HARLINGEN — The city’s fast-growing west side appears to be moving closer to having its own fire station.

Today, city commissioners will consider a $1.2 million contract with Harlingen-based Pietra Construction to build the city’s eighth fire station.

The station would help the fire department cut response time in half along the city’s west side, Fire Chief Rogelio Rubio said yesterday.

“It’s important that response time be prompt,” Rubio said. “Fire doubles every minute; medical calls are very important.”

The proposed 5,277-square-foot, two-story station would be built at the corner of Stuart Place and Brennaman roads.

Now, the city’s Dixieland Road fire station often handles emergency calls to the west side.

From Dixieland Road, it often takes fire trucks six to eight minutes to get to the west side, with its western boundary at Bass Boulevard, Rubio said.

He said the new station would cut response time to about four to five minutes.

The project comes after years of planning.

In 2003, voters approved a bond issue to build the station on five acres purchased for about $240,000.

“It will be a great benefit,” City Manager Dan Serna said. “As we annexed more areas, we saw the need to have a fire station on the west side.”

The station would offer fire protection service to newly-annexed areas, with direct access to Interstate 69.

Rubio shifted firefighters’ schedules to staff the new station without hiring new firefighters, officials said.

In July, some area residents and neighbors opposed plans to build the new station, arguing the proposed facility would bring noise, devalue their homes and help lead to the area’s commercialization.

PROGRESO — A judge granted the Progreso school district board a temporary restraining order against the Texas Education Agency yesterday.

The order, granted by state District Judge Amy Clark Meachum, temporarily blocks TEA from installing a board of managers and lowering the district’s accreditation status for at least two weeks.

The board of managers was scheduled to be sworn in Thursday during a special board meeting. But the current board filed a lawsuit Monday fighting TEA’s decision to remove the elected seven-member board of trustees and replace it with a TEA-appointed five-member board of managers.

A full evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, attorney Darren Gibson said. Both parties will be able to testify and the current school board members plan to request a temporary injunction to avoid the agency’s takeover until the lawsuit is resolved.

For the rest of this story and many other EXTRAS, go to our premium site, www.MyValleyStar.com.

Subscribe to it for only $6.99 per month or purchase a print subscription and receive the online version free, which includes an electronic version of the full newspaper and extra photo galleries, links and other information you can’t find anywhere else.

[email protected]

SAN BENITO — It was a highly anticipated meeting of the City Commission.

A rather large crowd of city staff and residents gathered in the commission chambers last night in anticipation of learning whether an agreement had been reached for a new city manager.

But after last night’s meeting, the decision was still left up in the air.

Commissioners met in closed session for about 2 1/2 hours. But when they returned to open session, they had failed to reach agreement regarding Manuel De La Rosa’s con-tract.

They will be able to take the matter up again at the next meeting in two weeks, or schedule a special session.

The city has been operating under interim city manager Art Rodriguez, who also is the city’s assistant city manager.

De La Rosa was chosen last month as the city’s finalist for city manager.

He was selected over six other candidates, including Rodriguez, who has served as assistant city manager for several years.

If he accepts, De La Rosa would replace former City Manager Manuel Lara, who died unexpectedly in July.

For the rest of this story and many other EXTRAS, go to our premium site, www.MyValleyStar.com.

Subscribe to it for only $6.99 per month or purchase a print subscription and receive the online version free, which includes an electronic version of the full newspaper and extra photo galleries, links and other information you can’t find any-where else.

SAN BENITO — The most touching and memorable event for the clients of La Posada Providencia is their first Christmas in the United States.

During this time, they have the opportunity to actively participate in the Mexican tradition of “las posadas,” a re-enactment of the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.

The tradition of giving “posada” to a family in need is not only a re-enactment that is celebrated each December at La Posada, but rather it is the cornerstone of La Posada’s mission.

Each year, the shelter welcomes hundreds of vulnerable women and families who are waiting for the birth of a child.

