Public Safety

New technology to help with auto-theft cases in Palmview

PALMVIEW, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Palmview Police Department will be awarded new technology through a state-funded grant to combat auto-theft cases in the region. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Association awarded the grant to help the police department obtain its first set of license plate readers. A total of four license plate readers will be used

Social Media Scams to Cost $2.1 Billion in Losses by 2025: Report

Social media has become the preferred platform for scammers, enabling them to steal an astonishing $2.1 billion by 2025, according to an announcement made Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The amount of money lost to social media scams has skyrocketed in recent years. Losses in 2025 are projected to be eight times higher than those in 2020, partly because scammers can now reach potential victims more easily through social media platforms. 'Social media provides access to billions of people worldwide, making it easier for scammers to operate at minimal cost,' the FTC stated in a release.

TRAFFIC ALERT- Full Width of SH 4 Phase One to Open in Brownsville, PUSHED BACK to May 5-6

The full width of State Highway 4 (International Boulevard) currently under construction, between I-69E and Wilson Street in Brownsville, is scheduled to reopen.

Mexico Highlights 'Significant' Blows Against Drug Cartels Following Arrests of CJNG Leaders

MEXICO CITY – President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized on Tuesday the 'significant' arrests of 'El Jardinero,' identified by authorities as one of the top leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and his financial operator by the Armed Forces, in operations she linked to progress in the fight against organized crime. 'Yesterday, there were two very, very significant arrests (…) This is tied to advancements in intelligence and investigations in the country, which is one of our key strategies, and the results are evident,' the president stated during her daily press conference in Mexico City. On Monday, the Mexican Navy arrested Audías Flores Silva, alias 'El Jardinero,' in the western state of Nayarit. Flores Silva is considered one of the CJNG leaders and a possible successor to 'El Mencho,' who was killed in a federal operation two months ago and was regarded as one of the world's most wanted drug lords. Hours later, special forces from the Mexican Army and National Guard captured César Alejandro ‘N,’ alias 'El Güero Conta,' suspected to be Flores Silva’s financial operator.

Fire at McAllen mulch facility under investigation

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Fire Department continues to extinguish smoldering brush piles that ignited Monday at the McAllen mulch facility, McAllen Fire Chief Juan Gloria said Tuesday. Firefighters will remain on site until they fully extinguish all hot spots. Chief Gloria told ValleyCentral that the fire is fully contained and poses no threat to

Reward Paid in Tip Leading to Fugitive’s Capture in San Antonio

Herbert Lee Souvenir, 47, was taken into custody in San Antonio on Friday, April 17. Following up on tip information.

Woman remains in critical condition after being ejected from truck window: Edinburg police

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 22-year-old woman remains in critical condition after being ejected from a truck window over the weekend, according to an update from the Edinburg Police Department on Tuesday. At approximately 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, 25-year-old Andrew Rodriguez was driving a Toyota Tacoma with the windows down. The woman, who has not been

59-Year-Old McAllen Man Charged with Allegedly Furnishing Alcohol to Minors Following House Party

Texas Border Business McALLEN, Texas – The McAllen Police Department has arrested a 59-year-old resident following a weekend response to a disturbance that uncovered a large gathering involving underage drinking. On the evening of Sunday, April 26, 2026, officers were dispatched to the 7300 block of North 8th Street after a neighbor reported hearing a young

908 pounds of meth hidden in tile shipment at Pharr bridge: CBP

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Officers seized 908 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden in a title shipment at the Pharr International Bridge last week, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. On April 21, CBP officers referred a commercial tractor-trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico, to a secondary inspection. Upon a physical inspection, the title pallets

US Consulate Matamoros issues alert on Reynosa criminal roadblocks

REYNOSA, Tamaulipas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros issued a security alert on Monday after receiving reports of violent criminal activity, including roadblocks in Reynosa. U.S. government employees have been ordered to avoid the greater Reynosa area. The U.S. Consulate of Matamoros advises the following actions: The state of Tamaulipas, which borders South Texas, remains

Soldier Pleads Not Guilty to Using Information on Maduro Capture to Win Bets

NEW YORK — A U.S. Special Forces soldier pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of using classified information about the mission to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to earn over $400,000 on the prediction market platform Polymarket. Gannon Ken Van Dyke, 38, entered the plea in a Manhattan federal court after being accused of illegally using confidential government information for personal gain, stealing non-public government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and conducting an illegal monetary transaction. He was released on a $250,000 bond, with travel restricted to certain parts of New York, North Carolina, California, and necessary routes between those locations.

