MISSION – Mission Junior High and Mission High School were under a lockdown Wednesday afternoon while Mission Police Officers searched for an aggravated robbery suspect. The suspect was caught a short time later near the 1300 block of Conway.

Before 2 p.m., Wednesday, officers responded to a call at the popular Luau restauant, located at Doherty and 11th Street in Mission. Employees of the Luau told officers they had been robbed at gunpoint. The robber left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Read more: Aggravated robbery leads to Mission school lockdowns

LA JOYA – After a lengthy executive session during a school board meeting last week, La Joya Independent School District board members announced they would extend the school superintendent’s contract for two more years.

Dr. Alda T. Benavides’ contract was set to expire in June of 2014. With the extension granted last week she will now have a contract through June 2016. The board also approved a 14 percent raise for the superintendent, bringing her yearly salary to $225,000.

Board President J.J. Peña said he was happy that the board was able to give Benavides an exceptional evaluation.

“We appreciate everything you have done for our community, our staff, and most of all our students,” said Peña. “You have our backing 100 percent. You have our full faith and backing behind you.”

Read more: LJISD school board extends super’s contract

In a move that seemed to catch everyone by surprise, Mission City Manager Julio Cerda announced Wednesday that he is resigning from his post as the city’s head.

With tears in his eyes, he told Progress Times publisher in a private interview before making the announcement to a room full of city department directors, that he had a burning desire to do what he loves and start his own engineering company. His last day with the city will be Feb. 28.

Trained as a civil engineer, Cerda was hired as the city’s first staff engineer in 2003. Two years later, he was tapped to run the city from the city manager’s desk.

Read more: Julio Cerda resigns as city manager

MISSION—Mission Historical Museum is scheduled to see renovations begin on its property within the next month. Museum Director Luis D. Contreras II explained the changes are going to be an exciting new addition for the community of Mission.

Read more: Mission Historical Museum to construct new garden, event area

The Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges attracted tens of thousands of spectators as over 200 floats, bands, marching units and other parade entries proceeded down Conway Avenue in Mission Saturday. Rev. Roy Snipes, the iconic priest from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, leads the church procession on horseback, representing the seven priests who formed the “Cavalry of Christ” over 100 years ago.

Read more: Citrus Fiesta tradition continues

MISSION—Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) is hosting its 2nd Annual District-Wide Parent Conference on Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at R. Cantu Jr. High School. A light lunch will be provided, door prizes given out at the end of the conference, and childcare available for attending parents. Any Mission CISD parent interested should pre-register for the conference by contacting the parent liaison at their child’s school as soon as possible.

Read more: Registration underway for 2nd Annual Parent Conference

MISSION—Fifteen-year-old Cherish Varlack went through four audition rounds that began in September 2012 to find her place on the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Choir. The Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) sophomore said she received her love for music from her family.

“I come from a musical background, I get it from both sides of my parents,” Varlack said. “On my dad’s side everyone sings. I was actually trying to take piano lessons from my grandma.”

Read more: VMHS sophomore achieves position in All-State Mixed Choir

MISSION – A Palmview councilman is facing possession of drug paraphernalia charges after being arrested by Mission Police in December.

Mission Police arrested Joel Garcia Jr. on Dec. 15 near the intersection of Bentsen Palm Drive and Business 83. According to evidence gathered during the arrest, Garcia was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, said Mission Police Chief Martin Garza. It is a Class C misdemeanor.

Read more: Palmview councilman awaiting court hearing