Category Archives: Featured

Brownsville resident Oscar Castillo had a job at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport working as a cashier for the parking vendor, earning $10 an hour. He knew he needed to develop his skillset if he ever hoped to be independent and financially secure, so he enrolled in the electrical program at Texas Southmost College. At TSC, Castillo heard about Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, a nonprofit organization…

City of Pharr Appoints Assistant City Managers

August 16, 2023

VBR

Featured Government News Comments

During last week’s city commission meeting, Dr. David D. Friedlein was appointed as Pharr’s new assistant city manager and Hilda Pedraza was reappointed as assistant city manager by Interim City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores. Both Friedlein and Pedraza have a long history of public service, community relations and will work closely alongside Flores to continue the city’s exceptional growth. “The City of Pharr is continuing to expand our services,…

Texas Hunting, Fishing Licenses on Sale Aug. 15

August 14, 2023

VBR

Featured Government Recreation & Tourism Comments

Current-year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) expire at the end of August. Licenses for the 2023-24 season go on sale Aug. 15. Texans purchase more than 2.7 million hunting and fishing licenses annually, directly funding a multitude of conservation efforts and recreational opportunities. Some of the many projects made possible by license sales include fish stocking, wildlife management, habitat restoration, public hunting leases, river…

Pharr Police Department Hiring Police Officers

August 12, 2023

VBR

Featured Government News Comments

The Pharr Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of police officer. The deadline to apply is Aug. 18 at noon. As a member of the department, officers have the chance to explore and excel in various specialized units, including the Mental Health Unit, K-9 Unit, Motorcycle Division, Mounted Patrol, Criminal Investigation Division and more. “Pharr PD is dedicated to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment,” Chief…

STC Receives Millions To Break Digital Barriers

August 10, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Technology Comments

South Texas College, with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program and awarded by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, received a $2.8 million National Institute of Standards and Technology grant to increase digital capabilities for its students. “Thanks to this grant and Henry Cuellar, it is possible for South Texas College to continue upgrading and transforming the college to be in the 21st century in terms…

McAllen Named to Great Places To Live

August 4, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

McAllen is one of the top seven great places to live in Texas, according to an article on Kiplinger.com, a personal finance website. The author of the article, Brittany Leitner, a Texas native, points out the features of Texas which makes it attractive to new residents. She then lists seven cities, which includes Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, McAllen, San Antonio and Waco, and highlights the unique characteristics for each…

IMAS Invites McAllen Residents To Back To School Bash

August 3, 2023

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Arts Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science and McAllen Public Utility host the Back to School Bash on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The immersive event celebrates the new school year with a fusion of art, science and community engagement, and will feature a wide range of activities and community partner booths for attendees of all ages. In addition to the engaging activities, the Back to School…

STC First In Nation To Offer RN Apprenticeship

August 2, 2023

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

In a historic moment for South Texas College, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission, recently announced that the college is the first in the nation to be approved to implement a newly formed Registered Apprenticeship Program in the occupation of Registered Nurse. “This heralds a new era in nursing education and solidifies STC’s standing as a state and national leader in…

McAllen Branches Out With New Trees

August 1, 2023

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Community Featured News Comments

The grouping of trees bunched on the frontage road of Bicentennial Boulevard and Expressway 83 are just above sapling size and draw little attention from motorists buzzing by on a busy McAllen intersection. But there they are, breaking up the concrete and urban life of a growing city. They add greenery with the benefits of a sound barrier and deep roots that will absorb stormwater when heavy rains come. McAllen’s…

BIH Project at Port of Brownsville Gets a Boost

July 31, 2023

Angey Murray

Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments

The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project continues to move forward, as Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation recently announced the receipt of Notice to Proceed to perform essential improvements to the Brownsville ship channel for NextDecade Corporation’s Rio Grande LNG project at the Port of Brownsville. Great Lakes will commence Phase 1 of the project later this year. The historic BIH project will deepen the 17-mile-long Brownsville ship channel…

Featured Archive