A leader in Jalisco New Generation Cartel arrested in Mexico

Audias Flores Silva, also known as “El Jardinero,” was detained in Nayarit, Mexico's secretary of security announced.

“We did everything we could that night”: Camp Mystic director apologizes

TEXAS – One of the directors of a Texas camp that was flooded in 2025 tearfully apologized on Tuesday to the families of the 25 campers and two counselors who died in the tragedy. “We did everything we could that night. It wasn’t enough to save your daughters,” said Edward Eastland, a member of the family that owns the camp. “I am deeply sorry.” Eastland’s apology came as dozens of the girls’ family members sat just a few feet behind him during the second day of a special legislative hearing investigating the devastating July 4 flood. A written report with the findings is expected later this year. Eastland recounted that he and his father, Richard Eastland, were at the camp that night and made a desperate attempt to save the girls when they realized the heavy rains had triggered a flood that swept through the camp along the Guadalupe River. Richard Eastland died in the flood, and Edward survived only after being carried to a tree. “These girls were our youngest campers and their incredible counselors, whom we watched grow up,” Eastland said. “The world was a better place with them, and the outrage against us for not being able to keep them safe is completely justified.” Britt Eastland, another director, stated that the camp will train counselors and conduct drills to prepare campers for floods, fires, tornadoes, and intruders. Legislative investigators noted on Monday that the lack of training at the camp was a critical issue that contributed to the deaths. “All of these things should have been done from the start,” said Senator Charles Perry. Camp Mystic is a Christian girls-only camp located along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. Its owners plan to reopen at the end of May and have said they will only use parts of the camp that were not flooded. They anticipate nearly 900 girls will be on campus this summer. These plans have angered the victims’ families, and some state officials have called for regulators to deny or delay the camp’s license renewal, which is under review. The Legislature will not reconvene until January 2027, and the panel does not have control over Camp Mystic’s license review.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Apr 28, 2026

12-year-old McAllen student hospitalized after vaping substance laced with narcotics on school bus

Un estudiante de 12 años de McAllen fue hospitalizado después de vapear una sustancia que contenía narcóticos mientras estaba en un autobús escolar. Las autoridades están investigando el incidente y han instado a los padres a hablar con sus hijos sobre los peligros del vapeo y el uso de sustancias ilícitas.

Man charged after allegedly providing alcohol to minors at McAllen house party

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen man was arrested Monday after allegedly providing alcohol for minors during a house party, police reported. Miguel Ángel Herrera, 59, of McAllen, was charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. On April 11, at approximately 11 p.m., officers responded to the 7300 block of North

CBP Officers Seize more than $8.1M in Meth at Pharr International Bridge

Texas Border Business PHARR, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted $8.1 million in suspected methamphetamine concealed in a shipment manifested as tile. On April 21, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a commercial tractor trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico. The vehicle was referred

Suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Charged with Attempt to Assassinate the President

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was arraigned today in U.S. District Court on charges stemming from the April 25, 2026, shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Student detained, 12-year-old boy hospitalized after vaping on school bus: McAllen police

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — One male student was detained, and a 12-year-old boy required emergency care after vaping on a school bus, according to the McAllen Police Department. On April 22 at 7:34 a.m., officers received a report from the 1400 block of North 29th Street regarding a 12-year-old boy in a bus, vomiting and unconscious.

U.S. Consulate Issues Security Alert Over Roadblocks and Violence in Reynosa

The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros has issued a security alert following reports of violent criminal activity, including roadblocks, in the city of Reynosa, located in the state of Tamaulipas. Due to the situation, U.S. government employees are instructed to avoid the Reynosa area. Additionally, the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 travel advisory for Tamaulipas, urging individuals not to travel to the region due to risks of crime, kidnapping, and violence. Residents are advised to avoid the area, remain vigilant, and follow guidance from local authorities. Recommendations include avoiding high-risk areas, keeping a low profile, monitoring local media, and staying in contact with family regarding safety. Authorities also urge individuals to review personal security plans and call 911 in case of an emergency. For now, staying updated with official announcements is strongly advised.