Friday, December 18, 2015
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MISSION INVENTOR APPEARS ON ‘GOOD MORNING AMERICA’
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By Jim Brunson ennifer Solis Shipp is excited. The inventor from Mission flew to New York on Wednesday for an allexpense-paid trip to film a segment for ABC’s “Good Morning America” (GMA). She was selected to make an appearance with Joy Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop™, queen of infomercials and the inspiration for the movie “Joy” that hits theaters on Christmas day. The call from GMA is just the latest in a long series of achievements that have propelled Jennifer and her co-inventor husband, Sam Shipp, along on their journey. They have worked long hours – for five years – to get their invention, The Knife Glider™, from concept to design to production and, finally, to market. The process started when Jennifer had a brainstorm after cutting herself with a knife in a kitchen accident. As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In this case “fear” was the mother of the Shipps’ invention. Jennifer explains, “I was cooking in the kitchen one day, and I nicked myself with
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a knife. I really have a fear of putting my finger on the blade to remove food.” That’s when the light bulb came on for Jennifer. How many other people have experienced the same thing – cutting their hand while in the kitchen preparing a meal? Unlike most people who think they have a good idea for an invention, but never do anything about it, the Shipps started working on the concept for The Knife Glider™. Jennifer and Sam are very upbeat and happy about how far they’ve come – especially since The Knife Glider™ is finally in production and their new online store launched just over two weeks ago. But the path has not been easy; they have had challenges and setbacks along the way as their product has moved from concept to manufacturing. Now they are actually selling their product online at www.knifeglider.com – a professionally-built website, designed locally. Next step: marketing The Knife Glider™ and pulling in sales. So, GMA is an unexpected coup for the couple. Especially since the call came out of the blue. GMA contacted them, and they’re not sure how that happened—but
they’re grateful for the opportunity. The Journey Pursuing their Knife Glider™ dream has been a journey and learning experience for Jennifer and Sam. After coming up with the initial concept, it was propelled forward in 2010 when Sam learned about the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) Show in Las Vegas. The show is designed to match up direct response marketers – such as infomercials and “as-seen-on-TV” products – with sellers and inventors. The show organizers reserve a limited number of booths for inventors to present their ideas. Sam learned about the show just two weeks before the event. He contacted them; they liked his concept and invited him to come to the show. Sam went straight to work. He didn’t even have a prototype at the time – just an idea in his head. Using a homemade rubber mold and Plexiglas™ material he purchased at Home Depot, he made their first prototype. “It was very clunky,” said Sam. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come from that small
Jennifer and Sam Shipp demonstrate their invention, The Knife Glider™, at their home Wednesday before flying to New York to film a segment with Good Morning America.
See INVENTOR 6
Palmview replaces municipal judges
By Lea Victoria Juarez ot only did the Palmview city commission remove three of their municipal judges from the bench at the Tuesday night meeting, but the commissioners discovered that they may have been acting in violation of the city charter. In a 3-2 vote, Ramon Segovia, J.J. Peña and Johnn Alaniz were removed from their municipal judge position. Councilwoman Graciela Flores and Councilman
Arnaldo Nacianceno were the dissenting votes. Two new municipal judges – Javier Ramirez and Noe Hernandez – were appointed and sworn in by Justice of the Peace Marcos Ochoa. Councilman Ricardo Villarreal said the men were removed from their positions because it comes too close to the lines of a conflict of interest. Segovia is the city manager and Peña and Alaniz are La Joya ISD school board members. Flores announced that
she felt the decision was not solely based on professional reasons. “I want it on the record that I am against it,” the councilwoman said. “I don’t know if we’ve had any complaints from the state, from our judges, from the police department. I want to know if this is a personal vendetta because I feel that that’s what it is.” Segovia said he found out about his removal last week. He said he was not approached beforehand, but
Diaz announces candidacy
two council members called him and told him to put the item on the meeting agenda. Segovia chose not to comment on his termination. Peña and Alaniz were not at the meeting and did not return phone calls from Progress Times before this article went to print. Mayor Pro Tem Joel Garcia Jr. made the motions to remove and appoint, but the charter states that only the mayor can appoint and the commission approves or dis-
See JUDGES 4
Veterans’ graves decorated for the holiday
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By Lea Victoria Juarez
rimson-adorned wreaths highlight the lush fields of the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery this time of year. Against each pearly headstone rests is the symbol of eternity and everlasting life. The RGV State Veterans Cemetery was one of more than 1,000 cemeteries nationwide and 25 U.S. cemeteries overseas that participated in the annual Wreaths Across America program, Dec. 12. A wreath is placed on every grave at the state and U.S. cemeteries on the second Saturday of December. The Wreaths Across America organization is an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project, a program that began in 1992, but didn’t reach na-
tional attention until 2005. More than 900,000 wreaths were placed this year. Ten sections, known as balsam bouquets, make up the veterans’ wreaths. Each section has it’s own meaning. 1. Their faith in God 2. Their love for each other 3. Their strength, work ethic and character 4. Their honesty and integrity 5. Their humility, selflessness and modesty 6. Their ambitions and aspirations 7. Their optimism for America 8. Their concern for the future 9. Their pride in their duties 10. Their hopes and their dreams that didn’t always come true, but left them with no regrets
More than 1,000 wreaths are laid on the graves of the fallen soldiers at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery. Photo by Lea Victoria Juarez
Evergreens symbolize longevity and endurance; the red bow that adorns each wreath symbolizes great sacrifice; the forest scent stands for purity and simplicity and the circular shape represents eternity.
Maribel Reyes and her nephew Benito Ibañez attended the ceremony for Reyes’s friend Rudolph Klement. The US Army veteran fought in the Korean War and was 79 when he died.
See VETERANS 6
Press release courtesy of candidate. aniel Diaz is a young, committed, and engaged community leader who has worked as a community organizer in neighborhoods across Hidalgo County fighting for better neighborhood infrastructure, and is now your candidate for Hidalgo County Commissioner Pct. 3. Diaz is running for County Commissioner because he believes that ordinary working class people deserve a seat at the table and a real voice in local government. He understands that the only way to regain the public’s trust in government is by actually working together with the public on issues that directly impact them every day. Although this being his first run at public office, Diaz is no stranger to public service. As a student at the University of Arkansas, Diaz got involved in helping out the local immigrant and low-income community. He served as a student leader, representing minority groups in campus as Vice-President of LULAC and Multicultural Ambassador, worked and served in local non-profits to help empower recently arrived immigrants, and helped organize minorities to vote in larger numbers. As passionate as he was about helping in Arkansas, he knew that his hometown was in more need and returned to the Rio Grande Valley in
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Daniel Diaz
2011 after finishing school seeking ways to use his community organizing skills to bring positive change in the area. His passion for social justice, equality, and civic engagement drove him to land a position as a Community Organizer with local non-profit La Union Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), an organization founded by civil rights icons Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta. At LUPE he helped lead a variety of organizing projects to help improve quality of life in low-income neighborhoods and colonias. He helped organize residents and community leaders to negotiate $14 million in disaster recovery storm water drainage funds in 30 colonias, and advocated and negotiated the inclusion of low-income neighborhoods
See DIAZ 7
INSIDE
INDEX
Disney classics come to life
Millennial seeks to fight excessive taxation
Lady Coyotes out to enter playoffs
The “Three Classic Fairy Tales” production takes the stage at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo for one day only.
Abel Prado announces candidacy for Hidalgo County Tax Assessor and Collector.
With the current 1011 record, the team has already surpassed the total of eight wins they had last season.
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See story page 10A
See story page 1B
Entertainment | pg. 2A
Lifestyle | pg. 3A
Opinion | pg. 4A
Sports | pg. 1B
Obituaries | pg. 13A
Classifieds | pg. 14A
entertainment
Coming H Attractions
December 21 The Edinburg Dance Theatre will present an encore performance of the Christmas classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at Victoria Palms Resort in Donna at 7:30 p.m. All seats are $8 at the door. Call 494-7742 for more information.
December 30 Close out the year and celebrate the holiday season at 7 p.m. with the Eli Young Band at the Boggus Ford Events Center, 3000 N. Cage in Pharr. Standing general admission is $22. Reserved seats are $47 per person. Go to ticketmaster. com or call 800-745-3000 to purchase. Moscow Ballet’s, “Great Russian Nutcracker,” will be performed at the McAllen Civic Center auditorium, corner of 10th St. and Expressway 83, at 7 p.m. as part of a coastto-coast tour. Principal ballerina Kayna Shatkovskaya and principal danseur, Vladimir Tkachenko, will star in the production. Tickets range from $28 to $175 each. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. January 1 Take the 18th Annual Polar Bear Dip at Clayton’s Bar and Grill at South Padre Island. Registration begins at 10 a.m. for the 12 p.m. dip. There will be live music and a best costume contest. (To see the complete calendar, go to www.ptrgv.com.)
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December 18, 2015
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
Disney classics come to life Dec. 24 at State Farm
IDALGO – When the curtains are drawn back to reveal the allnew stage show experience Disney Live! “Three Classic Fairy Tales,” audiences will find themselves on an enchanting journeying through the awe-inspiring stories of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. The production will be staged at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo with two show times at 1 and 4 p.m., Dec. 24, Mickey, Minnie and more than 25 of their Disney pals make appearances throughout the show where scenes from each story magically comes alive to create an unforgettable experience for kids and adults alike. “Three Classic Fairy Tales” is anchored amid a transforming set, with captivating choreography, innovative lighting and breathtaking costumes—all created to treat families to an authentically woven tale of “happily ever after.” “With genuine Disney
Actors portray Disney princesses Belle, Snow White and Cinderella Courtesy photo
characters, familiar songs and nostalgia hidden in each storyline, Disney Live! “Three Classic Fairy Tales” is one of the closest and most intimate Disney experiences that we have ever produced,” says Kenneth Feld, producer. “Audiences
will leave the show inspired by the quality of the performance and the unwavering spirits that these beloved princesses possess.” The tales begin when Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy embark on an unexpected quest and find
a magical storybook hidden in Mickey’s attic. Upon discovery the four pals curiously turn the pages and discover Snow White as she searches for her one true love, Cinderella getting ready for her magical night at the ball and Belle as she finds happiness in the most unusual place. Along the way, the audience will be invited to join in on the fun by solving clues, clapping along and singing time-honored songs, such as “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,” “Heigh Ho” and “Be Our Guest.” “The interactive nature of this show and the connection the audience will have with real Disney stars is unlike anything we’ve done before,” says Alana Feld, producer. “We wanted to create a show that evokes different emotions and, in the end, leaves moms, dads, kids and even grandparents with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts.” The production features behind-the-scenes collaboration from some of the greatest creative talents in live entertainment. They were challenged to develop show elements that would appeal to audiences from around the world—and the results are “breathtaking,” asserts Director Sherilyn Draper. The uniquely constructed set designed by Stanley Meyer pays great attention to detail. Starting from Mickey’s attic, the set transforms into an enchanted forest where audiences meet Snow White as she wishes at the wishing well; audiences also encounter the Seven Dwarfs as they traipse through the lush woods on their way to work. The set then transforms into a brilliant castle where Cinderella first sees Prince Charming. At the end, the set is converted into a quaint town in France where the story of Beauty and the Beast unfolds. “I wanted the scenic presentation to be truly dramatic, created with enough flexibility to transform into many different environments and also easy enough to pack for long-distance travel,” says Meyer. “Paired with the lighting, the design will make audiences feel like they’re in a new destination with every scene.” Tony Award®-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes threaded together glittering embellishments to give the performers magnificent garments that sparkle and shimmer under the show lights. He used lavish layers, exotic trimmings and yards of flowing fabric. He admits the stories provided him with more than enough inspiration to create a vision for the stunning designs. The combined talents of choreographer Robert Mackey and music director Ted Ricketts were in tune to create different levels of emotions and tones throughout the production. “The classic songs found in this show are sometimes elegant and soft, and sometimes very upbeat.” says Ricketts. “They allow for a variety of high-energy movements, sharp precision and elegant formation.” Ticket prices start at $15. Ages 1 and older must have a ticket. To purchase tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
lifestyle Events Calendar Dec ember 18 – Join in the Christmas Bird Count with
Javier De Leon at 6 p.m. at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd. Admission is free. Learn how the annual Christmas Bird Counts can help turn bird observations into data collected for conservation efforts. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 381-9922. Dec ember 19 – This month’s meeting of Aglow International McAllen Community Lighthouse is a complimentary breakfast Christmas party from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For location and directions, call Criselda Alvarado, president, at 9534-7941. This month’s speaker is Martin Alvarado who will share his testimony of how God delivered him from drug addiction and restored his marriage. To participate in the white elephant gift exchange, bring a gift valued no more than $20. Dec ember 19 – The next program in the adult birding series at the Edinburg World Birding Center is “Wintering Sparrows” at 9 a.m. Cost is $2 for members and $4 for nonmembers. Javi Gonzalez will introduce the sparrow species that spend the winter in the LRGV, and will offer tips to simplify their identification in the field, as well as give clues as to where to look for them. The EWBC is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. Space is limited; call 3819922 to reserve a spot.
