The Cannery Public Market opened in Brownsville on Thursday, marking the completion of a four‑year renovation of the 1940s dome‑topped building at 1700 E. Sixth St. City Manager Alan Guard and other officials highlighted its new spaces for the weekly Brownsville Farmers Market, a Food Bank hub, a commercial kitchen and outdoor cooking area, with a grand‑opening celebration scheduled for Saturday.

During the 1847 U.S.–Mexico War, Irish-born deserter John Riley fought for Mexico at Fort Brown, helped form the Batallón de San Patricio and was captured at the Battle of Churubusco on Aug. 20, 1847, receiving fifty lashes and a D brand. Over 160 years later, New York native Eric Ellman heard the San Patricios story on the Rio Grande in Brownsville from musician Adrian Foncerrada while promoting a kayaking grant, and they bonded over Irish music.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) – A Cameron County jury found Rogelio Martinez guilty of capital murder Thursday in the 2023 shooting death of San Benito Police Lt. Milton Resendez. The verdict came after nearly five hours of deliberation following almost a week of testimony. Resendez’s family cried and embraced each other and supporters after the verdict [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday welcomed the Cannery Public Market to Brownsville. The Cannery Public Market is the city's newest hub centered on health and wellness. A partnership with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley will bring a food pantry to the Cannery Public Market. The Cannery Public Market [...]

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After hearing closing arguments from the state and defense Thursday morning, the jury is deliberating in the capital murder trial for Rogelio Martinez Jr., who is accused of killing San Benito Police Lt. Milton Resendez during a 2023 police chase. Closing arguments follow a three-day trial in which the jury heard [...]

The Brownsville City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to pause permitting of data centers, moving toward a 90‑day moratorium that would begin the day after a second reading on Nov. 4. Mayor John Cowen Jr. and Commissioner Linda Macias emphasized protecting water resources, and the moratorium would halt acceptance, processing and approval of high‑intensity data‑process facilities within the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation revised its 2025‑2029 Strategic Plan after a June workshop, aligning it more closely with the city’s Downtown Renaissance Master Plan and clarifying its role as a connector for businesses. The amended plan retains its five overarching goals and adds a new focus area that links aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with education, mentorship and technical assistance, aiming to strengthen local entrepreneurship.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The votes are in for our Week 6 Team of the Week. Brownsville Hanna earned the top spot with 441 total votes, or 47% of the vote. Brownsville Pace came in second with 283 votes, or 29% of the vote, and Mercedes came in third with 234 votes, or 24%. ValleyCentral [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Brownsville City Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to advance with a second and final reading for a proposed 90-day moratorium on data centers. The final reading will take place on Nov. 4. The Nov. 4 reading will determine whether the city moves forward with temporarily pausing the acceptance, processing, and [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A new facility focused on food, health, and wellness will open its doors in Brownsville this week. The Cannery Public Market is the city's newest approach to providing the community with wellness resources. The facility will officially serve weekly farmers' markets, a food pantry, cooking classes, gardening workshops, and volunteer opportunities. [...]

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Both the state and defense have rested in the capital murder trial of Rogelio Martinez, who is accused of killing San Benito Police Lt. Milton Resendez during a 2023 police chase. On the third day of trial, jurors heard directly from Martinez through a roughly 90-minute interview he gave to law enforcement [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Brownsville Fire Department crew members are touring school campuses to keep students informed about fire safety. Fire crews visited Perez Elementary School on Wednesday to demonstrate how to respond during a fire emergency. "We're here to teach them about the 911 system, what numbers to dial, if there was an emergency, [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — During a public hearing in Brownsville Tuesday night, residents spoke out against data centers and in favor of a moratorium the city is debating. Public comments were filled with warnings about the massive amounts of water it would take to power any data center in the area, as well as concerns [...]

The Brownsville City Commission advanced a 90‑day moratorium on new data‑center projects on Tuesday after its second of three public hearings, with a final hearing and the first vote scheduled for Wednesday. Commissioners also appointed the last member to the Environmental and Conservation Task Force, which will issue a preliminary report in December and a final report by March 2027.

Russell Elementary School in Brownsville ISD marked its 110th anniversary last Thursday with a morning assembly that gathered current and former students, teachers and staff. Superintendent Timothy Cuff highlighted the school’s recent A rating from the Texas Education Agency, noting it earned a 94 on the STAAR assessment, a point of pride for the community. The celebration also honored the tradition of the “Los Viejitos” dancers who appear in the BISD Children’s Parade during Charro Days.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Brownsville Commission is expected to hold the second public hearing for the proposed temporary moratorium on data centers during its regular meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Community members are invited to attend the City Commission meeting and public hearing at 5 p.m. at the City Hall located at 1001 [...]

Ultra‑runner Art Hurtado, a lifeguard from Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, placed eighth in the Cowboy 200, a 200‑mile race across Nebraska held the weekend of September 25‑27. The flat, limestone‑covered trail follows the historic Cowboy Trail from Norfolk to Valentine, and Hurtado credited his five‑person crew for helping him complete the race despite sleeping only two hours over three days.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Monday marked the first day of the capital murder trial for Rogelio Martinez Jr., who is charged with the killing of San Benito Police Department Lt. Milton Resendez during a vehicle pursuit in San Benito on Oct. 17, 2023. Martinez was initially pulled over for a traffic violation on South Padre [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In week 6 of High School Football, Valley Sports Central has nominated three teams for the Team of the Week. The nominees are Mercedes, Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Pace. Mercedes Mercedes opened district play with a 24-10 win over a Donna team that came in at 4-1. The Tigers held an [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested a man and seized marijuana and other THC products during a raid in Brownsville on Friday. Anthony Julian Hernandez, 21, was arrested on charges of manufacturing or delivery of a substance and possession of marijuana. Hernandez allegedly confessed to selling THC vape pens for about [...]