Although renowned photojournalist Ricardo “Cuate” Santos’ first memories of snapping photographs date back to his preteen years, his decades-long professional trajectory began at then-Laredo Junior College (LJC) in 1977. Courtesy Image
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Although renowned photojournalist Ricardo “Cuate” Santos’ first memories of snapping photographs date back to his preteen years, his decades-long professional trajectory began at then-Laredo Junior College (LJC) in 1977 when he was hired as a work-study photographer for the McIntosh Express, the college’s student newspaper.
As part of the ongoing celebration of the college’s 75th anniversary, Cuate recently donated an album from his personal collection to Laredo College with dozens of photographs from his tenure here in the late 1970s. Through his recollection of fond memories, he compiles an oral history of the college’s evolution and its impact on the community.
Cuate has been a part of the Laredo College community as a student, an employee and a native Laredoan who visited the downtown Ft. McIntosh Campus growing up. He remembers tagging along with his brother Renato, who graduated from LJC in 1972. He enjoyed playing Ping-Pong at the old corral, listening to music from the jukebox and eating at the cafeteria.
A Martin High School graduate, Cuate didn’t have a clear vision of his path after high school and had no plans of attending college. He enrolled at LJC after a fateful meeting with the then-director of the Upward Bound Program at the college, who saw great potential in him and helped him navigate the college experience by getting him a stipend to take the admittance exams and helping him apply for scholarships.
He initially wanted to pursue architecture when he enrolled at the college but later decided against it and opted for psychology and sociology classes. His first job at the college was as a peer counselor, later transferring to a work-study position at the McIntosh Express. He then moved to the Communications Department as a work-study before landing a full-time job in the department as a photographer.
Throughout his time at the college, he documented student activities such as Friday night dances, plays, new programs and many historical events. He talked about capturing the essence of the college, which included the social experience in which students came not only for education but also for the vibrant culture.
Moreover, Cuate was part of the Teatro Chicano Cultural de Laredo Junior College, a small theater ensemble that performed both scripted and improv plays. These productions celebrated Chicano identity, culture and heritage with a humorous, witty approach.
Cuate’s prolific photojournalism career spans four decades across multiple local media outlets. Most prominently, he spent 39 years at the Laredo Morning Times before retiring at the end of 2020.
A surprising detail about his journey is that he has never taken a photography course. He credits a few excellent photographers, many of whom he met at LJC, for being his mentors and teaching him to develop his photography skills.
He considers himself a “frustrated artist,” initially interested in this field and realizing it was not his calling. He took mechanical drawing and architectural drawing classes in high school but lacked the patience to express himself through this medium. However, he said that helped him learn about lighting and perspective.
“Photography has allowed me to express and capture what I see,” he said. “I couldn’t do that in an art class.”
Cuate has seen the college undergo many transformations over the years, including two name changes, eighth college presidents, a new campus and countless additions to the historical buildings and architectural structures. His stories often include people who came through the college and left an indelible mark, some of whom have gone on to make a difference in our community as elected officials, educators, public servants and many other professions.
Over the past 20 years alone, he estimates to have created close to half a million photos. And he has no plans to stop anytime soon. With the advent of social media and smartphones, Cuate found another avenue to express his unbridled artistic imagination. He is an avid nature enthusiast and enjoys photographing plants, birds and the moon. He is active on his Facebook profile and often shares his creations with friends, family and the community.
Cuate’s keen attention to detail is symbolic of his work. He also firmly believes that you don’t need expensive cameras to create beautiful photos, noting that “it’s not the equipment, it’s how you work the pictures.”
A love for his hometown shines through in every photograph, serving as an homage to Laredo’s cultural wealth.
“I grew up in Laredo, and I used to go downtown to run errands for my mom, go to the theater or go have lunch with my sister,” Cuate vividly recounts. “When I see a building, I remember those memories. I like to find a gem about a particular building. Seeing that the door handle in a store has Woolworth written on it is a reminder that we used to have that store here. And to me, if I see that picture, it brings back the memory of me as a kid going to the Plaza Theater or shopping at Woolworth. That’s a memory that I have. That’s a detail that I have.”
As part of this yearlong celebration of Laredo College’s 75 years of history and legacy in the community, we invite the community with photos or albums that chronicle special events or moments at the college to add to our institutional archives. Donations can be dropped off at the Harold R. Yeary Library at the Ft. McIntosh Campus and the Senator Judith Zaffirini Library at the South Campus. Electronic photos can be sent to LC75Photos@laredo.edu.
AUSTIN, Texas – It’s said that everything is bigger in Texas and in the hilarious new PSAs for Don’t mess with Texas, singer, songwriter and actor Joe Jonas finds lassoing litter may be his biggest challenge yet.
The show-stopping PSAs feature the former Westlake, Texas, resident taking an over-the-top approach to keeping Texas roadways free of litter, and inspiring a whole office of people to join him in the effort.
As the newest celebrity to partner with Don’t mess with Texas, the second-born Jonas Brother will appear in TV and radio PSAs that will run on networks and digital platforms across the state beginning in June. The aim is to have the campaign resonate with Texans – young and old – and result in litter being properly disposed of in a trash can each and every time.
“Joe understands the pride that we have in our state and in keeping it clean for everyone to enjoy its beauty, now and in the future” said Becky Ozuna, coordinator for the Don’t mess with Texas campaign. “We are thrilled to have Joe join us in bringing attention to our litter-free message through his comedic talent and timing.”
As the new face of Don’t mess with Texas, Jonas joins the likes of other Texas celebrities who have lent their support to the campaign including George Strait, Willie Nelson, Black Pumas, Eva Longoria, Erykah Badu, the Randy Rogers Band, Las Fenix, Grupo Fantasma and Oscar winner and Minister of Culture/M.O.C. Matthew McConaughey. Don’t mess with Texas has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986. The program includes a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, annual “Trash-Off”
Corporate Account Takeover is a criminal act that occurs when a hacker obtains electronic access to your business bank account and conducts unauthorized transactions such as Wire Transfers, ACH Transactions or Bill Payments. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Corporate Account Takeover is a criminal act that occurs when a hacker obtains electronic access to your business bank account and conducts unauthorized transactions such as Wire Transfers, ACH Transactions or Bill Payments.
Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise is the most common method of Corporate Account Takeover. This is when an unknown source gathers enough information from your email account to successfully have funds sent to them. Vantage Bank will never email you asking for your account number, login information or any personal data. Vantage Bank is committed to keeping our customers informed as the cyber security risks evolve. This is the first of a three part series and we will continue with future emails regarding Phishing and Malware.
Courtesy Image
For more information on Corporate Account Takeover, visit the link below.
We have been seeing a recent increase in Business Email Compromise, specifically in the form of wire transfers and email hacking. Here are a few tips on how you can protect yourself:
· Never click on suspicious links.
· Only submit sensitive information to websites that use encryption.
· Always “Sign Out” or “Log Off” of password protected websites when finished to prevent unauthorized access.
· Lock your workstation anytime you step away from your desk.
· Create unique and unpredictable passwords with a combination of lowercase letters, capital letters, numbers, and special characters.
· Always confirm the validity of the sender and the request before providing any personal information.
For more information about security and how to protect your account, you can visit our website’s business resources page or visit the link below.
Dario Rigoberto Garcia Jr., a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and dear friend to all passed away on June 6, 2022 at the age of 76. Courtesy Images
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McALLEN, Texas — Dario Rigoberto Garcia Jr., a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and dear friend to all passed away on June 6, 2022 at the age of 76.
Dario also known as “DR” or “Gito” was born in McAllen on September 16, 1945. He graduated from McAllen High School in 1965, and enlisted in the Marine Corps that August. He fought proudly for his country in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart. DR returned to McAllen in April of 1969 and began working for the Postal Service. After 23 years of hard work and commitment, he retired in 1992.
