Brownsville students face off in spelling bee
BROWNSVILLE — One student from each elementary and middle school in the Brownsville Independent School District participated in the district’s spelling bee Saturday morning, battling for a chance to go...
View ArticleOfficials hopeful of new election date
HARLINGEN — City commissioners are hopeful that holding city elections in November rather than May will bring a higher voter turnout.But Mayor Chris Boswell fears local candidates with limited...
View ArticleCommunity gardens springing up in Brownsville
BROWNSVILLE — In Brownsville a local green thumb movement of sorts may be under way as the city and other groups team up to create community gardens.The vibrant green of fresh produce and herbs like...
View ArticleSuicide prevention foundation aims to help youth
McALLEN — In the hours before her death a week ago, Brenda Dominguez acted like almost any other teenager, friends said.She ate pizza with friends and went for a walk. Brenda seemed at peace, friends...
View ArticleMcAllen drug unit receives national, state kudos
McALLEN — The police department’s Special Investigations Unit received national and state recognition from a nonprofit that could use a little recognition itself.The Benevolent and Protective Order of...
View ArticleHoliday shopping increases 2 percent in McAllen
McALLEN — For the first time since 2008, holiday shoppers spent more in McAllen than the year before, according to data released this past week by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.The data show...
View ArticleMortgage settlement could have impact on Cameron County
Texas homeowners will receive nearly $287 million to restructure existing mortgages as part of the $25 billion National Mortgage Settlement agreement that stemmed from a nationwide investigation into...
View ArticleCounty housing project moves forward
RAYMONDVILLE — A program to finance 80 low-income Willacy County Housing Authority apartments through sale of tax credits to investors has been given the go-ahead by county commissioners, but the...
View ArticleRotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’ passes down to generations
HARLINGEN — Julie Ezell has been attending Rotary Club of Harlingen meetings for the greater part of her life.As a child, she went to meetings with her father, Mike Ezell, and traveled to Holland as a...
View ArticleSome Texas schools start late due to weather
LUBBOCK (AP) — Some schools in West Texas have delayed opening due to winter weather that left behind nearly 3 inches of snow. Texas Tech University in Lubbock canceled morning classes Monday and...
View ArticleNeighbors want local bar closed
ALAMO — The Y-Not Bar was packed Friday night with Tejano singers moving through the crowd, couples dancing, men playing pool and buckets of beer gracing every table. The crowd paused and turned as a...
View ArticleDHS: Missing man crossed border
By TRAVIS M. WHITEHEADValley Morning StarBROWNSVILLE —Authorities have confirmed that a Dallas-area man who disappeared more than a week ago crossed into Mexico soon after his arrival here.Harlingen...
View ArticleTwo by two-step
RIO HONDO — It was love at first sight when Ester Muñoz saw her future husband one night at a dance.As she got to know Ruben Muñoz, now 56, she liked him even better.“I liked the way he treated me,”...
View ArticlePolice Blotter
- HARLINGEN – Two men were arraigned in connection with a gang-related aggravated assault in January.Jonathan Michael Valdez, 18, was arraigned Sunday on one count each of aggravated assault and...
View ArticleSan Benito city attorney to recommend changing ordinance
SAN BENITO — City commissioners will consider a temporary suspension of an ordinance that charges a base water fee at RV parks, which Winter Texans have argued violates state law, officials said...
View ArticleAttorney OKed to represent Rosenthal despite being possible witness
BROWNSVILLE — U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen on Monday ruled that there is no conflict in Ernesto Gamez Jr. representing Marc G. Rosenthal at this time.Hanen did say that he sees the potential for...
View ArticleFive conviceted in Willacy County drug possession, transport cases
RAYMONDVILLE — Five persons have been sentenced and convicted in drug possession and transportation cases in Willacy County, according to information released Monday by District Attorney Bernard...
View ArticleHarlingen to vote on tax break for seniors
HARLINGEN — A vote by the City Commission Wednes-day night could mean a tax break for senior citizens and disabled residents.Two ordinances, if approved, will amend the Harlingen City Code of Ordinance...
View ArticleStripes clerks accused of selling alcohol to minors
HARLINGEN – Two persons were arraigned Sunday in connection with two incidents of sales of alcohol to minors. Shaun Anthony Hoffpauir, 30, and Rebecca Renee Villafranca, 20, were arraigned on one count...
View ArticleBondsman sentenced to 16 months in Limas case
The first sentencing connected to the Abel Limas case occurred this morning with bondsman Francisco Cisneros being sentenced to 16 months in federal prison. Cisneros appeared Tuesday before U.S....
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