Area News
Locked gate at Cuevitas cemetery divides community
The Sullivan City Council may attempt to settle an argument over the Cuevitas cemetery. A dispute over whether or not to lock the cemetery gate divided the close-knit community during the past few months. Some people want to lock the main gate, which is wide enough for a vehicle to pass through, to deter illegal…
Read MoreLa Joya plans to build new wastewater treatment plant
After a decade of delays, the city of La Joya may finally build a modern wastewater treatment plant. La Joya wants to replace the city’s old, pond-based wastewater treatment plant with an activated sludge plant — and increase capacity from 350,000 gallons per day to 1.2 million. The old plant, which La Joya built in…
Read MoreProsecutors offer plea deal to woman accused of scamming people in western Hidalgo County
A woman accused of scamming people in western Hidalgo County must decide next month whether to plead guilty — and spend 18 months in jail — or take her case to trial. Sylvia Rodriguez Flores, 49, of Mission claimed she knew judges and law enforcement officers who could fix legal problems, according to court records.…
Read MoreSentencing delayed again for local pharmacist
A federal judge agreed to delay sentencing a local pharmacist Tuesday “so that he can finish up doing the things he’s working towards to help his situation.” Omar Espericueta — who owned the Peñitas Family Pharmacy — pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in December 2017. More than three years later, though,…
Read MoreBorder Patrol agent pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges
A local Border Patrol agent pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges on Thursday. Oberlin Cortez Peña Jr. — a 22-year-old Border Patrol agent from La Joya — appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano on Thursday afternoon. The judge told Peña a grand jury had indicted him on two counts of attempting to…
Read MoreBorder Patrol agent charged with drug trafficking
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General arrested a U.S. Border Patrol agent Friday after conducting a sting operation at the Falfurrias checkpoint. Border Patrol Agent Oberlin Cortez Peña Jr., 22, of La Joya told an informant how to trick drug-sniffing dogs and hide cocaine, according to the criminal complaint against him.…
Read MoreRed Cross Opens Evacuation Center for Hidalgo County Residents Affected by Flooding
Heavy rains are a reminder for need to be ready HARLINGEN, Tex., 7 JULY 2021 — As flooding spreads, the American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center with Pharr-San Juan Alamo ISD for residents of Hidalgo County. We also are reminding people in the surrounding areas to be prepared for heavy rains and…
Read MoreFormer medical assistant pleads guilty to bribery in jail corruption case
A former medical assistant who smuggled marijuana into the East Hidalgo Detention Center pleaded guilty to bribery on Tuesday. Veronica Ortega, 45, of McAllen pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon, when she confessed to providing an inmate with marijuana in exchange for cash. Ortega, a certified medical assistant, slipped marijuana to an inmate the same way she…
Read MorePalmview to borrow $5 million for streets, drainage and trash collection
The Palmview City Council voted to borrow nearly $5 million Tuesday to start a solid waste department, fix drainage problems and pave streets. Palmview will buy two garbage trucks, two brush trucks and about 4,000 garbage bins, said City Manager Michael Leo. They’ll form the nucleus of the new solid waste department — and replace…
Read MoreFormer prosecutor sentenced to probation for lying to federal agents
A judge sentenced a former prosecutor to probation Wednesday for lying to federal agents. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera placed Cynthia Alanis, 28, of Weslaco — a former assistant district attorney — on probation for one year. “I am truly sorry and sincerely apologize,” Alanis said Wednesday afternoon, fighting back tears during a hearing at…
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