Texas Border Business
March 5 -11 iwas National Women in Construction Week – a week to celebrate and highlight the role of women in the industry. Dragados-Pulice Joint Venture is honored to feature the women of the I-2/1-69C Interchange Project.
Thank you for all you do!
Texas Border Business
By Pamela Kaur
You have an idea, what comes next? Are there others doing the same thing? What will make you different? Why should someone buy from you and not someone else?
Determine the type of entity you will create. Do you need an LLC or sole proprietorship? Each impacts your taxes and legal liabilities differently. Many small businesses start as a sole proprietorship as it is the easiest.
You will also need a business bank account. Find a bank or credit union with the cheapest fees and that can provide potential funding if needed.
Locate an insurance agent with experience in small business who can provide the type of liability coverage you require. If you need liability coverage, you probably need an LLC.
Find a small business accountant experienced in tax filings, deductions before and during the startup phase, creating financial records and more. They can also help in developing a cash flow analysis to determine if you have enough revenue to support your business.
Create a logo. An investment well worth making. It will help you stand out among your competitors.
Do you need a website? Will you interact with your customers and prospects via a website? If so, it needs to look professional and create a positive user experience. Work with a web designer.
Social media is one of the most critical marketing tools for today’s businesses. Identify which social media channels are most important to your customers. If you’re running a brick and mortar storefront you may have different technology needs than if you’re running the same business online or from home. Limit the channels you use initially to no more than one or two.
Payroll is important if you’ll have an employee on day one. Payroll providers are usually affordable and pay for themselves with the peace of mind you’ll gain by knowing your employees are getting paid on time and your payroll taxes are being deducted and filed correctly.
And finally, you will need to create a business plan. If you’re seeking startup capital you will need a through business plan with financials to present to a bank or private investor. If you’re not seeking funding, a business plan is still a valuable exercise, but it can be much shorter.
There is a lot to do and consider as you as you take the first steps toward launching your business. So a final word of advice. Your business is more likely to be successful if you DON’T TRY TO GO IT ALONE. Use support systems, reach out to potential mentors.
Work with your SCORE mentor. We provide free mentoring, workshops and webinars.
Today’s question was answered by our guest writer Pete Carvell, a SCORE mentor and past District Director.
If you’d like a free business mentor, reach out to Pamela Kaur @ pamela.kaur@scorevolunteer.org for more information.
Pamela Kaur is also a SCORE mentor and Asst District Director.
Texas Border Business
EDWARDS Abstract and Title Co.welcomes Jose Pineda, Director of Sales. He will be dedicating his time and energy to introducing Edwards to those who have not had the opportunity to experience the company’s excellent customer service, and the professional and experienced personnel in Cameron and Hidalgo counties.
Jose will operate from the corporate office in Edinburg – 3111 W. Freddy Gonzalez Drive. Sky’s the limit.
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – On Fox News’ Fox & Friends, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced his plan to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to eventually strike down President Biden’s proposed Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule, which relies on a likely unlawful abuse of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s discretion to parole more migrants into the United States and would do nothing to deter migrants from making the dangerous journey to our southern border. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“The President’s policies are attracting more and more illegal immigration – what the Border Patrol calls ‘pull factors.’ In other words, the perception that there are no consequences associated with coming here outside of legal immigration channels.”
“Once again, I think the President will try to go it alone.”
“We’re going to introduce a Congressional Review Act, which is a way Congress can overrule that administrative rule because I believe it will do nothing but make things worse and not better.”
“I represent a border state. As many of my colleagues have said, we are all border states now. Given the proliferation of people coming across the border, and the drugs, it’s spread to all four corners of our country.”
“I don’t understand those who say, ‘No, we want more of this.’”
“We need to have orderly, humane, and legal immigration and stop the drugs coming across the border. What we are doing now does not work.”
