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Next Holiday will be Easter Sunday Domingo de Pascuas

El Donneo News Review

Published by Guadalupe Saenz, Editor Volume 1 Issue 3 Published As Often As You Decide Winter 2011-12 Edition

Miss Texas International visits East Donna during Dia de los Reyes
New State Laws In Place
New traffic, criminal laws in effect since Sept. 1 HB 2730 is the DPSs Sunset Legislation, and many of the DPS-related bills this session were included in HB 2730. Notable traffic and criminal laws that go into effect on Sept. 1 (unless otherwise indicated) include*: Seatbelts: HB 537 requires all occupants of a vehicle, no matter their age, to be secured by a safety belt, no matter where they are seated in the vehicle; changes the definition of a passenger vehicle to include a passenger van designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers including the driver; removes the current exemption for thirdparty Medicaid transportation provisions regarding the use of child passenger safety seats; and prohibits a motorcycle operator from carrying a passenger under the age of 5 unless the child is seated in a sidecar attached to the motorcycle. SB 61 amends the existing statute regarding child passenger safety seats. The bill requires that any child younger than 8 years of age be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat unless the child is taller than 4 feet, 9 inches in height. The fine is no more than $25 for a first offense and $250 for a second offense. The law also creates a new court cost for conviction of an offense under this section to be collected and used by TxDOT to buy safety seats for low income families. The law becomes effective on Sept. 1, 2009, but tickets for this offense cannot be issued until June 1, 2010. Police officers are allowed to issue a warning before that date. Driving: HB 55 makes it illegal to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used. Cities or counties wanting to enforce this law must post a sign at the beginning of each school zone to inform drivers that using a wireless communications device is prohibited and the operator is subject to a fine. It is a defense to prosecution if the operator was making an emergency call. HB 2730 increases the penalties for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger by adding an automatic driver license suspension period for first-time offenders and an increased suspension period for repeat offenders. Read about DPS online at www.txdps.state.tx.us

Carla Monje Miss Texas International 2011

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Opinions

El Donnneo News Review

As we see it. A como vemos esto!

Ok, 2012 is here! Now get ready for the end of the world! Or at least thats what the crazies would like for the rest of the world to believe. Pero, como decia mi tio Petro, el mundo se acaba pa el que se muere! He says that the world ends for him who dies. How true. Am I a skeptic? Now that the new year is here, ask yourself this question: How many of my last years resolutions did I keep? If you answer, NONE, then, why not make the same resolutions again? You wont keep them anyway! BROWNSVILLE HERALD: A lot of Winter Texans think it would be a good idea for WestJet, a low-cost air carrier based in Calgary, Alberta, to begin offering nonstop flights between Winnipeg and the Rio Grande Valley, at least during the winter. Behind the push is HotWinters.ca, a Winnipeg-based travel medical insurance firm, which sent a petition containing nearly 1,000 signatures to WestJets CEO. The drive to collect more signatures continues via a downloadable PDF form. HotWinters says seasonal nonstop flights are important not just because of the potential convenience for the tens of thousands of Winter Texans from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario, but also for medical emergencies. This is a great idea, Winter Texans. You have our support. Go for it!

An elite that is above the law?

No one has been able to explain why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense. Then, recently we learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if news networks will broadcast it. When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop? This is an idea that we should address. For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United
States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."

Letters to the editor

( reads them while he drinks a cup of coffee in the mornings.) Mr. Saenz, I had been wanting to thank you for a while now I have seen the Donna News paper lately and well I want to thank you for the positive writings on the city of Donna. I am thankful that you have such a passion for Donna that because of your passion the city has it owns news paper and that's awesome. Also I loved the picture of Dr. Sandoval's truck and he loved it too. I am grateful for the exposure you give me too. You are a blessing to me and to the citizens of this great town the Heart of the Valley Donna Texas . God Bless You tremedously that the blessing of the Lord over take you. Councilwoman Irene Munoz

Maroon and Gold Pride at DM Sauceda

As I visited one of the middle school campuses recently, the secretary, Linda Estrada, approached me to inform me about the job the building custodians had done. They painted the building themselves. They even bought the paint themselves. Instead of buying in the school district, they pitched in to buy the paint themselves to paint our building, Linda said. Upon realizing this, I was astonished! Wow! What pride! If every employee in the school district would do what this nice people from Sauceda MS did for their own school and the children of this school, pride would flow back into the Redskin community. Maroon and gold all over. Go Redskins! We commend this workers for taking it upon themselves to show the rest of the school district what it takes to be proud of your workplace. ( See photos on Page 6)

