Friday, March 30, 2018

Friday, March 30, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | 50 Cents

Vol. 46 No. 33

Mission holds ribbon cutting ceremony for new event center

By Jamie Treviño People from across Mission gathered to celebrate a new addition to the city that will hopefully create memories and inspire further growth in economic development.

This Tuesday, the City of Mission held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Mission Event Center located at 200 N. Shary Rd. Several prominent people who contributed to the project spoke about its significance and their excitement about the new event center.

Mayor Beto Salinas was one of the first to speak.

“This is a great honor for the City of Mission to have,” Salinas said. “I want to thank the city council, I want to thank the city manager, and all the staff that had something to do with this beautiful building.”

Mayor Salinas said that the Mission Event Center was a project many people wanted to do ten years ago, but he did not. He spoke about why his mind changed.

“We had to get our stuff

Mayor Beto Salinas cutting the ribbon in front of the Ruby Red Room, officially opening the Mission Event Center. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño in order, we had to get our tax rate in place, which we did,” Salinas said. “Thank God that we were able to get a very decent tax rate for the

City of Mission receives additional grant for Tennis Center

By Jamie Treviño

After hearing citizens ask for more tennis-related amenities, the City of Mission and Mission Parks and Recreation will begin building a new tennis center.

The center will be located on land already owned by the city in Birdwell Park.

Currently, it already contains three tennis courts, a practice baseball field, a basketball court, a walking trail and playscapes.

Mission City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. spoke about the project and what the city aims to do with it.

“The idea is to convert that park into a tennis center,” Garza said. “So we’re going to be resurfacing and renovating three of the courts, then adding the thirteen more courts to make it 16.”

The walking trail will remain, and a metal canopy will be put over the bas-

ketball court. According to Garza, this complex is an opportunity tennis players in the RGV need to further their skills and gain competition experience.

“One of the courts will be considered a center court, Garza said. “So this is going to be a facility that we’re going to be able to bring in United States Tennis Association (USTA) sanctioned tournaments. These tournaments are where people of all ages compete through the United States Tennis Association.”

The project is estimated to cost $1.8 million, and last week the city had already allocated funds toward the complex’s construction.

“We already have half a million [$500,000] from the General Fund, Garza said.

“We have half a million [$500,000] from the Valley Baptist Foundation from a

See TENNIS CENTER Pg. 10

City of Mission, and at the same time start building this beautiful building.”

Mission City Council members Ruben Plata, Jes-

sica Ochoa, Dr. Armando O’Caña, Deputy City Manager Aida Lerma and Mission City Manager Martin Garza, Jr. were all present.

Jaime Gutierrez announces run for Mission mayor

Jaime Gutierrez has filed to run for City of Mission mayor in the upcoming election to be held on Saturday, May 5, with early voting running Monday, April 23, through Tuesday, May 1.

In his formal announcement, Gutierrez said, “My vision is to make the City of Mission the economic platform of the RGV and, at the same time, the best city to live and raise our family.”

He addressed his platform with three points – new leadership, new vision and a new “Mission” – and expressed what he feels is the need to bring unity to the city and to living in a global world.

“I will be facilitator for our citizens and business people. One of my main goals is to unify the City of Mission – united and with equal opportunities. Today, we are living in a global world. It used to be nice when we knew everybody in

Jaime Gutierrez town, but those days are long gone. Today we have many people that left their country or city, and that, today, they call the City of Mission their home,” he said.

He outlined a number of points on how he wanted to achieve his vision, ranging from job creation with better pay to attracting more housing and providing training for city employees.

See JAIME GUTIERREZ Pg. 10

Garza spoke, citing several reasons why the Mission Event Center is important to the people of Mission.

“We’re truly excited to

bring this project forward to the citizens of Mission,” Garza said. “That’s what this project is truly for. Our citizens, the working class, the people who want to get together and enjoy their family, enjoy events, and be able to come together for a social event and be able to enjoy the quality of life the City of Mission provides for its community.”

Garza said the project was put together with a lot of intelligence and several people with great minds coming together to make it work.

“We have two wonderful boards that deserve a lot of credit,” Garza said. “We have the TRS board that is directed by Daniel Silva, and also the Mission EDC board directed by Alex Meade.

They have contributed in making this project happen for the city council and Mayor Salinas.”

The city manager talked about how the city decided to invest in the location and 19 acres south of the location.

“The purpose of that is

See MEC RIBBON CUTTING Pg. 10

Alton welcomes new police chief

By Jose De Leon III After four months since the former police chief was fired, the city of Alton has welcomed a new police chief.

Jonathan Flores, who has worked for the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office-as well as the police departments for the cities of McAllen, San Juan and McAllen ISD-was sworn in as Alton’s new police chief during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

“It is my goal to build upon the success Alton has experienced recently and to place our department at the forefront of professional policing,” Flores said at his swearing-in. “I believe this can be accomplished through technological advancements, an increase in training for our employees and strong partnerships with our community and law enforcement counterparts at the federal, state and local levels.”

Jonathan Flores Flores’ hiring comes after former Alton Police Chief Enrique Sotelo was fired last November after an employee at the police department filed a sexual harassment complaint against him. An investigation into the complaint revealed that Sotelo was responsible for creating and allowing a hostile environment, Alton City Manager Jorge Arcuate said at the time.

Flores was one of 32 candidates who applied for the

See ALTON NEW CHIEF Pg. 9

3 candidates run for Peñitas seat on Agua SUD board

By Dave Hendricks

The site plan for the new tennis complex gives an idea of how the floor plan will look. Photo courtesy of the City of Mission.

Candidates campaigning for the Agua Special Utility District board present western Hidalgo County voters with a choice: Team L1berty or Team Agua SUD. For independent candidate Noe Garza, it’s a distinction without a difference.

“At the end of the day, it’s all the same bunch of people,” said Garza, who’s running to represent Peñitas

See 3 CANDIDATES Pg. 8

Lloyd Loya Age: 31

Juan Gonzalez Age: 37

Noe Garza Age: 29

Occupation: Energy management director at La Joya ISD

Occupation: Sergeant at the Pharr Police Department

Occupation: Risk management at Mission CISD

INSIDE Rangel wins at RGVLS

Political Bios Elections are coming up!

Early voting begins Apr. 23 for the May 5 elections.

Learn more about some of the political candidates and what they have to say with their biographies, inside.

Pioneer High School’s Danielle Rangel’s steer named Grand Champion at the recent Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. Meet her and the other winners from the RGVLS, inside.

Entertainment | pg.2

At this week’s board meeting, La Joya ISD announced that five elementaries are going to be focused in STEM, Fine Arts, and STEAM. More details can be found inside.

See Pg. 4

See Pg. 5

INDEX

LJISD designates STEM, Fine Arts Elementaries

See Pg. 7

Lifestyle | pg.3

Sports | pg. 6

Obituaries | pg. 9

Classifieds | pg. 11

entertainment

March 30, 2018

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

UVAL movers and shakers for Valley art scene

The Upper Valley Art League (UVAL), located in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission, is a member based, nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of fine arts. The oldest nonprofit in the Rio Grande Valley, the organization exists to give artists a place to gather to learn, share and sponsor workshops, monthly exhibits and off-site exhibits around the Valley. Pictured at left are the UVAL board of directors running the show this year. In the front row, left to right, are Rebecca Millan, first vice president; Shirley Ingram, second vice president; and Maxilou Link, president. In the second row, same order, are Jan LeBleu, secretary and Brett Millan, treasurer. Along with the officers, the large volunteer base keeps the show running to keep the gallery open to the public and to stage the various events. Volunteers and gallery assistants shown, front row from left to right, are Chris Van Dyck; Betty Vermeer, gift shop custodian; Maxilou Link, UVAL president; Shirley Ingram, volunteer coordinator; Jackie Achenbaugh; and Gerry Foster, building maintenance. Back row, same order, are Fernando Torres, newsletter; Linda Lewis, publicity manager and workshop chair; and Natalia Pedroza-Limas. Not pictured are Tim Milam, purchasing; Beverly Allies, email notifications; and Dennis Grover, building maintenance. Annual membership is $50 for families; $30, individual adult; $12.50, students; and free to children. For more information, or to become a UVAL member, call 956-583-2787 during regular gallery hours or go to uppervalleyartleague.org.

Nature EGGstravaganza at Quinta Mazatlán

Put on the bunny ears and grab an Easter basket for the Nature EGG-stravaganza & Spring Fair hosted

by Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center has a Nature EGG-stravaganza & Spring Fair on Saturday, March 31.

It runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Spring Fair will feature a live animal petting zoo, live snakes and insects and a nature scavenger hunt. Other activity stations include a Parachute Game, children’s play “Are you My Mother,” Natural Dyes Station, Egg & Nest Science Center, nature arts and crafts, face painting and food truck snacks. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera for pictures with the Nature Bunny.

Each child needs to bring

Juarez-Lincoln Mariachi Sol de Oro, Grupo Folklorico to perform April 7-8

MHS One Act Play Team advances to finals

The Mission High School (MHS) Encore Theatre One Act Play Team is advancing out of the Bi-District competitions to the Area Finals on Saturday, March 31, at Zapata High School. The troupe is performing The 39 Steps, by Patrick Barlow and John Buchan. They are scheduled to perform at 12:30 p.m. Pictured is the MHS Encore Theatre One Act Play Team after the Bi-District competition. a basket or an empty egg carton to hunt for 10 prize egg stations at the activity booths.

Admission for children is

$5, with ages 2 years and under getting in for free. Adult admission is $3.

For more information, call 956-681-3370.

LA JOYA – La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School’s Mariachi Sol de Oro and Grupo Folklórico Sol Azteca will present their Spring 2018 concert on Saturday, April 7, at 2 and 7p.m., and Sunday, April 8, at 2 p.m. Performances will be held at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center at 604 N. Coyote Drive.

Grupo Folklorico Sol Azteca is an award-winning folklórico and contemporary dance company from Juarez-Lincoln High School.

The company is under the artistic direction of Jose

Zamora, an alumnus of La Joya I.S.D. The group, part of the high school’s dance department, is program cultivating self-directed students and artists putting students are at the forefront of all of projects and events. The majority of the choreographic work and repertory is student created.

Mariachi Sol de Oro recently earned a Division I at the Texas Association of Mariachi Education Competition (TAME), and a Superior mark at UIL area. They advanced to state competition in both events. They are under the direction of Emilio

Cantu, one of the school district’s pioneer mariachi directors.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Fine Arts Office located within the Performing Arts Center or at the door prior to each performance.

