[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6566203,"mediaKeyId","3206069-62c65145b407d156679a398179c127b7","parentId",3206069,"title","UTHealth presenter: San Benito participants show measurable gains in diet, activity and blood pressure","audioSeconds",521,"startMs",655000,"endMs",1176000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206069-62c65145b407d156679a398179c127b7&start=655&end=1176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206069-62c65145b407d156679a398179c127b7/thumbnail_655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566203/San-Benito/Cameron-County/Texas/UTHealth-presenter-San-Benito-participants-show-measurable-gains-in-diet-activity-and-blood-pressure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566203-d016d4a05e337872db9d2563c38ba1f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776383614&Signature=MOY3B9a4fdnBogDWQlxjNhAaBmByCPlpFU6Bp8vhJv5LcR3BPKh1eII3y3zZPIXFUTExpViqqMZHbwJme~UhjAZx5wKumISD~GjNTiAMYXnHOM6R5eHyENtaQmBBoe~9hEq-alZl9BTbZikzmMOx2mwG0LmAhZ1yOFr4qPa1-KPSa4zKr2obBFWQZmtLjsOTSWjfkxaoUuC~TrQKrg-mrRIQQ8Z7tv5q6b2Bmw3qOp8k4eWzx63Gz3zPlqWlkZvVO8pZNdpjzuNUwfx~9CaVCUU9DbuSWMuKeG7U~3z5s3wzBG8-Kg5bAX6iWMDKOS-P4YW6JInogJeWPHFDIA2e6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Benito","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Rebecca Losoya, speaking on behalf of UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, presented the program’s 2024 annual report to the San Benito City Commission on May 6, 2025 and summarized outreach, services and participant outcomes tied to the city partnership.

The program operates free nutrition and exercise classes, community health worker one‑on‑one visits, and year‑long diabetes prevention cohorts. Losoya said the program recorded broad media outreach and sustained class offerings across the Lower Rio Grande Valley in 2024: about 52 television segments on Televisa, roughly 80 class series, more than 588 social media posts and about 93 free exercise classes offered weekly across the region.

Losoya credited the city’s community health worker, Leticia Gomez, for in‑person outreach and participant follow up. “In order to participate in the program, there are no requirements. It is free and open to the public,” Losoya said.

Program outcomes reported to the commission for participants with two or more direct visits with a community health worker included:

- 62 percent improved fruit and vegetable intake, with an average increase of 1.56 servings per day;
- 60 percent improved physical activity;
- 69 percent decreased blood pressure measures; and
- Of participants who initially presented with hypertension and had two or more follow‑up visits, 20 percent recorded a normal blood pressure result by the later visit.

Losoya also described regionwide programs that partner with the city, including the Diabetes Prevention Program (a year‑long lifestyle program), the Collaborative Action Board (CAB) that meets quarterly across the Rio Grande Valley, La Cocina Alegre (a six‑week healthy cooking class that provides recipe ingredients for participants to take home), and outdoor “trails” exercise classes in partnership with local trails groups. She noted a record‑breaking weigh‑in event held at San Benito’s community building with about 1,800 participants and said the challenge series resulted in more than 2,200 pounds lost overall and that over 80 percent of participants who weighed out had lost weight.

Losoya said the community health worker visits include blood pressure and BMI checks, motivational interviewing, education on physical activity and healthy food choices, and referrals to community resources. She said data show measurable improvements in participants who engage in multiple visits and classes.

Why it matters: the program’s free services target modifiable chronic‑disease risk factors — diet, physical activity and blood pressure — and the presenter gave measurable outcomes that local officials can use to justify continued partnership and local promotion of classes.

