Texas State Technical College hosted their annual Student Leadership Banquet to honor student leaders and clubs for their dedication, community service and leadership throughout the year.

There were seven students who were recognized not only by TSTC, but also by the President of the United States. These students are members of TSTC’s Service Squad and were awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This distinct honor is awarded to those students who have completed more than 100 hours of community services in the span of 12 months. Together, the students completed 1,697 community service hours.

Each recipient received a personalized certificate of achievement, a congratulatory letter on White House letterhead signed by President Barack Obama and a president’s award pin.

“TSTC is a certifying organization of the President’s Volunteer Service Award,” said Adele Clinton, executive director of Student Life. “This award is to recognize the best in the American spirit and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation.”

This is in response to the article, “Save the Greyhounds” in the Valley Morning Star on April 24.

I am disappointed that “Grey2K Worldwide” would print an article saying the Texas Racing Commission needs to come to their senses and end Greyhound Racing in Texas.

He has adopted or rescued old tired racing greyhounds since 1995. I give him my blessing for that kind, good Samaritan deed. I wish there were more that would show their love for the old retired racing greyhounds and give them a home.

I have personally owned racing greyhounds and I know about the lives of these marvelous animals. I know there is nothing they love better than running as fast as they can. They also love winning the race. Their faces light up, their tongues hang out and their tail waggles.

Greyhounds are the worlds fastest dogs, they know it and love it. They run to win. The hunting and racing greyhounds can run at speeds of 40 to 45 mph.

The only animal in the world that is faster is the African Cheetah, which has been clocked at speeds of up to 60 mph when in pursuit of food. However, the greyhound because of their agility, have been known to make sudden burst of speed to snap up their prey, faster than the Cheetah.

In order to retain his speed and health they have to have vigorous daily exercise routines. They are not being punished when they are put through their daily routines, they are just getting prepared and conditioned.

They need to stay strong and healthy. They were born to run and there is nothing a greyhound love better than to run full speed or high energy agility obstacle racing.

If you take them out from racing, without their vigorous daily workout to vent their pent-up energy, they begin to put on weight. They start to bark, dig up flowers and plants and holes is the yard, trying to use up all that energy they have stored. They become susceptible to disease, heart attacks and other pathological symptoms that are brought about because of lack of proper exercise to burn up their massive God-given energy.

Then there is the people side of it. People love to watch them run for the money. They enjoy the layout and betting format and the opportunity to pick their favorite dogs to win. I like to go out and look at them before the race. They are all hyper and excited to get started.

Sorry mister 2K, I don’t agree with your philosophy to pen them all up, take away the birthright to run an slowly watch the breed die away.

Curtis Hatcher Harlingen

Kudos to the Harlingen Parks and Recreation Department for the updating of Pendleton Pool and Park.

I am a lap swimmer and the water is a joy to swim in. I have been out of town for a couple of weeks and when I came back to swim and looked around, I was pleasantly surprised.

The cost of swimming in our pools is very economical. We are fortunate to have good, dedicated employees here in Harlingen. I can hardly wait to see what has been done at Victor.

Good work and thank you.

Virginia Carubia Harlingen

HARLINGEN — The old pool has a new look.

Lon C. Hill pool was rededicated following four months of rehabilitation today, and approximately 50 second-graders from Crockett Elementary gave it a shakedown swim.

The work on the pool, $245,000 worth, mostly was funded by a Community Development Block Grant.

It was re-tiled, and the deck refurbished. And the pool at Lon C. Hill Park also received new pumps and filters, and skimmers that had the clear blue-green water glistening.

“I think I wore the wrong suit,” said Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell. “I should have worn my swimsuit. That may have scared some of the children, though.”

Boswell got his laughs from the crowd, and went on to the praise the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and its citizen advisory board, the Community Development Block Grant advisory board for finding the money, and the city’s engineering and maintenance departments for their roles in the pool renovation.

The Lon C. Hill pool, which used to be the pool at an American Legion post before it was given to the city, is at least 70 years old, said Javier Mendez, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The pool will open to the general public on May 28.

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

HARLINGEN — Harlingen police are looking for a man who struck and robbed a truck driver who was delivering fuel at an H-E-B store.

The attack happened this morning at 4:30 at the H-E-B on the 1100 block of Morgan Boulevard.

The victim told officers who was delivering fuel in the parking lot of the store when a man driving a white pickup struck him with the truck.

Police say the driver then got out of his truck, stole the injured man’s wallet and other items and then drove away.

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The victim was taken to an area hospital.

Police released store surveillance pictures of the suspect and his truck. If you recognize the man or his vehicle you’re asked to contact the Harlingen Police Department at (956) 216-5401, or Crime Stoppers at (956) 425-8477.

The City of Harlingen will hold its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend at La Placita.

