September 4, 2015 - Progress Times Issue by Progress Times

Friday, September 4, 2015

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Plans to expand Anzalduas Bridge move forward

By Julie Silva he act of bringing commercial traffic to the Anzalduas Bridge has been met with roadblocks, but bridge officials believe an agreement signed last week will soon pave the way. McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, also president of the Anzalduas International Bridge Board, signed an agreement with the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes in Mexico that provides for the financing of the project, which would allow empty commercial trucks to cross southbound into Mexico. For that to

happen, an additional lane and equipment are required on the Mexican side of the bridge. Originally, those empty trucks were supposed to be allowed on the bridge starting in January of this year, but that was stalled when officials determined additional infrastructure was needed on the Mexican side of the bridge. The agreement inked last week allows the Anzalduas board to finance up to $900,000 to complete the work. “It is vital to our area to continue to support not only our international crossings on this side of the river, but in Mexico where we have

had a long standing working relationship with our counterparts,” stated Darling in a news release. He later added, “The project will enhance maquiladora commerce. The resulting tolls will provide for the payment of the costs of this project.” McAllen, Mission and Hidalgo own the Anzalduas International Bridge. According to the agreement, 100 percent of the toll revenue will go toward reimbursing the bridge board for the construction. After that, the revenue will be split with 80 percent going toward the bridge board and 20 percent going toward

Mexico’s Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes. Once two planned northbound lanes are constructed on the U.S. side, both sides will keep 100 percent of their respective toll revenue. The addition of commercial traffic is expected to reduce wait times at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. The northbound lanes are in the design phase and officials expect to start construction in January. “We have been working with Mexico to improve customer service to commercial truck traffic going south. It’s a win-win situation for Mexico and the

U.S.,” Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas stated in the news release. Mexico officials have pushed the U.S. to construct a northbound inspection facility for commercial traffic at an estimated cost of $31 million, according to the city of McAllen. Tractor-trailer crossings bring in more revenue than passenger vehicles. However, according to the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the U.S. State Department delayed construction of an import facility until Jan. 1, 2015, or until the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge reached 15,000

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

northbound truck crossings a week. Pharr’s bridge currently carries 10,000 trucks per week, and the plan states Pharr’s bridge is not predicted to reach 15,000 for at least 20 years. The State Department also has not approved the facility for 2015. “It is so important to strengthen the support and cooperation between the Mexican government and Anzalduas International Bridge Board,” Hidalgo Mayor Martin Cepeda stated in the news release. “We need to continue to foster this friendship, cooperation and coordination to develop infrastructure and to facilitate border commerce.”

La Joya ISD maintains tax rate, gives raises

By Julie Silva

UT System Chancellor William McRaven received a framed copy of the UTRGV mascot from UTRGV Student Government Association President Alberto Adame (holding the microphone) on the first day of class Monday at Salon Cassia in Brownsville. Looking on is UTRGV President Guy Bailey (far right). UTRGV photo by Paul Chouy

UTRGV opens doors, makes history

By Lea Victoria Juarez

The Valley welcomed the opening of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Monday, as the UTRGV ROTC Color Guard raised the U.S. and Texas flags during the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In attendance were UT System Chancellor William McRaven, UTRGV President Guy Bailey, two System regents, and legislators and numerous other dignitaries. UTRGV photo by David Pike

onday marked the first day of classes for students at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. But on the same day two years ago, UTRGV President Guy Bailey was in a hospital room in Birmingham, Alabama, watching his wife live the last 36 hours of her life. He thought he had done everything he wanted to do, Bailey recalled at the flag raising ceremony at the Edinburg campus. A few weeks after the death of his wife Jan, his daughter sat him down and gave him some words of encouragement. “(She) said ‘Dad, you need to find something that you can be as passionate about as you were about Jan, something you can really put your heart into.’” A short time after that conversation, he received a call about becoming the president of the new university in South Texas. “I want to thank all of you for allowing me to be a part

of this,” Bailey said. “It has been one of the great honors of my life.” The road to the first day of class at UTRGV has not been without hiccups. Last week, about 1,500 students were displaced after the state board of regents didn’t approve several core curriculum courses. In June, the university still needed to hire professors and to assign about 2,000 professors to classes. And since the release of the colors, mascot and university name, members of the student body were vocal about their displeasure, even putting on protests and creating petitions. But Chancellor William McRaven, who came into the position eight months ago, said all things considered, the issues were minor. “There are always going to be some glitches in this. The response from the higher education board came in just this week on some of the core courses, but we’ll get through that,” McRaven said. “I think anytime you’re

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As University of Texas Rio Grande Valley #FirstClass students streamed past on the Edinburg Campus Monday morning, UT System Chancellor William McRaven talked with the media after a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the official opening and first day of classes. UTRGV photo by David Pike

a Joya ISD board members approved a budget last week that includes a $1,200 increase for teachers as well as a raise for all employees. Auxiliary positions will receive a 75-cent-an-hour salary boost and nonteaching professionals will get a 2.5 percent raise. Trustee Esperanza “Espie” Ochoa was quick to point out the proposed budget does not include her push for stipends for teachers who have been with the district more than 20 years. “That is not totally out of the question yet,” said Alfredo Vela, assistant superintendent of finance. “It’s still something we’re studying … Is it out of the question? No. Is it in the numbers right now? No. We can look at it again.” Overall, Vela said the La Joya Independent School District’s tax rate is remaining at $1.31 per $100 property valuation, but he pointed out that local taxes make up less than 10 percent of the $361.8 million budget. Most of the revenue comes from state and federal resources. Even so, to balance the budget the district is dipping into its fund balance to come up with an additional $38.2 million. “There’s enough fund balance and/or revenues to cover all of the appropriations,” Vela assured. To make the numbers work, the district’s workers compensation rate was cut from 3 percent to 1.5 percent and its unemployment rate was cut from .3 percent to .15 percent. Vela said he’s confident the budgeted amounts would cover the necessary

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INSIDE

Closed Labor Day

INDEX

The Progress Times, Winter Texan Times and Sharyland Times offices will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7. The newspapers will be open for normal business hours Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 8

Diamondbacks ready for Pace

Fire unites family

Members of the Ornelas family were getting ready for a quinceñera when they got a call warning of a fire in their neighborhood. It was their home.

Coach Jason Wheeler hopes to see team take care of penalties that plagued them in the first game of the season last week.

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Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 6

Obituaries | pg. 9

Classifieds | pg. 11

entertainment

Hughes and Serio join for collaborative exhibit

cALLEN – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) invites the public to the opening of its new art exhibit “Through a Transcendent Lens” on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a collaborative exhibit by sculptor Dewane Hughes and painter Alexis Serio; both artists will be present at the reception. Collaboration is something natural to Hughes and Serio; they have recently exhibited at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as held residencies at Gullkistan, International Residency for Creative People, in Laugarvatn, Iceland. Hughes states, “In recent years we’ve had the opportunity to travel pretty exten-

sively and have noticed how experiencing different cultures has affected our work. This noticeable change could be seen as a common under current of [Through a Transcendent Lens].” Influenced by the poets of the “Beat Generation,” Hughes’ sculptures of iron, bronze, brass, steel, and wood deal with language, while Serio’s landscapes provide stillness and solitude. She describes them as “selective and ideals of the truth.” The exhibit will be on display at IMAS through Nov. 29. General admission fees apply, but is free for IMAS members. For more information, call 682-0123 or visit imasonline.org.

STC theatre season filled with classics, fireworks and secrets

cALLEN – South Texas College Theatre returns for the sixth year with a full lineup of productions for the 201516 season celebrating classics, fireworks and secrets and invites the community to become a Season Pass subscriber for another year of fun and quality entertainment. All productions will be held at STC’s Cooper Center located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. STC Theatre opens the season on Oct. 15 with Marilyn Campbell and Curt

Columbus’ adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s classic novel “Crime and Punishment.” The opening production runs through Oct. 18 and is followed by Beth Henley’s comedy “The Miss Firecracker Contest” Nov. 19 to 22. In the spring, STC Theatre will bring romance onto the stage with William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” from Feb. 25 to 28. The 2015-16 season wraps up with the Rio Grande Valley premiere of Raul Castillo’s “Between You, Me and the Lampshade” that runs April 28 to May 1. All Sunday matinee productions are ASL interpreted by student interns from STC’s Interpreters Training Program. Individual ticket prices for Main Stage productions are $5 for students/ faculty/senior citizens/military and $10 general admission. Individual Studio productions cost $5 general admission. A Season Pass is also available that allows patrons to attend all the productions for the season and choose between general or reserved seating. All subscribers also receive special deals for any additional guest performances that may arise throughout the year. General season passes are $15 for students/faculty/senior citizens/military and $25 for the community. Reserved seating season subscriptions are $25 for students/faculty/ senior citizens/military and $35 for the community. For more information, call 8722301.

