Community Corner
π± Patch AM: What a secretive 50-year water deal means for Harlingen
Coming up on the Harlingen Patch calendar: Harlingen South vs Porter

Good morning Harlingen! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What a secretive 50-year water deal means for Harlingen
- When Blue Bell's free ice cream tour is coming near Harlingen
- How Winter Texans are reshaping Harlingen and the Valley's winter economy
Also on today's calendar: Porter at Harlingen South and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 92 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 92, low: 73.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Emails show Harlingen kept water contract talks out of 'public arena' (star-telegram.com) — Harlingen residents are learning that emails show WaterWorks officials and a data center developer discussed keeping a major reclaimed-water contract out of the public eye while moving talks into closed session. The 50-year agreement would send up to 4.7 million gallons of treated sewer water daily, and some potable water when needed, to support a massive data center campus near Valley International Airport.
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• Blue Bell Lone Star Scoop Tour stopping in Amarillo, Canyon next week with free treats (myhighplains.com) — Blue Bell's Lone Star Scoop Tour is swinging through Texas and will include a stop in Harlingen, offering residents free frozen treats and giveaways while supplies last. The tour thanks fans and retailers statewide, with dates already set for Amarillo and Canyon and more details available on Blue Bell's website for those planning to catch the Harlingen visit.
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• Choosin' South Texas: More retirees are embracing the Winter Texan lifestyle (couriertexas.com) — Winter Texans continue to flock to the Rio Grande Valley, and businesses from Harlingen's BlueWave Car Wash to Donna's Don-Wes Flea Market increasingly depend on their seasonal spending. The story explores why retirees choose South Texas, how rising costs are reshaping their stays, and what changes parks, RV resorts, and local communities may need to keep attracting them.
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📸 Around Harlingen
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Harlingen
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Harlingen South vs Porter →
Harlingen
7:00 pm
Tuesday October 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Porter at Harlingen South →
Harlingen South High School, 1701 Dixieland Rd, Harlingen
7:00 pm - The Taste of Harlingen 2026 →
2425 Boxwood St, Harlingen - Motherhood Gathering with Pastor Stephanie Ike Okafor →
Livingway Family Church, 102 S Palm Ct Drive, Harlingen
11:00 am - Zombie 5K Run →
Harlingen TX - Veterans Memorial at Harlingen →
1201 Marshall St, Harlingen
12:30 am - Mercedes at Harlingen South →
Harlingen South High School, 1701 Dixieland Rd, Harlingen
12:00 pm - Pink Sunday Brunch →
119 West Van Buren Avenue, Harlingen
10:00 am
Tuesday October 13
Thursday October 15
Saturday October 17
Saturday October 24
Sunday October 25
📣 Harlingen Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Fall Break - District Holiday
Harlingen CISD Harlingen, TX 78550 - Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Monthly Meeting →
Reyna's BBQ & Cocina - Harlingen, 2410 TX-54 Spur, Harlingen
6:30 pm
Monday October 12
Tuesday October 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Valley Family, Ltd.
is expanding our team! We provide quality care and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and we're looking for dependable, caring… (Nextdoor Altas Palmas) - Mom and 4 babies loose.
S. Houston Dr. in Harlingen. Do they belong to someone? (Nextdoor Breedlove St/Loop 499)
- Equity LifeStyle Properties posted a job opening for Activities Assistant in Harlingen. Apply here.
- LongHorn Steakhouse posted a job opening for Line Cook in Harlingen. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harlingen here.
🗞 Nearby News
Weslaco
- Weslaco Proclaims Hispanic Heritage Month and Recognizes Mexican Consulate (texasborderbusiness.com)
- Weslaco attributes fiscal responsibility to lowering tax rate (myrgv.com)
- Weslaco Chamber to Host Candidate Forum, Oct. 8th (texasborderbusiness.com)
Brownsville
- DHR Health Brownsville Invites Community to 2nd Annual Fall Fest and Health Fair (riograndeguardian.com)
- Cannery Public Market opens as new wellness hub in Brownsville (valleycentral.com)
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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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