According to the 2020 Census data, the City of McAllen’s single member districts are not of sufficiently equal population and must be redrawn in order to comply with the “one-person, one-vote” (equal population) principle established by the U.S. Constitution. Image for illustration purposes, BGD source: Googlemaps
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The McAllen City Commission encourages participation in the redistricting process. A public hearing will be held on the City of McAllen’s proposed redistricting plan. Details are available on the City of McAllen’s website at the following link: https://www.mcallen.net/departments/redistricting-maps/
CITY OF MCALLEN, TX
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON
REALIGNING SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS
According to the 2020 Census data, the City of McAllen’s single member districts are not of sufficiently equal population and must be redrawn in order to comply with the “one-person, one-vote” (equal population) principle established by the U.S. Constitution.
The McAllen City Commission is considering new boundaries for its city commission districts and wants to hear from its residents. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts with McAllen City Commissioners regarding the preliminary single member district alternative plans at the public hearing:
PUBLIC HEARING ON
REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL
5:00 p.m.
Monday, June 13, 2022
McAllen City Hall, Commission Chamber
1300 W. Houston Ave., 3rd Floor
The preliminary alternative plans for the single member districts will be available at the hearing.
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) agents arrest 11 gang members and a sex offender over the last 72 hours, keeping them out of our communities. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) agents arrest 11 gang members and a sex offender over the last 72 hours, keeping them out of our communities.
On June 6, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents apprehended a Salvadoran Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member near Cuevitas. The migrant was charged with second degree assault in Maryland and sentenced to three years’ incarceration. That same day, MCS agents apprehended four more Salvadoran MS-13 gang members, and one Salvadoran 18th Street gang member.
Also on June 6, Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents apprehended a Mexican migrant near Brownsville. Record checks revealed he was a Paisa gang member convicted in 2009 of aggravated narcotic smuggling in Texas, sentenced to 37 months confinement, and subsequently removed from the U.S.
MCS agents apprehended a Salvadoran national and convicted sex offender later that evening. Record checks revealed the migrant had a conviction for sexual assault of a 13–15-year-old child and received a three-year sentence in New Jersey.
Additionally, RGV agents apprehended four MS-13 gang members on June 7.
Laredo Sector Border Patrol apprehended 60 undocumented individuals found inside a stash house in central Laredo. USCBP Image
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LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from Laredo Sector working with the Webb County Constables Office (WCCO), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) closed a stash house and apprehended 60 undocumented individuals in central Laredo.
The incident occurred on June 6, when WCCO deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that had left a possible stash house on East Calton Road. Laredo South Station agents responded to a request for assistance from the deputies and discovered that the driver and passenger were both undocumented individuals. Acting on information from the stop, HSI and Laredo Sector agents arrived at the residence and apprehended an additional 58 undocumented individuals inside the home that were identified as being from the countries of Mexico, Hondurans, Guatemala, and El Salvador including one unaccompanied juvenile.
All were medically screened before being processed accordingly.
Help take a stand against criminal organizations and their potentially dangerous acts by reporting suspicious activity. To report suspicious activity such as human and/or drug smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.
Project 11 provides the infrastructure essential to keeping Texas at the forefront of global trade, simultaneously enhancing safety, efficiency, capacity, and the environment. Image for illustration purposes
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group
A few years ago, I was asked to name the major events that shaped the Texas we know today. High on the list was the development of Allen’s Landing and the Port of Houston during the early days of the Republic and the subsequent efforts at the dawn of the twentieth century to develop a deep-water channel in the area just as the oil industry was emerging. Without this critical infrastructure, Texas could not have become a vital hub of global commerce. I am tempted to say “and the rest is history” – but, in reality, it is also the future.
The latest $1 billion expansion of the Houston Ship Channel is officially underway after a decade of planning. The project involves deepening and widening parts of the channel to improve capacity, efficiency, and safety. It’s known locally as Project 11 since it’s the eleventh major construction initiative in the waterway’s long history.
