November 27, 2015 - Progress Times Issue

Friday, November 27, 2015

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MISSION MAYOR OPPOSES HOSPITAL DISTRICT TAXES

By Lea Victoria Juarez When talk of a medical school in the Valley first came about, Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas said he specifically asked if there were plans for a creating a hospital district to fund it, and he was told no.

He recalled a Sunday af-

ternoon meeting with senators Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio Jr.; they met in Alonzo Cantu’s office, the co-founder of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.

“When we were talking about (the medical school), they never said how it was going to be funded,” Salinas said. “And I said, ‘Are you all going to create a hospital district? Because if you are, I’m not going to support it.’”

The cities of Mission, McAllen, Pharr and Edinburg signed a memorandum of understanding in 2014, agreeing to make financial contributions to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley medical school each year. Mission’s commitment was $250,000 until 2019

and the other cities committed to their respective amounts until 2023. The agreement also states that if the hospital district became effective, the cities would not be obligated to continue contributing to the medical school.

After contributing the initial $250,000 to the medical school last year, Mission City Council withdrew their pledge to continue donating money this year. All of the cities in the county would be taxed if the medical district is developed, including the cities not currently contributing to the medical school through an MOU. The district would also initially contribute $5 million to the medical school and cover the county’s portion of

indigent healthcare that’s sent to the state and then disbursed among local hospitals.

Salinas said he does not want higher taxes for Hidalgo County, which would occur if a hospital district is approved.

He anticipates the hospital district tax rate would begin at 8 cents per $100 valuation and eventually work its way up to 75 cents, or more.

The proposed district’s tax cap is currently set at 25 cents per $100 valuation — an amount that would cost residents of Hidalgo County more than $76 million a year and Mission taxpayers $8.6 million. If the tax rate is increased to 75 cents, it would cost Mission taxpayers an estimated $26 million and county

taxpayers over $229 million annually. The Mission mayor said he would rather donate $1 million annually to the school and not have the hospital district because it would cost the city’s residents less money.

Salinas anticipates a future election to increase the cap from 25 cents to 75 cents, which was original legislation cap.

“To uncap it is going to be very easy,” Salinas said.

“Once you uncap it, it goes to 75 cents because that’s what they want. That’s what they had on the ballot. That’s why I got very upset because they lied to me.”

After the first election to establish a hospital district in Hidalgo County failed, Hino-

City council approves bed and breakfast, discusses tax and rehab

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By Kathy Olivarez

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City donates meals to local families

By Lea Victoria Juarez

caravan of sirens and red and blue lights maneuvered their way through the streets of Mission to deliver Thanksgiving dinners to 70 low-income families, Nov. 24. For the third year, the city of Mission partnered with local organizations to bring Thanksgiving to families that may not be able to afford a meal for the holiday.

The selected residents received a phone call earlier in the week and were told to wait outside their home for their bag of goods. Families lined the streets in huddles as the caravan pulled into their neighborhoods and city officials and law enforcement handed them the supplies for their meal. Each family received a turkey, donated by Keystone Construction, and a bag with ingredients for side dishes, including boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing, cans of cranberry sauce, corn, gravy mix, and bread.

Recipient San Juana Valdez carried her son on her

josa and Lucio filed a bill in February to lower the cap for the healthcare district’s tax from the original 75 cents to 25 cents per $100 valuation, so the new taxing district would be more palatable to the voters.

Salinas said his opposition has nothing to do with the medical school, but he is adamant about removing any further burden from the taxpayers.

“We don’t want anymore taxes, period,” Salinas said.

The state should be funding the medical school, not the county residents.

“They should have brought that money with them when they brought the medical school.”

hip as City Manager Martin Garza carried her Thanksgiving box to her doorstep. With his blazer removed and his sleeves rolled up, he handed out boxes with the rest of the volunteers, including Councilwoman Jessica Ortega and Councilman Armando O’Caña.

O’Caña reminded the rest of the attendees to be grateful for they have the opportunity to be with their families during the holidays.

“It’s important that we unite as a family, as a city and that we thank God for the wonderful things that we have,” O’Caña said. “Last year I had the opportunity to see the (families’) smiles... and it’s just incredible.”

Some of the organizations that partnered with the city for the donations include Mission Crime Stoppers, Escalera Wrecker Inc., and the Mission fire and police departments.

Garza said each year the amount of participants grows, which allows them to provide for more families.

“This is one of the days

The city of Mission and local organizations donated 70 Thanksgiving meals to food insecure families in the area.

Photos by Lea Victoria Juarez

that we’re always looking forward to because it’s about giving to families in need,” he said. “It’s only because of organizations and supporters from the city of Mission that this continues to happen, it’s because of their donations.”

Councilwoman Ortega and her daughters rode along in the fire truck with the volunteers from Mission Fire Department. She said last year her household adopted

a family in need and enjoys sharing a little “token of love” to others.

“This holiday season is just so nice to spend with family, but always remember those that cannot do it themselves,” Ortega said. “Maybe just think about starting something new, a tradition within your own family and giving back to our community would be something very awesome.”

everal actions were taken by the Mission City Council during their regular meeting held Monday, Nov. 23. Among those were decisions regarding a proposed bed and breakfast, a conditional use permit for a home occupation notary service, funding for home rehabs, and the purchase of a new fingerprinting system for Mission PD. A request to have a bed and breakfast and an events center on the northwest corner of Bryan Road and Mile 2 North Road met with a mixed decision at the Monday, Nov 23, council meeting. The property where the historic William Jennings Bryan home is located, has been cleaned up and renovated. Ariel P. King, who bought the property, wants to use it as a bed and breakfast and an events center for small gatherings.

“This is a piece of Mission history and when people find out about it, they will want to come see the home where Bryan lived and learn a little about the contributions he made to the Rio Grande Valley,” said King. She wanted to open the home as a bed and breakfast, but did not think she could recover the money she put into the home unless she could also use the property for small gatherings.

A neighbor, Edward Garcia, questioned the noise level that would be at the gatherings, but said he was not opposed to the request.

City staff was in favor of the bed and breakfast, but was opposed to the events center due to a lack of parking. King has been negotiating with a nearby church to use its parking lot for overflow parking, but the agreement has not yet been worked out.

Planning Director Danny Tijerina questioned the safe-

ty of her patrons, who might be required to cross a busy street after drinking alcohol and voiced opposition to the plan, saying the house was located at a dangerous intersection.

King countered that she envisioned baby showers and smaller gatherings of that nature. Using her outdoor space, King said she could accommodate up to 100 persons at an event.

Following discussion it was decided to approve the bed and breakfast and leave the request for the events center open so King could come up with a viable parking solution.

Mission Tax Collections In other action the council was told the certified tax roll for Mission was $3,844,000,757. In 2015 the tax collection was set at $19,007,827. That includes $15,290,960 for maintenance and operations and $3,776,867 for the interest and sinking fund. By the end of September $18,689,445 or 96.50 percent of the 2015 levy had been collected.

A request for a conditional use permit for a home occupation notary service and preparation of income tax forms was approved after discussion for Larry Reyna.

Reyna told the council he was handicapped and could only work from home. He said he had been operating a home occupation business for almost 20 years, 13 years at a previous address and six at his current address. While he had a life of use permit at his previous address, a neighbor who had a personal grudge against him, was trying to get his business closed because clients parked near her home.

Reyna said he had 51 income tax customers, which was less than one a day during tax season. He had approximately $1500 from

See CITY COUNCIL 7

INSIDE

INDEX

Year in review for area football teams

Sergio Muñoz Jr. announces re-election bid

Deadlines for Texas Citrus Fiesta

Sports reporter Lucino Guerra gives an 11week recap on the 2015 season for the Big 7 Valley football teams.

The three-term incumbent reflects on his time as a state representative and lays out his plans for public policy.

See story page 8

See story page 2

Applications and entry fees for the Citrus, Cartoons and Comic Book Characters-themed event are nearing their cut-off date.

See story page 4

Entertainment | pg. 2

Lifestyle | pg. 3

Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 8

Obituaries | pg. 10

Classifieds | pg. 11

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Coming s n o i t c a r t t A

November 27 Church, 603 Tarnava in Port Isabel, at 7 p.m.

The Casey Donahew Band headlines at on Dec. 3. Admission is $10 for advance Las Palmas Race Park, 9809 N. Taylor Rd. in tickets and $12.00 at the door. A second Mission, and gates open at 7 p.m. Opening performance will be held at Trinity Lutheran acts are Costello and Matt & the Herdsmen.

Church, 901 Boca Chica in Brownsville at Tickets are $23 per person and on sale at 3 p.m. There is no admission charge for the ticketfly.com, at Cavender’s in McAllen or by Brownsville performance. Call 572-6369 for calling 877-435-9849. Ticket prices go up the information. day of the event.

December 4-6 The Spazmatics return for another night of The Edinburg Dance Theatre presents “The frivolity at the Boggus Ford Events Center, Nutcracker” at the Edinburg High School Per3000 N. Cage in Pharr. The show begins at 8 forming Arts Center, 2600 E. Wisconsin Rd. p.m. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com or Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, by calling 800-745-3000. Prices are $23 and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. $33. on Sunday.

Tickets are $12 per person.

