March 4, 2016 - Progress Times

Friday, March 4, 2016

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INCUMBENTS RE-ELECTED IN PCT. 3

By Lea Victoria Juarez

tate Representative Sergio Muñoz Jr. emerged with a powerful win, despite heated opposition from the members of slate Team Liberty, including County Commissioner Joe Flores. Muñoz captured 60 percent of the votes in a landslide election, defeating challenger Abraham Padron.

Of the five Team Liberty candidates with opponents in this election, Padron was the only one not elected, except for Pct. 3, Place 2 Justice of the Peace Marcos Ochoa, who will be facing Arnaldo Corpus in a runoff election. Padron was also the only Team Liberty candidate who was not the incumbent.

The other Team Liberty candidates included Commissioner Flores, Justice of the Peace Marcos Ochoa, Justice of the Peace Luis Garza and County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Villarreal Jr. Muñoz celebrated his win at the Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 in Mission, stopping every few steps to pose for photos and receive congratulations from his supporters shortly after the early vote totals were released.

“This was a long cam-

Sergio Muñoz Jr

paign,” Muñoz said. “But I think at the end of the day we did what was right, and that was to run our race and make sure that we got our message across to the people within our district. I think that showed tonight.”

Muñoz said he knew this would be a tough campaign, but didn’t expect the race to enter into mudslinging-type territory.

“We didn’t know that some of the local political officials were going to get so involved and do whatever is necessary to try and get me out of office,” Muñoz said.

“But at the end of the day, that fear, intimidation and threats got them nowhere. We ran our race, we do what’s right

and we represent the best interest of everybody, not just a select few.”

At the Team Liberty victory party Tuesday night, Abraham Padron held a smile and tone of positivity while he addressed his supporting constituents.

“I want to think of different ways to help the community,” Padron said. “If I can’t be an elected official at this time, how else can I help my community? I don’t have to be a state rep to serve.”

Padron denied any alleged intimidation tactics regarding his opponent and said he wishes Muñoz the best.

“I was seeking his position, I was not successful and we move,” Padron said “There’s not threats. It was a very heated campaign, but it’s water under the bridge and we move forward.”

Joe Flores was re-elected as Pct. 3 county commissioner, after defeating challenger Daniel Diaz with a 65.8 percent of the vote. Until this election, Flores ran unopposed for 15 years.

“We’re going to continue the same thing that we’re doing, working with the commissioners and the county

See INCUMBENTS 7

Primary Results* State Representative, D-36 Sergio Muñoz Jr. (I) Abraham Padron District Judge, 449th Judicial District Renee ‘Rena’ Rodriguez-Betancourt Jesse Contreras (I) Jaime Aleman County Tax Assessor-Collector Pablo (Paul) Villarreal, Jr. (I) Abel Prado County Commissioner, Pct. 3 Joe M. Flores (I) Daniel Diaz Justice of the Peace Pct. 3, Place 1 Luis Garza (I) Jozabad ‘Jay’ Palacios Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3, Place 2 Marcos Ochoa (I) Arnaldo Corpus Leo Gonzalez County Chairman David Garza Ricardo R. (Ric) Godinez (I) Patricio Eronini Democrat, US Representative, D-15 Vicente Gonzalez Juan ‘Sonny’ Palacios Jr. Dolly Elizondo Joel Quintanilla Rance G ‘Randy’ Sweeten Rubén Ramírez US Representative, D-28 Henry Cuellar (I) William R. Hayward

Team Liberty at their victory party on March 1. From left to right: Constable Lazaro “Larry” Gallardo, Justice of the Peace (Place 2) Marcos Ochoa, County Judge Ramon Garcia, County Commissioner Joe Flores, Abraham Padron, State Representative Oscar Longoria (D-35) and Justice of the Peace (Place 1) Luis Garza. Photo by Lea Victoria Juarez

Republican, US Representative, D-15 Xavier Salinas Ruben O. Villarreal Tim Westley (I) = incumbent

Total votes

7,444 4949

(60%) (40%)

24508 22243 7659

(45%) (41%) (14%)

34478 12832

(73%) (27%)

7114 3687

(66%) (34%)

7598 2790

(73%) (27%)

5413 4112 1584

(49%) (37%) (14%)

21853 17990 6572

(47%) (39%) (14%)

17241 8354 5741 5250 1525 1466

(44%) (21%) (15%) (13%) (4%) (4%)

7188 711

(91%) (9%)

5250 1525 1466

(64%) (19%) (18%)

*Unofficial Results Totals include only Hidalgo County

MISSION PD REGROUPS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING

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By Lea Victoria Juarez

man that was mentally challenged was shot and killed by Mission police after attempting to run over an officer at the Wagon City South mobile home park Feb. 22.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting, and the three officers involved have been placed on desk duty as per protocol, according to Mission Police Chief Robert Dominguez.

David Green II had been off his medication for a few days, according to an article in The Monitor, and began exhibiting violent behavior.

The victim’s father, David Green, called the police.

When an officer arrived on the scene, Green II was wielding a machete.

Following two attempts at running over the officer, Green II was fatally shot.

The officers took a few

days off of work following the incident and will be required to go through counseling, the chief said. Once the sessions are complete, Dominguez will have a better idea of when they can return to field duty.

“These things are not a common thing for us,” Dominguez said. “There has to be a time of decompression.”

Officers have to follow the same protocol when dealing with cases that involve differently-abled people, according to Dominguez. The officers are supposed to asses the situation and act accordingly.

The first step is to try de-escalating the situation, the chief said. Once the de-escalation has happened, the officers have to try to address the problem, start a dialogue and see how the police can assist the person in need.

The end goal is to bring some

sort of resolution.

“We train our officers from the very beginning of how to react to different situations,” he said. “Sometimes these things are split second decisions that you have to make. In this particular case, I don’t think the officers were given any choice.”

According to the article in The Monitor, Green and his daughter, who phoned the police department from Michigan, received news of the victim’s death online instead of from the police themselves.

Dominguez said the department has to follow protocol when it comes to releasing information and protecting the integrity of the crime scene, which is why the family didn’t find out about Green II’s death from Mission PD. “I know that within minutes of this incident, I had a reporter already filing public

information requests. Before we have the opportunity to provide the information, people are already tweeting and facebooking,” Dominguez said. “It’s very frustrating when you’re a chief of police and trying to deal with

INSIDE

INDEX

this very delicate situation.”

The chief said he has officers that are part of a county mental health task force that helps them deal with the differently-abled. But family members can also help by keeping weapons out of

reach of those that are prone to violent behavior.

“We’re here to help everyone,” he said. “We just need the support of families of mentally ill patients.”

Highlights in women’s soccer

WWII Veterans honored

MCISD teacher earns $1000 prize

The Lady Rattlers have yet to lose a game this season and Lady Diamondbacks and Lady Huskies control their own playoff destiny.

W & I Resort’s Bicycle Club held a flag retirement and quilt giving ceremony for local veterans.

Yvette Nevarez from Alton Memorial Jr. High becomes a finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Award.

See SOCCER page 6

See VETERANS page 7

See MCISD page 5

Lifestyle | pg. 3

Entertainment | pg. 2

Opinion | pg. 4

Sports | pg. 6

Obituaries | pg. 8

Classifieds | pg. 9

entertainment

Coming E Attractions March 4-6 •“The Spirit of Brazil” continues through the weekend at the 40th Annual BorderFest in Hidalgo.

Admission is $10 at the gate for adults. Children four to 12 are $5. Visitors can also buy a two-day pass for just $10 if purchased in advance. A three-day pass is $15 a person. Children under three are free. Veterans, active duty military and National Guard are free with ID. Also, people who buy a ticket to one of the BorderFest concerts can use their concert ticket to get into BorderFest without buying another ticket.

Pre-sale tickets are available at Hidalgo City Hall and State Farm Arena. They are also available at the following locations throughout the Valley: Palinque Grill, Polle Palenque and Taco Palinque. Tickets for the concerts can be purchased at Hidalgo City Hall, 710 E.Texano Dr. or at State Farm Arena, 2600 N 10th Street.

March 4-6 •The Harlingen Performing Arts Center presents Rodgers and Hammerstein production of “Oklahoma.”

