General Interest

August is the time of year where families get ready for the school year and life gets just a bit faster. To prepare for the upcoming back to school rush, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local taxes all weekend, starting today.

As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100 from sales and use taxes. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. According to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, the break can save shoppers roughly $8 on every $100 they spend.

State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa said the sales tax holiday will create an economic boost.

Read more: Gear up for school by taking advantage of the sales tax holiday

The life of Mission native Luis Contreras II is coming full circle as he takes over the director position at the Mission Historical Museum. He comes on board next Monday, Aug. 13, and officially takes the helm on Aug. 20.

Contreras is taking the place of Cassandra Karl, who has been with the museum since January of 2011. Karl heads to Nashville, Ind. where her husband has accepted a new job. She plans on pursuing her master’s degree as she restarts her museum consulting business, Museum Solutions.

Read more: Luis Contreras announced as new MHM director

MISSION — Sharyland Independent School District residents will likely see an 8.5 cent tax increase next year. The tax hike is needed to pay for the proposed Sharyland Pioneer Memorial High School, which will cost $55 million, according to district officials.

In addition, SISD employees may see a small pay raise, according to preliminary estimates discussed at Monday’s board of trustees workshop on the proposed $101 million budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Read more: Sharyland eyes 8.5 cent tax increase: Higher taxes needed to pay for new high school

The Department of Homeland Security August 3 provided additional information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals processes, during a national media call, in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.

On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and met other key guidelines could be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive deferred action. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is finalizing a process by which potentially eligible individuals may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.

Read more: DHS outlines deferred action for childhood arrivals process

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs reminds shoppers they can save money on everything from pens, jeans and shoes to backpacks, as well as many other items priced under $100, during the state’s annual sales tax holiday.

This year, the tax holiday is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 19.

Read more: Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Next Weekend

Mission Eagles alumni quarterback J.J. Silva scrambles away from an Hidalgo Pirate alumni defender during Saturday evening’s charity football game at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo. Progress Times photo by Luciano GuerraMission High School Principal Joe Lopez, a former Mission Eagle football player, never expected to find himself playing football for the Eagles again. However, that is exactly what 35-year-old Lopez did Saturday evening when the Mission Eagles alumni faced the Hidalgo Pirates alumni in a charity football game in Hidalgo.

With half of the proceeds going towards the establishment of a scholarship for Mission High School athletic program, 35 former Eagles football players stepped onto the blue artificial turf at Bill Pate Stadium in full pads and helmets Saturday and played a complete 60-minute game under UIL rules.

Read more: Mission Eagles football alumni return to gridiron

Marco Antonio Solís Photo courtesy: Kike San Martin Photography Inc.Heart throb and Mexican icon Marco Antonio Solís makes an appearance at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo on Friday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m. with a guest appearance by Natalia Jimena. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets prices range from $49 to $150.

As a songwriter, Solís has 300 songs to his credit. As a man with the talent to sing, he’s sold over 80 million records.

Solís was born in Ario de Rosales, Michoacán, Mexico and began singing at age six with his cousin Joel Solís as Los Hermanitos Solís. He went on to form Los Bukis which helped to bring him to the forefront in North, Central and South American and then went solo in 1995.

Read more: Marco Antonio Solis

The County Commissioners’ Court recognized nine Hidalgo County 4-H members July 24 for their achievements in competitive events in the areas of clothing and textiles, fashion design, and consumer decision-making at the district and state level.

They were Renee Boyle, Claudia Martinez, Vanessa Martinez, Timmy Bradford, Matthew Salinas, Amanda Salinas, Brianna Bullion, Beth Quintanilla, and Bianca Garcia. Texas AgriLife Extension Service County Extension Agent Nora N. Garza accompanied them. She is their advisor and coach.

Read more: Hidalgo County 4-Hers recognized