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🌱 Patch AM: How a new Harlingen pond could spare your street from floods

Coming up: Texas License to Carry Handgun - Harlingen on the Harlingen Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
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Hey hey Harlingen! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new Harlingen pond could spare your street from floods
  • What Harlingen video revealed about a Border Patrol use-of-force case
  • What Harlingen's new $71 million budget could mean for your taxes

Also on today's calendar: Frontera Fest: Kevvo & Vale Pintos - Saturday.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, breezy and warm, with a high of 100 and low of 78 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Sunshine, breezy and warm, temps: high: 101, low: 79.
  • Friday: Partly sunny, breezy and warm, with a high of 101 and low of 78 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New $300K Harlingen detention pond to provide flood relief for RGV communities (krgv.com subscription) — A new detention pond off Breedlove Street near Harlingen is under construction to capture stormwater from Harlingen and nearby neighborhoods, aiming to reduce flooding into homes. Funded by Cameron County Drainage District No. 5, the $300,000 project should finish within three months and comes as residents still remember damaging 2025 floods and brace for future storms.
   

2. Border Patrol agent hit Mexican man with on-duty vehicle during Harlingen immigration operation (valleycentral.com) — Harlingen residents are learning more about a 2025 immigration operation where a Border Patrol agent allegedly struck a man with a government vehicle and is now charged with aggravated assault. Local surveillance video, Harlingen police interviews, and a federal investigation all play key roles as courts decide whether the case stays in state court or moves to federal court.
   

3. Harlingen proposing budget of about $71 million (star-telegram.com) — Harlingen officials are weighing a $71.7 million general fund budget that boosts police funding, adds dozens of city positions, and paves eight miles of streets without new debt. Commissioners are also eyeing several possible property tax rates as they juggle rising health insurance costs, new equipment for streets and parks, and a proposed central fire station.
   

4. Mayor Sepúlveda Says Regional Cooperation Is Key to Rio Grande Valley Growth (texasborderbusiness.com) — Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepúlveda recently told local and regional leaders that cooperation across cities, utilities, schools, and industry is crucial for the Rio Grande Valley's next phase of growth. Speaking at a Harlingen Convention Center forum, she and other speakers highlighted the need to align infrastructure, electricity, water, and workforce training so Valley residents can capture new industrial and aerospace jobs.
   

5. Texas Power Grid Expands as Electricity Demand Reaches New Records (texasborderbusiness.com) — Business and community leaders in Harlingen heard a top Public Utility Commission official explain how Texas is expanding power plants and transmission lines to meet record electricity demand. Speaking at a Harlingen Economic Development Corporation event, he detailed new state financing, major grid upgrades benefiting the Rio Grande Valley, and why local input matters as data centers and industry drive up power needs.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED HANDYMAN / REMODELING SUBCONTRACTOR
    A local remodeling company is looking for one reliable and experienced handyman or subcontractor for residential remodeling and specialty exterior… (Nextdoor N. Harlingen-Pendleton)
  • Welcome to Macias & Son Roofing Co..
    Established since 1957. We do all kind of roofs, Fiberglass shingles, metal roof. Modified roof. Tile roof No roof is to small or to big We… (Nextdoor Arroyo vista)
  • Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Team Member, Evening Shift - Unit 504 in Harlingen. Apply here.
  • Attain Finance posted a job opening for Bilingual (Spanish) Financial Service Representative in Harlingen. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harlingen here.

Ok Harlingen! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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