The Friday performance is 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday performances are 3:30 p.m. matinees. Tickets for Oklahoma are $20 for adults, and students age 18 and under are $10. For reservations to either production, call 412-7529. HPAC is located across from the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium at 1209 Fair Park Blvd. For more information about upcoming productions and auditions, go to hpatonline.org.

March 4 & 6 •The Rio Grande Valley Concert Band will perform at Trinity Worship Center in Pharr at 3 p.m. on Friday and at El Valle del Sol in Mission on Sunday. Both performances are at 3 p.m. Musicians with band performance experience are invited to join. Contact Gene Goede, director, at 682-9225 for information.

Contact Gene Goede, director, at 682-9225 for information.

March 10 •The Upper Valley Art League “Art at Work” opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chase Bank Tower in McAllen. The new exhibit will run through June 4.

March 12 •The opening reception for the Upper Valley Art League’s Fiber Arts exhibit will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the UVAL gallery. UVAL is located at 921 E. 12th St. in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center in Mission.

March 13 •The Rio Grande Valley Concert Band will perform at Paradise Park in Mission at 3 p.m. Contact Gene Goede, director, at 682-9225 for information.

March 17 • It’s “Conjunto Nights at the Chicho.” Every third Thursday of the month, a member of the “Chicken Club” will perform with a special featured guest to be announced. It begins at 6:45 p.m. at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger Street, San Benito.

Admission donation is $5. For information, call Soledad A. Nuñez at 244-0373.

NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

6 at UTRGV’s Albert L. Jeffers Theatre in the Arts & Humanities Building (ARHU) on the Edinburg Campus The role of Helen Keller is played by Valerie Prince and Keller’s parents by Sara Jackson and Austin Luchsinger. In the role of the doctor is Alan Gonzalez Bisnes, and Annie Sullivan is played by Gina Marie.

The Keller’s 1880 home

has been designed by Tom Grabowski with costume supervision by Jennifer Saxton.

Reserve seating is $12, and general admission is $8.

Tickets for students, faculty and staff from schools other than UTRGV are $3, with their school ID. UTRGV students, faculty and staff with UTRGV ID attend free and can bring one guest free.

Box office opens one hour

prior to each performance.

No children below the third grade will be admitted.

For more information, reservations, group reservations, or to be added to the theatre email directory, call 665-3581 or email Elva Galvan at elva.galvan@ utrgv.edu.

“During the Vietnam War, the public’s dissatisfaction with the war was often reflected in the treatment of the men and women who served there,” Hill said.

“Fortunately, over time, we have come to recognize that the men and women of our armed services should be honored for their sacrifices.”

According to Col Hill, MMA decided to hold the Vietnam War Commemorative Parade the same year the school

celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The Vietnam War was a civil war that communist North Vietnam and noncommunist South Vietnam citizens and soldiers endured nearly 20 years, from Nov. 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975.

In March 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson made the decision to send U.S. combat forces into Vietnam to support South Vietnam. On March 8, 1965, 3,900 U.S. Marines waded ashore China

Beach, which marked the beginning of the American ground war. The U.S. stayed involved until March 29, 1975.

At the parade, there will be special reserved seating for Vietnam War veterans.

During the parade, the veterans will join the MMA superintendent for the ceremonial pass in review.

For more information, call 421-9225 or e-mail atkinson@MMA-TX.org.

Celebrating Texas Independence March 11-12

AN BENITO – A festival celebrating Texas Independence Day, with three live reenactments of battles leading up to the State’s freedom from Mexico, takes place March 11 to 12. All events will be held at the San Benito

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MMA plans Vietnam War commemorative parade

A R L I N G E N — The Marine Military Academy will hold a Vietnam War Commemorative Parade this Saturday, March 5, at 10 a.m. on the MMA parade grounds.

The public is invited to this special event.

Superintendent Col. R. Glenn Hill said the parade is to express gratitude to those veterans who unselfishly served in one of the most controversial wars in U.S. history.

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UTRGV presents ‘The Miracle Worker’ stage production

DINBURG – UTRGV University Productions presents the dramabiography of William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker,” the true story of Helen Keller. Blind, deaf, and mute since infancy, her world was forever changed by a teacher named Annie Sullivan.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 4 and 5 with a 2 p.m. matinee on March

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March 4, 2016

cALLEN – On Thursday, March 10, Quinta Mazatlan will host its annual Moon Over Mazatlan celebration.

The evening event celebrates the urban sanctuary’s continued efforts to promote

Fairgrounds off of FM 510.

Organizers are seeking vendors for food, arts and crafts and corporate/business booths.

Events throughout the two-day festival include the Second Annual Elks Lodge Chili Cook-off, a

brisket plate sale, period parade, Declaration of Independence signing ceremony, live music, raffles and refreshments, along with pan de campo baking, quiltmaking and other era skill demonstrations.

On March 12, battles

‘Moon Over Mazatlan’ is March 10 environmental education and stewardship of the wild places in South Texas. This year, Larry Pressler, former parks and recreation director, will be honored.

The evening takes place outdoors at the beautiful

estate in McAllen with a cocktail reception on the White House front lawn, followed by dinner and dancing to Austin’s Matchmaker Band.

Reserved seats are $250 and must be purchased in

include the famous Battle of the Alamo, the Battle of San Jacinto, and the Battle of Bexar with period attire.

For more info, call Wayne Powell at 245-4643 or email Fred Garza at stmshrltx@ sbcglobal.net or 367-3155.

advance while seats are available. Contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, sponsorships or tickets, call 681-3370 or visit quintamazatlan.com.

lifestyle xxxxxxxxxxxxx

EVENTS CALENDAR

Mar ch 1 – Join in the book discussion at Speer Memorial Library in Mission at 6:30 p.m. for “The Apple Orchard.” It takes place in the library’s Community Room. Copies of the book are available to check out; stop by the library or call 580-8754. Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

Mar ch 4 – The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild will be offering classes as part of their “Schoolhouse” program. The classes held on Fridays, run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Texas College campus in Weslaco, Building G. Classes are $10 for members and $35 for non-members. The $25 pays for membership in the RGV Quilt Guild. Nancy Reisinger will teach “Sunburst Flowers: No Sew Applique.” For more information contact Karen Kill at schoolhousergvqg@gmail.com.

Mar ch 4-18 – St. Paul’s Catholic Church is holding their annual Lenten Fish Fry every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s parish hall, 1119 Francisco Ave. in Mission. Cost is $7.50 for fish, sides, hush puppies and tortillas or bread. Dine in or take out at the drivethru. Free iced tea, coffee or water for those who dine in. Plates can be purchased at the door or tickets can be purchased at the parish office or after any mass. Tickets are good for any Friday. Call Charlie Ramirez at 956-867-1882 for information.

Mar ch 5 – The Palm Valley Association of Retired School Personnel and the Texas Retired Teachers Association are offering a seminar about the retirement process. It runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Registration and the continental breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Lone Star National Bank corporate office, 520 E. Nolana, McAllen. Reservations are required. Send name, phone number and school district to Elena De los Santos Mycue at elenadlsm@sbcglobal.net or Jerry Albrecht at jerryal@hotmail.com.

Mar ch 5 – The next Saturday Safari at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville explores the world of “Living Dinosaurs” and the connection that modern birds may be descendants of dinosaurs. It begins at 10 a.m. Each Saturday Safari is $15 per child or adult.

Children must be 4 years or older. Pre-registration is required. Call 548-9453 to register or for more information or email the educ@gpz.org.

Mar ch 8 – Marine Biologist Kari Howard is guest speaker for the Rio Grande Valley Chapter Texas Master Naturalist meeting. Howard will be in the Rio Grande Valley promoting the Texas Estuarine Resource Network (TERN) program for the Audubon Texas, Coastal Conservation Program. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Cameron County Annex Building located at Williams Road and Hwy. 83/77 in San Benito, 1390 W. Expressway 83. For more information, visit www.rgvctmn.org.

Mar ch 9 – Listen to wildlife biologist Tony Henehan describe how to help local plants and animals during his presentation on “Negatives of Non-native Plants in Natural Habitats” at Estero Llano Grande State Park. This presentation is a part of the annual membership meeting for the organization. The Friends Group meeting will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. at the visitor center at Estero Llano Grande. It is located at 3301 South International Blvd. in Weslaco. For more information, call 565-3919.

