes census question

By Jamie Treviño At the Mission City Council meeting this week Resolution 1544 was passed, opposing the question of citizenship in the 2020 Census.

According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. Census Bureau will be asking those living in the United States whether or not they are citizens at the request of the Justice Department.

This will be the first time this question is asked on the census since 1950.

Hidalgo County has asked all cities located in the county to pass resolutions opposing this question, and Mission is agreeing to do so. Anna Carrillo, the City Secretary, presented the resolution to the council on Monday.

“It’s felt that it will deter residents from responding,” Carrillo said. “It would negatively affect our congressional, state and local representation, as well as funding for programs and infrastructure by and for our continued community’s development.”

Carrillo said that the city may be severely undercounted if this question is put on the 2020 Census. The city will send this resolution to senators and congressmen so they were aware of the area’s wanting the question to be removed.

On Tuesday, the Alton City Commission voted to approve a similar resolution, joining the other cities such as McAllen and Palmview.

La Joya Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas said Tuesday his city council will discuss a similar resolution at their next meeting May 8. “A lot of people are going to think, ‘Well, this is more finding to see if I’m here illegal or not,’” Carrillo said. “So this is just saying not to add that question to the census. All the different counties in the state of Texas are doing the same thing.”

Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas also spoke about what adding the citizenship

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question to the census would do for the City of Mission.

“We should oppose it,” Salinas said. “Because we’re going to lose money when you lose population, you’ll lose money for CDBGs [Community Development Block Grant Programs], for the schools, so this is in opposition.”

The city also authorized the Fire Department to apply for the 2017 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program.

The department will be applying for nine firefighters. A cost-share of 25 percent will be inferred in the first and second years, and 65 percent in the third year of the grant.

Along with this program, the council allowed the department to apply for the Office of the Governor - Homeland Security Grant Division Rider 30 - First Responder Grant Program. This grant would provide financial assistance to first responder agencies and the replacement of damaged equipment related to security activities.

Three more proclamations were made at the city council meeting, now for the month of May. May was named Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, in order to highlight the dangers of the road and promote awareness and safe driving from motorcyclists and drivers of any other vehicle.

May was also proclaimed Building Safety Month, and National Police Week will be designated for May 13 through 19. Congress and the President have named May 15 as Peace Officer Memorial Day, and Police Chief Robert Dominguez spoke about the importance of police in the City of Mission.

“The members of the police department played an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Mission, Texas,” Dominguez said. “It is important that all citizens know and understand the

problems, duties and responsibilities of their police department.”

Dominguez said that it was crucial that police officers and members of the PD recognize their duty to serve the people of Mission by safeguarding life and property. Additionally, Dominguez brought up the department’s new Behavioral Health Awareness Initiative, which was made available at the Mission City and Police Department websites on Monday, April 23.

“This is designed for the citizens of our community,” Dominguez said. “There’s unfortunately a lot of citizens in our community that have loved ones that have suffered from mental illness.”

The initiative is designed to extract information about people with mental illnesses, so if police received a call for service that has to address a mental health issue, the information given about the individual may be relayed to officers by the dispatchers.

“That will give the officer or officers responding that valuable information they need before they get to the home,” Dominguez said. “So they can know ahead of time what mental condition this person suffers from, what type of medication he’s on, his medical doctors and psychiatrist.”

Dominguez this will allow officers to make more informed decisions when arriving at a scene they were called to.

“I think that this is a good program to reach out to the community,” Dominguez said. “Obviously, this is a positive step forward for our organization in, again, providing that important and invaluable service to our community.”

New chief, new look for Alton Police Department

By Dave Hendricks The Alton Police Department welcomed a new chief last month — and a new look.

Chief Jonathan B. Flores purchased new decals for police cars, replacing the blackon-black stealth design with a bright blue stripe and the word “police” in big letters.

While the old design worked well for undercover operations and some types of traffic enforcement, Flores said he wanted the public to notice police cars.

“We’re trying to say ‘We’re here’ and deter crime that way,” Flores said.

The new design also prevents confusion when a motorist sees flashing lights in the rear-view mirror.

“With all the pseudo-cop incidents and things like that, you don’t want people to

get the wrong impression,” Flores said. “Or make a poor decision based on the low visibility.”

Replacing decals on eight vehicles cost about $3,200.

They hit the streets during late March.

The police department also adopted a new patch, which comes with the same blue-and-black color scheme.

Officers originally had a Texas-shaped patch, Flores said. The city replaced that patch with a train-shaped patch, paying homage to the railroad stop that became Alton.

Flores incorporated Texas into the new patch, which is shaped like a shield. The train remains on police badges.

Alton purchased new blue-on-black decals for police department vehicles, which cost about $3,200. Progress Times photo by Dave Hendricks

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I am honored to receive the endorsement and vote of confidence from the police department union, the Mission Police Law Enforcement Association.

I have been accused by my opponent’s supporters of not being morally fit to serve on the city council.

Contrary to these accusations, I have a clean record and have never been arrested. Additionally, I have been a licensed chemical counselor for 13 years and am also a certified faith-based counselor and a crisis intervention specialist.