DR was always a proud Bulldog and could often been found under the Friday Night Lights cheering on his favorite team. He is a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and served the city of McAllen on several committees. He had a love of history and genealogy and told the best stories. DR was known for his love of his family, the Marine Corps and the Dallas Cowboys.
Dario was preceded in death by his parents, Dario and Laurentina Garcia. Dario is survived by his wife, Janie Garcia; eight children, Dario Garcia IlI (Karen), Dora Castro (Ruben), Xavier Garcia (Daniel), Denise Wylie (Edward), Clarissa Garza, Debra Garza (Yayo), Benjamin Cantu (Margo) and Chapo Cantu; 11 grandchildren, Lauren Castro, Lindsey Castro, Taylor Wylie, Eloisa Cantu, Elyssa Benavides, Daniel Cantu, Drew Cantu, Danica Cantu, Kylie Cantu, Ariel Cantu and Ayden Ramirez; two great-granddaughters, Abigail Marie Pena and Adah Grace Peralta; three siblings, Xavier Garcia, Hector Garcia and Laura O’Connor; numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Semper Fi “Rest easy Marine, we have the watch.”
In lieu of flowers, family requests you make donations to: Lt. Colonel Richard H. Moore Scholarship Fund: https://gofund.me/fadeec77 Texas Masonic Charities Foundation (Lodge 1110-McAllen) https://txmcf.org/app/Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2022, at Legacy Chapels 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. Interment will at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.
Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.
For many people, the sooner you act on your COVID-19 symptoms, the better! Image for illustration purposes
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MEDICARE – For many people, the sooner you act on your COVID-19 symptoms, the better! If you test positive — and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 — treatments are available to reduce your chances of severe illness.
Here’s what you need to know:
Don’t delay —get tested as soon as possibleafter your symptoms start. Treatment must be started within days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.
If you test positive, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider right away to find out if treatment is right for you, even if your symptoms are mild. There are multiple options for treating COVID-19 at home or in an outpatient setting.
If you’re symptomatic, you may also want to consider using the Test to Treat program. With thousands of locations nationwide, it can provide faster, easier access to lifesaving COVID-19 treatments. If you test positive, you can see a healthcare provider, and if eligible, get a prescription for an oral COVID-19 treatment and have that prescription filled — all at one location.
Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter directing Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath to create the position of Chief of School Safety and Security within the agency. Image for illustration purposes
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Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter directing Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath to create the position of Chief of School Safety and Security within the agency. The Chief of School Safety and Security will be a recognized expert on school security and public safety issues, an effective coordinator of multidisciplinary teams, a resource to school districts and the legislature, and effective at implementing programs. The individual serving as Chief of School Safety and Security will report directly to the TEA Commissioner and have a direct line to the Office of the Governor to ensure increased communication and collaboration among state agencies to provide a safe environment for Texas students and school faculty.
“The task of ensuring the safety of our schools and students is not solely held within one entity in the State, but encompasses many different agencies and divisions, all with different charges and authority in implementing legislation and making recommendations for future policy changes,” reads the letter. “While we have seen these agencies work together earnestly in the wake of the tragedy in Uvalde, a single point of contact to coordinate such efforts, now and in the future, would further improve their services. That is why I charge you with creating the position of Chief of School Safety and Security within the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Chief must ensure that Texas schools are implementing the school safety policies passed by the legislature and take every action possible to ensure that schools are using best practices to safeguard against school shootings or other dangers.”
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.
Campers test their robotic vehicle during the 2019 University Transportation Center for Railway Safety Summer Camp. This year, UTRGV will again offer a variety of camps for elementary to high school students. (UTRGV File Photo by Silver Salas)
Texas Border Business
By Santana Peralez
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – Looking for the perfect camps this summer for your kiddos? UTRGV, has you covered.
