Organizers of the McAllen Holiday Parade are inviting the community to come be a part of the celebration and help bring the parade to life. A recent announcement included the return of the McAllen Holiday Parade sweepstakes, volunteer opportunities and seating options. The parade will step off at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. Celebrities Mario Lopez and Julian Gil will serve…
Mercedes Early College Academy is the recent recipient of the College Success Gold Award from GreatSchools.org. MECA is one of only 1,770 public high schools among 26 states to achieve the College Success Award with the new Gold distinction. For the GreatSchools.org College Success Award, a public school must have a data verifying the college enrollment and college success of its graduates. To reach the Gold level, a school must…
McAllen International Airport is now offering MFE Destination Connect. The free, luxury shuttle service brings MFE travelers to their next destination in South Padre Island. This new partnership between the airport and SPI creates new connectivity which allows travelers to experience both destinations while visiting. McAllen International Airport currently welcomes travelers from nine nonstop destinations throughout the U.S. and Mexico. This pilot shuttle service program operates on Thursdays, Fridays and…
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. is the recent recipient of a grant from Feeding America and an anonymous donor. Funds are helping the food bank provide an additional 90,695 meals to rural and underserved Valley communities. This grant enabled the food bank to feed 3,930 households and reach 6,270 children while providing extra support for Feeding America Client Surveys. These surveys allow the Food Bank RGV…
Effective March 10, 2022, Southwest Airlines plans to offer more flights from Valley International Airport. Two non-stops between Austin and Harlingen will offer same-day round-trip opportunities for customers. Southwest will also operate a daily nonstop between Dallas/Love and Harlingen. Additionally, the carrier plans to operate four daily flights between Houston/Hobby and Harlingen daily except on Saturdays when they will operate three flights. “These new flights will offer even greater connecting opportunities for…
The Texas Workforce Commission is now providing extra help to the service industry. TWC is providing 12 months of free child care to low-income parents who are also employees in this industry. TWC has an existing child care subsidy program to assist low-wage workers in paying for the cost of child care. The new Service Industry Recovery program will use federal funds to provide an extra focus on service industry…
Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport recently passed the Federal Aviation Administration Part 139-Certification Inspection with no discrepancies. Commercial Service Airports like BRO undergo an intense, three-day long certification and compliance inspection by the FAA annually. This inspection is to ensure airports are following national safety standards. Included in a FAA Part 139 – Certification and Operations Inspection is a review of: Airport rescue/firefighting equipment, training and response times. Airport Emergency…
The Texas Workforce Commission recently released the August Labor Market and Employment reports. The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percent to 5.2 percent. Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by 0.3 percent to 5.9 percent. According to Aaron Gonzalez with Workforce Solutions, “The August unemployment rates had significant changes across the region with Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties reflecting decreases of 1.1 percent, 1.9 percent 1.4 percent,…
The Pharr International Bridge will host a special event to initiate the start of the 2021-2022 Produce Season Oct. 7. Officials invite the public to celebrate alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico. The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event begins at 10 a.m. at the bridge, 9900 South Cage Blvd. “The Pharr International Bridge continues to remain the number-one produce gateway in the…
Two elementary schools in the Brownsville Independent School District now hold the distinction of National Blue Ribbon Schools. Dr. Ruben Gallegos Elementary and Mittie A. Pullam Elementary received the honors from the U.S. Department of Education. Schools receive recognition in one of two performance categories. These are on the basis of all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing…