AHUMADA USES THE TRUMP APPROACH, BUT FALLS FLAT ON HIS FACE

 

"A New Direction," promises the above campaign sign, an odd proclamation for a candidate who's already served two terms in the office he's seeking and whose personality and manner is well known in the community.

But, the oddest term on the above sign is the word "protest," as if Pat's supporters should somehow demonstrate against the Texas Supreme Court that ruled in agreement with City Secretary Yolanda Garza-Gomez that his run for a third term as mayor violated the City Charter.

Actually, Ahumada's decision to run for mayor instead of running in what is essentially a very weak field vying for District 2 City Commissioner was totally dumb.

From a simple seat on the commission Ahumada could have promoted anything he felt beneficial for Brownsville with very little resistance.

Can you imagine, for example, the timid John Cowen, should he be elected mayor, being able to stifle, stymie or squelch anything proposed by Ahumada?

I can't either.

But, in running for mayor instead of commissioner, Ahumada let his ego get in his own way.  Years ago, he declared that, as mayor, he was the city's "quarterback," while the commissioners were merely his "blocking lineman."

That egomaniacal attitude has bit Ahumada in the proverbial butt, meaning he now won't "serve" the city in any capacity.

Actually, Ahumada's approach is similar to a declared candidate to be Republican nominee for President, Donald J. Trump, who is also calling for his supporters to "protest" as you will note in the above tweet.

"Protest, take our nation back," Trump says.

Ahumada wishes Brownsville would somehow "take him back," but he screwed that up.

IS TRUMP PLANNING ON ATTACKING MEXICO IF RE-ELECTED IN 2024?

 

"Mexico has some bad hombres!" Donald Trump

Here is an excerpt from Rolling Stone magazine:

“‘Attacking Mexico,’ or whatever you’d like to call it, is something that President Trump has said he wants ‘battle plans’ drawn for,” says one of the sources. 

“He’s complained about missed opportunities of his first term, and there are a lot of people around him who want fewer missed opportunities in a second Trump presidency.”

Trump lieutenants have briefed him on several options that include unilateral military strikes and troop deployments on a sovereign U.S. partner and neighbor, the sources say.

TRUMP INDICTED. . . . . . . . FINALLY!

A Manhattan grand jury voted Thursday to indict former President Donald Trump over an alleged hush money payment to silence porn star Stormy Daniels, according to multiple reports, marking the first time in American history a former president has been criminally charged.

According to the New York Times, the indictment remains under seal and it's not clear what crimes the grand jury decided to charge him with.

OPIOID OVERDOSE DRUG SOON AVAILABLE OVER THE COUNTER ACCORDING TO NPR

 By Joe Hernandez, National Public Radio

The overdose-reversing drug Narcan could soon be available to buy over the counter without a prescription, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.

The FDA's approval of the nasal spray Narcan — the brand name for the drug naloxone — means the medication could be more widely available across the U.S. as the country continues to grapple with an opioid epidemic.

"Today's action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online," the FDA said. 

Emergent BioSolutions, the drug company that produces Narcan, said on Wednesday  that it hoped to make the nasal spray available on store shelves and at online retailers by late summer. It did not immediately say how much it would cost.

"Today's landmark FDA OTC approval for Narcan Nasal Spray marks a historic milestone as we have delivered on our commitment to make this important emergency treatment widely accessible, given the alarming rates of opioid overdoses occurring across the country," Emergent BioSolutions CEO Robert G. Kramer said in a statement.

Some state and city governments as well as harm-reduction groups have offered naloxone for free to residents, and pharmacies already can sell the medication without a prescription, thanks to a variety of standing orders, state laws and other actions.

But this patchwork can still leave some people behind or require them to get Narcan behind the counter, which comes with some stigma.

Public health experts, harm-reduction advocates and many politicians have argued thatthose barriers meant fewer people would get the life-saving medication they needed in time. The new FDA approval has been praised for making Narcan even more accessible.

