Packages containing more than 23 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EAGLE PASS, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Eagle Pass Camino Real Bridge intercepted $467,375.20 worth of alleged methamphetamine on August 17, 2022.
“This is a sizeable drug load and a significant intercept,” said CBP Port of Eagle Pass (A)Port Director Elizabeth Garduno. “ Our officers remain vigilant and continue to work hard to stop those who intend to introduce dangerous narcotics to our community.”
On August 17, 2022, CBP officers assigned to the Eagle Pass Camino Real Bridge encountered a 24-year-old man (SENTRI cardholder) driving a maroon Mazda 3 making entry from Mexico. The vehicle was selected for inspection after a K9 alerted to the possible presence of narcotics. After conducting a physical inspection, officers discovered 20 packages concealed within the vehicle. The packages contained 23 pounds (10.6kg) of alleged methamphetamine.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation. As a member of the Trusted Traveler Program, the driver is held to a higher standard, faces revocation of all Trusted Traveler privileges and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector recovered the bodies of three deceased migrants within a four-hour span, Aug. 17. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
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EAGLE PASS, Texas – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector recovered the bodies of three deceased migrants within a four-hour span, Aug. 17.
Agents encountered a deceased male floating in the the Rio Grande River south of the Eagle Pass Port of Entry at approximately 8:40 a.m. Two hours later, boat patrol agents discovered another deceased male floating in the Rio Grande River near the same area. At 12:20 p.m., agents encountered a third deceased male in the same area. The bodies were turned over to local authorities.
So far this fiscal year, from Oct. 1 through July 31, agents in the Del Rio Sector have encountered more than 200 deceased migrants.
To report suspicious activity, call the Del Rio Sector’s toll-free number at 1-866-511-8727.
Within 12-hours, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents rescued a female in distress with her father, disrupted two migrant smuggling events, and seized abandoned marijuana. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
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EDINBURG, Texas – Within 12-hours, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents rescued a female in distress with her father, disrupted two migrant smuggling events, and seized abandoned marijuana.
On August 17, the Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station (RGC) received a call for assistance from two lost noncitizens north of Rio Grande City. The caller advised he was travelling with his daughter. Agents responded to the area and encountered the man and his daughter who was unconscious, convulsing, and suffering from dehydration and in an altered mental state. Agents immediately requested Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and carried the female approximately half a mile to an area accessible by vehicle. EMS arrived and transported her to a hospital where she tested positive for Covid-19 and is being treated.
Also on August 17, Brownsville Border Patrol Agents observed several subjects running north from the Rio Grande River and shortly after, a vehicle departing the well-known migrant load up area. The vehicle came to a stop, where multiple subjects bailed out and fled. Agents apprehended five migrants unlawfully in the U.S., but the driver absconded.
Later that night, RGC agents were led on a vehicle pursuit in Escobares. When the vehicle came to a stop, approximately 11 subjects bailed out and attempted to flee into a neighborhood. Agents apprehended seven migrants, but the driver was not located.
Early this morning, Fort Brown Border Patrol Station agents responded to illicit activity near the Rio Grande in Brownsville. Agents followed shoe prints away from the river until they discovered two abandoned bundles of marijuana. As they searched the area, they observed three suspected drug smugglers returning to Mexico. The seized marijuana weighed almost a hundred pounds and is valued at almost $80,000.
All subjects were processed accordingly.
With the extreme heat south Texas is experiencing, individuals lost or left behind in desolate areas are at risk of dehydration, heat stroke, and death. RGV urges migrants not to place their lives at risk attempting to cross illegally.
Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced on Thursday that senior outside hitter Sarah Cruz of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) volleyball team is part of the Preseason All-WAC Team. Additionally, UTRGV was picked to finished seventh in the WAC as voted on by the head coaches. UTRGV Image
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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced on Thursday that senior outside hitter Sarah Cruz of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) volleyball team is part of the Preseason All-WAC Team. Additionally, UTRGV was picked to finished seventh in the WAC as voted on by the head coaches.
A 2021 All-WAC First Team selection, Cruz broke the program record for kills per set (4.37) while ranking sixth in total kills (437) and tied for fifth in attacks per set (11.19). She Led UTRGV in kills 22 times, digs twice and blocks three times while recorded 23 matches of 10+ kills, including nine of 20+, and 10 matches of 10+ digs, including one of 20+ en route to 10 double-doubles. She also averaged 2.33 digs, 0.30 aces and 0.55 blocks in 100 sets across 27 matches.
For her career, Cruz ranks fifth in program history in kills per set (3.31), sixth in attacks per set (9.36), and seventh in aces pet set (0.30).
UTRGV Image
UTRGV garnered 86 points, finishing 32 points ahead of UT Arlington, which was picked eighth. The top eight teams advance to the WAC Tournament, hosted by UTRGV at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, November 17-19.
New Mexico State (135 points, six first place votes) was picked to finish atop the WAC standings for the fourth-straight season after winning the West Division in 2021 and winning the WAC during the two previous seasons. The only team to win the WAC outright other than New Mexico State during that time is UTRGV, which won the WAC Championship in 2018. Sam Houston (99 points, one first place vote), which was picked to finish fourth, won the Southwest Division in 2021.
Reigning WAC Tournament Champion Utah Valley was picked to finish second with 129 points and five first place votes while Grand Canyon, which fell to Utah Valley in the WAC Tournament Championship Match, was picked third with 127 points and one first place vote.
Stephen F. Austin was picked fifth with 95 points while California Baptist ranks sixth with 90 points.
Tarleton and Utah Tech were picked to tie for ninth with 50 points each, followed by Abilene Christian (37 points), newcomer Southern Utah (32 points), and Seattle U (17 points).
UTRGV has finished higher than picked in four of head coach Todd Lowery’s first seven seasons. UTRGV was picked to finish fifth in the Southwest Division in 2021 but came in second. UTRGV was picked to finish second in 2018 but came in first. UTRGV was picked to finish sixth and seventh in 2016 and 2015, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.
UTRGV plays a closed exhibition match against Texas A&M International on Saturday before opening the regular season Aug. 26-27 against UNLV, Jacksonville, and North Texas at the North Texas Invite.
The home opener is set for Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the UTRGV Fieldhouse as part of the South Texas Showdown, presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union.
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at UTRGVTickets.com or by contacting the UTRGV Athletics Ticket Office team of Ryela Rodriguez (956-329-0884) and Eddie Galvan (956-222-2935) over the phone or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu.
Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Place
Team (First Place Votes)
Pts.
1.
New Mexico State (6)
135
2.
Utah Valley (5)
129
3.
Grand Canyon (1)
127
4.
Sam Houston (1)
99
5.
Stephen F. Austin
95
6.
California Baptist
90
7.
UTRGV
86
8.
UT Arlington
54
T-9.
Tarleton
50
T-9.
Utah Tech
50
11.
Abilene Christian
37
12.
Southern Utah
32
13.
Seattle U
17
Preseason All-WAC Team
Player
Yr.
Pos.
School
Hannah Baker
So.
L
Sam Houston
Katie Birtcil
Jr.
OH
New Mexico State
Melanie Brecka
Gr.
RS
Grand Canyon
Sarah Cruz
Sr.
OH
UTRGV
Tori Dorius
Sr.
OH
Utah Valley
Christine Graf
Sr.
OH
California Baptist
Annabelle Kubinski
Gr.
MB
Grand Canyon
Klaire Mitchell
Sr.
S
Grand Canyon
Lia Mosher
Gr.
MB
New Mexico State
Kazna Tanuvasa
Gr.
OH
Utah Valley
McKenzie Wise
So.
OH
Grand Canyon
Preseason Player of the Year: Katie Birtcil, New Mexico State
Preseason Libero of the Year: Hannah Baker, Sam Houston
Preseason Setter of the Year: Klaire Mitchell, Grand Canyon
Current City Councilman Mercurio “Merc” Martinez, III officially announced his candidacy today for Mayor of Laredo. Courtesy Image. Bgd. Image Source: googlemaps
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LAREDO, Texas – Current City Councilman Mercurio “Merc” Martinez, III officially announced his candidacy today for Mayor of Laredo. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Merc is a graduate of J.W. Nixon High School, St. Edward’s University and The Real Estate Graduate Institute.
A devout family man, he has been married to Judy Martinez for over thirty-two years and dated her for ten years before that. They were blessed with three sons. He has been a successful realtor with Swisher & Martin Realty for almost 20 years and is a former banker.
“I have been limited to one district for too long, always on the fringes trying to help in any way possible, all the while, people have been urging me to run for Mayor. I have always sought to help the city of Laredo in any way possible, both in my district and beyond”, said Martinez.
“As a member of City Council, I brought people together to solve complex problems and provide concrete solutions for citizens of Laredo”, he continued.
Merc’s goals as Mayor for the City of Laredo are as follows:
Ensure Stability in Our City Government
Reduce employee turnover in city management positions
Promote a positive, proactive work culture across all departments
Improve Our Water Issues
Ensure clean, safe water for all residents
Develop strategic water infrastructure plan to replace all lines consistently and efficiently
Work closely with council, city management, and consultants to implement water infrastructure plan on time and within budget
Develop Infrastructure and Urban Development
Repair roadways and sidewalks
Beautify public areas and neighborhoods
Improve the Way We Do Business
Advocate for more industry and better paying jobs to Laredo
Create local tax incentives to help small business owners
Improve online services for residents to pay bills and set up services
Scrutinize the budget to ensure taxpayers are not negatively impacted
“As your Mayor, I will ensure accountability to the citizens of Laredo. I will bring honesty, integrity, and the ability to lead our community forward towards growth and economic development. Your priorities first means together we can make Laredo a beautiful place to live”, concluded Martinez,
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday a clear bag policy for spectators attending all athletic events hosted by UTRGV. Courtesy Image
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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday a clear bag policy for spectators attending all athletic events hosted by UTRGV.
Courtesy Image
Clear Bags
Clear bags should be made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC and not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. Any plastic storage bags brought into the venue should be no larger than one gallon and must be both resealable and clear.
Exceptions
Small bags do not have to be clear but cannot exceed 4.5” x 6.5” and are subject to bag checks.
Diaper and medically necessary bags do not need to be clear or meet size restrictions, but they will be screened prior to entry.
Any adult bringing in a diaper bag must be accompanied by a child upon entry and the bag must contain childcare related items, such as diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, bottles for breast milk or formula, baby food, etc.
Bags deemed to be medically necessary must be specifically necessary/required for medical equipment and accommodations that cannot fit within the small bag or clear bag sizing, such as an insulated bag with ice pack to keep medication chilled, oxygen tank carrier/bag, large bag to carry a lactation pump, etc.
Medically related items that can safely be stored and transported in a small clear bag will not qualify for a larger medical bag exception and should be brought in a bag that meets the small bag or clear bag requirements. Examples of medical items that will not qualify for an exemption include, but are not limited to, medication that does not need to be refrigerated, pill bottles, epi-pens, inhalers, etc.
Prohibited Bags
Prohibited bags include purses, cases (i.e.: for cameras or binoculars), backpacks, fanny packs, printed pattern plastic bags, reusable grocery totes, tinted plastic bags, mesh or straw bags, duffle bags, and large totes.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mexico. Image for illustration purposes
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According to the State Department of the United States, all U.S. Citizens should travel in Mexico with Extreme caution and follow all of the guidelines in the following advisory:
Source: https://www.state.gov
Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.
U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Mexico has a high level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Do Not Travel To:
Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
Guerrero state due to crime.
Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping.
Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping
Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Reconsider Travel To:
Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping.
Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.
Durango state due to crime.
Guanajuato state due to crime and kidnapping.
Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.
Morelos state due to crime.
Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
Aguascalientes state due to crime.
Baja California Sur state due to crime.
Chiapas state due to crime.
Coahuila state due to crime.
Hidalgo state due to crime.
Mexico City due to crime.
Mexico State due to crime.
Nayarit state due to crime.
Nuevo Leon state due to crime and kidnapping.
Oaxaca state due to crime.
Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
Queretaro state due to crime.
Quintana Roo state due to crime and kidnapping.
San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Despite having no confirmed monkeypox cases locally, the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department began vaccinating a population of high-risk clients with the monkeypox vaccine as a preventive effort on Wednesday. Image for illustration purposes
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EDINBURG, Texas – Despite having no confirmed monkeypox cases locally, the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department began vaccinating a population of high-risk clients with the monkeypox vaccine as a preventive effort on Wednesday.
Vials of the Monkeypox Vaccine. Image courtesy of Hidalgo County
After receiving 500 vials of the vaccine from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Hidalgo County met with health officials from Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties to coordinate the vaccine allocation.
Revised guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention meant that the 500 vials would provide 2,500 doses of the vaccine in Hidalgo County. Because each vaccine recipient must receive two shots, the initial vaccine allotment is available to only 1,250 high risk patients. As such, the monkeypox vaccine is not yet open to the public.
Although neighboring counties also received vaccines from the state, health officials from the Rio Grande Valley agreed to target high risk populations for the preventive vaccine measures. A percentage of the vaccines received in the Rio Grande Valley was shared with area Westbrook Clinics in McAllen and Harlingen to target the highest risk population. Hidalgo County’s health department also went through its existing client list and reached out to the highest risk patients to arrange for the vaccine to be administered to them.
“Unfortunately, because of the limited supply of the vaccine nationwide, Hidalgo County and our neighbors received a relatively small number of dosages,” said Eduardo Olivarez, chief administrative officer for Hidalgo County Health and Human Services. “The state has already alerted us that new vials of vaccine may not arrive until the end of November so health officials agreed to target those most at-risk with this initial supply of vaccines.
Organizers for the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, invited the community to be a part of this year’s festivities in various ways, including, a special call for entries for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade. YouTube Image
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Organizers for the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, invited the community to be a part of this year’s festivities in various ways, including, a special call for entries for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade. Additionally, the parade is seeking volunteers and high school bands throughout the region to be a part of the magical tradition and, thanks to the partnership with McAllen I.S.D., MHP stadium tickets are on sale for McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, from where the parade steps off and pre-parade festivities take place, on Saturday, December 3, 2022, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Watch the video of the press conference below:
Video Courtesy of the City of McAllen
New this year is a call for entries from anyone throughout the Rio Grande Valley for entries for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade. Entries must be on a shoebox, and can include any type of arts & crafts, toys, holiday decorations, lights or countless elements to celebrate “South Pole & Beyond,” the theme of both the shoebox and the big parade. Categories will include elementary; middle school; high school; business; community; and countless others, and prizes include MHP tickets and swag.
However, the biggest prize of all will be that the grand champion winning shoebox float entry will be made into an actual float for the 2023 edition of the McAllen Holiday Parade. Shoebox entries will be a part of the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade production that will debut right before the actual parade. Others will be displayed throughout City of McAllen facilities. Entries are due no later than Wednesday, November 23, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. to the City of McAllen Office of Communications, McAllen City Hall, 1300 W. Houston Ave., 3rd Floor. For more information, call 956-681-1206.
“The McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade is a great way for anyone in the community to be a part of the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said McAllen Assistant City Manager Joe Vera, who also serves as the executive producer of the celebration.
Watch the video below:
Video Courtesy of the City of McAllen
One of the reasons the McAllen Holiday Parade has earned Best Parade in Texas and the World accolades is an award-winning volunteer program. The phenomenon that happens only at the McAllen Holiday Parade known as “Vuelta” is only possible because of parade volunteers. The community is invited to sign up to be one of hundreds of balloon handlers that spin giant helium balloons throughout the 1.5-mile parade route as the crowd chants “Vuelta.”
Additionally, volunteers can light up the parade by holding one of the McAllen Holiday Parade’s over 100 lighted banners that walk just in front of the floats, balloons or bands.
Balloon handler volunteers must be 18 years or over, while banner carriers must be 16 years or over. All volunteers must go through a background check and will receive gloves, t-shirt and snacks. All volunteers are required to have a volunteer badge a scheduled event. Learn more at www.volunteersotx.org or send questions or to sign up at pardvolunteers@mcallen.net.
Additionally, a call out to all high school bands in the region to participate in the McAllen Holiday Parade was announced, with participating bands receiving a $1,000 scholarship to assist with expenses related to appearing in the parade, or just any other band expenses. Contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department to apply to participate in the parade.
“As the leading government agency in our community, we work with multiple institutions and organizations in McAllen, all for the improvement and welfare of McAllen residents,” said McAllen Dist. 5 Comm. Victor “Seby” Haddad. “Now where is this partnership more evident than with the great educational system that is McAllen I.S.D., and, the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, is the pinnacle of that relationship, helping us to bring this signature winter holiday entertainment experience for hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to McAllen, the official South Pole of Texas.”
The parade will step off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. Ticket prices start at $10, plus service fees for in stadium seating for the parade and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office, 801Convention Center Blvd. While there is plenty of free seating along the parade route, on a first come basis, stadium seating is often referred to by as the best seat in the house by parade organizers. They point out the proximity to the parade as it passes by and the stadium lighting which only serves to enhance the lights, color, animation and sound of all the elements as they pass by, as well as being able to catch the stars up close and personal. Additionally, right before the parade kicks off, the festivities kick-off with a holiday musical extravaganza, complete with dancers, fireworks and other surprises that can only be seen in stadium.
“We are proud of the work we do for the community, and we are proud to have such partners and sponsors who share in bringing these events to life and we are especially proud to be celebrating Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year, here together in McAllen, the Official South Pole of Texas,” concluded Vera.
For all of the latest information and updates on the McAllen Holiday Parade, follow the parade and the City of McAllen on social media and all of its streaming platforms.
For the past five years, the McAllen Holiday Parade has been named the Best Parade in the World and the Best Parade in Texas by international and state event industry organizations.
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group and proudly sponsored by Budweiser, Reliant, McAllen International Airport and South Padre Island CVB. Other sponsors for the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade include McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Matt’s Building Materials; Stripes/Laredo Taco Company; Metro McAllen; University of Texas-RGV; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger Attorneys at Law; McAllen Chamber of Commerce/Visit McAllen; PepsiCo.; McAllen Public Works; Mike Rhodes – Tres Lagos; AEP Texas; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Lacks; Doña Lula; Hermes; Whataburger; Cigna Health Care; Taco Palenque; Carollo Engineers; KSA Engineers; MedCare EMS; Halff Associates; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; S&B Infrastructure; AMR; Cigna; IBC; AEP; United One Cleaning.
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Stanton Street bridge intercepted $89,031 in unreported currency.
“CBP officers routinely conduct outbound inspections on traffic headed into Mexico,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio. “The outbound inspections are designed to identify and stop a variety of items including weapons, ammunition, and unreported currency.”
On August 14, 2022, CBP officers conducting outbound inspections at the Stanton Street bridge selected a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old Mexican citizen and passenger, 46-year-old Mexican citizen, for a routine inspection. Both occupants gave a negative declaration for currency. During a secondary search and with the aid of a CBP currency-firearms detector canine, CBP officers located multiple packages hidden within the vehicle. The packages contained a total of $89,031.
CBP officers seized the currency along with the vehicle and both individuals were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents for further investigation.
It is legal to transport any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into or out of the United States. However, if you transport, attempt to transport, or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means) currency or other monetary instruments in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 or its foreign equivalent at one time from the United States to any foreign country, or into the United States from any foreign country, you must file a report with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties and may lead to forfeiture of your monetary instrument(s).
