Brownsville raises COVID-19 Threat Matrix to Level 2
With an increase of COVID-19 cases being reported in Brownsville and Cameron County, city health officials have ordered that the city’s COVID-19 Threat Matrix be raised to a Level 2 which is moderate. The threat level was raised Tuesday.
myrgv.comTexas Southmost College Foundation Spring 2022 Finish Strong Scholarship recipients
BROWNSVILLE — The Texas Southmost College (TSC) Foundation Board of Directors congratulates recent TSC Class of Spring 2022 graduates who were awarded the TSC Finish Strong Scholarship for completing either an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate of Applied Science, or a Level One Certificate, or Level Two Certificate. Recipients of the TSC Finish Strong Scholarship are awarded this merit-based scholarship for their determination and strong leadership in completing their program of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. “As the TSC Foundation Vice Chair, I am honored to play a role in helping these well-deserved scholarship recipients obtain their educational achievements,” said Chair Garza. These students finished strong; they finished Scorpion Strong!”The TSC Finish Strong Scholarship is a TSC Foundation Scholarship made possible through donations from TSC Alumni, TSC Foundation events, and donations made to the Foundation. The contributions from donations and the support of TSC Foundation events provide us the privilege to continue to support TSC students reach their academic goals.”For more information on contributing to the TSC Foundation visit the TSC.edu/Foundation page.
myrgv.comBrownsville police respond to bomb threat at TSC
Brownsville police have responded to the TSC Arts and Design building for a bomb threat. A call was received at 2:44 p.m. Friday that a bomb was inside the building, said Investigator Martin Sandoval, spokesman for the Brownsville Police Department. Sandoval said the building and surrounding buildings have been evacuated. The department’s EDO bomb technicians are at the scene as well as patrol officers. The department’s Criminal Investigation Division are working at the police station trying to track down the phone number and the person who made the call, Sandoval said.
myrgv.comBrownsville man accused in drug smuggling case
A traffic stop by Brownsville police led to the arrest of a 39-year-old Brownsville man accused of possessing cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute the drugs, federal court documents reflect. The officers said Reyes-Cano appeared nervous and they asked him if they could search the vehicle, the federal criminal complaint states. The canine indicated a “positive alert” for the presence of drugs near the driver-side rear quarter panel, the federal criminal complaint states. Reyes-Cano provided his home address to Brownsville police, and Brownsville police contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration for assistance. When the federal agents arrived at the residence, they met with Reyes-Cano’s wife who provided consent to search the home.
myrgv.comExpanding Frontiers announces summer internships
In a news release, Expanding Frontiers announced that its Space Entrepreneur Summer Academy (SESA) will create the National Space Society-Club for the Future (NSS-CFF) Scholars program, in which 10 high school students from this year’s SESA cohort will receive internships at Expanding Frontiers. Participants engage with NASA experts, retired NASA engineers, NewSpace thought leaders, SESA alumni who are now professionals in the field, and NewSpace business people from across the nation, Expanding Frontiers said in the release. Anita Gale, a retired NASA Space Shuttle engineer and CEO of the National Space Society and its International Space Settlement Design Competition, said she is pleased to be working with Expanding Frontiers. This is an investment in the future of humanity, and we’re pleased to be working with Expanding Frontiers on their important program,” she stated in the release. Expanding Frontiers is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization developing an innovation ecosystem with emphasis on space and energy technologies in Brownsville and supports local entrepreneurs.
myrgv.comBrownsville police trying to ID victim of auto-pedestrian accident
Brownsville police are trying to identify a man who died of injuries he received in an auto-pedestrian accident. The Hispanic man is said to be between 50 to 60 years old, weighs between 180 to 200 pounds and is 5 feet 7 inches tall. The accident happened at about 10 p.m. Saturday at the 2100 block of Minnesota Avenue. The man was walking across Minnesota Avenue when he struck by a vehicle, said Investigator Martin Sandoval, spokesman for the Brownsville Police Department. The man did not use the crosswalk at the corner of Minnesota and Padre Island Highway to cross the street, Sandoval said.
myrgv.comMore than a year after woman found dead in Brownsville jail investigation into her death continues
More than a year after a 32-year-old Brownsville woman was found dead inside the Brownsville City Jail an investigation into how she died continues. Texas Rangers are still investigating the death of Veronica Carmona Peranez, Sgt. Carmona Peranez was booked at the city jail at 6:20 p.m. June 17, 2021. Carmona Peranez was arrested at 6:07 p.m. after her Suburban crashed into the S&F apartment complex. At approximately 10:17 p.m. Mrs. Peranez was declared deceased at the city jail,” the report states.
