The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Pharr Declares November 2025 as Children’s Grief Awareness Month
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring November 2025 as Children’s Grief Awareness Month, recognizing the many challenges children face after losing a loved one. The proclamation, which encourages the community to wear blue and participate in local events, was accepted by Noelynn Llaso, Administrative Manager for the Children’s Bereavement Center Rio Grande Valley. “Here in the Rio Grande Valley, so many children are growing up with the loss of a parent and managing grief. Our mission is to make sure no child has to grieve alone,” Llaso shared. The Children’s Bereavement Center will host a Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope on Thursday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. at 104 S. 12th St. in McAllen. Residents are invited to join for an evening of reflection, connection, and remembrance, bringing a photo of their loved one and wearing blue in honor of grieving children and families. The City of Pharr is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged on their journey of healing.
Pharr Celebrates September Trailblazers of the Month
The Pharr City Commission proudly recognized two outstanding employees as Trailblazers of the Month for their exceptional work ethic and dedication. The first honoree was Joselyn Ontiveros, Office Manager for the Office of City Communications. “She joined the organization in 2015 and has served the City of Pharr in several roles before joining our team in 2021,” shared City Communications Director and Public Information Officer Yuri Gonzalez. “Joselyn is an example of an employee who has grown professionally, personally, and she is truly the glue to our office.” Grateful for the honor, Ontiveros thanked the city and her team for their support. The Commission also recognized Alexis Mata, Administrative Assistant for Pharr EMS. “We are proud of Alexis and all that she does not just for Pharr EMS, but for the city,” said Pharr EMS Chief Danny Ramirez. Mata, who has served Pharr in several capacities over the years, continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing service for the community. She expressed her appreciation, thanking leadership for the recognition and for the opportunities that have contributed to her growth.
Pharr Recognizes Office of City Communications for Earning Eight TATOA Awards
The Pharr City Commission proudly recognized the Office of City Communications for earning eight awards and two honorable mentions at the 2025 Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Conference. This statewide organization celebrates excellence in government communications, video production, and digital storytelling, and Pharr’s achievements stood out among cities of all sizes across Texas. The Office of City Communications manages all city messaging in-house, producing events, city meetings, videos, and public awareness campaigns that keep residents informed, connected, and engaged with their local government. City Communications Director and Public Information Officer Yuri Gonzalez and her team were honored before the Commission for their outstanding work and their role in putting Pharr on the map. “We competed against cities of all sizes in Texas, and I am so proud to have our work recognized as among the best in the state as we highlight, advocate, and inform the public about everything the City of Pharr is accomplishing,” Gonzalez shared. Mayor Dr. Hernandez and the City Commissioners praised the team for their professionalism, creativity, and dedication to transparency and community engagement. Congratulations to the Office of City Communications for this well-deserved recognition!
Learn more about the awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34veVoAxj6w&t=2s.
Pharr Honors 2025 Salute to Veterans Parade Winners
The Pharr City Commission and City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores recognized the winners of the 2025 Salute to Veterans Parade during the city meeting. The City of Pharr hosted its annual Salute to Veterans Parade and Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, November 8, in Downtown Pharr, where the community came together to honor the brave men and women who served our nation. Families, organizations, schools, and local groups filled the streets with pride and unity, showing heartfelt appreciation for local heroes. The evening concluded with a vibrant fireworks show celebrating service, sacrifice, and community spirit. City of Pharr Special Events Director Abel Molina announced this year’s community winners: 1st Place: Mr. Leonel Morales, Korean War Veteran, 2nd Place: Liberty Middle School Cheerleaders, and 3rd Place: PSJA Southwest High School Band. Representatives from each of the winning organizations attended the meeting to proudly accept their recognition. Thank you to all the veterans and organizations who participated and helped make this celebration meaningful for our entire community!
Commission Confirms Reappointments of City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk
The Pharr City Commission approved a resolution, as required every two years, reappointing Imelda Perez, TRMC, as City Clerk and Alessandra Garcia as Assistant City Clerk.
Pharr City Commission Votes for Appraisal District Board Nominee
The Pharr City Commission approved a resolution to cast its votes for the Hidalgo County Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2026–2029 term. The Commission unanimously voted to appoint David Moreno to the position.
