Friday, July 27, 2018
www.ptrgv.com | 50 Cents
Vol. 46 No. 50
LUPE thanks La Joya mayor for taking a stand against ICE
Image taken from Facebook.
by Dave Hendricks La Union del Pueblo Entero organized a rally at La Joya City Hall on Monday, publicly thanking Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas for taking a stand against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Members of La Union del Pueblo Entero — which most people know simply as LUPE — met at City Hall on Monday afternoon, where they took photos with Salinas and recorded a statement supporting him. “The only Rio Grande Valley city that has stood up to this brutality is La Joya, where Mayor Salinas declared that the city will no longer house inmates for ICE because of Trump’s zero-tolerance policy," said LUPE Executive Director Juanita Valdez-Cox in the recorded statement. “We are here because we know that it is a difficult decision that he made. It means that the city of la Joya may lose some funding.” Valdez-Cox said LUPE stands behind Salinas and encouraged mayors across the Rio Grande Valley to join him. “When you’re talking about families and the separation of children from their parents, then this should not come up as a question,” Valdez-Cox said. “It’s a decision that should be easy to make — not only for the city of La Joya but for the other cities in the Rio Grande Valley.” Salinas made the announcement last month with a Facebook post. “BREAKING NEWS”
Salinas posted on the city Facebook page. “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY The CITY of La JOYA P.D. Jail/ Detention Center will NOT House ICE Detainees.” What the announcement actually means for La Joya remains unclear. The city jail, which consists of just two cells, never actually “housed” inmates for ICE on a long-term basis. However, the city honors federal immigration detainers. Police hold people with immigration detainers until ICE picks them up, a process that typically takes less than 24 hours. Texas law requires police departments to honor immigration detainers. Failure to comply would also jeopardize border security funding for the La Joya Police Department. After the announcement, the La Joya City Commission tabled a resolution to accept $55,000 through a border security grant program called Operation Border Star. La Joya planned to spend $51,000 on overtime pay for officers and $4,000 on vehicle maintenance, according to the grant application. The program required La Joya to submit a signed statement promising to “participate fully in all aspects of the programs and procedures utilized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) notify DHS of all information requested by DHS related to illegal aliens in the custody of the Grantee; and (2) detain such aliens in accordance with requests
See LA JOYA MAYOR Pg. 8
MCISD hires first female superintendent
By Jamie Treviño
The Mission Consolidated Independent School District has hired their first female superintendent. Dr. Carolina “Carol” G. Perez was approved as the lone finalist for the position in June, and will begin working on site on July 30. She was previously the superintendent for the Kingsville Independent School District, and has 31 years of educational experience. At a special called meeting held at the Administration Board Room, MCISD approved the employment and contract for Perez. Surrounded by family and friends, a meet and greet was held after so people could congratulate and meet Perez. Perez is taking over the position of superintendent from Dr. Ricardo Lopez, who left MCISD at the end of 2017. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to return to the Rio Grande Valley and proud to be the first woman to lead Mission CISD as superintendent,” Perez said. “While I have already started trying to familiarize myself with Mission CISD opera-
(from left) Mission Consolidated Independent School District board member Jerry Zamora, board member Veronica “Betty” Mendoza, board member Minnie Rodgers, Superintendent Dr. Carolina “Carol” Perez, board member Patricia “Patty” O’Caña-Olivarez and board president Petra Ramirez after the employment of Perez as the new superintendent of MCISD. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.
tions and instructional data, I am really looking forward to getting to know the team and families of the district. I want to make sure we all work together to move Mission CISD forward and build on the foundation set by my predecessors.” Perez thanked the board and administration for
by Dave Hendricks Prosecutors dropped gambling charges against a western Hidalgo County businessman last month — after he agreed to surrender nearly $77,000. The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office dropped the gambling charges against Jose Manuel Salazar, 67, of Mission on June 4. Salazar apparently negotiated a deal with the District Attorney’s Office: He would surrender nearly $77,000 and the motherboards from 92 slot machines. In exchange, prosecutors would drop two misdemeanor gambling charges against him.
“I don’t comment on my cases,” said attorney Noe L. Perez of Edinburg, who represented Salazar. District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez didn’t respond to requests for comment. Investigators with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office started investigating Salazar last year, when they received tips about someone named “Manuel” who managed game rooms in western Hidalgo County. More details emerged during December, when investigators raided a game room on the 4700 block of North Trosper Road. Investigators arrested a woman who said she worked for Salazar, according to court records. The Sheriff’s
By Jamie Treviño
The remains of a home in rural Mission that caught fire during the weekend and killed three and injured four others. Progress Times photo by Jose
Jose Manuel Salazar Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.
Office seized nearly $1,200 and 29 slot machines from the building. When the Sheriff’s Office raided a game room on
Free healthcare services offered at Operation Lone Star, which historically drew over 1,000 people per day to six sites across the Rio Grande Valley, is not worth the risk of deportation or family separation for local residents.
Operation Lone Star (OLS), organized by the Texas Department of State Health Services in collaboration with the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, City of Laredo Health Department, the Texas Military Department and
De Leon III.
len Fire Department and the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.” All three departments were at the scene trying to put out the fire for three hours, Barrera said. A Gofundme page was created by a family friend hours after news of the fire broke out. The fundraiser, which can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/ sbmhnz-funeral has raised more than $7,000 as of press time.
See WEEKEND FIRE Pg. 10
the 1500 block of Mesquite Lane, they heard a similar story. The doorman said Salazar paid him $60 per day, according to court records. Every week, the doorman went to Salazar’s business and collected the money. Deputies seized about $1,000 and 32 slot machines from the game room. They also started investigating Salazar. The Sheriff’s Office identified Salazar as the owner of Salazar Concrete on Farm-to-Market Road 2221 and another business called “D’cache assesorios” near the intersection of 3 Mile Line and Bentsen Palm
See GAMBLING CHARGES Pg. 8
Fear of ICE causes low turnout at Operation Lone Star
By Jose De Leon III
Assistant Fire Chief Rudy Barrera said, adding that the fire is still under investigation. “I’ve been with the city for five years and this is one of the hardest fires I’ve ever encountered,” Barrera said. “When we arrived, the roof had almost completely collapsed onto the house and it was a cinder block home, which essentially heated up the house much faster and made it much more difficult to fight the fire. The lieutenant in charge had to request backup from the McAl-
“It is to make sure that we serve our children first, our staff and our community as a whole,” Perez said. “As a team, we know that we can continue with the Mission CISD legacy of changing the world. It’s a good day to be a Mission CISD employee.”
Prosecutors drop gambling charges against western Hidalgo County businessman
Weekend fire kills three A 37-year-old mother, her 5-year-old-son and a family friend were killed early Sunday morning after a fire broke out in her home, injuring four others. Maria Izabel Maldonado was identified as the 37-yearold mother who was killed in the fire at 10900 Karen St., near Mile 9 Road and Bentsen Palm Drive according to Hidalgo County Fire Marshal Investigator John Franz. The fire killed her son and a pre-teen boy who was spending the night with the family. The fire also critically injured Maldonado’s husband and an 11-year-old-boy, both of whom were flown out of the Valley to be treated in San Antonio and Galveston, respectively, Franz said. A 14-year-old girl and the twin brother of the deceased 5-year-old boy were transported to a local hospital, Franz added. The Alton Fire Department were the first on the scene after receiving the dispatch call at 2:59 a.m., Alton
choosing her as the district’s new superintendent. “It is with a grateful heart to my family, friends and colleagues,” Perez said. “Thank you for approving me as your superintendent of schools.” Perez also said that with her new position comes “a tremendous responsibility.”
Mildred DeLeon, a volunteer for Operation Lone Star 2018, pictured administering a vaccine to a patient at Juarez-Lincoln High School. Photo courtesy of La Joya ISD Public Relations and Communications Office.
community volunteer organizations, was available at six locations across the RGV from Mon. through Fri. this week. The annual event has been put on since 1999. Last year, OLS served over 8,800 people in the area. There were reports of patients lining up outside the night before just to ensure they were seen by doctors. This year at the Juarez-Lincoln High School location in Mission, the turnout has not been nearly as high as in the past according to Mission Mayor Armando O’caña, the Emergency Operational Coordinator for the La Joya Independent School District, and Public Information Officer Blanca Cantu, also with LJISD. As of Wednesday at 10 a.m., the Juarez-Lincoln site had only served 374 people in total. According to O’caña, this has been a lower turnout than last month’s Initiative Readiness Training,
See ICE AND OLS Pg. 10
INSIDE City of La Joya News
Alton Police starts bike patrol
City of Mission Update
DPS recently honored a former La Joya policeman with a prestigious award, and the city plans to open their nwe city hall in August. Go to page 5 to read some updates on La Joya.
The police department for the City of Alton has started a new bike patrol unit for five officers to be more visible in the community. Jose De Leon III has the latest, inside.
Mission has released information about their budget for the upcoming year, and new developments in the city were discussed in this week’s city council meeting. Jamie Treviño has the details.
See Pg. 5
INDEX
Entertainment | pg. 2
See Pg. 5
Lifestyle | pg. 3
Obituaries | pg. 9
See Pg. 8
Classifieds | pg. 10
entertainment
Registration opens for Painterly Portrait workshop
The Upper Valley Art League (UVAL) is hosting a special three-day Painterly Portrait Workshop led by award-winning artist Alain J. Picard. The workshop will be held Oct. 11 to 13, and registration is now open. The final date to register and pay for this opportunity to learn from one of the best is Aug. 30. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged. The workshop runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. Working in either pastels or oils, workshop participants will learn how to develop lifelike paintings from live models or photographs. Instruction will include lighting, posing and photographing the model, developing references and designing the portrait. Finer details of portraiture will give the artists understanding in blocking with simple shapes, using the painterly style to make bold marks, underpainting techniques and how to see
Coming Attractions
Alain J. Picard
value, color and intensity to identify skin tones, scale and proportion, dynamic composition and more. The workshop is $210 for UVAL members and $230 for nonmembers. A supply list will be available to all participants after registration. Since the UVAL gallery is closed during the month of August, contact Maxilou Link, UVAL president, at maxiloulink88@gmail.com or Mandy Wilson at mandylwilson@gmail.com to register and pay for the workshop. Before Aug. 1, call 956-5832787 for information.
