Big Bend Sector Border Patrol Agents were involved in multiple rescues throughout the months of April, May, and June. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
MARFA, Texas – Big Bend Sector Border Patrol Agents were involved in multiple rescues throughout the months of April, May, and June.
Border Patrol Agents throughout Big Bend Sector rescued 150 individuals in distress this past quarter, raising the total number of rescues to more than 380 for the fiscal year. 27 of those rescues were attributed to Rescue Beacons strategically placed throughout the Big Bend Sector area of responsibility.
USCBP Image
“The preservation of human life is of the utmost importance to the agents throughout the United States Border Patrol,” stated Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin. “Here at Big Bend Sector, we are proud of the men and women who engage in life saving measures on a daily basis regardless of the circumstances.”
Big Bend Sector partners with many local and state law enforcement entities to keep our border communities safe. If you see something suspicious, report it by contacting our 24/7 hotline at 1-866-581-7549. Together, we can continue to uphold national security and combat illicit activity.
We need you to open your homes to a pet in need and foster or adopt. Now is the time more than ever to save a life. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Space has become critically low at Palm Valley Animal Society, and our ability to provide humane care could be jeopardized due to limited space and intake that never halts. We currently have a total of 1,490 animals in our facilities, with 30 to 60 new pets arriving daily. This has forced staff to prepare for some tough decisions in the near future unless we can get animals out. Our team is working around-the-clock to find foster homes, encourage adoptions, and find rescue transportation to shelters all across the country that are willing and able to take animals into their care. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough.
Courtesy Image
We know our community and national partners have our pets’ best interests in mind, so we’re turning to you for assistance. We need you to open your homes to a pet in need and foster or adopt. Now is the time more than ever to save a life.
If you cannot care for an animal at home, you can still get involved. Talk to your office about fostering a pet at work, share our available pets on social media, create a fundraiser online, or donate to help cover the cost of rescue transports.
Courtesy Image
This is your chance to step up and help us save lives in the Rio Grande Valley.
While fostering, all supplies including food and crates will be provided to foster homes. Additionally, we’ll be waiving adoption fees on all pets to help get animals out of the shelter as quickly as possible. Anyone interested in viewing the pets who need assistance can visit our website at https://www.pvastx.org/adopt.
The City of McAllen celebrated Christmas in July by announcing details of the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B. The Parade, powered by the Bert Ogden Auto Group and proudly sponsored by Budweiser, Reliant, McAllen International Airport and South Padre Island CVB, will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022. The parade will step off at 6:00 p.m. from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd., and will head out on the 1.5-mile parade route, where spectators can gather and enjoy the sights and sounds of the entire parade, celebrating the theme, “South Pole and Beyond.”
As a Christmas gift to the community, a special buy one, get one free promotion for VIP stadium tickets will be available starting tomorrow, Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. and continuing through the end of July. The promotion is valid for tickets priced at $10 only. Use promo code JULY50. Tickets will be available online or at the McAllen Convention Center box office.
Courtesy Image
“We invite the entire Rio Grande Valley to come to McAllen and enjoy and experience the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas,” said Dist. 5 Commissioner Victor “Seby” Haddad. “This year’s parade will be an out-of-this world Christmas experience with the floats, giant balloons, celebrities and amazing school marching bands and everything else that makes our parade so special.”
Also announced today was that H-E-B will continue to be the presenting sponsor of the McAllen Holiday Parade for the next three years, according to McAllen Assistant City Manager Joe Vera.
“H-E-B is proud to continue as presenting sponsor for the McAllen Holiday Parade as this exclusive partnership is our way of saying thank you to the community for their continued support of H-E-B throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” said Jessica Garza, Marketing & Sales Manager for the border region for H-E-B. “The McAllen Holiday Parade brings smiles to the faces of the young and young at heart and all of us who are involved with this parade, from the sponsors and media partners and to the organizers, it is a collaboration of joy and excitement as it represents all of our commitment to this community, to the state of Texas and beyond.”
A sponsor of the parade since its inception eight years ago, Bert Ogden Auto Group provide all the vehicles that pull over the over 50 animated floats featured in the parade. “On behalf of Bob and Janet Vackar and myself, I’m so happy we are celebrating Christmas in July 2021 as we begin to prepare for the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B! Bert Ogden Auto Dealerships are very proud to once again ‘pull’ through for our ninth annual international award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Marsha Green, Vice-President of Marketing, Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships.
Vera, who also serves as the executive producer for the parade said the success of the McAllen Holiday Parade is due to the creativity, innovation and passion of the countless City of McAllen employees involved with the project and the amazing partnership cultivated with the sponsors and partners.
“We are proud of the work we do for the community and we are proud to have such partners and sponsors who share in bringing these events to life and we are especially proud to be celebrating Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year, here together in McAllen, the Official South Pole of Texas.”
