Author Archives: VBR

Former Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway President and COO Norma Torres recently received the prestigious 2023 Chairman’s Award in recognition of her exemplary career. The presentation took place during the Port of Brownsville’s Annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon on Dec. 14 at the Ambassador Event Center. The event highlights the achievements of port tenants and customers throughout the year. Torres has played a pivotal role in the short line’s success,…

STC Starr County Campus Gives Gifts to Foster Children

December 24, 2023

VBR

Featured Giving Back News Comments

Students, staff and faculty at South Texas College’s Starr County campus have all come together to make Christmas a little brighter for children in the foster care system. STC, in partnership with the Starr County Child Welfare Board, collected over 108 gifts this season for children, enough so they get at least three gifts each, through an annual toy drive created by the college’s Counseling and Student Accessibility Office. The…

MFE Receives Nonstop Service to Austin

December 21, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

Delta Air Lines is now selling tickets for three daily nonstop flights from McAllen International Airport to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport beginning April 22. The new year-round route will operate three daily flights connecting McAllen via MFE with an essential destination for business and education. With the addition of this new route, McAllen International Airport will now serve seven nonstops. In Delta’s recent announcement, Joe Esposito, Delta’s S.V.P. – Network Planning,…

City of Pharr Plans Annual Ball Drop Celebration

December 20, 2023

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

The City of Pharr invites the community to join it in ringing in the New Year at its second annual Ball Drop Celebration. The event promises a night of music, festivities, food and a spectacular countdown to 2024. Ball Drop 2024 takes place on Dec. 31 at Downtown Park (118 S. Cage Blvd.) starting at 8:30 p.m. until Midnight. Admission to this event is free. The Spazmatics take center stage…

STC Fire Academy Celebrates 20 New Graduates

December 18, 2023

VBR

Community Education Featured News Comments

To protect lives and aid those in need was the pledge made by 20 new South Texas College graduates as they celebrated their completion of STC’s Fire Academy during a recent ceremony at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in Pharr. “Firefighting is a brotherhood, and much like them, our success relies on working together as a region. As a college, we collaborate closely with agencies across the Rio…

Two Hotels Coming to Mission Event Center Grounds

December 16, 2023

VBR

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

A leading developer in the hospitality industry will invest nearly $25 million to construct two hotels next to the Mission Event Center. The new additions can draw tourism, spur economic development and will significantly increase the city’s lodging. Nitin Kasan, the operations manager for Ocean Gate Hospitality, announced the developments on Dec. 13 during a groundbreaking ceremony alongside the Mission Economic Development Corporation, the City of Mission and the Greater…

Campirano to Leave Port of Brownsville

December 14, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features News Comments

Longtime Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano will leave the Port of Brownsville effective Dec. 31. Campirano became the eighth port director and CEO in the Port of Brownsville’s 87-year history when he was appointed to the position in 2007. Under his leadership spanning 16 years, the port has grown into a major international multimodal transportation hub for Texas and the United States, consistently setting records for the volume…

TSTC Breaks Ground on Campus Transformation

December 14, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Representatives of Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 7 for two new facilities and renovation of one existing building. The new additions will provide space for two programs new to the campus: Diesel Equipment Technology, and Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology. The Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs will share nearly 50,000 square feet in one building. In addition, the Electrical Lineworker and Management…

RGV Sees High Demand for Healthcare Careers

December 13, 2023

VBR

Education Healthcare News Comments

In response to an ongoing shortage of health care professionals in the Rio Grande Valley, 80 industry representatives and school districts recently gathered at South Texas College to discuss how to support and encourage students to pursue careers in the medical field. Currently, health care is a field that occupies more than 25 percent of the region’s total employment. As the first institution in the nation to offer a registered…

Santoscoy Is New MFE Aviation Director

December 12, 2023

VBR

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

The City of McAllen has hired Jeremy Santoscoy as its new director of Aviation of McAllen International Airport. The Rio Grande Valley native has 18 years of experience with the City of McAllen, serving most recently as the deputy director for the airport and previously as transportation engineer. Santoscoy is a licensed engineer with experience in strategic planning, leading infrastructure development, governmental affairs as well as finance and federal compliance.…