Friday, September 6, 2019_PT ISSUES

Mission News Update

INDEX

USMCA Forum held in Pharr

We have a few stories based in Mission this week, including more from the Housing Authority, the retirement of Mayor Armando O’caña from LJISD and the Mission Election Trial.

Last week Senator John Cornyn and Representative Henry Cuellar were part of a forum held at the Pharr Events Center regarding the proposed USMCA, which would replace NAFTA.

See Pg. 2

See Pg. 5

Sports.......................pg. 8 Lifestyle................pg. 10 Entertainment pg. 11 Death Notices...pg. 13 Classifieds...........pg. 15

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Progress times Friday, September 6, 2019

50¢ cents

Nonprofit will pay $5,000 for Mission Housing Authority board meals

Abraham

continues to inspire

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The road to managing a city Mission’s Randy Perez speaks on his faith, family and public service

By Jamie Treviño

By Dave Hendricks The Mission Housing Authority, which spent thousands on extravagant meals for board members and paid the bill with taxpayer money, attempted to avoid criticism last week by finding a new source of funding.

Executive Director Joel A. Gonzalez and Deputy Executive Director Jaime X. Ayala solicited a $5,000 donation from Coto De Casa, a nonprofit corporation affiliated with the housing authority, on Aug. 27. The money will cover meals for the housing authority board, Ayala said, along with ceremonial plaques for board members.

“We’ve been under scrutiny by people in the community,” Ayala said. “And so we’re just trying to deflect some of the scrutiny.”

The housing authority is governed by a five-member board appointed by the mayor. Members set policy and supervise the executive director, who makes day-today management decisions.

For decades, the housing authority treated board members to dinner before their monthly meetings.

“It’s been going on for a long, long time,” said board Chairman Romeo de la Garza.

From January 2017 to December 2018, the housing authority spent nearly $3,900 on meals for board members, according to documents released under the Texas Public Information Act. Meals ranged from $104.51 to $238.22, depending on the restaurant and the number of people who attended.

For example, the housing authority spent $224.25 at Villa Del Mar, a restaurant on the 200 block of East Expressway 83, on April 18, 2018.

Seven people attended the dinner, according to a copy of the receipt. They ordered five beverages, a variety of shrimp appetizers, fried fish, two botanas, chocolate flan and cheesecake.

The housing authority paid for the meal with taxpayer money, according to a copy of the check, which is stamped “CITY PILOT.” Under an agreement between the housing authority and the city, PILOT money — an acronym for “Payment in Lieu of Taxes” — is supposed to be spent “to provide safe and decent housing assistance to the Needy and Elderly” and

See MISSION HOUSING Pg. 12

Photo courtesy of Aspire by Abraham Facebook.

Sally Ibarra holds a yellow balloon before releasing it in honor of her son, Abraham, and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Go Gold Walks to be held in Sept. for Childhood Cancer Awareness

By Jamie Treviño Three years later, Sally Ibarra and her family continue to keep Abraham’s legacy alive.

In 2016 Abraham Ibarra, a basketball player and aspiring bodybuilder from Veterans Memorial High School, was diagnosed with stage III Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He passed away at the beginning of 2017, and his family has been working to spread awareness about childhood cancer ever since.

Now three years since his initial diagnosis, the Ibarra family has been busy. Sally (Abraham’s mother) started Aspire by Abraham, which has led annual Go Gold Walks in the Rio Grande Valley to raise money and give inforPhoto courtesy of Aspire by Abraham mation about childhood cancer.

Facebook.

“We’re trying to raise awareness,” Ibarra Sally and Abraham embrace outside Rockefeller Center in New York City Dec. 2016.

See GO GOLD Pg. 14

Randy Perez walks into work every morning ready to serve the citizens of Mission.

Born, raised, and educated in the city, Perez is a true Missionite. Throughout his lifetime he worked diligently to make the transition from migrant student to Mission City Manager - a journey that did not happen overnight.

“I’m the youngest of seven in my family, and we grew up in a humble woodframe home with no air conditioning,” Perez said. “Early in my life, I realized how important work and work ethics are.”

Perez grew up in a migrant family, travelling for months at a time to Lubbock to work on cotton fields.

Starting at seven years old, Perez found the value in determination.

“I was ambitious on getting things done, I would get ahead of the work crew because I wanted to finish faster,” Perez recalled. “It really taught me a lot - the meaning of work and earning.”

His father was a crew leader, so Randy grew up in the fields. He worked in the Sharyland Plantation area as well, harvesting watermelon, cantelope, onion, parsley and carrots.

“My mom passed away when I was ten years old of cancer,” Perez said. “That taught me a lot about life, and I became very faithful in knowing that things would be okay going forward. It made me strong, made me a different person - the person who I am today.”

Perez said that having faith in God would allow him to continue with any goals and accomplishments he set for himself. An attendee of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (both in Mission), Perez cites his faith as motivating him to create a new life for himself and his family.

“I believe that having a faith base is very instrumen-

City Manager Randy Perez Photo courtesy of the city of Mission.

tal,” Perez said. “It started with having faith in God to be able to achieve what I have achieved.”

In high school, Perez began working at a local McDonald’s before graduating and attending the University of Texas Pan-American.

Unable to afford college any other way, Randy worked part-time throughout the pursuit of his bachelor’s degree in accounting.

He began with the city of Mission in Nov. 2000 parttime in the finance department after a brief stint in the private sector. Through the years he served in several capacities in the department, advancing and learning in order to prepare for the next position.

“Every position I held, I wanted to work to promote to the next level,” Perez said, citing former Finance Director Steve Austin for hiring him and Janie Flores for supervising him. “It was very beneficial for me to be part of the department.”

In 2014 he pursued his master’s degree in public administration at UTPA, aiming to learn as much as he could so he could one day become city manager.

He became a certified public manager through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley not too long after that,

See RANDY PEREZ Pg. 6

Judge dismisses felony charge against former jailer accused of assaulting inmate

By Dave Hendricks

Michael David Hinojosa (Courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)

A judge last week dismissed a felony charge against a former Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office jailer accused of sodomizing an inmate with a baton.

Former Detention Officer Michael David Hinojosa, 35, of Mercedes pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a person in custody, a state jail felony. The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office, however, allowed Hinojosa to participate in a pre-

trial diversion program.

After he completed the program, the District Attorney’s Office asked state District Judge Rose Reyna Guerra to dismiss the case on Aug. 28.

“We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to get a conviction on the alleged incident,” said District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez.

Prosecutors reviewed the case and decided Hinojosa could participate in the pretrial diversion program — if he pleaded guilty.

Video from the county jail didn’t clearly show what happened, said attorney Rick Salinas of Mission, who represented Hinojosa.

“This is a guy that they’re claiming had violated the rights of an inmate,” Salinas said. “But when you looked at the video it was real questionable.”

Hinojosa pleaded guilty and participated in the pretrial diversion program because he didn’t want to risk a jury trial, Salinas said. He completed the two-year pro-

gram without incident.

“I think, at the end of the day, my client just didn’t want to roll the dice,” Salinas said.

Court records identify the inmate as “Juan Gomez,” a pseudonym assigned by investigators to keep him anonymous. The Progress Times couldn’t reach Gomez for comment.

Gomez apparently had been arrested and fell asleep in the jail booking area.

See MICHAEL HINOJOSA Pg. 4

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September 6, 2019

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Funds for Palm Plaza Development senior center remain on hold

By Jose De Leon III

$40,000 in funds to maintain meal operations at the senior center in Mission’s Palm Plaza Development remain on hold after board members with the Mission Housing Authority expressed concerns with continuing to let a handful of non-tenants of the housing authority use these services.

Tuesday’s special meeting for the Mission Housing Authority provided an update on this hold from the Area Agency on Agency which was created last month after board member Connie Garza reached out to the agency to express concerns that allowing non-tenants to use those funds would endanger the development center.

The center runs on public housing funds and AAA funds for maintenance and operations services, respectively. According to housing authority Deputy Director Jaime Ayala, AAA provides to the development plaza a $40,000 grant to serve as a refund to give salaries for kitch-

en staff in the senior center.

Concerned with how members of the public were using the services, however, Garza reached out to AAA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to see if any violations were made, creating the hold.

No violations were found by either agencies, Ayala told the board Tuesday. To remove the hold, Ayala said, the board had to send a letter to AAA saying they will continue to serve non-tenants in the senior center at Palm Plaza, which was denied by the majority.

Garza, who sits on the board of AAA, acknowledged on Tuesday that a contingency AAA provides to award these funds was that the center be open to the public.

“This potentially exposes the Mission Housing Authority to liability. If this center is open to the public, we would need to comply with health and safety requirements and permits and trained staff,” Garza said. “If there’s any liability, it’s us-who voted-who will take the debt of liability

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with it.”

Garza recommended to make the senior center available only to the tenants living in that development, located on the corner of Mayberry Road and Business 83, and referring the five non-tenants to other local adult daycares such as Amigos del Valle. She added that if the senior center were to ultimately lose the funds, the housing authority should take advantage of local pilot programs the city offers to keep funding it.

“I’m not against services to the elderly. It’s not that I want to engage in a confrontation, but I want us to do what is right and transparent and make good business decisions,” Garza said.

Executive Director Joel A. Gonzalez said after the meeting that he will contact AAA to see if they can continue to receive the funds if they exclude the five non-tenants from their services.

The only other item the board discussed was a motion to advertise for the position of a new executive director.

Gonzalez has stated publicly in previous meetings that his contract ends next January and that he has no plans to continue working for the housing authority after more than 25 years of service.

However, the motion was

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denied after Garza and fellow board member Irma Flores pointed out that there was no vacancy for Gonzalez’s position, making the advertisement come across as premature, they said.

“I don’t know why we’re advertising something when the board has not approved any separation agreement between us and Joel Gonzalez,” Garza said. “We need to have that and put it on the agenda so we can have a discussion on what are the wishes of the board. If and when the vacancy happens, how are we going to proceed? What would we like to see in a future executive director?”

Gonzalez argued that his contract end date was enough of a separation agreement, but Garza countered that Gonzalez needed to submit something in writing stating that he does not plan to continue working past his Jan. 4, 2020 contract end date.

“She can write it herself and then I’ll just sign it if that’s what it takes,” Gonzalez said after the meeting.

Garza also said that the hiring of a new director should be made by a new board as the terms for three of its members-Chairman Romeo De La Garza, Lupe Ozuna and resident board member Ricardo Garcia-are set to end at the end of December.

