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Vol. 46 No. 44

New voice, new mayor for Mission

By Jose De Leon III

Councilman Armando “Doc” O’Caña speaks to supporters during his victory party Saturday, June 9, 2018 after being named the new mayor for the city of Mission.

Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Nine LJISD schools named among healthiest schools in America

By Jamie Treviño Prioritizing making school a healthier environment for students, teachers and faculty, the La Joya Independent School District has recently been awarded for their efforts.

All eight of their middle schools, Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, Memorial Middle School, Ann Richards Middle School, Irene Garcia Middle School, JD Salinas Middle School, Domingo Treviño Middle School, along with Enrique Camarena Elementary School, have been added to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s annual list of America’s Healthiest Schools. They all achieved the 2018 National Healthy Schools Bronze Award.

In the fall, these schools will be nationally recognized in USA Today, The Huffington Post, Women’s Day and other national media outlets during the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s #HealthiestSchools campaign. LJISD said the program is “an evidence-based national initiative to create healthier school environments where children can thrive.”

Schools had to meet precise standards and requirements to qualify for the award, and the application process required several departments to work together.

This is the first time in district history that La Joya has

met all the prerequisites for the Healthier Generation’s Healthy School’s program.

The Athletic Department and Child Nutrition Services were the two major departments who contributed to making sure these schools hit their marks and were making healthier decisions.

Alex Guajardo, LJISD Athletic Director, was proud of the schools who were able to achieve this success.

“We had several departments working together to meet the criteria,” Guajardo said. “It was a process where we had to make sure everything was in place.”

According to Guajardo, having a healthier school means attendance goes up, which in turn leads to more education and learning opportunities for the students.

“If a child is not healthy, how can they learn?” Guajardo said. “Healthier children come to school. Our attendance is up, and they’re ready to learn.”

The district has allowed for increased recess time, so students are able to play and engage in more physical activity. Schools also focused their health lessons on advocating for students to start living healthier lives.

“Research shows that when you’re active, you tend to pay more attention in the classroom,” Guajardo said.

“We really haven’t changed the curriculum, but we have been promoting the health aspect more. We’re teaching our kids about the importance

See HEALTHIEST SCHOOLS Pg. 10

Mission Mayor Norbeto “Beto” Salinas’ 20-year run as mayor ended Saturday after residents voted for a new mayor.

Mission Councilman Armando “Doc” O’Caña was elected mayor of the city in Saturday’s runoff election that saw him receive 51 percent of the votes, beating Salinas by 152 votes according to unofficial results from the Hidalgo County Elections department.

Both mayoral candidates entered into a runoff election after Salinas beat O’Caña during the May 5 general elections but failed to win the majority vote by three votes.

“I think the citizens of Mission are saying it’s time for change, time for some-

thing different, and that’s why they voted the way they did,” O’Caña said Saturday.

“I’ve pledged that as mayor, I will continue all the projects we have going on to see them through completion, I do believe they’re good for Mission.”

O’Caña said he also plans to move the start of city council meetings from 4:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and include space in the agenda for council members to have comments similar to the city manager’s and mayor’s comments the city agendas currently allow for.

“The key word around everything we will be doing is collaboration,” O’Caña said. “I want everyone to think outside the box. If you think within the box, if you do the same thing, you’re just gonna have the same re-

sults...”

Though unavailable to comment for this story, Salinas addressed his supporters Saturday during a party at Mission Bell RV Resort.

“I’m happy with the results, I’m happy things came out the way they did, God wanted it to happen this way,” Salinas told the crowd.

“I’ll spend more time at the ranch and with my business and friends. I just want you all to know not to feel bad this is just a stumbling block that we might get up and go somewhere else, but I’m not going to tell you I’m not going to do it anymore. I’m going to stay involved in politics, I’m going to continue to help development in the city.”

Voters also elected attor-

See NEW MAYOR Pg. 10

Lone Star National Bank opens in Alton

By Jose De Leon III With 35 years in existence. Lone Star National Bank celebrated this milestone by opening its 33rd location Tuesday in the city on the grow.

After breaking ground last December for an opening in the city of Alton, Lone Star National Bank opened its doors to potential customers in the city during a red-ribbon cutting ceremony. Located at 605 S. Alton Blvd-down the street from the Alton City Hall-the new branch location will create 15 jobs in the city, and help spur its economic and community development, according to Steve Peña, chief executive officer for Alton’s development cor-

poration.

“This shows Alton is a city on the grow, and its moving forward in a fast pace,” Peña said Tuesday. “The bank is

something we’ve wanted for years and I’m so glad we’re making it happen and growing together.”

Peña noted that the Al-

ton branch of LSNB is the city’s first-standalone bank in the city’s history. He said

See LONE STAR BANK Pg. 4

Officials of Lone Star National Bank are flanked by city officials and other dignitaries as they cut the ribbon for the latest LSNB branch office in Alton. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

Agua SUD hires familiar face as new district engineer

By Dave Hendricks When the Agua Special Utility District hired a new engineer last week, the board went with a familiar face.

The utility board hired Emigdio “Milo” Salinas, the

Emigdio “Milo” Salinas

president of McAllen-based M2 Engineering, during a meeting on June 4.

As the district engineer, Salinas will review development plans and handle projects assigned by Interim General Manager Jose E. “Eddie” Saenz.

“He’s a man who has a good head on his shoulders.

Very conscientious,” Saenz said, adding that Salinas will make a solid district engineer. “I think he’s someone that will come in and give us some good insight and recommendations.”

The youngest of five children, Salinas tagged along when the family traveled to Michigan for construction work. The boys learned

about construction from their father, Salinas said in an email, adding that he emphasized hard work.

Salinas studied engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and worked construction during the summers. He joined McAllen-based LeFevre Engineering & Management Consulting in 2011.

The owner, Richard LeFevre, promoted him from project engineer to vice president. Salinas resigned from LeFevre Engineering in June, when the utility board named him district engineer.

“It is my preference not to discuss past employments with any particular clients, and instead show my deep

gratefulness to have been given the opportunity to be the Engineer of Record for the Agua Special Utility District,” Salinas said in an email. “I look forward to this new episode in my career, and expect to work hard to provide the best service as possible.”

Salinas incorporated M2 Engineering in January 2018, according to records filed with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. The company registered a web address in April.

M2 Engineering may be new, but Salinas knows western Hidalgo County well.

When he worked for Le-

See AGUA SUD Pg. 9

INSIDE

INDEX

City of Palmview Update

LJISD Sports Achievements

McAllen ISD Audit brings questions

The City of Palmview has recently canceled a contract to lease police cars, and hired a law firm to collect on loans given to local small businesses. Dave Hendricks has the latest.

Bryan Ramos describes the top ten athletic achievements from LJISD students in the 2017-2018 school year. See the highlights on our sports page.

Auditors for the school district raise questions about their technology department regarding problems with the Network Services and Support division. Dave Hendricks has more, inside.

See Pg. 4

See Pg. 6

See Pg. 7

Entertainment | pg.2

Lifestyle | pg.3

Sports | pg. 6

Obituaries | pg. 9

Classifieds | pg. 11

entertainment

New experiences await Texas State Aquarium visitors

CORPUS CHRISTI – Anyone who has not been to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi since the May 13 re-opening following the $65 million renovation – including construction of the Caribbean Journey doubling the aquarium’s capacity – is in for a new experience.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Texas State Aquarium specializes in the fish and marine life of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea with more than 4,000 species of tropical fish and marine life on display.

Dolphins make daily appearances, there is a wild bird flight show new to the aquarium, otters perform and there is even a turtle show.

Visitors can also get a handson experience feeding the rays in the tanks.

The new Caribbean Journey addition is the biggest change. Years in the making, the exhibit takes the best of the Caribbean and brings it to the Coastal Bend region. Caribbean Journey celebrates the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve, a bio-diverse region in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Pathways wind in and around habitats teeming with life, including vibrant coral formations, cenotes and a sunken shipwreck. This exhibit features a 400,000-gallon shark habitat, a 4-D theater, and handson interactive exhibits.

In addition to its aquatic residents, Caribbean Journey is home to dozens of exotic plants, flowers, and trees found in the Sian Ka’an. The new exhibit includes a glass dome built to withstand 200 mile-per-hour winds covering the addition.

Fortunately, the exhibit was completed before Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast. The aquarium had minimal damage and was able to protect the many species of marine life during the storm.

Other displays teach the importance of the Mangrove forests that serve as nurseries for many varieties fish, such as tarpons, snook and mangrove snappers, along with crabs, shrimp and mollusks.

Walking around the circle of the dome brings visitors face to face with a waterfall fronting a two-story aquarium tank where brightly colored fish swim alongside “well fed” sharks. Visitors through a tunnel under the tank along, and another feature allows children to crawl under a section of elevated floor and stick their head into a bubble inside the aquarium tank.

A Mayan ruins exhibit pays tribute to the Mayans who lived in the tropical areas in Mexico and the Caribbean from 250 to 900 A.D. For those wanting a more in-depth experience on weekends, there are several exclusive encounters including Feed the Fish, Feed the

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

EDINBURG – Have you ever brewed oregano tea for a stomach ache, touched other people’s things to ward off “mal de ojo,” or been soothed by a parent with a healing “Sana. Sana. Colita de rana. Si no sana hoy, sana mañana.”?

If so, then an opportunity to share the story will be available during the “Curanderismo: Past, Present, Future. A Community Medicine in the Modern Age” presentation on Sunday, June 17, at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History. Curandera Danielle López is the featured speaker.

This presentation, or rather, plática, will be set to encourage an interactive dialogue between López and the audience.

“My goal is to create a new dialogue of what constitutes accepted modalities of knowledge production through the lens of Gloria Anzaldúa’s conocimiento occurring here, in my native U.S-Mexico Borderlands,” explains López, a borderland native.

The focus of López studies is on healing through traditional curanderismo in interdisciplinary spaces which include regional and internationally inspired holistic healing practices.

To complement the presentation, a selection of items from the museum’s collection on traditional healing,

Coming Attractions

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

page 2

Curandera to speak at MOSTHistory

A dolphin jumps high out of the water during the exciting Dolphin Show at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.

June 16 • Space Rockers, the new 80’s and 90’s party band, performs at the Pharr Events, 3000 N. Cage, from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Price Level I-$27.50 plus fees Reserved seating general admission is $27.50. Standing room general admission is $17.50. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. For VIP tables, call 956-827-8349. For information, call 956475-3434.

