MCISD Back to School
City of Alton Updates
City of Mission Updates See our stories of the latest happenings in Mission, including the regular city council meeting and a preliminary budget workshop held this week.
See the district’s welcome back message from Superintendent Carol G. Perez.
See Pg. 3
The city recently held an autism awareness event, and the family of the young girl who recently died in a fire held a press conference regarding the handling of the case.
See Pg. 4
See Pg. 6
INDEX Entertainment....pg. 2 Lifestyle...................pg. 8 Death Notices......pg. 9 Classifieds...........pg. 11
Your Hometown Newspaper, Bringing Communities Together.
Vol. 47 - #51
Progress times Friday, August 16, 2019
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• LA JOYA
Former La Joya police chief says he plans to appeal drug trafficking conviction By Dave Hendricks
Photo courtesy of LJISD Facebook.
(from left) LJISD Superintendent Gisela Saenz, Board President Claudia Ochoa and board member Armin Garza pass out backpacks to students at the district’s 5th annual Back to School Bash on Thurs. Aug. 8, 2019.
• MISSION & LA JOYA
Thousands of school supplies distributed to MCISD and LJISD students the community, 2,500 backpacks filled with school supplies were ready to be distributed at Mission CISD’s 6th annual Back to School Bash. Held at Veterans Memorial High School, thousands of parents lined up to receive backpacks for their children-and other amenities the district was offering. “It’s designed to be a one-stop, back to school event for families in the
See BACK TO SCHOOL Pg. 10
Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
MCISD Superintendent Carolina “Carol” G. Perez distributes pizza slices as part of the district’s 6th annual Back to School Bash Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
2nd annual PATH conference triples attendance count Law enforcement officials from across Hidalgo County gathered at the Mission Event Center on Wed. for a conference that has tripled in attendance in the last year. The Prevention Awareness Team of Hidalgo (PATH) County, a coalition of law enforcement, school districts, and social services organizations, in collaboration with local High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task forces, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Behavioral Health Solutions held a free two-day conference at the Mission Event Center on Aug. 14 and 15
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The training focused on
(Photo courtesy of Geovani Hernandez)
local police departments, the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Border Patrol. He’s perhaps best known for running against then-Sheriff Guadalupe “Lupe” Treviño in the March 2012 Democratic Party primary and heading the La Joya Police Department in 2014. When federal agents caught him accepting cash to protect drug shipments, Hernandez had taken a low-paying job with the Progreso Police Department.
See HERNANDEZ Pg. 4
• STATE NEWS
By Dave Hendricks
• HIDALGO COUNTY
By Jamie Treviño
Geovani Hernandez
Legal malpractice case against state Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. returns to court
By Jose De Leon III and Jamie Treviño Two school districts have put providing equal learning opportunities for students at the forefront of their missions. Last Thurs. Aug. 8, 2019, the La Joya Independent School District and Mission Consolidated Independent School District held their respective Back to School Bash events. Despite the heat, families lined up outside for hours prior to the bashes. Mission Consolidated Independent School District Thanks to support from
Former La Joya police Chief Geovani Hernandez, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for drug trafficking, plans to appeal his conviction. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Hernandez in August 2017 after he protected drug shipments during a sting operation. Hernandez took the case to trial in March, when a jury of Rio Grande Valley residents found him guilty. Hernandez, however, claims the federal government framed him for crimes he didn’t commit. “It’s a direct political influence attack on me — on my persona, on my character, on my campaign,” Hernandez said, referencing his campaign for Hidalgo County Precinct 1 constable. “There’s no evidence that I requested money from the Cartel Del Golfo. There’s no evidence that I requested money from drug dealers. There’s no evidence whatsoever that I broke the law. It’s a total fabrication.” Geovani V. Hernandez, 45, of McAllen worked for
topics facing adolescents and young adults in the commu-
Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.
Law enforcement officers from across Hidalgo County listen to a presentation about substance abuse during the 2nd annual PATH conference at the Mission Event Center on Wed. Aug. 14, 2019.
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nity and how various sectors in the area can help prevent gang involvement, the use of drugs and using social media safely. Last year’s conference was held in Weslaco, and about 80 people were in attendance. According to Karen Rodriguez, the Regional Provider for the Prevention Research Center and a member of the PATH committee, PATH found that through networking and collaboration with several organizations, the number of attendees quickly grew. “Right now we have 240 [people registered in the
See PATH CONFERENCE Pg. 6
The long-running legal malpractice case against state Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. will head to trial — again. Muñoz lost the case in September 2017, when U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez signed a nearly $3 million judgment against him. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, however, determined that Alvarez didn’t calculate the damages correctly. Attorneys who represent Muñoz returned to court Tuesday and requested that a jury, not the judge, recalculate the damages after a new trial. “We need to get this moving,” Alvarez said. Alvarez asked Muñoz’s attorneys to submit arguments by Sept. 5 on why the court should hold a jury trial rather than a bench trial. Attorneys for The Law Funder LLC, a New Jersey-based company that accused Muñoz of malpractice, must respond within a week. “I expect cooperation in this case,” Alvarez said, adding that she didn’t want attorneys to submit any last-minute motions. If the timetable holds, Muñoz may receive a new trial in just a few months. The long-running legal
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dispute between Muñoz and The Law Funder started in December 2014. Muñoz had represented The Law Funder in a messy divorce between Wilfrido “Willie” Garcia, 56, of Mission and his wife, Maria De Jesus Garcia. Willie Garcia, a reputed “case runner,” connected attorneys with clients through a Mexican law firm called Servicios Legales de Mesoamerica. As part of the referral process, he apparently received a share of any payout. Willie Garcia sold his share of the payout in 21 cases to The Law Funder, a company that invests in personal injury
See MALPRACTICE CASE Pg. 7
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August 16, 2019
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UTRGV faculty artist series begins Sept. 6 EDINBURG/Brownsville – The UTRGV Patron of the Arts Faculty Artist Series begins with four September performances. Juan Pablo Andrade, piano, will perform on Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. The
program includes works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Chaminade and Matarrita. Featuring music ranging from magical to maniacal and hilarious to harrowing, pianist Dr. Brendan Kinsella performs a “one-man band” voice, piano, and multi-media
Coming Attractions
August 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. • 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)
music event for the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse’s “Creative Imperatives” series. The performance is Sunday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg Recited in German, Robert Schumann’s Two Melodramas evoke the dark mystery of German romanticism. Kurt Schwitters’ raucous, unbelievable Ursonate closes the first half. The concert concludes with Frederic Rzewski’s epic De Profundis, adapted from Oscar Wilde’s eponymous essay on persecution, suffering, and redemption. Join Dr. Kurt Martinez as he performs a program consisting of contemporary music for guitar and featuring compositions by Carlos Aguirre, Quique Sinesi, Jose Maria Gallardo and Edin Solis. He will be performing Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, Brownsville The last September performance features Shoko Kinsella, piano, on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg Admission is free for all performances. For special accommodations in Edinburg, call 956-665-3881. For special accommodations in Brownlsville, call 956-8827025.
The ensemble cast rehearses a scene from Bird Brains playing at Pharr Community Theater from Aug. 21 to 25. Pictured from left to right are Frankie Hooton, Sarah Turrubiates, Scarlett Hooton, Nia Rocha and Cristina Miranda.
Bird Brains plays at Aug 21-25 at PCT
PHARR – Bird Brains is the newest, short, children’s musical to be presented at the Pharr Community Theater (PCT) from Aug. 21-25 at 213 W. Newcombe Ave. The original play was written by PCT artistic director Pedro Garcia and is directed by Seres Jaime Magaña. This back to school show is geared to kids and will run seven performances. Show times are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., an extra showing on Saturday at 5 p.m., and two shows on Sunday at 3 and 6 p.m. “Bird Brains” is a short, comedic, uplifting, musical with original songs, music, dance, and ambience all immersed in bird and plant life
and about being positive. Fernando the great Kiskadee wishes to fly away from the RGV to Spain due to a problem he’s encountered and his stubbornness. His friends try to convince him to stay and work things out. Along the way the audience will discover more about these critters and their natural habitats. After working on a play about birds for a Quinta Mazatlan event in McAllen, Garcia came up with a story about three birds who share their life in the RGV. The birds are a great Kiskadee named Fernando played by 16-year-old Cristina Miranda, a Buffed Bellied Hummingbird named Chispita played by 10-year-old Nia
Rocha, and a North American Mockingbird named Wanda played by 10 year old Scarlett Hooton. Other characters include a magical fairy named Clarity played by 14-yearold Sarah Turrubiates and a young bird watcher guide who dreams of becoming an ornithologist, played by 16-year-old Frankie Hooton. Nine-year-old Audrey Valdez is an understudy. Tickets are available in advance or at the door starting one hour before curtain for $5 -students, military and seniors; $7 general admission. The intimate theater seats 50 persons at a time. For advance tickets or more info, text or call 956-239-0412 or 956-655-9308.
UVAL life drawing exhibition set for Sept. 14
The Upper Valley Art League (UVAL) members of the Saturday Life Drawing Group will host a free public reception for their exhibit “Language of Line” on Saturday, Sept. 14. Shown in front of the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center are, left to right, are members Noemi Lamela, Alicia Miner (exhibit curator) and Christine Kulikamp.
The Life Drawing Group at the Upper Valley Art League in Mission will be exhibiting works showing what they have accomplished over the past year in an exhibition entitled “Language of Line.” The free exhibition will open with a reception at the Upper Valley Art League, 921 East 12th Street in Mission, on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 7 to 9 pm. The public is invited. There is plenty parking around the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center where UVAL is located. The exhibit will run through October 9. UVAL Members Berry Fritz, Dionicio Gobellan, Noemi Lamela, Rosie Kane, Christine Kulikamp, Alicia Miner and Diana Pina, along with some non-exhibiting members, meet on Saturday mornings at the League. They work with a different model each week to progress through a series of five-minute gesture poses, then through 10- to 20-minute poses, ending with an hourlong pose. Once a month they have a three-hour pose. The exhibit will include loose gesture drawings in charcoal and pencil as well as finished paintings in pastel and oil. Some of the poses this year were based on famous paintings by such masters as Vermeer, Gauguin, Modigliani, and Picasso. The discipline of life drawing has had a checkered history. While the human body was exalted by the ancient Greeks and Romans, nudity in the arts was suppressed in Western Europe until the Renaissance, when depiction of the human body was once again accepted and even celebrated.
