April 17, 2024

“RIO

ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS:

• Our current leadership spends public funds without considering the public benefit

• Taxpayer money was used to advertise the State of the City event heavily, yet the public was excluded from attending

• City candidates reused their picture from the City event on their political signs, showing an obvious disregard for transparency

• Requests for important information such as credit card statements, TCEQ violations, and project expenditure details were ignored by current officials

TIME FOR CHANGE:

• Tired of leaders who expend without accountability?

• Frustrated with the lack of transparency in city governance?

• Concerned about decisions neglecting the public interest?

TRANSPARENCY IS NONEXISTENT:

• The State of the City event was abruptly rescheduled without notice to the public, raising questions about who directed this decision and why

• RGCGISD school administrators and department leaders were obligated to attend the State of the City, leaving critical responsibilities unattended, including state testing

• Chaos arose during testing as the system went down and students were not able to resume testing due to the absence of IT personnel, who were all at the State of the City event

• Who is making these critical decisions? Who is pulling the strings? Is it the Superintendent or Joel Villarreal’s political boss, Bacho?

DEMANDING TRANSPARENCY:

• Independent Candidates stand for transparency, integrity and accountability

• A lawsuit had to be filed to obtain basic public information, highlighting the lack of transparency in city governance

IT’S TIME FOR ACTION:

• Vote for Independent Candidates who prioritize integrity, accountability, and transparency

• We will ensure public funds are used responsibly and ensure timely access to public information requests for all citizens

VOTE FOR CHANGE:

• Vote for leaders who truly represent you

• Vote for integrity

• Vote for transparency

• Vote for your Independent Candidates TOGETHER, WE CAN BRING THE CHANGE OUR CITY DESPERATELY NEEDS.

Isabella Canales Crowned

Miss Teen Tourism USA

Angel Oyervides Triple Jump Area Champion & Javier Canales 4th place in the 110m Hurdles

Mighty Gladiator Jayda Perez Named RGVSCA Class 5A Diver of the Year

Let’s

accomplishes!!

7th

12pm

Check in with yourself.

Start breathing. Stay present.

Small steps can make a big di erence when it comes to your mental health.

Try this simple breathing exercise if you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stressed.

FOUR STEPS FOR BOX BREATHING:

1

Start by placing one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach.

2

Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, feeling your stomach expand.

3

Hold that breath in for 4 seconds.

Repeat steps 2-4 until you feel more relaxed. FOR MORE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, VISIT TURNTOSUPPORTSTX.ORG

4 Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.

Congratulations to Roma High School student Isabella Canales on being crowned Miss Teen Tourism USA! She goes on to represent the USA at the Miss Turismo Mundial Pageant in Aruba in May 2024. Good luck Isabella! The Gladiator Nation is super proud of you and cheering you on all the way!!

applaud Angel Oyervides for his exceptional performance, clinching the title of Triple Jump Area Champion with a remarkable leap of 41-9.25! Meanwhile, Javier Canales blazes his way to Regionals with a commendable 4th place finish in the 110m hurdles, finishing with a time of 17.09 seconds. Congratulations to all coaches and both athletes for their outstanding achievements! - Head Coach Carlos Carrera

Congratulations to Roma High School Mighty Gladiator Jayda Perez on being named the RGVSCA Class 5A Diver of the Year! Jayda had an outstanding season, and her dedication and hard work led to earning this honor!! RHS Swim & Dive Coach Clemente Martinez was also named RGVSCA 5A Girls Diving Coach of the Year! The Gladiator Nation is super proud of Jayda and Coach Martinez! As a freshmen Jayda has three more years of outstanding performances ahead and we can’t wait to see what she

Annual Autism Living Awareness Fest 2024 Basilio Villarreal Municipal Park Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 9am to

Lady Rattlers 3rd Place at the 30-5A District Golf Tournament

Barrera Plaza

Avenue

County Courthouse

The Rio Grande City High School Lady Rattler’s placed 3rd at the 30-5A district golf tournament held at Champion Lakes Golf Course. The golfers are left to right. Khloe Iruegas, Leticia Lozano, Jaylen Gonzalez, Jenelle Gonzalez, Emily Menchaca and Paloma Alvarez. Great job girls!

