McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos understands that incidences of domestic violence spike over the holidays. Hoping to keep the community safe, he encourages those who may be victimized to seek help and those who may become abusers to consider the consequences.
In addition to Mujera Unidas 800-580-4879 there is a National Crisis line for those who need to talk whether you’re the one who might act out or be acted upon. That number is 988 and press 1 if you’re a Veteran, Press 3 if you’re someone in LGBT+ community under 25 and just wait on line if you’re in any other category. You can always call 911 for emergencies and tell them where you are and what the problem is. There is also the local Crisis line for behavioral health needs at 877-289-7199. Also a source of stress during holidays is that in some occupations your bosses give you less ours and there are financial stressors. Consider the following to get assistance with various problems such as dialing 211 or visiting https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/hidalgo_county_assistance_prog.html Many churches and community organizations are part of food bank and offer help. Thanks Mayor for bringing up such a sensitive topic. Let’s all work together to prevent violence before it happens. It’s better to offer help or report concerns than waiting and wishing you had.
Eden Hirschy from Dallas made the nine-hour drive to the Rio Grande Valley to accept her bachelor’s degree from STC’s Computer and Information Technologies (CIT) program during the college’s commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Bert Ogden Arena. STC IMAGE
Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
Throughout her life, Eden Hirschy’s most constant friends have been computers and books, keeping her company and teaching her lessons even through her most difficult moments, and this weekend those lessons have helped her in the quest for a bachelor’s degree from South Texas College.
For the last few years, the Dallas resident has been an online student in STC’s Computer and Information Technologies (CIT) program. She said this experience has meant the world to her.
“I’m not your traditional student,” said the 39-year-old. “I’m not traditional in any sense, from age to my illness, everything has taken me longer than most, but I’ve never given up on my dream or myself.”
Hirschy started college at 16 as a dual enrollment student in her hometown; she likes to emphasis that it’s taken her 23 years to get her degree because it proves resilience, determination and perseverance do prevail.
With her first brain-related illness at 18-months-old, her life has been filled with doctors and hospitals, including 15 brain surgeries to reduce excess fluid in her brain in hopes of alleviating constant pain and surviving four bouts of meningitis. All the while, it was her books and computers that kept her company and connected to the outside world.
“There have been moments where I never thought getting a bachelor’s degree was possible, which made me sad because I was the only one in my family without one,” said Hirschy. “But I’ve been able to overcome illness and constant pain to walk that stage.”
Walking that stage with her cap and gown has been a dream Hirschy has had since high school, a memory that still makes her emotional, making the nine-hour drive to the Rio Grande Valley more than worth her while.
“I was sick in high school when I walked the graduation stage and when I got my associate degree I was in the hospital, so to be healthy as I can be and finally graduating is a dream come true,” she said. “This is an experience I will never forget.”
She was joined in celebration by her mom, dad and service dog, Jack, as she and more than 1,200 STC students were conferred as graduates in ceremonies held at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.
“I credit this day, my success to my instructors…I could not be where I am today without them,” said Hirschy. “Despite the fact that I was more than 500 miles away, I never felt alone.”
With a knack for breaking apart and rebuilding computer hardware since the age of 12, she knew what type of program she was looking for when she started her college research.
And Hirschy said, STC did not disappoint.
“I was looking for an online school, accredited, affordable with added extras…I would know when I saw it, I remember thinking,” she said. “STC’s CIT had everything I was looking for.”
From the program’s instructors and teaching styles to the resources and additional certification options, Hirschy said she was impressed.
“I was never a full-time student, two classes a semester was the max I could handle, and when things got tough, it was my instructors who kept me going…they never gave up on me either,” she said. “I took it one class and one day at a time. STC really taught me that I could do anything.”
In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Hirschy also graduates with three additional certifications offered by STC’s CIT program – Google IT Support Technician, Google UX Design and Google IT Automation with Python.
“I am more than ready to begin my career. Everything I’ve learned and earned at STC has set me up for success,” said Hirschy. “I’ve had great support and the fact that, for the first time, I never had to use disability services, speaks to the caliber of my instructors’ expertise and professionalism. They’ve inspired me.”
Inspired by STC, Hirschy will continue her education to earn a master’s degree in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence to one day design technology for the disabled.
“I still have a long road ahead and my illness will require life-long treatments and surgeries, but I’m so happy and excited that I’ve been able to achieve one more dream,” she said. “Next step is to help others achieve their dreams too with technology and STC has given me the foundation to do that.”
For more information on STC’s Computer and Information Technologies program, visit southtexascollege.edu.
Registration for spring 2023 is underway. Classes begin January 17, 2023.
Nearly eight and a half pounds of fentanyl pills, part of a poly-drug seizure realized by CBP officers in a single enforcement action at Brownsville Port of Entry. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted alleged narcotics with a combined estimated street value of $808,976.
“Our CBP officers used their experience and multiple law enforcement tools to discover and seize these dangerous narcotics,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The seizure took place on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 24-year-old female United States citizen who resides in Houston, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2013 Chevrolet. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered eight packages hidden within the 2013 Chevrolet. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained 6.39 pounds of alleged methamphetamine, 8.42 pounds of alleged fentanyl, 13.44 pounds of alleged cocaine, and 19.92 pounds of alleged heroin.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $58,788, $235,806, $179,559, and $334,823 respectively.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the driver and turned her over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers conducting inspections at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad crossing just west of the Paso Del Norte port of entry in El Paso intercepted 195 pounds of marijuana and five pounds of cocaine inside of a hopper car.
The seizure occurred on Dec. 7 when CBP officers along with a CBP canine were conducting inspections on a train making entry into the U.S. from Mexico. The CBP canine alerted to an odor emitting from one of the hopper cars leading CBP officers to locate several bundles concealed within. A thorough search resulted in the discovery of 70 marijuana filled bundles and two cocaine filled bundles.
“All rail shipments entering the U.S. from Mexico are subject to several layers of enforcement,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio. “Each car is scanned by an x-ray system while CBP officers and CBP canine teams at the rail crossing inspect the train as it arrives.”
The narcotics were seized by CBP. No arrests were immediately made. The case remains under investigation.
The seizure marks the second time in one month that CBP officers in El Paso have found large quantities of drugs in a rail car arriving from Mexico. On Nov. 9 CBP officers intercepted 215 pounds of methamphetamine from a train using the same crossing point.
A new survey of antitrust law practitioners from the USC Gould School of Law shows that legal experts have concerns about the direction of the agency. Image for illustration Purposes
Texas Border Business
By US Chamber of Commerce
A new survey of antitrust law practitioners from the USC Gould School of Law shows that legal experts have concerns about the direction of the agency.
Why it matters: The costs of the FTC’s “act first, ask questions later” agenda are becoming clear. Under current leadership, mergers cost more, take longer, and have become less certain.
By the numbers: Overall, the majority of practitioners surveyed held negative views about the FTC’s merger review process under current leadership:
· 66% responded that the FTC’s current merger enforcement practices harm innovation and competition.
· 69% believe that the FTC has become “Less receptive to arguments regarding pro-growth competitive innovation.”
· 58% responded that when reviewing a merger, the FTC has reduced or eliminated its consideration of potential efficiency gains.
Yes, and: These negative responses from practitioners resemble the perceptions of actual FTC employees as expressed in the agency’s own survey:
· From 2020 to 2021, respect for senior leadership in the agency fell 34 points from 83% to 49%.
· Over that same period, agency staff reported a 34-point drop from 87% to 53% in their belief that leadership maintained a high level of honesty and integrity
Bottom line: Mergers and acquisitions are important drivers of innovation and competition in the American economy. It is consumers who ultimately pay the price for the FTC intentionally making that process more difficult.
