The Brownsville of the post-World War II era was pushing west on its main street – Elizabeth Street – in branching out from its downtown core to develop new retailing and business offices. The Rio Grande Valley Gas Company Building was part of that movement. The 21,000-square-foot building, two stories high, got its start in 1947. Additional phases of the building would come in the late 1950s and mid-1960s. The…
The South Texas College Mid-Valley campus is now offering free tax preparation services to area residents who qualify. This is the first time the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program is offered in the Weslaco area, according to faculty advisor Cynthia Sanchez. “We are joining efforts with United Way of South Texas to run the VITA program here at the Mid-Valley campus,” Sanchez said. “It’s exciting to introduce the program because…
A new college ratings system that highlights the economic impact of institutions, as well as the return of investment they provide students, recently ranked UTRGV as the seventh Best Public University in the nation. The inaugural ratings come from Degree Choices, a team of education researchers committed to establishing honest and transparent value assessments for institutions of higher education, to help students who question whether earning a degree is worth the…
UTRGV is bringing the joy and wonder of literacy to the community with its annual Festival of International Books & Arts through March 5. The educational and entertaining event promotes literacy and appreciation of reading for all ages. Dahlia Guerra, special assistant to the dean of the College Fine Arts at UTRGV assistant vice president for Public Art & Special Projects, said each year the festival has a new theme. “We…
A new multimedia project from the Texas Young Lawyers Association aims to help students, jurors, members of the media and the general public better understand the Texas court system. TYLA’s “How Texas Courts Work” offers short videos, resource guides and other information to help Texans navigate the courts, and understand their rights and responsibilities under the law. “The judiciary is likely the least understood branch of government and we hope…
In March, South Texas College will begin offering a new Cosmetology certificate program in Pharr. Touting affordability, STC states the program’s tuition will be at least half the cost of traditional programs in the region. The college is currently accepting applications for the program. The new course opens up a brand-new opportunity for students who are seeking to express their creativity, and who want to learn a skill or a…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Solutions and Texas Workforce Commission host the Jumpstart Career Expo, the largest career expo in South Texas, on Feb. 22. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center, the expo will host more than 200 employers ready to hire on the spot. Employers include Halliburton, BrandSafway, UTRGV, Texas A&M, T-Mobile, Health and Human Services, and more. A complete list of employers…
The International Museum of Art & Science will host its 15th annual Night at the Brew-seum presented by Clark Chevrolet and Clark Knapp Honda on April 15. The fundraiser benefits the IMAS and supports year-round art and science education in the Rio Grande Valley. As a beer festival, Night at the Brew-seum celebrates the region’s ever-growing love and curiosity for the world’s oldest fermented beverage. The after-hours 21+ event supports…
McAllen is the third ranking safest city in the country for 2023 according to SmartAsset.com’s Top 10 Safest Cities list. The financial website analyzed a core set of common safety factors to identify and rank the safest cities in America, looking at data from 200 of the largest cities. The fiver metrics taken into consideration for rankings are violent crime, property crime, vehicular mortality rate, drug poisoning mortality rate and…
The Fiesta Edinburg Parade is returning for its Fiesta Edinburg annual event on March 4 and the public is invited to participate. The 10 a.m. parade is touted by organizers as a way to show support for Edinburg’s rich cultural heritage. This family-friendly event features colorful floats, music and costumes all celebrating the diverse community of Edinburg. The parade application deadline is Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. Entry fees are…