Massive SpaceX tank causes traffic delays
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you were caught up in traffic Wednesday morning between Brownsville and any city heading north, there’s a reason for it. A Texas Department of Transportation spok
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Thursday's heat index to push 120-degree mark
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A strong subsidence pattern, where large‑scale sinking air warms as it compresses, is driving temperatures sharply upward across the Valley. This setup produces extremely hot conditions, with heat index values climbing even higher. Forecast highs for tomorrow a...
'Mosquitoes are out like crazy': Weslaco, Cameron County launch spraying efforts
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Recent rainfall across the Rio Grande Valley has created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to thrive, prompting local governments to begin spraying operations. Officials are urging residents to eliminate standing water around their homes as mosquitoes are already ap...
Harlingen Fire Department's Sound the Alarm program installs free smoke detectors
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The loss of two young girls in a Harlingen house fire last year remains a painful reminder of how quickly fire can turn deadly. Now, the Harlingen Fire Department is taking steps to help prevent similar tragedies by taking part in the American Red Cross' Sound t...
Harlingen city leaders invite residents to serve on advisory boards
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — City leaders in Harlingen are calling on residents to help with input on city projects and development. The city of Harlingen currently has more than 20 advisory boards and committees for residents to take part in. "We're encouraging all Harlingen residents to b...
Valley duo to compete in Special Olympics USA Games
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Rio Grande Valley duo is ready to win gold in pickleball at the Special Olympics USA Games. Athlete Beatriz Marez will be joined by her unified partner, Eve Hinojosa, to represent Team Texas at the Games, which will be held in Minneapolis. Unified Sports bring...
‘Hoes’ a hot topic in Brownsville cocaine case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hoes were a hot topic at the federal courthouse in Brownsville last week. Francisco Javier Palafox Jr., a man in his 40s from Brownsville, told Border Patrol he planned to visit “his friends and hoes.” When they searched his car, however, agents found three packag...
Cameron County Public Health giving out free mosquito spray
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After recent rainy days, mosquitoes are coming out. To help residents protect themselves from bites, the Cameron County Public Health is providing free bug spray while supplies last. The department will distribute the bug spray at the San Benito Annex located at...
BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY INVITES FAMILIES TO BUILD DINOSAURS AND BUGS HANDS-ON, CREATIVE WORKSHOP
Young creators and aspiring paleontologists are invited to unleash their imagination at the Brownsville Public Library System's upcoming hands-on crafting event, where cardboard dinosaurs and colorful insects come to life.
CITY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR JUNE 16, 2026, CITY COMMISSION MEETING
The Brownsville City Commission recognized community achievements, reviewed resident feedback, and received updates on several strategic initiatives during its June 16 meeting.
Massive SpaceX tank causes traffic delays
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you were caught up in traffic Wednesday morning between Brownsville and any city heading north, there’s a reason for it. A Texas Department of Transportation spokesman said SpaceX is moving a massive tank from the Port of Brownsville to McGregor, Texas. The p...
RELENTLESS HEAT EXPECTED TO IMPACT BROWNSVILLE AS HEAT INDICES REACH UP TO 113 DEGREES TODAY
Residents are urged to take precautions as dangerously hot conditions persist across Brownsville, with heat index values expected to reach 113 degrees today.
The Valley braces for its hottest 'feels-like' stretch since June 2023
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — While the system responsible for the recent rainfall and flooding has pushed north along the Texas coastline, drier conditions are anticipated for the next several days. Unfortunately, this means mugginess and dangerous/extreme heat indices. Highs this afternoon...
The Valley braces for its hottest 'feels-like' stretch since June 2023
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — While the system responsible for the recent rainfall and flooding has pushed north along the Texas coastline, drier conditions are anticipated for the next several days. Unfortunately, this means mugginess and dangerous/extreme heat indices. Highs this afternoon...
3 dead, one in custody in Alton capital murder investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — One person is in custody after police say two people were found dead inside a home in Alton following a disturbance call on Tuesday night, according to the Alton Police Department. A third person who was taken to a local hospital for treatment was later pronounc...
ALAN GUARD NAMED NEW BROWNSVILLE CITY MANAGER
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr. and the City Commission have selected Alan Guard, ICMA-CM, CGFO, to serve as Brownsville’s next City Manager. The decision was made during the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting on June 16, 2026.
Brownsville City Commission appoints new city manager
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Brownsville City Commission named Alan Guard as its new city manager on Tuesday night. The city manager position is one of the several roles that Guard has served in the city of Brownsville. Guard formerly served as the Brownsville deputy city manager in 20...
Dangerous heat index numbers on the rise
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The recent rain from a tropical low-pressure center left behind a soggy soil across deep South Texas, creating the theme of high-humidity for the next couple of days. As water evaporates, out of the soil, humidity will increase. Meanwhile, the old tropical low-...
'Another inch and it would have come inside': Storm cleanup continues in Weslaco
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A day after several inches of rain fell across the Rio Grande Valley, city crews in Weslaco spent Tuesday cleaning up storm debris and working to reduce the risk of additional flooding if more rain moves into the area. Public works crews cleared ditches, drainage ...
Texas Department of Emergency Management opens survey for June 14 flooding
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Emergency Management opened an iSTAT damage survey for June 14 severe weather and flash flooding. Residents, businesses, or agricultural property impacted by the severe weather are encouraged to fill out the survey here. The survey aims t...
