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Vol. 48 - #14
Progress times Friday, November 22, 2019
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International Fire Academy formed with STC, Mission and Nuevo Leon By Jamie Treviño The Valley will become host to several trainee firefighters thanks to a new program implemented this week. On Wed. Nov. 20, representatives from Monterrey, Nuevo León met with city leaders from Mission and South Texas College to discuss the beginning of the International Fire Academy, an agreement between communities in the U.S. and Mexico. The program will allow future firefighters from Mexico to train alongside fire science students at the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (located at 3901 S. Cage Blvd. in Pharr). While it is starting with trainees from Nuevo León, Mission Mayor Armando O’caña said they are planning on opening up the program to all of the sister cities partnered with Mission. “We want to give all 20 of our sister cities the opportu-
Records: Agua SUD employee arrested after smoking synthetic marijuana in government vehicle By Dave Hendricks Officers arrested an Agua Special Utility District employee last week after he fell asleep behind the wheel of a government-owned truck while smoking synthetic marijuana, according to court records. Palmhurst police Officer Rene Vela arrested Abraham Lopez Jr., 44, of Mission on Nov. 11, when he fell asleep behind the wheel and suddenly stopped on the 1000 block of East 3 Mile Line. “Officer Vela exited his unit and attempted to make contact with the driver of the vehicle,” according to Palmhurst Municipal Court records, but Lopez didn’t
Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.
Mission Mayor Armando O’caña (left) and Alejandro José Maiz Garza of Monterrey, Nuevo León (right), sign documents signalling the collaboration between international communities and the creation of the International Fire Academy with STC.
nity to send two firefighters into this academy,” O’caña said. “At the onset it’s Nuevo León, but Fortín de los Flores, Veracruz has already committed, and Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas.” The event included a presentation from Victor Fonseca of the STC Fire Science program, who showed videos about the training offered at the college. “Usually colleges are good at creating relationships, so this is an opportunity for us to work with this group from Monterrey to help them develop their firefighters,” said STC Dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology Mario Reyna. “We can teach the lecture part everywhere, but I think they want us to take them out there and show them how to use the equipment to their benefit.”
See FIRE ACADEMY Pg. 11
La Joya ISD terminates agreement with nonprofit By Dave Hendricks
Abraham Lopez Jr., respond. “Officer Vela observed the driver of the vehicle have what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette clenched between his right index finger and thumb.” Lopez is charged with driving while intoxicated-third offense or more, a third-degree felony. Officers booked Lopez at the Hidalgo County jail on Nov. 12. He remained in jail on Nov. 20 and couldn’t be reached for comment. The incident that resulted in Lopez’s arrest started at 10:57 a.m. on Veterans Day, when Officer Vela approached the intersection of East 3 Mile Line and Mayberry Road.
See AGUA SUD Pg. 4
ANTI CHILD LABOR ART AUCTION
The La Joya school board terminated a partnership with a nonprofit organization last week after trustees determined the district — not the nonprofit organization — should feed students after school. RGV Read and Feed, a local nonprofit organization, provides free meals to students through a program funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture. After a heated discussion on Nov. 11, the board terminated the agreement. “I want to revisit this,” said Trustee Claudia Ochoa. “I want to postpone it until we have a smooth transition.” Trustee Mary T. Hernandez, however, motioned to terminate the agreement after Child Nutrition Services Director Galina O. Reyes assured the board her department could handle the after-school meals program. “To answer your question,
BOYS & GIRLS OF MISSION PG. 8
RIBBON CUTTING
we operate five programs,” Reyes said, responding to Ochoa. “So we have the experience and training to conduct those programs and to smoothly transition from program to program.” A majority of the board sided with Hernandez and voted to end the agreement effective Dec. 31. Peñitas City Councilman Alex Guajardo, who works for the school district, formed RGV Read and Feed with his wife, Roxanna, and South Texas College Trustee Victoria “Vicky” Cantu, the wife of La Joya school board Trustee Alex
LA JOYS ISD OFFERS INTERNSHIPS PG. 9
PG. 10
Cantu, in March 2017. Three months later, the school district approved a “memorandum of agreement” with RGV Read and Feed. Under the agreement, the district allowed RGV Read and Feed to access La Joya campuses. In return, RGV Read and Feed agreed to provide free meals to students after school. The Texas Department of Agriculture paid for the meals through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. To serve the school district, RGV Read and Feed opened a commercial kitchen and hired more than 50 people, Vicky Cantu said. RGV Read and Feed also provided free meals at local apartment complexes, churches, and the Mission Boys & Girls Club. Rumors about wrongdoing and concerns about potential conflicts of interest dogged RGV Read and Feed from the start.
See RGV READ & FEED Pg. 4
INDEX Entertainment.......pg. 2 Lifestyle.....................pg. 3 Sports........................pg. 6 Obits........................pg. 11 Classifieds..............pg.12
www.ptrgv.com
Mission approves 2-year agreement with ‘Live PD’ By Dave Hendricks
The Mission City Council approved a two-year agreement with the production company behind the A&E television show “Live PD” on Monday. Mayor Armando “Doc” O’cana and the City Council unanimously approved the agreement with Big Fish Entertainment on Monday afternoon, extending the contract until July 31, 2020. “I think, in general, this program has been very positive for us,” said police Chief Robert Dominguez. Broadcast on Friday and Saturday nights, “Live PD” mixes pre-recorded segments with “Almost Live” material from participating law enforcement agencies. The “Almost Live” video is broadcast with a 10to 25-minute delay, which allows the department to review the footage for sensitive information. Officers may also request the camera crew stop recording at any time. Mission started allowing camera crews to accompany patrol officers in 2016, when A&E launched the show. Under the agreement, “Live PD” follows two or three police officers from the department every season. The camera crews include a videographer, an audio technician and, when necessary, a producer. “At the very beginning, I was a little bit skeptical,” Dominguez said, adding that he believed “Border Wars” and similar TV shows cast the region in a negative light. During the past four years, however, “Live PD” broadcast all aspects of police work, Dominguez said. Viewers watched officers make arrests, reunite lost dogs with their owners and skateboard with kids. Dominguez said that approach set “Live PD” apart from other crime-focused reality TV shows. “As an example: Same show, ‘Live PD,’ approached me about two months ago. They wanted to do another show. They wanted us to get on another show called ‘Warrants.’ And that’s about kicking in doors with SWAT teams and stuff like that,” Dominguez said. “And, obviously, I believe that that portrayal, even though it’s normal for us in the policing world, it’s nothing to put on television.” Several officers who appeared on “Live PD” developed large followings
See LIVE PD Pg. 11
The City of La Joya would like to invite the public to participate in its Angel Christmas Tree. All Donations will benefit
You can make a difference by making a donation today. No amount is too big or too small.