Tickets will be sold Monday through Friday through April 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. Note that the district offices will be closed March 30 and April 2 for the Easter break.

For more information, call 956-323-2898.

Celebrate ‘Cascarón!’ at MOSTHistory

EDINBURG – If Easter snuck up and the egg s have not been bought or decorated yet, the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) invites the public to participate in “Cascarón!” this Saturday, March 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Easter event is designed to welcome the whole family to decorate cascarónes, or egg shells, and take them home.

Decorating and filling eggs for Easter egg hunts are part of South Texas and northeastern Mexico traditions. Many families come together to decorate eggs with paints and tissue paper

and fill the empty egg shells with confetti. These eggs are then hidden to be found by young children during the Easter egg hunt. Once found, these eggs are gleefully cracked on a person’s head, which often ends up in a chase before the hunt is over.

A 2:45 p.m. Easter egg hunt at the museum’s Paseo area will be part of Cascarón!

Other activities will include UTRGV’s Book Buzz reading Easter-related stories to families starting at 1 p.m. and another session at 2 p.m.

Families are encouraged to bring blank egg shells to decorate. Blank and

Coming Attractions

March 30-April 1 • The City of Peñitas first Spring Fest will be held at Expressway 83 and Liberty Blvd. in Peñitas. It features live music concerts on Saturday and Sunday nights, the Heart of America Carnival, a clown show and Easter egg hunt for the kids on Sunday, and food vendors. Concerts feature Rigo Marroquin, La Mosca y su Cartel, Los Mas Romanticos, Atrapado, Christina – The Squeeze Box Girl, Fievre looqa, Norteño Banda 30-30, Valde Guerra, Grupo Estruendo and La Fortaleza.

Carnival wristbands are $20 for unlimited riding.

March 31 • At 7 p.m. in the TSC Art Center in Brownsville, the UTRGV League of Crafty Guitarists members will perform classical guitar solos from a wide range of styles and periods.

It will be followed by the ensemble of three selections from the “Songs without Words” series by Felix Mendelssohn. Admission is $5, and tickets are available at tickets.vendini.com. For questions, call 956-882-7025.

April 2 • The Latin American Piano Music Festival will be held on April 2 at 7 p.m. in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. The concert is a journey through the Latin American musical landscape celebrating the richness and diversity of the Latin American piano repertoire. Admission is free and open to the public. For questions, call 956-665-3881.

• The Rio Bravo Percussion Ensemble concert will be held at 7 p.m. at the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville. Admission is $5, and tickets are available at tickets.vendini.com.

April 4 • Join the UTRGV Wind Symphony for its annual Spring Concert under the direction of Albert Lo at 7 p.m. in the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville. The repertoire will include works by Conte, Stephenson, Shostakovich, Williams and Manslaka. The Wind Symphony will also feature Dr. Jonathan Guist on clarinet in Black Dog by Scott McAlister,

pre-painted cascarónes will be available for purchase as well, while supplies last. The decorated and confetti-filled Easter eggs can be added to that day’s Easter egg hunt or taken home. Families are encouraged to bring baskets to use during the hunt.

The event is included in regular museum admission, but guests who arrive before noon will receive free admission to the activities and the signature exhibition, Rio Grande Legacy.

MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg. Call 956-3836911 for information.

and Dr. Genevro from the University of El Paso is the guest conductor for the concert.

For questions, call 956-882-7025. Admission is $5 and tickets are available at tickets. vendini.com.

April 5 • Christopher Adkins, principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and faculty member at Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas performs with UTRGV faculty member Stacy Kwak on the piano for a program of Bach, Chopin, and music inspired by fairy tales. The “Once Upon a Time…” concert begins at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for seniors and students, available at tickets.vendini.com. For questions, call 956665-3881.

April 6 • The final concert of the Valley Symphony Orchestra season features the Valley Symphony Chorale and guest vocalists Heather Phillips – soprano, Brian Yeakley – tenor, and Lee Poulis – bass, in Forbidden Pleasures of Carmina Burana at 8 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Single tickets range from $38 to $58. For tickets, visit valleyorchestra.org or stop by the McAllen Performing Arts Center box office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 7 • The closing concert of the 2018 UTRGV Flute & Clarinet Festival features guest artists Amy Porter, soloist, recording sensation, and most requested American flutist, along with Daniel Gilbert, former clarinetist with the Cleveland Orchestra and professor of clarinet at the University of Michigan. It begins at 5 p.m. at the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville. The concert opens with performances by the 2018 UTRGV Flute & Clarinet Festival Flute & Clarinet Choirs, followed by the guest artists performing works

by Bach, Hüe, Caliendo, Schumann, Resonavic and Poulenc. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for seniors and students.

For questions, call 956-882-7025.

(For more Coming Attractions, go to ptrgv.com)

lifestyle

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

First Presbyterian announces Easter events

EVENTS

CALENDAR

March 30-April 1 – The Gladys Porter Zoo will hold the annual Bunny Corral and Easter Bazaar with vendors selling Easter Crafts. All activities are included with regular admission. For more information, call 956-546-7187. The zoo is located at 500 Ringgold in Brownsville.

March 31 – Mission Crime Stoppers will host a fundraising Mardi Gras Bowling Tournament from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Incredibowl, 2140 E. Business 83 in Mission. Proceeds benefit the Amanda Longoria Scholarship Fund. Sponsorship levels range from two- to six-member teams with entry fees ranging from $300 to $1,000. Prizes will be awarded with trophies for the top three scoring teams. For more information or to sign up, contact Officer Robert Rodriguez at 956-648-9326 for information.

March 31 – Celebrate Easter with the EGG-stravaganza at Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset in McAllen, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring Easter baskets and visit 10 prize egg stations, including a petting zoo, nature place, face painting, nest building and photos with the Easter bunny. Admission is $5 per person with children 2 and under admitted for free. Call 956-6813370 for information.

March 31 – Learn how to make eco and bird friendly Easter eggs, or cascarones, at the Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC) from 2 to 3 p.m. Don’t leave behind all the confetti mess by making Easter eggs while benefitting wildlife. Cost is $2 per dozen eggs for EWBC members and $4 per dozen eggs for non-members. Quantities are limited; registration is required. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road in Edinburg Texas. Call 956-381-9922 for registration or information.

March 31 – In the next Saturday Safari at Gladys Porter Zoo, kids can learn what it would be like “If I Ran the Zoo.” From 1 to 3 p.m., go behind the scenes to learn about zoo operations. A tour, arts & crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included. Cost is $15 per child or adult with a $5 discount for members. Pre-registration is required. For information or to register, call 956-548-9453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org.

April April 7 – The Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce, City of Alton and the Alton Development Corporation will host the 40th anniversary of the city’s incorporation with a Rubies and Diamonds Gala. The semi-formal event is an evening of music, dining, awards, casino games and door prizes. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Cosmpolitan Banquet Center, 10605 N. Conway in Mission. Tickets are $50 per person or $475 for a table for 10. For tickets and reservations, call 956-432-0760 or 956-432-0790 April 7 – Registration is underway for the Jeffrey T. Ortiz Memorial Scholarship Run and 1 Mile Fun Run set at Donna Wernecke Elementary, on Bentsen Rd. between 3 Mile and 4 Mile Roads. The run is to promote Congenital Heart Defect awareness with proceeds providing scholarships for Pioneer High School students. Check-in is 8 a.m. on race day, before the 9 a.m. start. Entry fee is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4 to 12. The fee includes a T-shirt and sports towel.

To guarantee a T-shirt, register by March 9. Checks should be made payable to the Jeffrey T. Ortiz Scholarship Fund. For information, or to register, contact Yolanda Mandujano at 956467-6573 or at yoli21366@yahool.com.

April 7-8, 14-15 – Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) will offer two additional public hunts for exotic species including nilgai antelope, feral hogs and fallow deer.

Forty permits will be issued for each hunt, available on a firstcome, first-served basis at the Refuge Office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 5 through 9, or until all permits are sold, whichever comes first. Permits will be $60 each, payable by cash only. Hunters will be limited to purchasing one permit per person. Their office is located at 22817 Ocelot Rd, Los Fresnos.

Phone 956-748-3607 for info.

(For more Events, go to ptrgv.com.)

On Easter Sunday, April 1, First Presbyterian Church in Mission is preparing for a day of celebration according to Pastor Eric Dittman. He has extended an invitation to the general public to come out and participate. The church is located at 1118 Ash Drive.

It begins their celebration at 7:30 a.m. with a Sunrise Service in the Prayer Garden, when three members of the congregation will tell the Easter Emmaus story using the Luke passage.

Following the early service, all are invited to a continental Easter breakfast.

Following the breakfast, children ages birth to 5th grade will participate in the annual Easter Egg Hunt and piñata game.

Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the worship service in the church’s sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. Communion will be served at both the Sunrise and 10:30 a.m. worship services.

WESLACO – Members of the community will come together to use their strength for a good cause on Saturday, March 31, as they attempt to haul a 55,000-pound fire engine for 75 feet in the fastest time at Weslaco High School.

The annual Fire Truck Pull is a team-building activity and fundraiser open to the public and supports Special Olympics Texas athletes in the Rio Grande Valley. Reg-

istration can be completed in advance at sotx.org/events/ fire-truck-pull/a1/.

The Fire Truck Pull requires teams of 10 friends, family members and colleagues to put their biceps and working together to pull the emergency vehicle. All teams are required to have at least one female on the squad. Teams with fewer than 10 members should indicate that when registering, so “fill-ins” can be found.

The challenge will wrap up with an awards ceremony for the Fastest Unified Team and Most Money Raised.

Check-in and walk-up registration begins at 8 a.m. and the first pull is slated for 9 a.m. The entry fee is $30 per person or $300 per team for 10 people.

Teams and individuals are encouraged to collect additional funds in an effort to compete for the “Most Money Raised” award. All funds collected benefit SOTX to provide sports programming and competition training for more than 5,400 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Rio Grande Valley Area.

For more information, contact Lauro Garza at lgarza@sotx.org or 956-6303434.

March 24 Fire Truck Pull supports Special Olympics

Themo and Abigail Ochoa of Mission honored their daughter, Margarita, on the occasion of her 15th birthday with a celebration held on March 4 at the family home. She was escorted by Antonio and Lorena Ochoa. The honoree is a ninth grade student at Palmview High School.

