Friday, March 8, 2019_PT ISSUE

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Spring Edition

2019 HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS PREVIEW

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Progress times Vol. 47 - #28

Friday, March 8, 2019

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Get ready to lose one hour of sleep this weekend as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10.

Set your clocks forward one hour when you go to bed on Saturday to adjust to the time change.

INSIDE

Palmview Crime Stoppers

Photo courtesy of La Joya ISD Public Relations.

District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez with some Juarez-Lincoln students following his talk with them about the warning signs of teen dating and domestic violence.

Citing a lack of a stable relationship with them, the Palmview city council announced they will start looking into developing a new Palmview Crime Stoppers Program.

See Pg. 5

Agua SUD vehicle spotted in game room

A director with the Agua Special Utility District admitted to being the man responsible for parking a vehicle with the utility district in a game room in Zapata County.

DA Rodriguez returns to Juarez-Lincoln High School to speak on teen dating violence

By Jamie Treviño Four years after starting Young Hearts Matter at Juarez-Lincoln High School, Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez returned to give a new group of students some insight about the warning signs of teen dating violence.

Rodriguez began the Young Hearts Matter campaign with Rosie Martinez, a Victims Coordinator with Hidalgo County. It was created in order to bring awareness on the issue of teen dating violence to young people

across the Rio Grande Valley.

“Just last month, we were able to go to 32 schools,” Rodriguez said. “That all started here.”

The first Young Hearts Matter 2K Walk, held four years ago, was hosted at Juarez-Lincoln High School in the La Joya Independent School District. Rodriguez and Martinez were happy to bring the campaign back to the school this past Tuesday morning after Santos Palomo, the T-STEM Academy principal, called.

“It’s necessary to create

awareness,” Palomo said.

“Sometimes the community is not as informed as we are in the school.”

Palomo added that the district takes any opportunity they can to educate their students on these issues.

“The students need to understand the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy relationship,” Palomo said. “Their young hearts matter, they’re important, when they say no, it’s no. So it’s a great opportunity for them to hear it from someone else other than the people they normally work around

with.”

This event followed this year’s fourth annual Young Hearts Matter presentation, which was held at Lamar Academy in McAllen on Feb. 9. Several local community leaders spoke on the prevalence of teen dating violence.

This week, the DA came back to Juarez-Lincoln to speak to a whole new group of students, which included those in the T-STEM Academy, Law Enforcement Academy and the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC).

An informational sheet was handed out to students, along with a pamphlet from the Hidalgo County Criminal Victims Unit. The pamphlet included several support services offered by the department, the rights of victims in Texas and prevention services.

Rodriguez and Martinez got more personal during this talk, citing different environments and circumstances that led them to where they are today.

See TEEN DATING VIOLENCE Pg. 10

Mission resident thanks first responders, neighbors and ADT Security Dispatcher for saving his life

See Pg. 10

SPORTS Big 7 powerlifters THE

BIG7 SCHOOLS

A look at the Big 7 schools who are sending 16 of their best powerlifters to compete at state next week.

See Pg. 6

INDEX

Entertainment....pg. 2 Lifestyle...................pg. 3 Sports.......................pg. 6 Obituaries..............pg. 8 Classifieds...............pg.9 Progress Times is made possible by our advertisers.

Please frequent their businesses and tell them you saw their ad in the Progress Times.

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Becky Mingie, an ADT dispatcher in Tennessee, holds an award for saving Bob Hensley’s life last year.

By Jamie Treviño As a dispatcher for ADT, Becky Mingie was just doing her job: saving Bob Hensley’s life.

Several weeks ago Hensley, who lives at his residence on Fair Oaks Drive with his wife, Laurel McLeaish, was at home alone with their pets when a fire started. Because he was sleeping, the smoke

detector in his house alerted him.

Unable to answer ADT Security Services, who was alerted of the fire, dispatcher Mingie called the local first responders for Hensley from a monitoring center in Knoxville, Tennessee. They promptly arrived on the scene and put out the fire, saving the home.

McLeaish was not home

at the time, and Hensley was overcome with the amount of smoke filling his house. Four neighbors (the Garzas and the Overlys) heard the alarm and managed to get Hensley, their two dogs and one of their cats outside to safety before the fire department arrived on the scene.

“Tragedy was avoided due to the ADT alarm system doing its job,” Todd Dern-

berger, with ADT Security Services, said. “We’re all here today to celebrate that success.”

ADT, along with the Mission Fire Department, the Border Patrol and the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) all participated in a press conference last Friday. During the event, Hensley and McLeaish described their experience and

expressed their gratitude for making it out during an emergency.

“Unfortunately, we did lose two cats,” McLeaish said. “But because of everything the firefighters did, they did save one of our cats and our two dogs. So we’re very thankful for that.”

See THANKFUL RESIDENTS Pg. 10

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March 8, 2019

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Third Annual Monarch FEST set for March 16 McALLEN – Quinta Mazatlan announces the third annual Monarch FEST on Saturday, March 16, celebrating the northward migration of the iconic butterfly from Mexico through the U.S. into Canada. The Saturday event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. offers fun, food, speakers, tours, crafts, live entertainment and more.

Quinta Mazatlan introduced the Monarch FEST in 2017 with Mayor Darling’s signing of the Mayors Monarch Pledge through the National Wildlife Federation. The City of McAllen is the first city in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the second in the United States, that pledges at the Champion Level to help create and restore habitat while educating citizens in the community about the plight of monarch butterflies. As part of the pledge, Quinta Mazatlan is working with McAllen ISD to create learning landscapes on school campuses. The sanctuary also offers garden design workshops encouraging individuals and businesses to design gardens to support birds and butterflies.

The Monarch FEST features a marketplace, food trucks, art installations, live music and dance performances, and hands-on learning stations throughout the

The general public is invited to the McAllen Monarch FEST at Quinta Mazatlán on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate the Monarch’s journey by dressing up as their favorite insect and to wear orange. park. The main stage will feature live entertainment including the Singing Zoologist, Lucas Miller, from San Antonio.

Festival-goers are encouraged to wear orange and wings for the Bug Parade at 10 a.m. lead by McAllen Mayor Jim Darling and the McHi Drum Line & Color Guard.

Adults can take in the chef cooking demos with

Chef Marcel, speakers from Mexico and the U.S., garden tours, native plant sales and shopping.

“We seek to inspire the community to take part in saving the monarch by starting in our own backyards,” said Colleen Hook, Quinta Mazatlan manager.”

The urban sanctuary has more than doubled its acreage for habitat since opening in 2006. A new LEED Cer-

tified Discovery Center was built in 2012, which services over 10,000 children from area school districts annually and continues to grow the volunteer base bringing in over 8,500 hours annually.

For more information about the line-up of activities, go to quintamazatlan. com or call 956-681-3370.

Tickets can be purchased on line at ticketmaster.com.

Marcos Orozco to headline Mission Foundation concert Ticket sales are underway for the Mission Education Foundation’s fundraising concert featuring Tejano superstar Marcos Orozco on Friday, March 15. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd., Mission. Special guest artist is Jose Angel Villarreal.

Orozco holds a degree in music education and began

his solo career debuting with Ahora y Siempre, Simplemente Marcos after singing with and playing guitar and composing for other artists, such as Laura Canales, Los Fabulosos Cuatro and David Lee Garza y los Musicales.

He went on to start up his own band Grupo Rebelde.

In a decades-long career, his talents and love of music

have established his place as singer, songwriter and producer with a voice that brings a special touch to the romantic cumbias and rancheras that has firmly rooted him in the Tejano music scene. Ultimately, he went on to establish his own label, Oromar Records in 2008.

Tickets are $15 per person and $25 for two, available at

the Mission CISD central office, 1201Bryce Dr., Mission. The concert venue is open seating. Call 956-3235500 for ticket information.

For more information, contact Hector Olivarez at 956-445-4255 or Candy Martinez at 956-240-2059.

Coming Attractions

March 8-10 • The UTRGV Theatre for Young Audiences 2019 presents The Witches from the book by Roald Dahl, adapted by David Woods, and directed by Brian Warren. Performances Friday and Saturday are at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. All tickets are $5 and available at patron.utrgv.edu. For more information or special accommodations, call 956-665-3581 or visit UTRGV.edu/theatre.

March 9 • The Upper Valley Art League All Members Show will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. The event is open to the public.

• The Upper Valley Art League will host a Creative Wellness workshop led by Racheal Brown from 10 a.m. to noon. It is a holistic approach to address life challenges. Techniques utilize artistic media, such as, collage, paint and three- dimensional media. Cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers.

Sign up and pay at UVAL desk in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St. in Mission.

