WEBB COUNTY, TX. (KGNS) - A new contender is tossing his hat into the ring for Webb County Sheriff.

Anselmo “Chemo” Ortiz announced his candidacy on Wednesday night.

He’ll be taking on the current Sheriff Martin Cuellar.

Ortiz said that he has 33 years of law enforcement experience with the Laredo Police Department.

“Coming up through the ranks, started off as a patrol officer, and ended my career as a captain. And all this time, on all the promotions, it was through testing. All promotions are through testing. Very difficult testing,” said Ortiz. “I bring my experience, and working with other law enforcement agencies, my experience, the connections that we have, the cooperation with federal agencies is very, very strong.”

Ortiz said the people can feel safer and trust the sheriff’s department once he is elected.

Also running for the office are Wayo Ruiz and Juan JJ Rendon.

AUSTIN, TX. (KGNS) - Several agencies are investigating potentially hazardous materials that were found at a state office building in downtown Austin.

The Department of Public Safety said there was an “Envelope with substance” being investigated.

DPS said on Thursday afternoon that “All tests came back negative.”

It’s not clear what tests DPS ran.

According to officials, three patients were decontaminated.

Medics evaluated them for potential symptoms, with officials saying that all three were asymptomatic but would be transported to a local medical center for additional evaluation “Out of an abundance of caution.”

The affected building houses the Texas Office of the Attorney General.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A man is wanted for allegedly scamming people out of thousands of dollars.

Laredo Police need your help locating 35-year-old Esteban Ortiz who is wanted for five theft of property warrants that occurred from 2022 to 2023.

Authorities say Ortiz allegedly sold heavy machinery and forklifts and would receive checks from customers; however, he never delivered the items.

On two occasions, Ortiz received two despots for $3,118 and another for $11,000.

The victims say that when they tried to contact Ortiz, he would not answer.

If you have any information on Ortiz’s location, you can call Laredo Police at 956-795-2800 or Crime Stoppers at 956-727-TIPS.

All calls will remain anonymous.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Mayor of Laredo, Dr. Victor Trevino, and his team recently visited Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, to collaborate with Governor Samuel Garcia on initiatives to enhance economic growth for both cities.

During the visit, discussions focused on a new express road facilitating faster cargo deliveries for 18-wheelers, connecting Colombia Bridge directly to Monterrey, bypassing towns for more efficient transportation.

Mayor Trevino shared that Governor Garcia envisions a comprehensive train system carrying goods and passengers, running from Monterrey through Laredo, extending to San Antonio and Austin. Such a network would significantly ease movement within the region for people and products.

“These ties are very important because of the commerce and what is to come for our border cities,” stated Mayor Trevino. “We have to understand that we have to unite ourselves in relation to commerce, and all these meetings that are already in progress accentuate and make this possible.”

Mayor Trevino is expected to return to Laredo this Saturday, November 11.

WEBB COUNTY, TX. (KGNS) - A man accused of a human smuggling attempt that eventually resulted in a crash at a water treatment facility is identified and charged.

The incident was reported on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. when Webb County Sheriff Deputies attempted to pull over a Blue Chevrolet Trailblazer for a traffic violation near the 900 block of Espejo Molina.

The driver, identified as Miguel Cruz, refused to stop and the Chevrolet Trailblazer was later located damaged after it had collided with the gate of the Rio Bravo Treatment Plant.

Authorities say several undocumented immigrants got out of the vehicle and were apprehended by Webb County Deputies as well as Border Patrol agents.

Meanwhile, Cruz fled from the scene but was later identified through forensic evidence.

C.I.D Investigators obtained thirteen arrest warrants for Cruz with a total bond of $520,000.00.

Cruz was served at The Frio County Jail, where he was in custody for an unrelated charge.

Cruz was charged with human smuggling, Evading Arrest-Detention with Motor Vehicle, Duty on Striking Fixture and Reckless Driving

LAREDO, Tx (KGNS) - A nine-month-old baby is safe and sound thanks to the quick actions of law enforcement and a Laredo educator.

The incident started with a domestic dispute that was reported early Wednesday morning near Pawnee Court.

Laredo Police say a man identified as Juan Homero Lopez, 28 allegedly assaulted his spouse during that dispute.

After the confrontation between the couple, Lopez allegedly dropped off the kids at a family member’s home on Bustamante.

While Lopez was dropping off the kids, he left nine-month old Delilah Lopez in the blue Volkswagen Tiguan while it was running.

At that point, an unidentified woman then got into the vehicle and drove off with Delilah inside the vehicle.

Laredo Police immediately sent out an Amber Alert with the photo of Delilah as well as a picture of the Volkswagen Tiguan.

This information eventually made its way to Mary Cavazos, who was on her way to work at Santa Maria Elementary School at the time.

“Even though I was in a hurry I kind of like glanced over and noticed that vehicle and the Amber Alert really helped and the picture that my friend Ruben posted made that connection for me,” said Cavazos. “It’s super important that people pay attention to the Amber Alert that they read them fully and they observe what’s going around you or what you see around you. I’m glad that baby is ok.”

Lopez was charged with assault; meanwhile, Rebeca Marin, 32, was charged with endangerment of a child and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Police say Marin just so happened to be walking by and noticed the car running.

Officers believe she was unaware that a child was in the vehicle at the time.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A 15-year-old girl loses an arm in a severe accident in west Laredo Tuesday night.

The incident happened at 8 p.m. at the 3500 block of Santa Isabel.

According to reports, the 15-year-old and another teen were attempting to cross the railroad tracks while the train was stationary at the time.

The teens tried climbing a train car; one of them made it safely but then the train started to move and the girl fell underneath, severing her arm.

She was flown to San Antonio in critical condition.

We’ll have more information when it becomes available.