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....
Government News
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 c...
Cameron County approves tax abatement for AI shipyard dubbed ‘Port Alpha’
Cameron County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday to approve a 95%, 19-year tax abatement for a military and commercial AI technology company to build a $3.2 billion “Port Alpha” shipyard at the Port of Brownsville. Over 30 people shared public statements at the meeting in supp...
‘Exciting growth’: Port of Brownsville commissioner cites multiple projects underway
Brownsville Navigation District Secretary John Reed Brownsville Navigation District Secretary John Reed highlighted a long list of projects underway or planned at the Port of Brownsville during the State of the Port luncheon on June 11. Reed has served on the BND Board of Commiss...
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. ...
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 shi...
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 Valley...
Cameron County declares local state of disaster over forecasted heavy rainfall
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. has issued a Local State of Disaster for Cameron County due to the heavy rainfall and flooding. According to a news release from the Cameron County Judge, portions of Cameron County could receive between fi...
AEP, Magic Valley report power outages in Hidalgo County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — American Electric Power Texas and Magic Valley Electric Cooperative are reporting dozens of power outages in Hidalgo County on Monday morning. AEP Texas is reporting a cluster of outages south of the expressway in Hidalgo County near Weslaco and...
SPI mourns devoted council member Ken Medders Jr.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Padre Island City Council Member Ken Medders, Jr. died, the city of South Padre Island announced on Saturday morning in a social media post. Medders was first elected to the City Council in November 2017 and has continuously serve...
Man wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) - Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino is urging the public to be on the lookout for a man wanted on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The man in question is identified as Jesus Estaban Escobar, 39 years old. He is described as bei...
After hot and humid Friday, rainy days ahead
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Once we push through a hot and humid Friday afternoon, we will move into a new rainy period for a few days. Highs on Friday will range from the upper 90s in Starr County to the lower 90s for much of the eastern portions of the Valley. A stray sh...
Navigation district explores growth
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners discussed future growth opportunities, property boundaries and grant funding during its June 4 regular meeting. Commissioners approved moving forward with a request for ...
SPI Council holds meeting
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Padre Island City Council approved several measures during its regular meeting on June 3, including support for a statewide designation effort, improvements to a city park, and updates to local parks regulations. Council...
'Fishing with the Friendly Judge' event continues in Port Isabel
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The saying goes, "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." That’s the theme behind this year’s “Fishing with the Friendly Judge” event hosted by Cameron County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Judg...
Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 remove invasive flowers from San Benito resaca
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 is working to clean up the resaca in San Benito. Workers with Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 and Cameron County Drainage District No. 3 are removing water hyacinths from the water. Hyacinthus is...
Pharr man faces 30-year sentence in connection with infant’s death
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A jury on Tuesday recommended a sentence of 30 years in state prison for a Pharr man in connection with the death of his 2-month-old infant, according to Hidalgo County court records. Miguel Ortiz, 38, of Pharr, was indicted on charges of capita...
San Benito appoints Carlos Yerena as interim city manager
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of San Benito named an interim city manager during a special commission meeting on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson from the city. Carlos Yerena was appointed as interim city manager and is expected to begin immediately. On June 3, ...
Most of Harlingen management team getting pay increases
City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez (Courtesy: City of Harlingen) HARLINGEN — As part of the city’s new “succession plan,” commissioners are giving pay increases to City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez and most of his management team. In a meeting, Gonzalez requested commissioners give pay in...
Los Fresnos CISD appoints interim superintendent
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday to appoint an interim superintendent. Jimmy McDonough will begin serving as Los Fresnos CISD interim superintendent on July 2 as the Board of ...
Brownsville seeks housing input in first-of-its-kind master plan
The city of Brownsville’s Planning and Redevelopment Department is seeking input from residents to help put together the first Brownsville Housing Master Plan. It’s the first plan of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley, according to Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr., who encouraged ...
A few more showers until mostly dry conditions return to the Valley this week
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As expected, light to moderate showers have been steady over the past couple of hours, with Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo counties seeing the most rainfall. Though Starr County has seen a few spotty showers as well. Rain will continue for the re...
Cameron County considers tax abatement deal, conversation with Jonathan Campos, Cameron County Commission candidate
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County considered a proposal to provide an Austin-based company a 95% tax abatement deal to set up shop at the Port of Brownsville. Saronic Technologies is a maritime defense technology company that builds AI-powered drone boats for both...
USDA confirms second case of New World Screwworm in South Texas
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed a second detection of New World Screwworm in Zavala County. According to the USDA, the detection was confirmed on Friday on a domestic cattle. A post from the New World Screwworm Rapid Re...
