Friday, August 7, 2015
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School superintendents talk shop
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By Julie Silva usiness leaders got a taste of what life is like for fifth-graders at the Mission Chamber of Commerce’s Buenas Tardes luncheon on Wednesday. Sponsored by Mission Consolidated Independent School District, the luncheon featured the three superintendents from the school districts covering the Mission area: MCISD’s Ricardo Lopez, Sharyland ISD’s Robert O’Connor and La Joya ISD’s Alda Benavides. Mission CISD Superintendent Ricardo Lopez handed out the fifth-grade version of the STAR test last year and encouraged everyone in
the room to take it. “Don’t worry. Were just going to publish your results on the EDC and everywhere there’s Facebook because that’s what we do to the kids,” he said. All three superintendents agreed there’s more to educating students than prepping them for tests. O’Connor emphasized that soft skills suffer, and Benavides said some testing is necessary, but she’s glad the Legislature cut the number of tests to graduate down from 15 to five. When a student goes to get a job, she said, the student won’t be asked if he or she passed the STAR in 11th grade. No, Benavides said, the employer will want someone who is
competitive and knowledgeable. Meanwhile, Lopez asked for a show of hands of everyone in the room who had to take a test to graduate high school. “The vast majority didn’t have to take a test to graduate,” he said. “We just graduated, and we turned out OK. But somebody sold us some Kool-Aid to drink and said, ‘No, we’ve got to make sure our schools are doing that and doing this.’ And that’s OK, but let’s do it right ... Every single district up here is more than just a test.” The three superintendents also agreed education is un-
See BUENAS TARDES 9
HUMANITARIAN EFFORT Longoria announces
reelection campaign R
Operation Lone Star aids thousands
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By Lea Victoria Juarez s early as 2 a.m., residents of Hidalgo County lined up outside of Palmview High School for a free medical screening. Although the doors didn’t open until five hours later, people secured their place in line to ensure their needs would be met. Every year for a week, medical volunteers provide screenings to the uninsured or underinsured residents along the South Texas border. From July 27 - July 31, medical volunteers provided screenings to more than 10,000 people at five clinics along the South Texas border and in Palmview, Rio Grande City and at PSJA High School. The service, known as Operation Lone Star, is the largest public
health humanitarian effort in the country. Local, state and federal entities, along with volunteers, band together to make the program possible. Medical services included immunizations for children, screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, hearing, vision and sports physicals. Dental exams were also available. Rows of dental chairs lined gym as medical professionals shined lights in the gaping mouths community members. “For some, Operation Lone Star is the only chance all year that residents, families and children are able to see a doctor,” said Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia at the on-site luncheon. “We also have a unique population which has specific needs
See LONE STAR 9
TOP: Medical professionals provide free dental care to low-income residents at Palmview High School through Operation Lone Star. BOTTOM: Residents throughout South Texas receive free eye exams and eyeglasses along with screenings for diabetes, hearing, hypertension and physicals.
“If we prepare our community for disasters, we are better able to recover more quickly when a disaster strikes.” – County Judge Ramon Garcia
ep. Oscar Longoria, D-La Joya, announced this week he will seek a third term representing the people of House District 35 in the Texas House of Representatives. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my community, and it is my hope that the citizens of the counties of Hidalgo and Cameron will allow me to continue representing them,” Longoria said. “I am proud of my track record in the Legislature and look forward to improving the quality of life for my constituents and those across the state.” Longoria currently serves in several leadership roles in the Texas House. He is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where he serves on the Sub-Committee for Article II – Health and Human Services and is vice chairman of the Investments & Financial Services Committee. He has also been appointed to serve on the Joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking and the Committee to study the Fiscal Impact of Texas Border Support Operations. He has authored or sponsored legislation to expand higher educational opportunities for students in the Edcouch-Elsa School District through South Texas College, co-authored legislation that establishes the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit within the criminal justice division in the Governor’s Office, supported legislation to provide funding for and support to the new University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), and sponsored riders that provided for funding to the Medicaid-to-Medicare Parity Payments for Physicians, Trauma Service Centers, DPS, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and Indigent Defense, among others . He
was also instrumental in ensuring local transportation dollars were spent locally and has fought to keep South Texas College and Texas State Technical College and other community colleges adequately funded. Most importantly, during the 84th Legislative Session, Longoria was instrumental in passing key legislation that aides in prosecuting dangerous criminals who engage in drug smuggling and human trafficking—making our borders safer for all Texans. Longoria authored House Bill 12, which places the Border Prosecution Unit into statute—this allows local officials to prosecute border related crimes, such as: drug smuggling, murder, kidnapping, extortion, money laundering and human trafficking. Longoria also worked alongside House Leadership in support of more funding to DPS to fight these issues and improve security along the border. “There is still much to be done to advance our education, healthcare, transportation, and economic systems in Texas,” Longoria said. “It is my hope that I can continue to fight for these important issues at our state capitol, not only for the betterment of our state, but for each and
See LONGORIA 9
INSIDE
L SCHOO TIME
INDEX
2015 August
Residents enjoy National Night Out
to plement cial Sup | A Spe
INSIDE
This weekend is Texas’ tax-free holiday. Look for the Back to School guide in today’s edition of Progress Times.
Entertainment | pg. 2
Lifestyle | pg. 5
Hosted by the Mission Police Department, annual event strives to strengthen bond between police, community.
Mission wraps up Police Explorers academy, a nonprofit program aimed at high school students interested in law enforcement.
See story page 3
See story page 3
Opinion | pg. 4
Sports | pg. 6
215 E. 3 Mile Rd. Palmhurst • 519-8453
SALES TAX HOLIDAY AUGUST 7-9
Students learn to fight crime
1705 Exp. 83 Peñitas • 580-6840
Obituaries | pg. 7
Classifieds | pg. 9
entertainment
August 7, 2015
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Reserved seats now available for VSO 63rd season
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cALLEN – Residents of the Rio Grande Valley can look forward to another season of symphonic music and entertainment as the Valley Symphony Orchestra presents its 63rd anniversary season. It kicks off Sept. 24 in a new venue. Performances will now be held in the newly-opened Performing Arts Complex auditorium of the University of Texas Rio Grande. This facility hosts 1,000 patrons and has exclusive balcony seating. It is equipped with adjustable performance
acoustics to bring out the best symphonic concerts. Dr. Peter Dabrowski, VSO conductor and director, has selected a vast musical repertoire for the 2015-2016 season that is primed to impress veteran patrons and first-time audience members. This season also includes world-renowned and critically acclaimed guest artists. The Sept. 24 kickoff concert features UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey narrating Aaron Copland’s famous “Lincoln Portrait” speech with the VSO orchestra. Dr. Bailey’s participation rep-
Auditions open for ‘Last Battle of the Civil War’
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HARR – The Pharr Community Theater (PCT), now in its ninth year and 33rd play, will hold open auditions for 11 acting roles and for 14 singing roles for a new original story called, “The Last Battle of the Civil War.” Written by Jefferson Williams, the play is part historical fact and part fiction – a love story – that reflects on the times and situations with husbands and wives separated by the military conflict. The Civil War actually began when the Confederates bombarded Union soldiers at Fort Sumter, S. C., on April 12, 1861. The war ended in the Spring, 1865. Robert E. Lee surrendered the last major Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. The last battle was fought at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville on May 13, 1865. As part of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the PTC has taken on this project to commemorate the events. Acting parts are available for nine men and three women ranging in ages 18 to 65. At least three of the men and two women must be trained singers as the play contains four original songs. The vocal audition process will include a pitch/voice check to
determine a vocal range and musical adaptability, voice and singing quality. Those auditioning should bring their own sheet music for the audition. It may be sung a cappella or accompanied by their own recorded music track. Fourteen male singers are also needed for a men’s chorus. Henry Treviño will be the vocal director with Pedro Garcia directing the play. Auditions for singers and non-singers will be held on Aug. 11 and 12 between 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the theater, 317 W Gore St. in Pharr. Acting experience is not necessary, and auditions will be cold reading from the script on a first come, first serve basis. Rehearsals run Aug. 17 through Oct. 9 and are usually held weekdays evenings between 7 and 10 p.m. in Pharr. The play will premiere on Oct. 10 at Las Palmas Community Center in McAllen for a special performance under a grant received from the City of McAllen Arts Foundation. It will proceed with its regular run in Pharr with eight shows from Oct. 22 to Nov. 1. A special performance is planned at the Tip of Texas RV Park in San Juan on Dec. 10. For more information, call 655-9308 or 648-2488.
