U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) held a press conference to announce a $2.5 million federal earmark to improve water pipes and restore water pressure on the east side of Rio Grande City on Wednesday.Courtesy Image
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Rio Grande City, TX — U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) held a press conference to announce a $2.5 million federal earmark to improve water pipes and restore water pressure on the east side of Rio Grande City on Wednesday. The Congressman also announced $121 million in transportation funding for Starr County.
The East Water Loop project will address the city’s critical need to maintain adequate water pressure for economic development, public health and public safety—especially fire safety.
Congressman Cuellar with City officials and others during the announcement. Courtesy Image
The $121 million in transportation funding includes 2 highway projects that will be developed or undergo construction over the next 10 years. Funds are authorized through the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2023 Unified Transportation Program, which is the state’s 10-year plan to guide the development of transportation work across the state.
Congressman Cuellar with City officials and others during the announcement. Courtesy Image
“So much fun, it’s become a bit of a tradition now, so please join me at the Official South Pole of Texas to give Santa a Texas-size welcome in his warm weather home away from home in beautiful McAllen,” said Lopez. “I’m going to be see you and Santa there this December 3. Looking forward to it.” YouTube Image
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Earlier today, McAllen city officials announced that returning to serve as celebrity host for the rebroadcast of the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, is popular television personality, producer, actor and three-time MHP veteran Mario Lopez, on both general market and the top 31 U.S. Latino markets throughout the country. Lopez will also be joined on the broadcast by Linda Tovar of H-E-B.
“So much fun, it’s become a bit of a tradition now, so please join me at the Official South Pole of Texas to give Santa a Texas-size welcome in his warm weather home away from home in beautiful McAllen,” said Lopez. “I’m going to be see you and Santa there this December 3. Looking forward to it.”
Lopez has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on “Saved By The Bell” and is well known for hosting the syndicated entertainment news magazine show “Extra,” “America’s Best Dance Crew” for MTV, the American version of “The X Factor,” “The Ellen Show,” and “On with Mario Lopez,” a four-hour music program featuring a unique blend of entertainment stories and celebrity interviews. Most recently, Mario hosted the live stream for the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and appeared in the McAllen Holiday Parade in 2014, as well as hosting both the virtual and in-person presentations of the parade in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Joining McAllen Holiday Parade officials was Tovar, Senior Manager for Public Affairs for H-E-B, highlighting the grocery chain’s longstanding partnership with the famed holiday event, stating “Here Texas Holidays are Better.” Aside from the return of everyone’s favorite balloon, H-E-Buddy, as well as their 10-foot tall floating ornament balloons and their giant illuminated float featuring Texas-sized H-E-B products, H-E-B will be hosting a tamale masa spreading contest; nightly give-aways, samplings of their Mi Tienda tamales, buñuelos and other distinct products at Christmas in the Park, the free, family-friend festival that is held the night before the parade.
Organizers also invited the community to be a part of this year’s festivities in various ways, including, a call for entries for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade, volunteer banner carriers and balloon handlers and high school bands throughout the region to perform in the holiday tradition.
“This year, even more people across the county will be able enjoy the McAllen Holiday Parade at home as we continue to grow our re-broadcast during Christmas time across top Latino markets in the United States,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “We are proud to share McAllen’s holiday culture and traditions with the world and the spirit of giving that makes it all possible.”
The community is invited to sign up to be one of hundreds of balloon handlers throughout the 1.5-mile parade route. Additionally, volunteers can light up the parade by holding one of over 100 lighted banners that walk just in front of the floats, balloons or bands.
Balloon handler volunteers must be 18 years or over, while banner carriers must be 16 years or over. All volunteers must go through a background check and will receive gloves, t-shirt and snacks. All volunteers are required to have a volunteer badge a scheduled event. Learn more at www.volunteersotx.org or send questions or to sign up at pardvolunteers@mcallen.net.
A call out to all high school bands in the region to participate in the McAllen Holiday Parade was announced, with participating bands receiving a $1,000 scholarship to assist with expenses related to appearing in the parade, or just any other band expenses. Contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department to apply to participate in the parade.
Organizers are also reminding anyone throughout the Rio Grande Valley that the call for entries for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade is opens still and the deadline to enter is fast approaching. Entries must be on a shoebox, and can include any type of arts & crafts, toys, holiday decorations, lights or countless elements to celebrate “South Pole & Beyond,” the theme of both the shoebox and the big parade. The winning shoebox float entry will be made into an actual float for the 2023 edition of the McAllen Holiday Parade. Entries are due no later than Wednesday, November 23, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. to the City of McAllen Office of Communications, McAllen City Hall, 1300 W. Houston Ave., 3rd Floor. For more information, visit www.mcallenholidayparade.com.
The parade will step off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. Ticket prices start at $10, plus service fees for stadium or Vuelta Zone seating for the parade and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office, 801Convention Center Blvd. There is also plenty of free seating along the parade route, on a first come basis.
For the past four years, the McAllen Holiday Parade has been named the Best Parade in the World, and this year, earned the Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals and Events Organization. The McAllen Holiday Parade has also been named the Best Parade in Texas for the past five years by international and state event industry organizations.
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group and proudly sponsored by Reliant, McAllen International Airport and South Padre Island CVB. Other sponsors for the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade include Budweiser, McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Matt’s Building Materials; Metro McAllen; University of Texas-RGV; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger Attorneys at Law; McAllen Chamber of Commerce/MXLAN; PepsiCo.; McAllen Public Works; Tres Lagos Master Planned Community; AEP Texas; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Lacks; Doña Lula; Hermes; Cigna; Taco Palenque; Carollo Engineers; South Texas College; KSA Engineers; Halff Associates; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; S&B Infrastructure; AMR; Cigna; IBC; South Texas Vo-Tech; McDonald’s; JP Morgan Chase; Chick-fil-A Rio Grande Valley; PNC Bank; Rise & Shine with Manny; General Mills; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Windfield Communities, Explore McAllen, Plains Capital Bank, Valley Aids Council.
TxDOT street team is seen promoting pedestrian safety messages near the intersection of 10th and Trenton, in McAllen. TxDOT Image
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PHARR, Texas – It will be more challenging to see pedestrians as days get shorter during the fall and winter months. That’s why TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” pedestrian safety campaign is kicking off National Pedestrian Safety Month, reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay alert and watch out for each other.
Pedestrian traffic fatalities increased by 15% in Texas in 2021. The state saw 5,366 traffic crashes involving pedestrians, resulting in 841 fatalities and 1,470 serious injuries.
TxDOT street team is seen promoting pedestrian safety messages near the intersection of 10th and Trenton, in McAllen. TxDOT Image
“The fall season means not only a shift to cooler temperatures but also fewer hours of daylight, and visibility becomes an issue,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “It’s important for motorists to pay attention and look out for people walking, and for pedestrians to make sure they take steps to be seen.”
TxDOT’s pedestrian safety campaign includes TV and radio spots, billboards and digital advertising.
TxDOT street team is seen promoting pedestrian safety messages near the intersection of 10th and Trenton, in McAllen. TxDOT Image
TxDOT will also be hitting the streets and bringing its walking billboards—street teams wearing sandwich boards— to the 10 districts that saw the highest numbers of fatalities from pedestrian-related traffic crashes. To address the high number of pedestrian-related crashes and fatalities in these areas, TxDOT is deploying more than 30 street teams to display pedestrian safety messages in places where vehicles and pedestrians share the road.
TxDOT street team is seen promoting pedestrian safety messages near the intersection of 10th and Trenton, in McAllen. TxDOT Image
TxDOT encourages everyone to follow these safety tips to prevent a deadly encounter:
For drivers:
Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
When turning, yield the right of way to pedestrians.
Be cautious when passing stopped buses or other vehicles.
Pay attention and put your phone away, so you’re always prepared if pedestrians enter your path.
Follow the posted speed limit and drive to conditions.
For people walking:
Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks. Look left, right, then left again before crossing.
Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Don’t assume drivers see you.
Follow all traffic and crosswalk signals.
Use the sidewalk. If there isn’t one, walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
When walking, put away electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
Wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted five human smuggling events and two human stash houses over the weekend. USCBP Image
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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted five human smuggling events and two human stash houses over the weekend.
On Oct. 6, RGV agents received information of a suspected stash house in Edinburg. RGV agents convened at the residence and encountered two citizens from Mexico. One was identified as a caretaker. Both were placed under arrest without incident after they were determined to be in the U.S. illegally. Later, agents responded to a request for assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers near the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint. The driver of a F-150 failed to yield to DPS troopers, veered off the road, came to a stop and multiple people fled the vehicle. RGV agents arrived at the scene of the bailout and were able to apprehend one migrant illegally present in the U.S. The driver was not located.
