April 10, 2015 - Progress Times Issue by Progress Times

Friday, April 10, 2015

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TRAFFIC TROUBLE

Mission civic leader La Joya Bypass project to get moving over summer dies at 91

By Julie Silva

hree projects expected to ease congestion on the west side of the county will get moving this year. The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin accepting bids July 15 on La Joya Bypass project, which was broken into two parts. The combined total of the two pieces add up to $88 million, with nearly $26 million coming from Proposition 1, an item approved by voters in November that moved $1.74 billion of oil and gas revenues into the State Highway Fund. La Joya Bypass project has been in the plans for more than a decade. It will allow traffic to move north of U.S. 83 around La Joya and Peñitas. City officials in La Joya have eagerly anticipated the project, believing it will bring additional opportunities for economic development into the area. La Homa Road, west of Mission, also will be turned into a four-lane divided rural highway with $8.25 million of Prop 1 funding. Construction will extend from State

Highway 495 to 3 Mile Line. TxDOT is scheduled to solicit bids on it in November. “This allocation of $1.74 billion coupled with other funding sources will allow roughly $2 billion worth of projects to get underway this spring in an effort to address roadway congestion, safety and the growing demands on our infrastructure,” said Octavio Saenz, TxDOT spokesman for the Pharr district, adding that 201 projects have been identified for the funding. Saenz said consideration was given to projects that could immediately relieve congestion in the community. He said part of the scoring relied on average daily traffic counts, which showed more than 33,000 vehicles cross over La Joya and Peñitas daily on U.S. 83. “There’s been a lot of growth throughout the entire Valley, but the most congested area is here in the Hidalgo County,” Saenz said. “The projects in essence echo what the people want. These are much needed road projects and we all heard it last November when we realized from the Texas voters

Traffic gets backed up at a red light in Peñitas after 5 p.m. Wednesday. In July, the Texas Department of Transportation will solicit bids for La Joya Bypass project, which will allow traffic to flow north of La Joya and Peñitas.

that the transportation projects are paramount for the area.” Traffic counts are higher in other parts of the county, like Pharr and McAllen, but Saenz said projects are already in the works to alleviate traffic in those areas. For example, he said, TxDOT is restructuring Interstate 2 at Bicentennial to create an underpass. Pct. 3 Commissioner Joe Flores said his precinct has received four times more

money from TxDOT than all the other precincts combined. He attributed the success to working with local city officials to put together shovel-ready projects when funding becomes available. “I’ve got a lot of projects that are pending right now. We’ve leveraged over $600 million,” Flores said. “We’re doing a lot and we plan to do a lot more. Our last project will probably be 5 Mile Line from Taylor to Conway and Conway to La Homa.”

eal P. King, 91, passed away Wednesday, March 25. He was born on March 30, 1923 in Pecos, Texas. King was the senior partner of King, Guerra, Davis & Garcia, which carried the highest competence and integrity rating by the Texas Bar Association, often providing his services for free for those who could not afford them. He was elected President of the Hidalgo County Bar Association. King argued before the United States Supreme Court, ending the longest running litigation in our nation’s history, the Valley Water Rights Case. King served as attorney for Mission and its schools for many years. He served as President of the Mission Rotary Club and was selected for the Paul Harris Award. He was voted Mr. Mission many years ago as well. His contributions to the church and City of Mission are numerous and include aid in starting Planned Parenthood of Mission and the Mission Service Project, which provided low-cost

housing to the underprivileged. King was awarded the Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award by the Texas Bar Association in 2006. Before coming to Mission, King played football, track, basketball and was a championship debater, Boy Scout and graduated valedictorian from Marfa High. At The University of Texas at Austin he graduated Phi Beta Kappa but was interrupted by World War II. In the Army he qualified and then trained as a crypto-analyst, helped break Japanese military code, thereby saving the lives of many servicemen. At UT Law School he was elected to Chancellors and Phi Delta Phi, named Editor of Texas Law Review and was a quizmaster. In December of 1947 he married the love of his life, Dorothy Perkins with whom they had five children. The family held a private service in Austin. In lieu of flowers or other gifts to the family, the family has requested donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Salvation Army.

Galligan named interim city attorney B By Kathy Olivarez

ob Galligan of Jones, Galligan, Keys and Lozano, with headquarters in Weslaco, was named the City of Mission’s interim city attorney in a special meeting of the Mission City Council held Monday. The action came after the resignation of City Attorney David Guerra, who had been serving the city for more than 29 years. According to Galligan, he will serve around 60 days while the city solicits bids for two in-house attorneys to manage city business. Galligan has done work for the city for a number of years.

He worked as attorney for Mission Economic Development Authority before it was dissolved. He has also represented the city in a number of other litigations. When asked if he was interested in the position of city attorney, Galligan replied, “I am not interested in the position because I already have many obligations in my current practice. I will simply be helping the city on a temporary basis until it transitions into the two inhouse attorneys it desires.” Galligan said one of the two attorneys, to be named lead attorney, would be in charge of matters needing prosecution. The other attorney, to be named assistant

attorney, would be in charge of contractual obligations for the city. Galligan said that when the first attorney was not involved in prosecution, he or she would also be working at city hall. City Manager Martin Garza said Galligan currently earns $175 an hour for the work he does for the city. That fee during the transition period will remain the same. In other action, Edward Belmarez asked the council to solicit bids for irrigation improvements at Bannworth, Jaycee and Nell Toll parks. Belmarez said the improvements would provide irrigation for ball fields and land outside the fields. The estimated cost is $45,000.

Outside the council chambers the Community Development Block Grant program had a display set up informing citizens about the work done through the program over the past 30 years. Jo Anne Longoria said since 1990, when emphasis started being put on housing for residents, about 350 new homes had been built through the program and another 150 rehabilitations of existing residences had been done. The reconstruction assistance program offers a new brick veneer energy efficient home to eligible owners. Houses range from two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath homes to three-bedroom, two-bath homes equipped

with central air and heat. Rehabilitation assistance provides major repairs to existing homes in dire need of assistance. Repairs are done to meet standards codes of electrical, plumbing roof and other areas that need to be addressed. There were displays of the work being done by the department and information available to be given to citizens who come in to see the display that will be in the lobby of City Hall through today. Longoria invited anyone interested in learning more about the program to come by City Hall and see their display and talk to staff about the program. According to Longoria,

more than 75 percent of the CDBG money goes into the housing program to help residents have good quality housing. “April is National Fair Housing Month,” added Longoria “The motto for the Fair Housing movement is “Fair housing is your right… use it.” The city of Mission is dedication to helping residents have the type of housing they deserve,” she added. In addition to funding housing, CDBG funds are used to fund Amigos Del Valle, Area Agency on Aging, Children’s Advocacy, Dentists Who Care, Easter Seal of RGV and Silver Ribbon.

INSIDE

County DA announces appointments to his team

Among Rodriguez’s recent leadership appointments is Ismael “Kino” Flores Jr. as chief misdemeanor prosecutor. See story page 3

INDEX

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 6

State rep announces reimbursement

Mission posts prescription drop-off box

Border communities affected by the humanitarian crisis last year will be eligible for financial reimbursement from FEMA.

