When friends told Weslaco resident Melba Gutierrez about the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, she listened intently. At the time, financial struggles made it difficult for her to attend nursing school full time because she had to work to help with basic necessities for herself, her partner and their two daughters — a pre-teen and a teen. Gutierrez, in her early 40s and a first-generation college student, applied to…
In response to the need for more trained paramedics in the health care sector, South Texas College is gearing up to launch an accelerated eight-week program catered to certified Emergency Medical Technicians lacking college credit. This new opportunity will allow existing EMS personnel, who earned their certification through non-accredited proprietary schools, to fast-track their education toward advanced EMT training and a Paramedic Associate of Applied Science. “We see many EMTs struggle to advance…
PNC Adventure Day returns to the International Museum of Art & Science on March 13, celebrating young children and their families with a day of interactive learning and entertainment. The free event, supported by PNC Bank, is an opportunity for families with children aged 6 and under to explore the wonders of early childhood education. Attendees will have access to valuable resources on early childhood learning and will have the…
The Pharr EDC Foundation’s scholarship application period is now open and accepting applications for students graduating in the 2023-2024 academic year. The scholarship was established to help students pursuing higher education at the vocational, trade, technical or any university level fund the tuition and get the skills they need to secure prosperous careers. Applicants must be Pharr residents and applications close on March 14 at 5 p.m. Candidates can visit…
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has acquired H-E-B Park, designating the venue as the primary home for the upcoming Vaqueros football program. The announcement came during a recent press conference at H-E-B Park, now to be referred to as UTRGV Stadium. Since 2017, the venue had served as the home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League. The organization ceased operations in December…
Nick Dozer grew up a metal rocker and a buckeye in the rolling hills of southern Ohio. Dozer considers himself part of Buckeye Nation, as in Ohio State University football lore, but these days he finds himself in the Rio Grande Valley. He met a Valley girl while living in Nashville where both he and Dina Obrego were what he called “musicnaries.” It was ministry through music as Dozer and…
The Fun N Sun RV Resort in San Benito fits the description of a community within a community with its over 2,000 residents coming and going like a small town. The San Benito resort is one of the longest active RV parks in the Rio Grande Valley. It got its start decades ago in Harlingen near the Air Force base that would be redeveloped into the Valley International Airport. Fun…
Tickets are now on sale for the International Museum of Art & Science’s 16th annual Night at the Brew-seum presented by Clark Chevrolet and Clark Knapp Honda taking place on April 13. This fundraiser benefits the IMAS and supports year-round art and science education in the Rio Grande Valley. The beer festival celebrates the region’s ever-growing dedication to and curiosity for the world’s oldest fermented beverage. Night at the Brew-seum…
The Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation has awarded $2.4 million to eight non-profit South Texas educational and workforce development organizations. The 501(c)3 nonprofit focuses on postsecondary education and workforce development to help residents attain vocational trade certifications and/or degrees for in-demand professions, thus improving the region’s economic conditions and quality of life. Receiving funding are South Texas College, Laredo College, Workforce Solutions, TAMIU, TSTC Harlingen, Texas A&M University…
The Brownsville Independent School District has announced Brownsville ISD graduate Dr. Jesus H. Chavez as the lone finalist for the position of superintendent of schools. The announcement comes after a thorough and extensive search process and listening to the community through various community town halls, student roundtable discussions, business and community stakeholder meetings, employee surveys and public comments. At the start of the search process, the board of trustees initially…