June 19 • The Upper Valley Art League will hold two art classes for youth with instruction in drawing from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and photography from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Each session is $25, payable by check or cash at the time of registration. Space is limited. Call UVAL at 956-583-2787 to sign up. Ask at the time of registration how Girl Scouts can earn a badge with the workshops. UVAL is located at 921 E. 12th St. in Mission.

June 23 • The 17th annual Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum induction awards will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 826. E. Stenger in San Benito. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the ceremony will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Entertainment, provided by Los Angeles Del Sur, will go on until midnight. The 2018 inductees are Willie Lopez, Pedro Ayala Jr., Rene Luna and Norfilia Layton. Pre-sale tickets are $10, and $12 at the door. For reservations, contact Rey Avila at 956-245-1666. Tickets are available at the KC Hall or by calling 956-399-4257; San Benito Chamber, 956-361-9111; or Harlingen Chamber, 956-423-5440.

• The Yappo Bands and Brewskis, hosted by the Gladys Porter Zoo, will be held from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St. in Brownsville. Part of the YappoPalooza event, it is a fundraiser for the Bi-national Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Project. The night features beer sampling, shrimp plates, a silent auction and a live music Tickets are showcase with Rio Grande Valley bands. $20 pre-sale and $30 at the door and can be purchased at eventbrite.com or in the zoo’s front office. For more info, go to gpz.org or yappopalooza.net. For questions, call 956-5489453 for information.

June 15, 2018

Danielle López

or curanderismo, will feature items referencing Don Pedrito Jaramillo. Jaramillo was a traditional healer who practiced in and around Falfurrias from to the late 1800s until his passing in 1907.

López earned a master’s in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in Mexican-American literature, medical anthropology and Latin art history at the University of Texas–Pan American. Her work as a cultural theory educator, a practicing curandera, a chicana spiritual activist and a performance artist in the Río Grande Valley guides her mission to preserve the culture, medicine and art of her heritage.

The program is included in the museum admission.

MOSTHistory is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. Call 956-383-6911 for information.

STC hosts ceramics exhibition, demos June 20-22

McALLEN – South Texas College presents an opening reception and demonstrations on June 20 to 22 of ceramic work by distinguished ceramicist’s Benjie Heu and Ron Fondaw. It includes ceramic work from 15 universities and community colleges, on June 20. The event activities are free and open to the public.

The 12th Annual Ceramics Exhibition and Conference, “Continued Connections. Variable Directions,” will be on exhibit through Aug. 8, at the Pecan library art gallery and through July 5 at the Building B art gallery.

“For the 2018 South Texas Showdown, we will have more collaborations expected than in the past with a few more top-notch ceramic programs in the mix,” said Chris Leonard, ceramic showdown organizer, and STC ceramics

professor.

STC’s three-day South Texas Ceramic Showdown will begin with an opening reception on June 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pecan Campus library.

On June 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., clay demonstrations will be held in STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115 and continues from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Demonstrations pick up again on June 22 from 9 a.m.

– 12 p.m. in the same studio.

From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Heu and Fondaw will present ceramics art talks at the STC Technology Campus, Bldg.

E, 3700 W. Military Hwy. in McAllen.

For more information contact Gina Otvos at 956872-3488, via email at gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

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lifestyle

MCISD Aquatic Center offers summer swim programs

The Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) is offering a variety of aquatic programs for the summer in the recently-renovated Aquatic Center.

The MCISD Aquatic Center is located at 1500 Nicholson Ave. in Mission and was formerly known as the Northside Pool located at the southwest corner of Mission High School.

Programs such as Child Learn-to-Swim, Water Aerobics/BoKWA H20, MCISD Lap Swim Hours, MCISD Family Night, and MCISD public hours are part of the summer lineup.

The district is currently offering four sessions of Learn-to-Swim from Monday through Thursday. The session will consist of eight, 45-minute classes for children from 5 to 11 years of age, and they must pass a pre-swim test. Class sizes are limited to eight students to each instructor depending on their swim level and age.

The fee for is $40 with two morning classes and two afternoon classes.

Session I was held the past two weeks. Upcoming sessions planned are Session 2: June 18-21 and 25-28;

Session 3: July 2-3, 5-6 and 9-12; and Session 4: July 1619 and 23-26.

In addition to this program, the district is piloting a water aerobics program, Water Aerobics/BoKWA H20, that runs from Monday through Wednesday with two time slots and one class on Thursday.

Lap Swim hours, a continuous independent swim workout from Monday through Saturday, has the pool available Monday through Thursday from 6 to 8 a.m. and 1 to 6 p.m. and on Friday through Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

There will also be time for families to enjoy the pool on Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., on Monday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m.

Admission for students is $2 and adults pay $3. There is a monthly card for both the Lap Swim and Aerobics for $40 and MCISD Employees pay $30 for a monthly card.

Registration at the Aquatic Center is available Monday through Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. and 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call 956-323-5830.

Pictured is a Mission Aquatic Center Lifeguard with a Learnto-Swim student.

Program brings ‘Old West’ to life

McALLEN – Experience life back in the “Old West” and see a Native American tipi (also spelled as teepee or tepee), hear Native American stories and take a pony ride at Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center on Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m.

The Native American Bear Clan has participated in many events at Quinta Mazatlán and shares Native stories connecting plants and animals.

Staff from the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) will be on hand to

tell “tall tales” and give facts about the difficulties early settlers faced while surviving the harsh environmental conditions of South Texas.

MOSTHistory is located in Edinburg and provides the community with access to exhibits sharing the heritage and blended culture found in the Rio Grande Valley. The museum protects and preserves materials related to distinctive history of South Texas.

The park admission is $3 per person which includes

Learn more about the Old West, take a pony ride, hear Native American stories and more at Quinta Mazatlan on Thursday, June 21.

June 15, 2018

page 3

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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

EVENTS

CALENDAR

June 19 – Between a Rock and a Hard Place has been selected for the next book discussion at Speer Memorial Library in Mission. It takes place in the library’s Community Room at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the book are available to check out. It is also available as an eBook at hidalgocotx.oneclickdigital. com. For more information, to sign up, or to obtain a copy, call William Renner or Rose Alvarez at 580-8754 or 5808750. The library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

June 20–29 – Take the Skull Island Survival Test this summer at the Edinburg World Birding Center on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. Field experts will teach participants outdoor survival skills and then put it to practice in an action-packed survival competition on June 29. Adults and families are invited to participate. Admission fee is free. Space is limited; registration is required. To register, call 956-381-9922. Participants must be 5 years or older to participate and accompanied by an adult if under 16 years of age.

June 21 – The Gladys Porter Zoo hosts World Giraffe Day to celebrate the world’s tallest animal on the year’s longest day. The zoo will have the Giraffe Landing feeding experience open for extended hours with knowledgeable staff and docents answering questions. Kids can also participate in activities while learning about giraffe conservation. For more information, visit gpz.org or call 956-546-7187.

June 23 – The National Butterfly Center (NBC), 3333 Butterfly Park in Mission, is offering “Community Camp Out” with tent camping in an overnight sleepover from 6 p.m. on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday. Cost is $40 per tent. There will be planned outdoor activities led by NBC staff. Pre-registration is required. Sign up at nationalbutterflycenter.org.

Call 956-583-5400 for more information.

June 23 – The Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC) will host a Toddler Play Date for families with children ages 18 months to four years old from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This month the theme is “Mud.” Toddlers can discover nature through interactive play with puppet shows, story-telling, puzzle time, free play, coloring, crafts and guided walks throughout the grounds. The fee per toddler is $2, with one free guardian. Additional visiting family members must pay regular EWBC admission. Space is limited, so registration is required. The EWBC is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road. For more information, or to register, call 956-3819922.

June 23 – The Yappo Kids Fest at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold in Brownsville, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event immediately follows the Ridley Rush 1 Mile/Walk Run. This event includes arts & crafts vendors, educational exhibitors and children’s games and activities such as face painting, a rock wall, more. Kids will have a chance to meet the Kemp’s Ridley Project ambassador, Shelldon. This event is included in zoo admission or Ridley Rush participation. Call 956-548-9453 for information.

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

MCISD announces change to meals policy The Mission Consolidated Independent School District has announced a change to its policy for serving meals to children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2018-2019 school year.

Schools qualifying to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) will provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge.

It will eliminate the collection of meal applications for the free, reduced-price and paid student meals. The new approach reduces burdens for families and school administrators to ensure that all students receive nutritious meals.

For additional information, contact Maria “Rosy” Woodrum, SNS, with the Child Nutrition Program, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, TX78572; phone 956-3233800; or via email at rwoodrum@mcisd.org.

As part of South Texas College’s Aviation Camps, junior high and high school participants will take a field trip to the McAllen Airport for a “Hangar Hangout.” The hangout will give participants an opportunity to meet with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified instructor.

STC to offer Aviation Camps

McALLEN – With a prominent pilot shortage in the U.S., South Texas College’s Continuing Professional and Workforce Education Department will be hosting a Summer Aviation Camp to spark an interest in flying for future pilots.

Elementary aviation camp begins June 18, junior high aviation camp begins June 25, and the high school aviation camp starts July 9.

Those interested should register by June 18.

The four-day camps will take place at the STC Technology Campus in McAllen and is intended for elementary, junior high, and high school students.

Instruction will touch on the subjects of remotely piloted vehicles (drones) and flying fundamentals. Junior high and high school participants will take a field trip to the McAllen Airport for a

“Hangar Hangout” for an opportunity to meet with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified instructor.

Hector Zuniga, owner of McAllen’s Flight Academy, says this camp is crucial to begin sparking curiosity about a career in piloting.

“The demand for pilots has never been as high as it is today,” said Zuniga. “The camps are going to be a great opportunity and even more beneficial for the high school level. Those are the ones that will be able to go into a two-year program and take advantage of the demand for pilots that is only growing.”

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate and a pilot wing lapel. The cost of the aviation camps is $150 for the 16-hour course.

To register for the aviation camp and other classes, call 956-872-3585.

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page 4

Palmview cancels contract to lease police cars

By Dave Hendricks The Palmview City Council canceled a contract to lease police cars on last week, calling the alternative financing agreement a bad deal.

Palmview will return two police cars to South Carolina-based Public Finance Strategies and stop paying the company a cut of certain traffic tickets.

“It was way too much interest,” said City Councilman Joel Garcia, who called the contract terms crazy.

“And we didn’t like the way the contract was created.”

When the city approved the contract last year, however, Palmview considered the deal a creative way to buy police cars without putting any money down.

Then-police Chief Chris Barrera brought the deal to then-City Manager Ramon Segovia, who signed the contract in March 2017. Public Finance Strategies provided the city with two police cars, which hit the streets in June.

With the exception of police radios, the 2017 Ford Explorer and 2017 Ford Taurus came fully equipped.

They cost nearly $71,000.

Palmview promised the new police cars would spend more than 240 hours every month “performing traffic enforcement duties in known chronic speeding areas that may endanger public safety,” according to the contract.

The Palmview Municipal Court tracked traffic tickets written by officers who

drove the new police cars.

Whenever a motorist paid a ticket, Public Finance Strategies collected $25 from the city.

“In theory, if they issue no tickets, they owe no money.

Zero,” said company President William B. Danzell.

The contract also allowed Palmview to buy the vehicles after paying the purchase price plus interest.

“Once we’re whole, they have the option to buy the vehicle for $1,” Danzell said.

Public Finance Strategies is dedicated to improving public safety by cracking down on speeding, which causes deadly car crashes, Danzell said. The company offers cash-strapped police departments a way to buy new vehicles for traffic enforcement without borrowing money from a bank or burdening taxpayers with higher bills.

“From our standpoint, if they really don’t want to continue with the program, usually we just take the vehicle back and deploy it to another community,” Danzell said.

“There’s no cost or penalty involved.”

Any city unhappy with the program may simply return the police cars and cancel the contract.

“There’s no money being made,” Danzell said. “We’re recovering our costs.”

City Finance Director Rachel Chapa disagreed, adding that the contract included predatory terms and resembled a payday loan agreement.

LONE STAR BANK that the bank is a new development in the city that will have great impact in the city.

“It’s not only a sign of community development, it’s also strengthening economic development in the city because you’ve got the financial institutions being supported,” Peña said. “This branch is creating jobs and take care of the community, they always do.”

David Deanda, president of the board of directors for LSNB, said Tuesday that the bank will sponsor the city’s youth soccer league and tomorrow’s Community Day event, a free celebration that is open to the public and will be held next to the bank.

“Our youth is our foundation,” Deanda said. “They’re the future of the bank so we believe in helping all youth in sports if we get them early they’ll become our customers in the long run.”

Deanda also remarked

June 15, 2018

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

“He was making a killing off the city of Palmview,” Chapa said.

While the contract allowed Palmview to purchase the police cars from Public Finance Strategies, the terms included a catch.

After the first year and the second year, Palmview could buy the police cars if payments covered all costs plus 12 percent interest. After the fourth year, Palmview could buy the police cars for all costs plus 3 percent interest.

The contract, though, didn’t include an option to buy during the third year, Chapa said, adding that the third year is probably when Palmview would hit the threshold.

Officers driving the new police cars wrote 627 traffic tickets from July to December 2017, according to city records. Under the deal, Palmview owed the company $15,675 for the first six months.

Based on that six-month period, Palmview would pay Public Finance Strategies about $31,350 annually from traffic tickets.

Palmview would cover all costs plus interest during the third year, but wouldn’t be able to purchase the police cars until the fourth year — when payments to Public Finance Strategies would total more than $125,000.

“It sounds like it’s minimal or no risk. It’s appealing,” said City Manager Leo Olivares. “But you got to read the fine print.”

from pg 1 that this year, LSNB will also open another location in McAllen and in Brownsville.

The bank was founded in Pharr and includes locations all over the Valley and one in San Antonio.

Opening a location in a small city like Alton, Deanda said, is just as important as opening one in a big city.

“Small cities are our foundations, they’re committed with banking with one local bank and giving back,” he said. “So it’s very important to stay with a small business and local banks and local communities.”

Salvador Vela, Alton’s mayor, also spoke of how the city will grow because of the bank. He called it the greatest thing that could happen to the city.

“It’ll make this city more successful...a bank is like the lifeline of the city because you and other businesses can use it and not have to travel

to McAllen or Mission to use a bank there,” Vela said, adding that he already opened an account in the Alton LSNB branch. “We’ve been needing this for a long time.”

Peña reflected how the city of Alton, which in a recent Progress Times article was found to be the fasting growing city in the county, is growing. Besides the bank, the city is installing towers to support city-wide wi-fi within the next three years and later this year, will break ground for an urgent care center and a dialysis center.

“Cities need to have basic infrastructure that support growth like this, we’re basically there, Peña said. “Now we can start with a lot of the stuff that deals more with community development.”

Concerned about loan program, Palmview hires law firm to collect

By Dave Hendricks Palmview plans to crack down on local businesses that borrowed money through a low-interest loan program but failed to follow the rules.

The City Council hired McAllen-based law firm Walker & Twenhafel last week, asking the attorneys to handle “collection of loans” to Roberto Jackson, the former La Joya city attorney; Ismael “Smiley” Cantu and Nereyda Cantu, who own a daycare called Imagination Express Learning Center; and Palmview businessman Miguel Cortez.

“We obviously want to work with the loan recipients,” said City Manager Leo Olivares. “But you get to a point where you have to enforce the terms of the notes.”

Jackson, the Cantus and Cortez borrowed money from the Palmview Economic Development Corp. through a low-interest loan program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With rock-bottom interest rates and better terms than a standard bank loan, the program is designed to kick-start small businesses.

As they repay the money, the program is supposed to make new loans — starting a cycle of economic development.

Jackson borrowed $187,500, according to city

records. The Cantus borrowed $200,000. And Cortez borrowed $23,000.

When the Palmview Economic Development Corp. went under, the city started managing the loan program.

Many businesses had problems paying back what they borrowed.

“Almost all of them, at one time, went about two years without making a payment,” said city Finance Director Rachel Chapa.

Palmview recently re-examined the loan requirements, Chapa said. The city sent letters to Jackson, the Cantus and Cortez during April, asking them to provide proof of insurance and other records.

They must carry standard property insurance, which covers fires and storm damage, and life insurance, which covers the business owner. Palmview also requested workers compensation records.

When they didn’t respond, the City Council hired Walker & Twenhafel.

Jackson and Ismael Cantu, though, said they didn’t recall receiving letters from the city.

Problems with the loan program were well known, Jackson said. Many businesses just stopped making loan payments and the city didn’t attempt to collect.

“It was really, really bad,”

Jackson said.

Jackson borrowed $187,500 through the program in 2007 and built a law office on Palmview Commercial Drive, according to city records. By 2016, when the city approved a modified loan agreement, Jackson owed nearly $53,000.

“There’s so little left on mine that I can pay it off at any time,” Jackson said, adding that he plans to make the final payment during the next few months.

Jackson said he didn’t recall any letter from the city asking about insurance.

Ismael Cantu and his wife, Nereyda Cantu, borrowed $200,000 for a daycare called Imagination Express Learning Center.

They borrowed $200,000 for the business in 2011, according to city records.

By 2016, when the city approved a modified loan agreement, they still owed nearly $195,000.

Ismael Cantu said he didn’t recall receiving a letter from the city, but the business is insured and makes regular loan payments.

“I don’t know where they’re coming from,” Cantu said.

Miguel Cortez, the businessman who borrowed $23,000 through the program, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Peñitas meets with Precinct 3, TxDOT and L & G Engineering for new road projects

By Jamie Treviño During a recent city council meeting in Peñitas, city manager Omar Romero brought up a recent meeting he and Mayor Rodrigo Lopez had with Precinct 3, the Texas Department of Transportation and L & G Engineering in which they discussed the upcoming plans for Liberty Road, Expressway 83 and Mile 3 Line.

Precinct 3 will begin the right-of-way acquisition and construction of two overpasses - one over Tom Gill Road and Liberty - and construction will hopefully begin in September of next year. They hope to have Liberty open to traffic by 2021.

“The new highway has already been approved, and it’s not just going to be Frontage Road, they’re also going to build the overpasses, and the next overpass will not be until Jara Chinas [Road],” Romero said. “Which means that Tom Gill and Liberty are going to be the major thoroughfares for traffic in this area, because there will be no other way to exit the highway until you get to Jara Chinas.”

According to Romero, the total project is projected to cost $300 million of state and federal dollars invested into infrastructure and roads between Mile 3, Liberty and the highway.

“Liberty is going to open up a lot of land for development,” Romero said. “There’s currently a lot of farmland north of the expressway that is not necessarily available to development, but with Liberty Road being constructed, there will be an extension of utilities, of infrastructure in that area that will allow for development on that land.”

Romero also said this construction would eventually ease up traffic on Tom Gill Road and give a more efficient route to 3 Mile and 7 Mile Line.

“Now, 3 Mile all the way from basically 23rd Street all the way to Tom Gill is going to be a four-lane with dedicated turning road,” Romero said.

“So that’s going to ease traffic as well.”

He considers the new expressway as a huge benefit to Peñitas.

“For us, people who want to come to Peñitas or go to La Joya or the school district will go through the city,” Romero said. “So it’s going to mean increased traffic flow, and at the same time making it a little bit easier. Right now, because of the stoplights on [Expressway] 83, sometimes there are some delays in traffic, sometimes it’s a little bit delayed with emergencies, and by opening up that, it’s going to urbanize the area a

little, which is a big plus to the city.”

According to Romero, the potential for increased commercial development will help with taxes as well.

“Liberty Road has been in the process for a long time,” Romero said. “We’re very appreciative of Precinct 3 and Commissioner [Joe] Flores for working with us and helping us develop these projects. We’re a small city, and we dedicate a lot of our time and budget into police protection, fire protection and economic development. Being able to leverage funds and work with the county has allowed us the opportunity to grow and have projects like this.”

On Liberty Road, phase one of the project will include buying up 24 parcels of land and beginning construction. The City of Peñitas is excited for this construction, and Romero said it means it will lead to more growth in the future.

“Bear with us,” Romero said. “We understand that when there’s construction, there’s going to be increased dirt, increased traffic from trailers and construction equipment, but in the long run it’s beneficial to the city, it’s going to be an economic benefit to us over the course of several years, but bear with it.”

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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2018

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Savy Publishing, LLC, 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $30 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2018 Savy Publishing, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.

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Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear the complete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed to others will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevance is determined by the editor.

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

June 15, 2018

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Thank You!

