September is Hunger Action Month, a time to take a pro-active part in ending hunger. For UTRGV’s Cristina Vega, helping others fight hunger is her job. “We have a lot of jokes in society, like, ‘Ha. Ha. Poor college student. You’re probably eating Ramen.’ And that’s not really something to joke about, because it’s a reality,” said Vega, program coordinator of the UTRGV Student Food Pantry. The Student Food Pantry is a free…
Fifteen inches of water took it all from Texas State Technical College student Nelda Chavez and her family. “The only way to describe the situation is devastating and overwhelming,” said the 52-year-old. “The image and smell of the mess and debris still haunts me.” The family returned to their home barely a week ago; the massive amount of rain and flooding that devastated their home occurred in June. Chavez’s family has…
The Hidalgo County Head Start Program is the recent recipient of nearly $1 million to purchase school buses for their students. The award of $922,420, in addition to their yearly budget, will purchase 10 school buses at $92,242. The funds come from a Supplemental Funding competitive application for Program Improvement by the national Office of Head Start. “This funding will strengthen partnerships with local school districts, reinforce recruitment efforts, help sustain desirable attendance levels and allow…
Allegiant is now providing nonstop service from McAllen International Airport to Phoenix, Ariz. via Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. “We are grateful for our partnership with Allegiant Air and are excited to be working with them on the addition of a new year-round route to Phoenix,” said McAllen Mayor James E. Darling. “This route will enhance westward connectivity for our community as well as offer affordable, non-stop service to a key business…
For generations, manufacturing has played a critical role in Texas’s diverse economy. Texas is home to approximately 17,500 manufacturing firms, with 80 of those being in Hidalgo County, said Mike Willis, treasurer of the South Texas Manufacturers Association. National Manufacturing Month is in October. Today, Oct. 4, the first Friday in October, is actually National Manufacturing Day. “Celebrating Manufacturing Month gets more people involved in economic development, it increases awareness and promotes…
Amid a crowd of enthusiastic swimming athletes, community members, and elected officials, the City of Pharr broke ground on the Pharr Natatorium Sept. 27. The Pharr Natatorium is a years-in-the-making project in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District. “My son is an avid swimmer and my wife and I have had the privilege of cheering him on during many competitions,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez.…
McAllen ISD’s Sam Houston Elementary is now a national Blue Ribbon School. The announcement came Sept. 26 with recognition of 362 school nationally by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. Only 26 schools in Texas were nominated for the prestigious Blue Ribbon. Houston was nominated as an Exemplary High-Performing School in January. It then became official with this announcement. “This is like winning the…
Keep McAllen Beautiful is working to give public art a stronger presence in the city. The organization is seeking local design concepts that would painted on irrigation pipes. Submissions should promote the Rio Grande Valley natural landscape, ecology, species and heritage. The submission deadline is Oct. 25. Location of the pipes is along the City of McAllen’s hike and bike trails along Bicentennial Boulevard and 2nd Street, According to Chris Lash, program coordinator for…
Hidalgo County’s Health and Human Services department has received state recognition in the form of a Gold Award. The award comes from the Texas Healthy Communities Program for efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as other chronic diseases in the county. “This award is a direct result of collaborative efforts of a workgroup coordinated by Ricardo Salinas,” said Eduardo “Eddie” Olivarez. Olivarez serves as Health and Human Services…
To honor and celebrate the lives and dedication of first responders, the City of Pharr is hosting the inaugural First Responders Festival Sept. 28. Families may attend this free event from 6-11 p.m. in Downtown Pharr (118 S. Cage Blvd.) to learn more about first responders, safety tips and life-saving resources. “Our first responders are crucial to saving lives and are always the first to arrive on the scene during an…