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BORDER PATROL
FEDERAL COURTS
Testing body cams
Man faces federal charges
Agency: Devices could protect agents from accusations By ELLIOT SPAGAT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Border Patrol purchased body cameras and will begin testing them
this year at its training academy, two people briefed on the move said last week, as new leadership moves to blunt criticism about agents’ use of force.
R. Gil Kerlikowske, who has led the Border Patrol’s parent agency since March, announced the plans Tuesday to a small group of activists who have pressed for
cameras, according to a person who attended the briefing and spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussion
was intended to be private. Testing will occur at the Border Patrol academy in Artesia, New Mexico.
Feds say man was with 15 immigrants
See BODY CAMERAS PAGE 14A
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ
BORDER SECURITY
EYES OVER THE BORDER
Photo by Gabe Hernandez/The Monitor | AP
Assistant patrol agent in charge Lee Allbee, left, talks about the aerostat used by Border Patrol to look for smugglers and illegal crossings in the Rio Grande Valley on Friday, at Peñitas. Since last November, the Border Patrol has stationed five surveillance sky cameras in the Rio Grande Valley area.
Border Patrol considers more balloons for the future By FERNANDO DEL VALLE VALLEY MORNING STAR
PEÑITAS — Near the banks of the Rio Grande, U.S. Border Patrol agents monitor a tethered balloon that carries a camera that can zoom in on a license plate miles away. On a ranch off Peñitas’ South Main Street, the 55foot-long surveillance balloon, called an aerostat, arrived as Army surplus from America’s conflicts in the
Middle East. It rises like a blimp from this tiny farm town less than a mile from the U.S.-Mexico border. “We’re primarily an eye in the sky for everyone,” Assistant Patrol Agent-inCharge Lee Allbee told the Valley Morning Star of Harlingen, referring to the region’s law enforcement agencies. “In the last few years we’ve made great advances in bringing technology to the border.” Since last November, the
Border Patrol has stationed five surveillance sky cameras in the Rio Grande Valley area — one in Peñitas, two near Rio Grande City and two near Falfurrias, said agency spokesman Joe Gutierrez Jr. “It’s definitely been a game changer since it got deployed,” Gutierrez said. Allbee, who helps oversee the aerostat program, said the agency stationed its lat-
See BALLOONS
PAGE 14A
Photo by Gabe Hernandez/The Monitor | AP
A high-tech camera is used with an aerostat. Authorities use it to look for smugglers and illegal crossings.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man allegedly caught smuggling 15 illegal immigrants in early August in Zapata has been indicted in a Laredo Federal court, records show. Enrique Carrillo-Narvaez was formally charged Sept. 3 with conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants within the United States, and transport and attempt to transport undocumented migrants for money, the indictment reads. Carrillo-Narvaez pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing Sept. 11. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison. His allegations stemmed from Aug. 6 when U.S. Border Patrol agents said they saw a Ford F-350 parked in front of the Falcon motel in Zapata at about 8:30 a.m. Agents lost sight temporarily of the F-350 when it turned on Las Palmas Road. A federal unmarked unit spotted the F-350. But this time the suspected vehicle had a tarp covering the pickup’s bed, a criminal complaint states. An agent said he saw a silhouette of a person moving around underneath the tarp. The pickup sped off and drove through a property, causing damage, according to court documents. Several people abandoned the vehicle but were apprehended shortly after. Authorities identified the driver as Carrillo-Narvaez and detained 15 illegal immigrants. Homeland Security Investigations special agents spoke to Carrillo-Narvaez after he allegedly waived his rights. Carrillo-Narvaez told agents he expected money for driving the group to San Antonio, records state. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
TEXAS’ ECONOMY
State’s jobless rate is up for first time this year ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The Texas unemployment rate rose slightly last month, representing the first increase in
the rate this year, state officials said Friday. The Texas Workforce Commission announced the state unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, up from
the 5.1 percent recorded in July. The national unemployment rate stands is 6.1 percent. The McAllen-EdinburgMission area in the Rio
Grande Valley had the highest statewide unemployment at 9.8 percent, according to TWC figures. Nearby Brownsville and Harlingen had an 8.9 per-
cent rate. Major industries across the board in Texas continued to show growth, with the workforce commission saying the state added
20,100 jobs last month. Commission spokeswoman Lisa Givens said total job growth and unemployment
See JOBS PAGE 14A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 The community is invited to celebrate Mercy Day with the Sisters of Mercy at a Mass. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Christ the King Church For more information contact Rosanne Palacios at rosanne.palacios@mercy.net. Planetarium movies: At 2 p.m. The Little Star that Could, at 3 p.m. Force 5, at 4 p.m. Wonders of the Universe, and 5 p.m Lamps Of Atlantis. $5 general admission. $4 children under age of 12 & Tamiu students with school ID. At the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium, TAMIU. Contact Claudia Herrera for more information at claudia.herrera@tamiu.edu. Ms. Melissa Escamilla with VAILValley Association for Independent Living, Inc. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.VAIL, 1419 Corpus Christi St., Laredo, TX. Contact Raquel Canizales at raquelucha56@yahoo.com. 15th Annual Asthma Screening & Education Program. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mall Del Norte near Dillard’s Entrance. A proclamation will be presented by Webb County Judge Danny Valdez and City of Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas at 10 a.m. This event is provided at no cost to the public. For additional information call Area Health Education Center at (956)712-0037.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 23 Planetarium movies. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. At 6 p.m. Wonders Of The Universe, at 7 p.m. Lamps of Atlantis, $5 general admission, $4 children 12 and under, Tamiu students with ID. At the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium, TAMIU. Contact Claudia Herrera at claudia.herrera@tamiu.edu. Or go to the website, www.tamiu.edu/planetarium, for more information.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25 Grief support group. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free and open to public. Contact Patricia Cisneros at 722-1674 or pcisneros@mhm.org. Villa de San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society meeting. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. St. John Newmann Church, Parish Hall. Presentation of “Peru and the Legacy of the Incas,” by Sylvia Reasch. Contact Sanjuanita MartinezHunter at 722-3497. Planetarium movies. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. At 6 p.m. Wonders of the Universe, at 7 p.m. Lamps of Atlantis, $5 general admissions, $4 children under age of 12 and Tamiu Students with ID. Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium, TAMIU. Contact Claudia Herrera at claudia.herrera@tamiu.edu for more information. Or go to the website Tamiu.edu/planetarium. Los Amigos Duplicate Bridge Club. 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Laredo Country Club. For more information, contact Beverly Cantu at 727-0589.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26 Planetarium movies. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 7 p.m. Stars of Pharoahs. $5 General Admission. $4 Children 12 and under & Tamiu Students with ID At the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium, TAMIU.Contact Claudia Herrera at claudia.herrera@tamiu.edu. Or go the website at www.tamiu.edu/planetarium.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 Meeting of the new American Legion Post 850. 6:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus home, 1720 Houston St. Veterans interested in joining the group should attend the meeting and bring a copy of your DD214 and $30 for a fullyear membership. For more information, call Javier Aranda at 722-3434 or Francisco Perez at 220-7858
SUNDAY, SEPT. 28 Semi-annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti lunch. From 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church. Contact Sue Webber at fumc_office@sbcglobal.net.
MONDAY, SEPT. 29 Monthly meeting of Laredo Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Laredo Medical Center, Tower B, First Floor Community Center. Patients, caregivers and family members invited. Free info pamphlets available in Spanish and English. Call Richard Renner (English) at 645-8649 or Juan Gonzalez (Spanish) at 2370666.
THURSDAY, OCT. 2 Grief support group. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free and open to public. Contact Patricia Cisneros at 722-1674 or pcisneros@mhm.org.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Laura Skelding/Austin American-Statesman | AP
Members of the Sheriff’s department and other agencies involved in the search for Travis County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Hollis form a procession to escort her body in Austin, on Friday. Officials said Hollis’ body was found Friday after she was swept into Lake Austin when heavy rains flooded parts of Central Texas early Thursday.
Deputy’s body found ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Divers found the body of a missing Central Texas sheriff ’s deputy Friday, a day after her patrol car was found swamped by floodwaters minutes after she radioed for help while checking flooded low-water crossings. Senior Deputy Jessica Hollis was found dead Friday afternoon in Lake Austin, an emotional Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton announced Friday afternoon. Hamilton said he had been determined to “bring her home.” Efforts to locate the deputy had been suspended before nightfall Thursday because of the storms, which were remnants of Hurricane Odile. The National Weather Service forecasts more heavy rain through Saturday over
much of West Texas, with flash flood watches issued through Friday night. Rain fell Friday in Southeast Texas and elsewhere in the state, with high waters clogging roadways and impeding traffic in metro areas such as Austin and Houston. Hollis, 35, a seven-year veteran of the department, was checking low-water crossings during storms. She radioed shortly before 2 a.m. CDT Thursday to say her patrol car was being washed away in an Austin-area subdivision, Travis County sheriff ’s spokesman Roger Wade said. Hollis’ empty car was found a short time later, but she could not be located. “We believe she was swept into the lowwater crossing by water going down the street,” Wade said. “We were searching all day and we will continue searching until we find something.”
Few fireworks in first governor’s debate
More than 700 infants exposed to TB at hospital
Former West Texas prison guards sentenced
EDINBURG — Democrat Wendy Davis went after Republican Greg Abbott over defending deep classroom spending cuts and his record on women in the governor’s debate Friday. Abbott on Friday night delivered his best shot upon asking Davis whether she regretted voting for President Barack Obama. She wouldn’t answer and instead digressed.
EL PASO — Public health officials say more than 700 infants at an El Paso hospital have been exposed to tuberculosis by an employee infected with the disease. The city’s Department of Public Health says the infants along with about 40 employees at Providence Memorial Hospital were exposed.
ABILENE — Two former guards at a federal prison have been sentenced on charges stemming from an investigation of an inmate suicide two years ago. A U.S. district judge on Friday sentenced 45-year-old Frederick Hernandez, of Big Spring, to 10 months in prison and 42-year-old Christopher Moore, of Dallas, to three years’ probation.
Nearly $200M in losses for Dallas pension fund DALLAS — Bad real estate investments, including a luxury resort and vineyard in California, have cost the retirement fund for Dallas police officers and firefighters almost $200 million, according to a report. The failed investments that began in 2005 also include upscale homes in Hawaii and large tracts of land in Arizona and Idaho.
State backs off alcohol sales at some gun shows
AUSTIN — After hundreds of negative responses, officials appear to be backing off a plan to allow sales of alcohol at some gun shows, which would have come with conditions such as a ban on sales of live ammunition. Staff at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has recommended withdrawing the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday. The initial plan caused an uproar when it was introduced last month.
3 charged in El Paso mortuary scheme
EL PASO — Three people have been arrested on dozens of charges after authorities found five bodies in various stages of decomposition at a funeral home. Investigators said Thursday the case began last month after El Paso County Clerk Delia Briones found her unauthorized signature on a burial transit permit she received from a Portland, Oregon, mortuary service. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Jets intercept 8 Russian aircraft COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Authorities say two F-22 fighter jets intercepted six Russian military airplanes that neared the western coast of Alaska. Lt. Col. Michael Jazdyk, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, says the jets intercepted the planes about 55 nautical miles from the Alaskan coast Wednesday. The Russian planes were identified as two IL-78 refueling tankers, two Mig-31 fighter jets and two Bear long-range bombers.