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Dress Code for MCISD Students The District’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority. Students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not be a health or safety hazard to themselves or others. The District prohibits any clothing or grooming that in the principal’s judgment may reasonably be expected to cause disruption of or interference with normal school operations. The District prohibits: 1. Students from wearing make-up that is distracting or draws attention to the student that, at the discretion of the principal or his/her designee, is inappropriate. 2. Pictures, emblems, or writing on clothing and personal items that: a. Is lewd, offensive, vulgar, obscene, or violent. b. Advertises or depicts tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other prohibited substance. c. Is distracting or draws attention to the student that, at the discretion of the principal or his/her designee, is inappropriate. 3. The wearing of seethrough shirts or blouses, sleeveless undershirts, muscle shirts, vests, cutoff T-shirts, tube tops, tank tops and any blouse or shirt that does not cover the stomach or waist, even if covered by another piece of clothing such as a sweater or jacket. 4. The wearing of low-cut, shoulderless/strapless, spaghetti strap or string tie/halter blouses, shirts or dresses and clothing where undergarments can be seen. 5. Brand name tags and imprints on clothing and personal items that may be depicted as negative and/ or offensive (i.e. “Drunken Monkey”, “Drunknmunky”, “Homies”, etc.). Discretion by the principal or his/her designee will prevail. 6. Paraphernalia/acces-
sories, activities, and/or gestures, which symbolize gang and/or group membership, including the following: a. Wearing beads and/ or crosses that are all black, embroidered, or are identified with gang and/or group colors. b. Wearing tee shirts, sweat shirts, windbreakers, and jackets that depict the identity of a particular gang and/or group. c. Wearing shoes that identify with a particular gang and/or group, such as tennis shoes or sports shoes altered from their original color with paint or markers, shoe laces depicting a gang and/or group color, etc. Wearing gang- and/or group-related clothing combinations such as a shirt/pant combination in a particular color or colors. e. Participating in any gang and/or group fights, and any act of violence against a student or school personnel. Exhibiting any behavior or gestures that symbolize gang and/or group membership, or are associated with gangs and/or groups. g. Vandalizing school property with gang- and/or group-related signs or literature. All students are also prohibited from possessing folders, book covers, etc., which depict gang- and/or group-related signs or literature. The outlined code regarding specific modes, paraphemalia/accessories, activities, or gestures of the student body is subject to change at any time when a gang and/or group changes its identifying colors, paraphernalia/accessories, activities, or gestures. The aforementioned code also applies to any new gang and/or group, or any gang and/or group not mentioned herein. In addition: 1. The District has adopted a standardized dress code for students in grades PK-8. 2. All clothing must be worn in a proper, customary manner.
3. Over-sized, ill-fitting pants and other similar items of clothing are not allowed. 4. Students are prohibited from wearing pants below the waistline that are designed to be worn at the waistline. 5. Students are prohibited from wearing pants that expose skin at the waistline unless a tucked-in shirt/blouse is worn that is long enough to cover skin at all times (i.e. when raising arms, bending over, sitting down, etc.). 6. Capri pants or crop pants that are not tight-fitting will be allowed. Bermuda shorts are not considered to be Capri pants or crop pants. Discretion by the principal or his/her designee will prevail. 7. Leggings, jeggings, and form-fitting (stretch, spandex, etc.) pants are not allowed in grades 4-12. 8. All shirts designed to be tucked in must be tucked in correctly. Discretion by the principal or his/her designee will prevail. 9. Students shall wear appropriate undergarments. No pajama-type clothing is allowed. Clothing where undergarments can be seen is prohibited. Torn or tattered clothing or clothing that exposes skin and/or underwear is not allowed. 10. Shorts: a. Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade are allowed to wear shorts. b. Students in grades four and five shall be allowed to wear walking shorts that are no shorter than three inches above the knee. Wind shorts and boxer shorts are not allowed in grades four and five. c. Students in grades pre-kindergarten through five may wear cutoffs and bicycle shorts in physical education classes only. d. Secondary school students are not permitted to wear shorts. This includes Bermuda shorts. e. The discretion of the principal or his/her designee will prevail. 11. Dresses and skirts may be no shorter than two inches
above the top of the kneecap, nor may slits in clothing extend more than two inches above the knee. 12. Trench coats, dusters, hooded sweatshirts, and overcoats are not allowed, except in inclement weather. Hoods are not to be worn inside buildings. At the junior high level, pullover sweatshirts without zippers are not allowed. 13. At the elementary and junior high school levels, earrings or studs for boys are prohibited on any part of the body on school premises and during participation in any extracurricular activity. This includes string, plastic plugs, bandages, gauges, etc., which are used to keep the pierced hole open. 14. At the high school level, students are prohibited from wearing earrings or studs on any part of their bodies other than their ear lobes on school premises and during participation in any extracurricular activity. Plastic plugs and/or gauges are not permitted. 15. Exposed rosary beads are not allowed. 16. Hats, caps, hoods, beanies, sweatbands, hairnets, and bandanas are not allowed. Headbands must be worn appropriately to restrain hair, and not across the forehead. 17. Sunglasses are prohibited unless prescribed. 18. Appropriate footwear shall be worn at school. Shoes that present a safety concern are not allowed. Sneakers/ Tennis shoes should be worn for PE participation. Flipflops/thongs and/or soccer slides are not allowed. Steel toe footwear is not allowed. All footwear must have a closed heel or have a strap around the rear of the ankle in grades Pre-K through 8. Socks must be worn, when appropriate. 19. Hair must be clean, neatly combed and out of the eyes and face. Boys’ hair shall not extend beyond the top of the shirt collar; Mohawks, ducktails or ponytails
will not be allowed. Hair that is styled in a manner that is extreme, outlandish, distracting or draws attention to the student is not allowed. 20. Hair coloring is limited to only natural hair colors. 21. Tattoos must be covered for all elementary and junior high school students. At the high school level, the covering of tattoos will be at the discretion of the principal or his/her designee. 22. Sideburns shall not extend beyond the bottom of the earlobe. Mustaches, beards and goatees will be allowed at the high school level, but shall be neatly trimmed. Eyebrow(s) shall not be shaved or altered.
23. The wearing of artificial nails and/or nails that are painted or styled in a manner that is distracting or draws attention to the student is prohibited at the elementary level. 24. Grooming, combing hair, and applying make-up or nail polish are not allowed in the classroom. 25. The District has adopted standardized attire for all students assigned to the DAEP at Roosevelt Alternative School. All students assigned to the DAEP will adhere to the standardized
See MCISD DRESS CODE Pg. 9
MCISD Superintendent Welcome Message It is with great pleasure that we welcome our students, parents, and staff to the 2019-2020 school year that will be full of learning opportunities! We at Mission CISD are committed to our community by providing a service delivery model to ensure that all of our students reach their fullest potential to become successful lifelong learners and productive citizens. Our MCISD schools are thriving in academics and extracurricular activities! We have been busy preparing for months to open two new elementary academies, which include Leal Elementary School of Technology & Engineering and Salinas Elementary Fine Arts Academy, a new early college high school option at Veterans Memorial High School, and a new Pre-K3 program this year at Escobar-Rios, Leal and Salinas Elementary Schools. These projects along with refinement of our curriculum and instructional focus promises to make this a great year for Mission CISD students and staff. For our returning students, welcome back! In addition, for our new students and their families, welcome to the Mission CISD Family! Remember, we are starting the school year a little earlier than in the past. The first day of school is Monday, August 19. We look forward to working with all our families in helping prepare their children to Change the World! Dr. Carol G. Perez
On August 8, 2019, Mission CISD held a Back to School Bash designed to bring together all the resources necessary to help parents with last minute back to school needs. Thanks to the generous support of our communities and sponsors, we were able to not only provide services, but also 2,500 backpacks with school supplies! On behalf of the Mission CISD Board of Trustees, administration, and everyone who benefitted from the 2019 Back to School Bash, a heartfelt thank you to the following sponsors for helping our students start the school year off on the right foot.
Platinum Sponsors
Sponsors & Donors The Groves Assessment & Psychotherapy Rodeo Dental Mission Classroom Teachers Assoc.
Gold Sponsors
Mission Board of Trustees
bronze Sponsors
MISSION, TEXAS
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, Superintendent of Schools
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Mission opts into prize fee for bingo halls qualifications for this job. Mayor Pro-Tem Norie Gonzalez Garza asked for it to be pulled into executive session. When they returned after discussion, she first made a motion to deny the negotiations (seconded by council member Ruben Plata) because she did not want the city to spend $28,500 on the services if the current department could figure out a way to update the manual themselves. “I do feel that our staff, including J.P. [Terrazas] and Robert Salinas and Jaime [Acevedo] together could update this manual,” Gonzalez Garza said. “Until we get the drainage assessment completed, at that time we can do a complete manual update.” She added that while the cost was “only $28,500,” the city’s financial situation means they should save “anywhere we can.” O’caña said that if they were able to update the manual themselves staff would have had plenty of time to complete it. Council member Jessica Ortega-Ochoa asked if the engineering department could take the manual update on themselves. City Engineer J.P. Terrazas said this would not be an easy task. “It takes a lot of research and updates on standards,” Terrazas said. “Yes, it takes a lot of work and we’re short on staff.” Terrazas is the only current employee working in the city’s engineering department. Gonzalez Garza then brought up the idea of taking that money and hiring an Engineer In Training to work part-time on the manual, but did not make a motion. “If we’ve waited this long, we can certainly wait until we get the drainage assessment,” Gonzalez Garza said. City Manager Randy Perez said that the city does have money in the budget to allocate toward this update.