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office swears in 20 peace officers
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A graduation ceremony was held on Thursday to swear in a class of cadets who completed a nine-month training program to become peace officers. The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office swore in 20 cadets who completed the program, known as the Basic P...
Nonprofit raising child abuse awareness after Raymondville infant death
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Rio Grande Valley nonprofit is encouraging the Willacy County community to come together to increase child abuse awareness after the tragic loss of an infant in Raymondville. Criminal complaints obtained by Valley Central confirmed earlier rep...
District discusses scholarships, staffing
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners approved a federal grant application seeking $7.1 million for port infrastructure improvements and authorized a new hire during its regular meeting May 21. Commissioners...
San Benito commissioners to mull accepting city manager’s resignation
Fred Sandoval SAN BENITO — City commissioners are set to consider whether to accept City Manager Fred Sandoval’s resignation. On Thursday afternoon, Sandoval said his resignation would become effective at 5 p.m. Friday. “It’s his prerogative,” Mayor Pete Galvan said, referring to...
CITY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR JUNE 2, 2026, CITY COMMISSION MEETING
The Brownsville City Commission held its regular meeting on June 2, recognizing community leaders and organizations while receiving updates on major city initiatives focused on housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and youth engagement....
San Benito to discuss city manager's resignation at special city commission meeting
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of San Benito will discuss the letter of resignation submitted by City Manager Fred Sandoval during a special city commission meeting next week. According to the city's agenda posted on Wednesday afternoon, the discussion will be held d...
Residents speak out at Cameron County meeting over AI shipyard incentive proposal
BROWNSVILLE — Some listeners slouched further into their hard wooden chairs as the public comment period grew tense in Cameron County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. After about three hours, more than 20 statements opposed a 95%, 10-year tax abatement for an Austin-based defense ...
SBA disaster loans now available to Cameron County residents
Cameron County has been approved for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration in the wake of severe weather events occurring in early May, the county announced Tuesday. The county’s announcement followed an announcement from the governor’s office that its request...
South Padre Island's Isla Blanca Park tops USA Today's best beaches in Texas list
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — For the third straight year, Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island has claimed the No. 1 spot on USA Today's best beaches in Texas list. The list is compiled after a panel of travel experts nominates their top picks, and readers cast their vote...
Potential Brownsville shipyard project sparks community debate
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — At the Cameron County Commissioners Court meeting held Tuesday, a long and often heated public hearing about possible tax breaks for a maritime defense technology company ended with no decision made. ValleyCentral first reported in February th...
Cameron County tables tax break for ‘Port Alpha’ AI shipyard
BROWNSVILLE — The Cameron County Commissioners Court on Tuesday tabled a tax break for an Austin-based defense technology company that is interested in building a $3.2 billion, next-generation shipyard called “Port Alpha” at the Port of Brownsville. Commissioners were considering...
Cameron County sheriff provides update on jail overcrowding
OLMITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino on Tuesday provided an update regarding overcapacity at the county jail. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards found the Cameron County jail out of compliance after inspectors determined the facility was over ...
Flood advisory issued in Cameron County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A flood advisory is in effect for Cameron County until 6 p.m. on Tuesday. According to the advisory, minor flooding may occur in low-lying and poor drainage areas. A radar created by our Valley Storm Team shows a cluster of thunderstorms affecti...
2026 Cameron County Graduates
The post 2026 Cameron County Graduates appeared first on MyRGV.com.
Inside Valley Politics: Complete breakdown of runoff elections, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez interview
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The matchups are set for the November general election. On May 26, Valley voters went to the polls to settle the runoff contests after the March primaries. In the race for Cameron County Judge, Steve Guerra defeated longtime incumbent Ed...
Cameron County races decided
Unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary runoff show Esteban “Steve” Guerra defeating incumbent Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. for the Democratic nomination for Cameron County judge. (photo courtesy/Port Of Brownsville ) By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthp...
PIECHS baseball players named to all-district teams
(Port Isabel’s Joseph Martinez selected to First Team All-District Pitcher. Picture by PIECHS) By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel Early College High School All-District selections in baseball are as follows. Earning 1st Team All-District was sop...
Wildlife biologist speaks about recent alligator sighting in Starr County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rainy weather conditions played a part in a recent alligator sighting in the Rio Grande Valley, according to a local wildlife biologist. On May 20, an alligator was spotted by Military Road and Grulla Elementary School in Starr County, a game wa...
