Author Archives: VBR

A new course from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and its partners provides training to prepare peace officers across Texas to combat human trafficking and rescue survivors. The agency joined forces with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to produce the new continuing education course. The course will keep Texas officers at the forefront of combating these crimes. Training includes learning to recognize and…

First Podiatry Program in State Coming to UTRGV

October 28, 2020

VBR

Education Featured Healthcare News Comments

The first school of podiatry is coming to Texas in the fall of 2022. Furthermore, it will be right here in the Rio Grande Valley at UTRGV. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved a request from the university to create a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine with a major in Podiatric Medicine for the UTRGV School of Podiatry. The school will allow students to pursue careers in the medical…

TSTC to Host Virtual Job Fair

October 27, 2020

VBR

Education News Comments

Texas State Technical College hosts its Virtual Job Fair Oct. 29 for students and alumni. TSTC’s Director of Planning and Special Events Hannah Luce says that despite not having a physical location, the job fair will work much as it traditionally would have. “Those attending will still be able to visit with attending employers and network just as if it were an in-person event,” she said. “One of the differences…

McAllen Named Best in U.S. for Home-Based Business

October 26, 2020

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

JustBusiness.com, a website which aims to help new business owners make informed decisions, says McAllen is the best city in the United States for starting a home-based business. According to the site’s study, McAllen’s high ranking takes into account low home prices and a low effective media income tax rate. Texas’s low cost of doing business in the state was an additional reason, which includes McAllen’s limited liability corporation filing…

South Texas Book Festival Goes Virtual

October 25, 2020

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

McAllen Public Library kicks off its seventh annual South Texas Book Festival Oct. 29, going virtual and including literary sessions for adults. At 7 p.m. Oct. 29, adults may join “Poetry & Wine: An Evening of Literature” with two celebrated poets from South Texas. Participants can enjoy a favorite beverage at home while listening to 2020 Texas Poet Laureate Emmy Perez and Jose Antonio Rodriguez. Both will read from their…

“Sticks & Bones” Provides Festive Education

October 24, 2020

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

The Sticks & Bones Trail at Quinta Mazatlán is now open through Nov. 14, letting patrons of all ages experience the “not-so-spooky side” of skeletons. The outdoor educational exhibit through the woods features educational signage, fun outdoor exhibits and a scavenger hunt sheet. Quinta Mazatlán says families should “dress for the season and laugh outdoors” as they take to the trail and receive a small gift bag upon completing the…

McAllen Reopens Two Public Pools

October 23, 2020

VBR

Community Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments

Two City of McAllen aquatics facilities are now open for adult lap swimmers as part of the city’s Phase 2 reopening plans. The Municipal and Boys & Girls Club pools are now available Tuesdays through Saturdays. Municipal Pool at 1921 North Bicentennial Blvd. operates from 7-11 a.m. and 3-9 p.m. on days of operation. The operating hours for Boys & Girls Club Pool at 617 South 27th Street is 7-11…

McAllen Ranks in Top for Quality of Life

October 22, 2020

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

McAllen now ranks third in the nation for Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2020-2021 by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking reflects resident satisfaction with their daily lives by metro area. U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas’ quality of life, job market, value of living and people’s desire to live there. “This ranking is no surprise to anyone who lives in our…

Deadline For Hanna Disaster Loans Approaches

October 21, 2020

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

RGV-area businesses and residents who received property damage July 25-28 from Hurricane Hanna have until Oct. 30 to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan. The low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Kenedy, Starr and Willacy counties. According to Tanya N. Garfield, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West, various entities may apply for the loans. This includes businesses of all sizes,…

National Apprentice Week Nov. 8-14

October 18, 2020

VBR

Education News Comments

The U.S. Department of Labor will hold its sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 8-14. The nationwide celebration gives businesses, communities and educators the opportunity to highlight their apprenticeship programs and apprentices. It also demonstrates the value apprenticeship programs offer businesses, careers seekers and the community as a whole. The weeklong initiative focuses on themes and industries in which apprenticeships are making a significant difference for American workers. This includes…