The Lone Star State is the nation’s number one producer of cattle, with Nebraska and Kansas following. Texas had an estimated 12.5 million heads of cattle in 2018, according to latest statistics issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And beef consumption per capita is at nearly 80 pounds in the United States. With that said, the portions of meat a person consumes at a dinner or at a restaurant…
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is currently offering free income tax service at South Texas College. VITA works in cooperation with United Way of South Texas and the Internal Revenue Service. The program offers free tax assistance to people who make approximately $55,000 or less. The VITA office is open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. until March 8 at the Pecan campus portable building #27B on the west side of…
Leaders for Hidalgo County EMS/South Texas Air Med met on Jan. 31 to work to finalize a plan to provide helicopter air ambulance service to area hospitals. The announcement came shortly after Air Evac Lifeteam in McAllen immediately ceased operations. “We anticipate to launch a helicopter air ambulance service within the next 90 to 120 days,” said Kenny Ponce, President/CEO of Hidalgo County EMS/South Texas Air Med. “It’s something we…
Customers have from now until Feb. 15 to book promotional introductory rates for Aeromar’s new enhanced flight schedule from McAllen International Airport to Mexico. The flight schedules connect McAllen via Mexico City to Acapulco, Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido as well as San Luis Potosi and Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. One-way fares start at $203. In addition, travel must take place by Dec. 19. “It is exciting to extend our service beyond Mexico City…
Outdoor grilling is as popular as ever in the Rio Grande Valley, with greater numbers of people taking it well beyond simply firing up a gas grill or charcoal pit on the back patio to cook steaks, ribs, chicken, vegetables and more. A fast-growing segment is expanding their options to install outdoor kitchens, some of which are as well-equipped as the indoor versions. Ruben Castillo, an architect who moved to…
One of the shops along Jackson Street in downtown Harlingen is a thrift store that not only recycles old clothes and other merchandise, it fosters new beginnings for victims of domestic family violence and sexual assault. The small retail outlet is operated by the Family Crisis Center of the Rio Grande Valley. “Repeat Performance generates revenue that comes back into the center to help us run the center,” said Laura…
A nondescript metal building with a faded sign along an industrial/commercial stretch of Wilson Road in Harlingen houses Texas Thread, a manufacturing enterprise that is unique in the Rio Grande Valley. “We are the only thread maker in the Valley,” owner Kavanaugh Francis said. “Actually, we are the only one west of the Mississippi because most of our competitors are in the east in states like the Carolinas. And, being…
Ashley Vasquez knows what it’s like to start small. “We started with a shack,” Vasquez said of Iced Cube, the millennial-inspired version of a raspa stand she and her husband, Jonathan Segura, started in Elsa in June 2018. “It was the most humble beginnings you can think of.” Iced Cube didn’t stay humble for long. Tapping into pop culture, social media and offering flamboyant creations that transform old-school raspas into…
Donna ISD, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Raymondville ISD are all recent recipients of Jobs and Education for Texas grants fro the Texas Workforce Commission. The schools will use the grants to purchase and install equipment necessary to train 779 students for careers in high-demand occupations. These include welding fabrication and emergency medical services. Grant totals include $271,472 to Raymondville ISD, $208,383 to Donna ISD and $280,630 to Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD. The grants will benefit students in the Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande…
South Texas Health System is now providing a $49,000 scholarship to student of South Texas College’s Nursing and Allied Health Division. The announcement came Jan. 10 at a check presentation of the funds meant to help reduce financials burden and provide assistance upon continuing education. “South Texas Health System is always here to support us. They’re providing scholarships to help our students graduate and become registered nurses. They’re hiring our nurses, so it’s…