The Zapata Times 6/27/2015

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MEXICO SUPREME COURT RULING

ENEDINA

Cartel run by ‘La Jefa’

By MARIAH MEDINA SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP

Judge Dennise Garcia, left front, watches as George Harris, center left, 82, and Jack Evans, center right, 85, kiss after being married by Judge Garcia Friday in Dallas. Gay and lesbian Americans have the same right to marry as any other couples, the Supreme Court declared Friday in a historic ruling.

LOCAL REACTION TO SUPREME COURT DECISION “TheSupremeCourthasruledthatallAmericansareentitledtomarriageequalityundertheU.S.Constitution.

Today’s5-4decisioninObergefellv.Hodgesstrikesdownbansonsame-sexmarriageandconcludesthat thereisnolawfulbasisforaStatetorefuserecognitionofalawfulsame-sexmarriageperformedinanother State.Asoftoday,allAmericansacrossournationnowhavetheequalrighttomarrywhomtheysochoose.

Thisruling,however,andasJusticeKennedystressedinhisMajorityOpinion,doesnottakeawayfromthe FirstAmendmentrightsofreligiousorganizationsandpersonstoteachtheprinciplesthatareso centraltotheirlivesandfaithsandtocontinuethefamilystructuretheyhavelongrevered.”

— U.S.Rep.HenryCuellar,D-Zapata “The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter and has become an unelected nine-member legislature. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have imposed on the entire county their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.”

— Texas Gov. Greg Abbott “I am very disappointed that the majority of the court has chosen to disregard the traditional meaning of marriage. For thousands of years marriage has been understood as more than just a bond of love and commitment between two persons. It has also meant creating and nurturing children, which requires both a man and a woman with their unique and complementary gifts.”

— James A.Tamayo, bishop of the Diocese of Laredo

Gay Texans legally marry for first time

By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS

A

USTIN — Gay couples in Texas started receiving marriage licenses Friday within hours of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling they had the right to wed. But many counties kept couples waiting, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he would take action to protect what he called religious liberties.

In Austin, the first marriage license was issued to Gena Dawson and Charlotte Rutherford, a couple of 22 years who planned to have a wedding later Friday after finding a judge to waive the usual three-day waiting period.

They were among dozens of gay couples across Texas who rushed to county clerk offices — mostly in liberal strong-

See MARRIAGE PAGE 10A

She’s a scholar, a proficient accountant and after her son’s 2014 arrest, she is now the first and only female cartel boss in Mexico, according to DEA officials.

While the Tijuana cartel has flirted with financial ruin due to seizures of property by the Mexican government and numerous murders and arrests of leadership, the cartel has continued to function under Enedina Felix Arellano — otherwise known as “La Jefa,” or “the boss.”

“This is not an Equal Opportunity Employer,” said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA. “This is a male dominated field of work. There have been very few women to break that glass ceiling. The few who do have to be just as

See LA JEFA PAGE 10A

NUEVO LAREDO, MEXICO

LAREDO

$62M allocated for bridges

By KENDRA ABLAZA THE ZAPATA TIMES

Courtesy photo

Officials broke ground Thursday on the new U.S. Consulate building in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Construction commences New consulate building will be largest along Mexico’s northern border THE ZAPATA TIMES

Construction began Thursday on the new Consulate General of the United States complex in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Once finished, it will be the largest consulate along Mexico’s northern border.

The consulate will cost more than $155 million and will allow for expand-

ed services in Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Coahuila states. Expanded services will include increasing the number of visas issued.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne said during a groundbreaking ceremony that the new consulate is a demonstration of how the

See BUILDING PAGE 10A

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, announced Thursday that the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, also known as bridge II, will undergo renovations starting this summer that will include a new bus inspection and passenger processing area; an improved waiting area; restrooms and a canopy for loading and unloading buses.

The $62 million construction project will also include some renovations to the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge, also known as bridge I. Bridge I renovations still await other sources of funding, but they will include updating its historic administration building to improve pedestrian flow and new technology, Cuellar said.

“Once we put the whole package together, you’re going to be looking at probably one of the larger amount of monies coming into Laredo,” Cuellar said.

The congressman said the fixes will improve

Staff photo | The Zapata Times

The Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge II is shown filled to maximum capacity as paisanos rush towards the border crossing in Laredo. traffic, bicycle and pedestrian flow and reduce crossing wait times.

Cuellar also said both bridge renovations would improve the visitors’ first impressions of the United States for those traveling across the bridges for the first time.

He said he does not re-

member the last time bridge I had undergone renovations. Meanwhile, it has been about 10 years since bridge II had seen improvements, Cuellar said.

The project’s estimated start and completion dates will be officially released later this sumx

mer, but it is scheduled to start this summer and completing the project will take a couple of years, Cuellar said.

Both bridges will not close completely, but there will be closed lanes while they are under construc-

See BRIDGES PAGE 10A

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

AROUND TEXAS

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reusable bag distribution event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Independence Hills Regional Park, N. Merida Drive.

Held in conjunction with Councilman Rudy Gonzalez and the Rio Grande International Study Center. For more information, contact Erika Saenz at erikasaenz@dusty.tamiu.edu.

Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 1 to 5 p.m. 2 p.m.: Accidental Astronaut (Matinee Show – $1 less); 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: Attack of the Space Pirates; 5 p.m.: Led Zeppelin.

General admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. Call 956-326-DOME (3663).

Spiritual wisdom on health and healing. Free bilingual spiritual discussion and HU chant. Se habla español.

(210) 831-7113 1-2:30 p.m. Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton, 2nd floor, Classroom A. Online: Eckankar-Texas.org, spiritualexperience.org or call (210) 831-7113.

Webb County Tax Office will be open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All services will be provided. Dealer line will be open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 523-4200.

Today is Saturday, June 27, the 178th day of 2015. There are 187 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On June 27, 1955, Illinois enacted the nation’s first automobile seat belt law. (The law did not require cars to have seat belts, but that they be made seat belt-ready.)

On this date: In 1787, English historian Edward Gibbon completed work on his six-volume work, “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.”

In 1844, Mormon leader Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois.

In 1864, Confederate forces repelled a frontal assault by Union troops in the Civil War Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia.

In 1922, the first Newberry Medal, recognizing excellence in children’s literature, was awarded to “The Story of Mankind” by Hendrik Willem van Loon.

In 1957, more than 500 people were killed when Hurricane Audrey slammed through coastal Louisiana and Texas.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon opened an official visit to the Soviet Union.

In 1985, the legendary Route 66, which originally stretched from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, passed into history as officials decertified the road.

In 1995, Jodi Huisentruit, 27, an anchorwoman for KIMTTV in Mason City, Iowa, mysteriously disappeared; her fate has never been determined.

Ten years ago: The Supreme Court ruled, in a pair of 5-4 decisions, that displaying the Ten Commandments on government property was constitutionally permissible in some cases but not in others.

BTK serial killer Dennis Rader pleaded guilty to ten murders that had spread fear across Wichita, Kansas, beginning in the 1970s. (Rader later received multiple life sentences.) Wal-Mart heir John Walton died in a plane crash near the Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming; he was 58. Civil War historian Shelby Foote died in Memphis, Tennessee, at age 88.

Five years ago: Wary of slamming on the stimulus brakes too quickly but shaken by the European debt crisis, world leaders meeting in Canada pledged to reduce government deficits in richer countries in half by 2013, with wiggle room to meet the goal.

One year ago: Over Russian objections, Ukraine’s new president, Petro Poroshenko, signed a free-trade agreement binding his country more closely to Western Europe.

Today’s Birthdays: Business executive Ross Perot is 85. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is 77. Fashion designer Vera Wang is 66. Actor Brian Drillinger is 55.

Writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams is 49. TV personality Jo Frost is 45. Actor Yancey Arias is 44. Actor Christian Kane is 41. Actor Tobey Maguire is 40. Rock singer Bernhoft is 39. Gospel singer Leigh Nash is 39. Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian is 31. Actor Drake Bell is 29. Actor Ed Westwick is 28.

Thought for Today: “The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything — or nothing.” — Viscountess Nancy Astor, American-born British politician (1879-1964).

MONDAY, JUNE 29 Register now for the Brush County Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. The registration deadline is June 29. We will be holding our first training classes July through December.

The chapter registration fee is $200 and will cover course materials. For registration or more information, please contact Alberto Sandoval, chairperson and secretary at alberto@rgisc.org or 914-775-9352.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30 Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 2 to 5 p.m. 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket; 5 p.m.: Secrets of the Sun. General admission is $3. Call 956-326-DOME (3663).

THURSDAY, JULY 2 Renacer Couple’s Club meeting at Northtown Professional Plaza, 6999 McPherson Rd. Suite 221, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Contact Rosario Navarro at rossnavarro83@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 7 The Alzheimer’s support group will meet at 7 p.m. in meeting room 2, building B of the Laredo Medical Center.

The support group is for family members and caregivers taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s. For information, please call 956-693-9991.

THURSDAY, JULY 9 Inspire Social Business Club meeting at Northtown Professional Plaza, 6999 McPherson Rd. Suite 211, at 6:30 p.m. The public can discuss ideas, hear keynote speakers and support one another in business ventures. Contact Victor Navarro at vnavarro@texaslakeinc.com.

The Laredo A&M Mothers’ Club will hold its Annual Membership Drive at the Commerce Bank, 5800 San Dario from 6:30 – 8 p.m. New students who will be attending A&M in College Station and their parents are invited to attend.

Contact any club member for information or call 956-7446691 or 9562369549

Photo by Paul Moseley/Star-Telegram | AP

Customer Sue Erwin, left, shops for produce in the Veggie Van in downtown Fort Worth, at the T&P Lofts, on June 18. Thomas, who owns Cold Springs Farm in Weatherford, drives her Veggie Van around Tarrant County selling homegrown, handpicked fruits and vegetables.

Traveling vegetables

By SARAH BAHARI FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM

FORT WORTH — Farmer Beverly Thomas pulled into a downtown parking lot and honked her horn, which sounds like a clucking chicken.

Within minutes, shoppers stepped aboard the Veggie Van to browse among the bright green okra and stalks of yellow corn.

Billed as the region’s first mobile farmers market, the van schedules stops at parks, businesses and homes in Tarrant, Parker and Dallas counties.

“I’m bringing the farm directly to people,” said Thomas, whose van was parked outside the Texas & Pacific Lofts one recent afternoon.

Mobile farmers markets are growing in popularity, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Know Your Farmer, Know

Galveston to spend $2M to replant destroyed trees

2 bodies found at home, deaths suspicious

Man charged with killing wife, smothering her

GALVESTON — The Galveston City Council has voted to spend up to $2 million to replant some live oaks and palm trees destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Broadway Boulevard, before the September 2008 hurricane, was famous for its centuryold oak trees that stood over Galveston’s main entranceway. Saltwater flooding caused by Ike killed most of the trees on the boulevard.

KYLE — Police say two bodies have been found in a Central Texas home and the deaths are considered suspicious.

Police in Kyle on Friday did not immediately release possible causes of death for the man and the woman.

The bodies were discovered after a relative called Kyle police overnight asking that officers check on the pair. Further details weren’t immediately released.

DALLAS — Dallas police are reviewing how two officers handled a domestic disturbance call when a man days later was charged with killing his wife.

Jonathan Edelen was being held Friday on a murder charge.

An affidavit says police were summoned Wednesday as Edelen surrendered, telling officers he suffocated his wife with a pillow.

3 in El Paso get prison in gang-related sex cases

5 Aryan Brotherhood members, get prison

EL PASO — A third man linked to a West Texas gang and sex trafficking has been sentenced to federal prison.

Emmanual Lockhart was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison. He was convicted in El Paso of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in the ring that also operated in New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

WACO — Five more Aryan Brotherhood of Texas white supremacist members or their associates are going to federal prison for running drugs.