resents the long-standing relationship the VSO has had with the University of Texas-Pan American and signals its new and solid partnership with our region’s new university, UTRGV. Other concerts include an Oct. 29 “Classics Forever” presentation, featuring pieces from Schubert and Beethoven; Nov. 20 “Touch of Frost” performance at the McAllen Civic Center in conjunction with the VSO Chorale; Feb. 4, 2016 Pops concert featuring UTRGV’s Mariachi Aztlan; March 3 performance at UTRGV with an original composition by the late Dr. Carl Seale; and on April 7, the “European Masters” concert featuring
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guest pianist Adam Wodnicki performing Piano Concerto in A-Minor, op. 16. In addition, Chamber Concerts also will be held Oct. 6 and Dec. 8 at the Sky Tower Club atop the 17th floor of the Chase Neuhaus Tower in McAllen. Chamber concert patrons are privy to an amazing view of the McAllen skyline and will enjoy an intimate concert experience of exciting musical performances including duets and octets of string, woodwind, brass and percussion. All Chamber concerts begin at 7 p.m. with a reception of hors d’oeuvre, wine and dessert. The musical program begins promptly at
UVAL gallery closes for August
ffective this week, the Upper Valley Art League gallery will close for the remaining of the summer and reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8. This gives UVAL members and volunteers the time necessary to make repairs and restoration to the facility. No gallery exhibit was scheduled for the month of August, making it the most effective time to do the work. The next UVAL exhibit will be of Monolo Lice and his one man art exhib-
it scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 12. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. UVAL is located at 921 E 12th Street. The gallery is open, except for holidays, on Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. Volunteers man the operation of the gallery hours, and patrons are suggested to phone ahead to the gallery at 583-2787 prior to visiting. Patrons can access the UVAL home page at uppervalleyartleague.org.
Reception announced for ‘Tower Artists’ exhibit
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closing reception for the Upper Valley Art League’s “Tower Artists” exhibit has been announced for Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m. The display is located in the Chase Tower lobby at 10th and Business 83 in McAllen. The featured artists for this exhibit include the works of Irma Garza-Garcia, Richard Hyslin, Veronica Jaeger, Cristina Materon, Jessica
Monroe, Carol Plumb, Luis Ramirez and Sue Sill. The reception allows the public to meet the artists and see their works before the exhibit closes on Sept. 5. This is part of the “Art in Work” program sponsored by UVAL allowing artists’ works to be seen and sold in high traffic locations. Light refreshments will be served. The reception is free and open to the public.
7:30 pm. To secure reserved seats call the VSO Box Office at 661-1615. Season subscription and chamber series tickets are on sale now through Sept. 1. Season subscription patrons receive a discount equivalent to six concerts for the price of five. They also have the luxury of selecting
the same seats with their friends. For more information, go to valleyorchestra.org or stop by the VSO Box Office located inside the first floor of the Chase Neuhaus Tower at 200 S. 10th St., Ste. 104 in McAllen. Group, senior and student discounts also are available.
Coming Attractions
Through August 12 • The Upper Valley Art League will host Christopher Brown Sports Artist One Man Exhibit through August 12. Brown’s work is in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame where he is trusted with creating each inductee’s Hall of Fame portrait. Some of the inductees include Shaquille O’Neil, Marshall Faulk and Nick Saban. Brown, a former pro baseball player, now combines two of lifelong passions: sports and art. A prismacolor artist, Brown has recently established new mixed media techniques. UVAL is located at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. August 7 • Foam Wonderland 2015 features Bro Safari, Quintino, Lookas and Kayzo at the Boggus Ford Events Center. For more information, visit pharrevents.com. August 8 • Sports artist Chris Brown will conduct a one day colored pencil workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Upper Valley Art League Art
Link Annex. Participants will need to bring their owned colored pencils and lunch. Supplies provided include paper and pattern. Cost for the workshop is $45. UVAL is located at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission. Call 583-2787 for information or to sign up. August 14 • Quiet Riot, the rock and roll phenomenon, will be live at Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island at 11 p.m. Described as the first heavy metal band to top the charts, the Los Angeles quartet became an overnight sensation thanks to their monster 1983 smash album Metal Health. The band boasts the talents of Frankie Banali, bassist; Chuck Wright, guitarist; Alex Grossi and vocalist Jizzy Pearl. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit rgvevents.com. August 15 • Vitamin Shack and Shakes presents Chingo Bling live Comedy Show at Boggus Events Center. For more information, visit pharrevents.com.
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Locals aid in crime decrease
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By Lea Victoria Juarez
ission has had a 19 percent crime drop since last year and police Chief Robert Dominguez said he believes it’s because of community-oriented policing. With various programs such as Mission Crime Stoppers, the neighborhood watch and Police Explorers, there is more of a connection between the police department and community members, he said. At Mission’s National Night Out, locals gathered alongside law enforcement officials at Leo Peña Memorial Park for food, entertainment and games. National Night Out was created in 1984 in an effort to promote a stronger police/civilian partnership and prevent criminal activities. Police departments across the nation have their own festivals either on the first Tuesday of August or the first Tuesday in October. “We ask the citizens to be our eyes and ears,” Dominguez said. “Obviously, we don’t want them to get hurt in any form when reporting a crime, but the important thing is to bring the message that if you see something illegal occurring, call the police.” The uniform crime report looks at seven index crimes – homicide, rape, assault, burglaries, robberies, auto theft and theft. The crime rate is based on the daily number of reports to the state and federal government. The Mission police chief couldn’t calculate how often
“We have slowly progressed, and we’re always looking for new innovative programs to reach different segments of the community.” – Robert Dominguez a community member helps with an arrest because he said it’s an everyday occurrence. Anonymous tips, vehicle or personal descriptions help the department, he said. “That’s what we, as an organization, always strive to develop – that one-to-one relationship,” Dominguez said. “Our citizens demand that connectivity.” Although Mission’s population has about doubled since Dominguez began his career with the city 28 years ago, the relationship between law enforcement and the community has improved. “A lot more programs that require community interaction has gotten us to this point,” Dominguez said. “We have slowly progressed, and we’re always looking for new innovative programs to reach different segments of the community.” But the chief didn’t want to take all the credit for the crime reduction. He said each entity in Mission that hosts activities for the residents deserves acknowledgment. Some of the organizations he named were the Boys and Girls Club, the Parks and
National Night Out promotes a partnership between members of the community and law enforcement. Various organizations in the community participate in the festival as either a vendor or a performer.
Recreation department and the Mission library. With events such as National Night Out, Dominguez
said it’s a good way for people to meet law enforcement officials and continue to keep the bond they’ve formed.
“All these different organizations within the bigger organization that is the city of Mission, we all implement
different programs to keep our community vibrant and active and that interaction going,” he said.
Police Explorers finish two-week academy
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By Lea Victoria Juarez hortly after Mission Police Chief Robert Dominguez joined the department in 1987, the Police Explorers program disbanded. He told himself that if he ever became chief, he would get the youth law enforcement program running again, which is exactly what he did last year. “I loved it,” the chief said. “Especially as a young patrolman, being in that capacity with the high school kids and teaching them about our role in society, in our community.” The Police Explorers is a nonprofit organization for high school students interested in law enforcement. Students go through an academy, earn a uniform and badge and help Mission PD with community events. During the two-week academy, the explorers learned the ins and outs of the penal code, traffic laws, crime scene investigation and minor S.W.A.T. tactics. The academy wraps up Saturday and Cpl. Adan Beltran said he already sees a change in the students. But he expects a bigger change once they receive their uniforms. “When they put on a uniform and a badge, it changes a juvenile as far as maturity and the caring, the responsibility,” Beltran said. “When
The Police Explorers is a non-profit, youth organization for high school students with an interest in law enforcement. The explorers aid the Police Department during community events.
they begin, they might not like each other or want to talk to each other, but ... they unite at the end as time goes by as they spend time together.” The uniforms are supplied by the police department, but when Beltran inherited the organization in December 2014, the Police Explorers had no money in its account. The program depended on fundraisers and donations from the community to provide them with food and allow for field-related trips. Because of the community’s help, Beltran said the explorers always try to give back in any way they can, which means patrolling events such as festivals, football games and funerals. “I want to serve my community,” said Police Explorer Jeremiah Garza. “I think that not enough people do it and they should. This is a big thing for me.” There are about 35 explorers in the program and are under liability through the Boy Scouts of America. Once the explorers graduate high school, they are released from the post, unless they want to continue the
program in college. Mission PD will then refer them to a nearby post, which is at most major colleges Beltran said. Karina Garza said she has had an interest in law enforcement since she was a little girl and saw the police explorers as an opportunity to jumpstart her career. She began with the program last year and moved up to the corporal rank. “Now I get more of the real feel of it,” she said. “It’s something awesome that I want everybody to experience if they have an interest in law enforcement. I’m glad
that we’re fortunate enough to have it.” Beltran said that not many smaller cities have the program because it is a non-profit organization, but Mission’s community has kept it alive with their donations. Dominguez said the reason the program disbanded in the ’80s is mainly because the community wasn’t as involved as it is now. “Our goal is to be more active and help out the community more,” Beltran said. “Any help they need...they can always call us. We’re out there for the community.”
