Area News
Mission rejects request to compensate retired fire chief for more than 1,500 hours of unused sick leave
The Mission City Council on Monday rejected a request from retired Fire Chief Gilbert Sanchez to cash out more than 1,500 hours of sick leave. Sanchez had more than 1,500 hours of sick leave when he retired on Dec. 31, according to a document Mission released under the Texas Public Information Act. Based on his…
Read MoreEngineer set for trial in western Hidalgo County corruption case
An engineer charged in the western Hidalgo County corruption case may head to trial in February. Mariano Garcia, 50, of Mission — the owner of M. Garcia Engineering — is scheduled for jury selection on Feb. 27. “We expect that our case in chief will take two days, probably, at most,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto…
Read MoreSISD undergoes intruder detection audit
Jan. 10: This article has been updated to include information from the Sharyland ISD public relations department. Sharyland ISD had at least one campus undergo the state-mandated intruder audits in the first half of the school year. The Texas School Safety Center conducts the inspections and determines if unauthorized individuals can enter the building from…
Read MoreSharyland cracks down on student vaping
Sharyland ISD is among the many school systems nationwide trying to stop students from vaping or smoking e-cigarettes on campus. At the Dec. 19 board of trustees meeting, the board approved a contract for vape detectors. Out of eight proposals, the board agreed to a $142,789 contract with Howard Technologies to install the detectors —…
Read MoreMcAllen budgets $450,000 for Boeye Reservoir feasibility study
The city of McAllen set aside $450,000 in December for a feasibility study on Boeye Reservoir. Mayor Javier Villalobos and the City Commission want to drain the reservoir, which is located on prime commercial property, and make the land available for development. The feasibility study may provide the City Commission with more information about potential…
Read MoreMission holds swearing-in ceremony for new city attorney
Mission welcomed a new attorney to City Hall on Tuesday. City Attorney Victor Flores was sworn in Tuesday afternoon by Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd during a brief ceremony at City Hall. “Mr. Flores is, as you know, a dedicated family man. He is a man of faith. He is a well-respected lawyer,”…
Read MoreBusinessman pays back $90,000 in Hidalgo County EMS bankruptcy case
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,…
Read MoreLa Joya city attorney resigns to focus on his law office
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…
Read MoreLa Joya ISD plans to audit how the district spent federal COVID-19 funds
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…
Read MorePillar of Mission community retires
This article originally ran in the Dec. 21, 2022 issue of the Progress Times. After nearly 30 years, Adela Ortega’s time as a City of Mission employee has come to an end. With her last day on Dec. 29, the Missionite reflects on the past three decades as she enters retirement. “Oh, it was wonderful,”…
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