UTRGV will be hosting numerous summer camps throughout June and July on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. The programs range from engineering to athletics to the fine arts for Rio Grande Valley elementary and high school students.
Railway Safety Summer Camp – The University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) is hosting their annual Railway Safety Summer Camp. The camp is founded on the center’s missions to aid workforce development in STEM fields and create community outreach and engagement. The camp is geared toward elementary, middle school and high school students. Each level will be engaged in age-appropriate activities. All activities are geared towards teaching students about sensors and transportation related engineering applications. For more information, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/education/summer-camps/utcrs/index.htm.
Camp Dates:
Week 2: June 13 – 17
Week 3: June 20 – 24
Week 4: June 27 – 30
Location: UTRGV Edinburg campus
Migrant University Summer Experience (MUSE) (Ages 15-17) – The program is a five-week summer enrichment program for migrant high school juniors and seniors from across the Rio Grande Valley. During the summer program, student gain a university experience, while earning two high school credits or six college credit hours. Student also receive on-campus housing (residential camp), a student ID that provides them access to select facilities on campus, as well as a meal plan at the university café. During their stay, students are placed in a professional workplace for job shadowing throughout the university and attend college readiness and leadership seminars. For more information and application, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/p16/student/summer-camps-conferences/index.htm.
Camp Dates: June 6-July 8
Location: UTRGV Edinburg campus
JSTEM Project Based Learning (Grades 9-12) – The focus of the JSTEM camp is to help students solve a real-world, original research problem. The goals are for students to be able to develop content and skills in specific STEM and JSTEM (Journalism, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines. Interested participants can connect with their school district to see if they participate in the program or pay the individual cost. For more information and contact, https://www.utrgv.edu/camps/high-school/index.htm.
Camp Dates: July 5-29
Location: UTRGV Edinburg campus
STEM Coding Camps (Grades 6-12) – The Center for Excellence in STEM will be hosting a coding camp for middle and high school students. The camp is designed to engage students in interactive, coding activities. Participants learn concepts of computer programming and refine critical thinking skills. For more information and registration, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/cstem/activities/summer-camps-2022/coding-camp-2022/index.htm.
Camp Dates:
Session 2 (Middle School Afternoon Session): June 20-24 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Session 3 (Middle School Morning Session and High School Afternoon Session): July 18-22 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (morning) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (afternoon)
Location: Interdisciplinary Engineering and Academic Building (EIEAB) Room 2.202 in Edinburg
Mobile Lab and Science Camp (Grades 6-12) – The Center for Excellence in STEM will be hosting a mobile lab and science camp for middle and high school students. The camp is designed to engage students in interactive, hands-on activities. Participants will apply the scientific method to form and test their hypothesis and conduct experiments to yield results. They will also run a week-long experiment, conduct daily hands-on activities, use equipment in experiments and develop communication skills in presenting results. For more information and registration, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/cstem/activities/summer-camps-2022/mobile-science-camp-2022/index.htm.
Camp Dates:
June 13-17
June 27-July 1
July 11-15
July 25-29
Sessions for middle school students: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sessions for high school students: 1 to 4 p.m.
This summer, UTRGV will offer a Piano Camp at the Brownsville Campus. Saxophone, Band and Orchestra camps will be hosted in Edinburg. (UTRGV File Photo by Paul Chouy)
I-DREAM 4D Summer Camps (Grades 6-12) – I-DREAM4D Consortium partnered with Region One ESC to offer engineering summer camps to Valley students. A total of seven camps are scheduled, each intended to provide students the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on projects. Students will also be able to experience “what an engineer does” in a national laboratory, or in a manufacturing company. The camps will be taught by several UTRGV engineering professors. For information about the camps and registration, visit https://idream4d.org/summer-camp/regionone-highschool/index.htm and https://idream4d.org/summer-camp/regionone-middleschool/index.htm.