Prosecutors on Friday announced that brings to 24 the number of people convicted and sentenced in the Central Texas methamphetamine ring investigation.

FRIDAY, JULY 10 A local support group known as Strength Within Me has a mission to create disability awareness in the community. All who live with a physical disability are invited to participate in the next meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, 1220 North Malinche Ave. Info: facebook.com/ strengthwithinme13, email: strengthwithinme13@hotmail.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 21 South Texas Food Bank “Strike Out Hunger” bowling tournament and fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. at Jett Bowl North. Lanes are $125 for five bowlers.

Open to everyone. Sponsorship advertising is open for $250. Call Cindy Liendo at 726-3120 or email cliendo@southtexasfoodbank.org.

(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.)

Your Food program. In Waco, World Hunger Relief opened a mobile market this year, and Truckin’ Tomato started in San Antonio last year.

Thomas launched the Veggie Van in January after she read about a New York farmer doing the same. She bought an old van from a man in Graham and outfitted the interior with shelves and baskets for produce, with prices scribbled on chalkboards. The pricing method is similar to what consumers see at farmers markets: Brussels sprouts or okra, $5 a basket, tomatoes, four for $5.

“The Farmacy” is painted on the back.

“The food is healthier because it is picked at the moment of ripeness, and it’s more flavorful because of that,” she told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It isn’t picked early and shipped halfway across the world. The quality is much higher, in my opinion.”

Driver, 16, wrecks at dealership, $100K damage CORPUS CHRISTI — A 16year-old driver has been blamed for a wreck that caused more than $100,000 in damage to new trucks and other property at a Texas dealership.

Authorities say the teen was driving on a busy highway when he lost control of his truck. The truck spun into Allen Samuels Chevrolet — striking five new trucks on the dealership lot.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION Swollen rivers force visitors to raft elsewhere DENVER — Rapidly melting snow and heavy spring rains are sending Colorado’s rivers tumbling out of the mountains, so far claiming the lives of at least 11 people and forcing some whitewater rafting companies to seek out calmer rapids and stock extra safety gear.

Last year, 17 people died in boating accidents, including 14 on Colorado’s rivers, after heavy late-season snow raised water levels, said Kris Wahlers, boating safety manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado averages 10 boating deaths a year.

Fat, nude body painting celebrates body positivity NEW YORK — Three large women have celebrated body positivity by having their naked bodies painted in public in midtown Manhattan.

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 Copy Editor, Nick Georgiou ....................... 728-2565 Sports Editor, Zach Davis ..........................728-2578 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavin-Castillo............ 728-2569 Photo by David Zalubowski | AP

In this photograph taken Tuesday, Carol Johnston, back, sits with her grandchildren, Olivia, front, and Anthony Villano as water rushes by in Clear Creek in Golden, Colo.

Artist Andy Golub painted the women on the steps of the New York Public Library on Friday.

The stunt marked the eighth anniversary of the Adipositivity Project.

It was organized by Kimberly Massengill, who goes by the

name of Substantia Jones. She says she started the project to combat “sizeism” and promote positive body images.

Massengill photographs naked, fat people and posts the pictures on her blog.

— 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

State

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A

Chamber of Commerce’s new member SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Pronto Insurance The Zapata Chamber of Commerce has a new member: Pronto Insurance.

The company is an insurance and financial service provider based out of South Texas.

In 2005, Pronto General Agency, LTD was established to provide better customer service and facilitate growth. Pronto’s agencies can be found across the Rio Grande Valley and in Laredo, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Houston and now in Zapata at its new location, 1301 N. U.S. Hwy 83.

They are committed to providing high value insurance products and financial services with competitive pricing, superior claims handling and excellent customer service.

Pronto maintains its strong hold in the insurance market through its captive agencies, independent agents and franchise locations. Pronto Insurance focuses on providing

Courtesy photo

The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Pronto Insurance, in this June photo. The company’s Zapata location is 1301 N. U.S. Hwy 83. insurance solutions to our customers throughout Texas.

Pronto Insurance may be contacted at 265-9446 or through their website, www.prontoinsurance.com.

The guide will include 66 pages of information on Zapata and the surrounding area.

To reserve space or to inquire about rates, call 771-6866 or 723-4389.

Visitor Guide

Texas Master Naturalist Program

The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce is introducing the 2016 Zapata Visitor Guide.

Would you like to find out more about the plants, animals and other nature

of South Texas? Are you interested in serving our community by leading nature walks, working with children, maintaining trails and more?

The Brush Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program, focused in Webb and Zapata counties, will be holding its first training classes July through December. The Texas Master Naturalist program is an award-win-

ning volunteer program whose mission is "to develop a well-informed corps of volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas."

During classes, volunteers complete 40 hours of training, including field trips, covering various nat-

ural history topics related to South Texas, including birds, plants, insects, amphibians and reptiles, soils, climate and weather, ecoregions of Texas and more.

After completing the classes and eight additional hours of advanced training, volunteers give back 40 hours of service time each year to our community.

Registration is now open: Chapter fee is $200 The first 30 individuals will be accepted Fees are unrefundable after Monday Local service collaborators include Falcon and Lake Casa Blanca State Parks, Keep Laredo Beautiful, LBV Environmental Science Center, Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Webb and Zapata County nonprofit organizations.

For registration or more information, please contact Alberto Sandoval, chairperson and secretary: alberto@rgisc.org or 914-7759352

Cavalry scouts embody centuries of tradition

By DAVID BURGE EL PASO TIMES

EL PASO — The role of cavalry scouts hasn’t changed all that much since the days when they rode horses.

They may be using armored vehicles like Strykers now, but they are still usually the soldiers who are the farthest forward during a mission. They serve as the “eyes and ears” of the brigade they fall under, doing the same role they did during the Civil War and the days of the Wild West.

“The role hasn’t changed that much, but technology has,” said Lt. Col. Mark Hoovestol, commander of the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. “It’s the same type of role and mis-

sion we filled during the Civil War, service on the frontiers and even throughout World War II. They did it with different equipment.

The equipment will change but the mission remains the same.”

Scouts find the location of the enemy, relay that information to their higher headquarters and provide security so the rest of their brigade can maneuver.

Hoovestol’s squadron — the equivalent of an infantry battalion — has about 450 soldiers and was among the 3,400 soldiers from Fort Bliss’ 1st Brigade which recently did a monthlong rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

During the past decadeplus of war, cavalry scouts have been pressed into duty

Photo by Dave Burge/The El Paso Times | AP

Capt. Dean Marshall is the commander of Comanche Troop, 6th Squadron, in Fort Irwin. The role of cavalry scouts hasn’t changed all that much since the days when they rode horses. as infantry in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hoovestol said.

But now is the time to get back to the basics of being scouts, he said. And that’s exactly what his squadron has been focusing on during its six-month-long

train-up leading to its rotation at NTC and during its visit to NTC itself.

“Over the past two years, the Army has really gotten back into how to use a cavalry squadron and getting back into the traditional

roles I described — reconnaissance and security operations,” Hoovestol said. “We are learning as we go, which is what this place is all about.”

Scouts can often make a difference between victory and defeat, Hoovestol added.

Being a cavalry scout entails being patient, smart and adaptable to change, said Capt. Dean Marshall, commander of Comanche Troop with the 6-1 Cav. “You have to be flexible,” said Marshall, a native of Houston. “If you are not comfortable with change, this isn’t the job for you.

Things change at the last minute. If you let that get you down, on top of the sleep deprivation and long hours, it will drive you crazy.”

Even when they spend an

entire night out on a mission and cannot find the enemy, the failure to locate can still serve as valuable information for the brigade to use, Marshall said.

“We set the conditions for the rest of the brigade,” he said. “It’s an important job, but I would say the majority of the work is done by the infantry battalions. We just help and enable their success.”

Cavalry scouts have been playing this role since the days of the Wild West, he added.

“The job hasn’t changed all that much,” Marshall said.

“Technology has changed; vehicles have changed. You have to change with the times, but our role has been important for a long time and will continue to be important.”

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

COMMENTARY

OTHER VIEWS

Turning the tide on terrorism

By DAVID INSERRA THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Most of us are familiar with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, thanks to media coverage of the Boston bombing case. But very few have heard of Munther Omar Selah.

There’s a good reason for that, though. Both shared a desire to commit acts of terrorism, but Selah’s plans, unlike Tsarnev’s, were disrupted before they could be carried out. He and two coconspirators considered numerous sites in New York City for their attack before their arrest on June 13 — the 70th publicly known terror plot on the U.S. since 9/11.

So how was Selah’s attack foiled? And how can we address the current spike in terrorist activity? Let’s consider these important questions in turn.

Late last year, Selah began making radical statements through social media. He called al-Qaida “too moderate,” and expressed support for the caliphate that the Islamic State claims to have established in Iraq and Syria. He expressed support for the attack on the Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas and began to translate Islamic State and other radical videos and material into English.

The FBI began watching Saleh and his computer activity through judicially authorized surveillance, and in March twice found him examining the George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey.

They interviewed Saleh.

He denied supporting Islamic State or holding any radical, violent beliefs, but he provided access to his computer. He then denied reading or translating the radical material they found on it.

In May, Saleh began to research weapons, training and equipment that could be used to carry out violent attacks and bombings. He downloaded instructions for building a pressure-cooker bomb; researched various weapons, as well as surveillance and disguise equipment and electronics; and continued to look at various New York landmarks.

During this time, Saleh was also enrolled in an electrical engineering course that would teach him skills useful for building a bomb. When approached by a confidential informant, Saleh said he was “in NY and trying to do an op,” a reference to his terrorist operations and plotting. He would not communicate further with the informant, however, because he was ordered by officials he believed to be part of

Islamic State not to communicate with others.

On June 13, Saleh and another co-conspirator were picked up by Fareed Mumuni and began to perform anti-surveillance measures — driving without lights, not stopping at stop signs, and erratically pulling over and speeding up. At around 4 a.m., they stopped at a red light, and Saleh (with knife in hand) and one other individual got out of the car and charged a law enforcement vehicle tracking them.

Their surveillance operation blown, the police moved in and arrested Saleh and the other conspirator who ran at the police vehicle. After questioning Saleh, the FBI learned that the group had planned to use a bomb, run over law enforcement that responded with a car, and then take their weapons to attack others.

Saleh pledged full allegiance to Islamic State and claimed that his coconspirators had also.

When the FBI went to arrest Mumuni on June 17, he stabbed an FBI agent multiple times, but the agent’s vest prevented the knife from doing any serious injury.

The Saleh case, one of three foiled attacks in June alone, shows why law enforcement and intelligence officials need more tools to stop terrorists before they strike — not fewer, as some lawmakers have suggested.

Legitimate government surveillance programs, for example, are a vital component of our national security and should be allowed to continue.

Greater cyber-investigation capabilities in the higher-risk urban areas are also essential. With so much terrorism-related activity occurring on the Internet, local law enforcement should be able to monitor and track violent extremist activity on the Web when reasonable suspicion exists to do so.

Greater intelligence and law enforcement cooperation is also needed to uncover and neutralize terrorist plots, curtail the flow of foreign fighters to Syria, and monitor the activities of foreign fighters who have returned to the U.S. and other countries.

This doesn’t mean we allow anything in the name of national security.

Far from it. The government has an obligation to follow the law and respect individual privacy and liberty.

But within those necessary strictures, we should give our law enforcement and intelligence officials all the tools they need — to ensure that any future aspiring terrorists remain as unknown as Munther Omar Selah.

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 namecalling 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.

COLUMN

Christians respond by forgiving Last week a young man entered the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, sat in on a Bible study for about an hour, then shot and killed nine of those present.

When he was arrested, he admitted that he had wanted to start a “race war.”

But at the bond hearing held a few days after the murders, the responses of the families of the victims were certainly not what the killer had expected. Instead, the suspect, Dylan Roof, heard many family members express heartfelt words of forgiveness and healing.

