Community
Community news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Community‘RADICLE’ Contemporary Dance Premieres in Edinburg, July 16-17
UTRGV Dance, in collaboration with the Edinburg Arts Foundation, will present 'RADICLE: The First Seed to Sprout' on July 16 and 17, 2026, at the Edinburg ACE Center. The event begins at 6:30 PM with the performance starting at 7:30 PM. Choreographed by UTRGV professors Rebeca Gamborino and Gina Laurenzi, the show features original pieces, live music, and local artists. It explores the connections between plant and familial roots, encouraging attendees to find personal meaning in the dance. Tickets are priced at $10, with free admission for children under five. Purchase tickets online or by calling (956) 388-8224.
CommunityCulture, mobility and green space: Downtown McAllen's future takes shape
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Creating a historic district and developing a new public park are just some of the recommendations being considered for the future of downtown McAllen. The city of McAllen and Mend Collaborative, an urban planning firm, held an interactive open house on Monday night where residents learned the top suggestions and ideas
CommunitySouth Texas Ecotourism Center hosts free After Dark summer series
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna Vista is hosting a summer series that allows guests to visit the facility after hours at no cost. After Dark 2026, the latest series by the South Texas Ecotourism Center, welcomes guests to explore the facility for a night hike, hands-on activities, live educational
CommunityCortino's Italian Restaurant celebrates 60-year milestone
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A beloved Italian restaurant located in the heart of the mid-Valley was recently recognized for its 60-year milestone of service and hospitality, according to a news release from the Mercedes Economic Development Corporation. Over the course of 60 years, Cortino's Italian Restaurant has made a historic mark in the Rio Grande
CommunityCity of Pharr’s Independence Day Festival
The City of Pharr will host its annual Independence Day Festival on July 4, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Allen & William Arnold City/School Park, located at 615 W. Eldora Rd, Pharr, TX 78577. This free event promises family-friendly fun, featuring a Drone Show at 9:30 PM and a Fireworks Show at 10:30 PM. Attendees can enjoy live music from Michael Flores & Southern Vibes, Midnight Run, and Trey Gonzalez, along with carnival rides, food vendors, and a petting zoo. Visitors should be aware of temporary road closures and plan for potential delays in the area.
CommunityMedal of Honor Monday: Army Pvt. Elden Harvey Johnson
Army Pvt. Elden Harvey Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1944 for his bravery during World War II. Born on February 13, 1921, in Bivalve, New Jersey, he enlisted in April 1943 and served in the 15th Infantry Regiment. Johnson was killed on June 3, 1944, near Valmontone, Italy, while protecting his fellow soldiers during an enemy attack. His courageous actions allowed 12 comrades to escape, and he continued to fight until he was mortally wounded. His Medal of Honor was presented to his mother in 1945, and he is buried in Scituate, Massachusetts.
CommunityMcAllen seeks input on downtown entertainment district
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of McAllen is seeking input from residents who live, work, visit and invest in the downtown entertainment district during an open house scheduled for Monday evening. City officials say the open house — scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Avenue —
CommunitySouth Padre Island's Beach Waterpark to host summer specials, offer new attractions
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Now that summer break is underway, it’s a perfect time to start knocking out all the exciting summer activities available in the Rio Grande Valley. One of the most fun and iconic ways to spend a hot summer day is at Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Beach Waterpark Marketing Manager Daniel Hinojosa stopped by our studio to
CommunityTelling stories of growth: Inside Farah Mazid Saddah’s writing
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Farah Mazid Saddah is a writer and a poet whose work explores identity, resilience, and the transformative power of the human spirit. Throughout her journey as an author, she has published five books: "Princess of the Tide", "Belong to the World", "The Global Rose", "Journey of the Spirit", and "Let Her
CommunityArgentine Soccer Player Loses His Wife and Two Young Children in Venezuela Earthquakes
An Argentine soccer player who plays for a Venezuelan team lost his wife and two young children in the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week. Before the death of his family was confirmed, Lucas Trejo told Noticias Telemundo that he was 'digging through the rubble with his hands' searching for his wife, Yanina, and their two young children. Noticias Telemundo confirmed the family's death with Trejo's club, Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, which expressed its condolences for the tragedy. 'For the eternal rest of Yanina de Trejo (wife), Aarón Trejo (son), and Ainhoa Trejo (daughter) of our player Lucas Trejo. The great family of Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira expresses its condolences for the passing of their family members,' the team wrote on Instagram.