Cotton comprised much of the cargo in the early days, with Houston offering connections through the natural port at Galveston. By the early twentieth century, crude oil became dominant, and the area became the site for refineries and other processing facilities. As the economy evolved, Houston was the nation’s first port to offer container shipping.
The channel also serves more than 200 private and public facilities (many related to energy and chemicals), collectively known as the Port of Houston. More than 275 million short tons of cargo traversed the channel in 2020, some 50 million tons above the next-largest port.
Port Houston accounted for over 44.5 million tons of cargo in 2021, most of which is containerized. Key exports include resins and plastics; chemicals and minerals; automotive; food and drink; and machinery, appliances, and electronics. Major imports are hardware and construction materials; food and drink; and machinery, appliances, and electronics. Steel and bulk are other notable categories of cargo.
The Houston Ship Channel is a cornerstone of the US logistics system, and its economic importance is profound. Imports lead to business activity through transportation, distribution, and retail for finished goods and additional production for inputs. Exports primarily reflect domestic manufacturing and processing. There are also spinoff effects and a consumer spending stimulus. In short, the benefits are enormous.
Beyond these gains, the Port is an essential element of dealing with a variety of critical issues. Hours have been expanded to help address supply chain challenges; shipping of oil and liquefied natural gas has enormous geopolitical significance; major imports support our way of life.
Larger ships and more cargo require improvements to the Houston Ship Channel. Project 11 provides the infrastructure essential to keeping Texas at the forefront of global trade, simultaneously enhancing safety, efficiency, capacity, and the environment. Stay safe!
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 2,500 clients over the past four decades.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its 2022 Division I Women’s Regional Awards on Monday and named The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s women’s tennis team as the Texas Regional ITA Community Service Award winner. Courtesy Image
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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its 2022 Division I Women’s Regional Awards on Monday and named The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s women’s tennis team as the Texas Regional ITA Community Service Award winner.
The Vaqueros women’s tennis team accumulated 332 hours of community service – earning a No. 2 national ranking among Division I women’s tennis programs according to the Helper Helper app’s 2021-22 NCAA Community Engagement Report.
The team held four free junior tennis clinics throughout the school year, including one in Brownsville which drew 100 participants. The Vaqueros influenced hundreds of children ranging from 4 to 18 years old by sharing their love of tennis. They also volunteered with the RGV Food Bank, the Children’s Hospital, the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg and the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, among other community events.
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“The consistent attitude and effort of this team to give back and connect with the local community is admirable. I could not be more proud of them,” women’s tennis head coach West Nott said. “They understand how fortunate we are to be playing collegiate athletics and they want to pay it forward in a small way. Hopefully we can continue to make an impact on the local community and keep extending a helping hand in the coming years.”
The ITA will announce its national award winners on June 13. Other regional ITA Community Service Award honorees for women’s tennis were Duquesne (Atlantic), Furman (Carolina), Wichita State (Central), Michigan State (Midwest), Air Force Academy (Mountain), Fairleigh Dickinson (Northeast), Austin Peay State and Middle Tennessee State (Ohio Valley), Georgia (Southeast), Alabama-Birmingham (Southern) and Arizona (Southwest).
Texas Regional Award Winners
Wilson ITA Coach of the Year: Mark Weaver, Texas A&M
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Jordan Szabo, Texas A&M
Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award: Alicia Herrero, Baylor
ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award: Alicia Herrero, Baylor
ITA Rookie of the Year: Carson Branstine, Texas A&M
ITA Most Improved Senior: Tatiana Makarova, Texas A&M
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Tatiana Makarova, Texas A&M
ITA Community Service Award: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Texas Cook’em Is Back! Saturday, July 2, 2022 | FREE EVENT. Courtesy Image
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Texas Cook’Em is one of the state’s biggest BBQ purse, awarding $25,000 to the winners. The 4th of July event is set to be held at the Ebony Hills Golf Course, 300 W. Mark S. Pena Dr.
