Outgoing TLTA President John Updegraff, Jr. passed the gavel to our association’s new president for 2022-23, Paul R. Rodriguez, Valley Land Title Co., President & CEO. Image Source: Valley Land Title Co.
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Outgoing Texas Land Title Association President John Updegraff, Jr. passed the gavel to our association’s new president for 2022-23, Paul R. Rodriguez, Valley Land Title Co., President & CEO. The TLTA 2022 Annual Conference & Business meeting was held in Fort Worth, TX where hundreds of title professionals and industry partners gathered to exchange knowledge, resources, strategies, solutions, and more. Congratulations Mr. Rodriguez, wishing you a great TLTA year!!!
U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector arrested four convicted sex offenders in separate events shortly after illegally entering the United States, in recent days. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
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DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector arrested four convicted sex offenders in separate events shortly after illegally entering the United States, in recent days.
June 9, at approximately 12:07 a.m., Brackettville Station agents encountered six migrants walking in the brush, attempting to avoid detection. Agents transported them to the Brackettville Station for further processing. Record checks revealed that a Mexican national, Venustiano Perez-Martinez, 38, was previously convicted of first-degree rape in Oklahoma, in 2009, and sentenced to five years in prison.
That same day at approximately 9 a.m., agents from Comstock Station responded to assist with a vehicle stop. The assist resulted in the apprehension of seven migrants. During processing it was revealed that Jose Manuel Carrasco-Soria, 33, was convicted sex abuse of child in Oklahoma, in 2010, and was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison.
Later that evening around 8:16 p.m., agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station apprehended 13 migrants attempting to avoid detection. The migrants were transported to the Eagle Pass Central Processing Center where it was discovered through record checks, that one subject, Gerson Garcia, 44, a Honduran national was previously convicted of first-degree rape in New York, in 2002, and was sentenced to 42 months incarceration.
On June 11, at approximately 1 a.m., Uvalde Station agents encountered four migrants walking in the brush, attempting to avoid detection. Agents transported them to the Eagle Pass Processing Facility. Record checks revealed that one subject, a Salvadoran national, Nectanael Pineda-Garcia, 50, was previously convicted on two counts of forced sexual penetration in Virginia, in 2013, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
All four subjects had been previously deported. As convicted felons with prior removals, they face a charge of 8 USC § 1326 – Re-entry after Deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
“We arrest many criminals attempting to enter the United States undetected or attempting to blend in with migrant groups,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens. “Our primary mission of Border security is vital to the protection of our nation and its people. I am proud of the men and women of the Del Rio Sector for helping keep criminals like this off our streets.”
During fiscal year 2022, Oct. 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022, Del Rio Sector agents have encountered more than 1,269 criminal migrants.
All subjects are processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection policies.
To report suspicious activity, call the Del Rio Sector’s toll-free number at 1-866-511-8727.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested three sex offenders and two gang members within 24 hours, preventing them from infiltrating the community. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested three sex offenders and two gang members within 24 hours, preventing them from infiltrating the community.
On June 14, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents apprehended a convicted sex offender from El Salvador near Mission. Record checks revealed he was arrested in Louisiana in 2016 and charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and sentenced to five years incarceration.
Later that morning, MCS agents apprehended a Mexican national near La Joya. The migrant was turned over to Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding warrant in Greenville, South Carolina, for sexual assault on a minor.
MCS agents apprehended a Honduran national on June 14 whose record checks revealed a conviction for aggravated sexual battery with a five-year sentence in Virginia.
Additionally, MCS agents apprehended two MS-13 gang members from El Salvador.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) urging it to press forward with its original plan to build a border wall in Webb and Zapata Counties. Image for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) urging it to press forward with its original plan to build a border wall in Webb and Zapata Counties. The Biden Administration is currently conducting an “Environmental Assessment” of the wall, the construction of which was directed by Congress in 2020 and has since been stalled by the Biden Administration. This Assessment will likely be used as a pretext to halt any ongoing construction.
