SISD students rewarded for reading achievement: Students from Ruben Hinojosa Elementary in Sharyland Independent School District were rewarded for their achievements in the Accelerated Reader Program with a trip to the Texas Butterfly Festival. The children’s program held at Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park introduced children to many of the species of butterflies that migrate through the Valley annually. Progress Times photo by Kathy OlivarezA preponderance of butterflies taking part in the annual butterfly migration made the Texas Butterfly Festival, held October 25-28, a great success. School children and adult butterfly lovers attended different aspects of the festival. Queens, monarchs, snouts, sulfurs, hairstreaks, swallowtails and a number of other species stopped in at the National Butterfly Center to enjoy the habitat provided for them as they journeyed south for the winter.

At Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, children from Mission and Sharyland Independent School Districts visited butterfly gardens where they not only saw a great variety of butterflies, they learned about the life cycle of butterflies, their migration and the host plants they need to live.

Read more: Thousands of butterflies wow Texas Butterfly Festival visitors

Wilfredo Bara, 17, and Troy Vasquez, 17, used teamwork during their afternoon welding class on Oct. 22. Welding Instructor Rolando Gonzalez said these basic skills will prep them for welding gas pipelines in oil fields. Progress Times photo by Andrielle FigueroaMISSION — Sixteen seniors at the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) have joined a new welding program offered in partnership with South Texas College’s (STC) School to Career Academy and Dual Enrollment initiative (SCADE).

The welding program, which started in June, offers a basic welding certification that could lead to a job as an entry-level welder with salaries as high as $50,000 annually.

Read more: MCISD welding program offers career options

Juarez-Lincoln Band. Progress Times photo by Luciano GuerraColors were flowing across the football field as color guard members performed alongside over 20 marching bands last Saturday during the annual Pigksin competition at McAllen High School. La Joya, Palmview, and Sharyland High School bands earned a Division I rating, earning them a chance to compete in the area competition being held in Laredo this weekend.

Over 40 bands will be competing at the Area G Marching Contest in Laredo. The competition will be held at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Center. Bands earning a ranking at the area competition will be able to compete at the state level next month in San Antonio.

Read more: La Joya, Palmview, Sharyland bands advance to area competition

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