The drop-off system was made available through a grant with CVS Pharmacy to help people properly dispose of medications. See story page 3

See story page 5

Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 8

Obituaries | pg. 9

Classifieds | pg. 11

entertainment

April 10, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Valley Symphony Chorale to perform at First Presbyterian Church of McAllen

ollowing the success of the first independent concert by the Valley Symphony Chorale last year at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, the Valley Symphony Orchestra is pleased to offer once again, an all-choral concert. The event will take place at First Presbyterian Church of McAllen, 104 S. 12th Street, on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Fitting with the performance venue, as well as the long tradition of sacred repertoire that has enriched choral singing for centuries, the Valley Symphony Chorale will perform a variety of sacred music from Europe and the United States. Accordingly, the concert is entitled “European and American Classics,” conducted by Valley Symphony Chorale Director David Means. Means will be accompanied by Daniel Steenken. The famous “Sing a Mighty Song” by Daniel Gawthrop will serve as this concert’s overture. Gawthrop was born in Indiana in 1949

and is still living. Some of his pieces have become standard repertoire in church, high school, and college choirs in the United States. He was the Composer-in-Residence to the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (of Fairfax Virginia), and won a composition grant from the prestigious Barlow Endowment for Musical Composition from Brigham Young University, his Alma Mater. The piece contains contrasting moods and compositional techniques that recall both contemporary U.S. compositions and European traditions (as may be seen in the fugato section of the piece), making it a fit opening for this evening. The first half of the concert consists of European choral classics. It will open with the beautiful Renaissance motet “Sicut Cervus” by Palestrina based on Psalm 41: “As the stag yearns for springs of water: so my soul yearns for you, God.” Following this a cappella rendition, pianist Daniel Steenken will join the chorale for their interpretation of

two movements from Joseph Hayden’s Lord Nelson Mass, one of the choral masterpieces from the classical era. After Haydn, the chorale will perform a movement from the last piece Mozart wrote for the Salzburg Cathedral before he moved to Vienna to try his luck as a freelance composer: the “Laudate pueri” from Vesperae solennes de conessore. This movement is an impressive marriage of the contrapuntal writing of the high Baroque style with the symmetry and formalism of the Classical style. Three settings of Ave Maria will follow, one from the Renaissance by Tomás Luis De Victoria, a contemporary setting by Spanish composer Javier Busto, and a Romantic setting by Anton Bruckner. The antiphonal piece for two choirs “O Filii et Filiae” by Volckmar Leisring (1588-1632) will then precede the beloved anthem “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by contemporary British composer John Rutter. While composers from

the Western tradition have worked in the new World for centuries, only relatively recently have they attempted to cultivate distinctive musical idioms, particularly in the choral literature. This trend is reflected in the fact that many of the American classics in the second half of the program are living composers. Randall Thompson has had a distinguished musical and academic career, having taught at prestigious institutions such as the Curtis Institute, the University of Virginia, and Harvard University. The Valley Symphony Chorale will interpret his setting of “The Last Words of David.” Grammy-award-winner Rene Clausen currently works as conductor and professor of music at Concordia College in Moorhead Minnesota. His compositions and arrangements are well known and often performed by high school and university ensembles all over the country. “Set Me as a Seal” is based on a poem that can be simultaneously interpreted as secular and romantic on the one and, and as a religious and devotional on the other. It is based on a text from the Songs of Solomon: “Set me as a seal, upon your arm, for love is strong as death. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.” “At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners” by Williametta Spencer will follow. The piece dramatically tells the New Testament story of the resurrection vividly depicted in a poem by John Donne. The concert will close with arrangements of a folk song and two spirituals. “Shenandoah,” arranged by James Erb, has become a representative piece of U.S. choral music all over the world. Moving from a homorhythmic texture to imitative polyphony, the music depicts the tranquil flow of the Shenandoah River. The introspective spiritual composed by Thomas Dorsey and arranged by Arnold Sevier “Precious Lord” will move

the audience. Finally, the energetic arrangement of “Elijah Rock” by Moses Hogan will close the concert. Tickets for adults and seniors is a $10 donation with open seating only. For tickets, visit the VSO Box Office, lo-

cated in the Chase (Neuhaus) Tower at 200 South 10th St., Suite 104 in McAllen – open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – or call the VSO Box Office at (956) 661-1615 or visit online at www.valleyorchestra.org.

April 10-April 24 Fulden Wissinger, assistant art professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, has a solo exhibit at the Titan Studio in Harlingen. Entitled “Turkish Delights,” Wissinger’s work represents her heritage and her life growing up in Istanbul. The exhibit will be on display at Titan Studio through Friday, April 24. She works in mixed media including clay with objects and graphic design. Titan Studio is located at 203 N. Commerce. April 17-29 Originally scheduled to begin April 1, UT-Pan American professor and art instructor Douglas Clark will conduct a sculpture workshop at the Upper Valley Art League (UVAL). Beginning April 8, it will be held once a week for four weeks on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Materials and tools will be furnished. No experience is necessary. The class fee is $150 for UVAL members and $180 for nonmembers. Sign up at the UVAL desk during regular gallery hours. It is located in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th in Mission. Call 583-2787 for further information. April 10 · Everyone’s favorite, lovable comedian, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, brings his world tour to State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets run from $30 to $65 and are on sale at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. April 17 Breaking Benjamin will perform at the Boggus Ford Events Center (previously Pharr EventsCenter) at 7 p.m.. Special guests will be Young Guns. All tickets are general admission and are $37.50. April 18 Quinta Mazatlan will host their Earth Day Festival, Vida Verde, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event kicks off with a Run Wild 5k at 7:30 a.m. The event will feature

animal shows, artist booths, educational exhibitors, food vendors, organic cooking classes, a farmers market, trash fashion show, eco-art projects, health fitness activities, Music in the Park, rock climbing and more. Special events include the Live Ocelot, Wild Birds of Prey, Danny and His Reptiles, Contacto Animal Show, Dinosaur George, Eco-Magician and others. Free parking and buses will be available at the Mcallen Civic Center on South 19th Street that will take you to the front gates of Quinta Mazatlan all day. For more information call 681-3370 or visit www.quintamazatlan.com. McAllen Chamber of Commerce will host their Sizzling in the Tropics Bar-B-Q Cook Off from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Chamber, 1200 Ash Ave. The event will feature beef brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, chicken, jackpot beans and pan de campo that will be voted on for taste and showmanship. There will be live music and cost is $15 per person. April 22-26 Disney on Ice will be in the Rio Grande Valley at State Farm Arena with their newest production spinning off the hit animated movie “Frozen.” Performances will run for five days with varying show times. Prices range from $20 to $75. Times and tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Weekly Catholic War Veterans Post #1065 in Mission invites the public to their “Get Away Thursday Dance” held every Thursday evening, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. It is located at 500 W. Business 83. Music by the Electro Band provides country western, Tejano, the Oldies, cumbias and more. No cover charge. Call 583-5961 or email Doodrey@netzero.com for more information. To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to www.ptrgv.com.

Coming Attractions

April 10, 2015

Hidalgo County DA announces appointments to his team

DINBURG – Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. announced the appointments of Ismael “Kino” Flores Jr. as chief misdemeanor prosecutor, Eric Schreiber as chief assistant criminal district attorney of the check fraud division, and Michael J. Garza as the co-chief assistant criminal district attorney of the intake division/grand jury. "These are part of changes I am making at the District Attorney's office to restructure and modernize the departments to make them run more efficiently, and to make all the divisions more accountable to the public," Rodriguez said. “My division chiefs are the dedicated and talented individuals who will help me implement an ambitious plan of action.” Under the restructuring, Flores, Schreiber and Garza join the DA’s leadership team, which includes: First Assistant Criminal District Attorney Juan Villescas; Trial Division Chief Joseph Orendain; Juvenile Division Chief Maxine Longoria Nash; Intake/Grand Jury Division Chief Murray Moore, with Garza serving alongside her; Civil Division Chief Josephine Ramirez; Family Justice and Victim Protection Division Chief Hope Palacios; Appellate Division Chief Ted Hake; Co-Chief of the Misdemeanor Division Monica Auger, working alongside Flores; and HIDTA Commander Joey Delgado. Schreiber has been a prosecutor for 13 years, with 10 of those spent prosecuting check-related fraud cases. His duties will include overseeing the day-to-day operations of

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Mission police post prescription drop-off box

M Eric Schreiber

the check fraud division and prosecuting check-related crimes. Another facet of duties assigned to Schreiber will be to oversee the prosecution of all class C misdemeanors filed in justice of the peace courts throughout Hidalgo County. Flores, who joined the DA’s staff in January, has been practicing law in Texas since 2009 and is licensed by both the Texas and Florida Bar Associations. His experience, thus far, has already helped facilitate and improve the working relationship between the DA and law enforcement agencies across Hidalgo County. Flores is and will continue to be a valuable asset to the office, said Rodriguez. Flores graduated from the

Michael J. Garza

University of Texas at Austin in 2004 with high honors and a Bachelor of Arts in government. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 2007. Upon graduating from law school Flores practiced law for Florida Power and Light Energy in Juno Beach. In late 2008, Flores returned to Texas and opened his own private law practice. Since then, Flores has handled or assisted in the trial of criminal cases, ranging from class B misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. He also served as a municipal judge in La Joya. Garza has been in private practice for the last 22 years. He has represented individuals charged with state and federal crimes throughout the

Reminiscing... 30 Years Ago This Week

Mission City Council named new legal counsel After an executive session, Mayor Pat Townsend announced the city was accepting the resignation of city attorney Hollis Rankin III. David Guerra, of King and Guerra, was appointed acting city attorney for the next 60 days. Walsh, Saenz headed MCISD trustees Richard Walsh, who began his seventh year as a member of the Mission school board, was elected president for the 1985-1986 school year, following the canvassing of election returns and the induction of Walsh and newcomer Fred (Kika) Garza Jr. to new terms on the board. Walsh and Garza ran unopposed. Garza filled the seat vacated by veteran board member Carl Waitz, who decided not to seek reelection after 15 years on the board. Alvarez won 1600 at Meet of Champions Mission’s David Alvarez proved to be the class of the Valley in the 1600-meter run as he won first place in the event at the Meet of Champions in McAllen.

