Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce to Host Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon, Thur., 5/4 @ 11:30 am
Pharr, Texas – In recognition of National Day of Prayer, The Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Pray for America with Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez.
This event will take place Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Pepe Salinas Recreation Center (1011 W. Kelly Ave. Pharr, TX 78577).
“During the National Day of Prayer, we look forward to the opportunity for our community to come together in prayer,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We invite the public to participate and join us as we pray for unity, peace, love, and prosperity for our Pharr families and for our community,” he added.
This year’s luncheon keynote speaker is Pastor John Brady. Brady has pastored The Family Church in McAllen for nearly 30 years.
Individual tickets for the public are available for purchase upon arrival. Tickets are $15 per person. Sponsorships are available. For more information contact Marcela Beas at (956) 402-4240.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pray for America with Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez
WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 11:30 am to 1 pm
WHERE: Pepe Salinas Recreation Center (1011 W. Kelly Ave. Pharr, TX 78577)
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, April 17, 2023, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
City Proclaims the week of April 23-29, 2023 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring the week of April 23-29, 2023 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The theme for this year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” The theme calls upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported. Pharr Chief of Police Juan Gonzalez, and members of the Pharr PD and its Crime Victims Liason staff accepted the proclamation. Chief Gonzalez announced that in support of victims of crime, the Pharr Police Department is raising awareness and providing multiple resources to the public throughout the week. The Pharr Police Department would like the community to know resources are available at any time. Anyone needing assistance for themselves or someone they know is encouraged to call (956) 402-4831.
City Proclaims the week of April 23-29 as National Library Week
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring the week of April 23-29, 2023 as National Library Week. Throughout this week, we celebrate our nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions, and promote library use and support. The theme for National Library Week 2023 is “There’s More to the Story,” illustrating the fact that in addition to the books in library collections, available in a variety of formats, libraries offer so much more. Adolfo Garcia, Pharr Library Director, and members of his staff accepted the proclamation. They announced that in celebration of National Library Week, the Pharr Memorial Library will be having special events and programs starting next week April 23-29, 2023 and everyone is invited to participate. “We will have activities every day of the week throughout the day,” said Garcia.
City Recognizes Pharr EMS Employees
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., the Pharr City Commission, and the Pharr EMS Department recognized Pharr EMS employees for their work in saving a life. Danny Ramirez, City of Pharr EMS Chief, and Ray Segal, EMS Liason for South Texas Health Systems (STHS), both introduced their staff and acknowledged the partnership and work between their two agencies. Aaron Sierra, EMT- Advanced, and Jesus Balders, EMT-Advanced, were recognized by both entities for their quick recognition of a heart attack and their work in reviving and saving the patient’s life. They both were awarded a plaque, pins, the Home Town Heroes award from South Texas Health Systems, and words of recognition for their life-saving efforts by both Pharr EMS and South Texas Health Systems. “This is proof of the excellence of what is happening with this EMS agency and your citizens,” said Dr. Barrera of South Texas Health Systems. “The quality of care that Pharr EMS is bringing to the hospital is incredible and we are able to save many lives because of their great work and we are proud to join you in recognizing these rockstars,” he added.
City Recognizes Pharr Public Safety Employees for Earning Awards at the Texas Public Safety Conference
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., the Pharr City Commission, and Kenneth Ennis, Pharr Public Safety Director recognized Melanie Gutierrez, Pharr Public Safety Training Coordinator, and Leslie Zuniga, Pharr Public Safety Telecommunications Officer. Both individuals were recognized at the Texas Public Safety Conference – Texas NENA on April 25th. Melanie Gutierrez was awarded the Training Professional of the Year (out of thousands of trainers in the State of Texas), which recognizes a professional who has demonstrated exceptional contributions toward the advancement of training in the public safety community. Leslie Zuniga was recognized with the Silent Hero Award, this award is presented to an individual telecommunicator in recognition of his/her exceptional professionalism in the field of public safety. “We recognize the hard work of Melanie and Leslie and congratulate them on earning these distinctive awards,” said Ennis. “Our department is proud to continue earning these awards and I am proud to say that we now officially have earned the most awards out of all the communication centers in the Rio Grande Valley,” he added.
