Author Archives: VBR

South Padre Island Announces Holiday Events

South Padre Island Tree Lighting

Visit South Padre Island is offering a lineup of fun and festive holiday events for the 2023 season. From the annual tree lighting ceremony to festive parades, the destination serves holiday cheer and rolls out the red and green carpet for locals and visitors alike. “We’re decking the palms this holiday season and creating the ultimate Winter Warmerland paradise in South Texas,” said Blake Henry, Visit South Padre Island executive…

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DHR Health Presents “Joy to the World” Holiday Festival

Joy to the World

DHR Health Clinics in collaboration with the Edinburg Boys and Girls Club hosts “Joy to the World,” a festive event featuring holiday traditions from around the globe, on Dec. 9. The event taking place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the DHR Health Medical Office Parking Lot (1100 E. Dove Avenue in McAllen) is free and open to the public. DHR Health Clinics Chief Ambulatory Officer Veronica Villarreal describes the “Joy to…

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New Aircraft Provide Local Medical Transport Support

Air Methods

With a growing need to transport patients over longer distances and in a wider variety of weather conditions, Air Methods has opened a fixed wing base — AirLift 10 Texas — in New Braunfels that will support the entire state and communities already served by AirLift Texas bases. “This is very exciting for the Rio Grande Valley as we’re seeing more and more patients needing to be transported to hospitals as…

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Red Snapper Fishing Closes Early 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will close red snapper fishing in state waters on Nov. 20, at 11:59 p.m. until Jan. 2024. Federal waters remain closed until the summer. “While we are disappointed to close state waters earlier than we had hoped, the pattern of prolonged federal seasons highlights the success of Texas’ state-managed red snapper fishery,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division director. “This year, anglers had a…

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Academy Opens New Store in Harlingen

Academy Sports + Outdoors

Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first store in Harlingen in Harlingen today at 2833 West Expressway 83. The nearly 60,000-square-foot store brings a wide assortment of sports and outdoors merchandise to the area. Academy plans to continue its expansion efforts with the goal of opening a total of 120 to 140 new stores by the end of 2027. Academy will host grand opening festivities today through Nov. 19. Throughout…

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McAllen ISD Names New Superintendent

Rene Gutierrez

The McAllen ISD Board of Trustees officially approved Rene Gutierrez as the district’s new superintendent of schools at a board meeting Monday night. The approval paves the way for the two-time Regional Superintendent of the Year to return to the district where he attended school and graduated from McAllen High in 1983. “We are elated to have Dr. Gutierrez as our new superintendent,” said School Board President Debbie Crane Aliseda.…

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Weslaco Parade & Run Kick Off the Holidays

Weslaco holidays

The holidays are upon the Rio Grande Valley and the City of Weslaco is ready to celebrate with community participation in the Weslaco Chamber Santa Dash and Lighted Christmas Parade, both on Dec. 9. The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce and RGV Theme Runs come together to host the return of the annual Santa Dash fun run. Participants will kick off the Weslaco Christmas Parade at 5 p.m., with each 5K…

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STC Students Help Veteran in Need for Veterans Day

A partnership between South Texas College Construction Supervision and Armored Painting enabled students in the program to spend a morning painting a veteran’s home for Veterans Day. (Courtesy)

More than 50 students with South Texas College’s Construction Supervision program came together to help a veteran in need for Veterans Day. STC recently joined with Armored Painting, a local and veteran-owned company, to paint the home of Air Force veteran Raudel Moreno as part of the company’s Operation Veteran Paint Project. Along with helping veterans in the community, owners with Armored Painting, who are also STC graduates, say the…

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Lone Star National Bank Hosts Food Drive

Food Drive

Lone Star National Bank is hosting its 14th annual Food Drive through Nov. 17. The community-driven initiative aims to combat hunger in local communities. The annual food drive has become a hallmark of Lone Star National Bank’s commitment to social responsibility, and this year’s event looks to be more impactful than ever. “Our employees look forward to expanding efforts to bless more families during the 2023 holiday season,” said Lone…

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Passport Delivery Updates Processing Time

Passport Fair

The U.S. Department of State is offering faster processing times for U.S. passports for customers. Now, the routine processing of a passport application is now seven to 10 weeks, down from 10 to 13 weeks. The expeditated processing – for the additional $60 fee – is now three to five, down from seven to nine weeks. The processing times begin the day the U.S. Department of State receives the application…

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