For example, the daughter of a woman victim said, “I just wanted everybody to know, to you, I forgive you.

“You took something very precious away from me. I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul. You have hurt me. You hurt a lot of people.

May God forgive you, and I forgive you.”

We may wonder how it is possible for people to forgive a man who had deliber-

“

JAMES TAMAYO

ately killed their loved ones.

In fact, it is mercy rooted in Christian faith. As the husband of one of the victims told the killer, “I forgive you and my family forgives you.

But we would like for you to take this opportunity to repent, confess. Give your life to the one who matters the most, Christ.”

It was Jesus who told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who harm us. (Mt. 5:44) It was Jesus who taught us to pray the “Our Father” with its beautiful words of mercy, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” (Mt. 6:12) Every time we say this prayer we should remember the mercy that has been shown to us by God, and the forgiveness He asks us to show to others. And it was Jesus who gave us the greatest example of divine mercy. After being falsely accused, mocked, tortured

and nailed to the cross, Jesus with his dying breath said, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) If those responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus could be forgiven, then mercy is to be extended to everyone.

When we forgive somebody, it does not mean that we accept the wrong that person has done. It does not mean that we are declaring that person innocent. In fact, forgiveness only makes sense when there is a wrong which needs to be forgiven.

But while forgiveness acknowledges a wrong, it also expresses great love and mercy. “I forgive you” means that I do not wish evil upon you. It means that I recognize you as my brother, as my sister, in the family of God, and I want to see you reconciled to those whom you have hurt.

What a beautiful example has been shown to the world by the family members of those who were murdered at Emanuel Church! The word “Emanuel” means “God is with us” and that is certainly true in this instance. God is

with those who forgave the killer, for it was surely divine grace which enabled them to show the same mercy as was demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

Probably very few of us will experience the devastating sadness of knowing a member of our family was murdered. But it is very possible that someday we will be saddened when somebody we love is insulted or disrespected. We may experience the heartache of knowing a friend has been assaulted or robbed. We may even suffer ourselves from an act of cruelty from others.

In such situations, our first impulse might be one of anger or a desire for revenge. But let us instead follow the beautiful examples of forgiveness which have been given to us by Jesus and by the family members of those who were recently killed in Charleston.

Aware of God’s great mercy towards each of us, may we also forgive those who have harmed us, inviting them to be reconciled with God and with His family.

Todo con amor.

EDITORIAL

Yemen needs different life line PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim states have in three months of bombing, supported by the United States, reduced Yemen, already the poorest country in the Persian Gulf region, to a collapsed state.

An estimated 2,600, mostly civilians, are dead.

Some 80 percent of the Yemenis need aid to stay alive, for want of food, housing, electricity and water. Health care in the country has collapsed; 60 percent of Yemenis have access to none. The Saudis

have also instituted a sea blockade of Yemen, cutting off imports.

The battle in Yemen, with Yemenis on several sides of it, is basically between Saudi-backed Sunnis and Iranian-backed Shiite Houthis. Al-Qaida is also involved in Yemen and has increased the territory it controls as part of the war.

The Islamic State group, also Sunni, has claimed credit for several lethal bombings. No one is winning. United Nations-sponsored talks in Geneva came to nothing and were adjourned with no date set

for resumption.

The three main Yemeni parties to the war include the Sunni forces of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi; he is in exile in Saudi Arabia and the Saudis insist on his return to power.

Another armed force is led by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, also Sunni, who was forced out of power by the United States and the Gulf states in 2012.

The third force is the Shiite Houthis, who seized the capital, Sanaa, in September. Their leader, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, is

president of the Revolutionary Committee and de facto president of Yemen.

Effective talks are needed among the key parties, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. Perhaps Secretary of State John Kerry will pick up this difficult issue when and if an Iran accord is signed.

In the meantime, countless burned children and other Yemenis will continue to suffer from the U.S.backed bombing of Yemen, nothing to be proud of. For the United States, the conflict is pointless, regardless of who wins.

CLASSIC DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

Nation

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

Supreme Court OKs same-sex marriage

By MARK SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Samesex couples won the right to marry nationwide Friday as a divided Supreme Court handed a crowning victory to the gay rights movement, setting off a jubilant cascade of long-delayed weddings in states where they had been forbidden.

“No longer may this liberty be denied,” said Justice Anthony Kennedy.

The vote was narrow — 5-4 — but Kennedy’s majority opinion was clear and firm: “The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry.”

The ruling will put an end to same-sex marriage bans in the 14 states that still maintain them, and provide an exclamation point for breathtaking changes in the nation’s social norms in recent years.

As recently as last October, just over one-third of the states permitted gay marriages.

Kennedy’s reading of the ruling elicited tears in the courtroom, euphoria outside and the immediate issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in at least eight states. In Dallas, Kenneth Denson said he and Gabriel Mendez had been legally married in 2013 in California but “we’re Texans; we want to get married in Texas.”

In praise of the decision, President Barack Obama called it “justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.”

Four of the court’s justices weren’t cheering. The dissenters accused their colleagues of usurping power that belongs to the states and to voters, and short-circuiting a national debate about same-sex marriage.

“This court is not a legislature. Whether same-sex marriage is a good idea should be of no concern to

Photo by Eric Gay | AP

A man who gave his name as Jim demonstrates in front of a Travis County office building in Austin after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that same-sex couples have the right to marry. The remaining 14 states will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage. us,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in dissent. Roberts read a summary of his dissent from the bench, the first time he has done so in nearly 10 years as chief justice.

“If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision,” Roberts said.

“But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”

Justice Antonin Scalia said he was not concerned so much about same-sex marriage as “this court’s threat to American democracy.” He termed the decision a “judicial putsch.”

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas also dissented.

Several religious organizations criticized the decision and a group of pastors in Texas vowed to defy it.

Kennedy said nothing in the court’s ruling would

force religions to condone, much less perform, weddings to which they object.

And he said the couples seeking the right to marry should not have to wait for the political branches of government to act.

“The dynamic of our constitutional system is that individuals need not await legislative action before asserting a fundamental right. The nation’s courts are open to injured individuals who come to them to vindicate their own direct, personal stake in our basic charter,” Kennedy wrote in his fourth major opinion in support of gay rights since 1996. It came on the anniversary of two of those earlier decisions.

“No union is more profound than marriage,” Kennedy wrote, joined by the court’s four more liberal justices.

The stories of the people asking for the right to marry “reveal that they seek not to denigrate mar-

riage but rather to live their lives, or honor their spouses’ memory, joined by its bond,” Kennedy said.

As he read his opinion, spectators in the courtroom wiped away tears when the import of the decision became clear. One of those in the audience was James Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court fight.

Outside, Obergefell held up a photo of his late spouse, John Arthur, and said the ruling establishes that “our love is equal.”

He added, “This is for you, John.”

Obama placed a congratulatory phone call to Obergefell, which he took amid a throng of reporters outside the courthouse.

Speaking a few minutes later at the White House, Obama praised the decision as an affirmation of the principle that “all Americans are created equal.”

The crowd in front of

the courthouse at the top of Capitol Hill grew in the minutes following the ruling. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., sang the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Motorists honked their horns in support as they passed by the crowd, which included a smattering of same-sex marriage opponents.

The ruling will not take effect immediately because the court gives the losing side roughly three weeks to ask for reconsideration.

But county clerks in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas began issuing licenses to same-sex couples within hours of the decision.

The cases before the court involved laws from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee that define marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Those states have not allowed same-sex couples to marry within their borders, and

they also have refused to recognize valid marriages from elsewhere.

Just two years ago, the Supreme Court struck down part of the federal anti-gay marriage law that denied a range of government benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor formed the majority with Kennedy on Friday, the same lineup as two years ago.

The earlier decision in United States v. Windsor did not address the validity of state marriage bans, but courts across the country, with few exceptions, said its logic compelled them to invalidate state laws that prohibited gay and lesbian couples from marrying.

There are an estimated 390,000 married same-sex couples in the United States, according to UCLA’s Williams Institute, which tracks the demographics of gay and lesbian Americans. Another 70,000 couples living in states that do not currently permit them to wed would get married in the next three years, the institute says. Roughly 1 million same-sex couples, married and unmarried, live together in the United States, the institute says.

The Obama administration backed the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The Justice Department’s decision to stop defending the federal anti-marriage law in 2011 was an important moment for gay rights, and Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage in 2012.

The states affected by Friday’s ruling are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, most of Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

PÁGINA 6A

Zfrontera

Ribereña en Breve DECOMISO El Grupo de Coordinación Tamaulipas informó sobre el decomiso de de cartuchos de diferentes calibres, vehículos, cargadores, equipos de radio comunicación, marihuana, poncha llantas y un químico no clasificado aún, en el municipio de Reynosa, México.

El decomiso involucró 21.878 cartuchos de diferentes calibres, 252 cargadores para diferentes armas, 5 cascos Kevlar, 3 vehículos motrices, 5 equipos de radio comunicación, 60 poncha llantas metálicos, 75.500 kilogramos de marihuana, 2 tanques de 20 litros cada uno, con material químico desconocido.

Los artículos fueron entregados al Ministerio Público de la Federación

RECAUDACIÓN DE FONDOS El Boys and Girls Club del Condado de Zapata se encuentra recaudando fondos para sus programas juveniles y eventos programados para el 2015. Interesados en apoyar la causa, la compañía Tupperware se encuentra ofreciendo que por cada producto Tupperware que se compre, un 40 por ciento de las ventas se destinará directamente al club de Zapata. Le meta es recaudar 3.000 dólares. Pida informes llamando al (956) 765-3892.

SÁBADO 27 DE JUNIO DE 2015

NACIONAL

Adoptan decisión POR MARK SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — La Suprema Corte de Estados Unidos adoptó el viernes una decisión histórica al declarar que las parejas del mismo sexo tienen derecho al matrimonio en cualquier lugar del país, una culminación histórica a décadas de litigios sobre el matrimonio y los derechos de los homosexuales. El presidente Barack Obama afirmó que esto reafirma el principio de que todos los estadounidenses son iguales.

Hasta ahora, las parejas gay y lesbianas tenían derecho a casarse solo en 36 estados y el Distrito de Columbia. La decisión de la corte por votación de 5-4, significa que los otros 14 estados en el sur y centro-norte del país deberán anular sus prohibiciones al matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo.

El juez Anthony Kennedy escribió a nombre de la opinión mayoritaria, al igual que lo hizo en los tres principales casos previos de derechos de homosexua-

les, que datan desde 1996. La sentencia se da en el aniversario de dos de esas decisiones.

“No existe unión más profunda que la del matrimonio”, escribió Kennedy, quien estuvo acompañado por los cuatro jueces más liberales de la corte.

Las historias de las personas que solicitan el derecho a casarse “revelan que no buscan denigrar el matrimonio, sino vivir sus vidas, u honrar a sus cónyuges y estrechar su vínculo”, dijo Kennedy.

Al leer su opinión, los espectadores en el juzgado se enjugaron lágrimas luego de que se esclareciera el alcance de la decisión. En la audiencia se encontraba James Obergefell, el principal demandante ante la Suprema Corte.

Obama aplaudió la decisión como "justicia que llega como un rayo". Afirmó que esto era una reafirmación al principio de que "todos los estadounidenses son creados de la misma manera".

Los cuatro jueces discrepantes emitieron opiniones por separado, explicando sus posturas, pero

acordaron que la decisión de quién puede contraer matrimonio debió de haber quedado en manos de los estados y sus votantes.

"La corte no es una legislatura.

No debería ser de nuestra incumbencia el decidir si el matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo es una buena idea o no", escribió en discrepancia el juez principal, John Roberts, quien por primera vez en casi 10 años en el cargo, leyó un resumen de su discrepancia desde el banquillo.

