The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspect who allegedly shot a 22-year-old male at a party in Weslaco The victim was hospitalized in critical condition deputies responded to reports of shots fired at the 3000 block of West Mile 5 North at around 1:40 a.m Witnesses told deputies that the victim was attending a party when unknown individuals announced the party was over The news release said as the victim attempted to leave the residence when he was shot and collapsed near his vehicle He was taken to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition Investigators with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office received information that the suspected shooter is a Hispanic male who was last seen fleeing the scene in an older model red Ford Mustang with a black bumper Anyone with any information is urged to contact the sheriff's office at 956-383-8114 or the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at 956-668-8477 A sex offender wanted by the Weslaco Police Department was apprehended Thursday in Hawaii had crossed state lines and was traveling between multiple states to evade capture according to the Weslaco Police Department The Texas Department of Public Safety website said Massiate was convicted of indecency with a child by contact in 2023 an investigation into him was launched by the Weslaco Police Department for failing to fulfill his registration requirements With the support of the Weslaco Police Task Force and U.S Massiate was apprehended Thursday morning in Maui “The Weslaco Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of our community and the protection of our children,” the news release stated This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Texas — The Coastal Bend started the 2025 UIL high school softball playoffs with 27 teams and 14 have advanced to the Area second round Veterans Memorial 16 (HIGHLIGHTS)Game 2: Veterans Memorial 20 Flour Bluff 5 (HIGHLIGHTS)Game 2: Flour Bluff 8 Harlingen South 7 (HIGHLIGHTS)Game 3 Flour Bluff 7 UIL 4A-DICalallen vs. Needville (Regional Final 2024 Rematch)Game 1: Needville 2 Zapata at Texas A&M-KingsvilleGame 1: Rockport-Fulton 6 Rockport-Fulton 1Game 3 (If Needed): Zapata 9 Santa Gertrudis 5Game 2: Santa Gertrudis 6 TAPPS Division III Regional RoundGame 1 Only: Incarnate Word Academy 2 Coastal Bend UIL State Tournament AppearancesCalallen - 2024 (State Champions) 2019 (Runner-Up)Santa Gertrudis Academy - 2023 (Runner-Up) 2000Bishop - 2021George West - 2010 (State Champions) Coastal Bend TAPPS State Tournament AppearancesIncarnate Word Academy - 2023 A six-foot-long alligator that had been stuck in a Weslaco storm drain for over a month is finally free An animal rescue crew worked to get the gator “Stormy” out of the drain Wednesday afternoon Stormy is now enjoying her new home at the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary Channel 5 News first told viewers about the trapped alligator on Tuesday A spokesperson with the Texas Department of Transportation said the agency was first made aware of the gator on Feb PREVIOUS STORY: Alligator stuck in Weslaco storm drain The gator appeared stuck in the storm drain located off of International Boulevard and 18th Street A metal grate over the drain that was welded in place was preventing people from helping a crowd showed up at the grate to look at the alligator a welder arrived to undo the tacks that held the grate to the ground The alligator then retreated into the drainage system possibly annoyed by all the commotion from the public a crew from the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary arrived Animal handlers were able to remove Stormy after a crew from the city of Weslaco lifted the grate "She doesn't look like she's underweight or anything like that not too emaciated,” Jake Reinbolt with the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary said “She didn't beat herself up too bad when she was coming out." The 6’2” alligator was pulled out of a drain that was not far from the Estero Llano Grande State Park Reinbolt said since a lot of people came to feed Stormy the alligator’s behavior has been altered to make her associate people with food That can cause problems if she goes back into the wild “She probably won't be going back to the wild but she'll have a luxury suite for her back at the South Padre Island Birding Center and Alligator Sanctuary,” Reinbolt said channel 5 News also learned the city of Weslaco owns the right of way where the grate was located “There was an alligator in there that needed help and we decided that what we needed to do was remove it,” Krista Cheramay with Weslaco Animal Control said An alligator has been stuck under a grate in Weslaco for at least four weeks according to the Texas Department of Transportation Channel 5 News cameras captured footage of the alligator under a grate located off of International Boulevard and 18th Street Tuesday The alligator appears to be stuck in what TxDOT said was a storm drain A metal grate is preventing anyone from intervening Onlookers told Channel 5 News some people have been bringing scraps of food and some water to the alligator Channel 5 News spoke with wildlife handlers at the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary The handlers said they’re eager to assist but they need permission to remove the grate It doesn't appear like he has access to water he clearly seems stuck,” Jake Reinbolt with the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary said “I'm confident that if we can remove the biggest obstacle I’m confident that our team can get this alligator out of there." TxDOT is currently in charge of a road construction project on International Boulevard and was told an inspector contacted Weslaco Animal Control for assistance regarding the alligator on Feb According to TxDOT spokesperson Ray Pedraza the TxDOT project manager contacted the Hidalgo County Game Warden A contractor was able to saw-cut the grate inlet but a game warden said the alligator was over six-feet long Channel 5 News reached out to the Hidalgo County Game Warden for comment and was told they believe the alligator can get out the same way it can get in The South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary said they will be at the drain on Wednesday with permits necessary for the removal and they’re working to coordinate the removal with state authorities Watch the video above for the full story.  It's the home of the sweet onion in the Rio Grande Valley The 1015 Sweet Onion was developed in the 80s in Weslaco the Texas Onion Fest will take place in downtown Weslaco Weslaco Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barbara Garza speaks with Channel 5 News' Dina Herrera Garza on all the family fun people can expect at the event For more information on the Texas Onion Fest, click here. The city of Weslaco is upgrading one of its parks to make it more accessible to children with disabilities The city recently received a $45,000 donation from the Knapp Community Care Foundation and Weslaco Elks Lodge The money will be used to renovate Gibson Park — located at 301 S — with an inclusive swing set designed for children in wheelchairs “It's a big swing that not only the kids with the wheelchairs can enjoy but it's something for all the family to enjoy it as well,” Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said The city says they already have the equipment ordered Hidalgo County Precinct 1 and the city of Weslaco announced a bridge closure on North Bridge Avenue the closure is a precautionary measure due to safety reasons and will remain in effect until further notice Residents are urged to seek alternative routes and plan accordingly to avoid delays The Weslaco Police Department arrested a 22-year-old man on a charge of online solicitation of a minor after he allegedly attempted to meet with a 13-year-old Weslaco police received a call for service on Thursday at around 2:50 p.m Officers met with the reporting party who said the suspect The news release said preliminary investigation resulted in Chavez being arrested on scene He was charged for online solicitation of a minor and issued an $80,000 bond The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending A third-generation police officer born and raised in Weslaco STC alumnus Roberto Rodriguez strives to make a difference every day He has found a meaningful new way to give back by becoming Officer Shayne’s K-9 handler working alongside Weslaco’s beloved therapy dog to support those in need South Texas College alumnus Roberto Rodriguez strives to make a difference every day in his role at the Weslaco Police Department from changing lives to simply making someone smile credits STC's community for laying the foundation that taught him the importance of empathy involvement and caring for others in his pursuit of service "I come from a family with a long history in law enforcement It’s in my blood to serve and protect,” he said “But it was definitely at STC where I truly built a sense of community learned how to connect with people and gained the skills to be a responsible citizen and make good choices." After graduating from Weslaco High School in 2011 Rodriguez enrolled at STC with an initial interest in health care he quickly realized that Criminal Justice was his true calling he immersed himself in various student organizations which he credits as the foundation for his successful career Rodriguez worked as a work-study employee in the Student Activities department fully invested in the STC community and its mission “Being a work-study student was key to achieving my goals The flexibility with my schedule allowed me to work and still succeed,” he said “I’m very grateful to STC for not only giving me the opportunity to work for three years but also for providing me with an education.” just before graduating with associate degrees in Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Studies Rodriguez also had the opportunity to attend a police academy but if it hadn’t been for STC’s flexible hours I had the opportunity to work with both the Mission Police Department and the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office but I knew in my heart I would always come back to Weslaco.” with nearly a decade of experience as a patrol officer police department instructor and now police area representative Rodriguez found a meaningful new way to give back by becoming Officer Shayne’s K-9 (Weslaco’s beloved therapy dog) handler working alongside him to support those in need I come from a family with a long history in law enforcement But it was definitely at STC where I truly built a sense of community and gained the skills to be a responsible citizen and make good choices Having traveled alongside him across the Rio Grande Valley and Texas he takes pride in representing Weslaco and advocating for the importance of emotional well-being the stress hormone and provide a comforting presence and it truly makes our day better,” he explained “I’m fortunate to have the best job with him With the growing awareness of mental health we understand the vital role emotional support K-9s play in the community and Shayne is an invaluable member of our agency.” Recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University Rodriguez now aspires to earn a master’s degree Inspired to lead by example as the father of a young child he is driven to continue his personal growth and achievement while also advocating for his profession and encouraging others to pursue a career in law enforcement “I remember being a student at North Bridge Elementary seeing officers in uniform and dreaming of joining them one day I visit often and encourage the kids who stand where I once stood reminding them that dreams do come true,” he said being born here and seeing the people I grew up with It’s something that truly touches my heart For more information on STC’s academic programs