Area News
Review: VMHS drama club comes alive in ‘Xanadu’
The Harlequin Drama Club from Veterans Memorial High School performed the Broadway musical “Xanadu” at the VMHS Performing Arts Center Thursday night. Let me preface this review by saying that I am probably one of four people in the world that loves the movie “Xanadu.” It is, admittedly, the best bad movie, which makes it…
Read MoreExclusive: FBI had questions about La Joya Associate Municipal Judge Alex Cantu
Two federal agents showed up at La Joya City Hall last month with questions about Associate Municipal Judge Alex Cantu. The agents — one from the FBI and one from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General — met with Interim City Manager Leo Olivares on Oct. 28. They had questions about…
Read MoreIDEA Public Schools had pilot on the payroll
IDEA Public Schools had a pilot on the payroll in 2019 and 2020. The pilot — Flyder DeCastro, 49, of McAllen — worked for IPS Enterprises, a nonprofit organization created and controlled by IDEA. “Mr. DeCastro was employed from June 2019 until March 2020 by IPS Enterprises, Inc., the nonprofit entity that supports the establishment…
Read MoreFormer McAllen city manager working with Peñitas on major economic development project
Former McAllen City Manager Mike Perez is advising the Peñitas Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone on a major project. The Peñitas TIRZ hired Perez — who previously worked in McAllen, Hidalgo and Weslaco — to handle a major project that may create thousands of jobs and pay millions in property taxes. “I think it’s a project…
Read MoreHomeland Security Investigations warns holiday shoppers about counterfeit products
Louis Vuitton purses. Chanel perfume. Ray-Ban sunglasses. They’re sold at flea markets across the Rio Grande Valley — and they’re almost always fake. While knockoffs may seem harmless, they hurt legitimate businesses and pose a threat to public health, said Maria Michel-Manzo, the assistant special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in McAllen.…
Read MoreDocuments reveal new details about La Joya corruption case
The kickback scheme apparently started with a text message. “I’m with my Dad,” Frances Salinas wrote to her friend Sylvia Garces Valdez on June 1, 2018. “I have a proposition for you.” Three years after that fateful message, Frances Salinas and her father, former La Joya Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas, are scheduled for…
Read MoreJudge: District Attorney’s Office may prosecute Edinburg mayor for voter fraud
This article appeared in the Nov. 19 issue of the Progress Times. A judge on Tuesday denied Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina’s request to disqualify the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office from handling the voter fraud case against him. Attorney Carlos A. Garcia of Mission, who represents Molina, argued that Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo…
Read MoreAgua SUD reviews draft budget, will not increase water and sewer rates
This article appeared in the Nov. 19 issue of the Progress Times. The Agua Special Utility District plans to adopt a nearly $11.5 million budget in December that absorbs higher operating costs without increasing water and sewer rates. General Manager Roberto J. Salinas and the utility board discussed the proposed budget during a workshop…
Read MoreMission CISD implements new gun safety program
Following an incident in which a high school student brought a gun to campus, Mission CISD is administering district-wide changes to ensure student and staff safety. On Nov. 1, Mission police arrested a Mission High School student after discovering a firearm in his backpack. The weapon was loaded, but the student did not use it…
Read MoreSharyland in legal dispute for ‘discriminatory’ dress code
Sharyland ISD suspended a 5-year-old boy at Martinez Elementary for having long hair, and now the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is fighting on his behalf. On Nov. 11, the ACLU filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights citing gender and religious discrimination. For about a month, the…
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