myrgv.comBrownsville man sentenced to nearly six years in prison in drug case
A 60-year-old Brownsville man has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute almost 26 pounds of cocaine. Munoz pleaded guilty to the charge Sept. 15, 2021, officials said. According to the media release, on March 13, 2020, Munoz arrived at the Border Patrol checkpoint located in Sarita driving a pickup truck. At inspection, law enforcement opened the driver side door and immediately noticed a large duffel bag laying on the front passenger seat. They ultimately found 10 bundles wrapped in brown tape consistent with narcotics located inside the bag, the release said.
myrgv.comPolice probe details of multiple stabbings at bar
Police arrested a 20 year-old Brownsville man in connection to multiple stabbings at a local bar. Salazar told police that several men attacked him in the restroom at the bar and that he walked out, Sandoval said. Salazar alleged that those men again attacked him while he was outside and that he stabbed them in self defense, Sandoval said. The victim stepped in between the men to “maintain the peace” and Salazar took out a pocket knife and stabbed that victim twice in the chest, police allege. According to police, Salazar claims he “took action by stabbing several males in self-defense.”Security staff at the bar detained Salazar until police arrived, according to police.
myrgv.comPolice: Man arrested after kicking teen girl in face
Police have released a 20-year-old Brownsville man who posed bond following his arrest on an assault charge in connection to a fight outside a Whataburger in Brownsville. The video shows the 16-year-old girl being kicked in the head by one of the men during the fight. “He (Padilla) just started picking a fight with him for no reason at all, is what she (the victim) said,” the investigator said. The video shows a man kicking the teenage girl and she is knocked out. Padilla was charged with one count of assault and his bond was set at $2,000.
myrgv.comBrownsville to join national Go Skate Day
Skateboarding with be the aim of the day Tuesday as local skate parks celebrate national Go Skate Day. Local Brownsville residents and long-time skaters Raul Valdez Jr. and Tom Gómez, have brought back the annual Go Skate Day celebration at Oliveira Park after a brief hiatus in previous years due to COVID-19, with the last occuring in 2019. The event comes before the 2 p.m. Beach Bash Skate Jam event on South Padre Island at Tompkins Park. So the duo decided to bring back the Brownsville event in the morning to connect with local skaters at Oliveira skatepark. Healthy Communities of Brownsville, Inc. has donated 20 skateboarding helmets for local skaters after completing the event’s helmet safety clinic.
myrgv.comMcAllen man found guilty in murder of mother-in-law
A Cameron County jury found a McAllen man guilty in the capital murder of his mother-in-law on Thursday in Brownsville. Monte Eric Jordan, 64, stood accused of causing the death of 53-year-old Martha Beatrice Adams, whose body was pulled from the Laguna Madre in May 2017. Cameron County court records indicate Terry Adams entered a guilty plea to the murder charge on Sept. 10, 2019. The couple had been married for 12 years but had recently separated at the time of the murder. According to those indictments, the suspects were accused of possibly injecting Martha Adams with some type of substance.
myrgv.comCourt rejects inmate’s request in Harlingen murder case
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has dismissed a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus filed by a Brownsville man who was found guilty of murdering a 20-year-old Harlingen woman. A Cameron County jury on Dec. 13, 2013, found Cadriel guilty in the murder of 20-year-old Brisna Mireles of Harlingen. Mireles’ body was found March 31, 2012, on the side of U.S. Expressway 77/83 near Combes, according to court documents. The documents indicate that while authorities were investigating the crime scene investigators found a hotel key near Mireles’ body. It was registered to Robert Castillo, a name Cadriel used to register at the hotel.
myrgv.comWoman knocked out cold at Whataburger; Police investigating viral fight
A weekend brawl caught on video in the parking lot of a Whataburger in Brownsville has caught the attention of police. The video, posted and now viral on social media, shows two couples fighting, initially a pair of women fighting on the ground and a pair of men trading blows. A car obscures the view of what happens to the woman next, but when the view clears that woman is shown knocked out on the pavement. “Through social media, we were made aware of the assault that occurred,” police said. Prior to the woman filing a report, police were monitoring social media in efforts to identify the people in the video.
