Friday, August 17, 2018
www.ptrgv.com | 50 Cents
Vol. 46 No. 53
Jesus Trejo, Jr.
Hundreds attend “Reclaim the River” event at National Butterfly Center
“Loved and loved back, unconditionally” By Jamie Treviño MISSION - Family, softball players, Boy Scouts, coaches and educators remember Jesus Trejo, Jr., a teacher and coach who was born, raised, and lived in Mission. He passed August 12, while on a camping trip with Boy Scout troop 83. His wife of 26 years, Beatriz Trejo, said he was doing one of the things he loved. “This was him in a nutshell: softball, Boy Scouts and family,” Beatriz said. “When he passed, he was doing what he loved, he was out there scouting with my son. They were camping.” “We’re finding out how
Attendees of the “Reclaim the River” event enjoy a view of the Rio Grande River Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.
By Jose De Leon III As an avid hiker, Alton resident Isaac Casas can be seen hiking along the Mission Hike and Bike Trails or the Bentsen State Park. For Casas, the wildlife along the Rio Grande River makes the area unique. “It’s welcoming, this is a place that is hard to come by,” Casas said. “It’d be a shame if people lose access to it. Last Sunday, August 12, Casas joined hundreds of other residents along the banks of the Rio Grande River for “Reclaim the River,” a free event at the National Butterfly Center that also marked the one-year anniversary of the border wall protest at the La Lomita Chapel. That protest drew nearly 1,000 people to the historic chapel where they walked four miles between Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in downtown Mission to La Lomita after concerns that President Trump’s proposed border wall would leave the mission south of the wall. This year, the “Reclaim the River” event aimed to commemorate that event by raising awareness of the wildlife along the river. This comes after Trump signed a spending bill last spring that included $1.6 billion for fencing and other border security measures. Since that bill was signed, U.S. Customs and Border Protection notified landowners of plans to build 33 miles of barrier in Hidalgo County and Starr County. The 25 miles it plans to build in Hidalgo will consist of 18-foot-tall fencing atop vertical concrete river levees — similar to an existing levee-wall structure the federal government built a decade ago. Plans also call for a 150-foot-wide "enforcement zone" on the river-facing side of the barrier with a road for law enforcement and private property owners, 24-7 lighting, cameras and sensors. Part of that wall would go through the Bentsen State
Park, essentially shutting it down. The wall would also separate the La Lomita Chapel-located south of the levee-from the public and go through the National Butterfly Center, which has 70 percent of its property located south of the levee. As part of the “Reclaim the River” event, the Center held activities on its property south of the levee-usually reserved for members of the center-to the public. Attendees could enjoy sand sculpting by the award-winning local artist Sandyfeet of South Padre Island, guided nature hikes, fishing, a petting zoo and a pet adoption drive courtesy of the Mission Pawsible Program. For Casas, the best part of the event was the ability to go to the banks of the Rio Grande River, and witness the majesty of the area. “This is the first time I’m here, seeing the river up close,” Casas said. “It’s bumming me out that this is my first time here and I may not see this again if the wall comes through. It’s upsetting.” Also at the event were Jen and Christopher Gabler, who brought their three children to the event. This was the first time the Gablers came to the Center as a family and both say they are vocally against the wall. For Christopher, a biologist at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, the proposed border wall would be a disaster. “We bring classes along the river here and it’ll impact our abilities to teach students about these ecosystems,” Christopher said. “Some of these habitats are some of the last ones as intact as they are so their conservation value is really high. Even just constructing a wall affects the migration of species, water dynamics, it’s just generally going to be the final blow for these habitats that have been struggling for a century already.” Scott Nicol, an executive
See RECLAIM THE RIVER Pg. 7
much of an impact he had,” Beatriz added. “He stayed here, so everyone knows him.” Family and community members have been gathering all week, lending their support to his wife, children Ina and Antonio Trejo and his siblings. Ina and Antonio said he helped people all over the Rio Grande Valley, and was known in many cities. “He gave so much of himself,” Ina said. “He didn’t expect anything in return, he did it because he loved everyone. He was a great dad, the best dad.” Visitation and a rosary for Jesus was held Tuesday at
See JESUS TREJO, JR. Pg. 10
Team Un1ted candidates file for school board by Dave Hendricks Candidates supported by Team Un1ted filed for school board Monday, accompanied by more than 70 supporters from across western Hidalgo County. Politicos packed the boardroom Monday afternoon to watch incumbent school board Trustee Johnn Alaniz, former school board Trustee Espie Ochoa and political novice Nereyda Cantu submit ballot applications. “Both of these ladies have a lot of experience in education,” said Alaniz, 42, of Palmview, the CEO of the La Joya Area Federal Credit Union. Team Un1ted brought together members of Team L1berty — which had dominated western Hidalgo County politics since November 2016 — with supporters of Hidalgo County Commissioner Joe Flores.
