Community
Community news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
CommunityBrownsville splash pad remains closed following concerns from parents
A splash pad at Ernesto Gamez Cascade Park in Brownsville is closed after parents reported injuries from slips. Officials from Cameron County Drainage District Number One assessed the situation and decided to shut it down for safety. The area will be treated with a slip-resistant coating to prevent future accidents. The splash pad is expected to reopen next week, depending on weather conditions. Safety warnings are posted, and a sign indicates that the district is not liable for injuries. Local resident Pedro Soto expressed disappointment over the closure but emphasized the importance of safety for children.
CommunityHarlingen hosts free FIFA World Cup watch party in downtown plaza
Harlingen is organizing a free FIFA World Cup watch party at Lozano Plaza for fans of Team USA. The event begins at 7 p.m., with the match against Paraguay starting at 8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy drinks from the RGV Red Crowns, who will be selling their beers on-site. Visit Harlingen Director Cassandra Consiglio encourages visitors to support local businesses by shopping and dining in the area. Additionally, another watch party is scheduled for next Thursday at Lozano Plaza to cheer on Mexico.
CommunityStreet cleanup event held in Brownsville ahead of weekend rain in the forecast
Brownsville community leaders organized an emergency cleanup event on Friday to remove trash from streets in anticipation of heavy rain and potential flooding. Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. warned that rainfall is expected from Monday evening through Wednesday. The cleanup, led by District 3 Commissioner Gustavo De Leon, focused on the Central Avenue area, allowing residents to drop off unwanted items. Volunteers, including Kenny Robertson who disposed of an old sofa, and Jason Medina from STX Metal Trades, collected trash throughout neighborhoods. Officials estimate at least 35,000 pounds of trash will be collected, surpassing previous events' averages.
CommunityLos Fresnos dancer performs at FIFA World Cup opening ceremony
Raul Passamentt, a 24-year-old professional dancer from Los Fresnos, showcased his talent at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony held at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Performing alongside renowned Mexican singer Belinda, Passamentt expressed immense pride in representing his community from the Rio Grande Valley. He previously appeared in Channel 5 News' Made in the 956 series as a member of the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. Now based in Mexico City, Passamentt aims to honor his roots in every performance, reflecting on the electrifying atmosphere of the stadium filled with fans during the event.
CommunityWinners Announced in the 2026 Art Pathways Contest
The McAllen Public Library has announced the winners of the 2026 Art Pathways Contest, aimed at encouraging artistic expression among local youth. Open to students with a McAllen library card, the contest featured original artwork celebrating creativity and community spirit. Winning pieces, including those depicting Marty the Library Cat, are displayed at library locations. Mayor Javier Villalobos praised the initiative for fostering imagination and community engagement, while Library Director Kate Horan highlighted the importance of libraries as spaces for creativity. Winners were recognized across various age groups and artistic styles, showcasing the talent of McAllen's young artists.
CommunityTelemundo Announces Premiere of the Hit Miniseries 'El Turco,' Starring Can Yaman
Telemundo announced on Friday the premiere of 'El Turco,' the acclaimed Turkish miniseries starring international star Can Yaman (Hasan Balaban), Greta Ferro (Gloria), and Will Kemp (Marco), set to air on Tuesday, July 7, at 10 PM/9C as part of Julio Histórico, a special programming night featuring three of the summer's most anticipated premieres. 'El Turco' is part of a highly anticipated triple premiere night that also includes the U.S. debut of Operación Triunfo and the return of 'El Señor de los Cielos' for its final season, offering unprecedented entertainment for Hispanic audiences. Before its U.S. premiere, 'El Turco' established itself as an international phenomenon, securing distribution in over 20 territories across Europe, America, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. The production has captivated audiences worldwide with its striking blend of action, romance, and period drama. The miniseries tells the story of Hasan Balaban, a warrior betrayed by his own blood. Injured and pursued, he finds refuge in a small village where his presence ignites a spark of hope among those living under a brutal king. When Balaban meets Gloria, a brave and determined woman fighting