I would like to take this time to thank you all for voting, not only for me, but for Beto Salinas as well. By doing so we are continuing with the democratic process.

I am humbled to be the Mayor Elect for the City of Mission and look forward to working for her and the 88,000 citizens.

Thank you and May God Bless Mission.

Armando “Doc” O’caña

Political Ad Paid for By Candidate

Your Choice has been made and Mission has a New Voice.

2nd annual Fathers’ Engagement Summit held at LJISD Sports and Learning Complex

By Jamie Treviño Hoping to motivate and facilitate better communication skills between children and parents, the Fathers’ Engagement Summit touched on various topics aimed at educating those willing to learn.

Put on by the La Joya Independent School District, the LJISD Police Department First Offender Program, the Alliance for Drug Abuse Prevention (ADAP) Coalition and Behavioral Health Solutions, the event took place at the planetarium in the LJISD Sports and Learning Complex, located at 1801 Western Rd in Mission. The summit was free for all to attend, and while it was named the Fathers’ Summit, mothers and legal guardians were also present.

“An event like this is designed to encourage interaction, and reestablish the trust that household has,” said First Offender Specialist David L. Torres, who helped organize the program and summit. “ The First Offender Program, active for the last three years, allows students who have one criminal offense on their record an opportunity to have it permanently removed from their records and destroyed, in an effort to start over. Since its incep-

tion three years ago, about 130 students have graduated from the La Joya program.

“We are the first ISD police department in the state of Texas to have such a program,” Torres said. “All of our curriculum is designed for both the student and the parent, because we believe that change has to come not only from the student themselves, everybody makes mistakes, but we want to make sure that we change the communication and the interactions between them and the parent.”

The summit touched on topics such as substance abuse, mental health awareness, communication practices, journeys to recovery and how to become a better role model to children. The speakers present represented the Texas Rangers, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Behavioral Health Solutions and Vital Church.

“A lot of the parents may not know how to discipline, or know how to communicate,” Torres said. “Or they’re stuck in a social norm that’s not as progressive, so to speak. What this will allow them to do is take a new point of view back and try new things back at home to reestablish trust and communication.”

According to Torres, the First Offender Program

hopes to begin holding summits every quarter, and also invite other First Offender Programs in the area, like the ones in the City of Mission and McAllen Independent School District.

“It’s been highly effective,” Torres said. “We’ve definitely seen a change in the student population, we’ve seen parents that are very grateful, we’ve had kids who have gone on to be star athletes with La Joya. We’ve had kids who are in the early colleges, the different academies that we have, they do very well for themselves.”

Rudy Rodriguez, the ADAP Coalition Coordinator, was also present at the event, and was glad that La Joya ISD was putting it on for families.

“We’re hoping to connect fathers and father figures or anyone who is a parental role model with children and keep that connectivity in the home, and in the schools,” Rodriguez said.

Torres also said that the role of the father figure is very important in child development, but noted that several mothers were present and capable of becoming that model of good communication and positive influence in their children’s lives. Ricardo Rivera, a retired lieutenant from the Texas Rangers, spoke about the legal

mony.

“Congratulations Class of 2018, you guys look awesome,” Benavides said. “You are surrounded by people who love you. This community loves you. Look around and look at all the people that are here because we love you. We care for you, and we want you to be successful, and we’re going to be here for you no matter what.

Don’t forget that.”

Antonio Cano, the principal of La Joya High School, served as the master of ceremonies for the event. He recognized all the LJISD staff present, and thanked everyone for their contributions to the district.

“Thank you staff for your unending dedication to the kids,” Cano said. “It is evident that your hard work has definitely paid off.”

Cano also recognized the parents who were present at the graduation, and said that their hard work and presence are part of the reason that the students were motivated and able to graduate.

Alexa Michelle Ramos, the senior class president, gave the welcome address during the graduation. She spoke about the conclusion of the class of 2018’s school year, and their journey on in the future.

“Our high school career has reached its inevitable conclusion,” Ramos said. It feels like just yesterday we were stepping into La Joya High School for the first time and experiencing the beginning of our high school adventure.”

Ramos said that the friendships and memories forged in high school would

Retired Texas Ranger Rick Rivera (left) and LJISD Police Department First Offender Specialist David L. Torres (right) speaking to La Joya ISD parents about substance misuse at the 2nd Annual Fathers’ Engagement Summit held at the new LJISD Sports and Learning Complex. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

ramifications of drug misuse in minors and the negative effects bad decisions can have in an individual’s life and the people around them.

“You need to think about the decisions you are making,” Rivera said, addressing the room of parents and their children. “Because sometimes it doesn’t only affect one person. Think about that.”

Torres said that the chance for parents to meet with and ask questions about behavior and positive development

doesn’t happen very often.

“They may not have the opportunity to interact with somebody who might have a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or from a college or university, or somebody like a retired Texas Ranger,” Torres said. “We want to bring in the highest grade speakers we can to ensure that they have the best information possible.”

Torres also said that the summit was preventative, and they hoped to arm parents with knowledge that

would preemptively save their children from even having to enter the First Offender Program.

“Sometimes we’re dealing with kids that people have already given up on them,” Torres said. “We like to welcome that challenge and show those people that just because somebody made a mistake in life, doesn’t mean they can’t learn from it and they can’t be successful.”

La Joya High School graduates Class of 2018

By Jamie Treviño On May 31, the La Joya High School Graduation, held at the State Farm Arena, drew families and friends who wished to celebrate a milestone in their loved ones’ lives.

The ceremony, which took place at 8:30 a.m., involved the students and staff from LJHS, principals from the other four high schools, central office and the La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Dr. Alda T. Benavides, the LJISD superintendent, spoke at the graduation and congratulated the former high school students on their accomplishments during their academic career in La Joya.

Benavides also performed the official certification of graduates during the cere-

be part of their lives forever.

“The bittersweet moment of achieving this monumental milestone and leaving our young adult lives behind is truly difficult,” Ramos said.

“All of our accomplishments will guide us as we embark on our new journey in life.”

Iyara Lisbeth Sanchez, the LJHS salutatorian, gave the first speech, and spoke about the honor that comes with graduating, and her memories of high school. Sanchez said that the teachers and staff at La Joya High School ensured that the group was ready to move on in higher education and in life.

“We have many memorable people who have guided us through the hardships the past few years,” Sanchez

said. “Thank you all for always being there when I needed you, and for the continuous advice.”

Mariela Gonzalez, the LJHS valedictorian, spoke about the accomplishments of the Class of 2018, and how far they have come since starting high school.

“As a child, I was brought into a world of imagination and motivation,” Gonzalez said. “My world became an extensive library, and it was in this library in which I became and individual who is always willing to absorb new knowledge.”

Gonzalez thanked her parents, siblings, teachers, friends and boyfriend for all their help throughout her high school career. She also

thanked the school board and central office administration for helping to open doors for all La Joya students every year.

“Our diploma is much more than a piece of paper,” Gonzalez said. “It is a portal to another realm. It is inevitable to hit more potholes along the way, yet, it is also inevitable to learn from every obstacle thrown at us.”

After the certification of graduates, the La Joya High School Class of 2018 moved the tassels on their graduation caps from the right side to the left side, signifying their completion of high school and preparation for the next steps in their lives.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 25-29, 2018 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Supper to be served; no cost

Yard Sale – July 6 & 7 at the church. No hours as yet.

Mission First United Methodist Church Members of the La Joya High School Class of 2018 move their tassels from right to left, marking the end of their high school career and graduation. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

1101 Doherty Ave. • (956)585-1665

www.missionfumc.com

June 15, 2018

Sports week

THE

BIG7 SCHOOLS

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

LJISD Top 10 Sports Achievements of the Year

By Bryan Ramos

The Pack ran wild this year on the field, on the court and on the track as La Joya, Juarez-Lincoln and Palmview combined to put together a successful year for the La Joya Independent School District (LJISD). From multiple district championship winning teams to a state champ, LJISD continued its tradition of excellence in athletics in 2017-2018.

Here we will look at what this sportswriter considers to

1. Laisha Lopez Palmview Powerlifting Palmview’s Laisha Lopez became the school’s second powerlifting gold medal winner as she took home first place at state in the 97-pound weight class.

be the Top 10 LJISD sports achievements of the year, either by a team or an individual. It is an objective list with the primary criterion used to determine which achievements were included and how those achievements were ranked, was how well a team, or an individual athlete, did at the higher levels of competition, such as Bi-district, Area, Regional and State.

With there being only a handful of local teams and/ or athletes that succeed at the State level year-in-and-

2. Brianna Robles Palmview Track Palmview’s Brianna Robles qualified for the state meet in two sports, winning the District championship in cross-country while sweeping the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meter runs in track.

3. Juarez-Lincoln Boys Soccer The District 30-6A champion Juarez-Lincoln Huskies followed up last year’s state tournament appearance by going three rounds deep in the 2018 playoffs.

4. Big 7 Powerlifters The Big 7 qualified 29 powerlifters to the state meet with 15 of those coming from La Joya Independent School District.

year-out, any team or athlete that earned the right to go up against the best-of-the-best across the Lone Star State and returned with one or more of the highly coveted State medals and/or trophies, will be ranked highly on this list. And while some may argue that reaching, and subsequently succeeding at, the higher levels is easier in some sports than it is in others, for the purposes of this list, success at the higher levels of competition trumps success at the lower levels, regardless of the sport.

With that in mind, here are the LJISD Top 10 sports achievements of the year: 1) Palmview Powerlifter Laisha Lopez - UIL State champion After finishing fourth place at the state meet as a junior in 2017, Palmview’s Laisha Lopez won gold at the state meet in her senior year, setting state records in the bench press, squat and total weight record in the 97-pound weight class. Lopez, who has signed to lift at the next level for the University of Texas at San Antonio, lifted 750 total pounds at this year’s state meet, 30 pounds heavier than the second place finisher. The former cheerleader also lifted 315 on squat, 260 on deadlift and 175 on bench press, enough to bring home the second gold medal in Palmview powerlifting history.

2) Palmview Runner Brianna Robles - State qualifier in cross-country, track Palmview’s Brianna Robles ran circles around the competition throughout her four years for the Lady Lobos’ cross-country and track and field teams and closed out her senior season strong with district championships and qualifying for the state meet in both sports.

In cross-country, Robles won the District 30-6A championship for the third year in a row, where she ran a season best time of 18.22.6.

