Tagged News

• Doctor: Routine vaccinations for Valley children decreased amid pandemic Play Video

  May 18, 2020 7:38 PM

  Gov. Greg Abbott announced summer school classes can be held beginning June 1. Texas requires students get certain vaccinations, but at least one doctor has noticed a change among patients. Before the coronavirus pandemic a visit to the doctor's office wouldn't typically spark fear in a parent, but... more »

• Adoptions taking place online for Valley foster children Play Video

  May 14, 2020 7:42 PM

  A 2-year-old foster child now has a new forever home in Hidalgo County. His parents were persistent despite the coronavirus crisis. The Sanchez's home walls were draped with a "best day ever" banner, mirroring the joy of new parents Marcos and Veronica Sanchez. Smiling more than with just their... more »

• Valley families find a different way to celebrate Easter Play Video

  April 13, 2020 9:39 PM

  Easter is typically a time where families across the Rio Grande Valley go to church and then get together with extended family. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, families had to find another way to celebrate. "We can't go anywhere or go visit family or anything so it's difficult,... more »

• Sullivan City to receive $400K grant for new library Play Video

  March 10, 2020 5:41 PM

  SULLIVAN CITY – Reading is fundamental and for many Rio Grande Valley children it’s a luxury – not available to everyone. Now more resources for children in Sullivan City is on the way. On Tuesday, city officials approved accepting a $400,000 grant from the Texas State Library and Archives... more »

• Mission man convicted of sexually victimizing two children

  February 26, 2020 5:09 PM

  MISSION – On Monday a 53-year-old Mission man was convicted of sexually victimizing two children, Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, Jr. announced Wednesday. Luis Nava, Jr., will serve 25 years for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child that occurred in August of 1997. ... more »

• A day in the life: Father and son living in Harlingen shelter

  February 25, 2020 6:25 PM

  HARLINGEN – According to recent Baylor University data, nearly 1-in-3 children in the Rio Grande Valley experience food insecurity not knowing where their next meal will come from. The numbers are about 10% higher than the rest of the state. Experts say childhood poverty affects children’s chances of getting... more »

• 12-year-old boy remains hospitalized after deadly crash in WIllacy Co. Play Video

  February 21, 2020 4:38 PM

  A 12-year-old boy seriously injured in a crash on Thursday remains in the hospital. His mom was killed in a one vehicle accident in Willacy County. DPS says 30-year-old Sandra Diaz and her three children were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident . Her two... more »

• DPS: Family not wearing seatbelts at the time of fatal crash in Willacy Co. Play Video

  February 20, 2020 8:40 AM

  A woman is dead following a rollover accident at 7:30 a.m. Thursday on F.M. 1420 north of County Road 800 in Willacy County. According to the release sent by the Department of Public Safety, Sandra Patricia Diaz, 30, died at the scene. After investigation DPS concluded a red... more »

• Vaccine Covers for Both Types of Influenza Strain, Says Valley Doctor Play Video

  January 16, 2020 6:29 PM

  HARLINGEN – Since the start of the flu season in September, there have been 32 reported pediatric deaths in the U.S., eight of them in Texas, one in the Rio Grande Valley. Unlike past years, the bulk of fatalities are due to influenza Type B as opposed to the... more »

• Signs Installed in Harlingen to Bring Awareness to Food Allergies in Playgrounds Play Video

  January 8, 2020 6:56 PM

  HARLINGEN – The city of Harlingen installs signs to protect those with food allergies after a woman whose son suffers from a severe food allergy approached Parks and Recreation Director Javier Mendez about the idea last November. Later that month, the city began putting up the signs that read:... more »

• McAllen to Launch Education Program to Involved Children in 2020 Census Play Video

  January 7, 2020 5:33 PM

  MCALLEN – With the 2020 Census underway, Rio Grande Valley cities are looking for creative ways to educate communities about the importance of being counted. The census will account for the amount of people living in a particular place. The more people in your area, the more state representation... more »

• Marine Corps Toys for Tots, Donna Police Bestow Christmas Gifts to Children Play Video

  December 24, 2019 11:51 AM

  DONNA – U.S. Marines descended upon Donna armed with toys. The mission was a real lifesaver for some parents. For Jennifer Rivera, her budget was tight this year, but on Tuesday morning, a knock on the door brought in the spirit of Christmas. The Marine Corps Reserve Toys... more »

