Texas Transportation Commission officials, joined by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Hidalgo County Judge  René  A. Ramírez, Hidalgo County Commissioner Héctor “Tito” Palacios, and other local transportation leaders, on Thursday, June 24, announced $78.5 million in pass-through funds for two major Hidalgo County transportation projects that will connect NAFTA truck traffic from the five ports to area industrial zones and to U.S. Highway 281. The funds are leveraging an estimated $400 million in local revenue that will be used toward building major components of the proposed Trade Corridor Connector (TCC) and the International Bridge Trade Corridor (IBTC). “My colleagues in the Texas Legislature and I are proud of the progress we’ve made in securing critical funding for building the physical infrastructure in South Texas," said Hinojosa. "We need to sustain that progress, especially during difficult budget times, so that industry and commerce can continue to thrive in this fast-growing region." Featured following the funding action by the Transportation Commission are, from left: Jacinto Garza, P.E.; Michael G. Cano, a member of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) board of directors; Dennis Burleson, chairman of the Hidalgo County RMA board of directors; Hidalgo County Judge René A. Ramírez; Hidalgo County Commissioner Héctor “Tito” Palacios; and Godrey Garza, executive director for the Hidalgo County RMA. See lead story in this posting. 

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McAllen attorney Gary Gurwitz, featured left in this file photo, on Wednesday, June 23, was selected by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the South Texas College Board of Trustees, setting into play the political leadership structure which soon will have to deal with yet-undisclosed expansion plans for the two-county community college system – and how to pay for it. Gurwitz, flanked by Mike Allen, who he succeeded as chairman, immediately had to deal with other money issues during the trustees’ special meeting, held at the Pecan Campus in McAllen. The STC governing board approved pay raises, effective September 1, ranging from three percent to five percent, for all STC employees, and authorized a five percent cut in its current budget, the result of a mandated $1.5 million drop in state revenues. See story later in this posting. 

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National, state and local leaders on Thursday, June 24, gathered at South Texas College’s Technology Campus in McAllen to celebrate the regional launch of the English for Manufacturing and the Skilled Trades Initiative. The initiative training consists of an interactive, technology-based curriculum derived from the proven and innovative language learning program, Sed de Saber. The program ensures efficient and functional acquisition of workplace communication skills, such as understanding directions and important health and safety measures, using proper manufacturing vocabulary, and reading and interpreting administrative forms. Featured, front from left: Jennifer McNelly, senior vice president for The Manufacturing Institute; Andrés Alcantar, commissioner representing the public for the Texas Workforce Commission; and Blas Castañeda, chief external affairs and economic development officer for Laredo Community College. Featured from left, back row: Rose Benavidez, vice-chair of the STC Board of Trustees; Rafael Vargas, account manager for Sed de Saber; Wanda Garza, executive officer, the North American Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Initiative; and Keith Patridge, CEO for the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. See story later in this posting. 

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Have competitive employees? Want to promote your company while giving your employees an opportunity to bond and have a good time? Sign up for the annual McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Summer Corporate Olympics, scheduled for Friday, August 6 at the La Vista Park. The $500 entry fee will cover 30 employees, friends or relatives with an Olympic company t-shirt, food and beverages. The Summer Corporate Olympics has games for both individuals and for team competition. A limit of 14 teams is allowed. Featured making preparations for the Summer Corporate Olympics and representing the games in the upcoming event, are, front row, from left: Jeanette Noone, Tug-of-War; Dianela Morantes, Volleyball Tournament; Rudy Cordova, Spinning Bat; and Julio García with the Tug-of-War. Back row, from left: Blake Kelley; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki with the Sack Race; Rick Cavazos with the Shot Put and the Horseshoe Toss; and Mireya Lozano and Hilda Solis with the 3-Legged Sack Race. For more information call the MHCC office at 928-0060. 

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Prospective contestants for the Miss Edinburg Pageant, which will be held on August 14, have until Wednesday, June 30 to submit their applications for the event, says Minerva Olivarez, Director for the Miss Edinburg  Pageant, who is featured left. Letty González, president with the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, is featured right during the pageant update. Contestants for Miss Edinburg Teen should be between 14 and 16 years of age, while contestants for Miss Edinburg should be between 17 and 20 years of age. All candidates must be Edinburg residents. Winners will receive scholarships in the Teen and Miss divisions, be awarded a crystal crown, roses, banner and other awards. Winners will have the opportunity to represent the City of Edinburg at various functions such as socials, luncheons and ribbon cuttings. “We are so excited about the upcoming pageant and look forward to meeting all interested applicants. Miss Edinburg and Miss Edinburg Teen will be highlighted throughout the city of Edinburg.  This will be a great honor to receive. We welcome you all,” said Olivarez. More information is available by calling Olivarez at 956/929-0510 or via e-mail at: missedinburgpageant@yahoo.com .  

