HARLINGEN — Federal officials yesterday confirmed the anticipated major changes to the hunting rules at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

Applications to hunt the refuge will will be processed through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s online-only public hunt draw system.

Officials yesterday touted the new system as being more efficient, saying TPWD’s system will allow hunters to create an account that can be used for permit applications to all public hunts available in Texas.

“All TWPD managed hunt areas and U.S. Forest Service lands in Texas are currently using this system with great success, and by being part of this system, LANWR hunters can easily apply for many hunts throughout Texas,” a statement said.

The TWPD does require a $3 application fee for adult hunters applying for permits under the new system.

“Selected hunters will be notified by e-mail and will then have to pay an online permit fee of either $80 for standards hunts (1-3 days) or $130 for extended hunts (4 or more days),” the officials said.

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HARLINGEN — New details have emerged regarding the murder of Houston resident Jose Filiberto Casillas.

The 33-year-old appears to have been shot at least once before his body was dumped in an irrigation canal this past weekend. Three people have been accused in connection with the murder, which occurred in a Harlingen hotel parking lot.

Gregorio Ramirez, 33, of Primera, and Mayra Camero, 22, of Brownsville and Jesus Ramirez, 30, of Primera face several charges related to the alleged crimes.

But, warrant affidavits obtained by the Valley Morning Star yesterday reveal more information about what may have happened leading up to the murder.

According to arrest warrant affidavits, Gregorio, Mayra, Jesus and the men’s mother had spent part of the day in Brownsville shopping around for a new vehicle.

Mayra and Gregorio then spent their Friday evening in Harlingen. Documents stated Mayra and Gregorio decided to go bar hopping.

That’s where they met up at Hot Shots with Casillas, an acquaintance of Gregorio’s.

“Gregorio told Mayra that they were going to take Casillas back to the Best Western where he had a room,” documents stated.

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HARLINGEN — Friends remembered longtime banker Ed Tamayo as a loving father and husband whose generosity helped ignite Harlingen’s community spirit.

Tamayo died at his home yesterday. He was 86.

“He was a giant in the community,” Mayor Chris Boswell said hours after Tamayo’s death. “I considered him a good friend. He always encouraged me in community service. He encouraged everyone. Even as a banker, a lender, he saw that as a way to encourage people.”

Moe Vela Jr. remembered Tamayo as a role model who helped empower a generation of community leaders.

“The Vela family and the Tamayo family have been family to each other all our lives,” said Vela, son of former Cameron County Judge Moises Vela and brother of Manny Vela, president of Valley Baptist Health System.

“We refer to him as Mr. T,” Vela said. “He played the role of role model and mentor for my brother Manny and I.”

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SAN BENITO — It was hard to miss the group of skateboarders sitting in the audience during Wednesday’s city meeting.

Most of them boarded, no doubt, to the meeting. Several had their skateboards in tow, hoping their dream of a new skate park could become reality.

City Commissioners Wednesday took the first step toward seeing that dream come to fruition.

The idea of a new skateboard park has been a topic in the community and among city officials for several years.

Mayor Celeste Sanchez hopes it can be built by summer. The skateboarders also hope they can have a new place to call home soon.

It wasn’t just a discussion had by city officials.

On a few occasions, the elusive skating teens got up and addressed the commission the other night about wanting to build a new skate park.

They came prepared.

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HARLINGEN — “OOOOk-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain …”

Care to hear that joyful energetic song from the musical “Oklahoma!” one more time?

Well, you can. The Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre is presenting seven performances of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic this weekend and March 3 to 6.

“Oklahoma!” has been a staple of American culture since it was adapted to film in 1955.

Americans watched in wonder as a cowboy rode through a cornfield singing, “Oh, what a beautiful morning, Oh, what a beautiful day.”

The musical is set in Oklahoma in 1906 and tells about the struggles of two pairs of lovers. It’s based on the 1931 play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs.

The film in 1955 made a powerful impression on many people who were captivated by its story, the dancing, the visual beauty, and music. The impact was so strong many people even today are familiar with the musical.

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I enjoyed reading the recent letter from Pilar Espinosa about tacos for school lunch.

It reminded me of a similar experience my husband, Sam Sparks, had as a boy growing up in Santa Rosa. He grew up during the Depression, and times were hard for everyone.

His mother, like Pilar’s mother, couldn’t afford to buy bread at the store. Instead, she made biscuits, which Sam carried to school in his lunch.

At that time, only the students who purchased a school lunch ate in the cafeteria, so Sam ate his lunch with the other kids who brought their lunches from home, be they tacos, burritos, or leftovers.

Many times, the other students wanted to trade with Sam. Who wouldn’t want a homemade biscuit, after all? Word soon got around that Sam had biscuits for lunch every day, and that’s how he became known as “Sam Biscuit.”

Remembering, Seanne (Mrs. Sam Biscuit) Sparks Santa Rosa

Just great … a 10-whammy.

One – Tony Yzaguirre is allowed to go to the office a few weeks so he can have a chance at erasing evidence. Then another judge comes in and decides he has had enough time to fix things.

Two – Tony is kept on payroll to enjoy life at the county taxpayers’ expense.

Three – With the money he is getting paid, his attorney will be basking in life at the taxpayers’ expense. He can delay, delay, delay the trial and make money. Tony gets paid for no work. But the attorney makes money (through Tony) off the taxpayers.

