City of Pharr and Vanguard Academy to Host Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for Nature and Birding Center on Thursday, 7/16 @ 11:30 am
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city leaders, in partnership with Vanguard Academy, are proud to announce the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the City of Pharr and Vanguard Academy Nature and Birding Center. The center was made possible by a $250,000 matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Grand Opening will take place at 11:30 am on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 1025 S. Richmond Drive in Pharr.
The new center, including a nine-acre park, is expected to be an attraction for nature education and bird watching, as well as the arts. The City of Pharr is committed to working with Pharr families, communities, and local school districts when planning for the development of new city parks and community attractions.
“Not only are we expanding our parks and increasing our green footprint in our city, but we are also working to support and promote eco-tourism and the arts,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “One of the most attractive features of this park is its open-air, 500 capacity amphitheater which will allow our Pharr families the opportunity to enjoy many days and nights at this park – watching plays, listening to live music, and much more,” he continued. “This is a great investment in our city, our students, and our community,” he added.
Ideally nestled within the nature and birding center, the amphitheater is a welcomed addition to Vanguard Academy, which is known for its emphasis on fine arts. Students at the academy will have the opportunity to enjoy band and orchestra concerts and plays, while the public will also have access to the amphitheater through city and school district-sponsored events.
The park also includes an information area for nature education, interpretive signage for accessibility, a decomposed granite walking trail, and picnic areas for families to enjoy. Filled with native plants and foliage to attract a wide variety of birds, butterflies, and more, the park also has binocular viewing stations located throughout the park, further aiming to promote eco-tourism by attracting bird watchers, nature groups, educational organizations, and more.
DETAILS WHAT: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for City of Pharr and Vanguard Academy Nature and Birding Center WHEN: Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 11:30 am WHERE: 1025 S. Richmond Drive, Pharr, TX 78577
Pharr Issues Live Safe, Work Safe Orders, Suspends Construction to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Pharr, Texas – With the increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in the community, and to protect the health and safety of Pharr residents, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. issued Emergency Orders 2020-02 and 2020-03 on Monday, July 13, 2020, aimed to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 continues to menace the health of Pharr residents and the Pharr economy, and the local Health Authority has advised on the need for increased vigilance by individuals and mandatory health measures from Pharr businesses.
Mayor Hernandez stated, “As city leaders, we felt it was our responsibility to take further measures to ensure the safety of residents in our community, and we need all residents to follow these orders.”
“We were hearing a lot of concerns from parents wanting to ensure that their children would be safe when the school year begins, so we issued guidance that no in-person instruction is allowed,” he added.
“We also noticed upon inspecting construction sites that health and safety measures were not being followed, so we needed to set clear guidance to ensure all businesses, including construction sites, are abiding by the requirements,” Hernandez added.
Suspension of Residential and Commercial Construction
Order 2020-02 suspends the construction of residential and commercial projects until each Site Manager comes into compliance with the City’s Construction Requirements and submits a work safe plan to the city. The order acknowledges that construction sites are inherently difficult environments for social distancing to occur, as they frequently require large numbers of individuals to touch the same surfaces, gather closely in areas, and use common facilities. All physical operations of non-essential construction projects shall cease upon this order taking effect at 11:59 pm on Monday, July 13, 2020. The only work that will be permitted to continue will be essential work, which will need to be approved by the city and will come into compliance with the city’s Construction Requirements and obtaining a work safe plan.
City peace officers, Code Enforcement Officers, and Fire Marshals will be enforcing this order. Any person violating this order may be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 or other penalties allowed by law or ordinance.
Construction industry representatives and site managers are encouraged to read the Order in its entirety, along with Order 2020-03 Exhibit D – Construction Requirements.
Live Safe, Work Safe Orders
Order 2020-03 orders households of persons who receive a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 or those who exhibit symptoms to isolate at home for at least 14 days. Social gatherings shall be avoided or minimized, and gatherings of more than ten individuals are prohibited.
As families in Pharr were seeking guidance in regard to whether schools could safely re-open for the upcoming school year, the city felt it needed to act to address this issue. The order prohibits the in-person instruction of public or private schools until further notice.
Businesses are ordered to create and implement an infectious disease response plan and comply with the Texas Governor’s Minimum Standard Health Protocols, checklist for employers. Businesses are also ordered to require face coverings of all employees and patrons entering the place of businesses, and for patrons to practice social distancing protocols.
