Friday, June 22, 2018 - PT ISSUE

The City of Mission Welcomes New Mayor and City Councilman

Friday, June 22, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | 50 Cents

Vol. 46 No. 45

City of Mission swears in Mayor Armando O’caña and Councilman Gus Martinez

By Jamie Treviño This Monday, the City of Mission held a special swearing-in ceremony for new council member Gustavo Martinez and Mayor Armando O’caña.

The official canvassing of the votes and ceremony took place at the Mission Event Center, and both officials

Mission Mayor Dr. Armando O’caña being sworn in to office by his niece, Patty O’Caña-Olivarez, as his family looks on, at the special ceremony held at the Mission Event Center. Photo courtesy of the City of Mission.

Mission High School renovation nearing completion

By Jamie Treviño Revitalizing the high school campus environment and aiming to ensure the new buildings are of the highest quality, the Mission Consolidated Independent School District is almost finished with a construction project almost three years in the making.

In the June 8, 1988 issue of the Progress Times newspaper, one of the top stories happened to be about student growth requiring the MCISD to shift some of their portable classrooms to some campuses in order to meet the demands of the expanding school district. Now, 30 years later, Phase Three of the Mission High School Renovations Project is ap-

proaching completion, and the district is still growing.

“What’s going to be kind of amazing in a way, is even when the school year starts, they’re still going to need portables at this campus,” Craig Verley, MCISD Director of Public Relations and Marketing, said. “Because the campus has grown since this project was initialized, they won’t be using as many as they are now.”

The MHS Renovations Project, designed by PBK Architects with Econ Construction as the contractor, has allowed the campus to undergo a major change, making it more accessible, modern and inviting as well as giving the school a more collegiate feel. One of the biggest additions is the new

cafeteria, which will be able to fit about 1,000 students at a time.

“That’s one of the things that students have really been looking forward to, is

the new cafeteria,” Verley said. “The seniors [Class of 2018] did get to eat there once before they graduated,

See MHS RENOVATION Pg. 7

Final construction work being done on Phase Three of the Mission High School Renovation Project, to be completed by the end of the summer.

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

La Joya ISD pays $42,000 to settle lawsuit involving Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia

By Dave Hendricks After accusing Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia of fraud and negligence during a nasty legal dispute, the La Joya Independent School District quietly settled with him — and paid $42,000.

Superintendent Alda T. Benavides and Garcia signed the settlement agreement in April. State District Judge J. Manuel Bañales dismissed the lawsuit in May. The school district released a copy of the settlement agreement following a

public information request from the Progress Times.

“I’m glad to get this matter settled,” Garcia said. “We got hired by the district to do a certain job, we did the work and we’re glad that we have now been paid.”

Concerned about a confidentiality clause in the settlement agreement, attorney Jaime “Jerry” Muñoz, who represents the school district, declined to comment.

The saga started in 2015, when Muñoz hired The Law Office of Ramon Garcia.

“I need your assistance with an issue that has de-

veloped within the District,” Muñoz wrote to Garcia on April 29, 2015. “This issue pertains to the possible unauthorized and unsolicited on-campus vaccination service. As general counsel, I need to investigate who provided the services, what services were provided, and the amount of money received by any parties in exchange for these services.”

Attorneys spent months investigating a McAllen-based company called PHS-Preventive Health Solutions, which billed the school district about

$785,000 for vaccinations, according to court records.

Attorneys pored over paperwork and conducted depositions, preparing for a potential lawsuit.

When they completed the investigation, though, the school district refused to pay.

The Law Office of Ramon Garcia slapped the school district with a lawsuit in May 2017, attempting to collect about $38,400 in legal fees.

The school district responded by hiring Edinburg-based

See LJISD LAWSUIT Pg. 4

INSIDE Former Sheriff Treviño Fined

INDEX

Entertainment | pg.2

By Jamie Treviño After seeing spotty showers throughout this week, Thursday was met with flooding that stopped traffic and put the City of Mission at a standstill.

Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia signed a local disaster declaration in which he and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa sought a declaration from Governor Greg Abbott in order to send aid to the county to assist with the damage and loss of property that came as a result of the rain.

Mayor Dr. Armando O’caña also requested that Governor Abbott declare Mission in a state of emergency, saying that “this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capability of the City of Mission to control.”

Thursday morning, several roads in the Mission and Sharyland areas were blocked off. Closed roads included Inspiration at Expressway and Frontage, Stewart Rd. from Bus 83 to 495, Business 83 from Holland to Los Ebanos and 495 from Bryan to Mayberry.

There was standing water throughout the city that was spraying in multiple directions when people drove through flooded areas.

Drivers were encouraged to go home and stay off the roads in order to prevent water damage and flooding in lower level buildings by the roads.

1st and Conway was closed in all directions.

Completely flooded roads included Frontage Rd. going eastbound between Conway and Bryan and Business 83 between Moorefield and Inspiration.

The city also told citi-

Headed by the U.S. Army, the Initiative Readiness Training program offered free health services at Clinton Elementary School for all those living in Hidalgo County.

See Pg. 5

Lifestyle | pg.3

Sports | pg. 5

zens to remain cautious in the area of 2 Mile Line and Inspiration Rd. There was standing water in all directions on 495 East and West, and the road between 2 Mile and 3 Mile on Shary Rd. was also underwater.

First responders did their best to offset the effects of the rain and help the people of Mission. A shelter for people was made available at the Parks and Recreation Department in Mission and the Alton Recreation Center, and people were asked to “remain patient” as they were receiving “hundreds of calls at a time” for evacuations, according to a post on Facebook by the City of Mission.

As time passed, the city kept citizens updated through the social media platform. Eventually, they closed Taylor Rd., Shary Rd., Glasscock and Stewart South of 495, also due to flooding. According to the city, this was an “atypical emergency situation.”

The Mission Consolidated Independent School District and Sharyland Independent School District also cancelled all summer schools and camps for all of Thursday, and sent parents a notice saying that students already in some of the schools will be taken care of and supervised until they could find safe transportation and conditions improved.

Additionally, the Mission Boys and Girls Club closed and did not conduct any classes or meetings.

These floods in Mission follow the severe weather that flooded Weslaco, and several reports stated that La Joya, Peñitas, Palmview, McAllen and Edinburg were greatly impacted by the storms this week.

IRT held in La Joya

After a full year of accomplishments for the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, see the top ten moments student athletes had in the district. Head to the sports page for the highlights.

See Pg. 4

See SWEARING Pg. 10

Floods swept Hidalgo County

MCISD Top Ten Sports Moments

The Texas Ethics Commission fined former Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño $10,000, to be paid when he finishes serving time in a federal prison in Florida.

were sworn into office by Patty O’Caña-Olivarez.

Anna Carrillo, the city secretary, read the results of the June 9 runoff election, in which Martinez ran against Julian Gonzalez, and Armando O’caña ran against incumbent mayoral candidate Norberto Salinas, who had

See Pg. 6

Obituaries | pg. 7

Classifieds | pg. 9

entertainment

Summer Nights explores a revolution, steamboats and cattle

EDINBURG – Families can give full flight to their imaginations with the River Highway exhibit at the next Summer Nights at the Museum on Thursday, June 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History.

The exhibit features the history of South Texas and northeastern Mexico from the beginning of the Texas Revolution into the steamboat era on the Rio Grande and ending with the cattle kingdom at the end of the 19th century.

This history will come to life with hands-on activities, living history re-enactors and entertainment. The steamboat and wharf will be loaded with tradesmen and, musicians and stocked with cotton to trade. Guests will learn about vaquero

skills such as roping, cattle roundup and cattle branding.

And, new this year, the Garcia Trail Riders will provide free horse rides for children outside in the Paseo, near the museum’s entrance.

Favorite puppet characters will return with a new adventure and give a glimpse of life on the River Highway.

It will be followed by an interactive scavenger hunt to guide families through the galleries and an opportunity to win a prize.

Make it a night out for dinner at the food truck on site selling tacos, sliders and barbecue.

Admission is included in the regular admission price.

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

VSO season subscriptions now open to public

McALLEN – Re-enrollment of VSO season subscriptions has ended, and new patrons interested in the upcoming season can now take advantage of open seats for the performances at valleyorchestra.org.

Season subscriptions to the five-concert series range in price from the orchestra level at $290 to front house at $240, and backhouse at $190.

All concerts will be held on Friday evenings at the McAllen Performing Arts Center located at 801 Convention Center Blvd. in McAllen.

The season begins with an

evening of romance, passion and intrigue in concert one, “A Night in Paris,” on Sept.

28 featuring internationally renowned pianist, Christopher Atzinger.

