The PossAble Dream Foundation was awarded $75,000 by the Knapp Community Care Foundation to support career training opportunities for adult learners in the Mid-Valley. Courtesy image
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PHARR, Texas – The PossAble Dream Foundation was awarded $75,000 by the Knapp Community Care Foundation to support career training opportunities for adult learners in the Mid-Valley. A partnership designation was held Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at The PossAble Dream Adult High School site in Edcouch.
The PossAble Dream Adult High School is tuition-free and serves adults ages 18–50. Students graduate with both a high school diploma and an industry certification in a high-wage, in-demand career field, providing a direct pathway to employment and long-term economic stability. The school’s main campus is located in Pharr, with sites located in Edcouch-Elsa and Brownsville. The school currently serves over 400 students, with about 60 from the Mid-Valley area.
“Our school exists to remove barriers for adult learners,” said Superintendent Darcia Cuellar. “With this support, we can continue building structured career pathways that lead to industry credentials and sustainable employment for our students.”
The funding will support education and credentialing costs for industry certification programs, helping Mid-Valley adult learners complete workforce training while earning their high school diploma. Career pathways available to students include welding, healthcare, commercial driver’s license (CDL) and other high-wage, in-demand fields.
“Education is a powerful driver of economic mobility and better health,” said Cristina Trejo-Vasquez, Knapp Community Care Foundation CEO. “The PossAble Dream is creating opportunities for adults to advance their education, improve financial stability and ultimately achieve healthier futures. We are thrilled to be part of such important work.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase patrols on roads beginning this weekend to ensure safe driving this spring break and St. Patrick’s Day. Photo: Texas DPS
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AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase patrols on roads beginning this weekend to ensure safe driving this spring break and St. Patrick’s Day. March 9-17, the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct its annual Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day traffic enforcement campaign – looking for people who are speeding, not wearing their seat belts, driving while intoxicated or committing other traffic violations.
“These are heavy traffic times as people get out to celebrate, but safety must always come first,” said Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee. “Our Troopers will be highly visible across the state, focused on preventing impaired driving, speeding and other dangerous behaviors that put lives at risk. We want everyone to enjoy their time with family and friends — and make it home safely.”
THP will increase enforcement as part of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort), which runs nationwide from March 9-17. Operation CARE is a North American traffic enforcement effort that aims to boost officer presence on interstates and highways across the United States and Canada during specific high-crash periods. By collecting and reporting traffic enforcement data from law enforcement agencies throughout North America, CARE helps raise awareness about efforts to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes.
Last year, during DPS’ 2025 Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day enforcement efforts, there were more than 93,232citations and warnings issued. This included over 6,425 speeding violations; 516 seat belt and child seat violations; 2,483 violations for driving without insurance; and 552 felony and fugitive arrests.
DPS reminds drivers to always drive sober, obey posted speed limits, buckle up and eliminate distractions behind the wheel. Increased enforcement will continue statewide throughout the campaign period, with Troopers working to reduce crashes and save lives on Texas roads. Texans are encouraged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and make responsible choices to help ensure a safe spring break and holiday for all.
A 34-year-old member of the 52 Hoover Gangster Crips has been ordered to federal prison for sex trafficking young teenage girls. Image for illustration purposes
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U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old member of the 52 Hoover Gangster Crips has been ordered to federal prison for sex trafficking young teenage girls.
Clarence Christopher Chambers aka Crazzi Chris pleaded guilty Nov. 24, 2025.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now sentenced Chambers to serve 420 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard information and evidence detailing Chambers’s exploitation and victimization of numerous teenage girls. The court emphasized the lasting trauma the victims suffered including physical abuse, threats, and profound psychological harm. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted Chambers lacked genuine remorse and characterized him as a predator who should not be free to prey on others.
Chambers will serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term, after which he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
“Chambers stole his young victims’ dignity and innocence,” said Ganjei. “They were beaten, threatened, and treated as commodities for someone else’s profit. Today’s sentence is about these courageous victims, recognizing the depth of harm they endured and affirming that they matter and their lives are not disposable. My office will continue to stand with victims and use every federal tool available to hold human traffickers accountable.”
From April to September 2019, Chambers and others worked to recruit young teenage girls and forced them to engage in sex acts with “clients” for money in cars and motels around the Bissonnet “blade” or “track.”
The Bissonnet blade is an area near I-59 Southwest Freeway and Bissonnet Street in Houston where pimps and traffickers place their victims to engage in commercial sex.