(For daily events and upcoming weeks, see the full calendar at www.ptrgv.com.)
Reminiscing... 30 Years Ago This Week
Dr. White testifies at state board Kenneth White, superintendent of Mission schools, told the Legislature Education Board in Austin that he thinks Texas educators are making progress in implementing the mandates of House Bill 72. Lady Eagles take win over hounds Sonia Treviño almost singlehandedly outscored the visiting lady Greyhounds of San Benito as she hit 27 points in Mission’s54-36 victory. Three Eagles, Two Rattlers make All-Valley select football team Quarterback Rick Gutierrez, receiver Derek Dooley and offensive tackle Obed Jimenez were selected from Mission High School. Running back Alfredo Saenz and linebacker Jorge Peña were selected from Sharyland High School.
Completes basics
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.S. Air Force Airman Ashley N. Garcia Castaneda recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland San Antonio. The intensive, eight-week program included training ranging from military discipline and physical fitness to basic warfare principles and skills. She is the daughter of Irma Garcia Castaneda and Israel Garcia of McAllen. She is a 2014 graduate of Sharyland High School.
IMAS New Year’s Eve Family Bash
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MAS is hosting the first of what is to be an annual event, the New Year’s Eve Family Bash with a MESS Fest on Thursday, Dec. 31. The general public is invited to join in from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a messy way to ring the New Year. Parents and kids will get their hands dirty as they try out slimy, oozy, explosive art and science activities designed to engage the entire family. There will be globs of firework ooze and digging in a pool of oozy slime for a treasure hunt. Try a hand at unconventional art techniques to create explosive artwork or paint a masterpiece with spaghetti, and discover how to make toothpaste for an elephant with an erupting fountain of foam. All ages are encouraged head to the museum; there’s something for everyone. Dress for the activities. IMAS staff warns that patrons will get messy. All activities are included with general admission for non-members and is free for IMAS members. For more information, call 682-0123 for more information.
December 18, 2015
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NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS
M
IMAS announces Holiday Camps for kids
cALLEN – The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana in McAllen, is hosting Operation Imagination Holiday Camps from Dec. 21 to 30 as a way for kids to have fun and learn something new while school is out for Christmas vacation. Sessions are grouped by grades: Pre-K and first, second through fourth and fifth
through eighth. Full-day sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and holiday campers should bring a sack lunch. The half-day sessions run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. There is Before Care and After Care, to help working parents, from 8 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Only 25 spaces are available per session. Call 682-0123 to register.
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By Ed Sterling Texas Press Association
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December 18, 2015
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STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
USTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott was in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8 to participate in a news conference with U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who rolled out his proposed State Refugee Security Act. Abbott said in a Dec. 9 news release that Cruz’s bill “gives states and governors the tools to reject the resettlement of a refugee in that state unless there is adequate assurance that the refugee does not present a security risk.” “America is a charitable nation, but we cannot allow charity for some to compromise security for all,” Abbott said. “Congress intended to give states a substantial role in the refugee resettlement process. The federal government and resettlement agencies have sidestepped that role. My top priority as governor is to keep Texas citizens safe and this legislation helps me do that,” he added. Cruz’s bill, S. 2363, directs the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement to notify the state agency responsible for coordinating the placement or resettlement of an alien refugee not later than 21 days before the alien’s arrival in the state. The bill states that no alien refugee shall be placed or resettled in a state if the governor certifies to the Office of Refugee Resettlement that it has failed, in the sole determination of the governor, to provide adequate assurance that such person does not present a security risk to the state. On Nov. 25, the Texas Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of Texas’ Catholic bishops, published a statement, saying, “We firm-
ly believe that it is possible to maintain security at home while also welcoming refugees.” TEA chief notes passage of act Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams issued a statement on Dec. 9, following Congress’ final passage of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, legislation that succeeds the No Child Left Behind Act. Williams said the act “represents a significant shift in education authority away from the federal government and a return of greater control to the state and local level. For Texas, this legislation brings an end to the ongoing requests for federal waivers made necessary by requirements few if any states could ever meet.” Sales tax revenue decreases Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Dec. 9 announced sales tax revenue for the state in November was $2.58 billion, down 3.3 percent compared to November 2014. “Sales tax revenue declined again due to reduced spending in oil and gas-related sectors,” Hegar said. “Remittances from other sectors, including construction, restaurants and retail trade, continued to grow. The net decrease in sales tax receipts is in line with the October Certification Revenue Estimate.” Furthermore, Hegar said, he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $626.3 million in local sales tax allocations for December, 3 percent less than in December 2014. These allocations are based on sales made in
October by businesses that report tax monthly. DPS offers anti-theft tips The Texas Department of Public Safety on Dec. 7 posted a reminder to Texans about the increased potential for vehicle thefts and burglaries during the holiday season and advised the public to take extra precautions, such as: “Never leave your car running unattended, even for a quick visit to a business or store. Never leave keys in the car or ignition, inside a locked garage, or in hide-a-key boxes. Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked at your home. When possible, always park in high-traffic, well-lighted areas.” Also: “Install an anti-theft device that locks the steering wheel, column or brakes, especially if your vehicle is considered to be at increased risk for theft. Never leave personal documents, vehicle ownership title or credit cards in your vehicle. Always keep valuables or property hidden out of sight or locked in the trunk” and more. TxDOT calls for sober rides Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign, launched Dec. 7, urges partygoers to plan for a sober ride now through Jan. 1. The campaign, which runs in tandem with an increase in Texas DPS patrols and enforcement, includes a statewide tour featuring an interactive dodge ball game that uses custom gaming technology to replicate the effects of alcohol on a person’s reflexes. For more information, visit SoberRides.org.
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Underage Drinking and the Financial Strains
By Vianca Vieyra, Coalition Specialist
T
he topic of alcohol is one that we are all familiar with. Whether it was through a program informing us of the dangers of it, a pop culture reference to it, or even seeing our friends and family consuming it. We knew what it was. However, when it comes to underage drinking it may be a different case. We are aware that it happens; just never expect it to be happening in our own community or in many cases we are not informed of the severity of it. The reality is that in 2014, 919 incidents related to alcohol were reported in the Rio Grande Valley alone. At least half of those were caused by people of age 17 to 34, according to the Regional Needs Assessment performed by the Prevention Resource Center. At the end of the day, no matter where you are in the state of Texas; underage drinking exists. Texas ranks number five among the United States for alcohol consumed by underage individuals. According to statistics, in Texas, more than four in 10 teens who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become alcoholics.
An authoritative blogger, Daniel Lemire, concludes that astronauts age at a faster rate than we earth-bound mortals, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. Lemire, a computer science professor at the University of Quebec and a former
When we add the fact that in Hidalgo the age of initial use is 12 years old, it all becomes a bit alarming (Regional Needs Assessment PRC11). We know the numbers are high and shocking, but do we have an idea as to where are these teens even getting the alcohol from? According to the Texas School Survey of Drug and Alcohol Use, teens from the Hidalgo County stated that they viewed alcohol as the most accessible substance in comparison to other drugs. This may be because about 26.4 percent of students have been offered alcohol or other drugs by their friends in the past. Unfortunately not only is alcohol extremely accessible to youth, it is also generally perceived as a social norm. Therefore our community has to become educated on not only the fact that alcohol can be harmful, but in what ways can it become destructive. We must be aware of some of the consequences associated with underage drinking such as homicide, suicide, violent crime, alcohol poisoning, among others. In addition, it does not affect only those consuming alcohol but also those surrounding them. Alcohol may damage the lives of those vic-
tims of accidents or violent crimes; moreover, those that provide alcohol to underage minors can receive a fine of $4,000 and could potentially serve jail time for the crimes caused by the underage drinker. It also causes a financial strain on the community. To put things into perspective, in the year of 2013, underage drinking cost the United States $56,943.50. This cost included youth violence costs of $32,637.40, youth traffic crashes at $8,581.00, youth injury of $2,650.40, youth alcohol treatment for $1,826.40 among others, as reported by PIRE). Keep in mind, underage drinking can damage futures. This is why, here in Hidalgo County, we have to work together in preventing the increase of these numbers. The Uniting Neighbors in Drug Abuse Defense (UNIDAD) Coalition at Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas strive in educating the community and empowering its members to take action for a healthier drug-free environment. Visit us at 5510 N Cage Blvd., Suite R, Pharr, TX for research, prevention, intervention, and treatment services. For more information, go to www.bhsst.org.
research officer at the National Research Council of Canada cited bone marrow research by Dr. Guy Trudel of the University of Ottawa. It seems that the microgravity experienced in the International Space Station is akin to getting too much bed rest here
at home; it has an effect on an individual's bone marrow and blood cells. Trudel's research for NASA revealed that "after 60 days of bed rest, the marrow of the patients studied looked as if it had aged and grown by four years."
Aging in space
JUDGES
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approves, according to the city attorney. “For your protection, I’m not going to sit up here and say illegal or not illegal,” the attorney said to the board. “If you would like to, we can go in executive session.” In his five years on the board, Garcia said this has never been an issue.
“We’re doing it exactly like we’ve appointed every other judge,” he said. “If this is illegal then we’ve had judges impersonating judges.” Nacianceno stated that he felt the members were in the wrong for continuing to go against the charter and believes the matter should have been discussed in ex-
ecutive session. “I’m here for the city, I’m here for the employees, I’m here for the constituents,” Nacianceno said. “I think that we’ve been doing it wrong because we’re not following the charter.”