Supporters of Team Un1ted pose for a photo with the candidates Monday afternoon in La Joya. Progress Times photo by Dave Hendricks. Along with Alaniz, they backed Ochoa, 48, of Palmview, an educator who served on the school board from 2008 to 2016; and businesswoman Nereyda Cantu, 40, of Palmview, the sisterin-law of school board Trustee Alex Cantu.
After filing ballot applications, the candidates posed for photos with supporters, including Palmview Mayor Jerry Perez, Peńitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez, school board President Armin Garza, Agua Special Utility District board Pres-
ident Roger Hernandez and state Rep. Sergio Muńoz Jr. “I look forward, again, to working hard and getting this election going,” Nereyda Cantu said, drawing applause from the crowd.
See TEAM UN1TED Pg. 10
LJISD holds 4th annual Back to School Bash at three high schools By Jamie Treviño With three different locations for parents and students to gather for back to school supplies and information, the Back to School Bash produced a large turnout.
The La Joya Independent School District held their 4th annual Back to School Bash last week at Palmview High School, Juarez-Lincoln High School and La Joya High School. Each location included booths and faculty
Students and parents from the La Joya school district gather school supplies and backpacks at Palmview High School, one of three locations for the 4th annual LJISD Back to School Bash. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.
from the middle and elementary schools that feed into each high school were present. The Back to School Bash provided immunizations, access to online registration, free haircuts, school supplies and backpacks. Various departments within the district such as transportation, migrant, special education and parental involvement were also available in case parents or students had any questions about the upcoming year. LJISD Board of Trustees members Johnn Alaniz and Alejandro “Alex” Cantu were present at the Palmview High School Back to School Bash. They both spoke about the importance of the event in the district. “We understand the times we are living in right now,” Alaniz said. “Not everyone
can afford all of these things, and we want to make sure that everybody has the same opportunities as anybody else.” “As a community, we take pride in having everybody united,” Cantu added. “For the community to come out and support our district and our kids, it really goes a long way, especially in providing the resources necessary to start off the new school year. It helps a lot of families out.” The Back to School Bash was made possible through donations and sponsors from all over the La Joya and Palmview communities. “This is just a small token, and it has nothing to do with LJISD, we just help organize this,” Alaniz said. “I’d like to thank all the sponsors for putting this all together. It’s
See BACK TO SCHOOL BASH Pg. 10
INSIDE Mission City Council Meeting The city will re-solicit bids for their emergency ambulance services and has authorized staff to begin negotiations for a drainage assessment. More information about the meeting, inside.
See Pg. 4
INDEX
Entertainment | pg. 2
New Agape Directors
City of Palmview Elections
Agape Christian School has recently named a new director and assistant director. To read more about Sandy Ehlinger and Janice Nevanen, see the article by Jose De Leon III.
With elections coming in November, Mayor Jerry Perez has announced that he will not be running for re-election. Dave Hendricks has the latest news and details about Palmview.
See Pg. 6
See Pg. 6
Lifestyle | pg. 3
Rio Script Pharmacy
• Immunizations available year round – no appointment needed • 10 Minute Prescription Refills – By phone or in person • 90 day prescriptions available! • Specialty Compounding Available! • Full Line DME supplies and wheelchairs • Free Delivery Valley Wide ( now serving Rio Grande City and Roma) • All insurance welcome (Medicaid/medicare/workman’s comp/chips/private pay)
Sports | pg. 5
Obituaries | pg. 7
Apple Pharmacy #1 2501 N 23rd St B, McAllen 956-627-6652 Apple Pharmacy #2 810 E Veterans Dr. Palmview 956-352-6485 RioScript Pharmacy 2308 Expressway 83, Penitas 956-271-1064
Classifieds | pg. 8
Apple Pharmacy #3 (formerly Paloma’s Pharmacy) 909 Buss. Park Dr, Mission 956-424-6268
Your Friendly Neighborhood Pharmacy
* Free Valley Wide Delivery