• McAllen Grace Brethren Church, Son Tree Native Path, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, will host the 49th Annual DAK’ EE SI American Indian Pow Wow from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lark Library and Community Center, 2601 Lark Ave., McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public to experience American Indian culture, history, drumming, singing and dancing from tiny tots to seniors. Some dances are open to audience participation. Vendors will be selling food, Native crafts and jewelry. There will be drawings and cake walks. No drugs or alcohol are allowed. For more information, contact Robert Soto at 956-648-9336.

March 10 • The UTRGV final performance of Ballet Folklorico – Alegria 2019 will be held at 7:30 p.m., at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and $5 for children. For information, go to utrgv.edu/balletfolklorico. For tickets or special accommodations, call 956-665-2230.

March 12 • The McAllen Society for the Performing Arts (MSPA) 201819 program McAllen Live! presents B – The Underwater Bubble Show at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. For general information, pricing and special membership features, go to LiveinMcAllenClub.com. For questions, contact the ticket hotline at 888-200-4035, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 14-28 • “Oil Painting with Betty” workshops will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. for three weeks on Thursday on March 14, 21 and 28.

Hosted by the Upper Valley Art League, all sessions will be held at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St., Mission. Cost is $60 for UVAL members and $70 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required by March 12 at the UVAL gallery. For information, contact Betty at 402-921-0428 or at artistontheroad64@gmail.com.

March 17 • Guitarist Hector Rodriguez performs at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Admission is free for the recital as Rodriguez performs the music of Bach, Barrios, Gismonti, Dyens and Assad.

For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

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

Finale features pianist Francisco Rocafuerte

APRIL 6, 2019 Volunteers Register (956) 432-0792

McALLEN – The McAllen Wind Ensemble’s season finale, “A Gatsby Gala,” will be a celebration of music from the Roaring ‘20s. Under the baton of director Roger Olivarez, the band will perform the music of Gershwin, Holst, Grainger, Cole Porter, and more.

The concert will feature pianist Francisco Rocafuerte performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue. Rocafuerte will also lead the band as guest conductor in a performance of Danzón no. 2 by Arturo Márquez.

Rocafuerte began his musical career as a highly respected pianist. During his career, he has performed in various countries, received multiple awards, and recorded various renditions of well-known pieces. Eventually Rocafuerte translated his skills to conducting allowing him to be successful as both an artist and director.

Rocafuerte has been a faculty member at Univer-

sidad Autónoma de Puebla – School of Music, “Escuela de Perfeccionamiento del centro cultural Ollin Yoliztli” (Mexico City), The University of Texas and The Austin Chamber Music Center. He has offered master classes at almost every music conservatory in Mexico and at various institutions throughout

Francisco Rocafuerte

the United States.

Since 1988, Rocafuerte has partnered with fellow Uruguayan pianist, Edison Quintana performing duets at numerous music festivals as well as for the world premiere of Arturo Márquez’s, Danzón no. 2 for two pianos.

He is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his musical career and continues to perform over 50 concerts a year.

Currently, he maintains a professional piano studio in McAllen where he counts numerous award- winners as former students.

The concert will take place at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10 and are available at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office, ticketmaster.com, and at the door the evening of the concert. For more information, visit our website at mcallenwindensemble.org or call 682-227-2101.

Starry Night at the Planetarium

Join us for this FREE, fun-filled night of astronomical proportions!

There’s a full moon scheduled for this evening show. Don’t miss it.

Observe the night sky and explore the world beyond! Gaze at the stars through high-performance telescopes and see a planetarium show.

Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 pm

1801 Western Rd • Mission, TX 78572

Open To The Public, Free, Audience Of All Ages.

(956) 323-2148

March 8, 2019

Photography projects focuses on Valley architecture

EVENTS

CALENDAR

Several members of the Kappa Delta Sorority RGV alumnae chapter recently toured the Hidalgo County Children’s Advocacy Center in Edinburg. The group got a first-hand look at the center’s Play Therapy Room.

The chapter is creating and furnishing a Play Therapy Room for the CACHC Mission office through a $6,500 grant from the Kappa Delta Foundation. Shown, from left, are Susan Edmonson, Cindy Ellis, Carol Hudsonpillar, Carolyn Ennis, Debbie Prukop, Susan Wiesehan and Norma Cardenas. Not pictured is Jenny Cummings.

KD Foundation grant benefits Mission CACHC

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County (CACHC) expanded its services in 2017 to include Mission with the opening of a new location at 1116 N. Conway Ave. providing services to children and families affected by abuse and neglect. The CACHC has been working with the Rio Grande Valley Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority to create and furnish a play room at the facility through a $6,500 Kappa Delta Foundation KiDs grant.

The foundation is the charitable arm of Kappa Delta Sorority, a national organization for women. One of the sorority’s official philanthropies is Prevent Child Abuse America.

Upgrades and renovations of the 1116 N. Conway Ave. facility are ongoing as it expands its services to the Mission area. The Play Therapy Room provides an age appropriate place in a less formal setting for young children with limited verbal

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skills, or who have difficulty expressing themselves due to extreme trauma.

“We are very grateful to the Kappa Delta Foundation and local alumnae members for helping us make the play therapy room a reality,” said Jesus Sanchez, CACHC executive director.

“We want to be able to provide every service to child abuse victims who come to the Mission center and help with the healing process. The children will benefit from a well-equipped, comfortable and effective Play Therapy Room. Play therapy encourages these children to express emotions they often have difficulty expressing.”

Carol Hudsonpillar, chair of the local KD alumnae chapter, said members of the organization plan to stay involved with the CACHC. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to follow our philanthropic goal of providing services to children and families in our area,” she added.

March 9 – Gladys Porter Zoo (GPZ) will host the Dawn of the Dinosaurs exhibit, which opens March 9 and will be on display through July 7. The robotic dinosaurs, brought to “life”

by Billing Productions, are a collection of both static and dynamic dinosaurs, including an interactive stegosaurus. Guests will have the opportunity to take a photo with the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The exhibit is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is an additional cost of $3 charged at the gate or the entrance of the exhibit. GPZ is located at 500 E. Ringgold in Brownsville.

March 16 – The Mission Historical Museum will host Roseann Bacha-Garza presenting a program on “War and Peace on the Rio Grande: 1861-1876,” a traveling museum exhibit that showcases events, battles and characters present along the Rio Grande during the Civil War era. It begins at 11 a.m. at the museum located at 900 Doherty. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 956580-8646 or go to missionmuseum.org March 18 – Melissa Jones, Ph. D., habitat conservation biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, State Parks Division, will speak at the next meeting of the Texas Master Naturalist South Texas Border Chapter. Jones’ presentation is on Valley herpetology (amphibians and reptiles), entitled, “Herpetofauna of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.” The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited, free, to the 6 p.m. social prior, and to the general meeting after, at St. George Orthodox Church Hall, 704 W. Sam Houston, in Pharr. For more information, visit stbctmn.org.

March 30 – The RGV Aggie Mom’s annual Gig ‘Em Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held at Los Lagos Golf Course in Edinburg. Sign up with a three-man golf team is $500 per team. Hole sponsorship is $100 to help raise scholarship monies for local kids attending school at one of the Texas A&M campus. The tournament will include a breakfast, snack, goody bag, tournament shirt, beverage, door prizes and lunch.

For information or to sign up, call Michelle Timmer at 956358-0673 or Cynthia M. Sakulenzki at 956-451-5255.

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

Learn how to garden to attract wildlife

McALLEN – Join Quinta Mazatlán staff for Backyard Wildlife Gardening, an introduction on how to make a from a yard become a lush, life-filled garden. The program is on Saturday, March 9, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Participants will learn which native plants are good for gardening, how to select a garden site, which plants attract different animals, and other gardening tips. Plus, the group will get a guided tour of Quinta Mazatlán’s wildlife gardens to see de-

signs in practice!

The program will be led

by Silvia Barr, Quinta Mazatlán’s native gardening coordinator. Barr works with the community to promote the use of native plants in landscaping at home, business, and school settings. She has a bachelor’s in biology and master’s in horticulture.

Admission is $5 per person. Quinta Mazatlán is located 600 Sunset in McAllen. For more information, call 956-681-3370.

EDINBURG – The Rio Grande Valley is home to unique and historic structures that tell the story of the people and heritage of this region and one photographer aims to create a comprehensive search engine that documents these wonders in a visual database.

Deval “Pino” Shah will present “Architecture of The Lower Rio Grande Valley Photography Project & McAllen Architecture: A Visual Journey” at the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) this Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m.

Shah will cover the “Architecture of The Lower Rio Grande Valley Photography Project” and four related books covering Brownsville, McAllen and Quinta Mazatlan, with particular emphasis on “McAllen Architecture: A Visual Journey.”

The photography project documents 550 structures in the four border counties dating back to 1840s. Geoff Alger will review the McAllen architecture photography proj-

ect and the book. Copies of “McAllen Architecture: A Visual Journey” will be available for purchase at the Museum Store following the presentation.