to protect her people, an intense passion arises between them, capable of challenging the pain of the past and the shadows that haunt him. However, Balaban's greatest enemy is not a stranger: it is Marco, the powerful commander who rules the region... and his own brother. Separated by irreversible decisions and wounds that never healed, Balaban and Marco represent two opposing paths: one guided by honor and the desire for redemption; the other, by ambition and the thirst for power. Amidst betrayals, fragile alliances, and adrenaline-fueled battles, 'El Turco' becomes an epic tale where love blossoms amidst chaos and where two brothers are destined to confront each other, even at the cost of losing everything. Can Yaman and Greta Ferro star in 'El Turco.' Can Yaman is one of the most recognized Turkish stars worldwide, thanks to his leading roles in series like 'Dolunay,' 'Bay Yanlış,' and 'Erkenci Kuş,' the latter of which not only brought him fame but also earned him a Golden Butterfly Award for Best Romantic Comedy Actor. Born in 1989 in Suadiye, Istanbul, he is an only child and the nephew of football coach Fuat Yaman. He studied law and speaks Turkish, Italian, German, English, and Spanish fluently. In 2025, Can Yaman transformed to star in the international series 'Sandokan: The Pirate Prince,' where he portrays the legendary pirate known as 'The Tiger of Malaysia.' The ambitious production, available on streaming platforms, features a grand visual display and presents the iconic character fighting on the island of Mompracem. His role in 'El Turco' was pivotal in securing this lead role, as it is a five-episode series that combines action, romance, and historical drama in an exciting saga about loyalty, sacrifice, family, and the relentless pursuit of justice, which you can enjoy on Telemundo starting July 7. For more information, visit Telemundo.com and follow @Telemundo and @TelemundoSeries on social media using the hashtag #ElTurco.
CommunityPharr Breaks Ground on Landmark Multi-Use Facility to Enhance Municipal Services and Emergency Readiness
Pharr city officials and community leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for a new Multi-Use Facility aimed at enhancing municipal services and emergency preparedness. The facility will span 83,567 square feet on a 14.6-acre site at U.S. Highway 281 and Ferguson Avenue. This significant investment will combine government services, educational programs, and civic events, serving as a hub for emergency management. With flexible event spaces and advanced technology, the facility is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2028 and will create 400 to 500 construction jobs, benefiting local contractors and suppliers.
CommunityKeep McAllen Beautiful Recognized as Gold Star Affiliate
Keep McAllen Beautiful (KMB) has been awarded the Gold Star Affiliate designation by Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), recognizing its significant contributions to community improvement. This honor is given to affiliates that demonstrate leadership through impactful programs and strong volunteer engagement. In 2025, KMB mobilized 3,146 volunteers, collecting 613 tons of trash, planting 291 trees, and painting homes and murals throughout McAllen. The efforts resulted in a volunteer hour value of $254,941. City Manager Isaac J. Tawil praised KMB for its dedication to enhancing the city's beauty, reflecting community pride and commitment to service.
CommunityHe’s a model and was born in Spain: meet the winner of La Casa de los Famosos 2026
La Casa de los Famosos 2026 concluded with Spanish model Fabio Agostini winning the sixth season of the popular Telemundo reality show. After over 110 days of competition, he took home $200,000, defeating strong contenders like former Miss Dominican Republic Celinee Santos, who placed second, and singer Luis Coronel. Fabio, 36, from Las Palmas, Spain, has over 3 million Instagram followers and gained fame in Latin America through various reality shows. His journey in La Casa de los Famosos included intense rivalries and a brief romance with Mexican artist Jeni de la Vega.
CommunityUnaccompanied veteran laid to rest
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On Thursday, the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery laid to rest a U.S. Navy Veteran Fireman Apprentice. Robert Joseph Ruggeri, born on March 13, 1949, served from October 1968 to June 1970. FA Ruggeri received the National Defense Service Medal for his service to our nation. Ruggeri was not reported
Community'Fishing with the Friendly Judge' event continues in Port Isabel
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The saying goes, "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." That’s the theme behind this year’s “Fishing with the Friendly Judge” event hosted by Cameron County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Judge Benito “Bo” Ochoa.