Reminiscing... 30 Years Ago This Week
Martinez was named postmaster Maria E. Martinez was named postmaster for Mission, replacing Kenny Burch, who retired earlier in the year. Her selection was announced by the Sectional Center Manager-Postmaster at Corpus Christi, James B. McCullough. Dooley received an honorary award Derek Dooley was named to appear in the 1985-85 volume of Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Dooley , a senior at Mission High School, was named because of his academic achievements and leadership in academics, athletics, school and community activities.
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opinion By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association
STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
USTIN — The Texas House Committee on County Affairs met on July 30 to hear testimony on Sandra Bland and jail standards. Bland, 28, was pulled over by a state trooper in Hempstead on July 10. Soon after, she was placed in the Waller County Jail and was found dead in her cell on July 13. Investigators ruled the death a suicide. The story, covered by local, state, national and world news agencies, has emerged in the context of other tragic outcomes involving black citizens and law enforcement. “How does someone get pulled over for not signaling and end up dead three days later? It just does not compute,” said Committee Chair Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, in opening the hearing. Coleman called for discussion on how such an event might affect the Texas Department of Public Safety’s training of officers and how Texas county jails might adjust their practices in the incarceration of mentally ill inmates. Brandon Wood, director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said mental health has become the commission’s top priority and that state funding to add beds for inmates with mental issues is forthcoming. Wood testified that there have been 140 in-custody suicides in Texas since 2009 and 22 in 2014. He recommended enhancements to mental health screening processes, such as the addition of personnel who are qualified to assess mental health and deliver mental health care. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
Texas Rangers are investigating the arrest and death of Bland and suggested the public release of the arrest video was an act of transparency on the agency’s behalf. Yannis Banks of the Texas NAACP testified, suggesting that transparency issues include official documents that could be altered and video recordings that do not capture everything that happens. Several audience members spoke about their personal experiences related to racial profiling by law enforcement. Greg Hansch, public policy director of National Association of Mental Illness of Texas, called for Texas to better address racism in law enforcement. And, while acknowledging increases in the Texas Legislature’s attention to mental health issues generally over the past couple of legislative sessions, Hansch said Texas still has long way to go in addressing needed improvements in its mental health system. Planned Parenthood is discussed The state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on July 29 met to receive invited testimony concerning Planned Parenthood and its Texas affiliates in light of recent news. In opening the hearing, committee Chair Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said, “Senators, I am sure all of you have seen the recent videos and news stories showing top Planned Parenthood executives casually discussing donation and potentially to sell fetal tissues and organs. The cavalier attitude portrayed in these videos was alarming and disturbing to many people throughout the nation and of course here in Texas.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton testified that the state is conducting its own investigation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas and that a federal investigation of Planned Parenthood also is in progress. Texas Department of Health and Human Services representatives testified about the agency’s role in regulating abortion practices and explained that the agency has no authority in the sale or donation of fetal tissue, but it can report suspected abuses to other agencies that have jurisdiction. Agency urges conservation The Public Utility Commission of Texas on July 30 urged consumers to conserve electricity because of record electricity demand and higher than normal temperatures throughout the state. The agency asked residential and business customers to adjust air conditioning thermostats at least two degrees higher and turn off unnecessary lighting and also to run dishwashing and laundry appliances after sunset or later. When the weather gets hot, electricity usage peaks between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to the PUC. Grand jury indicts Paxton A Collin County grand jury last week indicted Ken Paxton, a former state representative from McKinney and current state attorney general. Felony counts against Paxton reportedly are expected to be unsealed sometime on Monday, Aug. 3. Paxton has been accused of encouraging investments in a McKinney-based technology company without telling investors he was a stockholder in the company and that he was making a commission on the investments.
August 7, 2015
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS Letter to the Editor:
Reader: Give the people options on proposed courthouse
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To the editor: aving been less than impressed by the Hidalgo County commissioners’ previous effort to spend our money, I traveled to Edinburg on Wednesday to see the presentation of the new less expensive county courthouse. It was interesting to watch the architects push for larger courtrooms, bigger this and more expansive that and watch County Judge Ramon Garcia push right back with suggestions that we can do quite well with the courtroom size we have now. One of the presenters characterized it as having “Architectural Majesty.” I knew we were in trouble then. It will now cost us $133 million for a building with five fewer floors, plus $3 million for demolition, plus $8.5 million to change the location of streets and infrastructure, plus $4.5 million to move the parking two blocks away. A total of well lets just call it at least $150 million; over runs being what they usually are in this county.
While the last proposal was a Taj Mahal it at least looked as expensive as it was. The new one is just down right butt ugly. It is clearly three pieces put together with no rhyme or reason concerning flow or symmetry. Every courtroom has individual prisoner holding areas, why? 1900 sq ft Court rooms as big as the average American home. Why? It has large grass areas, which, if kept up like the current ones, will be dead in a week. They want to move the parking area two blocks north and give the income to a concessionaire. Hold on, what income? No more free parking when duty calls? Gentlemen, its 100 degrees out there and you want us to walk two additional blocks to the courthouse and pay money to do it. Then, on top of it all they want to reroute streets where a simple bridge would suffice. Lets try this a new way. Lets have an election in which the ballot contains four blocks to be checked off by the taxpayers. They
would be: We don’t want no stinking courthouse; We do but we only want to spend 10 to $50 million, $50 million to $75 million, or $75 million to $100 million. Then, from the results, tell our builders, “ We don’t really want one” or “we have this amount and for that amount we need exactly this.” Show us your best plan. Remember, we are the county that cannot provide adequate drainage for our citizens, health care for our indigents, a proper education for our children, workable public transportation, or house our own prisoners. How in all that’s Holy can we afford this courthouse? And, wait till you see the next bond request for $300 million to provide the drainage infrastructure that the $183 million we approved and they spent on the wall, should have paid for. This last proposal may be good for Edinburg but not so much for the average Hidalgo County taxpayer.. Signed, Ned Sheats
Hurricane season and the risk for potential scams
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hile forecasters are predicting a relatively quiet hurricane season this year, Texans should remain alert and protect themselves against scams that could occur the next time a major storm hits. Con artists are always alltoo-ready to capitalize on the misfortune of others in the aftermath of a hurricane. Shady individuals, often from out of state, may go door-to-door offering to help homeowners with repairs. Before doing business with anyone, be sure to do your homework to determine if the individual or company is legitimate and registered to do business in Texas. Never
rush into signing a contract or sign a contract with blanks or missing information. Never pay up-front for promised work. Always secure the terms of any warranty work in writing and write down the license plate number of the salesperson. If the solicitor is required to have a license, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or other state regulatory agency can let you know if the person or company you plan to hire has an active license and is authorized to conduct business in Texas. Only hire someone who is appropriately licensed and bonded and know that, under Texas law, the door-to-door
seller must advise you orally and in writing that you have a right to cancel the sale within three days. The Better Business Bureau is also an excellent resource to find out how long an individual or company has been in business and if there are any complaints. Scammers may also seek to take advantage of the kindness of others by providing bogus charitable opportunities. Before donating, investigate the charity by visiting www.charitynavigator.org and peruse the tips for donors at the Better Business Bureau’s site - www.give.org. Send your money directly to your charity of choice, rather than through a third-party.
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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2015
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Mission Publishing Co., 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $25 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2015 Mission Publishing Company, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.
LETTER GUIDELINES
Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear the complete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed to others will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevance is determined by the editor. Anonymous cards or letters are neither read nor printed. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to letters@progresstimes.net, but must include the author’s name and daytime phone number.
lifestyle
August 7, 2015
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Families can explore outdoors at EWBC
E Back-to-School Bash Tonight The new school year is just around the corner, and the second annual Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) Back to School Bash will help students get ready. It’s set for 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial High School Gym. Registered MCISD students will be able to get a free backpack with school supplies on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Mission Boys and Girls Club students can use their Club ticket for backpacks, and all other students will check in with their assigned campus table. An array of information and services will be available: free vision screenings and haircuts, $10 immunization vaccines, $20 physicals, shirt orders, fine arts performances and more.