The POPS concert two, “A Harry Potter Halloween,” is set for Oct. 26 where patrons are encouraged to dress up as their favorite ghoul, goblin, Harry, Herminie or Phantom for a spooktacular evening of hauntingly good music and Halloween fun.

Family members of all ages can take in the sounds and sights of a traditional holiday season featuring the angelic voices of the Valley

page 2

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Coming Attractions

June 23 • The 17th annual Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum induction awards will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 826. E. Stenger in San Benito. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the ceremony will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Entertainment, provided by Los Angeles Del Sur, will go on until midnight. The 2018 inductees are Willie Lopez, Pedro Ayala Jr., Rene Luna and Norfilia Layton. Pre-sale tickets are $10, and $12 at the door. For reservations, contact Rey Avila at 956-245-1666. Tickets are available at the KC Hall or by calling 956-399-4257; San Benito Chamber, 956-361-9111; or Harlingen Chamber, 956-423-5440.

• The Yappo Bands and Brewskis, hosted by the Gladys Porter Zoo, will be held from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville. Part of the YappoPalooza event, it is a fundraiser for the Bi-national Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Project. The night features beer sampling, shrimp plates, a silent auction and a live music showcase with Rio Grande Valley bands.

Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $30 at the door and can be purchased at eventbrite.com or in the zoo’s front office. For more info, go to gpz.org or yappopalooza.net. For questions, call 956-5489453 for information.

June 28 • The Museum of South Texas History presents Summer Nights at the Museum from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The River Highway exhibition this night features h the history of South Texas and northeastern Mexico from the beginning of the Texas Revolution to the end of the 19th century. The steamboat and wharf will be loaded with tradesmen, musicians and stocked with cotton to trade. Guests will learn about vaquero skills such as roping, cattle roundup and cattle branding. The event is included in the regular admission price. Active duty military personnel and up to five family members receive free admission. MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg. Call 956-383-6911 for more information.

(For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)

Travel back to the time of riverboats during Summer Nights at the Museum Night 2 at MOSTHistory in Edinburg on June 28.

June 22, 2018

Symphony Chorale with music such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Schubert’s Ave Maria and Anderson’s Sleigh Ride in the season “A Touch of Frost” concert on Dec. 7 led by Dr. David Means, VSO Chorale director.

Get ready for a concert with a salute to music in film from favorite movies such as “Gone With the Wind,” the theme from “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Pink Panther” and more in concert four, “Hooray For Hollywood,”

set for March 1, 2019.

The season finale wraps up with concert five, “The 3B’s: Beatles, Brahms and Beethoven,” featuring the Valley Symphony Chorale in Beethoven’s popular Ode to Joy and Mancini’s Tribute to the Beatles on April 5.

In addition to buying season subscriptions at valleyorchestra.org, patrons can call the Box Office at 956661-1615 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Planning youth Photoshop camp

McALLEN – Youth ages 12 to 18 can tap into a fiveday camp, “Photoshop for Teens,” next week, June 25 to 29, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. The camp is sponsored by McAllen Creative Incubator, 601 N. Main St., McAllen.

Led by the nonprofit organization, Code#RGV, the camp is designed to help youth learn how to use Pho-

toshop in an easy and fun way to learn fundamental skills with basic and extended tools, pixel manipulation, cropping, filters, working with layers and more.

Equipment will be provided.

Cost is $100.

Register at teen-summer-photoshop.eventbrite. com. For information, email info@codergv.org or call 956-410-CODE.

The team of Sky King Falconry visits Quinta Mazatlan with their birds of prey program on June 28.

Quinta Mazatlan hosts birds of prey program

McALLEN – Reach new heights with the Sky Kings Falconry birds of prey program and live demonstrations at Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center on Thursday, June 28, at 7 p.m.

The Wildlife Revealed free-flight program focuses on the natural history, unique traits and exceptional abilities of these predatory birds.

The team at Sky Kings has

been working with raptors and other animals for more than 10 years for public education and environmentally friendly bird abatement.

The program is included in the regular park admission is $3 per person. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset in McAllen. For more information, call 956-6813370.

MCALLEN – South Texas College (STC) Theatre will present “columbinus” by the United States Theatre Project. It will run June 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, June 24, with a 2 p.m. matinee at STC’s Cooper Center for Communication Arts Main Stage at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd in McAllen.

The play was sparked by the April 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., is a meeting of fact and fiction that illuminates the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the shootings. The play weaves together excerpts from discussions with parents, survi-

vors and community leaders in Littleton, as well as police evidence to bring to light the dark recesses of American adolescence.

The play contains strong language and mature themes.

Parental discretion is advised for youth under 13.

General admission tickets are $5. Ticket cash purchases can be made one hour before the performance at the box office.

For additional information about the show or for group rates, call 956-8722301 or email drodri72@ southtexascollege.edu or jrodriguez@southtexascollege. edu.

STC Theatre presents ‘columbinus’

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lifestyle

LJISD receives grant for Camp Code for Girls

LA JOYA – The La Joya ISD was one of seven recipients, and the only school district out of the seven, that was offered a grand to allow 72 female middle school students the opportunity to attend the Girls Who Code Summer Camp 2018. The students attended at Irene Garcia, Domingo Treviño, and Lorenzo de Zavala Middle Schools and have been ongoing since June 4, finishing up today, June 22.

Camp Code for Girls is an initiative designed to provide computer coding/programming summer camps for female students in grades 6 to 8 to offer hands-on experiences that provide challenging and innovative concepts

in learning, problem solving and analytical skills while fostering an interest in computer coding/programming.

The camps were made possible through a grant by the Texas Workforce Commission and the collaboration between the LJISD Technology Department and the Office of Grant Development.

Other entities receiving the grant included Region One ESC in Edinburg;University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio; Lamar University, Beaumont; Urban STEM, Houston; BEST Robotics, Inc., Pittsburgh, Penn.; and Palo Alto, College San Antonio.

LA JOYA – Six La Joya Independent School District campuses were named Honor Roll schools for the 2017-2018 Texas Honor Roll by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Institute for Productivity in Education (IPE). Campuses receiving the honor included Elodia R. Chapa Elementary, Enrique Kiki Camarena Elementary, Jimmy Carter Early College High School, John F. Kennedy Elementary, Lloyd M. Bentsen Elementary and William J. Clinton Elementary.

The 2017-2018 Honor Roll recognizes public elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate consistently high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in

achievement over time, and reduction in achievement gaps. For high schools, Honor Roll recognition includes high college readiness in students. This year, the Texas Honor Roll recognized 729 higher performing schools.

Success factors include clear, specific learning objectives aligned to college and career readiness, along with evidence-based instructional practices; establishing system-wide mission of college and career readiness for all students; investing in human capital; maintaining data and assessment systems to monitor school and student performance; and deploying resources and guidance to support schools’ efforts to prepare all students for college and career.

LJISD campuses named to Texas Honor Roll Schools

June 22, 2018

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

EVENTS

CALENDAR

June 22–29 – Take the Skull Island Survival Test this summer at the Edinburg World Birding Center on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. Field experts will teach participants outdoor survival skills and then put it to practice in an action-packed survival competition on June 29. Adults and families are invited to participate. Admission fee is free.

Space is limited; registration is required. To register, call 956381-9922. Participants must be 5 years or older to participate and accompanied by an adult if under 16 years of age.

June 23 – The National Butterfly Center (NBC), 3333 Butterfly Park in Mission, is offering “Community Camp Out” with tent camping in an overnight sleepover from 6 p.m. on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday. Cost is $40 per tent. There will be planned outdoor activities led by NBC staff. Pre-registration is required. Sign up at nationalbutterflycenter.org. Call 956583-5400 for more information.

June 23 – The Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC) will host a Toddler Play Date for families with children ages 18 months to four years old from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This month the theme is “Mud.” Toddlers can discover nature through interactive play with puppet shows, story-telling, puzzle time, free play, coloring, crafts and guided walks throughout the grounds. The fee per toddler is $2, with one free guardian.

Additional visiting family members must pay regular EWBC admission. Space is limited, so registration is required. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road. For more information, or to register, call 956-381-9922.

June 23 – The Yappo Kids Fest at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold in Brownsville, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event immediately follows the Ridley Rush 1 Mile/Walk Run. This event includes arts & crafts vendors, educational exhibitors and children’s games and activities such as face painting, a rock wall, more. Kids will have a chance to meet the Kemp’s Ridley Project ambassador, Shelldon. This event is included in zoo admission or Ridley Rush participation. Call 956-548-9453 for information.

June 26 – The Edinburg World Birding Center will host the Tots Nature Camp toddlers age 1 to 3 and their parents. The three-day camp runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. each day. The fee is $10 for EWBC members and $14 for nonmembers. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road. For more information call 956-381-9922. Deadline to register is June 19.