El Donneo News Review

El Donneo News Review is a local, hometown newspaper produced, written and published by Guadalupe Saenz, Jr. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of this paper or the publishers. Letters to the editor must be signed and verified for authenticity to be eligible for publication and represent the opinions of the authors. We are an American enterprise that believes in the USA and what it stands forFreedom of Speech and Expression. We support our Troops wherever they may be serving around the world. To submit articles, family pictures, or any other information, call the paper, contact 956-463-6909 or email: lupesnz@gmail.com.
Lupe Saenz, Jr. Editor/

For more information, contact Cindy Garza @ 956-373-6638 All proceeds to benefit the Donna Employee Emergency Foundation.

El Donneo News Review

The Museum

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Bowless DAngelo Chronicles Book Series-Stories Set 700 yrs in the Future

Donna Hooks Fletcher Historical Museum releases Donna Hooks Fletcher: Life and Writings
About the Series D'Angelo Chronicles is an intellectually engaging, heartpounding science fiction series from the mind of author David Bowles. Books I and II are available now in their original binding; deluxe editions with extended features will be released in January 2012. In January, VAO Publishing released The Rising Red, by David Bowles, Volume 3 of the D'Angelo Chronicles, an intellectually engag-

ing and heart-pounding space opera set 700 years in the future. VAO Publishing will simultaneously be releasing deluxe editions of the first two volumes that include glossaries, appendices and other extras. ========================= ====
In February, VAO Publishing (in conjunction with the Donna Hooks Fletcher Historical Museum) will release Donna Hooks Fletcher: Life and Writings, combining in a single volume all the surviving works of one of the Ro Grande Valley's most legendary historical figures, the name source of Donna, Texas (subject of the new film Miracle

Three futuristic stories by Author (Dr.). David Bowles now available

Dr. David Bowles, author, announces his latest book edition to be presented at the Donna Hooks Fletcher Museum. Its one of several other publications already released. The latest one,Along the River is a collection of poems. His other books, include a series called, DAngelo Chronicles.

Show this clipping and receive a 15% Discount at the store.

1961 Redskin State Champ members visited the Donna Hooks Fletcher Museum to autograph the Miracle In Donna poster, for Elvira Tovar, Visitors Bureau located at the Museum. (l-r) Richard Avila, Elvira Tovar, Luz Pedraza, and Alfredo Avila.

The Queens Gallery

Boutique & Haute Couture Designs Brides & 15th Quinceaeras
Also, a Flower Shop Floreria para toda ocasion

3102 Business 83, Donna, Texas 956-607-9976

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Politics/Government

El Donneo News
Donna -The search for a new business manager for the City of Donna is over. The city has hired David Vasquez as its finance director. Vasquez, who started work Dec. 27, holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas-Pan American. Prior to coming to the City of Donna, Vasquez worked as the senior financial analyst for Valley Baptist Health System in Harlingen since 2000, excluding a six-month stint as director of finance for South Texas Health System. Vas ques takes over a position vacated by longtime Finance Director Dan Downs who departed his position in November.

Vasques named new City of Donna finance director

A well known citizen of Donna once said, Political signs dont vote! No, but do they influence voting? January 2012 is the beginning of the new year with important elections in the USA and Mexico coming up. But its been since October or earlier that political signs began to appear around the neighborhoods and community.

SAN DIEGO (AP) The U.S. Border Patrol is moving to halt a revolving-door policy of sending migrants back to Mexico without any punishment. The agency this month is overhauling its approach on migrants caught illegally crossing the 1,954-mile border that the United States shares with Mexico. Years of enormous growth at the federal agency in terms of staff and technology have

Brownsville Native Runs for SBOE for Hidalgo County

Ruben Cortez, Brownsville, is the candidate for the Mid Valley campaign State Board of Education ,April 3rd depending on supreme court. This position covers over 17 counties including Hidalgo County (except for the northern end which will be District 2. For more details and information, contact the candidate at Rubencortezfortexas@gmail.com.

