Valley doctors, nurses headed to Haiti
11-year-old shoots home invader
Foundation’s 2010 Legacy Gala launches new project
Mission firefighter battling brain tumors
Texas Citrus Fiesta Schedule
Go Mission Campaign Kick-off
TxDOT Advisory
Valley doctors, nurses headed to Haiti
MISSION — Physicians and nurses from across the Rio Grande Valley are making final arrangements to travel to Haiti to offer medical assistance following the massive earthquake that killed thousands and destroyed the area on Jan. 12.
Locally, Dr. Steven Havener said he would be traveling with a ministry group on Tuesday. Mission Regional Medical Center officials said a number of local doctors offer their services in impoverished countries.
On Wednesday afternoon, MRMC donated a total of $10,000 to help in the aid. MRMC CEO Javier Iruegas said $5,000 came from the hospital and the remaining $5,000 came from staff.
“The devastating events that continue to unfold in Haiti and the staggering human tragedy compels us to look beyond our local community to the overwhelming needs of our global community,” said Iruegas.
Dr. Harold Pean, whose sister lives in Haiti, but wasn’t injured in the earthquake, said the donation was a much-needed gift for the people there.
“That will help, definitely,” Pean said, pointing to the checks at a presentation Wednesday.
Teams of Valley doctors, nurses, and operating room technicians also plan to fly to Haiti in the coming weeks and set up a medical clinic to treat injured and homeless Haitians fleeing from the capital of Port-au-Prince. The Valley medical personnel plan to work in five groups who will man the clinic in Cap-Haïtien on the north coast of Haiti, working in weekly shifts, officials from Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen said.
The group of doctors includes two who are themselves from Haiti – Dr. Garry Souffrant and Dr. Leslie Pean of Harlingen – as well as several other physicians who are very familiar with Haiti as they have participated in medical mission trips to the country for six years as part of Hope International Medical Missions.
“This is a group that is experienced in working with the Haitian people, as they have been going to Haiti to do what they can to treat extremely needy people living in very difficult conditions – even before the disastrous earthquake,” Cintron said.
Souffrant, who left Haiti as a teenager to come to the United States, said that he still hasn’t heard from some of his uncles, aunts, cousins, and nephews who lived in Port-au-Prince, near the worst part of the earthquake.
“When I first heard the news about the earthquake, it was a shock to me and my family,” Souffrant said. “It’s almost surreal, like you were watching a movie. When you realize it is reality, you feel powerless. But then you realize it – there are some things you can do to help.”
In addition to monetary donations, the team is calling on Valley medical facilities to consider donating medical supplies, including mosquito repellant, mosquito nets for sleeping, portable X-ray machines, sonogram machines, IV fluids, operating room monitors, and electrocautery instruments. For information on donating, visit http://www.RGVHelpsHaiti.com.
11-year-old shoots home invader, deputies said
Boy also sustained gunshot wound
By Edwina P. Garza
PALMVIEW — A young boy protecting his home shot at an intruder with a rifle after the robbery suspect shot through a door, Hidalgo County Sheriff Deputies said.
The 11-year-old boy was shot in his left hip before he fired back, according to deputies. He was reported in stable condition at McAllen Medical Center and was expected to recover.
The aggravated robbery and shooting occurred along Minnesota and 8 Mile roads at 12:25 a.m. on Jan. 15.
The 34-year-old mother of the home said someone was banging on her front door when the incident started; she was inside a bedroom with her son.
“She got up to check and she saw two Hispanic males wearing masks and armed with handguns walking towards her,” sheriff deputies said in a statement.
One of the men followed the woman as she tried to shut the bedroom door. As the intruder tried to force the door open, he shot through the door, hitting the 11-year-old boy, she told authorities.
“Her son had a 22-caliber rifle and shot back at the suspects,” the statement reads.
The homeowner reported seeing blood on the floor and the front door that had been knocked down by the suspects. Nothing was taken from the scene, authorities said.
The 11-year-old boy was transported to McAllen Medical Center, and deputies said they learned a male had arrived at the same hospital with a gunshot wound to the neck.