She went on to qualify for her third consecutive UIL state competition where she placed 32rd.

On the track, Robles swept the District 30-6A 1,600 and 3,200 meter-runs for the fourth straight year and added a third gold medal in the 800 meter-run with a personal record time of 2:18.87. She went on to sweep the same three events at the 29/30-6A area meet in her last run at La Joya ISD Stadium.

At her second track and field state meet, Robles ran a 10:54.68 in the 3,200 and 5:00.01 in the 1,600 to earn sixth in both events. Robles will continue her running career at Adams State University in Colorado.

3) Juarez-Lincoln Boys Soccer reaches regional tournament The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies have built a reputation as one of the Valley’s top teams on the soccer field, and 2018 wasn’t any different as Head Coach Victor Ramos and his squad followed up their appearance in the state tournament by reaching this year’s regional tournament.

After picking up the 30-6A District championship, the Huskies went three rounds deep in the playoffs with wins over Del Rio (70), Economedes (3-2) and Brownsville Hanna (8-2) to earn Bi-district, Area, and Regional Quarterfinals championships before losing to eventual state runner-up San Antonio Reagan 2-0.

4) Big 7 Powerlifters - 15 LJISD athletes qualify for state Twenty-nine Big 7 Powerlifters

Keyla Puente, Alex Rodriguez and Daniel Villarreal.

5) La Joya Softball Unbeaten 30-6A District champions The La Joya Lady Coyotes controlled District 30-6A from start to finish, outscoring their opponents 136-24 on their way to a 12-0 record and district championship.

Head Coach Charlie Rodriguez’ girls dominated on the diamond and had four athletes earn All-State Academic honors in Alex Alaniz, Belinda Bernal, Monica Garcia and Andrea Perez. The Lady Coyotes averaged more than 11 runs a game, but made a first round exit in the playoffs.

6) Juarez-Lincoln 4x4 Relay Team - State qualifiers The Juarez-Lincoln 4x4 Relay proved to be one of the Valley’s fastest as the Huskies’ team, made up o f

qualified for this year’s state championships. More than half of them came out of LJISD schools as the La Joya, Palmview and Juarez-Lincoln displayed tremendous strength in their powerlifting programs.

Palmview powerlifting, coached by Renzo Tamez, sent five ladies to the state championships, including Lopez, Priscilla Hernandez, Donna Mondragon, Natalie Villalon and Michelle Rodriguez. On the boys side, the Lobos sent two to the state meet in Juan Rivas and Abraham Hernandez, who finished second place in the 148-pound division.

For Juarez-Lincoln, a trio of Huskies made the trip to state as Eddie Hernandez, Juan Martinez and Aliver Chapa represented for Juarez-Lincoln boys powerlifting, while Yanitza Vasquez was the lone representative for the Lady Huskies.

La Joya saw two girls and two boys qualify for the state meet in Nehemiah Coronado,

Jose Maldonado, Harley Vargas, Kenneth Gonzalez and Elias Gutierrez, was the RGV’s lone representative at the state meet.

While the Huskies 4x4 team placed third at the District 30-6A meet, they saved their best performances for when the mattered most. At the area meet, the Huskies’ relay team took home first place with a time of 3:24.22, and followed that up with a second place finish at regionals, running a time of 3:20.73 to qualify for the state meet.

At the state meet, the Huskies placed ninth with a time of 3:23.90.

7) Palmview Girls Track - Area champions After finishing second in this year’s district meet, the Lady Lobos stormed back to claim the District 29/30 Championship for the second straight year, scoring 128 points, just four more than second place finisher Laredo Alexander.

Palmview placed all three

of its relay teams in the top two and had some impressive individual performances in the area meet. Brianna Robles posted first place finishes while Bailey Villalon earned three top four finishes. Mariana Hernandez won silver in both the 100-meter (12.47) and 200-meter run (26.12) as did Karla Chapa in the 400-meter run (1:00.88), and Brittany Cano finished third in the 300-meter hurdles (48.38) to give Palmview it’s second straight Area championship.

8) Palmview Girls Cross-country - District champions For the fourth consecutive season, the Lady Lobos won the District 30-6A cross-country championship.

In the district championship race, Palmview had three runners claim the top three spots as Brianna Robles (18:22.60), Bailey Villalon (19:18.40) and Oma Sanchez (19:34.40) brought home first, second and third. Robles, Villalon and Sanchez all qualified for the UIL State cross-country championships.

9) La Joya Girls Wrestling - District champions The Lady Coyotes wrestling team went back-to-back and brought home another district championship with a first place finish at the 16-6A District meet.

La Joya posted 160 points as a team, 38 points higher than second place finisher Weslaco High as Estephany De la Rosa, Veronica Montes and Haylee Guzman each won a silver medal to lead the Lady Coyotes to their second straight district title.

10) Juarez-Lincoln Boys Basketball reaches playoffs for first time in program history The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies boys basketball team made program history by reaching the playoffs for the first time in 2017-2018.

With five senior starters, the Huskies and Head Coach Albert Carillo put together a 17-8 start, the team’s best since Juarez-Lincoln opened its doors 10 years ago. The group of seniors, Cruz Mendoza, Luis Garza, Andre Suarez, J.R. Galvan, Juan Martinez, Eduardo Torres, started a winning tradition for the future Juarez-Lincoln Huskies to build on.

Honorable Mentions: La Joya Swimming/Diving Eddie Barrera and Jose Rios State qualifiers La Joya Boys Wrestling Jan Vela - State Qualifier Juarez-Lincoln Football Best record in program history

5. La Joya Softball The Lady Coyotes went a perfect 12-0 in 30-6A action on their way to a District championship.

6. Juarez-Lincoln Relay Team The Juarez-Lincoln 4x4 Relay Team qualified for state by running a time of 3:20.73 at regionals, good enough for a second place silver medal.

7. Palmview Girls Track Team The Palmview Girls track team was crowned Area champions after winning the District 29/30 Area meet.

9. La Joya Girls Wrestling The La Joya girls wrestling team was crowned district champions of the 16-6A meet, scoring a team total of 160 points.

8. Palmview Girls Cross Country Team The Palmview girls cross-country team earned its fourth straight District 30-6A title.

10. Juarez-Lincoln Basketball The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies boys basketball team earned the program’s first playoff berth in school history.

June 15, 2018

Damning audit report raises questions about McAllen ISD technology department

By Dave Hendricks

The McAllen school board may discuss a damning audit of the district technology department on Monday.

During a review of district security systems, staff discovered major problems with the Network Services and Support division of the technology department, according to a copy of the audit report, which a source provided to the Progress Times on the condition of anonymity.

Auditors determined Network Services and Support Director Pat Karr purchased Apple watches, Fitbit devices and other gadgets “without proper justification;” and monitored the district email system for messages about “particular employees, departments, student information and key words,” which were automatically forwarded to him.

The report also accuses two unnamed technology department employees of inappropriately accessing Internal Audit Department files during the review.

“It could have put the audit in jeopardy,” said school board Trustee Tony Forina. “But I think our auditor did such a good job that she saw that happening and had a chance to correct it.”

Karr, though, said the audit report is deeply flawed — and believes the district is attempting to railroad him. He filed a flurry of grievances against district employees and accused the auditor of slander.

After the school board

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meets on Monday night, Karr is scheduled for a grievance hearing with district administration. He wants administrators to make the hearing public.

“I want to clear my name because these people have put it through the mud,” Karr said.

Auditors started a review of security systems on Jan. 11, responding to a request from the McAllen Independent School District Police Department.

The audit quickly uncovered problems at Network Services and Support. Karr said he believes the initial findings also spawned a criminal investigation and an administrative investigation.

Two weeks later, the school district moved Karr to the Athletic Department and deactivated his district email account.

Superintendent Jose A. “Jay” Gonzalez assigned him to “assist the Athletic Director with administrative duties,” according to the reassignment letter, which Karr provided to the Progress Times.

Meanwhile, auditors documented major problems with the technology department.

The school district email system automatically forwarded Karr messages about particular employees, departments, student information and key words, according to the audit report, which accused him of monitoring the email system without permission.

Karr said the audit report misrepresents what happened.

The system automatically forwarded him emails with

words and phrases, including “bomb,” “suicide” and “cutting.” Karr said he forwarded messages with problematic content to the appropriate people, including school district police.

In one instance, the alert for “bomb” tipped off the district about a student who discussed bringing an explosive device to school, Karr said.

Police contacted the student after reviewing the message.

District administrators knew about the email monitoring, Karr said, adding that they never expressed any concerns before the audit.

“I set those things up as a safety measure,” Karr said, not to spy on anyone or intercept messages for personal reasons.

Auditors also accused the technology department of spending $10,000 on unnecessary gadgets, including Apple Watches and Fitbit devices.

Karr said he purchased 10 Fitbit devices as part of a wellness initiative and followed the proper purchasing procedures. The department spent $2,240 on five Apple Watches, which allowed employees to receive automatic notifications from district equipment.

“At the end of the day, to me, it was well worth the money,” Karr said.

Auditors prepared a 52page report, which noted nearly four dozen problems with the technology department and district security systems.

Administrators didn’t allow Karr to provide a management response. Instead, they invited him to a meeting and explained they would verbally

ask him about each item — without allowing Karr to review a copy of the audit.

If he wanted a copy, the administrators told Karr to file a public information request. He recorded the meeting and posted the audio on YouTube.

“I just need people to hear and see what’s happening,” Karr said. “It’s ridiculous.”

When he finally received a copy, Karr sent a point-bypoint rebuttal to the school board. Trustees may discuss the audit report Monday.

School board Trustee Sam Saldivar Jr. said he’s concerned by the findings, which may require further action.

“I strongly believe that the internal auditor and our team’s findings are accurate and complete,” Saldivar said, adding later “And I believe a full accounting of the Department of Technology needs to take place."

School board President Danny Vela said he wants to see the supporting documentation before drawing any conclusions.

“We haven’t been given a full report by either the audit committee or the auditor,” Vela said. “I’ve read exactly what you’ve read. And outside of that I haven’t been given any documentation.”

Karr said he welcomed the additional scrutiny.

“Is there stuff here that could have been done better?

Yeah,” Karr said, but the audit report lacks context and doesn’t provide supporting documentation for many assertions. “This has gotten way, way, way out of hand.”

