Veteran Females United, Women Veterans, APRIL National Conference, Sela Mata-Gomez, Brownsville

Staff Report

Brownsville TX - Veteran Females United has been selected to present its workshop, “Beyond the Uniform,” at the 32nd Annual APRIL National Conference, hosted by the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living in Niagara Falls, New York.

The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. A five-member delegation of women veterans will travel to the conference to present the workshop and represent the organization.

Sela Mata-Gomez, president of Veteran Females United, said the selection gives the organization an opportunity to share a side of military service that is not always seen or understood. “Women veterans bring diverse experiences, strengths, challenges and stories with them long after they take off the uniform,” Mata-Gomez said. “This workshop gives us a platform to make sure those voices are represented.”

To help offset travel, lodging, ground transportation, conference expenses and workshop materials, the organization is launching a sponsorship campaign called “Beyond the Uniform: Taking Women Veterans’ Voices to the National Stage.” Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $2,500, including a $750 “Send a Woman Veteran Sponsor” level intended to support the participation of one delegation member. In-kind assistance for travel, lodging, transportation, meals, printing and other conference-related needs may also be considered.

“Community support helps ensure women veterans have a seat at the table in important national conversations,” Mata-Gomez said. “This is about more than helping fund a trip. It is an opportunity to help women veterans share their experiences, advocate for their communities and demonstrate that their service and leadership continue well beyond the uniform.”

Veteran Females United said it also hopes its participation will create opportunities to build relationships with organizations serving veterans, military families, people with disabilities and communities across the country.

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in becoming a sponsor are encouraged to contact Veteran Females United.

The mission of Veteran Females United is to engage, empower and inspire female veterans to lead successful lives, according to the organization. VFU is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advocating for female veterans throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Central Texas.

For more information, contact Maria Osorio, vice president, at veteranfemalesunited@gmail.com or 956-426-0101, or visit veteranfemalesunited.org.

McAllen, McAllen Police Department, Civil Service Exam, Now Hiring, Victor Rodriguez

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Police Department is accepting applications for the position of police officer, with a civil service entrance examination scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Applications became available Friday, Aug. 21, and must be submitted to the City of McAllen Human Resources Department, 1300 Houston Ave., no later than Friday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. Applications can be downloaded at www.mcallen.net/advisory-boards/civil-service.

The entrance examination will be administered Oct. 13 at 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m., at the McAllen Convention Center Ballroom, 700 Convention Center Blvd.

McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said the opportunity is for individuals who want to serve their community. “When our community calls, police officers answer the call and make every effort to bring comfort, security, and safety,” Rodriguez said. “I encourage anyone who wants to serve and protect the McAllen community to apply.”

The annual base salary for police officers is $67,295, with additional incentive pay and a benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation and sick leave following a one-year probationary period. Benefits also include assignment pay and certification pay incentives.

Officers may be assigned to uniform patrol, canine (K-9) unit, motorcycle unit, criminal investigations, or crime scene investigation, according to the department.

Applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements, including U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license. Additional requirements are available on the city’s website.

For more information, contact the City of McAllen Human Resources Department at 956-681-1045 or visit www.mcallen.net/careers.

Source - City of McAllen Police Department

McAllen, City Commission, Budget Workshop, Tax Rate, McAllen Development Corporation

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen City Commission held a budget workshop Aug. 18, during which city staff recommended maintaining the current tax rate and presented details of the proposed fiscal year budget.

City staff recommended keeping the tax rate at .448989, unchanged from the current rate. Mayor Javier Villalobos confirmed the rate is anticipated to stay the same at this time. There had been discussion of a possible 3-cent increase during previous budget workshops.

Staff said the proposed budget is balanced, with revenue exceeding expenses by roughly $800,000 to $900,000. The overall budget is about $665 million, an increase from the prior year.

