Area News

Former Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas, who sued the city of Mission over a controversial energy savings contract, dropped his lawsuit Friday. Beto Salinas claimed the $17 million contract with Performance Services Inc. created an illegal debt — and he doubled down in January, when documents filed in federal court linked the company to a bribery…

In January, when La Joya school board Trustee Armin Garza pleaded guilty in a major corruption case, prosecutors faced an unusual problem. People charged with federal crimes are prohibited from communicating with co-conspirators and witnesses. Garza, however, couldn’t avoid them. “He is currently employed at an entity with two other individuals that are also under…

This article appeared in the Feb. 4 issue of the Progress Times. Rio Grande Valley locals gave homage to the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s 90th anniversary during the Product Costume Show on Saturday, January 8. Participants were encouraged to use previous categories of past competitions. Camila Longoria, Sandra Martinez, Rosie Olivarez, Jeniffer Ruiz-Longoria, and Bryson Olivarez…

This article appeared in the Feb. 4 issue of the Progress Times. The city of Mission welcomed the sister cities of Santiago, Nuevo Leon, General Treviño, Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas, Nuevo Leon, and Martinez de la Torre, Nuevo Leon to the Mayor’s International Brunch last Saturday morning. The brunch, a tradition that goes back to…

This article appeared in the Feb. 4 issue of the Progress Times. Like many of the school districts in the area, Sharyland ISD temporarily increased the daily pay rate for substitute teachers. But school board member Ricky Longoria said he does not think it will be enough to overcome the substitute shortage. In order to…

A judge sided with the chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party in a dispute with a prominent doctor last week. Visiting Judge Rogelio “Roy” Valdez approved a preliminary injunction against Dr. Shahid Rashid on Feb. 4. The injunction prevents Rashid from evicting Hidalgo County Democratic Party Chairman Patrick Eronini from a medical clinic on…

The city of Mission dropped a misdemeanor charge against a former Palmview police corporal last week. Mission Municipal Judge Jonathan Wehrmeister dismissed the case against former Palmview police Cpl. Jorge Padron on Feb. 4. “While stories may be written, while things may be said, this is why we have the system in place,” said attorney…

Two smugglers who bribed a Border Patrol agent will spend three years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Jose Luis Duran, 25, of Mission and Edwin Alejandro Castillo, 23, of Sullivan City to 36 months in federal prison during hearings on Thursday. “I made a mistake and I’ve learned my lesson,” said…

A former La Joya school district administrator pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge Monday. Jose Luis Morin, 41, of Mission — the former executive director for Student Services — accepted $28,000 during a scheme that involved Performance Services Inc., an Indiana-based company that specialized in “energy savings” contracts. With assistance from Morin, the company…

This article appeared in the Jan. 28 issue of the Progress Times.   Sullivan City police Chief Reynaldo Cortes stood before 80 people Monday and swore an oath. Reynaldo “Rey” Cortes, 30, of Sullivan City promised to uphold the U.S. Constitution. He promised to uphold state laws. And he promised to uphold local laws. “And…