SAN BENITO — Now everyone can watch city leaders make decisions.

San Benito has officially made their city meetings accessible to the public via their website.

By clicking on the “Streaming Live” link on the website, citizens can view a live feed of city commission meetings, economic development corporation board meeting and special meetings.

Citizens will get their chance tonight to see a commission meeting live. They will meet this evening at 5:30 p.m. at city hall located at 401 North Sam Houston.

In addition to the usual items, the skate pad and street repairs, commissioners also will be presented with a list of requested speed hump placements.

Commissioners will consider taking action on the recommendations from the traffic safety board for several speed humps and other traffic recommendations.

Additionally, commissioners will consider a resolution approving the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

They also will consider accepting the letter of resignation from Federico Garza of the Economic Development Corporation Board and then consider appointing a replacement

Commissioners will also discuss having a memorial tribute for former City Manager Manuel Lara, who died unexpectedly last year.

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U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen – the Brownsville federal judge who halted President Barack Obama’s 2014 executive action on immigration – has permitted a stay of the Court’s order that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to produce a list of tens of thousands of immigrants who benefited prematurely from the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) policy.

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen – the Brownsville federal judge who halted President Barack Obama’s 2014 executive action on immigration – has permitted a stay of the Court’s order that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to produce a list of tens of thousands of immigrants who benefited prematurely from the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) policy.

Hanen has given the Department of Justice until Aug. 22 to produce evidence showing that he was not deliberately misled by the administration’s attorneys regarding when the government would begin accepting applications for DAPA and how many immigrants were mistakenly awarded work permits before the program would begin.

He also asked for suggestions on what he should do regarding the misrepresentation by July 31. Previously, Hanen’s sanctions called for ethics classes for all DoJ attorneys.

“This (stay) puts us well beyond the Supreme Court ruling. I wish I could wave a magic wand to say, ‘Let’s have a do-over,’ but there’s not. Give me something to work with reasonably. Affidavits. Something,” Hanen told James Gilligan, who spoke on behalf of the DoJ.

For more on this story read Wednesday’s Brownsville Herald.

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SAN BENITO — Morriah Pinon said she’s getting ready for her future to be an astronomer.

To do that she and other gifted and talented students from kindergarten through fifth grade are taking part in an end of the year science camp called ENCORE at Veterans Memorial Academy in San Benito.

Pinon and her class-mates worked together making engineering projects for kids on Monday.

For more on the story read Wednesday’s Valley Morning Star.

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Since before the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1789, there has always been a conflict between the people’s and the state’s rights vs. the federal government’s powers.

George Mason, one of the framers of the Constitution supported the principle that these rights should be balanced with these powers.

Mason supported a Bill of Rights that later included the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. He is known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights.”

Mason refused to sign the Constitution and to support it because it lacked a Bill of Rights. However, in 1791 it was adopted and became part of the Constitution.

The Ninth Amendment protects the people’s rights that were not listed in the Bill of Rights. Some of these include the right to an abortion during the three months of pregnancy, free public education, government protection against violence and the right to privacy.

The 10th Amendment reserves certain powers to the states and restricts the federal government from interfering with them. Some reserved powers give the states the authority to conduct elections, establish schools, license professional workers, regulate family matters and make laws protecting the moral and safety of its citizens.

Now in 2016, this issue has become a national controversy. Recently, the Obama Administration issued a directive demanding that all public schools nationwide allow transgender students to use facilities with which they identify vs. the gender, female or male, listed on their birth certificate.

An Administration spokesman stated that this transgender directive is merely guidance for school districts that need advice and adds no new requirements to state law.

However, it does carry the threat of lawsuits against these districts or the losing federal funds for noncompliance.

This directive comes to the forefront because of the recent passage of a North Carolina law that requires transgender people to use bathroom facilities, show and changing rooms that correspond with the sex on their birth certificate, not the gender with which they identify.

Supporters justified the Administration’s action by alleging that transgender individuals are sexually discriminated and violate a federal law prohibiting this type of treatment.

Opponents justified their views by alleging violations of students’ Ninth and 10th Amendment rights dealing with gender bathroom use, athletics, housing, overnight accommodations and other situations.

The controversy is clearly an issue that will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Silvestre Moreno Jr. Mercedes

HARLINGEN — The largest mock disaster drill in Texas history is right here and it’s a go for Wednesday.

The hub of the activity is Valley International Airport. But the major airlift and transport of hurricane evacuees — including civilian hospital patients — will engage hospitals, personnel and airports from San Antonio to Dallas to Austin and Houston.

Yesterday, about 200 military personnel wearing their operational camo milled inside a commandeered hangar at Valley International, setting up tan hospital tents and seeing to it everything is prepared.

“The interesting point is this is the largest disaster exercise Texas has ever done,” said Maj. Wayne Hill with the Texas Air National Guard. “Another significant piece of this is we’ve never contracted for commercial aircraft to fly our general population, non-medical people, out of the Valley.”

