Author Archives: VBR

The eighth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference takes place March 23-24 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center. Organizers expect more than 3,000 individuals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions to attend. The STAHC is the second largest training conference of its kind in the state of Texas. It is also the only conference offered at…

A Reminder About Heart Health

February 14, 2022

VBR

News Comments

During February’s American Heart Month, the medical experts at Valley Regional Medical Center are encouraging members of the South Texas community to take practical steps to get their heart health back on track. Knowing what you need to do to have better heart health – like eating right and exercising – is easy, but implementing it in your own life can seem daunting. “The key to having a healthy heart…

TSC Art Instructor Holds First Solo Show

February 13, 2022

VBR

Robert Andes teaches and trains future generations of artists at Texas Southmost College. He also practices what he lectures as an award-winning Rio Grande Valley artist, with a current exhibit at Puente Art Gallery in Brownsville. Andes said this is his first solo art show and he is honored. “When I got the invitation, I was speechless,” said the TSC art instructor. “As an artist, a solo show is the…

U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Perform Free Concert

February 12, 2022

VBR

Arts Community Events Featured News Comments

The U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors are making a stop at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Feb. 16 for a free concert. The Army’s official touring big band has received widespread acclaim at home and abroad, earning the Jazz Ambassadors the title “America’s Big Band.” The 7 p.m. concert is open to the public. The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States Army’s premier big band, forming in 1969. Performances by…

Fiesta Edinburg Now Accepting Vendor Applications

February 11, 2022

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for food and craft vendor booths for their Fiesta Edinburg Music Festival. The festival will run from Feb. 25 – 26 with the expectation of drawing thousands of spectators to H-E-B Park. Vendor booths are available for the following categories: Commercial exhibitor Food vendor Arts & craft vendor Non-profit All spaces will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.…

TWC Increases Child Care Relief Funding

February 9, 2022

VBR

Community News Professional Services Comments

The Texas Workforce Commission has approved an additional $1 billion in direct support for the Texas child care industry. This increases available funds for the 2022 Child Care Relief Fund to a total of $3.4 billion — with an estimated average award of over $250,000 per provider. In addition to the $1 billion for CCRF, the Commission has also approved an additional $75 million aimed to defray startup costs for…

TSC Offers New Substitute Teacher Course

February 7, 2022

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

At the request of local superintendents, Texas Southmost College is now offering a Substitute Teacher course. The 12-hour course, introduced by TSC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department, is designed to produce well-trained and prepared substitutes to enter the classroom. Workforce Training and Continuing Education Executive Director Bervick Simon said TSC has worked closely with local school districts to identify the skills needed to be a qualified substitute teacher. “Substitute…

Annual Event Approaches To Remove Abandoned Crab Traps

February 6, 2022

VBR

Community Events Featured Government News Comments

This month marks 20 years for the Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, taking place Feb. 18-27. Texas coastal waters will close to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps to facilitate the annual volunteer crab trap cleanup. Any traps left in bays — including traps tied to docks — will be assumed abandoned and considered “litter” under state law. This allows volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.…

TSC Partnership Strengthens Ports And Aerospace Industry

February 5, 2022

VBR

Education News Comments

Texas Southmost College is leading a coastal community college workforce training consortium to increase the number of students earning college credentials leading to high demand jobs at Texas’ seaports and the aerospace industry. With funding from a $1.8-million grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, TSC, Houston Community College and San Jacinto College will collaboratively create, redesign or expand the reach of training for nine industry-aligned college credentials. These…

Grant Looks To Increase Industry Certifications

February 4, 2022

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

A $30,000 Texas Mutual Workforce Grant was recently presented to Texas Southmost College from RGV Focus to help ensure opportunities for TSC faculty and students. The grant will allow students to earn certifications in credit and non-credit workforce programs at TSC in specific skill sets. Faculty will be able to earn new certifications to add to the TSC inventory. TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez said everything that TSC is doing…