Ismael “Kino” Flores, Jr.

United States. Garza’s duties will include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the felony intake and grand jury as well as conducting special investigations for the office, said Rodriguez. Garza will also assist CoChief Murray Moore in presenting cases to the grand jury and will serve as the liaison to law enforcement agencies in an effort to create a synergy between the agencies and the District Attorney’s Office.

ission Police announced Monday a new addition to the Mission Public Safety Building: A prescription drop-off box. The Uniting Neighbors in Drug Abuse Defense (UNIDAD) Coalition in partnership with the Mission Police Department have applied for and was approved to receive a grant from CVS Pharmacy for a permanent prescription medication drop box. Almost everyone has a medicine cabinet, often overflowing with outdated prescriptions and over-thecounter meds. Medication starts to lose its maximum potency after the expiration date. If used a few weeks after it expired, it would work effectively. If used a few years after the expiration date, then it’s useless because its potency and

effectiveness would've diminished to zip. The department’s aim is to help people safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted medication. The goal is to reduce the availability of prescribed medication for recreational use, which can result in addiction, intoxication and overdoses. The drop-off system also prevents unsanitary disposal of medicines as some people flush them down the toilet or toss them in the garbage where they collect in landfills. People can drop off unused, expired or otherwise unwanted medications in the bright red Med-Return Drug Collection Unit in the lobby of the evidence building 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

See DROP-OFF BOX 12

opinion

April 10, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

House and Senate tax relief plans

By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

House passes state budget after long debate

USTIN — After 17 hours of floor debate and hundreds of amendments considered, the Texas House of Representatives on April 1 passed House Bill 1, a state budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 that appropriates $209.8 billion. The vote was 141 in favor to 5 against, with nay votes cast by Reps. David Simpson, R-Longview; Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler; freshman Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving; freshman Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington; and freshman Molly White, R-Belton. The House version of the state budget, a 3.8 percent increase over the current 20142015 state budget, draws no funds from the Economic Stabilization (“rainy day”) Fund. Senate concurrence with the HB 1 is necessary for the state budget to be finally adopted. SB 2, the Senate version of 2016-2017 state budget, has been pending in the Senate Finance Committee since March 25. On April 1, on a vote of 148-0, the House also passed HB 2, supplemental appropriations and funding adjustments for various state agencies. Notably, the legislation, in addition to amounts previously appropriated for 2014- 2015, appropriates some $768 million out of the general revenue fund to the Teacher Retirement System to prevent the impending insolvency of the state agency’s TRS-Care health care fund. House Appropriations Committee Chair John Otto, R-Dayton, the primary author of HB 1 and HB 2, stood true to his Feb. 25 House floor announcement, in which he said the House would fully

fund health care for retired public school employees and their dependents. Bills gain Senate approval SB 20 by Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, would amend the rules state agencies must obey in making contracts with private sector vendors. Nelson’s bill would: require the creation of a centralized clearinghouse at the Office of Comptroller to keep a record of all contracts signed by state agencies; require state agencies to post active contracts and proposed contracts on their state website; require state agencies to keep documentation relating to a contract for four years after it ends; and require state agency heads to personally sign off on all contracts worth more than one million dollars. SB 6 by Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Galveston, would remold the current system used to rate schools in terms ranging from “exemplary” to “unacceptable” and replace it with an “A” through “F” rating system to begin in 2017. Taylor said his bill would make it clear to parents and school administrators which schools are succeeding and which are failing within a district. Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, added an amendment to the bill requiring school districts to publish the reasons a campus received its grade along with the rating. SB 538 by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, was crafted in light of the state’s Ebola response last year. Among its attributes, the bill clarifies the chain

of command during a disease emergency and requires protective equipment for healthcare workers or first responders to be stockpiled and ready. This response regimen would apply when or if the governor declares a state of infectious disease emergency. DPS seizes marijuana load Texas Department of Public Safety on April 1 announced more than two tons of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $24 million were seized on March 30 after a state trooper pulled over a tractor trailer in Starr County for a commercial vehicle inspection on U.S. 83 west of Roma. During the inspection, the trooper discovered 174 bundles totaling 4,040 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the pressure washer skid being towed on the flatbed trailer. The driver was arrested and placed in federal custody. Distracted driving takes toll April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Texas Department of Transportation has kicked off its annual “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign to urge drivers to give their full attention to the road. “Nearly 1 in 5 traffic crashes in Texas is caused by a distracted driver. Last year, 468 people were killed because someone took their attention off the road. How important is a fleeting distraction when it could end in the death of someone, perhaps even one of your loved ones?” TxDOT Deputy Executive Director John Barton asks in a campaign news release.

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By Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

USTIN – I appreciate the hard work of Ways and Means Chairman, Representative Dennis Bonnen. However, his plan, that does not include any property tax relief to homeowners, is out of step with Texans, my office, the Senate and the Governor, who said in his State of the State address, "I will reject any budget that does not include genuine tax relief to Texas employers and job creators. I will also insist on property tax reduction. It’s time for property owners – not government – to truly own their property." For a more specific apples-to-apples comparison, based on our effort to provide significant tax relief immediately, and live within the limits of our existing budget, the Texas Senate's proposed $4.6 billion tax relief package (SB 1, 7 and 8) does the following:

• Provides immediate tax relief to struggling homeowners and Texas businesses while the House proposal delays any sales tax relief until January 1, 2016; • Fully pays for all tax cuts proposed, within current budget spending limits, for homeowners and businesses with $1.3 billion remaining under the spending cap, while the method of paying for the House proposal is still unclear; • Is consistent with Governor Greg Abbott's budget plan* providing relief to Texas property owners at a time when Texas is experiencing the 5th highest property tax rates in the nation (Source: http://www.housingwire. com/articles/33468-these-10states-have-the-highest-property-taxes); • Decreases the reliance on the state franchise tax which the Senate is working to abolish while the House's reduction of sales tax would

require even more franchise tax reliance, thus putting an even greater burden on Texas businesses; • Exempts an additional 61,000 Texas businesses from any franchise tax burden while the House plan's author says, "we see no need to carve out new exemptions"; • Provides an estimated $442 in two-year savings to Texas homeowners while the House claims to provide an estimate of $43 per person per year (per the House's claim of a $172 savings for a family of four from a sales tax rate reduction); also, not everyone paying sales taxes in Texas can claim to be Texans, although homestead owners are Texans by definition. The Texas Senate and I look forward to working with the House and Governor Abbott to iron out our differences in the best interest of all Texans to provide tax relief as quickly as possible.

we are dealing with a President that disregards the Rule of Law and the system of checks and balances that are key to the Constitution. I am confident that Texas, a” Below are excerpts from Hanen’s order: “Whether by ignorance, omission, purposeful misdirection, or because they were misled by their clients, the attorneys for the Government misrepresented the facts.” “2012 DACA only provided for two-year terms for both original applications and renewal applications. If 108,081 individuals received renewals for three-year terms, those renewals could only have been granted pursuant to the 2014 DHS Directive (containing the revised DACA), which is the very Directive at issue in this case.” “Regardless, by their own

admission, the Government’s lawyers knew about it at least as of February 17, 2015. Yet, they stood silent. Even worse, they urged this Court to rule before disclosing that the Government had already issued 108,081 three-year renewals under the 2014 DACA amendments despite their statements to the contrary.” “Even under the most charitable interpretation of these circumstances, and based solely upon what counsel for the Government told the Court, the Government knew its representations had created ‘confusion,’ but kept quiet about it for two weeks while simultaneously pressing this Court to rule on the merits of its motion.” “The Government did anything but act ‘promptly’ to clarify the Government-created ‘confusion.’