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August 4 • J.A.R. Films is seeking and accepting submissions of short films for the Lightning in a J.A.R. Film Festival to be held at the Border Theater in Mission. All genres of film will be accepted, and deadline to enter is Aug. 1. The featured films will have their public debut on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. For information, contact Joey Olmjeda, festival director, at 956-292-6033. • The Second Annual Resaca City Casino Night will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the San Benito Community Building, 210 E. Heywood St. for an evening of casino games, adult beverages, food and more. Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Call 956-361-9111 for ticket information. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
VSO Chorale auditions set for Aug. 20-21 EDINBURG – The Valley Symphony Chorale will hold auditions on Monday, Aug. 20, and Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex choir room at 1201 W. University Drive in Edinburg. Auditions are from 4 to 6 p.m., by appointment only. To audition for the all-volunteer VSO Choral requirements include the ability to sing “Gloria to God” from Messiah by Handel; sing the first phrase of “America the Beautiful” unaccompanied in different keys; and a simple sight-reading with an example. Go to valleyorchestra. org/chorale-auditions to
FCA OPEN HOUSE JULY 31, 7-9 PM SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFYING NEW FAMILIES www.FCAknight.org
956-581-7777
download the audition music. The Valley Symphony Chorale is set to perform in two major symphonic concerts this season: A Touch of Frost – VSO Concert III set for Friday, Dec. 7, and in the Spring on Friday, April 5, 2019, at The 3B’s: Brahms, Beatles And Beethoven – VSO Concert V, the season finale. To sign up for an audition appointment, email Dr. David Means, chorale conductor at david.means@utrgv. edu. If selected, be prepared to rehearse on Monday evenings in the UTRGV choir room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. beginning in September.
July 27, 2018
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
EWBC to hold annual Fairy Festival
EDINBURG – The staff at the Edinburg World Birding Center are calling all fairies, elves, gnomes, wizards and other magical and mystical creatures to spend an enchanted evening at the annual Fairy Festival this Saturday, July 28, from 6 to 10 p.m. To celebrate nature’s wonders and the magic of imagination, EWBC staff has prepared for an evening filled with play and fun. Sit down at a Woodland Tea Party, go on a treasure hunt on the Pirate Treasure Trail, visit Mermaid Lagoon and more. Then families can use their imagination to build
a fairy home with natural materials and enter it in the Fairy Home contest. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite mystical creature costume to win prizes in the costume contest. The festival will also feature free face painting and children’s crafts. Admission for the festival is free, but there is a cost for material bundles to build a fairy house at $5 each, while supplies last. Call 956-3819922 to reserve a bundle. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria. For information call 956-3819922.
It’s time to put on the wings and pull out the wands for the Edinburg World Birding Center’s annual Fairy Festival this Saturday, July 28.
‘Coco’ featured for Aug. 2 movie night
The Mission Historical Museum and the City of Mission present the final Family Movie Night on the Lawn for this year featuring the Disney Pixar movie, “Coco,” on Thursday, Aug. 2. This week’s movie night will be held at the Mission
Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd. The free festivities start at 7 p.m. with crafts, face painting and more. The featured film will begin at dusk. Snacks from our food vendors will be available for purchase, featuring Spiro pa-
pas, funnel cakes, Mexican hotdogs, popcorn and more. Everyone should take a blanket or lawn chair for the outdoor event. For more information, call the museum at 956-5808646.
Burst a bubble at Quinta Mazatlán
McALLEN – Float over to Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center to dance, sing, and blow bubbles on the lawn on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. for an interactive concert by Joe McDermott. The concert will be held outdoors and families are encouraged to bring their own bubbles, chairs and blankets. This is also a mile of hiking trails to explore. McDermott has been obsessed with music ever since he was a little kid growing up in Chicago, the youngest of eight children. While he learned to play guitar and played in rock bands, he moved to Austin and earned a degree from the University of Texas. Hoping to make it in the art world, he took a job as an art teacher at Athena Montessori. Five years later, he opened his own preschool. During this time, he began
songwriting and singing. He soon realized that children were an unending source of inspiration for songwriting, and he has been singing ever since.
The park admission is $3 per person which includes the program. Quinta Mazatlán is located at 600 Sunset in McAllen. For more information, call 956-681-3370.
Music and bubbles will create an evening of interactive fun at Quinta Mazatlan on Thursday, Aug. 2, with a concert featuring Joe McDermott.
Sunday Service Times: Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday Services: Adults, Teens, Kids 7:00 PM
lifestyle
July 27, 2018
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
MCISD plans Aug. 2 Back to School Bash
Educators can earn TEEAC continuing education credits during the Project WILD and Aquatic WILD Workshops at the Edinburg World Birding Center in August, and another day has been set aside for free admission for educators and their families to participate in a variety of hands-on activities.
EWBC offers educators WILD workshops
EDINBURG – Educators, formal and informal, are invited to participate in the Project WILD and Aquatic WILD Combination Workshop at the Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC). Teachers, join the EWBC on Friday, Aug. 3, for the first day of Educator Days. Learn about the programs the EWBC can offer your students during the upcoming school year. During this free program, teachers will sample activities and while earning TEEAC credit. Programming for kinder through 6th grade teachers runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and for 7th through 12th grade teachers from 2 to 5 p.m. Registration is required for these programs. On Saturday, Aug. 4, teachers and their families are invited to the EWBC for a day of family fun. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., teachers and their families can participate in entertaining activities, drawings, store coupons, snacks and drinks. This program is free for educators and their families. Teachers must bring their school identification for free entry. A Project WILD and Aquatic WILD combination workshop will be held on Thursday, Aug. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday,
Aug. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This combination workshop will provide educators with ideas, tools, and resources for grades K-12, and will focus on how to teach young people about terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and ecosystems using hands-on, educational activities. During the 10-hour training workshop, participants will sample activities and receive both curriculum guides. Activities are adaptable for all grade levels, integrated with core subject curricula and aligned to the TEKS. Participating teachers will receive TEEAC continuing education credit. Informal educators, teachers, youth group leaders, community volunteers and all other enthusiastic educators are encouraged to register. All participants must attend both days to receive the WILD materials. The fee for the workshop is $65 per participant. Fee includes lunch on Thursday and snacks on Friday. Limited partial scholarships are available. Space is limited, so registration is required by Aug. 4. To register or for more information, call 956-3819922. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria.
Our thanks to the following, growing list of community partners who also believe our Kids Come First!
The Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) is holding their annual Back-to-School Bash next Thursday, Aug. 2, from to 8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial High School gym. It offers families a one-stop event with a variety of services to prepare for the 2018-19 school year, complete with entertainment by the high school Fine Arts program. While supplies last, registered MCISD students can get a free backpack with school supplies. There will be free student haircuts by MCISD cosmetology students and free vision screen-
ing provided by the Mission Lions Club. Musical performances will be provided by the high school fine arts programs. Students can sign up with late online registration, and campus representatives will be available for questions. The Hidalgo County Health & Human Services department will host an immunization clinic to provide low-cost vaccinations - $5 per vaccine for children and $10 per vaccine for adults. Beginning at 3 p.m., physicals will also be provided for $20 for youth participating in sports.
EVENTS
CALENDAR August 11-12 – The National Butterfly Center invites the public to a “beach party” on the banks of the Rio Grande River on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in peaceful protest to the lifeless “enforcement zone” behind the Border Wall. Bring a picnic lunch, beach chairs and bikes. There will be Segway test drives, sand castle building with Sandyfeet, fishing, bird walks and guided hikes, hayride, Project Wild Aquatic at the wetland, guerrilla gardening, native wildlife petting zoo, games and more. Families interested in camping out the night before, Aug. 11, can do a sleepover under the stars with NBC staff on hand. For more information, call 956-583-5400. August 31–September 1 – The Mission High School High (MHS) Flyers Dance and Drill Team will hold a High Flyers 40th Reunion for alumni. All former and current drill team members, directors, and principals from 1978-2018 are invited to attend. It begins with an Alumni Tea at the MHS library on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. followed by the MHS pep rally at 3:45 p.m. The day ends with the Mission Eagles vs. Veterans Memorial Patriots football game which includes participating in a collaborative half-time show. On Sept. 1, an alumni luncheon will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Location details will be announced later. Alumni are invited to join the Facebook group “High Flyers 40th Reunion,” and/or contact Josie Flores at josieflores@att.net for more details. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
The 2018 Food Bank RGV committee organizing this year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser is seeking sponsors and restaurants to join in for another successful event. Committee members, seated left to right, are Claudia Gaytan, Gabriela Nunnery, Michelle Zamora (chair), and DeAnne Economedes (FBRGV interim CEO and COO). In back, same order, are Olivia Lemus, Norma Guevara, Andrea Cavazos Rodriguez (co-chair), Marty Charles, Jackie Flores, Debi Lou Chavez, Laura Gutierrez, Ruby Martinez and Monica Alvarez.
Gearing up for13th Empty Bowls fundraiser
PHARR – The organizing committee for the 13th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon and Auction is already at work preparing for the Sept. 18 at the Pharr Events Center. There is still plenty of room to sign up for business sponsors and local restaurants promoting their gourmet dishes. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year benefitting the Food Bank RGV. Empty Bowls will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day. Companies and individuals are encouraged to donate unique bowls and silent auction items that help promote their products, services or talents.
One-of-a-kind ceramic bowls are included with each ticket. They stand as a reminder for the hunger faced by many throughout the year in the Rio Grande Valley. Each year, local restaurants provide samples of delicious food for ticket holders while music, silent auctions and mystery boxes keep the festivities going. Over 800 guests attended last year making this one of the more popular fundraisers, so early sign-up and ticket purchase is encouraged. For more information, contact Philip Farias by calling 956-904-4513 or via email at pfarias@foodbankrgv.com.
