Reservoir Levels Likely to Surpass Record High

Rio Grande River, Image Taken July 8, 2010

Due to rapidly rising reservoir levels that could exceed record storage that occurred in 1958, the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, will increase the release of floodwaters from Falcon Dam, located at Falcon Heights, Texas-Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas at noon on July 14.  Releases into the Rio Grande will increase to 60,000 cubic feet per second (1700 cubic meters per second) up from the current release of 39,700 cubic feet per second (1125 cubic meters per second).

STC Pecan Campus now a GED testing site

Picture: STC Pecan Campus opens GED Testing Center.

South Texas College is making it easier than ever to take the next step in earning a college education. For those who were not able to complete high school, STC is now an official testing site for General Education Development (GED) Tests.
For just $70, an applicant can take all five tests including reading, writing, math, science and social studies, or pay per test to take individual exams. The tests will be offered at the college’s Pecan Campus Students Service Building (Building K) located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. STC’s GED Testing Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first GED tests at the center will be given on Monday, July 19, 2010.

Video: Rio Grande River Overflow

 This is a video clip of the Rio Grande River taken from the Int. Bridge in Rio Grande City, Texas, Starr County, on July 8, 2010.

Perry Activates State Resources as Flooding Threatens RGV

(File Photo)

AUSTIN – On July 7, Gov. Rick Perry directed the activation of state search and rescue capabilities, including Texas Military Forces and Texas Task Force 1 (TTF-1) personnel and resources, as heavy rains and flooding continue to threaten the Rio Grande Valley.

New Sporting Goods Store to Open in RGC

 National sporting goods retailer Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. is pleased to announce that its newest Hibbett Sports store will be opening in the Rio Grande City, Texas market, employing approximately eight full and part-time team members.

Announcing the opening, Jeff Rosenthal, President and CEO of Hibbett Sports said, “We're thrilled to be opening a new store in Rio Grande City. People in Rio Grande City take their sports seriously, and we plan to give them the sporting goods products and know-how they've been looking for.”

Commissioner Sentenced in Voter Fraud Investigation

Valley Media Reports-Starr County commissioner Raul "Roy" Pena Jr. was sentenced to probation in a voter fraud investigation. Pena pleaded no contest to illegally returning a marked ballot and to improperly mailing another voter's ballot. (Read Full Article)

STC’s free Learning to Lead Program open to high school juniors, seniors

 2009 STC Learning to Lead participants Liana Pesina, Elena Arredondo and 

Crystal Torres enjoy a new friendship formed through their time in the program.

South Texas College is looking for participants for its Learning to Lead Program, which includes a series of free, interactive workshops focused on cultivating the leadership abilities and communication skills of area high schoolers. The program will kick off Thursday, July 8 at 6 p.m. and will run every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of July, with a graduation ceremony on August 3.  The workshops will be held at the college’s Pecan Campus located at 3101 West Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Participants will receive lunch and snacks, as well as a free gift.

Alex Brings Scattered Showers, No Reported Damage

On Thursday morning, July 1, the Rio Grande City Fire Dept. was happy to report that no major damage had been reported due to weather, but crews were still patrolling some areas as a precaution.

Over all the Rio Grande City area received approx. 3.4 in of rain, with some areas reporting closer to 4in.

Hurricane Alex made landfall in Mexico around the evening hours of Wednesday, June 30.