Category Archives: Community

Local Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Begins

Community Featured Government Healthcare News Comments
coronavirus

Starr County began offering drive-through coronavirus testing on Sunday while Cameron and Hidalgo counties saw their number of COVID-19 cases grow over the weekend. The first coronavirus-confirmed patient in Hidalgo County is from McAllen. The second also resides in the county, but health officials did not state in which city the patient lives. Both patients were infected away from the Rio Grande Valley before returning home and showing symptoms. Cameron…

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RGV Sees First COVID-19 Case

Community Featured Government Healthcare News Comments

The Rio Grande Valley reported its first travel-related coronavirus case Thursday evening. This comes on the same day Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the temporary closing of schools, restaurant dining areas, gyms and bars statewide. A 21-year-old man from Rancho Viejo tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Spain and Ireland from March 5-12. He began feeling the coronavirus symptoms of fever and cough and then went to Valley Baptist Medical…

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Support IMAS With Night at the Brew-seum

Arts Community Events Featured News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science presents its annual fundraiser, the 12th annual Night at the Brew-seum April 4. Brew-seum showcases specialty and craft beers from across Texas. It also brings together more than 25 restaurants and food trucks from the RGV who donate their time, talents and fare. The event takes place at the museum from 7-11 p.m. with VIP guests early access at 6 p.m. Brew-seum will…

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New Dual Credit Program Readies For Cybersecurity

Education Featured News Technology Comments
STC’s new Dual Credit Cybersecurity Program provides students from partnering area high schools the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in the field of Cybersecurity. (photo STC)

The first cohort of students are now making their way through South Texas College’s Dual Credit Cybersecurity Program. The program provides students from partnering area high schools the opportunity to pursue a certificate in the field of cybersecurity.   Students participating in the Career and Technical Education pathway are on track to complete their Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate. Completion will come by the end of their senior years in high school.…

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McAllen Students Host U.S. Senate Candidate Forum 

Community Events Education Government News Comments
Candidates and students pose for a photo after the forum. Back row, Jack Daniel Foster Jr., Michael Cooper, Chris Bell, Jonah Riojas; front, Amanda Edwards, Victor Hugo Harris, Sema Hernandez, Karolina Vargas, Alexis Alvarado and Chloe Jerez.

McAllen ISD students recently hosted a community candidate forum for those running for the U.S. Senate in the 2020 May primary elections. Those in attendance were Chris Bell, Michael Cooper, Amanda Edwards, Jack Daniel Foster Jr, Victor Hugo Harris and Sema Hernandez.  Students Jonah Riojas (McAllen High School), Karolina Vargas (Nikki Rowe High School), and Alexis Alvarado (Memorial High School) were the panelists asking questions to the candidates. Chloe Jerez…

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The Road to Women’s Suffrage

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments
women's suffrage

This month, South Texas College celebrates Women’s History Month. It is marking 100 years since women nationwide were able to achieve the right to vote after years of effort.  A lecture by Sarah Bell takes place March 9 in the Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room as part of the celebration. Bell give a talk to commemorate the centennial of the women’s suffrage amendment being adopted nationwide. Bell serves as the…

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Public Education Retirees Meet for Legislative Agenda

Education Events Featured Government News Comments
A group of public-school employees and retirees recently met recently in McAllen to establish a legislative agenda for the 2021 legislative session in Texas. Seen here are, back, retirees Chris Ardis, Kathy Johnson, Debbi Benson, Jerry Albrecht and Herb Trevino; front, retirees Chiqui Guerra and Torchie Champion with current public-school employee Norma Guerra.

A group of retired public school employees, along with two current employees nearing retirement, recently met in McAllen to begin working on a legislative agenda for the 2021 Legislative Session. Their agenda will address the critical needs of Teacher Retirement System of Texas retirees. Addressing health care First on the group’s agenda is health care. In 2017, the Texas legislature raised the health-insurance deductible for TRS retirees under the age…

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Love Builds Hope For Rural Areas

Community News Comments
The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville’s “Love Builds Hope” campaign will help address growth in rural areas. The San Juan Diego Church was recently built between Mission and La Joya for colonia areas in western Hidalgo County.

The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville has begun a two-year, $24-million campaign to address key issues, including its growth in rural areas and colonias. Bishop Daniel Flores has titled the campaign “Love Builds Hope,” covering six key areas. The building of new mission churches and community centers is among those priorities. The Diocese is focusing on areas like those north of Donna. Here, it is planning to build a new mission…

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At 50, Life is Just Beginning for Nicole Gates

Arts News Professional Services Comments
Nicole Gates proudly wears her Portrait-Masters-Associate-Level medal around her neck while in her studio.

The moment you open the door at Nicole Gates Photography on North Main Street in McAllen, you step into a place Gates designed so women would never want to leave.   “Women are the caretakers, the nurturers,” Gates said. “We take care of everyone else, and we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. I let women put themselves first again. My job is to help women fall in love with…

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McAllen Honors Women Trailblazers

Community Community Events News Comments
Female City of McAllen employees in 2019 with a city proclamation marking Women's History Month.

The City of McAllen is adding to its Women’s History Month celebrations with a recognition of trailblazing women in the community. The focus in previous years was honoring women working in McAllen city government. This year, recognition expands to include female community leaders and their contributions. The women receiving honors this month are: Paula Gonzalez, athletic director, McAllen Independent School District. Alma Johnson, region bank president for Wells Fargo Bank/South…

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