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Loli Gómez-Peña, featured right, a member of the Red Coat Ambassadors with the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, welcomed state and local leaders on Friday, June 11, to the grand opening of a state agency field office, whose staff will help dozens of local governments in deep South Texas promptly and properly administer more than $47 million in federal funds to recover from infrastructure damages caused almost two years ago by Hurricane Dolly. The field office, which is being run by the Texas Department of Rural Affairs, will provide key guidance as Rio Grande Valley communities invest recently-approved federal grants to pay for roads, power generators, and water and sewer systems damaged by Hurricane Dolly, which hit the Valley with winds of up to 100 miles per hour and caused widespread flooding, dumping 10 to 20 inches of rain in late July 2008. However, for residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Dolly, another state agency – the Texas Department of Housing – is helping handle claims for those losses. Featured, from left: Rep. Armando "Mando" Martínez, D-Weslaco; Gilbert Sandoval, representing Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-San Benito; Charles "Charlie" Stone, TDRA’s executive director; Joel Vanderveer, Red Coat Ambassador; Randy Young, TDRA deputy executive director; Michael Thomas, Red Coat Ambassador; Maricela De León, representing Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg; Braulio Gonzáles, Red Coat Ambassador; and Loli Gómez-Peña, Red Coat Ambassador. See story later in this posting. 

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The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for Leadership Edinburg Class XXII. Leadership Edinburg is a growing organization that strives to encourage a better Edinburg through strong leadership skills focusing on politics, education, and quality of life. It is a nine-month program which helps local business and civic leaders become involved in the community. More than 500 graduates have taken the challenge and completed each program of work. Graduates of Leadership Edinburg typically continue to apply what they learned and demonstrate it by showing interest in community involvement, including serving on committees and at times in politics. Class XXII will kick off its day-and-a-half retreat in September. Tuition is $400, with the deadline to submit an application in August. For more information on Leadership Edinburg or to register, individuals may call Letty González at the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at 956/383-4974. Members of the Leadership Edinburg steering committee are featured, from left: Imelda Rodríguez, Lee Castro, Flo Prater, Cynthia Bocanegra, Letty González, Edna Peña, Roy Peña and Marty Martin.  

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Arjun Sanga, J.D., on Tuesday, June 15, was named executive director of South Texas Technology Management, a regional technology transfer office that serves four University of Texas institutions (the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, UT San Antonio (UTSA), UT Brownsville and UT-Pan American). “I am extremely excited about coming to this position,” Sanga said. “The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio has experienced exponential growth in research in the last five years and has recruited faculty stars from around the country. UTSA is on an accelerated path toward Tier One status and is doing a great job of hiring outstanding faculty. UT-Pan American and UT Brownsville are making important contributions to the Valley, and we have an opportunity to partner with them to continue to create companies and to spin off products that will be of benefit to the region." See story later in this posting. 

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A Business Matchmaking Event hosted by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and CANACINTRA Reynosa, in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in McAllen, the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, and the University of Texas Small Business Development Center has been rescheduled for Thursday, July 1, at the McAllen Chamber Conference Room, 1200 Ash Avenue. The event is expected to provide members of both communities with opportunities that could result in new business relations and lead to sales increases as well as cost savings. Also, as part of this event, a seminar with presentations from the different collaborators will be held covering areas such as How to Start a Business in McAllen, Import & Export Requirements and Immigration for Investors, among others. “This matchmaking effort was originally scheduled for June 18, and it has been rescheduled to accommodate the needs of the different types of businesses interested in participating,” said Luis Cantú, featured left, the Vice President of Inter American Relations for the McAllen chamber. “Similar events were conducted with the State of Veracruz in the past with very positive results and we expect it will be as successful this time with our sister city of Reynosa." For more information on how to participate, please contact Cantú at the Chamber at (956) 682-2871 or by e-mail at lcantu@mcallenchamber.com. Featured with Cantú is Consul Erasmo Martínez, head of the Mexican Consulate in McAllen. 

