Congressman Cuellar Press Conference
Congressman Henry Cuellar held a press conference at the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center, and discussed how some funding may be recieved from the government for reimbursement costs of undocumented migrants in the RGV. See Pg. 5
LJISD introduces plans and budget
The La Joya Independent School District recently unveiled some new retention plans for the 2019-2020 school year, along with their annual budget. See our stories on the district for more information about what’s happening, inside. See Pg. 10
INDEX Entertainment....pg. 2 Lifestyle...................pg. 3 Death Notices......pg. 8 Classifieds..............pg. 9
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Vol. 47 - #48
Progress times Friday, July 26, 2019
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TEDSI almost complete with Phase I of storm drainage project
65 years of care
Mission Regional Medical Center celebrates anniversary
By Jamie Treviño Prior to the regular called city council meeting, a joint workshop with the drainage committee was held at Mission City Hall. The workshop was held in order for Ponciano Longoria from TEDSI Infrastructure Group to give an update on the Comprehensive Storm Drainage Project that is currently underway for the city of Mission. According to Longoria, the group is almost complete with Phase I. “We’re still doing data collection,” Longoria said. “There’s a total of over 1,000 manholes within the city limits for the storm systems, and out of the 1,000 there’s roughly 675 manholes without any data, so our crews are out there picking up that information.” The project was started last year following the heavy rainfall that affected the entire Rio Grande Valley, including Mission and Mission residents. Phase I of the project is expected to be complete by mid-August as TEDSI is 80 percent complete with data collection. “It helps us with the programs to learn the hydraulics aspect of all the systems and outposts,” Longoria said. “And it prepares us to see what needs to be improved. So the data is a very important part of this project.” As the group completes Phase I, they are working on public outreach and coordinating meetings. The city of Mission sent TEDSI a list of constituents who would like to meet with them, so the infrastructure group plans on holding two constituents meetings (July 30 and Aug. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.) and a public meeting (Wed. Aug. 14 at the Mission Event Center) in order to keep people informed. “We’ll be working with them [the constituents] both ways [in person and during the meetings] before the deadlines,” Longoria said. “We’ll be calling them again to make sure they all received letters.” Longoria went over how the city is being assisted with applying for grants to cover the costs of the drainage assessment, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant. He also touched on four drainage projects currently underway and the next steps of the projects. “We’re going to be doing the hydrologic analysis and we’re also performing a hydraulic analysis for the entire city,” Longoria said. “We’re preparing grant-supporting documents - that was in Phase III, but we moved it to Phase I because the grants came out early.” BUSINESS AS USUAL During the regular called meeting Sharon Ellison, a resident in Mission, came forward once again to dispute the approval of the sale and on-site consumption of alcohol at the Whistling Duck, located at 1603 E. Griffin Parkway. Ellison has made her opinion of the noise levels coming from the business known to council
See DRAINAGE Pg. 9
Progress Times photo by JamieTreviño.
Mission Regional Medical Center CEO Kane Dawson (right) and Mission city council member Ruben Plata (left) speaking during the celebration of the hospital’s 65 years of service.
By Jamie Treviño Hospital employees, staff and administration - some of whom have been with the Mission Regional Medical Center for over 30 years - gathered at the Mission Event Center last Thurs. July 18, 2019 in order to commemorate 65 years of medical care in the area. The Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC), which was founded in 1954, has experienced growth over the years. Since opening its doors the hospital has tripled in size, going from a 35bed to a 110-bed facility. MRMC recently opened a heart and vascular unit. The complete heart care offered at 910 S. Bryan Rd. Suite 103 (the West side of the hospital) is now accepting patients. “We would like to provide our community with the best health care possible,” MRMC Business Development and Marketing Manager Paola Lopez
said. “Having a heart clinic is going to benefit the whole community, and they’ll have better health care close to home.” Lopez said the heart clinic was important for Western Hidalgo County to have. “That way, people don’t have to go to another city to be seen,” Lopez said. “If they have a heart problem, they come through the emergency room and they don’t have to be transferred anywhere else - they can stay there and we have cardiologists on site 24/7 that are ready to take care of them.” Services provided in the heart and vascular unit at MRMC are located on the first floor in the West building next to the breast care center. “We want to deliver good health care to the people in our community and we want to fulfill their needs,” Lopez said.
Governor appoints Judge Jaime Tijerina to 13th Court of Appeals By Dave Hendricks Gov. Greg Abbott appointed state District Judge Jaime Tijerina to the 13th Court of Appeals on Wednesday. Tijerina replaced Justice Rodolfo “Rudy” Delgado, who resigned on July 19 after a jury convicted him on bribery and obstruction of justice charges. “I’m excited and thankful to the governor for having the confidence in me to carry out the duties of the 13th Court of Appeals,” Tijerina said. “I’m happy to serve the public in that capacity.” Tijerina — an attorney who worked for the city of Mission from July 2015 to June 2018 — ran against Delgado for Place 4 on the 13th Court of Appeals in November 2018. With the criminal case pending, Delgado suspended his campaign. Tijerina pressed the advantage but couldn’t beat the straight-ticket vote. Delgado won by less than 1% of nearly 449,000 ballots cast, according to results published by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. While the bribery charges apparently didn’t bother many South Texas voters, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended Delgado without pay. A jury convicted Delgado on the bribery and obstruction of justice charges on July 11. He resigned eight days later. “The 13th Court of Appeals has been functioning effectively due to the administration of Chief Justice Contreras and the hard work
Judge Jaime Tijerina (Courtesy photo)
and dedication of all the Justices of the 13th Court of Appeals,” Delgado wrote in his resignation letter. “I trust that another Justice will complete the term to which l was elected by administering his/her office with due regard to the integrity of principals of law.” Delgado is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 25. “Given the verdict in my case, and although I continue to have trust in our system of justice and remedies afforded all persons, I feel I should tender my resignation to serve the public interest,” Delgado wrote. Abbott swiftly appointed Tijerina, the judge of the 464th state district court, to fill the vacancy. He will serve until a special election is called and voters select a permanent replacement for Delgado. That person will serve the remainder of Delgado’s six-year term. “It’s not exactly the path I had intended for the 13th Court of Appeals,” Tijerina said. “But I will take it with humility and serve the people of the district.”
See MRMC 65TH Pg. 5
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Primary for Precinct 3 commissioner may become the most expensive race in Hidalgo County By Dave Hendricks The campaign for Precinct 3 commissioner may become the most expensive March 2020 primary race in Hidalgo County. Businessman Everardo “Ever” Villarreal, who is running against Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe Flores in the Democratic Party primary, loaned himself $280,000 last month, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Hidalgo County Elections Department. “I see a big opportunity for what I can do for Precinct 3,” Villarreal said. “And I think I need to show people that I believe in myself and that I’m able to pretty much fund my own campaign.” The loan is roughly 3.5 times larger than what Flores collected from all campaign donors — about $79,000 — during the past six months. “I put up three times more than that when I first ran,” said Flores, who joined the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court in January 2001. Flores, who is running for a sixth term, said he didn’t feel the need to loan his campaign money. After nearly two decades representing western Hidalgo County, voters know him well. “We have the advantage,” Flores said, adding that Mission, Granjeno, Alton, Palmhurst, Palmview and Peñitas support him. “There’s no doubt about it.” Flores also said he felt confident that he would carry Sullivan City. With just a handful of major races on
Joe Flores
Everardo Villarreal the March ballot, the campaign for Precinct 3 commissioner may become the most expensive. It’s unclear whether or not anyone will challenge Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes. The FBI arrested his March 2016 opponent, former Commissioner Arturo “A.C.” Cuellar Jr., on bribery and money laundering charges. Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, who is running for
See PRECINCT 3 Pg. 9
Operation Lone Star currently underway By Jose De Leon III A weeklong service aimed at providing free medical care across the Valley is currently in effect. Now in its 21st year, Operation Lone Star offers free dental services in two Hidalgo County locations-at PSJA Early College High School at 805 West Ridge Rd in San Juan and Juarez-Lincoln High School, 7801 West Mile 7 Rd. in Mission. Other locations are in the cities of Rio Grande City, Brownsville, Harlingen and Laredo, according to a news release. “We’re able to serve the community and help people that come out,” Jim Zavala, a public information officer for the San Juan location said. “We provide medical, vision
and dental services. We have glasses that are given out to patients and people come out multiple days to get their vision and teeth checked and to see a doctor.” According to a report from the Texas Health and Human Services, last year’s Operation Lone Star saw 9,346 patients across all locations, a 14 percent increase from the previous year, the report stated. Zavala said that the numbers are expected to remain the same based on the number of attendees that have been coming in at the San Juan location-about 600 patients total for its first two days. “So many people come here to see a doctor, sometimes it’s the only time a year for them to see one,” Zavala
said. “They get their sports physicals done, families come in and get their immunizations done, OLS is here to help the community.” The weeklong operation is done with a partnership through the Tennessee-based non-profit Remote Area Medical, which recruits volunteers and gathers donated medical equipment and supplies to be used across all OLS locations. Among the volunteers include local doctors, counselors from Tropical Behavioral Health services, a dentist from Oasis Family Dentistry who closed her office for the day to volunteer in the San Juan location, and medical students.
