SPURS MAY FACE IBAKA
SATURDAY MAY 24, 2014
FREE
THUNDER PF SERGE IBAKA MAY RETURN IN SERIES, 1B
DELIVERED EVERY SATURDAY
TO 4,000 HOMES
A HEARST PUBLICATION
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
FEDERAL COURT
WASHINGTON DC
Two indictments 4 Zapata men accused in trafficking schemes SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Two indictments have been unsealed following the arrest of one McAllen and four Zapata residents alleging marijuana and cocaine trafficking, the U.S. attorney’s office announced Friday. Both indictments were returned under seal May 13 and unsealed upon Friday’s arrests of Roberto Piedra, 33, Isidro Ramirez, 34, Ramiro Guerrero, 35, and Omar Gonzalez, 50, all of Zapata, and Martin Gonzales Garces Jr., 55, of McAllen. All five are expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker on Tuesday. The first indictment alleges Piedra, Ramirez, Guerrero and Gonza-
lez conspired to possess with the intent to deliver 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana between February 2013 and Nov. 25, from South Texas to northern destinations. Specifically, transporters would allegedly drive the marijuana from the Rio Grande Valley to Laredo through ranches west of Laredo to avoid traveling through U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoints. The indictment alleges the marijuana was concealed in belly dump trucks below loads of caliche as well as in utility trucks for these vehicles to blend in with oil field traffic on ranches. Members of the organization allegedly scouted for these loaded vehicles. The first indictment further alleges that Piedra, Ramirez, Guerrero
and Gonzalez possessed with the intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana on Nov. 2425 and that Piedra possessed with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on Nov. 22. The second indictment alleges that Garces conspired and possessed with the intent to deliver 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on Feb. 7. If convicted, all face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine. The case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of U.S. Border Patrol and the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office. Assistant U.S. attorneys Elizabeth R. Rabe and Raul Guerra are prosecuting the case.
El Paso police probe graffiti on billboards ASSOCIATED PRESS
PAGE 11A
President nominates San Antonio mayor as housing secretary ASSOCIATED PRESS
CARTEL-STYLE THREATS
See THREATS
Castro is the nominee By DARLENE SUPERVILLE AND JOSH LEDERMAN
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
EL PASO — El Paso police were investigating two mysterious messages painted onto billboards in the border city that included mannequins dressed in suits hanging from nooses. The El Paso Times reported that motorists alerted police to the graffiti early Thursday morning. Both billboard companies said the painted messages were vandalism and not paid advertisements. They have been removed. One message read “silver or lead” in Spanish, a threat heard in Mexico signifying pay up or get shot. “This (message) has historically been used by Mexican drug cartels to threaten or intimidate Mexican citizens, business owners and government officials. However, we have never experienced this in El Paso,” Sgt. Chris Mears, a spokesman for the El Paso Police Department, said in a statement. “The investigation is
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais | AP
President Barack Obama, left, listens to San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, right, after announcing Castro’s nomination to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Friday.
Photo by Victor Calzada/El Paso Times | AP
An El Paso police officer checks a makeshift mannequin Thursday hanging on a billboard with the message, “silver or lead,” a threat heard in Mexico signifying pay up or get shot.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has nominated up-andcoming Democrat Julian Castro as the nation’s housing secretary. The move is part of a broader shuffle of Obama’s Cabinet that includes nominating current housing chief Shaun Donovan to run the Office of Management and Budget. During a State Dining Room ceremony, Obama praised Donovan’s efforts to help the U.S. housing market recover from the recession. He says he is nominating Donovan as budget director because “when you’re good at your job, people always want you to do even more.” Castro is the mayor of San Antonio and is seen as a possible Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2016. Obama says Castro has helped revitalize San Antonio, experience he will draw on as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Obama chose Castro to deliver the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and his star has been rising ever since. The two men’s life stories are similar: Both are minorities raised by single
mothers, they hold Harvard law degrees and saw their political careers skyrocket after giving widely praised Democratic convention keynote speeches. Castro, 39, is often among those talked about as possible Democratic vice presidential candidates in 2016. If confirmed by the Senate, the three-term mayor would become one of the highest-ranking Hispanic officials serving at the pleasure of the president. Donovan, 48, is highly regarded inside the White House as a strong manager. He is an affordable housing advocate whose work overseeing the federal government’s response to the destruction Hurricane Sandy unleashed on the East Coast in October 2012 has earned glowing praise from White House officials, including Obama. As director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, currently a Cabinet-level post, Donovan would have influence over administration policy and spending. He would be expected to win Senate confirmation for the post. Donovan would replace Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Obama recently nominated Burwell to become secretary of health and human services fol-
See CASTRO PAGE 11A
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Whistle-blower accuses agency of ‘cover-up’ VA says its investigation shows cancer and other exams were not changed, countering retired physicians’ claims By JEREMY SCHWARTZ COX NEWSPAPERS
AUSTIN — Department of Veterans Affairs officials in Texas said that an internal review did not substantiate whistle-blower claims of appointment manipulation for cancer and other screenings, a finding that the former doctor who made the allegations called a “cover-up.” Last week, Dr. Joseph Spann, who retired in January after 17 years at the Austin Outpatient Clinic, wrote a letter to federal investigators alleging that the chief of radiology at the VA’s Olin Teague Veterans’ Medical Center in Temple regularly asked physicians to change their requested
date for ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans to hide the existence of long backlogs for tests. Local VA officials this week also touted an increase in staffing and scanning machines in Austin and Temple over the past seven years, including a newly purchased ultrasound machine for the Austin clinic. Officials did not provide any information on wait times for screenings. But officials said in a statement that a Central Texas Veterans Health Care System review of Spann’s allegations “revealed no requests were made by the Chief (of) Imaging Service to physicians to change the requested date for ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans.” Spann said he put little stock in
the review. “Central Texas investigating itself is just worthless,” he said. “The truth will come out. So many doctors and clerks saw this that they won’t be able to make this go away.” Spann said that while the backlogs and requests for appointment changes had gotten better in recent years, the problem still persists. He attributed the practice to pressure to meet performance measures that give bonuses to executives for short patient wait times. The review is not the last word on the allegations: Investigators with the VA’s independent Inspector General office interviewed Spann on Wednesday as part of a probe of Central and South Texas
facilities. Spann’s allegations echo those of a scheduling clerk who told the Austin American-Statesman appointment manipulation to hide wait times was common at clinics in Waco, Austin and San Antonio. The allegations were part of a tidal wave of claims across the nation that have led to congressional hearings, at least one early retirement of a top VA official and calls for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. On Wednesday, President Barack Obama weighed in on the unfolding scandal, saying anyone found to have manipulated or falsified records will be “held accountable.” Shinseki has ordered a nation-
wide “audit” of scheduling practices at VA facilities across the country. Last week, the review teams, made up of fellow VA staffers, visited facilities in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Temple, Bonham, Harlingen, Fort Worth, Waco and McAllen. According to VA officials, local “leadership is not aware of any concerns brought up during these audits.” Texas Sen. John Cornyn questioned their value. “What we have is a dysfunctional agency investigating itself,” he said in a statement. “After reports of veterans dying on secret wait lists and others in Texas reported-
See SCHEDULING
PAGE 11A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
Saturday, May 24
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TAMIU Planetarium shows. “The Little Start that Could” 3 p.m.; “Force 5: Nature Unleashed” 4 p.m.; and “Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” 5 p.m. General admission $4 children and $5 adults. Premium shows $1 more.
Monday, May 26 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. Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting. 9 a.m. Zapata County Courthouse. Call Roxy Elizondo at 7659920. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American Statesman/file | AP
Tuesday, May 27 “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 Zuñiga at 286-9631 or mglzuñiga@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, May 28 Healthy recipe dishes for “The Great Salt Challenge” class. Noon to 1 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Focuses on sodium in diet, daily consumption limits, how to read a food label and strategies for reducing salt intake. Three lessons. Meets every Wednesday in May. English. Free. 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House on Wednesday, June 25. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219.
Thursday, May 29 Spanish Book Club meeting. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Laredo Public Library, Calton Road. Call Sylvia Reash at 7631810. From New York to Havana – A Ballroom Dance. 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Laredo Center for the Arts, 500 San Agustin Ave. Featuring VMT’s premier jazz ensemble SoundTown. Big Band classics, Latin favorites from south of the border and energetic sounds from Havana. Tickets $15; available at VMT office, 820 Main St; by calling 273-7800, and at the Center for the Arts at 725-1715. Also sold at the door. Semi-formal attire recommended. Guests may bring party trays. No alcohol; concession stand included. Contact Robert M. Lopez at 273-7811 or rmlopez004@laredoisd.org.
Saturday, May 31 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House on Wednesday, June 25. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219.
Wednesday, June 11 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House on Wednesday, June 25. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219.
Saturday, June 14 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House on Wednesday, June 25. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219.
Wednesday, June 18 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House on Wednesday, June 25. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219.
Saturday, June 21 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House on Wednesday, June 25. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219.
Wednesday, June 25 1964 Zapata High School Class 50th reunion. Dinner at The Steak House. Call Dora Martinez at 324-1226 or Ninfa Gracia at 500-5219. Submit calendar items at lmtonline.com/calendar/submit or by emailing editorial@lmtonline.com with the event’s name, date and time, location and purpose and contact information for a representative. Items will run as space is available.
David Tucker, a part-time contract farm laborer at Rocking H Farm in Garfield, looks at a failed milo crop, on July 27, 2011. Lubbock and Amarillo had more precipitation Thursday and Friday than their previous totals for the whole year, the National Weather Service said.
West Texas gets rain By BETSY BLANEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
LUBBOCK — The most drought-ravaged part of Texas finally got much-needed rain. Lubbock and Amarillo had more precipitation Thursday and Friday than their previous totals for the whole year, the National Weather Service said. But the rain, forecast to keep falling in the Panhandle and South Plains through Monday, won’t be enough to break the West Texas drought that is now in its fourth year. Lubbock recorded 1.56 inches of precipitation Friday, NWS meteorologist Steve Cobb said. Through Thursday, the city had seen just 0.95 inches of precipitation this year. Amarillo has recorded nearly 1.50 inches of precipitation since the rain began Thursday, compared to just 0.21 inches since Jan. 1. The rain in Amarillo led to some localized
Rarely exhibited Spanish drawings come to Dallas DALLAS — Rarely exhibited Spanish drawings have traveled from a German museum to Dallas for a showing. The exhibit opens Sunday at the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University. Almost 90 works by Spanish artists from the 16th and 18th centuries will be on display, including works by Francisco Goya.
Woman accused of trying to drown her 2 children DALLAS — Police say a woman is in custody after she tried to drown her two young daughters after the girls pleaded for snacks. Sonya Ann Gardner, 35, is jailed on a $1 million bond on two counts of attempted capital murder of a child. Neighbors in eastern Oak Cliff reported hearing screams coming from inside Gardner’s apartment.
flooding on Interstate 40 and low areas. Areas east of Lubbock, in Crosby and Floyd counties, got 3.5 inches since midnight Thursday. The Panhandle and South Plains regions of West Texas are in exceptional drought, the most severe stage on the U.S. Drought Monitor map. Tabatha Seymore, who collects rain tallies from around the region at the weather service’s Amarillo office, said the Panhandle would need as much as 18 inches to get out of drought. “We want it slowly,” she said, so it can soak in. Other parts of Texas aren’t as dry as West Texas, but about 72 percent of the state is in some drought stage. The January-throughApril period in the state was the fifth-driest on record, with just 45 percent of the normal 7.1 inches of rainfall.
