Category Archives: Featured

McAllen Library Programs Are Back

Toddlers and parents participating in story time at the McAllen Public Library.

The month of September brings back all of the free programs the McAllen Public Library has to offer. One of the most popular events is toddler and baby story time. During this hour, library employees interact with patrons by reading stories, singing songs, dancing and having interactive play time. Check the schedule for all of the programs they have available. September is National Library Card Month To obtain your free…

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Brownsville Names Engineering & Public Works Director 

Armando Gutierrez Jr.

Armando Gutierrez Jr. is now the Engineering & Public Works director of the City of Brownsville. Gutierrez oversees the department to implement systems, operational plans and policies to improve city services by efficiently and effectively allocating resources. The Engineering & Public Works Department aims to execute capital projects for improvements to city infrastructure. There is an emphasis on streets and drainage. Gutierrez was most recently the director of Public Works for…

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McAllen ISD Hosts College Night

College Night

The annual McAllen ISD College Night event takes place Sept. 23 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center. More than 60 universities will be representing their institutions of higher education. They will provide students and parents with admissions information as well as address individual questions. Local scholarship associations will be available to disseminate scholarship information. University alumni will also be available to share their individual college experiences. Financial aid…

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A New Vision of Mission

Surveyor maps laid down the first legal representations in Hidalgo County in the late 1930s.  L. David Flores, the deputy city manager of Mission, said these basic maps were used as the legal representations for the county and its cities up until the early 1990s. Computer aided designs were already creating early versions of the first digital representations of the old maps. City governments began making use of these digital…

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SBA Funds to Expand Small Business Exporting

STEP

The Texas Department of Agriculture is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to support export growth among small businesses. The funds come through SBA’s competitive State Trade Expansion Program. “STEP is a great example of a true export development and promotion tool for preparing U.S. small businesses for international opportunities,” said District Director Angela Burton. “STEP grant awardees will offer the resources to help small businesses…

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ECO-RIO Builds Student STEAM Skills

Danny Conner and his live reptiles are among the many educational entertainers at ECO-RIO.

The largest environmental educational event in South Texas, ECO-RIO, takes place this weekend at Fiesta De Palmas. From Sept. 21-22, students 12 and under can build STEAM skills for free. The Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math event also builds environmental leadership.  Since nature education takes many forms, ECO-RIO features more than 40 educational booths. Students will have opportunities to see live animal ambassadors up-close. Many educational entertainers will be on hand including Sky King Falconry, Contacto…

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Bailey is Border Texan of the Year

Guy Bailey

University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey is the 2019 Border Texan of the Year. He will be honored at a dinner and reception Nov. 21 at the McAllen Convention Center. “I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as 2019 Border Texan of the Year. This is easily the highest honor I have ever received, and I am particularly pleased because it comes from my colleagues in the Rio Grande…

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New Mobile Cranes Coming to Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville’s new Model 6 cranes will feature a powerful lifting curve with a maximum lifting capacity of 125 tons. (photo Port of Brownsville)

In June, the Port of Brownsville ordered two new mobile harbor cranes, soon increasing its dockside handling capacity. The seaport is experiencing higher cargo volumes across its range of services. The two new Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 mobile harbor cranes will be delivered both fully assembled and commissioned. They will be ready to begin work as early as December. The cranes will handle a wide variety of cargo, including breakbulk,…

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City of McAllen Hires Finance Director

Sergio Villasana Jr.

Sergio Villasana Jr. as the new director of finance for the City of McAllen. The Rio Grande Valley native has six years of experience in municipal work. His most recent service includes deputy finance director for the City of Harlingen. Villasana has a broad range of expertise in finance. This includes both serving as the assistant auditor for Cameron County and owning his own public accounting firm. “The City of…

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Port of Brownsville Recognizes Truck Drivers

On a daily basis the Port of Brownsville welcomes 800 to 1,000 trucks that enter the port to pick up cargo and deliver it across the nation.

The Port of Brownsville is currently honoring the millions of professional truck drivers who work to deliver America’s freight safely and securely every day. During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (Sept. 9-13), the Port of Brownsville will offer free breakfast and lunch to drivers doing business with the port. The port also partnered with the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority to distribute 500 giveaway bags to drivers at the Foust…

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