Friday, August 3, 2018_PT ISSUE

Friday, August 3, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | 50 Cents

Vol. 46 No. 51

Drug seizures drop nearly 90 percent at MCISD preps backpacks with supplies Border Patrol checkpoint, state says for annual Back to School Bash

by Dave Hendricks

By Jamie Treviño

Drug seizures at the Falfurrias checkpoint dropped nearly 90 percent from 2014 to 2017, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Director Steve McCraw dropped the startling statistic in April, when he briefed the Public Safety Commission on border security data. Minutes for the meeting, which the Public Safety Commission approved in June, provided exact percentages.

Drug seizures at the Falfurrias checkpoint dropped 87.77 percent, according to the meeting minutes. Drug seizures at the Sarita checkpoint plummeted too, falling 78.69 percent during the four-year period.

Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra said the numbers reflected a major shift by smugglers.

“These organizations are making more money smuggling humans than smuggling narcotics,” Guerra said.

Big drug busts became less common when Colorado and other states legalized marijuana, Guerra said.

Hoping to foster a more accessible education for all students, MCISD got ready for their annual Back to School Bash by stuffing backpacks with school supplies for the upcoming year.

Students, faculty and administration gathered at Bryan Elementary School this past Tues. morning to put together 2,000 backpacks with basic school supplies specifically for Mission Consolidated Independent School District students. The volunteers organized everything in record time, according to Craig Verley, the director of Public Relations and Marketing for the district.

“This really represents our communities coming together in support of our students, and the volunteerism there is, that people want to try and help,” Verley said.

Volunteers included a “scout troop, community volunteers from H-E-B, some staff members and teachers who are still on vacation and various student organizations.” Verley said they had over 100 people helping.

Falfurrias checkpoint.

Progress Times photo by Dave

Hendricks.

Measured by weight, marijuana made up the majority of drug seizures.

“You’re not seeing those big loads,” Guerra said, adding that some smugglers shifted to heroin and methamphetamine. “They’ll make more money and it’s a much smaller drug to conceal.”

During the April meeting, McCraw said Border Patrol — which doesn’t publish statistics for individual checkpoints — provided the data.

“Legislators also asked

us to report on marijuana seizures in the Rio Grande Valley,” McCraw said. “And this is Border Patrol data that we used. And as you can see, there was a 60 percent reduction during that period of time. In cocaine, there’s a 26 percent reduction.”

McCraw credited Operation Secure Texas, the state border security program spearheaded by the Department of Public Safety, with reducing crime and drug activity.

See DRUG SEIZURES Pg. 6

Mission Pawsible helps find new homes for animals

After an exhaustive, eight-month investigation, prosecutors closed the Agua Special Utility District case on July 13, concerned the evidence wouldn’t support criminal charges.

Prosecutors started investigating last year, when the district approved settlement agreements with utility Project Manager Armin Garza and utility Community Relations Coordinator Oscar “Coach” Salinas — who both serve on the La Joya school board.

Garza collected $268,000, according to utility district records. Salinas received $221,000.

“It looked bad. It smelled bad,” said Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez. “Obviously there was a whole lot of money that was given to these individuals. But based on the investigation, we just couldn’t find what crime they could be charged with.”

Working with the Texas Rangers, prosecutors investigated the settlement agreements. They sifted through stacks of documents, searching for links between the settlement agreements and promotions at the La Joya Independent School District, where a majority of the utility board members work. And they pored over personnel records, searching for no-

The animals at the Mission Animal Shelter. Progress Times photos by Jose De Leon III.

More than 1,000 cats and dogs in the cities of Mission and Alton have found a forever home thanks to a non-profit program in the city.

That’s according to Homer Garza, chairman on the advisory board for Mission Pawsible, the program that was created last fall dedicated to saving animals in the area.

“We’re an advisory board for the city of Mission consisting of a group of passionate animal lovers and advocates,” Garza explained.

“We work in conjunction with the animal control and health departments in the city. It’s a great program.”

Mission Pawsible was created last fall, after the cities of Mission and Alton chose not to renew their agreement with Edinburg’s

Palm Valley Animal Center.

This was due to the center wanting to charge the cities $10,000 per month to house animals the city’s animal control picked up instead of the usual $150 per animal the city had been charged for.

When that happened, Garza and other animal lovers banded together to ensure the dogs and cats at the city’s animal shelter would find a home.

“We were tired of hearing about all these dogs being put down and seeing our city slammed on social media because of it, so we decided to come onboard, work with the city and advise them on what to do and how to incorporate these programs,” Garza said.

“When we came onboard in November, we started a rescue transport system.”

The rescue transport system Garza said, includes

ons Club, an immunization clinic put on by the Hidalgo County Health Department where students can pay $5 per immunization, a mobile clinic run by Ashley Pediatrics which will provide sports physicals for $20, late online registration and additional information for every MCISD campus.

See BACKPACK PREP Pg. 8

Volunteers from throughout the Mission CISD stuff backpacks with school supplies and load them into boxes for the annual Back to School Bash held this past Thurs. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

District Attorney's Office closes Agua SUD case without any criminal charges

by Dave Hendricks

By Jose De Leon III

“It would be great [for it to grow],” Verley said. “Because that just means we are serving more students. A lot of it will depend on the community.”

Started by former MCISD Superintendent Ricardo Lopez five years ago, the Back to School Bash involves free haircuts for kids given by cosmetology students, free eye screenings from the Li-

local foster homes for the dogs where residents voluntarily house the dog while a transport unit comes from either Colorado, Arizona, New York and other states and take the dogs. The dogs and cats in the program go across the nation to reach their final destination and are picked by their respective owners through the Mission Pawsible website. Interested adoptees need only pay a $50 adoption fee that covers spaying and neutering, rabies vaccination and a microchip.

“I’ve seen animals on social media that go from the streets of Mission to a penthouse in Manhattan, so we’ve had some great success stories,” Garza said.

Garza said the popularity of the program has reached neighboring cities.

See MISSION PAWSIBLE Pg. 6

INSIDE

show jobs.

“There was nothing there that we could make a case on,” Rodriguez said.

The Texas Rangers weighed a first-degree felony charge against former Executive Director Oscar Cancino, according to Texas Department of Public Safety records. Prosecutors also reviewed whether or not the utility board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act. Ultimately, though, prosecutors didn’t believe the evidence would support criminal charges.

The utility district welcomed the news, describing the decision as “vindication.”

“While we have not received any official notification in writing, we have been advised that the investigation regarding the Agua Special Utility District has been closed, indicating that the District has been cleared from any wrongdoing,” utility board President Roger Hernandez said in a statement. “This is the vindication that we have been waiting to hear for many months.

Oscar Salinas

Armin Garza

See AGUA SUD CASE Pg. 10

Revision of “Fear of ICE causes low turnout at Operation Lone Star”

In last week’s article, Dr. Richard Male was incorrectly cited as the Chief Medical Officer of Operation Lone Star 2018.

Dr. Male is a member of the Texas State Guard with Medical Brigade, who works

under the Texas Department of State Health Services during Operation Lone Star.

The Medical Officer for Operation Lone Star is Emilie Prot, DO, MPH, the Regional Medical Director for Region 11 in the DSHS.

SISD Bus Drivers get pay increase

Mission Parks and Recreation

Starting pay for bus drivers in the Sharyland Independent School District has been raised in an effort to keep current drivers and attract new ones. Jose De Leon III has more details.

See the newest information from the city’s Parks and Recreation department and find out how you can stretch out the last days of summer outdoors.

We have several articles featured in this week’s issue with updates and the latest news coming from Mission.

Keep up to speed with what’s going on in the city, inside.

See Pg. 5

See Pg. 4

See Pg. 4

INDEX

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 3

Obituaries | pg. 9

City of Mission News

Classifieds | pg. 10

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entertainment

Final movie features ‘Despicable Me 3’

The Mission Historical Museum and the City of Mission presents the final showing of this year’s Family Movie Night on the Lawn.

This week’s feature is the charming and hilarious Despicable Me 3 on Thursday, Aug. 9 at Mission’s historic Oblate Park, 1110 N. Saint Marie St. Admission is free.

Festivities start at 7:30 p.m. with crafts, face paint-

ing and family fun. The movie begins at dusk.

Snacks will be available from food vendors, featuring Spiro papas, funnel cakes, Mexican hotdogs and more.

Everyone should bring a blanket or lawn chair for their viewing comfort.

For more information, call the museum at 956-5808646.

Stampede over to Quinta Mazatlán on Aug. 9 for Safari Night magic and comedy with Amazing Greg.

Comedy, magic combine for Safari Night

McALLEN – Head out on a Safari Night adventure at Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center on Thursday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. with a show

by Amazing Greg offering up an entertaining evening of comedy and magic show combined with his animal menagerie.

For more than 20 years Amazing Greg has been entertaining audiences across the country. He honed his music and entertainment skills in Music City, USA.

He was named Favorite Party Entertainer by Parent Magazines Best of the Best awards and typically entertains 400 shows every year including more than 200 birthday parties.

Safari Night is included with the park admission and is $3 per person.

Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center is located at 600 Sunset in McAllen. For more information, call 956681-3370.

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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.

August 20-21 • The Valley Symphony Chorale will hold auditions in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex choir room at 1201 W. University Drive in Edinburg from 4 to 6 p.m., by appointment only. Requirements include the ability to sing “Gloria to God” from Handel’s Messiah; 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 download the audition music. For an appointment, email Dr. David Means, chorale conductor at david.means@utrgv.edu. Rehearsals are Monday evenings in the UTRGV choir room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. beginning in September.

