Category Archives: Community

Eleven Brownsville non-profit organizations are the recipients of $100,000 from OmniTRAX and its affiliate railroad, Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway LLC. As part of OmniTRAX’s annual commitment to local communities, OmniTRAX and BRG collaborated with the Port of Brownsville to identify a broad collection of local nonprofit recipients that provide critical resources for the people of Brownsville. “OmniTRAX is committed to the communities we serve and we are proud to…

VIDA Helps Spark Electrician’s Success

January 12, 2023

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

After graduating from high school, McAllen resident Cain Ballesteros took the step many young people feel is expected of them; he enrolled in college. But after a year and a half, he realized college wasn’t for him. Ballesteros tried to find his calling through a number of career paths, including certified nursing assistant, but none felt right. His dad, Arturo Ballesteros, a master electrician for over 40 years who manages…

Harlingen Launches Small Business Site Improvement Grant

January 11, 2023

VBR

Community News Comments

The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation has launched Revitalize Harlingen, a 50/50 matching grant program to enhance business storefronts, encourage job retention and stimulate economic activity. “The main goal of Revitalize Harlingen is to rejuvenate targeted areas in the city that need revitalizing,” said Beverly Loftus, interim CEO of the Harlingen EDC. “The benefits from the grant funds will encourage reinvestment by small businesses to attract more customers and increase revenues.”…

McAllen ISD Community Ready For Health Challenge

January 10, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

In a continuous effort to promote health and wellness, McAllen ISD is now participating in the annual It’s Time Texas Community Challenge. The district has finished at the top of the state standings in the Medium School District category each of the past two years. “On behalf of the administration and our school board, I’d like to encourage everybody to take part,” McAllen ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez said. “We are…

UTRGV Students Plant Trees In San Carlos

January 5, 2023

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

UTRGV students and faculty helped in the restoring of local nature on Dec. 10 during the Precinct 4 Community Forest Restoration Planting Event. The event at the San Carlos Endowment Center was an opportunity for students to plant trees to reforest one acre of the center. The effort was a collaboration between American Forests, Hidalgo County Precinct 4 and UTRGV, with aid from the Laura Jane Musser Fund. Teresa Feria Arroyo,…

Edinburg Extends Boulevard of Heroes Banners Deadline

January 3, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

The City of Edinburg has extended the date for submissions for the Boulevard of Heroes Banners Program. The new deadline for submissions is Jan. 15. The Boulevard of Heroes Banners Program is the City of Edinburg’s continued effort to honor and recognize Edinburg’s brave men and women who have served our country or are currently serving. Submissions must include a dress uniform photo and information of the veteran, which includes…

Weslaco Chamber CEO Earns National Honor

January 1, 2023

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Community News Comments

Barbara Jean Garza was in the midst of a lengthy and successful public administration career at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley when a job opportunity arose that piqued her interest. The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce was looking to hire a new chief executive officer. Garza’s initial thought was to take a pass on applying for the job but colleagues encouraged her to “throw my name in the…

Biomedical Engineering Coming To UTRGV

December 29, 2022

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley plans to offer a new graduate program – a master of science degree in biomedical engineering – starting Fall 2023, as part of the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science. The program has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary field…

Villalobos Becomes UTRGV’S First AMS Fellow

December 26, 2022

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

Associate dean for the UTRGV College of Sciences Cristina Villalobos has been elected Fellow of the American Mathematical Society “for contributions to modelling and optimization and for broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in mathematics.” Villalobos, who is also a Myles and Sylvia Aaronson endowed professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, becomes the first UTRGV faculty member to be named an AMS fellow. “It is an honor to have…

VIDA Strengthens A Mother’s Resolve

December 22, 2022