State review recommends 2 killed in fiery I-30 crash 6 living centers close in Bowie Co. AUSTIN — A report recommends six state institutions for people with intellectual disabilities should close because the sites are expensive, unnecessary and some are falling apart. The report released Thursday says the Austin State Supported Living Center should shut down in 2017 — five years before the other sites as per the report.
Texan competent for trial in death of grandma, 77 CORPUS CHRISTI — A South Texas man has been ruled competent for trial in the death of his grandmother whose dismembered remains were found buried near her home. A judge in Corpus Christi on Thursday determined 28-year-old David Christy is competent for trial on a murder charge. An arrest affidavit says investigators believe a chainsaw was used in the slaying.
NASH — Texas troopers say two people have died in a fiery crash along Interstate 30 in northeast Texas. The crash happened around 4:30 a.m. Friday in Bowie County where I-30 crosses over County Road 2148 near Nash. An 18-wheeler hauling cars was eastbound on I-30 when it ran off an overpass, fell onto the road below and caught fire.
Fort Hood inbound traffic at gates now open FORT HOOD — Authorities at Fort Hood say they’ve reopened traffic in and out of the Central Texas Army post. Post officials said Thursday that they closed inbound traffic due to a telephone call, but aren’t saying what the call was about. Spokesman Col. Chris Garver says the post will “take prudent measures when necessary.” — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Some states opting out of federal prison rape law BOISE, Idaho — Several states are refusing to comply with a federal law designed to reduce sexual assaults in prison, with governors criticizing the Prison Rape Elimination Act as an unfunded mandate that replaces good intentions with red tape. The governors of Idaho, Texas, Indiana, Utah and Arizona have informed U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that they won’t try to meet the federal prison rape standards. Governors were required to certify by May 15 that their states either met the standards, or to promise that they were actively working toward that goal.
9/11 memorial site of Fleet Week ceremony NEW YORK — Seventeen service members from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast
Today is Saturday, May 24, the 144th day of 2014. There are 221 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On May 24, 1844, Samuel F.B. Morse transmitted the message “What hath God wrought” from Washington to Baltimore as he formally opened America’s first telegraph line. On this date: In 1775, John Hancock was elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding Peyton Randolph. In 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge, linking Brooklyn and Manhattan, was dedicated by President Chester Alan Arthur and New York Gov. Grover Cleveland. In 1889, Germany’s Reichstag passed a mandatory disability and old-age insurance law. In 1935, the first major league baseball game to be played at night took place at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field as the Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1. In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck sank the British battle cruiser HMS Hood in the North Atlantic, killing all but three of the 1,418 men on board. In 1959, former U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles died in Washington, D.C. at age 71. In 1962, astronaut Scott Carpenter became the second American to orbit the Earth as he flew aboard Aurora 7. In 1974, American jazz composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, 75, died in New York. In 1976, Britain and France opened trans-Atlantic Concorde supersonic transport service to Washington. In 1989, the action-adventure movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, was released by Paramount Pictures. In 1994, four men convicted of bombing New York’s World Trade Center in 1993 were each sentenced to 240 years in prison. Ten years ago: President George W. Bush, trying to dispel rising doubts about the Iraq war, declared the United States would stay in Iraq until it was free and democratic and suggested more U.S. soldiers might be needed to stop enemy forces bent on destroying the new government. A federal court in Portland, Oregon, threw out the case brought against Brandon Mayfield, an American lawyer once linked to the Madrid train bombings because of a fingerprint-identification error. Severe storms flooded villages in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, resulting in an estimated 3,000 deaths. Today’s Birthdays: Comedian Tommy Chong is 76. Singer Bob Dylan is 73. Actor Gary Burghoff is 71. Singer Patti LaBelle is 70. Actress Priscilla Presley is 69. Country singer Mike Reid is 67. Actor Jim Broadbent is 65. Actor Alfred Molina is 61. Singer Rosanne Cash is 59. Actress Kristin Scott Thomas is 54. Rock musician Jimmy Ashhurst (Buckcherry) is 51. Rock musician Vivian Trimble is 51. Actor John C. Reilly is 49. Actor Dana Ashbrook is 47. Actor Eric Close is 47. Actor Carl Payne is 45. Rock musician Rich Robinson is 45. Actor Dash Mihok is 40. Actor Bryan Greenburg is 36. Thought for Today: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).
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 Sports Editor, Zach Davis ..........................728-2578 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavin-Castillo............ 728-2569 Photo by Jose Luis Magana | AP
A boy collects hats thrown by graduating U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen after the United States Naval Academy 2014 Class graduation and commissioning ceremonies at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md., on Friday. Guard participated in a re-enlistment and promotion ceremony Friday at the National September 11 Memorial Museum in Manhattan. Rear Admiral Scott A. Stearney, commander of Carrier Strike Group Four, presided over
the ceremony in front of one of the reflecting pools where the twin towers once stood. Navy Lt. Christopher Mikell’s 2-year-old daughter Addyson attached her dad’s new lieutenant bars to his dress white uniform. — 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
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Man gets prison time Arts festival continues Amado Ricardo Martinez tells judge he was asked to give ride; gets 16 months for transporting illegal immigrants
Showcases in film, theater, dance and music on for today By GABRIELA A. TREVIÑO LAREDO MORNING TIMES
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man who claimed that illegal immigrants in Zapata asked him for a ride to Laredo was ordered to prison Wednesday, according to court records, U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Amado Ricardo Martinez to 16 months in federal prison followed by a threeyear supervised release. Martinez was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service to be completed within one year of his supervised release. Martinez, a U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to transport-
ing illegal immigrants March 7, his plea documents state. Other counts of conspiracy and transport and attempt to transport illegal immigrants were dismissed during the sentencing. On Jan. 16, Webb County Sheriff ’s Deputies detained three people on U.S. 83, one mile south of Rio Bravo. A U.S. Border Patrol agent arrived and interviewed the three people in custody. A man and woman from Honduras were determined to be in the country illegally. The deputy issued Martinez a warning citation for speeding. The deputy believed that the passengers
were illegally in the country because they had contradicting stories compared to the driver, court records show. Martinez waived his Miranda warnings. He claimed the Honduran nationals asked him for a ride at a gas station in Zapata. But both immigrants stated they had made prior arrangements to be smuggled into the United States. They both cross the Rio Grande illegally. Each immigrant had already paid $6,500, according to court documents. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Laredo Community College hosted the inaugural Rio Grande Arts Festival on Friday, and the festivities are set to continue today. The events, scattered throughout the north side of the Fort McIntosh campus, includes showcases in film, theater, dance, music and art. Judges will be reviewing songwriting skills, short films, 10 minute play productions and a battle of the bands and declare winners in said categories. William Hauserman, theater director at LCC, initially came up with the
idea for the event to showcase local talent. “I recognized that there is a lot of talent here in Laredo, but there are not a lot of opportunities for artists to show their work,” Hauserman said. As a response to the issue Hauserman observed, the Rio Grande Arts Festival was born. Although the event is being held at the LCC Fort McIntosh campus, the showcases and competitions were open to public participation. On Friday, the songwriting and short film competitions were judged. Spectators also enjoyed live music by the Cactus Country band, a puppet show and a
ballet performance. In addition to the competitions and showcases, free workshops were held for anyone willing to learn and participate. Gary Brown, art professor at LCC, taught the silkscreening workshop. He began the workshop by doing a demonstration of what the participants would be doing. He began to draw on a screen and poured acrylic over the drawing. The product was a silkscreen print. “It’s a good workshop project because everyone should have a basic idea of what silkscreening is. There are so many ways you can use if,” Brown said.
Five execution methods are allowed in the US By TRAVIS LOLLER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Five execution methods are legal in various places in the United States: injection, electrocution, gas, firing squad and hanging. Tennessee this week became the first state to allow use of the electric chair in some circumstances regardless of the inmate’s wishes, if injection drugs are not available. However, all 35 states that have death row inmates, as well as the U.S. military and the federal government, use injection as their primary method of execution, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Deborah Denno, a professor at Fordham Law School who has studied executions for more than two decades, said states have changed execution methods over the years in recurring attempts to make them more humane and to avoid litigation.
Here is a look at how each of those methods specifically causes death:
Lethal injection First adopted in 1977 in Oklahoma, lethal injection has become the method of choice in all states that still carry out executions. Generally, inmates are strapped to a gurney while needles are inserted into the veins and the drugs are pumped in. This method is often seen as the most humane of the five because the inmates are supposed to be sedated before they die. Inmates, though, have been known to writhe and talk during poorly carried out injections. According to Denno, until 2009, all states used a three-drug protocol that included a sedative, a paralytic and then the final, fatal drug to stop the heart. Because of drug shortages and legal challenges that claimed the paralytic drug could mask
an inmate’s suffering, states are now experimenting with several different protocols. Some states are adopting a one-drug method that is essentially a massive overdose of a sedative. Other states are keeping a multi-drug protocol but experimenting with different drugs.
Electrocution New York developed electrocution as an alternative to hanging — which was often a gruesome public spectacle — and executed the first inmate by electric chair in 1890. Prisoners generally are strapped into a chair with electrodes placed on their heads and legs. Salinesoaked sponges are placed between the skin and the electrodes to aid conductivity. Denno said the voltage, the number of jolts and the length of time they are administered vary from state to state. Executioners
usually give more than one jolt of electricity, to make sure the inmate is dead. Executioners can’t give one long, continuous jolt because the person’s body could start to burn. Instead they let the body cool down for a few seconds between jolts. It is unknown whether the person being electrocuted is rendered unconscious by the shock or is merely paralyzed and unable to yell out. Denno said electrocution usually kills by sending the inmate into cardiac arrest, but it could also cause brain death first. “Or it could be both brain death and heart death.” After Tennessee executed Daryl Holton by electric chair in 2007, a method he chose, state medical examiner Dr. Bruce Levy said Holton died when the electricity stopped his heart. Holton also had burns where the electrodes contacted the skin. And Levy said inmates sometimes suffer broken bones when their muscles clench vio-
lently during the shock, but that did not happen with Holton.
Gas chamber Nevada developed the gas chamber in the 1920s as an attempt at a humane method of execution, but Denno said it had “horrific problems” from the start. The original idea was to pump the gas into an inmate’s cell while he was sleeping, but there was no way to keep the gas contained, so they built a chamber instead. Inmates are strapped into a chair and the chamber is filled with cyanide gas, which kills by asphyxiation. The inmates are fully awake and conscious as they suffocate, Denno said.
Firing squad This method has been used as recently as 2010 in Utah at the request of a condemned man there.
Denno said the prisoner is strapped to a chair, as in electrocution and the gas chamber. A cloth target is placed over prisoner’s the heart. Several shooters are given real bullets but one or more are given blanks. Assuming the shooters hit their target, the heart ruptures and the prisoner dies quickly from blood loss.