“The Oldest Settlement Book Club”

(from left) Peñitas Public Library Director Yenni Espinoza and the members of The Oldest Settlement Book Club at the Peñitas Public Library, Adalia De Luna, Irma Ramirez, Angela Cedillo and Petra Ramirez. Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

By Jamie Treviño Started by Irma Ramirez and Adalia De Luna, The Oldest Settlement Book Club is hoping to provide retired members of the community a relaxing way to meet other people and discuss literature.

The book club held their first meeting this week, and plans on meeting every second Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Peñitas Public Library. They are open to any retired individuals with time on their hands to join them.

“We wanted a name that was catchy, that was going to incorporate Peñitas,” De Luna, one of the founders of the original Peñitas Public Library Board of Directors, said. “It gives us time to be together, and I love to read.”

An idea had by Irma

Ramirez while she was still an employee in the La Joya Independent School District, the club is starting off informally and aims to grow over time. Irma is a strong advocate for reading in her family.

“It’s so relaxing,” Irma Ramirez said. “My grandkids know, their grandma is going to give them a book. For Christmas, for their birthday, a book. And pajamas.”

Petra Ramirez, one of the members present at the meeting and a sister-in-law of Irma, took three different signs as motivation to join the club.

“Irma had told me about it, and yesterday Vanessa [her daughter] sent me a text that said reading helps you live longer,” Petra Ramirez

See BOOK CLUB Pg. 10

La Joya ISD Board of Trustees elects new president and reorganizes board

By Jamie Treviño

The La Joya Independent School District reorganized their board of trustees during last week’s board meeting.

The decision was unanimous, with the board voting Armin Garza as president, Claudia Ochoa as vice president and Alejandro Cantu as secretary. The superintendent, Dr. Alda Benavides, along with each board member, thanked Oscar Salinas, the former president, for his work during his term.

“Any time we have an opportunity to work with a board president, we get to really know them,” Benavides said. “And I really enjoyed working with Mr. Salinas.

He’s always super enthusiastic, so he kept me on my toes.”

Garza said that he had big shoes to fill, and was looking forward to serving the district as board president.

“I want to let everybody here in our community and school district know that I’m honored and privileged to serve as school board president,” Garza said. “Please know that next year, my office will be focused on curriculum instruction and organizational health. Rest assured that I will be an advocate here for everyone.”

The school board also listened to a presentation

by LJISD Energy Director Lloyd A. Loya about an update on a proposed solar panel project that was originally supposed to begin two years ago.

Loya said that the district had taken bids in 2016 to begin a solar panel installment project over 1500 parking spaces in the parking lots of several LJISD buildings. According to Loya, Air Wind & Solar, LLC had originally been chosen and contracted to install 13.2 megawatts

July 24-27 & 29

of paneled covered parking spots.

“On March 9, 2016, the district approved to enter into a 20-year agreement with Air Wind & Solar,” Loya said.

“Unfortunately, a few weeks after the contract was approved, Air Wind & Solar…

I don’t want to say backed out, but they reconsidered, and they just never showed up for work. It’s been over two years, and this information was relayed to me by the previous energy director.”

Loya was recently contacted by Eagle Electric, who said that Air Wind & Solar had passed the contract to them.

“They’re claiming that Air Wind & Solar assigned and transferred the contract to them,” Loya said.

The energy director consulted the legal team, and they decided to allow Eagle Electrics to conduct an assessment, since it was at no

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cost to the district.

“After an extensive review, Eagle Electrics determined that the 13.2 megawatts was way too much,” Loya said. “They proposed

anywhere from two to three megawatts total installation, which is a drastically different amount than the original contract.”

The board decided to re-

bid the project, and will be looking into new contracts in order to maximize savings and get more energy in the district.

(from left) Board member Alejandro Cantu, board member Johnn Alaniz, Superintendent Alda Benavides, board member Oscar “Coach” Salinas, board member Frances Ana Salinas, board member Juan Jose “J.J.” Peña and Board President Armin Garza. Photo courtesy of La Joya ISD.

page 8

June 15, 2018

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Townsends celebrate 65th anniversary, remember early days of Valley

By Kathy Olivarez Pat and Virginia Townsend have lived in the Sharyland area for most of their lives. Pat was born here in 1933. His grandfather, John Wagner, came to Mission in 1914 on one of John Shary’s land excursion trains. After looking at the citrus and agricultural production and liking what he

saw, he went back to Lucan, Minnesota, where he lived on a small farm and told his family, “I have shoveled my last shovel of snow.” He returned to the Valley with cousins from both sides of his family and bought land along both sides of Taylor Road.

Pat’s parents married in 1920 and were given acreage on Taylor Road by his

mother’s father, John Wagner, where they could grow citrus as a wedding present.

The couple cleared the land and raised citrus and other agricultural products to care for their family of seven children.

In 1955 after a terrible drought where the Rio Grande River almost dried up, a friend of Pat’s father, convinced him the family ought to diversify. The man worked with Case Implements and convinced the family to open a dealership in the Rio Grande Valley.

Alfred, Mike and Pat, the three oldest brothers, started a Case Implement dealership on the east side of Taylor Road.

Pat has fond memories of Mission when it was a small town. When he was young his family shopped at De la Garza’s Mercantile before many of the stores on the north side of the railroad track opened. Pat remembers when Lone Star Barbecue, formerly Ferrell’s Pit, when it was actually a pit with a small stand for sales of barbecue. Virginia was born in 1934 and lived in the Alamo area until her marriage.

Pat and Virginia met at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show through a mutual friend when she was 16.

Their friend Lynette, had a calf in the show and whenever she and Virginia would leave the barn she would invite Pat to join them. Before the week was over they took a ride on the ferris wheel and Pat put his arm around her.

She thought he was awfully presumptuous. Being raised a Lutheran and discovering Pat was Catholic, raised another problem for her. “It took a long time,” stated Virginia, but eventually she converted to Catholicism, taking her parents with her.

On June 9, 1953 Pat and Virginia Townsend were married, starting a long loving partnership. Together they raised nine children.

“Times were not always easy.

“We started out in a two-bedroom one-bath house and managed it through the first seven children before were added to the house,” said Virginia.

“Our kids were all good kids,” said Virginia. “We kept them busy working and raised cows, chicken, ducks and quail and managed a large vegetable garden to help keep everyone fed. The girls knew how to do yardwork and milk the cows too.

There was no time for electronic games like the youth do to fill their time today.”

The Townsend’s Case Implement was a vital part of the business and agricultural community of Mission for almost 50 years. It remained open for 48 and a half years before Pat and his brothers retired.

In addition, the Townsends have contributed to the communities where they lived. The couple has been active in St. Paul’s Catholic Church, taking part in many activities there. Virginia served three terms on the Sharyland ISD School

Board. She was active in the Sister City Program when it began because she has a great love of Mexico and the Mexican culture.

Over 30 years ago Virginia founded OWLS (Objective Watchers of the Legal System) with Nancy Shary, an organization that has kept tabs on school districts, city, and county government ac-

tivities. She retired from OWLS after a fall that broke her arm in seven places last year.

Many of the Townsend’s children and grandchildren who are spread out all over Texas will be coming down for their 65th wedding anniversary (June 9) celebration.

See ANNIVERSARY Pg. 10

Pat and Virginia Townsend, both descended from Valley pioneer families, will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

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June 15, 2018

obituaries Aurora Garcia MISSION – Aurora Garza Garcia, 89, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018.

Mrs. Garcia was born and raised in Granjeno.

Survivors include her children, Cristina Sanchez, Criselda Garcia, Zulema Vasquez, Aida Gonzalez, Noemi Jimenez, Emma Vela, Cita Garza and Leticia Magallan; sibling, Margarita Garza Perez; and 31 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 39 great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Juan Garcia; parents, Napoleon Garza Sr. and Francisca Guzman Garza; siblings, Miguel Garza Sr., Isidro Garza, Napoleon Garza Jr., Daniel Garza, David Garza and Florencia Anzaldua; grandchildren, Jose Magallan and Angelita Cantu; and great-grandchildren, Angel Gonzalez Cornejo and Jose Cantu III. A funeral mass was held on June 14 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Granjeno Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jose Alvaro Gonzalez Jr., Michael Garcia, Rigoberto Magallan Jr., John Jimenez, Ramiro Vasquez Jr., Ricardo Garza Jr., Juan Cantu and Moises Garcia.

Maria Garcia MISSION – Maria E. Garcia, 81, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center.

Mrs. Garcia was born in Mission on Nov. 5, 1936, to Elvira and Zaragosa Zamora.

Survivors include her husband, Roberto Garcia; children, Felicitas Garcia, Dalia Garcia, Ninfa Ramirez, Rene Garcia, Ubilia Garcia and Ricardo Garcia; siblings, Teodoro Garcia, Alfredo Anzaldua, Juan Anzaldua, Alejandro Anzaldua, Zenaida Garza, Angela Reyes, Isabel Anzaldua and Flora Gaona;

and 26 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Roberto Garcia Jr., Roel Garcia, Ruben Garcia, Rogelio Garcia, Reynaldo Garcia and Reymundo Garcia.

A funeral service was held June 13 at Lord and I Funeral Home in Peñitas. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Abram.

Conrad Hussong MISSION – Conrad Hussong, 88, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Mr. Hussong was born on April 8, 1930, in Heron Lake, Minn. He attended Okabena Minnesota School and served in the U.S. Army.

He was employed by John Morell for 15 years while residing in Sioux Falls, S.D. and returned to the Okabena area farming the family farm. Upon retirement, he moved to Mission in 1985.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Beverly Hussong; sons, Bradley Hussong of Mankato, Minn., and Gregg Hussong of Okabena, and stepchildren, Steve Hussong of Rochester, Minn., Patt Martin of Big Lake, Minn., and Michelle Erlandson of Mission.

Betty McKeown BILLINGS, Mont. – Betty Jean (Hamby) McKeown, 75, passed away June 3, 2018, in Mission.

Mrs. McKeown was born Aug. 9, 1942, in Browning, Mont., to Charles and Mary Hamby and was a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She married Thomas L. McKeown on Aug. 5, 1971, and worked as an accountant for Montana Power from 1973 to 1995. After retirement, she lived in Billings in the summer and wintered in Texas.

Survivors include her stepdaughters, Linda Luther and Cindy Crews, both of Cut Bank, Mont.; sib-

lings, Jessie Cermak, Wayne Hamby and Earl Hamby; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

A funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings. Interment will follow on Wednesday, June 20, in Helena, Mont.

