MISSION — Days after the community celebrated one of its oldest industries at the Texas Citrus Fiesta, local citrus growers were tending to their trees trying to determine if next year’s crop would be hindered by last week’s big chill.

“We’re very encouraged,” said Texas Citrus Mutual President Ray Prewett on Monday. “Up to this point, we see no real signs of damage.”

While there were reports of ice on trees, Prewett said there was no ice reported inside fruit that would cause damage to the fruit.

Read more: Citrus survives freeze, ‘snizzle’

MISSION — Myrna Garza got her driver’s license last year, and while she may be confident in her driving skills, her ability to maintain focus on the road is still troublesome.

“I don’t know how people drive with their knees while they eat,” the 17-year-old Sharyland High School junior said. “I almost drove off the road when I was talking to my (driving) instructor. I have to have my whole attention on the vehicle.”

Read more: X the TXT: ‘A text can wait’

MISSION — Next year’s strict budget cuts have inched their way toward student programs.

Earlier this week, e-mails circulated to Mission Consolidated Independent School district program directors for activities like Future Farmers of America, DECA, Business Professionals of America and Health Occupation Students of America groups that reportedly stated funding for travel to compete this year was nonexistent. Students said they were told to quit practicing and studying because of the lack of funds to send them to compete.

Read more: MCISD to students: ‘We are going to find the money’

LA JOYA — Dr. Alda T. Benavides, superintendent of La Joya Independent School District, has been named Distinguished Bilingual Educator of the Year by the Rio Grande Valley-Texas Association for Bilingual Educators (RGV-TABE).

RGV-TABE officially recognized Benavides on Jan. 18 at its annual conference on South Padre Island. She was awarded for her contributions to the Bilingual Education Program in the La Joya school district.

Read more: LJISD’s Benavides named Bilingual Educator of the Year

Fourth grader Marion Rodriguez of Leal Elementary and fifth grader Kaitlyn Ramirez of Mims Elementary won first place in their respective divisions at the Texas Citrus Fiesta Shoe Box Float contest this year.

All of the top shoe box float entries from each participating school are currently on display at Speer Memorial Library in the small group study room.

Read more: Leal, Mims take top Shoe Box Float prizes

All local school districts have closed their campuses and school offices for Friday, Feb. 4. Activities at all schools will resume back to normal on Monday, Feb. 7.

Read more: Local schools closed Friday

PHARR — Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation said it was preparing to close parts of the expressway to prepare for the sleet and snow coming into the region on Thursday.

Read more: TxDOT announces closures

Mission Consolidated Independent School District schools will start one hour late on Thursday, Feb. 3. Bus schedules will be adjusted accordingly. The end of the school day remains unchanged at this time. District officials will continue to closely monitor weather forecasts and conditions.

Read more: Mission CISD announces delay in school day start for February 3