(Laredo, Tx)- Webb County Commissioner Jaime Canales will be treating a group of students to an afternoon of bowling and  pizza as a reward for demonstrating good character and excelling in their academics. Many of these students are victims of poverty, drug addiction, and family violence.

For their efforts, Commissioner Canales will be taking approximately 45 students and staff to the Jett Bowl Wednesday, May 23.  The event starts at 11 a.m.

By the CNN Wire Staff,

(CNN) — Robin Gibb, one of three brothers who made up the group the Bee Gees behind “Saturday Night Fever” and other now-iconic sounds from the 1970s, died on Sunday, according to a statement on his website.

He was 62.

Gibb “passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,” said the statement, which was attributed to his family. He died in England at 10:47 a.m. (5:47 a.m. ET), according to a post on his official Twitter feed.  (Read More)

Art, essay, poetry and photography divisions garner multiple winners

 (Laredo, TX ) “Ain’t no stoppin’ us now!” has quickly become the theme song for St. Peter’s Memorial School.  In the past four years, the school had proudly boasted a few winners in various contests.  This year, however, the famed historical downtown school is busting at the seams with winners of various local, national and international contests.   Catholic Daughters of America; Laredo Public Library’s 9^th Annual Poetry Festival; Holy Cross Ministries Try Prayer! It Works!; and Pentel’s 42^nd International Children’s Art Exhibition garnered the school winners at various levels, including several first, second and third place winners in art, essay, poetry and photography, expressing the range of talents and skills of students attending St. Peter’s Memorial School.

 In the local contest hosted by the local chapter of the Catholic Daughters of America, Queen Isabella Court, the theme was “Planting Seeds of Faith” or “Inspiring Others to Grow,” and the school dominated the field of winners, claiming 16 of the students awarded.  Winners included:

• Photography Division II – 2^nd Place Marbel Garcia; 3^rd Place:  Jaqueline Lozano; 6^th grade teacher, Ms. Jessica Estevis;
• Essay Division I – 1^st Place:  Cesar Navarrete; 2^nd Place: Alexa Padilla; 4^th grade teacher:  Ms. Gabriela Raga;
• Essay Division II – 1^st Place: Rebekah A. Morales; 2^nd Place: Arianna Rivera; 3^rd Place: David Gonzalez; 6^th grade teacher: Ms. Jessica Estevis;
• Poetry Division I -1^st Place: Nineth Martinez; 3^rd Place: Osvaldo Valdez; 4^th grade teacher: Ms. Gabriela Raga;
• Poetry Division II – 1^st Place: Vanessa Sigrist; 2^nd Place: Luisa Meraz; 3^rd Place: Carla Gonzalez; 6^th grade teacher: Ms. Jessica Estevis; 
• Art Division I – 1st Place: Marie June Pineda; 2^nd Place: Emilio Flores; art teacher Mrs. Lali Martinez;
• Art Division II -1^st Place: Valeria Garcia; 3^rd Place: Mary Lorraine Cavazos; Art Teacher: Ms. Lali Martinez

 “I am so proud of all of my students who worked so hard to interpret the topics in their entries,” said Jessica Lynn Estevis, the 6^th grade students’ English teacher.

 At the Laredo Public Library’s 9^th Annual Poetry Festival, St. Peter’s name also dotted the roster of winners, more than any other local public or private school.  The theme for this contest was “A Brighter Tomorrow” or anything the students chose to write about. Winners included:

 Group 1 (1st—3rd Grade) – 1^st place: Michael Zavala, 3rd Grade; 3^rd place: Mia Montemayor, 3^rd grade; Honorable Mention: Joey Garcia, IV, 3^rd Grade; Teacher Ms. Claudia Velez;

• Group 2 (4th—5th Grade) – 1^st place: Cesar Navarrete, 4th Grade; Honorable Mention, Luis Angel Campos, 4th Grade, Teacher, Ms. Gabriela Raga;
• Group 3 (6th—8th Grade) – 1^st place: Carla Gonzalez, 8th Grade, Teacher Jessica Estevis.

 In the national contest, Holy Cross Ministries Try Prayer! It Works! contest, St. Peter’s once again walked away with winners in three grade levels, one of only two Texas schools awarded in this annual art, essay and poetry competition, whose theme was “Fear Not!  I Am With You!”  Winners included:  (artwork attached)

• K-5 – 1^st place art: Diego Regino; Teacher: Mrs. Itzel De La Cruz
• 3rd Grade – 3^rd place art: Joey Garcia, IV; Teacher: Ms. Claudia Velez
• 6^th Grade – 2^nd place art: Vanessa Sigrist; Teacher:  Ms. Jessica Estevis

 Finally, a first for the school were the two winners in Pentel’s 42^nd International Children’s Art Exhibition.  This art contest, which asked students to draw anything that inspired them, was open to students all over the globe, receiving over 1,000 entries from the United States and 200,000 total from throughout the world.  Winners included:

• Silver Award: Vanessa Sigrist, 6^th grade, Teacher: Ms. Jessica Estevis
• Bronze Award: Edgar Cruz, 3^rd grade, Teacher: Ms. Claudia Velez

 Dr. Linda Marie Garcia Mitchell, principal for St. Peter’s Memorial School was ecstatic that the students were recognized for their work; especially as it relates to demonstrating the faith and education they have learned at St. Peter’s. 

 “It is important that our students enter these contests, especially those with a Catholic-theme, because by encouraging them to participate, they learn to express their creativity and knowledge outside of the classroom setting that will help to give them confidence to continue to do so throughout their academic careers,” Mitchell said.  “Additionally, I am proud to know that we are not only producing students with varied academic and artistic talents, but also, and just as importantly, is that we have the teachers that encourage and educate them in an environment that allows all students to blossom.

 The students will be recognized for their accomplishments at Monday’s City Council meeting.

 St. Peter’s Memorial School is one of the oldest Catholic schools in Laredo.  First established in 1925, the school was run under the auspices of the Ursuline Sisters until 1968, and then the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco.  Now part of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo, the school offers classes from level K3 through 8^th grade and typically serves approximately 170 students each year.

(Laredo, Tx)- The Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School received a $105,000 grant donation from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation Trust on Thursday, May 9. LBV trustees J.C. Martin III and James Pearl presented the check to Cantu Health Science Magnet School teachers and students during a ceremony held at the Tiger’s Den on the Martin High School campus.

 The grant donation will be used to expand programs at the magnet school says director, Gerri Arredondo. The school will be purchasing an ambulance simulator, which will provide real-life, hands-on experiences to students who are preparing for their emergency medical technician certification, as well as equipment to certify students as certified nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, and medical records assistants.

 “This is a blessing for all of our students and teachers at the Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet,” said Arredondo. “I am excited because this grant will bring state-of-the-art equipment to our magnet program which will service students from Martin, Nixon, and Cigarroa high schools. Our students will be college ready and at the same time be prepared for the work force.”

 “I am grateful for the support of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and thank them for helping us to achieve our educational goals,” said Dr. Marcus Nelson, LISD Superintendent. “This grant money will ensure the students receive the opportunity to excel academically and to gain employable skills in health science careers.”

Dr. Dennis Cantu attended the presentation and remembered Mrs. Bruni Vergara as a humble lady who cared about her community and left her signature all over Laredo with her generous donations.

 Cantu Magnet School student Gabriela Dominguez thanked the LBV Trust on behalf of her classmates. She plans to go to medical school and return to Laredo to practice medicine. She has completed her medical rotations, and learned CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and wound care. In appreciation for the donation, Dominguez presented the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation Trust with a framed autographed picture on behalf of the school’s student body.

Annual Family Fest will help benefit the South Texas Food Bank

 (Laredo, TX )  The City of Laredo is once again hosting this year’s annual 4^th of July Family Fest celebration and thanks to their partners, including: V Parade Company; R Communications; Budweiser; AB Cattle co, by Ana & John Galo; Dannenbaum Engineering; Casa Raul, Cricket; Lone Star Autoplex; and UETA, this event promises to be a sizzling celebration. 

 For only a $1.00 suggested donation entrance fee, which will benefit the South Texas Food Bank, attendees will be able to enjoy: music; food; vendors, entertainment; kiddy activities; Loteria; a bike display; watermelon and Jell-O eating contest and even, help judge the rib and brisket cook-off; dance groups; an Elvis impersonator; a moonwalk; rides; and fireworks, to close out the evening. 

 A separate concert area, hosted by R Communications and sponsored by Budweiser/ Bud Light will require a $10 entrance fee.  This event, the 5^th Annual Batalla de Talento “La Voz de Laredo” which benefits STARS and the UISD/LISD school uniform fund will be held during the festival. 

 For a limited time, the concert tickets are on sale now at the Civic Center Box Office.  Get your tickets now and avoid the rush.  For $10, you get to enjoy the following line-up:

 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.  Budweiser/Bud Light La Ley/Digital Batalla del Talento “La Voz de Laredo”

7:00 p.m.        Paty y Sonora

8:00 p.m.        Grupo Mazz

9:00 p.m.        Salomon Robles

10:00 p.m.      Presentation of Colors and National Anthem by U.S. Border Patrol

Fireworks Display

10:30 p.m.      Grupo Duelo

 “The City of Laredo’s 4^th of July celebration has become a Laredo tradition and gives our community an opportunity for area families to enjoy food, music and activities all the while supporting the South Texas Food Bank,” said Ana Rivera Soto, general sales manager for R Communications.  “Additionally, it is a great way for R Communications to kick-off our two week radio drive for the food bank.”

 “When this program was proposed, it was with the sole intent to assist the school district with a serious concern of absenteeism.  The children should be in school on a daily basis so that they do not miss out on the daily lessons. I am committed to assisting our schools and the children of our community,” stated Sheriff Martin Cuellar. 

Although the SAM Program was proposed as a pilot program, Sheriff Cuellar will soon meet with school officials to discuss the impact of the program and discuss future plans.

Sheriff Cuellar will be visiting students from H.B. Zachry Elementary today to congratulate them on a great school year.

Initiative hosted by City of Laredo Environmental Services and Health Departments,  in cooperation with United I.S.D., intended to cut down on vector-borne diseases

 (Laredo, TX)  Dengue, other potential health hazards Unsightly brown field dumping sites. Overpowering odors.  Sometimes even, degradation of the river’s water quality. 

 These are just a few of the potential health hazards that the city of Laredo faces when old tires are dumped in empty lots, in the river or creek beds, or along streets and highways, instead of being properly disposed.  In an effort to help clean up Laredo, as well as to motivate citizens to help keep Laredo beautiful, clean and safe, the City of Laredo Environmental Services, Health, Solid Waste Departments are teaming up with United I.S.D. to host a day-long Tire Round-Up on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the UISD Student Activities Center, 5802 Santa Claudia Lane from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m., where citizens will be paid up to $20 for bringing in those discarded tires.

 “This is a great way for the community to help clean up their city, while getting a little green back in their pockets,” says Riazul Mia, director of the Environmental Services Department who is organizing this project.

 Citizens with a proper Texas Driver’s License or ID will be paid $1.00 per rimless domestic passenger vehicle tires, limit 20 tires per household.   However, non-profit organizations can use this event as a fundraiser and could be paid for as many regular-sized tires as they can bring.  All non-profits need to sign up before the day of the event with Ivan Santoyo at 794-1650 to receive special instructions, and they need to bring proof of non-profit status on the day of the event.  City of Laredo residents must bring proof residency in the form of a utility bill and I.D.  No large commercial or tractor tires will be accepted.

 “This is such an amazing effort by everyone involved to help clean-up Laredo and get the tires off of our beautiful streets of Laredo,” said District I Council Member Mike Garza, a major supporter of the project.  “I see tires everyday as I drive through South Laredo, so I know what an impact this will make to our environment.  I especially want to invite all non-profit organizations, including elementary school grades or organizations, who use this tire round-up event as a fundraiser.  They will not only help clean up Laredo, they also will help their organization, as well.”

 Organizers are quick to point out that the money will be paid while it lasts, so get there early with the collected tires and make some money while helping to clean up Laredo.  According to Mia, if the money runs out, organizers will still be accepting tires and people will “be getting a big smile with a thank you for caring enough to help make a difference” and “maybe a ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ sticker.”     

 Too many tires have been illegally dumped, creating a health hazard for vector-borne diseases from mosquitoes. According to the City of Laredo Health Department, there have not been any cases of Dengue or West Nile Virus infections since Laredoans have done a great job in getting rid of trash and stagnant water and keeping lawns clean; however, there has been an increase of tires thrown in public right aways, vacant lots, parking lots and other areas.  This creates an opportunity for mosquito breeding and other vectors that contribute to various health hazards.  For more information on health risks or to report illegal dumping of tires, call Sam Gonzalez at 795-4935 or Yvette Mendoza at 712-6015, both at the City of Laredo Health Department.

 “We want to encourage all Laredoans to participate in the tire round-up, but urge the public to continue to clean their homes, businesses, and get rid of all standing water and trash,” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, director of the City of Laredo’s Health Department.

  Join the City of Laredo’s Green Team, and help keep Laredo beautiful, clean and safe.  Sign up today by calling the department before to help make a difference in Laredo.

 “Do your part and protect yourself, your family, and your community.  Help clean-up today, and especially, on the 19^th.  See you there!” Mia concluded.

 Tires are always accepted at the City landfill; the first four are free to dump, with a charge thereafter.   

Dist. I Council Member Mike Garza is joined by everyone’s favorite environmentally-friendly trashcan mascot, Willie Bote, and the newest environmental hero to join the City’s ranks of Laredo’s natural resources defenders, Inspector McCloud, to discuss the Tire Round-Up Collection Event, taking place on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 8 AM – 4 PM at the U.I.S.D. S.A.C.  Residents will be paid up to $20 for rimless passenger tires collected; utility bill and TX Driver’s License/ID required.  For more information, call 794-1650.

(Laredo, Tx)-Mayor Pro Tempore Cindy Liendo Espinoza and District VII Council Member Jorge Vera welcomed the Laredo Crime Stoppers as well as local law enforcement to City Hall to kick-off the annual Battle of the Badges BBQ Cook-Off and Motorcycle Scavenger Hunt.  Joining them in the announcement of all event details (attached) were:  Deputies from Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar’s Office, including Deputy Carlos Camarillo and Deputy Barney Garcia; Mingo Medina, of L&F Distributors, a major sponsor of the event; Estella Quintanilla, LCS Board Member; Carolyn Leyendecker LCS Executive Director; Captain John Salazar, Laredo Police Department; and Lisa Peterson, LCS.

Mayor Pro Tempore welcomed representatives from Doctors Hospital, Laredo Medical Center and Laredo Specialty Hospital to kick off National Hospital Week with a proclamation, highlighting the great work that all three do, taking care of the Laredo community to nurse them back to health.

 Laredo Medical Center CEO Tim Schmidt and Doctors Hospital CEO Elmo Lopez look on while MPT Liendo Espinoza reads from the proclamation.

After four years at helm, Maldonado highlights crime rate reduction, efficiencies in department and increased federal awareness

 (Laredo, TX )  After four years as Chief of Police for the City of Laredo Police Department, Chief Carlos R. Maldonado has submitted his letter of intent to retire, effective June 22, 2012. Maldonado, a native New Mexican, began his career in Law Enforcement in the New Mexico State Police as a patrolman in 1981.  A long and storied career, including a stint at the FBI Academy, various roles in state law enforcement and teaching law enforcement strategies throughout the globe highlighted his career before being hired in Laredo on June 17, 2008.

 “I want to express my profound appreciation to my staff. . .” stated Maldonado in his letter to City Manager Carlos Villarreal. “It has been an absolute honor to have worked with such a distinguished group of law enforcement professions.  I could not be more proud of our accomplishments over the last four years.  It is through their collective efforts that Laredo’s crime rate has progressively declined to unprecedented levels, in spite of the numerous challenges we faced when I first took command.”

 Under Maldonado’s leadership, the City of Laredo Police Department has reduced crime:

·         In 2011, the City of Laredo saw a 36% decrease in auto-theft, dropping the City of Laredo out of the Top 10 List published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau – dropping from #1 and #2 – to drop to #11.

·         The City of Laredo saw a 16.1% reduction in overall crime, the highest decrease in the state of Texas.

 Maldonado credits increased training; a more strategic approach to analyzing crime data and identifying crime “hot spots” with the Compstat approach he introduced to the department; and streamlining the organizational structure of the police department and improved communication with staff and supervisors for these accomplishments.

 Aside from improved staffing assignments for the entire department, Maldonado also oversaw an improvement to the Evidence/Property Room collection and storage process; updated the police units to more responsive, safe and efficient vehicles; selected uniforms that provided improved ventilation for officers; implemented a police chaplain program; and better training to prepare the 68 newly hired police officers during his tenure.

 However, the accomplishments Maldonado and City officials point to as being his most valuable contribution to the City of Laredo is in the area of representing the US/Texas/Mexico border in various task forces, leadership conferences and symposiums held in Austin, Washington, D.C.; throughout the country; and even, throughout the world.

 “There have been some noticeable improvements in fighting and deterring crime and it has been through Chief Maldonado’s leadership that these results have been attained.  He is a good man and a great law enforcement-oriented individual.  I wish him the best,” stated City Manager Carlos Villarreal. 

 Maldonado presented at various conferences led by the FBI; DEA; Homeland Security; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; and participated in discussions held at the White House with President Obama on Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States. 

Thanks to his efforts, the City of Laredo received $4.3 million in federal COPS grant, enough to hire 22 additional officers, improving not only local, but also, homeland security.

 In addition, Maldonado hosted various regional and state executive-level symposiums, developing a network of police contacts that could share intelligence, and better prepare themselves with the challenges of border enforcements and other local issues. At one such conference, Maldonado was able to secure DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart to come down to Laredo and participate in a local town hall meeting, which helped contribute to a publication: “Voices From Across the Country: Local Law Enforcement Officials Discuss the Challenges of Immigration Enforcement.”  

 Maldonado began and concluded his letter with praise for Laredo:  “Characteristic of Laredo, she extended a warm and welcoming embrace to my family and I, for which I am forever grateful.  I would be remiss if I did not mention how honored I have been to a part of this wonderful community.”