By Lea Victoria Juarez

Early voting for local elections starts Feb. 16, and for the last

few months the candidates in their respective races have been campaigning and mak-ing themselves known to voters.

County CommissionerThe two candidates for

Precinct 3 county commis-sioner are Joe Flores and Daniel Diaz.

Flores, the incumbent, has held the position for 15 years and ran unopposed for every election. He is most proud of reforming the county’s ap-proach to health insurance and workman’s compensa-tion by enacting self-funded programs that have saved more than $50 million tax dollars.

According to the Cuevi-tas native, he has developed a reputation for philanthro-py. Flores said 100 percent of his paycheck from the county is donated to people in the community for gener-al needs, funeral expenses or hospital bills.

Flores also served 15 years on the Transporta-tion Policy Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and he owns multi-million dollar busi-nesses. The commissioner said his goal is to continue serving the community the same way he has for the last 15 years.

He is currently spearhead-ing expansions to five major roads in Precinct 3, including Shary Road, Taylor Road, 2 Mile Line, 3 Mile Line and 7 Mile Line.

“I’m wiser and older and I feel I’ve been blessed that I have two businesses that I’ve made from scratch,” Flores said. “The track record has proved everything we’ve done for all of the cities.”

Daniel Diaz is a Palmview native who believes a change is in order for Precinct 3. He has a background in commu-nity engagement with groups such as the League of United Latin American Citizens and La Union Del Pueblo Entero, where he served as vice pres-ident and community orga-nizer, respectively.

While with LUPE, Diaz worked on projects to im-prove the living conditions of low-income neighbor-hoods and colonias. His ac-complishments include help-ing residents negotiate $14 million in disaster recovery stormwater drainage funds in 30 colonias. Additionally, he took part in negotiating the inclusion of low-income neighborhoods into the di-saster recovery house proj-ects that totaled $105 mil-lion.

Diaz said he believes it is time for the younger genera-tion to take control in office and make decisions for their

future. His goal is to restore the people’s trust in local government and keep local officials accountable.

“We want to make sure we bring in the businesses in the area, schools, local co-lonia neighbors to hear their concerns,” Diaz said. “Then they start trusting govern-ment a little bit more because they’re part of the decision making. That starts fighting off this feeling that the gov-ernment is corrupted.”

State RepresentativeSergio Muñoz Jr. and

Abraham Padron are in the running for District 36 state representative.

Muñoz is the three-term incumbent and second-most senior member of the Hidal-go County delegation. He also doubles as an attorney with a specific practice in civil and criminal law.

The Mission native has authored legislation that pro-motes access to healthcare, secures funds for public ed-ucation and encourages eco-nomic development in South Texas. If re-elected, Muñoz said he plans to look into bringing more state assis-tance to the Rio Grande Val-ley regarding education and transportation.

Muñoz stressed the im-portance of re-election be-cause seniority means more credibility and influence in the House of Representatives for District 36.

“A lot of times we don’t necessarily need to impact the legislative process by having a bill with our name on it,” Muñoz said. “A lot of the times the work we can do is on amendments or tailor-ing certain bills that don’t al-ways make the news stories, but we know in the end that our efforts have an effect in our community that we can live with going forward.”

Abraham Padron, the self-starting businessman that immigrated to the Unit-ed States at 7 years old, is the challenger. He has no previ-ous experience in politics, but he wants to bridge the communication gap between community members and the state governmental body.

For 18 years, Padron has run his insurance company that now has 11 locations from Brownsville to Lare-do. Through auto, business, home, life and health insur-ance, he serves more than 19,000 families.

Although the state rep candidate is a self-pro-claimed “small business-man,” Padron said he feels he can soundly represent the District 36 community because of his low socioeco-nomic upbringing.

“A state rep. needs to have a pulse in the community and be able to go to the cap-ital with conviction and ask and demand that we get the resources we need,” Padron

said. “I built this business from the ground up and I understand what it is to have families depend on you.”

Tax Assessor-CollectorThe two candidates in the

running for Hidalgo Coun-ty Tax Assessor-Collector are incumbent Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr. and newcomer Abel Prado.

The Hidalgo County tax

assessor collects from 42 cities, schools, counties and special districts annually. More than 350,000 proper-ties in Hidalgo County and over 568,000 registered ve-hicles are entrusted to the person in the position.

Since elected into the po-sition, some of Villarreal’s accomplishments include opening a Tax & Motor Vehi-

cle office in the Edcouch-El-sa area and implementing increased employee posi-tions for the Hidalgo county Tax Office & Motor Vehicle department. He created the investigation position for the county fraud department to help with inspections and ti-tle hearings.

In addition, the incum-bent is overseeing the county

unpaid fines list, also known as the Scofflaw program, in which more than $4,000,000 has been collected.

Villarreal also serves on six local and state boards.

Newcomer Abel Prado said that he decided to run after he helped hundreds of people contest their taxes last year when the appraisal

LOCAL CANDIDATE SHOWDOWN

Mission City Council meeting

Girls basketball teams advance

Circus comes to ValleyINSIDE

Mayor Norbeto “Beto” Salinas is con-cerned about a low bid on the Inspiration Road widening project.

VMHS prepares for their game against PSJA High School Monday evening to take on the Lady Bears in the bi-dis-trict round of playoffs.

Carson & Barnes is celebration it’s 80th tour, bringing an all-new 2016 edition to Palmview on Feb. 15 and 16.

See story page 2 See story page 8 See story page 11

See SHOWDOWN 5

Friday, February 12, 2016 www.ptrgv.com | 50 Cents

INDEX Entertainment | pg. 2 Lifestyle | pg. 3 Opinion | pg. 4 Sports | pg. 8 Obituaries | pg. 11 Classifieds | pg. 13

By Lea Victoria Juarez

Early voting for local elections starts Feb. 16, and for the last

few months the candidates in their respective races have been campaigning and mak-ing themselves known to voters.

County CommissionerThe two candidates for

Precinct 3 county commis-sioner are Joe Flores and Daniel Diaz.

Flores, the incumbent, has held the position for 15 years and ran unopposed for every election. He is most proud of reforming the county’s ap-proach to health insurance and workman’s compensa-tion by enacting self-funded programs that have saved more than $50 million tax dollars.

According to the Cuevi-tas native, he has developed a reputation for philanthro-py. Flores said 100 percent of his paycheck from the county is donated to people in the community for gener-al needs, funeral expenses or hospital bills.

Flores also served 15 years on the Transporta-tion Policy Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and he owns multi-million dollar busi-nesses. The commissioner said his goal is to continue serving the community the same way he has for the last 15 years.

He is currently spearhead-ing expansions to five major roads in Precinct 3, including Shary Road, Taylor Road, 2 Mile Line, 3 Mile Line and 7 Mile Line.

“I’m wiser and older and I feel I’ve been blessed that I have two businesses that I’ve made from scratch,” Flores said. “The track record has proved everything we’ve done for all of the cities.”

Daniel Diaz is a Palmview native who believes a change is in order for Precinct 3. He has a background in commu-nity engagement with groups such as the League of United Latin American Citizens and La Union Del Pueblo Entero, where he served as vice pres-ident and community orga-nizer, respectively.

While with LUPE, Diaz worked on projects to im-prove the living conditions of low-income neighbor-hoods and colonias. His ac-complishments include help-ing residents negotiate $14 million in disaster recovery stormwater drainage funds in 30 colonias. Additionally, he took part in negotiating the inclusion of low-income neighborhoods into the di-saster recovery house proj-ects that totaled $105 mil-lion.

Diaz said he believes it is time for the younger genera-tion to take control in office and make decisions for their

future. His goal is to restore the people’s trust in local government and keep local officials accountable.

“We want to make sure we bring in the businesses in the area, schools, local co-lonia neighbors to hear their concerns,” Diaz said. “Then they start trusting govern-ment a little bit more because they’re part of the decision making. That starts fighting off this feeling that the gov-ernment is corrupted.”

State RepresentativeSergio Muñoz Jr. and

Abraham Padron are in the running for District 36 state representative.

Muñoz is the three-term incumbent and second-most senior member of the Hidal-go County delegation. He also doubles as an attorney with a specific practice in civil and criminal law.

The Mission native has authored legislation that pro-motes access to healthcare, secures funds for public ed-ucation and encourages eco-nomic development in South Texas. If re-elected, Muñoz said he plans to look into bringing more state assis-tance to the Rio Grande Val-ley regarding education and transportation.

Muñoz stressed the im-portance of re-election be-cause seniority means more credibility and influence in the House of Representatives for District 36.

“A lot of times we don’t necessarily need to impact the legislative process by having a bill with our name on it,” Muñoz said. “A lot of the times the work we can do is on amendments or tailor-ing certain bills that don’t al-ways make the news stories, but we know in the end that our efforts have an effect in our community that we can live with going forward.”

Abraham Padron, the self-starting businessman that immigrated to the Unit-ed States at 7 years old, is the challenger. He has no previ-ous experience in politics, but he wants to bridge the communication gap between community members and the state governmental body.

For 18 years, Padron has run his insurance company that now has 11 locations from Brownsville to Lare-do. Through auto, business, home, life and health insur-ance, he serves more than 19,000 families.

Although the state rep candidate is a self-pro-claimed “small business-man,” Padron said he feels he can soundly represent the District 36 community because of his low socioeco-nomic upbringing.

“A state rep. needs to have a pulse in the community and be able to go to the cap-ital with conviction and ask and demand that we get the resources we need,” Padron

said. “I built this business from the ground up and I understand what it is to have families depend on you.”

Tax Assessor-CollectorThe two candidates in the

running for Hidalgo Coun-ty Tax Assessor-Collector are incumbent Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr. and newcomer Abel Prado.

The Hidalgo County tax

assessor collects from 42 cities, schools, counties and special districts annually. More than 350,000 proper-ties in Hidalgo County and over 568,000 registered ve-hicles are entrusted to the person in the position.

Since elected into the po-sition, some of Villarreal’s accomplishments include opening a Tax & Motor Vehi-

cle office in the Edcouch-El-sa area and implementing increased employee posi-tions for the Hidalgo county Tax Office & Motor Vehicle department. He created the investigation position for the county fraud department to help with inspections and title hearings.

In addition, the incum-bent is overseeing the county

unpaid fines list, also known as the Scofflaw program, in which more than $4,000,000 has been collected.