Reminder: Sales tax holiday is this weekend
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USTIN – Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminds shoppers their pocketbooks can take a break from paying sales tax this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7 to 9. The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school
supplies and backpacks priced under $100 from sales tax, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend during the weekend. Lists of apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free can be found on the Comptroller’s
website at TexasTaxHoliday. org. This year, shoppers will save an estimated $87 million in state and local sales taxes during the sales tax holiday, which has been an annual event since 1999.
ickets are now on sale, and sponsorships are available, for the Mission Historical Museum’s ninth annual awards banquet. It begins at 6:30 on Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Mission Community Center. Along with the dinner, the fundraising event includes music, a silent auction and a program recognizing the
2015 “Wall of Fame” honorees: Bill Filut, Dr. David Heflin, Kathy Olivarez, Tomas Tijerina and Renee Martin, and Richard and Connie Walsh. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Reserved tables for 10 guests are $40 for members and $500 for nonmembers. Individuals or business-
es are encouraged to donate an item for the silent auction. Sponsorship levels for businesses or individuals include the following: Platinum, $3,500; Gold, $2,500; or Silver, $1,000. Each level offers a variety of layered benefits and recognition. For complete details on
njoy an evening out with the family having outdoor adventures at the Edinburg World Birding Center from 3 to 8 p.m. on this Saturday, Aug. 8. Activities include making giant soap bubbles, using binoculars to view wetland wildlife, and borrowing dip nets to capture aquatic critters. Inside there will be a microscope station for observation of the tiny creatures sampled from the EWBC ponds. A slide show and interactive model presentation at begins at 4 p.m. and learn about the wildlife at 5:30 p.m. with a show and tell of skulls, skins, and more. At 7 p.m. the evening caps off with the awards ceremony for the Family Summer Adventure Challenge participants and winners. Call 381-9922 for more information. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd.
Tickets now on sale for MHM 2015 banquet
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IMAS repeats ‘#TremendousThursday’
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cALLEN – With the success of last month’s event, the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is presenting a repeat of “#TremendousThursday” on Thursday, Aug. 13, beginning at 4 p.m. This month’s event will feature Family Fun Night, the opening reception for “Art Flavorings – Journey of Local Artists,” and the summer’s final “Stars & Skies Mysteries” party. From $1 general admission, to a new exhibit, to a Liquid Nitrogen explosion, it will have something for everyone. Family Fun Night runs from 4 to 8 p.m. with a $1 general admission per person. It includes access to the Fine Art Galleries, Discovery Pavilion, the Ann Moore Art Studio, the Science Lab and RioScape Children’s Play Park. Also from 4 to 8 p.m., the third and final Stars & Skies Mysteries Party offer a variety of science experiments,
Science On a Sphere and UTPA Planetarium presentations, including the popular Liquid Nitrogen explosion. From 4 to 6 p.m. the Mini Scientist activity encourages getting inspired while creating a mini Einsteins. Cost is $2 per participant, all materials included. Seating is limited. The opening reception of “Art Flavorings-Journey of Local Artists” is set for 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit showcases local and regional talent of all ages with 47 works of art will be displayed. Winners and the “People’s Choice” will be announced during the reception. Weather permitting, IMAS patrons can head outdoors for Star Gazing from 8 to 10 p.m. with the Stars & Skies Mysteries Party on the IMAS front lawn to enjoy the Perseids Meteor Shower. Bring your own telescope or take turns with the IMAS telescope. For more information, call 682-0123.
Free Society News Announcements
EWBC slates educator workshop
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ducators, formal and informal, can learn how to teach young people about wetland functions, habitat, and wildlife using entertaining, handson, educational activities at the Edinburg World Birding Center. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. The six-hour training workshop includes sampling of activities and curriculum guides. Activities are adaptable for all grade levels, integrated with core subject curricula and correlated with the National Science Education Standards developed by the National Academy of Sciences. Teachers receive SBEC and TEEAC continuing education credit. Space is limited. Registration is required. Call 3819922 for more information.
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.
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sponsorship benefits, individual tickets or table reservations, or donations for the silent auction, contact Linda Castaneda at lcastaneda@ missiontexas.us or call the museum office at 580-8646. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Paralegal certificate classes begin Sept. 19
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he Office of Continuing Education at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley this fall will offer the Paralegal Certificate Program, designed for beginning and advanced legal workers, as well as prospective law students. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17 percent growth in employment of paralegals and legal assistants between 2012 and 2022. The program provides an overview of the legal system, legal research and writing, civil procedure, ethics and criminal law, among other topics. Classes begin Sept. 19 and will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday at the UTRGV McAllen Teaching Site, 1800 S. Main St., Suite 1100. The course will end Dec. 19. To register for the program, visit go to utpa.edu/ce. Topics for upcoming certificate programs include digital marketing, wedding and event planning, grant writing and health care-related fields. For more information call the UTRGV Office of Continuing Education at 665-2071 or email at continuinged@utpa.edu.
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Events Calendar
Aug ust 8 – Pastor Emily Mendez will be the next speaker for Mission Spanish Aglow at their monthly meeting at Taco Ole, 2316 N. Conway in Mission from 4 to 6 p.m. for a merienda. She is pastor of Iglesia Amor Agape Abundante Fe in Reynosa, Tamps., Mex., an ordained minister and prayer counselor at Abundant Grace in Edinburg and a spiritual advisor of the Aglow Lighthouse in Weslaco. For more information, call Liza Gomez at 776-8505; Connie Escamilla, 279-7887; or Delia Bazan, 240-5813. Aug ust 8-9 – Estero Llano Grande, 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco, presents Camping with a Ranger, an overnight camping trip for families. The event is limited for up to 10 families. The park will supply all camping gear: tents, lanterns, sleeping pads, cooking stoves and more. Cabins will be offered to the first five families. Families are responsible to bring their own sleeping bag, food and personal items. Cost is $65 per family of six. For more information, call 565-3919. Aug ust 9 – St John of the Fields Catholic Church, 1052 Washington St. in Mission, will hold a chalupa bingo fundraiser from 3 to 5 p.m. Cost is $10 for three cards. Aug ust 12 – The International Museum of Art and Science will present Stars and Skies: Night of Perseids from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. IMAS is located at 1900 W. Nolana Ave. Call 682-0123 for more information. Aug ust 13 – As butterflies begin to emerge across the Valley this fall, learn how to attract them to by making butterfly bait in a program at the Edinburg World Birding Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Fruits, like bananas and oranges, can go a long way when combined with other ingredients that butterflies just can’t resist. The fee for this program is $2 for EWBC members and $3 for nonmembers. Seating is limited; call to register in advance. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. For more information, call 381-9922. Aug ust 14 – Estero Llano Grande will hold Full Moon, New Moon Night Hikes from 8 to 10 p.m. Program is free with park entrance fee. Park is located at 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco. For more information, call 565-3919. Aug ust 15 – Valley residents are encouraged to experience the joy of pet adoption by participating in Clear the Shelters on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Palm Valley Animal Center and other shelters across the Valley. Interested pet caretakers will be able to adopt a new family pet for a $10 registration fee. All adoptions include all regular services provided with PVAC: spay/neuter surgery, microchip, first series of vaccinations, rabies shot, 30 days of pet insurance, medical and behavioral testing and collar and identification tags. PVAC is located at 2501 West Trenton Road in Edinburg. For information, call 686-1141. Aug ust 15 – This month the Edinburg World Birding Center invites all toddlers to learn more about rabbits through puppet shows, story-telling, puzzle time, free play, coloring, crafts, and guided walks. The fee per toddler is $2, with one free guardian. Additional family members visiting must pay regular EWBC admission. Space is limited; registration is required. Call 381-9922. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Aug ust 22 – The Summer Movie Night in the Park feature at the Edinburg World Birding Center will be “The Nut Job.” The movie will be shown on a large outdoor screen beginning at 8 p.m. The public is encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Call 381-9922 for more information. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Aug ust 29 – Estero Llano Grande 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco, will hold Full Moon, New Moon Night Hikes from 8 to 10 p.m. The program is free with park entrance fee. For more information, call 565-3919.
