Tagged News

• TEA assigns conservator to Lyford CISD as part of state accountability process Play Video

  June 2, 2026 10:12 AM

  The Texas Education Agency assigned a conservator to Lyford Consolidated Independent School District as part of the state accountability process, according to district officials. TEA appointed Dr. Sylvia Ibarra as the conservator. Her role has been monitor Lyford Middle School and the systems the district has put in place... more »

• Alligator sighting in Port Mansfield prompts safety warning Play Video

  May 30, 2026 7:01 PM

  The Port Mansfield Police Department has issued a safety warning after an 8-to-10-foot alligator was spotted in the area. The police department and the Texas Game Wardens were made aware of the reptile sighting and are asking people to be careful. Police said the alligator was seen near... more »

• Pedestrian dies after being struck by SUV following vehicle crash near Sebastian Play Video

  May 25, 2026 8:23 PM

  The pedestrian struck by an SUV following a vehicle crash near Sebastian has died, according to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sgt. Maria Hernandez. Sgt. Hernandez said the pedestrian was identified as 33-year-old Frank Hernandez of Lyford. He was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center where he died... more »

• DPS investigates crash in Sebastian that caused SUV to leave roadway, strike pedestrian Play Video

  May 24, 2026 12:02 PM

  A vehicle crash caused an SUV to veer off the roadway and strike a pedestrian standing in a ditch, leaving them in critical condition. The crash occurred on Saturday, May 23, at around 12:27 p.m. on Interstate Highway 69E south of Sebastian. A black Nissan Altima and a... more »

• Judge orders deportation of Valley DACA recipient in immigration custody Play Video

  May 19, 2026 3:00 PM

  A judge decided to deny bond for a Rio Grande Valley DACA recipient during a Tuesday hearing and ordered her removed from the United States. England plans to appeal the judge's decision, her attorney said. Yenniffer England is being held at a detention center in Raymondville. She was... more »

• Valley county judges meet to address New World screwworm threat Play Video

  May 18, 2026 9:49 AM

  There are multiple active cases of the New World screwworm in Mexico. It's a parasitic fly that feasts on the wounds of warm-blooded animals, which includes cattle, deer, dogs and cats. Out of the nearly 2,000 active cases in Mexico, 200 are near the border with Texas,... more »

• Food Bank RGV asking for volunteers, donations for storm victims Play Video

  May 10, 2026 12:01 PM

  The Food Bank RGV is asking for volunteers and donations to help communities impacted by Saturday's severe weather. According to the First Warn 5 Weather Team , Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties were placed under a severe thunderstorm warning on Saturday as storms moved throughout the Rio Grande Valley... more »

• Willacy County maintenance worker caught performing lewd act inside woman's apartment, records say

  May 5, 2026 2:53 PM

  A maintenance worker at the Willacy County Housing Authority was arrested after he was caught on camera entering a woman's home without permission and performing a lewd act, according to a probable cause affidavit. The affidavit said 57-year-old Noe Perez Vasquez was arrested on a charge of criminal trespass... more »

• Raymondville suspect wanted on child sexual abuse charges arrested in Utah Play Video

  May 4, 2026 11:09 AM

  A man wanted on charges of child sexual abuse in Raymondvilly has been captured in Utah. The Raymondville Police Department is working on extraditing 22-year-old Gustavo Angel Tanguma. Tanguma was wanted on two counts of sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child. He was found... more »

• Willacy County law enforcement to host torch run for Valley Special Olympics chapter Play Video

  May 3, 2026 12:52 PM

  Willacy County law enforcement will be part of a Torch Run in support of the local Special Olympics chapter. The event is scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. beginning at Pittman Elementary in Raymondville. It will end at the front gates of the Willacy Unit State Prison off of... more »

• Willacy County nonprofit names child advocacy center after abuse victim Play Video

  May 2, 2026 4:38 PM

  A Willacy County nonprofit is finding a way to keep a child abuse victim's story alive. As previously reported, Jesse Harrison died at the hands of his mother and other family members. A building is now named Jesse's House. "I mean, that just goes to show the love... more »

• STC to introduce new wastewater operator training program for fall semester

  March 10, 2026 11:54 AM

  South Texas College is launching a new Level 1 Wastewater Operator Training program for the upcoming fall semester. According to the news release, the course is still in the planning and design phase and will be accredited through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It will include 20 contact... more »

