LA JOYA – After failing two audits of the school district's free lunch and breakfast programs over the past year, La Joya Independent School District received good news last week. The program's federal funding will be restored due to a third audit showing the previous problems of over counting had been resolved.

A November 2011 audit by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) showed the district had reported over 4,600 excess meals. A follow-up audit last March revealed another 3,200 excess meals were reported served by the district. This promoted the TDA to suspend funding of the La Joya ISD's free meals program. The district continued to serve the children's meals, costing the district an estimated $1.5 million per month.

Following the announcement last Thursday by the TDA, the district is now expected to be reimbursed $12 million to $15 million for the meals served during the suspension period.

Read more: La Joya ISD passes meal audit

MISSION—Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort was awarded Park of the Year in the medium size category Nov. 30 by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Resort managers Guy and Juanita Carvajal were in Las Vegas to accept the award.

The association recognized the achievements of top private park operators, state associations and industry volunteers during its annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo last month in Las Vegas. Park of the Year awards were given to RV parks and resorts based on several criteria, including customer service, employee training, operational excellence, national directory ratings and community service.

Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort is owned by developer and builder Mike Rhodes and his wife Lori. It is a 250-site RV Resort located near Bentsen State Park and the National Butterfly Center on S. Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission. Earlier this fall, Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort was also named Medium Park of the Year by TRVA – Texas Recreational Vehicle Association – at their annual conference in Austin.

Read more: Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort awarded National Park of the Year

The Progress Times, Sharyland Times and Winter Texan Times offices will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 to allow our employees to celebrate Christmas with their families. Our offices will also be closed on New Year's Day.

The Progress Times and Sharyland Times will not publish the week of Christmas on Friday, Dec. 28. Both publications will resume their regular weekly schedule Jan.4, 2013.

The Winter Texan Times publication schedule, however, will not be affected. The Winter Texan Times will be published on Thursday as usual Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.

We wish all our readers and advertisers a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

MISSION—The University of Phoenix in Mission, along with the help of IBC Bank, the Mission Chamber of Commerce and National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO) assisted the Mission Boys and Girls Club in upgrading their tech room on Dec. 6.

Ten refurbished computer screens and towers were given to the facility along with new books and school supplies that members could use. Boys & Girls Club Director J.C. Avila said the new computers would not only assist children with schoolwork but also with awareness programs.

Read more: University of Phoenix donates computers to Boys & Girls Club

The US Department of Education announced they have awarded IDEA Public Schools $29 million over the next four years as part of the Race to the Top District competition. IDEA Public Schools is a growing network of high-performing K-12 public charter schools in the Rio Grande Valley, Austin and San Antonio, serving over 13,000 students.

Read more: IDEA Schools wins $29 million in ‘Race to the Top’

MISSION – Following media reports that two Mission police officers were arrested Wednesday in a federal investigation into allegations of corruption, Mission Police Chief Martin Garza said he would not give names of the officers because they have not officially been charged. He did confirm that at least one officer had been taken into federal custody, but no charges had been filed.

Read more: Mission police officers investigated

CANYON – Four years ago, former La Joya soccer standout Sergio Castillo thought he was going to play soccer in college and never imagined he would be an All-American college football player for West Texas A&M University.

Read more: Former Coyote Sergio Castillo receives All-Conference, All-American distinctions

PEÑITAS— The City of Peñitas held its first of two public hearings on Dec. 4 to allow the public to discuss any concerns over the proposed annexation of 1300 acres. The city would grow in size by over 40 percent if the annexation is approved. Peñitas currently covers approximately 3,132 acres within its boundaries.

Read more: Peñitas holds first annexation public hearing