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WEEK OF august 3, 2022 t HRO ug H august 9, 2022 LOOK IN s IDE Classified pg 3 Sports pg 4 Puzzles pg 5 Activity Page pg 6 Volume 18 Number 31 www.losfresnosnews.net 705 W. HWY 100 Los Fresnos, Tx 78566 956-233-5744 AUTO • HOME • LIFE • COMMERCIAL • FLOOD • WIND RIO INSURANCEUNDERWRITERSGRANDEGROUP,INC Member FDIC The only Community Bank with locations in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties Fishing for Low Rates... Boat owners insurance for less than you think. State Farm® boat insurance doesn’t cost much, but covers a lot – like your boat, motor, and trailer. It also protects you and your passengers. Do you have the proper coverage? FREE QUOTE This 956-264-7720AVAILABLESpaceCALL CULLIGAN WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY better water pure and www.culsimple liganrgv.com CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY better p d www.culp liganrgv com www.culliganr gv.com 1300 W. Business 77 • San Benito, TX 956-399-1780 Call today for a FREE water analysis! CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE V CULL Generic 5x2 eng_Layout 1 10/30/12 11:27 AM Page 1 CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE VAL better water pure and www.culsimple liganr gv com CULL Generic 5x2 eng_Layout 1 10/30/12 11:27 AM Page 1 Page PagePage758 Poem: Birdsong Page 4 Page 2 World Class Tournament UTRGV HarmfulProtectiondermatologistUTBrainDevelopingResearcherAIToIdentifyTumorsHealthRGVUrgesFromSun,UVRaysAFirstStepIntoTheSTEMField Student Travels to Washington DC Representing LFCISD Emilio Flores Los Fresnos News Amber Ovalle, Student from Los representingupHighschoolFresnostraveledtoWashingtonDC,LosFresnos and the Los Fresnos CISD. According to Cindy Barrera, a Gear Up Facilitator at Los Fresnos United, Amber Ovalle was one of the seven students chosen in the RGV to attend the NCCEP GEAR Up Leadership National Conference. What is gEa R up? GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal grant program focused on increasing college and career readiness in postsecondaryschoolofexpectationsareALLjustincreasedschoolswithWhenincomingbackLibertygrantLFCISDcommunitieslow-incomenationwide.wasawardedthisforthe7thgradeMemorialStudentsin2018.Theyarenow11thgraders.thestudentsmetuptheothertwomiddleatLFUthegranttoincludenot1/3ofthestudents,butstudents.GEARUPmaingoalsto:-Increasepost-secondaryandreadinessstudents-improvehighgraduationandenrollment rates-raise knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, financing amount students and families.NCCEP (National Council for Community and www.edpartnerships.org/Conferencehas(thistheirexplainsassistance.development,advocacy,researchprogramming,GEARPartnerships)EducationprovidesUpwithyouthdataandevaluation,professionalandBarrerathattheyholdNationalConferenceyearatDC)whichtheYouthLeadershipinit.https://
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The Comptroller’s office estimates that shoppers will save $112 million in state and local sales tax during this sales tax holiday. Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased taxfree are listed on the Comptroller’s website at taxTexasTaxHoliday.org.Duringtheannualsalesholiday,qualifying items can be purchased tax free online or by telephone, mail, custom order or any other means (including in-store purchases) when either: • the item is both delivered to, and paid for by, the customer during the exemption period; or, • the customer orders and pays for the item, and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period Texas’ends.sales tax holiday weekend has been an annual event since 1999.
“Your Community Newspaper” 705 W. Highway 100, Suite B-2 Los Fresnos, TX E MAIL: info@losfresnosnews.netWeareopen Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: Call 956-264-7720 SUBSCRIPTION RATES $2795 Yr. Valley l $3495 Out of Valley Single Copy Price ........ $.50 ea. Back Issues available . $.50 ea. CORRECTION POLICY Although the Los Fresnos 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 Los Fresnos News contain the opinions of the Authors. They may or may not be the opinion of the Newspaper. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: 1 year subscription delivered by U.S. Postal service...$27.95 or can be purchased at several convinent locations through out the cities of Los Fersnos and Brownsville for 50¢. The Los Fresnos News is mailed and delivered Tuesday, August 2, 2022, and published weekly by Los Fresnos Publishing, LLC. Periodical Postage Rates paid at Los Fresnos, TX. Post Office. Advertising deadline is noon Thursday at the office at 203 N. Arroyo, Los Fresnos, TX 78566. (POSTMASTER send address changes to Los Fresnos, P.O. Box 990, Los Fresnos, TX 78566.) TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATIONMEMBER2020 PUBLISHER S Landon Jennings Sharice LosSuite705MAILINGJenningsADDRESSW.Highway100B-2Fresnos,TX7856 797-9920 l Fax 797-9921 NeldaEmilioJazmin956-264-7720VictorADVERTISINGMorenoGRAPHICDESIGNERPereaCONTENTEDITORFloresOFFICEMANAGERBriones 2 • AUGUST 3, 2022 • LOS FRESNOS NEWS Q: Why is it important to replace my missing teeth?ANSWERED by DR.ADAM LALONDE: If you have experienced tooth loss it is important to seek appropriate restorative treatment as soon as possible. Tooth loss can have a dramatic impact on your oral and overall health, and can lead to a range of serious teethincluding:complications•Existingcanmigratefrom position to fill the void left by tooth loss • Your gum tissue and jaw bone can begin to deteriorate • Your facial appearance can change in response to this jaw bone deterioration • Your bite can become misaligned which can lead to neuromuscular dental issuesWestrive to evaluate each patient and provide them with options for replacing missing teeth. If a tooth is missing, you should not wait to replace it because it may cost 2-3 times more to fix the situation. An implant is the best choice, next would be a bridge. See your dentist soon. It is very important and can lead to bigger problems. Contact your dentist to schedule an exam, and discuss your options for tooth replacement. There should be a number of options available to you, including dental implants.
