Archive · 8797 stories · page 206 of 440
Public SafetyHidalgo County property owner cited for illegal burning near Alton
Hidalgo County officials have cited a property owner for conducting an illegal burning operation near Alton. The site, located at 6 Mile Line and Iowa Road, was reported by neighbors who noticed smoke. Constables from Precinct 3 responded and found that the owner was charging people to dump trash for burning without a permit. Hidalgo County Constable Larry Gallardo stated that they are investigating the duration of this operation and advising the owner against it. The Alton Fire Department intervened to prevent the fire from spreading. Authorities remind the public that illegal dumping can lead to citations and penalties.
BusinessSaronic Technologies moving forward with $3. 2 billion shipyard project at Port of Brownsville
Saronic Technologies is set to establish the largest shipyard in the U.S. at the Port of Brownsville, with a $3.2 billion investment expected to generate 10,000 jobs in South Texas. Governor Greg Abbott announced the project, named Port Alpha, which will focus on AI-driven autonomous vessels for potential military use. Saronic aims to enhance the industrial capacity and workforce necessary for American maritime leadership. The company will collaborate with local educational institutions for workforce training. Cameron County has approved a 95% tax break for the project, which is anticipated to significantly boost the local economy and create new opportunities for families.
Community'We'll be back': Thousands disappointed after SpaceX scrubs Starship launch
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Thousands of spectators lined the beaches of South Padre Island on Thursday hoping to witness SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight, but their anticipation turned to disappointment when the company scrubbed the launch just moments before liftoff. The countdown was halted after several of Starship's Raptor engines failed to ignite,
WeatherMore heat, more haze and more dry weather on the way
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A stubborn high‑pressure ridge stays locked over the Gulf, keeping conditions dry, warm and hazy. With that sinking air overhead, temperatures stay hot and slightly above average, especially for the western regions of the Rio Grande Valley. The setup also encourages southerly winds, so the weekend won’t just be warm, it’ll feel more humid too. Most of the weekend trends partly to
NationalAP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood and never should have been given a badge and gun to patrol American streets, several of his close relatives told The
Public SafetyFBI suggests migrant van in fatal Houston shooting had meth. A lawyer says it was salt.
The FBI has sought a search warrant to seize plastic bags containing a "crystal-like substance" from the van of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed by an immigration officer in Houston. While the FBI suspects methamphetamine, Araujo's lawyer claims the substance is actually granulated salt, used as a homemade electrolyte mix. Araujo, who lived in Houston for nearly 35 years and was in the process of obtaining legal status, was not the intended target of the ICE operation. Investigations are ongoing, and the FBI is expected to release test results soon.
Public SafetyHarlingen preparing hazard mitigation plan with $100, 000 state grant
Harlingen city officials are developing a hazard mitigation plan to secure federal funding for future drainage improvements. They have one year to complete and adopt the plan after receiving a $100,000 grant from the Texas General Land Office. The plan aims to identify drainage priorities and enhance the city's resilience against hazards. It must be approved by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA. Public participation will be encouraged through meetings and surveys as the city emphasizes the importance of adopting the plan within the next 12 months to pursue additional funding for drainage projects.
CommunitySalvation Army of Cameron County giving away free fans
The Salvation Army of Cameron County has launched its annual fan distribution program, providing 600 free fans to families in the Rio Grande Valley. The giveaway began on Wednesday and will serve residents in Harlingen, Rio Hondo, San Benito, Raymondville, and Brownsville. Whitney Hoston, co-officer of the organization, noted the high demand, as 100 fans distributed in Raymondville were claimed within 20 minutes. Families must present a valid ID to receive a fan, with a limit of one per household. The fans were generously donated by H-E-B.
Public SafetyCameron County cleaning out box culverts
Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 is currently cleaning box culverts located under the expressway in Harlingen to ensure proper stormwater flow before upcoming storms. The Stuart Place Main Channel, which channels stormwater from Harlingen, Primera, and Palm Valley, was found to have two to three feet of sediment in the culverts when work began two weeks ago, according to General Manager Rolando Vela. The culverts extend over 400 feet beneath the expressway, and crews are anticipated to continue their work for an additional two weeks.
BusinessBrownsville lands $3. 2B AI drone tech company. Community members question the impact it. could bring
Brownsville has secured a significant investment from Saronic Technologies, an AI drone manufacturer, which plans to build a $3.2 billion shipyard at the Port of Brownsville. This project is expected to create 10,000 jobs over the next decade and generate a $160 billion economic impact for Cameron County. While city leaders view this as a vital step toward reducing local poverty, critics express concerns about potential environmental damage and socioeconomic disparities. The poverty rate in Brownsville remains around 24%, more than double the national average. Construction is set to begin this year, with operations starting in 2028.
Public SafetyDonna man accused of hacking dead person social media accounts to harass family members
A man from Donna, Jose Luis Lara Jr., has been arrested for allegedly hacking into the social media accounts of a deceased individual to harass their family over six years. He faces multiple charges, including computer security breach and online impersonation. The investigation started after family members reported receiving disturbing messages that seemed to come from the deceased's accounts, containing explicit content and false allegations. This caused significant emotional distress to the victims. Lara was booked on Wednesday and released on a $32,500 bond the following day, according to Hidalgo County jail records.
NationalTrump administration revives rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits
The Trump administration is reinstating a controversial rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who utilize public benefits such as food stamps and Medicaid. This 'public charge' policy will be published in the Federal Register on July 20 and take effect on September 18. It requires green card applicants to prove they will not become a burden on the state. Critics argue that the rule fosters fear among immigrant communities, discouraging them from seeking essential services. Advocates warn that this could negatively impact public health and economic security, particularly for mixed-status families.
BusinessLocal, state officials react to Saronic coming to the Port of Brownsville
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Local and state officials are reacting to the announcement that Saronic Technologies, an Austin-based maritime defense company, is coming to the Port of Brownsville. Gov. Greg Abbott and Saronic Technologies on Thursday announced that the $3.2 billion investment will be built on 800 acres and will expand to over 4,000 acres
McAllenSpaceX scrubs Starship Flight 13
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX scrubbed its Starship Flight 13 right after it was preparing to liftoff from Starbase on Thursday evening. The aerospace company posted on X that it is "standing down from today's flight test attempt." During a live feed, smoke was seen surrounding the Starship as it was preparing for liftoff. SpaceX
McAllenSpaceX prepares for Starship Flight 13
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The 13th test flight of Starship is scheduled to launch from Starbase on Thursday evening. According to SpaceX, Flight 13 will aim to complete similar objectives targeted on Flight 12, which debuted a redesigned ship and a new generation of Super Heavy V3 vehicles. Modifications on hardware and software have been
NationalBorder Patrol encounters dropped in June, Rio Grande Valley Sector again leads
HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) -- The number of migrants encountered by Border Patrol agents on the Southwest border dropped slightly in June from May, and the Rio Grande Valley Sector continued to report the most encounters. U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Thursday released data from June, which showed there were 9,848 migrant encounters on
CommunityCity of Pharr’s ADA Anniversary Celebration July 17th
The City of Pharr, in collaboration with the Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL), is hosting a celebration for the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on Friday, July 17, 2026. The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Jose “Pepe” Salinas Recreation Center, located at 1011 W. Kelly Ave. This free community gathering will showcase local resources, vendors, and partners, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. For more information, contact the Pharr Public Health Department at (956) 402-4652.
Public SafetySoldier who smuggled migrants through South Texas sentenced to 1 year in prison
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Alabama National Guard sent Spc. Derrick Sankey to South Texas with a simple mission: Secure the border. When he arrived in McAllen, however, Sankey decided to work for smugglers instead. Sankey provided smugglers with codes that allowed them to pass through gates in the border wall. He told them about
Public SafetyCameron County detention officer accused of assaulting inmate
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Cameron County detention officer has been accused of assaulting an inmate at the Cameron County jail. Angel De La Garza was arrested on Thursday and faces charges of assault causing bodily injury and official oppression, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. Both charges are classified
NationalTrump Attempts to Rebuild Tariff Wall Struck Down by Supreme Court
Last year, the U.S. Treasury benefited from revenue generated by the hefty tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on imports from nearly every country in the world. However, the funds dwindled after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's largest and boldest tariffs in February. The question now is: Can the president's trade team fulfill its promise to replace the lost revenue?