The FDA approval comes as the U.S. continues to see a staggering number of opioid-related deaths, driven in large part by the spread of synthetic opioids such as illicit fentanyl.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 101,751 reported fatal overdoses in the 12-month period ending in October

"We can prevent overdoses and save lives by making naloxone more accessible, and at the same time, we can ensure equitable access to essential health care," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. 

Still, overdose prevention advocates warn that if the cost of over-the-counter Narcan is too high — at one point it had $38 per dose, it may be too expensive for some.

"While we welcome #naloxone in any form being accessible over-the-counter, we're echoing the need for naloxone to be free and accessible for all," the National Harm Reduction Coalition said in a tweet.

Naloxone, which comes in a nasal spray and an injectable drug, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore a person's breathing. Opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine.

Signs of an overdose include bluish lips and nose, abnormal breathing and a lack of responsiveness. More than one dose of naloxone may be necessary to reverse an overdose.

An FDA advisory committee voted unanimously last month to approve Narcan for over-the-counter sales without a prescription.

The specific dose approved for retail sales is the 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray. Other formulations and dosages of the drug would still require a prescription, the FDA said.

The administration first approved Narcan nasal spray in 2015 as a prescription drug.

"THE CHIP DOCTOR," NOW BASED IN PORT ISABEL, MAKES HOME CALLS

 

By Rene Torres

In today’s Rio Grande Valley highways, it’s inevitable that a pebble or even a rock will strike your car windshield without a warning.

The level of damage, if left unattended, can spread like wildfire across your windshield. 

So,who do you call to prevent that extended damage?

Well, the “Chip Doctor," just like in bygone days, makes “house calls.” 

As soon as he arrives at your site, he's on cruise control.

He works fast, with meticulous care, making sure that no chip is left behind. His work transcends the ordinary, others should be inspired to learn from his approach.

Who is the Chip Doctor? 

His name is Gus Gonzalez, a 1995 Port Isabel High School graduate. 

Gus went on to obtain an automotive technology certificate from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, considered one of the best technical schools in the state.

When recruiting companies visited the campus, Gus was handpicked as one of the best in hisfield of study and offered a job in San Antonio. 

Soon after his tenure in the Alamo city, his ambition took him to Oregon, where he learned about the chip repair industry and, after some concentrated training, mastered the trade.

By 2016, he invested in buying the trendiest tool in the market the “Ecovac.” 

From then on, Gus and Eco were inseparable, but the tool does not do the work, it is the man behind the tool that creates miracles.

In this same year, he set up shop at the Sunrise Mall parking area, yet, while he and a friend weredoing well, he decided to branch off to make home visits and the rest is history.

Today, due to his solid work ethic, he has been rewarded with legions of customers who have benefited from his service. He will tell you that he cannot cure the problem, but you can be sure that he can fix it.

Grover Cleveland said, “A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.”

You can find Gus surfing on the World Wide Web!

COMMISSIONER AND MAYOR CANDIDATE JESSICA TETREAU: "MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE CATTLE BUSINESS OVER 200 YEARS!"

 

"My family has been in the cattle industry for over 200 years, but my grandfather broke tradition and moved to Brownsville when he returned from the service and married my grandmother.

They truly believed that Brownsville was where they could live happily ever after, and the rest is history…

I know my ancestors would be very proud to see me running for Mayor.

This afternoon, we placed the first political sign in 200 years on the cattle ranch my grandfather was born on in 1924."

ATTENDEES AT CATALINA PRESAS-GARCIA CAMPAIGN EVENT

Gilbert Velasquez

Laura Cisneros

William Garza

 

Presas-Garcia

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN SUNRISE MALL STABBING

 by Valley Central

Jose Alejandro Garza

BROWNSVILLE, Texas  — The Brownsville Police Department identifies the suspect in connection to a stabbing incident that occurred Friday evening.

Jose Alejandro Garza, 17, was arrested at Sunrise Mall on charges of aggravated assault with deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence, Brownsville PD stated.

