Friday, April 26, 2019_PT ISSUE

INDEX

Mission Updates

A lot is happening in Mission this week. See our updates on the most recent city council meeting, concerns regarding a storage facility on Conway and more details on Starr County SCU executing a search warrant at a Mission law firm.

See Pg. 5

Entertainment....pg. 2

Local Business Spotlight

Lifestyle...................pg. 3

Jose De Leon III highlights the Family Health Center of Mission and what they provide for the community. See our story for more on how the clinic got started in the city 25 years ago, inside.

Sports.......................pg. 7

See Pg. 8

Death Notices......pg. 9 Classifieds.............pg.11

Your Hometown Newspaper, Bringing Communities Together.

Progress times Vol. 47 - #35

Friday, April 26, 2019

50¢ cents

www.ptrgv.com

Edinburg mayor surrenders to investigators on voter fraud charges

By Dave Hendricks Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina surrendered to investigators Thursday to face voter fraud charges.

Ricardo “Richard” Molina, 41, of Edinburg and his wife, Dalia Molina, 42, of Edinburg, surrendered Thursday morning at the Texas Department of Public Safety building near the intersection of U.S. 281 and Davis Road.

“My client and his wife are victims of a power struggle,” said attorney Carlos A. Garcia of Mission, who represents Richard Molina. “We intend to fight these charges, and both of them are absolutely innocent of what the state alleges.”

Dalia Molina is charged with illegal voting, a secProgress Times photo by Dave Hendricks

Richard Molina appears in court Thursday for charges filed against him.

Mission to put local artistic work on display for first arts festival

By Jamie Treviño Ariel King is trying to give mom and pop shops in Mission some more attention while simultaneously highlighting deserving artists that have gone unrecognized.

Tomorrow, April 27, the first Mission Arts Festival will be happening at various locations throughout Mission all day. The event will feature art of all mediums at various hotspots in the city, including The Historic William Jennings Bryan House, Upper Valley Art League, Black Iris, 5x5 Brewing Co., The Tea Room, Hands in Art Studio, the Speer Memorial Library and the Historic Border Theater.

King, the owner of The Bryan House, said the event was put together to showcase noteworthy places in Mission that residents and visitors often overlook because of the lack of awareness of their existence.

“I think that a lot of people have a misconception that there’s not an interest with younger generations,” King said. “That’s not the case, I think there is an interest, but the younger generations want activities. It needs to be interesting.”

Attendees in the festival will have the chance to try food from local restaurants, see a couple of documentaries made in the Valley, attend a book signing and

appreciate art of all kinds (paintings, live music, blown glass, pottery, dance and photography) at 17 different locations in Mission.

“Once a year, let’s celebrate and highlight the different organizations and businesses that support the local arts,” King said. “Let’s highlight the positive things in our city and the business owners that have been here for years and years and deserve some attention.”

King said she hopes that with the arts festival, the public will see these regional spots in a new way.

“We want to give them some foot traffic and share what makes them unique,” King said. “I wanted to cover all the different forms of art - visual, performance, tactile, culinary, and that way we can see it grow and foster something beautiful.”

The arts festival will also be good for tourism in Mission, according to King, and provides a platform for artists trying to get their names out there.

“We have a lot of really notable artists that live here in Mission,” King said.

“This is a way for artists in the area to reach a different demographic and a different community.”

“I hope it cultivates an awareness that we do have something to be very proud of, we have a lot of talent here,” King added. “I hope it inspires others to look

around and see what’s really positive about our city.”

The Bryan House will be hosting a mermaid festival (For the Heart of the Ocean) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. Adult admission is $5, and children is $3. It will feature vendors, art, food, entertainment, a mermaid crown-making section and costume contests for adults and children.

“I want this to be whimsical and fun, and I don’t want us to forget that festivals are supposed to be free-spirited so we can have a good time and think outside of the box,” King said. “It’s a small place, but we’re going to have a lot going on, it’ll be concentrated and it will be interesting.”

The Mission Arts Festival also aims to show people areas of the city that have otherwise been overlooked due to location.

“I think we have a false notion that once you go west of maybe Bryan [Rd.] there’s nothing going on, and we want to correct that,” King said. “There’s interesting, inspiring activities and people all over the city.”

King hopes that next year, even more businesses and artists join in and participate in the festival. For a schedule and full list of activities during the Mission Arts Festival, see their event page on Facebook.

projects, flagged the transactions last year, concerned the city had spent utility revenue on non-utility expenses.

“Transfers out of the utility fund are not acceptable,” said Carleton S. Wilkes, team lead for the Financial Compliance Division of the water development board.

“They’re a prohibited transaction.”

Wilkes and another water development board administrator sent a letter to Mission about the situation on Nov. 30, 2018.

The state provided Mission with nearly $25 million through the Economically Distressed Areas Program — what the water development

board calls “EDAP” — for local utility projects.

“As a result of the review and because the City has used EDAP funds to construct all or part of your wastewater system, staff has concluded that the City is noncompliant with Section 16.356 of the Texas Water Code (TWC),” according to the Nov. 30 letter, which cited an agreement between the city and the water development board.

The Texas Water Code prohibits Mission from using “any revenue received from fees collected from a water supply or sewer service constructed in whole or in part

Texas Water Development Board warns Mission about utility fund transfers

By Dave Hendricks

The city of Mission improperly transferred millions from the utility fund to the general fund during the past decade, prompting scrutiny from the Texas Water Development Board.

Mission transferred more than $30 million from the utility fund, which is dedicated to providing water and sewer service, to the general fund, a catch-all account that supports a wide array of government services, from Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2018, according to city records.

The water development board, which provided Mission with money for utility

See MISSION UTILITY Pg. 4

ond-degree felony.

Richard Molina is charged with two counts of illegal voting and one count of engaging in organized election fraud activity.

The criminal complaint against Molina summarizes interviews with seven people.

“Affiant interviewed a cooperating co-conspirator witness, hereinafter referred to as CCW7, who stated that during a conversation between CCW7 and Defendant Richard Molina, Defendant told CCW7 that Defendant, Richard Molina, was going to use a strategy of changing people’s voter registration addresses to addresses located inside the city limits of Edinburg, Texas at residences where people did not actually reside in an effort

to increase the number of voters who could vote for Richard Molina and to win elections,” according to the criminal complaint.

Investigators with the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Texas Rangers handled the case.

Among the charges against Richard Molina is “engaging in organized election fraud activity,” a new criminal offense created by the Texas Legislature in 2017.

“A person commits an offense if, with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a vote harvesting organization, the person commits or conspires to commit one or more offenses,” according to the Texas

See VOTER FRAUD Pg. 8

Former Palmview police officer admits guilt in assault case

By Dave Hendricks A former Palmview police officer accused of assaulting his girlfriend and threatening her with a gun admitted guilt last week.

Faced with a misdemeanor assault charge, former police Officer Edward Oscar Aleman Cervantez agreed to participate in a pretrial diversion program. If he successfully completes the program, prosecutors will dismiss the case.

“I knowingly and voluntarily am making an admission of guilt on the record under oath before the court as part of my placement on the pre-trial diversion program,” according to documents Cervantez signed on April 17. “I fully understand that my admission of guilt will be used against me if I am terminated or removed for failure to comply with, or otherwise fail to successfully complete the pre-trial program.”

Attorney Jaime Roel Garcia of Pharr, who represents Cervantez, declined to comment.

Officers arrested him on

Edward Oscar Aleman Cervantez (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)

May 21, 2017, after an argument between Cervantez and his girlfriend turned violent.

Cervantez grabbed her by the hair and smashed her head against a concrete wall, according to the police report, which recounts what his girlfriend told investigators. When she recovered, Cervantez pushed her against a car.

After the altercation, she took a shower.

“Edward Cervantez walked inside the bathroom displaying a handgun,” according to the police report,

which notes the model and serial number of the weapon, “and pointed it at her while he was racking the slide back and forth.”

The woman told police Cervantez’s behavior scared her.

“Edward Cervantez was shouting at her ‘Come on, shoot me!’ and threw the handgun toward her direction but did not hit her with it,” according to the police report.

Officers charged Cervantez with assault causing bodily injury-family violence, a Class A misdemeanor.

Palmview fired Cervantez after conducting an internal investigation.

“The City of Palmview alongside the Palmview Police Department will not tolerate employees who fail to uphold the values and duties that are required of our police officers,” according to a statement released by the city. “We continue to be committed to protecting our residents and can guarantee these matters are not taken lightly!”