Weekly
Monday TOPS #415 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 3 p.m. weigh-in, Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty. For info: Shirley Earp, 254-258-2380. Crossroads Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1101 Doherty. For info: Lydia, 330-6559, or Shirley, 581-8084. Bentsen-RGV State Park nature walk, 1 p.m.; 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr.; call 584-9156 for info. AARP Driver Safety Classes, 12:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 1600 N. 23rd, McAllen. AARP members, $12; non-members, $14. Checks or money orders only. Class size limited to 15. For info: 682-1468. Tuesday 12-Step Meetings, 7:30-8:30 p.m., 1001 Highland Park, Suite C, Mission. Meetings for anyone suffering from substance abuse. Information: Daniel Lopez at 739-7788. Upper Valley Art League: open painting for members, any medium, 6-9 p.m., 921 E. 12th St. Annual dues, $30. Info or to join, call 583-2787. Bentsen-RGV State Park beginner’s butterfly walk, 2 p.m.; 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr.; call 584-9156 for info. Quinta Mazatlan, songbird stroll, 8:30 a.m., 600 Sunset, McAllen; call 681-3370 for info. Wednesday Mission Lions Club, 12 p.m., Danny’s Mexican Restaurant, 122 W. Tom Landry. Meals are $8. Fellow Lions welcomed. Estero Llano Grande State Park, 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco, Junior Rangers program, 9 to 10:30 a.m. through August. Free with park entrance fee. Information: 565-3919. Upper Valley Art League: open painting for members, any medium, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 921 E. 12th St., Mission. Annual dues, $30. Info or to join: 583-2787. Bentsen-RGV State Park bird walk, 8:30 a.m.; 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr.; call 5849156 for info. Quinta Mazatlan: Garden Walk and Talk, 10 –11 a.m., 600 Sunset, McAllen. Included in regular admission. Call 681-3370 for info. Helping Other Patients Emotionally (H.O.P.E.), cancer patient support group, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., McAllen Library at Nolana and 23rd, Conference Room B; Marsha Nelson, Ph.D., facilitator. Info: 624-3840. McAllen Nature Center, 4101 W. Bus. 83, Guided bird and nature walks, 8:30-10 a.m.; binoculars loaned for free. Call 681-3333 for info. Thursday Mission Rotary Club, 12 p.m., Club at Cimarron, 1200 S. Shary Rd. Salad bar buffet, $10; Mexican food buffet, $15. All Rotarians and interested persons welcomed. Upper Valley Art League: open painting for members, any medium, 6-9 p.m., 921 E. 12th St., Mission. Annual dues, $30. Info or to join: 583-2787. RGV-Bentsen State Park, beginner’s dragonfly walk, 2 p.m., 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr.; Information: 584-9156. Estero Llano Grande State Park, Reptile Walks, 4 to 6 p.m. through August. Free with park entrance fee. Park is located at 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco. Information: 565-3919. Thursday Evening Explorations at Quinta Mazatlan, different class each week, 7 to 8 p.m. Fee is $3 for adults, $2 for children and seniors. Information: 681-3370. Friday Upper Valley Art League, open clay/pottery group (coil method), 9 a.m. to noon, 921 E. 12th Street, Mission. Participants furnish their own clay or contribute toward purchase. No instructor, no fee. UVAL membership required; $30 annually. Info: 583-2787. Bentsen-RGV State Park beginner’s bird walk, 8:30 a.m.; 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr.; call 584-9156 for info. Quinta Mazatlan: History of Quinta Mazatlan Tour, 10 –11 a.m., 600 Sunset, McAllen. Included in regular admission. Information: 681-3370. Estero Llano Grande State Park, 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco, Butterfly/Dragonfly Walks, 10:30 to 12 p.m. through August. Program is free with park entrance fee. Information: 565-3919. Estero Llano Grande State Park, 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco—Campfire S’mores, Stories and More, 7 to 9 p.m. through August. Bring your own favorite camp snacks. Free with park entrance fee. Park is located at. Information: 565-3919. Saturday Fireman’s Park, 201 N. 1st St. in McAllen, Grow’n Growers Farmers Market. Quinta Mazatlan: Songbird Strolls, 8:30-9:30 a.m., 600 Sunset, McAllen. Included in regular admission. Call 681-3370 for info. Quinta Mazatlan: Morning Nature Walks, 10-11 a.m., 600 Sunset, McAllen. Included in regular admission. Call 681-3370 for info. Estero Llano Grande State Park Nature Walk, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. through August. Program free with park entrance fee. Located at 154A Lakeview Drive, Weslaco. Information: call 565-3919. McAllen Nature Center, 4101 W. Bus. 83, Tai Chi, 9-10 a.m., weather permitting; ages 8 and up; wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes; bring a mat, water and sunscreen. Call 681-3333 for info. Sunday Bentsen Bird Walk, Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission, 8:30-10:30 a.m. For beginning to expert birders; no experience necessary. Call 584-9156 for info. Estero Llano Grande State Park Bird Walk, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. through August. Ffree with park entrance fee. Located at 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco. For more information, call 565-3919. Estero Llano Grande State Park Junior Tram Tour, 154A Lakeview Drive in Weslaco, 2 to 4 p.m. through August. Free with park entrance fee. Reservation required. Information: 565-3919. Weekends McAllen Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd St. Friday-Sunday, Bayside Habitat Tours, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 to 4 p.m.; wheelchair accessible, open-air tram: Tickets: $4, adults (16 and over); $3, seniors (62 and over); free, under 16. Reservations required; call 7483607, Ext. 111.
August 7, 2015
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Coming soon
DIAMONDBACKS version 2.0 A By Luciano Guerra
t this time last year the doors at Sharyland Pioneer High School had not yet opened and the Diamondbacks football team was preparing for their inaugural season. With only a handful of seniors on the roster and with what was sure to be a long season ahead of them, version 1.0 of the Diamondbacks was about ready to be introduced as part of the newly formed but talent-laden District 31-5A. With perennial powerhouses such as the Sharyland Rattlers and the Veterans Memorial Patriots in the district and with the up-and-coming Edinburg Vela Sabercats set to have a breakout season in the mix as well, Diamondbacks head coach Jason Wheeler knew that he’d have
his work cut out for him if his first-year team was going to have any kind of success at all. Even so, the Diamondbacks did turn a few heads as they opened their non-district schedule with wins over Hidalgo and Brownsville Pace and then opened their district schedule with a win over Valley View. However their youth, inexperience and lack of depth eventually caught up with them as they went winless over their final five games to close-out the season with a 3-7 record. “We were delayed getting into our new facilities last year and we weren’t able to use our weight room much the first part of the season,”
explained Wheeler. “We also didn’t have a set schedule as to when we could use our field here for probably the first six weeks of the year. But now with all our facilities set, which allowed us to have a good spring session, and with the kids now having basically a full year of experience at the varsity level and a full year in the weight room and on the track, I feel a lot better going into this year in regards to our strength and our speed.” “The fact that last year we had basically all first-year varsity players, except for maybe one or two, became apparent as the season progressed,” added Wheeler. “I’m excited about this year
and I know that the kids have more confidence, which I saw in our spring game last year, and that makes me excited for the future here at Pioneer.” Wheeler went on to explain that while he is expecting to carry 40 - 44 seniors on the roster this year only half of them will be starters; the other half will be sophomores and juniors. “We have a lot more depth this year and a lot more com-
The Pioneer Diamondbacks football team will be entering its second year of play soon. Key players such as Jose Nicoleau (60), Alejandro Ramirez (12) and Garrett Heath (53) and other returning starters will be instrumental to the team’s success. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
petition for the starting positions,” Wheeler said. “That usually brings out the best in the kids when they know that they have to fight for their playing time. A lot of our seniors will help out tremendously and some of them will surely help our special teams as well. I am expect-
ing to carry close to 70 kids on our varsity, compared to 55 last year, so having that additional depth will help in a tough district such as ours especially when you suffer injuries during the year.” One of the factors used to
See DIAMONDBACKS 10
Rattlers face challenging season
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By Luciano Guerra
The Rattlers prepare to defend their district title and are depending on these key players: Brandon Molina (73), Sergio Tornero (21), Edgar Gomez (52), Dylan Salinas (32), Seth Carter (15), Manny Campos (2), Juan Salinas (24), Zachary Siehr (45), Brandon Garcia (6) and Nate Gonzales (13).