On Friday, the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office had three suspects in custody. The man who was shot was transported to a San Antonio hospital and is under police guard. No medical status was available on the suspect.
Two other men were detained by the U.S. Border Patrol in the area and were being questioned.
On Tuesday, deputies said they arrested and charged Jaime Arturo Santana Vasquez, 34, and Fernando Guerrero Padilla, 42, who are also in the country illegally, officials said. The bond for each man was set at $750,000 in connection with the home invasion.
Deputies said Jose Luis Ortega, 26, who they said was shot inside the home after firing at the homeowner, is currently at the Brooks Medical Hospital in San Antonio under Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office guard. When he is released, he will return to Edinburg where he will be charged with attempted murder and aggravated robbery charges, they said.
Foundation’s 2010 Legacy Gala launches new project
The Foundation at Mission Regional Medical Center is launching the Legacy Art Project at their Third Annual Legacy Gala. The project features the works of 20 celebrated artists in a blackboard auction. Additional donated items will be featured in a silent auction. To be held Friday, Feb. 5, at the McAllen Convention Center, the evening begins with 6:30 p.m. cocktails, and guests will be seated at 7:30 for a dinner, followed by the auctions and a dance. Music will be provided by Banda Metropoli.
Funds raised are earmarked for supporting the expansion of the MRMC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to the continued operation of the Rio Grande Valley’s only dedicated NICU Transport Team. Since 2005, more than 1,200 premature and critically ill infants have been treated in the NICU, now equipped with a state-of-the-art surgical room designed specifically for their care. MRMC is a non-profit, community-based hospital. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Mission Regional.
Artists were solicited to donate inspired, original works reflecting a “New Life” theme, and the works were licensed royalty-free to The Foundation for future fundraisers. Participating artists include Patty Reagan, Beverly Allies, Anna Marie Salinas Varela, Gloria J. Dietrich, David Freeman, Robert D. Moreau, Jr., the late Carl Mohner, Benjamin Varela, Kirk Clark, Rickey Krause, Cooper Renner, Thomas Murray, Lupita S. Arsola, Mary Ellen Rioux, Maxilou Link, Joe Taylor, Reynaldo I. Santiago, Juan Saenz, Luis Sottil, and Luis Garcia.
Silent auction donations include items such as jewelry, two Southwest Airline tickets valued at $1,000, Vipers season tickets, RGV Harley Davidson Weekend Warrior, Spurs tickets, and a South Padre Island getaway weekend. Overall, more than 50 listings of items will be auctioned, including packaged groupings.
Individual tickets are $150 per person, tables of 10 are $1,500, and additional levels of sponsorship are available. Call 323-1102 to purchase tickets, for further information about the gala or to donate an item for the auction.
Mission firefighter battling brain tumors
MISSION — Local city leaders are asking the community to help a Mission Fire Department firefighter who left to M.D. Anderson yesterday for surgery.
Jaime Josue Zapata, 34, has three brain tumors, two of which will be removed next week, officials said.
The husband and father of five is said to be worried about paying for things his insurance doesn’t cover like accommodations for his family or their meals while they accompany him to the Houston hospital.
“Above all, he needs our prayers,” said Aida Lerma, the city spokeswoman in a message to the community. “…Let’s help him focus on getting better with any contribution you can make.”
For information on donating, contact Lerma at 956-580-8729 or the Mission Fire Department at 956-580-8705. Checks should be made payable to the Mission Volunteer Fire Department.
Texas Citrus Fiesta Schedule
2010 Texas Citrus Fiesta
“Texas Citrus Fiesta Celebrates
Traveling Texas”
January 16-30, 2010
Events and Ticket Information
Royal Reception Ball
Mission Community Center
January 23 • 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.
$50 per person • Music by West Side Band
Royal Coronation of King Citrus
And Queen Citrianna
Neuhaus Gym at Mission High School
Thursday, January 28 • 7 p.m.
$3 General Seating
$5 Reserved Seating
Fiesta Fun Fair
Saturday, January 30
Free Gate Admission at Conway & FM 495 (Behind to Carl’s) - 10 a.m.-10 p.m
Food Vendors - Arts & Crafts - Kiddie Rides - Entertainment
Vendors may call Fiesta office for applications for Fun Fair and
Parade Concessions.
