Category Archives: Community

UTRGV SOM Signs MOU With Valley Grande Institute

Education Healthcare News Comments
The UTRGV School of Medicine signs a memorandum of understanding on Dec. 12 with Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies, at the VGI Campus in Weslaco. (photo David Pike, UTRGV)

The UTRGV School of Medicine recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies to strengthen the pipeline between the two institutions in training allied health professionals. The program will prepare students to be part of healthcare teams by exposing them to clinical procedures under the direct supervision of UTRGV faculty or staff. This includes UT Health RGV clinical nurse educators and staff registered nurses. “The…

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Brownsville ISD Teacher Receives Prestigious Award

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

Alma Salazar, an English teacher at Faulk Middle School in Brownsville, is one of 15 recipients of a 2022 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award. Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. and former Humanities Texas board member Manuel Medrano presented Salazar with her award during the Brownsville ISD board meeting at on Dec. 13. Salazar also received a $5,000 cash award with an additional $1,000 for Faulk Middle School to purchase…

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Wreaths Across America Honors Veterans

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Dec. 17 is National Wreaths Across America Day, a national event to remember, honor and teach about our nation’s veterans with the laying of wreaths at more than 3,400 cemeteries throughout the United States. This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will lay wreaths throughout the Valley. Wreath sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are still available. Participating groups/locations are Old City Cemetery in Brownsville, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in…

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UTRGV Educator Prep Receives National Recognition

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

UTRGV is one of 55 providers from 28 states and the United Arab Emirates to receive accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for its Educator Preparation Program. UTRGV offers a university-based teacher preparation curriculum and graduate degrees designed to produce exemplary educators. National accreditation was earned for the teacher preparation programs, for the Master of Arts in School Psychology and for the Superintendent Certification programs. CAEP…

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McAllen Chamber Collecting Sports Balls

Community Events Featured Giving Back News Comments

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is promoting health and wellness this holiday season by collecting soccer balls, basketballs and footballs. All donations will go to the Capable Kid’s Foundation and McAllen Boys & Girls Club. Individuals and businesses can attribute to the goal of 100 soccer balls, 100 basketballs and 50 footballs. The chamber will match all donations up to $1,250 to help accomplish this feat for the holiday season.…

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Forbes Laudes UTRGV For Quality Education

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
UTRGV Brownsville Campus (Photo David Pike, UTRGV)

UTRGV has again attracted the attention of Forbes magazine, being recognized for its return on investment in education. Edward Conroy’s article “Which Colleges Are Doing The Most For Students With The Least?” highlights UTRGV’s success in graduating students with low post-graduation debt. The findings used price-to-earning metrics compiled by Washington, D.C.-based think tank Third Way. UTRGV has programs in place both encourage a turnover in graduation rates and low rates…

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ILLUMINA Fest Lights Up Quinta Mazatlan

Community Events Featured News Comments

Quinta Mazatlan ILLUMINA Fest is back for five nights from Dec. 13-17 with more than 3,000 luminarias lighting the forest trails. A half-mile walk through the woods features over 30 light installations highlighting the various winter celebrations including Christmas, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Diwali and more. The one-way illuminated trail also guides visitors past light shows, art installations, community performers and holiday treats.  The Food Courtyard features many local…

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VIDA Receives $75,000 Workforce Grant

Community Featured News Comments

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is one of Texas Mutual’s 48 grant recipients from across the state to promote workforce development and foster economic growth in Texas.   “We are immensely thankful to Texas Mutual for selecting VIDA as one of its grant recipients for workforce development and safety training initiatives.” said VIDA President and CEO Felida Villarreal.  “Equitable career training opportunities and human capital investment must be prioritized…

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SBA Lower RGV Office Seeks Small Business Week Nominations

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
Small Business Awards

The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking nominations for those who have what it takes to become America’s “Small Business Person of the Year” for 2023. “The SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office is ready to accept nominations for the 2023 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year Award,” Angela Burton, district director, said. “I encourage interested stakeholders to nominate…

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Los Fresnos Embracing Growth

Community News Comments
The quality and size of the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District are among the factors bringing growth to the city. (Courtesy)

The population of Los Fresnos nearly doubled from the 2010 Census to the one done a decade later.  The city’s current population of over 8,000 residents is a jump from the 4,500 in 2010. Los Fresnos at 47 percent population growth ranked second behind Edinburg among Rio Grande Valley cities in measuring 2020 over 2010 increases. The gross numbers are far below Edinburg’s as that city has gone over 100,000…

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