I have proven to be a person of high moral character and integrity. My opponent has not. In 2008, my opponent was terminated from the Mission Police Department for stealing the taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars by having people clock in for her, claiming she was at work when in fact, she was not. She was caught red handed and fired.

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FIRES CHIEF

dollars to defend it. They've done everything wrong,” Peña said, adding later: “But I guess that's the norm in Palmview.”

Barrera joined the Palmview Police Department in July 1994, according to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records. Just four years later, the City Council promoted him to police chief.

What started as a seven-man department gradually expanded. Barrera eventually supervised more than 30 employees.

Palmview also created a regional communications center, which dispatches calls for neighboring cities.

“We went out there and tried to give Palmview a positive image,” Barrera said, adding that the department

focused on community policing and created a Crime Stoppers program.

November 2016 marked the beginning of the end for Barrera.

The Progress for Palmview candidates — Linda Sarabia, Joel Garcia and Javier Ramirez — took control of the City Council and started replacing the management team.

Assistant City Manager David Nacianceno quit.

City Attorney Rick Perez resigned. The City Council fired City Manager Ramon Segovia. And City Secretary Bertha Garza followed.

The police department also went through a management shakeup.

Police Cmdr. Lenny Sanchez left for the Hidalgo

ROUND-UP

“We wanted to be able to bring more community events to the City of Mission so they don’t have to go elsewhere,” Garza said. “We wanted to make sure that the creation of this department would not just be about leasing a space, but also create events that are going to bring people together within the city limits.”

According to Garza, events like the Round Up bring people to hotels and restaurants in Mission, which would, in turn, help the city economically in a larger scale.

“There were several things that were happening this week,” Garza said. “So we decided to call it a Round Up and put all these events and awareness days together to be able to promote a nice community event so people can come out and have a good time.”

Vendors were at the event, providing food and drinks, and local mascots from the city were also available to take pictures with the kids.

The Round Up was the result of work from many different city departments.

“You have all the resources of the city coming together to make it happen,” Garza said. “So you have the police department that’s providing safety and security, along with the fire department. We also have our health department and our animal control

April 27, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com from pg. 1 County District Attorney’s Office and the city terminated police Capt. Saul Uvalle to save money.

Just a year after the election, Barrera found himself the last top-level manager from the prior administration.

“This is not political,” Sarabia said. “If it would have been political, it would have been done the first month.”

Major problems between Barrera and the interim city manager, Leo Olivares, started during March.

“Olivares and Barrera met to have an informal discussion regarding his performance, disciplinary issues, and his possible resignation,” according to a report prepared by the city attorney.

Hours later, Barrera accused Olivares of sexual hafrom pg. 1 department, along with some volunteers.”

Pets were available for adoption, and the Mission Police Department offered fingerprinting for the kids.

Several donated toys, books from the Speer Memorial Library and bicycles were raffled to children present at the Round Up, and hay rides were available as the event went on.

“This is kind of like a kick-off of what Mission should expect from the Mission Event Center and this new department,” Garza said. “To provide this kind of event for our community.”

A new tree was planted next to the city hall, in commemoration of Arbor and Earth Day, and the butterfly garden also received new plants. As this is the first year Mission is hosting a Round Up, Garza expects it to have a positive impact on the community and hopes it will grow in the future along with other new events.

“Besides this annual event, we’re also looking at bringing in other types of parades throughout the city,” Garza said. “Whether it’s a Fourth of July parade, it depends on what is happening in our city, we want to be able to bring something fabulous to our city.”

The director of the Mission Boys and Girls Club, Juan Arevalo, was the Master of Ceremonies for the

Round Up. He spoke about the importance of the event and why Mission responded to it.

“We want to beautify our city,” Arevalo said. “We’re proud of where we live, and we decided to come together, not just the city departments, we brought in the school districts, local businesses, local non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations, to come and be part of this event.”

The Trash Bash, which had taken place that morning, had 400 volunteers picking up trash in the parks, schools, and local centers and amenities of Mission.

The Round Up, according to Arevalo, was a kind of reward for the volunteers who made the Trash Bash a success.

“We brought different departments in the city and different vendors to bring more excitement,” Arevalo said.

“It’s kind of a festival-style, a city Round Up where everybody gets to share what they do.”

Arevalo said that he sees the Round Up growing in the future.

“From this one, we’re going to add on even more things that we feel we can bring to our city,” Arevalo said. “I do feel that there’s going to be a large growth once people start seeing what we’re doing and start getting involved.”

rassment. City Attorney Gus Acevedo, though, cleared Olivares.

The problems they discussed during mid-March became the basis for a five-page memo, which documented management problems at the police department.

Palmview placed Barrera on administrative leave and attorneys started negotiating a severance agreement.

The city offered to com-

pensate Barrera for any remaining sick and vacation time, which totaled roughly $30,000, Acevedo said.

Barrera wanted roughly $90,000, based on a different calculation of remaining sick and vacation time, Peña said.

He also wanted compensation for extra work.

Neither Peña nor Acevedo had the exact numbers handy Monday night and relied on their recollections of the ne-

gotiations.