June 30 – The Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd., is hosting a Nature Exchange, a swap shop for nature, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring personal collections of natural items to earn points to trade them for other nature items. The event is free. For more information, call 956-3819922.

June 30 – Celebrate International Mud Day at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd., with mud activities from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants should dress appropriately to get muddy. The event is free. Call 956-3819922 to register or for more information.

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

H-E-B donates 38K pounds of apples

Summer break signals the end of the school year, which means children and families across Texas will struggle to avoid hunger and food banks across Texas see a surge in demand for food. To help combat the problem, H-E-B will donate 1.5 million apples to 17 food banks across the Lone Star State this week, and the Food Bank RGV received 38,198 pounds of apples. Altogether, more than 650,000 pounds of apples will be delivered to the 17 food banks in Texas. Throughout the year, the H-E-B Food Bank Assistance Program works to raise awareness and battle hunger.

Last year, the program donated nearly 26 million meals to families in need, and since 1982, the year the program was founded, H-E-B has donated more than 1 billion pounds of food to 5,500 non-profit organizations in Texas and Mexico.

MCISD campuses earn Heart Safe distinction

All of the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) school campuses have been named a Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators In Adam’s Memory) Heart Safe School. MCISD is one of only three districts across the Rio Grande Valley to have all its campuses earn this honor and was among the first in the area to have Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and trained staff at every school and facility. Project ADAM is a national non-profit program intended to help schools in all communities build CPR-AED or public access defibrillator programs. Pictured above are campus staff members at a training on CPR and AEDs.

Steps to prepare for 2018 hurricane season

AUSTIN – Hurricane season has arrived, even as thousands of Texans continue to rebuild and recover from last year’s devastating Hurricane Harvey.

This season’s weather is dangerous and unpredictable, but there are steps to take to keep family safe in case of a hurricane and to ease recovery transition.

Prepare emergency kit Include water, food and medications for at least three days as well as some cash, a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries and any important documents that cannot be lost or will be needed in the event of an evacuation. Consider purchasing a portable generator and external batteries

or portable chargers for cell phones. Don’t forget about pets’ needs.

Know where to go Know the local hurricane evacuation route, have a planned destination, and, if there is no time to evacuate, find a safe room or storm shelter beforehand.

Get insured Flood insurance, wind insurance and homeowners insurance cover different things. Double-check and understand policy coverage to avoid ending up with a huge bill. Learn more at go.usa.gov/xQ7px.

Download FEMA app The FEMA app provides alerts from the National Weather Service, safety re-

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minders, tips to survive natural disasters, an emergency checklist and up-to-date information about shelters and where to speak with FEMA in person or on the phone.

Get the app at fema.gov/mobile-app.

Sign up for alerts Many communities have text or email emergency-notification systems, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Weather Radio (nws.noaa.gov/nwr) and hurricanes.gov provide updates. Pick up an emergency radio, which receives alerts and can be charged by solar power or hand crank.

The best way to help families know what to do when disaster strikes is to practice

responding to an emergency.

Prepare financially Check out FEMA’s new Emergency Financial First Aid Kit at go.usa.gov/xQ7pC to learn how to strengthen financial preparedness for disasters and emergencies.

Visit ready.gov to learn more about improving your family’s disaster preparedness.

For more information on Hurricane Harvey and Texas recovery, visit the Hurricane Harvey disaster web page at fema.gov/disaster/4332 or the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at dps.texas.gov/dem.

UTRGV awarded child care grant for students

EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been awarded a grant to help parents from low-income backgrounds attain a postsecondary education with assistance from campus-based child care services, such as the UTRGV Child Development Center.

The $1.5 million grant is from the U.S. Department of Education through its Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant program, and will award the university $374,836.00 annually over the next four years.

The center provides daycare services to the parents of

children from ages 3 months to 5 years old. Physical, social, emotional and cognitive development opportunities are provided in a learning environment to the children.

The CCAMPIS funding will support the implementation of student-parent mentorship programs, and will cover the cost of weekly child care services at the center for 60 to 65 children of Pell-eligible families during the fall and spring academic terms, and about 30 children during the summer terms.

For more information about the program, visit the Office of Federal Register on campus.

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June 22, 2018

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Mayor O’caña begins implementing new plans With paving finished, Sullivan City prepares for drainage project on El Pinto Road for Mission during council meeting

By Jamie Treviño For the first time, the City of Mission streamed a council meeting live on the social media platform Facebook.

“That is just to continue the transparency in our government,” City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. said.

This marks one of the changes made by new Mayor Armando O’caña, who was running the meeting for the first time in his newly elected position.

O’caña also said that city council meetings would now feature comments from the city council, and allowed the council members to speak on any items or issues they wished to be discussed.

Councilwoman Jessica Ortega-Ochoa said that now was the best time to evaluate the city government’s current condition.

“We can do even better for our citizens of Mission,” Ortega-Ochoa said. “While we can fill this room with many many accomplishments, I represent the residents of this city and I say we can do more for all of them.”

Ortega-Ochoa recommended that the council obtain an independent performance and management review of all city departments, including an employee survey to provide feedback and direction that will be obtained from supervisors and directors.

“Furthermore, the study shall identify areas in which improvements may be needed for innovation and technology to better serve our residents,” Ortega-Ochoa said. “Professional service should be obtained immediately, so that a report can be given to us as council, and you Mayor, within 90 days.”

O’caña said that the results from these surveys will be taken and used as needs-assessment in order to create a comprehensive tenyear plan for the city.

“We will also be meeting with the three school boards that serve the City of Mission, the Sharyland school board, the Mission school board and La Joya school board,” O’caña said. “We’re just going to do a workshop, and we’ll let the public know when, where and how it’s going to be done. It’s something that I don’t think has ever been done in the City of Mission before, where the city government gets together formally with the three school boards.”

The mayor said that the meetings probably won’t occur at the same time, because each district has different issues and problems to be addressed.

“We want to be able to offer services that we’ve had in the city to enhance the educational process for all the children in the three school districts,” O’caña said. “Keep in mind that the children that go to their schools are the sons and daughters of the citizens of Mission. At the end of the day, we want them to be gainfully employed when they turn 18 and keep paying taxes in Mission so we don’t have to have the thought of raising taxes.”

Ocaña then recommended to the council that the current tax rate in Mission be frozen for the next fiscal year.

Other notable moments in the meeting included no action taken on an item that was originally tabled at the last city council meeting held May 29, which was the authorization to enter into a reclaimed water use agree-

LJISD LAWSUIT attorney Javier Peña, a courtroom pugilist with a reputation for taking on Hidalgo County politicians, to handle the case.

Peña filed a bombastic counterclaim, which accused Garcia of manipulating the investigation to protect Bob Trevino, the owner of Pharrbased Workplace Benefit Advisors.

When PHS-Preventive Health Solutions administered the vaccinations, Trevino handled insurance services for the school district.

“By consciously steering the investigation away from Bob Trevino Insurance, Garcia was able to point his investigation towards political rivals while protecting his political allies,” according to an amended counterclaim Peña filed in November 2017. “This tactic of using legal proceedings to threat-

ment with Cimarron Country Club for irrigation purposes.

At the previous meeting, the item was tabled at the request of former mayor Norberto Salinas, who did not wish to approve the authorization before further review.

“I would like to recommend to the council that we take no action here, so the tabled item can fizzle out,” O’caña said. “I would like to meet and have a workshop so the project can be introduced to the new city councilperson and at the same time re introduced to all of us so we can see where we are and where we want to go in the future.”

The city will also be allocating $24,000 toward an expansion of the Upper Valley Art League Building. Six bids were seen for the project, and the bid was awarded to Holmont, LLC. The funds will come reclassified from the Hotel/Motel Fund in the city budget.

During the Planning and Zoning recommendations, a conditional use permit was put up for discussion for a home occupation registered home provider. Iliana Fraire, the applicant who was not present at the meeting, wanted to use her home as a daycare center.

The owners intended to convert the home living room and one of the bedrooms for the daycare. Because home daycares in Mission typically convert their garage into the facility, council was unsure of the ramifications of utilizing a living room and bedroom.

After discussion, seeing that Fraire was not present and the images of the interior of the house, council decided to table the item for the next meeting.

from pg 1 en and/or intimidate political opposition has been a common practice of Garcia and his firm.”

Garcia flatly denied the allegations and attempted to set the record straight.

“These are the facts. I was hired by the La Joya Independent School District to represent them and I did the work as requested and required payment,” Garcia said in a statement released days after Peña filed the amended counterclaim.