McAllen Holiday Parade producers will bring back many of the same elements that have made the parade a huge success, including the illuminated, animated floats; giant helium Macy’s-style balloons; top marching bands; celebrity appearances and guests hosts; and the Rio Grande Valley unique flavor, the fan-favorite vuelta in designated zones along the parade route. Coming back again this year is the McAllen Holiday Parade sweepstakes before and during the parade, where fans can watch and win fabulous prizes. Also making a return is the free, family-friend Christmas in the Park festival and carnival.
For all of the latest information and updates on the McAllen Holiday Parade, follow them and the City of McAllen on social media and all of its streaming platforms.
For the past five years, the McAllen Holiday Parade has been named the Best Parade in the World and the Best Parade in Texas by international and state event industry organizations.
Other sponsors for the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade include McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Matt’s Building Materials; Stripes/Laredo Taco Company; Metro McAllen; University of Texas-RGV; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger Attorneys at Law; McAllen Chamber of Commerce/MXLAN; PepsiCo.; McAllen Public Works; Mike Rhodes – Tres Lagos; AEP Texas; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Lacks; Doña Lula; Hermes; Whataburger; Cigna Health Care; Taco Palenque; Carollo Engineers; KSA Engineers; MedCare EMS; Halff Associates; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; S&B Infrastructure; AMR; Cigna; IBC; AEP; United One Cleaning.
As a Christmas gift to the community, a special buy one, get one free promotion for VIP stadium tickets will be available starting tomorrow, Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. and continuing through the end of July. The promotion is valid for tickets priced at $10 only. Use promo code JULY50. Tickets will be available online or at the McAllen Convention Center box office. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen celebrated Christmas in July by announcing details of the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B. The Parade, powered by the Bert Ogden Auto Group and proudly sponsored by Budweiser, Reliant, McAllen International Airport and South Padre Island CVB, will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022. The parade will step off at 6:00 p.m. from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd., and will head out on the 1.5-mile parade route, where spectators can gather and enjoy the sights and sounds of the entire parade, celebrating the theme, “South Pole and Beyond.”
As a Christmas gift to the community, a special buy one, get one free promotion for VIP stadium tickets will be available starting tomorrow, Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. and continuing through the end of July. The promotion is valid for tickets priced at $10 only. Use promo code JULY50. Tickets will be available online or at the McAllen Convention Center box office.
“We invite the entire Rio Grande Valley to come to McAllen and enjoy and experience the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas,” said Dist. 5 Commissioner Victor “Seby” Haddad. “This year’s parade will be an out-of-this world Christmas experience with the floats, giant balloons, celebrities and amazing school marching bands and everything else that makes our parade so special.”
Also announced today was that H-E-B will continue to be the presenting sponsor of the McAllen Holiday Parade for the next three years, according to McAllen Assistant City Manager Joe Vera.
“H-E-B is proud to continue as presenting sponsor for the McAllen Holiday Parade as this exclusive partnership is our way of saying thank you to the community for their continued support of H-E-B throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” said Jessica Garza, Marketing & Sales Manager for the border region for H-E-B. “The McAllen Holiday Parade brings smiles to the faces of the young and young at heart and all of us who are involved with this parade, from the sponsors and media partners and to the organizers, it is a collaboration of joy and excitement as it represents all of our commitment to this community, to the state of Texas and beyond.”
A sponsor of the parade since its inception eight years ago, Bert Ogden Auto Group provide all the vehicles that pull over the over 50 animated floats featured in the parade. “On behalf of Bob and Janet Vackar and myself, I’m so happy we are celebrating Christmas in July 2021 as we begin to prepare for the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B! Bert Ogden Auto Dealerships are very proud to once again ‘pull’ through for our ninth annual international award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Marsha Green, Vice-President of Marketing, Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships.
Vera, who also serves as the executive producer for the parade said the success of the McAllen Holiday Parade is due to the creativity, innovation and passion of the countless City of McAllen employees involved with the project and the amazing partnership cultivated with the sponsors and partners.
“We are proud of the work we do for the community and we are proud to have such partners and sponsors who share in bringing these events to life and we are especially proud to be celebrating Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year, here together in McAllen, the Official South Pole of Texas.”
McAllen Holiday Parade producers will bring back many of the same elements that have made the parade a huge success, including the illuminated, animated floats; giant helium Macy’s-style balloons; top marching bands; celebrity appearances and guests hosts; and the Rio Grande Valley unique flavor, the fan-favorite vuelta in designated zones along the parade route. Coming back again this year is the McAllen Holiday Parade sweepstakes before and during the parade, where fans can watch and win fabulous prizes. Also making a return is the free, family-friend Christmas in the Park festival and carnival.
