Area News
Vaping regulations, dress code updates and more at Sharyland
The first day of school is less than a month away, and Sharyland ISD administration is in preparation mode for the 2023-2024 year, which includes the annual updates to the student code of conduct and dress code. LEGAL CHANGES This year, SISD amended the student code of conduct to comply with four bills that state…
Read MoreDrainage projects and ordinance updates in Mission
DRAINAGE The City of Mission has seven ongoing drainage projects in areas engineers deemed high priority due to the time it takes for water to drain following rainfall. After about three years of assessments, planning and construction, four projects are near completion. Of the seven areas, there are five active projects — Stewart A, Esperanza,…
Read MoreVanguard Academy expansion denied
This article ran in the July 14 issue of Progress Times. The Vanguard Academy planned to construct an elementary campus on a vacant lot on Stewart Road. But after receiving significant opposition from residents in the area, Mission City Council denied the request to rezone the tract of land at the July 10 meeting. Vanguard…
Read MoreMission develops new community assistance programs
This article appeared in the July 14 issue of the Progress Times. The Mission Health Department proposed two new initiatives at the July 10 workshop — a community tool-sharing program and a program that could save a life in an emergency. Once Health Director Steven Kotsatos resolves the last few details, the city will make…
Read MoreMission mayor reflects on past year, plans for future
This article appeared in the July 14 issue of the Progress Times. It’s been a year since Mission constituents elected Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza as the leader of their community. And within that year, Gonzalez Garza implemented several initiatives she indicated she would execute during her campaign. But there is still plenty more to do…
Read MoreMission PD deploys controversial license plate reader program
The Mission Police Department is the latest agency to use software that collects footage of license plates from cameras within the city. Since the technology became more accessible in recent years, law enforcement bureaus throughout the country began using license plate reader (LPR) programs like the one at Mission PD. But residents in other communities…
Read MoreMission CISD does not recommend in-house police department
Mission CISD had 26 law enforcement officers stationed throughout the campuses for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition, the district employed 37 on-site security guards. But if MCISD wants to keep those same safety expenditures for the upcoming school year, it cannot afford to implement a district police department with its current budget. Assistant Superintendent…
Read MoreMission council discusses mayoral term limits
During her 2022 campaign, Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza asked the community what changes they would like to see, and a recurring answer was mayoral term limits. A year later, after discussing the topic with the rest of the council at the June 12 workshop, the city plans to move forward with the constituents’ request. “I…
Read MoreMission CISD cuts budgets to prioritize staff for 2023-2024
Mission CISD administration made it clear their priority for the 2023-2024 budget is employee compensation — their goal is retention and recruitment. But to make compensation a priority, the district reduced department and campus budgets by 15% for the upcoming school year. However, Superintendent Dr. Carol G. Perez is confident Mission CISD will be able…
Read MoreMission CISD responds to demolition backlash
Since Mission CISD demolished the historic Roosevelt Auditorium in early June, Mission community members have been vocal about their disapproval. A handful of residents spoke at meetings for the school board, Mission City Council and the Mission Historical Preservation Commission. But Mission CISD administration has been tight-lipped on the issue — until now. Progress Times…
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