Michael Barajas
Ousted Harlingen police chief says he is victim of politics
By Michael Barajas on January 12, 2011
HARLINGEN — Harlingen Police Chief Danny Castillo spoke out on his removal Wednesday, claiming City Manager Carlos Yerena’s decision to oust him earlier this week was prompted by unnamed Harlingen city commissioners who wanted the him gone.
In a…
Posted in Local News | Tagged Carlos Yerena, Chief Danny Castillo, City, city commissioners, Harlingen, harlingen police chief, Police, removal, Wednesday
South Padre Island could ban some plastic bags
By Michael Barajas on January 7, 2011
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Following Brownsville’s lead, South Padre Island officials this week proposed eliminating plastic bags from local stores, saying the ban will help keep beaches spotless and reduce pollution on and around the Island.
South…
Posted in Local News | Tagged brownsville, ISLAND, island officials, PADRE, plastic bags, South, south padre island
Drowning victim identified
By Michael Barajas on January 4, 2011
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Authorities believe a body that washed up near the South Padre Island shoreline over the weekend is that of a Mexican fisherman who went missing last week and drowned.
Vacationers on Dec. 30 discovered the body of 31-year-old…
Posted in Local News | Tagged body, island shoreline, mexican fisherman, PADRE, South, south padre island
Mexican investors look to U.S. for opportunities and safety
By Michael Barajas on December 11, 2010
McALLEN — Mexico’s drug war and an economic recession have left two groups turning to U.S. immigration laws for help: wealthy Mexican nationals looking to business and investment visas as a way to escape the growing violence in their own country,…
Posted in Local News | Tagged drug, economic recession, investment visas, mcallen, mexican nationals, MEXICO, U.S., war
Feds bust Valley pot mail smuggling ring
By Michael Barajas on December 7, 2010
McALLEN — Authorities arrested a local man and woman Monday on charges that they mailed dozens of packages of marijuana from Rio Grande Valley post offices over the past six months, court records show.
A criminal compliant filed in U.S. District…
Posted in Local News | Tagged man and woman, Rio Grande, rio grande valley
Harlingen brothers arrest for assaulting officers
By Michael Barajas on December 6, 2010
HARLINGEN — Police have arrested two brothers who they say attacked officers who were investigating a disturbance Friday night.
Two Harlingen Police officers were near the 1000 block of W. Lincoln Avenue when they were approached by Luis Angel…
Posted in Local News | Tagged disturbance, Friday, Harlingen, lincoln avenue, Luis Angel, Police, W. Lincoln
Leaked cables paint gloomy picture of Mexico’s drug war
By Michael Barajas on December 3, 2010
Confidential diplomatic cables leaked Thursday show both U.S. and Mexican officials candidly assessing the toll that Mexico’s four-year war on drug cartels has had on the country.
The U.S. State Department cables leaked to WikiLeaks and posted late…
Posted in Local News | Tagged Confidential, drug cartels, mexican officials, MEXICO, show, state department cables, Thursday, U.S., U.S. State
Man held on $46,500 bail for assaulting cop
By Michael Barajas on December 3, 2010
HARLINGEN — A driver and four passengers involved in a high-speed chase went before a Harlingen judge Friday on felony charges.
Thursday morning’s high-speed chase ended with gunfire when police shot and injured a driver who tried to run over an…
Posted in Local News | Tagged chase, driver, felony charges, Harlingen, high speed chase, judge
Cornyn meets with Tamaulipas governor-elect in Washington
By Michael Barajas on November 30, 2010
Texas Sen. John Cornyn met with incoming Tamaulipas governor Egidio Torre Cantu in Washington Tuesday, discussing continued violence along the U.S.-Mexico border that has killed thousands this year — including the governor-elect’s own brother….
Posted in Local News | Tagged governor, governor elect, John Cornyn, MEXICO, Sen, sen john cornyn, Tamaulipas, Texas, U.S., WASHINGTON
Thanksgiving fatal crash survivor returns home
By Michael Barajas on November 29, 2010
SAN BENITO — A San Benito woman was back at home Monday recovering physically and emotionally from a car crash that claimed the lives of both her mother and husband on Thanksgiving Day, family members said.
Josephina Abrego, 63, was rushed to a…
Posted in Local News | Tagged Benito, car crash, home, Josephina Abrego, San, san benito, thanksgiving day, woman