The City of McAllen Passports Division will be open for extended hours on July 13 and July 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The department is located at the City of McAllen Downtown Parking Garage, 221 South 15th Street. Note that each applicant must be present and must provide a valid form of identification with an identifiable photo and signature, proof of citizenship such as a certified…
The second oldest of five girls, Marisol Munoz has always felt, and embraced, the responsibility to serve as a role model to her younger sisters. When she graduated from the Academy of Health Science Professions in La Joya ISD, Munoz felt the true weight of that responsibility. Daughter of immigrant parents. First-generation college student. The pressure was on. In high school, Munoz completed training as a certified nurse assistant and…
The McAllen Police Department is now accepting applications for its 18th Citizens’ Police Academy. Starting Aug. 15 and running through Oct. 16, the 10-week academy will meet every Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m. There is no cost to apply and selected applicants must be 21 years of age or older; able to attend all classes; work or reside in McAllen; and turn in a completed application by July 26. “The…
Summer is an excellent time for families to enjoy outdoor activities, create lasting memories and embrace the sunshine. But with Valley temperatures hitting triple digits, parents need to be extra careful that their little ones stay safe and comfortable in the heat. Dr. Cristel Escalona, board-certified pediatrician at UT Health RGV and associate professor of pediatrics at UTRGV School of Medicine, said being outdoors is essential for healthy baby development,…
Edinburg’s legacy of civic engagement and improvement reached another milestone recently as the fast-growing community was named an All-America City for the fourth time in its history. The award, as given by the National Civic League, celebrates communities that exemplify the best projects and achievements in innovation, civic engagement and collaboration. The organization chose Edinburg as one of 20 finalists this year from a pool of several hundred applicant cities…
The Construction Superintendent Apprenticeship program at South Texas College gives students the opportunity to earn while they learn. Maribel and Carolina Saenz – two sisters who operate their own utility contracting business – received a certificate of completion from STC’s apprenticeship program. The program is tailored to students already working in an industry. For the Saenz sisters, the STC certifications will help take their Saenz Utility Contractors of Edcouch-Elsa to…
Heriberto Reynoso is a high school graduate of the early 2000s and was the type of kid “building robots in my garage” when such technological skills were a bit rare among American youth. His parents wondered what he was doing, while at school, he recalls teachers that “didn’t understand what I was asking.” Reynoso was perhaps a bit ahead of his time at his high school in Brownsville. His technological…
Marisa de Leon was a child of music growing up, playing piano and then the viola in her high school orchestra. Music, she says, was her “safe space.” It was during her high school years when de Leon saw a “60 Minutes” report featuring the recovery of former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords from a gunshot wound to the head. In early 2011, Giffords of Arizona survived an assassination attempt in…
At age 21, Holly Hargrove had already earned a licensed vocational nursing degree to go with an associate of applied science degree in business management. The latter came from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen. The LVN nursing degree was achieved during Hargrove’s high school years at the Harlingen School of Health Professions. Hargrove has an appreciation for the healthcare field and is proud to have earned her nursing degree.…
The road to Isla Blanca Park being named USA Today’s Best Beach in Texas for 2024 began decades before when the South Padre Island park’s old pavilion featured a lean-to metal roof and an open view to the Gulf of Mexico. Isla Blanca Park for decades was the place for Rio Grande Valley families to gather with homestyle picnics. The venue provided a fun and inexpensive getaway. The amenities were…