(Austin Studio)

Moon Over Mazatalan is April 5

On Thursday, April 5, Quinta Mazatlán will host its annual fundraiser Moon Over Mazatlan celebration in Rio Carnival style. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit urban sanctuary and educational programs.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception, Rio Trail Tour through the woods,

March 30, 2018

Brazilian dinner and Dancing under the moonlight.

The Bombrasil Band will perform with Samba Dancers in carnival costume.

Reserved seats are $250 to be purchased in advance, while seats are available.

For more information on sponsorships and tickets, call 956-681-3370.

Omar and Patricia Band of Palmview celebrated the 15th birthday of their son, Francisco. He is a ninth grade student at La Joya High School. (Austin Studio)

Sunday Service Times: Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday Services: Adults, Teens, Kids 7:00 PM

Advancing in automotive competition

Eight Mission High School (MHS) have advanced to the state SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference Automotive Electric competitions to be held in Corpus Christi in early April. They are Ruben Lopez, Orlando Gracia, Leslie Rivera, Christopher Garcia, Raul Davila, Alexander Gonzalez, Uriel Perez and Farith Elvira. They are pictured above after earning their honors at the recent district level Leadership and Skills Conference

Building healthy communities

ALTON – UTRGV’s Office of Community Engagement and the College of Health Affairs is joining with KRGV-TV for the Heart of the Valley campaign to host “Building Healthy Communities” on Tuesday, April 3, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Alton Recreation Center, 349

Dawes Avenue.

There will be wellness activities, cooking and nutrition demonstrations, education and additional events focusing on diabetes and health.

Admission is free, and the public is invited to participate.

National orchid expert to speak at TOTOS

WESLACO – The Tip of Texas Orchid Society (TOTOS) announces their April meeting, Sunday, April 8 at 2 PM. Meetings are held at the Valley Nature Center, 301 S. Border in Weslaco As a part of the Texas Orchid Circuit, TOTOS brings a wide variety of orchid experts to South Texas. The speaker this month is the president of the American Orchid Society, George Hatfield. He will be speaking on “Cymbidiums for Texas.”

Hatfield has a degree in plant and soil science from California State Polytechnic University. He is active in the Cymbidium Society of America and is the hybridizer of numerous award winning cymbidiums.

Admission is $5 for nonmembers and free for members of TOTOS. The yearly membership fee is $20.

There will be orchids for sale at the meeting and a variety of orchid supplies available for purchase.

MCALLEN – Graduating high school seniors, current South Texas College students and prospective students can now enroll early for summer classes at South Texas College at southtexascollege. edu/summer.

Summer I and Summer III semesters begin June 4. Fall classes begin Aug. 27.

For more information, contact STC Student Financial Services at 956-8728375.

STC summer enrollment begins

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Veronica Mendoza to run for MCISD school board Place 1 Veronica “Betty” R. Mendoza is running for the Place 1 seat on the Mission C.I.S.D. school board. Mendoza formerly served on the MCISD board in 2014-16 by unanimous appointment of the board and seeks to gain a spot with the upcoming election. The election will be held Saturday, May 5.

Mendoza states she has been a Life Skills coach to high school students with the La Joya I.S.D. PEP program. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas-Pan American and a social work associate’s degree from South Texas College.

A parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, she states she has served as a CCD teach-

Veronica Mendoza er there and is a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

In community service, Mendoza has been an advocate the Hidalgo County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.

Daughter of Arnulfo “Tatan” Rodriguez, a former Mission city councilman, and Irma Rodriguez, Mendoza is a “product of Mission schools.” She has been married for 35 years to Ignacio Mendoza and is “mother to Carmen, Ignacio Jr., Bianca and Arnulfo Mendoza, and grandmother to Sophia, Atom and James.”

In conclusion, Mendoza said, “I believe education is the greatest equalizer and have dedicated myself to improving our education system for our faculty, staff, and most importantly, our students.

With your help and support, I will use my experience and passion for helping others to serve as your next Mission CISD school board member and be a voice and advocate for all.”

Minnie Rodgers announces re-election bid for MCISD board Place 7 high school and went Herminia “Minnie” Rod-

gers has made her formal announcement for re-election to her current Place 7 seat on the Mission C.I.S.D. (MCISD) school board on May 5. Early voting begins Mon., April 23 and the last day of early voting by personal appearance is Tues., May 1.

In the released announcement, she said, “My last four years as a board trustee member, many changes have taken place. We have seen and been active in everything that was possible.

Being retired has given me the honor of attending everything possible.”

She went on to clarify her vision for MCISD, and, for the “things to accomplish,” she listed the following: • “Hiring a superintendent that will stay for more than five years is very important; we need stability for our community to feel at ease about education.”

• “Curriculum is a must if we are to push for higher scores in our district.”

Minnie Rodgers •“To see the construction of Mission High School finished is very important.”

• And, “I would like to encourage everyone that MCISD needs more choices in career education classes for our students. College is important, but not everyone will go to college.”

Rodgers said she was born and raised in San Isidro, where she graduated from

on to receive her lifetime certificate in career technology from Texas A&M University.

She retired as an educator after 40 years – 39 of them with MCISD. She is a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church where she has served as Sactrantan for the 11 a.m. mass, has been a member of the Mission Lions Club for 25 years and served on the Texas Citrus Fiesta board of directors for 40 years. She has also served on the Mission Historical Museum and Education Foundation of MCISD boards.

Rodgers concluded with, “My decisions have always been for the betterment of students and teachers and will continue to do the same with your vote of confidence.

Thank you for the honor of serving and seeing the different side of education.”

Petra Ramirez seeks re-election for MCISD Place 6

Petra B. Ramirez, current Mission C.I.S.D. (MCISD) school board member, has announced she is seeking re-election for the Place 6 seat. The election is slated for Saturday, May 5, and early voting begins Monday, April 23, and ends Tuesday, May 1.

Ramirez feels her background in education is the contribution she brings to the table for decisions made by the board, and that “students and staff” are her “priority.”

She said her vision is the district’s vision, “…

So that our Mission CISD vision statement can become a reality, which is ‘to prepare and inspire all students to be equipped, to excel in the college and career of their choice, dominate 21st century in leadership,

March 30, 2018

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Petra Ramirez knowledge, language, and technology, to compete in a global economy and serve as successful citizens in our community.’”

Ramirez noted her 42 years in education, entering in the field in 1972. She was an educator with the Rio Grande City C.I.S.D. and La Joya I.S.D. and with MCISD at Mission Junior High and Veterans Memorial High School.

While serving in her present position, she has also served as the MCISD board secretary.

She stated that her decisions would be made with “honesty,” “integrity” and “experience,” and that she has “no hidden agenda” and “strongly believes in success for every student.”

In conclusion, she said, “I thank you for entrusting me as your school board member for the best four years.”

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Mission hears 2017 Audit Report and update on street overlay project

By Jamie Treviño At this week’s city council meeting, Mission heard the

2017 audit report, which was done by Burton, McComber & Longoria LLP. Ricky Longoria gave the presentation, and spoke about the firm stating opinions only based on city financial statements.

“There is a process to this presentation,” Longoria said.

“Our professional standards do require that we do discuss certain mandatory items.”

The findings were taken from Oct. 2016 through Sept.

30, 2017. The report was over 200 pages long, so Longoria touched on the major points and said that he had met with the city manager and staff about more details on the audit report.

“As an auditor, we’re here as independent third parties,” Longoria said. “To affirm to you all and to the public the financial results of that year, and certainly they become more important as you progress toward this 2017-18 year.

They serve as the foundation for a lot of the decisions you all will have made and will continue to make this year, and as you develop the budget for the 2018-19 year.”

The city had a deficiency reported in the audit, and the standards for the auditing procedure state that the firm is not making a statement about the city’s internal effectiveness or control.

According to the report, a deficiency in internal control is present when the design operation does not allow management to prevent or correct misstatements in a timely manner.

“We’re confirming to you all as well that management has accepted responsibility for the financial statements due to the fact that they have signed our presentation letter,” Longoria said.

The city of Mission is growing, with more than $538 million in residential and commercial development. Mission also saw a 2.8 percent increase in building

permits, and unemployment decreased from 7.6 to 6.2 percent.

In 2013 the city began working with the Mission Redevelopment Authority and Hunt Valley Develoment in order to further develop the Anzalduas Highway. Wastewater infrastructure is being installed, and when complete could increase sales taxes and property values.

“The tax rate back in 2008 was .5566 per hundred,” Longoria said. “For 2017, the tax rate was .4962. Certainly you were involved in the decrease of the rate, and I would certainly congratulate every single one of you to be so bold, because sometimes that’s not the case. The citizens of Mission have been the beneficiary of those tax rates, in fact I am also a citizen of Mission, and so I actually enjoy it.”

Longoria spoke more about the decreased tax rate in Mission and the effect it has had on citizens.

“I just wanted to point that out, because you don’t see that in a lot of cities throughout Texas in general,” Longoria said. “I do think it’s a big indicator of you all trying to do more with less and trying to give back to the citizens when you can.”

The assets and deferred outflows of Mission exceeded liabilities and inflow by $175,221,362. The net position increased by $5,157,863, while governmental activities increased by $5,914,395.

Business activities decreased by $756,532. The increase in revenues was 8.07 percent, while expenses only increased by 3.90 percent.

At the close of the fiscal year the fund balance showed $19,039,156, a decrease of $18,132,926 from the prior year. At the end of the fiscal year the unassigned fund balance was $986,387.

A presentation about the city’s recent Street Asphalt Overlay Project was given by Public Works Director Robert Salinas. He went into detail about which streets have been redone by the Overlay Task Force from Nov. 2017 until

March 2018.

“We have completed [from Nov. 2017 to March 2018] a total of 17 projects,” Salinas said. “These 17 locations have either been overlaid, and some of them reconstructed.”

The department purchased 8,137 tons of asphalt at $402,860 for the materials only. The labor was not included in this cost.

“They did a really good job on those streets,” Mayor Beto Salinas said. “I hope you keep it up, there’s still more of the city to do. I think this is a good idea.”

Jo Anne Longoria, the city’s Community Development Director, spoke about the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Mission. She gave a proclamation stating that the month of April will now be Fair Housing Month, which the council approved.

Mission also revised its personnel policy for employees. Employees with 25 years of experience with the city who are over 65 will remain on the city’s health insurance for two years at the cost of the city. Medicare will account for the primary insurance coverage, while they city’s insurance will be the secondary.