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With his wife, Janie, looking on – and holding the Bible used in the ceremony – Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, left, on Monday, January 1, 2007, took his oath of office from his mentor and friend, former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts John Sharp. On Wednesday, June 16, Janie Cuellar Salinas was mourned by hundreds of family members and friends during a funeral mass at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Weslaco following her unexpected passing in Ft. Worth on Saturday, June 12. Following her funeral Mass, Sharp credited her as being an equal partner with her husband in all aspects of their marriage. "Everybody who met Janie for five minutes knew her well. What you saw was what you got. She was enthusiastic, a wonderful person, a natural politician herself," Sharp remembered. "What a shock. Who would have thought that someone would have been taken at that age?" However, Sharp shared his faith that Janie Salinas is indeed in a better place. "She’s in good shape. We shouldn’t worry about her. We think we have a real good idea where she is at," Sharp said. "But I’m going to miss her, a lot of people are going to miss her, and J.D.’s going to miss her, especially." See lead story in this posting. 

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Ryan Evans, a 6′6" star forward for McAllen High School’s powerhouse Class 5-A basketball team – which earlier this year finished ranked 14th best in Texas – has proven when it comes to hitting the boards on the hardwood and hitting the books in the classroom, his results are always the same: he delivers like a champion. During a ceremony in the McHi gymnasium on Tuesday, June 1, Evans, committed to play NCAA Division III basketball for Schreiner University in Kerrville, a renowned liberal arts institution whose sterling reputation includes being named one of the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Evans, who helped McAllen earn championships at the district, bi-district, area, regional quarterfinals, and regional semi-final levels three consecutive years, also earned a place on the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Academic All-State Team. He pulled great numbers in his chosen sport, averaging 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while shooting for the stars in the classroom, making the National Honor Society and maintaining a 3.91 grade point average. "I want to congratulate Ryan and his family for his accomplishments," said Bulldogs Basketball Head Coach Roy Swift. "He has been a great player to have in our program for four years. He has a great attitude to go along with his height and his size. He came to school every day, and every day for us for practice, willing to work hard. There’s a tremendous upside for Ryan, and I am just proud of him." Featured, from left: Evans’ grandmother, Marylin Vandever; his brother, Drew; his mother, Dana; Ryan Evans; his father, Robert; and his coach at McHi, Roy Swift. See lead story in this posting. 

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With knowledge that June 1 was the official start date of the 2010 Hurricane Season, Hidalgo County leaders, including Hidalgo County Judge René  A. Ramírez, whose broadcast image is featured here on Tuesday, May 18, during the Hurricane Preparedness Conference hosted by the City of McAllen, continues to promote preparedness and inform area communities of several upcoming activities and training. Ramírez said he will continue to promote the Valley’s unified approach to disaster response, should Hidalgo County or the Rio Grande Valley at large be impacted by a storm this season. “Our approach to getting ready for a disaster is to be proactive. Each year, we build upon lessons learned. From Hurricane Dolly (in July 2008), we learned about the effect that lack of electricity could have on our residents and our facilities, the magnitude that flooding, even from a Category 1 storm, can have on lives and property — especially in our rural low-lying areas — and we definitely learned tips about setting up shelters and points of distribution for food and ice,” Ramírez said. “We have taken steps to improve our infrastructure, and we will continue to reach out to the public so they can be as prepared as possible. We prepare for the unexpected.” See story later in this posting.   

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For the second consecutive year, Edinburg FOOTCARE Doctor, owned by Dr. David H. Fridie, II, DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) and his wife, Dr. Beverly Ashley-Fridie, has been selected for the 2010 Best of Edinburg Award in the podiatrist category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Nationwide, only one in 70 (1.4%) 2010 Award recipients qualified as two-time Award Winners. Edinburg FOOTCARE Doctor is located at 2808 Fountain Plaza Blvd in Edinburg. See story later in this posting. 

