Area News

State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, concerned about a series of corruption cases that involved the Agua Special Utility District, may attempt to restructure the board. Agua SUD is governed by an elected board of directors. Hinojosa said Agua SUD – and more than 16,000 customers who depend on the utility district for water – may…

January 20, 2022 Dear La Joya ISDFamily, Due to the upcoming severe weather conditions and in consideration for the safety of our students, staff and community, La Joya ISD will use its Bad Weather Day scheduled for February 14, 2022, and cancel classes for all students on Friday, January 21, 2022. All outdoor extracurricular activities…

Mission, TX – Out of an abundance of caution and due to continuing inclement weather forecasts, school at Sharyland ISD will be canceled for Friday, January 21, 2022.  During this closure, students will not be required to attend virtual/remote instruction, since the district has built-in that time proactively in the district calendar.  These days will…

This article appeared in the January 7 issue of the Progress Times. Municipalities Valley-wide called in to put out the flames PHARR, TX–Isaac Smith was out of town when his family-owned business, Matt’s Cash & Carry Building Materials, went up in flames on New Year’s Day. “As soon as I heard what was going on,…

This article appeared in the Jan. 7 issue of the Progress Times. Mission CISD conducted its first Texas Association of School Boards climate survey during the 2021 fall semester. Results from the employee survey showed more positive than negative feedback, but also complaints about insufficient staffing. TASB HR Services administered the voluntary survey online and…

A prominent Edinburg businessman pleaded guilty Wednesday to bribing a “high ranking” Agua Special Utility District employee. Jaime A. Rodriguez, 57, of Edinburg — the former president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Edinburg Economic Development Corp. board — pleaded guilty to a federal bribery and money laundering charge…

A state judge stopped the city of Mission from making payments to Performance Services Inc. on Tuesday after federal prosecutors linked the company to a kickback scheme. State District Judge Noe Gonzalez made the announcement during a hearing Tuesday morning in a civil lawsuit filed by former Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas. Attorney Rick Salinas,…

The Sullivan City Council quietly selected an interim police chief last month. Sgt. Reynaldo Cortes, 30, of Sullivan City — the son of former City Councilwoman Adriana Rodriguez and the cousin of former Mayor Leo Garcia — accepted the temporary assignment on Dec. 21. “He has a passion for his hometown,” said Alamo police Chief…

A judge sentenced a Starr County drug smuggler to time served Monday after he cooperated with federal prosecutors. Jaime Garza Jr., 47, of Rio Grande City worked for “the Mexican cartel” in Camargo, according to the criminal complaint against him. Garza started cooperating with prosecutors in 2018, when Border Patrol agents caught him with nearly…

This article appeared in the Jan. 7 issue of the Progress Times.   The La Joya Housing Authority board reluctantly approved a budget with a nearly $22,000 deficit last week. Executive Director Ruben Villarreal assured the board the deficit wasn’t actually a problem. “Having a deficit, as minor as it is, is absolutely normal,” Villarreal…