Four UTRGV students will move on to compete at the national level for a chance to win $10,000 after winning the fourth annual Big Idea Competition. This “Shark Tank”-like event, hosted by the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization, saw ambitious UTRGV students and local entrepreneurs pitch innovative ideas for businesses, products and services. The end goal of of the competition is the top prize of $1,500 and the chance…
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement has received a $60,000 grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries. This contribution will allow VIDA to expand its impact and continue its essential efforts in advancing career training opportunities for allied health professionals. The grant acknowledges the pivotal role of community organizations in driving positive transformation, addressing influential factors impacting health such as socio-economic challenges, and fostering avenues for economic advancement. “We are immensely grateful…
Texas State Parks is inviting citizens to kick off resolutions to explore the outdoors in 2024 with a First Day Hike at a state park. Various parks will host ranger-guided and self-guided walks, bike rides, paddling trips and polar plunges in honor of the national initiative aimed at getting people outdoors. Last year, nearly 8,000 participants shattered the previous attendance record New Year’s Day by ringing in Texas State Parks’…
Former Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway President and COO Norma Torres recently received the prestigious 2023 Chairman’s Award in recognition of her exemplary career. The presentation took place during the Port of Brownsville’s Annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon on Dec. 14 at the Ambassador Event Center. The event highlights the achievements of port tenants and customers throughout the year. Torres has played a pivotal role in the short line’s success,…
Students, staff and faculty at South Texas College’s Starr County campus have all come together to make Christmas a little brighter for children in the foster care system. STC, in partnership with the Starr County Child Welfare Board, collected over 108 gifts this season for children, enough so they get at least three gifts each, through an annual toy drive created by the college’s Counseling and Student Accessibility Office. The…
Samuel Arguelles had excellent role models and grew up witnessing the importance of higher education. Unfortunately, that provides no guarantee. “I am a second-generation college student; however, I lost my parents at a very young age and have been trying so hard to make them proud,” Arguellas said. His parents passed away from different forms of cancer, his dad while working on a PhD and his mom while working on…
The City of Pharr invites the community to join it in ringing in the New Year at its second annual Ball Drop Celebration. The event promises a night of music, festivities, food and a spectacular countdown to 2024. Ball Drop 2024 takes place on Dec. 31 at Downtown Park (118 S. Cage Blvd.) starting at 8:30 p.m. until Midnight. Admission to this event is free. The Spazmatics take center stage…
To protect lives and aid those in need was the pledge made by 20 new South Texas College graduates as they celebrated their completion of STC’s Fire Academy during a recent ceremony at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in Pharr. “Firefighting is a brotherhood, and much like them, our success relies on working together as a region. As a college, we collaborate closely with agencies across the Rio…
A leading developer in the hospitality industry will invest nearly $25 million to construct two hotels next to the Mission Event Center. The new additions can draw tourism, spur economic development and will significantly increase the city’s lodging. Nitin Kasan, the operations manager for Ocean Gate Hospitality, announced the developments on Dec. 13 during a groundbreaking ceremony alongside the Mission Economic Development Corporation, the City of Mission and the Greater…
The City of McAllen has hired Jeremy Santoscoy as its new director of Aviation of McAllen International Airport. The Rio Grande Valley native has 18 years of experience with the City of McAllen, serving most recently as the deputy director for the airport and previously as transportation engineer. Santoscoy is a licensed engineer with experience in strategic planning, leading infrastructure development, governmental affairs as well as finance and federal compliance.…