Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Harlingen CISD’s $1,000 exit bonus affect your child’s school?

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Good morning Harlingen! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Harlingen CISD’s $1,000 exit bonus affect your child’s school?
  • Why a Harlingen mother is challenging the military justice system
  • Could your Harlingen home be the forever family these siblings need?

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Harlingenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Fog in the a.m.; partly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Sunday: Becoming windier, not as warm, temps: high: 74, low: 54.
  • Monday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 68 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Harlingen 'right-sizing' staff, offering bonuses to resigning teachers (star-telegram.com) — Harlingen CISD is offering $1,000 bonuses to teachers and other professional staff who announce retirements or resignations in January, as the district continues “right-sizing” after enrollment declines. Officials say the Early Exit program helps stabilize staffing while rebuilding the district’s fund balance, which has risen to roughly $40 million after earlier drawdowns.
   

Find out what's happening in Harlingenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Mother of slain Navy sailor calls for reform, investigation (valleycentral.com) — From her home in Harlingen, the mother of slain Navy sailor Angelina Resendiz is pushing for both justice in her daughter’s case and broader reforms to how the military handles sexual assault and missing service members. She’s hired a former Coast Guard JAG to represent her interests in the Article 32 hearing, is questioning investigative delays, and is urging lawmakers to change a system she believes failed her daughter.
   

3. 4Ever Family: Royalty, Juoqin, and Loyalty (valleycentral.com) — From Harlingen, CBS4 is spotlighting three close-knit siblings—Royalty, Juoqin, and Loyalty—who are hoping this Christmas brings them a forever family. The weekly 4Ever Family segment, in partnership with Texas child welfare officials, shares their personalities and offers contact details for Valley residents interested in fostering or adopting them or other South Texas children.
   

4. Texarkana's Angel Tree program seeks community support (ktalnews.com) — A Salvation Army leader in Texarkana recalls receiving Angel Tree gifts as a child in Harlingen, highlighting how the program can change a young person’s Christmas. The Texarkana chapter is urgently seeking help to buy gifts for 217 remaining “angels” so every enrolled child wakes up to presents this year. His Harlingen memories underscore how support in one Texas town can inspire generosity across the state.
   

5. Audubon Announces 2025 Nature Photography Contest Winners (post-journal.com) — Two young photographers from Harlingen earned honorable mentions in Audubon Community Nature Center’s 2025 Nature Photography Contest, spotlighting local talent on a national stage. Their images, including “Waves of Fury” and “Bee-utiful Little Bloom,” were recognized among entries from 21 states and four countries, with winning photos to be displayed at the center in January.
   

📸 Around Harlingen

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • 12/11/2025 Posted 6:40PM
    The Distribution & Collection Department is currently repairing an Emergency Waterline break on: FM 508 The water outage is affecting the following… (Nextdoor )
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Lola was LOST on December 10, 2025 in Harlingen, TX 78552 near On swan lake drive around 3-5pm Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor Carefree Valley Resort)
  • Kirkland's posted a job opening for * Temp/Seasonal Stock Team Member - Kirkland's Home in Harlingen. Apply here.
  • Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in Harlingen. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harlingen here.

Ok Harlingen! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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