A first-time violation of this Order regarding social distancing and face coverings is subject to a verbal or written reprimand; a second violation and each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. A violation of any other section of this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
The orders took effect at 11:59 pm on Monday, July 13, 2020, and remain in effect until further notice. The orders, which include the requirements for Pharr families and businesses can be found on the city’s website at https://old.pharr-tx.com/covid-19/ under the tab Press Releases.
Pharr, Texas – At a special meeting of the Pharr City Commission held today, the City of Pharr announced the selection of Andrew “Andy” Harvey, Jr. as the city’s new police chief. Harvey was appointed by interim City Manager Ed Wylie and confirmed by the Pharr City Commission. He was sworn into office at the meeting by Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez.
Chief Harvey has a wealth of military and transformational law enforcement leadership experience, having most recently served as Chief of Police for the cities of Palestine and Ennis, Texas. As Chief, Harvey has transformed agencies into more modern, 21st-century police departments. Harvey’s innovation in policing includes implementing crime-fighting strategies to target drugs and property crimes using covert and other technology and creating a Quality of Life Officer position who works with social services, child protective services, and mental health agencies to provide better quality care to citizens challenged with mental health and drug addiction, among other notable successes.
While heading up the Palestine Police Department, Harvey was named Palestine Difference Maker in 2018 and 2019 by the Herald Press Newspaper. Harvey also serves on the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force in Washington D.C, as part of a group of police chiefs and sheriffs across the country to have a voice on how immigration reform relates to public safety. Harvey testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee last October on this issue.
Prior to his tenure in Palestine and Ennis, Harvey served more than 21 years at the Dallas Police Department, retiring in 2017. Harvey also served as First Sergeant of the 136th Mission Support Group of the US Air National Guard and also served in the United States Air Force Reserve and the Texas Army National Guard from 1987 through 2008, retiring honorably and receiving numerous accolades including the Joint Service Commendation Medal for Operation Iraqi Freedom for deploying to the Middle East.
Harvey received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Strategic Leadership from Destiny College International. Harvey is certified as a Master Peace Officer and a TCOLE Certified Instructor. Harvey’s leadership philosophy seeks to invoke effective policing by requiring courageous and collaborative leaders at every level of an organization, with officers called upon to think outside of their squad car, and consider the impact their actions may have on the police department, the city, and today’s policing.
A professional speaker and presenter, Harvey has presented Excellence in Policing and Confident Media Relations courses to hundreds of police executives in Texas and throughout the country. As an executive trainer, he has trained many leaders around the state in leadership, community relations, and media relations.
“We are excited to herald in a new era of police leadership with someone as qualified and experience as Chief Harvey,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our community should feel safe and secure with the new direction our police department is going, and we are happy that Chief Harvey has joined our team,” he added. Harvey was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and speaks Spanish. “Having the opportunity to return to the Valley in a fast-growing, dynamic city and region is incredible,” said Harvey. “I look forward to working with the men and women of the Pharr PD to add value to the city,” he added.
Pharr to Host Special Announcement Regarding Police Chief TODAY, Monday, 7/13 @ 12 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr officials will host a special announcement regarding the Pharr Police Chief. The announcement will be made at a special meeting of the Pharr City Commission at 12 pm noon TODAY, Monday, July 13, 2020, at the City Commission Chambers at Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage, 2nd Floor) in Pharr.
DETAILS WHAT: Special Announcement regarding Pharr Police Chief WHEN: Monday, July 13, 2020, at 12 pm noon WHERE: Pharr City Commission Chambers, City Hall (118 S. Cage, 2nd Floor) in Pharr
Pharr, Texas – After a blockade of agricultural tractors and machinery by Mexican protesters on the Mexican side of the Pharr International Port of Entry, the Pharr International Bridge has resumed operations as the situation has come to a resolution. As of 8 pm Thursday, July 9, 2020, protesters were seen vacating the premises and the Pharr International Bridge resumed operations.
According to Bridge Director Luis Bazan, the Pharr Bridge will prioritize northbound cargo first and then start moving southbound traffic. Bazan further reports that the U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will operate after hours until midnight tonight to ensure all northbound goods are moved through the Bridge.
