Community
Community news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
CommunityCity of Edinburg Community Garage Sale, August 22nd
The City of Edinburg will host a Community Garage Sale on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 315 Mark S. Peña Drive. Entry is free, and residents can browse a wide range of items for sale, including clothing and collectibles from various vendors. This event is organized by the Edinburg Parks and Recreation Department. For more details, residents can contact the department at (956) 381-5631.
CommunityEdcouch centennial celebration set for September
Edcouch is preparing to celebrate its centennial on September 26, 2026, with a Market Day and car show from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 520 Pacific St. The city was founded in 1926 when Edward Couch auctioned land that would become the town. The Southern Pacific Railroad's decision to develop small depots contributed to its growth. Agriculture has been vital to Edcouch's identity, with packing sheds and an ice plant established early on, supported by workers from Mexico. Major freezes in 1949 and 1951 shifted the focus from citrus to seasonal crops like vegetables.
CommunityWeslaco and Mercedes partner to repair pothole-riddled road
Residents along Mile 2 1/2 Road, which is plagued by potholes, may soon see improvements as Weslaco and Mercedes have agreed to collaborate on repairs. The agreement allows both cities to share the costs for reconstructing the road between Expressway 83 and Pike Boulevard. Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez emphasized the need for repairs due to the city's growth and increasing businesses in the area. The final construction details are yet to be confirmed in a meeting with Mercedes officials. This partnership follows a complaint from a local resident who incurred $1,000 in vehicle repairs due to the road's condition.
CommunityMeet Jinny Lu, the Winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest 2026
Jinny Lu, a six-year-old pug, was crowned the winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest 2026 on Friday night at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California. After finishing as a runner-up last year, this marked her fourth participation in the event, which celebrated its 50th anniversary. The contest aims to promote pet adoption and celebrate the uniqueness of dogs rather than simply finding the ugliest one. Jinny Lu and her owner, Michelle Grady, received a trophy and a $5,000 prize. Jinny Lu's story began in South Korea, where she was rescued from the dog meat trade and now serves as an ambassador for rescued dogs.
CommunityMake-A-Wish RGV hosting annual 5K Run & Walk at Tres Lagos
Make-A-Wish RGV is organizing its annual 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, September 12, at 8:30 a.m. The event will take place at Tres Lagos North Park, aiming to raise funds to fulfill wishes for critically ill children. Community participation is encouraged to support this important cause. For more details and to register, interested individuals can visit the Make-A-Wish RGV website.
CommunityRGV Humane Society to host monthly low-cost vaccine clinic
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Grande Valley Humane Society is inviting all pet owners to bring their furry friends for low-cost essential vaccinations and services at the end of the month. The RGV Humane Society hosts its vaccine clinic on the last Saturday of each month to help prevent pet illnesses and ensure affordability
CommunityHidalgo County Sheriff’s Office to host back-to-school bash on Tuesday
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office invites the community to its Back-to-School Bash happening on Tuesday. An evening filled with fun, food and school-supply giveaways starts at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Precinct 2 CRC located at 509 E. Earling Rd. in San Juan. "It's one of our
CommunityConfirmed: Bad Bunny to Close His Tour with Two Concerts in Puerto Rico
Urban music star Bad Bunny will conclude his historic "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour" in Puerto Rico with two nights at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23. Produced by Noah Assad Presents and Move Concerts, this celebration will mark the end of a tour that has taken the artist to sold-out stadiums across five continents, establishing it as the highest-grossing tour by a male Latin artist in history. The finale in Puerto Rico follows a tour that has set new milestones for Bad Bunny, featuring historic residencies and sold-out shows worldwide. Tickets for both performances will go on sale on Wednesday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m., exclusively through PR Ticket. The sale will be limited to customers with Banco Popular cards and will be conducted virtually. At the time of purchase, cardholders must enter the first six digits of their Banco Popular Puerto Rico-issued card to access the ticket layout. A maximum of four (4) tickets will be allowed per transaction and one (1) transaction per card. The celebration will begin well before the concert, as the production has designed the event as an experience beyond the show, with a local market and sponsor experiences within the Hiram Bithorn Stadium grounds, creating a space for the audience to enjoy throughout the day and celebrate the tour's conclusion in Puerto Rico. The venue will open at 11:30 a.m., allowing attendees to enjoy various experiences from that time. All experiences within the stadium will be available exclusively to those with a valid event ticket. The show will start at 6:00 p.m., and the production urges all attendees to plan their arrival in advance, emphasizing the importance of being inside the stadium on time for the show. The Hiram Bithorn Stadium grounds will not be open to the public without an event ticket. Additionally, there will be no parking available at the stadium, so all ticket holders must plan their arrival using available transportation options. The production will soon announce and share all public transportation options and access alternatives that will be available during both days of the event. Likewise, Uber, the official event sponsor, will offer special discount codes to facilitate transportation for the audience to and from the Hiram Bithorn Stadium. More details related to logistics, transportation, and event experiences will be announced soon through official channels.
CommunityWATCH LIVE: Sunday Mass, Aug. 16, 2026
On August 16, 2026, the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville will broadcast Sunday Mass live at 11 a.m. The event can be viewed on SOMOS EL VALLE Channel 5.2 and Cable 1240. This is an opportunity for the community to participate in the Mass from home. For those unable to watch the video, alternative options are available. Don't miss this chance to engage with the local faith community.
CommunityInterested in adopting your first pet from a shelter? An animal advocate offers these tips
In the U.S., animal shelters are facing a crisis, with 5.8 million cats and dogs entering shelters in 2025, according to Shelter Animals Count. Although admissions slightly decreased and adoptions increased compared to 2024, the overall shelter population grew by 147,000. Animal advocate Hannah Shaw, known as 'Kitten Lady,' emphasizes the importance of adoption and offers advice for first-time adopters. She encourages potential pet owners to visit shelters with an open mind, as they may connect with an unexpected animal. Shaw also highlights that one doesn't need to be perfect to adopt and suggests volunteering or fostering if not ready to adopt. The 'Clear the Shelters' campaign runs through August, promoting adoptions and donations.
CommunityFrom YouTube to the big screen: Local actor speaks on his experience shooting indie film
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Harlingen actor got the chance of a lifetime by being part of an indie film that was filmed and produced in the Rio Grande Valley. Israel Zallar plays the supporting role of Mateo in the 2026 indie film Borderline, directed by Ryan Jordan and written by Jeffrey Ronald Cohen. Borderline follows
CommunityHundreds of Fans Bid Farewell to Singer Bonnie Tyler
On Saturday, hundreds of fans gathered in the coastal village of Mumbles, Wales, to bid farewell to the late singer Bonnie Tyler, whose coffin was transported home. The Grammy-nominated pop star, famous for her hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart," passed away last month in a Portuguese hospital at the age of 75. Tyler had undergone emergency intestinal surgery in May. Admirers from across the UK lined the streets to pay their respects, leaving floral tributes outside her former home. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Monday in Swansea before her final journey through Skewen, her hometown.
CommunityHidalgo County judge rallies community leaders to tackle hunger across the Rio Grande Valley
Hidalgo County is addressing food insecurity in the Rio Grande Valley, with Judge Richard Cortez leading the initiative. He is uniting nonprofits, food banks, and health clinics to identify the underlying causes of hunger, as nearly 25% of the Valley's population is affected, according to Feeding America. Cortez emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, "We want to find solutions to the problem that we have." A free event titled "Hunger in the RGV: A Call to Action" will be held on September 3, 2026, at the Weslaco South Texas College campus, where attendees can learn more and hear about upcoming changes to SNAP benefits.
Community'Greatest show on Earth': Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey coming to Edinburg
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Ringling Circus Hype Crew stopped by our studios Friday morning to present the "Greatest Show on Earth", which is coming to the Rio Grande Valley next month. The high-energy circus experience is taking place from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6 at the Bert Ogden Arena. Juanita with the Ringling Circus
Community4Ever Family: Jada
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every week, CBS 4 works to find a forever home for a Rio Grande Valley foster child as part of our “4Ever Family” partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Meet Jada, a 16-year-old girl with a great sense of humor who is comfortable around others. Her social
CommunitySTC Alumna Finds Community and Culture Through Ballet Folklórico
Andrea Arechiga, a South Texas College (STC) alumna, first joined the college in 2019 to participate in Ballet Folklórico. Her passion for dance led her to enroll as a student, where she earned an associate degree in business administration in 2020 and later a bachelor's degree from UTRGV. Arechiga credits STC's folklórico program for connecting her to her culture and community, providing opportunities to perform across Mexico and the U.S. Now working as a financial aid specialist at STC, she aims to further her education with a master’s degree and hopes to return as a professor in the future.
CommunityDuke the Dog Adopted After Nearly 5 Years at a New Jersey Shelter
Duke, a coonhound mix, has finally been adopted after nearly five years at the Humane Society of Ocean City in New Jersey. He arrived at the shelter in the summer of 2021, where he became a beloved resident. The shelter actively sought a suitable family for him, and their efforts paid off. Duke is now thriving in his new home, enjoying affection and even making a new canine friend. The Humane Society expressed their joy over Duke's adoption, stating that his once sad story has turned into a heartwarming tale of companionship and love.
CommunityTexas Hunting, Fishing Licenses on Sale Aug. 15
Texas hunting and fishing licenses for the 2026-27 season will be available for purchase starting August 15, as current licenses expire at the end of August. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) encourages hunters and anglers to renew their licenses, which support various conservation efforts across the state. Licenses can be bought online or at retail locations, with a $5 fee for online purchases. New identity verification rules are in place to prevent residency fraud. Additionally, digital licenses are available, allowing users to access their licenses via mobile devices. Hunters can also enter a Lifetime License Drawing for a chance to win a free lifetime license.
CommunityMovie Talk reviews The End of Oak Street
Written and Directed by David Robert Mitchell Staring Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella ★★★1/2 HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — When was the last time you saw a movie featuring dinosaurs that was not part of the "Jurassic Park" franchise? It is admittedly a bold move to borrow one of the most profitable cinematic franchises' signature attractions, but leave it to a bold filmmaker like David Robert Mitchell