Just Quotes : Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are anger and courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be. ~St. Agustine

July 1, 2012 is elections day in Mexico.

April Primaries Await U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Federal Judges Study Legislative District Maps - May Affect Elections If Texas is going to hold primary elections on April 3, the federal courts will have to pick up the pace. A panel of federal judges in Washington, D.C., is deciding whether congressional and legislative district maps drawn by the Legislature last year give proper protection to minority voters under the federal Voting Rights Act. At the same time, the U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether an interim map drawn by federal judges in San Antonio is legal. In the meanwhile, there are no maps in place for the impending Texas elections. A panel of federal judges in San Antonio has the job of deciding whether the maps legislators drew last year properly account for population growth and representation, and that court will also finally approve maps to be used for this year's elections. But since the D.C. judges moved slowly in deciding whether the maps follow the Voting Rights Act, and the election

Three main parties which have candidates running in the election will be running in Mexico, July 1, 2012. They are the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which had ruled Mexico as a one-party-state for most of the last century but lost power in 2000. Enrique Pea Nieto, who is a former governor of Mexico season was almost under way, the San Antonio State is running in this ticket; the Democratic judges drew interim maps to be used in the Revolutionary Party (PRD), an off-shoot of the meantime. PRI party with its candidate Andres Manuel Must registered to vote in any election. Lopez Obrador, a former mayor of Mexico City, and one who lost in the 2006 election but WASHINGTON - A three-judge federal court contested the results that led to weeks of propanel will begin hearing two weeks of testitests in the capital; and then there is the ruling mony Tuesday to determine whether the Texas National Action Party (PAN) is the party of Legislature violated the Voting Rights Act and Felipe Calderon, the current president. PAN has diluted minority voting strength when it redrew announced Josefa Vasquez Mota as their candipolitical maps for state House, Senate and con- date. gressional seats. Given the issues of drug violence and growing The District of Columbia panel will review poverty in the country and northern regions, plans drawn by the Legislature under Section 5 Mexico's election is very important to the reof the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which requires gion in South Texas and especially to border the Justice Department to approve beforehand cities who share border crossings or bridges including Donna, Texas. changes to the political process. The economy of both sides of the border is Meanwhile, candidates are still moving on currently greatly affected by the violence in the with campaign efforts for all positions getting Mexican side of the region. for the primaries and regular elections this With elections coming up in July, US official spring. Hopefuls are campaigning without are hopeful for better conditions along the USworry of court district map final decisions. Mexico border.

El Donneo News Review

Community

Page 5

La Ciudad de Donna ofrece oportunidad a negocios internacionales y locales

Roofers fix the roof of the old APEX building on Railroad and Bus. 83.

Donna High School Clsss of 1982

Jim and Debbie Fitzgerald invites you to visit the Don Wes Flea Market open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a cold drink and a great burger here too.

Being recognized for her heroic act in saving a 10 month old baby from suffocating through CPR, Luz Herevia accepts a gift from Martha Orozco, food services. DISD Schoolboard also acknowledged Herevia for good use of school training.

Also, Conjunto Los Mismos de Rio Grande City can be contacted

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Community

Donneo News Review

Getting the paint to every corner of the building

D M Sauceda Middle School custodial workers take pride in their own work place. They took it upon themselves to buy the paint out of their own pockets and do the painting of the building themselves on their own time. This is commendable! We appreciate their effort and pride in our school, Linda Estrada, secretary, comments.

A.C. Cuellar, Jr

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El Donneo News Review

Conjunto Music

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There is only one organization in the state of Texas that dedicates all its efforts in preserving the history, the culture, and traditions of Texas conjunto music. - the South Texas Conjunto Association (STCA). Founded in the 1998 in Mercedes, Texas, KC Hall, the organization has survived through the last 14 years. It has sponsored conjunto radio and television on public broadcasting systems in the Rio Grande Valley for several years. It hasnt been easy keeping these efforts alive since there was no radio station playing our music in the valley. But today, we now are grateful to KMBH Public radio and to the 102.1 fm that has added some conjunto artists to its repertoire, says Lupe Saenz, STCA President. People often email me or call me and asks where they can buy this conjunto music we play in our programs. I always refer them to our friend at the Don West Flea market, Mr. Bill Emry. He makes an effort to offer all of the latest in conjunto music, Saenz added. See E & E Sales ad below for more information, location or phone number. Want the last CD recorded by the late Ruben Vela? He has it. Visit him. (All Photos by Jimmy Bejeno) <<< Conjunto Los Dos Gilbertos. (far right) Jimmy Bejerano in the background playing his Macias bajo as a guest players. Ruben Garza, (2nd from right in white shirt) sings with Accordionist Gilberto Garcia. Also, on the far left, bassman Enrique Flaco Naranjo performs with this band. Naranjo, many years bass with the late Ruben Vela conjunto is known for his famous hit, El Coco Rayado.