Chambers targeted vulnerable teenage girls, including runaways from foster care and unstable homes, some as young as 14. He lured them with false promises of financial security, affection, and housing.
He then used violence and threats to coerce them into engaging in commercial sex for his profit. Chambers forced the young victims walk the blade while he and others kept the profits.
Co-conspirators Michael Anthony Gonzalez aka Mumbles, 29, Jerreck Michael Hilliard aka Jmoney, 37, and Javon Yaw Opoku aka Glizzy, 25, all of Houston, were previously sentenced to 240, 292 and 365 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the sex trafficking conspiracy.
Chambers will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh, Sharad Khandelwal, Anthony Franklyn, Amanda R. Alum, and former AUSA Richard W. Bennett prosecuted the case.
The Houston Police Department conducted the investigation as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
HTRA law enforcement includes members of HPD, FBI, ICE-HSI, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor, DOL – Wage and Hour Division, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration – OIG and Sheriff’s Offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 175 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from Feb. 20 to Feb. 26. Image for illustration purposes
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U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 175 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from Feb. 20 to Feb. 26.
Charges were brought against human smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for sex crimes, violent crimes, drug trafficking, DWIs, gang affiliations, and multiple prior removals.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The City of Brownsville and Cameron County are collaborating on the continued expansion and investment in Downtown Brownsville through the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 3, a major step toward supporting long-term development in the heart of the City. Image courtesy of The City pf Brownsville for illustration purposes.
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BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville and Cameron County are collaborating on the continued expansion and investment in Downtown Brownsville through the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 3, a major step toward supporting long-term development in the heart of the City. However as of March 4, 2026, both theCity and County are pending a formal written request and a complete development proposal from LandGrant Development.
LandGrant Development, a real estate advisory and development firm that specializes in urban development projects, expressed interest in redeveloping property along the Brownsville riverfront more than a decade ago. Thedeveloper had previously indicated that inclusion within a downtown TIRZ would be an important component of the project’s potential financial structure. With the recent expansion of TIRZ No. 3 and Cameron County’s participation, such inclusion could now be considered should a formal proposal be submitted.
The City of Brownsville and Cameron County have agreed to work together to fund infrastructure, public improvements, and redevelopment initiatives within the expanded TIRZ boundaries, which now extend from Sam Perl Boulevard to the Gladys Porter Zoo. The agreement is designed to strengthen regional collaboration and provide a framework to support strategic investments in downtown Brownsville. The City is currently preparing to release its fullDowntown Renaissance Master Plan. It focuses on key priorities such as revitalization, mobility, housing, historic preservation, and economic development.
As the Downtown Renaissance Master Plan efforts move forward, the City and County have received inquiries fromresidents and community stakeholders regarding the potential riverfront redevelopment project. At this time, however, both the City and County are awaiting a formal written request and a complete development proposal from LandGrant Development.
While communication with the development team has occurred, neither entity has received a finalized submission outlining project details, financial structure, or proposed public-private partnership terms. Due to a formal proposal not yet received, there is currently no development agreement under review and no official project details that can beconfirmed.
Once a complete proposal is received, City and County will evaluate the request and provide additional information to the public regarding the potential project.
Juan Gonzalez stands alongside assistant chiefs and detectives whose coordinated investigations, targeted patrols, and data-driven strategies contribute to ongoing crime prevention efforts in Pharr. Image City of Pharr.
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By Roberto Hugo González
The city of Pharr has recorded a 23.3 percent overall drop in crime since 2022, according to Chief of Police Juan Gonzalez, who attributes the decline to data-driven policing strategies, community partnerships, and targeted deployment of resources.
Gonzalez said the department relies on forecasting based on recent trends to proactively address crime and traffic safety concerns. Through the Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety model, officers integrate location-based crime and traffic data using GIS mapping to identify areas with high incidences of criminal activity and vehicle crashes. “This predictive, location-based approach allows us to deploy law enforcement resources efficiently and effectively, ensuring the right resources are in the right place at the right time,” Gonzalez said.
The department uses collected data to guide targeted deployments, including placing SkyCop cameras in high-need locations and assigning patrol officers strategically throughout the city based on current trends. Gonzalez said the department’s motorcycle unit also plays a key role in addressing traffic safety issues, helping reduce crashes and traffic violations while supporting broader crime prevention efforts.