On Oct. 7, RGV agents and Starr County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area team (HIDTA) investigated a residence suspected of harboring several individuals. Agents and HIDTA officers apprehended two migrants, both illegally present in the U.S. and a juvenile U.S. citizen. All subjects were taken into HIDTA custody. In a separate event, two migrants were taken into custody by agents after a request for assistance from the Alton Police Department, after they claimed to have been held in a stash house in Alton and managed to escape.
On Oct. 8, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents responded to a request for assistance from DPS troopers with six suspected migrants at a vehicle stop in McAllen. Agents determined the six individuals were nationals of Mexico and unlawfully present in the U.S. The driver was taken into custody by DPS. Earlier that morning, MCS agents responded to a request for assistance from Mission Police Department (MPD) in Mission with a traffic stop and two migrants were taken into custody after determining they were in the U.S. illegally. The driver and passenger, both U.S. citizens were arrested by MPD.
Additionally, MCS agents arrested three migrants from another smuggling event in McAllen.
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents with the assistance of Canine Timmy discover undocumented individuals sealed inside a grain hopper railcar near Hebbronville, Texas. USCBP Image
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LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents with the assistance of Canine Timmy discover undocumented individuals sealed inside a grain hopper railcar near Hebbronville, Texas.
On October 10, Canine Timmy and his handler, were working their assigned duties, inspecting an eastbound train in Hebbronville, Texas. As they walked alongside the train, K9 Timmy alerted to possible concealed human/narcotics inside a grain hopper. Border Patrol agents climbed onboard the train and discovered a total of 13 undocumented individuals trapped inside in a sealed grain hopper railcar, with no means of escape. All were safely removed from the railcar and were medically screened before being transported to the Hebbronville Station for processing.
Record checks revealed that the individuals were from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala and all were processed accordingly.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.
Del Rio Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two previously deported convicted felons over the weekend. USCBP Image
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DEL RIO, Texas – Del Rio Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two previously deported convicted felons over the holiday weekend.
On Oct. 7, at approximately 7 p.m., agents encountered 10 subjects, shortly after they crossed into the United States illegally by wading across the Rio Grande River near Brackettville. The group was apprehended by agents and transported to the Brackettville Border Patrol Station for processing. Record checks revealed that one subject, Jose Nerys Gomez-Gaitan, 45, a Salvadoran national, was convicted of felony kidnapping in 2017, in California, and sentenced to five years confinement. He was most recently deported in January 2022.
On Oct. 10, at approximately 11 a.m., Eagle Pass Station agents, conducting line watch operations, encountered six subjects attempting to avoid detection after crossing the Rio Grande River. Agents transported the group to the Eagle Pass Processing Center, where record checks showed that, Oscar Dario Posada-Barcona, 26, a Honduran national, was convicted of sexual assault of a child, in San Antonio, in November 2021. He was sentenced to eight years probation and deported in June 2022.
As convicted felons, both face charges of 8 USC § 1326 – Re-entry after Deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
To report suspicious activity, call the Del Rio Sector’s toll-free number at 1-866-511-8727.
For the second consecutive year, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics has been awarded to three Americans. For 2022, the recipients are Ben S. Bernanke (former Federal Reserve Chairman now with The Brookings Institution), Douglas W. Diamond (University of Chicago), and Philip H. Dybvig (Washington University in St. Louis) “for research on banks and financial crises.” Image Sources: Ben Bernanke: United States Federal Reserve, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Douglas Diamond: https://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/douglas-diamond; Philip H. Dybvig : https://olin.wustl.edu/
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group
For the second consecutive year, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics has been awarded to three Americans. For 2022, the recipients are Ben S. Bernanke (former Federal Reserve Chairman now with The Brookings Institution), Douglas W. Diamond (University of Chicago), and Philip H. Dybvig (Washington University in St. Louis) “for research on banks and financial crises.”
Each year, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Prize (formally the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel) in recognition of ideas and research that increase our understanding of important issues in economics and related areas. Although most people are not interested in the pure economics of such research, the discoveries often shape public policy or even the way we think about the world which, in turn, affects the daily lives of virtually everyone.
This year’s winners focused on monetary economics and, in particular, how it applies to banks during financial crises. Each of these researchers looked at information asymmetries in banking, which involves the fact that potential borrowers know more about their creditworthiness than lenders, and how banks address the problem. They also looked at what happens during a financial crisis. This work provides important theoretical understanding, as well as practical application.
