Area News
A year in, Mission calls city EMS a success
In April of 2024, the city of Mission launched its in-house EMS service under conditions that weren’t exactly ideal. According to city reports, patients were receiving high-quality care quickly. Operationally, however, the program faced hurdles. The city launched its EMS program with no financial plan and little cash in the bank. …
Read MoreLa Joya ISD fires counselor over sexual harassment findings
La Joya ISD terminated an elementary school guidance counselor this month that the district and an independent hearing examiner from the state found sexually harassed a kindergarten teacher for months last year, a string of incidents that culminated in the counselor showing the teacher an intimate picture of himself in her classroom and telling her…
Read MorePioneer High applies for military support designation
Pioneer High School has long been a campus that works to support its students from military families, but now they seek a state designation to make it official. Following board approval at the April 21 meeting, Pioneer High School can apply for the Texas Education Agency’s Purple Star Campus Designation. TEA awards the designation to…
Read More10-year forecast reveals challenges for Mission CISD
A demographic study predicts Mission CISD won’t regain pre-COVID enrollment numbers until at least 2034, but the area’s thriving Gen Z population keeps Superintendent Dr. Cris Valdez hopeful for the future. Mission CISD hired Zonda Intelligence to provide a demographic analysis of its communities to give the district a scope of the local population. The…
Read MoreSISD to have first-ever district-wide facilities assessment
The Sharyland school board approved Alpha Facilities Solutions to conduct what administration believes to be the first-ever comprehensive facilities assessment at SISD. Alpha’s services consist of identifying major building defects or deficiencies, establishing a clear basis for needs and providing a list of priorities for maintenance and repair. Additionally, the firm will help the district…
Read MoreSullivan City fire chief position may be in limbo
Sullivan City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jesus Martinez’s future in the position became unclear this week after the chief rescinded a resignation letter submitted earlier this month and council failed to discuss or vote on his resignation. According to City Manager Richard Ozuna, Martinez submitted a resignation letter to the city on April…
Read MoreLa Joya takes no action on rescinding sanctuary city resolution
The city of La Joya’s council took no action on rescinding a resolution it passed in 2017 that opposed anti-sanctuary city legislation. In 2017 La Joya Mayor Fito Salinas proudly bragged about opposing Senate Bill 4, an immigration bill aimed at banning sanctuary cities. Despite that stance, current City Manager Jaime Sandoval says…
Read MoreMission police union feud heads to city council
The Mission City Council is considering a petition submitted by one of its police unions that calls for exclusive bargaining rights, a push that is being opposed by the city’s other vocal police union. On Monday, council tabled a petition submitted by Mission Police Association Local 293 requesting recognition as the sole and exclusive…
Read MoreSharyland provides new level of financial transparency
Sharyland ISD is already in the budget planning process for the 2025-2026 school year, and this time, the board is getting a closer look at where the money is going. Although it is too early for the district to provide definitive figures on next year’s budget, Chief Financial Officer Jaime Ortega kicked off what will…
Read MoreLa Joya ISD evaluates storm damage
The La Joya school district has significant damage from the March 27 storm, and district officials expect additional issues to surface in the coming months. Chief of Staff Joe Niedzela said the storm caused HVAC issues, flooding in a few gyms and leaks throughout the district. In fact, tile ceiling panels were in such high…
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