"Si usted es uno de muchos estadounidenses —sin importar la orientación sexual— que está a favor de la expansión del matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo, deberá celebrar la decisión tomada hoy", dijo Roberts. "Pero no celebre la Constitución, porque no tuvo nada que ver con esto”.

El juez Antonin Scalia afirmó que no le preocupa mucho el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo, sino "el trato de la corte a la democracia estadounidense".

Los jueces Samuel Alito y Claren-

NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO

MEDIOAMBIENTE

CONSTRUCCIÓN

Da inicio registro para talleres

EXHIBICIÓN DE ARTE El Boys and Girls Club de Zapata tendrá una exhibición de arte, el sábado 27 de junio, de 1 p.m. a 4 p.m.

Los integrantes del club interesados en participar pueden llamar al (956) 765-3892.

La participación es exclusiva para integrantes del club. Las personas que gusten inscribirse pueden acudir al club o llamar al (956) 765-3892.

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

DESFILE DE MODAS MIGUEL ALEMAN — Damas representantes de la Fundación “Vive en Paz y Haz el Bien” invitan a un Desfile de Modas que se llevará a cabo el 8 de julio en el Casino Milenium. La fundación que lucha contra el cáncer, espera que con el desfile de modas se recauden fondos que les permitirán continuar con su misión.

CORTE DE COMISIONADOS La corte de comisionados se reunirá el lunes 13 de julio, de 9 a.m. a 12 p.m., en el Palacio de Justicia de la Ciudad.

Para más información pude llamar a Roxy Elizondo al (956) 765-9920.

CAMINATA Se realizará la Tercer Carrera Anual “5K Memorial Run”, el 18 de julio a partir de las 8 a.m., frente a al Palacio de Justicia sobre 7th y calle Hidalgo.

El costo de inscripción anticipada es de 15 dólares, mientras que el día del vento se podrá inscribir, de 7 a.m. a 7:45 a.m., por un costo de 20 dólares. La inscripción a la carrera para niños costará 5 dólares.

Para inscribirse en línea puede ingresar a active.com; para inscribirse en persona acusa a Boys and Girls Club en 302 de avenida 6th.

La carrera contará con las siguientes divisiones: carrera de 5 kilómetros, caminata de dos millas y carrera para niños, de 10 años y menores.

Los ganadores de los primeros tres lugares en cada categoría, en las ramas femenil y varonil, recibirán un trofeo.

ce Thomas también discreparon.

El decreto no entrará en vigor de manera inmediata, debido a que la corte le da unas tres semanas a la parte derrotada para solicitar una reconsideración. Sin embargo, algunas autoridades estatales y de condado podrían decidir que el riesgo de emitir licencias de matrimonio a las parejas del mismo sexo es mínimo.

El número de estados que permiten el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo ha aumentado de manera significativa. Apenas en noviembre solo una tercera parte de los estados lo admitían.

Existen cerca de 390.000 matrimonios del mismo sexo en Estados Unidos, de acuerdo al Instituto Williams de UCLA, que rastrea la demografía de los estadounidenses gay y lesbianas. Otras 70.000 viven en estados en los que no se les permite casarse actualmente, pero se casarán dentro de los próximos tres años, señaló el instituto. Casi un millón de parejas del mismo sexo, casadas o no, viven juntas en Estados Unidos.

Foto de cortesía | Agencia de Noticias-Oficina de Corresponsales

De izquierda a derecha, Carlos Canturosas, Presidente Municipal de Nuevo Laredo, México; David Zimov, Consul de EU en Nuevo Laredo; Anthony Wayne, Embajador de EU en México; Egidio Torre, Gobernador de Tamaulipas; y Rubén Moreira, Gobernador de Coahuila, durante la ceremonia de arranque de construcción del Consulado General de EU en Nuevo Laredo.

Consulado sería más grande de frontera TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

L

a obra de construcción del nuevo Consulado General de Estados Unidos en Nuevo Laredo, México, estará en proceso.

Una vez concluido será el consulado más grande de la frontera norte de México.

La obra tendrá una inversión superior a los 155 millones de dólares, y permitirá ampliar los servicios a la comunidad en los estados de Tamaulipas, Nuevo León y Coahuila, incluyendo mayor emisión de visas.

El Embajador de EU en México, Anthony Wayne, dijo durante la ceremonia que el nuevo consulado será una manifestación de la forma en que se trabaja de manera conjunta.

“Será un espacio que proporcionará un lugar para intercambiar ideas y llevar adelante pro-

yectos binacionales”, aseguró.

“Nuevo Laredo es parte crucial de esto; los visitantes como yo, sólo necesitan viajar unas millas al Puente del Comercio Mundial para entender que esta ciudad se encuentra en el corazón de nuestra prosperidad, y representa un potente motor de nuestro desarrollo económico binacional”.

Con Wayne estuvieron presentes el Gobernador por Tamaulipas, Egidio Torre Cantú, y el de Coahuila, Rubén Moreira Valdez; además de Carlos Canturosas, Presidente Municipal de Nuevo Laredo, y el Cónsul General de EU en la vecina ciudad, David Zimov.

Torre Cantú reconoció el liderazgo de Nuevo Laredo en el estado y el país.

“Nuevo Laredo es una ciudad con gran dinamismo, la integración y la demanda de servicios

consulares”, dijo Torre Cantú.

El edificio estará situado en un área de 5.6 acres, en el crucero de Paseo Colón y Degollado, e incluirá el edificio de oficinas, residente de los Guardias de Seguridad para Marina de EU, un edificio adjunto para soporte, e instalaciones para la comunidad del consulado.

Moore Ruble Yudell de Santa Monica, California, es el arquitecto encargado del diseño, y PAGE de Washington, D.C., es el arquitecto de registro. B.L. Harbert International de Birmingham, Alabama es el constructor contratista, de acuerdo a un comunicado de prensa del Departamento de Estado de EU. La obra, que se espera esté concluida para septiembre del 2017.

(Con información de Agencia de Noticias-Oficina de Corresponsales)

Brush Country Chapter anunció su primer sesión de entrenamiento para los amantes de la naturaleza y el voluntariado.

Si le gustaría aprender más sobre algunas plantas, animales y otras áreas naturales del Sur de Texas o está interesado en servir a la comunidad al incursionar por caminos naturales, trabajar con niños o dando mantenimiento a los senderos naturales, Brush Country Chapter del programa Texas Master Naturalist le invita a cursas el entrenamiento que iniciará en julio y continuará hasta diciembre.

El programa está enfocado en desarrollar corporaciones de voluntarios bien informados que proporcionen educación, participación y servicios dedicados al manejo en beneficio de recursos naturales y áreas naturales entre las comunidades del Sur de Texas, señala un comunicado de prensa.

Durante las clases, los voluntarios cumplen con 40 horas de entrenamiento, incluyendo viajes de campo, cobertura de varios temas de naturaleza histórica relacionados con el Sur de Texas, tales como aves, plantas, insectos, anfibios y reptiles, tierra, suelo y agua, eco regiones de Texas y más.

Después de concluir con las clases y 8 horas adicionales de entrenamiento avanzado, los voluntarios regresarán 40 horas de servicio cada año para la comunidad.

La tarifa de inscripción al curso es de 200 dólares. Las primeras 30 personas serán aceptadas. La cuota no tendrá devolución después del 29 de junio.

Para inscribirse o para más información, puede contactar a Alberto Sandoval, presidente y secretario, escribiendo a alberto@rgisc.org o llamando al (914) 775-9352.

COLUMNA

Cuentan realidad tamaulipeca con rimas Nota del editor: Este es el primero de dos artículos donde el autor habla sobre lar rimas publicadas en periódicos tamaulipecos y el impacto social que tuvieron.

POR RAÚL SINENCIO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Al igual que el resto de México, Tamaulipas va definiéndose en intrincado devenir. La forja inspira expresiones literarias, recogidas en diversos impresos. Breve muestra permi-

te aventurarnos por aquella época.

Coronel Xavier Mina llega a Soto la Marina en 1817. Comanda la “División Auxiliar de la República Mexicana”, nombre del contingente. Nadie preconiza en México la opción republicana. Viene el navarro resuelto a fortalecer a los insurgentes de manera efímera aunque memo-

rable.

Entre valijas, equipo y pertrechos, trae consigo la primera imprenta conocida en parajes del noreste.

Fechadas en Soto la Marina, el aparato reproduce a fines de abril las rimas, “Mina está a la cabeza/ de un cuerpo auxiliador/ él guiará vuestra empresa/ al colmo del honor” y anticipan, “De tierras diferentes/ venimos a ayudaros/ y a defender valientes/ derechos los más caros”. Exhortan: “Forzad

con noble saña/ ese yugo insolente/ que os impone la España/ tan indebidamente”.

Señala la canción “Canción patriótica”, al desembarcar la escribe Joaquín Infante, doctor cubano. Él ocupa el puesto de auditor y dirige también el boletín de la división. Opera la imprenta Samuel Bangs, nativo de Boston, Massachusetts. Junto con Fray Servando Teresa de Mier y otros rebeldes, ambos caen presos al recuperar

la plaza tropas virreinales a cargo del atrabiliario coronel Joaquín Arredondo.

Estrofas Como anónimo publica la prensa de Tampico: “Jure todo mexicano/que ha de morir o vencer,/ para nunca depender/ del odioso americano”.

(Publicado con permiso del autor conforme aparece en La Razón, Tampico, México)

Nation

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A

Official: 1 escapee killed

By JOHN KEKIS AND MICHAEL VIRTANEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Stephen Crowley/The New York Times | AP

An attendee holds a photo of Rev. Clementa Pinckney at a service for the pastor and state senator in Charleston, S.C., on Friday.

Race is topic at SC funeral

By MEG KINNARD, JEFFREY COLLINS AND JONATHAN DREW ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLESTON, S.C. — President Barack Obama used his eulogy for a slain pastor to deliver an unvarnished lecture on America’s racial history Friday, and then boldly sang “Amazing Grace,” a spiritual meant to summon hope in the darkest of times.

Obama also called for gun control and efforts to eliminate poverty and job discrimination, and said the Confederate battle flag — long a symbol of Southern pride — must be removed from places of honor.

“For many — black and white — that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression and racial subjugation.

We see that now,” he said.

The president came to eulogize the Rev. Clemente Pinckney, a state senator whose church was founded by the leader of a failed slave revolt and burned to the ground by angry whites in 1822. After the Civil War, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church led efforts to expand equal rights in the South, hosting Martin Luther King Jr. during campaigns in South Carolina.

Pinckney came from a long line of preachers and protesters, and the eight people slain beside him drew no distinctions between their work in church and their efforts to improve society, Obama said.

“We do not know whether the killer of Rev. Pinckney knew all of this history,” the president said. “But he surely sensed the meaning of his violent act. It was an act that drew on a long history of bombs and arsons and shots fired at these churches; not random, but as a means of control, a way to terrorize and oppress.”

“It was an act that he imagined would incite fear, and incrimination, violence and suspicion. An act he presumed would deepen divisions that trace back to our nation’s original sin,” Obama continued, his voice rising in the cadence of the preachers who preceded him.

“Oh, but God works in mysterious ways!” Obama said, and the crowd rose to give him a standing ovation.

“God has different ideas!”

Obama spoke plainly about the ugliness of America’s racial history — from slavery to the many ways

minorities have been deprived of equal rights in more recent times. Taking down the Confederate flag is a righteous step, “but God doesn’t want us to stop there,” he said.

Americans should want to fight poverty with as much effort as they fight hate, and realize that hate isn’t always obvious, he said, “so that we’re guarding against not just racial slurs, but we’re guarding against the subtle impulse to call Johnny back for a job interview but not Jamal.”

The president wrapped up the four-hour funeral in song, belting out the first words of “Amazing Grace” all by himself. Ministers behind him quickly stood up and began singing, too, and the choir and organist and many in the audience of thousands joined in.

Slain along with Pinckney were Cynthia Hurd, 54; Tywanza Sanders, 26; Sharonda Singleton, 45; Myra Thompson, 59; Ethel Lance, 70; Susie Jackson, 87; the Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74; and DePayne Doctor, 49.

Obama named them one by one, shouting that each “found that grace!”

America’s first black president sang this spiritual less than a mile from the spots where thousands of slaves were sold and where South Carolina signed its pact to leave the union a century and a half earlier.

MALONE, N.Y. — One of two convicted killers who staged a brazen escape from an upstate maximum-security prison and had been hunted for three weeks was shot and killed Friday, but the other is still on the run.

An official with knowledge of the manhunt said Richard Matt was killed and David Sweat is still on the MATT run. The official wasn’t authorized to talk about the development publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Matt and Sweat used power tools to saw through a steel cell wall and several steel steam pipes, bashed a hole through a 2-foot-thick brick wall, squirmed through pipes and escaped early on June 6 from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, near the Canadian border.

Sweat was serving a sentence of life without parole in the killing of a sheriff ’s deputy in Broome County in 2002.

Matt was serving 25 years to life for the killing and dismembering of his former boss.

A civilian worker at the prison was charged with helping the killers flee by giving them hacksaw blades, chisels and other tools.

Prosecutors said Joyce Mitchell, a prison tailoring shop instructor who got close to the men while working with them, had agreed to be their getaway driver but backed out because she felt guilty for participating. Mitchell pleaded not guilty on June 15 to charges including felony promoting prison contraband.

Photo by Mary Altaffer | AP

Authorities search an area in Constable, New York, for convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat, on Friday. Matt was shot and killed Friday, an unnamed source reportedly said.

Authorities said the men had filled their beds in their adjacent cells with clothes to make it appear they were sleeping when guards made overnight rounds. On a cut steam pipe, the prisoners left a taunting note containing a crude caricature of an Asian face and the words “Have a nice day.”

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said they apparently used tools stored by prison contractors, taking care to return them to their toolboxes after each night’s work.

Authorities also said Mitchell had discussed killing her husband, Lyle Mitchell, as part of the plot.

“Joyce Mitchell tells us that was discussed between her and Matt and that upon their escape they were going to return back to Joyce Mitchell’s home at which time Matt and Sweat were going to kill her husband,” Wylie said.

Lyle Mitchell’s lawyer, Peter Dumas, said June 18 that his client was

shocked by word of the plot and that Joyce Mitchell had told her husband she couldn’t go through with it and the inmates threatened to harm him.

“Toward the end, Joyce had told Lyle — and we have no reason to doubt it — that she told Sweat and Matt that she wasn’t going to go through with it,” he said. “At that point, they threatened her by threatening Lyle, saying they were going to have someone on the outside do something to him or someone on the inside when he was back at work do something to him, so I think it was a point of control.”

Lyle Mitchell was cooperating with authorities and wasn’t facing charges.

On June 24, authorities charged Clinton correction officer Gene Palmer with promoting prison contraband, tampering with physical evidence and official misconduct.

Officials said he gave the two prisoners the frozen hamburger meat Joyce Mitchell had used to hide

the tools she smuggled to Sweat and Matt. Palmer’s attorney said he had no knowledge that the meat contained hacksaw blades, a bit and a screwdriver.

Dannemora, built in 1845, occupies just over 1 square mile within the northern reaches of the Adirondack Forest Preserve and is surrounded by forest and farmland.

The stark white perimeter wall of the prison, topped with guard towers, borders a main street in the village’s business district.

The escape was the first in history from Clinton Correctional’s maximum-security portion. In July 2003, two convicted murderers used tools from a carpentry shop at Elmira Correctional Facility to dig a hole in the roof of their cell and a rope of bedsheets to go over the wall. They were captured within three days, and a subsequent state investigation cited lax inmate supervision, poor tool control and incomplete cell searches.

International

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

Attack in France kills man

By JAMEY KEATEN AND PHILIPPE SOTTO ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAINT-QUENTIN-FALLAVIER, France — A truck driver once under surveillance for radical Islamic ties crashed into an Americanowned chemical warehouse in southeastern France on Friday and hung his employer’s severed head on a factory gate, along with banners with Arabic inscriptions.

The attack, which triggered an explosion that wounded two people, came on a day of violence that spanned three continents.

The suspect, who was apprehended soon after setting off the blast, is the latest French citizen implicated in extremist bloodshed in recent years after being flagged to authorities, then falling off the radar. Police were put on higher alert in the Lyon area after the assault, which revived fearful memories of attacks in January on a kosher market and satirical newspaper that left 20 dead.

“Islamist terrorism has again struck France,” Prime Minister Manuel Valls said.

The attack in France came on the same day that a gunman mowed down scores of European tourists on a beach in Tunisia and a suicide bomber killed more than two dozen worshippers at a Shiite mosque in Kuwait — violence that followed a call by Islamic State extremists to target “nonbelievers.”

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the factory attack in France.

The severed head appeared to mimic the Islamic State group’s practice of beheading prisoners and displaying their heads for all to see, and came days after the militants urged attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The bloodshed was con-

Photo by Associated Press

People wave Kurdish flags and posters of jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, on Friday.

Photo by Laurent Cipriani | AP

Police officers work outside the plant where an attack took place Friday, in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, France. Authorities say one person has been beheaded in the attack and explosion at a gas factory.

By HAMZA HENDAWI demned by the United Nations, the United States, Israel and others.

The French attack began about 9:30 a.m., when Yassine Salhi drove a utility truck to the gate of the Air Products factory in SaintQuentin-Fallavier, southeast of Lyon, authorities said.

Prosecutor Francois Molins said Salhi was known to factory staff because he regularly made deliveries there, and they let him in the gate. Once beyond the sight of security cameras, Salhi plowed his truck into gas canisters in a factory warehouse, touching off an explosion, Molins said.

A knife and the decapitated body of Salhi’s employer were found at the site of the explosion, and the severed head was posted on a gate at the factory entrance with two flags bearing proclamations of Islamic faith, the prosecutor said.

Firefighters apprehended Salhi, and he was in custody Friday night along with his wife, sister and another person, while police sweeps of the vehicle and the suspect’s apartment were continuing, the prosecutor said.

Authorities described Salhi as a father of three who was married for more than

10 years, and who had been monitored for links to radical Islam from 2006-2008.

“He continued to attract the attention of intelligence services from time to time from 2011 to 2014 for his links to the Salafist movement in the Lyon region,” Molins said.

He is the latest Frenchman to have been on authorities’ radar before staging attacks in recent years.

Others include Mohamed Merah, who attacked a Jewish school in 2012, Mehdi Nemmouche, chief suspect in a 2014 attack on Brussels Jewish Museum, and two of the gunmen in the January shootings in Paris.

“We are dealing with ‘sleeper’ terrorists who are able to disappear from the surveillance radar for years and then reappear,” Parliament member Georges Fenech, on a commission for surveillance of jihadist networks, told reporters near the factory.

“It’s really important to reflect and act to make sure that this surveillance lasts as long as possible. If not, we can have perpetrators of attacks who have been located, but who disappear off all surveillance.”

President Francois Hol-

lande raised the security alert for the southeastern region to its highest level for the next three days. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security was tightened at religious sites around the country.

Three French officials said the man who was decapitated ran a local transportation company that employed Salhi. The victim’s name was not released. One official said the businessman was believed to have been killed before the attack on the factory.

Hollande said the key question was determining whether there were any accomplices.

Others, including Salhi’s wife, were seen on television being taken into custody from his apartment building in the Lyon suburb of Saint Priest hours after the attack.

The Paris Mosque condemned the attack, and a Muslim forklift operator who lives next to the factory described his horror and fear of reprisals.

“Doing this during Ramadan is disrespectful,” said Mehdi, a 23-year-old who did not want his full name published out of security concerns.

Tunisian attack kills 37

By BEN WIACEK AND PAUL SCHEMM ASSOCIATED PRESS

SOUSSE, Tunisia — A young man pulled a Kalashnikov from a beach umbrella and sprayed gunfire at European sunbathers at a Tunisian resort, killing at least 37 people — one of three deadly attacks Friday from Europe to North Africa to the Middle East that followed a call to violence

by Islamic State extremists.

The shootings in the Tunisian resort of Sousse happened at about the same time as a bombing at a Shiite mosque in Kuwait and an attack on a U.S.-owned factory in France that included a beheading. It was unclear if the violence was linked but it came days after the IS militants urged their followers “to make Ramadan a month of calamities for the nonbelievers.” In all, the assailants killed at least 65 people.

The attack in Tunisia, the country’s worst ever, comes just months after the March 18 massacre at the national Bardo museum in Tunis that killed 22 people, again mostly tourists, and has called into question the newly elected government’s ability to protect the country.

“Once again, cowardly and traitorous hands have struck Tunisia, targeting its security and that of its children and visitors,” President Beji Caid Essebsi told reporters at the RIU Imperial Marhaba hotel, near the beach rampage site.

Essebsi promised “painful but necessary” measures, adding: “No country is safe from terrorism, and we need a global strategy of all democratic countries.”

Rafik Chelli, the secretary of state of the Interior Ministry, told The Associated Press that the attack was carried out by a young student not previously known to authorities. At least 36 people were reported wounded in the shooting spree, which ended when the gunman was shot to death by police.

The Islamic State group

Scores die in IS offensive

Photo by Jawhara FM | AP

An injured person is treated on a Tunisian beach, in Sousse, on Friday. A young man unfurled an umbrella and pulled out a Kalashnikov, opening fire on European sunbathers. claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at the Shiite mosque in Kuwait City that killed at least 27 people and wounded scores of other worshippers at midday prayers — the first such attack in the mostly quiet and relatively secure Gulf Arab nation in more than two decades.

In southeastern France, a man with ties to Islamic radicals rammed a car into a gas factory, touching off an explosion that injured two people. Authorities arriving at the site made a grisly discovery: the severed head of the driver’s employer was found hanging at the plant entrance.

The suspect, Yassine Salhi, was seized by an alert firefighter, authorities said, and French President Francois Hollande said the attacker’s intention had been to cause an explosion. A security alert for the southeast region was raised to its highest level for the next three days, and the U.S. Embassy in Paris warned American citizens to be vigilant.

In an audio recording released Tuesday, the Islamic State called on its supporters to increase attacks during Ramadan and “be keen on waging invasion in this eminent month and commit martyrdom.”

In Britain, police said

they were tightening security at major events after the attacks in France, Kuwait and Tunisia, including for the weekend events of Armed Forces Day and the Pride London gay and lesbian festival.

The attacks were condemned by the United Nations, the U.S., Israel and others.

“We stand with these nations as they respond to attacks on their soil today,” the White House said. Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren added it was “too soon to tell whether or not these various and far-flung attacks were coordinated centrally or whether they were coincidental.”

The carnage in Tunisia began on the beach, where tourists described hearing what sounded like fireworks and then running for their lives when they realized it was gunfire. Video of the aftermath showed medics using beach chairs as stretchers to carry away people.

“He had a parasol in his hand. He went down to put it in the sand and then he took out his Kalashnikov and began shooting wildly,” Chelli said of the gunman.

He then entered the pool area of the Imperial Marhaba hotel before moving inside, killing people as he went.

British tourist Gary Pine

told AP he was on the beach with his wife around noon when heard the shooting. They shouted for their son to get out of the water, grabbed their bag and ran for the hotel. Their son told them he saw someone shot on the beach.

There was “sheer panic” at the hotel, Pine said.

“There were a lot of concerned people, a few people in tears with panic and a few people they’d turned their ankles or there was a few little minor injuries and nicks and scrapes.”

Elizabeth O’Brien, an Irish tourist who was with her two sons, told Irish Radio she was on the beach when the shooting began.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God. It sounds like gunfire,’ so I just ran to the sea to my children and grabbed our things” before fleeing to their hotel room, she said.

The Health Ministry said the 37 dead included Tunisians, British, Germans and Belgians, without giving a breakdown.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says at least five Britons were killed but expected to toll to rise because a high proportion of the dead were believed to be British.

Since overthrowing its secular dictator in 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by terrorist attacks.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIRUT — Fighting raged into the night Friday between Kurdish fighters and Islamic State militants in the Syrian border town of Kobani, as reports mounted that at least 120 civilians, including women and children, have been killed by the extremist group since it launched a new offensive on the strategic town the previous day.

The fighting came amid deadly terror attacks across continents — from shootings in a Tunisian beach resort, to an attack on a U.S.-owned factory in France and a suicide bombing by an Islamic State affiliate at a Shiite mosque in Kuwait that killed at least 27 worshippers — all following the IS group’s call for violence during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Syria’s official SANA news agency said some 120 civilians were killed by IS fighters since Thursday in Kobani, describing the killings as a “massacre.” It gave no details, but Kobani-based activist Mustafa Bali told The Associated Press that as many as 142 were killed, mostly civilians shot dead in cold blood, and 183 were wounded. At least 40 IS militants were also killed, their bodies left unclaimed on the town’s streets, said Bali.

IS militants remained fortified in buildings in several districts of this northern Syrian town on the Turkish-Syrian border, he added. They were holding hostages in three locations, he said. A fourth location, a restaurant, was stormed by Kurdish fighters who freed the hostages and killed several IS fighters earlier in the day, Bali said.

Also Friday, a suicide car bombing targeted a security building in the northeastern town of Hassakeh, which also came under a surprise IS attack on Thursday. The Syrian news agency said there were casualties, without giving a figure, while the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20 troops were killed and the building was badly damaged.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the Hassakeh bombing, which bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group.

The surprise twin attacks on Kobani and Hassakeh came after the Islamic State group suffered a series of setbacks over the past two weeks, including the loss of the Syrian border town of Tal Abyad — one of the group’s main points for the transfer of foreign fighters and supplies.

Kobani has become a symbol of Kurdish resistance after the town.

Backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, the town’s defenders endured a months-long siege by the Islamic State before they broke the siege and drove the IS forces out.

Kurdish officials said IS militants wearing Syrian rebel uniforms and carrying the flags of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army sneaked into the town before dawn on Thursday as everyone slept. Just before sunrise, they set off three car bombs and quickly took up fortified positions inside buildings, they said.

“Honestly, their plan was very smart,” said Bali.

“We believe they came from the north and that they had been inside the city for at least two hours before the fighting began.”

“It is evident that they are experienced fighters, but it is a suicide mission aimed at killing as many people as possible before they die,” he said.

IS fighters are now holding hostages in a house near the Mashta Nour hospital, another near the town’s cultural center and a third one close to the Mahdathe school, said the officials.

Bali said some IS snipers have also taken up positions on the roofs of buildings and were randomly firing at people on the streets below.

After the clashes in Kobani broke out, the main Kurdish militia, the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, closed the primary border crossing point between Turkey and Tal Abyad for security reasons, said YPG spokesman Redur Khalil.

Simultaneously with the attack on Kobani, IS on Thursday launched the push on Hassakeh, which is jointly controlled by Kurdish fighters and government troops, and captured parts of it.

SANA said government warplanes attacked IS positions near Hassakeh, killing and wounding dozens of militants. And the director of the Syrian Observatory, Rami Abdurrahman, told the AP on Friday that the U.S.-led coalition has stepped up airstrikes targeting IS positions.

“Warplanes and helicopters have been attacking their (IS) hideouts since the early morning,” Hassakeh governor Mohammed Zaal al-Ali told state Syrian TV on Friday. He called on residents who fled the fighting to safer areas to return to their homes, saying that “the situation today is better than yesterday.”

“There is relative quiet in Hassakeh tonight,” Kurdish defense official Nasser Haj Mansour told the AP. He said of the town’s 20 neighborhoods, IS fighters operated in just two.

The simultaneous attacks on Kobani and Hassakeh underscores a wellknown IS strategy — in June last year, the group launched a blitz, capturing large parts of both Syria and Iraq and subsequently declared an Islamic caliphate on the territory under its control. A major IS attack was widely expected during Ramadan, now in its second week.

The attacks followed an audio message by IS spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, who urged Sunni Muslims to use the holy month to wage jihad and seek martyrdom.

“Blessed be the one who spends Ramadan conquering for God’s sake and lucky is the one who is selected and taken as a martyr by God during this month,” he said in the Tuesday audio message.

“You Muslims, take the initiative and rush to jihad, rise up you mujahideen everywhere, push forward and make Ramadan a month of calamities for the nonbelievers.”

Meanwhile, the pan Arabic satellite TV station Al-Jazeera reported Friday that its cameraman Mohammed al-Assfar was killed while covering fighting in the southern city of Daraa.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

Stocks end mostly lower, Dow Jones up

By KEN SWEET ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Stocks had a mixed day Friday, as investors waited for negotiators to finish their work on a solution to Greece’s debt problems. Chinese stocks plunged 7 percent as fears spread that a yearlong bull rally there has become overheated.

China’s benchmark index is still up more than double over the past year.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 56.66 points, or 0.3 percent, to 17,947.02. It was largely lifted by Nike, which rose more than 4 percent after posting strong quarterly results.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 0.70 of a point, or 0.03 percent, to 2,101.61 and the Nasdaq composite lost 31.68 points, or 0.6 percent, to 5,080.51. All three indexes ended the week slightly lower.

As they have done all

week, global investors are watching closely as Greek debt talks go down to the wire. On Thursday, a key meeting of eurozone finance ministers broke up without an agreement.

The 19 ministers are due to meet again Saturday.

Greece needs a deal in order to make a debt payment of 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion) to the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday. Failing to do so would put the country on a path toward default and a possible exit from the euro.

“While these deadlines can quite often be taken with a pinch of salt, Greece has literally run out of time on this occasion,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA. Investors now turn to next week, when the U.S. government will release the June jobs report.

Economists forecast that U.S. employers created 237,500 jobs last month, ac-

Photo by Mark Lennihan | AP file

In this Oct. 8, 2014 photo, American flags fly in front of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York. Chinese stocks underperformed badly Friday, as panicked investors rushed to sell over fears that an extended bull market was coming to an end. cording to FactSet. There’s been a lot of focus on when the Federal Reserve will raise its key interest rate. Recent economic data seems to show that the U.S. economic re-

covery is holding steady, and now many investors are expecting the Fed to raise rates in September.

“There’s a premium on economic data right now.

Outside of Greece, every-

one will be focused on how the U.S. economy is holding up,” said Quincy Krosby, a market strategist at Prudential Financial.

While Greece has been the main driver in financial markets recent weeks, worries over China have risen the list of concerns.

On Friday, Chinese stocks plunged more than 7 percent. The Shanghai composite closed at 4,391.91. It reached 5,300 just two weeks ago.

“Although I continue to be optimistic about the longer-term trend of (China’s) markets, it’s clear that we are in a sharp correction phase,” said Bernard Aw of IG Markets in Singapore.

In energy trading, the price of oil was nearly flat Friday. It finished the week little changed, and remained in a narrow range for the ninth straight week. Benchmark U.S. crude fell 7 cents to close at $59.63 a barrel in

New York.

Oil finished last week at $59.61 and it has traded roughly between $57 and $61 since late April. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, rose 6 cents to close at $63.26 a barrel in London.

In other futures trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, wholesale gasoline rose 1.2 cents to close at $2.049 a gallon.

Heating oil rose 0.1 cents to close at $1.863 a gallon and natural gas fell 7.7 cents to close at $2.773 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Gold rose $1.40 to $1,173.20 an ounce. Silver fell 7 cents to $15.73 an ounce and copper rose 2 cents to $2.64 a pound.

U.S. government bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.48 percent from 2.39 percent late Thursday.

In currency trading, the euro fell to $1.1161 while the dollar rose to 123.85 Japanese yen.

H-E-B issues recall on buns SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Photo by Clarence Tabb Jr./Detroit News | AP

In this June 11 photo, Carmelita Orr, 32, of Detroit, and her 18month-old daughter, Micheala Meriweather, shop for fresh produce.

Consumer sentiment rises

By PAUL WISEMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Consumer sentiment rose this month to the highest level since January, suggesting that spending will strengthen this year.

The University of Michigan says its consumer sentiment index rose to 96.1 this month from 90.7 in May. The June reading was the highest since January’s 98.1.

The index is up from 82.5 a year ago.

For the first six months of 2015, consumer optimism improved at the fastest pace since 2004, three years before the Great Recession, said Richard Curtin, chief economist for the Michigan survey.

“An improving economy was the most important component,” Curtin said.

He said the readings are consistent with a 3 percent increase in consumer spending this year. That

would be the fastest pace since 2006. The Commerce Department reported this week that consumer spending rose at an annual pace of 2.1 percent from January through March.

“After a soft start to the year, we expect the economy to find its footing in the coming months with stronger consumer spending seen to be a key driver of accelerating (economic) growth,” Gregory Daco, head of U.S. macroeconomics at Oxford Economics, wrote in a research note.

Americans at all income levels registered improving optimism.

The optimism reflects a strong job market. Employers have been adding jobs — nearly 3.1 million over the past year — at a pace not seen since the boom years of the late 1990s. Unemployment stood at 5.5 percent in May, down from 6.3 percent a year earlier. Wages have been slower to improve.

H-E-B is issuing a voluntary recall for H-E-B brand hamburger and hotdog buns and Hill Country Fare hotdog buns due to the possible presence of foreign material that might impact the quality of the product.

A terry cloth glove used for handling hot pans could have broken up in the dough, resulting in a potential choking hazard.

No incidents have been reported.

Product on the shelf as

of Friday, June 26 is not included in this recall.

The voluntary recall impacts the following products. Included is the description followed by the UPC, best before date and tie color.

Hamburger Buns H-E-B 4.5 100 percent Wheat, 4122083056, 7/2/15-7/ 4/15, Orange/Green/Blue H-E-B TX Plain, 4122074226, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue

H-E-B TX Seeded, 4122021761, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue H-E-B 4.5 Plain, 4122023498, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue H-E-B 4.5 Seeded, 412210127, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue H-E-B 4.5 Whole Wheat, 4122019164, 7/3/15-7/ 4/15, Green/Blue

Hotdog Buns H-E-B Wheat Coney, 4122019165, 7/3/15-7/4/15,

Green/Blue HCF Coney (8 count), 4122060201, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue HCF Coney (16 count), 4122041461, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue H-E-B Coney (8 count), 4122083910, 7/3/15-7/4/15, Green/Blue Customers who purchased the product can return the product to the store for a full refund. Customers with any questions or concerns may contact HE-B Customer Service at 1855-432-4438.

Hospital stocks leap after ruling

By TOM MURPHY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Investors in hospital stocks rejoiced Thursday after the Supreme Court upheld a key portion of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul and eliminated the prospect of a sudden influx of uninsured patients seeking care.

Shares of big hospital operators like HCA Holdings Inc. and Tenet Healthcare Corp. surged after the court announced a decision that maintained in several states tax credits that play a key role in helping millions of Americans pay for health insurance.

Health insurance stocks also climbed, to a lesser degree, after the ruling gave some clarity

to a small but growing part of their business.

Investors were worried that many patients would drop their insurance if they no longer had the subsidies to help them pay for the coverage.

That possibility was made even more daunting because the government had rolled back some extra financial support it used to give to hospitals that treated a high number of uninsured patients before the Affordable Care Act became law.

Hospitals may collect as little as 10 cents for every dollar of care delivered to an uninsured patient, said Paul Keckley, managing director of the Navigant Center for Healthcare Research and Policy Analysis.

“It can be substantially

lower than that,” he said.

“You may collect $100 for the emergency room and bill for $2,000 and never see it.”

