A businessman who received more than $500,000 from Hidalgo County EMS before the company declared bankruptcy agreed to pay back $90,000 in December but admitted no wrongdoing. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David R. Jones approved the settlement agreement between McAllen businessman Jose Luis Trejo and trustee Christopher Murray, who is handling the Hidalgo County EMS case,…

The city of La Joya will start the new year with a new lawyer. City Attorney Roberto Jackson announced his resignation during a City Council meeting on Dec. 13. “I have some great news. Luckily, I will no longer be your attorney for the city of La Joya,” Jackson said on Dec. 13, moments before…

The La Joya Independent School District plans to audit how millions in federal COVID-19 funds were spent. During a meeting on Dec. 14, the school board directed attorneys to audit how La Joya ISD spent the money — with a special emphasis on playground equipment and heating, ventilation and air conditioning projects. The school board…

Faced with a Texas Education Agency investigation, the La Joya school board will invite the state to appoint a monitor or conservator for the district. Trustees made the decision Thursday during a six-hour meeting that ended minutes after midnight. “And so, as part of this action, we’d be reaching out to TEA,” said attorney Eden…

The Agua Special Utility District replaced Director Esmeralda Solis — who resigned to join the La Joya school board — with her husband on Monday. During a meeting on Monday afternoon, the utility board appointed Narciso V. Solis, 49, of rural Mission to represent District 3. “I wanted to continue the work my wife had…

    Two new trustees joined the La Joya school board last week. The La Joya Independent School District held a swearing-in ceremony for former Agua Special Utility District board President Esmeralda Solis, 46, of Mission and Hidalgo County administrator Anthony Uresti, 30, of Palmview on Nov. 17. “I’m here today to tell you all:…

A man who suffers from a mental disorder was sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old McAllen girl. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Brandon Galvez, 24, of Chalmette, Louisiana, to 240 months in prison — the mandatory minimum — during a hearing on Monday afternoon. “This is…

The city of Palmview hired a new police chief on Tuesday. After reviewing more than 20 applications and conducting two rounds of interviews, Palmview hired Jose M. Trevino, the director of campus safety and security for a community college in Port Arthur, on Tuesday night. “All the aspects that we were looking for, he fits…

Sullivan City Councilman Julian Peña was removed from office Monday after he failed to attend City Council meetings in September, October and November. Any member of the City Council who fails to attend three consecutive, regular meetings “shall forfeit” his office, according to the city charter, unless the City Council excuses the absences. “And, for…

The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office dropped an assault charge against former Sullivan City Mayor Leonel “Leo” Garcia last month. Officers arrested Garcia and his partner, Evelyn Vela, on assault charges after they had a fight in February 2020. “It was a misunderstanding,” Garcia said, adding that neither he nor Vela was injured. Garcia accused…