Area News
Sharyland elects new trustees for school board
The Sharyland ISD board of trustees will have one new and one not-so-new member join the panel of seven elected officials for the next three years. Meagan Sullivan will take over Place 1 after longtime board member Ricky Longoria decided to step down from the position. And Julio Cerda, a former trustee of six years,…
Read MoreStonegate residents oppose firearm ordinance
Sixty-nine residents of the Stonegate subdivision signed a petition against their neighbor David Balderas and his request for a permit to sell firearms out of his home. Their main concern regards a potential increase in traffic in a neighborhood that lacks the space to support a commercial business. At the May 8 Mission City Council…
Read MoreParking on grass discourse continues
For more than two years Mission City Council has debated a no parking on grass ordinance — and after the May 8 city council meeting, the discussion continues with the order still on a moratorium. After residents issued complaints both for and against the ordinance, the council still works to find a compromise. In March…
Read MoreSullivan City holds swearing-in ceremony for two new councilmen
Sullivan City held a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday for two new councilmen. Nicolas “Nick” Cerda Jr., 35, a teacher at Juarez-Lincoln High School, and Ruben Villalon, 50, a local businessman, joined the City Council on Tuesday. “I was told once: ‘If you’re in a position to make a change, take the change,’” Cerda said. “So…
Read MoreNew water meters boost revenue in Mission but don’t cover debt payments
The city of Mission collected about $232,000 in additional revenue after replacing nearly 9,600 old water meters, according to information reviewed by the City Council on Monday. Mission began replacing old, mechanical water meters with new, electromagnetic water meters in 2021, when the City Council approved a nearly $17 million contract with Performance Services Inc.…
Read MoreInsurance agent drops lawsuit against La Joya ISD
This article appeared in the May 12 issue of the Progress Times. A local insurance agent dropped a lawsuit against the La Joya Independent School District last week. Alberto “Bob” Treviño, who owns Pharr-based Workplace Benefit Advisors LLC, decided to drop the lawsuit on May 2. “We felt we got what we wanted,” said…
Read MoreMission CISD close to $1 million deficit — again
For more than two years, Mission CISD has struggled to gain control of the deficit in its self-funded health insurance fund. And although the district made strides to improve the fluctuating net position, administration still seeks long-term solutions to overcome the now $986,761 deficit. In 2021, the board of trustees approved a transfer of monies…
Read MoreSummer projects at Mission CISD
With one school year nearing the end, Mission CISD already has summer projects lined up to prepare for the next school year. At the April board of trustees meeting, the school board approved contracts for the construction of security vestibules and a barbering studio, and the installation of playground equipment. SECURITY Mission CISD hired 8A…
Read MoreMission selects Lions Park contractor despite concern
Mission City Council awarded the Lions Park Improvements Project to G&G Contractors — a company with some history of requesting additional days to work on projects. The mayor and council discussed and voted on the agenda item in two separate meetings. At the first meeting, the council unanimously approved the contractor. But at the second,…
Read MoreBREAKING: After investigation, Texas Education Agency says La Joya school board should be replaced with board of managers
The Texas Education Agency, troubled by corruption and conflicts of interest at La Joya ISD, released a report Tuesday that concluded the local school board should be replaced with a state-appointed board of managers. After reviewing the findings of a federal investigation, which resulted in criminal charges against two former school board trustees and three…
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