Concerned about the new, unspecified allegations, the City Council rejected the settlement and fired Barrera.

“It is what it is, you know,” said Mayor Jerry Perez, who wouldn’t say whether or not he supported the decision.

“That’s pretty much what they recommended. We have to live with it and move on.”

By Jose De Leon III

citizenship status since 1950.

Alton Assistant City Manager Jeff Underwood said Tuesday the citizenship question could result in may residents refusing to participate in the Census out of fear their information could be used against them.

“Since addresses are included in the Census, the fear is many residents-particularly undocumented ones-will be tracked down even though it is illegal to share a person’s census responses with law enforcement or immigration agencies,” Underwood said.

A 2015 article from Texas Tribune showed Texas has the second-largest undocumented immigrant population in the country—about 1.5 million people—with 90,000 of them residing in Hidalgo County.

“People that are here illegally are already nervous about answering some type of legal document given to them by the federal government,” Underwood said.

“Now you throw this question on top of it? Forget it.

There’s already a lot of fear, this isn’t helping.”

Whereas many cities are approving resolutions opposing the census, Hidalgo County Commissioners Court voted last week to join a multi-state lawsuit opposing the inclusion of the citizenship question in the 2020 Census questionnaire.

In a news release from the county, Commissioners Court announced they’ve hired San Antonio-based attorney Rolando Rios, who has represented the county twice in challenging the 2000 and 2010 census results and argues the upcoming

census questionnaire will deter people from participating.

County Judge Ramon Garcia said Hidalgo County, and the entire region, has faced many challenges during previous census efforts that have led to significant undercounts.

“It is clear we must act on the disconnect between our region’s priorities and those of the state,” Garcia said in a statement. “This shouldn’t be a political topic. The Constitution mandates that all of those residing in the United States be counted. This question directly interferes with a fair and accurate enumeration.”

The lawsuit is spearheaded nationally by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and includes Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington in addition to various cities and counties throughout the country, according to the release.

Underwood said that even though the city support the lawsuit the county is participating in, the city is preparing to inform residents on the citizenship question in case it ends up in the 2020 Census.

“We still have two years to address that and in those two years you’ll see us doing whatever we can to get the word out on it,” Underwood said. “We’ll try to get people to overcome fears of being deported but it’ll get tough the closer we get to 2020.”

Local cities moving to oppose 2020 Census

A move to add a question regarding citizenship status to the upcoming 2020 census has sparked many cities in the Valley to oppose it.

On Tuesday, the Alton City Commission voted to approve a resolution opposing the citizenship question in the 2020 Census. They joined the cities of Mission, McAllen and Palmview who approved similar resolutions earlier this month.

La Joya Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas said Tuesday his city council will discuss a similar resolution at their next meeting May 8.

For many city officials, the citizenship question on the Census could lead to an undercount of the local population, which means a loss in federal funds such as those provided by the Community Development Block Grant which funds programs and infrastructure vital to the city’s continued development.

“There’s so many federal funds tied into population,” Alton City Attorney Ricardo Gonzalez said Tuesday.

“Whether you’re here legally or not, you’re still consuming our services and need to be counted.”

According to the Pew Research Center, the citizenship question will be used to find data about eligible voters in the population to help enforce protections for minority voters under the federal Voting Rights.

The Census, a questionnaire that takes place every 10 years to count every resident in the United States, has not asked for a person’s

April 27, 2018

obituaries

Ambiro Cavazos Sr. MISSION – Ambiro Cavazos Sr., 85, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at his home in Mission.

Mr. Cavazos was born on Oct. 20, 1932, in Granjeno to Jose Cavazos and Concepcion Reyna Cavazos.

Survivors include his children, Arnoldo Cavazos, Annabel Guerra, Omar Cavazos, Leticia Mendoza, Veronica Regalado, Jorge Cavazos, Roberto Cavazos, Ezequiel Cavazos and Rene Cavazos, all of Mission, Aida Garcia of McAllen, Cesar Cavazos and Imelda Munoz of Irving, Olga Cavazos of Edinburg, Belinda Zamora of Peñitas, Thelma Cavazos of Palmview and Maria De Jesus Fugate of Illinois; and 51 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria D. Cavazos; parents; and son, Ambiro Cavazos Jr. A funeral mass was held on April 23 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission. Arrangements

were under the direction of Rivera Funeral Home in Mission.

Elias Macias III LA JOYA – Elias Macias III, 16, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

He was born Oct. 9, 2001, to Elias Jr. and Laura Macias in McAllen and was a sophomore at La Joya I.S.D. Academy of Health Science Professionals.

Survivors include his parents and sisters, Alexia Mae and Leah Trinidad of La Joya; grandparents, Dalia and Ricky Mendiola of Peñitas and Elias Sr. and Maria Gregoria Macias of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

A funeral mass was held on April 25 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in La Joya. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview.

The family made a request to those who may be battling depression to please reach out for help or call 1-800-273-8255.

