SAN BENITO — When Superintendent Dr. Adrian Vega first started his reign at the school district, he asked everyone three questions.

* What do you believe is working well in our district?

* What is working well but could be improved?

* From your perspective, what are our major concerns?

In an effort to gain a better understanding of the district, Vega supplied a survey to every employee, staff member, and parent and community member.

Just this week, the results of the survey came back and they are revealing.

In total, Vega said there have been more than 930 responses to the three questions. Everyone was asked the same three.

The top five overall responses to the first question – “What do we do well?” – were:

* San Benito CISD has a dedicated workforce.

* People feel that the Administration works well together.

* SBCISD has great afterschool programs and activities.

* SBCISD has an incredibly strong Career and Technical Education Program.

* SBCISD has an outstanding Child Nutrition Program.

The top five overall responses to the second question – “What’s working but could be improved?” – were:

* People would like to have more security officers on campus.

* People would like to see an increase in transportation services.

* People would like to see more cross-training within the departments.

* People feel the district has good facilities, but that many could be updated, as well as some of the parking lots.

* People feel the district should review instructional strategies that impact the special populations, such as bilingual students.

The top five overall responses to the third question – “What are our major concerns?” – were:

* Instability in the leadership of the district.

* The increased cost of health insurance.

* The district’s financial stability and processes.

* Salaries.

* The allocation of resources.

Vega hopes the survey will help better his understanding of the district so he can better formulate, along with the help of others, a strategic plan.

“There are no right or wrong answers,” Vega said.

“The responses given to these questions represent employees, parents, and the community’s perception of how well or not so well the district is working.”

“It is critical that we affirm those things that are working well, but at the same time, be open and honest about those areas that may need some tweaking, or in some cases fixing.”

In doing so, Vega said it will take the whole district to work together to make it better.

“The qualitative data collected from the three questions is only part of the overall data that will be collected in gaining a true picture of the state of the district,” Vega said.

As previously reported, the district also will be conducting a district-wide curriculum study/audit, and a district-wide efficiency study/audit to gather the necessary quantitative data needed to further support or address those things in the district that are working and those things that are not.

SAN BENITO — Venis Hall was pushed into the kitchen three times during his first match at the 22nd annual National Shuffle Board competition yesterday.

The kitchen is the area of the shuffle board that deducts 10 points from a player’s score when their puck is bumped or slides into it.

Hall, 94 said he turned his game around after losing his first match and stayed out of the kitchen the rest of the afternoon.

It was win or go home for Hall and many of the competitors in the two-game elimination tournament at the Fun n Sun Resort shuffle board tournament.

The tournament drew a total of 92 men and 58 women from across the country.

Shufflers traveled as far as California and northern Canada to participate in the three-day event.

The tournament is the Cadillac of Texas shuffle board tournaments held every year.

The Fun n Sun Resort has an air conditioned indoor shuffle board area fitted with 20 playing lanes. `

“We have 22 tournaments every year and this is our grand finale, so this is a big deal for us.” said Brian Sullivan, board member of the Texas Shuffle Board Association. “All the best of the best are here.”

Sullivan said practice, practice, practice, was the key to success.

“Every one of us shuffles six days a week,” Sullivan said. “Some of these guys have been shuffling 30-plus years now.”

Wayne Mingee is the defending consolation 2015 national champion.

Yesterday Mingee cruised through the winner’s bracket shuffling his way to Friday’s championship rounds.

“We got some of the best shufflers in the world here and we look forward to shuffling with them,” said Mingee, 79.

Mingee said Fun n Sun has three residents who have won the national tournament before.

“This is really exciting and we look forward to this every year,” Mingee said. “We got some good shufflers here,”

The winners move on to the World Championship tournament in Florida scheduled for June.

Women shot Tuesday and men shot yesterday. The finals for the men’s and women’s divisions will be held today.

Most of the players in the tournament were from 19 Winter Texan parks from around the Valley.

“These guys are really top-notch shooters,” said Joe Jackson, the event coordinator and 2007 shuffle board national champion. “We have quite a wonderful group of people here who shoot all over the world.”

HARLINGEN — The city will see a notable increase this month in the amount of sales tax revenue it will receive from the Texas Comptroller’s Office.

Harlingen will receive $1.699 million in revenue, an increase of 5.82 percent from last year’s $1.606 million.

The sales taxes received in March reflect sales in January.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is sending cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $585.6 million in local sales tax allocations for March, 0.7 percent less than March 2015.

Mayor Chris Boswell welcomed the news.

“Harlingen had a very strong sales tax increase last month and we remain in the black for the year,” he said. “I couldn’t be more pleased!”

San Benito and Raymondville also experienced significant increases in their sales tax distributions:

* San Benito is receiving $317, 352, a 5.81 percent increase from last year.

* Raymondville is receiving $139,458, a 38.76 percent increase from last year.

McAllen’s sales tax receipts decreased from last March. This month the city is receiving $4.205 million for sales made there in January. This is a 2.91 percent decrease from a year ago when McAllen received $4.331 million.

Mercedes’ monthly sales tax revenue saw a decrease. The town will receive $420,214 this month, a 3.50 percent decrease from last year.

Other cities also posted sales tax increases and decreases.

* Brownsville is receiving about $2.661 million, up 10.99 percent from last year.

* Edinburg is receiving $1.516 million, 1.947 percent more than the $1.487 million it received in March 2015.

* Weslaco posted a 1.75 percent increase and will receive $868,500. A year ago, it received about $853,497.

Tax information

Texas cities are receiving $381.2 million this month, a decrease of 0.1 percent from last year.

Counties are receiving $35.4 million, an 8.1 percent decrease from last year

Transit systems are receiving $134.0 million, a decrease of 0.03 percent from last year.

Special Purpose Taxing Districts are receiving $35.0 million, a 2.4 percent decrease from last year.

Source: Texas Comptroller’s Office

A Mexican national with an outstanding warrant was arrested at the B&M International Bridge in Brownsville and found to be carrying more than $300,000 in cash, according to authorities.

At a press conference Wednesday, Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio said Jiro Vasquez, 30, of Matamoros, was stopped at the bridge during a southbound inspection and that deputies discovered Vasquez had an outstanding warrant from the Brownsville Police Department.

Lucio said Vasquez appeared nervous when he couldn’t provide a driver’s license or vehicle registration for his GMC Yukon.

According to authorities, a K-9 unit discovered 11 bundles of cash totaling $355,735 in the vehicle. Lucio said the money was found in a spare tire.

Vasquez is charged with possessing and not declaring more than $10,000 in cash.

The deputies were taking part in an auto theft prevention task force when they stopped Vasquez as he attempted to drive into Matamoros, Lucio said.

PALM VALLEY — If a new park is developed along Jack Nicklaus Drive, it likely won’t have playground equipment or adult outdoor exercise machines.

About 25 local residents made their voices known Tuesday night, most of them stating they would prefer to see the small 1-acre city-owned lot on the southwest side of the community remain green space or just include some benches, trees and shrubs to beautify the location.

City officials appeared to heed their message loud and clear.

Longtime resident Rollins Koppel wants to fund a park in his city and is interested in giving about $100,000 for its development.

But on Tuesday, city officials agreed to go back to Koppel to adjust and negotiate further his offer for the monetary donation.

The hang-up was the inclusion of possible playground and adult exercise equipment following negotiations between Koppel and the city’s attorney, Jason Mann.

In what at times was a free-for-all discussion between the city council and the audience, those who opposed the agreement on the agenda for possible action were clear in what they disagreed with – the inclusion of playground equipment.

John Topp, the city’s chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, voiced his personal opinion of the park plan.

His backyard is along the line of the proposed park and he and his family are against locating a park like this in that area.

Topp cited increases in city insurance for equipment and safety issues due to a lack of parking on the narrow street.

“I don’t want a place for the neighborhood to get together in my backyard,” he said.

Others spoke about the plan, citing the likelihood of reduced property values for those in the immediate area if there is a playground in the park.

