Area News
“Youths roaring through”
Council addresses complaints over Hwy 97 traffic diversions Relief may soon be in sight for those living on quiet residential streets on the east side of Cotulla who have found their neighborhood inundated with heavy traffic being detoured from major road works on Hwy 97. City councilors heard last week that complaints regarding the diversion…
Read MoreUnanimous vote: Dovalina will stay on job
Cotulla’s former city administrator is admin. assistant Cotulla city councilors emerged from two hours of consultation with their attorney Thursday evening, May 16, to vote on keeping Larry Dovalina as the assistant to City Administrator David Wright. Dovalina retired from service as the city administrator last year and was promptly retained as a consultant through…
Read MoreCouncilors shelve EMS contract again
Commissioners want contribution from city For the second time since 2022, Pearsall city councilors have voted unanimously to table an agenda item that would provide financial assistance to the county for emergency medical services. An interlocal agreement presented by Frio County asks for $25,000 from the Pearsall and Dilley independent school districts, and the cities…
Read MoreChief braces for summer surge during officer shortage
Pearsall Police Chief Daniel Flores has told city councilors that an increase in calls is expected during the summer months at the same time as he continues dealing with an officer shortage. Records filed at City Hall show that the police department budget covers 22 positions but only 15 are presently filled. “It is not…
Read MoreStashed cash: Money laundering suspect jailed
Two Brownsville men are prime suspects in what Frio County deputies believe is a money laundering operation after over $76,000 in US currency was discovered in a vehicle the pair was driving. Frio County deputies say they stopped a vehicle on IH-35 near Milemarker 99 on Saturday, May 18, after the driver behind the wheel…
Read MoreUp in smoke: Officers burn 600 lbs. of weed
Over 600 pounds of marijuana will never reach Frio County streets after transport last Tuesday to an incinerator. The illegal narcotic, which has been confiscated over the course of 20 years, was transported by Frio County investigators to Hondo to be destroyed on May 7.“These cases were made, prosecuted and adjudicated in both state and…
Read MoreStolen car registry ends in drug arrest
A habitual offender attempting to buy a registration sticker on a stolen car was taken into custody Monday afternoon after deputies discovered methamphetamine in the vehicle. Frio County deputies said employees at the county tax assessor’s office contacted the department after 47-year-old Janice Martinez turned in paperwork for a stolen license plate. Emergency dispatchers confirmed…
Read MoreMEC donates ‘Round Up’ funds to food bank
The Medina Electric Cooperative Operation Round Up (ORU) program awarded two food banks a total of $7,000 in response to an increase in ORU applications asking for help purchasing food and other basic necessities. MEC’s ORU committee awarded the San Antonio Food Bank with $4,000 to provide assistance and food to pantries in Atascosa, Edwards,…
Read MoreFrio constables consolidate offices
As Frio County commissioners prepare for the arrival of a full-time Texas Department of Motor Vehicles employee, constables have agreed to share offices. Frio County Pct. 3 Constable Daniel Zapata and Pct. 1 Constable Rick Ramirez learned learned late last month that they would soon share office space in Room 102 at the AgriLife Extension…
Read MoreLuna takes oath as Cotulla’s first woman mayor
Narrow victory confirmed in May 8 election recount A ballot recount in Cotulla on Wednesday afternoon, May 8, confirmed that voters have chosen a newcomer over five-term incumbent Mayor Javier Garcia and welcomed Sandra Luna to the job. Luna had prevailed over Garcia by a mere three votes in the municipal election on Saturday, May…
Read More