Area News

After 21 days without a new COVID-19 case, Starr County officials confirmed a new case of the contagious virus. Starr County Health Authority Dr. Jose Vasquez confirmed an eight case of the virus Monday “We were today on Day 22 without  a case, so for the previous 21 days we have not had a case,…

Hidalgo County health officials reported five more people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total in the county to 308. This marks the second day in a row in which a handful or less have tested positive for this form of coronavirus, according to a news release. “Hopefully, this trend continues. But I am also…

In what Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez calls an “encouraging sign,” the county reported the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in nearly a month. Four new cases in the county were reported Saturday, according to a news release from the county. “The numbers testing positive are encouraging, but the numbers of those hospitalized…

For the second day in a row, 9 more people in Hidalgo County tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 299. An additional 12 people were released from isolation Friday, meaning they’ve shown no symptoms for 10 days, bringing the total of released patients to 135, according to a news release from the county.…

Most, if not all reporters, will tell people that an important component of any story is meeting with people in person. “I like to meet people and do stuff in person because I can get a lot more out of an interview when you’re actually talking to someone face to face than you would with…

At 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17, leaders from several faiths with communities in the RGV gathered virtually with the aim of providing hope and unity during the pandemic. Hosted by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, the Interfaith Hour of Prayer and Reflection was streamed live through the county’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages. The…

Following her recovery from the coronavirus, Carina Garza De Luna felt the need to give back to patients still struggling. Garza De Luna, a resident of Mission, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 25. She was tested after her children were sick with an upper respiratory virus before coronavirus testing was available in the area.…

When Dan McGee goes out for his morning run, he makes sure he has his usual essentials: sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. This week, he added two more items as he prepared for his walk on the nature trail in Mission’s Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park: a face mask and hand sanitizer. “I usually come…

The city of Alton joins other cities in Hidalgo County applying for financial relief from the state government for COVID-19 expenses. During an emergency city council meeting held last week, the city of Alton approved an application for $113,000 in Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Local Governments. The city council meeting was held Thursday, April…

La Joya Early College High School freshman volunteers with TOSA 14 years after life-saving liver transplant When she was just ten months old, Shantel Garza was given a second chance at life thanks to a family who opted for organ donation in the wake of tragedy. Garza, a freshman student at La Joya Early College…