Impacted greatly from a chronic illness, Paola Vallejo says staff and faculty at South Texas College’s Starr County campus gave her the will to succeed and receive her associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies during Commencement Dec. 10. STC Image
Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – South Texas College Starr County student Paola Vallejo said faculty and staff were the difference between succumbing to a chronic illness or finding the will to live and graduate.
A stress disorder is what caused Vallejo to develop Pancolitis in March 2022, a severe form of ulcerative colitis stemming from her mental health condition. The disease caused her immune system to attack the large intestine.
Coming from a low-income family and with no medical insurance, the 21-year-old described an “ugly battle” with the disease, and often wondered if she would pull through. It was her experience at STC’s Starr County campus that gave her the motivation to persevere.
“It was mentally and physically breaking. No one deserves to live like this, it’s so heartbreaking. It was very hard to tell myself to keep going. I was ready to give up because I really thought I was going to die, but as it turns out, someone here at STC is always rooting for you,” Vallejo said. “Whether it’s an advisor, counselor or student success specialist, I saw that someone was in my corner no matter what was going on. I’m glad I know that now because it was it was a big help, and it was something that I’m extremely grateful for.”
From those days struggling to get out of bed, fighting through depression, or weathering the symptoms of the disease, Vallejo said she found the strength to succeed. She graduated with her associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies over the summer, and now will be among the 2,471 graduates who will receive their diplomas at STC’s Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 10.
With one significant challenge behind her, Vallejo said she looks ahead to the next chapter, which from the start has always been about helping those in need.
Now working for her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership at STC, Vallejo said she wants to apply what she has learned to making a difference in her community and make an impact in the high-stakes world of corporate business.
Vallejo said she believes the current climate of business in the Rio Grande Valley invites an opportunity for real societal change in the way employees are valued and treated. With the advent of companies like Space X, comes an understanding that someone has to step in on employees’ behalf.
“We come from a lower-income community, which is very much overlooked. We’re growing, but it’s coming with a cost and a lot of people are suffering, just like my parents,” she said. “My dad used to work for a big company, and it was a lot of hard labor, and the payoff wasn’t as good as you’d expect, so I want to change that. I feel the need to do something about it.”
Reflecting on her success so far, Vallejo says that hope now fills the void previously created by her illness. This was thanks in part to the difference STC made in her life.
She now looks ahead to finishing her bachelor’s degree and possibly pursuing a master’s degree as she moves forward with her educational journey.
“You know I cried because I finished in the summer, and I didn’t think I would actually get to finish. I quite literally almost died. I almost lost my life,” Vallejo said. “For the first time in a while I actually started thinking that maybe it was possible to keep going. Maybe this is not over, and I can continue to do something that will make a difference in my life and in others.”
For more information on STC’s associate and bachelor’s degree programs, visit www.southtexascollege.edu.
Registration for spring 2023 is underway. Spring classes begin Jan. 17, 2023.
As part of a specialized taskforce in conjunction with Operation Lone Star, DPS and Border Patrol apprehended 30 illegal immigrants in the brush in Sullivan City, Hidalgo County. Photo: Texas DPS
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 333,000 migrant apprehensions and more than 22,000 criminal arrests, with more than 20,000 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 354 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
Texas has also bused more than 8,500 migrants to our nation’s capital since April, over 4,000 migrants to New York City since August 5, more than 1,300 migrants to Chicago since August 31, and more than 260 migrants to Philadelphia since November 15.
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden’s open border policies.
As part of Operation Lone Star, DPS recently launched a new elite border taskforce that includes tracking K9s and drone operators to detect, track down, and apprehend the record numbers of gotaways into the United States. The taskforce will also gather intelligence, disrupt human smuggling, and identify scouts. More than 73,000 gotaways were reported in November alone, and in fiscal year 2022 there were nearly 600,000 gotaways—a stark increase from about 389,000 gotaways in fiscal year 2021.
This week, Fox News’ Bill Melugin embedded with the new DPS unit and one morning witnessed the arrest of roughly 50 illegal immigrants actively looking to evade law enforcement by sneaking through the brush near La Joya and Mission.
Last month, Governor Abbott ordered DPS and the Texas Military Department to expand their unprecedented efforts to combat the growing illegal immigration along the Texas-Mexico border.
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez spoke with NewsNation about the record number of gotaways reported at the border last month and a new initiative to address the border crisis through a special joint taskforce. In conjunction with Operation Lone Star, this taskforce is tracking, detecting, and apprehending illegal immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley as the number of illegal immigrants attempting to evade law enforcement continues to climb.
“We are sending a message that we do have extra manpower working with Border Patrol,” said Lt. Olivarez. “We’ve made an impact, even in just the small area we’ve been working. We’ve been able to make apprehensions, where otherwise there would be no manpower there and these would have been gotaways.”
DPS told NewsNation it will continue to create and implement specialized teams and taskforces to address the border crisis.
DPS Specialized Taskforce Apprehends 30 Illegal Immigrants In Hidalgo County
As part of a specialized taskforce in conjunction with Operation Lone Star, DPS and Border Patrol apprehended 30 illegal immigrants in the brush in Sullivan City, Hidalgo County. The illegal immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador were referred to Border Patrol.
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez joined Fox News to discuss the approaching end of Title 42 later this month, despite Mexican drug cartels using increasingly sophisticated methods of smuggling dangerous narcotics like fentanyl through U.S. ports of entry.
“We know for a fact that Mexican drug cartels control the border, who comes across and what drugs come across,” said Lt. Olivarez. “The federal government needs to designate these cartels for what they are, foreign terrorist organizations. Governor Abbott did it, and yet we’re still wondering why the federal government has not cracked down on these organizations to stop the flow of chemical precursors [of fentanyl] from China going into Mexico so they can develop this deadly poison and then smuggle it into the United States.”
Texas National Guard Station Armored Personnel Carriers Along Border
Photo: Texas Military Department
Last week, the Texas National Guard deployed 10 M113 armored personnel carriers to strategic locations in five counties along the border as part of Operation Lone Star. The M113s bolster the safety of soldiers amid escalating violence in the border region. On Saturday, soldiers sought cover in an M113 after receiving gunfire from unidentified individuals on the other side of the river.
During a commercial vehicle safety inspection of an 18-wheeler in Jim Hogg County, DPS troopers discovered the driver was smuggling 15 illegal immigrants, including a child, concealed inside a gravel trailer. The driver from San Antonio was charged with human smuggling, and all illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
A human smuggler led DPS troopers on a high-speed pursuit on U.S. 83 in Starr County. During the pursuit, the driver and several illegal immigrants bailed out toward the brush. One illegal immigrant was located inside the trunk of the car and referred to Border Patrol.
Drugs seized at the Ysleta port of entry. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted fentanyl and heroin with an estimated street value of almost $170,000.
“The work performed by dedicated CBP officers is helping keep our community safe,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “A significant quantity of dangerous drugs will not be available to the American public because of their efforts.”
The interception occurred Dec. 5, when a 46-year-old male, Mexican citizen arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. A CBP officer conducting primary inspections referred the vehicle for screening by a CBP canine and a non-intrusive x-ray scan. A thorough search of the vehicle was conducted leading CBP officers to locate multiple mixed bundles containing 14.3 pounds fentanyl and 4.9 pounds of black tar heroin.
The narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP and the driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.
At approximately $15 million in approved grant funds, 2022 is the City of McAllen Police Department’s most successful year for approved grant applications. Images of illustration purposes.
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – At approximately $15 million in approved grant funds, 2022 is the City of McAllen Police Department’s most successful year for approved grant applications.
Some grant applications succeeded only after several application attempts. The U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing (DOJ COPS) Grant succeeded during this cycle. On October 13, 2022, the City of McAllen was notified of its successful 2022 fiscal year COPS hiring grant application of $1.875 million to increase the McAllen Police Department strength by 15 sworn officers.