In addition to twin military C-130 transport planes, the drill will utilize two Boeing 737s and an MD-80 to transport civilians, Hill said.

Those flights will carry 400 volunteers to simulate an evacuation of the Valley as a Category 5 hurricane looms off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Another 64 volunteers will act the roles of medical transports, people who may be in wheelchairs or bed-bound or on IVs.

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HARLINGEN — Now that summer is here, mosquitoes are back with a vengeance.

Because of recent rains, they’re even more of a problem.

Along with being annoying and ruining that evening dinner on the patio, mosquitoes also carry dangerous diseases.

But there are measures you can take to protect your family. That can begin with maintaining your yard by trimming tall grass and eliminating standing water.

“We want to give a friendly reminder to property owners,” Harlingen Code Enforcement Manager Juan Leal said. “The rainy months have caused many properties to have overgrown grass. Standing water also poses a problem for mosquito growth.”

Leal is urging the community to remain vigilant when it comes to mosquito prevention.

In addition to being pests, mosquitoes transmit the agents of serious diseases, including encephalitis, dengue, Zika and the chikungunya virus, as well as heartworms in pets.

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San Benito High School recognized this year’s Health Science Technology graduates qualifying to earn certificates in their field of study in the following areas: Certified Medical Office Assistant, Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist, Certified Nurse Aide, Emergency Medical Technician Candidates, Insurance and Coding Specialist Candidates, Medical Assistant Candidates and Pharmacy Technician Candidates.

The students are required to follow a sequence by design. In the ninth grade, they begin with Principles of Health Science and Medical Terminology. In the tenth grade, they are enrolled in Health Science, followed by Practicum I, where they are in class the first semester and in clinicals the second semester. Finally, students choose to participate in Medical Office Assistant Program, Medical Assisting, Certified Nurse Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician or Emergency Medical Technician. The alignment of courses ensures the skill development necessary to pass their respective state exams.

The 2015-2016 Health Science Technology Group includes, top row from left, Sergio D. Hinojosa, Kristen A. Garcia, Alondra Alanis Castanon, Dominique J. Barbosa, Allyson N. Rodriguez, Joel Padilla, Daniel R. Garcia, Lesslie A. Cortina Galvan, Marissa N. Maldonado, Elizabeth A. Velasco, Klarissa M. Gonzalez, Amy Flores, Martin Castaneda, Miguel Vasquez, Lizeth R. Guzman; middle row, Eliam P. Flores, Dominga Danielle Reyes, Monique C. Caballero, Eduardo Castellanos, Jestin V. Sauceda, Ruben Pena, Laura A. Leon, Savanah R. Arellano, Brenda A. Cabello, Fatima Fuentes, Carolina Gomez, Ishelle V. Carpio, Carlos Del Fierro Diaz; front row, Adriana C. Ochoa, Liza M. Cortinas, Laura M. Avila, Gabriela H. Paz, Cynthia M. Rodriguez, Victoria A. Torres, Priscilla M. Avalos, Kendra O. Barrientos, Christie Romo, and Sammonica Sok. Students not shown include Karla H. Alonzo, Jacob Bermudez, Julie A. Cervantes, Ted M. Chapa, Jo Anna Farias, Gloria C. Garcia, Karina Gomez, Daisy R. Lentz, Elizabeth Mendez, Jocelyn N. Rangel, Sergio Rico, Reyna M. Sanchez Hernandez, and Isaiah L. Tovar-Cumpian.

This past year proved to be a sensational one for Harlingen High golfer Hannah Greer.

At the District 32-6A tournament in April, Greer battled her way to a second-place finish to earn a trip to the Region IV-6A tournament in San Antonio.

At regionals, she held off the competition to earn a third-place finish and qualify for the UIL state tournament for the second consecutive year.

And at state, Greer battled a tough Legacy Hills Golf Course in Georgetown to shoot a respectable 158.

For her efforts, Greer is a finalist for Girls Golf Player of the Year at the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet, which will be held on June 14 in McAllen.

Greer sat down with the Valley Morning Star to talk about her nomination along with a few personal tidbits.

Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?

A: It is an absolute privilege to be nominated! I was so excited when I heard I was one of the nominees. There are many great female golfers and it’s an honor to be up there with them.

Q: What would it mean to win this award?

A: Once again, it would be a privilege. I would be overjoyed to win this award! Golf has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I have worked very hard at it.

Q: How would you sum up your high school experience on and off the golf course?

A: My high school golf experience has been unforgettable and something I will cherish for the rest of my life. From moving from Boerne back to Harlingen, I have had such amazing coaches, teammates, and opponents. They have made my experience amazing as well. Overall, these past four years have been nothing short of amazing and filled with many lessons, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Q: What is your favorite memory of playing golf at Harlingen High?

