MISSION—Since the early 1900s, farmers have always had an abundance of cheap water, according to Rod Santa Ana, communication specialist for the Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco. Since that time, flood irrigation has always been commonplace, but at the same time very wasteful, he said.

In times of drought, water shortages present problems for farmers and their crops. Texas A&M Agrilife has worked with farmers for years, providing research and better methods for delivering life-giving water to sun-baked fields in South Texas.

Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension are both housed in Weslaco but handle two separate jobs. While research studies agriculture, extension disseminates that research information to the public.

With the current drought conditions in the Rio Grande Valley, not only are residents in municipalities affected, but farmers and their crops are threatened as well. Santa Ana said this year farmers would see the smallest crop of cotton in years.

Read more: Texas A&M Agrilife tackles water conservation

MISSION—With a vision to provide all Mission CISD ninth graders and K.White Jr. High sixth graders a Google Chromebook, the school board recently approved the 1 to 1 Technology Pilot Project. The Chromebooks will provide students access to digital textbooks, and can be used for note taking and completing assignments.

The total cost of the shift to Chromebooks is estimated at just over $1.8 million, including the devices and the technology upgrades needed to provide wireless access at the three campuses affected.

The Google Chromebook is a new device based off of the Google’s “cloud” operating system, which allows students to access documents anywhere at any time, according to Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Lucio Mendoza.

Read more: Mission Schools to spend $1.8M on Google Chromebooks, wireless upgrades

Hidalgo County will be holding seven hurricane preparedness fairs this month. The “Dare to Prepare” Disaster fairs will partner with community resources within the county to bring information to communities about what residents need to do to be prepared.

Hidalgo County and Texas A&M Colonias host the preparedness fairs to provide critical hurricane preparedness information and resources to residents, especially colonia residents who may be most vulnerable during a hurricane or tropical storm.

Oscar Montoya, emergency management coordinator, said the fairs give the county the opportunity to meet with members of the community and share with them how they can be prepared for an emergency situation. He also said it gives community members an opportunity to ask county staff questions about what they need to do.

Read more: County holds hurricane preparedness fairs

MISSION—The Mission Consolidated Independent School District Board held a special meeting on June 4 discussing the status of the long-delayed contract for the Mission High School Phase III renovation project with ERO Architects.

Over the last few months there have been ongoing discussions over the status of the contract between the district and ERO.

In March, the board decided to not enter negotiations over the high school project due to a payment for a baseline study of just over $634,000, which, according to Board President Dr. Sonia M. Treviño, was not approved by the board.

Read more: MCISD Board President refuses to sign ERO contract

Mission Economic Development Authority (MEDA) in partnership with South Texas College (STC) invites permanent residents of the City of Mission who are interested in furthering their education to apply for the MEDA scholarship by June 28.  The MEDA scholarship is specific to residents who have lived in Mission for two or more consecutive years, have earned a high school diploma or GED and would like to obtain a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree from STC. 

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, a copy of Permanent Residency Card must be provided. In addition, applicants must have earned 12 college credit hours prior to applying for the MEDA scholarship, must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and must maintain a 2.5 GPA at the end of each semester. The MEDA scholarship is available for full or part-time students. Full time is considered 12 credit hours and part-time is 6 credit hours.  Applicants are not allowed to drop, withdrawal or fail courses.  The scholarship is available for undergraduate students.

Read more: MEDA & STC offer scholarship to permanent residents of Mission

Registration is underway for a new two-week session of “Summer Drama Camp for Kids” for ages 5 to 12 and “English Immersion through Theater” for adults. Dates are on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, June 17 to 19 and June 24 to 25 with a performance and celebration on June 26. The public is invited to the final performance.

Both classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. for the youth class and 11:30 for adults. Registration and all classes and performances are held at the Pharr Community Theater’s new location at Carnahan School, 317 W. Gore in Pharr. Cost is $35 for each two-week session. No prior theater experience is required for either class.

Read more: Drama camp registration underway