About 6.4 million people were at risk of losing their subsidy aid.

Opponents of the overhaul had argued that patients living in states that did not set up their own health insurance exchanges were ineligible for the federal tax credits because the 2010 law stated that exchanges should be established by the state. But the justices said in a 6-3 ruling that the subsidies do not depend on where a person lives.

This was the second challenge to the law decided by the Supreme Court, which also upheld the law in a 2012 ruling.

The 6-3 vote this time around means the court may be much less likely to grant a hearing on a third challenge, Leerink analyst Ana Gupte said in a research note.

Keckley said he thinks lawmakers will focus now on amendments and technical changes to improve the law.

“Honestly, I think it’s run its course through the courts,” he said.

Shares of Tenet jumped 12 percent, or $6.07, to $56.15 Thursday afternoon while broader indexes slipped.

HCA climbed 8 percent, or $6.66, to $90.03.

Insurance, hospital and other health care stocks have bounced up and down over the years as the overhaul was debated, passed and enacted.

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

BRIDGES Continued from Page 1A tion.

An official press conference and public presentation will take place on the

third week of August where there will be drawings and more information available on the renovations, Cuellar

said.

According to the congressman’s office, bridge II ranked as the second busi-

BUILDING Continued from Page 1A countries work together.

“It will be a space that will provide a place to exchange ideas and to conduct binational projects,” Wayne said.

He emphasized that the World Trade Bridge in Nuevo Laredo is “the heart of our prosperity and the engine of economic growth of both countries.”

With Wayne were Tamaulipas Gov. Egidio Torre Cantú, Coahuila Gov. Rubén Moreira Valdez, Nuevo Laredo Mayor

Carlos Canturosas and U.S. Consul General in Nuevo Laredo David Zimov.

The facility will be located on 5.6 acres at the corner of Paseo Colon and Degollado, and will include offices, living quarters for U.S. Marines who will provide security for the complex and support facilities.

Work is expected to be completed by September 2017.

(From a TZT correspondent. Translated by Mark Webber of the Times staff.)

est crossing for buses in fiscal year 2012 with an average of 106 buses a day.

In 2012 and 2013, bridge I

was the fourth busiest bridge for privately-owned vehicle crossings with 3,364,645 and 3,519,680, re-

spectively.

(Kendra Ablaza can be reached at 728-2538 or kablaza@lmtonline.com)

LA JEFA Continued from Page 1A vicious and skilled as the men.”

While the feat is novel, it’s no surprise the cartel “queenpin” assumed leadership of the organization. The Felix Arrellano family easily falls under the characterization of a crime family.

Brothers Benjamin and Ramon Felix Arrellano laid the foundation for what is now the Tijuana cartel in the 1980s. After various arrests and murders, Enedina is the last one standing.

Although Enedina Arellano is the first female Mexican cartel boss within the borders of Mexico, she is not the first woman to hold a prominent position within a Latin American crime organization.

“She is an educated lady who took care of all of the administrative managements of money for her brothers,” said Robert Castillo, former Special Agent in Charge for the El Paso DEA office. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard about her, but three

of her brothers were captured and one was killed.

(Before she assumed leadership of the cartel) they used to call her ‘La Jefa.’”

With Enedina in charge, Vigil said she has taken a business-like approach to the family operation, calling her “calculating and cold,” yet capable of resorting to violence “when necessary.”

“Enedina was the logical heir with the arrests and deaths of her brothers because she was also

well versed on operations from them,” Vigil said.

“She also assumed full interaction and coordination with Colombian sources for cocaine in Colombia.”

Enedina’s role is novel to the Mexican cartelgame, and it seems as if the female drug lord is finally normalizing cartel operations as she forms alliances with other crime groups and moves away from the violent tactics of her predecessors, according to Vigil.

MARRIAGE Continued from Page 1A holds such as Dallas and San Antonio — after the Supreme Court decision wiped out a 2005 state constitutional ban on gay marriage. In Houston, where a lesbian mayor oversees the nation’s fourth-largest city, marriage licenses were being prepared after the Harris County clerk reversed himself and said he would no longer wait on state approval.

“I never thought this would happen in my lifetime,” said Jacque Roberts, who rushed into the Travis County clerk’s office with her partner of 31 years within minutes of the ruling. “It’s still a dream. I can’t believe we’re doing this in Texas.”

In Dallas, four same-sex couples were in line for a marriage license even before the Supreme Court decision. When it came down, someone screamed, “We got it!”

Couples hugged and cried, two gay real estate agents wore suits in line and the owners of Red Pegasus Games & Comics in Dallas arrived after leaving a sign for customers that said they might be opening a little late “because we’re

Photo by Eric Gay | AP

Lupe Garcia, left, hugs her partner Cindy Stocking, right, at the Travis County building after hearing the Supreme Court ruling that grants same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide, Friday in Austin. waiting at the courthouse to see if the Supreme Court is going to let us get married.”

None of the same-sex couples now receiving licenses will be technically the first to marry in Texas.

Earlier this year, a state judge ordered Travis County to issue a marriage li-

cense to a lesbian couple, who then wed before Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton had a chance to intervene.

Abbott was somewhat defiant as he expressed his disappointment with the ruling. He issued a directive saying no state employee could be punished for re-

fusing to violate their religious beliefs — which he said could include denying benefits to a same-sex couple.

“Despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected,” Abbott said. “No Texan is required by the

Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.”

Travis County Attorney David Escamilla said his clerks could not refuse a marriage license to a gay couple over religious objections.

Republican Texas Attor-

ney General Ken Paxton urged county clerks this week to hold off on issuing marriage licenses to samesex couples until hearing from his office, and many in Texas were doing just that. More than two hours after the ruling, Paxton had yet issue any guidance. In counties where marriage licenses were being issued, county officials said Paxton lacked the power to stop them.

The Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States — a historic culmination of decades of litigation over gay marriage and gay rights generally. Gay and lesbian couples already could marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court’s 5-4 ruling means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.

Texas was not part of the case before the Supreme Court. A federal judge in 2013 ruled that the state’s ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional but declined to enforce the ruling while it was on appeal.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: 2015 NBA DRAFT

Finding a franchise

Photo by Ann Heisenfelt | AP

Minnesota selected Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 overall selection in Thursday’s NBA Draft. Duke point guard Tyus Jones, right, was taken by the Timberwolves as well with the No. 24 selection.

Prospects find out new teams during 2015 NBA Draft

By BRIAN MAHONEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — From coast to coast, the NBA Draft was a big night for

the biggest markets.

The Los Angeles Lakers tabbed their next potential superstar in D’Angelo Russell. The New York Knicks landed

Mavs snag Anderson

a pair of players in the first round, selecting Kristaps Porzingis and later acquiring the rights to Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant.

Both teams are coming off their worst seasons in their histories and hoping the turnarounds started Thursday.

Russell is ready to do

his part.

“I’m here, and I’m ready to make an impact right away,” the Ohio State point guard said.

A little surprised to go

Rockets get Dekker

By KRISTIE RIEKEN

By RAUL DOMINGUEZ

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — Justin Anderson offered enough of what Dallas wanted for the Mavericks to stay put with their first-round pick in the NBA draft for the first time in nine years.

Plus, he’s from coach Rick Carlisle’s alma mater, Virginia.

“Obviously comes from a great institution,” Carlisle said with a wry smile.

“Well-educated.”

All kidding aside, the Mavericks think they addressed the need for better shooting and defending at the 3-point line by tak-

HOUSTON — When Sam Dekker gets back home after his trip to New York for the NBA Draft he might throw out some of the winter clothes he’s had to wear for most of his life.

Dekker, who was born and spent his whole life in Wisconsin, is heading to sunny and snow-free Houston after the Rockets selected the Badgers forward with the 18th overall pick in the draft on Thursday night.

“I’m excited. It’s going to be crazy to get rid of some of those coats in the winter,” he

SAN ANTONIO — Eighteen years to the day after selecting Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs chose another former swimmer in the first round of the NBA draft.

The Spurs selected 7footer Nikola Milutinov of Serbia with the 26th selection Thursday night.

Milutinov was a promising swimmer with Olympic aspirations when he said he was literally run out of the pool. Two bullies pushed a 12-year-old Milutinov off the side of pool, nearly breaking his jaw. He began play-

See MAVERICKS PAGE 2B

Virginia’s Justin Anderson was selected by Dallas Mavericks with the 21st pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday.

See ROCKETS PAGE 2B

Photo by Kathy Willens | AP

Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker was selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets.

See DRAFT PAGE 2B

Spurs select Milutinov

By SCHUYLER DIXON

Photo by Sarah Ann Jump | AP

second after Duke center Jahlil Okafor had long been considered the player at that spot, Russell re-

See SPURS PAGE 2B

Photo by Joe Skipper | AP

San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich selected Serbian prospect Nikola Milutinov with the 26th pick.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Phillies’ Sandberg resigns

By ROB MAADDI ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHILADELPHIA — An emotional Ryne Sandberg resigned as Phillies manager in his third season as Philadelphia struggles with the worst record in the major leagues.

Sandberg quit Friday with a 119-159 career record over parts of three seasons leading Philadelphia. His only full season was in 2014, when the Phillies finished with a 73-89 record.

“With some changes at the top

looming, I did not want to be in the way of anything happening and progress going forward,” Sandberg said.

Third base coach Pete Mackanin will take over as interim manager. He’s 53-53 in parts of two seasons with Pittsburgh in 2005 and Cincinnati in 2007.

The Phillies are expected to hire a new president soon. Pat Gillick is handling that role this season, but the 77-year-old Hall of Fame executive wants to return to a consulting position.

Sandberg sounded like a guy

who knew he wasn’t going to be part of the future so he left on his own terms after the Phillies won two of three at Yankee Stadium this week.

“Wins and losses was a big thing that took a toll on me,” said Sandberg, who choked up while thanking fans for their support.

The 55-year-old Sandberg was drafted by the Phillies in 1978, but was traded to the Chicago Cubs where he became a Hall of Fame second baseman.

See PHILLIES PAGE 2B

Photo by Matt Slocum | AP

Former Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg announced his resignation from the Phillies on Friday.

PAGE 2B

Zscores

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

DRAFT Continued from Page 1B ceived big cheers when Commissioner Adam Silver called his name.

The boos were loud and long two picks later when the Knicks took the 19year-old Latvian forward.

But the announcement of the Grant trade had New York fans who packed Brooklyn’s Barclays Center roaring in approval of Phil Jackson’s moves.

Porzingis had said repeatedly he hoped to be picked by the Knicks — including to Grant.

“I kind of smiled and laughed and shook my head, not realizing that I’d be his teammate a few hours later,” Grant said.

Some highlights, and lowlights, from Thursday night’s NBA draft: HOW ’BOUT THOSE T’WOLVES! Give the Timberwolves credit. No, NBA insiders haven’t been able to say that in a while. But draft-

ing Karl-Anthony Towns and swinging a trade for Minnesota native Tyus Jones out of Duke to line up with Andrew Wiggins and the Timberwolves deserve an A+ for their draft efforts. The venerable Kevin Garnett might be around to see another playoff run, something that hasn’t happened in 11 years.

KENTUCKY 6 It was a good night for five of the seven Kentucky players who entered the NBA draft. But not for the Harrisons. Andrew was picked late in the second round, but he probably couldn’t celebrate — at least not like he wanted.

His twin brother Aaron went undrafted. The twins were the backcourt that led the Wildcats to a 38-1 record and trip to the Final Four. The Wildcats would have set a record with seven selections had

Photo by Ann Heisenfelt | AP

Minnesota selected Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 overall pick.

PHILLIES Continued from Page 1B The Phillies gave Sandberg his first managerial job in the majors in August 2013 after they fired Charlie Manuel, who led them to the 2008 World Series title.

Entering Friday night’s game against first-place Washington, the Phillies are 26-48 and trail the Nationals by 14 1/2 games in the NL East.

