Category Archives: Community

Ron Garza built a reputation as an administrator who could foster cooperation among Rio Grande Valley cities when seeking state funding and developing transportation systems. He served for years as the executive director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. The job allowed him to work on projects with county judges, mayors and city managers across the Valley. Regional agreements are becoming more the norm in a historically divided…

Connecting The Valley To Better Opportunities

March 1, 2021

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Community Education Comments

The Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement has proven to be a nimble workforce training program. In 25-plus years, it has been helping unemployed and underemployed residents land better-paying jobs. It demonstrated that again recently when VIDA launched an electrician journeyman training program. Administrators at VIDA see the Liquefied Natural Gas project coming closer to reality at the Port of Brownsville. They recognize there is a growing market for electricians.…

McAllen Park Play Stations Now Open

February 26, 2021

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

Play stations at various McAllen city parks due to a phased reopening. While trails and open spaces at McAllen parks had been available to the community, the play stations had been closed to the public since mid-March 2020. Currently, 14 of the 86 parks are now available for play. “We are excited to be able to slowly reopen the parks’ play stations to the public, especially the children, who over…

Harlingen EDC Receives State Recognition

February 25, 2021

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation is a recipient of the Texas Economic Development Council’s 2020 Economic Excellence Recognition. The award came during TEDC’s 2021 Legislative Conference hosted virtually this week. The Economic Excellence Recognition program provides recognition to economic development organizations that meet a desired threshold of professionalism. Recipients qualify for recognition based on training taken by their governing board/council as well as the economic development director and professional staff.…

Food & Fun Saturday at “The HUB” Market Days

February 25, 2021

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The City of Pharr and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce host “The HUB” Market Days Feb. 27 from 5-9 p.m. The free, family-friendly event features live music, on-site food vendors, local businesses and more. “The City of Pharr is proud to support our local small businesses, artisans, and craft makers through this event,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. “We invite our Pharr families to visit the market this weekend and…

Crab Trap Collection Delayed

February 18, 2021

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

Due to the unprecedented winter weather impacting the state, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking volunteers in the annual volunteer crab trap cleanup to wait until Feb. 22 before removing any traps with buoys from the open water. Texas coastal waters will close to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps for 10 consecutive days beginning Feb. 19. The annual closure facilitates the removal of abandoned crab traps from Texas…

TSTC Nursing Welcomes Lifelike Equipment

February 12, 2021

VBR

Education Featured Healthcare News Comments

Nursing students at Texas State Technical College will be learning with some new equipment. Several grants are allowing for the purchase of a Nurse Anne simulator, a SimBaby simulator and a SimMom update, among other teaching essentials. The simulators, which mimic real patients, give students a real-world sense of their future careers. They also make for more learning time due to current limits on clinicals and other outside practicums. TSTC…

McAllen Grants Advance Business Ideas

February 11, 2021

VBR

Business Advice Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for its Innovation Grant Awards. The awards’ grant funding of $50,000 annually encourages product innovation and business creation in the McAllen area. Past winners have been able to take their idea from the drawing board to the marketplace due to the grants. An applicant may request up to $10,000 to establish, expand, develop or advance a new product/service idea. The new…

VITA Provides Free Tax Prep Services

February 11, 2021

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Finance/Banking News Comments

Texas Southmost College Accounting Technology students are currently offering free tax preparation services via the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. For almost 20 years, TSC has partnered with the United Way of Southern Cameron County to offer the VITA service. Students from TSC’s Special Topics in Taxation course are now assisting individuals and families in the Rio Grande Valley. “Every year this experience proves to be a great opportunity for…

McAllen Arbor Day Celebration Goes Virtual

February 10, 2021

VBR