La Feria News | July 7, 2021

WEEK OF July 7, 2021 THROUGH JULY 13, 2021

Los Leones

Restaurant Monday - Sunday 7:00 am - 2:00 pm Orders to Go

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Rudy Garza Funerals, Inc.

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Your Community Newspaper, Serving the Heart of the Rio Grande Valley VOLUME 98 NUMBER 27

Rain, Rain Drain Away Precinct Four Road Projects Underway in La Feria be partially funded through FEMA grants.

They are hoping the project will be completed sometime in December of 2021. The area in and around Mariposa Ranch subdivision has been identified as a major flood prone area. So, the project will widen, clean, and reshape the existing drainage ditch and upgrade existing structures.

Other projects Pct.

(UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

UTRGV Financial Assistance

Page 2

Public Notice

4 has worked on are the Montalvo Drive Reconstruction Project and Kilbourn Road Reconstruction Project, which have been completed. Also, the reconstruction of Godwin Road Project is in the process of being completed soon. If you have any questions on any of these projects, contact Pct. 4 Cameron County Commissioner Guz Ruiz office at (956)427-8069.

Page 4

Marposa Ranch Subdivision Entrance Lions 7 on 7 Action

Page 5

Nelda Briones LFN Cameron County Precinct 4 along with Commissioner Gus Ruiz have several drainage and road renovations under way in La Feria and local

communities. The roads Calle de Limite and Mary Rose Street in La Feria are having some much-needed road renovations being worked on.

Commissioner Ruiz states that the project will improve road

The Pet Ghost Part 2

Page 7

Protect from Scams

Page 8

Doc Talk.....................pg. 3 Classified....................pg. 4 Sports..........................pg. 5 Activity Page.............pg. 6 Puzzles........................pg. 7

Sign Posted by Cameron County Pct 4 for Rose St and Calle de Limite.

The only Community Bank with locations in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties

Calle de Limite- road being worked on.

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conditions, drainage and public safety in Cameron County Precinct 4. Another huge project that is soon to be worked on is the Mariposa Ranch drainage improvement project. For years the Mariposa Ranch subdivision has been flooding and residents have been frustrated. At the beginning of June, Cameron County Pct. 4 Commissioner Gus Ruiz held an informational session about the project for its residents. The project will begin at Mallory St. and end at Palis Rd. The construction start date was supposed to begin in June, but hopefully as weather permits, construction will begin in July.

The construction of the project is going to cost a total of $2.1 Million and will

5501 S. Expressway 77 Harlingen, TX (956) 365-1000 | www.harlingenmedicalcenter.com

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2 • July 7, 2021• LA FERIA NEWS

UTRGV Launches Financial Assistance Initiatives for Fall Semester Texas Farmers, Student Debt Discharge

(UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

By UTRGV News and Internal Communications RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JUNE 29, 2021 – Building on its efforts throughout the pandemic, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has launched several initiatives aimed at providing students financial support for the upcoming Fall 2021 semester.

The initiatives, funded through both federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) awards and UTRGV institutional investments, are providing assistance in a variety

of ways to help ensure all students have the opportunity to receive financial support this Fall.

“We continue to be focused on providing financial assistance to our students to help them overcome the economic impact of the pandemic,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “Helping to remove some of our students’ financial barriers has played an integral role in ensuring that they continue their educational journeys.”

Below is a list of the financial assistance programs in place for the fall semester, totaling more than $42 million in relief:

UTRGV will use HEERF funds to discharge the debt owed by students who were enrolled between March 13, 2020 and March 16, 2021, and still had an outstanding debt to UTRGV. This debt discharge is either for an outstanding student account balance at UTRGV or an outstanding UTRGV institutional loan (such as an emergency or short-term loan). Federal or private loans are not eligible for this program.

Overall, UTRGV will eliminate approximately $9.1 million in debt for 8,876 students.

Fall Liftoff UTRGV will provide eligible students up to $1,000 in tuition and mandatory fees. To view the eligibility requirements or for more information, click here.

Overall, UTRGV will invest more than $10 million

to help more than 24,000 students through Fall Liftoff.

Fall Cash Grants UTRGV will continue to offer cash grants to all eligible students to meet financial needs. More information for fall will be provided soon.

Overall, an estimated $20 million will be provided to 32,000 students.

