Category Archives: News

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board will not require standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT for this year’s Project SHARE Scholarship. The decision reflects admission requirements for this year’s graduating seniors with many schools dropping the SAT/ACT requirement. The application process is now open for BPUB’s Project SHARE Scholarship program. Ten scholarships are available in the amount of $1,000 to graduating high school seniors. To qualify for the…

Keep McAllen Beautiful Seeks Homes to Beautify

January 14, 2021

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments

Keep McAllen Beautiful is now accepting applications for its annual Paint McAllen Beautiful project where KMB volunteers paint homes throughout McAllen, to help beautify the neighborhood. Qualifying McAllen applicants must be a McAllen resident, own the home, be low income, be 60 years of age or older, or be of any age with a permanent disability. Through a grant from Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep McAllen Beautiful will be able to…

McAllen Library Now Loaning Video Games

January 11, 2021

VBR

Community Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The McAllen Public Library is now allowing borrowers 17 years and older to take home video game titles for PS4, PS5, X-Box One, X-Box Series X and Nintendo Switch. The new circulating games carry ratings of E–For Everyone and T–For Teens. Video game borrowers must reside in the City of McAllen and be 17 years or older. They must also have an MPL card and provide verification of a current…

McAllen Ranks as Safest City

January 7, 2021

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

McAllen has once again been recognized as one of the top safest cities in America for its low crime rate, this time by MoneyGeek. The ranking compares the direct economic costs of crime to individual victims, perpetrators, communities and society at large. MoneyGeek analyzed crime statistics and research findings based on victim; criminal justice systems; crime career; and intangible costs to estimate the cost of crimes in over 300 cities…

A Life Is Turned Around with VIDA

January 7, 2021

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Each month, VBR shines a spotlight on a current participant or a graduate of Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement. VIDA’s mission is to simultaneously address the need for skilled works in the Valley while preparing unemployed and underemployed residents for high-skill, high-wage jobs. This month, the spotlight is on Maria Delgado. The story is written in her words just prior to her graduation in December 2020, which will provide…

Trump Approves Pharr-Reynosa Bridge Expansion

January 5, 2021

VBR

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

On Dec. 31, President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge. The 2020 permit amends the current permit to allow for the addition of another bridge at the international port of entry. This second span will add additional lanes to completely separate trucks and cars. Dedicated lanes for empties, full cargo, certified cargo and passenger vehicles will add capacity and reduce wait times. Pharr…

Edinburg Honors Man & Woman of the Year

January 3, 2021

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

Mario Lizcano and Linda Tovar are the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce’s Man & Woman of the Year, respectively. The two receive the honors due to their positive impact on the Edinburg community. According to the chamber, both “demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to civic engagement to benefit our community.” Mario Lizcano currently serves as DHR Health’s administrator of Corporate Affairs. He also serves as Edinburg Census Committee chairman, promoting efforts…

Beekeeper Keeps Family Tradition Alive

January 1, 2021

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Agriculture News Professional Services Retail Comments

Miguel Lozano holds a tiny wooden box with a mesh top and points to what’s crawling underneath it. There’s a queen bee in there of European origin. It’s an important distinction, he said, because when she’s put in a hive, this queen will center a cluster of bees with Africanized roots, the ones dubbed “killer bees.” “She will calm the box,” Lozano said, looking out toward several hives in boxes…

Hike & Bike Trail Connects Communities

January 1, 2021

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

News Recreation & Tourism Comments

Hidalgo County Commissioner Eduardo Cantu had modest expectations when he set out to bring a hike-and-bike trail to Pharr and San Juan. It was early 2015 and Cantu was well aware of the health and fitness improvements made in Brownsville, McAllen and Harlingen as those cities have constructed and opened miles of outdoor trails. The same has occurred in Mission and San Benito as hike-and-bike trails have flourished across the…

Brownsville Native’s Giving Forms a Jewel

January 1, 2021

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Community News Comments

Roy Mitte grew up in Brownsville with a favorite spot by one of the city’s many resacas. Ringgold Park lay nestled next to one of Brownsville’s oxbow lakes. In the 1930s and 40s, a young Roy loved being at the park, forming memories of his hometown that would never leave him. He would grow up and go on to success and wealth in the insurance industry. He and his wife,…

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