Mexican Blockade Halts Trade and Commerce at International Ports of Entry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge have been made aware of a situation blocking both northbound and southbound traffic on the Mexican side of the International Port of Entry. The situation began yesterday afternoon; approximately 150 Mexican protesters are blocking access to the Pharr Bridge with agricultural tractors and machinery. As a result of the continued protest and blockage, commercial traffic is being diverted to surrounding ports of entry. Pharr officials will continue to monitor the situation, and urge everyone to avoid the area and seek alternative means of travel to and from Mexico until the situation is resolved.
Sources have confirmed to Pharr officials that the Pharr International Bridge is NOT the only port of entry being targeted; Mexican protestors are targeting all ports of entry and all major trade corridors along the South Texas/Mexico border.
UPDATE AS OF 1 PM: Early indications show that the blockade may subside within the next couple of hours
City Commission Proclaims July as Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
City Commissioner Dr. Ramiro Caballero read a proclamation by Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. declaring the month of July 2020 as Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month in Pharr. This month brings awareness to orofacial clefts, which are the most frequently occurring birth defects in the United States, affecting approximately 7,000 babies annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In attendance at the meeting and to accept the proclamation were members of the Driscoll Children’s Craniofacial and Cleft Center. Mayor Hernandez recognized the members, thanking them for the work they do to provide comprehensive care, information, support, and access to interdisciplinary teams for children and families affected by craniofacial differences.
City Commission Recognizes Couple as First to Wed at Pharr Downtown Park
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., recognized Hector and Deborah Cruz at the podium to introduce them and share their story with the rest of the members of the City Commission and the public. Hector and Deborah recently tied the knot and exchanged their marriage vows at Pharr’s brand-new wedding destination attraction – the Pharr Downtown Park! The Cruzes are the first couple to have held their nuptials at one of Pharr’s newest and attractive public outdoor spaces. Complete with a beautiful water fountain and amphitheater seating area, it set the stage and setting for a perfect wedding. Congratulations to the Cruzes on the start of their beautiful life together, and we thank you for sharing your special moment with the City of Pharr! To commemorate the occasion, the couple were gifted wedding presents from the Pharr City Commission. Mayor Hernandez thanked the couple for sharing their moment with the City Commission. Hernandez stated, “Congratulations on your union. Be very patient. You got in this because of love, and no matter what happens, stay strong. Best of luck to you guys,” he added.
City Commission Appoints Municipal Judge and Alternate Municipal Judge
The City Commission considered an ordinance appointing a municipal judge and alternate municipal judge for the City of Pharr. Commissioner Bobby Carrillo made a motion to appoint Criselda Rincon Flores as Municipal Judge and Rudy Martinez as the sole Alternate Municipal Judge, seeing that the court has seen a decrease in cases; the appointments were unanimously approved.
City Commission Approves Interlocal Agreement for the PSJA Tri-City Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project
The City Commission approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Pharr, the City of San Juan, the City of Alamo, and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District for the PSJA Tri-City Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project Phase I. Interim City Manager Ed Wylie explained that the City of Pharr is taking the lead on the project, which will install safe sidewalks at locations selected by PSJA ISD near schools across the tri-city area. The total financial commitment estimated for the City of Pharr is $315,823.96.
City Commission Approves Awarding of Contract for the Pharr City Hall 1st Floor Renovation Project
Interim City Manager informed the members of the City Commission that the city received bids for the Pharr City Hall 1st Floor Renovation Project. The construction budget is $2.349 million, and the anticipated time period is 207 days. Staff recommended awarding the project to the highest-scoring proposal submitted by NM Contracting out of McAllen; the city commission approved unanimously.
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
