By ALBERT VILLEGASSpecial to the NEWS On Wednesday, senior Luis Balli became the first San Benito High School student-athlete to sign a letter of intent to attend the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Balli, who played on the offensive line for the Greyhounds’ football team, became the third San Benito player to sign with the …

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By JACQI LEYVA-HILLSpecial to the NEWS A local educator’s initiative is bringing thousands of dollars’ worth of musical instruments to her school after the campus teacher secured a Guitar Center Music Foundation grant. Motivated by a desire to provide more opportunities for her students, educator Nayelli Quiroga applied for the foundation’s competitive grant after noticing …

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By JACQI LEYVA-HILLSpecial to the NEWS For years, Abel Fonseca has been a steady, positive presence in the lives of San Benito students through SBCISD’s after-school boxing program, which he founded several years ago. Today, the beloved coach is facing a serious health battle, and the community he has long supported is rallying around him. …

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By ALBERT VILLEGASSpecial to the NEWS San Benito native and rising country and western singer Charley Crockett will headline this year’s Hog Waddle Concert & Cook-off, which includes a variety of other activities for both children and adults to enjoy, local leaders said during a press conference last Friday. The Saturday, March 14 festival is …

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Joe Martinez, Ed.D., is a Doctor of Curriculum & Technology, a U.S. Military Veteran, and a native of San Benito. Let’s face it, extreme cold weather affects us all. Right now, our nation has been plagued by extreme weather, and 16 states, including Texas, have been designated disaster areas in advance by the White House. …

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Special to the NEWS RIO HONDO, TX—Noe Alaniz Jr., a San Benito municipal judge, seasoned attorney, and community leader, announced last week his candidacy for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1 in Cameron County. He is running to succeed longtime incumbent Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who is not seeking re-election. “With deep roots in …

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Special to the NEWS MERCEDES, TX—South Texas Independent School District (STISD), which has a campus in San Benito, opened enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year on Saturday, January 24. According to a STISD press release, enrollment forms must be completed online at www.stisd.net. STISD is a tuition-free, open-enrollment public school district. Students residing in Cameron, …

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Special to the NEWS RIO HONDO, TX—Earlier this week, the Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office announced temporary adjusted operating hours at the city’s tax office. These changes have been approved by the Cameron County Commissioners’ Court and are intended to prioritize the safety of both staff and visitors while maintaining access to essential services. Effective …

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By ALBERT VILLEGASSpecial to the NEWS In three matches against Edinburg schools this year in non-district play, the San Benito Varsity Soccer Team has lost twice – both on Tuesday, including last week when the Greyhounds fell to the Economedes Jaguars, 1-0, and to Edinburg, 4-3. To the ’Hounds’ credit, however, the loss to the …

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By ALBERT VILLEGASSpecial to the NEWS The San Benito Lady Greyhounds secured their third win on the hardwood in District 32-6A play Tuesday, defeating the Brownsville Hanna Lady Eagles. The victory over Hanna, which is winless in district play, improved San Benito’s district record to 3-2 and put it in second place behind the Harlingen …

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