“There were, and are, no conflicts of interest with respect to our representation of the District. While forming our report for the District, the political makeup of the school board changed, which this misguided attorney saw as another opportunity. The school district has refused to pay me on his advice. I sued the district for nonpayment

and here we are today.”

After months of litigation, the law firm and the school district started negotiating a settlement agreement.

What, exactly, prompted the settlement negotiations remains unclear. The confidentiality clause prevents Garcia and the school district from discussing the matter.

“The Parties agree to state to outside parties only that the matter was settled to the mutual satisfaction of Parties,” according to the settlement agreement.

Garcia and the school district signed the settlement agreement in April.

Along with dropping all claims against the law firm and Garcia, the school district agreed to pay $42,000 — about $3,600 more than the law firm originally sought.

By Dave Hendricks Finally paved and pothole-free, El Pinto Road is ready for drainage.

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved a $165,000 contract with Harlingen-based construction company Go Underground LLC on May 22.

Sullivan City Mayor Leo Garcia said the company will build a storm sewer system adjacent to El Pinto Road from U.S. 83 to Bluebird Street, which will prevent water from pooling on the pavement and flooding nearby homes.

“There’s no point fixing the streets if we’re not fixing the drainage,” Garcia said.

Potholes on El Pinto Road vexed the city for years, Garcia said, adding that temporary repairs didn’t fix the underlying problems.

Whenever heavy rain hit

Sullivan City, water pooled on El Pinto Road and damaged the asphalt.

“No matter how much we tried to fix it, the water would end up messing up the street there,” Garcia said.

Water pipes underneath El Pinto Road posed another problem.

The Agua Special Utility District installed plastic water pipes underneath El Pinto Road without metal casings, according to information provided by Garcia and utility board Director Ivan Sandoval, who represents Sullivan City. When heavy trucks rumbled down El Pinto Road, they occasionally ruptured the pipes and created sinkholes.

Sullivan City worked with the utility district and Hidalgo County Precinct 3 to find a permanent solution.

The utility district removed pipes underneath El Pinto Road and relocated

them to the shoulder. When the utility district finished, Sullivan City workers rebuilt the road. Precinct 3 completed the project in May, repaving the road with county equipment.

Garcia worked with Sandoval and Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe Flores to fund the road project.

The utility district agreed to pay for the paving work, cutting a $134,000 check to Sullivan City, which transferred the money to Precinct 3.

Sullivan City also had help funding the drainage project.

Through the Urban County program, Hidalgo County budgeted $219,000 for the drainage project — $21,000 for engineering and $198,000 for construction.

Work is scheduled to start during mid-June, said Interim City Manager Richard Ozuna.

raise awareness about corruption at the Sheriff’s Office.

During the campaign, Weslaco-based drug trafficker Tomas “El Gallo” Gonzalez donated $5,000 to Treviño.

In a January 2014 interview, Treviño said Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Jose Padilla brought him the money.

Concerned about accepting cash from a drug trafficker, Treviño said he called Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra for advice.

Guerra told Treviño to deposit the money in the campaign bank account and document the refund with a check.

Although Treviño disclosed the donation and the returned check on campaign finance reports, he missed the legal deadline to refund the donation, according to Ethics Commission records.

Treviño deposited the cash on June 22, 2012, but didn’t write the refund check until Aug. 18 — missing the refund deadline by three days. By law, the contribution had been accepted.

“We knew that he was taking money from drug dealers. And everyone knew it except for the feds. Or at least it seemed that way,” Caples said. “So when we finally caught him red-handed, we basically did a threepronged attack: a complaint to the Texas Ethics Commis-

sion, a copy of it to the feds and a copy of it to The Monitor.”

Three months later, Treviño confessed to accepting cash from Gonzalez and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Treviño to five years in prison followed by two years of supervised release. She also fined him $60,000.

Exactly how much money Treviño accepted from Gonzalez and where the money went remains unclear.

The judge — reading from the presentence investigation report, which isn’t available to the public — said Treviño admitted to accepting $20,000 to $25,000, according to the sentencing transcript.

However, the judge said Gonzalez admitted to giving Treviño “hundreds of thousands of dollars” through Padilla, who apparently kept some of the money, according to the sentencing transcript. Padilla told a similar story, but serious questions surfaced about his credibility.

Treviño, who remains in federal prison, couldn’t be reached for comment. He must start making monthly payments to the Ethics Commission on Feb. 1, 2019.

Texas Ethics Commission slaps former Sheriff Lupe Treviño with $10,000 fine

By Dave Hendricks

When former Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño finishes serving a five-year prison sentence, he must pay a $10,000 fine handed down by the Texas Ethics Commission.

Treviño is scheduled for release on Jan. 15, 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons — although the government may allow him to serve the last six months on home confinement, which would allow Treviño to leave the federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, during mid-July.

To put the past behind him, though, Treviño must pay a $10,000 fine.

In January 2014, anti-corruption activist Robert Caples filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission, accusing Treviño of accepting campaign cash from a drug trafficker. The complaint collected dust until January 2018, when the Ethics Commission handed down the $10,000 fine.

“I always knew that the commission was toothless, but it was a necessary step in taking down Lupe Treviño,” said Caples, who now runs the Starr County Special Crimes Unit.

Caples also registered as a Republican and challenged Treviño during the 2012 election cycle, attempting to

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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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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.

THE

June 22, 2018

Sports week

BIG7 SCHOOLS

page 5

www.ptrgv.com/sports

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

Top 10 Sports Achievements of the Year

By Luciano Guerra The Mission High and Veterans Memorial High sports programs had an extremely successful 20172018 school year. That success, which can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the coaches, coordi-

nators and athletes, resulted in several team championships at the District, Bi-district and Area levels, as well as various individual athletes’ Regional and State qualifications and selections to All-District, Area, Regional and even State teams.

Here we will look at what

1

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VMHS Volleyball - District and Bi-District Champions, Area Qualifiers

The Mission Veterans Lady Patriots claimed their fifth straight outright District and Bi-district championships.

While the Lady Patriots failed to advance past the Area round of the playoffs, their complete and utter domination of District 31-5A has earned Coach Diana Lerma’s squad the top spot in this year’s Top 10 list. How dominant were the Lady Patriots against their district foes? So dominant that they not only went 16-0, but they won every one of those games in straight sets. Not losing a single set in a 16 game season is about as dominant as any volleyball team can be.

this sportswriter considers to be the Top 10 Mission Consolidated Independent School District’s (MCISD’s) sports achievements of the year, either by a team or an individual. It is an objective list with the primary criterion used to determine which achievements are included

and how those achievements are ranked, being how well a team, or an individual athlete, did at the higher levels of competition, such as Bi-district, Area, Regional and State.

While both schools had individual athletes compete at the State level, the highest

level of competition at which Texas high school athletes can compete, neither school had an athlete return with one or more of the highly coveted State medals this year like they have in the past. Even so, qualifying for a State meet or tournament is a worthy accomplishment in-

and-of-itself and that is why most MCISD athletes that accomplished this feat are included here.

With that in mind, here are the MCISD Top 10 sports achievements of the year:

2

3

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VMHS Football - District and Bi-District Champions, Area Qualifiers

For the first time since the 2010 season, the Mission Veterans Patriots football team claimed a share of the district title.

Their 7-1 District 31-5A record tied them with the Laredo Nixon Mustangs and the Sharyland Rattlers for first place in the district. The Patriots then went on to claim a Bi-district championship by defeating the Brownsville Lopez Lobos by a score of 25-17. A third round loss to Flour Bluff prevented the Patriots from claiming their second Area round championship in as many years, but even so, the Patriots’ regular season and Bi-district round success is enough to earn Coach David Gilpin’s team the No. 2 spot on this list.

#

MHS Baseball Team – 30-6A Runner-Ups, Bi-district Champions, Area Qualifiers

The Mission Eagles baseball team posted an 8-4 District 30-6A record to earn a share of second place along with the La Joya Coyotes. The Eagles then went up against and defeated the San Antonio Southwest Dragons in the Bi-district round of the state playoffs in two games to earn the Bi-district championship. After taking the first game of the best-ofthree Area round series against the Los Fresnos Falcons by a score of 12-2, Coach Rick Lozano’s Eagles lost games two and three to bring their season to an end. Even so, the Eagles had one of the more successful seasons they’ve had in a long time and with only two seniors on their roster, the best may be yet to come.

MHS Eagles’ Andy Martinez First Team All-State Second Baseman

4

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VMHS Softball - District and Bi-District Champions, Area Qualifiers

The Mission Veterans Lady Patriots softball team posted a 13-3 District 31-5A record to earn a share of the district championship along with the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks.