Agency Funding

Staff presented recommended general fund agency funding allocations, including $107,000 for Amigos del Valle, $5,000 for Comfort House, $20,000 for the Museum of South Texas History, $10,000 for the McAllen Town Band, $225,000 for the McAllen Symphony Orchestra, $72,000 for the chamber of commerce, $1.1 million for the Boys and Girls Club, $950,000 for the International Museum of Art & Science, $140,000 for the Heritage Center, and $35,000 for CASA.

Staff also presented agency funding recommended out of the McAllen Development Corporation, including $20,000 for Comfort House, $1.1 million for the McAllen Affordable Development Corporation, $100,000 for the Lift Fund, $450,000 for South Texas College’s advanced training and apprenticeship program, $500,000 for South Texas College’s nursing program, $550,000 for VIVA, $200,000 for Nuevo Milenio Clinic, $400,000 for the Boys and Girls Club, $270,000 for Christian’s Manor, and $450,000 for Texas A&M University.

Development Corporation Projects

Staff outlined recurring and new projects funded through the development corporation, including $10,269,000 in rollover projects from the prior year and $7.5 million in agency agreements. New projects recommended for funding include a roundabout on Wisconsin Road at $4.66 million, a new short course driving range at $8 million, a storm sewer outfall project at $650,000, and a $1 million one-time appropriation for equipment at the new University of Texas Rio Grande Valley cancer research center.

Next Steps

Staff said a wrap-up of the budget process, including any changes requested by the commission, will be presented at the Aug. 24 regular city commission workshop. That meeting will also include an initial hearing on the tax rate, requiring a roll call vote. Following that vote, the proposed rate will be published, with final adoption of the budget and tax rate expected at the end of September.

Staff also said additional workshops will be scheduled over the coming months to discuss a debt capacity analysis and a longer-range plan for major capital projects.

Source - McAllen City Commission Budget Workshop, Aug. 18, 2026

McAllen, McAllen Parks and Recreation, Lark Community Center, Youth Sports, Volleyball

Staff Report

McAllen TX - McAllen Parks and Recreation will offer Mini Lark’s Volleyball, a program for children ages 3 to 4, at the Lark Community Center.

The program will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., according to the department. The program is designed to help young children learn basic motor skills, team play, and the fundamentals of volleyball.

Those interested can register at mcallenparks.net or in person at the center. Spots are limited.

Source - City of McAllen Parks and Recreation

McAllen, McAllen Marathon, Scott Crane Jr. Running Series, Tricks & Treats 2K, Westside Park

Staff Report

McAllen TX - Registration is open for the Tricks & Treats 2K, part of the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Jr. Running Series, organizers announced.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at Westside Park, with the race starting at 6 p.m. The race is open to children ages 3 to 12.

Participants will receive a T-shirt, finisher medal, race bib and a carnival wristband, according to organizers.

Registration is available at mcallenmarathon.com.

Source - McAllen Marathon / Scott Crane Jr. Running Series

McAllen, McAllen Performing Arts Center, Matteo Bocelli, Arts for All, Broadway, Fall for the Arts

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen and the McAllen Performing & Cultural Arts Foundation unveiled new arts initiatives and announced the upcoming season’s entertainment lineup at the second annual Fall for the Arts event.

The event featured the launch of Arts for All, an initiative aimed at connecting students across the Rio Grande Valley with live performing arts experiences. The program aims to reach approximately 900 to 1,000 students each year through five to six Broadway productions, giving students the chance to attend performances, connect with touring artists and learn about careers in the arts.

Community members, businesses and organizations can support the initiative by sponsoring a student’s Broadway season for $250, with funds providing students access to performances and educational experiences at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

Officials said Broadway subscriptions have increased 15 percent, and several single-night engagements have sold out. Beginning with “Beetlejuice,” McAllen will expand select productions from one-night to two-night engagements, with a long-term goal of attracting extended Broadway runs to the Rio Grande Valley.

