Cameron County jails not accepting nonviolent offenders due to overpopulation

Cameron County jails are currently not accepting nonviolent offenders due to overcrowding, as stated by Sheriff Manuel Treviño. This decision follows a finding in April that the jails were overcapacity by 47 inmates, violating state standards. To address this issue, the sheriff's office is collaborating with local judges and the district attorney's office to expedite court processes. Treviño noted that they have not yet requested a reinspection from the State Department of Jail Standards but will do so when ready. Arresting agencies will still file charges against nonviolent offenders to ensure they can respond to their allegations.

STHS holding summer safety expo

South Texas Health System (STHS) has reported 400 cases of heat-related illnesses across its 11 emergency rooms in the Rio Grande Valley, with numbers expected to rise. STHS spokesman Tom Castañeda emphasized the importance of hydration, especially for children, to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, slurred speech, and profuse sweating. If someone shows these signs, it's crucial to cool them down and call 911. To promote safety, STHS will hold a summer safety expo on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the STHS Children’s Hospital.

Gulf Cartel gun smugglers plead guilty

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two men who smuggled guns for the Gulf Cartel pleaded guilty on Tuesday. Joel Lopez Martinez, 21, of Edinburg and Demian Valdez, 23, of Reynosa attempted to send more than 20 guns to Mexico in April. “Are those facts true and correct?” U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis asked Lopez and

Weslaco cheerleader family filing amended wrongful death lawsuit, energy drink distributors seeking dismissal

The family of Larissa Rodriguez, a Weslaco cheerleader who died in October 2025, is amending their wrongful death lawsuit against energy drink distributors Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, LLC, and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, LLC. This follows the distributors' motion to dismiss the case, claiming the lawsuit lacks merit and that Rodriguez misused the product. The family contends that the energy drinks, linked to her death due to caffeine intake, were improperly marketed. An attorney for the family stated they will respond legally, while a judge has yet to set a date for the dismissal ruling.

La Grulla family loses everything after fire destroys home

Alligator expert urges caution after sightings across the Valley

Alligator sightings have increased across the Rio Grande Valley, prompting experts to advise caution. Residents in Mission, Port Mansfield, La Joya, and La Grulla have reported encounters with alligators, likely due to recent rainfall that has raised water levels. Jacob Reinbolt, an educator at the South Padre Island Alligator Sanctuary, noted that rising water allows alligators to navigate more freely through local waterways. While wild alligators generally avoid humans, it's important to maintain a safe distance and never feed them. Sightings can be reported to Texas Parks and Wildlife at 512-389-4848.

Cameron County sheriff provides update on jail overcrowding

OLMITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino on Tuesday provided an update regarding overcapacity at the county jail. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards found the Cameron County jail out of compliance after inspectors determined the facility was over capacity. The state gave the jail until May 15 to reduce the number of inmates

Energy drink distributor files motion to dismiss wrongful death lawsuit

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Glazer's Beer and Beverage of Texas, an energy drink distributor accused in the death of a Weslaco cheerleader, has filed a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed against it. The motion to dismiss was filed in the 370th District Court in Hidalgo County on Monday. An attorney representing Glazer's

DPS Shares Safety Tips as Texas Prepares to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup

As Texas gears up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging residents and visitors to prioritize safety. With millions expected to attend, DPS emphasizes the importance of vigilance and proactive measures. Key safety tips include avoiding drinking and driving, eliminating distractions while driving, and being aware of surroundings. Additionally, DPS highlights the need to be alert for signs of human trafficking, especially during large events. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities via iWatchTexas or call 911 if they witness potential trafficking situations.

TxDOT: FM 1425 in Mercedes closed for construction, expect delays

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation announced that a portion of FM 1425 in Mercedes is closed for road construction. According to TxDOT, construction will take place on both the northbound and southbound lanes of FM 1425 between Business 83 and I-2. TxDOT advises drivers to expect delays, plan ahead and take alternative

Terror in Mid-Flight: Accused of Attempting to Open Door on Frontier Plane

A passenger on a Frontier Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago was arrested after allegedly strangling an off-duty employee. Police also claim the suspect attempted to open the emergency exit doors of the plane and tried to enter the cockpit during the incident on the flight heading to Chicago on Sunday. According to the FAA, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami, and the passenger was taken into federal custody. Frontier Airlines confirmed that the flight later completed the remainder of its journey to Chicago without incident. A criminal complaint obtained by NBC News alleges that the 51-year-old suspect told flight attendants he wanted to get off the plane and then attempted to open the rear exit door of the aircraft. When a flight attendant stopped him, he moved toward the front of the plane and tried to enter the cockpit, where he was again restrained by a flight attendant. Shortly after, an off-duty Frontier Airlines employee sat next to him on the plane, according to the criminal complaint. Following a scuffle, the suspect allegedly began to strangle the employee before being subdued by several other passengers. At that point, the flight made an emergency landing in Miami, and the suspect was arrested. Videos on social media captured both the incident and its aftermath, with the suspect being restrained by passengers in his seat as the plane descended toward Miami. The FBI is assisting with the investigation, and no further information was available at this time.

