CITY OF BROWNSVILLE ANNOUNCES FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURE
The City of Brownsville will observe the Fourth of July holiday by closing all non-emergency municipal offices on Friday, July 3.
The Brownsville
Safety
Death investigation underway in Rancho Viejo
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rancho Viejo Police Department is investigating a death that occurred within the town, the department said Monday morning. Investigators continue to process the scene. Police said there is no danger to the public and the community is safe. T...
Major house fire in Edinburg deemed total loss
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Multiple fire department agencies responded to a major house fire in Edinburg on Sunday, according to the Edinburg Fire Department. At approximately 1 p.m., dispatch received a call regarding a lot of black smoke in the area off of Kyle Street i...
Man in critical condition after two-vehicle crash caused SUV to collide into pole: PD
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is reported to be in critical condition after a two-vehicle collision caused his SUV to crash into a pole on Saturday night, according to an update from the Brownsville Police Department. Dispatch received a call about the crash at approxi...
North Carolina murder suspect arrested in San Benito
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A North Carolina murder suspect was captured in San Benito on Friday morning. According to the San Benito Police Department, at about 7:40 a.m., members of the San Benito SWAT team, Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Division executed a...
Mission family displaced after house fire
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mission family has been displaced following a home fire on Friday. Crews with the Mission Fire Department responded to the fire, where heavy smoke was coming from the front of the home. "All residents were out of the building," Mission Fire Ch...
Raymondville mental health service provider accused of $114M fraud
A Raymondville-based mental health service provider, previously part of Cameron County’s jail diversion program, was arrested by federal officials Wednesday on a four-year $114 million healthcare fraud scheme, according to court documents. Brandy Kaye Hernandez, also known as Bra...
Bail set at $200K for passenger in Alamo expressway crash
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The passenger of a vehicle involved in a high-speed rollover crash with a tractor-trailer in Alamo has been charged. Samantha Vianney Rodriguez appeared in court on Thursday, where she was charged with four counts of endangering a child – immine...
Deputies arrest fugitive with multiple felony warrants in Lyford
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Willacy County Sheriff's Office on Thursday arrested a wanted fugitive with outstanding felony warrants. Jesus Maria Gomez, 41, was arrested on the following charges: According to the Willacy County Sheriff's Office, an anonymous tip about G...
Man hospitalized after marble slab falls on head in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man has been taken to the hospital after a marble slab fell on his head Friday morning, according to the Harlingen Police Department. Police said the man is 34 years old. The incident occurred at approximately 9:10 a.m on the 1500 block of Bar...
43-year-old bicyclist killed in overnight hit-and-run crash: Edinburg police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An early Friday morning fatal hit-and-run collision is under investigation by the Edinburg Police Department, according to police. Police said the hit-and-run claimed the life of cyclist David Moreno, 43. At approximately 1 a.m., officers with t...
PI Police Chief retires after 42 years
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS After 42 years in law enforcement, including the last 10 years serving the City of Port Isabel, Police Chief Robert Lopez officially retired June 19, leaving behind a legacy of modernization, community engagement and support for the off...
Swimmer dies near Beach Access No. 5
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com A Sunday afternoon trip to South Padre Island ended in tragedy after a 49-year-old Edcouch man died following a water rescue near County Beach Access No. 5. According to Cameron County officials, emergency crews were dispatched at...
DHR Health provides fire safety tips ahead of Fourth of July
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — DHR Health is raising awareness and providing fire safety tips ahead of the Fourth of July. Healthcare leaders advise practicing precautions before setting off fireworks and getting the grill ready for the annual celebration. "Our goal is preven...
Tractor-trailer driver stayed after Alamo expressway crash, then left: Records
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A tractor-trailer driver charged in connection with an Alamo crash that injured multiple people initially stayed on the expressway after the collision, but then later left the scene, according to an affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral. Jose Fide...
Former Edinburg CISD coach turns self in to police over student relationship allegations: District
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A former Edinburg High School coach turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday following allegations of a student-teacher relationship, according to the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District said. Christian Roxburgh was arraigned...
Chinese national accused of stealing $200K from Hidalgo County woman
A Chinese citizen who was residing in California was arraigned Monday on a fraud charge after being arrested at the Falfurrias immigration checkpoint when authorities found him to be illegally present in the United States and involved in a scheme that defrauded a Rio Grande Valle...
Police chase ends with new charges for wanted Cameron County man
A Cameron County man was arrested after leading police in a chase when he fled from the Los Indios port of entry, where agents had attempted to execute an arrest warrant out of Brownsville. Clifford Wayne Moody, 50, had a warrant for his arrest on three aggravated assault with a ...
Driver, passenger in Alamo expressway crash arrested on child endangerment charges
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Alamo Police Department on Wednesday arrested the driver and passenger of a vehicle involved in a tractor-trailer crash on the expressway that left four children with serious injuries. Driver Francisco Davila Jr. and passenger Samantha Viann...