Shah is an architecture, world heritage and performing arts photographer based in McAllen and Ahmedabad, India.

Alger is a historian, museum professional and amateur photographer based in McAllen, Texas.

The program is included in the regular museum admission. MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg. Call 956-3836911 for information

AUSTIN – The Texas School Public Relations Association is pleased to announce the recipient of its 2019 Professional Achievement Award: Craig Verley. Verley, the director of public relations and marketing at Mission CISD., receives the award in recognition of years as a mentor, leader and volunteer for the organization.

“When I came into the world of school PR, I was told that if I ever had a question, I could also count on Craig and ask,” said Jim Zavala of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD. “He has shared his knowledge and experience and has always been open to new trends and change. Craig has been a mentor to TSPRA members of all levels.”

Verley was elected TSPRA’s Gulf Coast Area Vice President in 2017. He has served as TSPRA’s Social Media chair, founded and continues to organize the charity 5K Run/Walk during the TSPRA Annual Conference and won TSPRA’s 2016 Bright Idea Award for Mission CISD’s “Picture YourSelfie at Col-

lege” campaign.

The Professional Achievement Award honors an individual with more than 10 years of TSPRA membership who has exhibited a creative, dedicated and professional approach to school communications.

David Hicks of Allen ISD chairs TSPRA’s 2018-2019 Professional Awards committee, which includes Denise Blanchard, Amarillo ISD; Julie Zwahr, Denton ISD; Tiffany Veno, Garland ISD and Kyndall Jirasek, Pflugerville ISD. For additional information, contact the TSPRA State Office at 512-474-9107 or at info@tspra.org.

Deval Shah

MCISD’s Craig Verley receives TSPRA award

Craig Verley

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March 8, 2019

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By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Order stops state, local authorities from purging voter rolls AUSTIN — A San Antonio federal judge on Feb. 27 ordered Texas Secretary of State David Whitley not to purge the names of voters whose registrations he challenged as being potentially fraudulent.

The order came in a voting rights case filed by the League of United Latin American Citizens and other plaintiffs.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery denied defendants’ motion to dismiss the suit. Biery then ordered officials not to remove anyone from the current voter registration list until authorized by the court.

However, Biery added that local officials may continue to determine whether someone who is not a citizen is in fact registered to vote, so long as it is done without communicating directly with any particular individual on the list.

Biery’s ruling, which came after three days of hearing evidence and arguments in the case, stated: “Out of 98,000 new American voters on the list, thus far approximately 80 have been identified as being ineligible to vote.”

Plaintiffs filed the case after Whitley, acting as the state’s chief elections officer, on Jan. 25 issued an advisory to county voter registrars regarding voter registration list maintenance activities, one of which was to identify any non-U.S. citizens registered to vote in Texas.

The advisory came after the secretary of state’s elections division reported that some 95,000 individuals identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety as non-U.S. citizens have a matching voter registration record and that approximately 58,000 voted in one or more Texas elections.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reacted to the ruling, saying it “deprives state and county election officials of the capacity to faithfully execute their duties under state and federal law to maintain voting rolls.”

Paxton also said, “We are weighing our options to address this ruling and to continue

making our case that ineligible voters should not vote and counties are free to continue to follow the law and keep their voter rolls clean.”

Meanwhile, Whitley, appointed as secretary of state by Gov. Greg Abbott in December, is undergoing the confirmation process in the Texas Senate. The body’s nominations committee last week voted along party lines to forward his nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

Aid request is granted The White House on Feb. 25 granted Gov. Abbott’s request for a presidential disaster declaration for 33 Texas counties.

This action provides access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation grant programs for communities that are recovering and rebuilding following severe weather and flooding this past fall.

“I thank the president and FEMA for granting this disaster declaration,” Abbott said. “As communities continue to recover and rebuild from the aftermath of these devastating floods, we remain committed to working with our federal and local partners to ensure that Texas is more resilient than ever before.”

The following counties are included in the president’s disaster declaration: Archer, Baylor, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Comanche, Coryell, Dimmit, Edwards, Fannin, Franklin, Grimes, Haskell, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Jones, Kimble, Kinney, Knox, Llano, Madison, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Nolan, Real, San Saba, Sutton, Throckmorton, Travis, Uvalde and Val Verde.

Abbott reacts to ruling Gov. Abbott on Feb. 28 sent a letter to appointees and state agencies following the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals’ Feb. 27 ruling that struck down a key provision of the state’s open meetings law.

In question was the law’s prohibition against members of a governmental body

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meeting privately in numbers of less than a quorum to discuss public business. In writing the majority opinion, Presiding Judge Sharon Keller described that part of the law as “unconstitutionally vague.”

The court’s split decision came in a case pitting the State of Texas against a county judge who was alleged to have broken the law.

In his letter, Abbott instructed recipients to continue to follow the spirit of the Texas Open Meetings Act, despite the ruling. “Texas has long been, and will continue to be, a leader in governmental transparency,” Abbott wrote.

“Regardless of yesterday’s ruling, my standard and expectation is for all agencies and boards to continue to follow the spirit of the law. You should not waver in your

Temporary restraining order against Mission still in place

By Jose De Leon III A district court judge ruled to allow the temporary restraining order against the city of Mission and a local raspa stand to remain in place.

139th District Judge Roberto “Bobby” Flores made the ruling Monday during a hearing for the embattled raspa stand Snowball Express LLC., which has been battling with the city regarding its operating hours for a year.

“I haven’t decided what I’ll do,” Flores said at the end of the hearing. “The restraining order will remain in place until the next time we meet so I can research cases like this.”

The restraining order was filed last month after Snowball Express owner Elgin Xavier accused the city of discrimination for “singling out his business” and not allowing both Mission locations to remain open past the previously approved 10 p.m. time.

With the restraining order still in place, neither parties can take any action until a hearing set for Monday, March 11.

The restraining order comes after the city granted a conditional use permit for the raspa stands last May to close at 10 p.m. despite requests from Xavier to extend it. City councilmembers

By Jose De Leon III

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

In Our 66th Year of Service

Sporting Beauty Shop Mission Regional Medical Center Announces New Physician

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MISSION

Goods

A district court judge rulIn an effort to better connect with the community, members of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas held a concert last week in Alton.

The event, “Butterflies with No Border-Protect the Sacred Benefit Concert,” was held Saturday, March 2 A Family-Owned Business Since 1954 at the Los Portales Flea Market Ballroom.

“It’s to let people know we’re here and let them join us, we’re peaceful and we Certified Onan R/V like the same kind of music Generator Service they like,” Chairman Juan Mancias said. “We just want to help.”

The concert featured live music from local bands, Native American tribes such as Indigenauts and even poetry readings from the group Poets Against Walls. Attendees were asked to donate money for the Tribe, who have camps set up all over the Valley, Mancias said.

“The money is going toward supplies to our camps and a few things we have planned,” Mancias said.

“We want to do a canvassing of the community to get the word out on us to tell the other side of the story of what’s happening with the wall. I don’t think everyone’s getting the whole story.”

For the last few months,

Mission Regional Medical Center is pleased to welcome Gloria Ortiz, MD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE to the hospital medical staff. Dr. Ortiz specializes in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

Dr. Gloria Ortiz was born in the Dominican Republic and received her medical degree from Universidad Católica Madre Y Maestra. Afterwards obtained a post-doctoral fellowship HEATING &sheCOOLING involving microbiology and biostatistics.

She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in New York City and was appointed Dr. Gloria Ortiz, MD is the latest Chief Resident. She subsequently physician to join the Mission obtained a fellowship in patient safety and Regional Medical Center Staff. satisfaction. Dr. Ortiz led the hospital’s “My approach to medicine is successful effort to increase HCAHPS to provide the best care possible, educate my patients, and survey scores throughout the organization. prevent future illness and disThis experience helped develop her ease,” said Dr. Ortiz. compassionate, yet analytical approach to healthcare. This led to Dr. Ortiz pursuing her Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine & MD Anderson Cancer where she was CO. appointed as their first Chief Endocrinology Fellow. & Center, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Dr. Ortiz has been a physician for over 15 years, and now focuses on the treatment of endocrine related diseases such as diabetes, obesity and thyroid dysfunction, including nodules and thyroid cancer.

She is a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism as well as Internal Medicine. She is also a member of the following organizations; American Diabetes Association, Physical Therapy American Thyroid Association and the Endocrine Society.

“We are pleased that Dr. Ortiz decided to develop her practice in our community,” said Kane, Dawson, Chief Executive Officer, Mission Regional Medical Center. “Her clinical expertise will enhance patient care and our ability to serve and treat our patients.”

