Friday, May 10, 2019_PT ISSUE

Sunday, May, 12 Your Hometown Newspaper, Bringing Communities Together.

Progress times Vol. 47 - #37

Friday, May 10, 2019

50¢ cents

Former municipal judge threatens Mission with lawsuit

By Dave Hendricks Former Associate Municipal Judge Horacio Peña Jr. penned a scathing letter to members of the City Council last week, threatening them with a lawsuit unless Mission paid him about $146,000.

The City Council didn’t extend Peña’s employment contract April 8, unceremoniously booting him from the bench after 32 years.

During the past three decades, Peña had banked about 3,800 hours of sick and vacation time. Mission refused to pay him the cash value of the unused hours.

“I put in my time. I was a loyal employee,” Peña said.

“And now I’m asking that they pay my leave, pursuant to the policy. They said no.”

Mission paid Peña about $63,600 annually, according to city salary records.

His last paycheck showed 1,727.49 hours of sick time and 2,101 hours of vacation time.

Cutting him a check for the remaining sick and vacation hours would cost Mission about $146,000.

Peña sent city Finance

www.ptrgv.com

Federal agents arrest FedEx contractor accused of shipping drugs to more than 26 states

By Dave Hendricks Federal agents arrested a FedEx contractor last week during an investigation dubbed “Broken Blue Line.”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Rodolfo “Rudy” Hernandez, 40, of Los Fresnos on April 30. Hernandez owns Rolynn’s Transportation, an Edinburg-based company that works for FedEx Ground.

Along with packages, Hernandez shipped cocaine and marijuana nationwide,

said DEA Special Agent Suzanne Minnick. He also accepted FedEx packages stuffed with cash.

“It’s a very extensive organization with a wide reach across the United States,” Minnick said Monday morning, when Hernandez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker for a detention hearing.

Attempts to schedule an interview with Brownsville-based attorney Rick Canales, who represents Hernandez, were unsuccessful.

Along with Hernandez,

the DEA and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Luis Ortiz III, Florentino Galvan, Antonio Saenz, Guadalupe Gonzalez and Ulises Francisco Cortinas, according to a news release published by the U.S. Department of Justice. Another man, Emilio Garcia Uribe, remains a fugitive.

The news release didn’t specify where, exactly, the men lived, identifying them as residents of “the Brownsville and McAllen areas.”

See CONTRACTOR Pg. 4

91-year-old Hispanic WWII veteran may lose family land to border wall

See MUNICIPAL JUDGE Pg. 11

INSIDE

Progress Times photo by Dave Hendricks

Rodolfo “Rudy” Hernandez owns Rolynn’s Transportation of Edinburg.

Former police chief slaps Palmview with lawsuit

By Dave Hendricks Former police Chief Chris Barrera filed a lawsuit against Palmview last month, claiming the city fired him for reporting sexual harassment.

Barrera accused then-Interim City Manager Leo Olivares of sexual harassment in March 2018. After an internal investigation cleared Olivares, the City Council fired Barrera.

“City Manager Olivares terminated me in retaliation for having reported his unlawful sexual harassment to the Mayor,” Barrera said in a statement to the Texas

Workforce Commission.

Barrera didn’t respond to a written request for c o m m e n t Chris Barrera by the Progress Times print deadline.

The lawsuit requests $200,000 to $1 million to compensate Barrera for emotional pain, mental anguish and other types of distress.

See LAWSUIT Pg. 4

Alton PD welcomes 9-year-old honorary police captain

Peñitas Updates Mayor Rigo Lopez was re-elected last Saturday, the city held a prayer service in honor of last week’s National Day of Prayer and charges have been dropped on a a former Peñitas firefighter.

We have the details, inside.

See Pg. 8

Mission Updates

The city recently named council member Gus Martinez as the new city attorney, held a joint meeting with the new drainage committee and has some updates on the Madero Bridge Project.

See our stories for the latest.

See Pg. 10

INDEX Entertainment....pg. 2 Lifestyle...................pg. 3 Sports.......................pg. 6 Death Notices......pg. 9 Classifieds.............pg.11

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

José Ramirez standing on the front gate at the Ramirez Viejo Ranch in Peñitas.

By Jamie Treviño José Ramirez loves this country.

91 years old with a cowboy hat donned on his now grey-haired head, he continues to make it out to the Ramirez Viejo Ranch in Peñitas every chance he can. Ramirez looks at his birthright, 180 viable acres, and gets to work.

In February, Ramirez received a letter from the Texas government informing him that his land, which has been in the family since before Texas became Texas in 1845, may be seized in order to build the now infamous border wall.

The letter, signed by Wall Program Portfolio Manager Loren Flossman for the U.S. Border Patrol, requested Ramirez’s written permission to enter his land after identifying a portion of his

property that they “wish to assess for the purpose of conducting environmental assessments, property surveys, appraisals and any other such work which may be necessary and incidental to the Government’s assessment of the Property for possible acquisition in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) construction of border infrastructure authorized by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriation and other funded tactical infrastructure projects.”

The letter continues to say that border walls, lighting and roads are “critical elements to gain effective control of our Nation’s borders.” Ramirez doesn’t think so, even after countless undocumented people have crossed through his land over

See BORDER WALL Pg. 9

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Brandon Tadeo Alvarez (center) receives a gift from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department at his swearing-in ceremony to become an honorary police captain for the city of Alton Friday, May 3, 2019.

By Jose De Leon III A 9-year-old boy from Alton battling liver cancer got his wish to become a police officer last week.

Brandon Tadeo Alvarez was sworn in as Alton’s newest honorary police captain Friday, May 3, in a ceremony that was attended by rel-

atives, city officials and law enforcement officers from departments all over the county.

The ceremony, Alton police Chief Jonathon B. Flores said, reaffirms what the thin blue line in law enforcement is all about.

See POLICE CAPTAIN Pg. 9

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May 10, 2019

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Preparations underway for 2019 double pageant

‘Retrospective’ exhibit opens May 11 The public is invited to the opening reception of “Retrospective,” a solo art exhibition of the works of Irma Garza Garcia. Shown above is her oil on gold leaf painting “Albricias.” The reception will be hosted by the Upper Valley Art League this Saturday, May 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th St., Mission. The exhibit will be on display in the UVAL gallery through June 12. Admission is free to the reception and to the gallery.

Call 956-583-2787 for information.

McAllen Parks & Rec 2019 registration opens McALLEN –Registration is now open online for summer programs and special events with Activity Guide launch for the City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department (McPARD).

The 2019 McPARD Summer Season includes camps at the three City of McAllen community centers, learn-toswim classes, athletic programming such as lessons in a variety of activities and outdoor recreation activities with a focus on letting kids

be kids. There are different fees associated with the various camps and programs.

In collaboration with the McAllen I.S.D. Summertime Food Program, all three community centers offer breakfast and lunch for children up to age 18.

To learn more or to register about the City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Summer Programs and special events, visit mcallenparks.net or call 956-681-3333.

McALLEN – The Miss Texas World America Organization and Texas Beauty With a Purpose is accepting applications for the 2019 Miss Texas World America and Miss Texas Teen World America Double Pageant. It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd.

The Miss Texas World America and Miss Texas Teen World America winner will proceed to the National Pageant in Las Vegas in September, 2019. The national winner will move on to Miss World.

The Miss Texas World America pageant is open to single unmarried young ladies living in Texas. The pageant divisions are as follows: Miss Texas Teen World America for contestants ages 13-18 and Miss Texas World America for contestants ages 16.5 to 26.

Contestants will compete in a competitions ranging

from a charity project to evening gown. Additional awards will be given to the Most Photogenic contestant and The Yellow Rose of Texas (Miss Congeniality).

Interested applicants should contact Della Fay Perez by calling 956-867-0755 or via email at platinumproductionstexas@gmail.com.

The website for Miss Texas World America is misstexasworldamerica.com.

Applications for the atlarge titles will be selected based on an application and contestant interview. The selected applicants will begin their reign after the coronation ceremony in May 2019.

The orientation and recruitment drive for the Miss Texas World America and the Miss Texas Teen World America pageant and at large positions will be held on Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at the Miss Texas World America corporate office in McAllen. Call 956-533-2594 to set up an appointment.

Coming Attractions

May 11 • The next Sunset Live outdoor concert will be held at the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park, 700 Convention Center Boulevard. The free, family- and pet-friendly event opens at 5 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m. Music ranges in style from Indie to Blues and the event includes outdoor activities, food trucks, beverages, and local artisans. For more information, visit mcallenconventioncenter.net.

May 13 • The public is invited to an evening of solo and chamber music featuring members of the UTRGV Guitar Studio under the direction of Professor Hector Rodriguez. It will be held at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. The musical journey includes music from Spain, Germany, Serbia, Argentina and American music from the 1930s. Admission is $5. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

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

For the latest news and updates

Growing GPZ family The Gladys Porter Zoo has welcomed a new member to the zoo family with the debut of a baby pygmy hippo. Born on Oct. 30 the new member of the zoo family debuted this month, and visitors can now see the baby on exhibit with its mother, Clover. The baby’s sex has not yet been confirmed by veterinary staff but pygmy hippo keeper Rolando Gracia believes that the baby is a female. In the wild, pygmy hippos are primarily solitary animals except when females are accompanied by young. Pygmy hippos are listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List. For more information, call 956-546-7187.

(Photo by Tony Peña)

Sign-up begins for McAllen Independence Day activities

McALLEN – The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department is already working on this year’s McAllen Independence Day Celebration presented by H-E-B. The annual Independence Day Celebration will take place on Thursday, July 4, with an early morning patriotic program, immediately followed by their 4th of July Main Street Parade and Freedom Festival, a family-friendly festival held at Archer Park. Music, food, games and artisans will be some of the highlights of the event.

The City of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting entries for this year’s festivities. Businesses, civic and youth groups, nonprofit organizations, and especially, veterans and veterans’ groups are invited to participate in the parade and other festivities. All entries should feature a patriotic theme. Entry forms for the parade and pageant are available by request by emailing pardmarketing@mcallen.net or at the McAllen Parks & Recreation Office, 1000 S. Ware Rd. Additionally, organizers are looking for the most pa-

triotic contestants to compete in the Miss 4th of July pageant competition. Registration fee is $50 and participants must register onsite at any of the three community centers: Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Avenue; Las Palmas Community Center, 1421 N. 24th Street; and Palm View Community Center, 3401 Jordan Road W. The Miss 4th of July Pageant has four age groups that range from ages 4 to 15. Categories include Tiny Miss, 4–6 years; Little Miss, 7-9 years; Young Miss, 1012 years; Junior Miss, 13-15 years Proof of age will be required before day of event.