The City of Laredo continues to dedicate these special occasions before or during council meetings to reiterate the appreciation for the enthusiasm of these citizens and to continue enhancing their own motivation to reach their goals. Courtesy Image
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LAREDO, Texas – The Laredo City Council honored several distinguished Laredoans on Monday, June 6, for their achievements in the community or fields of work. The City of Laredo continues to dedicate these special occasions before or during council meetings to reiterate the appreciation for the enthusiasm of these citizens and to continue enhancing their own motivation to reach their goals. This week’s group of recipients includes youth and adult Laredoans that have successfully made an impact in the local community by following their hearts and keeping their objectives clear. Monday’s recipients were the following:
Andrea Lozano
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A student of the 5th grade at Matias de Llano Elementary, Andrea Lozano was recognized for receiving a spot at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship 2022, which is it world’s largest junior tournament. Andrea has been playing since she was 8 years old and has been representing Laredo for three years playing on the U.S. Kids Golf Tour. Andrea qualified for the next step while competing in a San Antonio tournament. Recently, this young athlete was invited to participate in the U.S. Kids Gold World Championship 2022, which will take place in North Carolina, along with 54 other nations, starting on August 1, 2022.
Laredo Juniors Volleyball 13’s Navy team
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The Laredo Juniors Volleyball 13’s Navy team has double qualified and earned a spot at the 2022 USAV Girls Junior National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana, and for this achievement, the Laredo City Council recognized the team and their proud coaching staff. The upcoming event will take place from June 22nd through the 24th. Their double qualification is the first of its kind in Laredo, making it a special accomplishment. Students in the 7th grade from United Middle School, Elias Herrera Middle School, Mary Help of Christians School, and United Day School, make up this incredible team; they will be 1 of 24 teams competing in their division.
Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa, MD
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Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa, MD, was recognized and awarded the Key to the City for his exemplary work and selfless dedication to keeping the community informed and safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Cigarroa has been guiding the community along with the Facebook page Laredo Contra COVID, making an enormous effort to maintain Laredoans safe and healthy, avoiding the Coronavirus crisis. As an admired person and extremely respected physician, Dr. Cigarroa did not hesitate to address the community and other organizations in regards to the seriousness of the pandemic affecting our residents. For these and many other virtues, Mayor Saenz and members of the City Council presented the Key to the City to Dr. Cigarroa as the ultimate expression a city can provide to anyone that has excelled in their capacity of endeavor and expertise.
Jaime Donjuan
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The Laredo City Council recognized Jaime Donjuan, a former Tennis Coach at Laredo College, for being inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place in Tyler, Texas, on May 15. Mr. Donjuan accomplished 7 National Championships, solidifying his spot as one of the top coaches in the NJCAA Competition. Additionally, he was named Coach of the Year on more than 3 occasions by the NJCAA. Many of his Laredo College tennis players were named “All Americans”, under his coaching.
Neiva Martinez is the first woman to be a CDL trainer for Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education Professional Driving Academy. (TSTC photo)
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HARLINGEN, Texas – Women are gradually changing the perception that driving commercial vehicles is for men only.
Neiva Martinez, of Brownsville, is one of those women. She is making an impact in Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education Professional Driving Academy as the program’s first-ever female CDL (commercial driver’s license) trainer.
“I was excited to teach new students because I also earned my CDL from this program,” Martinez said. “The main difference is that many policies have changed from four years ago. So I need to educate myself again.”
According to womenintrucking.org, women truck drivers make up 10% of those positions in the United States.
Martinez has been a TSTC CDL trainer for two months.
“We teach driving maneuvers such as parallel parking and offset backing,” she said. “We inform the students about a pre-trip inspection. This will ensure their truck is safe before they begin their practice driving through the Rio Grande Valley.”
Juan Hernandez, another TSTC CDL trainer, said Martinez brings a new level of training to the college’s Professional Driving Academy.
“Our program has had an influx of female students that are signing up for the CDL program,” Hernandez said. “Martinez’s expertise will relate to them. We have received many compliments about her instruction in a short time period.”
Before she started her job at TSTC, Martinez flourished in her trucking career with several area companies.
