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BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS
‘Boston Strong’ unite Bombings marked by moment of silence By DENISE LAVOIE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOSTON — Survivors, first responders and family members of those killed came together Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing with solemn ceremonies. “This day will always be hard, but this place will always be strong,” former Mayor Thomas Menino told an invitation-only audience of about 2,500 people gathered at the Hynes Convention Center, not far from the marathon finish line where three people died and more than 260 others were wounded a year ago. In Washington, President Barack Obama planned to observe the anniversary with a private moment of silence at the White House. “Today, we recognize the incredible courage and leadership of so many Bostonians in the
wake of unspeakable tragedy,” Obama said in a statement. “And we offer our deepest gratitude to the courageous firefighters, police officers, medical professionals, runners and spectators who, in an instant, displayed the spirit Boston was built on — perseverance, freedom and love.” Obama said this year’s race, scheduled for Monday, will “show the world the meaning of Boston Strong as a city chooses to run again.” Vice President Joe Biden was in Boston for the ceremony, and he said the courage shown by survivors and those who lost
Photo by Charles Krupa | AP
Survivors, officials, first responders and guests pause as the flag is raised at the finish line during a tribute in honor of the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings Tuesday in Boston.
See BOSTON PAGE 10A
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
Directive for 8th graders draws concern
Food bank hosts conference ‘Helping hands’ join for mission of feeding hungry residents By SALO OTERO SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
By AAMENA AHMED TEXAS TRIBUNE
As the state integrates a directive that requires eighth-graders in Texas public schools to have graphing calculators for STAAR testing, some poorer Texas school districts say that such mandates ignore the financial crunch that many districts are already facing. In February, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams wrote to Texas superintendents to instruct them that they must ensure that eighth-grade students have graphing calculators for STAAR assessments, starting in the 2014-15 school year. The directive comes after the State Board of Education increased the algebra content on the exam, said Debbie Ratcliffe, a TEA spokeswoman.
While districts have provided calculators for algebra classes, most eighthgrade math classes had previously not been supplied with the calculators, which cost more than $100 each. The state will not provide extra funding for the new calculator mandate, Ratcliffe said, adding that districts receive a specific allotment for spending on instructional materials. To provide more flexibility for school districts, the requirements were amended to include the option of substituting calculators with math applications on tablet devices. But many property-poor districts and their advocates say that despite the options provided, resources are limited and they have other issues to consider. “Most of the students in
See CALCULATOR PAGE 10A
The South Texas Food Bank’s mission of feeding the hungry requires a lot of “helping hands.” Those hands came together Tuesday at the annual member agency conference in the IBC Annex Building in Laredo. Forty of the agencies are in Laredo-Webb County, but representatives from Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Dimmit, Maverick, Val Verde and Kinney counties also attended the conference. One of the attending agencies was the aptly named Helping Hands, a food pantry located at Zapata’s Del Mar Street. Elia Solis, agency director for the South Texas Food Bank, organized the event, which is mandatory in cooperation with USDA and Feeding America. The South Texas Food Bank, located at 1907 Freight St. in west Laredo, relies on the more-than 80 agencies to distribute supplemental food to the unemployed, under-employed and those living on fixed incomes in an impoverished eight-county area, from
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
South Texas Food Bank agency representatives, from left, Norma Mendoza of Zapata’s Helping Hands; Bertha Ramirez of St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church; and Cynthia Guerra of the Jim Hogg County pantry attend the agency conference Tuesday in Laredo. Starr County’s Rio Grande City to Del Rio in Val Verde County. The food bank receives product from the USDA through membership in Feeding Texas — formerly the Texas Food Bank Network — and nationwide organization Feeding America.
The South Texas Food Bank serves 30,000 families, 7,000 elderly, 6,000 children and 500 veterans and their widows per month. Staffers say more agencies are always needed. For information, call the food bank at 956-726-3120.
CORRUPTION
Ex-sheriff pleads guilty ASSOCIATED PRESS
McALLEN — A former South Texas sheriff whose office has attracted the attention of federal investigators pleaded guilty Monday to money laundering. Lupe Treviño, who resigned about two weeks ago as Hidalgo County sheriff, appeared Monday in federal court and faces a 20year sentence. He was released on a $30,000 unsecured bond Monday. Treviño, 64, admitted laundering campaign contributions that were tied to a convicted drug trafficker, the Monitor newspaper
in McAllen reported. Court testimony suggests the amount Treviño laundered could be between $70,000 and $120,000. It is the latest in a series of arrests and convictions of law enforcement officers in Hidalgo County. In December 2013, Treviño’s second in command, Cmdr. Jose Padilla, was arrested on money laundering and drug conspiracy charges. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. A year earlier, one of Treviño’s sons who was a police officer in Mission and two of Treviño’s deputies were arrested in a federal drug sting.
Those three were part of a Hidalgo County and Mission Police Department joint drug task force, and months after the December 2012 arrests, they pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to steal drug loads and resell them to another trafficker. Nine other lawmen, including Jonathan Treviño, the sheriff ’s son, have been convicted on drug charges in connection to that task force, known as the Panama Unit. All throughout the process, Lupe Treviño maintained he had
See SHERIFF PAGE 10A
Photo by Gabe Hernandez/The Monitor | AP
Former Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño walks past members of the media with his attorney Roberto Yzaguirre after leaving the McAllen Federal Court building Monday in McAllen.
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
Thursday, April 17
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Meeting of Los Amigos Duplicate Bridge Club. 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Laredo Country Club. Call Beverly Cantu at 727-0589.
Saturday, April 19 Easter Egg Hunt. Noon to 2 p.m. Chick-fil-A North Laredo. Music, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting and games. Contact Carolina Olivares at 319-4955 or carolina.cfanorthlaredo@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 22 “The Calling” series of Bible talks. 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Laredo Church of Christ Chapel, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 340. Contact Miguel Zuniga at 286-9631 or mglzuniga@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, April 23 Volunteer Services Council for the Border Region Behavioral Health Center presents 22nd annual Administrative Professional Day Luncheon and Fashion Show. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Laredo Country Club. For tickets call Laura Kim at 794-3130.
Photo by Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel | AP
The moon glows a red hue during a total lunar eclipse Tuesday, as seen from the Milwaukee area. Tuesday’s eclipse is the first of four eclipses this year and the first of four total lunar eclipses this year and next.
Sky-gazers see ‘blood moon’
Thursday, April 24 By MARCIA DUNN Meeting of Los Amigos Duplicate Bridge Club. 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Laredo Country Club. Call Beverly Cantu at 727-0589. IBC Keynote Speaker Series presentation, “Mexico Under the ‘New’ PRI: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” by Dr. Denise Dresser, professor of political science at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. TAMIU Student Center Ballroom, SC 203. Free and open to public. Translation services will be available. Contact 326-2820 or cswht@tamiu.edu. Spanish Book Club meeting. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Road. Call Sylvia Reash at 763-1810. Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society meeting. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. St. John Newmann Catholic Church. Guest speaker is Dr. Gabriela Mendoza Garcia with “Jarabe Tapatio: Race and Nation in 20th Century Mexico and 21st Century United States” as topic. New members welcome. Call Sanjuanita Martinez-Hunter at 7223497.
Saturday, April 26 National Prescription Drug TakeBack Pill Initiative. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ryan Elementary, 2401 Clark Blvd., and Laredo Fire Department Administration Building, 616 E. Del Mar Blvd. Bring medication for proper disposal to avoid drug abuse. Call 724-3177.
Sunday, April 27 Semiannual all-you-can-eat spaghetti lunch. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free. Contact Sue Webber at 722-1674 or fumc_office@sbcglobal.net.