According to Gonzalez, new board members will be appointed by Mission Mayor Armando O’Caña in January.

O’Caña was in attendance of Tuesday’s meeting.

“Gonzalez has said in the past that he was planning on retiring but ended up renewing his contract instead,” O’Caña said. “That’s probably why there’s hesitancy from everyone regarding his position.”

Mission Mayor Armando O’Caña

Mission mayor retires as La Joya ISD safety director

By Jose De Leon III After 44 years with the La Joya school district, Mission Mayor Armando O’Caña retired from his job with the district last week to devote himself to the city of Mission.

O’Caña’s last day as the district’s safety director was Friday, Aug. 30. The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce will be throwing a retirement breakfast in his honor at the Mission Event Center today.

“I will devote myself to the mayor ship full time,” O’Caña said. “I don’t know if that will give me the chance to develop any hobbies, being a mayor is a full time job.”

O’Caña began working for the district in 1975 as a math teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal, alternative center director, dropout prevention director before becoming the school safety director in 1999.

O’Caña’s retirement from his job comes after the dis-

trict approved pay raises for all employees as part of its newly approved $396 million budget. O’Caña’s position, which he said earned him $112,000 over a three year period, was approved for a six percent pay raise he decided to walk away from.

“If I remained in La Joya I’d be earning as much as I’d earn with my retirement check,” O’Caña said.

Despite working as public safety director while at one point serving three terms as city commissioner for the city of Mission, O’Caña said it was getting difficult to balance his duties as mayor with his full time job.

“There’s been a lot more activity since I became mayor with the growth Mission is experiencing,” O’Caña said.

“I’ve created 16 new committees to help us develop the city more and gotten people to apply to those and been appointing people to these committees and maintain the ones we already had.”

Supreme Court of Texas sets due dates for Mission Election Trial

By Jamie Treviño The results of the Mission election trial may not be determined until some time in 2020.

Attorneys for former Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas filed a petition to the Supreme Court of Texas in order to review their appeal of the decision made by the 13th Court of Appeals.

Last May, Salinas and current Mayor Armando O’caña

ran for the mayoral seat, which lead to a runoff election in June. After 20 years in office, Salinas lost to O’caña, who served on the city council at the time.

Salinas filed an election contest to challenge the results, resulting in a nine-day trial where the O’caña family was accused of bribery and illegally assisting voters. Judge J. Bonner Dorsey ruled in favor of Salinas and voided the runoff election.

The decision was appealed in the 13th court soon after, and this time justices ruled that there was not enough sufficient evidence and reversed the trial court ruling.

The petitioners must file their brief to the Supreme Court of Texas by Sept. 30, 2019. Respondents must file a response brief by Oct. 21, 2019 and petitioners must file a response to that brief by Nov. 5, 2019.

September 6, 2019

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D

ear La Joya ISD,

August 16, 2019

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From the bottom of my heart...

On June 30, 2019, I officially retired as Superintendent for La Joya ISD. My retirement, however, is hardly a goodbye. That is why I want to begin this letter by thanking you—the parents, teachers, students, administrators, auxiliary staff, and the entire community of La Joya ISD. It also goes without saying, a special thank you to all Board of Trustees, past and present, for all the support throughout the years that allowed us to accomplish so much for our students. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to lead this District for over a decade.

In these thirteen-years, we transformed our community, and while the legacy I leave behind speaks for itself, I credit OUR accomplishments to everyone’s hard work, dedication and commitment. Make no doubt, La Joya ISD is truly the place to be.

We did all this with one vision, by unifying our school District.

That is why when I became Superintendent, I had one goal, educational excellence for ALL our students—what happened was nothing short of remarkable. Together, we transformed our communities; and our District became one of choices and opportunities where our students can truly be and do anything they dream to be.

Now, with the help of our principals – what a great team of instructional leaders – I share with you a little of what we accomplished over the last thirteen years…

•Divided District into three comprehensive high schools; •Created Alternative Centers for Education; •Opened a College & Career Center which has graduated over 2,000 students who had previously dropped out of school; •Created the Superintendent’s Golf Tournament Scholarship awarding over 1,000 scholarships; •Established the Student Round Table, Parent Round Table & High School Advisory Pack to improve communication; •Established the Community Anti-Gang, Drug, Violence & Crime Prevention Task Force and School Safety Advisory Board to improve safey for our students and staff; •Built and opened 10 new school campuses (two high schools, three middle schools, five elementary schools) Palmview H.S, Juarez-Lincoln H.S, Dr. Saenz M.S., J.D. Salinas M.S., Trevino M.S., Camarena Elem., Pena Elem., Garza Elem., Clinton Elem., Dr. Mendiola Elem.; •Named Bilingual Administrator of the Year; •Opened the District Health Clinic; •Built a Transportation Complex, Child Nutrition Center and Police Department Complex; •Obtained an “A” rating in financial accountability 11 years in a row, and numerous other awards for outstanding business practices; •Established Internal Affairs Department; •Opened three early colleges: two stand-alone models, one school within a school model; •Enclosed all elementary school pavilions; •Became a TEA “Recognized” District; •Established partnership with South Texas College to increase post-secondary access; •Established Higher Education Teaching Center with South Texas College; •Established partnership with University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley; •Started the Virtual Learning Lab to help students earn credits Online; •Established Reading, Dropout Prevention and College Readiness Task Forces; •Renovated and furnished Nellie Schunior Administrative Building; •Built tracks for all middle schools; •Opened Public Information Center; •Established partnership with College 1st Program; •Initiated “Back to School Bash” Community Event; •Established Wellness Center and Wellness Committee; •Re-named “College Drive” to promote college going culture in the District; •Established Partnerships with Texas Graduate Center, Harvard University, Washington University in St. Louis; •Initiated Girls Engaged in Mathematics with Texas Graduate Center to promote mathematics for young girls; •Formulated FORD Next Generation Learning Partnership; •Created the First Offender Program; •Initiated Future Leaders’ Academy; •Established Academy for Health Science Professions and Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; •Established the Educational Excellence Foundation; •Collaborated with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and Region One on Project HEAL for students interested in the nursing profession; •Established the Academies at La Joya ISD, aligned to HB5; •Established the High School Teacher Forum to provide a “voice” for high school teachers; •Increased number of dual credit hours, associate degrees, & industry certifications with our partnership with South Texas College; •Named Region One Superintendent of the Year in 2016; •Achieved Region One Board of the Year in 2016; •Established Lesson Design Lab to provide a place for teachers to plan engaging lessons; •Established partnership with Hidalgo County Head Start; •Established the “Why La Joya?” Community Event to promote public education; •Built the Sports & Learning Complex that includes the Planetarium and Natatorium to increase experiences for our students; •Named RGV LEAD Administrator of the Year; •Initiated College Bound Awards Assembly for incoming 6th graders; •Established the Parent Police Academy to increase safety awareness for parents; •Initiated purchase of mobile Tech Lab to provide technology access across the District; •Named 2018 and 2019 Best Communities in Music Education; •Designated five Elementaries as Schools of Choice in 2018; •Received recognition for nine schools as America’s Healthiest Schools; •Earned “B” rating as a District in TEA Accountability System in 2017-2018, 2018-2019, •Achieved three National Blue Ribbon Schools, E.B. Reyna Elementary School, Escandon Elementary School, and Jimmy Carter Early College High School and one nominee – Elodia Chapa Elementary School; •Designated middle schools as Schools of Choice and more elementary schools were identified for the 2019-2020 school year; •Initiated purchase of Mobile Technology Lab; •Initiated ‘Little Libraries Concept’ among school district; •Increased graduation rates’; •Increased dual language programs; •Increased retention of teachers; •Mentored five Texas Superintendents, one Deputy Superintendent, and Multiple Principals; •Among others.

WOW! Congratulations! With all this being said, as our District enters its next chapter, I look forward to seeing our students earn that “A”—they are only two points away! I’ve no doubt our students will reach these heights, as our improvements in the area of Post-Secondary Readiness show us that we are well on the right track!

La Joya ISD

From this foundation, I would like to wish Dr. Gisela Saenz and the new administrative team continued success and growth this 2019-2020 school year. The legacy of educational excellence for all our students must continue, because our unwavering commitment to transform our communities is more important than ever in today’s world. Our children deserve nothing short of the best education.

Lastly, I reiterate that my retirement is not a goodbye—I remain committed to serving our District and our communities.

As a student, teacher, parent, counselor, principal, administrator, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of La Joya ISD, my commitment will always remain with the students we serve.

Respectfully,

Alda T. Benavides, Ed.D.

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September 6, 2019

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La Joya Housing Authority hires former Rio Grande City mayor as executive director

By Dave Hendricks The La Joya Housing Authority board hired former Rio Grande City Mayor Ruben Villarreal as executive director on Wednesday night.

Ruben O. Villarreal, 56, of Mission — who served as mayor of Rio Grande City from 2008 to 2015, campaigned for U.S. Congress in 2016 and currently works as a social media strategist — is the fourth person to hold the executive director position during the past 12 months.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designated the housing authority “troubled” in April and warned about a “history of corrupt management and poor oversight by the Board of Commissioners.” The FBI arrested a member of the board last month. And the housing authority remains in

a precarious financial position, without enough money in the bank to cover a month of operating expenses.

None of that deterred Villarreal.

“I want to say something that needs to be said: In order to put this housing authority in the best shape it can possibly be, it’s going to take patience. It’s going to take perseverance. It’s going to take a lot of tenacity,” Villarreal said. “And it’s going to take a team of dedicated board members and an executive director to work together to provide the most basic need that a community can have, which is housing.”

At least four people applied for the position.

The board interviewed Villarreal, housing authority Interim Executive Director Claudia Alcazar, former Sullivan City Manager Juan Ce-

Ruben O. Villarreal

dillo and Weslaco Housing Authority Programs Director Gloria Garza on Wednesday night.

Board Chairman John Pena and Commissioner Jorge Bazan voted for Villarreal.

Villarreal impressed the board during the interview process, Pena said, adding that he wanted an executive director with government experience.

“With his selection, we’re hoping that our future looks brighter,” Pena said. “And that we get everything to the point where we’re not a news item every week.”

Bazan declined to comment.

Commissioner Jose Armando Salinas, who wanted to keep Alcazar, voted against Villarreal. He said the decision had been tainted by self-dealing.

“It’s a lousy decision because we’re doing fine.

We’re working fine. But these guys, you know, they have another agenda,” Salinas said. “They’re trying to do favors for themselves or something.”