Vaccine Incentive

As part of UTRGV’s efforts to keep its campuses safe as we return to normal operations this Fall, the university is using HEERF funds to incentivize students to fill out their Vaccine Portal.

If a student completes the vaccine portal and also enrolls for the Fall by July 12, UTRGV will give that student $100 cash.

Overall, UTRGV expects to disperse up to $3.2 million to 32,000 students through the vaccine portal program.

Ranchers Benefit From Record Exports

By Gary Joiner Publisher Exports are a critical source of income for a wide range of agricultural products.

Over 20 percent of U.S. agricultural production is exported.

Many of the products that benefit the most from exports are grown heavily in Texas.

At the top of the list is cotton. Seventy-eight percent of U.S. cotton production is exported, and cotton is the most

valuable of all row crops grown in our state.

Grain sorghum is another big crop in Texas, and 60 percent of U.S. sorghum production is exported.

Fifty one percent of U.S. rice and 50 percent of U.S. wheat production is sold abroad.

Twenty percent of U.S. corn and 11 percent of U.S. beef is exported. Beef cattle is the top economic sector in Texas agriculture.

There is good news ahead. A record $157 billion in ag exports is expected in fiscal year 2021. Record exports to China are fueling the sales.

Texas farmers and ranchers are thankful for the demand.

More news and exclusive content at “Your Community Newspaper since 1923”

Pediatric Dentistry

956-365-6000 1706 Treasure Hills Blvd Harlingen, Texas

128 W. Oleander Ave., Downtown La Feria, TX

956-797-9920 • Fax 956-797-9921

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115 E.Commercial Ave. • La Feria, Texas 78559 • (956) 797-2261

In accordance with the Order of the Office of the Governor issued March 16, 2020, the City of La Feria will conduct the meeting and provide audio/telephonic availability for the public using live stream in order to advance the public health goal of limiting face-to-face meetings (also called “social distancing”) to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (also known as Covid-19). To view the meeting via internet live streaming, please visit https://www.cityoflaferia.com/boards-and-commissions/ city-commission/agendas-2020/ where you will find the agenda for the next meeting. The pdf for the agenda will include a link, meeting ID and passcode for the Zoom meeting. More information is available by calling 346248-7799.

Members of the public may sign up for public comment on an agenda item or for another item of public concern by submitting an email to amorales@cityoflaferia.com containing (1) the name of the individual wishing to comment; and (2) the item number or subject matter the individual wishes to comment on. Please submit requests for public comment no later than two hours before the meeting. Join the meeting at the time and login listed above and the Mayor will call on you when it is your turn to speak. A recording of the meeting will be made and will be available to the public in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. If during the course of the meeting, any discussion of any item on the agenda is permitted to be held in executive or closed session, whether such item is already so identified on this Agenda or not, the City Commission will convene in such executive or closed session in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.001-551.146.

JULY 13, 2021 6:30 PM City Commission Meeting Online ZOOM Meeting

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

CORRECTION POLICY Although the La Feria News Staff strives for excellence in all stories and advertising, spelling or typographical errors can occur. If you find any confirmed factual or other type of error, please call 956-233-9928 during business hours or leave a message.

WEEKLY COLUMNS printed in the La Feria News contain the opinions of the Authors. They may or may not be the opinion of the Newspaper.

“Poco a poco se va lejos”

“Little by little one can go a long way.”

Contribuido por: Bill Bussain de MVEC

If you have a Mexican saying you’d like to share, please call: 956-797-9920

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The La Feria News is mailed and delivered Monday, July 5, 2021 and published weekly by La Feria Publishing, LLC. Periodical Postage Rates paid at La Feria, TX., Post Office. Advertising deadline is noon Thursday at the office at 128 W. Oleander Ave., La Feria, TX 78559. (POSTMASTER send address changes to La Feria, P.O. Box 999, La Feria, TX 78559.)

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July 7, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS • 3

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Knapp Medical Center Expands Visiting Hours PERFECTLY

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Knapp Medical Center is an award-winning hospital and has been named in the top 10 percent in the nation for patient safety as well as orthopedic surgery. For more information, please call 956-9688567 or visit www.KnappMed.org.