Rosalinda Ortiz MISSION – Rosalinda Diaz Ortiz, 84, former lifelong resident of Mission, passed away on June 10, 2018, in Austin.

Mrs. Ortiz was born on April 15, 1934, in Mission, to Alberto and Petra (Leal) Diaz. She married Rene Ortiz on May 3, 1956.

She was a member of the Guadalupaña organization at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission.

Upon moving to Austin in 2009, she joined the prayer group at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Mary at St. Catherine’s.

Survivors include her children, Rene Jr., Hernan, Noe, Rosalinda Bondi, Hermelinda Cavazos, Xavier, Nydia Maldonado, Xina Boothe; brothers, Hernan Diaz and Antonio Diaz;and 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and grandsons, Jacob Ortiz and Joshua Cavazos.

A funeral mass was held on June 13 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

Yolanda Rivera MISSION – Yolanda M. Rivera, 72, passed away on June 12, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Hector Rivera; children, Hector Rivera Jr. of Palmhurst and Orlando Rivera of McAllen; and three grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 15, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission. Burial follows at Rio Grande Valley

State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Notices

Mario Aguilar PALMVIEW – Mario Arturo Reyna Aguilar, 83, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018, at his home in Palmview.

Jose Alonso MISSION – Jose Luis Alonso, 65, passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at his home in Mission.

Teodoro Garcia Sr. SULLIVAN CITY – Teodoro Garcia Sr., 85, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Miguel Gonzalez PALMVIEW – Miguel Angel Gonzalez, 23, passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Palmview.

Marcella Landrey MISSION – Marcella Landrey, 80, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Blanca Martinez MISSION – Blanca (Sauceda) Martinez, 72, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018, at her home in Mission.

Eulalia Martinez LA JOYA – Eulalia T. Martinez, 95, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Village Healthcare and Rehab Center in McAllen.

Domingo Soto MISSION – Domingo Soto, 42, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018, at McAllen Medical Center.

Raquel Vazquez ALTON – Raquel R. Vazquez, 90, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Roberto Villarreal MISSION – Roberto Villarreal, 78, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at Edinburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Jose Zapata Jr. MISSION – Jose Rene Zapata Jr., 49, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

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

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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

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

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AGUA SUD Fevre Engineering, the company had contracts in Peñitas, Palmview and Sullivan City.

Salinas handled several major projects for Peñitas, coordinating with Hidalgo County Precinct 3 and the Texas Department of Transportation to make sure everything went smoothly.

“He’s very competent as an engineer,” said Peñitas City Manager Omar Romero. “And I have full faith that he’s going to bring that knowledge and experience to his position with Agua SUD.” It’s actually Salinas’ second stint with the utility district.

When the utility district needed a new general manager in September, the board hired LeFevre — who immediately hired Salinas, the vice president of LeFevre Engineering, as interim assistant general manager.

The potential conflict of interest concerned state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who wrote a sternly worded letter to utility board President Roger Hernandez on Dec. 19.

“While I understand that the current Interim General Manager is Richard LeFevre, it is clear he is not carrying out his responsibilities.

He has independently hired Milo Salinas, the Vice President of his company LeFevre Engineering & Management Consulting, to run things at Agua SUD on a contract basis,” Hinojosa wrote to Hernandez. “He has already paid Mr. Salinas $18,000 of taxpayer funds without any approval or even notice to the Agua SUD Board of Directors.”

LeFevre resigned the following day, blaming a “genetic medical condition” that left him unable to handle the position.

from pg 1 The utility district disputed how Hinojosa characterized the situation.

Asked about the letter, attorney Frank Garza, who represents the utility district, responded by email on Dec. 20.

LeFevre had the authority to hire Salinas without board approval, Garza said. Salinas also briefed the utility board about the Palmview sewer project, Garza said, adding that members of the board who attended the meeting knew Salinas worked for them.

Amid the controversy, Salinas resigned from the utility district. He submitted a three-page memo summarizing his accomplishments.

Salinas handled parts of the Palmview sewer project, negotiating with contractors to reduce the cost of connecting vacant lots, according to the memo. He also reworked plans to build four lift stations, finding a cheaper solution that saved about $760,000.

After resigning from the utility district, Salinas managed a separate sewer project for the city of Palmview.

That project, though, stalled last month, when a judge ruled the city couldn’t proceed without permission from the utility district.

Salinas quit LeFevre Engineering in June and announced the move with a mass email to clients.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to have worked with you and I thank you for a great business relationship during my time at LEMC,” Salinas wrote, according to a copy of the email obtained by the Progress Times. “I sincerely look forward to amicable relationships with everyone I have ever cross paths (sic) with, and look forward to what the future brings.”

ProgressTimes

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June 15, 2018

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BOOK CLUB

said. “And then today, in my emails, I didn’t even realize I had signed up for e-books, I got an email with deals offering me books, so I said somebody’s trying to tell me something, I better go.”

Club dues are $5 every month, and all members must have a valid library card from one of the 13 libraries in Hidalgo County. The first book they plan on reading is “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.” “We wanted to do this especially for people who are

from pg 7

retiring,” Irma Ramirez said.

“I’m so excited it’s happening, because it’s been something I wanted to happen for a long time.”

De Luna said that the book club is meant to be a fun experience, and not something strict or meant to stress anyone out.

“It breaks the monotony,” De Luna said. “It [reading] opens up a whole new world.”

For more information about The Oldest Settlement Book Club, Adalia De Luna can be contacted at (956) 240-0015.

NEW MAYOR

from pg 1

ney Gus Martinez to replace O’Caña in his Place 4 seat on the city Council. Martinez beat his opponent, Hidalgo City Manager Julian Gonzalez, with 52 percent of the votes

“It’s a little overwhelming, that’s for sure,” Martinez said of his victory. “I will finish out the last two years of O’Cana’s seat, there’s a lot of gratitude and appreciation for supporters and a deep promising hope for the future.”

O’Caña said after finding out the results, Salinas gave him a concession phone call promising to help him with the transition period. “...We have to get to work to bring Mission back to the people,” O’Caña said. “The future is upon us. Here we are and we’re going forward.”

HEALTHIEST SCHOOLS of exercising, the importance of playing. It’s not only what we’re doing in the classroom, but when they get out of school, we’re still encouraging them to get out and play.”

Guajardo said that LJISD is aiming for all their schools to eventually be recognized as the Healthiest Schools in America.

“This is just the beginning,” Guajardo said. “We will continue to work with the principals, we’ll continue to work with our P.E. [Physical Education] coaches to make sure that we meet the criteria.”

Galina Reyes, the director for LJISD Child Nutrition Services, was excited for what this award means for

ANNIVERSARY Pat Jr., a former mayor of Mission, will be coming from Burleson. Daughter Kathleen Kotzur is a farm wife living in the McCook area. Mark is a retired coach in Georgetown. Greg works for the city administration in McAllen. Both Kevin, a seed salesman, and Paul, an insurance salesman, still live in Mission. Dan lives in San Antonio where he operates a

By Dave Hendricks What started as a fight over tortillas ended with a stabbing June 2 in downtown Mission.

On the afternoon of June 2, the Mission Police Department responded to a call about a stabbing on the 300 block of West Tom Landry Street.

Officers found a man with head injuries and a wounded arm, according to court records. The man said Cesareo Cortez Guzman, 41, of McAllen attacked him during an argument over tortillas.

The man said they atthe district and students in the area.

“One of the things I love about La Joya ISD is that we are very proud of all our accomplishments,” Reyes said.

“If there are any other challenges in the future for the district, I’m sure we’re going to go get it, we’re going to do our best to give the students the best we can in every aspect.”

Reyes was also grateful for the teamwork that resulted in this new recognition.

“The students were more aware that we work as a team for their benefit,” Reyes said.

“We show that they are our main focus. That collaboration with the different departments is what made it

The MISSION CISD will hold a public meeting at 6:30 PM, June 26, 2018 in Administration Building Board Room, 1201 Bryce Dr., Mission, TX. 78572. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

The tax rate that is ultimately adopted at this meeting or at a separate meeting at a later date may not exceed the proposed rate shown below unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the same information and comparisons set out below and holds another public meeting to discuss the revised notice.

Maintenance Tax

$1.1700/$100 (proposed rate for maintenance and operations)

School Debt Service Tax Approved by Local Voters

$0.1698/$100 (proposed rate to pay bonded indebtedness)

Comparison of Proposed Budget with Last Year’s Budget The applicable percentage increase or decrease (or difference) in the amount budgeted in the preceding fiscal year and the amount budgeted for the fiscal year that begins during the current tax year is indicated for each of the following expenditure categories.

Maintenance and operations -6.31 % decrease Debt Service 0.82% increase Total expenditures -5.97 % decrease

Total Appraised Value and Total Taxable Value (as calculated under Section 26.04, Tax Code) Preceding Tax Year Current Tax Year Total appraised value* of all property $2,730,061,142 $2,845,128,232 Total appraised value* of new property** $82,651,624 $54,600,263 Total taxable value*** of all property $2,000,728,923 $2,110,074,337 Total taxable value*** of new property** $39,931,186 $53,544,270 *Appraised value is the amount shown on the appraisal roll and defined by Section 1.04(8), Tax Code. ** “New property” is defined by Section 26.012(17), Tax Code. *** “Taxable value” is defined by Section 1.04(10), Tax Code.

Bonded Indebtedness

Total amount of outstanding and unpaid bonded indebtedness* $110,540,000 *Outstanding principal.

Comparison of Proposed Rates with Last Year’s Rates Last year’s Rate Rate to Maintain Same Level of Maintenance & $1.2583 Operations Revenue & Pay Debt Service

Interest & Local Revenue Sinking Fund* Total Per Student $0.1802* $1.3502 $1,874 $0.1881*

$1.4464

$2,304

State Revenue Per Student $8,066 $7,677

Proposed Rate $1.1700 $0.1698* $1.3398 $1,903 $8,026 *The Interest & Sinking Fund tax revenue is used to pay for bonded indebtedness on construction, equipment, or both.

The bonds, and the tax rate necessary to pay those bonds, were approved by the voters of this disctrict.