GPS records cast doubt on Agua SUD board member’s story about meeting his mother-in-law at game room

By Dave Hendricks On the way back from Eagle Pass, an Agua Special Utility District vehicle made four mysterious stops in Lopeño — a tiny town in Zapata County notorious for illegal gambling.

The vehicle, which utility board Director Ivan Sandoval borrowed to attend a conference, parked at four locations in Lopeño on Feb. 27, according to GPS records the utility district released under the Texas Public Information Act. GPS records document four stops in Lopeño that day: A 3-minute stop. A 25-minute stop. A 43-minute stop. And a 50-minute stop.

“I think we should look into it further,” said utility board President Esequiel “Zeke” Ortiz Jr. “Now that it’s been brought to our attention.”

Ivan Sandoval Questions about the trip surfaced in March, when someone posted a photo of the vehicle on AnonymousRGV.com with the caption: “Agua Sud Employees at a Slot Machine Game Room in Zapata During Working Hours.”

Sandoval, who borrowed the utility district vehicle to attend a conference at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass, said he stopped to meet his moth-

er-in-law on the way back.

“She was taking care of my kids,” Sandoval said on March 4 during an interview with the Progress Times.

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

Sandoval met his motherin-law at the game room but said he didn’t play the slot machines.

“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 on March 4, adding that he couldn’t call his mother-in-law from the car. “So, of course, I have 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.”

See SANDOVAL Pg. 4

page 2 EDINBURG – Children and books will be the center of attention at “Día de Los Niños, Día de Los Libros,” from 3 to 5 p.m. this Saturday, April 27, at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex on the Edinburg Campus, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. The event celebrates children to motivate them and their families to be lifelong readers.

This third annual Día de los Niños, presented by the

April 26, 2019

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Celebrating UTRGV Día de Los Niños, Día de Los Libros

UTRGV Office of Public Art, is held in collaboration with the South Texas Literacy Coalition, the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library, along with the Rising Scholars Academy Spanish Club, South Texas I.S.D., and City of San Benito.

Children will enjoy a variety of music and performances by authors, games and cookies. And every child will receive a free book, courtesy of the South Texas

Literacy Coalition.

Dr. David Bowles, an award-winning Mexican American author and an assistant professor in the UTRGV Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies, will be the featured celebrity reader. He has received multiple accolades, including the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, the Claudia Lewis Award for Excellence in Poetry, the Pura Belpré Au-

thor Honor, and the Walter Dean Myers Honor Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. His work also has appeared in a wide range of venues, among them Journal of Children’s Literature, Translation Review, Rattle and Huizache. In 2017, Bowles was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters.

Dr. Diana Seitz, a UTRGV faculty violinist, will perform a musical rendition of “Ferdinand the

Bull.” Seitz made her solo debut at the age of 9 in Moscow, Russia, performing as a soloist with the Chamber Orchestra. After graduating from Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory with a bachelor’s degree in violin performance, she fled her homeland due to severe ethnic persecution. Accepting an invitation from the U.S. government, Diana continued her performing career and studies in the United States.

She holds advanced degrees in violin performance from the University of Oklahoma, and presently serves as assistant professor of Applied Violin at the UTRGV School of Music. Seitz is recognized nationally and internationally as a pedagogue, soloist, and chamber and orchestral musician.

For more information on the celebration, call 956665-2353 or email Dahlia.

Guerra@utrgv.edu.

UVAL presents ‘Shape, Pattern & Color’

Members of the Upper Valley Art League invite the public to their “Shape, Pattern & Color” exhibition. It is being held in conjunction with the Mission Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

UVAL organizers have planned a silent auction, photography exhibit, tours of the UVAL facility, art demonstrations, art vendors selling their works, and more.

Paloma Limas & Company dance troupe will perform at 2:30 p.m.

Demonstrations include weaving, fabric art and a potter’s wheel. There will be 5”x7” original art sold for $10 each by UVAL artists, and a silent auction will be held for the “Over the Moon” fiber art, a collection by various artists. Guests are encouraged to register

Paloma Limas & Company for prizes to be given away at the end of the day.

Look for art vendors to be displaying and selling their works in mediums of air brush, mixed media, painting, fiber arts, photography, ceramics, stained glass and

jewelery.

UVAL is located in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center located at 921 E. 12th Street in Mission. Call 956583-2787 for further information.

MOSTHistory to host Big Squeeze semi-final, ‘Pass the Pages’ swap EDINBURG – The Museum of South Texas History will offer free admission this Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for The Big Squeeze semi-finals and Pass the Pages book swap to be held the same day at the museum. MOSTHistory is located 200 N. Closner Blvd.

Call 956-383-6911 for information.

Starting at 10 a.m., the museum’s Collections Staff will host “Preservation Week: Pass the Pages,” a book swap event. Instead of throwing away old books, exchange them or share them with participating organizations which include The South Texas Literacy Coalition, McAllen Public Library, Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, UTRGV Book Buzz and UTRGV special collections. These organizations will have books available to exchange and will also be accepting donations of previously owned books. This event will be ongoing until 3 p.m. in the Grand Lobby. It is recommended to bring a bag to carry books home.

During lunch time, vendors snacks and a variety of beverages by the Girl Scout Troop #391 will be sold, and cash is recommended for purchases.

From noon to 3 p.m., The

Melenie Lissete Gonzalez, the 2018 Champion from last year’s Big Squeeze competition, will perform at the Museum of South Texas History this Saturday, April 27.

Big Squeeze statewide conjunto semi-finals will take place in the Gran Paseo, just outside the museum’s front entrance. Accordion players from across the state of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley will battle for spots in the final competition to be held in Austin. This is the first time that Texas Folklife will host the event at the Museum of South Texas History. The community is encouraged to join others at the museum to support students competing at this cultural event.

Mission residents who have qualified to compete in the semi-finals include 18-21 age category - Eduardo Garza, Maria Alejo and Martin Flores; 17 and under – Johnny Joe Gutierrez and Nathan Gonzalez; and Honorable Mention – Richard Garza.

The showcase will feature a spirited competition of 14 youth conjunto accordion players chosen from across

the state and additional performances from 2018 Big Squeeze conjunto winners Jesus Venegas and Melenie Gonzalez. Special guest emcee for the event is Rick Garcia, co-founder of the legendary Hacienda Records.

Six of musicians from the conjunto semi-finals will advance to the popular Big Squeeze Finals in Austin on Saturday, May 11 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Four Grand Prize winners will be crowned at the finals -- from the contest’s three traditional Texas accordion music genres categories: polka (includes German, Czech and Polish polka traditions); Cajun and zydeco (includes zydeco, Creole and Cajun musical traditions.); and two from the conjunto (includes conjunto, norteño and Tejano) category: ages 17 and under and the Anthony Ortiz Jr. Prize for conjunto ages 18-21.

Coming Attractions

April 26 • The UTRGV Wind Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex auditorium, 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg. Admission is $5. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

April 26-28, May 2-5 • Pharr Community Theater’s presents a production of “Estoy en el Rincón” at 213 W. Newcombe Ave., Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. The show is bilingual although predominately in English, and equivalent to a PG-13 movie. Tickets are $8 for students, veterans and senior citizens and $10 general admission. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 956-239-0412 and will be sold at the door starting one hour before curtain.

April 27 • The UTRGV University Choir will present its Spring Concert at 7 p.m. The all A Cappella concert will include standard European “classical” repertoire and selections by living composers from around the world. This will be the final concert of their annual Spring Choir Tour and will be the final concert of the season.

It will be held in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex auditorium, 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

April 28 • The UTRGV Wind Orchestra performs at 5 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville.

Admission is $5. For special accommodations, call 956-6653881.

April 29 • The Student Chamber Ensemble recital will feature a variety of small ensembles from the UTRGV School of Music.

It will be held at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-882-7025.

May 5 • The UTRGV Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble will present their annual Tuba de Mayo Concert at 3 p.m. in the UTRGV library auditorium. This concert will feature students perform in both large and small ensemble. Music performed will include pieces originally written for tuba/euphonium ensemble and transcriptions of popular classical music works. It will be held in the UTRGV Edinburg Library auditorium, 1201 W. University Dr. Admission is $5. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

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

April 26, 2019

City of Peñitas receives Common School bell replica

PEÑITAS – Mayor Rigo Lopez and City Councilmen J.R. Flores, Felipe Quintanilla and Ramiro Loya were on hand to accept the donation of a bell from Gracie and Robert Goodwin on Wednesday, April 10 at the Peñitas Public Library. This bell is a replica for the bell that was run by hand each day at the Peñitas Common School to alert students when classes began and ended and at lunch time.