Jaylen Gonzalez Rattler golfer, has qualified for the 305A Regional Championships! This is Jaylen’s 3rd time qualifying for Regionals. Congratulations!

Rio Grande City Mayor Declares April as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

During the Regular City Commission Meeting held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Mayor

Joel Villarreal declared April as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the City of Rio Grande City.

The proclamation aims to raise awareness about developmental disabilities and highlight the importance of inclusion and support for individuals with disabilities within the community.

Mayor Villarreal emphasized the significance of recognizing the contributions and capabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives from the Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District (ISD) Special Education Department. They took the opportunity to invite the public to participate in the Disabilities Awareness Walk

scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Basilio Villarreal Municipal Park.

The Disabilities Awareness Walk, organized by the Rio Grande City Grulla ISD Special Education Department, aims to promote understanding and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. It provides an opportunity for community members to come together in solidarity and support.

Making youth sports safer for athletes

Participating in youth sports can be a great way for children to develop various interpersonal skills and stay active. Routine physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle, which can help reduce the rates of obesity and overweight among modern youths. However, participation in sporting activities is not without risk. It falls on coaches, leagues and parents to make youth sports as safe as possible for these young athletes.

According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger get hurt each year while playing sports or participating in recreational activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports high school athletes account for

an estimated two million injuries, half a million doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year.

A 2011 study of Canadian youth published in Science Direct found that 66 percent of injuries among young people between the ages of 12 and 19 were sports-related. In the face of such data, parents may be left wondering what can be done to reduce injuries. Cross train for overuse injury prevention

The Canadian Strength & Conditioning Association says overtraining may be one contributor to these injuries. Overuse injuries involve repetitive strain placed on bones, tendons and ligaments, which differ from acute injuries that occur during a traumatic event. A 2009 study from the American College of Sports Medicine found the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

reconstructions performed on children between the ages of three and 20 in New York increased by 100 percent between 1990 and 2009. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says ACL tears in children are not typically common compared to all injuries they suffer. However, they are more prevalent among youths who participate in organized sports that involve a lot of running, jumping, twisting, and pivoting. Children need to take breaks from sports to allow their bodies to recover and to incorporate variety into their activities through cross training to avoid repetitive strain on one area of the body. In addition, muscles that have had the chance to warm up are less vulnerable to overuse injuries.

Use proper technique

It is essential that young athletes be schooled in the proper

techniques when engaging in physical activity. Coaches should make sure that athletes are employing the proper techniques before sending them into games.

Get the proper equipment

Protective equipment, such as helmets, pads, shoes, and more, are vital for injury prevention and should never be overlooked.

Listen to your body

Young athletes should not be advised to play through pain.

Doing so can exacerbate any injuries and lead to more damage that may sideline an athlete for a long time, says Johns Hopkins Medicine. Less focus on being the best at all costs from coaches and parents may remove the pressure to play no matter what.

Although there is some risk of injury when playing sports, young athletes can reduce their chances of getting hurt if they are smart about sports play.

Property Owners Should Soon Start Receiving Appraisal Notices for the 2024 Tax Year

You may soon receive an appraisal notice from the Starr Appraisal District. The appraisal district mailed about 32,000 appraisal notices on April 12, 2024. Your city, county, school district and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to set your 2024 property taxes.

Under Texas law, local appraisal districts must notify property owners about changes in their property’s value. The notice contains important information about the property’s location, ownership and property tax exemptions that apply to the property. It must also include a web address where tax information for the property can be found.

Property owners who disagree with their property’s appraised value, the exemptions or any other action by the appraisal district have the right to appeal to the Starr County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel of citizens responsible for hearing and settling property owner protests. The notice of appraised value includes instructions on how and when to file a protest, a protest form, a statement about the availability of an informal conference prior to attending a protest hearing and a copy of the Comptroller’s Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet. The deadline for filing an ARB protest is May 15 or 30 days after your notice of appraised value was delivered to you.