Villarreal also serves on six local and state boards.

Newcomer Abel Prado said that he decided to run after he helped hundreds of people contest their taxes last year when the appraisal

LOCAL CANDIDATE SHOWDOWN

Mission City Council meeting

Girls basketball teams advance

Circus comes to ValleyINSIDE

Mayor Norbeto “Beto” Salinas is con-cerned about a low bid on the Inspiration Road widening project.

VMHS prepares for their game against PSJA High School Monday evening to take on the Lady Bears in the bi-dis-trict round of playoffs.

Carson & Barnes is celebration it’s 80th tour, bringing an all-new 2016 edition to Palmview on Feb. 15 and 16.

See story page 2 See story page 8 See story page 11

See SHOWDOWN 5

INDEX Entertainment | pg. 2 Lifestyle | pg. 3 Opinion | pg. 4 Sports | pg. 8 Obituaries | pg. 11 Classifieds | pg. 13

Friday, February 12, 2016 www.strgv.com

ComingAttractionsComingAttractions

February 12-13The Mission Historical Museum presents the Second An-

nual Artesano Market Days featuring the hand-crafted artisan work of 60 artisans representing various states in Mexico. Fes-tivities, highlighted by music throughout the day on Friday, take place on Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, located at 900 Doherty. Admis-sion is free and open to the public. For information, call the museum office at 580-8646.

February 12-14, 19-21Ballet Folklórico UTRGV presents Alegría 2016 with six

shows on the Edinburg campus. Alegría Gira brings to life Mexico’s beautiful art of folk dance with a cast of 30 dancers. Show times are Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Center. Public concerts continue on Feb. 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees Feb. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at the PAC Box Office one hour prior to the event. Tickets prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and students; and $8 for children. For advance ticket information, contact the Dance Program office at 665-2230 or visit utpa.edu/balletfolklorico.

February 13The opening reception for the Upper Valley Art League

2016 Annual Photographic Art Show runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the UVAL gallery at 921 E. 12th in Mission. It is free and open to the public. The artists’ works will be on display through March 5. Contact UVAL at 583-2787 for further information.

February 13-14, 20-21Take in the colorful dances of Mexico during the La Joya

I.S.D. mariachi and folklorico concerts. Palmview High School Folklorico and Mariachi will perform Feb. 13 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. La Joya High School Folklorico and Mariachi performances are Feb. 20 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Alejandro H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyote Drive, in La Joya. Tickets are $8. Ticket can be purchase at the PAC Box Office, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. For information, call 323-2897 or 323-2898.

February 14Santa Maria Bullring in La Gloria presents bulls from Ran-

cho Viejo, in Txcala, Mexico in the next event of world class bloodless bullfight bulls. Before the bullfight at 3 p.m. Alexa Michelle Posas, a mariachi singer from Roma, will perform, and Mario Ordaz and his Andalusian horses will also be part of the day’s entertainment. Gates open at 1 p.m. Food service starts at 1:30. Pre-bullfight entertainment starts at 3:15, and the bullfight starts at 4 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Progress Times in Mission. Call 585-4893 to reserve tickets. They are also at Border Tire at Business 83 and Mayberry Road in Mission. Call 585-8473. Reservations can also be made by calling the bullring at 481-3300. Payment can be made upon arrival.

(To see the complete Coming Attractions calendar, go to ptrgv.com.)

PALMVIEW – Carson & Barnes Circus is cel-ebrating their 80th tour,

bringing an all-new 2016 edition to Palmview on Feb. 15 and 16. Hosted by the Palmview Crimestoppers, they are bringing the Big Top to 304 N. La Homa for two days during their tour across the Rio Grande Valley. Show times are 5 and 8 p.m. each day.

This year the tent comes to life with acrobats and per-formers from around the world. For two hours audi-ences will be on the edge of

their seats watching death-de-fying motorcycle daredevils in the globe of death, enjoy the laughter of the comedy routine created by Pinky the clown and get swept away as the acrobats demonstrate strength and agility soaring to captivating heights.

The menagerie of animals parading through the tent featured four-legged, cuddly canines and high stepping Appaloosa stallions, complete with the biggest stars of the show, the majestic performing elephants. Carson & Barnes is the only circus under a Big

Top in the Valley this year to feature elephants. They have disappeared in the circuses in Mexico and are being retired from Ringling Brothers Bar-num and Bailey.

Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under age 12. Prices are high-er on circus day. Purchase tickets at Palmview City Hall, 400 W. Veterans Blvd.

Complete tour dates and locations and ticketing infor-mation are available on the Carson & Barnes Circus web-site at BigTopShow.com or by calling 580-743-7292.

Carson & Barnes Circus 80th comes to Valley

The Upper Valley Art League hosts Veroni-ca Jaeger presenting a

three-day workshop, “Surreal Portrait,” in oils. It’s sched-uled for Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 25 to 27.

Thursday and Friday class-es run 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kika De La Garza Fine Arts Center, 921 E. 12th in Mis-sion.

Cost is $110 members and $140 non-members (includes $30 membership fee). The course is limited to 10 stu-dents, and a minimum of four is required for the class to be held. The class is for ages 17 and up.

Student will learn the tech-niques on how to build an oil painting in layers to create a portrait with a personal twist. The painting will progress in layers and the finished art-work will have a sense of vol-ume and depth.

For more information con-tact Jaeger at veronicajaeger.art@gmail.com.

Surreal portrait workshop offered

PHARR – Auditions for the upcoming presentation of “The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit,” will be held held on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16. The cold readings from the script will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Pharr Community The-ater, 213 W. Newcombe Ave.

Rehearsals will begin Monday, Feb. 22. No appoint-ment is necessary to audition and will be held first come first serve. The play will be directed by Armando Gonza-lez, a recent UTRGV theater, television and film graduate.

Needed to fill the roles are seven men ranging in ages 18 to 30, one man of about 50 and four women ranging in ages 18 to 45. Auditions for these roles are open to any-one willing to try out and who can commit to a seven-week rehearsal period for 10 perfor-

mances spanning from April 14 through May 7, including eight shows in the Pharr The-ater and two tours to nearby cities in the Valley.

Written by Ray Bradbury in 1972, it tells the story of five young men who invest together in a beautiful suit, as pure and white as vanilla ice cream. Since none of them can afford it on their own, they all pool their money and vow to share it, each of them getting a brief moment of glory wear-ing the suit. Each suit wearer has a designated time to strut out on the town and become a ladies magnet or a chance to briefly live out whatever real-ization of his personal dream fantasy he might envision.

For more information, call 563-9026 or 655-9308.

‘Ice Cream Suit’ auditions announced

entertainment www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.comNEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

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Events Calendar

Feb ruary 13 – The Rio Grande Valley Mennonite Re-lief Sale, hosted by over 15 Mennonite and Men-nonite Brethren churches, will be held at the Rio Grande Bible Institute (RGBI). There will be an auction, food court, craft bazaar, garage sale and children’s games. Breakfast will be sold in the food court at 7 a.m. The garage sale will open at 8 a.m. Auctioning will begin at 10 a.m., and lunch will be sold at 11 a.m. The craft bazaar, children’s games and live music will be available throughout the day. All activities will end at 2 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact Quinn Brenneke at qbrenneke@gmail.com or 260-385-2657.

Feb ruary 14 – The Museum of South Texas History, 200 N. Closner Blvd. in downtown Edinburg, will host Jan Seale in a poetry reading at 2 p.m. to com-memorate Valentine’s Day. Doors open at 1 p.m., and visitors are invited to start the visit by writing a love letter to the museum, and posting it on the “love board” or decorating a letter/poem for some-one special. Refreshments will be served following the presentation. For more information, call 383-6911.

Feb ruary 14 – Stop by the Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold in Brownsville, for a “Valentine’s Day” themed Animal Play Day to watch the animals in-teract with special treats and enrichment items. It begins at 11 a.m. at the Gorilla Island and move to the surrounding exhibits throughout the day. It is in-cluded in the regular price of general admission. For information, call 546-7187 or visit gpz.org

Feb ruary 16 – Dorothy A. Lund Nelson will present a program on the “Orphan Train Riders” at Fiesta Vil-lage, 205 S. Stewart Rd. Open to the general public and to all ages, admission is $5. Fiesta Village is located at 205 S. Stewart Rd. in Mission.

Feb ruary 18 – The John Deere Waterloo, Iowa annual Reunion will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Gatti’s Pizza, 4100 N. 2nd St. in McAllen. For employees’ spous-es are welcomed. For information, call 584-2654.

Feb ruary 20 – The Aglow International McAllen Community Lighthouse will host a complimentary prayer breakfast at 9:30 a.m. For location and direc-tions, contact Criselda Alvarado, president, at 534-7941 or email Criseldalvarado@gmail.com. This month’s speaker is Sara Ann Neie.

Feb ruary 23 – Michael Delesantro and Renee Rubin will share their “Birding on a Budget” adventure in Alaska during a presentation at Frontera Audubon at 6 p.m. The presentation is free for Frontera Audu-bon members and $3 for non-members. For more info, call 968-3275.

Feb ruary 25 – The Mission Historical Museum will host a “History of Mission” presentation by Aman-cio Chapa. Call 580-8646 for more information. The museum is located at 900 Doherty Ave.

(For daily events and upcoming weeks, see the full calendar at www.ptrgv.com.)

Juan and Delfina Calvillo of Mission honored their daughter, Elba Emilia, to

celebrate her 15th birthday. The celebration was held

Jan. 30 at La Cantera Social and Event Center in Palm-

view. Her escort was Julian Lee Sanchez of Houston.

The honoree is a ninth grade student at Mission Collegiate High School. (Austin Studio)

Local authors will take over Speer Memorial Library, located at 12th

St. and Kika De La Garza Loop, on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Room during the library’s author book fair. The library staff is planning for an event to provide adults and children an unforgettable experience to meet and greet the authors.

It’s an opportunity for li-brary patrons to get inspired and discover their next great read. The author’s works cover every kind of litera-ture: health and safety, young adult fiction, border lore and folktale of South Texas, memoirs, historical fiction, religion, relationships, in-spiration and motivation, self-help, children’s fiction, fiction, poetry and topics on horror, poetry and romantic

love in Spanish. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Robert Rivera at 580-8479 or visit mission.lib.tx.us.