Some said there would be no way to control the people who would come to the park and there is the likelihood people from other areas may utilize the park, too, adding additional concerns.

Residents in the audience also blurted out questions and statements to the board, too, sometimes in an adversarial tone.

A pair of local residents asked where the parents of the children who would use the playground equipment were. They agreed, those people weren’t in attendance at the meeting.

“How many of you would vote for this if it were in your neighborhood or backyard?” shouted a woman from the audience toward the council.

It was clear Mayor George Rivera remains in favor of a park and also believes the demographics of Palm Valley are evolving to a younger crowd, ones with children who would use a park like this.

“I don’t understand, but I respect the opposition,” he said. “I didn’t run (for mayor) to keep Palm Valley complacent. I want to build a better city.”

But, then Rivera explained what he saw as the future of the small park.

“I want to see something very nice, appropriate and attractive,” he said. “That’s what I envision.”

He talked about foliage, benches, bushes, trees, a walking path and boulders.

Council member Joe Jones said the park “would be an asset, not bothersome to anyone.” He said he would be against any type of playground equipment there.

Fellow council member John Widger agreed. He said he wouldn’t be willing to agree with a document that states there could be playground or adult exercise equipment in that location.

“We appreciate the offer,” Widger said of Koppel’s offer to fund a park. “But not the way this is written. It includes too much.”

But, Widger said it was important to not “kill” the idea or the donation, for that matter.

“This is very generous,” he said.

All agreed this was not the right location for playground-type equipment.

After about 45 minutes, the council agreed on a 4-1 vote, with Cissie Nesmith the lone dissenter, to have Mann go back and talk further with Koppel about removing the equipment from the agreement.

Council member Julie Martin suggested creating a small park similar to the one that is on Polo Circle. Council members agreed that would be more in line with the survey results and what those in the audience agreed with.

Topp, who said he has spoken to Koppel and discussed the survey results with him, said Koppel doesn’t want to build anything the residents of Palm Valley don’t want.

But, Koppel also wants to “do something for the children,” Topp said.

Jones said he was sure Koppel would agree to the new terms.

“We are not approving anything, we are just seeing if we can come up with something before we turn down the money,” Rivera said.

Tuesday’s discussion came on the heels of last month’s discussion about results of a survey sent to Palm Valley residents about what was desired for the city lot.

SURVEY

A survey was sent to 677 Palm Valley residents and returned by 158, a solid return rate of 23 percent.

According to some, results clearly show residents of the city and the immediate area near the proposed park would rather it remain what it is – a green belt or bird and butterfly area.

A total of 44 percent of those who responded wanted the property left as is.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents from the immediate area where the park is located wanted it left as green space.

BY Vicky Brito

BROWNSVILLE – This week, UTRGV students have a wide range of plans for their time off during Spring Break. Some plan to relax, some opt for fun in the sun, and others have decided to volunteer.

Once such group is the UTRGV Rotaract Club in Brownsville, whose members consider Spring Break a time to give back to the community during “Alternative Spring Break (ASB).” Club members volunteered Wednesday at the Brownsville Parks and Recreation Center on East 8th Street, where they led elementary school children in drawing and painting activities, science experiments and other projects.

The Rotaract Club is an international organization whose main objective is community service. At UTRGV, the club is headed by Club President Katellen Gomes, a senior biomedical science major.

The Rotaract Club has three levels of service: high school, college and professional.

“We work together with local organizations and do a lot of fundraising,” Gomes said. “The funds we raise, we donate to nonprofit organizations.”

As part of Alternative Spring Break, UTRGV Rotaract joined forces with Rotaract members from Porter Early College High School and Brownsville Early College High School.

“This event has been going on for four to five years, previously with UT Brownsville’s Center for Civic Engagement and Brownsville Parks and Rec… We didn’t want to see the program die,” Gomes said.

More than 30 elementary-age children participated in ASB activities, offered as a substitute for staying home and watching television.

“We provide activities that are fun and educational. The kids call them ‘fundicational,’” Gomes said.

Up to 20 UTRGV students participated in ASB, along with 10 high school students.

