San Patricio and Aransas countiesCorpus Christi Caller Times(This story was updated to add new information.) May 3 was election day for several local races in the Coastal Bend Not all cities or school districts held elections this May But there were several races on the ballot for cities and school districts in Nueces Agua Dulce Independent School District board trustee Agua Dulce Independent School District Proposition A The issuance of bonds in the amount of $15,000,000 for school facilities and the levy of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds Bishop Consolidated Independent School DistrictBishop Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees Bishop Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees Flour Bluff Independent School District Proposition A The issuance of bonds in the amount of $110,835,550 for school safety and the levy of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔1,96458.04%Against1,42041.96%Flour Bluff Independent School District Proposition B The issuance of bonds in the amount of $67,254,960 for career and technical education (skilled trades) Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) and physical education indoor and outdoor spaces used for required curriculum and active learning Flour Bluff Independent School District Proposition C The issuance of bonds in the amount of $15,400,000 for Hornet Stadium renovations and safety improvements and the levy of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds Read more: Flour Bluff ISD seeks voter approval on bond propositions totaling $193 million for facilities and program needs San Patricio CountyCity of Aransas PassMayor Shall the City Charter be amended to restrict the City Manager from heading one (1) or more departments except on a temporary Shall the City Charter be amended to provide term limits for council members and the mayor not more than three consecutive terms Shall the City Charter be amended to clarify the selection process for a member to serve as Mayor Pro-Tempore not more than one term consecutively Shall the City Charter be amended to require the City to provide that resolutions and ordinances must be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of members present and voting ChoicesTotal votes% votesYes ✔74390.72%No769.28%Proposition E Shall the City Charter be amended to require all bond issues over eight million dollars to be approved by the voters Shall the City Charter be amended to change the zoning notice requirement to property owners located within 200 feet to 500 feet and 12.06 of the City Charter be amended to eliminate the entirety of Article XII which contains transitional provisions that have become inoperative upon the initial adoption of the Ingleside City Charter because they have become obsolete Section 3.06 B of the City Charter be amended so that the Mayor or members of the City Council forfeit their office if they fail to attend six (6) regular city council meetings in a consecutive twelve (12) month period ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔60493.21%Against446.79%Proposition C Shall Article III Sections 3.11 B and D of the City Charter be amended to allow the adoption of ordinances issuing bonds upon one reading at a City Council meeting and allowing the City Secretary to provide copies of ordinances upon request as opposed to having an unspecified number of copies of ordinances available at a City Council meeting Section 3.13 B of the City Charter be amended to specify that amendments to the City Charter must be codified within 180 days of adoption Sections 3.13 B and C of the City Charter be amended to specify that a physical copy of the Ingleside Code of Ordinances as well as any adopted ordinances and City Charter amendments will be available for purchase at a price determined by the publishing company rather than by the City Council and that a codified version of the Ingleside Code of Ordinance shall be kept on file in the Public Library for public inspection Section 3.13 D of the City Charter be amended to specify the Sunset Committee's formation ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔47982.30%Against10317.70%Proposition G Section 4.01 E 6 of the City Charter be amended to allow the City Manager 180 days from the end of the fiscal year to submit the annual audit report to the city council Section 7.05 of the City Charter be amended to remove the requirement for the Planning and Zoning Commission to assist and provide comments on the formation of the five-year capital program and authorize the City Manager to estimate an initial annual costs of the proposed capital improvements within theprogram rather than providing a general estimate of their annual operation and maintenance costs Section 7.09 of the City Charter be amended to eliminate the round robin method of awarding contracts that do not require bidding and provide the method of awarding of contracts is in accordance with state law and the City of Ingleside's procurement policy Sections 10.02 and 10.06 of the City Charter be amended to prohibit members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and members of the Board of Adjustment from being a city employee or hold another elected or appointed city office ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔53286.64%Against8213.36%Proposition K Section 11.12 of the