It will be set up where the Peñitas Common School was located, which is now the grounds of the Peñitas Public lIbrary. It will be displayed alongside the historical plaque commemorating Peñitas Common School where local children attended before being part of the La Joya Independent School District.

Common Schools began in New England, established

by Horace Mann, who was an advocate of public educa-

Texas State machining champ Veterans Memorial High School student Andrew Vela returned from the recent Texas SkillsUSA competitions as a state champ after earning first place in the Precision Machining contest.

This competition requires the students to complete mill work, lathe work, and machine shop mathematics. This is the second time in recent years that the first place state finisher in this competition has come from VMHS.

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tion and saw there was a need for more common or “free” schools as they were known.

With the annexation of Texas, to the United States, the state provided for the establishment of free schools under the Constitution of 1845.

The actual foundation for the present school system was laid in 1854. In 1858, New Braunfels was the first town in Texas where residents voted for a tax system to support “free” school. A c c o r d ing to recorded archives, the Peñitas Common School dates back to 1896, when it had 15 students and one teacher. Common Schools taught reading, writing, arithmetic and geography.

In 1925, Peñitas Common School, District 6, alongside other Common Schools in the neighboring communities, merged with the Tabasco Consolidated Independent School District and built a new school called Nellie Schunior Memorial School.

Named JJ Watt finalist Jordan Hernandez at K. White Jr. High School (KWJH) has been named as one of 15 national finalists for the JJ Watt “Dream Big, Work Hard” recognition given by the JJ Watt Foundation. She will attend the JJ Watt Foundation 2019 Charity Classic and be a part of flag raising ceremonies at the event that will be held at Minute Maid Park in Houston in early May.

EVENTS

CALENDAR April 27 – ARISE will host the 14th Annual Dia Del Niño Celebration at 8:30 a.m. at Hidalgo County Pct #2 Multi-Purpose Center & Park, 1429 South Tower Rd., Alamo. There will be refreshments and door prizes.

April 27 – Beginning at 1 p.m., Texas Southmost College (TSC) students enrolled in the Teacher Education program will host a “Children’s Play Day” at the Gladys Porter Zoo in honor of the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child™ will set up about 40 different play stations around the grounds. The event is included in the admission. The zoo is located at 500 Ringgold St., Brownsville.

May 4 – Go on an Insect Safari at 10 a.m. at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Longoria Road, to learn what makes them special and to explore the EWBC grounds in search of where they live and then make an insect craft to take home. Fee is $2 for members and $4 for non-members.

Registration is required. For more information, or to register, call 956-381-9922.

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

Participating in national BPA conference Four Mission High School students will be attending the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2019 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., on May 1 to 5. Pictured are Mission High School BPA National Qualifiers Diana Gamez, Ivan Reynaga, Jessica Rodriguez and Sonia Treviño who will join nearly 6000 conference delegates from across the nation to compete in national level business skills competitions and attend leadership development, workshops, general sessions, and national officer candidate campaigns and elections.

MCISD sending dozens to TMSCA championship

Kappa Delta alumnae help fill ‘wish list’ Local Kappa Delta Sorority alumnae recognized National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April by collecting “wish list” items for Mission’s Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County. The Center provides services to Mission area children and families affected by abuse and neglect. One of the sorority’s official national philanthropies is Prevent Child Abuse America, an organization founded by the late Donna Stone, a Kappa Delta alumna. Pictured, from the left, are Debra Burch, Carol Hudsonpillar, Jenny Cummings, Juli Rankin, Norma Cardenas and Debbie Prukop. Alumnae members are creating and furnishing a play therapy room at the CACHC Mission location. Funding for the project was through a $6,500 Kappa Delta Foundation KiDs grant. Journals, coloring books, craft supplies, educational toys, toiletries and clothing are among the items alumnae members are collecting.

The Mission C.I.S.D. has had over five dozen students qualify to head this weekend to the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) State Championship. TMSCA has four events that students can participate in: Calculator Applications, Mathematics, Number Sense, and Science.

K. White Jr. High has a total of 32 students that qualified. The students and their categories for competition are as follows: • Calculator – Ethan Adame, Yamilet Castillo, Kristen Flores, Byranna Heredia, Josue Hernandez, Robert Hernandez, Juanes Hernandez, Guillermo Martinez, Angel Uribe, Valerie Villalobos, Silvester Carrillo, Erica Cruz, Daniella Escojido, Leslie Garza, Aliya Tovar, Camila Urquizo, Nicholas Alonzo, Luiz Cardenas, Juan Flores, Diego Hernandez, Jordan Hernandez, Emmanuel Martinez, Leslie Garza, Crysta Robles and Hugo Mireles; • Calculator and Math – Adrian Heredia and Melissa Salazar; • Calculator and Science –

Alexa Tovar; • Number Sense, Calculator, and Math – Ricardo Ochoa, Enrique Alba and Adrian Ayala; and Science – Triston Escalera.

Mission Jr. High had 31 students qualify. They are as follows: • Calculator – Zachary Barrera, Aaron Villarreal, Max Diaz, David Leal, Alejandro Rivera, Matthew Gallardo, Violeta Lira, Robert Beas, Amanda Losoya, Sarah Martinez, Stephanie Gerena, Amanda Olivarez, Mike Padilla and Quentin Rodriguez; • Calculator and Science – Loryn Sanchez; • Math – Alonso Gonzalez; • Number Sense, Calculator, and Math – Brandon Molina; and Science – Tomas Aparicio, Nikolas Salinas, Noema Treviño, Fernando Barsenas, Christine Zayas, Lesley Barrera, Antone Gonzalez, Christian Arguijo, Jaime Ceja, David Treviño, Autumn Gonzalez, Seth Zellenger, Marcos Garcia and Micah Sanchez.

2019 Spring Gala In recognition and appreciation to our sponsors we would like to say...

Thank you

For a Spectacular Event!

Gold Level

Alton Development Corporation City of Alton LEMC Lone Star National Bank Millenium Engineers Group Mission Consolidated Independent School District Ricardo Gonzalez, Law Firm

Silver Level

Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP Raba Kistner Consultants Inc. Bronze Level

State Representative Bobby Guerra Capex Consulting Don Felipe Taqueria Exclusive Decals & Screenprinting Golden Chick Restaurant Halff & Associates Indoor Climate Control LLC RGV Empowerment Zone Construction and Electrical of South Texas

509 S. Alton Blvd. • Alton, Texas 78573 Ph. (956) 432-0760 fax (956) 432-0766

www.alton-tx.gov/chamber

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RGV International Poetry Festival aims to promote the written word

By Jamie Treviño Marking the last weekend of National Poetry Month, the 12th annual Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival is commencing this weekend. It started yesterday, April 25 and will run through today, tomorrow and Sunday, April 28 in various locations throughout the McAllen/Mission area.

The VIPF was started by Daniel García Ordaz and Brenda Nettles Riojas in 2008, and organized by them as well as McAllen Poet Laureate Edward Vidaurre.

Poetry submissions for the festival are accepted from around the world, and this year writers stem from the RGV, India, Scotland, England and across the United States.

The festival started as a one-night event at the then University of Texas Pan-American (now Rio Grande Valley) with 14 poets from across local cities. After the initial success, according to García Ordaz, the festival includes readings, writing workshops, musical performances, visual arts displays, academic talks and a visit to the final resting place of poet and scholar Gloria E. Anzaldúa. Other than a private dinner for poets participating in the festival, the events are open and free for the public to attend.

“Everyone has a voice and something to say, but we wanted to give people a microphone and a stage to share that voice,” García Ordaz said. “We want to connect the writing community, because it’s such a solitary

sport, writing, and it’s good to bounce things off each other.”

A married couple of poets actually met each other at the VIPF, according to García Ordaz, proving that real connections are being made every year.

Last night was the opening reception at the McAllen Creative Incubator (601 N Main St.), and the annual anthology of submissions “Boundless” (published for the festival) was available for people. García Ordaz said the book gives writers the opportunity for their work to be expressed on paper.

“Several of our poets have gone on to national acclaim,” García Ordaz said. “We’ve brought in featured poets who have received awards.”

Since 2016, “Boundless” has included a youth anthology series containing poetry submissions from RGV students at various campuses, including the La Joya Independent School District, Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, Weslaco Independent School District, San Benito Independent School District and South Texas Independent School District.

“Our festival is unique in a couple of ways, and one of those ways is we open up our anthology to anyone in the world,” García Ordaz said. “We’ve had poets from practically every continent almost.”

Tonight, at Brick Fire Pizza (located at 704 E Griffin Parkway, Mission), the VIPF will be hosting a poetry slam from 7 to 10 p.m. There will be youth and adult poetry

contests, readings from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students and faculty and musical performances.

