Tag Archives: Javier Villalobos

The McAllen City Commission approved an award of contract to Wilson Construction Company of McAllen on Monday for the construction of new inbound and outbound commercial facilities and related paving improvements at the Anzalduas International Bridge. The contract is for $81.8 million, with a contract time of 320 days, approximately 11 months. The funding source for the project is a $63 million loan from the North American Development Bank and…

McAllen Named In Top 10 Safest Cities in America

April 12, 2022

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Community Featured News Comments

McAllen now ranks sixth in Safest Cities in the United States according to SmartAsset.com. The financial website analyzes a core set of common safety factors to identify and rank the safest cities in America, looking at data from 200 of the largest cities. Since the last study, crime in the United States has continued its upward trend. In McAllen, however, crime decreases continued as the city moved up three spots…

McAllen’s New Mayor Shows Steady Hand

December 1, 2021

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Community Government News Comments

Javier Villalobos settles into the chair of his mayor’s office on the third floor of McAllen’s City Hall. From there, he has a view of Main Street heading into downtown McAllen. Twenty months passed since downtown and the rest of McAllen had last seen its revenue lifeline of Mexican shoppers stream into their stores. That finally came to an end on Nov. 9, the day the U.S. government allowed Mexican…

McAllen Rates As A Best Place to Celebrate Halloween

October 28, 2021

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Community e-Brief Features News Comments

McAllen ranks 15 in the United States in the Best Places to Celebrate Halloween according to SmartAsset.com. In 2019, McAllen ranked 17. SmartAsset.com compared 210 cities across the country, looking at 10 metrics in four overall categories. Metrics include Family Friendly, Safety, Halloween Weather, and Candy and Costume. Those categories are further broken down into aspects such as the percentage of children in the population, violent and property crime rates,…

McAllen Ranks Lowest in Crime Ranking

October 25, 2021

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Community Featured Government News Comments

McAllen ranks sixth lowest in Texas regarding burglary and theft, according to researchers at Porch.com. The city also ranks seventh lowest in the United States for Small Cities. This news comes soon after a recent report by the Texas Department of Public Safety showing McAllen ranks second lowest in Texas for violent crimes. The survey analyzes crime data regarding burglary and theft over a four-year period across 258 cities in…

McAllen Invites Community To Be Part Of Holiday Parade

October 5, 2021

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Community Events Featured News Comments

Organizers of the McAllen Holiday Parade are inviting the community to come be a part of the celebration and help bring the parade to life. A recent announcement included the return of the McAllen Holiday Parade sweepstakes, volunteer opportunities and seating options. The parade will step off at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. Celebrities Mario Lopez and Julian Gil will serve…

McAllen Airport Now Offers Free SPI Shuttle

October 3, 2021

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Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

McAllen International Airport is now offering MFE Destination Connect. The free, luxury shuttle service brings MFE travelers to their next destination in South Padre Island. This new partnership between the airport and SPI creates new connectivity which allows travelers to experience both destinations while visiting. McAllen International Airport currently welcomes travelers from nine nonstop destinations throughout the U.S. and Mexico. This pilot shuttle service program operates on Thursdays, Fridays and…

McAllen Welcomes UTRGV Expanded Cancer Center

September 13, 2021

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Education Featured Healthcare News Comments

The University of Texas Health Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine is expanding its healthcare offerings in South Texas with a new Cancer and Surgery Center at its McAllen Academic Medical Campus. McAllen officials are hoping to establish and develop the area around the campus as a medical center for the region. “I am so proud of the efforts being made by UT Health RGV School of Medicine to expand…

McAllen Holiday Parade Returns in December

August 31, 2021

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Community Events Featured News Comments

McAllen city officials recently announced the return of the McAllen Holiday Parade for Dec. 4. Stepping off the parade at 6 p.m. at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium is the U.S. Air Force Parade Element Honor Guard and Drill Team. “A lead step-off sets the tone of the parade and creates excitement for the rest of the floats and bands as they march down the parade route,ˮ said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. …

MFE Receives $15.6-Million FAA Grant

August 3, 2021

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Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

The McAllen International Airport is the recipient of a $15,679,241 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. This grant comes from supplemental funding under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. McAllen International Airport intends to use this federal funding to improve drainage and erosion control for the airport and its surrounding facilities. Funding will complete phase seven of eight to enclose open drainage canals that attract wildlife on the airfield to…