A: There are so many, this is tough to answer. One that really stands out is when my teammate Samantha Mendiola and assistant coach Salinas found and kept a lizard at regionals (during my) junior year. We were in San Antonio and they kept it the whole time. The lizard is now living in Coach (Chris) Milligan’s classroom! I have been so blessed to be able to be on the same team as these wonderful people. They kept every tournament so much fun and never failed to give me so much support.

Q: Who is your favorite pro athlete and why?

A: Lexi Thompson is one of my favorite pro athletes. She started playing on the LPGA at a really young age and she has done really well since. Her career has been really motivating for me.

Q: Who are your heroes in life and why?

A: Of course, my parents. They have given me so much opportunity, support, and have been very involved in my golf career. I can only hope to be as great of parents as them one day.

Q: Do you see yourself playing golf competitively again?

A: Possibly. I may try and walk on at Texas A&M, but for now I am going to play for fun and focus on my grades in college.

Q: Are there any sports you wish you could’ve played other than golf?

A: No, not really. I played other sports for fun, but am glad I stuck with golf because it is something I can play for the rest of my life.

Q: If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would that person be?

A: If I could pick anyone to play a round with, I would choose Annika Sorenstam. Along with Lexi Thompson, she is a golfer I have always looked up to. She is one of the most grounded female golfers and knows her golf game inside and out. She has always been an inspiration.

Q: What served as your motivation to succeed on the golf course?

A: Of course winning and doing my best was one of the biggest motivators on the golf course. However, I had many friends, family members and coaches motivating me as well. Golf is a very rewarding sport; it takes a lot of practice. Whenever I made a good shot, made a birdie, overcame a tough hole or shot a low round, I was motivated to keep playing and improving.

Q: If you could start your high school golf career all over again, would you do anything differently?

A: If there was one thing I could’ve changed, it would’ve been my mental game. Golf is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical, so I wish I could’ve improved my mindset earlier on in my high school career. However, I really enjoyed high school golf and all the memories I made along the way.

HARLINGEN — After boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away late Friday night at the age of 74, Harlingen business owner David Wise couldn’t help but recall a time in 1986 when he spent three days with “The Greatest.”

“It’s funny, but what I remember most about him was not how good an athlete he had been, but how much of a humanitarian he was,” said Wise on Monday as he remembered Ali.

At the time, Wise was a sergeant with the Cameron County Sherriff’s Department and through a close friend was offered a job to lead a security team in charge or protecting Ali, who was going to be in the Valley to promote a fight in Mercedes.

“During his visit, he made some autograph appearances at the old Amigoland Mall in Brownsville, Valle Vista Mall here in Harlingen and La Plaza Mall in McAllen,” Wise said.

“He was already showing signs of Parkinson’s disease and he would talk very low and slow, but he was such a character and genuinely liked everyone he met. The second you met him, it was like he had been your friend for years. He was just that kind of person.”

Wise recalled how despite Ali’s ability to appear serious and even downright mean, he was actually quite the jokester who loved to perform magic tricks.

“When we would go out to eat, he would always do this trick where he would take the salt shaker and make it disappear,” Wise said. “He also did this trick where it looked like he was levitating off the ground. He was a real comedian and loved to joke around.”

On his last night in the Valley, Wise recollected that after Ali made his appearance at the local bout he was in town to attend, the former champ wanted to eat some Mexican food before heading back to his hotel.

“It was already early in the morning, like almost 1 a.m. and about the only place I could think to go at that time was Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant in Harlingen,” Wise said.

“I remember, I was about five minutes ahead of Ali and his group, and I went into the restaurant and said, ‘I know this might sound crazy and hard to believe, but in a few minutes Muhammad Ali is about to come in here to eat.’

“They looked at me like I was crazy, but when Ali walked in a few minutes later like I told them, they were shocked.”

Wise said that after Ali finished eating, he asked to be taken back to his hotel to call it a night.

“Unfortunately, when we got to the hotel, Ali discovered that he didn’t have his room key. His manager had it and they were still back at the restaurant.

“But what he does is he sends his limo back to go get his key and he stays in the parking lot with me and some members of my team. It was unreal, surreal because can you imagine, Muhammad Ali, the three-time world champion in the parking lot of a hotel in Harlingen at 2 o’clock in the morning. Unbelievable.”

Wise said he actually shadowboxed with Ali for a little bit during that time. He has a picture to prove it.

“After he finally got his key, we took him to his room and he immediately fell onto the bed. I remember I asked him, ‘It’s been a long day, huh, champ?’ He just looked at me and said, ‘It’s been a long 20 years.’”

Of all the memories Wise has of the three days he spent with Ali, what he remembers most is Ali’s trip to the MHMR hospital in Harlingen.

“He was adamant that he go to the hospital to visit patients there,” Wise said. “He spent a lot of time there and he wouldn’t rush. He took his time and actually spent time with the individual patients in their rooms. That was who he was. A total humanitarian and I consider myself very fortunate to have had a chance to spend time with him.”