CommunityHarlingen named 2026 All-America City by National Civic League
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Harlingen was recognized as an All-America City by the National Civic League on Sunday. The National Civic League, an organization whose goal is to advance inclusive civic engagement, named Harlingen a recipient of the 2026 All-America City Award, which honors communities that successfully collaborate to address and fix local
CommunityHead Outdoors to Celebrate America’s 250th with Texas State Parks
Texas State Parks are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with special events this Fourth of July. Activities include historical hikes at Lake Corpus Christi and Ray Roberts Lake, artillery demonstrations at Fort Richardson, and dinosaur track explorations at Dinosaur Valley. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on experiences like Dutch oven cooking and archery at various parks. Nature lovers can participate in star-gazing events, fishing, and learn about the Texas horned lizard. For more details on specific events and registration, check the Texas State Parks website.
CommunityWATCH LIVE: Sunday Mass, June 28, 2026
The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville invites the community to join a live broadcast of Sunday Mass on June 28, 2026. The Mass will be aired on SOMOS EL VALLE Channel 5.2 and Cable 1240, starting at 11 a.m. This event provides an opportunity for local residents to participate in the service from home. For those unable to watch the video, additional options are available.
CommunityCameron County beach park set to reopen after $7 million renovation
Andy Bowie Park, also known as Beach Access 2 on South Padre Island, is nearing the completion of a $7 million renovation project that has been underway for 14 months. Crews have made significant upgrades, including new pavilions, shade structures, boardwalks, and renovated restroom and shower facilities. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino emphasized that these improvements aim to enhance the quality of life and increase accessibility to parks for the community. The park is expected to reopen in approximately one month.
CommunityGracie the Giraffe, who went missing after wandering off a Texas ranch, is finally found
Gracie the Giraffe, who went missing from a Texas ranch for about two weeks, was found on Friday in Uvalde County, approximately four miles from her enclosure. During an aerial search, she was located in good condition, having fed on local vegetation near a pond. Her owner, Vick Jones, coordinated with veterinarians to safely transport her back to Cedar Hollow Ranch, located about 100 miles west of San Antonio. Jones plans to install a fence to prevent future escapes, as Gracie had wandered into an unfenced rocky area while searching for food. She is expected to remain in her enclosure until the fence is completed.
CommunityLaguna Vista city leaders approve beautification program
Laguna Vista city officials have approved a beautification program aimed at enhancing the community's green spaces. The initiative, approved in early June, will introduce more native plants and flowers, particularly at the main entrances along State Highway 100 and State Highway 510. Mayor Pro Tem Teresa Bryant emphasized the goal of creating vibrant areas for residents to enjoy nature. Additionally, Roloff Park will see improvements, including a new soccer field and walkways, funded by a $300,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, set to begin in July.
CommunityVeterans gather at Harlingen VA Clinic Fourth of July event
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System on Friday kicked off a series of Fourth of July celebrations. The first celebration was held in Harlingen, welcoming the community to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. "The purpose is to celebrate the Fourth of July, independence, but also to honor our veterans and
CommunityNew improvements at Andy Bowie County Park on South Padre Island
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday morning to celebrate the new improvements at Andy Bowie County Park on South Padre Island. The park features new pavilions, picnic tables, and a walkway beach access with rinse stations. Improvements were also made to the existing restrooms, concession buildings, Park Ranger station and
CommunityBrownsville prohibits renting private pools for events
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With school out and summer underway, the city of Brownsville is reminding homeowners that renting out their private pools is prohibited. Renting out private residential pools to third parties for events violates the city's Unified Development Code, which was adopted on Dec. 1, 2020. Brownsville Assistant Director of Land Development Martin