Area News
Lawsuit claims La Joya ISD re-assigned employees for political reasons
Six employees filed a lawsuit against the La Joya Independent School District last month, claiming the school board retaliated against them for supporting rival candidates during the November 2020 election. The employees sued La Joya ISD, school board President Oscar “Coach” Salinas and school board Vice President Armin Garza on June 30. They claim La…
Read MoreUTRGV physics students go to Houston for Big Bang Theory research project
“This article first appeared in the July 16 issue of Progress Times.” UTRGV physics seniors Yaritza Villarreal and Jocelyn Rich are representing women in physics at a summer program at the University of Houston. Villarreal and Rich are research partners that have been chosen to represent the UTRGV physics department in Houston for the next…
Read MoreLocal car club and city of Edinburg collaborate with STHS Children’s for parade and toy drive
“This article first appeared in the July 9 issue of the Progress Times.” In the spirit of Independence Day, the South Texas Health System partnered with a local car club, RGV Big Dawgs, and the City of Edinburg for a special pre-Fourth of July parade for the pediatric patients at STHS Children’s on Saturday. “When…
Read MoreAlton Police awarded FBI LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award, City starts Phase 2 of the drainage project
“This article first appeared in the July 16 issue of the Progress Times.” The Alton City Commission honored the Alton Police Department after their recognition by the FBI and receiving the FBI LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award while also discussing Phase 2 of their Louisiana drainage project. The Planning & Zoning meeting began after approving the…
Read MoreSHS alum hits first MLB home run
Tres Barrera, a 2013 Sharyland High School graduate turned professional baseball player, hit his first major league home run against the Miami Marlins Monday night. With the Washington Nationals up by four, Barrera led off the bottom of the second inning by launching the ball into the left-center field stands on a first-pitch hit, earning…
Read MoreO’Caña warns community about Delta variant
State health officials confirmed the first case of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Hidalgo County just days after Mayor Armando O’Caña urged the Mission community to be wary of the newer and more contagious COVID-19 strain. Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez announced that a 33-year-old unvaccinated male tested positive for COVID-19 while he was…
Read MoreMCISD earns Board of the Year award
The Region One Education Service Center selected Mission CISD’s board of trustees as the 2021 Regional School Board of the Year. The members of the 2020-2021 school board are President Minnie Rodgers, Vice President Jerry Zamora, Secretary Veronica “Betty” Mendoza, Petra Ramirez, Juan Gonzalez, Iris Iglesias and Roy Vela. “I know that we have had…
Read MoreFormer police officer sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually assaulting people he arrested
A former Progreso police officer who sexually assaulted two people will spend 30 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced former Progreso police Officer Matthew Lee Sepulveda, 26, of San Juan to 30 years in prison Tuesday. “I intend to send a message to anyone who would contemplate similar conduct,” Crane said.…
Read MoreTo avoid trial, former La Joya Mayor Fito Salinas pleads guilty to wire fraud
In a surprise move, former La Joya Mayor Fito Salinas struck a deal with federal prosecutors Monday — a last-minute decision that allowed him to avoid trial on public corruption charges. Jose Adolfo “Fito” Salinas, 82, of La Joya showed up at the federal courthouse in McAllen on Monday morning for jury selection. Before the…
Read MoreTrial starts today in corruption case against former La Joya Mayor Fito Salinas
Jury selection is scheduled to start today in the federal corruption case against former La Joya Mayor Fito Salinas. Jose Adolfo “Fito” Salinas, 82, of La Joya — who served as mayor from 2011 to 2019 — participated in schemes to defraud the city of La Joya and the La Joya Economic Development Corp., according…
Read More