General Interest

The Upper Valley Art League has opened up new classes to be offered at the UVAL facility at 921 E. 12thStreet in Mission.

Read more: UVAL offers new classes

The City of Peñitas, the Peñitas Whitewing Festival, Peñitas Library and the Peñitas Police Department are joining together to put on the 2012 Halloween Bash. It runs from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Peñitas Veterans Memorial Park.

Read more: Peñitas plans Halloween Bash

The youngest court of the upcoming 2013 Texas Citrus Fiesta was announced at the Princess Anna contest held on Oct. 13 at the Mission Community Center. Thirteen young ladies from throughout the Rio Grande Valley competed. Members of the incoming court, from left to right, are Gabriela C. Ramirez, second alternate, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rene Ramirez from Linn; Jewelisa D. Gonzalez, Princess of Red Grapefruit Blossom, Jorge Gonzalez and Vianey Zarate, Mission; Jaelynn A. Mendez, Princess Anna 63rd, Mr. and Mrs. Andres Mendez, Mission; Riza R. Hernandez, Princess of Lime Blossom, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hernandez, McAllen; Angelika K. Ochoa, Princess of Tangerine Blossom, Mr. and Mrs. Jesus Ochoa, Palmview; Leslie R. Bishop, first alternate, Mr. and Mrs. Brent Bishop, McAllen; and Sofia C. Pecina, Princess of Lemon Blossom, Mr. and Mrs. Fernando Pena, McAllen.

Mission area duchesses were selected Oct. 2 to be presented to the 2013 Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Court in January. This year’s TCF theme is “Kaleidoscope of World Cultures.” New duchesses include, left to right, Alyssa M. Aguilar, Duchess of Honeydew Mission, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Daniel Aguilar; Anyssa L. Vela, Duchess of Ruby Red Grapefruit Mission, Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Vela; Itzel Flores, Duchess of Star Ruby Mission Grapefruit, Mr. and Mrs. Jose E. Flores, Palmview; Sierra N. Long, Duchess of Marshwhite Grapefruit Sharyland, Melisa Awbrey and Richard Long; and Melanie K. San Roman, Duchess of Pink Grapefruit Sharyland, Mr. and Mrs. Mario San Roman. Not pictured is Adela I. Parras, Duchess of Wildflowers Mission, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Parras-Canchola.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election begins today. Voters who are registered to vote in Hidalgo County may vote at any polling site in the county during the early voting period, which runs from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2.

Read more: Early Voting Begins Today

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election starts Monday, Oct. 22. During early voting, voters can vote at any polling site in their county. Mobile locations will also be provided.

Besides the presidential election, voters will be casting their votes on the $184 million drainage bond; United States Senator and United State Representative District 28; Railroad Commissioner; Justice Supreme Court Place 2, 4, and 6; presiding judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 and Place 8; member, State Board of Education, District 3; State Senator, District 20; State Representative, District 35; Chief Justice, 13^th Court of Appeals District 13, and Place 2, 4 and 5; District Judge, 92^nd, 93^rd, 139^th, 332^nd, 389^th, 398^th, 430^th, and 449^th Judicial Districts; and County Sheriff.

Read more: General Election early voting begins Monday

The 70th Annual Pigskin Jubilee Region XV University Interscholastic League (UIL) Marching Band Contest will be held Saturday, Oct. 20 at the McAllen Memorial Stadium beginning at 4 p.m.

Acting UIL Executive Secretary Oralia Gonzalez said high schools from Alamo to Roma will be participating in the event, a total of 22 marching bands.

The schedule for La Joya, Mission and Sharyland school districts is as follows:

Read more: Pigskin Jubilee marching band contest Saturday

October is butterfly season in the Rio Grande Valley and the Mission Chamber of Commerce will be drawing attention to the hundreds of butterfly species found in South Texas during the 17th annual Texas Butterfly Festival at the National Butterfly Center, located at 3333 Butterfly Park Drive in Mission on October 25-28.

Read more: 17th Texas Butterfly Festival starts Oct. 25