f there’s any Valley football team that has made winning look easy over the past few years it’s been the Sharyland Rattlers. With undefeated district championships five of the past six years and with three consecutive sweeps of district, bi-district and area titles under their belts no other Valley team has experienced such a consistently high level of success over that period of time. However as any high school coach worth his or her weight in jock straps will tell you, winning does not come easy. It takes hard work and a commitment to achieve excellence that many manage to achieve for a year or two but few are able to sustain
over an extended period of time. While the Rattlers’ success over the past six seasons has been impressive, repeating that success this season will be the toughest challenge of Sharyland head coach Ron Adame’s tenure. Last year’s split of Sharyland High did not have an immediate impact on the Rattlers since almost all of the incoming seniors chose to finish out their varsity careers at Sharyland. But this year the Rattlers have only a handful of returning starters. “I expect this year to be my most challenging one here at Sharyland,” said Adame. “A big reason for that can probably be attributed to the loss of the senior group we had last year. It was a special group. We’re now
left with only five returning starters, two on offense and three on defense, and one of those on defense has moved back to Mexico, so it’s really two on offense and two on defense we have returning.” The two returning starters on offense are Seth Carter and Manny Campos. Both were receivers last year but one will most likely be the starting quarterback and the other will either remain at receiver or be moved to a different position. “Seth and Manny are going to be the nucleus of our offense,” Adame said. “We will be building around those two individuals. They’re both 13 game veterans so we’re going to surround our offense around their capabilities.” Defensively, Beto Ruiz
and Dylan Salinas are Sharyland’s returning starters. “Dylan started out on the junior varsity last year but he worked his way up to the varsity and when one particular individual didn’t play one week Dylan filled in and he never relinquished his position,” explained Adame. “He’s worked extremely hard and we’ll probably move him from outside linebacker to inside linebacker.” “Mixed around the nucleus of our team on both sides of the ball will be a bunch of juniors that got a lot of playing time last year – mostly on the junior varsity,” added Adame. “That squad ended up winning the district after starting out 0-3. They finished the season at 7-3 and
See RATTLERS 10
August 7, 2015
obituaries
Lois Ann McNallen-Makowski ISSION - Lois Ann McNallen-Makowski, 83, passed away on Aug. 1, 2015, at her home in Mission. Survivors include her husband of 23 years, Ed Makowski of Mission, children; Pam Albrecht of Eagle, Colo., Karen McNallen of Mission, Dale McNallen of McAllen and Dean McNallen of San Antonio; sister, Susan Graham of Deer Park; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by first husband, Dale Patrick “D.P.” McNallen. Mrs. McNallen-Makowski was born on July 22, 1932, in Osceola to Wilma Lois and Robert Welcome Walker. She graduated from high school in Mineral Wells in 1949 and attended both McMurry College and Southwestern University. She married Dale Patrick “Pat” McNallen in 1952. After moving to Childress, where he was a band director, the family moved to Mission, where he continued band directing. After his death, she later married Ed Makowski, a former high school beau, in 1991. As a bookkeeper, she began her career in Mission as the secretary to the school superintendent. Later, she became the treasurer of Mission Teachers Credit Union. She was active in both state and national credit union associations and served as president of the state organization. She ended her career as president of South Texas Teachers Federal Credit Union located in McAllen. She was an active member of Zonta Club of West Hidalgo and the First United Methodist Church in Mission. She was a member of the Cimarron Women Golf Association, the All Valley Women Golf Association, the Texas Senior Women Golf Association, and the Texas Women Golf Association. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist in Mission with
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a reception following in the fellowship hall. Rev. Bill Duke will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or to Zonta Club of West Hidalgo County c/o Dietrah Davis, 300 West Pineridge Lane, McAllen, TX 78503. Condolences can be sent to 2109 Colorado, Mission. Bernabe Perez A JOYA – Bernabe Perez, 85, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, in La Joya. Mr. Perez was born in Los Aldamas, N. L., Mex., on Jan. 20, 1930, to Luz and Santos Perez. Survivors include his wife, Delfina Perez; children, Divina Flores, Irma Guerra, Guadalupe De Anda, Maria del Roble Cantu, Jesus Perez, Damiana Garcia, Abraham Perez and San Juanita Vera; siblings, Maria de la Luz Garza, Genovevo Perez, Leonor Hinojosa, Odilia Salinas, Lorenzo Perez, Alfredo Perez, Elida Garcia, and Maria Guadalupe Perez; and 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Eleuterio Perez and Seferino Perez. A funeral mass was held on Aug. 4 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Peñitas. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Sixto Torres ISSION - Sixto Torres, 84, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2015, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. He was born on March 28, 1931, in La Grulla. Survivors include his siblings, Hermenejilda Torres and Jose Torres. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anastacio Torres and Juliana Solis; sisters, Policarpia Rodriguez, Maria Gonzalez and Juanita Cortez, Josefa Torres; and brothers, Tomas Torres, Jesus Torres and Anastacio Torres. A funeral service was held on Aug. 5 at Flores Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Los Solises Ceme-
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tery in La Grulla. Olivia Valdez A JOYA - Olivia Valdez, 75, passed away on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Valdez was born in Los Villarreales, Tamps., Mex., on Dec. 6, 1939, to Ove and Manuela Ramirez. Survivors include her husband, Ramon Valdez; children, Juanita Valdez, Maria Elena Hernandez, Alicia Valdez, and Guadalupe Valdez; sister, Simona Rosas; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ove and Manuela Ramirez, and brothers, Omar Ramirez and Ovidio Ramirez. A funeral mass was held on Aug. 6 at San Jose Catholic Church in Havana. Burial followed at Havana Cemetery.
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All obituaries must be submitted by the funeral home. Obituary notices are run FREE OF CHARGE in the Progress Times if they are submitted in a timely manner to run the same week of the date of death. Otherwise, there is a fee for notices submitted later than the closest possible publication date. Late obituaries will be subject to a $50 charge. Obituaries can be found online and are updated as they are received. Visit www.progresstimes.net to stay current with obituaries and other news that matters to you.
Notices
Madelyn Cantu MISSION – A graveside service was held for Madelyn Cantu on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Lord & I Cemetery in Palmview. Maria Rita Farias PENITAS – A funeral mass was held for Maria Rita Farias on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Peñitas. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Blanca A. Gomez MISSION – Blanca A. Gomez, 51, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at McAllen Medical Center. Mario Sanchez MISSION Mario Sanchez passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center.
Graduates enhance learning with online education technology degree
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By Ellen Gonzalez
n online Master of Education in Educational Technology degree that was developed at the University of Texas at Brownsville will continue to be offered through the College of Education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Maria Elena Corbeil, Ed.D., and J. Rene Corbeil, Ed.D., both associate professors in the UTRGV College of Education, were largely responsible for development of the program. “This degree is designed to prepare educators in K-12, higher education, corporate and military settings to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for the classrooms and boardrooms of tomorrow,” Rene Corbeil said. One of the M.Ed. success stories is Lucretia Human, a May 2013 graduate of the online Master of Education in Educational Technology at UTB who now has a teaching career where she incorporates the distance learning curriculum design skills she learned in at UTB. Human, a native of Port Isabel, was a certified dental hygienist, a career she enjoyed. But after 18 years, she was ready for a new challenge. So she went back to college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Northern Arizona University, then started teaching dental hygiene classes at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen. “I thought I could definitely do a better job than some of the classes that I had taken,” Human said. “I knew there must be a better way to present the material and engage the students by using interactive technology.” That led her to the online M.Ed. in Educational Technology program offered at UTB. “It was high-ranked and the tuition was lower,” she
ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 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 1302 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 MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst
FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission
NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln.
GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112
ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625
GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008 IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898 LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603
OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193
RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH
3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5
Mission • 580-4551
SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822 ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005
PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy. 585-3203
SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078
PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236
TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831
PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711
TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya
PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261
PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307
VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200
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IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618
said. For a class project, she created a continuing education class for dental assistants to be able to place dental sealants. She developed all the instructional components necessary for the course, including the syllabus, lessons, quizzes, tests and interactive videos. “I created it for a project, but I really wanted it to be implemented,” Human said. After reviewing Human’s project, the distance learning committee at TSTC approved it to be implemented as a class at the college. “This has opened up a lot of avenues for me to be involved in distance learning curriculum design,” Human said. Corbeil said Human’s experience is indicative of the practical application of the educational technology degree. “For all of the coursework projects, we ask students to be able to identify a real-world training need or opportunity in their workplace, and designate a specific target audience ¬– always keeping in mind they are developing resources that have the potential to be used in authentic situations.” Rene Corbeil said. Another May graduate, Michael Voth from McKinney, also had immediate success with his new degree. He was hired by his school district as a secondary-level, full-time instructional technology coordinator. An 18-year veteran physics teacher, Voth said his career development from teaching to developing ways to help other teachers be more effective in the classroom seemed to be a logical progression. “What sets this master’s degree aside from a lot of others is that everything you learn is immediately appli-
cable,” he said. “You are learning something in this program and you can literally go incorporate it into your teaching the next day. With the growth of technology, this is an area that is going to be in huge demand in the future.” Corbeil said many students in the program are like Voth and Human, using their new degrees as stepping stones within their organizations. “Those searching for employment, who must make good impressions with their applications and interviews, can feel confident that they have not only a resume stating their degrees and skills, but also a comprehensive electronic portfolio to show the prospective employer,” Corbeil said. “The portfolio can often make the difference between a polite ‘thank you’ and ‘we’d like you to join our team.’” Graduates of the program are currently working for textbook companies, NASA, Apple, Hewlett Packard, H-E-B, Dell, and in a number of hospitals, he said. Maria Elena Corbeil stressed their commitment to innovative teaching. “We’re very passionate about walking the journey with our students,” she said. “They are not alone – from the moment we take their first phone call to ask about the program, to the day they graduate. We assure them they will not be abandoned in cyberspace.” Aside from the 36-hour master’s degree, preliminary nine- and 12-hour E-learning and technology certificates are available that can count as electives toward the master’s degree. For more information on the online M.Ed. in Educational Technology, contact rene.corbeil@utrgv or mariaelena.corbeil@utrgv.edu.
