Tagged News

• 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 »

• Brownsville Church Celebrates 170th Anniversary Play Video

  February 23, 2020 10:21 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - The First Presbyterian Church first opened it's doors to the community in 1850. Sunday they celebrated 170 years of service and memories. Among those celebrating was 90-year-old June Dittman, she has been going to the church her entire life. Dittman says, "I was one of the... more »

• Former Mission pastor accused of sexual assault granted continuance Play Video

  February 18, 2020 5:00 PM

  EDINBURG – The sexual assault trial of a former Rio Grande Valley pastor was supposed to start Tuesday. However, attorneys for Melquisedec Chan were granted a continuance instead. He’s due back in court April. Chan was charged with aggravated sexual assault and practicing medicine without a license in... more »

• Good Samaritan offers to pay for repairs following vandalism to Rio Grande City church Play Video

  February 10, 2020 4:55 PM

  RIO GRAND CITY – Kindness and generosity are pouring into a Rio Grande City church after it was vandalized. Damage was found at Immaculate Conception Church on Friday morning. Parishioners cleaned up the mess. Glass doors and windows were shattered and hymn books torn. The community rallied... more »

• Border wall to cut off parishioners from church south of levee in Donna Play Video

  February 5, 2020 10:16 PM

  DONNA – A church south of a levee near the border in Donna will be cut off from its parishioners by a wall. This comes after a federal judge awarded the government possession of the land in question. Advocates worry the decision infringes on religious freedom. In December, CHANNEL... more »

• Law Enacted Allows Licensed Hangun Owners to Carry Firearms in Places of Worship Play Video

  December 30, 2019 5:44 PM

  WESLACO – Authorities are crediting the state's gun laws in helping save lives Sunday when an armed man opened fire inside a crowded church in Texas. Volunteer members of the church's security team fired back. This, thanks to Senate Bill 535, which took effect in September. It allows licensed... more »

• Biker Group Steps Up to Replace All Toys Stolen from San Benito Church Play Video

  December 20, 2019 5:52 PM

  SAN BENITO – A holiday Grinch in San Benito signed a document claiming to be with Live Now Ministries and took 300 donated toys from an off-site location Wednesday. After CHANNEL 5 NEWS reported about the theft , many in the Rio Grande Valley community wanted to help donate... more »

• Donated Toys Stolen from San Benito Church Play Video

  December 19, 2019 6:22 PM

  SAN BENITO – Someone stole Christmas from hundreds of Rio Grande Valley children in-need, just one day before a toy giveaway planned for Friday. Estella Tejada, the public relations executive for Live Now Ministries in San Benito, says that on Wednesday somebody claiming to be a staff member took... more »

• Valley Nonprofit Announces ID Strategy in Parishes Play Video

  September 25, 2019 6:17 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A local nonprofit announced a new strategy this week. With 19 institutions, Valley Interfaith will be providing identification cards to parish members as a way to identify themselves to law enforcement. The ID will have your name, picture, date of birth, address and how long you’ve... more »

• Pastor Reminisce on Fallen State Trooper's Love for Family, Community Play Video

  September 4, 2019 6:07 PM

  MCALLEN – A hero at peace, a community in mourning. Pastor Roberto Coronado remembers State Trooper Moises Sanchez, the man of faith who always attended his services. His pastor says he was also a man of his word, who cared for his fellow church members, always offering help... more »

• Rio Grande City Church Member Weighs In on Vandalism Incident Play Video

  August 23, 2019 5:15 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – A Rio Grande City community is feeling no place is safe after their church was vandalized. Anti-semitic slurs were just part of what was spray-painted on the walls of Sagrado Corazon. Police say whoever is responsible wanted to send a direct message to the... more »

• Second Suspect Accused of Stealing from San Benito Church Fundraiser Identified Play Video

  August 21, 2019 6:23 PM

  SAN BENITO – A second woman accused of pocketing money meant for a Rio Grande Valley church has now been identified. Officials say 28-year-old Roxanna Ruby Rubio was one of two women who allegedly added extra zeroes to church donations made with credit cards. On Tuesday, police named... more »

• Los Ebanos Woman Providing Aid to Migrants Passing Through Play Video

  June 20, 2019 6:31 PM

  LOS EBANOS – As hundreds of migrants are surrendering to Border Patrol agents every day in the Rio Grande Valley, some make their through the small town of Los Ebanos. There they are making a short stop at a church after they entered the country illegally. Miranda Barwick... more »

• Local Parishioners Bring Relief to Asylum Seekers Waiting on Int’l Bridge Play Video

  June 14, 2019 6:04 PM

  PROGRESO – It’s the legal way to enter the United States, but it’s not necessarily the fastest. A man who has been waiting for 29 days on the Progreso International Bridge says he’s thankful for a group of local parishioners who stop by to feed them. Among the... more »

• US Catholic Bishops Approve Plan for Sex Abuse Reporting Hotline Play Video

  June 14, 2019 2:29 PM

  WESLACO – A sex abuse hotline was approved Wednesday by U.S. Catholic bishops. It’s all part of an effort aimed at addressing child sex abuse allegations within the church. The scandal isn’t limited to the United States. There have been several complaints launched nationwide, including in the... more »

• Roma Church Combining Efforts with Border Patrol amid Migrant Surge Play Video

  June 4, 2019 7:13 PM

  ROMA – Non-profit organizations are set up to help in McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen and Roma. It’s a fairly new operation relying on others as the migrant numbers continue to grow. Hundreds of asylum seekers came into Roma a few weeks ago and again a few days ago. ... more »