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
Texas Border Business
MISSION, Texas – On Monday, March 6, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Mission Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a 2000 Chrysler minivan at the intersection of FM 494 and US 83. During the interview with the driver, there were signs of criminal activity; therefore, a Mission Police K-9 was requested.
As a result of the K-9 alert, the vehicle was searched. A false compartment was discovered on the floorboard of the vehicle. The search yielded to 18 bundles (19.9 Kilos) of Fentanyl.
A male adult was taken into custody.
Texas Border Business
AMERICAN RED CROSS – Did you know working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half? That’s why it’s critical to “Turn and Test” and take these lifesaving steps to stay safe from home fires — the nation’s most frequent disaster:
“As many as seven people die in this country every day from a home fire, but smoke alarms cut your risk in half,” said Vanessa Valdez, Regional Communications Manager, Texas Gulf Coast Region. “Protect your household this weekend. Turn your clocks forward and test your smoke alarms.”
Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency app by searching for “American Red Cross” in app stores.
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVING LIVES The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year and most of them are home fires. To help prevent fire-related deaths and injuries, the Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign with community partners in 2014 to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.
Recently, with support from thousands of community partners, the campaign met its goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million households safer across the country. So far, the Home Fire Campaign is credited with saving more than 1,583 lives in the U.S. Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services across the country.
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to Laredo South Station halted a human smuggling attempt in Laredo, Texas.
On March 8, Border Patrol agents while working their assigned duties, observed several individuals getting into a black SUV in south Laredo. As the vehicle traveled away from the area, agents attempted a vehicle stop. The driver failed to stop. Texas Department of Public Safety saw the vehicle traveling on U.S. Highway 83 and attempted to also conduct a vehicle stop. The driver exited the highway and continued into the brush before crashing into a nearby creek. Border Patrol agents arrived and apprehended six individuals including a mother and child. After conducting record checks on the individuals, Border Patrol agents confirmed that the individuals were illegally in the United States and from the country of Mexico. All subjects were taken into custody and processed accordingly. Mother and child were medically cleared and were also processed accordingly. Texas DPS has the lead on the investigation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 355,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 25,000 criminal arrests, with more than 23,000 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 366 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden’s open border policies.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:
Governor Abbott Marks Two Year Anniversary Of Historic Operation Lone Star
Two years ago, Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star to combat the escalating border crisis caused by President Biden’s open border policies. With the President continuing to dismiss the chaotic situation he created for both communities along the border and across the state, the State of Texas is taking historic actions to protect Texans from transnational criminal activity and illegal immigration.
Governor Abbott Issues Statement On End Of Biden’s Catch-And-Release Policy
Governor Greg Abbott yesterday issued a statement following a U.S. federal judge’s ruling that the Biden Administration has violated federal law by releasing illegal immigrants en masse at our southern border:
“Yesterday, another federal court announced what Texans—and Americans—have known all along: President Biden’s open border policies are, in the words of Judge Wetherell, ‘akin to posting a flashing Come In We’re Open sign on the southern border.’ President Biden’s catch-and-release agenda, which violates his constitutional duty to enforce federal immigration laws, has catalyzed an unprecedented crisis of illegal immigration at our southern border and throughout our nation. In 2023 alone, this surge of illegal immigration will saddle Texas taxpayers with an estimated financial burden of $13.3 billion.”
Read Governor Abbott’s full statement.
WATCH: DPS Lt. Olivarez Discusses Dangers Of Americans Traveling To Mexico
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez joined Fox News this week to highlight the violent threats along the southern border, especially for Americans. After four Americans were kidnapped and two of them were murdered by cartel members last week after crossing the border from Brownsville, Texas to Matamoros, Mexico, DPS notes that not only are cartels carrying out cross-border crimes but rival cartels are also fighting among themselves, which creates an extremely violent, unstable situation.
“It’s far too dangerous, and there’s too much crime with the cartels that are operating in Mexico, especially in Matamoros with the Gulf Cartel controlling that entire area,” said Lt. Olivarez. “With spring break coming up, we have a lot of out-of-state visitors traveling to that part of Mexico because the beach is so close. With the violence taking place now within miles of the Texas-Mexico border, it is very dangerous to travel to Mexico.”