myrgv.comBrownsville to conduct ‘microtransit’ study: Federal Transit Administration grants city $300,000
A fairly new concept known as microtransit may be coming to Brownsville to help plug holes in the city’s public transportation system. The city has received a $300,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to conduct a MicroTransit Implementation Study. Microtransit is meant to improve the transit rider’s experience via small-scale, on-demand public transportation services, according to the city. The concept is similar to Uber or Lyft, but in public transportation setting. The city said Brownsville Metro will use the completed study to implement microtransit in parts of the city currently without bus routes.
myrgv.comMadeira developers request tools: Special districts would ensure maintenance funds
The developers behind the Madeira master-planned, mixed-use community project in north Brownsville are asking the city commission for more help in ensuring the project moves forward on an aggressive timetable.
myrgv.comEarly voting ends Friday in special election for District 34 Congressional seat
Early voting ends Friday for the June 14 special election for the U.S. District 34 congressional seat. As of Wednesday, 6,759 early votes had been cast, according to Cameron County’s office of Elections and Voter Registration. There are 19 early voting locations across Cameron County. Greg Abbott on April 4 called for the special election following Vela’s announcement that he was resigning. Vela’s term ends in January.
myrgv.comMan says he had less than $10K; feds find $17K more
A Brownsville man has been arrested by federal officers after he did not declare more than $27,000 in cash he was carrying on his way to Mexico. Julian Abel Contreras appeared Monday before Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III who ordered he be detained until his next court appearance. Contreras told the officers he had $9,000 in his pocket. Contreras told the officers: “That is everything,” according to the federal criminal complaint. A further inspection of Contrera’s vehicle led to the discovery of more cash found in a cologne box and a white envelope, the federal criminal complaint states.
myrgv.comMyRGV.com
FC Brownsville starts season wellBy EDWARD SEVERNStaff WriterBROWNSVILLE — FC Brownsville is not the same team as last year. FC Brownsville, in the National Premier Soccer League, sits in third place in the Lone Star Conference and is in position for one of four playoff spots in their conference. Last season, FC Brownsville picked up seven points during its first five matches but faded out, only picking up a draw in the final five matches of a 10-match season. FC Brownsville gave up the winner during the 98th minute. FC Brownsville plays Fort Worth Vaqueros FC at 7:15 p.m. today at Brownsville Hanna.
myrgv.comGun, ammo found in student’s vehicle in Brownsville
Administrators at Veterans Memorial Early College High School in Brownsville detained a student Thursday morning for having a gun and several boxes of ammunition in his vehicle, the Brownsviille Independent School District said. BISD said the student was detained at 9:10 a.m. after Police and Security Services Department personnel discovered the items during a routine inspection of vehicles entering the campus. In a statement, BISD said there was “no threat to the campus, students, or staff.”The district said the case was under investigation by the BISD Police and Security Services Department. BISD said it continues to take “all necessary safety measures to keep our students and staff safe and secure as a number one priority.”
myrgv.comComplaint: Woman denies knowing about hidden drugs
According to the federal criminal complaint, Hernandez on April 4 attempted to cross Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville in a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Her vehicle was referred to a secondary inspection area, where a CBP canine alerted authorities to the presence of drugs in the Jeep, the federal criminal complaint states. She stated she had met with Compa on several occasions, the federal criminal complaint read. The federal criminal complaint states Compa would pay Hernandez $900. Hernandez claimed she did not know she had narcotics in the vehicle, the federal criminal complaint read.
myrgv.comEarly voting continues through June 10 in U.S. House District 34 special election
Early voting continues in a special election for the Congressional District 34 seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville. Greg Abbott on April 4 called for the special election following Vela’s announcement that he was resigning. Running for Harlingen city commissioner District 1 are Richard Uribe and Ford Kinsley, District 2 are Ernesto Cisneros and David Nemecio Lopez. Registered voters wanting to cast ballots in the special election for Congressional District 34 may vote at any early voting location in Cameron County. Voters wanting to cast early ballots in the run-off elections must go to an early voting location in their jurisdictions, Garza said.
myrgv.comMan accused of shooting gun at three people
A 37-year-old Brownsville man was arrested by police after he was accused of firing a weapon at three people riding in a pickup truck. Police said David Rodriguez, 37, was also found in possession of crack, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and Xanax. The officers spoke to the three victims who said Rodriguez shot at them. They identified Rodriguez as the person shot at them, Sandoval said. Cameron County jail records indicated Rodriguez remained incarcerated in a county facility, as of Monday afternoon.
myrgv.comAfter months of store closures and layoffs, border businesses eager to welcome back Mexican customers Nov. 8
For 19 months, business owners along the Texas-Mexico border have seen a drastic drop in customers because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. With land borders scheduled to reopen Nov. 8, they are banking on a return to pre-pandemic sales.