• 50¢ minimum per Angel • Your donation will go a long way and the City of La Joya will match every donation. • Angel Christmas Tree is located at: La Joya Public Utility Dept. 701 E. Expressway 83, La Joya, Texas 78560
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November 22, 2019
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Concert to raise scholarship funds McALLEN – The McAllen Music Club will host a free concert featuring Joe Munguia, pianist and organist. The performance will be held on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. at Valley Keyboards, 900 E. Harvey St. in McAllen. Donations to the McAllen
Music Club’s Scholarship Fund will be accepted. The scholarships go to deserving students who are pursuing a degree in music. Munguia has been playing piano and organ since age 7. As a trombonist, he played in high school, college, and
Coming Attractions November 22 • The UTRGV Patron of the Arts presents the 21st Annual La Noche de la Guitarra at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. The event brings guitarists from across the RGV together for a wide array of solo and guitar ensemble styles by over 60 guitar players. General admission is $10 and $5 for seniors and students. For special accommodations, call 956-882-7025. November 22-24 • The UTRGV Department of Theatre presents the comedy “She Stoops to Conquer” at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre in Edinburg. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $15, $10 for senior citizens and military; and $5 for UTRGV students, faculty and staff with valid I.D. Purchase tickets online at patron.utrgv. edu. November 24 • Bill Haugeberg, trombonist, and the McAllen String Quar-
with the Valley Symphony Orchestra. His career has had him touring with international artist Jose Jose, a world famous Mexican singer/musician, and with internationally famous musician Noe Pro. Munguia will be performing a variety of genres on the organ
including oldies but goodies, country, romantic standards and Mexican favorites, with a few surprises thrown in. His playing will feature the Lowrey organ, the piano, and the Clavinova.
tet, perform at 3 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. The performance features new works by UTRGV professors Jason Mitchell and Justin Writer. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-882-7025. November 25 • The UTRGV Low Brass Choir and UTRGV Trombone Quartet (Sondio Sin Fronteras) are presenting a recital of low brass chamber works under the direction of Dr. William Haugeberg at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-882-7025. • The UTRGV Saxophone Ensembles will give a concert under the direction of Dr. Cynthia Cripps at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Admission is free. November 26 • Enjoy the rhythms and the beats during the UTRGV Night of Percussion, an evening of percussion music featuring the UTRGV Percussion Ensemble, drum line, Mexican marimba ensemble, and Afro-Cuban ensemble. It begins at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Admission is free. (For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)
The IMAS Christmas tree forest, created by community members, opens the holiday season on Nov. 24.
IMAS Christmas Tree Forest opens Nov. 24 McALLEN – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is busy decking the halls in anticipation of the exhibition of community-decorated trees for the lighting of the annual Christmas Tree Forest, a five-decade tradition. The Christmas Tree Forest exhibit opens Sunday, Nov. 24, and will be on display through Jan. 4,
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As we begin this holiday season, a time for thanks and a time for reflection - I thank God for all the tremendous blessings He has bestowed upon me - family, friends, and health. I thank Him for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Hidalgo County as your Judge of the 206th District Court. I also want to thank the many people who make it all possible, especially the citizens of Hidalgo County that we serve. May everyone have a very happy, healthy and safe holiday. May God Bless You!
Judge Rose Guerra Reyna Pol. Adv. Paid for by Rose Guerra Reyna Campaign John Skaggs - Treasurer, P.O. Box 2285, McAllen, Texas 78502-2285; 956-687-8203.
May the good things of life be yours in abundance, not only at Thanksgiving but throughout the coming year.
Happy Thanksgiving CONSTABLE
Larry Gallardo and Family
POLITICAL AD PAID FOR BY THE CANDIDATE.
November 22, 2019
August 16, 2019
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Holiday Village lights up Nov. 25 BROWNSVILLE – Take a stroll through Holiday Village and get in the spirit of the season at Dean Porter Park, 501 E. Ringgold St. in Brownsville. Festivities run from 6 to 9 p.m., and the lights come on at 7 p.m. next Monday, Nov. 25. It will be on display through Jan. 1, 2020. Admission to view the village is free. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lights come on at 6 p.m. Food vendors and entertainment are all part of the opening night celebration, and 1,000 free donuts will be given away. Throughout the season, Santa Claus will make special appearances every Friday and Saturday night for free photos. Check the online calendar at holidayvillage-
MHS Treble Choir to perform Ten Mission Eagle Choir members earned spots for the TMEA District Treble Choir recently. They will perform with the District Treble Choir at the UTRGV Performing Arts Center, 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg, on Saturday, Nov. 23. The concert is free and open to the public. Choir members shown, front row, left to right, are Abigail Rivera, Jetlynn Gonzalez, Alexis Garza and Angie Clemente. Back row, same order, are Karen Mendoza, Kayla Alcantar, Daniela Serrato, Joselin Garza and Sophie Ortiz. Not pictured is Leslie Saenz.
EVENTS
CALENDAR
November 23 – The staff at the Edinburg World Birding Center invites the public to join in a Poke Quest adventure to learn about the real life animals that inspired the creatures of the Pokemon world, and the adaptations they share. The program is free for members and $2 for nonmembers. Registration is required. For more information, or to register, call 956-381-9922. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria, Edinburg. November 28 – The 11th Annual RGV Turkey Trot runs from 7 to 10 a.m. at Bentsen Palm Park, 1801 S. Inspiration Rd., Mission. It is hosted by RGV Cycling & Running. (For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)
MOSTHistory to host Texas Mexican cooking demonstration EDINBURG – The comfort food of Texas Mexican cooking is coming to the Museum of South Texas History with a special presentation featuring a book signing and cooking demonstration by Chef Adán Medrano on Friday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. MOSTHistory is located 200 N. Closner Blvd. Medrano will demonstrate dishes from his most recent cookbook, “Don’t Count the Tortillas—The Art of Texas Mexican Cooking.” In his book, Medrano focuses on the aesthetic aspects of cooking that impact identity and community, with more than 100 recipes that illustrate the modern cooking in Texas kitchens. The cooking demonstration will feature three local dishes inspired by Medrano’s research: chacales, caldo de chayote and chipotle en adobo. At the end of the presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to sample three unique dishes. Medrano will sign copies of his cookbook, which will be available for purchase in the museum store. Medrano is a food writer and chef, specializing in the indigenous foods of Texas and the Americas and spent 23 years working throughout Latin America, Europe and Asia. He returned to the U.S. in 2010 to focus on the culinary traditions of the Mexican American and Native American communities of Texas and the indigenous cooking of the Americas. He is currently president of “The Texas Indigenous Food Proj-
Chef Adán Medrano ect.” Medrano has lectured about food and culture at academic institutions, including the Harvard University Co-op and Northeastern University. Last year, he was invited to Moscow by the U.S. Ambassador to Russia as the featured chef for the July 4th U.S. official celebration. Medrano has showcased his recipes at the Museum Of Fine Arts, Houston; at the California, New York and Texas campuses of the Culinary Institute of America, as well as at The Briscoe Western Art Museum, the American Book Center in Amsterdam, and the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival in Great Britain. Admission to the program is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and over), students (13 and over) and active military; $5 for children ages 4 to 12; free for children ages 3 and under. Museum members get in free. For more information, call 956-383-6911 or visit mosthistory.org/events.
brownsville.com to see the line-up of evening entertainment and for more information throughout the month. Large than doll size, and smaller than life-size, 33 themed cottages and businesses are decorated for the season to take imaginations on a journey through the carefully crafted miniature town. Several buildings are replicas of their real life counterparts, such as Brownsville’s historic Stillman House and the Immaculate Conception cathedral. Others are the creative Christmas fantasies of imaginations set free – the Elfementary School Bus, Village Sleigh Sales & Service and Santa’s Hunting & Fishing Lodge. And even more make a whimsical depiction of life found in any village from city hall and the local bank to the town library and schoolhouse.
The historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral has been replicated for the annual Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville. The village will be on display Nov. 25 to Jan. 1, 2020. Admission is free.
14th Annual WINTER WONDERLAND
Christmas Parade December 14th at 10:30am South Leo Ave. FREE Parade Entry for more info contact La Joya City Hall 956-581-7002
May the holiday bring you good things in abundance that stay wtih you all year long. from Norberto “Beto” Salinas
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November 22, 2019
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Judge stops La Joya City Commission from meeting — again By Dave Hendricks For the second time in less than a month, a judge on Monday blocked the La Joya City Commission from holding a meeting. Hidalgo County Court-atLaw #6 Judge Albert Garcia signed a temporary restraining order against the city of La Joya at 9:30 a.m. Monday, just hours before the City
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Commission planned to discuss controversial employment contracts with more than a dozen city workers. “Why have elected officials if they can’t perform what they’re supposed to be doing for the community?” said Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas. The bizarre legal battle started on Oct. 29, when La Joya announced the City
RGV READ & FEED
“People, because of politics, try to paint a perception, a negative perception, that’s not there,” Alex Cantu said. In November 2017, just eight months after RGV Read and Feed incorporated, a deputy constable stopped a car in Peñitas. RGV Read and Feed employees in the car had a large amount of food. Concerned the food had been stolen from schools, the Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office contacted the Texas Rangers. “We had TDA audit us all last year. We’ve had the Texas Rangers on us. We’ve had USDA on us,” Vicky Cantu said, referring to the Texas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “They couldn’t find anything against us. So what did they do? They took us out of the school district. The state couldn’t do it. The federal government couldn’t do it. The Texas Rangers couldn’t find anything. They had to use political propaganda and use their four majority votes to get us out.” During the past month, attention focused on a document RGV Read and Feed
filed with the IRS. The document, called a Form 990, disclosed basic information about the nonprofit organization’s revenue and expenditures. In 2017, RGV Read and Feed reported about $451,000 in revenue, according to a copy of the Form 990 published by ProPublica, a nonprofit news organization. Guajardo, his wife and Vicky Cantu received $63,000 apiece in compensation that year. Their compensation more than doubled from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, RGV Read and Feed reported nearly $1.4 million in revenue, according to a copy of the Form 990 published by ProPublica. Guajardo received nearly $138,000. His wife received $177,000. And Vicky Cantu received nearly $162,000. RGV Read and Feed also paid nearly $137,000 to Alex Cantu for consulting. The Form 990 showed that RGV Read and Feed spent more on compensation than food provided to La Joya ISD students. Alex and Vicky Cantu said the Form 990, which
Commission would hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 — just three days before Election Day. The agenda included “discussion and action, if any,” on agreements with 13 city employees, who ranged from City Manager Jacqueline Bazan to a police department clerk. Asked by the Progress Times if the agreements was prepared by an accountant, is misleading. Vicky Cantu said they paid for start-up costs, including vans and a commercial kitchen, out-of-pocket. “We put up costs out of our own personal pocket. Do we sometimes get reimbursed for it? Of course we have to get reimbursed for it. Because it is our personal money. So we have to find ways that we get our reimbursement back,” Vicky Cantu said. “Of course. But that it’s a consulting fee? No, it’s not a consulting fee.” Alex and Vicky Cantu said people made assumptions about the Form 990 without asking them what the information meant. “I don’t see anything wrong in it. But since our opposition can’t find anything to tarnish us with, they’re going to do anything in their power to look for any little thing to make us look bad,” Vicky Cantu said. “Because, in all reality, what have we done wrong but help the individuals that need help, help the community, help the children?”
were actually employment contracts, Mayor Salinas initially declined to comment. Days later, however, Mayor Salinas said he wanted to approve four-year contracts with city employees, which would provide them with job security. Rumors about the employment contracts rocketed through La Joya, where Mayor Salinas is running for re-election against former police Chief Isidro Casanova. Concerned about the budget implications of four-year contracts, Casanova filed a lawsuit and requested a temporary restraining order against the City Commission. The judge signed the restraining order. La Joya canceled the meeting. “You can’t encumber a future administration with four-year contracts,” said former City Attorney Roberto Jackson, who represents Casanova. “Especially a small city like La Joya.” Jackson said he considered the employment contracts insane and compared Mayor Salinas to Jim Jones, a cult leader who murdered
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his followers by convincing them to drink poison. “That’s what Fito has, a bunch of political sycophants drinking the Kool-Aid,” Jackson said. City Attorney Kennedy Salinas transferred the lawsuit to federal court on Nov. 13, which dissolved the restraining order. Two days later, La Joya announced the City Commission would hold a special meeting at noon on Nov. 18. The agenda included “discussion and action, if any,” on agreements with 14 city employees: the city administrator, the city attorney, the external auditor/comptroller, the public works director, the public utilities director, the city “code enforcer,” the finance clerk, the city clerk, the city marketing clerk, the court coordinator and clerk, a police department dispatch clerk, the library director and the senior center director. Casanova filed another lawsuit. The judge signed another temporary restraining order. “I don’t know why that particular judge is insisting on doing that,” Mayor Salinas said.
“He must be a good friend of Roberto Jackson.” During the past three weeks, Jackson filed two lawsuits against the city, which stopped the special meetings; and a libel lawsuit against Mayor Salinas, accusing him of posting defamatory comments on Facebook. Mayor Salinas said he considered all three cases politically motivated. “And I can really see Roberto Jackson is going out of his mind,” Mayor Salinas said. All employees, not just the city manager, deserve job security, Mayor Salinas said, adding that employment contracts would allow city workers to support their families. “It’s just embarrassing the community,” Mayor Salinas said, referring to the lawsuits. “It’s embarrassing about 60 families and their kids.” The first lawsuit over the employment contracts is scheduled for a hearing on March 12. The second lawsuit is scheduled for a hearing on Dec. 2.
wheel. When he didn’t respond, Officer Vela opened the door and placed the truck in park. “Officer Vela then removed the marijuana cigarette from Mr. Lopez’s right hand,” according to court records. Lopez had ash on his pants and a “baggy containing a green leafy substance,” according to court records. Officers recognized the substance as synthetic marijuana. “After approximately 10 minutes Mr. Lopez began to be more responsive by answering simple questions,” according to court records. Lopez, however, appeared disoriented. “Officer Vela then asked Mr. Lopez if he knew what day it was to which he stated yes,” according to court records, “and continued to state that it was Sunday.” Lopez refused medical treatment and failed a standardized field sobriety test. Officers charged him with
driving while intoxicated. Hidalgo County jail records identify Lopez’s employer as “AGUA S.U.D.” and his occupation as “SHIPPING AND RECEIVING.” Salary data released by the utility district in January listed Lopez as a warehouse clerk. Attorney Frank Garza, who represents the utility district, said he couldn’t comment on personnel matters. Whether or not Lopez is still employed remains unclear. Why the utility district hired Lopez and allowed him to drive a government-owned vehicle, though, may become a bigger question. Lopez had two prior drunken driving convictions, according to Hidalgo County court records. He also pleaded guilty to possession of 5 to 50 pounds of marijuana, a third-degree felony, in January 2010.