Alton hosts autism management training for law enforcement officers By Jose De Leon III
Dennis Debbaudt talks to law enforcement officers attending the Autism Risk & Safety Management Training Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Courtesy photo.
involving someone with autism. Alton police Sgt. Ruben Jaramillo, who attended the trainings, said the trainings are beneficial to the community. “We don’t want a misunderstanding with an individual who is autistic and may get mistaken with someone under the influence which happens a lot,” Jaramillo said. “We weren’t educated or provided with these trainings in the past. Now that they’re teaching us these identifiers, we approach the situation differently rather than a tactical aggression and we talk to them with patience.” Misunderstandings between those on the autism spectrum and law enforcement officials have an unfortunate history, Debbaudt explained. Over a decade ago, researcher Riaz Hassan released a widely used profile to identify suicide bombers which identified them as people appearing to talk to no one in particular, unusual
body language, constantly pacing back and forth and displaying other forms of erratic behavior. “These are part of the behavior of someone known to be a suicide bomber. That is also the profile of behaviors for autism,” Debbaudt said. “Some of their behaviors are mistaken for being threatening. It’s become a hot topic because of a population that a generation ago was not a cause for concern.” During the 1970s, only one in 10,000 people were living with autism, Debbaudt said. He became an autism advocate after his son was diagnosed with autism and saw a lack of research concerning the disorder due to the low population at the time. “People with autism are a wonderful group of people who are capable of so much more than being a high-risk contact with the police,” Debbaudt said. “The population itself has difficulty with the signals they send or how they communicate which cause these issues. They’re more like us than not.”
idea to table the item until after the budget workshop. Ortega-Ochoa disagreed, saying they should decide on the update now. “The city has always entered into contracts with different agencies to help us in this,” Ortega-Ochoa said. “And I think this is some-
thing that’s needed. I don’t wish to table, if we want to vote.” O’caña agreed with her, saying he did not want the item tabled either. After a hand vote, the item was tabled 3-2.
By Jamie Treviño
is a little high,” Hinojosa said. “But the idea is that we might be able to save based on a different type of plan we’re going to go with through TML [Texas Municipal League].” The deductible is what the city is responsible for paying for each claim that comes in. By changing to a $50,000 deductible, the city is able to make staggered payments toward workers’ comp. throughout the fiscal year rather than one lump sum payment of $1.19 million, usually paid on Oct. 1. “In this case, where we pay our workers’ comp. right up front, whatever incurs throughout the year is taken care of by TML, there’s no further payment needed,” Hinojosa said. “This is what we’ve been doing forever.” The plan council agreed on means the contribution at the beginning of the year will be approx. $249,000 (as of Oct. 1), and the city will be expected to pay another $74,000 each quarter. “$479,000 will be divided into four quarters,” Hinojosa said. “It could end up being a wash, we still may end up paying that $1.1 million at the end of the year, however, it helps with cash flow.” Hinojosa explained that
spreading out the cost will aide in that effort. “Most claims are not $25,000, most range anywhere between $5,000 to $8,000,” Hinojosa said. “However we do have injuries that do require surgery and time off.” The rest of the funds required for a workers’ comp. claim after the deductible are covered by TML from the city’s contribution. This change is being made administratively with approval from the council. Hinojosa said that if the city is having a good year with few claims, they won’t have to pay the same amount every quarter. “Even if we do these deductibles there’s a chance that we don’t save money, that we would spend exactly what we would if we did it up front,” Hinojosa said. “But it allows us the opportunity to have that cash flow and spread it out.” Council agreed to the change. The city will be holding another workshop with a focus on the tax rate next Wed. Aug. 21 before finalizing the 2019-2020 preliminary budget.
Mission discusses workers’ compensation insurance during budget workshop
The city of Mission is aiming to trim their budget as much as possible. This Tues. Aug. 14, the city held a budget workshop so the council and mayor could get an updated look at the preliminary 2019-2020 budget. While it does look like the city will be raising taxes (by about four cents), City Manager Randy Perez said they are looking into every possible avenue to save money on existing expenditures and bring in more revenue. “We’re looking at everything overall,” Perez said. “We’re looking at how we can save money, how we can be more efficient.” One change that the council was in agreement on had to do with the city’s workers’ compensation insurance plan. Risk Management Director Robert D. Hinojosa presented information about how it may be financially beneficial to the city in the long run if they changed their per occurrence (accident) retention from a $25,000 deductible to a $50,000 deductible. “I’m proposing that we’re budgeting $1.23 million for workers’ comp., which
from pg. 1
HERNANDEZ
U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter E. Ormsby appointed a new attorney, Gregory Sherwood of Austin, to represent Hernandez during the appellate process. Sherwood requested the trial transcript on Monday. Hernandez claims a government informant, Hector Obed Saucedo-Rodriguez, selectively recorded conversations that became the basis for drug trafficking charges against him. “They created their case on excerpts of audios. They created a story. And they just presented it. There’s missing tapes. There’s missing conversations,” said Hernandez, who referred to Saucedo-Rodriguez as CI, an acronym for confidential informant. “The CI manipulated audio recordings. It’s ridiculous. I don’t know how a district court can allow a case to proceed like that.” Homeland Security Investigations, a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, provided Saucedo-Rodriguez with recording devices. He taped incriminating conversations with Hernandez, including meetings where Hernandez accepted cash to protect drug shipments.
Agents, though, caught Saucedo-Rodriguez lying and stealing money. In one instance, Saucedo-Rodriguez claimed he paid Hernandez for information. “That day I told the agents I was going to meet Mr. Hernandez at the same movie theaters where I had met with him the first time,” Saucedo-Rodriguez said when he took the witness stand in March, speaking through a translator. “But I never saw him at the movie theater. I just kept the money that the agents had given me for him.” The allegation that Hernandez accepted $2,000 during the meeting became part of the criminal complaint against him. Saucedo-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to theft of government money and received a sentence of time served. Prosecutors told the jury what happened. The jury convicted Hernandez anyway. “The whole thing is a lie,” Hernandez said, adding that the informant would become an issue on appeal. Federal agents frequently handle informants with
criminal records and other credibility problems. Another witness against Hernandez had “CDG,” the acronym for Cartel Del Golfo, tattooed across the back of his neck. Prosecutors bolstered witness testimony with audio recordings, which allowed the jury to hear Hernandez in his own words. Jurors took less than four hours to reach a verdict. After the verdict, the U.S. Marshals Service sent Hernandez to the East Hidalgo Detention Center in La Villa. “It’s kind of frustrating knowing that I’m here for something that I did not do,” Hernandez said, but he quickly adjusted to life behind bars. Hernandez said he lost about 25 to 30 pounds because the jail serves meals in small portions. He also plays goalie on a soccer team. While he feels safe, Hernandez said members of the Latin Kings, La Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos and other gangs occasionally clash in La Villa. “There’s a lot of different gang affiliations here, but I go out with everybody,” Hernandez said, adding: “A lot of people call me sheriff.”
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With one in 59 people living on the autism spectrum, law enforcement officials and first responders need to find ways to communicate with this growing population. That’s according to Dennis Debbaudt, an investigator and autism advocate who last week led four trainings dedicated for autism risk and safety management at the Alton Regional Training Center. “My goal here is for the audience to get a sense of why they need to know this and apply this simple, basic knowledge they can use,” Debbaudt said. “We’re training them to have short duration contact with someone who has a high-risk behavior through no fault of their own.” Autism is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others according to the Pharr-based non-profit Bebo’s Angels, which hosted these trainings last Thursday and Friday. Bebo’s Angels has a working relationship with the Alton Police Department where they regularly host these trainings. Last February, they partnered up with Alton to distribute bumper stickers to help identify those with autism if they’re pulled over by Alton police. According to Bebo’s Angels Director Daniel Gonzalez, Alton is one of the few cities across the Rio Grande Valley they are partnered up with for these trainings. Local law enforcement officials along with officers from Cameron County attended these trainings. At the trainings, law enforcement officers learned how to identify those with autism and deescalate any situation where they respond to a call
Plata noted that the next day the council would be meeting for a budget workshop, so after that the item can be brought up again. Gonzalez Garza agreed, and moved to table the item until the next city council meeting. Council member Beto Vela agreed with the
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Mission is about to begin receiving revenue from bingo halls within city limits. During this week’s city council meeting, the city approved an ordinance that adopts and implements a gross receipt tax (or prize fee) on bingo halls within city limits. As authorized under Texas House Bill 914 (86th Legislative Session) and the Texas Occupations Code, the ordinance allows Mission to collect 2.5 percent from bingo prizes over $5. House Bill 914 requires a licensed authorized organization conducting a bingo game to collect from a person who wins a bingo prize of more than $5 a fee in the amount of 5 percent of the amount or value of the prize. A bingo hall within city limits must then remit a fee of 5 percent of the value of all awarded bingo prizes (of more than $5) to the Texas Lottery Commission. According to House Bill 914, counties or cities that impose a gross receipt tax on the conduct of bingo is entitled to 50 percent of the fee collected on a prize awarded at a bingo conducted in the city, so Mission would be entitled to 2.5 percent. After clarifying the legality with the city attorney, council approved the resolution (#1608). “It allows us to opt in to this particular program,” Anna Carrillo, city secretary, said. “The Texas Lottery Commission will then give the city 2.5 percent of that particular fee, but we need to pass a resolution to advise Conway Bingo right now that we’re going to participate in this so they can start collecting that fee.” After Sept. 1, the city will also start hearing public comments on any items on the agenda during the citizen’s participation item at the beginning of a city
council meeting. Mission approved ordinance #4813, which amends an article having to do with the procedure for presentations to council. Before this ordinance, any members of the public could speak during citizen’s participation, but only on items that were not on the meeting agenda. Now, because of the passing of House BIll 2840 (during the 86th Legislative Session), Mission is allowed to adopt “reasonable rules” regarding the public’s right to address the governmental body on any given agenda item. With this change, citizens wishing to speak on anything, including items on the agenda, will have the opportunity to do so during the citizen’s participation by signing in and stating which item they will be speaking on. Anyone speaking will be allotted 3 minutes, regardless of the number of voting items they wish to speak on. People wishing to speak on an item that is set for a public hearing must speak at the public hearing section of the meeting. Carillo said this change was made to keep the flow of meetings smooth. “That way it doesn’t disrupt the process of the meeting too much,” Carrillo said. “We felt it would be better to do it all at one time, that way we wouldn’t have people coming up at all different items.” City council went into executive session to discuss an item that would update the city’s engineering design manual. The manual has not been updated since 1988 according to Mayor Armando O’caña. The item was on the agenda so the city could be authorized to engage in negotiations with M2 Engineering, PLLC to write the updated standards manual. According to Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo, this firm was the only one that submitted a bid that met the
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By Jamie Treviño
For the latest news and updates
THE
August 16, 2019
Sports week
Luciano Guerra Sports Editor
BIG7 SCHOOLS
page 5
www.ptrgv.com/sports
Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports
Eagles fueled by experience, expectations By John Hamann It’s been a few years but it appears the Mission Eagles are back . . . lots of them in fact. The Eagles return eight starters on offense and six on defense as the 2019 football season gets underway. Included in that group are a number of players who received All-District honors last year. The vast majority of those players are on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Duran was the district Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Fullback Andrew Maldonado (Jr.), tight end Rey Garcia (Sr.), and guard Steven Alvarez (Sr.) were first team selections. Receiver Steve Villarreal (Sr.), running back
Progress Times photo by John Hamann.
