Area News

School districts across the state will have to wait some more for guidance from the Texas Education Agency on how to reopen schools in the fall. On Tuesday, the TEA was expected to announce guidelines for how to reopen school districts after announcing last week it was safe for students, teachers and staff to return…

Employees at MCISD will be seeing an increase in pay this fiscal year, without the district having to raise taxes. This Wednesday, June 24, the Mission Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees met over Webex for a public hearing and regular meeting. During the public hearing, Assistant Superintendent Rumalda Ruiz presented details on the…

Two unidentified men from McAllen became the latest victims to die from complications of COVID-19 Friday. The men, both in their 70s, had underlying medical conditions according to a Hidalgo County news release. The county also reported 179 new positive cases of the virus, bringing the total number of known positive cases is now at 2,892.…

The La Joya Police Department is without a police chief after city council members voted to fire him. The firing came during a special meeting last week where commissioners voted 3-2 to fire police Chief Adolfo Arriaga. Council members Maria Salinas and Reynaldo Acosta were the dissenting votes and they, along with Mayor Isidro Casanova,…

Preliminary results of an ongoing survey to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses is showing that they need support now more than ever. That’s according to Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce President Brenda Enriquez who shared results of a business impact survey with the Progress Times. The survey is a joint…

A judge has ruled against dismissing a lawsuit that could possibly void the March 2020 Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Primary election and will hear a second motion to dismiss that same lawsuit next week. Visiting Judge Jose Manuel Bañales ruled to not dismiss a lawsuit filed by outgoing Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Commissioner Jose “Joe”…

Betty Jane Korhaus hopes to give Missionites a new book to read. Korhaus, originally from Iowa, has been living in Mission for 21 years. Prior to her and her husband’s move to the Valley, Korhaus served as a librarian for over 30 years. “I love to read,” Korhaus said, noting that was the reason she…

With many gyms closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic this past spring, many turned to a free activity to maintain their health. Naxi Lopez-Puente, a San Juan resident, has been spending the last month walking at the Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Hike and Bike Trail every morning. She says she averages at least 3.5 miles…

The loss of Corporal Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta, Jr. is still felt by his family and the Mission community one year later. On June 20, 2019, Espericueta was struck by gunfire while responding to a call for service. His sacrifice reverberated across the Rio Grande Valley, and the city of Mission has held several ceremonies…

Special to the Progress Times Norberto “Beto” Salinas wants to remind Missionites that their voices have not been forgotten. Salinas, who served as the mayor of the city of Mission for 20 years, is announcing his intent to run for the seat currently held by Mayor Dr. Armando O’caña. The most recent city council meeting,…