LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - Another item on tonight’s City Council agenda is the evaluation of Laredo’s City Manager.

After roughly a year of being in the position, the council will evaluate the performance of Joseph Neeb.

Some of the key metrics the council will be looking at are the level of professionalism, communication with the mayor and council members, as well as the organization of the city departments.

Councilmember Melissa Cigarroa said that one of Neeb’s priorities was to build better communication with the community, which she believes he has done.

“I think there were a lot of issues that were not expected that were outside of normal management, but I do think he handled himself with fairness and a level of professionalism that had been lacking,” said Cigarroa. “You know, coming from outside, I do believe he was able to maintain being above the fray, the political fray of what had happened in council previously.”

Cigarroa adds that the business community townhall meetings have also been beneficial to build the communication between city departments to receive feedback from the community.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A driver who was allegedly involved in a deadly crash on Christmas Eve has been arrested.

Laredo Police charged Carlos Arriaga Jr., 28, with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle.

The crash involved three vehicles during the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 along Loop 20.

According to preliminary reports, the driver of a Dodge Charger was driving in the wrong direction and went head on with a GMC Sierra and a Yukon.

His passenger, Mauro Castillo III, 43, was taken to Brooks Army Medical Center where he later died.

The drivers of the Yukon and Sierra did not need medical attention.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - After nearly half a year, UISD Board members will decide the fate of Superintendent David Gonzalez in the next couple of days.

Gonzalez was placed on leave with pay back in August of 2023.

The decision was made after sexual harassment accusations were made against Gonzalez by an employee.

After a thorough investigation by the Texas Education Agency, the independent examiner recommended terminating Gonzalez’s contract with the district.

Initially six to one board members voted to place Gonzalez on leave.

One of the board members who voted in favor of that decision said if the board decides again this time to terminate Gonzalez’s contract, he hopes the future superintendent will instill change.

“I like to see some strength in our academics, in our curriculum, in our instruction,” said UISD Board Member Javier Montemayor. “I would like to see someone who can bring some stability to the district. Someone who can work with all different types of opinions and personalities but someone who is strong academically.”

The meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the UISD Student Activity Complex auditorium located at the 5200 block of Santa Claudia Lane.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A Mexican National is facing multiple charges following an alleged human smuggling attempt on Mines Road Friday.

The incident was reported on Friday, Feb. 16 in the afternoon hours.

According to DPS, troopers were following a black vehicle near Mines Road which escalated into a chase that ended near the intersection of Baltimore Street and San Bernardo Avenue.

The driver, identified as Yahir Alejandro Reyna De La Cruz, 19, lost control of his vehicle, and struck the barricade of a local business.

Yahir was transporting three people during the time of the incident.

He was arrested and charged with human smuggling and evading arrest.

No injuries were reported.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - A car crashes into the front of a south Laredo home.

Viewer video shows a damaged vehicle stalled at the front door of a house near Ejido and Ramona Drive.

The video was recorded on Monday, Feb. 19 at around 1 p.m.

The house appears to have some minor damage as well as the vehicle.

No word on what caused the crash.

The incident is under investigation

Webb County, TX . (KGNS) - The new office space for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office has experienced some minor setbacks but Sheriff Cuellar said it’s important that the new building is completed as soon as possible.

Sheriff Cuellar said the new building will come equipped with a real-time crime center similar to what the Laredo Police Department uses.

The sheriff said that he has been in communication with Laredo Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez to see if they can send someone from the police department to be able to work together.

Sheriff Cuellar stated that Chief Rodriguez agreed to the possibility of working together once the building is up and running.

The sheriff went on to stress the importance of working with fellow agencies of law enforcement.

The building is set to be finished with construction by March, and the department is expected to move in shortly after.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - A man is fighting for his life after his truck fell off a Laredo overpass over the weekend.

The collision happened on Saturday afternoon at around 1 p.m.

The driver, identified as Jose Luis Tejada, 45, was heading north on I-35 near Dr. Ikes.

Police say Tejeda was the only person inside the vehicle when he lost control, crashed into the cement barrier of the highway, which sent him over the overpass.

Tejada was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital.

He is in critical condition.

We’ll have more information once it becomes available.