UTRGV offers new sustainable ag degree By Vicky Brito EDINBURG – Beginning this fall, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will offer a brand new bachelor’s major in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. This interdisciplinary major has been approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), as well as by The UT System and The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Dr. Christopher Gabler, assistant professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences (SEEMS), will serve as program director. The major is set to offer four tracks, including: Ag-
riculture and Ecology, Food and Health, Food and Society and Business and Policy. There also will be a hybrid track option for a tailored skillset and employment prospects, Gabler said. During the fifth and sixth semesters in the program, students will be required to complete two capstone community-engaged experiential learning courses. They will gain hands-on experience in the field and engage with the community in either internships or research. In the last year of the program, the entire cohort will participate in a final capstone course when students from all tracks come together to collaborate as a group on a synthesis document for their final assignment.
A one-stop, back-to-school event for
MIssIon CISD students/famIlIes Thursday, August 2 6:00-8:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial High School Gym Free backpack with school supplies
Gold Sponsors Education Foundation of Mission CISD Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce City of Palmhurst City of Mission
(Registered Mission CISD students only, while supplies last. Student must be present.)
Free vision screening provided by Mission Lions Club Free student haircuts provided by Mission CISD cosmetology students Campus representatives on hand for back to school information Late online registration Immunization clinic ($5 per vaccine, Children - $10 per vaccine, Adults) (Hidalgo County Health & Human Service)
Silver Sponsors Lions Club of Mission Heroes Dental Clinic
Sports physicals ($20, Ashley Pediatrics mobile unit begins at 3 p.m.) Health information High school fine arts performances
Sponsors Boys and Girls Club of Mission Mission Classroom Teachers Association Mission Crime Stoppers
Mission Board of Trustees
Petra B. Ramirez, President Charlie Garcia III, Vice President Minnie R. Rodgers, Secretary Patricia Y. O’Caña-Olivarez, Board Member Dr. Sonia M. Treviño, Board Member Jerry Zamora, Board Member Veronica “Betty” R. Mendoza, Board Member Dr. Carol G. Perez, Mission CISD Superintendent of Schools
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The Texas Historical Commission runs the program, which is to honor for-profit businesses which have been going concerns for at least 50 years. Palace Cleaners started in the mid-1920s on South Main Street, near what was then the Post Office, now the McAllen Heritage Center. According to Bill Stocker, longtime owner of Palace Cleaners, who was there with his family, the Stocker family bought Palace in 1951 and at some point it moved to 101 Walnut, where it is now. Kreidler Funeral Home started in 1912 in the back of the Western Union Building on South Main and is now at 314 N. 10th Street . Mayor Jim Darling lauded both businesses and their owners for their participation over the years in the life of the city. The Historical Commission wants to find and honor businesses, especially family-owned, that have been around since at least 1950 and the city’s Planning Department is helping out. Here is a link to the Commission: http://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/texas-treasure-business-award. The End
Attorneys finally sign-off on temporary injunction in Palmview sewer controversy
Two months after state District Judge Letty Lopez ordered the city of Palmview to stop construction on a controversial sewer project, attorneys finally submitted a draft of the temporary injunction on Monday. The Agua Special Utility District started building a sewer system for Palmview during January 2017. The city, though, became concerned retailers and restaurants wouldn’t wait for the utility district to complete the long-delayed project — and started building a separate sewer system for businesses on the Expressway 83 frontage road. When the utility district complained, the city filed a lawsuit. Lopez ordered the city to stop construction on May 22, lambasting Palmview for ignoring the law. Palmview stopped work on the sewer project, but City Attorney Gus Acevedo delayed signing the temporary injunction for two months. “The City of Palmview plans to appeal any temporary injunction order entered,” Acevedo wrote to the utility district’s law firm on May 29, according to an email filed with the court. “Please feel free to file this piece of Agua SUD political
propaganda masquerading as an ‘order.’” Lopez scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, instructing Acevedo to sign-off on the temporary injunction or appear in court and explain why he wouldn’t approve the document. Acevedo signed the temporary injunction hours before the hearing. “We don’t have much say-so over the language. The judge said what she said,” Acevedo said. “And that’s what we’re going to challenge.” The temporary injunction blocks Palmview from building any sewer infrastructure until the lawsuit is resolved. Trial is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 6, but attorneys for both the city and the utility district anticipate delays. The Palmview City Council hired Brownsville-based attorney Gilberto Hinojosa to handle a potential appeal, which would almost certainly delay the trial date. Meanwhile, an administrative proceeding on the matter is pending before the Texas Public Utility Commission. “That may be the better forum to make our case,” Acevedo said. Attorneys for the utility district filed an application with the Public Utility Commission on June 29, requesting a cease-and-desist order
against the city. The utility district accused Palmview of building a sewer system without permission, a clear violation of the Texas Water Code. “It’s similar to a municipality,” said attorney Frank Garza, who represents the utility board, illustrating the situation with an example: “If Mission decided ‘You know what, we’re going to provide sewer services to the citizens of McAllen and we’re going to provide water services to the citizens of McAllen.” Allowing the city or any private developer to create a separate sewer system would reduce the number of utility district customers and ultimately increase rates for everyone else, Garza said. The Texas Water Development Board provided $42.2 million in grants and loans for the project. “In essence, it would be taking away business or income that would be necessary to pay for the debt obligations,” Garza said. The utility district plans to provide sewer service to businesses on the frontage road, according to the Public Utility Commission application. With construction in progress, exactly when they’ll receive service remains unclear.
City Council should act to protect the integrity of Mission City elections!
Residency requirements don’t go away with an election won. The question remains…Where does he live? During the Mayor’s race, I raised the question about Dr. Ocana’s residency. During all that time there was never any proof offered by candidate to sway me off my march for the truth. Why has not one neighbor come forward to state that the entire Ocana family lives at the “primary residence”? It has now been discovered that no less than SIX Ocana family members claim the Greenlawn residence as their own. Ask yourself, how can that many people live in that 1300 square foot home. Some of the registered adults also have children. The Greenlawn address maybe Mission’s first Voter “Stash House.” With that many people residing there, why isn’t there more water usage? After reviewing the homes water usage, local newspaper reports agreed that the water usage was below normal for a home that size. Then, transparency by the candidate was avoided. Ocana closed his account to scrutiny by requesting a privacy lock. If he had lived there prior to the election, water usage should have
remained constant. I contend that the public has a right to know. With all the promises broken, the uproar over voting irregularities and the legitimate questions about Ocana’s residency it is time for City Council to act. Below is an excerpt from The City Charter. It is clear as to the action required. It has no requirement that the city check with the DA, The Secretary of State or any other official office. The council should act independent of any precedent that may affect an outcome. You read…You decide Section 3.02. - Qualifications.
Each member of the City Council shall be a resident citizen of the City of Mission, shall be a qualified voter of the State of Texas, shall have been such resident citizen of the City of Mission for a period of not less than six (6) months immediately preceding his election, and shall not be indebted to the City of Mission at the time he takes office. If the Mayor or any Councilman fails to maintain the foregoing qualifications the City Council must, at its next regular meeting, declare a vacancy to exist and shall fill said vacancy as set forth in section 3.06 of this Charter.
Tomas Tijerina
Candidate files complaint against Team L1berty PAC
By Dave Hendricks A candidate for justice of the peace filed a complaint against Team L1berty’s political action committee last week, accusing the PAC of failing to file campaign finance reports. Arminda “Mindy” Garza filed a complaint against the Liberty Executive Committee — the political action committee affiliated with Team L1berty, the dominant political party in western Hidalgo County — on July 20. Garza accused the PAC of failing to file campaign finance reports during the May 2017 Sullivan City election, the November 2017 La Joya election, the March 2018 Democratic Party primary and the May 2018 Agua Special Utility District election. “They think they can get away with it,” said Garza, who’s running as a Republican for Hidalgo County justice of the peace Precinct 3 Place 2. “And it’s unacceptable.” Asked about the complaint, Peñitas Chief of Staff Andy Morales released a statement. “I resigned from the PAC and committee on May 24th. I was under the impression the PAC would appoint a new treasurer and take care of filing the semi-annual report,” Morales said. “Since no treasurer appointment form was submitted, I will get a report filed with the information I have available and will then notify the TEC of my resignation. I was not aware I had not been taken off as treasurer with the TEC until after
the report was due.” Team L1berty created the Liberty Executive Committee, a general-purpose political action committee, in July 2017, according to records filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. The appointment of campaign treasurer form listed Morales, La Joya school board Trustee Johnn Alaniz and La Joya Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas as decision-makers for the PAC. The Liberty Executive Committee, though, had already started accepting donations and spending money. Team L1berty hosted a major fundraiser at Hacienda La Encantada, an event venue northwest of Mission, on March 13. Donors included Justice of the Peace Jaime “Jerry” Muñoz, an attorney who represented the La Joya school board; Richard LeFevre, the president of McAllen-based LeFevre Engineering & Management Consulting, who later became the interim general manager of the utility district; and state Rep. Oscar Longoria, an attorney who represented the city of Peñitas. Team L1berty didn’t waste any time spending the money. The PAC covered a nearly $16,300 campaign debt for La Joya school board Trustee Alex Cantu, paid $5,000 to La Joya school board Trustee Oscar “Coach” Salinas for consulting and donated nearly $13,700 to Sullivan City Mayor Leo Garcia’s campaign. Garcia disclosed the do-
nations, but the PAC didn’t file any campaign finance reports. When La Joya City Commissioner Mary Salinas ran for re-election in November, the PAC donated nearly $9,600. Neither Mary Salinas nor the PAC disclosed the donations. “You did not forget to report that,” Garza said. “It’s a big sum of money.” The PAC also accepted donations from Hidalgo County Democratic Party Chairwoman Norma Ramirez and La Joya school board Trustee J.J. Peña, who’s running as a Democrat for Hidalgo County justice of the peace Precinct 3 Place 2, during the March 2018 primary. Peña and Ramirez reported the donations. The PAC didn’t. Months later, the PAC spent $680 supporting candidates for the Agua Special Utility District board. They reported the donations, but the PAC didn’t file any campaign finance reports. The PAC also filed an incomplete annual campaign finance report in April — three months late — and missed the July deadline to file a semi-annual campaign finance report. Garza said she didn’t think the PAC missed the deadlines by mistake. “They have something to conceal,” Garza said. “It’s obvious that there is corruption within that organization.”
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people who are leaving the same day.” Movement at Madero? Darling also alerted commissioners to a planned special meeting Monday of the Bridge Board, which operates both the bridge at Hidalgo & the Anzalduas bridge. The City of Mission has a U.S. Presidential permit for a bridge at Madero and the permit has about 3 years left on it , continued Darling. The Madero permit is for a vehicle and rail bridge. “Right now we have a tentative agreement on the Madero bridge and we have a proposed amendment from the City of Mission on that,” Darling said, although he did not elaborate. Whatever the Bridge Board decides to do, any agreement has to be approved by the McAllen city commission. You’ve been in business how long? Before the meeting started, the commission honored Palace Cleaners and Kreidler Funeral Home, recognizing them for winning the Texas Treasure Business Award.
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Then and now In the summer of 2014, the eyes of the world were on McAllen as hundreds of people, mostly from Central America, crossed the border in hopes of being allowed to stay in the U.S., perhaps permanently. In many cases, children without parents, so-called unaccompanied minors, and women with small children, sought out and surrendered to Border Patrol agents. After agents took them to holding facilities and filled out the requisite paperwork, refugees or illegal aliens who had asked for asylum were given a date in the future at which they were supposed to show up for a hearing to see if they could stay in the US or not. In the McAllen area, Border Patrol agents dropped them off at the McAllen bus station on Business Highway 83 at 15th Street so they could catch a bus to travel to be with sponsors or relatives. It wasn’t long before the City of McAllen got involved because the migrants-whether refugees or illegal aliens-wanted to overnight at the station in order to catch a bus the next day--even though it closes at Midnight. Eventually, the surge of people ended up in the care of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which used Sacred Heart Church in downtown McAllen to aid them, to give them ‘respite.’ Four years later “We’ve had an uptick in families reaching the Respite Center downtown,” McAllen Mayor Jim Darling informed city commissioners Monday night, “higher numbers than we received in 2014.” Darling explained that no longer are there overnight facilities in the city so they go to Catholic Church facilities in San Juan. “We had looked at a location in McAllen for overnight and we’ll continue to do that. We have offered the spillover at the old library (on North Main Street),” said Darling, but the building, now the Chamber of Commerce’s Incubation Center, so far hasn’t been needed. Baptist Children & Family Services “has given us a shower location, that was really important, and public works helped us hook it up behind the respite center and so that’s alleviated a lot of need at least initially for
By Dave Hendricks
July 27, 2018
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July 27, 2018
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La Joya preparing for August opening of new city hall By Jose De Leon III After having a groundbreaking ceremony for it nearly two years ago, the city of La Joya is entering the final stages of constructing its new city hall and police station. Last week city commissioners had a walk in tour of the 15,200 square feet building that will house the city’s police department and administrative offices. City Administrator Mike Alaniz said the city is still expecting an opening for the building in late August. “We’re eager to finally open but we’ll take it slow to make sure it’s being built the way it should be built,” Alaniz said. According to Alaniz, landscaping and connections with the water lines are the two construction issues that need to be addressed before the McAllen-based firm Milnet Architectural Services does a final walk through in-
spection of the building. Previously, the city held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new city hall and police station October 2016 along Expressway 83 on the lot that a Plains Capital Bank branch stood before closing the year prior. The city purchased the lot through a $3.5 million loan they received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As previously reported, the project was due to be completed last summer, but the start of construction was delayed until last September due to the cost of the project turning out to be about $400,000 more than originally projected. Because of this, the city had to apply for a $500,000 certificate of obligation to pay for the extra cost. “There’s always delays when it comes to construction, but we’re very comfortable with it taking a bit longer than expected,” Alaniz said. “We’re here preparing
the current city hall for a transition to the new building by collecting all our old files and packing them.” The current city hall and police station, which sits alongside Leo Avenue and Expressway 83, has already been appraised at $500,000, Alaniz said last April, adding that the city is making plans to put the building up for sale once everyone is settled into the new building. The city is also negotiating an agreement with a new developer to take over the construction of the city’s first ever-freestanding emergency room, Alaniz said. The city’s ER, a 6,300-square foot facility, had a groundbreaking December 2016 and is being built just behind the new city hall and police station on 1.5 acres of land donated by the city to developers Texas ER Management, as previously reported. Even though Alaniz couldn’t elaborate on why
File photo of the new La Joya City Hall and Police Station. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
the project had been delayed for so long, he said new developers are negotiating with the city to take over the project and complete it. “We know it’s taking longer than expected, but we’re hoping to establish negotiations so we can hopefully get all the proper paperwork in order and get them going,” Alaniz said. Alaniz also announced that a developer had recent-
ly purchased 40 lots located east of Leo Avenue and 7th street in the Palm Shores subdivision. The city is expecting the population, which currently sits at under 4,300 residents according to the United States Census Bureau, to increase within the next few years. To prepare for this growth, the city is even communicating with outside de-
velopers to bring in franchise establishments into the city similar to Mr. Gatti’s Pizza and Jack in the Box. “It’s a steady growth,” Alaniz said. “As we speak, more homes are being built on a week to week basis. For some reason people are slowly but steadily moving into our city and I’m, hoping we end up building more than 100 homes within the next few years.”
Alton police department wheels out new bike patrol unit By Jose De Leon III In an effort to be more visible to the community, the Alton Police Department has rolled out a bike patrol unit for five of its officers. This new unit, which has five officers patrolling the city’s parks and nearby neighborhoods, is a way for the police department to interact with the community according to its police chief. “This patrol allows us to be more engaged with the public in a community-oriented approach,” Alton Police Chief Jonathan Flores said. “The goal is to get the guys out there in the community to serve them and be out there and not be in the office.” To be part of the unit, officers had to undergo a grueling physical fitness test, Flores said. The bikes, which are Force Perimeter 24 speed mountain bikes valued at $400 each, come with a water bottle holder and a pack to store a first-aid kit along with any other items an officer would need. The bike patrol unit made their debut at the opening for the city’s Lone Star National Bank last June and since then has been deployed at Sylvia Vela Park and Josefa Garcia Park during the evening hours, Flores said, adding that the officers make appearances during special
events. “These officers are allowed to go into areas they couldn’t traditionally go to in a police vehicle,” Flores said. “This unit is a proactive way to add more security for residents. When you’re trying to keep a community safe, you have to come up with innovative strategies that will serve you to that end.” Among the events the bike patrol unit will appear in is the city’s first-ever National Night Out, a community-police awareness-raising event that will be held Tuesday, August 7th at 6 p.m. in the Sylvia Vela Park. “It’s about showing the community what we’re doing,” Flores said. The bike patrol unit and the city’s first ever National Night Out are among the many changes Flores has implemented in the police department since he was hired last March. Flores, who has also worked for the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments for the cities of McAllen, San Juan and McAllen ISD, said he began implementing several changes based on what he’s seen that works in the agencies he’s been involved in. Among these changes include updating the dispatch system at the police department, doing inventory of all
the files and evidence the department had been storing, storing the evidence in a mobile mini storage unit and changing the rank order in the department. These changes, Flores said, reinvented the way the department functioned. “All these changes affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the department which in turn allows us to serve the community better,” Flores said. “These changes are well within our operating budget that beforehand was not being fully utilized. Now we’re just providing the resources the department needs to serve the community with the highest quality in professional service.” For Flores, being a police chief has been a dream and he plans on instilling the department motto-”Community First”-into every facet of the department. “I’ve always had the goal to be the chief of police,” he said. “I knew it had to be here, it’s a very good environment. I’ve worked at four different law enforcement agencies and this environment is like no other.” At the lobby of the police department, Flores put up a group photo of every officer in the department so the community can know who their officers are. This photo is right alongside a sign reading the department’s motto “
DPS honors former La Joya policeman with prestigious ‘Director’s Award’ By Dave Hendricks The Texas Public Safety Commission presented a former La Joya policeman with the prestigious Director’s Award last month. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and the Public Safety Commission presented former La Joya police Officer Ismael Garza with the Director’s Award during a ceremony on June 28. Garza and Department of Public Safety Lt. Rene Oli-
varez were nominated for the award after they responded to a roll-over crash Feb. 19, 2017, on U.S. 83 in La Joya. They found a severely injured man who had been “partially ejected” from a car and suffered severe injuries to both legs, according to the award citation. Olivarez and Garza worked together to stanch the bleeding while they waited for an ambulance. “He lost quite a bit of blood,” said Garza, who’s now a reserve deputy for the Hidalgo County Precinct 3
Constable’s Office. “But he survived.” Olivarez and Garza had experience responding to medical emergencies. Olivarez is a paramedic, according to the award citation. Garza previously worked for the Palmview Fire Department. Garza said he checked on the man a few days later. Doctors amputated both legs, but he survived the horrific crash. Olivarez received the Lifesaving Award during the same ceremony.
The city of Alton’s new bike patrol unit. Progress times photo by Jose De Leon III. Community First.” “It’s important the community understands that we put them first,” Flores said. “We’re here because we have to serve them, that’s our role, that’s our job and I want to make sure everyone knows that.” To that end, Flores also put up a sign along the hallway of the police department saying “Integrity, Professionalism, Community” to ensure his officers are reminded of the department’s core values every day, Flores said. Jorge Arcaute, Alton’s city manager, praised Flores’ community first approach, which he said was refreshing compared to previous administrations. “There’s an old fashioned form of policing to use the police vehicle as a shield and patrol around with the windows rolled up, distancing yourself from the community,” Arcaute said. “This community-first approach is much more refreshing, especially when you consider
how he’s spruced up the department. You start to live with things and get used to it and suddenly; the layout you were used to that was ef-
ficient 9 years ago isn’t efficient anymore. A fresh set of eyes has helped us deal with that.”
