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Hi Harlingen, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: H-E-B expansion, javelina sightings, and Rotary Shrimp Fest 30th Anniversary + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Texas drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Community fixture enters new era: H-E-B is planning a remodel of its 83 and Lincoln store in Harlingen, expanding to nearly 112,000 square feet upon completion in 2027 with an in-store restaurant and care clinic — see what’s planned here.

Wildlife encounters spark concern: Harlingen is warning residents after recent javelina sightings near homes, saying it is common for the season while working with Texas Parks and Wildlife to share safety tips — learn how to stay safe.

Donated land becomes community haven: Cameron County’s newest nature park, the Olmito Nature Center, has been completed on nearly 40 acres in Olmito, with trails, birding overlooks, fishing piers, playgrounds, and picnic areas for families — see funding and features.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Join the Texas Onion Fest celebration
• Reserve craft fair space for $10
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s with pickleball prizes

💎 This week’s top finds

Handcrafted sandwich fix: Whether you’re overdue for a proper lunch or craving something cozy, Main Street Boutique & Bistro turns out handcrafted sandwiches, homemade soups, fresh salads, and from-scratch desserts. It’s an easy, low-key place for a midweek reset without leaving Harlingen.

Support live local drama: Harlingen Community Theatre keeps local talent center stage year-round, from crowd-pleasing musicals to straight plays that fuel Monday-morning chatter. Whether in the seats or at auditions, audiences and performers alike power an easy, hometown-culture win.

Drive-in dog night: Stars Drive-in keeps it simple and satisfying with classic hot dogs, loaded chili-cheese dogs, and the jalapeño-bacon Angry Dog, all enjoyed from your car. It’s an easy, high-reward midweek fix when you crave zero dishes and a dash of nostalgia with your mustard.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🚗 Lego Derby: Spring Break 2026 @ Harlingen Public Library | Wednesday (3/18) at 11:00 AM – Lego Derby is rolling in for Spring Break, letting the kids build, test, and race their brick-mobiles while you supervise like a pit crew with coffee. Trophies for the top three, bragging rights for all, and yes, minifigure drivers are absolutely encouraged.

🪴 Hand in Nature: Painted Flower Pots @ Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library (Mercedes) | Thursday (3/19) at 10:30 AM – Morning on S. Ohio Ave means paint a flower pot, plant a little green buddy, and let spring flex on the RGV again. Low-key, hands-on, and oddly soothing. You leave with dirt under your nails, and a plant that will judge your watering schedule.

🧸 Stuffie Brunch: Spring Break 2026 @ Harlingen Public Library | Thursday (3/19) at 11:00 AM – Bring the kiddos, and their beloved stuffies, to the library for a low-key brunch. Light refreshments, zero judgment if the teddy wears pajamas. If your plush pal did the Stuffie Sleepover, this is pickup with pastries, otherwise just pop in for cuddles, and cocoa.

✂ Craft Fair @ Encore Sunshine | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – A community craft fair powered by hot glue, crocheted coasters, and neighborly bargaining. Vendors, snag a spot now for $10 per space, basically couch-cushion money. Set up your table, sell your treasures, and catch up on town gossip.

🧘 Community Sound Bath/Baño de Sonido @ RGV Music Therapy and Wellness Center (Mercedes) | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – This community sound bath swaps happy hour for crystal singing bowls, led by music therapist Sarah Rodriguez. Twenty bucks gets you stress relief, Valley vibes, and permission to lie down in public. Bring a mat, a blanket, and reserve at rgvmusictherapy.com/community-spaces.

🦐 Rotary Shrimp Fest 30th Anniversary @ Casa de Amistad | Saturday (3/21) at 5:30 PM – Thirty years of Rotary Shrimp Fest is the Valley’s favorite excuse to eat shrimp, dance to a live band, and outbid your neighbor at the silent auction. The legendary secret sauce returns, volunteers welcome, and proceeds support Harlingen, North Harlingen, and San Benito Rotary projects.

🥜 Night Night Peanut Tour @ GREEN Wildlife Sanctuary (San Benito) | Saturday (3/21) at 6:00 PM – Whether you still call it the petting zoo or prefer wildlife sanctuary, this after-hours Night Night Peanut tour lets you hand-feed 30-plus species, hear what threatens them, and learn how to help. It is wholesome, oddly thrilling, and way better than scrolling your HOA forum.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Harlingen report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 96°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. South wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 1am. Partly cloudy. Low around 57, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. East wind 10 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North northeast wind 16 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Most popular house this week

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