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Victor Castillo, featured left, representing the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, and Sgt. Kenneth Kuykendall with the Texas Army National Guard, on Tuesday, June 8, announced that the Texas Army National Guard will hold the 2011 Yellow Ribbon Conference next January at the McAllen Convention Center. The two-day event will draw more than 1,000 persons and result in about 500 room lodgings for hotels who are members of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. The legislatively-mandated Yellow Ribbon program provides information, services, referrals and proactive outreach programs to service members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families through all phases of the deployment cycle. The intent of the program is to prepare and sustain Texas military personnel and their families prior and during deployment, and then help reintegrate those veterans with their families, communities and employers upon re-deployment or release from active duty. See story later in this posting. 

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As members of the Boys & Girls Clubs nationally are embarking on their next phase of life following their high school graduation, a number are not considering college. When asked why, the most frequent response is the lack of money. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV, in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and ConocoPhillips, has for the last 14 years addressed this obstacle for a number of their club members through the ConocoPhillips Scholarship Program. The local organization has announced there are three local recipients of this year’s ConocoPhillips Scholarship, featured, from left: George Bailey, Noé González and Christopher Vela of Edinburg High School. Each will be receiving a maximum of $3,000 per semester for a potential of up to $96,000. The ConocoPhillips scholarship is a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club of America and the ConocoPhillips Petroleum Company. In order to eligible for this scholarship the member must have been a senior with a “B” average and be a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV for at least two years. See story later in this posting. 

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The 5th Annual Texas Cook’em: High Steaks in Edinburg, set for Saturday, July 3 at the Edinburg Municipal Park, will feature activities that include more than just mouth-watering, award-winning barbeque competition.  The Edinburg World Birding Center will have a large presence in the hands-on Family Fun Zone along with the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, with plenty of games and exciting things to do for children of all ages – all free of charge. In conjunction with Texas Cook’em, the World Birding Center will be provide free tours of the facility, which is located on the same grounds. Those tours will be held at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Later in the evening, live music will be provided by Elida Reyna, Zereno, Texas Heat and LA MAFIA.  A major fireworks display will kick off at 9:15 p.m. Texas Cook’em: High Steaks in Edinburg is part of a national competition, sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Associations, that draws teams from throughout the country who compete for cash prizes for preparing the best barbeque in the following categories: T-bone steak; Chicken; Pork Spare Ribs; and Brisket. New to the cooking categories this year will be “Apple Pie”.  Anyone who wants to compete in the cooking extravaganza may call the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at 956/383-4974, or log on to www.Edinburg.com, for a complete set of rules and regulations.  

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Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, praises Rep. Verónica Gonzáles (fifth from right) on Thursday, June 3, during a fashion style political campaign fundraiser, which drew more than a dozen fellow legislators and hundreds of her supporters. The event, which was hosted in Mission by her campaign, raised at least $65,000. "Everybody thinks this is a Republican district, but it isn’t. It is a Democratic district," the state senator proclaimed. "The Republicans keep running and running and get nowhere, because Veronica cannot be beaten. Verónica is one of the most influential legislators here in South Texas, and that’s why I’m voting for her." Gonzáles, an attorney whose House District 41 includes much of McAllen, southwest Edinburg and east Mission, is facing a challenge in November from McAllen businesswoman Rebecca Cervera, who is also from McAllen. Featured, from left: Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Ft. Worth; Rep. Tara Ríos Ybarra, D-South Padre Island; Rep. Joseph E. Moody, D-El Paso; Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen; Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Ft. Worth; Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City; Rep. Hubert Vo, D-Houston; Rep. Garnett Coleman, D-Houston; and Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway, D-Dallas. See story later in this posting.   

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As the family of the late Pedro Cano of Edinburg listen intently, Gov. Rick Perry, whose image towered over them on a video screen in the Edinburg Auditorium, on Tuesday, May 18, praised the late World War II hero as "a young man who left this beautiful town to defend his adopted country and achieved far above and beyond the call of duty." Perry was in Edinburg to  posthumously bestow the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor upon Cano – and in a reference to all other men and women from Edinburg who have fought – and many who have died – for America, proclaimed Edinburg as the "Hometown for Heroes". Featured, from left: son Stephen Cano; daughter María Cano Arías; sister Alvina Cano Martínez; and daughter Dominga Cano Pérez. See story later in this posting. 