1 of 3

As with Mary and Joseph, clients need a safe shelter.

While their cultures and languages can vary significantly, they all are fleeing their native lands for the same reason — to seek safety for their children, away from the violence and oppression that threatened their lives every day.

Founded in 1989 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, La Posada offers shelter for immigrants, asylum seekers and asylees recently processed by U.S. immigration authorities.

The shelter is one of 21 organizations benefiting from AIM Media Texas Charities’ campaign to raise funds for the hungry, homeless and those in need of basic essentials in the Rio Grande Valley.

AIM Media Texas is the parent company of the Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, The Monitor in McAllen and the Mid-Valley Town Crier.

“It is a great day for all the Rio Grande Valley organizations who give their best efforts to help the neediest in our community,” said La Posada Development Coordinator Alma Gonzalez-Rock.

“We can’t help but be proud and grateful to AIM Media Texas for this wonderful philanthropic gesture.”

La Posada has provided shelter and given hope to thousands of women and families for the past 26 years and they do more than provide safe shelter — they help ensure their clients’ success.

Last year, La Posada staff provided more than 6,000 bed nights, more than 21,000 meals and drove clients more than 25,000 miles to and from appointments, bus stops, health centers and social service agencies.

Several projects at the shelter were started and completed because of donors who heeded the call to help.

Some of these projects included establishing a butterfly garden for clients to learn about sustainability and the environment, a new playground for the children given by the Trull Foundation and a 1,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom, pre-manufactured home for live-in staff.

“La Posada never stops working for the benefit of the hundreds of men, women and children who come through our doors every year,” Rock said. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services and infrastructure. We never know when an influx in clients will occur, so we must always be prepared to serve.”

While client cases progress through the courts, they help them prepare for life in this country and provide emotional support when needed.

The families often arrive at La Posada with very few possessions, limited or no English language skills and no friends or family to help them.

The shelter works with clients to help them integrate more quickly into United States culture and makes every effort to meet the needs of their clients, who are at first a very vulnerable group of people, shelter workers say.

La Posada’s services include shelter, food, English language classes, life skills classes, access to the Internet, email and individualized case management.

On the second day that they are here, they are enrolled in English as a Second Language classes. It’s a requirement.

Staff members help each client to ensure they receive the necessary legal aid, health care, social services and other relocation assistance.

La Posada provides door-to-door transportation to doctors, dentists, lawyers’ offices and immigration offices.

Staff members say they help clients become familiar with the values, customs and social practices typical in the U.S., including currency, personal finance and employment practices.

Rock said it’s easy to think only about the politics when referring to La Posada. But she wants to remind the community that La Posada has only one goal in mind — to help people in need.

“We’re not on any side, we are neither Republican nor Democrat,” she said. “We are working toward social justice.”

For breaking news alerts, download the Valley Morning Star free mobile app for iPhone or Android

McALLEN — A Mission teen accused of creating a fake Facebook page to coerce underage boys into sending him pornographic images of themselves pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court.

Carlo Alberto Solis, 19, took the identity of Sandy Fernandez to solicit pornographic images from a 13-year-old boy in October of 2014 using the Facebook Instant Messaging application, according to court documents.

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office received the initial complaint in November 2014 but the case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. After a federal search warrant executed on Facebook Inc., agents discovered multiple lewd images depicting the 13-year-old boy.

Agents discovered an address out of Mission linked to the account where Solis resided alone, according to court records. Solis confessed to enticing the 13-year-old boy to send him pornographic images and admitted to receiving additional images from other males that were under the age of 18 using the fake profile.

1 of 2

Solis was originally charged with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography but the government agreed to drop his possession charge in exchange for his guilty plea. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 29, before Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa. Solis faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

HARLINGEN — It was supposed to be just another New Year’s service for the parishioners at Faith Pleases God Church.

The sermon was being televised as people waited for the first day of 2016.

Around midnight New Year’s Eve as church members celebrated with each other, fireworks were being blasted outside.

However, it turned out not just fireworks were being shot off.

Someone, somewhere outside the church fired gunshots into the air to celebrate, as well.

At least two of those bullets crashed through the church ceiling and fell into the service. More than 50 people were inside.

Nobody would have even known — if a bullet hadn’t fallen near one parishioner.

She heard something fly past her head as she walked through the sanctuary during the service.

She even noticed the ceiling tile move.

Young children were close by and when she looked to the floor, she saw one bullet lying there.

Another was found less than 10 feet away from where children were standing.

Faith Pleases God Senior Pastor Kevin Ortiz said the church was grateful nobody was hurt.

The church filed a report with the Harlingen Police Department.

Ortiz said he did not want to comment further on the incident.

Today, you can still see the gunshot holes in two of the ceiling tiles inside the church.

The police report classified the incident as “deadly conduct.”

No arrests were made.

The report said an unknown person intentionally and knowingly discharged a firearm in the air.

The ministry at Faith Pleases God has moved forward. Their regular weekly services and ministries are still scheduled for today and Sunday.

Faith Pleases God Church will be hosting its annual Faith Conference Jan. 10-17 at 7 p.m. It will bring pastors from around the area and the world, to be broadcast for viewers around the world.

Their Victory in the Valley praise and worship sermon is televised Monday through Friday at 6 a.m. on KVEO TV 23.

The Faith Pleases God Church is located at 4501 W. Expressway 83 in Harlingen.

They offer a Sunday service at 11 a.m.

HARLINGEN — It’s a little scary, but Michelle Giles remains resolute to participate in a program to exercise and learn better eating habits.

“You’re going into something that’s completely foreign because you really don’t know what to expect,” said Giles, 47, one of 30 participants in the Sixth Annual Slim Down Showdown held by H-E-B.

The Showdown is a 12-week contest to provide contestants with the information they need to develop a healthier lifestyle. They also can win cash prizes.

Participants from throughout Texas will begin the challenge Jan. 17 with a week-long Fit Camp in San Antonio. They had to fill out a lengthy online application and submit a picture and video. Participants were chosen based on their willingness to share their experience with others.

Experts from H-E-B, Methodist Healthcare, Gold’s Gym and the Cooper Aerobics Center will work with the participants. H-E-B manages the contest, including overall nutrition and fitness, a news release says. After the camp, participants will be coached on better eating habits, including better selection of foods, healthier preparation and portion control.

Two of the participants, including Giles, are from Harlingen. The other is Chelsea Childress.

“I am excited, really excited,” said Childress, 27. “I can’t wait. I want to learn about things like how to read nutrition labels and do tailored workouts.”

Childress said after she graduated from college in 2009, she was no longer getting her exercise on the college dance team. Her eating habits changed and she gained weight. She wants to start preparing food at home instead of eating out. She’d like to lose 40 pounds.

She was delighted to learn she’d been accepted into the program.

“I’m really excited to meet people who have the same goal and the willingness to change,” said Childress, who works at the Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. She’s the executive assistant to the director.

The willingness to change is crucial to success in the program, said Stacy Bates, registered dietitian for H-E-B.

“They have to have the mental readiness to change,” Bates said. “There’s no magic bullet. It’s not just meals, it’s not just exercise.”

A healthy lifestyle involves these and many other factors, she said.

Giles has struggled with her weight her entire life, partly because she doesn’t have an active thyroid. She is on medication, but her body still turns everything into fat.

“I can burn the calories but it takes a lot more effort, a lot more discipline, I guess you could say,” she said.

She says she needs to lose about 100 pounds but she’s aiming for 50.

The main thing she wants to change is her eating habits.

“It’s mostly the things that I eat and the way they’re prepared at home,” she said. “I just want to learn how to cook healthier, eat healthier. You learn how to balance, I guess, your meal.”

HARLINGEN — It’s a little scary, but Michelle Giles remains resolute to participate in a program to exercise and learn better eating habits.