August 30 • Registration ends Aug. 30 for a special three-day Painterly Portrait Workshop led by award-winning artist Alain J. Picard that is hosted by the Upper Valley Art League (UVAL). The workshop will be held Oct. 11 to 13. 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. The workshop is $210 for UVAL members and $230 for nonmembers.

A supply list will be available to all participants after registration. To sign up, contact Maxilou Link at maxiloulink88@ gmail.com or Mandy Wilson at mandylwilson@gmail.com to register and pay for the workshop.

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

GPZ to host Kids Appreciation Day

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Coming Attractions

BROWNSVILLE – The Gladys Porter Zoo is inviting all Rio Grande Valley residents and visitors to celebrate their child on National Kids Day with the zoo’s 15th annual Kids Appreciation Day. GPZ will host it on Saturday, Aug. 4, from noon to 4 p.m.

In honor of National Kids Day, the Zoo will be giving away goodie bags filled with H-E-Buddy school supplies to the first 1,000 children that receive their passports. It’s a day full of entertaining activities for visitors of all ages.

Each child will receive a passport booklet which will take them on an adventure around the zoo where they

will visit themed activity stations including health and wellness, safety, animal conservation and enrichment.

Once their passport is full, they will be eligible to enter a drawing for back-to-school prizes.

This event is free with regular paid admission or GPZ membership. Discount coupons for Kids Appreciation Day will be available for pick-up at various locations throughout the Valley. Pick up coupons at all Brownsville H-E-B locations and Tropical Smoothie locations Valley wide.

For more information, visit gpz.org or call the GPZ office at 956-546-7187.

August 3, 2018

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

MOSTHistory to present 1850s ranch life program

EDINBURG – Robert Ramirez, grandson of the first Hispanic mayor of Edinburg, will present “Ranch Life in Hidalgo County After 1850” on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory). The program is included in the regular museum admission.

The book, “Ranch Life in Hidalgo County After 1850,” is compiled of oral histories conducted by Emilia Schunior Ramirez, a wellknown teacher, education administrator and college Spanish professor in the Rio Grande Valley. Schunior Ramirez interviewed her parents and other relatives who lived on nearby ranches.

Her manuscript was written to be part of a larger book that would highlight the heritage of ranch life in Hidalgo County, but the project fell through.

In 1971, Schunior Ramirez’s son, Alfonso R. Ramirez, who had founded New Santander Press, was able to publish his mother’s manuscript. About 40 years

later, Ramirez’s son, Robert Ramirez, published the second edition with additional resources such as a new appendix relating to ranch history, news accounts and biographies of the Ramirez family. The book has become a valuable research tool for South Texas writers and historians.

Following the presentation, guests can purchase a copy of the book at the MOSTHistory store. Ramírez will be available to autograph copies.

MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner. Call 956383-9611 for information.

SAN BENITO – The next Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist meeting features Lianne Koczur presenting a program on following waterbirds with a global positioning system.

It will be held Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cameron County Annex Building at 1390 W. Expressway 83.

Koczur, is working as a postdoctoral research associate with Texas A&M Transportation Institute studying the daily and seasonal movements of Brown Pelicans in south Texas.

Her presentation, “Following Waterbirds using Global Positioning System (GPS) Tracking to Study Reddish Egrets and Brown Pelicans,” addresses where tracking technology was used to understand movements and habitat use of in-

dividual species.

Koczur holds a doctorate in wildlife science from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. She has worked with a variety of birds, including black-capped vireos, piping plovers, least terns and American oystercatchers. Significant advances in tracking technology have allowed researchers to track a variety of species over long distances.

A tracking study is currently underway to examine the daily movements of pelicans that winter in south Texas and to fully understand specific threats in the region.

Some of the initial tracking results will be presented and discussed.

The meeting is open to the public free of charge.

For more information, go to rgvctmn.org.

Robert Ramirez

Tracking waterbirds with technology

Lianne Koczur

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lifestyle

August 3, 2018

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Benefit mixer honors Dr. Shirley Reed

EVENTS

CALENDAR

Help collect new school supplies with Philip Farias and Ruby Martinez of the Food Bank RGV in the ‘Fill the Bus” school supply drive located at the H-E-B on Shary Road in Mission on Thursday, Aug. 9. Local businesses are also needed to sponsor the event from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day.

Help ‘Fill the Bus’ on Aug. 9

Help the Food Bank RGV and H-E-B collect school supplies for children in need on Aug. 9 with the “Fill the Bus” drive. Drop off school supplies locally at the H-E-B Plus at Shary Road in Mission from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. Local businesses are encouraged to participate the same day.

New supplies and monetary donations can be dropped off at that location, and online donations can be made at foodbankrgv.com.

Items needed include crayons, glue, coloredA pencils, construction paper, dry erase markers and loose-leaf notebook paper.

Every year, 60 percent of families that use the Food Bank RGV have to decide between paying for quality food or medicine and medical bills. The burden gets heavier when August comes around and children need new clothing and school supplies for a new school year.

With the Food Bank RGV’s School Tools program, they help 58 elementary school campuses direct new school supplies to the children that need it the most.

For more information, contact Erica Lechuga at 956-904-4528 or by email at elechuga@foodbankrgv. com.

McALLEN – South Texas College (STC) will host its first Bachelor Programs Open House on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second floor of Pecan Campus Student Union Building U. STC faculty members invite students to come learn how the college can help take their education to the next level.

South Texas College is among the first cohort of three community colleges approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer baccalaureate degree programs.

Visitors will be able to

network with current students in the programs and hear their experiences. Faculty and staff will also be available to share career outlook opportunities and to provide information for each of the bachelor programs.

Bachelor’s degrees available at STC include Applied Technology in Computer & Information Technologies, Applied Technology in Medical & Health Services Management, Applied Technology in Technology Management, and Applied Science in Organizational Leadership.

For more information, call 1-855-GoToSTC or visit bachelors.southtexascollege. edu.

STC to host Bachelor Open House

August 4 – Teachers and their families are invited to the Edinburg World Birding Center 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. Admission is free for educators and their families; teachers must bring their school identification for free entry.

August 9-10 – A Project WILD and Aquatic WILD combination workshop will be held on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop provides ideas, tools, and resources for grades K-12 about terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. Participants will receive sample activities and both curriculum guides.

Activities are adaptable for grade levels, integrated with core curricula and aligned to the TEKS. Teachers can earn TEEAC continuing education credit. Informal educators, youth group leaders, community volunteers and other educators can register. Participants must attend both days to receive the materials. The fee is $65 per participant and includes lunch on Thursday and snacks on Friday. Limited partial scholarships are available. Registration deadline is Aug. 4. To register, call 956-381-9922. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria.

August 11-12 – The National Butterfly Center invites the public to join in for 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 25 – The Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd., is hosting a Nature Exchange, a swap shop for nature, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring personal collections of natural items to earn points to trade them for other nature items. The event is free. For more information, call 956-381-9922.

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.)

TAMUK commencement is Aug. 10

KINGSVILLE – Nearly 350 graduates are ready to cross the stage to receive their degrees during the summer commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, in the Steinke Physical Education Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Leonard A. Bedell, alum-

page 3

nus and member of the TAMUK Foundation Board of Trustees, will be the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony. Bedell graduated from Texas A&I University in 1968 and is president and CEO of Mobil Steel International.

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce and RGVision will host a backto-school mixer on Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd. The event will honor Dr. Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College, and all of the region’s progress in

improving higher education.

Proceeds will benefit Teach for America and their educational mission of working with local children.

Donations are $20, which includes appetizers and a complimentary drink.

Tickets are available online at riograndevalley.teachforamerica.org/mixer.

The Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) has put out a reminder for parents to school-age children to contact their physicians and make sure all vaccines are up to date prior to registration.

The student’s immunization records must be available at the time of registration to avoid any delays in admitting their children.

The following are additional immunization requirements for the 2018-19 school year: • Hepatitis A: two doses in a lifetime, two doses required for Pre-K through 9th grades; • Tdap: a booster dose requirement for 7th through 12th grades; • MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): two doses required for Pre-K through 9th grades; • M e n i n g o c o c c a l : one dose for 7th through 12th grades; and • Varicella (chickenpox): two doses required for all grades.

All children must also have protection against the following diseases before the child can attend school: polio, Hib and Hepatitis B. In addition, it is highly recommended that each student be vaccinated yearly for the prevention of influenza.

Texas Education Code requires each student be fully immunized against disease as required by the Texas Board of Health. According to the education code, a student who is not fully immunized and has not begun the required immunizations may not attend school. When transferring from another school district in Texas, a student may be provisionally admitted for no more than 30 days pending receipt of immunization records.

Sources for immunizations in the MCISD area include Healthy Shots, McAllen, 668-8366; Hidalgo County Health Department, Mission, 585-2461; Nuestra Clinica del Valle Memorial SBHC, Alton, 519-1800; Nuestra Clinica del Valle Mission Family Health Center, 580-3303; Preventive Health Solutions, McAllen, 618-4700; ProCare Health Services, Mission, 2052204, San Martin De Porres Clinic, Palmview, 519-9500; Valley Day & Night Clinic, Mission, 585-7401; or a personal family physician/ clinic.

Students are encouraged to get the Meningococcal vaccine at a cost of $5 to 14.

After age 18, the cost for this vaccine is $150 or higher, depending on the lab.

MCISD reminds parents of immunization requirements

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August 3, 2018

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Mission to assess employee environment through survey

By Jamie Treviño Mission is contemplating what tools they will use to survey city employees and gain further insight into their jobs and work environment.

City council held a workshop last Friday to discuss the options for services that would conduct the review.