See OPERATION LONE STAR Pg. 9
Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
Ravena Jacob performs an eye exam on a patient Tuesday at the San Juan location of Operation Lone Star, which provides free medical services to the community.
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July 26, 2019
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Students broaden horizons with global studies
By Letty Fernandez
Head to Quinta Mazatlán on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. to experience South Texas’ prehistoric life with Dinosaur George.
Dinosaur George comes to Quinta Mazatlán Aug. 1
McALLEN – Have you ever watched Jurassic World and felt a Tyrannosaurus Rex chasing you? Well run to Quinta Mazatlán’s #SummerThursdayNight with Dinosaur George on August 1 at 7 p.m. when Dinosaur George will present an exhilarating exhibit featuring over 35 fossils to educate visitors about prehistoric life and the dinosaurs that have roamed South Texas. “Dinosaur George” Blassing is a self-taught paleontologist and animal behaviorist with over 35 years of research and study. He is a public speaker, author, television host, and writer who has spent more than 16 years teaching to elementary, intermediate,
and middle school students about the amazing creatures who ruled our planet before us. Join us at Quinta Mazatlán on August 1st at 7pm to experience his passion for prehistoric life and traveling museum! As always, arrive early and stay late for FREE face painting and a yummy snow cone food truck generously sponsored by Freels Orthodontics. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera for a photo-op with dinosaur bones such as a Saber-toothed cat skull and to take the family early for a picnic in the park and a walk along the forest trails at Quinta Mazatlan. For more information, 956-681-3370.
McAllen is site for Texas double pageant 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 to be held 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 preliminary competition, talent showcase and Beauty With a Purpose presentation will be held on Friday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center. The Miss Texas World America and Miss Texas Teen World America winner will proceed to the national pageant in Las Vegas in September. The national winner of the competition will move on to Miss World in London. 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. A Texas Red White and Blue Welcome Party for all contestants and their family members will be held on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the Cambria Hotel, 701 S. Ware Road, McAllen. Contestants will compete in a charity project, top model evening gown, influencer social media race, sports, fitness wear, leader interview and optional tale and entrepreneur categories. Additional awards will be given to the Most Photogenic contestant and “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” Miss Congeniality. Started in 1951, Miss World is not just a traditional beauty pageant, but rather a platform for women from across the globe to raise awareness and funds in aid of humanitarian causes. For additional information, contact Della Fay Perez – Texas State director of the Miss Texas World America organization at 956-8670755 or go to misstexasworldamerica.com.
EDINBURG – This summer, 170 UTRGV students are traveling the world to discover new experiences through the Study Abroad program. In May, students along with their faculty advisors traveled to China, Spain, London, and South Korea as part of UTRGV’s Minimester Study Abroad program. Amanda Meda, who has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, was one of six graduate students who participated in a seminar in Multicultural Speech Langauge Pathology in Spain. The course was designed to expose students to diverse cultures and immerse them in a new environment. Meda said she enjoyed the food and the sights, and that the trip was “unlike any other educational experience” she had ever had. “We had the opportunity to completely immerse ourselves into the Spanish culture. The most interesting thing was being able to note the differences between our culture and theirs,” she said. “This trip taught us all
to be broader in the way we view the world. I’m extremely grateful I was given this opportunity to make new friends and see a totally new part of the world.” While in Spain, students traveled to the cities of Salamanca, Madrid, Toledo and Valladolid. They also visited the Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León at the University of Salamanca, and met with students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Another group of UTRGV students traveled to London in May for an English course entitled “Write along the River Thames.” For the class, students were asked to read and analyze British poetry, short stories and novels, and to write travel blogs based on their experiences. “We went on a number of excursions, including visiting the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath. We also went to a medieval banquet where we celebrated with King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn,” said Marianita Escamilla, a Lecturer III in Writing and Language Studies. She said service learning
Coming Attractions July 28 • Five world-class illusionists make up the Champions of Magic and bring their show to State Farm Hidalgo Arena. The show features illusionists Young & Strange (Richard Young/ Sam Strange), mind reader Alex McAleer, escapologist Fernando Velasco and close-up magician Kayla Drescher. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at hidalgoarena.com. August 17 • Nine-time Grammy-winning Pepe Aguilar is reprising his top selling arena tour “Pepe Aguilar presenta Jaripeo sin Fronteras” tour with a stop at Bert Ogden Arena, 4900 S. I-69C, at 8 p.m. The line-up includes family members Angela Aguilar, Leonardo Aguilar and Antonio Aguilar Jr., along with Banda Sinaloense, the Mariachi Zacatecano, rodeo acts, charreria and other special guests. For information, call 956-562-7362. For tickets, ranging from general admission to VIP packages, go to bertogdenarena.com. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
MOSTHistory to host ‘Cattle Drive’
EDINBURG – This summer, families will get an opportunity to saddle up their “horses,” round up their stray “longhorns,” and drive ‘em through the Will Looney Legacy Park as part of the MOSTHistory Cattle Drive, at the Museum of South Texas History. The event begins promptly at 9 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Aug. 3 and Aug. 17. Meeting in the morning to beat the summer heat, the Cattle Drive will be a fun-
filled, outdoor, educational program developed for children ages 8 through 14, accompanied with a parent or guardian. But, all ages are welcomed. Guided by museum staff and volunteers, children will stop at 10 stations where they will learn about different aspects of the Cattle Drive era through activities such as making a brand, rounding up cattle, avoiding rustlers, learning to make a camp fire, eating cowboy grub, lassoing
was also part of the London experience, and students spent the day volunteering at the Felix Project, where they packed and delivered food to charities. Students also learned about the impact of the Koestler Trust, a charity that helps ex-offenders, hospital patients and immigration detainees in the United Kingdom to express themselves creatively. Dr. Xin Zhang, a lecturer in the UTRGV College of Liberal Arts, accompanied eight undergraduate students to Beijing, China.
Wall and Tian’anmen Square, and visited with a Chinese family. The study aboard program offers short- and longterm trips for undergraduate and graduate students to travel and study in the United States and abroad. Alan Earhart, UTRGV director of International Programs and Partnerships, said study abroad is a high-impact learning practice. “It stretches students by placing them out of their comfort zone into new environments, where they must navigate a different culture,
UTRGV Study Abroad students stand at the historic Roman Bridge, which crosses the Tormes River on the banks of the city of Salamanca, in Castilla y León, Spain. (Courtesy Photo) “Our course provided students with in-depth training of Chinese proficiency in business contexts,” Zhang said. “The course included linguistics, as well as social cultural topics related to doing business in China using the Chinese language.” While in Beijing, students toured several companies, colleges, and historic sites including the Badaling Great
language and world view,” he said. “Students often return to their studies with a renewed sense of purpose.” For more information about the UTRGV study abroad program, visit utrgv. edu/ipp/study-abroad/index. htm.
‘Meet Me at the Park’ project officially unveiled
McALLEN – Lantana Hill, built with funds from a grant won in the online competition “Meet Me at the Park Grant,” was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 16. Located at the McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Bus. 83, the $20,000 grant was an award from 2017 by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Citizenship, Disney/ ABC Television Group and ESPN. With the funds Lantana Hill, a 25-feet high natural observation deck was built at the city’s Nature Center to provide wildlife viewing opportunities. Former Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation Bob Canterbury designed the project and it was built entirely by Parks & Recreation staff.
There are a few benches on top. There is a decomposed granite trail spiraling up around it as well, as a steep stone walkway that kids can climb straight up. An additional wellness component was added to the trail system and a rock wall on the west side provides climbing opportunities for children, increasing exercise. The McAllen Nature Center is a 33-acre urban nature site, operated by McAllen Parks & Recreation and was founded in 1960 as the McAllen Botanical Gardens. The site boasts 220 species of birds, 90 species of butterflies and 15 species of reptiles and amphibians. Annual visitors have increased from 900 to 20,000 annually since reopening in 2013. Weekly wellness programs include tai chi, yoga, meditation, poi and a running program.
a maverick and much more. Outdoor activities will take place early and visitors should be sure to eat a big breakfast before attending and bring water and sunscreen and dress for the trip up the cattle trail by wearing light clothing, comfortable shoes and the best cowboy hat or other cap. A docent-guided tour through the River Frontier and River
Highway galleries is included. Early sign up to secure a spot is recommended. There will be a single charge of $15 per cowhand accompanied by a parent or guardian. To sign up via credit or debit card, contact Joseph Fox at 956-383-6911. MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in downtown Edinburg.
Sunday Service Times: Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday Services: Adults, Teens, Kids 7:00 PM
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July 26, 2019
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Agroecology workshop changes perceptions
Named to Schreiner lists
KERRVILLE – Two Mission residents have been named to Schreiner University’s President’s and Dean’s List. Angela De Los Santos was named to the Dean’s List and Sarah Urive to the President’s List. To be eligible for the President’s List, full-time students must earn at least
a 4.0 grade point average for the term, passing all classes, and have at least 12 hours credit for the term. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a full-time student must have passing grades in all courses and, must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average and at least 12 hours credit.
