Harlingen’s largely vacant Valle Vista Mall is getting an investment boost as a Los Angeles-based company announced it had acquired the retail space formerly occupied by Dillard’s. BH Properties said it is analyzing the best use for its new property, which since 1983 had been an anchor store at Valle Vista until its recent closure. The company said its Harlingen acquisition is a good fit in its strategies to re-imagine…
When you learn, teach. When you get, give. ~Maya Angelou Weslaco native Gilda Lee Sauceda grew up with a single mom who became disabled when her daughter was just 10 years old. She felt grateful that they had a roof over their head and their basic necessities, but the struggles were real. The labels were there — eighth-grade drop-out, GED holder, low-income — but Sauceda did not allow labels to…
SWG Engineering held a grand opening Sept. 30 for its new solar-powered office building off International Boulevard in Weslaco. The engineering firm specializes in innovating municipal infrastructures. On hand to help celebrate were representatives from the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, Valley Baptist Micro Hospital, Frost Bank and Smith Security & Fire. Daniel Montez, campus administrator of South Texas College Mid-Valley, attended the event due to his interest in learning more…
Effective March 10, 2022, Southwest Airlines plans to offer more flights from Valley International Airport. Two non-stops between Austin and Harlingen will offer same-day round-trip opportunities for customers. Southwest will also operate a daily nonstop between Dallas/Love and Harlingen. Additionally, the carrier plans to operate four daily flights between Houston/Hobby and Harlingen daily except on Saturdays when they will operate three flights. “These new flights will offer even greater connecting opportunities for…
Walk into Karma Coffee & Books in South Padre Island and it’s immediately a place where you want to sit and stay a while. There’s a wide variety of coffee-based drinks to go with breakfast and lunch sandwiches – and of course books. It’s an ideal place to take a break from the beach sun and surf. The way that Will Everett sees it is that his new coffee and…
The Pharr International Bridge will host a special event to initiate the start of the 2021-2022 Produce Season Oct. 7. Officials invite the public to celebrate alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico. The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event begins at 10 a.m. at the bridge, 9900 South Cage Blvd. “The Pharr International Bridge continues to remain the number-one produce gateway in the…
VTX1 Companies is extending broadband services to more than 100 units with the Willacy County Housing Authority. The $100,000-plus investment by VTX1 is a major plus for housing residents who work from home, students who need the services for homework, and senior citizens who need to connect to healthcare providers. Jaime Serna, the executive director of the housing authority, praised VTX1 for its service to the community. “We are excited…
Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology instructor Miguel Zoleta is making sure his program’s students stay plugged in to advancements in the automotive industry. “Right now, we’re seeing that a lot out of industry is electrical vehicles, and electrical vehicles are coming out in every dealership,” he said. “Every company is trying to come out with at least one line of an electrical vehicle.” The bells and whistles that come…
Brownsville native and entrepreneur Steven De La Garza understands, firsthand, the vital role community colleges have in developing the next generation workforce. To ensure students have access to high-quality education that will connect them with careers that are in demand, he is funding scholarships at Texas Southmost College. His first donation of $30,000 will go toward full student scholarships for workforce training programs. This includes welding, industrial scaffolding, plumbing…
The U.S. Department of Labor celebrates the 2021 National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 15-21. The weeklong celebration allows labor and business leaders, educational institutions, career seekers and other partners to demonstrate support for apprenticeships. These positions prepare a highly skilled, diverse workforce to meet the talent needs of employers and train Americans for good-paying jobs across multiple industries. “Registered apprenticeships provide a path to the middle class for workers, and this year’s National…