Mercedes was one of the first Rio Grande Valley cities established between Brownsville and the Starr County communities of Roma and Rio Grande City. There was the American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company setting up operations in what would become Mercedes in 1909. The land company and its investors brought one of the first east-west railroad extensions from Brownsville to Mercedes and into the heart of what would become…
Nick Cantu makes his way up the back stairs of the old Citrus Theater. If walls could only talk, the stories the eight-decades-old movie house could tell. In an upstairs hallway, Cantu points to a room where he said the original owner of the Citrus, a doctor, practiced medicine in World War II-era Edinburg. For decades, the Citrus played the role of the hometown single-screen theater. The multi-screen movie plexes…
Pablo Pena started small with three employees, including himself, his wife and a friend. It was 1964 and the beginnings of Central Plumbing Supply in Weslaco on Kansas Avenue, just adjacent to the city’s iconic Tinaco cement water tower. Pena had worked in the plumbing supply business for a local company that closed when its business affairs weren’t properly managed. Starting his own small business, Pena knew he would do things…
For many across the Rio Grande Valley and the nation, November symbolizes food, fellowship and family. The month is rife with fall festivals. We find an abundance of turkeys in local supermarkets. Gratitude takes a front-row seat. November marks an anniversary of fellowship for a group of men in McAllen. They share a commitment to broadening the definition of “family.” It all started in 2017 when former Mission Police Chief…
Raudel Garza’s career in economic development leadership has taken him to Mission, Pharr and Harlingen. He is now heading to a new challenge – and city. Beginning Nov. 7, Garza will be the new executive director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. His new job will come after a 10-year tenure as the chief executive officer of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation. Edinburg is hoping Garza’s experience and stature in…
The U.S. Small Business Administration is currently celebrating National Veterans Small Business Week through Nov. 4. The week includes a series of virtual and in-person events highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of veteran small business owners. The celebration also comes on the heels of SBA announcing additional funding opportunities for community-based organizations to create targeted, impactful programming and expand access to SBA resources to support veteran entrepreneurs. “Each year we celebrate…
Brownsville’s extensive network of hike-and-bike trails has a new addition with the opening of the West Rail Trail. The nearly 7-mile-long trail was officially opened on Oct. 14 at Oliveira Park during a ceremony with remarks from Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. and Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez. The $8-million trail project runs from Palm Boulevard in the heart of the city and on northward past Alton Gloor Boulevard. It…
A groundbreaking ceremony took place Oct. 14 in Weslaco, with the Weslaco EDC announcing the development of the Mid Valley International Industrial Park. The second industrial park for the city will be on the corner FM 1015 (International Blvd.) and Mile 9 Road (Sugarcane Drive). The development is a master-planned, 146-acre industrial and retail subdivision. The existing park, less than a mile away, has limited space available and the demand…
Estella G. Lopez and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa are the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce‘s 2022 Man and Woman of the Year. The chamber will honor both of them at its annual Installation & Awards Banquet on Nov. 16 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and also includes recognition of Mario Lizcano as incoming chairman and Michael J. Williamson as outgoing chairman for the…
Intercollegiate college athletics is making a comeback in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, as Texas Southmost College rejoins the National Junior College Athletics Association. The NJCAA approved TSC’s application to join the league at their Oct. 20 meeting. TSC will launch its athletic program with men’s and women’s soccer for the Fall 2023 semester. TSC President Jesús Roberto Rodríguez said it is the perfect time for the college to expand…