November 28 To purchase, go to the Dancentre of Edinburg It’s a “Thanksgiving Holiday Hangover” at 2750 Hedfelt Dr. call 330-9439. with Kevin Fowler at the Boggus Ford Events Gladys Porter Zoo’s annual Zoo Nights and Center, 3000 N. Cage in Pharr. The show Lights runs Dec. 4 to 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. each begins at 7 p.m. General admission is $20 and evening. The zoo is located at 500 Ringgold reserved seating is $30. Tickets are available St. in Brownsville. It offers fun for all ages, at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. as well as a romantic setting for a date night November 30 with performances by local bands and choirs, Adam Lambert woke up the world when he dazzling light displays, hot chocolate and churhit the American Idol stage and now makes his ros, a photo with Santa Claus, decorating a Valley debut at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. gingerbread cookie, creating a holiday craft, an Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 arts and an crafts show for shopping. Tickets p.m. Ticket prices range from $26 to $75 and are $2.50 each, or, donate a new, unwrapped are available at ticketmaster.com or by calling toy for the Toys for Tots Foundation. For 800-745-3000. more information, call 547-7187.

December 1 December 5 The conclusion of WILD’s (Writers in Alejandro Fernandez performs live at 8 Literary Discussion) Film Contest, the awards p.m. at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Doors night, begins at 7 p.m. Free, and open to open at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $58 to $198 the public, it takes place in the Building D and are available at ticketmaster.com or by auditorium at South Texas College on Pecan calling 800-745-3000. in McAllen. Find out which films won the December 5-6 awards while networking with others in acting The Laguna Madre Art League will hold its and film. The award winners will be shown annual Christmas Show and Sale made by lothat night. For more information, contact Tom cal artists and craftsmen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fuschetto at 872-3487 or tomf@southtexasat the Port Isabel Community Center, located college.edu. at 213 Yturria St. There will be free holiday December 1, 4-5 refreshments. For more information, contact Don’t miss the University of Texas Rio Diana Franklin at dfranklin1@rgv.rr.com.

Grande Valley Mariachi Winter Showcase December 10 concerts in Brownsville and Edinburg. FeaSwing into the holiday season with a Big turing the award-winning UTRGV Mariachi Band Holiday Concert with the original Dean Aztlán and the talents of folk harp virtuoso Canty Band at 6 p.m. at Quinta Mazatlan Ivan Velasco from Veracruz, performances World Birding Center in McAllen. The band will be at the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville consists of 18 swinging musicians and Ani on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and at the Performing Arts Tharpe, female vocalist. Canty is an alumnus Complex in Edinburg at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Warren and 3 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Covington, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with Lee Tickets for all performances are $10 at the Castle & Bill Tole and Les Elgart and apdoor and will be available at the theater’s box peared with numerous others of the period. office one hour before the shows. Patrons may There will be a special appearance by Santa enter free with their pass.

Claus for family photos, cookies and cider.

December 3-5 Admission is $5 per person, sold at the door; McAllen Memorial High School choir’s dressing for the weather is recommended. For 27th annual music production brings Broadmore information, call 681-3370. way’s “Guys & Dolls” to the stage. PerforDecember 12 mances will be at the school’s auditorium, Bible Alive Theater will present their first 101 E. Hackberry, and will run on Thursday free full-cast Bible musical, “Isaiah’s Christand Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. mas Story,” in the Rio Grande Valley at the Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling Bibleville Conference Center, 1346 N. Cesar 632-5258.

Chavez Rd. in Alamo. There will be two perDecember 3 & 6 formances at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The original Valley Voices, a regional Chorale under the musical was written by Myra Green. For more direction of Patrick Graves, presents “Holiinformation, call 505-690-2548. day Sounds” at the Fishers of Men Lutheran (To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to www.ptrgv.com.)

November 27, 2015

Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. announces re-election campaign

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hree-term incumbent State Representative Sergio Muñoz, Jr. announced his bid for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.

Muñoz, a democrat from Mission, is seeking a fourth term as state representative of District 36. District 36 encompasses all or parts of the communities of Granjeno, Hidalgo, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, and Pharr.

During the 84th Legislative Session, Muñoz, served on the powerful Appropriations Committee as vicechair of the subcommittee on Natural Resources, Business and Economic Development and Regulatory Agencies. He also serves as vice-chair of the Insurance Committee and a member of the Local and Consent Calendar Committee. These influential committee assignments are a reflection of the importance of his experience and seniority, as well as a testament to his dedication toward positively shaping the future of Texas and District 36.

Most recently, he was ap-

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pointed by Speaker Joe Straus to be a member of the House Select Committee on Mental Health, which is charged with assessing the state's behavioral health system for children and adults.

"There is no substitute for experience in the Texas Legislature, which affects almost every aspect of our daily lives, from the quality of our schools, to the availability and access to healthcare, to economic development,” Muñoz said. “On those and every other legislative measure that benefits House District 36 and the Rio Grande Valley, I believe that I have delivered for my constituents."

Looking forward to the next legislative session, Muñoz plans to continue his agenda to improve public education and provide a health care system that works for everyone, especially veterans.

“I am proud to have authored legislation that promotes access to healthcare, secures funds for public education and encourages economic development in our region.”

Christmas tradition lights up the night sky

IDALGO – It’s now a long-standing Valley tradition. This little Valley city’s residents believed they could—and they did.

One of the largest arrays of holiday decorating to be found, the switch is turned on and the show begins at sunset every night in December for Hidalgo’s Festival of Lights.

A wide range of events keep the party going all month long.

The displays, music and programs are centered at the city grounds at 704 E. Texano Dr., but extend to other areas of the city. Trolley and horse and carriage tours allow visitors to take in the multiple sites of Christmas displays around the city or personal vehicles can be used.

This year’s theme, “An Intergalactic Christmas,” begins with the Christmas night parade in front of city hall, at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1. Line up down Texano Dr. to watch the parade go by and then head back to the city hall grounds to take in the larger-thanlife displays covered with thousands of lights—that are probably visible all the way at the North Pole.

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the “5K Fun Run/Walk in the Lights” takes off at 6:15

p.m.— just in time to get to cut the excess pounds from Thanksgiving and before the Christmas parties begin.

Registration is $25 per person, with a free T-shirt of the first 100 registrants. There will be hot cocoa and glow sticks for all entrants. It’s a family event with awards, and awards will be given for first through third places in each age category, the “Most Lit Stroller” and the “Best Intergalactic/Christmas Costume.” Go to hidfol.com to sign up.

The 17th annual posada will feature Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte headlining an all-star lineup of live musical entertainment, and more than 10,000 free toys handed out to children in attendance on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. take a winter frolic at the HEB Snow Day at Memorial Park, or, head to the skating rink at Judy Ave. at Memorial Park any time from Dec. 1 to 31.

From Dec. 2 to 20, the entertainment line-up each evening includes school choirs, international and professional music groups, folklorico dancers and more.

To make it an extra special evening out for couples

cALLEN – South Texas College (STC) Theatre will hold auditions for a production of William Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet” next. It will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 1 and 2, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the STC Cooper Center at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. All STC and Rio Grande Valley community members, ages 18 and over, are invited to audition.

This classic play portrays a long feud between the Montague and Capulet families which disrupts the city of Verona and causes tragic results for Romeo and Juliet.

Revenge, love, and a secret marriage force the young star-crossed lovers to grow up quickly – and fate causes them to commit suicide in despair.

“Creating the world in a

Shakespeare play tempts any willing theatrical designer or director to do justice to the words he left us,” says Marcela Garza, director. “When the opportunity presents itself, why not take it?”

The director is requesting a prepared Shakespearian monologue for the audition.

A cold reading from the script will also be made available for those who do not have a monologue prepared. The director is looking for a large cast of actors, men and women, to play the numerous roles in the production.

Performances take place at the STC Cooper Center on Feb. 25 to 28, 2016, For more information, call 872-2639 or email jrodriguez@southtexascollege.edu or mgarza_0080@southtexascollege.edu.

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His plans also include creating economic development opportunities through sound public policy, and continuing his track record of working with border security and international trade issues, complemented by improving transportation infrastructure to bolster business and the economy.

“I am thankful to the people of District 36 for the opportunity to represent you in the Texas Legislature over the past three terms,” Muñoz said. “It has indeed been a privilege and an honor and I humbly ask that you allow me to continue being your voice in Austin.”

Press release courtesy of State Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr.

Auditions announced for ‘Romeo and Juliet’

or families, take in the dinner and concert package Dec. 2 to 20. During a narrated tour on a train or trolley, guests will learn a little about the history of hidalgo while taking in the Christmas lights. A roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, including dessert, is served in front of city hall. There are two serving times, limited to 100 people each shift—5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Cost is $12 per person. Purchase tickets by phone at 843-5311 at the State Farm Arena Box Office in person on Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

No Christmas holiday experience would be complete without a trip to see Santa Claus. Every night through Dec. 23 (except Dec. 16), Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the Santa House between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. for photos. Santa has set up temporary residence at the city hall grounds.

For more information on any of the events, call 8432286 or go to hidfol.com.

Christmas season opens with Valley Voices

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ake in the sounds of Christmas in one of two concerts performed by Valley Voices. The first is at 7 p.m., at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, 603 S. Tarnava St. in Port Isabel, on Dec. 3, with another at 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 901 Boca Chica Blvd., Brownsville, on Dec. 6.

With a variety of traditional carols, a spiritual, a Gloria and other selections, the performances feature several Valley soloists and guest flutist, Linda Balloo. Valley Voices is a South Texas chorale now in its fifth season, directed by Patrick Graves, with Janna Bauskar as accompanist.

Advance tickets for the Dec. 3 concert, purchased by Nov. 30, are $10. Tickets at the door are $12. Tickets are available at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church by calling 572-6369.

The Dec. 6 concert is free admission and begins at 3 p.m.

A free-will offering will be taken. For information, call 210-592-3500.