“Like many other hobbies or habits, a lot of it starts early,” García Ordaz said.

“We’re such a growing place, the Valley is such a different place from when I was a kid, and I wanted to give young people the opportunity to show off their creative side.”

VIPF believes that involving students and the youth in the festival will inspire more artistic expression, poetry or otherwise.

“It’s just to sustain the soul,” García Ordaz said.

“Poetry is all around us. We wanted to get young people excited about something different and participate.”

Tomorrow morning at the UTRGV McAllen teaching site (1800 S Main St., Suite 1100 Room 1.103), poetry workshops and readings will take place. In the eve-

ning, festival attendees will congregate at the McAllen Creative Incubator for Poetry Pachanga XIII, which includes poetry readings, music and art.

On Sunday, the festival

from pg. 1

will end with a trip to Hargill, the final resting place of Anzaldúa, originally from Harlingen. The visit to Anzaldúa, the author of “Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza,” is usually informal, but powerful.

“From the beginning we included that, and we always dedicate our anthology and the festival itself to Gloria Anzaldúa and some of our other local writers,” García Ordaz said. “It is a very powerful experience, it’s very spiritual. There’s tears involved often.”

For the first time, the VIPF is partnering with the UTRGV Center for Mexican American Studies to present “El Retorno: El Valle Celebra Nuestra Gloria” on Saturday. The annual event honors Anzaldúa as one of the “most significant writers and theorists” to come from the Valley.

MISSION UTILITY

“It’s a returning to her roots, to her Valley,” García Ordaz said. “We usually have people who have never been to the cemetery, and usually we read some of her words or works that were inspired by her. It’s a powerful moment for people who feel connected to her.”

This year’s “El Retorno” will feature Randy P. Conner, PhD., a close friend and writing partner of Anzaldúa for over 30 years.

“I get emails from as far as China asking about Gloria Anzaldúa,” García Ordaz said. “It’s one of those things that the Valley unfortunately still doesn’t know her generally speaking, but the world does. With or without ‘El Retorno,’ we’ve always included a visit to her gravesite.”

More details and a schedule for the festival can be found at www.valleypoetryfest.org.

from funds from the economically distressed areas program account for purposes other than utility purposes.”

A major transfer noted in the city’s 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report prompted scrutiny from the water development board.

Mission transferred $4.4 million from the utility fund to the general fund and $300,000 from the utility fund to non-major governmental funds that year.

In the annual financial report, Mission described the purpose of the transfer.

“A transfer from the Utility Fund to the General Fund is to supplement the General fund for administrative services provided to the enterprise fund,” according to the report.

The 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report included nearly identical language to describe another

$4.4 million transfer, according to a draft copy provided by the city.

“Transfers from the Utility and Solid Waste Funds to the General Fund were to supplement the General fund for administrative services provided to the enterprise fund,” according to the report.

The draft, however, included a note: “Is this true?

Was the entire $4.4 million reimbursing the general fund for services the general fund provided to the enterprise fund? Please provide what it was for to modify wording.”

Mission will not be required to repay the money, which would pose a major problem for the city. The city, though, must stop making transfers without a clear, utility-related purpose.

City Manager Randy Perez sent the water development board a draft City Council resolution last

month, requesting feedback.

The proposed resolution would classify the transfers as a “franchise fee” and reduce the amount to 15 percent of the utility fund’s operating revenue.

Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña said he wanted to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

“My position is very simple,” O’caña said. “That we are going to do everything legally possible to move from noncompliance to compliance.”

Reducing the city’s reliance on transfers from the utility fund will require structural changes, O’caña said, adding that Mission must increase city revenue and reduce costs.

“However, the hole is too deep for me to make just cosmetic changes,” O’caña said. “I have to do long-term changes.”

GPS records show that Sandoval parked at four locations and spent two hours in Lopeño that day.

Sandoval didn’t respond to written requests for comment on April 15 and April 22.

After reviewing the records, utility board Director Roger Hernandez cautioned against drawing any conclusions from the GPS data.

“I think, first, we need to talk to him and see the situation,” Hernandez said. “Let’s get an actual ‘What is it that he did?’ Because we don’t

know. We can’t judge beforehand.”

What prompted Sandoval to spend two hours in Lopeño, an unincorporated community with roughly 175 residents, remains unclear. Lopeño offers little besides a post office and game rooms packed with slot machines.

Game rooms allow patrons to play casino-style games on cheap slot machines. Texas law prohibits owners from paying cash prizes, but they frequently flout the rules.

Many game rooms moved to Lopeño after Starr County cracked down on illegal gambling.

Starr County Special Crimes Unit Cmdr. Robert Caples said he’s never come across a game room that actually follows state law.

“Not a single one,” Caples said, adding later: “The closest place to the Valley where you can legally use the eight-liner machines and get paid in cash is Kickapoo.”

from pg. 1

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Mission to re-solicit bids for Housing Assistance Program

By Jamie Treviño The CDBG program was not impressed with the bid responses for four upcoming projects in Mission.

During this week’s city council meeting Jo Anne Longoria, the director of the Community Development Block Grant program in Mis-

sion, presented a couple of items regarding the Housing Assistance Program. One item awarded bids to multiple vendors (HAP Phase 18II), and another approved the rejection and re-solicitation of four bids (HAP Phase 18IIA).

The rejected responses were made for four projects,

including the reconstruction of three two-bedroom two-bathroom homes and the rehabilitation of another.

According to Longoria, the lowest bid amounts for these projects exceeded the staff’s internal cost estimate and construction funds available.

Council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa asked if re-

Starr County Special Crimes Unit executes search warrant at Mission law firm

By Dave Hendricks The Starr County Special Crimes Unit executed a search warrant Tuesday at a Mission law firm, where investigators seized a computer and documents.

Investigators with the Special Crimes Unit executed the search warrant at MEXUS Law Firm, which is located in Plaza San Pablo on the 1200 block of North Dunlap Avenue.

The search warrant is part of an ongoing investigation that targets Juana Maria Rodriguez, 45, of McAllen, a former notary public, said Starr County Attorney Victor Canales Jr. Cmdr. Robert Caples, Assistant Starr County Attorney Javier Peña and several investigators arrived at noon Tuesday. They removed documents and a computer from the building.

Caples declined to comment.

Investigators arrested Rodriguez in January on a felony theft charge, according to court records. She remains at

the Hidalgo County jail.

Attorney Mauro L. Reyna III, who represents Rodriguez, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The link between Rodriguez and the MEXUS Law Firm remains unclear.

A banner above the door touts the services of Florencio “Lencho” Lopez, an attorney; Jose A. Garcia, a notary public and paralegal; and Sergio R. Perez, who is described as a “Mexican Lawyer Associated & Legal Assistant in U.S.A.” Lopez represented Rodri-

guez until January, when he filed a motion to withdraw.

“Movant is attorney of record for Juana Maria Rodriguez, and was doing a pro-bono representation of this defendant,” according to the motion. “Conflict between Attorney and Client exists and a new Attorney needs to be hired or appointed on this case.”

Lopez said attorney-client privilege prevented him from commenting on the search warrant.

“It’s a criminal matter that doesn’t involve me,” said Lopez.

of the city so we assumed it could’ve been something from TxDot for a roadway project.”

Since the permit was approved by the city council on Monday, April 8, a fenced-in area popped up on Conway south of the expressway that as of last week, began holding two dozen stacks of steel beams.

What the beams are for however, Acevedo admits he’s not aware of.

Progress Times reached out to VMK Materials where an employee who declined to provide his name directed all questions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Jason Montemayor.

“We supply caliche to that site, that’s it,” the unidentified VMK employee said.

“We’re just a local business.”

Last week the holding area had a sign with VMK’s contact number posted outside the fence. On Monday,

the Progress Times observed the sign was gone, but the VMK employee refused to explain the sign’s disappearance.

When the Progress Times contacted Montemayor, the spokesman directed Progress Times to an email for all inquiries which then directed the reporter to a website to submit a public information request for a statement on the project.

As of press time, the request has yet to be answered.

While it hasn’t been confirmed what the steel beams are for, the placement of them comes after CBP announced at the beginning of the month that construction of 13 miles of the Rio Grande Valley “Levee Wall System Project” would begin soon in the city.

Construction comes after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $145

Concerns raised by fenced storage area south of Mission

By Jose S. De Leon III It seemed like business as usual when Mission Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo recommended the city approve a conditional use permit earlier this month for the local landscaping supply store VMK Materials LLC. Victor Garza, owner of VMK Materials-a business located on 3408 N. Conway Ave.-requested a conditional use permit for two portables to be placed in an 11-acre area on Conway south of the expressway, Acevedo said.

