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In-Demand Cloud Computing Skills

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In-Demand Cloud Computing Skills
Beginning in summer 2022, students at South Texas College will be able to enroll in AWS Academy Cloud Foundations (ACF). The AWS curriculum will help prepare them to pursue careers in the fast-growing cloud computing space and industry-recognized AWS Certifications. Courtesy Image
Beginning in summer 2022, students at South Texas College will be able to enroll in AWS Academy Cloud Foundations (ACF). The AWS curriculum will help prepare them to pursue careers in the fast-growing cloud computing space and industry-recognized AWS Certifications. Courtesy Image

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McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College (STC) has announced its participation in AWS Academy, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) service that provides higher education institutions with a free, ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum that prepares students to pursue industry-recognized certifications and in-demand cloud jobs.  

Beginning in summer 2022, students at STC will be able to enroll in AWS Academy Cloud Foundations (ACF). The AWS curriculum will help prepare them to pursue careers in the fast-growing cloud computing space and industry-recognized AWS Certifications.

STC’s Bachelor of Applied Technology in Computer Information Technologies (BAT-CIT) was designated as an AWS-Member institution in February. The designation means the program can now embed cloud computing curriculum from Amazon into BAT-CITP courses. 

AWS Certification is ranked as one of the top-15 most valuable information technology (IT) certifications, according to Forbes, and supports educational institutions in more than 30 countries. 

The AWS Academy curriculum is developed and maintained by AWS subject matter experts to help ensure that it reflects current services and up-to-date best practices. Courses are taught by AWS Academy-accredited educators who are trained by AWS to help students become proficient in AWS technology.

“AWS Academy allows us to be able to embed cloud computing education in our courses,” said Nicholas Hinojosa, an instructor for the BAT-CIT program at STC. 

The Bachelor of Applied Technology Degree (BAT) in Computer and Information Technologies (CIT) prepares students for successful careers by balancing theoretical and technical coursework meant to prepare graduates for the high demands placed on today’s CIT professionals. 

The degree prepares students with relevant, technical knowledge of CIT practices so they provide solutions for real-world problems and technical support for computer-based information systems. 

Students graduating from the BAT-CIT program at STC are exceptionally prepared to enter the private sector or even continue their education in a graduate program. 

The program offers a competency-based bachelor’s degree that enables students to finish their degrees faster by “testing out,” or taking exams within the courses themselves.  

As an AWS Academy member institution, STC has access to AWS Academy cloud computing curriculum, developed and maintained by AWS.

 “Professionals with cloud skills are in high demand as more organizations invest in their future with the cloud,” said Kevin Kelly, Director of Cloud Career Training Programs, AWS. “We’re proud to help South Texas College advance the training and learning opportunities for its students. With AWS Academy, students will be equipped with the in-demand, practical cloud skills they need to land high-quality jobs in one of the fastest growing industries.”

Google Lawsuit Amended to Include “Incognito Mode”   

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Google Lawsuit Amended to Include “Incognito Mode”   
Incognito mode or “private browsing” is a web browser function that implies to consumers that Google will not track your search history or location activity.  Image for illustration purposes
Incognito mode or “private browsing” is a web browser function that implies to consumers that Google will not track your search history or location activity.  Image for illustration purposes

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AUSTIN, Texas  – Attorney General Paxton filed an amended petition that adds Google’s Incognito mode to his previous geolocation-related lawsuit against the Big Tech giant. Incognito mode or “private browsing” is a web browser function that implies to consumers that Google will not track your search history or location activity.  

This is General Paxton’s fifth lawsuit against Google, and in it Texas argues that the company misled consumers by tracking their personal location without consent, and in many cases continued to track them after the feature was disabled by users, all of which constitute a violation of the Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act. While Texas consumers were under the impression they were not being tracked, Google continued to use their private location information to boost company profits. The State now alleges that Google’s representations that users can avoid having their internet search and activity history recorded by using Incognito Mode are similarly misleading.  

“Google claims to give users control and to respect their choice but in reality, regardless of the settings users select, the Big Tech giant is still hard at work collecting and monetizing the location and other personal information that users seek to keep private,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I am not going to let Google succeed in deceiving Texans.”    

To read the amended lawsuit click here. 

McAllen ISD to Launch Summer Food Program 

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McAllen ISD to Launch Summer Food Program 
McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Food Program will serve free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer.  Image for illustration purposes
McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Food Program will serve free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer.  Image for illustration purposes

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McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Food Program will serve free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer.  

Meals will be provided at 32 sites at least, many of them twice per day. There are a mixture of school and community sites. 

