Area News

The City of McAllen is proud to announce the appointment of Elvira Alonzo to the position of Assistant City Manager, effective July 21, 2025. Alonzo brings a distinguished over 40-year career in public service at the City of McAllen, with experience in McAllen Public Works as Director, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, McAllen Parks and Recreation,…

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court Tuesday appointed Ricardo Perez to the county’s vacant Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, Place 1 seat.     That seat was left vacant after longtime JP Bobby Contreras died early this month.   Perez is originally from the Las Milpas area in Pharr.   He lives in McAllen…

The Texas Legislature will hold hearings over the next few days to receive feedback from the public on proposed new congressional district lines, and State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) said he has not yet seen a map for consideration.   “We don’t have a map,” Hinojosa told the Progress Times on Tuesday. “I’m sure…

On Tuesday, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court appointed nine people to serve on newly created emergency services district boards in the western part of the county.   In May, voters in western Hidalgo County voted to create two new emergency services districts. Emergency services districts are local political subdivisions and taxing entities that pay for…

Superintendent Dr. Elaine Howard completed her first full year with Sharyland ISD, and board members described it as fast-paced but a resounding success. The board and Howard have been open about the expectations they had for the superintendent when she joined the district — pay raises for everyone and equity for all positions. And with…

About $1.8 million of debt owed to the City of Mission by the Shary Golf Course was struck from the ledgers this week, as the council unanimously voted to clean up that portion of its books.     Assistant city manager Andy Garcia presented the item to the council at its July 14 meeting.  …

La Joya ISD announced several changes to its campus leadership ahead of the 2025-26 school year, and Superintendent Dr. Marcey Sorensen said more are on the way.   Administration unveiled 10 new principals at the June school board meeting. Guillermo Flores Elementary, Principal Dr. Dolores Araujo Lloyd M. Bentsen Elementary, Principal Julissa Garza Leo J.…

The Texas Citrus Fiesta (TCF) submitted its first budget since becoming a full-fledged city department to the Mission city council for ratification at its July 14 meeting.     The budget shows TCF anticipates receiving $79,000 from the city, $45,000 from the Mission Economic Development Corporation, about $60,000 from the sale of the program book,…

The Mission Fire Department sought city council approval this week to buy parkas for all personnel at a cost of almost $51,000. The city council responded by removing the request from its July 14 meeting agenda with no explanation.   Fire chief Michael Silva requested approval to buy 120 parkas, which are hooded winter coats…

Next month, the state will award eligible La Joya ISD teachers with more than $3.1 million through the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, paving the way for more in the district to earn the stipend in the coming years. Texas created the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to help teachers earn a higher salary and increase retention.…