Police Chief Robert Dominguez got permission to apply for the 2019 Local Border Security Program Grant of $275,000. He hopes to use the grant money to increase patrol presence throughout Mission.

The council also authorized the acceptance of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant for $500,000, which will go toward the new tennis complex. The Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation will also be contributing $500,000.

On April 7, there will be temporary closure of 5208 S. FM 494 Northbound to FM 1016 Military Highway, and turning back to FM 1016 in the right lane until FM 396, Stewart Rd. The road was approved to be used for a 5K Walk/Run held by Juan Diego Academy.

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Pioneer FFA’s Rangel wins big at RGVLS Mission FFA members Caleb Marquez (left), Annika Pena (middle) and Arianna Pena (right) pose with their lambs at the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra Mission FFA members Caleb Marquez (left), Annika Pena (middle) and Arianna Pena (right) pose with their lambs at the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Sharyland 4-H member Melanie Turrubiates takes her Grand Champion market goat through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Pioneer FFA member Daniella Garcia takes her Breed Champion Santa Gertrudis market steer through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

By Luciano Guerra Each year thousands of Valley youth enter their livestock in the largest livestock show south of San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show (RGVLS). Whether it be a steer, a hog, a goat, a lamb, a pen of rabbits or a pen of chickens that they enter, each and every exhibitor dreams of walking out of the show ring with a Grand Championship banner in hand.

While that may be every exhibitor’s dream, the fact is that only six exhibitors per year actually turn that dream into reality. As a result, having a Grand Champion entry in the RGVLS is an honor that only a handful of each year’s exhibitors ever get to experience.

Pioneer FFA’s Danielle Rangel is one of the newest members of that extremely exclusive club. That’s because her AOB (All Other Breeds) steer was crowned Grand Champion market steer at last week’s 79th Annual RGVLS. Before Rangel’s steer could be named Grand Champion, it had to win its class and its breed. Once it did so, it earned the right to be part of the Grand Champion Drive. That was where the eight breed champions were all brought into the show ring at the same time and the judge was given the unenviable task of selecting one, and only one, as this year’s top steer. That makes the Grand Champion steer a true champion of champions.

After taking her 1,325 lb. steer through Saturday’s Sale of Champions, where it sold for $21,000, Rangel took a few minutes to share what it was like to participate in the Grand Champion Drive.

“I was really nervous,” the 15-year-old freshman at Pioneer High School said. “I didn’t know what the judge was going to do. But I was concentrating on setting up my steer to look his best and trying to get the judge to look at him. That’s all I could do in hope that he would pick him as the Grand Champion.”

While this was Rangel’s first Grand Champion market steer at the RGVLS, it was not the first time she’s had a steer win a Grand Championship.

“At last year’s STAR Livestock Show, my steer won the Grand Championship,” Rangel said. “I’ve also had Grand Champion steers at prospect shows.”

Rangel, who has been showing livestock since she was in third grade, described how it felt to finally win that RGVLS Grand Championship that she has been coveting and working towards for almost half her lifetime when she said, “It felt great because we came a long way from when he was a baby. We knew that he could compete early on, but we didn’t know if he was good enough to take the Grand Championship.

Fortunately he was. It was very exciting and I was very emotional when the judge picked him.”

While most FFA and 4-H members buy their show calves from commercial ranches, the Rangels actually breed their own cattle. The fact that Rangel’s steer, which she named AMC (a pseudonym for the three attributes it possesses that good steers need to have, with the latter two letters standing for mass and class), was bred and raised on the Rangel family ranch, makes this accomplishment all that much more amazing.

Raising their own show cattle is not the only way the Rangels keep showing in the family. Danielle’s older sister, Desiree, was a Grand Champion winning showman during her younger years as well.

“I showed the Grand Champion steer at the 2008 RGVLS,” the elder Rangel sister said. “It was a Charolais. I also had the Grand Champion steer at the STAR Livestock Show five times and the Reserve Grand Champion steer twice.”

As for how it felt to watch her little sister compete in the Grand Champion Drive, Desiree said, “I was really nervous in the beginning. But we knew that her steer was good enough to compete and possibly even win. When the judge chose her steer I was all excited and I was really happy for her.”

Rangel was not the only Sharyland student to win a Grand Championship at last week’s RGVLS. Sharyland 4-H member Melanie Faith Turrubiates had the Grand Champion winning market goat which she sold at Saturday’s Sale of Champions for $9,000.

Other top winners from Sharyland, Mission and La Joya FFA and 4-H chapters/clubs included Pioneer FFA’s Daniella Garcia, breed champion Santa Gertrudis market steer, and Katia Bazan, breed champion Simbrah market steer, La Joya Palmview FFA’s Karina Saenz, breed champion market goat, Mission FFA’s Danny Garza, breed champion Fine Wool market lamb, Caleb Marques, breed champion Southdown market lamb, Ariana Pena, reserve breed champion Brahman market steer, Librado Anzaldua, reserve breed champion Fine Wool Cross market lamb, and Jayleen Hinojosa, reserve breed champion Southdown market lamb, Mission Veterans FFA’s Alexandra Salinas, reserve breed champion Dark OPB market hog, and Jose Joey Farias, reserve breed champion Duroc market hog, and Sharyland 4-H’s Meagan Turrubiates, reserve division champion market goat.

Mission FFA member Danny Garza takes his Breed Champion Fine Wool market lamb through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Mission FFA member Ariana Pena takes her Reserve Breed Champion Brahman market steer through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra Mission FFA member Jayleen Hinojosa takes her Reserve Breed Champion Southdown market lamb through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Mission FFA member Librado Anzaldua takes his Reserve Breed Champion market lamb through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Sharyland 4-H members Melanie (left) and Meagan (right) Turrubiates proudly show off their Boer goats at the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Mission FFA member Caleb Marques takes his Breed Champion Southdown market lamb through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra Mission Veterans FFA member Alexandra Salinas takes her Reserve Breed Champion market hog through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Pioneer FFA member Danielle Rangel takes her Grand Champion market steer through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions.

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

Pioneer FFA member Katia Bazan takes her Breed Champion Simbrah market steer through the 79th Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

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March 30, 2018

Sports week

BIG7 SCHOOLS

page 6

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Covering Mission, Veterans Memorial, Sharyland, Pioneer, La Joya, Palmview & Juarez-Lincoln Sports

Lady Patriots are hot, hot, hot!

Sharyland’s Tristen Maddox slides safely in to home plate as Mission Veterans’ catcher Justine Galvan fields the throw during the first inning of the Lady Patriots’ 15-4 win over the Lady Rattlers. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

By Luciano Guerra Ten games into the 16 game softball season the Mission Veterans Lady Patriots are sizzling! Not only have they won four in a row, and six of their last seven, but their 8-2 District 31-5A record (11-7 overall) has them in sole possession of

second place, just one game behind the first place Rio Grande City Lady Rattlers and half a game ahead of the third place Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks.

While their .800 winning percentage is impressive enough, the fact that the Lady Patriots have outscored their opponents 130-54 over that 10 game stretch is proof

of how dominant Coach Vivian Ray’s squad has been thus far this season.

Furthermore, in a recent three game stretch, Mission Veterans defeated the Sharyland Lady Rattlers 15-4, the Valley View Lady Tigers 15-7 and the Laredo Martin Lady Tigers 26-0. That’s a total of 56 runs scored over three games.

After the Sharyland game, Coach Ray expressed how surprised she was over her team’s ability to score 15 runs against a team like the Lady Rattlers.

“This score surprises me,” Ray said. “I can imagine that when we catch up with them in the second round, it’s going to be a different game.

They’re a good ball club but

I have a senior heavy team with, I believe, nine seniors on my roster.”

“The majority of these girls have been on varsity since they were sophomores,” Ray added. “When the group that I had three years ago, with Alysson (Moreno) and Jazmine (Cuellar), graduated that left seven holes in my lineup to

fill. I’ll be back in that predicament again next year but it won’t be quite as bad since I’ll only have five positions to fill. Therefore we should be able to transition from this year to next year without too big of a shock.”

While the Lady Patriots offense has played a big part in the team’s success thus far this season, the pitching of Iliana Contreras has contributed greatly as well.

“Iliana is a senior and she’s going to be our workhorse on the mound,” Ray said. “I do have a back-up for her, but we’re going to depend on her hitting her locations and her spots. Some days she starts out quicker than others, but when she has a rough start, like she did against Sharyland, she usually settles down and does what she needs to do to keep us in the game.”

After the Sharyland game, Contreras shared how she was able to recover from her shaky start when she said, “They came out pretty determined but while we were shaky in the beginning, I had a strong defense behind me and we wanted it more than they did so we were able to turn things around come out with the win.”

Against the Lady Rattlers, Contreras was able to pitch her way out of more than one bases loaded situations. With this being her fourth year on the varsity squad, she has learned how to handle the pressure.

“When the bases are loaded, you just have to think that nobody’s on base and focus on getting the hitter out,” Contreras said. “Having a good defense behind you helps too. Without my defense I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”

Junior catcher Justine Galvan shared how she and her teammates handle rivalry games like those against the Lady Rattlers.

“We don’t take anything for granted when we’re playing a team like Sharyland,” Galvan said. “We don’t expect to win by 11 runs like we did tonight, but we’re glad that the score came out to what it was. The most important thing is to get the win.”

As for what goals she and her teammates have set for this season, Galvan said, “We’re striving for the playoffs but this year we’re also after the district championship. We’re currently in third place but hopefully we’ll come back and take Pioneer and Rio Grande in the second round.”

Next up for the Lady Patriots is a huge home game against the Lady Diamondbacks next Tuesday. They will then close out the regular season with games at Laredo Nixon (April 6), at home against Rio Grande City (April 13), at Sharyland (April 17) and at home against Valley View (April 20). First pitch for all remaining games will be at 7 pm.

March 30, 2018

page 7

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Palmview’a Laisha Lopez was crowned state champion in the 97-pound weight class after a first place finish at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Meet on March 16 in Waco. The senior ends her high school career as the state’s squat, bench press and total record holder in her weight class.

Pioneer’s Robert Saenz (left) and Obed Hernandez (right) pushed Pioneer to a third place finish as a team at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Meet in March 24 in Abilene. Hernandez became Pioneer’s first state champion in program history in the 198-pound weight class, while Saenz brought home a silver medal in the 123-pound weight class.

Big 7 powerlifters win big at state Palmview, Pioneer powerlifters bring home gold

By Bryan Ramos The Big 7 sent a total of 28 boys and girls powerlifters to the THSPA and THSWPA State Meets on March 16 in Waco and March 24 in Abilene, and came home with two newly crowned state champions and 18 top 10 finishes as a group.

Boys powerlifting Pioneer’s powerlifting pair of Obed Hernandez and Robert Saenz performed their best on the biggest stage once again, propelling the Diamondbacks boys’ team coached by John Lopez to a 3rd place finish.

Hernandez was crowned state champion in the 198-pound weight class, Pioneer’s first in program history, as the junior lifted a total of 1,610 pounds, putting up a personal best 640 pounds on squat and 610 on deadlift, while bench pressing 360 pounds. The 1,610 is also a personal-best on the year and 10 pounds heavier than Hernandez lifted at Regionals on March 10.

Saenz brought home a silver medal in the 123-pound division after finishing as the runner-up, just five total pounds behind the first-place winner Matthew Longoria of Alvin. Saenz lifted a total of 1,210 pounds, a new personal-best and 10 pounds more than he put up at regionals on March 10. That number included squatting a season-high 465 pounds, bench pressing 290 pounds and deadlifting 455 pounds.

Palmview’s Abraham Hernandez brought home a silver medal in the 148-pound division, lifting a total of 1,495, just five pounds out of first place. The Palmview powerlifter put up 600 pounds on both squat and deadlift, and a bench press of 295 pounds.

Hernandez performed 30 pounds better than he did at regionals just two weeks prior.

A pair of Coyotes posted top 10 finishes as La Joya senior Daniel Villarreal earned fifth place in the 198-pound weight class, lifting a total of 1,440 pounds. Villarreal

tied a season-high on bench press with 315 pounds and came through with a deadlift of 540 pounds and a squat of 585 pounds.

La Joya sophomore Alex Rodriguez finished eighth in the super heavyweight division, smashing his previous season-high by 25 pounds, lifting a total of 1,625. After lifting 1,600 total pounds at regionals, the sophomore set personal-bests at the state meet on both squat and bench press, squatting 700 pounds and benching 425.

Juarez-Lincoln’s Aliver Chapa and Sharyland’s Joshua Williams finished ninth and 10th in the 275-pound weight class. Chapa lifted 1,575 total pounds (squat 610/bench 445/deadlift 520), while Williams lifted 1,570 total pounds and set personal-bests on squat with 635 pounds and bench press with 375.

Girls powerlifting The Palmview girls’ powerlifting program placed sixth in 6A as a team led by their second state champion

La Joya ISD approves STEM and Fine Arts Designated Schools

By Jamie Treviño Finding new ways to promote accelerated education and learning in students, La Joya Independent School District is making waves in the Rio Grande Valley.

At this week’s school board meeting, it was announced that starting in the 2018-2019 school year, La Joya ISD will give elementary students the opportunity to attend a school geared more toward their interests.

Dr. Gisela Saenz presented on the topic and spoke about the district’s decision to move forward on this.

“We will be giving our elementary parents and students school choice by offering STEM elementary schools, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics,” Saenz said.

“We will also have Fine Arts designated schools and STEAM designated schools, which will be a combination of Fine Arts and STEM.” Saenz went into detail about the goals of each campus, and what the students will be doing differently from other elementary schools in the Valley.

“The focus of our STEM schools will be to foster an early interest in STEM careers in elementary students,” Saenz said. “Some of the ways we are going to be doing this will include having hands-on learning modules in STEM fields that also integrate the text.”

Students attending one of the STEM elementary schools will also have trips to the learning center and the new LJISD planetarium.

“There will be visiting STEM professionals at the campuses,” Saenz said. “And students will participate in STEM study trips.”

Evangelina Garza Elementary and William J. Clinton Elementary will be the STEM designated schools starting next school year.

Saenz also went into detail about the Fine Arts elementary option.

“The focus of the Fine Arts schools will be to enhance students’ artistic potential,” Saenz said. “They will be having performances, performance-based groups, we will have talent showcases and exhibits for the students, we will have fine arts enrichment trips, there will be guest artist visitors at the campuses, and the students will also go on fine arts trips.”

The artistic mediums that will be focused on in the Fine Arts elementary are theatre arts, music, and digital arts.

STEAM schools will have a combination of activities from both the STEM schools and the Fine Arts Schools.

Emiliano Zapata Elementary will be a Fine Arts designated school. John F. Kennedy Elementary and Enrique Camarena Elementary will be STEAM designated schools.

Earlier in the meeting, several recognitions were given to students and faculty alike, particularly the Girls Engaged in Mathematics (GEM) Project. The GEM summer camp is led by Lucy Muñoz, the Elementary Math Coordinator.

“Our main goal was to create a math-minded camp culture designed to build the girls confidence, attitude, and skill in mathematics,” Muñoz said. “Collaboration was key, and so we thank everyone involved in making our GEM a wonderful experience for our La Joya ISD girls.”

A video was shown detailing the first week of the GEM Project. 70 girls participated

in this camp last summer, and were honored at the meeting in front of their parents and family. Students who were district champions in UIL elementary academics were also recognized in front of the board.

At the board meeting the district also spoke about a student services campaign, the Super Mind, Super Body, Super Star Campaign, which will take place on Mon., April 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. As April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Autism Awareness Month, National Library Month, National Parent Volunteer Month, and Dia de los Niños, the district wants to emphasize on each area during the campaign.

The purpose of the event is to celebrate students and the community, and entrance is free. Games offered at the event will also be free. It is also the kick-off for Mental Health Awareness Month in May. During the campaign event there will also be a parade of schools, game and food booths, and student-led entertainment. It is a district-wide collaboration of various departments that La Joya is very excited to present for the third time.

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in program history, Laisha Lopez.

Lopez, a senior, placed fourth at the 2017 state meet in the 105-pound weight class after lifting 705 total pounds.

The former cheerleader followed her first state appearance up by putting up 750 total pounds at this year’s state meet, 30 pounds more than the second place finisher. Lopez lifted 315 on squat, 260 on deadlift and 175 on bench press, 40 pounds heavier than the second closest score.

Palmview’s Priscilla Hernandez and Natalie Villalon also brought back medals from state. Hernandez finished second in the 114-pound weight class with 800 total pounds and setting a personal-best on bench press with 165 pounds, and lifting 320 on squat and 315 on deadlift. Villalon placed fifth in the 123-pound weight class with 780 pounds (squat 320/bench 145/deadlift 315).

Juarez-Lincoln’s Yanitza Vasquez was the lone Lady Husky to place at state, ending in a three-way tie

for the bronze medal in the 105-pound weight class after lifting 700 total pounds.

Vasquez put up 280 pounds on squat, 115 on bench press, and 305 on deadlift, the third highest in her weight class.

Three Sharyland Lady Rattlers brought home top 10 finishes, Camila Velez, Carolina Constantino and Katrina Mendez.

Velez finished fourth place in the 114-pound weight class and set a personal-best in total weight lifted with 735 pounds at the state meet. She squatted 280 and set personal-bests in bench press with 160 pounds and deadlift with 295.

Constantino earned a seventh place finish in the 165-pound weight class after she tied her personal-best of 880 total pounds. Constantino squatted 400 pounds, bench pressed 165 and hit a new personal-best of 315 pounds on deadlift.

Mendez finished seventh in the 181-pound weight class with 860 total pounds lifted, squatting 350, bench

pressing 190 and deadlifting 320.

Two Lady Diamondbacks both placed seventh in their respective weight classes as Karla Lopez and Christina Ybarra placed in the top 10.

Lopez tied her personal-best of 585 total pounds, lifting 110 on bench press, 240 on deadlift, and setting a personal-best of 235 on squat. Ybarra lifted 805 total pounds, squatting 330, bench pressing 155 and deadlifting 320 pounds.

Mission Veterans Memorial’s Brianna Flores finished seventh in the 148-pound weight class with 845 total pounds. Flores squatted 300 pounds and tied her personal-bests on both bench press and deadlift with 180 and 365 pounds.

La Joya’s Keyla Puente earned a ninth place finish in the 181-pound weight class by lifting 910 total pounds.

Puente set a new personal-best on bench press with 185 pounds, tied her personal-best on squat with 410 and deadlifted 315 pounds.

page 8

March 30, 2018

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3 CANDIDATES

on the utility board.

The three-way race pits Garza — a gadfly perhaps best known for his Facebook posts — against incumbent utility board Director Lloyd Loya and challenger Juan Gonzalez.

Team L1berty supports Loya, who’s running for a second term. Team Agua SUD backs Gonzalez, a political neophyte who works for the Pharr Police Department.

Just two years ago, though, supporters of Team L1berty and Team Agua SUD campaigned together, Garza said, adding that he represents the only real option for people who want change.

Garza said he wants to reassure voters who fear they’ll face retaliation for supporting someone who isn’t part of the political power structure.

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“What I want to make clear to the people: That’s not the way it is. You don’t have to fear (for) your job.

You don’t have to be intimidated because they’re in those positions,” Garza said.

“What people got to know is: You put them there. And you can simply remove them.”

Noe Garza Questions about Garza’s past, though, may pose problems during the campaign.

The Peñitas Police Department charged Garza with misdemeanor theft in December 2014, when a Walmart employee accused him of shoplifting, according to city records.

When the incident occurred, Garza worked for the La Joya Independent School District.

The school district assigned a police lieutenant to review what happened, according to personnel records.

After watching surveillance video from Walmart, the lieutenant concluded Garza took a tube of Gold Bond lotion without paying.

“It is my recommendation that Security Officer Noe Garza be terminated,” the lieutenant wrote in the investigation report, which also faulted Garza for making false statements about what

from pg. 1

happened.

Rather than terminate him, the school district suspended Garza, according to a handwritten note on the investigation report.

Garza said he didn’t steal anything and the Peñitas Municipal Court dismissed the misdemeanor theft charge.

“I saw the video,” Garza said, adding that contrary to the note, the school district didn’t actually suspend him.

“There’s nothing there.”

Supervisors also reprimanded Garza — and eventually recommended terminating him — for excessive absences.

Garza had other minor run-ins with law enforcement, including citations for more than 40 traffic violations, according to court records. Judges dismissed many of the charges. Garza occasionally pleaded no contest and paid fines.