Community partnerships have also contributed to the decline, Gonzalez said. Through programs such as Pharr Crime Stoppers, residents can share information to help prevent and solve crimes. The department’s Adult and Youth Police Academies provide community members with insight into law enforcement operations to build transparency and trust. The Neighborhood Watch Program encourages collaboration between officers and residents to promote shared responsibility for public safety.
The department’s Community Engagement Unit works with local businesses to promote crime prevention strategies and maintain open communication, Gonzalez said. The Mental Health Unit hosts events, including the Mind Matters Health Fair, Stick With Me initiative, and Walking to Wellness event, to promote mental health awareness and community well-being. Partnerships with local school districts help maintain a law enforcement presence on campuses and address safety concerns proactively.
On a day-to-day basis, Chief Gonzalez said, officers review crime data to determine where incidents occur. “We use this data to allocate resources where needed,” he said.
Traffic accidents have also declined by 20 to 30 percent monthly since the completion of interchange construction in the city, according to Chief Gonzalez. He said infrastructure improvements were designed to accommodate high traffic volumes. With improved traffic flow and additional lanes, motorists now have more space to travel safely, contributing to fewer crashes. During construction, road closures and detours caused heavier congestion and delays, which he said contributed to an increase in accidents at the time.
To sustain the reductions in crime, Chief Gonzalez said the department is focused on recruitment and retention. Through a partnership with the STC Regional Police Academy, the department maintains a pipeline of qualified candidates, while an in-house recruitment team attends job fairs and outreach events throughout the year. The department also supports professional development to retain current employees.
Chief Gonzalez said the city will continue supporting specialized units, including the motorcycle unit, mounted patrol unit, mental health unit, and community engagement unit. He added that the department will remain focused on monitoring trends and using police data to guide strategic deployment and proactive public safety initiatives.
Red Cross Month is a nationwide celebration in March to honor the people who deliver support when help can’t wait. It began as a national call to action during WWII for individuals to address growing humanitarian needs. Now, it’s a community tradition encouraging people to get involved at redcross.org. Courtesy image
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AMERICAN RED CROSS – Red Cross Month is a nationwide celebration in March to honor the people who deliver support when help can’t wait. It began as a national call to action during WWII for individuals to address growing humanitarian needs. Now, it’s a community tradition encouraging people to get involved at redcross.org.
Red Cross Month culminates with Red Cross Giving Day, which will be held this year on March 25. It’s an opportunity for people to come together on one day to help families recover from a home fire or other disaster across the country. Donations can be made at redcross.org/GivingDay.
This year new American Red Cross data released shows a snapshot of multigenerational volunteerism here in the Texas Gulf Coast Region.
From Gen Z to the Silent Generation, people of all ages comprise more than 5,000 volunteers for the Texas Gulf Coast Region. According to demographic estimates shared by most Red Cross volunteers in our region:
· Gen Z is the fastest-growing and largest group of volunteers over 2,700, driven largely by growth in student-led Red Cross clubs.
· Millennials account for over 800 volunteers, followed by Baby Boomers 923 and Gen X 1,000 to anchor core mission roles.
· The Silent Generation is the smallest cohort with 43 volunteers but contributes to a legacy of service that often spans multiple decades.
“Generation after generation, our community has shown that compassion is one of its greatest strengths,” said Linda Braddy, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Texas Gulf Coast Region, Red Cross. “In moments when help can’t wait, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together to offer care, comfort and hope. Their commitment reflects a shared humanitarian spirit that connects us across time and continues to make a meaningful difference through our lifesaving mission — one that has supported families for more than half of our country’s 250-year history.”
This month duringRed Cross Month, the Red Cross honors how people today deliver support when help can’t wait. Every contribution matters — visitredcross.orgto get involved by volunteering, making a financial donation, giving blood or taking a class in lifesaving skills.
A correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Aliceville was charged in an indictment, unsealed today, with eight counts of deprivation of rights under color of law arising out of his sexual assault of seven female inmates. Image for illustration purposes
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U.S. Department of Justice
A correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Aliceville was charged in an indictment, unsealed today, with eight counts of deprivation of rights under color of law arising out of his sexual assault of seven female inmates.
According to the indictment, between May 2022 and September 2024, Felix Sylvester Wilder, 37, violated the civil rights of seven women when he sexually assaulted them while they were incarcerated at FCI Aliceville and he was on duty as a FCI Aliceville correctional officer. If convicted of all the charges, Wilder faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby for the Northern District of Alabama, Special Agent in Charge Eric Fehlman of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) Southeast Regional Office, and Special Agent in Charge David R. Fitzgibbons of the FBI Birmingham Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by DOJ OIG Southeast Regional Office and the FBI Birmingham Field Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ward and Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia C. Brame for the Northern District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Sarah Howard of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Governor Greg Abbott notified Texans at home and abroad of safety protocols and resources in response to military actions in the Middle East that pose a threat to American civilians. Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Image for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott notified Texans at home and abroad of safety protocols and resources in response to military actions in the Middle East that pose a threat to American civilians. Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Texans in need of immediate assistance can call the U.S. Department of State (from outside the U.S: 1-202-501-4444; from U.S.: 1-888-407-4747) or the Texas Fusion Center (1-844-927-0521).
“The safety and well-being of Texans are paramount,” said Governor Abbott. “Now more than ever, Texans must remain vigilant and follow the guidance of U.S. officials as military action continues overseas. The State of Texas is actively coordinating with our federal partners to safeguard Texans abroad and at home from hostile foreign actors.”
Governor Abbott and Texas officials recommend the following steps to ensure personal safety:
Heed Federal Warnings: Monitor travel advisories and security alerts issued by the U.S. Department of State and local U.S. Embassy offices.
Call U.S. Department of State or Texas Fusion Center: Texans in need of immediate assistance or guidance should call:
U.S. Department of State from outside U.S.: 1-202-501-4444
U.S. Department of State from inside U.S. and Canada: 1-888-407-4747
Texas Fusion Center: 1-844-927-0521
Register with the U.S. Embassy: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time alerts and make it easier for the U.S. government to assist in an emergency.
Maintain Contact with Family: Keep friends and family informed of your location and travel plans. Establish regular check-ins.
Avoid High-Risk Areas: Do not travel to regions under active security alerts or where violence and unrest are occurring. Conditions can shift rapidly, even in popular destinations.
Follow Local and Federal Instructions: If shelter-in-place or travel restriction guidance is issued by authorities, follow those instructions immediately. Seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements. Remain in your residences or hotels. Avoid areas around military activity. Monitor local media for updates. Avoid crowds.
Prepare for Emergencies: Keep copies of important documents, emergency contact numbers for the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate, and ensure you have a reliable means of communication.
The Governor’s Office and DPS will continue to monitor developments and coordinate with federal partners to ensure Texans receive timely information as the situation evolves.
The Department of War announced today a February 24, 2026, investment of $27 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to U.S. Antimony Corporation (USAC) for the domestic extraction, processing, and refinement of antimony. Antimony image: http://images-of-elements.com/, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Bgd for illustration purposes
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The Department of War announced today a February 24, 2026, investment of $27 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to U.S. Antimony Corporation (USAC) for the domestic extraction, processing, and refinement of antimony. This investment was delayed due to the government shutdown. The investment uses funds from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. It also supports the Administration’s goal to increase the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products as articulated in the March 20, 2025, Executive Order 14241 – Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.
“For too long, DOW has depended on overseas sources for its critical mineral production,” said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Mike Cadenazzi. “This investment will address risk in one of our most critical munitions and materials supply chains.”
Using DPA Title III funds, USAC will modernize and expand the company’s capacity in Montana to refine and produce antimony necessary for flame retardants, batteries, munitions, and other defense applications. In parallel, this investment will support USAC’s initiative to establish domestic antimony excavation and extraction in Alaska. By securing domestic feedstock, USAC has positioned itself to enable full vertical integration across the supply chain from ore extraction to mid-stream floatation capabilities to finished antimony products.
“Strong domestic mineral supply chains are essential to support our warfighting capability,” added Mr. Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience, which oversees the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate. “This is a crucial investment for strengthening our national defense.”
This is one of three investments made by the DPA Purchases Office totaling $58.5 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2026. The MCEIP Directorate oversees the DPA Purchases Office.
About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP)
The OASW(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the Warfighter, now and in the future. OASW(IBP) also uses a new Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement (DIBC OTA) to solicit new ideas for research or prototype project solutions for critical supply chain resiliency focus areas. This OTA underscores the Department’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding the integrity of our crucial supply chain and promptly giving our Warfighters the materials and technologies they need to accomplish their missions. To learn more about the DIBC OTA, please visit:
