The story of Gilbert Perez’s start in military service began like many young men and women looking to make their mark to get established in adult life. A recent graduate of Kingsville High School, Perez joined the U.S. Army amid some challenges in his personal life at the time, he recalled. His time in a Junior ROTC program during high school gave Perez a preliminary perspective on military life. For…
Starr County Health Care Gets Boost Healthcare in Starr County recently received a major boost through internship grants for students pursuing careers in medical fields while completing their clinical training. A $100,000 Healthcare Internship Fund Grant with resources provided by the Texas Workforce Commission will offer stipends of up to $900 for Starr County students seeking health care careers. The grant program is a partnership between the Roma Independent School…
The Scent Sanctuary of Harlingen markets “a custom fragrance journey” with customers blending their own aromas to create individualized perfumes. The stylish boutique by Expressway 83 is owned by sisters Abby Maciver and Erica Martinez. It is the sort of niche business establishing itself among crowded fields. The sisters guide their customers through a creative process that utilizes the sense of smell to create a product unique to each client.…
The corporate jets lined up tip-tip on a Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport runway after SpaceX filed the legal paperwork to begin the transition to becoming a publicly traded company. Investors from around the world flew into Brownsville in April as they traveled to SpaceX’s nearby Starbase to assess the company’s business model and growth plans. The Brownsville airport has grown accustomed to this sort of business travel since…
The city of McAllen’s Fourth of July parade is nearing its 100th birthday as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The convergence of the two is adding an extra element to this year’s early July celebrations in McAllen. The city has perhaps the most event-filled July 4th of any Rio Grande Valley city. The longstanding parade down Main Street got its start in 1928 and is a mainstay event in…
Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes admired the completed project of a neighboring colleague and knew he wanted the same for his precinct. It was 2020. The Precinct 2 commissioner, Eddie Cantu, invited Fuentes and other county and community leaders to view the finishing touches on his nearly eight-mile-long hike-and-bike trail that connects McAllen, Pharr and San Juan. “I told Eddie, ‘I’m going to figure out a way to connect to…
Retired Mercedes school district administrator Sylvia Flores calls it “a widening” of knowledge when a younger generation learns about those who came before them. “Every generation has been different,” said Flores, who recently turned 90. “It’s important for the younger ones to know that their ancestors had to go through a lot of problems to pave the way for them like those that came before us.” Flores was among those…
Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda didn’t start her recent state-of-the-city address as many of her area colleagues do. Rather than boasting early in her speech about growth and development, Sepulveda harkened back to March 27, 2025, when Harlingen was hit with torrential rains of over 20 inches in a day’s time. The deluge broke a one-day record of rain that dated back to 1912. The hurricane-like rainfall caused severe flooding throughout…
Veteran Firefighter Leads By Example Ubaldo Perez joined the Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 18 before beginning his professional career with the McAllen Fire Department as a dispatcher. Perez would later become a firefighter with McAllen while continuing to volunteer and serve in his hometown. His willingness to serve carried forth in both communities. “When people need help, often during some of the worst moments of their…
Isaias Pena stood out as a high school student when participating in welding competitions held at the Texas State Technical College campus in Harlingen. Pena represented La Joya High School and TSTC instructor Raul Saldivar recalls a student who was always a top three finisher in the SkillsUSA welding competitions. Pena’s attention to detail and the ability to visualize demonstrations and apply them to practical applications has always been evident,…