International Worship Center Bishop Ronaldo Ortiz 956-797-1204 116 W. Seventh St., La Feria Services Sunday (English) 9:30am Domingo (Espanol) 11am, Miercoles 7pm Interdenominational Worship Extreme Youth Sat. 6 pm First Baptist Church of Santa Rosa Pastor Harold Parker 956-636-1603 118 Jesus R. Cruz, Santa Rosa Sunday Services 9:30am Bible Study, 10:30am Morning Worship, 7pm Wednesday Evening Worship.

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· For women’s services patients in the labor and delivery and postpartum units, one visitor per day is allowed, all day, with no interchanging of visitors. · For children in the pediatrics unit (under 18 years of age), one visitor per day is allowed, all day, with no interchanging of visitors. · For Emergency Department patients, one visitor per day is allowed, regardless of the time of day, with no interchanging of visitors. · In certain special situations – such as end-oflife situations and compassionate care situations – visitors will be allowed to stay with the patient throughout the day, limited to that patient’s room only.

1st united Methodist Church Pastor Federico Perez, 797-1393 331 S. Main St., La Feria, Sunday School 10am, Traditional Worship Service 9am, Contemporary Service 11am, UM Youth 5pm

*Selected Best Course in the Valley* Rolling Fairways and Lakes

Last week, Tropical Storm Claudette tore north, hell-bent on destruction. It succeeded, claiming 14 lives in Alabama including 10 in a fiery crash on I-65. Nine of the children were returning to an Alabama Girls Ranch in Camp Hill Alabama. The ranch is a home for abused and neglected children.

I struggle to understand why children whose lives began in homes where they were exploited or injured would end in a burning vehicle. When it comes to tragedies, “why” is a hard question to answer. Our best answers fail. To even say, “God has his reasons,” calls into question the goodness of God. In the end, the why cannot be answered. The highway fire on that stormy day was not an act of God but was an accident. That does not mean God was absent that day on I-65. We may not be able to answer the why question. But we can answer the where question. Where was God when a dozen cars collided on I-65 and caught fire?

God was where God always is when people suffer and die. In the van.

Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco has expanded its visiting hours, with visiting hours now in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients may have one visitor at a time during these hours.

The revised visitor policy allows more visitation while also continuing to protect patients during this time. Visitors will continue to be screened at the entrance of the hospital, and will need to wear a mask.

Other provisions of the visiting policy include the following:

CHURCH SERVICE DIRECTORY

A Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Design

First Baptist Church, La Feria

Apostolic Faith Tabernacle Pastor Ramon Zarate 357-6384 621 South Main, La Feria Sunday School 10am Sunday Worship 4pm, Wed. Evening 7:30pm.

All services are bilingual.

Iglesia Oracion en Su Presencia Missionary Church,Inc. Pastors Frank & Janie Gonzalez 797-0044 4th Street, La Feria,TX Sunday 10am & 6pm, Monday 7 pm Prayer Service, Wednesday 7 pm, Friday 7 pm.

Church of Christ Minister Gene Head 536-9832 912 N. Parker Rd., La Feria, Wednesday 6:30 pm Bible Study, Sunday 9:30am Bible Study, 10:30am Service, 5pm Evening Service Los Domingos: 12:00 Medio Dia Los Jueves: 7:00 pm Estudio De Biblia Faith Church of Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Pastor Oscar Loredo 797-1739 125 W. First St., La Feria,Tx Bilingual Ministry Sunday 10am Sunday School, 11am Worship, Wednesday 7 pm Bible Study, Friday 7 pm Prayer.

Santa Rosa united Methodist Church 408 Main Street (Hwy. 107/506) Santa Rosa, across from High School Sunday Coffee and Fellowship 9:30 AM Worship10 AM (Communion first Sunday) Wednesday Prayer Service 9:00 AM Pastor: Carole Lahti (956) 279-3407

living Water Church and Ministry Pastor Henry and Rosie 2805 Memorial Suite B. La Feria Sunday Service 11am, 6pm Spanish Worship Service, 7pm Wednesday Service St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Fr. Rodolfo Franco 797-2666, office: 502 S. Canal Casa de church: 500 South Canal St., La Feria, Esperanza Apostolic Saturday Mass 5:30pm, Church Sunday Mass 8am Spanish, 416 W. Spruce La Feria 10am English, 12pm Bilingual.

