Tagged News

• Cameron County awarded $4.5 million for sidewalk improvement project in Santa Maria Play Video

  November 14, 2025 11:30 PM

  Serena Portugal has lived in Santa Maria for three years. She has three daughters in the school district, and said getting them to school safely can be a risk. “The roads are narrow, there's no safe place for them to walk,” Portugal said. Portugal’s daughters used to... more »

• Jesus Ortiz Signs NLI With Central Methodist University Play Video

  July 20, 2020 8:42 PM

  SANTA MARIA - Jesus Ortiz signed his NLI to Central Methodist University to continue his basketball career. During his time with the cougars he was first team all district his senior year. While being an eagle he plans on pursuing a degree in exercise science, to become a... more »

• Giovanni Diaz Signs NLI to Central Methodist University Play Video

  July 20, 2020 8:26 PM

  SANTA MARIA - Giovanni Diaz signing his NLI to Central Methodist University to continue his basketball career. He'l be joining teammate Jesus Ortiz. Diaz was first team all district with the Cougars. He plans on majoring in kinesiology with hopes of coming back to his alumni to coach. more »

• Julissa Garcia Signs NLI to Run Track Play Video

  July 17, 2020 9:25 PM

  SANTA MARIA - Julissa Garcia of Santa Maria is taking her Cross Country and Track talents to Central Methodist University. The Four Year letter winner was a regional champion in the 400 and looking forward to the challenge of running at the collegiate level. more »

• Santa Maria's Aleman Inks With Texas A&M-Kingsville Play Video

  May 27, 2020 7:37 PM

  SANTA MARIA - As a distance runner for the Santa Maria Cougars, Kristen Aleman qualified for state in cross country and track. Her talent attracted the attention of several programs, and Wednesday, Kristen made her commitment to Texas A&M-Kingsville. "I liked that they are family oriented and the... more »

• 5 on 5: March 6th Play Video

  March 6, 2020 10:49 PM

  WESLACO - The Valley's high school basketball season came to end Friday night as boys teams from Los Fresnos, Santa Maria, Hidalgo, and Pioneer all dropped fourth round playoff games. The final scores were: Brandeis - 64 Los Fresnos - 52 Normangee - 55 Santa Maria -... more »

• Santa Maria Boys Reach Sweet 16 Play Video

  March 4, 2020 10:49 PM

  SANTA MARIA - Chalk up another win for the Santa Maria boys basketball team. The Cougars stormed back to beat Port Aransas Tuesday night to secure a spot in the upcoming regional tournament. This will be the team's second, sweet 16 appearance in the last six years. ... more »

• Identifican a víctima de envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono en Santa María Play Video

  January 23, 2020 1:03 PM

  SANTA MARIA – Las autoridades identificaron al hombre que murió por envenenamiento de monóxido de carbono. La oficina del sheriff del condado Cameron identificó a la víctima como Felix Gonzalez de 87 años. Bomberos de Harlingen y La Feria acudieron a una casa en Lovelace Avenue antes de... more »

• 5 on 5: December 17th Play Video

  December 17, 2019 11:10 PM

  WESLACO - District play began Tuesday night for Valley girls basketball teams, while boys teams continued non-district action. CHANNEL 5's Joel Villanueva has the highlights in this 5 on 5 update. more »

• 5 on 5: December 2nd Play Video

  December 2, 2019 10:53 PM

  WESLACO - Monday's high school basketball saw San Perlita's boys and Santa Maria's girls earn road wins. CHANNEL 5's Joel Villanueva has the update with our 5 on 5 coverage. more »

• Santa Maria ISD Students Removed following Troubling Social Media Post

  November 13, 2019 10:02 PM

  SANTA MARIA – Students and staff at Santa Maria Independent School District will see an increase of security Thursday. The jump in patrols stems from a post circulating on social media that was believed to be threat. The administration reported the post to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office,... more »

• Two-A-Day Tour: Santa Maria Play Video

  August 6, 2019 7:34 PM

  It's time to talk Valley high school football again. Throughout the month of August, CHANNEL 5 will be visiting every team as we get ready for the 2019 season. It's all part of our Two-A-Day Tour. In this video, we focus on Santa Maria. more »

• A New Football Coach In Santa Maria Play Video

  July 18, 2019 7:46 PM

  SANTA MARIA - It won't be long before football teams are back on the gridiron. With a new season come some new head coaches. That's the story in Santa Maria. CHANNEL 5's Erica Ross caught up with the Cougars' new coach. more »

• School District near Border Taking Precautions to Protect Students Play Video

  April 15, 2019 6:17 PM

  SANTA MARIA – A local school district is taking precautions because of their school's proximity to the border. Last week, immigrants hiding from federal agents ran unto school grounds at Hidalgo High School. KRGV’s Frank McCaffrey spoke with a resident who lives less than a mile from the... more »

• Santa Maria Man Living in Tent on Inherited Property Play Video

  February 22, 2019 3:32 PM

  SANTA MARIA – A local man says the fire that claimed his home three years ago led to him live in a tent on the property. Art Edwards says he lives on the property that he inherited from his parents. He says six months ago, he moved back... more »

• 5 on 5: February 5th Play Video

  February 5, 2019 11:20 PM

  SANTA MARIA - There was plenty to play for on the final night of the regular season for girls high school basketball. Santa Maria and San Isidro faced off for the 32-2A district title in a game that was decided in overtime. CHANNEL 5's Joel Villanueva has highlights from that... more »

• Santa Maria Post Office Temporarily Closes Play Video

  November 29, 2018 2:19 PM

  SANTA MARIA – Local residents say the closing of a post office is raising some safety concerns. On Thursday, Santa Maria residents rushed over to clear out any remaining mail after learning the office was shutting down until further notice. In a statement, U.S. Postal Service officials informed CHANNEL 5... more »

• Valley School Districts Experiencing Decrease in Enrollment Play Video

  September 6, 2018 9:52 PM

  MCALLEN – School districts across the Rio Grande Valley are trying to keep students from leaving. CHANNEL 5 NEWS analyzed enrollment at all school districts in the Region 1. This region includes seven counties – Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, Jim Hogg and Cameron. Out of all the public... more »

• Santa Maria Residents Say Smuggling Activity is Nothing New Play Video

  December 20, 2017 6:39 PM

  NEAR SANTA MARIA – People in the town of Santa Maria claim smuggling activity in the area has become routine. The town sits near the Rio Grande River. For Sarah Ayala, Santa Maria is home. She said there are certain things, like illegal activity, that has become a way of... more »

• Border Patrol Agents Seize 500 Pounds of Pot South of Santa Maria Play Video

  December 19, 2017 4:05 PM

  NEAR SANTA MARIA – Border Patrol agents seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana near Santa Maria last Thursday, Dec. 14. A spokesman for the agency said agents patrolling the area noticed a suspicious vehicle near the Rio Grande, about two miles from a residential area. As they approached, the... more »