Those competing do not need to live in McAllen to compete; however, they cannot be holding any other pageant titles. The judging categories include interview (Young & Junior ONLY), personal introduction and ambition speech; casual and formal wear.

Those interested should sign up soon; there is a cap of contestants in each category. The Miss 4th of July pageant will be held on Saturday, June 15.

Pictured from left to right Queen Citrianna 82nd Alexandria Canchola, Oscar Martinez TCF Vice-President Board member, Lisa Rivera TCF Director, King Citrus 82nd Brandon Thompson

Lisa Rivera, Director of Texas Citrus Fiesta claims a great success at their 1st Annual IBCA Sanctioned Vaquero CookOff. Over 30 vaquero teams began arriving Friday afternoon to sign up and compete in three different meat categories: chicken, ribs, and brisket with the inclusion of jackpots for Saturday, May 4th. The sanctioned cook-off drew participants up and down the valley with some from outside our area. Participants would be eligible for cash prizes, trophies and certificates for their participation. By participating in a sanctioned cookoff, cooks who place in a certain category may qualify for an invitation to a “National Championship”.

Food vendors, informational booths and great music provided by Solitaire, Sergio & Ropin’ the Wind, Hollow Slaughter Creek Band, and Mission Parks and Recreation Folkloric Dancers were participants at the first inaugurated Texas Citrus Fiesta Annual Vaquero Cook-Off. On behalf of the Director, Chairman Oscar Martinez, Texas Citrus Fiesta Board, and TCF Kings Association, we want to extend a congratulatory thank you for their commitment to making this event a whopping success. With a special thank you to Alberto Vela TLC Pharmacy in Mission, and generous contributions from MCM Sporting Goods, City of Mission, IBC Bank in Mission, Farmers Insurance, Taco Ole Restaurant, Chick-Fil-A Sharyland, Exclusive Designs, IBCA and Richard’s Pharmacy helped make Texas Citrus Fiesta reach this year’s triumph. Looking to raise the roof on next year’s event.

Make sure you keep posted and up-to-date with Texas Citrus Fiesta, Inc. upcoming events through our official FB page.

Texas Citrus Fiesta is located on 220 E. 9th St., Mission open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions feel free to call 956-585-9724 or just drop by for a visit. We welcome all to visit to chat and stay awhile.

May 10, 2019

MCISD invites input on naming softball facility

Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) is considering the naming of the softball facilities located at Mission High School and is inviting the public for name recommendations.

The recommendations, and the reasoning, should be sent to Mission CISD, c/o Craig Verley, Public Relations Department, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, TX 78572, no later than Monday, May 20.

Recommendations received from the community will be reviewed, scored and ranked by a naming committee that will be responsible for making a final recommendation to the Mission CISD Board of Trustees.

The criteria set in Board Policy CW(LOCAL) regarding the naming of facilities indicates the person or group

to be honored includes the following: • Have made a significant contribution to the district; • Not be a current board member of the district; • Not be a current employee of the district; • If a former board member or school employee, must have left the board or employment with the district at least three years prior to the year in which a facility will be named; • Represents exemplary qualities that can serve as a model of excellence for the students who shall use the facility; • Have served in positions of leadership and service worthy of commemorating; and • Be considered on an equal basis whether living or deceased.

MCISD campus, building staff members of the year announced

Leadership at each Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) campus and building recently announced a paraprofessional/hourly employee to honor as its Staff Member of the Year. Those individuals are recognized for having a positive influence on their worksites, colleagues, people they serve, and for taking initiative in getting things completed.

The announcements of those honored for 2019 include the following: Claudia Salinas, Alton Elementary; Janie Puente, Bryan Elementary; Marc Dimas, Cantu Elementary; Michael Rocha, Castro Elementary; Maricela Charles, Cavazos Elementary; Ruben Garcia, Escobar/Rios Elementary; Nora Cavazos, Leal Elementary; Gina Marie Garcia, Marcell Elementary; Santos Gonzalez, Midkiff Elementary; Narcedalia Rios, Mims Elementary; Michelle Garza, O’Grady Elementary; Juan Carlos Garcia, Pearson School; DeKendrick Jeffery,

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Salinas Elementary; and Ana Perez, Waitz Elementary.

Also, Rosa Solis, Alton Memorial Jr. High; Cynthia Garcia, K. White Jr. High; Miguel Briseno, Mission Jr. High; Berta A. Requenez, R. Cantu Jr. High; Julio Lopez, Mission High; Anna P. Garcia, Veterans Memorial High; Mayra Hernandez, Mission Collegiate High; Lidia Medina, Mission Options Academy; Isaura Anzaldua, Roosevelt Alternative; Elizabeth Villarreal, administrative office; Juan Llanas, child nutrition program; Joel Villalobos, maintenance department; Adan Rivera, transportation department; and Irineo Piñon, fixed assets/warehouse department.

They will be honored by the MCISD Board of Trustees and administration at a luncheon on Friday, May 17, at Balli’s Social and Event Center at 12 p.m. At that time the district’s superintendent will announce who will awarded the District Staff Member of the Year.

MCISD to offer new Pre-K3 program

EVENTS

CALENDAR

May 11 – The next Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center toddler play date for children ages 18 months to four years old will be “Mud” and held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by optional free play. The fee per toddler is $2 (with one free guardian). Additional visiting family members must pay regular EWBC admission. Registration is required. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. For more information or to register, call 956-381-9922 or visit edinburgwbc.org.

May 14 – The staff at Speer Memorial Library in Mission will host a discussion of Before We Were Yours in the library’s Community Room at 5:30 p.m. in Spanish and at 6:30 p.m. in English. Copies of the book available for check out to those who sign up for the book discussion. Stop by the library, call at 580-8754 or email reference@missiontexas.us to secure a copy. The title is also available as an eBook and eAudiobook at hidalgocotx.oneclickdigital.com. Speer Memorial is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

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

Two MCISD high schools ranked best in America

The annual rankings are out, and Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) has two high schools on the list of Best High schools in America.

Mission Collegiate High School (MCHS) is officially one of the Best High Schools in America for the fifth year in a row, according the rankings done by U.S. News and World Report, placing them in the top 300 in the country.

MCHS has been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report the past four years, jumping in rank over time.

This year, MCHS jumped from 336 in the country last year to 257, while the pool of high schools included in the ranking increased over 2,700 to more than 17,000 schools.

In addition to its place among the best in the country, the publication ranks MCHS at number 43 out of the more than 1,700 high schools in Texas.

Joining MCHS on the national list of Best High Schools in America for the first time is Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS).

VMHS is now ranked among the top 30% of high schools in the country evaluated by

U.S. News and World Report.

“We could not be more proud of the students and staff at Mission Collegiate High School and Veterans Memorial High School,” said Dr. Carol G. Perez, superintendent of schools. It is a wonderful reflection of all their hard work and that excellence resides right here in Mission Consolidated Independent School District.”

U.S. News and World Report dramatically changed its methodology used in the rankings this year. They indicate they improved the ranking methodology to measure school performance using a more sophisticated approach.

U.S. News and World Report evaluated more than 23,000 public high schools. Rankings were based on: how schools did on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Six ranking indicators are used to produce the school’s overall score: college readiness, 30%; college curriculum breadth, 10%; math and reading proficiency, 20%; math and reading performance, 20%; underserved student performance, 10% and 10% graduation rate.

Parents in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) interested in an early-childhood program for their children now have a new option available to them. The district is starting a Pre-K3 program, beginning with the 20192020 school year.

Pre-K 3 students will be served through three Mission CISD schools: Salinas Elementary School Fine Arts Academy to the north; Escobar/Rios Elementary School in the more central areas of the district; and Leal Elementary School of Technology and Engineering to the south.

Students for the new Pre-K3 program must be at least three years of age on Sept. 1, 2019, and meet certain state eligibility requirements, including being unable to speak and comprehend the English language and to be eligible for National School Lunch Program.

Other criteria that can qualify a student for the Pre-K3 program: be the child of an active duty member of the

armed forces or the reserves, have been in foster care, or is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award-qualifying peace officers, firefighters, or emergency medical first responders.

Space will be limited.

Interested parents can register their child now for the 2019-2020 school year at the closest of the three schools offering the Pre-K3 program to their home. Parents should bring their own valid form of identification, the child’s birth certificate, the child’s immunization record, proof of residence (utility bill, etc.), and the child’s social security card if available.

For more information about registering students for the Pre-K3 program, contact the schools at the following numbers: Salinas Elementary School Fine Arts Academy, 956-323-6200; Escobar/ Rios Elementary School, 956-323-8400; and Leal Elementary School of Technology and Engineering, 956323-4600. Students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

‘I Support the Tassel’ gives final step to graduation

LA JOYA – When Juarez-Lincoln High School graduation specialists Erika Salinas and Xochitl Garcia, LBSW, learned that some of students would not be able to walk across the stage at graduation in the Spring of 2015, they wanted to know why and help.

Graduating seniors throughout the country are not be able to don the cap and gown at their milestone ceremony this May simply because they cannot afford it.

Sometimes students opt out from attending graduation as not to cause their parents an additional expense.

“Our Husky students are humble and kind. They see the daily struggle their parents go through to make ends meet and do not want to add an additional cost to the already economically disadvantage household. Many students have said that the

money that would be used on the purchase of the cap and gown could be used instead to pay a water bill, an electricity bill or partial rent payment,” stated Garcia.

An average cost for each cap and gown set is $40.

When Salinas and Garcia heard some of their students couldn’t make ends meet, they created a program called “I Support the Tassel” where seniors that could not afford their graduation gear could have a sponsor. With the help of sponsors for the past five years the “I Support The Tassel” program has grown from 10 caps and gowns to 86.

The public – businesses, individuals, organizations or other – are invited to become a sponsor of the program. For information or to participate, contact Xochitl Garcia or Erika Salinas at 956-323-4807 or via email at x.garcia@lajoyaisd.net

The Mission CISD Board of Trustees, administration and staff extend their sincere thanks to our teachers. We think that all of you are picture perfect.