Vaquero Cook-Off
Saturday, January 30
$200.00 per team that includes 8 entries
Citrus Youth Show Exhibit
Saturday, January 30
Fruit Sale throughout the day - Winners announced 6 p.m. at Fun Fair
Shoebox Float Contest
Elementary students are invited to create a shoebox float.
On display at Fun Fair, Saturday, January 30
Parade of Oranges
Saturday, January 30
Parade starts at 4 p.m. - North to South on Conway,
from FM 495 to 4th Street
Line up starts at 2 p.m.
Entries $30 - Commercial $250
5k Fiesta Fun Run
Saturday, January 30
Contact Mission Parks & Recreation at (956) 580-8760 to register
Mission Historical Museum
Fiesta Display
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
900 Doherty - Mission, Texas
Carnival
FM 495 & Conway - January 21-31
?Ticket Office Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
220 E. 9th Street
Mission, Texas
Contact Fiesta office at (956)- 585-9724
for more information
Or log on to: www.texascitrusfiesta.net
Go Mission Campaign Kick-off
The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, Mission Economic Development Authority and the City of Mission will host a “Go Mission” campaign kick-off event Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Leo Pena Plazita Park in downtown Mission.
The three entities are launching the awareness campaign to encourage area residents to support their local Mission businesses, and at the same time increase sales tax revenues for Mission to help fund needed services and projects in the city.
Chamber President/CEO Arlene Rivera said the public is invited to join the chamber, the city and MEDA for the ribbon cutting campaign kick off on Tuesday.
“This will be an excellent opportunity for our local merchants to join with the chamber and the city in this campaign to increase sales for local businesses. This will also increase revenues for the city, and will benefit all the citizens of Mission,” said Rivera.
The “Go Mission” campaign is a promotion designed to encourage people to shop in Mission. The promotion will begin Jan. 29 and end March 26.
Here is how the promotion works:
– A weekly drawing will be held each Friday during February and March for $500 in gift certificates, valid at any participating Mission retailer. A person may have his/her name entered in the weekly drawing once for every $100 in sales receipts from a Mission retail merchant dated during the promotion period. One individual will be randomly selected from the entries received for the weekly prize. This will be subject to the limitations outlined in the program. See the Mission Chamber of Commerce for details.
– No cash will be awarded.
– Must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
– Original receipts (no copies) will be accepted from participating Mission retailers only, and receipts must be dated between Jan. 29 and March 26, 2010 to be eligible.
– Receipts must be turned in to the Mission Chamber of Commerce, MEDC office, or Holiday Inn Express, in Mission.
– Mission Chamber staff or board of directors, MEDA staff, and City of Mission department heads will not be eligible to participate in the promotion.
Watch the Progress Times or call the Mission Chamber at 585-2727 for details, including a list of participating merchants.
Merchants who wish to participate in this program should contact the chamber of commerce office.
TxDOT Advisory
Construction & Maintenance Work
FM 506 New
TxDOT completed work on FM 506 from Tio Cano to Coco Roads in Cameron County on December 21st, a month ahead of schedule. The roadway is open to traffic.
FM 1017 New
Traffic will be switched to left side of roadway to newly constructed lane on Monday, December 28th. Crews will begin work on right side lane of FM 1017 between Starr and Jim Hogg County.
"I" Road
TxDOT closed "I" Road from Sevilla Road north to US 281 in Edinburg thru Sunday, February 28, 2010. Foremost Paving is reconstructing the bridge over the Main Drain Drainage Canal.
FM 2061 (McColl Rd)
Construction work on FM 2061(McColl Road) from Nolana to Trenton Roads in the McAllen/Edinburg has reduced McColl southbound lanes to one lane thru February 2010. Foremost Paving is reconstructing the southbound outside lane from Nolana to Trenton. Expect delays within project area.
FM 491
TxDOT through Rhyner Construction merged traffic to one lane in each direction on FM 491 from Business 83 south to just north of the Floodway in Mercedes thru May 2010. Crews are performing road and drainage improvements.
Motorists are advised to observe and obey all posted warning, construction, detour and speed limit signs.
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