Woman arrested in connection to deadly Brownsville SUV crash

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman was charged in connection with a deadly Brownsville crash that happened in June. Pamela Ruth Taylor was charged with driving with an invalid license without motor vehicle financial responsibility, causing serious bodily injury/death, according to Brownsville jail records. At approximately 9:45 p.m. on June 27, police were called to the accident at the intersection of

Firefighters Save a Life and Extinguish Two Dangerous Fires

Local fire departments in the Rio Grande Valley showcased their bravery by responding to two significant fires recently. In McAllen, firefighters rushed to a residential blaze on North 28th Lane, where they rescued an unconscious cat from the garage. With the help of Lone Star EMS, the cat received oxygen and cooling measures, and is now recovering. Fortunately, no humans were injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Meanwhile, in Cameron County, Los Fresnos firefighters battled a structure fire in a rural area, successfully extinguishing flames in a warehouse filled with charcoal without any injuries reported. Both incidents highlight the dedication of first responders in South Texas.

$200, 000 border grant funds new Mission fire response vehicles

The Mission Fire Department is enhancing its fleet with the addition of three utility vehicles, funded by a $200,000 border grant. Two of these vehicles will feature 100-gallon water tanks and hoses, enabling crews to tackle emergencies in areas that traditional trucks cannot access, such as canal banks, brush areas, and bike trails. Fire Chief Mike Silva emphasized the versatility of these vehicles for various terrains. The department anticipates deploying the new vehicles as early as next week to improve their emergency response capabilities.

Sisters charged with marriage fraud during ropa usada investigation

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Federal agents charged two sisters with marriage fraud on Friday. Agents filed marriage fraud charges against Ana Karen Quintero Cardenas and Hannia Catalina Quintero Cardenas on Friday afternoon. Ana’s husband couldn’t remember “the exact month of the marriage,” according to the criminal complaint against her. He confessed to marrying Ana “so

San Benito traffic stop leads to drug seizure at Harlingen home: Police

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is facing drug possession charges after police found cocaine, marijuana and Sildenafil inside his vehicle during a traffic stop on Thursday, according to a news release from the San Benito Police Department. Edward N. Hernandez of Harlingen was arrested on charges of manufacture/delivery of controlled substance PG1, a first-degree felony;

Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, Brother of Cartel Leader, Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking

Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, a 67-year-old from Michoacán, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S. and possession of a firearm in relation to the conspiracy. For over 20 years, he was involved with Mexican cartels, notably the Milenio Cartel and later the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, led by his brother, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. He faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for November 13. The case was investigated by the DEA and involved cooperation from the Mexican government.

Speeding and Distracted Drivers Put School Children in Danger

In Texas, over 3,200 traffic accidents occurred in school zones or involving school buses last year, prompting the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to remind drivers to prioritize safety as schools reopen this August. In the Pharr District alone, there were 78 crashes, resulting in one death. The number of accidents in school zones rose by 12% from 2024 to 2025, with distracted driving and speeding being the main causes. TxDOT's 'Be Safe. Drive Smart. Back to School' campaign encourages drivers to obey speed limits, avoid distractions, and be vigilant around children, especially near bus stops and crosswalks.

Tony Romo on leave from CBS Sports after arrest in Wisconsin

Romo, 46, was arrested last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.

Man Arrested with Large Drug Shipment in San Benito

SAN BENITO, Texas — A man from Harlingen was arrested following a San Benito Police operation that resulted in the seizure of cocaine, marijuana, controlled substances, and alleged equipment used for processing and distributing narcotics. According to a statement from the San Benito Police Department, the arrest occurred on July 30 at around 4:18 p.m., when officers from the Special Investigations, K-9, and Traffic units conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Batts Street. Authorities identified the driver as Edward N. Hernández, a Harlingen resident. During the vehicle inspection, officers found approximately 172 grams of cocaine, marijuana, and multiple doses of Sildenafil. Following the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence in Harlingen, where they seized an additional 211 grams of cocaine, nearly 2 pounds of marijuana, more Sildenafil tablets, a THC cartridge, a scale, bags, and other items that police say were used for processing narcotics. In total, authorities reported the seizure of: 383 grams of cocaine, 2 pounds of marijuana, 10 doses of Sildenafil, and 1 THC cartridge. Hernández faces the following charges: Manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1, Offer to deliver dangerous drugs, Possession of marijuana over 4 ounces and under 5 pounds, and Possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2. The suspect remains in custody and is awaiting his arraignment, according to the San Benito Police Department.

