Nurse Lindsie Schuster, RN, is the first in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from pharmacist Annette Ozuna as DHR Health administers their first batch of the COVID-19 vaccines at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Gabriel Vasquez, pharmacy tech supervisor, moves boxes of COVID-19 vaccines into a specialized freezer as they arrived at DHR Health on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Sharyland Pioneer quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger (16) celebrates after Joseph Graham Jr. (2) passes into the endzone during a competed reception against Medina Valley in a Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff game at Richard Thompson Stadium on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Mission. With that pass, pass number 88, Marburger broke the Rio Grande Valley all-time passing touchdown record which was 87 held by Mission Veterans’ Landry Gilpin. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Martha Gutierrez holds her son Edilberto Gutierrez, 6, at her home Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, in Rio Grande City. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Referee Fred Gracia falls to the ground after being charged by Edinburg High’s Emmanuel Duron in a 31-6A zone play-in game against PSJA High at Richard R. Flores Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Fireworks illuminate the shy as McAllen officials turn on the Christmas tree lights during the lighting of the tree ceremony at the McAllen Convention Center on Monday, Dec. 1, 2020, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Adryan Cienfuegos, 4, watches the fireworks with his father Guillermo Cienfuegos as spectators enjoy a Veterans Day firework display during a celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Weslaco High wide receiver Meliton Rodrigeuz (2) reaches out for a pass near the endzone against Harlingen South’s David Cortez (7) in a District 32-6A game at Bobby Lackey Stadium on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
A Joe Biden supporter campaigns outside the Lark Public Library on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
President Trump supporters rally across the street from where Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris is speaking at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
A U.S. Border Patrol agent walk up to a new section of the border wall before the arrival of Acting Homeland Secretary Chad Wolf on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Local law enforcement arrive at the scene of a barricaded subject inside a home Friday, Aug 14, 2020, in Penitas. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Nurse Yvette Alaniz, left, is comforted by Veronica Silva, Nurse Director of SIDU2, as they walk the through the COVID-19 unit at DHR Hospital on Monday, July 27, 2020, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
A girl waves for a window on a top floor as protestors wave signs in front of the Hampton Inn hotel on Thursday, July 23, 2020, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
McAllen police officers salute as the casket of Ismael Chavez Jr is carries by pallbearers before being laid to rest Valley Memorial Gardens on Thursday, July 16, 2020, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Flowers and flags are laid at a memorial to slain McAllen police officers Edelmiro Garza and Ismael Chavez at the McAllen police department on Sunday, July 12, 2020, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
A McAllen police officer hugs a mourner at McAllen Medical Center on Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Demonstrators protest in the wake of the recent death of Minneapolis’ George Floyd in front of Edinburg city hall on Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Members of the Texas Nation Guard help to distribute food as lines of cars form at the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Rev. Jorge Gomez conducts morning Mass with no worshippers present at the Basilica Of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle on Saturday, March 21, 2020, in San Juan. The Mass was broadcast on the Basilica Of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle Facebook page. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
Bullfighter Karla Santoyo prepares herself during a break at bloodless bull fights at the Santa Maria Bullring on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in La Gloria. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
David Amador holds tight to the American flag, symbolizing his father’s service to the nation at Rio Grande Veterans Cemetery on Friday, April,17, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Three generations of Amador men share a final, private moment at Rio Grande Veterans Cemetery on Friday, April,17, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
At Legacy Funeral Home mourners pay their respects to a loved one on Thursday, April,9, 2020 in Edinburg. To comply with COVID-19 regulations, the funeral home removed the seating and placed only 10 plastic chairs far apart. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
A man attempts to self administer a COVID-19 test during a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mass testing site at HEB Park, Wednesday, July, 8, 2020 in Edinburg, Texas. Edinburg is one of only three sites picked by the federal government for the mass testing. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Empty streets are seen in downtown McAllen on March,26,2020. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor.com | dlopez@themonitor.com
A white cross is seen in the background from the First Christian Church as crowd of over 1,000 protesters decrying the death of George Floyd gathered and heard a voice rise over the streets of the Edinburg City Hall, on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
A large monument with a crucified Jesus Christ sits atop of a hill above U.S. Highway 83 just east of Rio Grande City. La Lomita Santa Cruz overlooks the city on Friday, April 24, 2020. The Crucifix serves as a beacon of faith for many in Starr County . Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Heathcare workers gather and hug each other as they say a prayer together after receiving the COVID vaccine at the Edinburg Conference Center on Thursday ,Dec.17,2020. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Kaylee Ann Silva from Palmview Duchess of Royal Palms is announced as the next 84th Queen Citrianna during the pageant at Neuhaus gymnasium on Thursday, Jan.23, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor dlopez@themonitor.com
Galvanized steel bollards are seen under a dark cloud Wednesday, Jan.15, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