“I was young. I was stupid, you know what I mean,” Garza said, adding that traffic citations are just Class C misdemeanors. “I don’t have a criminal record.”

Garza now works for the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, where he handles risk management. He’s also attending the local police academy.

Juan Gonzalez Pharr police Sgt. Juan Gonzalez, 37, of Peñitas also filed for the utility board.

Attempts to schedule an interview with Gonzalez were unsuccessful, but he spoke about the issues during a meet-and-greet hosted by former La Joya school board Trustee J.J. Garza, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

“My goal is just to make sure that we get in there and do what’s right,” Gonzalez said.

During the past two years, the utility district went through a dizzying succession of administrators.

Executive Director Julio Cerda resigned in September 2016, when the board went through a major shakeup.

The utility board appointed Oscar Cancino to replace him.

When Cancino quit less than a year later, they named Richard LeFevre to the new general manager position.

He lasted just a few months.

Interim General Manager Eddie Saenz took over during December.

The utility district also fought with state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen.

After the balance of power shifted on the utility board, Hinojosa said he became

concerned about conflicts of interest.

A majority of the utility board members worked at the La Joya school district.

Meanwhile, two school board trustees — President Oscar “Coach” Salinas and Vice President Armin Garza — worked for the utility district.

Hinojosa authored Senate Bill 814, which banned the reciprocal employment arrangement. After lawmakers passed the bill, the utility district approved six-figure severance packages for the school board trustees.

Garza got $268,000, according to utility district records. Salinas received $221,000.

“I don’t think that’s right,” Gonzalez said, adding that the utility district should spend public money carefully.

Gonzalez said fixing the utility district will take hard work and support from the community.

“It’s going to be challenging,” Gonzalez said. “But I’m ready for the challenge.”

Lloyd Loya “At the end of the day, if you’re running because of severance packages, you don’t have the right mindset,” said utility board Director Loya A. Loya, 31, of Peñitas, who’s running for re-election.

Lawmakers considered a version of Senate Bill 814 with a grandfather clause, which delayed implementation of the conflict of interest

provision for several years.

The Texas Legislature ultimately passed a much stricter version.

After the bill passed, the utility board authorized the executive director to resolve any problems that resulted.

With help from an attorney, the executive director approved the severance packages.

“And they did what was best for Agua SUD at that time,” Loya said. “I’m not trying to throw it on anyone.

That’s just the way it is. They did what they had to do — in the best interests of Agua SUD and our community.”

Loya said he’s proud of what the utility board accomplished during the past few years, including lowering meter fees, which spurred development; finally breaking ground on the Palmview sewer project, which had been on the drawing board for years; and starting an internship program for local students.

Along with providing sewer service, the Palmview project will help the city attract new businesses.

“That’s going to make the city grow. That’s going to bring people in,” Loya said. “That’s one of the reasons why you don’t see big businesses there in Palmview — because there’s a lack of sewer.”

Early voting starts April 23. Election day is May 5.

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obituaries

Dr. William T. Gibbs Jr. SAN ANTONIO – Dr. William “Bill” Thomas Gibbs, Jr. DDS, age 89 of San Antonio, and formerly of Mission and the Spring Creek area near Iredell, passed away at his residence in San Antonio with family by his side on March 17, 2018.

Graveside funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Meridian Cemetery. Rev. Daniel Hawkins officiated.

William Thomas Gibbs, Jr., was born on October 3, 1928, in Altus, Oklahoma, and moved to Mission, Texas with his parents William Thomas Gibbs, Sr., DDS, and Charlie Olson in 1930.

While attending Mission Schools his love of music inspired him to learn to play the trumpet. During his time at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, he played in the college band and the Lamplighter Dance Band.

Even before graduating from Texas A&I he was accepted into the Baylor College of Dentistry graduating in 1952 and went on to serve in the United States Air Force as a dentist in Montgomery, Alabama and Mineral Wells, Texas. He subsequently returned to Mission to practice dentistry with his father for 40 years.

In his spare time, William served as a Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Mission. He was a member of the Mission Rotary Club, serving as pres-

ident in 1962, and held the position of Treasurer for the Mission Citrus Fiesta for 10 years.

He was also a licensed Ham Radio Operator for 60 years, a hobby he began cultivating as a Boy Scout at the age of 14 during World War II. His other passions included fishing and watching his friend’s team, the Dallas Cowboys.

William is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bobbie Millsap Gibbs of San Antonio, Texas; three daughters, Suzanne Ryan, Cindy Gibbs, and Melissa Tolson and husband, Stan; seven grandchildren, Sean Ryan and wife, Tamsen, Landon Burge, Paige and Brooke Tolson, Devin and Brandon Gibbs, and Chelsea Gibbs Gould and husband, Andrew; great-granddaughter, Nicole Gould; and sister, Charlotte Waitz.

He was preceded in death by his son, Alan Thomas Gibbs, and son-in-law, Michael Ryan.

Words of comfort and peace can be sent to the family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net. Arrangements were made by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas, 254-435-2792.

Angelica Serna MISSION – Angelica Serna, 65, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Mrs. Serna was born on May 1, 1952, in Mexico to Eulalio and Belen Gudino and lived

in Mission most of her life.

Survivors include her husband, Francisco Serna; children, Francisco Serna Jr., Angelica Serna and Vanesa Serna; siblings, Estella Gudino, Eliseo Gudino and Abel Gudino; and four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

A funeral mass was held on March 28 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rivera Funeral Home in Mission.

Notices Miguel Baez MISSION – Miguel Lopez Baez, 63, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at his home in Mission.

Maria Calderon MISSION – Maria Guadalupe “Lupita” Calderon, 61, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at her home.

Maria Elizondo PALMVIEW – Maria Ines Treviño Elizondo, 92, passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at her home in Palmview.

Joseph Kalway MISSION – Joseph Kalway, 73, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Catalina Ochoa MISSION – Catalina Esther Ochoa, infant, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Maria Silva MISSION – Maria Silva, 58, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at McAllen Heart Hospital.

Ernesto Soto MISSION – Ernesto Contreras Soto, 95, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Maria Villalobos LA JOYA – Maria D. Villalobos, 78, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Houston.

ALTON NEW CHIEF

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2Mile & Bryan Rd Mission.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 N. Conway • 585-2413 EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 EL MESIAS UNITED METHODIST 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1302 Doherty • 585-1442 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 12th and Miller - Mission 585-7281 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665 FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112 GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission HERITAGE BAPTIST MCALLEN 2549 Lindbergh Ave. McAllen • 451-6358 IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008 IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898

IGLESIA PENTECOSTES NUEVA VIDA A/G 211 W. Mile 3 Road Palmhurst • 956-342-9711 Rev. Candelario Banda

LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603 NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln. ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625 OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193 PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

585-3203 PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236 PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711

advantage of many grant opportunities and create more ties in the community. Developing a relationship between the police department and the community will be his top priority.”

Flores has a total of 12 years working in law enforcement, he said. At his swearing-in, he told the council he wants to promote the community, professionalism and integrity.

“These values are to serve as a compass to our employees to remind themselves that first and foremost, we are here to serve the community,” he said. “In the performance of our duties,

we must be cognizant that as public servants, we are held to a higher standard-and we must ensure we live up to those standards, day in and day out.”

Flores said becoming a police chief has always been his career goal and he knew Alton was where he could do just that.

“Leaving the sheriff’s office-while difficult-I knew this opportunity was for me” he said. “There was solid leadership and stability here and when I first came to the police department, this place already felt like home.”

By Jose De Leon III

we have to close at 10 every day,” the Facebook post reads. “We feel this is not fair for our customers who always come for our late night snacks.”

Despite the support from social media, Mission Planning Director Jaime Acevedo said Snowball Express is in the wrong because they are in violation of their own permit.

“When they applied for a permit in the city four years ago, they said their operating hours would not extend past 10 p.m.,” Acevedo said.

“Whenever they’ve reapplied for permits, they’ve kept the time the same and we went over to their locations over the weekend because they were staying open until at least 1:30 a.m. and we were receiving noise complaints from neighbors.”

To settle this dispute, Acevedo met with Xavier and other staff members of Snowball Express last Monday. At that meeting, both parties came to an agreement to remain open through 1 a.m for the next 15 days but after those days are up, they must comply with the permit, Acevedo said.

During the 15 days, Xavier can also request a new permit to allow his stands to be open longer, a process Acevedo said could be ready to be presented to the city council within the next five weeks.

Cruz said she and her staff at both locations will begin telling customers of the time change and post a sign requesting customers not have loud music while they order.

Despite the agreement,

Cruz and Xavier both felt the city did not have to force Snowball to shut down early.

“We’ve been open for four years past 10 p.m. due to demand from our customers, why didn’t the city enforce it sooner?” Cruz asked. “Never once have we heard a resident near our locations complain of noise. It would’ve been easier if the city had sent us a letter or given us some kind of warning about this violation.”

Acevedo, however, said Wednesday he sent Snowball Express a letter warning them earlier this month that they were in violation of a city ordinance and they could be penalized.

Xavier, however claimed he never received such a letter from the city and such a notice would’ve been helpful.

A pubic information request to the city requesting a copy of the letter was unanswered as of press time.

For Acevedo, the social media attention the closure of Snowball Express received was surprising, but ultimately ineffective.

“I’m not entirely sure how a petition or social media attention would change the fact that this place was violating a city ordinance,” Acevedo said. “This could’ve been avoided if they reached out to us so we could tell them of the steps they could take to comply with the noise ordinance instead of just relying on social media. I hope these people go through the proper channels to get their business in order.”

Forced closure of local raspa stands attracts social media attention

Two local raspa stands lost around $2,000 over the weekend after the city of Mission forced them to close down on two separate occasions.

That’s according to Elgin Xavier, the owner of the Snowball Express raspa stand that has two locations in Mission at 1712 Griffin Parkway and 3124 N. Mayberry Road.

“This was totally unfair,” Xavier said.

According to Bianca de la Cruz, a manager at the Griffin Parkway location, city police and the city planning department came to both of the Mission locations at around 10:30 p.m. last Friday and Sunday night and forced the stand to close down without an explanation, even with a line of customers waiting on their orders.

“At one point, we had five people waiting on their orders and we had to refund them their money,” Cruz said.

To combat this, Xavier went to Facebook where he posted about the incident.

He even created a petition on Change.org requesting the public to support the raspa stand.

