Area News

A small but significant number of voters split their tickets during the La Joya City Council election on Tuesday, leaving each side with a win and a loss. Juarez-Lincoln High School baseball Coach Esequiel “Chuck” Garza of “The New La Joya” won the race for Place 1, according to preliminary results published by the Hidalgo…

Rio Grande Valley native has experience in various recreation program development The City of McAllen has hired Denny Meline as its new Director of Parks & Recreation. The Rio Grande Valley native has over 10 years of experience in planning special events, budgeting and facilities operation, having served as the interim Parks & Recreation Director…

The city of Palmview briefly suspended police Chief Gilberto Zamora last month after an internal investigation concluded he purchased several trucks from a dealership where his son works. Palmview purchased three 2021 Chevrolet Silverado trucks from Bert Ogden Chevrolet of Mission in August, according to documents released under the Texas Public Information Act. The paperwork…

The Mission City Council on Monday hired a medical director to launch the city’s new EMS service. Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña and the City Council hired Dr. Ivan G. Melendez of Mission during a special meeting on Monday afternoon. “My role will be to guide them in that process,” Melendez said. After he graduated from…

This article appeared in the October 20 issue of the Progress Times. Mayor Dr. Armando O’caña and the Mission City Council celebrated their groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for the new all-inclusive Lions Park. The new park’s opening date is to be determined but will remain at the same location it’s always been. “Today is an…

The Mission City Council plans to review a police chase that injured an innocent bystander last month. Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña and the City Council hired former McAllen City Attorney Kevin Pagan to conduct an independent review of the incident. “Because we did leave our jurisdiction and there was an injury, we have to be…

IDEA Public Schools filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in mid-October, attempting to block the release of records that may explain why the charter school system purchased a hotel in Cameron County. IDEA purchased the Inn at Chachalaca Bend, a boutique hotel in Los Fresnos, during October 2019. Less than a year…

Government Asset Services — a company owned by Peñitas City Manager Omar Romero — “engaged in fraud” during the Hidalgo County EMS bankruptcy, according to the federal judge who handled the case. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David R. Jones made the determination after a monthslong dispute between Government Asset Services and the civil division of the…

For Immediate Release October 21, 2021 AUSTIN, TX — On Monday, October 18, the Texas Press Association presented Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa with the “Champion of Transparency” award for his record of supporting the Texas Public Information Act and legislation that improves legal notice requirements of government activities during the 87th Regular Legislative Session. Senator…

During this year’s edition of the Children’s Fall Festival, families will enjoy the sight of fall decorations and receive toys and treats from the comfort of their vehicle While South Texas Health System continues to encourage qualified individuals in the community to get the COVID-19 vaccine to help stop the spread, coronavirus remains a serious…