In a special meeting held New Year’s Day, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved $631,000 of the approximately $1.9 million in salary increases and new positions asked for in their final meeting of 2012. Other requests will be reconsidered during their January 8 meeting.

Read more: County Commissioners approve $631,000 in pay hikes, new positions

MISSION—Cycling, pageants and education are three passions that fuel the life of Miss Hidalgo County 2013, Maritza Jimenez. The Mission native has received the title of Miss Hidalgo County 2013, an opportunity she has been hoping for, for the last three years.

Jimenez was born in Harlingen, and moved to Mission at 5 years of age. She graduated from Mission High School and attended Southwest Texas State (Texas State University-San Marcos) and the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA).

Currently, Jimenez works at UTPA as an academic advisor for the Migrant Program. Jimenez admits she started in pageants to cure her shyness as a child.

Read more: Mission native named Miss Hidalgo County 2013

The Palmview High School (PHS) Mariachi “Los Lobos” and Grupo Folklorico “Ozomatli” groups will bring a Hispanic flare to the 57^th Inaugural Parade in January. The Palmview Lobos were chosen to perform for Barack Obama from nearly 2,800 marching bands, musical acts and drill teams that applied to be part of the historical event.

“The talented groups chosen to participate in the Inaugural Parade reflect the spirit, values and diversity of our great nation,” President Barack Obama said in a statement released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. “Vice President Biden and I are honored to have them join us in the parade.”

Read more: PHS’s Mariachi and Folklorico groups chosen to perform in Inaugural Parade

February 10, 2012

One week after Sharyland Independent School District board extended Superintendent Scott Owings’ contract, trustees accepted his resignation. The resignation letter stated Owings resigned due to state budget cuts and not receiving a raise in the past two years. Owings resignation was also at the heels of allegations that he harassed two female school officials at a Texas Association of School Administrators conference. His resignation was effective as of June 2012, but Owings’ last month present with the district was February.

Read more: Mission area top stories for 2012 in review

MISSION— Migrant students are spending their Saturday mornings in school – learning about robotics, math and engineering.

Read more: MCISD Migrant Program pushes college readiness through robotics project

Rumors of possible campus violence at Sharyland High School this week have prompted police and school officials to heighten security measures at the campus.

Sharyland ISD issued a statement to parents regarding measures being taken in response to rumors of possible violence at one of the district's campuses this week. The recorded statement was released Tuesday evening through the Skyward portal that is used to provide parents with updates and announcements concerning their children's school.

It was rumored that a student made comments regarding taking a gun to the high school on Friday, the last day of school for Sharyland before the Christmas break.

Read more: Mission Police respond to rumors of high school violence

Jahaira Gonzalez took advantage of Tractor Supply's free photos with Santa for pet owners with their little friends. Jahaira is shown with Khloe, her Shih Tzu (that's "lion dog" in Chinese), and the famous man in the red suit. Mission Post Office employees may recognize the white bearded Santa as co-worker, Luis Reyna, who volunteered to play the part.

Sharyland ISD held a groundbreaking ceremony for the district's second high school on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Board members, past and present, school district staff, and others involved with the new high school gathered for ceremony at the site of the proposed $41 million high school to be built at 6 ½ mile N. Shary Road.

Dr. Noe Oliveira, school board president, said the most distinguished guest at the event was Mrs. C.K. Koelle, the previous owner of the property where the new school will be built. Oliveira said the new high school will feature pictures of the Koelle family on the property.

School superintendent Dr. Virginia Richter said, "What an exciting time in Sharyland."

Read more: SISD breaks ground for second high school