An important concept in Mr. Bernanke’s work was that banks can serve as an accelerator in business cycles. The traditional approach dating back to the 1800s is for banks to continue to lend during crisis situations, but only against very strong assets. However, when things start going downhill, banks typically stop lending due to declining asset values, worsening the situation. Similarly, when the economy improves, asset values rise, and lending increases. Diamond and Dybvig developed a model showing how runs on banks can occur as a crisis begins and how policies such as deposit insurance can lessen the associated risk.
As Fed Chair during the financial crisis of 2007-08, Bernanke sought to reduce the accelerator role of banks as the economy struggled by implementing “quantitative easing” (QE). Essentially, QE floods the system with liquidity, encouraging banks to lend. The policy was controversial, but kept the situation from becoming much worse. Without that massive infusion, there was a genuine threat of global financial collapse. Some indicators (such as the “spread,” – the difference between the risk-free rate and what banks charge when lending to each other) were at alarming proportions (55 times the normal gap at one point) and could not have been sustained.
The work of these Nobel Memorial Prize winners helped us better understand how central banks should react during an economic crisis. While all policies can involve negative consequences, the Great Recession could have been far worse without their seminal contributions. Stay safe!
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of more than 2,500 clients over the past four decades.
Packages containing 502 pounds of marijuana seized by RGV Sector Border Patrol agents. USCBP Image
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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted four narcotic smuggling events, resulting in nearly 1,300 pounds of marijuana seized.
Before sunrise on October 7, agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station (RGC) and the RGV Horse Patrol Unit responded to suspicious activity near the river in Rio Grande City and discovered seven abandoned bundles. The marijuana weighed over 600 pounds and has been valued at approximately $481,400. Two nights later, RGC agents and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies interdicted a marijuana load vehicle west of Rio Grande City. Agents conducted a vehicle stop on a van as it was departing from fields near the Rio Grande. When the vehicle came to a stop, the driver fled southbound and was not located. Agents seized 502 pounds of marijuana worth more than $400,000 USD from the van.
On October 7, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents seized over 166 pounds of marijuana when camera operators observed a subject carrying a bundle near Sullivan City. MCS agents responded to the area and seized six bundles abandoned in the brush. Agents searched the surrounding area but did not locate any subjects.
On October 8, Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents observed multiple subjects walking north from the Rio Grande and enter a cane field. Additional agents responded to the area and located a bundle of marijuana near the border wall after witnessing 11 subjects return to Mexico. The bundle weighed 24 pounds and was valued at approximately $19,000 USD.
Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez stated, “Extremely proud of the Rio Grande City Station and our Horse Patrol unit. More than 1,300 pounds of marijuana was seized and kept off the streets of our communities this weekend because of the vigilance provided by the men and women of the Rio Grande Valley Sector. Whether our Border Patrol Agents are on patrol at the border, working at immigration checkpoints, or processing migrants, our workforce does it with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.”
CBP officer escorts a wanted person at a U.S. port of entry. USCBP Image
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MISSION, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Anzalduas International Bridge apprehended Alondra Hernandez, a U.S. citizen woman from Alamo, Texas wanted for sexual assault of a child.
“This woman will have her day in court thanks to our vigilant CBP officers who screen travelers entering the United States,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.
On October 8, CBP officers at the Anzalduas International Bridge encountered 22-year-old Alondra Hernandez as she arrived from Mexico and immediately secured her after discovering Hernandez was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Upon investigation, biometric verification confirmed her identity along with an active arrest warrant from San Juan Police Department. Hernandez has been wanted stemming from allegations from an incident in September of 2022 and faces a charge of sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony in the state of Texas.
A San Juan police officer arrived to take custody of Hernandez and transported her to the San Juan city jail.
Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Packages containing nearly 28 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry. USCBP Image
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BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $679,970.
“These significant narcotic seizures are a success not only for our agency in keeping our border secure but also for our communities as these drugs were kept from reaching our streets,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The first seizure took place on Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 24-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2008 Dodge. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII), CBP officers discovered 12 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 27.73 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The second seizure took place on Friday, Oct. 7, also at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 24-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Sullivan City, Texas, attempted entry into the United States in a 2015 GMC. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 10 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 23.19 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $370,304 and $309,666, respectively.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the travelers and turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
