Good morning, Laredo.

Soren, a 4-year-old terrier mix featured as Pet of the Week, was seen enjoying the sun at the city's kite festival and is available for adoption at Laredo Animal Care Services from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Laredo Animal Care Services is also preparing an Easter-themed event with a dog egg hunt scheduled for March 28.

America First Refining is building a new oil refinery at Port Brownsville that will process 1.2 billion barrels of shale oil and create 500 full-time jobs — the project was announced on March 11 as Rep. Cuellar praised its benefits for domestic energy security and local economic growth.

Laredo's 8-year-old Alexander Capistran finished second at the Texas Scholastic Super State Chess Championship in Austin on March 7.

He went undefeated through six matches after 15 hours of weekly training (his coach confirmed) and now aims to become a chess grandmaster by age 13.

Webb County commissioners approved both a $1K Community Empowerment Grant application for a food pantry + a two-year energy assistance deal with Frontier Utilities on Monday, Mar.

9 to aid low-income residents; the pantry may open as soon as June if the grant is secured.

A left lane on U.S. 83 southbound near downtown Laredo is closed for emergency road work and TxDOT advises drivers to slow down & merge early since the closure began on March 11 at 4:30 p.m. and will remain until March 13.

A Girl Scout project 5K run and walk (designed to raise MS awareness) will be held Saturday, March 21 at Independence Hills Park; community organizations will provide health fair resources with sign-in at 6:30 a.m. and the race starting at 8 a.m.

The Laredo Health Department’s Juntos for Better Health program now offers free mental health counseling, telepsychiatry and resource boxes, plus weekly community events (arts and crafts on Thursdays, music on Wednesdays) across the city.

An aromatherapy workshop is set for March 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the auditorium.

Omar Espizosa Concert

8:30 p.m. — Taqueria Coyutla — Ticket details available — Experience the innovative rhythms and melodious voice of Omar Espizosa in an unforgettable Latin music concert.

Family Storytime

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. — Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy an interactive storytime experience with your child through songs and stories.

Storytime at Fasken Branch Library

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Barbara Fasken Branch Library — Free entry — Enjoy a special storytelling time designed for caregivers and children aged 14 and under.

Toddler Art Program

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. — Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a delightful interactive time with your child through art and storytelling.

Baby Storytime

11:00 a.m. — Barbara Fasken Branch Library — Free entry — Engage in a delightful session of stories and interactive fun with your little ones.

Storytime for Parents and Children

10:30 a.m. — Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy interactive storytime experiences designed to engage parents and children together.

The Iron Giant Screening

8:30-10:30 p.m. — Sunset Drive-In Cinema — $25 per car — Experience the heartwarming tale of a boy and his giant robot friend under the Texas stars.

2001: A Space Odyssey Screening

9:00-11:30 p.m. — Sunset Drive-In Cinema — $25 per car — Experience the classic sci-fi film under the Texas stars with family and friends.