• Protest held for McAllen family detained by ICE Play Video

  March 8, 2026 1:41 PM

  Dozens of people showed their support outside of the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville. That's where one of three McAllen Independent School District students is being detained. The students, two of whom are Mariachi Oro members, along with their parents, were detained last month by U.S. Immigration and... more »

• Raymondville ISD marching band receives international honor Play Video

  February 21, 2026 6:43 PM

  Raymondville Independent School District's Bearcat marching band is being recognized on an international level. They won the 2025 Sudler Shield award. Another day of practice for the Raymondville ISD marching band. Members like Fabian Reyes dedicate more than 20 hours a week to be the best of... more »

• Temperatures expected to drop in the Valley by early afternoon, 20 percent chance for showers Play Video

  January 24, 2026 11:04 AM

  The First Warn 5 Weather Team is closely monitoring weather conditions as an Arctic blast makes its way across the state. They have determined the cold front will arrive in the Rio Grande Valley earlier than expected. The current arrival times are as follows (give or take an hour):... more »

• Special needs teen celebrates birthday with help from the Valley Play Video

  January 3, 2026 12:59 PM

  The Rio Grande Valley came together to make sure a special needs teen had a memorable 13th birthday. Blowing out the candles and listening to video messages is how Andres Lobato officially became a teenager. His big day became a viral celebration after his mother turned to social... more »

• STC students build furniture for camp dedicated to children with diabetes Play Video

  December 3, 2025 7:43 PM

  South Texas College students helped transform a camp for children with Type 1 diabetes by building furniture for it. According to a news release, the students helped build furniture, recreational features and sensory stations for the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association. The news release stated that students from... more »

• No Refusal Campaign kicking off for the 2025 holiday season Play Video

  November 26, 2025 12:04 AM

  The No Refusal DWI Enforcement Campaign is kicking off on Wednesday, the Rio Grande Valley District Attorney Coalition announced. The campaign ensures that those suspected of drunk driving in the Rio Grande Valley and refuse a breath test will be subjected to a blood search warrant issued by on-call... more »

• Valley election officials investigate list of 'potential noncitizens' registered to vote Play Video

  October 24, 2025 12:13 PM

  The Secretary of State is asking county election departments to look into the citizenship of registered voters. The Cameron County Elections Department is busy. Early voting is underway, and now department staff are tasked with digging through their voter rolls. "This is an extra step that we're having... more »

• Texas election officials investigating more than 200 potential noncitizens registered to vote in the Valley Play Video

  October 22, 2025 7:47 PM

  The Texas Secretary of State’s office announced it identified a total of 2,724 potential noncitizens who are registered to vote in the state, according to a Monday news release. According to data provided by the office, 236 potential noncitizens were identified throughout Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties. ... more »

• A new Willacy County data center will rely on untapped renewable energy

  October 21, 2025 11:52 AM

  WILLACY COUNTY — Scattered across the acres of open fields, dozens of wind turbines stood tall one morning last month, some moved their blades with the wind as designed. Others didn’t move at all. The inactivity at the Las Majadas Wind project was by design. This set of windmills... more »

• Animal health experts to advise livestock owners on screwworm at Raymondville event Play Video

  October 17, 2025 6:44 PM

  Agriculture experts in Willacy County are warning about the New World Screwwrom. There are no reports in the Rio Grande Valley, and the latest reported case was 70 miles west of Roma in Mexico. "This fly, if it does get into our area, it can cause death in... more »

• 3 juveniles facing multiple charges following police chase in Willacy County Play Video

  October 17, 2025 10:30 AM

  Three male juveniles are facing multiple felony charges following a police chase in Willacy County. The Willacy County Sheriff's Office said the chase occurred on Thursday when deputies and the Texas Department of Public Safety were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The chase ended when the suspects... more »

• Social worker offers tips for caring for a loved one with dementia Play Video

  October 11, 2025 7:09 PM

  On Friday, two people with dementia were found after they had been reported missing in Hidalgo and Willacy counties. Experts at South Texas Health System said it's common for people who have the disease to walk away from their home because everything can become unfamiliar to them. Health... more »

• Arson investigation may be linked to Raymondville kidnapping, police say Play Video

  October 7, 2025 8:41 PM

  A Raymondville woman lost her car in a fire, and police said they are investigating the incident as an arson that’s possibly linked to a kidnapping. The incident happened on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Raymondville resident Maria Garza said she woke up that day at 2 a.m. to find her... more »