Expert says chokehold caused NYC man’s death
NEW YORK — An expert pathologist hired by the family of a New York City man whose death in a police chokehold this summer was ruled a homicide has agreed with the findings of the
Today is Saturday, September 20, the 263rd day of 2014. There are 102 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On September 20, 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew set out from Spain on five ships to find a western passage to the Spice Islands. (Magellan was killed enroute, but one of his ships eventually circled the world.) On this date: In 1870, Italian troops took control of the Papal States, leading to the unification of Italy. In 1884, the National Equal Rights Party was formed during a convention of suffragists in San Francisco; the convention nominated Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood for president. In 1954, the live TV drama "Twelve Angry Men" was presented on CBS’ "Westinghouse Studio One" anthology series, with Robert Cummings playing the lone holdout juror later portrayed by Henry Fonda in the 1957 movie version. In 1958, Martin Luther King Jr. was seriously wounded during a book signing at a New York City department store when Izola Curry stabbed him in the chest. (Curry was later found mentally incompetent.) In 1962, James Meredith, a black student, was blocked from enrolling at the University of Mississippi by Democratic Gov. Ross R. Barnett. (Meredith was later admitted.) In 1964, The Beatles concluded their first full-fledged U.S. tour by performing in a charity concert at the Paramount Theater in New York. In 1973, in their so-called "battle of the sexes," tennis star Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, at the Houston Astrodome. In 1984, a suicide car bomber attacked the U.S. Embassy annex in north Beirut, killing at least 14 people, including two Americans and 12 Lebanese. The family sitcoms "The Cosby Show" and "Who’s the Boss?" premiered on NBC and ABC, respectively. In 1994, Broadway composer Jule Styne died in New York at age 88. In 1999, Lawrence Russell Brewer became the second white supremacist to be convicted in the dragging death of James Byrd Jr. in Jasper, Texas. (Brewer was executed on September 21, 2011.) Today’s Birthdays: Singer Gogi Grant is 90. Actress-comedian Anne Meara is 85. Actress Sophia Loren is 80. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Taylor is 79. Rock musician Chuck Panozzo is 67. Actor Tony Denison is 65. Hockey Hall of Famer Guy LaFleur is 63. Actress Debbi Morgan is 63. Jazz musician Peter White is 60. Actress Betsy Brantley is 59. Actor Gary Cole is 58. TV news correspondent Deborah Roberts is 54. Country-rock musician Joseph Shreve (Flynnville Train) is 53. Rock musician Randy Bradbury (Pennywise) is 50. Actress Kristen Johnston is 47. Rock singers Matthew Nelson and Gunnar Nelson are 47. Rock musician Ben Shepherd is 46. Actress-model Moon Bloodgood is 39. Actor Jon Bernthal is 38. Singer The Dream is 37. Thought for Today: "Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." George Washington Carver, American botanist (1864-1943).
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Smoke from a California wildfire rises behind Lake Tahoe as seen from the Nevada side of the lake near Incline Village, Nev. Higher humidity Friday helped slow the growth of the massive Northern California wildfire. city’s medical examiner. Dr. Michael Baden said Friday there was hemorrhaging on Eric Garner’s neck indicative of neck compressions. Baden is a former New York City medical examiner. Last month, he conducted an autopsy
of Michael Brown, the black 18year-old fatally shot by a white police officer in August in the Missouri town of Ferguson. Garner died following a July confrontation with police on Staten Island. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
Local & Area
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Woman accused in smuggling incident By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A woman who allegedly smuggled five illegal immigrants in Zapata was arrested in Webb County, according to court records released this week. Brenda Eliza Flores is facing human smuggling charges, a criminal complaint filed against her Monday states. She remains in federal custody. On Sept. 11, U.S. Border Patrol agents said they observed what appeared to be people walking through Dolores Creek in Zapata
County. Zapata agents contacted Laredo South station agents to relay them the information. Authorities set up surveillance along U.S. 83 for upcoming traffic. Dispatch informed agents that a concerned citizen called reporting people running out of the brush to board a red Ford F-150. An agent drove next to the suspected vehicle and observed several people lying down in the bed of the pickup, the criminal complaint states. A vehicle stop was initiated. An immigration inspec-
tion revealed six undocumented people and one U.S. citizen identified as Flores, court documents state. Agents took all people to the Laredo South station. In a post-arrest interview, Flores allegedly said that Luis “Borrado” offered her $150 per immigrant to transport the group to H-E-B on Zapata Highway in South Laredo. “Borrado” gave her directions to go pick up the immigrants, according to court documents. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Man faces 10 years By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A Mexican national who attempted to smuggle six Ecuadorian citizens was formally charged in a Laredo federal court this week, records show. A grand jury charged Mario Morales-Escalante with conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants within the United States, and transport and attempt to transport migrants for money, reads the indictment filed Tuesday. If convicted, MoralesEscalante could serve up to 10 years in prison. U.S. Border Patrol said the alleged smuggling attempt dates to Aug. 27.
Agents assigned to the Zapata station were tracking down a group of suspected illegal immigrants at 8:45 a.m. in the Dye Fields property. Agents said the group crossed U.S. 83 and continued east. At about 11 a.m., agents spotted seven people hiding in the brush. Six people told agents they were from Ecuador while one man claimed Mexican citizenship. “Based on recent smuggling trends and the agent’s experience, the Mexican national was immediately separated from the rest of the group as a potential foot guide,” a criminal complaint states. Agents said Morales-Es-
calante admitted to guiding the group to a pre-arranged location, according to court documents. Morales-Escalante expected a payment of $150 per immigrant he allegedly tried to smuggle to San Antonio. Two immigrant women held as material witnesses stated to agents they had paid $14,000 each to be smuggled to New York. Morales-Escalante intimidated both women into providing a wrong description for the guide, according to court documents. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Teacher prep requirements face changes By MORGAN SMITH THE TEXAS TRIBUNE
Texas education officials took an initial step Thursday toward asking the state to reconsider raising the minimum college GPA needed for prospective educators to enter certification programs. “A little nod ... saying ’we know you can do it, and we support you in this’ would be a positive thing,” said State Board of Education Chairwoman Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands, who added that the change would help restore “pride and value” to teaching. Cargill made her remarks at a Thursday morning hearing of the SBOE’s Committee on School Initiatives, which recommended in a 3-2 vote to reject rules recently passed by State Board of Educator Certification, which oversees the teaching profession in the state. The three SBOE members, all Republicans, who backed the veto said they
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
State Board of Education board members, from left, Donna Bahorich, David Bradley, and Thomas Ratliff, raise their hands to ask questions during a public hearing for new textbooks up for adoption and use in classrooms statewide, on Tuesday, in Austin. hoped it would persuade the board of educator certification to reconsider an August decision against raising the required GPA — from 2.5 to 2.75 —for admission to educator preparation programs. The full SBOE will take up
the recommendation Friday. A 2013 law required the state to review standards for teacher preparation, including the minimum GPA requirement, which primarily affects alternative certification programs intended to
provide a route into the classroom for people who decide to become educators after they’ve pursued other careers. Such programs, which can allow for a faster way into the classroom than college and university de-
gree programs, now outpace traditional training in producing certified teachers in the state. For-profit providers in particular dominate the market — last year, they graduated almost one out of every four new Texas teach-
ers. Various education groups have pushed for stronger regulation of teacher preparation programs in state, saying that would help improve the quality of educators. But alternative certification advocates, along with some school administrators, have argued that a higher GPA requirement would hurt school districts’ ability to fill teacher shortages. Both Democrats on the committee — Mavis Knight of Dallas and Ruben Cortez of Brownsville — opposed the recommendation, saying they were not convinced that raising the GPA requirement for would mean better teachers. “I don’t think any of us will disagree that we want the best-trained person in the classroom with our kids … but I don’t think this is one step that’s going to get us there,” Cortez said. “All we are going to do, we are going to create more roadblocks for people who are looking for that alternative career path.”
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Some topics are best kept secret AUSTIN — Former local guy Jason Stanford is a talented political consultant and gifted writer whose engaging takes on a broad variety of topics appear in the Austin American-Statesman on many Mondays. So I was surprised there’s a topic on which he’s unwilling to share his thoughts. It’s a pretty simple question: Mr. Stanford, what do you plan to do for sex when your wife moves out of town? Mars is considered out of town, right? Stanford is married to Sonia Van Meter, who’s among 705 finalists in a contest run by Mars One, a Dutch bunch planning to colonize Mars by 2025. Van Meter hopes to qualify for the one-way trip and become a Martian by choice. The project is ambitious. It could happen. And someday the Longhorns could beat Brigham Young. Van Meter has gotten plenty of coverage for her effort, including my colleague Andrea Ball’s story in February. Now the attention is global, including a recent interview on BBC World Service radio program “Outlook.” Matthew Bannister chats up folks with offbeat stories. Recent “Outlook” headlines include: “I escaped (Congo) jail dressed as a woman.” “Pregnant woman who swam to hospital.” “I was psychiatrist to the Taliban.” Bannister opened the Van Meter segment thusly: “For many people the idea of flying into space is very exciting, but how would you feel about going on a space trip from which you can never return?” It’s a good question that leads to many others, several of which he posed to Van Meter. “So you’re going to leave behind your husband and your stepchildren forever. That’s a big thing to do, isn’t it? Did it give you any pause for thought?” Of course, she replied, pivoting quickly to why she wants to do it. Bannister asked about such things as food on Mars and other practical considerations. Van Meter’s answers were great, all delivered with excitement about the project. Bannister asked Stanford about being left behind. He, too, had great answers, including speculation about how the world might have been different if Mrs. Magellan or Mrs.
“
KEN HERMAN
Columbus — if there were such people — had objected to their husbands’ travel plans. Bannister then moved, figuratively, to the boudoir, asking Van Meter, “When you go there and you’ve left Jason behind on Earth forever, will your vows of fidelity still be strong?” It’s important that you read Bannister’s quotes with a British accent. Van Meter got about two syllables into an answer before her husband interrupted: “There’s a lot we’re willing to talk about but that’s not one of them.” Crank up your British accent here. “Right,” Bannister said, unwilling to drop the subject. “Because obviously that’s one of the issues that arises. You’ve obviously said you’ve made a commitment to Sonia, Jason, forever. If she leaves you forever, presumably you’re free to have another relationship, aren’t you?” Stanford: “I think there are a lot of really interesting things to talk about with this mission that’s she’s taken on that have to do with a lot of us. I think wondering about my sex life, that’s definitely someplace I’m not willing to go publicly.” Get British again. “OK, that’s fine. I understand. No problem at all,” Bannister said, heading elsewhere. “Sonia, I’m sure a lot of people are going to applaud your courage, but there will be other people listening to this who think you’re a bit nuts really ... .” Footnote: Stanford, in an April essay in Texas Monthly, touched on the topic that so interested Bannister, though Stanford handled kind of the other side of it. “Will she, you know, have to help populate the planet?” he wrote. “For the record, keeping adults alive on Mars will be enough of a challenge. Human reproduction is not part of the mission.” I think Bannister might have been thinking more about recreation than procreation. A sort-of-related PS: Stanford just took a Washington, D.C., job with Planned Parenthood.
WORST WEEK IN WASHINGTON
Biden had a rough week By CHRIS CILLIZZA THE WASHINGTON POST
Most politicians, upon making a highly publicized gaffe, would spend the next few hours — or days — with their mouths firmly shut. Joe Biden is not most politicians. During a speech to the Legal Services Corporation on Tuesday, Biden referred to lenders preying on members of the military as “shylocks.” By Wednesday, he was apologizing for a “poor choice of words” after the Anti-Defamation
NEW YORK TIMES
The nation was stunned at the sight of local police officers armed for a military siege in Ferguson, Missouri, when protesters took to the streets last month after the police shooting of a black teenager. Armed with assault rifles, laser scopes and tear gas grenades, the police appeared primed for a domestic Desert Storm, not a crowd of impassioned citizens. Police forces have become increasingly militarized in the last 40 years, many getting Pen-
tagon surplus material, supposedly to use against drug dealers and terrorists. It is the military gear and garb that “reinforces a war-fighting mentality among civilian police,” one witness at the Senate hearing noted. Congress first approved war-surplus materials for civilian police in the 1970s. There are bipartisan proposals to have Congress take the lead in demilitarizing the police. Lawmakers should move swiftly on these measures so that police forces don’t become standing armies.
