General Interest

AUSTIN — On Thursday, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a measure awarding $60 million for the construction of the La Joya regional bypass, a project valued at over $80 million.

The relief route on U.S. Expressway 83 in western Hidalgo County will allow vehicles to bypass the congested highway around the cities and stoplights in and in cities near La Joya.

Read more: Commission approves $60 mil in funding for La Joya bypass

Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC) was presented with a $55,000 donation from the hospital’s volunteer arm, the MRMC Auxiliary. The contribution was made during the annual Auxiliary board installation luncheon held April 9 at The Club at Cimarron in Mission. The donation has been designated for various service lines.

Russ Winters, incoming MRMC Auxiliary board president presented the donation to Javier Iruegas, CEO.

Read more: Auxiliary donates $55,000 to MRMC

PALMVIEW — The 15-year-old who police say was behind the wheel of last week’s major fatal accident along U.S. Expressway 83 that killed several people is a prime example of local youth being drafted to join a life of crime, authorities said.

On April 10, Palmview police say U.S. Border Patrol agents initiated a traffic stop on a van that was suspected of transporting illegal immigrants. When the van stopped, one passenger bolted from the vehicle, leaving the door open as the driver sped off evading authorities. As law enforcement followed the can, the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a cement barricade. All of the van’s occupants were ejected from the van.

Read more: 15-year-old charged in Palmview rollover

MISSION — Two men were arrested Wednesday morning after police say they tried to force their way into someone’s home on the 1200 block of First Street.

Officials said a female resident called 9-1-1 after a man came to the door of her house and tried to force himself inside. When she answered, she saw the suspect with a shotgun and tried to keep him from coming into the house. During the struggle, the shotgun opened up, extracting shotgun shells from the chamber, said Mission police.

Read more: Two suspects arrested after home invasion

MISSION — Fencing to separate the Mission Nature Park from the land leased to the Mission Skeet & Trap Club was approved at Monday’s Mission City Council meeting.

An estimated 90.9 acres of land out of the Mission Nature Trails area will be fenced for the exclusive use of the Mission Skeet & Trap Club. A King Ranch-style fence will be installed around the perimeter of the Mission Skeet & Trap Club.

“The major reason for the fencing is to clearly define the boundaries set forth in the agreement between the Mission Bike Club and the Mission Skeet & Trap Club so that no one ventures into an area that is dangerous and gets hurt,” said Parks and Recreation Department Director Julian Gonzalez.

Read more: Mission Skeet & Trap Club to fence around Mission Nature Park

McALLEN — Members of the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 Advisory Committee are looking forward on plans to call for a bond referendum on drainage improvements here by brainstorming how they can publicize the county’s drainage needs for voter approval in November.

While the group hasn’t proposed to Hidalgo County commissioners that they call for a bond election just yet, the needs of the county – with the cost rumored to be around $500 million – are known and the 25-member group is making the necessary steps toward being transparent on the call for the bond.

Read more: Drainage committee looks toward public outreach

MISSION — Catherine Hansen Strange, co-author of “Fearless Entertaining,” and Richard Moore, president of Valley Nature Films LLC and host of KGBT-TV’s “Nature Report” will headline the National Butterfly Center’s first Home Garden & Nature Festival on Saturday.

The festival starts at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults $2.50 for children ages 4-13 and includes all seminars and tours for the festival.

Read more: Home Garden and Nature Festival set for Saturday

AUSTIN — Texas high school seniors who care about the environment have the chance to win a college scholarship by composing a 350-word essay explaining what they’ve done to improve the litter situation in their community.

The ninth annual Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship is sponsored by BASF Corporation’s Freeport, Texas, location in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful. Don’t Mess with Texas is accepting essays for the 2012 Scholarship March 15 through April 20.

“This scholarship is such a fit for what we at BASF are trying to accomplish. From the products we make that impact the quality of our lives every day to how we operate our facilities safely and as good stewards of our environment, we are living the ‘Don't Mess with Texas’ philosophy,” said Chris Witte, senior vice president and site manager, BASF Freeport.

Read more: Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship open to HS seniors