Tomas Magallan MISSION – Tomas Magallan, 86, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Survivors include his children, Janie Magallan, Tomas Magallan Jr., Olivia Reyes, Enriqueta Salas, Anna Cavazos, Jesus Magallan, Alejandro Magallan, Maria Magallan, Manuel Magallan, Yolanda Magallan, Rachel Olivarez and Elaine Magallan; and 37 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death

Notices

Mary Brown MISSION – Mary Ellen Brown, 81, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at her home in Mission.

Anastacio Gutierrez MISSION – Anastacio Gutierrez, 63, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Rickey Reeves MISSION – Rickey Duane Reeves, 61, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg.

Maria Reyna MISSION – Maria Gloria Reyna, 68, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Rosario Rios Jr. MISSION – Rosario Rios Jr., 69, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Margarita Rodriguez MISSION – Margarita Rodriguez, 79, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Rio Grande Regional Medical Center in McAllen.

Josefa Saucedo MISSION – Josefa Saucedo, 75, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at her home in Mission.

SHOOTER COURSES “We’ve always thought about student safety, numero uno,” O’caña said. “But the threats that we had when I was teaching are different from what’s going on now.”

O’caña also spoke about the emergency plan that La Joya has in place in order to keep students and faculty aware and safe.

“It covers four major phases,” O’caña said. “Prevention is the first one, we want to prevent. And if we can’t prevent everything, then we need preparation.

And this is part of the preparation phase of our emergency operational plan, that we train our staff.”

The third phase involves a response team that will address these kinds of events, and the fourth is the family/ student/parent reunification model. This would, after an active shooter situation, include bringing students and their parents together to unite themselves and return to a “normal operation.”

David Ramirez, an alumni of La Joya High School, was one of the four instructors giving the training, and a co-owner of First Shield

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ChurCh DireCtory CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2Mile & Bryan Rd Mission.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 N. Conway • 585-2413 EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 EL MESIAS UNITED METHODIST 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1302 Doherty • 585-1442 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 12th and Miller - Mission 585-7281 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665 FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112 GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission HERITAGE BAPTIST MCALLEN 2549 Lindbergh Ave. McAllen • 451-6358 IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008 IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898

IGLESIA PENTECOSTES NUEVA VIDA A/G 211 W. Mile 3 Road Palmhurst • 956-342-9711 Rev. Candelario Banda

from pg 1 Tactical. The group began providing these trainings after the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School four years ago.

“If you look at the history, it’s been happening since the 1700’s,” Ramirez said. “It’s becoming more and more of a norm now, it’s not going to stop any time soon, so we want to give teachers and administrators a different way of thinking instead of hide and pray for the best; so if they’re able to do something, they can do it.”

First Shield Tactical goes over strategies teachers can implement in an emergency situation, such as situational awareness and defensive tactics, that regular civilians can use.

“We have a lot of instructors come in here that are experts in these fields,” Ramirez said. “We also teach tactical medical techniques that are used in the military and law enforcement now.”

Ramirez said that in situations like these, it takes one to two hours to get medical attention to those who need it. Showing teachers simple medical training techniques,

such as applying a tourniquet or simple gauze to prevent blood clots, can save lives.

“We just want to give an all-around awareness and how law enforcement and military have been doing business,” Ramirez said.

“Maybe with that, it will minimize casualties, or if not, stop them.”

The district held the three sessions of the 360 Active Shooter Training Course at the La Joya ISD Wellness Gym. About fifty teachers attended each two-hour session. Dagoberto Perez, a teacher in La Joya, was one of the 150 teachers given the training.

“The kids are constantly seeing social media, and I have actually heard kids say that they’re very afraid,” Perez said. “I think it’s important for teachers to be trained as much on the subject as possible, not only for their sake, but also to keep the kids calm. The objective of teaching is to teach kids core concepts, not to have them worried about whether or not they’re going to die at school.”

Winter Guard makes history at state competition On Saturday, April 7, the Mission High School (MHS) Varsity Winter Guard started their day of competition at the Texas Educational Colorguard Association (TECA) State Championships ranked in sixth place. But, by the time it was over, they earned a number of honors and finished in second place in the Scholastic A classification. In addition to the silver medal, the guard also earned a Caption Award for Design Analysis. This marks the best finish, in the highest classification, in school history and the first time winning one of the four Caption Awards.

Varsity Winter Guard members pictured are, front row, from left to right, are Aylin Flores (Senior captain), Bryan Chavez, Samantha Farias (Junior captain), Diana Trejo Garcia, Jetlynn Gonzalez and Jennifer Godinez. Back row, same order, are Abdiel Moreno (Senior captain), Christina De Luna, Vanessa Zavala, Emily Barragan, Daisy Suarez, Nyah Castillo, Ruben Garcia, Abel Martinez, Cristina Diaz and Alicia Vargas.

ProgressTimes

BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411

page 13

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by his wife, Luisa Arguello Magallan; sons, Jose Angel Magallan and Guadalupe Magallan; and grandson, Jesse Magallan Jr. A funeral mass was held on April 23 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

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

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The City of Peñitas

April 27, 2018

Investing in Our Future

MAYOR PRO-TEM

COUNCILMAN

ALEX GUAJARDO JOSE ROEL FLORES

MAYOR

RIGO LOPEZ

COUNCILMAN

COUNCILMAN

FELIPE QUINTANILLA RAMIRO LOYA

CDBG Upcoming Improvements to Tom Gill Rd.