“The consensus [at the workshop] was that we were going to do a performance evaluation survey for staff only,” Mayor Armando O’caña said.

The nature and type of questions in the survey will be determined by the mayor and city council. O’caña said they would be examining employee training processes and the “relationships between the supervisor and the employee.”

O’caña added that this was all being done “in the spirit of improving the city.”

“Basically we want to find out about the morale,” O’caña said. “Keep in mind that I’m a new mayor, and Gus Martinez just came in also, and he also wants to assess the morale of the staff.”

If any responses come back listing problems, the mayor said they would treat them seriously and address the issues.

City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. said that the surveys would also allow employees to voice new ideas to help improve service provided to the community.

“For example, if you’re a dispatcher, and you have ideas on how daily operations affect the customer service, and you want to, you can provide those ideas,” Garza said. “We want to make sure the ideas are being shared by the employees as well.”

This initial survey will be separate from the employee reviews done by the city Human Resources Department, which are already in practice and conducted annually.

“The directors turn in their evaluations to HR,” Garza said. “I think the spirit

of the council here is to promote better service and find out how we improve our service to the community.”

The surveys will not be specific with job description, and council plans for the initial study to be more general in nature.

The city is thinking about three different options for employee analysis.

UTRGV Data & Information Systems Michael Uhrbrock presented at the workshop, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Economic Research Director, and he is part of the university’s Data & Information Systems Center. He conducted a resident survey for the City of Pharr.

“We looked at the pros and cons of that performance evaluation tool,” O’caña said. “But he actually didn’t give us the comprehensive information that he did in Pharr. I think there was a miscommunication there, he only gave us the survey that he used with the citizens.”

According to Garza, the performance instrument he used was conducted via mailed copies of 5-page surveys. He said about 7 percent of people responded to that study.

Survey Monkey The idea of using Survey Monkey, an online survey service, was brought up because the Mission Consolidated Independent School District has been using it to conduct similar analysis.

It works by paying for a yearly subscription which allows the moderators (in this case, the potential moderators would be city officials) to send out as many surveys as they want for the duration of the subscription. Garza said, however, that the city would prefer a third party apart from city officials conducting the review, to remain as unbiased as possible.

“The Survey Monkey option is the one where the cost effectiveness looks a little bit better for us,” O’caña said.

OHI Survey During the workshop, the mayor brought up the idea of contracting Dr. Roberto Zamora, the former superintendent of the La Joya Independent School District where O’caña is currently employed, to conduct the survey through the Organizational Health Institute (OHI).

“I also advised Mr. Garza [the city manager] that the person who does the one [surveys] for the La Joya school district is very effective,” O’caña said. “Dr. Zamora does a real good job, he has a program, he has a process, he has an instrument that also provides direct feedback and strategies for improvement.”

O’caña said LJISD has used the OHI system before.

Cost will be one of the determining factors in the council’s decision on what program to go with, along with benefits and effectiveness. Garza is currently assessing the three different programs and determining which would be the most useful for Mission.

“We want to make sure there’s a tool out there so they can communicate with us also,” O’caña said.

While O’caña has been recently elected as mayor, he served on the city council for ten years prior to his election, and this kind of survey has not been carried out before.

“Why is it coming out now? Because we’ve been able to have a discussion and a workshop on it to be able to dialogue that issue,” O’caña said. “I always wanted to do something similar to that, and I talked to several individuals [about it], but I never had a chance to bring it up to the level that it is at right now. There’s no hidden agenda to what we’re doing.”

The city council plans on reevaluating the three options and picking one from those to be presented at the next city council meeting.

Sharyland ISD raises minimum pay for bus drivers

By Jose De Leon III In an effort to retain their current bus drivers, and recruit new ones, the Sharyland School Board of Trustees approved a $1 increase in the starting pay for their starting bus drivers.

At their Monday school board meeting, trustees approved increasing the starting pay rate for their drivers from $12.81 per hour to $13.82.

“We’re excited our board was able to do this increase,” district Superintendent Maria Vidaurri said Monday. “Our drivers do such a good job and we want to honor them and make sure we’re competitive with our neighboring districts so they stay with us.”

As previously reported,

the starting pay for Sharyland bus drivers was well below that of neighboring school districts McAllen and Mission. The districts pay their drivers $13 and $13.82 per hour, respectively.

The midpoint pay for Sharyland bus drivers remains at $16.07 while the maximum pay is $18.38.

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 last week. “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 it.

Ismael Gonzalez, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and finance, said the district would contact the drivers who rejected the district’s job offer to see if the increase will entice them into accepting it.

The district budget can accommodate for this increase, human resource Director Deborah Garza explained, adding that the cost of this increase will come from closing two vacant bus driver positions.

Mission election lawsuit set for trial in September

Norberto “Beto” Salinas

by Dave Hendricks Former Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas will take his successor, current Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña, to trial on Sept. 24.

O’caña beat Beto Salinas by 157 votes during the June runoff — booting him from City Hall after 20 years as mayor.

Beto Salinas responded with a lawsuit, claiming the O’caña campaign bribed voters, manipulated mail-in ballots and benefitted from widespread fraud. O’caña denied the allegations and accused Beto Salinas of fil-

Armando O’caña ing a frivolous lawsuit.

During a hearing on Monday morning, state District Judge J. Bonner Dorsey scheduled a bench trial for Sept. 24.

“We were prepared to go to trial right away,” said Brownsville-based attorney Gilberto Hinojosa, who represents O’caña. “Dr. O’caña is, I think, an outstanding member of the community.

He ran this election fair and square. And he won.”

To win the lawsuit, Beto Salinas must prove at least 158 people cast ballots illegally — one more than the margin of victory.

The 17-page lawsuit lists of people who Beto Salinas claims accepted bribes and voted illegally. Attorneys for the former mayor identified many people by their initials.

“If you don’t put their name in there, that raises serious questions about whether you’re making a goodfaith claim,” Hinojosa said.

People who claim that campaign workers tampered with their mail-in ballots or offered them bribes must testify in court, Hinojosa said, adding that keeping them semi-anonymous raises questions about whether or not their claims will hold water.

“That’s why we requested sanctions against them,” Hinojosa said.

Attorney Rick Salinas, the former mayor’s son, said he considers the request for sanctions ridiculous.

“He’s saying that we filed a frivolous lawsuit,” Rick Salinas said. “Well, we didn’t make up the stuff that’s in the petition.”

Attorneys will return to court on Aug. 31 for a final pretrial hearing, followed by the bench trial on Sept. 24.

www.ptrgv.com

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

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Savy Publishing, LLC, 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $30 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2018 Savy Publishing, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

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

August 3, 2018

page 5

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CITY OF MISSION

PARKS & RECREATION

By Brad Bentsen Hello and Welcome back to Week 5 of why life is so much better outdoors, or should I say that is if you let it! Growing up, I never knew of anything else but spending all of my free time being outdoors. Of course, back then things were different and for the better part, so much safer. We could ride our bikes where ever we wanted as there was no fear of getting hit by car due to some distracted driver recklessly texting. Yards were generously larger, streets were wider and most all homes had alleys.

Large trees and abundant open land could be found within walking range. And a BB gun was something a sixyear-old could possibly expect to receive for a birthday present! Yep! That’s right, and to this day I still thank my Mom and Dad. Thanks Mom and Dad! This BB gun took me and my brothers Gary and Scott to the wild outdoors, which is where this week will take us. “Our appreciation of nature and the great outdoors!”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a gun activist; I just feel bad that today’s kids can’t enjoy the freedom of a safe roam in the countryside that was once readily available when growing up. Today, so much of our world is changing today, but it’s not for the better.

We got along just fine and knew our curfews. When the noontime fire siren rang, it was time to go home for lunch and when the sun set in the west, we were thru for the day and it was time to head home for dinner (or supper

as we called it). Dinner was homemade, not store bought and we all ate together at the dinner table sharing our adventures of the day. No cell phones were needed, respect is what we rendered and trust is what we received.

Today though, if a child grows up never hiking in the woods, digging in the soil, seeing animals in their true habitat, climbing a tree, swimming in a canal or staring at the endless horizon that the Gulf of Mexico has to offer, chances are; they may never really understand what there is to be lost. When was the last time you were able to sit in your backyard and stare at a pitch-black sky and actually count the stars or see the outlines of the Big or Little Dipper without being hampered by the nighttime light pollution brought on by street lights and commercial development. Don’t get me wrong, change is good (for

the most part); but with this change and the population growth, comes the loss of the wild open spaces and the open country side that can be found at The National Butterfly Center, Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park and at some of Mission Parks and Park Trails.

Come on out and join us at Bentsen Palm Community, located at 1801 South Inspiration Road. Here you can enjoy some good clean country air, a near non-light polluted evening free from the city hustle and road noise. Amenities included in this 63 acre park are three children’s playscape areas, four lit tennis courts, four lit softball fields with concession stand and restrooms, four lit basketball courts, fifteen shaded picnic shelters each with BBQ pits, Remote Control Car Race Track, soccer fields, 1.5 acre pond with

pier, three large restrooms, a near complete Dog Park and a two mile paved walking trail. Though you may not be surrounded by thick native trees or vegetation, there is a ten acre proposed nature park soon to be developed to the south of this park.

Built in 1865, La Lomita (the little hill) Park however is one place, where if you really want to get away from it all, is Mission’s oldest park located at 3.3 miles south of Mission near the banks of the Rio Grande River. La Lomita became an important site for the Calvary of Christ, the Oblate missionaries who rode up and down the Rio Grande Valley delivering re-

ligious services to the widely separated Catholic churches between Brownsville to Roma; baptizing newborns, performing marriage ceremonies and blessing the dead.

