Category Archives: News

Two VIDA Boosts Help Further Nurse’s Career

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Non-Profit Comments
Donna Jo Pena

When Donna Jo Pena applied to Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement in late 2021, it wasn’t déjà vu that came over her. Rather, she experienced actual memories from 2004-2005 when VIDA played a significant role in helping her become a licensed vocational nurse. VIDA, a nonprofit organization serving the Rio Grande Valley for over 25 years, provides financial assistance and support services, removing the barriers that often prevent Valley…

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Texas Breaks More Labor Records in March

e-Brief Features News Comments

Texas has set new records in March 2023 with the largest civilian labor force and greatest number of people employed in state history. The seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 78,800 to reach a series-high 14,898,100 people. The unemployment rate also held steady at four percent. Texas added 28,600 positions to reach another series-high job count at 13,839,200 total nonfarm jobs. Since March 2022, 575,100 positions have been added.…

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City Nature Challenge Returns to Texas

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

The City Nature Challenge is back for the eighth year, inviting Texans to explore nature in their immediate surroundings. The friendly community competition takes places April 28 – May 1 among 15 Texas metropolitan areas, including the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The program is the product of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through the Texas Nature Trackers program, encouraging people to explore outside their front doors, in their yard or…

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Love’s Travel Stop Opens in Harlingen

Featured News Retail Transportation & Travel Comments
Love's Travel Stops Harlingen

Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers in Harlingen with a new location that opened on April 20. The location along I-69E at exit 30 adds 50 jobs and 62 truck parking spaces to Cameron County. On the same day, the chain opened a location in Mansfield, La. “In adding a 19th location in Louisiana, and a 79th in Texas, Love’s is strengthening our commitment to bringing Highway Hospitality to…

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Recent STC Summit Addresses Workforce Needs

Community Education Featured News Comments
STC workforce summit 2023

Nearly 200 workforce leaders and educators from across the state recently gathered for South Texas College’s second annual Workforce Summit. The event provided attendees an understanding of how STC is impacting the region and its workforce while also serving as a chance to engage the community and seek input on current workforce needs. “The future of tomorrow is here today,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis. “We are the college…

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The Wall That Heals Now On Display In Edinburg

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
The Wall that Heals

UTRGV and the City of Edinburg are hosting The Wall that Heals, a 375-foot-long replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall now through April 23 at the Ebony Hills Golf Course. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund chose Edinburg as a stop on the 2023 national The Wall That Heals tour. It includes the three-quarter scale replica wall and a mobile Education Center exhibit that tells the story of the Vietnam War,…

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TSTC Prepares Aviation Maintenance Students

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
TSTC aviation maintenance program

Highly skilled aircraft technicians are in short supply, and the aviation maintenance program at Texas State Technical College is training students in an effort to meet demand for them across Texas. Isaac Pena of Rio Grande City is a second-semester Aircraft Powerplant Technology student at TSTC. He said the technician shortage creates a promising outlook for upcoming aviation maintenance graduates. “It’s beneficial because there’s more demand, opportunities and potentially increased pay,” he said. “As I’m…

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Leadership Edinburg Hosts Kentucky Derby-Themed Fundraiser

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments

Leadership Edinburg Class XXXIV will host a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser “Derby at the Depot” on May 6, transporting guests to the world-famous horse race. Organizers say the event promises to be an exciting and entertaining afternoon. The fundraiser will feature a live screening of the Kentucky Derby, along with a silent auction, raffle and live music. Food and drinks, including traditional Mint Juleps, are on the menu. Attendees are encouraged to…

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Grant Pushes STC Students Forward

Education Featured News Comments
Fifteen students enrolled in Career and Technical programs at South Texas College have each been awarded $1,000 in scholarships through the annual John G. and Maria Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation grant, which for the last 13 years have helped to cover the cost of courses as well as the purchase of tools and equipment. Left to right, Yahira Sanchez, Jose Luis Sanchez, Jose A. Gutierrez, Daven Gonzalez, Victor Moreno, Luis Guerra, Thomas Othoniel Herrera and Daniel J. Villanueva.

Standout students enrolled in Career and Technical programs at South Texas College have received a significant financial boost through the annual John G. and Maria Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation grant. Fifteen students have each been awarded $1,000 in scholarships, which for the last 13 years have helped to cover the cost of courses as well as the purchase of tools and equipment. To qualify, students are required to submit impactful…

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McAllen Invites Comments on Comprehensive Plan 

Community Featured News Comments

For the past 10 months, the City of McAllen has been developing an updated comprehensive plan, by hosting community meetings and online surveys and asking for input from residents, businesses, community stakeholders and others. The draft plan is now final and the community is once again invited to give feedback on what is being proposed for McAllen’s future growth and development for the next 20 to 30 years. Areas up…

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