After the rally in Des Moines, Biden stopped by a local diner. He was asked by a reporter whether he agreed with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey’s refusal to rule out American ground troops in Iraq. Biden said ground troops aren’t necessary now, but he didn’t close the door on the possibility — a position counter to President Barack Obama’s insistence that troops won’t be put on the ground. Then came the weekcapper. At a women’s con-
ference on Friday, Biden reminisced about good ol’ days when Republicans like Sen. Bob Packwood (Oregon) served. Packwood, you may remember, resigned in 1995 after 10 women accused him of sexual harassment. Joe Biden, for kicking your gaffe machine into a gear we didn’t know it had, you had the worst week in Washington. Congrats, or something. Cillizza covers the White House for The Washington Post and writes The Fix, its politics blog.
EDITORIAL
Police should record talking NEW YORK TIMES
Confessions are among the most compelling and critical pieces of evidence in a criminal trial. Even without any physical evidence tying a defendant to a crime, a few simple words can be enough for a conviction. Words like, “Something just took over me and I just choked him.” That is what Pedro Hernandez told police investigators after they arrested him in 2012 in connection with the 1979 disappearance and presumed murder of 6year-old Etan Patz. This part of his confession was videotaped; the tape was played in open
EDITORIAL
Lawmen are not the military
League criticized him for using a term that is a derogatory slur toward Jews. Biden’s Wednesday was just starting to get bad, though. At a rally in Des Moines, Iowa — in case you forgot, Biden might like to run for president in 2016 — the vice president recounted meeting a man named Lee Kuan Yew, whom he called “the wisest man in the Orient.” As the immortal Walter Sobchak might say: Dude, that is not the preferred nomenclature. But wait, there’s more!
court for the first time this week. But nearly eight hours of interrogation that came before this confession were not recorded. Hernandez’s lawyer says the confession was false or coerced, and wants it thrown out because, he says, Hernandez’s history of mental illness and intellectual disability made him unable to understand his right to remain silent. The confession included many precise details describing the boy’s abduction and murder, but several statements contradict established facts in the case. This is the problem with unrecorded interrogations. Without a full record of the
interaction between Hernandez and the police, how can a judge or jury decide whether he was coerced or not? In fact, false or coerced confessions are disturbingly common. In almost 30 percent of cases where convictions were later overturned because of DNA evidence, the defendant gave a false confession or other statement. Police and other law enforcement officials have long resisted recording interrogations, but that resistance is ebbing as the benefits become clear. For police, it is insurance against claims of coercion or mistreatment. For prosecutors, it saves resources by encouraging
plea deals. For innocent defendants, it can prevent wrongful convictions. And, of course, it protects the public by ensuring that the right people are charged and convicted. About 850 police agencies around the country now voluntarily record most or all interrogations, according to the Innocence Project. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation requiring recording, and courts in seven more have either required or encouraged it. In May, the Justice Department announced the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies would begin recording interrogations in most cases.
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CLASSIC DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Police
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Frisk tactics fewer but still affect NYC lives By JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN NEW YORK TIMES
NEW YORK — In the housing projects of eastern Brooklyn, some young men no longer clasp hands when greeting each other, they say, fearful that their grasp might be mistaken for a drug deal and invite a search by the police. Friends heading to the bodega sometimes split up, worried that walking in a group will attract police attention. They are subtle yet telling changes, lasting effects of years of police stops of young men, mostly in black and Latino neighborhoods. Often the stops were without legal justification, a federal court found last year. Today, “stop-and-frisk” as New York City knew it is over, undone by a torrent of public outrage and political pressure, and by legal challenges that culminated in the ruling that the Police Department’s drastically increased use of the street stops of black and Hispanic men over the preceding decade was unconstitutional. The police remain a visible presence in the borough’s Brownsville neighborhood, where the vast and violent expanse of public housing had made the neighborhood a proving ground for the department’s use of the tactics as a way to curb gun violence. As part of a new strategy called Omnipresence, the officers now stand on street corners like sentries, only rarely confronting young men and patting them down for weapons. But the residents of Brownsville, conditioned by the years of the stop-and-frisk tactics, still view these officers warily. In dozens of interviews over the summer, people in Brownsville described how stop-and-frisk’s legacy was still felt in the altered rhythms of daily life, like the walk to the bodega. Some people head indoors earlier, they say, because darkness brings not only the increased threat of violence but also a lower threshold for being stopped by the police. Some people are hesitant to visit friends or relatives in neighboring projects, where they risk being stopped on suspicion of
Photo by Richard Hamm/The Banner-Herald | AP
Students walk across the University of Georgia campus among police officers after a threat was posted on social media causing officials to evacuate the area on Friday, in Athens, Georgia. trespass. And instead of enthusiastic handshakes, a bump of the fists or the elbows is a more common greeting among the young men. Elsewhere that might have seemed the influence of professional athletes; in Brownsville, it took hold as an adaptation to a consuming police presence. “No open palm anymore; we just do elbows,” Pharaoh Pearson, a 38year-old club promoter, said recently as he and two friends sat in the courtyard of the Tilden Houses in Brownsville. “That’s an automatic search because they say we were doing hand-tohand transactions,” said one of Pearson’s friends, Ernest Payne, a construction worker and milk deliveryman. Under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the number of street stops soared as they became a cornerstone of his administration’s antigun efforts, each encounter documented by an officer on a form known as a 250. The stops rarely turned up evidence of criminality but became a fact of life for young black and Hispanic men in highcrime neighborhoods, and public housing projects in particular. By the time Bill de Blasio took office as mayor this year, less than five
months after a federal judge, Shira A. Scheindlin, ruled against the city’s use of stop-and-frisk tactics, the practice was declining precipitously. De Blasio heralded the change as an important step toward improving police-community relations after years of increasingly aggressive policing under Bloomberg and his police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly. But there are limits to how quickly campaign pledges and court rulings can change how people feel about the police, particularly in neighborhoods where high levels of crime make the police a perpetual and often aggressive presence. While Brownsville is safer than it was in the early 1990s, when the local police precinct, the 73rd, recorded more than 70 homicides in some years, it is still a dangerous place. This year, as of Sept. 7, the 73rd Precinct had recorded 13 homicides, including at least four in the projects, and more than 400 shootings, stabbings and other felony assaults. So even as the confrontational, often intrusive stop-and-frisk encounters have significantly declined, police officers today remain ever-present in the projects of Brownsville. The new strategy for policing the projects is
taking shape night by night. Officers stand at posts, often along the perimeter of the towers of the Tilden Houses or at the edge of low-rise brick buildings of the neighboring Brownsville Houses. For the most part, they seem to hang back. To add to their visibility, officers park their cars on the sidewalk and turn on the flashing roof lights. At night, the blue beams illuminate the brick of the projects for hours on end, projecting both a sense of emergency and control. Residents of the projects study the officers with a mix of wariness and curiosity, as they and the police both try to discern the rules of engagement in a post-stop-and-frisk era. “They’ll be here all night,” said a 20-year-old man who watched the officer pacing near the flashing blue lights. The man, who declined to give his name, acknowledged, “They don’t stop people as much as they used to, a few months ago.” But if the number of police stops has declined, stops and summonses for matters like congregating outside a building entrance remain a core part of policing the projects. Enforcement of minor offenses has been a hallmark of de Blasio’s police
commissioner, William J. Bratton, going since his days as chief of the transit police and his first tour, under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, as police commissioner. And it is a strategy he has shown little sign of abandoning, even after Eric Garner died in July after a struggle with police officers on Staten Island who were trying to arrest him for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. In Brownsville, the frustration flowing from such enforcement is not hard to find. Dan Richardson, 48, said that on a sweltering morning this summer, he stopped into a restaurant for a cup of ice water and continued down busy Rockaway Avenue. A police car pulled alongside him. An officer asked what was in the cup, evidently suspecting liquor. “When I told them it was water, he got out of the car and reached his hand out for the cup and put it up to his nose,” recalled Richardson, who lives in neighboring East New York but grew up in Brownsville and is back often. The officer, realizing it was water, tried to give back the cup, but Richardson replied, “I don’t want the water after you done put your nose in it and sniffed it.” So the officer
threw the cup on the ground, Richardson said Car stops and searches, which are not reflected in the Police Department’s stop-and-frisk totals, are also a source of friction, some people in the neighborhood say. “They pull up on you and knock on your window, pull you over, and they ask to search your car,” said Lamel Battle, a 28-year-old construction worker. He said he was most recently pulled over two months earlier in an encounter in which officers searched the trunk of his car, finding nothing. “They ask you how your day is going — one guy will try to talk to you for a minute, try to calm you down, while they’re searching your car,” said Battle, who won a $50,000 settlement from the city after a lawsuit stemming from a 2007 disorderly-conduct arrest. “It’s regular.” Today, teenagers and young men in Brownsville live in the shadow of years of police encounters — as they were heading to the store, or sitting on courtyard benches, or walking to church — that accustomed them to having to prove their innocence to police again and again. “Sometimes I’ll let them check me so they don’t think I have anything to hide,” Tijay Lewis, 15, said of what happens when officers stop him for a frisk. “I tell them I don’t have any guns on me. They say, ’That’s for me to find out.’” Tijay said he had been stopped 10 times since turning 13. “I’m black so I get stopped a lot of times,” he said as he stood with his father, David, 36, and his 4year-old brother, Harlem, in the courtyard of the Tilden Houses. But Tijay observed that it had been months since he was last stopped. “It feels a little bit different,” he said of the atmosphere of the Tilden Houses. When Tijay is outside, his father tries to keep a close watch. If he loses Tijay in the crowd of teenagers, Lewis will make him change the color of his shirt. He wants his son easier to spot should trouble break out.
Photo by Ann Heisenfelt | AP
Minnesota authorities filed a petition seeking to keep Vikings running back Adrian Peterson from his son. Peterson was charged with child abuse in Texas and has an Oct. 8 arraignment.
Petition filed to block Peterson from son ASSOCIATED PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS — Authorities in Minnesota filed a petition Friday seeking a protective order for the 4-year-old son of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. In the petition, Hennepin County Human Services asked a judge to block Peterson from using corporal punishment or physical discipline on the boy. It al-
so would block unauthorized or unsupervised contact, and require Peterson to complete a parenting assessment. Peterson faces a child abuse charge in Texas for using a wooden switch to spank the boy in May. He has said he meant only to discipline the boy and not hurt him. The order says Peterson told investigators in Texas that he also used a belt to spank his son.