965-639-4301 Bilingual Services Sunday at 1:00pm Christ In Our Midst Daniel Martinez - Pastor Missionary Church Pastor: Rev. Daniel Carrizalez St. Mary’s Catholic 956-742-6311 Church 1 mile N. of FM 506, La Feria FR. Edouard Atangana, Sunday School - 9:45 a.m., 956-636-1211 Sunday Worship - 11:00 a.m., 101 San Antonio Ave., Santa Rosa Wednesday Service - 7:00 p.m., Monday Saturday Mass 5pm Bilingual, Prayer - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 8am Spanish, New Hope 10am English.

Presbyterian Church 208 West Central Ave, First Baptist Church of La Feria,TX, 956-277-0208 la Feria Services Sunday 4:30 pm 797-1214 Sunday School 3:15 pm Main St. & Magnolia, La Feria Communion on the Wednesday 6:30pm Youth Bible Study & 1st Sunday of every month Mission Friends, 9:45am Sunday School, 11am Morning Worship Service Cowboy Church 11235 Swift Ln. Santa Rosa, Tex. Service St. Albans at 11:00am Sunday Episcopal Church 6:30pm pm Monday Reverend Scott Brown 956-975-6144 956-428-2305, www.westernoutreach.org 1417 E. Austin, Harlingen,TX Holy Communion 8am, Sunday School St. Paul lutheran Church 9:15, Holy Eucharist 10:30am.

Pastor Nathan Wendorf Sundays 8:00AM (Traditional) Hope in the Word Church HC first, third & fi fth Pastors Jose & Bertha Belmares 10:30AM (Contemporary) 797-3621, HC second, fourth & fi fth 28354 S. Bixby Rd., La Feria (956) 423-3924 Services Friday 6pm, Sunday 10am.

602 Morgan Blvd.

All services are Bilingual, English & Harlingen, TX 78550 Spanish. church@saintpaulharlingen.com Templo Getsemani Primera Iglesia Pastor Julio y Claudia Mendoza Bautista Phone (956) 589-5016 956-797-1740 11418 Fifth St. La Feria 519 N. Main, La Feria Servicios: Bilingual Services: Sunday 9:45am Tuesday & Thursday 7pm Sunday School, 10:45am Worship Friday Pray at 7pm Service, 5:00pm WMU, Sunday Bible Study at 10am & 6pm 6:00 pm Evening Worship Service, Immanuel lutheran Iglesia Generacion Church & School En Conquista Rev. Ed Weber Pastor Samuel y Magda Cervantes, 956-565-1518 Office (M-F; 8-12 noon) Phone (956) 536-2215 956-565-3208 School (Grades: PK-5th 2803 W. Exp. 83 Suite A. La Feria 703 W. 3rd St., Mercedes, TX Sunday Service 10am Bible Study, 11am Sunday Worship Services 9am Worship Service, Sunday Bible Class 10:30 am 7pm Wednesday Family Service immanuelmercedes@gmail.com lutheranmercedes.com

MONDAYS _____________

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 12135 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30pm St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall at the corner of West & Cypress (956) 797-266 LA FERIA SCHOOL BOARD 2nd Monday, 6:30pm Board Room Central Administration Office 505 N. Villarreal St. (956) 797-8300 LA FERIA BAND BOOSTERS 3rd Monday, 7:00pm La Feria HS Band Hall (956) 797-8300 SANTA ROSA SCHOOL BOARD 3rd Monday • 6:30pm Santa Rosa HS Library (956) 636-9800 MAINSTREAM/PLUS DANCE Mondays • 9:30am - noon Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

TUESDAYS _____________

CITY OF LA FERIA UTILITIES BOARD 2nd Tuesday, 5:15pm La Feria City Hall 115 E. Commercial Ave. (956) 797-2261 CITY OF LA FERIA CITY COMMISSION 2nd & 4th Tues, 6:30pm La Feria City Hall 115 E. Commercial Ave. (956) 797-2261 AMERICAN LEGION POST #439 1st Tuesday, 7:30pm American Legion Post 145 E. Commercial Ave. (956) 797-3701 CHIP-O-TEXAS WOODCARVERS Every Tues • 8:30am-noon Park Place Estates Friendship Hall • Harlingen (956) 399-6660 SOUTH TEXAS UNITED AUTO WORKERS RETIEES 2nd Tuesday • 10:30am Elk Lodge Club 1426 S. Commerce • Harlingen (956) 428-3555 BLUEGRASS JAM SESSIONS Every Tuesday, 1:30pm Kenwood RV Resort 1201 N. Main • La Feria (956) 797-1875