Authors scheduled to appear include Alejandro Cabada author of “La espiral de la locura” (2016), a book of horror short stories; Anita Sandoval, “Broken Chains: How I Broke the Cycle of Abuse and Neglect and Went from Victim to Survivor” (2015); David Bowles, an award winning translator of Aztec and Mayan poetry and author of “The Smoking Mirror,” a young adult nov-el selected as a Pura Belpré Honor Book; E m m y Pérez, “With the River on Our Face” (2016) and “Sol-stice” (2011); and Jaime

Perez, “Through You,” his first published work based on a true story about his father.

Also, Katherine Hoerth, author of four poetry books, the most recent, “Goddess Wears Cowboy Boots” (2014) received the Helen C. Smith award from the Tex-as Institute of Letters; L.M. Keatts, author of “Laura’s Diary” (2015) that several years ago sprang from an idea for a story that became a book; Mary Bain, author of “Reading Logically,” a five-book series to teach reading; Santos Vallejo, “Against All Odds,” a true story written so kids know they can be what-ever they want to be; and Stephen Pantoja, author and illustrator of “The Amalag-animals,” a children’s book series and had a live action television show in NYC.

Meet and greet local authors at Speer Memorial

Winners of the quilt show held in Janu-ary by the Mission

Historical Museum were an-nounced at an awards cere-mony held Friday, Feb. 5.

Wall hanging division winners were Gerald Brauer, “Star Burst,” first place; Jane Pronovost, “Joel’s Quilt,” second; and Bonnie M. Hall, “Challenged Poinsettias,” third.

Machine-quilted bed quilt division winners: Lynne Benson, “Fire Island Hos-ta,” first; Janet A. McDonald, “Batik Circling Reversible Quilt,” second; and Sally Brown Kosmider, “Four-patch Posey,” third.

Hand-quilted bed quilt di-vision winners: Alene Wan-less, “Magic Vine,” first; Mary Sue Schaefer, “Healing Stitches,” second; and San-dra Newland, “One Block Wonder,” third.

The Viewer’s Choice Award went to Mary Schae-fer with “Healing Stitch-es,” and Best of Show was awarded to Arlene Wanless with “Magic Vine.”

MHM quilt showwinners announced

EDINBURG – The Mu-seum of South Texas History invites the

public to celebrate Pioneer & Ranching Crafts Day on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This community tra-dition began 26 years ago and continues to offer a day filled with entertainment and demonstrations that illustrate

the crafts and traditions of early farming and ranching in South Texas and north-eastern Mexico.

Visitors can expect to dis-cover something new and re-discover many favorite fam-ily activities from previous years. This year’s theme will include the role of leña (fire-wood) and la cerca de leña

(mesquite fence) in the lives of early settlers of the region. Experience the history of live ranch-style cooking and craft demonstrations with music and dance performances.

The event is included in regular museum admission. For more information, call 383-6911. The museum is lo-cated at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in downtown Edinburg.

Pioneer-Ranching Day is Feb. 20

PHARR – February is National Canned Food Month and the Food

Bank RGV is encouraging schools, businesses, orga-nizations and churches to hold food drives to fill the shelves. To sign up, visit the Food Bank webpage at foodbankrgv.com and click on “How to Help.” For more information, con-tact Omar Rodriguez at 904-4514 or omarir@food-bankrgv.com.

Join the food drive

In 2005, waters from the Laguna Madre re-flood-ed the 9500-acre wet-

land area known as the Ba-hia Grande Unit. Efforts to restore the coastal bays to their former productivity have been ongoing. Visitors will have the opportunity to see this area as it’s being re-stored during the first public open house on Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A one-way, seven-mile caliche road will be open for visitors to drive through the unit where they will pass through coastal prairies, salt water bays and some fresh-water wetlands. Several stations will be available for

viewing birds, learning about the history and restoration work and getting a fishing lesson.

Binoculars and cameras are recommended, as well as, larger, high clearance vehi-cles. Low vehicles may not be allowed to enter.

Entrance is free and will be on State Highway 48, four miles south of State High-way 100 between Port Isabel and Brownsville. Call 244-2019 for more information.

For more information contact the refuge at 748-3607, Ext. 108, or visit the refuge’s website fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa.

Open House scheduled for Bahia Grande

STATECAPITAL

HIGHLIGHTS

By Ed SterlingTexas Press Association

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Rep. Hen-ry Cuellar, D-McAllen, are asking U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secre-tary Jeh Johnson for detailed information regarding bor-der security cuts.

Of particular interest to Abbott and Cuellar is the federal agency’s decision to cut resources for aeri-al-based border security support in a program known as Operation Phalanx. Spe-cifically, the Department of Homeland Security’s re-quest for aerial detection, situational awareness and monitoring capability sup-port for Operation Phalanx from the Department of De-fense for calendar year 2016 was 50 percent lower than that of recent years.

The decrease came de-spite the governor’s Sept. 30, 2015, request for ad-ditional aerial observation resources along the border, and despite the fact that Congress fully funded De-partment of Defense support for Operation Phalanx in the recently passed omnibus ap-propriations bill, according to the governor’s office.

“Given the recent surge of migrants from Central America and Cuba along the southern border, we be-lieve (the Department of Homeland Security) should be requesting more surveil-lance and security resourc-es, not fewer,” Abbott and Cuellar wrote in a Feb. 1 letter to Johnson. “Any de-crease in aerial observation is not only imprudent, but contradicts the very mission of border security enforce-ment.”

Abbott and Cuellar not-ed that the Department of Homeland Security’s deci-sion to decrease surveillance

WASHINGTON – Wednesday, the Senate Judi-ciary Committee convened a hearing addressing the inter-section of mental health and the criminal justice system. U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has introduced the Mental Health and Safe Communities Act, a bill that reforms how the crim-inal justice system handles mentally-ill individuals. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s opening remarks at today’s hearing are below, and video can be found here.

“Over the last three de-cades, America’s prisons, jails, and criminal justice system have become the de facto mental healthcare pro-vider in America.”

“The problem is our criminal justice system isn’t adequately equipped to treat individuals with mental ill-ness. In fact, it’s one of the worst places imaginable for these individuals. Our na-tion’s law enforcement and correctional officers are the best in the world, but they are not mental health prac-titioners. So it should come as no surprise that mentally

ill individuals who enter the criminal justice system gen-erally become more sick, more likely to reoffend, and more likely to become vio-lent.”

“Our current system of warehousing the mentally ill is not working. And it is our duty to address the problem, so we can improve public safety, protect civil rights, and save taxpayer dollars. And across the country we are beginning to see prom-ising signs of reform. And that’s where Sheriff Pamer-leau and my home town of San Antonio come in.”

“By screening peo-ple with mental illness and diverting them to evi-dence-based treatment in-stead of jail, Bexar County has saved millions of dol-lars per year, reduced crime rates, increased public safe-ty, and given mentally-ill in-dividuals a chance to break the cruel cycle of their ill-ness. That model for mental health treatment has become a beacon of success.”

“We do need to do more to target our existing fed-eral resources to repair the

broken mental health sys-tem. The legislation Chair-man Grassley mentioned, the Mental Health and Safe Communities Act, which I’ve sponsored, is a prod-uct of hard work – not just from me and my staff in the Senate, but also the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Council of State Govern-ments Justice Center, the American Correctional As-sociation, and the National Sheriffs’ Association, just to mention a few. It’s mod-eled, really, on the successes we’ve seen around the coun-try, not just in Bexar County, but around the country.”

“What I hope we will ul-timately do, and I’ve talked to Senator Alexander about, is putting together these various pieces in a piece of consensus legislation that we might be able to pass with good results. So I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will listen to the lessons of this hearing and work with all of us in a bi-partisan manner to address this issue.”

Cornyn Stresses Need to Reform Mental Health and Criminal Justice System

resources “is unsettling” and requested the following in-formation:

- Metrics used to deter-mine that a 50 percent re-duction in aerial resources would sufficiently support Operation Phalanx;

- Detailed plans on how the cuts would impact staff-ing, resource allocation and operation levels in Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley and Tucson; and

- What resources the de-partment plans to use “to backfill any gaps” the reduc-tion presents.

Abbott posts first year report

Gov. Abbott on Feb. 2 released a “Report to the People of Texas” listing highlights of his first year in office.

The report, as stated in a news release, “takes a look at the economy and busi-nesses that expanded or re-located to Texas, in addition to providing an overview of legislation passed to cut taxes, improve Texas’ pub-lic and higher education systems, build new roads, secure our border and chart a course that keeps the Lone Star State a beacon of indi-vidual liberty and economic opportunity.”

State representative resigns

State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Anto-nio, who is suffering from lung cancer, resigned from office effective Jan. 26.

Gov. Abbott set May 7 as the date for a special elec-tion to fill the House District 120 seat held by McClendon for the last 20 years.

The winner of the special election will serve out the rest of McClendon’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2016.

Sales tax revenue decreases

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Feb. 2 said state sales tax revenue in January totaled $2.47 billion, down 4 percent compared to Jan-uary 2015.

“As expected, reduced spending in oil and gas-re-lated sectors resulted in a fall in total sales tax reve-nue,” Hegar said. “Collec-tions from industries mainly driven by consumer spend-ing, including retail trade, restaurants and services, continued to grow, as did re-ceipts from the construction sector.”

However, Hegar noted, sales tax collections in Jan-uary 2015 were a record high and represented a dou-ble-digit percentage increase over January 2014, meaning this month’s collections are being compared to unusu-ally high collections from a year ago.

Heroes Day is proclaimed

Gov. Abbott has pro-claimed Feb. 2 to be Texas Military Heroes Day.

Last year, Feb. 2 was cel-ebrated as Chris Kyle Day to honor the late Medal of Honor recipient who be-came widely known as the U.S. military’s most prolific sniper.

Abbott said his procla-mation now calls Texans to remember “scores whose names are unrecognized and have quietly done their duty, serving Texas and the Unit-ed States faithfully. Today, and from every Feb. 2 here-after, we will honor all who have sacrificed and served on behalf of the Lone Star State. No matter the battle, no matter the job, they de-serve our thanks.”

Governor, congressman seek details on border security cuts

1217 N. Conway • Mission, TX (956) 585-4893The Progress Times (USPS 971-420; ISSN 0890-2666) is published

each Friday by Mission Publishing Co., 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas78572, (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, MissionTexas 78573.

LETTER GUIDELINESLetters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to certain guidelines. All letters must be original, dated, signed and bear thecomplete name, address and phone number of the writer/signer. No photo copied letters will be printed. No letters addressed toothers will be printed. Letter content must be relevant to concerns and interests of Mission and the surrounding area. Relevanceis determined by the editor. Anonymous cards or letters are neither read nor printed. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to letters@progresstimes.net, butmust include the author’s name and daytime phone number.

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MEMBER 2015

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opinion www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.comNEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOS

February 12, 2016 page 4

By Lea Victoria Juarez

Three candidates are in the running for place 2 – incumbent Marcos

Ochoa, Arnaldo Corpus and Leo Gonzalez Jr.

Ochoa was appointed to the position in October 2014, following criminal charges and the resignation of former JP Ismael “Melo” Ochoa, who is not related to Marcos Ochoa.

Marcos Ochoa was born and raised in Peñitas and has served on the Peñitas city council and as a mayor for a total of 16 years. Since his appointment to JP, Ochoa has completed his 80 hours of judicial training from the Texas Justice Training Cen-ter and accrued on-the-job experience.

“I never thought I would be a justice of the peace but I love it, especially working with truancy,” Ochoa said. “I feel that a major problem with kids today is there is no communication with the parents. Life is moving so fast.”

In his court, he stress-es communication. It has been his foundation since he was a child and is what has helped keep his mar-riage and family successful, he said.

Ochoa explained that he has built a reputation of being available to the pub-lic, which helped him win his elections for the city of

Peñitas. He said he believes the dynamic he has built with the office staff and other justices of the peace gives him an advantage over his opponents, in addition to being up-to-date with the technological aspects that come with the position.

“I’m here accessable from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I have an open door policy and we listen to everybody,” he said. “We’re here do-ing what it takes to run the office as best as anybody does.”

Arnaldo Corpus served as Pct. 3, place 1 JP for 16 years. Since being voted out of office in 2000, the vested judge has continued to conduct weddings and remained available to the community, he said.

The reason Corpus is run-ning is because he feels the taxpayers were short-ended when Ochoa was appointed to the position.

“Would you rather have experience on the bench or somebody that is just learn-ing on your dollar, whereas if I come in, I know how to run a court,” Corpus said.

Corpus came under fire in recent years after he and two other bond agencies freed wanted man Omar Guerrero, the former Hidal-go County district clerk that fled to Mexico to avoid fac-ing sexual assault of a child, drug and tampering charges. Corpus said he approached

Ochoa when he announced his candidacy and assured a clean campaign on his part, expecting the same in re-turn.

While he was a JP, Cor-pus was lecturer for state Justice of the Peace Educa-tion Committee and served on the state juvenile delin-quency board. He is most proud of touring with the education committee for a year, following the 1989 bus accident in Alton that led to the death of 21 students. Corpus did the inquest on the accident and toured with other officials that were in-volved in accidents with a high death rate.

Even though he has not been on the bench for 16 years, he said he thinks he would be better suited to run the people’s court because he has more experience.

“The courts are still run the same and because I’ve been around it, I haven’t lost anything,” the inde-pendent candidate said. “I might have to get familiar with new laws, but the fact that you have people vis-iting the new court hasn’t changed.”

Leo Gonzalez Jr. is also running as an independent. He is the son of the late Leo Gonzalez Sr., who was a local justice of the peace in the 1970s.

The Mission native has been the international sales director for DB research

for seven and a half years, working in wholesale electron-ics. Part of his job means working in customer service with people of all backgrounds, experi-ences the he believes will benefit him in the courtroom.

After seeing the other candidates in the race, Gonza-lez said he was just convinced he was a harder worker.

“I want to set an example for lead-ing an honest and open and fair court that will make the

citizens of Precinct 3 and Hidalgo County proud,” Gonzalez said. “I think I’ve demonstrated by go-ing door-to-door and ask-ing people for support that I want to be known as a hard working justice of the peace.”

Gonzalez’s main concern is restoring transparency to the courtroom, which is a slogan that he has branded himself with. Because he is not being endorsed by anyone besides family and friends, he said he will not owe any favors if elected JP.

“(I’m) just going to do the job the way the law dic-tates that it should be done,” he said. “I’m a different generation than either of my two competitors. If the people choose to elect me as their next justice of the peace, I will be as impartial and fair as I can be. I will follow the example set by my late father.”

Place 2 candidates vie for justice of the peace bench SHOWDOWN from pg 1

district collapsed. The mar-keting analyst said he thinks the process is flawed and out-dated and he wants to make a change.

Prado said he 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. Addition-ally, Prado seeks to modernize the department of motor vehi-cles to make management as efficient as possible. Justice of the Peace Place 1

Jozabad “Jay” Palacios is challenging incumbent Luis Garza for place 1 of the peo-ple’s court.

Palacios is a Mission na-tive who works as an assistant principal in Santa Maria ISD and is a business owner. As an educator, he said he believes he has the skills to run a court-room that is more in tune with schools and the community it serves. His campaign is based on transparency and commu-nication.

“I feel that there needs to be a change because you’re in

an elected position and peo-ple need to know who you are. You need to be accessible at any time,” Palacios said. “What you’re going to get with me is somebody who is doing their job, someone who is going to get there early and leave late probably. That’s just my demeanor; that’s just my work ethic.”

Luis Garza seeks his fifth term as justice of the peace. Garza is part of Team Liberty, which consists of Joe Flores, Abraham Padron, Justice of the Peace (Place 2) Marcos Ochoa, Tax Assessor & Col-lector Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr., 398th District judge can-didate Keno Vasquez, State Representative Oscar Lon-goria (D-35) and Constable Lazaro Gallardo.

Garza could not be reached for comment for this article went to press.

Early voting runs from Feb. 16 to Feb. 26. The poll stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except for Sunday, Feb. 21 when they are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

February 12, 2016 page 5www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Registered voters in Cam-eron County can cast their ballot early at the Browns-ville Campus Student Union La Sala. The site will be open on the following dates and time:

•Feb 16-19, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.Voters will be required to

show one of the following acceptable forms of photo identification at the polling location before they will be permitted to cast a vote.

•Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Depart-ment of Public Safety (DPS).

•Texas Election Identifi-cation Certificate issued by DPS.

See UTRGV 7

Gift Ideas

Misson Area Early Voting SitesALTON SUB

Comm. Chambers(Sala de Comisionados)

City Hall 509 S. Alton Blvd.

Alton, Tx

LA JOYA SUB Main Entrance

(Entrada Principal)“NEW” City Hall

701 E. Expressway 83 La Joya, TX

MISSION SUB Community Room

(Sala de Comunidad) Mission City Hall

1201 E. 8th St. Mission, TX

MISSION SUB Gym

Boys & Girls Club @ Bannworth Park

1822 N. Shary Rd. Mission, TX

PALMVIEW SUB Back Entrance

(Entrada Trasera) Co. Comm. Pct. #3

“The Mansion” 2401 N. Moorefield Rd.

Palmview, TX

PENITAS SUB Meeting Room

Peñitas City Hall 1320 S. Main St.

Peñitas, TX

SULLIVAN SUB Main Entrance

(Entrada Principal)Sullivan Fire Station

500 Cenizo Sullivan City, TX

Early Voting: Feb. 16-26

Election Day: March 1st

By Gail Fagan

Early voting sites will be available at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Brownsville and Edinburg campuses for students, fac-ulty, staff and others wanting to cast a ballot in the upcom-ing Democratic and Republi-can primary election.

Registered voters in Hi-dalgo County can go to the early voting site in the Stu-dent Union Commons on the Edinburg Campus. The site will be open on the following dates and times:

•Feb. 15-20, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. •Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. •Feb. 22-26, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

UTRGV hosting early voting sites page 6 February 12, 2016www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Gift Ideas

from pg 6UTRGV•Texas personal identifi-

cation card issued by DPS.•Texas concealed hand-

gun license issued by DPS.•U.S. military or Veteran

Affairs identification card bearing the person’s photo-graph;

•U.S. citizenship or natu-ralization certificate bearing the person’s photograph.

•U.S. passport.Neither of the UTRGV

early voting sites will be a polling location on Election Day, March 1, 2016.

By Lea Victoria Juarez

The Mission Economic Development Corpora-tion should be moved

into their new 55,000-square foot location by June, but before that can happen, the EDC needs to purchase fur-niture and computers for the space.

Known as the Center for Education and Economic Development, the building will house all of Mission EDC’s programs, provide office space for local busi-ness owners and a profes-sional working space for the general public.

The board authorized CEO Alex Meade to issue a request for proposals from

banks to take out a loan of $2 million. The seven-year loan would cover IT, furni-ture and could also be used to pay rent or to cover any unforeseen expenses.

Those who aren’t renting an office space in the CEED can purchase a membership to use the coworking space. Much like at a gym, the membership guarantees en-trance into the facility, with 285 open space seats, not including classroom, con-ference room or lecture hall seats. Meade compared the working space seats similar to coffee shop seating.

The monthly member-ship fees are $35, $75, $150, $200, and the perks in each level build on the perks from

the previous level. With the first level, a

person gets admittance into building and access to wifi.

Meade said the EDC is working out an agreement with another entity in an-other city that has a similar concept as the CEED, but he was not able to disclose the business’s name. For people who purchase a $75 membership, they would get access to the CEED and the other building as well.

“The idea is that if some-one wants to have a business meeting, they can tell their client ‘You can meet me in my Mission location or this other location,’” Meade ex-plained.

The $150-level gives a

person access to conferences rooms, and the $200-level allows the member to use the CEED as a mailing ad-dress.

Students from K-12 and in college will be able to use the facilities for free, as long as they have a student ID. Senior citizens and Win-ter Texans will also be able to use the facilities for free, provided they have identifi-cation.

“It is our attempt at clos-ing that digital divide by allowing people to have access to the internet,” the CEO said.

In addition to office space and memberships, a coffee shop will secure a space in the building. The

revenue from all three av-enues should generate ap-proximately $50,000 a year, according to Meade. Ulti-mately, the goal is to have the money generated from building pay off the loan and help pay rent.

The MEDC board also approved five positions for the CEED -- director of stra-tegic partnerships and pro-gram development, director of technology, a building re-ceptionist and a program di-rector and administrative aid for when the Mission EDC programs expand.

Mission EDC seeks $2 million loan for new building

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February 12, 2016 page 7www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

By Luciano Guerra

Tuesday night’s District 31-5A finale against Edinburg Vela may

not have been a do-or-die scenario for the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots bas-ketball team but it was close. With the Lady Patriots going into that game in a three-way tie for second place with Vela and Rio Grande City, and with Roma only one game behind the trio, a loss would’ve almost cer-tainly resulted in Veterans Memorial ending their dis-trict schedule in either a two-way tie for one playoff spot or a three-way tie for two. However, the Lady Patriots emerged from Tuesday’s game with a 61-48 win over the Lady Sabercats clinching the district’s second seed in the playoffs.

As a result of that clutch win and the subsequent coin flip, the Lady Patriots will be traveling to PSJA High School Monday evening to

take on the Lady Bears in the bi-district round of the play-offs. That game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m.

Veterans Memorial’s four-year starter, Ashley Smith, led the way for the Lady Patriots Tuesday with 31 points. When asked how she and her teammates were able to pull off the win over the Lady Sabercats on their home court, Smith said, “We played amazing defense. We rebounded well and we tried shutting Muhammad down so that helped us.”

The Muhammad she re-ferred to is Vela junior point guard Jaida Muhammad.

Not certain if her 31 points was a season, or even a career high for her, Smith credits her offensive on-slaught to her state of mind.

“I guess I just stayed fo-cused throughout the game,” explained the 5-foot-6 point guard. “I struggled in the first quarter, but I tried to pick myself up from that point on and I think I did that well.”

As a senior, Tuesday night’s game could’ve been Smith’s swan song at Vet-erans Memorial had the Lady Patriots not made the playoffs. Instead, Smith and her teammates now have a chance at winning their sec-ond bi-district championship in a row and possibly going even deeper into the playoffs than they ever have before.

“It means a lot to me to have made the playoffs again this year,” Smith said. “Last year, we got the first bi-dis-trict win for the school so hopefully we’ll be able to win it again for the second year in a row.”

Veterans Memorial head girls’ basketball coach Rafa-el Cantu Jr. liked the way his team responded to the high pressure situation they were in against Vela.

“We did everything we had to do to be ready to play Vela,” Cantu said. “And to the girls’ credit they went out there and played and competed hard and played

our best overall game of the year.”

“We knew that was what it was going to take because Vela is a very good team and especially tough to beat at home,” added Cantu. “They were in the same situation we were in by needing a win to assure a spot and I’m so proud of the girls for the way they all came together with a single purpose. It was just a great win for us.”

As for the 10-2 Sharyland Lady Rattlers, they claimed the 31-5A district champi-onship and will be facing off against the winner of the play-in game between the Donna Lady Redskins and the Edcouch-Elsa Lady Yel-lowjackets as their bi-district match-up. The day, time and location of this game will be determined later.

The only other girls’ Big 7 team to qualify for the play-offs is the Palmview Lady Lobos. Their 9-3 District 30-6A record has clinched them the third seed in the district and will have them play-ing the losers of the Laredo United vs Laredo Alexander play-in game next. The day, time and location of this game will be determined lat-er as well.

Lady Rattlers, Lobos and Patriots advance to playoffs

Boys Basketball Standings

Note: Teams above dotted line are currently in position to make playoffs.

DISTICT 30-6A Overall District GBMcAllen Memorial* 23-5 10-0 -McAllen Rowe* 23-10 8-2 2.0Palmview High 17-15 5-5 5.0McAllen High 13-17 4-7 6.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- La Joya High 15-15 3-7 7.0 Juarez-Lincoln 7-15 3-7 7.0Mission High 6-22 2-8 8.0 DISTICT 31-5A Overall District GBEdinburg Vela* 28-2 10-0 -Sharyland Pioneer 19-11 7-3 3.0 Valley View 19-15 6-5 4.5 Roma 13-17 5-5 5.0Sharyland High 9-18 5-5 5.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Veterans Memorial 17-17 2-9 8.5 Rio Grande City 10-23 1-9 9.0*Clinched Playoff Spot DISTICT 31-5A Overall District GB Edinburg Vela 23-2 5-0 -Roma 12-13 4-1 1.0Valley View 17-12 4-2 1.5Sharyland Pioneer 15-10 3-2 2.0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sharyland High 5-17 1-4 4.0Veterans Memorial 16-12 1-4 4.0 Rio Grande City 9-19 0-5 5.0

Girls Basketball Standings

Note: Teams above dotted line are currently in position to make playoffs.

DISTICT 30-6A Overall District GBMcAllen Rowe* 23-9 11-1 -McAllen Memorial* 21-12 10-2 1.0Palmview High* 22-9 9-3 2.0 McAllen High* 13-20 6-6 5.0La Joya High 16-18 4-8 7.0Juarez-Lincoln 9-24 2-10 9.0 Mission High 2-30 0-12 11.0 DISTICT 31-5A Overall District GBSharyland High* 25-8 10-2 -Veterans Memorial* 22-13 8-4 2.0Rio Grande City 22-11 7-5 3.0 Edinburg Vela 15-18 7-5 3.0 Roma 13-20 7-5 3.0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sharyland Pioneer 8-26 2-10 8.0Valley View 10-23 1-11 9.0*Clinched Playoff Spot Veterans Memorials Ashley Smith is shown approaching the basket in a game early this season against The La Joya

Lady Coyotes. Progress Times photo by: Luciano Guerra

February 12, 2016 page 8

By Luciano GuerraLast year, the Sharyland

Lady Rattlers and the Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks soccer teams were each one playoff win away from advancing into the Region IV 5A finals. Had the Lady Rattlers defeat-ed Cedar Park and had the Lady Diamondbacks defeated Austin Vandegrift, the fifth round playoff game would’ve showcased the two Sharyland teams going head-to-head for the right to advance into the state tournament semifinals, otherwise known as the state’s Final Four.

Unfortunately, the much anticipated match-up be-tween the two Sharyland sis-ter schools never took place. The Lady Rattlers suffered a 2-0 loss to the Lady Tim-berwolves and the Lady Di-amondbacks lost 1-0 to the Lady Vipers in the Regional Semifinals.

Ten months and two days later, the playoff match-up that never was, will finally be taking place. And while it will not be in a playoff scenario, there certainly will be playoff implications as the 3-0 Lady Rattlers host the 4-0 Lady Di-amondbacks tonight at Shary-land’s Richard Thompson

Stadium. As the two top teams in

District 31-5A last season, the 12-0 Lady Rattlers and the 10-2 Lady Diamondbacks swept all their district com-petitors not from Sharyland. With their only two losses coming at the hands of the Lady Rattlers, the Lady Dia-mondbacks had an extremely successful inaugural season. And with both teams coming into tonight’s game undefeat-ed, the victor will be sure to have the inside track to this year’s district title.

Coming into tonight’s game, the Lady Diamond-backs have outscored their opponents 19-1. Their most recent victims, the Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots, who they defeated 5-1 Tuesday night, are the only team to find the back of their net with a ball since district play start-ed. In that game, sophomore forward Andrea Reyes scored three goals to raise her season total to 8.

After the game, Reyes shared how much she and her teammates have been antici-pating their first opportunity to play the Lady Rattlers this year.

“I think that the whole

team has been counting down the days until this game,” Reyes said. “It’s going to take all of us being on our A-game and all of us to keep playing the way we’ve been playing to beat Sharyland. One of our goals this year is to take the district championship and winning this game is going to go a long way towards help-ing us achieve that goal.”

Lady Diamondbacks’ sophomore midfielder Nikki Cuellar scored her fourth goal of the district season against the Lady Patriots Tuesday night. When asked what she believed it would take to turn the tables on the Lady Rattlers by defeating them tonight, Cuellar said, “We’re going to have to all play together and be on our best game. Also, we cannot let ourselves be intimi-dated by them. We have great team chemistry and that’s what has allowed us to do as well as we have in just our second year.”

Overall the Lady Dia-mondbacks are 11-1 this season with their only loss coming to Katy Seven Lakes which is in the Houston area. Among their preseason achievements was bettering the field at the Laredo Border Olympics Soccer Tournament to earn the championship.

As for the Lady Rattlers, they are 9-2 overall this sea-son, having outscored their three district opponents thus

far this season by an impres-sive margin of 21-3. That includes their 11-1 Tuesday night victory over the Roma Lady Gladiators. In their first round matchup last year the Lady Rattlers defeated the Lady Diamondbacks 3-1. In their second round matchup Sharyland shut out Pioneer by a score of 3-0.

Tonight’s game is part of a Pioneer vs Sharyland girls/boys doubleheader with the girls’ game scheduled to start at 6 and the boys’ game sched-uled to start at 7:30.

Lady Diamondbacks and Lady Rattlers set to clash

By Luciano GuerraLast year 25 Big 7 schools’

wrestlers made it all the way to the University Interscho-lastic League’s (UIL’s) state tournament – 19 as qualifi-ers and six as alternates. Of those 25, two returned to the Valley having won one of the highly coveted state medals - Juarez-Lincoln’s Leslie Ol-iva, silver medalist in the 95 lb. weight class, and La Joya’s Daisy Ramirez, fifth place finisher in the 165 lb. weight class.

How many local wrestlers will be making the trip to the state tournament in Garland, Texas this year and how many of those will return with med-als, is still to be determined. However, seven Sharyland, Mission and La Joya 16-5A and eight 16-6A wrestlers took the first step towards achiev-ing that lofty goal last week by winning district champion-ships in each of their respec-tive weight classes.

At the District 16-5A championship tournament held at Veterans Memorial High School, the Rio Grande City boys’ and girls’ teams

both took district titles with the Pioneer boys and the Vet-erans Memorial girls being the runners-up.

In that tournament, Ar-mando Bustillos (120 lbs.) of Veterans Memorial, Joseth Suarez (126 lbs.) of Sharyland and Dominique Rodriguez (170 lbs.) of Pioneer took dis-trict titles for the boys. In the girls’ tournament four mem-bers of the Veterans Memo-rial team took district titles - Joaida Tornes (102 lbs.), Brandi Alaniz (138 lbs.), Ma-riah Gonzalez (165 lbs.) and Klarissa Blanco (185 lbs.).

As a three-time state quali-fier, Blanco (16-0 record) will be looking to not only make her fourth trip to Garland in as many years but also to bet-ter her previous best finish at state of sixth place.

“Last year I was really looking forward to getting first in state but I fell short because I needed more cardio,” shared Blanco. “That is why I went to the gym all summer prepar-ing myself for the season and why I’ve been working hard during the season preparing myself for state. This is my

last year and I really want to place first. That would make me so happy; especially be-cause Coach (David) Gilpin told me that he would put my name on a banner in the gym if I placed first at state.”

Like Blanco, Joaida Tornes is in her senior year of wres-tling for the Lady Patriots. And like Blanco, Tornes has her sights set on a regional championship and a return trip to the state tournament.

“I’ve always wrestled in the 95 lb. weight class,” Tornes said. “This year I jumped up to the 102 lb. class and it took me, my coaches and everybody by surprise that I was able to win at dis-trict at this weight. Going into regionals, I have the mentality of leaving everything on the mat. It comes down to whoev-er has the most heart.”

Brandi Alaniz earned her first district championship in this her senior season. She credits her success in part to the leadership provided by two of the Lady Patriots’ cap-tains.

“Klarissa and Joaida are both very good captains and

they’ve taught me a lot,” shared Alaniz. “By watching them, by having them tell me that I can do it and by them pushing me to that point that they have is what’s helped me to succeed.”

In her first year of wres-tling, Mariah Gonzalez took the district championship in the 165 lb. weight class. Hav-ing previously devoted herself to volleyball, Gonzalez shared why she took up wrestling in this her senior year when she said, “Two of my cousins, Rudy Gonzalez and Jackie Gonzalez, wrestled and went to state; Jackie got second and Rudy got fourth. It’s taken a lot of work for all these girls to win championships and ad-

vance to state and I just want-ed to be a part of that.”

In the 16-6A tournament held at Edinburg Economedes High School, the Weslaco boys and the Juarez-Lincoln girls took the team district ti-tles. Individual district cham-pions for the boys included Gaudencio Tavarez (113 lbs.) of La Joya High, Rene Beas (182 lbs.) of Juarez-Lincoln, Gustavo Arpero (195 lbs.) of Palmview and Jonathan Mares (220 lbs.) of Mis-sion High. Individual district champions for the girls in-cluded Leslie Oliva (95 lbs.) and Jesenia Gaytan (215 lbs.)

of Juarez-Lincoln and Rosario Ramirez (119 lbs.) and Steffa-ny Rosas (185 lbs.) of La Joya High School.

The Region IV 5A and 6A championship tournaments are both being held today and tomorrow (Feb. 12 and 13). The 5A tournament is being held at the AISD Delco Ac-tivity Center in Austin while the 6A tournament is being held at the Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio. The 2016 UIL State Tournament is being held February 19 and 20 at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s Berry Center in Houston.

Big 7 wrestlers take district titles

From left to right are Joaida Tornes, Klarissa Blanco, Armando Bustillos, Mariah Gonzalez and Brandi Alaniz. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

February 12, 2016 page 9www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

page 10 February 12, 2016www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Adan Becho Jr.MISSION - Adan Becho

Jr., 80, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Genoveva R. Becho; children. Dora L. Becho-Diaz, Diana Becho, Sylvia Gonzales, Adan Be-cho III, Dolores Staneland, Raquel Becho and Nilsa Sulivan; brothers, Jesus Be-cho and Juan Ramon Becho; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchil-dren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adan and Dolores Becho Sr., and siblings, Nieves B. Vargas

and Ricardo Becho. A funeral mass was held

on Feb. 6 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission.

Juan Manuel BrownMISSION – Juan Manuel

Brown, 77, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Brown was born on Nov. 27, 1938, in McAllen to Howard Brown and Vir-ginia Jasso Brown. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Rosalin-da Brown; children, Sergio De La Garza, Juan Manu-el Brown II, Krystal Ann Acevedo, Catalina Brown and Raquel Brown; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Regina Yvette Brown.

A funeral was held on Feb. 9 at Iglesia Del Pueb-lo in Mission. Burial, with military honors, followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mission.

Pallbearers were Juan Manuel Brown, Nathan Isaiah Brown, Francisco Garcia, Saul Cabrera, Jorge Garcia and Marcos Apari-cio.

Arcelia CasasMISSION – Arcelia Ca-

sas, 92, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016.

Mrs. Casas was born on Oct. 28, 1923, to Andres and Sarita Farias Rojas in Delmita. She married Leo-nel Casas on May 5, 1946, and moved to Mission shortly after.

Survivors include her children, Leonel Casas of Mission, Alma Ramos from Mission, Alicia Peña of Mis-sion, Maria Margarita Casas of Mission, Ida Steindel of McAllen, Raquel Tellez of Bonita, Calif., and Nora Piotrowski of Mesa, Az.; and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, hus-band, and brothers, Jose Maria Rojas and Asencio

Rojas.A graveside service was

held on Feb. 5 at Valley Me-morial Gardens in McAllen.

Pedro Gomez Jr.MISSION – Pedro Go-

mez Jr., 44, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Doctors Hospital in Edin-burg.

Survivors include his parents, Pedro and Glo-ria Gomez Sr.; daughter, Brandy Gomez; and sis-ters, Dalila Cervantes, Be-linda Ramirez and Cynthia Flores.

A funeral mass was held on Feb. 8 at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Burial followed at San Jose Cemetery in Abram.

Pedro Robledo Sr.GRANJENO – Pedro

Robledo Sr., 93, passed away on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Edinburg Regional Medical Center.

A lifelong resident of Granjeno, he retired from Missouri Pacific Railroad after 33 years of service.

Survivors include his children, Pedro Robledo Jr. of Edinburg and Emilia Anzaldua of Granjeno; and nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Carolina Robledo; daughters, Juanita Noelia Cavazos and Elsa Cabera; and granddaughter. Rebecca Anzaldua.

A funeral mass was held on Feb. 10 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Granjeno. Burial followed at Granjeno Cemetery.

obituaries

Alonso Ivan De La Garza

MISSION – A funeral mass for Alonso Ivan De La Garza was held on Wednes-day, Feb. 3, 2016, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Burial followed at Lord and I Cemetery in Palmview.

Maria GonzalezMISSION – Maria Gon-

zalez passed away on Mon-day, Feb. 8, 2016, at her home in Mission.

Melvin JozwiakMISSION – Melvin

Jozwiak, 86, passed away on Friday, Feb. 6, 2016, at Mission Nursing and Reha-bilitation Center.

Eleanor Marie Kindsvater

MISSION – Eleanor Ma-rie Kindsvater, 77, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Esther LemusMISSION – Esther Le-

mus, 80, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Christina OrdazMISSION – Christina

Ordaz, 36, passed away on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Mission Regional Medical Center.

Arnold StranderMISSION – Arnold

Strander, 88, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at Mission Regional Medi-cal Center.

Notices

BREAD OF LIFE CHURCH2820 N. Conway Ave. • 581-1411

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

2322 N. McColl. - McAllen682-2092

CHURCH OFJESUS CHRIST OF

LATTER-DAY SAINTS5609 S 29th St. - McAllen

682-4881

CHURCH OFJESUS CHRIST OF

LATTER-DAY SAINTSMissonaries • 580-2570

CHRISTIAN SCIENCECHURCH

911 N. Main - McAllen 686-4241

CONWAY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH

2215 N. Conway • 585-2413

EL FARO BIBLE CHURCH15 miles W. of Mission on Exp. 83

Sullivan City, TX • 585-5617

EL MESIAS UNITEDMETHODIST

209 E. 6th • 585-2334

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH3 miles N. Shary Rd. • 581-1465

FAITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH

1 mile N. Exp. 83 on Tom Gill Rd. 519-6311

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH1302 Doherty • 585-1442

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH12th and Miller - Mission

585-7281

FIRST PRESBYTERIANCHURCH

1102 Ash St. • 585-4829for worship schedule.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH1101 Doherty • 585-1665

FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH2214 W. Griffin Pkwy. • 519-7000

Mission

GRACIA DIVINA MINISTRY11809 N. Shary Rd. • 584-3112

GREAT OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH2722 N. Conway • 451-5500

Mission

IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA

1725 W. Griffin Parkway 581-9008

IGLESIA BAUTISTA BETANIA851 S. Breyfogle Rd. • 585-5688

IGLESIA BAUTISTACRISTO EL REY

1600 E. Bus. 83 - Mission

IGLESIA BAUTISTACOLONIAL

3713 N. La Homa Rd. • 585-5332

IGLESIA BAUTISTA DEL VALLE

217 W. Mile 3 Rd. • 424-1602Palmhurst

IGLESIA DEL PUEBLO7500 West Expressway 83

581-1900

IGLESIA DEL DIVINOREDENTOR

1020 North Los Ebanos Rd585-5898

LA RESPUESTA CHURCH405 W. 12th Street • 585-0787

MISSION CHURCH OF THENAZARENE

1 mi. E. 495 • 585-6683

NEW HOPE AT THE BORDER905 N. Conway • 369-3603

NORTH MISSION CHURCH OF CHRIST

1410 E. Mile 3 Rd. • 585-0146Palmhurst

NORTH PALMVIEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH

7612 W. 6 Mile Ln.

ONLY THRU JESUS1511 E. Mile 2 Rd.

Mission • 918-760-1625

OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS

One-half mile South Leo AvenueLa Joya • 585-5223

OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH

6634 El Camino Real • Granjeno

OUR LADY OF LOURDESCHURCH

2.5 miles S. Conway (FM 1016)Mission

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH620 Dunlap • 585-2623

OUR LADY OF THE HOLYROSARY CHURCH

923 Matamoros St. • 581-2193

PALM VALLEY CHURCH1720 E. Griffin Pkwy.

585-3203

PEÑITAS BAPTIST CHURCH 1/3 Mile S. of Exp.83 on FM 1427

583-6236

PRIMERA BAPTIST CHURCHCorner of 6th & Oblate

585-4711

PRIMERA IGLESIADEL VALLE

APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY210 N. St. Marie. • 585-8651

PROMISE LAND CHURCH2300 E. Palm Circle (Corner of 495)

Mission, TX 78572 • 624-9307

RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH901 S. Shary Rd.

(Located in the Holiday InnExpress Conference Room)

451-4838

SAN CRISTOBALMAGALLANES &

COMPANIONS PARISH3805 Plantation Grove Blvd., Ste. 5

Mission • 580-4551

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES5 mi. N. Conway, 1/2 Mile WestAlton • 585-8001 & 585-8002

SPIRIT OF PEACEEV. LUTHERAN CHUCH

3104 Los MilagrosMission • 581-1822

ST. JOHN OF THE FIELDSCATHOLIC CHURCH

1052 Washington Ave. • 585-2325

ST. PAUL'S CATHOLICCHURCH

1119 Francisco • 585-2701

ST. PETER & ST. PAULEPISCOPAL CHURCH

2310 N. Stewart Rd.585-5005

SHINING LIGHT BAPTISTCHURCH

6 1/8 N. Doffing Rd. (FM 492)580-4078

TEMPLO BIBLICO5 Mile/Conway

581-4981or 585-3831

TEMPLO EVANGELICO, M.B.CHURCH

La Joya

TRINITY LUTHERANCHURCH

3905 W. 3 Mile Line • 585-3261

VALLEY FELLOWSHIP1708 E. Griffin Parkway

Mission • 424-7200

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

P O W E RE Q U I P M E N T

Commercial Lawn Equipment “Since 1954”915 West Bus. 83 • Mission, tX 78572 • (956) 581-7433

KING, GUERRA, DAVIS & GARCIAATTORNEYS AT LAW

301 E. Tom Landry • Mission • 585-1622

MAE

ChurCh DireCtory

IMPLEMENT COMPANY, INC.MISSION585-1618

DAVID H. GUERRA DARRELL DAVIS

OLGMISSION

“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.

CONFESSIONSThursday ....................................................... 6:00 P.M.Saturday ......................................................... 3:00 P.M.

620 DUNLAP, MISSION, TX • 585-2623ONE BLOCK WEST OF CONWAY ON MAGNA DRIVE (6TH ST.)

THE SPIRIT OF LA LOMITA MISSION LIVES HERE ATOUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH

THE SPIRIT THAT CONQUERS SIN AND DEATH!CELEBRATE LIFE & LOVE WITH US

WHEN WE’RE LOST IN THE DESERT AND “ALMOST PER-SUADED” TO GIVE UP, HIS SWEET LOVE KEEPS WILLING

US HOME! (DAVID HOUSTON)

THANK GOD FOR THE “VALENTINES” HE SENDS US!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!FIRST WEEK OF LENT

All obituaries must be sub-mitted by the funeral home. Obituary notices are run FREE OF CHARGE in the Progress Times if they are submitted in a timely man-ner to run the same week of the date of death. Otherwise, there is a fee for notices sub-mitted 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 cur-rent with obituaries and other news that matters to you.

Reminiscing...30 Years Ago

This WeekDecember Sales Fatten City’s Tax Check

Te Valley’s mid-tier of cities had the best sales gain per-centagewise for December, shows the February report from Texas Comptroller Bob Bullock.

Mission, Pharr and Weslaco posted healthy gains with Pharr showing a 34.8 percent gain over the same reporting period in 1985. Weslaco was second percentagewise with a 26.37 percent increase while Mission posted a 25.50 percent increase.

1912 Grad Funds Innovative ProgramThe Mission School District has received a substantial

grant from a 1912 graduate of Mission High School to fund a “Writing To Read” program for kindergarten students.

School Trustees gave the green light to the computer-based introduction to writing and reading developed by Dr. John Henry Martin of Florida for the IBM corporation. Supt. Dr. Kenneth White told trustees that most of the funding for start-ing the pilot program in four elementary schools this sum-mer and next fall would come from Dr. Ben D. Wood, a 1912 graduate of Mission High School and formerly a professor at Columbia University.

Youth Advocacy Group Holds First MeetingMission’s Youth Advocacy Board held its first meeting

Thursday, February 6, at the Mission City Hall. The 15 mem-bers of the panel authorized by city resolution elected officers and set priorities to promote the welfare and enrichment of the youth of Mission.

The Youth Advocacy Board is comprised of citizens living within the Mission, Sharyland or La Joya school districts. The make up was partially determined by the above mentioned resolution.

Mission mayor concerned about low bid on $10.56M project

By Kathy Olivarez

At Monday’s Mission City Council meet-ing, Mayor Norberto

“Beto” Salinas questioned a low bid submitted by Tex-as Concordia LLC for the Inspiration Road widening project. While the city had estimated the cost of the the Inspiration Road project to be $10.6 million, the low bid submitted by Concordia came in at $6,998,000.

The project scope in-cludes widening of Inspira-tion Road from Business 83 to the Mile 3 Line. The low amount of the bid had Mayor Beto Salinas wondering why there was such a price varia-tion in the figures the city had calculated and those received from low bidder. The second lowest bid was $8.5 mission, submitted by Foremost Con-struction. He pointed out there are two intersections with lights that would add to the cost.

The city had projected the cost to be $10,582,000, which includes $8,456,000 from federal funding, $1,862,000 from state fund-ing and $253,000 from the city.

“We don’t want to have the same problems we had with the bid on repairs for the Mayberry Service Cen-ter where the company who got the bid went broke and it took a year and a half to get the project completed through their insurances,” the mayor said.

After asking if anyone from Concordia was pres-ent at the meeting, he said he would like staff to set up a meeting with the company so he could question them further.

After the mayor expressed his doubts, the council ap-proved the lowest bidder be-cause the mayor said it would save the city, the state and federal government $3.3 mil-lion dollars, if the company could do the project for the amount of the bid. If the proj-ect is completed for the bid price, the city’s portion of the

cost will drop to $168,000.In other action, the coun-

cil approved a resolution in support of a gated communi-ty for senior citizens. Taylor Senior Village, will be locat-ed at 1600 N. Taylor Road if approved for state funding. The Village would be gated and comprised of one bed-room/one bath and two bed-room/two bath single story units. The number of units proposed would range from 112 to 126, depending on the number of units approved. All units would have stor-age rooms, laundry facilities, covered patios, Energy Star kitchens with microwave ov-ens, ovens, refrigerators and high speed Internet. Cost to rent the units would be tiered

based on income. August De Kock, who

owns the property adjoining the site under consideration, said he was not saying he approved or disapproved but had questions. He asked if the units would be Section 8 housing, if there would be increased law enforcement in the area to take care of the units, if families could stay for extended lengths of time and what will this cost the taxpayer.

Lisa Helle answered sev-eral questions, saying the cost to taxpayers was $100 to ap-prove the application. Once the project is built and on tax rolls, the owners would pay property taxes like everyone

See LOW BID 12

February 12, 2016 page 11www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

PENITASFAMILY PHARMACYWe Accept:

• Most Private Insurances• Texas Medicaid/CHIPS• Medicare Part D• Workers ComensationWe Offer:Home & Medical Supplies/EquipmentDiabetic Shoes

Only Pharmacy West of MissionOpen Late Hours!

M- 8am-11pm Friday 8am-9pm

Saturday 8am-1pm

956-580-3500

• Durable Medical Equipment• Most Insurance Accepted• Workmen’s Comp.• Medicare Provider• Medicaid

Next To Mission Hospital581-8833

Bryan Medical Plaza519-9955

Alton583-0044

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SHARYLAND DENTAL CAREGENERALDENTISTRY

EXCEPTIONALCARE

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2407 E. Griffin Pkwy. • Mission, Tx 78572Timothy W. Brann, D.D.S. Richard A. Young, D.D.S.

581-2773

MISSION NURSING& REHABILITATION CENTER

• 170 bed licensed & certified medicare/medicaid nursing facility

• RN’s 24 hrs. Daily• Recreational Activities • Physical Therapy

• Occupational Therapy• Speech Therapy• I.V. Therapy• Enteral Therapy• Respiratory Therapy• Therapeutic Diets

1013 S. Bryan • Mission • 580-2100

Develop a zero-tolerance attitude for asthma attacks.

Send your kids to school with their prescribed asthma medication

www.texaslung.org

SOUTH TEXAS PODIATRYFoot SpecialistFoot Surgeon

Dr. Brad Stowers, D.P.M.Diplomate American Board of Podiatric ----rgery

2009 Griffin Pkwy.(Lone Star Plaza)

Mission - 581-1643Medicare & Medicaid Accepted

else. There would be no spe-cial abatements for the proj-ect. Background checks for criminal activities would be performed on everyone al-lowed to live there, accord-ing to Helle.

The mayor said there could be some Section 8 housing because the income levels are to be staggered, but it is a senior citizen proj-ect. Senior citizens are not known to cause much trou-ble, he said.

Virginia Townsend spoke in favor of the project, say-ing there are not many op-

tions for seniors who want to downsize and get rid of their larger homes. After discussion, the council ap-proved Resolution #1430 in support of Taylor Senior Village.

In other action, the coun-cil created the Mission De-velopment Advisory Board, which is designed to pro-mote the city’s continued growth. State law allows such boards in municipal-ities with a population of less than 900,000. Rosalin-da Gonzalez, Jerry Saenz, Marisela Marin, Julio Cerda

and Rudy Garcia were ap-pointed to the board to serve two-year terms.

Under police business, the council approved accept-ing an additional $30,000 to add to the Stonegarden Grant. The Mission police are working with the Bor-der Patrol on a project, and the money will be used for overtime.

A Firehouse Subs Safe-ty Grant in the amount of $13,995 was approved. The funds are to purchase bicy-cle medic equipment and a trailer that can be used to provide first aid in situa-tions where vehicle access is restricted.

The council approved Or-dinance 4210, repealing Or-dinance 3022, and amending the code of ordinances that called for increased sew-er rates for subdivisions outside the city limits. The purpose of this change is to increase growth in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Approval was granted to solicit bids to build a new 2700-square-foot laboratory that would serve both the north and south water treat-ment plants.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the Texas Coalition for Afford-able Power, Inc. to negotiate an extension to the city’s current electric supply con-tract. The resolution calls for a rate reduction from the current 7 cents per kilo-watt-hour to a rate not to exceed 4.25 cents per kilo-watt-hour for the coming year.

LOW BIDfrom pg 11

HARLINGEN – The Marine Military Acad-emy will hold its an-

nual Iwo Jima Parade on Feb. 19, at 4 p.m. on the MMA Parade Grounds. This year marks the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

Open to the public, the event honors the sacrifice made by those who fought to preserve freedom during the battle. Because of the subtrop-ical climate of South Texas, MMA is the only organiza-tion in the country that holds a battalion-size parade on the

actual anniversary of the Feb. 19, 1945, event at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Last year, more than 350 people attended.

There will be special re-served seating for Iwo Jima survivors in front of the pa-rade stand, which directly fac-es the historic Iwo Jima Mon-ument. During the parade, the Iwo Jima survivors will join the MMA superintendent for the ceremonial pass in review.

Event-goers are encour-aged to stop by the Iwo Jima Museum before 3 p.m. to watch a video depicting the Battle of Iwo Jima. They are

also encouraged to view the Iwo Jima Monument and the gravesite of Cpl. Harlon Block before or after the pa-rade.

Since April 1982, MMA has been home to the Iwo Jima Monument. The mag-nificent statue depicts five Marines and one Navy Corps-man raising the American flag on Feb. 23, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Block, the Marine depicted at the base of the flagstaff, was a native of Weslaco.

For more information, call 421-9225 or e-mail atkin-son@MMA-TX.org.

MMA parade honors Iwo Jima heroespage 12 February 12, 2016www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

RICOS TAMALES VERACRUZANOS con aceite de olivo, de carne, de dulce y vegetarianos. Catering para sus fiestas Dona Mary, 9 5 6 - 6 5 5 - 4 6 6 1 .

C L O T H E S , H O U S E H O L D ITEMS, shoes, fur-niture, etc..., 1710 Basham Mission, TX, Feb 12th &

13th, 8am -5pm. S O U T H G A T E C O M M U N I T Y WIDE Sale, 100 W. Moore Road, Pharr, Saturday, February 13 from 8:30am-4pm.

LOOKING FOR FRY cook/kitch-en, servers, bar-

tenders, Riverside Club, Mission, call 581-1033 and ask for Jennifer.

FULL TIME, PART time NP or PA at a medical office in La Joya, email resume to jsaenz1643@aol.com.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Alton will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Legislative Chambers located at 509 S. Alton Boulevard to consider the following request:

Si desea información en español, llame al departamento de Planeación de la Ciudad de Alton, (956) 432-0760.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT:

Juan D. Iracheta is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow an accessory building at 2618 E. Stevenson Ave., also legally described as Magnolia Pointe, Lots 23 & 24, Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas.

CLDC Alton, LP, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow an irrigation water well at 320 S. Stewart Blvd, also legally described at Las Esperanza-Alton Subdivision, Lot 1, Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas.

Orchard Estates, LP, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow an irrigation water well at 1100 S. Stewart Blvd, also legally described at Orchard Estates Subdivision, Lot 1, Alton, Hidalgo County, Texas.

The public is invited to attend and express support for or opposition to this application. You may also file written support or opposition to by 12:00 noon on March 8, 2016, for the Planning and Zoning and the City Commission.

For questions please call Jeff Underwood, Assistant City Manager at (956) 432-0760.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUECITY OF LA JOYA, TEXAS

CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Commissioners (the Governing Body) of the City of La Joya, Texas (the City) will convene at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 101 Leo Ave, La Joya, TX 78560, at 6:00 o’clock P.M., on March 15, 2016, and, during such meeting, the Governing Body will consider the passage of an ordinance or ordinances and take such other actions as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of one or more series of certificates of obligation in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,482,000.00 for the purpose or purposes of paying contractual obligations of the City to be incurred for making permanent public improvements and for other public purposes. Funding will be used to to pay for the costs relating to a new City Hall facility, to-wit: (1) to acquire real property, improvements and personal property from Plains Capital Bank, which real property and improvements are more particularly described as Lot “A”, QUAIL-HOLLOW ESTATES, an addition to the City of La Joya, Hidalgo County, Texas according to the map or plat plat thereof recorded in volume 31, Page 179, Map Records, Hidalgo County, Texas; (2) architect fees; (3) construction costs for the improvements to the aforesaid property; and (4) the payment of professional services related to the construction and financing of the aforementioned projects. The certificates of obligation (the Certificates) will be payable from the levy of an annual ad valorem tax, within the limitations prescribed by law, upon all taxable property within the City and from a lien on and pledge of net revenues derived by the City from the operation of the City’s Waterworks and wastewater system. The Certificates are to be issued, and this notice is given, under and pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Obligation Act of 1971, as amended, Texas Local Government Code, Section 271.041 through Section 271.065 and Chapter 1502, as amended, Texas Government Code.

_________________________ Julianita R. Sabala City SecretaryCity of La Joya, Texas

The Mission City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on February 22, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following:

Rezoning: A 256’ x 176’ tract of land out of Lot 24, New Caledonia Unit #1 Subdivision, from C-3 (General Business) to R-3 (Multi-Family Residential); and Rezoning: A 1.322 gross acre tract of land, more or less, out of a 7.21 acre tract of land out of Lot 29, Bell-Woods Co’s Subdivision “C”, from AO-I (Agricultural Open Interim) to C-3 (General Business)

If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3022 AND AMENDING CHAPTER 98, SECTION 98-273 OF THE MISSION CODE OF ORDINCANCES ENTITLED CAPITAL RECOVERY FEES FOR NEW SUBDIVISIONS THAT CONNECT INTO THE CITY OF MISSION’S WASTEWATER SYSTEM, BY REMOVING THE DISINCTION BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS; AND PROVIDING A

PUBLICATION DATEPASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 8TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2016.

Norberto Salinas, MayorAttest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4310

AN ORDINANCE CREATING A CITY OF MISSION BOARD OF DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD; SPECIFYING THE TERMS OF OFFICE; SPECIFYING THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP; AND ORDAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF

PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 8TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2016.

Norberto Salinas, MayorAttest: Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

ORDINANCE NO. 4311

MISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONNOTICE OF INTENTION

BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FY 2015-2016 BUDGET

TAKE NOTICE that the Mission Economic Development Corpo-ration of the City of Mission, (the “MEDC”), shall convene not earlier than 60 days after first publishing this notice and shall con-sider authorizing a Budget Amendment to the fiscal year 2015-2016 Budget, as hereinafter described, pursuant to the provisions of V.T.C.A. Local Government Code Sections 505.001 et seq. The MEDC is authorized on behalf of the City of Mission, Texas to un-dertake the Project or Projects by paying the cost of the Project or Projects with sales tax revenues authorized under said Local Gov-ernment Code sections.

The Board of Directors of the MEDC will determine whether the Project or Projects will be undertaken and whether it will finance the cost of the Project or Projects with proceeds from sales tax rev-enues.

The Project or Projects shall consist of the following: Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and unforeseen expenses, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for the Project known as, Center for Education and Economic Development. The building is located at 801 N. Bryan Road, Mission, Texas 78572.

Date of Publication: February 12, 2016Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

Notice of Public HearingMission Economic Development

Corporation

Notice is hereby given that the Mission Economic Development Corporation will conduct a public hearing on March 15, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas to consider the following project or projects during the proposed fiscal year 2015-2016: Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and unforeseen expenses, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for the Project known as, Center for Education and Economic Development. The building is located at 801 N. Bryan Road, Mission, Texas 78572.

Anyone interested is invited to attend and present their comments.

Date of publication: February 12, 2016Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

Oracion Al Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo, tu que meaclaras todo, que iluminastodos los caminos para que yoalcance mi ideal, tu que medas el don divino de perdonary olvidar el mal que me haceny que en todos los instantes demi vida estas conmigo, yoquiero en este corto dialogoagradecerte por todo y confir -mar una vez mas que nuncaquiero separarme de ti pormayor que sea la ilusionmate rial.Deseo estar contigo y todosmis seres queridos en la graciaperpetua. Gracias por tu mis -ericordia para conmigo y losmios.La persona debera rezar estaoracion 3 dias sequidos sindecir el pedido. dentro de tresdias sera alcanzada la graciapor mas deficil que sea. (Pub-licar en cuanto se recibia lagracia). Agradece gracia alcanzada.

T.R.

CONSTABLE’S SALE

The State of Texas County of Hidalgo

Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of a certain Writ of Execution issued out of the honorable COUNTY COURT AT LAW #1 OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, on the 11TH of DECEMBER 2015, for the sum of $18,367.75 on interest thereon at the rate of 5% per annum from the 26th of JUNE 2015 and cost of suit, under a judgment in favor of TRAVIS TILE SALES INC., in a certain cause in said court, No. C-1-CV-15-000813 And styled TRAVIS TILE SALES INC. Vs. JUAN CARLOS CER-VANTES INDIVIDUALLY, D/B/A PANGEA FLOOR COVERINGS And placed in my hands for service for service on 13th of JANUARY 2016, I, Lazaro Gallardo Jr., as Constable Pct.3 Hidalgo County, Texas, did on the 23rd of JANUARY 2016, levy on certain real estate in Hidalgo County, Texas, described as follows, to-wit Legal Descrip-tion: WEST ADDN. TO SHARYLAND S330’ LOT 34-2 10.00 AC GR 9.85AC NET. , And levied upon as property of JUAN CARLOS CERVANTES INDIVIDUALLY, D/B/A PANGEA FLOOR COVERING and that on the first Tuesday in MARCH 2016, the same being the 1ST day of said month, at the court house door of Hidalgo County, TEXAS in the City of Edinburg, Texas, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (sale starts at 10:00 a.m.) by virtue of said levy and said writ of execution, I will sell said above described real estate at public venue for cash, to the highest bidder, as the property of said JUAN CARLOS CERVANTES INDIVIDUALLY, D/B/A PANGEA FLOOR COVERINGS and in compliance with the law, I give this notice by publication, in the English language, once a week for three consecutive weeks immediately proceeding said day of sale, in The PROGRESS TIMES a newspaper published in Hidalgo County.

Witness my hand, this 2ND day of FEBRUARY 2016

The Mission Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on February 24, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1201 East 8th Street, Mission, Texas in order to consider the following:

Rezoning: 10.285 acres consisting of 0.394 of one acre out of an abandoned canal R.O.W. adjacent to the west of Lot 246, John H. Shary Subdivision, 8.890 acres out of Lot 246, John H. Shary Subdivision, and 1.001 acres being all of Lot 1, Whitney-Ross Subdivision, from AO-I (Agricultural Open Interim) to R-3 (Multi-Family Residential)

If a zoning is amended during the public hearing, it shall be pursuant to the City of Mission’s Amendatory Zone Policy Statement. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Anna Carrillo, City Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

wanted

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