Investigators said, Garza got into an argument with a 23-year-old man, when several men began to fight by the movie entrance at Sunrise Mall.

“During the fight, Garza took out a knife and stabbed the victim in the right abdominal area,” a release from Brownsville PD said.

According to reports, the victim was taken to Valley Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

The release stated, when witness described the man to police on scene as wearing a red zip-up sweater with a “cuh-like style haircut”, an off-duty officer overheard the description and located Garza.

According to Brownsville PD, Garza refused to talk to officers and stated “he was a minor waiting for his mother to arrive before he could say anything to police.”

Officers found a knife blade cover on Garza, who they alleged had intentionally hid the knife from police.

“The witnesses positively identified Garza as the person that stabbed the victim,” authorities said.

Garza was taken to Brownsville City Jail and has a bond of $70,000.

Charges as of March 12, 2023: Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon 2nd Degree Felony, Tampering with Evidence, 3rd Degree Felony 

HWY 77 FLEA MARKET~MARCH 11, 2023

 

ELON MUSK REVEALS PLANS TO BUILD A CITY AT BOCA CHICA

 

Elon Musk

Musk has unveiled his plan to build Starbase into a "much larger" city than Boca Chica Village, once a small settlement of Polish folk from Chicago, now where the SpaceX Starship rocket is being developed. 

SpaceX has already made initial inquiries for the city building project with Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino's office.

Musk describes his vision for the city:

"Starbase will grow by several thousand people over the next year or two. Please consider moving to Starbase or greater Brownsville/South Padre area in Texas and encourage friends to do so! 

SpaceX’s hiring needs for engineers, technicians, builders & essential support personnel of all kinds are growing rapidly."

WHY JOHN COWEN, CITY COMMISSIONER AND CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR, SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY FROM THE GBIC

City Commissioner John Cowen

Why is it just plain wrong for Commissioner Cowen, a candidate for mayor, to be serving on the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation or GBIC?

Well, one of the original, stated purposes of diverting tax dollars from cities' general funds into separate 4A and 4B entities was so that economic development and quality of life projects would not be "politicized" by being under the exclusive control of elected officials who might be tempted to disperse patronage in the form of 4a and 4b projects.

Otherwise, the City Commission could simply dispense those funds.

The whole 4A and 4B process is designed to assure the taxpayers that public officials are not using the funds to benefit their cronies, much less themselves.

Brownsville has two EDC's, Economic Development Corporations, with distinctly different missions, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation(GBIC) and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation(BCIC).

Each of the two EDC groups recieves 1/4 cent from the sales tax generated in the City of Brownsville, approximately $5,000,000 each annually.

Commissioner Cowen, who I'm told by his uncle Ralph has made their company "a lot of money," should not be serving on and economic development board while city commissioner.

DRUG MONEY MORE IMPORTANT THAN HUMAN LIFE IN MEXICO

 

Life is cheap in Mexico, at least Mexican National and migrant life, with the lives of over 100,000 Mexican citizens and migrants unaccounted for over the last several years.

When relatives of these victims seek answers from Mexican government and law enforcement officials, all they get is an arrogant shrug of the shoulders. 

Now, should the victims be Americans, as in the recent attack on four U.S. citizens, allegedly venturing into Matamoros for cosmetic surgery, that gets, not only the attention of the Mexican government, but even the cooperation of the Gulf Cartel, who quickly turned over five men they claimed were responsible for the attack.

Of course, the ruthless, predatorial cartels, Gulf Cartel included, have no natural affection for Americans, just for the American dollars generated by the drug trade.  

The loud right wing of the current Republican Party in the U.S. has called for U.S. troops to be deployed into Mexico to root out the cartel drug pushers.

That's not a new idea, nor is it legal under international law.

Back in 2011, we attended a conference on border security at the UTB/TSC Arts Center.

Tiffany Hartley, on the right, alongside a valley rancher

An attendee to that event was Tiffany Hartley, whose husband, David, had been shot and killed by bullets from across the border as the pair were riding twin jet skis on Falcon Lake.  