by DR. a Da M La LONDE Adam Lalonde
was
presented with certificates of completion and honor cords during the South Texas College Prefreshmen Engineering Program (STC-PREP) graduation ceremony held recently at the Mid-Valley campus in Weslaco. The Texas Prefreshmen Engineering Program (TexPREP) is a statewide, six-week summer enrichment program for middle and high school students that focuses on science, curriculumdifferentengagedprogram,theactivities.hands-on,said.instruction,”givesPathways.anddirectorLeonardoschoolAntonioUniversityinSTC-PREPmathematicsengineeringtechnology,and(STEM).isofferedpartnershipwiththeofTexasatSanandparticipatingdistricts,saidCastañeda,ofAcademiesCareerTechnical“ThecurriculumstudentsrigorousCastañeda“It’sdesignedtobechock-fullofSo,throughoutsixweeksofthethestudentsareinanumberofprojects.”TheSTEM-drivenisaccredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and students can earn oneunit high school elective credits for each program year they complete. Students are introduced to new intensive courses in engineering, physics, algebra and more over the course of four summers, Castañeda said. “The students choose to be here, and it’s because they have a lot of fun,” Castañeda said. “We have students that have built model homes and miniature rockets. They’ve done egg drops and have built a marshmallow tower. They’ve had a number of different projects that help them better understand the (engineering) concepts that the instructors are providing.”Thekeynote speaker at the WhattheyoualreadyYoursayMurraythewillingcommitmentonlyandPerformingincludingprojectsofAssociatesforpracticinganything.”accomplishopportunities,thenawiththeValley,”fromacrossandengineering,thatanHalffseniorJ.ceremonygraduationwasMenton“Trey”MurrayIII,vicepresidentofAssociates,Inc.,award-winningfirmprovidesfull-servicearchitectureotherrelatedservicesthecountry.“Justlikeyou,Icomethe(RioGrande)Murraytoldstudents.“Andhardwork,withgreateducationandmaximizingyouryoucanalmostMurrayhasbeenaengineer22years,andHalffhasbeenapartnumerousarchitecturalintheregion,theMcAllenArtsCenterSTCbuildings.“Eachofyouarelimitedbytheyouaretomake,andeffortyouextend,”said.“And,I’llitallstartsnow.pathinSTEMhasstarted,butwhatchoosewillchartcourseforyourlife.youdointhenext two years (of high school) will put in place your foundation for college. It all starts now.” Tania Cano, a junior at Weslaco East High School, said being a part of STC-PREP has strengthened her interest in short.Program,PrefreshmenknownstateexpandedSevenManuelmathematicsstartedProgramPrefreshmensaid.friendsyouandtryingwithmisscords.knowingaccomplishmentbecausewassheexperimentslovedSchoolWeslacothisdedicationto“However,fatigue,”had,challenge.Whichsummer,intherestrictionsforwasalsolearning,”atotherweclassmates.bondingaswasTheengineeringpursuingasacareer.graduationceremonybittersweet,though,shehasspentyearswithherfellow“Duringtheprogramgottoknoweachandhavefun,butthesametimewewereCanosaid.“Wehadfieldtrips,anditjustreallyenjoyableallfouryears.”However,pandemicdidcausestudentstoengagevirtuallearninglastCastañedasaid.wasanewtypeof“Ithinkalotofstudentsatthatpoint,virtualCastañedasaid.itreallyspoketheircommitment,theirtocompletingprogram.”AshleySolisofEastHighsaidwhileshethechallengeoftheandprojectscompleted,graduationherfavoritemomentofthesenseofshefelt,sheearnedthoseBut,shewillalsospendingsummershercoregroup.“Wespentyearstocompleteit,it’smorefunwhencelebratewithyournexttoyou,”SolisTheoriginalEngineering(PREP)wasin1979byUTSAprofessorP.Berriozábal.yearslater,PREPthroughouttheofTexasandbecameastheTexasEngineeringorTexPREPfor
Thirteen students from Weslaco Independent School Districts recently completed the STC-Prefreshmen Engineering Program at the South Texas College Mid-Valley campus. After four years of dedication to the six-week summer enrichment program, the students earned their Certificates of Completion and an honor cord to be worn at their high school graduation ceremony.