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Coming Attractions

September 5 Boxer Johnny “Blaze” Tapia is the main event with Jose Prado in the co-main spot for Border Wars II. It’s happening at the Boggus Ford Events Center in Pharr, 3000 N. Cage. Other Valley talent on the fight card include Brandon Figueroa, Gabriel Ayala, Joseph Treviño, Jojo Rodriguez, Benito Rios and Tovey Tovar. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the matches begin at 8 p.m. Along with general admission, VIP table and reserved seating are available. Tickets range from $30 to $275. Go to ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000 to purchase. September 8 The Moscow Ballet will hold open auditions at 6 p.m. for local student dancers, boys and girls, ages 7 to 16 years. Selected children will perform with the professional company in the Great Russian Nutcracker on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m. at the McAllen Civic Center. The auditions will be held at Laura Marie Dance Academy, 901 Travis #10 in Mission. Student dancers must have at least one year of ballet training, dress in dance attire and may bring Pointe shoes. Audition director Mariia Skoruk will lead the audition and work with the selected student dancers. Register at www.nutcracker.com/youth-auditions/sign-up-to-audition. For tickets for the December

performance and more information, go to nutcracker.com or ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. September 11 Gloria Trevi’s “El Amor” world tour makes a stop at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo for a 7 p.m. performance. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets run $38.50 to $153.50 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000. September 12 The Upper Valley Art League will host an opening reception for Manuel Lince’s “INTUS” from 7 to 9 p.m. On display at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center, it will be on view in the UVAL gallery through Oct. 3. There will be art sales and refreshments, and the event is free and open to the public. UVAL is located at 921 E. 12th in Mission. For more information, go to uppervalleyartleague.org, call 5832787 during gallery hours or email uval.texas@gmail. com. September 17 It’s “Glitz & Glamour” with Prince Royce and Yandel on stage at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets range from $45 to $135 per person, available at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to ptrgv.com.

‘Lend Me A Tenor’ plays in Pharr

he Pharr Community Theater presents the two-act comedy by Ken Ludwig, “Lend Me A Tenor,” cast and directed locally by Frank Montero. The show plays from September 4 through 6, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Carnahan Auditorium, 317 W. Gore St. in Pharr. The play is about world-renowned tenor Tito Merelli, played by Ivan Ali Orozco, who has signed on to play Otello at a Cleveland opera company in the fall of 1934. He arrives late and, through a set of crazy circumstances, passes out after mixing wine with a huge dose of tranquilizers. Believing that the divo is dead, the excitable opera manager (Eric Reyna) taps

his hapless assistant, an aspiring singer named Max (Daniel Garza) to suit up as the Moor and replace Merelli. Meanwhile, the tenor’s jealous wife (Araceli Casares) and his ambitious female co-star, Max’s young girlfriend (Karma Westby) and the flirtatious head of the opera guild (Aimee Ambriz) are on the scene fighting— sometimes literally—for the star’s attention. Tickets will be sold at the door beginning one hour before each show for $10 general admission or $7 for seniors and persons under 13. Currently the theater is undergoing re-pavement construction, and the interim entrance is through the west side gate. For more information, call 361-461-2874.

IMAS hosts 9/11 photographer for artist talk

cALLEN – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) will host photog-

rapher Mark Roddenberry on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. for an artist talk about his exhibit on display, “Avenue of the Strongest: An Eyewitness Account of that Day in September.” The exhibit will be on display until Sunday, Oct. 25. Originally displayed on Sept. 11, 2005, Roddenberry’s “Avenue of the Strongest” returns to the IMAS galleries on its 10th anniversary. The series of photographs gets its name from a street in lower Manhattan, located approximately one mile north of the World Trade Center, and reflects one of the nation’s greatest catastrophes and the country’s heroic response to the tragedy known as “9/11.” Roddenberry will tell his account of photographing during and two days after the events of 9/11. For more information, call 682-0123 or visit imasonline.org.

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September 4, 2015

La Joya family grieves loss of home

By Julie Silva day meant to be filled with celebration ended in tragedy two weeks ago when a fire took hold of the Ornelas home of nine years. Yolanda Ornelas and her husband, Raul, were leaving their granddaughter’s birthday party and headed toward a family quinceñera when the fire broke out. Raul’s daughter Becky and his granddaughter Irma live with the couple, along with their son.

Becky was changing for the quinceñera at her sister’s house in Peñitas when she got a call from a cousin who saw the flames from U.S. 83. At the same time, a neighbor called Yolanda to tell her to get home right away. Meanwhile, Raul’s daughter Cecilia Gomez was already at the quinceñera, saving a table for the family. She wondered why everyone was taking so long before she got a call about the fire. “I knew that they weren’t in the house because they were on the way to the

quinceñera, so that gave my heart peace, but it was just the longest drive,” Gomez said. “It’s like when someone dies. We’re still grieving.” The thoughts of many in the family turned to its newest family member – a pig named Mustang. Mustang was a gift to Irma on her 15th birthday last month. He was stinky, but well loved, the family agreed. Just the day before, Raul banished Mustang to a pen outside for being “naughty.” That outdoor pen saved Mustang’s life. But as the family sat on a bench across the street in the neighbor’s yard, Becky wished she could grab a hose herself to help the firefighters work faster. Becky knew there were mementos in the house that could not be replaced. Irma’s father had given her a dress that she wore at her quinceñera. He’d given it to her last year to wear for a

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La Joya ISD hires marketing specialist from within

By Julie Silva igo Lopez, elected Peñitas mayor in May, has been named La Joya ISD marketing/business development specialist. La Joya Independent School District board members approved the position at their Aug. 5 meeting with a salary of $57,000. Lopez replaces Belinda Garcia,

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dozen current and former La Joya ISD employees alleging retaliation and had a nearly $44,000 salary. That lawsuit was dismissed over the summer as was Garcia, who had been moved from the public relations office to the athletics office in 2013. Ramirez said the marketing position was expanded to include the district’s need for

Reminiscing... 30 Years Ago This Week

Mark Watson was named Mission city manager He was set to assume his duties Oct. 6. Watson, selected after a search of several months, was one of five finalists chosen by a citizens search committee for ultimate interview by Mission City Council. Watson had served as city manager in Stamford since October 1981. A new school saw more delays Plans to begin classes for 521 students at the new Mims Elementary School were delayed a few days, according to Mission Superintendent Kenneth White. Workmen were still adding finishing touches to the 32-classroom school on North Conway and Two Mile Line. Dennis got chamber post Susan Dennis was selected as public relations director for the Mission Chamber of Commerce. A native of Edinburg, Dennis received a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University and had worked in several urban areas of Texas.

emies” and to save money over creating an entirely new position. Since starting on the job three weeks ago, Ramirez said Lopez already has contracted $70,000 in marketing and sold nearly all the football field’s scoreboard sponsor slots. Lopez has worked for the district since 2006, when he served as a substitute teacher. He was hired on as a coach and teacher at J.D. Salinas Middle School in 2009. He has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas in San Antonio. He was selected for the marketing position out of about 30 applicants. “His unique background that combines knowledge of athletics as a former coach, public service as mayor and a small business owner, made him the best-qualified candidate,” said La Joya ISD Spokesman Eden Ramirez in a statement Wednesday. “He understands the need to market our athletic programs, has extensive rooting in our local district communities, and understands our small business owners.”

City of Alton approves lower tax, higher sewer rates

By Julie Silva or the seventh year in a row, the city of Alton approved a lower tax rate City Manager Jorge Arcaute pointed out after the city commission approved it in a meeting last week. The 2015-2016 rate, .4540 cents per $100 property valuation, is the effective tax rate, meaning it will bring in the same amount of revenue as the current fiscal year because of higher overall property values. The current rate is .4591 cents per $100 valuation. Meanwhile, the city commission also approved the second reading of an ordinance that will increase sewer rates. Under the current rates, a consultant for the city forecasted an $115,000 deficit in the coming fiscal year. Based on 10,000 gallons in water consumption per month for residential users, the consultant determined the average payment is $31.50 for area cities. The

city of Alton’s average is $33.54. The ordinance would increase the average monthly bill $1.77. On the flip side, the consultant pointed out Alton is not charging as much as surrounding cities for commercial lines. He suggested a five-year transition, increasing the rate about 4.3 percent each year. “At the end of five years, you’ll be competitive still with cities like Brownsville, and you’ll be recovering the full cost of service from your large commercial customers.” For a commercial use using 50,000 gallons of water a month, the increase would equate to $5.05 a month, he said, also suggesting an increase in fees. “This year we really had a double whammy on this fund,” Arcaute said. “We had a lot of rain, which meant that consumers used a lot less water, and also because of the rain we had a lot of

inflow into the system. We had a lot of expense because of the rain. We should have looked at this increase last year. That weather that we’re so unsure about surely highlighted the need to address a rate change.” Also, the Alton City Commission revived an agreement with the Moore Air Base to place a fire substation on the base. Kirk Richardson, base manager, said the agreement has taken years to work out with the federal government. “It is very apparent that Alton Fire Department was on the base for several years,” Richardson said. “Somewhere in history that agreement either broke down or due to the recession that happened the city of Alton left for a while, but with the amount of operations and the increased operation coming to the Air Force base, it would be beneficial to both parties, giving you a remote

sion a better place to live and raise our families. You know who works hardest in your organization. Send in your nominations and recognize those who have served Mission well.” While a resume for the nominee is helpful, it is not required. Just provide a description of the ways the nominee has served the community, along with your name and phone number. Nominations may be submitted in person at the Progress Times office at 1217 N. Conway or by mail to Citizens Awards, Progress Times, P.O. Box 399, Mission, Texas 78573. Nomi¬nations may also be submitted by email to awards@ptrgv.com or by fax to 956-585-2304. A pdf version of the nomination form, selection criteria, and a list of

past recipients are available online at www.progresstimes. net. In addition to being available online, the nomination forms and criteria may also be picked up at the Progress Times office located at 1217 N. Conway. To request forms to be faxed or emailed, call 956-585-4893. Email requests should be sent to awards@ptrgv.com. Last year’s award recipients were Joyce Geary, First Lady of Mission; Ruben Rodriguez, Mr. Mission; Maritza Esqueda, Woman of the Year, and Carl Davis, Man of the Year. Tickets for the chamber banquet may be purchased at the Mission Chamber of Commerce, located at 202 W. Tom Landry, phone 5852727.

