Area News

Peñitas City Manager Omar Romero pleaded guilty to bribery and bankruptcy fraud charges Wednesday. Omar X. Romero, 38, of McAllen bribed at least one member of the Agua Special Utility District board in 2018, when he sold the utility district a water tank, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto “Bobby” Lopez Jr., who read the factual…

Mission, TX- This year, the City of Mission is once again honoring local military heroes with a Veterans’ Appreciation BBQ, Thursday Nov. 11. The drive-thru event at Mission Event Center will feature a chicken plate with all the trimmings, while supplies last. “The City is proud to pay tribute to our men and women in…

A Mission High School student is facing a third-degree felony charge after bringing a loaded gun to school. At about 10:30 a.m. Nov. 1, MHS administration received a report of a student with a handgun on campus. At 10:41 a.m. Mission CISD emailed families notifying them of the situation. The email stated that the district…

The city of La Joya improperly denied former police Chief Adolfo Arriaga an honorable discharge, according to an administrative judge who reviewed the decision. When the city fired Arriaga last year, the La Joya Police Department gave him a general discharge — indicating that Arriaga had been terminated because of a performance problem or disciplinary…

Voters re-authorized the Peñitas Crime Control and Prevention District during a special election on Tuesday. The Crime Control and Prevention District collects a half-cent sales tax, which partially funds the Peñitas Police Department. It adds 1 cent to the bill for every $2 spent on taxable items. Reimbursements from the Crime Control and Prevention District…

The FBI arrested a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper on a drug trafficking charge last week. Pablo Talavera Jr., 33, of Pharr is accused of assisting a drug trafficking organization headed by his father. “Based upon his arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper Pablo Talavera Jr.…

Performance Services Inc. sent a senior executive to the Mission City Council meeting on Monday to defend the company against claims that surfaced in a lawsuit. The City Council approved a nearly $17.3 million contract with Performance Services Inc. to replace old water meters and install LED lights in city buildings. The company promised the…

The McAllen Public Utility wants the state to review a nearly 17% rate increase from Hidalgo County Water Improvement District #3. McAllen filed a petition with the Public Utility Commission of Texas on Oct. 27, claiming the rate increase is an “unprecedented example of a wholesale service provider’s abuse of its monopoly power.” “It is…

Celebrates first annual Sharypalooza event Sharyland ISD celebrated 100 years of excellence alongside Sharyland High School’s Homecoming parade and first annual Sharypalooza Wednesday evening. Floats with student organizations, such as the Sharyland High School Junior Varsity Cheer Squad, and vehicles with the student homecoming royals lined up at the Mission Event Center, made their route…

This article appeared in the October 29 issue of the Progress Times. Mauve, blue, and orange decor accented the Mission Event Center as they welcomed guests to ‘A night in Morocco: Annual Member Awards.’ Upon entering through the main doors, caterers greeted guests with complimentary champagne. Guests were then led to the main event room…