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2022 Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 5-7 Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-7. State law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school backpacks — priced below $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. The dates of the sales tax holiday and list of tax-exempt items are set by the Texas Legislature. “Most Texans won’t hear the back-to-school bell for another month, but it’s never too early to take advantage of the opportunity to save money on everything from book bags to ballpoint pens,” Hegar said. “With inflation driving prices higher on just about everything, this sales tax holiday provides Texas families some small relief managing the costs associated with kids heading back to the classroom. As the father of three school-aged children myself, I know how these expenses can add up.”
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TOWN OF PUBLICBAYVIEWNOTICE The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Bayview will be conducting a Public Meeting on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 6:30 P.M. to get public comments on the following: a. Town of Bayview 2022 2023 Budget review. b. Resolution to set tax rate for 2023 c. Change of Town Zoning Ordinances on Sea land containers Any residents unable to attend the public hearing can submit their comments to our email: info.townofbayview@gmail.com. These comments will be read during our Public Meeting when asked for public comments. 3 columns x 3 inches 25 ACRES & NEW 1,200 sf HUNTING CABIN SHELL* HH Only $239,900 HH Beautiful 25 to 100+ acre hunting & recreational tracts - perfect for wildlife spectators, hunters, & nature enthusiasts. Prime location in Brady, the heart of Texas. High speed internet! Get a FREE ATV WITH PURCHASE – limited time offer. (approx. $5000 value.) (877) 333-7390 x31 • RanchesAtBuckRidgeTexas.com *Price is for a 1,200 sf hunting cabin shell and full length covered porch, constructed w/ concrete pad on a 25 acre parcel at Ranches at Buck Ridge. Depending on location/setting, additional concrete costs may apply. Special shell price available to LSLP customers only An EHO.
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Public notice is your right to know about the issues that directly affect your life. And, you can easily find public notices in your local newspaper. Without public notices in the newspaper, you’re left to guess about what the government is doing in your community and how elected officials are spending your tax dollars.
We
PursuantTDLR#(956)541-20340562052VSFtotheprovisions of
ten days from the date of this publication by payment of the impounding
•
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With the High School Softball Season long gone, fans got to experience the queens of the diamond with the 2022 PONY International Softball World Series in McAllen. Teams from The United States, Mexico, and even the Czech Republic took part in the four day tournament. With coverage on Rio Sports Live, Let’s break down the PONY International WorldThursdaySeries.saw the opening day of the tournament. From the start, multiple teams showed they were powerhouses with well rounded offenses and defenses. Teams like Premier Fastpitch 18U, American Gulf Coast Thunder 18U, Glory Adkins 18U, and RGV Pride.Early on in the World Series, Mexico displayed its dominance as teams from Mexico City, Culiacan, Hermosillo, Mexicali and Chihuahua played standout softball. In the elimination rounds of the 14U Tournament, Texas Thundersticks faced off against Chihuahua. In the First two innings, Texas collected three runs in the first two innings. After a defensive battle, Chihuahua pulled off a walkoff comeback 5-3 to advance to the next round. In the 12U Title game, Hermosillo Sonora Mexico would win to capture Mexico’s second championship in the 2022 WorldSaturdaySeries.saw the 14U World Series title between Mexicali and Culiacan, heading into the qualifiers for the PONY World Series, Culiacan and Mexicali met on three different occasions, with all three games going into extra innings. Mexicali’s offense wasted no time, scoring five runs within the first two innings. Mexicali’s potent offense was led by the dominant pitching of Yadira Estrella, who recorded seven strikeouts. Mexicali would go on to defeat Culiacan to capture the 14U International World Series capturethethe16UtoXtremetodefeatedWorldaThetheTobi,withrodeaChihuahua,theRGVbetweenincredibleSundayChampionship.sawanmatchupChihuahuaandXtremeHeatoutofRioGrandeValley.whohasbeenformidableopponent,intothematchupconfidencefromastuffedpigwhoisteam’sofficialmascot.onlyteamtocarrymascottothePONYSeries,ChihuahuaXtremeHeatforceonemoregame.Heatwouldgoonwin5-0tocapturethechampionship.Withwin,XtremeHeatwasonlyRGVTeamtoachampionship.The18UTitlegame saw Glory Adkins take on RGV Premier Fastpitch in a back and forth battle that went into eight innings in what was supposed to be a timed game of 75 minutes. As time went on, borth Premier and Glory loaded up the bases and collected hit after hit but the teams remained scoreless. Both teams finally scored runs in extra innings. For Premier Fastpich, Sarah Menard pitched a complete game and played exceptional defense, Menard recorded a total of eight outs herself, including one strikeout, five 1-3 groundouts, two pop-ups and one line drive back to the circle. Despite the hard fought efforts of Menard and company, Glory would win 3-2 off a wild pitch, bringing in Anissa Hill from Third. Truly and exciting weekend for softball fans around the RGV. The 2022 PONY International World Series delivered and lived up to its billing, Four days of great softball, and experiences of cultures and hearing the stories of the teams journey through the qualifiers. Fans are already looking ahead to 2023.
