Community & Economic Development

05/08/2026

💧 August is National Water Quality Month! 💧

Clean water is something we all depend on every day—for drinking, cooking, fishing, swimming, and protecting our local wildlife. This National Water Quality Month, let's all do our part to keep our rivers, lakes, streams, and bays clean.

Here are a few simple ways you can help:
🌎 Never litter—trash can wash into storm drains and waterways.
🚗 Fix vehicle leaks and properly dispose of used motor oil.
🐾 Pick up after your pets.
🌿 Reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
🧴 Never pour paint, chemicals, grease, or medications down storm drains.
💦 Conserve water whenever possible.

Remember: Only rain belongs in the storm drain. Everything else can pollute our waterways and impact our communities, wildlife, and future generations.

Together, we can protect our most valuable natural resource—clean water. 💙

23/07/2026

Harlingen is hosting a Tree Planting Event! Spread the word!

Something is taking root in Harlingen — literally.

This Wednesday, July 22 at 9:00 a.m., our Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to Pendleton Park to plant the beginning of Harlingen's Urban Forest. It's free, family-friendly, and kids are encouraged to help plant. I hope you'll come out.

And it's part of something much bigger. Through two grant awards, Harlingen has secured more than 750 trees — and that number is still growing:

🌳 A $20,000 Texas A&M Forest Service Community Forestry Grant funding 270 trees across 10 parks and trails — Lon C. Hill, Vestal, Victor, Gutierrez, Arroyo, Rangerville, Pendleton, the Soccer Complex, the Sports Complex, and the Meg Jorn Trail

🌳 500 more trees through our regional partnership with Region One and the Texas A&M Forest Service

🌳 Trees to be planted are n ative and regionally adapted species — cedar elm, live oak, Mexican white oak, Texas persimmon, Mexican sycamore — chosen for shade and built for our climate

Planting has already begun at Vestal Park, with more locations coming this fall.

Why trees? Shade that cools our parks and neighborhoods. Streets that are more walkable. Stormwater soaked up before it floods. And the neighborhoods that need shade most get trees first — guided by data, planted with purpose.

This is stewardship — taking care of what makes Harlingen, Harlingen — and it's just getting started.

Wednesday. 9:00 a.m. Pendleton Park. Bring the kids.

23/07/2026

❗️From Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Subject: New World Screwworm

NEWS RELEASE - Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez has issued the following statement regarding the recent detection of New World screwworm in Starr County:

"We stand with Starr County as it responds to the Rio Grande Valley's first confirmed case of New World Screwworm. We appreciate the swift actions taken by Starr County, the Texas Animal Health Commission, USDA, and all state and local partners to contain the infestation and protect the region's livestock and agricultural industry.

While there are no confirmed cases in Hidalgo County at this time, this development serves as an important reminder that vigilance is critical. We encourage livestock producers, veterinarians, pet owners, and residents to regularly inspect animals for unusual wounds or signs of infestation, particularly animals with open wounds, and report any suspected cases immediately to the Texas Animal Health Commission. Early detection and rapid response remain our best defense against the spread of New World Screwworm.

Hidalgo County continues to coordinate with our local, state, and federal partners and stands ready to support Starr County and the regional response however needed. We are committed to protecting our agricultural community, safeguarding animal health, and keeping our residents informed with accurate, timely information as this situation evolves.

Residents can visit our website for information regarding the New World screwworm including where to report cases, the latest data and view informational graphics. Our website is https://www.hidalgocounty.us/3498/New-World-Screwworm-Information-Updates

20/07/2026

♻️ Recycle Right – Every Item Matters! ♻️

Recycling is one of the easiest ways to protect our environment—but only when it's done correctly!

Putting the wrong items in your curbside recycling cart can contaminate an entire load, causing recyclable materials to end up in the landfill.

✅ Recycle These (Clean, Empty & Dry):
• Plastic bottles and containers
• Aluminum and steel cans
• Glass bottles and jars (if accepted locally)
• Paper
• Flattened cardboard

❌ Keep These Out:
• Plastic bags and plastic wrap
• Food waste and liquids
• Styrofoam
• Clothing and textiles
• Garden hoses, cords, and string lights
• Batteries and hazardous waste

💡 Remember:
✔ Empty and rinse containers.
✔ Keep recyclables loose—don't bag them.
✔ Flatten cardboard boxes.
✔ When in doubt, leave it out!

Together, we can reduce contamination, improve recycling efforts, and keep our communities cleaner and healthier for everyone.

🌎 Recycle Right Today for a Greener Tomorrow!

13/07/2026

🌵💧 **Drought Awareness: Every Drop Matters** 💧🌵

Drought doesn't just mean less rain—it can affect our drinking water, agriculture, wildlife, local ecosystems, and our community. Conserving water today helps ensure there's enough for tomorrow.

Here are a few simple ways you can help:
💧 Turn off the faucet when not in use.
🚿 Take shorter showers.
🔧 Repair leaks as soon as possible.
🌱 Water plants early in the morning or late in the evening.
🧺 Run only full loads of laundry and dishes.
♻️ Reuse water when it's safe to do so.

Small actions by every household can make a big difference. Together, we can protect our water resources and build a more resilient community.

💙 **Conserve Today. Protect Tomorrow. Every Drop Counts.**

06/07/2026

💧 Water Conservation💧

Every drop counts! 🌎💙

Water is one of our most valuable natural resources, and small actions can make a big difference. This July, join us in protecting our water for future generations by practicing simple water-saving habits every day.

💦 Water Conservation Tips:
✅ Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
✅ Fix leaking faucets and pipes.
✅ Take shorter showers.
✅ Run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
✅ Water your lawn and plants early in the morning or in the evening.
✅ Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of using a hose.

Together, we can conserve water, protect our environment, and build a more sustainable future for our communities.

💙 Save Water. Protect Life. Secure Tomorrow.

02/07/2026

❗️❗️Our office will ve CLOSED on FRIDAY, JULY 3rd, 2026 in observance of the 4th of July Holiday! Office will reopen on Monday, July 6th, 2026 at 8 am.

Wishing everyone a safe and blessed 4th of July Holiday🎉

29/06/2026

Great job Mission!

When a community comes together, great things happen. 💚

Our Spring Community Round-Up was a huge success thanks to the residents who took the time to properly dispose of unwanted items and help keep Mission clean.

Together, we collected 935 tires and more than 41.25 tons of bulky waste, keeping these materials out of our neighborhoods and helping protect our environment.

Thank you to everyone who participated and to our dedicated City crews who made this event possible. Every cleanup makes a difference, and together we're building a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful Mission.