Peterson has been dropped from the Vikings’ active roster while the criminal case against him is pending in Texas, where he has an Oct. 8 arraignment. Peterson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. According to the petition: The child visited Peterson in Montgomery Coun-
ty, Texas, from about May 6-22. His mother reported possible abuse to Hennepin County Child Protection services on May 22. Separate exams by a doctor May 22 and a nurse practitioner May 23 documented injuries “clinically diagnostic of child physical abuse.” A follow-up exam May 29 found the boy still had traces of the injuries “10 days after the last known
time he was physically abused.” “His injuries are significant and may cause some scarring,” a summary of the exam said. The petition also described Peterson’s interviews with Texas child protection investigators, including: “Respondent Peterson admitted that Child No. 1 received two spankings as a form of physical discipline, one with a belt
and one with a switch.” Hennepin County juvenile court staff attorney Maggie Skelton said prosecutors have asked that the order be suspended until the Texas case is resolved. County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a statement that the petition was required by law once criminal charges were filed. It was first reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Business
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
Nordstrom opens first store in Canada By ÁNGEL GONZÁLEZ THE SEATTLE TIMES
CALGARY, Alberta — An applauding crowd of more than 2,000 shoppers took Nordstrom’s first Canadian store by storm on its opening day in this oil-rich city Friday, an auspicious start for the Seattle retailer’s international debut. Hundreds milled about at a pre-opening “Beauty Bash,” where shoppers were handed bags with samples while they waited for the store to open. “We are very excited. I woke up my baby to come here this morning,” said Carolyn Cheetham, pointing to her fourmonth-old daughter. Cheetham, who like many in this city works in the oil and gas industry, said she has visited Nordstrom in Seattle and Chicago, and hopes that Nordstrom brings here the “same products they have in the States.” Many Canadian shoppers were disappointed with recent forays into their country by U.S. retailer Target, which did not replicate the pricing or the variety of its U.S. stores. For Nordstorm, which began expanding outside of its Pacific Northwest home in the 1970s, the Calgary opening represents a big milestone — and an opportunity to keep growing its full-line stores even as many consumers in the U.S. flock online. The Canada debut means “the company has matured to the point where it can undertake the complexities of international operations,” said Erik Nordstrom, a fourth-generation member of the founding family and the executive who heads online operations and until recently headed full-line stores. For a “company that started as a shoe store in Seattle, it’s a big milestone,” he said in an interview. Almost all members of the Nordstrom clan — from president Blake Nordstrom to patriarch Bruce Nordstrom — were present at the store. “This is the highest priority for our company right now,” Erik Nordstrom said. The company is entering a battle royale for the Canadian luxury market. The Hudson Bay Co., a big nationwide department store chain, recently bought Saks Fifth Ave. and plans to bring it to Canada. Holt Renfrew, a Montreal-based highend retailer, this month announced the expansion of its Calgary store, among others. Nordstrom seeks to position itself midway between Hudson Bay and Holt by offering an array of high-end and mid-
Photo by Nam Y. Huh | AP
Shoppers visit a Nordstrom department store in Chicago, on Dec. 26, 2013. A crowd of more than 2,000 shoppers took Nordstrom’s first Canadian store by storm on its opening day Friday. priced items, company executives say. Canada has many allures: A strong economy buoyed by rich energy resources, it is relatively underserved by luxury retailers but offers a wealth of shoppers familiar with Nordstrom and other U.S. brands. Canada is the top destination for Nordstrom.com international shipments, the company says. Nordstrom plans to open five additional stores over the next two years, including one in Vancouver, B.C. The company says it could someday have as many as 10 full-line stores and up to 20 Nordstrom Racks in Canada, although it hasn’t yet determined when the Rack will first migrate north. Eventually the company will also open up its own ecommerce website for Canada. It’s a good opportunity to grow, said Dan Geiman, an analyst with McAdams Wright Ragen. He likened the move to other investments by the company, such as the Rack and the recent acquisition of The Trunk Club, that seek to compensate for limited expansion opportunities in the U.S. for full-line stores. But the great northern neighbor has also proved challenging for other U.S. retailers such as Sears, which is vacating some of the store spaces Nordstrom is pulling into. Target, which launched its Canadian operations last year with big fanfare, lost nearly $1 billion on the project. Calgary, which became Nordstrom’s first location because it was the first for-
mer Sears space that became available, has its own set of opportunities and challenges. It’s the nation’s energy capital, with a sizzling economy and one of the lowest levels of unemployment in the country. Another Seattle-area based retailer has met success there: Calgary boasts Costco Wholesale’s third-busiest warehouse. This prairie city is relatively small, with a population of 1.2 million. But the median family income in 2012 was $98,300 in Canadian dollars, the highest among Canadian metropolitan areas, versus $71,140 in Vancouver, according to government data. Personal disposable income exceeded $45,000 a year in Calgary — nearly 70 percent more than the Canadian average, according to a presentation by the City of Calgary. Moreover, there are relatively few places to spend all these petrodollars, because the luxury market is relatively underdeveloped in Canada, said David Finch, a professor of marketing at the Mount Royal University in Calgary. “Retailers that have moved here have found a very affluent population,” he said. But that also means that there’s not a deep retail talent pool to draw from. In Canada, retail has always been considered a “transient” job and not a career profession, so “it’s going to be difficult for them to find experienced, professional, luxury-oriented staff,” he said. The fact that Calgary’s oil-fueled job market is sizzling hot doesn’t help Nord-
strom either: Average wages for hourly employees in Alberta are $28.09 an hour, 15 percent higher than in Vancouver. People switch jobs easily and many are drawn to oil-related activities with higher pay, Finch said, adding that a restaurant two blocks away from his Calgary home doesn’t open up for dinner anymore “because they can’t find any staff.” Scott Crockatt, director of marketing and communications at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, agreed. “The No.1 problem that companies in and around Calgary have is finding and keeping quality staff. I anticipate that Nordstrom, along with many others, is going to be challenged to recruit the hundreds of staff they’re expected to,” he said. Nordstrom executives say they heard all the warnings, but found that they were able to fill 531 spots. “We were very encouraged by the number of applicants and the quality,” said Karen McKibbin, president of Nordstrom Canada, in an interview. She said the pay structure is the same as in the U.S., and labor costs are similar to those in some U.S. markets, such as the San Francisco Bay Area. The Calgary store manager is from the U.S., and so are a few other department managers, but most managers are Nordstrom first-timers hired locally — the first time Nordstrom has done that. Canadian department managers were flown in to the Seattle area for nine weeks, where they mainly worked as assistant managers at the Bellevue store to complete “their indoctrination,” Erik Nordstrom said. The company is committed to providing as much quality, variety and customer service in Canada as it does in the U.S., he said. “We don’t want to bring Nordstrom Light,” he said. The company is accommodating the local flavor, however. In Calgary, the heart of a big cattle province, “we have more cowboy boots than we have in Seattle,” he said. Alberta’s shoppers will be a discerning bunch, judging by Lori Edmunds and her daughter, who drove one hour and a half from Red Deer, a small town north of Calgary, to see the new store. She said she found some good deals, but “it’s very expensive too.” Her 19-year old daughter Kristen said she was pleasantly surprised with the wide selection of high-end cowboy boots that she usually finds only in Western wear stores. “I’m a cowboy boot lover,” she said.
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
International
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Britain plans upheaval after Scot vote By SHAWN POGATCHNIK AND ROBERT BARR ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — The saga of Scottish independence is over, but a new journey of political upheaval is only beginning for the United Kingdom. Prime Minister David Cameron responded Friday to the passion of the failed Scottish breakaway by promising sweeping new powers to the U.K.’s regions. Scotland’s rebellious spirit and England’s own movement for more autonomy mean that to keep an uneasy marriage intact, each of Britain’s four nations soon may need to live mostly under separate roofs. Cameron vowed to follow through on campaign promises to spin off key decisionmaking powers from London to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, particularly over tax rates and welfare benefits, to keep separatist sentiments at bay. As importantly, he Photo by Matt Dunham | AP called for a similarly robust reform of the relationship between Parliament in London Police officers on horseback try to separate “No” supporters from “Yes” supporters after No supporters and Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and gathered with British Union flags to celebrate the referendum result in Glasgow, Scotland, on Friday. most significantly its home of England, where 85 percent of the U.K.’s population He said similar diplomatic initiatives the promises he has just given to Scotland, lives. would begin with the regional governments and instead want to focus on freezing Scot“I have long believed that a crucial part in Northern Ireland and Wales, but offered tish lawmakers out of voting on parliamenmissing from this national discussion is no deadlines or specifics. Like Scotland, tary bills that apply only for England and England. We have heard the voice of Scot- those two also received their own legisla- Wales, a longstanding grievance and oddity land, and now the millions of voices of Eng- tures in the late 1990s as Tony Blair’s La- of the U.K.’s multi-layered political system. land must also be heard. The question of bour government delivered on his camCameron said he expected Parliament to English votes for English laws ... requires a paign pledge to bring a measure of self-gov- pass bills to transfer more powers to Wales’ decisive answer,” Cameron said outside No. ernment to nations that long have Assembly and to create new restrictions on 10 Downing Street. complained of English domination of deci- Scottish and Northern Irish lawmakers in The push to reshape the political map of sion-making. the House of Commons, so that they could the United Kingdom comes ahead of two That move let the genie of nationalism no longer vote on issues pertaining only to key tests of opinion that, depending on how out of the U.K. bottle. England and Wales. the cards fall, could end in Britain’s exit Before Blair’s devolution push, the BritWales has been in union with England from the European Union in a promised ish central government was dominant, the longest, shares jurisdiction on law-and2017 referendum. First, U.K. voters must de- while town and regional councils covered order and many other matters, and has recide by May 2015 whether Cameron and his chiefly the mundane realities of daily life, ceived fewer devolved powers than Scotland Euro-skeptic, England-centric Conservative like garbage collection and parking meters. and Northern Ireland. But the Labour leadParty remain in power or give way to the The regional governments of Edinburgh, er of its regional government in Cardiff said center-left Labour Party, the perennial pref- Belfast and Cardiff still have a long way to the Welsh wanted whatever the Scots were erence of Scottish and Welsh voters. go to wield the kind of autonomy enjoyed getting, too. All the while, nationalist forces in North- by U.S. or Australian states or Canadian “The old union is dead. We need to forge ern Ireland, Wales and even England are provinces. While they have their own effec- a new union,” said Welsh First Minister feeling empowered by Thursday’s strong 45 tive governors, “first ministers,” the de- Carwyn Jones, who argued for more funds percent support for Scottish independence. volved administrations cannot impose or from the central government. “It’s perfectly The pro-independence vote fell short of poll- collect taxes. reasonable that we might expect a fair sters’ predictions but still means that more As part of Cameron’s campaign appeals share of the pot.” than 1.6 million Scots opted to leave Great to the Scots, the Edinburgh parliament Bernard Jenkin, a Conservative lawmakBritain. would receive new powers to set its own er, said he expected England to create a its Cameron appointed one of Scotland’s sales tax policies, change income-tax bands own fully devolved political structures — so business grandees, Lord Smith of Kelvin, to to make the rich pay more, and potentially that while the United Kingdom still would lead a Scotland Devolution Commission collect and receive other tax revenues more have an overarching prime minister, Engthat would report recommendations by No- directly. Currently, sales and income taxes land would join Scotland, Wales and Northvember on what responsibilities and pow- go to a U.K.-wide authority, and Scotland, ern Ireland in having a first minister overers should be transferred to Scotland. Cam- Northern Ireland and Wales receive block seeing internal affairs, too. eron set a rapid timetable calling for legisla- grants that are subsidized by English taxCameron’s move to emphasize new Engtion to be published by January and passed payers. land-only political structures looks like a before he calls elections. Typically, the ComBut Cameron faces challenges on several canny response to his narrow escape in mons and upper House of Lords don’t work fronts. Scotland. Should he succeed in shifting the that quickly. Right-wingers in his own party oppose powers of lawmakers in the House of Com-
mons, a future British government would not be able to marshal support from Wales and Scotland to win key parliamentary votes. That would favor the Conservatives, who are profoundly unpopular outside England. Northern Ireland, as always, poses different and more physically dangerous problems. There a delicate Catholic-Protestant coalition of former enemies has spent months in deadlock over trying to impose U.K. welfare reforms. Sinn Fein, the Irish nationalist party, is refusing to impose the cuts, Northern Ireland is suffering mounting financial penalties as a result, and the province’s Protestant leader is warning that their powersharing needs fundamentally new rules to survive. Failure there could mean a resurgence of the kind of street warfare that claimed 3,700 lives over the past four decades. Thursday’s Scotland vote also offers tantalizing promise for Sinn Fein, which wants a referendum on Northern Ireland’s future. The province’s 1998 peace accord contains provisions for a vote on whether Northern Ireland should stay in the United Kingdom, as its Protestant majority favors, or be absorbed into the Republic of Ireland, which won independence from the U.K. in 1922 after a two-year war. “It is time for the people who share this island to have a respectful and informed debate with regard to Irish unity or continued partition,” Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told reporters outside Dail Eireann, the Irish parliament, in Dublin. “The people here, like our Scottish cousins, should be provided the opportunity in a border poll to determine the constitutional position. That is the democratic way forward.” Waiting in the wings for any stumble is Labour leader Ed Miliband, who hopes to oust Cameron from power in London and entice voters in Scotland back from the Scottish National Party, the pro-independence force that swept to power in Scotland’s Parliament in 2011. “This was a vote for change,” Miliband declared to the victory rally of the anti-independence Better Together campaign in Scotland. “Change doesn’t end today. Change begins today, because we know this country needs to change in the way it’s governed.” The future direction of the United Kingdom appears destined to face many internal tugs-of-war: between parties and capitals, and between each voter’s soul and sensibility. That conflict perhaps was best illustrated on the ballot papers of 691 of the more than 3.6 million Scots who cast their ballots Thursday. When asked whether Scotland should be an independent country, those voters checked both “yes” and “no.”