Former Hidalgo County District clerk on the run since 2013 arrested in Mexico: Sheriff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After being on the run since 2013, former Hidalgo County District Clerk Omar Guerrero was arrested in Mexico, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday. Guerrero, 49, was found living in Tulum, Mexico, where he was taken into custo...
Teen suspect wanted in McAllen armed robbery case arrested, property recovered: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A teen suspect wanted in connection with an aggravated robbery investigation in McAllen was arrested on Monday, according to the McAllen Police Department. Francisco Santana Jr.,17, of Pharr, was charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree f...
Harlingen Police Youth Academy guides new generation of students
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen Police Department is hosting its annual youth academy to guide the next generation of law enforcement officers. During the youth academy, students will have the opportunity to work with police officers and learn the behind-the-scen...
Brownsville police seek public's help in vehicle burglary case
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a person of interest in a vehicle burglary investigation. At approximately 11:40 p.m. on June 14, an unknown suspect burglarized a parked vehicle at Riquelme Suites...
McAllen police seek suspect accused of grabbing female jogger
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect allegedly involved in an indecent assault on Tuesday morning. McAllen police said that at approximately 6:44 a.m., officers responded to the 6500 block of Bic...
Man turns himself in after allegedly exposing himself to minors at Weslaco park: Records
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Weslaco police arrested a man who allegedly exposed himself to children at a park and then reported himself to police, according to a criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral. Anthony Peralez, 25, of Weslaco, was charged with indecency with ...
McAllen police seek teen suspect in armed robbery investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a teen suspect wanted in connection with an aggravated robbery investigation. Francisco Santana Jr., 17, of Pharr, is wanted on a charge of aggravated robbery, a first-deg...
Cameron County murder suspect arrested in Eagle Pass: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Cameron County man wanted on charges of murder was arrested in Eagle Pass, according to the Eagle Pass Police Department. According to a news release, Eagle Pass officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force assisted wit...
Harlingen man accused of ‘starving’ two dogs, abusing horse
Luis Aguilar A Harlingen man was arrested Saturday after an investigation revealed he was the owner of a German Shepard that sustained “extensive facial injuries.” Luis Aguilar, 66, was arrested Saturday on a charge for cruelty to non-livestock animals, according to the Cameron ...
Deputies find dog with severe facial injuries, no food, green water; Man arrested
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 66-year-old man is facing animal cruelty charges after deputies discovered a German Shepherd with severe facial injuries, no food and dark green water, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. Luis Aguilar was cha...
Accused driver in Alamo hit-and-run appears in court
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The driver accused of leaving the scene of a crash in Alamo that left two adults and four children with injuries appeared in court on Saturday for a bond hearing. Jose Fidencio Luna Ramirez, 40, was arrested on Friday. Ramirez will be at the Al...
Mission Fire Department rescues six dogs from canal
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Mission Fire Department rescued six dogs that were trapped in a canal filled with water on Friday evening. Photos of the rescue were uploaded to the Mission Fire Department's social media page showing first responders at the scene using rop...
Community gathers to learn about risk management, safety in McAllen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of McAllen held its 12th Annual Risk and Safety Expo this week. The two-day conference focused on workplace safety, risk management, emergency preparedness and employee wellness. Workers from all fields — including risk management, safe...
Two ejected from vehicle in Alamo hit-and-run: Police
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A portion of the westbound lanes of Expressway 83 in Alamo will be shut down temporarily as authorities investigate a hit-and-run crash. The crash occurred Friday evening near the westbound exit ramp to Alamo Road. A spokesperson with Alamo Pol...
Edinburg firefighters save cat stuck in dog food can
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg deputy fire chief, along with the Edinburg firefighters, saved a kitten from what could've been a cat-astrophe. Photos shared by the Edinburg Fire Department show a stray calico kitten with their head stuck in a can of H-E-B-brand we...
Motorcyclist charged with murder, intoxication manslaughter in Mission crash
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — More than a month after being accused of causing a fatal crash, a Mission motorcyclist has been charged with murder. Apolonio Perez, 39, of Mission was charged with murder, a first-degree felony; intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a secon...
Man to serve 6 months in jail after crash killed two Los Fresnos woman
Rogelio Campos Leal A Los Fresnos truck driver charged with two counts of criminal negligence homicide was sentenced to six months in jail this Tuesday for a deadly 2023 stop sign crash. On Sept. 26, 2023, Rogelio Campos Leal, who was 66 at the time the crash, ran a stop sign whi...
McAllen police seek woman in connection with assault investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a suspect in an ongoing assault investigation. The assault was reported on April 29 on the 7600 block of North 10th St. in McAllen. Police identified Joanna Coronado, 35, ...