HUNTSVILLE – Two Mission residents have been named to Schreiner University’s President’s and Dean’s List. Angela De Los Santos was named to the Dean’s List and Sarah Urive to the President’s List. To be eligible for the President’s List, full-time students must earn at least a
4.0 grade point average for the term, passing all classes, and have at least 12 hours credit for the term. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a fulltime student must have passing grades in all courses and, must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average and at least 12 hours credit.
Sam Houston State graduates announced
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dents into the sciences and into agriculture.” Grants and possibilities Helms called the professional development institute a great opportunity that can help introduce teachers to more ways to expand their knowledge. “They talk about all these grants – not only for students, but for teachers – that I didn’t even know about. So it opens up doors,” she said. The APDI itself is funded by a grant awarded to UTRGV earlier this year. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a part of the USDA, awarded almost $150,000 to the university for the three-year program. To can learn more about agroecology at UTRGV by visiting utrgv.edu/agroecology.
EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine will welcome its fourth class of medical students into the medical profession with a White Coat Ceremony at 10 a.m. this Saturday, July 27, at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex Auditorium, 1201 W. University Drive in Edinburg. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. David L. Lakey, vice chancellor for Health Affairs and chief medical officer for The University of Texas System. This class has the largest number of students to date from the Rio Grande Valley, with 24. Of those, 15 are graduates of UTRGV. The Arnold P. Gold
Foundation started the White Coat Ceremony in 1993 to welcome new medical students to the healthcare profession. Almost all medical schools in the United States today, as well as schools for other healthcare professions, perform such ceremonies. Students, each carrying a white coat, walk across the stage and the school leadership helps them don the white coat for the first time. White Coat ceremonies serve as a rite of passage for medical school students. Students also take the Hippocratic Oath, which acknowledges their primary role as caregivers. The ceremony will be available via live stream at utrgv.edu/live.
Bipartisan bill cracks down on robocall plague WASHINGTON– Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX15) announced his co-sponsorship of H.R. 3375, a bipartisan version of the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act which would crackdown on the scourge of illegal robocalls. The legislation will allow carriers to offer call blocking services at no extra charge to consumers while simultaneously giving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the authority to issue rules to protect consumers from robocalls. “Robocalls are the plague of the digital age,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Besides being a constant nuisance, illegal robocalls are stealing Americans’ personal information and are threatening to overwhelm different industries.” H.R. 3375 has been referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce and is expected to be taken up following the Fourth of July recess. In May, Americans were subjected to more than 4.7 billion robocalls roughly double the number of robocalls in May 2018. Texas received the most robocalls out of any state with 555.3 million in 2018.
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July 28 – The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana Ave., McAllen will host a youth art workshop, “Flower Crowns,” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Youth ages 10 and up can celebrate summer and create a flower crown while learning about native flowers in the Rio Grande Valley and taste flower-inspired beverages. Register online or call the IMAS at 956-681-0123 to sign up. July 30 – Staff at Speer Memorial Library in Mission will hold a book discussion of Murder on the Orient Express in the library’s Community Room at 5:30 p.m. in Spanish and at 6:30 p.m. in English. The public is invited. The library has copies of the book available for those who sign up for the discussion. Stop by the library or call at 580-8754 to obtain or reserve a copy or for more information. Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. July 30-Aug. 2 – The Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC) will hold Aquanauts camp for children ages 8 to 12. Participants will get wet while learning about wetland critters and coastal ecology. This camp includes a day trip to South Padre Island to visit the Coastal Studies Lab and Sea Turtle, Inc. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. The fee is $70 for EWBC members and $78 for non-members. Registration is required; space is limited. Registration deadline is one week prior and full payment is due two days prior. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. For more information call 956-381-9922. August 1 – The next International Museum of Art & Science Family Fun Night runs from 3 to 8 p.m. with “Space Rocks” theme-related activities. The museum is located at 1900 W. Nolana Ave. in McAllen. Call 956-681-2800 for more information. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
said. The high school science teacher said she hadn’t been familiar with the scientific work happening locally, but is glad to know now. “It’s amazing research, and you don’t think it happens in the Valley,” she said. “It’s amazing to know that it does.” Local ag researchers Dr. Evan Braswell, a biological scientist at the USDA facility at Moore Air Base, said agriculture is a field that uses every branch of science, from physics to chemistry to biology to engineering. “It’s an applied field that uses every scientific tool that we can to solve problems,” he said. Braswell led one of the teacher groups who toured the USDA facility. “It’s fun for us to bring in these teachers,” he said. “We hope it has an impact in their classrooms and brings stu-
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EDINBURG – Science teachers from 15 school districts in the Rio Grande Valley will head back to their classrooms this fall with new curriculum, courtesy of the UTRGV Agroecology Professional Development Institute. “It’s a four-week workshop where we host a number of teachers from across the Valley and expose them to research and careers in agriculture,” said Dr. Alexis Racelis, a UTRGV assistant professor of agroecology. Racelis leads the professional development program, along with UTRGV master science teacher Tim Sears. “What we found in previous workshops is that teachers often have a misconception about what it means to have a career in agriculture,” Racelis said. “Often, they
think of farmers and laborers. And rarely do they think of entomologists, cell biologists, geneticists and ag specialists.” Field trips and labs Each Friday in June, the group of 24 science teachers took morning field trips, which included visits to the Texas A&M-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco and the USDA research facility at Moore Air Base in Western Hidalgo County. In the afternoons, they headed to the UTRGV Edinburg Campus for curriculum development workshops. Yaquelín Helms, a teacher at Pace Early College High School in Brownsville, participated in the professional development institute and will be teaching AP environmental science this coming school year. “I want to learn as much as I can, so then I can take it back to my students,” she
UTRGV medical school plans white coat ceremony
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STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Top officials attempt to clarify new hemp law for prosecutors AUSTIN — Some district and county attorneys reportedly have begun to dismiss misdemeanor marijuana possession cases following the Texas Legislature’s passage of House Bill 1325, a law creating a legal path for the cultivation and marketing of hemp and hemp products. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Attorney General Ken Paxton on July 18 sent a letter informing prosecutors that the Texas law, which takes effect Sept. 1, adopts the definition that differentiates between hemp and marijuana in the 2018 Farm Bill passed by Congress last year. The farm bill, which delegates authority over the regulation, production and sale of
hemp to the states, differentiates hemp from marijuana by setting a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) threshold concentration of 0.3 percent for hemp and anything above 0.3 percent for marijuana. HB 1325 directs the Texas Department of Agriculture to pass rules requiring hemp producers to be state-licensed and to test their products to ensure 0.3 percent or less THC concentration. The Texas law also requires a shipping certificate that confirms the product in transport is legally compliant hemp. Failure to have the required certificate during transport is a misdemeanor. Some counties reportedly have raised an issue over the cost of lab testing that must be conducted on hemp to determine if seized sam-
ples are legally compliant or not. To address that issue, Abbott, Patrick, Bonnen and Paxton wrote that prosecutors could use “circumstantial evidence” and, “As more companies enter the testing marketplace, the costs of the tests will certainly decline.” Economy adds jobs in June The Texas economy added 45,000 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs, the Texas Workforce Commission announced in a July 19 news release. Also, the unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent in June, the lowest rate recorded since 1976, when the state started tracking the unemployment rate. The previous low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent was recorded in May.
“June’s unemployment rate is a historic win for employers and workers across the state,” said TWC Chair and Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “It is a reflection of our excellent businesses, skilled workforce and the hard work of every Texan.” The Trade, Transportation and Utilities industry led job growth in June, adding 10,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality was second, adding 10,000 jobs. The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs in June with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo, Austin-Round Rock and Odessa MSAs, each of which recorded a rate of 2.7 to tie for second place. UT ups tuition assistance The University of Texas System Board of Regents on July 16 voted unanimously to establish a $160 million endowment from a distribution of the state’s Permanent University Fund that will generate money for financial assistance beginning in fall
2020. “Recognizing both the need for improved access to higher education and the high value of a UT Austin degree, we are dedicating a distribution from the Permanent University Fund to establish an endowment that will directly benefit students and make their degrees more affordable,” UT Regents Chair Kevin Eltife said after the vote. “This will benefit students of our great state for years to come.” The new endowment will be used to expand UT Austin’s Texas Advance Commitment program for in-state undergraduate students to: —Completely cover tuition and fees for students from families that earn up to $65,000 a year who have financial need, and, —Provide some assured tuition support to students from families with incomes of up to $125,000 who have financial need. AG intervenes in lawsuit Attorney General Paxton on July 19 announced his intervention in a lawsuit filed by a dozen business organizations against the city of
July 26, 2019
San Antonio to strike down the city’s paid sick leave ordinance. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect Aug. 1. In court papers filed in a Bexar County state district court, Paxton explained that the state constitution gives the Legislature the authority to set the minimum amount of compensation established for workers, including the minimum amount of paid time off. “The Legislature established the minimum amount of compensation for workers, and the Texas Constitution prohibits local municipalities from ignoring the Legislature’s decision,” Paxton wrote. Disaster declaration granted President Trump on July 17 granted Gov. Abbott’s July 10 request for “Individual Assistance” for those in severe weather- and flood-stricken Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties in the Rio Grande Valley. Individual Assistance provides up to $34,000 per household for damages.