Church records indicate that La Lomita was rebuilt in 1899-1820 with sandstone carved from the hill that it was built on. Once again in 1931, additional repairs were made by neighboring Catholic Women This park houses the original Chapel from which Mission earned its name when founded in 1908, in honor of La Lomita. This historic park not only houses the Chapel, but the original water well and outdoor stone oven shaped like an igloo where the Oblate Fathers gathered their water and cooked can still be found. On the grounds, you will also find a small grotto. All of the other original structures that formed a small plaza are now gone due to age and flooding but are now replaced with a small walking trail that pulls the park together across the sprawling lawn now situated with a restroom facility and 11 shaded picnic structures each with it own BBQ pit.

Though surrounded by acres of lush native trees and vegetation, much of the older trees on the park site are now gone due to the wind storms that struck the surrounding area in June 2016.

The future of our parks and surrounding area depend on our children; let’s help them learn to appreciate it!

I challenge you to try it. Do what our parents did: join your kids and take them outside to explore nature, being sure that you go along with them. After all, Nature is one of God’s beautiful creations.

God is able to teach us, speak to us, and provide for us. For this reason, we can find in scripture that we are called to protect all which He has created.

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August 3, 2018

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Governor’s Office reviews La Joya border security grant

Chief Adolfo Arriaga

Mayor Jose “Fito” Salinas

by Dave Hendricks

CITY of La JOYA P.D. Jail/ Detention Center will NOT House ICE Detainees.”

The announcement caught Arriaga and City Administrator Mike Alaniz by surprise. Like everyone else, they read the news on Facebook.

It also caused confusion.

La Joya honors federal immigration detainers, which require the city to temporarily hold people who aren’t legally present in the United States, but the city never “housed” detainees on a long-term basis.

On Monday, June 25, a Department of Public Safety lieutenant contacted the Governor’s Office about the city announcement.

“I received a call from Lt. Melba Saenz, our DPS contact at the JOIC-Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers,” wrote Debbie Jacaman, a grant manager at the Governor’s Office, to her colleagues. “She’ll follow up to ensure they understand the impact on OOG grants for the PD.” The Progress Times obtained the email under the Texas Public Information Act. Two days later, Jacaman followed up.

The Governor’s Office is reviewing how the city of La Joya spends border security grant money.

After Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas announced that La Joya wouldn’t “house” detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Texas Department of Public Safety contacted the Governor’s Office about the news.

Four weeks later, the Governor’s Office selected La Joya for a “programmatic desk review.”

“When I saw that, I was like ‘Maybe that’s the reason why,’” said La Joya police Chief Adolfo Arriaga.

“But I don’t want to jump to conclusions.”

What, exactly, triggered the review — which could be random — remains unclear.

News about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security separating migrant children from their parents prompted Salinas to make the announcement on Saturday, June 23.

“BREAKING NEWS,” Salinas posted on the city Facebook page. “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY The

DRUG SEIZURES

“If we get to the Border Patrol checkpoints — we’ve used this before — 87 percent reduction in Falfurrias,” McCraw said.

Border Patrol didn’t respond to questions about the data and ignored an interview request.

When the Progress Times filed a formal request under the Texas Public Information Act, an attorney for U.S. Customs and Border Protection argued that releasing the data could allow drug traffickers to “identify vulnerabilities and avoid detection.”

“More importantly, CBP does not release seizure data for specific checkpoints because they reveal the limits

in its law enforcement coverage and inform smugglers and organized criminals of possible seams or gaps in its enforcement effort,” according to arguments the attorney submitted to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

While the Department of Public Safety credited Operation Secure Texas with reducing criminal activity, Guerra said smugglers moved elsewhere.

“I believe that it just causes a shift in the other counties, either east or west of us, when that happened,” Guerra said, adding that conversations with other sheriffs confirmed his suspicions.

Brooks County Sheriff

“Spoke to Chief Arriaga today. The City does hold detainees for ICE before sending to Hidalgo County and does comply with the grant requirement,” Jacaman wrote on June 27. “The Mayor’s comments referred to large groups of people (30-40), which the Chief said has never happened.”

Arriaga confirmed that he spoke with Jacaman, but declined to comment further.

With just two cells, the La Joya city jail holds a maximum of six people, said former La Joya police Chief Ramon Gonzalez.

“I think from the getgo the mayor should have, maybe, gotten an opinion from the actual people who run the department,” Gonzalez said, adding that the announcement didn’t make any sense.

The Governor’s Office contacted the city again on July 25, announcing La Joya had been selected for a “programmatic desk review.”

“Please note that this is a programmatic desk review, not an audit or financial monitoring review,” according to the email from Grant Coordinator Jiewei “Jerry” Ding to city employees.

The review included a series of questions about Operation Stonegarden, a federal grant program administered by the Governor’s Office. Operation Stonegarden funding pays for local police officers to work overtime, targeting drug trafficking and migrant smuggling.

La Joya must respond by Aug. 8.

For the latest news and updates check us

PT

progresstimes

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Urbino “Benny” Martinez said that whenever law enforcement makes a move, smugglers adapt.

For example, law enforcement improved security near the Falfurrias checkpoint.

The number of people caught walking through the brush to avoid the checkpoint jumped roughly 25 percent, Martinez said. Smugglers headed west, walking migrants across ranchland near the Brooks County-Jim Hogg County line instead.

“It’s all about money,” Martinez said. “And when you get money involved, it’s hard to stop something.”

Volunteers from the Food Bank of the RGV load up cases of food, water and cleaning supplies into cars at the CWV Park Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Food Bank of the RGV and City of Mission give to people in need after flooding

By Jamie Treviño Following the flooding that happened across the Rio Grande Valley in June, the Food Bank of the RGV and the City of Mission teamed up to offer more help to those still in need.

Volunteers and city officials held a makeshift drive-thru at the Catholic War Veterans Park, located at 115 S. Mayberry Rd. in Mission, last Thursday at 4 p.m, and handed out water, food and cleaning supplies.

The distribution line was next to the Disaster Recovery Center set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

As 4 p.m. approached, cars lined up and curled down Mayberry all the way to Frontage Rd. As the people waited, members of FEMA approached them and gave them further information about the recovery center and how it can be of further assistance.

According to Emergency Management Coordinator James Cardoza, the turnout at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center has been low, which concerns the city staff.

“We’re trying to increase the numbers, trying to increase the people here, try-

ing to help,” Cardoza said.

Cardoza said this weekend’s turnout has shown improvement, but they are still trying to get residents who need help to the center.

“They’ve been seeing a lot more people, but it was horrible last weekend,” Cardoza said. “10-12 last Saturday, two on Sunday.

So I said, I’ve got to do something about that.”

The city chose the CWV Park because of the close proximity to the recovery center, so if people had more questions they could just drive next door.

“I said look, let’s try to kill two birds with one stone,” Cardoza said. “Let’s put it next to the site [of the Disaster Recovery Center], so that people can go there too.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Norie Gonzalez Garza mentioned the number of people who were going to the FEMA facilities at a recent city council meeting.

“I want to encourage anyone that was affected by the floods in June to go by the FEMA office, which is at our social center by the food pantry,” Gonzalez Garza said. “I did talk to someone who had been to the location today, and they said that the people were

MISSION PAWSIBLE

“Residents from Pharr have contacted me wanting me to present this program to their city so they might be interested in getting onboard and we might save more lives,” Garza said.

“Our ultimate goal is for every municipality to incorporate this program and be a no-kill zone.”

Since the implementation of Mission Pawsible, there’s been a reduction of animals being euthanized at the shelter as 90 percent of the animals at the shelter have been adopted, Garza added.

“That’s 1,000 lives that we’ve saved, it’s been amazing,” Garza said.

“The demand for this program is high and the Valley is known for having a high animal abuse rate so we need the community to

kind of not turning out.”

Gonzalez Garza said it concerned her because she said 175 homes had not even been assessed yet.

“There’s got to be people out there who have been affected,” Gonzalez Garza said. “Maybe they don’t know about it, so if you guys could help in disseminating the information, that would be great, because we need to get people out there that need help.”

When initially reporting damages so the area could meet the FEMA threshold of $38 million, people filled out a form and submitted it to the City of Mission. That form was not for FEMA specifically, and residents who need financial assistance will need to go to the recovery center to get their questions answered.

“They said, ‘I already applied,’ and I had to tell them no, that was a city form,” Cardoza said. “They thought it was that simple.”

The Food Bank of the RGV and the City of Mission distributed all 500 cases (food, cleaning supplies and water), enough to aid 500 families in Mission.

“I think that’s a good thing, you know,” Cardoza said.

from pg 1

come help improve this.

We’re working on fundraisers, and have an adoption drive scheduled for Sunday, August 12 at the National Butterfly Center to keep finding these animals a home.”

Garza said the Mission Pawsible board will also meet with the city police department to enforce the punishment for animal abuse-which is currently a felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The board will also meet with the city of Mission to find a new location for the

city animal shelter. Its current location, right next to the city’s sanitation department, located near the corner of Conway Avenue and Abelino Farias Road, currently has more than 45 dogs and cats, Garza said adding that he hopes the shelter has a new location within two years.

“It angers me when dogs are neglected. It’s such a big problem here because people think they can tie a dog outside and give it water and they’re good,” Garza said. “These animals need love and nurturing and compassion.”

progresstimes

August 3, 2018

obituaries Rev. James Baker MISSION – Rev. James B. “Santiago” Baker, 76, passed away on, Friday, July 27, 2018, at his home in Mission.

Rev. Baker was born on March 22, 1942, in Derby, Conn. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1963.

