Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyTRAFFIC ALERT: Paving work on I-69E Frontage Road in San Benito, June 23 – July 3
Paving work on the I-69E frontage road in San Benito will begin on June 22 and is expected to finish by July 3. Crews will be working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturday if needed. The project will involve lane and ramp closures on both northbound and southbound roads between FM 732 in San Benito and FM 511 in Olmito, focusing on milling, paving, and striping. Drivers should anticipate minor delays and exercise caution in the work zones for safety.
Public SafetyDaytime lane, ramp closures planned between San Benito and Olmito
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Daytime lane and ramp closures are planned between San Benito and Olmito starting Monday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The closures are planned for the northbound and southbound I-69E frontage roads between FM 732 in San Benito and FM 511 in Olmito, as crews perform roadway maintenance to enhance
Public SafetyNancy Guthrie Case: A Second Note Sent to Media Stated She Had Died
The second note sent to media following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie indicated that she had died, but it contained no apology or request for payment for the delivery of her body, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke to NBC News. The existence of the note was known, but its content—specifically stating that Guthrie had died—had not been previously revealed. Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie (co-host of the 'TODAY' show), was reported missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1, and the circumstances of her disappearance remain a mystery. Guthrie, 84, was last seen the night before, around 9:45 p.m. Ten days after her disappearance was reported, the FBI obtained disturbing footage from a doorbell camera showing a masked man with a gun in front of her house on the morning she went missing. Since then, the FBI has classified that individual as a suspect.
Public SafetyHearing set for motion to dismiss Weslaco cheerleader wrongful death lawsuit
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A hearing has been set after Glazer's Beer and Beverage of Texas, an energy drink distributor accused in the death of a Weslaco cheerleader, filed a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed against it earlier this month. The hearing is set for 8 a.m. June 30 in the 370th
Public SafetySuspect Sought in Armed Robbery in McAllen
The individual has been identified by McAllen police as 17-year-old Francisco Santana Jr. Authorities report that the robbery occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on June 21 in the 1000 block of Houston Avenue, after a 34-year-old woman was robbed at gunpoint in a parking lot. A judge has issued an arrest warrant for the suspect for aggravated robbery, and the description provided by police is as follows: approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His last known address is in Pharr. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers at (956) 687-8477.
Public SafetyMan Wanted for Homicide in Cameron County Captured in Eagle Pass
The arrest occurred at Port of Entry Number 2, where officers assigned to the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals identified and arrested Rogelio Mendiola. Mendiola had an active arrest warrant issued by Cameron County for homicide, and following his arrest, he was placed in federal custody. He is now being held at a Val Verde County detention center, where he will continue the legal process before his eventual transfer to Cameron County.
Public SafetyEdcouch Man Dies After Being Rescued from Water at South Padre Island
The victim was identified as 49-year-old Matthew J. Shaw, a resident of Edcouch. According to the Cameron County Parks Division, the incident occurred around 5 PM on June 21, approximately one mile north of Access Road 5, and he later died at a hospital in Brownsville. Witnesses reported that Shaw had entered the water to swim shortly before the incident. After authorities were notified, officers and personnel from the Cameron County Beach Unit performed rescue and emergency medical procedures upon arrival. Authorities stated that the family has been notified and the investigation remains open.
Public SafetyHigh Bail Set for Driver Accused of Fleeing After Accident in Alamo
José Fidencio Luna Ramírez, 40, appeared in Alamo Municipal Court for formal charges related to a serious accident on Expressway 83 that occurred on June 19. The incident left several individuals injured, including a 5-year-old boy who remains in critical condition. Judge Celia García set a total bail of $360,000, with charges including two counts of serious bodily injury and four counts of injury. Luna Ramírez was driving a tractor-trailer that collided with a Dodge Durango and fled the scene. While adults involved have been discharged from the hospital, medical follow-up continues for the minors.
Public SafetyArrested After Stepfather's Death; Knife, Axe, and Sword Found
An 18-year-old man was arrested Saturday at a residence in northeast Miami-Dade after authorities found his stepfather dead. According to a police report, a call alerted them to an incident at the home. Upon arrival, officers found the victim unconscious with stab wounds. Inside the residence, they discovered a knife, a sword, and an axe, all with blood stains. The suspect, identified as Juan González, was locked in the bathroom. After officers ordered him to open the door, he was arrested. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) personnel responded to the scene and determined that the victim had died at the location. Additionally, surveillance videos captured the accused tampering with the camera angles before the homicide. Before being taken to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit, the suspect invoked his right to remain silent. González faces a charge of first-degree murder and remains incarcerated at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Public SafetyCameron County murder suspect arrested in Eagle Pass
Rogelio Mendiola, a murder suspect from Cameron County, was arrested in Eagle Pass. The Eagle Pass Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, apprehended Mendiola at Port of Entry II. He is one of three individuals charged in the murder of 42-year-old Genaro Urbano Gomez Castillo, who was shot on May 21, 2021, in Cameron Park, Brownsville. Mendiola has been taken to a federal detention facility in Val Verde County and will remain there while awaiting extradition back to Cameron County.
Public SafetyCameron County murder suspect arrested in Eagle Pass: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Cameron County man wanted on charges of murder was arrested in Eagle Pass, according to the Eagle Pass Police Department. According to a news release, Eagle Pass officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force assisted with the arrest of Rogelio Mendiola. Mendiola had an active arrest warrant
Public SafetyMan Dies After Falling from Upper Bleachers During Concert in New York
A 51-year-old man from Connecticut, Paul Kueker, died after falling from an upper tier during a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. The incident occurred around 9:51 PM, and police found him unconscious with injuries consistent with a fall from a height. He was attending the concert with his wife and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Authorities do not suspect foul play. The band Goose, which was performing at the time, expressed their shock and announced that proceeds from their next concert in Central Park would go to a charity supporting their fans.
Public SafetyDeputies find dog with severe facial injuries, no food, green water; Man arrested
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 66-year-old man is facing animal cruelty charges after deputies discovered a German Shepherd with severe facial injuries, no food and dark green water, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. Luis Aguilar was charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, a class A misdemeanor, according to the Cameron
Public SafetyHarlingen man charged with animal cruelty after injured German Shepherd seized from property
Luis Aguilar, a 66-year-old man from Harlingen, was arrested on an animal cruelty charge after a severely injured German Shepherd was discovered on his property. The incident began on May 21 when deputies responded to reports of neglected animals on Baker Potts Road. The dog, named Tasha, was found in a kennel with serious facial injuries and no food, only dirty water. Investigators noted the lack of shelter and medical care, leading to a warrant for the dog's seizure. Tasha has since been taken to a veterinary clinic and is awaiting adoption at a local shelter. Aguilar remains in custody.
Public SafetyCombes park restrooms shut down following latest vandalism incident
Combes Community Park has closed its restrooms due to recent vandalism, marking the fifth incident in a year. Over the weekend, walls were spray-painted, a mirror was broken, and stall doors were removed. Repairs costing $1,000 began on Thursday, with a stall door reinstalled and the broken mirror boarded up. The city plans to enhance security with two motion-activated cameras outside the restrooms. Local resident Jose Nino expressed disappointment over the vandalism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public spaces for families and children. Repairs and camera installations are expected to be completed next week.
Public SafetyDriver charged in connection with Alamo hit-and-run crash
A 40-year-old man, Jose Fidencio Luna Ramirez, has been charged following a hit-and-run incident in Alamo that left a 5-year-old child in critical condition and injured five others. The crash occurred on Friday evening on the expressway near Tower Road, involving Ramirez's tractor-trailer and a silver Dodge Durango. He faces two counts of collision with serious bodily injury and four counts of collision with injury. His bond is set at $300,000. The child suffered severe head trauma after being ejected from the vehicle, while two adults and three other children were hospitalized but later released with minor injuries.
Public SafetyAccused driver in Alamo hit-and-run to appear in court
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The driver accused of leaving the scene of a crash in Alamo that left two adults and four children with injuries is scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing on Saturday. Jose Fidencio Luna Ramirez, 40, was located shortly after the crash and taken into custody. Ramirez will be
Public SafetyMission Fire Department rescues six dogs from canal
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Mission Fire Department rescued six dogs that were trapped in a canal filled with water on Friday evening. Photos of the rescue were uploaded to the Mission Fire Department's social media page showing first responders at the scene using rope to pull the dogs from the canal. Mission FD described
Public SafetyFire at Dominican Republic resort leaves tourists stranded; authorities assist them in returning home
A massive fire at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, led to the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists and resulted in the death of an Italian woman. Authorities are coordinating efforts to help affected tourists return home, as many lost their identification documents in the blaze. Hotel management is working with police to facilitate online reports for guests needing assistance. Tourists have been relocated to hotels in Punta Cana and Bayahibe. The cause of the fire, which spread quickly due to wind and thatched roofing, is under investigation, while tourist activities in the area continue normally.