New festival at Cameron County Amphitheater bringing Baby Bash, Fuel to South Padre Island
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — R&B artist Baby Bash and the rock band Fuel are among the notable artists coming to a new festival at the Cameron County Amphitheater on South Padre Island. The inaugural Seltzer Island festival is taking place on Saturday, June 20, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and wi...
About 4,000 customers without power in Rio Grande Valley at peak of storm, AEP Texas says
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Multiple power outages were reported as heavy rainfall moved across the Rio Grande Valley on Monday. At the peak of the storm, American Electric Power Texas reported that about 4,000 customers lost power. However, AEP Texas Director of Communications Omar Lopez ...
SpaceX launches 3 Block 2 BlueBird satellites for AST SpaceMobile
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to begin the BlueBird 8-10 mission for AST SpaceMobile on June 17, 2026. The streak shot was captured from the sands of Cocoa Beach, Florida, south of the launch site. Image: Michael Cain/Spacefl...
Sharyland Water Supply Corporation lifts Palmhurst boil water alert
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A boil water alert impacting residents in Palmhurst has been lifted, the Sharyland Water Supply Corporation stated on Tuesday. The alert was first issued on Friday, affecting approximately 48 customers along Glasscock Road, Cynthia Lane and East Silverbell Stre...
MAYOR JOHN COWEN JR. JOINS THE NATIONAL MAYORS FOR PARK COALITION
Mayor John Cowen, Jr. has joined the Mayors for Parks Coalition, a national bipartisan coalition managed by City Parks Alliance that advocates for increased federal investment in city parks and green spaces.
Cameron County commissioners approve Saronic Tech tax break
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Commissioners approved a tax break for Saronic Technologies, an Austin-based maritime defense technology company, during a Tuesday court meeting. The company is considering the Port of Brownsville as the site of a $3.2 billion shipyard project cal...
BCIC OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR BIG LIFT SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM IN DISTRICT 1
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is now accepting applications for the BIG LIFT Small Business Improvement Grant Program in District 1.
Bail set at $100K for San Benito man arrested on child sex charge
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge on Monday set bail at $100,000 for a San Benito man arrested over the weekend on a child sex charge. The Cameron County Sheriff's Office issued an alert last week urging the public to be on the lookout for Jesus Estaban Escobar, who was wanted on a charg...
Rio Grande City man called police on himself after fatally shooting neighbor: Docs
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral details what led to a deadly neighbor dispute in Rio Grande City over the weekend. Jose Luis Falcon was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, on Monday. A judge set bail at $2 million. According to the crimina...
CITY LAUNCHES READY BROWNSVILLE AS CENTRAL HUB FOR EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
The City is making it easier than ever for residents to stay informed and prepared with the launch of Ready Brownsville, a comprehensive online resource dedicated to emergency preparedness, severe weather information, and community updates.
Rio Grande Valley included in Gov. Abbott's disaster declaration
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued a disaster declaration for 101 Texas counties, including all four counties in the Rio Grande Valley. Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy were included in the governor's declaration as severe storms swept through the state. "Tex...
Overnight fire at Brownsville plaza under investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An overnight fire at Wellington Plaza in Brownsville is under investigation, according to the Brownsville Fire Department. On Monday at approximately 9:30 p.m., fire units responded to Central Boulevard and Price Road regarding visible smoke in the area. At the ...
The rain's end is in sight
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — While our rain chances will be slowly and gradually decreasing as we head through the afternoon, we can still expect to see some scattered showers and thunderstorms, which could include heavy rainfall. That is why the National Weather Service has a flash flood w...
Harlingen prepares for potential flooding
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — William Valdez, a resident of Secluded Acres in Harlingen, is no stranger to flood waters. “When the rain came in in 2019, I already knew we were going to get hit," he said. "The canal broke off right here, right next to my house, and along the canal too, other ar...
CITY OF BROWNSVILLE URGES RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED DURING SEVERE WEATHER
As severe weather conditions may impact our area, the City of Brownsville encourages residents to stay informed and know who to contact for assistance if needed.
CITY HIGHLIGHTS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND STORM PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS
As part of the City's Ready Brownsville initiative, the City of Brownsville is highlighting ongoing investments and proactive measures that help prepare the community for heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
BROWNSVILLE RESIDENTS URGED TO PREPARE FOR HEAVY RAIN AND POTENTIAL FLASH FLOODING
Residents across Brownsville are being urged to prepare for heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding as a significant weather system moves into the area on Tuesday.
BROWNSVILLE RESIDENTS URGED TO SAY WEATHER-AWARE AS HEAVY RAIN, THUNDERSTORMS, MOVE INTO THE AREA
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Brownsville this weekend and into next week, and city officials are urging residents to stay weather-aware and take precautions.
CITY URGES DRIVERS TO USE CAUTION AS HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING THREATEN ROADWAYS
Residents are urged to prepare for heavy rain and possible flooding overnight into the early morning hours. Officials encourage caution, especially for those traveling overnight or commuting early.
CITY URGES RESIDENTS TO USE 546-HELP AS HEAVY RAINFALL MOVES INTO AREA
With heavy rainfall expected tonight into the early morning hours, the City of Brownsville is reminding residents to use the 546-HELP non-emergency service line to report flooding and drainage-related concerns.
Approximately 2,000 outages in Hidalgo Co., Magic Valley, AEP reports
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Multiple power outages have been reported in Hidalgo County following heavy rainfall and storms moving across the county, according to outage maps from American Electric Power Texas and Magic Valley Electric Cooperative. According to the ValleyStormTeam, rain t...