Commissioner German Reyna abstained from voting.

“They were all good candidates. They did awesome interviews. I have nothing against anybody,” Reyna said. “But at this point in time and with the situation that we’re in, I felt that we needed a little bit more time.”

Board Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Garces Valdez, who is facing a federal bribery charge, didn’t attend the meeting. Whether or not she is still a member of the board remains unclear.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Keeping tejano alive

M&E Productions and My Tejano Awards are active in Mission

By Jamie Treviño Mike and Estella Flores are working every day to keep the spirit of tejano music alive - in practice and celebration.

The Flores’ run M&E Productions, a local business that rents out sound and lighting equipment and acts as a full sound production company that runs lighting, back line instruments and sound for tejano bands in South Texas. Mike, a former drummer for several popular tejano groups over the years, and Estella, who worked in banking, met in 1984 and have been inseparable ever since.

“We met on a blind date in January, got engaged in February and we married in November that year,” Estella Flores said. “He stole my heart.”

Estella originally preferred country music, but Mike converted her to tejano. Through their experiences in music and the changing industry, they found it important to keep the tradition of music, unity and celebration of tejano going. Mike recalled how extensive tejano tours used to be when he was playing, and noted that the awareness of the genre has gone down.

“Tejano has always been a part of his life, and in his

from pg. 1

family because his brother played as well,” Estella Flores said. “It’s been a good ride, and we love it.”

With the help of Freddie and Eva Perez from the Outta Town Dance Hall in Mission, the Flores’ began throwing dances every month where people can buy a ticket and enjoy an evening of live and recorded tejano music, drinking and dancing. Estella is proud of how the dances have grown over the years.

“We do one to two every month, because everyone has enjoyed it thoroughly,” Estella Flores said, adding that they send out dates and information through a mailing list. “From there it took off.

Now we have 800 guests, and every dance we bring 10 or 15 new people.”

The dances are for adults and happen on Saturdays, featuring new music, a bar and company. Stella can be contacted about attending the dance via phone at (956) 227-5968.

M&E Productions has been going on operating for 15 years now. Mike’s induction to the Tejano Hall of Fame in Alice inspired the pair to head the My Tejano Awards, a non-profit organization that has put on two large awards shows for national and international tejano artists so far. April 19, 2020 will be the 3rd annual

event, held at the Mission Event Center.

“We raised money to put on the first show, we had raffles, dances, barbeques, whatever we could do,” Estella Flores said.

Mike has dealt with several health issues and surgeries over the years, and is glad to have Estella, M&E and the My Tejano Awards to keep him energized and focused through it all.

“You know what they say, that if you don’t have support you’re nobody, but there’s strength in numbers,” Mike Flores said. “She’s [Estella] been my rock through it all. I want to keep doing this.”

The My Tejano Awards were designed to highlight the unrecognized talent in the tejano music industry.

Board members include the Flores’, Mando San Roman, Balde Munoz and Lalo Reyna.

At the last My Tejano Awards, over 200 tejano artists were in attendance. The Flores’ explained the awards process, and stated that it’s not about popularity, but quality.

“Our motto is keeping tejano alive,” Mike Flores said.

M&E Productions can be contacted at (956) 227-2951, or via email at m3futility@ aol.com.

MICHAEL HINOJOSA

At about 7 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2016, jailers attempted to wake Gomez. They wanted to photograph him and take fingerprints as part of the booking process.

“A struggle ensued and

Gomez was taken to the ground and restrained by several Detention Officers,” according to the criminal complaint against Hinojosa.

“Gomez filed a complaint, alleging that while he was on

the ground, he was sexually assaulted.”

Gomez said someone had sodomized him with a baton during the struggle.

“One of the Detention Officers that witnessed the incident filed a report and sworn Affidavit, confirming that he observed Detention Officer Michael Hinojosa push his ASP Baton into Gomez’s anus area at least four to five times. He heard Gomez yell out complaining about what was happening,” according to the criminal complaint.

“Several other Detention Officers, who were present during the incident, also corroborated Gomez’ allegations.”

The Sheriff’s Office fired Hinojosa on Nov. 21, 2016, and notified the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement that he received a dishonorable discharge.

Asked what he thought about prosecutors allowing Hinojosa to participate in the pretrial diversion program, Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said the judge, prosecutor and defense attorney determine the punishment.

“My job is just to put the elements of the crime together,” Guerra said. “And, after that, it’s up to those three individuals.”

September 6, 2019

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Cornyn, Cuellar and local leaders discuss potential trade agreement

By Jamie Treviño Last Friday, leaders from across the RGV gathered at the Pharr Events Center to discuss a proposed new trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar were part of a panel held during the USMCA forum (hosted by RGV Leadership and Futuro RGV) on Fri. Aug. 30, where they spoke on the importance of international trade in the Rio Grande Valley. Prior to their panel, attendees of the function heard presentations and panel discussions from RGV leaders and educators with experience in trade in order to speak on the local perspective of what the proposed “new NAFTA” means for the Valley.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was created in Sept. 2018. It has been proposed as an alternative to the New American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was enacted in Jan. 1994.

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, NAFTA eliminated tariffs, duties and quantitative restrictions progressively by 2008. It also includes information covering “rules of origin, customs procedures, agriculture and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, government procurement, investment, trade in services, protection of intellectual property rights and dispute settlement procedures.”

In May 2017, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Congress President Donald Trump would enter into negotiations with Canada and Mexico with respect to NAFTA. Later that year, the U.S. trade representative “heard directly from over 140 witnesses, who provided testimony on a wide range of sectors, from agriculture to manufacturing and digital trade, and represented industries, workers, farmers and ranchers.”

At the G20 Leaders Summit in 2018, Trump, then-Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed a draft of a new USMCA intended to replace NAFTA, however Congress has not passed USMCA. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi formed a nine-person committee in the house to review the impact assessments on trade, labor and the environment as well as an enforcement plan.

Negotiations have been agreed to be kept confidential and classified by all three countries, and are therefore not open under the Freedom of Information Act. Classified information includes “the negotiating text, proposals of each Government, accompanying explanatory material and emails related to the substance of the nego-

tiations.”

Sergio Contreras, the president and CEO of RGV Partnership, acted as the master of ceremonies during the forum. He spoke highly of informing the public about what trade means here.

“Gov. Abbott stated that our unemployment rate was close to 22 percent before NAFTA,” Sergio Contreras said. “Fast forward to today: some of our cities are between four and seven percent. According to a study commissioned by IBC Bank, in 1993 (the year before NAFTA went into effect), total trade between the U.S. and Mexico was at about $81 billion. In 2018, the study finds a jump from $81 billion to $611 billion. This equals a 650 percent increase.”

Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez welcomed attendees to the Pharr Events Center before introducing the federal perspective on USMCA. UTRGV Vice President of Governmental and Community Relations Veronica Gonzales acted as the moderator for the second panel discussion, which included Senator Cornyn and Rep. Cuellar. Both spoke about the bipartisan efforts that have been taken to work on the USMCA and the impact it can have on business.

“Business confidence is really important, because investors are not going to make a decision if they can’t plan or think circumstances will radically change,” Cornyn said. “The good news is NAFTA is the law of the land until it’s replaced, so I think that will provide some comfort.”

If approved, trade will likely increase in the southern and northern regions of the U.S. Cuellar said the area will be ready for an increase when it happens.

“The state of Texas is growing very fast,” Cuellar said. “Last time we grew by 4.3 million individuals, and this census we’re going to go up, so we have to get money.

It’s not only the population, it’s the cargo. There’s no other place than Texas when it comes to trade.”

Dr. Salvador Contreras, an economist and professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, gave a presentation on NAFTA and the new USMCA. He spoke about the transition from NAFTA to USMCA, and what’s next.

The USMCA will keep much of the same dispute resolution apparatus from NAFTA, and will continue the enforcement of labor and environmental provisions.

Canada will maintain the supply-management system for dairy.

Dr. Contreras pointed out that the Laredo district accounts for half of all trade that happens between Mexico and the U.S., so NAFTA has had a huge impact on the RGV. “From 1994 to 2018, per-

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sonal income increased from $9 billion to $34 billion, increasing four times in the region,” Dr. Contreras said.

“We also see that wages have increased, and the median income worker has seen wages increase from about 25 percent.”

He also spoke about what would happen to the U.S. if the country is unable to come up with an agreement.

“187,000 exporting jobs will be lost,” Dr. Contreras said. “The U.S. will have some 300,000 fewer jobs at the end of the year which we exit the trade deal. U.S. businesses and farmers will face some $16 billion in additional costs to tariffs, and consumers will face some $7 billion.”

Dr. Contreras moderated the first panel discussion from the local perspective, which included Pharr International Bridge Director Luis Bazan, Port of Brownsville Commissioner Ralph Cowen and McAllen Economic Development Corporation President/CEO Keith Patridge.

“We’ve got a very short window that we can possibly ratify the USMCA,” Patridge said. “So what we need to do as a business community and as individuals is we all need to be contacting our Texas congressional delegation as well as any other people that

Progress Times photo by Jamie Treviño.

Senator John Cornyn (left), UTRGV Vice President of Governmental and Community Relations Veronica Gonzales (center) and Representative Henry Cuellar discuss the USMCA at a forum held last Friday, Aug. 30 at the Pharr Events Center. could encourage our members of Congress to bring the USMCA up for a vote and ratification.”

If the USMCA is not passed, the country will continue to operate under NAFTA - however Patridge pointed out that a single letter from the President could pull us out of NAFTA in six months.

“Is he going to do that? I don’t think so, because that would result in all kinds of chaos,” Patridge said. “However, the fact that it can be done - what we’re seeing among the companies that we’re working every day, is they have projects that they want to move forward with.”

“Because of that uncertainty, they are frozen in

time, they are not moving unless something happens with USMCA,” Patridge added.

“If we do [pass it], we see huge potential opportunities for the border communities, particularly the Rio Grande Valley.”

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New Skilled Nursing and Transitional Care Community to Create 150 New Jobs

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

City of Peñitas and Touchstone Communities Break Ground on Las Alturas de Peñitas Peñitas, Texas – City of Peñitas officials and representatives from Touchstone Communities, Inc. broke ground last month on a new skilled-nursing and longterm care community, Las Alturas de Peñitas. The community will have 120 beds, a modern therapy department with advanced technical gyms and equipment, outdoor activity areas with gardens, mobility walking paths, private family areas, and more, providing the highest quality of care for its residents.

