Category Archives: News

BPUB Director Elected to ERCOT Subcommittee

e-Brief Features Government Moving On Up News Comments
Cory Carswell

Cory Carswell, director of Power Supply and Market Operations for the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, has been elected to represent municipally owned utilities on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas Wholesale Market Subcommittee. The Wholesale Market Subcommittee is a voting body that reports to ERCOT’s Technical Advisory Committee, which in turn advises the ERCOT board of directors. WMS plays a critical role in shaping market rules and reviewing key issues…

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Port Honors M&M Mooring

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra and Mark Clive, owner of M&M Mooring

The Port of Brownsville has honored M&M Mooring as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Chairman’s Award. Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra presented the award to owner Mark Clive at the recent annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon at the Rancho Viejo Conference Center. “M&M Mooring has been a trusted partner of the Port of Brownsville for nearly three decades, providing essential maritime services with professionalism, reliability and an unwavering commitment…

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DHR Health Hosts “Circle of Care” Conference

Community Events e-Brief Features Healthcare News Comments
caregiver

DHR Health celebrates family caregivers by inviting them to its 12th annual “Circle of Care” Caregivers Conference on Dec. 6 at at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The event is designed to empower caregivers with knowledge, resources and inspiration while also prioritizing something they often neglect — their own health and well-being. Taking place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the conference includes workshops, interactive educational sessions, wellness-focused discussions,…

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Pharr Earns Scenic Texas People’s Choice Award

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
City of Pharr

The City of Pharr has been awarded the 2025 Scenic City People’s Choice Award by Scenic Texas. The Pharr City Commission announced the achievement during a recent meeting, where the Development Services Department presented the award and shared the news with the community. Chosen through statewide public voting, this recognition highlights Pharr’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more beautiful, vibrant and visually appealing environment for all. Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez praised…

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LSNB Hosts Annual Toy Drive

Community Events e-Brief Features Giving Back News Comments
Christmas For Kids, toy drive

Lone Star National Bank is currently hosting its annual Toy Drive, a community-driven initiative designed to bring joy and holiday cheer to children across the local communities. Through Dec. 12, employees, customers and community members may contribute via collection boxes at all Lone Star National Bank locations. The Annual Toy Drive has become a hallmark of LSNB’s dedication to social responsibility.  This year’s donations will support CASA of Hidalgo County,…

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Mercedes Refreshes Boots & City’s Heritage

Community News Comments
Some of the boots of Mercedes were lined up and repaired recently at Viera’s Paint & Body shop.

The city of boots has refreshed its look with paint and repairs that are making it shine anew. The City of Mercedes over the last 13 years has highlighted the city’s western heritage with 30 boots – each standing six feet tall – that are placed on street corners and major intersections. The boots bear the names of colleges and universities in Texas and the United States. The city’s big…

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Entrepreneur Lights Up Holidays

News Professional Services Comments
Homeglow’s custom installation features professional-grade lights that are fit to each home with well-concealed extension cords. (Courtesy)

Michael Zapata made his way through college engineering curriculum and earned a degree before realizing he yearned for something else. Majoring in mechanical engineering, the UT-Rio Grande Valley graduate desired a work life beyond the confines of an office-oriented job. The Brownsville native tried working in restaurants and then did outside sales work in Houston before returning home with a clear goal in mind. “I wanted to own my own…

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Town Band Brings Joy To McAllen

Arts News Comments
Saxophonist Quentin Donalson and tubist Oscar Ortiz share their musical talents with the crowd at the McAllen Wind Ensemble Veterans Day 2025 concert. (Photo McAllen Wind Ensemble)

The Thanksgiving turkey and tamales are already a savory memory. Holiday lights sparkle throughout our communities. But nothing says “most wonderful time of the year” quite like music. In McAllen, a revered town band has spread the spirit of Christmas for over 50 years. The McAllen Wind Ensemble is actually the third name of the group, which was established in 1973. Businessman Bill Wilson brought the idea home to McAllen…

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New Program Taps Into Space Opportunities

Community News Comments
The first class of the Space Accelerator in Brownsville celebrate their completion of the new program. (Courtesy)

SpaceX with its Starbase on Boca Chica Beach is transforming the Brownsville economy and is bringing in a slew of outside investors and companies into the area.  The buzz of Brownsville becoming a space city has made some local residents wonder when the opportunities others are seeking will come their way. “We’ve heard it plenty of times from the public,” said Nathan Burkhart, the vice president of entrepreneurship and innovations…

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Camp’s Ropes Course Conquers Fears

Community News Recreation & Tourism Comments
Crisscrossing the ropes course provides challenges and opportunities to grow and overcome fears. (Courtesy)

Alexis Wooderson takes a look up a 40-foot tower that Brownsville’s Camp RIO calls its Treehouse and begins to unpack what it can do.  “It can seem like a puzzle,” said Wooderson, who manages the camp’s new ropes course that runs through the tower. “It looks like a daunting course, but once you’re up there, you can feel how secure it is.” With the help of a nearly $600,000 grant,…

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