The International Museum of Art & Science invites the community to honor loved ones and celebrate cultural traditions at its annual Día de los Muertos Festival & Market on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is a day-long celebration of art, music, food and community. General admission includes access to the festival, hands-on activities including a community piñata-fied mural, the museum’s exhibits, artisan vendors and the…
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas, the largest state community banking association in the nation, recently honored Lone Star National Bank in McAllen with four Best of Community Banking Awards. LSNB received a Best of Show Gold Eagle award for its “Starr County Volunteerism” community service entry, a Gold Eagle Award for its “Cowboy Cash” innovation entry, a Silver Eagle Award for its “Client Testimonials” marketing entry, and a Bronze…
McAllen Public Library is partnering with South Texas College to offer free GED and English as a Second Language classes beginning Oct. 13. Classes will take place at MPL locations and are open to qualifying students seeking to improve their English or earn a high school equivalency diploma. “Hosting these classes is one more way we can connect our community to free educational opportunities,” said Kate Horan, Library Director. “We…
The City of McAllen recently earned 49 awards, including an international designation and a coveted industry honor, at the Pinnacle Awards and the World Festival & Event City Awards during the 70th Annual International Festivals & Events Association Convention, Expo and Retreat in Palm Springs, Cali. The awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments, top-quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs produced by events around the world. The professional competition drew…
The City of McAllen earns national recognition, ranking 20 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Places to Live. McAllen joins six other Texas cities to round out the top 20: Pearland (3), League City (6), Leander (8), Flower Mound (14), Pflugerville (15) and Sugar Land (16). The annual ranking evaluates 250 cities across the United States based on affordability, job market strength, desirability and overall quality of…
Dr. Roberto Alejandro Cruz moved to the Rio Grande Valley in the summer of 2020 and a few months later developed a vision for a comprehensive multiple sclerosis center at DHR Health. Five years later, the DHR Health Neuroscience Institute in McAllen received an official designation that makes it the only center of its kind south of San Antonio. Cruz is the center director of a medical facility that earned…
McAllen ISD is now offering the Step-up Program, a free diploma completion program for adults ages 18 to 26 who left school before graduating. The program accommodates flexible scheduling, allowing students to attend in the morning or afternoon, Monday through Friday, to match their personal commitments and to proceed at their own pace. The program is planning to launch with approximately 50 students early this fall at McAllen ISD’s Lamar…
Isidro Lerma, a theatre arts teacher from McAllen ISD’s James “Nikki” Rowe High School, has earned Regional Secondary Teacher of the Year honors by the Region One Education Service Center. In the past 35 years, McAllen ISD teachers have earned 23 Regional or State Teacher of the Year titles – the most in the South Texas Region. This year, the Region One Education Service Center celebrated 51 district teachers of…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly session of Latina Hope on Sept. 3. The competitive pitch program facilitates training, networking and micro business development for Spanish-speaking women. The program offers business workshops, as well as specialized skill training in making candles, cards, jewelry, soaps, toys and wreaths. Latina Hope also offers classes in knitting/crocheting, quilting, sewing and alterations. After attending the training, participants are given the opportunity to…
South Texas College Continuing Education is currently holding free Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Basic Life Support and first aid classes with certification from the American Heart Association. Registration is now open to anyone in the community including health care professionals, police officers and community members who seek training that can help save lives in emergency situations. The free CPR courses are funded by a grant from Texas Mutual, which has been providing…