AGUA SUD
“Officer Vela observed the traffic light turn green indicating for traffic to proceed,” according to court records. “Officer Vela then heard a vehicle behind a white in color pickup truck honk their car horn in an attempt to get the driver of the pickup truck’s attention to move forward.” The truck slowly headed east on 3 Mile Line, driving erratically. The driver swerved, changed lanes without signaling and started driving in the center of East 3 Mile Line — occupying two lanes at once. Officer Vela honked at the truck, activated his emergency lights and turned on his siren, attempting to stop the truck. The truck slowed to 12 mph before stopping on the 1000 block of East 3 Mile Line. Officer Vela approached the truck and attempted to speak with Lopez, who had fallen asleep behind the
November 22, 2019
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La Joya ISD MET STANDARD DISTRICT
REACH. EDUCATE. INSPIRE.
Antonio Cano La Joya H.S.
Ricardo Estrada Juarez Lincoln H.S. MET STANDARD
Yvonne Ayala Palmview H.S.
Antonia Sanchez La Joya West Academy MET STANDARD
Claudia Gomez-Perez Jimmy Carter ECHS
Thelma R. Salinas STEM ECHS
Domingo Villarreal La Joya ECHS MET STANDARD
Le-Ann Alaniz-Herrera Academy of Health Science Professions MET STANDARD
Ronny Cabrera College & Career Center MET STANDARD
Lindolfo Zamora HOPE Academy MET STANDARD
Thomas Ocaña Ann Richards M.S.
Rolando J. Rios Cesar Chavez M.S.
Jose T. Garcia Domingo Trevino M.S.
Carlota Salinas Dr. Javier Saenz M.S. MET STANDARD
Santana Galvan Irene M. Garcia M.S.
Nidia Ortiz J.D. Salinas M.S.
Dr. Antonio Uresti Lorenzo De Zavala M.S.
Belen Martinez Memorial M.S.
Mary Guerra John F. Kennedy Elem.
Jaqueline Escobedo Guillermo Flores Elem.
Dr. Romeo Benavides Rosendo Benavides Elem.
Maria E. Jazinski Leo J. Leo Elem.
Irene Fernandez Kika De La Garza Elem.
Lucina Lara Garza E.B. Reyna Elem.
Marisa Garza Narciso Cavazos Elem.
Laura Linda Lopez E. R. Chapa Elem.
Mary Sepulveda Jose De Escandon Elem.
Yolanda Salazar-Meave Diaz-Villarreal Elem.
Silvia Treviño- Sandoval Henry B. Gonzalez Elem.
Hilda M. Mendoza Lloyd M. Bentsen Elem.
Roxana Peña Sam Fordyce Elem.
Erika Gonzalez Dr. Americo Paredes Elem.
Alma A. Perez William J. Clinton Elem.
Clarita Fajutag Corina Peña Elem.
La Joya ISD Administration
Dr. Gisela Saenz , Superintendent of Schools Joel Treviño, Asst. Supt. for Admin. & Finance Magda Villarreal, Asst. Supt. for Curriculum & Instr. Martin Muñoz, Asst. Supt. for Human Resources Ricardo Villarreal, Asst. Supt. for Student Svcs. Jose Luis Morin, Asst. Supt. for Operations
Victor Rodriguez
Marena Contreras Tabasco Elem.
Myra Trigo-Ramos Patricio Perez Elem. MET STANDARD
Rosa E. Gonzalez-Vela Emiliano Zapata Elem. MET STANDARD
Dr. Sandra J. Cerda Juan N. Seguin Elem. MET STANDARD
Mary Lily Garza-Ibarra Enrique Camarena Elem.
Maria A. Flores-Guerra Evangelina Garza Elem.
Alicia Gutierrez Dr. Palmira Mendiola Elem.
=TEA Distinctions Earned & Met Standard
Yesenia Gonzalez La Joya ISD Head Start MET STANDARD
La Joya ISD Board of Trustees Esperanza “Espie” Ochoa, President Mary T. Hernandez, Vice-President Oscar “Coach” Salinas, Secretary Nereyda Cantú, Member Armin Garza, Member Claudia Ochoa, Member Alejandro “Alex” Cantú, Member
*It is the policy of La Joya Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of sex, age, handicap, religion, race, color, or national origin in its educational programs.
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November 22, 2019
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Local teens partners with art league to combat child labor By Jose De Leon III With an estimated 200 million children around the globe being exploited and forced to work, a Mission teen led several local artists in fighting child labor. Last Saturday, the Upper Valley Art League held its first Art for a Cause Auction where members of the league donated artwork to be auctioned off so proceeds could be used to raise awareness against child labor. The auction originated after Anisha Agarwala,16, an artist and member of UVAL, approached the board about the possibility of doing a fundraiser to raise awareness on this issue. “Child labor is the inhumane use of children in business or industries,” Agawala said during a presentation
at the auction. “Those who think slavery has been abolished are wrong, child labor is modern day slavery and it is prevalent worldwide.” As part of her presentation, Agarwala showed attendees a series of images and statistics of children around the world working in dangerous conditions such as sweatshops in China, mines in south Asia, and as sex trafficking victims in the United States. According to the information website The World Counts, more than 200 million children today are child laborers. 73 million of these children are below 10 years old and an estimated 120 million are engaged in hazardous work and 20 million child workers are employed in factories that make clothes, carpets, toys, match-
Happy Thanksgiving!
es and hand-rolled cigarettes. “These children are robbed of their education and innocence, Agarwala said. “Imagine if every child was free, safe and educated, it could make such a difference. Not only are these children working in the fields, they are often injured while doing this and instead of receiving proper treatment, they continue working.” Agawarla, a Mission resident who attends UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy, said she first decided to look into child labor exploitation after a trip to India to visit relatives opened her eyes to the issue. “In India, it’s common to see small children working by going car to car during traffic stops selling small products. I always see it but only last time did I begin
GENERAL DENTISTRY EXCEPTIONAL CARE SINCE 1982
Justin Timothy W. Richard A. Felkner Brann Young D.D.S. D.D.S. D.D.S. 2407 E. Griffin Pkwy. (FM 495) & Shary Rd. Mission 956-581-2773
Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
Anisha Agarwala, a local teen and children’s rights activists, speaks to attendees during an auction held by the Upper Valley Arts League to combat child labor at the Mission Event Center Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. wondering why they had to work instead of going to school and began researching it,” Agarwala explained. “It’s what led me to look into the conditions that lead children to be forced to work. It’s an issue we’re all aware of in the back of our minds but we don’t do anything about it. I thought it only happened in underdeveloped nations, but I learned it’s happening everywhere.” All proceeds from the auction, of which saw more than $2,100 raised as of press time, will be donated to the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. The D.C. based foundation is named after the children’s rights advocate who received a Nobel Peace Prize for his three decades worth of championing to end child labor. The foundation works to eradicate child labor and then providing an education to the children recently freed from their hazardous working conditions. “There’s a relationship between poverty, child labor and illiteracy,” Agarwala said. “We have to break this vicious cycle. Freeing these kids isn’t enough since they won’t have an education.
