Pharr, Texas – The Pharr International Bridge will host a special celebration to kick-off the start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season and will celebrate the occasion alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event will take place at 10 am, Thursday, October 10th, 2019, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577).
“Pharr continues to remain the leader as the port with the largest amount of produce entering the United States,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our Pharr International Bridge director, board, and staff have done a wonderful job working with all our partners to continue to expand growth and access through our bridge and we look forward to another record-setting season,” he added.
Pharr city officials, as well as special guest State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, among other notable representatives from the produce industry on both sides of the border, are scheduled to attend the event.
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity. The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, surpassing Nogales, Arizona as the leading port of entry for Mexican produce and goods. Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr to Host Celebration to Kick-Off the Start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 10 am
WHERE: The Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Officials Ceremoniously Turn the Dirt for Groundbreaking (l to r): Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr, Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV, Dr. John H. Krouse, UTRGV School of Medicine Dean, Eleazar Guajardo, Pharr City Commissioner, Carlos G. Villegas, Jr., PSJA ISD School Board Member, Sergio Munoz, Jr., Texas State Representative (D-36), Victor Perez, Pharr EDC Director and PSJA ISD School Board Member, and Jesus “Jesse” Vela, Jr., PSJA ISD School Board Member.
Pharr, Texas – Amid a crowd of enthusiastic swimming athletes, community members, and elected officials, the City of Pharr broke ground on an exciting new project, the Pharr Natatorium, a facility that will forever change the city’s ever-growing landscape. The Pharr Natatorium is a years-in-the-making project in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District that will soon add to the vibrancy and hub of the city.
“My son is an avid swimmer and my wife and I have had the privilege of cheering him on during many competitions,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “I have seen the sport grow not only amongst the students and children of Pharr but throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” he added.
As he and other city leaders began discussing the idea, they began thinking of potential partners that would also benefit from this facility and over several years the project began taking shape. Pharr continues to lead the way in collaborative efforts and innovative partnerships with local educational institutions and has proudly partnered with UTRGV and PSJA ISD to bring this Natatorium to fruition while benefiting student-athletes and academics alike.
UTRGV plans to construct a Sports Medicine Institute adjacent to the facility wherein medical students will have the opportunity to practice, learn, and work with the community to provide sports medicine therapy and care. Additionally, the Natatorium will be used by PSJA ISD athletes for swimming practices and competitions.
The facility will feature an Olympic-size swimming pool, diving facilities, and spectator seating, among many other amenities.
“I am proud of the teamwork and efforts we have all contributed as a collective group while working to make the Natatorium a reality,” Hernandez added. “I am especially proud of the legacy our city leadership is creating for our future students, families, athletes, and medical students,” he continued. “Pharr is transitioning into an educational hub, providing more opportunities than ever to our community and working with our many local institutions and partners to foster a college-going culture and unlimited possibilities for our students here in the Rio Grande Valley,” he said.
Pictured are (l to r): Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV, Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr, and Dr. John H. Krouse, UTRGV School of Medicine Dean.
Redesigned Patch Unveiled as Part of Inaugural First Responders Festival FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is excited to unveil its newly redesigned police patch. The redesigned patch and logo includes a more modern look and feel, and is intended to capture the essence of the City of Pharr and the work that the police force does to serve and protect its citizens.
According to Pharr Police Chief Jose Luengo, the police patch is the identity, brand, and source of pride for officers and employees of the department. Patches are proudly sported on the police uniform. Over the years, there have been different versions of the patch, including elements such as the outline of Hidalgo County, the seal of the State of Texas, and an even earlier one only had the words “Pharr Police.” Previous versions of the Pharr Police Patch
The new patch was designed to incorporate certain elements that represented specific values and incorporated the seals of the State of Texas and the City of Pharr.
Elements include: -Oak Branch which represents strength -Olive Branch which represents peace -Lone Star to represent the Great State of Texas -City Seal maintains consistency with city identity and brand – Community, Progress, Learning, Pride New Police Patch
“We wanted a modernized look and feel for our new police patch,” said Chief Luengo. “Our community has grown tremendously over the years, and our police force has done such great work to ensure the safety and security of our Pharr families, while also instilling and fostering a strong sense of pride and enhanced community outreach and relations,” he continued.
