On May 9, the graduating class of the UTRGV School of Medicine made history, both as the inaugural class and graduating via a virtual ceremony. The ceremony was a poignant way to honor the challenges graduates now heading into a time of pandemic. Online participants and visitors heard messages from both UTRGV and UT System leaders. Keynote speaker was Dr. Kenneth Shine, former executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs for…
The Texas Workforce Commission advises jobseekers that individuals misrepresenting businesses may attempt to secure sensitive, personal information through deceit. This fraud can take the form of a bogus job opportunity used as bait to solicit information. TWC reminds all jobseekers to practice caution when providing anyone with personally identifiable information. Dishonest individuals may use public sources, such as social media accounts, to find personal information such as phone numbers and email…
Hidalgo County’s Hidalgo Cares website HidalgoCares.org is live to respond, recover and rebuild in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new community-based website provides recovery assistance information to businesses and individuals. It includes a guide to local restaurants, as well as utility assistance and housing information. There is also the latest information on economic recovery, and available resources for food, health, safety and education. Other helpful resources for bolstering…
It initially began as a way to help protect his mother Cecilia, a nurse at several healthcare agencies in the Valley. Julio Garza now runs an effort to support the medical community in the region as a whole. Garza, 23, says he found a niche creating protective face shields for healthcare providers by utilizing 3D printing techniques he learned as a student with the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program at…
Texas Southmost College is ensuring the safety of its students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including its youngest population. Since mid-March Texas Southmost College’s Raul J. Guerra Early Childhood Center followed the college’s lead in extending spring break and then closing. The center serves more than 50 children between the ages of two weeks to 6 years old. “These have been trying times,” said the center’s manager Marisela…
On May 16, the Port of Brownsville will observe its 84th anniversary. Opened in 1936, the port signified a new hope for economic prosperity in the Rio Grande Valley region. The port was the vision of an Italian immigrant Louis Cobolini. The 17-mile long Brownsville ship channel has since welcomed foreign travelers and businesses to its shores. In the port’s early years, agricultural exports brought citrus fruits from local groves and…
Shopping or dining Harlingen local businesses may pay off for some customers. The Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the “Shop Local” Lucky Draw contest the entire month of May. Each week, the Harlingen Chamber will hold a drawing and give away a $50 give card from a Harlingen business. To enter the weekly drawing, customers need to make a purchase at a participating business. Then they must write…
Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 at the Port of Brownsville reported a record-setting $8.9 billion in the combined value of exports and imports for 2019. The total value of export shipments through FTZ No. 62 reached $4.3 billion in 2019. This is an increase from $3.8 billion the year before. In turn, the FTZ received $4.6 billion in imports. These numbers are the highest in the zone’s history. Products in…
South Texas College will maintain a distance learning environment for all classes during the summer 2020 semester which begins June 1. There is the potential of classes returning to a face-to-face format during the term if conditions allow. Students already registered for summer semester courses were notified of the online or alternate class format changes. “We are striving to insure that students are able to continue moving towards the academic…
Texas Southmost College’s registration is currently underway for both the summer and fall 2020 semesters. TSC Executive Director of Academic and Student Services Vanessa Vasquez said it’s important for students to keep in mind the benefits of registering early. “We’re moving ahead with registration anticipating this COVID-19 crisis will be behind us soon,” said Vasquez. “Classes fill up fast, so locking in your schedule early gives you time to work…