• Shelters in Mexico Overwhelmed with Asylum Seekers Play Video

  May 9, 2019 10:25 PM

  UPDATE (5/10): The pastor at Senda de Vida Church and Shelter says he thought two of the migrants there had smallpox but it turns out they actually have chicken pox. ----- WESLACO – Local authorities say there’s not enough room for migrants; now we’re hearing the same from... more »

• Church-Turned-Respite Center Helping Immigrants Play Video

  April 12, 2019 4:49 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A church in Brownsville is opening its doors to help immigrants by providing them with a place to eat and sleep. Pastor Carlos Navarro of the West Brownsville Baptist Church says he relates since he himself fled to the U.S. when he was 17 years old. ... more »

• Salvation Army Justifies Aid Amidst Criticism Play Video

  March 22, 2019 5:24 PM

  MCALLEN - Some residents are coming together to help the organizations helping immigrants who crossed the border illegally. Ed Remple says the church he attends donated funds to the Salvation Army in McAllen. For the first time, the Salvation Army is housing 100 immigrants a night at the... more »

• Texas AG Warns about Impostors Pretending to be Pastors to Solicit Gift Cards Play Video

  March 1, 2019 4:58 PM

  WESLACO – Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a consumer alert on Friday in regards to fake texts from people pretending to be church leaders. People claiming to be priests or pastors are asking members of the church to purchase gift cards for a fake charitable cause. They first... more »

• La Lomita Priest Reacts to New Appropriations Bill Play Video

  February 15, 2019 7:12 PM

  MISSION – A Valley priest says he is relieved after the newly Appropriations Bill gives protection to the historic La Lomita church. Father Roy Snipes is the main care-taker of the 150-year-old chapel. "Relief thanks be to God. Still worried about our neighbors but very relieved,” he says.... more »

• Humanitarian Efforts Underway for Migrant Caravan Play Video

  February 7, 2019 5:10 PM

  EAGLE PASS – Humanitarian efforts are underway for the migrant caravan near Eagle Pass. Across the International Bridge in Eagle Pass, nearly 2,000 people are waiting in hopes to seek asylum. Ben De La Garza with the Diocese of Laredo says these migrants are traveling through Mexico with... more »

• Warming Center in Weslaco Open Friday Play Video

  February 7, 2019 3:58 PM

  WESLACO – A local church says they're opening their doors tomorrow to provide a warming station for anyone in need on Friday night. Pastor Steven Parker of First Baptist Church in Weslaco says his church is partnering with the city of Weslaco to provide a warm shelter due to... more »

• Brownsville Diocese Release List of Credibly Accused Valley Clergymen

  January 31, 2019 1:32 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville is releasing the names of bishops, priests and deacons who have been accused of sexual abuse of a minor in their diocese dating back decades. Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS he's received a letter from the Diocese... more »

• Historic Cemetery on Verge of Getting Damaged with Proposed Border Wall Play Video

  January 24, 2019 6:46 PM

  LAS MILPAS – A historic church and cemetery could be impacted by the potential border wall. The Eli Jackson Ranch Church and Cemetery is on the verge of getting damaged by the proposed border wall. KRGV’s Christian Colón spoke with a tribal member of the Carrizo Carnecrudo Tribal... more »

• Raymondville Homeowner Affected by Construction Vehicles on Lawn Play Video

  January 15, 2019 5:56 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE –A local man says he is being affected by construction vehicles placed on his lawn for a road project. Raymondville resident Esteban Lovera says the three construction vehicles have been there since November. KRGV’s Frank McCaffrey spoke to the contractor responsible for putting the equipment on the... more »

• Local Residents Turn to Prayer for President's Potential Arrival Play Video

  January 8, 2019 5:29 PM

  ALAMO – The national spotlight on the Rio Grande Valley has some residents turning to prayer. Local resident Maria Cortez says whenever she has a big request, she goes to the San Juan Basilica to pray. She says she is praying for peace and protection after learning of... more »

• Valley Pastor Not Hindered by Travel Warning, Continues to Prepare for Event in Mexico Play Video

  January 3, 2019 5:27 PM

  HARLINGEN – A Rio Grande Valley pastor says the travel warning for the state of Tamaulipas won’t keep him from helping those in need. Missionaries for Way of the Cross Ministries are preparing for their 15 th Annual Medfest in Buenos Aires, Mexico. Director Bejamin Butler says they... more »

• Bullet Pierces through Roof of Brownsville Church during New Year's Celebration Play Video

  January 2, 2019 6:31 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A member of a church was nearly injured in the middle of worship when a bullet went through the roof of a church during the New Year’s celebration. A group of about 40 to 50 people gathered at Iglesia Camino Del Rey in Brownsville to bring in... more »

• La Lomita Property Hearing Date Set Play Video

  December 5, 2018 6:23 PM

  UPDATE (2/4): A hearing between the federal government and the catholic diocese of Brownsville is scheduled for Wednesday. The hearing will determine if government surveyors are allowed access to the La Lomita property. The hearing is scheduled for February 6th. ------- NEAR MISSION – The Brownsville... more »

• Summer Food Programs Available for RGV Children

  June 2, 2017 4:52 PM

  WESLACO – Students are out of school and some may have difficulty gaining access to a meal. However, there are locations around the Rio Grande Valley offering summer meal programs. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service created a list of locations offering nutritious free meals for... more »