Mar ch 12 – Aglow International, Spanish Lighthouse Chapter of Mission, will hold their monthly meeting beginning with a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. followed by the meeting. It will be held at Emmanuel Adult Day Care, 1312 Oblate Ave., Mission. For information, call Lisa Gomez at 776-8505; Delia Bazan, 240-5813; Gaby Rodriquez, 240-6607; or Connie Escamilla, 279-7887.

Mar ch 12 – San Benito Market Days, featuring vendors, live music and food, will be held during the Texas Independence Day Celebration on the Fairgrounds at FM 510 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Batts Street & Railroad Tracks. Call 361-3804, Ext. 304, for info.

Mar ch 12 – The Writers’ Forum presents “Women’s Voices” for International Women’s Month at 6:30 p.m. at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger in San Benito. The program will consist of works by female writers. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $5 at the door. For more info, call Beto or Rita Conde at 3503905.

PARKS CALENDAR

REUNIONS &MEETINGS

EWBC hosts Spring Fairy Festival

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DINBURG – The staff at the Edinburg World Birding Center is calling all fairies, elves, gnomes, wizards and other magical creatures to celebrate the arrival of spring at their Spring Fairy Festival. Take a step into the imagination realm of fantasy, myth and adventure on Saturday, March 19, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Activities include constructing a fairy home using natural materials to compete for the “most creative” fantasy abode. The activity will be intertwined with an educational presentation on animals that also use nature’s tools to build their dwellings. There will be a costume contest for the “best mystical creature,” and memories can be preserved at the free photo booth.

Adults and families can sign up for the “Making a Fairy Garden” class, guests will search for the creatures in the Green Lagoon, help the witch make her brew at the Witch Brew Station and finish with a walk through the forest. The festival also features free face painting, crafts, sweet treats and drinks.

“Animals and their Homes” presentation begins at 2:15 p.m., the Magical Forest Walk at 3:15 p.m.

Making a Fairy Garden at 4 p.m.

Admission is free, but there is a cost for materials.

Natural material bundles for fairy homes are $4.

Additional material bundles are $1. The Making a Fairy Garden class is $20 per participant. Reservations are required for this class at least two days prior to the event.

The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria.

For information or to make reservations, call 381-9922.

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

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Celebrating endangered ocelot

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‘Taste McAllen’ set for March 31

ROWNSVILLE – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and Gladys Porter Zoo are hosting a special day to highlight the endangered ocelot. It all takes place at the zoo on Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Discovery Center at the zoo, 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville.

There will be an Ocelot 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk and activities for kids include an activity book, making ocelot masks and magnets. There will be a variety of information tables and exhibits fea-

cALLEN – The McAllen Chamber of Commerce hosts “Taste McAllen,” featuring 30 area restaurants offering a variety of delicacies. The outdoor tasting will be hosted on Thursday, Mar. 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The gastronomic fare offers a wide culinary range of entrées, such as prime rib,

turing ocelot conservation.

An informative presentation, including an appearance by a live ambassador ocelot from the Cincinnati Zoo is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve ticket basis.

Mention “ocelot” at the admission gate and receive a 20 percent discount off an adult or child admission.

In the United States, ocelots were historically found throughout Texas and into Arkansas and Louisiana. Today, fewer than 80 of these native wild cats are estimated to be left in the U.S., all

pasta, sushi, Mexican cuisine and more.

This year, the festival will offer a new outdoor concept at the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park and lake, for an evening enhanced with live music and outdoor ambiance to enjoy the Rio Grande Valley weather.

Taste McAllen will also feature live entertainment

of which are found deep in South Texas. The loss of dense forest habitat and getting hit by cars are the greatest threats to their long-term survival. Discover what is being done to recover this endangered species and how the public can help.

For more information, call the Laguna Atascosa Visitor Center at 748-3607, Ext.108, or go online to fws. gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa.

For more information about Gladys Porter Zoo and directions to the event, go to gpz. org.

and a chef’s cooking pit where members of the RGV Texas Chef’s Association will perform a live cooking demonstration for sampling.

Pre-sale tickets are $25 per person and are available at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Ave. Tickets sales at the door will be $35. For information, call 682-2871.

Sharyland High School Drama Department Presents:

Holy Thursday Mar. 24, 6:30 p.m. at El Mesias United Methodist Church 209 E. 6th St.—Mission Good Friday, Mar. 25, 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday, Mar. 27 8:00 a.m. Informal • 9:00 a.m. Contemporary 10:00 a.m. Traditional • 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Easter Egg hunt for the children during Sunday School.

Please join our church family for this special month.

Mission First United Methodist Church 1101 Doherty Ave. Mission, TX 78572 (956) 585-1665 www.missionfumc.com

One Act

PLAY FESTIVAL Featuring: “Antigone” By: Sophocles “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” By: Stephen Adly Guirgis “Some Girl(s)” By: Neil Labute Sharyland High School Auditorium Friday March 4th and Saturday March 5th, 2016 6:00 p.m. Both Nights

By Donation

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March 4, 2016

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By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Court dismisses indictment against former governor

USTIN — Former Gov. Rick Perry is no longer facing criminal charges.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Feb. 24 ordered the dismissal of a 2014 felony indictment of Perry by a Travis County grand jury.

The two-count indictment alleged “abuse of official capacity” and “coercion of a public servant” related to Perry’s veto of the budget of the state’s Public Integrity Unit that then operated under the auspices of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.

Perry demanded the resignation of Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, who also headed the Public Integrity Unit, after she was arrested and jailed for driving while intoxicated in April 2013.

Lehmberg, who served a brief jail term, refused to resign. Perry then vetoed the unit’s $7.5 million two-year budget.

Perry issued a statement at the time, explaining his veto: “Despite the otherwise good work of the Public Integrity Unit’s employees, I cannot in good conscience support continued state funding for an office with statewide jurisdiction at a time when the person charged with ultimate responsibility of that unit has lost the public’s confidence.

This unit is in no other way held accountable to state taxpayers, except through the state budgetary process.

I therefore object to and disapprove of this appropriation.”

Last week, after the court dismissed the indictment against him, Perry said, “I’ve always known that the actions that I took were not only lawful and legal, they were right.”

UH hosts GOP forum Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump of New York, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson of Virginia and Ohio Gov. John Kasich engaged in a Feb. 25 debate staged at the University of Houston.

The event, live-streamed and moderated by CNN, was the GOP candidates’ last debate before the March 1 Super Tuesday primary elections. Texas is one of 11 states and the territory of American Samoa holding primaries on March 1.

Texans voting in the Democratic primary will choose between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Abbott meets with Nieto Gov. Greg Abbott on Feb. 22 met with Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico, in Houston.

The meeting, Abbott said, was to discuss “continued collaboration and progress on the joint energy task force — an agreement reached on the governor’s visit to Mexico last year that will aid Texas in leveraging the vast investment and business opportunities made possible by Mexico’s recent energy reforms.”

Abbott said “Texas and Mexico’s continued commitment to addressing shared challenges on both sides of the border” were affirmed at the meeting.

Mexico is Texas’ biggest trading partner, and Texas exports more goods to Mexico than any other state, according to the governor’s office.

3 states join lawsuit Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Feb. 26 announced the states of Indiana, Nebraska and Wisconsin had joined a federal

lawsuit filed last October by Texas, Kansas and Louisiana, challenging the health insurance provider’s fee in “Obamacare” or the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Paxton said the fee “threatens the Medicaid programs of the states if they refuse to pay an unconstitutional tax, which would total over $120 million annually in Texas.”

Cuba trip promotes trade Texas Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Jason Fearneyhough, State Reps. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and Tracy King, D-Batesville, and representatives from the cattle, rice, sorghum and wheat industries visited Cuba Feb. 2225.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the goal of the trip was to identify areas for Texas farmers and ranchers to fill gaps and meet Cuba’s supply demands. The Texans met with Cuban companies to develop business relationships and to tour farms.

Safety tips are given The Texas Department of Public Safety on Feb. 24 posted a reminder to Texans to drive responsibly and to take extra precautions before taking to roads and highways during spring break days and nights in mid-March.

DPS offered these tips: slow down; eliminate distractions such as use of mobile devices; make sure the driver and all passengers are buckled up; don’t drive when fatigued; drive defensively; and make sure the vehicle is properly maintained.

State troopers and local law enforcement will be looking for speeders, drunken drivers and seatbelt violators.

