Author Archives: VBR

UTRGV held a special event June 11 to kick off its new AgDiscovery Program, in which 12 area high school students will engage in hands-on learning workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, laboratory and field exercises, and a variety of character- and team-building activities. The event was the beginning of the free summer outreach program, introducing students to the potential of careers in plant and soil sciences, food inspection and distribution, natural resources and…

Pharr Appoints Juan F. Gonzalez as Chief of Police

June 14, 2023

VBR

Featured Government News Comments

The City of Pharr recently appointed Juan F. Gonzalez as chief of police for the Pharr Police Department. Since Sept. 2022, Gonzalez has served as the acting chief of police. Gonzalez has served the Pharr Police Department for over 16 years starting as a patrol officer in 2007. Since then, Gonzalez has worked in the Criminal Investigations Division, SWAT team, the South Texas Auto Theft Task Force, and has served as…

SBA Accepting Small Business Lending Company License Applications

June 13, 2023

VBR

Featured Government News Comments

A window is now open by the U.S. Small Business Administration for new applications for Small Business Lending Company licenses for the first time in over 40 years. New applicants may apply between between now and July 31. SBA approves Small Business Lending Company Licenses for selected non-depository lenders to increase responsible small business lending. An SBLC license allows the lending organization to utilize government guarantees when underwriting small business…

Pharr EDC, LiftFund Launch New Small Business Program

June 8, 2023

VBR

Business Advice e-Brief Features News Comments

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation has partnered with LiftFund to launch of its new small business program providing local small businesses in Pharr with assistance and debt relief. LiftFund’s mission is to provide credit and services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources and to provide leadership and innovation to the micro-lending industry. Since its founding, the organization has provided over $287…

IMAS Partners with McAllen ISD for Summer Feeding Program

June 8, 2023

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science is participating in the McAllen ISD’s Summer Feeding Program. McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Feeding Program serves free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer. Children do not have to be a McAllen ISD student to participate in the program. Meals will be provided at several sites across McAllen, many of them twice per day,…

Mission EDC to Host Inaugural ‘Tesla Takeover’

June 8, 2023

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

The Mission Economic Development Corporation will host 2023 Tesla Takeover, the Rio Grande Valley’s first Tesla car show and tech expo, on July 1. The day marks the 20th anniversary of the company’s founding. The event will also mark the first time that Tesla drivers gather for a festival-style car show in South Texas. The Takeover takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Center for Education and…

McAllen Asks Citizen Ideas For Future Parks

June 8, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The City of McAllen will be updating the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and would like community input as to how to develop McAllen’s parks and recreation areas. The original Parks & Recreation Master Plan was created in 2018 and since, the City of McAllen has accomplished many of the the goals outlined in that document. The city says it is now time to move forward with the…

Brownsville ISD Launches Free Summer Meal Program

June 6, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

The Brownsville Independent School District’s Food and Nutrition Services Department is now offering free breakfast and lunch meals over the summer. The Seamless Summer Option Program provides nutritious free meals for children ages 0 to 18 and is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture. In order to participate, families only have to find a site during breakfast and/or lunch. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and lunch begins at 11:30…

Keep McAllen Beautiful Seeks Mural Artist

June 5, 2023

VBR

News Comments

Keep McAllen Beautiful is enhancing the streets of McAllen one standpipe at a time, but a bigger canvas needs artistic improvements and one of McAllen’s own will get that chance. KMB and Don’t Mess with Texas are seeking submissions of original artwork for the McAllen’s next great outdoor mural. The mural will be on the 408-foot wall located along Pecan Boulevard and 2nd Street. Funding is provided by the City of…

STC, Hidalgo County Combat Poverty With New Partnership

June 3, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

South Texas College President Ricardo J. Solis and Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in a partnership that will create a Youth Leadership Academy with the goal of decreasing poverty in the region. This collaboration closely follows an STC Board of Trustees’ unanimous decision that the college and its leadership would be working closely with the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, led by Judge…