Monday, April 28 Monthly meeting of Laredo Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Laredo Medical Center, Tower B, First Floor Community Center. Patients, caregivers and family members invited. Free info pamphlets available in Spanish and English. Call Richard Renner (English) at 645-8649 or Juan Gonzalez (Spanish) at 2370666.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Sky-gazers in North and South America were treated to a full lunar eclipse — at least those fortunate enough to have clear skies. The moon was eclipsed by the Earth’s shadow early Tuesday, beginning around 1 a.m. EDT for 51/2 hours. The total phase of the eclipse lasted just 78 minutes. For some, the moon appeared red-orange because of all the sunsets and sunrises shimmering from Earth, thus the name “blood moon.” It’s the first of four eclipses this year and the first of four total lunar eclipses this year and next. The latter is a rare lineup; the next so-called tetrad of total lunar eclipses won’t occur until 2032-2033. In the meantime, get ready for a solar eclipse in two weeks.
Death toll in Washington mudslide rises to 37 EVERETT, Wash. — One more victim was recovered from the mudslide that hit the town of Oso, raising the death toll to 37, the Snohomish County medical examiner’s office said Tuesday. The person’s name has not been released. Seven people remain on the missing list, the sheriff ’s office said. A search for bodies continued in the debris left when the March 22 landslide raced across the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River and buried dozens of homes in the riverfront community about 55 miles northeast of Seattle. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and other state officials gathered on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia at noon Tuesday to lower the flag. Inslee ordered that flags at all state facilities be lowered to half-staff until the end of the day next Tuesday. April 22 also is the day President Barack
Saturday, May 3 Used book sale, hosted by First United Methodist Church. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hardback books are $1, paperback books 50 cents, and magazines and children’s books 25 cents. Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society fundraiser. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Picnic tour to San Ygnacio, Texas. New members welcome. Call Sanjuanita Martinez-Hunter at 7223497.
Sunday, May 4 St. John Neumann Catholic Church Annual Jamaica. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 102 Hillside Road. Bingo, silent auction, food and games. Contact sjnvolunteers@yahoo.com.
Obama plans to survey the damage and meet with victims, first responders and recovery workers. The slide covered about a mile of state Highway 530, cutting off the direct route between Interstate 5 and the town of Darrington, which is east of the slide and has a population of about 1,300.
Detroit makes deal with retired cops, firefighters DETROIT — The city of Detroit has reached a deal with retired police officers and firefighters that would preserve current pensions but trim annual cost-ofliving payments — the first major agreement with retirees in the bankruptcy case, mediators announced Tuesday. The city retreated from an earlier proposed 6 percent cut in pensions and the elimination of the 2.25 percent cost-of-living payment. Leaders of the Retired Detroit Police and Fire Fighters Association endorsed the deal along with a health plan.
A spokesman for Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr, who took the city into bankruptcy last summer, didn’t immediately respond to a message Tuesday from The Associated Press. The agreement still is subject to a vote by retirees as well as current employees who are eligible for a future pension. It also must go through Judge Steven Rhodes as part of Detroit’s plan to exit bankruptcy by fall. Finally, the deal is tied to the city getting $816 million from foundations, philanthropists and the state of Michigan. Lawmakers still haven’t approved the state’s $350 million share, which has been endorsed by Gov. Rick Snyder. The pot of money would prevent the sale of city-owned art and be earmarked solely for more than 20,000 Detroit retirees who draw benefits from two underfunded pension funds. The average annual pension for police and fire retirees is $32,000. They would keep about half of their annual cost-of-living payments under the deal. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE WORLD
Tuesday, April 29 “The Calling” series of Bible talks. 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Laredo Church of Christ Chapel, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 340. Contact Miguel Zuniga at 286-9631 or mglzuniga@yahoo.com.
NASA got good news Tuesday: Its moonorbiting spacecraft, LADEE (LA’-dee) survived the eclipse. Scientists had feared LADEE might freeze up in the cold darkness. “Keep little LADEE in your prayers as you gaze up at the beautiful eclipsing moon late Monday night!” NASA wrote on its LADEE website prior to the eclipse. The end is near, however, for plucky, little LADEE. The spacecraft is circling the moon ever lower and, by Monday, is expected to crash as planned into the back side of the moon, far from any historic artifacts from the Apollo era. LADEE — short for Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer — was not designed to withstand a prolonged eclipse. It completed its science-collecting mission in March and has been on overtime ever since.
Ukraine: Military secures airport from attack KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — In the first Ukrainian military action against a pro-Russian uprising in the east, government forces said they repelled an attack Tuesday at a small airport. The clash came hours after Ukraine’s acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, had announced an “anti-terrorist operation” against the armed, proRussian insurgents who had seized control of numerous buildings in at least nine cities in Ukraine’s restive east. The central government has so far been unable to rein in the insurgents.
Prosecutor ends cross-examination PRETORIA, South Africa — Wrapping up five days of relentless cross-examination of Oscar Pistorius at his murder trial, the
Today is Wednesday, April 16, the 106th day of 2014. There are 259 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On April 16, 1964, The Rolling Stones’ first album, eponymously titled “The Rolling Stones,” was released in the United Kingdom by Decca Records (a slightly different version debuted in the United States a month and a-half later). On this date: In 1789, President-elect George Washington left Mount Vernon, Va., for his inauguration in New York. In 1862, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia. The Confederacy conscripted all white men between the ages of 18 to 35. In 1889, comedian and movie director Charles Chaplin was born in London. In 1912, American aviator Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly across the English Channel, traveling from Dover, England, to France in 59 minutes. In 1947, the French ship Grandcamp blew up at the harbor in Texas City, Texas; another ship, the High Flyer, exploded the following day (the blasts and fires killed nearly 600 people. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in which he said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” In 1972, Apollo 16 blasted off on a voyage to the moon with astronauts John W. Young, Charles M. Duke Jr. and Ken Mattingly on board. In 1986, dispelling rumors he was dead, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi appeared on television to condemn the U.S. raid on his country and to say that Libyans were “ready to die” defending their nation. In 2007, in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history, student Seung-Hui Cho (sung-wee joh) killed 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech before taking his own life. Ten years ago: President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, meeting in Washington, endorsed giving the United Nations broad control over Iraq’s political future. Five years ago: The crew of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama, who’d thwarted pirates off the Somali coast, returned to the U.S.; ship’s captain Richard Phillips, held hostage for five days, arrived in Kenya aboard the USS Bainbridge. One year ago: Federal agents zeroed in on how the Boston Marathon bombing was carried out — with kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and other lethal shrapnel — but said they didn’t know yet who’d done it, or why. Today’s Birthdays: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is 87. Actor Peter Mark Richman is 87. Singer Bobby Vinton is 79. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II is 74. Basketball Hall-ofFamer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 67. Ann Romney is 65. NFL coach Bill Belichick is 62. Rock singer-turned-politician Peter Garrett is 61. Actress Ellen Barkin is 60. Thought for Today: “Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” — George Herbert, English author (1593-1633).
CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Account Executive, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 765-5113 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Managing Editor, Nick Georgiou ................. 728-2565 Editor, Christina Herrera ............................728-2557 Sports Editor, Zach Davis ..........................728-2578 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavin-Castillo............ 728-2569 Photo by Manu Fernandez | AP
Penitents of the "La Vera Cruz" brotherhood take part during a Holy Week procession in Cordoba, southern Spain, on Monday. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week. chief prosecutor insisted Tuesday that the Olympic runner intentionally shot his girlfriend to death after they argued on Valentine’s Day last year. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused Pistorius of “tailoring” evidence and “concocting” a story that he
shot out of fear of an intruder in the toilet cubicle in his bathroom. “Unfortunately I have to put it to you that it’s getting more and more improbable,” Nel said of the story to Pistorius. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
Local
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Local runner reflects By JUDITH RAYO THE ZAPATA TIMES
Tuesday marked the oneyear anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, and a Laredoan has made the decision to return to the annual event. Maribel Garcia will be at the starting line on April 21. This will be her 10th time participating in the Boston Marathon. On April 15, 2013, two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 260. Two brothers were suspected of setting off the bombs. One was killed while fleeing from police while the other was apprehended. He faces 30 criminal charges. Garcia had crossed the finish line when the bombs exploded. She said after-
ward that volunteers pulled her to the sidelines as countless runners and spectators fled from the Copley Square area, some screaming and some bleeding. “You could see amputated legs just laying out in the street,” Garcia said of the gruesome aftermath following the two blasts. Garcia, 54, said Monday night she will be returning to show her support and seek closure on the heartbreaking event but knows she will be safe and has the love and support of her family and friends back home. “I have a lot of mixed emotions,” she said. “I don’t know what God has planned for me that morning, but I will do the best that I can do.” Although the local run-
ner said she is battling some injuries, she will be able to finish the race. “I am hurting but nothing will ever compare to the pain of that day,” Garcia said. “We need to continue being strong for one another. Nobody can stop us from loving the passion as a runner. We have to continue at our best and come back stronger as ever.” Laredoans Benny Rodriguez, 37, and Milton Moreno, 39, will also be participating in the Boston Marathon. Items prohibited at this year’s marathon include costumes, strollers, large bags, handbags and containers capable of carrying more than 1 liter of liquid. (Judith Rayo may be reached at 728-2567 or jrayo@lmtonline.com)
Promotion announced
File photo by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
Maribel Garcia recounts her story of the Boston Marathon bombings to the media at the Laredo International Airport, upon her return April 17, 2013.
WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
Current city editor, former reporter to take over as managing editor for Laredo, Zapata newspapers THE ZAPATA TIMES
Nick Georgiou, former reporter and current city editor at the Laredo Morning Times and The Zapata Times, has been promoted to managing editor. Publisher Bill Green announced the promotion earlier this week. “A journalism graduate of Texas State University and Houston native, Nick has worked diligently over many years as a key member of LMT’s leadership team,” Green said. Georgiou, who has lived in Laredo for six years, will oversee the editorial department, which includes the main newspaper, the sports section, Tiempo de Laredo, special
GEORGIOU
editions, all editors and the photography staff. “I’m humbled and honored to have been given this opportunity,” he said. “Laredo is a great news town, and I look forward to continue serving the residents of Laredo and
the surrounding area.” Georgiou has been with the newspaper since March 2008, when he started as a general assignments reporter, covering crime and working the weekend shift. After about a year, he was promoted to education reporter, a beat he held for three years. In March 2012, Georgiou was promoted to city editor, overseeing staff writers and the local dayto-day coverage. Georgiou got his start in journalism at Texas State University, where he was a reporter and later a news editor for the student-run newspaper. He graduated from the university in late 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.
Courtesy photo
Raymond Rodriguez and Arianny Peña lead a group of toddlers from the Camilo Prada Child Development Center as they trike across the LCC South Campus as part of the Week of the Young Child celebration on Thursday, April 10. The nationwide observance is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children to raise awareness about the educational needs of young children and their families.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Decency shows through wit By MAUREEN DOWD NEW YORK TIMES
I don’t remember much about being on Stephen Colbert’s show. It all passed in a blur of fear. I remember him coming into the makeup room to remind me that he was going to be in character as a jerk. I remember that he held up my book about gender and asked if it was “soft-core porn.” I remember he asked me if I wanted to hold his Peabody and I told him I did, so he jumped up to grab the TV award from the mantel. The experience reminded me of a 1937 musical called “A Damsel in Distress,” where Fred Astaire guided Joan Fontaine, clearly not a dancer, around a lawn, soaring for both of them. Colbert was as quicksilver with his wit as Fred was with his feet. And like Astaire’s more talented partner Ginger Rogers, who had to dance backward and in heels, Colbert was doing two things at once that were very hard. He was dazzling as a satirist and improv comedian while mimicking a buffoonish right-wing broadcaster. Jon Stewart once described the level of difficulty to me this way: “It’s as though you’re doing your show in Portuguese.” The reason “The Colbert Report” worked, Stewart said, when I interviewed the two comics for Rolling Stone in 2006, was that Colbert could act like an obnoxious egoist, but his “basic decency can’t be hidden.” Colbert is witty and a good interrogator without being twisted, as Johnny Carson was. He’s inventive, like the comic genius he will replace, but not tortured like David Letterman. In person, Colbert is a nice guy, but not as monologue-monomaniacal as Jay
Leno. No one, including the CBS president, Les Moonves, and the host himself, is sure what his new show will be like because we’ve so rarely seen Colbert when he wasn’t playing a character. And it’s a sad double blow, after all. It’s not only Letterman who’s retiring, but the blowhard doppelgänger of Colbert. Rush Limbaugh and some other conservatives bristled at news that Colbert was moving to the more mainstream network platform; they know he can be brilliantly effective about the absurdity and doublespeak of politics. “CBS has just declared war on the heartland of America,” Limbaugh said. Colbert said in the Rolling Stone interview that his agenda was humor, not social change, noting: “Peter Cook was once asked if he thought that satire had a political effect. He said, ‘Absolutely, the greatest satire of the 20th century was the Weimar cabaret, and they stopped Hitler in his tracks.’” Except for supporting JFK, Colbert’s parents were not very political or liberal. Colbert kept a Nixon poster above his office desk. “Nixon was the last liberal president,” he told me. “He supported women’s rights, the environment, ending the draft, youth involvement, and now he’s the boogeyman?” He describes himself as “an omnivore,” who loves everything from “A Man for All Seasons” to “Jackass,” from hip-hop to Ovid in the original Latin. He had 10 older siblings. But after his father and the two brothers closest to him in age died in a plane crash when he was 10 and the older kids went off to college, he said, he was “pretty much left to himself, with a lot of books.”
COLUMN
Climate change is here THE MIAMI HERALD
In case there was still any doubt, and there shouldn’t be at this point, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations group of scientists, has made it official: Climate change is not coming, it’s already here. And it’s going to get worse unless the whole world — especially the industrial world — greatly reduces greenhouse emissions causing global warming. The U.N. panel periodically weighs in on the state of the Earth’s climate. Its latest report cites melting ice caps, collapsing sea ice in the Arctic, heat waves and heavy deluges that are increasing in intensity and threatening crops, bringing on concerns about sustainable food supplies. Coral reefs are dying. Oceans are rising, while the oceans’ waters are becoming more acidic as they absorb carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles and power plants. “Climate change impacts are projected to slow down economic growth, make poverty reduction more difficult, further erode food security, and prolong existing and new poverty traps” in urban areas and emerging “hot spots” of hunger, the report says. Some of the people most at risk have little to do with causing global warming. Low-lying countries like Bangladesh and island nations in the Pacific Ocean could be the worst hit over
the next few decades. But equally at risk are people who live in luxurious condos and play at resorts along Florida’s coasts. Florida’s native seafood is going to cost more, too, as coral reefs that nurture fish dwindle and acidic ocean water becomes inhospitable for snapper and grouper. Wherever you live, expect to pay more for food in general. Fewer food animals and lower crop yield are consequences of a warming climate the world over. The U.N. panel’s latest report card dwells more on threats to the world’s food supply than any others it has issued. Scarce food supplies can cause conflicts between sides warring over arable land, for instance. But there are a few bright spots. The report noted that more governments and businesses worldwide are acknowledging climate change. The Obama administration has taken some steps to curb auto and power-plant emissions and plans more. The U.N. climate report is sobering for what it signifies for our children and their children. We can’t keep practicing magical thinking and believe the problem will go away in time to allow future generations to have a better quality of life on an increasingly inhospitable Earth. We must act now, as individuals, as a state, as a nation of the world.