Featured Event: Pharr’s Winter Wonderland & Lighting of the Christmas Tree – Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6 PM – 10 PM
The City of Pharr invites you to our annual Winter Wonderland & Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025 Time: 6 PM – 10 PM | Lighting of the Christmas Tree is 7 PM Location: Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Enjoy live music, great food, local market vendors, and family fun.
Don’t miss the lighting of the Christmas Tree at 7 PM —be sure to get there early and enjoy the holiday spirit with the community.
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr Office of City Communications Earns Eight State Awards at 2025 TATOA Annual Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that its Office of City Communications earned a total of eight awards and two honorable mentions at the 2025 Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (TATOA) annual conference, held in The Woodlands, Texas.
TATOA is a statewide organization that recognizes excellence in government communications, video production, and digital storytelling among municipalities and public agencies across Texas.
“I am incredibly proud and grateful to celebrate these recent awards with our media team,” Director of the Office of City Communications Yuri Gonzalez said. “They are extremely talented; every idea, edit, story and creative passion made this possible,” Gonzalez added.
The Office of City Communications is a twelve-member team of skilled video journalists, media specialists, and graphic designers. Serving as the central hub for all citywide communications, marketing, and video production, the department manages every aspect of communications entirely in-house. From covering community events to producing city meetings and launching public awareness campaigns, the department is dedicated to keeping residents informed, connected, and engaged with their local government.
“I am extremely proud of our Office of City Communications and the tremendous work they do to help tell our Pharr story,” Pharr City Manager Dr. Jonathan Flores said. “Under the direction of Yuri Gonzalez, our media team continues to set the industry standard for innovation in media relations. These awards are a true testament to their dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence,” Flores added.
Pharr received awards across multiple categories, showcasing outstanding creativity, production, and storytelling:
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
Pharr Appoints Melanie Cano as Assistant City Manager
Pharr Assistant City Manager Melanie Cano
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that Melanie Cano has been appointed as its new Assistant City Manager. The appointment was made on Thursday, November 6, 2025 by Pharr City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores. Cano now joins the ranks of Assistant City Managers Hilda Pedraza and Dr. David Friedland, under the leadership and guidance of Flores and Deputy City Manager Cynthia Garza-Reyes. As Assistant City Manager, Cano will oversee development services, public utilities, public health, code compliance, grants management, and parks and recreation departments, among other critical city operations.
“Melanie has been an impactful leader who has helped our organization achieve high levels of success. Her passion, commitment, and high standard of excellence make her the perfect fit for our leadership team as we serve our growing community,” said Flores. “I am excited to see her continue to grow in her professional development,” he continued.
Cano is an accomplished municipal government professional with over twelve years of experience in public administration. Cano was instrumental in establishing and developing the Office of Strategic Excellence (OSE) for the City of Pharr, leading it with vision, innovation, and a commitment to results. In her previous role as OSE Director, she spearheaded the city’s efforts in strategic planning, process improvement, performance management, and data management. Under Cano’s leadership, OSE supported all city departments by translating strategic goals into actionable steps, strengthening data-driven decision-making, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her efforts helped position the City of Pharr as a finalist in the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program, a U.S. government initiative administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that recognizes organizations for performance excellence. Prior to OSE Director, Cano served as Development Services Director, bringing with her a deep understanding of city operations and organizational dynamics.
Cano was recently accepted into both the Houston Christian University Women in Leadership Program and the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. She also co-authored an article in Texas Town & City Magazine titled “Taking the Lead Through Strategic Planning.”
Cano holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration and is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), both from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Melanie is married to her beloved husband, Artemio Arevalo Jr., and together they have two children, Lucas and Khloe.
“It’s truly an honor and a privilege to step into this new role as Assistant City Manager,” said Cano.
“I’m humbled and honored by the opportunity to continue serving the City of Pharr and inspired by the commitment of our incredible team. With my experience and passion for public service, I look forward to continuing our mission of enhancing the quality of life of our residents and giving back to the community I care deeply about,” Cano added.
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: yuri.gonzalez@pharr-tx.gov
RGV College to Host Press Conference to Celebrate 100th Vocational Nursing Cohort on Wed., 11/5 at 10 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to partner with Rio Grande Valley College (RGV College) in celebrating a remarkable milestone with a special press conference announcing the launch of its 100th Vocational Nursing Cohort.
The press conference will take place at 10 AM on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Rio Grande Valley College (5419 N. Cage Blvd.) in Pharr.
This momentous occasion honors nearly two decades of dedication to healthcare education and the thousands of students who have gone on to serve communities across South Texas.
This milestone represents RGV College’s continued growth and impact in shaping the next generation of nurses. The celebration will highlight inspiring student stories, community partnerships, and the college’s role in advancing healthcare education in the region.
Join us as we celebrate 100 cohorts of courage, dedication, and legacy in nursing education at RGV College. Media are encouraged to RSVP by November 3, 2025.
For questions or to confirm attendance, please get in touch with Victoria Peña at [email protected] or (956) 452-1426.
DETAILS
WHAT: Press conference announcing the 100th Vocational Nursing Cohort milestone.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 10 AM
WHERE: Rio Grande Valley College (5419 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: yuri.gonzalez@pharr-tx.gov
UPDATE – City of Pharr to Host Annual Salute to Veterans Parade & Fireworks Celebration on Sat., 11/8 @ 4:30 PM with Fireworks @ 8:30 PM
*Please note the time for the parade has been changed to 4:30 PM!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr invites the community and media to join us for our annual Salute to Veterans Parade & Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd.). The celebration will honor the brave men and women who have served our nation with an evening full of pride, unity, and entertainment.
The parade will begin at 4:30 PM, showcasing patriotic floats, marching bands, city staff, and local community groups. Following the parade, the night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at 8:30 PM, lighting up the Pharr sky in honor of our veterans.
Families, organizations, schools, and local groups are encouraged to participate in the parade and show their appreciation for our heroes. Those interested in joining may contact the Pharr Special Events Department at (956) 402-2400 or via email at events@pharr-tx.gov.
Members of the media are invited to attend and capture the sights and sounds of this community celebration.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of PharrSalute to Veterans Parade & Fireworks
WHEN:Saturday, November 8, 2025
Parade begins at 4:30 PM
Fireworks show at 8:30 PM
WHERE:Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
CONTACT: Pharr Special Events Department | (956) 402-2400 | events@pharr-tx.gov
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr’s 3rd Annual Avocado Festival Welcomes Over 18,000 Attendees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr proudly hosted its 3rd Annual Avocado Festival, welcoming more than 18,000 attendees for a fun-filled day of live music, food, family activities, and community celebration. The event brought together residents and visitors to honor the city’s rich connection to the avocado and its role as a leading produce trade hub.
Pharr plays a key role in the nation’s produce trade. Approximately 70% of all avocados consumed in the United States pass through the Pharr International Bridge. In 2024, the bridge processed 1.3 billion pounds of avocados, highlighting Pharr’s position as a gateway for fresh produce from Mexico to markets across the country.
As part of the city’s “Fresh on the Border” initiative, the Avocado Festival also marks the start of the produce season each October, paying tribute to the growers, the bridge, and the fresh foods that connect our region to the rest of the nation.
This year’s festival was presented in partnership with the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor BMW of Pharr. The City of Pharr extends its sincere appreciation to all sponsors, performers, vendors, city staff, and community members whose hard work and support made the celebration possible.
Festivalgoers enjoyed a dynamic lineup of performers across two stages, featuring headliner Easton Corbin, who closed out the evening with an unforgettable performance. The Main Stage showcased La Sonora Dinamita de Ananidita, John King, RED – A Taylor Swift Tribute, and Beatriz Gonzalez, while the 956 Stage featured local talent including Mesteño, Domingo Elias 3Zero, and Alicat Crash.
The festival also featured over 100 food and market vendors, carnival rides, photo opportunities, lucha libre show, petting zoo, beer garden, arcade games, and a grand finale fireworks show!
The City of Pharr looks forward to welcoming everyone back next October for another celebration of community, culture, and the avocado.
The City of Pharr invites you to our annual Winter Wonderland & Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 6 PM – 10 PM | Lighting of the Christmas Tree is 7 PM
Location: Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