The community is being built in the 200-acre Mil Encinos Development in Peñitas, is expected to open in early 2020, and will create nearly 150 new jobs.

At the groundbreaking, Touchstone Communities’

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and continues to be involved with UTRGV as an academic coach.

“I really focused on it [education],” Perez remem-

bered, highlighting that he was thankful to make adjustments to achieve the next level of his education. “The decisions that we make make

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attract companies that would bring jobs and further inject into the local economy.

“This is a major project that will benefit our city and citizens for years to come,” said Mayor Lopez. “It took many moving parts, planning, and hard work, but we celebrate our accomplishment as we break ground on this facility that will enhance the quality of life, provide healthcare for the elderly in our community, and create jobs for our community,” he continued.

“We thank Touchstone Communities for choosing Peñitas to build your business, and look forward to the opening of this facility,” he added.

RANDY PEREZ

from pg. 1

Located at 3 Mile & Shary Rd.

CEO Carl Fellbaum thanked the community of Peñitas for welcoming them with open arms. Peñitas Mayor Rigo Lopez spoke of the economic impact that the new jobs and additional growth that the facility will be injecting into the local economy.

Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa congratulated Touchstone and Peñitas for the growth that the community has seen, and John Womack, V. P. of Operations for Mil Encinos Development remarked that this type of industry growth was made possible through the partnership between the City of Peñitas, Hidalgo County, and other partners, whose vision to spur economic development in Peñitas was made possible by laying the foundation of infrastructure to

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a big impact on our community.”

Going on his 18th year with the city, Perez has found plenty of opportunity for growth individually as well as throughout the residences in the area.

“When I started with the city of Mission, the public service (that’s part of the position) and being part of the community means we can impact how things can change,” Perez said. “I have always been part of the city and want to improve it, so I felt that this was the perfect opportunity for me.”

Perez focuses on the service of improving lives for Mission residents every day, and his top priority in the city is to ensure the safety of the citizens and community.

He credits several people for his success, and said he is thankful to the mayor and city council for trusting him as city manager.

“I consider myself a public servant, and that’s something I take pride in - doing what’s best for our city and our community,” Perez said.

“His dedication to Mission is not limited to city work - Perez and his wife, Angie, have continued to contribute to the area with their three children.

Angie is a speech language pathologist with the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, and Perez is active in several educational and fundraising boards for the district (including the Education Foundation of Mission CISD, VAMOS and the facilities committee for MCISD).

“Working hard at what you do will allow you to overcome any challenges that you may have. I’m all for education, and I want all our kids to have an education regardless of the challenges that they face,” Perez said.

“We live and work and attend school here in Mission, Mission is our home and always will be, we love Mission.”

2019

September 6, 2019

page 7

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FOOTBALL

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CONTEST

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V

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BIG7 SCHOOLS

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$50 WEEKLY PRIZE & $200 BOOSTER CLUB GRAND PRIZE Football Contest Official Entry Form

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Booster Club Grand Prize

WEEK #2 - SEP. 12 - SEP. 14, 2019

For Your School’s Athletic Booster Club

Check the box next to the team you think will win from each of the games below

Check your school or favorite team below. The team with the most entries at the end of the season will win $200 for the school’s Athletic Booster Club.

❑ Sharyland Rattlers ❑ Pioneer Diamondbacks

❑ Juarez-Lincoln Huskies ❑ Mission Eagles ❑ La Joya Coyotes ❑ Veterans Memorial Patriots

Name: _______________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________________________________ Phone & Alt Phone:________________________ Email:___________________________________ I am age 18 or older.

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High School Football Contest Rules A $50 cash prize will be awarded each week for the winning entry. The entry coming closest to calling all the games correctly wins. In event of a tie, the tying entry that comes closest to the score of Tie Breaker #1 wins. If a tie remains, the tying entry that comes closest to the score of Tie Breaker #2 wins. If a tie still remains, the $50 prize will be divided evenly among the winning entries.

Booster Club Grand Prize: At the end of the regular football season, the total number of complete, qualified entries will be tallied for each team with the team’s check box marked. The $200 Grand Prize will be awarded to the Athletic Booster Club of the team with the most entries submitted.

No Purchase necessary. Limit one entry per household each week of the contest period. Must be age 18 or older to enter the contest.

HOW TO ENTER: Check the box next to the team’s name that you predict to win each high school game. Next, for the tie breakers, predict the total points scored by the winning team in the Tie Breaker #1 game, and the total points scored by the winning team in the Tie Breaker #2 game. Fill in your name, address, phone number (This is how we notify the winners!), and email address. Check the box to receive the FREE Progress Times weekly newsletter and mail or drop off your entry form at Progress Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, TX 78572. Or submit your entry online at www.progresstimes.net. All entries must be received by the Progress Times no later than 2 p.m., Thursday preceding the listed games.

All entries must be submitted on the Official Entry Form printed in the Progress Times, Sharyland Times or submitted electronically from our official website submission form. Photocopies of the entry form are not allowed and will be omitted from the contest. Only one entry per household per week. Previous winners and all members of the same household are ineligible for subsequent weeks of the contest. Prizes must be claimed within 7 days of notification or announcement in the Progress Times. Decisions made by the Progress Times staff are final. The winners agree to allow the Progress Times to use their names and photographs to announce the winners and for promotional purposes online and in print. Employees of the Progress Times and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

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SPORTSweek

Luciano Guerra

September 21, 2018

www.ptrgv.com/sports

September 6, 2019

page 8

Sports Editor

THE

BIG7

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

SCHOOLS

McAllen Memorial running game to test Rattlers tonight

Early season showdown at Sharyland

By John Hamann The game of football has changed. Just a glimpse of what you see of most games now, the pros, college or high school will probably prove my point. Offenses these days have fallen in love with the forward pass.

Having a talented athlete at the quarterback position who can throw is now seen as the easiest way to ensure success on game day.

Don’t tell that to McAl-

len Memorial’s Bill Littleton. The long-time coach of the Mustangs has done a lot of damage and won a lot of games over the years with a different approach. The Mustangs are going to run. Opponents have to stop them to come out on top. Not many have in Littleton’s previous 16 years at Memorial. .

The 2019 edition of the Mustang offense appears to be more of the same. Memorial pounded out 367 yards and scored five touchdowns

on the ground in their 4240 season opening victory over Brownsville Hanna last week.

Campbell Speights did the majority of the work. For the night the senior tallied 267 yards rushing on 22 carries and scored four times. Three of those scores came on runs of over 50 yards. When you stop Speights you usually stop the Mustangs.

A big reason why the Sharyland Rattlers fell to Memorial last year was their

inability to do so. Speights scored twice in that game, finishing the game with 219 yards rushing on 20 carries in the Mustangs 27-21 overtime victory.

Despite the big night from Speights the Rattlers had plenty of chances in that game, failing to score on three trips into the red zone.

Sharyland is hoping for better results tonight.

A 27-13 victory over Brownsville Pace last week to open the season showed that the Rattlers are on the right track in finding replacements for a number of key players gone due to graduation and in defending their 2018 District 31-5A Div. II title.

Quarterback Benji Valdivia had a big night in his first ever start. The junior accounted for four touchdowns in a dual threat role as passer and runner. Three of the scores came through the air as Valdivia finished the night with 160 yards passing. His 84 yards on the ground were highlighted by a 48 yard TD run in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach.

The Rattlers have a new receiving threat too. Daniel Pena spent most of last season on the defensive side of the ball but moved over to offense this year. He had a great debut, catching three passes

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra.

The Sharyland Rattlers will be looking to go 2-0 when they host the McAllen Memorial Mustangs at Richard Thompson Stadium tonight at 7:30. The Mustangs defeated the Rattlers by a score of 27-21 last year.

for 90 yards and two touchdowns. His 21 yard catch in the first quarter staked the Rattlers to an early lead. His second (a 56 yarder) came in the fourth just minutes after Pace had tied the game at 13 apiece.

Pena, a senior, hasn’t forgotten how to play defense either. He accounted for two of the Rattlers’ four takeaways with interceptions. The first came in the third quarter, stopping a Pace drive near the Rattler end zone. The second, with less than three minutes left in the game, stopped Pace again in the Rattlers’ end of the field as they were driving to tie the game. Valdivia’s big touchdown run came two plays later.

The Rattlers defense will need all of that and more to come out with a win tonight against a Memorial team that has proven year after year they can put points on the board.

Containing Speights will be one way to get it done.

Sharyland defensive coordinator Craig Krell has seen plenty of the Mustangs offense in his years running defenses for both the Rattlers and McAllen High.

Krell preaches his defenders to be “9-5-90”. That’s nine guys within five yards of the ball ninety percent of

the time.

“We’ve got to get people to the ball and eliminate the big play,” said Krell. “He (Speights) is really good at making people miss.”

Rattler head coach Ron Adame knows it will be a tall task. “We’re expecting (to face) a well-coached, good football team,” said Adame.

“We have to play error free, turnover free football.”

Still the non-district battle is just another opportunity for the new faces on the Rattlers to show they’re making progress as they adjust to playing on Friday nights.

Adame often schedules tough non-district opponents as a way to see how his team will handle adversity and ultimately define the character of his team.

The win over Pace may have already given us a glimpse of both. The Rattlers controlled the first half and led 13-0 at the break before Pace came back to tie it in the fourth. That’s when the Rattlers, especially Valdivia and Pena, answered.

Expect a good one tonight. These are two successful programs coming off of big wins who both expect bigger things down the road.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm tonight at Richard Thompson Stadium.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES - WEEK #1 AT

Friday 7:30 pm

PSJA Memorial

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LOBOS

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September 6,, 2019

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Coyotes’ heart and soul

Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra.

La Joya senior running back Eddie Villarreal ran for 213 yards on 25 carries for the Coyotes in their 13-12 come-from-behind victory over the Palmview Lobos last week.

By Luciano Guerra In this pass-happy era of football, it may be hard to believe that a football team could throw only two passes in a game, complete only one for a grand total of five yards and still win, but that is exactly what the La Joya Coyotes did last week against the Palmview Lobos. How did they manage to pull this off?

By rushing for just under 300 yards and by featuring their second team All-State running back and their two time District 30-6A co-offensive MVP, Eddie Villarreal.

While the Coyotes did have to come from behind to open their 2019 campaign with a one-point win, 1312, the fact is that La Joya could’ve very easily tacked on another touchdown had head coach Reuben Farias not chosen to have his quarterback take a knee from in-

side the Lobos’ 10-yard-line late in the fourth quarter instead of going for the score.

