An accident on US 281, seis miles north of Premont, killed 65‑year‑old Arturo Ponce, the driver of a Ford F‑250, and injured another passenger in the same vehicle. On Friday, 23 de octubre, at about 3 p.m., the left front tire blew out and the pickup struck a Toyota Tacoma that ended up in the center median. The injured passenger was airlifted by helicopter to Christus Spohn Shoreline hospital.

Mayoral contests in Hidalgo County Edinburg Mayoral contests in Cameron County Harlingen County Commissioners in Hidalgo County Edcouch Council seat number 3 Alamo Commissioner seat number 1 Commissioner seat number 3 Edinburg For council member place 1 For council member place 2 Cameron County Padre Island South City of Padre Island South General Election Member…

Voting began in Texas’s 34th Congressional District, featuring Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza, an Army combat veteran and elementary teacher, and Republican Eric Flores, a former federal prosecutor and National Guard officer, among three others. Both stressed issues important to the Rio Grande Valley, especially the substandard tap‑water in San Benito and Brownsville and the need for flood control, while also addressing border security, health care and education.

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Federal prosecutors say a Guatemalan man who was extradited to the U.S. to face charges related to a smuggling attempt that left 53 migrants dead was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday. The migrants had been transported through Texas in a sweltering tractor-trailer with no air conditioning in June 2022. Prosecutors say 50-year-old Rigoberto Ramon Miranda Orozco admitted to arranging the travel and accommodations for two of the people who died and one who was seriously injured. Others, including the truck

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HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In today's episode of Tea Time, Host Elette Garza sits down with Anchor Alexia Serrata and Forecaster Taylor Gomez to talk about the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The trio dives into the opening acts of the event, influencers, models, casting, performances and the latest tea on Kylie Jenner. Tea Time is [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The sentencing phase continues Wednesday for a man convicted in the 2023 killing of San Benito police Lt. Milton Resendez. The state is seeking the death penalty against Rogelio Martinez, who was found guilty of capital murder earlier this month following a days-long trial. The defense is trying to show that [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Somewhat calm and quiet weather conditions still exist across the seven-day forecast period. With that said as moisture interacts with a small disturbance off-shore later Wednesday, that will bring the Valley isolated to widely scattered showers and perhaphs a few thunderstorms. Activity will be highest on Wednesday afternoon into the evening [...]

Brownsville will hold a free community fair on Oct. 21, 6–7:30 p.m., at the Public Library Main Branch, 2600 Central Blvd., to explain the city’s proposed Municipal Drainage Fee. City Engineering and Public Works staff and consultants Freese & Nichols will discuss the fee structure, planned drainage projects and how the new utility would replace the Resaca Fee. About 90 % of homes would pay $6.25 a month, with the remaining 10 % paying $3.00.

County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. told Cameron County commissioners that the bridge system posted about a $2.8 million revenue increase for July‑September 2026, leaving roughly $1.9 million as surplus. The Free Trade International Bridge at Los Indios generated nearly $1.7 million with about 157,000 crossings, and commercial trucking traffic now averages 400‑500 trucks per day, prompting a $9.2 million federal grant for a new truck‑parking lot.

The City of Edinburg announced that Lieutenant Orlando Garcia will become the interim police chief after Chief Jaime Ayala retires on Oct. 30, with Garcia assuming the role on Oct. 31. Garcia, a native of Edinburg, has served with the department since 2001 and previously worked in Internal Affairs under Ayala. The city hired Strategic Government Resources to conduct a 90‑day search for a permanent chief.

Jose De La Cruz, 30, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and assault after a crash on FM 509 that killed 77‑year‑old Oralia Garza. The collision occurred at about 1:27 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2025, when De La Cruz’s Chevrolet Tahoe struck a semi‑truck and veered into Garza’s Hyundai. He received an 18‑year prison sentence on Oct. 19, and all three occupants were taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center, where Garza died the next day.

The Mission Economic Development Corporation announced Monday that it has hired Altiva Management Group of Edinburg to run a search for a permanent chief executive officer. Applications open through Nov. 18, with a selection expected in January and the new CEO starting in March; the position offers a salary between $165,000 and $190,000 and oversees an $8.2 million annual budget for the city of about 89,000 residents.

On Wednesday in Brownsville, jurors heard Victoria Ortiz, aunt of 21‑year‑old Rogelio Martinez, say she does not know the details of his conviction for killing San Benito police officer Lt. Milton Resendez and disagrees with the verdict. District Attorney Luis V. Saenz cross‑examined her, accusing her of dishonesty and asking why she never visited Martinez in jail, as prosecutors pursue the death penalty in the sentencing phase.

The iconic Coconut Jacks Bar and Grill, built by Amy and Jack Salander and opened on March 23, 1990 on South Padre Island overlooking Laguna Madre Bay, has been demolished after more than three decades of operation. The concrete structure now sits empty as a national‑franchise‑styled seafood restaurant is slated to be built on the site, ending the beloved local surf‑community hangout.

Highlights from the Pioneer vs. Sharyland and Mission vs. Mission Veterans volleyball matches.

The Southland Conference released its preseason basketball polls, ranking UTRGV’s women’s team third behind Lamar and Stephen F. Austin and the men’s team fifth under new coach Brandon Chambers. Both Vaqueros open the season on November 2 at home in Edinburg, a key date for local fans eager to see the teams start play.

UTRGV’s football squad sits 2‑3 in conference play, tied for seventh, after road losses and injuries, but maintains a perfect 10‑0 home record dating back to last season. The Vaqueros must still face the conference’s top three opponents—Stephen F. Austin, Lamar and Houston Christian—with Lamar and Stephen F. Austin slated as the final two home games.

Donna corn farmer John Billman and Texas A&M Agrilife experts discuss how severe Rio Grande Valley drought conditions are cutting corn yields by over 50% and threatening livestock feed supplies.