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1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893 MEMBER 2015
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published each Friday by Mission Publishing Co., 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572, (956) 585-4893. Subscriptions $20 annual in Hidalgo County; $25 outside of Hidalgo County. Second class postage paid in Mission, Texas 78572. ©2015 Mission Publishing Company, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the PROGRESS TIMES, P.O. Box 399, Mission Texas 78573.
LETTER GUIDELINES
Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear the complete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed to others will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevance is determined by the editor. Anonymous cards or letters are neither read nor printed. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to letters@progresstimes.net, but must include the author’s name and daytime phone number.
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December 18, 2015
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INVENTOR
beginning.” “That show is what really got us moving,” Sam said. At the show, Sam and Jennifer were able to get feedback from the Inventors Corner, where aspiring inventors presented their ideas. “The feedback was very positive,” Jennifer said. The panel at the show liked their idea. “That’s how it all started,” Sam said. “If it weren’t for that show, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Milestones Clearly not one to pass up an opportunity, Sam and Jennifer have successfully competed and won competitions designed to foster and assist RGV entrepreneurs who show great promise. The first award they won was Mission EDC’s Ruby Red Ventures. As a 2013 winner of this competition, the couple received $10,000, which they needed to fund their invention. In 2014, the couple won a Ruby Red Ventures
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December 18, 2015 from pg 1
award again. This time the grant was for $15,000. The first grant was to fund development of the prototype, while the second grant was to help get the product from prototype to market, Sam explained. In 2015, they were then awarded the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant competition, for another $10,000, to produce the molds to make the product. The molds alone can cost $40,000 – money the young married couple, with two young children, did not have. Along with the grant money, the Shipps have put about $40,000 of their own money into The Knife Glider™ invention. They continue to win awards, which are now extremely beneficial in giving their new product marketing exposure. They recently won the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Good Pitch Competition, the 2015 Innovation Company of the Year award
by the Small Business Association (SBA), and the SBA “Innovather” Regional Business Challenge. The Innovather challenge gives them the chance to compete in Washington D.C. in 2016 if they are selected to advance to the national competition. Locally birthed and grown One point that Sam and Jennifer are effusive about in bringing The Knife Glider™ to market is being locally conceptualized, designed, and manufactured. Everything from beginning to end has been with the support of different segments of the Valley community. They’re proud it is made in the Rio Grande Valley. Besides receiving the local grants, the Shipps also resourced help from the programs of South Texas College and their partnership with Priority Tool, who created the mold for manufacturing the product, and Emu Plastics, the manufacturer, located right across the street in the McAllen Trade Zone. As they worked out design challenges, the Priority Tool folks could “walk across the street to the manufacturer, Emu Plastics, and they would talk on a daily basis,” Sam
VETERANS
After his passing in 2008, Klement’s wife moved to London, so Reyes attends the wreath ceremony in her place. “We became like a family. Jennifer and Rudy didn’t have children together...so they kind of adopted my children,” Reyes said. “Jennifer moved back to England in 2010, so every year I come to be with him.” Reyes, who has a son in
said. “That relationship is rare, where they are just back and forth everyday – and then bring in me, the actual inventor, where we could bounce stuff off each other in a single meeting, or call and we’re ten minutes away,” Sam added with excitement in his voice. New York, Here I Come! In a whirlwind week, Jennifer was notified on Monday, flew to New York on Wednesday to film the segment for GMA Thursday and came home late Thursday night. They received an email from staff at Good Morning America last week asking for a 20-second video pitching The Knife Glider™ for possible exposure on national television. On Monday, she got the call that she and one other inventor had been selected to come out and film the segment. The GMA producer told Jennifer in an email, “Towards the end of the segment, we want to play a little game and give two budding entrepreneurs the chance to get a little feedback on their pitch and idea from the master herself!” The TV segment is scheduled to be aired the morn-
ing of Monday, Dec. 28, but could always get bumped to a later date, the producer said. “Who would have thought that a young woman from Mission would be an inventor?” Jennifer said. “Everybody says, ‘You’re from the Valley? You’re from Mis-
Thursday Morning Update As the Progress Times was preparing to go to press Thursday morning (yester-
sion? You’re the inventor? Wow!’” When asked about how she felt about going to New York to appear on Good Morning America, Jennifer said, “I’m so excited! I’m so excited! I just feel like this has built up to something big, and it’s finally happening. We’ve spent so much time on this, and it’s finally happening for us.”
day), Sam reported that Jennifer had already filmed the segment with GMA. And – there is a big surprise at the end of the show. Tune in to the show on Dec. 28 to find out what happens. To learn more about The Knife Glider™ from Brilliant Inventors, LLC, visit the company’s website at www. knifeglider.com. The product can also be found on Amazon, EBay and Facebook. from pg 1
the marines, the ceremony makes her proud particularly grateful for her freedom as an American citizen. “All these people here, everybody was a husband, a father, a daughter; they all had family and they gave their life to fight war,” she said gazing at the headstones. “It is something so powerful because we get to live our lives and it’s a big sacrifice that they make. These veterans should not be forgotten. Never.” The RGV veterans cemetery has about 1,900 filled grave spaces out of about 6,000 on developed grounds. There are another 40 acres of undeveloped land that will give the cemetery about 25,000 plots total. The plots are available to veterans who served in active duty and/or were honorably discharged. Their spouses, minor children and adult dependant children may also be buried on site.
Once the wreaths are removed, they are stored for the following year, but between purchasing new wreaths, replacing the older ones, it requires about $3,000 in donations a year. Assistant Director Glenda Bryson said about 200 graves are filled each year, which means that many more wreaths need to be prepared each year. Although some days are
emotionally taxing, she said she feels honored to assist the families. “We have veterans that are buried here that were 80 or 90 years old and we do services for where they’re 30 and 40 years old,” Bryson said. “Some of those are difficult to watch, but it’s an honor to be able to provide a service for them because they served us.”
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Millennial seeks to fight excessive taxation City takes properties to complete Inspiration Road with bid for County Tax Assessor and Collector
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By Kathy Olivarez
Press release courtesy of candidate. n 2015 over 30,000 residents protested their taxes with the Hidalgo County Appraisal District. Donna native and candidate for Tax Assessor and Collector Abel Prado believes that number should’ve been higher. A lot higher. The Appraisal District is a non-elected entity that reports to the State Comptroller office and its primary function is to appraise every property in the county and forward this information for the Tax Assessor to collect. The Appraisal District lacks the manpower to appraise every home in person, so it relies mostly on complicated formulas and algorithms to generate an appraisal. “The dirty truth about this process is that the Appraisal District uses inaccurate and outdated information,” Prado, 27, said. “This results in rampant over-evaluation of homes. Traditionally, the Appraisal District and the Tax Assessor’s office work hand in hand to collect as much money as possible and in the end it’s the residents that end up paying” No single government entity in Hidalgo County has jurisdiction over this office but Prado plans on using the Assessor’s office as a way to hold the Appraisal District accountable and aid any resident looking to contest their property taxes. “As an elected official, I believe that the Tax Assessor, should work every day to help the residents of Hidalgo County defend their homes against over taxation via this rampant over evaluation of our homes.” Prado said. “We can do this by arming citizens with the knowledge and data that is
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necessary to successfully contest your property taxes.” Prado also believes that our department of Motor Vehicles, which also falls under the jurisdiction of the Assessor’s office, is in dire need of modernization. “I believe that the efficient management of our paperwork and car registrations is one of most base standards we can set on our government.” Prado said. “In it’s current capacity our government cannot guarantee true religious liberty, access to higher education, or proper infrastructure, but it can promise the handling of our vehicle titles and registrations in a timely manner.” Prado believes that that promise of an efficient department that works for us not against us is not an unattainable goal. It is something we can achieve tomorrow with the right vision and the proper leadership. According to Prado, on March 1, the citizens of Hidalgo County will be faced with a very simple choice. Do we want to cast our votes for an outdated, bro-
fter executive session, the Mission City Council voted to use the Right of Eminent Domain to take the land along Inspiration Road needed to complete the widening project. Attempts have been made to negotiate with owners but no sale agreement was reached. The Right of Eminent Domain allows a government to take someone’s land for the greater good of the people. The governmental
Abel Prado
ken system that takes hours out of our days and tests our patience while being inconsiderate of the various real world obligations we face? Or do you want to cast your votes for a bold new vision of government efficiency and resourcefulness? Over the next few weeks Prado looks forward to having an open discussion with every resident about the state of the Tax Office and DMV, and how residents can defend thier homes against excessive taxation.
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Locals graduate at TAMUK
KINGSVILLE — Twenty-three local residents were among more than 1,000 graduates receiving their degrees during three commencement ceremonies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Friday, Dec. 11. This is the largest number of prospective graduates the university has had to date. Receiving master’s degrees were Alexandra Calderon from Alton; Corina Michelle Fuentes, Christopher J. Rabe and Cristina Teran from Mission; and Oved Ivan Mata from Peñitas. Earning their bachelor’s degrees were Guadalupe Jazmin Leyta, Joel Rodolfo Saenz and Leah Cedillo from La Joya; and Carlos E. Bazaldua, Evelyn Barrera, Lyanne A. Bazan, Bradley Richard Chavez, Jazmine Natalee Coronado, Audrey Samantha Garza, Alexandra Victoria Guzman, Amairani Ramirez, Alexia Edith Saenz,
acre (958 square feet) that is part of a five-acre tract out of Lot 27-1, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision. • Parcel three is 0.025 of one acre (1090 square feet) out of Lot five, Basham Subdivision Unit Six. • Parcel four is 0.012 of one acre (542 square feet) of a certain 1.28-acre tract out of Lot 22-1, West Addition to Sharyland Subdivision. • Parcel five is 0.015 acre (654 square feet) of Lot 9, Alex Cavazos Subdivision.
DIAZ into the disaster recovery housing projects that was totaled at $105 million. In 2012 Diaz was active in the Drainage Bond election, where he along with community leaders and residents organized in negotiating $15 million for drainage infrastructure in low-income unincorporated communities. At LUPE Diaz also helped lead in economic development by organizing around the responsible implementation of Section 3, a feder-
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al guideline that guarantees local businesses and local workers become contract beneficiaries of large federal funding from Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Such project also allowed for dollars to stay in the local economy. Also most recently Diaz is leading efforts for streetlights and greater safety all across Hidalgo County by working closely with Hidalgo County and state legislative leaders. Diaz has also invested
his volunteer time with other community groups such as Minority Affairs Council (MAC) and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. When elected Hidalgo County Commissioner PCT 3, Diaz pledges to be your full time commissioner working on behalf of all residents of PCT 3, and bring about greater infrastructure and quality of life.