The fact that Coach Vivian Ray’s girls took both games against the Lady Diamondbacks made the Lady Patriots the district’s top seed in the playoffs. The Lady Patriots then went on to defeat Brownsville Lopez in a two game sweep to claim their first Bi-district title since the 2014 season. The Lady Patriots’ season came to an end when they were swept by Corpus Christi Carroll in the Area round of the state playoffs, but that should take nothing away from their otherwise successful season.

7

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MHS Boys Track – District Runner-ups, Individual Regional and State Qualifiers

The Mission High boys track team was the District 30-6A runner up. Individual district champions were Alex Cordova (200m and 400m), Sebastian Gonzalez (long jump), Miguel Farias (pole vault) and the 4 x 400m relay team (Cordova, Gonzalez, Felix Perez, Jonathan Samaniego). Regional qualifiers were Cordova (400m), Gonzalez (long jump), Farias (pole vault), 4 x 200m relay team (Gonzalez, Alex Lopez, Michael Delva, Hector Flores) and the 4 x 400m relay team.

Cordova, the sole State qualifier on the team, placed seventh at State in the 400m.

5

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VMHS Girls Track - District and Area Champions, Regional Qualifiers

The Mission Veterans Lady Patriots track team took the district championship for the 12th time in their 15 year history. With a score of 225 points, the Lady Patriots bettered the second place Sharyland Lady Rattlers by 43 points. Senior captain Nyla Vela not only accounted for 39 of those points, but she qualified for the Area meet in all five of her events while junior Charlize De La Garza qualified for Area in seven different events. At the Area meet, the Lady Patriots made it back-to-back championships when they took the 1,600 meter relay in a school and area record-breaking time of 4:03.31 to overtake Edcouch Elsa for a three point victory, 103-100.

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

6

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VMHS Quarterback Landry Gilpin All Area Player of the Year, All State Selections

8

# MHS Wrestlers – Regional and State Qualifiers

Mission High wrestlers A.J Juarez (113 lbs.), Victor Gutierrez (182 lbs.) and Brianna Gomez (215 lbs.) all qualified for the Regional and State tournaments. Juarez wrestled his way to the District 16-6A championship and was the Region IV runner-up. He then went on to 12th place in the 6A State tournament and posted an overall record of 38-4. Gutierrez was the district runner-up and finished fifth in the Region 4 tournament. He placed 18th at State and posted an overall record of 27-11. First year wrestler Brianna Gomez was the district runner-up and placed third at the Region IV tournament. Gomez placed16th at State and posted an overall record of 27-12.

Honorable Mentions MHS Powerlifter Javier Farias Regional and State Qualifier

Mission Eagles’ powerlifter Javier Farias placed sixth in the 114-pound weight class at the Region Five Division One Championships to qualify for the State Powerlifting Championships.

MHS Girls Golf District Champions

The Mission High girls golf team made up of Mia Lerma, Miranda Neagle, Christine DeAnda, Andrea Laca and Miriam Ibarra took the 30-6A district championship.

Mission Eagles’ junior second baseman Andy Martinez was named to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches’ Association’s AllState First Team. Martinez, who was also named the District 30-6A Co-Offensive Player of the Year, earned these honors as a result of the great season he put together.

Here are some of his offensive stats for the 2017-2018 season: 49 hits in 100 At Bats for a .490 batting average, of those 49 hits, 17 were doubles, six were triples and five were homeruns, he walked 14 times, struck out only 11 times and drove in 28 runs, he stole 33 bases, had a .560 On Base Percentage, a .930 Slugging Percentage and a 1.490 On Base Plus Slugging Percentage.

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In his first full season as the Mission Veterans Patriots starting quarterback, junior Landry Gilpin led the Patriots to their first district championship in seven seasons. The dual threat quarterback put up 3,172 yards through the air, 1,718 on the ground, and accounted for 48 combined touchdowns. He completed 56 percent of his passes and threw just five interceptions on 375 attempts.

Gilpin’s post season honors included two All-State Honorable Mentions (TSWA and AP), Player of the Year (The Monitor All-Area Team), Player of the Year (HSSM All-South Texas Team) and 31-5A Most Valuable Player.

Gilpin is also one of the All Valley Football Player of the Year nominees.

10

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VMHS Team Tennis - Bi-District Champions, Regional Qualifiers

The Mission Veterans tennis team won the first championship in school history when they took the Bi-district title.

Coach Rosario Palacios’ team was made up of sophomores Michael Howell, Sebastian Galvan, Joshua Pinon, Armando Amaya, Robert Low, Kassandra Lerma, Gina Trevino and Veronika Cantu, juniors Libby McCoy, Helaina Olvera, Linzy Castillo and Nathalia Flores, and seniors Marcos Galvan, Kevin Rubio and Gisselle Low. In addition to the team success, the Patriots tennis program had success with its singles and doubles players as well. The Patriots took first place at the PSJA tournament and at the district tournament Howell took the boys singles championship, the Galvan brothers took second in boys doubles, and Castillo and Lerma took third in girls doubles.

page 6

June 22, 2018

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The Mission Veterans High School contingent at Tuesday night’s All Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

The Sharyland High girls golf team was named the All Valley Sub 6A Girls Team of the Year at Tuesday night’s All Valley Sports Awards Banquet.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Sharyland High, Gilpin win big at All-Valley Sports Award 2018 All-Valley Sports Awards Recap To the people of this Great City of Mission: GRACIAS!

Thank you to all of you who came out and voted in the city’s run-off election.

We appreciate you!

God Bless & Take Care.

* God willing and if health permits, I will be a possible candidate for a FULL TIME Precinct 3, County Commissioner in 2020.

Thank you!

Lito Benavides III

Fiesta Lube Express

By Bryan Ramos On stage at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission stood Sean Elliott, the six-foot-nine NBA champion and former college player of the year, sharing advice with standouts from across the RGV at the 2018 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet.

“Believe in yourself …

Prepare and sacrifice … Persevere … Character trumps talent and … Have fun.”

The San Antonio Spurs great delivered the five tips to athletes, coaches and others in attendance can apply not only in their respective sports, but to be successful in every aspect of life.

The success of the Big 7 athletes in 2017-2018 was widespread and recognized on Tuesday as the schools combined for 23 nominations and brought home four awards.

Sharyland High led the way with three awards for the school as the Lady Rattlers golf squad was named the Sub-6A All-Valley Team of the Year, winning one of just four team awards handed out.

In her first year with the program, Head Coach Ashley Garza helped lead the Lady Rattlers to a second place finish at the UIL 5A State Meet in May. Seniors Raquel Flores, Laura Rodriguez and Amanda ShinnRoldan paced the team while juniors contributed heavily.

The Lady Rattlers posted two-day score of 644 to place

second among the 12 5A teams that earned the right to compete at the state tournament which was played at the White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown, Texas.

“As their first year coach, it was awesome; the girls did an outstanding job all year.” said Garza. “From day one they went out and said “we were going to win state” and we came close and I think that brought the team award home for us.

Sharyland second award came on the soccer field as standout Kaitie Watson earned the Girls Soccer Player of the Year Award for her play in her senior season that produced 51 goals while assisting on 21 others. Watson’s four years playing at Sharyland High resulted in one word: wins. Her scoring ability helped lead the Lady Rattlers to a dramatic District 31-5A championship win as the forward scored the game-tying goal against rival Pioneer, eventually winning the game in a shootout.

“It feels great to go out with a bang and end my senior year full-circle; I started out strong and I ended strong, especially now that I get to commemorate it with this award,” Watson said.

Watson is set to take her game to the next level as she continues her athletic career collegiately playing soccer at the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley.

Junior Jun Min Lee was named the Boys Golfer of the Year thanks to solid play in his junior season which cul-

LJISD school first site of Lower Rio Grande Care Initiative Readiness Training in RGV

By Jamie Treviño Offering no-cost health care services to all people in Hidalgo County, the United States Army Reserve, in partnership with the Texas A&M University Colonias Program and Communities in Schools, held Initiative Readiness Training (IRT) at William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School of the La Joya Independent School District.

The services were available from June 16-20, and included medical screening and general exams, dental exams and extractions, optometry screenings and prescriptions and nutrition counseling. Nuestra Clinica Del Valle was also onsite to assist patients requiring follow-up care and enrollment into their system.

Dr. Armando O’caña, newly elected Mayor of Mission, was present at the

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event as he is still employed with the school district as the Emergency Operational Coordinator. He was thankful and excited that the U.S. Army chose La Joya ISD as one of the stops they made during their IRT trip in the Rio Grande Valley.

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minated in third place finish at this year’s UIL 5A State Meet in May. The bronze medal winner qualified for state by winning gold at both the District 31-5A Meet and Regional Meet. Lee also won the award as a sophomore.

