Friday, August 2, 2019_PT ISSUE

City of Palmview and City of Palmhurst

INSIDE

Local Business Spotlight

We have the latest on what’s been happening in the city of Palmview and the city of Palmhurst, including the Palmview Sewer Project and joining the scofflaw program.

The La Joya Area Federal Credit Union, which has been in business for 58 years, is our featured spotlight of the week! See our article about the contribution the La Joya Area FCU has made to the area, inside.

See Pg. 2

INDEX

CORRECTION

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

In last week’s coverage of the Mission Regional Medical Center’s 65th anniversary celebration, the article incorrectly stated that the hospital holds 110 beds. The MRMC currently houses 297 beds.

Obituaries............. pg. 7 Entertainment... pg. 8 Classifieds............. pg. 9

See Pg. 5

Your Hometown Newspaper, Bringing Communities Together.

Vol. 47 - #49

Progress times Friday, August 2, 2019

50¢ cents

• MISSION

• LA JOYA

Mission revises Health Insurance Benefits Plan for employees

www.ptrgv.com

• RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Back by popular demand

By Jamie Treviño This week the Mission City Council approved proposed revisions to the Health Insurance Benefits Plan for city employees that would save the city approximately $620,000.

On Wed. July 31, 2019, council met for a workshop highlighting the proposed changes before holding a special called meeting in order to authorize the approved revisions. The workshop also contained an overview presentation of how the city would be affected by the recently passed Senate Bill 2.

The insurance plan was presented by Human Resources Director Noemi Munguia and two representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Texas.

The city had held a workshop regarding different potential plans a couple of weeks ago; this workshop reviewed the small revisions that city council wanted that would still save the city money.

The option the city decided on will change the deductible (individual $500 to $1,000, family $2,000 to $3,000), out-of-pocket (individual $2,000 to $3,000, family $4,000 to $5,000), changing the coinsurance from an 80/20 percent plan to a 70/30 percent plan, changing the co-pay from $20 to $30 (specialist copay $35 to $45) and changes to the Emergency Room copay and prescription co-pay.

After asking questions about how these changes would impact employees, they decided to approve the plan because of the city’s financial circumstances.

The revisions continued to include the implementation of buy-up plan premiums, revisions to the retiree plan options, drug list options and premiums.

“We will be having two plans: a base plan that will change to option 3 as reviewed, we will have a buy-up plan as reviewed,” Munguia said. “We will change our retiree period from 24 months of city-paid coverage to 12 months of city-paid coverage for those employees retiring with 25 years of service or more.”

“We will change our drug list to the performance drug list, our pharmacy network will change to the advantage and our base plan will remain with no premium as long as our employees have a physical completed within the first six months of the plan,” Munguia added.

See MISSION MEETING Pg. 9

Edna Rivera

Julio Cesar Deleon

(Photos courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff’s Office arrests gang member and his girlfriend after murder in western Hidalgo County

By Dave Hendricks

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

A boy enjoys the water at the LJISD Sports and Learning Complex Aquatic Center.

Families flock to LJISD for Special Needs Family Night

By Jamie Treviño For Veronica Garza, events like the LJISD Special Needs Family Night provide a platform designed to create awareness and remind the community that everyone is deserving of respect.

This Tues. July 30, 2019, the La Joya Independent School District held this summer’s second Special Needs Family Night. While technically an annual event, the Sports and Learning Complex Aquatic Center (located at 1801 Western Rd. in Mission) opened its doors again to wrap up

the summer months.

This is the third time the district has held a night at the complex that is open exclusively to students with special needs and their families from across the Rio Grande Valley. With the help of several organizations that came together to sponsor the event, word spread quickly, and families formed a long line outside before 6 p.m. when the night started.

According to LJISD Athletic Director Victor Garza, they were prepared for up to

See SPECIAL NEEDS NIGHT Pg. 2

• LA JOYA

HUD team visits La Joya Housing Authority

By Dave Hendricks The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development dispatched a team to western Hidalgo County on Monday to determine whether or not the La Joya Housing Authority is complying with federal regulations.

A three-person team from the HUD Departmental Enforcement Center arrived in La Joya on Monday afternoon. After reviewing housing authority records, interviewing personnel and meeting with members of the board, the team will prepare a report for the HUD Office of Public Housing.

“They’re going to check everything,” said housing authority Interim Executive Director Claudia M. Alcazar.

“And that’s their job.”

The housing authority will provide the Departmental Enforcement Center team with any documents it requests, said Alcazar, who accepted the interim executive director position last month.

Alcazar said she asked employees to answer questions from HUD and encouraged members of the board, including board President John Pena, to meet with the Departmental Enforcement Center team.

Pena didn’t respond to a request for comment.

If the Departmental Enforcement Center team finds violations of HUD rules and regulations, the report could trigger sanctions against the people responsible.

HUD may punish the people responsible by prohibiting them from conducting business with the federal government. The punishment, known as debarment, typically lasts three years.

If the Departmental Enforcement Center team finds serious financial, management or ethical problems, the report could become the basis for receivership.

See LA JOYA HOUSING Pg. 4

Investigators arrested a member of the Vallucos prison gang last week after a murder in western Hidalgo County.

The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office arrested Julio Cesar Deleon, 25, of Peñitas and his girlfriend, Edna Rivera, 28, of Mission, on capital murder charges.

They said nothing Monday during a brief appearance before Justice of the Peace Jason Peña, who ordered Deleon and Rivera be held without bond.

“Looks like it just sunk in, huh,” Peña said after they left the room, commenting on their facial expressions.

Court records don’t list attorneys for Deleon and Rivera, who couldn’t be reached for comment.

The investigation started on July 25, when a woman

called the Sheriff’s Office to report her son missing.

The woman said her son, Fernando Garza Jr., 22, of Mission, hadn’t contacted her for the past two days.

Garza had been staying with someone nicknamed “Diamond” and his girlfriend. Concerned about her son, Garza’s mother went to their home and started asking questions.

“She learned from a female later identified as Edna Rivera that Fernando had gotten into an argument with a male nicknamed “Diamond” and that “Diamond” had pulled a gun out,” according to court records.

Deputies found Garza’s car, a maroon Dodge Durango, the following day. They also found Garza, who had suffered a gunshot wound

See HIDALGO COUNTY Pg. 9

• MISSION

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Dip it by Pilar founder Pilar Gonzalez (center) with representatives from the city of Mission and H-E-B at a ceremony recognizing her achievements as finalist of the Stacy’s Rise Project Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Mission business named as a finalist in national competition

By Jose De Leon III A local business has been named one of five finalists in a nationwide entrepreneurship competition that encourages growth in female-led businesses.

Dip it by Pilar, a Mission-based dip company created by Pilar Gonzalez that’s already been recognized by the city of Mission and grocery chain H-E-B, now gets

to continue to compete for $100,000 from the Stacy’s Rise Project.

Stacy’s Rise Project was created by Stacey Madisonco-founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips-three years ago to help women entrepreneurs break into the food industry.

“Stacy’s Pita Chips is one of the few successful businesses with a female founder,” Mission EDC social impact Director Cristina Garza

said. “With female entrepreneurs receiving less than two percent of venture funding for their businesses-and Hispanic women receiving a fraction of that-Pilar is the exception, not the rule.

This project is meant to take women under the wings of the PepsiCo brand and help them make their product a global brand.”

See NATIONAL FINALIST Pg. 9

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page 2

July 5, 2019

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North American Development Bank will put $6.2 million toward Palmview sewer project

By Dave Hendricks The North American Development Bank will pay about $6.2 million to provide Palmview residents with sewer connections.