Federal judge’s order admonishes Obama Administration for misleading court

USTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott Wednesday released the following statement in response to District Court Judge Andrew Hanen’s order denying the Obama Administration’s request for a stay of the Court’s earlier ruling. Hanen also granted the Texas-led coalition’s request for early discovery, made after it came to light that U.S. Department of Justice lawyers misrepresented the administration’s actions to implement President Obama’s executive amnesty to the court: “Texas can claim another victory for the Rule of Law and the Constitution with the District Court’s decision to deny the President’s request to proceed with his unlawful executive action. The administration’s request had no legal grounds and proves that

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April 10, 2015

MHS demolition to begin in summer

By Lea Victoria Juarez he Mission Consolidated Independent School District board approved the demolition and relocation of infrastructure at Mission High School at a special board meeting April 1. The Eagle Cafe, building C, building G and the pavilion, also known as the Whataburger canopy, will be demolished after the students are let out for summer vacation. Once the relocation of infrastructure is completed, demolition will begin and is expected to finish in August. Construction and renovation is expected to begin in the fall. Two different contractors will be taking on the project – one will take care of the relocating and tearing down aspect, then bidding will go out for the construction portion in November. Rick Rivera, the executive director for facilities and maintenance construction, stressed that phase three needs to begin as soon as the students leave for the break in order for the project to remain on schedule. If anyone intends to work on campus during the break, they are advised to locate to another campus, Rivera said. The communication system, alarms and air condition

could go down at any time, and could be down for an unspecified period of time. “My concern and priority is to have that up and running when school starts, not any time during the summer when staff is wanting to work,” Rivera said. “We don’t want to stop the progress of that demolition at all. We need (infrastructure) working by the time school starts.” MHS Principal Edilberto Flores said he is already planning ahead in regards to security, travel frequency and traffic schedule once the students return for the fall semester. All passersby will be directed through Eagle Trail to avoid having students in the demo area, according to the principal. The target completion period is spring 2017. Board President Patricia O’Cana-Olivarez expressed that her concern is patience from the staff at Mission High because they won’t be able to function in their regular routine due to construction. “We’re going to do the best we can,” Flores said. “We know we’re going to go through headaches. I think the staff wants to see something. Once we start demoing, they’ll start believing. It’s going to take a lot of adjustments.”

La Joya ISD chosen for federal education study

he La Joya Independent School District is one of 12 school districts in the nation recently selected to participate in a study funded by the US Department of Education. The two-year research, conducted by a non-partisan education policy research organization, will explore factors affecting the education in schools identified as “disadvantaged.” The main goal of the investigation is to create and maintain safe and orderly school environments that will support student learning. This federal study will consist in La Joya ISD randomly introducing multitiered systems of support for behavior, or MTTS-B, at 10 of its elementary schools. The selected schools will receive training and support in

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MTTS-B during the coming summer to prepare for the 2015-2017 school years. Each school will implement different programs with a focus on a systematic approach to teaching while reinforcing appropriate behavior and providing support to students who need it. Data will be collected through surveys, tests, site visits, interviews, and class observations. Because schools are held accountable for student achievement, different instructional strategies are implemented yearly in an effort to improve overall student performance. For this reason, the federal government relies heavily on the analysis found in research to help improve education in the United States.

Rep. Cuellar announces reimbursement opportunity for those affected by border humanitarian crisis

ongressman Henry Cuellar announced Tuesday that border communities affected by the humanitarian crisis that developed last year as a result of an influx of unaccompanied minors crossing the border into the United States will be eligible for financial reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “As my district knows all too well, communities along the border are responsible for dealing with a lot of important and expensive problems like providing humanitarian relief to children who have come to our country,” Cuellar said. “It’s important that the federal government mitigate these expenses and provide resources to assist with handling the issues that are unique to the cities and counties along border. I want to thank Sen. John Cornyn for working with me on a bipartisan solution to this problem.” Law enforcement, nonprofits, religious, governmental and other community partners who incurred unexpected costs due to the surge will be able to apply for reimbursements due to an addition Cuellar included in the FY2015 Department of Homeland Security funding bill. The language adds a provision that makes costs of providing humanitarian relief to unaccompanied immigrant children and to adults and their minor children eligible for reimbursement under certain Homeland Security grants to Southwest border recipients for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. The influx of unaccompanied immigrant children and families that came across the Southwest border overwhelmed federal resources and put a burden on state and local jurisdictions.

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Henry Cuellar, McAllen Mayor Jim Darling and Ana Maria Garcia of Sen. John Cornyn's Office.

Awards may used for reimbursement of costs related to providing humanitarian relief to unaccompanied

children and families, including costs for food, water, hygiene products, medicine, medical supplies and tempo-

rary housing, as well as costs for transportation to and from temporary housing or to permanent housing.

lifestyle

April 10, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

South Texas Wildflower Tour being held

Carol Goolsby, Education Supervisor at Quinta Mazatlan

Michelle Raya Michelle Raya was honored by her parents, Rogelio and Rosaura, for her 15th birthday with a church service at San Martin de Porres Church in Alton on March 28, 2015. Michelle is a ninth grader. Austin photo

all and winter rains have triggered one of the most spectacular wildflower seasons in years. As part of the Nature Lecture Series, Carol Goolsby will present a "Wildflower Tour" through the Lower Rio Grande Valley, as well as demonstrate flower pressing, on Thursday April 9 at Quinta Mazatlan. From their ecological origins on the North American continent, to their unique botanical arrangements, the fields of spring colors this

season are part of a long history of this region's "wildflower phenomenon". The nature lecture series takes place on Thursday evenings through April 2015. The program fee is $3 per person and no advance reservation is required. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset in McAllen, one block south of La Plaza Mall on 10th Street. For more information contact Quinta Mazatlan at (956) 681-3370 or visit www.quintamazatlan.com.

Texas-sized beach cleanup Saturday, April 18

V Samantha Granados Reynaldo and Carolina Granados honored their daughter, Samantha, with a reception at Wonderland Party House in Mission for her 15th birthday on April 4, 2015. Rey Granados Jr. served as Samantha’s escort. Samantha is a 10th grader at Mission High School. Austin photo

Brandon Lee and John Hernandez Juan and Larissa Hernandez honored their sons, Brandon Lee and John, for their 15th birthday on March 21, 2015. They held a celebration at Cheddars Restaurant in McAllen. Brandon and John are ninth graders at Palmview High School. Austin photo

olunteers are needed for the nation’s biggest all-volunteer coastal cleanup Saturday, April 18, 8;30 a.m. to noon. Valley locations include Andy Bowie Park, South Padre Island City Beach Access #3 and end of Hwy. 4 at the beach. All are at South Padre Island. The 2015 Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup takes place at 30 of Texas’ most popular tourist beaches. Volunteers can sign up online at www. texasadoptabeach.org to take part in a fun-filled day at the

Lend a hand by giving a can at Mission Skeet and Trap Club

ission Skeet and Trap Club is partnering with the Food Bank of the RGV by sponsoring a Food Drive, from now through April 12. Bring canned food (vegetables, soup, Spam, tuna) to the club and deposit in the box in the club house. All food collected will be delivered to the Food Bank of the RGV on April 15 to help those less fortunate in our community. The Mission Skeet and Trap Club is located on South Conway, half mile south of Expressway 83, at 1001 S. Conway.

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beach that makes a difference. “The Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup is a great day at the beach for a great cause," said Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. "Come out for sun and sand and help keep Texas beaches clean at any of our 30 clean-up sites along the coast. The Adopt-A-Beach clean-up starts at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18." Each volunteer will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags. All volunteers are advised to wear closedtoe shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water. The Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Cleanups are held rain or shine. To learn more about the Adopt-A-Beach program, visit www.TexasAdoptABeach.org or contact the GLO at 1-877-TX COAST. Like the organization on Facebook at www.facebook. com/texasadoptabeach and follow it on Twitter @TXadoptabeach.