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Newspaper Holiday Schedule
e all enjoy the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And with the holidays come early advertising and news deadlines, as well as special delivery times. To give our staff time off for Christmas, the Progress Times will not publish an issue the week of Christmas. We will resume the paper the following week, but it will be delivered on Thursday, Dec. 31 instead of Friday (New Year’s Day). Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, all advertising and news deadlines will be one day early for the issue of Dec. 31. Advertising and news deadline will be Monday, Dec. 28. Our offices will be closed at noon, Dec. 24 and all day Dec. 25 for Christmas. The newspaper offices will remain open on New Year’s Eve from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. We will be closed on Jan. 1. We wish you and yours all the joy, happiness and wonder of this Christmas season. Merry Christmas, everyone!
agency taking the land must give the landowner a fair price for the property. The following parcels of land will be taken under the Right of Eminent Domain for the completion of Inspiration Road or Mile 2 West expansion. The owners will be compensated at fair market value. • Parcel one is 0.077 of one acre out of Lot 28-5 West Addition to Sharyland. It is part of a 13.10-acre tract of land located on Mile 2 Road. • Parcel two is 0.022 of an
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Get social with us ER Reserve should be used only if you decide your care can wait until the time you select. Do not wait if your symptoms or conditions worsen or if you need immediate care since delays may complicate your condition. If you are unsure of your condition or if your condition worsens, then please go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1. Some insurance plans may not cover an ER visit if it is deemed urgent care or may apply a different copay. Please check your covered benefits with your insurance provider for details. ER Wait Time is an average provided for informational purposes only. Standard text message and data rates apply. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. 152533
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MCISD board reviews tax foreclosure bids
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By Kathy Olivarez he Mission Consolidated Independent School Board met Tuesday, Dec. 9 to address a lengthy agenda. Among the items reviewed were low bids for tax-foreclosed properties, construction project updates, and a report on collections of delinquent taxes. According to a delinquent tax report presented by Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Samson, the law firm sent nine mailings representing 11,633 delinquent tax ac-
December 18, 2015
www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com counts with a total value of approximately $1,328,147 in delinquent taxes, penalties and interest for the district during the 2014-2015 fiscal tax year. A total of $1,786,563 in delinquent taxes was collected between September 2014 and August 2015. Of that figure $544,737 was for penalty and interest and $1,241,826 was for the tax. Tax Foreclosure Bids Six tax foreclosure properties within the district were posted for resale and bids were received on all proper-
ties. Each bid was less than wanted, but by accepting the bids the district will receive some of the taxes owed and the property will be returned to the tax rolls. The board was told they could accept the sale prices offered, but if another taxing entity did not accept, the sale would not go through. If all entities accept the sale prices the district would receive $19,896 in taxes. The board approved the tax resale resolution agreeing to take a lesser amount of taxes than is owed.
Construction Updates Nine contractors were approved by the Facilities Committee for the board to enter into negotiations for new restroom facilities for both the home side and visitors’ side of Tom Landry Stadium. Current facilities were built in 1978-79. A budget of $500,000 was set for the project. The contractors approved in order of rank were NM Contracting, Rigney Construction, Holchemont LTD, Granchelli Construction, Celso Gonzalez Construction, G&G Contracting, JCON Construction, AFC Builders and Tabeza LLC. The board will negotiate the project with the firms starting with the top ranked firm first.
In other action, the board approved final completion to allow the administration to approve final payment, less the betterment fund allowance and liquidated damages for the Bryan, Midkiff, Leal and Pearson Elementary Track Projects. These tracks were originally considered to be part of the $59 million bond election passed on May of 2008 but were given the lowest priority among the projects. A request for an additional 30 days work time for delay of electrical power for the Child Nutrition Program Expansion Project was denied by the board. PBK was selected as architect for the project in April 2013. Celso Gonzalez Construction was
approved to do the project at a cost of $1,736,500. Since that time, there have been several delays due to weather and increases in the budget so that the cost increase is now greater than the contingency fund ($24,274) can cover. The board denied a request made on Oct. 14 that brought the total change order proposal to $31,088 and asked for an additional 21 days to complete. In other action, the board approved seven additional days to the Mission Junior High Kitchen Remodeling Project. This will allow for relocation of a clay pipe in the area where the new kitchen is to be built.
The “Mighty Robo-Rangers” FRC Team 5960 has received notices that they have received two grants to help the robotics team members as they enter their rookie season of competitions in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC). The Robo-Rangers consist of students from Alton Memorial Jr. High School competing at a high school level, and students from Mission High School. The Mighty Robo-Rangers have had success in competing at the annual HESTEC Robotics Day Competition at the UTRGV, and also the Texas Computer Education Association state robotics championships. The AMJH Robo-Rangers are also twotime regional Science Bowl champions and have qualified for the national competition the last two years. This will mark the first time Mission CISD has a team competing in the (FRC) FIRST Robotics Competition. The regional qualifier will be the Alamo Regional in San Antonio, Texas in early March, 2016, at the
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The Mighty Robo-Rangers will be competing against 65 other teams from throughout the United States and several other countries. The Mighty Robo-Rangers (FRC Team 5960) have been selected by the Argosy Foundation as recipients of the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition Rookie Team Grant. The award provides financial assistance for the 2016 rookie season and for the 2017 season. The grant provides $4,000 for the team’s initial regional event registration fees, and $2,000 for the 2017 season. The Argosy Foundation is a private, family foundation, founded in 1997 by the Abele Family. It is currently based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was established with a $9 million endowment from John Abele. The Mighty Robo-Rangers are also recipients of the FIRST in Texas Foundation-Dell Grant. The Dell Grant Award is for the amount of $3,000 for the 2016 FRC season. The selection was based on the team’s display of dedication to the
commitment of the core values of FIRST: teamwork, cooperation, and community engagement. The project manager pointed out that part of the reason that the team received the grant was because it had middle school students on the team competing in a high school robotics varsity competition. One of the main purposes of the Dell grant is to help teams flourish during the transition into the FIRST competitions. The FIRST program is designed to be more than just robotics. FIRST participation has encouraged students to pursue education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)-related fields, inspired them to become leaders and innovators, and enhanced their 21st century work-life skills. FIRST has four levels of programs that begin with a junior league up to the “varsity” FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) that is primarily for grades 9-12. Coaches and mentors for the Mighty Robo-Rangers are: Sammy Rivera, Robert Granados, Noe Pena, Samantha Granados, David Bridgewater, and Damaris Rivera.
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AMJH/MHS robotics teams receive grants for their new competitive venture
December 18, 2015
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La Joya ISD gets new fine arts director
By Lea Victoria Juarez
lthough he is from Edinburg and a PSJA graduate, Ruben Adame found his home with the La Joya Independent School District. Adame came out of retirement this week to return to the school district he spent 17 years with. He considers himself a simple person, humble, much like the students in LJISD, he said. Adame has been a music educator for 32 years and is a former professional musician, but he quit the professional music life to devote more time to his students. After a year and a half into his retirement, Adame was asked to be the conductor for the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center dedication ceremony in October. Saenz was the one that hired Adame when he first came to the district. When he agreed to be the conductor, Adame said he didn’t realize the impact that ceremony would have on him. “It’s like my whole career came full circle,” the director said. “That was probably one of the most special evenings in my whole career. Being a music educator, you always are rewarded in certain ways. That reward was priceless. It just meant so much to me to be involved in that.” Although Adame was kept busy during retirement with his consultant and UIL region executive secretary duties, he said the first four weeks without a job were difficult for him. His main reason for retiring was to spend more time
with his family, but when his family went back to school and work, it was just him in an empty house with a cat. The night of the building dedication ceremony, Adame realized he wanted to continue carrying out Saenz’s vision. “I told my wife ‘You know what, La Joya has given me so much,” Adame recalled. “They’re the ones who gave me the opportunity to be who I am. This is an opportunity for me to come back and give back to the community and the district.’ So, that’s why I’m here.” He said Saenz’s vision consisted of four things: making sure that every student had the opportunity to participate in the fine arts program, that they enjoyed doing it, they learned from what they were doing and they were good at it. Adame’s goal as fine arts director is to be highly visible in the classroom. He wants to be very hands-on and provide guidance to the teachers. He said he’s not so far removed from the struggles of being a teacher, and he thinks that will provide an advantage as a fine arts director. Mostly, he’s anxious to roll up his sleeves and start assisting his colleagues. “That’s probably going to take a lot of time from me to come in here, take care of whatever administrative stuff I’m going to take care of, then take off to a classroom and just observe and converse and give some advice,” Adame said. “Hopefully I can do that all day. I call that the dream job.”
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Local author makes Book of the Year list
ission’s Frank Brewster III was placed on the Latino Book Club’s third annual Book of the Year list for his bilingual piece “Declarations of a Life / Declaraciones de Una Vida.” The list is comprised of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, young adult, memoirs and mysteries, to name few. All the books are written by Latino authors or about Latino characters. “Declarations of life” is a collection of Latin and American poetic compositions that are accompanied by music, which is available on the CD
that comes with the book. He said he decided to record the compositions to let readers know how he imagines his poems read. “Throughout our lives, we encounter many different phases of life that are captured in our memories and are brought forth through our heart-felt emotions and passions,” Brewster said in an interview with Latina Book Club. “And, in moments of flashbacks, we pour our sentiments of sorrow, delight, grief, anguish, joy, despair, regret, satisfaction, and beauty...onto a piece of paper using lead or
ink.” Most of Brewster’s works are intentionally ambiguous to allow each reader to interpret the piece individually. The poems in “Declaraciones de Una Vida” can be interpreted from a man or woman’s point of view. The Mission author also created two volumes of age appropriate compositions, which include objectives, curriculum, side-by-side poetry, along with questions and vocabulary in English and Spanish. In addition, “Declarations of a Life” also has a lesson planning for teachers, as well
as teacher instructions on how to teach his work. “I am of the opinion that our children need to learn different languages in order to compete internationally and become citizens of the world,” Brewster said. “I was privileged to have learned Spanish at home while learning English at school. Thus, a generation of us also learned two languages simultaneously. And to this end, we are a stronger people, a stronger country, and definitely a stronger voice in the world.”
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SWAT team Chief Dominguez said there are ten to 12 instances a year. While most result in surrenders without a fight, he pointed out there was an instance in La Joya where Mission’s SWAT team was called out to assist last year. Mission’s SWAT vehicle was heavily damaged by a barrage of gunfire. Dominguez wants to provide his men with as much protection as possible. In spite of a recommendation for denial from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Staff, the council approved a rezoning request from C-1 to C-2 for a 0.57-acre tract of land out of Lot 244, John H. Shary Subdivision. Mayor Beto Salinas said the site was to be used for a doctor’s office, which he felt would be an asset to the surrounding community. It was pointed out that numerous sites along Shary Road are moving toward commercial development including some residential sites that have frontage to Shary Road. A requested rezoning for Lot 43 La Blanca Subdivision from R-1 to R-2 for duplex and four-plex use was denied because the lot is too small for that use. A conditional use permit for the manufacturing and
re-packaging of chicharrones and Mexican candies was approved for 3013 N. Inspiration Road, Suite C and Lot C-3 Taurus Estates #3 Subdivision. Approval was given for the purchase of lighting for the underpass at Bryan Road at a cost of $74,764.27 A bid for construction of curb and guttering for a
30-foot access road for the Neighborhood Wal-Mart located on Bryan Road near Bus. 83 was approved at a cost of $92,999 to RGH Site &Construction. The council meeting set for Dec. 28 was canceled because of the Christmas holidays.