“A border barrier is critical to protecting Texans,” the Letter reads. “The crisis on Texas’s southern border remains ongoing—illegal alien encounters at the southwest border are currently up to 1,295,900 for this fiscal year alone. The massive influx of illegal aliens has inflicted and continues to inflict serious costs on the State of Texas as well as Texans.” A border wall is an essential tool in halting this influx.
“Until the Biden Administration uses the congressionally-allotted funds to build the border wall in the Laredo sector, our law enforcement community and the people of this great state will see no end to this crisis,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “The Department of Homeland Security has recognized the value in the wall, yet Biden ignores the facts, leaving Americans defenseless. It’s time to stop stalling and secure our borders. Build the wall.”
This letter follows on Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit with Missouri against Biden for his Administration’s illegal cancelation of border-wall contracts, which was filed in October 2021. That suit continues to be litigated in federal court.
On June 2, 2022, Pharr City Commissioners, Police, Firefighters, and leaders traveled to Uvalde, Texas to pay their respects, deliver donations, and lend their support to the grieving community. Courtesy Image City of Pharr
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On June 2, 2022, Pharr City Commissioners, Police, Firefighters, and leaders traveled to Uvalde, Texas to pay their respects, deliver donations, and lend their support to the grieving community.
The Pharr Fire Department raised over $11,000 during their “Fill the Helmet” fundraising event and went to deliver the funds to the community to help victims and families. The Pharr Police Department also delivered donations and took their K9 therapy dog Ammo who was available to provide comfort, support, and love to the community.
Pharr City Commissioners and leaders dropped off teddy bears and visited with city leaders and victims at the memorial site. “This is an incredibly difficult situation for the community, and we hope that we were able to provide some relief and support to those grieving and in need of assistance during this time, said City Commissioner Daniel Chavez. “They are a community just like ours, and we know a tragedy such as this would have such a huge impact on our livelihoods and especially on our children,” he added.
The City of Pharr would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and thanks to everyone in our community who took the time to donate money, teddy bears, and other items to the Uvalde community.
Analicia Zarate of Edinburg was four years old when she and her mom were headed home from church on a Sunday night. A drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit their car, killing Analicia’s mom instantly. Image source: www.soberrides.org
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AUSTIN – Analicia Zarate of Edinburg was four years old when she and her mom were headed home from church on a Sunday night. A drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit their car, killing Analicia’s mom instantly. More than 20 years have passed since that tragic night, but the pain endures. “All I remember is being buckled into a car seat and waking up in a hospital a week later,” Zarate said. “My mother died in the crash. I was four.”
TxDOT Video: www.soberrides.org
She wishes the drunk driver could see the pain he caused by taking her mother away from her. Analicia’s mom, Nereida Flores Garza, is just one of thousands of people killed every year by drunk drivers—1,061 in Texas last year. Stories like this are why TxDOT is launching its Faces of Drunk Driving summer campaign: to show the real faces behind the statistics.
“These are real people whose deaths were 100% preventable, had it not been for a drunk driver,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We hope these personal accounts from offenders and survivors wake people up to the consequences of drinking and driving. Always get a sober ride through a designated driver, taxi, rideshare app, or calling a friend—or simply stay where you are.”
Last year, 24% of all traffic deaths in Texas were caused by drunk driving. That translates to an average of one person dying every eight hours and 15 minutes. In 2021, Texas saw 25,261 drunk driving related traffic crashes—an increase of 9% over 2020.
The Faces of DrunkDriving campaign reminds us that the human toll of a drunk driving crash devastates the lives of survivors forever. Drinking and driving can have serious physical, emotional and financial consequences that can last for years. A DWI/DUI can be expensive and lead to legal hassles, difficulty finding or keeping a job, loss of trust from loved ones, and regret.
That’s why the Faces of Drunk Driving campaign also includes stories from people convicted of DWI/DUI. Richie tells his story about heading home after drinking at a friend’s house, losing control of his car and hitting a house. As a result, he spent 10 days in jail, was sentenced to a year probation, had to perform 150 hours of community service, pay fines and cover the costs of repairing the house. Richie says he also must face the fact that he is now a convicted felon.
