An investigation into alleged workplace bullying and harassment of Mission fire department employee Joseph Fisher is now in the hands of an external third party, according to fire chief Mike Silva. Silva was recently cleared of wrong doing by an internal city investigation. When asked about the status of the inquiry into the remaining personnel,…

Tony Guerrero asked the Mission city council the question that has recently been on the minds of many: what are we going to do with Texas Citrus Fiesta?   After several tumultuous weeks of discussion and arguments, the council voted unanimously on March 13 to return TCF from city management to an independent organization.  …

Three days after a shouting match broke out among Mission city council members as they discussed Texas Citrus Fiesta operations, the city terminated TCF director Amy Tijerina.   The termination occurred 48 hours after Tijerina filed a complaint with the city against Councilwoman Jessica Ortega.   Tijerina, whose last day with the city was February…

The city of Mission investigated its fire chief Mike Silva, after several complaints were filed against him and other personnel, alleging that the department created a toxic work atmosphere and committed disability discrimination.   At press time, the Progress Times received a memo from the city of Mission which stated the allegations of workplace harassment,…

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the 3-2 vote by the council in favor of amending the Texas Citrus Fiesta bylaws which erroneously stated that Councilman Alberto “Beto” Vela and Councilwoman Jessica Ortega were against the amendments when in fact, they were in favor of making the change along with Mayor Pro-Tem…

The board of directors for the Texas Citrus Fiesta (TCF) accused Mission councilwoman Jessica Ortega of interfering in its internal operations, according to a letter it addressed to the city council on February 10 and obtained by the Progress Times.     The four-page letter on TCF’s official letterhead alleged Ortega made “repeated attempts to…

Just before the spotlights illuminated the glamour of local royalty, ball gowns, and tiaras in Mission recently, a storm brewed among the volunteer organizers of the Texas Citrus Fiesta (TCF). That storm could result in the Texas Citrus Kings Association moving future events out of city hands and back under its own direction.   TCF…

Mission’s popular duck pond at Bannworth Park is set to undergo major reconstruction in order to save it.     Mission Parks & Recreation Department Director, Brad Bentsen, told the city council at its January 6 workshop that he estimates the project will cost at least $95,000. The city council appeared willing to spend more…

The Mission City Council will consider the approval of a site plan that would allow for the construction of Vanguard Academy on North Stewart Road, despite prior objections of home owners in the area.   The Vanguard Academy site plan was unanimously approved without discussion by the Planning and Zoning Commission on January 7. The…

Mission resident Ned Sheats has a Christmas present for you that is so big, it can’t be wrapped and put under your tree.     Sheats repaired Mission’s landmark clock and given it a new life after it was damaged in a storm years ago. He volunteered to rehabilitate the clock at his own expense…