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Mission Veterans Football Camp Location: VMHS Practice Fields (Next to track) Date: July 30th thru August 2nd (Mon. - Thurs.) Time: 8:30am - 11:30am Ages: Incoming 3rd Graders to Incoming 9th Graders Registration Fees:
$30 per camper $20 for 2nd camper $10 for 3rd camper
ALL CAMPER WILL RECEIVE A PATRIOT CAMP T-SHIRT Equipment: Football Cleats (Not required) Top row (left to right): Commissioner Jason K. Pulliam, Commissioner A. Cynthia “Cindy” Leon and Commissioner Randy Watson. Front row (left to right): Chairman Steven P. Mach, former La Joya police Officer Ismael Garza, who is now a reserve deputy with the Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office; DPS Lt. Rene Olivarez and DPS Director Steve McCraw. Photo courtesy of Ismael Garza.
The Veterans Memorial Football camp emphasizes teaching football fundamentals by experienced coaches. Our goal is to provide every camper with the basic fundamentals and skills necessary to be a successful football player, along with the importance of team and sportsmanship. This no pad, four-day camp offers instruction for all offensive and defensive positions. Please note: All participants will receive instruction in both offensive and defensive positions.
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July 27, 2018
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Mission presents preliminary budget for 2018-2019 By Jamie Treviño This week’s city council meeting included the presentation and approval of the preliminary budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019. City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. presented some of the general figures in the budget, which is available for the public at the city secretary’s office and on the city website. $46,023,250 will be in the general fund, $23,569,948 will be in the utility fund, “with a total of all funds balanced included being” $107,820,783.
LA JOYA MAYOR by DHS.” Operation Border Star paid for nearly 850 hours of police overtime last year, according to city payroll records. Officers earned nearly $20,000 through the program, which targets smugglers and promotes information sharing initiatives. The La Joya City Commission, City Administrator Mike Alaniz and police Chief Adolfo Arriaga support the
“This is keeping the same tax rate that we currently have, which is .4862,” Garza said. “Included here is a proposed increase of $1 to the city employees who are currently making less than $15, and also to some labor positions that we made a comparison with so they will be comparable to those cities.” A public hearing for the annual budget will be set for Monday, Aug. 13. The time and location of the hearing will be announced when it is decided by the city. Council went into executive session to discuss the
from pg 1 decision not to “house” inmates for ICE, Salinas said in the recorded statement, adding that it’s simply the right thing to do. “We are not going to violate the law,” Salinas said, adding later: “I do want to express and ask for all the other mayors to at least support us in La Joya or to do the same thing in their cities.”
“appointment, evaluation, duties and other employment matters” related to the municipal court judicial appointments. Executive session lasted approximately four hours as council deliberated. When they returned from executive session, it was decided that Presiding Judge Johnathan Wehrmeister would remain in his position. “The council finds that the reinstatement of Johnathan Wehrmeister to full duties as full-time presiding judge is permissible and ordered,” City Attorney Abiel Flores said. “And as a condition of continued appointment, all other administrative guidelines as discussed in executive session shall be complied with.” No action was taken on the other three judges, Judge Horacio Peña, Judge Mauro Reyna and Judge Ramon Rosales.
Council authorized the city to solicit bids for “Housing Assistance - Program Phase 17-II” which is in reference to the reconstruction of three homes and relocation of three homes and the rehabilitation of two homes in the city. The authorization was passed, and council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa brought up a question she said she had “always been curious” about. “Is there a way that we could have the names of the owners [homeowners] on here?” Ortega-Ochoa asked. “Because we only know when we’re going to go and give them the keys to the house.” Jo Anne Longoria, the Community Development Director for the City of Mission, said that it was not a normal practice for council to know the names of the homeowners prior to the reconstruction or relocation of
their homes because of confidentiality. “I guess I can provide it for those purposes,” Longoria said, as long as it is not put on the public agenda. Abiel Flores said that he would need to look into the issue, but that it shouldn’t be a problem for the council alone to see the names of homeowners before a meeting. Sidney Williamson was presented with a Citizens Lifesaving Award. Williamson, who is part of El Mesias United Methodist Church, was on the scene on July 10 when a six-year-old child was on their way to the church, and began choking on some food they were in the process of eating. After trying to get the child to cough up the food with no success, Williamson, an intern with the church, began performing the Heimlich maneuver on the child.
When that also did not work, she began doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which saved the child’s life. “The child lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest,” Mission Fire Department Engineer Justin Longoria said. “After the second cycle of CPR, the airway was cleared and the child started breathing once again.” Longoria, who was the active Lieutenant that day, said Williamson performed a selfless act that resulted in a life saved in Mission. “I’m very thankful for this award and to be here,” Williamson said. “I’m thankful for my team; I’m thankful for the child who’s life was saved. Most importantly, I’m thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because without Him there was no way I could have done that that day.”
By Jamie Treviño
2019 preliminary budget for the City of Mission, and it appears that the minimum wage for city employees may be raised by $1 - for certain
employees of the city. After deliberation by the city council, Mayor Armando O’caña and City Manager Martin Garza, Jr., it was decided that in order to remain competitive with other cities like Edinburg and Pharr, Mission would have to increase city employee wages to some capacity. The financial department
compared the city wages of laborers in Mission, Alamo, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr, San Juan, South Padre Island and Weslaco, certain employees who make less than $15 per hour such as greenskeepers, pipelayers, park laborers and streets laborers stand to have their wages in-
Mission to raise wages for city employees
A workshop held last Friday morning involved the discussion of the 2018-
GAMBLING CHARGES Drive, according to court records. The Special Operations Division conducted simultaneous raids on Salazar’s home and business on Jan. 18. Investigators seized slot machines from Salazar’s garage and business, according to court records. They also found ledgers and a large amount of cash. The Sheriff’s Office charged Salazar with engaging in organized criminal activity, a state jail felony; gambling promotion, a Class A misdemeanor; and keeping a gambling place, a Class A misdemeanor. Prosecutors also filed a civil forfeiture case against Salazar, asking a judge for permission to keep about $89,000 and motherboards from 92 slot machines. Salazar struck a deal with prosecutors. He agreed to forfeit nearly $77,000 and the slot machine motherboards, accord-
from pg 1 ing to court records. Prosecutors returned the remaining money to Salazar and agreed to drop the misdemeanor gambling charges. County Court at Law Judge Omar Maldonado dismissed the charges on June 4, signing orders that listed the reason for the dismissals as: “Other: Asset forfeiture has been resolved; agreement to dismiss case.” Other people arrested during the investigation weren’t as fortunate. Suhey Hernandez, 38, of Mission pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor gambling charges. County Court at Law Judge Arnoldo Cantu Jr. placed her on probation for eight months. Edwin Adalin Martinez, 29, of Mission spent 45 days in jail because he couldn't post bond. Martinez pleaded guilty and County Court at Law Judge Federico “Fred” Garza Jr. sentenced him to time served.
WEEKEND FIRE Franz, whose department is leading the investigation, said preliminary investigations show that the fire started in the living room, but the department is still determining the cause of the fire. He also noted the heroism on display from officers at the scene. “When two of our deputies from the sheriff’s office arrived, one of them ran into the house without any protective gear and got the 11-year-old boy out of the house through a window,” Franz said. “He could’ve expired had it not been for the quick thinking put into place by one of the officers at the scene.” According to Barrera, the house lacked a smoke alarm,
See MISSION RAISE Pg. 12 from pg 1
which contributed to the deaths at the scene. “There was no warning for this family since they had nothing to wake them up in the middle of the night to alert them of the fire,” Barrera said. “Smoke alarms save lives. Franz agreed with Barrera and urged people to ensure they have a working smoke detector in their home. “Whenever there’s a fire, it’s always a tragedy because it does not discriminate,” Franz said. “Fire does not look at geographic location or socioeconomic status-no one is immune to these kinds of tragedies, people need to take steps to mitigate events like this.”
July 27, 2018
obituaries Armando Bazan Jr. MISSION – Armando “Monster” Bazan Jr., 40, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Mission Regional Medical Center. Mr. Bazan was born on May 6, 1978 in McAllen to Armando Sr. and Gloria Covarrubia Bazan. Survivors include his parents and siblings, Kerry Bazan, Claudia Bazan and Cyanna Rivera. He was preceded in death by his sister, Diana Bazan, and his grandparents. A funeral mass was held on July 21 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen Reyna Garcia MISSION – Reyna Garcia, 89, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Mrs. Garcia was born on March 30, 1929, in Ciudad Ocampo, Tamps., Mexico. Survivors include her children, Jose Torres of Tamaulipas, Maria Torres of Mission, Guillermo Torres of Tamaulipas, Ruben Torres, Santiago Torres, Victoria Corpus, Vicente Torres of Mission and Javier Torres of San Juan. A funeral service was held on July 21 at Flores Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.
Dorothy Louise Hedges 1924 - 2018 HOUSTON – Dorothy Louise Balthrope Hedges, known also to the family as
“Dottie,” was born on September 9, 1924, in Mission, Tex. The daughter of Edwin (Buddy) Balthrope and Amanda Natho Balthrope, she passed away on Monday, July 16, 2018 at Houston Hospice, Houston, Tex. Dorothy’s jobs in her lifetime were, ticket agent at the theatre in her hometown of Mission, Tex.; a caterer at Genevieve Jefferies’ house “Cactus Tea Room”; catering events such as the Rotary Clubs, etc.; a switch board operator for Ma Bell, aka South Western Bell; a passenger agent at an airline in Las Vegas, Nev.; and a fulltime mother and homemaker. Her love of hobbies were cooking, knitting and sewing, restoring antique clocks and rock hunting. She was married on April 5, 1946, to Eddie Clarence Hedges, who preceded her in death on May 1, 2004. She traveled throughout her lifetime in the United States and abroad. She enjoyed her time as an Air Force wife and met so many wonderful people in her travels. She enjoyed and loved rock hunting with Eddie, and working in their business, The Volcano Rock Shop, in Mission during retirement. She is survived by three children, Eddie Clarence Hedges Jr., of Austin, Tex., William Brooks and Lynn Hedges of El Campo, Tex., and Jane Ann and John C. Anderson of Rosenberg, Tex.; fourteen grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, June Hedges Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. Special thanks go out to her doctor and nurses/care coordinator at Village Family Practice in Sugar Land, Tex., and the doctors, nurses/ aides, Chaplains and social workers of Houston Hospice
in Houston, Tex. A memorial service was held privately, under the direction of The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Frwy., Sugar Land, TX. Dorothy’s final resting place will be next to her husband at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mission, Tex. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030; the First Presbyterian Church of Mission, 1102 Ash Street, Mission, TX 78572 or online at www.fpcmission.com; or to a charity of your choosing in her memory.