He married Maxine Kay Baker from Saginaw, Mich., on May 24, 1963. He graduated from Bethany Nazarene College, in Bethany, Okla., with a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1968. He and his wife pastored a church in Purcell, Okla., for six years and then served as missionaries in Mexico and Guatemala and ministering in 14 other countries.

Survivors include his wife; children, Mark Baker, Paul Baker and Deborah Molina; sisters, Virginia Baker and Elizabeth Baker; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Lee Mitton and James B. Baker, and his brothers, Eugene Baker and Robert Baker.

A funeral service will be on Friday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m. at Virgil Wilson. Burial follows at the RGV Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Kent M. Biel MISSION – Kent M. Biel, 82, passed away at his home on July 30, 2018.

He is survived by Dr. Shirley Reed, his wife of 17 years; son, Colin Biel of Dallas; son, Carter Biel and his wife, Gina, of McAllen/Edinburg; granddaughter, Ashlynn Elliff, and her husband,

Christopher; cousin, William Biel, who was like a son to Kent, and William’s wife, Sherri, and their two sons, Sam and John.

Marlene Biel, loving wife and mother of Colin and Carter, preceded Kent in death in 1993.

Kent was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the proud son of John G. and Marion Biel and graduated from Indiana University.

Kent was a charter member of Cimarron Country Club, and loved tennis, golf, and traveling. He was a “car guy” and loved Corvettes and American muscle cars.

He established the Kent Biel Buick, Pontiac, and GMC auto dealership in McAllen in 1977. Kent will always be remembered as “Mr. Low Overhead” and for his commercials featuring his granddaughter, Ashlynn.

He was a kind, honest, and loving man.

The family extends a heartfelt “thank you” to his devoted caregivers – Maria Cox and Nina Garza – for their loyal and loving care of Kent. A special “thank you” is extended to the doctors and nursing staff at Doctors’ Hospital at Renaissance and Amara Hospice for their first-class, compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be considered for the Kent Biel Automotive Technology Scholarship Fund at South Texas College. Gifts may be made online at south-

texascollege.edu/KentBiel, and further information can be requested from Andrew Fish at 956-872-3555.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home, Inc. One “Last Round” with Kent will be held at Cimarron Country Club to celebrate his life. Join Kent’s family and friends on Sunday, August 5, 2018, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The guestbook can be signed at themonitor.com/ obituaries to share your memories of Kent.

Roberto Garza PALMHURST – Roberto “Bobby” Garza, 34, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Garza was born on Aug. 19, 1993, in Altus, Okla. He attended Bowie Elementary School and Nikki Rowe High School in the Special Education programs He is survived by his parents, Rodrigo Garza Jr. and Manuela Elda Garza, and brothers, Rodrigo Garza III, Manuel Garza and Roel Garza.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Rodrigo and Gregoria Garza, and maternal grandparents, Socorro and Amelia Garcia.

The funeral mass was held on July 27 at San Juan Diego Catholic Church in McAllen. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

Jeannette Kite MISSION – Jeannette Kite, 87, of Mission, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2018.

She was born in Menomonie, Wis., on April 11, 1931, to Lewis Garfield Bolles and Marguerite Melissa Rosseter Bolles. Before settling in South Texas, she lived most of her life in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Survivors include her children, Jocelyn, Jeri and Jill, and six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

There will be a remembrance of her life on Sun-

day, Aug. 19, following the 10 a.m. worship service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pharr.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to a veteran's organization, the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in McAllen, or an animal shelter of one’s choice.

Emma Salinas LOS EBANOS – Emma L. Salinas, 86, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at her home in Los Ebanos.

Mrs. Salinas was born in San Miguel, Tamps., Mexico, on March 10, 1932, to Flora and Pablo Flores.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Fausto Salinas; children, Julio Salinas, Lesvia Salinas and Fausto Salinas Jr.; and two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by parents and siblings, Virginia Garza, Hermila Garza, Gustavo Flores and Dora Flores.

A funeral mass was held on July 28 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Sullivan City. Burial followed at Los Ebanos Cemetery.

Notices Rene Calderon MISSION – Rene Eduardo Calderon, 53, passed away on Monday, July 23, 2018, at his home in Mission.

Lorenza Flores MISSION – Lorenza Flores, 75, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at her home in Mission.

Eleazar Gonzalez LA JOYA – Eleazar Gonzalez, 63, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at his home in La Joya.

Ramiro Gonzalez Jr. MISSION – Ramiro Gonzalez Jr., 37, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at his home in Mission.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

Mission • 580-4551

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

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

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW

DAVID H. GUERRA

DARRELL DAVIS

301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”

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

Anastacia Hernandez MISSION – Anastacia (Cruz) Hernandez, 82, passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at her home in Alton.

Guadalupe Ortiz ALTON – Guadalupe Ortiz, 60, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Maria Rodriguez MISSION – Maria Elizabeth (Cardenas) Rodriguez, 72, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg.

Severo Saenz MISSION – Severo Saenz, 66, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at Doctor's Hospital in Edinburg

Missing Migrant Program 911 Locator Sign Project logs its first saves EDINBURG – The United States Border Patrol’s (USBP) Missing Migrant Program (is celebrating the successful rescue of two Honduran brothers—the first such rescues that come as a direct result of the 911 locator signs being posted across the Rio Grande Valley. These are the first two lives saved by the placement of the signs since the MMP kicked off the program.

On the night of July 31st, the brothers, 25 and 27, were walking along a fence line in the Falfurrias Station’s area of operations when they realized that they were in trouble because of a lack of water and sweltering temperatures that were above 100°F during the day, but still hovered above 90°F after sundown. The pair saw one of the nearly 100 locator signs that have been placed by the MMP within the last few weeks, and that prompted them to call 911, an emergency number different from the three emergency numbers in their native Honduras (195 or 378654 for EMS, 198 for fire, and 119 for police). Within moments, an emergency dispatcher was able to pull up their location and provide it to USBP Mobile Response Team agents who found the brothers within approximately an hour of the initial call for help. They took water but declined further medical attention.

“These are exactly the

sorts of stories we were hoping to be able to tell when we started posting these signs last month,” said Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla, Jr. “We’re placing the signs almost as fast as we can get them made, and we have a lot of ground yet to cover, but this is certainly an encouraging start.”

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious or dangerous activity to the Rio Grande Valley Operations Center at 800-863-9382, its new international number at 001-880863-9382, and through the WhatsApp messaging service at 1-956-295-0887.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.

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BACKPACK PREP

from pg 1

“We really tried to create a one-stop back to school event,” Verley said. “We actually usually have families start to line up as early as 2 o’clock in the afternoon.”

The bash, which was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, serves approximately 5,000 MCISD students annually.

The backpacks with supplies were handed out on a first come, first serve basis, and were stuffed by several organizations within the district.

“The school supplies in the backpacks aren’t meant to be everything the child needs, it’s more of a helping hand for the family,” Verley said. “The school supplies lists vary quite a bit from campus to campus, but this is a good general start. It’ll be

a few less things that those families have to buy. They can turn around and use that money saved on other backto-school needs.”

Verley also said there was a significant need for donated items for students in the district.

“And Dr. Lopez five years ago saw that need, and that’s how it all began,” Verley said. “And we [the PR Department] added onto the event.”

The items are entirely funded by donations and community support, no money from the district goes into this project. MCISD gets help and donations from Palmview, Alton, Mission, The Mission Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club

and the Education Foundation of MCISD. “This is all community-driven,” Verley said. “It’s all through our businesses, and the community coming together. That’s what is really unique about the bash, it’s three communities coming together in support of students.”

Isela Gomez and Oneida Saenz, coaches for the Mission High School High Flyers dance team, were a couple of the teachers present at the volunteer backpack stuffing on Tues. They spoke about the importance of helping out the community and MCISD students.

“It’s really important for us to share the importance of helping out the community,”

theclassifieds buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer On Premises Retailers Permit

by Tekilas Drive Thru LLC, to be located at 704 N. Bentsen Palm Dr. Ste. B, Palmview, Hidalgo County, Texas. Owner of said corporation is Jessica Villegas Marroquin.

For the latest news and updates check us

Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.

- Mother Teresa

Gomez said. “The students that are helping are actually some of the recipients of those backpacks as well, so our own community benefits from what our own kids are contributing.”

“The only way you can get the community to help is to get the word out,” Saenz added. “It’s always important to teach our students that we are a community.”

The MCISD Board of Trustees President, Petra Ramirez, and board member Minnie Rodgers, were also volunteering for the event.

“It’s great to give back to the community and meet the needs of the unfortunate kids that we have,” Ramirez said.

“We want them to feel that they are just as important as

Classified Rate:

1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00 LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailers Permit by El Relajo Restaurante Bar and Grill, to be located at 7123 N. Bentsen Palm Dr. Suite # 1 & 2, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas.

Owner of said corporation is Ricardo Sauceda Jr.

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AMENDMENTS FOR FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN & STRATEGY 2013-17, ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2017-18 AND CITIZENS PARTICIPATION PLAN In accordance with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Mission hereby announces a public hearing regarding amendments for the Five Year Consolidated Plan & Strategy 2013-17, Annual Action Plan 2017-18 and the Citizens Participation Plan are available for citizens’ review and comment.

The Public hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas.

The proposed amendments consists of the revisions/corrections of several goals, priorities, projects and requirements to the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and Citizens Participation Plan.

All interested agencies and citizens are encouraged to attend and participate in the public hearing. This public hearing is part of the Community Development Block Grant Program Citizen Participation process and complies with program requirements. For more information, please contact the Community Development Office at (956) 580-8670. Written comments will be accepted until September 4, 2018, and may be forwarded to Jo Anne Longoria, Community Development Director, 1301 E. 8th Street Ste 102, Mission, Texas 78572.

everybody else.”

Rodgers said her experience as a teacher gave her a close insight to how many students are in need, and how much assistance needs to be given.

“We do have a need,” Rodgers said. “And you never know until you’re caught in that. I went to school in San Isidro, and we didn’t do backpacks. We didn’t even own backpacks. And I feel for those who can’t afford it.”

Dr. Carolina Perez, during her second day on the job as the district’s new superintendent, was also in attendance at the event. She was proud to see the empathy coming from MCISD students in particular.

“It’s something that nowadays, is just a wonderful trait that our staff and our parents have instilled in our children,” Perez said. “To give back to the community and be sensitive to the needs of others, that’s just a beautiful sight.”

Perez said that giving is one of the best things people can do for their minds and bodies.

“When we give to others, it’s healing for our body,” Perez said. “When you do something for someone else, not only are you helping that person, but you’re helping your own social and emotional wellbeing.”

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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August 3, 2018

buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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For Sale HOHNER PANTHER BUTTON Accordion with case, $400, call Tom at Sundance RV Village, 956-5619691.

THE PERFECT FISHING boat, 21 ft. Cajun center console boat with perfect 150hp Johnson Oceanrunner salt water motor, custom built tandem

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axle trailer with all new tires and spare, has electric anchor and lots of accessories, all pumps and equipment work perfectly, boat & motor always serviced

by Bayside Marine with all records, clean titles on all 3, very safe, health demands sale, appraised $18,950, first $10,500 takes everything, always garaged, new gel

coat this year, call Tom at Sundance RV Village, 956-561 -9691.

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

Classified Rate:

1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00

where they breed, Southwest Hay & Feed, 956-5801717, (www.kennelvax.com) Homes For Sale

Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m.

If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Submit by email to info@progresstimes.net or pay by phone 956-585-4893.

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

AVISO AL PÚBLICO ENMIENDAS AL PLAN CONSOLIDADO Y ESTRATEGIA DE CINCO AÑOS 201317, PLAN DE ACCIÓN ANUAL 2017-18 Y PLAN DE PARTICIPACIÓN CIUDADANA De acuerdo con el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de Estados Unidos, de la Ciudad de Mission anuncia por la presente una audiencia pública con respecto a las enmiendas para el Plan Consolidado de Cinco Años 201317, el Plan de Acción Anual de 2017-18 y el Plan de Participación de Ciudadana está disponible para la revisión y comentarios de los ciudadanos. La audiencia pública se llevará a cabo el martes 14 de Agosto, 2018 a las 5:30 p.m. en la Comisión Consultiva de los Ciudadanos de Mission, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas. Las enmiendas propuestas consiste en la revisiónes/correcciones de varios objetivos, prioridades, proyectos requisitos del Plan Consolidado, el Plan de Acción Anual y Plan de Participación Ciudadana.

Se convocan a todos los organismos y los ciudadanos interesados para asistir y participar en la audiencia pública. Esta audiencia pública es parte del proceso de participación del programa Ciudadano y Desarrollo de la Comunidad y cumple con los requisitos del programa. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con la Oficina de Desarrollo de la Comunidad al (956) 580-8670. Los comentarios escritos serán aceptados hasta el 4 de Septiembre de, 2018, y pueden ser enviados a Jo Anne Longoria, Directora de Desarrollo Comunitario, 1301 E. 8th Street Ste 102, Mission, Texas 78572.

FRAME HOME, CASA de madera, ready to be moved, ubique en su solar, 800 sq. ft., 2 Bdr/ 1 Ba, cash deals only or good down payment, $30,500, for more information call 956-458-4778. scared of flying bats. correctly, he scores a by bright stones.

Minute Story – DENTAL INrun. If he runs them Offensive players Baseball SURANCE. Call randomly, he is contake turns trying to

by Rix Quinn Physicians Mutual sidered “wacky,” and hit a ball thrown by Hey, it’s baseball Insurance Company is called out. the defensive team’s season! This game for details. NOT just a Eight defensive pitcher. However, if requires a glove and discount plan. REAL the batter thumps the players with gloves a moving bat, but coverage for 350 prosurround the bases. other team’s player t’s got nothing to do cedures.

They catch the ball, or an umpire with with vampires.

Call 855-402-7556 and throw it to their his bat, he might be It takes place AVISO AL PÚBLICO or go to http://www. teammates…who called out, and possion a “diamond,” or PLAN FINAL CONSOLIDADO Y ESTRATEGIA DE CINCO ANOS 2018-2022 dental50plus.com/ hopefully expect it. bly jailed. four bases arranged I would still like to offer . Not available So, the batter hits PLAN ANUAL DE ACCIÓN FINAL 2018-2019 in a square. There in the following states: En cumplimiento con los reglamentos del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo play baseball myself, the ball, and runs aren’t real diamonds but I only wear gloves MN, MT, NH, NM, around the bases. If involved, so players Urbano (HUD) de los Estados Unidos, la Cuidad de Mission anuncia su plan final RI, VT and WA. in winter…and I’m he touches all bases won’t get distracted de consolidación y estrategia de cinco años 2018-2022 y propone el plan Anual de Acción de un año 2018-2019 para su Programa de derechos del trigésimo quinto año. El Alcalde y los miembros de Camara de Concejo Municipal aprobaron el 23 NOTICE TO PUBLIC de Julio de 2018, las recomendaciones de financiamiento del Comite Asesor de FINAL FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN & STRATEGY 2018-2022 Ciudadanos, utilizando la Asignación CDBG 2018 de $960,474.

FINAL ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2018-2019 PLAN DE CINCO AÑOS CONSOLIDADO Y ESTRATEGIA 2018-2022 In compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development • Metas del Programa- 1) Proporcionar una vivienda digna: proporcionar Community Development Block Grant Program rules and regulations, the City oportunidades de vivienda para personas de bajos ingresos o moderados, retener el inventario de viviendas asequibles, ayudar en la provisión de servicios de atención of Mission hereby announces its Final Five Year Consolidated Plan and Strategy a las personas sin hogar y garantizar que las oportunidades y servicios de vivienda 2018-2022 and the Annual Action Plan 2018-2019 for its Thirty-fifth Year Entitlement se brinden sin discriminación; 2) Proporcionar un eterno de vida adecuado: para Program. On July 23, 2018 the Mayor and City Council members approved the promover un entorno comunitario decente, seguro y viable mediante la prestaciõn funding recommendations by the Citizens Advisory Committee utilizing the City’s de servicios de calidad de vida, la eliminaciõn de barreras para el aislaniente 2018 CDBG Allocation of $960,474. de servicios y la participaciõn en la toma de decisiones para proporcionar un FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN & STRATEGY 2018 – 2022 infraestructura adecuada para el desarrollo econõmica y comunitario y preservar • Program Goals- 1) Provide decent housing – to provide housing opportunities histõricamente o propiedades o recursos culturalmente significativos; 3) Ampliar for low and moderate income persons, retain affordable housing stock, assist in the las oportunidades económicas: ampliar las oportunidades económicas para los provision of services addressing homelessness support services and ensure that residentes de bajos ingresos y moderados mediante la promoción de la creación housing opportunities and services are provided without discrimination; 2) Provide de empleo y proporcionar un entorno propicio para la retención del empleo, la a suitable living environment – to promote a decent, safe and viable community capacitación y la nueva industria; 4) Formar y fortalecer las alianzas - para formar environment through the provision of quality of life services, elimination of barriers nuevas asociaciones y fortalecer las asociaciones existentes entre los gobiernos federal, estatal y de condados, así como las organizaciones privadas y sin fines to the isolation of services and participation in decision making to provide adequate de lucro. infrastructure for community and economic development and preserve historically or culturally significant properties or resources; 3) Expand economic opportunities • Objetivos específicos- 1) Fomentar la provisión de viviendas dignas, sanitarias – to expand economic opportunities for low and moderate income residents by y asequibles a través de la rehabilitación de las viviendas existentes; 2) Brindar promoting job creation, and provide an environment conducive to job retention, servicios públicos en las áreas de actividades para adultos mayores, servicios training and new industry; 4) Form and strengthen partnerships – to form new para jóvenes, servicios para discapacitados, servicios para niños abusados / partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships between the federal, state and descuidados, servicios para discapacitados y servicios para personas sin hogar; county governments as well as private and non-profit organizations.

3) Proporcionar instalaciones públicas y asistencia para mejorar los servicios de calidad de vida para los residentes de bajos ingresos y moderados; 4) Proporcionar • Specific Goals- 1) To encourage the provision of decent, sanitary and affordable la infraestructura necesaria, como mejoras de drenaje, mejoras de calles / aceras, housing through the rehabilitation of existing housing stock; 2) To provide public mejoras de parques y recreación, etc., en apoyo de un entorno de vida adecuado; services in the areas of senior activities, youth services, handicapped services, 5) Ampliar las oportunidades económicas para los residentes de bajos ingresos services for abused/neglected children, services for disabled, and services for y moderados; 6) Proporcionar actividades de planificación que promuevan un homelessness; 3) To provide public facilities and assistance for the improvement entorno más viable, seguro y asequible para los residentes de bajos ingresos y of quality of life services for low and moderate income residents; 4) To provide moderados. the necessary infrastructure such as, drainage improvements, street/sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation improvements etc., in support of a suitable PLAN ANUAL DE ACCIÓN 2018-19 ASIGNACIÓN $960,474 living environment; 5) To expand economic opportunities for low and moderate HUD Código de matriz Nombre del proyecto Cantidad Descripción income residents; 6) To provide for planning activities that will promote a more 05 SERVICIOS PÚBLICOS viable, safe, affordable environment for low and moderate income residents.

