Area News

With Christmas approaching, city leaders from across western Hidalgo County shared how they spend the holiday. For all of them, faith, family and building new memories were the cornerstone of the holiday. Sullivan City Mayor Leonel “Leo” Garcia did not respond as of press time. ALTON For Mayor Salvador Vela, Christmas dinner is as important…

The La Joya school board approved a $250 holiday bonus for teachers, administrators and staff on Monday. Trustees discussed the holiday bonus during a special meeting on Monday afternoon. “We want to make sure that our employees know that we want to take care of them and their families. Because we know that a lot…

Christmas was celebrated last weekend in a trio of events by three cities in western Hidalgo County. Palmhurst, La Joya and Alton held their annual Christmas celebrations that highlighted, among other things, the spirit of the season in the community. PALMHURST Palmhursts’ 3rd annual Christmas in the Park highlighted the city’s sole attraction. Held Friday,…

The La Joya City Commission replaced the city attorney and accepted the municipal judge’s resignation Saturday. Mayor Isidro Casanova, City Commissioner Roger Hernandez and City Commissioner Laura Mendiola Macias — who defeated former Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas and his supporters in the Dec. 10 runoff election — started making changes during a special meeting…

As a child, Michael Bricker always wished for the same thing as a gift. “As a kid I remember whenever I got a present I’d always open it up hoping there was a puppy in there because that’s all you see in movies and TV, a puppy in a box and I would’ve loved that…

The Agua Special Utility District board will switch from city- and county-based seats to single-member districts on Dec. 31. Members of the utility board, who spent months planning for the switch, approved the new single-member districts on Monday night. “I think it’s something good,” said utility board President Lloyd Loya. “Something positive.” The utility district…

$70,000 was raised for scholarships and teacher grants in La Joya before the district went on break for the holidays. Vendors for the La Joya ISD gathered at Arelis Celebration Hall on Fri. Dec. 13 in order to celebrate giving back to the students and faculty that make up the district. Organized by the Educational…

Following 11 months of campaigning and a runoff election, La Joya Mayor Jose A. “Fito” Salinas stepped down from his seat on the city commission Tuesday as commissioners swore in a new mayor. Former city police Chief Isidro Casanova was sworn into office during a special meeting alongside his running mates-former Agua SUD Director Roger…

Strong winds caused a brush fire on the dump site of the Mission Sanitation Department Tuesday. That’s according to city Sanitation Director Cesar Gutierrez who said the fire was contained within an hour. No injuries were reported in the brush fire near 105 Abelino Farias Rd. that had multiple city fire vehicles battling the blaze…

Hidalgo County opens first all-inclusive park Despite an energetic individual, it’s hard for people like Viva Lopez to have fun at any park. “Whenever she’d go to the park, other kids would stare at her and she’d cry because of it,” her mother, Mary Jane Lopez, explained. “And she gets scared because of it and…