El Pescador will also have Happy Hour prices on their ice cold beverages and appetizers throughout the evening.  You must be 21 years or older to take advanatage of this promotion and it is for dine in customers only.  For more information visit either one of their locations or call 956-728-7745.

Valentine sweethearts will be crowned the King and Queen of the City of Laredo.

Laredo, Texas –U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry on Monday stopped 27 pounds of cocaine from being smuggled into the country inside the cab of a commercial tractor at World Trade Bridge . 

CBP officers at the World Trade Bridge manning the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lane encountered a 1994 Freightliner tractor driven by a 33-year-old Mexican national from Nuevo Laredo , Tamaulipas , Mexico . The FAST registered driver presented documentation for a legitimate commercial shipment of televisions that was being pulled by the tractor he was operating. CBP officers referred the tractor trailer for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the tractor and trailer that led to the discovery of 10 bundles of alleged cocaine weighing approximately 27 pounds within the tractor. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $864,000.

 CBP officers seized the cocaine and the tractor. The driver was turned over by CBP officers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) agents for further investigation. 

 The FAST program is one of CBP’s trusted traveler programs. Travelers who participate in the Free and Secure Trade program are afforded expedited processing when crossing the border. As a participant in these Registered Travelers programs, these travelers are bestowed with a higher level of trust and confidence in regards to security when crossing the border. Because of this higher level of trust and confidence that has been bestowed on participants, violations of this trust will not be tolerated. Violations will result in the prosecution of the violator to the fullest extent of the law. 

 “FAST program participants are entrusted as low-risk travelers,” said Sidney K. Aki, Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry. “This driver violated that trust and attempted to bring illegal drugs into the country. CBP officers remain poised in their enforcement at all international crossings to ensure that checks and balances, especially at trusted traveler lanes, are in place. This significant amount of narcotics intercepted is a testament to the fact that the system works.”

(Laredo, Tx)- The Office of District Attorney Isidro R. Alaniz reports that Ricardo Gomez  pled guilty yesterday to one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.   Gomez was charged with having violated two female children in April of 2009.  The children are not related to him, but he was in a position of trust when he violated them.  After the children’s mother became suspicious of Gomez, a report was filed with the Laredo Police Department. 

The case was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit of the Laredo Police Department, which then investigated the matter and generated the warrant for Gomez’ arrest.  Ramon Villafranca, Jr., Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit, worked closely with the victims’ family in arriving at the plea agreement.   Gomez was immediately taken into custody and, once he is released from prison, he is required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

(LAREDO, TEXAS) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry on Thursday apprehended an East Texas man wanted on an outstanding warrant for sexual assault in Montgomery County , Texas . The apprehension occurred on Jan. 26 2011 at Gateway to the Americas Bridge . A CBP officer referred a Dodge Ram pickup driven by Danny Ray Rancher, a 56-year-old male U.S. citizen from Willis , Texas for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers verified Rancher’s identity and confirmed he had an outstanding state warrant from Montgomery County , Texas for sexual assault.

After confirming the warrant was active, CBP officers turned Rancher over to the custody of Webb County sheriff’s deputies for transport to a local jail pending extradition proceedings. “Our frontline CBP officers maintain a constant state of readiness and their vigilance led to the arrest of a man wanted on sexual assault charges. Fugitive apprehension is an important part of the work our officers do on a daily basis to keep our borders secure,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo .

Celebrates Groundbreaking of La Terraza at Lomas del Sur with partners, Laredo Public Facility Corporation and Ejido Holdings

 LAREDO, TX  – The breeze carried the dust away in a triumphant show and with shovels in hand, the NRP Group LLC, in partnership with the Laredo Public Facility Corporation and Ejido Holdings, celebrated the groundbreaking of Laredo’s newest quality affordable housing development, La Terraza at Lomas del Sur. The press conference, which took place this morning at 11AM at 3201 SouthEjido Avenue, represented a significant stride for the area in what will soon stand a $17.3 million, 128-unit affordable housing development.

 “For young families in our community, whose current residence may be inadequate to meet their needs, today’s groundbreaking for La Terraza at Lomas Del Sur offers real hope and a real alternative that one day, they will provide for their families a beautiful, spacious and affordable place to call home,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas.

 Set to open in the Fall of 2012, La Terraza at Lomas del Sur will offer 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom floor plans as well as a “Homework First” program that provides children with tutoring, healthy snacks, and safe educational after school activities. Situated on 9.5 acres of land on the east side of South Ejido Boulevard, the development will be complete with a computer business/learning center, health club and swimming pool, this development is set to benefit families and individuals of low to moderate income levels by providing them with a higher quality of living at rates they can realistically afford.

 “Today’s groundbreaking marks a great day for all Laredoans, as this will be the first step that the City of Laredo Public Facility Corporation takes, along with our partners, NRP, Ejido Holdings, Clower Interest, and of course, HUD’s Equal Housing Opportunity and the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, that will help put young families into beautiful and affordable housing,”  said City of Laredo District I Councilman Mike Garza, who, as president of the Laredo Public Facility Corporation, pushed for this project to be located in this growing area of the community. “We are proud to help make that dream a reality.”

 “Home is truly where the heart is, and this quality affordable housing development will soon become home to many families looking to provide something safe and beautiful for their children,” concluded Mayor Salinas.

 “Quality, affordable housing developments, such as La Terraza at Lomas del Sur Apartments, will improve living conditions for many Laredo families, create jobs and give a boost to the city’s economy,” said State Representative Ryan Guillen, D-31.  “I’m sincerely glad there was state support for this development which will provide Laredo families with safe, quality residences they can call home.”