Weslaco library temporarily closed as residents experience low water pressure

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —  Weslaco city officials announced Friday morning that residents citywide are experiencing low water pressure. Crews are currently working to identify and resolve the issue as quickly as possible, according to a statement from the city on social media. As a result, the Joe V. Sanchez Public Library is temporarily closed until

El Paso woman pleads guilty to smuggling sedated children

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — An El Paso woman pleaded guilty after sedating children with THC-laced gummies and smuggling them across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to federal prosecutors. Dianne Guadian, 33, pleaded guilty in a federal court to four counts of aiding and abetting the smuggling of unauthorized migrants for financial gain, according to

Two ransom notes sent to Nancy Guthrie's family revealed after her kidnapping

TUCSON - The Pima County Sheriff has made public two ransom notes related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. Six months after the 84-year-old woman was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, the investigating agency is asking for the public's help in identifying the person responsible for her alleged kidnapping. In a statement accompanying the extortion notes, released this Friday, the sheriff explains that detectives need information from the public to advance in this case and make an arrest.

A fighter jet crashes at a military base in California; no injuries reported

A fighter jet crashed Friday morning at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, causing a small fire within the military base. The F-35B assigned to the 3rd Marine Aviation Group, Wing 11, went down around 10 a.m. in what Marine Corps spokesperson Captain Steven Keenan described as a 'Class A incident.' The pilot, the only person on board, was able to exit the aircraft before the crash and was located, Keenan reported. It is unclear whether the pilot was injured. SkyRanger 7 footage showed the jet broken into at least two pieces amid a scorched area the size of a football field. The cause of the accident, which occurred several meters from the base's runway, is unknown. The F-35B is the Marine Corps' short takeoff aircraft; it can take off and land vertically, making it especially useful for operations on aircraft carriers. It is primarily used for air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, and offensive air support, according to the Marine Corps. This is a developing story. Details may change as new information becomes available.

Water Service Restored in Weslaco After Power Outage

Drinking water service began to be restored in Weslaco after a power outage in the AEP Texas electrical grid disrupted the operation of water treatment and distribution plants throughout the city. Authorities reported that power has been restored and all pumps are back in operation, so full service is expected to return in the coming hours. The city clarified that the water system maintained the pressure required by state regulations during the interruption, making the water safe to drink, and there is no need to issue a boil water notice. Some residents may notice slightly discolored water or air in the pipes as service normalizes. Authorities indicated that this situation is temporary and usually resolves after running the water for a few minutes.

Men Arrested in Nancy Guthrie Case File Notice of Claim Against Pima County Sheriff

Two Arizona men detained during the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance have filed a notice of claim against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and a detective. The claim alleges wrongful arrest and property damage. Carlos Palazuelos was questioned on February 10 and released without charges, while Daniel Maddox was handcuffed at his home and held for hours. The notice states that Palazuelos was arrested at gunpoint and that his home was 'ransacked.' The claim seeks $2.5 million for Palazuelos, $500,000 for Maddox, and $250,000 for his mother, Josefina. Guthrie, 84, disappeared on February 1, and the FBI is treating it as a kidnapping case.

Mission officials warn of low water pressure as fire crews battle fully engulfed house fire

Mission firefighters are currently battling a significant house fire on South Shary Road that was reported around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The residence on Solera Drive was fully engulfed upon their arrival, but fortunately, no one was home, and there have been no reported injuries. The McAllen Fire Department is providing assistance at the scene. Residents of Mission are advised that some areas may experience temporary low water pressure due to the firefighting efforts, but the city assures that water pressure will normalize once the emergency operations conclude and the system is restored.

Fire crews battle large house fire in south Mission

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Mission Fire Department is responding to a house fire in south Mission. Crews were dispatched to the fire at approximately 5:30 p.m. near Solera Street. According to a spokesperson for the city of Mission, no one was inside the home at the time the fire broke out. No injuries have

Alligator removal in Los Fresnos prompts safety tips for pool owners

McAllen police search for woman wanted in assault investigation