Area News

Marrisa Ortega Gerlach finished drastically ahead of her three opponents in the city of Mission’s special city council race Saturday and may even avoid a runoff — though that’s not completely certain yet. To avoid a runoff, she’ll need 50% of the vote plus one additional ballot. With all precincts reporting Saturday, Gerlach had received 1,502…

The Mission CISD board of trustees selected Alliant Insurance Services as the consultant for the district’s benefits program. The board unanimously voted for the nationally-recognized company out of three finalists. Administration submitted a request for qualifications (RFQ) and received proposals from eight firms. A committee of five reviewed the proposals and selected the top three…

The city of Mission will hold a special meeting next Wednesday to discuss finances in the wake of alleged fiscal liquidity issues that surfaced this week, which the city largely denies. That meeting will follow a bitter city council race (also special). Noel Salinas — a sitting Mission Economic Development Corporation board member and current…

The Peñitas City Council approved an ordinance amendment last Wednesday that tighten regulations on traffic in town, both the semi-truck kind and the four-legged hoofed kind. The latter of those amendments requires anyone wanting to drive animals through town on the hoof to apply for and receive a permit from Police Chief Roel Bermea. The…

The Alton City Commission discussed amendments relating to the GLO grant, and geotechnical firm selections and declared a resolution against AEP’s increase in rates. Procurement Policies and procedures for federal grants and award funds were approved by the Commission 5-0. According to the procedure for grant payments, the city of Alton must provide eligible signatures…

La Joya Independent School District trustees voted Monday in favor of applying for Senate Bill 1882 status for four elementary campuses and a dropout recovery program in partnership with Region One Education Service Center. Since 2017 the state has financially incentivized school districts to partner with nonprofits or charters to run low-performing campuses under 1882…

The La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to delay action on six agenda items during a special meeting Monday because Superintendent Heriberto “Beto” Gonzalez wasn’t at the meeting. Gonzalez told the Progress Times Monday evening that he was in another meeting, though he wouldn’t say what kind of meeting or where it…

Monday, Congresswoman Monica de La Cruz met with the Mission Police Department and awarded the law enforcement agency a $1 million grant at the Center for Education and Economic Development. The grant, also known as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant, aims to minimize crime and increase community outreach and safety. “By providing the…

The city of Edinburg may attempt to purchase H-E-B Park with the aim of making it the home of University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football. Officially, the city is declining to comment on a potential acquisition push, though two councilmen said last month that one’s in the works and the University of Texas System…