Carlos Acevedo, a project manager with the bank, met with the utility board at the Isla Grand Beach Resort on July 26 to discuss the Palmview sewer project. Acevedo said the government-owned bank, which funds infrastructure projects on the U.S.-Mexico border, will pay for the construction of residential sewer connections and the removal of septic tanks.

“The total cost is about $6.2 million,” Acevedo said, adding that the money would fund approximately 1,800 sewer connections and septic tank removals.

Construction on the Palm-

view sewer project started in 2017. The $42.2 million price tag, though, didn’t include sewer connections for individual customers.

Developers typically pay for utility connections when they build subdivisions.

Homeowners in Palmview, however, never had access to sewer service.

Without the grant, residents would be stuck paying $2,500 to $3,000 apiece.

To qualify for funding, the utility district surveyed Palmview residents. The survey revealed that Palmview had a median household income significantly below the Texas average.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students conducted the survey, said District Engineer Emigdio “Milo” Salinas. They also asked homeowners to sign right-of-entry permits, which

will allow contractors to access private property.

“They go house-tohouse,” Salinas said. “And part of it is talking to them.

Explaining the project. Explaining what we’re trying to do. Some of the residents are hesitant because ‘Well, you’re going to mess up my lawn’ and ‘I have concrete here’ and this-and-that.”

Students discussed the project with more than 1,100 homeowners who signed right-of-entry permits, Salinas said, adding that he personally visited property owners with reservations about the sewer project.

Commercial customers must pay for sewer connections themselves. Along with residential customers, they’ll receive monthly bills after contractors install the sewer connections.

The bank committed $8

Palmhurst and Palmview join county ‘scofflaw’ program

By Dave Hendricks Palmview and Palmhurst joined the Hidalgo County scofflaw program on Tuesday, preventing motorists with unpaid traffic tickets from renewing their vehicle registrations.

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved the agreements during a special meeting on Tuesday morning. Palmhurst and Palmview agreed to join the program in June.

“It’s proved to be a very effective program,” Palmview City Manager Michael Leo said on June 25, when the Palmview City Council approved the agreement.

“Once a year, we all have to go get those plates, so this

would be another avenue for us to increase collections of outstanding fees and fines.”

Under the program, municipal courts and justice of the peace courts share information with the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office.

Palmview and Palmhurst will assess a $20 fee on people with warrants for failure to pay a fine or failure to appear as a result of a traffic ticket. The fee compensates Hidalgo County for administering the program.

Hidalgo County started the scofflaw program in 2012, according to the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office.

It’s designed to prevent people with unpaid fees or fines from registering or renewing

vehicles.

Ten cities participated in the scofflaw program last year, said Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr., who addressed the Palmview City Council on June 25. As a result of the program, cities collected about $900,000 in fees and fines from people who renewed vehicle registrations last year.

“It works,” Villarreal said. “And, of course, we’ll always treat the taxpayer, the person that has the ticket, with respect and tell them that they need to come by to the city and pay their citation, and we’ll be more than happy to provide their renewal.”

million for the Palmview sewer project in May 2014, but problems — including a lawsuit filed by the city of Mission, which didn’t want the utility district to build a sewer plant within city limits — forced the utility district to delay construction.

from pg. 1

Mission eventually struck a deal with the utility district, which submitted a new application for funding.

The design work is 60% complete, Salinas said, and should be ready by September. After reviewing documentation submitted by the

utility district, the bank will provide a final sign-off.

“My expectation is to start the bidding process by November,” Acevedo said.

“And then the construction

by January.”

SPECIAL NEEDS NIGHT

600 people in attendance in part because of the sponsors and in part because interest in the event has grown exponentially in the last year.

“It was more than I anticipated, but our lifeguards are ready,” Victor Garza said.

“The kids will have a blast with any and all the apparatuses we have.”

He added that it was important to create a space for children and people with special needs where no one feels ostracized.

“We all understand each other,” Victor Garza said.

“We understand those stares, we understand those frustrations. At the end of the day, we can understand enough [to give those with special needs the space] to say ‘hey, it’s about us, let’s have fun.’”

Sponsors of the event included the city of Alton, city of Palmview, St. Michael’s Pediatric Ambulance, the Capable Kids Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness RGV, Driscoll Health Plan, the RGV Down Syndrome Association and Bebo’s Angels. Bebo’s Angels was also a sponsor of the last Special Needs Family Night, and just a few weeks later other organizations came together for this evening.

Bebo’s Angels, a non-profit organization that aims to advocate for parents of children with special needs in times of need through education and disability rights, were one of the stands set up in the Aquatic Center. Veronica Garza, a

volunteer with Bebo’s Angels who has three daughters with Autism, spoke highly of events like the Special Needs Family Night.

“The overall goal when we do events like this is to practice awareness and acceptance at the same time,” Veronica Garza said. “When we have a community outing, we’re allowing people to know that this is a special needs night, we exist and therefore we are.”

Bebo’s Angels meets once monthly in order to unite with parents and prepare people who need to advocate for their special needs children.

Information about their group can be found at www.bebosangels.org.

“We’re here because we’re celebrating that they are this unique,” Veronica Garza said.

“It’s about acceptance - the community is allowing us to be in their facility with ease, not even having to worry about being judged or not having to worry that a child is going to get hurt because they provide us with ample security and lifeguards.”

Garza joined Bebo’s Angels because of her daughters and continues to volunteer so that parents with similar circumstances can be educated on how to navigate their and their families’ lives.

“We expect more of this,” Veronica Garza said of the event. “Because we start to see the special needs community be greater, it falls upon us to spread awareness and acceptance automatically to catch up with that need.”

Victor Garza said the sponsors provided monetarily with donations and were present at the event to give fam-

ilies information about the resources available for them and their child with special needs. Backpacks with school supplies were passed out as well for the students with special needs in particular.

LJISD Board of Trustees Vice President Alex Cantu and former board member J.J. Peña were in attendance, and spoke about the intention to make events like these possible at the Aquatic Center.

Built with handicap accessibility and outfitted with water-accessible wheelchairs and special inner tubes, the facilities combined with certified lifeguards ensure a safe evening for all.

“Being one of the members who approved this [Sports and Learning Complex Aquatic Center] opening, despite all the criticism and adversity that the district faced, this is why it was done,” Peña said. “Coming here today and seeing this, you can see the smiles on these kids’ faces. No matter who tries, you can’t put a price on that.”

Cantu noted that it was exciting to see kids from throughout the RGV having a good time and enjoying the facilities.

“Who knows? In another district, maybe these kids wouldn’t have the opportunity that they have right now,” Cantu said. “For them, sometimes it’s life changing. As a board member, just seeing their smiling faces and their parents is really what it’s all about. We’re proud of everything we’ve done in our district, including being able to impact our kids in a positive way.”

August 2, 2019

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August 2, 2019

page 3

MCISD football tickets now on sale Mission Consolidated Independent District (MCISD) is offering all 2018 season ticket holders the opportunity to renew their same seats for 2019 football season.

Ticket holders may come by the Athletic Office located at the Central Office, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, to purchase their tickets.

The 2018 season ticket holders may begin renewing the same seats or change seats now through Friday, Aug. 16. The general public will be able to purchase season tickets beginning on Monday, Aug.19 through Aug. 23. The office hours for season ticket sales are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:45 p.m., Monday through

Friday.

Be aware that if season ticket holders do not come by to purchase seats during the dates indicated, the seats will be made available to the general public to purchase starting Aug. 19. There will be no season tickets sold after Friday, Aug. 23.

Home reserve tickets are $7 per seat for each game.

Mission High School will have four home games and Veterans Memorial High School will have six home games. Ticket prices may change.

Once the football season begins, ticket window sales will be as followed: Monday – no sales; Tuesdays – 8 a.m.–12 p.m. (season ticket

holders only); Tuesdays – 1–4:45 p.m. (general public); Wednesdays – 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (general public); Thursdays – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-4:45 p.m. (general public); Fridays/game day (Thursday or Saturday) tickets sales – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (half-day only a.m. for the general public).

For more information, call Sandra Palacios at 956323-5683, or visit the Central Office Athletic Dept. website at mcisd.net/Departments/Athletics.aspx.

There will be no exchanges or refunds once the tickets have been purchased.

MCISD sets Credit by Examination dates The parents of Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) students interested in having their children participate in the district’s Credit by Examination (CBE) Without Prior Instruction have several deadlines to keep in mind.

The registration period for the next testing dates runs from now through Sept.

5. The testing dates for this period will be Nov. 5 to 7.

Registration period for the

third testing period will be Nov. 11 through Dec. 13 for testing dates Feb. 4 to 6. The final registration is March 23 to April 24 for testing dates June 2 to 4.

A test consists of two sections of three hours each.

Elementary students meeting the requirements of 19 TAC Chapter 74.24 in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies will be accelerated on grade. Secondary students meeting

the requirements of 19 TAC Chapter 74.24 will receive credit for the course.

Parents interested in exploring CBE for their child should contact the school counselor or call the MCISD Advanced Academic Services office at 323-5506.

Information is also available on the Advanced Academics Department area of the district website at mcisd.net.

Grant benefits STC nursing program

McALLEN – On Aug. 1, South Texas College received a $75,000 grant by Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for their Associate Degree of Nursing Program. Texas Workforce Commissioner representing Labor, Julian Alvarez, presented the grants at the STC Nursing and Allied Health Campus.

The Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant is part of an initiative by Texas Workforce Commission in an effort to enhance curriculum and high-demand job training for students in high school and community col-

leges.

The grant provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education programs or courses leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. The equipment must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

South Texas College is one of 27 institutions to receive the JET grant through Texas Workforce Commission totaling $5,718,073.

The grant was awarded to multiple public community colleges, public technical in-

stitutes, public state colleges, and independent school districts.

STC will support dual credit for career and technical education students who will have access to equipment purchased through this grant. STC will be partnering with Mission C.I.S.D. for a $206,584 grant that will train welders, cutters, solderers and brazers. A Monte Alto I.S.D. $112,614 grant will train licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and a Weslaco I.S.D. grant for $268,501 will be used to train welders, cutters, solderers and brazers.

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Chef Marcel Fortuin (shown at right), lecturer in UTRGV’s new Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, speaks to his students at the University Library on the Edinburg Campus during a recent event to promote the program. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

UTRGV launches hospitality, tourism initiative

By Amanda L. Alaniz EDINBURG – In the spirit of Lumiére’s grand song from the Disney film Beauty and the Beast, “Be Our Guest,” UTRGV has launched a hospitality and tourism initiative designed to teach students about serving guests with style and meeting their needs with efficiency.

The new bachelor’s degree program is offered by the UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and Dr. Arjun “A.J.” Singh, founding director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, who was recruited by the university to spearhead it.

“Several years ago, hospitality and tourism was viewed as a vocation. But more and more at major universities it’s viewed as

a business degree,” Singh said. “What we want out of the program is for students to get that core business foundation, but at the same time, specific skillsets that will make them successful in the hospitality and tourism field.”

Singh moved to the Rio Grande Valley last year from Michigan and has been working and teaching in the hospitality industry for decades. He definitely sees the value of having a program of this nature in this growing area, he said, and it could be a steppingstone for students.

The program officially opened to students during the Spring 2019 semester with introductory courses: Host 1301, Intro to Hospitality and Tourism, and Host 2310, Intro to Food Preparation and Menu Planning.

Students also will be able to

earn a minor in the program.

Chef Marcel Fortuin, a part-time lecturer and instructor for courses related to the food industry, brings 43 years of experience to his instruction. He said he definitely sees how beneficial the degree will be to students looking for a career in hospitality and tourism.

“When you can say you have a bachelor’s degree, and later on, a higher degree from UTRGV in the culinary/tourism/management department – well, resorts and hotels are really looking for someone like that. That gives them the information to bring to those jobs.”

The number of classes offered in the Fall of 2019 will grow to include marketing

See UTRGV HOSPITALITY Pg. 7

MCISD changes child nutrition policy The Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) has changed its policy for providing meals to children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2019-20 school year.

Schools qualifying to

operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school ad-

ministrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.

For additional information, contact Maria D. Woodrum, SNS, with the MCISD Child Nutrition Program at 956-323-3800.

page 4

August 2, 2019

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Agua SUD rate increases start in August

By Dave Hendricks

Reps. Cuellar, Gonzalez, and Vela Announce $2,125,000 in Federal Funds for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), and Filemon Vela (TX-34) announced $2,124,000 in federal funds for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley through the Department of Education’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP).

In the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education House Appropriations Bill, Congressman Cuellar secured $50,000,000 for High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and CAMP, an increase of $5.4 million from FY19.

According to a Thursday press release. These federal funds will support students enrolled in higher education on a full-time basis in their first academic year who are employed, or whose parents are employed in migrant and other seasonal farm work.

“As one of eight children born to migrant farm workers in Laredo, and a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to ensure that higher education is accessible for everyone regardless of socioeconomic status or

background,” Congressman Cuellar stated in the release.

“Initiatives such as College Assistance Migrant Program give migrant students a greater chance at higher education opportunities. These federal funds will be an investment for our students, for our local workforce, and for our country. I will continue to support programs that open doors of opportunity for all students.”

In the release, Cuellar thanked UTRGV President Guy Bailey for his commitment to expanding educational opportunities for his students Congressmen Gonzalez and Vela for working to help migrant workers and their families obtain quality, affordable education.

“A quality education should never be out of reach,” Gonzalez stated in the release. “We have a responsibility to provide avenues for all people to earn a higher education or workforce training. These federal funds will create an opportunity for migrant students in the Rio Grande Valley to have a better chance to succeed in our country.”

The Edinburg UTRGV campus will use these funds to serve seventy migrant and

seasonal farmworkers children. UTRGV will conduct outreach, identification and recruitment in three counties, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy, who combined have over thousands of eligible students. The University will provide students with access to a higher education, support services for completing their first year of university studies, and activities to help them complete a college degree.

“It is imperative that we continue to invest in our next generations, and UTRGV is leading the way to ensure that all young people have access to education,” Vela said. “I look forward to continuing my work with my colleagues in Congress to support federal programs that expand access to educational opportunities.”

With the help of these federal funds, the University will ensure that 86% of the CAMP students complete their first year of college, with 25% of those same students completing a 40-hour CAMP internship. The University will also ensure that 90% of CAMP students will enroll for a second year of university studies.

La Joya school board rejects higher health insurance premiums, keeps free plan for employees

By Dave Hendricks

The La Joya school board on Wednesday rejected a proposal to increase health insurance premiums — and end the free, basic health insurance plan for employees.

Trustees rejected a proposal to increase the monthly premium for all employee health insurance plans by $40 per month.

Many district employees, who enjoy a basic health insurance plan without a monthly premium, opposed the increase. Trustees also became concerned the $40 monthly premium would hurt low-wage workers.

“We must invest in those who invest in our students,” said school board Trustee Oscar “Coach” Salinas, who made the motion to reject higher premiums. “Not only just the pay, but we also need to invest in good health care for them and their families.”

Trustees frequently tout the benefits offered by the La Joya Independent School District, which include a basic health insurance plan without a monthly premium.

Employees who select the “high” plan or add family members must pay a premium.

The district, however, struggles with health care costs.

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the district health insurance fund had nearly $29.5 million in revenue but about $30.4 million in expenses, according to information reviewed by the school board. To pay the difference, the district must pull money from the general fund.

Concerned about the red ink, Assistant Superintendent Joel Treviño suggested the district increase health insurance premiums by $40 per month.

If half of the approximately 4,200 people who work for the district paid an additional $40 every month, the health insurance fund would receive a $1 million boost.

“I understand where Mr. Treviño was coming from,” said Mauro Sierra III, a history teacher at La Joya Early College High School who serves as the campus representative for the Association of Texas Professional Educators.

Many employees simply can’t afford to pay health insurance premiums, Sierra said, especially low-wage workers.

“The unfortunate reality is we have many employees who for one reason or another do not have the means to purchase the insurance,” Sierra said.

Treviño presented the proposal on July 24, when the board held a budget workshop.

Employees weren’t happy about higher premiums, said J.J. Luna, an American Federation of Teachers representative who attended the workshop and the meeting on Wednesday.

“A lot of them are saying: ‘They’re giving us a small raise, and it’s going to go all into the insurance,” Luna said.

When the proposal landed on the school board agenda Wednesday, trustees quickly rejected the idea.

Salinas motioned to deny the request for higher premiums. Trustee Espie Ochoa seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

“We felt that that was a little bit too much,” said Trustee Alex Cantu. “So we said ‘You know what, we’ll just deny it.’”

The district may explore other ways to reduce employee health insurance costs. Trustees approved an unspecified change to how the district clinic handles prescriptions that may save $600,000 annually.

“Happy employees equals a happy district,” Cantu said.

“So, you know what, it’s all for them.”

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Agua Special Utility District customers will start paying slightly higher water and sewer rates in August.

The base rate for residential water customers with standard meters will increase from $16.53 per month to $16.77 per month in August.

The base rate for residential sewer customers with standard meters will increase from $8.19 per month to $8.87 per month.

After months of discussion, the utility board approved the rate increases in April.

General Manager Jose E. “Eddie” Saenz reminded the utility board about the rate increases on July 26, when members held a budget

workshop at the Isla Grand Beach Resort on South Padre Island.

“People think they’ve already started. We haven’t implemented them,” Saenz said. “It’s going to be in August when they’re going to see their first bill with the new rates.”

The slightly higher rates allow the utility district to keep pace with rising costs, Saenz said, adding that the utility district conducted a rate study before making the adjustments.

Along with higher base rates, the utility district will charge higher usage rates for every 1,000 gallons of water used by certain residential customers.

Households that use 10,000 to 20,000 gallons of

water per month will pay a penny more for every 1,000 gallons of water. That rate will increase from $2.89 per 1,000 gallons to $2.90 per 1,000 gallons.

Most households in the utility district service area, however, use roughly 8,000 gallons of water per month and will not be impacted by the change, Saenz said.

“Very minimal,” Saenz said, adding that the total increase for residential customers would be less than a dollar. “I mean, you’re not going to feel it.”

Under the rate schedule approved in April, both commercial and residential rates will gradually increase during the next four years.

Over $1.1 M in grants given to STC

by Texas Workforce Commission

By Jose De Leon III On Thursday, South Texas College was the recipient of two grants totaling $1,132,620. The first grant, totaling $1,057,620, will provide customized training for those in the healthcare industry.

This training will benefit new and existing participating employees of DHR Health, according to a news release from STC. The Skills Development Fund grant was given to STC via a partnership with TWC and DHR Health. The grant is intended to provide customized training through a variety of healthcare areas for an estimated 4,000 new and existing (participating) employees of DHR Health.

“South Texas College values collaboration and partnership as vital to successfully acquiring, administering and implementing grants,” said Virginia Champion, STC’s grant developer. “Funding from the Texas Workforce Commission through the Skills Development Fund will help current employees in healthcare develop skills and further their careers.”

In addition to the $1 million grant, a Self Sufficiency Fund grant will also be awarded to South Texas

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College in partnership with Workforce Solutions in the amount of $140,860.

The grant will provide training leading to high demand occupations for an estimated 70 participants in the areas of welding, phlebotomy, and EKG technician.

“The SSF grant is intended to help individuals on government assistance, or those on the verge of becoming dependent on government assistance, to get on the path to self-sufficiency,” said Olivia De La Rosa, STC director of professional workforce education. “The occupational training offered through this grant will allow individuals to get a job that is in high demand in our area and start earning a wage above minimum wage.”

The second grant of $75,000 benefits the STC Nursing Program.

The Jobs and Education for Texans grant, which will go toward STC’s Associate Degree of Nursing Program, is part of an initiative by Texas Workforce Commission.

“Through innovative partnerships between employers and educators, Texas students will have the advanced skills in the workplace to help meet the demands of the 21st century,” said Chair and Commissioner Representing

Employers Ruth R. Hughs.

The grant provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education programs or courses leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. The equipment must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

South Texas College is one of 27 institutions to receive the JET grant through Texas Workforce Commission totaling $5, 718,073.

The grant was awarded to multiple public community colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, and independent school districts.

STC will support dual credit for career and technical education students who will have access to equipment purchased though this grant. STC will be partnering with Mission CISD for a $206,584 grant that will train welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. Monte Alto ISD for a $112,614 grant that will train licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and Weslaco ISD for a $268,501 grant to train welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers.

LA JOYA HOUSING

The mayor appoints the five-member housing authority board, which sets policy and supervises the executive director. When HUD places a housing authority in receivership, the federal government supervises day-to-day operations — removing the mayor and the board from the decision-making process.

It’s extremely rare for HUD to place a housing authority in receivership.

The HUD Office of Receivership Oversight describes administrative receivership as “a last resort option” for a housing authority with severe problems.

According to the HUD website, fewer than four housing authorities nationwide are in receivership.

In La Joya, however, severe problems aren’t hard to find.

During the 1990s, Executive Director Jose Reynaldo Trevino embezzled nearly $195,000 from the housing

authority, according to a report published by the HUD Office of Inspector General.

He pleaded guilty and served time in federal prison.

The board replaced Trevino with Juan Jose “J.J.” Garza.

In 2016, a grand jury indicted Garza on federal wire fraud charges. He pleaded guilty and received a 37-month sentence.

The board replaced Garza with Frances A. Salinas, the daughter of Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas.

HUD doesn’t allow members of a housing authority board to resign and immediately accept a paid position.

The housing authority requested a waiver, but HUD rejected the request.

The arrangement also constituted a clear conflict of interest: Mayor Salinas appointed the members of a board that employed his daughter.

In 2018, the board fired

Frances Salinas after members discovered that someone had withdrawn more than $10,000 in cash from housing authority bank accounts.

She denied any wrongdoing.

HUD designated the housing authority “troubled” in April, citing poor rent collection, below average occupancy numbers and financial problems.

“The La Joya Housing Authority has a history of corrupt management and poor oversight by the Board of Commissioners,” according to a July 1 letter from HUD to the housing authority. “This history continues as evidenced by the significant deficiencies and material weaknesses noted in the recently issued Single Audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. As a result, the Authority is in a position of having little to no funds to operate on a monthly basis.”

August 2, 2019

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La Joya Area FCU open to all of Hidalgo County

By Jamie Treviño 58 years ago a group of teachers came together and started the La Joya Area Federal Credit Union, which now serves over 16,000 people in the county.

When one becomes a member of the La Joya Area FCU, they become a share-holder and “share in the credit union’s success,” according to their website.

Anyone who lives or works within the boundaries of Hidalgo County, or has an immediate family member who lives or works within the boundaries is eligible for membership.

Operating out of two locations, the La Joya Area FCU can be found at 214 E. Expressway 83 in La Joya and 317 S. Bentsen Palm Drive in Palmview.

HISTORY The La Joya Area FCU had its origins with Daniel Zamora and a group of 15 total teachers from the La Joya Independent School District.

Originally called the La Joya Teachers Federal Credit Union, they changed their name with the charter in the 1990’s.

According to Vice President of Operations & Compliance Arturo Alaniz III, it was started in order to serve a need in the community.

“At the time, there really wasn’t too much in the area.

La Joya was relatively isolated,” Arturo Alaniz said.

“I think the closest financial institutions were in Mission, which is a good 12 miles away.”

In the 1960’s they applied to the National Credit Union Administration for a charter to open and each paid a $20 fee to get started. Approval of the charter was granted on Dec. 5, 1961 and the rest is history. Zamora was elected treasurer and took over operations of the union, mostly operating out of the briefcase he would take to school.

Paid $3 per month for his work, Zamora recruited members, disbursed loans and took deposits from that briefcase during lunch breaks and after school.

“I see him [Zamora] as a visionary at that point,” CEO and President Johnn Alaniz said. “He never would have expected this to grow into what it is now. What they accomplished was pretty awesome.”

Zamora used his briefcase until 1974, at which point they started running the business out of his carport at his house. The credit union did not get a stand-alone building to operate until 1979.

“Originally it was chartered only for employees of the school district, so it was specifically designed to cater to the needs of educators,” Arturo Alaniz said. “It was in 1995 that the charter changed to include the community.”

In 2013 the charter was updated again and opened up to anyone in Hidalgo County.

PRESENT DAY The goals of the La Joya Area FCU is to continue updating and upgrading services provided to the com-

munity. Johnn Alaniz said they hope to continue to increase in loan volume and capital.

“I think at this point right now, we’re doing good,” Johnn Alaniz said. “We’ve done very well, so we might want to spearhead some ventures and look at different avenues to improve our assets.”

Arturo Alaniz said they strive to offer affordable products and services to members while maintaining a sound bottom line. There are about 16,300 accounts at the La Joya Area FCU open right now.

“Through our administration, financially we got to the bottom line as far as what we needed to improve and where we need to be at,” Johnn Alaniz said. “I feel we’ve gotten there, and that’s been one of our strengths.”

He continued and added that it was important for the credit union to be in service to educators in the community, who make up about 60 to 70 percent of La Joya Area FCU members.

“I feel that there are certain needs that other banking institutions can’t and won’t provide,” Johnn Alaniz said.

“We’re here to provide certain services that are beneficial to the needs down here, to our employees in the school district.”

While the La Joya Area FCU offers no-hassle loans exclusively for district employees, general members have access to general financial and banking services, car loans, mortgage loans, personal loans, CD loans and payday advance loans.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION Both the president and vice president noted that they were aware of the positive and negative feedback from

members, and said that the credit union was constantly working to improve and fix any mistakes someone may encounter.

“We understand what’s working and what’s not working here, and we’re trying to move forward when it comes to that,” Johnn Alaniz said. “We’re working on the phone systems right now and the debit card functionality.”

Both men spoke about the continual efforts of staff to provide the best service to people in the area.

“We understand what our needs are, and we’re trying to correct [things],” Johnn Alaniz said. “We have a social media presence [Facebook], which we’ll be using more in the days and months to come.”

Arturo Alaniz said they were working on the interface of their main website,

and are aiming to streamline online accessibility.

The La Joya Area FCU has remained part of the public sphere through donations to charitable organizations and sponsorship of community events, which both men stressed they would continue to participate in.

“There are certain times when you deal with people who are in need, who have emergencies going on,” Johnn Alaniz said. “And we’re part of their lives. We want to help as much as we can - we can’t help everybody, but if we can we will, and I take a lot of pride in that.”

SYMBOLISM IN DESIGN The credit union’s logo, which was approved in 1997, holds several facets of meaning: overall they said the logo represents the unity of com-

munity and members. The diamond shapes represent “La Joya” (or “The Jewel” in Spanish) and form a circle that represents the several cities and communities within the LJISD boundaries.

The people within each diamond represent members who are considered “pre-

cious jewels” to the credit union, and the center star stands for the credit union itself. According to the La Joya Area FCU, the star would not be created without their members, making their credit union shine.

Courtesy photo.

Tellers in action helping La Joya Area Federal Credit Union members.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.

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Peñitas book club celebrates first year of reading as a group

By Jamie Treviño One year ago a retired group of four women got together, and The Oldest Settlement Book Club was born.

The Oldest Settlement Book Club, comprised of nearly 20 women now, has been meeting at the Peñitas Public Library (1111 S. Main St.) monthly for one year. It started informally in order to provide retired members of the community with a relaxing and fun group that promotes literature.

The brainchild of former La Joya Independent School District employees Irma Ramirez and Adalia De Luna while they were still working, The Oldest Settlement Book Club was named af-

ter the city of Peñitas itself.

They held their first anniversary meeting this Tues. July 30, 2019.

“When Irma was working, she and I had talked about a book club,” De Luna said. “But because she was working and I was so busy with all the committees [I was in], we just kind of let it sit there.”

De Luna said the idea simmered for a while, but it kept coming up.

“We kept thinking ‘Peñitas needs this, Peñitas needs to have a book club,’” De Luna said. “We need to promote literature, we need to continue reading.”

Over the last year the number of people who joined the book club has grown, and

club members noted that they look forward to attending their meetings, held the last Tues. of every month in the library at 10 a.m. De Luna said that as she has grown older over the years, reading books has kept her going strong.

“One of the things that studies tell you is that reading keeps your brain sharp, reading and being together with other people,” De Luna said. “We thought, why not a book club? And this was a year ago.”

De Luna stressed that there are several people and organizations that have made The Oldest Settlement Book Club a success, including Peñitas Public Library Director Yenni Espinoza, Li-

Members of The Oldest Settlement Book Club hold their 1-year anniversary gifts at the Peñitas Public Library on Tues. July 30, 2019. brarian Myra Rocha, Belinda Garza and William Renner from the Speer Memorial Library in Mission and Reference Librarian Claudia Villarreal Quiroz from the McAllen Public Library.

Since 2018, The Oldest Settlement Book Club began utilizing the McAllen Public Library’s Lit Kit program, which allows book clubs from across the area to check out 16 copies of a book at a time, including discussion questions and author information for six weeks at a time. De Luna referred to the Lit Kits as making “life so much easier” for The Oldest Settlement Book Club.

So far the club members have read “All the Lights We Cannot See,” “The Scent of Rain and Lightning” and

“Necessary Lies.” Currently they are in the midst of, “The Light Between Oceans,” and De Luna said that meetings and discussions about the books have proven to sometimes be intense and emotional, with strong opinions held by all members of the club.

“I’ve been so glad to see so many of us here,” De Luna said. “It is a pleasure.”

The guidelines to join The Oldest Settlement Book Club include that members must have a valid library card, preferably be retired because of meeting times, love to read and be willing to participate in a discussion of the book the group is reading and be ready to return the books once they are complete.

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During the book club meeting held this week, members were gifted with three books (“I Am Malala,” “The Tequila Worm” and “The Giver”), pens, bookmarks and a Peñitas Public Library lanyard. Each book club member was spoken highly of by De Luna and Ramirez.

“This is in appreciation for what you do for us,” De Luna said to the group of women. “This is for your friendship, your participation and support, because we love you and you’re part of our team.”

Anyone interested in joining The Oldest Settlement Book Club at the Peñitas Public Library can call Adalia De Luna at (956) 2400015.

Football Season Ticket Information Sharyland & Pioneer season tickets will be available to the Public beginning Monday, August 12th thru Friday, August 23rd, 2019 from 8am to 5pm. SHS & PHS Previ-

ous Season Ticket Holders will have the opportunity to exchange or purchase additional (available) tickets only on Wednesday, August 7th & Thursday, August 8th from 8am-5pm.

General Admission Adult & Student tickets for Sharyland H.S. & Pioneer H.S. will be sold in

the Athletic Offices located on their campus from Tuesday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Away game tickets will be sold from 7:30am to 12:00pm Thursday & Friday.

Reserve tickets for SHS & PHS will ONLY be sold at the District Athletic Office in the portable building.

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OBITUARIES

Dorothy Jacobs Suter FREDRICKSBURG– Dorothy Jacobs Suter, 102, longtime resident of Mission, Texas, was called home by the Lord the evening of Thursday, July 25th, 2019.

Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Dorothy was the oldest child of Willard and Evelyn Jacobs. Over the years of her youth she helped raise her brothers and sister, Russell, Natalie, Kenneth and Robert.

Upon graduating from the Ohio State University in 1941 with a degree in Education, she taught two years in Ohio, then married her college classmate, Ensign Warren Suter in 1943. Living in California during the war, her first son, Thomas was born in 1944. Following the war, Dorothy and Warren went home to Ohio for a year. At the advice of a friend they headed to Mission, Texas, where the friend assured them, “It’s a great place to raise a family and they need teachers and architects.”

Dorothy and Warren joined the First Presbyterian Church, Mission, where Dorothy sang in the choir until she moved to the Hill Country in 2014. She sang for President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 when he attended a church service.

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The next 14 years were filled with raising children.

Mary was born in 1947. The 1951 polio epidemic took her first son, Tom, aged seven. Her second son, Warren C. Jr. (Chuck) came in 1953.

When he was ready for kindergarten, a position as an English teacher was offered her at Mission High School.

She accepted, asking that, perhaps, in the future there might be an art course offered, for that was her major field.

When the new Mission High School was built in 1963, an Art course was offered. Dorothy became the department head and sole instructor. She held many classes outdoors so students could enjoy the natural beauty the Valley offers. She oversaw the growth of the Art department and the intervening years of her career brought additional classes, new art media and community projects including the “Mission, Home of the Grapefruit” mural downtown and numerous sets for the high school theater groups.

Dorothy was also the liaison to AFS, American Field Service, where she was responsible for finding a foreign student a family who would be able to take the student in for a year. She was also a faculty sponsor for the Student Council.

In their retirement, Dorothy and Warren enjoyed travelling with their many close friends from Mission.

Warren passed in 2010 and Dorothy moved to Fredericksburg, Texas, to be closer to her children.

Dorothy enjoyed being and remained a long-time member of PEO Chapter J and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Dorothy is survived by her brother, Robert Jacobs (Eva); sister-in-law, Judy Suter (Norton, deceased); daughter, Mary Sandstedt (John); son, Warren Suter, Jr. (Sandra Hamlin); grandsons, Warren C. (Trey) Suter III and Colby Suter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staffs of Heritage Place Assisted Living and Hill Country Memorial Hospice, both of Fredericksburg, for their kind and loving support of our mother.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 15th from 5:30-7:00 pm at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home of Mission. A memorial service will be held on August 16th, Friday at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Mission. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice.

Services have been entrusted to Ric Brown Family Funeral Home of Mission.

Notices Leslie Bevins MISSION – Leslie R. Bevins, 86, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at his home.

Maribel Cervantes MISSION – Maribel Cervantes, 47, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Carmen Cuate MISSION – Carmen Cuate, 89, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Jackqueline Cuellar LA JOYA – Jackqueline T. Cuellar, 35, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Galveston.

Maria De Leon MISSION – Maria Del Carmen “Marica” De Leon, 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at her nephew’s home in Mission.

Jose Esparza MISSION – Jose Luz Garcia Esparza, 90, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at his home in Mission. Virgil Wilson Mortuary in Mission was in charge of the arrangements.

Carlos Espinoza MISSION – Carlos De Anda Espinoza, 78, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Mission Senior Care Center.

Kathryn Fritsch MISSION – Kathryn E. Fritsch, 94, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Brook Ridge Retirement Community in Pharr.

Fernando Garza Jr. MISSION – Fernando Garza Jr., 22, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Mission.

Juan Garza Jr. LA JOYA – Juan Garza Jr., 83, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at McAllen Heart Hospital.

Maria Gonzalez MISSION – Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez, 72, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, in McAllen.

Maria Guerrero MISSION – Maria Arabelia Guerrero, 46, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

Verseidy Hernandez MISSION – Verseidy Hernandez, 11, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at her home in Mission.

Felipe Herrera MISSION – Felipe Herrera, 87, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Jose Huerta ABRAM – Jose M. Huerta, 70, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Solara Hospital in Harlingen.

Edward Hughes MISSION – Edward John Hughes, 89, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

James Lavigne MISSION – James Lavigne, 79, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Alberto Mendoza Jr. MISSION – Alberto Mendoza Jr., 70, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at his home in Mission.

Ramiro Perez PALMVIEW – Ramiro Perez, 66, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Epimenia Ramirez MISSION – Epimenia Ramirez, 59, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

from pg. 3

Judith Rodriguez MISSION – Judith E. Rodriguez, 32, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Maria Rodriguez MISSION – Maria Magdalena Rodriguez, 69, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at her sister’s home in Rio Grande City.

Georgia Toney MISSION – Georgia Anna Toney, 89, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019, at The Bridges in Edinburg.

Miguel Tzuc MISSION – Miguel Tzuc, 79, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, in McAllen.

UTRGV HOSPITALITY

strategies, hospitality law, and international travel and tourism.

The degree can be applied to a variety of fields relating to the service industry, such as retail, restaurants or hospitals. Singh said they’re currently designing the degree to include four different career tracks.

“If someone wants to get into the hotel and development side or real estate asset management side, that’s a career path people can choose,” he explained. “If you want to get into media planning, there’s a track for that. For those with an entrepreneurial mindset, we’ve got a track on restaurant entrepreneurship.

“And, we’ve got a unique track on healthcare hospitality,” Singh added.

Singh said they have a list of potential items to broaden the program, so that it becomes a resource for the community at large, as there has been interest in non-credit classes that award a certificate.

“My focus initially is go-

ing to be that we provide the management talent for all the hospitality businesses in the Valley,” he said. “There are many businesses that need continuing education, so we want to be viewed as a resource for them. As a program, we want to offer certificate courses, short courses that add value and improve the professional skill levels of managers.”

As the hospitality and tourism program establishes itself, Singh said, they will look into hiring research faculty and building partnerships with local businesses. They also will continue to grow the university’s Business and Tourism Research Center, a community engagement program that designs, conducts and disseminates research (like the annual Winter Texan Report) relevant to area businesses and communities.

To learn more about the Hospitality and Tourism Program, email host@utrgv.edu or Dr. A.J. Singh at arjun. singh@utrgv.edu.

For the latest news and updates

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EDINBURG/Brownsville – The UTRGV School of Music’s Patron of the Arts Series has announced their line-up of world class performances

UTRGV announces Patron performance season line-up

for the upcoming 2019-20 performance season on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses.

“The Distinguished Art-

Coming Attractions

August 2 & 3 • The 2019 Miss Texas World America and Miss Texas Teen World America double pageant begins at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd. The preliminary competition, talent showcase and Beauty With a Purpose presentation will be held on Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. For additional information, contact Della Fay Perez at 956-867-0755 or go to misstexasworldamerica. com.

August 3 & 17 • The Museum of South Texas History will hold a “Cattle Drive” at 9 a.m. with an outdoor, educational program developed for children ages 8 through 14, accompanied with a parent or guardian, but, all ages are welcomed. At 10 stations visitors will learn about different aspects of the cattle drive era, such as making a brand, rounding up cattle, avoiding rustlers, learning to make a camp fire, eating cowboy grub, lassoing a maverick and more. There will be a single charge of $15 per person 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 Edinburg.