CommunityCameron County Irrigation District No. 2 remove invasive flowers from San Benito resaca
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 is working to clean up the resaca in San Benito. Workers with Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 and Cameron County Drainage District No. 3 are removing water hyacinths from the water. Hyacinthus is a spring-blooming flower. Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 General Manager
CommunityMission sets up wildlife habitat zone after alligator sighting near RV resort
Mission city officials have established a wildlife habitat zone following an alligator sighting near the Seven Oaks RV Resort. The alligator was first spotted weeks ago near Casino Drive and was last seen recently. The new ordinance enables the city to install warning signs in the area to protect both the wildlife and the public. Juliana Martinez Cano, the Mission Animal Control and Shelter Manager, emphasized the importance of the signs, which will advise against feeding the alligator and prohibit swimming in the vicinity. Animal control officers will continue to monitor the area regularly.
CommunityThe Wait is Over: The Grand Finale of La Casa de los Famosos Begins Live from Coast to Coast
There is no tomorrow. After months of intense controversies and unprecedented confrontations, the grand finale of the sixth season of La Casa de los Famosos is kicking off this Thursday with a spectacular live gala from coast to coast on Telemundo. Celinee Santos, Fabio Agostini, Josh Martínez, Luis Coronel, and Yoridan Martínez are the five residents of La Casa who have made it to the final after 115 days of continuous exposure. Only one of them will take home the coveted briefcase with $200,000. This time, there will be no prizes for second and third place. In addition to the title of champion of La Casa de los Famosos, which was previously won by Alicia Machado (2021), Ivonne Montero (2022), Madison Anderson (2023), Maripily Rivera (2024 in the All-Stars version), and Carlos Cruz 'Caramelo' (2025).
CommunitySummer 2026 Adventure Awaits: Camp RIO Opens Registration for Kids
Camp RIO in Brownsville, Texas, has opened registration for its 2026 summer camp, welcoming children aged 5-14. The camp, located on the historic Lula Sams property, offers a range of outdoor activities including archery, canoeing, swimming, and arts and crafts. The camp runs from June 7 to July 31, providing both day and overnight options, with transportation available from McAllen, Weslaco, and Harlingen. Financial assistance is also offered to help families participate. Camp RIO is known for its nature-based programming and aims to foster confidence and leadership in children. For more details, visit www.camprio.org.
CommunityMrs Baird’s Bread Launches Fifth Annual Fighting Texas Hunger Campaign
Mrs Baird’s Bread has launched its fifth annual Fighting Texas Hunger campaign, partnering with food banks across Texas to combat food insecurity. The initiative aims to support over 5 million Texans by donating more than 182,000 loaves of bread throughout June, including 11,000 loaves to the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. Residents can participate by donating food or money, with every dollar providing up to seven meals. The campaign highlights the increased need for food assistance during summer when school meal programs are unavailable, encouraging community involvement to help local families in need.
CommunityPharr Breaks Ground on Landmark Multi-Use Facility Under Leadership of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez
The City of Pharr recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new multi-use facility, led by Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez. This 83,567-square-foot project aims to enhance community engagement and cultural identity. The event featured presentations from local leaders and a video showcasing the facility's design. Located on a 14.6-acre site at FM 495 and U.S. Highway 281, the building will incorporate modern architecture and advanced technology. Mayor Hernandez emphasized the project's significance for future generations, stating it represents Pharr's growth and commitment to arts and culture in the Rio Grande Valley.
CommunityBTX Pride Alliance to host ceremony to honor lives lost in Pulse shooting
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A ceremony will be held in Brownsville on Friday to honor and remember the 49 lives lost in one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. Friday will mark 10 years since the Pulse Orlando nightclub shooting, referred to as one of the deadliest attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in
CommunityGreen Valley Farms residents push back on water bill spike after March floods
Residents of Green Valley Farms, near San Benito, are expressing frustration over a significant increase in their water bills following last March's floods. One customer, Jeanneth Vela, reported her bill rising from approximately $49 to nearly $80, complicating recovery efforts for those still affected by the disaster. The East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation attributed the hike to the need for a secondary water source, with general manager Brian McManus stating that the funds will support the expansion of their desalination plant. While some residents understand the necessity, they feel the rate adjustment is unfair and are seeking assistance.