Area News

Senior Christian Martinez had his college plans set before the end of the fall semester. Martinez, a senior at Juarez-Lincoln High School in the La Joya Independent School District, received word in December that he received a full-ride to Yale University, a private Ivy League school in Connecticut. The scholarship will cover all he needs…

Stellar costumes embody Space Odyssey Adventure theme for Texas Citrus Fiesta Three separate competitions kicked off the Texas Citrus Fiesta early, getting youth and adults excited to participate in the annual festivities in January. The 83rd annual Texas Citrus Fiesta, themed “Space Odyssey Adventure,” inspired several film-themed costumes for this year’s Product Costume Show. The…

The Mission Housing Authority kicked off the new year with a restructured board and an interim executive director. During a special Thursday meeting, the board hired Antonio “Tony” Sandoval, 73, to serve as the housing authority’s interim executive director as the housing authority searches for a permanent replacement to their former executive director, Joel A.…

The cash-strapped La Joya Housing Authority couldn’t muster enough money to pay employees Friday. Without enough money in the bank to cover payroll, Executive Director Ruben Villarreal said he made the difficult decision to send all three employees home empty-handed. “It’s tough for everybody,” Villarreal said. “Everybody needs money to pay their bills.” Paying the…

New years bring more time for growth, at both the public and private levels. 2019 included several stories from the Progress Times that we are proud to have brought our readership. Thanks to you, we are able to reflect on last year as we embark on 2020. Below are some of the highlights of 2019…

Mission may be looking at a new scoreboard at Tom Landry Stadium. During this week’s regular called trustees meeting at the Mission Consolidated Independent School District, the board discussed the beginnings of the Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium Scoreboard Project. At this stage, they are budgeting the new board at $1.6 million. Ricardo Rivera,…

The Madero-Reynosa International Bridge is still a ways from happening. Mon. Dec. 16, the Mission city council met to discuss several items, including a potential interlocal agreement with Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA) for the Mission/Madero-Reynosa International Bridge. City Attorney Gus Martinez said he reached out to the HCRMA to see if they wanted…

By Kenneth Roberts At their regular monthly meeting on Monday morning, Dec. 9, the Starr County Commissioners were given financial reports by several departments and received a detailed report concerning revenues and expenses from the County Auditor. Sheriff Rene Fuentes informed the commissioners that Detention Center revenues for November 2019 amounted to $272,139, with $136,864…

Federal prosecutors revealed new details Thursday about the arrest of Frances Salinas, the former interim executive director of the La Joya Housing Authority. Frances Salinas — the daughter of former La Joya Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas and City Commissioner Mary Salinas — participated in an illegal scheme to secure a public relations contract, according…

Former La Joya Housing Authority Interim Executive Director Frances A. Salinas was arrested Monday on federal wire fraud charges. Frances Ana Salinas, 52, of La Joya is charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was arrested in San Antonio. Details about the arrest and the charges weren’t immediately available on Christmas…