City Charter be amended to include two alternate members in the composition of the Charter Review Commission and to clarify that the term of office for Commission members is 180 days from the date of appointment Section 3.09 of the City Charter be amended to allow two members of the City Council to call a special meeting of the City Council Section 4.01 E 11 of the City Charter be amended to require the City Manager to notify the City Council prior to hiring or firing Assistant Directors of city departments in addition to the current requirement of notifying the Council when hiring or firing Directors of city departments Ingleside Independent School DistrictSchool trustee Place IV The issuance of bonds in the amount of $44,900,000 for school facilities with priority given to additional elementary classrooms middle school and high school physical education facilities and district-wide safety and security upgrades ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔54869.81%Against23730.19%Proposition B The issuance of bonds in the amount of $5,000,000 for the purpose of refunding all or a portion of the principal and redemption premium on certain previously issued maintenance tax obligations of the district Read more: Ingleside ISD calls for nearly $50 million bond election Mathis ISD will decide whether to hold a runoff election or a recount in the race for Place 7 according to the San Patricio County Elections Administration Office The district had not made a decision as of May 5 The reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the city of Odem at the rate of one-half of one percent to continue providing revenue for the maintenance and repair of the municipal streets The tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the day of this election unless the imposition of the tax is reauthorized ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔22469.78%Against9730.22%Odem-Edroy Independent School DistrictSchool trustee Place 1 The issuance of $75,000,000 of bonds by the Gregory-Portland Independent School District for the design and the purchase of school buses and vehicles with priority given to safety and security renovations district-wide and additions and renovations to the career and technical education facilities and the levying of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements executed in connection with the bonds The issuance of $50,000,000 of bonds by the Gregory-Portland Independent School District for the design equipping and other related costs of school athletic facilities specifically for a multi-purpose practice facility and fieldhouse to be used for multiple boys/girls U.I.L The issuance of $20,000,000 of bonds by the Gregory-Portland Independent School District for the acquisition and infrastructure (including new classroom computers and devices) The issuance of $60,000,000 of bonds by the Gregory-Portland Independent School District for the design and equipment of school facilities and the necessary sites for school facilities with priority given to a visual and performing arts center to be used for school and U.I.L programs ChoicesTotal votes% votesFor ✔80463.81%Against45636.19%Sinton Independent School DistrictThree seats are open is the Neighborhood News reporter for San Patricio County alongside Victoria Balderama Projected winners have emerged in the elections for mayoral candidates school bonds and more as 100% of the votes have been counted in San Patricio County The results below are the projected winners based on the unofficial results in each respective race: CITY OF ARANSAS PASS (100% votes counted)Mayoral ARANSAS PASS ISD (100% votes counted)Board of Trustees — Place 1 CITY OF MATHIS (100% votes counted)Mayoral MATHIS ISD (100% votes counted)Board of Trustees - Place 1 ODEM-EDROY ISD (100% votes counted)Board of Trustees - Place 1 GREGORY-PORTLAND ISD (100% votes counted)Bonds SINTON ISD (100% votes counted)School Trustee TAFT ISD (100% votes counted)School Trustee Montemayor (18.59%) and Nicole Banda-Garza (30.63%) CITY OF INGLESIDE (100% votes counted)City Council - Place 1 INGLESIDE ISD (100% votes counted)Board of Trustees/Bonds - Place 4 and 5 is your neighborhood reporter San Patricio and Aransas County Texas — During Tuesday's meeting with the Aransas Pass Housing Authority the board announced they will not renew Executive Director Christina Beard's contract following numerous complaints from residents and former employees "Her contract was not renewed and this decision was made after careful consideration after feedback we received from you," Housing Authority President Many elderly and disabled residents attended the meeting to voice their concerns saying they had previously been afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation "At the end of the day I'm being threatened to be evicted and I'm not trying to lose my home," one resident said who has a family member receiving benefits through the Housing Authority said she encountered problems with Beard over a month ago "I have probably talked to 30 families to some degree who have dealt with this woman and feared retaliation," Vollmering said Vollmering described her interaction with Beard as hostile which prompted her to research housing regulations "It was so hostile and I just dove into HUD laws and the American Disability Acts to learn what protection my mother in