CITY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR MAY 26, CITY COMMISSION MEETING
During its May 26 City Commission Meeting, the Brownsville City Commission recognized local achievements, approved operational improvements, and honored community service members through several major agenda items....
Newcomer upsets former McAllen city commissioner in District 41 Dem. runoff
A trio of primary runoff races in the Upper Rio Grande Valley delivered surprising results Tuesday night, upending expectations in the battles for Texas House Districts 40 and 41. The District 41 Democratic runoff turned heads Tuesday night when political newcomer Julio Salinas’ ...
Port of Brownsville chairman wins Dem. nomination for Cameron County judge
Cameron County has a new Democratic nominee for county judge after the incumbent was soundly defeated Tuesday night. Democratic voters chose Esteban “Steve” Guerra, who is chairman of the Port of Brownsville board, as their candidate for Cameron County judge over three-term incum...
Severe weather leaves thousands customers without power in the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A severe weather alert has caused power outages affecting thousands of customers, according to AEP Texas and Magic Valley Co-Op outage maps. 11:56 a.m. Nearly 2,000 customers in Cameron County have a power outage, the outage maps report. In Hida...
2026 Willacy County Graduation Tab
The post 2026 Willacy County Graduation Tab appeared first on MyRGV.com.
Joseph L. Lucio wins Dem nomination in Cameron County Precinct 2 race, unofficial results show
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Joseph L. Lucio won the Democratic nomination for the Cameron County Commissioner Precinct 2 race, according to unofficial election results. Lucio received 3,469 votes, or 50.30% of the vote, while incumbent Joey Lopez received 3,427 votes, or ...
Esteban Guerra unseats Eddie Trevino Jr. for Dem. county judge nomination
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Esteban "Steve" Guerra has won the Democratic nomination in the May runoff election for Cameron County Judge, according to unofficial election results. According to unofficial results with 100% of precincts reporting, Guerra won with 55% or 10,...
Julio Salinas punches ticket to House District 41 midterm race
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Julio Salinas is the Democratic nominee who will be on the ballot in the Texas House District 41 midterm race in November. Unofficial results show that Salinas carried a majority of votes, totaling 3,349, with 84% of precincts reporting. Haddad ...
2026 PRIMARY RUNOFFS: RGV election results for local Democratic, Republican races
This page will be updated throughout the course of primary night with unofficial results from contested races. Results are not official until canvassed. Voters cast their ballots at the Harlingen Cultural Arts Center on election day Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Miguel Roberts/The Bro...
Groves wins Republican nomination in House District 41 race, unofficial results show
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Gary Groves will head to the midterm election in November after garnering the majority of votes in the Texas House District 41 Republican primary runoff race, according to unofficial election results. Unofficial results show that Groves is leadi...
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Starr County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starr County will be under a severe thunderstorm watch until 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Additionally, Starr County and the western portions of the Rio Grande Valley are under a slight risk for severe weather on Tuesday night going into Wednesday morni...
Ochoa wins Democratic nomination in House District 37 race, unofficial results show
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Oziel “Ozzie” Ochoa Jr. has secured the Democratic nomination in the District 37 race, unofficial results show. With 82% of precincts reporting, Ochoa garnered 3,195 votes, while Cantu-Castle got 1,931 votes, according to unofficial results. Och...
San Benito CISD Performing Arts Center expected to be ready by January 2028
SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District has begun construction on a $24 million state-of-the-art performing arts center funded through the 2018 bond election. While the facility is located on the grounds of Veterans Memorial Aca...
RESULTS: 2026 Primary Runoff Election results
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Polls are now closed for the 2026 Primary Runoff Elections. Below is a list of results for the May 26 runoffs:
Brownsville unveils plaque honoring Vietnam veterans
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Brownsville, alongside the Warriors United in Arms and Cameron County Veterans office, held an unveiling for a Vietnam Veteran Plaque on Monday. The ceremony was held on Memorial Day at the Veterans Memorial Park to honor Vietnam V...
Guerra pacing ahead of Trevino for Cameron County Judge, early voting numbers indicate
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Unofficial voting results indicate challenger Esteban "Steve" Guerra is ahead of incumbent Eddie Trevino Jr. for the democratic nomination for Cameron County Judge. Here's what to know about Cameron County judge Democratic candidates, incumbent ...
Salinas leading Haddad in District 41 (D) race, unofficial results show
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two Democratic candidates are facing off in the primary runoff race in hopes of making their mark on the November midterm election. Julio Salinas and Victor 'Seby' Haddad are facing off again to determine who will represent the Democratic party ...
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