La Feria News 2-2-22

WEEK OF February 2, 2022 THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, 2022

Los Leones Restaurant

www.laferianews.net

Rudy Garza Funerals, Inc. LA FERIA

Monday - Sunday 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

317 S. MAIN

(956) 797-3122 800-425-8202

Orders to Go

956.797.1000

Family Owned and Operated by

The Rudy Garza Family

109 N. Main St. • La Feria, TX 78559

Our Family Serving your Family

Your Community Newspaper, Serving the Heart of the Rio Grande Valley VOLUME 99 NUMBER 5

Businesses Lots, Subdivisions & a New Stripes All Happening in The City of La Feria Emilio Flores La Feria

Researcher at UTRGV Investigating Connection Between Diabetes, COVID-19 and Tuberculosis

Page 3

La Feria Lionettes rack up two big wins, starting 32-4A on track

Page 5

Poem: Chihuahuas

Page 7

Local Physicians Stress Wellness, Healthy Lifestyle to Ward off Serious Illness

Page 8

Much has been happening in La Feria, and more to come. Last week City Manager Jaime Sandoval and La Feria News discussed some of these matters.

Including, but not limited to, two Commercial lots, Four separate residential subdivisions that in total equate to 430 residential lots, aswell as new apartment complexes and senior living space.

Starting with South FM 506 area, Sandoval shares that they are still in the early stages of developing two new subdivisions, Brooks Subdivision & Moriah Subdivision. Both are near the Our Lady of the Lake University.

These subdivisions will each have roughly 115 lots for residential homes to be built.

Sandavol says they are still in much of the early stages. He says that they are barely laying piping and turning dirt. Sandavol says the projects only started in December.

Subdivision on North FM 2556, called bridge estates that Sandoval says is a little further along

by a couple of months, having started sometime in October.

And another, Main Street Subdivision.

This one, He says is by a private developer, consisting of ninetynine residential lots and two commercial lots.

He says he believes the commercial lots are taken up and that one may be a local business relocated, no further details were given.

And finally, the new fancy-looking stripes. Not much has been shared during this time other than that they are hoping to have it finished and opened to the public in about a month. It’s will include a Diesel-fuel and a semi-truck area with plenty of room for the truckers to stop and fill up.

These are just some of the new developments happening in La Feria.

It's great to see new homes and neighborhoods because with it comes more families. More families in fresh, new beautiful homes; feeling proud of their town.

New stripes off of frontage road and 506

Brooks Estates Subdivison off of south fm 506

IRS-Criminal Investigation’s 10 tips to help Texans avoid tax season fraud

Page 8

City Calendar............pg. 2 Classified....................pg. 4 Sports..........................pg. 5 Activity Page.............pg. 6 Puzzles........................pg. 7

New stripes off of frontage road and 506

Brooks Estates Subdivison off of south fm 506 • Bridges • Digital

X Rays

• Dentures • Teeth Whitening • Crowns

Javier Trevino D.D.S.

Dentistry for all Members of the Family

Welcoming New Patients Now Open Monday - Saturday Call for an Appointment Today!

100 S. Main Street

Ph: (956)797-4444

La Feria, Texas

2 • February 2, 2022• LA FERIA NEWS

City of La Feria City Commission Zone change request Notice of Public Hearing

City of La Feria City Commission Specific Use Permit Requests Notice of Public Hearing On Tuesday February 22, 2022 at 6:30 PM the City of La Feria City Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following SUP-Specific Use Permits to allow operations of food trucks or trailers at these following locations: A. Property location is 130 Oleander Ave, the legal description being: Lots 12-14, Block 8, La Feria Original Townsite, Cameron Appraisal District ID # 85240, SUP Applicant: Juan Antonio Prado Jr., Property Owner: Laurie Villarreal.

B. Property location is 102 South Main Street, the legal description being: Reynolds, Lot 1B, 1C & S 65 ft of lot 1F, Block 4, Cameron Appraisal District ID # 86863, SUP Applicant Felipe Guajardo, Property Owner: Flip N Gringo Properties LLC. C. Property location is 501 N. Main Street, (El Centro Foods Parking Lot) with the legal description being: Minn-Tex Block 50, Cameron Appraisal District ID # 86300, SUP Applicant Breanna Rae Galindo, Property Owner: BD Three Star Properties The public hearing will be held at 6:30 PM. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 115 E. Commercial Ave, La Feria, Texas. All interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing to voice their opinion regarding the granting of these SUP-Specific Use Permit. Interested persons may also submit written testimony to: City of La Feria Attn: Planning Department 115 E. Commercial Ave. La Feria, TX 78559-5002 The City Commission meeting room is handicapped accessible. Persons with disabilities or who require auxiliary aids or services to participate in this hearing should contact the City Secretary two days before the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

To request additional information, please contact Juan Ortiz, Planning Director at (956) 797-2261.

On Tuesday February 22, 2022 at 6:30 PM the City of La Feria City Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following Zone change requests for the following properties: Bridge Estates Subdivision is located at 2200 Block of North FM 2556, from R-1 Single Family Residential District to R-3 Single Family Residential District with the legal description being: 20 acres of land out of Blk 30, 31, 34 &-35, Solis Subdivision, Cameron Appraisal District ID # 183148, 183153, 183162 & 183163.

Applicant is Bridge Developments Texas LLC., Representative is Oscar Zarate.

Moriah Palms Subdivision is located at the 28700 Block of South FM 506, from C-1 Commercial & MH-Mobile Home District to R-3 Single Family Residential District, being 26 acres out of Access Point lot 4, Cameron Appraisal District # 180325, Applicant is Moriah Palms Development LLC, Representative is Oscar Zarate Brooks Estates Subdivision, property is located at the 28000 Block of South FM 506, zone change from R-1 Single Family Residential District to R-3 Single Family Residential, legal description being 35.26 acres out of Minnesota-Texas Irrigation Company Block 39, Cameron Appraisal District account # 180445 & 180444. Applicant is Elite & Zarate Investments LLC, Representative is Oscar Zarate The public hearing will be held at 6:30 PM. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 115 E. Commercial Ave, La Feria, Texas. All interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing to voice their opinion regarding the granting of these Zone change requests. Interested persons may also submit written testimony to: City of La Feria Attn: Planning Department 115 E. Commercial Ave. La Feria, TX 78559-5002 The City Commission meeting room is handicapped accessible. Persons with disabilities or who require auxiliary aids or services to participate in this hearing should contact the City Secretary two days before the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

To request additional information, please contact Juan Ortiz, Planning Director at (956) 797-2261.

v “Your Community Newspaper since 1923”

CALENDAR of EVENTS

128 W. Oleander Ave., Downtown La Feria, TX

956-797-9920

E-MAIL: laferianews@aol.com We are open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: Call 956-330-6838

115 E.Commercial Ave. • La Feria, Texas 78559 • (956) 797-2261 In accordance with the Order of the Office of the Governor issued March 16, 2020, the City of La Feria will conduct the meeting and provide audio/telephonic availability for the public using live stream in order to advance the public health goal of limiting face-to-face meetings (also called “social distancing”) to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (also known as Covid-19). To view the meeting via internet live streaming, please visit https://www.cityoflaferia.com/boards-andcommissions/city-commission/agendas-2020/ where you will find the agenda for the next meeting. The pdf for the agenda will include a link, meeting ID and passcode for the Zoom meeting. More information is available by calling 346-248-7799.

Members of the public may sign up for public comment on an agenda item or for another item of public concern by submitting an email to amorales@cityoflaferia.com containing (1) the name of the individual wishing to comment; and (2) the item number or subject matter the individual wishes to comment on. Please submit requests for public comment no later than two hours before the meeting. Join the meeting at the time and login listed above and the Mayor will call on you when it is your turn to speak. A recording of the meeting will be made and will be available to the public in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. If during the course of the meeting, any discussion of any item on the agenda is permitted to be held in executive or closed session, whether such item is already so identified on this Agenda or not, the City Commission will convene in such executive or closed session in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.001-551.146.

6:00 PM

FEB 9, 2022

City Commission Meeting Commission Meeting Room

115 E. Commercial Avenue • La Feria, TX

SUBSCRIPTION RATES $ 95 27 Yr. Valley $ 34 95 Out of Valley Single Copy Price ...................... $.50 ea.

Back Issues available ............... $.50 ea.

Also distributed to each LFISD School Student.

PUBLISHERS

MONDAYS _____________

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 12135 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30pm St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall at the corner of West & Cypress (956) 797-266 LA FERIA SCHOOL BOARD 2nd Monday, 6:30pm Board Room Central Administration Office 505 N. Villarreal St. (956) 797-8300 LA FERIA BAND BOOSTERS 3rd Monday, 7:00pm La Feria HS Band Hall (956) 797-8300 SANTA ROSA SCHOOL BOARD 3rd Monday • 6:30pm Santa Rosa HS Library (956) 636-9800 MAINSTREAM/PLUS DANCE Mondays • 9:30am - noon Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

TUESDAYS _____________

BLUEGRASS JAM SESSIONS Every Tuesday, 1:30pm Kenwood RV Resort 1201 N. Main • La Feria (956) 797-1875

WEDNESDAYS _____________

Musicians by invite only OPEN TO PUBLIC Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen contact Charlie (308) 379-4589 LINE DANCING Weds • 9:00am - 11:30am • $3 Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

THURSDAYS _____________ SANTA ROSA CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3rd Thursday • 7:00pm Santa Rosa City Hall (956) 636-1113

FRIDAYS _____________

LINE DANCING Sat • 1:00pm - 3:00pm • $3 Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

SATURDAYS _____________ ORDER OF EASTERN STAR HARLINGEN CHAPTER #641 3rd Saturday • 2:00pm Masonic Temple 702 E. Harrison • Harlingen (956) 423-5544

COUNTRY JAM Wednesdays • 2-4pm

Have a weekly community event you would like us to include in our calendar?

email news@laferianews.net or call (956) 797-9920

Landon Jennings Sharice Jennings

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 999 La Feria, TX 78559

ADVERTISING

Victor Moreno 956-264-7720

CONTENT EDITOR

Emilio Flores

OFFICE MANAGER

Nelda Briones

956-797-9920

2022

CORRECTION POLICY Although the La Feria News Staff strives for excellence in all stories and advertising, spelling or typographical errors can occur. If you find any confirmed factual or other type of error, please call 956-233-9928 during business hours or leave a message.

WEEKLY COLUMNS printed in the La Feria News contain the opinions of the Authors. They may or may not be the opinion of the Newspaper.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: 1 year subscription delivered by U.S. Postal Service…$27.95 or can be purchased at several convenient locations throughout the cities of La Feria, Santa Rosa, Santa Maria & Blue Town for 50¢.

The La Feria News is mailed and delivered Monday, February 7, 2022 and published weekly by La Feria Publishing, LLC. Periodical Postage Rates paid at La Feria, TX., Post Office. Advertising deadline is noon Thursday at the office at 128 W. Oleander Ave., La Feria, TX 78559.

(POSTMASTER send address changes to La Feria, P.O. Box 999, La Feria, TX 78559.)

February 2, 2022 • LA FERIA NEWS • 3

Researcher at UTRGV Investigating Connection Between Diabetes, COVID-19 and Tuberculosis

Dr. Blanca Restrepo, whose research centers around TB in South Texas-Mexico border communities, says she and her team have observed that COVID-19 patients in South Texas with an underlying disease like diabetes are at risk of developing tuberculosis that may have been latent in the body at the time of coronavirus infection. ‘We’re trying to understand how the pandemic is going to affect tuberculosis control,’ said Restrepo, who has a crossappointment as an adjunct associate professor of Epidemiology at the UTRGV School of Medicine, its South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and primary appointment at the UT Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health in Brownsville. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

By Karen Villarreal RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JAN. 19, 2022 – At UTRGV, Dr. Blanca I. Restrepo, Ph.D., is researching how tuberculosis in South Texas and adjacent border communities – where the disease itself and underlying conditions like diabetes are endemic – are complicated by COVID-19.

Both COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) are infectious diseases that target the lungs, so healthcare personnel for TB essentially have had to act as first responders for their COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic.

“We’re fairly early in trying to understand how the pandemic is going to impact tuberculosis control,” said Restrepo, who has a cross-appointment as an adjunct associate professor of Epidemiology for the UTRGV School of Medicine, its South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and has primary affiliation with the UT Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health in Brownsville.

“The initial predictions are that we’re moving back in TB control by about eight years,” she said.

Recent literature has addressed how the

pandemic likely will increase the number of TB cases and deaths due to a strain on TB control programs, Restrepo said, but she and her research team additionally have observed the biological impact of COVID-19 on patients with diabetes.

“This definitely warrants continued investigation,” she said.

Throughout the pandemic, she and her collaborators published their findings – a case series of patients with a chronic history of poorly controlled diabetes who experience an acute COVID episode, followed by the development of active pulmonary TB, a more

chronic pulmonary infection.

The team hypothesizes that these individuals had been infected with the bug causing TB for some time, but a chronic history of diabetes combined with a recent COVID-19 episode triggered its transition from a latent, or “sleeping,” state to a reactivated mode that causes active TB. Restrepo believes it to be a consequence of compromised immunity due to the COVID-19 episode, plus poorly controlled diabetes.

“There’s nothing reported like it,” said Restrepo, who ranks among the top two percent of most-cited scientists worldwide.

“We’re following up, and if the data looks promising, we will prepare a grant for further study of the biological synergism between TB, diabetes and SARS-CoV2 infection.”

TB CONTROL TB is more prevalent in developing countries, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the microbial pathogen most responsible for deaths worldwide, with 1.4 million people dying of TB in 2019 alone.

“In the United States, we have done a very good job of controlling TB, but we have pockets of populations that are still at higher risk,” Restrepo said.

“The Texas-Mexico border is one of those regions.”

Someone born in Mexico or another country where TB is highly endemic may carry the bug latently, meaning the disease is not active and the individual shows no symptoms.

“It’s good for everybody to know whether they’re positive for TB, but your physician won’t recommend tests if there’s no criterion for doing so,” she said.

Her team has been studying diabetes as a risk factor for developing TB. Her findings suggest that TB testing for diabetic patients in the Valley who have had a recent episode of COVID-19 may be beneficial to beware of TB risk– especially those with a history of exposure to a TB patient, or who come from a TBendemic country.

“Our findings suggest that if you develop COVID-19, you’re now at high risk for reactivation of a latent TB infection to active disease,” she said. “In this case, particularly if you have diabetes, it would be wise to be tested for it. You may be able to stop the progression to tuberculosis.”

COVID-19 OBSERVATIONS Restrepo and her collaborators observed that many patients at the TB clinics had all the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, malaise, loss of smell and taste, and a

dry cough.

“All symptoms disappeared three to six months later – except the cough, which transitions to a productive cough.

Patients started losing weight, having chronic fever and night sweats,” she said. “These patients were coming down with TB, but it is likely their diagnosis was delayed because they were thinking these symptoms were due to COVID-19.”

The research team also observed that patients who reported a COVID-19 infection three to six months before being diagnosed with TB also had a chronic history of poorly controlled diabetes.

Their hypothesis is that if diabetes is not well controlled, and a person develops COVID-19, both conditions will synergize to compromise the person’s immune system – and that seems to be the turning point for TB development.

“The body cannot contain that latent bacterial infection and it progresses to TB,” Restrepo said. “The world is collecting data on this, and we’re trying to understand that interaction at the biological level between these two pulmonary pathogens.”

First Baptist Church, La Feria

Minister Roger Goodwin

912 N. Parker Rd., La Feria 10:30am Service, 5pm Evening Service Los Domingos 2:00pm Medio Dia Los

In 1879, James Norris Gamble, of Proctor and Gamble developed an inexpensive white soap. Harley Proctor named it Ivory Soap, after Psalm 45. The soap became famous because it floated and smelled good. I remember it tasted bad.

Ivory Soap was my mother’s prescription for bad language. During a press meeting the President, under his breath, called a reporter a name that would have caused Mother to reach for the Ivory soap.

I suppose there are worse offenses than offensive language. And being honest, hitting my finger with a hammer brings more out of me than “behold!” Still, foul talk represents a limited vocabulary.

To his credit, the President called and apologized. That is not the same as having his mouth washed out, but the cleanup may last longer than with soap.

-Mark S. Ross DMin.

“Entre menos burros, mas olotes.”

“The fewer the donkeys. The more the corn.”

Contribuido por: Alvino Villarreal

If you have a Mexican saying you’d like to share, please call: 956-797-9920

SPONSORED BY

ADVERTISERS:

This spot is available.

Call LA FERIA NEWS for more information.

797-9920

4 • February 2, 2022 • LA FERIA NEWS

LEGAL NOTICE

Great Classifieds... List Yours Today by Calling 956-233-9928 or 956-797-9920.

REMEMBER: Deadline is Wednesday at NOON for ads to be published in the following week’s edition.

Services THE HAIR CENTER Betsy OPEN Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

956-797-4036

“Your On- site Answer to Document Destruction” We supply the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with Secure Mobile Document Destruction.

Call Us Today!

1-956-233-4780 www.ValleyShredding.com

122 W. Oleander • La Feria, TX Mobile Home INSURANCE

Pay Less....Check

√oorhesAgency Insurance

518 N. 1ST ST. • HARLINGEN (956)428-7475 •(800)880-0938

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS The La Feria Independent School District is now accepting Request for Qualifications for a Search Consultant Firm for Superintendent of Schools (RFQ #22-0-05). Complete RFQ may be obtained online at http://www.laferiaisd.org/a-_z/business_office/ purchasing or may be picked up at the Business Office, located at 203 E. Oleander Ave, La Feria, TX 78559, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

For more information or if you have any questions, you may contact Alejandro Cespedes at (956) 797-8310.

scan & visit

Annual Green Bay South Park Sale Saturday February 5th

7am-12pm

Please wear a mask 13949 Club Drive La Feria off White Ranch Rd.

ACREAGE

PUBLIC NOTICE The La Feria Independent School District will hold a public hearing on the 2020-2021 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) during the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on February 15, 2022. The Regular Meeting will be held at 203 E Oleander Ave, La Feria Texas at 6:00 p.m.

REAL ESTATE Creekside at Camp Verde – Enjoy incredible Hill Country living! 5 Acre Creekfront or Creek Access Tracts. 20+ mile views. Prime location near Kerrville.

45 minutes to SA. Hi-speed internet. Excellent financing. MUST SEE! Call 877-888-7579, Ext. 569.

CreeksideatCampVerde.com.

Hunting/investment/recreational property. Starting at $650/acre. Trans Pecos region. Also the Hill Country (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde Counties free ranging exotics), South Texas (Duval County - whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage. 30-year Bonita Oaks Ranch – Final Release Land Sale! Sat. & fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down. Call Sun., Feb. 12 & 13. Prime North Texas location. 5-acre toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, homesites from $79,900; 5 acres & new barndo shell www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720. only $124,900. Close to several casinos, high-speed ADOPTION internet. Excellent land financing 877-333-8830 x15, California family has sunlit nursery awaiting BonitaOaksTX.com. newborn. Secure future, devoted grandparents, gentle Belle Oaks – Grand Opening Land Sale Sat. & Sun., pet. Generous living expenses paid. Andrew and Erin Feb. 12 & 13. Gorgeous 1+ acre homesites just 15 747-788-0260 or attorney 310-663-3467. minutes to San Antonio. Highest elevation, spectacular ARROWHEADS views, big oaks. Excellent land financing. 866-999Indian Arrowheads Wanted – Point Type: Clovis, 8966 x895, BelleOaksTX.com.

Yuma, Firstview & Eden. Must be old, authentic & MEDICAL unbroken. Absolute TOP DOLLAR paid – up to 5 figures for one point. I am a very serious high-end DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual collector. Call 979-218-3351.

Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount EMPLOYMENT plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Jourdanton Police – Now Hiring Texas Peace Officers Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-901-0467 – $2,500 sign-on incentive. TMRS Retirement, uniform www.dental50plus.com/txpress #6258 allowance, certification pay, 13 paid holidays, zero cost health, insurance premium, FSA account, required WANTED equipment provided, competitive salary, dental/ vision policy and more. For complete details contact: FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. ekaiser@jourdantonpd.net.

Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit GENERATORS RefrigerantFinders.com GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup Need Extra Cash – I Buy RVs & Mobile Homes power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free –Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, Goosenecks, Bumper 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free Pulls. In Any Area, Any Condition – Old/New, Dirty quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. or Clean! I PAY CA$H. No Title – No Problem, we 855-704-8579. can apply for one. ANR Enterprises, 956-466-7001.

Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 221 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

Our 99th

ANNIVERSARY serving the community of

LA FERIA TEXAS

LEGAL NOTICE

APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION FOR A MIXED BEVERAGE AND MIXED BEVERAGE LATE HOURS PERMIT BY BEVERAGE INVESTMENT GROUP LLC, DBA: THE ROCKIN CUE TO BE LOCATED AT 2020 S. EXPRESSWAY 83, STE. B08A, CAMERON COUNTY, HARLINGEN, TEXAS 78550. MANAGING MEMBER, BEING BENITO JOAQUIN GARCIA

LEGAL NOTICE

AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR A WINE AND MALT BEVERAGE RETAILER’S OFF-PREMISE PERMIT FOR 7-ELEVEN BEVERAGE COMPANY INC., TEXAS CORPORATION, D/B/A STRIPES STORE #41977H, LOCATED AT 100 EXPRESSWAY 83, W., LA FERIA, CAMERON COUNTY, TX. 78559. SAID APPLICATION MADE TO THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CODE. OFFICERS OF SAID CORPORATION ARE: 7-ELEVEN BEVERAGE COMPANY INC. OFFICERS: ARTHUR RUBINETT PRESIDENT, RANKIN GASAWAY – DIRECTOR/ VP/SECRETARY, DAVID SELTZER – VP/TREASURER, ROBERT SCHWERIN – DIRECTOR/VP, SCOTT HINTZ- DIRECTOR, KAREN CRAM- V, ALICIA HOWELL- VP/ CONTROLLER,BRIAN SMITH- VP, KYLE JOHNSON- VP.

TexSCAN Week of Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2022

APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION FOR A NEW WHOLESALER’S PERMIT BY JAMES TURNER WRIGHT DBA WRIGHT VINEYARDS, LLC, TO BE LOCATED AT 24741 N FM 2556, LA FERIA, TEXAS 78559. OWNERS OF SAID CORPORATION ARE JAMES TURNER WRIGHT, MANAGER, AND MATIANA GONZALEZ WRIGHT, MEMBER.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS, THAT: The City of Primera, Texas proposes to institute annexation proceedings to enlarge and extend the boundary limits of said city to include the following described territory, to-wit: Being 14.40 acres of land situated in Cameron County, Texas and being out of Block 62, Wilson Tract Subdivision, as per map recorded in Volume 9, Page 28, Cameron County Map Records, Cameron County, Texas.

A public hearing will be held by and before the City Commission of the City of Primera on February 22, 2022 at 6:00 pm at the Primera City Hall located at 22893 Stuart Place Rd., Primera, TX, for all persons interested in the above proposed annexation. At said time and place all such persons shall have the right to appear and be heard.

If you have any questions, please contact City Hall at 956-423-9654.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The La Feria ISD is soliciting Proposals for E-Rate Round 25.

Switches, Wireless LAN Controller (WLC), Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) The deadline for proposals is February 23, 2022, at noon.

Please go to the La Feria ISD school website (http://www.laferiaisd.org) under A-Z dropdown, Business Office, Purchasing, BID OPPORTUNITIES, and look for the E-Rate 25 Proposal section to obtain detailed bid specifications/packets. Specifications will be available on our district website (laferiaisd.org) on January 26, 2021.

For further assistance, contact: Mr. Daniel De Leon, Technology Director Phone: (956)-797-8330 E-mail: ERate@laferiaisd.org Bids will be recommended at the next board meeting. The district reserves the right to accept and/or reject any or all proposals.

Mr. Daniel De Leon Technology Director

February 2, 2022 • LA FERIA NEWS • 5

Lions knock off Rio Hondo in First meeting of the 2022 District Schedule

By Ruben Rodriguez La Feria News

With 32-4A play underway, The La Feria Lions now sit 2-2 after knocking off a tough Rio Hondo Bobcat team. In an already tough District with heavy Hitters Raymondville and Port Isabel, The Lions win last night shakes up the

standings in what is already a crazy district schedule.

Prior to their match against La Feria, Rio Hondo was coming off a loss to Raymondville 73 to 66 on Monday night.

Not wanting to suffer back to back losses on consecutive nights, Rio Hondo was determined to capture a win on the

road against La Feria who was also coming off a loss to Port Isabel on Saturday 71 to 54.

In a back and forth battle, Rio Hondo and La Feria took each other to the limit as two great offenses and defenses clashed all night.

Ultimately, La Feria had a dominant second half to secure an 11 point

win over the Bobcats 77 to 66. With this crucial win, La Feria improved to 2-2 in the 2022 District campaign, while Rio Hondo fell to 0-3 in District Play. La Feria now has won the last two meetings against the Bobcats in District 32-4A after defeating Rio Hondo in the second meeting of 2021 on

February 20 49-41. Rio Hondo has not defeated La Feria since February 9th of 2021.

Other 32-4A headlines include Raymondville defeating Port Isabel in a nailbiter 58 to 57 to hand the Tarpons their first loss in District Play. With the win, The Bearkats are now the lone undefeated team

in 32-4A play, 4-0. The Lions will Travel to Raymondville to attempt to capture another big win and avenge their overtime loss to The Bearkats last season.

The Lions will kick off the second half of 32-4A play against La Grulla, a team who the Lions defeated in the district opener 42-33.

Lionettes from the start, took control and showed a dominant display on both offense and defense. La Feria would eventually capture the win shutting out Raymondville 7-0 Next up for the Lionettes was the 2022 District opener against IDEA Frontier, similar to the win over Raymondville, the Lionettes quickly took control on offense and played standout defense to blank the Lady Chargers 9-0.

On Tap for the Lionettes in District is Port Isabel, who they will face off again on February 22. Following the Lady Tarpons, La Feria will face off against the Jubilee Lady Titans on February 4th, then again on March 1st. La Feria also will

take on Harmony School of Innovation February 8 and March 4. The Riverview Lady Rockets will host the Lionettes on February 11, then will travel to La Feria on March 8. Rio Hondo comes to town on February 15th before hosting La Feria on March 11 to close out the Regular Season.

Last Season, the Lionettes finished off the number 2 seed in District Play with a 6-2 record.

La Feria looks to avenge their losses to Rio Hondo and Brownsville Jubliee, who were their only two losses in district play.

Key opponents include Port Isabel, Rio Hondo, Riverview, and Jubliee.

While already on the right track, The Lionettes look to potentially bring District Gold back to La Feria in 2022.

La Feria Lionettes rack up two big wins, starting 32-4A on track

Photos from La Feria ISD Facebook page

By Ruben Rodriguez La Feria News The La Feria Lionettes are on track after suffering a loss to

Brownsville Pace 1-0.

Getting two big wins to bounce back from a loss is one way to show how prepared the Lionettes are for District

Septic Services by R&R

• Sales of Septic Tanks, Grease Traps, Blocks & Bases • Septic Tank Cleaning Supports the Lions • Service Repairs and Lionettes.

competition. In the First home game of the season, La Feria hosted 31-4A’s Raymondville Lady Bearkats and wasted no time as the

BILL BUNTON

La Feria

Valleywide Service

LIONETTES

AUTO SUPPLY & MACHINE, INC.

Service You Can Trust by Rene Taguilas

(956) 226-9468

MEET THE

1101 W. Second Bus. 83 Mercedes, TX 78570

GO LIONS GO! Brian Bunton

(956) 565-2473

2021 LIONETTES

Now offering flu and pneumonia vaccinations!

Mario A. Sanchez, D.O. and Staff

GO MIGHTY LIONS!

(956) 797-2002 106LaN.Feria Main St

VARSITY BASKETBALL

6 • February 2, 2022 • LA FERIA NEWS

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY PAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE SPONSORS:

Acoustic Jam - Monda y s 1-3pm

Musicians by Invitation Only All Listeners Welcome FREE!

YELLOW ROSE RV PARK 1609 N Main St | La Feria, TX

Septic Services by R&R

• Sales of Septic Tanks, Grease Traps, Blocks & Bases • Septic Tank Cleaning • Service Repairs

(956) 226-9468 La Feria

Service you can trust

by Rene Taguilas

1300 W. Business 77 • San Benito, TX

956-399-1780

Call today for a FREE water analysis!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE ON OUR NEW ACTIVITY PAGE PLEASE CONTACT LA FERIA NEWS AT

(956) 797-9920

February 2, 2022 • LA FERIA NEWS • 7

4 New Ways Agriculture is Fighting Climate Change The Next Chapter Poem Chihuahuas Small and furry! Tiny yet dirty.

A friend for life yet brings you strife.

May be nice but looks like mice.

I still don’t know if she has mites.

But still, we love them, they are our gems, and keeping us company through thick and thin.

They are our pups throughout the bumps.

My dog is the best above all the rest!

Poem by Selene Olguin 12 years old

(StatePoint) Agriculture contributes about 17 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, according to the United Nations. And while the sector is a key contributor to climate change, it is also vulnerable to its effects -with climate-related impacts such as droughts, flooding and longer fire seasons posing increasingly serious challenges to farmers and ranchers around the world.

The good news is there is a fast-growing sustainable agriculture movement, and it’s continuing to accelerate as the need becomes more urgent.

Here are a few examples of new technologies and practices that agricultural entrepreneurs are developing to adapt to the challenges of climate change and become part of the solution.

1. California-based TerViva is commercializing a climate-resilient legume that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Its protein- and oil-rich seeds

are a sustainable alternative to palm and soy.

2. Missouri’s Pluton Biosciences is developing a microbial product that can be applied at planting and harvest to scrub nearly two tons of carbon from the air per acre of farmland per year, while replenishing nutrients in the soil.

3. Indoor agriculture is an emerging solution that addresses the challenges of weather, pests, and limitations in space and water, but it also requires significant energy to supply light in place of the sun. Colorado startup SunPath addresses this problem by using fiber optic indoor lighting, delivering actual sunlight deep inside buildings.

And Pennsylvania-based GrowFlux’s intelligent lighting systems provides 20-30% energy savings when used for indoor horticulture.

4. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas released from agriculture fields that is nearly 300 times

more potent than carbon dioxide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Tennessee-based startup mobius is developing the next generation of biodegradable plastics made from a byproduct of the agriculture and forestry industries that can be used to deliver nitrogen for plants in a controlled manner and in place of fossil-fuel based fertilizers, improving soil quality, minimizing harmful nitrogen runoff, and significantly reducing emissions.

Experts point out that the need for such solutions is urgent, and so is the support that will allow these emerging technologies to succeed.

“Accelerating climatetechnology innovation is essential if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change,” said Trish Cozart, director of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a technology incubator that connects ag-tech startups to experts and facilities at the National Renewable

ADVERTISE WITH US!

128 W. Oleander • (956) 797-9920 • Fx: (956)797-9921 www.laferianews.net

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU ANSWERS

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORDS ANSWERS

THEME: SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. Shout from a ship?

5. Shout from the bleachers 8. ____ and don’ts 11. Infamous Henry’s number 12. One with COVID, e.g.

13. Fighter jet button

15. Resting stops 16. Not guilty, e.g.

17. One of Singapore’s official languages 18. *Home of last year’s Super Bowl winners 20. Armor chest plate 21. *Given name of 2011 Super Bowl MVP 22. African grazer 23. Greek woodland

deities 26. Ramones’ hit “I Wanna Be ____” 30. Big fuss 31. Like certain Chili Peppers (2 words) 34. Cattle call goal 35. Scatterbrained 37. Bonehead 38. In a different direction 39. Jeté in ballet

Energy Laboratory and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. “In order for new technologies to make a true impact, they need to prove to investors that these products are truly capable of delivering what they promise. Through IN2, startups get the support they need to validate their technologies, including access to a network of onfarm sites to test products and solutions in a real-world setting.”

“The finance sector is increasingly seeing sustainable investment as both a responsibility and an opportunity,” said Wells Fargo’s Agribusiness Division executive, Jacquie Fredericks. “The importance of the agriculture sector to our livelihood cannot be understated, and we’re encouraged by this new wave of climate-smart technologies focused on securing our access to food and raw materials, while making meaningful contributions to the fight against climate change.”

40. More so than eggy 42. Conducted 43. Christmas firewood (2 words) 45. Annotator and commentator 47. Soda-pop container 48. Unpleasant and offensive 50. SWAT attack, e.g.

52. *Super Bowl I and II winning coach 55. Pertaining to a pope 56. Cain’s unfortunate brother 57. Gives a hand 59. Anoint 60. Bébé’s mother 61. Season to be jolly 62. *Most Super Bowl wins by one team 63. Snoop 64. Carhop’s load

DOWN 1. *Roman number of this year’s Super Bowl 2. “___ Misbehavin’” 3. Santa Maria’s traveling partner 4. Despair in the face of obstacles 5. “The Hobbit” hobbit 6. “Caribbean Queen” singer 7. Colloquial approval 8. Cold cuts counter 9. South American tubers 10. Pig’s digs 12. Not dense 13. Make corrections 14. *Florida team with no Super Bowl appearances 19. Return punch 22. Come and ____ it 23. Lamentably 24. Bye, to Edith Piaf 25. Bottom line 26. *2022 Super Bowl stadium 27. Upholstery choice 28. *Archie to Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli 29. Exploits 32. *Super Bowl Halftime show Snoops’s “last name” 33. Hardly a beauty 36. *Like some teams 38. Oenophile’s concern 40. Many, many moons 41. Empower 44. Big Dipper’s visible shape 46. Oppressive ruler 48. On the wagon 49. Nail salon board 50. Feminine of raja 51. Mt. Everest to Earth 52. Aladdin’s light 53. Christian of fashion 54. Result of a brainstorm 55. Rudolf Nureyev’s step 58. Stallone’s nickname

8 • February 2, 2022 • LA FERIA NEWS

Local Physicians Stress Wellness, Healthy Lifestyle to Ward off Serious Illness

photo from valleybaptist.net

HARLINGEN – As communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, local physicians are encouraging residents to take stock of their personal health and take steps to live a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Christopher Romero, Internal Medicine specialist, said that the Rio Grande Valley has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our Rio Grande Valley has been so heavily impacted by COVID-19 throughout the last two years, and it has been heartbreaking.

So many of us are still mourning the loss of family, loved ones, and colleagues to this pandemic,” he said.

“Cameron and Hidalgo County were in the top

10 counties in Texas as far as mortality is concerned regarding COVID-19. The sad truth is that this pandemic has brought to light health issues that have been impacting our community for decades, and the rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic illness has made our population more vulnerable to this horrific disease.”

Dr. Jamil Madi, a critical care physician and Medical Director of Valley BaptistHarlingen’s Intensive Care Unit, said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made abundantly clear the link between chronic health issues and the risk of serious illness or even death associated with infections such as COVID-19 or influenza.

“The patients we’ve

seen in our hospitals who are often the sickest with COVID-19 are usually those who have co-morbidities — the most common one being obesity. When you add other common co-morbidities such as hypertension, lung disease, diabetes, and others, it compounds on itself and causes a very serious health situation,” he said. “While age can be a determining factor, we’re seeing these comorbidities across the full spectrum of ages.

These co-morbidities suppress the immune system, making it much more difficult for the body to fight serious infections, whether it’s caused by a virus, bacteria, or even cancer.”

Madi said that for individuals looking to live a healthier lifestyle, there is no better time

than the present, and that even simple changes can add up to a better and healthier quality of life.

“Changes to diet and exercise are the most important ones you can make, and they can start small. Exercise could include something like just walking 30 minutes a day. Anything beyond not sitting on a couch is activity and it can make a difference,” he said.

“In terms of diet, it’s best to just get anything that’s considered an unhealthy snack out of your pantry and out of your house. Try to eat at home instead of going out every day, and don’t forget to hydrate yourself well. Anything you do for three weeks becomes a habit, and a habit will ultimately become a lifestyle.”

Romero said that local residents looking to embrace healthy change for 2022 shouldn’t be discouraged by starting their fitness journey slowly.

“The good news is that for the most part, many of the issues I referenced are modifiable – they can be changed, they can be improved,” he said. “We can all work to address some of these chronic issues that we've been facing for a long time and work to make 2022 our best year.”

Both Romero and Madi said that in addition to discussing any lifestyle changes with your physician, it is important to approach change with longevity in mind, and both agreed that the path to finding success in lifestyle changes is one of a marathon, not a

sprint.

Here are some tips for success: • Find your why. Look deep inside, maybe even talk with your family about what is that thing that really motivates you to want to make the change this year and make that change stick.

Whether it's being there for your grandkids being able to be more active in your community, or just feeling good when you wake up in the morning.

You have to find that thing that's going to get you over those rough days where you don't want to eat well, where you don't want to exercise, but you're going to do the right thing anyway.

• Set a goal. If you don't have something you're working toward, it's going to be hard to reach it. Those goals could include signing up for a race or picking a date that you want to have a specific health or wellness goal achieved by. Having those benchmarks will help you actually get there and sustain that change that you're going to be able to enact this year.

• Talk with your doctor about the health changes you're planning on making, whether it's embarking on a new diet or starting a new exercise routine. It's important to have that partnership with your physician. First, they're going to be excited for you and they're going to be motivating you as well. Second, they’re going to be able to guide you to see if there are

things they need to watch out for or if you have pitfalls to avoid as you make 2022 your best and healthiest year.

• Make a plan. It's going to take hard work, but it's also going to take some organization. There are a lot of amazing resources available online. It's important to actually set up a plan ranging from what you’re eating the next few days to what exercise activities you’re going to participate in.

• Let your friends and families know your goals, your vision, and what you're planning on achieving. You will be pleasantly surprised about how much motivation you will get from them, and they’re going to be your cheerleaders. They’ll work with you and help hold you accountable in a great way to do the right thing to make those positive changes in your life.

Madi said it’s important to remember that lifestyle adjustments in the present can set the stage for a healthier future.

“The changes you make today are positive results you’ll see tomorrow. It’s never too late to make changes to your lifestyle with exercise and diet,” he said. “It can make all the difference in the world and you can even reverse some of your illnesses, including hypertension, vascular disease, and diabetes. Simple changes can transform your quality and quantity of life tremendously.”

Make sure you receive your refund.

Your refund should be deposited into your bank account, not your tax preparer’s.

The IRS will not call you threatening legal action. If you receive a call like this, hang up.

Don’t respond to text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to be the IRS. They may contain malware that could compromise your personal information.

Don’t click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages about your tax return.

These messages are fraudulent.

Protect your personal and financial information.

Never provide this information in response to unsolicited text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to be the IRS. Following tips like numbers 1 and 4 (choose a tax payer wisely and don’t fall victim to promises of large refunds) would

have helped tax payers avoid someone like Tiffany Phenix. Phenix pleaded guilty last April to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

She was sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $284, 826 in restitution.

As part of her plea, she stipulated she prepared a total of 37 false income tax returns for clients and four false income tax returns for herself, resulting in an intended tax harm to the IRS of over $284,000. Specifically, Phenix admitted preparing a false 2015 income tax return for a taxpayer which included creating a false form W-2. She also claimed on the return false wage amounts, a false Earned Income Tax Credit and a false income tax refund.

For more tips on choosing a tax professional or how to file a complaint against one, visit IRS.

gov. Taxpayers who suspect tax violations by a person or business, may report it to the IRS using Form 3949A, Information Referral.

Taxpayers can report phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov or IRS impersonation scams to TIGTA.gov.

This year’s tax season begins Monday, Jan. 24 and continues through Monday, April 18 for most taxpayers. U.S. taxpayers are subject to tax on worldwide income from all sources and must report all taxable income and pay taxes according to the Internal Revenue Code.

Taxpayers found to be committing fraud may be subject to penalties including payment of taxes owed plus interest, fines and jail time.

IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, and is the only federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the

Internal Revenue Code, boasting a nearly 90 percent federal conviction rate.

The IRS-CI’s Houston Field Office encompasses the U.S. District Court’s Southern and Western districts of Texas, with field office boundaries ranging from Houston to El Paso and from Waco to Laredo. Due to the proximity to the Mexican international border and having some of the fastest-growing cities and counties in the United States within its jurisdiction, Houston special agents work a variety of cases, emphasizing traditional tax-related crimes such as employment tax, corporate fraud, identity theft, unscrupulous return preparers and general fraud. The Houston Field Office also provides crucial support to task forces involving counterterrorism, public corruption, human trafficking, drugs, and complex money laundering violations.

IRS-Criminal Investigation’s 10 tips to help Texans avoid tax season fraud HOUSTON – Each year, taxpayers’ personal information is compromised through phishing scams or by unscrupulous tax preparers. With tax season kicking off Jan. 24, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) wants taxpayers to be aware of tax-related fraud.

“As the law enforcement division of the IRS, we investigate all types of criminal tax and financial fraud cases and make prosecution recommendations to the Department of Justice, so we know well that proactively following the IRS’s tips will help you avoid from being defrauded or even committing tax fraud yourself,” said Houston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Ramsey Covington.

“By being a little bit

more cautious this tax season, you’ll be better prepared against corrupt tax preparers and identity thieves.”

Tips to avoid tax season fraud include: Choose a tax preparer wisely. Look for a preparer who is available year-round.

Ask your tax preparer for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid preparers are required to have one.

Don’t use a ghost preparer. They won’t sign a tax return they prepare for you.

Don’t fall victim to tax preparers’ promises of large refunds.

Taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes.

Don’t sign a blank tax return. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on tax returns filed with the IRS.