TEXAS

John Cornyn TIMES

Cornyn Introduces Bill to Require NASA Human Exploration Strategy

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ASHINGTON – Following Commander Scott Kelly’s return to Earth [this week] after a year aboard the International Space Station, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Mapping a New and Innovative Focus on our Exploration Strategy (MANIFEST) for Human Spaceflight Act to require the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop plans for the future of U.S. manned space exploration.

The bill is based on the recommendations of a 2014 National Academies report, which called on NASA to commit to an exploration pathway that recognizes Mars as the horizon goal for human space exploration.

“We need a long-term strategy from NASA so we can focus existing assets on priority exploration missions and opportunities. This legislation creates that framework, and for the first time would designate a human presence on the surface of Mars as a long-term goal of NASA,” Sen. Cornyn said.

“With this bill, we can rightly prioritize human space exploration and affirm our commitment to exploring the next frontier.”

More information on the MANIFEST for Human Spaceflight Act of 2016: • The legislation would require NASA to regularly provide Congress a human exploration strategy outlining goals and destinations for future manned space missions.

• To ensure the agency considers independent views, NASA is directed to partner with the National Academy of Sciences to provide input and further recommendations that would be included in the final strategy.

• The exploration strategy would be updated every five years, consistent with an independent review cycle applied to other NASA programs.

• For the first time, the bill would amend NASA’s

guiding exploration goals to specifically designate a human presence on the surface of Mars as the long-term goal, a position supported by the Spaceflight Committee’s report as well as the broader space exploration community.

The legislation is based on the recommendations of a 2014 report from the National Academies’ Committee on Human Spaceflight.

Cornyn commemorates Texas Independence Day U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) commemorated Texas Independence Day by reading William Barret Travis’ letter from the Alamo on the Senate floor [Tuesday, March 2].

During his remarks on the Senate floor, Sen. Cornyn stated, “I rise to speak about a very important day in the history of my state, Texas, a day that inspires pride and gratitude in the hearts of all Texans. I rise to commemorate Texas Independence Day.” “All 189 defenders of the Alamo lost their lives, but they did not die in vain. The Battle of the Alamo bought precious time for … General Sam Houston to maneuver his army into a position for a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto. With this victory, Texas became a sovereign nation, and so today we celebrate the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence.”

“For nine years, Texas – the Republic of Texas – thrived as a separate nation, and then in 1845 it was annexed to the United States as the 28th state. Many Texas patriots who fought in the revolution went on to serve in the United States Congress, and I’m honored to hold the seat of one of them, Sam Houston. More broadly, I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve 27 million Texans, thanks to the sacrifices made by these brave men 180 years ago.”

Fight to stop opioid, heroin epidemic In a speech on the Senate

floor this week, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) spoke about amendments he will file to the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to help reduce the flow of drugs entering the United States across our southern border.

In his address to the Senate, Sen. Cornyn’s said, “The abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers is devastating families and communities across the country, including Texas. The truth is, the problem is getting worse and not better. Deaths due to heroin overdoses and prescription drug overdoses have even surpassed car accidents as the No. 1 cause of injury-related deaths nationwide. So it’s time for Congress to do something significant to begin to address this disturbing trend. This bill is a good example of how Republicans and Democrats working on a bipartisan basis can zero-in on a problem that’s harming our nation and work together to address it, and I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation.”

“While this bill touches on how to battle drug addiction in this country, we need to do more to cut the source of drugs off and to keep them from getting into our country in the first place.”

“Unfortunately, even while the production and demand of these illegal drugs has been growing, we have simply not done enough to combat it.”

“I have introduced several amendments that would help focus our resources to interdict these shipments and to help stem the growing tide of illicit drugs entering the U.S. market.”

“I’m glad that we are making some progress on this legislation. I’m optimistic that we will be able to complete it this week in a bipartisan fashion, which is the only way you get things done around here.”

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TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

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

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

March 4, 2016

page 5

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Cruz, Clinton grab most votes in most Texas counties

By Jolie McCullough,

M

The Texas Tribune

ore voters chose Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Hillary Clinton than their leading primary challengers in

almost every county in Texas, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State.

With 99.8% of precincts reporting, Cruz, came away with 1,238,520 votes, or 43.8% of the total. Donald Trump was following be-

hind with 757,108 votes, or 26.8% of the vote.

Cruz, one of the state’s two U.S. senators, got the most votes in all but seven or eight of the state’s 254 counties (As of Wednesday morning, Starr County’s results from its Republican primary

had not yet been reported to the Secretary of State). Most notably, Trump pulled ahead in Aransas and Webb counties in South Texas, homes to part of the Corpus Christi metro area and Laredo, respectively.

In the Democratic prima-

ry, Clinton received 918,491 votes over Sanders’ 467,641, giving her a lead of 65.2% to 33.2% of all votes.

She received more votes than Bernie Sanders in all but 15 counties. In Coke and Glasscock counties, the candidates tied with 25 and

4 votes, according to the Secretary of State’s numbers with 98% of precincts reporting. In Austin’s Travis County, Sanders received nearly 74,000 votes, more than 4,500 over Clinton.

Source: Texas Secretary of State Credit: Jolie McCullough

Y

MCISD teacher earns $1000 prize

By Lea Victoria Juarez

vette Nevarez from Alton Memorial Jr. High said it was her struggle as an English second language learner that drove her to become a teacher. As the daughter of first generation immigrants, she grew up in a similar environment as her students, who are also ESL learners.

“This love of languages I have, I eventually developed through trying to fight for survival in the world of education that I knew through the teachings of my mother, who only had a sixth grade education,” the middle school teacher said.

Nevarez was the only teacher from the Mission and La Joya area to be named a finalist for the 2016 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award for the Rising Star Secondary category.

Navarez and the school each received a $1,000 check. She, along with other finalists, are then invited to San Antonio in May to compete on a statewide level for larger cash prizes totaling more than $400,000.

H-E-B representatives surprised the Mission CISD teacher with a check in her classroom Tuesday morning, but amid the congratulations, Nevarez’s primary concern was getting her students started on the day’s assignment.

The teacher of nine years began tearing up when she described her relationship with her students.

“When I think of my kids, and this is why I extra love them, I think of them like my family,” the 34 year old said.

“They come from the same places, the same neighborhoods and the same problems and the same issues that my

parents came from. I’m just grateful to be able to facilitate their transition into an English dominant society.”

The Mission native recalled her older brother’s first day of elementary. Nevarez, a self-proclaimed nerd, said she and her sibling were excited start school.

They imagined it like the movies, she said, but when he returned home Nevarez described him as decepcionado or disappointed.

“He told me that if you don’t know English, they’ll call you stupid and your teacher will call you stupid,” she explained. “And after that I was extremely determined to not have anybody call me that.”

Part of her being an ESL

teacher means not stifling her student’s Mexican culture, she said. Part of her teaching strategy is stressing the use of their mother tongue or whichever language the students feel most comfortable speaking.

Other teaching strategies include breaking down lessons to the mechanics of language, using visuals and body movements to help the kids retain information.

Outside of the classroom, Nevarez is the Alton Memorial UIL coordinator and is part of the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association. The UIL program services about 100 students every year in the sixth through eighth grade. This year, about 45 students from Alton

Reminiscing...

30 Years Ago This Week

Billy Leo gets state appointment La Joya Mayor Billy Leo has received an appointment to the state board by Governor Mark White for a term ending Aug. 31, 1987.

Padron wins singles title at Kingsville Smoked by a first place trophy by Abraham Padron in boys’ singles, the Mission Eagles varsity tennis team finished fourth in the Kingsville Invitational Tennis Tournament our of 20 teams.

Gilpin tops 32-5A all academic team Mission High School landed five athletes on the District 32-5A All Academic Basketball Team.

The athletes are as follows: • Danny Gilpin with a 97.0 average • Justin Gruggs with a 94.5 average • Devon Dooley with a 93.0 average • Luis Lopez Jr. with a 92.0 average

Yvette Nevarez from Alton Memorial Jr. High receives a check for $1,000 and becomes a finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Award.

Photo by Lea Victoria Juarez

Memorial are competing in the state competition. Nevarez said when she first took over the program only about six students would be taken to state.

But the most valuable lesson she tries to teach her students is that success does not come from material objects, she said, it comes from education.