COLUMN
Amtrak drops amenities
“
KEN HERMAN
AUSTIN — I’ve got a great and meaningful trip planned (for me, actually) in June. For fear of jinxing it, I’ll wait to tell you about it until after it’s over. But I will let you know it involves a 12 1/2 hour trip on Amtrak’s Empire Builder from Whitefish, Mont., to Minot, N.D. I like trains and, after this trip, I’ll know if I like long train trips. I’ve enjoyed Amtrak from Washington to New York, and I’ve enjoyed European rail travel. “Traveling daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest along major portions of the Lewis and Clark Trail, the mighty Empire Builder takes you on an exciting adventure through majestic wilderness, following the footsteps of early pioneers,” Amtrak tells us. So I’m looking forward to the Amtrak portion of the trip, though I have found causes for advance concern. They came by way of NPR: “Amtrak Fights Big Oil for Use of the Rails.” “Oil business in North Dakota is creating some big headaches for Amtrak travelers. Trains on the popular Empire Builder route between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest are often delayed for hours,” we’re told. Hours, it seems, can mean as many as 18 of them. I find myself rooting for Amtrak in its fight with Big Oil for use of the rails (owned by BNSF
Railway and on which Amtrak is a customer.) The North Dakota/Montana oil boom has caused greatly increased freight traffic and, in turn, lengthy Amtrak delays. Amtrak responded by adding three hours to the scheduled trip between Seattle and St. Paul on the Empire Builder. I guess that’s one way to get closer to on-time arrivals. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency that oversees such things, currently is looking into the Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway’s problems. Carl Ice, the railroad’s CEO, told the board in a March letter that his company “has fallen short of our customers’ expectations and our own high standards.” Ice blamed winter weather and the oil boom. (You’re on your own for jokes about Ice blaming winter weather.) For increased comfort, we opted for an Empire Builder “roomette” (“ideal for one or two passengers, with two comfortable reclining seats on either side of a big picture window”). We opted for this though “ette” is among my least favorite suffixes. In general, it means it’s not really what the rest of the word says it is. A ranchette is not really a ranch. A cigarette is not really a cigar. A Rockette is not really a rock. A roomette, I fear, while technically a room, may not be very roomy. But Amtrak’s roomette comes with meals, so we figured it was worth the extra bucks. Unbeknownst to us at booking time, the roomette also comes with a nice variety of other amenities. Until it doesn’t.
Amtrak: Where you don’t know what you’re not getting until they tell you you’re not getting it. An email from Mark Murphy, Amtrak’s general manager for long-distance services, informed me of the impressive list of stuff we won’t be getting. “In an effort to be good stewards of the federal funding received to operate our Amtrak service, a number of steps are being taken to eliminate losses in our Food and Beverage department over the next five years,” Murphy wrote, noting the upcoming “discontinuation of select amenities.” Like all taxpayers, I’m for eliminating losses by any and all means necessary as long as the changes don’t impact me in any way, shape or form. So, Mr. Murphy, what “select amenities” will I not be getting? The list starts with “pre-departure refreshments and on-board wine and cheese tasting.” I like pre-departure refreshments and cheese. As a prohibitionist I’m glad nobody is getting wine. But wait, there’s more (or less). “The complementary sparkling wine, non-alcoholic cider and chocolate squares will no longer be provided to sleeping car passengers on the Empire Builder and the Coast Starlight,” Murphy wrote. I won’t miss the sparkling wine, and non-alcoholic cider seems like a drink for non-practicing alcoholics. But, for practicing chocaholics like me, cutting out the chocolate squares could be a deal breaker. I’m calling for an immediate tax hike to pay
for chocolate squares on the Empire Builder (but it would be an egregious waste of my hard-earned money to raise taxes in order to keep chocolate squares on the Coast Starlight.) Murphy also wanted me to know I’ll still get “all regular meals” and will be allowed to buy “cheese and cracker trays and other snacks, as well as liquor, wine and beer” in the lounge car. The cutbacks go beyond the palate and into personal hygiene. “On approximately May 31, 2014, complimentary amenity kits will no longer be provided to sleeping car passengers on the Empire Builder and the Coast Starlight,” Murphy wrote. ”Your sleeping car attendant will continue to have select emergency toiletries on hand when needed.” You ever see a complimentary amenity kit you didn’t covet? Seems to me the cost of chocolate squares could be covered by aggressive pricing on the “select emergency toiletries.” I find that people are willing to pay exorbitant prices for “select emergency toiletries” during selected toileting emergencies. As of now, it looks like we still will have an engineer. But things could change as the rail system strives to be “good stewards of the federal funding received to operate our Amtrak service.” So pulling the plug on chocolate squares is going to save passenger rail service across our country? I bet Lewis and/or Clark had some chocolate squares on them when they made the trip.
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State
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
Killer of 3 set to die By MICHAEL GRACZYK ASSOCIATED PRESS
HUNTSVILLE — Jose Villegas was out on bond for a sexual assault charge and was supposed to go on trial in Corpus Christi for punching a woman in the face on the same day 13 years ago that he stabbed his ex-girlfriend, her son and her mother to death. The former cook, dishwasher and laborer was arrested after a police chase and charged with capital murder for the deaths of Erida Salazar, her 3-year-old son, Jacob, and her mother, Alma Perez. Villegas, 38, was set for lethal injection Wednesday for the slayings. He would be the seventh Texas inmate executed this year and the fifth in as many weeks in the nation’s most active death penalty state. His attorneys argue that the punishment should be put off so they have additional time to investigate evidence they’ve recently found that Villegas is mentally impaired and ineligible for execution. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused Monday to halt the punishment, and lawyers for Villegas said they would take their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Salazar’s father, returning home Jan. 22, 2001, from jury duty, found the bloody body of his 51-year-old wife
and had a neighbor call police. He then went back inside to find his 23year-old daughter and VILLEGAS his grandson also dead. Court documents show Salazar was stabbed 32 times, her son 19 times and mother 35 times. A television and car also were taken from the home. Police spotted Villegas driving Salazar’s car and he led them on a chase that ended when he bailed out on foot. When he was caught, officers found three bags of cocaine inside his baseball cap. Testimony at his 2002 capital murder trial showed Villegas told police he pawned the stolen television for $75, used the money immediately to buy cocaine and hoped to commit suicide by overdosing. “We had a confession, DNA, witnesses who saw him leaving the house afterward,” Mark Skurka, the Nueces County district attorney who prosecuted the case, said. “He killed the mom first, then his girlfriend, then the baby.” Jurors deliberated less than 20 minutes before convicting him. Following his conviction for capital murder, Villegas was convicted of two counts of indecency with a child
related to the daughter of the woman he was accused of punching in the face prior to the slayings. He also has convictions for making terroristic threats to kill women, burglary and possessing inhalants. Records showed he had spent at least 200 days in jail and four years on probation. Defense attorneys at his trial acknowledged Villegas committed the slayings but said they were not intentional and he was mentally ill. A defense psychiatrist blamed his behavior on uncontrollable rages caused by “intermittent explosive disorder.” “Punishment was the only issue,” Grant Jones, one of Villegas’ trial lawyers, recalled this week. “I’ve been trying criminal cases over 40 years and I’d say in about 80 percent of the cases, mental health is a factor to one degree or another.” Relatives said Salazar’s mother had urged her to leave Villegas when she learned of the sex charges against him. Villegas would be the third Texas inmate executed with a new stock of pentobarbital from a provider corrections officials have refused to identify, citing the possibility of threats of violence against the supplier. The Supreme Court has upheld that stance.