Fashion
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Jeans a hit in Milan By COLLEEN BARRY ASSOCIATED PRESS
MILAN — Hey girlfriend, baggy boyfriend jeans are all the rage on the Milan runway this season. At Emporio Armani, they fit Giorgio Armani’s passion for blue — an international color that the designer says satisfies any appetite for ethnic looks. The Emporio collection, presented Thursday on the second day of Milan Fashion Week, included wide-legged denim with a shiny, cropped cuff, dressed up with short tailored jackets. Karl Lagerfeld says women are increasingly asking for denim, and he obliged with jodhpur-styled jeans for Fendi. And Gucci came out with mariner-front styles cropped at the calf. Prada, however, stuck to demure-length hemlines and dresses with no pants and no denim. Some highlights from Thursday’s shows: PRADA’S PURPLE FANTASY Miuccia Prada tries to disguise the art and craftsmanship in her collections with raw seams and frayed hemlines. For next summer’s looks, Prada used brocade — a rich, textured fabric often embossed with gold or silver thread — which she designed from archive samples. Jazzing up the colors with flashes of green, orange and yellow, she commissioned the brocade from textile mills north of Milan. Models paraded the looks around dunes of purple sand, casting simple silhouettes of well-fitted shift dresses, puffy skirts, tailored trenches and oversized overcoats with threequarter sleeves. Hemlines finished demurely at the knees and there were no trousers. “All the effort was not to do something that was decadent, but keep it meaningful,” Prada said. “I didn’t want it to be too beautiful.” ODE TO THE ORCHID Georgia May Jagger, Mick’s daughter, took a
Photo by Antonio Calanni | AP
Shown is Philipp Plein women’s Spring Summer 2015 collection. turn on the Fendi runway, sporting a dark blue minidress in an orchid print with a built-in asymmetrical cape that wrapped around one shoulder. The dress nicely encapsulated designer Karl Lagerfeld’s architectural inspiration for the collection. Large orchid motifs, evoking lightness and beauty, graced many of the Fendi pieces, appliqued onto leather jackets, embroidered into dresses, decorating handbags or tying back hair. The looks, catering to the young with short-short skirts or long ankle-length hems, were finished with thick braided bracelets and accompanied by a new baguette bag. BLUE MOOD The Emporio Armani color for next season is blue, more specifically cornflower blue that runs from soothing to electrifying. For Giorgio Armani, blue trumps black in terms of versatility, grabbing the light and flattering the wearer. “Blue has a different softness, it is less dictating,” Armani said. “It’s thinning.” Blue played against white and gray in bold striped pantsuits, cocktail dresses and blazers. But it turned positively electric for bodices on cocktail dresses, on shorts and in chunky jewelry made out of PVC materials. Armani’s credo is to
make clothes for real women “not just those who fit the extreme trends.” Armani created wide trousers — acknowledging and not negating the female hip like some fellow designers — as well as close-fitting pants, cuffed above the ankle. Dresses either hugged the curves with a neat wrap around the waist or fell loosely around the hips. Skirts had lots of leg room, allowing for easy strides. WISPY LOOKS FOR WILLOWY WOMEN Amy Adams sat front and center for Max Mara’s collection featuring lightweight fabrics that offering full summertime cover for fair-skinned redheads like the five-time Oscar-nominated actress. There was an urban safari quality to the collection. The long Georgette dresses came in simplified floral patterns that appear to be an animal prints — and which matched the kneehigh boots. Safari jackets featured double elastic waistbands. And the looks were finished with floppy hats, good for sun or rain, and big sunglasses. The color palate ranged from neutral taupe and sand to eye-popping pink, sea-foam green and yellow. FASHION ICON BARBIE Barbie just got the fashion makeover she always dreamed of, courtesy of Moschino — a label that has no problem poking fun at the fashion world. Jeremy Scott’s collection had an over-the-top feel — which included a literal translation of over-the-top with a bikini sewn on top of a skirt suit. Predictably, there was a Barbie in all her incarnations: travel Barbie in a pink vinyl dress and a Moschino-emblazoned trolley, workout Barbie with a velour workout outfit with mini-dumbbells and a 1950s housewife Barbie in a quilted jump suit. Fashion Barbie closed the show in a froth of pink and with a wiggle of her hips.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 10A
Agenda en Breve ROMA
09/23— El Departamento de Educación Especial de Roma ISD realizará una junta con el tema “Servicios a la Comunidad”, a las 9 a.m. en la Oficina del Departamento de Educación Especial. Más información llamando al 8491616.
LAREDO
09/20— Se realizará la Segunda Carrera Anual de Cross Country por parte de Elementary y Middle Schools Dr. Sara Carrasco, a partir de las 8 a.m. en Shirley Field Sports Complex, ubicado en 2400 de avenida San Bernardo. 09/20— El Consulado General de México en Laredo invita a las Jornadas Sabatinas 2014 en sus oficinas de 1612 Farragut St., en horario de 8 a.m. a 2 p.m. Se realizan trámites de pasaportes, matrículas consulares, y se brinda asistencia consular en el ámbito de protección. 09/20— Se realizará un evento de Inspección de Asientos para Menores de 9 a.m. a 12:30 p.m. en las Oficinas del Departamento de Transportes de Texas del Distrito de Laredo, ubicadas en 1817 de Bob Bullock Loop. 09/20— 15o Programa Anual de Educación y Examen del Asma, de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. en Mall Del Norte, cerca de la entrada de Dillard’s. Evento gratuito. 09/20— El Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara proyectará “The Little Star that Could”, a las 2 p.m.; “Force 5”, a las 3 p.m.; “Wonders of the Universe”, a las 4 p.m.; “Lamps Of Atlantis”, a las 5 p.m. Costo de entrada general 5 dólares y 4 dólares para niños menores de 12 años y estudiantes de TAMIU con credencial. 09/20— La Asociación de Padres de niños con Síndrome de Down se reunirá a las 2 p.m. en VAIL, ubicado en 1419 de calle Corpus Christi. 09/20— Las Hermanas de la Misericordia celebrarán el Día de la Misericordia con una misa en Christ the King Church, en 901 de calle Guadalupe. Tras la ceremonia se realizará una merienda en el Centro Educativo Lamar Bruni Vergara, en 1000 de Mier, de 3 p.m. a 4 p.m. 09/20— El Circo Alzafar Shrine 2014 se presenta en Laredo Energy Arena a las 2 p.m. y 8 p.m. Costo del boleto es de 18 dólares y 28 dólares. 09/21— El Circo Alzafar Shrine 2014 se presenta en Laredo Energy Arena a la 1:30 p.m. y 7 p.m. Costo del boleto es de 18 dólares y 28 dólares. 09/23— El Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara proyectará “Wonders Of The Universe”, a las 6 p.m.; “Lamps of Atlantis” a las 7 p.m. Costo de entrada es de 5 dólares y 4 dólares para niños menores de 12 años y estudiantes de TAMIU con credencial. 09/23— El equipo de voleibol de TAMIU se enfrentará a Texas A&M – Kingsville a las 7 p.m. en Kinesiology and Convocation Building de TAMIU.
SÁBADO 20 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2014
INMIGRACIÓN ILEGAL
Acusación formal POR CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Un ciudadano mexicano que intentó el contrabando de seis ciudadanos ecuatorianos fue acusado formalmente en una corte federal de Laredo esta semana, muestran registros. Un gran jurado acusó a Mario Morales-Escalante con cargos por conspiración para transportar inmigrantes indocumentados a Estados Unidos, y transportar e intentar el transporte de inmigrantes a cambio de dinero, se lee en la acusación
formal presentada el jueves. En caso de ser encontrado culpable, Morales-Escalante podría servir hasta 10 años en prisión. Patrulla Fronteriza dijo que el supuesto intento de contrabando se remonta al 27 de agosto. Agentes asignados a la estación de Zapata estuvieron rastreando a un grupo de supuestos inmigrantes indocumentados a las 8:45 a.m. en la propiedad Dye Fields. Agentes dijeron que el grupo cruzó U.S. 83 y continuó hacia el este. A alrededor de las 11 a.m., agentes detuvieron a siete personas es-
condidas en la maleza. Seis personas dijeron a los agentes que eran de Ecuador, mientras que un hombre sostuvo ser de nacionalidad mexicana. “Con base en las tendencias recientes de contrabando y en la experiencia del agente, el ciudadano mexicano fue separado inmediatamente del resto del grupo, como un potencial guía”, señala una querella criminal. Los agentes dijeron que MoralesEscalante intentó guiar al grupo a una ubicación predispuesta, de acuerdo con documentos de la cor-
te. Morales-Escalante esperaba un pago de 150 dólares por inmigrante, que supuestamente trataba de contrabandear a San Antonio. Dos mujeres inmigrantes, que fueron retenidas como testigos materiales, señalaron a los agentes que habían pagado 14.000 dólares cada una para ser traficadas a Nueva York. Morales-Escalante intimidó a ambas mujeres para que proporcionaran una descripción errónea del guía, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte. (Localice a César G. Rodriguez en 728-2568 o en cesar@lmtonline.com)
REFORMA DE CUIDADO DE SALUD
BP
ANUNCIAN SUBSIDIO
Alegan mujer intentó tráfico POR CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de archivo por Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Imagen de archivo durante una sesión para registro en el Acta de Cuidado Accesible, organizado en parte por la Oficina del Congresista Henry Cuellar, en marzo. Cuellar alabó un bono otorgado para beneficiar a navegadores del ACA en el Condado de Zapata.
Zapata, entre otros condados, será auxiliado TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Z
apata, donde un tercio de la población se encuentra sin seguro de salud, es uno de varios condados que reciben dinero para los navegadores de la reforma de cuidado de salud. Recientemente, el Congresista de EU Henry Cuellar anunció que el Concilio para el Desarrollo del Sur de Texas recibió más de 233.000 dólares en subsidios de navegador federal de parte del Departamento de Servicios de Salud y Humanos para atender a los Condados de Zapata, La Salle y Webb, y otras áreas. Navegadores proveen asistencia en persona para Tejanos con el Mercado del Acta de Cuidado Accesible, incluyendo cuando compran y se registran en planes en el Mercado de Seguro de Salud. El Concilio para el Desarrollo del Sur de Texas recibió los fondos federales para ayudar a residentes en Zapata, La Salle y Webb inscribirse en el seguro de salud accesible. La organización busca a fami-
lias con niños, inmigrantes legales, personas con ineficiencia en inglés, las personas con capacidades diferentes y adultos jóvenes. El United Way CUELLAR del Condado Metropolitan Tarrant recibió 4.6 millones de dólares del HHS para el programa navegador y distribuyó 233.550 dólares en el Concilio para el Desarrollo del Sur de Texas. “Cuando familias tienen acceso al cuidado de salud, pequeños aspectos de salud pueden ser tratados económicamente antes de que se conviertan en crisis médicas y dólares de contribuyentes locales son ahorrados”, dijo Cuellar. “En condados que tienen una amplia cantidad de personas sin seguro para el cuidado de salud, como los que represento, los costos han sido históricamente altos. “El acceso a cuidados de la salud de calidad y asequibles conti-
núa siendo una de mis prioridades y estoy complacido de que el Concilio para el Desarrollo del Sur de Texas haya recibido este reconocimiento para ayudar a los residentes de los condados de Webb, Zapata y La Salle, a obtener los seguros médicos que necesitan”. Robert Mendiola, director ejecutivo del Concilio para el Desarrollo del Sur de Texas añadió: “Este es nuestro segundo año en que administrando el programa, ciertamente reconocemos los grandes desafíos a los que nos enfrentamos al proporcionar este servicio tan necesario para 13 condados de la región. Nuestra misión es educar a nuestros ciudadanos al tener cobertura para cuidados de la salud disponibles a través del Acta de Cuidado Accesible”. Durante el periodo de inscripción en 2013 y 2014, el Congresista Cuellar organizó talleres a través del Distrito 28 de Texas para ayudar a que se continúe aprendiendo más acerca de sus opciones bajo el nuevo mercado de seguros de salud.