Graciela Vela Alton Elementary School

Sandra Peña Bryan Elementary School

Melissa Lopez Cantu Elementary School

Tanya Martinez Castro Elementary School

Selma Jones Cavazos Elementary School

Roxanna Barraza Escobar/Rios Elementary School

Maria Vasquez Leal Elementary School

Sarah Wilson Marcell Elementary School

Irma R. Gomez Midkiff Elementary School

Elvira Villarreal Mims Elementary School

Pearl Cantu O’Grady Elementary School

Jessica Hernandez Pearson Elementary School

Rigoberto Botello Salinas Elementary School

Maria G. Barrera Waitz Elementary School

Guadalupe Tijerina Alton Memorial Jr. High School

Criselda Munoz K. White Jr. High School

Elizabeth Tuttle Mission Jr. High School

Monica Ibarra R. Cantu Jr. High School

Ana Estrada Mission High School

Andres Ayala Veterans Memorial High School

Amparo Rosales Mission Collegiate High School

David Martinez Mission Options Academy

Liliana Barth Roosevelt Alternative School

Support provided by:

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By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Property tax reform bill goes to conference committee

AUSTIN — The Texas House of Representatives on May 1 passed Senate Bill 2, legislation proposing to bring property tax relief to homeowners, but the lower house slowed the bill’s momentum by tacking on 25 floor amendments.

If finally passed in the coming days, the legislation would lower the rollback rate for most local taxing authorities from 8 percent to 3.5 percent and 2 percent for school districts. The bill also allows local option elections on proposals to exceed rollback rates.

SB 2, like House Bill 1, the state budget bill, is now in the hands of a conference committee of five House members and five Senate members tasked with producing a final, agreed-to version. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the calendar and the clock as constitutional deadlines set in and the May 27 end of the session grows near.

Gov. Greg Abbott lauded the progress made on the property tax reform bill.

“For too long, Texans have watched their property taxes skyrocket while being reduced to tenants of their own property. That is not the Texas way,” Abbott said.

“In the final days of the legislative session, I am confident this historic legislation, combined with additional reforms working their way through the system, will reach my desk where I will sign them into law. I look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Patrick, Speaker Bonnen and the entire Legislature to deliver lasting property tax relief to every Texan.”

Parties settle voting suit Parties in the lawsuit LULAC v. Texas Secretary

of State David Whitley and consolidated cases agreed to a settlement over Whitley’s Jan. 25 letter to county voter registrars.

In an announcement released April 26, Whitley wrote, “Today’s agreement accomplishes our office’s goal of maintaining an accurate list of qualified registered voters while eliminating the impact of any list maintenance activity on naturalized U.S. citizens. I will continue to work with all stakeholders in the election community to ensure this process is conducted in a manner that holds my office accountable and protects the voting rights of eligible Texans.”

In his role as the state’s chief elections officer, Whitley wrote the letter directing registrars to identify and remove from voter rolls nonU.S. citizens registered to vote in Texas. That letter sparked the lawsuit.

Plaintiffs agreed to dismiss their claims and the Secretary of State’s office agreed to issue a new advisory notifying Texas counties on a revised process for identifying and removing non-U.S. citizens from the state’s voter rolls.

The Secretary of State’s office, in following the new process, will send to county voter registrars only the matching records of individuals who registered to vote before identifying themselves as non-U.S. citizens to the Texas Department of Public Safety when applying for a driver license or personal identification card.

House OKs marijuana bill HB 63, legislation lessening penalties for possession of an ounce or less of mar-

ijuana, won House approval on April 30, on a vote of 103-42.

If passed, the penalty for minor possession of marijuana would be a misdemeanor citation, like a traffic ticket.

Authored by House Speaker Pro-tempore Joe Moody, D-El Paso, the bill drew support from both political parties.

Before a final vote was called in the House, Moody said in the course of a longer statement, “Members, 22 states and the District of Columbia have passed bills like this and the sky hasn’t fallen there. Whatever you think about Colorado-style legalization, this isn’t it.”

HB 63 was received in the Senate for consideration on April 30, but Lt. Gov. Patrick, who presides over the upper chamber, indicated in a social media post that he would not allow the bill to progress any further.

Revenue total increases Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on May 2 announced state sales tax revenue totaled $2.8 billion in April, an amount 3 percent more than the amount reported in April 2018.

“State sales tax revenue continued to grow, but at a modest pace compared to recent months,” Hegar said in an agency news release. “Increased sales tax collections were mostly from the construction and services sectors, while collections from retail trade saw a moderate decline,” he added.

Furthermore, Hegar said, total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in April 2019 was up 6.2 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

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

Call Now 956-585-4893

Deadline: May 10th, 2019

Deadline: May 20th, 2019

A Supplement to:

Progress times

Sharyland times

Sharyland ISD to hold Baccalaureate ceremony next week The Sharyland Independent School District will be holding their 5th Annual Baccalaureate ceremony next Wednesday, May 15 in the Sharyland High School gymnasium at 7 p.m.

The ceremony, a onehour religious service to honor the graduating class, has been done in the district since 1995. Then, the seniors of Sharyland High School have been celebrating the Baccalaureate ceremony with seniors from Mission Independent School District.

Due to the growth in both school districts over the past

from pg. 1

Micah Crump 20 years, Sharyland, Pioneer High School and Sharyland Advanced Academic Acade-

my started holding their own Baccalaureate ceremony.

This year’s speaker will be Micah Crump, lead student pastor at Palm Valley Church where he has worked at since 2001. Crump grew up in Central America where his parents were missionaries for over a decade. Crump has traveled and led missionary groups to Eastern Europe, Central and South America for the past 15 years. Crump has a heart to see the next generation connect to God and be all that they are created to be.

LAWSUIT

Barrera joined the department in July 1994, according to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records.

The City Council promoted him to police chief in August 1998 — after just four years on the job.

During the next two decades, Barrera guided the department through a period of rapid growth. He eventually supervised three dozen employees, assigned investigators to federal task forces and created a regional dispatch center.

November 2016 marked the beginning of the end for Barrera, when a new majority took control of the City Council.

City Councilman Joel Garcia, City Councilwoman Linda Sarabia and City Councilman Javier Ramirez pushed for a top-to-bottom review of Palmview.

They found major problems at the police department. Olivarez, the interim city manager, confronted Barrera with a memo that

summarized various problems.

Barrera accused Olivares of sending him inappropriate text messages, including an invitation to Splash, an annual LGBT weekend on South Padre Island.

The complaint also referenced an in-person incident that Barrera interpreted as sexual harassment.

“While I was in Mr. Olivares’ office, he walked out of the restroom in his office and was zippering up the zipper of his pants, saying ‘Yes Chief,’” according to the complaint Barrera filed with Palmview.

Olivares denied the allegations and City Attorney Gus Acevedo, who investigated the complaint, determined that no sexual harassment occurred.

“He only reported after Olivares raised questions about performance and disciplinary issues,” according to a report prepared for the City Council.

About a month after Bar-

rera filed the sexual harassment complaint, however, he sent homophobic and profane text messages to Fire Chief Gerardo “Jerry” Alaniz.

The text messages, which included “Don’t be gay like Jerry” and “Don’t forget to go to splash,” prompted the City Council to terminate Barrera.

Barrera demanded that Palmview pay him the cash value of unused sick and vacation time. The City Council refused, which prompted the lawsuit.

“As this matter undergoes the litigation process, the City of Palmview will refrain from commenting on any details in regard to this matter,” according to a statement released by City Attorney Eric Flores. “The City of Palmview has always maintained the utmost faith in our judicial system and we will continue to do so throughout this process.”

A grand jury indicted them on drug trafficking and money laundering charges in March. If convicted on the most serious charge, they face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

Hernandez incorporated Rolynn’s Transportation in 2005, according to records filed with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. He also owns Rolynn’s Transfer Inc. and Rolynn’s Truck Services LLC. Rolynn’s Transportation maintains a fleet of more than 30 cargo vans, trucks and other vehicles, which frequently stop at the FedEx Ground warehouse near the

intersection of U.S. 281 and Independence Drive in Edinburg.

The company employs more than 20 people, according to Hernandez’s sister-inlaw, Ana Diaz, who testified during the detention hearing.

While he posed as a successful businessman, Hernandez shipped thousands of pounds of drugs across the country, Minnick said, summarizing the multi-year investigation.

Federal agents recorded phone conversations between Hernandez and other members of the drug trafficking organization, Minnick said. They also conducted

surveillance, which caught Hernandez accepting cash.

Investigators identified five FedEx accounts linked to drug trafficking, Minnick said. The accounts had been used to ship packages that weighed more than 70,000 pounds. Whether or not all the packages contained drugs or money remains unclear.

“He would receive shipments of money in the Federal Express packages,” Minnick said.

The organization mailed packages to Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri, among other states.

Minnick said federal agents believe Luis Ortiz III, who is charged in the indictment, is a “very close associate” of Hernandez. When they executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s home, agents found semi-automatic rifles in several rooms.

Agents also executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s home, where they found $150,000 cash.

“I believe these individuals have ties to the Gulf Cartel,” Minnick said. She later clarified that federal agents believe the organization’s suppliers in Mexico regularly communicate with members of the cartel.

The Criminal Investigation division of the IRS and the DEA investigated the case, which will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

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Committee approves environmental study for Madero bridge project

By Dave Hendricks Mission may pay consultants “a couple million” to conduct an environmental study for the Madero bridge project.

The Mission Rail Bridge Action Committee approved the environmental study Monday, authorizing city administrators to draft a request for qualifications. The City Council will review and discuss the final document.

“And, of course, the engineering firm that we engage for these services will have to do all the coordination with the Mexican side to ensure that they’re onboard with the proposed project and the corridor that’s going to be adopted for this project,” said city Purchasing Director Eduardo Belmarez, who briefed the committee Monday afternoon.

While many details about the Madero bridge remain in flux, Mission is pressing forward with the project anyway, concerned the U.S. State Department may revoke the bridge permit unless the city demonstrates progress.

The project would cost about $144 million, according to a study prepared by Houston-based S&B Infrastructure, which reviewed plans for a standard bridge that would support cars and

commercial trucks.

Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña, though, wants to build a railroad bridge, which is allowed by the federal permit but wasn’t part of the S&B Infrastructure study.

“My opinion — and this is just my opinion — I think that the rail has a lot more feasibility to it for right now than the vehicular traffic,” said McAllen Economic Development Corp. CEO Keith Patridge, who serves on the committee.

Kansas City Southern may be willing to partner with Mission on a railroad bridge, Patridge said. The company already owns railroad tracks that run northeast from Monterrey to the outskirts of Camargo before following the border east to Matamoros.

