LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The City of Laredo has released a statement responding to the social media post from Senator, Judith Zaffirini, regarding the TCEQ recommendation to lift the boil water notice at the El Pico plant in North Laredo.

The statement reads as such:

The City of Laredo would like to remind the public that the Boil Water Notice is still in effect. The City recommended to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) the separation of the El Pico and Jefferson Water Treatment Plants as a strategy to better manage the areas affected by the ongoing notice. We are pleased that TCEQ has agreed to this approach.

However, our top priority remains finding a solution that benefits everyone, which is to lift the boil water notice for the entire city. We are currently awaiting critical water quality test results, expected later tonight. If these results indicate that it is not yet safe to lift the notice citywide, we are prepared to move forward with separating the two plants and lifting the notice in the non-affected areas.

We appreciate the community’s patience and will provide updates as soon as more information is available.

-City of Laredo

As of now, the boil water notice will remain in effect until further notice.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man is arrested after crashing into a utility pole after suddenly speeding off from a stoplight while unresponsive, the Laredo Police Department reports.

Officers were first called to the 7000 block of Santa Maria Ave. just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, for a man-down call. When they arrived, a Border Patrol agent at the scene told officers that he went up to an unresponsive inside a black Mercedes SUV at a stoplight. According to the agent, when he tried to make contact with the man by knocking on the window, the driver sped off and crashed into a utility pole near the 7100 block of San Bernardo Ave.

Jose Arispe, 32, was identified as the driver and was later arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being arrested.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Border Patrol agents in the Laredo sector intercepted a human smuggling attempt resulting in the apprehension of 16 migrants.

On Tuesday, October 15, at 9:50 p.m. Border Patrol responded to suspicious activity by a citizen call while working their assigned duties.

In the N. Lamar Blvd. and Interamerica area, agents noticed a parked tractor-trailer belonging to a local business.

While checking the trailer, the agents discovered 16 undocumented non-citizens inside with no means of escape. The agents let the migrants out and they were taken to the Laredo North Station for processing.

According to record checks, it was revealed that the migrants were in the country illegally from Mexico. Following this, all the subjects were processed according to their immigration statuses.

CBP later released a message for anyone who is thinking of entering the United States unlawfully along the southern border.

The message reads:

Don’t do it. When migrants cross the border unlawfully, they put their lives in peril.

-CBP

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Several City of Laredo and Webb County firefighters were seen distributing water packages to residents along Mines Road on Wednesday morning.

After being made aware of the water distribution efforts, a city spokesperson stated that the door-to-door deliveries are being conducted due to positive results for bacteria in the area—not for E. coli results.

KGNS reached out to District 7 Council Member Vanessa Perez about the situation on Mines Road, to which she responded and clarified that “Mines Road is not positive for E. coli.”

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Texas Department of Public Safety is looking for Andres Garza, who has warrants for smuggling people.

Authorities have not been able to find him and are asking for the public’s help.

Garza’s last known address was in Laredo. The DPS hopes that releasing his name and photo will help them get tips from the community.

If you have any information about Garza, please call the local DPS office at 956-728-2200. All calls and information will be kept private.