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)

ists Series brings the finest international musicians in the world to our campuses in Edinburg and Brownsville for the benefit of our students and community,” said Dr. Kurt Martinez, director of the UTRGV School of Music. “The series serves to promote our excellent UTRGV programs in the community and recruit students to our Fine Arts programs.”

NIÑO DE PURA This season, the Distinguished Artists Series opens on Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Complex (PAC) on the Edinburg Campus with Daniel Navarro Cruz, better known as Niño de Pura, one of the leading guitarists in Spain. He per-

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forms at prestigious venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in France, Germany, Belgium, Mexico, Chile and Spain.

The concert will feature an entire Flamenco troupe, which includes dancers, singers and percussion.

TRIO PICAPORTE On Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Edinburg PAC and again on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Brownsville Campus in the TSC Performing Arts Complex, the Trio Picaporte makes its appearances. Trio Picaporte was formed at the Facultad de Artes de la Universidad de Antioquía in Colombia, performing music that is representative of the traditional Andean region while exploring and fusing popular elements.

THE LOW-FREQUENCY TRIO The Distinguished Artists Series spring concerts include a performance on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at 7 p.m. on the Edinburg Campus, by The Low-Frequency Trio, founded in 2016 by An-

tonio Rosales (bass clarinet), Juan José García (doublebass), and José Luis Hurtado (piano). Its members are active in the international contemporary music scene, and have collaborated with more than 20 young and established composers in the creation and performance of innovative new works for their unique instrumentation.

AT THE PIANO Two world class pianists highlight UTRGV’s Distinguished Artist Series in February and March.

Croatian pianist Javor Bračić comes to the Edinburg PAC on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. He was hailed

by New York Concert Review for “deep, genuine musicianship and an outstanding technique” in his Carnegie Hall solo debut recital presented by New York Concert Artists.

Then, on Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m., American pianist Alex McDonald, of Dallas, performs at the TSC PAC in Brownsville. Since his orchestral debut at age 11, McDonald has performed around the world and has

been a featured performer on PBS, WRR (Dallas/Fort Worth), NPR, and WQXR in New York City.

SANDEEP DAS and MIKE BLOCK The final concert of the Patron of the Arts Distinguished Artist Series brings the dynamic cross-genre duo of Sandeep Das on tabla and Mike Block on cello and vocals to the Edinburg PAC. The performance is on Friday, April 13, 2020, at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV PAC in Edinburg.

The duo has been performing since 2013 and their music features a rhythmic and melodic combination of the tabla (Indian drums used in Hindustani classical music), cello and vocals.

In addition to the Distinguished Artist Series, the Patron of the Arts 2019-2020 season will include performances by UTRGV faculty and students, and a variety of ensembles and chamber music throughout the season.

The complete schedule and tickets are available at patron.utrgv.edu.

Program explores false origin of Texas name EDINBURG – Join the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m. when author and researcher Jorge Luís García Ruíz for a presentation and book signing about “Texas. The False Origin of the Name.”

Historical documents report that, during Alonso de Leon’s 1689 expedition, Fray Damian Massanet met with New Spain natives who greeted their group with the word techas as a sign of friendship. Based on this report, American historian Herbert Eugene Bolton came to the conclusion, in 1907, that the word “Texas” means “friendship.” Over time, this explanation was adopted by

state government, the result of which can be seen in everything from safe driving campaigns to Texas being nicknamed the “friendly state.”

García Ruíz works as an independent researcher and historian in the Spanish colonial history of Texas. From his studies, García Ruíz found that in 1606 this territory was already called Tejas. García Ruíz proposes an alternate explanation that the name Texas probably has its origin in the word texa, or texo, as it was written in old Spanish. These were the names given to a very familiar, sacred tree in Spain.

García Ruíz’s book will be available for purchase in the

MOSTHistory store.

Born in Madrid, Spain, García Ruíz currently resides in San Antonio. He holds a degree in tourism and historic heritage and a master’s degree in archeology from the Autonomous University of Madrid. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Barcelona.

Currently, he is a doctoral candidate in history from the Autonomous University of Madrid.

The program is included in the regular museum admission. The museum is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. Call 956-383-6911 for further information.

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MISSION MEETING

Munguia, the representatives from BlueCross BlueShield, city council, mayor, city manager and deputy city managers agreed that they were still offering a competitive plan that would benefit

from pg. 1

page 9

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com employees as a whole and still give them options. In addition to the revisions, council implemented a preventative measure of asking employees to opt for a physical before a specific due

date that would eliminate a monthly premium of $25.

Employees can opt to take the physical within a six-month window and not pay the premium, not take a physical for six months and

HIDALGO COUNTY

to the face, dead near an orchard at the intersection of 13 Mile Line and Iowa Road.

Investigators met with Rivera, a Mexican citizen who described herself as married with four children. She confessed to binding Garza’s wrists with tape. Rivera also tied up another man she knew as “Gordo.”

After she restrained them, “Diamond” and Alfredo “Freddy” Huerta, 19, of Mission took them away at gunpoint, Rivera said, according to court records.

“Diamond later returned and told her that he had shot Fernando in the face and left him in some orchards,” according to court records.

The Sheriff’s Office identified “Diamond” as Julio Cesar Deleon of Peñitas, a member of the Vallucos prison gang with a criminal record that included burglary, assault and drug charges.

After he dropped out of high school, Deleon worked

then pay a $50 premium for six months, or opt out of the physical from the beginning of the year and pay a monthly premium of $25 for 12 months. Council also stated that in the future, they may

from pg. 1

at a car wash in Mission before becoming self-employed, according to jail records. At some point, he received tattoos of diamonds on his face and left hand.

Deleon confessed to killing Garza and leaving his body near the orchard, according to court records.

Garza’s friend “Gordo” corroborated the story.

In an interview with investigators, “Gordo” said “he and Fernando were bound and kidnapped at gunpoint from Edna’s house

by Diamante and Freddy,” according to court records, which summarize his statement. “Edna knew what was going to happen and is the one who bound their wrists together with tape.”

The Sheriff’s Office arrested Huerta on Wednesday and charged him with capital murder. Court records don’t list an attorney for Huerta, who couldn’t be reached for comment.

Huerta, who is accused of participating in the kidnapping and murder plot, is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

Investigators believe a “drug robbery” prompted the murder, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, which didn’t offer any further details.

When deputies searched Rivera’s home, they found 12 pounds of marijuana, Xanax pills and crystal methamphetamine, according to court records.

Deleon is charged with capital murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, failure to identify and several drug offenses. Rivera is charged with capital murder, aggravated kidnapping and several drug offenses.

The most serious charge against them, capital murder, is punishable by life in prison or the death penalty.

begin to look at outside insurance funding rather than self-insured.

Following the workshop, council voted to authorize the approval of the Health Insurance Benefits Plan. Ac-

cording to council member Ruben Plata, the total changes would save the city of Mission $620,000.

NATIONAL FINALIST

Gonzalez was honored at an event last week at the Mission CEED building for being named a finalist at the Stacy’s Rise Project. 400 other businesses across the country participated and she is the first entrepreneur from Texas to be a finalist in the project.

“I’m so humbled to be considered one of the finalists along with four other amazing women whose work is nothing short of inspiring,” Gonzalez said. “This recognition confirms my belief that big dreams come true only with the support of others. In my case, I’m lucky to count with the support of an entire community that has seen me grow as an entrepreneur since I started this company.”