WATCH: DPS Rescues Austin Teenager Attempting To Smuggle Illegal Immigrants
A 14-year-old from Austin had to be rescued by DPS troopers after getting lost while trying to evade law enforcement after a human smuggling attempt. On Tuesday, troopers stopped to help a driver in Maverick County who was parked on the side of the road with her hazard lights on. The driver, a mother, said she had just received a text from her teenage son who was lost in the brush and needed help.
Troopers used GPS to locate the teenager in the brush after a short search. He confessed to being involved in a vehicle pursuit earlier in the day while trying to smuggle six to seven illegal immigrants and bailing out to avoid being caught. The illegal immigrants were also located and referred to Border Patrol. The teenager is charged with smuggling of persons.
WATCH: Drones Enhance Texas National Guard’s Border Security Capabilities
Texas National Guard soldiers use drone technology to detect illegal border crossings and efficiently locate illegal immigrants hiding on the Texas side of the border. Sensors detect people illegally crossing the border, alerting the Operation Lone Star partners, who deploy drones to the location.
“These drones are increasing our capability to find people way faster and more efficiently,” said 2nd Lt. David Mata. “Once the camera from the sensor goes off from people crossing, it’ll be uploaded on the ATAK [Android Team Awareness Kit]. Once we get the hit, all of us will respond and deploy the drones.”
DPS Troopers Seize 320 Lbs. Of Marijuana After Attempted Traffic Stop
DPS troopers seized 320 pounds of marijuana after an attempted traffic stop in Webb County on Sunday. A trooper attempted to stop a pickup truck for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to stop. The driver and passenger fled during the pursuit that followed but were eventually located and arrested.
Troopers recovered four large bundles containing marijuana. The 17-year-old driver from Zapata and 16-year-old passenger from Laredo are charged with evading arrest and possession of marijuana.
DPS Brush Team Arrests Illegal Immigrants, Fugitive For Homicide In Honduras
A DPS brush team arrested a group of illegal immigrants in Maverick County for criminal trespass. Through further investigation, they discovered one of the men was wanted for homicide in his home country of Honduras. He will be extradited pending state charges for criminal trespass.
WATCH: DPS Locates Stash House In Palmview, Eight Illegal Immigrants Found
A DPS brush team helped locate a stash house in Palmview, where they found eight illegal immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala, including a 15-year-old girl. Several of the illegal immigrants said they paid smugglers $1,500 to cross into the U.S., and several were wearing wristbands, which often indicates they have paid a smuggling organization to enter the U.S. illegally.
WATCH: DPS Troopers Find A Dozen Illegal Immigrants During Traffic Stop
A DPS trooper stopped a pickup truck in Kinney County for a traffic violation and discovered a dozen illegal immigrants hidden inside the truck. The driver, from Houston, was arrested and charged with smuggling of persons. The 12 illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
DPS Troopers Seize Cocaine Concealed In Car Door After Traffic Stop In Mission
DPS troopers seized 18 pounds of cocaine after a traffic stop in Hidalgo County on Saturday. The DPS Criminal Investigations Division, with assistance from the Texas Highway Patrol, stopped a vehicle in Mission for a traffic violation and uncovered seven tape-wrapped bundles containing cocaine concealed within the doors. Victor Castro, 44, and Jesus Castro, 23, both of Mexico, were charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Hidalgo County Jail.
Texas National Guard Apprehend Drug Smugglers, Cannabis Near Brownsville
Texas Air National Guard soldiers apprehended two drug smugglers who entered the U.S. illegally near Brownsville this week. Soldiers seized 55 pounds of cannabis from the smugglers, who were referred to Border Patrol.