Events Calendar Apr il 11 – The RGV Quilt Guild will hold their monthly meeting from 9 a.m. to noon at STC in Weslaco, 400 N. Border, in Building G, Room 191, and Parking Lot #1. Program speaker will be Alice Gibson and scholarship presentations will be held. Apr il 11 – The Mission Lighthouse chapter of Aglow International will meet at 4 p.m. at Taco Ole, 2316 N. Conway in Mission free merienda. The power of prayer is this month’s topic. For more information, call Liza Rayo at 776-8505 or Connie Escamilla at 279-7887. Apr il 11 – The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host its annual three-mile Great Strides Walk Saturday, April 11 at the UTPA Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex in Edinburg. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. with the walk starting at 9 a.m. To find out more information about the walk, register, or find a team near you, go to fightcf.cff.org/. Apr il 11 – Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge will host a Family Fish Camp at Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp is for families and their children between the ages of six and 16. Children will learn the basics of fishing and other important tips. The camp is free and includes all fishing equipment, gifts, lunch and certificates. Space is limited, so visit www.fishingsfuture.org to register online. Apr il 11 – Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center will host a wildflower van tour from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see native flowers and learn about the habitat they create. The trip fee is $22 for members and $25 for non-members. Lunch, snacks, drinks and transportation are included. Reservations are required two days in advance. Space is limited. Call 956-381-9922 to reserve your space. The Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. Apr il 13 – The University of Texas-Pan American will host Emmy Award-winning actress and activist America Ferrera as its next guest in the Distinguished Speakers Series for the 2014-2015 school year. Ferrera will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse. The event is free and open to the public. Students, staff, and faculty with valid ID’s will be admitted at 7 p.m. Doors will open for the general public at 7:20 p.m. For special accommodations, call the Student Union Office at (956) 665-7989. Apr il 14 – Speer Memorial Library will hold a discussion about the book The Fault in Our Stars at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s community room. Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission. Apr il 15 – As part of National Library Week, Speer Memorial Library will host Henry Schaefer to speak about his experiences in Nazi Germany. He will provide attendees a glimpse into the history during World War II. Everyone is welcome to attend and the event is free to the public. For any additional information, please contact Robert L. Rivera, at 580-8479 or email him at robert@missiontexas.us or visit www. mission.lib.tx.us or www.facebook.com/speermemoriallibrary. Apr il 18 – The Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until noon at Andy Bowie Park, South Padre Island City Beach Access #3 and end of Hwy. 4 at the beach. You can find out more information at www.TexasAdoptABeach.org or contact the GLO at 1-877-TX COAST. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ texasadoptabeach and follow us on Twitter at @TXadoptabeach. Apr il 18 – “Tales & Myths” at the Edinburg World Birding Center uncovers the truth about the way the world is defined in folk tales. The March topic covers wildflowers during an indoor presentation and show and tell followed by a story walk on the grounds from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for senior citizens, students, and children; and ages 5 and under are free. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Call 381-9922 for information. Apr il 24 – UVAL member Veronia Jaeger will have an exhibit opening at Beyond the Arts Gallery in Harlingen, 114 A. Street, at 7 p.m. Apr il 25 – Navy Junior Reserve Office Trainings Corps Anniversary 5K Run will be held in San Benito. For more information, visit jrotc5k.com or call Chief Gaytan at 956276-6075. To see the complete Events Calendar for the coming weeks, go to www.ptrgv.com.

Free Society News Announcements

Quinceanera, engagement, wedding, milestone anniversary* and milestone birthday** announcements are run FREE of charge in the Progress Times. The quinceanera, wedding, anniversary and birthday announcements should be submitted no later than two months after the event date. Engagement announcements must be submitted no later than three weeks prior to the wedding date. Quinceanera and milestone birthday photos are upper body, single column of the individual only; no group shots. Engagement, wedding and anniversary photos of the couple are run two columns in size. For questions or to obtain the appropriate form to submit with a photo, send an email to communitynews@progresstimes. net, call the Progress Times at 585-4893. Please include a contact name and phone number for all inquiries.

April 10, 2015

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Celebrate National Library Week April 12-18 Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis walk is next weekend

his coming week, the Speer Memorial Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers. Libraries today are more than warehouses for books. Instead, libraries and librarians are change agents within their communities – transforming lives through innovative educational resources and forward-thinking programming. Libraries are doing their part to close the digital divide and level the playing field by providing

free access to information and technologies that many in their communities would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Libraries help to ensure the American dream and promote democracy by providing service to all regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status. Librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover and meet the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners,

programs for job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, librarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond. The Speer Memorial Library serves the City of Mission by providing books, computer classes, GED classes, toddler programming, e-Books, free income tax preparation, guest speakers, story times, yoga for children, Summer Reading Program, and various other programs. “The library has always been a place of unlimited possibilities,” said Rosie Alvarez, Reference Librarian.

See LIBRARY WEEK 10

The City of Mission has placed large containers at the following locations for the public to throw away any large bulky items I.E. mattresses and furniture (no tires & no refrigerators because of the freon) FREE to the citizens NO CONTRACTORS!! Jaycee Park - Los Ebanos Rd. & Barnes St. Birdwell Park - Stewart Rd. & 24th City Warehouse - 609 Canal Water Tower Entrance - N Lucksinger & Bus 83 South of Fire Substation - 2 1/2 Mile & Inspiration Nell Toll Park - South Parking Area Francisco St. & 2 Mile Line - North of Drain Ditch Los Indios & Beatty St.- Madero Park - at Water Tower Melba Center - Between Conway & Mayberry at Drain Ditch (Containers Available thru May 2nd)

For more information contact the City of Mission

956-580-8780

he Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host its annual three-mile Great Strides Walk Saturday, April 11, at the UTPA Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex in Edinburg. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. with the walk starting at 9 a.m. Great Strides provides a great opportunity for people within the community to get involved in a great cause. Participants can form walk teams at their workplace, through their clubs and organizations, or with friends and family. Walk day is a fun, family-oriented event with a

healthy 5K walk, children's activities, food, and festivities that participants look forward to year after year. Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest national fundraising event. Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in hundreds of walks across the country to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research and drug development. Great Strides continues to gain momentum, as do research efforts and the progress made in the search for a cure. The CF Foundation has raised and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to support the development of new

CF drugs and therapies. But the lives of people with this disease are still cut far too short. The public’s continued support helps to fulfill the mission of finding a cure and improving the quality of life of those with the disease. To find out more information about the walk, register, or find a team near you, go to fightcf.cff.org/.

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Rattlers solidify first place standing Baseball Standings T By Luciano Guerra

Sharyland’s Lance Madden slides into third base just slightly ahead of the tag by Veterans Memorial third baseman Edward Pena during the second inning of Tuesday night’s 4 - 0 Rattlers’ win over the Patriots. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

he Sharyland Rattlers baseball team solidified its first place standing in District 31-5A Tuesday evening with a 4 – 0 win over the Veterans Memorial Patriots. The win was the sixth in a row for the 7 – 1 Rattlers while the loss was the second shutout loss in a row for the 5 – 2 Patriots. With Tuesday night’s win Sharyland avenged its only district loss of the season which came at the hands of the Patriots in the first round of district play by a score of 5 - 2. Rattlers' senior right-handed pitcher Mario Vela earned the victory by pitching a complete game two-hitter against the Patriots. Veterans Memorial's sophomore southpaw Noel Vela suffered the loss despite striking out 13 batters over six innings. A three run bottom of the first by the Rattlers put the Patriots in a hole they could not

DISTICT 30-6A Overall District GB Palmview* 11-2-1 6-0 10-4 4-2 2 McAllen Rowe 11-4 3-3 3 McAllen High McAllen Memorial 5-9 3-3 3 La Joya High 9-7 3-3 3 -----------------------------------------------Mission High 4-11 2-4 4 2-13 0-6 6 Juarez-Lincoln *Palmview has tied once

DISTICT 31-5A Overall District GB Sharyland High 15-2 6-1 Veterans Memorial 14-5 5-1 0.5 Edinburg Vela 9-7 5-2 1 7-9 3-3 3 Roma ------------------------------------------------Rio Grande City 6-11 2-4 4 Valley View* 2-6-1 1-5 5 Sharyland Pioneer 3-14 0-7 6 *Valley View tied once Note: Teams above dotted line represent the current teams in position to make playoffs.