Four – The right for a speedy trial is out the window for the county taxpayers. Now that Tony and his attorney (through Tony) is on the taxpayers’ payroll, there is no reason to quickly look at the evidence. Justice comes at the end of a fat paycheck. Guilty with a paycheck or Not Guilty with a paycheck.

Five – Now that Tony is out of the office, there is another person in his place. Another body has to be paid costing the taxpayers more money. Why not pay that person using Tony’s salary?

Six – Now that Tony is off, he is accumulating more sick days and more vacation days and all the benefits that come with it. A pile, upon a pile, upon a pile, upon a pile of money is being bilked off the taxpayers.

Seven – Now it’s getting clearer and clearer. Misconduct by all these people is as good as apple pie. All the employees in our county can get the courage to steal with the hope of getting on the gravy train. We are giving them all “Hope.”

Eight – In the same day in the same newspaper I read another article where another county employee is arrested for stealing money from the county. There is no end in sight.

Nine – I will leave this whammy blank because I know there are other things I have not thought about yet.

Ten – I leave this whammy blank for the unbelievable. The things that are hard to fathom that are probably going on right now.

Here’s an idea. How about reducing all county jobs by half. Cut half of the county employees and half of the elected positions. This way, technically, they would not have time to think of ways to steal money or make money on the side at taxpayer’s expense.

My advice to the taxpayers … Do not re-elect any elected official. Once they learn the ropes a little bit better they bask in your money. Legally or Illegal. Tony is a good example. Guilty or not, he should have never gotten in his predicament. It’s your fault for re-electing him.

Let’s keep them honest. Keep them out of jail.

Let’s stay away from embarrassing ourselves by re-electing them. I now think that the corruption is us by re-electing these people.

Santiago Perez Taxpayer San Benito

HARLINGEN – Ed Tamayo, one half of a true Harlingen power couple, died earlier this morning.

He was 86.

Before retiring in 2007, Ed was a longtime banker. He began his banking career at Harlingen National Bank creating the “Casita Loans” enabling low-income customers to borrow. He became the first Hispanic bank president in the Valley at Plaza National Bank and later at Harlingen National Bank.

Ed’s contributions to the community are celebrated by him being among those on the Walk of Fame, just outside of the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium. The naming was for “the most influential people in the city’s history.”

A story published just more than a year ago in the Valley Morning Star about Ed and Edna, reflect their more than 50 years of marriage, their successes, their struggles and the impact made over the years.

At that time, it stated, Ed devoted much of his time to a “different kind of green” – their 7-acre garden. He was a certified master gardener and the lushly manicured kept him more than busy.

We will have more on this story soon.

HARLINGEN – Out – the stuffy old gym.

In – working out in the sunshine and fresh air.

McKelvey Park is the most recent, but there will be more, city officials say.

Five new outdoor exercise machines were installed at McKelvey last week, and Rangerville Park is next in line for the innovative equipment.

The machines are the latest effort to modernize urban parks and have been popping up elsewhere in the country.

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HARLINGEN — Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen has been celebrating the American Heart Association’s “Heart Month” with a variety of screenings and educational events during February. Now that it is coming to a close, it is a good time to take stock of some basic advice to help prevent cardiovascular disease. Do you know someone who has heart disease? Chances are you do. More than 26 million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. If you don’t want to join this group, you can take steps to reduce your personal risk of heart disease.

Eat healthy. A healthy diet includes a variety of grains (especially whole grains), fruits and vegetables. Opt for foods low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugar and salt. Choose fish, poultry and lean cuts of meat, as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Limit the number of egg yolks and cut down on processed cold cuts. When preparing food, broil, bake, roast or poach instead of frying, and tame snack attacks with low-fat options, such as animal crackers or fat-free yogurt.

Exercise regularly. As little as 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week is all you need to protect heart health.

Don’t like to exercise? No sweat. Good ways to keep your heart healthy include brisk walking, riding a bike, hiking, dancing, swimming, physical tasks around the house, raking leaves, or painting a room. Other ways to work exercise into your day include taking the stairs when possible, or parking farther away from the office and then walking the added distance.

Don’t smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is “the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States.” Compared to nonsmokers, smokers are at an increased risk of heart disease due to the buildup of plaque in their coronary arteries over time. Quitting smoking can lower the risk of heart disease – and just one year of not smoking may cut heart disease risk in half.

Maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight can be calculated by looking at either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. BMI, a calculation based on height and weight, of 25 to 29.9 is

considered overweight, and 30 or higher is obese.

A waist measurement of more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and other serious health conditions.

A weight loss of just five to 10 percent of current weight can help lower the risk for heart disease. Gradual weight loss of one-half to two pounds per week is recommended to ensure long-term success.

In addition to making lifestyle changes, you should also have blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis.

Hypertension of 140/90 mmHg or higher is a major risk factor for heart disease that usually does not cause symptoms.

Total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and above is an indication of too much cholesterol that can eventually accumulate on artery walls, making them narrow and impeding blood flow to the heart. It is important to remember that regardless of your age or current state of health, it is never too late to take steps to protect your heart.

“Heart Month” may be almost over, but it is always the right time to pay attention to the health of your heart.

For more information about heart health, talk with your doctor or call 1-866-608-2273 for a free referral to a physician or cardiologist near you. We also encourage you to visit our Valley Baptist Cardiac Care Library at http://www.valleybaptist.net/medical-services/cardiovascular/health-library, and to take our Cardiac Risk Assessment at www.valleybaptist.net/healthyhearts.