In 1954, Mission businessman Ben Cavazos opened Mission Auto Electric, Inc. Now, M.A.E. Power Equipment, we have a reputation for selling top quality products and having excellent service. M.A.E. Power Equipment is an Onan, and Generac generator service center.

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FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2Mile & Bryan Rd Mission.

NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603

NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln.

HERITAGE BAPTIST MCALLEN 2549 Lindbergh Ave. McAllen • 451-6358

ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625

IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241

MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683

NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst

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CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570

TERRY

LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665

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OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223

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CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 N. Conway • 585-2413

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Lone Star ClubGeorge Myers to our business PlainsCapital BankLegacy is pleased to welcome ™

DEL SEPTIMO DIA CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 1725 W. Griffin Parkway CHURCH& Medical Equipment Pharmacy 581-9008 911 N. Main - McAllen An Exciting for Folks Who Are “50 Years Young” 686-4241 development team.

Prior Club to joining PlainsCapital, he served as president and IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA CONWAY AVENUE 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 Visit any one of our Lone Star National Bank locations throughout South Texas and CEO of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce.

George holds an MBA in BAPTIST open your Lone Star Legacy Club™ checking account todayCHURCH to start enjoying the IGLESIA BAUTISTA 2215 N. Conway • 585-2413 benefits of being a member.

CRISTO EL REY Marketing and has several yearsEL of FARO experience in the real estate industry.

Help 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission BIBLE CHURCH Club Features: 15 miles Mission on As a Lone Star Legacy Club™ member you will W. enjoyof many features such as: Exp. 83 us welcome George at an after-hours mixer and meet-and-greet at ourBAUTISTA IGLESIA Sullivan • 585-5617 • Legacy Express e-newsletter designed especiallyCity, for LoneTX Star Legacy Club™ COLONIAL members.

3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 ELof MESIAS UNITED meetings special topics interest.

PlainsCapital Bank• Membership branch inwithMission.

METHODIST • Adventurous and exciting trips, tours and cruises are accessible to all Lone Star IGLESIA BAUTISTA 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 Legacy Club™ members. To start planning your next getaway call DEL VALLE Mission Chamber1-800-568-9890.

After-Hours FAITH MixerBAPTIST at PlainsCapital Bank 217 in W. Mission Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 CHURCH Palmhurst 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465

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FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311

IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900

IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898 direct FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IGLESIA PENTECOSTES 12th and Miller - Mission NUEVA VIDA A/G 585-7281 211 W. Mile 3 Road Palmhurst • 956-342-9711 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN Rev. Candelario Banda CHURCH 2016 PlainsCapital Bank Equal Housing Lender Member FDIC 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule.

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OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. LA 83 RESPUESTA CHURCH IGLESIA BAUTISTA PROMISE LANDMission Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 FIRST UNITED 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 CHURCH COLONIAL METHODIST CHURCH OURCircle LADY(Corner OF GUADALUPE 2300 E. Palm of 495) 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 EL MESIAS UNITED CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665 Mission, TXCATHOLIC 78572 • 624-9307 METHODIST 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 MISSION CHURCH OFBAUTISTA THE IGLESIA 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 NAZARENE RIVER OUR OF LIFE HURCH LADYCOF THE HOLY DEL VALLE FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 1 mi.

E. 495 • 585-6683 901 S. Shary Rd. ROSARY CHURCH 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 923inMatamoros St. Inn • 581-2193 (Located the Holiday 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy.

519-7000 Palmhurst 3 miles•N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 Express Conference Room) Mission NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER PALM VALLEY CHURCH 451-4838 IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO FAITH FELLOWSHIP905 N. Conway • 369-3603 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

7500 West Expressway 83 BIBLE CHURCH GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 585-3203 SAN CRISTOBAL 581-1900 1 mile Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 11809 N. Shary Rd. •N.584-3112 MAGALLANES & CHURCH 519-6311 PEÑITAS BAPTIST NORTH MISSION COMPANIONS 1/3 Mile S. of PARISH Exp.83 on FM 1427 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO GREAT OAKS CHURCH OF CHRIST 3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5 583-6236 REDENTOR FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH COMMUNITY CHURCH 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Mission • 580-4551 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 1302 Doherty • 585-1442 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Palmhurst 585-5898 Corner 6th & Oblate SAN MARTIN DEofPORRES Mission FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 585-4711 mi. Street N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West PALMVIEW PENTECOSTES 500 E.59th 12th and Miller - Mission NORTH IGLESIA Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 APOSTOLIC NUEVA CHURCH VIDA A/G HERITAGE BAPTIST Mission, Texas 585-7281 PRIMERA IGLESIA 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln.Mile 3 Road 211 W. MCALLEN SPIRIT OF PEACE Palmhurst •584-0262 956-342-9711 & 584-5555 DEL VALLE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 2549 Lindbergh Ave. EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH ONLY THRU JESUS Rev. Candelario Banda APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY CHURCH McAllen • 451-6358 by Uncle Frank 3104 Los Milagros 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651 Mission • 581-1822 for worship schedule. Mission • 918-760-1625 IGLESIA ADVENTISTA

Mission Regional Medical Center | 900 S. Bryan Road, Mission, TX 78572 | Tel (956) 323-9000 BREAD OF LIFE |CHURCH

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OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Family HealtH Mission

CENTER OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH OCATHOLIC F mDunlap issiOn• 585-2623 620 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193 PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

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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

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

DARRELL DAVIS

E.PAUL Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622 ST. PETER301 & ST. EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA MISSION 585-5005

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SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078 Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954” 915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433 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

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KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW

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ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH KING, DAVIS & GARCIA 1052 Washington Ave. GUERRA, • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH DAVID H. GUERRA 1119 Francisco • 585-2701

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cited noise complaints and traffic issue as the reason to deny the extension.

As previously reported, city police and the city planning department came to both locations within one weekend in late March 2018 at around 10:30 p.m. and forced the stand to close for the night with a line of customers waiting for their order.

According to city Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo, the closures occurred because the raspa stand was in violation of its permit signed by Xavier that stated both locations wouldn’t extend their hours past 10 p.m.

“Beginning in September of 2018 and continuing through February of 2019, the Police Department of Mission has periodically harassed plaintiff’s employees and customers of the business at Griffin Parkway by arriving in the evening with sirens blasting and overhead lights flashing on multiple police cars and parking in the middle of the driveway to issue a ticket for violation of the disputed Conditional Use Permit closing time,” the petition filed by Xavier states. “Plaintiff has complained to the city of Mission about this activity and was assured it would cease. However, Mission police continue the practice of using sirens and flashing

lights to make it appear that serious crimes are occurring on the premises when it is merely an effort to enforce a disputed zoning ordinance.”

The petition requests that the Court find and determine that the closing is unconstitutional. That request, according to lawyers with the city of Mission, is cause to dismiss the case.

In a response filed by attorney Robert L. Galligan, the suit should be dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

“The court lacks jurisdiction over this action because the Plaintiff did not serve a copy of this proceeding to the Attorney General of Texas,” the response states.

“And there is no showing of substantial compliance... requiring service on the Attorney General....Plaintiff is guilty of inequitable conduct and has ‘unclean hands’ and is thus not entitled to injunctive relief.”

Alex Moreno Jr., the lawyer representing Snowball Express LLC., said until the hearing on Monday, both parties will continue discussing the matter until they reach an agreement.

“We’re saying is they’re picking on us, they’re doing things to my clients they’re not doing to anyone else or any other restaurant in the city,” Moreno said. “He’s being singled out.”

Benefit concert highlights local indigenous tribe

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commitment to providing transparency in the work you perform for Texans at your respective governmental entities,” he added.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, is working with advocates of government transparency and accountability on legislation addressing the appeals court’s criticism of the law.

The bill-filing deadline for the current legislative session is Friday, March 8.

Abbott reappoints Morath Gov. Abbott on Feb. 27 announced his reappointment of Mike Morath as state commissioner of education for a term to expire on Jan. 16, 2023.

The reappointment is subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate.

Morath has served as chief executive of the Texas Education Agency since January 2016.

the Tribe have appeared in the news for participating in several local protests against the incoming border wall.

Last month, the group even held a protest in San Antonio outside the office of Gideon Contracting LLC, a firm that was hired to build a portion of the border wall in the Rio Grande Valley according to a report from the San Antonio television station KSAT-TV. Funding approved by Congress are directed to build a wall along the levee that will go through local landmarks such as the National Butterfly Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and the La Lomita Chapel.

Mancias, however, said he and his people have been protesting the border wall since levee fencing started going up in the area more than a decade ago.

“Our villages go all the way across the Rio Grande River. The wall will go through burial grounds of indigenous tribes, especially as they get closer to the river,” Mancias explained. “We’ve been fighting the wall with President Bush, Bush Jr, Clinton and Obama, for years. What has changed?”