Camp Dates:
Renewable Energy for High School: June 13-17 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Coding for Middle School: June 13-17 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Seaperch for High School: June 20-24 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Renewable Energy for Middle School: June 20-24 – 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Robotics for High School: July 11-22 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Robotics for High School: July 25-29 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Robotics for High School: July 25-Aug. 5 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location for Camps:
UTRGV Engineering Building in Edinburg
FINE ARTS CAMPS
Summer Band and Orchestra, Saxophone and Piano Camps (Grades 9-12) – The UTRGV School of Music camps consist of one week of intense training for piano and all wind and string instruments for students. Participants will learn under the expert guidance of UTRGV’s outstanding faculty, as well as local professionals and guest artists. The camps will culminate with a grand final concert that will showcase the student’s musical achievements. For more information and registration, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/music/community-outreach/camps/index.htm.
Camp Dates:
Band and Orchestra: June 12-17 (Edinburg Campus)
Piano: June 13-17 (Brownsville Campus)
Saxophone: June 13-24 (Edinburg Campus)
ATHLETIC CAMPS
University Recreation Summer Youth Camp (Ages 6-11) – This summer, UREC invites young Vaqueros to explore the fun side of fitness in recreational games, team sports, dance, swimming and climbing at the Edinburg University Recreation Facility (EUREC). The activities are designed to influence a lifetime of recreational sports and leave campers with a sense of physical, social and emotional accomplishments. For more information, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/urec/community-engagement/youth-camps/index.htm.
Camp Dates and Times:
Session 1: June 6-17
Session 2: June 20-July 1
Session 3: July 5-5
Session 4: July 18-29
Location: University Recreation Facility in Edinburg
UTRGV Women’s Basketball Girls Skills Camp (Ages 8-13) – The girls skills camp is centered on teaching the fundamentals of basketball, building enthusiasm for the sport and competing every rep. The camp is open to girls of all skill levels looking to advance their fundamental skill set and received instruction from UTRGV’s coaching staff, including Head Coach Lane Lord and members of the Women’s Basketball team. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt and basketball. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/UTRGVWBBCamps/CampDetail/Index/16529.
Camp Date: June 17 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg
UTRGV Women’s Basketball Girls High School Elite Camp (Grades 9th – 12th) – The High School Elite camp is focused on improving campers’ fundamentals of basketball and teamwork with drills, team-building exercises and competitive games. The Girls Elite camp is open to girls entering their freshman year of high school through entering seniors of all skill levels looking to advance their fundamental skill set and receive instruction from our experienced coaching staff including Head Coach Lane Lord and members of the UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt and basketball. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/UTRGVWBBCamps/CampDetail/Index/16530.
Camp Dates: June 23-24 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg
Derek Matlock Baseball Academy (Ages 14 and up) – The Derek Matlock Baseball Academy offers serious student-athletes the opportunity to receive quality instruction from exceptional and experienced baseball coaches. The academy coaching staff has designed and implemented a camp format to attract quality baseball talent to UTRGV. Campers will be evaluated in hitting, defense, pitching, speed and arm strength. Spots are limited and are first come first serve. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/UTRGVCamps/.
Camp Dates:
June Prospect Camp: June 14 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
July Prospect Camp: July 19 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
August Prospect Camp: August 21 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location for all camps: 905 N. Sugar Rd, Edinburg, TX
UREC offers the University Recreation Summer Youth Camp for children ages 6-11. The program offers recreational games, team sports, dance, swimming and climbing at the Edinburg facility. (UTRGV File Photo by Silver Salas)
UTRGV Volleyball All Skills Camps – Come train on UTRGV’s NCAA Division I court, have fun, make friends and meet UTRGV players and coaches. Volleyball will offer four All Skills Camp throughout the month of June. It gives campers the opportunity to work with UTRGV coaches, learning defensive and offensive skills. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvvolleyball.
Camp Dates:
Week 2: June 14-16 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Week 3: June 21-23 – 9 to 11 a.m.
Week 4: June 28-30 – 9 to 11 a.m.