Regardless, a win is a win and if the Coyotes are going to make a habit of winning, it will almost certainly be on the legs of Villarreal.

With Villarreal’s 213 yards rushing on 25 carries accounting for over 70% of the Coyotes total yards against the Lobos, it’s easy to see why Farias’ offensive game plan consists of Villarreal left, Villarreal right and Villarreal up the middle.

“Eddie is the backbone and the heart and soul of our team,” Farias said shortly after the Palmview game.

“He puts the team on his back and he’s going to run.

He’s a physical runner which means that he is not going to shy away from contact. Very seldom does he turn the ball over. Very seldom does he have plays for loss of yards.”

One might think that the fact that all 11 players on the opponents’ defensive units know that Villarreal is going to be handed the ball more often than not would make it difficult for him to rush for positive yards time after time, but as Farias explained, he always finds a way to turn every play into positive yards; regardless of where he first gets hit.

“Even if he gets hit behind the line of scrimmage, he’s going to get at least one positive yard,” Farias added.

“That’s the big plus for him because in the summer he does cross-fit and he works his rear end off just to try putting himself in this situation.”

As a junior last year, Villarreal carried the ball 252 times for 1,623 yards for an average of 6.4 yards per carry. In addition he scored 22 of the Coyotes 31 rushing

V

touchdowns, and 35 total touchdowns, on the season.

As a sophomore, Villarreal carried the ball 261 times for 1,360 yards for an average of 5.2 yards per carry for the Coyotes.

While it has been said that statistics can be made to prove anything, in Villarreal’s case, his stats speak for themselves. After all, when one player accounts for over half of his team’s total yards and over 60% of his team’s touchdowns, that player is as Farias put it, “…the backbone and the heart and soul…” of his team.

At 5-foot-9 and 235 pounds, Villarreal is not the biggest running back in the Valley, yet he is one of the best, if not the best. When asked what it is he likes the most about being a running back, Villarreal said, “I like hitting the holes and taking advantage of every moment.

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the time to slap the hand of every Coyote fan that lined up along the bottom row of the bleachers after the game, was a testament to how much he appreciated the fact that the Coyotes’ fans far outnumbered the Lobos’ fans in the stands.

“I think they sold 1,000 student tickets for this game,” Villarreal said. “It feels great to see so many people come to support us. We were down in the first half but as soon as we got up, the fans showed that they hadn’t given up on us. It wasn’t a good game but we gave the fans a show in the second half and we prevailed.”

In a game that is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 tonight, Villarreal and the Coyotes will be traveling to Roma to take on the Gladiators, a team La Joya defeated 49-0 last year.

2019 Football Scoreboard

WEEK 0

#59 Andres Garcia

I just love it.”

Last year, Villarreal and the Coyotes were on track to make the playoffs but a 0-3 finish left them on the outside of the UIL state playoffs looking in. With this being his senior season, Villarreal is determined to lead his team into the playoffs.

“With the new rule that we have allowing us to practice one hour every week, we’ve been showing up in the offseason and that has helped us a lot to improve offensively and defensively,” Villarreal said. “But we’ll need to execute every day in practice and finish every game if we’re going to make the playoffs.”

While he did score both of the Coyotes’ touchdowns against the Lobos, Villarreal was not satisfied with the way his team played in their season opener. However, the fact that he took

Last Week’s Games Week #0

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Tamez-Garcia vows exchanged on Cozumel beach

Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Garcia (Sabrina M. Tamez)

COZUMEL, Q.R., Mexico – Sabrina M. Tamez of Mission and Aaron Garcia of Lyford exchanged wedding vows on Tuesday, Aug. 6, on a beach at Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico, during a Caribbean cruise to Belize, Cozumel and Mahogany Bay. She is the daughter of Gary and Bertha Dixon of Mission. His parents are Antonio and Carmen Garcia of Lyford.

Attending the bride as matron of honor was Emily Garza of Weslaco, and Danielle Cruz of Katy served as the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Brooke Dixon of Mission and Amber Ragsdale of Victoria.

Flower girl was Cali Cruz, daughter of R.J. Cruz of Katy, and Arabella Sepulveda, daughter of Trae and Emily Sepulveda of Weslaco.

Trainbearers were Christian Cruz, son of R.J. Cruz, and Judah Sepulveda, son of Trae and Emily Sepulveda.

The ring bearers were AyJae J. Dixon, son of Aaron and Sabrina Garcia of Mission, and Brodie Sepulveda, son of Trae and Emily Sepulveda.

Standing with the groom as best man was Boy Tamez of Mission. Serving as groomsmen were R. J. Cruz and Matt Zapata, both of Katy.

The bride is a 2009 Mission High School graduate and is employed at the Edinburg Transition Center.

The groom graduated from Ly ford High School in 2008 and works for Arnold’s U.S. Mail Service.

Following their wedding and honeymoon trip to the Caribbean, the couple is at home in Mission.

Climbing 110 for the 422 who gave all McALLEN – This Sunday, Sept. 8, the McAllen Stair Climb will host the annual event remembering the 343 firefighters, 70 law enforcement officers and nine paramedics who perished during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The McAllen Stair Climb is a 501 (c) 3 status, nonprofit organization whose mission commemorates the lives of the 422 first responders who perished in their rescue attempts at the World Trade Center Towers 1 and 2 in New York in 2001. The event is held every year the Sunday morning on or before Sept. 11 at the Neuhaus Tower located at 200 S. 10th St., at the corner of Business 83 and 10th in McAllen.

Anyone 18 years of age and older can register to climb at mcallenstairclimb. com . The registration fee is $45.

Participants carry a tag

CALENDAR

Robert Zuniga and Brenda Sanchez of Mission honored their daughter, Sylvia, in celebration of her 15th birthday. The event was held May 25 at the Mission Community Center. The honoree was escorted by Roberto Zunia. She is an eighth grade student at Memorial Middle School. (Austin Studio)

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The McAllen Stair Climb organization will remember the 422 first responders who perished in the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in 2001 with the annual Stair Climb event this Sunday, Sept. 8. Following the opening ceremony, participants will climb 110 stories in honor of the fallen heroes.

EVENTS

• Immunizations available year round – no appointment needed • 10 Minute Prescription Refills – By phone or in person • Specialty Compounding Available!

• Full Line DME supplies and wheelchairs • Free Delivery Valley Wide ( now serving Rio Grande City and Roma) • All insurance welcome (Medicaid/medicare/workman’s comp/chips/private pay) • 90 day prescriptions available!

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September 6, 2019

Mon.-Fri. 8am-8pm • Sat. 9am-1pm

70th Princess Anna Pageant Saturday October 26,2019 10:00am

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Contestants must be a resident of the Rio Grande Valley & must be 6 years old on or before January 31, 2020

September 8 – The next Tip of Texas Orchid Society monthly meeting will be held at 2 p.m. at the Valley Nature Center, 301 S. Border in Weslaco. All members are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested in learning more about orchids and how to grow them in the Rio Grande Valley is invited to join.

September 10 – The public is invited to Speer Memorial Library in Mission for a discussion of Little Fires Everywhere.

It takes place in the library’s Community Room at 6:30 p.m.

Copies of the book are available to check out for those who sign up. Stop by the library reference desk or call at 580-8754 to reserve a copy. The title is also available as an eBook and eAudiobook at hidalgocotx.oneclickdigital.com. Speer Memorial Library is located at 12th and Kika De La Garza in Mission.

September 12 – The next Buenas Tardes Luncheon and community leader spotlights celebrates Women in Leadership with a panel discussion from women in various business sectors. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Mission Event Center, 202 N. Shary Rd. Call 956-585-2727 for tickets or email events@missionchamber.com.

September 14 – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) presents the 41st Collage Annual Gala fundraising event at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The gala will include live music including a special performance by the Valley Symphony Orchestra; entertainment by Bubba McNealy; and silent auctions including an array of art, special dining experiences, décor items, and more. Live auction items will include original paintings by Luis Sotil and Kirk Clark, exclusive tickets to “live” tapings, luxurious dinners, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Tickets are $175 per person or $2,000 for tables of eight people. Sponsorships and donations for the silent and live auctions are still being accepted.

For information and tickets, go to theimasonline.org or call 956-681-2800. For sponsorship inquiries, email aperez@thimasonline.com or call 956-681-2815.

September 14 – The next Saturday Safari at Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold in Brownsville, is “Animals Have Class.”

From 1 to 3 p.m., kids and their parents can learn about identifying different of types of animals. A zoo tour, arts and crafts, animal encounter and snacks are included. Classes are $15 per child or adult with a $5 discount for GPZ members.

Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Call 956-5489453 or e-mail educ@gpz.org to register or for more information.

September 15 - Camara de Comercio and the Mission Historical Museum will host Grito de Independencia Noche Mexicana, a celebration of the Independence of Mexico. It will be held from 12 to 11 p.m. at Mission Events Center.

September 17 – The 14th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon and Auction will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Pharr Events Center, 3000 N. Cage. Sponsorship packages are available for businesses and slots are available for local restaurants to promote their gourmet dishes. Companies and individuals are encouraged to donate silent auction items that help promote their products, services or talents. There will be food, music, silent auctions and drawings. Purchase tickets at foodbankrgv.com. For information, contact Philip Farias at 956-904-4513 or pfarias@foodbankrgv.com.

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

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with a photo, name and unit assigned of a firefighter, law enforcement officer or paramedic that died that day and climb 110 stories total, the height of the towers. After completing the 110 stories, they ring a bell one time in remembrance of the fallen hero on their tag. A 9/11 memorial ceremony kicks off the event at 7:30 a.m. and is held outside at the location and is open to the public to attend.

Proceeds have benefitted to the Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force, Tuesday’s Children, Guns and Hoses and the Rio Grande Valley Firefighters and Fire Marshal’s Association – which are geared to supporting first responders and their families in the event of a line of duty death and trains firefighters on skills used in the field.

Knights’ Blue Mass to honor first responders Knights of Columbus Council 2698 will celebrate with a Blue Mass to honor all first responders. The mass is planned for Saturday, Sept.

14, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1119 N. Francisco Ave. in Mission.

There will be a special prayer recited at the end of the service and the general public is invited to attend.

Special guests will be members of the Police, Fire, and Emergency Responders. wThe organization leadership stated they want to increase the understanding, cooperation and communication and to build relationships between law enforcement officers and law-biding citizens.