Border construction will reportedly feature a 150-foot-wide “enforcement zone” that will clear a 150

feet area from the wall. It could impact the historic Eli Jackson Cemetery near San Juan sitting near the levee.

The cemetery holds the final burial grounds of several of Mancias’ ancestors he said, and the Tribe have been defending it by camping nearby to prevent border wall construction in the area.

“We’re doing our part to save the history and wildlife,” Mancias said. “The history and wildlife here have rights, but no one is voicing them and instead are giving in to an oppressed and colonized mindset of having a wall that will go through private property and sacred sites just to feel like they’re safe. It’s another form of gentrification to accommodate urban and colonized mentality.”

Mancias said with the concert, the community might be more open to listening to the Tribe. They have been working on community beautification projects such as cleaning up roads and land near the butterfly Center and the Eli Jackson Cemetery.

“We’ve had a welcome response so far, we expect some people to look down at us for what we do but we

See INDIGENOUS TRIBE Pg. 10

March 8, 2019

page 5

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Reading Rock Stars program captivates young students in the RGV

By Jamie Treviño Last week, students at several Valley schools were able to meet and learn from nationally-recognized authors and illustrators who created the books they have been reading this year.

The Texas Book Festival brought the Reading Rock Stars program back to the Rio Grande Valley last Thursday and Friday. The event brought nine authors/ illustrators to schools in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, La Joya Independent School District, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, Weslaco Independent School District and Donna Independent School District.

One of the MCISD schools chosen this year was Hurla M. Midkiff Elementary in Palmhurst.

Students at Midkiff got to hear Julissa Arce (author), Rafael López (illustrator) and Steven Weinberg (author and illustrator) speak on the process of creating a book and how they bring their ideas to life. Arce spoke to fourth and fifth grade, López spoke to pre-k, kindergarten and first grade and Weinberg spoke to second and third grade.

“Promoting literacy is a central part of our mission,” says Lea Bogner, Outreach Manager for Texas Book Festival. “For our eleventh year of Reading Rock Stars

in the Rio Grande Valley, we’re proud to bring this celebrated, diverse group of authors and their important stories to these students.”

In addition to meeting these authors and illustrators, students were gifted autographed copies of their author’s book, handed to the kids by the creators themselves. 3,140 books were given to students in the RGV alone this year.

According to a press release from the Texas Book Festival, the annual literacy program “brings books to life for children in low-income schools by inviting authors and illustrators into classrooms with entertaining presentations that inspire students to read, write, and create.”

For López, showing students that success is possible for everyone is the best part about working with the Reading Rock Stars program.

“Part of the program is about connecting authors with the people we visit,” López said. “Being an immigrant from Mexico, I hope that when I talk to the kids, they can see themselves in me one day.”

López added that changing just one student’s life makes everything he does worth it, because that one kid will change the lives of two more, and so on. He said that literature introduces students to other ideas and cultures.

“It fosters tolerance,”

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Author and illustrator Steven Weinberg speaking to second and third grade students at Midkiff Elementary School for the Reading Rock Stars program last Friday morning.

López said. “We should show kids as many books as possible, so not only do they see people that are different than them, but people that look like them as well.”

According to López, empathy and understanding are deepened with a diverse reading list and library because of the varied perspectives and different struggles people face. He said that showing children real-life examples of diverse writers and illustrators who have gone through the process of creating a work of art fosters

inspiration, and the Texas Book Festival wants to promote that.

“In the studio, you’re by yourself, you don’t have all these interactions,” López said. “And then you get here, and they [the students] are so excited to show you their work, so you see the connection there. There’s an affirmation that what I’m doing is making a difference.”

The Texas Book Festival was founded in 1995 by former First Lady Barbara Bush, Mary Margaret Farabee, and a group of volun-

teers as a non-profit in order to “inspire Texans of all ages to love reading.”

Since its inception, TBF has annual events other than their main weekend in Austin such as the Reading Rock Stars Title I program (for elementary schools), the Real Reads Title I program (for middle and high schools) and the Texas Teen Book Festival.

The Festival also provides grants to Texas libraries and year-round literary programming.

Midkiff Elementary Prin-

cipal Dora Villalobos seemed excited and happy to see the students engaging with the authors and illustrators. She reminded students that what they learned from the authors applies to how they create their own stories.

“I always tell our Midkiff Mavericks that every time they’re reading, there’s a little movie in your mind,” Villalobos said. “There’s a huge connection with reading and writing, and having that comprehension of understanding what’s going on.”

Palmview looking into overhauling Crime Stoppers program

By Jose De Leon III Citing several management issues and a lack of a relationship with the Palmview Crime Stoppers Program, the city of Palmview voted Tuesday to look into creating a new program.

If the city were to move forward with creating a new Crime Stoppers program, that would mean the end of the current one, according to current city attorney Eric Flores.

Tuesday’s heated discussion had councilmembers Linda Sarabia, Joel Garcia and Javier Ramirez discuss several issues the city had with the Crime Stoppers Program for the last few years.

“They left our city two years ago, there’s issues with them not being transparent with us and providing their budget for review and didn’t want to work with us,” Garcia said. “It’s been a concern for us.”

To look into creating a new Crime Stoppers Program, Flores will meet with the state Crime Stoppers board to begin discussions, a process that can take up to four months, Flores said.

“We’re going to see what we can do and if we can create one, if so we’d have to pull our affiliation from the current program,” Flores explained. “There can only be one Crime Stoppers program per geographical area according to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council. If a new

one is created the old one would be absolved.”

The Palmview Crime Stoppers Program was founded in 2003 and allows citizens to contact the city police department with tips on crimes and be rewarded if the tips result in an arrest or conviction according to Palmview Police Sgt. Arnold Sepulveda.\ However, as there is currently no agreement of any kind between both parties-which most cities routinely carry according to Sepulveda, the Palmview Crime Stoppers Program is not obligated to report to the city.

“They’re their own corporation, they only have to report to the state Crime Stoppers Program but in the past they’ve always reported to us as a sign of good faith,” Sepulveda explained. “It was done in the past as a sign of transparency.”

According to several city council members, the Palmview Crime Stoppers program was housed at the Palmview City Hall, but its headquarters moved to Peñitas in 2017. An address listed on the program’s Facebook page however still lists a Palmview address.

This is the second time the city publicly addressed issues with the Palmview Crime Stoppers.

At a city council meeting held March 2018, council members met with representatives of the Crime Stoppers Program and grilled them

about their lack of presence in city events, the program’s use of city resources, the program’s refusal to allow the city council to appoint members to the board and the purchase of a vehicle through Crime Stoppers funds but titled under the city’s name.

“It got heated,” Flores said of the meeting.

At the time, Garcia insinuated that the lack of a relationship between both parties was the result of the November 2016 election when Palmview Crime Stoppers Board Member Arnaldo Nacianceno unsuccessfully ran for city council.

While most Palmview Crime Stoppers board members declined to comment, Nacianceno confirmed in a statement to the Progress Times the program’s lack of obligation to report to the city.

“At the end of the day Palmview Crime Stoppers is a total separate entity. We do not report to the city, we report to the state,” Nacianceno stated.

Though Sarabia, Garcia and Ramirez voted in favor of looking into creating a new Crime Stoppers Program, councilmembers Jose Luis Perez and Anthony Uresti-who were elected to the city council last fall and were not present at the March 2018 meeting-questioned why the city couldn’t just attempt to rekindle a relationship with the current program.

“I know for the past two years they have not been in-

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volved with the city due to disagreements with previous and current administration, but we owe it to our citizens to set aside our differences and work together with entities that carry our city’s name,” Uresti said after the meeting.

Sarabia said that there were attempts to reach out to the local Crime Stoppers Program since last year’s

meeting, but said members were unresponsive to their requests to continue discussions.

“There was misuse of funds and other things we’ve discussed already, I don’t understand why you want to continue working with them,” Sarabia told Perez at one point during the meeting.

Sepulveda said the city police department will pre-

pare itself to work with whichever Crime Stoppers Program is put in place, be it the current one or a new one.

“We do believe that it’s a good program, many crimes have been solved because of tips provided by the public,” Sepulveda said. “There’s no doubt the program works.”

THE

March 8, 2019

Sports week

BIG7 SCHOOLS

page 6

www.ptrgv.com/sports

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

Lady Rattlers outlifting the competition Big 7 sending 16 powerlifters to state

By Bryan Ramos

Sharyland High was in the spotlight at the Region V Division I Championships at PSJA Memorial last weekend as the Lady Rattlers powerlifting squad had five punch their ticket to the state meet in Waco March 14 through March 16.

The Lady Rattlers came in sixth as a team, but some individual performances stood out to give Sharyland a top 10 finish against the top competition Region V has to offer.