• Man arrested after barricading himself inside home in Willacy County

  September 29, 2025 9:32 AM

  A man was arrested after barricading himself inside a home following the execution of multiple felony warrants by the Willacy County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred on Sunday at around 7:44 p.m. at the 1300 block of West Main Street in Sebastian. The sheriff's office said 32-year-old David... more »

• EXPLAINER: Statewide proposition would fund Texas water projects if approved by voters Play Video

  September 25, 2025 7:13 PM

  Voters in Texas will have a long list of proposed constitutional amendments to consider for the Nov. 4 election. Among the statewide proposition is Proposition 4, which if approved would mean that the Texas comptroller of public accounts will allocate $1 billion every year into the Texas Water Fund,... more »

• Jury awards $2.8 million to victims in San Perlita shooting incident

  September 22, 2025 12:10 PM

  A jury has awarded seven individuals $2.8 million in damages that stemmed from a shooting incident near San Perlita, according to a news release from the Ryan Solis Law Group. The news release said on December 27, 2020, seven teenagers were shot at by William Dan Rhodes while driving... more »

• Salvation Army of Harlingen food pantry sees drop in donations Play Video

  September 19, 2025 10:49 AM

  A critical resource for families in the lower Rio Grande Valley is running on empty. The Salvation Army is pausing its food box distributions for September. They have a storage room that should be full of vegetables, pastas, beans and cereal, but now sits nearly empty. "Some of... more »

• Raymondville ISD student in custody after making terroristic threat, district says Play Video

  September 15, 2025 11:32 AM

  **This story has been updated throughout** A student at the Raymondville Independent School District was taken into custody for making a terroristic threat, according to the district. The Raymondville ISD Police Department was investigating a report that the student allegedly made a threat against a school official. ... more »

• Zoo Guest: Gummy, the Blue-Tongued Skink Play Video

  September 12, 2025 2:25 PM

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• Willacy County Sheriff's Office working major crash involving truck, farm tractor

  September 6, 2025 1:21 PM

  The Willacy County Sheriff's Office is working the scene of a major crash on West Highway 186, west of FM 3142. The sheriff's office said the crash involved a pickup truck and a farm tractor. Raymondville Fire Chief Oscar Gutierrez said a black truck was traveling on Highway... more »

• DHR Health providing a ‘safe haven’ for victims of violent crimes in Brownsville Play Video

  August 28, 2025 3:04 PM

  DHR Health opened a new forensic exam center dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for those who have been victims of abuse or assault, according to a news release. The Safe H.A.V.E.N. (Helping All Violent Encounters Now) Forensic Exam Center is located inside DHR Health Brownsville at 4750... more »

• ‘This isn’t going to bring my son back:’ Family reacts after San Perlita man sentenced for killing stepson Play Video

  August 21, 2025 10:50 PM

  A father said he’s clinging to the memory of his son, who was taken too soon. “My son is with me, next to me and next to my daughter,” Arturo Sauceda said. “Every day I talk to my son.” Sauceda’s son — Arturo Alexis Sauceda — was 18... more »

• San Perlita man gets 40 year prison sentence after killing stepson Play Video

  August 21, 2025 11:40 AM

  A man was found guilty Thursday of shooting and killing his 18-year-old stepson in San Perlita. Jose Luis Villalobos was found guilty of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The jury deliberated for three hours before handing down their verdict. A judge sentenced Villalobos to 40... more »

• RGV911 providing address plaques to rural Willacy County residents Play Video

  August 20, 2025 8:26 PM

  An organization serving Hidalgo and Willacy counties wants to make it easier for first responders to find homes in rural Willacy County. The organization, RGV911, is providing physical address plaques to homes in rural Willacy County. RGV911 said first responders being able to find homes could make the... more »

• Valley lawmakers react to start of second special legislative session Play Video

  August 19, 2025 6:35 PM

  Texas lawmakers are getting back to work this week after House Democrats returned for the second special legislative session. The Democrats didn’t attend the first session to block one item on the agenda —congressional redistricting. Democratic Representative Erin Gamez — who represents parts of Brownsville — was among... more »

• Trial begins for San Perlita man accused of killing stepson

  August 18, 2025 10:15 PM

  A jury is now seated for a murder trial in Cameron County. Jose Villalobos faces murder and aggravated assault charges in the death of his stepson, Arturo Alexis Sauceda. READ MORE: Friends and classmates remember Santa Rosa ISD student killed in weekend shooting The trial is being... more »