Energy drink distributors seek to dismiss Weslaco cheerleader death lawsuit

The family of Larissa Rodriguez, a Weslaco cheerleader who died in October 2025 due to an enlarged heart linked to caffeine consumption, is amending their lawsuit against energy drink distributors Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, LLC and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, LLC. The distributors have filed a motion to dismiss, asserting that the lawsuit is baseless and that the product had appropriate warnings. They argue that Rodriguez misused the drink and that any harm was due to her negligence. The family must prove the product was dangerous, as Texas law protects distributors from liability for defective products. A ruling date on the motion is pending.

Suspect Barricades Himself in Chase Bank with People Inside in California; Two Hostages Released

BAKERSFIELD, California — Police are continuing negotiations on Wednesday with a man who barricaded himself inside a Chase Bank building in Bakersfield, California, on Tuesday, along with an undetermined number of people, according to police. Responding officers arrived around 1 p.m. at the bank building in downtown Bakersfield after a bomb threat call and discovered that a man had barricaded himself inside 'with several community members,' the Bakersfield Police Department stated in a release. The exact number of hostages remains unknown. Crisis negotiators and the FBI managed to secure the release of two individuals, and the remaining hostages are reported to be 'in good health,' said Municipal Police Sergeant Eric Celedon. No injuries have been reported. Some individuals were able to escape the building, according to authorities. The department's crisis negotiation team was in phone contact with the suspect. Officers established a perimeter around the building and nearby businesses, authorities reported.

Roma ‘port runner’ sentenced to 10 months in prison

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who raced across the Roma bridge to stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection from searching his truck was sentenced to 10 months in prison Tuesday. Officers stopped Jose Angel Barrera, 31, of Roma in October 2025, when he crossed the bridge in a white Toyota Tundra. An X-ray revealed

Cameron County Sheriff Claims to Have Reduced Jail Overcrowding

Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño provided an update on the overcrowding situation at the county jail and the measures implemented to reduce the inmate population. According to his explanation, his office has been working in coordination with local judges and the District Attorney's Office to decrease the number of individuals detained in the facilities. Additionally, Treviño noted that the state prison system has increased the transfer of inmates to state-run prisons to alleviate pressure on the county jail. The sheriff mentioned that, for now, no new inspection has been requested from the State Jail Standards Department, as they aim to stabilize the situation before seeking an official reevaluation. However, he clarified that law enforcement agencies continue to submit the necessary documentation to the District Attorney's Office for accused individuals to respond to charges in the judicial system. He concluded by stating, 'Local agencies are being contacted to make the necessary arrangements when their officers make an arrest.'

Authorities Arrest Regional Leader of the Drug Trafficking Group Los Chapitos in Mexico

MEXICO CITY – Mexico's Security Cabinet reported on Tuesday the arrest of Gabriel 'N', alias Gabito, identified as the regional leader of the faction Los Menores, better known as Los Chapitos, a group targeted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In a statement, Mexican security authorities explained that Gabriel 'N' was captured in a coordinated operation in the municipality of El Rosario, in the state of Sinaloa, by elements of the National Defense, National Guard (GN), and state agents. According to the National Detention Registry, Gabriel 'N' was arrested on June 1 at 8:15 PM and is in the custody of the Attorney General's Office (FGR). They also indicated that the detainee is linked to crimes such as 'kidnapping, extortion, homicide, and drug-related offenses.' Additionally, he is accused of 'the homicide of six workers and four suppliers of a mining company that occurred in January of this year,' referring to personnel from the Canadian mining company Vizla Silver who went missing in the municipality of La Concordia, Sinaloa.

Former Edinburg daycare manager 'never made an attempt to report the abuse': Docs

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An arrest affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral details what led to the second arrest of a former Edinburg daycare manager accused of failing to report the alleged abuse of a 1-year-old boy. Alma Enriquez Garza, the former manager of Grandma's Daycare in Edinburg, has been arrested twice since the Edinburg Police Department

Grass Fire Causes Traffic Closures in Port Mansfield

The Willacy County Sheriff's Office reported that temporary closures are occurring at the entrance to Port Mansfield. Authorities stated that the fire was caused by an electrical transformer, and emergency crews along with the local Fire Department are working at the scene to control the situation and ensure the safety of drivers and residents. So far, no injuries or additional damages related to the incident have been reported. They advise people planning to travel through the area to take precautions and be aware of potential delays.

Man Arrested for Harboring Undocumented Immigrants in Texas, Border Police Say

EL PASO, Texas – A 25-year-old Mexican citizen was arrested by federal authorities after being identified as the operator of a stash house near El Paso, where he was hiding undocumented migrants in the United States, according to information shared by Rosario 'Pete' Vásquez, chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, on his official X account. The investigation revealed that the suspect was detained for harboring three migrants, including two unaccompanied minors. During his arrest, the individual confessed to hiding at least five migrants per week in the apartment, an activity he was engaged in regularly. According to his own statements, this operation would have generated approximately $18,000 over a three-month period. Authorities noted that what the suspect considered a quick way to make money ended with his arrest, and he now faces federal charges for trafficking and harboring migrants, offenses that can carry severe prison sentences in the United States. As for the three migrants found at the property, it was reported that they will be processed by immigration authorities and subsequently deported according to established procedures.