“You’re going into something that’s completely foreign because you really don’t know what to expect,” said Giles, 47, one of 30 participants in the Sixth Annual Slim Down Showdown held by H-E-B.

The Showdown is a 12-week contest to provide contestants with the information they need to develop a healthier lifestyle. The also can win cash prizes.

Participants from throughout Texas will begin the challenge Jan. 17 with a week-long Fit Camp in San Antonio. They had to fill out a lengthy online application and submit a picture and video. Participants were chosen based on their willingness to share their experience with others.

Experts from H-E-B, Methodist Healthcare, Gold’s Gym and the CooperAerobicsCenter will work with the participants. H-E-B manages the contest, including overall nutrition and fitness, a news release says. After the camp, participants will be coached on better eating habits, including better selection of foods, healthier preparation and portion control.

Two of the participants, including Giles, are from Harlingen. The other is Chelsea Childress.

For the rest of this story and many other EXTRAS, go to our premium site, www.MyValleyStar.com.

Subscribe to it for only $6.99 per month or purchase a print subscription and receive the online version free, which includes an electronic version of the full newspaper and extra photo galleries, links and other information you can’t find anywhere else.

LOS FRESNOS — It’s going to get all shook up at the Little Graceland Elvis Festival on Saturday.

The annual celebration marks the 23rd year Simon Vega hosts the event celebrating his friend’s birthday at his home in Los Fresnos.

The one-day event will bring eight Elvis impersonators who will take the stage for 30-minute sets performing the King’s greatest hits for spectators.

Vega said he is anticipating more than 1,000 people to attend the event throughout the day to celebrate Elvis and his music.

The two were friends in the military.

Long after Vega finished his stint in the Army, he began collecting Elvis memorabilia and created a museum dedicated to his memory at this home.

Vega also recreated the Graceland house gates at his home and called it Little Graceland.

The story of Little Graceland has been told many times and the photo of Little Graceland has appeared in publications worldwide.

But what matters most to Vega is a few years after Elvis, died Vega wanted to do something for his old friend. So he organized the first Elvis festival in 1983.

“We decided the best thing to do would be a festival,” Vega said. “The first festival attracted 25 people and it has grown every year.”

Vega recalls meeting the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll one day in the chow line when the two were in the Army. Vega went up Elvis and asked him if they could be friends.

“He (Elvis) said sure, and we shook hands. From then on we were pretty good friends,” Vega said. “I didn’t get to know him until we went overseas when we landed in Germany in August of 1958.”

Vega was at basic training with Elvis at Fort Hood. He was even around the time Elvis met Priscilla for the first time.

He recalls at the end of the month when soldiers didn’t have any money, Elvis would treat them at the snack bar.

If you go

2016 Elvis Festival Presented by Little Graceland

701 West Ocean Blvd.

Los Fresnos

Admission $8

Kids 12 and Under Free

Gates open at 9:30 a.m.

Elvis Museum open from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Food & drink, kiddie rides

HARLINGEN — Nearly 24 years after it opened, local leaders are counting on a cold storage facility to boost revenues at the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios.

Today, city commissioners will consider a proposal to work with CameronCounty and San Benito to build a $414,000 cold storage unit to help draw more truck traffic to the bridge.

The city, San Benito and CameronCounty own the bridge, built at a cost of $40 million in 1992.

As part of an agreement, the city would fund $112,500 of the cost to build the 75-foot by 30-foot “walk-in cooler” on federal land on the bridge’s west side, City Manager Dan Serna said yesterday.

Serna said the project would allow trucks to use the cooler to store produce during customs inspections.

For the rest of this story and many other EXTRAS, go to our premium site, www.MyValleyStar.com.

Subscribe to it for only $6.99 per month or purchase a print subscription and receive the online version free, which includes an electronic version of the full newspaper and extra photo galleries, links and other information you can’t find anywhere else.