Tagged News

• Mother searching for missing son in Brooks Co. now in mourning Play Video

  February 20, 2020 8:51 PM

  FALFURRIAS - A mother's search for her missing son led her to Brooks County. The county sheriff says they found his remains. Last month Indira Renderos got into a helicopter in Falfurrias to go searching for her missing son . For nearly two hours in the air she checked... more »

• Repair process to begin on vandalized historical shrine in Falfurrias Play Video

  February 17, 2020 6:40 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A recently vandalized historical shrine in Falfurrias may be impossible to repair, according to city leaders. Authorities are still searching for the vandals. City leaders say the shrine, which became a historical marker back in 1971, was found vandalized by a visitor. It was devoted to Don... more »

• Nuisance Reports of Feral Hogs, Javelinas on the Rise Between 2 South Texas Cities Play Video

  December 16, 2019 10:19 PM

  MISSION – Feral hogs and javelinas are stirring trouble in communities between two South Texas cities. City leaders in Mission say they are trying to deal with an increase in reports of feral hogs bothering residents. It’s also a problem in Falfurrias, including javelinas. Melissa Landin, an administrator... more »

• Multiple Arrest Warrants Issued for Wanted Man in Falfurrias Play Video

  November 8, 2019 2:59 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Police in Falfurrias searching for a man believed to be armed and dangerous. Authorities are looking to capture Christopher Ruiz. Several warrants have been issued for his arrest including one for aggravated kidnapping. Police stress if you see Ruiz do not approach him, just call... more »

• 9 more Human Remains Found in Umarked Graves in Brooks Co. Play Video

  October 25, 2019 9:57 PM

  WESLACO - More human remains were found in unmarked graves in Brooks County. The South Texas Human Rights Center and other organizations want to file a court order to get more information on the people buried in a cemetery in Brooks county and they are asking the community for... more »

• Brooks Co. Officials See Increase of Smugglers Using Stolen Vehicles Play Video

  October 15, 2019 5:22 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A spike in immigration-related crime popping up just north of the Rio Grande Valley. Brooks County sheriff’s deputies are seeing an increase of stolen vehicles coming from north Texas. Many of the cars and trucks were used by human or drug smugglers. Sheriff Benny Martinez... more »

• Brooks Co. Rancher Worried About Rise in Immigrant Deaths Play Video

  August 14, 2019 4:29 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A Brooks County rancher is worried about a rise in immigrant deaths this summer. He says he is seeing more traffic on his property in recent months. Dr. Mike Vickers owns a lot of ranchland in Brooks County. He says he has noticed with the... more »

• DPS Troopers Investigating Rollover Crash Near Brooks-Hidalgo County Line Play Video

  July 21, 2019 9:45 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY- DPS Troopers are working to determine what caused a pick-up truck to roll over Sunday afternoon. The single-vehicle accident happened just south of the Brooks-Hidalgo county line. A six-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital by helicopter, an adult was taken by ambulance. There's no... more »

• Border Patrol See Increase in Heat-Related Rescues

  June 11, 2019 4:39 PM

  FALFURRIAS – With temperatures on the rise, Border Patrol agents are seeing a spike in heat-related rescues. Customs and Border Protection released a video of border agents saving a group of 10 people in the ranchlands of Brooks County. It happened Friday afternoon, so far, one of the... more »

• Brooks Co. Rancher: Migrants Taking Risks Traveling through Open Areas Play Video

  June 3, 2019 6:16 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A rancher rescues a migrant at his front gate. CHANNEL 5 NEWS was initially meeting Dan Miller about how he’s notified by authorities if they find human remains on his property. Miller is one of the owners of Jones Alto Colorado Ranch in Brooks County. ... more »

• Humanitarian Group Finds Balance Helping Migrants While Working with Law Enforcement Play Video

  May 31, 2019 7:10 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A life-saving mission continues in remotes areas of South Texas, but it can come with risks. A humanitarian aide worker in Arizona is facing charges for helping migrants. One Rio Grande Valley organization continues helping while observing boundaries and relying on forged partnerships with law enforcement.... more »

• Parents Seek Answers over Charter Bus Incident involving Weslaco Students Play Video

  May 23, 2019 6:24 PM

  WESLACO – Buses carrying Weslaco elementary students on their end of the year field trip were hit by “projectiles” in Brooks County. Panic and concern was the feeling among parents and guardians of the fifth grade graduating class at Clecker-Heald Elementary. A woman told CHANNEL 5 NEWS she... more »

• Brooks Co. Officials Confirm Incident with Buses Transporting Weslaco Students Play Video

  May 23, 2019 10:15 AM

  NEAR FALFURRIAS – The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office confirms charter buses occupied by students with the Weslaco Independent School District were hit by “projectiles” Wednesday night. The incident happened in the Falfurrias area as the buses were returning from San Antonio. Officials say two out of three buses... more »

• Brooks Co. Ranchers Weigh In on Increase of Immigrant Traffic Play Video

  May 20, 2019 9:11 AM

  FALFURRIAS – Border security resources are focused on the Rio Grande Valley; that focus is creating a sense of insecurity among some Brooks County residents. For years, ranchers have seen immigrants use their land to travel north, the only difference now is a decrease in Border Patrol agents. ... more »

• Brooks Co. Sees Increase in Bailouts Involving Immigrants Play Video

  May 17, 2019 5:14 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Two hours north and close to 100 miles from the southern border, the scenery is different. Hundreds of immigrants are surrendering to Border Patrol agents and local police in the Rio Grande Valley, but some manage to slip by. Many of them end up in Brooks... more »