Click the Link Below to view the Sites and Information:

No documents or proof of income are required. Children can simply show up to any one of the locations throughout the city of McAllen, including schools, City of McAllen facilities, splash pads and parks, and even, places of worship, and a hot meal will be provided.  

The program will begin Wednesday, June 1, at 21 locations. Meals are prepared in the district’s modern central kitchen. These meals are fresh and served while hot. Many sites will serve meals twice per day. The program will run through Thursday, July 28 at most locations.  
 

The federal government funds the program through the Texas Department of Agriculture. The school district is reimbursed for the meals it serves. 

In Texas, one in four children have food insecurity but in the Rio Grande Valley, it is one in two, according to published statistics. 

For additional information, please call the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Program at 956-632-3226. Times and locations may change. For the latest updates, please see the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Website at https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1012110026209308

McAllen Police Officers Memorial Ceremony 

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McAllen Police Officers Memorial Ceremony 
YouTube Image
YouTube Image

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In honor of fallen officers and to express appreciation to law enforcement officers serving communities today, the City of McAllen Police Department and the McAllen Police Department Benefit Fund hosted a memorial ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 to honor and remember their own fallen heroes. This week is Police Officers Memorial Week and is dedicated to all law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

RGV Agents Provide Aid and Rescue 

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RGV Agents Provide Aid and Rescue 
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) riverine agents conduct two rescues saving four lives and an off-duty agent assist in vehicle accident. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) riverine agents conduct two rescues saving four lives and an off-duty agent assist in vehicle accident. USCBP Image for illustration purposes

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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) riverine agents conduct two rescues saving four lives and an off-duty agent assist in vehicle accident.

An off-duty Rio Grande City Border Patrol (RGC) agent encountered a single vehicle accident in the early morning hours on May 15 in La Joya.  The agent approached the crashed vehicle and observed the driver was unconscious.  He performed a sternum rub, bringing the driver to consciousness, and assessed the driver for injuries.  The agent observed the vehicle was on fire under the hood and used a fire extinguisher to put out the spreading flames.  Because of the fire, the agent extracted the driver and began to render basic first aid.  The La Joya Fire Department arrived on scene and assumed the care of the driver.  The La Joya Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety took over the scene.

On May 13, RGV riverine agents rescued two non-citizens stranded on top of a submerged vehicle downriver of the Roma Texas Port of Entry.  The vehicle was involved in a failure to yield situation involving the Roma Police Department prior to the splash down.  Both subjects were uninjured. 

McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) riverine agents rescued two Mexican Nationals from possible drowning in the Rio Grande River, near Mission, on May 15.  Agents spotted a male subject, in the water, struggling to stay afloat in the pre-dawn hours.  While they were assisting that subject into the vessel, a second subject grabbed the side of the boat and requested assistance.  The migrants were medically evaluated and cleared before being transported to the McAllen Station for processing.

All subjects were processed accordingly.

Apprehensions and Property Damage in RGV Continues

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Apprehensions and Property Damage in RGV Continues
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents and local law enforcement partners encountered four large groups, disrupted three human smuggling events, including a human smuggling stash house resulting in a total of 703 apprehensions. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents and local law enforcement partners encountered four large groups, disrupted three human smuggling events, including a human smuggling stash house resulting in a total of 703 apprehensions. USCBP Image for illustration purposes

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EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents and local law enforcement partners encountered four large groups, disrupted three human smuggling events, including a human smuggling stash house resulting in a total of 703 apprehensions.

On May 13, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station (RCG) agents apprehended 199 non-citizens near Roma.  The group was initially observed by the Texas Military Department (TMD).  The migrants are from South and Central America and were comprised of 58 unaccompanied children, 81 family unit members and 60 single adults. 

A few hours later, RCG encountered and additional 168 non-citizens from South and Central America near Rio Grande City.  The TMD initially observed the large group and alerted RGC agents.  The group consisted of 18 unaccompanied children, 53 family unit members, and 97 single adults. McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents apprehended 130 non-citizens near La Joya less than three hours later. The migrants are from South and Central America and the groups consisted of 28 unaccompanied children, 36 family unit members, and 66 single adults.

Also on May 13, MCS agents arrested 12 non-citizens near Linn.  Agents observed the driver of a Dodge Ram veer off the road and drive through a ranch fence while agents were attempting to initiate an immigration inspection on the occupants of the truck.  The driver took the vehicle over open ground and through seven different fence lines before rendering the truck undrivable.  Agents, with the assistance of a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper and an Army National Guard aircraft searched the area and discovered the migrants, one of whom was an unaccompanied minor child.  The migrants are from South and Central America.  The driver was not located. 

