Twice accused of sexual harassment, police officer finds new job in La Grulla
When a police officer with a checkered past asked him for a job, La Grulla police Chief Desi Olivarez weighed his options. Heriberto “Eddie” Sanchez, 46, of Mission had resigned from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 after being accused of sexual harassment. Another complaint against Sanchez had surfaced in 2019, when he worked…
Read MorePolice arrest Mission woman accused of preying on people with legal problems
The Palmview Police Department on Monday arrested a woman accused of scamming people in western Hidalgo County. Officers arrested Sylvia Rodriguez Flores, 49, of Mission on Monday — her fourth arrest on theft charges during the past five years. Flores is accused of scamming people with legal problems, according to court records. In exchange for…
Read MoreMan charged in La Joya corruption case may represent himself at trial unless he finds new attorney
A man charged in the La Joya corruption case must either find a new attorney or represent himself at trial. Ramiro Alaniz, 39, of La Joya — who is accused of participating in a scheme to solicit kickbacks during construction of a La Joya Economic Development Corp. project — hired attorney Gregorio R. Lopez of…
Read MoreMore than two months after border wall ‘pause,’ land condemnation lawsuits remain in limbo
Government attorneys said Wednesday they still hadn’t received any guidance about how to proceed with land condemnation lawsuits for the border wall — more than two months after President Joe Biden paused construction. Nine attorneys who represent the federal government appeared before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane on Wednesday morning for hearings in 17 land…
Read MoreFormer political candidate drops temporary restraining order, allowing Pharr to proceed with Hidalgo County EMS deal
An attempt to stop the city of Pharr from buying the assets of Hidalgo County EMS during a bankruptcy auction failed spectacularly on Friday. Lorena Singh — a social worker and longtime Pharr resident who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for City Commission in 2019 — filed a lawsuit against the city, attempting to stop the…
Read MoreJudge signs temporary restraining order to stop Pharr from acquiring Hidalgo County EMS
A judge signed a temporary restraining order against the city of Pharr on Thursday, prohibiting the city from acquiring the assets of Hidalgo County EMS. State District Judge Roberto “Bobby” Flores signed the temporary restraining order Thursday at the request of Lorena Singh, a social worker who ran for Pharr City Commission in 2019. “I…
Read MoreAttorney may withdraw from La Joya corruption case, delaying trial
This article appeared in the April 2 issue of the Progress Times. A man charged in the La Joya corruption scandal may switch attorneys just weeks before trial, delaying the case indefinitely. Ramiro Alaniz, 39, of La Joya is accused of working with former Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas and his daughter, Frances A.…
Read MoreTexas Senate committee holds public hearing on Agua SUD bill
“This article appeared in the April 2 issue of the Progress Times.” The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government held a public hearing Monday on a bill that would prohibit the Agua Special Utility District from holding budget workshops on South Padre Island. State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, walked the committee through Senate Bill…
Read MorePharr reaches ‘agreement in principle’ to acquire Hidalgo County EMS
The city of Pharr apparently plans to acquire the assets of Hidalgo County EMS and start a city-owned ambulance service. The city submitted a bid for Hidalgo County EMS — a privately owned ambulance company that responds to emergency calls in Pharr, Edinburg and rural parts of South Texas — during a bankruptcy auction that…
Read MoreLa Joya school board rejects proposal to shut down three elementary schools
A proposal to shut down several La Joya Independent School District campuses proved so unpopular Wednesday that a majority of the school board immediately rejected it — without even waiting for administrators to start their presentation. Concerned about low enrollment, La Joya ISD administrators brought the school board a proposal to shut down Kika De…
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