Highlights from the Mission city council meeting
By Kathy Olivarez he council also voted to accept bids for five properties being held for tax resale. The lots to be sold include the West onehalf of Lot 3, Dillard Subdivision; all of lot 13, Saint Ann Park Subdivision, a 0.40-tract of land out of the 6.89 acres of the south 13.78 acres lying south and west of the Mission Main Canal, Lot 23-3, West Addition to Sharyland; and Lot 131 Chaparral Heights Subdivision. The council also voted to acquire property described as a 29.28-acre tract of land out of Lot 185, John h. Shary Subdivision. The city will use the site for tourism and economic development. The site is on Shary Road behind the Panda Express. In other action, council approved purchase of 13 new SWAT helmets for officers. The new helmets will have ear protection, padding for the head and a built-in communications system so officer can keep both hands on their weapons instead of using traditional radios that need one hand. The helmets will cost $34,107 of which $19,600 will come from a Homeland Security Grant and $14,507.40 will come from the Federal Drug Forfeiture Funds. The current helmets are over 10 years old and lack the safety features the new ones will have. When asked how often the helmets were worn by the
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New education act signed into law Rio Grande Children’s Home needs assistance
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By Lea Victoria Juarez he Every Student Success Act was signed into law Dec. 10, replacing the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, which expired in 2007. The ESSA is designed to loosen the federal reigns on education and make the states more responsible for their underperforming schools and closing the achievement gap. Local superintendents are taking the new law in stride and expect a positive outcome for the foreseeable future. “If Washington chooses to take a back seat and let the state drive and have more local control, it’s a good thing. And if the state chooses to give communities local control, it’s a better thing,” Sharyland ISD Superintendent Robert O’Connor said. “I don’t think you can manage a school district from Washington; I don’t think you can manage a school district from Austin. You can only manage the school district from the community it represents.” Mission CISD Superintendent Ricardo Lopez said trusts the district and community will be agile in the shift from NCLB to ESSA. “I’m encouraged about the new system that’s coming about bc there’s components about a teacher evaluation system that is very comprehensive,” Lopez said. “It’s about looking at the en-
tire district rather an holding us accountable to one single score.” Differences NCLB required third through eighth graders to test on English and math every year and then again in high school. ESSA now allows states to decide when and how they will administer those tests. Regarding accountability, NCLB required school districts to put high emphasis on scores in order to make sure minority subgroups were making progress. ESSA leaves the goals up to the state and school districts. Each state must submit an accountability plan to the Department of Education, however, the department still has limited authority. For intervention, states were required to fix schools that failed to improve and meet the test score standard through NCLB. If schools failed to do so, some of the consequences included, firing employees, turning the schools into charter schools, lengthening the workday or shutting down the school completely. With ESSA, the law is more specific about the standards but less specific about the consequences for underperforming schools, giving the state more control. Common Core was not addressed in NCLB because the initiative didn’t emerge until after it was signed into law. However, President Obama had a hand in expanding Common Core through
NCLB waivers. ESSA does now require states to adopt the initiative, and stress neutrality for Education Department. In terms of spending, NCLB did not spend money directly, but through annual bills instead. The new ESSA authorizes $24.9 billion in 2016, subject to the spending bill now being finalized in Congress. The Mission CISD superintendent suspects that, line any other framework, some issues will arise, but also new opportunities. “Anytime we have a national initiative come out of the department of education, I feel it’s very exciting. It moves and propels districts across the nation to start moving forward,” Lopez said. “With all the good things and bad things that No Child Left Behind brought about, it did bring an awareness that all students can learn, it did have an expectation that all students will learn and it did hold school districts accountable that you must serve all students, not just some.”
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By Kathy Olivarez
hen asked about needs for Christmas for the children at the Rio Grande Children’s Home in Mission, Monica Skrzypinksi, gift officer for RGCH, said there was a very special need she had no funds to cover. Last summer there was a freak accident on Padre Island where an 8-year-old child was killed coming out of a restaurant when a corroded light post on the premises fell over on top of him and killed him. After reading about this tragic death, the Children’s Home decided to examine all of their lights posts for the safety of their children. They discovered the lights posts around their children’s playground were all corroded at the bottom and they faced the same possible danger as the child on the island if one of the poles fell on one of their children. As a result, they have cordoned off the playground and the children can no longer play there.
Skrzypinski is unsure just how many poles need to be replaced but she does know the total cost of the project will be $19,000. This is an unbudgeted project so she does not know where she will get the money. Currently, there are 20 children and they are expecting an addition of four more soon. In 2014, the home served as many as 70 children. Since it opened in 1964, RGCH has served thousands of children. It serves as a home away from home for children who have been abused and neglected. Children come and typically stay from three months to a year. The longest time was eight years. They are not up for adoption. If the family situation gets resolved, the children return home. RGCH does not work with the family; instead they are a safe haven for the children. The children come with many different needs but the most pervasive problem is they need love. They need a healthy family situation and that is what RGCH provides. For some it is their
MCISD A request for additional reinforcement of the 16 building piers in the new ag barn project was approved at a cost of $3383. Superintendent Ricardo Lopez said the district is very proud of the success of the ag department, which ranks
first experience in a functional family where they are not being abused and they can simply be children. Skrzypinski said there is a great need for foster parents in the Rio Grande Valley and RGCH cannot take them all. “I wish we could,” she added, “I wish we had more foster parents.” For those not in a position to foster children, they can volunteer as mentors. The children often need people to help them with their homework. Many of the children need help at school, because they may have been failing due to the home environment they come from.” Skrzypinski has asked for contributions to cover the cost of replacing the poles to assure the safety of the children, stating that it would be of far more benefit to them and the home than giving individual gifts for the children. The new poles will benefit the safety of each and every child. For more information call 485-2112 or go online to buckner.org. from pg 10
in the top ten districts in the state almost every year. It is important they have adequate facilities. Final completion and final payment less the betterment fund for Mission High School Phase III was approved. The project started as part of the
2008 bond election. Mission High School had a total budget of $18,287,424. The project ended with a credit of $52,500. No action was taken on the naming of a new Veterans Memorial Assistant Principal.
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obituaries Erasmo Cano MISSION – Erasmo Cano, 78, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. He was born on Dec. 25, 1936, to Emilio Sr. and Eustaquia Solis. Survivors include his children, Sylvia Balboa, Viola Chandler and Norma Solis; siblings, Enrique Cano, Emma Salinas, Esperanza Rodriguez and Herminia Guzman; step-children, Gracie Cruz, Rey Gonzalez and Roy Gonzalez; and four grandchildren,
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four step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Emilio Cano Jr., Ernesto Cano, Elpidio Cano, Elida Alvarado; and daughter, Anita Cano. A funeral mass was held on Dec. 14 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Antonio Hernandez MISSION – Antonio
Hernandez, 59, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at Paxvilla Hospice in McAllen. He was born to Francisco Hernandez and Maria R. Sanchez on Nov. 16, 1956, in Mission. Survivors include his mother, Maria R. Sanchez; children, Michael Hernandez, Antonio Hernandez Jr., Juan Pablo Hernandez and Alma Linda Hernandez; siblings, Minerva Peña and Roberto Sanchez; and one grandchild and one great-grandchild. A funeral mass was held on Dec. 14 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Lord & I Cemetery in Palmview. Pallbearers were Juan Pablo Hernandez, Jorge Esparza, Pablo Miguel Luna, Roberto Sanchez, Jr., Sergio Jaime Luna and Ricardo Hernandez. Adan Rangel MISSION – Adan Rangel, 86, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was employed for 25 years at Dekalb Swine in Kansas. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Noemi Rangel of Mission; children, Belinda Aleman of Mission, Leonel Rangel of Palm Bay, Fla., Gloria Quattrone of Liberal, Kan., Adan Rangel Jr. of Buchanan, Mich. and Marisela Murdock of Wichita, Kan.; siblings, Guadalupe Garcia, Maria Elena Diaz, Nora Colunga and Gilberto Rangel; and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo and Jovita Rangel; siblings, Eva Lopez, Rebeacca Diaz, Jose Rangel and Juan Jose Rangel; and sons, Luis and Carlos Rangel. A funeral mass was held on Dec. 17 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.
Evelyn J. Berger MISSION – Evelyn J. Berger, 84, passed away on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at her home in Mission. Luis Cervantes MISSION – A funeral service for Luis Alberto Rodriguez Cervantes was held on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview. Vicenta Cordova MISSION – Vicenta Cordova, 93, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center. Maria Covarrubias MISSION – A funeral mass for Maria Covarrubias was held on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Lord & I Cemetery in Palmview. Jose Davila MISSION – Jose Davila, 77, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at McAllen Medical Center. A funeral service as held on Dec. 15 at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Hilda Flores LOS EBANOS – Hilda Flores, 83, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at Mission Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Francisco Gonzalez MISSION – Francisco
Javier Cortez Gonzalez, 69, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at his home in Mission. Burial will be held in Mexico. John Joe Loredo MISSION – John Joe Loredo, 51, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, at Mission Regional Medical Center. A funeral service was held on Dec. 15 at Rivera Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Garden of Angels Cemetery in Mission. Elvira Vital Martinez MISSION – Elvira Vital Martinez, 52, passed away on Sunday, Dec.13, 2015 at her home in Mission. Burial will be held in Mexico. Enedina Mendoza MISSION – A funeral service for Enedina Mendoza was held on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Roselawn Cemetery in McAllen. Maria Guadalupe Pruneda PALMHURST – Maria Guadalupe Pruneda, 80, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at Doctors Hospital in Edinburg. A funeral mass was held on Dec. 15 at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Graciano Ramirez MISSION – Graciano Ramirez, 69, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at his home in Mission. His remains were cremated.
BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH 2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Doherty • 585-1665
NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST 1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146 Palmhurst
FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH 2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000 Mission
NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH 7612 W. 6 Mile Ln.
GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY 11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112
ONLY THRU JESUS 1511 E. Mile 2 Rd. Mission • 918-760-1625
Pablo Valdez MISSION – Pablo Valdez, 84, passed away on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 at Alfredo Gonzales Texas State Veterans Home. Mr. Valdez was raised in Madero and Mission. He graduated from Mission High School and attended Pan American College. He was a Korean War Veteran serving in the United States Air Force. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He worked at the USDA Screwworm Plant at the former Moore Airbase in Mission until he retired in 1981and resumed working at First State Bank in McAllen as a maintenance man until his second retirement. Survivors include his siblings, Roberto Valdez, Jose Alfonso Valdez and Sevenina De Leon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marina Garcia; parents, Jesus and Rafaela Valdez; and siblings, Ricardo, Enrique, Baldemar, Mel, Esperanza and Olimpia. A graveside service was held on Dec. 17 at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.
All obituaries must be submitted by the funeral home. Obituary notices are run FREE OF CHARGE in the Progress Times if they are submitted in a timely manner to run the same week of the date of death. Otherwise, there is a fee for notices submitted later than the closest possible publication date. Late obituaries will be subject to a $50 charge. Obituaries can be found online and are updated as they are received. Visit www.progresstimes.net to stay current with obituaries and other news that matters to you.
