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The Mission Police Department kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a Press Conference at the CEED building this morning.
Partnering agencies like Mujeres Unidas, the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit, Easterseals RGV, RGV Empowerment Zone and Angels of Love were also in attendance.
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The American Red Cross is working tirelessly to help people devastated by Hurricane Ian. Many communities are unrecognizable after the storm and volunteers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are helping those affected and will be helping them recover for weeks and months to come. The Texas Gulf Coast Region alone has deployed 28 volunteers so far and has several more on standby ready to help when needed.
“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Vanessa Valdez, Regional Communications Manager. “They need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters, giving blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer today.”
The Red Cross and our partners are providing a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on as people begin to pick up the pieces after the storm. Shelters are open across the affected areas, Red Cross emergency vehicles are delivering food and relief supplies and volunteers are helping families cope and replacing prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs.
Dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters have canceled dozens of blood drives with about 1,000 lifesaving blood and platelet donations uncollected. Individuals who live in areas unaffected by Hurricane Ian — especially those with type O blood — are urged to give blood now to help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
MAKE A DONATION We will be working side-by-side with our partners to help people in need for weeks and months to come. To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters.Financial donationsenable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
VOLUNTEER If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday and get involved today.
Texas Border Business
The candidates for Governor of Texas will meet for an hour long debate at University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg on the evening of September 30. This will be the one and only gubernatorial debate of the 2022 election. The debate will be moderated by Britt Moreno of KXAN Austin, and will feature a panel of journalists including Sally Hernandez of KXAN Austin, Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas Morning News, and Steve Spriester of KSAT San Antonio.
Texans for Greg Abbott Campaign Chairman Gardner Pate said, “Governor Abbott is looking forward to debating Beto O’Rourke and explaining to all Texans about the Governor’s efforts to secure the future of Texas by securing the border, defunding cities that defund the police, lowering property taxes, and protecting our oil & gas industry. Unlike Beto O’Rourke, who supports open borders, defunding the police, increasing property taxes, and supports radical energy policies that would hurt our oil & gas workers.”
The debate will be on local Nexstar television stations across the state, and MeGustaTV will livestream the debate here. Viewers may see a black box or livestream testing in the hours before the event begins, or other live feeds from KXAN unrelated to the debate.
The election is Nov. 8, and early voting starts Oct. 24.
The feed is courtesy of KXAN-TV.
Texas Border Business
A man has been arrested for making “terroristic threats” against the District. The threat against Vela High School was made via email and parents were notified yesterday. The Edinburg CISD Police department with the help of the FBI were able to locate the individual and arrest him today. “These kinds of threats are serious and we intend to prosecute any individual that makes a threat against any of our schools”, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mario Salinas.
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to 308,700 migrant apprehensions and more than 20,200 criminal arrests, with more than 17,900 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 336 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
Texas has also bused over 8,100 migrants to our nation’s capital since April, over 2,900 migrants to New York City since August 5, and more than 870 migrants to Chicago since August 31. The busing mission is providing much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border communities.
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden’s open border policies.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:
DPS Arrest Previously Deported Felon After Attempt To Seize Soldier’s Weapon
DPS troopers this week arrested a suspected illegal immigrant who attempted to take a weapon away from a Texas National Guard soldier serving as part of Operation Lone Star. Soldiers assisted Border Patrol with a nighttime apprehension of a large group of illegal immigrants in Mission. The soldier attempted to capture a suspected male illegal immigrant, who grabbed the soldier’s M-4 rifle with both hands. The soldier was able to maintain possession of his weapon, and the suspect was apprehended with assistance from other soldiers.
The suspect from Mexico was arrested for attempting to take a weapon away from a public servant and transported to the Hidalgo County Jail. He is a previously deported felon.
Read the DPS press release.
WATCH: DPS Lt. Olivarez Describes Uptick In Smuggling Attempts By Plane
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez spoke with Fox Business about a major human smuggling bust in which human smugglers attempted to charter a flight to Houston with six illegal immigrants, including a previously deported child sexual assault suspect with a warrant in Wisconsin. He described how DPS has obstructed three smuggling attempts by private planes in 30 days at different airports in the Rio Grande Valley to Houston, which is a hub for human smuggling.
