‘Tales of the Hidalgo Pumphouse’ runs from today to late August
By Staff Report Advance News Journal
Pharr Connect, local housing authority link up to provide broadband internet
By Gregg Wendorf | Advance News Journal
If we’re friends, and you’re a Republican and/ or like Sen. John Cornyn, please don’t read the following column because you’ll be disappointed in me, asking, “how can I be so stupid?”
Today's News
EDINBURG — The city is asking local drivers to avoid Raul Longoria Road as it is closed due to an accident involving a gasoline tanker Tuesday.
According to a media post by Edinburg, the city's fire department, along with Pharr's FD, are on the site assisting with the incident.
"Raul Longoria Rd is closed to both northbound and southbound traffic between Canton Rd and Wisconsin Rd. Please avoid the area and seek alternate routes," the city said in a media post.
This story is developing.
By P.J. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
EDINBURG — The Board of Trustees for the local school district here voted in a split decision, 4-3, during a special-called meeting to name Angela Dominguez as the lone finalist for superintendent.
Dominguez, who has over 30 years of experience in public education, is currently serving as superintendent for Donna ISD. She has been a part of that district since Oct. 2021.
"I am deeply honored and humbled by the Board of Trustees’ confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, families, staff, and community of Edinburg CISD," she said in a Tuesday release by ECISD.
By P.J. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
McALLEN — The McAllen Police Department invites the community for it's annual National Night Out, which is today from 7-9 p.m.
The event will be located at McAllen Municipal Park, which is at 1921 N. Bicentennial Blvd and Garza-Chavez Community Network Center — which is located at 2901 Olga Ave.
The department said the event is crime, drug and violence prevention program that is held the first Tuesday of August. It gives the community to meet the officers who are part of the department.
At the event, there will be food and entertainment for the community.
By Staff Report | Advance News Journal
News
Sex-trafficking Crips member sentenced to 30 years in prison HOUSTON — A 25-yearold member of the Forum Park Crips has been ordered to federal prison for sex trafficking a 16-year-old minor.
Andres Serrano Portillo a/k/a Andro pleaded guilty July 11, 2022.
DHR Health, together with the Epilepsy Foundation Central and South Texas, will host a free community health education seminar that will focus on epilepsy and supporting adults living with the condition. The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on August 15, 2026, at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance located at 118 Paseo Del Prado. The event will be free and open to the public; however, registration is encouraged.
PHARR — As the beaming sun reflected off the water of the Hidalgo pump house basin, a group of youngsters had no worry in the world as kids did what they did best. They had fun and of course, made a splash while they were at it.
That was the vignette painted by the director here at the Pharr Community Theater when reminiscing about the good old days in the Rio Grande Valley.
By P.j. Hernandez Advance News Journal
Sports
Staff Report
Advance News Journal
With the summer coming to an end, that means the sports season is right around the corner for local athletes.
To help parents gear up for the football, volleyball seasons and more, South Texas Health System Children’s hospital will host a webinar to help educate on sports-related injuries and the prevention of them.
By P.J. Hernandez Advance News Journal
Tres Barrera, a Sharyland alum and former MLB player, is continuing his trek in the sport as Lamar University's baseball team announced Tuesday that he will be part of the staff. Barrera will serve as the squad's hitting coach — a team that operates within the Southland Conference, which is the same division in which UTRGV plays in.
Tres Barrera, a Sharyland alum and former MLB player, is continuing his trek in the sport as Lamar University's baseball team announced Tuesday that he will be part of the staff.
Barrera will serve as the squad's hitting coach — a team that operates within the Southland Conference, which is the same division in which UTRGV plays in.
By P.J. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
Opinion
During World War II, the allies attacked the means of production. The Germans, on the other hand, soon abandoned assaults on Great Britain’s radar system in favor of terror-producing raids on the cities. It turned out that shutting down ball bearing factories was a good bit more effective than destroying apartments. Today, Russia President Vladimir Putin is making the same mistake that Adolf Hitler made decades ago.
By Tom Haughey Advance News Journal
Looking at President Donald Trump’s Truth Social page last week and the many photos he posted, one has to wonder, “What is the point?”
If a picture, or in this case, pictures, is worth a thousand words, what do these photos suggest about the current occupant of the White House?
By Gregg Wendorf Advance News Journal
Too bad that U.S. Sen. John Neely Kennedy is from my home state of Louisiana simply because I hate to have any connection with the simpleton.
By Gregg Wendorf Advance News Journal
Lifestyle
This week, Cinderella Pet Rescue is featuring two active senior dogs, Mabella and Brandi.
We’d like to remind our readers that even though a dog grows older, their ability to love whole-heartedly doesn’t.
Both Mabella and Brandi have lots of loving years left in them and each would be a great companion to a person or family looking for a very good dog.
Meet Mabella
By Cory Raymond Cinderella Pet Rescue
This week, Cinderella Pet Rescue is featuring two very good dogs in need of homes to call their own–Bistro and Cafe–big dogs with big hearts and lots of love to share with a person or family of their very own.
Both dogs are German Shepherd crosses, but each has an unusual colored coat.
Bistro, the good boy
Bistro was born in March, 2024. His main color is fox red, highlighted with black and white. Like a fox, he has a beautiful bushy tail.
By Cory Raymond | Cinderella Pet Rescue
The English pop-music group, The Beatles, has long been considered one of the most popular entertainment acts of all time.
By Chris Voss | First Christian Church
Obituaries
MARJORIE ANNE ESTEVIS EDINBURG —
Dr. Marjorie Anne Estevis, 90, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at her residence in Edinburg surrounded by her loving family.
Herlinda Garza Reyna, 97, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at her residence in McAllen.
Herlinda was a lifelong resident of McAllen and a member of Our Lady Sorrows Catholic Church. She was a devoted Catholic who prayed the rosary and read her bible daily. She worked as a bookkeeper for Britton’s Fine Jewelry for 25 years before working for the family businesses. One of the greatest joys in Herlinda’s life was spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren.
EDINBURG — Estefana Castillo, 99, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at South Texas Health System Edinburg.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Carol Castillo; her parents, Juan & Paula Garza; six siblings, Jesusa Garza, Consuelo Garza, Rufino Garza, Humberto Garza, Delia Acuña, and Luisa Ramon.
Mrs. Castillo is survived by her grandson, Max (Lissette) Castillo; four great-grandchildren, Drea Castillo, Cristian Castillo, Camila Castillo, and Luca Castillo.
Photo Galleries
SAN JUAN — The PSJA Bears, who are arguably the best team in the RGV, won their first postseason game against the Harlingen Cardinals on Thursday by the score of 13-0.
The second game is set for Harlingen on Friday. If there is a third game needed, it will be on Saturday in San Juan at 1 p.m.
The UTRGV Vaqueros (5-8. 0-3) took a regular season series against the Texas Southern University Tigers during a home stretch in Edinburg.
On Wednesday, the Vaqueros took the commanding win, 10-4. The night before that, they won 5-3.
This weekend, starting on Friday, UTRGV will host a Southland Conference three-game series against New Orleans University.
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