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Nominations open for Mission citizens awards

he Progress Times has announced that nominations are now open for the annual citizens awards for Mr. Mission, First Lady of Mission, Man of the Year and Woman of the Year. Jim Brunson, publisher of the Progress Times, said nominations for the awards will be accepted until 4 p.m., Sept. 18 at the newspaper office. The annual awards will be presented at the Mission Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission. “We invite clubs, organizations and individuals to submit nominations for the citizens awards,” said Brunson. “These awards are designed to recognize and honor those who have worked to serve others and to make Mis-

opinion By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

USTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Aug. 27 entered a plea of not guilty on felony charges of securities fraud at his arraignment in Fort Worth. Tarrant County 396th State District Court Judge George Gallagher gave Paxton until Sept. 30 to answer to the charges. Paxton is accused of encouraging two individuals to buy stock in Severgy, a Collin County-based technology firm, and being compensated for his actions without being registered as an investment advisor in accordance with Security and Exchange Commission regulations. Also Paxton is accused of falsely giving prospective investors the impression that he was an investor in Severgy. The Texas Rangers turned over evidence gathered during an investigation that ensued when a formal complaint against Paxton, the state’s top legal officer, was lodged in April by Texans for Public Justice, an Austin-based government watchdog group. Paxton was indicted by a Collin County grand jury on July 28. Court proceedings were moved from Collin County to Tarrant County because of Paxton’s closeness to the courts in Collin County. Paxton served as a state senator representing Collin County from January 2013 until he was elected attorney general in November 2014. He served as the state representative for Collin County and part of Dallas County from 2003 to 2013. UT removes Davis statue A bronze statue of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865, was removed from the Main Mall of the University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 30.

In an Aug. 29 media advisory, UT President Gregory Fenves said the statue would be placed in an indoor educational display at the Briscoe Center for American History on the university campus. The decision, in line with a multistate trend to remove symbols of the pro-slavery Confederacy from government-controlled properties, was made after Travis County 250th State District Court Judge Karin Crump rejected a petition by the Sons of Confederate Veterans to prevent the relocation of the statue. Plans are to refurbish the statute and install it at the Briscoe Center within the next 18 months. Fenves also said the statue of President Woodrow Wilson, displayed opposite the Davis statue, is being moved to preserve the symmetry of the Main Mall plaza and will be positioned elsewhere on campus. Statues of Robert E. Lee and three other Confederate figures remain in place on the Main Mall. Comptroller seeks opinion State Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Aug. 26 announced he is seeking an opinion from the Office of the Texas Attorney General regarding Gov. Greg Abbott’s June 20 veto of certain items in the 20162017 state budget. Abbott cut some $295 million from House Bill 1, the General Appropriations Act, for a wide range of items, such as contingent riders for bills that did not pass, projects that could be funded through other sources and duplicative appropriations. In his announcement, Hegar noted that the Legislative Budget Board’s staff had raised questions as to whether the vetoes exceeded the governor’s authority under the Texas Constitution. The LBB staff’s job is to serve the fiscal policy and analysis needs of the Texas Legislature.

“I am seeking clarity and requesting guidance from the Attorney General’s Office. This is a constitutional issue that goes to the heart of separation of powers within Texas government,” Hegar said. More Hispanics take ACT Texas Education Agency on Aug. 26 announced that more Texas Hispanic students in the 2015 graduating class took the ACT college admission test than any other student demographic, according to a report released by ACT, the Iowa City, Iowa-based organization that owns and controls the test. Of the 124,764 Texas students who took the test, almost 40 percent (48,934) were Hispanic. “It’s the second consecutive year where the number of Hispanic students represented the highest number of examinees of any racial ethnic group,” according to the announcement. Also, since 2011, Texas has seen a 22.8 percent increase in ACT test-taking graduates among all student groups. Additional training required Texas Department of Public Safety on Aug. 28 announced the Sept. 1 launch date of the new Impact Texas Teen Driver program, requiring driver’s license applicants who complete a teen-age driver education course to watch a two-hour program that promotes awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and afterward print a certificate of completion. DPS Director Steven McCraw said, “This new component of teen driver education underscores the risks of distracted driving, and is designed to provide young and inexperienced drivers with additional information and skills to help keep them and others safe on the road.”

September 4, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS Letters to the editor

Reader: There’s work to be done on Mission Historical Museum

To the editor: y parents were born in Mission during the 1940s (Ted/ Mary Baker). I grew up here but did not graduate from Mission High. Most of my life has been spent in Galveston/Houston area. Occasionally, I visit Mission to catch up with a few relatives who have remained here forever. My relatives took me on a tour of what has become of Mission since back then. As we were driving off Doherty Street, we had to stop as we could not believe the beauty of the landscape that decorated the Mission Historical Museum. Being a museumgoer, I had to check this out. What a disappointment. The outside is so beautiful, yet the inside bespeaks of a cold, empty building with just a few pictures of what Mission looked like before.

I went to the so-called annex building, the former post office, and there were a few children playing to what I was told was the summer program. So, I dashed to the other building and nothing was of much interest except the Pioneer Room. My relatives had no idea that Mission had a museum. That tells me that this magnificent structure(s) is not much publicized. I realize that Mission is not Houston, but come on Missionites, your taxes are working toward the preservation of this building, not to mention the history that has made this city as great as it is. The success of Mission did not happen overnight. There were many people who played a role in developing the structure and maintaining the integrity of this wonderful city. Please

do not allow this promising museum to fall between the cracks. Doesn’t anyone care about history anymore? And what about the Board of Directors? Who is marshalling the talents of the local people who are passing on and not leaving any stories behind? Why aren’t those stories archived into oral histories? I sincerely hope that next year when I return that I find some vibrant exhibits and a boosting audience ready to get to work and make the Mission Historical Museum a truly rewarding experience for everyone. It has some great potential if somebody really got in there and started to work. I wanted to talk to the director but was told that he was a way. Signed, Dorothy B. Armstrong

them to live up to this deal is not only short-sighted, it is turning a blind eye to geopolitical realities,” Governor Abbott writes in the letter. “I call upon the Texas Congressional delegation to reject President Obama’s deal with Iran, reaffirm our nation’s support for Israel, and uphold states’ rights to prohibit investment that would benefit Iran. In the event a deal passes, Texas will continue its efforts to prohibit public investment in Iran and call on private enterprises to do the same, Abbott stated. “Texas will continue its efforts to prohibit invest-

ments in Iran. Texas law currently bans taxpayer-funded investment in Iran and with entities that do business with Iran. … It is my hope that Congress will reject the President’s deal, but should it move forward, Texas will do everything it can to prevent public investment in Iran. The retirement funds of Texas state employees and teachers will not be complicit in the financing of terrorism across the globe. If the unfortunate occurs, and this deal passes, I will also be calling on private enterprises across our state to join in refusing to aid a hostile Iranian regime.”

Abbott sends letter urging opposition to Iran deal

head of Congress’ return from recess next week, Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to each member of the Texas Congressional Delegation urging them to vote against President Obama’s deal with Iran and reaffirm the United States’ support for Israel. Abbott also declared the State of Texas’ intention to continue its efforts in prohibiting public investment in Iran and called on private enterprises to follow suit should a deal pass. “Entering into an agreement with a country that consistently calls for ‘death to America’ and expecting

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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.

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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.