The event also included the announcement that “Winter Nights with Matteo Bocelli” will come to the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Dec. 19. Bocelli, an Italian singer and songwriter and the son of tenor Andrea Bocelli, has built a career blending classical influences with contemporary music.

In conjunction with the concert, the McAllen Performing & Cultural Arts Foundation will host a pre-show wine dinner and meet-and-greet fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s arts access and education initiatives, including Arts for All.

The 2026-2027 entertainment lineup includes Broadway productions such as “The Music Man,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Waitress,” “Beetlejuice” and “Legally Blonde,” along with performances by Edith Márquez, Juanes, Alicia Villarreal, José Madero, Jim Gaffigan and Gary Owen, among others. The season will also include community events such as Noche de Vino, the South Pole Illuminated Festival, the Deborah Case Winter Recital and holiday performances.

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil said the arts strengthen quality of life and help connect generations and communities, and that Arts for All is meant to ensure more young people have the opportunity to experience the arts.

Tickets and the full entertainment lineup are available through the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.

Source - City of McAllen / McAllen Performing & Cultural Arts Foundation

McAllen, HGTV, U.S. News & World Report, Best Places to Live, Rankings, Texas Cities

Staff Report

McAllen TX - McAllen ranked No. 27 on HGTV’s list of “The 50 Best Places to Live in the US Right Now,” an article updated Aug. 13, 2026, and written by Felicia Feaster. The rankings are based on U.S. News & World Report’s top American places to live for 2026/2027. KVEO-TV

The list evaluates cities and towns for job market strength, housing affordability, quality of life, and desirability, including their appeal in attracting new residents, according to U.S. News & World Report.

HGTV’s write-up notes McAllen is home to the International Museum of Art & Science and is located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, an area rich with native plants and trees such as wild olives, desert yaupons and Jerusalem thorns, all on view at Quinta Mazatlan, a nature center in McAllen. KVEO-TV

Sixteen other Texas cities also appeared on the list, according to HGTV:

• No. 9 Frisco

• No. 8 Leander

• No. 10 Sugar Land

• No. 13 League City

• No. 16 Pearland

• No. 17 McKinney

• No. 23 Allen

• No. 24 Cedar Park

• No. 25 Mansfield

• No. 27 McAllen

• No. 28 The Woodlands

• No. 33 Carrollton

• No. 35 Pflugerville

• No. 38 Katy

• No. 43 North Richland Hills

• No. 48 Laredo

Source - HGTV, “The 50 Best Places to Live in the US Right Now,” updated Aug. 13, 2026, citing U.S. News & World Report

McAllen, McAllen Marathon, Scott Crane Running Series, Fright Nite 5K, Registration

Staff Report

McAllen TX - Registration is open for the Fright Nite 5K, part of the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series, organizers announced.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.

Runners are encouraged to wear costumes for the event, according to organizers.

Registration is available at mcallenmarathon.com.

Source - McAllen Marathon / Scott Crane Running Series

McAllen, McAllen Parks and Recreation, Fall Activity Guide, Registration, Youth Programs

Staff Report

McAllen TX - McAllen Parks and Recreation has opened registration for its Fall 2026 programs, according to the department.

The Fall 2026 Activity Guide lists more than 300 programs, including youth programs, adult leagues, senior activities and outdoor recreation facility rentals, the department said.

The activity guide can be viewed at issuu.com/mcallenp.../docs/fall_2026_activity_guide_. Registration is available at mcallenparks.net

McAllen Parks and Recreation is located at 2001 Trophy Drive. For more information, call 956-681-3320.

Source - City of McAllen Parks and Recreation

McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening, Forum CRE, Faro Companies, Harvey House

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has announced a series of grand openings and ribbon cuttings for local businesses this week.

Forum CRE will hold a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 4:30 p.m., at 1400 N. McColl Rd., Suite 207.

A new business launch event, hosted through ticketopolis.com, is also set for Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd St. RSVP is available at ticketopolis.com/mcallenlaunch.