“What he told us was it was going to be for a construction site and storage yard for a future construction company that was going to come in and do a project in town,” Acevedo said of Garza. “We didn’t know what project he was talking about; we didn’t ask for specifics. There’s lots of development in the southside area

See FENCED STORAGE Pg. 9

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We, the editors of this 2019 Area’s Best Business Review, wish to take this opportunity to recommend this well established firm to all of our readers.

jecting and re-soliciting bids of this nature was common practice, and Longoria said it was not.

“It has happened sometimes before, but according to our guidelines we allow a 15 percent cushion [over budget],” Longoria said.

“However, we did a cost comparison and in this particular bid, we saw that the bid amounts were lower and it wasn’t a reasonable amount, so we feel the contractors inflated the bids.”

Longoria noted that the budget for these projects “is not there” for what the responses for the bid were.

“We’re trying to seek a fair bid amount for these projects,” Longoria said.

Ortega-Ochoa asked if a training was offered to these particular construction companies that are trying to solicit the bids, and Longoria said they do have pre-bid construction meetings where

the CDBG conveys guidelines on how the process works and how much is allowed for bidding.

“We feel that they were unreasonable in this,” Longoria said. Mayor Pro-Tem Norie Gonzalez Garza asked if these were new construction companies, and Longoria said they have been awarded similar contracts with Mission for previous projects.

Both Ortega-Ochoa and Gonzalez Garza made a point to say it was interesting that the companies are aware of the usual costs and parameters and did not meet the bid guidelines.

HAP Phase 18-II was approved, awarding bids for two housing assistance projects to A-One Insulation (costing $141,500) and one project to G & G Contractors (costing $69,350). Longoria said both companies were the lowest responsible bid-

ders that met all the specifications from the department.

The Loretto at Mission was granted a conditional use permit renewal for life of use for the restaurant located on the northwest corner of Orange Drive and Griffin Parkway. A couple of residents from near the property came forward when the item was presented because they were worried about the truck that delivers food to the establishment using the alley adjacent to their homes.

“This establishment does have 30 parking spaces, however for an establishment of this size it is required that they have 37 parking spaces,” Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo said. “The owner of the establishment has made a lease agreement [to use parking] with the law firm that’s

See HOUSING PROGRAM Pg. 9

page 6

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

April 26, 2019

THE

April 26, 2019

Sports week

Luciano Guerra Sports Editor

BIG7 SCHOOLS

page 7

www.ptrgv.com/sports

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

s f f o y a l p l l a Softb

By Luciano Guerra

Last year three of the seven softball teams from the Mission, Sharyland and La Joya school districts (the Big 7), not only qualified for the UIL state playoffs but they all went in as district champions; one outright and two co-champions. This year two of those three teams are making return trips to the playoffs but not as champions.

One is going in as a second seed while the other is going in as a fourth seed.

While winning a district championship is every team’s preferable way of entering the playoffs, only one of every four playoff teams gets the opportunity to do so. For the other three teams, they can always set their sights on a bi-district, or possibly even an area championship instead. And that is what the 11-3 Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks, the 8-6 Sharyland Lady Rattlers and

the 8-6 La Joya Lady Coyotes will be doing starting this weekend.

With the bi-district round of the playoffs having actually kicked off for one of these teams last night, let’s take a look at the first round matchups for these three teams who all earned the right to play-on when so many other teams are already looking forward to next year.

Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks This is the fifth year in a row that the Lady Diamondbacks have qualified for the playoffs; the previous three as either outright district champions or co-champions.

And for the second year in a row, Coach Orlando Garcia’s squad is going up against the 10-4 Edcouch-Elsa Lady Yellowjackets in the bi-district round.

Last year the Lady Yellowjackets took the best-ofthree series two games to one to bring the Lady Dia-

Three Big 7 teams

mondbacks’ 2018 season to an unexpectedly sudden end.

Unexpected not only because Pioneer was higher seeded than Edcouch-Elsa, but also because the Lady Diamondbacks had put together a three-year run of advancing into the second round of the playoffs going into last season.

Game one of this best-ofthree series was played last night at Edcouch-Elsa High School. Game two is scheduled to be played tonight at 7 at Pioneer High School. If needed, game three will be played tomorrow at 7, also at Edcouch-Elsa High.

La Joya Lady Coyotes At this time last year the La Joya Lady Coyotes were entering the playoffs as undefeated district champions.

Their 12-0 record earned them the top seed in the district which was supposed to give them an easier path through the playoffs. However, Coach Charlie Rodri-

live on

guez’s squad failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs as they lost to Laredo Alexander in their bestof-three bi-district series, two games to one.

This time around the Lady Coyotes are District 30-6A’s fourth seed. As a result, they are facing off against 29-6A’s district champions, the 12-0 Eagles Pass Lady Eagles in the bi-district round. As impressive as their undefeated record may be, the fact that the Lady Eagles only gave up 12 runs total while scoring 148 runs of their own in those 12 district games should be proof enough of the fact that the Lady Coyotes will have their work cut out for them if they hope to do what they failed to do last year, claim a bi-district championship and advance into the second round of the playoffs. However, anything is possible when it comes to the playoffs and with Coach Rod now in his 20th year

Pitching Propels Coyotes to Playoffs

as the La Joya head softball coach, he will make sure that his Lady Coyotes give the Lady Eagles all they can handle.

La Joya will be hosting Eagle Pass tonight at 7 in game one of their best-ofthree series. Game two is scheduled to be played tomorrow at 3 pm at Eagle Pass High School. If necessary, game three of this series will be played 30 minutes after the completion of game two, also at Eagle Pass High.

Sharyland Lady Rattlers The Sharyland Lady Rattlers are making a return trip to the UIL state playoffs after failing to qualify last year. As 31-5A’s fourth seed, they will be matched up against 325A’s district champions, the 14-0 Brownsville Veterans Lady Chargers, in the bi-district round. Not only are the Lady Chargers undefeated district champs, but they are also the No. 1 ranked softball team in the Valley.

As if that’s not impressive enough, the Lady Chargers have not lost a district game over the past three seasons and they outscored their opponents 170-7 over their 14 game district schedule this year. While on paper the Lady Rattlers seem to be outmatched against the Lady Chargers, the game is being played on the softball field and not on paper. And on the field, anything can happen.

What could play into the Lady Rattlers’ favor is the fact that the bi-district championship is going to be decided by a one game, winnertake-all, playoff. Therefore Coach Paul Cruz’s squad does not have to take on the unenviable task of winning two-out-of-three from the Valley’s top team. All they have to do is to win one, and that one game is scheduled to be played tomorrow at 4 pm at Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School.

By John Hamann The La Joya Coyotes rode the arm of JC Gutierrez to defeat the Mission Eagles Tuesday night 6-1 and clinch the final District 30-6A playoff spot. Both teams came into the game needing a victory to extend their seasons and both came in with momentum on their side. La Joya had won four of their last five while Mission came in riding a four game winning streak.

Gutierrez didn’t give the Eagles too many opportunities, surrendering only two hits and striking out nine before leaving the game with two outs in the seventh inning due to pitch count. He also had to deal with numerous delays as the game was interrupted several times for clarifications and conferences between the umpires and coaches. “I just told myself not to get upset (about the delays) and stay focused,” said Gutierrez. “I know what to do and what I bring (when I pitch).”

Gutierrez got some early help too. After keeping the Eagles off the board in the top half of the first, the Coyotes used four hits and two hit batters to plate three runs in their half. Lead-off hitter Anthony Pena was one of the batters hit. He got moved along the bases by Alan Delgado’s infield single and scored the game’s first run on an RBI single from Hugo Cantu. Delgado and Cantu scored courtesy of RBI singles from Elias Morales and Jake Moreno. Moreno, a senior, added a double in the third inning and scored in the fifth inning on an RBI single from catcher Jose Gutierrez. “We knew tonight would be tough,” said Moreno. “I was just up there trying to make contact.”

That sentiment was echoed by La Joya coach Mario Flores. “We emphasized getting hits with runners on base in practice,” said the third-year skipper. For the night the Coyotes collected eight hits, six of them singles. They extended their lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning, however, without a hit. Delgado reached base on a fielder’s choice, working his way around the bases and eventually scoring on several wild pitches. Salvador Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Hugo Cantu who had reached on a wild pitch. Jose Gutierrez’s second RBI single of the night scored Moreno in the fifth inning to complete the Coyote’s scoring.