For all of the latest information and updates on the McAllen Holiday Parade, follow them and the City of McAllen on social media and all of its streaming platforms.
For the past five years, the McAllen Holiday Parade has been named the Best Parade in the World and the Best Parade in Texas by international and state event industry organizations.
Other sponsors for the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade include McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Matt’s Building Materials; Stripes/Laredo Taco Company; Metro McAllen; University of Texas-RGV; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger Attorneys at Law; McAllen Chamber of Commerce/MXLAN; PepsiCo.; McAllen Public Works; Mike Rhodes – Tres Lagos; AEP Texas; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Lacks; Doña Lula; Hermes; Whataburger; Cigna Health Care; Taco Palenque; Carollo Engineers; KSA Engineers; MedCare EMS; Halff Associates; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; S&B Infrastructure; AMR; Cigna; IBC; AEP; United One Cleaning.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2022 NCAA Division I All-Academic awards on Wednesday and recognized The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s men’s and women’s track & field teams as All-Academic Teams. UTRGV Image
Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2022 NCAA Division I All-Academic awards on Wednesday and recognized The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s men’s and women’s track & field teams as All-Academic Teams.
To be named an All-Academic Team, the cumulative GPA for all student-athletes on the institution’s squad list must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The UTRGV women’s team notched a 3.209 cumulative GPA, while the men’s team recorded a 3.133 cumulative GPA.
There were 237 DI women’s teams recognized and 172 men’s teams. Texas and Florida were named the men’s and women’s National Scholar Teams of the Year, respectively, for both indoor and outdoor track & field.
McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) Riverine agents rescued two Mexican nationals and an El Salvadoran national from possible drowning in the Rio Grande. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
LA JOYA, Texas – McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) Riverine agents rescued two Mexican nationals and an El Salvadoran national from possible drowning in the Rio Grande.
At approximately 3:00 a.m. on July 12, an MCS camera operator relayed information of several subjects attempting to make landfall by raft south of La Joya. As agents responded, several subjects were observed loading onto the raft and safely returned to Mexico. However, three individuals had jumped into the water and attempted to swim back to Mexico. As riverine agents approached the area, they spotted the three subjects in the water, struggling to stay afloat. The riverine agents assisted all three migrants onto their vessel and transported them to awaiting agents on land nearby. An Emergency Medical Technician agent evaluated them and determined one migrant needed to be transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.
“I am very proud of the agents out there this morning and throughout the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) who are working diligently to assure our borders are secure. This is just one example of the dangers migrants face while entering the U.S. RGV agents have made more than a thousand rescues this fiscal year. I am sure, without a doubt, without these agents proper training and response, this incident would have resulted in a different outcome.” (A)CPA Joel Martinez.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 313 migrants in two large groups and disrupted three human smuggling events. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 313 migrants in two large groups and disrupted three human smuggling events.
On the night of July 11, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station (RGC) agents encountered a large group and another large group early the next morning, totaling 313 migrants at the same location in Starr County. The groups were comprised of 120 single adults, 114 family members, and 79unaccompanied children. The migrants were from Cuba, and various Central and South American countries.
USCBP Image
Also on July 11, Rio Grande City Police department received a 911 call regarding a possible migrant stash house in Rio Grande City and requested assistance from RGC Station. Officers and agents convened at the residence and encountered 29 migrants from Mexico and Central America unlawfully present in the U.S. No caretaker was identified.
USCBP Image
The same day, RGV agents working with Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) troopers encountered another four migrants unlawfully present in the U.S. at a migrant stash house in Mission. Information was provided by a concerned citizen regarding the residence possible being used to harbor migrants.
USCBP Image
On July 12, RGV agents attempted to perform an immigration inspection on the occupants of a Ford F-150 pickup truck near San Manuel. The vehicle failed to yield and led agents on a vehicle pursuit that ended shortly after the F-150 drove through a ranch fence on FM 1017. The vehicle came to a stop in the brush and the occupants bailed out. A TXDPS helicopter responded and assisted the agents, locating eight migrants from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. The driver was not identified.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested three convicted criminal migrants and seven gang members over the last few days. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested three convicted criminal migrants and seven gang members over the last few days.
On July 11, Falfurrias Border Patrol Station agents processed a Salvadoran national Mara-Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member. His criminal history includes prior arrests for resistance, terrorist organizations, and aggravated homicide in his home country. That same day, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents apprehended a Honduran migrant with a 2016 conviction for sexual battery in Tennessee and sentenced to one year incarceration.
Oscar Garcilazo Varela USCBP Image
On July 12, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents apprehended Oscar Garcilazo Varela, a Mexican national, near Escobares. Record checks revealed he was arrested in Wisconsin in 2008 and charged with sexual assault and sentenced to three years incarceration.