law had and she violated several of those laws," Vollmering said told KRIS 6 she experienced two years of harassment "She had her finger in my face and started shaking and I stood back and said I think you need to calm down," the tenant said Residents expressed relief that Beard will not be returning to her position corrupt manager to turn this tight community upside down," a concerned citizen said Beard was not present at Tuesday's meeting Neighborhood News Reporter Victoria Balderrama reached out to her for a statement " I was asked to resign but I informed the board I was retiring I was also not provided who my accusers were so I cannot answer any accusations During the three years I was at the Housing Authority I remodeled 65 apartment units where only 32 tenants existed at the time I got there I also caught up 4 years of audits which were also behind I updated the HUD required Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy for Public Housing and the Administrative Plan for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program I also wrote the current Employee Handbook and the Financial Policy and updated the Board By-laws," Beard said The Aransas Pass Housing Authority plans to hold a meeting soon to appoint an interim executive director EDITOR'S NOTE: We made a correction to the Ingleside voting locations We erroneously listed Ingleside ISD Administration Building as a voting site for Saturday's Election We removed that location from the list and added the Ingleside Humber Center location will give San Patricio County voters a chance to cast their voice on some of the key issues in their communities Texas Law requires voters to present one of the seven forms of acceptable photo ID to vote: - Aransas Pass Civic CenterLocation: Nature Trail RoomAddress: 700 W Wheeler - G-P ISD Administration BuildingLocation: Board RoomAddress: 1200 Broadway - Gregory City HallLocation: Community CenterAddress: 308 Ayers St - Ingleside Humble CenterAddress: 2821 Main Street - Ingleside on the Bay City HallLocation: Board RoomAddress: 475 Starlight Dr - Mathis City Hall AnnexAddress: 401 E San Patricio Ave - Our Lady of Guadalupe MissionLocation: Parish HallAddress: 18013 CO RD 1598 - Planter's Grain Co-opLocation: Meeting RoomAddress: 200 N Voss Ave - Portland Community CenterLocation: Ballroom BAddress: 2000 Billy G Webb - San Patricio County Fairgrounds Civic CenterLocation: Ballroom AAddress: 219 W 5th St Christopher's By-the-SeaLocation: Parish HallAddress: 820 Wildcat Dr - Alvarado Senior Community CenterAddress: 110 Allende St The following are sample ballots for each election in San Patrico County Texas — Bypass pumping is a thing of the past for the City of Aransas Pass "Now we don't have to roll the hoses over the street we're pumping 20,000 gallons per minute,” Public Works Director David Flores said.  Now rainwater goes from the roads to the storm drains through the pump stations and out to the Bay Flores said it took more than seven years to get the two new pumps due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shipping delays that set it back "We had so many times where 4 to 5 inches would cause a major disruption at the intersections,” Jay Loretta Masterson said.  Neighborhood News Reporter Victoria Balderrama spoke with Masterson nearly a year ago when she told us about the bad flooding "I appreciate you giving me the chance to say the average guy driving on the street didn't have to drive around an intersection filled with water,” Masterson said I can't tell you this was put to the full test but we are confident that when the times comes it will be successful,” Masterson said.  The Public Works Department is on standby if they need to turn on the pump stations TX — Saltwater Mardi Gras took over downtown in Aransas Pass Saturday March 1 headlined by their famous gumbo cook off The fourth annual event included live music this year the public votes on who the number one gumbo is," Gumbo cook off competitor Frank Mcknight said This event brought the Aransas Pass community together for a day of fun and is expected to continue for years to come UPDATE: Monday - 4:48 p.m.According to Rockport Chief of Police Nathan Anderson he does believe that the Cory Elrod once listed on the city's website was the same Anderson told KRIS 6 that he has not been employed with the Rockport Police Department since November 2024 after Code Enforcement was taken over by the city Anderson also added that at no time during Elrod's employment did he oversee any youth programs like that of the Public Safety Explorers in Ingleside A code enforcement officer previously employed by the Aransas Pass Police Department as well as the Ingleside Police Department has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a child Cory Elrod was arrested outside the Aransas Pass Aquatic Center and allegedly involved an underage individual Elrod was employed with Aransas Pass PD from September 2017 to July 2022 According to a LinkedIn page belonging to Elrod he was also serving as the aquatics director for the City of Aransas Pass during that time as well he served as a code enforcement officer in Ingleside According to an article by the Ingleside Index Elrod was responsible for the creation of the Ingleside Public Safety Explorers Post 201 in November 2022 The group allowed youths to explore career opportunities