By freeing them and giving them an education, we’re not just giving them a chance at life, we’re giving all their future generations a chance of life so they can enter the workforce in a stable job.” All the 56 artists who participated in the auction donated a total of 103 pieces of art for the auction. For artist Anissa Salinas, donating her artwork to the auction was ultimately beneficial. “I used to work for kids so when I saw what this was benefiting I wanted to do anything to help, it’s also a way to get my artwork out there,” Salinas said. “Everyone here believes in the cause. The issue of child labor is controversial but everyone wants to do what they can to stop it.” As president of UVAL, Maxilou Link said after the auction that she envisions the league holding yearly fundraisers to benefit a different organization. This, she said, promotes the mission of the league. “UVAL not only promotes the arts, but we promote the
betterment of the community,” Link said. “This was a charity that really needed attention. So many times we hang back and take things for granted without thinking about how the clothes on our back happened, when this was brought to our attention it kind of woke us up again. We knew child labor is a big deal without paying attention to it, but everyone should.” To help combat child labor, Agarwala advised members of the community to research any products they purchase to make sure it wasn’t created using child labor by going to websites such as endslaverynow.org or participating in the 100 million pledge at 100million. org to pledge to help combat child labor. “I’m hoping that people coming here walk out with a deeper understanding of child labor, be more aware of it and the fact that they came here means a lot,” Agarwala said. “The more they find out and raise awareness, the more they can fight it.”
GMCC welcomes Downtown Cafe By Jamie Treviño Missionites have a new locally-owned spot to dine in the downtown area. This Tues. Nov. 19, the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Downtown Cafe, a new eatery located at 408 N. Conway Ave. The establishment, run by Maria Alcantara, was created to service the downtown area of Mission. “That’s why I named it ‘Downtown,’ because I really wanted our little town to get pretty,” Alcantara said. “I was born and raised here, and now I have a five-yearold, so I want a nice town for him.” Mayor Armando O’caña was happy to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, stating that building this part of Mission is vital to community growth. “One of the campaign promises that I made while I was running was to revitalize downtown, and bring down-
town to life,” O’caña said. “We wanted to bring it back to individuals who are going to be the center of our traction. If you need a place to eat, let’s support downtown Mission.” GMCC President and CEO Brenda Enriquez welcomed Downtown Cafe to the chamber community, introducing Maria to several local ambassadors from Flores Funeral Home, Lone Star National Bank, Lucy’s Flowers and Gifts, local hotels like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western and XO Physical Therapy. They all offered their assistance to the establishment whenever it is needed. The Downtown Cafe prepares their food in the morning to ensure freshness daily, and joins the GMCC family of locally-owned businesses that aim to continue the traditions and growth of the city of Mission. Enriquez said that they are there to ensure all members never feel alone in their endeavors.
GRAND OPENING!
Cafe
Down Town COLLECTION DATE
December 7, 2019 9:00AM - 2:00PM Public Information Center 200 W. Expressway 83 • La Joya TX 78560 (Please ensure that donations are bagged) For more information please contact (956) 323-2585
Let’s help keep local families warm this winter by donating new or gently used winter clothing. Donations may include scarves, gloves, coats and hats.
408 N. CONWAY AVE MISSION, TX. 78572 OPEN-MONDAY-SATURDAY CLOSED ON SUNDAY DAILY SPECIALS LUNCH & DINNER PLATES
ORDERS TO GO-CALL- 956-789-6124
November 22, 2019
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Room for more at Bannworth
Mission holds ribbon cutting for Boys & Girls Club expansion By Jamie Treviño The Boys & Girls Club of Mission at Bannworth Park has become a full service unit. Last Thurs. Nov. 14, the city of Mission held a ribbon cutting for the expansion of the building at Bannworth Park, located at 1822 N. Shary Rd. The expansion includes office space, restrooms and four new classrooms. The 4,050 square foot addition of the classrooms will also include a computer lab for students to utilize in the after school program. According to a press release from the city, the unit will continue to service elementary and middle schools in the Sharyland area in order to provide more accessibility to the Boys & Girls Club of Mission. Mayor Armando O’caña dubbed this expansion “The Corey Project” after being asked by a fifth grade student attending a Sharyland ISD school why the Bannworth Location didn’t have a place for him to do homework and other schoolwork. “His dream has been converted into a reality,” O’caña said. “When we listen to the children, and take the issues that they bring forth - even if its in a question form - we can convert it into a goal and make it a reality.” O’caña added that Mission aims to build an additional Boys & Girls Club facility somewhere in the West side of the city. J.J. Guerrero, the new director of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission, was excited for the kids to have access to the expanded loca-
tion. “I’m excited to reach into the Sharyland part of Mission and be able to provide a facility to reach more children so they can have access to this wonderful club,” Guerrero said. “I want to challenge each person in the community to help out and ensure that our children have a great future - they are the future of our community and beyond our community.” The expansion projects cost about $500,000 in total. City Manager Randy Perez, a product of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission himself, was glad to see the space with new features. “We look forward to moments like this to not only provide better service to our community, but also to our children,” Perez said. “This is definitely a major improvement for us - we currently serve about 5,000 children, and this facility is going to impact additional children not only in this area, but the facilities where we reach capacity.” Perez spoke about the mission of the Boy & Girls Club of America: to enable young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as citizens and members of the community. “That’s exactly our mission here,” Perez said. “The most important thing is the impact the children are going to have here in this facility. We’re very proud of that.” Albert Pena, the chairman of the Boys & Girls Club Youth Advocacy Advisory Board, noted that this expansion was necessary for the children in Mission. Prior
to the creation of the classrooms at the Bannworth site, the gymnasium was the only open space where the students could get homework done. “When the kids would come here for our summer programs, they were put in groups in the corners [of the gym], and there were no tables or chairs for them to do their projects and activities,” Pena said. “That kind of set the fire going [on the board] to get this project done. I’m very proud of it, and working with the board we shared the same vision. It’s exciting to provide this type of facility in our community.” Pena noted that while the Bannworth facility was on the East side of Mission, there are no boundaries and they welcome all children. Fay Beard, the director of Programs Development for the Boys & Girls Club of America, said it was important for the community to be involved in making these facilities a success. “The investment that you have made is to change lives, to offer hope and opportunity to children who may not have it,” Beard said. “There is so much Boys & Girls Club DNA in this room - people who have been touched by the Boys & Girls Club in their lives. You have the opportunity to change the lives of future children in this community.” Following the ribbon cutting, city leaders and attendees of the event were taken on tours of the space led by staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission.