Magic Valley Chorus Christmas kick-off is Dec. 4-6

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he Magic Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines International will present its annual Christmas kick-off shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday December 4 through 6 at 3 p.m. each day at the Tower Theater. The theater is located at 120 S. Kansas Avenue in Weslaco. Tickets are $5 at the door but must be reserved in advance by calling the theater at 969-2368.

Magic Valley Chorus is a group of women from San Benito to Palmview who sing a capella music, barbershop style.

Women who would like to join can attend rehearsals are held every Monday night at St. Mark Methodist Church in McAllen from 7 to 10 p.m. For further information about the group or the show, call Janet at 571-8660 or Shirley at 802-9663.

lifestyle

Quilts serve those who served

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he Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild is again preparing Military Service Quilts and readying for their yearly quilt show.

The next one is set for Feb. 20 and 21, 2016, at the South Padre Island Convention Center. Once a month, excluding May and September, there is a sewing day where anyone can help make the military quilts whether they have sewing skills or not.

Check the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild's website at rgvqg.com for dates, locations times throughout the year. For those who do sew, interested individuals are asked to bring their sewing machine and basic sewing supplies. The group has red, white and blue cotton fabric available to sew these quilts, but donations are accepted to keep the program sustainable. The quilts measure 60 by 72 inches.

The Military Ser-

vice Quilts program began in the winter of 2013 with presentations made at the annual quilt show, in various American Legion halls and at the South Texas Veteans Home in McAllen.

The group provides quilts of gratitude and appreciation given to veterans, active duty military personnel and families of fallen soldiers.

Recipients are limited to those who are residing fulltime in the Rio Grande Valley. Co-chaired by Mary Jo Havertape and Deb Blackbourn, the members plan to expand their efforts to other military organizations and to the Salvation Army for homeless veterans.

For more information, to make a donation or to recommend someone to receive a quilt, contact Deb Blackbourn at 608485-0815 or deborahblackbourn@yahoo.com.

n Wednesday, Nov. 18, the Mission Lions Club officially inducted six new members.

The induction ceremony was conducted by Lions Immediate Past District Governor Enedina Vela of La Joya.

Newly inducted members and their sponsors include Rodolfo Muniz sponsored

by Mark Moseley; Weldon and Toni Smith, Delbert and Berta Zander by Kathy Detweiler and Gloria Rios by Hector Guzman.

Luciano Guerra, first vice president, set up a special noon meeting for prospective members to learn more about Lions, resulting in the increased membership.

Active in the community and supporting local, state and national endeavors, the Mission club holds fundraisers through events such as their annual barbecue.

Funds go towards scholarships, the American Diabetes Association, Boy Scout Troops 83 and Troop 84 in Mission, Comfort House,

Dentists Who Care and free eye exams and eyeglasses for needy students referred by the schools.

Also, the Mission Food Pantry, Mission CISD Backpacks, Salvation Army, Sunny Glen Childrens Home, Special Olympics, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Lions Eye Bank of Texas, Low Vision Center, World Services for the Blind, P.E.T.-RGV and Texas Lions Camp for children with disabilities (completely free for participants). The club members regularly build wheelchair ramps for local residents.

Mission Lions Club sponsors the Leo Club at Sharyland High School and Pioneer High School, and this year new Leo Clubs are being launched at Mission High and Veterans Memorial High. Lion Tim Milam works with the Leo Clubs.

To get involved, or for more information, contact Gilbert Sanchez, president, at gsanchez1307@gmail. com.

British team seeks to set new land speed records with a car they say can travel at 1,000 miles an hour. An earlier version of the vehicle already holds the world record of 763 miles per hour set in 1997.

The new Bloodhound SSC (supersonic car) is powered by a jet engine rated at 133,151 horsepower, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens.

The speed demons plan to first break the existing record by accelerating their car to some 800 mph in a trial slated to take place in South Africa next spring.

Later they’ll attempt to reach their goal of traveling at 1,000 mph or more – a rate of speed that, if it was possible to sustain, could get them from New York to Los Angeles in less than three hours.

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November 27, 2015

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

Six local teachers receive ‘Teacher of the Year recognition’

wo teachers each from the Mission, La Joya and Sharyland school districts were recently recognized as Teacher of the Year. Among 59 recipients, they received the recognition from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s College of Education and P-16 Integration on Nov. 18 at the Edinburg Campus.

Receiving the recognition from the La Joya I.S.D. were Alicia Garcia from John F. Kennedy Elementary and Sandra Lomeli from La Joya High School; Mission C.I.S.D. – Donna O. Robles, Midkiff Elementary

and Sammy L. Rivera, Alton Memorial Junior High; and Sharyland I.S.D. – Marisol Avalos, Donna Wernecke Elmentary and Liza Cantu, Sharyland High.

Recipients were selected from the 31 school districts which are part of the Texas Education Agency Region One service area. They were selected for meritorious service and professional dedication.

The event began 10 years ago at then UT-Pan American. Co-chairs this year were Dr. Velma Menchaca and Dr. Veronica Estrada.

UTRGV wins Arbor Day Foundation award for project to beautify RGV community

New Lions inducted in Nov. 18 ceremony

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Driving ambition

Students at UTRGV planted a tree in October 2015 at the Chapel Lawn on the Edinburg Campus, to celebrate Arbor Day and commemorate its designation as a Tree Campus USA. (UTRGV archive photo by Paul Chouy)

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DINBURG – A barrage of spirited Vaquero voting propelled The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley past the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the University of Pennsylvania, to garner a $10,000 Arbor Day Foundation award that will go toward beautifying the Valley community.

Announced on Nov. 19, UTRGV was the large-school category winner of the Service Learning Contest held the previous week. The contest solicited proposals for service learning projects from colleges across the country that would engage students in a tree planting/maintenance project in a low- to moderate-income area of the community.

The winning project, presented by the UTRGV Office for Sustainability, will be a collaborative effort with Proyecto Azteca, a local nonprofit, self-help housing program.

Good, better, best weight loss

new study “proving” that a brisk walk is as good as or better than a regimen of structured exercise for losing weight has caused quite a dustup, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens.

The London School of Economics reported that a half hour of regular, brisk walking beats the gym if your aim is a smaller waistline. Their research found

those individuals who engaged in walking at a good pace for a half hour or more had lower Body Mass Indexes and smaller waists than those who did other exercises such as going the gym or playing sports.

But those who moan at the thought of physical exertion should know that the research report “is slightly false,” according to one leading exercise ex-

pert. Mike Loosemore, a lead consultant sports physician for The Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, told London’s Independent newspaper that “it is brisk and fast walking which is as good as the gym; it doesn’t mean a meandering walk through the countryside looking at flowers. A very brisk walk means almost short of breath.”

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Proyecto Azteca placed 32 families from colonias and Valley housing authorities into energy-efficient, affordable homes they helped build on 34 lots purchased in Edcouch’s Lynchburg Subdivision.

The subdivision is the first silver LEED-certified neighborhood in South Texas. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green-building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

Through the UTRGV project, each resident will receive a tree to plant, along with a tree care kit, and will be invited to bilingual workshops produced by the university and its partners, promoting stewardship of their new community.

The event and work for the service learning project will occur in mid-January 2016.

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Reminiscing...

30 Years Ago This Week

La Joya trustees raise subs’ pay In an effort to bring the pay schedule for la Joya substitute teachers in line with that of surrounding districts, the board of trustees granted pay raises. With the raise, degreed and certified teachers received a salary of $55 a day. Uncertified but degreed subs receive $40 a day. Neither certified nor degreed subs received $35 daily.

Austin Johnston wins title in Mission Classic Austin Johnston proved to be the class of the inaugural Mission Thanksgiving Cage Classic by winning the championship 86-57 over the Victoria Stingarees.

More traffic beacons due for Mission area A $484,200 contract was awarded to Withers Construction for the road safty imporovments in the Mission area.

Events Calendar

Nov ember 27 – There will be Black Friday shopping at the International Museum of Art & Science for Black from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with the family in hands-on activities and the opening of the IMAS Guild Christmas Tree Forest. All activities are included with the general admission fee. IMAS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave. For more information, call 682-0123.

Nov ember 28 – Cadette Girl Scouts can complete requirements towards their artists badge from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the next International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) Scout Workshop. Junior Scouts will work on their flowers badge requirements from 1 to 4 p.m. All workshops are led by certified merit badge counselors. Program capacity is 25 scouts. Admission rates are $5 for IMAS members and $10 for nonmembers. Call 682-0123 to register. IMAS is located at Nolana and Bicentennial in McAllen.

December Dec ember 1 – Entries are being accepted through Jan. 2, 2016, for the 10th Annual Mission Quilt Show at the Mission Historical Museum (MHM), at 900 Doherty, during regular hours. There are three categories: hand-quilted bed quilts, machine-quilted bed quilts and wall hangings. The show is open to all quilters, both Winter Texans and year-round residents. The exhibit runs Jan. 9 to Feb. 6. An awards reception and Turning of the Quilts program will take place at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5. Admission is free. For more information, call the MHM at 580-8646.

Dec ember 5 – “Beginning Birder” is the first installment of the EWBC “Adult Birding Series,” and runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Admission is $2 for members and $4 for nonmembers. Space is limited; call to reserve a spot.

The program helps learners to distinguish different bird species through basic identification skills and how to read and understand a field guide. The EWBC is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. in Edinburg. For information, call 381-9922.

Dec ember 12 – The Marine Military Academy in Harlingen will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Chosin Few Memorial Gate on the campus. Considered on the bloodiest battles of the Korean War, it was also one of the coldest. Despite the odds of survival with 8,000 Marines against 120,000 Chinese troops, their efforts helped to save the lives of 98,000 civilian refugees. The public is invited, especially Korean War veterans. Survivors of the battle will travel from across the United States to participate. Survivors and family members of the fallen men of the battle, who plan to attend, are asked to call 956-421-9222 or email salazar@ MMA-TX.org.

