Tagged News

• City of Primera signs agreement with Harlingen Waterworks System Play Video

  January 30, 2026 12:25 PM

  Water will stay on for Primera residents after the city signed off on a new water agreement with the Harlingen Waterworks System. A year-long battle between Primera and Harlingen Waterworks is now over after the two entities signed a new agreement late last week. Primera will pay more,... more »

• Drainage project completed in Primera Play Video

  October 24, 2025 11:15 PM

  A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday to celebrate the completion of a drainage project in Primera. Local, state and federal leaders were in the city for the ceremony to celebrate the Richmond Hills Drainage Improvement Project. A detention pond was built in the Richmond Hills area as part... more »

• Cameron County to begin $10 million drainage ditch improvement project near Harlingen Play Video

  October 16, 2025 4:02 PM

  Drainage improvements are in the works in the Harlingen area. Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 is hoping to bring some flood relief to residents who live along Searcy Ranch Road. The district received a $10 million federal grant to improve a drainage ditch According to drainage... more »

• Primera man receives 20-year sentence after fatally stabbing mother in ‘moment of rage’

  October 2, 2025 5:35 PM

  A Primera man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday as part of a plea deal after fatally stabbing his mother, according to Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz. Dallas Scott Gilbert's father was also injured in the attack. Gilbert has been in custody since the... more »

• Rate increase planned for East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation customers Play Video

  September 30, 2025 8:54 PM

  More than 32,000 people who are customers of the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation will see an increase in their water bill starting in Dec. 2025. As the water corporation’s general manager, Brian Macmanus said households use about 6,000 gallons of water per month on average. This leads... more »

• Cameron County Sheriff’s Office seeking suspect in Harlingen shooting Play Video

  August 3, 2025 2:12 PM

  The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the suspect in a shooting in Harlingen that injured one person, according to a Sunday news release. Thomas Matthew Puente, 24, was last seen fleeing the scene of the shooting that happened on July 21 at a residence located on Whipple Lane,... more »

• Hombre fallece tras dispararse luego de atacar a su exesposa y a su hijastra en Primera Play Video

  June 12, 2025 10:19 AM

  **Esta historia ha sido actualizada en su totalidad. Un hombre murió a causa de una herida de bala autoinfligida después de dispararle tanto a su exesposa como a su hijastra de 14 años, según el jefe de policía de Primera, James Harris. Harris dijo que el tiroteo ocurrió... more »

• Police: Primera man dies from self-inflected gunshot wound after shooting ex-wife and stepdaughter Play Video

  June 12, 2025 9:51 AM

  **This story has been updated throughout.** A man is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting both his ex-wife and 14-year-old stepdaughter, according to Primera Police Chief James Harris. Harris said the shooting occurred on Primera Road when the suspect, identified as Omar Molina, made entry into... more »

• June 7 runoff election results Play Video

  June 8, 2025 1:03 PM

  Watch the video above for the full results more »

• Former Primera commissioner arrested on DWI charge after striking police unit Play Video

  June 7, 2025 5:08 PM

  A former Primera commissioner was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated after striking a police unit, according to Primera Police Chief James Harris III. Harris said Asael Saavedra fled the scene after striking the police unit at the intersection of Carver Road and Wilson Road on Saturday... more »

• Cameron County resident ‘on edge’ after Primera city official allegedly killed his cat Play Video

  May 28, 2025 11:02 PM

  Residents living on Callaway Drive in La Feria said they’re still shaken up after a neighbor allegedly shot a cat, killing it. Lee Valdes spoke with Channel 5 News, and said the cat — Oliver — was his pet. “[We’re] a little bit on edge now, on edge... more »

• Primera public works director fatally shot neighbor's cat, records say

  May 28, 2025 11:47 AM

  City of Primera Public Works Director Luis Alberto Perez is accused of killing his neighbor's cat with a shotgun, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Channel 5 News. Perez was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and deadly conduct on May 25. He is currently out on a... more »

• Primera public works director charged with animal cruelty Play Video

  May 27, 2025 5:47 PM

  The public works director for the city of Primera was charged with animal cruelty and deadly conduct after a neighbor reported that a pet had been shot, Channel 5 News has learned. Luis Alberto Perez was arrested by deputies with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office after an individual on... more »

