Area News

LA JOYA, Texas — La Joya ISD has released the findings of a comprehensive Transportation Route Optimization Audit, the first districtwide study of its kind in nearly 20 years, designed to strengthen student safety, improve operational efficiency and increase reliability across the transportation system. The audit, received Nov. 6, provides a detailed assessment of current…

Chief Operating Officer Belen Guerrero-Aguirre presented a professional services agreement with AUTOChargit to install four charging stalls between Jitterz and El Pato at their meeting on December 10. The project aims to provide a reliable charging option for Tesla and other EV owners traveling west of McAllen.   AUTOChargit, known for its advanced EV charging…

MISSION – A Mission area man who was treated for double-vision at Mission Regional Medical Center is now helping to educate the community about the signs and symptoms of stroke – and the critical importance of seeking emergency care right away if you or a loved one displays those warning signs.     Michael Frederick,…

La Joya ISD parents expressed concerns about overcrowded classrooms after the district proposed closing five schools. However, an audit revealed LJISD has a recent history of a below-average student-to-teacher ratio. Benavides, Peña and Leo elementaries, and Ann Richards and JD Salinas middle schools could close next year if the board of managers approves administration’s proposal…

Mission City Attorney Patricia Rigney informed the city last week that she intends to resign at the end of the month after a little more than a year-and-a-half with the city.   In a resignation letter submitted Nov. 25 Rigney said she decided to resign to dedicate more time to her family and to pursue…

Sharyland ISD plans to restructure its current early college high school program into a district-wide College and Career Readiness School Model (CCRSM). At the Nov. 17 school board meeting, the SISD administration unveiled its strategy to implement two CCRSM programs in both its comprehensive high schools — Early College High School (ECHS) and Pathways in…

The third annual Ruby Red Ventures Build Mission Fund has now awarded more than $500,000 to local business owners, supporting entrepreneurs expanding operations and creating jobs in the city.     Teclo Garcia, CEO of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), congratulated recipients and highlighted the EDC’s role in fostering economic growth. He noted a recent…

With a water crisis hovering over South Texas, a group of environmental stewards created a Native Plant Ad Hoc Committee in conjunction with the city of Mission, to promote native plant landscaping, the first committee of its kind in the area.     The committee received city council approval in late October and will hold…

After gathering community input for two and a half months, the Sharyland ISD facility planning committee recommended a $250 million bond for the May 2026 election to fund upgrades on all campuses. Hundreds of Sharyland community members attended a series of facility planning meetings to provide input on the district’s long-term needs. Attendees had in-depth…

La Joya ISD has approved a new set of special education stipends designed to address staffing shortages, improve compliance, and ensure students with disabilities receive the individualized support they deserve. The initiative, approved at the October 22 Board Meeting, directly aligns with findings from the district’s special education audit and supports the superintendent’s constraints focused…