as first responders KRIS 6 reached out to Rockport Police Chief Nathan Anderson with questions regarding a Cory Elrod employed as a code enforcement officer Our questions were to verify if this listed officer was the same Elrod was removed from the city's website hours later KRIS 6 has made a public information request for the arrest report; however Aransas Pass Interim Police Chief Aaron Jones says details may be limited as the investigation is ongoing For the latest local news updates, click here, or download the KRIS 6 News App. Catch all the KRIS 6 News stories and more on our YouTube page ROCKPORT, Tx — On Wednesday, a brush fire tore through parts of Rockport those residents returning to assess the damage the fire brought painful echoes of Hurricane Harvey Treviño praised the coordinated response from firefighters and deputies but lamented "I just wish they would have saved my house." The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Fulton Convention Center (402 N Fulton Beach Rd.) for residents in the affected areas such as the Enchanted Oaks RV Park and Kluge Trails described a "halo" of fire surrounding his home as he rushed to evacuate his family including his daughter-in-law and her newborn planned to use his well water to douse remaining embers "I'm staying with my place until they pull me off there," he said a public information officer for the Rockport Volunteer Fire Department confirmed the fire remains at 75% containment as of Thursday afternoon 157 acres have burned from the Salt Flat Fire while the Aransas Woods Fire has burned 38 acres  Cox cited challenges in accessing structures deep in wooded areas "We’re having difficulty making sure they’re completely out," she said Cox urged residents to clear dry debris around properties to mitigate future risks Local business owner Mike Harrison of Good Vibes Food Park delivered a pallet of water to first responders drawing on his past as a volunteer firefighter "Keeping them hydrated is imperative," Harrison told KRIS 6 Gatorade and/or snacks for first responders they can be delivered to 212 Gagon St Financial donations can be made to the Rockport Volunteer Fire Department and can be sent to PO Box #1325 graduated from TAMUCC in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Myra and the KRIS 6 Digital Team recently won an Edward Murrow Award in May 2024 Hwy 361 E is now open following a grass fire on New Year's Day morning Officials ask that you please be mindful while driving through the area because first responders are still working at the scene Emergency crews are working to put out an active fire on Highway 361 according to the Aransas Pass Police Department are operating at a large grass fire in the city of Port Aransas Police say the Dale Miller Bridge heading into Port Aransas has temporarily been shut down as of 8:00 a.m We will keep you updated when the road is operational," the Aransas Pass police department stated on its social media page No injuries have been reported at this time and no other details regarding the blaze have been released San Patricio's Fire Marshal Scot Marion said the fire was a prescribed burn It was approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) According to Oscar Rivera with the San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office the county can't control agricultural burn permits once they are approved The burn scorched 50 acres of land outside its designated area What started as a prescribed fire near the McCampbell Airport The dry conditions allowed the fire to get out of control The fire has burned nearly 200 acres in the remote eastern part of San Patricio County Fire crews from 4 departments in the area fought to get it under control Tx — Voters in Aransas Pass and across San Patricio County turned out as early voting got underway in the Coastal Bend "I've been living here [in Aransas Pass] all my life basically and I normally always come in early to vote," Quincy Cooper told KRIS 6 News I was actually shocked when I walked in to see how long the line was." The polls at the Aransas Pass Civic Center opened at 10 a.m. The issues bringing voters out early varied I'm just gonna leave it at that—freedom for everyone "immigration and the economy" motivated them to vote early ahead of Nov "We wanted to make sure we got our vote in We didn't want there to be any questions coming up on Election Day Steve Brewster also felt immigration and the economy were the biggest issues on the ballot When asked why it's important to vote this November and can be done at the following locations: Aransas Pass– Alfredo” Freddy” Ortiz passed away on February 9 Texas to Justina (Carrizales) and Bruno Ortiz On behalf of Mary and all her extended family we would like to thank you for joining us in celebrating Freddy’s life I will start by sharing a secret with you all my confidant and most of all he was the love of my life Although he might not have been big on conversation (and I’m sure you all know that what I mean by that) in everything he ever said or did he meant it from the heart and the only time Freddy and I were ever apart was when we were at work Although he will no longer be physically here by my side Freddy will always and forever be in my heart Preceding Freddy in death are his parents: Bruno and Justina Ortiz; sisters: Magdalena Ortiz and Dela Lopez; brothers: Concepcion Ortiz and Domingo “Mingo” Ortiz; brothers-in-law: George Castro and Joe Vega; in-laws: Lillie Molina and Israel Pena and fur baby: Gizzy Survivors include his loving wife: Mary Ortiz from Aransas Pass Texas; sons: Joseph Ortiz and Freddie Ortiz Texas; God-children: Raeleigh Irene Gonzales and Javier Ortega both from Laredo Juan Tristan IV and Alexandra Zuniga both from Aransas Pass Texas; brothers: Joe Max Ortiz from Rockport Texas and Severo Ortiz from Aransas Pass; sisters: Fela Haney (James) Mary Torres (Ruben) and Rosa Santos (Ladislado “Boy”) Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Molina 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the Resthaven Funeral Home in Aransas Pass Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held the same evening The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday Mary Star of the Sea Church in Aransas Pass with Father Emilio Jimenez as celebrant Interment will follow in San Antonio Cemetery Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home Tx — We are expecting some cooler temperatures this week-- but there's an event this weekend that could spice things up in Aransas Pass The second annual Salsa Fest is making its triumphant return on Nov This is the second year in a row that downtown Aransas Pass will turn into a massive block party centered around salsa and live local bands from 90s grunge to classic rock and even blues An annual Salsa competition for prize money and a trophy and all the chips and salsa you can handle This free event will be going on all day Saturday and Sunday So grab your dancing shoes and prepare for a spicy time in downtown Aransas Pass to 2 p.m.Otis Terrell & FBI Blues Band - 3:30 p.m in Aransas Pass is about four blocks from Kieberger Elementary School — a six-minute walk along Goodnight Avenue It was along that unassuming stretch of pavement that 13-year-old Blanca Elisa Roberson was last seen walking to meet a friend on the afternoon of Aug the case of the missing woman is still open Aransas Pass police detectives have followed reported theories and tips exasperated by the lack of resolution of the case hiring a private investigator to help them obtain public records on the case the case took a turn in 2016 when investigators with the Aransas Pass Police Department Criminal Investigation Division brought in a team from a search and recovery nonprofit organization to assist detectives with forensic search efforts that led them to update the case file on the missing woman the Robersons are imploring the police to come forward with that evidence saying it could help uncover what happened to Elisa on that Sunday years ago Linda Thompson joined the Aransas Pass Police Department in 1979 About 6,500 people lived in Aransas Pass around that year and Thompson knew the Robersons fairly well Marina was working at a restaurant when she met Eugene Roberson who was sent to the country to pick up a shrimp boat that was being repaired The couple got married and moved to Aransas Pass together She and Eugene got divorced when the children were young and Marina began a relationship with a man named Ralph Gonzales Ruby Roberson Hall has fond memories of spending time with her siblings on the tree-lined streets of their neighborhood which was in a quiet area tucked away from the highway riding their bikes and visiting the harbor “I loved hanging out with Elisa,” she said and I was the bratty little tag-along sister." A next-door neighbor and friend of the family who built the house on Goodnight Avenue where he has lived since 1953 recalled during a sit-down interview with the Caller-Times that while the neighborhood was home to older residents many more children played outside in the 1980s He said he remembers Elisa walking to visit her friend on a regular basis before she went missing Thompson said she knew something was wrong when the family came into the station the morning of Aug Elisa left the house between 5:30 and 6 p.m Their plan was to meet at Kieberger Elementary School leading her mother and sister to search for her until dark asking friends and neighbors if they’d seen her According to a written statement that Roberson Hall provided to the Caller-Times a police officer came to the Robersons' house to take a report telling them Elisa had probably gone to stay at a friend’s house “There didn’t seem to be much urgency at that point,” she said We knew if we were supposed to be home at a certain time.” A departmental policy required officers to contact Thompson immediately in cases where children were involved in offenses because the officer who took the initial report did not contact the lieutenant the night of Elisa’s disappearance she didn’t find out until the next morning that the girl was missing we would be writing a completely different story,” Thompson said and the quiet surroundings where the Roberson girls had ridden bicycles turned into a hectic scene with explorers knocking on doors and search dogs tracking the neighborhood blocks More dogs arrived with a search and rescue crew from Dallas/Fort Worth As police roved in and out of the house on Whitney Street searching for clues the Robersons passed out flyers at the local newspaper and searched alleys and Dumpsters who was on a shrimp boat in the Gulf of Mexico radioed in to get back to the port to do his own search “I don’t remember the day she went missing each of the dogs alerted authorities at Goodnight Avenue and Eighth Street about one block west of Kieberger Elementary School It was enough of a clue for the dog handler to tell the Robersons that he thought Elisa had gotten into a vehicle at that location while police followed up on many leads and questioned suspects no suspect was ever identified in the case Aransas Pass police received a tip that Elisa was dead and that her remains were buried somewhere on the premises of 431 S The Police Department did not immediately respond to the Caller-Times when asked to comment on the tip An extensive search of the premises followed, she said. Police brought in EquuSearch, a nonprofit organization headquartered near Houston that had evolved from a horse-mounted recovery team to a group that conducts ground searches employing cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar to assist law enforcement with missing persons cases While the Robersons had moved out of the house in 1993 the current homeowners signed a written consent form allowing the police access to search their home and property which Roberson Hall obtained through a public records request to the Aransas Pass Police Department A professor at Texas A&M University confirmed that soil samples were taken from the Roberson residence and delivered to the university lab in 2016 based on the fact that the cadaver dogs alerted authorities there but Aransas Pass police have not shared information about the tests that were conducted Roberson Hall said that while the police haven’t disclosed what was found at the Robersons’ old house the blame still shifted toward their family rumors began circulating on social media that the Robersons were involved in Elisa’s disappearance and no updates on the investigation have been provided by police could not be reached for comment regarding whether any charges have been filed in the DA’s office Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard joined the department in 2012 While he declined to comment on the specifics of the case he said one detective in the CID is currently the primary captain working on the investigation and that the case has seen movement over the years Different investigators had been assigned before he joined the department including through the district attorney’s office and the Texas Rangers The chief emphasized the importance of finding closure or justice for Elisa and her family “Anytime you have a child or elderly person who goes missing or there’s foul play or something like that Elisa’s story resonates with each year that she’s been gone the family held a remembrance walk at Kieberger Elementary School on the Aug including an Aransas Pass City Council member and people who knew Elisa Both Thompson and the family’s private investigator The group retraced the route that Elisa took the day she disappeared the Aransas Pass City Council also designated Aug awaiting approval from Aransas Pass police to pursue leads The Robersons are holding the police accountable for their investigation After many denied requests from Roberson Hall to release 30-year-old records from the Police Department the family hired an attorney in Corpus Christi In a written statement provided by the law firm Carrigan and Anderson LLC and presented at a news conference held on Aug Carrigan stated that he was in the process of obtaining a hearing to get a court order from an Aransas County district judge “We are optimistic that the release of these records coupled with the cold case experts that have been retained will lead to the resolution of this disappearance,” the statement said “If the Aransas Pass police have something they need to come forward now,” Thompson said There is sonar and technology available today that we didn’t have 35 years ago.” More: Memorial walk on Aug. 6 honors Elisa Roberson, missing since 1989 More: 35 years later, family of Blanca Elisa Roberson hold memorial walk Aug. 6 More: This is what happens to the loved ones of victims of Corpus Christi's cold cases A state law enforcement agency will now lead the investigation of missing person Blanca Elisa Roberson Police officers and detectives with the Aransas Pass Police Department Criminal Investigation Department have been in charge of determining what led to the then-13-year-old girl’s disappearance but according to Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard the Texas Attorney General's Office and a Texas Ranger will now handle the case In a letter that he sent to the attorney general’s Criminal Investigation Division and Cold Case Missing Persons Unit on Monday Blanchard thanked the division for collaborating with police Capt Frank Kent and agreeing to lead the case investigation Kent now serves as police captain of the department after Capt the detective who worked the Roberson case for years “While I have confidence in the current lead investigators from the APPD and the Texas Rangers who have previously delved into the case for the sake of objectivity and transparency it is prudent to pursue an independent investigation,” the letter said “Our goal is not only to seek justice for Ms Roberson and provide closure for her family but also to ensure that every possible avenue is thoroughly explored." Blanchard said that the attorney general's office has assigned the case to an investigator who will