PT
Breach Settlement with Equifax
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced that a coalition of 50 attorneys general reached the largest data breach settlement in history with Equifax, resolving an investigation into a massive data breach first disclosed by the company in September 2017. The breach exposed the personal information of nearly half the U.S. population, including 12.1 million Texans. The $600 million settlement with the attorneys general of 48 states, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico requires Equifax to implement and maintain a rigorous and comprehensive data security program designed to prevent future breaches. Under the agreement, Equifax must also pay between $300 million and $425 million into a consumer restitution settlement fund for the benefit of consumers whose information was exposed in the breach. Equifax will pay $175 million to the 50 attorneys general. Texas will collect $10.9 million for
penalties, fees and costs. “As a data broker which collects and maintains the sensitive personal information of millions, Equifax is obligated by law to protect that information from hackers. This investigation exposed Equifax’ failure to comply with that obligation.” said Attorney General Paxton. “Today’s settlement puts them on the path to correction and is a win for Texas consumers. My office will continue to investigate
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companies that fail to protect Texans’ personal information and do everything it can to protect Texans from identity theft.” The investigation of Equifax concluded that the company failed to maintain reasonable safeguards to protect consumers’ sensitive personal information from unlawful disclosure. Despite knowing about a critical vulnerability in its software, Equifax failed to fully and timely patch its systems. Moreover, Equifax failed to replace software that monitored the breached network for suspicious activity. As a result, the attackers penetrated Equifax’s system and went unnoticed for 76 days. More information about the settlement, including details of the consumer restitution fund and how to file claims, can be found here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/equifax. To receive email updates about the consumer restitution fund and when the settlement administrator will begin accepting claims, sign up at www.ftc. gov/equifax. In November 2017, Attorney General Paxton’s Consumer Protection Divi-
sion served an investigative subpoena – also known as a Civil Investigative Demand – on Equifax, one of the na-
tion’s three major credit reporting agencies. View a copy of the Texas final judgment here.
July 26, 2019
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Congressman Cuellar aiming for $30 million to go toward humanitarian reimbursements in the RGV
Undocumented migrants file into the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen last Friday, July 19, 2019. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.
By Jamie Treviño Wearing layers of clothing and carrying nothing that would make a journey into the U.S. more strenuous, waves of undocumented people and children coming from south of the border are arriving at the respite center in McAllen daily. Last Friday, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) held a press conference at the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen. As the press entered the center, the conversations of volunteers and those seeking asylum in the United States were buzzing. Cuellar, along with
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McAllen Mayor Pro Tempore Commissioner Veronica Whitacre, Diocese of Brownsville Catholic Charities Auxiliary Bishop Mario Aviles, Diocese of Brownsville Catholic Charities Sister Norma Pimentel and Rio Grande Valley Food Bank CEO Ronald Meijerink, gave an update on $30 million going toward humanitarian reimbursements for local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The funds for this endeavor were secured by Cuellar after the passing of the FY19 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill that was signed into law earlier this
summer. The deadline to determine how these funds will be distributed has yet to be determined. Cuellar said that he does not feel that the lawmakers will meet the 30-day deadline to disperse funds, but stressed that he was working to ensure that the majority of the $30 million allocated would go to the Rio Grande Valley. “I think once they’ve worked that process out, it’s going to work a lot better,” Cuellar said. “I assume there will be some processes to be addressed, some unmet needs. As we finish this emergency bill that provides money until Sept. 30, 2019,
as we’re working on the regular appropriation bill, my intent is to put in an additional $60 million, and we might have to tweak the language.” According to Cuellar, the RGV began to experience an influx of migrants in 2014, and the local non-profit organizations and communities have been shouldering the costs. In McAllen alone, where the respite center is located, over $1 million has been spent this year on the required lodging, meals and medical assistance for the migrants who have been released from federal custody. “In the last five years, I think the state of Texas has received over $100 million,
and the only thing that was reimbursed was $400,000 to the McAllen area,” Cuellar said. “So this January I said ‘we gotta change the delivery model.” The new delivery model involves setting up a new fund and bypassing the state of Texas. “Originally we had $60 million but we’ll work with $30 million,” Cuellar said. “Now the set up that we have is the local communities will now go to the United Way board, file the application, that will go up to the FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] emergency board and then that money will go directly [to the community’s reimbursements], bypassing the state.” The Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center, along with several RGV organizations, have been providing humanitarian relief to the thousands of migrants being dropped off by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) at bus stations, shelters and churches in the area. Cuellar said he wanted to ensure that communities were compensated for their response to an issue “that should be shouldered by federal agencies.” “I asked them to make sure that they put the emphasis here, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, because this where most of the work is being done,” Cuellar said. “ Expenses of the influx include food, water, hygiene products, medicine, medical
supplies, temporary housing and transportation. Cuellar said that members of the FEMA board are in the process of deciding how the $30 million will be divided. “We’ve done this before, and we’re hoping this will be done quickly,” Cuellar said. “I asked them when the application process will be open, and they said ‘as soon as possible.’” Cuellar recommended that non-profit organizations, NGOs and those who need to be reimbursed save receipts from Jan. 1, 2019 to now in order to be ready to apply when FEMA opens the application process. “The emphasis will be food and shelter,” Cuellar said. “If there’s some medical needs, then we’ll come back with the regular appropriation process and add that money.” Ana Garcia, the South Texas Regional Director for Senator John Cornyn, said that securing the funds for the area was a bipartisan effort. “The most important thing today is to thank everybody here who are doing God’s work to help our migrant families and children,” Garcia said. “This money is intended for our communities, it’s intended for our non-profit organizations who are working tirelessly day in and day out. Senator Cornyn and Congressman Cuellar wanted to ensure that they receive the money that they deserve.”
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“There’s a lot of people with heart problems here in the Valley, so having this so close to the west side [of the county] is very important.” Lopez said the entire MRMC was excited to be part of the hospital’s legacy in the area. She said that the several employees who have been with the center for over 30 years show that it’s a great place to work. “I just started working for the hospital nine months ago, but I feel like I’ve been here forever,” Lopez said. “Everybody’s so friendly - we’re like a big family and we really, really care about our community.” During the 65th anniversary event last week, MRMC Chief Executive Officer Kane Dawson remarked on the evolution of the hospital and thanked the community for their support over the years. “I could not be more humbled to serve such an incredible organization and be part of the 65-year legacy, it’s incredible,” Dawson said. “This is definitely the place to be, because it’s an All-America City - we just recently celebrated that, and we will continue to celebrate that because it’s just part of the great culture of Mission.” The event featured a video that highlighted several members of the MRMC team and their experiences in the hospital. “They’re the ones that make things happen,” Daw-
son said. “The most important ingredient in terms of a successful organization is its people and how they love and feel about their organization.” Dawson specifically thanked the city of Mission, the Mission Event Center, House Wine & Bistro and the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce for their efforts and support of the hospital during the 65th anniversary event. Mission council member Ruben Plata spoke on behalf of the city, thanking the staff and hospital board for 65
years of service to the city and surrounding areas. “They are one of the largest employers in the city of Mission,” Plata said. “I’ve been involved with the hospital for many years, and the hospital is always the one helping and supporting the Mission Chamber of Commerce, Crime Stoppers and so many of our organizations that we have here. Thank you very much for all your contributions and your investments in our community, and for always providing a great service to all of our citizens.”
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July 26, 2019
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The structure located in the 3000 block of Alejandra Street near Palmview that was destroyed in a fire that killed 11-year-old Versidy Hernandez Sunday. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
Alton, county officials defend action in deadly weekend fire By Jose De Leon III Two days after a structure fire killed an 11-year-old girl, the Alton Fire Department responded to criticism in their role in putting down the blaze. The Alton Fire Department responded to a call of a structure fire Sunday at around 3:05 p.m. near Palmview at the 3000 block of Alejandra Street. When they got there, Emanuel Espinoza-the acting fire lieutenant on shift that day-said that the structure was “fully en-
gulfed.” Though the area is outside Alton city limits, the Alton Fire Department was the first to respond to the scene due to an agreement with Hidalgo County to handle fires and other emergencies in areas that aren’t incorporated to any cities. “Flames were already coming out of all the windows in the structure...,” Espinoza said. “When we got a window open the flames inside the structure [started to] flashover, which meant the temperature inside was too
hot. Unfortunately, I had to make a decision, which is a very hard decision to make, to pull back” The victim was Versidy Hernandez, a student in the La Joya school district according to a GoFund Me page that was set up in her name. She lived in a house that was split in two and was found on the northwest side of the building. The fire spread to two neighboring houses and a nearby shed and mobile home. Two trucks from Alton
‘Chiquita, pero picosa’
Mission High School student heading to Florida
Jazmine Sustaita, center, along with her coach and family at her college signing event Thursday, July 18, 2019. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III
By Jose De Leon III Despite her height that many said would be an obstacle difficult to overcome, a Mission High School student will be playing volleyball at Palm Beach State College in Florida Jazmine Sustaita, who received an athletic scholarship for Palm Beach State College, said she plans to study business in college. She will be wearing new team colors of green and gold while sporting a new mascot, the Jaguar. She currently holds the record for the most digs that she obtained during her high school volleyball career.