Questions raised and next steps: commissioners thanked the presenter and encouraged continued collaboration; Losoya and staff asked the commission to continue highlighting program offerings on the city’s Parks & Recreation social channels so residents know when classes and weigh‑in events are scheduled.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Benito - Commission Meetings - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A representative from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health presented the program's 2024 annual report to the San Benito City Commission, highlighting program reach, free classes and measured participant improvements in diet, activity and blood pressure.","taxTitle","San Benito, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",69426,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566206,"San Benito commission approves BYOB permit ordinance, park resurfacing and emergency utility payments; ratifies Stenger Road payment",0,2625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206069-62c65145b407d156679a398179c127b7&start=2625&end=2625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206069-62c65145b407d156679a398179c127b7/thumbnail_2625000.jpg","/articles/6566206/San-Benito/Cameron-County/Texas/San-Benito-commission-approves-BYOB-permit-ordinance-park-resurfacing-and-emergency-utility-payments-ratifies-Stenger-Road-payment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566206-10b79e44d319d4d91f3c21084d6d27d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776383614&Signature=obOMhKctanJFIystYXabWmgqVVtkpdrfdbtw~jicCV1oeeScpGUpV8Vtg90F~683Ez9p~sb4e4NtgdPgLPV-6Dm~goFnerkvaJDMFpiCyqzGab6PCsVykUUFPbHzgM59YDzS2M2YiL8JXOTfUa9mScJerAofwywMJn0ttsKzPYq8xJPfxL2i7LdMu~8r8te361M9TIAulBnObgsYHT4k5tZX9Fnu8evQPdNFK6ufW5k3S52buc~2gApDMSGsXqLo2QoCYZmoJ6Ptz3vkS2E5Grin1sgKcjwCuwSWTHTqq1j8MQDc3O0BGIUr3Y6cjnTFm-3rcVLu6qDqzzCdWMv41A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Benito City Commission on May 6, 2025 approved a package of ordinances, contract ratifications and emergency payments that officials said aim to regulate new business models, maintain city infrastructure and clear outstanding project accounts.

The commission adopted on second and final reading an ordinance amending Chapter 4 (Business Regulations) by adding Section 4.13 to address establishments not licensed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The change adds an annual permit and inspection fee category for businesses that allow patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages and subjects those businesses to conditional‑use permitting and city rules on operating hours. The ordinance passed after a brief discussion about enforcement and regulatory limits.

Commissioner Morales asked how the city could hold a business responsible when customers bring their own liquor. “What is guaranteeing the same establishment is gonna do the same because the customer's bringing it in?” he said. A city staff member responded that the businesses must apply for a conditional‑use permit and that the city could revoke that permit if problems arise. The commission approved the ordinance by voice vote; the motion was made by Commissioner Goodman and seconded by Mayor Paul Tengalvan.

Also approved at the meeting:

- Ratification of payment to the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) in the amount of $81,805.49 for the Stenger Road concrete path project, billed under the city’s interlocal agreement. Staff said the payment represents several months of invoices the city needed to catch up on so TxDOT could proceed with the project letting process.

- Authorization of two emergency utility payments to OMT Utilities for repairs: $42,000 for work on Hole Street and Spears Street and $37,600 for emergency work on South Bowie Street. City staff described collapsing/failed manholes and force‑main repairs as the cause of the emergency work and recommended ratification.

- Approval of resurfacing and color coating of two basketball courts at Kennedy Park, at a total cost of $33,630. The parks and recreation coordinator said the contractor provides a multi‑year warranty (described in the meeting as starting at 10 years) and that the work will improve slip resistance, drainage and court standards to allow future events.

- Consent approvals covering routine items 1–14 (items 10 and 14 were pulled from the initial consent bundle and considered separately). The initial consent motion (items 1–14 excluding 10 and 14) was moved by Commissioner Goodman and seconded by Commissioner Navarro and passed by voice vote.

- Personnel policy updates: the commission approved an amendment to the personnel policy manual to allow overtime/compensatory pay for city employees during city or state declared disasters; the motion was approved subject to final legal review. The commission also approved adding a social media policy into the personnel policy manual so it will apply to employees and elected officials.

- Board appointments: Adam Abrego was reappointed to the planning and zoning commission. The commission reappointed several members to the veterans advisory board and tabled action on one veterans board vacancy (Place 2) while staff confirms candidates.

Some items were on first reading only. The commission conducted a first reading of an ordinance adopting the Model Subdivision Rules for water and wastewater standards required by state guidance; no final vote was taken on that ordinance at this meeting.

Why it matters: the set of approvals affects business licensing and fees, maintenance of city streets and utilities, park facilities used by residents, and the city’s ability to proceed with a major Stenger Road pedestrian/multiuse path project that involves CCRMA and TxDOT phases.

What's next: staff will return with final legal review language on the personnel policy amendment, continue coordination with CCRMA and TxDOT on Stenger Road letting and provide warranty details for the Kennedy Park resurfacing project as requested by commissioners.","At its May 6, 2025 meeting the San Benito City Commission approved a second‑and‑final reading of an ordinance to permit businesses that allow patrons to bring their own alcohol, ratified payments for Stenger Road work with the CCRMA and authorized emergency utility repairs, and approved resurfacing two Kennedy Park basketball courts.","actionData","errors"]

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UTHealth presenter: San Benito participants show measurable gains in diet, activity and blood pressure

San Benito commission approves BYOB permit ordinance, park resurfacing and emergency utility payments; ratifies Stenger Road payment