A railroad bridge in Mission would provide a shortcut from Monterrey to Houston. Along with advantages for commercial freight, the route could provide a highspeed rail connection for passengers.

How much the environmental study would cost remains unclear.

City Manager Randy Perez said Mission budgeted money for the environmental study but didn’t want to make the amount public, concerned the number would influence what contractors

would charge.

Perez, though, said he expected the environmental study to cost roughly “a couple million.”

The city borrowed nearly $11.7 million in October by issuing certificates of obligation, a type of debt that doesn’t require voter approval. Perez said that money would pay for the environmental study.

Mission may spend the nearly $11.7 million: “(i) for the purchase of commercial sanitation vehicles and commercial garbage bins, (ii) for construction, repair, rehabilitation and renovation of municipal buildings, (iii) to engage engineers for the purpose of planning and designing public utilities and improvements in the southwestern part of the City, and (iv) payment of cost of issuance of the Certificates,” according to documents filed with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

Information prepared for previous environmental analyses and the S&B Infrastructure study may reduce the cost, Belmarez said, adding that Mission would review all available data before proceeding.

“We’re going to make sure we do our due diligence to try to maximize the value and minimize the risk for the city,” Belmarez said.

Rio Grande Valley preparing for MPO merger

Courtesy photo.

Valley mayors and county judge during the signing for a Valley-wide MPO merger on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Weslaco. in pieces.”

Garza said. “We thought for

By Jose De Leon III The final step for the years the population is growThe Rio Grande Valley merger is a signature from ing, the area is booming; it has taken steps to merge its Gov. Greg Abbott, which just makes sense to merge. three Metropolitan Planning is expected in the coming And it just took some time Organizations-a move lo- weeks. and negotiation but at the cal leaders say means more According to Hernandez, end day, we did get it done.” growth and development in 80 percent of MPO funds With this merger, both the area. are distributed to the MPO’s Hernandez and Garza said Last month, city leaders for the areas of Austin, Dal- potential future projects that and county judges met for a las-Fort Worth, Houston and could happen due to the insigning ceremony of a Val- San Antonio due to their pop- crease in funding include ley-wide merger of the three ulation size. Once the merg- the construction of a second organizations responsible for er has completed, the RGV causeway to South Padre Iscarrying out transportation MPO will be able to receive land and a highway loop that planning and funds to the a portion of that 80 percent. connects all of the Hidalgo area.

The goal is to have the County.

With this agreement, the new MPO set up by before “We’re going to be able incoming Rio Grande Valley the start of the upcoming to tap into those revenues MPO will be able to com- fiscal year, Hernandez said. a little bit better because pete with Austin, Dallas-Fort He added that the new MPO we’re bigger and we can Worth, Houston and San board will have 13 mem- show that we have congesAntonio for funds from the bers representing the cities tion that needs to be resolved Texas Department of Trans- of Pharr, Mission, Edinburg, and a lot of utilization of portation McAllen, Brownsville, Har- our highways that need to “We were fighting for the lingen and San Benito, along be optimized for safety and same cheese when it’s bet- with Hidalgo and Cameron for commerce,” Hernandez ter to get a bigger piece of County, for a combined 31 said. “So I think when we it,” Pharr Mayor and Hidal- votes. put our plans together for the go County MPO Chairman Talks for a merger have state and showing a complete Ambrosio Hernandez said. been going on for years, said RGV plan then the state is “It was time for us to work J. Joel Garza Jr., executive very likely to pay attention as a region to mobilize our director of the Harlingen-San to us because now we’re resources together more ef- Benito MPO. speaking as one region rathfectively, maybe get bigger “The MPO’s in the top 5 er than each of us fighting amount of funds for our re- are considered mega MPO’s for a certain road....It says to gion to cover all aspects of because their population sur- the leadership in Austin, but our needs. And what better passes 1 million people. With also in D.C. that the Valley is way to do it...then doing it this merger, our MPO would speaking as one voice.” together rather than doing it serve 1.3 million people,”

Sharyland High School librarian on the board of Texas Association of School Librarians

By Jose De Leon III The lead librarian for the Sharyland school district was elected to be part of the board for a statewide organization that advocates for school librarians.

Nicole Cruz was elected to serve on the seven-member board of officers for the Texas Association of School Librarians as its councilor last spring, Cruz said.

“No other librarian from the Sharyland school district has had this position on the board,” Cruz said of the organization with 4,500 members across the state. “I’m going to be working with the chair of the TASL and look at people for our multiple committees and attend the American Library Association Conference in Washington DC in July.”

Previously, Cruz served as president of the Texas Association of School Librarian Administrators November 2015.

“The level of leadership is just going to be increased because I’m going to have more opportunities through this position to bring back more knowledge to the district,” Cruz said. “One of the things I worked really hard to do these last two years was making sure that librarians in the district are aware of the American Association of School Librarians standards for school librarians that are required of them and have training for it and other resources available.”

Cruz has served Texas schools as a librarian for nearly two decades and has worked at every level of public school as an educator before becoming a librarian.

During her time as librarian she has authored more than 50 grants and earned more than $80,000 in funds for various projects.

Prior to earning her Masters of Library Science Degree from Sam Houston State University, Cruz taught

middle school language arts for seven years. For the past 16 years she has served the community of Sharyland as a librarian and has been head librarian at Sharyland-serving Sharyland High School for 10 years and Advanced Academic Academy since it’s inception.

Cruz who thanked her campus principal and other individuals that have supported her in this journey, said she is excited to serve.

“As a professional, you’re always looking to learn and develop new things and being in this leadership position requires that,” Cruz said.

“What I believe a leader is is a servant. First you had to get in the trenches and work alongside the people that you’re serving for those people to see that you have merit or that you have ideas so you can lead them. This role will help with that.”

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May 10, 2019

Sports week

Luciano Guerra Sports Editor

BIG7 SCHOOLS

page 6

www.ptrgv.com/sports

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

Lady Rattlers state bound

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra.

The Sharyland Lady Rattlers golf team will be competing at the UIL state golf tournament next week. Members of the team are Gabby Osuna, Paulina Flores, Samira Salinas, Maialen Eraña and Carolina Cantu.

By Luciano Guerra Five members of the Sharyland Lady Rattlers golf team are preparing to go up against the best of the best in the state of Texas at the UIL State Golf Tournament in Georgetown Monday and Tuesday of next week. The team, which is made up of one freshman, one junior and three seniors, will be looking to live up to the success of previous Lady Rattlers’ golf teams one of which, the 2018 team, placed second at the state tournament.

Coached by Ashley Garza, the Lady Rattlers earned the right to compete at the state tournament by placing second at the Region IV tournament. They actually tied for first at regional but lost the tiebreaker to Alamo Heights Blue to place second. While the Lady Rattlers would’ve rather won that tournament, it really did not affect their qualifying for state since the top three teams at each regional tournament all advance.

The five members of the Lady Rattlers golf team are

freshman Samira Salinas, junior Maialen Eraña and seniors Gabby Osuna, Paulina Flores and Carolina Cantu.

Recently, I had a chance to sit down with these five young ladies to ask them questions about themselves, their team and the upcoming state tournament. Here are some of those questions and some of their responses.

How old were you when you took up golf and what made you want to play golf in the first place?

“I started playing golf when I was 5 years old,” Flores said. “I took it up because my Dad played golf but I didn’t like it that much at first. But then my freshman year I really got into the sport because I saw that my sisters were getting offers from colleges and I wanted to pursue that too. So I started to train and practice every day.”

“I’m originally from Monterey, Mexico,” said Salinas. “When my family would come to the Valley to go shopping at the mall we would see McAllen Country

Club and I always wondered what they would do there.

My Dad told me that they played golf there, so even though I really didn’t know what golf was, I told him that I really wanted to start playing. I just loved the beautiful green grass. So if I needed to play golf to be on that grass, then that’s what I wanted to do. And I did start playing when I was 10 years old.”

“My story is similar to Paulina’s,” Eraña said. “My oldest sister is really talented at golf. All my life growing up she has always been out on the golf course and I kind of got forced into it. But over the years I really started to enjoy it and I really enjoy it now.”

“I’ve been playing since I was 8 years old,” Cantu said.

“I took it up because I had played other sports before but golf really found a place in me. It’s a really competitive sport and it’s not a sport that you can pick up so easily, so the challenge kind of it forced me to keep bettering my game.”

“I first picked up a golf club when I was 10 years

have about playing golf?

old,” Osuna said. “I got interested in the sport because my dad would take me to Academy every Saturday and I would try out the clubs even though I had no idea what I was doing. But then he signed me up for golf classes and that’s how I got started.”

Golf is normally an individual sport but you all are part of a team. What do you like about being a member of the Lady Rattlers’ golf team” “What I really like about being on this team is that even though I may be having a bad day on the course, I know that my teammates are there to support me and to encourage me to go out and practice and to work harder,” Eraña said. “And I can do the same for them.”

“A team is a bond,” Cantu said. “We have a bond with each person on the team. Our bond will only grow stronger with each tournament we play together and every practice we have together.”

“It’s always a mandatory thing to pray right before a tournament,” Cantu said.

“You put your faith in God and if it’s your day it’s your day. Also, I believe in bad juju balls; if you have a high score on a hole, get rid of that ball because it was the golf ball’s fault.”

“Before I hit my first shot in a tournament, I always try to do three swings super-fast and super-hard,” Flores said.

“That helps me to get my nerves out. Then I do a slow swing and then I hit it.”

“I carry my head cover to all tournaments,” Eraña said.

“His name is Charles, he is a raccoon and I’ve had him since I was in seventh grade.

He has to be on top of my bag whenever I am hitting with my driver. If not, it does not go well.”

What are you looking forward to the most and what are you the most nervous about when it comes to the state tournament?

Are there any routines that you do before each tournament or any superstitions that you

“I’m looking forward to the experience I’m going to have with my teammates,”

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Osuna said. “I am most nervous about the fact that it is the state tournament so the competition is going to be stiff.”

“I’m mostly excited about the competition,” Salinas said. “But I’m also excited about the girls I’m going to be playing against and the memories we’re going to be making at state. Finally, I’m looking forward to the adrenalin rush that you get when you play in a big tournament.”

What would it mean to you to win a state championship?

“It would be super cool to get first place at state,” Flores said. “We would be super proud of the team because we’d know that we worked for it and we practiced every day. Also, our coach would be really proud of us and she would be really happy.”

“I think it would be really awesome to win state because our time, our work and our effort during the entire year would pay off,” Eraña said. “I think that just seeing the faces of our coach and our parents if we were to win state would be an awesome experience.”

