Randy Perez renounces candidacy for Mission TIRZ job
City approved over $200,000 severance with former city manager Former Mission City Manager Randy Perez withdrew his candidacy for a leadership position with the Mission Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Wednesday in response to criticism over his fitness to serve in that role. Mission agreed to pay Perez — a 22-year veteran city employee who’s served…
Read MoreNew Mission city manager calls finances, communication top priorities
Mike Perez, who Mission City Council hired as city manager Monday, has money on his mind. Council hired Perez, 72, as city manager Monday after former city manager Randy Perez made his second — apparently irreversible — resignation announcement last Thursday. A veteran Rio Grande Valley public servant, Mike Perez served as McAllen’s city manager…
Read MoreUTRGV predicts significant economic impact from football program
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley expects that its new football program will have a significant impact on the local economy. That’s nothing new. The university’s been saying as much for years. However, the university has been keeping its economic forecast updated and the fact that the Vaquero’s finally have an official home for…
Read MoreRibbon cutting results in reprimands for La Joya school employees
La Joya ISD reprimanded a handful of employees last month because they failed to clock out for a ribbon cutting at the Peñitas Starbucks, according to Superintendent Marcey Sorensen. Peñitas held a ribbon cutting for its new Starbucks on February 19. Photos from the event show Peñitas Mayor Ramiro Loya, members of the Peñitas City…
Read MoreUIL reprimands, punishes McAllen school over ineligible player
The University Interscholastic League State Executive Committee voted Thursday to punish James “Nikki” Rowe’s athletics program over a scheme to play an ineligible basketball player from Mexico that resulted in former head basketball coach Jose Yebra losing his position and dashed the Warriors’ playoff hopes last month. After a hearing, the committee voted to reprimand…
Read MoreMission city manager quits again
Mission City Manager Randy Perez announced his retirement Thursday. The city met with Mike Perez, a well known former Rio Grande Valley city manager, Monday evening while Randy Perez was out on a trip. Council took some sort of undisclosed action on Randy Perez’s contract last month. Randy Perez didn’t respond to calls Thursday. “We…
Read MoreMission council meets with Mike Perez after action on city manager’s contract
Mike Perez, a well known former city manager of several Rio Grande Valley municipalities, spoke with Mission City Council Monday just two weeks after council approved some sort of undisclosed agreement related to current City Manager Randy Perez’s contract. Randy Perez didn’t attend Monday’s council meeting. According to the city, he’s taking time off for…
Read MoreFire investigation leads to arrest, dog shooting in Peñitas
A Peñitas homeowner declining to let authorities investigate a fire on his property last month allegedly led to a brawl between him and Peñitas police and officers shooting a dog after it bit one of them. Police charged Luis Angel Sanchez, 34, with evading arrest, resisting arrest, interfering with public duties and two counts of…
Read MoreIDEA gets conservators in settlement with Texas Education Agency
The Texas Education Agency appointed a pair of conservators Wednesday to oversee IDEA Public Schools after agency investigation of allegations of financial impropriety that surfaced in 2021. According to the district, the conservators are part of a settlement agreement IDEA reached with the TEA and the U.S. Department of Education to resolve compliance issues self-reported…
Read MoreLa Joya ISD cancels superintendent’s golf tournament
The La Joya ISD board voted on February 28 to cancel the 2024 Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Classic, at least in part because of ethical concerns. This year’s tournament would have been the 18th annual golf classic. “Ultimately, the decision reflects a strategic evaluation of the effectiveness of past fundraising methods and a commitment to activities…
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