• Silver Ribbon $6,000- El financiamiento se utilizará para ayudar a las personas ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2018-19 ALLOCATION $960,474 discapacitadas y personas mayores con los depósitos de alquiler, los servicios públicos y los depósitos de servicios públicos, y / o medicamentos, lentes dentales, HUD Matrix Code Project Name Amount Description anteojos y equipo médico duradero.

05 PUBLIC SERVICES 05A SERVICIOS SENIOR • Silver Ribbon $6,000- Funding will be utilized to assist disabled individuals and • Amigos Del Valle $4,000- La financiación se utilizará para proporcionar seniors with rent and rent deposits, utilities and utility deposits, and/or medications, actividades de alto nivel en el Arnaldo Ramirez Senior Center dental, eyeglasses and durable medical equipment.

• Amigos Del Valle $22,000- La financiación se utilizará para proporcionar 05A SENIOR SERVICES comidas a personas mayores confinadas en su hogar • Amigos Del Valle $ 4,000- Funding will be utilized to provide senior activities at • Area Agency on Aging $7,000- La financiación se utilizará para ayudar a las the Arnaldo Ramirez Senior Center personas mayores con medicamentos, audífonos y suministros médicos y equipos • Amigos Del Valle $22,000- Funding will be utilized to provide meals to homebound 05B SERVICIOS DISPONIBLES seniors • Easter Seals Society $4,000- La financiación se utilizará para proporcionar • Area Agency on Aging $7,000- Funding will be utilized to assist seniors with servicios de rehabilitación para pacientes ambulatorios medications, hearing aids and in medical supplies and equipment 05N NIÑOS ABUSADOS Y NEGLECTOS 05B HANDICAPPED SERVICES • Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. $9,000- El financiamiento • Easter Seals Society $4,000- Funding will be utilized to provide outpatient se utilizará para proporcionar servicios de asesoramiento para niños abusados / rehabilitation services descuidados y sus familias 05N ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN • CASA of Hidalgo County, Inc. $2,000- El financiamiento se utilizará para los • Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. $9,000- Funding will be gastos generados en el mantenimiento de niños abusados / descuidados utilized to provide counseling services for abused/neglected children and their 14A REHAB; SOLO UNIDAD RESIDENCIAL families • Housing Assistance Program $675,000- Los fondos proporcionarán • CASA of Hidalgo County, Inc. $2,000- Funding will be utilized for expenses rehabilitación de vivienda para aproximadamente tres (3) familias elegible de bajos generated in servicing abused/neglected children ingresos moderados cuyo hogar está deteriorado y necesita reparación $ 75,000 y reconstrucción de vivienda para aproximadamente diez (10) familias elegibles de 14A REHAB; SINGLE UNIT RESIDENTIAL bajos ingresos moderados cuyas casas no son adecuadas para vivir en $ 600,000 • Housing Assistance Program $675,000- Funding will provide Housing Rehabilitation for approximately three (3) eligible low moderate income families 14H REHAB: ADMINISTRACIÓN whose home is dilapidated and in need of repair $75,000 and Housing Reconstruction • Housing Administration $83,000- Financiamiento para costos de personal for approximately ten (10) eligible low moderate-income families whose homes are para gastos de administración, operación y mantenimiento relativos al desarrollo, not adequate to live in $600,000 implementación y monitoreo del programa general de Vivienda 14H REHAB: ADMINISTRATION 21A ADMINISTRACIÓN GENERAL DEL PROGRAMA • Housing Administration $83,000- Funding for staff costs for administration, • CDBG Administration $148,474- Financiamiento para costos de personal operation and maintenance expenses relative to the development, implementation, para gastos de administración, operación y mantenimiento relacionados con el and monitoring of the overall Housing program desarrollo, la implementación y el monitoreo del programa general de CDBG 21A GENERAL PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION De acuerdo con el Título I de Ley de Housing y Community Development Act • CDBG Administration $148,474- Funding for staff costs for administration, de 1974, como enmendado, Phase XI del Programa de Subsidios en Bloque de operation and maintenance expenses relative to the development, implementation, Desarrollo Comunitario de Derecho de la Ciudad de Mission, brinda la máxima and monitoring of the overall CDBG program prioridad posible a las actividades que benefician a residentes de bajos ingresos a moderados y ayudará a prevenir y eliminar condiciones de vida deficientes In accordance, with Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of dentro de la comunidad de Mission. Las actividades se administrarán y están 1974, as amended, Phase XI of the City of Mission’s Entitlement Community diseñadas para que las utilicen y beneficien los residentes de vecindarios que Development Block Grant Program, provides maximum feasible priority to activities predominantemente son personas de bajos ingresos a moderados. benefiting low to moderate income residents and will aid in the prevention and elimination of substandard living conditions within the community of Mission. The En õ sobre el 15 de agosto de 2018, el plan final consolidado y la estrategia de activities will be administered and are designed for use by and benefit the residents cinco años 2018-2022 y el plan de acción anual final 2018-2019 se enviarán al of neighborhoods predominately consisting of low to moderate-income persons.

Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE. UU. , HF Garcia Federal Building / Estados Unidos Palacio de justicia, 615 E. Houston Street, Suite 347, On or about August 15, 2018, the Final Five Year Consolidated Plan & Strategy San Antonio, TX 78205.

2018-2022 and the Final Annual Action Plan 2018-2019 will be submitted to the U.S. Una copia del plan final consolidado y la estrategia de cinco años 2018-2022 y Department of Housing and Urban Development, H.F. Garcia Federal Building/U.S. el Plan de acción anual 2018-2019 estarán disponibles en Oficina de Desarrollo Courthouse, 615 E. Houston Street, Suite 347, San Antonio, TX 78205.

Comunitario, 1301 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas y en el sitio web de la ciudad www.

A copy of the Final Five Year Consolidated Plan and Strategy 2018-2022 and the missiontexas.us.

Annual Action Plan 2018-2019 is available at the Community Development Office, 1301 E. 8th Street, Mission, TX and on the city’s website www.missiontexas.us.

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Team L1berty PAC files campaign finance report, revealing previously unreported political spending

by Dave Hendricks The dominant political party in western Hidalgo County spent nearly $60,000 during the past six months without filing campaign finance reports.

Team L1berty — through a general-purpose political action committee called the Liberty Executive Committee — spent nearly $60,000 from January to June, according to a semi-annual campaign finance report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission on July 26.

The document revealed previously unreported spending during the Democratic Party primary and the Agua Special Utility District election.

“I’m happy that they filed it,” said Arminda “Mindy” Garza, who sent a complaint to the Ethics Commission last month, adding that she didn’t think the PAC actually reported all donations and spending. “This is my assumption with this PAC: It’s a money laundering scheme.

They’re using this PAC to get money and they’re not reporting it.”

Peñitas Chief of Staff Andy Morales, the former campaign treasurer for the

PAC, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Morales, though, did release a statement about the PAC last month, explaining why he missed the deadline to file a semi-annual campaign finance report.

“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 in the statement. “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.”

Members of Team L1berty formed the PAC in July 2017, when they appointed Morales campaign treasurer, according to Ethics Commission records.

The PAC spent thousands supporting candidates during the May 2017 Sullivan City election and the November 2017 La Joya election without filing any campaign finance reports.

Details didn’t emerge until April 2018, when the Ethics Commission threatened

to refer the PAC to the Attorney General’s Office.

The PAC quickly filed an annual campaign finance report, but that document didn’t include all donations and spending.

Morales attached the complete report when he asked the Ethics Commission to waive the late filing penalty. That attachment revealed big donations from attorneys, engineers and consultants, which the PAC spent on campaigns.

Similar problems surfaced during the March 2018 Democratic Party primary and the May 2018 Agua Special Utility District election, when the PAC supported candidates without filing any campaign finance reports.

During the Democratic Party primary, the PAC collected thousands from candidates endorsed by Team L1berty.

Eloy Avila, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Party nomination for county treasurer, donated $5,000. Hidalgo County Clerk Arturo Guajardo Jr. contributed another $5,000.

And La Joya school board trustee J.J. Peña, who won the Democratic Party nomination for justice of the peace Precinct 3 Place 2 and faces

Bryan Elementary School teacher named Region One Teacher of the Year

For the second year in a row and the seventh time in the past ten years, a Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) teacher has been named a Teacher of the Year by the Region One Education Service Center (ESC).

During a special banquet honoring 49 teachers of the year from throughout the Region One area, officials announced Rhonda Peña as this year’s Region One Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Peña is currently a math teacher at Bryan Elementary School and has been teaching for 28 years She has been in her current position at Bryan Elementary School for 25 of those years.

During her time teaching, Peña has not only been making a difference in the lives of her students, but she has quietly been earning recognitions along the way. She was a recipient of the H.E.B. Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award Winner (2017), Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers Grant (2017), and was also selected as Bryan Elementary Teacher of the Year twice (2018 and 2012).

Peña will now represent all of Region One in the Texas Teacher of the Year competition. Each of the state’s 20 regional education service centers submit their regional elementary and secondary teachers of the year for the Texas Teacher of the Year award.

(from left) Mr. Roberto Moroles (Region One ESC Board Member), Dr. Manuel Gomez, Jr. (Region One ESC Board Member), Rhonda Peña (Region One ESC Elementary Teacher of the Year) and Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez (Region One ESC Executive Director). Photo courtesy of MCISD Public Relations.

