Cristobal Villalon’s childhood dream came true recently when, with his family present, he was sworn in as a police officer at the Texas State Technical College Police Department. At a swearing-in ceremony led by TSTC Police Chief Eduardo Patino and Justice of the Peace Eloy Cano Jr., the Brownsville native said he has finally found his home at TSTC. “I couldn’t believe how much the department feels like family,” said the…
Ali Garza of Ali Art & Co. is setting up a display of what she calls “kinetic art” as the first group of onlookers and possible customers stroll over to take a look during Harlingen Art Night. “Anything we can do to get our name out there is good,” said the Brownsville resident. “Events like one this allow us to express what we have to offer.” The last Friday of…
The list of entertainers who have graced the stage of the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium is impressive. They include Guy Lombardo, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Paul Robeson, the Von Trapp Family Singers and famous pianist, composer and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff. But, all of those names go back to the 1940s, just a few years after the facility was built. Today, the music and entertainment continue at the 1,500-seat auditorium, but most…
The UT Health RGV/Knapp Family Health Center in Mercedes sits across the street from a high school for medical professions. For Dr. Miguel Tello, the proximity of the health center he oversees to the South Texas ISD High School of Medical Professions is more than symbolic. It points to the range of possibilities now available to Rio Grande Valley youth. “The whole cycle” is how Tello puts it in noting…
Workforce Training and Continuing Education at Texas State Technical College is introducing a new course that will help both the region and state fill a need for endorsed bus drivers. As early as next month, the School Bus Driver Endorsement course will begin and is already enrolling students. “We’ve been working on bringing this program to life for a little over a year, and we’re excited to finally launch it,”…
The Rio Grande Valley with its estimated population surging above 1.4 million is reflecting its new urban realities via Valley Metro. The regional bus system is adding transportation hubs and new routes with each passing year. Later this month, Valley Metro will open a new hub in Edinburg between City Hall and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The new hub will come off a year where Valley Metro…
Texas Plating & Polishing Solutions recently received a $25,000 New Investment Incentive from the Harlingen EDC. The funds will help cover moving costs to TPPS’s new facility in the Harlingen Industrial Park. TPPS provides chrome, polish and nickel for the plastic injection mold industry. The company services customers both in the United States and in Mexico. It creates molds for automotive, appliance and medical companies. Owner and President Jose J.…
It was quite an experience for Pedro Casillas and more than 40 of his peers as they helped save lives in a mock two-vehicle accident. It was part of Texas State Technical College Emergency Medical Services program‘s recent Extrication Day. “This was a great opportunity to practice what I’ve learned in the classroom,” said Casillas. “It was exciting to be able to showcase our skills to the local first responders who…
Qualfon Data Services LLC is already producing more than $8 million annually into the local economy in wages and now, it is expanding its footprint in Harlingen. According to the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, the business providing contact center services, integrated marketing solutions, big data analytics, and back-office processing is receiving a $200,000 job creation grant from the EDC. This comes after Qualfon extended their lease on a 40,000-square-foot office…
Faculty in the UTRGV College of Education and P-16 Integration have been awarded a $1.2 million grant for Project PLEASE, a collaborative initiative to help grow leaders in special education administration. “Project PLEASE is a personnel training grant that will give scholarships and stipends to 14 vetted candidates to complete their doctorate in education in special education administration,” said Hsuying Ward. Ward is an associate professor of Human Development and…