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Congratulations to General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary – Texas OM State Champions!

A huge congratulations to the incredibly talented students of General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary for securing 1st place at the Texas Odyssey of the Mind State Competition! Their hard work, dedication, and countless hours of practice have truly paid off, earning them the title of state champions and a welldeserved spot at the World Finals in Michigan for the third year in a row. This achievement is a testament to their creativity, teamwork, and perseverance. These students have poured their hearts into perfecting their problem-solving skills, pushing boundaries, and showcasing their incredible talents. Their commitment and passion have made GRSE campus, district, and entire community extremely proud! GRSE can’t wait to see them shine on the world stage. Go GRSE!

San Isidro High School Students 20242025 UIL Academics Regional Qualiﬁers

Congratulations to San Isidro High School UIL students and coaches who competed at the District 32-A UIL meet on Saturday, March 29 at San Isidro High School! On behalf of the San Isidro ISD we are super proud of our school’s performance as we had 15 students qualify for the regional level in 11 different events. Awesome job, students and coaches. We wish our regional qualiﬁers the best of luck as the continue to work hard and prepare of the Region IV-1A UIL Meet scheduled for April 25 at Blinn College in Brenham!!!

Ruben Becerra earns the Young Writers 2025 Creativity Award - Talent

future Tigers to embrace their creativity and passion for writing! A huge shoutout to Mrs. Velazquez for always creating opportunities for students to excel beyond the classroom! Way to go, Ruben!

RGC High School Sophomore Valente Garcia Qualifying for State in Bull Riding

Huge congratulations to Rio Grande City High School student Sophomore Valente Garcia! Qualifying for State in Bull Riding, especially after qualifying before, is a testament to his hard work and dedication. We’re so proud of him and wish him the best in Abilene, TX. this June!

Congratulations to all the students that competed in the Roma ISD Lego Robotics Middle School Competition! The Roma Middle School Gladiators took home the top prize this year. Way to go!! All the participating students did a phenomenal job building their robots, as well as crafting creative poster boards to showcase their team names and methodology. This annual fun, educational event engages students in several months of STEM-based learning and encourages creative thinking and problem solving. Thanks to the Roma High School Robotics Team, RHS Robotics and STEM teachers, and RHS JROTC for putting the event together, and to Roma Middle School for hosting. Thanks to

Lady Rattlers Track & Field banners are now on displayed at the entrance gates of Joe Sanchez Stadium

Pee Wee Sewing Club installed new 2025 ofﬁcers

2025 Ofﬁcers Installed: The Pee Wee Sewing Club Installed new ofﬁcers for 2025 at their February Meeting. L-R Eduina RamosPresident, Linda Chapa- Vice President, AnnaWagner- Secretary, and Gabriela Alvarez- Treasurer.

Community spirit shines bright! The Lady Rattlers Track & Field banners are now displayed, inspiring and recognizing the Rio Grande City High School athletes. Pass by the entrance gates of Joe Sanchez Stadium in town to see them.

Governor Abbott Proclaims April 2025 As Autism Awareness And Acceptance Month

On April 2, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott promoted World Autism Awareness Day by recognizing April 2025 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in Texas. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions, typically appearing during early childhood, and characterized by challenges with social skills, relationships, self-regulation, and communication.

“Texas continues to promote the acceptance and celebration of people with disabilities, including Texans with autism,” said Governor Abbott. “We must also foster a supportive environment where each individual across the autism spectrum can thrive. Autism awareness and

acceptance empowers Texans throughout the state like Jeremiah Kimmel, a student with Autism who joined me at my State of the State Address, to feel included and supported. This April, we celebrate neurodiversity and the unique perspectives, abilities, talents, and experiences of Texans who make our state great.” Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States with one in 36 children having the diagnosis. Acceptance can lead to better job prospects, additional employment opportunities, affordable housing, and accessible and integrated transportation systems that match personal needs and lifestyles. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is

hosting the 2025 Texas Autism Conference, a virtual event on April 14-17, 2025. For more information, please contact Childrens.Autism.Program@hhs. texas.gov.

The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities works toward a state in which people with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity, and self-determination. The Committee recommends changes in disability policies and programs, supports a network of committees on people with disabilities, issues awards to promote greater awareness, and promotes compliance with disability related laws.

Hail damage? Tips to ﬁle an insurance claim

Your insurance company should pay for hail damage - if you have wind and hail coverage on your homeowners policy or comprehensive coverage on your auto policy.

File a claim quickly.

•Take photos or video of the damage. Also, make a list of any damage inside and outside your house or car. Don’t throw away damaged items until your insurance company gives permission.

•Prevent more damage. Remove standing water. Cover broken windows and holes to keep out rain. Save all receipts. Your policy may pay for temporary repairs.

•Be available for the adjuster. Make sure the adjuster sees everything.

