Area News

Fed up with what they say is a lack of action from the Sharyland school district regarding ongoing sexual misconduct allegations, nearly 50 members of the community took to the streets Saturday to demand change. Let by two Sharyland High School graduates, members from the public held a “Voice for Survivors March” to protest what…

Rhea Watson pens book that encourages children to embrace what makes them special Rhea Watson wants children of all ages to feel good about their unique attributes. Watson, a Speech Language Pathologist for the Sharyland Independent School District, recently published a children’s book entitled “Be You-Nique,” geared for children ages three to seven years old.…

Two former officials of the La Joya Housing Authority pleaded not guilty last week to federal charges tied to an alleged bribery scheme. Sylvia Garces Valdez, the former vice chairwoman of the housing authority, and Frances A. Salinas, the housing authority’s former interim executive director, both pleaded not guilty to the federal felony charges against…

A Mission High School graduate will return to the Valley this weekend to celebrate her most recent book. Cyndy Bartelli, a San Antonio-based author, will be at the Viva Life Christian Book Store in McAllen tomorrow for a signing of the Spanish translation of her 2017 non-fiction book, “The Heart Healer,” which will now be…

After more than four decades as part of the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s annual Parade of Oranges, Ben Cavazos was finally able to do the one thing he hadn’t been able to in years: sit back and enjoy the parade.  The 89-year-old owner of the local business MAE Power Equipment had been serving as the parade’s…

Mayor’s International Brunch celebrates TCF and sister cities in Space Odyssey Adventure The Mission Event Center was filled with laughter, food and international relations as Mission leaders and Mexican sister cities gathered for the annual Mayor’s International Brunch last Saturday before the parade. The event, which was held in celebration of the Texas Citrus Fiesta,…

How an 83-year-old TCF tradition has withstood the decades JoAnn Ortiz is determined to keep a nearly century-old tradition going in Mission. The Product Costume Showcase, along with the Shoe Box Float competition, are some of the stapes of the Texas Citrus Fiesta. Done in celebration of the citrus industry in the area, these events…

Royal Court sparkles down the runway in TCF Coronation The planets aligned, along with the duchesses before promenade, in time for the out-of-this-world coronation of Queen Citrianna 83rd. Last Thurs. Jan. 23, the Texas Citrus Fiesta celebrated the 83rd annual Royal Coronation of King Citrus and Queen Citrianna. The event included a pageant featuring the…

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced in a Thursday news release he is working to enhance consumers’ credit reporting rights by voting for H.R. 3621, the Comprehensive Credit Rating Enhancement, Disclosure, Innovation, and Transparency (CREDIT) Act. The new piece of legislation will work to create transparency over the reporting and credit scoring process, limit negative reporting…

After nearly a year since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development cut off funding to the La Joya Housing Authority-leaving it in a financially frugal state-HUD restored funding for the embattled housing authority. During the Wednesday board meeting for the La Joya Housing Authority, Executive Director Ruben Villarreal announced to the board that…