South Texas Hummingbird Project to be presented

Tony Henehan

McALLEN – Quinta Mazatlan’s next Thursday Night at the Mansion features Tony Henehan, wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m.

Henehan will be discussing the South Texas Hummingbird Project when visitors can learn about the native breeder to the Rio Grande Valley, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird, and other migrants to South Texas.

Henehan is at the forefront of South Texas hummingbird research. He grew up in New York where he attended SUNY Cobleskill for his bachelor’s degree in wildlife management. He acquired his masters from Texas A&M in rangeland and wildlife management studying the effects of large scale grassland restoration on wildlife.

As a wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, he works in the Las Palomas area with private landowners and municipalities to create wildlife management plans and to conduct research. His focus is on studying urban green jays, hummingbirds, and parrots in the Rio Grande Valley.

Admission is $3 per person. Quinta Mazatlan is located 600 Sunset in McAllen. For more information, call 956-681-3370.

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September 6, 2019

page 11

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Time to sign up for Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup AUSTIN – Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the Annual Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) Adopt-ABeach Fall Cleanup will take place at 30 different locations along the Texas coast.

Volunteers can sign up at texasadoptabeach.org or show up onsite to take part in a fun-filled day of giving back to our community and taking care of the Texas coast. Friends, families and community groups are encouraged to serve alongside

Coming Attractions

The Museum of South Texas History is seeking information on the migrant farmworker experience in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month. A special display has been set up, and visitors will be able to learn more while sharing their own experiences at a special admission-free day on Saturday, Sept. 14.

MOSTHistory plans special open house Sept. 14

EDINBURG – On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Museum of South Texas History will extend its normal free Saturday morning hours to include a full day for two, special reasons.

First, the newly-restored 1910 Jail will be open for one day for the public to explore. The number one question from museum visitors is, “When is the jail going to open?” While the restoration has been completed, the development of exhibits is still in process. This may be the only opportunity to see the 1910 Jail in its purest form, as a building and an artifact itself.

Second, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct.15, the MOSTHistory Collections Department will present a spotlight exhibit featuring artifacts and images from the museum’s collection that tell a part of

Monthly ‘Walk with a Future Doc’ begins Sept. 7

the greater story of “Farm to Market” history. Agriculture has long offered economic opportunity, especially in the Rio Grande Valley. This small exhibit will highlight the role Hispanic farm workers who have played in making the Rio Grande Valley a hotspot for Texas agriculture. The spotlight exhibit will remain in the Grand Lobby throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.

The museum is seeking additional artifacts, images and oral histories for its collections to tell and preserve a broader story of the farm worker experience. The public is invited visit the spotlight exhibit and make an appointment for an oral history session, if a visitor has a story to tell relating to this subject.

There will also be an audio booth where two people can share a questions and answers about their farm working experience or Hispanic heritage

in general.

Author Emma Gonzalez will present her book, “The Field Mice,” at 1 p.m. with a talk and a book signing. Following the talk, visitors can record their thoughts on paper tablets with questions about the migrant farm worker experience.

Three easels with paper tablets will be set up to share thoughts on three questions about general Hispanic heritage and will be placed in the annex lobby. Visitors may also want to pick up a clipboard and take the Hispanic Heritage Discovery Walk around the museum and may take their pages home with them or leave them anonymously with the museum. If enough are left behind, the museum will tabulate the shared thoughts and present them in a future newsletter.

man band” voice, piano, and multi-media music event for the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse’s “Creative Imperatives” series.

The performance is at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

September 18 • The UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts will host a grand opening reception at 5:30 p.m. in the UTRGV library (ELIBR2.114) on the Edinburg campus at 1201 W. University Dr. The Center for Latin American Arts (CLAA) advances scholarship, performances, and the exhibition of arts in the popular, folk, and academic traditions from the United States and Spanish and Portuguese speaking worlds. Learn more at utrgv.edu/claa.

September 19 • Join Dr. Kurt Martinez as he performs a program consisting of contemporary music for guitar and featuring compositions by Carlos Aguirre, Quique Sinesi, Jose Maria Gallardo and Edin Solis. He will be performing at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville.

Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-882-7025.

• The public is invited to the opening reception of the DreamScapes exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex lobby in Edinburg. The exhibit will be open through Feb. 7, 2020. For questions, call 956-665-3480.

• Gladys Porter Zoo and Brownsville Beer Fest invited the public to the annual Brew at the Zoo, 6 to 9 p.m. At the age 21 and over fundraising event, guests will sample selected premium and craft beers paired with food tastings from area chefs. Guests can take part in games such as a beer pong tournament and jumbo jenga. GPZ member tickets are $20 pre-sale or $25 on event day.

Nonmember tickets are $25 pre-sale and $30 on event day. Tickets are available online at gpz.org. GPZ is located at 500 Ringgold St. Call 956-546-7187 for information.

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

VETERANS MEMORIAL FOOTBALL

Ricky Reyna # 15 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be

EDINBURG – Interested persons of all ages are encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and join Chelsea C. Chang, M.D., and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine students for the university’s first Walk with a Future Doc (WWAFD) event. It begins this Saturday, Sept. 7, at 9 a.m., and will be recurring every first Saturday of the month.

It begins at the Bronc Trail, 1214 W. Schunior St., near the parking lot on the west side of the medical school.

According to organizers, walking is one of the simplest, best things people can do to live a long, high-quality life. WWAFD makes it easy by providing the time, place, motivation, including a brief health information talk, and

in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”- Deut. 31:6

Have a great year! Wishing you the best. We love you!

From The Reyna Family Mom, Dad, Ramses, Roman, Ryan, Welo, Wela, Aunts & Uncles

See WWAFD Pg. 12

BUY HERE

September 6 • Juan Pablo Andrade, piano, will perform at 7 p.m. in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, 1201 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. The program includes works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Chaminade and Matarrita. Admission is free. For special accommodations, call 956-665-3881.

September 7 • Auditions for the Colibrí children’s choir will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the McAllen Creative Incubator, 601 N. Main.

No appointment is needed. For those unable to come at that time, may call 956-307-6074 to arrange an alternate time. Previous members or current voice students who have been invited to join need not audition but do need to confirm their desire to participate in the choir by Sept. 7. The first rehearsal will be Sunday, Sept. 8. A $20 registration fee is required at the time of audition. For further information, go to colibrimusic.org.

September 14 • The Life Drawing Group at the Upper Valley Art League in Mission will be showing what they have accomplished over the past year in an exhibition entitled “Language of Line.” The free exhibition will open with a reception at the Upper Valley Art League, 921 East 12th Street in Mission, from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is invited. The exhibit will run through Oct. 9 in the UVAL gallery.

September 15 • Nickelodeon star and YouTube sensation JoJo Siwa is coming to Bert Ogden Arena with Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. – The Tour. Tickets are available at bertogdenarena.com with a range of prices from general admission to the Kids in a Candy Store VIP Package. The arena is located at 4900 S. I-69 in Edinburg. Call 956-562-7362 for more information.

• Featuring music ranging from magical to maniacal and hilarious to harrowing, pianist Dr. Brendan Kinsella performs a “one-

the GLO employees to help tackle pollution left behind from beachgoers.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at each site, and cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Visit TexasAdoptABeach.org to find a location.

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page 12 from pg. 1

September 6, 2019

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

MISSION HOUSING

further the goals of the City of Mission, the Mission Housing Authority and Coto De Casa, Inc. in assistance on an Affordable Housing Program for the residents of Mission.”

“Originally I know it was

being paid out of the low rent program,” Ayala said.

“But then, under the advice of our auditor, a couple years ago we started paying out of the city PILOT, which is non-federal funds.”

The meals also run the

risk of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. When a majority of the board meets to discuss housing authority business, state law requires the housing authority to post an agenda. Members of the public

For the latest news and updates

English 5.25”x16”

Proposition Number 4 (HJR 38) Explanatory Statements HJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting for the November 5, the state from imposing or col2019 Constitutional lecting an individual income tax, Amendment Election including an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated Proposition Number 1 association income. There is (HJR 72) HJR 72 proposes a constitu- no current constitutional bar on tional amendment permitting an imposing or collecting an indielected municipal judge to serve vidual income tax. as a municipal judge in more The proposed amendment will than one municipality at the appear on the ballot as follows: same time. Unlike an appoint- “The constitutional amended municipal judge, an elected ment prohibiting the imposimunicipal judge may not con- tion of an individual income currently hold another municipal tax, including a tax on an indijudge office. This amendment vidual’s share of partnership would allow an elected munic- and unincorporated associaipal judge to serve as a mu- tion income.” nicipal judge in more than one Proposition Number 5 municipality at the same time, in (SJR 24) the same manner as appointed SJR 24 proposes a constitutionmunicipal judges. al amendment that would au-

PUBLIC NOTICE

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”

tomatically appropriate the net revenue received from the portion of the state’s tax revenue received on sales of sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The legislature Proposition Number 2 would maintain the authority to (SJR 79) SJR 79 proposes a constitu- determine the specific uses of tional amendment authorizing the funds and their allocation the Texas Water Development between TPWD and THC. Board to issue additional gen- The proposed amendment will eral obligation bonds, in an appear on the ballot as follows: amount that does not exceed “The constitutional amend$200 million, for the economi- ment dedicating the revenue cally distressed areas program. received from the existing These bonds can only be used state sales and use taxes to provide financing for the de- that are imposed on sporting velopment of water supply and goods to the Texas Parks and sewer service projects in those Wildlife Department and the economically distressed areas Texas Historical Commission as defined by law. to protect Texas’ natural arThe proposed amendment will eas, water quality, and history appear on the ballot as follows: by acquiring, managing, and “The constitutional amend- improving state and local ment providing for the issu- parks and historic sites while ance of additional general not increasing the rate of the obligation bonds by the Texas state sales and use taxes.”

Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”

Proposition Number 3 (HJR 34) HJR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to temporarily exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of certain property located in an area covered by a disaster declaration of the governor. The proposed amendment would allow the legislature to prescribe the method of determining the amount of the tax exemption and the duration of the exemption and also would allow the legislature to create any additional eligibility requirements for the tax exemption.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”

tribute certain revenue to the available school fund.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”

Proposition Number 8 (HJR 4) HJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment creating the flood infrastructure fund as a special fund in the state treasury, using money appropriated from the economic stabilization fund. The flood infrastructure fund would provide additional resources to implement plans to mitigate flood damage. The proposed amendment would authorize the Texas Water Development Board to use money in the flood infrastructure fund for drainage, flood mitigation, or flood control projects. The proposed amendment also would authorize the creation of separate accounts in the flood infrastructure fund as necessary to administer the fund or authorized projects.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”

Proposition Number 9 (HJR 95) HJR 95 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to create a property tax exemption for precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”

Proposition Number 6 (HJR 12) HJR 12 proposes a constitutionProposition Number 10 al amendment authorizing the (SJR 32) legislature to increase the maxSJR 32 proposes a constituimum bond amount for the Cantional amendment authorizing cer Prevention and Research the legislature to allow a state Institute of Texas (CPRIT) from agency or political subdivision $3 billion to $6 billion to be is- to transfer a law enforcement sued by the Texas Public Fi- animal to the animal’s handler nance Authority. CPRIT was or another qualified caretaker created in 2007 to promote and in certain circumstances. Curfund cancer research in Texas. rently, the Texas Constitution CPRIT uses bond proceeds prevents the transfer of certain to award grants for cancer re- public property, such as law ensearch and prevention. forcement animals, to a private The proposed amendment will person or organization at no appear on the ballot as follows: cost. This amendment autho“The constitutional amend- rizes the legislature to allow the ment authorizing the legisla- transfer of a law enforcement ture to increase by $3 billion animal to the animal’s handler the maximum bond amount or another qualified caretaker authorized for the Cancer at no cost, upon the animal’s Prevention and Research In- retirement or at another time if stitute of Texas.” the transfer is determined to be in the animal’s best interest.

Proposition Number 7 (HJR 151) HJR 151 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions from $300 million per year to $600 million per year to the available school fund and also allowing the State Board of Education, the General Land Office, and other entities that manage revenue from land or other properties held in the permanent school fund to dis-

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”

Published by The Office of the Texas Secretary of State, www.VoteTexas.gov, 1/800252-VOTE(8683).

must be allowed to attend the meetings.

It’s legal for a majority of the board to meet for dinner, but any discussion of housing authority business would break the law.

“We’re very, very sure that we don’t do that,” de la Garza said, adding that board members usually discuss “old times” during meals.

Not all members of the board attend the dinners.

Commissioner Connie Garza and Commissioner Irma Flores Lopez, who joined the housing authority board in January, refused to attend.

Socializing at a restaurant before a board meeting creates the appearance of impropriety, Flores Lopez said.

They also became concerned

about the cost.

“How do you justify a meal before a meeting?”

Flores Lopez said, adding that she didn’t understand why the housing authority would pay for a sit-down dinner where board members were prohibited by law from discussing official business.

Flores Lopez and Garza pushed the housing authority board to stop socializing at local restaurants before meetings. Members debated the issue but didn’t make a decision.

The questions, however, apparently convinced Gonzalez and Ayala to request $5,000 from Coto De Casa on Aug. 27.

“What we have, basically, is a concern from maybe even one or two board mem-

bers at the housing authority,” Gonzalez said.

At the recommendation of Gonzalez and Ayala, the Coto De Casa board unanimously approved the donation. They promised to provide the Coto De Casa board with reports on how the money is spent.

“I think that those expenditures, in my opinion, are unnecessary,” Garza said.

“And we need to be good stewards — because it’s somebody else’s money.”

from pg. 11

WWAFD

fellow participants for a fun walking experience.

The event is free, and preregistration is not required.

Information about future walks will be announced on the local chapter’s Walk with a Future Doc website walkwithadoc.org.

The concept is intended to be simple where physicians and medical students organize walks in their communities and invite patients, families and community members to join them.

Walk with a Doc is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle to improve the health and well-being of the country. It was started in 2005 by David Sabgir, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio, who practices with the Mount Carmel Health System.

September 6, 2019

Notices Maria Aguilar ALTON – Maria Aguilar, 88, passed away on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, at her home in Alton.

Norma Cantu MISSION – Norma Linda Cantu, 55, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at her home in Mission.

Jose Cerda PALMVIEW – Jose Arnoldo Cerda, 68, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at his home in Palmview.

page 13

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com Arnoldo Garcia MISSION – Arnoldo Garcia, 53, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

Irene Garcia PALMVIEW – Irene M. Garcia, 86, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at her home.

Oscar Garcia MISSION – Oscar Garcia, 81, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Emma Gonzalez MISSION – Emma Riojas Gonzalez, 86, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at Pax Villa Hospice in McAllen.

Inocencio Munguia Jr. MADERO – Inocencio Munguia Jr., 64, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at his home in Madero, Leonel Reyna MISSION – Leonel Jesus Reyna, 87, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at his home in Mission.

James Shaw MISSION – James R. Shaw, 76, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Mission Valley Nursing Home.

Arnoldo Solis LA GRULLA – Arnoldo Solis, 84, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at his home in La Grulla.

Guadalupe Valdez MISSION – Guadalupe Valdez, 87, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Ruperto Villalon Sr. MISSION – Ruperto Villalon Sr., 66, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at McAllen Medical Center.

Jaime Villarreal MISSION – Jaime Villarreal, 56, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Senorina Wallace MISSION – Senorina Ontiveros Wallace, 70, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at her home in Mission.

Mary Cesaria Weis PEÑITAS – Mary Cesaria Weis, 91, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, at her residence in Houston.

Marsha Whitaker MISSION – Marsha Ann Whitaker, 77, passed away on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at her home in Mission.

Angel Zamarripa ALTON – Angel Fabian Zamarripa, 16, passed away on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg.

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September 6, 2019

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GO GOLD

said, noting that Abraham’s journey from diagnosis to passing away happened over 7 months. “He slipped right through my hands. The minute I knew he wouldn’t be around, I wanted to keep him alive and the only way I could was to keep his legacy alive and share with others.”

The first Go Gold event, happening tomorrow morning at Bentsen Palm Community Park, is a 5K race and Kid’s 1K. Funds for this event go toward families of children with cancer.

“That’s what Abraham wanted,” Ibarra said. “It was never about gifts [for him], it was about having everybody there together.”

In April 2016, Abraham woke up from a nap at school when his friend noticed a lump on his neck. He went to the nurse, who recommended he be taken in to see a doctor.

All his blood work checked out, but Abraham

and Sally wanted more answers. When she asked to schedule a CT scan, the soonest appointment for him was three weeks later.

“All that time he was still feeling great. The only thing we noticed was that he was working out and he felt like he wasn’t gaining any muscle,” Ibarra said. “He said, ‘something’s not right.’”

Sally hopes Aspire by Abraham can help other families struggling with childhood cancer.

“We want to be able to support families that are going through the same thing,” Ibarra said. “They may still have their child with them, and it’s very important for them. It’s important for me too, because when I see them, I see Abraham.”

According to Sally and anyone who knew him, Abraham was an old soul who loved giving more than receiving. When a friend’s family donated $1000 to

Abraham, he asked if the money could be used to buy Christmas presents for children staying in the hospital.

When he saw a homeless man outside a Denny’s, he asked his mom (unprompted) if they could buy him a meal. Sally was happy to do so.

“He said, ‘I’m not doing this because I want to be healed, because what I want no longer matters, it’s whatever God wants,’” Ibarra said. “He said ‘I’m doing this because it’s important for me to think of others, because others have it worse than I do.’”

Since 2017, Sally has found it difficult not to live in a world of “what-ifs.”

“It happened so fast, that now I can look at it and say what if I had done this, or what if I had done that,” Ibarra said. “And I’m not the only one thinking like this, there are other parents who have gone through this who

have lost a child.”

When he was initially diagnosed, the survival rate was 97 percent.

“I said, ‘three precent, we got this,’ it’s impossible for [him] to be that three precent,” Ibarra said. “I felt that I was Abraham’s rock and he was my rock, because he was so positive throughout the whole ordeal.”

Even on the darkest days, the family gathered to support Abraham, and each other, through it all. Though they still struggle with the loss of a son, brother and friend, Sally finds her faith and love for her family has kept them going.

Sally spoke about how the Go Gold events have grown quickly over the years as more people learn about Abraham and childhood cancer. She was present when the city of Mission proclaimed September as “Go Gold for Children with Cancer” month, and noted that

the city has been promoting Glow Gold walks happening in Mission and McAllen parks through the month.

“The best part is being able to let parents know that they are not alone,” Ibarra said. “I’m here to support them, and the way I can support them is this way. Here in the Rio Grande Valley there’s no awareness, and the only way we can do that is continuing these events.”

Wed. Sept. 11 and Wed. Sept. 25, Glow Gold will be coming to Bannworth Park in Mission at 7:15 p.m. Wed. Sept. 18, Glow Gold will be happening at the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance main campus south parking lot.

“I think our medical system here is lacking in help,” Ibarra said. “We need to be able to have more knowledge for our kids, because I think if my son’s diagnosis may have been caught at least three weeks earlier, it would

have made a difference.”

Aspire by Abraham was named after a quote from his last post on Instagram: “Aspire to be an inspiration to others, because we are all capable of greatness.”

“When I read that, I said ‘he meant something by this,’” Ibarra said. “This was him.”

From then on, Sally started Aspire by Abraham, which can be found at https://www. aspirebyabraham.com/.

Along with the walks, Aspire by Abraham has shirts available with Abraham’s message, and the non-profit organization awards annual $1000 scholarships to MCISD high school seniors headed to college.

“I want there to be hope, and the only way there can be hope for these families is that they have this support system,” Ibarra said.

“We can tell them you’re not alone, we’re fighting with you.”

PATRIOT DAY

NEVER FORGET. NEVER FORGET Ricardo Villarreal Mayor

Joel Garcia Mayor Pro Tem

Javier Ramirez Councilman

Jose Luis Perez Councilman

Linda Sarabia Councilwoman

Anthony Uresti Councilman

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

www.cityofpalmhursttx.com

Michael Leo City Manager www.cityofpalmview.com

1201 E. 8th St. (956) 580-8650 www.missiontexas.us

Dr. Armando Ocaña MAYOR

Norie Garza MAYOR PRO-TEM

Jessica Ortega-Ochoa COUNCILWOMAN

Ruben Plata COUNCILMAN

Gus Martinez COUNCILMAN

Randy Perez CITY MANAGER

Jaime Aranda Councilman

Ruben De Leon Councilman

Israel Silva Councilman

Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman

Patriot Day Salvador Vela Mayor

City of Alton

Ricardo Garza COMMISSIONER

Arturo R. Galvan Jr. MAYOR PRO-TEM

Richard Arevalo COMMISSIONER

Emilio Cantu Jr. COMMISSIONER

REMEMBERING 9-11 LOCATIONS IN

Alberto Vela, R. Ph. 583-2700 1242 E. Bus. 83, #7 Mission, TX

Pharmacy & Medical Equipment

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

Mission, TX

LA JOYA • PALMVIEW

CALL OR CLICK TODAY!