WEDNESDAYS _____________ DIALOGUE MEETINGS 1st & 3rd Wed, 12:30pm Sept. - May Valley Baptist Medical Center East Tower, 1st Floor, Abbot Meditation Room • Harlingen MAGIC VALLEY QUILTERS Every Wednesday • 10am 1st Christian Church 400 N. Readan • San Benito COUNTRY JAM Wednesdays • 2-4pm Musicians by invite only OPEN TO PUBLIC Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen contact Charlie (308) 379-4589 LINE DANCING Weds • 9:00am - 11:30am • $3 Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

THURSDAYS _____________ SOROSIS LITERARY CLUB 2nd Thursday Contact Cindy Moore (956) 245-5742 SANTA ROSA CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3rd Thursday • 7:00pm Santa Rosa City Hall (956) 636-1113 MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP Every Thursday • 7-9pm Men’s Resource Center of South Texas 204 N. 1st St. • Harlingen (956) 425-6110

FRIDAYS _____________

LINE DANCING Sat • 1:00pm - 3:00pm • $3 Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

SATURDAYS _____________ ORDER OF EASTERN STAR HARLINGEN CHAPTER #641 3rd Saturday • 2:00pm Masonic Temple 702 E. Harrison • Harlingen (956) 423-5544

Have a weekly community event you would like us to include in our calendar?

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4 • July 7, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Great Classifieds... List Yours Today by Calling 956-233-9928 or 956-797-9920.

REMEMBER: Deadline is Wednesday at NOON for ads to be published in the following week’s edition.

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of EVELYN GALE

Services

DIGGS A/K/A GALE MARIE DIGGS HANKS, Deceased, were issued on June 21, 2021, in Cause No. 2021-CPC-00129, in the County Court at Law No. 4, Cameron County, Texas, to DIANE

THE HAIR CENTER Betsy

CAROL HANKS KOONCE.

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to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

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DIANE CAROL HANKS KOONCE c/o McCULLOUGH & McCULLOUGH 323 E. Jackson P.O. Box 2244 Harlingen, Texas 78551-2244 DATED the 24th day of June, 2021.

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/S/GENE MCCULLOUGH Gene McCullough State Bar No.: 00794267 McCULLOUGH & McCULLOUGH 323 East Jackson P.O. Box 2244 Harlingen, Texas 78551-2244 Telephone: (956) 423-1234 Facsimile: (956) 423-4976

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L egal Notice APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION FOR A WINE AND BEER RETAILER'S PERMIT AND RETAIL DEALERS ON PREMISE LATE HOURS LICENSE. BY YEGUAS SALOON TO BE LOCATED AT 312 W. 1ST STREET, LA FERIA, CAMERON COUNTY, TEXAS. OFFICERS OF SAID CORPORATION JUAN GUADALUPE TOSTADO, LLC.

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CITATION By PuBlICATION - TRC 109 & 114

THE STATE OF TEXAS 2018-DCl-05370 Jose Martinez

§

IN THE 444TH DISTRICT COURT

VS

§

OF

Dacko Wieslaw

§

CAMERON COUNTY, TEXAS

TO:

TexSCAN Week of June 27-July 3, 2021 ACREAGE Hunting/investment/recreational property. We have some of the best in Texas! From the Hill Country (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde County, free ranging exotics) to South Texas (Kinney, Duval, Live Oak County, whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage.

30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down.

Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720.

ANTIQUES Indian Artifact Show & Old Coins, Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St., Abilene, TX 79601. Show time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., July 10th.

Call 979-218-3351.

AUCTION Corpus Christi Fleet Maintenance Auction, Sat., July 17, 10 a.m., 5352 Ayers St., Corpus Christi, TX. Bid live on-site or on-line. Viewing: Fri., July. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; sale day: 8-10 a.m. 10% B.P. Partial listing: backhoes, motorgrader, Cat D3C, steel whl rollers, cars, pickups, vans, dump trks, crane trks, trash trks, car lifts, mini ecavators, tire machines, compressers, lathes, utility trks, Pintel hitch tlrs, SUVs, ATVs, ambulances, brush fire trks, fire engine, a-frames, bumper-pull trlrs & much more. www.siskauction.com, TXS#7425, John Sisk Auctioneers, Inc., 361-456-7771.

