(Laredo, Tx)-Justice of the Peace Ricardo Rangel held his Annual Christmas Posada at his office last week.  County employees and area residents enjoyed home cooked menudo, tamales, and an assortment of sweetbread that was accompanied by coffee or hot chocolate.  The annual event also draws Webb County Public Servants present this year where Justice of the Peace Hector Liendo, Webb County Clerk Margie Ibarra, City Council Member Esteban Rangel  and Assistant Municipal Court  of  El Cenizo, Tx Judge Rolando Saenz.  The event was held at the Jesus “Chuy” Salazar Justice …

Courtesy Larry Sanchez,
 As many prepare for the upcoming holidays and gatherings with loved ones, our citizens in the armed forces are overseas serving and protecting our right of freedom.
For the third year in a row, Webb County Commissioner Jerry Garza will be hosting a candlelight vigil and prayer service to honor those who are serving in the armed forces and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.  The service will take place on Monday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. at North Central Park.
“During this holiday season we must …

 Courtesy Monica Garcia,
(Laredo, Tx)-Judge Jesus “Chuy” Garza has ruled that Kristine Sandoval pay $400,000 in restitution to Jose Adan Martinez.  Martinez was injured when Kristine Sandoval collided with a car in which he was a passenger. Martinez had to be airlifted to San Antonio, was on a ventilator for several months and is now both mentally and physically disabled. 
 The restitution requested was $416,658.73.  This amount is strictly for medical bills related to the accident.   The judge also ordered that Sandoval  wear a SCRAM bracelet for a period of one year.   The SCRAM …

Courtesy Monica Garcia,
(Laredo, Tx)- The Office of District Attorney Isidro R. Alaniz reports that accused murderer and Mexican Mafia member Juan Carlos Mariscal  failed to report to the 111th District Court today, which has once again led to a delay in his trial for the murder of Brandon Benavides.
 Mariscal and Mario Alberto Velasquez are both charged with murder and engaging in organized criminal activity.  Jury selection was scheduled to begin today in the trial of both men.  The prosecutor in the case requested a continuance in the trial until Mariscal is …

Courtesy Larry Sanchez,
(Laredo, Tx)- All eyes and ears of the children from the Webb County Head Start program will be on the look- out for Santa Claus as Webb County Commissioner Frank Sciaraffa kicks off his 7th annual Head Start Christmas Party. 
The event will take place Thursday, December 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laredo Civic Center.
“Christmas is a very special time for kids and I want all of them to have an opportunity visiting with Santa during this special time of the year,” Sciaraffa said.  “It gives …

Courtesy Kristina Guerra,
Important, Productive Meetings Regarding Webb County and the Proposal for Providing Veterans Job Opportunities
 Washington, DC—Sheriff Martin Cuellar released details of his recent trip to Capitol Hill and the White House to discuss border security and the law enforcement needs of Webb County.
 “This was a very productive trip,” Sheriff Cuellar stated.  “We have the inside track on many new programs and opportunities for funding and equipment upgrades.  After attending a meeting of the House Committee on Homeland Security, we were able to make some very important one-on-one connections …

(Laredo, Tx)- The Office of District Attorney Isidro R. Alaniz will be holding a Hot Check Amnesty Program allowing anyone with an amount pending in the DA’s Hot Check Division to pay off their hot checks and avoid the issuance of an arrest warrant. 
 Amnesty begins Tuesday, November 1, 2011 and runs through Tuesday, November 15, 2011.    
 During those days of Amnesty, the District Attorney’s Hot Check Division will operate during normal business hours: 8a.m. to 4:30p.m. and will close during the lunch hour of 12:00p.m. to 1:00 p.m.    
 Everyone with an …

(Laredo, Tx)-Mariscos El Pescador alongside with LaredoBuzz.Com,  Louis H. Bruni Candidate for Webb County Commissioner Pct.1, Constable Rick Rodriguez Pct.2 and the newly formed Arena Football Team the Laredo Rattlesnakes made an announcement yesterday at their location in South Laredo to kick off a month long event to benefit soldiers in Afghanistan.  Chad Dittman owner of the Rattlesnakes welcomed members of  the Cigarroa High School and L.B.J. High School R.O.T.C. who were invited guests to the announcement.   Dittman then spoke about details about the fundraiser to media in attendance before introducing Constable …

Courtesy Monica Garcia,
(Laredo, Tx)-Jurors have sentenced Fernando Salas to 40 years in prison for the one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault and 10 years in prison for the one count of Indecency with a Child by Contact.  The prosecutors for the State filed a motion to stack the sentence, which the judge granted.  Therefore, the defendant shall serve 50 years in prison for his offenses. 
The punishment phase began with both the State and Defense putting one witness each on the stand. 
The State put the victim, “Krystal”, on the stand and …

Courtesy Monica Garcia,
(Laredo, Tx)-Jury Selection in the 406th District Court took place today in the The State of Texas v. Fernando Guadalupe Salas case.  Salas is charged with the following:
1 Count of Aggravated Sexual Assault
1 Count of Sexual Assault
6 Counts of Indecency with a Child by Contact
 The defendant is accused of having violated a female relative.  The criminal conduct allegedly began when the female was in third grade and continued well into her teen years. 
Jury selection began today with Ramon A. Villafranca, Jr., the Chief Prosecutor for the Special Victims Unit, …