“We’re starting to see an increase in planes that are being used to smuggle illegal immigrants further into the State of Texas, and then from there they make it further into the interior,” said Lt. Olivarez. “There is no way of knowing who these individuals are unless you actually catch them in the act and apprehend and vet them. That’s how we were able to identify that one individual with a warrant for sexual assault.”
Joint Operation Stops Smuggling Attempt, Previously Deported Felon Arrested
In a joint operation with Homeland Security Investigations, the DPS Criminal Investigations Division disrupted a human smuggling attempt by plane in Weslaco as part of Operation Lone Star. On Saturday morning, DPS Special Agents noticed several vehicles arrive at the Mid Valley Airport and drop off seven individuals, who boarded a Raytheron plane. Six illegal immigrants were identified and one female U.S. citizen, who was coordinating the smuggling attempt to Houston.
The illegal immigrants—four males and two females from El Salvador and Mexico—had fraudulent Texas identification cards. They were referred to Border Patrol. Further investigation revealed that one of the males was a previously deported felon wanted in Wisconsin for sexual assault of a child.
WATCH: ‘Faulkner Focus’ Host Witnesses Chaos At Border Via DPS Aircraft
Fox News host Harris Faulkner visited Eagle Pass, where she witnessed the ongoing chaos caused by President Biden’s open border policies. DPS aircraft tracked a group of roughly 10 illegal immigrants and coordinated with Border Patrol on the ground. Faulkner also spoke with a Border Patrol agent who expressed frustration that agents are only able to process illegal immigrants in their stations and processing centers and not respond effectively to the influx.
“This [presidential] administration is letting them loose into the United States,” said the DPS airman. “They’re getting let loose into Texas, and we’re getting overwhelmed.”
WATCH: Texas National Guard Have Positive Impact For Businesses Along Border
Texas National Guard soldiers patrolling the border day and night are making a positive difference for residents and businesses in Brownsville. One local business owner says that before soldiers began patrolling the area where his auto repair shop and family ranch are located, illegal immigrants would constantly trespass on his properties, causing significant damage.
“It’s helped a lot, so hopefully it keeps helping,” said the local business owner.
WATCH: DPS Lt. Olivarez Discusses Migrant Arrivals In Sanctuary Cities
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez joined Fox News’ “Your World” to discuss Governor Abbott’s migrant busing mission to sanctuary cities and the need for decisive actions from President Biden to address the ongoing crisis. He described the surge of illegal immigrants El Paso is currently experiencing, with about 1,500 a day coming across the border and having to sleep in tents on the streets because the city lacks the resources to accommodate the influx.
“This crisis has not slowed down, whatsoever,” said Lt. Olivarez. “These smaller border communities just do not have the capacity to handle the flow of migrants who are coming across. These sanctuary cities that have been touting that they welcome migrants have the resources as larger cities. The hypocrisy of the situation just doesn’t make sense.”
Texas National Guard Cracks Down On Rising Crime Along Border
Texas National Guard soldiers assisted Border Patrol agents in apprehending five criminals attempting to evade capture after illegally crossing the Rio Grande River near La Joya on Monday. According to soldiers patrolling the area, there has been a notable rise in the number of illegal crossings and subsequent apprehensions over the past week. Soldiers are also noticing increased numbers of criminals fleeing apprehension.
“We have had a total of 109 people we have detained, and over half have been criminal apprehensions,” said Staff Sgt. Juan Aldana, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry. “Last night, we got a call from a Border Patrol agent who was trying to apprehend a combative criminal. We rushed over there and surrounded him and were able to safely detain him.”
WATCH: DPS Discover 10 Illegal Immigrants In Van During Traffic Stop
DPS troopers working Operation Lone Star discovered 10 illegal immigrants, including a child, inside a Penske van during a traffic stop in Kinney County. The driver was charged with smuggling of persons, and all 10 illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
DPS Discover Kidnapped Migrant Baby During Operation Lone Star Traffic Stop
DPS troopers discovered a kidnapped migrant baby during a traffic stop as part of Operation Lone Star in El Paso two weeks ago. The 18-month-old baby was in poor health and taken to the hospital for treatment before being released to Child Protective Services as authorities investigated his identity and tried to locate family. This week, DPS agents received information from Florida about a mother whose baby was being held for ransom.