Dec ember 12 – The Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Fifth Annual Jolly Night Hike runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at Resaca de la Palma State Park, 1000 New Carmen Ave. in Brownsville. Open for all ages, the Elf Dash, 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk is complemented by an evening of guide night hike, caroling around the Christmas tree, making festive crafts and a visit from Santa Claus. Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under.

For event information please contact Gloria Alcaraz or Lauren Acevedo at 350-2920.

(For daily events and upcoming weeks, see the full calendar at www.ptrgv.com.)

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November 27, 2015

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By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

A

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

USTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Nov. 16 wrote a letter to the White House, informing President Obama “the State of Texas will not accept any refugees from Syria in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Paris.”

“Further,” Abbott wrote, “I and millions of Americans implore you to halt your plans to accept more Syrian refugees in the United States.

The FBI director testified to Congress that the federal government does not have the background information that is necessary to effectively conduct proper security checks on Syrian nationals.”

Abbott quoted FBI Director James Comey, who last month told the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, “We can query our database until the cows come home, but there will be nothing show up because we have no record of them.”

So, Abbott said, “Effective today, I am directing the Texas Health & Human Services Commission’s Refugee Resettlement Program to not participate in the resettlement of any Syrian refugees in the State of Texas. And I urge you, as president, to halt your plans to allow Syrians to be resettled anywhere in the United States. Neither you nor any federal official can guarantee that Syrian refugees will not be part of any terroristic activity. As such, opening our door to them irresponsibly exposes our fellow Americans to unacceptable peril.”

In other news, on Nov. 17, Abbott appointed Cecile Young as state refugee coordinator “to ensure coordination of public and private resources in refugee resettlement in the state.”

Young, who has more than 28 years of state government budget and policy experience, has served three governors, an attorney gen-

eral and a state representative.

Sanctuary cities State Rep. Byron Cook, chair of the House Committee on State Affairs, on Nov. 18 scheduled a Dec. 10 public hearing to examine state and local laws applicable to undocumented immigrants and analyze the effects of those laws in conjunction with federal immigration laws and the policies and practices followed by ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Cook, R-Corsicana, said the purpose of the hearing is to support Gov. Abbott’s “call to keep Texas streets safe from crimes committed by criminal immigrants and to hold all Texas sheriffs to the strictest ICE standards.”

Cook said he plans to invite sheriffs, heads of state agencies and other key individuals to testify.

AG announces VSO settlement Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Nov. 18 announced a settlement resolving the state’s enforcement action against the Florida-based Veterans Support Organization and four of its principals, directors Richard Vanhouten, Stephen Casella, Robert Cruz and Michelle Vanhouten.

Under the agreed final judgment and permanent injunction, the defendants must cease engaging in unlawful solicitation of charitable contributions in Texas and must dissolve VSO as a charitable organization in our state, Paxton said in a news release.

Legal action against the group was filed in March 2014 in Travis County. Paxton said the state’s investigation found that VSO had raised more than $2.5 million in Texas from 2010 to 2012 and that more than 70 percent of those funds were

diverted to Florida, where VSO is headquartered, and to Rhode Island, where it was incorporated, “contrary to the defendants’ statements to Texas donors that the charitable donations would benefit local veterans in need.”

Trout possible for Thanksgiving Beginning in late November and continuing through March, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plans to stock nearly 300,000 hatchery-reared rainbow trout at more than 140 sites across the state.

According to a Nov. 18 agency announcement, “Many of the fish stockings will be conducted at small community fishing lakes, state park lakes and popular river tailraces offering easy angling access.”

Parks & Wildlife has been stocking rainbow trout each winter since the 1970s, “providing Texans a simple and economical opportunity to go fishing.”

Highway projects OKed Texas Transportation Commission on Nov. 19 announced the approval of nine roadway improvement projects using Proposition 1 funding.

The projects, totaling almost $437 million worth of roadway construction, rehabilitation and restoration, will enhance safety, mobility and connectivity, the agency said. The three-member Texas Transportation Commission has now approved final contract awards on 131 of the approximately 200 planned Proposition 1 projects across the state.

Proposition 1, approved by voters in November 2014, dedicates a portion of oil and gas tax revenue to the state highway fund. Before the measure was passed, those funds were deposited in the state’s rainy day fund.

A

A New and Innovative Program to Care for our Veterans

s a Vietnam veteran for the United States Marine Corps, I understand the difficult sacrifices that military men and women and their families endure on a daily basis, and the challenges they face when they return home. I was honored to serve my country in time of war just as I am now honored to serve the people of Texas as a state senator where I am able to work to improve health and mental services for our veterans.

One of the highest priorities that members of the Texas Legislature have is our obligation to our service members, veterans and their families.

More than 1.7 million veterans live in Texas and we must work to meet their needs. As a veteran and the vice-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I am particularly proud of the 84th Legislature’s support for mental health services for veterans. Senate Bill 55, which I co-authored, creates the Texas Veterans + Family

Alliance. This new and innovative program will support community mental health programs by providing access to the services and treatment to veterans and military families in need, when they need them.

The Texas Legislature appropriated $20 million to fund the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance program.

These appropriations will be matched by local and private funds to provide $40 million in mental health support for veterans and their families.

This program is unique, as it will allow the state to partner with the private sector to tailor mental health programs that will meet the specific treatment needs of each community.

Texas Veterans + Family Alliance will begin with a pilot phase funded by $1 million in state appropriations, with a match of $1 million in local and private funds.

The program will focus on community collaborations to

address gaps in mental health services for veterans and their families. The Health and Human Services Commission will select projects to be funded by the pilot grant program through a competitive statewide request-for-proposal (RFP) process, with decisions on successful applicants being made in early 2016. Texas is partnering with a pilot program administrator, the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, who will work with organizations to identify matching funds for the pilot project.

Access to efficient and effective mental health care is critical for all Texans, but we owe a unique debt to our veterans and their families, particularly those who have served and sacrificed for us in combat. Texas Veterans + Family Alliance is a bold initiative to address mental health needs in our local communities. I encourage you to learn more at www.texasstateofmind.org/tvfa.

The 79th annual Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges will kick off Saturday, Jan. 30, at 3 p.m. This year’s TCF theme is “Citrus, Cartoons & Comic Book Characters.” The deadline to turn in applications to be in the parade is Dec. 8.

There is a $40 entry fee that must be turned in with the application. The fee is waived for school bands, accompanying marching units and those waived through $1000 sponsorships.

All application and entry fees must be turned into the Texas Citrus Fiesta Office at 220 East 9th Street, Mission, TX, 78572. For more information call (956) 585-9724.

Floats in the Valley Product Category must adhere to the parade theme and be decorated with at least two-thirds citrus or other products grown

in the Rio Grande Valley.

The vehicles pulling the float should be decorated even if it is not done in product.

Floats will be judged on use of Valley products (40 points), workmanship (30 points), adherence to theme (20 points), and originality (10 points).

First place Sweepstakes Award will receive $1000, second place Grand Marshal’s Award will receive $500, and third place Presidents’ Award will receive $350.

Floats entered in the General, Church and Winter Texans categories will be judged on workmanship (40 points), adherence to theme (40 points), and originality (20 points).

First place Judges Award, will receive $100, second place Fiesta Award, will receive $75, and third place Mayor’s Award, will receive $50.

There will be a Winter Texan Category I for parks with less than 199 spaces and a Winter Texan Category II for parks with 200 or more spaces. First place will receive $100, second place $75, and third place $50.

Church categories do not have to follow the theme.

Any type of material can be used to decorate and the float may have a religious theme.

One-third of the towing vehicle must be decorated to match the theme. First Place, The Chosen One, will receive $100. Second place, The Leader, will receive $75, and third place, The Follower, will receive $50.

On the day of the parade all entries must in line by 2 p.m.

Floats entered in competition must be in place by 1 p.m.

Applications for Citrus Fiesta Parade due Dec. 8

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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2015

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Mission Publishing Co., 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $25 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2015 Mission Publishing Company, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

LETTER GUIDELINES

Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear the complete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed to others will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevance is determined by the editor.

Anonymous cards or letters are neither read nor printed. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to letters@progresstimes.net, but must include the author’s name and daytime phone number.

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November 27, 2015

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A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at East 1st Street and Conway Avenue for the Arnulfo “Tatan” Rodriguez, Jr. Park. The late Rodriguez was a council member for the city of Mission.

He was a father of nine and a grandfather. The neighborhood park is complete with a splash pad that was christened by local children during the commemorative event.

Photo by Marie Smith Chapa

County receives bill-assistance donation

By Lea Victoria Juarez CSA to aid people at 125 percent of federal poverty Hidalgo County received level, which is $30,313 for $50,000 from Direct En- a family of four. But Neighergy through the Neigh- bor-to-Neighbor allows CSA bor-to-Neighbor program. to help those at 200 percent The money will be distrib- of poverty level, which is uted through the Community $48,500 for a family of four.

Service Agency, which helps “We do know that federlow-income families. al funding is limited and the About 35 percent of Hi- budget gets cut from the feddalgo County residents live eral government every year,” below poverty level. Fami- said Tara Norris, the energy lies that have electricity ser- assistance billing specialist vice with CPL Retail Energy, from Direct Energy. “We like Direct Energy, First Choice to have this program so we Power or Bounce Energy can bridge that gap for those will be able to pay their elec- customers because 126 pertricity bill for up to $600 a cent of poverty is only like year with the donation. $5 more than 125 percent.”