• Mission CISD implements cell phone policy for upcoming school year Play Video

  August 17, 2025 1:40 PM

  Mission Consolidated Independent School District now has a new cell phone policy. It was released in connection to the new state law banning cell phones in the classroom. RELATED STORY: Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk The district... more »

• New Trump rule barring undocumented students from Head Start may not affect Valley programs, director says Play Video

  August 7, 2025 2:50 PM

  While some Head Start programs are worried over a potential drop in enrollment due to a new rule from the Trump administration, a program director in the Rio Grande Valley said his students will be largely unaffected. In July, the Trump administration made a rule saying children without legal... more »

• Lyford woman sentenced in $21 million 8-liner scheme Play Video

  July 19, 2025 1:53 PM

  A Lyford woman has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in connection with a $21 million 8-liner scheme. Dominga Ledesma is the owner of a store called Brittany's Boutique, where she exchanged silver pieces won at an illegal game room for money, federal prosecutors said. According to... more »

• Disaster outreach centers now open in Starr and Willacy counties Play Video

  July 14, 2025 6:40 PM

  The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the opening of Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Starr and Willacy counties. The centers opened on Monday and will assist small businesses, private nonprofit organizations and residents affected by the March 2025 storms that flooded much of the Rio Grande Valley, according to... more »

• LIST: 4th of July events across the Valley

  July 2, 2025 2:36 PM

  The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and cities across the Rio Grande Valley have scheduled events taking place to celebrate. This list will be updated as Channel 5 News learns of more events. Cameron County Brownsville 4th of July Salute to Freedom 2025... more »

• Willacy County Sheriff's Office searches for driver who fled scene of crash Play Video

  June 26, 2025 12:08 PM

  The Willacy County Sheriff's Office is looking for the person who fled the scene of a crash in Raymondville. The sheriff's office said they, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Raymondville police, responded to the crash in the area of Highway 186 and County Road 335.... more »

• Mexican national residing in Sebastian pleads guilty to illegally reentering the U.S.

  June 25, 2025 3:49 PM

  A man from El Trapiche, Guerrero, Mexico has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The news release said 49-year-old Angel Zavaleta-Rodriguez was previously removed from the U.S. in August 2000, but then returned.... more »

• Lyford police identify suspect accused of aggravated robbery Play Video

  June 17, 2025 10:26 AM

  The Lyford Police Department has identified the suspect accused of robbing a Dollar General at gunpoint. Noe Vallejo reportedly pointed a gun at the clerk and stole items from the store. In the surveillance video, Vallejo is shown walking in with a gray hoodie and shorts. RELATED STORY:... more »

• Valley ranchers concerned over screwworm threat following outbreak in southern Mexico Play Video

  June 7, 2025 1:05 PM

  A rancher is warning others about the potential spread of the screwworm. It's a fly that right is currently in southern Mexico, but it's been moving north. "You might have pets, you might have a horse, they are companion animals. This pest isn't a discriminator. It will infect... more »

• 'There was no escaping responsibility:' Willacy County mom sentenced to 20 years in death of teen son Play Video

  June 5, 2025 8:25 PM

  A Willacy County woman learned her fate Thursday after pleading guilty to multiple charges in connection to the death of her 13-year-old son. As part of a plea deal, Sabrina Loredo pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, and four counts of injury to a child. “In... more »

• Mother pleads guilty in connection with 13-year-old son's death in Willacy County Play Video

  June 5, 2025 9:58 AM

  The mother of Jesse Harrison Jr. has pleaded guilty on Thursday in connection with his death in 2022. Sabrina Loredo was charged with manslaughter and four counts of injury to a child. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. RELATED STORY: Willacy County woman found guilty in... more »

• FEMA warning Valley residents of aid-related scams Play Video

  June 4, 2025 9:11 PM

  Representatives from FEMA are still helping people throughout the Rio Grande Valley apply for federal funding following the March 2025 flooding event. FEMA has already approved $23 million in funding. As of Wednesday, 5,000 people across the Valley have applied for aid. A FEMA representative said people need... more »

• Valley residents hopeful over FEMA assistance following March storms Play Video

