City of Pharr Names Dr. Jonathan B. Flores as New Assistant City Manager
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that it has named Dr. Jonathan B. Flores as its new Assistant City Manager.
Jonathan B. Flores Ed.D., a native of Pharr, Texas is a municipal government professional with over twenty-two years of diverse law enforcement experience. Since 2005, he has worked in various roles and assignments, such as patrol, criminal investigations, major crimes, and as Assistant City Manager/Chief of Police for the City of Alton.
“I am truly humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve my hometown of Pharr as their new Assistant City Manager,” said Flores. “I am grateful to Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, and the city commission for selecting me to join their leadership team, as we work diligently to continue to move Pharr forward,” he added.
Dr. Flores is a graduate of the 90th session of LEMIT’s Leadership command college and has garnered recognition for his leadership at the local, state, national, and international levels including the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 under 40 leadership award, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Public Service Award, and the Texas Police Chief’s Association Leadership Award.
“We welcome Dr. Flores to our Pharr family and know that he will make an excellent addition to our city and our community with his many years of municipal government experience and leadership accolades,” said Mayor Hernandez. “He is a great fit for our city leadership and I look forward to the many great things we will accomplish for our Pharr citizens in the coming years,” Hernandez added.
In 2023, Dr. Flores was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Flores is a TML Leadership Fellow and is currently in the process of earning credentialed manager candidate status through the International City Manager’s Association.
Dr. Flores is married to his high school sweetheart Rachel, and they have two wonderful children Michael & Dominique, and one Granddaughter Layla.
City of Pharr Draws in Nearly Five-Thousand People to Annual Independence Day Festival
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr hosted its annual Independence Day Festival and hit a record number of attendees. Nearly 5-thousand people gathered at Allen & William Arnold City/School Park to celebrate the 4th of July weekend!
“We hope everyone enjoyed the spectacular Independence Day festivities and fireworks show at our annual City of Pharr event,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “It is a tremendous honor to once again see a record number of our community members come out to celebrate with us and we look forward to another record-breaking event next year,” he added. “On behalf of the City of Pharr, we wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!”
The event included food, vendors, a carnival, a petting zoo live music, and of course our spectacular fireworks show! The fireworks show can be watched in its entirety here!
The City of Pharr would like to thank our performers, vendors, city employees, first responders, and our community for making this one of our biggest Independence Day events yet!
30-Minute Fireworks Show Planned at Annual Independence Day Festival in Pharr
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will be hosting its annual Independence Day Festival with new attractions and a spectacular half-hour fireworks show!
The Independence Day Festival will take place Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Allen & William Arnold City/School Park (615 E. El Dora Rd.) beginning at 6 pm. The incredible 30-minute fireworks show will start at 9 pm.
“We invite all our Pharr families to join us for a spectacular 4th of July celebration at our City of Pharr annual Independence Day Festival,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “There will be plenty of fun family activities, entertainment, and as always, a fireworks works show you don’t want to miss!”
Admission to this event is FREE to the public. The event will include food and merchandise vendors, a carnival, live music, and brand-new to this year’s event, the city will have a petting zoo complete with miniature cows, ponies, and other farm animals.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr Independence Day Festival
WHEN: Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 6pm; Fireworks at 9 pm
WHERE: Allen & William Arnold City/School Park (615 E. El Dora Rd.)
City of Pharr, HCRMA Respond to Gov. Abbott’s Call for $150M for IBTC Corridor
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr joins the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA) in proudly supporting Governor Greg Abbott’s call upon the Texas Transportation Commission and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to allocate $150 million to the International Bridge Trade Corridor (IBTC) project in the Rio Grande Valley as part of the Unified Transportation Program.
IBTC would provide direct interstate access to several international ports of entry, as well as expedite the movement of goods and freight through the border region.
“This critical funding is needed to complete the many proposed transportation projects we currently have ongoing and pending throughout our region which connect to each other,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “It is a major key to our future transportation plans and I applaud Governor Abbott for his support and his proactiveness in working with our Rio Grande Valley leaders and delegation to secure the funding needed for the IBTC project,” he added.
The proposed IBTC project would begin in south Pharr and extend north to I-2 in Donna. The total length of the proposed project is 13.15 miles and would traverse the cities of Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, and Donna.
Please see the press statement released by the HCRMA below for more information.
Pharr Police and TxDOT Begin Annual 4th of July DWI Campaign
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr Police Department is teaming up with TxDOT to increase awareness and information about drinking and driving. This campaign will include an increase in the enforcement of DWI laws to reduce the number of DWI-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
The campaign period will take place from June 23 through July 9, 2023.
There are many consequences of drinking and driving. The most serious is death. In 2020, there were 23,166 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 963 fatalities and 2,102 serious injuries according to TxDOT.
Other consequences include fines, loss of driver’s license, and jail time.
The Pharr Police Department is committed to keeping everyone safe this 4th of July holiday and wants to thank the community for continuously following the laws.
City of Pharr to Appoint Juan F. Gonzalez as Chief of Police
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will appoint Juan F. Gonzalez as Chief of Police for the Pharr Police Department.
The swearing-in will be held TODAY, June 5, 2023, during the scheduled City Commission Meeting at Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage Blvd, 2nd Floor) at 4 pm.
Juan Gonzalez has served the Pharr Police Department for over 16 years starting as a patrol officer in 2007. Since then, Gonzalez has worked in the Criminal Investigations Division, SWAT team, the South Texas Auto Theft Task Force, and has served as Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief of Police. Since September 2022, Gonzalez has served as the Acting Chief of Police.
“I am excited to continue my leadership role here with the men and women of the Pharr Police Department.” Acting Chief of Police Juan Gonzalez said. “I was born and raised in this great city, so it feels great to give back to the community that gave so much to me,” Gonzalez added.