“I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in elementary school and have been doing travel sports throughout high school,” Sustaita said. “I’ve competed in Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota and other cities. It’s important because playing sports outside the Valley helped me prepare to play at the collegiate level.” The Mission school district celebrated Sustaita’s latest achievement at a college signing ceremony Thursday, July 18. Sustaita, who is five feet tall, said her height had been criticized throughout her high school career. “Never let anyone bring
you down,”she said. “So many people have brought me down along the way because I’ve been told I was too short-but here I am, about to play at the collegiate level.” Edna Clemons, head volleyball coach for the district, said that Sustaita’s attitude is what guided her to excel. “She is chiquita pero picosa, small but spicy,” Clemons said. “Her height may not say much but her heart is huge. She will give her new team120 percent. She will be a good asset to that program.”
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time was 9 minutes, something he retracted at the press conference. “A look at the finalized call log made today showed that between Alton accepting the call to respond and get to the scene took five minutes and two seconds,” Franz clarified. Franz added that witnesses reporting the long response time may have been attributed to what he called “time dementia,” a phenomenon that occurs during a chaotic and stressful scene as people experience time go by slowly. “Seconds seem like minutes, minutes seem like hours and in those situations, it’s tough,” Franz said. “We’re not discounting what people believe but during our interview process we canvassed the area and had investigators talking door to door with neighbor and potential witnesses. Those people are giving a statement that they believe, but that’s not an accurate representation of what happened. Our office has verified the accountability of the responding agencies.” Franz, Espinoza and Alton Fire Chief Javier Garcia also discussed claims from witnesses that the fire department ran out of water multiple times as they fought the blaze in a neighborhood that had no fire hydrant.
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carrying a total of 4,000 gallons of water showed up. The neighborhood had no fire hydrant but fire departments from McAllen, Palmview, Mission, La Joya and even Brownsville came to assist. The Alton Fire Department stayed on the scene through 3 a.m. the following morning, Alton City Manager Jeff Underwood said. The cause of the fire is still being investigated but so far it’s not being looked at as a criminal matter, John Franz, an investigator with the Hidalgo County Fire Marshal’s office said. Due to several circumstances, such as the amount of debris and dry wood in the area, Franz said that the investigation would end up resulting in no definitive cause of the fire being determined. “Unfortunately, fire eats the evidence and sometimes doesn’t bring closure to families like these,” Franz said Wednesday. During a Tuesday press conference, officials responded to criticism on how the Alton Fire Department handled the blaze. According to Franz, many witnesses that the fire marshal’s office interviewed reported that Alton Fire Department took as long as 50 minutes to arrive at the scene. A press release written by Franz said the response
The neighborhood didn’t have a fire hydrant due to a lack of residential code enforcement in the area where the population count didn’t reach the threshold to have a hydrant there, Franz said. Despite the lack of a hydrant, Garcia said his team was well equipped to handle the fire as they arrived with two vehicles that had a combined amount of 4,000 gallons of water. “We’re prepared and trained for any and all situations-unfortunately not all situations are the same,” Garcia said. “We go in every morning, ensure that our trucks are fully stocked with water and are running well... They get to where they need to in ample time. I’m giving you the facts, we responded with 4,000 gallons of water to combat five structures on fire. That was a lot of fireload but we always had water. I can guarantee that.” Espinoza credited claims of lack of water from the fire trucks being refilled by the water tanks-which he said was common for many similar incidents. Between all the different fire departments at the scene fighting the blaze, 80,000 gallons of water was used, he said. Espinoza, whose left ear suffered severe burns from the flashover despite wearing protective gear, said there was initial confusion when they arrived at the scene. A video that was released on social media filmed the confusion that showed multiple firemen running back and forth from behind the structure, which he said was due to not receiving the specific location of where Hernandez was located from her father. Burglar bars on the windows and a tin roof that trapped the flames inside the house-making it hotter-hindered firefighters from getting in, Espinoza said. “What we know is Alton got there, we know that at no time did they run out of water, we know there was a continuous effort to search and try to find the individual that was inside. Unfortunately this had a tragic ending,” Franz said. “That’s something that’s very difficult for the first responder community and the family. When they grieve we grieve with them. We’re trying to investigate the cause and figure out how to prevent it in the future, but there was an amazing response.” Hernandez stayed in the house despite calling her father and 911 to report the fire. Franz said it’s unknown why Hernandez stayed there but stressed that it’s important that parents have smoke detectors in the house and teach their kids to get out of the house as soon as they see a fire starting. “A member of the community passed away. We may not have been able to save her, but we can take what we’ve learned from this incident and hopefully save a graveyard of other young women,” Franz said. The Hidalgo County Fire Marshal’s office is requesting that witnesses who have video of the incident to contact their office at (956) 318-2656. Hernadez’s GoFund Me page can be found at https://www.gofundme. com/f/nkk9ha-hernandez-family.
July 26, 2019
SISD adding security guards to all elementary campuses By Jose De Leon III
By the time the incoming school year begins next month, every campus in the Sharyland Independent School district will have at least one full-time security guard on sight. During Monday’s school board meeting, Sharyland trustees approved an agreement with the Mission based firm MLG Protection Services to hire four more security guards to the district, bringing their total to 22 security guards. With this one-year agreement, which comes with the option to renew for two years, the district will be able to provide a security guard at every campus, district maintenance Director Mark Dougherty said. Though both Sharyland high schools and middle schools have full time security guards working during school hours, all eight elementary campuses have had “roaming guards” for the last few years, Dougherty explained. “Two guards would patrol the elementary cam-
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puses on the opposite ends of the district on two-hour shifts,” Dougherty said. “We’re now adding four additional guards and reclassifying the ones we have so every campus will have one guard at every campus at least.” Dougherty said that this increase was an action recommended by the district’s safety committee. As previously reported, the committee was created last summer in response to multiple school shootings across the county to discuss school safety and security. A safety assessment of the district was conducted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office at the request of the committee. Other implementations included monthly drills conducted at each campus, active shooter training presentations and discussions to identify students with any disciplinary or emotional issues. Another recommendation recently implemented by the district was to fully fence all campuses. Sharyland North Junior High School was the only campus without a fence,
Juan Alvarado ALTON – Juan Alvarado, 85, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at his home in Alton. Belia Chapa MISSION – Belia O. Chapa, 86, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Arturo Montes MISSION/McALLEN – Arturo
which was added earlier this school year, Dougherty said. “We hope it’s an increase for [student] safety,” Dougherty said. “We’re very vigilant and diligent when it comes to the safety of our kids, it’s an added measure to have our parents and students feel safe and secure but it’s not the end all. We’ll look to see what we can do in the future to enhance our future.” Dougherty said that a full-time security guard had been something that all district elementary principals had been requesting for the last three years-when the district opted to use roaming guards. “We felt at the time that that’s what we could use, it was effective but we can do better,” Dougherty said, adding that the new guards would be paid through the district’s security budget. “School safety is an ongoing thing. We will always be working on it even when the school year isn’t in session.”
Montes Gonzalez, 69, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at his residence in Allende, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Jose Gonzalez MISSION – Jose Luis Gonzalez, 57, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. Raul Ortega MISSION – Raul H. Ortega, 72, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019, at his home. Rosa Ortega
Former Sullivan City police chief released from federal prison larreal, who controlled Diaz The case shocked SulBy Dave Hendricks
After eight years in federal prison, former Sullivan City police Chief Hernan Guerra is a free man. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons released Hernan Guerra Jr., 53, of Mission from a federal prison camp in Montgomery, Alabama, on July 2. Guerra, who supervised the Sullivan City Police Department from 2004 to 2010, secretly worked for drug smugglers. “You seemed to scoff, really, at getting caught. You didn’t care, you were going to do it anyway,” U.S. District Judge Randy Crane said on April 20, 2011, according to the transcript, when he sentenced Guerra to 10 years in prison. “I remember being appalled listening to some of the things you were saying on wiretaps.” Attempts to contact Guerra through his wife, a friend and his former attorney were unsuccessful. Guerra worked with Jose Merced “Chacho” Arechiga and his brother, Jose Raul “Pili” Arechiga, who supervised a sophisticated drug trafficking organization based in Sullivan City. They smuggled marijuana across the Rio Grande for Gulf Cartel plaza boss Gumercindo “El Aguila” Gamez-Vil-
MISSION – Rosa R Ortega, 98, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Celia Ortiz PEÑITAS – Celia Ortiz, 87, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Antonio Pimentel MISSION – Antonio Pimentel, 96, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Village Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in McAllen. Ernesto Romero Jr.
Ordaz and ranchland south of Starr County. Guerra protected the marijuana shipments by keeping local police away from smugglers. He also provided the Arechigas with information about nearby Border Patrol agents. “Jose Arechiga, the head of the drug-trafficking operation, paid Guerra between $500 to $1,000, once or twice per month, for his participation,” according to federal court records. “Guerra’s participation also included failing to investigate known drug trafficking, and rigging the city’s automobile auction so that Arechiga would obtain the winning bid on automobiles.” The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration started investigating “El Aguila” in 2009. Agents requested permission to monitor communication between key players, including Guerra and the Arechigas. Armed with the wiretaps, prosecutors built an airtight case against Guerra. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. “I’m sorry for what I did, what I did to the community and to my family,” Guerra said at sentencing, according to the transcript.
