General Interest

Legislation that would merge the University of Texas-Pan American and UT-Brownsville – and also creates a UT medical school in the Rio Grande Valley as part of the proposed system – was passed by the Texas Senate on Wednesday, March 13.

The Senate vote paves the way for action in the coming days by the House of Representatives.  

“Among many advantages it represents for South Texas, this bill would allow UT-Pan American, which is in my legislative district, UT-Brownsville, and the planned UT medical school access to the multi-billion dollar Permanent University Fund, which helps pay for major construction projects,” said freshman State Representative Terry Canales.

Read more: Valley medical school proposal passes Texas Senate

COLLEGE STATION – In the Lower Rio Grande Valley, water shortages are shaping up as a crisis not just for farmers but also for entire cities this year, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

In 2009, the area experienced the worst drought in decades, as did much of the state, but this year is shaping up to be much worse for area residents, said Dr. Guy Fipps, AgriLife Extension irrigation engineer, College Station.

“In 2009, there was a drought, but there was plenty of water in the reservoir systems, so there was irrigation water,” he said. “This year, there is almost no water in the reservoir systems.”

Read more: Valley cities may run out of water soon

MISSION—Rafael Pacheco Jr. and Rafael Pacheco Sr. are nurturing a father-son tortilla chip business in Mission. The business has grown slowly each year since its creation in 2006, and has recently expanded distribution to multiple stores, including H-E-B stores, throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Read more: Father-son team win $25,000 MEDC grant, build tortilla chip factory

MISSION—The first round of Ruby Red Ventures grants were awarded last week. The grants are part of a new program offered by Mission Economic Development Corporation, and, of the four grants awarded, Samuel Shipp, owner of Brilliant Elegance LLC, was recipient of one of the larger ones. He received $10,000 to finance the expansion of his business, which he started as a window washing service in 2007.

Read more: MBA window washer captures MEDC grant

A report on possible water shortages due to drought conditions was presented to the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court by Rio Grande Valley Water Authority Executive Director, Joe Barrera, during their Tuesday, Feb. 26, meeting. He said the situation is as critical as it was in 1998-99 because the irrigation districts are running out of water and cannot provide the full amount of water needed.

Barrera stated that so far this cycle (five year period) Mexico is 380,000 acre-feet behind in the amount of water that should have been released for Texas’ use according to the Guadalupe Water Treaty.

Read more: Water shortages approach critical levels as Mexico’s water debt is mounting

Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day for the tenth annual Mission Classic Car Show at the Sports Park at Sharyland Plantation. Absent show founder Jim Schroeder for the first time since his passing last fall, the Schroeder family put together another great car show with lots of help from the Mission Paving staff, the City of Mission, Parks & Recreation, the chamber and volunteers.

Read more: 1932 Ford Roadster Captures Best In Show

Local community leaders, businesses and RV resorts want to know more about Winter Texans – particularly those of the Baby Boomer generation. A new study created by the Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center at the University of Texas-Pan American is designed to help researchers gather important data that will help local cities, mobile home and RV resort owners, and others meet the needs and interests of the next generation of Winter Texans.

Dr. Penney Simpson, director of the Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center, said this study would benefit Winter Texans by communicating to community leaders what Winter Texans want and need.

Read more: University study seeks to understand younger Winter Texans

The 10th annual Mission Classic Car Show will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mission Sports Park (The Grove) at Sharyland Plantation, located 2.2 Miles South of Expressway 83 on Shary Road. It will feature classics, muscle cars, street rods and hot rods ’76 and older. Over $5000 in cash and prizes will be given away.

Read more: Mission Classic Car Show is Feb. 23