Brianda Resendez brought home the Top Overall Lifter Award after she finished first in the 132-pound weight class, shattering a couple state records along the way. Her 420 squat and 225 bench press set records in the 132-pound weight class as Resendez put up 995 total pounds in the three lifts.

Her first place finish was 60 more than the next closest competitor as Resendez moves on to the state qualifying meet.

Four more Lady Rattlers will be making their way to the state meet after solid performances at regionals. Katrina Mendez and Carolina Constantino both lifted over

850 pounds in the 181-division as they finished in sixth and 11th place, respectively.

Ashley Tijerina finished with a second place medal in the 114-pound weight class by lifting 845 total pounds, just 15 shy of first place. Gabriella Mercado earned her spot at the state meet by hitting the 825-pound qualifying mark.

The Palmview Lady Lobos powerlifting program is sending four to the state meet, led by Donna Mondragon who brought home third in the 123-pound weight class with a 350 pound squat, 180 pound bench and 340 on deadlift. Joining Mondragon will be Erika Diaz and Alysse Hernandez in the 97-pound weight class, and Ennette Diaz in the 132-pound weight class.

La Joya High and Mission High each qualified a pair of powerlifters. Brisa Barrientos and Keyla Puente will be representing the Lady Coyotes, as Puente finished third in the 165-pound weight class with 1,015 total pounds lifted. Puente’s 290 pound deadlift was the highest in her class by 25 pounds.

Bianca Rosales (148-pound weight class) and Erika Guerrero (220-pound

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra.

Sharyland Lady Rattlers power lifters, Carolina Constantino (181 lbs.), Gabriela Mercado (165 lbs.), Brianda Resendez (132 lbs.), Katrina Mendez (181 lbs.) and Ashley Tijerina (114 lbs.), all qualified for the State Powerlifting meet being held next week. weight class) are the state qualifiers for the Lady Eagles as they both hit the qualifying total in their class.

Mission Veterans, Juarez-Lincoln and Sharyland Pioneer qualified one powerlifter each as Brianna

Flores finished second overall in the 148-pound weight class for the Lady Patriots with 1,000 total pounds lifted. Jeweliana Rosas finished eighth in the 181-pound weight class with 910 pounds for the Lady Huskies, while

Alejandra Roman met the qualifying mark with 830 total pounds to give the Lady Diamondbacks their lone state representative.

The Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association 2019 State Cham-

pionships are scheduled for March 14 through March 16 at Extraco Events Center in Waco. The 5A and 6A state qualifiers will weigh-in on Friday before starting their lifts at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Sharyland Pioneer High School Linsey Garza (center) at her athletic signing to play golf at Southwestern University Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019

Pioneer student signs on to Southwestern University

By Jose De Leon III A Sharyland Pioneer High School senior signed a letter of intent to play golf for Southwestern University.

Linsey Garza signed the letter Wednesday, Feb. 27 during a ceremony at Pioneer

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High School’s gym.

“I wouldn’t have this special opportunity without my supportive coaches, family friends and teammates,” Garza said at the signing.

“I’m extremely excited to celebrate the next step in my career.”

Garza said she is interested in studying communications at Southwestern University but for now plans on going as an undeclared student.

Tom Lee, athletic director at the campus, praised Garza’s achievement at Pioneer over the years.

As a freshman, she was awarded newcomer of the year, received a silver medal in the district championship and was named first in the district and second in the all Valley competitions in her junior year.

In all those three years, Garza has qualified as a regional qualifier, Lee said.

“She’s currently ranked 4th overall in the Valley with an average of 79.56 and we expect her to continue to lead our team to the regional tournament this year,” Lee said.

“The state tournament will be in Georgetown where she

will be attending school so she’s excited for that.

Susan Lopez, head golf coach at Pioneer, also praised her athlete.

“I’ve watched linsey grow these last few years and could not be prouder of the hard work she’s put in, this is the result of a tremendous amount of work that she’s put in,” Lopez said.

“Southwestern University is gaining a strong member and as good as she is right now I don’t think she’s reached her potential. Until then, she will be an important addition to the team.”

Lifeguard Certification Course

March 2019

LJISD S&L Complex offers American Red Cross Lifeguard Classes

Get certified in Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Must be 16 years of age Next course is set March 11-15 from 10am-12pm • Cost : $100

1801 Western Rd • Mission, TX 78572

(956) 323-2148

March 8, 2019

page 7

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Teams taking shape in tourney season

Preseason play wrapping up with district around the corner

By Bryan Ramos

The last few games of non-district and tournament play are slated for this weekend as Big 7 baseball programs gear up for the grind of district action. With 30-6A and 31-5A featuring some of the top teams South Texas has to offer, they will be looking to have a good showing this weekend for the start of district on Tuesday.

Sharyland ISD Hardball Classic The Sharyland Rattlers and the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks played solid ball in the first two days of the tournament, but a forfeiture on day three prevented the public from seeing two of the Valley’s best in the championship game.

The Sharyland Rattlers

went 3-1 in at home in pool play, advancing to the semifinals of their host tournament by beating Edinburg High (10-0), McAllen Memorial (9-1) and Brownsville Rivera (5-4), but falling to Brownsville Veterans (0-3).

As for the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks, they went a perfect 4-0 in pool play, bringing their home record to 9-0 early this season.

The Diamondbacks dismantled the competition on day one, rolling through Valley View (13-2) and Port Isabel (16-1). On the second day of the tourney, the Diamondbacks got by Edinburg North (9-4) and San Antonio Alamo Heights (8-6) to punch their semifinals ticket.

With four teams advancing to the semifinals set for Saturday morning, only three

teams would show. Sharyland played San Antonio Alamo Heights as scheduled at 10 a.m., but Brownsville Veterans no-showed to prevent Sharyland Pioneer from their semifinal game. The Sharyland Rattlers went on to win against S.A. Alamo Heights 8-1, but with one championship team having played already that morning, while Sharyland Pioneer didn’t because of their opponent forfeiting, the Rattlers and Diamondbacks decided to cancel the tourney final and split the Sharyland ISD Hardball Classic as co-champions.

Sharyland High’s Martin Vazquez and Sharyland Pioneer’s Evan Maldonado split the MVP award as both had stellar outings to lead their team all weekend. Vazquez

went 13-for-16 at the plate, hitting two home runs, and driving in eight runners for the Rattlers. Maldonado was nearly perfect at the plate as the junior went 13-for-14, blasting one home run and bringing in 12 RBIs for the Diamondbacks.

Ray Hernandez, Jacob Rosales and Johnny Lugo were named to the All-Tourney team for the Diamondbacks, while Lalo Salinas, Chase Gerlach and Ivan Alvarez represented the Rattlers on the All-Tourney team.

Both the Rattlers and Diamondbacks now move on to the Edinburg All-American Classic where they’ll join 18 other teams in the final tournament before district begins.

La Joya ISD Tournament The pack hosted the La Joya ISD Tournament where they welcomed the likes of Donna High, PSJA Southwest and Edinburg Economedes.

The La Joya Coyotes went 3-1 in tourney play with wins over Rio Hondo (14-4), Houston Math, Science & Technology (5-2) and San Benito (7-2). Freshman Hugo Cantu brought in five RBIs in the game against Rio Hondo, while sophomore Salvador Lopez brought in four over the course of four games. La Joya’s lone loss in the tourney was at the hands of Brownsville Lopez, who beat the Coyotes 12-4.

The Palmview Lobos

went 2-2 as they cruised by Edinburg Economedes 15-0 in game two of the tourney.

The Lobos finished the tourney on Saturday with a 9-3 win over Brownsville Pace.

Junior Jonathan Martinez brought in six RBIs for the Lobos in the tourney as he went 10-for-12 at the plate.

The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies went 1-3 in their host tournament as their lone win came in a 3-2 victory over La Grulla.

La Joya and Juarez-Lincoln are all set to take part in the Edinburg All-American Classic this weekend, while Palmview will play in PSJA’s Mike Rodriguez Tournament.

Pet of the Week

Spot is a male lab mix, believed to be between 5 to 6 months old. Spot is a very happy dog, with a lot of energy! If you would like to make Spot a part of your family, contact the Mission Pawsible Program at 956580-8741, M-F, 8AM-5PM. The City of Mission Animal Shelter is located at 227 Abelino Farias, and is open throughout the week and on Saturdays - 9AM to 4PM. The cost to adopt is $50, which includes: Spay/Neuter, Rabies Shot, 1st Vaccine, Microchip and Deworming.

To view more animals in the Mission Pawsible Program, visit missiontexas.us.

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La Joya catcher Salvador Lopez receives the pitch on a swing and a miss by a Brownsville Lopez batter during the Coyotes’ La Joya Tournament game against the Lobos Saturday afternoon.

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page 8

March 8, 2019

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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.

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

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2019, at her home in Mission.

Manuel Rodriguez MISSION – Manuel Rodriguez, 67, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

Ricardo Rodriguez PALMVIEW – Ricardo Rodriguez, 77, passed away on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg.

Alejandro Sanchez MISSION – Alejandro Sanchez, 72, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Solara Hospital in McAllen.

James Schrader MISSION – James Everett Schrader, 77, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, in Mission.

Antonia Sauceda MISSION – Antonia Carrizalez Sauceda, 74, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Comfort House in McAllen.

Maria Sanchez SULLIVAN CITY – Maria M. Sanchez, 71, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at Pax Villa Hospice.

Matthias Solis MISSION – Matthias Ziya Solis, infant, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Maria Vasquez MISSION – Maria E. Vasquez, 62, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Kenneth Wieneke MISSION – Kenneth Carl Wieneke, 93, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

progresstimes

progresstimes

Shemuel Dominguez MISSION – Shemuel Dominguez, age 3, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

He was born on March 3, 2015, in McAllen to Moises and Ismerai (Garcia) Dominguez.

Survivors include his par-

Domingo Garcia Jr. ALTON – Mr. Domingo Garcia Jr., 61, passed away on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Garcia was born on Dec. 20, 1957, in McAllen to Domingo and Manuela (Marez) Garcia.

Survivors include his children, Melody Solis, Domingo Garcia III, Jacqueline Garcia, Cassandra Qunitanilla and Alanna Garcia; brother, Rene Garcia; and 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Barri Baloun MISSION – Barri Baloun, 69, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, at Solara Hospital in McAllen.

Jacobo Camacho MISSION – Jacobo Camacho, 22, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Mission.

Severita Debarron SULLIVAN CITY – Severita M. Debarron, 70, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Guadalupe Contreras PALMHURST – Guadalupe Contreras, 72, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Rita Escamilla LOS EBANOS – Rita Alicia Escamilla, 90, passed away on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at Comfort House in McAllen.

Ninfa Estrada MISSION – Ninfa Estrada, 88, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Senior Care Edinburg Health & Rehabilitation.

Domingo Garcia Jr. ALTON – Domingo Garcia Jr., 61, passed away on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Hilda Garcia MISSION – Hilda Lidia Garcia, 71, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Mission.

Rafael Garza MISSION – Rafael G. Garza, 82, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at his home in Mission Jesus Gonzalez MISSION – Jesus Garcia Gonzalez, 91, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg.

Ludivina Gonzalez MISSION – Ludivina Gonzalez, 81, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Jose Guajardo MISSION – Jose Guajardo, 81, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at a Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

Soledad Hernandez ALTON – Soledad Torres Hernandez, 57, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at her home in Alton.

Ricardo Jackson PEÑITAS – Ricardo A. Jackson, 75, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2019, at his home in Peñitas.

Paulino Lara ALTON – Paulino Lara, 87, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Isidra Lopez MISSION – Isidra C. Lopez, 84, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at Solara Hospital in McAllen.

Jose Lopez MISSION – Jose Cruz Lopez, 58, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, in Mission.

Aida Martinez MISSION – Aida Martinez, 84, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at her home.

Gabriela Munoz SULLIVAN CITY – Gabriela Gonzalez Munoz, 38, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

Florencia Moreno MISSION – Florencia Moreno, 82, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Kervy Norris PEÑITAS – Kervy Norris, 88, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Arlette Olvera MISSION – Arlette Santa Ana Olvera, age 2, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi Emilia Rivera MISSION – Emilia Torres al Torro de Rivera, 87, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 24, progresstimes

Ramon De La Mora MISSION – Ramon De La Mora, 70, passed away on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mr. De La Mora was born on Feb. 20, 1949, in Zacatecas, Mexico, to Aurelio and Maria (Banuelos) De La Mora.

Survivors include his siblings, Rosendo, Juan, Juan Antonio, Ana, Consuelo, Gloria and Maria De La Mora.

A funeral service was held on Feb. 28 at Rivera Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Mission.

ents; siblings, Suni and Sua Dominguez; paternal grandparents, Alfredo and Eva Dominguez; and maternal grandparents, Benjamin and Maai Garcia.

A funeral service was held on Feb. 28 at Rivera Funeral Home in McAllen.

Burial followed at La Piedad Cemetery in McAllen.

Juan Esquivel MISSION – Juan Esquivel, 65, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Mission.

Mr. Esquivel was born on May 18, 1953, in Diaz Ordaz, Tamps., Mexico, to Antonio and Eva Esquivel.

Survivors include his wife, Hortencia Esquivel; children, Juan Jr., Jose, Veronica, Gloria and Victoria Esquivel; siblings, Maribel and Abel Esquivel; and 11 grandchildren.

Notices

progresstimes

obituaries

A memorial service was held on March 2 at Templo Admirable in San Juan. Arrangements were under the care of Rivera Funeral Home in McAllen.

Maria Moreno MISSION – Maria Felidelfia Moreno, 87, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 at Briarcliff Nursing and Rehabilitation in McAllen.

Mrs. Moreno was a Mission native and worked at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Alton.

Survivors include her children, Guadalupe Moreno of Mission, Gilberto Moreno of Garland, Felidelfia Santana of McAllen, Maria Villarreal of Edinburg, San Juanita Perez of Mission, Mariana Villarreal of San Juan, Lorenzo Moreno of Mission and Beatriz Moreno of Mission; siblings, Frances Martinez, Elia Espinoza and Elisa Borrego; and 24 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Santos Moreno Jr., and siblings, Elva Meza and Federico Moreno.

A funeral mass was held on March 2 at San Martin de Porres., Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

Virginia Muniz MISSION – Virginia Rivas Muniz, 71, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg.

Mrs. Muniz was born on Nov. 3, 1947, in Mission.

Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Leonel Muniz Sr.; children, Leonel Muniz Jr., Edna Bustos, and Jason Muniz; siblings, Manuela Rivas, Samuel Rivas, Alicia Ramirez, Maria Buentello, Teresa Garza and Juan Rivas; and 10 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Angie Muniz; father, Samuel Rivas Sr.; and mother, Virginia Rivas.

A funeral mass was held on March 5 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Cremation followed.

For the latest news and updates check us

March 8, 2019 For Sale

USE VITA-TABS daily to prevent allerfies, promote good health & longevity, Border Enterprises, 956487-2570 (www. kennelvax.com) 1 PLOT WITH 2 rights at Valley Memorial Garden

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com in the Guardian Angel section, $3,500 OBO, if interested please call 956-4008297, leave text or message if there is no answer.

USE FLEXENHANCE TO treat arthritic symptoms in dogs with-

out a prescription, Southwest Hay & Feed,(www.kennelvax.com).

Help Wanted

SE SOLICITA JOYERO/A, hiring bench jeweler, 304 N. Conway Ave. Ste.B, Mission,TX 78572, 956-584-6622.

LIFEGUARDS WANTED

La Joya ISD is now hiring SEASONAL lifeguards.

Please Contact Virginia for Lifeguard certification.

Call 956-323-2162 or 956-309-6866.

Must be 16 or older.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Alton will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Legislative Chambers located at 509 S. Alton Boulevard to consider the following request: Si desea información en español, llame al departamento de Planeación de la Ciudad de Alton, (956) 432-0760.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: Jennifer J. Cantu, d.b.a. El Rey Drive Thru, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to obtain a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit at 1921 W. Main Avenue, legally described as Inspiration Heights, Lot 8, Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas.

The public is invited to attend and express support for or opposition to this application. You may also file written support or opposition to by 12:00 noon on March 26, 2019, for the Planning and Zoning and the City Commission.

For questions please call Janie Flores, Planning Department at (956) 432-0760.

Oracion Al Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo, tu que me aclaras todo, que iluminas todos los caminos para que yo alcance mi ideal, tu que me das el don divino de perdonar y olvidar el mal que me hacen y que en todos los instantes de mi vida estas conmigo, yo quiero en este corto dialogo agradecerte por todo y confirmar una vez mas que nunca quiero separarme de ti por mayor que sea la ilusion material.

Deseo estar contigo y todos mis seres queridos en la gracia perpetua. Gracias por tu misericordia para conmigo y los mios.

La persona debera rezar esta oracion 3 dias sequidos sin decir el pedido. dentro de tres dias sera alcanzada la gracia por mas deficil que sea. (Publicar en cuanto se recibia la gracia).

Agradece gracia alcanzada.

