MISSION — The Rio Grande Valley is in fact not a valley, but a very large flat flood plain. If you know the Valley, you understand that most of the water moves east and little goes into the Rio Grande. Wouldn't it be easy to dig more ditches to the ocean?

Read more: Why does the Valley flood?

LA JOYA — Juarez-Lincoln High School’s (JLHS) students got a belated Christmas gift after the holiday break – a new home.

The nearly 2,000 students and staff had been housed at the old ninth grade campus next door to the new La Joya High School since the school was formed in 2008. The facilities there were missing certain elements for the students, like their own gym or separate areas for girls and boys wrestling, but mainly a place to call their own.

Read more: JLHS students and staff have a home of their own

MISSION — Nearly every year after the Christmas gifts have been opened, the Gerlach family unloads containers filled to the brim with dehydrated lemons, grapefruit and other local citrus products to transform their dining table into a 24-hour craft station.

Mary Virginia Gerlach, the family’s designer, slips into her dining room any chance she gets. She takes a few minutes in the morning before heading off to work at Pizza Hut’s McAllen corporate office. In the evening, she and her granddaughter, Makenzie Gerlach, will work together, and just before bed, if there’s enough time, Gerlach said she’d add a few more touches to her entry for the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s Product Costume show.

Read more: Product Show designers depend on teamwork

EDINBURG — Hidalgo County welcomed the new year by ushering in its newest chief when Interim Judge Ramon Garcia was officially sworn into office on Jan. 1 at the Edinburg City Hall by Judge Joe Evins, Garcia's longtime mentor.

Garcia has been serving as interim County Judge since November, when he was selected to complete the unexpired term vacated after former Interim Judge Rene Ramirez resigned as chief administrator.

Read more: Judge Garcia takes official oath of office

The Texas Citrus Fiesta’s Product Costume Show will be held on Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. The Costume Show, featuring costumes made using citrus and other Valley agricultural products, will be held at the recently-renovated Mission Community Center, located at 1420 E. Kika de la Garza Loop, in Mission.

Minnie Rodgers, co-chairman of the show, said they have 15 entries this year as of press deadline, including costumes and hats in the competition.

Read more: Product Costume Show kicks off Citrus Fiesta

MISSION — As the newest gateway into the United States, the Anzalduas International Bridge was called the port of the future, offering visitors a quick trip to a first-class destination spot that can only grow in the coming years, business leaders say.

The bridge celebrated its first year earlier this month, and expectations continue to grow as Mission expands with hopes of new businesses and roadways that would make the demand on the bridge even greater.

Read more: After one year, Anzalduas Bridge’s future is bright

MISSION — The biggest news stories in 2010 were concentrated in south Mission where the area received devastating flooding that continues to haunt local businesses. Meanwhile, other stories that generated a lot of talk included the dispute over land at the Mission Trails, along with other political shakeups.

Hurricane Alex-Tropical Depression No. 2

Several families and communities suffered from the July 1 hurricane that dumped almost six inches of rain here, causing an estimated $10 million in damage across the county.

Read more: Hurricane Alex, battle for Mission Trails top 2010 stories

LA JOYA — Despite projected state budget hardships, board members for the La Joya Independent School District gave its employees a one-time $750 supplemental pay before heading on their winter break.

While most schools are making major cuts, LJISD officials said they were pleased to be able to give their employees the bonus just before the holidays. Officials stressed the stipend would be a one-time effort that was made possible by taxpayers.

Read more: LJISD employees receive one-time stipend