Faro Companies will hold a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 4:30 p.m., at 2109 S. 10th St., Bldg 400.

Harvey House will hold a ribbon cutting on Friday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m., at 5412 N 10th St.

More information is available at mcallenchamber.com/events.

About the Chamber

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1925, and its predecessor organization, the McAllen Businessmen’s Club, helped drive the creation of the City of McAllen in 1911, according to the chamber’s website. The chamber reports a membership of 1,300 and a staff of 21, and describes itself as the largest chamber in a 15-county area. Its mission is to help McAllen businesses succeed, accelerate connections, create economic momentum and enhance the image and quality of place of McAllen. The chamber has held a 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce since 2014, according to its website. Utrgv

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce; mcallenchamber.com

McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Good Day McAllen, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Embassy Suites

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation will hold the next quarterly Good Day McAllen luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Embassy Suites by Hilton, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the McAllen Public Library and the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge.

Ticket prices for members are $35 for an individual, $200 for a half table of four, and $400 for a table of eight. A jackpot of $700 will be awarded, and attendees must be present to win.

Tickets and information are available at mcallenchamber.com/events. For more information, call 956-682-2871.

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce / McAllen Economic Development Corporation

McAllen, McAllen Public Library, Tutor.com, Free Tutoring, Back to School, K-12, Education

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Public Library is offering free online tutoring through Tutor.com as the school year gets underway.

The service covers K-12 grade and higher education, with more than 250 subjects available. Tutors are available from noon to midnight.

A McAllen Public Library card is required to access the service.

Source - McAllen Public Library

Photo Caption: South Texas College Dual Credit alumna Amy Gonzalez serves as lead epidemiologist for Hidalgo County, where she leads efforts to investigate diseases, respond to health threats and educate the community. Photo courtesy STC Communications.

Selene Rodriguez, STC Communications

From investigating outbreaks and identifying health threats to educating the community, South Texas College alumna Amy Gonzalez has dedicated her career to serving others and making a meaningful difference in the community she calls home.

As lead epidemiologist for the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department, the 31-year-old oversees a team of public health professionals who track and investigate diseases, respond to outbreaks and work with hospitals, schools and other organizations to keep residents safe and informed.

“I was born and raised here in the Rio Grande Valley, so I love that the work I do protects the community that watched me grow,” she said. “In public health, a lot of what we do happens behind the scenes. I like to describe it as detective work. When there’s an outbreak or a new health concern, it’s our job to figure out where it’s coming from, where it’s going and how we stop it.”

A first-generation college graduate, Gonzalez knew early on that she wanted a career helping others. Aspiring to become a physician assistant, she joined STC’s Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) while attending Mercedes High School.

During the program, one of her faculty members encouraged her to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded undergraduate research opportunity. Gonzalez was selected and spent two years conducting research at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco. Her research on Mexican key limes and a fungal pathogen eventually contributed to a published paper.

“Apart from saving my family money by allowing me to complete two years of college at no cost, STC’s Dual Credit program opened the door to great opportunities I don’t think I would have had otherwise,” she said. “Having faculty encourage me to keep trying and do more made it all feel a lot less scary. Moving forward, I had the confidence to take higher-level science courses and succeed.”

In 2013, Gonzalez graduated from STC with an associate degree in biology, just weeks before receiving her high school diploma. She later transferred to Baylor University before returning home to complete a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in 2016.

In 2017, she accepted a part-time position with the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department as a Zika technician, helping educate residents about the mosquito-borne virus and its risks, particularly to pregnant women, not knowing the job would ultimately change the direction of her career.

“I started by helping educate women about Zika, which was a major health concern at the time,” she said. “There were pregnant women who were crying; they were scared. I knew I could give them information and try to answer their questions. That felt very rewarding to me, being able to be a shoulder for someone. That’s really when I realized that this is what I want to do. I want to be able to help someone.”