September 4, 2015

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September 4, 2015

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Diamondbacks look forward to Pace

By Doug Young

ypical first-game jitters were the big bugaboo during the first quarter of Pioneer’s 24-6 romp over visiting Hidalgo last Friday night. When asked about the four penalties during the sec-

ond series of the game, head coach Jason Wheeler reflected that, “It was a little sloppy. I’m not real happy with the penalties. We’ll try to take care of our penalties next week.” The Diamondbacks added to their offensive woes by

fumbling on the Hidalgo 15 yardline during the early going, the result of a mishandled snap. “We can’t beat ourselves,” added Wheeler. Most of the Diamondback penalties in the Hidalgo game were on offense and were mental errors, such as jumping off before the snap and lining up illegally. By the second quarter they had diminished some. By the second half, after a half-time talk by Wheeler, the jitters all but disappeared, and should not reappear in tomorrow’s upcoming game against Brownsville Pace. Heading into the matchup with Pace, Wheeler feels he can count on his defense, which swarmed over the Pirates, limiting them to only six points – and that was with 3:29 remaining in the game when the starters had taken their seats on the bench. “Our defense played pretty decently,” said Wheeler, adding that his defense only gave up one long run and limited Hidalgo to three first downs. That defense may be tested against Pace. Even though the Vikings were routed by Edinburg Vela last week, Pace

managed to put 27 points on the scoreboard. With quarterback Luis Rodriguez picking up 99 rushing yards to lead Pace, the Diamondback defense will have their hands full. “Rodriguez is a big kid, and he started every game last year. Pace will want to use him to establish their running game. He can pass too, but he’s not very tall. If we keep Rodriguez in the pocket, we should be able to reduce his passing ability,” said Wheeler. Pioneer has its own ground weapon by the name of Salvador Gonzalez. The senior fullback made most of his runs between the tackles and his first touchdown was a scamper up the middle from midfield. His second touchdown of the night was a short run after Hidalgo fumbled the kickoff from a second quarter touchdown by quarterback Alejandro Ramirez. If Pioneer’s offensive line can open some holes for him, Gonzalez should have another good night. Ending the first half with a Leo Rios field goal as time ran out, the only other score

by Pioneer was a safety early in the third quarter. During the second half, the offense didn’t have many penalties, but they couldn’t score either. The Diamondbacks will have to play all four quarters of a game if they hope to move past last year’s three wins. Wheeler departed from the usual coach-speak by mentioning the entire season rather than giving the usual “play ‘em one at a time” quotes. He said “We have to do more than win our first two games and only one more during the rest of the season.” In other words, the intensity has to ramp up. Less impressive against Hidalgo was the Diamond-

back air attack. “Our passing game will come from running” says Wheeler. The first interception was thrown on a fake punt when Alec Garcia made a forced pass. Quarterback Alejandro Ramirez was also intercepted during the latter part of the game, which almost put Hidalgo back in the game. Pace had few defenses against the aerial game in last week’s game against Vela, so perhaps Ramirez can break out a better passing game. If you want to attend the Pace game, remember it starts one half early on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Sams Stadium, Brownville.

TOP: Diamondback tight end James Resendez breaks a tackle during the Diamondback’s 24-6 win over Hidalgo last Friday. BOTTOM: Typical of the night, the Diamondback swarms another Hidalgo runner. Progress Times photos by Doug Young

September 4, 2015

Big 7 football Week 2 previews

By Luciano Guerra eek 1 of Valley high school football saw the Big 7 teams go 3-4. The winners included the Veterans Memorial Patriots, the Pioneer Diamondbacks and the Palmview Lobos. The losers were the Sharyland Rattlers, the Mission Eagles, the La Joya Coyotes and the Juarez-Lincoln Huskies. Having started last night, with the Lobos traveling to PSJA Southwest and the Coyotes hosting Donna North, Week 2 is already off and running. But with three games on tonight’s schedule and two more tomorrow, there’s still plenty of Big 7 gridiron action to see as the second week

of non-district play continues. Mission Eagles at Brownsville Hanna Coming off last week’s 23-2 loss to the Veterans Memorial Patriots in what has come to be known as the Battle of Conway, the Eagles will be looking to bounce back tonight as they travel to Brownsville to play the Hanna Golden Eagles at 7:30. Hanna, who opened their non-district schedule with a 21-14 win over Edinburg Economedes Saturday, will be out to make it two in a row over Mission who they defeated at Tom Landry Stadium last year, 23-14. The Eagles, who could only muster 92 yards of total offense against the Patriots

last week, will be out to find the keys to their offense tonight in hopes of test driving it up and down the field over the Hanna defense. Whether Mission can simply tune up their offense to get it running like a well-oiled machine and not have to completely overhaul it will play a big part in determining if they’ll be an entry in the District 306A playoff race or if they’ll spend most of their season trying to get the garage door opened. Laredo United at Sharyland High It’s taken a year, but the split of Sharyland High may have finally caught up with the Sharyland Rattlers. The Rattlers, who had not lost to

a Valley team since October 2011 when they fell to the McAllen Memorial Mustangs 28-14, lost their non-district opener last Friday to the same Mustangs by a score of 42-18. The Rattlers have their work cut out for them tonight if they’re going to even up their record. They’re hosting the Laredo United Longhorns who, despite losing to Schertz Clemens last week by a score of 55-43, put on quite an impressive offensive performance with 627 yards of total offense. The Longhorns’ two main offensive weapons are running back Alexis Villanueva (#32), who carried the ball 30 times for 232 yards and three touchdowns last week and quarterback Ignazio

District 31-5A volleyball set to begin

page 7

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By Luciano Guerra hen it comes to fall sports in the Valley, football may be the king but volleyball is the queen. And as the District 31-5A reigning champions the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots are not only out to repeat but they’re out to surpass what they’ve accomplished the past two seasons – qualifying for the state’s Sweet 16. With an overall record of 216-33 and a district record of 134-16 over the past 10 seasons, the Lady Patriots have asserted their dominance over their district rivals for the past decade. However, two of the teams that will be out to knock the Lady Patriots off their District 31-5A throne are the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks and the Sharyland Lady Rattlers. Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots With their district schedule starting Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Sharyland, the Lady Patriots have been traveling far and wide to compete in tournaments that feature the type of teams they are likely to face in the later rounds of the playoffs. Even so, they have compiled a 20-3 record thus far this season with a third place finish in the Laredo Tournament and championships in the Mission Varsity

Tournament and in the silver division of the Houston Adidas Tournament. Veterans Memorial head volleyball coach Diana Lerma attributes much of her team’s success over the past three seasons to a trio of players, now in their senior year, that have been on the varsity squad since they were freshmen; her daughter Gabby Lerma, Daisy Reyna and Karina Garcia. “Our team goal this year is to qualify for the state tournament,” said Reyna. “With this being my senior year, I am determined to do all I can to make that happen. In the Houston tournament we went up against state tournament teams and we not only hung with them but we beat some of them. That’s why we feel that this year is our year to accomplish that goal.” Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks First year high school sports programs are not supposed to win championships, but last year the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks did just that when they defeated the PSJA Lady Bears in the bi-district round of the state playoffs. While a tough fiveset loss to Victoria West in the area round brought their inaugural season to an end, Lady Diamondbacks head coach Laura Cavazos is out to improve on what her team started last year.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to that spot and even further this year,” Cavazos said. “We’ve lost three seniors from last year but we are returning 11 players with eight being seniors. We really only lost one starter so we have a lot of playing experience among our starters.” “Three of our returning players are looking really good right now,” added Cavazos. “Our libero Elise Lopez is doing an exceptional job for us and stepping up into a leadership role and really pushing to become the best that she can. Our middle Maddie Hatzold has gotten a lot stronger over the summer and as one of our captains has developed into a leader. And my sophomore Audrey Smith, the district’s Newcomer of the Year last year, is my starting setter. She is continuing to work hard and she pushes the girls on the offensive side.” Pioneer will be opening its district schedule Saturday, Sept. 12 on the road against the Valley View Lady Tigers. Sharyland Lady Rattlers Last year’s split of Sharyland High hit the Lady Rattlers’ volleyball program hard. Not only did they lose several key players to Pioneer but their head coach, Laura Cavazos, transferred to the new high school as well. As a result, last season

was more of a rebuilding season for the Lady Rattlers and their new head coach Raul Castillo, and that translated to a fifth place finish in the district and no trip to playoffs. For the Lady Rattlers to return to their winning ways this season, two of their returning starters will have to lead the way. “We have two lettermen, Maddie Garza and Paige Jones, that have lettered pretty much either from their freshman or sophomore years,” Castillo said. “They are our two captains and they lead by example. They set their expectations high and they speak up if anybody on the team is not living up to those expectations.” As for any younger players that he will be counting on to help turn things around this season Castillo said, “Hannah Kirby and Norma Quintanilla are two returning lettermen that are juniors this year. Hannah has made the transition from the right side to the outside and Norma has always been aggressive as a blocker. Caleigh Hausenfluck, my libero, started as a freshman last year and while she came in a bit rusty after not playing all summer she’s getting her groove back now.” Sharyland will be opening its district schedule Saturday, Sept. 12 at Edinburg Vela.

Tellez (#9) who completed 32 out of 57 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns. Rio Hondo at Juarez-Lincoln The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies opened their 2015 non-district schedule last week with a 14-7 loss at the hands of the PSJA Memorial Wolverines. Tonight the Huskies will be hosting the Rio Hondo Bobcats who they fell to in Week 2 of last season by 41-13. Coming off a 0-10 season, Juarez-Lincoln will be out to win its first game since their 15-13 defeat of the Edinburg Bobcats November 1, 2013. With five sophomores vying for starting positions on the Huskies’ defense and four on offense, whether the Huskies succeed in putting a game in the win column tonight or in achieving their longer-term goal of a playoff berth for the first time in school history, the future looks bright for the Juarez-Lincoln football program. Veterans Memorial at Odessa Permian For the second year in a row the Veterans Memorial Patriots will be traveling to

Odessa to play the Permian Panthers in Week 2 of Texas high school football. With six state championships under their belts, the Panthers gained national attention as the team featured in the 2004 movie, "Friday Night Lights." In their initial meeting last season the Panthers defeated the Patriots 44-8 in a game that was actually much closer than the score indicated. Both teams opened their non-district schedules with wins last week and while the Patriots’ 23-2 win over the Mission Eagles was impressive it wasn’t nearly as impressive as the Panthers’ 7014 mauling of the McAllen High Bulldogs. In that game the Panthers amassed 489 yards on the ground and 167 yards through the air for 656 yards of total offense. Defensively Permian held McAllen High to a total of 204 yards with 120 of those yards coming through the air and 84 on the ground. This game is scheduled to kick-off at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Odessa’s famed Ratliff Stadium which has been called the “Epicenter of Texas High School football.”