The music and dancing will take place from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday at Lt. George Gutierrez Jr. Park.

There will be a number of performers including Mariachi Sol Azteca, singer Aaron Blount, the Mission Parks and Recreation Folkloric Dance Team, Long Elementary Folkloric Dance Team, the Dance Community Folkloric Dance Team and the San Benito High School Flamenco Ensemble Group.

Bring a chair or a blanket so you can enjoy the fun.

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BROWNSVILLE — The Cameron County District Attorney’s office is seeking the public’s help in collaring the 11 fugitives who are suspects accused of what DA Luis V. Saenz called the most “egregious crimes,” ranging from murder to aggravated assault and the continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Saenz said he asked felony prosecutors for their top two most egregious offenders.

“This is for the public, we need their help in making their community a safer place by locating these dangerous individuals. Child abusers are notorious for being recidivist, in other words re-offending,” Saenz said.

Saenz said that although none of the men listed have been convicted of the crimes they are accused of, they are fugitives from justice for failing to appear in court.

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The DA’s office released the list Tuesday with mug shots of the 11 men and a warning that these men should be considered armed and dangerous.

The men include Benito Barrera Martinez and Juan Cardenas Castaneda, charged with the murder of Martin Villarreal in Rio Hondo.

According to an archived newspaper story, authorities identified Barrera as one of two suspects in the June 1997 death of the 29-year-old Villarreal.

Court records indicate Villarreal owed a Mexican drug lord $1.5 million as part of a marijuana deal that went bad.

The cold case was re-opened in April 2005 after witnesses told investigators with the Cameron County Sheriffs Department that Barrera, Juan “El Flaco” Cardenas Castaneda and other unidentified men had been sent to collect the debt from Villarreal.

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HARLINGEN — All Harlingen senior sprinter Nicole Gonzalez has ever wanted to do was leave a mark on the Valley, and this year, she’s done so in a big way.

Gonzalez owns this year’s top Valley time in the 100- , 200- and 400- meter dashes, has won multiple district titles and is seeking to make more noise at today’s Region IV-6A track meet in San Antonio.

See full story at RGVsports.com

RIO HONDO — Most people don’t realize an extra two minutes in the shower means an extra four gallons of water used.

That’s one reason why the East Rio Hondo Water supplier will be passing out books to area schools that show kids how to save water.

The hope is parents may be able to reduce their water bill as students will be receiving an educational book that teaches them about water conservation.

“We hope the students will share tips with their parents, brothers and sisters to educate them about water conservation,” said Amanda Ramos, administrative services manager, East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation.

Students in Rio Hondo, four schools in Los Fresnos and two schools in Harlingen will be receiving the booklets next week with the water conservation tips.

The East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation provides potable water to an unincorporated area totaling approximately 24,000 people.

The Water district received the informational booklets from Project Energy Savers who works in the energy efficiency arena providing education materials across the country.

The books will provide information and activities for children to help reduce water consumption.

Some of the updated information in the booklet includes the water cycle, watershed creation and the importance of water.

“The book will give children an idea on how water is used in every day life,” Ramos said. “Every two minutes in the shower equals four gallons of water used.”

The book also will offer a question for children to think about water usage and water conservation.

“We’re trying to spread the word on water conservation and educate the children,” Ramos said.

The Rio Hondo Water district started passing out these kinds of materials to schools in their coverage area three years ago.

Ramos said the water district is proud of its efforts of giving back with this education tool for the children of their client base.

Ramos said the children look forward to receiving this information every year.

“We use this effort as a learning tool for children,” Ramos said. “Water is a vital resource and we don’t know how much we use on a daily biases.”

Brownsville — Cameron County is continuing its plans to prepare the old Wells Fargo building on East Levee Street for the tax office relocation.

Construction has not yet begun, but the types of modifications the building needs are currently being considered, said David Garcia, county administrator.

“Nothing is going to be done until we have the building ready, and that will take time because we have to do the new roof, do the A/C and the elevators,” Garcia said. “We are working with the tax office to get their feedback and their recommendations on how best to retrofit the location.”

The renovations will be done by Rike Ogden Figueroa Allex Architects Inc.

Although the cost of these renovations is undetermined, Garcia has previously said that the JP relocation alone would result in substantial savings.

The cost will not be determined until they can get into the building and figure out what will be done in detail,” Garcia said.

The county feels that the building’s current facilities will accommodate the tax office for the most part, but the minor improvements should completely satisfy its requirements, Garcia said.

“We want to make sure the tax office has an area that is conducive to their day-to-day operations,” Garcia said.

The relocation should alleviate most of the traffic surrounding the Cameron County Courthouse, Garcia said.

The new building also will house the county clerk’s office, the information technology department and the justices of the peace.

The six-floor, 50,000-square-foot building was acquired in February for $2.3 million, slightly less than the property’s appraised value.