McAllen High Football

McAllen High players run through drills during football practice Monday Aug. 20, 2013 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen High's Brant Bieker catches the ball during football practice Monday Aug. 20, 2013 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen High players run through drills during football practice Monday Aug. 20, 2013 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Day at the Pool

Michael Balmarez does a back flip into the swimming pool during the 4th annual Back to School giveaway Sunday Aug. 18, 2013 at the Edcouch Pavilion in Edcouch. Children received school supplies, food and a free day at the pool before classes begin. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Mass Casualty Simulation Training

Emergency Department Director Osmin Vargas, bottom center, talks to a patient during a mass casualty simulation training Thursday Aug. 16, 2013 at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A woman is transfered to the emergency room during a mass casualty simulation training Thursday Aug. 16, 2013 at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Emergency Room Charge Nurse Ramon Catindig, right, collects information as a patient arrives to the emergency room during a mass casualty simulation training Thursday Aug. 16, 2013 at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

La Joya High Football

La Joya's Julio Garcia throws the ball during practice Wednesday Aug. 14, 2013 at La Joya High School in La Joya. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com La Joya's head coach George Espinoza watches his players during practice Wednesday Aug. 14, 2013 at La Joya High School in La Joya. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com La Joya's Zeke Garza watches as his coaches talk to the team during practice Wednesday Aug. 14, 2013 at La Joya High School in La Joya. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Donna Football

Donna's football players run through drills during practice Thursday Aug. 8, 2013 at Bennie Le Prade Stadium in Donna. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

U. S. Congressional Visit to the Rio Grande Valley

A member of the Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol agents prepare to ride with U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul Aug. 6, 2013 at Anzalduas Park in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, center, rides in a Texas Department of Public Safety boat to examine border security operations Tuesday Aug. 6, 2013 at Anzalduas Park in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul and other members of congress ride in a Texas Department of Public Safety boat to examine border security operations Tuesday Aug. 6, 2013 at Anzalduas Park in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, left, talks to an agent from the Texas Department of Public Safety as he prepares to see border security operations Aug. 6, 2013 at Anzalduas Park in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Edinburg High School Football

Edinburg players warm up as they prepare for the first day of football practice Monday Aug. 5, 2013 at Edinburg High School in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Edinburg's Michael Harrison passes the ball during the first day of football practice Monday Aug. 5, 2013 at Edinburg High School in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Edinburg's head coach Joey Caceres talks to his players during the first day of football practice Monday Aug. 5, 2013 at Edinburg High School in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Teddy Bear Clinic

Jacob Damien Ortega helps measure his teddy bear during the Teddy Bear Clinic Saturday Aug. 3, 2013 at the Edinburg Children's Hospital in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Special Investigation Unit

Members of the Special Investigation Unit stand outside of an apartment home as they search for a felon with a warrant Tuesday July 23, 2013 in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A members of the Special Investigation Unit stand outside of an apartment home as they search for a felon with a warrant Tuesday July 23, 2013 in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A members of the Special Investigation Unit points out the apartment where they search for a felon with a warrant Tuesday July 23, 2013 in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A members of the Special Investigation Unit search for a felon with a warrant at a home Tuesday July 23, 2013 in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A members of the Special Investigation Unit checks his radio scanner as they prepare to search for a felon with a warrant Tuesday July 23, 2013 in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Sylvia Handy

Former Hidalgo County Commissioner Sylvia Handy smiles as she walks to her sentencing hearing for a public corruption case Thursday July 18, 2013 at the 139th District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Former Hidalgo County Commissioner Sylvia Handy talks to the media Thursday July 18, 2013 at the 139th District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Football Camp

Kids runs through football drills as former Dallas Cowboy and Green Bay Packer George Teague hosted a football camp with several other ex-pro football players Thursday June 27, 2013 at Edinburg High School in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Jonathan Torres catches a ball as former Dallas Cowboy and Green Bay Packer George Teague hosted a football camp with several other ex-pro football players Thursday June 27, 2013 at Edinburg High School in Edinburg. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com

Undocumented Workers Detained

An immigrant covers his face after he was detained by Border Patrol agents Tuesday June 25, 2013 at a field in Edinburg. A total of 69 immigrants were detained. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Immigrants wait under a tree after they were detained by Border Patrol agents Tuesday June 25, 2013 at a field in Edinburg. A total of 69 immigrants were detained. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Immigrants wait under a tree after they were detained by Border Patrol agents Tuesday June 25, 2013 at a field in Edinburg. A total of 69 immigrants were detained. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com An immigrant carries a bottle of water after he was detained by Border Patrol agents Tuesday June 25, 2013 at a field in Edinburg. A total of 69 immigrants were detained. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com