Over nearly a decade with the department, Gonzalez has worked her way up while helping respond to everything from the COVID-19 pandemic and disease outbreaks to emerging health concerns affecting the region.

Along the way, she earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020 before eventually becoming lead epidemiologist.

“When someone tests positive for certain diseases, that gets reported to us at the health department, and that’s when we start our investigation,” she said. “We talk to the patient or the family, ask questions and look for connections. For example, if there’s a party and everyone gets sick, we start asking, ‘What did they all eat?’ We go back and figure out what happened, where it came from and how we can stop it from spreading.”

For Gonzalez, however, protecting public health goes beyond responding when people get sick. Much of her role today focuses on preventing illness and making health information and services more accessible to residents.

“People often have questions like, ‘I heard about this parasite on the news. What is it?’ They can call the health department, and we can educate them about the disease and available resources,” she said. “I’ve fallen in love with this work because the more we educate people about public health, the more people we can help.”

Looking back at her roots, Gonzalez credits STC with giving her the confidence and opportunities that helped shape her life.

Although her career took a different direction than she originally imagined, she hopes her journey encourages other students to remain open to new opportunities and keep moving forward when their plans change.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the STC Dual Credit program because it helped expedite my career,” she said. “If I could give students any advice, it would be not to fear failing. Sometimes we look at people and think, ‘Wow, they have everything figured out.’ But I’ve failed a class and I’ve made mistakes, and that doesn’t define where we are. We can keep going and keep learning. If someone tells you no, someone else will tell you yes. Just keep trying and keep learning.”

Photo Caption: The Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA) at South Texas College launches its first-ever Plumbing Technician Program this fall, a 242-hour workforce training program that will provide students with entry-level construction and plumbing skills. Photo courtesy STC Communications.

Joey Gomez, STC Communications

McAllen, TEXAS – Eligible students can prepare for an in-demand career in plumbing at no cost this fall through a new Plumbing Technician Program being offered through the Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA) at South Texas College.

Funding from the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Education (TRUE) grant and Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) will allow qualifying participants to complete 242 hours of workforce training with their tuition fully covered.

The TRUE grant is able to cover the program’s 96 hours and provides a gas allowance, while TPEG funding covers the remaining 146 hours for students who meet financial aid requirements.

Leadership with CATA says the new plumbing program is set to provide hands-on training to assist unemployed or underemployed adults with entry-level construction and plumbing skills.

“This is their chance to develop foundational and hands-on skills needed to begin a career in the plumbing and construction industry,” said CATA Director Leonel Garcia. “Through this program, the students will gain exposure to industry-recognized standards while developing practical skills they can take directly into the workforce.”

The program will combine classroom instruction with hands-on training based primarily on National Craft Assessment and Certification (NCCER) including Introduction to Basic Construction Skills and NCCER Plumbing Level 1 core courses.

NCCER is a nationally recognized construction education and credentialing organization whose curriculum reflects established industry standards.

The new program will be divided among three STC courses beginning with Construction Tools and Techniques, a 96-hour course focused on essential construction competencies. Students in the course will learn about workplace safety, hand and power tools, construction math, drawings, materials handling, rigging and other fundamental skills used throughout the construction trades.

Students will then complete 38 hours of Basic Plumbing Skills, introducing them to piping systems, drains, vents, water lines, fixtures and standard plumbing practices. Students will also work through NCCER Plumbing Level 1 competencies such as plumbing safety, tools of the trade and plumbing math along with drain, waste and vent systems.

The final course, Basic Pipefitting: Installation and Rigging, provides 108 hours of additional hands-on training in pipe fabrication, cutting, fitting and installation. The course also covers valves and fittings, rigging, safety procedures, trade math and blueprint interpretation.

Garcia said the program reflects STC’s commitment to aligning workforce education with the needs of employers and communities across the Rio Grande Valley.

“Most importantly, this program helps us respond to the needs of our local industry by creating another pathway for individuals in our community to enter a high-demand skilled trade and build a sustainable career,” Garcia said.

