Category Archives: Community

Chamber Leader Reviving Raymondville

Elma Chavez returned after retiring five years before to revive and lead Raymondville Chamber of Commerce.

A city without a chamber of commerce isn’t whole. In Raymondville, that essential piece was missing before a long-standing community leader returned to revive a dormant organization.  Elma Chavez was running her own business in Raymondville when city leaders approached her early this year. Their suggestion was more of a plea. She had retired five years prior from her post as executive director of the Raymondville Chamber. The community needed…

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New Chamber President Realizes Family Dream

Step one on McAllen Chamber president and CEO Liz Suarez’ six-month plan is aesthetics, as evidenced by the pleasing new landscaping.

“I will tell you; she was one of those stars that I saw immediately,” McAllen City Manager Roy Rodriguez told a packed room at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 12 about Liz Suarez, the chamber’s new president and CEO. Rodriguez and Suarez worked together in city administration for just over 19 years. Suarez served as the director of the city’s transit department before transferring to McAllen International Airport,…

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Students Highlight IMAS Afternoon of Opera

An Afternoon of Opera

The International Museum of Art & Science invites music enthusiasts to An Afternoon of Opera on Nov. 12, featuring UTRGV’s award-winning students. From 2-3 p.m., students will serenade the audience with soul-stirring arias from their favorite operas and enchanting songs by the renowned composer George Gershwin. In addition to these musical masterpieces, attendees will experience excerpts from the upcoming UTRGV Opera Theater productions: Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot and Amahl and…

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STC Tops the Charts for Best Colleges

South Texas College is a “Top 10” college in the nation in various categories according to Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine.

South Texas College continues to top the charts in higher education, recently being named a “Top 10” college in the nation by Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine for associate degrees granted, its enrollment as a four-year school and for its majors in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and related services. Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine tracks the national advancements of Hispanics in higher education and spotlights Hispanic Serving Institutions like…

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Weslaco Historic Downtown Experiencing High Occupancy

Historic Downtown Weslaco. (courtesy)

The Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco recently announced it has an elevated occupancy rate in the Historic Downtown district of Weslaco. The Weslaco Downtown area encompasses Texas Blvd. between Pike Blvd. and Sixth Street, while the Historic Downtown district includes only the establishments south of Old Business 83.  With the acquisition of Casa Kevin, its newest downtown tenant, only a few vacant buildings remain along the main Texas Blvd. thoroughfare…

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Livestock Show Celebrating Special Era

The RGV Livestock Show will have 1,300 exhibits from area youth in presenting their livestock, pigs, rabbits and other animals they've raised for presentations. (Courtesy)

The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo is billed as the region’s single largest event in drawing over 300,000 visitors to the yearly celebration. The 2024 edition is a special one in what RGV Livestock Show leadership is calling the event’s Diamond Anniversary. The 85th annual show will take place from March 7-17 of next year in Mercedes, its historical home and where it got started downtown in 1939.…

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Mission ECD Funds $1.5M in Scholarships

South Texas College Education major Betzy Garza was among a record number of recipients for Mission Economic Development Authority’s annual scholarship. (Courtesy)

The Mission Economic Development Corporation has awarded nearly $1.5 million in financial aid to 872 students from the City of Mission through a scholarship fund it established with South Texas College 10 years ago. This year alone, a record-breaking number of students applied for the Mission Economic Development Authority Scholarship Fund. Of the more than 300 applicants, nearly 64 percent received aid. “We have been able to invest in our…

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IMAS Art Show Showcases Local Talent

Johanna Villarreal receives Best in Show for her oil on canvas, Ugly, at the Members' Juried Art Show. (courtesy)

The International Museum of Art & Science was buzzing with excitement and a full house of talented IMAS member artists and guests recently at the grand opening of the third annual Members’ Juried Art Show. Johanna Villarreal received Best in Show, the top award for the juried show, for her oil on canvas, Ugly. Other awards include Gerardo Medina – Second Place (Guardian Angel, Does This Day Have to End?),…

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Hispanic Outlook Gives UTRGV High Rankings

URTGV, Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education

On the heels of being ranked the No. 1 university in Texas for 2023-2024 by Washington Monthly, UTRGV now has earned top rankings by Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education Magazine in several categories. The Hispanic Outlook will release the rankings in the annual “Hispanic Outlook Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics” edition, which features UTRGV as its cover story. In the Top 100 Rankings Second in the Top 100…

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Edinburg Holiday Parade Accepting Float Applications

Night of Lights Parade

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and City of Edinburg are now accepting float applications for the annual Night of Lights Parade on Dec. 1 in Downtown Edinburg. Application deadline is Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Santa’s Workshop,” inspiring the imaginations of children. Organizers are asking parade applicants to decorate “in the theme of your favorite children’s toy’s, games or workshop. In true holiday spirit, we ask…

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