“I think it would be really exciting for our outgoing seniors to have won a state title on their last year,” Salinas said. “I’m currently a freshman and it would be really awesome to say that we won state my freshman year. If it were to happen, I think we’ll all be so excited that we’ll be about to throw up.”

“It would mean that all we worked for finally paid off,” Osuna said. “All the years of practicing, all the bad rounds and all the good rounds would pay off; not only for us, but also for our coach and our parents.”

The only other Big 7 golfer who qualified for the girls’ state tournament in Georgetown next week is Briana Silerio of La Joya Palmview High School. Silerio shot rounds of 81 and 78 for a total of 159 at the Region IV tournament to tie for sixth place. The fact that she had the second lowest score for an individual golfer whose team did not qualify for state is what allowed her to become a state qualifier.

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May 10, 2019

page 7

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Pioneer, Smith Keep On Winning

By John Hamann

Veterans Memorial High School athlete Makenzie Gerlach was recently signed to play college volleyball at New Mexico Junior College. Surrounded by family, friends, and former coaches, she signed her letter of intent last Thursday afternoon. VMHS Athletic Coordinator David Gilpin said that Gerlach was a great addition to the school’s program. “She’s one of the top female athletes to come to our city,” Gilpin said. “Jackie Howell signed a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been here 29 years now, and I can easily put Jackie and Makenzie in the top three or four athletes in our city.” Gerlach also played softball and swam for VMHS. Diana Lerma, who coached Gerlach throughout her high school career, also spoke at the signing. “It doesn’t just happen, you’ve got to make it happen,” Lerma said, speaking on Gerlach’s strong work ethic. “Look at the outcome: records have been broken, four district titles, undefeated and unblemished. The standards are set so high.” Lerma said that it may look easy, but earning those titles is not. “Because of them setting the standard, we’re going to continue that winning tradition,” Lerma said, adding that it took her time and effort to accomplish what she has. “A leader is one that knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”

Mission High School athlete Jose Recendez will continue to be an eagle after officially signing to compete in wrestling at the collegiate level at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. He is the first wrestler from Texas to compete for CMU in wrestling, as the sport is being introduced into their program for the first time this upcoming year.

Recendez and his mother were present last Thursday afternoon when he signed. MHS Athletic Coordinator Koy Detmer said that Recendez’s character and hard work put him in the position that he is in. “Yes, he’s talented, we all know his speed and strength,” Detmer said. “But in the end, truly, it’s the kind of person he is and his hard work and dedication that separates him and gives him this opportunity.” Wrestling Coach David Mann, who worked with Recendez for four years, said he learned to keep driving through his mistakes and keep going forward. “He’ll be able to continue his education and go to college and better himself as a human being,” Mann said. “At the same time, he’ll be competing at the highest levels.” Recendez thanked his mother and family for supporting him throughout his high school career. “I’m just grateful for this opportunity,” Recendez said.

Sharyland High School students signs on to Texas A&M University - Kingsville

By Jose De Leon III A four-year letter winner in girls golf at Sharyland High School has signed to compete at Texas A&M Kingsville.

Carolina Cantu signed a letter of intent Thursday, May 2 to attend the Division II University that competes in the Lone Star Conference.

“These four years have been amazing and I love how you all have helped me grow,” Cantu told the crowd who attended her signing event. The crowd included her team, classmates and

coaches from Sharyland High School and TAMUK’s golf team.

“TAMUK has a good bio medical program and since I am studying to be a dermatologist I thought it’d be a good start,” Cantu explained.

“My private coach graduated from there and had nothing but good things to say about it. Staying home, I wouldn’t have felt like I had the college experience so with this, I’ll force myself out of my comfort zone.”

Cruz is a 4-year letter winner in Golf, a 4-time Regional Qualifier and a

4-time State Qualifier. She was a member of the 2018 Girls Team that finished as State Runner-Up at the UIL 5A State Golf Tournament.

She will be competing in her fourth state tournament next week. Cruz has also excelled in the classroom during her time at Sharyland High School and is currently in the top 15 percent of her class.

“She’s a hard worker, has a strong game and will be dedicated to her team at TAMUK and knows how hard to work” her coach Ashley Garza said.

Three Big 7 schools are still alive in the UIL state baseball playoffs following impressive performances in last week’s first round bi-district contests. District 31-5A representatives Sharyland Pioneer, Sharyland High and La Joya Palmview all recorded shut-out victories over their opponents from District 32-5A in one game winner-take-all matchups.

All three begin second round area contests tonight.

The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks picked up their second straight bi-district title with a 10-0 five inning victory over Brownsville Lopez. The win improved the Diamondbacks record to 29-5 in what has been a record breaking season for victories for the five year program.

Pioneer sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning; scoring five runs on seven hits. Pitcher Jacob Rosales helped himself with a RBI double and scored a run on a single from right fielder Johnny Lugo. Second baseman Juan Rivera contributed a two-out, 2-RBI single in the third and Rosales ended the game with another RBI double in the fifth. In addition, Rosales went the distance on the mound limiting Lopez to two hits and only three base runners while striking out six. The play around him was solid too.

The Diamondbacks pulled off a nifty run-down to pick off a Lopez runner between bases in the fifth and catcher Angel Nunez assisted on three of Rosales’ strikeouts; pouncing on balls in the dirt before throwing to first to record the outs.

Next up for Pioneer is a re-match with District 305A champion Corpus Christi Veterans. Veterans eliminated the Diamondbacks in the area round last year in a best-

of-three series 2-1. The two teams will meet in Alice for this year’s series beginning with Game 1 tonight at 7 pm.

Game 2 is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 pm and Game 3, if necessary, will start 30 minutes after the completion of Game 2.

The Diamondbacks current run has coincided with the arrival of coach Casey Smith, who took over the Pioneer program after a highly successful run at Mission Veterans Memorial High School. Smith led the Patriots to seven post season appearances in his eight seasons at the helm. The change in schools has not changed his goals. “They are the same every year,” said Smith, “Get to Round Rock (the site of the state tournament) and get a ring.” Smith credits his success to having good kids who take ownership in the program and are willing to work hard.

Several members of the Diamondbacks spoke highly of their coach. Rosales, a senior, said “He (Smith) gets everyone to be energetic and play with that energy.”

Nunez, a junior, said, “Coach (Smith) expects your best and gives you his best.”

Rivera, a freshman, added, “He (Smith) is a good coach who cares about us.”

As far as getting ready for this weekend’s series Smith expects his team to be right there with a Corpus Christi team that advanced to the state semi-finals last year and returns a good portion of their squad. “We feel ready,” said Smith. “We are more mature than last year and have grown collectively.” Smith says the key to advancing is getting the team to play to the best of their ability and just do what good teams are supposed to do.

Several Diamondback players expressed similar sentiments to that of their coach. Rosales felt that the

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Carolina Cantu (center) after signing a letter of intent to play golf at Texas A&M University-Kingsville Thursday, May 2, 2019.

team just needs to play like they know how to while Nunez emphasized keeping the team humble and taking it (the series) one pitch at a time.

In other games involving the Big 7, District 315A champion Sharyland High continued their recent winning streak by defeating Edcouch-Elsa 17-0 in a one game winner-take-all bi-district round matchup last week. The Rattlers open their best-of-three area round series at home tonight against District 30-5A runner-up Corpus Christi King.

Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm. The series moves to Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi tomorrow. Game 2 is scheduled to start at 2 pm and Game 3, if necessary, will start 30 minutes after the completion of Game 2.

La Joya Palmview rounds out the three Big 7 schools still playing. Their fourth place finish in District 315A meant a match-up with District 32-5A champion Brownsville Veterans last week. The Lobos secured a spot in this week’s area round by defeating Veterans 2-0. Their next opponent is District 29-5A co-champion Calallen. The two will meet in Laredo tonight at the Student Activity Complex in a one game winner-take-all contest. The game is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

One team who just fell short of advancing was the La Joya Coyotes of District 30-6A. The Coyotes dropped the opening game in their best-of-three bi-district series last Friday with District 29-6A champion Laredo United South 3-1. They fought off elimination with a 3-2 victory in Game 2 before losing 11-5 in the decisive third game. La Joya closed out the season with an 18-13 record.

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May 10, 2019

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Peñitas mayor crushes challenger, wins second term

By Dave Hendricks Peñitas Mayor Rigo Lopez crushed his challenger, former Mayor Marcos Ochoa, on Saturday, winning a second term.

Lopez won 68 percent of nearly 1,500 ballots cast according to preliminary results published by the Hidalgo County Elections Department.

City Councilman Ramiro Loya and City Councilman Jose Roel “J.R.” Flores and — who ran with Lopez as “Peñ1tas” — also won re-election.

“I want to thank God for

allowing me to be here another four years, to keep on working with my fellow councilmen and the mayor, and the city administration,” Flores said.

Throughout the campaign, voters said they wanted Peñitas to keep growing, Flores said, adding that the City Council spent the past four years working on infrastructure projects that will lay the groundwork for development.

“Today the community spoke about that,” Flores said.

Neither Lopez nor Ochoa, who both held campaign

events Saturday night, could immediately be reached for comment.

The race pitted Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez, 35, an administrator at the La Joya Independent School District, against Marcos L. Ochoa, 64, a two-term mayor who resigned to serve as justice of the peace.

Lopez ran for re-election with Flores and Loya, who also work for the school district.

Ochoa campaigned with Osiel Ramos, a teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, and Esmeralda “Esmer” Medina, a former

city clerk. They called themselves “Peñitas Pride.”

Peñitas hadn’t held a City Council election since May 2015, when Lopez won his first term.

Both slates campaigned hard, blanketing Peñitas with signs and block-walking with help from supporters.

Ochoa, Ramos and Medina ran a relatively low-budget campaign, funded by a handful of donors and the candidates themselves.

Donors contributed about $17,400 to Ochoa from Jan. 1 to April 26, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city.

Ochoa donated $3,000 to himself and spent nearly $1,000 on start-up costs.

Other key supporters included former Peñitas Mayor Servando Ramirez, who donated $1,000, and his father, Jose Ramirez, who donated $4,000.

With support from several members of the school board and deep-pocketed donors, Lopez mounted a very different campaign.

Lopez collected more than $67,000 in campaign contributions from Jan. 1 to April 24, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city.

