Frank N. Boggus peacefully passed February 4, 2023 at ninety – four years of age.
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HARLINGEN, Texas — Frank N. Boggus peacefully passed February 4, 2023 at ninety – four years of age.
A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church of Harlingen. A Celebration of Life Gathering will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Boggus Ford – Harlingen, 2521 S. Expressway 83.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church or Wesley Preparatory School, 1406 E. Austin Ave., Harlingen, Texas 78550 (www.wesleyharlingen.org), Loaves and Fishes of the RGV, Inc., 514 S. E Street, Harlingen, Texas 78550 (www.lfrgv. org), or to the charity of your choice.
You are invited to share remembrances and condolences at https://www.sanbenitofuneralhome. com/ tributes/Frank – Boggus Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas
Crystal Ruiz is a second-semester student in TSTC’s Welding Technology program. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
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HARLINGEN, Texas – Texas State Technical College student Crystal Ruiz thinks back to when she was introduced to welding by two Raymondville High School agriculture teachers.
One of those educators, Erika Williams, noticed that Ruiz had a talent for welding and suggested that she enhance that gift at Texas State Technical College.
“In that agriculture class, I was shown stick welding, how to set up a torch, how to cut using a torch, and other interesting areas,” she said. “My instructors, Mrs. Williams and Richard (Garcia), motivated me to enroll at TSTC because the career pathway has a great salary potential.”
Although Williams died recently, Ruiz never will forget her support and encouragement.
“Before she passed away last year, Mrs. Williams gave me her welding tools because she believed in me,” she said. “That’s exactly what I needed for TSTC’s Welding Technology program. I want to honor her memory and break barriers in this male-dominated field.”
Now Ruiz is studying for a certificate of completion in Structural Welding at TSTC’s Harlingen campus.
Ruiz is grateful for Williams’ impact because she has heightened her skills.
“One type of weld that I enjoy is tungsten,” she said. “The setup is simple because you use a torch that’s connected to the gas, and then you start to weld.”
The second-semester student said her hands-on training has been engaging.
“During my first semester, I learned how to melt metal by doing a scarf weld,” she said. “It’s used to remove excessive metal. I was amazed by how the torch would melt a metal object in a simplistic manner.”
Ruiz said the instructors at TSTC educate the students about how to approach projects on their own.
“Their purpose is to explain it once, and we learn how to do it on our own,” she said. “That’s what is expected in the industry. I value their opinion. I’m one of five females in this program of study, and they (the instructors) taught me how to be independent. They mentioned there may be individuals who will be jealous because I can possibly do a job better. It’s important not to let their negativity affect my performance.”
She added that TSTC Welding Technology instructor Samuel Williams has been influential in her college journey.
“He has motivated me to work harder because there will be others who often have a better welding technique,” she said. “During a lab lesson, he showcased a product of mine to explain to others how well I did. That definitely shows I’m headed in the right direction.”
Samuel Williams said Ruiz has displayed confidence and consistency in class.
“Crystal takes the time to focus on minor details that make a significant difference in her work,” he said. “Her persistence demonstrates that she is learning the welding techniques for future success.”
Ruiz said she looks forward to joining the Texas workforce.
“I want to find a job so I won’t forget what I’ve learned in the welding program,” she said. “My goal is to become a top-notch welder so I can live the lifestyle that I’ve always wanted.”
According to onetonline.org, welders, cutters, solderers and brazers can earn a yearly median salary of more than $47,820 in Texas. These jobs are expected to increase in the state by 23% between 2020 and 2030, according to the website.
TSTC offers Welding Technology at each of its 10 campuses located throughout Texas.
Welding Technology is one of nine programs at TSTC that have money-back guarantees. The college’s commitment to welding students is simple: If they do not have a job in their field within six months of graduation, they will receive a full refund of their tuition. For more information on the Money-Back Guarantee program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/admissions/tuition/.
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced on Tuesday that The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men’s tennis junior Emilien Burnel has been selected as the TicketSmarter WAC Men’s Tennis Singles Player of the Week. UTRGV Image
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EDINBURG, Texas – The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced on Tuesday that The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men’s tennis junior Emilien Burnel has been selected as the TicketSmarter WAC Men’s Tennis Singles Player of the Week.
