Reprint from the Progress Times - September 12, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

NEWS BRIEFS

 

Mortgage firms seized

The federal government took over mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Sunday, September 7.  The takeover is aimed at alleviating the current credit and housing crisis. Both institutions are being placed in a government conservatorship, which could potentially cost taxpayers $200 billion.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said allowing the companies to fail would have caused far greater damage by driving up the cost of home loans and other types of borrowing.  Both companies were removed from Standard & Poor’s S&P 500 after huge losses in both companies’ stock prices.

Sharyland debuts JROTC

By Daivd Rodriguez

 “It’s like trying to start a football team with a head coach, no equipment and no experienced players but starting a varsity team on day one,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Welch when asked to assess the job before him as the senior instructor of Sharyland High School’s historic first Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Core (JROTC) class.

Welch and Assistant Instructor Sergeant Major Roberto Rodriguez are doing just that as the two prepare to establish what they believe will be a proud legacy at Sharyland High School.

Welch, who is in his ninth year as a JROTC instructor, said the program was approved by the Sharyland School Board in January, given a green light by the Army in February and that he was hired in May of this year from Weslaco High School where he was the Senior Army Instructor.

 “The response from the students has been really good,” said Welch. “We have 111 students. The base number required to sign up depends on school population. If there are 1,000 in a school there needs to be 100. Sharyland was well over the requirement a while back. In fact, we had 70 students signed up just at registration time.”

Welch said the response is even more impressive when you take into account that the program was started too late for him to give presentations to junior students about JROTC.

The program is a joint program between the U.S. Army and the Sharyland School District. The curriculum will focus on concepts such as leadership training, foundations for success and conflict resolution. The mission of Welch and Rodriguez is to motivate and educate the students on how to become better citizens.

 “We’re unique in that we’re the only class that teaches character development and values,” said Welch. “We give students tools to learn about integrity and make them a better individual and prepare them for life.”

Most JROTC programs are in the southern United States, with Texas leading the way. At one time Texas had 159 out of the 300 programs in existence. The Valley itself has also historically been a stronghold for the JROTC program. Currently, there are 29 JROTC programs in the Rio Grande Valley alone.

More than simply a class, JROTC also fields its own UIL competition teams.

 “We’re not allowed to teach in the high school program about tactics or weapons training,” said Welch. “But we do go beyond the regular classroom. We will have color guard teams, precision drill teams and physical fitness teams. We’ll represent Sharyland against the other high schools.”

One aspect of JROTC that Welch is extremely excited to bring to Sharyland High School is helping students prepare for life after high school.

 “Our mission is to motivate everyone to finish high school,” said Welch. If they want to pursue a military career then this is an ideal situation. They can go in with a higher rank and their pay grade will be $300 or $400 more. They hit the job running. We also will be helping the students develop resumes. Most of the kids that come through this kind of training do really well in applying all of this and getting good jobs.”

As for the first few days, Welch remains busy but optimistic as he tries to organize his new students in a converted Physical Education building behind the Sharyland High School main campus.

 “We’re getting there,” says Welch with a smile.

Ruiz crowned Miss Galaxy International 2009

Jennifer Ruiz, Miss U.S. Galaxy 2008 was crowned Miss Galaxy international 2009 at the Caribe Royal Resort in Orlando, Florida on August 1, at the conclusion of a weeklong event.

She was among 64 women from around the world competing in the pageant. She also captured the award for “Most Photogenic,” the highest score in personal interviews and fashion wear, and tied for the highest score in the evening gown competition.

Placing at the event were Eva Khondaker, Miss Canada, first runner-up; Krizia Toledo, Miss Florida, second runner-up; Britten Taughber, Miss Illinois, thrd runner-up; and Nicole Kaapke, Miss Midwest, fourth runner-up.

Ruiz will travel across the United States, Mexico and Europe promoting her platform and the Miss Galaxy pageants. For more information about the various pageants, go to www.galaxypageants.com or write to info@galaxypageants.com. To contact Miss Ruiz for public appearances, write to her at MissGalaxy2009@aol.com.

Mission girls found

Two girls who were believed to have run away during a labor day party were found Friday in Harlingen.  Alanah Villarreal, 13, and Marissa Salinas, 12, were seen walking near Long Elementary School just after 8:30 a.m.

Authorities originally suspected that Villarreal and Salinas had tried to meet with a man in Houston they met through Myspace.com.  After talking to them, investigators now say the girls spent the week in Harlingen.

Mission man faces robbery charges

24 year-old Michael Martinez is being held on a $1 million bond for four counts of aggravated robbery.  Martinez, along with three other accomplices, is accused of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank Customer at 120 West Nolana on September 7.

A 17-year-old suspect is also being held on a $250,000 bond for one count of aggravated robbery.  Sergeant Joel Morales Jr. said another juvenile may face similar charges.

Edinburg hotel sued for price gouging

The Texas attorney general’s office filed a suit Tuesday against Edinburg Comfort Inn owner Kamaldeep Gill for price gouging during Hurricane Dolly.  The state is asking for $20,000 for each room rented at the increased prices and an additional $250,000 for each person affected over the age of 65.

Authorities urge residents who encounter price gouging to call the texas attorney general’s office at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml.