2 cold fronts to push through the Rio Grande Valley this week
A couple of cold fronts will push through the Rio Grande Valley this week bringing cooler temperatures to the area. And although it won’t be as cold as last week, there will be some cooler days ahead. Then, they will drop somewhere between 14 to 16 degrees Wednesday, with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s, the National Weather Service in Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley reports. According to the NWS, an active mid-level flow will bring the pair of cold fronts to the Valley. The low temperatures Friday and Saturday night look quite cool, with widespread upper 30s to lower 40s.
myrgv.comNOAA: Warm, dry weather pattern to persist through April
Back in late October, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a warmer and drier than average December through February across the southernmost third of the United States, including the Rio Grande Valley. Nobody wanted to hear that, since the Valley was already plenty warm, dry and dealing with drought, water levels in Amistad and Falcon reservoirs having become alarmingly low. “Water conservation guidelines remain strongly encouraged as drought, dryness and increasing warmth will impact agricultural and municipal supplies,” he said. Dry grass and brush combined with likely “dry fronts” between February and early March will increase the threat of fast wildfire spread and growth, Goldsmith said. Goldsmith also recommended that Valley residents remain vigilant for sharp cold snaps and freezes until early March.
myrgv.comFormer Santa Maria school board trustee among those charged with drug trafficking
A former Santa Maria ISD school board trustee is among more than a dozen men and women who have been implicated in a years-long scheme to smuggle hundreds of pounds of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin through the Rio Grande Valley.
myrgv.comMore than 5,000 U.S. flights canceled due to weather, including Valley stops
Valley International, McAllen and Brownsville-South Padre Island airports have all had flights canceled over the past two days, with a number of others delayed. American Airlines canceled more than 800 flights Wednesday, 28 percent of its daily flights, and Southwest Airlines canceled 672, about 17 percent of total daily flights. Dallas-Fort Worth, Dallas Love Field and Austin had the most outbound flights canceled nationwide Wednesday, totaling 651, 197 and 176, respectively. Here in the Valley, the Dallas and Austin disruptions have led to more than a dozen cancellations at Valley International Airport. On Tuesday, seven flights were canceled, and on Wednesday another seven flights never made it to VIA.
myrgv.comValley schools receive $159 million in Title 1 education grants
School districts in the Rio Grande Valley and across Texas’ 34th Congressional District will receive $159.1 million in Title I U.S. Department of Education grants during fiscal year 2023, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced Tuesday.
myrgv.comFacing legislative push to reform funding, South Texas ISD begins countermeasures
MERCEDES — South Texas ISD leadership last week discussed its response to a legislative push to restructure its funding mechanisms as more Rio Grande Valley school districts added their names to the list of institutions calling for reform. Edcouch-Elsa ISD school board member Ricardo Ochoa had to abstain from the South Texas ISD resolution vote since he also sits on that board. There are 24 elected and appointed directors of the district, a body self-described as the largest independent school board in the U.S. South Texas ISD has responded largely by saying those districts and the media are spreading “misinformation” that’s skewed and biased, arguing that it’s a quality institution with funding mechanisms that are not inequitable to other districts in the area. STISD has argued since the beginning that other Valley districts should focus more on improving funding for everyone than on knocking South Texas ISD down a peg.
myrgv.comChick-fil-A shows appreciation for RGV customers
Starting this week, each Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Rio Grande Valley area is giving away a complimentary chicken sandwich to guests who place an order through the Chick-fil-A mobile app. From now until Saturday, Feb. 4, residents can use the app to redeem the reward at participating Valley-area Chick-fil-A restaurants. The offer is limited to one person per Chick-fil-A One account. “We invite guests to come and join us for a complimentary chicken sandwich,” Luis Maldanado, local restaurant operator of Chick-fil-A at 27th & Nolana, said in a news release. “We are grateful for our community and hope our guests will stop by for a free entrée to start the new year.”
myrgv.comNew health care company donates free emergency contraception in RGV
The two groups will receive the free emergency contraception on a quarterly basis for the foreseeable future. The donations are part of the company’s Julie for All program, which launched with the goal of increasing access to emergency contraception. However, there are other organizations locally that are also available for free emergency contraception like South Texans for Reproductive Justice who have also partnered with Julie. STRJ has a free emergency contraceptive program through which someone can fill out a form online and the organization will mail the medication to them. That need will determine how many units of emergency contraception Julie will be sending in the following quarters.
myrgv.comMcAllen state rep. files bills targeting concert ticket fees and new energy sources
A Rio Grande Valley state representative recently filed several bills proposing to diversify energy production sources, create transparency when purchasing concert tickets and changing opaque insurance policy contracts to protect the elderly. Two bills filed last week target the fees associated with buying concert tickets or renting a home for a short stay. Guerra said two elderly constituents experienced the consequences of an insurance policy in need of transparency. According to the news release, their insurance policy had an automatic loan provision clause that drained their $10,000 plan to nearly nothing. The Monitor is providing a resource page to check out all the bills filed by state representatives and senators in the current legislative session.
myrgv.comTFA Educator Profile: Maddie Barnes
Special to The MonitorMaddie Barnes is a 2021 Rio Grande Valley Teach for America corps member, and an 11th-grade English teacher at Rio Grande City High School in Rio Grande City. What motivated you to apply to join Teach For America and choose to teach in the Rio Grande Valley? There is no better place to not only promote literacy but celebrate biliteracy than in the Rio Grande Valley, where I am able to explore the strengths and beauty of two languages interacting and blending. Together, through legal backing via the Equal Access Act, we completed all necessary requirements and I became the sponsor of Rio Grande City High School’s first successful GSSA. Here in the Rio Grande Valley, 61 corps members work in seven districts across the region.
myrgv.comMyRGV.com
Some public school districts are calling for the elimination of the South Texas Independent School District, which has been a star of South Texas education for more than a half century. Such a change could make the future worse for hundreds of Valley students and those who benefit from their education and skills — and for Valley property owners. STISD is Texas’ only all-magnet public school district. In 28 of the Valley’s public school districts in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties, property owners pay two assessments, one for their public school district and one for STISD. Moreover, STISD largely has been free from the scandals and turmoil that have plagued so many of the Valley’s other public school districts.
myrgv.comSTISD’s past performance proves the district’s value
Some public school districts are calling for the elimination of the South Texas Independent School District, which has been a star of South Texas education for more than a half century. Such a change could make the future worse for hundreds of Valley students and those who benefit from their education and skills — and for Valley property owners. In 28 of the Valley’s public school districts in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties, property owners pay two assessments, one for their public school district and one for STISD. Moreover, STISD largely has been free from the scandals and turmoil that have plagued so many of the Valley’s other public school districts. STISD has proven its value to South Texas and beyond, both in educational excellence and the benefits reaped by the businesses that have hired them.
myrgv.comPSJA school board initiates forensic audit
The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district board on Monday voted to move forward with a forensic audit after engaging with a popular firm in the Rio Grande Valley for the service. Board President Cynthia Gutierrez said Tuesday that the board has chosen Weaver and Tidwell L.L.P to start the initial steps in the audit. Two incumbents losing re-election bids in November signaled a power shift on the board that directly preceded the exit of former superintendent Jorge Arredondo. I think it’s important that we take this opportunity to look at the state of the district,” Gutierrez said. Forensic audits have frequently coincided with district shakeups at Rio Grande Valley school systems in recent years, including in Weslaco, San Benito and Donna.
myrgv.comTickets on sale for popular Food Bank of the RGV fundraiser
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley will be hosting its annual farm dinner fundraiser next month. The fundraiser is scheduled for Feb. 24 at the food bank’s on-site community garden and farm, which is located right behind the Food Bank RGV at 724 N. Cage Blvd. “The farm dinner helps support our community garden and farm,” Rosie Martinez, Food Bank RGV Manager of Marketing and Communications, said. “It helps support the farm by allowing us to expand our community garden. The Food Bank RGV is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit foodbankrgv.com.
myrgv.comNo hidingERCOT shouldn’t attemptto escape accountability
Such kidding exposes a much more serious issue: Many Valley residents aren’t prepared for extremes in weather, whether they are hot or cold. They and other Texas residents need to be confident that when temperatures hit extreme levels, they can still run their heaters when it’s freezing or air-conditioners when it’s baking. What they don’t need is our energy grid managers to try to avoid accountability by claiming governmental immunity. ERCOT is trying escape a rash of lawsuits stemming from the catastrophic system failure during a February 2021 statewide ice storm. That storm killed hundreds and left much of the state, including south Texas, without power for several days of sub-freezing weather.
myrgv.comHidalgo County COVID hospitalizations see jump this week
A total of 133 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Hidalgo County, officials reported Friday. The hospitalizations were a 24.3% increase from earlier this week when the county reported there were 107 total patients hospitalized with COVID. As hospitalizations in Hidalgo County continue to increase, county health officials also reported 12 additional COVID-related deaths this week. Hidalgo County health officials also reported 1,448 new cases this week, including 576 confirmed and 872 probable cases. In Cameron County, three more of its residents died due to COVID-related complications, county officials reported on Friday.
myrgv.comPush to remove South Texas ISD taxing authority gains steam
Momentum to eliminate South Texas ISD’s taxing authority increased Monday as another Rio Grande Valley school district approved a resolution supporting the push. McAllen ISD’s resolution contends that South Texas ISD enrolls less than 1% of special education students and has strayed from its original mandate. “South Texas ISD was initiated in 1964 not to compete with us. And I don’t think that we should be competing with South Texas ISD,” Trustee Debbie Crane Aliseda said Monday. Critics argue that not all residents are guaranteed enrollment at South Texas ISD and that not everyone benefits from it.
myrgv.comValley cities eager to get moving on the Texas fitness challenge they won last year
That’s right: A news conference was held Monday morning to help kick off the 2023 It’s Time Texas Community Challenge in the Rio Grande Valley. “Go out there and be proactive and active to maintain your health.”In the 11 years since the challenge was first introduced, over 40,000 Valley residents have participated. “As of kickoff today, we just surpassed 10,000 participants for this year’s challenge throughout the state,” Community Challenge Program Director Sam Gervase said. Guerrero acknowledged that many residents in the area struggle with weight and diabetes, but she said that she hopes the community challenge will inspire healthier decisions. But in the evening, you can go out to a park.”Anyone interested in participating in the community challenge can download the app and register there.
myrgv.comRNC chairwoman in Valley to scold Biden’s El Paso visit
Republican National Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel's visit to the Rio Grande Valley coincided with Biden’s stop in El Paso where he traveled with a congressional delegation, including Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
myrgv.comMayor welcomes Valley’s only Mormon temple to McAllen
More recently, in fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears closer to opening what many are calling the only Mormon temple in the region and one of only several in Texas. Located at 250 W. Trenton Road in McAllen, the temple has already taken shape and construction looks to be nearing completion. McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, however, spoke about the temple recently and pointed to the new house of faith as a sign of progress. According to the Church of Jesus Christ Temples, the groundbreaking for the temple was held Oct. 5, 2019 and construction began in November 2020. “The McAllen temple represents the hard work of many faithful members that have been pioneers on (sic) this area, leaders and thousands of missionaries that have been serving with all their heart,” Edgar De Anda said in one review.
myrgv.com14 members of auto theft ring arrested in Brownsville for targeting Valley
The South Texas Auto Theft Task Force has dismantled an auto theft ring that is responsible for stealing vehicles from across the Rio Grande Valley from at least September. Fourteen members of the auto theft ring have been arrested by Brownsville Police Department officers who are on the South Texas Auto Theft Task Force. Balderas, Delgado, Rubalcava, Garza and Arnold were all found in possession of uncoded keys, Sandoval said. Although authorities believe this particular auto theft began operating in September, there’s a possibility that they might have been operating longer than that. It’s not your normal theft ring where somebody goes in, breaks your door and kind of breaks your ignition and takes your car,” Sandoval said.
myrgv.comStage is set‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ one of three theater productions El Paseo is rolling out
El Paseo Arts Foundation has a busy month planned for theater junkies throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The second production scheduled this month is “Permanent Record,” a one-man show by acclaimed comedy writer Pat Hazell. “(Hazell) has created this story about the permanent record and talks about his kind of experiences and draws the audience into sharing their experiences of things that are on their permanent record of what they feared would be on their permanent record. Tickets are available for purchase at SOS, the SPI Art Incubator, the Art Gallery in Lighthouse Square, and online at www.elpaseoarts.org. Tickets are available for purchase at SOS, the SPI Art Incubator, the Art Gallery in Lighthouse Square, and online at www.elpaseoarts.org.
myrgv.comGet ready: Logistical fixes needed to allow immigrant entry
Joe Biden was elected president in part because of his promises to address our nation’s indefensible inability, and unwillingness, to improve our immigration problems. The president has announced an end to some immigration restrictions that were imposed by the previous administration, but court orders have kept those restrictions in place. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Rio Grande Valley, where immigration restrictions threaten major hits to our local economy. Our need to restore the flow of immigrants into this country is an obvious truth, especially here in the Valley. Once we are able to process properly those who wish to enter our country, many of our other immigration problems will be reduced as well.
myrgv.comGet readyLogistical fixes neededto allow immigrant entry
Joe Biden was elected president in part because of his promises to address our nation’s indefensible inability, and unwillingness, to improve our immigration problems. The president has announced an end to some immigration restrictions that were imposed by the previous administration, but court orders have kept those restrictions in place. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Rio Grande Valley, where immigration restrictions threaten major hits to our local economy. Our need to restore the flow of immigrants into this country is an obvious truth, especially here in the Valley. Once we are able to process properly those who wish to enter our country, many of our other immigration problems will be reduced as well.
myrgv.comVexus Fiber delivering high-speed internet in McAllen, Harlingen
Lubbock-based Vexus Fiber has announced it is rolling out a high-speed fiber optic network in the Rio Grande Valley. The internet service will be available for both business and residential customers in the McAllen and Harlingen areas, company officials say. “We are extremely excited to be able to further increase our service footprint throughout Texas,” said Jim Gleason, CEO of Vexus Fiber. Vexus already is providing internet service in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. High-speed internet service varies depending on how much speed you need.
myrgv.comBullet dodged: Citrus growers’ freeze fears not realized
Rio Grande Valley citrus growers, already dealing with lingering drought and still recovering from the devastating February 2021 freeze, dreaded what forecasters said was headed this way in the days leading up to Christmas. So says Dale Murden, a citrus grower and president of Texas Citrus Mutual, a trade association representing the industry. “Citrus growers pretty much plan ahead,” Murden said. Murden predicted the Valley’s citrus growers will get through the next year fairly well for the most part. A tree can last a long, long time.
myrgv.comNormalcy: Pandemic, political unrest finally waned in past year
After a three-year global pandemic that killed millions of people worldwide, and more than 6,000 in the Rio Grande Valley, and political unrest inspired by an aggressive, confrontational president, most people probably welcome days that largely are uneventful. Certainly, remnants of the stressful days that filled the past few years remain. The number of violent attacks has fallen and many of the more aggressive politicians were unsuccessful in the November elections. We saw more questionable behavior among public officials, especially in public school districts where bickering dominated several school boards, superintendents resigned or were fired, and one Brownsville school board faced an indictment for nepotism that ultimately was dismissed. Other achievements include the RGV Vipers NBA G League championship and the McAllen High School Mariachi Oro’s state championship.
myrgv.comNormalcyPandemic, political unrestfinally waned in past year
Certainly, remnants of the stressful days that filled the past few years remain. The number of violent attacks has fallen and many of the more aggressive politicians were unsuccessful in the November elections. We saw more questionable behavior among public officials, especially in public school districts where bickering dominated several school boards, superintendents resigned or were fired, and one Brownsville school board faced an indictment for nepotism that ultimately was dismissed. Other achievements include the RGV Vipers NBA G League championship and the McAllen High School Mariachi Oro’s state championship. The new year begins with hopes for more achievements and progress for the Valley.
myrgv.comFrom abortion to school threats, historic moments permeated 2022 in RGV
ABORTIONOne such story was the April arrest of a Starr County woman on a murder charge for a “self-induced” abortion. Just 48 hours after her arrest, the Starr County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges, saying she should not be prosecuted. About two months later, in June, the Supreme Court overruled Roe V. Wade, which affirmed the right to an abortion. Bush is the son of former Donna High, PSJA High and PSJA North head football coach Bruce Bush. Local school district leadership say they have responded, putting safety front and center; however, it’s often difficult to see precisely what measures are being put in place.
myrgv.comUvalde parents demand stricter gun laws ahead of Abbott, O’Rourke gubernatorial debate
Before the gubernatorial debate between Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke in the Rio Grande Valley, the parents of Robb Elementary students stepped up to the microphone to voice their opinions on one of the state’s most divisive topics: gun control.
Business on the border a concern for those in the Rio Grande Valley
It has been nearly six months since the trucker-blockade at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s additional inspections. Alicia Barrera is back in the Rio Grande Valley to see what's changed since the order was lifted.
High-poverty schools struggle to earn Texas’ highest rating. Some in the Rio Grande Valley break that trend.
The Texas Education Agency has dismissed the notion that the accountability ratings are a poverty rating. As evidence, they point to districts like those in the Rio Grande Valley, which have achieved high marks while serving a high number of economically disadvantaged students.
Texas needs to do more to help Hispanic students graduate from college, university leaders say
In a Texas Tribune event Tuesday, university leaders discussed why Hispanic students finish higher education programs at a lower rate than the state average but have better performance in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso.
To stay in Congress, Mayra Flores bets Democratic South Texas is ready for an outspoken conservative
A Mexican immigrant who worked in cotton fields to pay for school supplies, Flores is a source of hope for Republicans looking to gain ground in the Rio Grande Valley. But her staying power will be put to the test this November.
Former UT-Brownsville President Juliet García to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
García served as the president of the University of Texas at Brownsville until it merged with the University of Texas-Pan American to become the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is the first Mexican American woman to lead a college or university in the United States.
As they target South Texas, Republicans say one Democratic county isn’t maintaining campaign finance records
Starr County, one of the four counties that make up the Rio Grande Valley, has not been able to produce campaign finance reports that it is required to maintain, according to a GOP group targeting the area.
North Texas student arrested after gun found in vehicle; RGV authorities find rifle, list of targeted students
A day after an 18-year-old man opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, killing 19 students and two teachers, law enforcement in North Texas and the Rio Grande Valley said they intercepted guns and credible threats against schools.
Under Texas’ strict abortion law, McAllen clinic sees patients seeking medication across the border
The law went into effect in September, a week before Mexico’s Supreme Court dissolved a Coahuila state law that made abortion a crime. Now some Texans further along in their pregnancies are going there for abortion-inducing drugs.
International trade halted at Texas border crossings as truckers protest Greg Abbott’s new inspections
Commercial traffic at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge stopped Monday and a similar protest affected traffic into and out of El Paso. The blockades could impact the flow of produce to restaurants and grocery stores.
U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela’s resignation announcement sparks a sudden special-election scramble in hotly contested South Texas
A special election will determine who finishes Vela’s term, and while the winner will only serve for a short period, Republicans are already eyeing the contest to show momentum in South Texas.
Republicans more than doubled turnout in the Rio Grande Valley compared with the last midterm primary
Democrats in the region still had higher turnout, but Republicans celebrated the narrowing of the gap. Despite the improvement, nearly 87% of registered voters in the Rio Grande Valley did not vote in the primary, similar to the rate in 2018.
Feds seek to protect rare Texas plant in the path of border wall construction
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a rule earlier this week to list the prostrate milkweed, which lives along the Texas-Mexico border, as an endangered species. The rare plant is threatened in part by border security activities, scientists say.