The Comptroller’s publication, Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet, explains in detail how to protest your property appraisal, what issues the ARB can consider and what to expect during a protest hearing. It also discusses the function of a taxpayer liaison officer, the option to request limited binding arbitration to compel the ARB or chief appraiser to comply with a procedural requirement and the options of taking your case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings or regular binding arbitration if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your ARB hearing.

The Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet is available from the Starr County Appraisal District at 100 N. FM 3167, Ste 300 Rio Grande City, Tx. 78582. The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Property Owners Can Protest Property Appraisal Values

Property owners who disagree with the Starr County Appraisal District’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal district’s Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

A property owner must file a written notice of protest before May 15 or within 30 days after the appraisal district delivers the property owner’s notice of appraised value, whichever is later. The ARB will begin hearing taxpayer protests on May 15, 2024.

After the ARB completes its hearings and approves final property tax appraisals, taxing units will use these appraisals to set property tax rates.

The ARB is a group of citizens who live in the appraisal district and are appointed by the local district administrative judge. Property owners may protest any of the following issues to the ARB:

•the appraised or market value of the property;

•unequal appraisal of the owner’s property;

•inclusion of the property on the appraisal records;

•denial of a partial exemption, such as a homestead exemption;

•denial of special appraisal, such as agricultural or timber productivity appraisal;

•determination that agricultural or timberland has had a change of use and issubject to a rollback tax;

•identification of the taxing unit or taxing units in which the property is located;

•determination that the taxpayer is the owner of the property; or

•any other action of the appraisal district office or ARB that adversely affects theowner.

The ARB schedules a hearing and sends the protesting property owner written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The law contains specific timelines and procedures for both the property owner and the ARB throughout the appraisal protest process, as detailed in the Comptroller’s publication, Property Taxpayer Remedies

Copies are available from Starr County Appraisal District at 100 N. FM 3167, Ste 300 Rio Grande City, Tx. 78582. The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/ property-tax/.

Notice To Creditors

Notice is hereby given that original Letters

Testamentary for the Estate of Donald Joe omas, Deceased, were issued on April 4th, 2024 Under Cause No. PR-24-005 pending in the County Court-at-Law of Starr County, Texas, to: Sundy Dawn Mauldin.

Claims may be presented in care of the executrix of the estate, addressed as follows:

All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

Representative, Estate of Donald Joe omas, C/O Sundy Mauldin 10912 Trestles Rd. Frisco, Texas 75035

DATED April 5th, 2024

Medina EC offers money-saving rebates for members

HVAC Tune-up Time

Medina Electric Cooperative is proud to offer energy efficiency rebates to members. The program is designed to encourage costeffective, energy-efficient measures that can help members save money each month.

Medina EC offers members product and service rebates. Remember to include proof of purchase and energy star qualification when applying for these rebates. Rebates offered to members include:

·HVAC Tune-up: Earn a $60 rebate when you have your HVAC tuned up in preparation for the summer. An HVAC tune-up includes checking and correcting the unit’s refrigerant pressure and tubing, checking and adjusting belt tension, cleaning and lubricating the indoor blower unit, replacing filters, cleaning inside the “A” coil, and checking the thermostat, wiring, and other electrical parts.

·Water Heater Blanket: Earn a $10 rebate with the purchase of a water heater blanket with

a value of more than $20, not including tax.

·Electronic Programmable

Thermostat: Earn a $25 rebate with the purchase of an electronic programmable thermostat with a value of more than $40, not including tax.

·Refrigerator: Earn a $50 rebate with the purchase of a new Energy Star qualified refrigerator. Must be larger than 10 cubic feet.

·Freezer, Dishwasher, Washing Machine and AC Window Unit: Earn a $35 rebate with the purchase of a new Energy Star qualified freezer, dishwasher, washing machine or AC window unit. Freezers must be larger than 10 cubic feet.

Medina EC also offers rebates for replacing heat pumps or central AC units. The installation of the replacement parts must be completed by a qualified licensed service professional. Members must include a copy of the service professional’s original invoice with the model and serial number of all equipment installed.

Medina EC’s replacement rebates

include:

·Heat Pump: Earn a $400 rebate with the installation of a new heat pump. The heat pump must have an 18 SEER, 12.0 EER and an HSPF of 9.3 rating or better. The system must be a new matching system certified by AHRI. Both the condensing unit and air-handler must be replaced.

·Central AC: Earn a $200 rebate with the installation of a new central AC unit. The new unit must have an 18 SEER and 12.0 EER rating or better. The system must be a new matching system certified by AHRI. Both the condensing unit and airhandler must be replaced.

Medina EC’s rebate process is easy, and the application can be found at MedinaEC.org/ Rebates. Rebates are limited to occupied residences and small commercial businesses of Medina EC members. If you have any questions about the rebate process, contact Medina EC at 1-866-632-3532 or Info@ MedinaEC.org.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following:

RFP

Request for Proposals packages may be obtained at the Purchasing Department located at 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501 (Corner of Quince & 31st St) or by calling 956-872-4681. Responses received after the specified time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Email or Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFP number.

The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.

Questions regarding this RFP or requests for additional information should be addressed to Deyadira Leal, Interim Director of Purchasing 956-872-4686 daleal@southtexascollege. edu, or Gil Cisneros, Senior Buyer of Purchasing, 956-872-4671 gacisneros@ southtexascollege.edu. Responses to the RFP must be submitted to South Texas College, 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501.

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonfire vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

South Texas College (STC) hereby requests sealed qualifications for the following:

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES - GEOTECHNICAL AND MATERIALS TESTING

Sealed responses to this Request for Qualifications will be received until 2:00 p.m., April 25, 2024, at the South Texas College Purchasing Department located at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd. Bldg. N Ste 145 McAllen, Texas 78501.

Request for Statement of Qualifications packets may be obtained at the STC Purchasing Department located at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd., Bldg. N Ste 145 McAllen, Texas by calling (956) 872-4681 or email at stcpurchasing@southtexascollege.edu

Any informational questions for the Request for Statement of Qualifications may be directed to Ricardo de la Garza, Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, at (956) 872-3737 or email at rickdlg@southtexascollege.edu

Responses received after the aforementioned deadline shall not be considered. The College will evaluate responses on the basis of the technical ability, experience, and ability to perform the work.

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vendors are encouraged to visit South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website at https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login to complete the Bonfire 2-part vendor registration for receiving solicitations.

Response packages must clearly show the following:

RFQ No. 23-24-1048

Request for Statement of Qualifications Engineering Services

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

South Texas College is accepting sealed qualifications for the following:

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packages may be obtained at the Purchasing Department located at 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501 (Corner of Quince & 31st Street) or by calling 956-872-4681. Responses received after the specified time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Email or Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFQ number.

The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.

Questions regarding this RFQ or requests for additional information should be addressed to Deyadira Leal, Interim Director of Purchasing (956) 872-4681 daleal@southtexascollege. edu, or Vanessa Campos, Senior Buyer of Purchasing, (956) 872-4682 vsolis_3079@ southtexascollege.edu. Responses to the RFQ must be submitted to South Texas College, 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501.

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonfire vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following:

Request for Proposals packages may be obtained at the Purchasing Department located at 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501 (Corner of Quince & 31st St) or by calling 956-872-4681. Responses received after the specified time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Email or Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFP number.

The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.

Questions regarding this RFP or requests for additional information should be addressed to Deyadira Leal, Interim Director of Purchasing 956-872-4681 daleal@southtexascollege. edu, or Vanessa Campos, Senior Buyer, 956-872-4661 vsolis_3079@southtexascollege. edu. Responses to the RFP must be submitted to South Texas College, 3200 W Pecan Blvd Bldg N Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501.

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonfire vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following:

and

be returned

Email or Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFP number.

The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.

Questions regarding this RFP

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonfire vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login