Major contributors included consultant Chris Wilson, who donated $10,000; land developer Duane Bell, who donated $5,500; land developers John and Jeanette Womack, who donated $5,500 and CSJ Group, the engineering company owned

by Agua Special Utility District General Manager Jose E. “Eddie” Saenz, which donated $5,000.

The election results will remain unofficial until canvassed by the City Council.

Prosecutors drop all charges against former Peñitas volunteer firefighter

By Dave Hendricks Prosecutors dropped all charges last month against a former volunteer firefighter accused of threatening the Peñitas city manager and bringing a loaded pistol to work.

The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office dropped two misdemeanor charges against Marlowe Munoz, 40, of Mission on April 25, when the Peñitas police officers who handled the case didn’t appear in court.

“I’m happy that the charges have been dismissed due to the insufficient evidence and the false statements,” Munoz said. “I just want my name cleared.”

Officers arrested Muñoz in January 2018, when they accused him of threatening Peñitas City Manager Omar Romero and bringing a loaded .40-caliber pistol to work.

Muñoz recorded videos of himself standing on the street near Romero’s apartment.

In the videos, Muñoz made comments about how someone damaged his truck and how the city manager’s truck hadn’t been damaged — yet.

“It’s ok. Accidents happen,” Muñoz said in the video. “But I’d hate for another accident to happen.”

Muñoz also sent an audio recording to the deputy fire chief.

“Well, chief, you are the chief. Well, if you’re going to shoot me, you better be ready to shoot me on Saturday ‘cause I told everybody I’ll be there on Saturday.

And I will be there,” Muñoz said in the audio recording.

“Maybe I should bring some extra friends wearing the same body armor I will.”

Concerned about the messages, Romero and the volunteer firefighters contacted the Peñitas Police Department.

Officers arrested Muñoz at the Peñitas Volunteer Fire Department, where they found him sitting in a black Hummer.

Muñoz appeared intoxicated, according to an affidavit filed with the Peñitas Municipal Court. Officers found a silver .40-caliber pistol tucked between the center console and the driver’s seat.

They also recovered a bulletproof vest from the vehicle.

A municipal judge set bond at $150,000, which kept Muñoz in jail for 19 days. His attorney eventually convinced another judge to reduce the bond.

The District Attorney’s Office accepted two charges against Muñoz for prosecu-

tion: unlawfully carrying a weapon, a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor.

Attorney Samuel Reyes, who represented Muñoz, filed a motion to suppress the evidence, claiming that investigators conducted a warrantless search and that Muñoz’s rights had been violated.

After rescheduling the hearing twice, the court finally heard testimony on April 25. None of the Peñitas police officers who handled the case attended the hearing.

One police officer had been “deployed,” apparently for military service, and prosecutors didn’t know when he would return, according to court records.

Another had a death in the family. And two other police officers had left Peñitas.

“We asked for a reset,” said Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez.

“We asked for a continuance.

And the court would not give it to us.”

When the police officers didn’t testify, Hidalgo County Court-at-Law Judge Omar Maldonado signed a motion to suppress the evidence. As a result, prosecutors asked Maldonado to dismiss the charges.

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Peñitas holds service for National Day of Prayer

By Jamie Treviño Officials prayed for Peñitas, La Joya ISD, the county and law enforcement alike at the Peñitas Public Library last Thursday morning.

In honor of National Day of Prayer, cities across the Rio Grande Valley gathered in different locations united with one mindset: to pray.

The city of Peñitas included residents, city leaders, law enforcement and first responders at their service.

Mayor Rigo Lopez said that public prayer has power.

“When we join in great numbers for a great cause, especially when it comes to faith, I think it creates miracles,” Lopez said.

Peñitas had several prayers during the service, including over the city, La Joya Independent School District, Hidalgo County,

public safety officers and a final special prayer. City Chaplain and Pastor Juan De La Garza gave the prayer for the city, and said he was grateful to be a citizen in the United States, and thanked God that the city has experienced growth over time.

“In the midst of everything that is happening left and right, I thank you, Father, because I am still free to express my views, my prayers, my gratitude and I’m free to express my spiritual feelings and convictions,” De La Garza said.

“I pray for our mayor, for every person that works on his side, and I pray for this beautiful, growing city.”

Armin Garza, a board member for LJISD, gave the prayer for the district. He said that every day people wake up in their beds is a blessing.

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“Every day that we get to spend time with our children and our families is a blessing we sometimes take for granted,” Garza said. “This day and age, we desperately need your attention, Lord.

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The prayer over Hidalgo County was given by Pastor Mari Vasquez, and the prayer for law enforcement and first responders was given by Pastor Luis Vasquez, both from Iglesia Del Pueblo. They both gave thanks for the opportunity to pray over people and cities, and said it was necessary for strong community spirit and protection.

De La Garza gave an additional special prayer, and noted that prayer is a very personal thing. He invited those who needed prayer to raise their hands so people could pray over them.

“Every problem that comes into our lives is a daily challenge,” De La Garza said. “I know that some of you might be going through something this morning, and that’s what we need to pray for.”

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BORDER WALL

the years.

“I don’t mind the fence if it would actually hold illegals [back],” Ramirez said.

“But it’s not going to work.

They’re trying to stop human beings, and human beings have ideas.”

“They [undocumented people] know how to go over it, and they know how to go under it,” Ramirez added.

“Ask ‘El Chapo.’”

Once construction of the wall is complete Ramirez would be able to keep the portion of the land on the south side of the wall, but entryways to that side will be few and far between, meaning he would have to enter at the same point as other landowners and subsequently drive down another stretch of road to his property. The letter included documents for Ramirez to sign which would allow the government to begin surveying the property.

Ramirez doesn’t like the idea. His attorneys have advised him not to respond to the letter just yet, so Ramirez continues to wait.

Ramirez’s daughter, Irma Ramirez, lives next door to her father in a separate house on the same property. She often walks over and sits with him for breakfast.

Last week, while Ramirez was at a doctor’s office, Irma heard several knocks on her kitchen door. She said that when someone she knows is visiting, they call first, so she did not initially answer.

They continued knocking and began yelling through the door at Irma, who is blind and hard of hearing.

She asked who was at the door, but they wouldn’t tell her and began to knock on the front door as well as the kitchen door.

They claimed to have government identification, and stated that they were looking for José Ramirez, presumably over his lack of response to the letter.

Irma called Isobel, her father’s housekeeper, over to her house to explain what was going on. When Irma opened the door, a man attempted to show her his ID. “I said ‘I’m blind, I’m visually impaired,’” Irma Ramirez said. “They asked for José Ramirez, and I said he isn’t here.”

Isobel met with them again before they left, and one of the men asked her to apologize to Irma for him, because he said he was “being so rude to her” initially.

Several people in the RGV received a letter like Ramirez detailing the same: their land may be taken by the government in order to build the border wall. The economic and environmental issues aside, the history of the borderlands hold significance, especially for the families whose livelihoods were built from it.

The border stretches a bit under 2,000 miles. Under President George W. Bush, 654 miles of barrier was built along the border, and according to the BBC, it cost about $7 billion.

President Donald Trump is currently asking for $5.7 billion after initially saying the wall would cost $8 billion to $12 billion to construct.

The BBC also said that the Department of Homeland Security estimated $25 billion in funding would be necessary to build half of the wall.

Disputes over the funding and construction of the proposed wall led to the longest

government shutdown in history. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the cost for construction of a border wall or the replacement of the existing legacy fence will be approximately $6.5 million per mile.

A January 2019 study by the Pew Research Center found that 58 percent of Americans are against expanding the wall along the U.S./Mexico border, while 40 percent support it.

Ramirez feels America, and this property, in his heart. At 10 years old, he started working the land side by side with his father and brothers.

He remembers climbing the ranch’s gate with his siblings, and as evidenced during a visit to the Ramirez Viejo Ranch, he still does when necessary.

Drafted for World War II in 1945 at 18 years old, Ramirez served the United States Army as a truck driver in Japan. Two of his brothers also fought in WWII, and two others in Vietnam.

“I had faith in God, and I had love for my country,” Ramirez said. “In my experience [in the Army], I never felt alone.”

When he returned home from Japan, Ramirez went into agriculture. He maintains that farming is one of the top priorities for a country, especially in times of turmoil.

“During the war, farming was the basic thing that we needed in the United States,” Ramirez said. “The country was starving, and farmers were the key to surviving.”

The land is also the resting place for one of Ramirez’s brothers, Leonel, who drowned on the proper-

Notices

Hipolito De Leon MISSION – Hipolito “Polo” De Leon, 76, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Epifanio Fuentes MISSION – Epifanio Fuentes, 94, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Edinburg Regional Medical Center.

Hortencia Galvan ALTON – Hortencia Galvan, 71, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at DHR Health Rehabilitation in McAllen.

Rodolfo Garcia MISSION – Rodolfo Garcia, 72, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg.

Rosaelia Gonzalez PEÑITAS – Rosaelia C. Gonzalez, 47, passed away

Elvira Arredondo MISSION – Elvira Arredondo, 79, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Domingo Carmona ALTON – Domingo Carmona, 71, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2019, at his home in Alton.

page 9

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com ty during the Flood of 1958.

When driving into the ranch, the gravestone is impossible to miss.

“They were going to try and save a diesel tank,” Ramirez recalled. “The water was going towards the east, and they tried to cross but they got caught in the current and he drowned.”

Currently, the Ramirez Viejo Ranch is run by Ramirez and his sons. It is used mainly for raising cattle for students who participate in the Rio Grande Valley annual Livestock Show.

Before then, it was rented out by produce companies, and Ramirez himself cultivated tomatoes, cantaloupes, cucumbers, onions and beans.

“We have one valve every 100 feet to water the whole farm,” Ramirez said. “It’s well designed to irrigate all the land.”

Ramirez intended on passing the ranch land on to his ten children, nine of which are working and living in America. According to him, thanks to the irrigation system and the land’s proximity to the Rio Grande River, the ideal use for future Ramirez Viejo Ranch land is organic farming.

“We’re not using any pesticides, and we haven’t used pesticides for a long time,” Ramirez said. “It can be farmed for organic produce.”

“I’ve already made my will to leave it to my family, for the next generation,” Ramirez added. “My dad used to kick my butt there, when we were farming with mules. That’s why I love that piece of land, because I worked there for years.”

Ramirez reiterated that if the wall were to work in terms of border security he

would support it, but in his opinion, it will not.

“It won’t work. If I knew it would work, hell I’d go in 100 percent,” Ramirez said. “But it’s never going to work. Trump just wants to show people that he’s a powerful person. It’s not going to work, and everybody knows it.”