“I want them to under-

stand that true success in life is something that no one can ever take away from you, and that’s knowledge and just being a good human being,” Nevarez said. “If at the end of the day I can make them just be good human beings...that is beyond anything academic or anything in a book.”

March 4, 2016

page 6

Rattlers alone atop district standings

Lady Rattlers extend winning streak

Pioneer High School Boys Soccer Team

Sharyland High School Girls Soccer Team

Coyotes, Diamondbacks and Huskies in the hunt

W

By Luciano Guerra

ith the District 306A and 31-5A boys’ soccer seasons nearing their respective ends, the Sharyland Rattlers, Pioneer Diamondbacks, La Joya Coyotes and Juarez-Lincoln Huskies are all on track to extend their seasons into the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL’s) state playoffs. Of the four, the Rattles and the Coyotes are all but assured of clinching playoff berths while the Diamondbacks and the Huskies have some work to do if they’re going to punch their tickets into the playoffs.

Sharyland Rattlers (8-0, 24 pts) Eight games into their 12 game district schedule, the Sharyland Rattlers soccer team is sitting pretty atop the District 31-5A standings. As a matter of fact, the Rattlers have yet to taste defeat as they’ve swept their district opponents and accumulated 24 points to lead by three over second place Valley View.

As the defending district champions and one-time state champions, the Rattlers saw their 2015 season come to a sudden and disappointing end when they lost to Donna in the bi-district round of the playoffs 3-2 on penalty kicks.

With a rematch against Valley View still ahead on their schedule (Friday, March 11), the 8-0 Rattlers will be looking to enter the playoffs on a roll and continue their winning ways much deeper into the playoffs than they got last year.

Pioneer Diamondbacks (5-4, 13 pts) In only their second year of existence, the Pioneer Diamondbacks are out to make it two-for-two when it comes to playoff appearances. Like the Rattlers, the Diamondbacks had an all-too early

T

Lady Diamondbacks and Lady Huskies control own playoff destiny

By Luciano Guerra

Sharyland’s Salvador Martinez gets great hang time as he goes all-out for the ball during the undefeated Rattlers’ 7-3 non-district win over Los Fresnos.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

exit from the playoffs last year as they fell to Brownsville Porter 3-0 in the bi-district round.

Nine games into their district schedule, the Diamondbacks find themselves in fourth place in the District 31-5A standings with 13 points to their credit. Their 1-0 win over fifth place Edinburg Vela Tuesday night has given the Diamondbacks a two-point cushion over the Sabercats with three games left in each of their district schedules. But with their second round game against the undefeated Rattlers still ahead on their schedule, the Diamondbacks can’t afford to let up just because they’re currently holding on to one of the district’s four playoff spots.

La Joya Coyotes (5-3, 15 pts) Coming off a 6-6 2015 season in which they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years, but lost to Laredo LBJ in the bi-district round, the 2016 La Joya Coyotes are out to make it back-to-back trips to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. With a 5-3 record and 15 points accumulated thus far, the Coyotes are currently holding on to District 306A’s second place slot with four games to go.

Having already played

the first place and undefeated McAllen Bulldogs twice this season, the Coyotes are in good shape to win-out, or at least win three out of their remaining four games, and lock-up the district’s second seed. But that is something that the Palmview Lobos, the Mission Eagles, the McAllen Nikki Rowe Warriors and the Juarez-Lincoln Huskies, the Coyotes’ remaining opponents, will all have a say in as they do their best to secure a playoff spot of their own.

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies (3-4, 12 pts) Currently in third place, the Juarez-Lincoln Huskies have their work cut out for them if they’re going to avoid missing out on the playoffs for the first time in school history. Their 3-4 record and 12 points has them just two points ahead of McAllen Memorial and Mission. However the fact that they’ve played one less game than the Mustangs and the Eagles have, does give the Huskies a bit of a cushion at this point in the season. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that they still have their second round games against the first place Bulldogs (Tuesday, March 8) and the second place Coyotes (Friday, March 18) ahead of them so that cushion could disappear very quickly.

8th Grade MJHS Lady Patriots

Undefeated District Champs TLC Pharmacy would like to congratulate the 8th grade MJHS Lady Patriots Soccer Team and Coach J. Sanchez for going undefeated in district play and clinching first place at their district tournament. This group of 8th grade girls is a force to be reckoned with having earned district championships in volleyball, basketball and soccer. Go Lady Patriots!

Congratulations on a GREAT year!

Alberto Vela, R.Ph. 583-5700 1242 E. Bus. 83, #7 - Mission

Fred Morón, R.Ph. 581-5499 2120 E. Griffin Pkwy. - Mission

he fact that the Sharyland Lady Rattlers soccer team has compiled a perfect 8-0 record so far this season should come as no surprise to anyone.

That’s because despite the fact that they were split into two teams and lost their head coach when Pioneer High opened its doors last year, they have not lost a district game since the 2012 season.

So while the Lady Rattlers have yet to lose a game this season, the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks are currently atop the district standings due to their points advantage. As for the only other Big 7 team currently occupying one of the top four spots in its district, the Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies, they are in a position to control their own playoff destiny if they finish their district schedule on a roll.

Sharyland Lady Rattlers (8-0, 23 points) Not too many high school sports programs have completed undefeated seasons, even less have completed back-to-back undefeated seasons and only a select few have ever completed backto-back-to-back undefeated seasons. With a current streak of 58 district wins in a row, the Sharyland Lady Rattlers are just four wins away from completing backto-back-to-back-to-back undefeated seasons; and just in case you lost count, that’s four undefeated seasons in a row.

As amazing as that would be, the 8-0 Lady Rattlers’ first priority has to be winning the District 31-5A championship and making another run deep into the playoffs as they did last year when they advanced into the Regional Semifinals. If they can accomplish this while completing their fourth consecutive undefeated season in a row, great. However there is one team that believes they have what it takes to end the Lady Rattlers impressive win

Kaitie Watson has played a major role in the undefeated Sharyland Lady Rattlers’ success this season.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

streak, and that’s the Lady Diamondbacks.

Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks (8-1, 24 points) Coached by former Lady Rattlers’ coach Jose J. Lopez, the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks have a perfect record (18-0) over all their District 31-5A opponents since they came-to-be last year, except for one; the Sharyland Lady Rattlers. Against their head coach’s former team, the Lady Diamondbacks are 0-3.

While the Lady Diamondbacks are currently in first place as a result of their 24 points, one more than Sharyland’s 23, they have played one more game than the Lady Rattlers have played.

Therefore their lead is, at least in part, a result of the schedule and could vanish once the Lady Rattlers make up that one game difference.

However, with their second round match-up against the Lady Rattlers still ahead of them (Tuesday, March 8), the Lady Diamondbacks could take control of the district with an outright win (in regulation) against Sharyland. Should that happen, and should they win-out, the Lady Diamondbacks will claim the district championship outright. Whether or

not that happens, the Lady Diamondbacks will be looking to equal or even better their playoff success from last year when they, like the Lady Rattlers, advanced into the Regional Semifinals.

Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies (4-3, 12 points) After a 0-3 start to their District 30-6A schedule, the Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies have won four games in a row to work their way up into a third place tie with McAllen Nikki Rowe at 12 points. However the 4-4 Lady Warriors have played one more game than the Lady Huskies have giving Juarez-Lincoln the advantage at this point in the season.

How the Lady Huskies do against 7-1 McAllen Memorial tonight and 8-0 McAllen High Tuesday will go a long way towards determining whether they are pretenders or contenders. With the 3-4 Mission Lady Eagles nipping at their heels, the Lady Huskies could find themselves dropping down into fifth place should they lose both those games. A split of those two games however, could all but secure one of the district’s four playoff spots for the Lady Huskies.

March 4, 2016

A

page 7

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Bicycle club, quilters honor WWII Veterans

By Jamie Treviño

s flag after flag was retired by flame, as tradition goes, tenants at the W & I Resort stood proudly and looked on as new flags fluttered in the wind.

Saturday, Feb. 26, the W & I Resort’s Bicycle Club had its flag retirement ceremony for the second year in a row. The ceremony this year honored the resort’s retired World War II veterans, Cecil Massie, Willis Boynton, Barnie Mossburg and Bob Schawb, who sat in the front row with their wives and were saluted by the many other veterans living in the community.

Garry Davidson, a 77-year-old from Miami, Oklahoma, who spent eight years in the Army Reserves, organized the event both this year and last.

