Area News

The McAllen City Commission met privately on Monday to discuss the development of Boeye Reservoir. After roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes behind closed doors, the City Commission authorized City Manager Roy Rodriguez and City Attorney Isaac Tawil to “take those actions necessary and appropriate to continue the engagements necessary to further the matters described…

A former Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputy confessed Friday to staging a bogus drug bust in exchange for $10,000. Baldemar Cardenas, 36, of Mission pleaded guilty Friday afternoon during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa. “It’s one of those unfortunate mistakes that happens to officers — anybody, you know,” said attorney Rick Salinas…

The La Joya Independent School District may reward employees with another $2,500 retention stipend. Trustees discussed the retention stipend during two work sessions in March, when the school board reviewed ways to recruit and retain teachers. “They have taken care of us,” said Trustee Espie Ochoa. “And we need to take care of them.” Employees…

The La Joya City Council selected a real estate broker to sell the old City Hall building on Tuesday. City Councilwoman Laura Mendiola Macias — who is a real estate agent — recommended Ashish Valecha of McAllen-based Key Realty for the job. “They’re really hard workers. They have a great track record,” Mendiola Macias said.…

Officers arrested a physical education teacher at Enrique Camarena Elementary School last week after a student accused him of sexual assault. The La Joya Independent School District Police Department arrested Ricardo Garza, 38, of Mission on March 24. A 7-year-old student accused Garza of sexually assaulting her in January, when her physical education class gathered…

This article appeared in the March 25 issue of the Progress Times.   Concerned about corruption in Peñitas, the county wants to take over the local tax increment reinvestment zone. A law firm that represents Hidalgo County wrote a letter to Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez last month, suggesting the county take control of the Peñitas…

This article appeared in the March 25 issue of the Progress Times.   Superintendent Gisela Saenz briefed the La Joya school board Wednesday on a federal investigation that revealed wrongdoing by trustees and top administrators. During a school board meeting on Wednesday night, Saenz read a lengthy statement that summarized the scandal and described how…

This article appeared in the March 25 issue of the Progress Times.   The Agua Special Utility District filed a lawsuit against Performance Services Inc. last week, claiming the company defrauded the utility district and requesting more than $1 million in damages. Performance Services Inc. convinced Agua SUD to install new water meters and replace…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, April 1st, 2022 EDINBURG – The Hidalgo County Tax Office, along with its satellite sites, will begin closing public access to its offices every Wednesday, beginning April 6. The public is encouraged to handle tax-related business online at www.hidalgocountytax.org or use our Drop Box Locations. The offices will reopen to public…