  May 24, 2025 2:11 PM

  FEMA assistance is coming to the Rio Grande Valley in response to the March floods. President Donald Trump signed off on it on Friday. The disaster declaration covers all four Valley counties. There were lots of places that were hit hard by the March storm. A neighborhood in... more »

• Trump signs disaster declaration following March floods in the Valley

  May 23, 2025 11:44 AM

  Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez have confirmed President Donald Trump has signed a Federal Disaster Declaration for the Rio Grande Valley in response to the March floods. Sepulveda made the announcement in a Facebook post. In a news release from the office of Congressman Gonzalez,... more »

• New Lyford police chief sworn in after department left unmanned for months Play Video

  March 9, 2020 9:57 PM

  LYFORD – Lyford took the final step in officially making their community safer. On Monday, a new police chief was sworn in. In Oct. 2019, the police department was left unmanned. It has been closed ever since. In February, the city took action hiring 21-year Raymondville police veteran... 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 »

• Officials encourage Willacy County residents to vote due to low turnout history Play Video

  February 18, 2020 6:38 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE – Early voting is underway for the Texas primary election. An area where people historically have not been taking advantage of voting is Willacy County. Data reveals, in the last election, Willacy County had the lowest voter turnout in the Rio Grande Valley. In the primary election,... more »

• State legislation allowing oyster farming piques the interest of Valley entrepreneurs Play Video

  January 31, 2020 6:21 PM

  NEAR PORT ISABEL – A different type of farming could soon be coming to the Rio Grande Valley. State lawmakers making a change by adding new rules to allow oyster farms. Oyster beds could become more common in the Laguna Madre after new legislation by the state, which will... more »

• SPECIAL REPORT: HIV in the Rio Grande Valley Play Video

  January 30, 2020 9:16 PM

  WESLACO – The federal government is proposing a plan to end HIV transmission in the United States by 2030. New data from the Centers for Disease Control is raising concerns about the widening, yet, largely unrecognized HIV infection rates among Hispanic and Latino populations. The CDC estimates overall HIV... more »

• Neighborhood Watch Group Helping Combat Crime in Absence of Lyford Police Dept. Play Video

  January 2, 2020 6:17 PM

  LYFORD – Since the city of Lyford closed the doors to its police department in October , the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office has leaned on citizens for help. Residents have stepped up to keep their community safe and some are eager to do more. A group on Facebook... more »

• Willacy Co. Residents More Vigilant As Thefts, Burglaries Rise Play Video

  December 26, 2019 5:37 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE – The Willacy county Sheriff’s Office says they're seeing an increase of thefts and burglaries during this holiday week. So far, the county has seen two burglaries in vehicles and two others in habitation. Officials say for a small county, this is too much. Sergeant Andres Maldonado... more »

• Construction is Underway for Lyford’s First Medical Clinic Play Video

  December 23, 2019 4:38 PM

  LYFORD – A new medical clinic is on its way to a city in Willacy County. Construction is underway in Lyford for the city’s first medical clinic. The city was awarded a nearly $500,000 grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. It will be along FM 498 and... more »

• Willacy Co. Sheriff’s Office Needs Help to Identify Copper Wire Thief Play Video

  December 12, 2019 6:24 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE – The Willacy County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying a thief. They say he broke into a windmill Saturday near San Perlita. Detective Andres Maldonado says the thief took the windmill’s copper wiring. He says the bigger concern with this type of crime... more »

• Official: Thieves Eyeing Trailers in Willacy Co. Community Play Video

  December 12, 2019 5:31 PM

  LASARA – For the past few months, the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office has seen more trailers and tractors being stolen from the Lasara area. Thanks to the community, authorities have identified a person of interest for stealing at least one trailer. It was found dumped in a field. ... more »

• Renovations for New Migrant Shelter Continue in Raymondville Play Video

  December 5, 2019 10:32 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE – Work to get a new shelter for undocumented and unaccompanied minors is still underway in Raymondville. CHANNEL 5 NEWS reported about the New Day Resiliency Center back in August. The shelter will be at the old Walmart. We’re told renovations are still being done. Opening... more »

• Lyford Residents Aid in Combating Crime amid Unmanned Police Station Play Video

  December 4, 2019 7:46 PM

  LYFORD – A Rio Grande Valley community are rallying together to catch an alleged thief on the run. Willacy County sheriff’s deputies say the citizens of Lyford helped point them in the right direction. The city of Lyford may be without a police department, but the citizens are... more »