U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, whose seat is targeted by Republicans in 2022, says he will not seek reelection
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, emerged as a Republican target in 2022 after President Donald Trump performed better than expected along the Texas-Mexico border. Vela was first elected in 2012 and represents much of the South Texas Gulf Coast. Ad"Filemon was extremely dedicated to the people of South Texas during the time he has served in Congress," Borjon added. Vela won reelection in 2020 by nearly 14 percentage points in a district that has generally been considered safe for Democrats. AdBorjon acknowledged that the race to replace him will likely be tougher than in the past, given Republicans' over-performance in South Texas.
Emergency sites for migrant children raising safety concerns
A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. President Joe Biden’s administration has been sharply criticized for its response to a surge in crossings of unaccompanied immigrant children. “I feel like I have to wait and try again.”The Biden administration is not expelling immigrant children unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. But Pfluger and other Midland officials said the Biden administration wasn’t answering their questions or giving them assurance that officials would keep the surrounding community safe. HHS opened the Midland site without notifying some top local officials who say many of their questions aren't being answered.
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
Team Brownsville, a humanitarian group, is helping the migrants reach their final destination in the U.S. A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. Still, the encounters of both unaccompanied minors and families remain lower than at various points during the Trump administration, including in spring 2019. They deride the policies Trump implemented to deter asylum as cruel and inhumane and an abdication of the country’s humanitarian responsibilities. "The Trump administration did everything in their power for four years to make the already broken immigration system as cumbersome and ineffective as possible. ... You leave yourself nowhere to go.”Ad“They’re kind of stuck in a corner,” agreed Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies think tank, which advocates on behalf of more restrictive immigration policies.
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
Team Brownsville, a humanitarian group, is helping the migrants reach their final destination in the U.S. A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. Still, the encounters of both unaccompanied minors and families remain lower than at various points during the Trump administration, including in spring 2019. They deride the policies Trump implemented to deter asylum as cruel and inhumane and an abdication of the country’s humanitarian responsibilities. "The Trump administration did everything in their power for four years to make the already broken immigration system as cumbersome and ineffective as possible. ... You leave yourself nowhere to go.”Ad“They’re kind of stuck in a corner,” agreed Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies think tank, which advocates on behalf of more restrictive immigration policies.
Houston Zoo welcomes a new zebra
There’s a new zebra in town at the Houston Zoo! The Grant’s zebra, Rosalita, comes to Houston from Brownsville, TX. Rosalita, a Grant’s zebra, came to the Houston Zoo from Brownsville. The Houston Zoo provides support and training for local communities in Kenya to protect wild zebras. AdWhen guests visit the Houston Zoo to see zebras Kapuki and Rosalita, they will also help save wild zebras in Africa.
Gov. Greg Abbott rejects aid from Biden administration in dispute over coronavirus testing for migrants
Abbott and Biden have been fighting for days over coronavirus safety protocols and whose actions have been putting the health of Texans at risk. After Abbott announced this week that he was lifting Texas' statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions on businesses, Biden called that decision "Neanderthal thinking." Ad"The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities," Abbott wrote in one tweet Wednesday afternoon. He argued in a statement that border security is “strictly a federal responsibility,” and thus the Biden administration alone should "test, screen, and quarantine" migrants who may have COVID-19. “Instead of doing their job, the Biden Administration suggested it did not have the sufficient resources and, remarkably, asked Texas to assist them in aiding their illegal immigration program,” Abbott said.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Thursday, Jan. 28
A federal judge on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, barred the U.S. government from enforcing a 100-day deportation moratorium that is a key immigration priority of President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Emilio Espejel, File)Here are things to know for Thursday, Jan. 28:1. ‘He didn’t mind if he killed us’: Shots fired as couple caught in street takeover makes daring escapeA Houston couple described a 30-minute nightmare that grew more violent by the second. Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden’s 100-day deportation moratorium after Texas sues administrationA federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s 100-day moratorium on deportations of some undocumented immigrants. Texans expected to hire Ravens’ David Culley as new head coachThe Houston Texans have offered the job of head coach to David Culley.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear cases on border wall funding, "remain in Mexico" policy
In the border wall funding case, the high court will consider a challenge to the Trump administration's use of about $2.5 billion earmarked to pay members of the U.S. military to instead fund construction of part of his long-promised wall on the southern border. That case, Sierra Club v. Trump, was brought by the ACLU on behalf of the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition. Gloria Smith, managing attorney at the Sierra Club, said the Supreme Court will hear the larger case that challenges the use of both types of Pentagon funding. "Stopping this wasteful and irreversible damage is long overdue, and we look forward to making our case before the Supreme Court,” she said in a statement. Implemented as a way to deter migrants from seeking asylum, the policy has sent about 60,000 asylum seekers, most of them from Central America and Cuba, across the southern border.