RGV Xtreme Heat with their 16U championship banner Team Mexico with mascot A Thrilling Showcase
Now for the main event, the Barracudas faced off against the Breeze in a Coastal Bend bragging rights matchup. Errors played a key factor with the Barracudas as the Breeze would take a big lead 9-1. An explosive bottom of the third inning which was propelled by exceptional hitting forced an eight run comeback to tie the game up. The Barracuda’s rally fueled the rest of the game as The Barracudas held on to winTruly14-9.a fun two days of baseball, Showcasing the best baseball players from across South Texas.
By Ruben Rodriguez Los Fresnos
By Ruben Rodriguez Los Fresnos News After the Success of the 2022 RSL STARS Softball inBaseballShowcase,tookitsturnfrontofthespotlight.
News
Four teams composed of the best players in the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend saw the RGV Racers and Lightning, against the Coastal Bend Breeze and Barracudas. The RGV Lightning were led by Milan Guerra, while the Racers were led by Raul Zamarripa. The Coastal Bend Breeze were led by Lauro Guerra and the Barracudas by Javier Guzman. Day one saw the Breeze take on the Lightning, while the Barracudas took on the Racers. Both games are timed at Two hours, winners advance to the championship game on day two. The Lightning would be first to score in the top of the third, but an explosive bottom third and fourth innings saw the Breeze break the game open. Defensive dominance on the mound from Carsen Flores of Rockport-Fulton would shut down the Lightning’s rally as the Breeze would hold on to win 7-5. Game two saw the Racers take on the Coastal Bend Barracudas. Same case as the first matchup, the Racers took control early on, but the Barracudas took control in the top of the fifth, scoring seven runs. The Racers mounted a three run comeback but were shut down by the Barracudas to win 7-5. Day two saw the RGV Racers and Lightning face off in the Third Place Game. The Racers ran away with the lead, before the Lightning would mount a comeback capped by a three run home run by La Joya Palmview’s Christian Perez to give the Lightning the win 7-5.
PONY International Softball World Series a Big Hit.
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AUGUST 3, 2022 • LOS FRESNOS NEWS • 5 ADVERTISE WITH US! 203 N. Arroyo Blvd P.O. Box 990 (956) 233-9928 (956) 797-9920 tHEME: tHE 1970s 1.aCROssComeclean, with "up" 5. *_____-a- soup, launched in 1972 8. Hefty volume 12. Maui party 13. Detective's assignment 14. One that insists 15. seed covering 16. Dull pain 17. Waltz, in France 18. *Francis Ford Coppola's "the ____" 20. Part of an eye 21. H. pylori consequence 22. Labor org. 23. *"Feathered" 1970s 26.iconOne who delivers coal 30. *1978's "Night Fever" spent 8 weeks in this Billboard slot 31. monster,Fire-breathinggreek LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU ANSWERS LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORDS ANSWERS 48. One way to prepare an egg 50. Chicken pox mark 52. *type of 1970s shoes 56. top dog 57. Laughing on the inside, in a text 58. Bye, to sophia Lauren 59. *1971's "sooner or ____" by the grass Roots 60. *"Beneath the Planet of the ____" 61. Very light brown 62. Research facil. 63. *Progressive rock band of "Roundabout" 64.fameFishing pole spool 1.DOWNCapture the ____ 2. Continental capital 3. a forementioned 4. substance with rotten egg smell 5. secret stash 6. theater employee 7. Jury member 8. *Olivia Newton-John's 1978 co-star 9. Eye amorously 10. table hill 11. Before, to a bard 13. Can't-get-it-off-one'smind kind 14. throat dangler 19. Winged 22. Charge carrier 23. Young horses 24. *One of three 1970s TV crime-fighting women 25. Plunder 26. *"I'd like to buy the world a ____" 27. "semper Fidelis" to u s. Marines, e.g. 28. Bye, to Edith Piaf 29. group of nine singers 32. *"Rich Man, ____ Man" miniseries 33. as opposed to mishap 36. *salvador a llende 38.successorChow down 40. Game official, for short 41. Inflammation of iris 44. Capital of senegal 46. Footstuffs merchant 48. North face, e.g. 49. Intensely dislikes 50. a 52.51.drawingrchitecturalPrefers*Neilsimon's "the sunshine Boys," e.g. 53. *"Interview with the Vampire" author 54. Kate Winslet as ____ of winner56.55.Easttown*"____train"*"thrillainManila" 34.mythologytypeof list 35. Open-mouthed 37. acorn producer 38. glossy fabric 39. Denim innovator 40. Enlist or talk into (2 42.words)golf accessory 43. gracefully thin 45. Meat and vegetable 47.stewstumblebum GET SCHEDULES, SCORES & LIVE BROADCASTS OF LOS FRESNOS GAMES LIVE BROADCASTS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY better water pure and simple www.cul® liganr gv.com CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY better water pure and www.culsimple liganrgv com CULL Generic 5x2 eng_Layout 1 10/30/12 11:27 AM Page 1 www.culliganr gv.com 1300 W. Business 77 • San Benito, TX 956-399-1780 Call today for a FREE water analysis! CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE V better water. pure and www.culsimp liganr gv.com CULL Generic 5x2 eng_Layout 1 10/30/12 11:27 AM Page 1 CULLIGAN® WATER OF THE RIO GRANDE VAL better water. pure and www.culsimple.® liganr gv.com CULL Generic 5x2 eng_Layout 1 10/30/12 11:27 AM Page 1 Want your story in the paper? The Next Chapter is a column featuring a serialized continuing short story/poems from a local author. You can submit your own original story for publication at news@laferianews.net. news@laferianews.net the Next Chapter Poem Birdsong by James E. Arnold I hear a bird— It sings to me Such a beautiful song In rapturous antiphony. And though at times it might seem odd, It is a symphony That’s sent from God. I see some flowers In a sunny field— Such beauteous moments To make the day— For Nature’s beauty Can take your breath away. Such great pure white clouds In the deepest blue sky, Like ships on the ocean As they go passing by. Such beauteous creation Is a marvelous thing, For it plucks at your heartstrings And can make you sing.