Nora Martinez MISSION – Nora H. Martinez, 47, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in San Antonio. Mrs. Martinez was born on Oct. 12, 1970, in Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico, to Carlos Martinez and Naborcita Hernandez. She lived in Mission for the past five years. Survivors include her husband, Felix Martinez; children, Marco Navarro, Mathew Navarro and Miranda Navarro; her mother; and siblings, Norma, Laura, Patricia, Carlos and Gerardo Martinez. A funeral service was held on July 24 at Rivera Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Santa Fe Celestial Cemetery in Mission. Billy Miller MISSION – Billy J. Miller, 90, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Miller, and son, Michael Miller. Survivors include his
wife, Lois Miller, and children, Bill, Susan, Janet and Cecilia; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Maria Moore ALTON – Maria Leticia Moore, 65, passed away on Monday, July 16, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center. Survivors include her mother, Maria Justina, a son and daughter and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey Moore, and father, Erasmo. A funeral service was held on July 21 at Funeraria Del Angel in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Alice Neubauer MISSION – Alice Lorraine Neubauer, 78, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Mrs. Neubauer was born on Feb. 15, 1940, to William and Letha Stevens. She served as organist and pianist at First United Methodist Church in Mission. Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Mike Neubauer; children, Janet McRae, Steven Scott, Jody Neubauer, Jenny Crihfield and Michael Neubauer; sibling, Henry Stevens; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents. A funeral service was held on July 23 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in
Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family requested memorial donations to be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org. Samuel Vasquez ALTON – Samuel Vasquez, 85, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at his home in Alton. Survivors include his children, Yolanda Gonzalez, Guillermo Vasquez, David Vasquez, Griselda Olvera, Samuel Vasquez Jr., Joel Vasquez, Ranulfo Vasquez, Olga Garza, Norma Vasquez, Jose Vasquez, Jorge Vasquez, Sylvia Montalvo and Nancy Peña; siblings, Julia Gonzalez, Eva Barrera, Sofia Aguillon, Aurelia Flores, Elena Garza, Margarita Nuñez and Luis Vasquez; and 55 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucia Alcala Vasquez, and five siblings. A funeral service was held on July 24 at the Iglesia Bautista Colonial in Palmview. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.
By Jose De Leon III
hour. This, however, is well below that of the McAllen and Mission school districts, which pay their drivers $13 and $13.82 per hour, respectively. “We evaluated our pay rate structure to see if we can make it more competitive and decided an increase from $12.81 to $13.81 would help,” Garza told the board. “And we’re hoping to do this investment within our current budget.” The board will meet again this coming Monday to discuss the issue more, and possibly vote on it.
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
Two months after a one percent pay increase for all their employees, the Sharyland school district is looking into another pay increase for their bus drivers. Members of the district school board of trustees met Monday at a workshop and discussed increasing the starting pay for school bus drivers by one dollar. According to the district’s Human Resource Director Deborah Garza, the district recently increased the starting pay for their bus drivers from $12.50 to $12.80 per
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
Notices
Remigio Cardoza MISSION – Remigio Cardoza, 69, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at his home in Mission.
Keith Londrie MISSION – Keith Londrie, 57, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at his home in Mission. Rodney Lozano MISSION – Rodney Rene Lozano, 64, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg. Nora Martinez MISSION – Nora H. Martinez, 47, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at University Transplant Hospital in San Antonio. Tomasa Martinez MISSION – Tomasa Martinez, 77, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center. Francisco Peña ALTON – Francisco Noe Peña, 57, passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2018, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen. Reymundo Rangel MISSION – Reymundo Rangel, 87, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Florence Valdivia MISSION – Florence V. Valdivia, 86, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. Guillermo Vasquez MISSION – Guillermo Vasquez, 74, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at his home in Mission.
Sharyland ISD hoping to retain district bus drivers
ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411
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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
According to Enrique Mata Jr., district’s transportation director, the pay increase would potentially help the district retain their drivers. “We currently have 55 drivers but are missing 12 more positions that need to be filled,” Mata Jr. said. “This summer we’ve lost three drivers to neighboring districts and two candidates who interviewed with us to be drivers declined our offer to work at other districts within the last week.” Mata Jr., said this type of loss occurs every year, but a pay increase would help alleviate that.
which was held at Clinton Elementary School. “It’s because of the effect that ICE has had in this area,” O’caña said. “Before the Initiative Readiness Training, they [ICE] did a pickup. They had 50 units at Junior’s [a supermarket], a combination task force picking up people around the area here.” O’caña, who has been part of Operation Lone Star annually for 17 years, said people in the La Joya area have been wary because of their fear of the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Texas Department of Public Safety. “The people from here call them ‘los mapitas,’ because the DPS has a map,” O’caña said. “And they al-
ready know if ‘los mapitas’ pulls you over, they’re going to ask you for citizenship. And right behind them comes the Border Patrol.” Operation Lone Star provides child immunizations, hearing and vision screenings, sports physicals and diabetes and blood pressure screenings. Additionally, in the Rio Grande City location preventative dental services for school age children was made available, and the Brownsville and San Juan locations also provided dental services and vision exams for prescription glasses for adults and children. The La Joya location has not had dental or vision services since 2016, a decision made by the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services.
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“We had our facilities ready for them [dental and vision screenings], we had two gyms,” O’caña said. “We had the facilities, the staff, the support and the supplies that they needed also. But it was a decision that was made by Hidalgo County.” Cantu said the low turnout was noticeable in all six sites that OLS was available at this year. O’caña mentioned that the members of the U.S. Military present would not check Identification cards or residency, and they are there to do a good deed. “Foremost, this is for preparedness,” Cantu said. “The low turnout has been throughout the operation, it’s not isolated here, it’s all along the border.” The attendance of peo-
theclassifieds buy • sell • trade • rent • hire
this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity ORDINANCE NO. 4655
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING LOTS SEVEN (7), EIGHT (8), NINE (9), AND THE EAST 8’ OF LOT TEN (10), BLOCK “E”, WRIGHT ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION, R-2 (DUPLEXFOURPLEX RESIDENTIAL) TO R-3 (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4661 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OFMISSION, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 114, ARTICLE IV, DRAINAGE; DIVISION 2, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT FEE; SECTION 114-171 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCE MANUALEXTENDING THE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH A DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT FEE SHALL BE COLLECTED FOR THE CITY OFMISSION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on August 8, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Being a 0.760 acre tract of land, more or less, out of Lot 42, BellWood Co’s Subdivision “C” from (R-2) Duplex-Fourplex Residential to (C-2) Neighborhood Commercial
AVISO DE AUDENCIA PUBLICA El Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Mission llevará acabo una Reunión Ordinaria el 13 de Agosto del 2018 a las 5:30 p.m. en la Sala del Consejo del Ayuntamiento ubicada en el 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas para considerar lo siguiente: La Rezonificación de: Being a 19.61 acre tract of land comprised of the South ½ of Lot 262, John H. Shary Subdivision, de (AO-I) Agricultural a (R-1) Residencial Discusión y acción para enmendar la ordenanza del código de signos para aumentar el tamaño máximo permitido para el poste de tierra o el letrero de inquilino en el corredor de la autopista y los corredores arteriales secundarios Discusión y acción para enmendar Varias porciones de la Ordenanza de Zonificación Si se modifica una zonificación durante la audiencia pública, se realizará de conformidad con la Declaración de política de zona amonestadora de la Ciudad de la Mission. Cualquier persona interesada está invitada a asistir. Anna Carrillo, Secretaria de la Ciudad
are the “poorest of the poor” and health care is either too expensive or not available. Male said their doctors refer people to outside clinics after they are screened at the OLS event. “We send all of them there [local clinics], there’s no question,” Male said. “As a matter of fact, I instruct all the clinicians that that’s our purpose, to get people to the facilities here that are already established.” This is Male’s ninth year with Operation Lone Star, and he said as a member of the Texas State Guard with the medical brigade, OLS offers them a vital part of their training for future disaster response. Despite the substandard economic demographics in the area preventing people
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
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ORDINANCE NO. 4658
ORDINANCE NO. 4659
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – YOKO’S SUSHI RESTAURANT, 122 S. SHARY ROAD, STE. K, LOT 2, HOME DEPOT SUBDIVISION #2 READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.780 DESIGNATING PLACES WHERE BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE SOLD WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MISSION TO INCLUDE THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 801 N. BRYAN RD. SUITE 174, LOT 1 TAMKIN SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018.
Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4657 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – RANCH HOUSE BURGERS II, 409 N. BRYAN ROAD, SUITES 104 & 105, LOT 1, CITY PLAZA SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
AVISO DE AUDENCIA PUBLICA La Comisión de Planificación y Zonificación de la Ciudad de Mission llevara a cabo una Reunión Ordinaria el 8 de Agosto del 2018 a las 5:30 p.m. en la Sala del Consejo del Ayuntamiento ubicada en el 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas para considerar lo siguiente. La Rezonificación de: Being a 0.760 acre tract of land, more or less, out of Lot 42, Bell-Wood Co’s Subdivision “C”, de (R-2) 2 a 4 Apartamentos y su cambio a (C-2) Negocios para la Vecindad Si se modifica una zonificación durante la audiencia pública, se realizará de conformidad con la Declaración de política de zona amonestadora de la Ciudad de la Mission. Cualquier persona interesada está invitada a asistir. Anna Carrillo, Secretaria de la Ciudad
PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on August 13, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Being a 19.61 acre tract of land comprised of the South ½ of Lot 262, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (AO-I) Agricultural Open Interim to (R1) Single Family Residential Discussion and Action to Amend the Sign Code Ordinance to Increase Maximum size allowed for Ground Pole or Tenant Sign on Expressway corridor and secondary arterial corridors Discussion and Action to Amend Various portions of the Zoning Ordinance 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
from having regular access to health care, O’caña said residents are more afraid of ICE and DPS. “This is a golden opportunity for families, it’s here, and it’s well planned for, it’s accessible, it’s free,” O’caña said. “There has been a major difference from three years ago to now. It’s really a shame, that people are deprived of this through their fear.” The La Joya operation had the capacity to serve over 1,000 people per day, and in the past utilized 400 volunteers to make the event possible. This year, they have only needed a little more than 200 volunteers. “And that’s low too,” O’caña said.
Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
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For Sale USE HAPPY JACK flea powder to control fire ants as well as fleas & ticks on dogs & cats, Border Enterprises, 956487-2570, (www. kennelvax.com) USE KENNEL DIP to control fleas, ticks, mange mites & stable flies, control mosquitoes where they breed, Southwest Hay & Feed, 956-580-1717, ( w w w. k e n n e l v a x . com) 1 SMALL COUNTER top refrigerator$50, 1 burgundy heavy duty power lift chair/ recliner, 1 brown leather 2 cushion couch and a matching double re-
Aviso de Audiencia Pública FY 2018-2019 Presupuesto Se da aviso del presupuesto que el Concejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Mission conducirá una audiencia pública el lunes 13 de agosto de 2018 a las 5:30 p.m. en las Cámaras del Concejo Municipal, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas, para considerar el presupuesto anual de la ciudad para el año fiscal 2018-2019. El presupuesto propuesto está disponible para inspección por el público en días hábiles regulares de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. en la oficina de la Secretaria de la Ciudad, 1201 E. 8th Street o en el web de la ciudad www.missiontexas.us. Todos los interesados están invitados a asistir y presentar comentarios. Fecha de publicación: 27 de julio de 2018 Anna Carrillo, Secretaria de la Ciudad CITY OF LA JOYA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOTICE is hereby given that the City of La Joya is presently accepting sealed proposals for SOLID WASTE (Garbage and Brush) Collection until 10:00am, Monday September 10, 2018, at which time said proposals will be opened and read publicly at the Office of the City Administrator located at 101 N. Leo Avenue, La Joya, Hidalgo County, TX 78560. One (1) original and eight (8) copies of the sealed proposals should be addressed and delivered to Mike Alaniz, City Administrator, 101 N. Leo Avenue, La Joya, TX 78560 with a notation at the bottom left hand corner of the envelope: “Solid Waste Proposal”. Specifications may be obtained from the Office of the City Administrator located at 101 N. Leo Avenue, La Joya, Hidalgo County, Texas 78560 beginning Friday August 10th, 2018. The City of La Joya reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in the proposals. Proposals may be held by the City of La Joya for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of the opening of proposals. WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL OF THE CITY OF LA JOYA, THIS 27TH DAY OF JULY 2018. ATTEST: Julianita R. Sabala, City Secretary Notice of Public Hearing FY 2018-2019 Budget Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Mission will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 13, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas to consider the City’s FY 20182019 Annual Budget. The proposed budget is available for inspection by the public on regular business days from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the office of the City Secretary, 1201 E. 8th Street or on the city’s website at www.missiontexas.us. Everyone interested is invited to attend and present comments. Publication Date: July 27, 2018 Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
cliner with console in center, for more information call 956 -585-1461. 2013 HARLEY FLHX Street G motorcycle , clean title, 4,900 miles, one owner, $15,500 OBO, call Mr. Duran at 956-240-4869. 2014 KEYSTONE 32’ with 3 slideouts, 3 TV’s, only used 3 times, garaged since new, only one owner, $25K, call 956-2793043. Park Model
1999 TROPHY PARK model located on Lot #5 in Circle T MH / RV Park in Mission, with a 12x14 Texas Room and a 10x12 shed, call 956-585-1461.
Mistakes might not give you answers, but they give you questions for a greater answer.
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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
ple was alarming for O’caña and Cantu, who said that the military and they were there to both provide free healthcare and practice for Annex H, which is called on in the event of a health emergency or terrorist attack using a biological weapon. “This is a drill for us,” O’caña said. “We’re drilling our emergency operation plan in this district.” Dr. Richard Male, who is with the military and is the Chief Medical Officer of this operation, treated a patient who had not been to a doctor all their lives. “I was told that they had never seen a doctor,” Male said. “They were about 60 or so [years old]. We’ve been seeing a lot of good cases.” According to O’caña, people in the La Joya area
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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: Pablo Lopez, 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 29th day of June, 2018 before the Honorable Israel Ramon, Jr., 430th 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 AND EXHIBITS filed in said court on the on this the 22nd day of January, 2018 in this case numbered C-0239-18-J on the docket of said court and styled CITY OF MISSION VS. PABLO LOPEZ Said petition was filed in said court by Attorney JAIME E. 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 905 REYNOSA ST., MISSION, TEXAS, CIVIL PENALTIES COURT COSTS, POST JUDGEMENT 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 29th day of June, 2018.
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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: Casimiro Guerra, 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 28th day of June, 2018 before the Honorable Israel Ramon, Jr., 430th 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 AND EXHIBITS filed in said court on the on this the 22nd day of January, 2018 in this case numbered C-0253-18-J on the docket of said court and styled CITY OF MISSION VS. CASIMIRO GUERRA Said petition was filed in said court by Attorney JAIME E. 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 3712 LOPEZ STREET, MISSION, TEXAS, CIVIL PENALTIES COURT COSTS, POST JUDGEMENT 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 28th day of June, 2018.
ORDINANCE NO. 4656 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR DRIVE-THRU CONVENIENCE STORE, 1929 N. CONWAY, ALL OF LOT 2D, BEING A RE-SUBDIVISION OF ALL OF LOT 2, RE-SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1, MISSION CENTER SUBDIVISION EFFECTIVE DATE AND OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSES; AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS. READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4660 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING SUBSECTION (b)(3) SANITARY SEWER RATES, SUBSECTION (c)(2)WATER RATES AND SUBSECTION (d) AFFIDAVIT OF UNOCCUPANCY OF SECTION 114-54 RATES AND CHARGES ENUMERATED, OF ARTICLE II RATESAND CHARGES OF THE MISSION CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FORSEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 23rd DAY OF JULY, 2018. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That by virtue of a certain Writ of Execution and Order of Sale in Cause No. C-1150-17-C issued out of the Honorable 139th District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas on the 22nd day of May 2018 and styled Tuscany Village Homeowner’s Association, Inc., Plaintiff(s), whereas on the 8th day of November 2017 recovered a judgment, against AER Construction, LLC, Defendant(s) for the sum of Three Thousand Five Hundred Forty Three Dollar, Twenty Seven Cents ($3,543.27) together with the Sheriff’s fees, under Judgment in favor of Tuscany Village Homeowner’s Association, Inc. and placed in my hand for service on the 5th day of June 2018. I, J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, as Sheriff of Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 7th day of June 2018, did levy pursuant to the Writ of Execution and Order of Sale on an agreed judgment on certain Real Property, situated in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit: 1502 ARANSAS STREET, MISSION, TEXAS 78573, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 12, TUSCANY VILLAGE SUBDIVISION, UNIT- 1, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS. And on the first Tuesday in the month of August 2018 the same being the 7th day of said month at the front door steps of the Hidalgo County Clerk Records Management Facility, 317 North Closner, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by virtue of said levy and said Writ of Execution and Order of Sale, I will sell said above real estate at public venue, for cash, to the highest bidder as the property of AER Construction, LLC, and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English Language, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a Newspaper in Hidalgo County, Texas. Witness my hand on this 15th day of June 2018
The State of Texas County of Hidalgo
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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
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theclassifieds July 27, 2018
CONSTABLE’S SALE
Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale For Delinquent Taxes issued out of the HONORABLE 275th District Court HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS, on the 17th of May, 2018, for the sum of $22,419.07 with interest thereon at the rate of 14.9% per annum from the 17th of April, 2018 and cost of suit, under a judgment in favor of TEXAS TAX SOLUTION LLC in a certain cause in said court, No. C-4830-16-E and styled Texas Tax Solution LLC vs. Karina De Hoyos, Trustee and Custodian for (1) the Carlos De Hoyos Trust, (2) The Maximo De Hoyos, Jr. Trust, (3) The Francisco De Hoyos Trust, and (4) the Dios Angel De Hoyos Trust and placed in my hands for service on the 2nd day of July, 2018, I, Lazaro Gallardo Jr., as Constable Pct. 3 Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 2nd of July, 2018, levy on real property in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit Texan Gardens S 1/2 Lot 15 Blk 12 5.56AC, Hidalgo County, Texas. And levied upon as property of Karina De Hoyos, Trustee and Custodian for (1) the Carlos De Hoyos Trust, (2) The Maximo De Hoyos, Jr. Trust, (3) The Francisco De Hoyos Trust, and (4) the Dios Angel De Hoyos Trust and that on the first Tuesday in August 2018, the same being the 7th day of said month, at the court house door of Hidalgo County, TEXAS in the City of Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (sale starts at 10:00 a.m.) by virtue of said levy and said writ of execution, I will sell said above described real property at public venue for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of said Karina De Hoyos, Trustee and Custodian for (1) the Carlos De Hoyos Trust, (2) The Maximo De Hoyos, Jr. Trust, (3) The Francisco De Hoyos Trust, and (4) the Dios Angel De Hoyos Trust and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English language, once a week for three consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a newspaper published in Hidalgo County.