now take the lead The attorney general's office launched the statewide Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit in 2021 to assist law enforcement agencies across Texas with cold case investigations The unit provides assistance and support to law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution missing persons and other matters centered on human identification and forensic genealogy The Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety conducts criminal and special investigations and also directs an Unsolved Crime Investigation Program for cold case investigations Aransas Pass Police Department investigators will continue to help with the search for Roberson if the attorney general's office requests their involvement or participation He stressed that bringing in the attorney general's office and the Texas Rangers high-intensity and in-depth investigations such as Roberson’s will help ensure that a thorough and objective investigation continues and that leads “We’ve followed the evidence and information the best that we can but that does not satisfy the family of Ms nor has it gotten them any closer to resolving the case,” the chief told the Caller-Times “We’ll let the facts and evidence speak for themselves,” he said “When they start developing their investigative hypothesis they’ll be able to explore it more in depth than we have the capability of doing here “We’re going to let them review it as documented or redraw it and restart the investigation entirely.” Blanchard said that if the investigation by the external agencies leads to a resolution the Aransas Pass Police Department may release a statement to provide closure to the family if no closure can be reached and the case is returned to the local department he would revisit the possibility of releasing the entire case file to the public Roberson's family wants answersRoberson was last seen walking to meet a friend the afternoon that she disappeared to meet Debbie Green at Kieberger Elementary School said that the case has seen movement over the years with different investigators assigned before he joined the department investigators brought in a team from a search and recovery nonprofit organization to assist detectives with forensic search efforts at the Roberson family's old house Police said the search turned up new evidence that led them to update the case file on the missing girl But they did not disclose what evidence was found at the house and rumors circulated online that the family was involved in Elisa's disappearance — which the family has denied No suspect has been identified in the case said the state agency leading the case is a positive development "We have been fighting hard for the last year to get an outside law enforcement agency to re-examine Elisa's case," she said through written comment we intend to continue to put pressure on the Aransas Pass Police Department to issue a clarifying statement regarding the 2016 search of the Whitney Street house that resulted in years of unanswered questions — questions that we as a family The Robersons have investigated the case on their own hiring a retired government investigator to help them obtain public records and an attorney in Corpus Christi to obtain a court order to compel the police department to release the records A spokesperson with the attorney general's office could not be reached for comment regarding the investigation More: Family takes action to revive 35-year-old cold case of Elisa Roberson in Aransas Pass TX — Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard has announced he will be leaving APPD and returning to Sinton as Chief “It’s time for a new challenge and new obstacles I want to compliment DeLeon's many years of efforts and I'm excited to be a part of the growth in that community," Blanchard said Aaron Jones will step in as interim Chief of Police Warning: This story contains details of sexual assault that may be distressing to some readers has been sentenced to two life sentences for aggravated sexual assault as well as a 10-year sentence for obstruction/retaliation on Tuesday These sentences are to be served consecutively with a previous 20-year sentencefrom a separate sexual assault case in San Patricio County According to a press release from the Aransas County Attorney’s Office Martinez was found guilty for an assault that occurred in October 2013 in Aransas Pass reported that Martinez struck her over the head not to report the crime to law enforcement she managed to escape to a nearby Stripes convenience store She provided a description of Martinez’s grim reaper tattoo which later aided authorities in identifying him was matched to DNA from other sexual assault cases in San Patricio County and Houston The press release states that Houston has yet to attempt matching Martinez’s DNA to their sexual assault kits Martinez was arrested by the Aransas Pass Police Department in 2021 Delays requested by Martinez’s attorney pushed the case to 2024 During the punishment phase for S.H.’s case testimony from a San Patricio County victim who had been in a common-law marriage with Martinez for a year recounted at least two instances where Martinez had sexually assaulted her Martinez received the maximum 20-year sentence for that case Aransas County District Judge Patrick Flanigan sentenced Martinez to the maximum penalties in