At that event, T.J. Bonner, a retired Border Patrol official expressed his own personal view "zero percent of the border is under control."  

He said the cartels have enough money to corrupt every segment of the Mexican government, making it difficult to trust or work with them.(A few years ago we saw a list of Mexican officials, from the President, governors, senators, city officials and police, with the designated stipend given to each of them by the drug cartels, far exceeding their actual salary.)

He stated the obvious, that U.S. troops couldn't be deployed, but hoped that the U.S. could consider air strikes, stating:  

" We know where the cartels are."

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Recently Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, referred to as AMLO by some, expressed his concern that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and others were again threatening the use of U.S. troops to break up the fentanyl exporting industry in Mexico.

"Starting today we are going to start an information campaign for Mexicans who live and work in the United States and for all Hispanics to inform them of what we are doing in Mexico and how this initiative by the Republicans, in addition to being irresponsible, is an offense against the people of Mexico, a lack of respect for our independence, our sovereignty," he said.

"And if they do not change their attitude and think that they are going to use Mexico for their propaganda, electoral, and political purposes, we are going to call for them not to vote for that party, because it is interventionist, inhumane, hypocritical, and corrupt," Lopez Obrador said, later adding that Mexico would be insisting that "not one vote" goes to Republicans from Mexicans and Hispanics.

GULF CARTEL TURNS OVER FIVE "HITMEN" AS RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTACKING AMERICANS; IS IT LEGIT?

by Borderland Beat

The Gulf Cartel (CDG) left five of their hitmen, who they say were behind the attack on the four Americans, bound at wrist with zip ties on a street in Matamoros. 

The cartel group claimed they did not give the order for the abduction and offered up the hitmen to  police. 

During the pre-dawn hours of March 9, 2023, rumors began spreading online that the Gulf Cartel - Matamoros faction had left a group of their own hitmen, tied up, for police as a kind of offering. 

The hitmen, the rumors alleged, were the members responsible for the recent attack on four Americans, which left two dead and two injured.

A tweet posted hours earlier, warning that Primera Street and Lauro Villar Avenue were being closed off by law enforcement, hinted that the rumors might be true because that was the location of the fateful kidnapping. 

Later, pictures were posted online by Twitter accounts such as Noticia Morelos and Gildo Garza which seemingly confirm the rumors. 

In the images five hitmen can be seen, bound at the wrist, lying facedown on the ground with their shirts flipped over their heads - a non-threatening pose used by law enforcement after someone had already been searched for a weapon.  

Later photos, such as the ones shown above, appear to show the men with some of the bindings removed, sitting up. This was presumably done by officers at the scene as they began to speak with them and document the scene. 

A black Silverado pickup truck is photographed in the background of many of the images. It was presumably handed over as part of the offering. Initial versions of events alleged that hitmen were riding in a white pickup truck during the March 3rd incident but later video shown by the Attorney General’s Office depicts an additional black pickup truck, driven by cartel members, which was also involved.

The black pickup that was left alongside the men is presumably the same one driven by hitmen on March 3rd. 

Tactical vests, firearms, and corresponding ammo was left on a sidewalk nearby. The items may have been used in the initial attack. 

A narco message sign was left alongside the hitmen with an explanation from the Gulf Cartel. The message read as follows, as translated by Sol Prendido:

"The Gulf Cartel Grupo Escorpiones strongly condemns the events of Friday, March 3. In which unfortunately an innocent working mother died. And 4 American citizens were kidnapped, of which 2 died. For this reason we have decided to hand over those involved and directly responsible for the events who at all times acted under their own determination and indiscipline and against the rules in which the CDG has always operated. 

 

We respect the life, tranquility and integrity of the innocent. The CDG apologizes to the society of Matamoros, the relatives of Mrs. Arely, the affected American individuals, and families. In addition the CDG asks society to remain calm because we are committed to ensure that these errors caused by indiscipline aren’t repeated. The guilty parties will pay, regardless of who they are.  

CDG Grupo Escorpiones"

For those wondering why a cartel group would potentially give up their own men like this - it's because the kidnapping "calento la plaza", or heated up the region, meaning that kidnapping brought increased law enforcement attention to the area.

Anything which brings "heat" to an area where a cartel group operates is bad for business, as far as the cartel is concerned. 

The last thing an organized crime group wants is an increase in media attention, particularly American media attention, that's focused on the criminal activity of their territory. 

Handing over these hitmen is an attempt by the Gulf Cartel to appease the American cries for justice, believing that once the perpetrators are arrested, the focus will shift to prosecuting the men for the kidnapping and ease off the larger criminal scene in Matamoros. 

It's important to remember, however, that the aggressive attack on the four Americans is the result of the environment of Matamoros - a city where Gulf Cartel leadership has thoroughly corrupted local law enforcement, paying out weekly bribes to municipal police officers.

The complicity of law enforcement with organized crime leadership is what emboldened the hitmen to act as they did on March 3rd

Update 12:00 PM CST:

The alleged names of four of the five men have been posted by cartel news Twitter account Codijo Rojo. They are:

Antonio de Jesús Vidaurri Castillo

ALIAS: "Chuy" or "Chucho"

AGE: 33

ORIGINALLY FROM: Río Bravo, Tamaulipas

Luis Valdez Trejo

AGE: 33

ORIGINALLY FROM: Tula, Tamaulipas. 

Gustavo Marcelino Rodarte

AGE: 31 

ORIGINALLY FROM: Matamoros, Tamaulipas 

Ever Noel Hernández Mora

AGE: 28

ORIGINALLY FROM: Guatemala

MISSION'S 84 YEAR OLD UMPIRE WHO SELDOM CALLS IT WRONG!

 

by Rene Torres

In today’s opinionated society a close call in baseball against the home team can bring instant complaints of foul play. 

But fans must have patience, as most umpires do make up calls as the game advances into later innings, but it's always the fans who know the least about the game who protest the loudest, failing to realize that, in baseball, the arbitrator or umpire, is human and can get it wrong.

But there are some umpires who seldom get it wrong, like 84 year old Humberto "Bert" Lozano, an icon in the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico.

After finishing his high school baseball career at Mission High School, Bert looked for a way to stay in the game he loved and decided that umpiring provided that opportunity.

It was in 1970 that Bert was introduced to Umpire David Mosqueda, who became his mentor and Lozano discovered he was a natural behind the plate.

Even in a hotly contested game with tempers boiling, Bert’s demeaner always remained constant, not allowing outside noises from the game's participants to impede his judgement.

Although Bert admits that, at 84, he's not as agile as he used to be, but says "my eyes are still working in harmony, seldom causing me to make the wrong call.” 

Even after 53 years, as the most tenured umpire in the Rio Grande Valley and the state of Texas, Bert is not ready to call his last game, although he suspects he may some day be replaced by a robot. 

Arturo Estrada Umpire Trophy
Awarded to Humberto Lozano

Beyond the white lines, Bert still serves unselfishly as president of the Mexican umpire’s association in Monterrey, a group formed in 1998 and recognizes individuals with more than 25 years of service in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley.

To this day Mr. Lozano remains a prized member and permanent fixture on thediamonds of the Rio Grande Valley, one of the most respected members of his profession.

Allow me to mention three other RGV umpires each with a legacy of excellence:

Max Cavazos, David Mosqueda and Nick Cantu proved to be ambassadors of quality calling balls and strikes, men we thank for their dedication and giving us fond memories of days gone by.

Please note a story from the gossip of the game: 

The local barber was at bat when a wild pitch hits him on the head and caromed high into the air much like a foul ball. The catcher got under it and caught it.

“You’re out,” called the umpire.

“Out?” protested the batter. “Why, that ball hit me on the head.”

“I don’t know what the ball hit,” responded the umpire, “but I know the sound of wood. You’re out!"

SEE YOU AT THE PARK!