“Wearing this badge of honor will continue to demonstrate to our Pharr citizens and families that we are here to serve to protect our communities through peace, strength, and with pride for our community and our state,” Luengo added. The new police patch was unveiled to coincide with Pharr’s inaugural First Responders Festival, which combines the former separate Pharr Night Out and Pharr Fire Fest events held by the City of Pharr. The First Responders Festival was created to celebrate and honor not only the work of Pharr police and fire staff, but also expanding its purpose to honor all first responders, including EMTs, telecommunications officers, and more. The Pharr First Responders Festival will be held TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm in Downtown Pharr.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
All media and the public are invited to attend. DETAILS What: Pharr First Responders Festival When: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm Where: Downtown Pharr
Pharr to Break Ground on New Natatorium TOMORROW, Friday, 9/27 @ 11 am
Pharr, Texas– The City of Pharr, in coordination with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, is proud to announce the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the city’s first-ever Natatorium. The ceremony will take place TOMORROW, Friday, September 27, 2019, at 11 am at the Natatorium’s future location (NW Corner Sioux Road and 281) in Pharr.
“The City of Pharr is proud to continue our legacy of educational partnerships within our community and we are especially proud to partner with UTRGV and PSJA ISD on this Natatorium, an innovative and educational facility that will serve our community for future generations,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are very excited about the many opportunities this partnership will provide and look forward to the continued growth of our UTRGV Medical School and community swimming programs,” he added.
UTRGV plans to construct a Sports Medicine Institute adjacent to the facility wherein medical students will have the opportunity to practice, learn, and work with the community to provide sports medicine therapy and care. Additionally, the Natatorium will be used by PSJA ISD athletes for swimming practices and competitions. The facility will feature a 50-meter competition pool, a dive pool with springboards and platforms, and spectator seating.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr Natatorium Ground Breaking Ceremony
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a special meeting on September 19, 2019, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Proclamation for National Day of Remembrance Day for Murder Victims
Pharr Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Carrillo approved a proclamation declaring September 25, 2019, as National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims in Pharr. Pharr Grants Manager Robert Garcia, who also serves as President and CEO of Rio Grande Valley Families and Friends of Murdered Children, the local chapter of the National Parents of Murdered Children (POMC), was present with a group of families of murder victims to speak in support of the proclamation. The POMC honors the memory of victims who have been killed by violence and acknowledges the resulting long-term trauma for families and communities in Texas. September 25th was established as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims by the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives in 2007. In honor of National Day of Remembrance, the organization will host the 7th Annual Candlelight Vigil, “Together We Climb the Mountain to the Peak of Hope” on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Pharr Events Center.
Proclamation for Manufacturing Day
Karina Lopez from the Pharr Economic Development Corporation and Executive Director of the South Texas Manufacturers Association Mike Willis, along with other representatives of the manufacturing industry were present as Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Carrillo approved a proclamation declaring October 4, 2019, as Manufacturing Day. National Manufacturing Day is held annually on the first Friday in October and the month of October is annually celebrated as National Manufacturing Month to raise awareness and support the work of manufacturing companies. The annual event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers includes hosting students, teachers, parents, job seekers, and other local community members at open houses, plant tours, and presentations designed to showcase modern technology and careers.
City Approves New Rates to Support Drainage Projects & Water Infrastructure Improvements
Pharr City Commissioners approved Ordinance No. O-2015-39 prescribing new rates for sewer services and Ordinance No. O-2015-40 prescribing new rates for water services. As the City of Pharr continues to grow in population and to prevent catastrophic flooding as recently experienced, the city has to accommodate with plans for improved drainage and key upgrades to critical infrastructure.
Featured Event: First Responders Festival – Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm
To honor and celebrate the lives and dedication of first responders, the City of Pharr is hosting the inaugural First Responders Festival in partnership with the Pharr Police Department and the Pharr Fire Department. Pharr families are invited to attend this FREE event on Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm in Downtown Pharr (118 S. Cage Blvd) to learn more about first-responders, safety tips, and life-saving resources