Both the 45-year-old driver of the vehicle and a teenager in the vehicle face charges of smuggling of persons and aggravated kidnapping.
WATCH: DPS Troopers Find 11 Concealed Illegal Immigrants In Truck In Del Rio
DPS troopers with Operation Lone Star found 11 illegal immigrants concealed inside a truck during a traffic stop in Del Rio. The driver was charged with smuggling of persons, and all 11 illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents interdicted six smuggling events leading to 69 arrests.
On September 28, RGV agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a Jeep near Norias. Agents activated their emergency lights and the vehicle veered off the road, struck a fence and came to a stop where multiple subjects exited the vehicle and attempted to abscond into nearby brush. Eight migrants were apprehended.
Later that evening, Weslaco Border Patrol Station agents observed multiple subjects load into a pickup truck near the Rio Grande south of Alamo. The vehicle drove away from the river and came to a stop before reaching U.S. Military Highway. The occupants bailed out and ran into nearby fields. A CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter responded and assisted agents in apprehending nine migrants. The driver was not located.
Just after midnight on September 29, RGV agents apprehended two subjects near Linn. The migrants were located after agents observed a Cadillac SRX veer off the road and drive through a ranch perimeter fence. Several subjects, including the driver, absconded into nearby brush and eluded arrest.
A few hours later, RGV agents encountered a similar situation with a Chrysler 200 near Norias. This event led to the apprehension of six migrants from the bailout.
Additionally, Kingsville Border Patrol Station agents made 44 arrests from two tractor trailers last night at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint.
All subjects were processed accordingly.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-863-9382.
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo North Station prevented a tragedy by stopping a vehicle driving the wrong direction during a human smuggling attempt on I-35, north of Laredo, Texas.
On September 28, while agents were working their assigned duties, noticed a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on the southbound lane of I-35. The driver attempted to drive through the median to enter the correct lane, but the guardrail wiring prevented the driver from doing so. The driver stopped the vehicle and proceeded to abscond from the vehicle. The driver had four people inside the vehicle, all who were determined to be in the country illegally.
Records checks revealed they were from the country of Mexico and were taken into custody for processing. The driver of the vehicle was not located.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents from the Laredo North Station arrested a convicted sex offender and wanted criminal near Laredo, Texas.
The first arrest occurred on September 23, when agents apprehended two undocumented individuals. One person was identified as Francisco Carrillo-Cervano a 60-year-old Mexican national. Record checks revealed that Francisco Carrillo-Cervano had a prior felony conviction for Aggravated Assault, Sexual Assault, and DWI. Francisco Carrillo-Cervano is also a registered sex offender out of Florida. Francisco Carrillo-Cervano will be processed accordingly.
On September 25, agents apprehended a group of five undocumented individuals at Mile Marker 32 on I-35. Record checks identified that one of the individuals as being Milton Alexis Gutierrez-Rivas, a 25-year-old Honduran national. Milton Alexis Gutierrez-Rivas has an outstanding warrant out of Centennial, Colorado. Milton Alexis Gutierrez-Rivas will be turned over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office for extradition back to Colorado.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.
EDINBURG — Karliene Marie Davis, eighty – five of Mission, Texas passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 22, 2022, in Edinburg, Texas. She was born on August 11, 1937, in Pearsall, TX, daughter of the late Orville and Lucille O’Brien. She was preceded in death by her one true love, her husband James W. Davis Jr, her grandson, Marc Ramon Rodriguez, her son – in – law, Steve Eriksmoen.
Karliene grew up in Central Texas and graduated from Cotulla High School in Cotulla, Texas in 1955 before moving to the Rio Grande Valley where she would go on to meet James “Jimmy” Davis on a blind date. That blind date would quickly develop into a courtship which found Karliene typing Jimmy’s master’s papers as he traveled to and from Kingsville for classes. That early commitment of keystrokes eventually wrote itself into a lifetime commitment inmarriage. Jimmy asked her to marry him over the phone. She teased him often that the only reason he married her was so she could help him finish his masters.
