LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - An update on a long-awaited project in the Mines Road area, the Fasken Treehouse, under construction for years, might finally be ready—or at least that’s what the artist behind the project believes. However, the Laredo City Council disagrees.

Initially intended to be a whimsical haven for local children, the Fasken Treehouse has instead become a symbol of community frustration. The project is roughly four years overdue.

During Monday night’s city council meeting, there was a glimmer of hope as it was announced that the project was completed. However, concerns over its safety arose after the artist recommended installing a safety net around the structure to prevent injuries.

Council Member Vanessa Perez of District 7 expressed frustration, questioning why these add-ons weren’t addressed in the contract or included in the original sketch, which has yet to be seen. “Also, for us, to not accept this as completed because to me the colors and the way it looks, it’s like they just hurried up to check off the box that it was done. I don’t think that’s the intention of the colors and everything—to me, it’s still not finished,” she said.

Council Member Melissa Cigarroa of District 3 suggested an idea previously proposed by Council Member Alyssa Cigarroa of District 8: appointing a public arts manager to oversee art projects throughout the city.

Ultimately, the council passed a motion to not accept the project as complete and to have legal, the risk manager, and the auditor look into it. For now, the city has not paid the remaining balance to the artist, totaling $54,000.

ZAPATA COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - Zapata County ISD is gearing up for its first day of school, with parents, teachers, and students excited about the new year.

Tiago Ruben Perez, an eighth-grade student, is looking forward to his final year at middle school. “It’s a very good campus. I love it. The teachers here are nice. They help us a lot and it’s fun to come here,” Perez said. He added, “I do student council, I’m going to join the Honor Society because you have to get hours and then you have to officially join in eighth grade. I do baseball and basketball and football.” After a summer break, Perez is eager to reconnect with friends and teachers and focus on his favorite subject, math.

Zapata, located 50 miles south of Laredo, will introduce new safety measures this school year. Rogelio Gonzalez, the district’s human resources director, emphasized the importance of school safety. “School safety is something that we have always been looking into, that we are always keeping our eye on and keeping updated on our most current requirements from the state,” Gonzalez said.

This year, the district will add more armed school police officers and implement new safety features, including anti-scaling fencing around the middle school. “This is an example of fencing that we are doing in the middle school. It’s the anti-scaling fencing, and they are running it at six feet. We are going to be circulating the entire compound with this type of fencing,” Gonzalez explained.

Marlene Guerra, principal of Zapata Middle School, described their security procedures. “Our parents check in at the security guardhouse and come to our front doors. We have a ringer outside that lets our secretaries know there’s someone outside. They check in, present their ID cards, and ensure that the person picking up the child is on the registration form,” Guerra said.

Unlike Laredo ISD and United ISD, Zapata County ISD will not require students to use clear backpacks. “We contacted a lot of focus groups and met with students, teachers, and administrators. We felt that the clear backpack policy would not work for Zapata County ISD. However, we did see the benefits of enforcing the policy at events like basketball and football games, and we did that at graduation. Our community was very supportive,” Gonzalez said.

In addition to safety measures, the district is focusing on students’ mental health. “We have a focus on supporting our students in social-emotional help. That’s another angle we are looking to provide additional safety by addressing their needs with our counselors,” Gonzalez added.

With these new measures in place, Zapata County ISD is ready to welcome students like Tiago Perez. The first day of school is set for August 14th.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The suspected mountain lion sightings on Monday, August 5, have been revealed to most likely be two light-colored dogs.

Laredo Police were notified of a possible mountain lion sighting near the United ISD SAC on Monday, August 5. Police sent officers to the area who searched on foot, deployed a drone and collected security camera footage from nearby buildings.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) was notified soon after and responded to the area as well.

After reviews of images, trails and patrols it was determined the animals that were seen were most likely dogs and not mountain lions.

The animal tracks were most consistent with those made by dogs, but out of caution, TPWD decided to leave trail cameras in the area for any potential mountain lion presence.

On Tuesday, August 6, TPWD discovered two light-colored dogs where the initial sighting was. The dogs were very similar to the size and build of the animals in the footage.

Out of caution, TPWD will continue to monitor the area and work in partnership with Laredo Police to make sure all citizens are aware of any changes in the situation.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The U.S. Border Patrol released a statement following the arrest of one of their agents, 39-year-old Jonathan Quinones.

Quinones was arrested for allegedly assaulting a security officer at a bar on the 10200 block of Golondrina Drive at around midnight on Friday, August 5.

In the statement, Border Patrol confirmed Quinones’ employment with the agency and said in part, ‘An arrest is merely an allegation.’

The statement continues saying that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Additionally, the agency said the incident is currently under review by the Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility.

More information will come as the investigation continues

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The late Mexican singer and Tejano presenter pioneer, Johnny Canales was honored at Laredo City Hall on Monday, August 5.

The event had many of Canales’ family and friends in attendance including his wife, Nora Canales, and their two daughters, Miroslava and Seleste Canales.

The Canales family was given a Congressional Record by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, and a Certificate of Recognition by Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino.

Born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and raised in Robstown, Texas, Johnny Canales was best known for his presence in Tejano music as well as his variety show, ‘The Johnny Canales Show’ which ran for over 25 years.

Those in attendance at City Hall told stories of Johnny’s life, love for his family and his love for Laredo.

Nora Canales mentions, “Johnny would say ‘This is my second home’ he loved Laredo, and as you may know we did a lot of shows here. For SOS, school supply and Christmas for Tejanitos. we’re just talking and reminiscing about how many shows we did and how beautiful they were. Johnny was always loving Laredo and always wanted to give back, and it’s just wonderful.”

Canales will not only be remembered and loved by his family and friends, but also by those who enjoyed his music and television performances as many tears were shed in this celebration of life.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - After reports circulated about a mountain lion sighting in east Laredo on Monday, August 5, the Laredo Police Department confirmed the reports this afternoon.

Shortly before 3 p.m., police reviewed the footage and confirmed the sighting of two mountain lions. Officers are in the area near Highway 359/Loop 20, close to the Bill Johnson Student Activity Center (SAC) and surrounding neighborhoods.

Authorities are providing this information out of caution and are working to confirm the location of the animals. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, report any sightings to 911, and remain alert as mountain lions may hide in tall brush.

Those with domestic animals or livestock should be especially cautious.

This is the second sighting in a month. On July 11, a mountain lion was killed by city and state officials after a homeowner found it on his property.

Updates will be posted as more information becomes available.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Laredo police responded to an assault call at a bar on the 10200 block of Golondrina Drive at around midnight on August 5.

When officers got to the scene, they spoke with security staff who reported that two men had attacked them after being asked to leave the bar and refusing to do so.

According to police, the men became combative and assaulted the security officers. They were identified as Jonathan Quinones, 39, and Luis Fernando Almaguer, 30, and were arrested and each charged with two counts of Assault on a Security Officer.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A vehicle chase happened on Highway 83 over the weekend. Viewer video shows Border Patrol and Laredo Police heading west on the highway.

Witnesses say the chase started around noon on Saturday, August 3, when a state trooper was seen pursuing a vehicle.

KGNS has contacted the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and is waiting for details on what happened and if any arrests were made.