Ramirez also said he was disappointed when he received the letter, and said

that the government has been given too much power.

“This is the best country that we could serve,” Ramirez said. “The country is in my heart, and I think we’ve given too much power to the government, and they don’t see what we do for our country. We do everything for our country, and the country isn’t doing anything for us.”

“When one of our own is experiencing something, they never go at it alone,” Flores said. “No matter what city you're from, what agency you’re from, you step up to the plate to come together as a thin blue line family and we take care of each other.

That’s what you’re seeing here today.”

Alvarez is a former student at Raquel Cavazos Elementary school who withdrew last January due to his cancer diagnosis, Mission CISD spokesman Craig Verley said.

Alvarez, dressed in a police officer’s uniform provided by the Alton Police Department, was sworn in by 389th District Court Judge Keno Vasquez. He was then gifted items from law enforcement officers ranging from stuffed animals to police badges and patches.

Alvarez, who took his oath while standing on a stepladder with his father by his side, swore to protect and serve his community. Many members of the standing-room only crowd at Alton City Hall wiped away tears during the swearing-in.

According to Tanya Alvarez, Brandon’s mother, Brandon was first diagnosed with liver cancer in March of

last year and after treatment was declared cancer-free last September. However, last January his cancer returned.

“The doctors have said it has advanced to the point that there are no treatment options left for him,” Tanya said. “He doesn’t know to what extent his disease is.

Brandon likes protecting, he’s always liked protecting people and all his younger cousins feel safe around him.

Now that he’s gotten sick and is at this stage, he’s said ‘I need protection.’”

It is this sense of protecting others Alvarez possesses that made him want to be a police officer, Tanya said, adding that he regularly watches “Live PD” and other television programs centered on law enforcement officers.

Chief Flores said the idea for a swearing-in ceremony in honor of Alvarez came after a family friend reached out to the police department to tell them about Alvarez.

Police then paid Alvarez and his family a visit days before the ceremony and decided to make his dream of becoming a police officer a reality.

“As the father of two kids, I can’t imagine what the family is going through so it

on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Ernest Hamilton MISSION – Ernest Leroy Hamilton, 81, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at Comfort House in McAllen.

Maria Hinojosa LA JOYA – Maria E. Hinojosa, 74, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at her home in La Joya.

Ninfa Hinojosa MISSION – Ninfa Hinojosa, 67, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Jan Koepke MISSION – Jan Randal Koepke, 57, of Mission, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Carolina Martinez MISSION – Carolina Martinez, 74, passed away on Sun-

day, May 5, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Morris Medeiros MISSION – Morris “Moe” Rapoza Medeiros, 87, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Maria Salinas MISSION – Maria Salinas, 80, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

from pg. 1

POLICE CAPTAIN

See POLICE CAPTAIN Pg. 11

page 10

May 10, 2019

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Mission preps for hurricane season with new drainage committee

By Jamie Treviño Following the flood in June 2018 that left 80 percent of Mission underwater, the county and city are taking action to prepare for hurricane season.

A joint meeting was held with the city council and the new drainage committee in Mission this past Wednesday.

Mayor Armando O’caña, Mayor Pro-Tem Norie Gonzalez Garza, council members Ruben Plata and Jessica Ortega-Ochoa and drainage committee members Ned Sheats (Chairman), Brenda Wilson (Secretary) and Ricardo Saldaña (Vice-Chairman) listened to presentations by Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 and TEDSI Infrastructure Group, which was recently awarded a contract to work on drainage for the city.

Hidalgo County passed Proposition A last year, which covered a $190 million drainage bond over 37 total projects. Hidalgo County Floodplain Manager Raul Sesin returned to Mission City Hall to give updates on the status of big projects being worked on in Mission currently.

Sesin said that in this point of Phase 1, the county has assessed what work needs to be done on the Mission Lateral, the Mission Inlet and what they refer to as the McAllen/Mission Lateral/Regular Drainage - the areas with some of the greatest impact last June. $20 million worth of improvements will be done in the Mission area.

“We’re moving very efficiently on this system,” Sesin said.

The projects will include improvements on pipe struc-

tures, six proposed additional water detention facilities and lowering ditches in order to make room for more water.

“The channel itself will be fully widened and some areas will double in capacity, some areas will triple in capacity,” Sesin said. “There’s a lot of area we can work within to expand the channel for conveyance and capacity.”

Sesin noted that managing the water so it doesn’t negatively impact anyone in the area is the most important part of all the drainage projects the county is working on.

“We are proposing multiple structures in certain areas, improving existing structures and leaving structures in place but adding capacity,” Sesin said. “The idea is to efficiently move the wa-

ter through our system, but at the same time we want to create the detention facilities and widen the system so it can move its way down and not adversely affect someone.”

Each project’s construction will also be broken up into sections, the first of which (from Bensten Rd. to Bryan Rd.) will hopefully be completed in 90 days. Sesin showed models highlighting the areas most affected during the flooding last year and how the improvements will impact them in a positive way.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” Sesin said. “We’re very detailed in our evaluation, our consultants have looked at it and we’ve put a lot of hours into this.”

Drainage Committee Chairman Sheats said he was sure that what the pre-

sentation covered would be effective at what Sesin was saying it would accomplish, but he wanted to ensure that the North/South drain was not so overwhelmed again to cause flooding and harm to homes in Mission. Sheats and Drainage Committee Secretary Wilson experienced severe water damage last June.

“We don’t want to be in the same position of having additional flow coming in from the west and no way to get it out,” Sheats said.

Sesin assured Sheats that anything necessary for a 100-year rain would be contained in the improved channels. While there is still land that the county needs to acquire to get certain areas completed later, they are already working on making that happen.

“I think Mission could

definitely make more of a requirement for linear widening of existing systems, detention facilities, kind of adopting some of the things McAllen has done,” Sesin said. “I think it’s a great step in the right direction.”

City Engineer J.P. Terrazas also spoke during the joint meeting, and mentioned some of the current work the city is doing to further prepare for future rain. He mentioned several of the neighborhood drainage structures in Mission that have been assessed and cleared of debris.

“We need to move water in a systematic way from the city of Mission to the Gulf of Mexico,” Mayor O’caña said. “And we need to join forces [with the county] on this.”

Mission City Council may select replacement for City Councilman Gus Martinez on Monday The Mission City Council may discuss a replacement for City Councilman Gus Martinez on Monday night.

Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña said he asked the City Council to suggest replacements for Martinez, who must resign to become city attorney — a paid position with a six-figure salary.

“What I have asked each council member is to bring me one name,” O’caña said.

The City Council may discuss the matter Monday.

Whether or not they’ll reach a consensus remains unclear.

While the city charter requires the City Council to fill a vacancy within 10 days, the charter imposes few restrictions on who may serve.

“Each member of the City Council shall be a resident citizen of the City of Mission, shall be a qualified voter of the State of Texas, shall have been such resident citizen of the City of Mission for a period of not less than six (6) months immediately preceding his election, and shall not be indebted to the City of Mission at the time he takes office,” according to the charter, which allows the city to pay council members a maximum of $300 per year.

O’caña said he’d already picked a candidate for the position, but didn’t want to reveal that person’s name to avoid improperly influencing members of the City Council.

Generally, though, O’caña said the City Council wanted

Mission TX 78572 (956) 585-1665 Sunday Services:

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The person selected to replace Martinez would serve until May 2020.

Members of the City Council may attempt to select someone who will not run for re-election, O’caña said, adding that they don’t want to provide that person with an unfair advantage.

Selecting someone without political ambitions may also allow the City Council to reach consensus quickly and avoid a deadlock, which could scuttle Martinez’s transition from elected official to city employee.

“It’s a possibility but not a full requirement,” O’caña said. “And, obviously, we’re not going to be able to dictate to that person.”

Mission First United Methodist Church 1101 Doherty Ave.

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

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City of Alton Congratulates This Year

Gus Martinez

someone with government or public service experience, someone trustworthy and someone with an open mind.

“And to have the ability to sit down and get to work,” O’caña said. “Because we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Potential replacements for Martinez include former Mission school board Trustee Rogelio “Roy” Vela Jr., local pharmacist Alberto Vela, and engineer Diana L. Izaguirre, the president of the Hidalgo County Irrigation District #6 board.

The person appointed by the City Council would represent Place 4.

O’caña won the Place 4 seat in May 2016. Martinez replaced O’caña in June 2018, when he became mayor.

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For the latest news and updates

By Dave Hendricks

May 10, 2019 from pg. 1

page 11

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

MUNICIPAL JUDGE

Human Resources Director Noemi Munguia a letter on April 10, requesting payment for the remaining sick and vacation time.

The letter triggered a lengthy back-and-forth between Peña and Interim City Attorney Robert L. Galligan.

“Based on the facts and the relevant law, the City of Mission has determined that you are not entitled to be paid for any vacation or sick leave that you may have accrued, if any, during your tenure as an assistant municipal judge,” according to a letter from Galligan to Peña dated April 26. “This decision is based solely on the facts and the law. As a governmental entity, the City of Mission has an obligation to treat every employee fairly and equally and cannot ignore its own Policy Manual.”

Poor recordkeeping ap-

parently hampered the city’s ability to determine whether or not past administrations had promised to compensate Peña for sick and vacation time.

The city, however, did track down paperwork from August 2005, when Peña took a leave of absence to serve as a state district judge.

“The same form indicates that you are classified as a ‘Part-time Mun. Court Judge,’” according to the letter. “Another employee change of status form, dated January 2, 2007, reveals that you were being re-hired and were coming off of your leave of absence. This form also indicates that you were a ‘regular part-time’ employee.”

Peña said he never worked part-time.

“I know they’re claiming that, but that’s not the way it

happened,” Peña said.

For years, he served as the only municipal judge in Mission. Peña handled everything from traffic citations to signing arrest warrants.

He worked nights, weekends and holidays, whenever the city needed a judge.

“They set up the rules.

I worked, gave them my time and effort,” Peña said.

“There were years I didn’t take vacation. Even when I was sick, I worked because I was the only judge available.”

Peña sent the City Council a 10-page letter, providing a history of his work for Mission.

The letter accuses City Councilwoman Jessica Ortega Ochoa and City Councilman Gus Martinez of targeting him for political reasons.

