Category Archives: e-Brief Features

TYLA Seeks To Improve Public Understanding Of Texas Courts

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
How Texas Courts Work

A new multimedia project from the Texas Young Lawyers Association aims to help students, jurors, members of the media and the general public better understand the Texas court system. TYLA’s “How Texas Courts Work” offers short videos, resource guides and other information to help Texans navigate the courts, and understand their rights and responsibilities under the law. “The judiciary is likely the least understood branch of government and we hope…

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STC Introduces New Cosmetology Program

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
STC Cosmetology

In March, South Texas College will begin offering a new Cosmetology certificate program in Pharr. Touting affordability, STC states the program’s tuition will be at least half the cost of traditional programs in the region. The college is currently accepting applications for the program. The new course opens up a brand-new opportunity for students who are seeking to express their creativity, and who want to learn a skill or a…

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McAllen Receives Historic Monthly Sales Tax Remittance

e-Brief Features Government News Comments
McAllen sales taxes

The sales tax allocation for the City of McAllen for February is $10.6 million, up 7.94 percent from last year’s revenue generated in retail sales for the same month of December (2022 versus 2021), when McAllen collected a record $9.8 million in sales tax revenue. “Sales tax revenue is not only a boost for economic development for our community, but also, helps to provide property tax relief to McAllen taxpayers,…

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McAllen In The Top Five Safest U.S. Cities

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
(photo City of McAllen TX Government)

McAllen is the third ranking safest city in the country for 2023 according to SmartAsset.com’s Top 10 Safest Cities list. The financial website analyzed a core set of common safety factors to identify and rank the safest cities in America, looking at data from 200 of the largest cities. The fiver metrics taken into consideration for rankings are violent crime, property crime, vehicular mortality rate, drug poisoning mortality rate and…

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Fiesta Edinburg Parade Makes Return

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments
Fiesta Edinburg Parade

The Fiesta Edinburg Parade is returning for its Fiesta Edinburg annual event on March 4 and the public is invited to participate. The 10 a.m. parade is touted by organizers as a way to show support for Edinburg’s rich cultural heritage. This family-friendly event features colorful floats, music and costumes all celebrating the diverse community of Edinburg. The parade application deadline is Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. Entry fees are…

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San Juan Resident Designing His Dream

Community e-Brief Features News Non-Profit Comments
Carlos Pena

“I Have a Dream” is, of course, the iconic 1963 speech of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. For San Juan resident Carlos Pena, this phrase also expressed why he enrolled at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Pena, whose major is mechanical engineering, has a dream of working at Tesla as part of its design team. Tesla knows how to capture potential employees’ attention, even on its website: “Using…

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Port of Brownsville Sees Record Cargo Volumes

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Break bulk commodities such as steel and wind energy components saw a 10 percent increase in 2022 at the Port of Brownsville. (photo Port of Brownsville)

Throughout 2022, more than 15.2 million tons of diverse cargo moved through the Port of Brownsville, according to unaudited cargo volume reports. This forecast represents a 10.2 percent increase from the 13.8 million tons of cargo in 2021, a new record for the Port of Brownsville. The workforce at the port has streamlined operations to move essential commodities such as break bulk like steel, aluminum and liquid bulk petroleum products.…

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Project SHARE Scholarship Applications Open

Community e-Brief Features Education News Comments
Project SHARE Scholarship

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board is now accepting applications for its annual Project SHARE Scholarship. Ten qualifying students will receive $1,000 scholarships in their pursuit of higher education. Constellation Renewables Partners has assisted in funding these scholarships in recent years. Constellation Renewable Partners also operates the Sendero Wind Farm from which BPUB receives all of the electricity generated. To qualify for the Project SHARE Scholarship, an applicant must: Be a…

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Free Tax Preparation At STC Returns

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
STC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance office is now open until March 10 by appointment. (photo STC)

South Texas College’s longest-standing community events, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program for taxpayers, returns this year after a two-year hiatus.  The program has long assisted Rio Grande Valley community residents by offering free tax preparation for those who make $60,000 or less. People with disabilities or limited English-speaking taxpayers also qualify. The STC VITA office at the Pecan campus, Building T, Room 1.702, is now open from 9 a.m.…

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TSC Opens New Diesel Mechanics And Pipefitting Labs 

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Texas Southmost College is upping the game when it comes to hands-on career training at the ITEC Center on Mexico Boulevard in Brownsville. Last month, the 96-year-old institute of higher learning cut the ribbon on two new learning labs for diesel mechanics and pipefitting. The labs will bolster the offerings for students looking to get trained, certified and start a high-paying career fast. The college has invested in the ITEC…

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