Category Archives: Industry

Same Vibe, New Move for Hardknox

The Hardknox facility at night.

The new place still feels like the old place. That’s the vibe Rodney McClanahan was going for when he transplanted his Hardknox Strength & Performance Club across town in Brownsville. It looks like he succeeded. The new 10,000-square-foot facility just off Pablo Kisel Blvd. near Sunrise Mall is over twice the size of the old club on the Military Highway in the west Brownsville neighborhoods where McClanahan grew up. The…

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Area Hospitals Seek PPE Donations

In their effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, two Brownsville-area hospitals are reaching out to the business community for assistance in obtaining personal protective equipment. Both Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley Regional Medical Center are low in supplies. The hospitals are looking to purchase or borrow and replace PPE equipment. This includes face shields, gloves, masks and other types of PPE. They are looking for all types of PPE,…

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Local Businesses Adapt to Thrive

Hardknox owner Rodney McClanahan

Small businesses across the Rio Grande Valley are moving quickly to adapt to a new and shocking environment they were thrown into by the coronavirus crisis. New days, new paths Linda’s Cakes & Desserts in Brownsville is now selling essential items such as eggs, milk, potatoes and beans in addition to their usual assortment of sweets. Hardknox Strength & Performance, also of Brownsville, is using its social media outlets to…

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A Healthy Dose of Success

TSC Licensed Vocational Nursing students. (photo TSC)

Working to fill a national nursing shortage, the Licensed Vocational Nursing program at Texas Southmost College recently saw its largest graduating class. In addition, it is maintaining a solid 92-percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination. “I am so proud of what our team and students have been able to achieve,” said TSC Vocational Nursing interim program director Molly Showalter. “This type of success gives our program a…

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SBA Disaster Loans Available in Texas

Small businesses throughout the entire state of Texas are now eligible to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. “I’m encouraged by the collaboration between the Texas Governor’s Office and the SBA Disaster Team to rapidly make this recovery funding available to small businesses and nonprofits statewide,” said South Central Regional Administrator Justin Crossie. Small businesses are beginning to feel the impact from the spread of…

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Partnership Provides Free Wi-Fi Hot Spots in McAllen

wi-fi hot spot

The City of McAllen has recently made free Wi-Fi hot spots available throughout the city. The McAllen Independent School District made available equipment necessary for the connection points to provide the Wi-Fi spots. With public schools across the Rio Grande Valley going virtual through April, many families who do not have internet service in their homes are struggling to find a way to fulfill these assignments. “These are just some…

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Local Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Begins

coronavirus

Starr County began offering drive-through coronavirus testing on Sunday while Cameron and Hidalgo counties saw their number of COVID-19 cases grow over the weekend. The first coronavirus-confirmed patient in Hidalgo County is from McAllen. The second also resides in the county, but health officials did not state in which city the patient lives. Both patients were infected away from the Rio Grande Valley before returning home and showing symptoms. Cameron…

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RGV Sees First COVID-19 Case

The Rio Grande Valley reported its first travel-related coronavirus case Thursday evening. This comes on the same day Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the temporary closing of schools, restaurant dining areas, gyms and bars statewide. A 21-year-old man from Rancho Viejo tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Spain and Ireland from March 5-12. He began feeling the coronavirus symptoms of fever and cough and then went to Valley Baptist Medical…

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Women of Purpose Includes Farewell

The annual Women of Purpose Social Mixer on March 4 hosted by IBC Main in McAllen was even more special than past years. Keynote speaker Dalia Martinez, IBC executive vice president, spoke from the heart about overcoming challenges to earn mentorship status. Adrian Villarreal, IBC McAllen president and CEO, also spoke. But the evening belonged to Dora Brown. It was a retirement party. After years of doing what she loves,…

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RGV Communities Limit Size Of Public Gatherings 

Counties and cities across the Rio Grande Valley moved quickly on Tuesday to enact new measures to encourage social distancing and limit the number of people allowed in public places to counter the dangers and potential outbreak of the coronavirus. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez issued a disaster declaration due to a public health emergency after conferring with leaders of the county’s 22 cities. The declaration became effective Tuesday and…

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