Author Archives: VBR

A new initiative, the Rio Grande Youth Symphony Orchestra, invites music students ages 12 to 21 to join in the all-new musical experience. Students with two or more years of instrumental experience are welcome to audition. Students from music programs throughout the Rio Grande Valley region and neighboring communities will compromise RGYSO. Rehearsals will take place at the UTRGV campus in Edinburg on Sundays starting Sept. 12. Each season will…

McAllen Plans Independence Day Celebration

June 17, 2021

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The City of McAllen is preparing for this year’s McAllen Independence Day Celebration presented by H-E-B. The annual celebration will take place July 3 with an early morning patriotic program. Immediately following is the Main Street Parade and then the family-friendly Freedom Festival at Archer Park. Music, food and games will be some of the highlights of the event. The City of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting…

TSC Gives Local Students STEM Super Powers

June 15, 2021

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

Texas Southmost College is the recipient of $100,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission to host a summer youth camp, STEM Superheroes. The free, virtual three-track camp is for Valley students in grades 9-12 and will begin this month. “The purpose of these camps is to promote high-skill, high-demand jobs in STEM fields,” said TSC Dean of STEM and Career Technology Education Murad Abusalim. “Each student will have the chance to…

TWC Ends COVID-19 Related Work Refusal Guidance

June 13, 2021

VBR

Business Advice Featured Government News Comments

Following the continued economic recovery in Texas and the announcement of Texas opting out of certain Federal Pandemic Unemployment benefits, the Texas Workforce Commission is ending job refusal guidance associated with the COVID-19 emergency orders. The guidance for individuals at high risk from COVID-19 were put in place a year ago. The decline in COVID cases in Texas, widespread availability of vaccines, and greater availability of services such as child…

Frost Bank McAllen Golf Championship Begins June 25

June 10, 2021

VBR

e-Brief Features Events News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The Palm View Golf Course will once again host the 2021 Frost Bank McAllen Golf Championship June 25-27. Entries close at 7 p.m. June 11. “We always want to bring the most premier, competitive golf tournaments to McAllen and host the best players, in not just our area but the entire state and even the world,” said Carlos Espinosa, director of Palm View Golf Course. “Every year, I really look…

Local Author Debuts New Children’s Book

June 10, 2021

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

Local author and educator Alejandra Breeden has published “Jack’s Journey,” her debut children’s book sharing the story of a cheery donkey who must embark on an adventure to deliver a mysterious and precious gift. In “Jack’s Journey,” Breeden illustrates the trip Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem to deliver baby Jesus through the eyes of their trusty donkey. As Jack excitedly ponders the meaning behind the gift he…

TSTC Fills Cool Jobs in Rio Grande Valley

June 9, 2021

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

When air conditioning breaks down on those sizzling Rio Grande Valley days, leave it to heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians to come to the rescue. More of the technical superheroes are needed in the region and throughout Texas. “Right now, we are getting job offers from different companies,” said Jorge Cabrera, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program in Harlingen. “I don’t have…

Free Fishing in Texas June 5

June 3, 2021

VBR

Community e-Brief Features Events News Comments

Anglers across the State of Texas are gearing up for Free Fishing Day on June 5. The first Saturday in June each year allows Texans to fish on any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license. “Free Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for anglers to share their knowledge, skills, equipment and love for fishing with a new participant, yet it’s also more than that,” said Craig Bonds,…

Sunoco Expands Midstream Footprint

June 3, 2021

VBR

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments

Sunoco LP, one of the largest independent fuel distributors in the United States, recently announced the development of a refined products terminal at the Port of Brownsville. The greenfield terminal will have 560,000 barrels of storage. The location will provide supply flexibility to the company’s existing fuel distribution business in South Texas. The site at the port will also facilitate Sunoco’s efforts to sell into the growing fuels export market…

TSTC Meets Need for Precision Machining Jobs

June 3, 2021

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

From airplane landing gears to smartphones, precision machining is a critical component of our lives. “Everything comes from an actual machine shop making the products you are going to need for later use,” said Isaac Gonzalez, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Harlingen. Gonzalez said it is challenging to change misconceptions about how modern precision machining is. While students learn some techniques on older,…