Hanging Before 1890, hanging was the principal method of execution across the country. The prisoner stands over a trap door while a noose is placed around the person’s neck, and then the trap door is opened and the prisoner falls. By design, the fall breaks the prisoner’s neck and kills him or her, but Denno said that has often not been the case. In some cases, prisoners have been decapitated from the fall. In other cases, they have strangled over the course of several minutes.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Odd-shaped districts on the increase By CHRISTOPHER INGRAHAM THE WASHINGTON POST
Last week, I wrote about the most gerrymandered congressional districts in the United States, as measured by how geometrically compact they are. I found that districts in some states are a bit of a hot mess, particularly in North Carolina and Maryland. The natural follow-up question: Have they always been that way? To answer that, I grabbed historic district “shape files” and did the same geometric analysis for a handful of states, dating to the 83rd Congress, which convened in 1953. In nearly every state, the average gerrymander index value — that is, the average of the gerrymander scores for all districts in a given state — has risen substantially since then. The rise has been most dramatic in Pennsylvania and Ohio — presidential battleground states — as well as Illinois. Maryland and North Carolina are the two most redistricted states today, and although their numbers have remained consistently high, they’ve also shifted upward since the 1950s. There are various confounding factors to consider here. The number of seats allocated to each state has changed over time, and state populations have risen as well. In areas with denser populations, it’s easier to come up with creative ways to draw districts. But these states don’t show any discernible relationships between population, the number of seats in a congressional district and the extent of gerrymandering. Pennsylvania and New York have lost congressional seats over time. But Pennsylvania’s redistricting scores have risen steadily, while New York’s peaked around the 98th Congress and have been declining ever since. Texas has nearly doubled its congressional representation since 1950, and its gerrymandering average spiked in the 103rd Congress, dipped in the 108th, and shot back up in the 113th. Maryland’s number of districts has been relatively flat, and its redistricting scores have fluctuated considerably. What does all this mean? It means that states can actually control the extent of gerrymandering. Take New York, for example. It has shown a meaningful decrease in the level of redistricting across multiple congressional terms. New York also has also set up an independent advisory commission that recommends congressional and state redistricting plans to the state legislature. This commission was set up in 1978, and shortly thereafter the level of gerrymandering in the state peaked and has been declining ever since. Although the New York legislature is not bound to follow the advisory committee’s recommendations, this does suggest that sub-
What does all this mean? It means that states can control the extent of gerrymandering. Take New York, for example. It has shown a meaningful decrease in the level of redistricting across multiple congressional terms. jecting lawmakers to some oversight in the redistricting process could lower their enthusiasm for rigging that process in their favor. Some writers, notably John Sides at the Monkey Cage and Seth Masket in the Pacific Standard, caution that there’s more to the gerrymandering story than just compactness. Masket sums things up by noting that districts can be assessed by any number of factors, including equal population size, absence of racial discrimination, compactness and contiguity of districts, preservation of county or municipal boundaries and preservation of communities of interest. “Some of these goals run right up against each other,” he writes. “While a compact district may be desirable, it doesn’t necessarily reflect how people live or what county and city boundaries look like.” Or, as Sides succinctly puts it, “Representation is about people, not polygons.” I couldn’t agree more. But in many states, if not most of them, districts have become consistently less and less compact over time. And it doesn’t seem like these changes in compactness can be explained away by changes in population or overall seat allocation, which tells me that something else is happening in those states. I have a hard time looking at the evolution of districts such as Maryland’s 3rd or Pennsylvania’s 7th and concluding that whatever’s happening in there is the result of a healthy democratic process. (Both are among the most gerrymandered districts in the country.) What’s at stake, after all, is citizens’ representation in Congress. Partisan gerrymandering undermines the whole notion of a representative government. For proof, just look toward the lopsided seat distribution in the current Congress.
COLUMN
Debating about debates Proposed debate scheduled on the most holiest of Jewish holidays, yet there may not be any debates due to disagreements by candidates
“
KEN HERMAN
AUSTIN — Another complication has been thrown into the debate about the gubernatorial debates: Jews. GOP candidate Greg Abbott, now our attorney general, has agreed to two debates with Democratic challenger Wendy Davis, a state senator from Fort Worth. She said this week she wants six debates. The underdog always wants more. Holding out for more, Davis, so far, has not agreed to any. This kind of maneuvering is not unusual. The two debates Abbott has agreed to are on high school football Friday nights. The first is set for Sept. 19 in McAllen. The second is Oct. 3 in Dallas. Turns out that second night, for some people, is even more sacred than high school football night. It is the evening that Yom Kippur, the Jewish fast day of atonement, begins. It is a somber holy day, not a festive holiday. “It would not be my preference,” Travis County Democratic Chair Jan Soifer, who is Jewish and a Davis backer, said of the proposed Yom Kippur debate. “I just feel strongly that public events should not be scheduled on the holiest night of the Jewish year. Unfortunately, there are very few of us Jews in Texas so not everybody agrees
with us on that.” I asked Soifer if she believes Davis should refuse to debate on Yom Kippur. “I don’t know,” she said. “I can’t speak for her.” Zac Petkanas can. He’s her spokesman and was ready to talk generically about debates when I called. “What she wants to do
widest number of people possible the opportunity to see the debates.” Neither of the campaigns were aware of the conflict before I asked about it Thursday. I was unaware of it until the Keeper of the Calendar at my house pointed it out. Petkanas, after conferring with Davis, told me “a
“
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Senator Davis is looking for any excuse not to debate Greg Abbott, and by continuing to engage in political theatrics rather than make a commitment, Texans are beginning to see the same.” AVDIEL HUERTA, GOP CANDIDATE GREG ABBOTT’S CAMPAIGN SPOKESMAN
is sit down like in every other campaign and have a discussion about a comprehensive debate plan that allows communities across the state to get an up-close and personal view of the two candidates going head to head and discussing the critical issues of the day,” Petkanas told me. The goal, he said, is a schedule that gives “the
debate on Yom Kippur would not be respectful, nor would it be in keeping with the spirit that these debates should be about ensuring all Texans can see their candidates discuss issues of the day.” Not only that, but, he said, “this is a perfect example of why both campaigns need to sit down, compare calendars and put together a comprehensive
debate plan that respects important dates like that and that ensures that all communities are represented and that voters across the state can get an up-close and personal view of the two candidates talking about the issues of the day.” And there was this from Abbott campaign spokesman Avdiel Huerta: “As someone of deep Jewish faith, I understand the importance of Yom Kippur, as does Greg Abbott. But the question about dates is moot at this point because Senator Davis refuses to accept any debates. If this date was truly a concern for Senator Davis, why didn’t she bring it up when WFAA extended the invite over a month ago? “It’s becoming increasingly clear that Senator Davis is looking for any excuse not to debate Greg Abbott, and by continuing to engage in political theatrics rather than make a commitment, Texans are beginning to see the same,” Huerta said. Carolyn Mungo, WFAA’s news director, says the station was unaware of the Yom Kippur problem until the Davis campaign called about it Thursday and that the date is negotiable, but nothing can happen until Davis agrees to a debate. About all we seem to know for sure is it looks like there won’t be an Oct. 3 debate in Dallas. Ken Herman is a columnist for the Austin AmericanStatesman. E-mail: kherman@statesman.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
State
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
State testing criticized Several superintendents around state take public stands against policy on standardized tests ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP
Employees at the Houston Zoo’s new bug house get their first look at the exhibits Friday, in Houston. The Bug House has 30 species of native and exotic insects on display.
Bugs get new home By MICHAEL GRACZYK ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — The Houston Zoo this weekend opens its first insectarium in the park’s 92year history, featuring some exotic and venomous species in more than two dozen custom habitats that make up what’s being dubbed “The Bug House.” “They’re fascinating and they’re just hard to see out in the wild,” Kevin Hodge, curator of the Children’s Zoo at the park, said Friday as workers were putting final touches on the $3 million project. “Most of these insects around here no one’s ever going to see on a trip to Africa or Malaysia. A lot of times they’re at the very tops of trees and could be among thousands of animals living on one huge canopy tree.” A specialized insect display seems appropriate in Houston, a city that’s grown up on what was a swamp and where disease-carrying mosquitoes and 2-inch-long flying cockroaches are accepted facts of life. The homegrown
roaches, though, are dwarfed by the giant cave cockroaches from Panama and northern South America that are housed in one of the 25 aquarium-like exhibits. Other impressive insects on display are black Asian forest scorpions from Malaysia, white-eyed assassin bugs from South Africa and blue death feigning beetles, which flop over on their blue backs and appropriately play dead when confronted with desert predators that prefer live victims. The bug house also is home for a red-spotted longhorn beetle, which despite the Texas name connection hails from Southeast Asia, and a Gooty sapphire tarantula, named for the town in southern India where it was discovered. Insects and spiders — there are more than a million species of them — are vital as recyclers, aiding in decomposition and cleanup of organic matter. They also help in food production, silk production and are a food source for other animals. Pollinating insects are important for
plant reproduction and crop production. Spiders, for example, are crucial for controlling pest insects that otherwise would devour food crops. “They’re not just creepy crawly things we want to get rid of,” Hodge said. “Insects are a good indicator of how the planet is doing as a whole. “Insects are cool, and we need them here.” The new 2,000-squarefoot “Bug House” building is the result of about two years of work and eight months of construction. It required multiple U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections and permits covering the building itself, species, and native and exotic insects before it was cleared to open for the first time Saturday. “We’re taking something that people rarely see and are bringing them into a place where they can appreciate nature,” Hodge said. The 55-acre Houston Zoo is among the nation’s most visited zoos, last year attracting some 2.2 million visitors.
DALLAS — Several Texas superintendents have publicly criticized the state’s standardized testing system ahead of next week’s release of statewide scores. Paul Jones, superintendent of the Paris school district in northeast Texas, said in a recent letter to parents that the tests known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness reflect a “punitive, onesize-fits-all” system. Superintendents in the Dallas suburb of Coppell and the East Texas towns of Longview and Van also recently sent letters to parents critical of the mandatory testing, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Statewide STAAR results for grades three through eight are scheduled to be released next week. Critics of the assessments have argued that preparing for STAAR, including a concentration on test-taking strategy, has hurt classroom teaching. “Our students are much more than a once-a-year pencil and bubble sheet test,” Jones wrote to parents. “Your child means immeasurably more than just a number generated in Austin. There is no test that can assess all of what makes each child unique.” Paris has been challenged over the state tests in recent years; fewer students passed most of the exams than the state average. But Jones
said his letter was not an effort to downplay any further disappointing scores. “We’re going to celebrate if we blow the roof off those tests,” he told the Morning News. “But we know that’s not what it’s all about.” Coppell Superintendent Jeff Turner said the fact that superintendents feel free to publicly disparage the state system reflects a broad criticism by many groups. “The fact that he can get away with writing something like that without being called down by (his school) board or community just shows that he is reflecting the feelings of the parents,” Turner said of Jones. “He won’t be the last to write it.”
Gates now leads Scouts By NOMAAN MERCHANT ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates was confirmed Thursday as the Boy Scouts of America’s new president, taking over one of the nation’s largest youth organizations as it fights a membership decline and debates its policy toward gays. The group’s national council voted to approve Gates for the volunteer role at the organization’s annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Gates, 70, was announced as incoming president in October. As head of the organization’s executive board, Gates will become one of Scouting’s most public figures at a pivotal time in its history.
Gates will become one of Scouting’s most public figures at a pivotal time in its history. “I’ve had tremendous opportunities in my life, but I can say without hesitation that my memories of Scouting are every bit as vivid and meaningful as what came later,” Gates said in a statement Thursday. “I believe every boy deserves an opportunity to experience what Scouting offers.” The Boy Scouts voted last year to allow openly gay boys in its ranks while continuing to exclude openly gay adult leaders, a compromise that continues to entangle the group in de-
bates over its membership policy. Shortly after the change was enacted, one openly gay Boy Scout received his Eagle award, the highest in Scouting. But the organization’s expulsion of a gay Seattle-area Scoutmaster drew national headlines, and some gayrights advocates are still urging sponsors to drop the Scouts. The change also led some conservatives to leave Scouting altogether, though defections have been far fewer than once expected.