SpaceX looks to build 21st-century resort in tiny Texas town
HOUSTON Boca Chica Village may become a new popular Texas getaway destination as American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company, SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, looks to build its first resort. According to an online job listing, spotted by CNBCs Michael Sheetz, SpaceX is looking to employ a Resort Development Manager to oversee the development of the companys first resort in Boca Chica Village, near Brownsville, Texas. SpaceX is hiring a Resort Development Manager to develop the Boca Chica Village in Texas into a 21st century Spaceport and the companys first resort. https://t.co/AEfUaCIVGr pic.twitter.com/rhJqq2rnIV Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) August 10, 2020Boca Chica Village, once a secluded beach town, is the latest launch site of SpaceXs Starship, and the companys next-generation launch vehicle. RELATED: How a remote Texas village transformed when SpaceX became its neighborAccording to the job listing, the new resort is a part of SpaceXs plan to transform the tiny town into a 21st-century Spaceport.
Hurricane Hanna weakens to tropical storm, rain remains biggest threat to Texas
Some areas in South Texas had already reported receiving up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain, including Cameron County, which borders Mexico and where Brownsville is located. Sherry Boehme, who lives in a condo along the beach in Corpus Christi, said the storm’s approach had increased the anxiety she has felt during the pandemic. Everybody is good and strong and sticks together.”Hanna came nearly three years after Hurricane Harvey made landfall northeast of Corpus Christi. More than 43,700 people throughout South Texas, including Corpus Christi, Harlingen and Brownsville, were without power Saturday evening, according to AEP Texas. Other counties and cities throughout South Texas had also opened shelters, with many requiring face masks.
Hanna's rain remains biggest threat to virus hot spot Texas
Chris Headen battles with his umbrellas as Hurricane Hanna begins to make landfall, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Some areas in South Texas had already reported receiving up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain, including Cameron County, which borders Mexico and where Brownsville is located. First responders in Corpus Christi proactively placed barricades near intersections to have them ready to go if streets began to flood, Mayor Joe McComb said. More than 43,700 people throughout South Texas, including Corpus Christi, Harlingen and Brownsville, were without power Saturday evening, according to AEP Texas. Other counties and cities throughout South Texas had also opened shelters, with many requiring face masks.
Longtime Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. leading over challenger from his left
Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, spoke during during a Senate State Affairs committee hearing on July 23, 2017. According to early returns from the Texas Secretary of State, Lucio was leading Stapleton-Barrera 54%-46%. Another Senate runoff that drew considerable attention was the Democratic race to go against state Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton. Flores fell short in his bid to upset state Sen. Carlos Uresti for the seat in 2016. As of late Tuesday evening, the special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, remained fluid.
Julin and Joaquin Castro criticize Gov. Greg Abbott for reopening Texas too soon
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, in Brownsville in 2018. "If we'd had a better federal response and state response, perhaps we would have already been around the quarter on this," Julin Castro said. Joaquin Castro said the number of beds, hospitals, and infections could have also been significantly reduced. "We're not saying that there would have been no consequences," Joaquin Castro said. All of the money that has been used is been money that's come from the federal government," Joaquin Castro said.
These are the Texas beaches closed to the public because of coronavirus concerns
With stay-at-home protocols in place for most of Texas, residents in need of fresh air flock to beaches only to find them closed due to coronavirus concerns. Other beaches followed suit with Galveston to block off beach access to the public. List of beaches closed in TexasGalvestonGalveston’s public beaches are closed from March 29 - Apr. BrownsvilleEddie Trevino Jr., Cameron County Judge issued a public service announcement on their response to COVID-19, which includes the closure of all beaches and parks in the Brownsville area. MatagordaAccording to Matagorda County, all beach access points are closed effective March 23, with no end date.