City Sales Tax Shows Continued Positive Growth
Interim City Manager Anali Alanis announced that the City of Pharr Sales Tax Report for the month of April shows an increase of 3.40% year-to-date true growth compared to last Year 2022 and 1.63% compared to last April 2022 payments.
Featured Event: PHARR HUB PHEST 2023 – Saturday, May 20, 2023, starting at 5 PM
Get ready for the music event of the year with performances by La Leyenda, Costumbre, Michael Salgado, and much more!
Join us for carnival rides, food vendors, and live music!
Save the date — It all happens Saturday, May 20th in Downtown Pharr starting at 5 PM!
Pharr Fire Department Women to Host “She’s My Hero” Fire Camp on Saturday, April 15 @ 9 am
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr Fire Department has registered 40 children and teens to participate in this spring’s “She’s My Hero” Fire Camp which will be hosted by women of the department.
The camp will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9 AM to 5 pm at Pharr Fire Station 4 (10801 S. International Dr. Pharr, Texas 78577).
The camp is aimed at highlighting fire safety, life-saving techniques, and providing more information on careers in the fire and EMS sectors. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring an extra set of clothes. Food and drinks will be provided.
Registration for this camp has already reached capacity and is full, however, a summer camp will be announced at a later date.
All media is invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: She’s My Hero Camp Hosted by the Pharr Fire Department
WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9 AM to 5 pm
WHERE: Pharr Fire Station 4 (10801 S. International Dr. Pharr, Texas 78577)
Pharr PD Raises Awareness for Crime Victims’ Rights Week; Provides Community Resources
Pharr, Texas – Crime Victim’s Rights Week occurs every year during the last week of April. In support of victims of crime, the Pharr Police Department is raising awareness and providing multiple resources to the public throughout the week.
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Pharr Police along with its Crime Victims Division held an informational event at Downtown Park (118. S. Cage Blvd. Pharr, Texas 78577). The event included remarks from Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Pharr Chief of Police Juan Gonzalez, Pharr Municipal Court Judge Juan L. Villescas, and Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios.
“We are proud to join together to raise awareness for victims of crime and especially to bring information, resources, and experts to our community to provide our citizens with the tools to learn more about this issue,” said Mayor Hernandez. “Thank you to our Pharr PD for a great event and for collaborating with our local agencies and law enforcement to make this a successful event,” he added.
The theme for this year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” The theme calls upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported.
The Pharr Police Department would like the community to know resources are available at any time. Anyone needing assistance for themselves or someone they know is encouraged to call (956) 402-4831.
REMINDER – City of Pharr, Connect Humanity, and Region One ESC to Hold Joint Press Conference Announcing $10 Million Fund TOMORROW, 4/11 @ 1 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr, Connect Humanity, a non-profit fund for digital equity, and Region One ESC will hold a joint press conference to announce their plans to launch a $10 Million fund to invest in the digitalization of businesses in the Texas Rio Grande Valley in a bid to drive economic growth. The fund will invest in high-speed connectivity, digital transformation, and skills development for businesses in Hidalgo and Cameron counties.
The press conference will take place at 1 pm TOMORROW, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Lone Star National Bank Corporate Offices located at 520 E. Nolana Ave. in McAllen.
“As city leaders, we have committed to taking on the digital divide in our communities because we know it is the most powerful way to unlock the many talents and potential our people have,” said Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of the City of Pharr. “This Fund is a necessary next step on our digital journey as we ensure that every student, every neighborhood, and now, every entrepreneur, has the broadband they need to thrive,” he added.
Formed in partnership with the City of Pharr’s TeamPharr.Net, and other local internet service providers (ISPs), VTX1 Companies, BTX Fiber, and SmartCom, the Fund introduced during the event will offer a one-year subscription subsidy for high-speed internet, a no-to-low-interest loan for hardware and software, and digital skills training to micro- and small-business entrepreneurs, community health clinics, and nonprofits serving low-and moderate-income communities across the Lower Rio Grande Valley border region.
The Texas Border is a persistent poverty region where large ISPs have underinvested in broadband networks. Digitization has the potential to be an engine for businesses and job creation — a 2019 US Chamber of Commerce study noted that Texas could add up-to $3.8 billion to the state GDP per year by closing its rural digital divide. Yet, in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, fewer than 55 percent of households have a subscription to any broadband service according to the U.S. Census, and businesses and non-profits also struggle to connect.