MISSION – Ernesto Mireles Romero Jr., 53, passed away on Monday, July 15, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Sharon Schnelle MISSION – Sharon K Schnelle, 78, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitaition Center. Esperanza Silva MISSION – Esperanza P. Silva, 83, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Solara Hospital in McAllen.
livan City, where Guerra had started as a patrolman in November 2001. “I couldn’t believe it,” former Sullivan City police Chief Carlos Lucio, who worked under Guerra, said in a September 2015 interview. “When he was arrested, I was so embarrassed.” Guerra served his sentence at the Maxwell Air Force Base federal prison camp in Montgomery, Alabama. The minimum security camp, which holds about 730 inmates, is located between a golf course and a river. He accepted a job in the prison food service department, apparently as a baker’s apprentice. Guerra became a model prisoner, studying personal finance, bookkeeping and accounting, according to Bureau of Prisons records. He also took nutrition and fitness classes. In 2016, when he requested a sentence reduction, Guerra had no disciplinary history, according to federal court records. The request wasn’t granted. As a result of good conduct, however, the Bureau of Prisons released him in July. Guerra will spend four years on supervised release.
Joy Tittle MISSION – Joy Deanna Tittle, 77, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at her home in Mission. Maria Villegas MISSION – Maria Luisa Villegas, 76, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019 at her home in Mission. Ramon Villarreal Jr. MISSION – Ramon “Ray” Villarreal Jr., 48, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.
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Sebastian Sanchez is not letting anything get in the way of the next chapter in his academic and athletic journey. Sanchez signed a letter of intent to participate in powerlifting at Midland Uni-
the person I have become.” Sanchez is a one-year letter winner in powerlifting. In his senior year at SHS, he qualified to the 5A Regional Meet where he finished in 9th place with a total of 1,350 pounds. Sanchez also qualified to the 5A State Meet, where he
are your numbers. You decide what category you want to go in and we’ll go from there.’” Leal said Sanchez put in the work, the time and discipline in the classroom to prepare himself for where he is going now. “He made a change for the
versity, a NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) university in Fremont, Nebraska. Sanchez was surrounded by family, friends, former coaches and teammates when he signed on Wed. July 17 at Sharyland High School. The powerlifting program at the university started in 2016, and has seen success in both their men’s and women’s teams. Both men and women from Midland University won raw titles at the 2019 USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals, and the men won the national championship back-to-back. “This is a great opportunity that comes once in a lifetime,” Sanchez said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I want to thank everyone that has helped me become
finished in 14th place with a total of 1,325 pounds. “Sebastian has been a major contributor to the success that the SHS powerlifting team has had the last few seasons,” SHS Athletic Coordinator Ron Adame said. “He is a great example of what a student athlete is.” The road to his success did not come easily Sanchez said, noting that he was removed from the powerlifting team for one year before returning as a senior. SHS Powerlifting Coach Joe Alex Leal confirmed that they took Sanchez off the team in order for him to raise his grades. “He made a complete change in his life and where he wanted to go,” Leal said. “He asked me ‘Coach, what do I need to do to get to the state meet?’ and I said ‘here
better, and that’s what we’re so excited about,” Leal said, adding that when his mother passed away recently, Sanchez reached out with a touching text message. “Sebastian was one of the ones that really touched my heart, so I really do appreciate him very much.” “He’s going to do well,” Leal added. “He’s just beginning his powerlifting, we only had him for two years. I’m expecting a lot of good things for him.” Sanchez said he wanted to thank God for his accomplishments so far. “He gave me everything anyone could wish for: a great family, great coaches and great teammates,” Sanchez said.
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said Congressman Cuellar. “This grant will help the state of Texas create new ideas and technologies that improve program operations in order to more effectively serve eligible children, students, seniors, and families.” “No college student should have to choose between buying textbooks and going hungry,” Congressman Cuellar continued. “Our nation is better served when our students are focusing on their studies instead of where their next meal will come from. I thank Rep. Lawson for introducing this legislation, providing a much-needed expansion to SNAP, and ensuring students have the support they need in college.” “This program is a lifeline for millions of American, including more than 48,000 households in the 28th District of Texas. As members of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, my colleagues and I have the responsibility to allocate funding for SNAP and other critical federal programs, not the Administration.” Expanding SNAP Benefits for College Students According to a Government Accountability Office report, more than 30% of college students might face food insecurity, and almost 2 million at-risk students did not receive SNAP benefits in 2016, even though they were eligible. The Congressman co-sponsored the College Student Hunger Act of
A 24-year-old Pharr man spiked his wife’s water glass with gasoline, attempting to kill her and collect her life insurance policy, according to court records. Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Jesus Eduardo Fuentes, 24, of Pharr on July 9. Fuentes confessed “to putting gasoline into the water with the intent of killing his wife,” according to court records. “Jesus further admitted he had purchased a life insurance policy for his wife without her knowledge.” Court records don’t list an attorney for Fuentes, who couldn’t be reached for comment. The investigation started at 7:02 p.m. on April 10,
(Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.)
when the Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy to a neighborhood near the intersection of Jara Chinas Road and Mile 4 Road. A 38-year-old woman said she became sick after
La Joya ISD
2nd Annual
• Occupational therapy for activities of daily living
PHYSICAL REHABILITATION UNIT 301 W. Expressway 83 McAllen, TX 78503 Get social with us Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 191406-3146 6/19
drinking a glass of water. “The glass contained gasoline which caused her to feel ill. She called for an ambulance and was transported to the hospital for treatment,” according to court records. “She recalled seeing Jesus smell the glass before taking it to her and he acted suspicious when she asked him if he knew the water contained gasoline.” Fuentes initially said he didn’t know the glass contained gasoline. However, when investigators met with him on July 9, he confessed to spiking the water with gasoline as part of an attempt to murder his wife and collect the life insurance money. Investigators charged Fuentes with criminal attempted murder, a second-degree felony.
Jesus Eduardo Fuentes
• Physical therapy tailored to your needs and goals
Learn more about the facility at mcallenmedicalcenter.com/rehab or call 956-632-4677
For the latest news and updates
By Dave Hendricks
• Physical rehabilitation nurses provide 24-hour care
• Social workers and case managers who act as your healthcare liaison
PT
progresstimes
Hidalgo County man accused of attempting to poison his wife with gasoline
South Texas Health System McAllen’s new 18-bed inpatient physical rehabilitation unit is conveniently located and offers advanced equipment and dedicated staff who can help you on your journey toward recovery from stroke, fractures, brain injury, cardiac, general debility or other conditions.
• Speech therapy to treat speech, swallowing, voice and language deficits
2019, legislation to address food insecurity on college campuses by allowing more low-income college students to access SNAP, and urge the federal government, states, and colleges to take a more active role in addressing student food insecurity. HHSC Awarded SNAP Fraud Framework grant program HHSC was awarded $336,994 through the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) SNAP Fraud Framework grant program. The grant will go to creating innovative strategies to hinder the misuse and abuse of SNAP in Texas.
progresstimes
Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño. Sebastian Sanchez (center) with his family, friends and coaches after he signed a letter of intent to compete in powerlifting for Midland University in Nebraska.
Congressman Helps to Address Hunger on College Campuses
Washington, D.C.— Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced an award of nearly $337,000 to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to improve the state agency’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient fraud prevention, detection and investigation efforts. The funding comes through the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) SNAP Fraud Framework grant program. Additionally, Congressman Cuellar has joined Representative Al Lawson’s (FL-5) bill, the College Student Hunger Act of 2019, as an original cosponsor. The measure will support students who experience food insecurity by expanding the eligibility criteria and removing barriers for SNAP. The Congressman’s efforts to expand and protect SNAP funding follow the Administration’s announcement that it will seek to eliminate state flexibility in SNAP; a policy change which would slash food assistance for at least 3 million people and jeopardize access to free school meals for 500,000 low-income students. “SNAP plays a critical role in the battle against hunger for people across Texas and throughout the country. However, SNAP cannot achieve its primary purpose of helping individuals afford a basic meal without maintaining program integrity,”
progresstimes
By Jamie Treviño
Rep. Cuellar Fights to Expand and Protect the Integrity of SNAP
progresstimes
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity SHS powerlifter signs letter of intent to compete for Midland University
Special Needs Family Night
LA JOYA ISD SPORTS AND LEARNING COMPLEX 1801 WESTERN RD, MISSION, TX 78572
JULY 30
TH COMMUNITY EVENT 6:00PM - 9:00PM
FREE ADMISSION + FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES!