As of press time, the petition has garnered 1,600 signatures and a Facebook post dated March 24 about the incident garnered more than 200 shares. “[The city] came yesterday night to both our locations with the police and closed us and warned us

PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307 RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH

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SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002 SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822 ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005 SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078 TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831 TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200

PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW

DAVID H. GUERRA

from pg. 1

job, Arcuate said. He stuck out from other applicants due to new ideas he wanted to bring to the city, Arcuate said.

“He was the only applicant who came in with a five-year plan in hand on how he wants to develop and strengthen the department, him thinking that way says a lot about him,” Arcuate said, adding that those ideas makes up for Flores’ lack of management experience. “[Flores] is bringing in a modern look to the city and will find ways to make the department more effective and efficient,” Arcuate continued. “I’m sure he’ll take

ChurCh DireCtory BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411

page 9

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page 10

JAIME GUTIERREZ

Gutierrez said, “Today, the world is changing at every moment at a faster pace, and we have to change with it or we will be left behind. We must be flexible to change. I will take the City of Mission to a global level. I will provide the best training available for our employees so they can fulfill all the potential they have. Together we will take our city to higher grounds.

“I will maintain low taxes by attracting new businesses to our city, by creating more jobs – better paid jobs – and

attracting more housing. I will be the facilitator to make this happen.”

The 47-year-old Gutierrez noted his personal background and said, “I call the City of Mission my home for the past 20 years. I am a bicultural person. Life has prepared me for this moment.”

His announcement stated he was born in Los Angeles, raised in Chicago, attended law school for five years at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and has been married to Nancy Gutierrez for 24 years.

MEC RIBBON CUTTING acres to bring economic development,” Garza said. “We wanted to make sure that we had not only an event center, but a place where people could go eat, so people could go rest, and we’re going to be bringing hotels.”

Garza also announced that they recently had their first sale of one of the properties: a restaurant called Walk-On’s, a bistreaux that serves Louisiana Cuisine.

According to Garza, it is the first location of the restaurant south of San Antonio.

“The council has been working tirelessly to make this project happen, as well as the board members from the TRS and EDC,” Garza said. “It takes a great team to make this project happen.”

Garza brought up Ramiro Zapata, the architect of the building, and thanked him for all the hard work he put into the project. Josue Reyes, the CEO of D. Wilson Construction, was also thanked for the completion of the project.

March 30, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com from pg. 1 He concluded his announcement with the core reason behind his run for mayor.

“Being mayor requires the individual to have not only the skills, but the heart and passion, to serve our community, and it would be an honor to be your mayor. I don’t have the smallest doubt that the need for change is felt by the majority of the community…. Remember we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” from pg. 1 The city manager introduced three people who will be in charge of the Mission Event Center to the crowd.

“We wanted to bring a staff that had experience in this type of environment, in this type of industry,” Garza said. “They’re going to be instrumental in getting this department going.”

Fatima Garcia, who had been working for McAllen as their civic center became the convention center, was the first to be introduced. After her work with McAllen, she was part of the hotel industry before joining Mission.

“We’re such a huge region,” Garcia said. “It’s not about the cities, it’s about what we can accomplish together. And if it’s Mission, if it’s McAllen, Pharr, any city, as long as we work together, that’s what makes me follow the decision. I think it’s an asset to the Valley because we have a lot to offer.”

The Pioneer High School drumline greeted guests outside as they walked the red

carpet into the building. Once the ribbon was cut, the Veterans Memorial High School mariachi group Mariachi Toros de Plata performed inside for those enjoying appetizers and drinks from the in-house catering service.

The facility is 40,000 sq. ft., and can accommodate several types of events such as team building sessions, board retreats, business meetings, luncheons, seminars, trade shows, networking events, cocktail receptions, family reunion parties, birthdays, car shows, special performances, holiday parties, awards banquets and formal dinners.

“The theme was ‘Capture the Moment,’” City Manager Garza said. “That’s really what we want to bring to the community. We want to make sure that the people who use this space, the people who come to this event center truly capture the moment and they take that back to their communities.”

Precision work means state bound Two students from the Precision Manufacturing program at Veteran Memorial High School have qualified for the state SkillsUSA precision manufacturing competitions to be held in April in Corpus Christi. They qualified for state based upon their performance at the re-

cent SkillsUSA District 13 competitions.

Andrew Vela placed first and Ricardo Ochoa placed third at the district level. The competition consists of four parts: millwork, lathe work, blueprints and machining math.

Named national qualifiers Mission High School students Kenya Salinas and Juan Reyna were named as national qualifiers for the Business Professionals of America, and Diana Gamez has been named as an alternate. These students are headed to Dallas for the national competition on May 9 to 13. Kenya Salinas was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Texas State BPA

TENNIS CENTER

grant we received.”

After applying for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Garza hoped Mission would receive it.

“We’re very excited about this project,” Garza said. “We’re hoping to break ground either in May or early this summer. Regardless if we get the funds, we’re still going to move forward with the project.”

Brad Bensten, the city’s Parks and Recreation Director, went to a meeting held in Austin, where it was announced that Mission would be receiving $500,000 from the TPWD. This will be added to the budget for the tennis center.

“We really want to thank Chuy Hinojosa,” Garza said.

“He was supportive and instrumental in getting this for us, so we’re grateful.”

and also the Area 2 Region 4 BPA scholarship.

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Garza said last year, the city conducted a survey having to do with a ten year park master plan. It was meant to engage with the populous and find out what additions they would like to see in Mission parks.

“More than anything, it’s going to continue the love of the sport by our citizens,” Garza said. “About a year ago we did a survey, and one of the amenities that was on the top of the list was that we needed more tennis courts in the City of Mission.”

This will be a city-run complex, and will include a shop where people will be able to string their rackets and check out equipment.

Those who want to go out for a fun afternoon can use the city’s tennis balls and rackets.

“And so, what we’ve done is met with the United States Tennis Association,

Mission High School student Valeria Lopez has advanced to the state Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) contest to be held in April.

As an added honor, she will see people wearing some of her artwork. Her artwork entered into the state VASE T-shirt contest was selected as the winner and is being used for that event and will be sold at the TAEA fall conference and other regional events in 2019.

from pg. 1 we’ve gotten all the specifications of the courts to make sure we can bring in those tournaments,” Garza said.

“So it’s going to be a facility that we can bring those tournaments, but also we are going to share it with our school districts in this area, Mission and Sharyland, to be able to promote their school tennis tournaments here, plus any invitationals.”

Garza said that this center, as an extension of the Parks and Recreation Department, will allow tennis year round.

The city will be able to bring tennis clinics and promote the sport of tennis in the area.

“People have been knocking on the doors,” Garza said.

“They want to know when we’re going to start with this.

There’s just great interest in the sport within the Sharyland and Mission area.”

Happy Easter He Is Risen

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May the gifts of God’s love and sacrifice fill you with joy and gratitude as we celebrate this holy season.

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theclassifieds March 30, 2018

buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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

Autos TRUCK AND 5TH wheel, 2001 Dodge Diesel Dually 1 ton, 6-speed, extended cab, $8,950, 1997 24’ Shadow Cruiser, no glides, solar panel, $3,950, buy both for $11,900, call 520-686-0938.

For Sale HAPPY JACK FLEXENHANCE plus: relieves arthritic joint & muscle pain in older dogs without prescription. Mission Feed & Hardware, 956-581-2153,(kennelvax.com) CARGO TRAILER FOR sale, ten foot Wells Cargo enclosed trailer, two rear doors, front over head storage, new spare tire, $1,750, OBO, call 402-547-3038.

HARMAR PLATFORM SCOOTER lift, list price $2,225, retail $1,700 and my sales price is $900, hasn’t been used much so no wear or tear on motor, call 956-244-0699.

SEWING MA-

CHINES, have six Singer machines, two Sergers, privately owned, excellent condition, call Bonnie at 574-3021249.

KENNER 16FT., GOOD motor, near Arroyo City, $4,500, for more information call 307871-2287.

2015 SALEM CRUSELITE 24FT., 231RBXL, 1 slide, many extras, excellent condition, new tires, new brakes, weight distribution hitch, asking $11,900, call 956222-2217 for more information.

EXTRA CLEAN 1996 travel trailer 31’, 1 slide, awning, queen bed, ready to live in, gated 55+ Community Sundance RV Village, Harlingen, TX, first $5,000 in cash, clear title, call Tom at 956-561-9691.

Help Wanted EARN CASH MONEY daily, find friends/ neighbors that want to save money on home bills, call 956-6249470 today.

S E E K I N G

Easter is the only time of the year when it is safe to put all your eggs in one basket.

Have a blessed and Happy Easter!

WORKAMPERS FOR winter season 18-19.

We need workers to arrive before October 15, 2018, we also have year round workamper positions available.

Front desk, landscaping, pool maintenance, carpentry, mobile home renovations and repairs.

Call Eastgate Park in Harlingen at 956-423-3137 or Magic Valley Park in Weslaco at 956968-8242, we offer site and electric to RVers.

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Classified Rate:

1 Week = $7.00 2 Weeks = $10.00 4 Weeks = $14.00

250cc motorcycle, $1,500, please call 956-259-9611 for more information.

2002 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 c.c, low miles, shaft drive, very clean, and in good condition, $2,500, call 956-357-2056 for more information.

Services RIVERO ROOFING, ROOF leak repairs, roof replacement, both residential and commercial roofs, reparacion de techos o remplasar techos, presupuestos gratis, free estimates, call Jesse at 956-458-8555.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on April 9, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: 0.825 acres out of Lot 265, John H. Shary Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-3 (General Business); and Rezoning: The South 7.58 acres of Lot 13, Goodwin Tract Subdivision No. 3, AO-I (Agricultural Open Interim) to R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

Auction of Vehicles

According to the provision in the Transportation Code 683, Sub-section B, 683.012, Texas Department of Transportation informs you that the below mentioned cars have been taken into custody by the Penitas Police Department and will be sold at auction. For information on vehicles you can communicate with the Penitas Police Department at (956) 999- 8310. The auction will be held at 2001 E. 3 Mile Rd. Penitas, Texas, 78576 (Penitas Police Substation) on April 07, 2018. Starting auction will be at 1:00 PM, and will be held according to the law. Payment will be in cash (US currency) or Credit/ Debit Cards with a processing fee. The vehicles are auctioned under their conditions which there are no guarantees and/or refunds.