6 • AUGUST 3, 2022 • LOS FRESNOS NEWS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE ON OUR ACTIVITY PAGE PLEASE CONTACT US AT (956) 797-9920 OR (956) 233-9928 956-801-2284 3340 Pablo Kisel Blvd B105 Brownsville, Tx 78526 956-545-0155 3525 International Blvd. STE D Brownsville, Tx 78526 956-626-2289 33478 FM 803 Los Fresnos, Tx 78566 @lapalefrozenfruitbar @lapalefrozenfruitbar @lapale-international @lapalefrozenfruitbarLosFresnos,TX 29th Annual Narciso Martinez Conjunto Festival October 7, 8, 9 2022 Featuring the best conjunto bands in Texas! Memorial Park 900 N. Arroyo Blvd. Los Fresnos, TX For more information call: 956.367.0335 www.narcisomartinezculturalartscenter.org
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suffering,”patientstime,anywheredetectextendedsaid,brainistheirmoreAndthecancermonitortumorsinto–delineatetodevelopmentthatongraduatemechanicalmaster’sKarim,FazlurUniversity,candidateCarannante,GiuseppinaaPhDatRowanandRahmanBinaUTRGVstudentintheengineeringprogram,arescheduletograduatesemester,aswell.Thesoftwarein–designedautomaticallybraintumorscanbeintegratedhospitalstodetectearlierandprogressionoforthesuccessoftreatmentsuccess.thatgivesdoctorstimetospendwithpatientsThoughthealgorithmdevelopedtoidentifytumors,Deratheworkcouldbeinthefuturetothesizeoftumorsinthebody.“ItwillsavedoctorsandsavetheirlotsofDerasaid. BIg PICtu According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) website, Cancer.net:
IDENtIFYINg a PROBLEM Dera was motivated to develop the software during her doctoral program after choosing to dedicate her research to biomedicine. Working on a project with Bouaynaya at Rowan University and Dr. Hassan M. FathallahShaykh, PhD, MD, a neurologist at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, brought the need for an AI system to her attention.“Partof FathallahShaykh’s work was to review MRI images and administer radiation therapy based on the observed growth,” she said. “He explained that there is no Surveillance.”Tumor“TowardsonareandUniversity.sharedFoundation,grant$35,000DeraMRI.theunclearacquisition“noise”andpatient“Tumorsstructures,”topologyduechallengingsegmentationandvarietylimitationbutmathematicalshecomputerinsoftware.”robustandradiologicalthathow“Iandtheirmedicalforareproblem.potentialstudies,duringincreasinglyalgorithmsbasedsystemsIntelligenceusesoftwarecomputer-assistedautomaticorsysteminathospitals.”WithArtificial(AI)–whichareondata-driven–becomingpopularherpost-doctoralDeraspiedasolutiontothe“Thesealgorithmsbeingadvanceddeploymentinthefieldbecauseofhighperformanceaccuracy,”shesaid.startedlookingatwecanintegratetoanalyzeimagesdevelopanew,tumordetectionWithherbackgroundmathematicsandengineering,startedbuildingamodel,noticedthemodel’sinhandlingaoftumorshapesstructures.“BraintumorisaproblemtothecomplexofanatomicalDerasaid.varyfromonetoanother.”Furthermore,doctorstheAIalikefaceduringimage–thatis,picturesduetolimitationsoftheInFebruary2021,receivedaresearchfromNJHealthwith$9,000withRowanNow,shehercollaboratorsmakingprogresstheproject,entitledRobustBrainDetectionand Dera predicts they will complete their part of the project – developing a working algorithm–within the time allotted. Then, they will hand it over to an independent startup company called MRI Math, LLC., to integrate the code’s final user interface into a hospital’s private software system. “We will meet with neurologists, hospital technologists and radiologists before that point to ensure that our code meets their needs,” DeraHospitalsaid. systems are complicated, she said, so the team is not handling any aspect of the software.”specificanduser-interfacesaid.code“Theintegration.hospital-specificisprivate,”she“Thatincludesthedesignotherfunctionalitytotheir
Located next to Los Fresnos Pharmacy
• Around the world in 2020, an estimated 251,329 people died from primary cancerous brain tumors.