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August 7, 2015
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Peñitas aims to maintain tax rate, cut budget
P
By Julie Silva roperty values have dropped in Peñitas, so if the city maintains its current tax rate, the 20152016 budget will have to shrink. The current tax rate is 45.9 cents per $100 property valuation, and budget officers estimated if they maintained it, the city would collect $853,381, more than
$86,000 less than the current fiscal year, which had a total budget of more than $3.1 million. But Municipal Court Judge Jesse Lerma, who presented the proposed budget to the city council in a workshop this week, emphasized revenue also comes from other areas of the city, like sales tax. The city budgeted for $680,000 in sales tax revenue and already has col-
lected $576,571, Lerma said. There should be no issue meeting the budget over the last two months of the fiscal year, he said. Essentially, Lerma said, the proposed budget mirrors the current fiscal year. To make up for the lost property tax revenue, Interim City Manager Roel Bermea said they made cuts from places where the budget wasn’t spent. For example, he said, the city had budgeted for a finance director, a position that was never filled. “Budgets, mayor, are not set in stone,” Lerma said. “It’s just a guide to help you for the next fiscal year. It doesn’t mean you can’t change it. It doesn’t mean you can’t amend it in any way throughout the year.” The city also must make payments on the debt incurred from the sewer system project. Lerma said $200,000 would be paid through the 10.76-cent interest and sinking tax rate. Another $71,397 will have to come from either the sewer or general fund, he said. And the municipal court already has surpassed the $200,000 that was budgeted this fiscal year. It’s at $208,000 and averages about $20,000 a month, Lerma said. The effective tax rate, the rate the city would need to adopt to bring in the same amount of revenue as the current fiscal year, is 50.6 cents per $100 valuation. The rollback rate, the highest tax rate
See PEÑITAS 9
A
Pioneer cheerleaders excel at camp
lthough Pioneer High School is in its second year in existence, it didn't hinder the PHS varsity cheerleaders from dominating at the Universal Cheerleader Association cheer camp at the University of Texas in Austin this summer. Diamondback cheerleaders traveled to Austin in June. Competing against teams from all over Texas, the Pioneer High School cheerleaders won first place in Home Pom, first place in overall game day, first place in extreme routine, first in cheer, second in chant, second in band dance, four superior ribbons, the spirit stick, UCA camp champions, four All American Cheerleaders, one All American Mascot, the prestigious Leadership Award, which is voted upon all of the squads at camp as being the most spirited squad that everyone would want to
be a part of, and Leadership Mascot Award. All seniors are allowed to compete for this title. There were two Pin It Forward recipients, Arlene Smith and Sabrina Pena, and two seniors, Julianne Guajardo and Kailee Serna, and mascot senior Bianca Viera were asked to become part of the UCA staff. The Pioneer Varsity Cheer team is as follows: Captain Julianne Guajardo, Captain Arlene Smith, Brooke Garza, Bianca Garza, Ashley Briseño, Victoria Torres, Kailee Smith, Deandra Garza, Makayla Garza, Desiree Garza, Adriana Garza, Danielle Escobedo, Daisy Sears, Brianna Garcia, Megan Florence, Angelika Bazan, Karla Lopez, Viany Carver, Victoria Elizondo, and Sabrina Pena. PHS All Americans are Deandra Garza, Desiree Gar-
za, Julianne Guajardo, Kailee Serna, and mascot Bianca Viera. These All Americans are selected to be one of more than 650 high school cheerleaders from across the U.S. to represent Varsity Spirit in the world famous London New Year's Day Parade in January. The PHS Cheerleaders are under the direction of Marissa Briseño.
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Court: Texas voter ID law violates Voting Rights Act By Jim Malewitz The Texas Tribune
T
exas’ four-year-old voter ID law violates the Voting Rights Act but is not a “poll tax” barred under the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court has ruled. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled that the Texas voter ID law has a “discriminatory effect” that violates the federal law that prohibits racial discrimination in voting, but it is not an unconstitutional “poll tax.” The ruling, which came one day before the Voting Rights Act turned 50 years old, was a narrow victory for critics of the Texas law. It prolonged a long-winding legal battle over legislation that some called the strictest in the nation. The three-judge panel’s unanimous decision sent the case back to a lower court, which will decide how Texas should fix its problems. But for now, the law stands as is. U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, the lead plaintiff in the case, said that the court had taken steps toward giving all Texans full voting access. “Now it’s time for Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton to end the hostility against Texas voters,” he said in a statement. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Wednesday to continue to fight for the voter ID law. “In light of ongoing voter fraud, it is imperative that Texas has a voter ID law that prevents cheating at the ballot
BUENAS TARDES
box,” he said in a statement. The case centered on whether Texas intentionally discriminated against Hispanics and African-Americans when it passed the legislation – Senate Bill 14 – in 2011. The law requires most citizens (some, like people with disabilities, can be exempt) to show one of a handful of forms of allowable photo identification before their election ballots can be counted. Acceptable forms include a state driver’s license or ID card that is not more than 60 days expired at the time of voting, a concealed handgun license, a U.S. passport, a military ID card or a U.S citizenship certificate with a photo. The acceptable list is shorter than any other state’s. Despite being passed in 2011, the state’s new rules didn’t take effect until 2013, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act, ruling that Texas and other states with a history of racial discrimination no longer automatically needed federal preclearance when changing election laws. In October, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi ruled that Texas’ voter ID law “constitutes an unconstitutional poll tax.” The state appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit, arguing that the law improves ballot security and prevents election fraud. The 5th Circuit heard arguments in April. Ramos found clear racial disparities between those who have IDs under SB 14 and those who do not, and from pg 1
derfunded in Texas. At the very least, O’Connor said, he’d like to see the state give school districts enough each year to give teachers raises. Offering teachers a $1,000 increase costs Sharyland ISD $1.1 million, O’Connor said, and it equates to less than $100 a month in their individual paychecks. “The reality is in public education, there’s a lot of spin when it comes to public funding ... if you go back 10 years, the truth is they have not increased the funding to public education in the last 10 years. There’s been ebbs and flows, more cuts, more restoration, but public educators are having to do more with less or the same amount they had a decade ago.” Benavides said there’s a big disparity between La Joya
ISD and the much more affluent Highland Park, and it’s up to the school district to make up for a lot of the experiences the Highland Park students have that La Joya student’s don’t. That takes money, she said. Asked if they believed creationism should be taught in schools over evolution, the three said they believed God is guiding their footsteps, though Lopez was the only one to answer the question directly. Lopez said some issues should be left to school boards to decide, reflecting their communities. “I’ll be honest with you,” Lopez said, joking that his comments would probably be plastered across Facebook and social media, “if I could bring God back into my schools, personally, I would.”
she said the law continued a legacy of state-sponsored discrimination in Texas. Wednesday’s opinion upheld those findings. “The district court thoroughly evaluated the ‘totality of the circumstances,’ each finding was well-supported, and the State has failed to contest many of the underlying factual findings,” Judge Catharina Haynes wrote. “We conclude that the district court did not clearly err in determining that SB 14 has a discriminatory effect on minorities’ voting rights in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who co-authored the 2011 law as a senator, said in a statement Wednesday that lawmakers then had no intention of keeping legally qualified voters from the polls. “I strongly disagree with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which rejected a portion of that law,” the Republican said. Experts say that more than 600,000 Texans lack such
A
USTIN – The Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (VATAT) held their annual Professional Development Conference, July 27-31, in Waco, and a Shary-
LONGORIA
every person in Texas. Our constituents deserve the best quality of life and it is up to us to make sure their voices are heard in Austin.” Longoria is an attorney in Mission, where he operates his own law firm. He was raised in Mission and
LONESTAR
such as higher incidents of obesity, diabetes and other common conditions that are
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the city could adopt without holding an election, is 55.6 cents per $100 valuation, and it would bring in $93,974 more than this year. But Lerma said Bermea and his staff are recommending maintaining the current tax rate. A public hearing on the tax rate is scheduled for Sept. 2 and a second hearing, if needed, is scheduled for Sept. 11. The city council is scheduled to adopt the tax rate at a Sept. 29 meeting.