“Managing a team is very challenging,” Sandberg said. “I enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed coming to the ballpark every day. I had excellent work from my coaching staff. The goal was to get the most out of my players.”

Philadelphia had low expectations this season, with little to no chance of contending and big challenges surrounding moving highpriced players like ace Cole Hamels, 2006 NL MVP Ryan Howard, six-time AllStar Chase Utley and star closer Jonathan Papelbon.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could be next to go once a new president takes over.

“I don’t think Ryne should feel that he should shoulder all the blame,” Amaro said. “We win and lose as a team. I also take responsibility for the things that are happening on the field.”

Cauley-Stein’s nickname “Trill” for the blue-andwhite polka dot creation debuted on draft day.

SO CAVALIER Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is a proud Virginia alum. And he let everyone know it when he stepped to the podium in Dallas to announce the No. 21 pick in the first round. “So we’re really happy we got a chance to draft Justin Anderson from the 2015 NCAA College World Series champion Virginia Cavaliers,” Carlisle said, with a slight smile. Virginia won its first baseball title in Omaha, Nebraska. Carlisle said he didn’t think there was much of a scouting advantage for him on the 6-foot-6 Anderson, “He’s just a real sincere, authentic kid,” the coach said.

And besides, “Obviously comes from a great institution, well-educated.”

SPURS Continued from Page 1B ing basketball two days later and has since become one of the top European centers.

Sound familiar? As a youth in the Virgin Islands, Duncan was a promising swimmer with hopes of qualifying for the 1992 Olympics.

Those dreams were dashed in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo destroyed the Virgin Island’s lone Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Duncan trained briefly in the ocean, but has said a fear of sharks drove him from the water and ended his swimming career.

The rest is history. Taken No. 1 in 1997 by the Spurs, Duncan is perhaps the greatest power forward in NBA history after leading the Spurs to five championships and 18 straight postseason appearances.

While Duncan had an immediate impact with the Spurs, Milutinov is expected to spend at least a few seasons overseas before joining San Antonio.

The 20-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 7.7 rebounds last season while playing for Partizan in the EuroCup and Adriatic and Serbian leagues.

“We are excited to get Nikola,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford

Photo by Darren Abate | AP

Gregg Popovich and the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs in 2015 after two consecutive NBA Finals appearances. said. “He is a young big guy that has improved a great deal over the last year. As we go in the future and need to replenish our size, we’re excited to add a player like that.

Give him a chance to develop and see what he can do.”

Milutinov will play for the Serbian National Team in the EuroBasket

MAVERICKS Continued from Page 1B ing the 6-foot-6 Anderson with the 21st pick in the first round Thursday night.

Late in the second round, the Mavericks made 7-foot-2 Satnam Singh the first native of India to get drafted by taking him with the 52nd overall pick. Dallas expects the 19-year-old, who has been at the IMG Academy in Florida since 2010, to start his career in the NBA Development League.

Anderson projects as a shooting guard or small forward, putting him a similar mold of Chandler Parsons, one of just two returning starters for the Mavericks along with veteran star Dirk Nowitzki.

Dallas has needs at several positions with point guard Rajon Rondo, backcourt mate and leading scorer Monta Ellis and center Tyson Chandler set to become free agents.

Carlisle said Anderson’s style could be similar to Jae Crowder, who went to Dallas in the 2012 draft and was one of the pieces the Mavericks sent to Boston in last season’s trade for Rondo that ended badly with Rondo’s banishment during a first-round playoff loss to Houston.

Anderson, who left Virginia after his junior season, averaged 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range in a season that

both brothers been picked.

MULTIPLE MEN With Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones, Duke has had at least two players picked in five straight drafts. National player of the year Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker gave national runner-up Wisconsin multiple selections for the first time since 1995 (Michael Finley and Rashard Griffith).

THE ’TRILL’ Moziah Bridges, 13, is used to the bright lights.

The teen makes and sells bow ties, appearing on “Shark Tank” last year in search of investors. He now runs a $200,000 company and was especially pleased that No. 6 pick Willie Cauley-Stein donned one of his creations for the draft.

Bridges names each design and may just go with

was shortened by a broken hand and an appendectomy.

“We have a lot of improving to do shooting it and guard it,” said Carlisle, who was on Virginia’s 1984 Final Four team.

“This move is a strong move in the direction of addressing both of those needs. He’s in a very good situation because he’s got a chance to be a factor right away to get playing time if he works hard and adapts.”

The Mavericks also need a point guard with Rondo’s departure, but passed on Tyus Jones, who turned pro after winning a national championship as a freshman at Duke. Devin Harris and Raymond Felton are on the roster and can play the point, and Carlisle would like to have J.J. Barea back.

But Dallas could find a starting point guard in free agency, and will pursue either four-time AllStar forward LaMarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan, one of the league’s best defensive centers.

Because they already have enough salary cap place to be players in free agency, the Mavericks didn’t try to move down in the draft the way they did two years ago when they were counting pennies to build what ended up being a failed bid to land Dwight Howard.

Instead, Dallas held its first-round spot for the

first time since 2006, when it took Maurice Ager at No. 28 a few weeks after losing to Miami in the NBA Finals. Ager is among a litany of recent Dallas picks who didn’t stick in the NBA. If Anderson is different, it will be because he brings a physical defensive presence and becomes a dangerous 3point threat that the Mavericks lacked after sending Jose Calderon to the New York Knicks in a trade for Chandler before last year’s draft.

Anderson helped Virginia to a school-record 30 wins and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament in his final season. The Cavaliers lost their second tournament game to Michigan State.

“Of course, he hasn’t played in NBA games so there’s always going to be some kind of a learning curve,” Carlisle said. “His strength as a player translates well to the longer 3point line. He’s one of those rare guys that has the strength to elevate from a long distance and still easily get the ball to the basket and in the basket.”

NOTES: The Mavericks are set to add Melvin Hunt as the lead assistant to Carlisle, replacing Monte Mathis.

Hunt played at Baylor and has been on the staffs in Denver and Cleveland. Mathis is joining Scott Skiles’ staff in Orlando.

Championship in September.

San Antonio also selected 6-10 center Cady Lalanne of Haiti with the 55th overall pick. Lalanne averaged 11.6 points and 9.5 rebounds in his senior season at Massachusetts.

“He’s an athletic big guy that has a really good shooting form,” Buford said. “The expectations

with Cady, we don’t know what to expect. We hope to get him in summer league and then start building him as a player from there.”

The Spurs did not stray from what has made them so successful the past two decades.

The Spurs have found great success with international players, winning

five titles since 1999 while selecting Tony Parker out of France and Argentina’s Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter out of the EuroLeague. San Antonio has also signed France’s Boris Diaw, Australia’s Patty Mills and Italy’s Marco Belinelli to shore up the roster and play in the Spurs’ vaunted system under coach Gregg Popovich.

Buford has largely been able to tinker with the roster instead of overhauling it over the past two decades. That strategy will definitely be altered this season since San Antonio only has five players currently under contract.

Duncan and Ginobili have not announced whether they will retire or return to the Spurs.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year and 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is a restricted free agent.

Stalwart role players Danny Green and Belinelli are unrestricted free agents.

Last season, San Antonio lost a seven-game series to the Los Angeles Clippers in the opening round after reaching the NBA Finals for two consecutive seasons and the Western Conference Finals for three straight.

ROCKETS Continued from Page 1B said. “Not having to have those is going to be kind of nice and to be able to go outside whenever I want.”

Of course, he’s looking forward to joining the Rockets for many reasons other than the climate.

“I love to run the court, play above the rim, shoot from the outside and attack and put the defense on their heels and that’s what the Houston Rockets love to do ... so I think I’ll fit in really easily,” he said.

The Rockets also added rugged Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell with the 32nd overall pick in the draft.

“We got two top, top, top level winners in college,” general manager Daryl Morey said.

The 6-foot-9 Dekker averaged 12.1 points and 5 rebounds in a three-year career at Wisconsin where the team reached the NCAA Final Four twice, including the title game this season.

“He’s skilled for his size,” Houston assistant coach Chris Finch said.

“He’s actually pretty quick with a good first step and aggressive at attacking the rim. His shot sets up a lot of his drive opportunities. What I’ve liked is he’s kind of fearless. Whether he goes in to attack the bucket or make a play for somebody else he’s got an attack mentality and we love that here.”

He’s coming to a city where the biggest active

sports star is also a Badger in Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

“Wisconsin’s been moving South,” Dekker said with a laugh. “Looks like both of Houston’s main teams now have a Badger.

So that’s going to be pretty cool.”

Dekker said Watt has come to some of his games and that they’ve met, but the two aren’t close.

“I’m a big fan of his, so hopefully he can become a fan of mine,” Dekker said.

His teammate Frank Kaminsky was the ninth pick in this year’s draft by Charlotte, giving Wisconsin two picks in the first round for the first time in school history. They are the school’s first picks in the opening round since Alando Tucker was taken

by Phoenix at 29 in the 2007 draft.

Dekker averaged a career-high 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds this season and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in helping the team to a school-record 36 wins.

He’s a good outside shooter and made 142 3-pointers in his college career.

Finch said the Rockets have had their eye on Dekker all season. The coach said he’s a similar type of player as Chandler Parsons, who now plays for the Mavericks.

“We like his shooting ability obviously,” Finch said. “We like his toughness. We like the fact that

he has a knack for putting the ball in the basket. He can put the ball on the deck a little bit. Certainly his size is a plus when you can get a guy his size to shoot the ball.”

Dekker’s best game in the tournament this season came in an 85-78 win over Arizona that sent Wisconsin to the Final Four. He made five 3pointers in the second half of that game and finished with 27 points to propel the Badgers to the win.

He joins a Houston team that advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1997 this season before being eliminated by eventual champion Golden State.

The 6-foot-8 Harrell averaged 11.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in a three-year career at Louisville. This season he averaged 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds — both career highs.

“Super high-energy big,” Morey said. “Led the country in dunks the last two years, which is sort of nice.”

He helped Louisville to the round of eight in this year’s NCAA tournament.

Harrell was projected by some to be selected much higher in the draft.

“It’s tough to have to wait in the first round,” Harrell said. “But everything happens for a reason. Being picked by the Rockets means ... (they) definitely saw something in me.”

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015

Dear Heloise: Regarding recycling FOAM PACKAGING, do you have any ideas?

– Garry L., Calumet City, Ill. Thanks for asking, Garry.

I’ve printed this many times, so it’s time again.

Check out the EPS Industry Alliance website: www.epsindustry. org. "EPS" stands for "expanded polystyrene," which is a generic term for foam packaging. The website is full of information about how to recycle foam packaging that comes with new electronics, phones, etc.

The site will direct you to recycling locations near you, based on your ZIP code. If you have questions about ONLY foam "peanuts," call 800-828-2214.

Do call a recycling center in your area and see what they suggest. When stuck for information, use your tax dollars. Call the library and ask for the reference desk. These folks are super!

Readers, other hints for Garry? Let me know, and I’ll pass them along. – Hugs, Heloise COMFORTABLE CONVALESCENCE

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

Dear Heloise: Following a one-month stay in a nursing home, I learned two hints: 1. With pills, I do not use water. I take a bowl of applesauce and put the pills in the applesauce. This is quick and easy.

2. With limited space in the hospital bed, I used a small cardboard box to hold my many items, including TV remote, call button, comb, etc.

Hope this helps others. – Doris F., via email BRAIN GAMES Dear Heloise: I’ve found a way to keep my brain active in the car while my husband concentrates on the driving. License plates in Texas normally have both numbers and letters.

Sometimes I try adding the numbers on the plates in my head. Or I think of names of people, cities or countries beginning with the letters on the plate. Example: BKL: Bavaria, Korea, Luxembourg; Baltimore, Kalamazoo, Louisville. Just a thought for passengers riding in the car.

– Ann in San Antonio

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015