“There were so many flags,” Davidson said. “And I wondered what would happen if we did a retirement ceremony. And boy, was the response great. We ended up retiring about 97 flags this year.”

He was pleased with the success of the actual ceremony, and surprised with the number of people in attendance.

“I never thought we’d have this turnout,” Davidson said. “I mean, I think there was 300 people here.

Last year, there were about three-quarters as many peo-

ple. So it was still a good turnout, but even more came this year.”

After realizing how many people were willing to participate and attend, Davidson decided to put on a flag retirement ceremony for all the worn, older flags, and do it properly. The organization for the event took four months.

“After you scout it out, and you see all the work there was to it, you have to get so much stuff done,” Davidson said. “You have to call the Fire Marshall and the police and everything. But we did got it all done, and it just gets bigger and better.”

Davidson had been collecting flags to be retired all year, and also organized getting new flags to be put up around the W & I Resort.

“We’ve got almost 200 new flags in the park,” Davidson said, “but the organization of the ceremony didn’t get intent until about Feb. 1.”

During this year’s flag retirement ceremony, a few additions were made to further praise both the WWII and other veterans present. The Bicycle Club included Boy Scout Troop 83 from Mission in the ceremony.

The boys were introduced to the four World War II veterans, and recreated the famous Iwo Jima flag pose with a flag, famously photographed in 1945. The troop stood in a circle around the barrel as the flags were being lowered into the flames, sa-

luting each time a new flag was retired.

“I used to be a Cub Master when my boys were young,” Davidson said. “So I just went to their center and approached them. And they did good, they did a wonderful job.”

The post-ceremony surprise quilt giving was also a new addition this year. The W & I Quilters, a group of women who get together and quilt unique things every year at the park, got together and made this one of their projects this year. Sandi Carstensen, a 74-year-old member of the club, headed up this project.

“I was actually the chairman of the National Committee for Quilters for eight years,” Carstensen said, “and we had done a project similar to this where we would send quilts to troops overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The Quilters decided to surprise the WWII veterans being honored this year, and made each of them a quilt to thank them for their years of service. The project meant a lot to Carstensen.

“I come from a military family,” Carstensen said.

“My daughter, my son-inlaw are in the military, my husband was, by brothers, my father. So many members of my family served in some way. It’s been an honor to do this, I love doing this. I will continue as long as I can take a breath.”

After the closing prayer

Local appointed by governor Abbott

M

By Lea Victoria Juarez ission’s Sheila M. Vallés-Pankratz was reappointed to the Texas Manufactured Housing Board by Governor Greg Abbott for a term set to expire Jan. 31, 2021.

The Manufactured Housing Board represents people that are purchasing manufactured homes, retailers of manufactured homes and the home manufacturers. The board sets regulations and implements what the legislature says, as far as what the rules should be for making sure that the providers of services are serving the clients properly.

In addition, the organization provides training to re-

tailers and installers, checks to make sure the homes have been installed properly and maintains statements of location for manufactured housing, which is what the county uses for tax purposes.

Vallés-Pankratz has been on the board for seven years, prior to her reappointment.

“I kind of look at things always from the perspective of efficiency and effectiveness, realizing that how our state spends its money and how we serve the constituency with those dollars is very important,” Vallés-Pankratz said. “I think that I’ve just grown through my understanding of how we can better do this, but I think that I still have the same perspective of when I started.”

Vallés-Pankratz is the executive vice president of Hollis Rutledge and Associates Inc. She is also a member and immediate-past board president of the Mission Library Board and commissioner of the Mission Housing Authority Board.

The Mission resident is also a former member and chair of the Hidalgo County Workforce Board Planning Committee and former member of the Mission Chamber of Commerce.

Vallés-Pankratz received a bachelor of arts from the University of Texas-Pan American and a master of public administration, with a specialization in fiscal administration, from Ohio State University.

politicians in South Texas. I think at the very least I made a point and inspired someone to run for office too.”

In addition to a disappointing outcome for Diaz, he was also displeased with the general voter turnout for Hidalgo County.

Out of 317,730 registered voters in Hidalgo County, only 63,233 ballots were cast, which is less than 20 percent of the county.

However, Diaz said he is proud of bringing in young, first-time voters for this election.

Team Liberty member and incumbent Pct. 3, Place 2 Justice of the Peace Marcos Ochoa will enter into runoff with Arnaldo Corpus, lead-

ing the race with 49 percent of the vote. Corpus got 37 percent and Leo Gonzalez captured only 14 percent – just enough to force a runoff for Ochoa. Ochoa was only 142 votes shy of winning the election outright.

Incumbent Place 1 Justice of the Peace Luis Garza handily defeated his opponent Jozabad “Jay” Palacios with 73 percent of the votes.

There will also be a runoff for 449th State District Judge between incumbent Jesse Contreras (incumbent), who garnered 41 percent of the vote and Renee ‘Rena’ Rodriguez-Betancourt, who had 45 percent. The other challenger, Jaime Aleman got 14 percent.

Jack and Jim Whitfield retire a flag as Boy Scout Troop 83 salutes.

Photo by Jaime Treviño

during the flag retirement ceremony, Barbara Davidson, who helped Garry a great amount in organizing everything, made an announcement that there would be cake and punch in the clubhouse immediately after, and a few surprises.

Once there, the WWII veterans and their wives were seated once again in the front. They were not told about the gifts they were receiving. Each quilt was held up for the room to see, and wrapped around each vet by the woman who made it.

“You never forget,” said Bob Schuab, who spent most of his time on the USS Boxer (CV-21), an aircraft carrier,

in 1944. “You never forget if you’ve served or done things at that time. Thank you.”

All of the veterans expressed their thanks to the quilters, and told the group stories about their time in the military during WWII. “What a wonderful thing they’ve done for us,” said Barnie Mossburg. “And everybody. My father served in World War I, I was in II. I had a brother in II as well, and my uncles. All in the Navy.”

Mossburg went on to further thank not only the quilters, but the bicycle club and the W & I Resort as a whole.

“You know, this is a wonderful place. All you have to

be is a little old,” Mossburg said. “I’m just getting into that bracket, I’ll be 95 next year. How much more happier could you be?”

The people in attendance, WWII and other veterans alike, commented on the success of the event and the new dynamics that were included.

“Memories come back during the ceremony,” Davidson said. “A lot of hardships, and a lot of fun. This is for America. I’m thinking about involving other parks next year, so more people can join in. This is patriotism, to honor the troops, and get the flags out there.”

Former Alton officer investigated

Sheriff’s investigators arrested a former Alton police officer Maurico Ramos, 50 who allegedly committed an aggravated assault.

The victim initially reported the incident to Alton Police, who then referred the investigation to the Hidalgo County Sheriffs in the interest of impartiality.

The incident occurred Jan. 31, at about 8:30 p.m., at the victim’s business, located at the 2600 block of Main St in Alton.

The victim told investigators that he was throwing garbage outside his business when the suspect went up to him and began slapping and assaulting him while asking him “You know who I am?” At one point during the assault, Ramos allegedly displayed a black handgun toward the victim’s chest and his head. After Ramos left the area, the victim reported the incident to the Alton Police department.

Investigators worked on

the case and gathered evidence and witness statements, leading to probable cause for an arrest warrant.

Ramos turned himself in to the investigators and was taken before County Justice of the Peace Homer Jasso where he was formally charged with aggravated assault, a 2nd Degree Felony. Ramos was given a $250,000.00 cash surety bond and committed to the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center.

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INCUMBENTS judge, continue doing work with (Texas Department of Transportation) and leverage more money if we can,” Flores said.

Diaz said he isn’t sure if he will run for office in the future, but he plans to stay in the political circuit. He said he would like to create a political action committee for people who aren’t part of the traditional political circles and don’t have a lot of money to spend on campaigns.

“If we were going to do something, we wanted to do it big and make a dent,” Diaz said. “Even though we lost, we still made some noise and still caught the eye of a lot of people. We took on, perhaps, one of the most powerful

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obituaries

Jean Louis Bowen MISSION – Jean Louis Bowen, 85, of Mission passed away on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016.

Mrs. Bowen was born July 4, 1930, in Elkhart, Ind. She was married to Ronald Lee Bowen for 52 yrs. who was a pastor for over 50 years in the Rio Grande Valley and at Assembly of God in Mission.