T.R.

page 9

BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 2 Weeks = $10 4 Weeks = $14

T H E C L AS SI F I E D S

Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573. Submit by email or pay by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

ADVERTISEMENT/INVITATION FOR BIDS REQUEST FOR SEALED PROPOSALS PROJECT: City of Alton – USDA Sanitary Sewer Yard Line Project DESCRIPTION: Work of the Project consists of decommissioning of existing residential septic tanks and the installation of a plumbing inside residential properties and connecting to the existing wastewater collection system.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE: Thursday, March 28, 2019 TIME: 3:00 P.M. C.S.T. The City of Alton will receive sealed bids for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Sanitary Sewer Yard Line Project until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday March 28, 2019 addressed to the City of Alton in the office of the city manager, Alton City Hall, 509 S. Alton Blvd. Suite F, Alton, Texas 78573. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud as near as practical after 3:00 p.m. on the date of submittal at the Alton City Hall. Bids received after closing time will be returned unopened.

Bid/Contract Documents, including Drawings and Technical Specifications are available from LEMC, LLC. located at 208 S. Alton Blvd. Alton, Texas 78574 the phone number is 956-687-5362, upon request and payment of $150.00. The payment is non-refundable. Electronic drawings will be provided at no cost.

A pre-bid conference will be conducted by the Owner on Thursday March 21, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. The pre-bid conference shall be conducted at the City of Alton City Hall office located at, 509 S. Alton Boulevard, Alton, Texas 78573. Sub-contractors, suppliers, and equipment suppliers may attend.

A bid bond in the amount of 5 percent of the bid issued by an acceptable surety shall be submitted with each bid. A certified check or bank draft payable to the City of Alton or negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (as par value) may be submitted in lieu of the Bid Bond.

This contract is subject to the requirements of the Davis Bacon Wage Act and all reporting requirements. Wages paid on this project will be governed by USDA requirements and the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage General Decision or Decisions included within the bid documents for this project. The contract will also be subject to monitoring and reporting requirements described in the bid documents.

Attention is called to the fact that the successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)/Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) “fair share” goals. Also not less than the federally determined prevailing (Davis-Bacon and Related Acts) wage rate, as issued by the Texas Department of Rural Affairs and contained in the contract documents, must be paid on this project. In addition, the successful bidder must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex age or national origin.

Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the USDA. Neither the State of Texas nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees are or will be a party to this Invitation for Bids or any resulting contract.

Equal Opportunity in Employment – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin. Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended by Executive Order 11275, and as supplemented in Department of Labor regulations 41 CFR Part 60.

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

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

Bids may be held by the City of Alton for a period not to exceed 90 days from the date of the bid opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the bidder’s qualifications prior to the contract award.

All contractors/subcontractors that are debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation on federal assistance programs may not undertake any activity in part or in full under this project.

Contract is contingent upon release of funds from the USDA. City of Alton

Salvador Vela, Mayor

Date Published: March 08, 2019

page 10

March 8, 2019

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Agua SUD board member admits he parked government vehicle at game room, says he wasn’t gambling

By Dave Hendricks A member of the Agua Special Utility District board stopped at a Zapata County game room last week — while driving a government vehicle.

Ivan Sandoval, who represents Sullivan City on the

from pg. 4

utility board, said he stopped to meet his mother-in-law on the way back from a conference in Eagle Pass.

“She was taking care of my kids,” said Sandoval, 34, who works for the La Joya Independent School District.

“And I had to pick up the key for the house.”

Sandoval, who was driv-

INDIGENOUS TRIBE

have nothing to lose in this battle,” Mancias said. “We know our identity, they can’t take that from us, but we can at least help the environment and save the wildlife that is

here. We’re here to collaborate with the community, celebrate, battle the wall with them. I don’t think we’re alone in this.”

ing a utility district vehicle, said he stopped at a game room near the Starr County-Zapata County line. He parked just long enough, though, for someone to snap a photo, which appeared online with the caption: “Agua Sud Employees at a Slot Machine Game Room in Zapata During Working Hours.”

The photo caused a stir in western Hidalgo County.

When the utility board met Monday night, President Esequiel “Zeke” Ortiz Jr. asked utility General Manager Jose E. “Eddie” Saenz what happened.

“There are no employees that have taken that vehicle out of the county. We’ve only had it out twice,” Saenz said, adding that both out-of-county trips involved members of

from pg. 1

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Orlando Cruz performing Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Butterflies with No Border-Protect the Sacred Benefit Concert.

www.alltechcool.com

HEATING & COOLING

956-519-3308

TACLB26552C

to get off. I have to find her.

Look for her. So it’s going to take me a couple of minutes because there are so many different machines.”

While technically legal in Texas, game rooms may offer slot-machine style devices for amusement only. They may not pay cash prizes.

Investigators across the Rio Grande Valley routinely shut down game rooms and arrest the owners. Players may be charged with gambling, a Class C misdemeanor.

Asked whether or not the Zapata County game room pays cash prizes, Sandoval wouldn’t say.

“I don’t want to comment on that,” Sandoval said.

Ivan Sandoval

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

“I was born in Edinburg to a 16-year-old mother and a 17-year-old father,” Rodriguez said. “They had an eighth grade education, and all they could do to support themselves and me and my brother was work in the fields.”

Rodriguez described his family’s tribulations while they worked as migrants, and said that because he didn’t have the ideal home life, he put all his efforts into his studies in order to succeed.

“My mom knew what it meant to get educated, she knew what she wanted from us,” Rodriguez said. “Going from being a migrant worker to trying to graduate from school was tough, because besides being poor, there were a lot of issues going on in school, just like today.”

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the utility board. “Last week, Mr. Sandoval took it to a conference in Eagle Pass.

And then the month before Mr. Tijerina took it out to Austin for a conference.”

Saenz said all utility district vehicles come equipped with GPS. Staff will review the logs to determine where, exactly, the vehicle went.

Asked about the incident, Sandoval immediately took responsibility but said he didn’t do anything wrong.

“Understand, I’ve gone and played there so many different times. Of course, with my vehicle, right? Now, you enter there, I mean, the phones don’t work. No service inside,” Sandoval said, adding that he couldn’t call his mother-in-law from the car. “So, of course, I have

He added that there are always several things going on in schools, and that the students should have the opportunities to attend classes and learn without having to worry about everything else occurring in their environment.

“Bullying, drugs, alcohol, teen dating violence, we know what’s going on,” Rodriguez said. “We know because besides the conversations that we have with individuals in the school district, we see it in the courtroom.”

As a Criminal Defense Attorney, Rodriguez helped start this campaign to address the cases of teen dating and family violence in the RGV. Martinez, who has been with Victims Services for

19 years, spoke about a best friend she had when she was 14 years old who was murdered by her father. She said that since that experience, she knew she wanted to help young people and adults who are victimized by family and domestic violence.

“When I was growing up, I knew she was going through domestic violence at home,” Martinez said. “The first time I heard about family violence was when they told me my best friend was killed at 14.”

She stated that she was in a “horrific place” as a teenager after the loss of her friend.

“I wish I had somebody that would have told me how I could help my friend, because I knew my friend was being abused at home,” Martinez said. “She would come

to me every day and tell me what was going on at home, and I was a kid, I didn’t know what to do.”

Rodriguez, Martinez and Palomo all encouraged students to report any warning signs of abuse or violence to adults they trust. They said that even if it’s not happening to them, it may be happening to a peer.

“You may have a friend who may be going through a situation, but they don’t know who to talk to, or don’t know how to reach out for help,” Rodriguez said. “You can save that person. You can help that person. You can make a difference, not only with yourself, but with your friends as well.”

speedy assistance in getting Hensley and their pets to safety during the fire.

“It’s not only about what the alarm system can do, it’s about what a great community can do,” Dernberger said.

The Mission Fire Department was presented with two $5,000 checks, one from ADT and one from USAA for their service to the residents of the city.

“When normally, people would flee from a burning building, they’re the first ones going in to pull someone out,” Dernberger said.

Fire Chief Gilbert San-

chez accepted the checks, and said the department would use the funds to purchase an additional industrial washing machine for their second station.

“As Fire Marshal for over 18 years, the importance of having these systems in place - not just in businesses, but residential - enhances the response time in these emergencies,” Sanchez said. “I’m very happy that this overall effort, starting from the dispatch all the way to the response time in the city and the community in this neighborhood, got Bob out.”

THANKSFUL RESIDENTS

Hensley said that because of the heavy smoke, he was so “out of it” he was “like a cheap drunk” who didn’t know where he was.

“The smoke overcame me and the alarm was going off, and the neighbors heard it,” Hensley said. “I never saw the flames, but the smoke I was breathing was poisonous.”

Dernberger said that Mingie’s calm handling of the situation made for a fast notification to the fire department.

“It lends power as to why it’s so important for

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monitored protection, for the alarm system inside the house,” Dernberger said. “It got somebody over here to help folks like Bob.” Mingie was flown from Tennessee to meet Hensley and McLeaish for the first time in person during the press conference. She hugged both of them and was presented with an ADT Hero Award for her work.

Mingie said she was glad to meet the couple, and grateful to see Hensley doing well.

ADT also gave the neighbors an award for their