Area News

The La Joya Independent School District may be forced to pay nearly $2.7 million to Ruth Villarreal Insurance for breaking a contract with the company. State District Judge Librado “Keno” Vasquez signed an order Wednesday morning that set the damages at nearly $2.7 million. La Joya ISD, however, will not pay Ruth Villarreal Insurance anything…

A judge on Monday rewarded a Rio Grande Valley woman for “extraordinary cooperation” with federal agents during a public corruption investigation. Maritssa Salinas, 43, of McAllen faced 10 years to life in federal prison for drug trafficking. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison sentenced her to time served — roughly 30 days in jail —…

Mission took two more steps toward transitioning to a fire-based EMS system. City council authorized the purchase of an ambulance unit and engaging in ambulance consultant services during two special meetings this week. Previously, Mission operated exclusively on a third-city service EMS system, meaning a privately-owned ambulance company responded to 911 calls in Mission. Following…

Sullivan City received a federal grand jury subpoena in May for information on several public officials from western Hidalgo County. The subpoena requested documents on corporations owned by La Joya school board President Oscar “Coach” Salinas, Peñitas Chief of Staff Andres “Andy” Morales and Agua Special Utility District General Manager Jose E. “Eddie” Saenz. “Whenever…

The Alton City Commission approved a $150,000 severance payment to Fire Chief Javier Garcia after he resigned in May. Alton cut the $150,000 check to Garcia on Aug. 2. Documents released under the Texas Public Information Act call the payment a “severance and release amount.” City Manager Jeff Underwood and City Attorney Ric Gonzalez declined…

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an agreement with the city of Peñitas to extend Liberty Road from U.S. 83 to Mile 3. Peñitas will pay $800,000 to Hidalgo County for “project development” work and cover any cost overruns, which may total more than $1 million. Hidalgo County agreed to spend $560,000 in…

According to the Vital Statistics Rapid Release, drug overdoses in Texas have been predicted to reportedly increase by over 32% from January 2020 to January 2021. The most commonly used drug has been opioids. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available…

This article first appeared in the August 20 issue of the Progress Times. Two days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the TLC Pharmacy in Mission began administering the third shot to those in need. On Aug. 12, the FDA amended the emergency use authorizations for…

A drug smuggler who stole cocaine from the Gulf Cartel — and recruited a network of corrupt law enforcement officers to cover up the thefts — was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison sentenced Dimas De Leon Rios, 46, of Edinburg to 15 years in prison followed…