Speer Memorial offers free Internet access at home Speer Memorial Library, by Verizon’s network. Once
along with the City of Mission and Mission Economic Development Council, has now begun a program to help Mission residents have free Internet access at home via “Mobile HotSpot Devices” (MiFi’s). The library has made an investment to provide access to the digital world by acquiring 20 devices that qualifying patrons can check out by using their library cards. Mission residents will need to present a valid library card, current government issued photo I.D., and recent utility bill to be able to check out devices. Many Mission residents rely on the library’s WiFi for their Internet use. The program will help library patrons have access to the Internet at home to apply for a job, finish a project before deadline or to complete homework, etc., when the library is closed. The MiFi’s are powered
charged, MiFi’s will allow users to stay connected for up to 20 hours and can also serve as a universal charger for external devices low on battery. Up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices will be allowed to connect at one time to hotspots such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. At present, Mission residents can check out MiFi’s for a period of three days. Through the hotspots, patrons will have at-home access to Speer Memorial Library’s online resources such as e-books, e-magazines, job and career information, college preparation, high school equivalency and online classes. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 801 E. 12th St. in Mission. Call 580-8755 for further information.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
ChurCh DireCtory
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 2322 N. McColl. - McAllen 682-2092 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 5609 S 29th St. - McAllen 682-4881 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Missonaries • 580-2570 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241 CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 2215 N. Conway • 585-2413 EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH 15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83 Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617 EL MESIAS UNITED METHODIST 209 E. 6th • 585-2334 FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465 FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH 1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1302 Doherty • 585-1442 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 12th and Miller - Mission 585-7281 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1102 Ash St. • 585-4829 for worship schedule.
GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH 2722 N. Conway • 451-5500 Mission IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA 1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008 IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA 851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688 IGLESIA BAUTISTA CRISTO EL REY 1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission IGLESIA BAUTISTA COLONIAL 3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332 IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE 217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602 Palmhurst IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO 7500 West Expressway 83 581-1900 IGLESIA DEL DIVINO REDENTOR 1020 North Los Ebanos Rd 585-5898 LA RESPUESTA CHURCH 405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787 MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683 NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER 905 N. Conway • 369-3603
OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS One-half mile South Leo Avenue La Joya • 585-5223 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH 6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016) Mission OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH 620 Dunlap • 585-2623 OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193
RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH 901 S. Shary Rd. (Located in the Holiday Inn Express Conference Room) 451-4838 SAN CRISTOBAL MAGALLANES & COMPANIONS PARISH
3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5
Mission • 580-4551
SAN MARTIN DE PORRES 5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile West Alton • 585-8001 & 585-8002
Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”
915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433
KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIA ATTORNEYS AT LAW
DAVID H. GUERRA
DARRELL DAVIS
301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622
THE SPIRIT THAT CONQUERS SIN AND DEATH! CELEBRATE LIFE & LOVE WITH US
MISSION
ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDS CATHOLIC CHURCH 1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325 ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 1119 Francisco • 585-2701 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. Stewart Rd. 585-5005 SHINING LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH 6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492) 580-4078
PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427 583-6236
TEMPLO BIBLICO 5 Mile/Conway 581-4981or 585-3831
PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of 6th & Oblate 585-4711
TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B. CHURCH La Joya
PRIMERA IGLESIA DEL VALLE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261 VALLEY FELLOWSHIP 1708 E. Griffin Parkway Mission • 424-7200
MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA
ER MAE EPQOU IW PMENT
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH
SPIRIT OF PEACE EV. LUTHERAN CHUCH 3104 Los Milagros Mission • 581-1822
PALM VALLEY CHURCH 1720 E. Griffin Pkwy. 585-3203
PROMISE LAND CHURCH 2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495) Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307
THE SPIRIT OF LA LOMITA MISSION LIVES HERE AT
IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC. MISSION 585-1618
MASS SCHEDULE
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th We'll have 4 beautiful night (midnight style) Masses 7:30 P.M., 9 P.M., 10:30 P.M., and 12 Midnight Christmas Day, Dec. 25th One beautiful daytime Mass at 12 PM Regular Mass Schedule will resume on Saturday and Sunday
COULD CHRIST COME TO US IN SPITE OF ALL THE MESSES WE’ RE IN? EVEN BETTER! HE COMES BY WAY OF AND IN THE MIDST OF ALL OUR MESSES! LIKE THOSE SHEPHERDS WE ARE DRAWN TO THE WONDERFUL LIGHT OF CHRIST ILLUMINATING THE WHOLE STORY OF OUR LIVES. “Texas Friendly” spoken at all masses (and confessions). Saturday (English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:00 P.M. Saturday (Spanish) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 P.M. Sunday (Spanish) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 A.M. Sunday (English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 A.M. Sunday (English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:30 A.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex) Mariachi Mass . . . . . . .(Noon)12:30 P.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5:30 P.M. Monday, Wednesday & Friday (Tex-Mex) . . . . . .6:55 A.M. Thursday (Tex-Mex) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 P.M.
CONFESSIONS
Thursday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 P.M. Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00 P.M.
620 DUNLAP, MISSION, TX • 585-2623 ONE BLOCK WEST OF CONWAY ON MAGNA DRIVE (6TH ST.)
theclassifieds page 14
buy • sell • trade • rent • hire
this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity
fifthwheels
2005 MONTANA, 36FT, 3 slides, 2 a/c, Artic pkg satellite TV, $18,500 OBO; 2001 F-250 Super Duty Crew Lariat 7.3 Diesel, 111,000 miles, 50 gal. Aux tank, hitch, excellent condition, $14,000 as pack-
December 18, 2015
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age or 5th wheel separate, 402-4507836. 2004 WILDERNESS, 28FT. rear kitchen, 1 slide, new carpet, tires, brakes, very clean, 956-781-9421. 2013 37FT. MONTE Carlo 5th wheel, self contained, w/d,
2 a/c’s, fireplace, many extras, will deliver, hitch goes with it, $27,500 OBO, 505-710-0878. 1998, 277 JAYCO Eagle with super slide, many upgrades, very good condition, new tires, 269-355-0946. 37’4” 2006 MON-
Personal classified rate: $7 for 15 words
25¢ each additional word thereafter
Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words
25¢ each additional word thereafter
TANA 5th Wheel, 4 slide outs, King bed, new TV’s, Artic package, many new extra’s, excellent condition, can be seen at 1015 RV Park site #136, 1402 S. International Blvd, asking $19,000, open to offers, 519566-5808.
2007 SELECT SUITE 36ft 5th wheel, generator, washer/dryer, 3 slides, loaded with extras, only used 9 months, $24,000, 479-253-1527.
forrent
RV LOTS, ALAMO, TX, 55+ park, gated, $300 a month, two months minimum, 763-2292233, www.harpervalleyrvparkwebs. com. 60FT MOBILE HOME, move in ready, in Martin Valley Ranches, brand new furniture, 956585-2726.
forsale
PARK MODEL, EXCELLENT condition, 12X32 w/ 8X10 shed in Mission Bell RV Resort, move in ready, 515240-9664. GE STOVE FOR
Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Order by phone 585-4893 with a major credit card. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Sale: Electric Stove in working condition. White color. $70. Call 956-5341100. R E F R I G E R AT O R FOR SALE: Excellent condition. One year old. 26 cu. ft., Frigidaire side-byside with icemaker and ice and water dispenser. $400. Call 956-534-1100. RICOS TAMALES VERACRUZANOS con aceite de olivo, de carne, de dulce y vegetarianos. Catering para sus fiestas Dona Mary, 956655-4661. LIKE NEW, TWO Sunbrand bikes (M & F), 3 speed pedal brakes, original $230 take $125 each, 712-3070211. C A R E F R E E SCREEN PORCH, fits 16ft awning, lots of awning clamps, $300 OBO, 218-
280-1298. MOBILE IN WAGON City, 2905 N. Conway Mission, TX. 2 bedroom, 2 bath, mobile is 1979 14X66, Texas room 11.5X20, lot is 50X125 (you own) 2 sheds, 7 fruit trees, furnished, 55+ park, 515-4186495. FOR SALE OR rent, 20’X34’ park model, $18,000 or $750 monthly for 3 months, furnished, carport, front & rear porch, 1bd/1.5ba, washer/dryer, Split Rail Park, Mission, 956-429-8006. METAL SHED 8X8X9, wired, security door & etc., $700, Mission, TX, 956-250-6784. TOW DOLLY AND other RVing equipment, make offers, 423-381-9383. 2011 CLUB CAR, completely re-do-
Mr. G’s Fireworks is looking for responsible person to operate fireworks stand. Must stay on premise & be over 21 years of age for the December season, call 956-399-3469.
ne, like new, lights, windshield, must see, $3,400 will consider offers, 563-528-9843. RV LOT GREEN Gate Grove, extra concrete, fruit trees, vinyl, 12X14 shed, w/d refrigerator, cabinets, $22,000 OBO, 956-5295535. FOR SALE 12’X38’ 2008 Destination trailer, 12’X36’ car port, 6’X8’ shed, $23,500, Donna, TX, 309-224-9592. CONSOLE PIANO KOHLER Campbell, Oak finish, $400, 956-424-0508.
garagesale
HUGE 4 FAMILY, yard sale, Saturday Dec. 19th 9am2pm, Sunday Dec. 20th 12-3pm, N. Keralum & 11th St. Mission, TX, if weather permitted.
Help Wanted Food-Retail Managers: Local Federal Emp. Opportuniy! Beginning Salary $28k to $30k! Federal Benefits Package! 3yrs Mgnt. Exp. Send resume to canteenrecruiter@gmail. com
ORDINANCE NO. 4294 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF A 2.00 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF THE UNPLATTED COMMERCIAL RESERVE OF CIMARRON COUNTRY CLUB PHASE I, SECTION 1, FROM AO-I (AGRICULTURAL OPEN INTERIM) TO C-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 14th day of December, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4293 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF A 0.088 ACRE TRACT OUT OF LOT 171, JOHN H. SHARY SUBDIVISION, FROM AO-I (AGRICULTURAL OPEN INTERIM) TO R-1T (TOWNHOUSE RESIDENTIAL) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 14th day of December, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4297 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE SALE & ON-SITE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – LA DUEÑA RESTAURANT, 2005 W. MILE 3 ROAD, SUITES 1600 & 1700, BEING LOT 7, BLOCK 4, TAURUS ESTATES #9 SUBDIVISION PHASE I READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 14th day of December, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
theclassifieds December 18, 2015
buy • sell • trade • rent • hire
page 15
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this page is your oyster opening up to a world of opportunity
Personal classified rate: $7 for 15 words
25¢ each additional word thereafter
Business classified rate: $15 for 15 words
25¢ each additional word thereafter
Make it happen, we’re located at 1217 N. Conway in Mission, TX Come on in! Our hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5 p.m. If you can’t drop by, mail it! P.O. Box 399, Mission, TX 78573 Order by phone 585-4893 with a major credit card. The deadline to get your classified in is Tuesday at 3 p.m.
helpwanted
LOOKING FOR HELP: kitchen, servers and bartenders. For more information, call Jennifer at the Riverside Club, 956-581-1033. INTERESTED IN EARNING extra $$$? Looking for experienced tax prepares. Call 956585-1818 or email resume at atefax@ hotmail.com. Full/ Part time.