The City of Penitas is proud to share development projects that are on the horizon that will improve the quality of life for its residents. One of these projects is the highly-anticipated road construction on Tom Gill Road, a project that will alleviate driving conditions for the more than 25,000 vehicles that use it on a daily basis. City leaders want to update residents on the status of the project. Currently, the city has nearly $500,000 in funds allocated from the CDBG funds for the purchase of material that will be used to reconstruct the road from Expressway 83 to 5 Mile Line, approximately 5 miles. This project is a joint project with Hidalgo County Precinct 3, which will provide the labor and equipment for the construction of this project. Currently, city leaders are awaiting the approval of an interlocal agreement between the City of Peñitas and the County. Upon approval of the interlocal agreement, construction should commence in a timely manner. City leaders look forward to proceeding with this project and appreciate the opportunity to update its residents on the status of this project.

Proposed site plan for the City of Peñitas Park will be built North of JFK Elementary

Completed Projects !

D E T E L P M CO

Parking Lot Improvements For Public Library & City Hall

National

Day Of Prayer

facebook.com/ cityofpenitas

www.CityofPenitas.com

twitter.com/ cityofpenitas

theclassifieds April 27, 2018

buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity For Rent

NEW HOME 3 bedroom/2Bath for rent, tom Gill Rd in Penitas, TX, central AC/H, housing approved, call 956878-5040 for more information.

3002 N. CONWAY, 1 bedroom, A/C, unfurnished, quiet area, washer/dryer hook up, water and gas supplied, $525 plus deposit, call 956-580-0377 for more information.

3 BEDROOM HOUSE for rent un-

furnished in Mission, $500 Mo. + deposit, call 956-3420523.

For Sale 2 BEDROOM/ 1 1/2 BATH condo next to Shary Golf Course in Mission, TX, 55+ Community, fully remodeled, all new appliances, asking price $59,900, for more information call 956-379-0317.

SELLING A PLOT at Valley Memorial Gardens, asking

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on May 14, 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 68.55 acre tract of land out of Lots 9-5, 9-6, and 10-5, West Addition to Sharyland, from (PUD) Planned Unit Development to I-1 (Light Industrial); Rezoning: A 12.47 acre tract of land out of Lots 9-4, 10-3, and 10-4, West Addition to Sharyland, from (PUD) Planned Unit Development to I-1 (Light Industrial); Rezoning: A 306.62 acre tract of land out of Lots 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 113, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 12-4, 12-5, and 126, West Addition to Sharyland, from (PUD) Planned Unit Development to I-1 (Light Industrial); and Rezoning: A 24.96 acre tract of land out of Lots 11-3, and 11-4, West Addition to Sharyland, from (PUD) Planned Unit Development to I-1 (Light Industrial) Discussion and Action Amending Ordinance No. 4576, Amending Various Portions of Chapter 86, Sec.86-42(d)(2); Sec.86-153(5)(e); and Sec.86-154(5)(e) – Signs of the Mission Code of Ordinances 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

NO BEAUTY shines brighter than that of a GOOD HEART!

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

Classified Rate: 1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00

$2,500, for more information call 956215-4848.

BEACH FRONT TIME share for sale, 2 unit condo at South Padre Island, Royale Beach Resort, large pools, fully furnished, washer & dryer, central A/C & heat, asking $5,000 cash, call 707-631-2775 or 707-398-8539.

USE HAPPY JACK mange medicine to treat horse

Submit by email to info@progresstimes.net or pay by phone 956-585-4893.

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

mane dandruff & lice, at Tractor Supply. (www.kennelvax. com) 36FT. SALEM DESTINATION, purchased new in 3/2012, two slides, standard refrigerator, queen bed, 12x60 aluminum awning, skirting, 12x10 shed w/ washing machine $16,000, call 479-936-1743 or email 1313corin@ gmail. com, lo-

cated in Mission.

LIVING ROOM (2 sofas) plus 2 end tables, 1 cocktail table & 1 sofa table $850 OBO; dining set plus china, 2 arm chairs plus 4 regular chairs, $850 OBO; 2 accessory chairs $140 for both OBO, call 956-445-7562, leave message if no answer.

Garage Sales SATURDAY APRIL 28, Aladdin Villas

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does)not file a written answer with the clerk who issued to this citation by 10:00 A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of forty-two (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation and Petition, a default Judgment may be taken against you.”

TO: Luis A. Cruz, DEFENDANT(S) GREETINGS: You are herby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Original Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock A.M. of the Monday next after the expiration of fortytwo (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation the same being the on this the 13th day of April, 2018 before the Honorable L. “Keno” Vasquez, 398th District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas at the Courthouse of said county in Edinburg, Texas. Said CITY OF MISSION’S ORIGINAL PETITION, REQUEST FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION, AND REQUESTS FOR DISCLOSURE filed in said court on the on this the 6th day of July, 2017 in this case numbered C-3023-17-I on the docket of said court and styled CITY OF MISSION VS. LUIS A. CRUZ, TRACEE L. CARBAJAL Said petition was filed in said court by Attorney JAIME TIJERINA, 1201 E. 8th ST., Mission, TX 78572.

A brief nature of the suit is as follows: PLAINTIFF(S) PRAY FOR TEMPORARY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF RELATED TO A RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 1002 REYNOSA ST., MISSION, TEXAS, CIVIL PENALTIES COURT COSTS, POST JUDGMENT INTEREST AND ALL OTHER RELIEF PLAINTIFF MAY BE ENTITLED TO AT LAW. The officer executing this writ shall promptly serve the same according to requirements of law, and the mandates thereof, and make due return as the law directs.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at Edinburg, Texas on the on this the 13th day of April, 2018.

United Irrigation District of Hidalgo County is accepting sealed bids for the following Surplus equipment: 2004 JOHN DEERE 6210 TRACTOR

VIN#L06210H280542

Bid forms may be requested at the United Irrigation district Office located at 1006 W. Mile 2 Road, Mission, Texas 78574. Sealed bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. May 8, 2018 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday or may be mailed to: UNITED IRRIGATION DISTRICT PO BOX 877 MISSION, TX 78573 THE SEALED BIDS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO Mike Warshak (General Manager) and the envelope must be marked “Bids for Equipment”.

United Irrigation District reserves the right to refuse and reject any and all bids. Bids submitted past the date and time mentioned above will not be accepted. Bids may not be altered or amended after the Submission Deadline. All Vehicles and equipment are sold “AS IS”.

EscalEra WrEckEr Inc. 1515 W. 3 MIlE rd.

MIssIon, TExas 78573 (956) 585-8245 • Fax 581-6668 Tdlr VsF lIc. no. 0548371

956 ToWIng & rEcoVEry llc 1515 W. 3 MIlE rd.

MIssIon, TExas 78573 (956) 585-8245 • Fax 581-6668 Tdlr VsF lIc. no. 0640957

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 MODEL VIN# BALANCE 1993 YAMAHA YFM400FW KODIAK BEAR JY44GBA00PA005564 $661.00 2010 KENWORTH T660-SERIES 1XKAD48X2AJ270591 $8,143.00 2003 UTILITY TRAILER 1UYVS25383P927825 $2,154.00 TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED. PURSUANT TO THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN RULE 85.704. SUBCHAPTER D, FROM CHAPTER 85, PART 4 OF TITLE 16 IN THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, WE ARE OFFICIALLY NOTIFYING YOU THAT THE BELOW DESCRIBED MOTOR VEHICLE(S) HELD IN OUR CUSTODY ARE TO BE PICKED UP, REMOVED AND ALL CHARGES PAID WITHIN (30) DAYS. FAILURE OF THE OWNER OR LIENHOLDER TO CLAIM VEHICLE(S) BEFORE THE DATE OF SALE IS A WAIVER OF ALL RIGHT, TITLE, AND INTEREST OF VEHICLE(S). AND ALSO A CONSENT TO THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE IN PUBLIC SALE ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAW. 2nd Notice YEAR

MAKE TAO TAO

MODEL ATV

page 15

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VIN# TZ152FMH160310351

BALANCE $1,090.00

TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED.

in Mission, dishes, cothes, furniture, porcelain dolls, jewelry, purses, shoes, etc.

Services RGV LOCKOUTS GETS to you fast so you can get back on the road, friendly service with good reasonable prices, call us today if you get locked out of your vehicle, 956878-3997.

APPLIANCE REPAIR & handymanservices for most brands, call Don, 60 years experience, call 956-584-7817.

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS

BY PUBLICATION- STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA- PITT COUNTY In the District CourtDIVORCE PROCEEDING AGAINST: NORMA TERESA TORRES SANTOYO Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action.

The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: 1) Dissolution of the bonds of matrimony between OMAR PEREZ GARCIA and NORMA TERESA TORRES SANTOYO 2) That OMAR PEREZ GARCIA be granted an absolute divorce.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than May 7, 2018, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This, the 9th day of April, 2018.

Cassidy Johnson Day Law Firm, PLLC 209 South Evans St. Greenville, NC 27834.

CITY OF ALTON ORDINANCE 2018-02-0424 Amending Ordinance 2016-02, 2013-09 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND ADOPTING VARIOUS STANDARD CODES RELATING TO INSPECTION OF CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE CITY OF ALTON, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS PROVIDED IN SAID CODES; ADOPTING VARIOUS FEES RELATING TO INSPECTIONS, ZONING, PLAN REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT WITHIN THE CITY OF ALTON, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS; WAIVING SECOND AND THIRD READING AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 24th day of April, 2018.