All Images Copyrighted
Edinburg Vela’s AJ Sotelo (7) is brought down by Weslaco’s defender Jesse Perez (3) during the 1st quarter of a Class 6A 2D bi-district game at Richard R. Flores Stadium on Friday ,Dec.11,2020 in Edinburg. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Sara Bershers (33) defends Canyon University Mae Bryant (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb.29, 2020 in Edinburg. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor |dlopez@themonitor.com
UTRGV Algeria dancers perform on Wednesday, Feb.12, 2020 in Edinburg. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor dlopez@themonitor.com
Valley View basketball coach Arnold Martinez is pulled back by his vest by assistant Edgar Guerra during a bi-district game against Mission Veterans on Monday, Feb.17, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor |dlopez@themonitor.com
McAllen police honor guard wait for the bodies of police officers Ismael Chavez and Edelmiro Garza on Wednesday, July,15, 2020 at the McAllen Convention Center. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Cardboard cutouts along the McAllen Parade route at the McAllen Convention Center on Saturday ,Dec.5,2020 . Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Joaquin Castro, Beto O’Rourke, Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez, Senator Kamala Harris and Julian Castro wave to to the crowd that gathered in the parking lot at UTRGV Campus on Friday,Oct.30,2020 in Edinburg, Texas. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
A sold out crowd cheers on Matadora Karla Santoyo,27 of Aguascalientes, Mexico walks the Santa Maria Bull Ring after her dance with the bull on Sunday, Feb.16, 2020 in La Gloria. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor |dlopez@themonitor.com
Vitalina Victoria Betancourt ,6, Princess of Tangerine Blossom from the Tangerine Court makes her way onto the stage during the 84th Queen Citrianna ceremony at the Neuhaus gymnasium on Thursday, Jan.23, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor dlopez@themonitor.com
Brianna Garza, 6, points to her daddy’s flag-draped casket as it comes off the hearse Wednesday, July,15, 2020 at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen. Brenda Arratia, Brianna’s mother, holds her daughter’s hand as they prepare for a public viewing fro her husband, McAllen police officer Edelmiro Garza, who along with officer Ismael Chavez was killed in the line of duty Saturday. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
After years of being bullied in elementary school because of his hair McAllen resident Joshua Gatling,27, now wears his dread locks with pride. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Pedro Hernandez during the Priestly Ordination Ceremony at the Basilica on Saturday, June, 20, 2020 in San Juan. Pedro Hernandez was assigned to San Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Weslaco. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
McAllen police chief Victor Rodriguez paces back and forth before the start of a press conference at the scene where two of his officers were shot in south McAllen on Saturday, July,11,2020. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
The flag-draped casket of Edelmiro Garza Jr., is framed by the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines at the RGV State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, July,16, 2020 in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/ The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
High ocean swells from Hurricane Delta brought in a redfish and other debris near Beach access No. 3 on Friday on South Padre Island. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)
Senator Kamala Harris breaks out in a laugh as she speaks to the crowd that gathered in the parking lot at UTRGV Campus on Friday,Oct.30,2020 in Edinburg, Texas. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
McHi’s Felipe Magaña (1) is tripped up by Palmview’s Pablo Guerrero (30) during the first half of a high school game at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 4,2020. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Mission Nikolas Mann(55) and David Ortiz (52) console teammate Ramon Rodriguez (32) after a heartbreaking loss to Laredo United South during the Class 6A Division I area playoff game at Student Activity Center on Friday, Dec.18,2020 in Laredo. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.ocm
Edcouch-Elsa Alexis Rodriguez(23) and Luis Hernadez (21) miss an interception against Mercedes during the first half of a District 16-5A DII football game at Benny Layton Sr., Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 6,2020 Edcouch-Elsa. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Edinburg High’s Julissah Santa Maria (15) and teammate Lucero Jimenez (12) swat the ball away from Mission’s Bailey Hernandez (10) during the first quarter of a girls high school basketball game at Mission High Neuhaus gymnasium on Tuesday ,Dec.8,2020. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
McAllen Memorial Natalie Silva (5) and Cori Talamantez (4) celebrate their win against McHi during the fifth game at McAllen Memorial gymnasium on Saturday Nov. 7,2020.Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Mission’s receiver Jose Cortez (1) looks back to catch a pass battles PSJA North defender Oscar Garcia (33) in the first half of a high school football game at Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium on Friday, Nov. 27,2020 in Mission. Cortez caught the ball and scored on a 40 yard scamper. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Waiting for the McAllen Parade at the McAllen Convention Center on Saturday ,Dec.5,2020 . Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
All Images Copyrighted
Sofia Rios, as a Sugar Plum Fairy, gets ready to perform in the Rio Grande Valley Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” for the 48th consecutive year at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Dominic Gomez,4, holds his small pup, Guerro, at his trailer home with his parents and sister Elida,8, Francisco and Sandra Gomez on Monday ,Dec.7,2020in Mission. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Stained glass windows at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church are reflected by windows in the crying room during a livestream of the Rev. Roy Snipes’ sermon for Good Friday, April 10, 2020, in Mission, Texas, during the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | dlopez@themonitor.com
Addie Adebiyi a traveling nurse from Maryland hugs Rosa Aguirre at DHR on Friday, Sept., 04, 2020 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)