Mission football players from left to right: Justin Soto (Jr.) LB, Jeremy Duran (So.) QB, Ivan Chavez (Jr.) DB, Steven Alvarez(Sr.) OL, Fabian Ahumada (Sr.) DL, Horacio Moronta (Sr.) RB. Horacio Moronta (Sr.) and center Lyvan Rodriguez (Sr.) made the second team. Defensively, the Eagles return two district second team selections in defensive end Fabian Ahumada (Sr.)
and safety Ivan Chavez (Jr.). Linebacker Justin Soto (Jr.) was one of three players chosen as district Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Overall the Eagles were 8-3 last season and their 5-2
mark in district play put them in a three-way tie for second place. That ended a five year post season drought. Laredo United eliminated the Eagles in the first round of the UIL 6A Div. I playoffs to end
their season. The Eagles also won the Battle of Conway, their annual rivalry game against Mission Veterans. That hadn’t happened since 2013. Fourth year head coach
Koy Detmer reflected on the success of 2018. “We (coaches and players) felt like we were ready to take a step,” said Detmer. “This past year for us we felt like those were things we could accomplish.” The results of last season have already played a role this year too. “It (that success) rolled into the offseason,” said Detmer. “There has been good energy. There has been a positive atmosphere around here. The first week (of practice) was good, the kids came in excited. It was a good first week. We got a lot of things accomplished.” Many of the players sensed it too.
See MISSION EAGLES Pg. 9
Lobos out to continue winning ways By Luciano Guerra Prior to the 2014 season, the Palmview Lobos football team had never qualified for the UIL state playoffs. Since that same season, they have qualified for the playoffs four out of five years. What changed? For one thing the coaching staff; a coaching staff that succeeded in turning a culture of losing into a culture of winning. Now in his sixth year at the helm of the Lobos football program, head coach Margarito “Mage” Requenez must be doing something right. But Requenez is not about to take all the credit for turning the program around. Because like every successful head coach knows very
team, Requenez said, “We had to break down that wall. And the first group that did it, they were the ones that set the foundation for our success ever since. And they set the bar pretty high.” Coming off their only non-playoff season in 2017, when they went 0-6 in district play, the 2018 Lobos turned things around dramatically by going 6-3 in District 16-5A-1 and earning the district’s third seed. That is quite an accomplishment in a district made up of 10 teams. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra. When asked what in his Palmview Lobos’ key players, Miguel Alaniz (DE), Albert Vargas (OL), David Gonzalez (QB) and opinion accounted for this Fernando Cavazos (DB), will be counted on to lead the Lobos back to the playoffs this year. dramatic turnaround, Resaid, “It was makwell, coaching is not a one that get the kids to believe in have succeeded in getting Without them, we wouldn’t quenez ing sure that the kids were the program and what they’re the kids to believe in thembe successful.” man job. See PALMVIEW LOBOS As for the importance of “The members of my teaching,” Requenez said. selves. That’s why I have to Pg. 9 “They are also the ones that give all the credit to them. changing the culture on the coaching staff are the ones
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During the Mission Consolidated Independent School District’s regular called meeting, the Mission Athletic Foundation presented a $10,000 check to the district. The donation was meant to benefit the district’s athletic program at Mission High School. Members of the Mission Athletic Foundation include Kevin and Annabel Jaime, Omar and Brenda Trujillo, Maria Balderas, Ray and Cristina Castillo, Benji and Rosie Cantu and Rick and Annai Rogriguez. According to Superintendent Carol Perez, Kevin Jaime (the president of the Mission Athletic Foundation) spoke to administration about his child’s transfer into MCISD and how the district embraced them, encouraging his family and many others to start the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. “A group of parents and I wanted to make a positive impact for the student athletes at Mission High School that went beyond supporting one or two sports,” Jaime said, noting that the money will be used for all the sports played at MHS during the fall semester. “We want to do something to encourage success on and off the field.” In the four months since the Mission Athletic Foundation has been founded, they have raised an additional $15,000 to support summer athletic programs for over 300 secondary age kids.
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PATH CONFERENCE
event,” Rodriguez said. “We’re very excited, now there are more people willing to support our growth here.” The conference aims to provide continuing education to law enforcement, social workers, school counselors and other local professionals on a wide range of topics that directly impact Rio Grande Valley communities. Presenters will include overviews of the national opioid epidemic, active shooter awareness, helping those with substance use disorders, overdose simulation training, emerging drug trends, gang impacts, social media safety and local drug trends. “It’s meant to reduce substance abuse and create awareness in our community,” Rodriguez said. “Especially here in the Valley, we have this notion or mentality that it’s okay to have alcohol available to kids, or it’s okay to smoke or do any kind of drugs.”
The event also featured an information fair with exhibitors promoting services and resources available in and outside of the Rio Grande Valley. Attendees were able to visit over 20 informational booths to gain valuable information on services and resources currently available in the community. “PATH was created as a way to unite different agencies doing similar work in the community but with different perspectives,” Rodriguez said. “It is a committee of area law enforcement, education, non-profit drugfree coalitions and support service agencies whose mission is to increase community awareness through outreach and training and educate the public as to the growing epidemic of opioids, prescription drug and substance abuse as part of an overarching district strategy to reduce crime and ensure safe neighborhoods in the Hidalgo County area.” Rodirguez hopes the
training makes an impact on the people who have to work with and talk to parents about these issues. “All the sessions are very informative,” Rodriguez said. “Especially for law enforcement and social workers who have contact with parents, they’re able to talk about this training and help their kids.” Mission Mayor Armando O’caña spoke highly of the conference, saying it was vital to the well-being of the community. “We are elated to have so many of our police officers here,” O’caña said. “They are receiving top-of-the-line training.” O’caña added that their goal in participating in the conference is to make sure everyone in the county can find unity in training and awareness. “It will make the city safer, the county of Hidalgo safer and our state of Texas safer,” O’caña said.
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FedEx contractor pleads guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering charges By Dave Hendricks The owner of an Edinburg-based company that delivered packages for FedEx pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges last week. Rodolfo “Rudy” Hernandez, 40, of Los Fresnos — the owner of Rolynn’s Transportation, which delivered packages for FedEx Ground — struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty Aug. 9 during a hearing in Corpus Christi. Asked by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby how he pleaded, Hernandez responded with a single word: “Guilty.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment. Attorney Rick Canales of Brownsville, who represents Hernandez, didn’t respond to requests for comment. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS started investigat-
ing Hernandez in December 2014. Agents linked him to five suspicious FedEx accounts. “During the period from January 2016 until February 2018, Federal Express records showed 70,230 pounds (or 31,992.7 kilograms) of what was believed to be drugs or bulk U.S. currency was sent through Federal Express using the five (5) accounts,” according to court records. Agents believe Hernandez worked closely with Luis “Pancho” Ortiz III, 39, of Mission, who coordinated drug shipments. Border Patrol agents seized about 600 pounds of marijuana from Hernandez and Ortiz in October 2017. “This marihuana had been flown from Mexico into the United States and dropped from a crop duster aircraft,” according to court records. Agents believe a pilot named Florentino Galvan dropped the drugs near San Benito. They intercepted phone calls between Galvan,
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Hernandez and Ortiz. “Discussions focused around the plans for dropping the marijuana in a field,” according to court records. Galvan pleaded not guilty. Agents also tracked marijuana that Hernandez and Ortiz mailed to Charleston, West Virginia. “The marihuana had been seized because a Federal Express driver became suspicious of the package and called the police,” according to court records, which refer to the Charleston Police Department as CPD. “Once the marijuana was seized, the CPD re-sealed the box and place it (sic) into a vehicle on the street of the addressee under surveillance. Nobody approached the vehicle to retrieve the package and the box was retrieved after surveillance ceased.” Agents intercepted phone calls between Hernandez and Ortiz about the package. They “spoke numerous times over monitored telephones and were intercepted discussing in great detail how they had people on the street with this vehicle watching and that something was unusual,” according to court records. “The fact that a different colored tape was used to re-seal the box was noted.” Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The drug trafficking charge is punishable by 10 years to life in prison. As part of the plea agreement, Hernandez agreed to forfeit nearly $1.3 million and a home in Rancho Viejo. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20.
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page 7
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Family demands answers following fire near Palmview By Jose De Leon III Valeria Gutierrez remembers surprising her daughter with her favorite meal-an order of three-piece Whatachick’n strips from Whataburger before going to work. “[Versidy] opened the fridge and saw the meal and she’s like, ‘oh, you got me chicken strips?...Can I eat them?” Gutierrez recalled. “And I was like, ‘yeah they’re yours’ and she responded with ‘OK’ and went to her room to watch her TV and listen to her music. So the last time I spoke to her was about eating her chicken strips.” Shortly after being dropped off to work by her husband on Sunday, July 21, Gutierrez and her husband Ventura heard the devastating news that there was a fire at their home located in the 2900 block of Alejandra street near Palmview. Versidy, their oldest daughter, was inside the house. By that evening, Versidy was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire that took Versidy’s life gained local attention due to many social media criticisms on how the multiple fire departments that responded to the fire handled the case and the lack of fire hydrants in the neighborhood. Versidy’s parents joined the chorus of critics Wednesday after announcing at a press conference they have retained the services of San Antonio Attorney Chris Mayo who has hired a team of investigators to investigate the fire-and the responding fire departments. “What we want to do is get to the bottom of this and find out who was responsible for it,” Mayo said. “Our initial thought is somebody is responsible for this tragedy and could it have been prevented? If that’s the case, then of course we’re going to look to the county, the various cities involved, who took the call who didn’t take the call, who had the opportunity to take and didn’t do anything about it.” THE FIRE As previously reported, the Alton Fire Department arrived at the scene of the fire at around 3:05 p.m. When they got there, Emanuel Espinoza-the acting fire lieutenant on shift that daysaid that the structure was “fully engulfed.” “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” 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 incorpo-
rated to any cities. following the blaze. The Alton Fire DepartThe fire ultimately spread to two neigh- ment was accused of arriving to the scene as boring houses and a nearby shed and mobile much as 50 minutes after the call was made home. Versidy was found dead in the master and many posted about the department runbedroom located at the northwest corner of ning out of water multiple times. the house. Days after the incident, the Alton Fire DeThe Alton Fire Department stayed on the partment and the Hidalgo County Fire Marscene through 3 a.m. the following morning. shall held a press conference to combat the Multiple fire departments from across the Rio rumors. Grande Valley responded to the fire to proAlton arrived at the scene within five minvide aid. utes of the call and had plenty of water, offiVERSIDY cials stressed at that press conference. They Wednesday’s press conference marked tried multiple times to save Versidy. the first time the Gutierrez family has spoken That press conference, Mayo said Wednespublicly about the day, concerned him incident, and their and his clients. daughter who was “When I heard lost in the blaze. about this situa“Words like sad, tion, I had a lot of depressed, heartquestions as well. broken, they don’t One of which was even describe what why was the counI feel. I don’t want ty and the city fire other parents to chiefs so quick go through this,” to hold the press Gutierrez said. conference and to She and her issue statements husband, dressed coming up with in black, held excuses or reasons hands throughout why they acted the the press conferway they did. That ence where Guticoncerned the famerrez constantly ily as well,” Mayo fought back tears said. as she talked about At the Wednesher daughter. day press conferShe was a loveence, Ventura disable individual, puted Espinoza’s Gutierrez said. claims about the An AB honor roll scene and critiProgress times photo by Jose De Leon III. student who parcized the response ticipated in the Valeria Gutierrez speaks during a press time of the Alton spelling bee with conference Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019 Fire Department. an interest in sci- to discuss the fire that took the life of He said he arrived ence, computers her 11-year-old daughter Versidy. at the scene before and dancing. Her they did after dropdream was to open a pastry shop and she was ping off his wife at her work-the Subway loexcited about joining the dance team when cated near La Homa and FM 495. she started junior high school in a few years. “[Versidy] called me at 2:57 to tell me “Now that’s not going to happen and all there was a fire in the house, I told her to go her dreams are gone. She’s never gonna be outside and just sped home, running every able to have any more first days of school,” red light on the way,” Ventura said. “I arrived Gutierrez said. “I will never get tired of say- by 3 p.m. and the fire department wasn’t there ing she was so humble, so sweet, so funny and there wasn’t a fire inside the house, just and caring, She always put everybody, it a lot of black smoke. I tried to get to her but didn’t matter who, in front of her. Her lit- was pulled back [when the fire department tle sister has been asking about her and it’s arrived.]” a difficult conversation. We tried to just tell THE INVESTIGATION her that she’s sleeping and we will see her Investigators hired by Mayo found that again. We don’t know how we’re gonna do the initial 911 calls concerning the fire were life without her.” sent to the city of Palmview’s dispatch serTHE AFTERMATH vices, Mayo said. At the press conference, Questions about how the fire was han- Mayo criticized the city for not letting their dled-and accusations of mismanage- firefighters respond to the call. ment-quickly spread through social media “We know that the initial call that came
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in was the city that should have responded to the call-Palmview-and that Palmview passed on that call to the city of Alton,” Mayo said. “We want to find out why did they do that. We could speculate whether they thought they had an adequate team or whether or not they wanted to spend their resources for what they did because this was an unincorporated area in the county. Did that delay in response time become a contributing factor to her death?” Mayo also criticized the lack of fire hydrants in the area. Hidalgo County Fire Marshall John Franz previously said that the lack of a fire hydrant in the area was due to a lack of enforcement in residential fire codes in the county due to not meeting a population requirement. Because of the population count of around 775,000 in the county, neighborhoods are not required to have a fire hydrant. “That’s a cop out,” Mayo said, adding that three public schools near the Gutierrez should’ve been enough to install a fire hydrant in the area. PALMVIEW’S RESPONSE The day after Mayo’s comments, officials with the city of Palmview and their fire department held a press conference in response to claims from Mayo, calling them misleading and inaccurate. “The city of Palmview did not receive an emergency call in regard to the fire, and we certainly did not pass that call as Mr. Mayo falsely stated,” Palmview city Attorney Eric Flores said. Flores also criticized Mayo and his team for the allegations made against the city fire department and for not reaching out to them during Mayo’s investigation. The city received only a call from the Alton Fire Department to provide mutual aid, Flores said, adding that that fire became a priority and that Palmview fire Chief Jerry Alaniz dispatched three of their vehicles to the scene. Boundaries for the fire district are south of the 3 Mile Line from Moorefield to Iowa Roads, Alaniz said. The fire was north of the boundary. Mayo did not respond to a request for comment regarding the Thursday press conference. At the Thursday press conference, Flores said that no legal action is planned to be taken against Mayo, echoing Mayo’s comments made the day earlier when asked if Versidy’s parents were planning to file a lawsuit. “We want to make sure we do a careful investigation and make sure that these parties are actually getting engaged in improper conduct or negligence,” Mayo said. “And if they did, we’ve got to do this to help prevent anything like this happening in the future, that is the family’s goal.”
MALPRACTICE CASE
lawsuits, according to court records. The Law Funder hired Muñoz to protect that investment during the divorce. “Unbeknownst to Law Funder, Munoz had a close professional relationship with Judge Jesus Contreras, who was presiding over the Garcia divorce,” according to the 5th Circuit opinion. Contreras and Muñoz formed a professional corporation in March 2008, according to records filed with the Texas Secretary of State's Office. “About a year after Law Funder retained Munoz, an intervenor in the Garcia divorce with a competing claim to the SLM receiver funds discovered this conflict and moved to disqualify Judge Contreras,” according to the 5th Circuit opinion. “A different state-court judge heard the motion and ordered Judge Contreras disqualified. The state court subsequently voided all orders Judge
Contreras had entered in the case, including the order appointing the receivers. At this point, Law Funder had expended almost $2 million in attorney fees and expenses trying to collect SLM’s debt. Left without enough funding to start over, Law Funder ceased pursuing its claims in the Garcia divorce.” That prompted The Law Funder to file a federal lawsuit against Muñoz, accusing him of negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and legal malpractice. Muñoz denied the allegations. After years of litigation, Alvarez determined that Muñoz had “materially impeded the discovery process,” according to court records. As punishment, Alvarez struck Muñoz’s answer to the lawsuit from the record and signed a default judgment against him. Alvarez held a bench trial in September 2017 to determine the damages. Attorney Francisco
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“Frank” Rodriguez of McAllen, who represented Muñoz during the bench trial, called no witnesses and made no arguments. “I have no arguments, Judge, that would do any good,” Rodriguez said, according to the transcript. “I don’t appreciate the sidebar remark, Mr. --,” Alvarez responded. “Your Honor, I’m sincere,” Rodriguez said. “The Court has all the evidence before it, so --” “I do,” Alvarez said. “But I do not appreciate the remark, nonetheless.” Alvarez signed a nearly $3 million judgment against Muñoz, which included nearly $1.8 million that The Law Funder spent on the Garcia divorce case, $1.2 million that The Law Funder would have collected in the Garcia divorce case and about $21,000 that The Law Funder paid Muñoz. Armed with the judgment, The Law Funder went after Muñoz’s brokerage account, bank accounts and ownership interests in various businesses. The 5th Circuit didn’t agree with how Alvarez calculated the damages. “In sum, Munoz’s negligence might have cost Law Funder the $1,200,000 it expected to recover from the SLM receivers, or it might have cost Law Funder whatever portion of $1,767,430 it incurred after Munoz’s negligence in fruitless pursuit of the SLM receiver funds,” according to the 5th Circuit opinion. “But we can envision no scenario in which Munoz’s negligence cost Law Funder both.” The 5th Circuit sent the case back to Alvarez for a new trial and new calculation of damages. Muñoz’s attorneys requested a jury trial, not a bench trial. Alvarez didn’t make any promises Tuesday. “You did not appeal the denial of a jury trial,” Alvarez said, adding that the 5th Circuit didn’t address the issue. “So I will determine it.”