Burnel went 2-0 in the No. 1 singles flight as UTRGV competed in the Louisiana Winter Classic in Lafayette. He dominated his first match against Tyler Junior College’s Diego Dalisay, the No. 2 ranked singles player in JUCO by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), to take a 6-2, 6-1 win. He swiftly defeated Dakotah Bobo from Southern Miss 6-0, 6-4 to close the weekend. Burnel is 4-4 in singles this spring and 8-6 overall.
This marks two consecutive weeks that a Vaqueros men’s tennis student-athlete has won the singles award (senior Chris Lawrance on Jan. 31). It’s the first spring singles honor for Burnel, who earned WAC Doubles Player of the Week recognition with sophomore Sam Whitehead on Jan. 24. In the fall season, Burnel was named the WAC Singles Player of the Month after a fantastic start to his UTRGV career in September and WAC Doubles Player of the Month for October with sophomore Borna Devald.
Burnel and the Vaqueros (3-5) will face Texas Tech on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Lubbock.
Attorney General Paxton has joined a Montana-led amicus brief requesting the United States Supreme Court to protect a 70-year-old criminal law that has been reliably used to stop the encouragement and inducement of illegal immigration. USCBP Image for illustration purposes.
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AUSTIN, Texas – Attorney General Paxton has joined a Montana-led amicus brief requesting the United States Supreme Court to protect a 70-year-old criminal law that has been reliably used to stop the encouragement and inducement of illegal immigration.
Attorney General Paxton is urging the Court to reverse a decision by the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that struck down a statute that the federal government has long used to prosecute smuggling and illegal immigration. The law made it illegal for an individual to “encourage” or “induce” illegal immigration. Unfortunately, the Ninth Circuit struck down the statute by misconstruing the overbreadth doctrine and implying that the law “chills” free speech.
But every single state in the country has laws ensuring that individuals who “encourage” or “induce” crimes are brought to justice, and the words have long been well-understood in the context of criminal law. The Ninth Circuit’s erroneous decision has thus not only weakened the legal deterrent for those who wish to facilitate illegal immigration, but it has also opened up to challenge state laws in a way that could further aid violent criminals to avoid prosecution. To prevent that, it is important that the U.S. Supreme Court reverse the Ninth Circuit’s decision and rein in the overbreadth doctrine from misapplication in future related cases.
The brief states: “More than ever, illegal immigration imposes tremendous economic, social, and fiscal burdens on the states. The decision below, if left undisturbed, will impede the enforcement of criminal immigration laws nationwide, leading to significant adverse consequences for the Amici States.”
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) led a bipartisan group of 60 colleagues in writing to the Biden Administration regarding reports that Iranian-made drones recovered in Ukraine contain parts that were manufactured in the United States. Image Source: Eric Connolly; U.S. House Office of Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons for illustration purposes
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Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) led a bipartisan group of 60 colleagues in writing to the Biden Administration regarding reports that Iranian-made drones recovered in Ukraine contain parts that were manufactured in the United States. Also leading the letter were Congressmen August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Don Bacon (R-NE-2).
Russia has purchased hundreds of armed drones from Iran in the past year, including one-way “suicide drones” that have terrorized Ukrainian civilians. Intelligence estimates suggest that 75percent of the components of these drones are U.S.-made. The letter calls on the Biden Administration to develop a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to interrupt Iran’s supply chains and stop the flow of U.S.-made parts.
“Iran should not have access to American-made technology to build weapons of war. Stopping the flow of U.S.-made parts will not only frustrate the regime’s efforts to arm Russia – it will also degrade Iran’s own precision-strike capabilities,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I urge President Biden and his Administration to investigate this concerning development and ensure that American technology does not end up in the hands of our adversaries.”
“The reports that Russia is using Iranian-made drones, containing parts manufactured in the United States, to attack Ukraine are extremely concerning,” said Congressman Pfluger.“I am glad to join a bipartisan coalition of Members in calling for the Biden Administration to take immediate action to disrupt Iran’s burgeoning relationship with Russia and make sure no American-made product can be used for Russia’s evil war.”
“Iran’s effort to support Russia in its brutal war against Ukraine not only kills innocent people in Ukraine, but advances Iran’s nefarious capabilities to threaten the U.S. and our allies. That’s why I’m working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to cripple their burgeoning drone program which has already claimed too many lives,” said Congressman Schneider. “We must counter the IRGC and its terrorist proxies at every step.”
