Area News
Mayor and council discuss city parking issues
With Mission growing in size and density, the city is experiencing growing pains. Part of those growing pains is decreased available parking outside commercial businesses. The planning department staff said they have heard community concern regarding the minimum standard requirements for commercial buildings and their parking. The issue is most of the existing commercial buildings…
Read MoreMission provides financial assistance for residents
The Community Development Block Grant program still has about $60,000 available to help those recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether a Mission resident lost their job or had to cut back on work due to the widespread illness, they may qualify for financial assistance. The CDBG is a program that receives funding from the federal…
Read MoreMission FD acquires new ambulance, restructures leadership
It has been about a year and a half since the Mission Fire Department transitioned to a fire-based EMS system. Since then, the department has acquired two ambulance units, with a third on the way. At the Feb. 13 Mission City Council meeting, the mayor and council unanimously approved the purchase of a Type 1…
Read MoreUpdates on Mission drainage projects
The City of Mission has focused on improving seven zones that require major drainage improvements. Contractors broke ground on three of those projects last fall, and their projected completion dates are right around the corner. Projects Esperanza, Gabriel and Stewart were the first of the seven drainage projects to commence. Gabriel, the area the city…
Read More365 highway, water treatments and more in Mission
The City of Mission has several capital improvement projects in the works. From roadwork to a new public safety station, Mission has construction throughout the city. At the Feb. 13 Mission City Council meeting, City Manager Randy Perez provided an update on the different projects. SH 365 The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority has been…
Read MoreExclusive: ‘Staffing Adjustment Plan’ shows which jobs La Joya ISD plans to eliminate
Twenty four nurse’s aides. Six carpenters. Two mechanics. They’re among more than 200 positions the La Joya Independent School District plans to eliminate when the school year ends, according to information La Joya ISD released on Friday. The school board approved a “Staffing Adjustment Plan,” which is designed to cut payroll costs by more than…
Read MoreAlton asks voters for approval to spend sales tax on street maintenance
The city of Alton wants voters to approve a sales tax swap in May. Under the proposal, Alton would shift a half-cent of city sales tax — about $500,000 a year — from industrial development initiatives to street maintenance. “I say it would be an excellent idea,” said Mayor Salvador Vela. “Because we do need…
Read MoreTexas Ethics Commission fined Agua SUD board president for failing to file personal financial statement
The Texas Ethics Commission slapped Agua Special Utility District board President Maribel Diaz with a $500 fine last year after she failed to file a personal financial statement. Members of the utility board are required to file a financial statement with the Ethics Commission every year. The financial statements, which list sources of income, debts…
Read MoreLa Joya ISD backs away from plan to shut down two elementary schools
Faced with an outpouring of concern from parents and withering criticism from teachers, the La Joya Independent School District all but abandoned a plan to shut down two elementary schools on Wednesday. Trustees voted to shut down Leo J. Leo Elementary School and Rosendo Benavides Elementary School in January, when they approved a “staffing adjustment…
Read MoreAfter 9 years under state supervision, Progreso ISD is independent again
After nine years under Texas Education Agency supervision, the Progreso Independent School District is independent again. The Texas Education Agency assigned a management team to Progreso ISD in 2014 after the FBI arrested the school board president, the mayor and two district administrators. Members of the management team, which included two conservators, had the ability…
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