MISSION — Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe M. Flores announced this week that he will seek a fourth term in the March 2012 election.

“I am seeking a fourth term because I am fully committed to all the residents of Precinct 3. When they elected me I made a pledge to improve the quality of life and promote economic growth for all our citizens,” said Flores in his announcement. “I am working for you, the people of Precinct 3 and all of Hidalgo County.”

Read more: Commissioner Flores to seek fourth term

EDINBURG — Hidalgo County commissioners recently agreed to purchase 120 refurbished voting machines to help the election’s department prepare for the upcoming election season next year.

The machines will cost nearly $200,000 and also require annual hardware and firmware maintenance fees that are up to $95 for each machine each year they’re in use.

The company, which the county is purchasing its equipment from, Election Systems & Software, no longer makes the iVotronic machines, including those that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but had offered to sell the county the remainder of the machines it had available. Hidalgo County began purchasing its electronic voting equipment from the company in 2005, according to county documents.

Read more: County purchases elections equipment for $200,000

The Pharr Literacy Project's presents their play, “Tales of the Hidalgo Pumphouse,” with a cast of 10 children and 10 adults. The two-act play's premier run will be held Nov. 10 thru Nov. 20 in Pharr, for two weekends: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

The production will be held inside the black box theater at the Pharr Literacy Project, 203 W. Quentin Newcombe Jr. Ave. (formerly Park Ave.) in Pharr. The theater seats 60 persons at a time; therefore advance tickets are recommended but will also sell at the door at show time upon availability. Ticket prices are $7 in advance or $9 at the door. The box office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 783-7746.

Read more: ‘Tales of the Hidalgo Pumphouse’ opens Nov. 10

Grammy-nominated Jeremy Camp returns to the Valley on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the McAllen Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. for his 29-city tour, “We Cry Out: The Worship Project.”  Coming to the stage with Camp will be special guests Francesca Battistelli, Adam Cappa, and McAllen’s own Crawford Higgins.

Reserved tickets are $20, $35 and VIPs for $60.  VIP tickets include a question and answer session with the artists and early entry to the show.  Group purchases of 10 or more receive a $5 discount.  Go to the Convention Center box office, 10 a.m. -5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 10 a.m. to show opening on the event date.  Doors open at 5 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 6:30 p.m. for others. Tickets may also be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

Read more: Christian recording artist Jeremy Camp comes to Valley Nov. 17

MERCEDES — The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is seeking applications from community members interested in participating in the Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum (LRGCF).

The LRGCF was established in 2003 to facilitate the exchange of information between the USIBWC and members of the public about Commission activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

The commission is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico. Commission responsibilities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley include maintenance of Rio Grande flood control levees and diversion dams, water quality monitoring, boundary demarcation at international bridges, water accounting related to Rio Grande water that Mexico delivers to the United States as required by treaty, and review of plans to construct new infrastructure across or along the Rio Grande to ensure compliance with applicable treaties, among other activities.  Notably, during 2010 following Hurricane Alex and Tropical Depression No. 2, the Commission operated the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project to protect the community from Rio Grande floodwaters.

Read more: USIBWC seeks applicants for committee

McALLEN — This Saturday state Rep. Sergio Muñoz, McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez and others will kick-off the Trees for Parks Program that will make the city "greener" and provide the essential benefits that only trees can bring to a community.

"We are on a mission to ‘green up’ our communities here in deep South Texas," said Muñoz. "Adding trees to the landscape provides many benefits to the environment, beautifies the area and in this case creates a degree of movement in the economy.”

Muñoz said he plans to duplicate the program in other cities.

Read more: Rep. Muñoz participating in McAllen tree planting events

MISSION — The city’s top lawman submitted his resignation to the Mission City Council on Monday after 25 years of service to the city to spend more time with his family.

Mission Police Chief Leo Longoria’s resignation is effective Jan. 1, 2012.

“I think it is time for me to pay more attention to my wife and children,” Longoria said.

City Manager Julio Cerda read a list of Longoria’s accomplishments during the meeting while accepting his resignation.

Read more: Mission’s police chief retiring in 2012

Family maintains hopeful as search for son stretches over two months

ALTON — San Juanita Gonzalez Villegas has left her son Tony’s room untouched. She’s removed a few dirty socks from the floor, but his Disney Pixar “Cars” blanket remains on his bed, as does the mini shrine the 20-year-old made for himself with images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and candles that have remained lit.

Today is the 69th day since Tony Villegas Jr. has been home. In the two months since he’s disappeared from a sugar field in south Mission, the community has rallied behind the Gonzalez and Villegas families offering prayer and an ear on the ground for leads.

Read more: ‘We have to find Tony’