Salvador Vela, Mayor, City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM, TRMC CMC, City Secretary

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES & GRANT/LOAN APPLICATION PREPARATION City of Sullivan City is seeking Statements of Qualifications for Planning, Design, and Construction Phase Professional Architectural/Engineering Services & Grant/Loan Application Preparation for various programs including the USDA – Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, Texas Department of Agriculture’s Community Development Block Grant and the Economic Development Administration’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. The City intends to enter into one contract with a professional service provider, pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254, Subchapter A. The period of performance for this contract is for three years (36 months) from the date of contract execution. Interested parties shall submit three (3) copies of their qualifications no later than May 10, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. to City of Sullivan City offices at 500 S. Cenizo Dr., Sullivan City, TX 78595. To obtain a copy of the Request for Qualifications and instructions, please contact Interim City Manager, Attn: Richard Ozuna at rozuna@sullivancity.org.

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does)not file a written answer with the clerk who issued to this citation by 10:00 A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of forty-two (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation and Petition, a default Judgment may be taken against you.”

TO: Tracee L. Carbajal, DEFENDANT(S) GREETINGS: You are herby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Original Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock A.M. of the Monday next after the expiration of fortytwo (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation the same being the on this the 13th day of April, 2018 before the Honorable L. “Keno” Vasquez, 398th District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas at the Courthouse of said county in Edinburg, Texas. Said CITY OF MISSION’S ORIGINAL PETITION, REQUEST FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION, AND REQUESTS FOR DISCLOSURE filed in said court on the on this the 6th day of July, 2017 in this case numbered C-3023-17-I on the docket of said court and styled CITY OF MISSION VS. LUIS A. CRUZ, TRACEE L. CARBAJAL Said petition was filed in said court by Attorney JAIME TIJERINA, 1201 E. 8th ST., Mission, TX 78572.

A brief nature of the suit is as follows: PLAINTIFF(S) PRAY FOR TEMPORARY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF RELATED TO A RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 1002 REYNOSA ST., MISSION, TEXAS, CIVIL PENALTIES COURT COSTS, POST JUDGMENT INTEREST AND ALL OTHER RELIEF PLAINTIFF MAY BE ENTITLED TO AT LAW. The officer executing this writ shall promptly serve the same according to requirements of law, and the mandates thereof, and make due return as the law directs.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at Edinburg, Texas on the on this the 13th day of April, 2018.

page 16

Agua SUD candidate accused of threatening to fire employees

by Dave Hendricks A candidate for the Agua Special Utility District board “threatened to fire everybody” during mid-April, when workers disconnected him for failing to pay a water bill, according to affidavits filed by employees.

After workers disconnected Noe Garza, 29, of Peñitas, he drove to the utility district headquarters on April 13.

Garza acted aggressively and threatened to fire employees after winning the election, according to the affidavits. Employees called the Palmview Police Department and filed a report.

“I was there as a customer. I was not there as a candidate,” Garza said. “I was

April 27, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

upset. But who wouldn’t be upset when they do this to you?”

Garza is well known in Peñitas, where he frequently blasts local politicians on Facebook. He filed for City Council last year but withdrew from the race.

The current campaign pits Garza and another challenger, Juan Gonzalez, against incumbent Lloyd Loya. The winner will represent Peñitas on the utility board.

Controversy surrounded Garza’s campaign from the beginning.

Officers cited him for more than 40 traffic violations during the past decade, according to public records.

The Peñitas Police Department charged Garza with

misdemeanor theft in December 2014. And he failed to file a campaign finance report.

Garza dismissed all the accusations as political.

He attributed the traffic citations to youthful indiscretion. He said a judge dismissed the theft charge. And he denied threatening to fire anyone who works for the utility district.

“To me, there’s nothing there. There’s nothing criminal,” Garza said. “There’s nothing I did wrong. If they want to document the incident, that’s perfectly fine.”

Surveillance cameras — which capture video but not audio — recorded what happened.

Garza started in the billing

Noe Garza (photo captured from video surveillance in Agua SUD lobby)

area, where he approached the counter and spoke with a clerk. After a few minutes, he left with a receipt.

Data Entry Clerk Rosina Rodriguez said Garza “was very upset and aggressively threatening that when he would get elected, he was going to fire everybody” including Customer Service Supervisor Pamela Perez, according to her affidavit.

After leaving the billing area, Garza walked across the parking lot and entered the main building.

Surveillance video shows Garza speaking with the receptionist. After handing her a piece of paper, Garza starts pointing at the receptionist and walks away.

Receptionist Jessica De La Garza said Garza “handed his water receipt aggressively to me and said for me to show them the receipt of the fees that had been paid,” according her affidavit. “Noe Garza Jr. was extremely upset, aggressive and rude.”

General Manager Jose E. “Eddie” Saenz didn’t respond to requests for comment about the incident.

Asked about what happened, Garza blamed politics.

The situation started when the utility district wouldn’t accept a $10 bill, Garza said, adding that a clerk claimed the bill looked counterfeit.

Clerks without any spe-

cial training shouldn’t reject money as counterfeit, Garza said, adding that he didn’t understand why the utility district refunded the supposedly counterfeit bill.

Garza said the water account became delinquent when the utility district re-

fused to accept the money.

After the utility district disconnected him, Garza said he didn’t want to pay the additional fees.

“It is unacceptable for them to be doing this,” Garza said. “Because it’s political.”

by Dave Hendricks

ago.

Six voters, though, were registered with Rodriguez’s address.