(956) 585-6207

Insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender.

www.lajoyafcu.com

September 6, 2019

page 15

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BUY • SELL • TRADE • RENT • HIRE

THE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED RATE: 1 Week = $7 Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are 2 Weeks = $10 Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573. Submit by email or pay 4 Weeks = $14 by phone 585-4893. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 5 p.m.

For Rent HOUSE FOR RENT, 2 Bedroom, 2914 N. Conway in Mission, TX, quiet area near Mims Elementary school, $625 plus deposit, for more details call 956-580-0377.

For Sale HAPPY JACK FLEA Beacon, patented device controls fleas in the home without toxic chemicals or costly exterminators,

results overnight, Southwest Hay & Feed, 956-5801717, (www.fleabeacon.com).

USE DD-33 SPRAY to control fleas & ticks on dogs & cats, El Pase Feed Store, (www.kennelvax.com).

USE PARACIDE SHAMPOO to control fleas & ticks on dogs & cats topically, eliminate doggy odor and restore healthy coat, Border Enterprises, 956487-2570, (www.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following: Replat of Lot 3, Block 21, Cimarron Country Club, Phase I, Section IV Being a 0.11 acre tract of land, more or less in part consisting of all of Lot 3, Block 21, Resubdivision of plat of Cimarron Country Club Phase I, Section IV 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

kennelvax.com).

Home For Sale

5441.

Garage Sale

2BDR WITH option of 3rd BDR, 2 baths, 2 car garage in a 55+ community, EVR in Mission, TX, ceramic tile throughout, ceiling fans, water softener system, all appliances, garage for 26’ motor home, and more, call 956-321-

YARD SALE , Friday & Saturday, Sept.6-7th from 7:30am-3pm at 603 Nogales inside Tierra Linda in Palmview, TV’s, dishes, 2 sets of tires with rim, men, women & young men clothing, shoes and so much more.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Alton will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Legislative Chambers located at 509 S. Alton Boulevard to consider the following request: Si desea información en español, llame al departamento de Planeación de la Ciudad de Alton, (956) 432-0760.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: Guadalupe Maldonado, Templo De Poder Church, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for a parking lot as primary use at 914 W. Main Avenue, also legally described as Lot 8, Block 3, Nuevo Alton Subdivision, Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas.

The public is invited to attend or file written support for or opposition to this application by 12:00 noon on September 24, 2019, for the Planning and Zoning and the City Commission.

For questions please call Janie Flores, City of Alton Planning Department at (956) 432-0760.

YARD SALE , Viernes y Sabado, Sept.6-7 de 7:30am-3pm en local 603 Nogales adentro de Tierra Linda en Palmview, televisiones, vasijas, llantas con rines, ropa de joven, mujer y hombre,

zapatos y mucho mas.

Mobile Home 14x76, 2BDR/ 2BA Lancer Mobile Home for sale, TX room, carport, attached shed, metal roof, gated 55+Community in

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for an On Premise Wine and Beer Permit by Leo’s Express Drive Thru DBA Triple “L” Leonis, LLC, to be located at 124 W. Expressway 83, La Joya, TX 78560, Hidalgo County. Officer of said Limited Liability Company is Lita Leo, owner.

Mission, TX, must sell for health reasons, call 956-249-

0046 for more details.

Notice to Lender Notice to: Reba Bremer, 1608 Iowa, Mission, Texas, 78572. The records of the Mission Historical Museum reflect that you have property on loan to it. The property was received by the museum on August 5, 2003.

The museum wishes to terminate the loan. You must contact the museum, provide proof of your ownership, and make arrangements to collect the property. Please contact Vernon Weckbacher, Archivist/Curator, at the Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty Ave., Mission, Texas, 78572 (telephone 956-580-8646). If you fail to do so within 65 days after the date of this notice, you will be deemed to have donated the property to the museum. See Chapter 80, Texas Property Code.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS PURSUANT TO L.G.C. SECTION 363.204, THAT: The Palmview Crime Control & Prevention District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at Palmview City Hall located at 400 W. Veterans Blvd., Palmview, Texas, to consider the following: Adoption of the Crime Control & Prevention District FY2020 Budget and District Work Plan Members of the public are encouraged to provide input through any means available including by mail at the address above and/or by attending the public hearing.

SHERIFF’S SALE/ Order of Sale

SHERIFF’S SALE REAL PROPERTY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That by virtue of a certain Order of Sale Cause No. C-5236-17-D issued out of the Honorable DISTRICT COURT OF THE 206th JUDICIAL DISTRICT, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS on the 17th day of July 2019, and styled TUSCANY VILLAGE HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC., (Plaintiff) VS ROSANA REYES, (Defendant) and whereas plaintiff recovered a judgment for the sum of Three Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Thirty Four Cents ($3,988.34); (actual damages of Seven Hundred Thirty Six Dollars and Twenty Three Cents ($736.23); Attorney’s fees in the amount of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($1,500.00); Court cost of Three Hundred Fifteen Dollars and Eighty Seven Cents ($315.87); service fees of Four Hundred Sixty Five Dollars and Zero Cents ($465.00); Attorney’s fees in the amount of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($750.00) for the projected cost of handling the foreclosure; and for post judgment interest from July 24, 2018, through the anticipated foreclosure date of September 3, 2019, in the amount of Two Hundred Twenty One Dollars and Twenty Four Cents ($221.24) together with a foreclosure of a lien and the cost of executing this writ with all costs of suit as of record is manifest, in favor of TUSCANY VILLAGE HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC. and placed in my hands for service on JULY 18, 2019, I, J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, as Sheriff of Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 8th day of August 2019, levy on certain Real Estate, situated in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit: 3511 Truman Avenue, Mission, TX 78573, as more fully described as Lot 73, Tuscany Village Subdivision, Unit-1, Hidalgo County Texas;

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That by virtue of a certain Writ of Execution and Order of Sale Cause No. C-4012-18-D issued out of the Honorable 206 District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas on the 17th day of July 2019, and styled OAKLAND HOMEOWNERS’ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff(s) VS SAUL TREVINO, JR. AND JUANA M. PENA, Defendant(s) as of May 13, 2019 recovered a judgment for the sum of Four Thousand Two Hundred Nineteen Dollars Twenty Five Cents ($4,219.25); (actual damages of Six Hundred Ninety Six Dollars Ninety One Cents ($696.91); Attorney’s fees in the amount of Two Thousand One Hundred Ninety Dollars, No Cents ($2,190.00); Court cost of Three Hundred Twenty Four Dollars Ten Cents ($324.10); service fees of Two Hundred Dollars No Cents ($200.00); for post judgment interest from May 13, 2019, through the anticipated foreclosure date of September 3, 2019, in the amount of Fifty Eight Dollars Twenty Four Cents ($58.24); and Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars No Cents ($750.00) in Attorney fees for the projected cost of handling the foreclosure, together with the Sheriff’s fees, under Judgment in favor of OAKLAND HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION and placed in my hands for service on JULY 30, 2019, I, J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, as Sheriff of Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 6th day of August 2019, levy on certain Real Property, situated in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit:

And levied upon as the property of ROSANA REYES and that on the first Tuesday in the month of October 2019, the same being the 1st day of said month, at 2802 South Business Highway 281, The Hidalgo County Administrative Building, Edinburg, Texas, hereby designated by The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court, in the City of Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by virtue of said levy and said Order of Sale, I will sell said above real estate at public venue, for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of ROSANA REYES in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English Language, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a Newspaper in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Witness my hand on this 29th day of August 2019

3505 Timberwood Drive, Edinburg, Texas 78542-4171, as more fully described as Lot 120, Oakland Village Subdivision, Phase-2, Hidalgo County, Texas.

And levied upon as the property of SAUL TREVINO, JR. AND JUANA M. PENA and that on the first Tuesday in the month of October 2019, the same being the 1st day of said month, at the Hidalgo County Administrative Building, located at 2802 South Business Highway 281, Edinburg, Texas, 78539 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by virtue of said levy and said Writ of Execution and Order of sale, I will sell said above real estate at public venue, for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of SAUL TREVINO, JR. AND JUANA M. PENA, and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English Language, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The Progress Times a Newspaper in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Witness my hand on this 30th day of July 2019

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Congratulations!

September 6, 2019

LA JOYA ISD CAMPUSES that earned an “A” RATING FROM E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

A

A

A

A

William J. Clinton Elementary

Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Elementary

Ann W. Richards Middle School

Thelma Rosa Salinas STEM Early College High School

94

93

91

98

A

A

Tabasco Elementary 93

Evangelina Garza Elementary 90

94 out of 100

93 out of 100

93 out of 100

91 out of 100

98 out of 100

A

O V E R A L L R AT I N G O N THREE DOMAINS Student Achievement

90 out of 100

95 out of 100

School Progress Closing the Gaps TEA Accountability Ratings Reflect a Commitment to: recognizing high student achievement recognizing the impact of highly effective educators maintaining focus on students most in need.

Jimmy Carter Early College High School

95

CAMPUSES EARNING ALL POSSIBLE DISTINCTIONS Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Elementary 6 out of 6 ELA/Reading, Mathematics, Science, Academic Growth, Closing the Gaps, Postsecondary Readiness

Ann W. Richards Middle School 7 out of 7

Memorial Middle School 7 out of 7

ELA/Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Academic Growth,Closing the Gaps, Postsecondary Readiness

ELA/Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Academic Growth, Closing the Gaps, Postsecondary Readiness

SCHOOL BOARD Claudia Ochoa, President Alejandro “Alex” Cantu, Vice-President Esperanza “Espie” Ochoa, Secretary Oscar “Coach” Salinas, Member Nereyda Cantu, Member Mary T. Hernandez, Member Armin Garza, Member

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Gisela Saenz, Superintendent of Schools

Joel Treviño, Asst. Superintendent for Administration & Finance Ricardo Villarreal, Asst. Superintendent for Student Services

Magda Villarreal, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Martin Muñoz, Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources Jose Luis Morin, Asst. Superintendent for Operations

La Joya ISD Continues to be the District of Choice for Academic Excellence!

La Joya Independent School District (956) 323-2545 | www.lajoyaisd.com

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