Location for all camps: UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg
UTRGV Volleyball Elite Camp (All Ages) – The Elite Camp is a great opportunity to work on volleyball skills, including passing, hitting and setting. Instruction will be provided by UTRGV Head Coach Todd Lowery, associate head coach Vini Baigan and assistant coach Paulina Ramirez, as well as current UTRGV student-athletes. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvvolleyball/CampDetail/Index/16648.
Camp Dates: July 16-17 – 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg
UTRGV Men’s Basketball Camps (Ages 6-14) – This camp is open to all skill levels. The camp will focus on teaching the fundamentals of basketball, building teamwork within the game and competing every rep. UTRGV Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger and members of the Men’s Basketball Team will be assisting the campers. Lunch will be provided to full-day campers. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt and basketball. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvmbbcamps.
Camp Dates:
June 13-16 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 1-4 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg
UTRGV Men’s Basketball Skills Camp (Ages 6-14) – This camp is open to all skill levels looking to advance their fundamental skill set and receive instruction from our experienced coaching staff, including Head Coach Matt Figger and members of the Men’s Basketball Team. Campers will learn fundamentals of basketball and teamwork with drills, team-building exercises and competitive games. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt and basketball. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvmbbcamps/CampDetail/Index/16616.
Camp Dates: July 8 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg
UTRGV Men’s Soccer Camp (Group 1: Ages 11-13 and Group 2: Ages 14-19) – Each day will start with warmup games and fun activities that prepare the body and mind. There will be a particular skill focus for each day, with instruction and activities designed to give maximum touches. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvmenssoccer.
Camp Dates:
July 25-26 – 6 to 8:30 p.m.
July 28-29 – 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Soccer and Track and Field Complex in Edinburg
UTRGV Women’s Soccer ID Camp (For girls 14 and up through junior college) – The ID Camp will consist of two sessions focusing on technical and tactical aspects of the game. The camp is designed to show prospective student-athletes what it is like to train at the Division I level under the guidance of UTRGV Women’s Soccer Head Coach Mark Foster and his staff. For more information and registration, visit https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvwomenssoccer.
Camp Dates: July 23 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Soccer and Track and Field Complex in Edinburg
JSTEM Summer Camp participants in 2019 conduct an outdoor experiment. JSTEM, which will be held July 5-29, helps students solve real-world, original research problems. (UTRGV File Photo by Paul Chouy)
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry seized fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine over the last three days.
“The smuggling threat remains consistent and CBP officers continue to identify and stop significant drug loads on a daily basis,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “Every drug load that is stopped represents a substantial financial setback for the smuggling organizations who are attempting to introduce these dangerous items into our community.”
On June 6, CBP officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted a vehicle with two occupants attempting to smuggle fentanyl. Upon a primary inspection of the vehicle driven by a 28-year-old male U.S. citizen, CBP officers discovered a bag filled with blue pills inside of a laundry basket. Once both travelers were secured, a CBP canine alerted to the odor of narcotics emitting from the passenger, a 34-year-old female U.S. citizen. The female admitted to carrying narcotics on her body and voluntarily removed two bundles filled with blue pills from her rectal cavity. A total of .44 pounds of fentanyl was seized from both individuals.
On June 7, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 36.4 pounds of cocaine from an 18-year-old male U.S. citizen. CBP officers located multiple bundles hidden within the vehicle following a non-intrusive inspection and CBP canine alert.
Approximately one hour later, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing intercepted a mixed load of hard narcotics. CBP officers inspected a vehicle driven by a 53-year-old female Mexican citizen. During a secondary search by a CBP canine and non-intrusive inspection, CBP officers discovered 21.12 pounds of methamphetamine, 12.72 pounds of fentanyl and 2.33 pounds of heroin concealed within the vehicle.
On June 8, CBP officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted 14.41 pounds of fentanyl from a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen. CBP officers located multiple bundles hidden throughout the vehicle she was driving following a non-intrusive inspection and CBP canine alert.
The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations or local authorities for prosecution.
Adrian Villarreal, President, and CEO of IBC. Photo by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Texas Border Business
June 19 is Father’s Day. Because of this, Texas Border Business had a conversation with Adrian Villarreal, the President and CEO of one of the leading banks in Rio Grande Valley. He oversees 29 branches in Hidalgo County. Aside from leading this banking institution, he manages the planning of different fundraising events that connect the bank with the community.
Today, we know there is a big difference in how fathers interact with the family. During the past several decades, the involvement of fathers has increased dramatically.
In his case, Villarreal has found joy, satisfaction, and rewarding moments watching his children grow. His participation as a father is to guide them through different aspects and decisions of their lives.
Fathers with a family and demanding career sometimes face conflicts between family space and work. Villarreal said that his biggest supporter is his wife, Lupita Villarreal.
Learn more in this issue about Villarreal and IBC.
Congratulations! Robert C. Vackar of the Bert Ogden Auto Group was named the GMC Dealer of the Year 2021 Award. This is an award that few dealerships in the nation ever receive. Bob and Janet Vackar expressed their appreciation for the employees and administrative staff for all their hard work and dedication to their customers.
Bob considers the award the most prestigious award you can receive from General Motors and had this to say, “As I said in the presentation, the GMC was Mr. (Bert) Ogden’s dealership. So, the award is for him.” He said, “I tell you, if he and Dorothy were here today, I think they would be very proud and in awe of everything we’ve done.” Read the rest of this interesting story inside.
Brownsville – The city of Brownsville has released the Launch BTX Grant Program to foster and support public educational institutions collaboration with Brownsville start-ups and businesses in the Aerospace, Urban Mobility, and technological sectors. Applications for the program are now live and due no later than October 31, 2022. Read more inside.
Edinburg – The City of Edinburg announced its partnership with the Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program, making it the first Rio Grande Valley municipality to sign on and participate in the distinctive program.
Through the PaYS Program, PaYS soldiers are guaranteed a job interview with five PaYS partners of their choice after completing their training or first term of service. More details inside.
McAllen – The City of McAllen and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce will present the MXLAN 2022 event to celebrate Mexican and Latin American culture in our country. The event will host with an artisan Mercado featuring murals and paintings, stage performances by local singers, bands, and performers. To register to participate and for more information contact the McAllen Chamber. More details inside.
Pharr – Over 400 high school seniors in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD were named candidates for South Texas College’s Spring 2022 Commencement Ceremony. “Congratulations to the hundreds of seniors who reached this incredible life-changing milestone,” said Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo, PSJA Superintendent. For more details read inside.
On another note, Terracon, a leading provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services, has named Martin Reyes the Group Manager of Geotechnical Services in its’ Pharr office location. Martin will supervise or monitor all projects in progress in the department. More details inside.
Texas Border Business invited Adrian Villarreal to have a conversation about IBC Bank and what Father’s Day means to him.
Adrian Villarreal, the President and CEO of IBC’s 29 branches in Hidalgo County, shared how IBC is continuing to serve the community, and how this has impacted his life as a father.
Villarreal oversees multiple bank branches in Hidalgo County, which makes him a very busy individual. He described one of the ways he manages the twenty-nine branches, “I’m very fortunate to work for a bank that truly embodies what a community bank should be. Many of our employees have been with the bank for a long time; capitalizing on their experience is extremely valuable.”
According to an article published by Forbes Magazine last year, IBC Bank was ranked as the #1 bank in Texas based on overall customer satisfaction. According to Villarreal, this is a true reflection of our focus and dedication to making the IBC customer experience convenient, helpful, and pleasant. He said some of the IBC branches are conveniently located inside the Walmart stores. They are open late, and on Sunday. They are always accessible to their clients.”
“Additionally, the dedication of the bank’s employees to volunteer and give back to our many important community organizations has further deepened our commitment to the communities we serve. One prime example of this is our “Minitropolis” educational program.” It is important to highlight, that the program provides elementary students with an opportunity to learn how a successful community functions by developing a micro-society community within their school.
Villarreal says, “although IBC is one of the largest independent regional banks in the State, we consider ourselves a local bank by being focused on serving others.” He elaborated on how IBC remained focused on the community during the pandemic. For the health and safety of the community, IBC Bank was unable to host events during the pandemic. Despite this, IBC found ways to remain present for the community during a time they needed it most. Villarreal said, “So, even though we may not have been visible at events, I can assure you that behind the scenes, we were actively maneuvering through all the challenges that COVID-19 had for our customers and the community.”
“Our commitment will always be there.” Villarreal said, “Every time IBC is involved in a project, our employees go all in. An example of this is IBC’s current fundraiser to benefit the MD Anderson Cancer Center where the bank has committed to match dollar per dollar on all donations raised.”
He told Texas Border Business, “IBC is planning events dedicated to benefiting this first-class facility that has helped so many. The events include a fashion show, the marathon runs, and other types of sporting events to raise funds.” He added, “all funds raised will go directly to the MD Anderson Cancer Center; we are fundraising for them across all the IBC networks and markets.”
Adrian Villarreal, President, and CEO of IBC. Photo by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
A Hands-On Local Board of Directors
Villarreal stated that one of IBC’s strengths is our local Board of Directors, who are all involved and engaged; he praised each one of them. “They know this community, their guidance, and commitment to our organization is invaluable.” According to Villarreal, “our success is due in large part to their experience and drive to help our bank and community prosper.
Growth From Within the Company
It is important to note that IBC is known for growing its employees from within the company. “Our philosophy is to provide our employees with opportunities to grow from within the bank. Many of our most tenured officers and managers started their employment with IBC when they worked part-time while attending school. Years later, they represent our leadership.” Villarreal said, “Being able to provide opportunities to people to develop their career is very rewarding.”
Best Part of Being a Father
Because we celebrate Father’s Day this month, we asked him about his family. Villarreal has five children and is married to Lupita Villarreal, his strongest supporter.
What do you enjoy the most about being a father?
“There are so many different things about being a father that I cherish; one of them is to see my children grow and develop. Each of my children is very different.” He added, “I try to support them in any way I can so they can be happy and successful in whatever they decide to do. I love watching them as they grow up and figure out what they enjoy most. Helping them navigate that, has been one of my greatest joys.”
What kind of activities do you share with your family?
“Anything that allows us to spend time with one another is something I look forward to. Quality time with my children is so important, especially with how quickly they have grown up.”
As a father and a banker, Villarreal enjoys the combination. He noted that the uniqueness of IBC is that as a company, they always strive to get better at taking care of their customers and employees. In many ways, his ability to serve with IBC aligns with his ability to serve as a father. Villarreal noted that although there is commonality, clearly the most important job he has is being a father to his children.
Adrian was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas. He attended Harlingen High School, then graduated from TheUniversity of Texas at Austin School of Business with a finance degree. He worked for a large national bank and went through their training program before coming to IBC.
What made you come back to the Valley?
“We are a very close-knit family. After being away for eight years because of school and work, I returned because of my parents. They have always played an important role in my life. I just wanted to be closer to them.”
What inspired you to get into banking?
“I vividly remember how the local community bankers were everywhere. They sponsored baseball teams, non-profit organizations, and many other programs. I was impressed with how involved they were.” He said, “as a young man, that caught my eye, so it stuck with me.” He attributes witnessing how banks were able to make a difference in the community and that inspired him to pursue a career in banking.
Do you think that banking is in a transition and people will eventually prefer to do banking using electronics?
“We have seen dramatic changes in banking from the COVID-19 pandemic. The data tells us that people expect more. What customers are predominantly telling us is – ‘make it convenient for me’.”
He noted that “at IBC, we are committed to continuing to be a “We Do More” company, Villarreal finalized.