“To be honest, I’ve been doing this for the past five years, the kids expect it,” Gomes said. “It is worth it, because it lets the kids learn.”

Gomes said the elementary-age children always ask volunteers what college is like, and the volunteers are always eager to encourage the youngsters to pursue higher education.

“It’s nice to see how they look up to us. We do this for the kids,” Gomes said.

Mayra Tovar, a junior bilingual education major, said participating in this program helps strengthen her bond with children.

“I can interact with kids of all ages who have different learning experiences,” Tovar said. “So, to get to learn with them, I can use several techniques to teach them.”

Salvador Zavala, a junior at Porter ECHS, said it is his first year participating in ASB.

“It feels really great because we’re doing something really great for the kids,” Zavala said.

BY Cheryl Taylor

Jimena Rivera, a junior majoring in social work at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, personifies the many benefits of parental involvement in a child’s education.

In gratitude to her parents for their support, to which she attributes a large portion of her academic success, Rivera penned an essay to enter in the Family of the Year Essay Contest – and won!

“My parents’ unconditional support has contributed to me not just getting through my semesters but doing well in them, and for this, they should be recognized as ‘Family of the Year,’” Rivera wrote.

The contest, sponsored by the UTRGV Office of Student Involvement, honored the Rivera Family during UTRGV Homecoming festivities, at the basketball game held in the Edinburg Campus Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 20. Rivera’s parents, Marbelia and Ricardo Rivera, along with sister Mariana, were presented with a special plaque, and Rivera was given $500 V-Bucks to spend as she wishes on campus purchases.

“This was very exciting, to have my family recognized, and a nice prize that I can really use,” said Rivera, an Honors College student who has been named to the Dean’s list every semester.

Rivera explained in her essay how her parents obtained student visas for the sisters to attend schools in Brownsville. Jimena attended Episcopal Day School for grades four through six; Incarnate Word Academy for grades seven through eight; and First Baptist School for high school.

“When I heard about the contest, I thought I would take a shot at it, that I might have a chance,” said Rivera, who is an English tutor for students in the Veterans Upward Bound program.

“Before, I was an OK writer, but after tutoring English and helping others with their compositions, I realized my writing had improved,” Rivera said. “I’ve come to learn the key to writing is organization. I made an outline for my essay, just the way I encourage my students to do, and I took it from there.”

Rivera wrote in her essay about the time and effort her parents have put forth to ensure their daughters’ educations, including driving the sisters to and from school across the border five days a week. Extracurricular activities during her high school years added the need for greater flexibility in the daily transport.

Along the way, Rivera’s father has helped her with physics and her mother has worked with her on Spanish grammar. Also, when her mother saw that Rivera was interested in social work, she arranged meetings with a few social workers for her to learn more about career possibilities.

On schedule to graduate in May 2018, Rivera will participate in an internship during her senior year as part of the social work curriculum. A youth group leader at First Baptist Church in Brownsville, she envisions herself working with children in a school setting or an agency such as Child Protective Services.

“My parents have set the example of hardworking and loving parents,” Rivera said. “They have paid for my education without regret, understanding that financial aid is not available for me.”

Rivera said her parents recognize the power of an education and feel strongly that learning should not stop with a degree.

The last sentence of her essay says: “They encourage me to pursue a master’s once I complete my bachelor’s degree, and I will, with the hope that I can continue to honor their sacrifice and dedication.”

SAN BENITO – Police have arrested a man wanted for an aggravated assault in Harlingen.

Tuesday night officers were told to be on the lookout for a white Lincoln Town Car used in an assault. A man and two women were reportedly in the car and armed with a gun.

San Benito police say they found a car matching the description at the Valero on the 800 block of South Sam Houston.

They say the suspect identified himself as 23-year-old Luis Vargas of San Benito and then took off running. He was arrested a short time later after he was sprayed with mace.

“A handgun was located inside the vehicle during an inventory,” police said.

Vargas, who police said has outstanding traffic fines with San Benito Municipal Court, was charged with resisting arrest and evading arrest with a previous conviction.

His bond was set at $50,000.