AUGUST 3, 2022 • LOS FRESNOS NEWS • 7
• Brain cancer is the 10th leading cause of death for men and women. The fiveyear survival rate in the United States for people with a cancerous brain tumor is almost 36 percent, and the 10year survival rate is almost 31 percent.
OPEN- sOu RCE a I Although the hospital will be the sole owner of their integrated software, the sourcefoundationalcodewill be publicly available upon completion of the project, Dera said. They’ve submitted some results to an engineering and medical imaging journal, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, to get feedback from the believesaid.workcommunitygoodadvanceimages.onbyprojects,cananyonealgorithmwork,”themresearchersbutonlythroughproposedimplementationsendonShewhatcommunityscientificandsharethey’vediscovered.hopestohearbackthatreviewbytheofsummer2022.“Sharingourefficientofthealgorithmsjournalsnotgivesusfeedback,alsobenefitsotherandallowstobuildonourshesaid.And,bymakingtheopen-source,interestedapplyittootherorexperimentrunningthecodepubliclyavailable“Thisishowweinresearch.It’sfortheresearchtomakethisavailable,”Dera“That’swhatwein.”
INCORPOR atED sa FEt Y DEtECtION Dera said that, prior to writing the code, they setspubliclyitalgorithmfoundationsthe2023.extensionandbeganwasAPPLICATIONsaid.medicalisvolume.tumor’sdecisionsititsifvirus,AIsystems,mode”incorporatingimagingortumors,it–eachitsalgorithmdevelopingresearchweaknesses,error.”alwayspatient,consequencescausesaid.themuchneedhumanfromsusceptiblemistakes–thehumantechnologyinMRIs.goalsneurologists’Theyindustrialfromto–(I-Corps™)NSF’sneurologistsinterviewedthroughInnovationCorpsprogramwhichisdesignedhelpmoveresearchtheacademictointegration.furtheridentifiedneedsandinreviewingtheDerasaidoneproblemthefieldofmedicalisthatlivesareinhandsofsoftwarewhichcanmakeandcanbetoattackscomputerviruses.“We’retalkingabouthealth,sowetoknowhowwecantrustalgorithm,”she“Mistakescoulddeathandotherfortheandthere’samarginofToaddressthosetheteamisawayforthetoreportonownconfidencewithimageitanalyseswhichensuresthatisdetectingrealandnot“noise”artifactsfromtheprocess.Theteamalsois“failuredetectionsothatiftheisattackedbyaitwilldeterminethevirushasdamagedcodeandcausedtomakeincorrectabouttheboundariesor“Trustworthinessthecriticalpointinimaging,”DeraREAL-WORLDDera’sgrantfundingforoneyear,whichinSpring2021,shehassecuredanuntilSpringAfterdevelopingmathematicaloftheandvalidatingonsyntheticandreal,availabledatafromMRIimages,
Dr. Dimah Dera, assistant professor in the UTRGV Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is part of a team developing an artificial intelligence-based system that automatically will identify tumor boundaries and volume. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)
719 W. Ocean Blvd. • (956) 233-2795
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• It is estimated that 25,050 adults (14,170 men and 10,880 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022, and that 18,280 adults will die from it.
NEW LOCATION AT CAMERON PARK 2302 Delia Ave - Brownsville, TX. 78526 -Tel (956)620-3735 Fax (956)620-3778 384 Military Hwy. - Brownsville, TX. 78520 Tel (956)544-4400 - Fax (956)544-4508 3831 Boca Chica Blvd. Brownsville, TX. 78521 - Tel (956)554-3964 Fax (956)554-3992 2814 International Blvd. - Brownsville, TX. 78521 - Tel (956)542-8695 - Fax (956)554-3160 3244 Southmost Rd. - Brownsville, TX. 78521 - Tel (956)541-7535 - Fax (956)541-6010 719 W Hwy. 100 Los Fresnos, TX. 78566 - Tel (956)233-2795 Fax (956)233-2797 860 S. Sam Houston Blvd. - San Benito, TX. 78586 Tel (956)399-4111 - Fax (956)399-4481 MAIN OFFICE 1737 Boca Chica Blvd. Brownsville, TX. 78520 - Tel (956)546-3120 - Fax (956)546-3980
By Karen Villarreal RIO VALLEY,GRANDETEXAS –JULY 26, 2022 – The likelihood of developing a cancerous brain tumor in your lifetime is less than one percent, but if you did, you would rely heavily on your doctor’s ability to identify the mass from MRI scans. Currently, physicians spend considerable time manually detecting the size and shape of tumor structures, which can delay detection of tumor growth and result in an increase of tumor volume.Tofacilitate that identification process, Dr. Dimah Dera, PhD, assistant professor in the UTRGV Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is part of a team developing an artificial intelligencebased system that automatically will identify boundariestumorand volume. “Brain tumor patients have to take regular scans to see how the tumor changes over time, and each MRI appointment results in over 400 images that have to be manually reviewed,” Dera said. “It can be very time consuming for their doctors, and time can be critical.”Toaddress the problem, Dera and two students, along with her collaborator, Dr. Nidhal C. Bouaynaya from Rowan University in New Jersey, have established a machinelearning AI algorithm that detects and delineates tumors based on a catalogue of realworld MRI scans. A student from each university is working on the project through its completion in Spring 2023.