“The United States must continue to hold Iran accountable for the atrocities it commits including human rights abuses against its own citizens, support of terrorists such as Hezbollah and the proliferation of hundreds of drones to Russia since August 2022,” said Congressman Bacon. “My colleagues and I sent a letter to the President expressing the necessity for immediate action to disrupt Iran’s burgeoning relationship with Russia and to blunt Iran’s ability to undermine international law, project power across the Middle East, and threaten U.S. service-members globally.”
Joining Congressman Cuellar on this letter were Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Don Bacon (R-NE-2), André Carson (D-IN-7), Mark Green (R-TN-7), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-2), Jim McGovern (D-MA-2), Cory Mills (R-FL-7), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4), Joe Wilson (R-SC-2), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Tom Kean (R-NJ-7), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Jerry Carl (R-AL-1), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Rudy Yakym (R-IN-2), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Pat Fallon (R-TX-4), Susan Wild (D-PA-7), Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Ed Case (D-HI-1), John Rutherford (R-FL-5), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Dina Titus (D-NV-1), Mark Alford (R-MO-4), Susie Lee (D-NV-3), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS-At Large), David Trone (D-MD-6), Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), Wiley Nickel (D-NC-13), Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-6), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Jack Bergman (R-MI-1) Chris Pappas (D-NH-1), Michael Guest (R-MS-3), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Rob Menendez (D-NJ-8), Jared Golden (D-ME-2), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Jason Crow (D-CO-6), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-2), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1), Marcy Kaptuer (D-OH-9), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), and Dan Kildee (D-MI-8), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-7).
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the No Emergency Crude Oil for Foreign Adversaries Act to ensure that Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) crude oil is not exported to nations that are adversaries of the United States. Image Source: Facebook for illustration purposes
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the No Emergency Crude Oil for Foreign Adversaries Act to ensure that Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) crude oil is not exported to nations that are adversaries of the United States. Forty-eight years ago today, the bill to create the U.S. SPR was introduced in the Senate.
Sen. Cruz previously introduced this bill in July of 2022.
About the bill, Sen. Cruz said:
“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was intended to ensure that America had sufficient oil reserves in the event of an emergency. Instead, Joe Biden sold a portion of this critical national security asset to the Chinese Communist Party while the CCP is stockpiling oil for its own strategic use, and while Americans are paying higher and higher prices for fuel because of the Biden administration’s disastrous energy policies. The No Emergency Crude Oil for Foreign Adversaries Act would ensure this never happens again, banning SPR sales to China, North Korea, Iran and Russia, to ensure that our energy reserves are used for their real purpose: helping Americans.”
Sen. Cruz led the fight against Russia’s dominance of European energy, and specifically Putin’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He secured passage of the sanctions that stopped the pipeline during the Trump administration and a second bill expanding the sanctions. He led the battle to force the Biden administration to impose his sanctions halting the pipeline.
Sen. Cruz uses the annual national defense appropriations process year after year after year after year to include dozens of reforms and amendments supporting America’s Armed Forces in their fight for freedom. His amendments have dedicated $158 million for military construction projects in Texas, fought Chinese infiltration of American universities, banned China and included Taiwan in Pacific military exercises, protected Europe’s energy security from Russian aggression, and supported space-based missile interception efforts to better protect the United States.
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Brenda Molina and Jorge Fuentes for earning the title of Ambassadors of the Month! Courtesy Image
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EDINBURG, Texas –The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Brenda Molina and Jorge Fuentes for earning the title of Ambassadors of the Month!
Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Courtesy Image
Edinburg Chamber ambassadors are dedicated individuals; however, Molina and Fuentes have shown tremendous support during all of its events and have supported membership growth.
Molina has dedicated her time to the Edinburg Chamber and has helped bring in 3 new members to the organization. Molina joined the Ambassador program in December 2022 and has since had a constant presence, “I enjoy the networking opportunity that the chamber provides. Being an Ambassador allows me to help improve and serve my community,” said Molina.
Fuentes currently serves as Commercial Director for Bert Ogden Fiesta Dealership. Fuentes has volunteered as a chamber ambassador since October of 2022.
U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector arrested three convicted child sex offenders, shortly after they illegally entered the United States. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
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DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector arrested three convicted child sex offenders, shortly after they illegally entered the United States.