The victory continues a stretch for La Joya that has seen this year’s seniors reach the post season every year. “We have tradition here and it’s (the playoffs) are expected,” said Pena, one of two starting seniors for the Coyotes. Coach Flores was quick to praise them citing their leadership as one of the factors in the team’s success. “ The young guys are feeding off the seniors,” said Flores.

La Joya finished 9-5 in district to secure the fourth and final playoff spot. They are 17-11 overall.

It was a tough ending for the Eagles who closed out their season with a 7-7 district record and 12-15-1 overall. Several one-run defeats early in the district race had left the team in sixth place forcing them to basically win out to reach the post season. They came up one win short.

Senior Andy Martinez pitched most of the game for the Eagles, coming on in relief for Jose Soto in the first inning. Martinez would record six strikeouts during his five plus innings on the mound to keep the game close. Their offense just couldn’t get it going against Gutierrez. They were hitless until the fourth inning but Gutierrez got a big strikeout to end a bases The City of Mission has loaded threat. The Eagles finally got on the board in the seventh getting two runners on base The City of Mission has

La Joya Coyote JC Gutierrez delivers a pitch against the Mission Eagles Tuesday night in La Joya. The Coyotes won 6-1.

Progress Times photo

by Mario Magallon.

CITY OF

MISSION

See COYOTES BASEBALL Pg. 9

Shary Municipal GOLF COURSE THURSDAY SUNDOWNERS

Start at 5:30pm. A-B-C team format.

Cost $25 per player - includes team super skins.

Call the Pro Shop to sign up.

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12:00PM • 18 HOLE SPECIAL - GREEN FEE & CART: $25.00 12:00PM • 9 HOLE SPECIAL - GREEN FEE & CART: $15.00

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placed large containers at

placed large containers the following locations forat thethe following locations public to throw awayfor the any public to throw away large bulky items any large bulky items I.E. I.E. mattresses mattresses and furniture and furniture (no tires & no refrigerators (no tires and no because of the freon) refrigerators because FREE to the citizens of the freon) NO CONTRACTORS!!

Free to Citizens NO CONTRACTORS!!

Jaycee Park - Los Ebanos Rd. & Barnes St. Birdwell Park - Stewart Rd. & 24th Starting April 5, 2019 through May 5, 2019 a total of 9 roll-off City Warehouse - 609 Canal containers will be placed at the locations below: Water Tower Entrance - N Lucksinger & Buslisted 83 South of Fire Substation - 2 1/2 Mile & Inspiration Toll ParkConway - South Parking Area • Melba Carter Nell between & Mayberry at drain ditch Francisco St. & 2 Mile Line North of Drain Ditch • JC Park – Los Ebanos & Barnes Los Indios & Beatty St.-&Madero - atSWater Tower • Old Parks Rec –Park 609 Canal Melba• Center Between Conway & Mayberry at Drain Ditch Nell Tolle Park – South Parking Area

• Los Indios & Beatty St at Water Tower R.O.W. (Containers Available thru May 2nd) • Birdwell Park – 24th & Stewart For more information • N. Lucksinger & Bus 83 – Water Tower Entrance contact the CityofofFire Mission • 2 ½ mile & Inspiration (South Station) • Francisco St & 2 Mile Line North of drain ditch

956-580-8780

For more information please contact the City of Mission Public Works Department at 956-580-8780.

page 8

April 26, 2019

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tients can call to make an appointment and be seen by a doctor within the same day.

After checking in they can be seen within 10 minutes.

There’s usually no delay unless there’s some kind of hospitalization involved. We ensure to keep the short wait times because we understand patients like when they’re seen on time.”

The Family Health Center of Mission has patients coming from Rio Grande City, Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen, Janine said, adding that the family practice has grown in the last 25 years.

In 1994, the center had a total of five staff members,

including doctors Havener and Johnson. Currently, the center has 33 staff members, including five doctors, three physician assistants and two nurse practitioners, Janine said.

“Everyone works together to ensure patients receive the best care they deserve,” Janine said. “All we require from them [patients] is to explain when they make an appointment their specific reason for their visit in order to better schedule them, it’s like a puzzle. Everyone has to work together for that professionalism to be there.”

Staff members of the Family Health Center of Mission in 2018

from pg. 1

VOTER FRAUD

Election Code.

Richard Molina graduated from Edinburg North High School, joined the U.S. Army and worked for the Edinburg Police Department, where he earned a promotion to sergeant, according to a short biography published by the city. He joined the Edinburg City Council in 2013.

Richard Molina challenged Mayor Richard H. Garcia in November 2017.

He won nearly 54 percent of about 8,400 ballots cast, according to Hidalgo County Elections Department records.

After the election, rumors circulated about voter fraud.

Former Justice of the Peace Mary Alice Palacios

conducted an independent investigation and filed a complaint with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office in December 2017. She claimed that many people filed fraudulent change-ofaddress forms to cast ballots in the Edinburg election.

“The work required to prepare the information thus far is not with the singular intent to change the results of the election,” according to the cover letter Palacios submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office. “Rather, it is intended to highlight a much greater problem that will inevitably affect all future elections in Hidalgo County.”

Richard Molina denied

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Bella is a Shepherd mix, believed to be about six months old. She is a very good companion, and great for the outdoors. If you would like to make Bella a part of your family, contact the Mission Pawsible Program at 956-580-8741, M-F, 8AM5PM. 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.

the allegations.

“The people spoke when they elected me by more than 1,200 votes,” Richard Molina said in an April 2018 statement. “There was no voter fraud committed in the election.”

Investigators with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, though, charged more than a dozen people with illegal voting.

Richard Molina fired back, claiming the investigation amounted to nothing more than a politically motivated attack on his supporters. He posted a video on Facebook, demanding to know why people who supported his opponents hadn’t been arrested too.

City Councilman Gilbert Enriquez said Edinburg residents shouldn’t judge Richard Molina until all the facts emerge.

“Don’t judge an individual by an arrest,” Enriquez said. “All I can say is that.”

progresstimes

Staff members of the Family Health Center of Mission in 1994

Though patients are losing one of the clinic’s founding members, they will still be in good hands at the Family Health Center of Mission.

That’s according to Office Manager Janine Havener, wife of Steve Havener, the doctor who has been with the clinic since its inception 25 years ago.

With his last day set for Sunday, June 30, Janine reflected on how Steve served as one of the two medical doctors who first started the family practice in 1994 alongside Doctor Matthew Johnson.

For this move, both doctors came down to Mission from Iowa with their families, initially opening up the Family Health Center of Mission in a small office space on Bryan Road across from the old K-Mart. Four years later, the office moved to its current location at 1920 E. Griffin Parkway.

“Steve and Dr. Johnson

wanted to help an unserved area and thought this place would benefit from help,” Janine recalled.

“They both came down here. My husband was so nervous when he first moved here and it was a totally different climate from what we were used to, it was hot.” Janine said.

When the clinic first opened, both doctors began perfecting the excellent medical care that they are currently known for, Janine said.

“Besides having excellent doctors, the big thing we’re known for is the short wait times,” Janine said. “Pa-

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April 26, 2019

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com from pg 5 FENCED STORAGE

CORRECTION

The article “Mission offering Pickleball sport to residents” that appeared in the Progress Times issue dated Friday, April 19, 2019 incorrectly stated the name of the pickleball player who recuperated the full use of her arm after playing pickleball. The player’s name is Susan Hillsbury.

To register for the pickleball demonstration and kid’s camp, contact the Mission Parks and Recreation Department at (956) 580-8760.

HOUSING PROGRAM

from pg 5

across the street, and they also have additional parking that they’ve secured with a new business.”

Resident Heraldo Ramon Cavazos said that in his experience, people driving use the alley a lot to make turns into the restaurant, despite previous conversations with the owners and signs he put up.

“I’m all for the business, the only concern I have is the traffic through the alley,” Ramon Cavazos said. “It’s getting busy, I do have little ones. I have a property fence line, I have reflectors that I’ve put out that get run over.

The traffic is getting heavier as this business is growing, and my biggest concern is safety.”

Lupe Gonzalez, one of the owners of The Loretto in Mission, said they have

Notices Baldemar Cantu MISSION – Baldemar Cantu, 66, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Virgil Wilson Mortuary of Mission is in charge of arrangements.

Delia Chavez ALTON – Delia Chavez, 71, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Virgil Wilson Mortuary of Mission was in charge of arrangements.

Ramiro Espinoza MISSION – Ramiro Espinoza, 59, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Daniel Flores Jr. MISSION – Daniel Flores

attempted to remedy the situation.

“I can understand, and we’re willing to work with them and the Mission Police Department as well,” Gonzalez said.