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Agenda en Breve MIÉRCOLES 16 DE ABRIL 04/16 — Lectura de Poesías por la Semana Nacional de la Biblioteca, organizada por la Biblioteca Killam de TAMIU, a partir de las 11 a.m. en el aula 231 del Student Center de TAMIU. Evento gratuito y abierto al público en general. 04/16— El Departamento de Salud de la Ciudad de Laredo estará llevando a cabo una clínica de vacunación contra la rabia en Laredo Animal Care, 5202 avenida Maher, de 6 p.m. a 7 p.m. El costo de la vacuna es de 12 dólares; microchip 10 dólares y registro a 5 dólares. Vacunas adicionales estarán disponibles al ser solicitadas con un costo adicional. 04/16— Se convoca a votantes del Distrito de Laredo Community College a la Reunión de Depositarios para informarse sobre la próxima Elección de Bonos de LCC, a las 6 p.m. en el William N. “Billy” Hall Jr. Student Center Community Suite. Se invita a estudiantes, padres de familia, educadores y público en general. 04/16— Se buscan actores (hombres y mujeres) para la tercera producción anual del Summer Stock Theater del Laredo Community College. Las audiciones son hoy a las 7 p.m. en el aula 102 del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center, en el Campus Fort McIntosh. Hay 10 roles masculinos y 11 femeninos. 04/16— La trompetista Mary Elizabeth Bowden y el pianista Joachim Reinhuber participarán en “Presentaciones Maestras 2013-2014” a las 7:30 p.m. en el Salón de Recitales del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. Evento gratuito. 04/16— Concierto de violonchelo con el maestro de música de LCC, Guillermo Teniente, a las 7:30 p.m. en la rotonda del Visual and Performing Arts Center del Laredo Community College, campus Fort McIntosh. Evento gratuit0. Acompañarán a Tenitente, Susan Liu al piano, Melissa Hinojosa en la flauta y Matthew Bishop en la guitarra. 04/17— AVISO: No habrá clases en LISD y UISD. 04/17— El grupo Laredo Youth Art presentan una exhibición de obras de arte para beneficiar al Children’s Advocacy Center, a las 6 p.m. en Laredo Center for the Arts. Informes en el 7121840. 04/17— Jueves Santo, en St. Patrick Church, 555 East Del Mar Blvd., habrá la Misa de la Última Cena a las 7 p.m. 04/17— Recital de Último Año presentando a Leo Galván, a las 7:30 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall de TAMIU. Evento gratuito. 04/18— AVISO: No habrá clases en LISD, UISD, ni Harmony Science Academy. 04/18— Viernes Santo, en St. Patrick Church, 555 East Del Mar Blvd. se celebrará Pasión y Muerte de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Viacrusis en Vivo a las 7 p.m.
MIERCOLES 16 DE ABRIL DE 2014
SOBREVIVIENTES Y FAMILIARES RECUERDAN VÍCTIMAS DE MARATÓN DE BOSTON
Ceremonia solemne POR DENISE LAVOIE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOSTON— Sobrevivientes, socorristas y familiares de quienes murieron se reunieron el martes para conmemorar en ceremonias solemnes el primer aniversario de los atentados con explosivos durante la realización del maratón de Boston. “Este día siempre será duro, pero este lugar siempre será fuerte”, dijo el ex alcalde Thomas Menino a una audiencia de aproximadamente 2.500 personas que asistieron con invitación al Hynes Convention Center, ubicado cerca de la línea de meta del maratón del año pasado, durante el cual murieron tres personas y más de 260 sufrieron heridas. En Washington, el presidente Barack Obama planeaba conmemorar el aniversario con un momento de silencio privado en la Casa Blanca. “Hoy, nosotros reconocemos la increíble valentía y liderazgo de
Foto por Charles Krupa | AP
Sobrevivientes, funcionarios, socorristas e invitados observan el izamiento de bandera en la línea de meta durante la conmemoración del primer aniversario del atentado con explosivos realizado durante el maratón de Boston, el martes 15 de abril, en Boston. tantos bostonianos después de la inexplicable tragedia”, dijo Obama en un comunicado. “Y nosotros ofrecemos nuestra más profunda gratitud a los valerosos bomberos,
policías, profesionales médicos, corredores y espectadores que, en un instante, desplegaron el espíritu, perseverancia, libertad y amor sobre los cuales fue construida Bos-
ton”. Obama señaló que la carrera de este año, agendada para el lunes, “mostrará al mundo el significado de Boston Fuerte mientras la ciudad decide correr nuevamente”. El vicepresidente Joe Biden estaba en la ciudad para la ceremonia, y dijo que la valentía mostrada por sobrevivientes y quienes perdieron seres queridos es una inspiración para otros estadounidenses que enfrentan pérdida y tragedia. “Nosotros somos Boston. Nosotros somos Estados Unidos. Nosotros respondemos; resistimos; nos sobreponemos. Y somos dueños de la línea de meta”, concluyó en medio de un fuerte aplauso. La ceremonia, que comenzó con la colocación de una ofrenda floral en el lugar de las explosiones, contó con la presencia de los familiares de las tres víctimas fatales del atentado, así como de los familiares de un policía del Instituto de Tecnología de Massachusetts que falleció en un tiroteo durante la investigación del ataque.
TAMAULIPAS
COMUNIDAD
EVENTOS TURÍSTICOS
STFB realizó junta anual POR SALO OTERO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Durante la Semana Santa el Gobierno de Tamaulipas, a través de la Secretaría de Turismo aumentará las actividades a realizarse en las áreas turísticas del vecino estado, con la finalidad de atraer un mayor número de turistas.
Estado busca incremento en turismo TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
A través de actividades artísticas, atención y seguridad en las playas, y un incremento en el personal de los parques estatales Tamaulipas planea recibir, e incrementar, a los turistas durante la Semana Mayor. Mónica González García, Secretaria de Desarrollo Económico y Turismo, dijo, a través de un comunicado de prensa, que la secretaría está trabajando con los alcaldes de los municipios tamaulipecos, desde la frontera hasta los puertos de Tampico, Madero y Altamira. La secretaria indicó que además de que las playas Miramar, de La Pesca, la Barra del Tordo, Car-
boneras y Bagdad, están acondicionadas para recibir a los turistas, se estarán realizando fiestas y festivales en Tampico, la fiesta del Tamal en Madero y las fiestas del Mar en San Fernando. Así mismo, invitó a los deportistas y amantes de la naturaleza a practicar senderismo y ecoturismo, al visitar la reserva natural “El Cielo”, en Gómez Farías, además de los circuitos conformados por la Huasteca Mágica, el Altiplano Tamaulipeco o los Pueblos Mágicos, uno en Tula y el otro en Mier.
Destinos turísticos De acuerdo a los datos que se
tienen de los 25 municipios consolidados como destinos turísticos, se reporta un ingreso de poco más de 213.500 visitantes durante el fin de semana del 11 al 13 de abril, señala un comunicado de prensa. Datos revelan que la playa Miramar presenta el mayor ingreso de visitantes con más de 127.000 persona, La Pesca con 6.000, playa Bagdad con 40.000 y la Barra del Tordo con casi 2.000 visitas, señala la secretaria en un comunicado de prensa. Acerca de la pesca deportiva mantuvo que presenta un estimado de poco más de 13.700 personas que participan de torneos y concursos de presa o mar. Los Pueblos Mágicos, entre ellos Mier, casi llegan a 2.000 visitantes.
La misión del Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas (STFB, por sus siglas en inglés) para alimentar a los necesitados, requiere de muchas “manos que ayuden”. Esas manos se reunieron el martes para la conferencia anual de los miembros de la agencia en el Edificio Anexo del IBC, en Laredo. Cuarenta de las agencias se encuentran en Laredo-Condado de Webb, sin embargo representantes de los condados de Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Dimmit, Maverick, Val Verde y Kinney también asistieron a la conferencia. Otra de las agencias asistentes fue Helping Hands (Manos que Ayudan), un almacén de comida ubicado en calle Del Mar de Zapata. Elia Solís, directora de la agencia para el Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas, organizó el evento, que existe en cooperación con USDA y Feeding America. El Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas, que tiene sus oficinas centrales en 1907 calle Freight, al oeste de Laredo, depende de más de 80 agencias para distribuir suplementos alimenticios a las personas desempleadas, subempleadas y aquellas personas que viven con bajos ingresos en un área que abarca una zona de ocho condados, que van desde Rio Grande City en el Condado Starr a Del Rio en el Condado de Val Verde. El banco de alimentos recibe productos por parte de USDA a través de su membresía con Feeding Texas — anteriormente conocido como Texas Food Bank Network — y a nivel nacional por parte de la organización Feeding America. El Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas atiende a 30.000 familias, de los cuales 7.000 son ancianos, 6.000 niños y a 500 veteranos y sus viudas por mes. Personal del banco ha establecido que siempre se necesitan más agencias. Para más información puede llamar al 956-726-3120.