“If all those people live there? Wow,” Sanchez said.

“That’s a pretty small house for six people — and for his kids.”

Sanchez said he notified the Elections Department about the situation. A spokeswoman for the Elections Department said she couldn’t verify whether or not a complaint had been submitted without a formal public information request.

“I don’t see the need to put other people there,” Sanchez said, adding that he wants a fair campaign.

Along with Rodriguez and his wife, five relatives listed the house on West 30th Street as their residence, according to Elections Department records: Cecilia Flores, 59 updated her voter registration on March 28, according to the Elections Department. Public records list a previous address for Flores on West “F” Street in Mission.

Karina Rodriguez, 40, updated her voter registration on March 22, according to the Elections Department.

Public records list the same home on West “F” Street as a previous address.

Guadalupe V. Trevino, 62, updated his voter registration on March 22, according to the Elections Department.

Public records list a previous address on Esther Street in Mission, where he received a homestead exemption.

Ricardo Trevino, 21, updated his voter registration on March 22, according to the Elections Department.

Public records list the same home on Esther Street as a previous address.

Andrez Rodriguez, 29, updated his voter registration on March 28, according to the Elections Department.

Public records list a previous address in Round Rock.

Whether or not they actually live with Rodriguez remains unclear.

Voter registrations raise questions in Agua SUD race

With support from just six voters, Cesar Rodriguez Jr. won a seat on the Agua Special Utility District board in May 2014.

Four years later, Rodriguez is running for re-election with a not-so-secret weapon: five relatives who registered to vote using his address.

Rodriguez and his wife, Ariana Trevino, own a house on West 30th Street in Mission. They apparently share the nearly 1,900-square-foot home with five relatives, according to Hidalgo County Elections Department records. All five relatives either registered to vote or updated voter registration records during March.

“No comment, please,” Rodriguez said when asked about the voter registrations.

“Thank you. Have a nice day.”

Five ballots could make a big difference in Mission.

When Rodriguez ran for the utility board in May 2014, just 11 people cast ballots, according to Elections Department records. Six supported Rodriguez — who won by a single vote.

Elections Department records show 279 registered voters eligible to cast ballots during the May 2018 campaign. They’re scattered on the western edge of Mission, where the utility district provides water service.

Rodriguez, who works for the La Joya Independent School District, is running for re-election against businessman Eric Sanchez.

Both candidates own homes on West 30th Street, where they’re competing for votes from friends and neighbors.

The winner will represent Mission on the utility board, which manages an approximately $10 million budget and ultimately supervises more than 60 employees.

Turnout on Monday, when 24 people voted, more than doubled the total number of ballots cast four years

LJISD hears proposals for potential new clinic for employees

By Jamie Treviño

You Deserve an “A” Patient safety is our priority. Our efforts were nationally recognized with an “A” from The Leapfrog Group. We are proud of our caregivers and grateful to serve you.

Discover more and connect with us.

956-323-9000 | missionrmc.org

900 S. Bryan Road, Mission, TX 78572

La Joya is taking steps toward the possibility of building a new clinic for employees.

The item was brought up for discussion during the La Joya Independent School District board meeting this week. It was presented by Alfredo Vela, the Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Finance.

LJISD would be working with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in order to create this addition. Vela went over three potential options for the new healthcare services that La Joya could consider.

“Option one is basically an additional clinic for us, pretty much the same as the one that we have,” Vela said. “[It] would be only for La Joya ISD employees and dependents.”

Currently, LJISD utilizes an employee health clinic located at 926 Paula St. in Mission, with one doctor. The second option would be a “subsidy-type” clinic, which would be an additional building, open to the community.

Option three would be an expansion of the current clinic.

“We are in discussion stages,” Vela said. “If we agree to move forward, we know that we will have to go through a competitive recruitment process.”

According to Vela, they do not expect to spend more money on this project than they are currently spending on the clinic.

“If it comes to the point that we need to spend more money on any of these three options than what we’re spending right now, our recommendation will probably be not to pursue it any further,” Vela said.

Superintendent Alda Benavides said that the potential clinic or expansion would cost the district money, so this item was just brought up to be presented to the board for further information.

The new clinic or expansion would open up district employees and their dependents to more doctors and medical care.

The second option, which would be a subsidized clinic, could potentially cost the district $40,000, minus what money is made from non-employees using the services. The remaining cost would be paid either by the district or through Blue Cross Blue Shield, the district’s insurance.

“Most of their clients are going to be our employees, and they would present their medical card at the clinic,” Vela said. “So, we either give them [DHR] a $40,000 check from our health insurance fund, or Blue Cross Blue Shield would give them a certain amount of money.

If they don’t collect 40,000, then we would give them the difference.”

The new addition could potentially be closer to LJISD employees, and house more doctors. The fee for the clinic would increase if more doctors are brought in.

“For option three, if you want to expand what we have, then we would pay for another doctor or having longer hours, for more accessibility,” Benavides said.

Because the district is still in the discussion stages of this project, no location or definitive cost has been determined. If proven to be beneficial to LJISD, it will be brought up again at a future committee meeting with more detailed information.