Author Archives: VBR

McAllen ISD Launches Summer Food Program

McAllen ISD begins its annual Summer Feeding Program on June 1 at 21 locations. The participating sites will serve free, nutritious meals to children 18 years of age and under.   Some sites will provide two meals per day. There are a mixture of school and community sites. No documents or proof of income are required. Children can simply show up to any one of the participating locations throughout the…

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UTRGV Works With Catholic Diocese On Solar Panel Project

UTRGV assistant professor Jesus Gonzalez, student Eugenio "Gene" Reyes and professor Immanuel Edinbarough are partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville on using solar energy. (photo David Pike, UTRGV)

The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville has taken a step toward green energy with the help of UTRGV. To help oversee the installation of solar panels at two parishes in Brownsville, a memorandum of understanding was established between the Catholic Diocese and the UTRGV Engineering Technology Program within the College of Engineering and Computer Science in August of last year. The Catholic Diocese owns 72 parishes, 44 missions and 14 Catholic schools across Starr,…

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Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1

red snapper

The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens June 1 with new federal regulations via the DESCEND Act now in effect as of January 2022. The DESCEND Act requires all commercial and recreational anglers to possess a venting tool or a rigged descending device on their boat while fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, “Research shows…

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McAllen Plans Independence Day Celebration

Independence Day

The City of McAllen is preparing for this year’s McAllen Independence Day Celebration taking place July 4. The city, along with presenter by H-E-B, is inviting the community to take part in all of the patriotic festivities. The 94th annual Independence Day Celebration includes an early morning patriotic program, the Main Street Parade and the Freedom Festival in Archer Park, 101 North Main Street. Music, food and games will be…

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STC Announces Significant Numbers Of Employed Students

STC Workforce Summit 2022

More than one-third of all South Texas College graduates who will walk across the stage for commencement are already employed or have jobs waiting for them once the celebrating is over, according to STC leadership. Announcing the latest graduation numbers at the college’s first-ever Workforce Summit on May 5, STC President Ricardo J. Solis said the graduate figures are proof that the college’s role is increasing. He also says the…

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UTRGV Ranks Among Top For Hispanics in STEM

The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine ranks UTRGV on its first list of top 10 schools in the country for Hispanics/Latinos in STEM careers. (photo David Pike, UTRGV)

UTRGV has been included in The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s first-ever list of the top 10 schools in the country for Hispanics/Latinos in STEM careers. The ranking is based on the number of graduate degrees granted to Hispanics/Latinos in the eight STEM fields. These degrees include all master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Hispanic Outlook ranks UTRGV: No. 5 – Top 10 Schools for Mathematics and Statistics (Graduate Degrees, 2019-20). No. 7…

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DHR To Lead Breast Cancer Study

Breast Cancer Study

The Breast Center of Excellence at DHR Health and the Cancer Research Center at DHR Health Institute for Research and Development will soon lead an innovative breast cancer study – WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measure of risk). The study aims to recruit women of diverse backgrounds across Texas. “Despite advances in the past three decades, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women…

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First Responders Receive Training in Deaf Culture 

Beginning this week, UTRGV faculty are offering a free, six-week training in American Sign Language to first responders from Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen at the municipal police departments. Those in the training include police officers, fire fighters, medical first responders and other emergency personnel. Brian Cheslik, assistant professor and program coordinator for the American Sign Language and Interpretation degree program at UTRGV, said the training will help bridge the communication…

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McAllen A Best Place To Live On Social Security

Social Security, retired

McAllen is the recipient of another accolade for the benefits it provides its residents; this time, those on a budget. According to GoBankingRates.com, McAllen ranks number one in the south for anyone planning to retire on Social Security alone. The financial website conducted the survey, finding that half of the list includes cities in Texas, with other cities from Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. “This is such good news for many…

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TWC Awards $661,560 For Cameron County Career Training

welding, JET grant

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans grants to support career training in the Cameron County area. TWC awarded Harlingen CISD $332,500 to help the school purchase and install a fire training simulator to initially train 130 students for careers in firefighting. The agency awarded Brownsville ISD $329,060 to buy welding equipment to initially train 130 students for careers in welding. The equipment funded through these grants will…

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