U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry intercepted 22 pounds of methamphetamine and a combined 84 pounds of cocaine in separate unrelated incidents over the past few days. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry intercepted 22 pounds of methamphetamine and a combined 84 pounds of cocaine in separate unrelated incidents over the past few days.
“CBP officers remain focused on their narcotic interdiction mission while also processing legitimate trade and travel,” said CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “Smugglers will try to blend into regular traffic in an attempt to introduce drugs to the U.S.”
On Oct. 28, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 12.61 pounds of cocaine from a 34-year-old male U.S. citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. The man was also accompanied by a 28-year-old female Mexican citizen and two minor children. The vehicle was referred for a secondary CBP canine and non-intrusive inspection leading CBP officers to locate multiple cocaine filled bundles hidden within the vehicle.
A few hours later, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing intercepted 22.17 pounds of methamphetamine from an 18-year-old male U.S. citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. A primary CBP officer referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection where a non-intrusive exam was conducted leading CBP officers to locate several bundles concealed within the vehicle.
On Nov. 1, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing intercepted 37 pounds of cocaine. The interception occurred shortly after 2:20 p.m. when a 22-year-old male U.S. citizen arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. CBP officers conducting pre-primary inspections searched the vehicle and discovered several cocaine filled bundles concealed within.
Later, CBP officers working at the Port of Ysleta intercepted 35 pounds of cocaine. The interception occurred shortly after 3:20 p.m. when a 46-year-old male U.S. citizen arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. A CBP officer conducting primary inspections located bundles upon search of the vehicle. Additionally, with the aid of a CBP canine CBP officers located multiple cocaine filled bundles inside the vehicle.
The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents or state and local authorities for prosecution.
Angels of Love is collecting food, large baskets, turkeys and monetary donations for their annual Canastas de Corazón Operation Gratitude beginning on November 11 and ending on November 22, 2022. Image for illustration purposes
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Angels of Love is collecting food, large baskets, turkeys and monetary donations for their annual Canastas de Corazón Operation Gratitude beginning on November 11 and ending on November 22, 2022.
Donations for the food baskets can be dropped off at the Angels of Love headquarters, 409 W. Nolana Avenue, McAllen. Delivery of the food baskets will be made on November 22-23, 2022.
The donations will benefit the families of victims of domestic violence. AOL is accepting donations of canned goods and turkeys. Donations can be made via cashapp $Angelsoflovergv or by scanning the QR code at the bottom of this email.
Call Angels of Love at (956) 972-0685 for additional information.
Angels of Love is a non-profit organization which provides free services to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across Hidalgo County.
Angels of Love’s vision is to extend itself throughout the Rio Grande Valley with providing legal services, referral services, parenting classes, financial literacy, teen dating violence workshops, youth programs, counseling, etc… and to open an emergency shelter for abused women and children in the Rio Grande Valley.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol riverine agents enlist the assistance of Mission Fire Department to orchestrate a shallow-swift water rescue. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol riverine agents enlist the assistance of Mission Fire Department to orchestrate a shallow-swift water rescue.
On October 31, the McAllen Border Patrol Station received a call requesting assistance for two Cuban national females stranded in the Rio Grande. RGV Riverine units responded to the area and located the two migrants stranded and trapped in the river. The Riverine agents were unable to facilitate a rescue due to the shallow water and swift moving current. The Mission Fire Department (MFD) was contacted and responded to the scene. Using MFD equipment, agents and MFD personnel collaborated and were able to rescue the migrants. They were medically evaluated and did not require further treatment.
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All subjects were processed accordingly.
“RGV Border Patrol agents rescued 40 people during the month of October. On a daily basis, our agents encounter injured migrants, perform river rescues, and conduct search and rescue operations in vast and remote ranchlands. I’m extremely proud of our RGV Sector Border Patrol agents and their tireless efforts in preserving human lives.” stated Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Gloria Chavez.