ZAPATA COUNTY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB POSTING
ZAPATA COUNTY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB POSTING
Position
Position
Special Education Teacher (Elementary Level)
Speech Language Pathologist
Salary for Classroom Teachers & Full Time Librarians
Salary
Minimum: $43,260.00 Maximum: $61,718.00
Minimum: $54,573.00 Maximum: $76,143.00
Administrative/Professional Compensation Plan Minimum Duty Days:
Pay Grade: 5
10 Months
Minimum Duty Days: Minimum Requirements: • Valid Texas Teaching Certificate in area of assignment with required endorsements for subject and level assigned. In addition, individuals in core academic subject areas must meet the highly qualified teacher requirements as per the No Child left Behind Act • Bachelor’s degree from accredited university • At least one year of student teaching or approved internship
Special Knowledge/Skills: • Ability to employ strategies that lead to student academic success. • Treats all people with dignity and respect. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously with • administrators, other teachers, students, parents and other staff. • Knowledge of assigned subjects. • General knowledge of curriculum and instruction. • Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior. • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
197 Days
Minimum Qualification: • Master’s Degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited college or university • Valid Texas license as a speech-language pathologist granted by the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SBESLPA) • One year of supervised clinical speech-language pathology experience • Able to supervise Speech Language Pathologist Assistants (SLPA)
Primary Purpose: This position provides speech-language pathology services to students with speech, voice, or language disorders. The position holder also assesses students and provides therapeutic intervemtion to eliminate or reduce problems or impairments that interfere with the students’ abilities ‘to derive full benefit from the educational program.
Special Knowledge/Skills:
• Bilingual Certification
• Skills in the use of tests and measurements assessing speech-language disorders. • Knowledge of evaluation, habilitation, and rehabilitation of monolingual and bilingual speech, language, and hearing disorders. • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills • Ability to travel to multiple work locations as assigned. • Ability to instruct and manage student behavior. • Experience with Medicaid billing requirements.
Deadline for Applying:
Preferred Qualifications:
Other Requirements: • Must be willing to travel within the district
Preferred Qualifications:
Until Positions Filled Applications may be obtained from Human Resources Department 1302 Glenn Street P.O. Box 158 Zapata, Texas 78076 (956)765-6858 • Fax (956)765-5940 Website: www.zcisd.org To download professional application go to: www.zcisd.org We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital status or veteran status, the presence of a medical condition, disability or any other legally protected status. An Equal Opportunity Employer
• Previous experience as a speech-language pathologist
Deadline for Applying: Thursday, May 29, 2014 Applications may be obtained from Human Resources Department 1302 Glenn Street P.O. Box 158 Zapata, Texas 78076 (956)765-6858 • Fax (956)765-5940 Website: www.zcisd.org To download professional application go to: www.zcisd.org We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital status or veteran status, the presence of a medical condition, disability or any other legally protected status. An Equal Opportunity Employer
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
PÁGINA 8A
Zfrontera
Agenda en Breve ZAPATA 05/24— La Clase 1964 de Zapata High School se reunirá para celebrar los 50 años de haber graduado. El miércoles 25 de junio en el Steak House. Interesados en asistir a la cena pueden solicitar informes con Dora Martínez al (956) 324-1226 o con Ninfa Gracia al (956) 500-5219. Roma 05/24— Ángeles de Zumba invitan a un evento de Zumba a beneficio del bebé J.R., para su tratamiento contra el cáncer. El evento será de 10 a.m. a 12 p.m. en el Gimnasio Jesus O. Guerra, 608 N. Garcia St. Donación: 15 dólares.
LAREDO 05/24— Vigésimo Derby Anual de Pesca en “Ranchito” del Parque Estatal Casa Blanca, de 9 a.m. a 2 p.m. 05/24— Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU presenta “The Little Star that Could” a las 3 p.m.; “Force 5: Nature Unleashed” a las 4 p.m.; “Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries”, a las 5 p.m. Costo: 4 dólares, niños; y 5 dólares, adultos. 05/24— Evento de Lucha Libre “Guerra de Leyendas” a partir de las 8 p.m. en Laredo Energy Arena. Costo: 48 dólares, 38, 28 y 18. Adquiera su boleto en Ticketmaster o en la taquilla del LEA. 05/24— La obra de teatro “Noises Off” de Michael Frayn se presenta a las 8 p.m. en Laredo Little Theater, 4802 Thomas Ave. Para audiencia madura. Costo: 15 dólares. Última presentación, el domingo a las 3 p.m. 05/25— Recital del Programa de Bailarines Jóvenes de TAMIU será de 5 p.m. a 10 p.m. en el Teatro del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de la Universidad. Entrada gratuita. 05/25— Ballet Becky presenta el recital “Once Upon a Time” a las 5 p.m. en el Laredo Civic Center. 05/25— Gloria Trevi presenta su gira “Gloria Trevi De Película Tour”, a las 7:30 p.m. en Laredo Energy Arena. Costo: 33, 43, 63, 88 y 103 dólares. 05/27— Recital del Programa de Jóvenes Pianistas de TAMIU a las 7:30 p.m. en el Salón de Recitales del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. Entrada gratuita.
NUEVO LAREDO, MX 05/24— Estación Palabra ‘Gabriel García Márquez’ invita al “Bazar de Arte” a las 12 p.m.; “Festival Infantil” a las 2 p.m.; y “Vagón #13 Manifiesto” a las 5 p.m. Todo los eventos son gratis. 05/24— Presentación del libro “Adicción Emocional” a las 4 p.m. en Estación Palabra. Entrada gratuita. 05/24— Encuentro Nacional de Danza Folklórica a las 5 p.m. en el Teatro de la Ciudad Adolfo López Mateos. Entrada gratuita. 05/24— Performance “Las 5 Puertas” a las 6 p.m. en la Galería Regional de Artes Visuales del Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo. Entrada gratuita. 05/25— Conociendo a México “Muestra de bailes folklóricos” a las 10 a.m. en el Teatro Lucio Blanco. Entrada gratuita. 05/25— Teatro Laberintus A.C. presenta la obra “Invisible” a las 12 p.m. en el Teatro del IMSS, entre Reynosa y Belden. Obra para toda la familia. Costo 20 pesos. 05/25— “Domingo de Teatro Universitario” presenta “La Piedra de la Felicidad” en el teatro Lucio Blanco en la Casa de la Cultura a las 5 p.m. Entrada libre.
SÁBADO 24 DE MAYO DE 2014
HÉCTOR ALEJANDRO MÉNDEZ RAMÍREZ TENÍA 12 AÑOS DE EDAD
Acoso escolar
POR MELVA LAVÍN-CASTILLO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Héctor Alejandro Méndez Ramírez tenía 12 años de edad y cursaba el primer año de secundaria. El miércoles 14 de mayo era un día normal de clases en la Escuela Secundaria 7 de Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México, pero investigaciones han revelado que ése día Méndez fue tomado por cuatro compañeros de escuela, quienes lo lanzaron contra la pared. El caso, que ha sido calificado como “bullying” (acoso estudiantil), dio otro giro la madrugada del martes cuando Méndez falleció en el Hospital Infantil donde era atendido. El alumno recibió un severo golpe en la cabeza que le provocara un traumatismo craneoencefálico grave que lo mantuvo en
estado de coma, y, al final, su muerte, indicaron representantes de la Secretaría de Educación en Tamaulipas (SET) en un comunicado de prensa. El secretario de la SET, Diódoro Guerra Rodríguez, informó que la maestra de la materia de Español y el subdirector de la secundaria fueron suspendidos, mientras se realiza una investigación. Los padres de la víctima, Javier Méndez y Rebeca Ramírez Rojas, acudieron ante la Procuraduría de Tamaulipas a presentar la denuncia correspondiente. Ramírez dijo que pide acción contra maestros y directivos por negligencia, ya que no actuaron a tiempo contra el acoso que sufría su hijo, al igual contra los alumnos responsables. “Éste era mi hijo, era un niño
sano que jugaba fútbol, era un niño sano que le gustaba bailar, que le gustaba cantar, le gustaba hacer muchas cosas”, expresó Ramírez al periódico en línea Hoy Tamaulipas. “Que venga este maestro y me diga que era un juego de muchachos, como va ser un juego por favor, no es justo”. La Procuraduría de Tamaulipas turnó el caso al área especializada para menores. El martes a la 1:30 p.m. padres de familia y jóvenes se manifestaron de forma pacífica contra autoridades educativas y maestros de la Secundaria No. 7 en Ciudad Victoria. Llevaron pancartas que leían, “Queremos justicia”, “Justicia para Minio”, “Acabemos con el bullying”, “Exigimos justicia para Héctor Alejandro”, entre otros, se-
DEPORTES
gún reporte publicado por Hoy Tamaulipas. El miércoles al mediodía, Héctor Alejandro Méndez fue sepultado en el panteón Recuerdo de Ciudad Victoria. Los padres de Héctor Alejandro Méndez decidieron donar los dos riñones del menor, informó el secretario de Salud en Tamaulipas Norberto Treviño García-Manzo. “Un reconocimiento y nuestra compañía en el duelo de los padres de este niño que tuvieron el gran valor humanitario de ceder los riñones”, indicó Treviño. “Es una donación muy importante”. La Secretaría de Educación agregó que la dependencia asumió los gastos generados por la atención médica, hospitalaria y funerarios de Héctor Alejandro Méndez.
CONDADO DE ZAPATA
ESTUDIANTES POR MÉXICO Siguen a espera de solución POR GABRIELA A. TREVIÑO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo
El jueves se realizó la inauguración del Torneo Nacional Escolar de Baloncesto “Dos mil estudiantes por México”, en el gimnasio de la Unidad Deportiva Benito Juárez, en Nuevo Laredo, México, con alrededor de 20 equipos participantes.
Veinte equipos asistieron a inauguración TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
El Torneo Nacional de Baloncesto “Dos mil estudiantes por México” fue inaugurado con la presencia de alrededor de 20 equipos de baloncesto de la ciudad de Nuevo Laredo, México, el jueves, dentro del nuevo gimnasio de la Unidad Deportiva, Benito Juárez. Los ganadores del torneo pasarán a la etapa estatal que será
realizada del 9 al 15 de junio en Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. “Las actividades deportivas y culturales mantendrá a nuestros jóvenes y niños ocupados e interesados, mediante la promoción de que desarrollen sus habilidades en esta clase de eventos”, expresó Lucía Irene Alzaga Madaria, secretaria de Desarrollo Humano y Social de Nuevo Laredo. Este año marca la ocasión en
que Nuevo Laredo se unió a la competencia y a la entrega de material deportivo, que incluyó 200 uniformes y 60 balones de baloncesto. Los municipios de Victoria y Tampico, Tamaulipas, México, también recibieron el material deportivo. Los partidos serán celebrados a lo largo de la semana en los gimnasios de la Unidad Deportiva Benito Juárez.
TXDOT
Exhortan a utilizar cinturón ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Conductores y pasajeros que no utilicen el cinturón de seguridad recibirán multa de hasta 200 dólares a través de la campaña “Abroche o Pague”. Desde el 19 de mayo y hasta el próximo 1 de junio, el Departamento de Transportes de Texas (TxDOT) estará emitiendo multas y costos de tribunales de hasta 200 dólares, a través de la campaña anual. “Los cinturones de seguridad salvan vidas”, dijo John Barton, director ejecutivo adjunto de TxDOT. “Es un hecho. Abrocharse el cinturón evitará que reciba
una multa y, lo más importante, podría salvarle la vida”. Alrededor del 76 por ciento de los residentes de Texas utilizaban el cinturón de seguridad cuando la campaña comenzó en 2002, de acuerdo con un comunicado de prensa. Las cifras actuales indican que 9 de cada 10 tejanos utiliza el cinturón, añade. “Ya sea usted conductor o pasajero, la ley exige que todas las personas en el vehículo usen el cinturón de seguridad en cada viaje. El costo de no usarlo simplemente no vale la pena”, dijo Barton. La Administración Nacional de Seguridad en las Autopistas
(NHTSA) calcula que la campaña “Abroche o Pague” en Texas desde su origen ha producido una reducción de casi 3.962 muertes menos en las carreteras, mientras que se evitaron 66.823 lesiones, indica el comunicado. En 2013 hubo 943 muertes y 5.383 lesiones graves en el estado causadas por choques en los que los conductores o los pasajeros no tenían el cinturón de seguridad abrochado, sostiene el comunicado. Para más información sobre la campaña puede escribir a MediaRelations@txdot.gov o llamar al (512) 463-8700.
DÍA DE LAS FUERZAS ARMADAS
Foto de cortesía | Ciudad de Roma
La Comisión de Parques y Recreación de la Ciudad de Roma, Texas, llevó a cabo la 3er Caminata/Carrera Anual de 5K, el sábado 19 de mayo, en el marco del Día de las Fuerzas Armadas.
Miembros del Comité de Cultura, Recreación y Turismo de la Cámara de Representantes de Texas, se reunieron con residentes de Zapata durante una audiencia pública, a fin de atender el tema de la disminución de población de lubina (robalo) en el Lago Falcón. Expertos del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas, contribuyeron con testimonios durante la audiencia, que tuvo lugar el viernes 16 de mayo en el Centro de Educación y Tecnológica de Zapata. La disminución de la población de lubina ha impactado grandemente no sólo el ecosistema del Lago Falcón, sino también ha contribuido a que bajara el número de turistas que visitan el área. Pescadores en el Condado de Zapata han atribuido la disminución de lubina al aumento de catán (o pejelagarto), citando que estos animales se alimentan de lubina. Sin embargo, el panel del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre no atribuye el problema a los catanes, como previamente se dijo en Laredo Morning Times. El departamento dijo que el otoño pasado, examinaron el contenido estomacal de 28 catanes y encontraron que la lubina sólo constituía el 10 por ciento de la dieta de los catanes. Los catanes son peces que pueden crecer entre 7 y 8 pies de largo y llegar a pesar hasta 300 libras. Además, su vida se extiende de 50 a 100 años. Estos peces desovan en condiciones de inundación, pero también sobreviven a las sequías. En 2009, se impusieron restricciones sobre la cantidad de catanes que los pescadores podían extraer al día. Dave Terre, jefe de gestión e investigación de la División de Pesca Continental en el Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre, dijo que el problema del Lago Falcón es muy común. Dijo que los dos temas principales que notó fueron los bajos niveles de agua y la colecta de lubina negra. Dijo que mientras es verdad que los catanes consumen lubinas, no lo hacen de manera alarmante. “La población de lubina está disminuyendo porque el lago se está reduciendo… las lubinas comen más lubinas que las que consumen los catanes”, dijo Terre. El lunes, KRGV, canal televisivo de Río Grande, reportó acerca de una especie invasora de peses encontrada en la presa en San Benito, que presenta una distancia menor a 200 millas del Lago Falcón, en Zapata. De acuerdo con el reporte, docenas de bagres fueron encontrados muertos en las orillas de la presa. El martes, el comisionado del condado de Zapata, José E. Vela, se reunió con pescadores locales que afirmaron que el mismo tipo de pescado estaba afectando a la población de lubina en Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas, y al otro lado al Lago Falcón. Romeo Salinas, Tesorero del Condado de Zapata, dijo que quería ver un estudio concluyente realizado por Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas, quien concluirá su investigación en el Lago Falcón durante el otoño. Salinas dijo que era “demasiado tiempo” para esperar. “Eso es todo lo que tenemos. Hemos perdido a la comunidad de petróleo y gas... (la disminución de la población de lubina) va a afectar a todos los negocios”, dijo Salinas.
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
Forced upon town California judge says serial rapist must be released and allowed to live in Southern California community By LINDA DEUTSCH ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — A judge on Friday ordered that a serial rapist be released to live in a Los Angeles County community in spite of a host of vocal protests. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Gilbert Brown issued a brief order saying that Christopher Evans Hubbart, 63, must be released by July 7, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement. With several severe restrictions that include 24-hour GPS monitoring, Hubbart will be allowed to rent a small house in a remote area in Lake Los Angeles, near the city of Palmdale. The decision comes two days after a daylong hearing in Northern California, where Brown heard passionate objections from residents, many of whom drove 350 miles north from Southern California. Hubbart’s most recent crimes occurred in Santa Clara County, but Brown ordered him released to Los Angeles County, where Hubbart was born and raised. “I am extremely disappointed with the court’s decision,” said Lacey, who spent months fighting the release into her county of man with a history of at least 40 rapes. “Now we are preparing for his arrival,” she said. “We will do everything within our authority to protect the residents of Los Angeles County from this dangerous predator.” Hubbart will wear a 24hour, seven-day-a-week GPS monitor on his ankle and will be accompanied by security people every time he goes out in public for the first six months to a year of
his release, Lacey said. He will be transported to therapy sessions twice a week. HUBBART Brown said he received an enormous outpouring of emails, petitions, cards, letters and postings on a website set up by Lacey for public comment. The documents filled two banker boxes as well as two full binders, he said. “The court has reviewed them all,” Brown said, offering no other comment. “The court approves the proposed address. Mr. Hubbart is ordered to be placed within 45 days,” he said in his written order. Hubbart has acknowledged raping and assaulting about 40 women between 1971 and 1982, when he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. He was paroled in 1990, but arrested in a new attack just two months later and returned to prison until 1996. When his term ended, he was deemed a sexually violent predator and confined to a state mental hospital. Doctors at the hospital recently concluded he was fit for release, but few options were available. California laws bar sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and other places where children congregate, eliminating nearly all urban areas in the state. Local leaders quickly denounced the decision. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich called it “an unconscionable threat to public safety.” Palmdale Mayor James Ledford said he was “a little upset” on learning the news. “It’s very disappointing, very disappointing that this
guy with this kind of record in the past would be put into any community,” he said. Ledford said the city is going to continue to try to fight the order. Cheryl Holbrook, one of the residents who drove north to the hearing and a member of a community group created to fight the release, said she and others from the Ladies of Lake LA were already heading to protest at Hubbart’s new home, which is about five miles from her own. Holbrook said she was shaking because of the news, which she said was made worse by terrible memories of being raped as a 14-year-old by two men at knifepoint and impregnated. “I think it’s wrong,” Holbrook said. “When this guy commits another crime, the blood’s going to be on that judge’s shoulders.” Hubbart will be required to report to the judge in San Jose for quarterly progress reports In a related development, the state assembly passed legislation backed by Lacey requiring courts to give residents of counties receiving sexual violent predators a voice early in the judicial process. Assemblyman Steve Fox, D-Palmdale, who sponsored the revision of the Sexual Violent Predator Act, said, “The court has made a horrendous error in judgment in deciding to place this parolee into Lake Los Angeles. This is an unfair decision that flies in the face of the traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. We are being dumped on.” He said that once the bill is approved by the full legislature, “We are taking jurisdiction of this case away from Santa Clara County.”
Strict teacher contract Catholic school teachers face restrictions on private lives ASSOCIATED PRESS
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland is under fire for a new contract clause that requires teachers to conform to church teachings in their private lives. Some parents, teachers and students worry teachers could be fired for being gay or engaging in behavior the church frowns on, such as having sex outside marriage. Three teachers at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland have refused to sign the new contract, Diocese of Oakland spokesman Mike Brown said this week. Parents and teachers, additionally, plan to protest at the diocese’s offices Friday. The diocese runs more than 50 schools and employs about 1,000 teachers, many of them non-Catholics. Brown told the San
Francisco Chronicle earlier this month that the new language is not a witch hunt, but an attempt by Oakland Bishop Michael Barber to be clearer about the contract. “It simply states what was inferred before from a new bishop’s perspective,” Brown said. “There is no list of behaviors from this diocese.” But some teachers see it differently. Kathleen Purcell, a history teacher at O’Dowd High School, said she signed the contract, but crossed out the part about private behavior. The section reads, “In both the employee’s personal and professional life, the employee is expected to model and promote behavior in conformity with the teaching of the Roman Catholic faith in matters of faith and morals, and to do nothing that tends to bring
discredit to the school or to the Diocese of Oakland.” Her contract was not accepted, and she does not plan on returning to the school. “I could have taken back what I did and said I could go along, but I can’t do that,” Purcell, 62, told the Oakland Tribune. “My life is about advancing civil rights.” The issue has come up in Ohio as well. A new contract proposal from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati specifies some violations of Catholic doctrine that could put teachers out of a job — including abortion, artificial insemination and “homosexual lifestyles” — and extends forbidden behavior to include public support for those kinds of causes. The Catholic diocese in Cleveland has introduced a similar contract.
Photo by Ross D. Franklin | AP
A truck drives along a road near the the Slide Fire as it burns up Oak Creek Canyon nearby on Friday, near Flagstaff, Ariz. The fire has burned approximately 7,500 acres.
Calm aids firefighters By FELICIA FONSECA ASSOCIATED PRESS
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Firefighters took advantage of cooler, calmer weather Friday to get an upper hand on a blaze burning in a scenic Arizona canyon as Memorial Day travelers were forced to alter their travel plans because of the fire. Hotshot crews marched along a winding highway that is a key front in their effort and set fire to the ground to rob the wildfire of fuel and keep it from crossing the road. Helicopters dropped explosive chemicals in the steepest parts of the canyon that firefighters can’t reach. Crews were also busy widening a line that would keep the fire from burning toward residential areas. “There might be a huge spike in size, but we want the public to know we’re controlling the fire,” fire spokesman Dillon Winiecki said “We are fighting it on our own terms.” The human-caused Slide Fire started Tuesday and by Friday had burned more than 11 1/2 square miles in and around Oak Creek Canyon, a scenic recreation zone along the highway between Sedona and Flagstaff that normal-
ly would be filled with tourists as Memorial Day approaches. Slide Rock State Park is among the destinations that are closed. It is one of the most-visited tourist spots in Arizona, with swimming holes and natural water slides that draw tens of thousands of people during summer months. Weather conditions for the fire over the next several days look favorable, with increased humidity and a chance of rain. Firefighters established containment lines around 5 percent of the fire nearest to where it started just north of Slide Rock State Park. Crews were making good progress in keeping the blaze from getting closer to communities south of Flagstaff, incident commander Tony Sciacca said. Their work includes a putting a sprinkler system around a fish hatchery in the canyon that can be turned on if the fire approaches, creating a buffer zone near a power line and quickly knocking down any spot fires that escape the main blaze. Some 900 firefighters were assigned to the fire Friday. The fire was moving
away from Sedona, but that didn’t ease concerns of business owners who worry the blaze will keep customers away from the premier tourist destination over the weekend. The Sedona Chamber of Commerce has been fielding hundreds of inquiries via telephone and social media from people wondering if they should still visit during the holiday weekend and inquiring about the air quality, officials said. Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Wesselhoff said smoke from the fire has been visible from about 3 a.m. to 9 a.m., but the skies clear up as soon as the sun emerges. She said visitors can still go hiking along more than 200 miles of trails. Evacuations remain in place for a 2-mile stretch north of Slide Rock, and Highway 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona is closed. The fire was 3 to 3 1/2 miles away from the residential areas of Forest Highlands and Kachina Village, where 3,200 residents remained under preevacuation warnings. No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. None of the 300 threatened structures have burned.
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
THE WEEK IN REVIEW WEEKLY STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS
u
u
NYSE 10,681.87 +78.69
GAINERS ($2 OR MORE) Name Aeroflex SesaSterlte E-House TrinaSolar YingliGrn ChiMYWnd LejuHldg n Demandw PhoenxCos MVIndSC rs
Last 10.53 18.27 10.25 12.87 3.38 3.10 12.55 60.07 47.18 49.01
Chg +2.27 +3.81 +2.08 +2.33 +.59 +.53 +2.12 +9.97 +7.27 +7.43
Last 18.87 3.41 43.08 11.83 5.99 2.51 11.34 15.01 3.72 2.02
Chg -6.70 -1.04 -8.49 -2.03 -.98 -.41 -1.64 -1.89 -.45 -.24
NASDAQ
Vol (00)
%Chg +27.5 +26.3 +25.5 +22.1 +21.1 +20.6 +20.3 +19.9 +18.2 +17.9
Name NewLead rs Tuniu n eOnCom h LiveDeal s WaveSys rs ChinaSun h DehaierMd Prosensa n ENGlobal h TrovaGn wt
%Chg -26.2 -23.4 -16.5 -14.6 -14.1 -14.0 -12.6 -11.2 -10.8 -10.4
Last 2.83 15.50 3.60 4.42 2.03 3.85 6.67 8.41 3.57 2.80
Chg %Chg +2.20 +349.2 +5.32 +52.3 +1.19 +49.4 +1.37 +44.9 +.57 +39.0 +1.07 +38.5 +1.85 +38.4 +2.31 +37.9 +.95 +36.3 +.74 +35.9
Name Last Chg MethesEng 2.17 -.68 RetailNot n 23.87 -6.01 ACareSrce 2.54 -.61 Tetralogc n 4.17 -.98 OramedPh 7.71 -1.76 InterceptP 229.82 -50.44 Covisint h 5.88 -1.21 ShoeCarnvl 18.90 -3.59 ChinaHGS 4.01 -.74 AdamisP rs 5.74 -1.05
Last Chg Name
%Chg -23.9 -20.1 -19.4 -19.0 -18.6 -18.0 -17.1 -16.0 -15.6 -15.5
Vol (00)
Volume
Last Chg
SiriusXM 2702502 3.27 +.16 Facebook 2455032 61.35 +3.33 Cisco 2148242 24.52 +.15 ARltCapPr 1853340 12.30 -.80 PwShs QQQ1523032 89.88 +2.17 Zynga 1276685 3.28 -.07 NewLead rs1257854 2.83 +2.20 Microsoft 1058328 40.12 +.29 JD.com n 1051480 20.10 ... Intel 963568 26.29 +.47
DIARY 2,140 1,063 277 75 3,257 54 13,234,497,333
17,000
STOCK MARKET INDEXES
20.55 -137.55 158.75
MON
TUES
WED
10.02
63.19
THUR
DIARY Advanced Declined New Highs New Lows Total issues Unchanged
Volume
1,902 864 107 148 2,817 51 8,275,440,203
52-Week High Low 16,735.51 7,995.39 558.29 11,334.65 4,371.71 1,902.17 1,398.91 20,257.19 1,212.82 5,893.58
FRI
16,500 16,000
14,551.27 5,952.18 462.66 8,814.76 3,294.95 1,560.33 1,114.04 16,442.14 942.79 4,493.72
Name
Last
Dow Jones Industrials 16,606.27 Dow Jones Transportation 7,986.58 Dow Jones Utilities 534.02 NYSE Composite 10,681.87 Nasdaq Composite 4,185.81 S&P 500 1,900.53 S&P MidCap 1,369.66 Wilshire 5000 20,123.50 Russell 2000 1,126.19 Lipper Growth Index 5,648.66
MONEY RATES
15,500
Last
15,000
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)
S&P500ETF3442301190.35+2.30 BkofAm 2743263 14.72 +.21 iShR2K 2410386111.97 +2.40 iShEMkts 2301533 43.14 +.20 AT&T Inc 1820826 35.32 -1.42 iShJapan 1384547 11.39 +.24 Pfizer 1235058 29.49 +.37 Penney 1220994 9.01 -.72 DrxSCBear 1147129 16.89 -1.22 Twitter n 1103041 30.50 -1.76
Advanced Declined New Highs New Lows Total issues Unchanged
Close: 16,606.27 1-week change: 114.96 (0.7%)
4,185.81 +95.22
MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name
Dow Jones industrials
GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)
LOSERS ($2 OR MORE) Name ITT Ed Aeropostl DicksSptg DrxRsaBear Valhi DoralFn rs LifeLock TriPointe AlphaNRs GM wt C
WEEKLY DOW JONES
STOCKS OF LOCAL INTEREST Name
Ex
Div
Last
Wk Wk YTD Chg %Chg%Chg
Name
AT&T Inc AEP ARltCapPr BkofAm Caterpillar Cisco CCFemsa CmtyHlt ConocoPhil Dillards EmpIca ExxonMbl Facebook FordM GenElec HewlettP HomeDp iShJapan iShEMkts iShR2K Intel
NY NY Nasd NY NY Nasd NY NY NY NY NY NY Nasd NY NY NY NY NY NY NY Nasd
1.84 2.00 1.00 .04 2.40 .76 2.17 ... 2.76 .24 ... 2.76 ... .50 .88 .64 1.88 .13 .86 1.45 .90
35.32 51.41 12.30 14.72 104.03 24.52 116.48 42.70 78.43 109.77 7.92 101.32 61.35 16.02 26.51 33.72 79.18 11.39 43.14 111.97 26.29
-1.42 -3.9 +.5 -1.29 -2.4 +10.0 -.80 -6.1 -4.3 +.21 +1.4 -5.5 -2.00 -1.9 +14.6 +.15 +0.6 +10.2 -3.01 -2.5 -4.3 +5.47 +14.7 +8.7 +1.06 +1.4 +11.0 -1.23 -1.1 +12.9 +.49 +6.6 -6.3 +.58 +0.6 +.1 +3.33 +5.7 +12.3 +.26 +1.6 +3.8 -.16 -0.6 -5.4 +1.20 +3.7 +20.5 +1.82 +2.4 -3.8 +.24 +2.2 -6.2 +.20 +0.5 +3.2 +2.40 +2.2 -2.9 +.47 +1.8 +1.3
IntlBcsh Nasd IBM NY Lowes NY Lubys NY MetLife NY MexicoFd NY Microsoft Nasd Modine NY Penney NY PwShs QQQ Nasd RadioShk NY S&P500ETF NY Schlmbrg NY SearsHldgs Nasd SiriusXM Nasd SonyCp NY UnionPac NY USSteel NY UnivHlthS NY WalMart NY WellsFargo NY
Ex
Div
Last
.50 4.40 .72 ... 1.40 3.13 1.12 ... ... 1.30 ... 3.48 1.60 ... ... .25 3.64 .20 .20 1.92 1.40
24.15 185.94 47.06 5.11 50.76 27.60 40.12 15.82 9.01 89.88 1.21 190.35 101.39 37.64 3.27 16.11 196.26 24.08 89.43 75.61 50.16
Wk Wk YTD Chg %Chg%Chg +.90 -1.12 +1.70 +.05 +1.32 +.16 +.29 +.05 -.72 +2.17 -.01 +2.30 +1.80 -2.50 +.16 -.27 +1.10 -1.05 +4.60 -1.40 +1.08
+3.9 -0.6 +3.7 +1.0 +2.7 +0.6 +0.7 +0.3 -7.4 +2.5 -0.8 +1.2 +1.8 -6.2 +5.1 -1.6 +0.6 -4.2 +5.4 -1.8 +2.2
-8.4 -.9 -5.0 -33.8 -5.9 -5.8 +7.2 +23.4 -1.5 +2.2 -53.5 +3.1 +12.5 -5.3 -6.3 -6.8 +16.8 -18.4 +10.1 -3.9 +10.5
Stock Footnotes: g=Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars .h= Doe not meet continued- listings tandards lf = Late filing with SEC. n = New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least 50 percent within the past year. rt = Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy or receivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants. Mutual Fund Footnotes: b = Fee covering market costs is paid from fund assets. d = Deferred sales charge, or redemption fee. f = front load (sales charges). m = Multiple fees are charged. NA = not available. p = previous day’s net asset value. s = fund split shares during the week. x = fund paid a distribution during the week. Gainers and Losers must be worth at least $2 to be listed in tables at left. Most Actives must be worth at least $1. Volume in hundreds of shares. Source: The Associated Press. Sales figures are unofficial.
Prime Rate Discount Rate Federal Funds Rate Treasuries 3-month 6-month 5-year 10-year 30-year
Wk Wk YTD Chg %Chg %Chg +114.96 +140.73 -3.76 +78.69 +95.22 +22.67 +17.13 +259.54 +23.28 +117.28
+.70 +1.79 -.70 +.74 +2.33 +1.21 +1.27 +1.31 +2.11 +2.12
3.25 0.75 .00-.25
Last
0.03 0.05 1.53 2.53 3.40
MUTUAL FUNDS Name
Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV
Total Return/Rank Pct Min Init 4-wk 12-mo 5-year Load Invt
Alliance Bernstein GlTmtcGA m Columbia ComInfoA m Eaton Vance WldwHealA m Fidelity Select Biotech d Fidelity Select BrokInv d Fidelity Select CommEq d Fidelity Select Computer d Fidelity Select ConsFin d Fidelity Select Electron d Fidelity Select FinSvc d Fidelity Select SoftwCom d Fidelity Select Tech d PIMCO TotRetIs T Rowe Price SciTech Vanguard 500Adml Vanguard HlthCare Vanguard InstIdxI Vanguard TotStIAdm Vanguard TotStIdx Waddell & Reed Adv SciTechA m
WS 582 ST 2,419 SH 876 SH 8,129 SF 656 ST 283 ST 656 SF 209 ST 1,512 SF 911 ST 3,472 ST 2,229 CI 147,988 ST 2,882 LB 88,471 SH 10,307 LB 90,791 LB 90,940 LB 109,020 ST 3,436
+0.9 +1.9 +1.6 -0.2 -1.1 +0.9 0.0 -0.1 +1.6 +0.1 +0.7 +2.0 +1.4 0.0 +1.6 +3.3 +1.6 +1.1 +1.1 -0.8
82.96 53.42 11.92 181.70 69.69 31.52 74.77 15.09 71.68 81.29 113.28 114.16 10.95 39.36 175.79 196.75 174.65 47.93 47.91 15.69
+17.9/A +21.9/D +27.7/B +24.2/C +12.7/D +27.6/B +16.1/E +12.7/C +36.2/A +14.3/C +28.0/A +23.6/C +0.7/E +28.1/A +17.5/B +28.8/A +17.5/B +17.9/B +17.7/B +29.6/A
+10.7/E +15.8/D +19.0/D +28.9/A +14.8/C +15.8/D +22.3/A +18.4/A +21.3/A +12.2/D +25.1/A +21.7/A +6.5/C +19.0/C +18.9/B +21.5/C +18.9/B +19.5/A +19.4/A +21.6/A
4.25 2,500 5.75 2,000 5.75 1,000 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 NL1,000,000 NL 2,500 NL 10,000 NL 3,000 NL5,000,000 NL 10,000 NL 3,000 5.75 750
CA -Conservative Allocation, CI -Intermediate-Term Bond, ES -Europe Stock, FB -Foreign Large Blend, FG -Foreign LargeGrowth, FV -Foreign Large Value, IH -World Allocation, LB -Large Blend, LG -Large Growth, LV -Large Value, MA -Moderate Allocation, MB -Mid-Cap Blend, MV - MidCap Value, SH -Specialty-heath, WS -World Stock, Total Return: Chng in NAV with dividends reinvested. Rank: How fund performed vs. others with same objective: A is in top 20%, E in bottom 20%. Min Init Invt: Minimum $ needed to invest in fund. Source: Morningstar.
APRIL 16, 1981 — MAY 21, 2014
DEC. 18, 1928 – MAY 20, 2014
OCT. 8, 1951 – MAY 19, 2014
in Zapata. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83, Zapata.
Pvs Day
All others show dollar in foreign currency.
JOSEFA SANCHEZ
will depart Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83, Zapata.
+8.52 +24.87 +6.97 +13.13 +21.01 +15.21 +15.28 +15.70 +14.42 +19.77
3.25 Australia 1.0828 1.0849 0.75 Britain 1.6832 1.6866 .00-.25 Canada 1.0872 1.0896 Euro .7336 .7324 0.03 Japan 101.97 101.79 0.05 Mexico 12.8581 12.8773 1.56 Switzerlnd .8955 .8946 2.52 3.35 British pound expressed in U.S. dollars.
DONALD K. SILER Donald K. Siler, 85, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen. Mr. Siler is preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Siler; parents, Donald and Isabell Siler and a brother, Joe W. Siler. Mr. Siler is survived by his wife, Esther J. Siler; daughters, Connie (Bill Bob) Shipman, Terrie (Doug) Cawood, Debbi (Ralph) Strauss; grandchildren, Sara Shipman, Angie Lennen, Lori (Tom) Beattie, Jenny (Darren) Ogrady; six great-grandchildren; and by numerous other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 30, 2014 at 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church including full military honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans or to Methodist Church
+.18 +7.92 +8.86 +2.71 +.22 +2.82 +2.02 +2.12 -3.22 +1.05
CURRENCIES Pvs Week
JAMES G. HERNANDEZ James G. Hernandez, 33, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014. James is preceded in death by his brother, Robert C. Benavides; niece, Nallely Esperanza Benavides; paternal grandparents, Jose Maria and Arabela Benavides and by his maternal grandparents, James and Herlinda McDonald. James is survived by wife, San Juanita Hernandez; sons, Joseph Moore Hernandez, James G. Hernandez, Jr.; daughters, Jasmyn G. Hernandez and Abigail Hernandez; parents, Carlos and Linda Benavides; brother, Carlos Jr. (Sandra) Benavides; sisters, Cristina (Jesus) Ramirez, Cynthia (Diego) Villarreal, Anita (Rafael) Vela; and by his family at the Protech Oil & Gas and by numerous other family members and friends. Visitation hours was held Friday, May 23, 2014, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession
12-mo %Chg
Josefa Sanchez, 62, has left peacefully to be in the arms of The Lord on May 19, 2014. She passed surrounded by her loving daughters Veronica Sanchez, Maria San Juanita Sanchez, Jessica Garcia, her son Raymundo Sanchez Jr. and her husband Raymundo Sanchez. She had a unique gift to make everyone around her feel loved and lifted by her presence, always smiling no matter the circumstance. Her generous heart filled her home with love, family and friends, including an attitude that there was always room for one more. She leaves all her children, 13 grandchildren and a great grandson, Mason Barragan that they were truly loved and they know that she truly loved The Lord. “No one comes through the father except through me. I am the way, the truth and the life.” — John 14:6 Visitation hours were held Wednesday, May 21, 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 on Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83, Zapata.
Shifting views on gay marriage favor Dems By NICHOLAS RICCARDI ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER — It wasn’t all that long ago that Republicans used gay marriage as a tool to drive Election Day turnout. But as public opinion on the issue has turned and courts strike down samesex marriage bans, gay rights is evolving into a wedge issue for Democrats to wield. Consider Pennsylvania, where Democrats have lambasted Republican Gov. Tom Corbett for comparing gay marriage to incest. Facing a tough re-election campaign, Corbett decided this week not to appeal a federal court ruling striking down the
state’s ban of gay marriage. Or Colorado, where Democratic Sen. Mark Udall is hitting his Republican challenger for casting votes that denied gay people protection from discrimination. In Arizona, Democrats plan to hammer Republican legislators who passed a law allowing businesses to refuse to serve gays for religious reasons. “We’re just beginning to see this, and we will see a lot more in the midterms,” said Richard Socarides, who was President Bill Clinton’s adviser on gay rights. “It will be an incredible shift by the time we get to the (presidential) election in 2016.” That election will arrive 20
THREATS ongoing, but we do not have any information to suggest this was done to target any individual person or business at this time.” The message on the other billboard read, “dying for drugs.” Drug cartels sometimes hang banners in Mexican cities with graphic threats and have even hanged victims from overpas-
years after Republicans in Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Clinton signed the bill defensively, worried the GOP would use it as a campaign issue, Socarides said. Republican activists put anti-gay marriage initiatives on the ballot in 11 states in 2004, helping President George W. Bush win re-election with the support of conservative religious voters motivated to turn out to support the bans. Connie Mackey, head of the conservative Family Research Council’s Political Action Committee, said that’s still a solid strategy. Voters still oppose gay
Continued from Page 1A
ses, but such public threats are virtually unheard of on the U.S. side. El Paso has maintained a crime rate that is among the lowest in the country, even during recent years when Ciudad Juarez, across the border, suffered a bloody cartel battle. “Whoever did this went through a lot of work to get this accomplished,” said Phil Jor-
dan, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent who ran the El Paso Intelligence Center. “This is possibly a message to someone who hasn’t cooperated with the cartels. But even if it’s a hoax, something like this is going to make the El Paso population uneasy, given that the city is not far from the killing fields of Mexico.”
marriage, she argued, and Republicans should not let themselves get faked out by overconfident Democrats. “The people in the states think one way and the establishment and the courts are showing a different face,” Mackey said. But gay marriage, supported by less than one-third of Americans in 2004, is now supported by a solid majority in recent polls, with approval highest among younger voters. Some Republicans believe that mounting public support represents a danger to their party, and they are scrambling to prevent Democrats from using the issue of gay rights in the same way some in their own
party did for years. “They want to bait Republicans into talking about the issue in a way that ties them to a negative, national Republican brand,” said Kevin Madden, a Republican strategist who hasn’t taken a position on gay marriage. “They need to stir up their base and create outrage.” Nevada Republicans dropped their opposition to gay marriage last month from the state party’s platform, and a national campaign is underway to remove such language from the national party platform in 2016. Major Republican donors have formed a coalition to push the party to become more gay-friendly.
SCHEDULING ly being denied life-saving colonoscopies, that won’t suffice. The president needs to bring in new leadership at the VA, he should consider directing the FBI to investigate criminal allegations, and the Senate should conduct emergency oversight hearings to get to the bottom of reported scandals.” Two weeks ago, local VA offi-
Continued from Page 1A
cials said they had found that schedulers had been trained not to use an electronic wait list tool that is meant to give veterans speedier appointments, but could also reveal the presence of long wait times. Officials called the practice, a key part of allegations made by scheduling clerk Brian Turner, a “training issue” that local leadership did not direct.
CASTRO Continued from Page 1A lowing the resignation of Kathleen Sebelius after the disastrous rollout of the federal website for consumers to buy insurance coverage under Obama’s health care law. Burwell is awaiting Senate confirmation. Obama had sought to bring Castro into the administration
in the past, but he decided to stay in the job he says he looked forward to while growing up. Castro handily won a third term as mayor last year. But his ambitions apparently have grown, along with his stock as a politician with broad appeal to Democratic voters, in-
cluding fellow Hispanics who voted overwhelmingly for Obama in 2012. Castro is MexicanAmerican. Serving in Obama’s Cabinet would give Castro a national platform to continue building his reputation. Javier Palomarez, president
and chief executive officer of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said Castro is a “visionary leader” who has done more than anyone in San Antonio to address the city’s housing needs. “Mayor Castro is not only an exemplary leader within the Hispanic community, but by all
measure, a well-suited candidate to lead the department,” Palomarez said. “With great consistency, Mayor Castro has set aside political partisanship in the name of good policy decision making. We hope his confirmation process will proceed with that same collaborative spirit.”
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors MLB: TEXAS RANGERS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Ibaka returning? Spurs preparing for OKC
Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP
Texas first baseman Prince Fielder was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career as he is scheduled to have season-ending neck surgery.
Fielder on DL, to miss rest of 2014
By CLIFF BRUNT ASSOCIATED PRESS
OKLAHOMA CITY — The San Antonio Spurs never believed Serge Ibaka was out for the Western Conference finals, even after the Thunder said they expected him to miss the rest of the playoffs with a calf injury. Looks like the Spurs might have been on to something. The Thunder said Friday that their defensive standout now is day-today after his strained left calf showed improved movement and stability and a significant decrease in swelling. The Thunder have missed Ibaka badly as San Antonio has raced to a 2-0 lead in the series, and his possible return gives the Thunder hope as they prepare for Game 3 on Sunday in Oklahoma City. “His progress in the last several days has been surprising,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. “I don’t think any of us thought we’d be standing here talking about this. We’re grateful that we are.” Well, maybe no one with the Thunder expected it. The Spurs certainly did. “We knew he would be back, and that’s good,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Nobody would wish that on anybody to miss a playoff. We’ve had guys miss playoffs before. It’s obviously a downer. If he gets back in — and I’m sure he will, as I’ve said from the beginning — I
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
San Antonio’s Tony Parker and co. are preparing for a full-strength Thunder team in Game 3 if Serge Ibaka can return. think it’s great.” Ibaka was injured in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, a Western Conference semifinals series-clinching win on May 15. He is averaging 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in the playoffs while shooting 62 percent from
the field. Presti did not say if Ibaka would be available for Game 3, just that he could not be ruled out. Presti said he felt it best to be forthcoming with the change in the situation. “It would be convenient to not provide the informa-
NBA: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
tion, and if he were ever healthy enough to play in a game, to release that an hour before the game,” he said. “But in this case, we don’t think that was the way to handle it, because previously, we had deemed
DETROIT — Prince Fielder was placed on the disabled list Friday, days before he is scheduled to have season-ending neck surgery. The move by the Texas Rangers came a day after the team said Fielder would have cervical fusion surgery Tuesday for the herniated disk in his neck. General manager Jon Daniels said he expected a second opinion to confirm the initial recommendation for the operation. It is the first time the durable first baseman has been on the DL in his career. Before a nerve root block injection to treat his neck last Saturday, Fielder’s 547 consecutive games played was the longest active streak in the majors. Fielder, who turned 30 earlier this month, missed only one game the previous five seasons and hadn’t missed a game since Sept. 14, 2010. Fielder went on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 17. Infielder Donnie Murphy was recalled from an injury rehab assignment and activated for the game against the Tigers. Mitch Moreland was set to start at first base, where he played last year before the trade for Fielder pushed him toward the designated hitter role. “A big blow for us as a team, losing him in the middle of the lineup,” Moreland said. “But we’ve been dealing with adversity all year.” Moreland hit 23 home runs last season.
See SPURS PAGE 2B See FIELDER PAGE 2B
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Concussed George ready for Heat By TIM REYNOLDS ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Mark J. Terrill | AP
Clippers owner Donald Sterling has agreed to surrender control to his wife Rochelle in order to sell the team, a source told the AP.
Sterling gives wife control, to sell team By TAMI ABDOLLAH ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — Donald Sterling has agreed to surrender his stake in the Los Angeles Clippers to his estranged wife, and she is moving ahead with selling the team, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.
The individual, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the deal, said that the couple made the agreement after weeks of discussion. Shelly Sterling is working to resolve the dispute amicably and has been in talks with her attorney and NBA lawyers for the last couple weeks. She
See STERLING PAGE 2B
MIAMI — Here’s no surprise: The Miami Heat are expecting to see Indiana’s Paul George play on Saturday night. Here’s a surprise: Greg Oden might be out there as well. Whether George gets cleared to return from his concussion is no longer the only lineup question that awaits the Pacers and Heat when the knotted-up Eastern Conference finals resume in Miami. Oden is under consideration for some minutes after showing Heat coaches this week that weeks of problematic back issues may finally be over. “It’s been a rough two days,” said George, who was concussed in Game 2 on Tuesday night. For Oden, it’s been a rough five years. His last playoff appearance was on April 30, 2009, but his work in recent days has apparently gotten Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wondering if the time is right to work Oden — whose career was derailed by knee injuries — into the rotation of defenders charged with making life miserable for Indiana center Roy Hibbert. “If coach needs me, I’m ready to play,” Oden said. “I’m definitely ready whenever he needs me.” The series is tied at a game apiece, with Miami grabbing the home-court edge away by rallying for a 87-83 win at Indianapolis in Game 2. The teams have been off since, which figures to be a blessing of sorts for the Pacers — who had several players
Photo by Michael Conroy | AP
Indiana forward Paul George collided with the knee of Heat guard Dwyane Wade, leading to a concussion. George wasn’t the same after the hit, as Miami took over the game to tie the series after two games. limping and ailing late in that game, with George’s concussion the most notable malady. The back of George’s head was struck by Dwyane Wade’s knee as both were trying to get control of a loose ball during the fourth quarter of that game. George remained in the game but was basically a non-factor the rest of the way, and Miami owned the final minutes. The concussion came to light only after George revealed postgame that he briefly “blacked out.” “I probably should have kept that to myself,” George said. “It
just made a mess. That’s something that, going forward, just keep that between myself and the training staff.” Miami hasn’t even considered the possibility that George won’t play in Game 3. “Why wouldn’t he?” Heat star LeBron James asked. Still, it’s fair to wonder how the George situation will affect Indiana as it heads into Miami, plus if it will change the rather odd ongoing phenomenon — that being how the Pacers, the NBA’s
See EAST PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
Colts owner Irsay charged Gators’ Donovan ‘Boys sign Street, looking at NBA Ward in court, Rice apologizes ASSOCIATED PRESS
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been formally charged with two misdemeanor counts stemming from his arrest in March. Hamilton County (Indiana) prosecutors said Friday that Irsay had been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the body. An affidavit says Irsay was driving under the influence of oxycodone and/or hydrocodone. Irsay thanked the prosecutor’s office for its review. Colts spokesman Avis Roper declined immediate comment. Irsay was arrested near his home with $29,000 in cash and bottles of prescription drugs in his vehicle. He later sought treatment. Irsay acknowledged in 2002 that he had become dependent on painkillers after several years of orthopedic operations but said he had overcome the problem. Cowboys sign 5th-round pick Devin Street IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys have signed fifth-round draft pick Devin Street to a fouryear contract. Street is a receiver from Pittsburgh, where his 202 career receptions are the most in school history. He was the 146th overall pick earlier this month. With Street signing Friday, the Cowboys have left unsigned only their top three draft picks. All five of their seventh-round draft picks signed during a rookie minicamp last weekend. Unsigned are first-round pick
Photo by Darron Cummings | AP
Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay was charged with two misdemeanor counts this week from a March arrest. Zack Martin, the offensive tackle from Notre Dame; second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence, a defensive end from Boise State; and fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens, a linebacker from Iowa. Broncos’ Ward appears in court on misdemeanor DENVER — Broncos safety T.J. Ward has appeared in court on misdemeanor charges that allege he threw a glass mug at a bartender at a Denver strip club. The Denver Post reported Friday that bond was set at $1,900 for the 27-year-old Ward. His next court appearance is June 23. Ward is charged with misdemeanor assault and disturbing the peace. Court documents say Ward tossed the mug at the bartender on May 10 after he was told he couldn’t bring a drink into the club. Police had issued an arrest warrant for Ward on Thursday. Ward is coming off a Pro Bowl season in Cleveland and this spring signed a four-year, $22.5
million deal with Denver. Ray Rice apologizes, says he ’failed miserably’ OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice says he “failed miserably” and has apologized for the actions that led to his February arrest on assault charges. Rice was arrested in Atlantic City on Feb. 15 after an altercation in which he allegedly struck his fiancé, Janay Palmer. Rice was accepted Tuesday into a diversion program, which upon completion could lead to the charges against him being expunged. Speaking to the media for the first time since his arrest, Rice was joined Friday at the team’s training complex by Janay, whom he married in late February. His voice cracking, Rice said: “I failed miserably, but I wouldn’t call myself a failure because I’m working my way back up.” Rice spoke for just over six minutes and took no questions.
FIELDER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s Billy Donovan has spoken to a couple of NBA teams about coaching vacancies, but adds that “I fully plan on being back” next season. Donovan declined to specify which teams called — Detroit, Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota, New York and Utah had openings — and jokingly cited his brief stint with the NBA’s Or-
lando Magic in 2007 as reason for keeping details private. Donovan says, “I’m not going to get into, ’He’s lying. He’s not being truthful.’ I got a couple of calls. That’s all it is.” Donovan just finished his 18th season at Florida, where he has two national championships and four Final Four appearances. He says NBA interest in “always flattering,” but adds that “I’m very happy here and like it here.”
SPURS Continued from Page 1B
Continued from Page 1B He was hitting .275 entering Friday night’s game at Detroit. “Prince is on the DL. We don’t have him,” manager Ron Washington said. “And there’s nobody who can replace him, so let Mitch Moreland be Mitch Moreland. Don’t even mention Mitch Moreland in the same breath with a Prince Fielder.” Murphy was placed on the disabled list May 8 with a neck strain. He was hurt when he tripped at first base trying to beat out a ground ball the previous day against Colorado. He played six games on an injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Round Rock, and Friday was the date he was eligible to return to the roster. The Rangers have a majorshigh 13 players on the disabled list. They have had 17 DL placements this season, also the most in the majors. Fielder hit .247 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 42 games in his first season with the Rangers. The only time he has played fewer games was when he appeared in 39 as a rookie in 2005 with Milwaukee. The Tigers, meanwhile, sent minor league infielder Francisco Martinez outright to Double-A Erie, a move that cleared room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Corey Knebel. Knebel’s contract was purchased by the Tigers from Triple-A Toledo.
him out. And we can’t deem him out.” Ibaka, a 6-foot-10 forward, led the league in blocked shots during the regular season and erased many of Oklahoma City’s defensive mistakes. Without having to deal with Oklahoma City’s primary rim protector, San Antonio scored 66 points in the paint on 67 percent shooting in a 122-105 win in Game 1. The Spurs followed up with 54 points in the paint on 66 percent shooting in a 112-77 blowout in Game 2. Ibaka also provides balance for Oklahoma City’s offense with his mid-range jumper and an ability to finish close to the hoop when defenses focus on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. “Big difference,” Spurs guard Danny Green said. “Obviously, one of the best defensive players in the league. Alters everything around the basket, rebounds, and also, of course, he can knock down shots. So you’ve got to respect him. Hopefully, if he does come back he’s not as fresh, he’s a little rusty.” San Antonio said it will not make adjustments based on the news. “We’re going to try to do the same thing,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said.
“It’s not like we’re going to change the game plan for him. For sure, he’s going to give them another big body that can be a presence in the paint, block shots and make some jumpers, but our idea will be the same.” Presti said Oklahoma City’s medical staff would like to see Ibaka go through game-like conditions before allowing him to return. So far, he has done low-impact training — light drills and light shooting. Conditioning could be an issue and even if he returns it’s unclear how much he would play. “We’re still focusing on trying to beat the Spurs without him playing,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “That has not changed. I know he’s listed as day-to-day, but he is out until I’m told differently.” Thunder center Kendrick Perkins said Ibaka could not have erased all the defensive mistakes the Thunder made in Game 2. The Spurs shot 50 percent from the field and made 9 of 23 3pointers. “He’s a key guy, but at the end of the day, we shouldn’t be getting beat this bad,” Perkins said. “In my opinion, even if we would have Serge the last game, the way we played, we still would have lost.”
STERLING Continued from Page 1B wants to “have meaningful control” over the transaction. “She has no plans to sue the NBA,” the individual said. “She’s trying to make nice.” Commissioner Adam Silver banned Donald Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million because of racist comments. The league has charged him with damaging the league and its teams. It said Sterling has engaged in other conduct that has impaired its relationship with fans and merchandising partners. Team owners are moving forward with a vote on whether to terminate his ownership. Sterling has until next Tuesday to
Photo by David J. Phillip | AP
Florida head coach Billy Donovan has spoken to multiple NBA teams this offseason after another Final Four run.
respond. He can appear at a June 3 hearing in New York in front of the other owners. It will take three-quarters of them to terminate Sterling’s ownership, and the league says also that of Shelly Sterling. Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, the board chairman, will preside over the hearing. If three-fourths of the other 29 owners vote to sustain the charge, Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981. Silver has said he is confident he has the 23 votes that are necessary. If Sterling did not respond to the charge with-
in five business days, or does not appear at the hearing, it would be deemed an admission of the “total validity of the charges as presented,” according to the NBA constitution. Donald Sterling’s attorney had asked for a threemonth delay, which the league rejected. Silver said he would prefer if Donald Sterling chose to sell the team on his own, but the process to force a sale is already well underway. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Friday that the league is continuing to follow the process for terminating the Clippers’ ownership.
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
San Antonio’s Tiago Splitter and the Spurs have a 2-0 series lead over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals.
EAST Continued from Page 1B best home team during the regular season, have been best during these playoffs when on the road. The Pacers still haven’t won even two consecutive home games in this postseason. But away from home, Indiana has won five straight — its longest such streak, even including regular-season play, in more than two years. Atlanta and Washington combined to shoot only 38 percent at home against Indiana in the opening two rounds, averaging just 84.8 points per game. The Pacers haven’t exactly been offensive juggernauts in those games, averaging 90.7 points themselves, but the airtight defense was
enough for Indiana to save its season by winning elimination games in both matchups. “We played at a high level in the Washington series, and those last two against Atlanta when we were down in the series, we played with great desperation,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “Our guys take pride in their defense. That’s probably why you see those numbers.” Then again, the Heat present a bit more of a challenge than the Hawks and Wizards. Miami is 5-0 at home in the postseason, winning by an average of 10 points per game and shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor.
Going back to last season, the Heat have won eight straight playoff games in their own building and since James joined the club they’re 35-7 at home during the postseason. Among those seven losses? The Pacers won at Miami in both 2012 and 2013. And that’s why Miami knows having the homecourt edge now hardly assures a series win. “Both teams can win on each other’s floor. We’ve proven that the last couple years,” James said. “We have to protect our home, but we can’t go out there saying that just because we’re back home we get automatic wins. We’ve got to play.”
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014
“
HELOISE
Dear Readers: Most of us have a first-aid kit handy in case of an emergency, but what about a PET FIRST-AID KIT? Here are some things to have on hand for your pet: Mild dishwashing detergent for bathing. Artificial tears to use after flushing eyes. Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. A syringe or turkey baster for the hydrogen peroxide. A can of wet food or tuna. Rubber or latex gloves. Triple antibiotic ointment. Always keep your veterinarian’s or an emergency pet clinic’s phone number handy, and contact one of them before administering any medication yourself. If your pet has a wound, bandage as best you can to
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
protect it, and seek medical attention. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Suzie O’Donnell of San Antonio sent a picture of her tortoiseshell kitten, Penelope Mae, lying in the bathroom sink. Suzie says that Penelope Mae was a rescue and is about a year old. To see Penelope Mae’s picture, go to my website, www.Heloise.com, and click on "Pets." — Heloise LETTER OF THOUGHT Dear Heloise: Along with living life efficiently comes living life safely. Scarves are the rage now, not only among women, but also little girls. My granddaughters, ages 5, 6 and 10, are wearing scarves. They look so cute, but something didn’t sit right with me, and then I remembered little kids getting hung up on playground equipment with the ties on their sweatshirts and jackets. Please think about this when your little girls are playing outside. Our fashion is fun, but it needs to be safe, too! — Donna in Indiana
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014