• Exoficial de Primera acusado por instalar cámara en cuarto de adolescente Play Video

  March 19, 2020 4:28 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – Un ex-policía del Valle del Río Grande fue arrestado y acusado el jueves por presuntamente instalar una cámara oculta en la recámara de una persona menor de edad. De acuerdo a la oficina del Fiscal de Distrito del condado Cameron, Joel Alex Sandate de 31 años instaló... more »

• Un muerto en accidente en Primera

  November 15, 2019 5:54 PM

  ACTUALIZACIÓN (6:07 p.m.) – Un portavoz de Magic Valley Concrete nos envió el siguiente comunicado: “Con gran tristeza Magic Valley Concrete informa del fallecimiento de nuestro empleado Arturo Rodriguez el día de hoy. Arturo Rodriguez trabajaba en un sitio de construcción en Harlingen cuando ocurrió un accidente con el... more »

• OSHA to Investigate Fatal Workplace Accident in Primera Play Video

  November 15, 2019 5:45 PM

  PRIMERA – A man is dead after a workplace accident involving a cement truck in Primera. It happened around 3:30 p.m. Friday near a project site for Magic Valley Concrete. The company identified the victim as Arturo Rodriguez, the driver of the truck. Police Chief Manuel Trevino... more »

• Residentes de Primera piden respuestas tras daños a viviendas Play Video

  June 27, 2019 9:57 AM

  PRIMERA - Poco a poco desciende el nivel del agua en gran parte de la ciudad de Primera, sin embargo crece la deseperación de sus residentes al descubrir la devastación que dejaron las severas inundaciones en sus viviendas. Manuel Trevino jefe del departamento de la policía de Primera, comentó... more »

• Primera Woman Aggravated over Recovery Efforts on Damaged Home Play Video

  June 26, 2019 6:19 PM

  PRIMERA – The streets are slowly drying out, making people anxious to start their recovery process. Sandbags were not enough for a Primera family to stop water from seeping into their home. “Where to put all this trash? I have no idea. It's, like, no help whatsoever. They... more »

• Primera Police Searching for 35-Year-Old Assault Suspect Play Video

  May 20, 2019 6:02 PM

  PRIMERA – Primera police are asking for the public help to search for a suspect. They’re looking for 35-year-old Abelardo Villeda Benitez. He’s facing charges on failing to identify, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant. If you have any information on this case, call Primera... more »

• Primera Woman Receives Fake “Winning” Check Play Video

  April 10, 2019 6:16 PM

  WESLACO – A Primera woman fell victim to what she believed was a prize from a well-known sweepstakes company. She was told she won $450,000 and realized it was a set-up after following the instructions and attempting to cash the check. “We received this letter and it sounded... 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 »

• Victim of Primera Shootout Speaks about Confrontation with Intruder Play Video

  March 1, 2019 5:39 PM

  PRIMERA – An intruder has been charged following a shootout that took place at a Primera residence . KRGV’s John Paul Barajas spoke with the homeowner who faced off with the intruder. "He’s like this, and then I see the flash and I hear the pop. And that's... more »

• Intruder Charged following Shooting Incident at Primera Residence Play Video

  February 28, 2019 1:30 PM

  PRIMERA – An intruder is now in custody after being involved in an incident where shots were fired. A Rio Grande Valley resident says he was awakened by the intruder who was gaining entry to his home. Police are calling it a 'backyard shootout'. Officers responded to shots... more »

• Primera Police Locate 15-Year-Old Runaway

  December 27, 2018 6:01 PM

  UPDATE (1/2): Law enforcement has located a 15-year-old runaway from Primera. Dominique Acevedo had gone missing from her home three weeks ago. ---------- PRIMERA – Primera police are asking for the public’s help in finding a 15-year-old runaway. According to a media release, Dominique Acevedo was... more »

