Category Archives: e-Brief Features

State Parks Work to Return to Normal Capacity

Community e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments
(photo tpwd.texas.gov)

Texas State Parks have begun a process of expanding capacity statewide, tracking Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest reopening order. The parks encourage masks for visitors, especially when indoors or in areas where it is difficult to socially distance. Also, restrictions affecting group sizes have been lifted. “We’re excited to welcome more visitors to our parks,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “We want Texans to know that the safety…

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TSC Dual Enrollment Saves Families $22 Million

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
(photo TSC)

Since 2017, families have collectively saved $22 million in college tuition and fees through dual credit partnerships between local school districts and Texas Southmost College, according to the college. Dual credit courses are those that students take that count for both high school and college credit. Students may attend these classes either at their high schools or on a college campus. From fall 2017 through fall 2020, Lower Rio Grande…

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From Catch-22 To A Successful Career

e-Brief Features News Non-Profit Comments

Sometimes life plunges us into a classic catch-22. That is exactly where Cesar Romero found himself. Working as a nurse technician, Romero was earning $11 an hour. In order to increase his income, he applied to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Learning that the program required full-time-student status peppered his joy at being accepted. He could not afford to pay…

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VIDA Receives $75K From The Meadows Foundation

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
VIDA/Meadows Foundation

The Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is the recipient of a $75,000 grant from the Meadows Foundation. The funds will train low-income women in high-demand jobs. Algur H. Meadows established General American Oil Company of Texas in 1939. He then led it to become one of the nation’s most successful independent oil-and-gas-production companies. Meadows and his wife, Virginia, returned their blessings by establishing The Meadows Foundation in 1948. The…

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TSC Among Small Group of Colleges With Enrollment Increases

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
STC_enrollment

Texas Southmost College joins the elite ranks this year of only nine percent of community colleges across the nation that saw an increase in enrollment. From fall 2019 to fall 2020, TSC’s Department of Institutional Planning, Research and Effectiveness reports that TSC’s enrollment has seen a 1.73 percent increase. Across the state, Texas community colleges are seeing a 7.1 percent decrease. Nationally, community colleges are experiencing a 10.1 percent decrease…

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Pharr EDC Foundation Launches

Community e-Brief Features Education News Comments
Bobby Carrillo, Daniel Chavez, Ricardo Medina, Eleazar Guajardo, Itza Flores, Dr. Ramiro Caballero, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez and Victor Perez.

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the City of Pharr, has launched the newly created Pharr EDC Foundation. As the City of Pharr’s economic development arm, the Pharr EDC has always focused its efforts on creating direct pipelines for students, post-secondary education workforce development, entrepreneurship and business development. These efforts will further expand through the Pharr EDC Foundation with a special focus on education. The Pharr EDC Foundation recently…

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Port Isabel Lighthouse Reopens

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The historic Port Isabel Lighthouse is now reopen to the public, as well as the park and Keeper’s Cottage Visitors Center. Weather permitting, hours of operation for the lighthouse are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with the last tickets selling at 3:30 p.m. Patrons may only purchase tickets through at the Keeper’s Cottage Visitors Center with a credit or debit card. Ticket prices are $5 for adults,…

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A Night At The Brew-seum Is Back

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science’s annual fundraiser A Night at the Brew-seum is back this year with multiple in-persona and virtual events. With the main event taking place April 15, other ways to participate include a virtual 5K, a virtual science of beer bread baking event, a beer dinner and Beer & Yoga. This year’s in-person event will feature PODs for guests to participate in the evening. Each…

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International Shipbreaking Gains Accreditation

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
The MT Wolverine safely moored at International Shipbreaking’s yard at the Port of Brownsville. (photo Port of Brownsville)

International Shipbreaking Ltd. now has EU Ship Recycling Regulation accreditation for its site at the Port of Brownsville. The company, part of EMR Metal Recycling, recently invested $30 million in compliant infrastructure at the Brownsville site. The local site is also the first U.S. shipbreaking site to achieve this accreditation. It can now help EU-based ship owners – as well as ships flying the flags of EU member states –…

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Allegiant Begins Non-Stop to Nashville in May

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

Beginning May 27, Allegiant will provide nonstop service from McAllen International Airport to Nashville, Tenn. via Nashville International Airport. “Nashville is a one-of-a-kind destination with its deep, historic musical roots and cultural scene,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s senior vice president of revenue. “We’re excited to provide our brand of convenient, affordable nonstop service for McAllen-area residents to experience all that the Music City has to offer.” “We are grateful for…

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