Another notable grant success during this cycle was the Texas Rio Grande Valley Texas Anti-Gang grant.
On September 17, 2021, HB 5, the Texas 87th (2) Legislative Session, in part, appropriated $180 million from the general revenue fund “for the purpose of supporting the work of Texas Anti-Gang Center programs.”
The McAllen Police Department, through the TX RGV TAG developed a grant application that included a funding request for software, hardware, and equipment for use by the RGV TAG (user) agencies.
The original request included $33,653,386 for equipment for valley-wide use by RGV TAG agencies.
On June 10, 2022, the City of McAllen received a Statement of Grant Award (SOGA) from the Texas Governor’s Office. The grant award was in the amount of $12,213,386 with a zero dollar match requirement.
Equipment projects authorized under this grant include facial recognition, license plate reader, mobile command unit, armored vehicles, and bomb response equipment.
These successful grant applications result in the most successful grant cycle for the City of McAllen Police Department.
Grants approved during this grant cycle total approximately $15 million and include:
TX OOG CJD RGV TAG: $12.2 million;
US DOJ COPS: $1.87 million;
US Department of Homeland Security Stonegarden: $370,000;
TX Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division Local Border Security: $10,000;
TX Department of Motor Vehicle-Brownsville Auto Theft: $325,000;
TX Department of Transportation-STEP Traffic Enforcement: $100,000;
TX Department of Public Safety-TTIC: $250,000.
“The City of McAllen strives to be resourceful in its efforts to provide the expected services to our community. It is only through those efforts that we may combine local, state and federal funds to provide the public safety service that our community deserves,” said McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez. “I want to express my special thanks to the men and women of the McAllen Police Department through which we deliver the services allowed through these grant projects.”
The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation is excited to announce its collaboration with Creative Liquid Coatings (CLC) to expand its operations in Brownsville. Image Source: googlemaps
Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation is excited to announce its collaboration with Creative Liquid Coatings (CLC) to expand its operations in Brownsville. On June 4, 2022, Creative Liquid Coatings acquired the significant assets of CK Technologies, including plants located in Montpelier, OH, Mount Airy, NC, Grand Prairie, TX, and Brownsville, TX. CLC has nearly 30 years of experience manufacturing plastic parts for OEMS and Tier-1 Suppliers. Their high-volume production serves automotive, heavy truck, marine, power sports, and structural medical furniture industries. As part of its commitment to Brownsville, CLC is planning to invest approximately $8,000,000 in equipment and plant improvements, as well as to create 150 new jobs in Brownsville.
“We are excited to work in partnership with Creative Liquid Coatings and support their growth efforts in Brownsville, Texas. CLC’s capital investment and creation of 150 new high-paying jobs will allow our city’s tax base to increase while providing our young workforce with the opportunity to develop and advance,” said John Cowen, Jr., GBIC Chairman.
“Brownsville’s growth is raising the interest of multiple industries nationally and internationally. Through tailored assistance and multiple programs such as We Grow our Own 2.0 and Launch BTX, GBIC is ready to assist new and existing businesses to thrive in Brownville. We look forward to supporting Creative Liquid Coatings with its expansion plans,” said Constanza Miner, EDFP, GBIC’s Interim Executive Director.
“Creative Liquid Coatings sees Brownville’s tremendous potential and is committed to its growth and development by providing high-paying jobs and opportunities to employees. GBIC’s outstanding leadership, excellent customer service, and unwavering support have made choosing Brownsville easy for our company expansion plans. We look forward to strengthening our partnership,” said Griselda Munoz, Creative Liquid Coatings, HR Director.
The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation seeks to promote economic growth in Brownsville and Cameron County by empowering a young and skilled intergenerational workforce that drives innovation in the area. It facilitates economic growth by promoting investment and working with regional and international partners with job creation, training, innovation, business development, and manufacturing. GBIC is a non-profit organization, Type-A Economic Development Corporation. For more information on GBIC, please visit https://greaterbrownsville.com/.