Survivors include her children, David Andrew Bowen, Daniel Lee Bowen and Rona Jean Cayton, and seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Josefina Cantu ALTON – Josefina Cantu, 78, passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Liberty Hill.

Survivors include her children, Maria Luisa, Margarita, Olga Alicia, Luis, Jesus, Norma, Sylvia, Mireya, Rosalinda, Herlinda, Sergio and Maria Itzel; siblings, Juanita Guajardo and Jesus

and Jose Ramirez; and 31 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesus M. Cantu.

A funeral service was held on Feb. 28 at Funeraria Del Angel in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Josefina Garza MISSION – Josefina Garza, 88, of Mission, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.

She was born Feb. 11, 1928, in San Juan, N.L., Mex. to Bernardo and Maria Basilisa Alvarez.

Survivors include her children, Jesus A. Garza of San Francisco, Calif., Jose Arturo Garza and Daniel Garza of Cypress, Ramiro J. Garza of Mission, Blanca Lozano of Humble and Ofelia Garza of Aldine; and sisters, Gabriela Alvarez de Mancillas of San Juan, N.L., Mex., Ofelia Alvarez de Flores of Mission, Maria Concepcion Alvarez de Castillo and

Monico Cardenas Barrientos

gels Crematory in Mission.

Josefina Garza MISSION – Josefina Garza passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston.

Teodoro Lozano MISSION – Teodoro Lozano, 77, passed away on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Cremation was held on Wednesday, March 2.

Maria Carmen Melendez MISSION – Maria Carmen Melendez, 85, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at her home in Mission.

Isidro Noyola Jr. MISSION – Isidro Noyola Jr., 63, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2016,

Notices

MISSION – Monico Cardenas Barrientos, 87, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Ruth Maria Cantu PALMVIEW – A funeral mass for Ruth Maria Cantu was held on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Peñitas.

Cremation followed at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna.

Marcos De Leon PALMVIEW – Marcos De Leon, 85, passed away on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Cremation was held on March 2 at Garden of An-

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH

4TH WEEK OF LENT

THE SPIRIT OF LA LOMITA MISSION LIVES HERE AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH THE SPIRIT THAT CONQUERS SIN AND DEATH! CELEBRATE LIFE & LOVE WITH US

MISSION

GOD’S GREAT LOVE AND COMPASSION ARE AT WORK EVEN WHEN WE’VE LET HIM DOWN AND WE THINK HE’S “HOPELESSLY OUT OF TOUCH.” EVEN WHEN WE THINK HE SHOULD BE DISGUSTED WITH US, HE’S WAITING FOR US TO COME HOME SO HE CAN HUG US AND KISS US! “Texas Friendly” spoken at all masses (and confessions) Saturday (English) ........................................... 4:00 P.M. Saturday (Spanish) .......................................... 7:00 P.M. Sunday (Spanish) ........................................... 7:30 A.M. Sunday (English)............................................. 9:00 A.M. Sunday (English)........................................... 10:30 A.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex) Mariachi Mass ......... (Noon)12:30 P.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex)............................................ 5:30 P.M. Monday - Wednesday & Friday (Tex-Mex) ....... 6:55 A.M. Thursday (Tex-Mex) ......................................... 7:00 P.M.

CONFESSIONS

Thursday ....................................................... 6:00 P.M. Saturday......................................................... 3:00 P.M.

620 DUNLAP, MISSION, TX • 585-2623

ONE BLOCK WEST OF CONWAY ON MAGNA DRIVE (6TH ST.)

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Maria Basilisa Alvarez de Mireles of Monterrey, N.L., Mex.; and seven grandchildren.

A funeral mass was held on Feb. 29 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission.

Mentor Gonzalez MISSION – Mentor Gonzalez, 61, passed away on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Mission.

Mr. Gonzalez was born on June 3, 1954, in Mexico.

Survivors include his wife, Manuela Gonzalez; children, Mentor Gonzalez Jr. and Marisol Gonzalez; sisters, Mirtala Cantu, Maria de Jesus Cantu and Esperanza Gonzalez; mother, Esperanza Gonzalez; stepbrothers, Alejandro Gonzalez and Celso Gonzalez; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jesus Gonzalez.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 4, at 3 p.m. at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission.

at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Stephanie Reyes MISSION – A funeral mass for Stephanie Reyes was held on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Peñitas.

Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview.

Tomas Reyes MISSION – Tomas Reyes, 69, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 at Briarcliff Nursing and Rehabilitation in McAllen.

Azael Rodriguez MISSION – Azael Rodriguez, infant, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. A graveside service as held on March 1 at Garden of Angels Cemetery.

Maria Estela Rodriguez MISSION – A funeral

Burial follows at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.

Margaret Long Heaton MISSION – Margaret Long Heaton, 95, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016.

Mrs. Long and her husband, Harvey E. Long retired in the Rio Grande Valley after selling their business, Long’s Furniture & Appliance in Topeka, Kan. After his death, she married Carl Heaton and lived in Sherman. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mission.

Survivors include her daughters, Donna C. McLean and Judy Witt; and four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and two great-great grandchildren.

A private service for family will follow cremation.

Amalia Martinez LA JOYA – Amalia Martinez, 85, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at Doctor’s Hospital in Edinburg. Mrs. Martinez was born in San Cristobal de las Casa, Chiapas, Mexico on

mass for Maria Estela Rodriguez was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mission.

James Wesley Terpstra MISSION – James Wesley Terpstra, 78, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Constancia Vasquez PEÑITAS – A funeral mass for Constancia Vasquez was held on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at St. John of the Fields Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Abram.

Feb. 2, 1931, to Jose Aguilar and Felicitas Santiago. She was a member of Iglesia Bautista Betania in Mission.

Survivors include her children, Maggie Perales, Arturo Martinez Jr., Blanca Dunn, Evangelina Salinas, Rigoberto Martinez, Rosalinda Parada, Isabel Martinez, Eduardo Martinez, Valentina Campos, Larry Martinez; siblings, Isaias Aguilar, Javier Aguilar, Evita Leon, Cristina Aguilar, Rosa Aguilar, and Hilda Aguilar; and 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Arturo Martinez Sr. A funeral service was held on Feb. 26 at Iglesia Bautista Betania in Palmview. Burial followed at La Joya City Cemetery.

Maria N. Villarreal MISSION – Maria N. Villarreal, 90, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Villarreal was born on Sept. 10, 1925. She

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March 4, 2016

was a member of El Mesias United Methodist Church in Mission and a Sunday school teacher at El Paraiso.

Survivors include her children, Nelda Garcia, Norma Escamilla, Rudy Villarreal and Luis Villarreal Jr.; siblings, Carlos Alaniz, Jose Alaniz Jr. and Olga Alaniz Campbell; and 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Paulina Mireles Alaniz; brother, Pete Alaniz; daughter, Nora Lee Villarreal; and son, Rene Villarreal.

A funeral service was held on Feb. 28 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens.

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DPS offers Spring Break safety tips

USTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding Texans to drive responsibly and to take extra precautions as they make travel plans during Spring Break.

“Each year during the weeks of Spring Break – with children out of school and families taking vacation – there’s a good chance that traffic will increase on our roadways,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “DPS is encouraging drivers to help keep the roads safe for all travelers by adhering to safe driving practices and always driving sober.”

DPS offers the following tips for safe travel during the Spring Break holiday: • Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas, heavy traffic and unfamiliar areas.

• Eliminate distractions while driving, including the usage of mobile devices.

• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law.

• Don’t drive fatigued, and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.

• Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.

• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before your trip begins.

• Slow down or move over for tow trucks, as well as police, fire, EMS and Texas Department of Transportation vehicles stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated – it’s the law.

DPS troopers and local law enforcement in the coastal areas of Texas will also be enhancing enforcement efforts during Spring Break, looking for speeders, drunk drivers and seatbelt violators.

March 4, 2016

County approves letter of support for Wind Farm project

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conomic Development Director Michael Leo presented information on a Wind Farm project to be partially located in Hidalgo County. Commissioners Court voted to submit a letter in support of the project to Project Man-

ager Henry Woltag of EDP Renewables.

“The court has previously expressed its support by approving tax abatements as well as a road use agreement that enables EDP to make improvements to county roads while maintaining them,”

Leo said.