EMPLOYMENT HOUSE MANAGER: Private ranch near Bastrop, Texas. Strong work ethic, good organization skills & flexibility required. Work schedule includes most weekends & some holidays. Responsibilities include supervision of house/kitchen, grounds & maintenance employees, managing house & grounds operations, purchasing food & operating supplies, menu & meal preparation, table service, clean up after meals, general house cleaning & doing “what it takes” to ensure the ranch house is always ready for family & guests. F/T: salary plus housing & benefits (med, dent, life, 401k, vac). Relocation considered. HS/equivalent education, current driver’s license w/good driving record.

Background check & drug testing required. Email resumes with work history including cooking & serving skills, salary requirements & references to HR@eprod. com with HOUSE MANAGER in the subject line.

The City of Pharr is accepting applications for the following positions: Development Services Director, Public Safety Communications Director, Public Works Director, Public Works Assistant Director, City Clerk, EMT-Paramedic, EMT-Advanced, PT EMT-Paramedic, PT EMT-Advanced. Prior to employment, all selected candidates must successfully pass a thorough criminal background check, physical, and drug examination.

Online application, position qualification, and job description are available at www.pharr-tx.gov.

GENERATORS GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions.

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RETIREMENT NEED HELP WITH YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN? If you have questions about your pension, 401(k) or profit sharing plan, call the South Central Pension Rights Project at (800) 443-2528 to get free legal advice. Funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, SCPRP staff provides free legal assistance to anyone with a question about their retirement plan. CALL US TODAY 1-800-443-2528.

TRUCK DRIVERS Be Your Own Boss, Choose Your Own Routes!

Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks all over the country, starting in Laredo, TX. Experience preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in the last 10 years, clean MVR. Quality Drive-Away. Apply online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023.

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Dacko Wieslaw No Known Address, DEFENDANT – GREETINGS:

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July 7, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS • 5

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July 7, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS • 7

The Next Chapter The Pet Ghost

By Nandy Ekle Part 2 But I know David. Before long his wife, his best friend, his coworkers, the priest, the entire world would know about "my little pet ghost."

And in this town with a population of around 30,000, news was so scarce that a stumped toe was a headline.

This piece of gossip would have no boundaries. I had blurted out that story, but I needed something substantial to back it up.

After taking the glasses to the kitchen and rinsing them out, I booted up the computer to research some town history and local ghost stories. *** Millicent Carnes, the previous owner of this house, sold her home to Glen and me when our kids were five and three. We signed all the

necessary papers, proudly plopped our down payment into her hands and took the keys she handed us. She had a slight tear in her eye as her daughter led her away. I felt a little sorry for her giving up a lifetime of memories to move to the nursing home.

I assured her we would love and take care of this house as much as she and her dearly departed husband had.

In the twenty years since watching Mrs. Carnes' bowed back leave the front porch, Glen and I had striven to do just that. We made the house our own, but we still respected the love and care the previous owners had given it. We raised our two children and watched them leave to start their own lives.

When Glen and I divorced after my accident, the house became my best friend.

I felt pretty sure that

Mrs. Carnes would be a perfect ghost—elderly, grandmotherly type, eager to help out around the house.

And so I constructed my story from there. *** "I know, Jen, I just never felt the need to share the news." Right on schedule, David's wife called as soon as she returned from her mother’s to ask about David’s news. "No, it's not scary at all. I think it's Mrs. Carnes, the lady we bought the house from . . . Yeah, she loved this place. She cried when she put the keys in my hand . . .

Well, the things that happen around here are things that help me out a little. You know, if I drop a sock on the floor, she picks it up and puts it into the laundry basket. Or, like when David was here, she keeps disasters from happening, such as wine on the carpet . . . No, I don't want a lot of attention.

I just want to live here with my little ghost and be quiet.

Okay. . . Okay. . . Yeah, later."

Jen assured me that I could stay with them if things here got too spooky and I needed to run. I turned back to the kitchen where I sat with my computer in front of me. The tide had only just begun. David could spread news quicker than the Associated Press, or any other professional, and I knew Jen's call was only the first of many.