Council decided that the permit would be granted under the condition that the food delivery truck starts making its weekly trip to The Loretto on Mondays, when the restaurant is closed, so it can park in the parking lot rather than the alley. The alcohol permit for The Loretto will still come up before the council if any other changes need to be made.

Council took no action on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending in Sept. 2018 because it was not ready to be presented at the meeting.

Ricky Longoria, who pre-

sented the report last year, was supposed to present again.

Finance Director Angie Vela asked that the item be tabled because the department had an exit interview last week and a couple of adjustments needed to be made.

“I’m very disappointed that it’s not ready today,” Ortega-Ochoa said. “We have people in the audience who came for those results. I look forward to the special meeting.”

Mayor Armando O’caña stressed that the city is not being penalized for not having it at this particular council meeting. A special meeting for the presentation of the report is tentatively scheduled for May 1 at 5:30 p.m.

Jr., 63, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

David Galvan MISSION – David Eduardo Galvan, 11, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Yolanda Garcia MISSION – Yolanda Garcia, 68, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Pedro Gomez ALTON – Pedro Gomez, 81, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg.

Rusbel Gonzalez MISSION – Rusbel Gonzalez, 46, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019, in Carlsbad, N.M. Edelmiro Lopez MISSION – Edelmiro Abrego Lopez, 88, passed

away on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Solara Hospital in McAllen Consuelo Martinez MISSION – Consuelo “Chelo” R. Martinez, 80, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at her home in Mission.

Nora Ochoa MISSION – Nora Irma Ochoa, 77, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Jose Salinas LA JOYA – Jose Salinas, 58, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at his home in La Joya.

Arturo Vela Sr. MISSION – Arturo Vela Sr., 83, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

million contract to SLSCO Ltd. last October to construct approximately six miles of levee wall system. CBP anticipates completing approximately five of the six miles due to changes in DHS appropriations language for fiscal year 2019, a press release states.

The following month, they awarded the company a second $167 million contract to construct approximate-

ly eight miles of levee wall system south of Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Progresso, and Mercedes.

The levee wall system will be similar to levee walls constructed in the Valley during 2008, but the system will also include all-weather roads, lighting, enforcement cameras, and other related technology, the release stated.

Acevedo said that all

though Garza never mentioned having a contractor involved with CBP in the site the city approved of, it’s not uncommon for businesses to lease out their properties to subcontractors.

“As long as business isn’t being conducted in that area then they’re not in violation of the permit that was given to them,” Acevedo said.

to force a Coyote pitching change. Jacob Salinas scored on a La Joya throwing error.

Angel Solis came in to pitch for the Coyotes and closed out the game with a strikeout.

“Hats off to my kids for the way they battled back the last few weeks,” said Mission coach Rick Lozano.

But, he added, “Hats off to #3 (La Joya pitcher JC Gutierrez) for his performance.”

Next up for La Joya is District 29-6A champ Laredo United South. They will

play a best of three series beginning Friday, May 3 in La Joya at 7 pm. The series will move to the Laredo SAC on Saturday, May 4 for Game 2 starting at 2 pm. If needed, Game 3 will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.

In addition to La Joya three other Big 7 baseball teams have qualified for the post season. Sharyland High currently leads District 315A with a 11-2 record. The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks sit one game back at

10-3. Both had previously secured playoff spots. La Joya Palmview improved their record to 8-5 and qualified for the post-season with a 9-1 victory over PSJA Southwest Tuesday night. Playoff dates and opponents are yet to be determined. All three teams close out the regular season tonight. Sharyland hosts PSJA Memorial, Pioneer hosts Rio Grande City and Palmview hosts PSJA Southwest. All games are scheduled to start at 7 pm.

COYOTES BASEBALL

from pg 7

Restraining order against city of Mission lifted

By Jose De Leon III A district court judge lifted a restraining order against the city of Mission in an ongoing dispute with a local raspa stand.

139th District Judge Roberto “Bobby” Flores, ruled to lift the restraining order late last month after stopping the temporary injunction between the city of Mission and Snowball Express LLC, who was suing the city for enforcing its approved hours of operation.

“The Court, having considered the pleadings and arguments of counsel, finds that Plaintiff is not entitled to the injunctive relief requested, and that the application of Plaintiff for temporary injunction should be denied in its entirety,” court records state.

The restraining order was filed last February after Snowball Express owner El-

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

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092

FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission

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

GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112 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

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

IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332

EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617

IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst

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

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

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

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002

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

SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822

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

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

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

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

PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW DAVID H. GUERRA DARRELL DAVIS 301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

Commercial Lawn Equipment Since 1954

915 West Business 83 • Mission (956) 581-7433

RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL WMAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH 3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5 Mission • 580-4551

OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno

page 9

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

First Presbyterian ChurCh

Sunday School 9:30AM

Worship Service

1102 Ash Mission, TX (956) 585-4829 www.fpcmission.com

8:30AM 10:30AM

gin 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 could take any action until Flores made a ruling.

Xavier filed a lawsuit 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 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 or-

der.

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’ drive-thru window wouldn’t extend their hours past 10 p.m.

Flores ruled on March 4 to leave the restraining order in place until March 25 after researching similar cases before acting on it.

“Though the court denied the injunction, the case is still pending,” Robert L. Galligan, a lawyer representing the city, said.

With the restraining order lifted, the city can continue to enforce its hours on Snowball Express.

No court date for the lawsuit had been scheduled as of press time.

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April 26, 2019

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Documents reveal McAllen City Commission candidate clashed with prosecutors at District Attorney’s Office

By Dave Hendricks McAllen City Commission candidate Tania Ramirez frequently clashed with coworkers when she worked for the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office, where she developed a reputation for abrasive behavior, according to documents released Tuesday.

Ramirez joined the District Attorney’s Office in June 2016. She resigned 27 months later after clashing with at least four coworkers.

The Progress Times requested her personnel records on Jan. 29 — the day Ramirez filed for City Commission District 4. The District Attorney’s Office requested a decision from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, which delayed the release of key documents until Tuesday.

Ramirez had problems from the start.

When she became a prosecutor, Ramirez had to apply for an occupational driver’s license.

The Texas Department of Public Safety suspended her driver’s license after a long list of traffic offenses, which

included speeding, driving without insurance, driving with an invalid license and failure to appear.

“All that happened during college,” Ramirez said.

“Most of those tickets are from either San Antonio, George West, whenever I would come back and forth.”

Ramirez said her driving improved after college and the experience helped her connect with clients.

“I paid everything. I got a whole bunch of surcharges,” Ramirez said. “But now, as a lawyer, I understand when they come and they’re like ‘Oh my God, I need help with my driver’s license.’

Because I actually learned how to do it. Because I went through it.”

The District Attorney’s Office also received a letter from the Board of Law Examiners in Austin, asking standard questions about Ramirez.

“I Rosalinda Cantu, HR Coordinator/Office Administrator for the Hidalgo County Office of the Criminal District Attorney, have NOT been made aware or have received any complaints or referrals that would cause or

have any reason to question Miss Tania Ramirez’s honesty or trustworthiness nor do I have any reason to believe that she would harm a client, obstruct the administration of justice or violate the code of professional responsibility, if licensed to practice law,” according to the response, which the District Attorney’s Office released Tuesday.

The response doesn’t mention an incident that forced Ramirez to withdraw from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

Ramirez left St. Mary’s after a professor caught her cheating in an ethics class.

“I purchased an essay online, if you really want to know,” Ramirez said.

“That’s what it was.”

Ramirez said she always struggled with writing and made a mistake. After the incident, she transferred to Our Lady of the Lake University.

“It was a very dark moment in my life,” Ramirez said.

After graduation, she attended the Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University, passed the bar exam and returned to Hidalgo County, where Ramirez

started working for the District Attorney’s Office.

Ramirez clashed with at least four coworkers during her 27-month stint as a prosecutor.

The District Attorney’s Office reprimanded Ramirez in August 2017 after a dispute with Intake/Grand Jury Division Chief Murray Moore.

“Ms. Ramirez was advised that her work place behavior would not be tolerated. ADA Ramirez accepted that some of her actions, as she left the intake section, were unprofessional and out of line,” according to documentation placed in her personnel file.

“ADA Ramirez did express that ADA’s Moore tone and statements in her interaction were demeaning, belittling and condescending toward her and that this contributed to her outburst.”

Assistant District Attorney Michelle Puig and Assistant District Attorney Joaquin “J.J.” Zamora also had problems with her.

Ramirez, though, eventually reconciled with Zamora, who attended her campaign kick-off.

“I don’t like to hold

FREE !

T N E V E

grudges,” Ramirez said.