• Annual Sharing Basket Raised Canned Goods for Valley Families

  November 26, 2019 7:03 PM

  SAN JUAN – The annual Sharing Basket event wrapped up on Tuesday. CHANNEL 5 NEWS, Catholic Charities and Peter Piper Pizza got together once again to help the less fortunate here in the Rio Grande Valley. Truck loads of donated food pulled into the Catholic Charities parking lot on... more »

• Sharing Basket: Fight Against Hunger for Valley Children Living in Poverty Play Video

  November 25, 2019 5:03 PM

  SAN JUAN – The room is quiet Monday, but that won’t be the case Tuesday at the San Juan Basilica Auditorium. The middle of the room will transform with a huge pile of canned goods, which will be used for the Catholic Charities Sharing Basket. Organization case workers... more »

• Valley Children Unaware of Legal Consequences of Sharing Explicit Content with Each Other Play Video

  November 19, 2019 10:54 PM

  ROMA – Three high school students from Roma have been charged with Class B misdemeanors due to sexting, according to the Starr County attorney. Videos and pictures minors are taking on their phones are causing them to end up in a courtroom. If a child 17 years old... more »

• Starr Co. Officials: Children Sharing Explicit Photos Online on the Rise Play Video

  November 1, 2019 11:47 AM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – Authorities in Starr County have a message for parents: child exploitation cases are on the rise. But, not all the offenders are adults, some are children. Children as young as 10 years old are becoming victims. Other children, as well as adults, are said... more »

• Residents Upset Over Lack of Sidewalks to San Juan Schools Play Video

  October 8, 2019 5:28 PM

  SAN JUAN – Residents near two schools in San Juan are worried for their children's safety. They say there are no sidewalks and there’s heavy traffic on the way to Sorrenson Elementary and Austin Middle School. CHANNEL 5 NEWS was there nearly a year ago for the same... more »

• Parents Raise Concerns over Heavy Backpacks Play Video

  September 24, 2019 10:43 PM

  WESLACO - Some Rio Grande Valley parents are worried about the weight their children lug around to and from and during school hours. It all started when parents from the district reached out to Texas State Representative Terry Canales with their concern: How their child's school back pack was... more »

• Monitoring Children's Snapchat Activity for their Safety Play Video

  September 11, 2019 11:06 PM

  WESLACO - Three Rio Grande Valley men were charged with sexual abuse crimes involving minors after communicating with their underaged victims on Snapchat. Messages, pictures and videos disappear on the popular messaging app after they're viewed. Media and technology experts are urging parents to work together with their... more »

• Two Valley Mothers Hope to Bring Awareness to Childhood Cancer Play Video

  September 6, 2019 5:35 PM

  MISSION - They watched their sons die from childhood cancer. Now two Rio Grande Valley moms have a message for the community. They hope an event this Saturday can bring awareness to childhood cancer and raise money to help others who go through the same pain. Tanya... more »

• Helping Children Cope with Anxiety Triggered by Rain Play Video

  September 3, 2019 5:36 PM

  WESLACO – More rain is expected for the next few days in the Rio Grande Valley. Some parents are worried it's causing frightening flashbacks for their children. Alicia Teran says her 3-year-old son witnessed their home flood back in June. As of now, he's still sensitive to... more »

• 19 States File Lawsuit Against Government Over Flores Settlement Agreement Play Video

  August 26, 2019 4:00 PM

  WESLACO – A lawsuit was filed just days after announcing changes to the detention of migrant families. More than a dozen states are now suing the government to prevent those changes from taking effect. Nineteen states are now suing the government over its effort to change how migrant... more »

• New Shelter for Undocumented Immigrants Underway in Willacy Co. Play Video

  August 22, 2019 12:15 AM

  RAYMONDVILLE – An old building will soon be pumped full of new life. SOG International says they're working with the non-profit: Sunny Glen Children's Home; investing more than $3 million to transition a former Walmart into what they're calling a resilience center. Not a detention facility. There... more »

• Government Moves to Detain Migrant Families, Children Indefinitely Play Video

  August 21, 2019 7:56 PM

  WESLACO - Families seeking asylum in the U.S. could soon see changes to their detention. The Department of Homeland Security is considering holding families and unaccompanied children indefinitely, as a result of a final rule that will be posted Friday. It will re-interpret the Flores Settlement agreement which... more »

• Grandmother Concerned School Bus is Not Air Conditioned Play Video

  August 21, 2019 5:41 PM

  DONNA – A Rio Grande Valley woman wants to know why her granddaughter's school bus doesn't have air conditioning. Hilda Sifuentes says her granddaughter started school at IDEA Donna two weeks ago and she's worried about how she looks when she picks her up at the bus stop. ... more »