Witness my hand, this 5th day of July, 2018
Lazaro Gallardo, Jr. CONSTABLE PCT.3 Hidalgo County, Texas
PROBATE NO. P-38883 CITATION BY PUBLICATION ************* THE STATE OF TEXAS THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF ESTATE OF WILLIAM J JOHNSTONE, DECEASED: On the 12th day of July, 2018, DIANA JOHNSTONE filed an application for Determination of Heirship in a proceeding styled the ESTATE OF WILLIAM J JOHNSTONE, DECEASED, and bearing Probate Case Number P-38883 in the Probate Court of Hidalgo County, Texas. The Court may hear the said Application for the Determination of Heirship at 10:00 A.M. on the first Monday after the expiration of ten (10) days from the date this citation is published, at the County Courthouse in Edinburg, Texas. All persons interested in the aforesaid estate are commanded to appear at or before the time set for said hearing by filing a written contest or answer to the Application for the Determination of Heirship should they desire to oppose or contest it. Said written contest or answer shall be filed in the office of the County Clerk of Hidalgo County, Texas, in Edinburg, Texas. The officer serving this citation shall, in compliance with the law, serve it by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in this, the county in which such proceeding is pending, for not less than ten (10) days before the return day hereof, exclusive of the day of publication and the date of publication said newspaper bears shall be the day of publication. If this citation is not served withing 90 days after the date of issuance, it shall be returned unserved. ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF SAID COURT at office in Edinburg, Texas, this the 18th day of July 2018.
SHERIFF’S SALE ORDER OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That by virtue of a certain Order of Sale in Cause No. C-2935-17-I issued out of the Honorable 398th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS on the 28th day of November 2017, whereas Tuscany Village Homeowners Association, Inc. as plaintiffs, recovered a judgment against: Jesus Peña Jr. (defendants) in the amount of Fourty Eight Thousand, One Hundred Fourty One Dollars and Twenty Two Cents ($3,846.85) together with the cost of executing this writ with all costs of suit as of record is manifest, in favor of Tuscany Village Homeowners Association, Inc. and placed in my hands for service on June 18, 2018, I, J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, as Sheriff of Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 26h day of June 2018, levy on certain Real Estate in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit: *3716 LINCOLN AVENUE, MISSION, TX 78573-4507, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 56, TUSCANY VILLAGE SUBDIVISION, UNIT-1, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS. And levied upon as the property of Jesus Peña Jr. and that on the first Tuesday in August 2018, the same being the 7th day of said month, at 317 N. Closner County Clerk Records Management facility of Hidalgo County, in the City of Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by virtue of said levy and said Order of Sale, I will sell said above described Real Estate at public venue for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of said Jesus Peña Jr. in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English Language, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a Newspaper in Hidalgo County, Texas. Witness my hand on this 26th day of June 2018
page 12
July 27, 2018
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Mission Fire Department promotes firefighters in pinning ceremony By Jamie Treviño Last Thursday, the Mission Fire Department held a pinning ceremony for newly promoted firefighters. Paul Bernal, who has been with the Mission FD for 12 years, Eric Lopez, who has been with them for six years, and Pilar Garcia, who has been with them for 12 years, were promoted to the Engineer positions. Guillermo de la Garza, Jr., who has been with the department for 11 years, and Robert Lopez, who has been with Mission for seven years, were made Lieutenants, and after 13 years with the Mission FD, Chris Navarrete is now Captain. The firefighters were honored again at the city council meeting held this Monday at the Mission City Hall. Fire Chief Gilbert Sanchez introduced the newly promoted officers, who all spoke at the meeting and thanked their loved ones and colleagues for helping them achieve their promotions. “It’s a great honor to be part of the city, and we’re go-
ing to continue to do what’s best for the community,” Engineer Eric Lopez said. “Some of us are just starting off, and some of us are just getting to the positions that require great responsibility.” Eric Lopez also said that they look forward to taking on that responsibility, and their first priority is taking care of the citizens of Mission. Captain Navarrete thanked Chief Sanchez and the Mission community for allowing them to “continue development and enrichment.” “We all became firemen because we wanted to help out our community,” Navarrete said. “It keeps us striving for more and helping you guys out.” Engineer Paul Bernal spoke about the difficulty of the tests they all had to take to receive their promotions. “A lot of us here took a lot of our time to study, and we were in between family and work,” Bernal said. “It was a great accomplishment for the service of Mission.” Lieutenant Guillermo de la Garza, Jr. added that the
legacy of the fire department has allowed them to learn many things that they still incorporate into their careers daily. “We have great staff and chiefs, prior lieutenants that have retired, my father,” de la Garza, Jr. said. “And of course, council, that have guided us and helped, so I want to thank everybody.” The firefighters were excited for the opportunity to instill new ideas into Mission. “With new promotions come new and fresh ideas,” Navarrete said. “We’ve got some ideas that we’re working with Chief, that’ll hopefully steer the community in the right direction, not that it was going in a bad direction. Just new ideas.” According to Navarrete, the group joined the fire department in order to serve the Mission area. “We all joined the fire service team to help the community,” Navarrete said. “But we’re also looking for career development and enrichment.”
MISSION RAISE creased by $1. “We’re moving our minimum wage from $8.50 to $9.50,” O’caña said. “We’re planning for future positions.” The option the council and mayor agreed on should raise the wages of city employees who make less than $15 per hour by $1 or more depending on their position and what similar positions make in Pharr and Edinburg. Those who make more than $15 may see a raise comparable to other cities. “We’re going to save in training our people,” O’caña said. “We’re having to train people every four weeks, and they’ve been moving to McAllen and Edinburg, and now we’re going to keep them.” The preliminary budget was on the agenda for this week’s city council meeting, where it was presented to the public. The minimum wage has not been raised for city employees in Mission since 2008. This was not the first
from pg 8 time the minimum wage and budget for the city was discussed. At a workshop held July 10, mayor and council discussed the initial budget proposal and O’caña’s original recommendations for city raises. In O’caña’s first plan, he laid out a four-year initiative which would “upgrade” the minimum wage for those making less than $15 per hour by $1.50 per year for three years, and in the fourth raise it by $2.00. For employees making more than $15 per hour, the city would have added $0.10 per hour the first year, $0.20 in the second and third years, and no raise in the fourth year. O’caña made raising the minimum wage of city employees to $15 one of his campaign promises during the recent mayoral election, and the first plan reflected that, however, it was not fiscally sound. Mayor ProTem Norie Gonzalez Garza and council member Ruben Plata were wary of the proposal, as it would have cut the unrestricted fund balance
from $6,380,532 in 2018 to $3,119,559 in 2019, leaving the budget “unbalanced.” The council did agree, however, that a raise for city employees was deserved and warranted. After further deliberation and work from the city’s financial department, the new raise of $1 for certain employees, and more for others so they would be more inclined to stay working in Mission as opposed to other Rio Grande Valley cities, was decided on. “At the end of my four years as the mayor, I want to be able to say that the minimum wage went up from $8.50 to $15,” O’caña said. “I might have not done it in the first 100 days, but that’s okay. Mission has to strive forward first.” O’caña said it was a “great start” for Mission, and that he was elected to serve all her citizens, even the ones who did not vote for him. “We have to take care of 88,000 [people],” O’caña said. “And the City of Mission comes first.”
Two RGV businesses named finalists in H-E-B Quest for Texas Best By Jose De Leon III Two local businesses will compete against 23 other businesses next month to have their items placed on H-E-B shelves all over the state. Cappadona Ranch, based out of Linn-San Manuel, and the McAllen-based Nuts and Cows businesses are competing in the 5th annual H-E-B’s Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best, according to a news release from H-E-B. The competition has yielded more than 432 new products on H-E-B’s grocery, bakery, deli and market shelves across the state. “Over the past five years of this competition, we have tasted more than 2,700 of the most creative Texas-based food and beverages in pursuit of Texas’ very best, selecting 125 finalists since 2014,” said James Harris, H-E-B’s director of diversity, inclusion and supplier. “Each year keeps us on our toes with innovative products, and this year is no exception. We are proud to continue a program that gives small business owners the opportunity to share their pride and joy with H-E-B shoppers across the state. The finalists will compete Aug. 9 and 10 in San Antonio. The grand prize winner will be awarded $25,000, keys to a brand-new Toyota Tundra and their creation will be sold in H-E-B stores. The first-place winner will receive $20,000,
Victoria Cappadona
Elizabeth Davis
second-place will receive $15,000 and third-place will receive $10,000. Cappadona Ranch and Nuts and Cows were selected from 700 entrepreneurs who submitted for the contest, the release stated. Victoria Cappadona, who submitted her company’s mesquite bean flour, expressed enthusiasm over being named a finalist. “This was the third year we’ve submitted in the competition,” Cappadona said. “One of the things I love about H-E-B is that it’s a Texas oriented chain that supports the love of Texas and our local farmers and ranchers. This product is right up that alley.” Cappadona Ranch, an online store, specializes in mesquite-based produce such as teas, jellies and now their flour, which Cappadona said is gluten-free, organic and has a low glycemic index and is high in fiber, protein, and calcium. The flour can even be used as a sweetener and is perfect for baked goods and has a natural sweetness with
hints of caramel, cinnamon and mocha. It can be purchased at cappadonaranch. com. Elizabeth Davis, owner of the gourmet snack company Nuts and Cows, submitted to the competition her store’s “Buttery” brand pecan flour which comes in three different flavors: sea salt, coconut and cookie. “I thought you could always find almond and peanut butter, but why not pecan,” Davis said. “And I started making pecan butter which is healthier than regular butter. It’s all natural pecan which is high on antioxidants has so many nutrients and health benefits that it can go with any kind of diet people are trying.” Nuts and Cows, specializes in producing pecan-based products and their products can be found in the McAllen Farmers Market every Saturday morning at the McAllen Public Library at 4001 N. 23 St. and at their website Nutsandcows.com
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