“It was no secret that I supported former May-

or Norberto Salinas in his re-election for Mayor of Mission against Mayor Armando O’Caña and I supported Julian Gonzalez for Commissioner, Place 4 against Gus Martinez,” according to the letter Peña sent to Galligan on May 3. “I was advised by several City employees and residents that they had been told by Commissioner Gus Martinez that should he win the election, I ‘was out’ as an Assistant Judge for the City of Mission.”

Peña warned Galligan that he would file a lawsuit unless Mission paid him for the unused hours.

“In conclusion, considering my reputation and that of the current administration whose election is fraught with suspicious voter practices, rumors and legal proceedings, I believe that a jury would rule in my favor,” Peña wrote.

Asked about the May 3 letter, Martinez said the accusations didn’t hold water.

“His allegations are wild, twisted and unfounded,” Martinez said in a statement.

“As an attorney, he should realize that his position was

simply not renewed. And as a citizen of Mission, he should appreciate the City trimming a non-essential employee, especially on the heels of our financial audit.”

was important for us that his dreams came true,” Flores said. “Whenever he’s up to it he can come here to visit us or we can visit him, take him on ride alongs, anything to keep his spirits up.”

Tanya thanked the members of the public who arrived at her son’s swearing-in ceremony, calling it an inspiration for Alvarez.

“I’m amazed, I don’t have words to express what it feels to see him smiling like that today. It’ll give him more strength to keep fighting,” Tanya said.

Tanya also asked community members to help her

family with one simple action: pray for her son.

“He will be that miracle that we will all talk about in the future and think ‘We made this possible,’ she said.

“I know God has something special planned for him and that it’s not his time. He’s gonna be here and serve the police of Alton in the future.”

Alvarez, who spent most of the event seated with his parents, was visibly stunned by the support from the community. Despite being silent for most of the event, he said two words that described his emotions.

“I’m happy.”

from pg. 9

POLICE CAPTAIN

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 Sale XYLECIDE ANTI-FUNGAL shampoo eliminates doggy odor, relieves “hot spots” & non-specific skin allergies, restores

Now

glossy coat, Mission Feed & Hardware, 956-581-2153 ( w w w. k e n n e l v a x . com) 2 CEMETERY PLOTS at Valley Memorial Gardens, adjacent corner

HIRING Mr. G’s Fireworks

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

Call: (956) 399-3469

NOTICE OF PRIVATE NONPROFIT SCHOOL MEETING May 23, 2019 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Administration Building Mission, TX 78572 Notice is hereby given that a private nonprofit school meeting will be held from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in the Sharyland ISD Administration Building, located at 1200 N. Shary Rd, Mission, Texas, 78572. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the possibility of participation in Sharyland ISD’s Federal Funding. Interested Private Non-Profit Schools must serve eligible Sharyland ISD students. For additional information, please contact Teresa Gonzalez at 956.580.5200 or at tgonzalez@sharylandisd.org.

plots, Section S, Lot 82, plots A4 & B1, call 956-956222-7675 for more details.

Real Estate LAND DEVELOPER OPPORTUNITY, 11 3/4 acres for sale located in Mission, TX between Mile 5&6 on Inspiration Rd,

property has irrigation, $250,000, for more information call 832-718-7824.

Services RGV LOCKOUTS GETS to you fast so you can get back on the road, friendly service with good reasonable prices, call us today if you get locked out of

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Alton will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 28, 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: Javier Garcia is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a guest house as an accessory building at 705 N. Inspiration Blvd., legally described as the North 5 AC of Lot 44, Goodwin #3A, 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.

your vehicle, 956878-3997.

LASER ENGRAVING SERVICES on different materials, customized name

tags, wood cutting boards, signs, trophies and much more, call 956-3698140 for more details.

The State of Texas County of Hidalgo

Progress Times is made possible by our advertisers. Please frequent their businesses and tell them you saw their ad in the Progress Times.

CONSTABLE’S SALE

Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued out of the HONORABLE 93rd District Court HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS, on the 7th of February, 2019, for the sum of $12,927.34 along with reasonable attorney’s fees in the amount of $4,308.90 with interest thereon and costs of suit in the amount of $323.00 at the rate of 5% per annum from the 7th day of February, 2019, under a judgment in favor of Las Vinas Subdivision Homeowner’s Association, Inc. in certain cause in said court, No. C-3362-18-B and styled Las Vinas Subdivision Homeowner’s Association, Inc. vs. MCJ Builders, Inc. and placed in my hands for service on the 30th day of April, 2019. I, Lazaro Gallardo Jr., as Constable Pct.3 Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 30th of April, 2019, levy on real property in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit ALL OF LOTS 26 AND 27, LAS VINAS SUBDIVISION, AN ADDITIONAL TO THE CITY OF MCALLEN, HIDALGO COUNTY TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP RECORDED IN VOLUME 44, PAGE 13, MAP RECORDS IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS, REFERENCE TO WHICH IS HERE MADE ALL PURPOSES: And levied upon as property of MCJ Builders, Inc. and that on the first Tuesday in June 2019, the same being the 4th day of said month, at the court house door of Hidalgo County, TEXAS in the City of Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (sale will begin at 10:00a.m.). By virtue of said levy and said writ of execution, I will sell said above described real property at public venue for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of said MCJ Builders, Inc. and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English language, once a week for three consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a newspaper published in Hidalgo County.

Witness my hand, this 30th day of April, 2019

Lazaro Gallardo, Jr. CONSTABLE PCT.3 Hidalgo County, Texas

page 12

PlainsCapital Bank files lawsuit against former Mission mayor, attempting to collect $4 million

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH When was the last time you cleaned your A/C DUCTS Call for your VIDEO INSPECTION

By Dave Hendricks PlainsCapital Bank filed a lawsuit against former Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas last week, attempting to collect $4 million.

Salinas and corporations he controls – 3 Diamonds Inc., El Toro Builders Inc., Saltillo Group LLC and S&F Developers & Builders — borrowed nearly $8.5 million from First National Bank of Edinburg.

The federal government closed First National Bank in September 2013, concerned about risky commercial real estate loans and poor management. PlainsCapital Bank struck a deal with the government to acquire First National Bank’s assets.

After the acquisition, PlainsCapital Bank contacted Salinas about 15 loans approved between 2003 and 2013.

“PlainsCapital gave notice of default to and made demand for payment upon

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Defendants; however, Defendants failed to pay sums due,” according to the lawsuit.

Attempts to resolve the dispute failed, which prompted PlainsCapital Bank to invoke an arbitration clause.

Attorneys for Salinas and PlainsCapital Bank argued the case in February before a panel of three arbitrators.

PlainsCapital Bank claimed that Salinas and the corporations had defaulted on the loans.

Attorneys for Salinas claimed he borrowed $1 million in July 2009 to buy First National Bank stock, which made that loan void and uncollectable.

“A review of the record indicates, however, that the Salinas Note was secured by 400 acres of real property and is not a stock loan,” according to the arbitration award. “Similarly, the evidence conclusively establishes that none of the proceeds of the fifteen notes

was for the purchase of First National Bank’s other owned real estate (OREO loans).”

Attorneys for Salinas also argued that PlainsCapital Bank defrauded him.

“Respondents allege the Bank committed fraud in obtaining Salinas’ execution of four discount payoff agreements that apply to at least twelve of the fifteen notes,” according to the arbitration award.

Salinas signed the agreements during a brief meeting with Gregory Harris, who served as senior vice president for commercial loans at PlainsCapital Bank.

“Based on their interactions, Harris concluded that Salinas, an astute businessman with decades of experience as a real estate developer, understood that the agreements did not eliminate the entire amount due on the notes,” according to the arbitration award.

Iliana Castillo-Garza, who works for Salinas, tes-

tified that her boss met with Harris for a maximum of 20 minutes.

“She also testified that both she and Salinas believed the partial payments made by Salinas in accordance with the agreements were intended and accepted as payment in full on the notes,” according to the arbitration award.

Salinas didn’t testify at the arbitration hearing and declined to comment. With litigation pending, a spokesman for PlainsCapital Bank also declined to comment.

The arbitrators sided with PlainsCapital Bank.

They directed Salinas to pay $125,000 in attorney’s fees, about $4 million owed to PlainsCapital Bank and about $60,000 in arbitration costs.

Salinas hadn’t paid any portion of the arbitration award by May 3, when PlainsCapital Bank filed the lawsuit against him.

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

Now, therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate May 15, 1963, and May 15 of each succeeding year, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of those peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, have lost their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty.

Thank You To all Those In law enforcemenT who are on The fronT lIne everY DaY!

www.CityOfPenitas.com “Blessed are the peacemakers, for the they will be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9 Ricardo Villarreal Mayor

Joel Garcia Mayor Pro Tem

Javier Ramirez Councilman

Michael Leo City Manager www.cityofpalmview.com

facebook.com/ cityofpenitas

Gilbert Zamora Police Chief

Jose Luis Perez Councilman

Linda Sarabia Councilwoman

Anthony Uresti Councilman

MAYOR PRO-TEM

COUNCILMAN

ALEX GUAJARDO JOSE ROEL FLORES

MAYOR

RIGO LOPEZ

COUNCILMAN

COUNCILMAN

FELIPE QUINTANILLA RAMIRO LOYA

We Support All Our Local Agencies: Alton PD, Alton FD, Hidalgo Co. Precinct 3, Constables & Hidalgo Co. Sheriff’s Dept.

During National Police Week, we honor the officers who lost their lives while protecting the safety of others. Our nation’s police work hard every day to ensure safety and order in our communities, and we’re grateful for their dedication, skill, courage and sacrifice.

1201 E. 8th St. (956) 580-8650 www.missiontexas.us

Dr. Armando O’caña MAYOR

Norie Garza MAYOR PRO-TEM

Ruben Plata COUNCILMAN

Gus Martinez COUNCILMAN

Jessica Ortega-Ochoa COUNCILWOMAN

Randy Perez CITY MANAGER

Jose A. “Fito” Salinas Mayor Mary Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem

www.cityofpalmhursttx.com

Ramiro J. Rodrigurez, Jr. Roberto A. Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem Mayor

Jaime Aranda Councilman

Ruben De Leon Councilman

Israel Silva Councilman

Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman

LOCATIONS IN LA JOYA • PALMVIEW

Insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender.

CALL OR CLICK TODAY!

(956) 585-6207

www.lajoyafcu.com

Anna Lisa Ruiz Commissioner

Maria E. “Geny” Salinas Commissioner

Mike Alaniz City Administrator

Kennedy Salinas City Attorney

Rey Acosta Commissioner Julianita Sabala Administrative Secretary