• Students' Information Mistakenly Sold at Edcouch-Elsa ISD Auction Play Video

  July 1, 2019 7:27 PM

  UPDATE (7/17): A school board meeting will be held next week regarding the computers that weren't wiped. CHANNEL 5 NEWS confirms there will be an investigation to find out how this happened. ---- EDCOUCH – Private information from elementary and high school students were sold to the... more »

• La Joya ISD, Mission CISD Offering Free Meals to Students throughout Summer

  June 5, 2019 12:44 PM

  WESLACO – A Rio Grande Valley school districts are stepping up to make sure children within their district are fed throughout the summer. La Joya Independent School District will be offering free meals to children who rely on school meals during the academic year. Mission Consolidated Independent School... more »

• Edinburg Families Concerned Over nearby Debris Burning Play Video

  May 16, 2019 6:05 PM

  EDINBURG – Edinburg families living near county crews who are burning debris say they’re concerned their health may be at risk. Hidalgo County Precinct 4 has burned piles of branches and leaves for a month on the corner of Terry Road and Davis Road. A precinct spokesman tells... more »

• Migrant Facing Charges for Falsely Claiming to be Parent Play Video

  May 3, 2019 10:30 PM

  WESLACO – A migrant is facing charges for falsely claiming to be the father of a Honduran teen. Santos Porfirio Torres, 30, was caught crossing the border Tuesday – he was traveling with the teen. Border Patrol says they suspect many will lie about being the parents to... more »

• Border Patrol Taking Closer Look at Family Identities Play Video

  April 29, 2019 6:55 PM

  WESLACO – As the immigrant surge continues, groups posing as families continue to be in the mix. Other Border Patrol sectors are tracking children 14 and under if they suspect the family is fake – Rio Grande Valley agents could soon do the same. Special Operations Supervisor Agent... more »

• Man with Autism Challenges Stereotype in the Workplace Play Video

  April 23, 2019 8:36 AM

  MCALLEN – He was diagnosed with autism when he was a child; now as a young adult he has a job he loves. Jeremiah Aleman has learned not to be shy working as a rehabilitation technician at Mindworks, an outpatient rehabilitation center in McAllen. Aleman says people with... more »

• Fatal ATV Crash Prompts Reminder of Safety Rules Play Video

  April 22, 2019 6:45 PM

  SAN BENITO – The Department of Public Safety is reminding parents to supervise children who ride ATV’s following a fatal crash in San Benito. A 14-year-old girl was killed when an ATV and a Nissan Frontier collided on Saturday; two other children were injured. The Texas Transportation Code... more »

• Primera Mother Leaves Children Home Alone

  April 5, 2019 9:35 PM

  PRIMERA – A concerned citizen filed a report with the Primera Police Department over the weekend in reference to several children who were left home alone. An investigation determined the mother, Amanda Cabello, left her children alone while she drove to Huntsville to visit her boyfriend in prison. ... more »

• HOV: Valley Mother Helping to Inform Parents about Diabetes Play Video

  April 2, 2019 10:01 PM

  WESLACO – A Rio Grande Valley mother is on a mission to help local parents teach their children about the dangers of diabetes. She founded an organization to help change the future of these families who are affected by diabetes. "It was started shortly after my son was... more »

• HOV: Local Parents Learning about Healthy Dieting Play Video

  April 1, 2019 4:06 PM

  MCALLEN – A McAllen woman says she’s taking responsibility to keep diabetes out of her home. Daniela Vega says she wants to learn how to prepare healthier meals for her two-year-old boy to prevent this disease. She’s taking a course at the Lark Branch of the McAllen Public... more »

• Neighbors to Fatal Hit-and-Run Raising Safety Concerns Play Video

  March 12, 2019 5:43 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – Neighbors to a fatal hit-and-run that took the life of a cyclist are raising concerns about the area of the incident. Police say a 79-year-old cyclist is dead after a hit-and-run incident Monday. Authorities say Nicolas Garza was riding his bike along the 5700 block of... more »

• Border Patrol: Facilities, Manpower Cannot Support Continued Increase of Apprehensions Play Video

  March 6, 2019 6:05 PM

  WESLACO – Border Patrol says there their resources are strained to the breaking point with the high number of people crossing into the U.S. illegally. Since October, the agency says the numbers of illegal crossings has doubled. Border Patrol says they apprehended 25,000 people in the Rio Grande... more »