MHS wind ensemble advances to state The Mission High School (MHS) Wind Ensemble has qualified for advancement to the UIL State Wind Ensemble Festival. This places the MHS group among only 18 in the state selected to perform at The University of Texas-Austin in May, 2020. The MHS wind ensemble qualified based upon the group’s performance at UIL during the 2018-2019 school year. The MHS Wind Ensemble is a varsity concert band made up of select members of the Eagle Band. Pictured is the ensemble from the 2018-19 school year that helped them earn the honor this year.
Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño
Staff from the Boys and Girls Club of Mission give a tour of the expansion to the Bannworth Park location, which has become a full service unit.
13th Year Anniversary
Celia Muñoz Badiozzamani May 23, 1952
† November 21, 2006
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear. Mamá, hace un tiempo que no te veo con mis ojos, pero en mi mente y corazón estás tan hermosa como siempre.
Loved Always, Sadly Missed… Your Family
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November 22, 2019
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La Joya campus offering internships with local businesses By Jose De Leon III With more businesses looking for prospective employees with job experience, the La Joya ISD Academy of Health Science & STEM is preparing students for a career outside of school by helping them get into the workforce. At the start of the school year, the campus began offering paid and unpaid in-
ternships during the semester for students taking Agustín de la Garza’s business marketing management class. Under this internship program, de la Garza’s 19 students leave the campus twice a week in two and a half hour blocks to intern at one of the businesses partnered up with the campus. “The program is designed to help students be more exposed to opportunities that
are out there that they probably weren’t aware of before, de la Garza said. “We have a few of our local businesses that have partnered with us and we help each other. They help us with our students and we help them by providing students to help them in their businesses. So it’s a two way street with a primary focus on the students.” The internship program has been offered to students
Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
La Joya ISD Academies Director Guadalupe Chavez, left, BIM instructor Agustín de la Garza, and Business and Community Engagement Specialist Julie Garza, right, flank a group of student interns for the La Joya school district.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with the warmth and happiness of the season.
in the past but during the summer and on a voluntary basis. Now, district Business and Community Engagement Specialist Julie Garza said, it is being offered as a credit for students. “It’s so they can have that career exposure early on,” Garza said. “Some of these students will go to a workplace they’re thinking of working in and decide now, as high school students, whether or not it’s their path. They’re getting those experiences now as opposed to going to college, getting a four-year degree and then deciding ‘this isn’t for me’ after a few years of working.” The businesses partnered with the campus are Terry Physical Therapy, M2 Engineering, Walgreens, Buckner Family Hope Center, RGV Vocational Services, La Joya Dental, KFC and the AHSP Pharmacists Office. Student interns are with the businesses for four weeks before rotating to a different business at the end of that period and are evaluated by their employer and are graded on the class based on their evaluation, district Academies Director Guadalupe Chavez said. “We want students to gain valuable work experience and to develop or refine their employability skills, “Chavez said. “Even doing something as simple as answering the phone is a skill and businesses and colleges are looking for students that are problem solvers and have the social skills to be successful. With this program, you’re going to have students who can network
Pharmacy & Medical Equipment
Alberto Vela, R.Ph.
Fred Moron, R.Ph.
1242 E. Bus. 83, #7 Mission
2120 E. Griffin Pkwy. Mission
583-2700
581-5499
Wishing All Our Family, Friends, & Neighbors Bountiful Blessings This Thanksgiving.
585-0115
1418 E. Bus. 83 • Mission, TX (Between Bryan Rd. & Stewart Rd.)
The City of Mission will host TWO days of Christmas Festivities FUN for the ENTIRE FAMILY!!!
30TH ANNUAL
Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Saturday, Nov. 23rd 3:00 – 9:00 PM Activities will continue with Car Show, Raffles Live Music and special host the Grinch
• Pictures with Santa • Choir Performances • Moon Jumps • Life-Sized Christmas Cards for Selfies • Live Music (Saturday Afternoon) • Games, Food and Craft vendors • 200 Bicycles/toys will be raffled and plenty of family friendly entertainment. Entertainment by local schools, church groups and hometown bands.
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TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Full Service Oil Change
Tree Lighting and Santa’s arrival at 6:30 PM
them so I’ll better know what I’m doing.” Those social skills of communicating with people and being more confident are skills that are attractive for employers, de la Garza argued. He said he first realized these soft skills were important when he first started teaching at the La Joya school district when the district partnered with Mission Regional Medical Center and spoke with the director of the hospital on the hospital’s hiring practices. “The director told me, it’s very easy to hire an X-ray technician or a nurse or any kind of individual that’s licensed to work, but it’s difficult to find individuals who can communicate to each other, empathizes with patients and have a level of respect and professionalism the hospital requires,” de la Garza recalled. “It’s a big part of their interview process now. They’re no longer called ‘soft skills,’ they’re called ‘employability skills.’” “These students talk about being more social and confident which is what a teacher wants, a more social and confident student means more class engagement. These skills are leveraged into the classroom and in the workforce,” de la Garza added. The La Joya school district is in negotiations with other businesses, including the Agua Special Utility District and Rio Script Pharmacy, to provide internships to students at the next rotation period, Garza said. “Students will have more options on what path they want to explore, we’re growing,” Garza said.
You Are Invited To Worship at
Fiesta Lube Express
Friday, Nov. 22nd 6:00 – 9:00 PM
with professionals already in the field who can guide them into being a model employee and maybe even help them find the job suited for them.” Among the student interns is Felipe Lopez who is volunteering at Buckner, a non-profit based in La Joya that provides aid to families in distress. Lopez works with the community engagement department of the organization and credited the internship for giving him social skills. “I feel like I’ve grown to be more responsible since I’m gaining so much hands on experience and know what they expect outside the classroom in a professional setting,” Lopez said, adding that this outreach position is helping him toward his plans of being a registered nurse. “They help out with families and I was interested because I want to help other families. It helps me deal with families because being a registered nurse you have to deal with ages of different people and understand and be empathetic of them.” Another student intern Jasmine Balderas, a senior interning with Terry’s Physical Therapy in its La Joya location. Her duties include working the front desk, shadow physicians, upload reports to the server and occasionally help patients with their exercises. “I know I want to do something in the medical field and the physical therapists there are very supportive and are giving me an insight on what it’s like to work in the medical field,” Balderas said. “Since I work with patients I am finding ways to talk to them and being understanding of them to better communicate with
E E FR NT! E V E
AT LEO PEÑA PLACITA PARK • MISSION, TX (Corner of Bus. Hwy. 83 and Conway Ave.)