This year’s campaign will feature events around the state to share stories of Texans who deal with the consequences of a drunk driving crash every day of their lives. Events will include an exhibit of powerful video testimonials. Full video stories and other impaired driving information can be found at SoberRides.org.
The Faces of Drunk Driving summer campaign is an important piece of the larger Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign. It is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed
limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. November 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
The latest surveys of consumers indicate that, as a whole, we are becoming a less optimistic lot. Image for illustration purposes
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group
The latest surveys of consumers indicate that, as a whole, we are becoming a less optimistic lot. Because our spending on goods and services normally represents around 70% of the economy, that is a source of some concern (although, strangely, our confidence level and our outlays have not been particularly correlated over time).
It’s an unusual dynamic to have confidence sagging even as the economy adds jobs at a brisk pace and shows other signs of strength. Usually, the big dips occur during recessions.
The monthly series maintained by the University of Michigan recently reached its lowest recorded level, as bad as the worst of the 1980 recession. Respondents’ assessment of their personal finances dropped significantly, and feelings about business conditions in the next year slumped even further. The primary culprit? Inflation.
Inflation has reached the highest level in 40 years. Few people are unaffected by major jumps in prices for gasoline, groceries, and virtually everything else. Even as wages rise, they’re not keeping pace. Consequently, many households are falling behind. The problems this time around stem from a perfect storm of factors coalescing at once, but they do not reflect the institutional forces that created systematic, long-term inflation that plagued the 1970s and early 1980s.
Although much of it was essential, the trillions in stimulus packages during the pandemic have increased liquidity and stimulated spending as we resume more normal activity. Supply chain challenges and the Russian invasion of Ukraine also pushed up prices. Workforce challenges and recent shutdowns in China have made things worse. These issues are largely transitory and being addressed, but it will likely take a few months.
The Federal Reserve is reducing liquidity and is engaged in a series of substantial rate hikes. The goal is to slow things enough to cool price increases, but not too much. It’s a delicate balance that requires the Fed to be nimble.
Consumers often change their minds fairly quickly, and a few positive developments could easily shift perceptions. Although some parameters are difficult or impossible to control (such as the conflict in Ukraine), many others are not. Oil production has recently set records in the Permian Basin (the largest US oilfield) and is increasing rapidly. It is also rising in other major formations in the US and around the world. Recent trade data indicates that the pace of bringing goods into commerce is improving, which helps with supply chain bottlenecks. These efforts will not curtail inflation overnight, but they will bring improvements in the coming months (not years).
The good news is that the underlying economy continues to expand. As we begin to see some inflation relief, consumer confidence should rebound. Chin up! Stay safe!
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 2,500 clients over the past four decades.
(Back row, left to right) Grant Burbach, sales consultant for the Boggus Automotive Group, Richard Mesquias Jr., The TSTC Foundation’s senior field development officer, Jorge Vargas, sales consultant for the Boggus Automotive Group, (front row, left to right) Belinda Palomino, TSTC Advocacy and Resource Center coordinator, and TSTC students Riki Mungia and Anali Cantu showcase backpacks donated to the TSTC Advocacy and Resource Center by the Boggus Automotive Group. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
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HARLINGEN, Texas – With inflation affecting the price of resources that are important to Texas State Technical College students, the Advocacy and Resource Center at TSTC’s Harlingen campus recently received a donation of 50 backpacks through a partnership between The TSTC Foundation and the Boggus Automotive Group.
“This type of donation is essential for a student’s success,” said Belinda Palomino, TSTC’s Advocacy and Resource Center coordinator and statewide lead. “Backpacks can cost up to $30. Sometimes that amount is the difference between a student putting gas in their vehicle or their next meal. This donation alleviates TSTC students from having that concern.”
Jacob Boggus, general manager for the Boggus Automotive Group, said this small gesture demonstrates a larger commitment of support and partnership with TSTC and its students.
