General Interest

The Department of Homeland Security August 3 provided additional information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals processes, during a national media call, in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.

On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and met other key guidelines could be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive deferred action. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is finalizing a process by which potentially eligible individuals may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.

Read more: DHS outlines deferred action for childhood arrivals process

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs reminds shoppers they can save money on everything from pens, jeans and shoes to backpacks, as well as many other items priced under $100, during the state’s annual sales tax holiday.

This year, the tax holiday is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 19.

Read more: Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Next Weekend

Mission Eagles alumni quarterback J.J. Silva scrambles away from an Hidalgo Pirate alumni defender during Saturday evening’s charity football game at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo. Progress Times photo by Luciano GuerraMission High School Principal Joe Lopez, a former Mission Eagle football player, never expected to find himself playing football for the Eagles again. However, that is exactly what 35-year-old Lopez did Saturday evening when the Mission Eagles alumni faced the Hidalgo Pirates alumni in a charity football game in Hidalgo.

With half of the proceeds going towards the establishment of a scholarship for Mission High School athletic program, 35 former Eagles football players stepped onto the blue artificial turf at Bill Pate Stadium in full pads and helmets Saturday and played a complete 60-minute game under UIL rules.

Read more: Mission Eagles football alumni return to gridiron

Marco Antonio Solís Photo courtesy: Kike San Martin Photography Inc.Heart throb and Mexican icon Marco Antonio Solís makes an appearance at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo on Friday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m. with a guest appearance by Natalia Jimena. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets prices range from $49 to $150.

As a songwriter, Solís has 300 songs to his credit. As a man with the talent to sing, he’s sold over 80 million records.

Solís was born in Ario de Rosales, Michoacán, Mexico and began singing at age six with his cousin Joel Solís as Los Hermanitos Solís. He went on to form Los Bukis which helped to bring him to the forefront in North, Central and South American and then went solo in 1995.

Read more: Marco Antonio Solis

The County Commissioners’ Court recognized nine Hidalgo County 4-H members July 24 for their achievements in competitive events in the areas of clothing and textiles, fashion design, and consumer decision-making at the district and state level.

They were Renee Boyle, Claudia Martinez, Vanessa Martinez, Timmy Bradford, Matthew Salinas, Amanda Salinas, Brianna Bullion, Beth Quintanilla, and Bianca Garcia. Texas AgriLife Extension Service County Extension Agent Nora N. Garza accompanied them. She is their advisor and coach.

Read more: Hidalgo County 4-Hers recognized

Stalled Project: This file photo, taken last September, shows the new gymnasium building at Bannworth Park on Shary Rd. as the project neared completion. Both the gymnasium and the swimming pool at Bannworth remain unfinished today. The city is bringing in a new contractor to finish the project.MISSION – After being on hold since April, Mission Parks and Recreation swimming pool projects are getting re-started with a new contractor hired to finish out the projects. The projects include repairs to the swimming pool at Catholic War Veteran’s Park located on south Mayberry Rd. and the new natatorium at Bannworth Park located on Shary Rd. The original completion date for the projects was September.

Julian Gonzalez, Parks and Recreation Director, said, even though they are happy with the work done by the previous contractor, the jobs were put on hold around April when the city decided they could not give the contractor more time. The contractor was not able to fulfill timeline restrictions. Gonzalez said the city had been very generous when the contractor would ask for more time. It came to a point they had to stop giving those extensions and find another route to get the job completed.

Read more: Long delayed swimming pools get new contractor

Hidalgo County is holding a surplus auction at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 8, at the McAllen Convention Center and online.

Pre-register and view vehicles and other merchandise on Monday August 6 and Tuesday August 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The auction will have surplus cars, trucks, equipment and seized vehicles as well as surplus computers, equipment and other seized items.

Read more: Hidalgo County to hold surplus auction

EDINBURG — The Objective Watchers of the Legal System (OWLS) revisited its concerns July 31 regarding Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court decision to move open forum to the end of the meeting.

OWL Frank Traver told commissioners that he just doesn’t understand why open forum is at the end of the meeting to save time when award ceremonies and individual recognitions take up a huge amount of time at the beginning of Commissioners’ Court.

Read more: OWLS push commissioners for open forum up front