page 8 Speer Memorial Library 12th & Kika Loop Mission • 580-8750
UTRGV student to present
BETWEEN THE ‘Black History in the RGV’ program BOOKENDS
By William Renner Join the staff at Speer Memorial Library in Mission on Tuesday, Sept. 10, for a discussion of Little Fires Everywhere. It takes place in the library’s Community Room at 6:30 p.m. The general public is invited to the free discussion on the book. In 1998, Elena Richardson lives with her husband and four children in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a progressive suburb of Cleveland. Elena’s strict, rules-oriented life exemplifies the ideals of Shaker Heights, an orderly community where everything is planned—the streets, the houses, and even the lives of its residents. Mia Warren, a mysterious, free-spirited photographer and single mother who works part time at a Chinese restaurant, also resides in Shaker Heights, living with her teenage daughter in a rental house owned by Elena. Mark and Linda McCullough, friends of the Richardsons, have recently adopted a Chinese-American baby who had been abandoned at a fire station. Elena’s oldest daughter, fascinated by the story, tells Mia, who realizes that the baby is actually the daughter of a restaurant co-worker, Bebe
Chow. Bebe had abandoned the child due to economic adversity, but has since begun searching for her. Mia tells Bebe about the adoption, and Bebe sues for custody, creating a case that divides the peaceful community as residents take sides. Elena, who sides with the McCulloughs, is angry at Mia and decides to investigate Mia’s secret past. But, when Elena acts on the information that she finds, and the truth that she thinks she knows, it leads to costly and unforeseen consequences for herself and others. Written by Celeste Ng, and first published in 2017, Little Fires Everywhere is a novel about deep secrets, the bonds of motherhood, seeking happiness through planning and rules, and the misunderstandings and mistrust that can result. Copies of the book are available to check out for those who sign up for the book discussion. Stop by the library reference desk or call at 580-8754 to reserve a copy. The title is also available as an eBook and eAudiobook at hidalgocotx.oneclickdigital.com. Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.
EDINBURG – The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHiStory) hosts Jillian Glantz for a presentation on “Black History in the Rio Grande Valley” on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. This year marks the 400th anniversary of slaves being brought to North America, and slaves can be traced to the Rio Grande Valley (Valley) as far back as the 18th century. Glantz will discuss her research on a comprehensive history of African Americans in the Lower Valley and how their community has coexisted and intersected in a predominantly Hispanic region. In many instances, the Valley was a safe haven for African Americans fleeing slavery and prejudice, but sometimes racial violence still found a place here. Many efforts have been made to acknowledge and preserve the contributions of the black community in the RGV, including historical markers and an annual Juneteenth service to celebrate the arrival of the Emancipation Proclamation to Texas shores. Black history in the Rio Grande Valley is little known but quite rich, with families that have been here for generations. Glantz is a senior at the University of Texas Rio
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Gillian Glantz Grande Valley studying political science, criminal justice and Mexican American studies. She grew up in Dallas before spending several years in Austin directing short films and working on projects with talent such as Richard Linklater and Al Pacino. After a stint teaching English in Beijing, Glantz returned to the states and eventually made her way down to the Valley, where she is completing her bachelor’s degree. She is the recipient of the Engaged Scholar Award for Creative Works for her feature length documentary on crypto-Judaism in South Texas, “Remember My Soul,” which was recently requested by the Library of Congress for their collection on crypto-Judaic studies. She recently interned for the Buffet-McCain Institute’s Initiative to Combat Human Slavery and works as a student assistant with the UTRGV CHAPS program. The program is included in the regular museum admission. MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. For more information, call 956-383-6911.
Year round supplementary instruction to facilitate consistency in learning. One-onOne individualized programs formatted to the child’s instructional needs. (ages 3 and up) Consultation in academics including Literacy & Numarecy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Behavioral Support Solutions is developed • Sensory Integrative Approach by Dr. Tony Perez. Tony holds a Bachelor’s • The VB Curriculum Degree and a Master’s • Play Therapy Degree from the Univeristy of Texas Dr. Tony Perez Pan American and also Writing Curriculum completed his Doctorate Social Stories from North Central University, Arizona. • Graphic Organizers Within the past twelve years, Dr. Perez • Beginning, Middle, End (Comprehention) has served in teaching exceptional • New Jersey Writing Workshop children in PPCD, Self-Contained and Penmanship Inclusion settings. Dr. Perez Implements: • 9 Pre writing marks Best practices in teaching young children • Left to right prograssion with Autism and other developmental • Visul perception disabilities.The verbal behavior approach curriculum as presented by Dr. Vincent J. Carbone, BCBA at the Carbone The Reading Curriculum Clinic in New York City. During the last Social Stories Language Activities twelve years, Dr. Perez has taken his Alphabetic Principale: knowledge and experience to serve • Phonemic Awareness: Sounds children with Autism in Kuala Lumpur, • Graphoemic Knowledge: Letters Malaysia by providing professional • Blending Words development sessions and demostration • Words Families lessons to teachers • Onset & Rime and to The Malaysian Vocabulary: Autism Society. Tony • Sight Words is the Author of 9 lives • High Frequency Words and Stilll Running. In his • Word Study book, he writes about Comprehension: his toughest battle with • Social Stories cancer.
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EVENTS
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August 17 – Discover wildlife activities along the forest trails of Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset in McAllen, during the Nature Dective Walk from 9 to 10 a.m. Included in park admission. Contact Alejandra Rincon at 956-681-3388 or arincon@mcallen.net for more information. August 17 – Learn how to build an 8’x4’ raised garden bed with drip irrigation from Master Gardeners. It will be held at the South Texas Master Gardener Educational Garden, 509 E Earling Rd., San Juan, from 3 to 4 p.m. The program is free, but there is an option to purchase the irrigation kit for it at a cost of $30. Pre-registration is required; class size is limited. Register online at hidalgo.agrilife.org/horticulture/ upcoming-horticulture-events. Contact Claudia Villarreal-Quiroz at 956-681-3069 or cquiroz@mcallen.net for information. August 22 – Staff at Quinta Mazatlan hosts John O’Bryant, the Magic Dork, performing his interactive magic show from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children and seniors. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset, McAllen. August 24 – Attend the free Fall Vegetable Planting class from 9 to 11 a.m. at the South Texas Master Gardener Educational Garden, 509 E. Earling Rd., San Juan. Learn which vegetables to plant for the fall, preparation of the soil, when to plant by seed or transplants, and the importance of drip irrigation. Pre-registration is required; class size is limited. Register online at hidalgo.agrilife.org/horticulture/upcoming-horticulture-events. For information, contact Elena Almendarez at 956-383-1026 or ealmendarez@ag.tamu.edu (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
How to collect seeds from wild native plants is TMN topic PHARR – Christina Mild is guest speaker for the Aug. 19 meeting of the South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist and will explain how to harvest seeds from native plants. The meeting is at St. George Orthodox Church Hall, 704 W. Sam Houston in Pharr. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to meet with chapter members at the 6 p.m. social and attend the general meeting that follows. Admission is free. Mild’s presentation will include tips on collecting native plant seeds, which plants grow well from wild-collected seeds, cleaning seeds for storage, successful storing, and direct and other seed planting methods.
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Christina Mild Mild holds a master’s degree in biological sciences where she studied cell biology and quantitative chemistry. She has studied native plants at the University of Texas – Brownsville, University of Texas – Pan American and the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque. She has been a high school science teacher, volunteer elementary school science liaison and is a former director of the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. Mild wrote a weekly native plant column for five years for the Valley Morning Star, Rio Delta Wild, and has been the editor of the Native Plant Project newsletter, “Sabal,” since 2009. A founding member of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society, Mild also is a life member of the Valley’s Native Plant Project and an honorary member of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist. She began re-vegetation at Harlingen’s Hugh Ramsey Nature Park 22 years ago and continues to help train Master Naturalist volunteers about native plants and habitat theory in the park. For more information, visit stbctmn.org.
LJISD now offering CEP free student meals The La Joya Independent School District has announced a change in its policy for serving meals to children 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 administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals. For additional information, contact Galina O. Reyes, director of Child Nutrition Services, at 956-3232110 or via email at g.ojedadereyes@lajoyaisd.net.
August 16, 2019 from pg. 5 MISSION EAGLES “There’s a lot of team chemistry, a lot of bonds” said Alvarez. “We know we can have a good season because everyone is together as one unit . . . one heartbeat.” Having so many familiar faces around has helped that chemistry. “We have players on both sides of the ball back so we know that chemistry is there,” said Chavez. “The defensive line knows we (the secondary) have their back.” Duran feels it on the offensive side of the ball too. “We have a great bond. The timing (with the receivers) is still there. (So is) the communication with the offensive line,” said Duran. As a freshman, Duran was put to the test early and often last season when the team’s starting quarterback went down with an injury. Not a problem for someone who has been playing the position since he was about 6 years old. “I had a lot of confidence from practice, but that’s different from games,” said Duran. “My first play on varsity I threw a little duckish pass but it got there. It got my hopes really high. It gave me confidence that I can deal with these guys.” Detmer saw it too in a non-district game against Sharyland Pioneer.
“He was really good,” said Detmer. “That game really told you a lot about him. (Our) coaches, the team, the players, felt confident in him that if he did have to come in and play at any point he was going to be able to handle whatever came his way.” Duran eventually became the starter, helping the team win their last three regular season games to qualify for the post season. The young quarterback probably won’t have to carry the team by himself. Moronta returns as the team’s top rusher from 2018. He also had the most receptions from among the returning corps of receivers. So what should fans expect in 2019? “Our expectations and our goals probably exceed what anybody else would put out there,” said Detmer. “We set those standards and expectations and we talk about that as a team. One of the things that will be a big deal for us in our success this year is we have to eliminate the outside distractions. It’s great that people recognize what you have accomplished. But we have to eliminate that and focus on what our job is and what our standards and expectations are. We can’t allow someone else to set those.”
Ahumada echoed those same sentiments. “The standards are set high this year,” he said. “We’re going to try and surpass those standards.” Detmer concluded his remarks with his thoughts on the 2019 District 30-6A schedule. “Anybody will tell you, in our district, every week is a battle. It’s a challenge. There are no games where you can go in like OK we’re going to take care of business on this one. They are all tough games and if you’re not right or nicked up you can go out and get beat in any one of them. You have to play well every week.” “That’s our message,” said Detmer. “We’re excited (about the experience coming back). It will only play out for us if we continue to go through the process the right way.” Mission is scheduled to scrimmage Los Fresnos tonight at Los Fresnos and will host Mercedes in another scrimmage Thursday, August 22. Both are scheduled to begin at 7 pm. The Eagles open the regular season at Mission Veterans on Friday, August 30 and open district play on Friday, September 27 when they play host to McAllen Memorial.
