Donations made to the food bank can help make an impact of lives of families’ like Walkiria’s. Through the match campaign, every dollar donated can make twice the impact. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – The Food Bank RGV is in urgent need of monetary donations to ensure food-insecure children are fed this season. In response to the growing demand and need in the community, the Food Bank RGV has kicked-off its ‘Help Kids Get Through the Summer’ campaign.
Right now, thanks to anonymous donor, any donations made towards the campaign will be matched, up to $10,000. Instead of a dollar donation providing 5 meals, it can provide up to 10 complete and nutritious meals for children in need.
Many people look forward to summer and make plans to get as much out of the season as possible. For children in the Rio Grande Valley who may face hunger, summer is unfortunately a season to get through. Without the meals they receive at school, the days can be long and difficult. In the RGV, 1 in 4 children is food insecure and in rural areas, that number increases to 1 in 2 children who do not know where their next meal is coming from.
The Food Bank RGV is committed to helping children get the nutrition they need throughout the year and especially during times of increased need like the summer months when school is out. To help support the Food Bank RGV’s ‘Help Kids Get Through the Summer’ campaign, donations can be made online at foodbankrgv.com or by texting ‘SummerMatch’ to 44-321, in person at 724 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr, Texas 78577.
Producer Paquin Entertainment Group proudly announces Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is coming to McAllen starting on November 18, 2022 for a limited engagement at the McAllen Convention Center. Tickets go on sale starting, June 15, 2022. Courtesy Image
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McAllen, Texas — Producer Paquin Entertainment Group proudly announces Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is coming to McAllen starting on November 18, 2022 for a limited engagement at the McAllen Convention Center. Tickets go on sale starting, June 15, 2022.
With over 3 million tickets sold, the global phenomenon was created by French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St-Arnaud and his team at Montreal’s world-renowned Normal Studio. This immersive experience features more than 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic artworks and takes the art lover into a three-dimensional world that exhilarates the senses. To sign up for first access to tickets, visit http://www.vangoghmcallen.com/.
In a rich and unique multimedia experience using cutting-edge multi-dimensional projections developed by some of the world’s greatest designers, Beyond Van Gogh takes on the challenge of breathing new life into Van Gogh’s vast body of work. Using the artist’s own dreams, thoughts and words to drive the experience as a narrative, guests move along projection-swathed walls wrapped in light and color that swirls and dances as it refocuses into the flowers, cafes and landscapes of his famous artworks.
While journeying through Beyond Van Gogh, guests witness over 300 masterpieces, including instantly-recognizable classics such as “The Starry Night”, “Sunflowers” and “Café Terrace at Night”, now freed from their frames. Van Gogh’s art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces, and heightening the senses with their immense detail. Through his own words set to a symphonic score, guests come to a new appreciation of this tortured artist’s stunning work. It’s no surprise that millions of people all over the world credit Van Gogh with enhancing their relationship with art. Beyond Van Gogh will deepen it further.
After tremendous successes in Europe, cinematic Van Gogh exhibitions have crossed the ocean to great North American acclaim in recent years. As immersive art installations deeply resonate around the globe, “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” will stay in McAllen for a limited engagement before moving across North America. Art lovers near and far will have the opportunity to live this unique, unforgettable experience.
In recent days, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 594 migrants in four large groups and identified a human stash house. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – In recent days, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 594 migrants in four large groups and identified a human stash house.
USCBP Image
Over the last several days, RGV agents encountered four large groups totaling 594 migrants Starr and Hidalgo County. The groups were comprised of 279 family members, 169 unaccompanied children, and 146 single adults. The migrants were from various Central and South American countries.
USCBP Image
On June 13, RGV agents, with assistance from the Starr County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended 26 subjects in a human smuggling stash house located in Rio Grande City. Agents identified all subjects to be illegally present in the United States. The subjects were citizens of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents conduct rescues saving 18 non-citizens from drowning. USCBP Images
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents conduct rescues saving 18 non-citizens from drowning.
McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) riverine agents rescued 10 Mexican, Salvadoran, and Guatemalan nationals from possible drowning in the Rio Grande, near Mission, on June 13. Agents spotted a raft deflating with several subjects onboard attempting to cross the river. Agents assisted the subjects from their deflating raft onto their riverine vessel.
Earlier that afternoon, MCS agents rescued eight Cuban nationals from drowning near Anzalduas Dam. Agents assisted the migrants struggling to stay afloat by tossing several rescue ropes into the river. Mission Fire Department also responded to assist the non-citizens back to the U.S. riverbank. The migrants were medically evaluated and cleared before being transported to the McAllen Station for processing.
The City of McAllen Office of Communications earned a total of two awards for its video production work. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO), a division of the Texas Municipal League (TML), announced the 2022 winners of its state-wide TAMI Awards Competition during a ceremony at the annual conference held last week in Houston, Texas. The City of McAllen Office of Communications earned a total of two awards for its video production work. This year, 436 entries, from 70 different municipalities in Texas submitted entries for this year’s competition.
“I am so proud of all the work done by our City of McAllen employees, who work every day to serve the community and residents of our great city,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “Being recognized for that work by a state organization demonstrates the quality product our employees deliver every day.”
The City of McAllen Office of Communications won a first place TAMI Award for its work in the Video Category, One Time Special Event, for the video: “McAllen’s Last Call – Remembering McAllen’s Fallen Police Officers,” a video tribute to the loss of two McAllen police officers in 2020. The video highlighted the tributes and memorial, with soundbites from the various events held leading up to their burial and culminating with the last call when the badge numbers of Officer Edelmiro Garza and Officer Ismael Chavez were retired by McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
The department also earned an Award of Honor, or Third Place award, in the Video Category, Recurring Event, for two episodes of the series “McAllen’s Own,” which highlights the hidden talents of McAllen city employees. The two episodes, “McAllen D.J.s” and “McAllen Firefighter” were well-received by the judges, for showcasing municipal employees in a different light.
“This organization is highly competitive, because every municipality in Texas strives to do its best to showcase their local government in the best light,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “For the McAllen Office of Communications to be awarded by the leading industry organization speaks to the quality of the work produced by the entire team. It is good when your peers say, ‘You’re the best.’”
“The TAMI Awards allow our profession to honor the best work being done by communicators around the state. This year, we had a record-setting number of entries from cities as small as a couple thousand residents, to as large as more than a million. The competition was stiff and everyone who placed should be incredibly proud,” said TAMIO President Jay Warren, director of Communication and Legislative Affairs for the City of Arlington. “Hopefully cities will celebrate their wins with their city councils and residents as a way to further highlight the critical work of municipal communicators.”
The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers was developed as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. TAMIO actively seeks to advance and promote the cooperation and exchange of information and ideas among Texas cities and provide professional development for public information and communications managers who work in municipal government of similar agencies.
WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the agreement announced yesterday outlining the focus of negotiations on any potential school safety and mental health legislation. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below
“As a result of the work we’ve been doing these last three weeks, working with our colleagues, I believe we are making good progress. Over the weekend, there was an agreement reached between 20 senators, ten Republicans and ten Democrats, on a framework or principles for bipartisan legislation to keep our kids and our communities safe.”
“From the beginning, I promised my constituents that when I took an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States, I did not take that oath with the intention of violating it. And so I said at the outset, I would not support any additional restrictions on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”
“Access to mental health support is absolutely critical. So, too, is the investment in our schools. This includes everything from physically hardening school buildings to training personnel to more effective violence prevention efforts.”
“The final portion provides targeted reforms to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who already by law should not have guns to begin with.”
“Some of this assistance for crisis intervention orders will help administer existing red flag laws, but my hope is others will qualify for these resources for other important measures to help provide support for our communities to aid in crisis intervention, things like assisted outpatient treatment centers.”
“As I said, 16 states have red flag laws. Texas does not, and they certainly shouldn’t miss out on access to those resources for crisis intervention… It’s absolutely critical that each and every one of those includes protection that comes from due process of law, and, particularly, when it comes to the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”
“Our framework also includes protections for victims of domestic violence. It shouldn’t matter whether the victim is married to their abuser. If the abuser is convicted of domestic violence, they should not be able to purchase a firearm.”
“Proposals on universal background checks, assault weapon bans for 18- to 21-year-olds, mandatory waiting periods… all of these have been proposed by either President Biden or many of our Democratic colleagues and were not included in the statement of principles that was agreed to by ten Republicans and ten Democrats.”
“We knew including any of these components would jeopardize our ability to get a deal, and so any time our Democratic colleagues tried to push the envelope as far as they could, we had to remind them of that requirement and push back.”
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require SpaceX to take more than 75 actions to mitigate environmental impacts from its proposed plan to launch the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle from Boca Chica, Texas. Image Courtesy FAA
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WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require SpaceX to take more than 75 actions to mitigate environmental impacts from its proposed plan to launch the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle from Boca Chica, Texas.
The actions are part of the agency’s environmental review. The environmental review must be completed along with public safety, national security, and other analyses before a decision on whether to grant a launch license can be made. The license application is still pending.
After consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there will be more advanced notice of launches to reduce how long State Highway 4 is closed during launch operations. The highway traverses Boca Chica Beach, Texas State Parks and the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge. Closures will not be allowed on 18 identified holidays, and weekend restrictions are limited to no more than five weekends per year, ensuring robust access to the refuge and park throughout the calendar year. The FAA will also require real-time notifications when access restrictions begin, end or are cancelled.
Additional measures to address impacts to fish, wildlife and plants, and resources protected by the National Historic Preservation Act will be required. Some examples of these measures include:
Ongoing monitoring of vegetation and wildlife by a qualified biologist;
Ensuring notification of surrounding communities in advance about potential engine noise and sonic booms from launches;
Coordinating with state or federal agencies to remove launch debris from sensitive habitats;
Adjusting lighting at the launch complex to minimize impact on wildlife and the nearby beach.
The environmental review is one part of the FAA Launch Operator License application process. SpaceX also must meet FAA safety, risk, and financial responsibility requirements before a license is issued for any launch activities. The review was completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and all applicable laws, regulations, and agency guidance.
The Mayor of Penitas has been charged with bribery and fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Image Source; cityofpenitas,com; BGD for illustration purposes
Department of Justice
McALLEN, Texas – The Mayor of Penitas has been charged with bribery and fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Rodrigo Lopez, 38, into custody today as he re-entered the United States at a Port of Entry in Hidalgo County.
He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The two-count indictment, returned June 1 and unsealed today, charges Lopez with embezzling or fraudulently obtaining property of the La Joya Independent School District (LJISD). From March through August of 2018, LJISD allegedly made purchases totaling approximately $70,010 from Lopez’s company Xizaka LLC.
Lopez offered or gave a bribe to an LJISD employee in connection with these purchases, according to the allegations.
If convicted, Lopez faces up to 10 years on each count.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Texas Department of Insurance; McAllen Police Department and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested a sex offender, convicted murderer and nine gang members over the past week keeping them out of our communities. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested a sex offender, convicted murderer and nine gang members over the past week keeping them out of our communities.
On June 10, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents apprehended a convicted sex offender from El Salvador. Record checks revealed he was arrested in Oklahoma in 2000 and charged with first degree rape in 2001 and sentenced to 22 years incarceration.
On June 11, MCS agents apprehended a Salvadoran national near Mission. The migrant was charged with murder in Texas and sentenced to 16 years incarceration.
That same day, MCS agents apprehended a Salvadoran 18th Street gang member, with prior criminal history for domestic assault out of Minnesota; as well as a Mexican Paisas gang member.
Additionally, over the past week, RGV agents apprehended one 18th Street and six MS-13 gang members from El Salvador.
Governor Greg Abbott released a statement commending Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan for the quick response by their chambers and for the initial proposals addressing public and school safety following the recent tragedy at Robb Elementary School. image Source; Texas.gov; BGD for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Governor Greg Abbott released a statement commending Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan for the quick response by their chambers and for the initial proposals addressing public and school safety following the recent tragedy at Robb Elementary School. The Governor had requested Texas legislative leaders convene special legislative committees to begin examining and developing legislative recommendations on school safety, mental health, social media, police training, firearm safety, and more.
“I applaud both the Lt. Governor and Speaker for quickly offering proposals that can immediately make schools safer, provide needed mental health support, and help our law enforcement officers on the front lines. I also thank them for quickly organizing special legislative committees to deliberate and propose solid solutions to address public and school safety. This is a great start to delivering not only on the needs of the Uvalde community, but for schools and communities across Texas. I look forward to working with them and the entire Texas legislature on these solutions and more to make our schools and communities safer for all Texans.”
Governor Abbott has taken significant action to provide all available resources to support the Uvalde community following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School. Those actions include:
Initiating the State of Texas’ comprehensive plan to assist and support members of the community, including co-locating state agency representatives to the Family Assistance Center for on-hand assistance in finding benefits.
Issuing a disaster declaration at the request of local leaders to accelerate all available state and local resources to assist the Uvalde community.
Requesting Texas legislative leaders convene special legislative committees to begin examining and developing legislative recommendations on school safety, mental health, social media, police training, firearm safety, and more.
Directing the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) to begin immediately conducting comprehensive school safety reviews to ensure all Texas public schools are following the appropriate procedures to maximize school safety.
Directing the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide strategies to make Texas public schools safer through heightened safety standards.
Instructing the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) programs to provide training to all school districts across the state, prioritizing school-based law enforcement.
Directing TEA, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to expand and accelerate the ability to report suspicious activity through the iWatchTexas reporting system.
Investing an initial $5 million into establishing a long-term Family Resiliency Center in Uvalde County to serve as a hub for community services, including access to the critical mental health resources.
Working with the OneStar Foundation to create a one-stop webpage for donations to support the victims’ families, teachers, and the Uvalde community.