State guidelines allows Since the program’s inception in 2003, Hidalgo County has received an annual donation. Direct Energy has given more than $8.5 million dollars to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program as a whole.

CSA Executive Director Jaime Longoria recalled a recent occurrence with a customer who only had $50 to buy groceries, pay their utility bill and pay their hospital bill – a common situation for their target demographic.

But with the bill-assistance, he said those customers have some of their funds freed up to purchase the necessities.

“It makes me feel really good to say that we’re a small part of a whole social service network, that we can provide a little bit of assistance to you in the time that you need it,” he said.

Earlier this year, the

county judge’s office was informed by the Texas Department of House & Community Affairs that CSA failed to administer nearly $3 million in grant funds. The unspent money was being returned to the state.

Longoria, who worked at the county judge’s office at the time, was asked to take over as interim when then-executive director Maribel Navarro-Saenz abruptly resigned in March. Since then, Longoria said the agency has adjusted its service model, changed their mission statement, reworked their technological capacity and provided extensive staff training.

CSA developed 13 actionable goals that are intended to address the five major needs of the community that were learned through a needs assessment test. The needs include better communication between the agency and non profits, veterans assistance and services and education for the elderly regarding elderly abuse and fraud.

Regarding the Direct Energy donation, Longoria said “several hundred” will be helped because of the money.

“It just makes sense for us to be able to soften the blow a little bit,” the agency director said. “It comes at a very good time...right at the time of the holidays, people’s heaters are starting to be turned up. It allows us to be able to put some stuffing in their stockings, so to speak.”

ProgressTimes

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Advising bonanza

CITY COUNCIL

The federal government is one of the nation's biggest source of income for so-called "outside experts," reports the Association of Mature American Citizens.

AMAC says an article posted on the Government Executive Web site claimed that last year "federal agencies spent $334 million on 825 advisory committees"

The story cited an analysis by the Congressional Research Service document, which revealed that "around 70,000 people serve as members" of advisory committees and subcommittees on average each year. The CRS says that they participated in 7,173 meetings last year.

Social networkers in San Francisco recently chatted about neighborhood crime and one participant stirred things up by asking neighbors to stop using the word "criminal" in describing those engaged in unlawful activity, says the Association of Mature American Citizens.

Malkia Cyril, executive director of the Center for Media Justice in Oakland, allegedly suggested that "people who commit property crimes are human and deserved to be referred to in terms that acknowledge that," according to SFGate, a Hearst-owned Internet site.

Offended for a word?

the service and could not afford to move his business into an office.

A neighbor addressed the council telling them that she came home for lunch and sometimes had difficulty getting in and out of her driveway because of the cars parked there.

After discussion, the council recommended the business be allowed to continue but Reyna needed to see clients by appointment only so that only one car parks there at a time. A sign would tell the customers to park in his driveway to avoid blocking the neighbor’s driveway.

Gifts to two Sister Cities were retracted after new managers in those cities said the items were no longer needed. A school bus and a mobile unit to be donated to

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those cities will now be given to Francisco Madero for use as a mobile medical center to reach people unable to come into the city for treatment.

Funding Approved for Home Rehabs The council approved allocation of Community Development Block Grant Funds for reconstruction of a home at a cost of $49,900. Rehabilitation of a house was also approved for $10,200. A change order on a third home currently under rehabilitation was approved for $2500 to allow insulation to be added inside the walls, bringing the total cost of that rehabilitation to $25,000.

PD Gets New Fingerprinting System Under police items, authorization to purchase a

SAFRAN Fingerprinting system at a cost of $37,935 was approved for the Mission jail where up to 3500 prisoners per year are fingerprinted.

Approval was also given for Teskey’s to repair roadway intersection cameras damaged by a recent storm in the amount of $21,732.

The repairs would be paid with money from the Federal Drug Forfeiture Funds. A claim against Texas Municipal Insurance would attempt to recoup part of the cost.

The council approved a resolution authorizing filing of a grant application with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Corporation (LRGVDC) for a Regional Solid Waste Grant in the amount of $30,000 with no match from the city. A similar grant to be

filed through the LRGVDC would provide $10,000 to $20,000 with no cash match required.

Following executive session the council approved facilitating legal advice regarding a claim for damages to personal property that occurred at the Municipal Court Building on October 23.

The council approved the use of eminent domain to acquire to parcels of property needed for the Inspiration Road widening project. The parcels are 0.037 or 1600 square feet of an acre of land that is part of Lot 38, Basham Subdivision Unit #7 and 0.005 or 200 square feet of lot 129, Southern Oak Subdivision, Phase II.

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Big 7 football – Year in review

By Luciano Guerra

Time flies when you’re having fun – and during football season. It seems like just a few weeks ago Week 1 of Valley high school football kicked off. But here we are on the day after Thanksgiving looking back at 11 weeks of district play and two weeks of playoff action – all in the books.

While a handful of Valley teams are still alive-andkicking in the state playoffs, all seven of the Sharyland, Mission and La Joya ISD teams have hung up their helmets for the final time this year. Of those Big 7 teams, four hit the playoffs jackpot, and two teams extended their seasons one week longer by earning bi-district championships.

Unlike the three previous seasons when the Sharyland Rattlers reached the third round of the playoffs, both the Rattlers and the Veterans Memorial Patriots lost their Area round playoff games last week to the nemesis of most Valley high school football teams – out-of-Valley opponents. Even so there were quite a few records broken, milestones reached and firsts achieved, making the 2015-16 football season a memorable one.

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies For the first time in school history the Juarez-Lincoln Huskies football team extended their season into the playoffs, defeating the Palmview Lobos, Mission Eagles and La Joya Coyotes to close out their District 306A schedule on a three-game winning streak.

While the Huskies lost their bi-district round matchup against Laredo United, claiming the La Joya City Championship and qualifying for postseason play are both milestones that made their 2015 football season one to remember.

Palmview Lobos One year after qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in school history, the Palmview Lobos made it to the playoffs again this year despite their 2-4 District 306A record. The Lobos, who ended district play in a fourway tie for fourth place, had the tie-breakers go their way earning them the district’s fourth and final seed.

After opening their district schedule with a 2-1 record, Palmview failed to win another game all season as they lost their final three games of their district schedule and then proceeded to lose their bi-district round game to Del Rio. So while

SPORTS BRIEFS UIL releases cut-off numbers

The University Scholastic League (UIL) released its conference cutoff numbers and football division breaks for the 2016-2018 school years last week. While the new district realignments will not be known until the UIL releases them in February of next year these cutoff numbers, which are based on the enrollment snapshot numbers each school submitted to the UIL, are what are used to determine which conference each school will be part of – 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A or 6A. With all the Big 7 schools expected to stay in the same conferences they are in now, these new numbers will most likely affect some of them indirectly with other teams in their current districts being expected to have their classifications changed – most notably the Edinburg Vela Sabercats that are expected to make the jump from 5A to 6A.

Here are the UIL’s new conference cut-off and football division break numbers:

Conference cutoff: Class 6A 2150 and above, Class 5A 1100-2149, Class 4A 480-1099, Class 3A 221-479, Class 2A 105-220 and Class 1A 104.9 and below Football Division I and Division II breaks: Class 1A Division I 59–104.9, Class 1A Division II 58 and below, Class 2A Division I 158–220, Class 2A Division II 105–157, Class 3A Division I 319–479, Class 3A Division II 221–318, Class 4A Division I 723–1099 and Class 4A Division II 480–722

Mission Thanksgiving Basketball Classic 2015

Veterans Memorial High School will be hosting the twoday 2015 Mission Thanksgiving Basketball Classic which tips-off today. The 12 boys teams entered in this annual tournament will be broken up into four pools with each team playing two pool games today. The teams with the best records in each pool will then advance into the Gold bracket, the teams with the second best records will advance into the Silver bracket and the teams with the third best records will advance into the Bronze bracket. All 12 teams will be guaranteed at least four games.

12 teams participating in this tournament:

Pool A (main gym): Veterans Memorial, Juarez-Lincoln and PSJA Memorial Pool B (secondary gym): Brownsville St. Joseph, Edcouch-Elsa and Eagle Pass Pool C (main gym): Mission, Mercedes and Mission IDEA Pool D (secondary gym): Brownsville Porter, Weslaco East and Veterans Memorial Junior Varsity Pool play is scheduled to tip-off at 9 this morning with subsequent games tipping-off at 10:30, 12 noon, 1:30, 3:00 and 4:30. The action will resume tomorrow at 9 a.m. with bracket play continuing until the gold bracket championship game tips-off at 4:30 p.m.

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the Lobos failed to earn a bi-district championship, as they did last year, they did qualify for back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in school history.

Veterans Memorial Patriots While the Veterans Memorial Patriots did lay claim to a bi-district championship this year, that in-and-of-itself was not a milestone since they had done the same twice before. However the fact that they did so after having lost their top two quarterbacks, forcing them to close out their district schedule and enter the playoffs with a freshman at the helm, made this otherwise notable achievement that much more remarkable.

With freshman Landry Gilpin under center, the Patriots won three of their final four District 31-5A games to clinch a playoff berth and earn the right to face off against District 325A’s champions, the Donna Redskins, in the bi-district round. And it was against those same Redskins that Gilpin made the leap from impressive to phenomenal

as he rushed for a school record of 295 yards on 24 carries, four of which resulted in touchdowns. As if that weren’t enough, Gilpin also completed eight of 19 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown against the highly touted Redskins’ defense.