Color Make 1. White Honda 2. White Nissan 3. Black Honda 4. White Dodge 5. Black/ Silver Ford 6. Blue Mitsubishi 7. Gold Nissan 8. Red Saturn 9. Green GMC 10. Gray Mazda 11. Silver Chevrolet 12. Black Chrysler 13. White Chevrolet 14. Black/ Silver Ford

Model Civic Altima Accord Caravan Mustang Mirage Maxima SL1 Sierra 6 Cavalier Sebring Pickup F-150

VIN 1HGEJ8640VL016721 1N4B11D54C162904 1HGCG2259WA028588 2B8GP44321R220586 1FAFP40451F105380 JA3AY26A8XU050137 JN1CA21D5TN405472 1H8ZP128X1Z323507 1GTEC19V7XE543960 1YVFP80D945N28310 1G1JC5242271843998 4C3AG52H54E045253 1GCEC19X97Z190194 1FTRX17W91KA10342

CAUSE NO. F-1287-18-D THE STATE OF TEXAS HERIBERTO GARZA, RESPONDENT(S) GREETINGS: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney appear and answer before the Honorable Rose G. Reyna, 206th District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, at the Courthouse of said County in Edinburg, Texas at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. of the Monday next after the expiration of 20 days from the date of service of this citation, then and there to answer the petition of LAURA GARZA, Petitioner, filed in said Court on this the 9th day of March, 2018 against, HERIBERTO GARZA, Respondent, and said suit being on the docket of said Court, numbered F-128718-D and styled IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF LAURA GARZA VS. HERIBERTO GARZA, AND IN THE INTEREST OF KAYLA GARZA; DANIEL GARZA; DAVID GARZA. The nature of which suit is a request to the Cort that he grant any judgment or decree and such other relief requested in the Petition. Said child(ren) was/were born on/in:

DATE OF BIRTH 02-09-2004 05-07-2005 10-03-2007

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

Submit by email to info@progresstimes.net or pay by phone 956-585-4893.

The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

ORDINANCE NO. 4619 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF 3.0 ACRES, OUT OF LOT 28-6, WEST ADDITION TO SHARYLAND SUBDIVISION, FROM AO-I (AGRICULTURAL OPEN INTERIM) TO C-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THISTHE 26TH DAYOF MARCH, 2018.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4620 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS, (“CITY”) APPROVING A NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION BETWEEN CITY AND TEXAS GAS SERVICE (“TGS” OR “THE COMPANY”) REGARDING THE COMPANY’S COST OF SERVICE ADJUSTMENT (“COSA”) TARIFF FILING; ADOPTING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT; DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; REPEALING ANY PRIOR ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY AND THE CITY’S LEGAL COUNSEL READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, THIS THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 2018.

Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

Attention

NAME: KAYLA GARZA DANIEL GARZA DAVID GARZA

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BIRTH PLACE Hidalgo County, Texas Hidalgo County, Texas Hidalgo County, Texas

The Court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property that will be binding on you and the court has authority in this suit to render an order in the children’s interest that will be binding on you, including the termination of the parent-child relationship, the determination of paternity, and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the children’s adoption.

Said petition was filed in said court by JORGE LUIS ORTEGON, II; 1113 Nightingale AVE McAllen TX 78504. (956)655-5726.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said court at Edinburg, Texas, this on this the 15th day of March, 2018.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS PURSUANT TO L.G.C. SECTION 363.204, THAT: The Palmview Crime Control & Prevention District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Palmview City Hall located at 400 W. Veterans Blvd., Palmview, Texas, to consider the following: Adoption of the Crime Control & Prevention FY2018 and FY2019 District Work Plan and Budget.

The Public is invited to attend.

Annette Villarreal, City Secretary, City of Palmview, Texas

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS PURSUANT TO L.G.C. SECTION 363.205, THAT: The City Council of the City of Palmview will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Palmview City Hall located at 400 W. Veterans Blvd., Palmview, Texas, to consider the following: Adoption of the Crime Control & Prevention FY2018 and FY2019 District Work Plan and Budget.

The Public is invited to attend.

Annette Villarreal, City Secretary, City of Palmview, Texas

CAUSE NO. F-0254-18-1 IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF ADELITA COVARRUBIAS VS. ISRAEL TOVAR THE STATE OF TEXAS Israel Tovar, RESPONDENT(S) YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. “You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 o’clock a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of twenty (20) days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you.”

The petition of Adelita Covarrubias, Petitioner, was filed in the District County Court At Law #1 of Hidalgo County, Texas, on this the 16th day of January, 2018, against Israel Tovar, Respondent, case numbered F-0254-18-1 and entitled IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF ADELITA COVARRUBIAS VS. ISRAEL TOVAR. The suit requests that the Court grant a divorce and such other relief requested in the Petition.

The Court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property that will be binding on you.

Said petition was filed in said court by ROBERTO JACKSON, Jr., 412 PALMVIEW COMMERCIAL DRIVE PALMVIEW TX 78572, 956-585-6938.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at Edinburg, Texas on this on this the 22nd day of March, 2018.

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does) not file a written answer with the clerk who issued to this citation by 10:00 A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of forty-two (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation, a default Judgment may be taken against you.”

TO: THE TRUSTEES OF THE WEIDNER TRUST AGREEMENT DATED OCTOBER 5, 1994, WILBERT D. HOOD, CARMEN R. BAILEY, PAULA MARIE SEAMAN, DENISE ANN HOOD, WILBERT DAWSON HOOD, JR., LISA KAY KOPPEL AND TIMOTHY LEE HOOD, CYNTHIA ANNE McPHEE AND TERESA COOPER, AND THE HEIRS AND UNKNOWN HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS-ININTEREST OF ALL OF THE FOREGOING NAMED DEFENDANTS, Defendants Greeting: You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s petition at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. of the first Monday after the expiration of forty-two (42) days from the date of issuance of this citation, the same being Monday April 30, 2018 at or before 10 o’clock a.m., before the 332nd District Court of Hidalgo County, at the Courthouse in Edinburg, Texas.

Said Plaintiff’s Petition was filed on February 13, 2018 in this case, numbered C-00575-18-F on the docket of said court. An Amended Original Petition was filed February 15, 2018. A Second Amended Petition was filed March 16, 2018.

The names of the parties to the cause are as follows: CRYSTAL LYN FENCIL, Plaintiff and THE TRUSTEES OF THE WEIDNER TRUST AGREEMENT DATED OCTOBER 5, 1994, WILBERT D. HOOD, CARMEN R. BAILEY, PAULA MARIE SEAMAN, DENISE ANN HOOD, WILBERT DAWSON HOOD, JR., LISA KAY KOPPEL, and TIMOTHY LEE HOOD, and CYNTHIA ANNE McPHEE AND TERESA COOPER, AND THE HEIRS AND UNKNOWN HEIRS AND SUCCESSORSIN-INTEREST OF ALL OF THE FOREGOING NAMED DEFENDANTS. AND GORDON RUDD, Defendants. A brief statement of the nature of the suit is as follows, to-wit: The suit seeks to have clear title to Lot 6, Block 2, MARTIN ENTERPRISES SUBDIVISION,Hidalgo County, Texas on grounds of limitations and recovery damages as requested in the Plaintiff’s Petition.

If this citation is not served within ninety days after the date of its issuance, it shall be returned unserved. The officer executing this writ shall promptly served the same according to requirements of law, and the mandates thereof, and make due return as the law directs.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court office in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas on this March 16, 2018.

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March 30, 2018

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Mission City Councilwoman Jessica Ortega-Ochoa threw the first softball pitch at the start of the Mission Boys and Girls Club’s opening ceremony of the 2018 spring baseball and softball season Wednesday. Held at Mission High School’s Leo Najo Baseball Field, more than 50 teams of baseball and softball players had their inaugural game. According to Mission Boys and Girls Club Director Juan Arevalo, players ranged from ages 3 through 14 with 70 baseball and softball teams registered under the Mission Boys and Girls Club. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III

LJHS Senior Wins Big at UIL State Film Festival

La Joya High School Senior Eddie Barrera received 1st place in the Nobility Social Impact Award category and 2nd place in the State Finals during this year’s UIL State Film Festival, according to a news release from the district. The UIL Film Festival began five years ago and Barrera’s win was the first time the district has ever had anyone make it to the finals. The event was held at Austin’s Paramount Theater last month. The categories in the UIL Film Festival include Digital Animation, Traditional Animation, Narrative and Documentary in the two divisions that comprise the northern and southern regions of Texas. Barrera’s documentary titled “33rd Annual Helping Hands of Hope” tells the story of the widely known holiday gift drive initiated by the National Honor Society chapter at La Joya High School. The film shows the process and execution of the drive by students and staff and how it impacts the community. Barrera’s documentary competed against 150 other documentaries in the competition, the release said.

Opening Night Tickets Start at $15!

Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability.

STATE FARM ARENA

APR 18 – 22

DisneyOnIce.com

Rejoice in the Spirit of

Easter

May the warmth of His love light your season with faith and joy.

Happy Easter!

LOCATIONS IN

facebook.com/ cityofpenitas

LA JOYA • PALMVIEW

MAYOR PRO-TEM

COUNCILMAN

ALEX GUAJARDO JOSE ROEL FLORES

MAYOR

RIGO LOPEZ

COUNCILMAN

COUNCILMAN

FELIPE QUINTANILLA RAMIRO LOYA

Ramiro J. Rodrigurez, Jr. Roberto A. Salinas Mayor Mayor Pro-Tem

(956) 585-6207 www.lajoyafcu.com

Jaime Aranda Councilman

Jose A. “Fito” Salinas Mayor

www.cityofpalmhursttx.com

HAPPY EASTER

Maria E. “Geny” Salinas Commissioner Ruben De Leon Councilman

Israel Silva Councilman

Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman

Insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender.

Mike Alaniz City Administrator

Mary Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem

Rey Acosta Commissioner

Anna Lisa Ruiz Commissioner Julianita Sabala Roberto Jackson City Attorney Administrative Secretary

Happy Easter

Gerardo Perez Mayor

Javier Ramirez Mayor Pro Tem

Joselito Hernandez Councilman

Linda Sarabia Councilwoman

Ricardo Villarreal Councilman

Joel Garcia Councilman

Ramon Segovia City Manager

www.cityofpalmhursttx.com

David Nacianceno Assistant City Manager

We’d like to wish our friends, neighbors and customers here all the best at Eastertime. Your kindness and support means so much to us, and we are grateful to be a part of this fine community.