Author Archives: VBR

American Express is teaming up with Main Street America to give 10 small business owners $10,000 each to help their businesses innovate in this evolving retail landscape. The American Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program celebrates small businesses across the country. The program supports small businesses that demonstrate new approaches to traditional business strategies. It also looks to help those looking to try out creative techniques, while also helping…

New Dual Credit Program Readies For Cybersecurity

March 11, 2020

VBR

Education Featured News Technology Comments

The first cohort of students are now making their way through South Texas College’s Dual Credit Cybersecurity Program. The program provides students from partnering area high schools the opportunity to pursue a certificate in the field of cybersecurity. Students participating in the Career and Technical Education pathway are on track to complete their Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate. Completion will come by the end of their senior years in high school.…

Pharr Mayor Joins CPRIT Oversight Committee

March 9, 2020

VBR

Government News Comments

Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez is now part of the the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee in Austin. His oath of office took place Feb. 19 with Presiding Officer Donald “Dee Margo” at CPRIT’s meeting. “I am honored to be a part of this committee and am especially proud to join my colleagues as we lead the statewide effort to cure cancer. With my background as…

A Look at Survival Advantages of Creatures of the Night

March 7, 2020

VBR

News Comments

Nocturnal animals have many interesting adaptations that give them huge advantages to survive in their dark world. The Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist invite the public to learn about these local creatures March 10 with “Creatures that Come out at Night.” The talk will feature nocturnal animals and how you can see them for yourself. Attendees will discover native spiders, bugs, bats, birds and other animals that you…

The Road to Women’s Suffrage

March 5, 2020

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments

This month, South Texas College celebrates Women’s History Month. It is marking 100 years since women nationwide were able to achieve the right to vote after years of effort. A lecture by Sarah Bell takes place March 9 in the Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room as part of the celebration. Bell give a talk to commemorate the centennial of the women’s suffrage amendment being adopted nationwide. Bell serves as the…

Local Engineering Firm Racks Up Awards

March 5, 2020

VBR

e-Brief Features Moving On Up News Professional Services Comments

SWG Engineering LLC, a local civil engineering firm, was recently distinguished by two national organizations for the solutions it provided Rio Grande Valley municipalities in 2019. The American Society of Civil Engineers Rio Grande Valley Branch presented SWG with the 2019 Innovative Project of the Year award. The recognition comes for the firm’s canal-to-pipeline conversion for the Delta Lake Irrigation District. SWG turned the A-20 open canal into 4.5 miles…

Aeromar Offers Mexico City Special

March 3, 2020

VBR

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

Aeromar is offering a limited promotion for $250 round-trip airfare from McAllen to Acapulco via Mexico City. The promotional fare will connect McAllen International Airport via Mexico City International Airport to Acapulco International Airport. Flights to Mexico City from McAllen operate five times weekly with a connection to Acapulco. Departure days from McAllen include Monday, Wednesday, Thursda, Friday and Sunday with afternoon departure times. The promotional fare can be found only…

McAllen International Airport Flying High

February 27, 2020

VBR

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

In 2019, record growth hit McAllen International Airport with 432,178 passenger boardings. This is a 20 percent increase from 2018 and also the highest number of enplanements in MFE’s history. Over the last 20 years, MFE’s compounded annual growth rate in passenger enplanements has trended progressively steady at 1.4 percent. This steady growth has MFE as the leading airport in the Rio Grande Valley, capturing the majority of market share…

Operation Safe Talk Open Tomorrow

February 26, 2020

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

The third Young Hearts Matter Teen Dating Violence Operation Safe Talk hotline is tomorrow, Feb. 27. Assistant district attorneys, victim advocates, law enforcement officers, and crime victim liaisons will be available to answer questions dealing with family violence. Anyone who needs assistance or has questions in English or Spanish can call 956-661-6000 from 4-6:30 p.m. and from 8:30-10:35 p.m. Deputies trained in domestic violence will be available to answer questions,…

New Leadership Joins Hidalgo County

February 25, 2020

VBR

Featured Government Comments

Laura Matamoros is the new economic development director for Hidalgo County. The news came from County Judge Richard F. Cortez today as he also announced Hilda Escochea Salinas as assistant chief of staff. Matamoros’s previous service includes director of business research and strategy for the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. She was also the director of operations for the United Brownsville Coordinating Board. She is a graduate from the University of…