While the Patriots’ season came to an end against Victoria West last Friday, in the Area round, their 2015 campaign will go down as one of the most memorable in school history due to the way the team rallied around their young-but-talented quarterback that led them as far as any Patriots’ team has ever gone.

Sharyland Rattlers At first glance the 2015 season may look to some as a step back for the Sharyland Rattlers football team. After three consecutive years of reaching the third round of the state playoffs, the Rattlers’ season came to an end in round two this year when they fell to Calallen, 42-21, last Friday.

However, with only a handful of last year’s starters on this year’s roster, Rattlers’ head coach Ron Adame and

his staff may have pulled off the best coaching job of their four-year tenure at Sharyland by leading a team many had low expectations of to a bi-district championship and to the brink of the third round of the playoffs.

land’s success this year, especially in the playoffs.

His 310 yards passing and 114 yards rushing against the Mercedes Tigers in the bi-district round of the playoffs accounted for all but five of the Rattlers’ total yards

The play of senior, but first-time starting quarterback, Manny Campos contributed greatly to Shary-

as they claimed their fourth consecutive bi-district championship by defeating Mercedes, 45-35.

By Luciano Guerra

grandsons.”

Sharyland Athletic Director Richard Thompson said, “First, I am thankful for God's grace. I am very thankful for the wonderful family that He has blessed me with. I am also very thankful for the opportunity to have served at Shayland ISD for 36 years and the past 16 years as Athletic Director. I could not be at a better place. I am truly thankful.”

Sharyland High School Athletic Coordinator and head football coach Ron Adame said, “I’m thankful for the coaching profession as it allows us to impact our future leaders. Our platform as coaches enables us to have a profound influence on the student athletes at Sharyland High School.”

Mission High School Athletic Coordinator and head football coach Mario Pena said, “I am definitely thankful for all of God’s blessings, my health and my family’s health. As a coach I am thankful for my 37-year career and the thousands of athletes I have been privileged to coach and that God willing I have impacted in a positive way.”

Veterans Memorial High School athletic Coordinator and head football coach David Gilpin said, “I am thankful for my family that I love, the best job in the world for me, being around a group of student athletes that I love and the pride that

I feel being their coach. I am also thankful for the group of hard-working, loyal and knowledgeable coaches I am privileged to work alongside of.”

Juan Diego Academy Athletic Director, head volleyball coach and boys’ basketball coach Vic Garza said, “I am thankful for the kids I get to work with as I practice my ministry. I am also thankful for community I get to serve on a daily basis, the relationships I've developed throughout my tenure at JDA and I'm thankful for my family; Nico, Eli and wife Nina.”

Pioneer Diamondbacks head football coach Jason Wheeler said, “I am so thankful to have a job that gives me the opportunity to be a positive influence with young student athletes and to have a great family by my side.”

Sharyland Rattlers head boys’ basketball coach David Keith said, “I am thankful for so many things but at the top of my list is the amazing grace so freely and mercifully given to me by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for my wife and kids who are with me always. I am thankful for the relationships that have been formed with adults and children through my occupation as coach. I am thankful for every breath I take this day, and I pray that every breath I take from this moment forward will be used to glorify

God in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots’ head basketball coach Rafael Cantu Jr. said, “I am most thankful for my family and friends. I am also thankful for and I take great pride in the fact that I get to coach young players and help them mature into upstanding young ladies, both as people and as players.”

La Joya Coyotes’ head boys basketball coach Eric Montalvo said, “I’m thankful for my family and friends but mostly for my wife who has sacrificed so much for me and my job. I’m thankful for the opportunity that I have to work with kids because even though it is a struggle at times, I know that in the long run we do make a difference in their lives.”

Mission Eagles’ head boys basketball coach Everardo Castellano Jr. said, “I lost my father this past October and without my God and family, who I am most thankful for, I do not know how I could give my players my full attention. There are days I just want to get away, but I have to be strong in my faith to continue doing the things that need to be done for the team.”

Palmview Lobos head boys’ basketball coach Andy Saenz said, “I am thankful to coach the game I love and to coach a great group of young men every day.”

Quarterback Manny Campos shrugs off tacklers during a touchdown run late in the fourth quarter during Sharyland’s 45-35 bi-district win over Mercedes last Friday night.

Progress Times photo by Doug Young.

Local coaches give thanks

Traditionally, Thanksgiving Day is the one day of the year we Americans set aside to give thanks. Whether we express gratitude for our health, our family, our faith in God or any number of other things we feel blessed to have in our lives The fourth Thursday in November is the only day of the year specifically designated for that purpose.

On this the day after Thanksgiving, we here in the Valley have much to be thankful for. While local high school sports may not be at the top of your list, they are not too far down on the list for those of us that feel blessed to have professions in, or that are in some way associated with, high school sports.

Coaches, athletic directors, sports writers, photographers, trainers, groundskeepers, referees and security guards are some of the professions that may derive some, if not all, of their income from high school sports. However, it’s the coaches and ADs that work most closely with, and have the most influence on, the student athletes that make up the teams.

With that in mind, here are what a few of our local high school coaches and ADs answers to the question, “As an AD or head coach, what are you the most thankful for?”

Mission Athletic Director Joe R. Sanchez said, “I have been blessed to have been part of every facet in the coaching profession, from a junior high coach to a head football coach to a college coach to my nine years as an AD. I am mostly thankful for my family’s health, my 39-year marriage to a wonderful person, two awesome daughters and now two

page 9

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PHOTOS BY DOUG YOUNG AND LUCIANO GUERRA

November 27, 2015

November 27, 2015

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

obituaries

Arnold Abad Arriaga MISSION - Arnold Abad “Trip” Arriaga, 60, passed away in Houston.

Survivors include his sister, Alma Rendon, and brother, Adrian A. Arriaga.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolfo and Emma Arriaga.

A funeral will be held on Friday, Nov. 27, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission.

Burial follows at Valley Memorial Gardens.

John E. Crawford MISSION – John E. Crawford, 73, passed away on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at McAllen Medical Center.

Mr. Crawford graduated from Dunbar High School in Dunbar, W.V. in 1959. He attended West Virginia State College and The Dale Carnegie Institute to pursue a degree in sales management.

He joined the U.S. Navy and

Notices

Diana Garcia MISSION – Diana Garcia, 58, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at McAllen Medical Center.

Lucia Cortina MISSION – A funeral for Lucia Cortina was held on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Abram.

Martin Garcia MISSION – A funeral mass for Martin Garcia was held on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Sullivan City. Burial followed at Sullivan City Cemetery.

Rodolfo Guerra Jr. MISSION – Rodolfo Guerra Jr., 68, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 at Solara Hospital in McAllen.

Frank Orland King MISSION – Frank Orland King, 87, passed away on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015 at Waterford Gardens in Mission.

served during the Vietnam War while stationed on the USS Forrestal (CV-59) with Fighter Squadron 74, the Be-Devilers. After completing his service, he worked as a branch manager for Will Scientific Inc. in Charleston, W.V., formed Jemco Inc. in Lexington, Ky. and became a health physics technician.

He retired in 2013 after 38 years.

He was a member American Legion Post 93, Mason in Lodge No. 228 and the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Mary L. Crawford; children, Lisa Crawford and Julie Crawford of Cross Lanes, W.V., Katie Christian of Cotuit, Mass., James Pierce of Cranston, R.I., Russell Pierce Taunton, Mass. and Adam Pierce of Falmouth, Mass.; and 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death Miguel Mejia MISSION – A funeral mass for Miguel Mejia was held on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Alida Reyes Soliz SULLIVAN CITY – A funeral mass for Alida Reyes Soliz was held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Sullivan City.

Juan Tamez-Puga PALMVIEW – Juan Tamez-Puga, 55, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. A funeral was held on Nov. 24 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Abram.

Gilberto Zamorano MISSION – Gilberto Zamorano, 15, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.

by his parents, Earl Crawford and Julia Sirk.

A memorial service was held on Nov. 24 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at the Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Memorial donations may be sent to Palm Valley Animal Center, 2501 W. Trenton Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539.

Lilia R. Elizondo ALTON – Lilia R. Elizondo, 79, passed away on Thursday, Nov.19, 2015 at Mission Regional Medical Center.

She was born in General Teran, N.L., Mexico on March 10, 1936.

Survivors include her children, Jose Luis Elizondo, Arturo Elizondo, Hector Martin Elizondo, Jesus Mario Elizondo and Eduardo Elizondo, Maria Ludivina Villalobos, Alma Rosa Garza, Elma Nora Elizondo and Veronica Garcia; 11 siblings; and 23 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Andres Elizondo, and parents, Julian Rodriguez and Olivia Vidaurri.

A funeral mass was held on Nov. 23 at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen Betty J. Henry MISSION – Betty J. Henry, 84, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Ray C. Henry; children, Michael R. Henry, H. Wayne Henry, D. Lamarr Henry, Lisa D. Gonzalez and Cheryl Y. Henry; siblings, Leck Henderson, J.W. Henderson and sister, Dorothy Pettie; and 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Worthie and Annie Nell Henderson; siblings, Maudie Jean, Lillie Mae and Charles Nelson; and granddaughter, Amy Burch. T A funeral was held on Nov. 24 at Kreidler Memorial Chapel in McAllen.

Pallbearers were her son, Michael Henry, and grandsons, Jeramy Fritts, Ramon

Salinas, Derrick Gonzalez, Charles Henry and Rick Bradley. Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Henry and Lamarr Henry; granddaughters, Amy Henry, Jamie Salinas, Amanda Henry and Ashleigh Bradley; and grandsons, Justin Henry, Mark Burch and Jeremy Burch.