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Tony Casillas will also make an appearance at this year’s event, joining previously announced Dallas Cowboys legends Tony Hill and Nate Newton. Courtesy Image
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The McAllen International Airport, the official South Texas Airport of the Dallas Cowboys, is bringing that high-flying stadium experience to the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group! At a press conference earlier today, Trevon Diggs, #7 starting cornerback with the Dallas Cowboys, joined parade organizers to announce that Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Tony Casillas would also make an appearance at this year’s event, joining previously announced Dallas Cowboys legends Tony Hill and Nate Newton.
“Every year, we build on the parade to make it bigger and brighter than the year before. And this year, we are innovating, especially for our Dallas Cowboys fans,” said McAllen District 3 Commissioner Omar Quintanilla. “I’m excited to present another Dallas Cowboys legend that will be visiting us on December 3 at this year’s McAllen Holiday ParadeL two-time Super Bowl champion, all-pro defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys- and a fellow Mexican American- # 75, Tony Casillas! ”
Also unveiled today will be a new feature for parade goers: a special Skybox Fan Experience zone, sponsored by the McAllen International Airport, that will be featured along the parade route.
“The McAllen International Airport is beyond thrilled to launch our new Skybox fan experience at the 2022 McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Elizabeth Saurez, Aviation director for the McAllen International Airport. “The McAllen International Airport Skybox is an exclusive parade party along this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade route that will feature entertainment for our Dallas Cowboys super fans,” she concluded.
In fact, the Skybox Fan Experience, an exclusive, reserved seating only area will feature all things Dallas Cowboys. Attendees who sit in this area will receive a t-shirt, noisemaker, and LED gift and will feature a celebrity host, airport and Dallas Cowboys memorabilia giveaways, as well as a DJ on an LED stage, perfect to highlight the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders who will also be a part of the zone. Tickets for the Skybox Fan Experience go on sale today at www.mcallenholidayparade.com for only $10.
Attendees to this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, can begin their 2022 holiday season fun by celebrating under and with some legendary stars, Dallas Cowboys legendary stars that is. Parade organizers announced that coming to this year’s presentation of the event include three-time Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion and six-time Pro Bowler Nate Newton and Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Tony Hill. Additionally, thanks to the Dr. Raul Peña and Peña Eye Institute, the Dallas Cowboys‘ fan experience for this year will once again include the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Museum and Rowdy, the Dallas Cowboys mascot.
Anyone wishing to be a part of this year’s parade can do so in a variety of ways, including, submitting an entry for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade; or volunteering as a banner carrier or balloon handlers; and a call for high school bands throughout the region to perform in the annual McAllen Christmas parade.
Shoebox parade 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.mcallen.net.
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 pardvolunteers@mcallen.net.
High school bands in the region who wish to participate in the McAllen Holiday Parade need to sign up now, as space is limited. Participating bands receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist with expenses related to appearing in the parade. Contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department to apply to participate in the parade.
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers assigned to the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge seized hard narcotics that totaled over $6,100,000 in street value in two separate, unrelated incidents over the weekend. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers assigned to the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge seized hard narcotics that totaled over $6,100,000 in street value in two separate, unrelated incidents over the weekend.
“The dedicated employees of CBP continue to fulfill the agency’s border security role,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Enforcement operations such as these protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and advance our national security priorities.”
The first enforcement action occurred on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 33-year-old male United Sates citizen applying for entry as a pedestrian for a secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 26.63 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within personal belongings. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $275,520.
The second seizure occurred on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the World Trade Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 24-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2006 Freightliner tractor for secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 655.65 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the tractor. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $5,861,159.
The narcotics combined had a combined street value of $6,136,679.
CBP seized the narcotics, a tractor and trailer. The two subjects involved in the incidents were arrested. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents are investigating the seizures.
Students interested in a career in Diesel Mechanics will be able to register now and start the next stage of their careers in January. Courtesy Image for illustration purposes
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Texas Southmost College will offer a new course in its Workforce Training and Continuing Education division this Spring. Students interested in a career in Diesel Mechanics will be able to register now and start the next stage of their careers in January.
