When asked on Wednesday whether or not he accepted bribes, former Weslaco City Commissioner John Cuellar responded with a single word: “Yes.” John Cuellar said his cousin, former Hidalgo County Commissioner A.C. Cuellar, paid him about $405,000 from 2011 to 2014. In exchange, John Cuellar approved contracts worth more than $50 million to upgrade water…

In December 2014, an engineer called Interim Weslaco City Manager Elizabeth Walker. The engineer — Richard LeFevre — said San Antonio-based Briones Consulting & Engineering hadn’t paid him for work on the Weslaco water treatment plant. Weslaco had paid millions to Briones and Boston-based construction company CDM. LeFevre wanted his money too. During the conversation,…

An engineer charged in the western Hidalgo County corruption case may head to trial in November. During a hearing on Wednesday morning, the attorney who represents Mariano Garcia, 49, of Mission announced he’s ready for trial. Garcia is accused of paying nearly $250,000 to Andres “Andy” Morales — a major player in western Hidalgo County…

A local teacher joined the Peñitas City Council on Wednesday. The City Council appointed Guadalupe Moreno Jr., 49, of Peñitas to Place 4 during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m here to work,” Moreno said. “I look forward to contributing as much as I can to help the community grow.” Moreno, a Spanish teacher at…

The Sullivan City Council approved a modest tax hike last week. During a meeting on Sept. 26, the City Council voted 3-2 to increase the property tax rate from 48.38 cents to 50 cents per $100 of taxable assessed valuation. The City Council didn’t take the decision lightly, said Mayor Alma Salinas. Before the City…

The city of La Joya will increase residential water and sewer rates by nearly 9% in November to pay for two major infrastructure projects. Mayor Isidro Casanova and members of the City Council approved the rate increase during a meeting on Sept. 13. The money will allow La Joya to build new water and wastewater…

Mission City Attorney Gus Martinez resigned in mid-September after the City Council agreed to pay him more than $74,000. Martinez resigned on Sept. 16 after the City Council met privately — in what is called “executive session” — to discuss his evaluation. “We wish Gus the best,” said City Councilman Ruben Plata. “It was time…

A federal judge placed a McAllen businessman on probation last week after he pleaded guilty to transporting an illegal alien. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane placed Jose Luis Trejo, 51, of McAllen on probation for three years. “I’d like you to know how sincerely sorry I am,” Trejo said on Sept. 9, when he appeared…

The Sullivan City Council plans to increase the property tax rate by about 3% in late September. Mayor Alma Salinas and the City Council discussed the proposed tax hike on Tuesday afternoon. “I think our community members will understand,” Salinas said. “And they can see that we’ve invested in our community.” Salinas, City Councilman Rene…

A former union organizer joined the La Joya school board on Wednesday. State Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. administered the oath of office to former American Federation of Teachers representative Juan Jose “J.J.” Luna, 66, of La Joya during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. “For 18 years, I sat out there,” Luna said, gesturing toward the…