The Monitor

01/16/2026

Every year since 1932, the annual Texas Citrus Fiesta in Mission has celebrated the fruits of the Rio Grande Valley — except this year, for the first time ever, the U.S. Navy will be taking part in the festivities.

Leading up to the Texas Citrus Fiesta, Executive Director Amy Tijerina shared a simple philosophy: “It’s a blessing to be a blessing to others.”

01/16/2026

The second trial for Ramiro Escobar began on Jan. 9 and ended in a deadlock after jurors couldn’t come to a unanimous decision once more.

A second mistrial was declared on Wednesday for the San Juan man accused of fatally stabbing a friend’s husband due to another deadlock.

01/16/2026

A K-9 unit conducting a non-intrusive free air sniff alerted authorities to the box truck resulting in it being sent to a secondary inspection. Once there, agents performed an X-ray scan of the box truck which showed what appeared to be several people in the back of the truck.

Three people accused of smuggling people illegally present in the country were arrested at the Falfurrias checkpoint after they loaded 14 people into a hidden compartment inside a box truck in Hidalgo County.

01/16/2026

“I will tell you, though, it is not cheap,” Brian Macmanus, a professional engineer and general manager of the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation, said. “We cannot build the infrastructure we need for the future water demands of our community without having rate increases on what the meters cost ..."

McALLEN — Water utility leaders said during a panel discussion on the Rio Grande Valley’s declining water supply that rising water rates are tied to the growing cost of treatment plant infrastructure.

01/16/2026

In a campaign announcement, Felida Villarreal said she pledges to bring proven leadership, financial expertise and deep community ties to the seat.

The president and CEO of the nonprofit Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) announced on Wednesday that she is running in the special election to fill the vacated McAllen City Commission District 5 seat.

01/16/2026

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01/16/2026

It’s a long road that a young woman must travel to become the owner of two businesses, a grant writing company and a compliance and training company.

Linda Alaniz made that journey, and she’s refreshingly straightforward about what motivated her to take that first step.

It’s a long road that a young woman must travel to become the owner of two businesses, a grant writing company and a compliance and training company. Linda Alaniz made that journey, and she’s refreshingly straightforward about what motivated her to take that first step.

01/16/2026

The Sharyland ISD school board is set to vote on calling a $250 million bond election in May that is recommended by the district’s Facility Planning Committee to address district-wide modernization, new spaces for learning and fine arts, safety and security, and an aquatic center.

MISSION — The Sharyland ISD school board is set to vote on calling a $250 million bond election in May that is recommended by the district’s Facility Planning Committee to address district-wide modernization, new spaces for learning and fine arts, safety and security, and an aquatic center.

01/16/2026

The goal of the 18-bed unit, which launched in December, is to help provide round-the-clock care for patients recovering from a brain injury as well as other neurological conditions.

South Texas Health System officially opened its Neurological Intensive Care Unit at its McAllen location following a $12 million renovation project.

01/16/2026

"Major projects such as planned and future data centers need due diligence to address economic and environmental concerns," the AIM Media Texas Editorial Board says. "Officials should begin as soon as possible to determine what concerns need to be addressed, and how they can be met."

Economic analysts predict continued economic growth for Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. A big element of their predictions includes the expected increase of computer data centers.

01/16/2026

A 56-year-old San Juan man has been arrested for scamming people out of $57,000 with false promises of legal residency, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.

01/15/2026

A video played on the screen showing city employees searching the city for the key before calling upon Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. The video concluded with the mayor being lowered into a building and locating the golden key and walking away from the building as it exploded.

After the video, Hernandez was welcomed to the stage as he held the large golden key and waved to the attendees.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the key is secured,” Hernandez said. “Just call me Mayor, Doctor Mayor.”

EDINBURG — The city of Pharr will soon begin work on a new multi-purpose convention center.