Comparison of Proposed Levy with Last Year’s Levy on Average Residence

Last Year This Year Average Market Value of Residences $88,597 $89,589 Average Taxable Value of Residences $63,597 $64,589 Last Year’s Rate Versus Proposed Rate per $100 Value $1.3502 $1.3398 Taxes Due on Average Residence $858.69 $865.36 Increase (Decrease) in Taxes $6.67 Under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older or of the surviving spouse of such a person, if the surviving spouse was 55 years of age or older when the person died, may not be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65, regardless of changes in tax rate or property value.

Notice of Rollback Rate: The highest tax rate the district can adopt before requiring voter approval at an election is $1.3515. This election will be automatically held if the district adopts a rate in excess of the rollback rate of $1.3515.

Fund Balances The following estimated balances will remain at the end of the current fiscal year and are not encumbered with or by a corresponding debt obligation, less estimated funds necessary for operating the district before receipt of the first state aid payment.

Maintenance and Operations Fund Balance(s) Interest & Sinking Fund Balance(s)

$55,484,405 $3,404,058

area and Hidalgo County for many years. But for Virginia their most important legacy is raising good children who contribute to making the world a better place.

Their anniversary will be celebrated at 2 p.m. tomorrow with a mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Their children are planning a celebration afterwards at the Riverside Club.

Argument over tortillas ends with stabbing in downtown Mission

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE

Maintenance & Operations $1.1700

from pg 8 home occupation box sales business. Daughter Theresa Murray lives in Austin and works for the Lower Colorado River Authority and George is the food service director at Manor ISD near Austin.

The Townsend name has been in the forefront of church, school, business and government activities in Mission, the Sharyland

tended a cookout together in downtown Mission. When the cookout wound down, the man asked Cortez what they should do with the leftover tortillas.

“Cometelas perro,” Cortez said, according to court records.

The insult — which translates to “eat them, dog” — started an argument. Rather than eat the leftover tortillas, the man tossed them in the trash.

That angered Cortez.

“The victim stated that he then threw the tortillas in the trash and the defendant began confronting him about it due to his wife making the

tortillas,” according to court records.

Cortez punched the man in the face and slashed his right arm with a knife, according to court records.

Officers arrested Cortez on June 5 and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.

Municipal Judge Ramon Rosales Jr. set bond at $25,000.

Court records don’t list an attorney for Cortez, who remains at the Hidalgo County jail and couldn’t be reached for comment.

easy for us to accomplish this award. We’re blessed, we just saw a great outcome. Students were very involved and knowledgeable afterwards, and we learned too that communication was the key.”

The CNS requirements in the application had to do with the school’s compliance with state regulations and actively offer students choices in their daily meals.

“We had to offer different subgroups, different categories of vegetables throughout the week,” Reyes said. “We needed to also show education to our community: parents, students, teachers, our staff, and by doing that we were able to extend information of how to teach nutritional and balanced meals.”

On the LJISD CNS website, the department also has been posting all nutritional information for the public, so parents and students can see the specifics of the food being consumed at school. The department regularly visited several campuses throughout

the year to follow up with the changes and progress being made.

“We worked with the principals, to make sure students were allowed plenty of time to consume those meals,” Reyes said. “We trained the staff, we had to do a lot of outreach to the community and students. It started with nutrition, followed with education, exercise and nursing care, so it was a collaborative effort as a district.”

For Guajardo, the distinction is vital for the area, which is predominately Hispanic, to gain healthier eating habits at a young age.

“I think it’s important because the majority of our school district is Hispanic,” Guajardo said. “We need to be informed about the foods we eat. We need to be informed that we need to exercise. We do suffer a lot from diabetes, and I think it’s important that our kids know that healthier lifestyles start at a young age, they’ll tend to live a longer life.”

from pg 1

theclassifieds

June 15, 2018

buy • sell • trade • rent • hire

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

For Rent NEW MISSION HOUSE, 1502 Dunlap Ave. Mission, 3Bdrm/ 2Ba, BV/ CA/H, 2 car carport, fenced, no pets, no bills included, available now, walking distance to Mission High School, $1,000/ mo., $1,000 deposit, call 956-369-0732.

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For Sale USE KENNEL DIP to control fleas, ticks, mange mites & stable flies, control mosquitoes where they breed, Mission Feed & Hardware, 956-5812153 (www.kennelvax.com) Garage Sale MOVING YARD SALE, Friday, June

22 from 1-7pm and Saturday June 23 from 8am-1, furniture, bedding, freezer, tools, nicknacks, & more, 3925 N. Schuerbach/Breyfogle in Palmview.

Services ROSEMARY’S HAIR SALON, special men’s haircut $4 and women haircuts $5 and up, special also for

THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTICE TO THE 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 and Petition, a default Judgment may be taken against you.”

TO: Ray Ramon, DEFENDANT(S) GREETINGS: You are herby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Original Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock A.M. of the Monday next after the expiration of fortytwo (42) days after the date of issuance of this citation the same being the on this the 31st day of May, 2018 before the Honorable Rodolfo “Rudy” Delgado, 93rd District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas at the Courthouse of said county in Edinburg, Texas. Said CITY OF MISSION’S ORIGINAL PETITION, REQUEST FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND REQUESTS FOR DISCLOSURE filed in said court on the on this the 22nd day of January, 2018 in this case numbered C-0250-18-B on the docket of said court and styled CITY OF MISSION VS. RAY RAMON Said petition was filed in said court by Attorney JAIME TIJERINA, 1201 E. 8th ST., Mission, TX 78572.

A brief nature of the suit is as follows: PLAINTIFF(S) PRAY FOR DAMAGES IN AN AMOUNT TO BE PROVEN AT TRIAL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, DIRECT AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ATTORNEY FEES AND TAXABLE COURT COSTS. The officer executing this writ shall promptly serve 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 at Edinburg, Texas on the on this the 31st day of May, 2018.

Classified Rate:

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

55+, perms $35 and up, 1003 Lee St., Mission, open Mon.-Sat., 9:30amPrayer To Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, you make me see everything and you showed me the way to reach my ideal.

You who gave me the dear gift to forgive the wrong that is done to me and you who are in all the angles of my life with me. I in this short dialogue want to thank you for everything, and confirm once and for all that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory amen. Thank you for your love towards me and my loved ones. Say this prayer 3 times a day for 3 days without asking for your wish. On the 3rd day your wish will come true, no matter how great the miracle may be.

Publication must be promised

M.R.B.

Now

5pm, call for your appointment today 956-458-8254.

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.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Oracion Al Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo, tu que me

aclaras todo, que iluminas todos los caminos para que yo alcance mi ideal, tu que me das el don divino de perdonar y olvidar el mal que me hacen y que en todos los instantes de mi vida estas conmigo, yo quiero en este corto dialogo agradecerte por todo y confir mar una vez mas que nunca quiero separarme de ti por mayor que sea la ilusion material.

Deseo estar contigo y todos mis seres queridos en la gracia perpetua. Gracias por tu mis ericordia para conmigo y los mios.

La persona debera rezar esta oracion 3 dias sequidos sin decir el pedido. dentro de tres dias sera alcanzada la gracia por mas deficil que sea.

(Publicar en cuanto se recibia la gracia).

Agradece gracia alcanzada.

F.P.G.

HIRING Mr. G’s Fireworks

is looking for responsible persons to operate fireworks stand. Must stay on premises & be over 21 years of age.

Call: (956) 399-3469

Even this kitten can’t believe you’re not a subscriber to the newspaper already!

Hidalgo County

6 mos. $10

Out of County

12 mos. $20

6 mos. $15

12 mos. $30

www.ptrgv.com 1217 N. Conway • P.O. Box 399 • Mission, Texas 78572 (956) 585-4893 - Fax (956) 585-2304

Stay Strong, Be Brave, and Love.

The 2017 Drinking Water Quality report for the City of Mission water supply customers is now available online. Starting July 1, 2018 you will be able to view the City of Mission annual water quality report on-line at http://goo.gl/xNHnGW This report contains important information about the source and quality of your drinking water. The web link will be available on your water bill and at the City web site. http://missiontexas.us/city-departments/public-works/ If you would like a paper report mailed to your home, please call (956) 580-8780.

El reporte anual de la calidad del agua del año 2017 de la ciudad de Mission, estará disponible en línea a partir del primero de Julio del 2018. Enlace http://goo.gl/xNHnGW Este reporte contiene información importante sobre la calidad de agua potable para tomar. El enlace estará disponible en su recibo del agua de la CD. de Mission y la página de internet. http://missiontexas.us/city-departments/public-works/ Si desea obtener por correo una copia de este reporte puede llamar al (956) 580-8780.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on June 27, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Rezoning: A tract of land out of the Northwest 9.96 acres of Lot 203, John H. Shary Subdivision, from (C-4) Heavy Commercial to (R-1T) Townhouse Residential; Rezoning: A 1.81 acre tract of land, more or less, out of Lot 28-1, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, from (AOI) Agricultural Open Interim to (C-3) General Business; and Rezoning: A .99 acre tract of land, more or less, out of Lot 28-1, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision, from (AOI) Agricultural Open Interim to (C-4) Heavy Commercial 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

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June 15, 2018

I would like to thank all the volunteers over the years for their long hours of work, the calls, the speeches and appearances, and for the prayers. You made extraordinary efforts for me and for our great city. I am humbled and grateful to have had your support over the years.

I would like to give special thanks to you, the citizens of Mission and to all of my supporters for allowing me to serve as your mayor for the past 20 years; it has been an honor serving you. I appreciate the trust you bestowed upon me by allowing me to make important decisions that have impacted every citizen and taxpayer of this great city.

The Lord blessed me with competent city employees and administrators to run this city. Their hard work has yielded many benefits for our citizens. Over the years, progress has been shown from the building of the Anzalduas Bridge, the CEED Building to the renovation of Speer Memorial Library, City Hall and the Police Station. Additionally, Mission has seen the development of the hike and bike trail and so many other projects. As you can see, the improvements to the City of Mission have been many. As your mayor, all this was done with a sense of financial responsibility. Despite our growth, we were able to keep taxes low; this was done with the citizens of Mission in mind.

This election is over and I may not be serving as your mayor now, but the work for the City of Mission has yet to be finished. Rest assured that I will still be around to lend a helping hand and I am always just a phone call away.

I have made many new friends, formed many strong relationships, and will always be proud to be from Mission. It might not be the city of my birth, but it is the place that I call HOME.

Thank you

Bet

once again and may God Bless each and every one of you.

Salinas

POLITICAL AD PAID FOR BY CANDIDATE - 500 E. 9TH ST. MSSION TEXAS