Area News
The Church of Jesus Christ Hosts McAllen Temple Open House
McAllen Temple Opens to the Public for Free Tours Open house runs from August 25 through September 9 By Jim Brunson McALLEN – For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the long-awaited day of having a temple in the Rio Grande Valley has finally arrived. While there are many meetinghouses throughout…
Read MoreLawn gone — Native plant enthusiast fights for change in Mission
The City of Mission entered Elizabeth Perez’s property and mowed down the native plant life that took years to grow. She said she was angry and had sleepless nights following the incident. “I felt violated, I felt trespassed upon. It was like somebody coming into your space and robbing you,” the Missionite said. Perez is…
Read MoreFormer LJISD school board president receives 14-month sentence
Tuesday afternoon, Oscar ‘Coach’ Salinas was sentenced by Judge Micaela Alvarez to one year and two months in federal prison following an extortion plea for his involvement in a Western Hidalgo County public corruption case. The former La Joya school board president stood in custody before the court, wearing a navy polo shirt and blue…
Read MoreOne City, Two High Schools
The Battle of Conway The 2023-2024 high school football season is fixing up to be a good one. For the folks here at Progress Times, we’re excited to see what this season has in store for us and we are excited to have it start off with a bang. We kick off the season at…
Read MoreMeet the new Shimotsu Elementary principal
Since she was young, Claudia Garza said she imagined herself as an educator when she grew up. She’s always loved the classroom and working with students. As a child, Garza said she imitated being a teacher at home. She recruited her nieces and nephews to be her students and would teach them lessons, emulating the…
Read MoreSA3 welcomes new principal
Diana Rojas was part of the small staff that started at Sharyland Advanced Academic Academy when the school opened in 2014. She was a counselor then. But almost 10 years later, she returns as the principal, ready to take on the responsibility of campus leader. “I am definitely very excited and humbled for this opportunity,”…
Read MoreHealth insurance premiums rise at Mission CISD
Mission Schools made a big move to reduce its health insurance deficit — an issue looming over the district for two-plus years. But with the plan design changes and increases in employee and employer contributions, district leaders hope this will finally keep MCISD in the black. DEFICIT HISTORY Since 2021, Mission CISD’s self-funded health insurance…
Read MoreCity of Edinburg names new fire chief
Fire marshal promoted to the top spot Edinburg, Texas – The City of Edinburg has selected Omar Garza as its new Fire Chief. With a career spanning nearly three decades in fire service, Chief Garza brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and innovation to his new leadership role. Chief Garza’s journey in the fire service…
Read MoreMHS basketball court dedicated to legendary coach
The basketball court in the Mission High School Neuhaus Gym will now be known as the Coach Roy Garcia Court — named after the late Rosendo “Roy” Garcia. The former Mission Eagles basketball coach had a reputation for success. He spent 28 years leading the MHS basketball program to victory as the head basketball coach…
Read MoreRestoring Mission CISD’s budget, funding woes
In June, when Mission CISD approved the 2023-24 school year budget, they did so with a 15% reduction to department and campus monies. But administration already found a way to restore that funding. MCISD wanted to focus on employee compensation for the upcoming school year. But for the district to have a balanced budget and…
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