Worship Service SUNDAY English 9:30 am Español 11:00 am
3 Mile Line & Bentsen Palm Drive Mission, TX 78574
(956) 585-3261
Pet of the Week Chester is a very friendly and playful Lab mix, believed to be about six months old. If you would like to make Chester a part of your family, contact the Mission Pawsible Program at 956-580-8741, M-F, 8AM5PM. The City of Mission Animal Shelter is located at 227 Abelino Farias, and is open throughout the week and on Saturdays - 9AM to 4PM. The cost to adopt is $50, which includes: Spay/Neuter, Rabies Shot, 1st Vaccine, Microchip and Deworming. To view more animals in the Mission Pawsible Program, visit missiontexas.us. Sponsored by Jerry Saenz, Agent
1211 Conway Ave • Mission TX 956-585-2715
November 22, 2019
FIRE ACADEMY
from pg. 1
ings and vehicles and handson experience. Currently, the Fire Science program is training Fire Academy 23. They work off a trainee to trainer program, so eventually those learning from the program will be able to teach it. According to Mayor O’caña, this will allow the sister city trainees to take what they learn back to their hometowns to work in public safety and grow the fire training programs across the border. O’caña acts as the president of the STC Fire Academy board, and noted that the Mission Fire Department is at the heart of instructional training at the college. Finding the cost of fire training to be expensive, O’caña said funding for the fire department is able to be utilized more toward equipment and employee benefits rather than all go toward training recruits. “It’s very cost-effective,” O’caña said. “Now we can use that money for growth. All the cities provide STC with additional equipment and instructors hired by STC.” Representatives from Mexico also joined the city
leaders for lunch and toured the RCPSE facilities at STC that are currently available, as construction is still underway. Once completed, the facilities will be over a 64acre site, with 180 additional acres available for future expansion. The RCPSE will include 534,385 square feet of buildings, structures & driving track, and will be completed in three phases over the next decade (in 2030). Phase One of the project includes a training center for Law Enforcement, Public Safety and Criminal Justice students, a driving skills/skid pad, a shooting simulation lab and a driving simulation lab. Phase Two is focused in Fire Science and Homeland Security, including the construction of a multi-story fire training structure, two-story residential training structure and a confined space/search and rescue training area, flashover training and a flammable liquid and gas training pad. Phase Two also includes an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), a cityscape with non-lethal simulation training capacity, and a covered shooting range
LIVE PD no doubt that we needed to continue the program. And I’m so excited that they chose Mission again because I hear that ‘Live PD’ has a waiting list of a lot of departments throughout the country that want to be on it.” The fourth season of “Live PD” started on Sept. 20. “Mission Texas PD has been with Live PD since the series’ launch in October 2016, and has come to be a very familiar agency to viewers,” said Dan Cesareo, who is both the president of Big Fish Entertainment and the executive producer of ‘Live PD,’ in a statement. “Production is pleased that both local and national audiences have enjoyed riding along with the officers featured from Mission Texas Police Department, and look forward to having them on the show again for another run.”
PT
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on social media. Fans also expressed their condolences after the death of Cpl. Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta, who appeared on the show. “And I wish that everything was perfect in the policing world. It’s not. And I can’t guarantee you that one day we’re not going to have several officers running after somebody and tackling them down on the ground,” Dominguez said. “But that’s what policing is all about: Unfortunately there’s people that abide by the law and people that don’t.” The show provides Mission with a way to share positive stories with a national audience, said City Councilwoman Jessica Ortega-Ochoa. “I think it’s the best free publicity that our city can ever have when it comes to deterrence of crime and what the city of Mission is all about,” Ortega-Ochoa said. “So I had
with a firearm training classroom. Phase Three will include a Physical Plant and expansive growth with the addition of several education and student services buildings. The $71.28 million project will make STC the first college to establish an integrated public safety program in the country. Students attending RCPSE will attain the Basic Firefighter Certificate, which will be earned during the International Fire Academy training, a certification higher than that mandated at the state level. It is designed to prepare students for their careers as firefighters, including the functions of all fire equipment (including the fire apparatus) and the theory and practical application of firefighting technology. The RCPSE also provides training to newly hired firefighters and current veteran firefighters. STC hopes to begin implementing the International Fire Academy in the upcoming semesters next year. The additional training will be categorized as continuing and professional education.
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Reyna said trainees will also have the chance to be taken to live fires and gain additional experience. “This is going to be beneficial to everybody,” Reyna said. “The idea is that we create this understanding with each other, because we’re obviously so close to each other, and it’s a benefit that we understand each other. Monterrey is a very advanced city, they just need a little bit of help to get their firefighters up to speed.” The fire science program at STC covers topics including organization and history, fire behavior, personal protective clothing, training on the self-contained breathing apparatus, fire service ladders, fire suppression, ventilation, water supply, fire service hose, hazardous materials and 55 state-mandated objectives. A video of Fire Academy 13 included pictures and recorded examples of what goes on in training. It showed students conditioning outdoors in full gear, equipment training, safety techniques, working in day and night, crawling in enclosed spaces, putting out actual fires in training build-
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For the latest news and updates
LNWR begins limited use reopening Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge reopened the Wildlife Drive last week with public use limited to hiking and biking only. This decision has been made after delays in construction have blocked the use of the drive to pubic vehicles. It may be in effect for the next one to two years. The goal is to safely continue ocelot conservation while offering opportunities for public access. Programs and regularly scheduled refuge tours will continue to be seasonally accessible. For reservations and tour information, contact the visitor center at 956-244-2019 or 956-748-3607, Ext. 111, or go online to fws.gov/refuge/Laguna_Atascosa/visit/activities.html.
Notices
Maria Acevedo MISSION – Maria Elma Garza Acevedo, 73, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at her home in Mission. Janice Floyd MISSION – Janice Fay Floyd, 78, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Ambrosia Garza PEÑITAS – Ambrosia Gonzalez De Garza, 78, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at her home in Peñitas. Michael Gleason MISSION – Michael Gleason, 74, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Florestela Gonzalez MISSION – Florestela Gonzalez, 64, passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. Ignacio Gonzalez PALMVIEW – Ignacio Gonzalez, 76, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at his home in Palmview. Olivia Gonzalez PALMVIEW – Olivia Gonzalez, 94, passed away on
Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at Mission Nursing Center. Juan Lopez MISSION – Juan Gonzalez Lopez, 72, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at Solara Hospital in McAllen. Maria Moya MISSION – Maria G. Moya, 73, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Edinburg Regional Medical Center. Fabian Niño MISSION – Fabian Castillo Nino, 79, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Mission. Victoria Ortiz MISSION – Victoria Ortiz, 68, passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center. Jose Perez MISSION – Jose Baldemar Perez, 81, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Mission Valley Nursing and Transitional Care. Maria Tovias MISSION - Maria Rufina Tovias, 68, passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center. Jaqueline Venegas MISSION – Jaqueline Martinez Venegas, 20, passed away on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.
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November 22, 2019
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BUY • SELL • T R A D E • R E N T • H I R E
THE C L A S S I F I E D S
CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are 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.