•Keep a list of everyone

you talk to at your insurance company. Be ready to answer questions about the damage.

•Ask about living expenses. If you can’t stay in your house, most policies will cover some related costs. Keep your receipts.

••••

¿Daños por granizo? Consejos para la reclamación al seguro

Su compañía de seguros debería pagar los daños por granizo, si tiene cobertura contra viento y granizo en su póliza de vivienda o cobertura amplia en su póliza de auto.

Presente una reclamación lo antes posible.

•Tome fotos o vídeo de los daños. Prepare también una lista de los daños dentro y fuera de su casa o su auto. No tire a la basura los objetos dañados hasta que su

compañía de seguros le diga que puede hacerlo.

•Evite más daños. Elimine el agua estancada. Cubra las ventanas rotas y los agujeros para que no entre el agua de la lluvia. Guarde todos los recibos. Su póliza puede pagar por las reparaciones temporeras.

•Esté disponible para la visita del ajustador. Asegúrese de que el ajustador vea todos los daños.

•Tenga una lista de todas las personas con las que hable en su compañía de seguros. Esté preparado para responder preguntas sobre los daños.

•Pregunte por los gastos de vida adicionales. Si no puede permanecer en su casa, la mayoría de las pólizas cubren algunos gastos relacionados. Guarde los recibos.

Did you know? In a 2020 article written for the Hearing Health Foundation, Pauline Dinnauer, Au.D., noted the threat of ear damage is much greater for people who use earbuds as opposed to over-theear headphones. According to Dinnauer, earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal, where the risk for damage is great if the volume becomes too loud. Earbuds also can push earwax deeper into the ears, which causes blockages that affect the hearing. When hearing is affected by those blockages, users tend to raise the volume on the earbuds even higher. Dinnauer concluded that over-the-ear headphones were a healthier option than earbuds because sound is not funneled directly into the eardrums. In addition, many over-the-ear headphones have noise-canceling functionality, which reduces users’ need to increase the volume.

Governor Abbott Proclaims April 2025 As Sexual Assault Awareness Month

On April 1, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Texas. This month is a time for Texans to come together to raise awareness around the issue of sexual assault and to recognize the courage of survivors across Texas and throughout the nation.

“Every person is worthy of

respect and protection, especially from acts of sexual violence,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas works tirelessly to defend Texans from these cruel offenses, making sure that each perpetrator is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Each April, we acknowledge the strength and courage of each survivor and recognize their resiliency and hope. As we work

together to prevent sexual assault in our state, may we honor each survivor, raise awareness, and build a future where each Texan can live in safety.”

“We commend the State of Texas for prioritizing efforts to assist sexual assault survivors and for its commitment to funding and supporting rape crisis centers,” said Texas Association Against Sexual Assault CEO Rose Luna.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following:

RFP Number Description Date Due Time 24-25-1060 Dental Lab Equipment April 22, 2025 3:00 p.m.

Request for Proposals packages may be obtained by emailing the Purchasing Department at stcpurchasing@southtexascollege.edu

Responses received after the speciﬁed time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFP number.

The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.

Questions regarding this RFP or requests for additional information should be addressed to Deyadira Leal, Director of Purchasing, 956-872-4686, daleal@southtexascollege.edu, or Vanessa Campos, Senior Buyer, 956-872-4661 vsolis_3079@southtexascollege.edu

Responses to the RFP must be submitted to South Texas College, 3200 W. Pecan Blvd, Bldg N, Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501.

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/afﬁrmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Purchases made as a result of this solicitation will be funded through the United States Department of Labor Increase in Nursing and Allied Health Care Certiﬁed Professionals Project grant.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonﬁre vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonﬁrehub.com/login

“Their impactful work provides critical resources and advocacy for survivors across the state.”

The Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force (SASTF) was established in 2019 to ensure a survivor-centered, traumainformed, collaborative, and coordinated response to sexual violence experienced by adults and children across Texas. The SASTF brings together various

professionals and survivors who are singularly focused on delivering critical system improvements on behalf of all Texas sexual assault survivors.

Texans are encouraged to honor survivors as the State of Texas continues its mission to encourage their healing and empowerment. Texans can also use the hashtag #SAAPM2025 to share their support on social

media throughout the month of April. Resources for survivors published by the SASTF can be found at gov.texas.gov/ organization/cjd/sastf-resources.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEER

The City of Roma, Texas (the “City”) requests the submission of qualiﬁcations statements, which will lead to the possible award of contracts to provide services for a project involving the City’s waterworks system associated with TxDOT utility relocations.

Scope of Work

Services to be provided by Engineer: professional engineering services associated with proposed (a) planning, permitting, environmental, design and construction management phase services and other additional services associated with the relocation and removal of various water lines within the TxDOT rights-of-way along FM 650.

Guidelines for Content of Qualiﬁcation Statements

DO NOT INCLUDE COST INFORMATION with the qualiﬁcation statement. Responses that include cost or pricing information will be rejected and will not be considered by the City.

Detailed instructions on preparation of the qualiﬁcation statement must be obtained from the City. For more information on preparing and submitting the qualiﬁcation statement, contact City Manager Alex Barrera, at (956) 849-1411 or abarrera@cityofroma.net. This information should be requested as soon as possible to allow time to prepare the document and comply with the procedures.

Submittal Deadline

One (1) copy of the qualiﬁcations statement must be received by the City by no later than 4:00 PM (Central) on April 24, 2025, at the ofﬁces of the City of Roma, 201 W. Convent Blvd., Roma, Texas 78584, Attn: Alex Barrera, City Manager.

Minimum Qualiﬁcations and Selection Criteria

The City will evaluate the proposals to determine which ﬁrm has the best qualiﬁcations.

Contract Terms and Negotiation Schedule

Consultants for Engineering services are expected to negotiate an agreement for services which is acceptable to the City. If an acceptable contract cannot be negotiated, the City may formally end negotiations and begin negotiating with the next highest qualiﬁed person or ﬁrm.

This RFQs are issued in accordance with Section 2254 of the Texas Government Code (Professional Services Act) and Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 31 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).

Equal Opportunity in Employment - All qualiﬁed Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended by Executive Order 11375, and as supplemented in Department of Labor regulations 41 CFR Part 60. Small, minority, and women-owned business enterprises are encouraged to respond.

Texas Comptroller’s O ce Helps Property Taxpayers

Stay Informed of their Rights with Updated Publication

e Texas Comptroller’s o ce has released the publication Properly Taxpayer Remedies, a reference guide for property taxpayers which addresses property tax basics, providing a step-by-step guide on preparing for a protest hearing and what they can do if they are dissatis ed with an appraisal review board’s decision.

Property Taxpayer Remedies also provides key dates so property owners know what they must do and when they are required to act to exercise their right to protest.

Property Taxpayer Remedies is available from the Starr Central Appraisal District at 100 N. FM 3167, Ste 300 Rio Grande City, Tx. 78582.

e publication is also available from the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Property Owners Can Protest Property Appraisal Values

Property owners who disagree with the Starr Central Appraisal District’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal district’s Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

A property owner must ﬁle a written notice of protest before May 15 or within 30 days after the appraisal district delivers the property owner’s notice of appraised value, whichever is later. The ARB will begin hearing taxpayer protests on May 15, 2025.

After the ARB completes its hearings and approves ﬁnal property tax appraisals, taxing units will use these appraisals to set property tax rates.

The ARB is a group of citizens who live in the appraisal district. In counties with populations less than 75,000, the local administrative district judge appoints ARB members. Otherwise, the appraisal district’s board of directors appoints them. Property owners may protest any of the following issues to the ARB:

• the property’s appraised or market value;

• unequal property appraisal;

• the property’s inclusion on the appraisal records;

• denial of a partial exemption, such as a homestead exemption;

• determination that the property does not qualify for the circuit breaker limitation

• on appraised value for non-homestead real property;

• denial of special appraisal, such as agricultural or timber productivity appraisal;

• determination that agricultural or timberland has had a change of use and is

• subject to a rollback tax;

• identiﬁcation of the taxing unit or taxing units in which the property is located;

• determination that the taxpayer is the property owner; or

• any other action of the appraisal district ofﬁce or ARB that adversely affects the owner.

The ARB schedules a hearing and sends the protesting property owner written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The law contains speciﬁc timelines and procedures for both the property owner and the ARB throughout the appraisal protest process, as detailed in the Comptroller’s publication, Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet

Copies are available from Starr Central Appraisal District at 100 N. FM 3167, Ste 300 Rio Grande City, Tx. 78582. The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

2025-2026 Young Man of the Year and Global Intellectual International Awards

Alex Sarabia, South Texas College Psychological Science Professor and Licensed Professional Counselor, received both the 2025-2026 Young Man of the Year (Joven del Año) and Global Intellectual (Orbe Intelectual) International Awards during a ceremony in Hidalgo, Texas on February 22, 2025 among other distinguished and inﬂuential awardees.

Paul Villarreal - Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector, Professor Arturo Garcia, and a committee selected the award recipients based on academic and professional merit and career longevity and success. The awardees were individuals with an impressive career and many lifelong achievements, as well as being well known and respected

in the community. Some of Alex Sarabia’s major academic accolades include graduating Valedictorian from Roma High School and Top Graduate from UTRGV. His most recent and signiﬁcant professional accolades include being 2023 South Texas College Faculty of the Year and receiving the 2023-2024 national awards of Who’s Who in America, Top Educator, and Distinguished Humanitarian. He is also Advisor of the STC Starr County Campus Psychology

DPS Steps Up Enforcement for Annual Distracted Driving Campaign

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase patrols to ensure drivers stay focused and avoid distractions while driving. April 7 through April 14, the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct its annual Distracted Driving trafﬁc enforcement campaign—looking for drivers who are texting, failing to Move Over or Slow down or otherwise distracted behind the wheel.

“We’ve seen an alarming rise in incidents where our Troopers are being struck while working roadside— often due to distracted driving,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “Distracted driving is not just dangerous,

it’s deadly. For the safety of all Texans, we urge every driver to stay alert, put the phone down, and give the road your full attention.”

THP will increase enforcement as part of Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort), which runs nationwide from April 7 through April 14.

Last year, during DPS’ 2024 Distracted Driving enforcement efforts, there were more than 67,441 citations and warnings issued. This included over 4,815 speeding violations; 303 seat belt and child seat violations; 1,630 violations for driving without insurance; and 345 felony and fugitive arrests.

To comply with Move Over or Slow Down, Texas law states that a driver must either:

•Vacate the lane closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction) or

•Slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph)

Violations of the law result in a misdemeanor that is punishable by a ﬁne of up to $1,250.

Subsequent offences can increase ﬁnes, and if the offence results in bodily injury, the penalty can be up to a state jail felony.

DPS offers the following safety

tips:

•Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.

•Move Over or Slow Down for police, ﬁre, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped

on the side of the road. So far in 2025, there have been more than 3,184 Move Over, Slow Down violations.

•Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you consume alcohol.

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

•Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy trafﬁc, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.

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

•Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.

•Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are

traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas

Remember to keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. You can always dial 1-800-525-5555 for any assistance when you’re traveling. That number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.

Property Owners Should Soon Start Receiving Appraisal Notices for the 2025 Tax Year

You may soon receive an appraisal notice from the Starr Central Appraisal District. The appraisal district mailed about 30,500 appraisal notices on April 9, 2025. Your city, county, school district and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to set your 2025 property taxes.

Under Texas law, local appraisal districts must notify property owners about changes in their property’s value. The notice contains important information about the property’s location, ownership and property tax exemptions that apply to the property. It must also include a web address where tax information for the property can be found.

Property owners who disagree with their property’s appraised value, the exemptions or any other action by the appraisal district have the right to appeal to the Starr Central Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel of citizens responsible for hearing and settling property owner protests. The notice of appraised value includes instructions on how and when to ﬁle a protest, a protest form, a statement about the availability of an informal conference prior to attending a protest hearing and a copy of the Comptroller’s Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet. The deadline for ﬁling an ARB protest is May 15 or 30 days after your notice of appraised value was delivered to you.

The Comptroller’s publication, Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet, explains in detail how to protest your property appraisal, what issues the ARB can consider and what to expect during a protest hearing. It also discusses the function of a taxpayer liaison officer, the option to request limited binding arbitration to compel the ARB or chief appraiser to comply with a procedural requirement and the options of taking your case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings or regular binding arbitration if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your ARB hearing.

The Taxpayer Assistance Pamphlet is available from the Starr Central Appraisal District at 100 N. FM 3167, Ste 300 Rio Grande City, Tx. 78582. The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Did you know?

The American College of Gastroenterology reports that irritable bowel syndrome affects almost twice as many women as men.

That echoes an earlier survey from the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders that found as much as 65 percent of individuals who report having IBS are women.

The reasons behind the greater prevalence of IBS remain a mystery, though the American College of Gastroenterology reports that the higher incidence does not appear to be because women have different hormones than men.

Rather, the school notes that the higher incidence rates seem to be because women feel sensations from the intestines differently than men.

Thank You Linemen!!

THE COUNTY OF STARR SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Chapter 263.153 of the Texas Local Government Code & Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Transportation Code 683, Subsection B, 683.012, of the Texas Department of Transportation that the County of Starr Sheriff ’s Office, Rio Grande City, Texas will hold a public auction on Saturday, April 26 , 2025, at 10:00 a.m. for General Surplus, Equipment and Vehicles which have been forfeited to the State of Texas under the provisions of Chapter 59 Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Location: 2101 I-69C, Edinburg, TX 78542. Registration to bid live will be from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and will require a picture identification or register online at www.bondauctioneers.com. Examples of items to be auctioned are cars, trucks, heavy equipment, personal computers, electronics, office furniture, surplus, etc. All items will be sold “As Is - Where Is” to the highest bidder. Onsite Buyer’s Premium 14%, Internet Buyer’s Premium 16%. All sales are final and must be paid on the same day with cash, major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express), Debit & Credit with a 3.50% processing fee. Cashier Checks accepted, No personal or business checks. For additional information, please contact the County of Starr Sheriff ’s Office, at (956) 4875571 or visit our website www.bondauctioneers.com AUC#17532 - Jose A. Camarillo