COLUMNA
NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO 04/16— Cine en tu barrio presenta: “Enamorada” en la Casa Club del Adulto Mayor, Laguna del Norte 5330, a las 12 p.m. Entrada gratuita. 04/16— Equinoccio de Cine presenta: “La resistencia” y “El amor en tiempos de odio” a las 4 p.m. en Estación Palabra. Entrada gratuita. 04/16— Cine Club presenta “Isidro El Labrador” a las 6 p.m. en el Auditorio de Estación Palabra. Entrada al evento es libre y abierta al público.
Analizan riquezas del idioma huasteco POR RAÚL SINECIO CHAVEZ ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
México posee una amplia gama de lenguas prehispánicas. Sin embargo sobreviven a duras penas en medio de la pobreza sufrida por sus hablantes. De éste rico mosaico forma parte el huasteco. Oímos con frecuencia llamar dialecto al huasteco. En los estados de Hidalgo, Querétaro, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas y
Veracruz, México, aún usan el “dialecto” huastecoSin ahondar mucho, consideremos que en una de sus acepciones el dialecto se define como estructura lingüística, variante de otra, que no alcanza categoría social de lengua. Carece según esto de suficiente fuerza, tradición y literatura. El idioma posee en cambio dichos atributos, volviéndose característico de un pueblo, etnia o nación. Al habla de la etnia o na-
ción huasteca los estudiosos le han reconocido desde hace mucho rango de idioma. Así podemos apreciarlo incluso por el mero título de obras ya clásicas. Hay entonces cultura, territorio e idioma huastecos. Paradójicamente, el vocablo procede del náhuatl, idioma en que Netzahualcóyotl, emperador azteca y poeta, compusiera versos. Una de las versiones ubica los orígenes de la palabra en Cuextécatl, nombre
dado antaño por los mexicas a poderoso gobernante. Cuextécatl habría evolucionado a “guasteco”, convirtiéndose por último en huasteco. Náhuatl, seri, zapoteco, purépecha, tarahumara, mixe y demás lenguas autóctonas en general se diferencian entre sí. No obstante, la de huastecos y mayas presentan ciertas similitudes y esto sucede aunque las respectivas zonas de ambos idiomas estén bas-
tante separadas. Tampico, voz huasteca, en Siglo de Oro alcanza la literatura española. La introduce el autor de Fuente ovejuna, Félix Lope de Vega y Carpio, refiriéndose a homónimo baile: “Vámonos, pues eres rico,/que más no puedes tener,/por este mundo a romper/desde chacona a Tampico”. El idioma de Cuextécatl da nombre a Tamaulipas. (Cortesía publicada en “La Razón” de Tampico.)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors HIGH SCHOOL TRACK: ZAPATA HAWKS
NBA: DALLAS
Hawks win title Photo by LM Otero | AP
Dallas guard Monta Ellis and the Mavericks won’t be sitting at home for the playoffs, clinching a spot as either the No. 7 or 8 seed.
Mavericks head to playoffs By EDDIE SEFKO MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
Courtesy photo
Zapata won the school’s first District 31-3A championship in track since 1989 when the team edged out Raymondville last week.
Zapata grabs District 31-3A track championship By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Hawks made history at the District 31-3A track and field meet which unfolded at the Burnett Stadium in Raymondville last week. Zapata captured the District 31-3A boys’ track and field title for the first time since 1989 after fending off hometown favorite Raymondville. The Hawks scored 170 points while the Bearkats had 150. Now the Hawks are gearing up for the Region IV-3A meet at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on April 25-26 since the district opted not to have an area meet. With this format, only the top two in each event head to the area meet instead of the top four. "The team did not even know that you could win a district title in track and field," Zapata coach Blake Garza said. "In the past it was not encouraged as much, but when I had the opportunity to take over the program this year I was asked by coach (Mario) Arce to make sure I had more runners in the program and to contend for the title. The kids have been able to do both. "The kids were ecstatic when we won
the title and they handed the trophy to us. Now I hope it builds the program." The Hawks recorded some huge points from the field event athletes, which included Mike Alvarez. The senior placed first in the triple jump and came in third in the long jump. Alex Solis placed second in the long jump. Zapata picked up some points from Chris De Leon – who came in sixth in the high jump – while Hugo Martinez placed fourth in the shot put and Eddie Sanchez took fifth in the discus. Jesse Treviño took fourth in the pole vault, just ahead of teammates Jake Gutierrez and Robert Salinas. Zapata led by a slim margin of three points after the field events as Raymondville was coming on strong in the running events. The Hawks fared well in the long distance events and were led by senior Luis Garza, who was a double gold medal winner placing first in the 3,200-meter run and the 1,600-meter run. Also earning some points for Zapata was Heri Perez, who came second in the 3,200-meter run and third in the 1,600-meter run. Alex Martinez came in sixth in the 3,200meter run while Carlos Rodriguez picked up second in the 1,600-meter run.
"The long distance kiddos contributed quite a bit, but I also feel that another factor in our success was the large number of kids that came out for the track program and scored the nickel and dime points for us put us over the edge," Garza said. The 110-meter hurdles had Raul Ortiz finishing in third place and Mac Gomez in sixth. Ortiz placed third in the 300-meter hurdles and Gomez picked up another sixth-place finish. Solis ran away with the district title in the 100-meter dash while Gutierrez came in sixth. The 200-meter dash had Orlando Villarreal take second. The middle distance belonged to Carlos Rodriguez, who placed first in the 800-meter run while Robert Salinas came in third. Salinas also took second in the 400-meter dash. The relays kept the Hawks in contention. The 4x100-meter relay and the 4x200-meter relay came in third consisting of Solis, Alvarez, Gutierrez and Villarreal. Meanwhile, the 4x400-meter relay of Garza, Salinas, Rodriguez and Gomez placed fourth overall to seal the deal. Clara Sandoval can be reached at Sandoval.Clara@Gmail.com.
DALLAS - It wasn’t a Game 7, but Saturday’s playoff-clinching win over Phoenix was pretty darn close in significance to the ultimate game. The Mavericks did not want to have to win at Memphis on Wednesday to extend their season into the playoffs. "It’s fun to watch, fun to be part of," Vince Carter said. "It felt like Game 6, Game 7 of the playoffs. That’s the way it’s been for us for the last week or two. We had to play at that level. The Mavericks hope that’s the most tangible residue from having to play so many important games in the final two weeks. They swept a four-game road trip that started with one of their signature wins - at the Los Angeles Clippers. They had a clunker against San Antonio on Thursday but came back against the Suns and played smart and hard when it counted. "A lot of people didn’t think we’d be here at the end of the year," Wright said. "We proved a lot of people wrong." It sends a strong message to players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and Carter - the three Mavericks on the north side of 35 years old who all are free agents this summer. It also sends a strong message to Ellis and Calderon and Dalembert that the Mavericks are serious about getting back to a level where they are at least involved in championship conversations. They know what is expected from an organizational standpoint and that Nowitzki, Carlisle and owner Mark Cuban won’t settle. For anything.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Chris Johnson visiting Jets ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — A person familiar with the situation says that former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is visiting the New York Jets, who are looking to add a playmaker to their backfield.
NFL NEWS ROUNDUP Johnson was released by the Titans last Monday. The former 2,000-yard rusher is meeting with the team at its facility Tuesday. The Jets would like Johnson to team with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell to form a potentially potent trio. San Francisco adds WR Lloyd SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd to a oneyear contract. San Francisco selected Lloyd in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. He was a member of the 49ers from 2003-05, when he caught 105 passes for 1,510 yards
and 13 touchdowns. That including leading the team with 48 receptions, 733 yards receiving and five TD catches in 2005. Lloyd has also played for the Washington Redskins (2006-07), Chicago Bears (2008), Denver Broncos (2009-11), St. Louis Rams (2011) and New England Patriots (2012) during his career before sitting out last season. Sharper hearing postponed LOS ANGELES — A judge in Los Angeles has postponed a hearing on rape charges against former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Sharper to await the results of an upcoming bail hearing in Arizona. Sharper appeared briefly Tuesday in a Los Angeles courtroom in the case alleging he drugged and raped two women in West Hollywood last year. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bail. Superior Court Judge Renee Korn postponed the hearing, noting that Sharper’s attorneys have proceedings in Arizona on Wednesday to set bail in a sepa-
rate case alleging the former player sexually assaulted two women in Tempe. Merriman suing Nike over ‘Lights Out’ SAN DIEGO — Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman is suing Nike for trademark infringement and unfair competition over its Lights Out apparel line. The suit, filed on behalf of Merriman’s Lights Out Holdings LLC, was filed in U.S. District Court on Monday. 49ers CB Culliver pleads not guilty SAN JOSE — San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and felony possession of brass knuckles. Culliver was arrested on March 28 after San Jose police say he struck a bicyclist, then rammed a witness’ vehicle that was blocking him from leaving until officers arrived. The San Jose Mercury News reports that he entered his plea on Friday in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
File photo by Gene J. Puskar | AP
Former Tennessee running back Chris Johnson is visiting with the Jets after the Titans former 2,000-yard rusher was released a week ago.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
JAMES EDWARD ‘EDDIE’ BRAVO James Edward “Eddie” Bravo, a lifelong resident of Zapata, Texas, but was currently living in Laredo, passed away peacefully into the arms of our loving Lord on April 11, 2014. He was born on July 25, 1921, in Edinburg, Texas, and graduated from McAllen High School. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ana Maria Casso Bravo; his parents, Zapata County Judge Manuel B. Bravo and Josefa Villarreal Bravo; a sister, Aurora Bravo Cabello; a granddaughter, Melissa Ann Espinoza Rocha, a great-granddaughter, Allysia Lynn Solano; a son-in-law, Hector M. Medina, and a sister-in-law, Virginia Rose Bravo. Eddie is survived by two sons, James Edward Espinoza of Austin and J. Edward (Martha) Bravo of Laredo; two daughters, Gloria Alicia Medina of Laredo and JoEmma (Gilbert) Quezada of San Antonio; and grandchildren: James Edward Valdez, Michael Anthony Valdez of San Antonio; James Vidal Espinoza and James Edward Espinoza, Michele Espinoza of Austin; Hector Manuel (Patty) Medina, Debbie (Victor) Garcia, Ana Maria Medina, George (Laila) Medina of Laredo; Monica (Rick) Solano of Seguin; JoAnn (Jorge Abel) Garcia of San Antonio; David Medina of Laredo; Lyanna (Dustin) Traylen of Montreal, Canada; Dinorah (Mark) Serna of Zapata; and James Edward Bravo III of Laredo; and numerous great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Joseph Adolph Bravo of Monahans and Manuel B. Bravo Jr. (Olivia Olga) of Laredo; one aunt, Virginia Ellen Bravo Lopez of McAllen and by many nephews, nieces, and
friends. Eddie served his country during WWII by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in July 1940, and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in November 1945. He received many commendations for his superior performance in the maintenance and inspection of aircrafts. After the war, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves Corp from November 1945 to October 1948. While he was working for the Texas Oil Company in Escobas, Texas, he married Ana Maria. Eddie began his illustrious career as a successful business entrepreneur in 1945 in real estate with his father and younger brother Joe in a firm called Bravo, Bravo & Bravo. Two years later, the three of them were part owners of Zapata Motors and Zapata Exchange. From 1947 to 1949, Mr. Bravo worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Mexico with the U.S.-Mexico Commission for the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease. He served as a District General Paymaster, and then as an Administrative Assistant where he supervised the paymasters assigned to his district and assisted in the preparation of the district budget. Upon his return to Zapata, he operated a packing shed for shipping tomatoes and onions, and bought the Farmer’s Super Market, a feed store where he sold fertilizer and insecticides. The following year he and his father opened the Delma farm where he bought and sold farm equipment. On January 23, 1953, Eddie opened the Lake Supply Store in conjunction with the Lake Construction Com-
pany in Zapata and later added the Western Auto franchise. After 30 years in business, Eddie retired in 1983. He was involved with two other local businessmen in the organization of the First National Bank of Zapata in 1962. He became a charter stockholder, vice-president, president, and later as a member of the Board of Directors until his resignation in 1979. He was one of the first three organizers of the IBC bank in Zapata and also served as a member of the Board of Directors in 1984. In 1992, he was named chairman of the board of the IBC bank until 2009. He was also a charter member and past president of the Zapata Lions Club; a former member of the Knights of Columbus; a charter member and three term president of the Zapata Gun Club; a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association; a former chairman of the Zapata County Democratic Party for ten years; a member of the American Legion since 1947; a past member of the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Elks Lodge. An avid golfer, Eddie was instrumental in the development of Zapata’s Los Ebanos Golf Course, and served as a charter member, as a board member, and director of the Zapata Golf Association. He was also an ardent and enthusiastic outdoorsman who had a loving passion for hunting and fishing. His family is profoundly grateful and fortunate to have had such a wonderful and loving father, grandfather, and a greatgrandfather, spouse, and friend. Eddie lived a full and enjoyable life. His presence in our lives will
FERNANDO E. ‘MUNDY’ GUTIERREZ
be dearly missed by his family and friends and all who knew him, but his charismatic smile, charm, wit, sense of humor, friendliness and zest for life will forever live in the hearts of those whose lives he touched. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. Milton Haber and to all the staff at the Laredo Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and the Laredo Specialty Hospital. Visitation hours were held Monday, April 14, 2014, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial services followed at the Zapata County Cemetery, including full Military Honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy 83, Zapata.
SAN YGNACIO — Fernando E. “Mundy” Gutierrez, 79, passed away Friday, April 11, 2014, at Doctors Hospital in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Gutierrez is preceded in death by his parents, Bernabe J. Gutierrez and Piedad Avila de Gutierrez; brothers, Antonio Jose Gutierrez, Ricardo Victor Gutierrez; sisters, Eugenia G. (Luis) Quintanilla, Lita G. Fasci, Maruca G. (Frank E.) Logan, Esperanza G. (Baldemar) Barron, Yolanda G. (Roberto) Sanchez and a brother-inlaw, N. David Hachar. Mr. Gutierrez is survived by his brothers, Enrique E. (Marta G.) Gutierrez, Javier A. Gutierrez, Israel B. (Marina) Gutierrez; sister, Mina G. Hachar; sisters-in-law, Emma C. Gutierrez and Sara R. Gutierrez; and by numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation hours were held Monday, April 14, 2014, at 8 a.m. with a rosary at 9 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed at 10:30 a.m. for an
11 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Refuge Mission in San Ygnacio, Texas. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy 83, Zapata.
FRANCISCA S. RODRIGUEZ MAY 11, 1916 — APRIL 10, 2014 HEBBRONVILLE — Francisca S. Rodriguez, 97, passed away April 10, 2014, at a nursing home in Hebbronville, Texas. She was born on May 11, 1916, to Tomas Salinas and Juana Ramos Salinas in Crestonio, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Feliciano Rodriguez; sister, Amada Salinas; brothers, Amado and Amalio Salinas; son-in-law, Zenon A. Perez and daughter-in-law, Rosa A. Rodriguez. She is survived by her sons, Feliciano A. Rodriguez of Corpus Christi, Texas and Jose Angel Rodriguez of Oilton, Texas; daughter, Minerva Elva Perez of Bruni, Texas; three grandchildren, Ze-
non Perez Jr., Ricardo A. Perez, Monica Elia Rodriguez Galloway; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2014, at Funeraria Del Angel Howard-Williams in Hebbronville. A funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic in Hebbronville. Burial followed at the New Hebbronville Cemetery. Please join us in honoring our loved one, Francisca S. Rodriguez, by visiting our memorial website at www.funerariadelangelhwilliams.com.
GM sales eyed for impact of switch recall By TOM KRISHER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DETROIT — As General Motors executives show off their newest cars and trucks in New York this week, analysts are watching for signs that consumers are shying away from the ones sitting on dealer lots. Many expect GM sales to take a hit from a mishandled recall of small cars, though it’s unclear when and how severe. Any decline would hurt the automaker’s market share and potentially its credit rating. Concerned investors have sent GM stock to a 10month low. Data collected from dealers by J.D. Power and Associates show GM U.S. sales fell 6.3 percent in the first five days of April com-
pared with a year ago, while the overall market dropped just 0.3 percent. The same data show an even larger decline for Ford Motor Co. April is expected to be a rebound month in the U.S. after a rough winter, and analysts expect sales to pick up in the month’s second half. GM began recalling 2.6 million small cars worldwide in February to replace faulty ignition switches. The company says at least 13 deaths have been linked to the switch problem. CEO Mary Barra’s appearance before Congress this month drew even more attention to the issue. Historically, big, highly publicized safety problems eventually affect sales, said Jesse Toprak, chief analyst for the car-buying site Cars.com. GM’s sales weren’t
hurt in February or March, but data from April is starting to show weakness, Toprak said. He said buyers trying to decide between a GM brand car and a rival “might just take GM from their consideration list, thinking that it’s not worth it.” Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of sales forecasting for LMC Automotive, an industry consulting firm, expects GM sales to show a gain this month, but only about half the 8 percent increase he forecasts for the industry overall. The recall might have an impact, but GM has also been struggling to match Ford and Chrysler in pickup sales, he said. Schuster doesn’t think GM’s market share will plunge as much as Toyota’s did in 2010, when it recalled millions of cars
because of unintended acceleration. The difference: GM no longer makes most of the cars it’s recalling. In 2010, Toyota was recalling cars currently on sale. In the second half of that year, Toyota sales fell more than 8 percent. For the full year, Toyota’s share of the U.S. market dropped 1.5 percentage points, according to Autodata Corp. So far this year, GM’s sales are down 2 percent, but its car sales have outperformed the market, rising 3.4 percent through March. And they could be helped later this year by models being introduced at the New York International Auto Show. GM will display a freshened Chevrolet Cruze compact for 2015, a high-performance Corvette convertible and a new small
SUV that gives Chevy an entry in one of the hottest-selling market segments. A sales decline or increased use of discounts could have broader repercussions for GM. The Standard and Poor’s ratings agency last week said the recalls could prevent GM’s credit rating from returning to investment grade for the first time since 2005. The agency warned that it is watching for “any significant deterioration” in GM sales. GM’s U.S. market share in March was 16.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from a year ago. Ford Motor Co., GM’s chief U.S. rival, is also off to a slow start in April, according to the J.D. Power data, with sales down 10 percent for the first five days.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
BOSTON Continued from Page 1A
CALCULATOR Continued from Page 1A our school district live in poverty,” said Marcus Nelson, superintendent of the Laredo school district, where more than 90 percent of the student body is economically disadvantaged. “We don’t have big budgets to spend from. We are trying to buy the equipment, but we can’t ignore that it is expensive.” In the Ysleta school district in El Paso, more than 80 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Officials there say funding tablets or calculators won’t be easy. “We just don’t have the
funds to purchase a tablet for every eighth-grade student in our district,” said Patricia Ayala, the spokeswoman for the district.
Helping hands As it apportions funding for calculators, Ysleta ISD is also reaching out to its high schools to contribute extra calculators to middle schools in the district. One high school has provided 60 calculators to a nearby middle school, Ayala said. The schools will also be holding morning and evening testing
sessions to recycle calculator use throughout the day. “We have limited funds, but it’s not like this is a choice,” Ayala said. “We need to be creative in the way we tackle this.” The state’s overall funding system for public schools is again the target of a lawsuit, as more than two-thirds of Texas school districts are suing the state, saying the current system is inadequate and unfair. The TEA says that if schools can prioritize their spending, the mandate should be easier for them to comply with.
SHERIFF Continued from Page 1A Photo by Wendy Maeda | AP
Family members of marathon bombing victims, Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lu Lingzi are joined by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, left, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, right, during a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings Tuesday. loved ones is an inspiration for other Americans dealing with loss and tragedy. He praised four survivors who spoke before he did and said that though he’s not a Boston sports fan, Boston is an incredible city. “We are Boston. We are America. We respond. We endure. We overcome. And we own the finish line,” he concluded, to loud applause. Earlier in the day, a wreath-laying ceremony drew the families of the three people killed — Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lu Lingzi — as well as relatives of Massachusetts Institute of Technology police Officer Sean Collier, who was killed in the aftermath of the blasts. Gov. Deval Patrick, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley were among those who attended the morning ceremony held in a light rain as bagpipes played. O’Malley offered a prayer. The victims were also honored at the Hynes center, where the survivors who spoke included newlywed Patrick Downes and dancer Adrianne Haslet-Da-
vis, both of whom lost their lower left legs in the bombings. “We should have never met this way, but we are so grateful for each other,” Downes said, describing the sense of community that has developed among the survivors. Carlos Arredondo, the cowboy hat-wearing spectator who was hailed as a hero for helping the wounded after the bombings, said he came to the tribute ceremony to support survivors and their families. Biden also mentioned him. “You can see how the whole community gathered together to support them and remember,” Arredondo told reporters before the program began. Boston police Commissioner Williams Evans said the anniversary is an emotional day and brings back “some terrible memories.” “Hopefully, today brings the city and the families some sense of comfort and some healing,” he said before ceremonies began. At 2:49 p.m., a moment of silence was held at the marathon finish line, to mark the time and place
where two bombs exploded last April 15. It was followed by a flag-raising by officer Richard Donohue, who was badly wounded in a shootout with the bombing suspects. Authorities say two brothers planned and orchestrated the attack and later shot and killed Collier during an attempt to steal his gun. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died following a shootout with police days after the bombings. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, has pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges and is awaiting trial. He faces the possibility of the death penalty. The Tsarnaevs, ethnic Chechens who lived in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan and the Dagestan region of Russia, settled outside Boston in Cambridge more than a decade ago after moving to the U.S. as children with their family. Prosecutors have said Dzhokhar Tsarnaev left a hand-scrawled confession condemning U.S. actions in Muslim countries on the inside wall of a boat he was found hiding in following the police shootout.
no knowledge of the activities of his son and deputies. In a statement, the U.S. attorney’s office said Lupe Treviño admitted he accepted the money from alleged drug trafficker To-
mas “El Gallo” Gonzalez, knowing it was from illegal activities. He admitted he accepted the funds directly and through others as donations for his 2012 election campaign. Part of the
money was subsequently deposited into bank accounts Treviño controlled. Calls to Lupe Treviño’s phone went unanswered Monday, and his attorney Roberto Yzaguirre declined to comment.