Area News
Former public relations consultant pleads guilty to misdemeanor in La Joya corruption case
Prosecutors dropped a federal bribery charge against a public relations consultant Thursday after she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in state court. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas dropped a bribery charge against Sylvia Garces Valdez, 40, of La Joya after she pleaded guilty to improper influence, a Class A misdemeanor,…
Read MoreExclusive: Mission CISD received federal grand jury subpoena
The Mission Consolidated Independent School District received a federal grand jury subpoena in June for records on Performance Services Inc., an Indiana-based company that specializes in energy savings contracts. Issued on June 1, the subpoena instructed Mission CISD to provide the FBI with audits, documents reviewed by the school board and other records. “Mission CISD…
Read MoreRep. Cuellar Votes to Address Debt Ceiling, Prevent Catastrophic Default
Washington, D.C.– Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, voted for must-pass legislation to prevent a default on the federal debt, which would result in economic catastrophe for nearly every American family. This crucial legislation suspends the debt ceiling through December 2022, so that the federal government can continue…
Read MoreWoman accused of scamming people in western Hidalgo County rejects plea deal
This article appeared in the Sept. 24 issue of the Progress Times. A woman accused of scamming people in western Hidalgo County rejected a plea deal on Monday. The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office promised to recommend 18 months in prison if Sylvia Rodriguez Flores, 49, of Mission pleaded guilty to theft charges. During…
Read More3 brothers charged with assault in Palmview
Three brothers accused of attacking a man in Palmview turned themselves in Tuesday to face assault charges. Adolfo Angel De Leon, 21, of Palmview; Christopher Emmanuel De Leon, 24, of Palmview; and Juan Ramon De Leon Jr., 26, of Palmview surrendered to police on Tuesday. “We’ve…
Read MoreLa Joya ISD creates Virtual Learning Academy
This article appeared in the Sept. 24 issue of the Progress Times. The La Joya Independent School District created a Virtual Learning Academy on Monday, offering students the option of attending classes online. Trustees unanimously approved the Virtual Learning Academy during a school board meeting on Monday afternoon. The Virtual Learning Academy will allow…
Read MoreCaught ‘red-handed’ with nearly $1.5 million, Starr County man will spend a year in prison
After being caught “red-handed” with nearly $1.5 million in cash, a Starr County man will spend a year in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Manuel Sepulveda, 44, of Rio Grande City to one year and one day in prison during a hearing on Sept. 22. “I apologize, your honor, to you and…
Read MoreMission City Council concerned about mayor’s letter to Mazatlan, requests new rules for official communication
Amid concern about a letter Mayor Armando “Doc” O’caña sent to his counterpart in Mazatlan, Mexico, the Mission City Council voted Monday to create a formal system for official communication. The City Council asked City Attorney Gus Martinez to create a system for reviewing and approving official communication. “Essentially, what that means is: That if…
Read MoreRecords: Police found city dump truck driver passed out drunk behind the wheel
The Mission Police Department received a strange call last month: Someone driving a city dump truck appeared to be drunk. A police officer found the white Peterbilt dump truck in an alley near the intersection of Helen Avenue and Brock Street at 2 p.m. on Aug. 23. “I approached the dump truck via driver’s side…
Read MoreLa Joya City Council abruptly fires city manager
The La Joya City Council abruptly fired City Manager Jacqueline Bazan on Tuesday. Former Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas and the City Council hired Bazan in 2019. Her two-year employment contract expired in July. “Two years have come and gone,” said Mayor Isidro Casanova, who replaced Fito Salinas in December 2019. “Opportunities were given. And…
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