A fourth large group was encountered on May 14, RCG agents, with the assistance of TMD, apprehended another 160 non-citizens near La Grulla. The large group consisted of 37 unaccompanied children, 27 family unit members, and 95 single adults.  Among the group was a U.S. citizen minor child.  The migrants are from South and Central America.

On May 15, Harlingen Border Patrol Station agents, in cooperation with the Port Mansfield Police Department , encountered five non-citizens entering the U.S. on a raft in the ship channel in Port Mansfield. One of the migrants, a citizen of Mexico, was turned over to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding warrant in Dallas. 

MCS agents, La Joya Police Department (La Joya PD) and Texas DPS troopers combined efforts to interdict a human smuggling event on May 17 near Havana.  The driver of a GMC Yukon failed to yield to La Joya PD and sped away on a heavily congested roadway.  An Air and Marine Operations (AMO) helicopter located the vehicle and observed the occupants exit the vehicle. La Joya PD, Texas DPS, and MCS agents were able to locate six citizens of Guatemala and three citizens of Mexico; the driver was not located.  La Joya PD took custody of the vehicle. 

A human stash house was discovered in Mission by RGV agents in cooperation with the Hidalgo County Sheriff Office (HCSO) on May 16.  Agents apprehended a total of 20 subjects from Mexico, South, and Central America were determined to be illegally present in the U.S.  No caretaker was identified.

New grant to enhance visibility of agriculture careers

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New grant to enhance visibility of agriculture careers
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in partnership with South Texas College, has received a $750,000 grant to train students in agriculture careers. “Pathways to NRCS and Academic Careers to Civil Engineering and Agriculture Students” (PANACEAS), aims to prepare future soil and agriculture scientists and civil engineers in future careers in agriculture-related professions. (Courtesy Photo)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in partnership with South Texas College, has received a $750,000 grant to train students in agriculture careers. “Pathways to NRCS and Academic Careers to Civil Engineering and Agriculture Students” (PANACEAS), aims to prepare future soil and agriculture scientists and civil engineers in future careers in agriculture-related professions. (Courtesy Photo)

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By Victoria Brito Morales  

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in partnership with South Texas College, has received a $750,000 grant to train students in agriculture careers and to create a pathway between the two institutions.The five-year grant, designed to foster education through to the university level, is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The first cohort begins summer 2022 and will run through 2027.

Titled “Pathways to NRCS and Academic Careers to Civil Engineering and Agriculture Students” (PANACEAS), the project aims to prepare future soil and agriculture scientists and civil engineers in future careers in agriculture-related professions.

NRCS is the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which provides farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to conservation.

Dr. Engil Pereira, assistant professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences (SEEMS) and principal investigator on the grant, said the NRCS has a high demand for civil engineers, agriculture scientists and soil scientists.

Dr. Engil Pereira, assistant professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences and principal investigator on the five-year PANACEAS grant. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

“Our grant will help give the visibility of the NRCS to students by providing them with hands-on experiences through internships and seminars, so they can learn about the agency and, given their scientific skills, perform well in this or any agency,” she said.

In the next five years, PANACEAS will train 16 students each year for a total of 80 students. Each yearlong cohort consist of eight students from UTRGV and eight from STC. The project’s goal is to train minority undergraduate students through lecture preparation and experiential learning.

In spring semesters, students will attend seminars presented by professionals from the NRCS and receive scientific training to learn about statistics, research design and data analysis

Summer sessions will provide opportunities to participate in summer research projects or participate in internships with the USDA.

Additionally, there will be an experiential learning component within UTRGV with the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement (SARA) who will host students for internships.

The program will wrap up in the fall with a symposium, in which students will be able to present what they have learned in the spring and summer sessions. During the program, participants will have learned to diagnose issues, research, design, implement and maintain water and soil conservation practices.

Joining Pereira on the project are co-principal investigators

Dr. Chu-Lin Cheng, UTRGV associate professor of SEEMS and Civil Engineering.

Dr. James Jihoon Kang, UTRGV associate professor of SEEMS.

Dr. Thang Pham, UTRGV assistant professor of Civil Engineering. 

STC is named as a subawardee, with Dr. Wendi J. W. Williams, STC professor of geology in the Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering, as the subaward PI.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Aside from SEEMS students, the program gives students in civil engineering a chance to branch out into agriculture fields.

“Many civil engineering students never think of a career in agriculture,” said Dr. Thuy Vu, associate professor and co-chair of Civil Engineering at UTRGV.