 For more information, visit www.NRPGroup.com.

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 

DEL RIO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry on Monday seized alleged marijuana valued at $74,000 hidden in a vehicle driven by a local woman.   

 The seizure occurred on Jan. 23 at the Del Rio International Bridge . A CBP officer referred a 2003 Ford Taurus driven by a 45-year-old female U.S. citizen from Del Rio for a secondary examination. In secondary, CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the vehicle and discovered discrepancies in the dashboard area. Further examination revealed 64 packages hidden throughout the vehicle containing a total of 74 pounds of alleged marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $74,000. 

 CBP officers turned over the driver to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

 “This is a significant narcotics seizure and it reflects the perseverance and dedication of our frontline officers to apply their experience, training, canines and high tech tools to keep our borders safe,” said Michael Perez, CBP Port Director, Del Rio . “Stopping narcotics loads of any size is all part of a day’s work for our CBP officers at the port.”  

 Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Tax Department is issuing an urgent reminder to all citizens that City of Laredo 2011 Property Taxes are due on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.   Property tax statements were mailed October 2011.

 City property taxes provide more tax dollars for local services in Texas than any other source.  Property taxes help pay for city streets, police, fire protection, and many other services.  For this reason, it is very important to pay taxes on time.

 City of Laredo 2011 property taxes not paid before February 1^st will become delinquent and assessed penalty and interest in accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code, as follows:

Date                Penalty                        Interest          Attorney Fee              Total %

                        Applied to Base           Applied to Base          Applied to Base and P&I

¹February 1^st         6%                    1%                       0                                         7%

March 1^st              7%                    2%                       0                                         9%

²April 1^st               8%                    3%                       0                                        11%

May 1^st                9%                     4%                       0                                        13%

June 1^st                10%                    5%                       0                                        15%

July 1^st                12%                    6%                      15%                                    33%

August 1^st           12%                   7%                      15%                                    34%

September 1^st     12%                    8%                      15%                                    35%

1% Interest added on the 1^st of each month thereafter.  

^1.                    For taxpayers who have an active lawsuit for prior year taxes: Any unpaid balance for the 2011 Tax Year  will be turned over to the delinquent tax attorney on February 1, 2012 and will incur an 6% penalty, 1% interest, and 15% Attorney Fees (for a total of 22%).

^2.                    Personal Property accounts will be turned over to the delinquent tax attorney on April 1, 2012 and will incur an 8% penalty, 3% interest, and 15% Attorney Fees (for a total of 26%).

  A taxpayer can avoid paying penalties, interest, and attorney fees by paying their 2011 Taxes before they become delinquent on February 1, 2012.

 In addition to penalties, interest, and attorney fees to be collected for delinquent taxes, there may be further action taken such as seizure of property, issuance of tax warrants, and filing lawsuits against taxpayers that owe delinquent taxes. 

 Taxpayers who qualify for an Over 65 or Disability Exemption may pay their 2011 property taxes in four installments.  Please notify the City of Laredo Tax Department on the first payment that taxes will be paid in the following installments: 

·         First installment must be paid by January 31, 2012; and

·         Second installment must be paid by March 31, 2012; and

·         Third installment must be paid by May 31, 2012; and

·         Fourth installment must be paid by July 31, 2012.

  For taxpayers who took advantage of the split payment option, the second payment is due by June 30, 2012.

 Normal business hours are from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The main office is located at the new City Hall Annex at 1102 Bob Bullock Loop.  In addition, you can continue to make payments at City Hall located at 1110 Houston Street, 1^st floor.  Payments are accepted in the following currency: cash, checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, credit card, and electronic transfers.  Taxpayers can also view account information or pay their bill on-line by visiting www.cityoflaredo.com.

 If you have not received your property tax statement or have any questions on any of the above, please call the City of Laredo Tax Office at 727-6403.

(Laredo, Tx)-  In response to a recent attack on a jogger in Century City last week, District I Council Member Mike Garza is hosting a neighborhood meeting tonight, Monday, January 23, 2012, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Century City Park Entrance, located at 120 Century Boulevard.

 Present at the meeting will City of Laredo officials and members of the Laredo Police Department who will be on hand to discuss safety awareness and other safety and precautionary related issues.

 “By arming ourselves with information, knowing how to keep safe and being alert for danger, we can all help keep ourselves and our neighborhoods safe, sending a message to any would-be criminal out there, we’re not letting them over our community,” said Cm. Garza.         

 For more information, contact the Laredo Police Department at 795-2800.

 The Office of District Attorney Isidro R. Alaniz reports that Gilberto Tello was formally charged  for the murder of his wife, Marisela Flores-Tello. 

 Chief Prosecutor for the Domestic Violence Unit, Melinda Vidaurri-Galvan, presented the case today to a grand jury in the 49^th District Court.  Upon completion of the presentation, the grand jury indicted Tello and charged him with having caused the death of his wife by shooting her multiple times on October 23, 2011.

 On that night, police responded to a “shots fired” call at 7:23p.m.  Upon arriving at the Tello residence, located on the 1500 block of South Bartlett Avenue, police found a motionless Flores-Tello.  They called for an ambulance, which transported the woman to the Laredo Medical Center where she was declared dead at 8:09p.m. 

 Defendant Tello remains in custody at the Webb County Jail under a five hundred thousand dollar bond. 

 Murder is a first degree felony with a range of punishment between five and ninety-nine years in prison or a life sentence.

 An arraignment date has yet to be set by the 49^th District Court.