City of Pharr implements Integrated Public Alert & Warning System
The City of Pharr is proud to announce its investment into the use of FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System. IPAWS is a system that was developed for presidential emergency messages to and allows these messages to reach people on public and satellite radio, cell phones, TVs, and computers, NOAA radio. Users are trained by FEMA and must show a proficiency of use during monthly tests.
IPAWS allows Pharr to be the only city in the region to push emergency messages across Hidalgo, Starr, Cameron, and Willacy counties with an enhanced geo-targeting system that allows messages to reach a 100% of the targeted area with no more of a 1/10th of a mile overshoot. This lets the City of Pharr notify areas on a wide variety of emergencies from weather to a missing child (that has not met AMBER ALERT criteria) across the Rio Grande Valley to specific neighborhoods. IPAWS combined with our Code RED and our Pharr 311 app, can help our residents feel informed and safe.
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr announced today that its police department is headed in a new direction after Chief Jose Luengo was removed as head of the city’s law enforcement department. The city would like to thank Chief Luengo for his service and leadership to the City of Pharr. More information regarding the city’s decision on future leadership will be made available soon.
In the interim, Assistant Chief of Police Edward Chavez will assume the role of acting chief.
City of Pharr Awarded $37,710,421 in Financial Assistance from TWDB for Water and Wastewater System Improvements
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr learned from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) that it has been approved and awarded financial assistance totaling $37,710,421. According to a press release from the TWDB, the funding consists of an $18,150,000 loan and $1,680,421 in loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and a $13,880,000 loan and $4,000,000 in loan forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The funding will be used to finance planning, acquisition, design, and construction costs associated with water and wastewater system improvements.
With the funding from the CWSRF, the city will be installing gravity sewer lines and constructing a larger main lift station as well as making necessary upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant. Funding from the DWSRF will help the city make upgrades to the water treatment plant, expand the water reservoir’s storage capacity, and install a dedicated transmission main to the Eldora elevated storage tank.
“The City of Pharr is grateful to partners such as the Texas Water Development Board for helping improve our community’s critical infrastructure,” said Mayor Ambrosio Herandez, M.D. “We have been making major improvements throughout the City of Pharr to enhance and modernize our current system to safeguard our community and meet the needs of our growing city,” he added. “This is a worthy investment in our city and we are thankful to TWDB for this commitment,” continued Hernandez.\
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state’s water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.
For more information, visit texaswaternewsroom.org.
Pharr to Launch 2020 Census Field Operations to Kick-Off Citywide Canvassing Efforts TOMORROW, Friday 6/12 at 3 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that it will be launching its 2020 Census Field Operations as part of its efforts to ensure that everyone in Pharr is counted.
Pharr officials, census workers, and partner representatives will be available for a photo opportunity to mark the launch at 3 pm on Friday, June 12, 2020, at the Pharr Census Headquarters (114 W. Cherokee) in Pharr, Texas.
“The 2020 Census is pivotal to the future of Pharr as we have seen tremendous growth over the last decade,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We want to work together with our community to ensure that everyone in Pharr is counted in the 2020 Census,” he added. “Our governments, schools, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and more rely on the federal funding that is distributed based on the census numbers,” added Hernandez.
The City of Pharr Census 2020 field operations is made possible through a $50,000 grant awarded by the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation. With the funding, Pharr is employing its own canvassers for census efforts. Pharr’s field operations and canvassing teams are the first of their kind in the Rio Grande Valley; Census Bureau canvassers are not expected to begin working in communities until August. To assist in Pharr’s Field Operations efforts, South Texas College (STC) has printed and donated 3D face shields for the Pharr’s census canvassers to help ensure their safety while they work throughout the community.
Pharr will have two teams working the field in neighborhoods across the city in the mornings and the evenings. These workers have been fully-trained on COVID-19/CDC safety and health guidelines. They will practice all guidelines set forth by health departments, etc.
Media is invited to attend.
DETAILS WHAT: Launch of Pharr’s 2020 Census Field Operations to Kick-Off Citywide Canvassing WHEN: Friday, June 12, 2020, at 3 pm WHERE: City of Pharr Census Headquarters (114 W. Cherokee, Pharr, TX 78577)
Pharr Mayor and State Officials to be at COVID-19 Testing Site in Pharr TODAY AT 3:30 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will host a FREE public COVID-19 mobile testing site this weekend beginning TODAY, Friday, June 5, 2020, through Sunday, June 7, 2020, from 9 am to 5 pm daily (weather permitting) at the Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage) in Pharr. This testing is being done by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Military Department, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force and is part of efforts to ramp up testing statewide.
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. will be available to address the media at a press conference TODAY at 3:30 pm at the testing site. Joining him will be state officials including Texas State Senators Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio and State Representatives Sergio Munoz, Jr. and Armando “Mando” Martinez.
Anyone with symptoms such as fever and chills, cough (dry or productive), fatigue, body aches/muscle or joint pain, and others listed must register by visiting txcovidtest.org or calling 512.883.2400.
“We are grateful to our state partners for bringing this FREE COVID-19 testing to our community, and are proud of the partnerships that are providing this service to detect instances of the virus and help people get the care they need,” said Hernandez.
All media is invited to attend. Please confirm your outlet’s attendance by emailing [email protected] or texting 956.343.0011 with the name of the attendee and your organization.
DETAILS WHAT: Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and Texas State Officials Press Availability WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2020, at 3:30 pm WHERE: Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage) in Pharr
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will be providing self-serve sandbags to residents in anticipation of inclement weather expected and at the start of the 2020 hurricane season.
The sandbags will be distributed TODAY until 8 pm and tomorrow, June 3, 2020, between 1 pm and 8 pm. Residents must provide proof of Pharr residency, and must bag their own bags. There is a limit of six (6) sandbags per household and twelve (12) sandbags per business.
Sandbags will be distributed at three locations:
Development and Research Center (850 W. Dicker Rd.)