FOR MORE INFO. CALL (956) 323-2162
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NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS ALLOWED
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July 26, 2019 from pg. 1 OPERATION LONE STAR OLS runs Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 p.m. and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. OLS works by having patients show up to receive a “flier,” a form requesting if they need dental or vision services. Only 100 fliers per service are handed out and patients can go see a doctor afterward. Most patients usually leave after three hours, Zavala said. Adding that patients wait in line overnight to get a flier as soon as they’re
distributed at 7 a.m., or risk being turned away. Among these individuals were Thelma Garza from Donna. The mother of three arrived with her children and waited in line since Monday at 11 p.m. along with several other families. “We’ve done this before in the past, so we know that we need to be here early to be seen,” Garza said. “If you come here later it’s too late.” Garza said she’s attended OLS in previous years
for multiple services but this year was only attending for vision services, saying that otherwise her family couldn’t afford these services. According to Paul Maurer, a clinic coordinator at Remote Area Medical, $50,000 worth of medical equipment and services were donated to be used at OLS through their organization. Among these services include eyeglasses and a remote lab that added the prescription lenses to them for
and the planning and zoning committee over several meetings. Ellison, who lives behind the Whistling Duck in a residential neighborhood, said she has been living in Mission for 17 years. When she bought her house, the location where Whistling Duck is currently was an adult day care. “I’m the lone voice in the wilderness crying out about the noise,” Ellison said, noting that she has called the Mission Police Department non-emergency line many
times. “I’m within 100 feet of that place. I am not supposed to hear what’s going on in their building inside my house.” Council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa asked the business owner, Jaime Morales, if there were any more ways for them to further muffle the sound coming from music in the Whistling Duck. He said that while they have already implemented soundproof elements on the back wall/area of the restaurant, he would look into more paneling.
Ellison said she did not agree with what Morales said, but because the public hearing was closed, she could not speak on it to council. Council approved the conditional use permit for the Whistling Duck without further discussion. Toward the end of the city council meeting, council approved the presentation of the preliminary budget, and set a date for the public hearing, which will be held Aug. 12, 2019.
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www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com patients so they can receive their new glasses on the same day of their eye exam. Maurer stressed that OLS was open to all. Upon registration, staff members don’t
ask for any form of identification beyond a name. “We treat anyone and don't ask who they are or where they’re from, we’re just happy to treat those in need,”
Maurer said. “It’s huge for the community, there’s lots of people suffering and this is their opportunity for them to get help.”
re-election against Francisco “Frank” Guerrero, a businessman who owns G-Force Security, reported nearly $9,200 in donations from January to June. Guerrero loaned his campaign nearly $113,000. They didn't come close to Villarreal. Along with the $280,000 loan, he collected about $57,000 from supporters. La Joya school board Trustee Alex Cantu and his wife, South Texas College board Trustee Victoria “Vicky” Cantu, donated $1,500 to Villarreal in February. “Ever has been a friend of ours for quite some time,” Alex Cantu said. “He’s always supported us when we’ve run in the past, and I just think that he’s the best candidate for Precinct 3. We believe in him and we’re going to support him.” Villarreal also received $2,000 from Hidalgo Coun-
ty Judge Richard Cortez and $2,500 from Amarillo-based law firm Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, which collects delinquent property taxes. While he needs money to run a campaign, Villarreal said he’s focused on meeting individual voters. “That doesn’t mean that I’m not getting any help or discouraging people from helping my campaign,” Villarreal said. “I’m just not being aggressive on asking for money from other people.” Flores collected more campaign contributions and spent more money than Villarreal from January to June. Donors included Austin-based law firm Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, which collects delinquent property taxes. Attorney John David Franz and his wife, Annette, donated $10,000 to Flores. Linebarger itself donated an-
other $10,000. Flores also received $10,000 from engineer Diana Izaguirre, a member of the Hidalgo County Irrigation District #6 board, and $8,000 from engineer Julio Cerda, the former Mission city manager. The money allowed Flores to write big checks to western Hidalgo County politicians. He donated $5,000 to Palmview Mayor Rick Villarreal, paid $3,000 to La Joya school board Trustee Oscar “Coach” Salinas for “salaries / contract labor” and contributed $2,000 to Justice of the Peace Juan Jose “J.J.” Peña. Flores said he’s not concerned with the amount of money Ever Villarreal may spend. “I wish him the best and good luck,” Flores said, adding: “And may the best man win.”
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PRECINCT 3
BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE
LEGAL NOTICE
THE C L A S S I F I E D S
CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are 2 Weeks = $10 Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573. Submit by email or pay 4 Weeks = $14 by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m. For Rent SE RENTA APARTAMENTOS/ aceptamos Housing, 2 recamaras, 1.5 banos, 3304 Moorefield Rd. in Mission, $650 renta/ $375 deposito, limpio y seguro, llame 956-4102581. For Sale FURNITURE SALE: SOFA bed couch, Cherry wood 4 poster queen bed (complete w/mattress set), matching dresser w/ mirror, night stand & matching desk. Twin bed w/mat-
tress set and 2 vanity chairs. Call (956) 566-1702. USE DD-33 spray to control fleas & ticks on dogs & CATS!!! Mission Feed & Hardware. (956) 581--2153 (www. kennelvax.com).
Services RED VALLEY COINS, we buy and sell coins and coin collections, gold and silver, please call Rene De La Garza at 956-7808411 for an appointment and for
LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for an On Premise Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit by 39 Taqueria, LLC dba 39 Taqueria, to be located at 2813 Griffin Parkway, Mission, TX 78572, Hidalgo County. Officers of said Limited Liability Company is Jaime Montes, owner.
Notice of Public Hearing FY 2019-2020 Budget Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Mission will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas to consider the City’s FY 2019-2020 Annual Budget. The proposed budget is available for inspection by the public on regular business days from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the office of the City Secretary, 1201 E. 8th Street or on the city’s website at www.missiontexas.us. Everyone interested is invited to attend and present comments. Publication Date: July 26, 2019 Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
more details.
ORDINANCE NO. 4809 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 3085, ADOPTING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART FOR THE CITY OF MISSION EMPLOYEES READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 22nd DAY OF JULY, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS, (“CITY”) APPROVING A NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE CITY AND TEXAS GAS SERVICE (“TGS” OR “THE COMPANY”) REGARDING THE COMPANY’S APRIL 30, 2019 COST OF SERVICE ADJUSTMENT (“COSA”) FILING; DECLARING EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE; ADOPTING NEW TARIFFS THAT REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AND FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE ATTACHED TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE; PROVIDING FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE CITY’S AND TGS’ REASONABLE AND NECESSARY RATE CASE EXPENSES; ADOPTING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT; DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; REPEALING ANY PRIOR ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ORDINANCE AND REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE CITY’S LEGAL COUNSEL. READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 22nd DAY OF JULY, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
Aviso de Audiencia Pública FY 2019-2020 Presupuesto Se da aviso del presupuesto que el Concejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Mission conducirá una audiencia pública el lunes 12 de agosto de 2019 a las 5:30 p.m. en las Cámaras del Concejo Municipal, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas, para considerar el presupuesto anual de la ciudad para el año fiscal 2019-2020. El presupuesto propuesto está disponible para inspección por el público en días hábiles regulares de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. en la oficina de la Secretaria de la Ciudad, 1201 E. 8th Street o en el web de la ciudad www. missiontexas.us. Todos los interesados están invitados a asistir y presentar comentarios. Fecha de publicación: 26 de julio de 2019 Anna Carrillo, Secretaria de la Ciudad
956 TOWING AND RECOVERY, LLC 1515 W. 3 Mile Rd. Mission, Texas 78573
(956) 585-8245 • Fax 581-6668 • TdlR VsF lic. no. 0640957 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN RULE 85.703. SUBCHAPTER F, FROM CHAPTER 85, PART 4 OF TITLE 16 IN THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, WE ARE OFFICIALLY NOTIFYING YOU THAT THE BELOW DESCRIBED MOTOR VEHICLES HELD IN OUR CUSTODY ARE TO BE PICKED UP, REMOVED AND ALL CHARGES PAID WITHIN (45) DAYS OR THESE VEHICLES WILL BE DECLARED ABANDONED ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAW. YEAR 2015
MAKE CIMC
MODEL TRAILER
VIN# 527SR5323FM004806
BALANCE $2,662.00
TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED.
ORDINANCE NO. 4805 ORDINANCE NO. 4808
Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit by Cristobal’s Bar & Grill, to be located at 515 North Conway Avenue, Mission, Hidalgo County. Officer(s) of said LLC are John Jacob Escamilla, managing member.
AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX CERTAIN TERRITORY AND TO INCORPORATE THE SAME WITHIN THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF MISSION, COUNTY OF HIDALGO, STATE OF TEXAS, BEING DESCRIBED AS TRACT 1: BEING A 9.43 ACRE TRACT OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, OUT OF LOT “F”, B.L. MILLERS RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 16 THROUGH 20, BLOCK FOUR (4), MISSION GROVES ESTATES
ORDINANCE NO. 4806
ORDINANCE NO. 4807
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR A DRIVE-THRU SERVICE WINDOW – PAPA TACO MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 2714 E. GRIFFIN PARKWAY, STE. B, LOT 3, SPARKS & TOWNSEND PLAZA SUBDIVISION
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGEAS – 1603 E. GRIFFIN PARKWAY, LOTS 10 & 11, BLOCK 3, SHARY GARDENS SUBDIVISION
READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 22nd DAY OF JULY, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 22nd DAY OF JULY, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 22nd DAY OF JULY, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary Notice to Lender Notice to: Peter D. Danforth, last known address P. O. Box 1137, New London, NH, 03257. The records of the Mission Historical Museum reflect that you have property on loan to it. The property was received by the museum on Sep. 30, 2004. The museum wishes to terminate the loan. You must contact the museum, provide proof of your ownership, and make arrangements to collect the property. Please contact Vernon Weckbacher, Archivist/Curator, at the Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty Ave., Mission, Texas, 78572 (telephone 956580-8646). If you fail to do so within 65 days after the date of this notice, you will be deemed to have donated the property to the museum. See Chapter 80, Texas Property Code.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Palmview Planning and Zoning Board will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Palmview City Hall Council Chambers, 400 West Veterans Blvd, Palmview, Texas to consider the following: • Discussion and possible action to rezone from its present designated land use zoning Agricultural Open Interim (AO-1) To Single Family Residential (R-1): 1.16 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF LOT 102, BLOCK 3A, THE GOODWIN TRACT SUBDIVISION NO. 1 AND NO.2, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS. Additionally, notice is hereby given that a hearing before the Palmview City Council will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Palmview City Hall Council Chambers to consider the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board on this matter. If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall pursuant of the City of Palmview’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. For additional information, please call the Planning Department at (956)432-0300. Planning Director: Rodolfo Flores III
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July 26, 2019
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LJISD implements student retention plan for 2019-2020 school year By Jamie Treviño The La Joya Independent School District is working to ensure that every student registered remains registered. During a special called meeting held at noon on Wed. July 24, 2019, the school district board of trustees listened to a presentation of the Student Retention Plan, District-Wide Attendance Plan, District Emergency Preparedness Plan and Student Recruitment Action Plan for the upcoming school year. The student retention plan, lead by Superintendent Gisela Saenz, was presented by Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Ricardo Villarreal. “The purpose of the student retention plan is to prevent and reduce withdrawals as well as improve ADA (Average Daily Attendance) enrollment in our school district,” Villarreal said. “The office of Student Services and campuses will implement tasks that support and encourage student retention, as well as prevent and reduce withdrawals.” Monitoring of the plan will be done by the Student Services department and campuses on a daily basis. All schools in LJISD will be establishing committees to develop goals and an action plan, and will meet regularly to review data, statuses and progress. Villarreal said they would be using effective approaches to address student needs immediately, including hosting student/family conferences, gauging the parents in the
district’s decision-making process and making school events more open to parents. “This is all to make for a better working environment for our staff and better environment for our students and parents,” Villarreal said. “Everybody wins.” The office of Student Services and campuses intend to identify appropriate activities that would promote retention and improve school culture. The retention plan also involves a documented multi-step process (withdrawal protocol) for campus and central administration to follow in the event that a parent attempts to withdraw their student from LJISD in order to provide potential solutions. Each step is taken when parents/students are continuing to pursue withdrawing from LJISD. Step one is that prior to the withdrawal of a student, a parent/family conference will be conducted by a supervisor or assistant principal (if a supervisor or assistant principal cannot attend, a counselor will meet with the parent). “During this conference, the reason for withdrawal will be discussed,” Villarreal said. “The administrator will attempt to solve any concerns with students in school; all efforts should be made by the school to retain the student.” Step two is similar - if a parent is still pursuing withdrawal, the campus principal will meet with the family to solve their concerns. Step 3 involves the office of Student Services to assign personnel
to the case, and a central office staff member and the campus principal will meet with the family to attempt to solve the issue. Step four states that if a student is withdrawn at this point, the rest of the exit interview record is completed by the campus and placed in the student’s permanent record. Step five is that the principal must report the outcome of the withdrawal conference the following day to Villarreal, and will send a copy of the documented exit interview and parent conference forms to Villarreal via email. Step six says that documentation will be kept at the school and Student Services department, and the reports will be presented at every principal’s meeting. If a student is withdrawing because they are moving, the process will conclude after step one. “This is a new initiative that Dr. Saenz asked us to embark on, and we’re going to do that with full strength,” Villarreal said. Board Vice President Alex Cantu said the trustees were excited about the retention plan. “At least we’re going to hear the feedback and see exactly what is going on,” Cantu said. “And we may be able to retain more of our kids if we actually know what’s going on. I think it’s going to be very effective.” During the public comments, Marcela Silva, who has worked for LJISD for 25 years, spoke on the legacy of Dr. Alda Benavides, the former superintendent of LJISD. Silva said that some
sort of commemoration of Benavides by district employees should be put on by the district. “I humbly request that the board consider recognizing and giving tribute to Dr. Benavides in our general assembly for the legacy that she left behind,” Silva said. “Her countless [efforts] and I could go on and on for more than three minutes - about the accomplishments that Dr. B has given this district; she is La Joya.” Silva said she felt that the district needed closure. “We need to give that tribute of everything that she’s done for us,” Silva said, saying that she met Dr. Benavides’ mother at a church mass and the 92-yearold woman asked why her daughter was “let go.” “I didn’t have an answer for her,” Silva added. “So this would be an awesome way of showing how much we appreciate everything that she did for this district, for me. She built many relationships throughout the district.” In the Business and Finance part of the meeting, the school board approved a contract for services for Performance Services Incorporated (PSI) and did not go into details about what the contract entails. PSI has had contracts approved within the district as well as the city of La Joya, and has attempted to get a contract passed in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District and with the city of Mission to install water meters and reduce energy costs. The plan for the
La Joya ISD considers $2,000 raise for teachers By Dave Hendricks Administrators briefed the La Joya school board Wednesday on the proposed budget, which would boost teacher paychecks by at least $2,000 annually. Teachers with less than five years of experience would receive a $2,000 raise, according to information reviewed by the school board on Wednesday afternoon. Teachers with between five and 10 years of experience would receive a $2,300 raise. Teachers with more than 10 years of experience would receive a $2,600 raise. La Joya will pay for the raises with money allocated by the Texas Legislature. Lawmakers boosted education funding but earmarked part of the money for pay increases. “I’m getting a lot of negative feedback from teachers,” said J.J. Luna, an American Federation of Teachers representative who attended the budget workshop. “They were expecting a lot more. At least $4,000.” With about 1,900 teachers and about 2,300 support staff, the La Joya Independent School District is the largest employer in western Hidalgo County. Assistant Superintendent Joel Trevinõ said the property tax rate would remain $1.311 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation. Roughly 90% of the operating budget, however, is funded by the state and federal governments. School districts across the Rio Grande Valley budgeted raises for the 2019-2020 school year thanks to state lawmakers, who passed a major education funding bill. Administrators, though, cautioned that La Joya faced several long-term challenges. Enrollment peaked in the 2013-2014 school year, when La Joya had about 29,700 students, according to information reviewed by the school board. By the 20182019 school year, enrollment had dropped to about 28,000 students. Treviño said the school district projects that enrollment will drop another 2.75% next school year. With more than a dozen school districts in Hidalgo County, students have plenty of options. From 2017 to 2019, about 400 students left La Joya for the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, according to information re-
viewed by the school board. About 220 left for IDEA Public Schools. La Joya also struggled to maintain a healthy fund balance. From 2011 to 2016, the district maintained a fund balance of more than $110 million, according to information reviewed by the school board. The fund balance dropped to about $93 million in 2017 and plummeted to about $73 million in 2018. “Most of the decrease was due to completion of the La Joya ISD Sports and Learning Complex, near completion of the District’s LED Lighting Project and other construction/renovation projects which were finalized,” according to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report approved by the board in January. The fund balance is projected to hit $65 million in 2019. As a result, Moody’s Investor Service assigned a negative outlook to La Joya’s debt. “The negative outlook reflects the adequate, though significantly reduced reserve position, thus providing the district with considerably less financial flexibility to fund unanticipated expenditures,” according to a June 27 news release from Moody’s, which affirmed the district’s A1 rating. Health insurance presented administrators with another headache. District employees who select the basic health insurance plan don’t pay a monthly premium. The proposed budget would increase the price to $40 per month. “That’s not bad,” Luna said, adding that La Joya employees know the district provides excellent benefits. “But if the pay raise is going to be that low, then it’s going to take some of that money.” Along with teachers, librarians and school nurses would receive pay adjustments based on how long they’ve worked for the district. The proposed budget included two options for administrative, support and auxiliary staff compensation: a 2.5% raise or a 3% raise. Asked by Superintendent Gisela Saenz which option the school board preferred, President Claudia Ochoa said she supported the 3% raise. The school district will calculate the raise for administrative, support and auxil-
iary staff based on the salary midpoint for the position. For example, an employee who held a position with a salary range of $20,000 to $40,000 would receive a raise based on the midpoint — $30,000. A 3 percent raise would increase the employee’s annual compensation by $900. Employees who made $20,000 and employees who made $40,000 would receive the same $900 raise based on the midpoint for their position.
Trustee Espie Ochoa asked whether or not the district could pay slightly more to employees at the low end of the pay range and slightly less to employees at the high end. “I would like to have seen a little bit more,” Ochoa said, adding that she would prefer higher compensation for teachers. “I’d like to see $3,000 versus $2,300 for our teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians.” The school district fiscal year starts Sept. 1.
city of Mission, which has not been approved by Mission city council, would cost $17.7 million. The LJISD board of trust-
ees unanimously approved the contract with PSI.
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