For the second year in a row, a Mission Veterans Memorial quarterback won the Sub-6A Player of the Year Award as Landry Gilpin earned the honor after putting up video game numbers and leading the Patriots to a 10-2 record. The junior quarterback threw for 3,172 yards and 25 touchdowns while also running for 1,718 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Gilpin helped the Patriots win a share of the District 31-5A championship and an appearance in the area round of the playoffs. The Texas Associated Press Sports Editors named Gilpin as a Class 5A Honorable Mention performer in 2017.

Gilpin was quick to credit his teammates and coaches for pushing him and hopes the award helps drive the Patriots to be one of the top teams in the Valley.

“Back-to-back years we’ve had great teams and great teammates so it’s good to carry on this award,” Gilpin said. “There’s so many people on our team that are competitive, so many people fighting to be the top dog, getting this award drives us and lets us know that we can be the top team in the Valley knowing we have this kind of talent on the team.”

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obituaries Manuela Cardenas MISSION – Manuela S. Cardenas, 72, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Solara Hospital in McAllen. Mrs. Cardenas was born to Guadalupe Liborio Saenz and Juanita Garcia on Dec. 8, 1945, in McAllen.

Survivors include her husband, Rodolfo Cardenas; daughter, Hilda Cardenas; siblings, Hector Saenz, Yolanda Taylor, Norma Saenz, Guadalupe Liborio Jr., Victor Saenz and Naomi Liscano; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Guadalupe and Liborio Saenz, and siblings, Rene Saenz, Jose Saenz and Cresencio Saenz.

A funeral mass was held on June 17 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Cremation followed.

Dorothy Gorny MISSION – Dorothy Jean Archer Gorny, 88, passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2018.

Dorothy was born and raised in Duluth, Minn., and wintered in Mission after retirement. She married her Edward Gorny in 1951.

Survivors include her husband, Edward Gorny; children, Jackie Hulett, Mary Fish, Ed Gorny, Jerry Gorny, Tim Gorny and Don Gorny; and 17 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ted Archer; mother, Myrtle Carlson Archer; brother, Ted Archer; and son, James Gorny.

Funeral services will be held in Duluth at a later date.

Cresencia Guerrero MISSION – Cresencia R. “Chencha” Guerrero, 71, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2018, at Solara Hospital in McAllen.

Mrs. Guerrero was born on May 19, 1947, in Bishop.

Survivors include her children, Vanessa Araceli Pe-

rez, Alicia Diaz De Villegas, Juan Caballero and Reynaldo Caballero; siblings, Domingo and Norberto Rodriguez; and 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nieves and Eulojia Rodriguez, and a brother and four sisters.

A funeral service was held on June 19 at Flores Funeral Home in Mission.

Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

Miranda Martinez MISSION/ELSA – Miranda Rose Martinez, age 4 months, passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at her home.

Survivors include her parents, Matthew and Roxanne Martinez of Mission; maternal grandmother, Mireya Cavazos of Mission; grandmother, Leticia Martinez of Elsa; grandfather, Martin Lopez of Mission; and great-grandmothers, Juanita Lopez of Mission and Angelita Martinez of Elsa.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandfathers, Luis Lopez and Johnnie Martinez.

Burial was held June 16 at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview.

Maria Olivares MISSION – Maria Evelia Olivares, 73, passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Mrs. Olivares was a lifetime resident of Mission. She was employed with J.C. Penny’s and Gordon Jewelers during her working career.

She served as a catechism instructor, beginning at age 15, at St. John of the Fields Catholic Church in Mission.

She is survived by her children, Cynthia Perez and Osvaldo J. Morales III; siblings, Minerva Lopez, Sylvia Pedraza, Nydia Rios, and Norma Olivares; and six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death

by her parents, Heraclio Y. and Petra R. Olivares, and sister, Norma Olivares.

A funeral mass was held on June 16 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

San Juana Ramirez MISSION – San Juana Ramirez, 84, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018, in Palmview.

Mrs. Ramirez was born on May 6, 1934, in Mexico, to Toribio and Petra (Rojas) Gonzalez.

Survivors include her children, Enrique Ramirez, Carlos Ramirez, Adela Ramirez, Obidio Ramirez, Fernando Ramirez, Hilda Ramirez and Gloria Gonzalez; stepsister, Consuelo De La Garza; and 23 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pablo Ramirez; parents; and children, Pablo Ramirez and San Juana Ramirez.

A funeral mass was held on June 21at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission under the direction of Rivera Funeral Home in Mission.

Mary Alice VanDeventer AUSTIN – Mary Alice Capotosto Graham VanDeventer, 96, passed away on Sunday,

June 3, 2018, in Austin.

Mrs. VanDeventer was born in Somerville, Mass., to Italian immigrant parents, Ralph and Anna Capotosto on Jan. 25, 1922.

After graduating high school she became a charter member of the WAVES serving in Norfolk, Va., as chief storekeeper from 1943 to 1946.

She married Robert A. Graham in Mission, on July 14, 1949, and was widowed in 1958. She worked for Conway, Dooley and Martin Insurance Agency as a bookkeeper and later worked for the Mission Independent School District. On Jan. 22, 1972, she married Arthur Bernard VanDeventer, who passed away in 2015, and she later moved to Austin.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission and sang in the choir.

Survivors include her children, Patricia Craig, Terry Hightower, Lyn Clark, MaryKay Broughton and Mark VanDeventer; sibling, Frances Ewing; and eight grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Reddington.

A funeral mass was held on July 14 at St. Paul’s.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of one’s choice.

Notices Carlos Garcia MISSION – Carlos Garcia, 54, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center.

Oscar Herrera MISSION – Oscar Herrera, 79, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at his home in Mission.

William Johnstone MISSION – William J. Johnstone, 85, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at his home in Mission.

Celedonio Lugo MISSION – Celedonio Martinez Lugo, 95, passed away

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BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2Mile & Bryan Rd Mission.

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

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

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

LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603 NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln. ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625 OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193 PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

585-3203 PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711

PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307 RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH

3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

Mission • 580-4551

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822 ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005 SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078 TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831 TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200

PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW

DAVID H. GUERRA

DARRELL DAVIS

301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”

915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433

on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

Guadalupe Mendiaz PALMVIEW – Guadalupe Mendiaz, 85, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at her home in Palmview, Daniel Montoya PALMVIEW – Daniel Montoya, 35, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Abraham Peña PEÑITAS – Abraham Peña, 44, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

MHS RENOVATION one lunch after their graduation practice, because they really had to put up with a lot.”

Nicknamed the “class of construction” by principal Edilberto Flores, the Class of 2018 experienced almost three years of going to a high school that was largely a construction site. With roughly 2,300 students and 250 faculty members, the old cafeteria was not adequate for the large campus.

“They’ll have many more serving lines than they’ve had before,” Verley said.

“This will be the second kitchen that we’ve done that will be a cooking kitchen.

Most everything that will be served here will be cooked here. They’ll even have an omelet station for breakfast.

When they planned out the furnishings for it, they wanted to make it as much like a college cafeteria as they could.”

Throughout the construction period, students were having to eat lunch at various locations on campus, including the library and practice gym. While it was ongoing, students and faculty also had to maneuver their way around a large portion of the middle of the MHS grounds.

“Now they’ll be able to cut through the center,” Verley said. “There was a lot of leniency [in terms of the time

page 7

Jose Salazar MISSION – Jose Angel Salazar, 55, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center.

Daniel Sanchez MISSION – Daniel Sanchez, 77, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Moses Ybarra MISSION – Moses M. Ybarra, 54, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at his home in New York.

Raymundo Vargas MISSION – Raymundo Vargas, 63, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2018, at Mission Region Medical Center.

from pg 1

students had to get to class during passing periods] last year. I’m guessing they’ll be tightening up on that this year.”

Mission High School will also now hold a Fine Arts Building, a two-story space separate from their Performing Arts Building in which the band, choir, dance and mariachi will have their own room to practice.

The project also included the reconstruction of the Agriculture building. The shop area, where welding is taught, previously did not have air conditioning.

“The Mission FFA [Future Farmers of America] Program is actually one of the biggest ones in the Valley,” Verley said.

The front office and visitor parking area have also been reconstructed. For parents and visitors going to MHS, the entrance at Cleo Dawson Road will lead them straight to the new front.

“Access to the whole campus is going to be much more controlled,” Verley said.

When the 2018-2019 school year begins, students will have access to the new facilities, free of construction, as well as new desks and chairs designed specifically for easier mobility when moved for group work.

page 8

June 22, 2018

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Credit card skimmers found in Palmview gas station

By Jose De Leon III Details remain scarce in an investigation after two credit card skimmers were discovered at a Palmview gas station last week.