Notices
Amara Hospice in Edinburg. Yolanda Flores MISSION – Yolanda Flores, 75, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center. Tomas Garcia MISSION – Tomas Garcia, 64, passed away on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at his home in Mission. Juan Godinez MISSION – Juan Anzaldua Godinez, 90, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Comfort House in McAllen. Refugio Llamas Jr. MISSION – Refugio Llamas Jr., 57, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at his home in Mission. Samuel Padilla MISSION – Samuel Padilla,
57, passed away on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. Silvano Reyna Sr. MISSION – Silvano Reyna Sr., 71, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg. Frank Tauschek PALMVIEW – Frank Leo Tauschek, 88, passed away on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at Mission Valley Nursing and Transitional Care. Dorotea Villegas MISSION – Dorotea Lopez Villegas, 82, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg.
Gail Alsup MISSION – Gail A. Alsup, 83, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at Mission Valley Nursing and Transitional Care. Sammie Dyer MISSION – Sammie Lou Dyer, 90, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at The Bridges in Mission. Marvin Ervine MISSION – Marvin Jerry Ervine, 89, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen. Ciro Flores MISSION – Ciro Ernesto Flores, 64, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at
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MCISD DRESS CODE
dress requirement. The dress code will be discussed with the students and parents during the scheduled in-take conference. 26. The discretion of the principal or his/her designee will prevail. The student and parent may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the general guidelines set out above in the District’s dress code. If the principal determines that a student’s grooming violates the dress code, the stu-
from pg. 5
dent shall be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school. If not corrected, the student shall be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day. A student whose clothing violates the dress code shall be assigned to in-school suspension either for the remainder of the day or until a parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing to the school. Repeated offenses may result in more serious disciplinary action. Appropriate discipline procedures shall
be followed in all cases. The principal, in cooperation with the sponsor, coach, or other person in charge of an extracurricular activity, recognition ceremony, or Board recognition event, may regulate the dress and grooming of students who participate in the activity. Students who violate those standards may be removed or excluded from the activity for a period determined by the principal or sponsor and may be subject to other disciplinary action.
PALMVIEW LOBOS
healthy. We changed our off-season program a little bit to get a bit stronger. That’s what allowed us to stay healthy for the whole season and that’s what made the difference.” Leading the way for the Lobos’ offense this season will be senior quarterback David Gonzalez. Having played receiver his prior two seasons on the varsity, this will be Gonzalez’s first season under center. So why is he just now getting an opportunity to be the Lobos’ signal caller? “The reason I kept him out of quarterback is because we had a guy that had been playing quarterback for a couple of years and David, who played quarterback when he was younger, was our best receiver,” Requenez said. “I wanted to make sure that I had my best guy out there to try to catch the ball. But this year since he’s a senior, he wanted to take the reins of the offense, so he’s getting his chance.” At 5-foot-8 and 158 pounds, Gonzalez is not especially big for a quarterback. However, he is looking forward to proving that he has what it takes to be successful. But that’s not all he’s looking forward to. “I’m looking forward to being able to depend on my team every time we take the
field,” Gonzalez said. Even though this is only the second year that the Lobos and the Mission Veterans Patriots have been district foes, a rivalry, and some animosity, has already developed between the two teams. Case in point, when asked which 16-5A-1 team he is looking forward to playing the most and why, Gonzalez said, “Mission Vets because we had some trash talking with them last year. They talk the most and we’re going to do our best to shut them up this year.” Junior defensive end Miguel Alaniz shared what he believes it will take for the Lobos to have an even better season this year than last when he said, “We need to be more conditioned, because we play better when we’re conditioned. We’re also going to need every player to do more. And finally, we need to pray to have a better season.” As for what he likes the best about playing defensive end, the 6-foot 200 pound Alaniz said, “My favorite thing is to sack the quarterback. But I also like making them run the ball so that we can have the advantage defensively.” Lobos’ junior left guard Albert Vargas is in his second season on the varsity and in his second season as
a starter. When asked what he believes the key to his team’s success is, Vargas said, “We’re a pretty conditioned team and a we’re a strong team. We go outside every day and work hard. And as a team we all give it everything we have every time we’re on the field.” Like Gonzalez, Vargas is looking forward to going up against the Patriots the most this season. When asked why, the 5-foot-7 225 pound offensive lineman said, “We had a little problem with them last year and we want to settle things up with them this year.” Unlike Gonzalez and Vargas, junior strong safety Fernando Cavazos is not looking forward to playing Mission Vets as much as he’s looking forward to playing the La Joya Coyotes in the Lobos’ only non-district game of the season. “The Coyotes have always been a very strong running team and I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to stop that,” Cavazos said. That non-district game between the Lobos and the Coyotes will be taking place Friday, August 30 at 7:30 pm. The Lobos will then be opening their district schedule
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BACK TO SCHOOL
district where we try to provide as many of their back to school related needs in one event so they can get it all done at once,” district spokesman Craig Verley said. “This year we have a total of 2,500 backpacks that are available to be given out to Mission CISD students. It’s through the generosity of our communities and businesses that donated these items that we were able to do this. It’s solely based on community support. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to do it.” According to Verley, several organizations such as the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, the Progress Times newspaper, The Lions Club and more pitched in to purchase the backpacks and the supplies they were filled with. “It’s our duty and responsibility of the community to come together and for those of us that are able to give to others, to do so,” Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Enriquez said. “I feel the community has a responsibility to give back. We understand a child needs at least a backpack so they
can put their stuff together, they’re our future.” Enriquez said that thanks to their annual golf tournament, the chamber was able to donate $6,000 to be used to purchase 2,000 backpacks. “I think we need to do more,” Enriquez said. The Back to School Bash features MCISD cosmetology students providing free haircuts, local doctors providing sports physicals for $20, online registrations for classes and organizations such as The Lions Club and Hidalgo County Health Department providing vision screenings and immunizations, respectively. Live entertainment was provided by performers in the district. Parents were also given information on various programs in the district available in each of the district’s 23 campuses that serves 16,000 students. According to Verley-doors to the event didn’t open until 6 p.m. but many parents were lining up as early as noon to attend. “It’d be more of a struggle for some families if they didn’t have this,” Verley said.
“For families who have several children, it’s not going to be everything they need but it will save them a lot of money when they do try to complete their back to school shopping.” Verley added that any leftover backpacks from the Back to School Bash are distributed among the district to be given to students on the first day of school. “We want parents to know we’re here to serve the needs of the community,” MCISD Superintendent Carolina “Carol” G. Perez said. “We are opening our doors to our community’s children and we care. We want to make sure they’re prepared for school. It’s exciting to see parents and students here.” Perez said the Back to School Bash alleviates financial strain for most families, as shown by Liliana Rodriguez, who attended the event with her husband and their two sons. “Supplies can get expensive, so this saves us a lot,” Rodriguez said. “We’re getting nearly half of the school supplies my kids need for school today. It’s a beneficial
Free and Reduced-Price Meals Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)—Base Year The La Joya Independent School District announced today a change to its policy for serving meals to children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2019–2020 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 administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals. For additional information, please contact the following person: La Joya Independent School District Attention: Galina O. Reyes, Director Child Nutrition Services 7311 Ann Richards Road Mission, Texas 78572 (956) 323-2110/ email: g.ojedadereyes@lajoyaisd.net NONDISCRMINATION POLICY: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student Galina O. Reyes, Director for Child Nutrition Services
event.” La Joya Independent School District La Joya ISD held their 5th annual Back to School Bash at each high school in the district from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. According to a press release from the district, the event “is geared at bringing together each high school (with their feeder middle schools and elementaries) with the goal of providing their cluster community with free amenities that will prepare them for the new school year.” Attendees of the Back to School Bash were met with a showcase of La Joya ISD schools and a meet and greet with the principals of each campus. At the La Joya High School location, Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School Principal Antonio Uresti said that events like these help the community as a whole. “We service a geographical area where a lot of kids are living in poverty,” Uresti said. “It lessens the burden on the parents to buy school supplies, so it’s beneficial to a lot of our children and families.” Uresti pointed out that
the line outside prior to the event was quite long, and even though it was over 100 degrees outside, there were hundreds of kids and parents willing to wait. Donations from city officials and sponsors funded the bash, and included representation from Sullivan City, city of La Joya, city of Peñitas and the city of Palmview. Their contributions included a wide range of school supplies for all grade levels. LJISD Board President Claudia Ochoa said it was great to see so many families able to be taken care of as far as school supplies, haircuts and immunizations. “I love to see their little faces,” Ochoa said. “It reminds me of what La Joya ISD is: it’s a community.” Ochoa commended the community members who contributed to the event, saying it’s important they show up to support their children. “It’s about supporting the effort to educate our kids and prepare them for the 20192020 school year,” Ochoa said. “It’s so good to see the kids excited about school supplies. It changes a kid’s men-
tality.” Among other services being offered were individual immunization information, access to online registration, free haircuts and free books for La Joya ISD students. Several school district departments were also available with information, such as transportation, migrant, athletics and parental involvement. Dr. Gisela Saenz, the LJISD Superintendent, went to all three locations to see the outreach of the district’s Back to School Bash. According to her, it is important that school districts find every possible avenue that evens the playing field for all students. “We already know that the first day of school is really exciting for kids,” Saenz said. “But when a student has a brand new backpack and brand new school supplies, I think they’re that much more excited to come to school. And they’ll all be proud and confident.”