Prep Schedule Non-District Football Palmview High @ PSJA SW (9/3) Donna North @ La Joya High (9/3) Mission High @ Brownsville Hanna (9/4) Laredo United @ Sharyland High (9/4) Rio Hondo @ Juarez-Lincoln High (9/4) Veterans Memorial @ Odessa-Permian (9/5) Sharyland Pioneer @ Brownsville Pace (9/5)

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Saturday Non-District Volleyball – Sep. 5 Donna North @ Mission High Veterans Memorial @ San Benito Ed. Economedes @ Sharyland High Laredo United @ Sharyland Pioneer La Joya High @ Donna High PSJA Memorial @ Palmview PSJA SW @ Juarez-Lincoln

12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday Non-District Volleyball – Sep. 8 Mission High @ Donna High Veterans Memorial @ Brownsville Hanna McAllen Memorial @ Sharyland High Sharyland Pioneer @ Laredo United South La Joya High @ Edcouch Elsa Palmview @ Weslaco East Juarez-Lincoln @ Valley View

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

lifestyle

September 4, 2015

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Wolf-Houy engagement announced

r. and Mrs. Marvin J. Wolf of Mission announce the engagement of their daughter, Penny Renee, to Daniel Frederick Houy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Houy of Fort Davis. The couple will exchange their vows on April 16, 2016 at 3 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston. Rev. Jay Walsh, C.S.B., will officiate. The bride-to-be graduated from the University of

Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind. with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accountancy. She is employed as vice president of tax at Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. The prospective groom received bachelor’s degrees in engineering science and physics from Trinity University in San Antonio. He is employed as an engineering learning specialist at FMC Technologies, Inc.

BETWEEN the bookendS

Speer Memorial Library

12th St. & Kika Loop • Mission • 580-8750

By Robert L. Rivera

Greg Storms

Ruth Hoyt

Learn outdoor photography with the pros

ESLACO – From blooms, bugs, birds and beasts to breath-taking views, learn the details of nature photography with local, award-winning photographers Ruth Hoyt and Greg Storms. The outdoor photography workshop will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Weslaco’s Estero Llano Grande State Park, 3301 S. International Blvd. in Weslaco, from 8 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the Rio Grande Valley Chapter Texas Master Naturalist, the workshop is geared to any level of expertise whether using point and shoot cameras or more sophisticated gear. It begins with classroom instruction, including presentations that showcase outdoor photography, tips from the pros and how to get that perfect shot. Participants will break into smaller groups for field time with individual instruction. A critique and question and answer session will conclude the workshop. Workshop instruction will include photo composition,

how to get better results with a camera, close-up photography and using natural lighting as well as inspirational ideas from passionate photographers. The workshop is limited to 25 participants, adults 18 and over. Cost is $50 per person; pre-registration is required. Visit www.rgvctmn. org to register. Payment is available through PayPal or by check. For more information, call Heidi Linnemann, committee chair, at 7972872. Hoyt lives in the South Texas ranch country where she photographs, leads workshops and tours, guides photographers on private ranches, and teaches nature photography classes and offers private instruction. She has taught photography for more than 25 years. Storms has photographically documented research and science projects, and nature and science activities as a science and math teacher. Currently he is a wildlife

See PHOTOGRAPHY 12

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library card is the coolest card, and September is Library Card Sign-up Month. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school. Resources at Speer Memorial Library are available to anyone who has a library card. Students can turn to the library for materials, programs and knowledgeable library staff that support academic achievement, such as the resources provided to learn GED, ESL, computers and apply for employment. Today’s libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community centers where students can collaborate using new technologies, learn how to use Lego robotics or just relax with peers. Our library offers access to a variety of print and digital resources, like DVDs, e-books, online courses, and e-magazines that can be accessed in person or online. “Our library provides access and programs for students of all ages,” says Mayra Rocha. “For preschool age children we offer early literacy and lap sit story times to encourage school readiness, for older children and teens we supplement education with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and

math (STEAM ) programs, and for older teens we have information and tools to help prepare for college. There’s really something for everyone and it’s all free with a library card.” To celebrate and encourage our residents to sign up for a library card we are going to have a promotion during the month of September where patrons who come in and check out library items (books, CDs, or DVDs) will obtain a coupon for a free book from our book donation sale valid through Sept. 31. Throughout the month, the library will also waive the $2 replacement fee for library cards to patrons with clear accounts. Plus, the library will host a number of activities, including crafts, movies, story times, a Lego robotics program on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. and a Gamers Club program from UTRGV on Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit the Speer Memorial Library in person or visit the library online at www. mission.lib.tx.us.

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Events Calendar

Sep tember 4 – For Hunger Action Month, the UTRGV Men’s Soccer and Women’s Volleyball teams will hold food drives at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex and the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Fans will receive one free ticket for every four cans of non-perishable/unexpired food donated at the gates. The gates will open one hour before game time. Volleyball matches start at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. in the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Soccer matches start at 4 and 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex south of Jackson and Schunior Road in Edinburg. Sep tember 5 – Life figure drawing sessions are starting up again at the Upper Valley Art League, 921 E. 12th in Mission, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is an open workshop to use a live model for beginners and experienced artists to hone their skills. Each artist must bring their own supplies and must be a member of UVAL. There will be a $10 charge per person each session, which includes the model fee. Annual dues to be a UVAL member are $30 for adults, $12.50 for students and $50 per family. Call 583-2787 for more information. Sep tember 5 – The public is invited to join in the annual Hawk Watch at Bentsen State Park at 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission. The volunteer Training Day is from 1 to 4 p.m. with a classroom focus on field identification of raptors in flight. Volunteers will be at the Hawk Tower Thursdays through Sundays in September from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Park admission and registration is required. To register, or for more information, contact Roy Rodriguez, park ranger, at 584-9156. Sep tember 8 – Guest speaker Kiley Briggs will present a program on the effect of exotic grass species on Texas tortoises at the Rio Grande Valley Chapter Texas Master Naturalist meeting. Briggs is a master’s thesis candidate at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, studying microhabitat use of Texas tortoises in an effort to learn how exotic grasses are affecting tortoise behavior. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Cameron County Annex Building at 1390 W. Expressway 83. The public is invited and welcome to attend the free presentation. Sep tember 10 – Weekly Family Night in the Old Art Studio at the International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana, McAllen, feature “Secret Messages.” Use the science of light and color to create a secret message and decoder. Cost is $2 per person, supplies included, is not included in the price of general admission. Participation is limited to four people per group. Call 682-0123 for information. Sep tember 12 – Aglow Mission Spanish Lighthouse meets at Taco Ole Restaurant, 2316 N. Conway Ave. in Mission for an afternoon merienda from 4 to 6 p.m. This month’s topic is on “Your Prayer Anointing – Discover Your Prayer Power” taught by the Aglow Team leadership. For more information, call Liza Gomez at 776-8505, Connie Escamilla at 279-7887 or Delia Bazan at 240-5813. Sep tember 12 – The Edinburg World Birding is inviting groups and individuals to join in the Volunteer Planting Day from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Gloves and shovels will be provided, but individuals may bring their own. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Call 381-9922 for information. Sep tember 13 – It’s Grandparents Day at the International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana, McAllen. All grandparents age 55 and older receive free general admission throughout the day. A valid I.D. must be presented at the time of admission. Sep tember 17 – The Mission Historical Museum’s ninth annual awards banquet begins at 6:30 at 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. For individual tickets or table reservations, or donations for the silent auction, contact Linda Castaneda at lcastaneda@missiontexas.us or call at 580-8646. Sep tember 17 – Weekly Family Night in the Old Art Studio at the International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana, McAllen, feature “Pinhole Scope.” Make a pinhole scope and learn about how cameras work. Cost is $2 per person, supplies included, is not included in the price of general admission. Participation is limited to four people per group. Call 682-0123 for information. Sep tember 26 – The International Museum of Art & Science annual “Collage: Legacy of Service” celebrates 37 years as a fundraiser for the museum. It runs from 6 p.m. to midnight at the museum, 1900 Nolana in McAllen. Cost is $150 for IMAS members and $175 for nonmembers. Tickets include valet parking, dinner and the Après Fête (After Party). Call 682-0123 or stop by the museum to purchase tickets. Sep tember 18 – Raul Garza, park ranger at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, will head a program on native reptile and amphibian species in the Valley and the role they play in the ecosystem at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Admission is free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. program. Call 381-9922 for information. Sep tember 19 – Celebrate National Public Lands Day volunteers are invited to lend a hand to clean up trash and debris at the Bahia Grande Unit of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge from 8 to 11 a.m. Families, school groups, scouts and individuals are encouraged to attend. The clean-up will take place at the paved parking area five miles south of Port Isabel off State Highway 48. Participants are asked to bring gloves and a water bottle, water refills and trash bags will be provided. To register a large group, or for more information, contact Ranger Mason at 748-3607, Ext. 119. To see the complete Events Calendar for daily events and the coming weeks, go to www.ptrgv.com

September 4, 2015

obituaries

Matilde Ramirez EÑITAS - Matilde Ramirez, 85, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Edinburg. Born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, she lived in Peñitas most of her life. Survivors include her daughter, Dolores Canales of College Station; sisters, Blasita Dubernay, Albina Mata, Ofelia Gonzalez and Elida Martinez; brother, Atanacio Ramirez; and two granddaughters and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leobardo Ramirez. A funeral was held on Sept. 1 at Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg. Burial followed at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Maria Ninfa Ayala Solis ISSION – Maria Ninfa Ayala Solis, 83, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at Paxvilla in McAllen. Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Hermenegildo Solis; children, Anna Maria Elizondo of Harlingen, Reynaldo Solis of San Antonio, Rosie Vera of Edinburg, Sylvia Moralez of McAllen, Julie Salinas of Corpus Christi and Thelma Garcia of McAllen; and 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ricardo and Brigida Ayala, and siblings, Minerva Compean, Ricardo Ayala, Manuel Ayala and Jose Israel Ayala. A funeral mass was held on Aug. 27 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Lorena Sanchez LTON - Lorena Sanchez, 30, passed away on Aug. 30, 2015, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. She was born on Oct. 13, 1984, in Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico. Survivors include her husband, Efrain Sanchez; daughters, Lorie Anne Sanchez and Emily Grace Sanchez; brothers, Oscar Rios and Jose Rios; and parents,

Oscar and Yolanda Rios. A funeral mass was held on Sept. 2 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. 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.

Registration Get an Empty Bowls sneak peek on Sept. 17 opens for M golf tourney WESLACO – The RGV Partnership Foundation is hosting the 28th annual golf tournament benefitting the RGVP Foundation Scholarship Program. It takes place Thursday, Oct. 29, at Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco. Registration for the three-man scramble format begins at 12 p.m. with a 1 p.m. tee-off start. There will be door prizes, hole-in-one prize, drawings, barbecue stations and more. For sponsorships or more information, call 968-3141.

Notices Angel Aguirre MISSION - Angel Aguirre, 8, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. A funeral service was held on Aug. 29 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Mission. Maria Arias MISSON - Maria Arias, 51, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at her home in Mission. Alice Luna Bautista MISSION - Alice Luna Bautista passed away on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Cremation was held on Sept. 2 at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna. Florence Foley MISSION - Florence Foley, 103, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at her home in Mission. Baldemar Franco MISSION - Baldemar Franco, 82, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at Comfort House in McAllen. A funeral service was held on Aug. 31 at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Manuela M. Garza MISSION - Manuela M. Garza, 86, passed away on

Friday Aug. 28, 2015 at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Antonia Gaytan MISSION – A funeral service for Antonia Gaytan was held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, at Iglesia Pentecostes Nueva Vida in Palmhurst. Burial followed at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Palmview. Margarita Hernandez MISSION – A funeral service for Margarita Hernandez was held on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Eliud Lara MISSION – A funeral service for Eliud Lara was held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2016, at Palm Valley Church in Mission. Fernando Maldonado PEÑITAS - Fernando Maldonado, 59, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. Maria Elena Ramirez SULLIVAN CITY Maria Elena Ramirez, 71, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, at her home in Sullivan City. Efrain Treviño PEÑITAS – Efrain Treviño, 49, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at his home in Peñitas.

cALLEN – The Empty Bowls Blow Out on Sept. 17 is a preview of the upcoming main event. The preview takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Infusions Eats & Drinks, 701 N. Main St. in McAllen. Cost is $10 with appetizers included. Empty Bowls 2015 tickets will be available on site. This is a sneak peek at

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

USTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety announced this week the implementation of the Impact Texas Teen Driver program (ITTD), which is a new requirement for driver license applicants who complete a teen driver education course. The two-hour ITTD program contains several videos that provide awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. “Driving is one of the most dangerous things teens do on a daily basis, and it should command their undivided attention,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “This new component of teen driver education underscores the risks of distracted driving, and is designed to

DINBURG – The public is invited to explore the prehistoric world and take on the Dinosaur Survival Series challenge at the Edinburg World Birding Center. Held every other week, it begins Sept. 17 and continues for four sessions. Sept. 17 starts out with “Into the Unknown: Dinosaur Boot Camp”; Oct. 1 – Roughing it: How to Survive in Prehistoric Times; Oct. 15 – Living Among Giants: How to Outmaneuver and Outsmart Predators and Other Dangers; and Oct. 29 – Final Quest: Dinosaur Survival

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 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 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”

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

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW

DAVID H. GUERRA

DARRELL DAVIS

301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

nities for businesses. Companies and individuals are encouraged to donate unique bowls and silent auction items that help promote their products, services or talents. Over 500 guests attend each year making this one of the larger attended fundraisers. For more information, call 904-4513 or email pfarias@ foodbankrgv.com.

provide young and inexperienced drivers with additional information and skills to help keep them and others safe on the road.” It began this week. Anyone who takes a teen driver education course – including Parent Taught Driver Education – must also complete the ITTD program, which consists of watching the video and printing out the ITTD completion certificate. ITTD should be completed after the classroom hours and all behind-the-wheel instruction, and it is the last step before taking the driving skills examination. Individuals aged 18-24, who choose to complete a teen driver education course, must also complete the ITTD program.

In order to take the driver skills examination, student drivers must present the ITTD completion certificate along with their driver’s education course certificate of completion. The skills examination must be completed within 90 days of date on the ITTD certificate of completion. DPS has been providing information about ITTD when student drivers apply for their learner’s permit. For more information about ITTD or to complete the course, visit impacttexasteendrivers.dps.texas.gov/ or dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ittdPrgm.htm.

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Dinosaur Survival Series Like Us on Facebook begins Sept. 17

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

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

some of the ceramic bowls and food that will be served up at Empty Bowls, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 29, at the Boggus Ford Events Center, 3000 N. Cage, Pharr. Empty Bowls benefits the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. There are slots still available for local restaurants to promote their gourmet dishes and sponsorship opportu-

New driver education program required for teens

ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411

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IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618

  

 



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

 

Challenge. Participants must attend one of the first three sessions to qualify for the challenge overall. Registration is required for each date, and the fee is $2 per person, per course. It is recommended for ages 10 and up, but ages 6 and up will be allowed to participate. Call 381-9922 to register or visit www.EdinburgWBC. org for information.

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September 4, 2015

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MCISD board approves 2015-2016 budget M ission CISD’s school board approved a compensation plan that includes a 2 percent pay increase and a raise in taxes for the 2015-2016 budget. In total, the district’s budget is at $159,453,391. All teachers, nurses, counselors and librarians will receive a $1,000 (2 percent) pay raise and all other salary schedules will receive a 2 percent salary midpoint increase. The overall benefits to district employees is $3,250,597, according to Rumalda Ruiz, assistant superintendent of finance and operation. The tax rate increased to $1.3672, increasing the debt service rate from 16 cents to

19.7 cents from the previous year. The general fund rate remained budgeted at $1.17. “The tax rate of $0.1972 is needed to support the refunding of plan of finance and to minimize the burden on taxpayers and maximize on state funding as well,” Ruiz said. In 2011, voters approved a tax ratification election, or tax swap. Last year’s increase from $1.30 to $1.33 per $100 property evaluation was to restore some of the funding to the debt service fund. The debt service fund had money removed from it and put into the general operation fund because the state reimburses school districts more for general fund tax dollars than

debt service tax dollars. Meanwhile, the homestead exemption is expected to increase from $15,000 to $25,000 in November, pending voter approval. Mission residents could see a decrease of about $40 in their tax bill from the prior year. “The district market value average residence is $82,530. When the taxpayer takes the homestead exemption their taxable value is only $57,530,” Ruiz said. “When we multiply that by our tax rate, the taxpayer will see $787 in their tax bill.” Due to the homestead exemption increase, tax revenue decreased by $856,542, but the state will reimburse the school district for their

loss on property tax revenue, also known as hold harmless. In the end, the district’s state revenue increased by more than $6 million due to the restoration of the debt service tax rate, the homestead exemption hold harmless and the overall changes in the funding formula system in the 2005-2006 year. MCISD’s state revenue is based on 14,134 Average Daily Attendance, including the full-day prekindergarten program that started this year. Expansion of prekindergarten personnel came in at a cost of an additional $1.7 million. Even with new program, ADA is down 0.06 percent from last year.

Judge will hear birth certificate case next month By Julián Aguilar The Texas Tribune

coalition of undocumented immigrants whose U.S. citizen children have been denied birth certificates in Texas will get their day in federal court next month. The attorneys for the families will appear before U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman on Oct. 2, according to an order filed Wednesday. The judge will consider whether to grant an emergency injunction and order the Department of State Health Services to identify two forms of identification the parents

can use to obtain the vital record. The families allege the state health department is violating the children’s constitutional rights because it has ordered local county registrars to stop recognizing Mexican consular IDs and foreign passports without valid visas as proof of identification. The pleading specifically asks the state health department to list documents that are “reasonably and actually accessible to undocumented immigrant parents now present in Texas.” The lawsuit against the health department was filed in May on behalf of six U.S.

citizen children and their parents who are from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. The complaint has been amended since to include more than 30 families. The Department of State Health Services has said that it never recognized the Mexican consular ID, also called the matrícula consular, as a secure document. The health department does accept other forms of identification, like foreign election ID cards or driver’s licenses. But the attorneys representing the undocumented parents argue their clients don’t have those documents and cannot obtain them while living in

Texas. They also say that until recently, the matrícula was accepted at the majority of county offices throughout the state. The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which is representing the health department, declined to comment about the judge’s order but said it would file a response brief in the coming days. Pitman’s order on Wednesday comes despite a request from Paxton’s office in July that the lawsuit be dismissed based on a sovereign immunity claim under

See BIRTH CERTIFICATE 11

Pictured from left to right are: Liz Cavazos, Midkiff Elementary School librarian; Alejandra Garcia, AR millionaire.