Una mujer que intentó el contrabando de cinco inmigrantes indocumentados en Zapata, fue arrestada en el Condado de Webb, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte liberados esta semana. Brenda Eliza Flores se encuentra enfrentando cargos por contrabando de personas, señala una querella criminal presentada en su contra el lunes. Continúa en custodia federal. El 11 de septiembre, agentes de Patrulla Fronteriza dijeron observar lo que parecían ser personas caminando a través de Dolores Creek en el Condado de Zapata. Los agentes de Zapata contactaron a agentes de la estación del Sur de Laredo para transmitirles la información. Las autoridades establecieron una vigilancia a lo largo de U.S. 83, para tráfico procedente. Operadoras informaron a los agentes que un ciudadano preocupado llamó para reportar a personas corriendo entre la maleza para abordar un vehículo Ford F-150, color rojo. Un agente condujo al lado del vehículo sospechoso y observó a varias personas recostadas en la caja del vehículo, señala la querella criminal. El agente detuvo al vehículo. Una inspección de inmigración reveló a seis personas indocumentadas y a un ciudadano de EU, Flores, señalan documentos de la corte. Los agentes llevaron a todas las personas a la estación del Sur de Laredo. En un interrogatorio posterior al arresto, Flores supuestamente dijo que Luis “Borrado” le ofreció 150 dólares por inmigrante para transportar al grupo a H-E-B sobre Zapata Highway, al Sur de Laredo. “Borrado”, le dio la dirección para recoger a los inmigrantes, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte. (Localice a César G. Rodriguez en 728-2568 o en cesar@lmtonline.com)
NUEVO LAREDO
09/20— Estación Palabra presenta “Bazar de Arte”, a las 10 a.m.; “Festival Infantil”, a las 2 p.m. Eventos gratuitos. 09/20— Semana Cultural Otoño 2014 presenta: Ballet Magia Folklórica de Ciudad Mier a las 2 p.m. en el Teatro Adolfo López Mateos. 09/20— Feria Expomex 2014 presenta a Nene Malo en el Teatro del Pueblo. Charreada en el Lienzo Charro y Peleas de Gallos en el Palenque. Evento tiene costo. 09/21— Feria Expomex 2014 presenta a la Orquesta de Pérez Prado el Teatro del Pueblo. Evento tiene costo.
NACIONAL
Presupuesto deja fuera a cortes migratorias POR ERICA WERNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — La iniciativa de ley presupuestal del Congreso no toma en cuenta la solicitud del gobierno del presidente Barack Obama de acelerar el gasto de las cortes de inmigración para que puedan manejar el torrente de menores de edad que cruzan la frontera solos,
aunque sí aumenta la flexibilidad en el gasto para agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza y centros de detención. Defensores de los inmigrantes se quejaron de que legisladores republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes se enfocaron en detener a menores de edad y familias de Centroamérica, sin tomar en cuenta la necesidad de que haya más
jueces de inmigración, así como abogados para representar a los jóvenes. Mientras tanto, los demócratas en el Senado apenas lograron bloquear que los republicanos impidieran que Obama cumpliera una promesa de emitir una orden ejecutiva antes de fin de año que posiblemente podría proteger de la deportación a millones de inmigrantes que radi-
can en el país sin autorización. Los senadores Jeff Sessions de Alabama y Ted Cruz de Texas habían buscado enmendar el jueves un proyecto de ley de gastos con el fin de incluir especificaciones que bloquearían la acción ejecutiva de Obama para reducir más las deportaciones. Fracasaron en una votación que concluyó 50-50La
Casa Blanca también criticó la omisión en el proyecto de ley del gasto acelerado para las cortes de inmigración. El proyecto de gastos para mantener operando al gobierno hasta diciembre y armar a los rebeldes sirios que combaten a extremistas islámicos fue aprobado el miércoles en la Cámara de Representantes y en el Senado el jueves.
Politics
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
Firm halts well work By ALAN KATZ, JOE CARROLL, MIKAEL HOLTER AND STEPHEN BIERMAN BLOOMBERG NEWS
Photo by Julie Jacobson | AP
Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Bashar Jaafari, waits to speak to members of the U.N. Security Council on Friday at the United Nations headquarters. The Security Council met to discuss the situation of the Islamic State group in Iraq.
Solons to mull aid By KATHLEEN HUNTER BLOOMBERG NEWS
Congress’s bipartisan passage of President Barack Obama’s plan to arm and train Syrian rebels sets up a broader debate over the use of U.S. military force when lawmakers return after the Nov. 4 election. Thursday’s 78-22 Senate vote came a day after the House passed the measure, which now goes to Obama for his signature. Opponents of the bill in the Senate — 10 Democrats and 12 Republicans — included potential 2016 presidential contenders. Democrats Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York voted against the proposal, as did Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent that caucuses with Democrats. On the Republican side, possible presidential aspirants Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky opposed the bill, while Marco Rubio of Florida supported it, though he said he was disappointed there hadn’t been an opportunity for more extensive debate. “I wish that we had had a separate debate on this issue,” Rubio said on the Senate floor before the vote. When lawmakers return in mid-November for a post-election session, they plan a broader — and likely far messier — debate over the use of military force to combat Islamic State extremists. Senators in both parties said before yesterdays vote that the promise to hold that debate persuaded them to support the more narrow authority now. “It calmed some concerns,” said Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, the chambers second-ranking Democrat. “I want us to have a lot more specificity and I want us to be an active part of the conversation.” Durbin is among the nine Senate Democrats still in office who opposed a 2002 resolution that authorized the George W. Bush administrations invasion of Iraq the following year. Durbin said he was uncomfortable with Obama relying on that authorization to combat Islamic State. The notion that this president, any president could use that forever and ever, amen, is troubling, Durbin said. The Syrian authorization is part of a package that funds the government through Dec. 11, extends the Export-Import Banks charter through June 30, and provides $88 million to help fight the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa. Obama requested the Syria aid in a Sept. 10 televised address and made personal phone calls to seek lawmakers support. The president contends the U.S. needs to help Syrian rebels combating the Sunni extremist group Islamic State, which has swept from Syria deep into Iraq with a campaign of
terror that included the beheading of two U.S. journalists and a British aid worker. The strong bipartisan support in Congress for this new training effort shows the world that Americans are united in confronting the threat from Islamic State, Obama said at the White House after the Senate vote. As Americans, we do not give in to fear. National Security Adviser Susan Rice said today that it will take months to begin training Syrian rebels who the U.S. will count on to open a second front against Islamic State. “The training sites haven’t been built and potential trainees must be vetted before the rebel force can be bolstered,” she said. “We will move out as rapidly as can be done in partnership with the countries that will host the training facilities,” Rice said at a White House briefing. “This will be a process that is going to take months.” The U.S. House added the Syria authorization measure to legislation funding the government starting Oct. 1, which avoids a repeat of last year’s 16-day partial government shutdown. House lawmakers on Sept. 17 adopted the Syria measure 273-156, and then passed the spending package on a 319-108 bipartisan vote. The legislation, H.J.Res. 124, also would extend until Dec. 11 the Internet Tax Freedom Act, a law initially passed by Congress in 1998 that prohibits taxing access to the Internet. While Democrats including Durbin and Virgina Senator Tim Kaine have expressed worries about a broader conflict, some Republicans support a broad authorization to wage war similar to the one passed before the 2003 Iraq invasion. “We don’t think the president has the authority to do what’s necessary to be successful in combating Islamic State,” Texas Senator John Cornyn, the chambers second-ranking Republican, told reporters Thursday. “We should be having this debate right now, not in December, and I think there are senators on both sides of the aisle who agree with me.” House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, said on Sept. 16 that this week’s bill “does not preclude us from revisiting the issue of a broader use of military force.” He said its important for Congress to speak on this issue. When Congress returns to Washington on Nov. 12, lawmakers to-do list will include longer-term government funding and legislation setting Defense Department policy. Lawmakers may consider renewing tax breaks that lapsed at the end of 2013. The outcome of the congressional elections will help determine the contours of the debate later this year over the use of military force. Republicans are slated to retain
control of the U.S. House and need a net gain of six seats to win a Senate majority from the Democrats. Among those who raised concerns about the Syria plan are Democratic senators in competitive reelection races including Mark Begich of Alaska. “We don’t know where these weapons will end up, in which rebels hands,” said Begich, who voted against the legislation. Other Senate Democrats in tough re-election battles — including Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Pryor of Arkansas — supported the bill. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a Democrat who isn’t up for re-election this year, said Thursday he opposed equipping and training the Syrian rebels because we would be involving ourselves in a ground conflict that we could not resolve. Obama reaffirmed Thursday that he won’t send U.S. troops into combat in Iraq. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey said earlier this week that he would recommend that U.S. advisers accompany Iraqi troops in battle to combat Islamic State if necessary. The Syria measure states that it doesn’t authorize the introduction of United States armed forces into hostilities, a limit sought by lawmakers of both parties. Paul on Thursday sought a separate vote on the Syria measure. Democrats blocked his effort. “Intervention when both choices are bad is a mistake,” Paul said on the Senate floor. “Intervention when both sides are evil is a mistake. Intervention that destabilizes the region is a mistake. And yet here we are again, wading into another civil war in Syria.” Democrats also stopped a proposal by Cruz to strip U.S. citizenship from Americans who fight on the side of Islamic State. He said the proposal reflects the threat posed by nonnation terrorist groups. Cruz has criticized Obama’s focus on training and equipping Syrian rebels and opposes the shortterm funding measure because it would lapse before the new Congress takes office in January. The plan to aid the Syrian rebels would require the Defense and State departments to report to Congress 15 days before putting the proposal into effect and demonstrate how it would work. Every 90 days afterward, the Defense Department would have to provide information on vetting of Syrian rebels who receive help, in an effort to ensure that U.S. equipment doesn’t fall into terrorists hands. The authority to equip and train Syrian rebels would continue until the government spending bill expires. Funds for equipping and training the Syrian rebels would come from Defense Department money contained in the measure.
Exxon Mobil Corp. and OAO Rosneft halted drilling on an offshore oil well intended as the first step in unlocking billions of barrels of crude in Russia’ remote Arctic, according to people familiar with the project. Work stopped just a few days after the U.S. and European Union barred companies from helping Russia exploit Arctic, deepwater or shale-oil fields, said three people with knowledge of the rigs operations who asked not to be named since they weren’t authorized to speak about the project. The U.S. sanctions, meant to punish Russia for escalating tensions in Ukraine, gave American companies until Sept. 26 to stop all restricted drilling and testing services. “Exxon, Rosneft and Seadrill Ltd’s North Atlantic Drilling unit are under the gun to finish or temporarily seal the $700 million well off Russia’s northern coast before the sanctions deadline,” said Chris Kettenmann, chief energy strategist at Prime Executions Inc., a brokerage firm in New York. “With just eight days left before sanctions require Exxon to stop all Arctic work with its Russian partner Rosneft, the project probably is on hold until next year at the earliest.” “This has been one of the most-watched wells in the industry, so this is a huge deal,” said Kettenmann, who has a sell rating on Exxon’s shares. “There’s a hard stop here.” Rosneft fell as much as
1.5 percent in Moscow, trading 0.8 percent lower at 236.9 rubles a share as of 11:26 a.m. local time. Seadrill dropped as much as 1.5 percent in Oslo, before paring its loss to 1.1 percent. Exxon closed 0.5 percent lower Friday at $96.6 a share. Since the Soviet Union broke up a quarter-century ago, U.S. and European companies have helped build Russia’s energy industry in the hope of capturing some of its 75 billion barrels of reserves. The drilling halt of the Universitetskaya-1 well is the first tangible evidence that sanctions are now slowing that investment. The well was the opening shot at tapping an estimated 9 billion barrels of crude deep under the floor of the Kara Sea, worth about $885 billion at current prices. Its key both to Russia’s quest to find new oil fields to replace its declining Soviet-era wells and to Exxon’s efforts to halt falling production. “We are still assessing the sanctions, but will comply with all laws and regulations,” Dick Keil, an Exxon spokesman, said in a telephone interview. Keil declined to comment further. Rosnefts press service declined to comment. The U.S. and Europe have imposed a series of escalating sanctions against Russia since its annexation of Crimea in March and because of support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. “The restrictions have pushed Russia’s economy to the verge of a recession, and the impact could last two to three years,” former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said this week. Putin has been un-
moved. On Aug. 9, just days after the U.S. and EU announced that they would restrict the export of technology needed for Arctic, shale and deep-sea exploration, Putin — speaking via satellite — personally ordered the start of drilling on the well, Russia’s first in the Arctic Ocean. Exxon’s chief of Russia operations attended the event. Expanded sanctions last week added a ban on services provided to such projects, effectively putting an end to Exxon’s continued work on the well. No official decision has yet been made on whether to try to restart drilling this year or wait until next year, two of the people with knowledge of the situation said. Regardless, “Exxon and Rosneft have probably run out of time to get anything more done in 2014,” said Sigbjoern Sangesland, professor in the Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics department at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. “Exxon must leave itself enough time to safely shut the well before abandoning it.” “I would think that they would stop where they are now,” said Sangesland. “If they have a week left, they need that time to set plugs in the well and pull out the blowout preventer and anchor.” Rosneft has already felt the sting of sanctions, which have affected its financing and ability to acquire technology. Chief Executive Officer and longtime Putin ally Igor Sechin, 54, has also been personally sanctioned, banned from travel to the U.S. in April.