“At Sun Belt Transportation, I transported bulletproof glass, tires and (soft drink) products,” she said. “At Swift Transportation, my duty was to transport metals. Then at the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers Inc., I transported sugar cane. The opportunity to travel has been exciting because I was able to experience different cultures.”
Her interest in the industry was piqued through the influence of her godbrother.
“I came to a point in my life where I wanted a transition to a better-paying job,” she said. “My godbrother owns a trucking company. I found the freedom that truck drivers experience liberating.”
Martinez contacted TSTC’s CDL program to inquire about any trucking companies that had job opportunities.
“After I asked about any companies that were hiring, they mentioned they had a vacancy for a CDL trainer,” she said. “So I applied.”
She said giving back to the program has been rewarding.
TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education Professional Driving Academy program will begin its next eight-week course on June 27, 2022.
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m., except holidays. Contact Linda Cavazos at 956-364-4553 or linda.cavazos@tstc.edu for more information.
To celebrate the new store, Lane Bryant will host a Grand Opening Event with a special giveaway and savings starting Friday, June 10, 2022. Image for illustration purposes
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SHARYLAND, Texas – Lane Bryant is thrilled to announce the brand’s newest location at Sharyland Towne Crossing in Mission TX. To celebrate the new store, Lane Bryant will host a Grand Opening Event with a special giveaway and savings starting Friday, June 10, 2022.
Lane Bryant invites customers to check out the new space that incorporates a modern, feminine branded color palette into the store’s layout. Those who shop at Sharyland Towne Crossing location from June 10-12, 2022 will enjoy 40% off clothing and accessories, as well as light refreshments. Customers who make a purchase in store throughout the Grand Opening Celebration will receive a $10 Lane Bryant coupon redeemable over the weekend (while supplies last) as well.
To receive up-to-date details on the Grand Opening Event, customers can opt-in to mobile text messages by texting OPEN to 552255.
LANE BRYANT SHARYLAND TOWNE CROSSING GRAND OPENING EVENT
June 10-12, 2022
Sharyland Towne Crossing
2515 East Expressway 83 Suite #400
Mission, TX 78572
For more information on Sharyland Towne Crossing location, you can visit Lane Bryant’s store locator here.
Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter directing Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath, and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Commissioner Harrison Keller to expand and accelerate their efforts to promote the ability to report suspicious activity known to students, staff, and families through the iWatch Texas reporting system. Governor Image Source: Twitter. BGD for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter directing Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath, and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Commissioner Harrison Keller to expand and accelerate their efforts to promote the ability to report suspicious activity known to students, staff, and families through the iWatch Texas reporting system. iWatch Texas is a partnership between communities and law enforcement that makes it easier for the public to report suspicious activity in the state, including criminal, terroristic, or school safety-related threats.
“One recommendation provided by the Secret Service to stem the tide of school violence is for individuals who witness alarming behavior to report it to the appropriate authorities so that interventions may occur before a mass attack is carried out,” reads the letter. “The State of Texas began to implement this recommendation after the tragic attack in El Paso on September 5, 2019, when I issued Executive Order GA-07, relating to the prevention of mass attacks. We must accelerate these efforts to build a network of schools that are well-versed in suspicious activity reporting. That requires redoubling our efforts on the important work outlined in GA-07 and providing a robust rollout of the iWatch program that reaches communities and school districts across the state. To achieve that goal, I am directing DPS, TEA, and THECB to enhance and expedite your efforts to make widely known and easily accessible the ability to report suspicious activity known to students, staff, and families into iWatch. Efforts should include working with the state’s eight fusion centers and with all school districts to teach students, staff, and families about Texas’s suspicious activity reporting program, known as iWatchTexas. Reporting concerning behavior is a key component of intervention strategies to keep schools safe, and it is only through our joint efforts that we will succeed.”
Texans can report suspicious activity at iwatchtx.org, through the iWatchTexas mobile app, or by calling 844-643-2251. Reporting through any of these channels can be anonymous.
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.
Investing an initial $5 million into establishing a long-term Family Resiliency Center (FRC) 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.
