Author: Isabella Cortez
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from Hidalgo County is working to tackle food insecurity in the Rio Grande Valley, and local leaders want the community’s help. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez is bringing together nonprofits, food banks, and health clinics to find the root causes of hunger in the Valley. According to Feeding America, food insecurity affects nearly one in four people in the Valley. “We want to find solutions to the problem that we have; we can’t help if we don’t know who you are,” Cortez said. “What kind of community do we want to…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from A restaurant chain is hosting a free community dinner on Tuesday across three Rio Grande Valley locations. Edith’s Mexican Buffet will open its doors at all three spots, in Pharr, Weslaco and Harlingen, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event runs until 8 p.m. or until the food runs out. It is first-come, first-served, with a set menu. The dinner is dine-in only, and no takeout will be available. Owners Mario Cruz and Edith Cruz said they decided to host the event after hearing from people in the community who are…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By: Melissa Brandi A restaurant chain is hosting a free community dinner on Tuesday across three Rio Grande Valley locations. Edith’s Mexican Buffet will open its doors at all three spots, in Pharr, Weslaco and Harlingen, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event runs until 8 p.m. or until the food runs out. It is first-come, first-served, with a set menu. The dinner is dine-in only, and no takeout will be available. Owners Mario Cruz and Edith Cruz said they decided to host the event after hearing from people in the…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By Vicente Gonzalez Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. John Wood’s lifetime of service to the people of Brownsville, Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley. For decades, Mr. Wood has dedicated his time to strengthening our community through both civic engagement and public service. Before entering elected office, serving as chair of the local chapters of the American Red Cross and United Way, Chairman of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. His dedication to…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By: Melissa Brandi Sixty police officers from across the Rio Grande Valley spent four hours on Friday learning sign language in Pharr as part of an effort to better communicate with community members. The training was hosted by the Disability Chamber of Commerce Rio Grande Valley. “A person with a disability is getting the training from the officer and the officer is getting a real world experience of various peoples who are either deaf, hard of hearing or and or have autism and how they react in those scenarios,” Disability…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By Steve Taylor and Daniela Capistran, Reporters WESLACO, Texas — What began as a four-city demonstration project to improve long-term health outcomes in the Upper Rio Grande Valley has expanded into a full-scale regional effort, with leaders in the Mid Valley officially joining the push to evaluate whether the region is ready for a multi-year “Blue Zones” transformation. The expansion comes as the Knapp Community Care Foundation (KCCF) partners with the City of Weslaco and regional philanthropic partners to fund and facilitate the Blue Zones Ignite Readiness Assessment. The four-month…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By Steve Taylor and Daniela Capistran, Reporters EDINBURG, Texas — A sweeping regional movement to shift South Texas from a model of reactive “sick care” to proactive health and longevity is gaining significant momentum across Hidalgo and Cameron counties. In a series of community report-outs held late last month, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas revealed the results of an exhaustive six-month feasibility assessment evaluating four major Hidalgo County cities—McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Pharr. The findings indicate that all four municipalities possess the readiness, leadership backing, and community infrastructure necessary…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By Dayna Reyes, Reporter LA JOYA, Texas – Tributes are pouring in for former Rio Grande Valley educator Maria Filomena Leo, who has passed away at the age of 76. Leo grew up in a farm worker family in San Benito, Texas. In 2023, she sat down for an oral interview with Cristina Salinas for the Chicana Borderlands Voices series. She told the story of how a nun, her eighth grade teacher, inspired her to dream big. The teacher had asked the class to write down what they wanted to do…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By Steve Taylor, Reporter MISSION, Texas – Rashmi Chandran, CEO of AltaCair Foundation, recently won the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Community & Social Leadership Award. The Rio Grande Guardian sat down for an interview with Chandran to learn about her group’s current projects and plans for 2026. Chandran said AltaCair was proud to have opened a Community Care Closet in Edinburg and thanked Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres for her help in making the project happen. AltaCair is becoming known for its emphasis on helping Valley colonias. The first…
Rewrite a fully new long article using the information from By Steve Taylor and Dayna Reyes, Reporters MCALLEN, Texas – The dates and venues for four Blue Zones Ignite Community Keynote Events have been announced. Two will be held on February 26 – at Mission Event Center, starting at 12:00 noon, and at McAllen Convention Center, starting at 5:00 p.m. And two will be held on February 27 – at the Pharr One Center, starting at 9:00 a.m., and at Edinburg Municipal Auditorium, starting at 1:00 p.m. The events are free to the public. The project is being spearheaded by…