LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Just a day after his appointment, Laredo’s newly appointed Assistant City Manager, Jose A. Valdez Jr., is expressing his profound gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and future of the Gateway City.

On Tuesday, August 15, Valdez underscored his enthusiasm for utilizing his extensive knowledge and experience to transform the vision set forth by the City Council into reality, guided by the leadership of City Manager Joseph Neeb.

“It’s just to better the community in general. If it’s making sure all the rec centers are working properly, if it’s making sure projects like restorations are completed, that’s what we need to do. So under his leadership, we’ll be implementing whatever council’s vision is,” Valdez affirmed in his statement.

Prior to Valdez’s new appointment, he had been serving as the City Secretary since 2017, a role he will continue to uphold while taking on his additional responsibilities until the City Secretary position is filled.

Below is the full press released from the City of Laredo:

City Manager Joe Neeb has selected Jose A. Valdez, Jr. as the new Assistant City Manager. Valdez most recently served the City of Laredo as City Secretary since 2017 and will serve in a dual role until the City Secretary position is filled.

“I look forward to utilizing my knowledge and experience to implement the vision of the City Council with the leadership of Mr. Neeb,” said Jose Valdez, Jr., “I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the City of Laredo’s growth and future.”

Jose A. Valdez Jr. was born and raised in Laredo to the late Jose Sr. and Romana Valdez. He is a product of the public school system and is a proud graduate of Martin High School.

Community service was something that was instilled in Valdez at an early age by his parents. He followed in his father’s footsteps and served as a City Council Member for District 7 across three terms in the 2000s, serving twice as Mayor Pro Tempore. During his time as a Council Member, he actively participated in various city and district projects, also serving as Chairman for the South Texas Development Council. Valdez also brings experience in business development and government relations, having worked as a consultant and project manager with various entities across South Texas.

Jose holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.

More than anything, Jose strongly believes that family comes first and has been married to the love of his life, Elizabeth, for over 30 years, and together they have two children.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - After a long summer, the students of United ISD returned to the classrooms Tuesday morning.

With 30 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, four high schools and three magnet schools, the district is expecting over 40,000 students to return to their respective campus.

Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Morales said the district has been preparing for the return of students for the past few weeks and they are beyond excited.

The district is reminding parents that the district will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch throughout the school year.

Elementary school students will start at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 3 p.m., middle school will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sixth grade campuses will be from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and lastly, high school will be from 8:35 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with ninth grade campuses starting at 8:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The community is in mourning after four people were killed in a fiery crash over the weekend.

Families and friends of four teens set candles and flowers for a makeshift memorial just hours after a fatal car crash Sunday night.

The accident happened at around 1:30 a.m. where Cuatro Vientos and Highway 359 meet.

Horacio Lopez was driving northbound toward Loop 20 at the time when he saw the fiery scene.

“I was going on the up ramp of Loop 20 and 359 and I was right on top of 359. I saw a lot of cars stopping there and I saw the smoke and I stopped to see down, and the car is on fire,” said Lopez.

Lopez said he didn’t see anybody inside or hear people, but he heard popping sounds from the vehicle.

According to Lopez, at the time of the scene there were no additional cars since law enforcement was already in the area along with the Laredo Fire Department.

According to Laredo Police, the driver allegedly lost control of the car hitting a curb rail causing it to go over it and crash into the highway’s retaining wall.

Upon impact, the car caught on fire, and all four teens died. Police say it is not clear if the impact or flames caused their death.

According to authorities, it is believed speed was a factor in the single-vehicle crash, but the investigation will determine how fast the car was traveling.

Laredo Police confirm there were two men who were 18 years of age, another man who was 17 and a 15-year-old girl inside the car.

The vehicle that caught on fire was a Black Toyota.

Police say the vehicle involved in the crash was a black Toyota that belonged to the 15-year-old girl but it is not clear who was driving.

“They were driving northbound they were coming from a gathering in south Laredo and going to another gathering in north,” said Baeza.

“So basically, that is where they were going. Other people where there and several people where telling each other what happened so there was presence at the time by the exit.””

Autopsy reports are still pending.

Investigator Joe Baeza said that due to the extreme nature of the accident they will have to rely on family DNA to identify the victims.

Even though the identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed by police, the United Independent School District said two of them were students at LBJ High School. Counseling will be available for students and staff who might need emotional support.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - Over 40,000 students are heading back to the classrooms on Tuesday.

United I.S.D. is back in session for the 2023 school year.

The district is asking parents to get their kids ready early.

UISD is continuing to provide breakfast and lunch free of charge to all of its students.

The district has 54 campuses, so traffic on the first day of school can present something of a challenge.

Elementary school students will start at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 3 p.m., middle school will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sixth grade campuses will be from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and lastly, high school will be from 8:35 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with ninth grade campuses starting at 8:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - This past weekend was National Garage Sale weekend so a Laredo grandmother put on a garage sale while her granddaughter Maddie joined in with a lemonade popsicle stand.

Maddie’s mother took to social media saying that Maddie didn’t have much luck when it came to customers until officers from the Laredo Police Department arrived to purchase a popsicle.

Maddie’s grandmother said it made her day and Maddie ended up making more money from her sales than her grandmother.