Flu shot options By LAURAN NEERGAARD ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — It’s time for flu vaccine again and while it’s important for the whole family, this year health officials have some different advice for different ages: Certain kids should opt for the ouchless nasal spray. Seniors, expect to get a new kind of pneumonia shot along with that flu jab. And too many young and middle-age adults are skipping the vaccine altogether, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — even though there are more options than ever. “The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu vaccination,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden on Thursday, before rolling up his sleeve to get his own flu shot. Some things to know about flu vaccinations: WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED The government recommends a yearly flu vaccine for nearly everyone starting at 6 months of age. Yet only about half of Americans get one, a number Frieden called unfortunate. On average, the CDC estimates, flu kills about 24,000 Americans a year. HOW MANY ARE Vaccination rates last year were highest for children under 5 — 70 percent — and for seniors — 65 percent, the CDC said. But just a third of healthy adults ages 18 to 64 got vaccinated and, surprisingly, last year hospitalizations were highest among that age group. About 55 percent of school-age children were vaccinated. Parents need to realize that flu vaccine is crucial even for otherwise healthy children, said Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. At least 100 U.S. children died of flu last year, only half of whom had lung conditions or other illnesses that put them at high risk and most of whom weren’t vaccinated. About half of pregnant women get vaccinated. The shot can be given during any trimester, and also
Photo by J. David Ake | AP
Sharon Bonadies gives Dr. Thomas Frieden a flu shot at the National Press Club in Washington, on Thursday. protects the baby during the first few months of life, said obstetrician Dr. Laura Riley of Massachusetts General Hospital. THE VACCINE SUPPLY About 150 million doses are being shipped this year, with no signs of shortages or delays, Frieden said. About half will protect against four strains of influenza instead of the usual three, he said, as U.S. manufacturers move toward vaccines with that extra bit of protection. CDC doesn’t recommend one over the other. WHICH KIND TO CHOOSE For the first time this year, the CDC says the ouchless FluMist nasal spray version is the preferred vaccine for healthy children ages 2 to 8, after research showed it works a little better for them. But don’t wait if your doctor has only the shot — just get them vaccinated, said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. FluMist also can be used by healthy people ages 2 through 49 who aren’t pregnant. If a squirt up the nose isn’t for you, there are lots of other options: the regular shot; an egg-free shot for those allergic to eggs; a high-dose shot just for those 65 and older whose immune systems may need an extra boost; and a tiny-needle shot that just penetrates the skin. The Food and Drug Administration also recently approved a needle-free injector to deliver flu vaccine, although it’s not clear how soon it will be widely
available. NEW ADVICE FOR SENIORS This year, the CDC is urging people 65 and older to get a new kind of pneumonia vaccine along with their flu shot. Children already receive Pfizer’s Prevnar-13 to prevent a kind of bacteria, called pneumococcus, that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and other infections. Now seniors need a one-time dose, too, Frieden said. That’s in addition to a one-time dose of another long-used pneumonia vaccine, called a polysaccharide vaccine. The caveat: The two pneumonia shots have to be given at least six months apart. If you’ve had neither so far, get the new kind first — along with this year’s flu shot — and come back later for the second pneumonia vaccine, advised Schaffner. Together, the two pneumonia shots are expected to cut seniors’ risk of pneumococcal infection by 45 percent, and the chance of severe disease by 75 percent, he said. WHEN TO GET VACCINATED “Now’s the time,” Frieden said. It’s impossible to predict when flu will start spreading and it takes about two weeks for protection to kick in. Flu season typically peaks in January or February. WHAT’S THE COST The vaccine is covered by insurance and Medicare, usually without a copay. For the uninsured, it can cost about $30, although Schaffner advised checking public health clinics for free or reducedcost shots.
State
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Panhandle county unites for rescue try By JON MARK BEILUE AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS
CLARENDON — They are dogs, but these two are more than pets. Sophie and Abbie are Yorkshire terriers, running at their feet, sleeping in the bed of Jim and Sue Whitlock for the last 11 years. It’s hard to explain, but those two fill a void more than most dogs. Maybe it’s because Jim has been a lifelong dog lover, even a dog trainer for a while. Maybe it’s also because their only child, daughter Joni, 16, was killed by a drunken driver on the edge of Canyon in 1980. Both dogs are now 15, but when the Whitlocks bought them from a lady when they were 4 years old, she cried and then the new owners cried. Later that night the dogs cried, but the next day, it was one big happy furry family and has been ever since. Abbie sort of gravitated to Sue. Sophie saw herself as some rugged outdoor dog, jumping into the truck with Jim at any chance. She didn’t act her age or her 14-pound size. A little more than a month ago, they were on Jim’s 260 acres, 8 miles southwest of Clarendon near the JA Ranch. The two were near an old windmill. Jim spread maize for quail and dove, and corn for deer. Sophie went poking around as usual. Just before noon, Jim was ready to leave. He hollered for Sophie. No Sophie. He hollered some more. Nothing. He called his wife in Amarillo. Sue said if he didn’t find Sophie in an hour, call her and she would drive the 65 miles. An hour passed and still nothing. Sue arrived with a friend. They looked all over, and Sue said surely the dog couldn’t have strayed too far. They looked for three hours, focusing around the windmill area.
Photo by Jon Mark Beilue/The Amarillo Globe News | AP
Jim Whitlock was part of a rescue mission to save his dog Sophie from an old irrigation test hole on his land southwest of Clarendon. “I then saw this hole, and I thought, ‘Surely not,”’ Whitlock told the Amarillo Globe-News (http://bit.ly/1r6Xs1H). “I yelled, ‘Sophie!’ and that’s when I heard this faint whining and barking.” It was an old irrigation test hole, one that had been closed, accidentally reopened and had yet to be closed again. It was 10 inches in diameter at the opening, and 14 feet down below was a scared dog. Thus began the saving of Sophie. Friends began to arrive, some from Amarillo, a few farm and ranch neighbors from Groom and Clarendon, even Clarendon veterinarian Matt Halsey. How in the world to get a dog out of a narrow, deep hole? For most of the day and into the evening, they were willing to try anything,
most of it homemade concoctions including a rope, a snare, a noose. At the most, they could get her up a few feet, but that noose could slip from her back to neck and choke her. John Morrow of Morrow Drilling in Clarendon soon arrived. He had the idea to pipe in some gravel, thinking maybe if enough were in there Sophie could climb out. But the hole widened at the bottom, and there was a good chance Sophie would back down where it widened and get buried. Morrow ran a camera to the bottom, and they could see Sophie, shaking and scared. “I thought that was it, that we could not get her,” Whitlock said. “I’m an emotional guy. I used to be pretty tough, but I lost it when I could see her shak-
ing down there.” At one point, there were as many as 20 people there. Whitlock led a group prayer. Finally, he called the rescue off at 2:30 a.m., saying all were tired. They would try again the next day. They covered the hole with some tree branches. “I could hardly sleep. All I could think of was Baby Jessica,” said Morrow, referring to the famous 1987 rescue of Jessica McClure, who had fallen down a similar hole near Midland. Rescuers dug a hole through solid rock parallel to the hole the baby was in to eventually save her. This was nothing but clay and soil. “I called Jim about 6 in the morning, and of course he was awake,” Morrow said. “I got an idea. Forget the snares. If we can keep her alive, I know we can
get her out.” Morrow brought in a backhoe. He dug next to the test hole as deep as he could, 81/2 feet. He then enlisted Chris Schollenbarger of Clarendon, who owns an underground fiber optics business. Schollenbarger’s excavator, or trackhoe, was able to go to 12 feet. They were able to add another 2 feet with a hydrovac pressure hose, and then tunnel across to Sophie. Kelly Hill, a Clarendon highway patrolman, was one of 20 who had been around to help. With the new adjacent opening, he had a bar with a hook on the end to corral Sophie. Finally, it bumped her in the back and she jumped right to him. In a few moments, she was back in Whitlock’s welcoming arms, with only a few eye
scratches from debris. “You would not believe the whooping and hollering when we got her out of there,” Morrow said. It had been 27 hours, but failure was not an option. “My gosh, those people in Donley County are first class,” Whitlock said. “I tried to pay them, and none would take a dime. It just made your heart sing that many people wanted to rescue our dog.” Morrow, who has Sparky, a Yorkshire terrier of his own, would say it was almost like one of his kids was down there. He didn’t want money, of course, but did have one request. “I couldn’t wait to get her and hold her in my arms,” Morrow said. “I told Jim that I’d like to hold her. He said, ‘Sure,’ and handed her to me. It felt like a miracle.”
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 13A
Veteran of Iraq struggles By L.M. SIXEL HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Photo by Evan Vucci | AP
President Barack Obama signs a bill to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels in the fight against the Islamic State group, on Friday.
Backtracking is troublesome By JONATHAN ALLEN BLOOMBERG NEWS
The Obama walkback has become a familiar dance step in Washington these last six years. First, President Barack Obama makes a promise or a threat. Close Guantanamo Bay in a year, retaliate against Syrian chemical attacks on civilians, take executive action to legalize millions of undocumented workers by the end of this month. Then, when criticism and reality set in, he changes course. That emboldens political adversaries, infuriates allies and leads both to question whether his latest promise — that U.S. combat troops won’t be used to fight Islamic State — can be kept. Many Democrats say they fear he or his successor won’t be able to hold the line. General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, inflamed those worries this week by saying he might recommend U.S. military ground forces if the current plan fails. “I’ve always had those concerns,” Representative Barbara Lee, a California Democrat, said. “It troubles me tremendously that these concerns are now being played out.” Democrats point to issues on which he has delivered on promises, including the 2010 health-care and financial-regulation laws and the repeal of the don’t ask, don’t tell policy preventing gay members of the U.S. military from serving openly. Obama’s request for authorization to support the training of Syrian rebels was cleared by the Senate Thursday. White House spokesman Eric Schultz declined to comment for this story. The U.S. is set to have about 1,600 military personnel to advise and assist Iraq’s army and protect American assets and people. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday the president does not envision anything even approaching the kind of on-the-ground military presence mobilized in Iraq 11 years ago to topple Saddam Hussein. Earnest
said, though, the situation can change. Lee, the only member of the House of Representatives to vote against the 2001 resolution authorizing the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, said her reservations aren’t specific to a president. Just last year, Obama said he wanted to repeal that 2001 resolution. Now, he’s using it to justify the use of American force in Iraq and Syria. Still, Lee said, she considers the president to be thoughtful and deliberative. Many Republicans say they wish Obama hadn’t ruled out the deployment of ground troops — whether or not he intends to use them against Islamic fighters. “You ought to use every tool you have to eliminate them, not tell them what you’re not going to do,” Representative Steve Scalise, House majority whip, said. Scalise helped round up votes for an amendment adopted on a bipartisan vote that authorizes the U.S. government to train and equip Syrian opposition forces. His colleague, Republican Representative Ileana RosLehtinen of Florida, echoed Scalises view that Obama shouldn’t preclude the possibility of a deeper engagement involving U.S. ground troops. She said the president’s handling of immigration — announcing he would issue an executive order, which was expected to legalize millions of undocumented people in the country, before backing off in a bow to the concerns of politically vulnerable Democratic senators — follows a similar pattern. “It’s a schizophrenic policy,” she said. “You don’t know who is calling the shots.” One member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a bastion of support for Obama, said the president has been forced to backpedal on policy pronouncements because he’s trying to please too many people. The lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk candidly about the reaction of the president’s friends to his policy-making process, said Obama has weakened his alliances on a variety of issues by shifting positions.