homes4sale
RETAMA VILLAGE, MISSION, 2br, 2ba, RV port home w/50ft FHV, covered RV parking, tiled Pergola covered courtyard, corner lot, furnished, gated 55+ community, $235K, see website Retamarentals.com for pictures of 3700 Heron Way, 321480-4999. BRICK HOME, WINTER Haven Resort, 55+ gated community, security 24/7, 2br WIC, 2 bath, tiled floors, 2 car garage w/ pulled down attic storage. Enclosed tiled/wood rear patio on Resaca, tiled patio on front. Hurricane shutters w/ wired connections for heavy duty gen., $168,900, please call Bill 956-8381512.
mobilehome
2, 60FT. MOBILE home lots for rent, pool, rec hall and pool hall, please call 956-330-0560. IN A 55+ park, own your land with well cared for 14X65 2bd, 2bath, fully furnished, vinyl siding, brick front, combination windows, full
carport, tiled patio and driveway, 8X10 shed, call 712-3070211 for appointment and more information, see to appreciate. MOBILE HOME FOR sale, two bedroom, two bath, covered carport, Texas room, storage shed, washer, dryer and frig, three different fruit trees, located at Bentsen Palm RV Park, rent paid 2015-2016 season, 956-929-1830. 14X52 MOBILE HOME, 1br/1ba, carport contents included, Rollin Home Park #37, phone 419-278-0147. CASA DEL VALLE, lot 652, 16X60, 2bd/2ba, special built Palm Harbor, Kohler plumbing, 2X4 walls, thermo-pane windows, R31 in ceilings, R-19 in walls, tongue & grooved flooring, kitchen has factory cabinets on both sides, glass top stove, kitchen floor is tiled, living room is laminated flooring & master bedroom, high rise stools in bathroom & tiled bathrooms, 10X12 stick built shed, 701-770-3735. 14X72 MOBILE, GATED Alamo Park 55+, 2 bed, 2 bath, garage, new flooring, private patio, close to Activity Center, turnkey, 253-678-7709. 12X60, 2 BEDROOMS, 1 1/2 baths, central heat and air, washer & dryer, sheds, furnished, in Weslaco, $10,000. 317-7364284. PHARR SOUTH MOBILE Home Park, 55 + gated
ORDINANCE NO. 4295 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF A 0.57 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF LOT 244, JOHN H. SHARY SUBDIVISION & LOTS 1-3, BORIQUEN SUBDIVISION, FROM C-1 (OFFICE BUILDING) TO C-2 (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 14th day of December, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4296 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A REZONING OF LOT 2A, TANGERINE SUBDIVISION NO. 1, FROM R-2 (DUPLEXFOURPLEX RESIDENTIAL) TO R-3 (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) 2 (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL) READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 14th day of December, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 4298 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE MANUFACTURING & REPACKAGING OF CHICHARRONES, MEXICAN CANDIES, ETC. IN A C-3 ZONE, 3013 N. INSPIRATION ROAD, STE. C, BEING LOT C-3, TAURUS ESTATES 3 SUBDIVISION READ, CONSIDERED AND PASSED, this the 14th day of December, 2015. Norberto Salinas, Mayor Attest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary
community, 1402 S. Cage, privately owned homes & lots, open house January 2nd & 3rd, 1-4pm, for information call 956-2838764. OWN YOUR LOT 55+, Winter Green Estates, 14X84 partially furnished, 2b/2bath, 956-5663607. DOUBLE WIDE, FULLY furnished, 28X44, covered carport & deck, shed, Casa del Valle, $44,900, 956783-2330 or 785713-2271. MOBILE HOME YOU own the land2 bedroom, 2 baths, Texas room, nice furniture, all carpeted, all electric, completely furnished, lots of storage space, big carport, everything is ready to move into, call 712-660-2503. WE BUY MOBILE homes, trailer houses, RV’s, 5th wheels, park models. We pay cash, any year, any condition, old or new. Call Ms. Davis anytime at 956-5451118.
motorhome
2000 MONACO 36FT., 1 slide, Diesel, 4 door, refrigerator, new mattress, clean, ready to travel, 956-583-6735. 2000 ALPINE LIMIT 40ft, one big slide out, 350 Cummings Diesel Transmission, 6 speed Allison, new batteries, new tires, 78,000 miles, fully loaded, located in Donna, TX, $38,000, 816868-8003 or 816529-2384. FOR SALE DUNCAN Tow Bar with cover, good condition, $150 OBO, Jerry 248-887 -3321.
motorcycles
FOR SALE 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C -50T, very good condition, can be seen at Heritage Square unit L-11, call 956584-6824.
parkmodel
SOUTHERN COMFORT, WESLACO, nice park model, nice price $15k, great location, go look, 218-2361748. 1997 TROPHY PARK model, excellent condition, washer, dryer, shed, many extras, 217313-0620 or 618980-1570.
services
ROCK SECURITY SERVICES seeking clients, DPS private security bureau licence #B20351, armed and unarmed security guard service, personal protection (body guard) service, security guard patrol services, apartment communities and other, bonded and insured, over 20 years of law enforcement experience, contact: danielvelasquez774@yahoo. com, for free consultation and quote 956-240-1570.
PREMIER & CENTRAL WRECKER SERVICE
407 N MINNESOTA RD - PALMVIEW, TX 78574-0486 - (956) 581-3562
You are hereby notified that pursuant to state or city ordinace we are in possession of the described vehicles. Please reclaim the vehicle by paying charges which continue to accrue and produce satisfactory evidence of ownership. If the vehicle is not reclaimed, we will take necessary steps to obtain ownership under the appropriate provision as per Texas law Rule 85.703 Supchapter F, from Chapter 85, Part 4 of Title 16 in the Texas Administrative Code. Year 1991 1985
Make FORD DODGE
Model F-150 RAM
VIN# 1FTDF15Y8MKA82137 1B7FD14H3FS649034
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McAllen Minutes t their last meeting of 2015, McAllen city commissioners amended their plan that created a special tax district for the Tres Lagos planned development at Ware and Monte Cristo Roads, in what is now far north McAllen. Since the Tres Lagos TIRZ--Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone--was created, Texas A&M University announced they are putting a campus inside Tres Lagos. The city and the developer of Tres Lagos, Rhodes Enterprises, have pledged to prepare the campus site, and that meant everyone had to tweak the legal agreement that brought it to life. They also agreed to make improvements to get the campus site ready for A&M, which could be in business by 2017. A TIRZ allows participants, in this case McAllen, Tres Lagos and Hidalgo
by
Davis Rankin, FutuRo Mcallen
County, to freeze the property value of the TIRZ and to continue to receive property taxes at that amount into the future. The idea is that, as the development improves the value of the property, and that generates more tax money, the TIRZ captures that money to pay for the improvements, a sort of self-funding improvement device. Say hello to TIRZ #2 Another TIRZ was brought to life at the year’s last meeting, this one to benefit 702 acres in south McAllen. According to city documents, TIRZ #2 ranges from Business 83 on the north to Augusta and the 2nd Street Loop on the south, Jackson Road on the east and Ware Road on the west. The TIRZ is centered on the area defined by the old civic center to the new convention center and takes in La Plaza Mall.
Assistant City Manager Michelle Leftwich explained that it will allow them to undertake 12 drainage projects and City Manager Roy Rodriguez said it will also be part of an agreement the city is negotiating with Simon Properties, La Plaza Mall owners, as La Plaza adds a second story to the north end of the mall, where Sears used to be. Commissioners Monday voted to give Rodriguez authority to work something out with Simon. Ye Olde Civic Center After meeting in executive session with representatives of the company, commissioners voted to give Provident Realty of Dallas another month to pull together their plans for the 14-acre site at South Tenth and the Expressway. Rodriguez said they’ve all agreed on a price for the land and the city has a general idea of what’s planned for the
development, but that Provident still needs to show them a completed plan. The original deadline was October and this is the second extension. New cars for the cops They approved buying 24 new police vehicles for next year, nine sedans and 15 sport utility vehicles, all police packaged, according to city paperwork. The winning bidders were Silsbee (Tx) Ford for the SUVs and Allison Chevrolet of Jasper (Tx), who were lower than L.T. Boswell Ford of San Benito and Tipton Motors, Inc. of Brownsville. They were budgeted $783,000 but the bids came in under at $696,000. Say hello to the new City Secretary Finally, commissioners unanimously hired a new city secretary to replace Annette Villarreal, who left the city a few months ago. Perla Lara as been the Interim since Villarreal left and she got the job Monday evening, an early Christmas present. Perla, who has been with McAllen for 16 years, has been a friendly and helpful presence in the office and FUTURO McAllen wishes her Godspeed.
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Kissing bugs
ver the past few weeks, Kissing Bugs have been in the news and along with Chagas disease. Kissing bugs are insects that may be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi a parasite that causes Chagas, which is a disease in humans and dogs. Kissing bugs are also known as cone-nose bugs or chinches. Kissing bugs feed on blood during the night. They get the name kissing bugs because they prefer to bite humans around the mouth or eyes. Chagas disease is a major public health problem throughout Central and South America. It is a believed that the bugs and parasite are more common in the southern United States than thought. Studies have found that, on average, 50 percent of kissing bugs are infected with the Chagas parasite. The parasites live in the digestive tract of the bugs and are shed in the bug feces. When infectious bug fecal material contaminates the mucous membranes or the site of a bug bite on a mammal, transmission of
the parasite can occur. Alternately, dogs can also become infected through the consumption of infected bugs. Kissing bugs can feed upon many species of animals, which serve as a source of parasite infection to the bug. The parasite has been found to infect domestic dogs, humans, opossums, woodrats, armadillos, coyotes, mice, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Wildlife is responsible for maintaining this parasite in nature. Therefore, Chagas disease emerges at the intersection of wildlife, domestic animals, humans and vector populations in areas such as homes, hunting cabins, dog kennels, or other areas where they may find hosts on which to feed. Kissing bugs can be found around woodpiles, debris in the yard and woodrat nests, but are also attracted to the lights and carbon dioxide that are associated with human houses and dog kennels. There are seven species of kissing bug that are found in Texas, with the most common being around 1 inch long. They are recognized by their elongated or “cone-shaped” head. If you believe that you have found a kissing bug, do not touch it with your bare hands. The parasite they may harbor can be transmitted to humans and other animals. Also, all surfaces with which the bug came into contact should be thoroughly cleaned with a bleach solution. If you see a bug you believe is a kissing bug and would like confirmation of the species identity you may submit it for testing. The Texas A&M Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences accepts carefully obtained samples. Use a glove or small plastic bag to catch the bug to avoid direct contact with the bug. Store the bug in a sealed plastic bag, in a vial, or other small container. The lab also requests that you provide them detail on where and when the bug was found and if it was alive, what it was doing. A single kissing bug in the home is not necessarily cause for alarm. Kissing bugs are nocturnal and may be attracted to nighttime lights. In this way, solitary individuals may enter a home. However the presence of nymphs (unwinged bugs) or numerous adult Kissing bugs in your home suggested that a breeding population may be established nearby. Under these circumstances control may be justified. Kissing bug infestations are likely to be more common in poorly constructed homes. Good sanitation and tight building construction tends to limit Kissing bug infestations. Destroy trash piles, bird and animal nests and burrows. Control and exclude rodents and birds from the house. Seal exterior cracks and openings into buildings and keep chimney flues closed tightly. Inspect and seal any openings from crawl spaces into the house sub-flooring. Check pets for signs of feeding and examine pet houses. Keeping lights off in and around dog kennels will also reduce drawing this insect into the area. Insecticides can effectively control Kissing bugs. Treat room corners and edges, window and door frames, pet houses and other suspected entry points with a pesticide labeled for these sites. Few household insecticides are labeled specifically for use against Kissing bug; however products intended for indoor use against cockroaches or other indoor pests can be used. Look for products containing permethrin, bifenthrin, esfenvalerate or cyfluthrin.
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December 18, 2015
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Dark horse Lady Coyotes out to enter playoff race
1, Monica Garcia; 2, Selene Alaffa; 3, Alejandra Lopez; 4, Guadalupe Rodriguez; 5, Sabrina Garcia; 11, Clarissa Mendiola; 14, Karina Casanova; 20, Daniella Cantu; 22, Ashley Olivarez; 23, Vanessa Ortega; 24, Anyssa Perales; 25, Jacky Parra; 33, Samantha Araujo;
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By Luciano Guerra
Diamondbacks hoopsters set to bounce back
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By Luciano Guerra
t’s year No. 2 for the Pioneer Diamondbacks boys’ basketball team and head coach Rene Gonzalez has his sights set on the playoffs. While post-season play might be considered to be a lofty goal for a second-year program, the Diamondbacks came as close as you can get to achieving that goal last year – one point. Having finished tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the district with the Roma Gladiators last year, the fact that the Diamondbacks lost both of their games to Roma (59-58 and 56-48), meant that it was Roma that advanced into the state playoffs while the Diamondbacks stayed home. Had just one more ball fallen through the hoop for the Diamondbacks in their first game against Roma, Pioneer would’ve advanced into the playoffs and the Gladiators would’ve been the team left wondering what could’ve been. “We actually did better than I expected last year,” Gonzalez said. “We had a 17-15 overall record and we tied for fourth with Roma with a 5-7 district record. Since Roma beat us head-tohead twice, we missed out on the playoffs by one game.” If the Diamondbacks are
going to improve on last year’s initial success and extend their season into the playoffs this year, they will need their two returning starters to lead the way; 5-foot-9 senior point guard Roosevelt ‘Rose’ Martin and 5-foot-7 junior shooting guard Jorge Suarez. Fortunately for the Diamondbacks, Martin and Suarez are not the only players on their current roster with varsity experience. “I have some players that were sophomores last year and are juniors this year that played varsity and are now returning lettermen,” Gonzalez said. “They are Andre Garza (5-foot-7 shooting guard), Andrew Ogletree and Michael Madrigal (6-foot-5 post).” When asked what it’s going to take for the Diamondbacks to take that next step by qualifying for the playoffs, Gonzalez said, “It’s going to take a great attitude and hard work in our practices to get to that next level. The fact that we have experience coming off the bench that we didn’t have last year will definitely help.” As a result of their 54-44 loss to Brownsville Veterans Memorial Tuesday, the Diamondbacks’ current record is 7-6. Tuesday night’s loss however was not the first
time this year that Pioneer has fallen to the Chargers. “We’ve beaten some good teams this year including some teams we didn’t expect to beat,” Gonzalez said. “In the Brownsville Tournament we got into the semis. We were one win away from making it into the championship game against Harlingen but we lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Brownsville Vets. Overall however it’s been a good year for us so far.” With their District 31-5A season opener against the odds-on favorites to repeat as district champions, the Edinburg Vela Sabercats, coming up Friday, January 1, the Diamondbacks will be counting on their depth at the guard position and their post to get them off on the right foot against the Sabercats. “Our guards are our strongpoint,” shared Gonzalez. “We have a lot of guards and we’re planning on taking advantage of their quickness and their ability to press and guard. Then we have Mike Madrigal as our post who has been out with an injury for two or three weeks but he’s back now. We haven’t been at full strength for a while but barring any additional injuries we will be healthy once we start district play.”
nly one game into their district schedule, the La Joya Lady Coyotes are already assured of a better season this year than they had last. That’s because with their current 10-11 record, they have already surpassed their win total for all of last season - eight. In their second year under head coach Rene Zamora, the Lady Coyotes seem to be catching on to his philosophy. “I inherited a program here at La Joya that had won I believe three games the year before I took over,” shared Zamora. “Last year we went 8-21 with nine of those losses being by seven points or less. We lost to Nikki Rowe and to McAllen Memorial by two points each and we lost to Palmview by five. So overall I think the girls are learning the system and coming along very well; hopefully we will do even better this year.“ While 10 wins is a definite improvement, the Lady Coyotes still have a ways to go to achieve their coach’s goals for this season. “I’ve told the girls that we have two goals this year,” Zamora said. “Our first goal is to double our win total
from last year by winning 16 games. Our second goal is to make the playoffs. That is something that a La Joya girls basketball team has not done since the three-way split we had in 2008.” If the Lady Coyotes are going to make a successful run at the playoffs, they will need their returning starters to lead the way. “We’ve got some girls coming back,” explained Zamora. “We’ve got our post at center Ashley Olivarez who is a force in the middle. She can play inside/ outside and was second-team All-District last year. Then we have Monica Garcia who made the All-District defensive team as a freshman last year and sophomore Karina Casanova who is also returning from last year. Finally we have Daniella Cantu as our shooter and returning starter. She really helps our inside/ outside combination.” Two newcomers that Zamora expects big things from this season are junior post Samantha Araujo and junior guard Selene Alaffa. “Sam has started to help us out in the inside and is coming along slowly but surely,” Zamora said. “Selene is another newcomer that I expect
to help us a lot. Defensively she’s the spark that we look for, especially in close games or when we need some stops. She’s able to come in to relieve Monica, who is our No. 1, or we can play them both together for defensive purposes.” The Lady Coyotes opened their District 30-6A schedule with a 48-36 loss to the Nikki Rowe Lady Warriors Tuesday night; the same Lady Warriors that won the district last season. As for how the district is expected to shape up this year, Zamora said, “Nikki Rowe, who has everybody returning, is picked to finish first again this year. Then Memorial, who also has everybody returning, is expected to finish second. Palmview, who lost only one starter, is predicted to finish third and McAllen High, who has a couple of girls that didn’t play last year but decided to come out this year and will be helping them, is expected to finish fourth. We are picked to come in fifth just as we did last year.” “I believe that we are the dark horse in the race and I think that we can get into the top four when all is said and done,” added Zamora.
La Joya Lady Coyotes Varsity Basketball District Schedule 2015-2016 DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Tuesday Dec. 15 Friday Dec. 18 Tuesday Dec. 22 Tuesday Jan. 5 Friday Jan. 8 Tuesday Jan. 12 Friday Jan. 15 Tuesday Jan. 19 Friday Jan. 22 Tuesday Jan. 26 Friday Jan. 29 Tuesday Feb. 2 Friday Feb. 5
Nikki Rowe Juarez-Lincoln McAllen Memorial McAllen High Palmview Mission Open Nikki Rowe Juarez-Lincoln McAllen Memorial McAllen High Palmview Mission
Home Home Away Home Away Home
7:30 pm 7:30 pm 12 pm 6 pm 6 pm 6 pm
Away Away Home Away Home Away
6 pm 6 pm 6 pm 6 pm 6 pm 6 pm
Holiday Wishes
During ay lid this ho our n seaso urn to ts t though ho have those w progress ur , made o In this spirit h is le. possib nd sincere w a : e s l r a simp you and you r o f y, y happ r e v a e oliday. ou hav May y y and safe h sperity be health Joy and Pro ghout throu eace, May P ou now and ar. with y the New Ye
Judge Rose Guerra Reyna Pol. Adv. Paid for by Rose Guerra Reyna Campaign, John Skaggs - Treasurer, P.O. Box 2285, McAllen, Texas 78502-2285; 956-687-8203. In compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
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Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots Varsity Basketball Schedule 2015-2016 DATE OPPONENT PLACE TIME Nov. 2 Rowe, Ed. North (Scrimm.) Home 5:30 Nov. 7 Edin. Econ. (Scrimm.) Away 8:30 Nov. 12-14 Weslaco Tourney Weslaco TBA Nov. 17 Edinburg Economedes Away 7:30 Nov. 19-21 Border Bash Tourney McAllen TBA Nov. 24 Nikki Rowe Home 6:30 Dec. 1 Weslaco East Home 7:30 Dec. 3-5 Laredo Tourney Laredo TBA Dec. 8 Hidalgo Away 6:00 Dec. 11 La Joya Away 7:30 Dec. 15 Open Dec. 18 Sharyland* Away 6:00 Dec. 21 Alumni Game Home 6:00 Dec. 29 McAllen High Away 2:00 Jan. 1 Roma* Home 6:00 Jan. 5 Sharyland Pioneer* Away 6:00 Jan. 8 Valley View* Home 6:00 Jan. 12 Rio Grande City* Away 6:00 Jan. 15 Edinburg Vela* Home 6:00 Jan. 19 Open Jan. 22 Sharyland* Home 6:00 Jan. 26 Roma* Away 6:00 Jan. 29 Sharyland Pioneer* Home 6:00 Feb. 2 Valley View* Away 6:00 Feb. 5 Rio Grande City* Home 6:00 Feb. 9 Edinburg Vela* Away 6:00 *District Games Head Coach: Rafael Cantu, Jr. Varsity Assistant: Tracie Espino JV Coach: Sam Tagle Freshman Coach: Sandra Sanchez JV Light Coach: Romeo Vela Trainers: Kim Reynolds, Tim Ferren
Athletic Coord: David Gilpin Girls Ath. Coord: Kathy Howell Athletic Director: Joe Sanchez Principal: Angelina Garcia Superintendent: Dr. Ricardo Lopez
LADY PATRIOTS up against when we play Sharyland because they have great size and they’re aggressive just like Sharyland.” In that game against the Lady Coyotes, the Lady Patriots took an early lead and trailed only once en-route to a 50-41 win to improve their non-district record to 13-9. As for which newcomers he expects to have the most impact this year, Cantu said, “Lyndsey Garza (junior forward) who was one of our reserves last year has come in and done a good job for us. Krista Perez (senior post) has given us some really good minutes as well. Jocelyn Rios (junior forward) is coming off our junior varsity team and Jazmin Saldana (junior guard) played quite a bit against La Joya and has
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done a good job as well.” Along with four seniors and six juniors, there is one sophomore and two freshmen on the Lady Patriots squad. They are Gabriella Gallardo (sophomore guard), Jackie Howell (freshman forward) and Makenzie Gerlach (freshman guard).
“Makenzie is hurt right now but Jackie gave us some good minutes against the Lady Coyotes,” Cantu said. “We’re missing Gabby Gallardo, who is one of our starters, but she slipped up academically so we’re waiting for her to come back soon.”
Veterans Memorial’s Andrea de la Garza looks to take a shot against La Joya’s Karina Casanova during the fourth quarter of the Lady Patriots’ recent 50-41 non-district win over the Lady Coyotes. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra