Category Archives: Industry

SBA Disaster Loans Available in Texas

Business Advice Featured Government News Comments

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

Community Featured News Technology Comments
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

Community Featured Government Healthcare News Comments
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

Community Featured Government Healthcare News Comments

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

Events Finance/Banking News Comments

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 

Featured Government Healthcare News Comments

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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Hidalgo County Names Public Affairs Director

Featured Government Moving On Up Comments
Carlos Sanchez

Carlos Sanchez is now the public affairs director and spokesman for Hidalgo County with appointment from Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “I’m honored to serve as spokesman for Hidalgo County,” said Sanchez. “Developing a strong communications blueprint between the county and the community at large is my priority.” Sanchez is a 37-year veteran of the news industry. He was recently a senior editor for Texas Monthly magazine in the…

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Mere Coincidence or Serendipitous?

e-Brief Features Featured News Non-Profit Comments
Maria Herrera, an RN at Edinburg Regional Medical Center, with Tony Aguirre after their serendipitous meeting.

For a week in early February, McAllen businessman and City of McAllen Public Utilities Vice Chairman Tony Aguirre spent countless hours at Edinburg Regional Medical Center where his mom was a patient. He watched TV with her and sang conjunto songs playing on his phone’s Pandora app with her. He monitored her vitals while she slept and had conversations with all of the medical professionals treating her. One of the…

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New Dual Credit Program Readies For Cybersecurity

Education Featured News Technology Comments
STC’s new Dual Credit Cybersecurity Program provides students from partnering area high schools the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in the field of Cybersecurity. (photo STC)

The first cohort of students are now making their way through South Texas College’s Dual Credit Cybersecurity Program. The program provides students from partnering area high schools the opportunity to pursue a certificate in the field of cybersecurity.   Students participating in the Career and Technical Education pathway are on track to complete their Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate. Completion will come by the end of their senior years in high school.…

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Pharr Mayor Joins CPRIT Oversight Committee

Government News Comments
CPRIT

Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez is now part of the the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee in Austin. His oath of office took place Feb. 19 with Presiding Officer Donald “Dee Margo” at CPRIT’s meeting. “I am honored to be a part of this committee and am especially proud to join my colleagues as we lead the statewide effort to cure cancer. With my background as…

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