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Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Rep. Verónica González, D-McAllen, extend the region’s gratitude to several of Pedro Cano’s family on Tuesday, May 18, during a major gathering in the Edinburg Auditorium to posthumously bestow the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor upon the late World War II military hero. "Pedro Cano repeatedly risked his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers and to help advance their mission, and for his extraordinary heroism he is most assuredly deserving of this state’s supreme military award; now," said Hinojosa, a U.S. Marines combat squad leader during the Vietnam War. "The 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby posthumously confers the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Pedro Cano in recognition of his courageous actions in World War II and express to his family its deepest appreciation on behalf of all his fellow Texans." Featured, from left: Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen; Cano daughter María Cano Arías; Cano sister Alvina Cano Martínez; Cano daughter Dominga Cano Pérez; and Rep. Verónica Gonzáles. See story later in this posting. 

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Members of the Pedro Cano family, flanked left by Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, and Gov. Rick Perry, flanked right, on Tuesday, May 18, accepted the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor from the state and local leaders, including (not shown in this image) Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Rep. Verónica González, D-McAllen, and Edinburg Mayor Richard García, on behalf of the late World War II hero. The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established to honor gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state or federal military forces, and through his courageous actions in World War II, United States Army Private Pedro Cano distinguished himself as a worthy recipient of this prestigious award. See story later in this posting. 

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Flags in a row stand tall in front of their respected marker. More than 350,000 were placed in the ground during the “Flags In”  ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, May 27, 2010. As South Texans marked the national holiday, a local veterans organization has released the names of 146 Valley men who were killed in action during the war in Vietnam. Fifteen of those Valley men killed in action in Vietnam were from Edinburg while were from McAllen.  Harlingen and Brownsville saw the largest numbers of local men from deep South Texas make the ultimate sacrifice – 23 and 22 killed in action, respectively – fighting for America’s freedom in Vietnam. See story later in this posting. 

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Rey Leal Jr. of Edinburg, a South Texas College student who served as a Marine during some of the heaviest fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was recently profiled on CNN’s web site with a story entitled Facing enemy fire from behind the lens. CNN covered the prolific images captured by Leal during his tours in Iraq. Having served in the Marine Corps as an infantryman from 2004 to 2008, he  captured the behind-the-scenes moments that ordinary Americans rarely see. “By the time I joined the Marine Corps, I always had my camera with me,” he said. "When you look at the news, when you look at newspapers, you always see not the worst, but you always see the action," said Leal. "You never see the calm before the storm. A lot of the stuff I did was not actual combat, it was just the stuff we did, the down time, the stuff you never see. The profile of Leal can be found at http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/05/26/military.photographer.leal.cnn?iref=allsearch. See story later in this posting. 

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Nine-year-old Jonathan Lerma of Edinburg on Monday, May 24, was able to return home from the hospital in his new wheelchair after an access ramp was graciously donated by two local businesses. Upon learning of the boy’s need, State Wide Roofing and Bullard Construction collaborated to provide the materials and labor to help build a ramp for Jonathan’s home while he underwent inpatient therapy at Edinburg Regional Rehab Center. “I think it’s fantastic that some of our local businessmen are joining in to help out,” said Edinburg City Councilmember Gus García. “It’s just an example of the fine leadership we have here in the community.” Featured, from left, front row: Dan Ogletree, Bullard Construction; Donato “Donut” Amaya, State Wide Roofing; Jonathan Lerma; Rubicella Salazar, Edinburg Regional Rehab Center; Edinburg City Councilmember Gus García. Back row, from left: Ronnie Martínez, Kevin Waters, and Joe Cano, Bullard Construction. See story later in this posting. 

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Mike Allen, featured left, and Gary Gurwitz, featured right, were sworn in on Thursday, May 27,  to continue serving District 3 and District 4, respectively, on South Texas College’s Board of Trustees. Both incumbents were the winners of elections held in early May. Allen will represent the interests of the constituents of south McAllen, southwest Pharr, Hidalgo, Sharyland, southeast Mission and Granjeno. Widely known as the retired president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Allen has been a member of the board since May 2004. As the District 4 representative on the board, Gurwitz represents the constituents of north McAllen, northwest Pharr, Palmhurst, northeast Mission, and a portion of Edinburg. The managing partner at Atlas and Hall, Gurwitz was hand-selected by former Gov. Ann Richards to serve on STC’s founding Board of Trustees in 1993 with the inception of the college. Featured, from left: Mike Allen and his wife, Theresa Allen; U.S. District Judge Randy Crane, who administered the oaths of office; and Bailey Gurwitz and her husband, Gary Gurwitz. The terms for Allen and Gurwitz expire in May 2016. See lead story in this posting.    

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