Category Archives: e-Brief Features

The Leadership Edinburg steering committee is currently accepting applications for Leadership Edinburg Class XXXI. The continuing education program gives its class members the opportunity to practice their leadership skills. Participants may also brush up on different community topics such as history, education, healthcare, politics and quality of life. Applications for Leadership Edinburg are due Aug. 23. Representatives state the program is “an effective way to ensure the future leaders and managers…

Tugboat Operator Brings Much to Port

August 15, 2019

VBR

In June, Signet Maritime celebrated 21 years of tugboat operations at the Port of Brownsville. The company’s full-service navigation center provides ship, barge and rig movements as well as harbor tugboat operations since 1998. The fleet includes three tugboats, the Signet Defender, Signet Ranger and the Signet Magic. These high-powered tugs assist ships and barges, often more than ten times their size. They also navigate through the 17-mile long Brownsville…

Training Partnership Forms Skilled Workforce

August 15, 2019

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

e-Brief Features Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments

A partnership between the Weslaco Economic Development Corp. and South Texas College is leading to better trained workforces for warehousing, distribution and manufacturing companies in both the Mid-Valley and surrounding areas. A $100,000 STC grant is one component of the EDC’s partnership with the college and its Institution for Advanced Manufacturing. The training provided by the grant is initially focusing on occupational health and safety. The first round of training…

Part 2: Q&A With The RGV Matters

August 8, 2019

Beth Martinez

e-Brief Features News Q & A Comments

The RGV Matters is a youth-led organization that was founded in 2017 by recent McAllen ISD graduate Sydney Ramon. The organization’s main focus is to work within the community to further educate and empower the community. Read about how The RGV Matters was founded and what its focus is here. Q: Why was it so important for y’all to host this forum? A: I think what made it really special…

It Truly Takes a Community to Inspire Students

August 8, 2019

Chris Ardis

e-Brief Features Education Government News Comments

Judge JoAnne Garcia presides over the Hidalgo County Probate Court. When she was asked to serve on the PSJA ISD Pre-Law Institute Advisory Board, she readily agreed. As she looks back on its first year, she identifies three aspects of the Institute that stand out for her. “Number one,” Garcia said, “is it’s a great opportunity for the kids, at a minimum, to be exposed to professionals in the legal…

Startup? Speak at 1 Million Cups McAllen

August 4, 2019

VBR

e-Brief Features Events Featured News Comments

1 Million Cups McAllen is currently seeking local startups to present their companies to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. The group meets the second Wednesday of every month, engaging entrepreneurs in the McAllen community. Each month, 1 Million Cups offers two local startups an opportunity to present. In turn, speakers expand business reach and receive feedback from McAllen city leaders. The program is a simple way to engage entrepreneurs in…

Weekend Fishing in Port Mansfield

July 25, 2019

Tony Vindell

e-Brief Features Events News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The 45th annual Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament is this weekend, so head out to this fishing village about 20 miles east of Raymondville. More than 200 anglers are expected to participate in the two-day tourney raising funds for the local chamber of commerce. Registration is Thursday. Fishing takes place Friday and Saturday. The award ceremony is Sunday. The tourney is the largest such contest here and the one which attracts most…

The Time is Now for Valley Entrepreneurs

July 25, 2019

Maria C. Hall

Business Advice e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The economy is booming, especially in Texas, and it is creating great opportunities for entrepreneurs. According to WalletHub’s most recent report on the best and worst states to start a business, Texas ranked number one overall. The Lone Star State beat other high-profile states such as Silicon Valley’s California (ranked eighth), Amazon’s Washington (ranked 12th) and New York (ranked 42nd). The results were determined using 26 relevant metrics that focus across…

Mangoes, Mangoes, Mangoes!

July 18, 2019

Tony Vindell

Agriculture e-Brief Features Events Featured Food & Entertainment News Recreation & Tourism Comments

Got mangoes? If not, go this Saturday to Paradise Gardens in Bayview as a fest to celebrate the ever popular tropical fruit. The gardens, previously known as River’s End Nursery, will turn into a celebration of mangoes for people of all ages from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Owners Jason and Lara Hess have one of the largest mango groves in the Rio Grande Valley. It has close to 30 varieties…

State Association Recognizes HIDTA Agents