This month marks 20 years for the Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, taking place Feb. 18-27. Texas coastal waters will close to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps to facilitate the annual volunteer crab trap cleanup. Any traps left in bays — including traps tied to docks — will be assumed abandoned and considered “litter” under state law. This allows volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.…
Samantha Mendoza has been busy baking after getting past a recent illness that temporarily sidelined her. It’s a Saturday morning and there will be a street market going up soon near West Van Buren in Harlingen. It’s a block over from The Ruff House, where Mendoza is sliding a tray full of freshly made dog snacks into a lighted display. They look inviting and are sure to light up any…
A 30-foot ramp angles upward toward a setting sun and a sweeping view of the Bahia Grande plains of coastal South Texas. It’s the high point of the South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna Vista. From there, the view stretches eastward toward the Port of Brownsville. SpaceX is off in that direction as well at Boca Chica Beach. The rectangular-shaped ecotourism center lays behind the soaring ramp. In all, there’s…
The rows of caps at the TRW Hat Co. have a distinction of design with a Lone Star flavor. The company’s owner and founder – Steven Gallegos – was born and raised near Houston in LaPorte. He has found a second home and a new passion in Mercedes. The TRW brand stands for Texas Rustic Way. Many TRW designs feature the iconic map outline of Texas, along with longhorns, oilfields…
Gabriel Fuentes attended PSJA High School where his father, Edgar, led the band. After graduating, he headed to Houston for college, working part time at a popular restaurant. It was where Gabriel got his first taste of cooking. He savored it. “Life happened,” he said, and college and cooking were traded for construction. Fuentes opened a company in Houston before eventually returning to Alamo. He stayed in the construction business. An…
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care has reaffirmed South Texas College’s Respiratory Therapy Program accreditation for the next 10 years. Following a thorough review, CoARC determined that Respiratory Therapy met all national established accreditation standards. It commended the program for its continuous quality in education. The reaffirmation was essential for the college so it can continue awarding its Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science degree. Accreditation by CoARC provides assurance…
Alamo’s newest food truck park offers the area’s newest self-pour tap wall experience. The Landmark on Tower features six hand-picked food trucks along with a rotating line-up of 24 self-serve beers, wines and more. In addition to The Landmark on Tower’s own brick oven pizzeria, guests can choose from six food trucks: RGV Crawfish Shack Cajun Seafood – A taste of Louisiana Tots With That – Loaded tater tots with…
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members from all 50 states and U.S. territories. The nomination deadline for the national awards has closed however, District Office Award nominations are still open. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Feb. 18. For nomination and to receive one of the following local…
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced a funding opportunity for organizations to provide training and employing services to veterans combating homelessness. Administered by the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, the grants will fund projects across the country at a maximum of $500,000 annually, for a total of up to $1.5 million over a three-year performance period of performance. The awards are part of the VETS’ Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program that…
The City of Edinburg and its economic development corporation are starting the new year with a new addition to an existing program designed to assist locally owned businesses through COVID-19-related hardships. The city’s Stimulus Program Aimed at Recovery from COVID is adding assistance to business owners who are based out of their homes. The SPARC program will provide up to $2,000 in grants for use to purchase furniture, supplies and…