Progress Times is made possible by our advertisers. Please frequent their businesses and tell them you saw their ad in the Progress Times. CITY OF ALTON
ORDINANCE 2019-20-1112 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING POST CONSTRUCTION STORMWATER RUNOFF WITHIN THE CORPORATE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS, HIDALGO COUNTY, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER SERVICES REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 12th day of November, 2019. Salvador Vela, Mayor City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM,TRMCCMC, City Secretary
Oracion Al Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo, tu que me aclaras todo, que iluminas todos los caminos para que yo alcance mi ideal, tu que me das el don divino de perdonar y olvidar el mal que me hacen y que en todos los instantes de mi vida estas conmigo, yo quiero en este corto dialogo agradecerte por todo y confirmar una vez mas que nunca quiero separarme de ti por mayor que sea la ilusion material. Deseo estar contigo y todos mis seres queridos en la gracia perpetua. Gracias por tu misericordia para conmigo y los mios. La persona debera rezar esta oracion 3 dias sequidos sin decir el pedido. dentro de tres dias sera alcanzada la gracia por mas deficil que sea. (Publicar en cuanto se recibia la gracia). Agradece gracia alcanzada. T.R.
callHelp 956-605-0630. Wanted NOW HIRING Looking for a fun and loving teacher-care-
Now
giver w/experience working at a day care center, must meet state licensing qualifications;
HIRING Mr. G’s Fireworks
is looking for responsible persons to operate fireworks stand. Must stay on premises & be over 21 years of age.
Call: (956) 399-3469
RESOLUTION CALLING A HEARING FOR EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN NONIRRIGATED LAND OF HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 6 WHEREAS, the following described property is believed to constitute Nonirrigated Land under Texas Water Code Sections 58.731 and 51.759; and WHEREAS, the District desires to call a public hearing in order to receive evidence regarding the status of such land as Nonirrigated Land; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That in accordance with Texas Water Code, Chapter 58, HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 6, hereby calls a hearing before the District’s Board of Directors concerning the exclusion from the District as Nonirrigated Land the following described real property, to-wit: And further described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. SUBDIVISIONS TO BE EXCLUDED 1) Platinum Star Subdivision 2) Idea Palmview Subdivision That the hearing will be held on December 16, 2019, at 1:00 P.M. in the District boardroom at 3735 N. FM 492, Mission, Texas wherein all persons interested in the matter of exclusion of the above-described property, or any part thereof, from the District as Nonirrigated Land are invited to attend and to offer evidence in support of or opposing land the exclusion of said property, or any part thereof. READ, CONSIDERED, APPROVED, SIGNED AND EFFECTIVE on this 18th day of November 2019 at a Regular Called Meeting of the Board of Directors of HCID#6 at which a quorum was present and which as in accordance with the Texas Government Code and pursuant to the Texas Open Meeting Act. ATTEST: Diana Izaguirre, President of Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 6 Brandon Thompson, Secretary of Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 6
NOTICE TO PUBLIC/PUBLIC HEARING CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT FY 18-19 (DRAFT) Notice is hereby given that the City of Mission’s Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for fiscal year 2018-19 is available for citizens’ review and comment. This report is for the first year of the Five Year Consolidated Plan and Strategy of 2018-22. The CAPER is a document required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which contains a summary of resources and accomplishments of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The Citizens Advisory Committee will hold a Public Hearing on December 3, 2019, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas at 5:30 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to attend and make their views known. The document will be available for review during normal working hours. Comments may be submitted to the Community Development Office, 1301 E. 8th Street, Ste. 102 until 5:00 pm on December 9, 2019. Persons with disabilities or non-English speaking who need to communicate more effectively and who may need auxiliary aids or services such as interpreters for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired are asked to contact the Community Development Department at (956) 580-8670 at least three working days in advance of the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Relay Texas may also be contacted at 800-735-2999 (TTY) or 711 (Voice). AVISO AL PUBLICO / AUDENCIA PUBLICA Por la presente se da aviso de que el Informe Anual Consolidado de Desempeño y Evaluación (CAPER) del Proyecto de la Ciudad de Mission para el año fiscal 201819 está disponible para que los ciudadanos lo revisen y comenten. Este reporte es para el primer año del Plan Consolidado para la estrategia de cinco años de 2018-22. El CAPER es un documento requerido por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE. UU., Que contiene un resumen de los recursos y logros del Programa de Subsidios Globales de Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG). El Comité Asesor de Ciudadanos celebrará una Audiencia Pública el 3 de Diciembre de 2019 en la Cámara del Consejo Municipal, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas a las 5:30 p.m. Se convoca a las partes interesadas a asistir y dar a conocer sus puntos de vista. El documento estará disponible para su revisión durante el horario normal de trabajo. Los comentarios pueden enviarse a la Oficina de Desarrollo Comunitario, 1301 E. 8th Street, Ste. 102 hasta la 5:00 pm el 9 de Diciembre de 2019.
Las personas con discapacidades o que no hablen inglés y necesiten comunicarse de manera más efectiva y necesiten ayuda o servicios auxiliares como intérpretes para personas sordas o con problemas de audición deben contactar al Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario al (956) 580-8670 al menos tres días hábiles antes de la audiencia para que se puedan hacer los arreglos necesarios. También se puede contactar a Relevo Texas al 800-735-2999 (TTY) o 711 (Voz).
as follows: high School diploma or GED, have current TB exam, valid CPR and FIRST AID certification,background check, will be fingerprinted, bilingual preferred, call (956) 781-8775 for further details. Home For Sale 2BEDROOM/ 1BATH located at 508 E. 11th St. in Mission, TX, close to park, tennis courts & playground, for
CITY OF ALTON
ORDINANCE 2019-19-1112
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6- “ANIMALS” ALTON CITY CHARTER AND ADOPTING REGULATION OF SALE OF ANIMALS WITHIN THE CITY OF ALTON, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS; AND; ADOPTING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS PROHIBITED WITHIN THE CITY OF ALTON, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND WAIVER OF SECOND AND THIRD READING AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 12th day of November, 2019. Salvador Vela, Mayor City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM,TRMCCMC, City Secretary
more details call 956-458-6169. Lot For Sale 60’ X 117’ RESIDENTIAL Lot located at 2011 Dunlap, Mission, TX, $32,000, for more information please call 956-605-0630.
There Are Many Beautiful Reasons To Be Happy!
CITY OF ALTON
ORDINANCE 2019-21-1112 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ALTON TO REGULATE AND REDUCE POLLUTION THAT ENTERS THE SURFACE WATER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM DISCHARGES INTO THE CITY’S MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM, BY PROVIDING FOR THE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION OF ILLICIT CONNECTIONS TO THE STORM SEWER SYSTEM AND REQUIRING EROSION CONTROL AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, AND TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES AND EFFECTIVE DATE, WAIVING SECOND AND THIRD READING. READ, APPROVED, AND PASSED on this the 12th day of November, 2019. Salvador Vela, Mayor City of Alton, Texas ATTEST: Baudelia Rojas CPM,TRMCCMC, City Secretary
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT’S Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT will hold a public meeting at 5:30 P.M., December 4, 2019 in the Central Administration at Nellie Schunior Staff Development Center 200 West Expressway 83, La Joya,Texas The purpose of this meeting is to discuss La Joya Independent School District’s rating on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST).