Category Archives: Community

Grant Funds IMAS Early Childhood Workshops

Arts e-Brief Features News Comments
Children participate in a Young Adventurers workshop at IMAS. (Courtesy)

The International Museum of Art & Science is continuing its Young Adventurers program, thanks to funding from a PNC Foundation grant. The program provides accessible early childhood learning opportunities to children ages 1 to 6 with an accompanying adult, emphasizing the importance of play and exploration in fostering early STEAM skills.  Young Adventurers is an educational program offering monthly weekday morning workshops from 10-11 a.m. Each session introduces a unique…

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McAllen Seeks Feedback to Name New City Park

Community e-Brief Features Featured Government News Recreation & Tourism Comments
McAllen park survey

The City of McAllen’s Parks & Recreation Department is seeking public input to name a new 23-acre nature park located at 8701 N. 23rd Street. This addition to McAllen’s extensive park system will offer activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing, walking trails, an archery range and a campsite. Other features include boating and fishing piers, a gazebo and a multi-purpose meadow. “The ‘Name Our New Park’ survey represents a unique…

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UTRGV Names New Liberal Arts Dean

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
Jose Dávila-Montes

Dr. Jose Dávila-Montes, professor of Translation and Interpreting in the UTRGV Department of Writing and Language Studies, is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective Jan.1. Dávila-Montes has been at UTRGV and legacy institution UT Brownsville since 2005 and has served as interim dean of Liberal Arts since June 2024. He holds bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Translation and Cross-Cultural Studies from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,…

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VIDA Support Turns Student’s Worries Into Success

e-Brief Features Education Healthcare News Non-Profit Comments

McAllen resident Rachel Tauli Batallang works as a patient sitter, a health-care worker with specialized training to intently monitor and assist patients requiring close supervision. When she started in this position, Batallang earned $9.30 an hour; however, her pay has increased to $12.07 per hour. Batallang enjoys this job but longed to be a nurse. Former classmates of Battalang told her about the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement. This…

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STC Dual Credit Receives National Representation

e-Brief Features Education Moving On Up News Comments
Rebecca De Leon

South Texas College Associate Vice President of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships Rebecca De Leon is making history as the first from STC to be appointed as president-elect on the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships board of directors. “This was unexpected. I’m still taking it all in, but it is exciting and I’m honored. It could not have come at a better time, as we kickoff 25…

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STC Trustee Honored as Business Woman of the Year

Community e-Brief Features Moving On Up News Comments
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar

South Texas College Trustee Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar was honored this year as the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber Business Woman of the Year for her role as chief executive officer of the McAllen Boys and Girls Club. “I was super shocked and then immediately pleased because it’s been less than 20 years since social entrepreneurship has been clearly defined and embraced by the business community,” she said. “It’s a blessing to…

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Chamber Organizes Brownsville Day at the Capitol

Community Events e-Brief Features Government News Comments
The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce hosted Senator-Elect Adam Hinojosa on Dec. 20, discussing priorities for the upcoming Brownsville Day at the Capitol. (Courtesy)

The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting Brownsville Day at the Capitol in Austin from Jan. 28-30. The two-day event offers an opportunity to represent Brownsville and advocate for key issues impacting the community while also engaging with Texas legislators and state officials. Topics of interest and priority include water advocacy, infrastructure development, transportation and healthcare. Attendees of Brownsville Day at the Capitol will not only connect…

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South Texas ISD Celebrates 60 Years

Education News Comments
Community leaders from Mercedes and other RGV cities join South Texas ISD leadership for a late-2024 ribbon cutting of the district’s new administrative headquarters.

A school district that began in 1964 as a rehabilitation facility and today has career and technical campuses across two counties is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The South Texas Independent School District is based in Mercedes – the city where it got started – and grown far beyond its original mission. In the mid-1980s, the district opened South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High). It was the first…

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Fun Runs & Marathon Enhance Community Life

Community Events News Comments
The All-America City David Chavana 10K Run/Walk has become one of the largest events of its kind in Texas. (Courtesy)

A 10K race that started in the early 1980s as a way to honor a beloved school teacher and running advocate in Edinburg has gone from lean beginnings to an event that attracts over 10,000 participants.  The namesake of the David Chavana 10K Run/Walk has called the event and others connected to it as being a “big time race for a small town.” Organizing the yearly event in early February…

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Arts Center ‘Sparks New Era’ In Edinburg

Arts News Comments
Dance is among the arts that are featured at the new ACE center in Edinburg. (Courtesy)

Edinburg’s opening of its new Arts & Cultural Events Center marks a new commitment by the community to build upon its “city of festivals” designation. The 36,000-square-foot facility was opened with much fanfare in late 2024. Having such a downtown-area venue to host art exhibits, live performances and community events has long been a dream for Edinburg leaders active in local arts. The Edinburg Arts & Cultural Center is located…

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