This article originally ran in the Feb. 25 issue of the Progress Times. Mission CISD has been working to combat the deficit in its self-funded health insurance program for the better part of the current school year. Although the total amount fluctuates monthly, it hit a peak in November 2021 when it reached $1.5 million,…

This article originally ran in the June 10 issue of the Progress Times. In less than a week, there have been two potential gun threats in Mission CISD — one on June 6 at Mission High School, the other on June 1 at Alton Memorial Jr. High.  The threats come at the heels of the…

This article originally ran in the June 3 issue of the Progress Times.  Mission’s parks and recreation department surveyed the community to help build their five-year improvement plan for all 24 parks and roughly 240 acres. After receiving 585 surveys, the city came up with a list of top 10 priorities for parks and recreation…

This article originally ran in the June 3 issue of the Progress Times.  Mission will soon add a new attraction to its parks and recreation amenities — a Fitness Court. Through the National Fitness Campaign and sponsorship from BlueCross BlueShield, the city of Mission received a $50,000 grant to make the Fitness Court possible.  A…

With the tension surrounding the possibility of school shootings, Executive Director Dr. Daniel King at Region One Education Service Center felt it was time to assemble school district leaders in the RGV to discuss campus safety. Region One held a meeting on June 6 and invited superintendents and law enforcement representatives to discuss future conferences,…

The Mission CISD incumbents swept the May 7 election, and on May 17 they were sworn into office, retaining their positions on the board of trustees.  Judge Ignacio Mendoza swore in his wife, place 1 winner Veronica “Betty” Mendoza, who defeated her opponent Amanda Salinas O’Caña 3,109 votes to 1,850 votes. This win marks the…

Before the city of Palmhurst submitted ballot documentation to the county for the May 7 election, they neglected to complete one step — a drawing to determine the order in which the candidates’ names appear on the ballot. By not conducting a drawing, Palmhurst broke the Texas Election Code.  The Texas Election Code is meant…

As Keith Padilla vacates his seat on the Sharyland ISD board of trustees, David Keith steps in to take over the role. The school board made the May 7 election results official at the May 17 meeting, inducting winners to their respective places.  Judge Ricardo Hinojosa swore in Dr. Noe Oliveira, who ran unopposed for…

Ricka Tijerina announced her intent to run for Palmhurst mayor in the upcoming special election. Israel Silva, who lost the original May 7 mayoral election, also plans to run again.   The former mayor of 23 years, Ramiro Rodriguez Jr., planned to run for reelection. However, he died on April 5 after it was too late…

This article originally ran in the May 13 issue of the Progress Times. With Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez Jr. winning the election, posthumously, the city now has to hold a special election to determine who will become the new leader of Palmhurst. A special election is like a reset, nullifying the original election. Within 120 days…