Author Archives: VBR

McAllen ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez has been selected by TASA as Texas’ nominee for the School Superintendents Association’s 2021 National Superintendent of the Year. Gonzalez has served as superintendent of McAllen ISD for the past four years. His service to the district also includes other administrator positions for a total of 23 years. Prior to becoming superintendent, he held the position of associate superintendent for Instructional Leadership. He has also served…

McAllen Student Organizes Blood Drive Nov. 14

November 8, 2020

VBR

Community Community Events Featured News Comments

A blood drive takes place Nov. 14 from 2-6 p.m. at Vitalent Center in McAllen with donors receiving free COVID antibody tests. The event, “Give Thanks. Give Blood” is a service project for Sofia Salvo, a student in McAllen ISD’s International Baccalaureate Programme at Lamar Academy. The drive is a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Project for Salvo. It is a core requirement for earning the IB Diploma. This particular project is…

Art Association Recognizes TSC Instructor

November 6, 2020

VBR

Arts Education Featured News Comments

Texas Southmost College Instructor of Fine Arts Robert Andes recently earned a third-place recognition for his painting Santa Fe Woman at the Texas Association of School of Art Artovation 2020: A virtual exhibition of the Art of Texas. The painting was part of the online exhibit and contest and is based on a photograph Andes took during a trip to Santa Fe, NM. “It was exciting to learn I had…

Weslaco Chamber Announces Leadership Initiative

November 5, 2020

VBR

Community Community Events News Comments

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting participants for the Weslaco Chamber Leadership Initiative. The program partners with Franklin Covey Leadership Training Solutions for sessions on various topics. This includes managing teams, project management, vision and strategy, and productivity. This is the first year the chamber will offer the program. The independent learning platform allows participants to take courses at their own pace, and meet with like-minded individuals…

Anzalduas International Bridge Inaugurates New Lanes

November 5, 2020

VBR

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

On Oct. 29, the McAllen Bridge System officially inaugurated additional northbound lanes at Anzalduas International Bridge Port of Entry. Aiding were federal, state and local stakeholders. The newly constructed lanes are part of improvements to increase northbound vehicular traffic at the bridge. The total construction cost for the improvement was $2,867,922. “Our international ports of entry are extremely important to our local and state economies, said Texas Senator Juan “Chuy”…

Veterans Day Fireworks to Light Up Pharr

November 5, 2020

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

Veterans Day The City of Pharr is celebrating the nation’s heroes with a Fireworks Show over the city starting at 9 p.m. Nov. 11. Residents can tune in to KTEX 100.3 at the start of the show for patriotic music. To ensure safe social distancing, the city has secured parking spots near the fireworks on both the north and south sides of Pharr. Residents will be able to park in these…

McAllen Selects New Fire Chief

November 4, 2020

VBR

Featured Government Moving On Up News Comments

James Schultz is the new chief for the McAllen Fire Department. Schultz has been serving in an interim capacity since Chief Rafael Balderas’ retirement earlier this year after serving as assistant McAllen fire chief for the past eight years. His career, almost exclusively with the McAllen Fire Department, began in 1993 as a firefighter, a position he held also for eight years. “The City of McAllen and the McAllen Fire…

TABC Offers Training for Alcohol Delivery

November 3, 2020

VBR

Featured Food & Entertainment News Comments

A new training program from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission allows employees of eligible alcohol retailers to earn certification as an alcohol delivery driver. The Texas Responsible Alcohol Delivery certification is available to employees of businesses which hold a TABC Consumer Delivery permit who make alcohol deliveries anywhere within Texas. The online-only course is available directly through the TABC website, with two-year certifications costing $25 per person. Students of the…

National Veterans Small Business Week Nov. 2-6

October 30, 2020

VBR

Business Advice Events Featured News Comments

The Small Business Administration celebrates veteran-owned businesses across the country Nov. 2-6 with National Veterans Small Business Week. This is the seventh year the SBA offers entrepreneurial trainings and resources right in local communities to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. This year’s theme is #VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community, highlighting the breadth of free to low-cost entrepreneurial resource offerings right in veterans’ own…

Hidalgo County to Hold Online Surplus Auction

October 29, 2020

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Events Government News Comments

Hidalgo County will hold a Webcast Surplus Auction by AMT Auctions Oct. 30. The auction features items such as monitors, keyboards, office chairs, bookshelves, telephones, cameras and televisions. Items can be viewed at Palmer Pavilion today, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed from noon – 1 p.m.). Those with an interest in bidding must register at amtauctions.com. Bidding starts at 10 a.m. with the auction taking place…