The project is located in the northwest section of Precinct 3, near the Starr County border and will provide a financial benefit to numerous landowners.

“This will also go to the betterment of the community,

generating renewable energy at a time when a high demand for energy has led to rolling blackouts throughout our region,” Leo said.

Hidalgo County and other taxing entities will also benefit from increased property tax revenue in areas that com-

theclassifieds buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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

Autos GOLF CARS, NEW FYamaha’s $5,800; 2010 EZGO, $1,900; 2011 EZGO, $2,000; 2012 Yamaha Electric, $1,950; 2012 Yamaha gas, $3,200; 2013 Yamaha, $2,100; 2014 Club car, $3,700, 2508 West Expressway 83 Mission, 956-5803370.

2011 CEDAR CREEK Silverback 29RE, 34’, excellent condition, 3 slides, spacious, separate bathroom, recliners, $22,500, call 320761-1496.

Fifthwheels 1998 SEAHAWK 5TH wheel 28ft., one slide, clean, $5,200,

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403-498-6998.

PRICE REDUCED 36’ Select Suites, 3 slides, propane generator, washer/ dryer, fireplace, thermo pane windows, air ride hitch, loaded with extras, was $70,000+ new, used only 9 months, like new, cherry wood interior, $21,000, 479-253-1527.

Winds, Harlingen, 226-600-0768.

2011 CREEK

CEDAR Silverback

29RE, 34’, excellent condition, 3 slides, spacious, separate bathroom, recliners, $22,500, call 320761-1496.

For sale

REDUCED 2002 36FT Jayco, 3 slides, w/d, fireplace, can be seen at Palm Shadows RV Park, $12,000, 956-2926206.

MISSION/LAUREL HILLS Cemetery Lot 5, Block 5, 2 spaces, $1,500 each/$2,500 both, 830-237-3229.

2004 MOBILE SUITES Fifth Wheel, great condition, three slides, loaded, generator, washer/ dryer, large fridge, nonsmokers, no pets, must see, $18,500.00, Tropic

RICOS TAMALES VERACRUZANOS con aceite de olivo, de carne, de dulce y vegetarianos.

Catering para sus fiestas Dona Mary, 956-655-4661.

monly have agriculture exemptions, which reduces tax liability for property owners.

The letter, which the Court authorized County Judge Ramon Garcia to sign, acknowledges the County’s support for the wind power project.

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Personal classified rate: $7 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words

25¢ each additional word thereafter

Garage sale M U L T I - F A M I LY SALE, sale, 408 W. Adams Ave, Alton, TX, Feb 26-March 06, 7am-5pm.

PARK WIDE 3-52016 , 8-noon, Citrus Mobile Park 1700 Lime St., Edinburg.

ESTATE SALE LEFTOVERS, 900 East Tom Landry, Mission, behind KFC, 9am-6pm

Home 4 sale BRICK HOME, 2 BDR, 2 bath, central air, double garage in 55+ park, furnished, patio overlooking golf course, hall/w pool/activities on cul-de-sac, $89,900,

call 715-309-2209.

2 BED, 2 BATH, large garage, 2 lots on river, perfect retirement home on dean end rd near interstate, home can be seen on Zillow. com, 6943 860th Ave, Colfax, WI 54730, $130,000, call 715-816-0156.

8’ POOL TABLE Brunswick $300, 956-383-5757.

Miscellaneous LOUISIANA CASINO TRIP, March 12, one night stay, $85pp includes $25 perk and $10 coupon, call 956-585-1821.

SIGMA GUITAR DM 4 w/case, purchased 1987, never learned to play, excellent

Gladys Porter Zoo hopping with activity

ROWNSVILLE – Take the family out to the annual Easter Bunny Corral and Bazaar at Gladys Porter Zoo (GPZ) at 500 Ringgold.

It takes place the weekend of March 25 to 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bunny Corral is open on Easter Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m. to

3 p.m.

During the Easter Bazaar, arts and craft vendors display and sell their Easter crafts.

The bunnies will be available to pet and GPZ docents will be on hand to answer questions about the furry animals. On Easter Sunday, the first 70

children to visit the Zoo get a free foam bunny mask.

All activities are included in the regular price of admission or zoo membership. For more information, call 546-7187.

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

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

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

Mobile home condition, $275, 704-905-0048.

READY TO MOVE in 2002 Chariot, 12X39 like new, central heat and air, roofing and siding windows all 3 years old, also included pair of cement steps, carport, shed, one bedroom, one bath, semi furnished with washer/ dryer, price $18,750, Casa del Valle, lot #38, 715-302-2246.

DRIVERS:

CDL-A: Steady Year-Round Miles! Sign-On, Monthly & Annual Bonuses! Great Benefit Package! Long Haul US/Canada.

855-645-7789

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of JIM MILLS, Deceased, were issued on February 23, 2016, in Cause No. P-37,279, pending in the Probate Court Of Hidalgo County, Texas, to: JIM MILLS, JR. AND LAURA HARRISON 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.

JIM MILLS, JR. a And LAURA HARRISON c/o: LOUIS C. BROWN Attorney at Law 1207 Conway Mission, TX 78572

Medical Services Directory

DATED the 25th day of FEBRUARY, 2016.

The Upper Valley Has Excellent Health Care Facilities And Dedicated Doctors And Health Care Specialists.

Periodontitis Is The Leading Cause Of Tooth Loss in Adults

Mission Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Welcome back to all of our Winter Friends!

Contact us for a private tour of our facility

Mission, TX

To La Joya & Rio Grande City

1013 S. Bryan Road • Mission, Texas

To McALLEN

✩

(956) 580-2100

Bryan Rd.

We are here to meet your nursing and rehabilitation needs.

Our services are aimed at returning you to living the life you love.

Expressway 83

★

MISSION NURSING HOME

SHARYLAND DENTAL CARE GENERAL DENTISTRY EXCEPTIONAL CARE Since 1982

581-2773

Timothy W. Brann, D.D.S.

Richard A. Young, D.D.S.

2407 E. Griffin Pkwy. • Mission, Tx 78572

Infected gums known as periodontitis is a very common form of gum disease. Without proper home care including brushing and flossing, bacterial plaque accumulates on the teeth. Over time this will eventually result in inflammation and damage to the gum tissues and bone. In its advanced stages the gums pull away from the teeth, bone is lost, a person will experience pain and the teeth become loose.

In recent years, conservative, non-surgical, therapy has been recognized as an effective way to control infection and to allow for natural healing.

These conservative procedures include “scaling” and “root planning”.

If damage is severe and infection is not controlled by conservative treatment, surgery may be required to save your teeth.

Patient cooperation with DAILY HOME CARE is essential to maintain healthy gums and to keep periodontitis from returning.

Sharyland Dental Care

2407-A Griffin Parkway • Mission 581-2773

PENITAS

FAMILY PHARMACY We Accept: • Most Private Insurances • Texas Medicaid/CHIPS Only Pharmacy West of Mission Open Late Hours!

• Medicare Part D • Workers Comensation M- 8am-11pm

can keep your love

ALIVE!!

Bryan Medical Plaza

519-9955

Next To Mission Hospital

581-8833 Alton

• Full PrescriPtion service • Diabetic suPPlies

583-0044

We carry a • Durable Medical Equipment variety of HME Equipment & Deliv- • Most Insurance Accepted ery City Wide!

NOW CARRYING DIABETIC SHOES

• Workmen’s Comp.

• Medicare Provider • Medicaid

956-580-3500

SOUTH TEXAS PODIATRY Foot Specialist Foot Surgeon

(FM 495 and Sharyland Road)

CPR

Friday 8am-9pm Saturday 8am-1pm

We Offer: Home & Medical Supplies/Equipment Diabetic Shoes

2009 Griffin Pkwy.

(Lone Star Plaza)

Mission - 581-1643

Medicare & Medicaid Accepted

Dr. Brad Stowers, D.P.M. Diplomate American Board of Podiatric ----rgery

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March 4, 2016

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See EDUCATION 12

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Congratulations SPECIAL OLYMPIANS You’re All Winners!

Walmart and it’s Foundation are strong supporters of Special Olympics programs in the United States through local, state and national giving, in kind-support and employee volunteerism.

215 E. 3 Mi. Rd. Palmhurst 956.519.8453

1705 Exp. 83 Penitas 956.580.6840