Six of Mission’s leading citizens were recognized with special awards Tuesday evening at the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce annual banquet held at Mario’s Banquet and Conference Center. The citizens awards were announced by Progress Times Publisher Jim Brunson and General Manager Dan Brunson before a full house at the sold-out event.

Read more: Mission’s leading citizens honored

Incoming Mission Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Sandra Vecchio presents a plaque to outgoing Chairman George Myers in appreciation of his service to the chamber. Progress Times photo by Doug YoungMISSION—The aggressive support of local business opportunities and developing strategies to boost sales and profits are new goals set for the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s 2012-2013 Chairwoman Sandra Vecchio believes the hard work of the community, as one, will prove a positive outcome.

Vecchio was named the new chairwoman of the board at the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce 2012 Annual Banquet on Oct. 16 at Mario’s Banquet and Conference Center.

Read more: Chamber promotes positive business climate

Dr. Virginia RichterDr. Virginia Richter has some lofty goals for the Sharyland ISD. As the new superintendent, she wants to build on what the district is known for – things like academic achievement, sports and UIL – while growing the number of students taking AP exams and dual enrollment courses.

“My goal is to take and capitalize on what Sharyland does very well, but then take it to the next level,” she said.

Read more: HIGH EXPECTATIONS - New Shary superintendent raises the bar

Jim Brunson, publisher of the Progress Times and Winter Texan Times, today announced the launch of a new publication, the Sharyland Times. The new weekly newspaper will serve local residents of Mission and McAllen with a special emphasis on news affecting residents of the Sharyland area.

As of today, the first edition of the Sharyland Times newspaper is now circulated at over 100 newsstand locations set up at local businesses in addition to several thousand delivered directly to homes in the Sharyland area.

Read more: Mission publisher launches Sharyland Times

Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade with Progress Times Publisher Jim Brunson. Progress Times photo by Sean DowneyTexas Secretary of State Hope Andrade stopped for a deskside visit with Progress Times Publisher Jim Brunson Tuesday morning. Andrade was making a trip through the Rio Grande Valley this week to encourage people to get out and vote.

She wanted to remind local residents that the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming general election is Tuesday, Oct. 9.

For people who are not sure if they are registered, she offered a helpful solution.

Read more: Secretary of State visits Progress Times

A Sharyland Independent School District school bus was involved in a minor accident this afternoon. 

The bus was at 495 between Shary and Taylor Rd. when a car ran into the right front passenger side of the bus. Police and EMS were called and each child on the bus was examined for injuries. No injuries were reported.

Students were transferred to another bus and transported home.

HIDALGO, TX—The State Farm Arena today announced the newest member to it’s family of professional sports teams, the Professional Arena Soccer League’s Rio Grande Valley Flash. The announcement of the Flash completes an expansion for the PASL that has seen the league's ranks swell from 12 to 19 teams as it heads into its fifth season of play.

The Flash will be operated by Monterrey Flash owner Gerardo Guerra Lozano. The Monterrey Flash are founding members and subsequent champions of the Liga Mexicana de Futbol Rapido. The Flash and the PASL's San Diego Sockers faced each other in last year's FIFRA Club Championships, with the Sockers winning by a narrow margin.

"We welcome the opportunity to be a part of the fastest growing futbol rapido (arena soccer) league in the US," said Lozano. "State Farm Arena will be a great venue to showcase PASL arena soccer."

Read more: New Team RGV Flash to Debut New Season Starting November 2012

MISSION – The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) is organizing the first South Texas Outdoor Life Festival to be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park/World Birding Center.

This new all-day event will offer the community and visitors the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor activities from a 5K run, 1K Family Fun Run, 35-mile bike race, kayak race, community bike ride, and a 9.19-mile mountain bike race, all in one location and in one day. Each race will conclude with an awards ceremony for each of the divisions.

Read more: Chamber of Commerce presents South Texas Outdoor Life Festival