Cartel Member Arrested After Trying To Guide Illegal Immigrants Across River
A DPS brush team in the Rio Grande Valley arrested a smuggling guide after he attempted to smuggle nine illegal immigrants from Mexico across the Rio Grande River into Texas. Further investigation and interviews revealed he is also a Gulf Cartel member. He is charged with smuggling of persons. The illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
Texas Border Business
Edinburg, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head football coach Travis Bush announced on Friday the hiring of Adrian McDonald, who spent the last two seasons as the defensive backs coach, special teams coach and recruiting coordinator at Midwestern State, as the first defensive backs coach in program history.
McDonald competed collegiately at Houston as a safety from 2012-15, the first three seasons of which Bush was on the coaching staff in positions including offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
“I can’t tell you how lucky we are that Coach McDonald chose to come to UTRGV,” Bush said. “Adrian is a fast-rising star in the college coaching profession. His experience as a college player and time in the NFL have helped him move up the ladder quick. A high school quarterback turned safety in college, Adrian has extensive knowledge on both sides of the football and great expertise on special teams. He’s already proven to be a great evaluator of talent and will add value to this program immediately. It’s been fun to watch him grow from an outstanding student-athlete to now a fantastic coach. I’m excited to be back on his team again.”
During his two seasons at Midwestern State, McDonald mentored the defensive backs, coordinated passing game and coverages, oversaw special teams, and created scouting reports while helping his team to an aggregate record of 13-8, including two wins over top 25 teams.
McDonald spent the previous two seasons (2019-20) as a defensive graduate assistant at Texas State, where he organized game plans and practices in coordination with then-defensive coordinator Zac Spavital, who coached him during his stellar career at Houston and was hired as Maryland’s safeties coach on Thursday. McDonald also assisted in developing players during practice, primarily working with corners, safeties, and returners.
McDonald began his coaching career as the defensive backs coach while also serving as a special education teacher at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena in 2018.
“The opportunity to work with Coach Bush after being around him when he was coaching and I was playing at Houston is astounding,” McDonald said. “I know how he is as a coach, and I saw the great job he did as the head coach of those Seguin and Canyon programs. It’s intriguing that he was at UTSA when they started their program. It’s a blessing to be able to work with a guy like Coach Bush and to get to the Valley and start a program. Not many people have the opportunity to be first and I’m excited for what we’re going to be able to accomplish as we #RallyTheValley together.”
A native of Lawton, Okla., McDonald was a standout defensive back/safety at Houston, earning numerous awards, including recognition as a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist and a member of the Wuerffel and Nagurski trophy watch lists, in addition to All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) Second Team, Phill Steele’s AAC Third Team, Dave Campbell’s Preseason Best Defensive Back in Texas, Dave’s Campbell’s Preseason All-Texas First Team, and Athlon Sports and Phill Steele’s Preseason AAC First Team honors while serving as team captain as a senior. McDonald was an All-AAC First Team selection as a junior and ended his career with the Houston career record for interceptions (17) while ranking second in interception return yards (286), third in fumble recoveries (7), and fifth in forced fumbles (7). He put an exclamation point on his career with seven tackles in a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over Florida State.
McDonald spent two seasons in the NFL as a practice squad player with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016 and the Buffalo Bills on 2017.
McDonald graduated from Houston in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. He earned his Master of Education from Texas State in 2021.
Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – PSJA North Early College High School, PSJA Southwest Early College High School and PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School recently competed at the UIL 5A and 4A District One-Act Play Contest and advanced to the Bi-District Competition to be held on March 21.
The UIL One-Act Play contest is a competition where similarly sized Texas schools present an 18-40 minute play and may be adjudicated by a panel of three judges or a single judge. The contest is held on a single day and is open to the public. There are six possible levels of competition: Zone, District, Bi-District, Area, Region, and State.
PSJA North Early College High School (5A), PSJA Southwest Early College High School (5A), and PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School (4A) advanced to the UIL Bi-District Competitions.
Congratulations to the cast and crew!
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