On July 13, MCS agents apprehended a Mexican migrant convicted and sentenced to two years incarnation in 2019 of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Hidalgo County.
Additionally, RGV agents apprehended five MS-13s and an 18th Street gang member from El Salvador.
As temperatures continue to heat up this summer, Purva Grover, MD, emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s, is reminding parents about the dangers of leaving their child in a hot car. Image for Illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
CLEVELAND CLINIC – As temperatures continue to heat up this summer, Purva Grover, MD, emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s, is reminding parents about the dangers of leaving their child in a hot car.
It may sound like common sense, but every year multiple deaths are reported.
“It’s heart wrenching when this happens because it’s usually a very tired or exhausted parent juggling 17 things and this is the most horrible feeling to come to terms with,” said Dr. Grover. “One would think how does that happen, but it happens.”
Dr. Grover said there are so many different scenarios where a parent or caregiver could forget a child in the backseat. For example, maybe they aren’t normally the one who takes the child to daycare and went straight to work instead.
And it’s not just outside temperatures that are the concern. Even on a 70 degree day, the inside of a car can reach more than 115 degrees.
To help prevent such a tragic accident, she recommends leaving something like your purse, shoe or cellphone in the backseat. She knows it seems strange, but if it’s something you immediately need when you get out of your vehicle, you’ll be more inclined to not forget.
“As a bystander, if you see something, do not hesitate to be polite, this is none of my business, this could save a life, so call the police, call whoever you need to,” she said. “Get these kids out as soon as you can and take them to the appropriate medical facility if exhaustion and or fatigue has set in.”
Dr. Grover also advises parents to lock up their vehicles once they park. Children have died after climbing inside while playing and have accidentally gotten trapped.
LEFT: Mayra Flores, STC alumna, is the newly sworn in Congresswoman for District 34 in Deep South Texas. RIGHT: Mayra Flores graduated with an associate degree from STC’s Respiratory Therapy program in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree from the college’s Organizational Leadership program in 2019. Images Courtesy of STC
Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
McALLEN, Texas – Newly sworn in congresswoman and South Texas College alumna Mayra Flores recently made history for becoming the first Mexican-born woman to win a congressional seat and the first Republican in more than 150 years to represent the people of District 34 across deep South Texas.
Flores, who earned an associate degree from STC’s Respiratory Therapy program in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree from the college’s Organizational Leadership program in 2019, said had it not been for her journey at STC, she would have never discovered her interest in politics.
“STC really shaped who I am,” said the first-generation college graduate. “STC is where my interest in politics started. If not for a huge setback during my time in the respiratory program, I may not be where I am today.”
After barely missing the passing threshold by one point to continue in the respiratory program, she used it to her advantage to complete her academic core, enrolling in her first government class.
“This moment in my life; this government class, is where I was meant to be,” she said. “This was a defining moment. It all makes sense now. Without this class I wouldn’t have found my love for government or politics.”
She added that every instructor and professor, from those in the respiratory program and academic programs to organizational leadership, inspired her to set high standards, meet those standards and aim for her goals.
“Everyone had different teaching styles, some were even extra strict, but all inspired me, motivated me and impacted who I am. They made me want to be better,” she said.
STC Organizational Leadership Instructor Emma Miller said Flores’ success clearly shows that a bachelor’s degree from STC can help a person achieve their dreams and full potential.
“Mayra, while in my capstone courses, spoke to me about her passion for serving her community and how she truly enjoys politics,” said Miller. “I knew that one day she would make her dreams come true.”
Ali Esmaeili, STC dean of Math, Science, Information Technology and Bachelor’s Degree programs, shares Miller’s sentiment and said STC is preparing the next generation of leaders.
“Bachelor’s degree programs at South Texas College provide quality instruction for preparing well-rounded and well-prepared 21st century leaders,” said Esmaeili. “Mayra is a great example of such leaders.”
Flores, 36, who was born in Burgos, Tamaulipas, Mexico and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was only six years old, said she has achieved the ‘American Dream,’ by becoming a U.S. citizen at 14 and now an elected official.
Her journey to this dream began at 13, when she began harvesting cotton with her parents in the Panhandle town of Memphis to pay for her own school supplies and clothes.
Years later, Flores is now a respiratory therapist, who worked the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic rehabilitating elderly who were recovering from the virus and a newly-elected congresswoman for District 34.
She will serve out the remainder of former Congressman Filemon Vela’s term through January 2023. Her seat will be up for reelection in November.
“Nothing is impossible when you work hard. I ran because I wanted to give back to this amazing country and community that’s given me so much,” said Flores. “I’m a proud STC alumna and a huge advocate of community colleges and the value of education they provide our communities.”
To learn more or to register in one of STC’s five bachelor’s degree programs, visit southtexascollege.edu or call 1-855-GoToSTC.