“We’re training diesel mechanics and creating Level 1 technicians,” TSC Director of Construction and Manufacturing Thomas Tynan said. “It’s the starting point for diesel mechanics. We are going to accept individuals that know nothing about motors as well as people who know about gasoline-powered motors. If you’re a mechanic and don’t know diesel, this would be a great place to learn the ins and outs.”
Classes will prepare students for multiple sectors.
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“Students will learn on three types of equipment; agriculture, industrial and automotive,” Tynan said. “Students will be able to work on vehicles used on farms, by industry, and the general automotive sectors. All of these sectors are prominent in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The course will also position students to get hired quickly.
“Diesel mechanics are in great demand…whether it’s a school district or the city that needs a diesel mechanic for its bus lines, that’s just on the transit side of things,” Tynan said. “As we know with the supply chain, diesel trucks are moving everything. There are also diesel locomotives as well as agriculture where the farm equipment is diesel-powered. Diesel is here to stay for a long, long time.” TSC’s investment in the right equipment for students to work on will go a long way to ensuring those enrolled will have an opportunity to work on different engines they might service in their careers.
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“One of the most important things we’re going to be covering is diagnostics,” Tynan said. “We have some tier 4 motors in some of our vehicles. These are the newest and most efficient ones on the market with the least carbon footprint. They need advanced diagnostics just like cars, so we have $60,000 in hardware and software that we’re going to be using to teach the students how to diagnose a problem. It’s easier to fix once you know what is wrong.”
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Future Diesel Mechanic students will have plenty of support along the way. Associate Vice President of Instruction Workforce Training and Continuing Education Dr. Joesph Fleishman explained that scholarships are available to students in need of financial assistance.
“Scholarships will be available to students interested in enrolling in the Diesel Mechanic program,” Dr. Fleishman said. “Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so don’t wait. Classes are small to accommodate teaching a vast number of hands-on skills.”
Students can learn more information during the next WTCE Information Session on Wednesday, Nov. 2nd from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the ITECC building. RSVP now for the Information Session.
You can print and fill out the form at the link below:
The McAllen Fire Department kicked off the Annual Fire Prevention month with a public service announcement geared towards children throughout the McAllen Independent School District. With more than 21,600 students enrolled in McAllen I.S.D., the fire department wanted to share one message with the three different McAllen I.S.D high school …
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents during this past weekend encountered five human smuggling attempts that yielded the apprehension of over 60 undocumented individuals at Laredo Sector. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents during this past weekend encountered five human smuggling attempts that yielded the apprehension of over 60 undocumented individuals at Laredo Sector.
From Oct. 28- Oct.30, Border Patrol agents apprehended a total of 63 undocumented individuals in an attempt that involved human smuggling utilizing tractor-trailers at the I-35 Border Patrol checkpoint and while agents were working their assigned duties along Highway 83 and I-35.
During these five cases, agents yielded the apprehension of 63 individuals that were all in the country illegally. Record checks revealed that they were from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. The undocumented individuals were medically screened and 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.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, along with state and local law enforcement departments, interdicted two smuggling events leading to ten arrests. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, along with state and local law enforcement departments, interdicted two smuggling events leading to ten arrests.
On October 28, the McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) received an anonymous call regarding several suspected migrants loading into a vehicle near Los Ebanos. A responding agent located the vehicle and performed a vehicle stop. The driver was determined to be a U.S. citizen and the five passengers were migrants from Central America unlawfully present in the U.S. They were arrested and the vehicle seized.
The following afternoon, an MCS camera operator observed several subjects loading into a tan GMC Envoy near Hidalgo. A CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter responded and spotted the vehicle as it traveled into Weslaco Border Patrol Station’s Area of Operation. The vehicle came to a stop near a canal and the occupants bailed out. Agents apprehended four migrants from Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. The driver was not located.
All subjects were processed accordingly.
“RGV Sector continues to leverage the support of our valued law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local level to disrupt & dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operating within the Rio Grande Valley region,” stated RGV Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Extremely proud of the work RGV Border Patrol Agents do each and every day to maintain the integrity of the border.”
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-863-9382.
