For the first time ever, South Texas College’s Mid Valley Campus is adding courses in both music and culinary arts for the fall semester. STC will open a new piano lab that will allow both music majors and others to register for piano. Guitar instruction is also available. “As the Music Department continues to grow, it’s become obvious we are now in a position to strengthen our presence on another…
On Aug. 7, McA2, a virtual art walk series, takes place and artists Angelika Eleni Ruiz Gualberto and Victoria Lopez are seeking artists who would like to participate. The collaboration of the two artists came from the need to express art in the community. Gualberto and Lopez have already successfully hosted two events. Assisting them with technical support are Joe Martinez of KCYP and Stephen Samuel Lopez. The June 5…
In a July 21 release, the City of McAllen encourages business owners to review and abide by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s orders regarding businesses in Texas. “Those orders do not require businesses to close nor are businesses or their customers required to adhere to particular hours, other than those contained in Governor Abbott’s orders,” reads the statement. The statement comes following Order 20-011 effective today, from Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez.…
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley recently received a generous donation from DHR gastroenterologist Dr. Murthy Badiga to support the food bank’s on-going ‘Resource Readiness and Response’ Campaign. Badiga’s personal donation of $4,000 will provide up to 20,000 meals for those in need in the Rio Grande Valley. “The Food Bank RGV is a great organization doing an awesome job of helping those in need with life sustaining…
Three Rio Grande Valley communities rank at the top of Texas cities of their size in a statewide competition that focuses on healthy actions like doing a workout, eating notorious food and drinking ample amounts of water. McAllen, Harlingen and Los Fresnos each finished first among all cities of their population ranges in the 2020 It’s Time Texas Community Challenge. The competition recorded an eight week-period of time this year…
The word on the street is, “Why are we as businesses expected to monitor our customers? If customers lower their masks, we can be fined. How is that right?” Here at VBR, we agree the burden of customers’ facial covering practices should not be on business owners and their employees. Even with the new state orders by Governor Abbott requiring individuals to mask up in public, local county judges continue…
South Texas College’s fall 2020 offerings beginning Aug. 24 will include about 20 percent in an in-person/hybrid format. The rest of its 4,500 courses will be available in online format with instructional plans being modifiable in the event of ever changing state or federal guidelines. With the in-person/hybrid model, courses requiring hands-on activities will be split into 50 percent classroom instruction and 50 percent online instruction. Programs requiring hands-on learning include Nursing…
After spending 22 years with the Brownsville Public Utilities Board as a certified lineworker, Candelario Deanda is ready to climb to new heights. His new role is an Electrical Lineworker Technology instructor when Texas State Technical College introduces the program at its Harlingen campus this fall. “We are still in the process of getting everything ready,” Deanda said. “I will be an instructor for courses in obtaining the certificate, as…
The Weslaco Economic Development Corporation has awarded 37 local businesses with financial assistance from its small business loan/grant program. The program was announced in early May to help small businesses cope with the fallout of COVID-19 hardships. The EDC said the loan/grant program helps with payroll, mortgage, rent, utilities and basic operation costs. “The growing economy in Weslaco has based its success on the traditions set by our small business…
Winning the fight isn’t easy. Our current opponent is tough, but Team Rio Grande Valley is tougher. The hours run long, the sweat pours, punches hit us and we become weary. The enemy is sneaky, but local businesses and organizations, led by determined, resilient and competitive people, will not be defeated. We stand our ground together and then, as a unified people, we will win this war. Here at VBR,…