Category Archives: Featured

VIDA Nurse’s Budding Career Path

Aime Bautista, who graduated from South Texas College in Dec. 2019 with an associate’s degree in nursing, holds a candle at STC’s ceremony recognizing new nurses. The candle, when lit, is symbolic of a nurse passing on the flame of hope, service, compassion and peace.

Aime Bautista was a single mother of an 8-year-old daughter, working as a sales associate and earning $8.25 per hour. A lifelong resident of Mercedes who was raised by her grandparents, Bautista and her daughter were living with her grandmother.   In the summer of 2019, Bautista gave birth to another daughter and no longer had a job. A student in the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement told Bautista about…

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UTRGV Professors Creating a Buzz

Joanne Rampersad-Ammons and Dongchul Kim are collaborating across disciplines to study the honeybee population in South Texas. (photo Paul Chouy, UTRGV)

Research by two UTRGV professors is monitoring the critical honeybee population in South Texas via tiny cameras placed on their hives. The research by Dongchul Kim and Joanne Rampersad-Ammons is receiving funding from a federal research grant from the USDA. Kim is an assistant professor of computer science and principal investigator on the project. Rampersad-Ammons is co-PI and professor in the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences. “Applying Computer Vision…

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Mission PAWsible Hosts Pet Fair

Pets and owners are signed in to Wellness on Wheelz at the Mission PAWsible pet fair.

Health and pets were the names of the game Jan. 11 as Mission PAWsible held a pet fair at Bannworth Park and its dog park. Pet vendors were on site selling their favorite pet goodies and welcoming all dogs to come join them.  The main attraction was Wellness on Wheelz, a mobile veterinary clinic serving South Texas. Wellness on Wheelz veterinarians provided basic checkups, vaccines, heartworm testing and prevention, and…

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City of Pharr Hosts Census 2020 Job Fair

The 2020 Census brings jobs and on Jan. 10, the public was able to learn more about them and apply in person thanks to the City of Pharr. The Census 2020 Job Fair was open to the public with computers onsite for job applications. Available jobs are temporary and end when the Census 2020 is complete. However, positions offer individuals the opportunity to be a part of their community while earning…

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Los Fresnos Makes Donations to Matamoros Firefighters

Gene Daniels talks about the equipment Los Fresnos FD/EMS donated to the Matamoros FD.

The Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department made history this week by donating thousands of dollars in equipment to their counterparts from Matamoros, Mexico. Representatives of the two departments met Thursday night in the year-old LFFD/Emergency Medical Services. Here, all witnessed the generosity from a department that has 35 volunteer firefighters. Chief Gene Daniels estimated the equipment at some $40,000. It includes a brush truck, the jaws of life, boots, tanks…

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Leadership Mid Valley Celebrates 15 Years

This year marks the 15th year of Leadership Mid Valley. (photo Weslaco Chamber)

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce‘s Leadership Mid Valley is celebrating 15 years. The eight-month program seeks to both identify and motivate emerging leaders. It also develops potential for community leadership by exposing participants to the realities, opportunities and issues the community may face. Leadership Mid Valley consists of monthly meetings that focus on one particular industry or topic. These include agriculture, history, healthcare, economics, media and more. In addition,…

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Public Invited to Design New Community

Killam workshops

Killam Development is inviting the public to participate in a series of design workshops the week of Jan. 13-17 to help plan a new community near Sharyland Plantation. In a unique, hands-on design experience, people of all ages will help make decisions about quality of life issues. This includes walking and biking trails, park space, access to entertainment and more. Consultants from Able City and Dover, Kohl & Partners will…

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Rosca de Reyes Lends Sweet Celebration

An employee at Ayala's Bakery in Brownsville shows a Rosca de Reyes panaderias.

While the holiday season is over for most people, another traditional celebration took place among some Rio Grande Valley residents. Such was the case for those who celebrated Three Kings Day with the traditional Rosca de Reyes, a round-shaped pastry consumed by people who follow the customs each Jan. 6. Bakeries throughout the region prepared the item by the hundreds, decorating the rings with dried fruit, cherries and other ingredients. Spanish-speaking…

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New McAllen Website Promotes Encourages Health

livewellmcallen.com

The McAllen Mayor’s Wellness Council has officially launched its website livewellmcallen.com as a one-stop shop resource for health and wellness information.  The city’s health and well-being council is part of the city’s efforts to change the perception of McAllen as an obese and unhealthy community, One active feature of livewellmcallen.com is a calendar listing of health-related activities. Additionally, anyone hosting a wellness activity of any kind may submit their event…

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McAllen Library to Host “Max & Ruby” Author

Rosemary Wells

Rosemary Wells, the creator of the ever-popular Max & Ruby children’s show and books, will present at the McAllen Public Library on Jan. 10 to more than 600 school children from throughout the Rio Grande Valley.  Classes were selected based on teacher video submissions telling why their students should meet the author and illustrator. Public event Jan. 11 The public may also attend a special event, “Read to Your Bunny,”…

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