Memorial donations may be made to the Amy J. Burch Memorial Scholarship Fund, Easter Seals or the charity of one’s choice.

Seferino Lopez Jr. SULLIVAN CITY – Seferino Lopez Jr., 47, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in McAllen.

He was born on Nov. 13, 1968, in Mission to Seferino and Noemi Lopez and was a lifelong resident of Sullivan City.

Survivors include his parents; son, Noel Lopez; sisters, Belinda Lopez and Selena Lopez; maternal grandmother, Maria Benavides.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Sotero and Cayetana Lopez, and his maternal grandfather, Rosendo Benavides.

A funeral mass was held on Nov.24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Sullivan City. Burial followed at Benavides Family Cemetery.

Carlota H. Salinas ALTON – Carlota H. Salinas, 75, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

She was born to Genaro Hernandez and Eloisa Garcia on Nov. 4, 1940, in Matamoros, Mexico.

Survivors include her husband, Anastacio Salinas II; children, Norma A. Salinas, Ana Leticia Searcy, Anastacio Salinas III, Martina Perez and Jorge Luis Salinas; siblings, Catarino, Camerino, Felipe Hernandez, Maria Margarita de la Garza and Nabora Vasquez; and 16 grandchildren nine and great-granchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Maria Thelma Salinas.

A funeral mass was held on Nov. 21 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

in Mission. Interment followed to Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission.

Eduardo Salinas MISSION/CORPUS CRISTI – Eduardo “Eddie” Salinas, 53, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at University Hospital in San Antonio.

He is survived by his wife, Margarita Salinas; son, Eduardo Salinas Jr.; daughter, Yvette Salinas; siblings, Ofelia Balleza, Maria Soto, Frances Hogan, Ramon Gonzalez, Benito Salinas, Thelma Cabrera, Rocky Gonzalez, Reymundo Salinas, David Salinas and Juan Pedro Salinas; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maria Mendoza Salinas and Vicente Garcia Salinas; brothers, Vicente Salinas Jr. and Mario Alberto Salinas.

A funeral was held on Nov. 21 at St. John of the Fields Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission.

Alida Reyes Soliz SULLIVAN CITY – Alida Reyes Soliz, 67, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

Mrs. Soliz was born at Cuevitas on Nov. 30, 1947, to Silbestre and Genoveva Reyes.

Survivors include her children, Arnulfo Soliz, Andres Soliz and Norma Reyes Ramos; siblings, Amalio Hinojosa, Bernardo Reyes, Roel Reyes and Silbestre Reyes Jr.; and three grandchildren.

A funeral mass was held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Sullivan City.

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.

page 10

Whistleblower hypocrisy

T

he Whistleblower Protection Program (WPP) is charged by the Department of Labor with ensuring that workers who report incompetent practices within government agencies can do so without fear of retaliation, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens.

But one whistleblower, who happens to work for the WPP, found out that it is not as cut and dried as that. He was fired for blowing the whistle on his agency for alleged shoddy, inept and potentially illegal handling of worker complaints.

Darrell Whitman was an investigator for the protection program until he was fired after he made complaints against superiors in the agency. “I was going to report what I thought to be violations of law and policy.

They were going to have to answer to those reports and they didn’t like that,” he told NBC news.

Cops’ ticket-writing spree

P

olice in Concord, Mass. recently went on a ticket writing spree—citing pedestrians and motorists alike. But, says the Association of Mature American Citizens, it was all in a good cause-to encourage good behavior in a positive fashion.

The cops issued citations for such things as wearing a helmet while cycling, stopping at crosswalks to give pedestrians the right of way and looking both ways before crossing a street.

It was a “truly sweet thing” to do, quipped one observer, when he learned that the tickets were redeemable for two scoops of ice cream.

ProgressTimes Like Us on Facebook

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

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665

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

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

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

SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH

3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

585-3203

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mission • 580-4551

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

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

810 E. Veterans & La Homa Suite F.

Palmview Crossing Plaza 212-1594/424-1984

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

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”

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

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA

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

IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618

  

 



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

 

theclassifieds page 11

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buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity

classes WE ARE A professional art studio with resident artists.

We teach painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, potter wheel and photography to groups in the RGV. Bring your park, group of friends or birthday party and have fun!

Classes are also offered by appointment. Art Studio by Design 722 N. Main, 956-249-3534. Art classes Tuesday and Thursday 1012pm, 1-3pm or 4-6pm.

WINTER SAMPLER ARTS: painting, drawing, pottery wheel, printmaking, paper making, paper modeling, pen & ink, photography.

Art Studio by Design, 722 N. Main St. McAllen, ($240 8 classes or $35 per class) offered Monday or Wednesday. Buy the card and save! Call 956249-3534.

forsale

GE STOVE FOR Sale: Electric Stove in working condition. White color. $70. Call 956-5341100.

R E F R I G E R AT O R FOR SALE: Excellent condition. One year old. 26 cu. ft., Frigidaire side-byside with icemaker and ice and water dispenser. $400.

Call 956-534-1100.

RICOS TAMALES VERACRUZANOS con aceite de olivo, de carne, de dulce y vegetarianos. Catering para sus fiestas Dona Mary, 956655-4661.

L E G E N D S 3-HANDICAPPED scooter made by Pride for sale at Sleepy Valley Resort lot #544 Apricot Rd, complete with van lift, $1,000, cell 308-750-1364.

DAY BED, GLASStopped metal-based coffee table, matching end table, $100 each; blue Lazy Boy, $200, 956-2501584.

METAL SHEDS 8’X10’ and 6’X8’, good condition, 651-380-2896 or 956-655-1660, McAllen Mobile Park, lot 450.

BUILDING 10X8 BARN style, maintenance free exterior, wired, plumbed for washer and dryer, $995 OBO, 405664-9919.

forrent

60FT MOBILE HOME, move in ready, in Martin Valley Ranches, brand new furniture, 956585-2726.

WESLACO, 2 BR, 1.5 bath mobile, Rio Valley Estates, daily, weekly, monthly, 612 -396-6262.

TRAILER, 55+, 2 bd., 1 bath, fully furnished, washer, car port, pool, Shady Acres Park, 5-6 mo. lease, $750 monthly, utilities included, 816-805-0160.

FOR RENT MOBILE home, Mission, Valley View Estates, 2 bedroom, Dennis 956-3428169.

BEAUTIFUL FURNISHED NEW Braunfels home for rent, 3 bedroom for winter Texans, 409457-3163.

60FT MOBILE HOME, move in

ready, in Martin Valley Ranches, brand new furniture, 956585-2726.

RENTALS AVAILABLE IN a range of different sizes at Magic Valley Park 956 -968-8242 and East Gate 956-4233137.

For Sale ALMOST NEW PROPANE tank (100lbs) with regulator in Weslaco, $100, call J.D. at 918-791-5503.

2 EZ GO Golf Carts, both 2010, 48volt TXT models, one with new batteries at $3,200, one with original batteries at $1,950, call 956878-4688 or 956424 -3840.

FOR SALE OR rent, 20’X34’ park model, $18,000 or $750 monthly for 3 months, furnished, carport, front & rear porch, 1bd/1.5ba, washer/dryer, Split Rail Park, Mission, 956-429-8006.

BRICK HOME, WINTER Haven Resort, 55+ gated community, security 24/7, 2br WIC, 2 bath, tiled floors, 2 car garage w/ pulled down attic storage. Enclosed tiled/wood rear patio on Resaca, tiled patio on front. Hurricane shutters w/ wired connections for heavy-duty gen., $168,900, please call Bill 956-8381512.

2/2/2 CONDO, HARLINGEN Country Club, single level, 1,625 square feet, pool. Trinity Realty 956-245-9719, M.L.S #59063.

RESOLUTION CALLING A HEARING FOR EXCLUSION OF NONIRRIGATED LAND OF HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 6 WHEREAS, the following described property is believed to constitute Nonirrigated Land under Tex. Rev. State. Ann. Art. 8280-3.2; and WHEREAS, the District desires to call a public hearing in order to receive evidence regarding the status of such land as Nonirrigated Land; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That in accordance with Texas Water Code, Chapter 58, and Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. Art. 8280-3.2; HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 6, hereby calls a hearing before the District’s Board of Directors concerning the exclusion form the District as Nonirrigated Land the following described real property, to-wit: And further described on Exhibit “A”: attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

SUBDIVISIONS TO BE EXCLUDED 1) Taurus Estate No. 20 2) Eduardo’s No. 9 3) Cavazos Heights 4) Cardinal Waves 5) Venecia Estate 6) Las Palmas Del Norte No. 3 7) Eduardo’s No. 10 8) Eduardo’s No. 11 9) Santoys’s Estate 10) Cantu’s Subdivision 11) Brushline LTD 12) Las Estrellas Subdivision No. 1 13) Las Estrella’s Subdivision No. 2 14) Las Estrella’s Subdivision No. 3 15) Las Estrella’s Subdivision No. 4 16) La Homa Crossing Subdivision, PH 1 17) Eduardo’s No. 12 18) RSBR DG Alton Subdivision 19) David Garza Subdivision 20) C & F Subdivision OTHER PROPERTY TO BE EXCLUDED 2.89 acres out of Goodwin #1, Lot 112N Block 3, Hidalgo County, Texas; and That the hearing will be held on December 21, 2015, at 1:00 P.M. in the District boardroom, wherein all persons interested in the matter of exclusion of the above-described property, or any part thereof, from the District as Nonirrigated Land are invited to attend and to offer evidence in support of or opposing the exclusion of said property, or any part thereof.