• 1,957 new cases of cancers that start in the brain are expected to be diagnosed in Texas in 2022, with 1,342 Texan deaths expected from the disease.
UTRGV Researcher Developing AI To Identify Brain Tumors
Dr. Maria Villegas, division chief of Dermatology at UT Health RGV and assistant professor of OHS-Dermatology, knows the importance of protecting herself from UV rays and their side effects. She is a board-certified dermatologist providing skincare to the community of the Rio Grande Valley. (Courtesy photo)
Written by Kay Ledbetter
about the Mozena bug Literature and research is limited on the insect, so there is still much to be learned about the bug and how much harm, and to what, it might do if the infestation is large enough. The Mozena bug was last an issue for the South Plains in August 2014. The bug is in the family Coreidae, a group of insects given the common name of leaf-footed bugs. “The common thread from 2014 to 2022 is our drought conditions,” said Siders.While they can be quite annoying, they are not harmful to humans, pets or most homeowner plants unless the infestation levels are very high. The insects’ primary host is mesquite, a legume. They also feed on peas and beans. Both Porter and Siders documented them feeding on corn and cotton in 2014. “I noted them in cotton back in 2014, but not the sheer numbers I am seeing now, and it is a month earlier,” Siders said. “We are getting reports from the Midland and Odessa area indicating high populations there as Porterwell.”saidhe got the first weekasidentificationreceivedin1requestsidentificationthisyearonJulyforimmatureMozenatheirnymphstage.He’srequestsforbugasfarsouthOdessa.“Therequeststhisarestillfornymphs
— adults yet to come,” he said. “The small landowners, like 5-10 acres with mesquite, say they are covered up — plants, grass, houses.” Why the concern? Siders said he has seen as many as 20-plus nymphs per cotton plant, which is a concern.“Inaparticular field I scout weekly, square set was perfect at 100% last week after the first 12 days of squaring,” he said. “Then this week it dropped to 79%. No other insects, drip cotton, good moisture, no environmental event to point a finger at, and yet squares were missing. Nothing was left to dissect to determine a possible cause of death.” Siders said he has not found egg masses in cotton and is unsure if the nymphs hatched in the cotton field or crawled in because immatures do not have functioning wings. They can move quickly on the ground, though. The leaf-footed bug is often treated like a stink bug; however, stink bugs typically do not feed on cotton squares but on bolls. Siders said treatment considerations might more closely resemble the Lygus when present at five-plus per plant, although they are not as damaging as a Lygus would be at these numbers. Porter said seeing low numbers of the bugs is typical, and on a wide variety of plants, but they will only damage mesquite, peas, beans and now, apparently, cotton. They could be seen on all different kinds of crops and home plants.
By Saira Cabrera RIO VALLEY,GRANDETEXAS
t YPEs OF u V R aYs UV rays are all around us, both indoors or outdoors, she said. Some are from the sun, while others come from artificial, everyday sources like cellphones, tablets and houseAccordinglights. to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are two main types of UV rays that can affect the skin: UV-A and UV-B. The sun releases UV-A and UV-B rays, which can damage the skin and eyes. UV-A rays are long wavelengths that infiltrate the skin's middle (dermis) layer. UV-B rays have smaller, shorter wavelengths that can reach the skin's outer (epidermis) layer.Athird type of ray, UVC, is the most damaging. The ozone layer protects us from UV-C rays, but UV-C radiation can also come from artificial sources – like tanning beds and sunlamps.“Overexposure to UV radiation can cause cornea (eye) inflammation and can cause skin cells to grow abnormally and lead to skin cancer," Villegas said. "Skin cancers can cause destruction to surrounding skin and deeper tissues and can even spread to other parts of the body and, potentially, lead to death."
8 • AUGUST 3, 2022 • LOS FRESNOS NEWS
treating to prevent damage Suhas Vyavhare, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension cotton entomologist, Lubbock, began an insecticide trial July 12 to learn more about treatment options for Mozena bugs. The objective of the trial is to gather preliminary data on the efficacy of insecticide products against them and assess pest damage potential in “Currently,cotton.wedo not know how damaging this bug is to cotton and where the treatment threshold should be,” Vyavhare said. “Our preliminary data from the research trial will be available as early as Friday. Insecticides being tested heandforandusingblogspot.com/.focusonagriculture.postedinformationinfestation.detectplantsfrequentnymphalworkincludingcyfluthrin.cypermethrincyhalothrin,bifenthrin,activeexamplesbasedareeffectivetellingabouthomeownersoxamyl.”dicrotophos,cypermethrin,imidacloprid,includebifenthrin,sulfoxaflor,acephateandSiderssaidevenforcallingthisinsect,heisthemthemostinsecticidesthepyrethroid-products.Someofpyrethroidingredientsincludelambda-permethrin,andInsecticides,organicproducts,bestagainstthestages,soscoutingofhostisrecommendedtotheearlystagesofanAsmoreislearned,willbetohttps://“Andasalways,whenaninsecticide,readfollowlabeldirectionssafetyprecautions,ratespreharvestintervals,”cautioned.