“Because, honestly, once you hold grudges against people, you’re spending so much energy in trying to put these people down or thinking of how much you hate them.

Why? Just let it go.”

Her most serious problem involved an ex-boyfriend who also worked for the District Attorney’s Office.

In August 2018, the District Attorney’s Office admonishing Ramirez for making “defamatory and harassing statements about him and for inappropriate behavior outside of the office,” according to documentation placed in her personnel file.

The District Attorney’s Office also warned Ramirez not to contact her ex-boyfriend and advised her “to maintain professionalism in and out of the office and adhere to DA/ County Standards of Conduct.”

The name of Ramirez’s

ex-boyfriend is redacted from documents released by the District Attorney’s Office.

Ramirez said she disagreed with how the incident had been characterized in personnel records.

She resigned from the District Attorney’s Office in September 2018, about a month after the second writeup. Ramirez opened a law office in downtown McAllen and decided to run for City Commission.

“I don’t let people push me around. I don’t let people insult me. Demean me,” Ramirez said. “And that’s one of the reasons why I got in the race. I’ve seen how people are treated, especially by people in positions and public service. And, honestly, I think that needs to change.”

Early voting ends April 30. Election day is May 4.

By Dave Hendricks

with the Department of Public Safety had caught Hernandez driving a tractor-trailer loaded with about 1,250 pounds of marijuana, a second-degree felony punishable by 20 years in prison. He pleaded guilty.

State District Judge Linda Yanez sentenced Hernandez to five years in prison. Yanez, though, suspended the prison sentence and placed Hernandez on community supervision for five years.

The drunken driving arrest violated the terms of Hernandez’s community supervision — which included “avoid the use or abuse of any and all alcoholic beverages” — and threatened to send him to prison.

While state District Judge Marla Cuellar didn’t send Hernandez to prison in September, she demanded he comply with tough new conditions.

Hernandez must wear a GPS tracking device, carry a portable alcohol breath test device and refrain from driving, according to court records. He must also participate in an alternative to incarceration program.

A hearing in the drug trafficking case is scheduled for April 30.

Former Progreso ISD trustee pleads guilty to drunken driving

A former Progreso schol board trustee pleaded guilty last week to driving while intoxicated.

Felix Hernandez Jr., 36, of Progreso pleaded guilty April 18 to driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor.

Hidalgo County Court-atLaw Judge Arnoldo Cantu sentenced Hernandez to 365 days in jail and fined him $1,000. Cantu, however, suspended the jail sentence and placed Hernandez on community supervision for two years.

The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Hernandez at 2:38 a.m. on Sept.

24, when a state trooper stopped him for speeding on Expressway 83.

When he approached Hernandez, the state trooper observed signs of intoxication, according to court records. Hernandez refused to provide a breath sample, which prompted the state trooper to arrest him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

The drunken driving arrest posed a major problem for Hernandez.

In April 2014, agents

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page 11

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BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE

THE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are 2 Weeks = $10 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 4 Weeks = $14 by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

For Rent MOTOR HOME FOR rent in Lamplighter Subd. Lot #113, 55+ Subd. in Palmview, have new room with full bath, semi-furnished, have to see to appreciate it, $650

and up, call 515480-1260 or 956562-2542.

For Sale SARDEX IS THE greaseless & odorless way to treat mange without side effects, kills fleas also, at Tractor

ORDINANCE NO. 4785 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR A RESTAURANT ON PROPERTY ZONED C-2, 1233 E. GRIFFIN PARKWAY, LOT 1 & THE S. 25’ OF LOT 2, BLOCK 1, BELAIRE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION

READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23rd DAY OF APRIL, 2019.

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

Supply (www.happyjackinc.com) 2 CEMETERY PLOTS at Valley Memorial Gardens, adjacent corner plots, Section S, Lot 82, plots A4 & B1, call 956-956222-7675 for more

details.

USE ItchNoMore SHAMPOO to treat ‘hot spots’, doggy odor, & non-specific allergies without a prescription, El Pase Feed Store, (www.kennelvax. com)

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lot 6, Block 168, Mission Original Townsite Subdivision, from (C-1) Office Building to (C-3) General Business If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

RE-ADVERTISEMENT/INVITATION FOR BIDS REQUEST FOR SEALED PROPOSALS PROJECT: City of Alton Public Works Improvement Project– 6 Mile Drainage Improvement Project DESCRIPTION: Work of the Project consists of, but not limited to, grading road side ditches, installing culvert pipes, safety end treatments, grate inlets and repairing pavements.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE: Friday, May 10, 2019 TIME: 11:00 A.M. C.S.T. The City of Alton will receive sealed bids for the City of Alton Public Works Improvement Project – 6 Mile Drainage Improvement Project until 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 10, 2019 addressed to the City of Alton in the office of the City Manager, Alton City Hall, 509 South Alton Blvd., Alton, Texas 78573. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud as near as practical after 11:00 A.M. on May 10, 2019, 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 South Alton Blvd., Alton, Texas 78573; the phone number is 956-687-5362, upon request and payment of $100.00. The payment is non-refundable. Electronic drawings will be provided on a CD at no cost.

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.

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.

City of Alton Salvador Vela, Mayor

ORDINANCE NO. 4784

ORDINANCE NO. 4783

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – VILLA DEL MAR RESTAURANT #1, 207 E. EXPRESSWAY 83, LOT 3, EL PUEBLO PH. II SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23rd DAY OF APRIL, 2019.

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

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING LOT 1, BANNWORTH BUSINESS CENTER, FROM (C1) OFFICE BUILDING TO (C-2) NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23rd DAY OF APRIL, 2019.

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

ORDINANCE NO. 4786 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS PROVIDING FOR A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE BEING A FOUR-WAY STOP INTERSECTION AT GABRIEL AVENUE AND 27TH STREET; PROVIDING FOR INSTALLATION OF SAID TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES BEING STOP SIGNS AND PROPER SIGNAGE THEREOF AND MAKING PROVISIONS OF THE STATE TRANSPORTATION CODE AND TRAFFIC ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSION IN REGARDS TO PENALTY FOR VIOLATION APPLICABLE THERETO; READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 23rd DAY OF APRIL, 2019.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Alton will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 14, 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: Jose E. Garza, d.b.a., Blanca’s Market, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to obtain a Wine and Beer Retailer’s On-Premise Late Hours License at 2501 E. Main Avenue, Suite 6, legally described as La Aldea, Lot 1, 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 May 14, 2019, for the Planning and Zoning and the City Commission.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE The Palmhurst Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm at City Hall, 4417 North Shary Road, Palmhurst, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezone: 37.5 Acres being one tract of land from Residential to Business A.

Tract One: Lot 32-5, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, containing 37.5 acres located at the S/E Corner of W. 3 Mile Rd. and Trosper Rd. Located at 601 W. Mile 3 Road.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Richard Garcia, City Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE The Palmhurst Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm at City Hall, 4417 North Shary Road, Palmhurst, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezone: 3.83 Acres out of Lot 323, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, located at the S/E Corner of W. 3 Mile Rd. and Los Ebanos Rd. from Residential to Commercial.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Richard Garcia, City Secretary

Date Published: April 26, 2019

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Congratulate Your Graduate to reserve your space in this year’s Campus Chronicle Graduation Edition

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Notice is hereby given that the Palmview Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Palmview City Hall Council Chambers, 400 West Veterans Blvd, Palmview, Texas to consider the following: • Consideration and possible action for a Conditional Use Permit, requested by Larry Garza, for one year, for a Home Occupation Daycare on: MISSION GROVES ESTATE ASSR’S TR 15 OUT OF 7.62 ACS E81’- W295’- S105’- N210’ LT 11 BK 3 0.20 AC., also known as, 105 TOWERS ST. PALMVIEW, TX Additionally, notice is hereby given that a hearing before the Palmview City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 04, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Palmview City Hall Council Chambers to consider the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission on this matter.

If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Palmview’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement.

For additional information, please call the Planning Department at (956)432-0300.

Planning Director: Rodolfo Flores III

Gone, but Not Forgotten.

Deadline: May 1st, 2019

Deadline: May 20th, 2019 A Supplement to:

Progress times

Sharyland times

HONORING THE MEMORY OF OUR HEROES IN UNIFORM. Honor the memory of a loved one in our Memorial Day Tribute at no cost.

Just send in their photo along with name and military service branch.

You can stop by the Progress Times office (1217 N. Conway Ave, Mission) with photo or email info@progresstimes.net.

Deadline is Wednesday, May 10, 2019 at 5pm

Progress times

page 12

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April 26, 2019