Free and Reduced-Price Meals Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)—Año Base El Distrito Escolar La Joya Independent School District anuncio hoy el cambio de su póliza para servir comidas a los niños servidos bajo el Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares y el Programa de Desayuno Escolar para el año escolar 2019-2020. Las escuelas que califican para proporcionar el programa Community Eligibility Provision(CEP) ofrecen el desayuno y el almuerzo a todos los niños sin costo y eliminar la colección de las solicitudes de comidas gratuitas, de precio reducido, o pagadas por los estudiantes. Este nuevo enfoque reduce la carga tanto para las familias como para los administradores de la escuela y ayuda a asegurar que los estudiantes reciban comidas nutritivas. Para obtener información adicional, por favor póngase en contacto con:La Joya Independent School District Attention: Galina O. Reyes, Director Child Nutrition Services 7311 Ann Richards Road Mission, Texas 78572 (956) 323-2110/ email: g.ojedadereyes@lajoyaisd.net
Política de no Discriminación: En conformidad con la Ley Federal de Derechos Civiles y los reglamentos y polízas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés), se prohíbe que el USDA, sus agencias, oficinas, empleados e instituciones que participan o administran programas del USDA discriminen sobre la base de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o en represaria o venganza por actividades previas de derechos civiles en algún programa o actividad realizados o financiados por el USDA. Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten medios alternativos para la comunicación de la información del programa (por ejemplo, sistema Braille, letras grandes, cintas de audio, lenguaje de señas americano, etc.), deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) en la que solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades de audición o discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service [Servicio Federal de Retransmisión] al (800) 877-8339. Además, la información del programa se puede proporcionar en otros idiomas. Para presentar una denuncia de discriminación, complete el Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación del Programa del USDA, (AD-3027) que está disponible en línea en: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html y en cualquier oficina del USDA, o bien escriba una carta dirigida al USDA e incluya en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de denuncia, llame al (866) 632-9992. Haga llegar su formulario lleno o carta al USDA por: (1) correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; o (3) correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
August 16, 2019
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THE C L AS SI F I E D S
The City of Mission will hold a Public Drainage Meeting on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd, Mission, Texas.
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 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 2 Weeks = $10 4 Weeks = $14 by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.
The Public is invited to attend.
For Sale USE HAPPY JACK PARACIDE shampoo to control fleas & ticks on dogs & cats, eliminate doggy odor, & restore glossy coat, at Tractor Supply (w w w.ke n n e l v a x. com).
Personal SINGLE MALE seeks female 35-60
yrs and enjoys karaoke, will relocate, call 903-246-5333 or email albertogiliberti@yahoo.com. away.com, Services LASER ENGRAVING SERVICES on different materials, customized name tags, wood cutting boards, signs, trophies and much more, call 956-3698140 for more details.
ORDINANCE NO. 4810 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A NON-RESIDENTIAL PARKING, 1101 SLABAUGH AVENUE, LOT 7, BLOCK 183, MISSION ORGINAL TOWNSITE READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: A 7.557 acre tract, and also being a part or portion of shares 3, 4 and 5, San Jose Subdivision, from (AO-I) Agricultural Open Interim to (R-1A) Large Lot Single Family Residential; and Rezoning: A 6.545 acre tract of land being the North 241.00 feet of Lot 27-2, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, from (AOI) Agricultural Open Interim to (R-1) Single Family Residential Abandonment of 20’ Street right-ofway easement on a 0.124 acre tract of land, more or less, being the West 271.11 feet of an existing 20-foot street right-of-way located adjacent to North line of Lots 5 & 6, Yewell Subdivision If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4811
ORDINANCE NO. 4812
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR A HOME OCCUPATION LICENSED CHILD DAY CARE – 4204 SAN ROMAN, LOT 26, PASEO LINDO PHASE 2 SUBDIVISION
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO PLACE A PORTABLE BUILDING FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES – TUTORING SERVICE, CITIZENSHIP & GED PREPARATION, 511 W. 11TH STREET, LOTS 1 & 2, BLOCK 178, MISSION ORIGINAL TOWNSITE SUBDIVISION
READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4813 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS AMENDING ARTICLE II – CITY COUNCIL. SECTION 2-34 – PROCEDURE FOR PRESENTATIONS TO COUNCIL SUBSECTION (a) AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Herta Macho, Deceased, were issued on April 12, 2019, in Cause No. P-39,278, pending in the Probate Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, to: David Perez. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: DARRELL DAVIS, attorney King, Guerra, Davis & Garcia 301 E. Tom Landry St. Mission, TX 78572 956-585-1622
SHERIFF’S SALE REAL PROPERTY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That by virtue of a certain Writ of Execution/ Order of Sale Cause No. C-4604-17-F issued out of the Honorable 332nd District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas on the 11th day of July 2019, and styled HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION OF CIMARRON, INC., Plaintiff(s) VS Jorge Alarcon, Defendant(s) for the sum of Four Thousand One Hundred Seventy Four Dollars Seventy Nine Cents ($4,174.79), before a credit of One Thousand Five Hundred Seventy Seven Dollars Eighteen Cents ($1,577.18) for payments made (actual damages of Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Dollars Seventy Two Cents ($767.72); Attorney’s fees in the amount of Two Thousand Sixty Seven Dollars Ninety Eight Cents ($2,067.98); Court cost of Three Hundred Fifteen Dollars Eighty Seven Cents ($315.87); service fees of One Hundred Ninety Dollars No Cents ($190.00); for post judgment interest from December 4, 2018, through the anticipated foreclosure date of September 3, 2019, in the amount of Eighty Three Dollars Twenty Two Cents ($83.22); and Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars No Cents ($750.00) in Attorney fees for the projected cost of handling the foreclosure, together with the Sheriff’s fees, under Judgment in favor of HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION OF CIMARRON, INC. and placed in my hands for service on JULY 18, 2019, I, J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, as Sheriff of Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 29th day of July 2019, levy on certain Real Property, situated in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit: 2124 SABINAL STREET, MISSION, TEXAS 78572, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 20, BLOCK 6, CIMARRON COUNTRY CLUB SUBDIVISION, SECTION-2, PHASE-1, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS. And levied upon as the property of JORGE ALARCON and that on the first Tuesday in the month of September 2019, the same being the 3rd day of said month, at 2802 South Business Highway 281, Hidalgo County Administrative Building, Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by virtue of said levy and said Writ of Execution/ Order of sale, I will sell said above real estate at public venue, for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of JORGE ALARCON, and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English Language, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a Newspaper in Hidalgo County, Texas. Witness my hand on this 30th day of July 2019
956 TOWING AND RECOVERY, LLC 1515 W. 3 Mile Rd. Mission, Texas 78573
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mission Planning and Zoning will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 28, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lot 7, Villa Capri Subdivision, from (AOI) Agricultural Open Interim to (R-2) Duplex-Fourplex Residential; and Rezoning: Lot 12, Block 81, Mission Original Townsite Subdivision, from (R-1) Single Family Residential to (R-2) Duplex-Fourplex Residential If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
READ, CONSIDERED, AND PASSED THIS THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST, 2019. Dr. Armando O’caña, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
Notice to Lender Notice to: Jerry Bridgewater, 1820 S. Bentsen Rd., McAllen, Texas, 78503. The records of the Mission Historical Museum reflect that you have property on loan to it. The property was received by the museum on July 14, 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 956-580-8646). 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.
(956) 585-8245 • Fax 581-6668 • TdlR VsF lic. no. 0640957 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN RULE 85.704. SUBCHAPTER D, FROM CHAPTER 85, PART 4 OF TITLE 16 IN THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, WE ARE OFFICIALLY NOTIFYING YOU THAT THE BELOW DESCRIBED MOTOR VEHICLE(S) HELD IN OUR CUSTODY ARE TO BE PICKED UP, REMOVED AND ALL CHARGES PAID WITHIN (30) DAYS. FAILURE OF THE OWNER OR LIENHOLDER TO CLAIM VEHICLE(S) BEFORE THE DATE OF SALE IS A WAIVER OF ALL RIGHT, TITLE, AND INTEREST OF VEHICLE(S). AND ALSO A CONSENT TO THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE IN PUBLIC SALE ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAW. 2ND NOTICE MAKE MODEL VIN# BALANCE YEAR CIMC TRAILER 527SR5323FM004806 $3,407.00 2015 TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED.
Sharyland Independent School District Public Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs
Distrito Escolar Independiente de Sharyland Notificación Pública de No Discriminación en Programas de Educación Técnica y Vocacional
Sharyland Independent School District offers career and technical education programs in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Architecture and Construction; Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications; Business Management and Administration/Finance; Education and Training; Health Science; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics. Admission to these programs is based on interest and aptitude, course sequencing, age appropriateness, and class space availability. Some programs require an application process.
El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Sharyland ofrece programas de Educación Técnica y Vocacional en ciencias agrícolas; arquitectura y construcción; artes, tecnología y comunicación; gestión empresarial y administración/ finanzas; educación y entrenamiento; ciencia de la salud; servicios humanos; información técnica; ley y seguridad pública; ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas; y transporte y distribución. La admisión a estos programas se basa en las aplicaciones recibidas, edad apropiada, año escolar, aptitud e interés, y la secuencia lógica de cursos. Algunos programas requieren un proceso de admisión.
It is the policy of Sharyland ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. It is the policy of Sharyland ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Sharyland ISD will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs. For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator, Deborah Garza, at 1200 N. Shary Rd. Mission, TX 78572, (956) 580-5200.
Es norma del Distrito Escolar de Sharyland no discriminar en sus programas, servicios o actividades vocacionales por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación de 1972; y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda. Es norma del Distrito Escolar de Sharyland no discriminar en sus procedimientos de empleo por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación de 1972; la ley de Discriminación por Edad de 1975, según enmienda; y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda. El Distrito Escolar de Sharyland tomará las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso del inglés no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en todos los programas educativos y vocacionales. Para información sobre sus derechos o procedimientos para quejas, comuníquese con la Coordinadora del Título IX, Deborah Garza, en 1200 N. Shary Rd. Mission, TX 78572, (956) 580-5200.
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August 16, 2019