• A Major Road in Primera is Set to be Repaired in the New Year Play Video

  December 24, 2018 9:47 PM

  PRIMERA – A major road in Primera is set to be repaired in the New Year. The first section of Stuart Place Road is under-construction. Local residents say they don’t know when the road was originally put down, but it hasn’t been replaced since. Mayor Dace Kusch... more »

• Primera Woman Charged After Leaving Children Alone Play Video

  October 24, 2018 12:23 PM

  PRIMERA – A Primera mom is accused of leaving her children alone in an apartment full of drugs. Sarah De La Garza faces drug charges in addition to child abandonment and endangerment charges. Police say they found two children alone, as well as pot and cocaine on a bathroom counter... more »

• Autoridades Investigan Un Robo De Vivienda En Primera

  October 10, 2018 8:51 PM

  PRIMERA- La policía comenta que está investigando un robo en una casa en venta en Primera. El miércoles, las autoridades revelaron un video de vigilancia que muestra el momento en que un grupo de sospechosos retiró los electrodomésticos de la casa. Los hombres conducen dos vehículos, un camioneta gris Toyota... more »

• Authorities Investigating Home Break-In in Primera Play Video

  October 10, 2018 5:08 PM

  PRIMERA – Police say they’re investigating a burglary at a home up for sale in Primera. On Wednesday, authorities revealed surveillance video that shows the moment a group of suspects removed home appliances from the house. The men are driving two vehicles, a grey Toyota truck and a white Ford... more »

• Business Permits to be Enforced in Primera Play Video

  August 1, 2018 6:50 PM

  PRIMERA – Business owners in Primera should expect to have an added expense if they’re not up-to-date with required permits. For the past two years, permits have been required in order to conduct business in the city. Primera now has a new code enforcement officer who will be checking for... more »

• Primera Man Wanted for Assault Facing Escape Charges Play Video

  May 2, 2018 3:16 PM

  LA FERIA – A Primera man who was on the run after being accused of assault is now behind bars. He was arrested Tuesday night in La Feria. The man was originally wanted for allegedly assaulting a woman. When police arrived at the scene, they requested medical treatment for an... more »

• Primera Man Wanted for Assault on the Run Play Video

  April 30, 2018 3:23 PM

  PRIMERA – A Primera man wanted for assault is on the run. Police received a call in reference to the incident that occurred at the 2300 block of Cragon Road at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. When they arrived, a woman reported she was assaulted by Melton Michael Gonzalez. Police arrested... more »

• Local Police Chief Advises Risks of Hiring Through Social Media Play Video

  January 19, 2018 9:03 PM

  PRIMERA – A man was arrested Friday and charged with theft at his place of employment. A police chief is treating this as a cautionary tale for hiring practices. The alleged crime happened in the city of Primera late December. Police Chief Manuel Trevino believes the hiring method may be... more »

• Police Expect to Spend Time Waiting Under Senate Bill 4 Play Video

  September 26, 2017 10:01 PM

  PRIMERA – The implementation of Senate Bill 4 will mean more situations where officers will be waiting on the U.S. Border Patrol. SB4 creates penalties for police departments who direct officers not to check legal status or those who don't share information with federal authorities. When this happens during traffic... more »

• Se Busca Sospechoso de Robo en Primera Play Video

  August 21, 2017 6:32 PM

  PRIMERA – El departamento de policía de Primera pide su ayuda para encontrar a Robert Joseph Benninson de 53 años por robo. La policía recibió un reporte de un robo de joyería el 18 de agosto. La víctima dice que varias joyas fueron robadas de su casa y que el... more »

• Primera Theft Suspect Wanted

  August 21, 2017 4:44 PM

  PRIMERA – The Primera Police Department need the public’s help in finding a 53-year-old suspect wanted for theft. Officials received a report of jewelry theft last Friday. The victim said several pieces of jewelry were stolen from her home. The suspect, Robert Joseph Bennison, was staying at the victim’s home... more »

• Primera Police Searching for Person of Interest in Theft Play Video

  July 13, 2017 11:40 AM

  UPDATE (12:00 p.m.): The person of interest in a burglary in Primera was identified. The father of the teen turned him in. Officials said the father questioned the teen about the theft. The 16-year-old then allegedly confessed to his father that he stole some tools while they were at a... more »