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MOVING SALE. MISSION, Sat. Aug. 8, 8am-1pm: 57in HD Toshiba rear projection TV, Pioneer 7.1 surround sound system w/ speakers, Couch, Coffee Table w/ end tables and much more! Everything must sell. 2218 Royal Palm Dr. (on the corner or Griffin Pkwy. between Bryan Rd. and Stewart Rd.). Credit Cards Accepted! Notice of Public Hearing FY 2015-2016 Budget Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Mission will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 24, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas to consider the City’s FY 2015-2016 Annual Budget. The proposed budget is available for inspection by the public on regular business days from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the office of the City Secretary, 1201 E. 8th Street. Everyone interested is invited to attend and present comments. Publication Date: August 7, 2015 Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
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argument moot. Plaintiffs in the case argued that the issue was still in play, because the law operated for nearly two years and because it will take Texans a while to learn about how it works. In the latest ruling, the appeals court said SB 14 wasn’t a poll tax in the first place. “It did not ‘impose a material requirement solely on those who refuse[d]’ to pay a poll tax, as proscribed by the Twenty-Fourth Amendment,” Haynes wrote in the ruling. “Rather, it drew from the State’s power to set voter qualifications by requiring all voters to present a valid form of photo identification at the polls.” Citing that finding — and the fact that the law remains in effect for now — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the ruling a victory for the state’s right to protect the integrity of its elections. “The intent of this law is to protect the voting process in Texas, and we will continue to defend this important
safeguard for all Texas voters,” he said in a statement. How Texas will respond to the decision is unclear. It has several options, Rick Hasen, an elections expert at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, wrote Wednesday in a blog post. The state could ask that the 5th Circuit rehear the case “en banc,” which means with the entire court present as opposed to a three-judge panel. Or it could appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Perhaps less likely, Texas could see how the case plays out again in the district court. If the district court reviews the case once more, it could still rule that Texas intentionally discriminated in enacting law, but it must find new grounds for saying so. Hasen wrote that the decision seemed written “as narrowly as possible to still give a victory to the plaintiffs,” but still called it a “significant victory for Voting Rights plaintiffs and the Department of Justice.”
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identification, though not all of them have necessarily tried to vote. Those citizens can obtain “election identification certificates” free of charge, but must present a copy of their birth certificate. Searching for and obtaining copies of birth certificates can cost $2 to $47. That’s partly why the law’s opponents – supported by Ramos’ ruling – called Texas’ law a poll tax, outlawed by 14th and 24th Amendments to the Constitution. Texas lawmakers sought to address this issue during the last legislative session, however, passing Senate Bill 983, which allows Texans to obtain birth certificates free of charge – if they specify that it’s for an election ID. Abbott signed the bill into law after Ramos ruled and after oral arguments in the 5th Circuit case, in which Haynes sounded perplexed that lawmakers had not already made the law more palatable to critics. The state argued that the new law rendered the poll tax
land I.S.D. teacher was recognized at the event. Horacio Garza with Sharyland Pioneer High School was among 20 agriculture science teachers given an Honorary Life Membership during
the opening general session held Tuesday, July 28, at the Waco Convention Center. Honorary Life Membership is only bestowed upon retiring agricultural science teachers who have served as
members of the VATAT for 25 or more years. Honorary Life members are commended by the VATAT for their many years of leadership and commitment to the agricultural science program.
is a product of the La Joya Independent School District. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Law. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters: Camilla and Madison.
Longoria has represented District 35 in the Texas House of Representatives since 2013. House District 35 encompasses portions of Hidalgo and Cameron Counties in the Rio Grande Valley and includes the cities/towns of: La Joya, Sul-
livan City, Peñitas, Alton, McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Monte Alto, Edcouch, La Villa, Mercedes, Weslaco, Santa Rosa, Primera, Palm Valley, Combes, Harlingen, and La Feria.
often compounded by the lack of resources.” According to the South Texas Diabetes Initiative, nearly 76,000 people in the Rio Grande Valley have diabetes. Between 2009 and 2013 nearly 35 percent of individuals live below the poverty level in Hidalgo County, according to the U.S. census. As of 2013, at least 19.1 percent of Texas’ population didn’t have health insurance. Stan Brock, founder of no-cost clinic Remote Area Medical, said his organization has helped people in places such as in the Amazon, Nepal and Africa, but 90 percent of the work they
do is in the United States. “For many millions of people in the United States, they might as well be on the moon for the opportunity that they have to receive the care that they need,” Brock said. “And that’s why these events are so, so important.” Although the effort benefits low-income residents, Operation Lone Star is actually a large-scale emergency response training for the military. It gives military personnel an idea of what to expect from the community in the case of a real health-related emergency. “If we prepare our community for disasters, we are better able to recover more
quickly when a disaster strikes,” Garcia said. Operation Lone Star is the country’s largest joint military, civilian and government exercise during a non-emergency event. According to Major General Gerald “Jake” Betty from the Texas Military Forces, in the first 16 years of operation, the program provided 45,520 medical services. “OLS just proves that Texans care about the citizens in the state of Texas and they care about the state of Texas,” he said. “It provides us with that opportunity to be prepared in case we do have to respond in times of crisis.”
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PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on August 24, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Re-Plat: Lots 2C and 2D, being a Re-Subdivision of all of Lot 2, Re-Subdivision of Lot 1, Mission Center Subdivision A 0.85 acre tract of land, more or less, consisting of all of Lot 2, out of ReSubdivision of all of Lot 1, Mission Center Subdivision If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
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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 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA 1FUJGLDR6BLAV7116 $2,432.00 2007 CHEVY SILVERADO 3GCEK13M97G520983 $563.00 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. YEAR MAKE 2007 PACE
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TOTAL CHARGES CANNOT BE COMPUTED UNTIL VEHICLE IS CLAIMED. STORAGE CHARGES WILL ACCRUE DAILY UNTIL VEHICLE IS RELEASED.
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DIAMONDBACKS from pg 6
predict how successful a football team will be from one year to the next is the number of returning starters on its roster. As a general rule, the higher the number of returning starters a team has the better the chances are of that team having a successful season. However in the Diamondbacks’ case that may not be a good indicator due to the fact that they had so few seniors on their roster last year. “We will have about 20 returning starters but the funny story about that is a few of those kids were actually passed up in spring ball by younger kids,” shared Wheeler. “Our freshmen were very talented last year, they were 8 – 2, so we’re probably going to carry about eight of those sophomores on our varsity and I’m not going to carry a sophomore on our varsity and not play him. I think that they’re physically and mentally ready to step up to the varsity level because they really showed what they could do in the spring when we threw them all together and we evaluated them going up against the varsity.” As for what goals he has set for his team this year Wheeler said, “We definitely want to improve over what we did last year. I think it’s very realistic for us to have a winning season and then our
RATTLERS from pg 6
we’re proud of those boys because they certainly had a meat grinder of a non-district schedule.” Another daunting challenge that lies ahead for the Rattlers this year is the level of competition they will be going up against in District 31-5A – a district in which all four of last year’s playoff teams won at least one playoff game. “Edinburg Vela probably has the most returning starters, including the returners that received the most post season accolades, so I’d say that they’re the favorites to win the district,” said Adame. “Then you have Mission Vets who like Vela went two rounds deep into the playoffs last year. They’ve got a big nucleus of their starters returning. Then there’s Roma who had nine or ten underclassmen starting on both sides of the football last year so those kids are coming back. Pioneer has most if not all of their starters coming back with some Friday night experience and you’ve got some good talent over there.” As for what goals he has set for his team this year Adame said, “Our standards will always be high. If you set your standards low you’re short changing yourself. Our goals are to win our first game, our first district game, to make the playoffs and ultimately to fight for that gold football. Our kids understand that there are going to be challenges but they’re ready to meet those challenges.” “What it comes down to is that it’s not about records,” continued Adame. “It’s about this team reaching its maximum potential and our young men getting the most out of the game of football to assure successful adult careers.” Sharyland will be opening its non-district schedule Friday, Aug. 28 at McAllen Memorial and its district schedule Friday Sept. 25 at Edinburg Vela.
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goal will be to get into the playoffs. And with our young talent I think that next year and the year after that we could compete for a district championship. But we’ve got to start somewhere and one of the things I’ve talked to the kids about is earning some respect out there. So if we can have some fun and earn some respect this year I think we’ll be in the playoffs.” Pioneer will open its non-district schedule at home against Hidalgo Friday Aug. 28 and play its district opener at Valley View Friday Sept. 25. All of the Diamondbacks’ home games are scheduled to be played at Richard Thompson Stadium.
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August 7, 2015
Sharyland Athlete Signs with McLennan Community College Mario Vela, Sharyland High School athlete, signed a letter of intent” on July 13 to compete in baseball at McLennan Community College in Waco. Mario has been an outstanding baseball athlete for the past four years. He currently holds the school record for stolen bases in a season. He is a four-year varsity baseball letterman. He is a 3-time All-District selection. This past 2015 season he was the 31-5A Pitcher of the Year, 1st Team All-Valley, 1st Team All-State, and he played in the RGV East-West All-Star game as well as the THSBCA State All-Star game.