Area News
Peñitas flower shop swindled thousands from La Joya ISD
The La Joya Independent School District Police Department is investigating a Peñitas flower shop that swindled thousands of dollars from the school system through unauthorized credit card charges last fall, fraudulent charges the district’s previous administration never had law enforcement investigate even though administrators were aware of it. According to a statement from the district,…
Read MoreMcAllen weighs cracking down on political signage
The city of McAllen may soon tighten regulations on political advertising and it’s looking to start that process with one of the most popular spots in town to prop up a campaign sign: Bicentennial Boulevard. Doing so could be complicated. Just to further regulate political signage on Bicentennial, city commission will have to weigh the…
Read MoreSalinas keeps job as Agua SUD chief
The Agua Special Utility District Board of Directors decided not to terminate General Manager Roberto Salinas last Monday. The board discussed firing Salinas and finding a replacement for him during a lengthy closed door executive session discussion before voting to not do so. The board did, however, vote to establish a three-director committee to…
Read MoreMission lacks staff for in-house EMS program
This article originally ran in the April 26 edition of the Progress Times. Not only did the city of Mission launch its new in-house EMS program with absolutely no financial plan for it, but it did so without enough personnel to provide adequate service without overworking its employees. Leadership from the city and representatives from…
Read MoreTWU plants only Valley outpost in Mission
Denton-based Texas Woman’s University officially opened its only physical location in the Rio Grande Valley on April 18, an outreach center in Mission officials say will help local students explore educational opportunities and give resident women entrepreneurs an edge. The center, located in Mission’s Center for Education and Economic Development building, will provide prospective TWU…
Read MoreHidalgo opens certified Hidalgo County Public Health Facility
The Hidalgo County Public Health Department will now be able to conduct virality laboratory tests in-house after the opening of its new Hidalgo County Public Health Facility. Federal, state, and local dignitaries attended the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating a medical milestone for the Rio Grande Valley. Located by the Hidalgo County Public…
Read MoreMission limits public comments at council meetings
Mission City Council approved an ordinance that limits citizen participation at the city council meetings, and some Missionites are disappointed with the decision. Ordinance 5481, which the council unanimously approved at the April 22 meeting, amends a previous ordinance detailing the procedures for presentations to the council. Under the new law, those speaking during the…
Read MoreMission finance director resigned “in lieu of termination”
City of Mission Finance Director Angie Vela quit her job earlier this month instead of being fired so she could keep her unemployment benefits, according to her resignation letter. Vela submitted her resignation to Assistant City Manager Andy Garcia on April 9. “Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation, in lieu of…
Read MoreReyna, Zamora for Mission CISD Place 3
Abby Reyna and Jerry Zamora go head-to-head for the Place 3 seat on the Mission CISD Board of Trustees. Voters will decide the victor in the May 4 election. ABBY REYNA Reyna decided to run for a spot on the Mission school board for one reason — to be a voice for students. As a…
Read MoreMercedes ISD places superintendent on leave
The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to place Superintendent Maria Chavez on administrative leave with pay after five hours of discussion behind closed doors in executive session Tuesday night. The board named Jeanne Venecia, the district’s student services and college readiness director, interim superintendent. It’s not clear why the board placed Chavez…
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