To change this, Connect Humanity has joined with TeamPharr.Net and other partners and plans to begin with a $2 million pilot to connect 50 businesses and organizations in Hidalgo County — one of the lowest-income and least connected counties in the US. The project will partner with ISPs to deliver fiber-to-the premises, provide subsidies for affordable subscriptions, offer low-interest loans to ensure businesses can digitize operations, and provide skills training to help them get the most from digital tools.
The Ford Foundation seeded the fund with $250,000 to catalyze contributions from state and federal broadband grant programs, as well as other philanthropic and financial institutions.
Longer term, Connect Humanity aims to raise $10 million from a combination of philanthropic funds, government grants, and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) investments to roll out the project across the Texas border region.
Announcing the initiative at the first in a series of roundtables with community groups and financial institutions, project lead at Connect Humanity Jordana Barton-Garcia said, “We have the tools we need to transform the Texas Rio Grande Valley from one of this country’s least-connected regions into a digital leader. This means a stronger economy, more entrepreneurial opportunities, and educational programs that offer students paid internships in their field. The small business broadband fund and the digital workforce initiative, offer banks a vehicle to invest in their communities under the CRA, while overturning decades of inequalities and equipping communities with the resources to prosper in a digital society.”
The fund will also support communities to apply for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) broadband grants and help with the matching funds that communities need to secure these federal funds.
Connect Humanity and partners — which include TeamPharr.Net, VTX1 Companies, SmartCom, Region One Education Service Center, ARISE Adelante, La Union Del Pueblo Entero, Hidalgo County, Cameron County, cdcb | come dream. come build., South Texas College, Cobb, Fendley and Associates, and Brownstone Consulting are also working with Rural LISC and the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) to launch a Digital Workforce Development Program called LevelUp RGV to provide training and paid internships to students in the Texas Rio Grande Valley.
“This initiative has the potential to launch our school systems, businesses, and workforce toward unprecedented achievements. It will also attract new investments and spark growth within our region,” said Dr. Daniel P. King, Region One Education Service Center Executive Director.
Following the press announcement, project leads will be part of a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Panel hosted by the Region One ESC Deep South Texas Financial Literacy Alliance, a network of regional banks coming together to increase financial literacy within the region.
Dr. Daniel P. King, Executive Director, Region One Education Service Center
Orlando Quintanilla, VTX1 Companies
Cynthia Garza-Reyes, City of Pharr
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr, Connect Humanity, and Region One ESC to Hold Joint Press Conference Announcing $10 Million Fund
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 1 pm
WHERE: Lone Star National Bank Corporate Offices (520 E. Nolana Ave., McAllen, TX 78504)
Pharr to Host First-Ever Citywide Easter Scavenger Hunt and Annual EggStravaganza on Saturday, 4/1
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is excited to announce that it will host its inaugural Easter Scavenger Hunt and annual Easter EggStravaganza to celebrate the upcoming Easter holiday.
The events will occur on Saturday, April 1, 2023, beginning at 9 am with the Easter Scavenger Hunt, followed by the Easter EggStravaganza at 10 am. Both events will START at the Pharr Sports Complex Park (201 E. Moore Rd.) in Pharr. Pre-registration and complete rules are required and can be located on the City of Pharr Facebook page.
This year, the City of Pharr is introducing a new experience for its residents. The Easter Scavenger Hunt will be a city-wide competition between teams of up to three people. With the help of riddles and clues, teams will scour the city and local businesses in search of golden eggs.
The team with the most golden eggs at the end wins the grand prize of $250. Second place wins $150, and third place wins $75.Hundreds of easter eggs will be scattered across the Pharr Sports Complex Park for children to collect. This event will also feature games, prizes, and snacks. Registration will be onsite starting at 9:30 am. The egg hunt begins at 10 am.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Easter Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 9 am
WHERE: Pharr Sports Complex Park (201 E. Moore Rd. Pharr, TX 78577)
Contact: Vanessa Soto (956) 530-7087
DETAILS
WHAT: Easter EggStravaganza
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 2023, 10 am
Registration begins 9:30 AM
Hunt starts at 10 AM
WHERE: Pharr Sports Complex Park (201 E. Moore Rd. Pharr, TX 78577)
Contact: Pharr Memorial Library (956) 402-4650