climb out of as they struggled to put a scoring threat together until the top of the seventh inning when they loaded the bases with two outs. Unfortu-

nately for the Patriots' fans in attendance it was too little too late as a fly ball to short right field ended the scoring threat and the game. After the game Patriots’ head coach Casey Smith put what his team needs to do to break its two game scoring drought into perspective. “We’ve got to hit the ball,” Smith said. “It’s that plain and simple. We have not been very good offensively all season long.” As for the performance of his pitcher Smith said, “He struck out 13 batters in six innings. You don’t lose very many ballgames when that happens. They hit the ball early on and they hit it into the right spots with men on base. When you get guys on you have to come through in those situations. They did and we didn’t.” With the win the Rattlers not only improved their dis-

See BASEBALL 10

Juárez-Lincoln’s season ends against Rivera in PKs Sharyland and Pioneer girls advance to 5A regional tournament

By Ed Salas ONNA – The Huskies came close to pulling off a remarkable comeback against Brownsville Rivera at Tuesday night’s region IV-6A quarterfinals, only to be thwarted by the Raiders in penalty kicks 4-3 (5-4 aggregate) after playing to a 1-all draw in regulation and overtime at Bennie La Prade Stadium. “That’s been the story for us this year,” La Joya Juárez-Lincoln head coach Víctor Ramos said. “We practiced for this, but that’s how penalty kicks are. Nobody wants to go to penalty kicks

because you never know what’s going to happen, it’s a coin flip and now it was our turn to lose.” Juárez-Lincoln lost two out of three PK shootouts in District 30-6A play and found themselves on the winning end of the soccer roulette wheel last week when they defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial in shootouts during the area round of the playoffs. In Tuesday’s regional quarterfinals, Eliseo Ortiz put Rivera on top 1-0 in the opening 10 minutes of the match. However, the Huskies equalized a split-second before halftime on Ángel García’s

goal to take a 1-all tie into the intermission. After a scoreless second half and 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, the match went into overtime, where neither team was able to finish off the other and called upon PKs to decide which team would advance to the semifinals. In the penalty kick series, the Raiders went 4-for-5 and goalkeeper Jesús Zaragoza blocked two of the Huskies’ shots to lead Brownsville Rivera to a 4-3 PK victory and the region IV-6A semifinals. “We knew of their potent offense, but we also knew that we could attack them and that was our plan from the start, to pressure them and at the same time try to counterattack, and I think it worked well,” Ramos said. “We had a few missed opportunities and

it cost us.” “It was a good season nonetheless,” he added. “We’re rebuilding this year and I think the guys learned a lot by playing against a team like Rivera. You learn a lot from these games and we’re going to start preparing for next year.” Juárez-Lincoln was the 30-6A runner up this season and went three deep in the playoffs after their elimination by Rivera. In girls 5A soccer, both Sharyland schools advanced to the regional tournament at Corpus Christi. The Rattlers shut out Victoria West 3-0 on Tuesday at Corpus Christi on goals by Vanessa Guevara, Katie Watson and Isabella Marinaro. “At the beginning of the season we set out our first goal

Midfield Battle-Huskies Freshman Manuel Casrejon battled for midfield control all night long against the Raiders. Progress Times photo by Mike De La Cruz

go get to the regional tournament and met that goal,” Sharyland head coach Aaron Clemons said. “I couldn’t be any prouder of these girls and I look forward to accomplishing the rest of our goals.” Sharyland will face Cedar Park on April 10 at 4:30 p.m.

at Corpus Christi in the 5A regional semifinals. The Lady Timberwolves defeated Vista Ridge in penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw in regulation and overtime in the quarterfinals.

See SOCCER 10

April 10, 2015

obituaries

Raul Compean ISSION - Raul Compean, 87, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Comfort House in McAllen, Texas. He was born on October 30, 1927 in Lockhart, Texas, but resided all his life in Mission. At the age of 18, he served in the United States Army during World War II. He was later a member of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 in Mission, member of American Legion Post 93, and lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 8788. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Cindy Compean Flores, Deldie Flores, Belinda Sifuentes, Eddie Compean, Albert Compean, Frank Compean, and Juan Compean. He was preceded in death by his parents, Guillermo and Juana Compean; and his brothers, Jose Compean, Mario Compean, Jesus Compean, and Guillermo O. Compean. A funeral service was held Monday, April 6, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission. Oscar Garza ISSION - Oscar Garza, 92, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2015. Oscar was born in Mission on August 9, 1922 to Emilia Reyna Garza and Anastacio Garza. He was proud to have graduated from Mission High School in 1942 with Tom Landry as a classmate. He served his country in World War II as a Sgt. in the Army/Air Force. He was stationed in Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls where he met the love of his life, Jean. After moving back to Mission he worked at Barrera Supply for many years then retired from McAllen Motor Mart, where he worked in the parts department. He was a life-time chartered member of the Catholic War Veterans, Roberto Gonzalez Post 1065 and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. He is survived by his wife

of 69 years, Jean Garza of Mission; his sons, Daniel Garza of Mission and Larry E. Garza of Brownsville; his brother, Gavino Garza of Mission and Ricardo Garza of Seguin; his sister, Maria Magdalena Silvas of Mission; four grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Oscar is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Guadalupe Garza; and his sisters, Sofia Garza Hernandez and Olivia Garza Gonzalez. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Larry E. Garza, Ricardo Garza, Michael Garza, Dr. Jonathan A. Garza, Nicholas Gutierrez and Matthew Garza. A funeral mass was held Thursday, April 9, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mission. Guadalupe Hibarguen ISSION - Guadalupe Hibarguen, 76, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission. He was born in Mexico on March 18, 1939. He is survived by his wife, Lidia Hibarguen; his children, Ricardo Hibarguen, Juan Angel Hibarguen, Sonia Fonseca, Norma Venecia, and Guadalupe Hibarguen Jr.; siblings, Elva Zapata, Yolanda Hibarguen viuda de Gonzales, Irma Sierra, Eleazar Hibarguen, and Mateo Hibarguen; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mateo Hibarguen and Petra Villarreal; his brother, Eralio Villarreal and his sister, Rosalba Villarreal. A funeral mass was held Saturday, April 4, at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Interment followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Joaquin ‘Jake’ Longoria, Jr. ISSION - Joaquin ‘Jake’ Longoria, Jr., passed away, Tuesday, March 31, 2015. He was the son of Joaquin and Isabel Longoria, Jake was a veteran of the

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U.S. Air Force, earned a Master’s Degree from Pan American University, worked as a teacher, coach, and administrator for the Mission School District a total of 39 years, an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed the outdoors and was a devoted New York Yankees fan. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gloria; children, Joaquin III Longoria, Jackie Milligan and George Longoria;6 grandchildren; and Caitlin Laurel. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lizandro; and a sister, Elida. A funeral mass was held Thursday, April 2 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen. Olga G. Palacios ISSION - Olga G. Palacios, 86, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2015 at McAllen Medical Center in McAllen. She was born to Francisco Garza and Caritina Arredondo on June 14, 1928 in Mission. She is survived by her daughters, Norma Ruiz of Mission, Sylvia Martinez of McAllen, Nelda Clover of McAllen and Nelsa Palacios of San Juan; her siblings, Oscar Omar Garza, III of San Antonio, Oscar Odin Gar-

za, IV of San Antonio and Olympia Guizar of McAllen; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Cristina Peña, Oscar O. Garza, II and Rev. Oscar F. Garza, I. Graveside services were held Thursday, April 2 at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission. Serving as pallbearers were Israel Martinez, Dr. Joseph Martinez, Michael Martinez, Ramiro Ruiz, Jr., Omar Ruiz, Isaiah Clover and Cecilio Chapa. Maria Rita Ramirez ISSION - Maria Rita Ramirez, 84, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Mission Regional Hospital in Mission, Texas. He was born July 22, 1930 to Hilario Palomo and Teresa del Jesus Rosales in Mexico. Mrs. Ramirez was preceded in death by her parents, Hilario and Teresa de Jesus Palomo; her husband, Martin Q. Ramirez; and a son, Simon Jesus Ramirez. She is survived by her children, Blas Jesus Ramirez, Maria Dolores Ledezma, Antonio Ramirez, Jose Luis Ramirez, Ismael Ramirez, Maria Socorro Wissar, Maria Teresa Ramirez, Marta Anjelica Escamilla; siblings, Andres Palomo, Apolinar Palomo, Manuela Palo-

ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 4501 N. McColl. - McAllen CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 29th & Dove - McAllen 618-0884 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 1 Mi. N. Conway • 585-2413 EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 EL MESIAS UNITED METHODIST 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1300 Doherty • 585-1442 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 12th and Miller - Mission 585-7281 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665

NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln. Mission • 735-2569

ROAD TO SALVATION ASSEMBLY OF GOD 239 W. 2nd St. - La Joya 1312 Oblate • 585-3261

OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223

SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH

3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno 279-4159

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002

IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission • 279-4159

ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325

IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623

IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193

ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005

IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst

PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy. 585-3203

SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078

FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 4122 N. Conway • 584-3112 GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008

IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898

PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711

LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787

PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 St. Marie. • 585-8651

MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683

PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307

NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 585-4122

RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838

NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. 3 Mile Line • 585-0146

Mission • 580-4551

ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701

TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway • 581-4981 or 585-3831 TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya THE DOOR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

810 E. Veterans & La Homa Suite F.

Palmview Crossing Plaza 212-1594/424-1984

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3701W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 WEST MISSION LUTHERAN FELLOWSHIP Pleasant Valley Ranch 7320 W. Exp. 83 • Mission 583-7667 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”

915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA

ATTORNEYS AT LAW DAVID H. GUERRA NEAL KING (retired) DARRELL DAVIS ESMERALDA GARCIA (retired) 301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618

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 





 

mo and Petra Palomo; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April, 7, 2015 at El Divino Salvador at 3010 W. Humberto Garza St., Mission. Interment followed to Valley Memorial Gardens. Ruben Ramon ISSION - Ruben Ramon, 80, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his loving family on Monday, April 6, 2015 at Lifecare Hospital South in McAllen, Texas. He was born on June 9, 1934 in Mexico, but resided most of his life in the McAllen/Mission area. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Elvia Ramon; sons, Albert Ramon, Abiel Ramon; daughters, Olga Ramon, Sylvia Hernandez; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Elvira Ramon; a grandson, Carlos Vincent Ramon; son,

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Jaime Ramon; four sisters; and three brothers. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in McAllen. Celsa Estefana Rivas de Peña ISSION - Celsa Estefana Rivas de Peña paased away on March 28, 2015. Celsa was born to Inez and Guadalupe Flores de Rivas on December 26, 1920 in Los Ebanos, Texas. She is survived by her daughter, Maria Angelica; sons, Saul Rafael and Rene Peña; sister, Ninfa Rivas; sister-cousins, Hermila Garza and Emma Salinas; nine grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rafael A Peña; two sons, Orlando and Rafael Armando; and her parents.

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Mission CISD to hold a special community awareness block walk

On the morning of Saturday, April 18, Mission CISD teachers, students, campus staff, and administrators will hit the streets on a first-ofits-kind community awareness event. During the Mission CISD Proud Block Walk, teams of people will be visiting neighborhoods in several areas, armed with information everyone should know about the district and why the com-

munity should take pride in their Mission CISD students and schools. “We thought it was important to try a new approach,” said Ricardo López, superintendent. “It is my hope this helps us better connect with some of our community members on a very personal level. It is important they know the facts about us and be confident in the quality education and programs

being offered to their children.” López said after this first Mission CISD Proud Block Walk event, officials would gather feedback from the participants and use that for any possible future Mission CISD Proud outreach events. This first Mission CISD Proud Block Walk event will end with a special celebra-

See BLOCK WALK 11

LIBRARY WEEK from pg 7

“Whatever your interest or need, the library and the library staff are here to provide you the resources you need to accomplish your goals and dreams.” The Speer Memorial Library is celebrating National Library Week by having a Family Bingo on April 13 at 6 p.m., “The Fault in our Stars” book discussion on April 14 at 5:30 p.m. (Spanish) and 6:30 p.m. (English), Little Tykes on April 15 at 10 a.m., speaker Henry Schaefer on April 15 at 6 p.m., Children’s Craft on April 16 at 6 p.m., Movie Time on April 17 at 2 p.m., and Video Games Awe-

some on April 18 at 2 p.m. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. For more information, visit the Speer Memorial Library at 801 E 12th St, call 956-

BASEBALL

trict record to 7 – 1 but they also improved their overall record to 16 – 2. Other than the first round loss to the Patriots, Sharyland’s only other loss of the season came at the hands of the Palmview Lobos who are currently atop the District 30-6A standings with a 6 – 0 record.

April 10, 2015

580-8750 or www.mission. lib.tx.us. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Stay up to date with the latest events going on in our neighborhood library by joining the Facebook page. from pg 8

Sharyland head coach Rodolfo “Junior” Martinez liked what he saw from his starting pitcher Tuesday night. “Mario had all of his pitches working,” Martinez said. “He was a little shaky with his change-up but he was hitting the corners inand-out with his fastball. His cutter and his curve ball were working really well too. Against a good hitting team like the Patriots, holding them to only two hits says a lot.” Vela not only pitched a complete game Tuesday night but he also played a part in the Rattlers’ offense when he opened the bottom of the first inning with a single, stole his 24th base of the season (just two short of the Sharyland single-season record) and then scored on a David Becerra triple that drove in Sharyland’s first two runs. “Having an early lead was big because it gave me more confidence,” shared Vela. “I was hitting my spots well but having a team like this behind me and having that early lead made my job easier.” While the loss was a blow to the Patriots’ district title hopes they remain in the thick of the District 31-5A playoff hunt with five games remaining on their schedule. Next up for Veterans Memorial is tonight’s home game against Roma. As for the Rattlers they have a bye tonight but they will be traveling to Roma Tuesday to play the Gladiators.

SOCCER from pg 8

Pioneer was the first of the two Sharyland ISD high schools to advance to the regional tournament after slipping past District 31-5A rival Edinburg Vela 1-0 on Monday at Cats Stadium. The victory over Vela was the Lady D’backs’ third this season over the Lady Sabercats. In district play, Pioneer defeated Vela 4-0 and 3-0, respectively. In the most recent rematch against Vela, Julie Alanis scored the game winner for the Lady Diamondbacks, who advanced to the regional semifinals in the first year of the Pioneer girls soccer program. The Lady Diamondbacks will face Austin Vandegrift on April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi in the semifinals. Vandegrift defeated Georgetown 3-nil on Monday. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

PALMVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE VEHICLE AUCTION

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of MARY B. MEISTER, Deceased, were issued on March 16, 2015, in Cause No. P-36,781, pending in the Probate Court Of Hidalgo County, Texas, to: GEORGE P. MEISTER.

PH: 956-432-0303

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

2004 Ford F-150 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab 2005 Chrysler 300 2001 Chevrolet Impala 2000 Ford Taurus 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 2006 Honda 4 wheel ATV 2000 Utility Reefer Trailer Green 2000 Freightliner Bobtail Tractor Green 2009 Artic Cat 4 Wheel ATV (small)

White White Silver Green Blue Blue Red

The deadline for vehicle auctions is May 1st, 2015.

V.I.N. 1FTRX12W64NA21955 V.I.N. 3B7HC13Z9XG159602 V.I.N. 2C3JA43R05H569439 V.I.N. 2G1WH55K319190564 V.I.N. 1FAFP5325YG174686 V.I.N. 1D7HA18N33S165450 V.I.N. 1HFTE270864507641 V.I.N. IUYVS2532YM934407 V.I.N. 1FUPCXZB9YPB91029 V.I.N. RFB09ATV79K6W0317

(Starting bid $3,000) (Starting bid $1,500) (Starting bid $ 3,500) (Starting bid $ 1,000) (Starting bid $ 1,000) (Starting bid $ 3,000) (Starting bid $500) (Starting bid $5,000) (Starting bid $8,000) (Starting bid $ 300)

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. GEORGE P. MEISTER c/o: LOUIS C. BROWN Attorney at Law 1207 Conway Mission, TX 78572 DATED the 6th day of APRIL, 2015.