Students who successfully complete the applicable curriculum and assessment requirements will have their completed credentials documented through NCCER, providing industry-recognized evidence of the skills they have acquired.

The program does not grant a state plumbing license or make a participant a licensed plumber. Instead, it provides entry-level occupational preparation and NCCER credentials that can help students begin pursuing opportunities in the industry and continue building their experience.

For more information on STC’s new Plumbing Technician Program, as well as many others offered by CATA, visit southtexascollege.edu/cata/.

McAllen, McAllen Public Library, Craft and Chat, clay creations, tote bags, adults, community

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Public Library will host two Craft and Chat sessions in August 2026, open to adults ages 18 and older, in Conference Room B at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St. Supplies will be provided while they last. Registration is required at bit.ly/mpl25.

• Saturday, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m.: Clay Creations

• Saturday, Aug. 22, at 3 p.m.: Tote Bags

For more information, call (956) 681-3061.

Source - McAllen Public Library

McAllen, City of McAllen, Health Code Compliance and Animal Care Services, garage sale permit, onlinepermits

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen’s Health, Code Compliance and Animal Care Services Department is reminding residents that a permit is required to hold a garage sale within city limits. The permit fee is $20 and can be obtained online at onlinepermits.mcallen.net.

Permits are issued Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The last permit is issued daily at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call (956) 681-1900.

Source - City of McAllen Health, Code Compliance and Animal Care Services

South Texas College, STC, fall registration, Pecan Campus, Mid-Valley Campus, Starr County Campus, extended hours

Staff Report

McAllen TX - South Texas College will offer extended hours at its Pecan, Mid-Valley, and Starr County campuses to assist students with fall 2026 registration on the following dates:

• Friday, Aug. 21: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Aug. 22: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Source - South Texas College

McAllen, Parks and Recreation, Hidalgo County Precinct 4, Ellie Torres, Javier Villalobos, Isaac Tawil, Garza Park, Camp McAllen, McAllen Youth Baseball Complex, La Floresta Park, Morris Perez Park, outdoor fitness, ribbon cutting

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen and Hidalgo County Precinct 4 will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Garza Park, 2601 Lark Ave., to celebrate the installation of new outdoor fitness equipment at five McAllen parks.

The ceremony will be attended by Mayor Javier Villalobos, the City Commission, City Manager Isaac J. Tawil, McAllen Parks and Recreation Department leadership, and Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres.

New outdoor fitness equipment has been installed at the following locations:

• Camp McAllen, 8701 N. 23rd St.

• McAllen Youth Baseball Complex, 8201 N. 29th St.

• La Floresta Park, 1800 W. Stanford Ave.

• Morris/Perez Park, 1400 W. Trenton Rd.

• Garza Park, 2601 Lark Ave.

Source - City of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department

McAllen, McAllen Public Library, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department, Community Health Education Series, heat-related illness, infectious diseases, colorectal cancer, opioid awareness, vaccine preventable diseases

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Public Library and the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department will present a four-part Community Health Education Series every Friday in August, from 10 to 11 a.m. in Conference Room B at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St.

The series features public health experts sharing information and practical strategies on key health topics. The schedule is as follows:

• Friday, Aug. 14: Infectious Diseases and Colorectal Cancer

• Friday, Aug. 21: Opioid Awareness and Prevention

• Friday, Aug. 28: Vaccine Preventable Diseases

For more information, call (956) 681-3061.

Source - McAllen Public Library and Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department

McAllen, McAllen Public Library, Anime Manga Club, adults, community

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Public Library will host its monthly Anime Manga Club on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium, 4001 N. 23rd St.

The free monthly event brings adults together to meet fellow fans and discuss popular manga and anime titles. All adults 18+ are welcome, whether longtime fans or newcomers to the genre.

For more information, call (956) 681-3000.

Source - McAllen Public Library