Author Archives: Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Ricardo D. Cavazos is a Rio Grande Valley native and journalist who has worked as a reporter, editor and publisher at Texas newspapers. Cavazos formerly worked as a reporter and editorial writer at The Brownsville Herald, Dallas Times Herald, Corpus Christi Caller-Times and San Antonio Light. He served as editor of The Monitor in McAllen from 1991-1998 and from there served for 15 years as publisher at The Herald in Brownsville. Cavazos has been providing content for the Valley Business Report since 2018.

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New Terminal Transforms Air Travel

November 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

It’s a two-block walk from the historic Pan American Airways Complex to the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport‘s emerging $70 million passenger terminal. The 91,000-square-foot terminal is within easy view of the spot where on March 9, 1931, Charles Lindbergh flew in for the opening ceremonies of Brownsville’s first airport with Amelia Earhart in attendance. History will be made again in December 2020 when Brownsville transforms air travel again…

RGV Banker Elected To State Association Board

October 29, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

An executive with First Community Bank has been elected to the board of directors of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. Ricky Leal, the senior vice president/commercial lending for First Community, was selected during the organization’s recent virtual annual convention. Leal joined First Community 15 years ago as a commercial lender before rising to serve on the company’s executive team. First Community is the only bank company of its type…

McAllen to Host First Public Event Post-COVID

October 22, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The City of McAllen is planning to host its first major public event since the beginnings of COVID-19 when it stages the annual Fiesta de Palmas early next month. Fiesta de Palmas celebrates the cultural heritage of border communities and highlights McAllen as an international city with strong ties to Mexico. This year’s event will be modified to fit the current era with an emphasis on social distancing. Drive-through, curbside…

Arroyo Trail Expanding Its Reach In Harlingen

October 15, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

e-Brief Features Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments

Harlingen is extending its most popular hike-and-bike trail from the Arroyo Colorado to Dixieland Park as the city works to expand its trails master plan. The 1.6-mile extension along the banks of the Arroyo Colorado will be the first trail addition in five years. It will take the trail from its current end adjacent to Boggus Ford along Expressway 77/83 and wind it near the Tony Butler Golf Course. It…

Port of Brownsville Steams Ahead

October 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Manufacturing/Industrial Transportation & Travel Comments

The Port of Brownsville is utilizing record revenue years leading up to COVID-19 to deal with the pandemic’s challenges. The port reported a record $25.4 million in annual revenue in fiscal year 2019. The figure tops the previous record from 2018 with continuous robust growth over the last six years. The port’s performance was recently recognized by Moody’s Investor Service, ranking the Port of Brownsville third among all U.S. ports…

Bayview Nursery Offers Paradise of Possibilities

October 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Agriculture News Retail Comments

Jason Hess took a tour of a nursery by a resaca in Bayview in 2017 and discovered a paradise. It was River’s End Nursery back when Hess first saw it. He works in the healthcare field, with a hobby and passion for growing fruit trees, so the tour was of special interest to him. Hess was in awe of the splendor at River’s End. Ed and Kathy Pechacek took a…

Skinny Fish Serves Up Fresh Alternative

October 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Food & Entertainment News Comments

The walls at Skinny Fish are sandy beige with beach blue water tones to make it a chill place. It’s how Mike Mares describes the ceviche restaurant he and his wife Rosa own in Brownsville. Skinny Fish is an alternative to the Mexican-style ceviche restaurants that are common in the Rio Grande Valley. Walk into Skinny Fish – a take-out only restaurant – and you will see options of healthy…

Martin’s Building On Its Years Of Service

October 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Agriculture News Retail Comments

Before there was a University Drive and UTRGV, there was Harriman Drive and Pan American College in Edinburg. Harriman was where Al Martin started Martin Farm & Ranch Supply in 1955. There’s an old photo of Al in a hat looking at his products through a store window with a long sign above him touting “Feed, Seed, Fertilizer, Insecticides.” “Daddy has us working all the time,” said Doug Martin of…

McAllen Florist Blossoms With Concept

October 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Making a Buck & Finding a Surplus

September 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

News Retail Comments

Juan Rosales started out small, buying used books, figurines and old music albums. He called it “Just Trying To Make A Buck” back then in 2012, declining his wife’s suggestion of “Juan’s Junk” for his nascent surplus business. “I bought a few Just Trying To Make A Buck things and I got hooked,” said Rosales, a retired manager of the cigarette distribution business. He then began attending government and school auctions. His…