Semi-finalist judging will take place at the Texas Association of School Administrators headquarters in Austin, Texas to determine the six Texas Teacher of the Year finalists. The Texas Elementary and Texas Secondary Teachers of the Year will be announced in September, at the Texas Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony in Austin, Texas.

The quality of Mission CISD teachers and their applications have caught the eye of the Region One Teacher of the Year judges many times over the years.

Previous Region One Teachers of the Year from Mission CISD have included: Julia Otken, Mims Elementary School, 2017; Jesus Razo, Mission Jr. High School, 2014; Rosbel Pena, Alton Memorial Jr. High School, 2013; Yvette Nevarez, Alton Memorial Jr. High School, 2012; Dolores Reyna, Alton Elementary School, 2010;

Iris Hines, Roosevelt Alternative School, 2008.

Hines also was a state finalist for the Texas Teacher of the Year award. Teacher of the Year nominees submitted an application consisting of essay questions asking nominees to describe a lesson or unit that defines them as a teacher, describe a project or initiative that has contributed to the improvement of overall school culture, an explanation of how they ensure that education transcends the classroom, what they consider to be a major public education issue, and finally, as a spokesperson for the profession what their message would be to teachers, students and to the public.

For the Region One award, a committee comprised of representatives from various teacher and administrator groups evaluated the essay applications.

Garza in the general election, paid $10,000.

The Positive Program, a company owned by political consultant Mike Robledo and public relations consultant Karina Cardoza, also donated $10,000.

Flush with cash, the PAC paid $12,800 to La Joya Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas and $10,100 to Sullivan City Mayor Leo Garcia during the primary.

Salinas said the money paid for standard campaign work.

“I hire some drivers and rent some cars to go get out the vote,” Salinas said. “And provide meals during the lunch time all the days of the early voting.”

Despite supporting at least six candidates, the PAC didn’t file any campaign finance reports during the primary.

The PAC also supported candidates during the May 2018 Agua Special Utility District election.

Team L1berty backed four candidates: > The PAC donated $2,000 to La Joya police Chief Adolfo Arriaga, who didn’t file a semi-annual campaign finance report.

Arriaga said he left town and didn’t realize the report couldn’t be filed without his signature. He plans to file the report when he returns. > The PAC donated $1,000 to La Joya school district Discipline Compliance Officer Cesar Rodriguez Jr. He didn’t disclose the donation. > The PAC donated $3,000 to math teacher Ivan Sandoval, who didn’t disclose the money. > The PAC made two donations to La Joya school

AGUA SUD CASE On behalf of the Agua SUD Board of Directors and staff, we are encouraged at the resolution of this case, and we will continue to keep working diligently for our Agua SUD clients and operating the District in a responsible and transparent manner.”

Garza and Salinas said they were happy the investigation, which cast a cloud of suspicion over them for months, had been closed.

“I’m pleased to hear that (the) DA’s Office has reviewed this matter to leave no doubt to the public,” said Garza, the La Joya school board president. “Though it has been hard on myself and all those affected, I respect the process.”

Salinas said he wanted to thank everyone who supported him during the investigation.

“I’m grateful that it’s over,” Salinas said, adding that he found the accusations alarming and, at times, disheartening. “I always knew that I had never done anything wrong.”

Senate Bill 814 The series of events that prompted the settlement agreements started on Sept.

26, 2016, when the utility board called a special meeting.

Four members of the board wanted to make major changes.

They replaced utility board President Ricardo Ochoa. Executive Director Julio Cerda resigned. And over objections from other board members, they hired a new attorney, selected a new insurance agent and discussed replacing the district engineer.

Standing in the back, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa watched quietly. Someone asked him to speak, but Hinojosa politely declined.

While he didn’t say anything that day, the meeting clearly concerned Hinojosa, who considered the shakeup part of a larger problem.

At the time, four members of the utility board — Cesar Rodriguez Jr., Lloyd A. Loya, Roger Hernandez and Esequiel “Zeke” Ortiz Jr. — worked for the La Joya school district.

Meanwhile, two members of the school board — Garza and Salinas — worked for the utility district.

Elected officials hiring each other isn’t anything new in Hidalgo County. The arrangement tends to make school board trustees particularly powerful because they control hundreds of high-paying jobs.

More than 4,500 people work for the La Joya school district, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all jobs in western Hidalgo County, according to the 2016-2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report published by the school district. Every member of the Peñitas City Council works for the district, along with a majority of the Palmview City Council.

Hinojosa, however, became concerned that members of the school board had started manipulating the utility board. He authored Senate Bill 814, attempting to address the potential conflict of interest.

The bill proposed adding new employment restrictions to Chapter 7201 of the Special District Local Laws Code, which established the

district administrator Lloya A. Loya. He didn’t report a $2,000 donation on April 24.

However, Loya did disclose a $1,000 donation on May 25.

Along with donations to utility board candidates, the PAC also paid their supporters.

The PAC paid $5,000 to Maya’s de Oro LLC, a company owned by La Joya school board Trustee Oscar “Coach” Salinas. Another $3,500 went to Morales, the PAC campaign treasurer, for loan reimbursement and skeet shoot expenses.

While the PAC supported utility board candidates, it didn’t file 30-day and 8-day campaign finance reports during the election cycle.

The campaign spending didn’t become public until July 26, when the PAC filed the semi-annual report — 10 days after the Ethics Commission deadline.

from pg 1 utility district.

“If a director is an employee of another taxing entity within the district, the board may not employ as an employee, as a consultant, or on a contract basis: an elected official of the other taxing entity that employs the director,” according to the bill, which Hinojosa filed on Feb. 10, 2017.

That provision would block elected officials from hiring each other at the utility district — and force the school board trustees to choose between public service and public employment.

Lawmakers passed the bill.

The utility district, though, already had a backup plan.

The Settlement Agreements After the Texas Senate passed the bill, the utility district approved five-year employment contracts with Garza and Salinas.

Contracts weren’t common at the utility district.

Not even Cancino, the executive director, had an employment contract.

“The whole purpose of drafting the contracts was to subvert the law and to defraud the public,” Hinojosa said.

Auditors also took a dim view of the contracts, labeling them “unreasonable and unnecessary,” according to the 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report published by the utility district.

Three weeks later, the bill passed the Texas House.

Garza and Salinas hired an attorney.

“It has come to our attention that your client is considering terminating both of my clients’ employment as a result of new legislation that was introduced and passed during this past legislative session,” attorney Ben Castillo wrote to the utility district on June 19.

“Please be advised that my clients fully intend to enforce their current employment contracts with Agua SUD. If there is any attempt by Agua SUD to interfere with my clients’ contractual rights, they are both prepared to file suit to ensure that Agua SUD fulfills its contractual obligations.”

Attorney Javier Peña, who represents the utility district, responded by email.

“Due to SB 814 becoming law, your clients are no longer eligible for employment

by Agua SUD,” Peña wrote on July 7. “This was not a decision of Agua SUD. Any power to make a decision regarding your client’s continued employment has been taken away from Agua SUD

by Senator Hinojosa's bill.”

After discussing the matter during executive session, the utility board delegated Cancino broad authority “to resolve any potential dispute with employees who will be affected by Senate Bill 814.”

Utility board Director Homer Tijerina voted against the motion, which passed 5-1.

“Right now, I’m just shocked,” Tijerina said, when told prosecutors wouldn’t press charges. “I still feel that what they did is wrong.”

Garza and Salinas weren’t forced to quit, Tijerina said, adding that they chose the school board over the utility district.

Cancino authorized a $268,000 settlement with Garza and a $221,000 settlement with Salinas, according to utility district records. In

exchange, they signed away the right to sue.

The utility district went to extraordinary lengths to keep the payments secret.

Along with confidentiality clauses, the agreements included a novel legal argument: Boeing v. Paxton, a Texas Supreme Court ruling that protects sensitive business information from public disclosure, made the settlements secret.

When the utility district refused to release the records, Hinojosa submitted a request himself.

News about the settlement agreements broke on Nov. 3, 2017. Prosecutors sent the utility district a grand jury summons six days later.

The Investigation The summons demanded copies of the settlement agreements and all related records, according to documents released under the Texas Public Information Act. Prosecutors requested more documents in January, demanding emails, text messages and personnel records.

They also contacted the Texas Rangers for assistance.

The Department of Public Safety assigned the case to Texas Ranger Reid Rackley, who met with Assistant District Attorney John Ball about the investigation.

“I was advised by ADA Ball that Oscar Cancino was the former Executive Director of Agua SUD,” according to a copy of the Texas Rangers report released by the Department of Public Safety.

“ADA Ball explained to me that there had been two large payouts to two former employees of Agua SUD which were possibly improper or unauthorized.”

Through an attorney, Cancino denied any wrongdoing.

The District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers attempted to answer several thorny questions: Were the settlement agreements legitimate? Or were they the result of a complex plan to pay Garza and Salinas six-figure settlements? And if so, who masterminded the scheme?

They also investigated whether or not the school board rewarded members of the utility board with promotions and stipends for approving the settlement agreements.

The evidence didn’t support criminal charges.

“It’s pretty obvious that they defrauded the public.

Whether it’s criminal or civil?

I don’t know,” Hinojosa said.

“Maybe a civil lawsuit will be more appropriate to get the money returned to taxpayers.”

When the initial line of inquiry flopped, the Texas Rangers started reviewing other potential leads, including a rumor that Garza and Salinas had collected paychecks without actually working. They couldn’t prove that either.

The District Attorney’s Office formally closed the case on July 13 with a letter to the Texas Rangers.

"Based on the information we have obtained, I do not believe there is sufficient evidence to obtain convictions,” Ball wrote to Rackley. “If additional credible evidence comes to light, we are amenable to reopening this investigation.”