Category Archives: News

History Echoes in Edinburg

A wedding reception in full swing at the historic Echo Hotel in Edinburg. (Courtesy)

The windows that wrap around Stephen Reynolds’ office at the Echo Hotel look out into a city that has grown around the nearly 60-year-old facility. “It’s one of the grand hotels of the (Rio Grande) Valley,” said Reynolds, the general manager and one of the owners of the iconic Edinburg hotel. “It was built by the citizens of Edinburg and it’s still a great facility with a lot of character.”…

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Brownsville’s Burger History

A burger and fries basket served at The Palm Lounge. (VBR)

When it comes to having a burger, most people think about fast-food joints like McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s or Jack in the Box. Others favor chains known for having some of the best hamburgers in the country, like Corpus Christi-based Whataburger and In-and-Out Burgers of Irvine, Calif. Some people might say that all beef patties placed inside a bun or roll are basically the same, but three of the oldest…

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The Hard Work of Leadership

leadership

Leadership is not the task of getting things done. It is equally not the task of getting people to want to get things done, despite the frequently quoted definitions offered by some of our modern leadership teachers. Leadership is the task of shaping the character, potential and contribution of others for their own sake and the sake of society at large. The tasks that we leverage to go about doing…

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TWC Awards STC Grant

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded a $122,544 grant to The Division of Business, Public Safety and Technology at South Texas College is the recipient of a Texas Workforce Commission Grant. Funds will be used to conduct an eight-week training program that will cover basic maintenance of electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) and construction systems. (photo STC)

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded South Texas College a grant to offer students comprehensive, academic and technical programs as well as high demand occupation training. The $122,544 grant will support STC’s Division of Business, Public Safety, and Technology‘s efforts in conducting an eight-week training program for students. The program will cover basic maintenance of electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and refrigeration, and construction systems. Participants will also install basic components utilizing…

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Edinburg Makes Move for Bus Trolleys

The City of Edinburg is making financial moves to bring electric bus trolleys to the city, similar in design to this vehicle operated by Laguna Beach Transit in California. (photo Hometown Trolley)

This week, Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina and the city council gave a commitment for funds establish the city’s first downtown bus trolley system. The $126,000 letter of commitment is as a local match for a federal program that through Valley Metro – if approved by the Federal Transportation Administration – would provide an additional $719,000 to establish routes in the local community. Funds from the federal goverment would come via the…

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STC Receives $6K Tool Donation

Grainger Industrial Supply donated $6,000 worth of tools to assist students in their career choices at South Texas College. (photo STC)

Grainger Industrial Supply recently made a donation fo $6,000 worth of tools to South Texas College. The tools were given in effort to assist students preparing to enter the workforce, The donation of tools to STC marks the first time the broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products has donated in bulk to the college. STC has now created a system for dual enrollment students who are unable to afford…

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Local Leaders Take Part in RGV2DC Fly-In

Community leaders and stakeholders from the Rio Grande Valley gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 2nd Annual RGV2DC fly-in.

Forty community leaders and stakeholders from the Rio Grande Valley recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for the second annual RGV2DC fly-in. During their time in D.C., attendees met with members of Congress, including senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto O’Rourke. Mayor of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling; elected officials from Mission, Pharr, and Brownsville; as well as senior leadership from the RGV Partnership, University of Texas at Rio Grande…

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Hurricane Preparedness Tips For Business

A Texas task force convoy crosses a two-mile bridge after Hurricane Dolly made landfall at South Padre Island in 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

For this blog about Hurricane Season preparedness, we thought it would make sense to get some business continuity tips from a real expert — a business owner who survived multiple disasters. Three Brothers Bakery, a 69-year-old business owned by Janice and Robert Jucker, suffered losses of around $1 million after Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston last August. In 2008, the destruction caused by Hurricane Ike forced the couple to close the…

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Pharr Bridge Hosts Toll Enhancements Overview

Pharr International Bridge

The Pharr International Bridge hosts a free BridgeConnect Trade Session on the new toll system June 21 from 2-4 p.m. The session povides an overview of the enhancements coming soon for customers to cross more efficiently. The system will also replace all existing tags for current customers. The BridgeConnect Trade Session will take place at the Pharr Development and Research Center, 850 W. Dicker Road in Pharr. BridgeConnect is implemented by the…

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Mission Chamber President Receives Scholarship

Robert Rosell

President and CEO of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Robert Rosell is one of a handful of professionals nationally receiving a scholarship from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The National Institute Scholarships recognize recipients for their involvement in both industry professional organizations and community service. Rosell will participate in the Institute for Organization Management‘s curriculum which consists of four week-long sessions taught by university professors, industry experts and…

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