each count for the S.H case and ordered that the sentences run consecutively to his San Patricio sentencing If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for confidential support The Texas Department of Public Safety says an Amber Alert has been discontinued for 8-year-old Patrick Killian no other information has been released on Killian's return This is a developing story; check back with KRIS 6 for more updates An Amber Alert has been issued for an 8-year-old boy abducted from Aransas Pass Friday According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Patrick Killian was abducted by 41-year-old Jeffery Harris Officials from DPS say Killian was last seen at the 2600 Block of Armstrong Road in Aransas Pass Jeffery Harris is believed to be in a silver 2016 Hyundai Elantra with TX license plate VDK447K If you see Harris, Killian, or their vehicle, call 911. If you have information on Harris, contact the Aransas County Sheriff's Department at 361-729-2222 TX — Salsa Fest is expected to draw hundreds of people to downtown Aransas Pass which raises an issue with several local businesses "They blocked us out and roped every business in downtown from the event,” Rialto Theater owner That's what Martin said happened during last year’s Salsa Fest "People could not see our business from the street,” Martin said.  told KRIS 6 News that because the street was blocked off The City of Aransas Pass told Martin that it's set up that way because of the rules and regulations from selling hard alcohol "It's a problem because as business owners we pay taxes The event itself is a wonderful event and we're here to support the event but we need the businesses to be supported as well,” Martin said.  it shows that people can walk up and down Commercial Street with alcohol but anything past the red line is not allowed "We have permission to use the state highway for the event The sidewalk has been left open and we have to provide a general area where we're allowed to serve alcohol and we can't have people walking in and out of the event with alcohol,” Nesloney said “There's only one person allowed to sell alcohol during an event and that's the law.” Snyder said they do support local businesses and want to bring more people downtown "We get a lot of support from the community to put this on these sidewalks are open and there's access throughout the event to everyone,” Snyder said.  The second annual Salsa Fest will be going on all day Saturday and Sunday How to watch Texas high school playoff boys basketball: Robert G Cole vs Robert G Cole High School will host Aransas Pass High School How to watch Aransas Pass vs. Robert G Cole playoff high school boys basketballAransas Pass and Robert G Cole will take the court on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. CT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Watch Robert G Cole vs. Aransas Pass on NFHS! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at www.NFHSnetwork.com and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU TX — Former District Court Judge and Nueces County DA Carlos Valdez was sworn in as interim city attorney for Aransas Pass Monday night during the city council meeting listening to almost 10 minutes of city council comments I don't know what item this is on the agenda it appeared that was enough for Carlos Valdez He submitted his resignation effective immediately Council member Randy Haskins spoke to KRIS 6 about what led to Valdez's very public resignation Valdez was not briefed on the problems that we have and I don't think he was prepared to try and fix it because he didn't know what was going on,” Haskins said This is three in a row for the City of Aransas Pass As we previously reported City Manager Gary Edwards resigned earlier this month Followed by City Attorney Thomas Gwosdz's resignation."I explained to them why our city attorney was run off and how he did nothing but try to help us,” Haskins said We reached out to Carlos Valdez and the Mayor of Aransas Pass for a comment but have not heard back The next city council meeting is scheduled for November 4th TX — People all over the Coastal Bend might be noticing more and more shipping containers homes like the one-off Loop 35 near Shaver Road The area is prone to flooding but the home’s owner tells KRIS 6 "The windows on the front porch are a new addition since I was last here It's sort of coming together how I imagined,” homeowner Fewell has been working towards building a container home Literally starting from the ground up and now nearly complete "I think that's part of why this shipping container To have more stability and something more durable than a typical stick home,” Fewell said.  Fewell took into consideration storms and hurricanes It was more than seven years ago that Hurricane Harvey left a path of destruction which cities like Aransas Pass and Rockport are still recovering from “If and when a storm does come through it should stand,” Fewell said.  Cory Moore tells KRIS 6 it took him two months to draw up the plans for this container home "We have the amazing view that you see behind me is the Gulf,” Moore said.  "Everything is welded together and with the concrete- everything is welded to that Moore expects to finish this shipping container home in a couple of months There's plans to build more in other neighborhoods across the Coastal Bend.