STCA tributes Jimmy Bejerano and Macias Bajo Sextos

Jimmy Bejerano, (right) wears a t-shirt bearing the memorial of his favorite conjunto, Ruben Vela Y Su conjunto. Bejerano bajo sexto playing skills were a Velas favorite when it came to studio recording. (Jimmy Bejarano de los Cuatro Vientos de Ohio)

George Macias, son of the famous Bajo Sexto maker of San Antonio, Texas, Alberto Macias, holds the LAST bajo Sexto under construction by his dad, when Alberto got ill and passed on... George is going to finish the bajo, and will keep it in memory of his dad.

Ricardo Mejia, original Ruben Vela Y Su Conjunto, plays a Macias bajo sexto. Macias bajos are a favorite for many conjuntos.

Classic Music

The best in Tejano or Conjunto Show-

Looking for the latest in conjunto or Tejano music? We have it all.

The last CD recorded by Ruben Vela.

Most Gilberto Perez CD

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The School

El Donneo News Review

January was Board Appreciation Month. Seating (l-r) Ernesto Lugo, Nick Castillo, Rey Alegria, Supt. Roberto F. Loredo, Bd Pres. Alfredo Lugo, Angel Magallanes and Efren Ceniceros. Say Thanks to your board members in appreciation. Congratulations, DISD Board.

PS Garza Elementary recognized Nick Castillo, DISD Board for Board Appreciation Month. Other campuses also recognized the rest of the members. Congratulations!

STC and DISD offer free internet/ computer training in English and Spanish/Se ofrece entrenamiento para utilizar la computadora gratuitamente en ingles y espaol
South Texas College and Donna ISD Parental Involvement, together are offering free services to parents and individuals who want to learn to use computers and learn to surf the internet announced Tomas Tamez, parental involvement department director. Persons looking for some help to learn new skills or to enhance existing skills are encouraged to participate and to take advantage of these free services, Tamez said. Classes are offered twice a week, Mondays, 1:30 pm4:30 pm at the Parental Involvement Central office. Also, Fridays, at Veterans Middle School, 10 am1 pm. For times, dates, and other information, interested persons should contact DISD Parental Involvement to register for these classes. Call 956-461-4230. South Texas College y el departamento de padres del distrito escolar de Donna ISD ofrece servicios gratuitos a los padres y las personas que quieren aprender a usar las computadoras y aprender a navegar por Internet anunci Toms Tamez, director del departamento de envolvimiento de padres. "Las personas que buscan un poco de ayuda para aprender nuevas habilidades o mejorar las habilidades ya existentes se les anima a participar y tomar ventaja de estos servicios gratuitos", dijo Tamez. Las clases se ofrecen dos veces por semana, los lunes, 1:30 pm-4: 30 pm en la oficina central de la participacin parental. Adems, los viernes, en el Veterans Middle School, 10 am-1 pm. Para los tiempos, fechas y otra informacin, los interesados debern ponerse en contacto con el departamentode los Padres central para inscribirse en estas clases. Llame al 956461-4230.

DISD Food Service workers (Cafeteria managers) unite for this photo in honor of LeNoirs Cafeteria manager Luz Herevia who was recognized by Board President Alfredo Lugo and the rest of the board during the last regular board meeting. Herevia is recognized for her heroic action that saved a 10 month old baby.

Aprenda como sacar su GED//Learn how to earn a GED. Call 463-6909

East Donna children pose with Miss Texas, Carla Monje (center) during a gift distribution for community children and parents. Also, present to actively participate is DISD Bd Pres. Alfredo Lugo, (right) who helped with distribution of donated toys for children and oranges for parents.