UT Health RGV dermatologist Urges Protection From Sun, Harmful UV Rays
• Slop on sunscreen. Slap on a hat. And wrap sunglassesonto protect the eyes and skin around them. In addition, Villegas recommends:Seekingshadewheneverpossible.ProtectingchildrenfromUVraysandteachingthemhow to protect themselves. • And avoiding artificial UV sources like tanning beds, which cause long-term skin visitUTwithexposure,safeonFordamage.moreinformationavoidingandstayingfromUVradiationvisitACS.TomakeanappointmentDr.VillegasandotherHealthRGVphysicians,UTHealthRGV.org.
A nymph and adult Mozena obtusa Uhler plant bug on a cotton plant in Cochran County. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Suhas Vyavhare)
“They are crawling all over my 10 acres. There are thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of them invading my property. They are killing my vegetation, my trees, my plants. What are they, where are they coming from, and how do I treat and control to keep what trees they have not killed alive?” Crop producers, ranchers and homeowners are reaching out to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts across the South Plains as aboveaverage numbers of the Mozena obtusa Uhler plant
u LtR aVIOLEt R aYs "Ultraviolet rays are a form of radiation that is emitted by the sun," Villegas annually.skinwithcancercancerSocietycancer."thecells,toimportantly,agingrays"Overexposuresaid.toUVcancauseprematureoftheskin.ButmoreoverexposureUVraysdamagesskinwhichcanleadtodevelopmentofskinTheAmericanCancerfoundthatskinisthemostcommonintheUnitedStates,morethan5millioncancersdiagnosedFortunately,it also is one of the most preventable, so knowing how to stay protected is an essential first step. “Avoid sunbathing and the use of tanning beds. Use sun safety measures, like wearing broadspectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every day and reapplying it every two hours," she said. "Wear a broad-rim hat, sunglasses, protective clothing, and seek shade."
– JULY 22, 2022 – As the sun shines down on us, so do its ultraviolet rays. This month, Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month, highlights the importance of keeping safe from UV exposure and reminds the community to stay protected from the sun’s potentially harmful ultraviolet rays. Dr. Maria Villegas, M.D., division chief of Dermatology at UT Health RGV and assistant professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery-Dermatology at The UTRGV School of Medicine, knows the importance of protecting herself from UV rays and their side effects. The todermatologist,board-certifiedinaneffortmitigatethoseharmful effects – including wrinkles and premature aging, suppression of the immune system, eye damage, and, ultimately, skin cancer –said the sun’s UV damage also can occur indoors and cautions everyone in the Valley to take precautions against exposure to the sun.
Insurgence Of Mozena Bug Concerns Crop Producers, Homeowners Alike
bugs are being seen. Pat Porter, Ph.D., AgriLife questionswithphonesLambHockley,managementExtensionandentomologist,ExtensionLubbock,KerrySiders,AgriLifeintegratedpestagentinCochranandcounties,saidtheirhavebeenbusyresidentreports,andconcerns.
sta Rt NOW Villegas said the skin has "memory" and will remember sun damage over the years resulting from chronic, intermittent sun exposure and sunburns. Therefore, it is urgent to follow safety routines to protect you skin from UV rays, starting "now," she said."The damage from UV rays is cumulative over the years, and the skin will remember sunburns in childhood. This is why it is so important to start protecting your skin at a young age and instill sun-safety measures in children," she said. "As an adult, it is still not too late. Starting sun-safety measures in adulthood can still decrease future over-exposure to UV rays," Villegas said. u V R a DI atION sa FEt Y MEasu REs The skin is the body’s largest organ, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, changes in the skin often can be a warning sign of a medical condition or changes in the body's health."Inorder for our skin to protect our internal organs, we must take care of our skin," Villegas said. "And the most preventable cause of skin cancer is overexposure to UV rays." Villegas said Hispanics, just like any other group, can get skin cancer and are not melanoma"Riskimmune.ofdevelopinginHispanics has risen by 20 percent in the past two decades," she said. "Hispanics need to wear sunscreen and practice other UV radiation safety measures."Asidefrom wearing sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, there are other effective safety measures. The ACS recommends following a simple phrase to help us remember the protective steps to take: "Slip! Slop! Slap!® and Wrap." That means: • Slip on a shirt.
Dr. Maria Villegas, chief of Dermatology at UT Health RGV, recommends wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher daily and reapplying every two hours. Wear a broad-rim hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing, and seek shade. (Courtesy photo)