“Those students are our future employees, and we value them,” Boggus said. “We need TSTC to educate our students, and we would like to employ them. For TSTC students, they are confident that at graduation they will have a job at a solid place of employment to learn, grow and prosper.”
Richard Mesquias Jr., The TSTC Foundation’s senior field development officer, said the Boggus Automotive Group has been a consistent industry partner in the college’s endeavors by providing students with scholarships and internships.
“This in-kind gift is the latest example of that partnership,” Mesquias said. “We are very appreciative of the support that the Boggus Automotive Group has provided over the years with donated equipment, materials and scholarship funding. Now it is for the backpacks.”
The donation occurred at a perfect time for the Advocacy and Resource Center with the summer 2022 semester underway at TSTC and the fall semester on the horizon.
Palomino said the overall response for having the backpacks available has been positive.
“Our students are grateful to see the support from the community,” she said. “If any local businesses would like to contribute to our TSTC students’ success, we accept food, cleaning supplies such as detergent and soap, and personal hygiene products.”
Palomino added that this summer the Advocacy and Resource Center will continue to assist students and grow TSTC’s community networks.
“Every Wednesday, we will host a local organization on campus that provides free or low-cost services to our students,” she said. “Organizations such as the Family Crisis Center, Planned Parenthood and Come Dream, Come Build have already provided great information directly to the students. We hope to continue this in the fall.”
TSTC students can learn about TSTC’s Advocacy and Resource Center, including its calendar of events, by visiting its “Culture of Caring” website through the TSTC Portal.
Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball team learned on Wednesday that senior pitcher Kevin Stevens and junior outfielder Brandon Pimentel are part of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-Central Region Second Team as voted on by members of the ABCA. Courtesy Image
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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball team learned on Wednesday that senior pitcher Kevin Stevens and junior outfielder Brandon Pimentel are part of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-Central Region Second Team as voted on by members of the ABCA.
Kevin Stevens
A two-time All-WAC First Team selection, Stevens went 9-2 with a 2.66 ERA. In 81.1 innings, he racked up 100 strikeouts, tied for the 10th-highest single-season total in program history, while walking 29, allowing 69 hits, and holding opponents to a .230 batting average.
Stevens finished his career with 228 strikeouts, the sixth-highest total in program history.
As a team, UTRGV finished the season with a program record 485 strikeouts, shattering the previous program record of 435 set in 2018.
Brandon Pimentel
An All-WAC Second Team selection, Pimentel hit .377/.427/.619 with 12 home runs, tied for the fifth-highest single-season total in program history, 17 doubles, tied for the eighth-highest single-season total in program history, two triples, 146 total bases, the second-highest single-season total in program history, 47 RBI and 54 runs scored.
As a team, UTRGV hit 63 home runs, the third-highest single-season total in program history, and 101 doubles, the fifth highest.
This program is completely free and available for those who meet the prerequisites. Image for illustration purposes
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Civics. This grant has made the Civics Program possible at LC, where 200 participants will be highly prepared in these three areas. The classes will offer flexible schedules and will continue to be offered until September 2023. Participants must take an oral proficiency test and must attend 80-hours of ESL/Citizenship instruction.
Those who complete the citizenship instruction courses will be able to apply, go through the eligibility screening and become naturalized citizens if qualified. For this process to be possible, LC will be collaborating with the Azteca Economic Development and Preservation, Corporation Inc.
“Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is one of the most important decisions in an individual’s life,” LC Dean of Community Education Sandra Cortez said. “If you decide to apply to become a U.S. citizen, contact us and take advantage of this great opportunity.”
Enrollment is now underway, textbooks are provided and classes will be offered in the morning and evening. Call us to inquire of the start dates. This program is completely free and available for those who meet the prerequisites.
For additional information regarding this program, contact Giovanna Rodriguez or Eduardo Martinez at (956) 721-5436, (956) 721-5131 or email giovanna.rodriguez@laredo.edu for more details.