Mission man accused of posing as vet, injecting dog for $150
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man known as "Rick the Vet" was arrested almost six years after he was accused of posing as a veterinarian during the COVID-19 pandemic, records indicate. Ricardo Arispe Chavez, of Mission, was charged with violating veterinary regulations, a ...
WATCH: Alton capital murder suspect to be arraigned
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A suspect accused of killing three people in Alton is being arraigned this morning at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center. Alton police chief Mark J. Perez identified the suspect as Gaurav Chopra. He is charged with capital murder in conne...
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 R...
Two dead, one in custody after disturbance call leads to police pursuit in Alton
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- One person is in custody after police say two people were found dead inside a residence in Alton following a disturbance call on Tuesday night. Officers with the Alton Police Department responded to the call shortly after 9 p.m. at a residence ...
Man pleads guilty to role in street race that killed BISD security guard
A 25-year-old man on Monday reached a plea deal with prosecutors over his role in a street race that ended in a one-vehicle crash that killed a Brownsville ISD security officer. Jose Reyna III pleaded guilty to collision involving death, court records show. In exchange for his pl...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Second arrest made in Hidalgo County gold robbery case
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A second man was arrested in connection with an aggravated robbery investigation where a couple was attacked while purchasing gold, according to an updated news release from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Brandon Vasquez, 24, was charged w...
Alamo mother admits to witnessing husband strike child with horse whip: Sheriff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A mother was arrested and charged in connection with an investigation accusing her husband of striking a child with a horse whip, according to an update from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Maria Munoz Coria, 25, of Alamo, was charged with ...
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....
City of Harlingen unveils high-water rescue vehicles
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With the entire Rio Grande Valley under a flood watch through Thursday, the city of Harlingen appears to be prepared for any emergency events, unveiling video of four high-water rescue vehicles on Monday. According to the city, the vehicles will...
WATCH: People rescued from flooded Weslaco neighborhood
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — People and pets are being rescued from a Weslaco neighborhood on Monday as the area experiences flooding following heavy rainfall. Video shows Weslaco emergency crews assisting people from a neighborhood on Paisano Lane. Earlier Monday, Weslaco ...
WATCH: Car catches fire after crash on La Feria expressway
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A vehicle caught fire after being involved in a three-vehicle crash on Monday morning on the eastbound expressway, according to the La Feria Police Department. At approximately 9:31 a.m., authorities received a call about a vehicle that lost con...
San Benito wanted man arrested over the weekend, Cameron Co. Sheriff says
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A San Benito man wanted for child sex charges was arrested, Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino said in an update. Jesus Estaban Escovar was arrested on Saturday afternoon without further incident. On Friday, the Cameron County Sheriff's Offic...
Driver arrested in human smuggling attempt at Falfurrias checkpoint
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- U.S. Border Patrol arrested a driver who attempted to smuggle 26 people through the checkpoint in Falfurrias. U.S. Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jared C. Ashby provided details of the smuggling attempt and arrest on ...
Man accused of photographing a woman inside restroom stall at Sunrise Mall
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Brownsville Police Department arrested an 18-year-old man accused of entering the women's restroom at Sunrise Mall and taking a photo of a woman inside a stall. Juan Diego De Luna was arrested on Thursday and charged with invasive visual re...
Harlingen police arrest man accused of taking pictures of men inside restrooms
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Harlingen police arrested a man accused of taking "numerous photographs" of men inside restrooms, according to a news release from the city police department. Gregorio Ramirez Jr., 39, of Harlingen, was arrested June 2 on an outstanding warrant ...
Drivers killed in two-vehicle collision in McAllen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two drivers were killed in an early Friday morning collision, according to the McAllen Police Department. At approximately 5:30 a.m., McAllen police responded to the crash on the 6400 block of South McColl Road. Police say two vehicles were invo...
The Rubio Murders: In the Cell
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In 2003, John Allen Rubio and his common-law wife, Angela Camacho, beheaded their three young children in Brownsville. We’ve broken down the crime, the case, the countdown to execution, along with an exclusive look at the evidence on ValleyCentr...
Unaccompanied veteran laid to rest
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On Thursday, the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery laid to rest a U.S. Navy Veteran Fireman Apprentice. Robert Joseph Ruggeri, born on March 13, 1949, served from October 1968 to June 1970. FA Ruggeri received the National Defense Servic...
Early morning fire destroys four boats
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Multiple fire departments responded to a large fire early Sunday morning that destroyed four boats and a building near a Port Isabel marina. According to Port Isabel City Manager Jared Hockema, the Port Isabel Volunteer Fire Depar...
BTX Pride Alliance to host ceremony to honor lives lost in Pulse shooting
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A ceremony will be held in Brownsville on Friday to honor and remember the 49 lives lost in one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. Friday will mark 10 years since the Pulse Orlando nightclub shooting, referred to as one of the deadlies...