An early millionaire

ne of the ambitious fifth graders at Midkiff Elementary School spent her summer working on a reading goal. She had a list of books she wanted to read during the break, and then take the associated Accelerated Reader exams for the books as soon as possible. Alejandra Garcia completed the books on her personal summer list and has become the district’s first AR millionaire of the school year, reading more than a million words. To be credited with the

word counts associated with books that have been read as a part of the AR program, the student must not only have read the book, but achieve a certain score on a knowledge test for the book. The first day testing available for this school year was Monday, Aug. 31. By the following day, Garcia had completed tests to become the district’s first AR millionaire of the school year. Garcia’s summer reading list included all seven books in the Harry Potter series.

September 4, 2015

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UTRGV offering multiple transportation options

By Melissa Vasquez D I N B U R G / BROWNSVILLE – The wheels on the Vaquero Express buses started going “‘round and ‘round” across the Rio Grande Valley last Monday, Aug. 31. More than 28,000 students and about 2,700 faculty and staff will have several transportation options, including UTRGV’s Vaquero Express Campus Shuttle Service and the Vaquero Express Campus Connector system. Rodney Gomez, UTRGV director of parking and transportation, said transportation options for the new univer-

sity community increase the transit network and provide route options throughout the Valley, from South Padre Island to Sullivan City to the west. “Our goal is to give the university community more choices and more opportunities to travel within and between campuses without the need for a car,” he said. “We hope to continue adding incremental improvements throughout the year, and major improvements in the future.” Last fiscal year, the on-campus shuttle system had more than 100,000 riders in Edinburg alone, Gomez

said, and more than 50,000 used public transportation in Brownsville and Edinburg combined. Gomez expects both numbers to increase this year. Vaquero Express Campus Shuttle This shuttle is a free, intra-campus transit on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. It will carry students to designated spots within each campus, but will not travel between the two campuses. On the Edinburg Campus, the shuttle will be available Monday-Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every 10 to 15 minutes. In addition, the Ed-

inburg Campus Shuttle will provide rides to the UTRGV McAllen Teaching Site and the Visual Arts Building in Edinburg. Campus Connector System For students, faculty and staff who need to travel from one campus to the other, the Vaquero Express Campus Connector links both campuses with a shuttle bus that travels directly from the Visitors Center in Edinburg to/ from the Main Campus in Brownsville. In addition, several public transportation services – Valley Metro, Brownsville Metro and Metro Connect – operate be-

DPS releases 2015 Texas Gang Threat Assessment

USTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the 2015 Texas Gang Threat Assessment, which was developed to provide an extensive overview of gang activity in the state of Texas. “Because of their propensity for violence and close associations with ruthless Mexican cartels, gangs are a serious threat to public safety in Texas. Our residents have a right to live free from fear and crime, and DPS remains steadfast in our mission to identify, dismantle and disrupt these criminal organizations,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “The 2015 Texas Gang Threat Assessment delivers valuable information about the gangs operating in our state and is a proven tool in law enforcement’s fight against these dangerous groups.”

The Texas Gang Threat Assessment was developed according to statute, which requires an annual report to be submitted to the governor and Texas Legislature assessing the threat posed by statewide criminal gangs. The report is based on the collaboration between multiple law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across the state and nation, whose contributions were essential in creating this comprehensive overview of gang activity in Texas. This assessment details the state’s systematic approach to evaluating and classifying gangs in order to identify which organizations represent the most substantial threat. The report estimates that current gang membership across the state may exceed 100,000 individuals. Additional significant

findings include: • Gangs continue to represent a significant public safety threat to Texas due to their propensity for violence and heightened level of criminal activity. Of the incarcerated gang members within Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisons, more than 60 percent are serving a sentence for violent crimes, including robbery, homicide, and assault/ terroristic threat. • The Tier 1 gangs in Texas for 2015 are Tango Blast and Tango cliques (estimated 15,000 members), Texas Syndicate (3,400 members), Texas Mexican Mafia (4,700 members), Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) (800 members), and Latin Kings (2,100 members). These groups pose the greatest gang threat to Texas due to their relationships with Mexican cartels, high levels

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE LA JOYA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT’S The La Joya Independent School District will hold a Public Hearing at 5:45 p.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2015 in the La Joya ISD Board Room located at 200 West Expressway 83, La Joya, Texas. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the La Joya Independent School District’s Evaluation of Accelerated Instruction for 2014-2015. The City of Alton will conduct a public hearing on the 8th day of September 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at Alton City Hall Commission Chambers located at 509 S Alton Blvd., Alton, Texas. The purpose of the public hearing is for the general public to be present and participate in the Hearing relating to the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 City of Alton Budget. A copy of the proposed budget may be viewed at the Office of the City Secretary on regular business days from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If any person needs special accommodations as specified under the Americans with Special Disabilities Act, please contact the Office of the City Secretary at (956) 4320760 at least 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting. Publication Date: September 4, 2015 Baudelia Rojas TRMC, CPM, City Secretary

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available later this fall for Android phones and iPhones. Gomez realizes that not every shuttle or bus schedule may meet the needs of every UTRGV student or employee, so he encourages everyone to plan ahead and look at all available options for travel. “If our on-campus network doesn’t serve a particular need, maybe a public transportation provider has a route that does,” he said. “Unlike personal vehicles, shared transportation services are designed to serve as many people as possible. Not every schedule can meet every need, but with a little planning the available options expand.” To learn more about the UTRGV transportation options, routes or schedules, contact Gomez at rodney.gomez@utrgv.edu or call 6652224.

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BIRTH CERTIFICATE

from pg 11

the 11th Amendment. Paxton’s office argued the state cannot be sued in federal court because it has not waived that right, according to court documents. On Wednesday Pitman also granted the Mexican government’s request to file a brief in support of the immigrant parents. The brief, submitted to the court on Aug. 24, argues that the denial of birth certificates could

adversely affect the children’s well being and could sully the Texas-Mexico relationship. The brief contained an affidavit by Consul Carlos González Gutiérrez from the Mexican Consulate General’s office in Austin that attested to the validity of the matrícula. Paxton’s office has asked Pitman to deny the Mexican government’s request.

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Mission Towing inc. 1515 w. 3 Mile Rd. Mission, Texas 78573 (956) 585-8245 • Fax 581-6668 TdlR VsF lic. no. 0551944 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 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

VIN# BALANCE 2B4GP44G9WR538121 $629.00

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

ORDINANCE NO. 4264

Evaluation of Accelerated Instruction

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF ALTON BUDGET

of transnational criminal activity, level of violence, and overall statewide presence. • Gangs in Texas remain active in both human smuggling and human trafficking operations. Gang members associated with human smuggling have direct relationships with alien smuggling organizations and Mexican cartels. These organizations were involved in and profited from the recent influx of illegal aliens crossing the border in the Rio Grande Valley in 2014. Gang members involved in human trafficking, including commercial sex trafficking and compelling prostitution of adults and minors, exploit their victims through force, fraud or coercion, including recruiting and grooming them with false promises of affection, employment, or a better life.

tween both campuses. Valley Metro offers free services to both campuses and cities in between, and B Metro, Brownsville service only, will soon offer free rides on all transit routes with a validated UTRGV ID card. Metro Connect will charge a $5 daily rate, or $25 for a 30-day pass. Bus passes can be purchased at Brownsville and McAllen bus terminals and at the UTRGV Parking offices in Brownsville (Main Building) and Edinburg (ASFC Building). For students, faculty and staff who need to stay connected and work while on the go, Gomez said, seven Vaquero Express shuttle buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, and he hopes to have additional buses furnished with Wi-Fi by mid-September. In addition, a real-time bus-tracking app will be

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF 2.49 ACRES OUT OF LOT 25-5, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION, FROM AO-I (AGRICULTURAL OPEN INTERIM) TO C-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 24th day of August, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4265 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS, ESTABLISHING A NO THRU TRAFFIC ZONE ON EAST SIDE ALLEYWAY OF THE 2300 BLOCK OF ORANGE AVENUE, COMMENCING FIFTY-NINE (59) FEET NORTH OF EAST GRIFFIN PARKWAY TO THE NORTHERN MOST PORTION OF THE ALLEYWAY; AND ON THE WEST SIDE ALLEYWAY OF THE 2300 BLOCK OF ORANGE AVENUE COMMENCING ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-TWO (182) FEET NORTH OF EAST GRIFFIN PARKWAY TO THE NORTHERN MOST PORTION OF THE ALLEYWAY; FOR THE EXCEPTION OF RESIDENTS RESIDING ON ORANGE AVENUE; PROVIDING FOR INSTALLATION OF SAID TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES BEING NO THRU TRAFFIC SIGN AND PROPER SIGNAGE THEREOF AND MAKING PROVISIONS OF THE STATE TRANSPORTATION CODE AND TRAFFIC ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSION IN REGARD TO PENALTY FOR VIOLATION APPLICABLE THERETO; READ, CONSIDERED AND APPROVED on this, the 24th day of August, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CITY OF ALTON, TEXAS CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Commissioners (the Governing Body) of the City of Alton, Texas (the City) will convene at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 509 S. Alton Boulevard, Alton, Texas 78573, at 7:30 o’clock P.M., time on September 29, 2015, and, during such meeting, the Governing Body will consider the passage of an ordinance or ordinances and take such other actions as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of one or more series of certificates of obligation in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $240,000.00 for the purpose or purposes of paying contractual obligations of the City to be incurred for making permanent public improvements and for other public purposes. Funding will be used to connect 478 new households to the main sewer system with a lateral connection from the existing house to the main system, towit: (1) Furnish and install 4” PVC SDR35 sewer service lateral including: connecting new 4” pipe to existing sewer and gray water pipes; landscaping and/or other surface media repair; and all appurtenant work as specified, completed in place; (2) Disconnect, pump and decommission existing septic tank or cesspool; and all appurtenant work as shown or as specified, complete in place; (3) Hauling and disposal of spoil material from existing septic tank/cesspool; and all appurtenant work as specified; and (4) the payment of professional services related to the construction and financing of the aforementioned projects. The certificates of obligation (the Certificates) will be payable from the levy of an annual ad valorem tax, within the limitations prescribed by law, upon all taxable property within the City and from a lien on and pledge of net revenues derived by the City from the operation of the City’s water utility system. The Certificates are to be issued, and this notice is given, under and pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Obligation Act of 1971, as amended, Texas Local Government Code, Section 271.041 through Section 271.065 and Chapter 1502, as amended, Texas Government Code. Baudelia Rojas, TRMC|CPM City Secretary City of Alton, Texas

page 12

September 4, 2015

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Area schools receive free books

By Lea Victoria Juarez

hen the principal of Jensen Elementary was asked how he felt about each of his students getting a free book, the first word out of his mouth was “Wow.”

LA JOYA expenses. The district is maintaining its health insurance coverage for employees, allocating $5,100 per employee. “I do want to point out that the health insurance total for La Joya ISD is very, very, very pro employee,” Vela said. “The health insurance total for La Joya ISD compares with none other in the Valley.” There was no budgeted increase for average daily attendance, Vela pointed out. In fact, the district was down 54 students, according to the first enrollment report of the year. It’s a situation the district will have to monitor, he said, and possibly look at incentives for increasing average daily attendance. Vela said they’d also revisit a study conducted by the Texas Association of School Boards that stated the district needed to concentrate on core-area subjects. Right now, he said the district has lower teacher-student ratios

The Molina Foundation, a nonprofit based out of Long Beach, California, teamed up with several schools in Hidalgo County last week with the mission of giving every low-socioeconomic elementary student a free book. About 35,000 books were

distributed, and among the schools involved were Jensen Elementary from Sharyland Independent School District and Cantu Elementary from Mission Consolidated ISD. According to the Moli-

na Foundation’s Director of Network Rachel Voorhees, when kids from low-income families reach kindergarten, they’ve heard on average 30 million fewer words than their upper-income counterparts. Molina’s mission is to

from pg 1

in its elective courses and the district needs to reverse that trend. The approved budget includes $27.2 million for special projects. The district’s natatorium project, which includes a learning center and planetarium at the golf course, was budgeted at $14 million, but the new estimate is set at $21 million. Other construction projects include HVAC renovations at Benavides, Leo, Camarena and Seguin elementaries; $1.39 million for drainage at Juarez-Lincoln High School; $1.5 million for surveillance cameras at all high schools. La Joya ISD already has ordered 10 new buses and paid for school supplies at the elementary schools, Vela added. “There will be no additional funds available for campuses,” Vela said. What they have on (Sept. 1) is what they’re going to have throughout the year.”

UTRGV

starting a new university, if those are the only issues we have, then I think we’re going to find it was an incredibly successful day.” McRaven said university officials expected about 27,000 students, but the number of students is actually 29,045. As far as issues that needed to be sorted out down the road, McRaven doesn’t consider them challenges, only opportunities. Although the ninth commander of United States Special Operations Com-

from pg 1

mand has never run a university system before, McRaven has experience running other large organizations and is confident in his abilities. “Today is just the beginning. We will have to work every day, every week, every month, every year to continue to improve what we’re starting today,” McRaven said. “If you think about it, 100 years from now, Texas will look back and say that this day changed Texas forever.”

build word-rich homes at the intersection of education and health. “A lot of our work is how to get resources and ideas and information into the hands and into the homes so the kids are actually starting kindergarten on a level playing field,” Voorhees said. In order for a campus to be a recipient of the book donation, they have to meet specific Title 1 requirements. Schools can also apply for book grants through the Molina Foundation website. Voorhees said the MCISD and SISD campuses were chosen because of the work they’re already doing to improve literacy. Mission CISD focused attention to the topic last year with their Read to Lead initiative. They implemented various projects such as a reading rally, summer reading and building athome libraries. Sharyland ISD’s Jensen

Elementary is also working to build classroom libraries as well as develop libraries at home for their students. “Sometimes a lot of our children are not able to build libraries that the typical middle class child would have,” Paz said. “The good thing about our school is that it’s a very diverse population, but for the students who can’t have that, at least we’re adding little-by-little.” Each campus hosted a pirate-themed party with literacy-based games and activities to show the students that reading can be interesting. “Reading is hard and it’s complicated,” Voorhees said. “We like to hold fun events like this so kids can see that reading is more than just studying, which is a key part to it, but it’s an opportunity to explore the world around them and to use their imagination.”

Mission man shot by Houston police

he 26-year-old man shot by Houston police at a hospital last week was a graduate of Sharyland High School studying at the University of Houston. Alan Christopher Pean was a patient at St. Joseph Medical Center on Thursday, Aug. 27, when two Houston police officers working as security were called up to his room, Houston Police Spokesman Reese Smith told the media after the shooting. Both officers had injuries sustained to their heads, and one attempted to shoot Pean with his Taser. “When that Taser had no effect on the patient and the suspect continued to struggle, his partner discharged his weapon,” Smith said. Both officers went to the emergency room with lacerations on the head and one appeared to have a severe concussion, Smith said.

Pean is the son of Mission doctor Harold Pean. Mark O’Mara was hired by the family to represent Alan Pean. O’Mara, who represented George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case, released the following statement to the media: “Alan has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, and I will be working with the family to navigate through this difficult matter. Please keep Alan and the two officers who were also injured in your prayers. There is no doubt that these were extraordinary circumstances and that Alan was experiencing a severe mental health episode at the time of the event. In the meantime, we will be investigating how this tragedy could have occurred and how it could have been avoided.”

Mission man was arrested after an auto-pedestrian incident in Laredo that resulted in the deaths of two women Saturday. Jose Marquez Jr., 22, who was attending school at Texas A&M International University, was charged with two counts of manslaugher and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked and taken

to Webb County Jail. Karina Villarreal, 32, and Adriana Rodriguez, 29, were running along Jacaman Road in Laredo when they were struck and killed by a motor vehicle. A third woman, Monica Pastrana, 34, was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition.

Mission man faces manslaughter charges

PHOTOGRAPHY from pg 8

photographer and photographic consultant and guide at La Jarra Nature, Birding and Heritage Center near Raymondville. Both are certified Texas Master Naturalists and have had their work exhibited locally and nationally.

FIRE pageant. The night of the pageant, Becky and Irma received a call that Irma’s father had died. “That had a lot of sentimental value,” Becky said. “She used that dress for the father-daughter dance, and she danced with my dad and two of her uncles and her brother, and it’s gone. That’s what I worried about. “Thank God, most of the stuff was saved, but she’s very sad about that. We had so many memories in that house – a lot of pictures, a lot of things of sentimental value that we lost.” The Ornelas’ had the three-bedroom home built nine years ago. Yolanda chose the tall front door because she wanted it to be big and make an impact. They still haven’t decided wheth-

ALTON location for a fire department and giving us better service in case we have an accident or an emergency at the base.” Currently, there are about 300 employees on the base, Richardson said, and one recently died when he had a heart attack at work and it took more than 30 minutes to get an ambulance to the base. The number of employees is expected to increase by 50 to 75 if a plan to expand work with the Mexican fruit fly is approved. It’s not

from pg 3

er to rebuild or buy a new home. They planned to stay at the Casa de Palmas Renaissance Hotel in McAllen until next week while they find a three-bedroom home or a large apartment to rent. Meanwhile, the community has been great, Becky said. The family has received donations of clothing, money, food and school supplies. Three accounts have been created to help the family get back on its feet – one each at IBC Bank and La Joya Federal Credit Union as well as a GoFundMe account. “I can’t believe it. I can see the house, and I still can’t believe it,” Becky said. “It like a nightmare, but the good thing is we’re all alive – nobody was home … We’ll make new memories.” from pg 3

final, Richardson said, but it would involve building a $50 million, 106,000-square-foot facility. The federal government conducts mass-rearing of sterile fruit flies and releases them into the wild to mate with other flies in an attempt to eradicate the pest through attrition. Richardson said if the facility is built, the amount of sterile fruit flies produced per week will jump from 150 million to 430 million.