Dip it by Pilar, which has six different flavors and sells yogurt and cream cheesebased dips, was selected

by a team of expert judges, including “Top Chef” executive producer and host Padma Lakshmi. The grand prize winner will be granted an additional $100,000 and intensive mentoring by top PepsiCo executives. Stacy’s Snacks, the PepsiCo brand that established this contest, has already awarded Gonzalez and the other finalists $20,000 each to help grow their business and provide them with mentorship and brand visibility over the next three months.

“That’s a lot of money, but it’s the least important prize,” Garza said. “Pilar will be receiving the kind of mentorship that will make this a successful brand that comes out of Mission. We need to foster more people like Pilar Gonzalez and Stacy Madison.”

Daniel Silva, CEO of the Mission EDC, reflected on

how Gonzalez got her start at the city through the EDC’s Ruby Red Venture program where local entrepreneurs compete in a “Shark Tank” style competition where they pitch their business or product to the EDC to receive funding. Gonzalez successfully participated in the program in 2013 during its second round. Three years later, she became an “H-E-B Primo Pick” winner where her product was made available on grocery store shelves.

“She’s the poster child of the program, the sky’s the limit for her,” Silva said. “To have Pilar recognized by a global superpower like PepsiCo is proof that our city needs to continue its support for entrepreneurship. We are well on our way to having a major national brand located right here in our community.”

BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE

THE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are 2 Weeks = $10 Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573. Submit by email or pay 4 Weeks = $14 by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

For Rent 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/mattress set and 2 vanity chairs. Call (956) 566-1702.

Garage Sale

MOVING SALE, 18yrs. worth of stuff, 2905 N. Conway, Mission, in

Wagon City North, follow the signs, Friday, August 2nd & Saturday, August 3rd from 7am- 4pm, lots of tools, lots of everything.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD from 8am-2pm at 1708

W. Gastel Circle at Mission Manor, miscellaneous, household items, dishes, clothing, electronics, men’s shoes, and so much more.

Services RED VALLEY COINS, we buy and

sell coins and coin collections, gold and silver, please call Rene De La Gar za at 956-780-8411 for an appointment and for more details.

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

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.

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.

Oracion Al Espiritu Santo

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

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

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

Agradece gracia alcanzada.

T.R.

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.

Progress Times is made possible by our advertisers.

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

page 10

August 2, 2019

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Our thanks to the growing list of community partners who also believe our Kids Come First!

Platinum Sponsors Education Foundation of Mission CISD Mission Chamber of Commerce

Alton providing counseling services for first responders that makes it mandatory for first responders to be cleared by a qualified mental health professional after responding to a critical incident.

“We want the officer to get cleared for his mental health and we’re making it mandatory,” Alton police Chief Jonathan Flores said.

On top of the mental health evaluation, the city of Alton also partnered up with the Plano-based Marketplace

By Jose De Leon III To help first responders in the city of Alton take care of their mental well-being, the city has implemented a new program to assist those whose job it is to assist others.

As part of a partnership with the Mission-based Piña & Acosta Psychological Associates, the city implemented a new policy last week

Pet of the Week Makenzi is a very friendly Shepherd mix, believed to be about 1 year old. If you would like to make Makenzie a part of your family, contact the Mission Pawsible Program at 956-580-8741, M-F, 8AM5PM. The City of Mission Animal Shelter is located at 227 Abelino Farias, and is open throughout the week and on Saturdays - 9AM to 4PM. The cost to adopt is $50, which includes: Spay/ Neuter, Rabies Shot, 1st Vaccine, Microchip and Deworming. To view more animals in the Mission Pawsible Program, visit missiontexas.us.

Sponsored by Jerry Saenz, Agent

1211 Conway Ave • Mission TX 956-585-2715

chaplain-an online service that connects users with a chaplain to provide counseling and spiritual guidance.

First responders are encouraged to download the “My Chaplain” app to be connected to a local chaplain- an optional service Flores said.

These two policies, he explained, were created to help more first responders seek help for their mental health, which could be affected in the line of duty.

“First responders, in the performance of their duties, are exposed to incidents normal citizens would not regularly be exposed to such as murders, rapes, fatal accidents and have to give notifications to family members,” Flores said. “On top of that, life can hit you and it can hit you hard sometimes with financial problems, marital problems and other issues in your personal life that can make the job more stressful.

All these things take a mental toll on the mental health of first responders.”

With the new policy and the chaplain services, Flores said a new outlet is being offered to employees to help them when they’re encountering any issues.

“Research has shown that there exists a culture of first responders accepting this stress as part of the job,”

AREAM'S B EST BUSINESS REVIEW N ©2019 A R 1-918-234-7768

PRESENTED

BY

ETRO

EWS

LL RIGHTS

ESERVED

HOME DEPOT, located at 120 S Shary Rd in Mission, phone (956) 583-4194, has become known as the do-it-yourself headquarters in this community. Whatever your hardware requirement may be, you’ll find it here. They feature hand tools, electrical and plumbing fixtures, power tools, lawn and garden supplies and much more, all at very reasonable prices. At HOME DEPOT, the service is always courteous and you can count on their help in selecting the appropriate items for any application. Whether you’re building a cabinet or staining the backyard fence, their experienced personnel will assist you in selecting the proper tools and supplies. The management of this well- respected store likes to feel that its good reputation is based on person service as well as durable hardware items. Quality name brand products, sensible working man’s prices and superior service are three great reasons to rely on HOME DEPOT for all your hardware needs.

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

Flores said. “As we evolve, we understand we can be the protectors and help others but to also receive help if and when we need it.”

According to a February 2017 article by the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, first responders have elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder when compared to the general population. An April 2018 study published by the Ruderman Family Foundation found that more first responders die by suicide than in the line of duty each year.

As of last June, 46 firefighters and EMS workers and 97 law enforcement officers have committed suicide this year according to a June 2019 article from Vox (on line news website).

“Research has shown that receiving mental health services is a stigma for first responders,” Flores said. “We want to say as an administration that that stigma does not exist. It’s OK to receive help and they can seek it out.

We are providing them a resource at no cost.”

The “My Chaplain” app will connect users to a local chaplain and even family members of Alton first responders can use the service. Users have the option to speak to the chaplain on the phone, through text or through facetime, Flores said.

As far as he knows, Alton is the only city in the county that’s partnered with the “My Chaplain” app, Flores said.

“We hope that awareness gets raised on this issue and first responders across the nation understand they’re not alone in this,” Flores said. “Resources are available to them and they should seek services without fear of backlash.”

A ONE-STOP, BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT FOR MISSION CISD STUDENTS/FAMILIES Free backpack with school supplies (Registered Mission CISD students only, while supplies last. Student must be present.)

Free vision screening provided by Mission Lions Club Free student haircuts provided by Mission CISD cosmetology students (2 p.m. - 7 p.m.)

Gold Sponsors

Campus representatives on hand for back to school information

Alton Chamber of Commerce City of Palmhurst City of Mission

Sports physicals ($20, Ashley Pediatrics mobile unit begins at 3 p.m.)

Bronze Sponsors Lions Club of Mission Mission Crime Stoppers Progress Times

Sponsor The Groves Assessment & Psychotherapy Rodeo Dental

Donors Mission Classroom Teachers Assoc.

Immunization clinic ($5 per vaccine, Children - $10 per vaccine, Adults) (Hidalgo County Health & Human Service) Late online registration (begins at 3 p.m.)

Health information High school fine arts performances

Mission Board of Trustees

Charlie Garcia III, President Minnie R. Rodgers, Vice President Jerry Zamora, Secretary Patricia Y. O’Caña-Olivarez, Board Member Petra B. Ramirez, Board Member Dr. Sonia M. Treviño, Board Member Veronica “Betty” R. Mendoza, Board Member Dr. Carol G. Perez, Mission CISD Superintendent of Schools