"Come on, Alfred, I mean Mrs. Carnes," I said to the air and blinked my breakfast dishes to the sink.

I supposed I might even have a few visitors show up trying to feel Mrs. Carnes' presence. I giggled a little more. I could really have some fun with this.

I gathered a larger ball of energy and sent it to the back of the house to bring the laundry basket to the garage. Time to exercise it like a saggy muscle so I would be ready for the army of phenomenon seekers that coming to find my ghost.

Donna, my daughter, called that afternoon.

"Mom, I just talked to Uncle David."

"Oh? And what did he say?"

"He asked if I knew you have a ghost in your house."

"It’s only a teensy one.

I think it's Mrs. Carnes.

Remember her?"

"No, but I do remember some things happening when we were growing up."

"Now, Donna, I don't think it's been that long since she died."

"Mom, there are things I never told you. Brad saw stuff too."

"Like what?" A snicker threatened to come back up my throat.

"Well, one day I was in bed, I think I had been sick.

I wasn't sleepy, but you made me stay in there. I remember you walked down the hall

and stuck your head in my door, told me to lie down and take a nap. Then you opened your bedroom door, went in and shut it. I sat there for a minute and then lay back, but my eyes were still open.

About two minutes later, you walked down the hall from the living room again, stuck your head in my room and told me to lie down and take a nap. You opened your door, walked in and shut it."

"I don't remember any of that. Besides, you were probably asleep."

"I wasn’t asleep. It was really weird, sort of like a reel of film rewinding and starting over."

I wasn't sure what to say to her. She was three years old when we moved in and now she's twenty-three. So that was a very long time ago.

"And Brad told me a story about something he saw one night. He said he was awake because he heard a noise.

He went into the living room and saw a pair of your shoes walking around in the kitchen."

"He had to be dreaming that."

"He said he wasn’t. He showed me exactly where they walked and he pointed out a scuff mark he saw after the shoes stopped."

Want your story in the paper?

This story continues next week.

The Next Chapter is a column featuring a serialized continuing short story from a local author.

You can submit your own original story for publication at news@ laferianews.net. news@laferianews.net 3. Rod attachment 4. Greek sandwiches 5. Federal Reserve in relation to U.S. currency 6. *Boxing moves 7. *All-time Olympic record holder in medal count 8. Popular fitness magazine 9. Military no-show 10. Crowd-sourced review platform 11. Mature elvers 12. I do this with my little eye 15. Tibetan mountaineer 20. Slipperier 22. ____-been 24. London's Tyburn Tree, e.g.

25. Kick the bucket 26. Thailand's neighbor 27. Give sheep a haircut 29. A valley in Scotland 31. "Ant-Man" leading actor 32. Dostoevsky's "The ____" 33. Beethoven's famous symphony 34. *2021 Olympic host 36. Civil Rights icon 38. Long adventure story 42. ____ welcome!

45. Tree cutters' leftovers 49. ____ out, as in victory 51. One suffering from tuberculosis 54. Chosen few 56. Food safety threat 57. *Threat to muscles 58. Mixture 59. Source of protein 60. Pedal pushers 61. Golf club 62. Midday slumbers 63. High school club 64. #6 Down, sing.

66. Post-Soviet Union union

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU ANSWERS

THEME: SUMMER OLYMPICS

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORDS ANSWERS

ACROSS 1. Welsh dog breed 6. With juice, or au ____ 9. Pirate's yes, pl.

13. What a subordinate does 14. Cigarette residue 15. Chimney cleaner 16. Coffin holders 17. "Sheep be true! ___-ram-ewe!"

18. Poisonous Christmas berry 19. *First U.S. city to host Summer Olympics 21. *Swimmer with most Olympic medals 23. Part of a min.

24. *Field hockey's stick and ball, e.g.

25. Gayle King's network 28. Capital of Latvia 30. *Canoeing: slalom and ____ 35. Rhine tributary 37. Building annexes

39. A in AV 40. Three-ply cookie 41. *Madison cycling, e.g.

43. *Light ball tap, in volleyball or tennis 44. What hoarders do 46. Not happening (2 words) 47. Half-rotten 48. *Martial art debuting in Olympics in 2021 50. Make a plaintive cry 52. Short for although 53. Luau instruments 55. Street in Paris 57. *____ horse in gymnastics 60. *One of pentathlon events 64. Kentucky Derby drink 65. Rock in a glass 67. Small Asian ungulate 68. Spy's cover 69. Not a win nor a loss 70. Run off to marry 71. Pat dry 72. Eastern Standard Time 73. Between shampoo and repeat

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8 • July 7, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS

Scams On The Rise, Protect Yourself

(ftc.gov) The Federal Trade Commission received more than 2.1 million fraud reports from consumers in 2020, according to newly released data, with imposter scams remaining the most common type of fraud reported to the agency.

Online shopping was the second-most common fraud category reported by consumers, elevated by a surge of reports in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Internet services; prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries; and telephone and mobile services rounded out the top five fraud categories.

Consumers reported losing more than $3.3 billion to fraud in 2020, up from $1.8 billion in 2019.

Nearly $1.2 billion of losses reported last year were due to imposter scams, while online shopping accounted for about $246 million in reported losses from consumers.

Just over a third of all consumers who filed a fraud report with the FTC—34 percent— reported losing money, up from just 23 percent in 2019.

Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid falling

for one.

Four Signs That It’s a Scam 1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know.

Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government.

They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official.

Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations.

They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So the name and number you see might not be real.

2. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE. They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency.

Or that there’s a virus on your computer.

Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information.

Others will lie and say

you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.

3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.

Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story.

They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.

4. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.

They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back.

Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.

What You Can Do to Avoid a Scam Block unwanted calls and text messages. Take steps to block unwanted calls and to filter unwanted text messages.

Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.

Legitimate organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers.

If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s real, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them

using a website you know is trustworthy. Or look up their phone number. Don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID. Resist the pressure to act immediately. Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision.

Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.

Know how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or by using a money transfer service. And never deposit a check and send money back to someone.

Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone — a friend, a family member, a neighbor — what happened. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.

If you were scammed or think you saw a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If You Paid a Scammer

Did you pay with a credit card or debit card?

Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge.

Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.

Did a scammer make an unauthorized transfer from your bank account?

Contact your bank and tell them it was an unauthorized debit or withdrawal. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.

Did you pay with a gift card?

Contact the company that issued the gift card. Tell them it was used in a scam and ask if they can refund your money. Keep the gift card itself, and the gift card receipt.

Did you send a wire transfer through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram?

Contact the wire transfer company. Tell them it was a fraudulent transfer. Ask them to reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back.

MoneyGram at 1-800-MONEYGRAM (1800-666-3947) Western Union at 1-800325-6000 Did you send a wire transfer through your bank?

Contact your bank and report the fraudulent transfer. Ask if they can reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back.

Did you send money through a money transfer app?

Report the fraudulent transaction to the company behind the money transfer app and ask if they can reverse the payment. If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. Ask if they can reverse the charge.

Did you pay with cryptocurrency?

Contact the company you used to send the money and tell them it was a fraudulent transaction. Ask to have the transaction reversed, if possible.

Did you send cash?

If you sent it by U.S. mail, contact the U.S.

Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 and ask them to intercept the package.

To learn more about this process, visit USPS Package Intercept: The Basics.

If you used another delivery service, contact them as soon as possible.

If You Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information Did you give a scammer your Social Security number?

Go to IdentityTheft. gov to see what steps you should take, including how to monitor your credit.

Did you give a scammer your username and password?

Create a new, strong password. If you use the same password anywhere else, change it there, too.

If a Scammer Has Access to Your Computer or Phone Does a scammer have remote access to your computer?

Update your computer’s security software, run a scan, and delete anything it identifies as a problem.

Then take other steps to protect your personal information.

Did a scammer take control of your cell phone number and account?

Contact your service provider to take back control of your phone number. Once you do, change your account password.

Also check your credit card, bank, and other financial accounts for unauthorized charges or changes. If you see any, report them to the company or institution. Then go to IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps you should take.

Harlingen Chapter 641, OES

ALL TOGETHER NOW.

Installation of new officers, June 19, 2021 (L-R) Installing Chaplain, Cynthia Tohm.

Treasurer, June Long. Associate Matron, Betty McCune.

Associate Conductress, Lidia Garza (behind) Worthy Matron, Betsy Foote.

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Worthy Patron, Joe Barbro. Conductress, Candice Heath.

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