St. Baldrick's

Jared Sergeant looks at his friends as he gets his head shaved during the UCAS 2nd annual St. Baldrick's event Saturday June 22, 2013 at the University of Cosmetology Arts in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Michelle Renee De Leon smiles as she gets her head shaved by Esther Araguz, back, during the UCAS 2nd annual St. Baldrick's event Saturday June 22, 2013 at the University of Cosmetology Arts in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen firefighter Ernesto Banda gets his head shaved during the UCAS 2nd annual St. Baldrick's event Saturday June 22, 2013 at the University of Cosmetology Arts in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Jose Gonzalez displays a mohawk as he gets his head shaved during the UCAS 2nd annual St. Baldrick's event Saturday June 22, 2013 at the University of Cosmetology Arts in McAllen. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com

Flag Day

San Juan firefighter engineer displays his American flag tattoo that is located on his back Friday June 14, 2013 at San Juan Fire Department Station #2 in San Juan. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com The American flag is viewed through trees Friday June 14, 2013 at Business 83 in Alamo. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com An American flag is located on the grave of SP4 US Army Vietnam Veteran Eddie Garza Friday June 14, 2013 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Alamo. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com An American flag is located on the back of a fire fighter's locker Friday June 14, 2013 at Alamo Fire Department Station #1 in Alamo. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com An American flag is located by the grave of US Army Vietnam Veteran Homero G. Cavazos Friday June 14, 2013 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Alamo. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com

Learning about Bees

Africanized bees expert Luis Slayton smiles for photos as he gets covered by bees after a presentation about bees Sunday June 9, 2013 at The Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. Children and adults had the chance to learn about the life cycle and the importance of honey bees. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com A drone bee is held during a presentation about bees Sunday June 9, 2013 at The Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. Children and adults had the chance to learn about the life cycle and the importance of honey bees. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Bees swarm as Africanized bees expert Luis Slayton gets covered by bees after a presentation about bees Sunday June 9, 2013 at The Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. Children and adults had the chance to learn about the life cycle and the importance of honey bees. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Bees are silhouetted during a presentation about bees Sunday June 9, 2013 at The Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. Children and adults had the chance to learn about the life cycle and the importance of honey bees. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com

Rib Eating Contest

Pharr police officer Ivan Oliver cleans the bone of a rib during a rib eating contest Saturday June 8, 2013 at Texas Roadhouse in McAllen. The Pharr police and fire department competed against the McAllen police and fire department as they raised money for the American Red Cross. Each competitor had to finish half a slab of ribs. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Blanca Lulu Cortez from the Pharr fire department tears pieces of rib meat as she competes during a rib eating contest Saturday June 8, 2013 at Texas Roadhouse in McAllen. The Pharr police and fire department competed against the McAllen police and fire department as they raised money for the American Red Cross. Each competitor had to finish half a slab of ribs. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Pharr police officer JP Arevalo stares at a piece of rib meat as he competes during a rib eating contest Saturday June 8, 2013 at Texas Roadhouse in McAllen. The Pharr police and fire department competed against the McAllen police and fire department as they raised money for the American Red Cross. Each competitor had to finish half a slab of ribs. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Pharr police officer JP Arevalo, right, stuffs rib meat during a rib eating contest Saturday June 8, 2013 at Texas Roadhouse in McAllen. The Pharr police and fire department competed against the McAllen police and fire department as they raised money for the American Red Cross. Each competitor had to finish half a slab of ribs. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com

Last Day of Classes at Alton Memorial Jr. High School

Victor Romero, left, reaches to shake hands with Omar Garcia, right, as they prepare to go home on the last day of classes Wednesday June 5, 2013 at Alton Memorial Jr. High School in Alton. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Agustin Orellana gets teary-eyed as he hangs out a window and watches his teachers wave on the last day of classes Wednesday June 5, 2013 at Alton Memorial Jr. High School in Alton. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Angel Leal high fives teachers as he boards his school bus on the last day of classes Wednesday June 5, 2013 at Alton Memorial Jr. High School in Alton. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com Teachers from Alton Memorial Jr. High School wave as they watch students go home on the last day of classes Wednesday June 5, 2013 at Alton Memorial Jr. High School in Alton. photo by Gabe Hernandez/ gabrielh@themonitor.com