• Families Still Being Separated at Border Despite Court Orders Play Video

  February 28, 2019 8:20 PM

  MCALLEN - A report from the Texas Civil Rights Project reveals family separation continues in the Rio Grande Valley, despite the June 20 Executive Order mandating it to stop. Over the summer, the federal public defenders at the McAllen courthouse were handling cases of parents who had crossed the... more »

• Mother Speaks on Shortage of Spanish Resources for Children with Down Syndrome Play Video

  February 22, 2019 6:26 PM

  MCALLEN – Parents who have children with Down syndrome say they don’t have enough help. A McAllen mother says she was forced to complete her own research to learn more about her daughter. Since Spanish was Maria Romero’s dominant language, understanding Down syndrome was a challenge for her.... more »

• Brush Pile near Mercedes School Cleaned Up Play Video

  February 8, 2019 3:53 PM

  UPDATE (2/12): The brush pile near a Mercedes school has been cleaned up. The brush pile near Ruben Hinojosa Elementary has been cleaned up after resident concern. The School District said the brush was a collection of a district-wide tree trimming project. ------- MERCEDES – Residents... more »

• Temporary Closures at Eagle Pass Intl. Bridge Affecting Residents Play Video

  February 6, 2019 11:40 PM

  EAGLE PASS – The international bridge in Eagle Pass is back open after a brief shutdown. KRGV’s Christian Von Preysing spoke to Nancy Martinez, who says noticed changes in her home city Piedras Negras, across from Eagle Pass. She says she has seen more new children and families... more »

• Attorney General Offers Assistance in Clergymen Cases Play Video

  February 1, 2019 5:20 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – The Texas Attorney General is offering his office’s assistance to all district and county attorneys as they investigate cases involving clergymen. The diocese of Brownsville released a list of 14 clergymen accused of sexually abusing minors on Thursday. The attorney general suggests victims to file a... more »

• Authorities Search for Hit-and-Run Driver Involving 9-Year-Old Victim Play Video

  January 30, 2019 10:20 PM

  PALMVIEW – The search continues for an accused hit-and-run driver in a white-Sedan. The 9-year-old victim underwent surgery and is now in stable condition. KRGV’s Sierra Pizarro explains the impact the incident had on parents and other school district employees. The location where the child was hit... more »

• Parents Concerned about Explaining Auto-Ped Crash to Children Play Video

  January 30, 2019 5:28 PM

  LA JOYA – An auto-pedestrian accident is bringing attention to parents and students at a local school. A 9-year-old girl was hospitalized after being hit by a driver as she was walking to her school bus. The mother of the girl’s classmate tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS she’s now... more »

• Local Taxpayers Concerned Over New Tax Rules Play Video

  January 28, 2019 10:18 PM

  WESLACO - Local taxpayers are concerned over the new tax law, explaining dependent exceptions are no longer available. Most taxpayers will qualify for a larger standard deduction; however, some may be affected by no longer being able to claim dependents. Magdalina Oliva says she feels like something is... more »

• Father Concerned with Teen Leaving CPS Care Play Video

  January 22, 2019 11:26 PM

  WESLACO – A teenage boy is back in the care of the state after running away from his foster home. His father, Abel Sosa, says the teen has run away three times while under the care of Child Protective Services. “When my son ran away the first time,... more »

• State Agency is Offering Open Enrollment for Childcare Play Video

  January 3, 2019 7:07 PM

  WESLACO – The cost of childcare can keep some parents from heading back to work. Workforce Solutions wants to help. For the first time in more than 10 years, they're offering open enrollment for their childcare services. They want to help parents balance their family, children, work... more »

• Resident Concerned following Robbery at Alleged 8-Liner near Home Play Video

  January 3, 2019 6:23 PM

  NEAR WESLACO – A robbery at an alleged illegal gambling establishment near Weslaco has nearby residents concerned about their safety. Residents who live off of the intersection of FM-88 and Mile 14 ½ feel they need more security. KRGV’s John Paul Barajas spoke with one of the residents.... more »

• Santa's Enchanted Forest Brings Families Together Play Video

  December 20, 2018 11:20 AM

  MCALLEN – Once a year right before the holidays, an event called ‘Santa’s Enchanted Forest’ takes place in McAllen. Children have the chance to play in the snow, ride a pony and have their faces painted. The event is geared towards the families so that all can participate.... more »

• Cameron Co. Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing 5 Children over Course of Several Years Play Video

  December 14, 2018 6:00 PM

  WESLACO – A Cameron County man who was convicted of sexually abusing five children was sentenced to 65 years in prison. The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office says the Jose Garcia Ramirez, 25, was found guilty of sexually abusing five children all under the age of 13 from two... more »