Area News
TWDB Approves Funding for the City of Alton from the Flood Infrastructure Fund
For Immediate Release May 6, 2021 AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved a project application from the City of Alton for financial assistance through the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) for the North Stewart Boulevard Drainage Improvement Project. The proposed project will also reduce flood risk, improve roadways and travel conditions,…
Read MorePeñitas may hire economic development coordinator
Peñitas may hire an economic development coordinator to boost small businesses and recruit new retailers. The Development Corporation of Peñitas board of directors voted Wednesday to search for someone to handle that assignment. “I feel that we need to have somebody out there that is encouraging businesses,” said Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Lopez, who serves on…
Read MoreCrackdown on smuggling leads to spike in vehicle pursuits
The number of vehicle pursuits in the Rio Grande Valley nearly doubled in March, when the Texas Department of Public Safety launched Operation Lone Star to crack down on smuggling. DPS counted 20 vehicle pursuits in January and another 20 in February, according to data released by the agency. In March, when Operation Lone Star…
Read MoreSullivan City welcomes new mayor
Western Hidalgo County welcomed a new mayor on Tuesday. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, administered the oath of office to newly elected Sullivan City Mayor Alma D. Salinas during a City Council meeting on Tuesday afternoon. “I want to thank the community of Sullivan City for believing in me, for trusting in me,” Alma Salinas…
Read MoreAgua SUD launches new website
The Agua Special Utility District launched a new website last month. Agua SUD created a new website and switched the domain name from AguaSUD.org to AguaSUD.com. “Right now we’re going through a transition period from our current website to a new one,” said board President Homer Tijerina. The switch may save Agua SUD more than…
Read MoreWith border wall on ‘pause,’ government reviews land condemnation lawsuits
More than three months after President Joe Biden paused construction on the border wall, leaving dozens of land condemnation lawsuits in limbo, the federal government announced Wednesday that a framework had been created to categorize them. Attorneys for the government, though, still don’t know whether the Biden administration wants to drop the lawsuits or acquire…
Read MoreDEA arrests Donna police sergeant on drug charges
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested a Donna police sergeant on Tuesday after a four-month investigation. The DEA arrested Donna police Sgt. Alejandro Martinez on drug charges Tuesday morning, said Richard Sanchez, the assistant special agent in charge of the McAllen Office. The DEA also arrested a man named Victor Vallejo. “And we anticipate additional…
Read MoreCity of Mission called out for violating their ordinance
“This article first appeared in the April 30 issue of the Progress Times.” When the City of Mission released butterflies during their National Crime Victims’ Rights ceremony last week, they broke their own city ordinance. Mission, which is home to the Texas Butterfly Festival and the National Butterfly Center, signed Ordinance 4158 into law in…
Read MoreJudge may order federal government to fix Hidalgo County levees before the start of hurricane season
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane may order the federal government to fix levees in Hidalgo County before the start of hurricane season. During a hearing on Monday morning, Crane asked Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Smith III how the federal government planned to fix gaps in the levee system caused by construction on the border…
Read MoreMcAllen mayoral election heads to runoff between Commissioner Villalobos and Commissioner Vela Whitacre
The five-way race for mayor of McAllen will head to a runoff between City Commissioner Javier Villalobos and City Commissioner Veronica Vela Whitacre. About 26% of voters supported Villalobos, who placed first among the five candidates, according to preliminary results announced by the city of McAllen on Saturday. Vela Whitacre placed second with support from…
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