Category Archives: e-Brief Features

VIDA Receives $10K Grant From AT&T

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
VIDA AT&T Grant

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is the recent recipient of a $10,000 grant from AT&T, an award reflecting AT&T’s commitment to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. This grant recognizes the importance of investing in students today – at home, in the classroom, at work – to narrow the digital divide by providing today’s learners with equitable opportunity to learn and thrive. Through this grant project, VIDA will…

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City of McAllen Hosts Free Microchip Clinic

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments
pets, microchip clinic

The City of McAllen, in partnership with Palm Valley Animal Society, will host a free, drive-thru microchip clinic for McAllen residents and their pets on Sept. 23 at the McAllen City Hall parking lot, located at 1300 West Houston Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon or until chips last. Attendees must bring proof of residency, such as a utility bill and driver’s license. Pets must be at least six weeks…

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Local Hospital Offering Innovative Disease Treatment

e-Brief Features Featured Healthcare News Comments
Dr. Norman Ramirez (in white coat) and Dr. Jaime Villarreal (to immediate left) with Rio Grande Regional Hospital surgical and cath lab colleagues and leadership.

Rio Grande Regional Hospital recently conducted its first TransCarotid Artery Revascularization procedure to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes.  Before TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure, carotid endarterectomy. CEA removes plaque from inside the carotid artery to restore normal blood flow to the brain, but the large incision leaves a visible scar the length of the neck. It carries…

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McAllen Names Suarez New Chamber President

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
Elizabeth Suarez

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce board recently voted unanimously to name Elizabeth Suarez the new president and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “Elizabeth’s extensive experience, her effective leadership, and her deep roots in the community, make her an ideal candidate to lead our organization,” said Stephan Wingert, chairman of the board for the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to welcome Elizabeth to the Chamber of Commerce.…

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VIDA Receives Blue Impact Grant For Workforce Development

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement has received a Blue Impact grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, an award reflecting BCBSTX’s dedication to community-based organizations that prioritize the well-being of children and families. The grant recognizes the crucial role of local organizations in fostering positive change, tackling underlying factors that influence health, including socio-economic challenges, and promoting economic opportunities. Since its launch in early 2023, BCBSTX has allocated…

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Mission Attracts New Sports Complex

e-Brief Features Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments

A fast-growing sport is expanding in the Rio Grande Valley with plans to construct a 21,500-square-foot venue for padel ball and pickleball players. The RGV Padel Club is making a $2.7 million investment to construct the new facility at 2513 Victoria Drive in Mission. Construction is projected to start within three months and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. Estimates are the RGV Padel Club will support 52…

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Let’s Build a Resilient Economy. Let’s Improve Immigration Policy. 

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
immigration policies

Texas immigrants are vital to the state’s success. As a state so heavily impacted by immigration policies, it would be welcoming to see our congressional leaders pass reforms that benefit Texans, the immigration process and our economy. However, lawmakers struggle to take true bipartisan action on immigration and every year they fail to cross the finish line. At the Texas International Produce Association, we see firsthand the effect that immigrants…

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McAllen Ranks 3 For First-Time Homebuyers

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
(photo exploremcallen.com)

McAllen has been ranked number three of the top 15 cities in the United States for first-time homebuyers by the financial services website SmartAsset.com. Five Texas cities land among the top 15 places to buy a home for the first time. This study examined 185 metro areas and cities were ranked based on four metrics, composed of: Affordability: Median sale price relative to median income. Median sale price comes from Zillow…

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Quinta Mazatlan Exhibits Youth Photography Winners

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
2023 Grand Prize Winner Nathan Mowers

Children have been exploring nature and documenting their experiences with a camera or smart phone this summer in the Rio Grande Valley. The exhibit “Nature through the Eyes of Children,” showcasing one winning image from each contestant, is on display at Quinta Mazatlan throughout August.   The Valley Land Fund and Quinta Mazatlan’s RGV Youth Nature Photo Contest offers an opportunity for young people to capture their understanding of the natural…

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RGV Economic Summit Promotes Unity

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza signs an alliance compact promoting RGV economic development partnerships as other area leaders support those efforts. (Courtesy)

Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza called it a need for the Rio Grande Valley to do a better job of telling its story. “Our area is talked about a lot by so many other people but ourselves,” Garza said in a recent media interview. “I think it’s time we come together as one region and talk about all our region has to offer.” Garza was a leading force along with other…

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