Area News
Man charged in La Joya corruption case may represent himself at trial unless he finds new attorney
A man charged in the La Joya corruption case must either find a new attorney or represent himself at trial. Ramiro Alaniz, 39, of La Joya — who is accused of participating in a scheme to solicit kickbacks during construction of a La Joya Economic Development Corp. project — hired attorney Gregorio R. Lopez of…
Read MoreMore than two months after border wall ‘pause,’ land condemnation lawsuits remain in limbo
Government attorneys said Wednesday they still hadn’t received any guidance about how to proceed with land condemnation lawsuits for the border wall — more than two months after President Joe Biden paused construction. Nine attorneys who represent the federal government appeared before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane on Wednesday morning for hearings in 17 land…
Read MoreFormer political candidate drops temporary restraining order, allowing Pharr to proceed with Hidalgo County EMS deal
An attempt to stop the city of Pharr from buying the assets of Hidalgo County EMS during a bankruptcy auction failed spectacularly on Friday. Lorena Singh — a social worker and longtime Pharr resident who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for City Commission in 2019 — filed a lawsuit against the city, attempting to stop the…
Read MoreJudge signs temporary restraining order to stop Pharr from acquiring Hidalgo County EMS
A judge signed a temporary restraining order against the city of Pharr on Thursday, prohibiting the city from acquiring the assets of Hidalgo County EMS. State District Judge Roberto “Bobby” Flores signed the temporary restraining order Thursday at the request of Lorena Singh, a social worker who ran for Pharr City Commission in 2019. “I…
Read MoreAttorney may withdraw from La Joya corruption case, delaying trial
This article appeared in the April 2 issue of the Progress Times. A man charged in the La Joya corruption scandal may switch attorneys just weeks before trial, delaying the case indefinitely. Ramiro Alaniz, 39, of La Joya is accused of working with former Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas and his daughter, Frances A.…
Read MoreTexas Senate committee holds public hearing on Agua SUD bill
“This article appeared in the April 2 issue of the Progress Times.” The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government held a public hearing Monday on a bill that would prohibit the Agua Special Utility District from holding budget workshops on South Padre Island. State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, walked the committee through Senate Bill…
Read MoreSharyland community rallies for bond support
Students and parents within the Sharyland community came forward during the March 29 school board meeting to speak in favor of the $35 million bond that will be on the May 1 election ballot. “Seven years ago, our community rallied for our sister school to be built — Pioneer High School — to accommodate the…
Read MoreCity Flower Shop ordered to pay for peddler permit
City Flower Shop owner Gloria Guerra received a visit from a city of Mission employee ordering her to pay a permit fee for selling easter eggs in her shop. After some back and forth and refusal to pay the $150 fee, Gloria reached out to Mayor Armando O’Caña who eventually told her it must be…
Read MorePharr reaches ‘agreement in principle’ to acquire Hidalgo County EMS
The city of Pharr apparently plans to acquire the assets of Hidalgo County EMS and start a city-owned ambulance service. The city submitted a bid for Hidalgo County EMS — a privately owned ambulance company that responds to emergency calls in Pharr, Edinburg and rural parts of South Texas — during a bankruptcy auction that…
Read MoreLa Joya school board rejects proposal to shut down three elementary schools
A proposal to shut down several La Joya Independent School District campuses proved so unpopular Wednesday that a majority of the school board immediately rejected it — without even waiting for administrators to start their presentation. Concerned about low enrollment, La Joya ISD administrators brought the school board a proposal to shut down Kika De…
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