Jan. 30, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Eagle Pass Station agents encountered two subjects attempting to avoid detection and determined they were illegally present in the United States. Both subjects were apprehended and transported to a processing center. Record checks revealed that Juan Alfaro-Varela, 40, a Salvadoran national, was convicted of unlawful sex activity with a minor, in Salt Lake City, in 2008. He was sentenced to 365 days confinement and 36 months probation. Alfaro-Varela was most recently deported in 2022.
Jan. 31, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Eagle Pass Station agents encountered Lucio Argueta, 64, a Salvadoran national. Record checks revealed that Argueta, was convicted of rape, and sexual assault of a child, in Washington, in 2018. He was sentenced to 18 months confinement and was most recently deported in 2018.
Jan. 31, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Eagle Pass Station agents encountered eight subjects attempting to avoid detection. All subjects were apprehended and transported to a processing center. Record checks revealed that Arturo Guerrero-Lopez, 32, a Mexican national, was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child, in Florida, in 2016. Guerrero-Lopez was sentenced to five years confinement and was most recently deported in 2021.
As convicted felons, they face a charge of 8 USC § 1326 – Re-entry after Deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
All subjects are processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection policies.
CBP Officers locate cocaine in a hidden compartment. USCBP Image
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EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas intercepted 12.95 pounds of fentanyl and 44.12 pounds of cocaine on three separate incidents with a combined estimated street value of more than $450,000.
“CBP officers using a layered enforcement approach are regularly stopping significant drug loads,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “Officer expertise, canines and technology all play a role in our enforcement strategy.”
On Feb. 1 CBP officers encountered a 24-year-old male, Mexican citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. The individual was referred for a secondary inspection of the vehicle where a thorough search led CBP officers to locate 2.33 pounds of cocaine.
Approximately 30 minutes later, CBP officers encountered a 31-year-old female, Mexican citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. The individual was referred for a secondary inspection of the vehicle where with the aid of a non-intrusive exam (x-ray) and CBP canine, CBP officers located 21.6 pounds of cocaine and 12.95 pounds of fentanyl.
On Feb. 5 CBP officers encountered a 35-year-old male, U.S. citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. CBP officers referred the individual to secondary where a non-intrusive exam of the vehicle was conducted. Anomalies were detected and further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 20.19 pounds of cocaine.
The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and/or state and local authorities for prosecution.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at El Paso area ports of entry are busy this week tapping and shaking cut flower shipments to make sure that personal and commercial importations of Valentine’s Day flowers are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States. Valentine’s Day is Tuesday February 14. USCBP Images
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EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at El Paso area ports of entry are busy this week tapping and shaking cut flower shipments to make sure that personal and commercial importations of Valentine’s Day flowers are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States. Valentine’s Day is Tuesday February 14.
“This is always one of the busiest weeks of the year for CBP agriculture specialists. Typically we note an increase in the number of floral imports arriving at area ports of entry including those being transported by individuals,” said Hector Mancha, CBP Director of Field Operations in El Paso. “Vigilant CBP agriculture specialists are hard at work making certain that any imported floral arrangements are free from insects, pests or disease. The public can help by declaring all agricultural products they are importing.”
CBP strongly encourages the public to consult the CBP website before they import floral arrangements so they know which flowers are permissible and which are prohibited or restricted.
CBP suggests those who plan to import flowers and plants from Mexico to advise their florist that the arrangements are destined for U.S. delivery. Some flowers and plant materials commonly found in floral arrangements at southwest border ports of entry are prohibited. Those include chrysanthemums and choisya ternata (a floral filler) due to pest risk.
While a relatively small number of harmful pests are found among the millions of stems inspected by CBP, a single dangerous pest could cause millions of dollars of damage to our nation’s crops. CBP recommends that people who wish to import flowers, plant materials, and other agricultural items consult the CBP Info Center section on the CBP website before they travel or call (877) 227-5511.
Travelers should also declare all items acquired abroad to CBP officers to avoid civil or criminal penalties and reduce the risk of introducing pest and disease to the United States. CBP now offers the CBP One mobile app, which allows travelers to request a variety of CBP services, including inspection of agricultural products. The CBP One app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and the Easter holiday weekend are the busiest times of the year for CBP agriculture specialists. CBP agriculture specialists are the last line in the fight against the introduction of insects, pests and diseases into the United States.