• Immigrant Remains an Expense to Brooks Co. Sheriff's Office Play Video

  April 11, 2019 6:08 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A local sheriff is asking the federal government for a reimbursement for funds spent on immigrant remains recovered. Since 2009, sheriff’s deputies in Brooks County have been using their own funds to recover over 600 immigrant remains. President Trumps says he didn’t know about the immigrant... more »

• Trump Learns about Immigrant Deaths in Brooks Co. Play Video

  April 10, 2019 5:41 PM

  WESLACO – During a conference in San Antonio Wednesday, President Trump spoke about the immigrant deaths in Brooks County. He said he had no idea that was occurring. "I can understand that they're not saying it, they've been saying we need a wall, we need a wall badly,... more »

• Upgraded Water Barrels Soon Available for Migrants Passing in Brooks Co. Play Video

  March 4, 2019 5:19 PM

  NEAR FALFURRIAS – High-tech water delivery equipment will soon be available in certain areas of Brooks County. The South Texas Human Rights Center has been setting up barrels of water for migrants who are walking through the area for years. New barrels will have solar panels and remote... more »

• Group Patrolling Corridor in Brooks Co. Known to Carry Migrants into US Play Video

  March 1, 2019 6:07 PM

  FALFURRIAS – People in Brooks County say they’re seeing more illegal foot traffic. KRGV’s Christian von Preysing explains what local ranchers are planning to do in response to this. Dr. Michael Vickers runs one of the long-standing veterinarian clinics in Falfurrias and also owns land along Highway 281... more »

• Student Makes Bittersweet Discovery at Brooks Co. Burial Site Play Video

  January 4, 2019 6:19 PM

  FALFURRIAS – The search continues for many families of loved ones who are lost or died crossing the border illegally. Texas State University is trying to bridge the gap working to determine the fate of the missing. Anthropologists and students with “Operation Identification” have dug at burial sites... more »

• New Tech to Help Monitor Water Stations across South Texas Counties Play Video

  January 4, 2019 4:57 PM

  FALFURRIAS – New technology in Brooks County is helping to save the lives of those crossing the border illegally. The director of the South Texas Human Rights Center tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS this is part of a project involving water bins scattered across several counties. He explains the... more »

• Brooks County Judge Suspended Without Pay Following Arrest Play Video

  June 23, 2018 4:51 PM

  Brooks County Judge Imelda Barrera is suspended without pay following her arrest earlier this week. Officials with the Brooks County Sheriff's Department tell CHANNEL 5 NEWS she was arrested on allegations she tampered with a cell phone. CHANNEL 5'S Frank McCaffrey reports on the investigation. Click the video for more... more »

• Several Bodies Found on Ranch in Brooks Co.

  January 25, 2018 12:21 PM

  FALFURRIAS – The Brooks County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the deaths of five people found in a ranch in Brooks County. Authorities said they believe they died because of the cold but it’s not known at this point how long the bodies had been there. CHANNEL 5 NEWS is told... more »

• Brooks Co. Obtains ‘Repeater’ Device for Better Communication Play Video

  August 8, 2017 7:18 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Brooks County emergency responders will soon be able to communicate better. A device called a repeater is sitting atop the water tower in Encino. Officials said it will be boosting the radio signal to travel 45 miles farther in the 944-square mile county. The sheriff’s office said it... more »

• Special Report: Danger, Darkness and Dedication Play Video

  May 18, 2017 6:52 PM

  WESLACO – Brooks County is undergoing a shortage of sheriff’s deputies who patrol the area known for illegal immigration. But a few Rio Grande Valley officers are also offering their help. The border fence is more than 80 miles away from Brooks County. People who cross the border illegally can... more »

• Special Report: Without A Name Play Video

  February 28, 2017 8:38 PM

  FALFURRIAS - Volunteer groups are working to identify hundreds, possibly thousands of unidentified bodies buried across South Texas. They are presumed migrants with no names, no stories and usually no grave markers. As per Texas law, unidentified remains are required to be investigated. It mandates DNA samples be taken and... more »

• Brooks Co. Ranch Owner Supports Trump’s Executive Orders Play Video

  January 25, 2017 6:44 PM

  BROOKS COUNTY – The thought of a border wall is bringing some peace of mind to one Brooks County rancher. It could help make his property more secure. Dr. Michael Vickers said he appreciates the president’s work to provide security. He said he never knows when a person crossing illegally... more »

• Brooks Co. Wildfire Spreads into Nearby Ranch Land Play Video

  January 24, 2017 1:04 PM

  ENCINO – The Brooks County wildfire has reportedly burned 8,000 acres of land. The fire has affected the western central part of the county. Crews are keeping it contained with bulldozers working on the fire’s borders to keep it from spreading. An estimated 900 acres of Alto Colorado Ranch was... more »

• Major Fire in Brooks County Play Video

  January 22, 2017 2:54 PM

  UPDATE (1/23): Authorities are investigating if a power line is to blame for the massive fire in Brooks County. The fire had broken out into two, but one was contained. Monday morning the second fire is only smoldering. Crews are still working the area to keep the flames from rekindling.... more »

• Brooks Co. Law Enforcement Taking Extra Precautions after Threat Play Video

  December 15, 2016 5:55 PM

  BROOKS COUNTY – The Brooks County Sheriff’s Department is on high alert after receiving word of a death threat from Mexico against a deputy. The sheriff’s department got the alert from a Rio Grande Valley law enforcement agency. Authorities said the hitman was coming in from Mexico by crossing the... more »

• Brooks County Deputies Taking Extra Precaution after Alert Play Video

  December 12, 2016 7:06 PM

  BROOKS COUNTY – The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office is on high alert after getting word of a suspected hitman entered the county. CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to Brooks County Sheriff Chief Deputy Benny Martinez about the threat to deputies’ lives. He said they are on standby. He said the... more »