Concerned about enrollment, La Joya ISD may declare financial emergency
Faced with declining enrollment, the La Joya Independent School District may declare a financial emergency. During a school board meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Trustee Roberto Zamora recommended that La Joya ISD declare “financial exigency” — a financial emergency — and create a plan to address the problem. “It’s a sensitive issue,” said Zamora, a widely…
Read MoreRamos wins seat on Peñitas City Council in special election
Voters picked a replacement for Peñitas City Councilman Alex Guajardo on Tuesday, five months after he pleaded guilty in a federal corruption case. Osiel Ramos, 47, of Peñitas — a teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School — won the special election for City Council Place 1. He defeated Jose Luis Ochoa Jr., 33, a…
Read More4 candidates file for mayor of Palmhurst, special election scheduled for August
The city of Palmhurst will pick a new mayor in August. Four candidates filed ballot applications by the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline: > Former City Councilman Israel Silva, 51, the owner of Texas Health Care Imaging. > Former Sharyland school board Trustee Eduardo “Eddie” Montalvo, 57, a business analyst with UnitedHealth Group. > Attorney Ricka…
Read MoreMission businessman pleads not guilty to witness tampering in western Hidalgo County corruption case
A businessman accused of tampering with a witness in the western Hidalgo County corruption case pleaded not guilty Wednesday. Jorge O’Caña Jr., 43, of Mission — the nephew of Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña and the brother of Hidalgo County Court-at-Law Judge Patricia “Patty” O’Caña-Olivarez — pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. During a hearing on Wednesday…
Read MoreFBI arrests Mission businessman on federal witness tampering charge
The FBI arrested a Mission businessman Tuesday on a federal witness tampering charge. Jorge O’Caña Jr., 43, of Mission — the nephew of Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña and the brother of Hidalgo County Court-at-Law Judge Patricia “Patty” O’Caña-Olivarez — is accused of illegally attempting to influence the testimony of a witness in the western Hidalgo…
Read MorePeñitas mayor pleads not guilty to federal theft charges, bond set at $50,000
Peñitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez pleaded not guilty to federal theft charges Tuesday. Lopez is accused of paying a La Joya Independent School District employee to approve purchases from a company he owned. Attorney Tony Torres of Edinburg, who represents Lopez, declined to comment. Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez, 38, of Peñitas attended La Joya High School…
Read MoreFBI arrests Peñitas mayor on theft charges
The FBI arrested Peñitas Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez on federal theft charges Monday. Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez, 38, of Peñitas paid a La Joya Independent School District employee to approve purchases from his company, Xizaka LLC, according to the indictment against him. In response to a request for comment, the FBI released a statement. “The FBI…
Read MoreAgua SUD may request restitution from former La Joya ISD trustee, businessman convicted in corruption case
The Agua Special Utility District may request restitution from a former school board trustee and a businessman who pleaded guilty in the western Hidalgo County corruption case. During a meeting on Monday afternoon, the Agua SUD board authorized General Manager Roberto J. Salinas to request restitution from former La Joya school board Trustee Armin Garza…
Read MoreFormer City Councilwoman Norie Gonzalez Garza will be Mission’s next mayor
Former City Councilwoman Norie Gonzalez Garza will become the next mayor of Mission. Gonzalez Garza defeated Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña during a runoff election on Saturday, according to preliminary results published by the Hidalgo County Elections Department. Nearly 56% percent of about 7,000 people who cast ballots supported Gonzalez Garza. O’cana won about 44%. “I’m…
Read MoreMission police officer resigns after being accused of shoplifting
A patrolman resigned from the Mission Police Department last month after being accused of shoplifting. Officer Ryan I. Rosa, 28, of Rio Grande City resigned on May 24. “Effective immediately, I am resigning from my Patrol Officer position and employment with the Mission Police Department due to personal reasons,” Rosa wrote to police Chief Cesar…
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