April 10, 2015

Restaurants, sponsors sought for Empty Bowls 2015

BLOCK WALK from pg 10

Did you know that 47 percent of American households live paycheck to paycheck? A Business Insider report shows working, yes, working households simply cannot save any impactful amount

from their paychecks. When this happens, it’s a sure sign that hunger is looming and that particular family is just one bill, one misfortune away from going hungry. We see families like this

at the Food Bank RGV on a daily basis and we help feed them. But will you be able to help us continue the fight against hunger?

district's pre-K programs. Another bill they favorably voted out unanimously was HB 767, relating to cardiac assessments of participants in extracurricular athletic activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League. HB 767 states that athletes are required to undergo cardiac testing once before their first year of participation and another before their third year. Both bills will head to the House for consideration. Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock announced March 25 that it will cover school finance in the 84th legislative session. Previously, legislators stated that they will not discuss school funding while Supreme Court litigation was still pending. The state

is appealing a district court’s ruling that the method for funding public education was unconstitutional. Aycock also emphasized the Cost of Education Index, which has been out of date for more than 20 years. Five bills have been drafted relating to the CEI, most resolve to update it, one eliminating it. In the Senate corner, the first major education bill of the 84th session was passed March 17 – SB 149. The bill relates to alternative methods for satisfying certain public high school graduation requirements. Individual graduation committees can decide if students may graduate from high school even though they have not passed all their

See EMPTY BOWLS 12

84th Legislature: update on education

By Lea Victoria Juarez he House Committee on Public Education met for a 10-hour hearing March 24, covering 15 bills and voting on two. House Bill 4 by Rep. Dan Huberty was unanimously voted out. The bill relating to high-quality prekindergarten program provided by public school districts would allow up to $130 million into state-funded pre-K. According to Huberty, it would cost about $4 billion to place every 4-year-old in full-day pre-K. ATPE lobbyist Monty Exter said the bill provides school districts with additional formula funding in exchange for adding quality control measures into the

theclassifieds buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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CONDO 55+, 2ND person 18+, fully furnished, beautiful view to Shary Golf Course, 2bd, 1 1/2b, long/short term, 956-8448168 or 956-4322437.

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EXPERIENCED EXCAVATOR OPERATOR Wanted. Come by our office to apply: 1008 Doherty Mission, Tx 78572 or call 956583-5125 with any questions regarding the position.

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gual - affordable rates. Call Carolina 956-827-1853 or 956-683-6243.

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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. F.P.G

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE The Winter Texan Times is now hiring advertising sales representatives. Excellent hours – no nights or weekends. Competitive pay: base salary plus commission. Prior sales experience preferred. For information call: 956-580-7800 Email your resume to: resume@progresstimes.net

tion to be held at K. White Jr. High School at noon. There will be free food, fun, and student performances that will include: band, dance, mariachi, and cheerleaders. K. White Jr. High School is at 1101 W. Griffin Parkway, Mission. Parents of currently en-

Personal classified rate: $7 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on April 27, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: Lot 24, Block 2, Erdahl Subdivision, from (R1) Single Family Residential to (C-3) General Business; Rezoning: Lots 88 & 89, Mayberry Plaza, Unit No. 3, from (C-2) Neighborhood Commercial to (C-3) General Business; Rezoning: A 12.11 acre tract of land out of Lot 304, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (AO-I) Agricultural Open Interim to (R-3) Multi-Family Residential; Rezoning: 1.00 acre out of Lot 235, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (R-1) Single Family Residential to (C-3) General Business; and Rezoning: Lots 1-3, Boriquen Subdivision, from (R-1) Single Family Residential to (C-1) Office Building 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on April 22, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: The North 5.0 acres of the South 19.87 acres of Lot 184, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (C-3) General Business to (R-3) Multi-Family 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 1515 w. 3 MiLe Rd. Mission, Texas 78573 (956) 585-8245 • Fax: 581-6668 TdLR vsF Lic. no. 0548371

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN RULE 85.703. SUBCHAPTER F, FROM CHAPTER 85, PART 4 OF TITLE 16 IN THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, WE ARE OFFICIALLY NOTIFYING YOU THAT THE BELOW DESCRIBED MOTOR VEHICLES HELD IN OUR CUSTODY ARE TO BE PICKED UP, REMOVED AND ALL CHARGES PAID WITHIN (45) DAYS OR THESE VEHICLES WILL BE DECLARED ABANDONED ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAW. YEAR MAKE

MODEL

VIN#

BALANCE

1998

AVALON

4T1BF18B2WU274591

$970.00

TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED. 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 YEAR MAKE

MODEL

VIN#

BALANCE

2015

TRAILER

1UYVS2531FP251710

$2,410.00

UTILITY

TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED.

classified rate: Progress Times Personal $7 for 15 words

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25¢ each additional word thereafter

rolled students will also be able to complete their online registration at the celebration event at K. White Jr. High School if they have not al-

ready completed it for their children. Anyone interested in enrolling students for the first time would also be welcome.

STAAR exams. Similar to existing grade placement committees, the graduation committees would determine if certain students in lower grades may be advanced to the next grade. Juniors and seniors who fail an end-ofcourse exam two or more times in two subjects will also be scrutinized by the committee. The controversial SB 6 keeps moving its way up to the Senate. The bill by Sen. Larry Taylor calls for “A” through “F” grades to be assigned to entire school campuses instead of existing accountability ratings. Various educator associations oppose the bill, including the Association of Texas Professional Educators, because they believe that assigning campuses as “failing” can harm the students.

PUBLIC NOTICE

956 Towing & RecoveRy LLc 1515 w. 3 MiLe Rd. Mission, Texas 78573 (956) 585-8245 • Fax 581-6668 TdLR vsF Lic. no. 0640957 escaLeRa wReckeR inc.

TOYOTA

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Business classified rate:

$15 for 15 words 25¢ each additional word thereafter

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 Order by phone 585-4893 with a major credit card. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 3 p.m.

page 12

Palmito Ranch to hold clean up event

he Texas Historical Commission in conjunction with other organizations, including the Brownsville Historical Association and Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, will co-host Park Day at Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. Palmito Ranch Battlefield is known as the “last land battle” of the American Civil War. Activities will include a

April 10, 2015

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trash pick-up and a historic account of the battle that took place there and a presentation on conservation efforts. The event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are asked to bring their own sunscreen, work clothes, and hat. Bottled water, disposable gloves and trash bags will be provided. The event will be held a the core battlefield area, located 16.3 miles east of Brownsville on State Highway 4 (Boca Chica Highway).

Park Day is an annual event sponsored by the Civil War Trust and the History Channel, which seeks volunteers to clean and repair the grounds. At each site, volunteers receive a free T-shirt and patches (while supplies last), and have the opportunity to hear historians interpret the battle. Palmito Ranch Battlefield lies in the Texas Tropical Trail Region, which showcases the heritage, natural beauty, and rich culture of South Texas for the benefit and enjoyment of Texans and travelers.

Mission CISD to hold pre-k pre-registration round up

ll Mission CISD elementary schools are recruiting students for this fall’s pre-k and kindergarten programs. A special round up pre-registration drive for the 2015-2016 school year will be held on April 29 and 30 from 8-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. The kindergarten pre-registration will only be for students who are new to Mission CISD. Mission CISD elementary schools are expanding

its pre-k programs to a full day, with no language or income requirements. The district’s pre-k program offers dual-language instruction that can continue with the student through fifth grade, with teachers who meet federal standards for highly qualified designation. These teachers offer truly individualized instruction through a research-based curriculum. Students to be registered for pre-k must turn four years

of age prior to Sept. 1, 2015. On the round up days, parents need to bring a valid form of identification (for the parent), the child’s birth certificate, social security card (if available), immunization records, and proof of residence within Mission CISD. Parents in neighboring areas are welcome to bring their children to a Mission CISD school. The district does require an out-of-district transfer application for any children that reside outside of Mission CISD. The applications for the 2015-2016 school year will be available at the Mission CISD Central Office, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, beginning May 1. Parents with questions regarding out-of-district transfers may call 956-323-5578.

EMPTY BOWLS

from pg 11

Now is the time to become a sponsor or add your restaurant for Empty Bowls 2015, September 29, 2015 at the Boggus Ford Pharr Events Center, 3000 N. Cage, Pharr, Texas. Companies and individuals are encouraged to donate unique bowls and silent auction items. Well over 500 guests attend each year. For more information contact Philip Farias, at (956) 904-4513 or email pfarias@foodbankrgv.com. Visit www.foodbankrgv.com regarding other programs and events.

DROP-OFF BOX

from pg 3

The drop-off box was provided through a grant from retailer CVS. Safely collecting medications people accumulate in their bathroom cabinets is important for a number of reasons, Chief says people can abuse the medication, and more young people are using them to get high or to sell, he said. Everything "from aspirin to controlled substances" will be accepted, but needles and other sharps are forbidden, Mission Police Chief Robert Dominguez said.