Today's COVID-19 News
THURSDAY 9-17-2020
Twenty more people die from complications of COVID-19 while 325 more test positive in Hidalgo County
THURSDAY, 9-17-2020
WEDNESDAY, 9-16-2020
News
AUSTIN - Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $765.3 million in local sales tax allocations for September, 4.5 percent less than in September 2019. These allocations are based on sales made in July by businesses that report tax monthly.
Rising COVID-19 infection rates in July likely suppressed economic activity.
EDINBURG – Bus drivers from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District are offering critical support to aid students and staff while their bus routes remain halted during remote learning.
“We are putting all our departments’ efforts together – teamwork effort,” said ECISD Interim Superintendent Gilbert Garza Jr. “It is teamwork that continues to drive our school district to be champions, and it is teamwork that will carry us onward during this challenging time.”
There is good news for the prisoners and staff who live and work at the Hidalgo County jail: the incidence of COVID-19 is down significantly.
Recently, Hidalgo County Sheriff “Eddie” Guerra spoke with The Advance, and you could hear some relief in his voice while talking about today’s COVID numbers inside his jail vs. how it was this summer.
By Gregg Romero Wendorf
Sports
Sorry, Houston Texans fans, provided there any still left, but your team lost to the KC Chiefs last Thursday, 34 to 20. I know you already know that, but it gives me pleasure to repeat the loss: 34 to 20.
Add to that the fact that the entire team decided not to leave their locker room for the playing and singing of the National Anthem, and it’s hard not to label this team a loser from the start. How I miss the days of Bum Phillips and the Houston Oilers, let me count the ways.
By Gregg Romero Wendorf
Since I gave up on pro sports long ago, back when tickets were still affordable and politics stayed outside the gates, I use it now as a means to find humor. The stories that involve hypocrisy are typical.
By Gregg Romero Wendorf
McALLEN – Selena Vargas has always liked to run. But she wasn't aware of the joys, connections and friendships that organized sports could bring her.
“I started running when I was a kid, but I didn’t do sports in middle school because I would help with my grandma and things like that,” she said. “Throughout high school I would run for the heck of it because I liked running. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I joined track and I loved it.”
Opinion
A few years ago, a Democrat operative walked into the print shop where my wife worked and asked her to make him a post office cancellation stamp. When she told him they didn’t make that type of movable letter stamp, he requested a stamp with a single fixed date just before the election. She figured that was odd and reported the matter to the area postal inspector who told the man it was illegal to possess such a stamp. The man therefore had to go to a print shop in Mexico to get one made.
By Tom Haughey
I was in college in the late 60’s and early 70’s. It was a very turbulent time to be alive especially in your late teens and early twenties. The Vietnam War was raging and dividing this country along political, cultural and generational lines. Many of the younger generation thought the older generation was using the young as “cannon fodder” for the war.
By Chris Voss
For years, millions of Texans have known, through difficult personal experience, that health care in Texas has challenges. Over the last six COVID-scarred months, those issues have hit home for millions more.
By Margaret Spellings
Lifestyle
WESLACO - February 8: Dr. George Diaz will present on “Los Tequileros: Prohibition Era Smuggling in the South Texas Borderlands”. Between 1920 and 1933, tequileros, mounted ethnic Mexican liquor smugglers, supplied Mexican liquor to thirsty American markets. While Anglos and ethnic Mexicans both violated U.S. laws, American law enforcement took a much higher toll on tequileros than their Anglo counterparts.
EDINBURG – The Edinburg Rotary Club recently recognized the top students from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District’s UIL Academics Program.
“We are extremely proud of all our students that participate in our UIL Academics Program,” said ECISD UIL Academics Director Nelinda Villarreal. “We would like to thank the Edinburg Rotary for recognizing and acknowledging the hard work of these students.”
Second Saturdays from February 8 to May 9 offer distinct opportunities for Scouts to gain hands-on learning experience and earn badges at Quinta Mazatlán! This Saturday, February 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Cub Scouts will have a chance to earn their Fur, Feathers and Ferns badge as they observe wildlife and plants, find out about endangered species, and do some gardening.
Obituaries
MISSION - Lt. Mark Casey, 73, entered eternal rest Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Mission Regional Medical Center.
Born in Weslaco and formerly of McAllen, Mr. Casey had lived in Mission for over 25 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during Vietnam. Mark had a 35-year career in law enforcement and retired from Mission Police Department.
EDINBURG - Armando De La Rosa, 54, died Friday, August 28, 2020, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.
He is survived by his wife, Mirna Quintero; six children, Krystal Lee De La Rosa, Bianca De La Rosa, Amanda Garcia, Andrea De La Rosa, Armando De La Rosa, Jr., Cassandra De La Rosa; 12 grandchildren; his parents, Alberto and Consuelo De La Rosa; and seven siblings.
EDINBURG - Bonifacio Castillo Jr., 45, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. Mr. Castillo lived in Edin
Mr. Castillo lived in Edinburg all of his life and was a very dedicated employee of Allied Fire and Protection and a loyal, loving friend to many.
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