“It’s an ongoing investigation,” Arnold Sepulveda, a spokesman with the Palmview Police Department said Tuesday.

Palmview Police were called to the Aziz Quick Stop convenience store and gas station, located at 101 N. Bentsen Palm Drive, last Fri-

day, June 15 after two credit card skimmers were found and confirmed at some of the gas pumps at the station.

Credit card skimmers are devices hidden within machines that take credit cards and allow criminals to steal credit card information from customers pulling money out of an ATM or filling up their cars at gas pumps.

Although arrests are hard to come in cases like this, Sepulveda said there are many steps consumers can take to avoid falling victim

to this crime.

The biggest one Sepulveda suggests is feeling for any external skimming devices at the card slot, he said.

“If one is present notify the store clerk immediately in order for the pump to get inspected,” Sepulveda said.

Consumers should also keep an eye out for any signs of tampering within the key pad area at a gas pump and paying inside and using cash whenever it’s possible, Sepulveda added.

Sepulveda also recom-

mended consumers keep an eye on their account statement and immediately file a report with the police department and at their bank once they notice a discrepancy in

their statement after using a gas station pump.

Sepulveda also mentioned the app Skimmer Scammer, an app that so far is only available for Android users

that uses a phone’s bluetooth radio signal to detect a radio frequency commonly used by credit card skimming devices.

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Palmview Police at the Aziz Quick Stop convenience store and gas station after two credit card skimmers were found at some of the gas pumps Friday, June 15. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño

June 22, 2018

page 9

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MCISD one of the top 10 campus contributors to United Way in Hidalgo County

By Jamie Treviño

At last week’s board of trustees meeting for the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, a presentation was given that named the district as one of the top contributors to United Way in Hidalgo County.

United Way does work in education, health, financial stability and safety, and in particular aims to provide services to every person in a community. The presentation was given by Lilly Lopez-Killelea, the Vice President and Resources Development Director from United Way of South Texas, City of Mission council member Ruben Plata and Lee Jones from American Electric Power, the board chair for United Way of South Texas.

“The United Way supports over 30 agencies,” Jones said. “It’s making a

difference in the financial health, health and education of our community.”

Plata, a long-time supporter of United Way and former member of the board, thanked the school district for their work and dedication to students and staff and their contributions to the organization.

“It’s an organization that helps children, the middle-aged and the elderly,” Plata said. “They really measure outcomes. Before they give any grants, they want to make sure that the money is being used wisely.”

Plata said it’s a group that he truly believes in, and encouraged the district to continue contributing. Lopez-Killelea, the third presenter, brought up several of the benefits and programs provided by United Way and their impact on the community.

“We work literally with

over 1,000 volunteers in Hidalgo and Starr County,” Lopez-Killelea said. “We provide probably close to 100 programs.”

In education, United Way does everything from homework assistance and dropout recovery to English as a Second Language Literacy classes. The organization also dedicates yearly amounts for school supplies to be distributed to students in need.

Awards were presented to principals from the top high school (Mission High School), top middle school (Alton Middle School) and the top two elementary schools (Mims Elementary and Cavazos Elementary) who contributed to United Way of South Texas in MCISD. The district was also awarded the Red Apple Award, for the highest per capita donations for districts with employee bases of 2,000

to 3,000 employees, and the Golden Apple Award, which stated that the district was ranked number five out of all 18 participating districts.

During the meeting, the board also voted for board member Patty O’Caña-Olivarez to be the representative for MCISD in the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Directors.

Toward the end of the meeting, the board of trustees listened to an update on proposed 2018-2019 payroll supplements for the MCISD fine arts teachers and faculty. Fine Arts director Carlos Garcia spoke about the potential increases in stipends and paid leave days for school directors in the district.

“One of the components that drives the directors and sponsors on a yearly basis and on a daily basis is the stipend,” Garcia said. “And when it comes to stipends,

theclassifieds buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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sion. Friday & Saturday, June 22-23 at 8 am. Vintage items, tools, & clothes.

SWAELEEKEND YARD at Mission First United Methodist Church, 1101 Doherty Ave, Mission. Friday & Saturday, June 22-23 from 8am- 1pm.

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MISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NOTICE OF INTENTION TO UNDERTAKE A PROJECT OR PROJECTS

SUBSCRIBE TODAY, AND WE’LL DELIVER IT TO YOU

TAKE NOTICE that the Mission Economic Development Corporation of the City of Mission, (the “MEDC”), shall convene not earlier than 60 days after first publishing this notice and shall consider authorizing and undertaking a Project or Projects, as hereinafter described, pursuant to the provisions of V.T.C.A. Local Government Code Sections 505.001 et seq. The MEDC is authorized on behalf of the City of Mission, Texas to undertake the Project or Projects by paying the cost of the Project or Projects with sales tax revenues authorized under said Local Government Code sections.

The Project or Projects shall consist of the following: A) City of Mission in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000; B) Texas Citrus Fiesta in an amount not to exceed $75,000; C) RGV Lead in an amount not to exceed $75,000; D) Small Business Fund Programs in an amount not to exceed $500,000; E) Downtown Façade Improvement Program in an amount not to exceed $100,000; and F) Rent Subsidy Program in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

Date of publication: June 22, 2018 Anna Carrillo City Secretary

only $20 per year 956.585.4893 www.ptrgv.com

ADVERTISEMENT/INVITATION FOR BIDS REQUEST FOR SEALED PROPOSALS PROJECT:

City of Alton – Contract – Labor for Mowing of Weedy Lots

DESCRIPTION: Work will consist of the mowing of weedy lots, rights of way, alleys, and the removal of trash and brush from lots within the City of Alton.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE: TIME:

July 5, 2018 9:00 A.M.

The City of Alton will receive sealed bids for the Contract-Labor for Mowing of Weedy Lots until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2018 addressed to the City of Alton in the office of the city manager, Alton City Hall, 509 S. Alton Blvd., Alton, Texas 78573. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud as near as practical after 10:00 a.m. on the date of submittal at the Alton City Hall. Bids received after closing time will be returned unopened.

Bid/Contract Documents, can be downloaded from the City of Alton web page address: www.alton-tx.gov, or you may obtain copies of same by contacting the office of: JEFF UNDERWOOD, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, LOCATED AT 509 S. ALTON BOULEVARD, ALTON, TX 78573 by calling (956) 432-0760 or by e-mailing your request to the following e-mail address: jeff.underwood@alton-tx.gov Equal Opportunity in Employment – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin.

The City of Alton is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Alton reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding. In case of ambiguity or lack of clearness in stating prices in any bid, the Owner reserves the right to consider the most advantageous construction thereof or to reject the bid. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.

Bids may be held by the City of Alton for a period not to exceed 60 days from the date of the bid opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the bidder’s qualifications prior to the contract award.

City of Alton Salvador Vela, Mayor

DatePublished: 06/22/2018

and great.”

The board debated some of the logistics of some of the proposed stipends, and Garcia mentioned that the band, mariachi and choir stipends would possibly stay the same, and the cheer and drill teams would have extra days.

“In doing the homework, I know this stipend has not been adjusted for many years, in what I have researched,” Garcia said. “Doing this, going with extra days, it’s only fair. These sponsors are away from their families and doing what they need to be doing for our students.”

The proposed stipends and supplements will be determined at the public hearing to discuss the 2018-2019 budget and proposed tax rate, to be held June 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Classified Rate:

1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m.

If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573

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

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

The 2017 Drinking Water Quality report for the City of Mission water supply customers is now available online. Starting July 1, 2018 you will be able to view the City of Mission annual water quality report on-line at http://goo.gl/xNHnGW This report contains important information about the source and quality of your drinking water. The web link will be available on your water bill and at the City web site. http://missiontexas.us/city-departments/public-works/ If you would like a paper report mailed to your home, please call (956) 580-8780.

El reporte anual de la calidad del agua del año 2017 de la ciudad de Mission, estará disponible en línea a partir del primero de Julio del 2018. Enlace http://goo.gl/xNHnGW Este reporte contiene información importante sobre la calidad de agua potable para tomar. El enlace estará disponible en su recibo del agua de la CD. de Mission y la página de internet. http://missiontexas.us/city-departments/public-works/ Si desea obtener por correo una copia de este reporte puede llamar al (956) 580-8780.

ORDINANCE NO. 4644

ProgressTimes

The Board of Directors of the MEDC will determine whether the Project or Projects will be undertaken and whether it will finance the cost of the Project or Projects with proceeds from sales tax revenues.

ture, bedding, freezer, tools, nicknacks, & more, 3925 N. Schuerbach/Breyfogle in Palmview.

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we’re talking about long hours, competitions, public performance, rehearsals, summers and the acute sacrifice that takes the directors and the sponsors away from their families - but we know that’s for one good cause, and that’s the students.”

Garcia proposed increasing some of the fine arts salaries to be more competitive with other districts, and gave members of the board comparisons of MCISD with other school districts.

“I wanted to make sure that we’re doing our teachers right and we’re taking care of them,” Garcia said. “Looking at the spectrum of having the supplements at the high end in the Rio Grande Valley, or in the middle, or towards the bottom, anything [in MCISD] that was in the bottom is what I wanted to target and see if we could get MCISD stipends in the middle, to where it’s competitive

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR DRIVE-THRU CONVENIENCE STORE, 1001 W. EXPRESSWAY 83, LOTS 35 & 36, FREEWAY SUBDIVISION UNIT #3 READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 18TH DAY OF JUNE, 2018.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4645 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR IN & OUT DRIVE-THRU CONVENIENCE STORE, 1401 N. CONWAY AVENUE, LOTS 7 & 8, BLOCK 230, MISSION ORIGINAL TOWNSITE SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 18TH DAY OF JUNE, 2018.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

CITY OF LA JOYA PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS The City of La Joya is now accepting RFQ’s for a Certified Licensed IT Technician. In this position, applicant will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of all computer workstations and associated software within the office building. The IT Technician will also be the main point of contact for employees who are experiencing computer issues.

RFQ’s can be submitted to City Hall located at 101 N. Leo Avenue, La Joya, Texas.

Deadline to submit is Friday July 6, 2018 at 4:30pm.

The City of La Joya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Reserves the right to Accept or Reject any application submitted.

Now

HIRING Mr. G’s Fireworks

is looking for responsible persons to operate fireworks stand. Must stay on premises & be over 21 years of age.

Call: (956) 399-3469 ORDINANCE NO. 4643

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING A 0.64 ACRE TRACT OF LAND BEING THE SOUTH 249’ OF THE WEST 112’ OF THE SOUTH 660’ OF LOT 25-10, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION, AO-I (AGRICULTURAL OPEN INTERIM) TO C-1 (OFFICE BUILDING) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 18TH DAY OF JUNE, 2018.

Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary Notice of Public Hearing Mission Economic Development Corporation Notice is hereby given that the Mission Economic Development Corporation will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the Center for Education and Economic Development building, 801 N. Bryan Road, Mission, Texas to consider the following project or projects during the proposed fiscal year 2018-2019: A) City of Mission in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000; B) Texas Citrus Fiesta in an amount not to exceed $75,000; C) RGV Lead in an amount not to exceed $75,000; D) Small Business Fund Programs in an amount not to exceed $500,000; E) Downtown Façade Improvement Program in an amount not to exceed $100,000; and F) Rent Subsidy Program in an amount not to exceed $50,000 Anyone interested is invited to attend and present their comments.

Date of publication: June 22, 2018 Anna Carrillo City Secretary

page 10

June 22, 2018

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SWEARING

previously served the City of Mission as mayor for twenty years.

In the race for City Council Place 4, Martinez received 3,448 votes in the runoff, and Gonzalez received 3,131. In the mayoral race, O’caña received 3,475 votes and Salinas received 3,318 votes.

Martinez said he was ready to get to work and serve the city.

“It’s time to start giving back to the city,” Martinez

said. “It’s given so much to me, so I hope I can do as good of a job. I’m always available, give me a call, come on by, and let’s do this.”

This marks a historic day for the city, as O’caña plans on making several changes as mayor, a dream he said he has had since he was a child.

“There are some who have been here since I was a little baby from south Mission all the way to the

from pg 1

mayorship, and I want to personally thank you and your blessings,” O’caña said.

“Those who have come on board lately, and have not been on board with me, welcome. We have a new voice, a new Mission, but it’s your choice.”

O’Caña-Olivarez spoke before her uncle, Armando, was sworn into the mayoral seat. She said this was a huge accomplishment for their family, and they hope to con-

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

tinue their work for the city.

“If you think it’s an emotional moment for you today in the city, you can just imagine what our family has been through and what an accomplishment this has been for our entire family,” O’Caña-Olivarez said. “Our family is very united and today, as we have in the past, shared with you a man who has been an epitome of public service with a servant’s heart.”

She continued to say that Dr. O’caña has been the family’s role model throughout their lives, and is the reason why his nieces, nephews and children also chose to serve the public.

“It is truly a blessed day for the City of Mission,” O’Caña-Olivarez said. “And this is a new chapter.”

Gustavo Martinez being sworn in to city council, Place 4 for the City of Mission at a ceremony held at the Mission Event Center. Photo courtesy of the City of Mission.

RIO GRANDE CARE

June 25-29, 2018

from pg 6

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Supper to be served; no cost

Yard Sale at the church

Friday, July 6 - 8am - ? • Saturday, July 7 - 8am - 1pm

Sunday Services:

8:00 a.m. Informal • 9:00 a.m. Contemporary 10:00 a.m. Sunday School • 11:00 a.m. Traditional 11:00 a.m. Childrens Church • 5:00 p.m. Spanish Worship

Mission First United Methodist Church 1101 Doherty Ave. • (956)585-1665

www.missionfumc.com

U.S. Army members participating in the Initiative Readiness Training at Clinton Elementary School in La Joya conducting a general medical exam. Photo courtesy of La Joya Independent School District.

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O’caña said. “They’re getting practice and training at this school.”

According to O’caña, the students zoned at Clinton Elementary are from the lowest economically developed section of the LJISD, which is why the school was chosen.

While the free clinic was available every day, attendance was somewhat low.

“From the day we opened, it has been increasing gradually,” said O’caña. “However, there was a crack-down

by ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement].

They did a 50-unit pick-up three days before we opened, so the community right now is a little low in trusting people in uniform.”

This is the first time the IRT has taken place in the LJISD. This is a separate event from Operation Lone Star, another medical training program that offers free health services in the Valley in July.

Also present at the IRT in La Joya was Brigadier General John Hashem, the Deputy Commanding General for Support of Army North and the Army Reserve and Engagement Cell Director, who has overseen several of these operations across the country. He stressed that the Initiative Readiness Training program is not affiliated with the Border Patrol or ICE. “This has nothing to do with the National Guard on the border, or all that’s going on right now,” Hashem said.

“It’s really important to mention that, this is entirely separate, we’ve done these for the last couple of years in communities along the southwest border in Texas, and we will continue to do them.”

Army North is the lead Department of Defense organization that gets tasked

by U.S. Northern Command to provide defense support of civil authorities. If there is a natural or man-made disaster, and the local and state response are overwhelmed, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Department of Defense is asked to provide capabilities.

“One of the ways we train and keep our skills going is to perform defense support of civil authorities when there is no disaster,” Hashem said. “This allows us to keep our strength in working for communities.”

The U.S. Army Reserve, Army North and Texas A&M University made an agreement to work in the colonias along the southern border in communities that may be lacking in some essential services.

“It allows us to come to communities in the United

States and do our mission sets to help us prepare,” Hashem said. “Why do we have hospitals in the Army and the military? Because we are training for war. We practice by running hospitals in the U.S. It’s the same thing here, we practice by doing things.”

Hashem said that they have also done Initiative Readiness Trainings in other countries, but see the major benefit of assisting communities in the United States.

“The bulk of forces that come and do these are reserve components,” Hashem said. “These are my brethren, the Army Reserve, doing this on their annual training period. So instead of going somewhere else to perform their training, they’re right here in a U.S. community doing their skills and keeping them sharp as a unit.”

The brigadier general mentioned that the Clinton Elementary site had a lot of volunteers, more than some of the much bigger sites they set up in before, which is “absolutely fantastic.” He said this experience is beneficial to all those who are able to utilize these services.

“This is great,” Hashem said. “It doesn’t cost anything except the trip to get over here.”

Lieutenant Colonel Commander Arve Alexander Wikstrom, who oversaw this operation for the duration of their RGV programs, was also able to speak about the program and response from the public.

“As the general said, we’re very impressed with the volunteers we’ve had in the community,” Wikstrom said. “We’d like to have more people come in, because the mission is to make the world a better place. The more we serve, the more we do.”

Wikstrom also recognized the importance of providing these services to underprivileged and economically disadvantaged communities.

“It’s no secret that the marginalized people in our society need these types of services and they can’t afford dental, vision or medical care,” Wikstrom said.

“We can provide this free of cost.”

According to O’caña, the LJISD was extremely thankful to be selected and the community was grateful.

The next Initiative Readiness Training will take place in Harwell Middle School in Edinburg from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting tomorrow through Wednesday, June 27.