Karliene was affectionately known to many as Big Mama which was a name she revered. She garnered the name from her oldest grandchild DJ. DJ gave her the name because he heard his aunts calling her Mama, and he did not understand, so he coined the name Big Mama since she was tall.
She spent her time living in Alamo alongside her husband all while raising their four girls. She worked many years managing medical offices all while spending her most cherished time alongside her husband in the outdoors and assisting with the Nomad Shrine Club where she was a member of the Daughters of the Nile. She remained faithfully active in the Episcopal church most recently attending St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church where she was a member of the Daughters of the King. She was also a member of the McAllen Elks Lodge where you regularly found her contributing her cooking skills in the kitchen which eventually brought her to be recognized as the recipient of several awards.
Just as the many family photos adorned her refrigerator, it was beyond the refrigerator doors that brought unity within her family as she regularly cooked true southern dishes that brought her a loyalty for those with a staunch appetite. She was known to prepare some of the most delectable dishes, many times alongside her four girls. Her faithfulness to the kitchen was second only to her religious faith as she was known for her daily and unwavering devotion to prayer.
Mrs. Davis is survived by her four daughters, Donna Hutchins (Sherrill Kendrick), Sharon Wernecke (Ron Miller), Jennifer Eriksmoen and Carol Rodriguez (Marco Rodriguez). She was blessed with many grandchildren to include DJ Wernecke (Rachael), Brice Wernecke (Lindsay), Vance Hutchins, Davis Eriksmoen, Kayla Rodriguez, and Cameron Eriksmoen. Additionally, she would be graced with five great grandchildren, Hunter, Luke, Jaxon, Sadie, and Teigan. She often found humor in creating a Texas sized family which would inevitably give her a Texas sized smile during family gatherings. She was blessed with a keen ability to steadfastly listen but never short for advice for anyone she came across.
Memorial service will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in McAllen, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church in Mission, Texas.
Her note to her family: I haven’t left you; I will always be with you. My beautiful family, I love you all very much…. Love – Mom, “Big Mama”
Texas Border Business
The Federal Reserve recently announced another increase in the target interest rate for federal funds to 3-3.25%. The point is to slow the economy in order to reduce inflation. It’s a balancing act of the Fed’s twin mandates – maximizing employment and keeping inflation at bay.
The pandemic required stimulative policy to keep the economy from imploding any worse than it did. The Fed decreased the fed funds rate to 0% and purchased mortgage securities to inject money into the economy, among other things. Various federal stimulus packages flooded household budgets with money to spend at a time when activities such as eating out or traveling were impossible or difficult. Once things opened up, excess cash dramatically increased demand even as COVID-19-related disruptions curtailed supply. Throw in a war in the Ukraine, a shutdown in China, a few weather disruptions, and a worker shortage, and things only get worse (at least we are not dealing with a rail strike at this point).
The most basic definition of inflation is too many dollars chasing too few goods. We’ve begun to see some improvement in the availability of goods (though there are still notable issues) but inflation remains stubbornly high. The good news is that, unlike the period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the factors driving this inflation are not structural in nature and are not permanently baked into the system. The bad news is that the near perfect storm of factors that generated and sustained these rises is not dissipating as quickly as we would like, and liquidity and demand remain high. Some prices, such as gasoline, have notably declined and others are beginning to stabilize, but thus far it has not been enough to move the needle without the additional push from monetary policy.
In response, the Federal Reserve has morphed from sounding cautious about disrupting the recovery to asserting that below-trend economic growth is acceptable if necessary to bring inflation under control. In late August, Chair Powell stated that price stability was the focus, recognizing that the resulting higher interest rates, slower growth, and softer labor market conditions would “also bring some pain to households and businesses.” He has since reinforced that message.
There’s a legitimate sense of urgency in that if inflation becomes a perceived permanent condition, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Such an outcome would make the specter of higher prices much harder to reverse.
Chair Powell has pledged to “keep at it until we are confident the job is done.” Despite some of the short-term pain, that’s good news for all of us. The last thing we need is to build a self-reinforcing pattern of inflation into the economy. We’ve been there before. Stay safe!
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of more than 2,500 clients over the past four decades.
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