READ, CONSIDERED, APPROVED, SIGNED AND EFFECTIVE on this 16th day of November, 2015 at a Regular Called Meeting of the Board of Directors of HCID#6 at which a quorum was present and which as in accordance with Vernon’s Texas Codes Ann., Government Code and pursuant to the Texas Open Meeting Act. ATTEST: Oscar Garza, President Diana Izaguirre, Secretary

Personal classified rate: $7 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

helpwanted

NECESITO ALGUIEN CON transportacion dos veces por mes para ayudarme con limpieza en casa, 956-2798477.

FRY COOK/ KITCHEN help, Riverside Club, Mission, call 956-5811003 and ask for Jennifer.

SAENZ MEDICAL CENTER is looking for a nurse practitioner, if interested please send resume to PO Box 1380 La Joya, TX. 78560 or call 956-585-1688.

mobilehome

FULLY FURNISHED, 2 bedroom, large Texas room, new air/ heat, storage shed, covered deck and carport, 515-8655227.

MOBILE HOME FOR sale, 2 bed, 1 bath, 16X48, fully remodeled and furnished, 55+ park, call 712-259-2120.

NICE MOBILE HOME located in Rollin Home Park in Mission, 2B/2bath, $22,000, move in ready, 218-8415314.

1999, 16X52 MOBILE home & lot C12 Heritage Square, 2 br, 1 1/2 baths, furnished, shed 18X12, 913484-6018.

FOR SALE 14X60 mobile home, excellent condition, has a nice shed, all appliances & furniture is included, 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen & laundry area, contact us 956-3428765.

2008 PALM HARBOR manufactured home located in Casa del Valle gated resort park in

27, 2015 November 27,November 2015 page 10 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m.

If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Order by phone 585-4893 with a major credit card.

The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Alamo, 14’X40’, 1/1 with all electric fullsized appliances, wrap-around deck and shed on con-

crete pad, 432-6616700.

MOBILE HOME IN beautiful Posada del Sol RV Park, 880

sq. ft., 28513 South Palm Court Drive #127, contact 956357 -1308.

theclassifieds November 27, 2015

buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity

mobilehome 2001 16X60 SANTA Fe, 2 bd, 2 baths, lots of extras, deck, front living room, 9 year lease lot, 55+ community, 956-783 -4929.

LARGE NICELY FURNISHED mobile home in Citrus Valley Mobile Park, Texas room 10X26, all appliances, storage shed, fruit trees, sleeps eight, 254479-8124.

1999, 16X52 MOBILE home & lot C12 Heritage Square, 2 BR, 1 1/2 baths, furnished, shed 18X12, 913-484-6018.

FOR SALE 14X60 mobile home, excellent condition, has a nice shed, all appliances & furniture is included, 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen & laundry area, contact us 956-3428765.

PHARR SOUTH MOBILE Home Park, 55 + gated community 1402 S. Cage, privately owned homes & lots, open house Dec 5th & 6th, 1-4pm, for information call 956283-8764.

services

COMPUTER AND GUITAR/Luthier repairs, 25 years experience. Software hardware and electronics, Roy 956472-1089.

MOBILE RV SERVICE 4U, general repairs/maintenance, RVIA certified, licensed, insured, call Revel 715-2965036, www.mobilervservice4u.com.

APPLIANCE REPAIR, MOST brands, handyman, plumbing and electrical repairs, over 55 years of experience, 956-584-7817.

LEGAL NOTICE Application is being made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit by Dolgencorp of Texas, Inc. d/b/a Dollar General Store #8295 located at 701 E. Highway 281, Progreso, Hidalgo County, TX 78579. Officers of said Corporation are Steven R. Deckard, CEO, John Garratt, CFO, and James W. Thorpe, Secretary/CMO.

ORDINANCE NO. 4291 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A BED & BREAKFAST, 1321 E. 2 MILE ROAD, A 1.01 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF LOT 29-10, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 23rd day of November, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

page 12

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com ORDINANCE NO. ____

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P., A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP DULY ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AN ELECTRIC POWER DELIVERY FRANCHISE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION TEXAS: SECTION 1 There is hereby granted to Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a limited partnership duly organized under the laws for the State of Texas, herein called the “Grantee”, the right, privilege, and franchise, from March 1, 2016, until March 1, 2021 to construct, maintain, and operate in the present and future streets, alleys and public places of the City of Mission, Texas as the limits of said City now exist and as they may hereinafter be extended, and its successors, electric light and power lines, with all necessary or desirable appurtenances (including underground conduits, poles, towers, wires and transmission lines, and telecommunications circuits for its own use) for the purpose of delivering electricity to the said City, the inhabitants thereof and persons and corporations within and beyond the limits thereof.

SECTION 2 Poles and towers shall be erected so as not to interfere unreasonably with traffic over streets and alleys, and the City may make and impose reasonable requirements fixing the location of poles, towers, and conduits, provided that no such requirement shall be unreasonably burdensome upon Grantee or unreasonably interfere with the proper operation of said facilities.

ORDINANCE NO. 4292 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A HOME OCCUPATION – NOTARY SERVICES & PREPARATION OF INCOME TAX FORMS, 1115 REYNOSA STREET, LOT 2, BLOCK 1, BROWNING SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 23rd day of November, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

SECTION 3 The service furnished hereunder shall be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations, as the Grantee shall make from time to time. The Grantee may require reasonable security for the payment of its bills and reasonable fees in connection with furnishing said service.

SECTION 4 The Grantee shall indemnify and hold the City harmless of and from all expenses or liability of any act of negligence of the Grantee hereunder.

ORDINANCE NO. 4290 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 0.913 ACRES OF LAND OUT OF LOT 234, JOHN H. SHARY SUBDIVISION, AND LOT 105, SHARY PALMS UNIT 3, FROM R-1 (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO C-1 (OFFICE BUILDING) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 23rd day of November, 2015.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

NOTICE TO PUBLIC/PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF MISSION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FY 14-15 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (DRAFT) Notice is hereby given that the City of Mission’s Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the 2014-15 fiscal year is available for citizens’ review and comment. The Citizens Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing on December 08, 2015, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas at 5:30 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to attend and make their views known. The document will be available for review at the Community Development Department, 1301 E 8th Street, Mission, Texas during normal working hours. The CAPER is a document required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which contains a summary of resources and accomplishments of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Comments may be submitted to the Community Development Office, 1301 E. 8th Street, until December 14, 2015.

For additional information, please contact the Community Development Department at (956) 580-8670.

Persons with disabilities or non-English speaking who need to communicate more effectively and who may need auxiliary aids or services such as interpreters for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired are asked to contact the Community Development Department at (956) 580-8670 three working days prior to any meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

AVISO AL PUBLICO / AUDENCIA PUBLICA Se hace saber que el Ayuntamiento de Proyecto de Mission Consolidado de Rendimiento Anual y el Informe de Evaluación (CAPER) para el año fiscal 2014-15 está disponible para revisión y comentarios de los ciudadanos. El Comité Consultivo de Ciudadanos llevará a cabo una audiencia pública el 08 Diciembre de 2015, en el Consejo de Cámaras Ayuntamiento, 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, Texas a las 5:30 p.m. Se convoca a las partes interesadas para asistir y conocer sus opiniones. El documento estará disponible para su revisión en el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario, 1301 E 8th Street, Mission, Texas, durante las horas de trabajo normales. El CAPER es un documento requerido por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE.UU., que contiene un resumen de los recursos y los logros del Programa de Subsidios Globales para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG). Los comentarios pueden ser enviados a la Oficina de Desarrollo de la Comunidad, 1301 E. 8th Street, hasta el 14 de Diciembre 2015.

Para obtener información adicional, póngase en contacto con el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario (956) 580-8670.

Las personas con discapacidad o no habla Inglés que necesitan comunicarse de manera más efectiva y que pueden necesitar ayudas o servicios auxiliares, tales como intérpretes para personas sordas o con discapacidad auditiva se le pide ponerse en contacto con el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario al (956) 580-8670 tres días hábiles antes de cualquier reunión para que los arreglos apropiados se pueden hacer.

SECTION 5 As consideration for the rights and privileges herein granted, the Grantee will pay to the City throughout the term of this agreement a franchise fee equal to $0.002595 multiplied by the number of kilowatt hours of delivered retail energy by the Grantee within and for use within the corporate limits of the City in semi-annual payments, being payments on or before each May 15, computed on said delivered retail energy during the period of six (6) months ending on the preceding March 31, and on or before November 15, computed on said delivered retail energy during the period of six (6) months ending on the preceding September 30. In the event Grantee agrees to pay to the City of McAllen which it serves a greater charge per kilowatt hour of its said delivered retail energy, Grantee will automatically thereafter pay the City of Mission an equal charge per kilowatt hour of its said delivered retail energy.

SECTION 6 This franchise is not exclusive and nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the City from granting other like or similar rights and privileges to any other person, firm or corporation permitted by law to provide electric utility service within the boundaries of the City.

SECTION 7 Any relocation of the Grantee’s facilities in any street or other public place required, caused or occasioned by any City project shall be at the cost of the Grantee. Relocation shall be completed within a reasonable time from the date when the City makes its request.

SECTION 8 This franchise shall not be transferable except with the approval of the City Council expressed by ordinance, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

SECTION 9 This grant is conditioned that the Grantee shall file its written acceptance of this franchise within ninety (30) days after the adoption of this ordinance.

INTRODUCED in written form and READ, PASSED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting duly and regularly called and held on this the 11th day of January, 2016 by the following vote, to wit: ____ AYE ____NAY.

_________________________ Norberto Salinas, Mayor

ATTEST: _____________________________ Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

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