“PANACEAS provides seminars with USDA guest speakers, internships and workshops, and will create great opportunities for our civil engineering students, especially underrepresented Hispanic and female students, to explore and develop interest for careers in agriculture fields.” 

Ruby De La Garza, liaison for the USDA Office of Partnership and Public Engagement, said the USDA is committed to equity and inclusion in all of its programs and services.

“Investments like this opens doors, creates opportunities and helps build a future workforce that mirrors America,” De La Garza said. 

For more information, contact Pereira at engil.pereira@utrgv.edu.

Finance Dept. Earns Prestigious Award for 14th Year in a Row

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Finance Dept. Earns Prestigious Award for 14th Year in a Row
Pharr Finance Department has earned the prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year 2020-2021. Image for illustration purposes
Pharr Finance Department has earned the prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year 2020-2021. Image for illustration purposes

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City of Pharr Finance Director Karla Saavedra announced to the city commission that the Pharr Finance Department has earned the prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year 2020-2021. This is the 14th consecutive year that the City of Pharr Finance Department earns the award. 

GFOA established the Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program (Budget Awards Program) in 1984 to encourage and assist state and local governments to prepare budget documents of the very highest quality that reflect both the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA’s best practices on budgeting and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal. 

To earn recognition, budget documents must meet program criteria and excel as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool. “I am proud of our continued excellence in budgeting and for the support of our mayor, city commission, and staff who have all helped in the achievement of this award,” said Saavedra. 

“The requirements for this application changed this year however, we all worked together to submit the application according to the new guidelines and the City of Pharr continues to be recognized for our transparency and budget presentation,” she added.  

Officers Seize Narcotics and Arrest 25 Fugitives

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Officers Seize Narcotics and Arrest 25 Fugitives
Fentanyl seized by El Paso Agents. USCBP Image
Fentanyl seized by El Paso Agents. USCBP Image

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EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry seized cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl and arrested 25 fugitives over the last week.

“Our CBP officers continue to secure our borders and safeguard our communities,” said CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “They are dedicated to stopping the flow of these dangerous drugs from coming into our county and working closely with law enforcement agencies to bring fugitives to justice.”

On May 9, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 24.47 pounds of methamphetamine from a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen. Following a CBP canine alert and non-intrusive inspection (x-ray) scan CBP Officers discovered 24 bundles hidden throughout the vehicle.

Later that day, CBP officers intercepted 18 pounds of methamphetamine from a 23-year-old female U.S. citizen. Following a CBP canine alert and non-intrusive inspection CBP officers discovered a total of eight bundles hidden within the spare tire of the vehicle.

On May 11, CBP officers intercepted 19.7 pounds of cocaine from a traveler enrolled in the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI).


Later that day, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing, pedestrian, intercepted 0.006 pounds of fentanyl from a 40-year-old female U.S. citizen. Following a pat down search and a CBP canine alert, the female voluntarily removed a condom filled with fentanyl pills from her vaginal cavity.

On May 13, CBP officers working at the port of Santa Teresa, New Mexico intercepted 39.24 pounds of methamphetamine. CBP officers located multiple bundles hidden in a car that arrived from Mexico following a non-intrusive inspection and a CBP canine alert.

The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to local authorities or Homeland Security Investigations for prosecution.

Flying PVAS Pets to Partner Rescue Groups

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Flying PVAS Pets to Partner Rescue Groups
It's summertime, and that means that the shelter is OVER CAPACITY. With more than 1,200 pets in custody, not a single kennel is available most days in the shelter. Courtesy Image
It’s summertime, and that means that the shelter is OVER CAPACITY. With more than 1,200 pets in custody, not a single kennel is available most days in the shelter. Courtesy Image

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It’s summertime, and that means that the shelter is OVER CAPACITY. With more than 1,200 pets in custody, not a single kennel is available most days in the shelter. To help alleviate our capacity concerns, we depend on partnerships with rescue groups across the country who have space in their shelters. Transporting pets is expensive (more than $100 per pet just for ground transport!), which is why we can’t be more excited about working with Dog is My Co-Pilot.

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This amazing team FLYS into the RGV and takes out many dozens of pets at a time, and they fundraise to pay for that amazing transportation. We’ve already completed one flight this year, and we’re looking at another planned for June!

The downside of air transport? We need crates to send with our pets! If you have any 22, 24 or 26-inch crates at home that are plastic-sided that you aren’t using, can you bring them to us? Even better, can you visit our wishlist on Chewy and purchase some crates for us? We love sending out all these pets at once, and we’d love it even more if you can help us get “crated up” so we can save lives!
DONATE CRATES THROUGH CHEWY
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