HOUSTON — The past several months have given Xavier Watt the opportunity to ferry his 10-year-old daughter to and from school, take her to visit her grandparents and go out for ice cream. He does the grocery shopping and keeps the house clean for his wife and little girl. He has time left over to play video games. It’s not the kind of freedom he wants. For Watt, 31, also enjoys his job installing and calibrating temperature-control systems and heating elements as an instrument and electrical technician for SunEdison in Pasadena. He wishes he were still clocking in each day. But like hundreds of thousands of soldiers back from the war in Iraq, Watt has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is finding that complicates things in the workplace. He takes medication to control his dark moods, he’s had extensive counseling to help him cope with conflict and he leans on his supportive family as he wrestles with scarring memories earned a decade ago far away. He says he is OK to return to work and that he’s got medical reports to prove it. So far, SunEdison won’t let him back. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission estimates 400,000 veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have some form of PTSD. The agency has seen a spike in the number of PTSD-related complaints by workers. Many allege their companies failed to make accommodations for them in the workplace. Before 2002, the agency didn’t track these types of complaints; in 2011, it received nearly 600 nationwide. Joe Bontke, of the local EEOC office, said that when behavioral issues arise with war veterans, many employers’ first question is, “What if he comes back with a gun?” “They think of the worst-case scenario instead of, ‘What do you need?”’ Bontke, EEOC outreach manager in Houston, told the Houston Chronicle. Bontke is not familiar with Watt’s story, which is rooted in the earliest days of the Iraq War. Watt was among the first U.S. soldiers deployed to Iraq in April 2003, though he avoided the attendant media fanfare. “I had tears in my eyes,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave my mom and my brother.” At Aldine’s Nimitz High School, he had made good grades and served as swim team captain and track
team co-captain. He aspired to study chemical engineering in college, but that dream always seemed financially out of reach. Until 10th grade, he lived with his mother and brother in a one-bedroom apartment that, he recalls with a certain fondness, was so small only one of them could move around at a time. His mother worked hard to move the family into a house and held down two jobs to hold onto the semblance of a middle-class life. “She worked really, really hard to get us out of that apartment,” Watt said. Watt pitched in, putting his earnings from an afterschool job toward mortgage and other household expenses. The summer after he finished high school, a recruiter for the U.S. Army Reserves offered him a $7,000 bonus if he’d sign up. Though he’d never considered a military career, he took the money and gave it to his mother. Then he shipped out for basic training. “I was terrified,” he said. Watt started community college classes but dropped out after receiving notice he would likely be called up for overseas deployment. He needed to get his “affairs in order.” “When other 19-yearolds are focused on final exams, I was writing a will and getting my power of attorney written,” he said. Watt spent more than a year in Iraq, working as a specialist in chemical operations, supporting the search for weapons of mass destruction. Much of what he did is classified and he can’t talk about it. He doesn’t want to talk in detail about picking up the bodies of dead soldiers and bringing their remains back to camp, about seeing people get shot, about nearly losing his own life to a roadside bomb. His normally strong voice reduces to a quivering whisper when asked about those trials. “The toughest thing mentally,” he said, “was not knowing if when I close my eyes at night it will be my last night.” On March 11, back when he was still on the job, Watt was overtired. He had been up late the night before driving another veteran to San Antonio and back for medical help and he knew that fatigue could quickly boil over into frustration. Painful memories linger, and Watt has had to learn to control the feelings that can trigger frustration and anxiety. So Watt arrived at the SunEdison plant early to make sure he could snag one of the golf carts used to tote the heavy tools and supplies for the day. His back still hurts from inju-
ries he sustained in Iraq falling off a truck while wearing a 70-pound rucksack. A co-worker, however, asked if he could use it instead because he’s an “old, out-of-shape guy.” On most days, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But on that day Watt did what he learned through his therapy sessions when he felt rising frustration: He backed off and got an OK from his boss to take the rest of the day off as vacation. “I was really rattled,” Watt recalled of the quarter-mile walk to the guard shack en route to the parking lot. Instead of heading straight to his truck, he dropped by the nurse’s office to regain his composure. He had a good relationship with the plant nurse, he said, and felt comfortable talking with her. This time, he says, she refused to let him drive home, telling him “it was my PTSD acting up.” “Maybe because I had tears in my eyes or showed frustration,” Watt said. The nurse did not return calls for comment. A SunEdison official declined to discuss the circumstances. Waiting for his wife to pick him up, Watt wished he would have just kept walking instead of stopping at the guard shack. If he had done that, he believes, he would have been back to work the next day. Instead, Watt was barred from returning until he received clearance from a psychiatrist that he was not a danger to himself or others. He got a note from his doctor, but SunEdison, which makes components for solar panels and computer chips, refused to accept it on grounds the psychiatrist couldn’t make an assessment based on just one visit, emails and other documents show. Then SunEdison hired its own psychiatrist. Watt said that while he hasn’t read the written report, the company’s psychiatrist did not clear him to return to work. United Steel Workers Local 6000 President Debbie McDonald questioned company officials about why they would accept its own psychiatrist’s assessment because it, too, was a one-time visit. Jim Lefton, staff representative for District 13 of the United Steelworkers International Union, called the situation “disgusting.” “He didn’t do anything wrong and now you have him sitting at home,” Lefton said. Gordon Handelsman, director for brand and corporate communications for SunEdison in Belmont, Calif., said the company wants “to get employees back to work as soon as
possible.” He added there is a clear path to return to work in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act. When asked whether Watt could return to his job, Handelsman cited corporate policy that prevents him from discussing the medical condition of any employee. Watt, who spent 13 years as an Army reservist, said he never had so much as a disagreement during his nearly two-year stint at SunEdison. Nor does he have any disciplinary history. But like other veterans who have been diagnosed with what is commonly known as PTSD and who have tried to ease their way back to civilian life, Watt finds himself having to prove he’s not a threat to his co-workers or his company. Advocates say it is not unusual for veterans to face one hurdle after another. “I keep hearing: ‘We just want everyone to be safe,’?“ said McDonald, who has been trying to get Watt back to work. Jeff Hargrave, director of operations for Pros 4 Vets, which provides free legal representation for veterans having legal issues in Oklahoma, said companies often prevent employees being treated for PTSD to return to work even when there have been no workplace-related incidents. “I think a lot of people are scared,” said Hargrave. “They don’t know enough about it.” Bontke, of the EEOC, said the disability can be easily accommodated by, for example, allowing employees “breather time” to walk away from tense situations, providing written instructions to counter short-term memory loss and lack of concentration, reducing distractions and providing a workspace with natural light. One of the best things a company can do when hiring returning veterans is to have those who have faced similar challenges already on board in human resources, organizational development and other key parts of the company, said Bob Cartwright, who has become an advocate for returning veterans looking for jobs. He founded Operation Job Match after he saw how hard it was for one of his relatives, a former Navy SEAL, to find civilian work. Several companies do a good job hiring returning veterans, he said, but many still express concerns. “The PTSD question keeps coming up,” Cartwright said. Since coming home from Iraq, Watt has built a solidly middle-class life.
14A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Oil unions call off their strike By ELISHA BALA-GBOGBO BLOOMBERG NEWS
Nigeria’s oil unions called off a four-day strike, averting a threat to exports from a nation whose shipments equate to about 2 percent of global demand. The Pengassan union that represents managers and blue-collar Nupeng oil union suspended industrial action after talks with Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Corp. “The strike action embarked upon by Nupeng and Pengassan is hereby suspended,” according to a joint e-mailed statement Friday by the minister, labor leaders and NNPC.
The strike started Tuesday in a dispute over pensions and unions representing workers at NNPC. Nigeria is the continent’s largest oil producer and relies on the commodity for more than 70 percent of government revenue and 95 percent of foreignexchange income. The West African nation pumped 2.3 million barrels a day of oil in August, the most since 2006, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “The strike didn’t yet have an impact on Nigeria’s oil exports,” Manji Cheto, vice president for West Africa at consultants Teneo Intelligence, said by phone from London before the strike was called off.
BODY CAMERAS Continued from Page 1A The Customs and Border Protection commissioner didn’t tell activists how many cameras were bought or discuss when or whether they would be introduced to any of the roughly 21,000 agents in the field, the person said. The meeting in Detroit was the latest discussion that Kerlikowske has held with some of his most vocal critics of the Border Patrol’s use of force. Another person briefed on the plans said testing will occur from October and December and that it was unclear if or when they would be introduced in the field. Kerlikowske scheduled a news conference Thursday in Washington to discuss what his office said were “developments toward CBP’s commitment to increase transparency and accountability.” Michael Friel, a Customs
BALLOONS est balloon near Rio Grande City in late July. “We place them strategically in locations where there’s the most traffic,” Gutierrez said. “Wherever the risk is greater, we focus resources and technology.” Gutierrez said officials may station more aerostats from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Valley to try to crack down on drug and human smuggling amid an influx of immigrants from Central America. “It’s too early to tell,” Gutierrez said. “If traffic patterns change, we can bring more in for assistance. Our technology is mobile. We want things we can break down and shift to traffic patterns to make the most impact.” In Peñitas, Police Chief Roel Bermea said the aerostat has helped reduce crime. “It slowed down the traffic of illegal immigrants. We haven’t seen any significant (drug) seizures since it went up,” Bermea said. “We haven’t had any negative reaction. Residents seem to like that it’s out there.” Mauro Reyna said the surge of immigrants entering the country illegally has led him to allow the Border Patrol to station the aerostat on his ranch at no cost for a year. “I wouldn’t like to use the word
overrun but there was a significant amount of illegal traffic. I could see 10, 15, 20 people running across at one time,” said Reyna, an attorney who runs his law practice down the road from the aerostat station. “So when (federal officials) approached me, I said it would be good and it’s worked out.” Now he’s negotiating a lease agreement that would allow the Border Patrol to operate the aerostat from his ranch for five years, said Reyna, who declined to disclose any details. “All the parties are happy with the results,” Reyna said. “I know my neighbors are very appreciative and feel comfortable.” On Reyna’s ranch, a second camera tops a 107-foot tower that stands near the aerostat. Nearby, agents can monitor the aerostat’s camera from metal storage sheds that stand at the site, Allbee said. Officials said agents can also monitor cameras from Border Patrol stations. The aerostats’ cameras help agents track drug and human smugglers, Gutierrez said. “They have been extremely successful,” Gutierrez said. “It’s opened our eyes to the amount of traffic. As soon as the aerostat went up, we saw more apprehensions.”
and Border Protection spokesman, declined to comment on body cameras or the nature of Thursday’s announcement. The measure is a first step toward satisfying activists who have long demanded cameras as a way to keep a check on potential abuses. It is likely to meet opposition from the National Border Patrol Council, the union representing more than 17,000 agents, which has said cameras would be expensive and may cause agents to hesitate when their lives are threatened. Shawn Moran, a spokesman for the agents’ union, said the development came as no surprise after the White House said this week that requiring police officers to wear body cameras was a potential solution for bridging mistrust between law enforcement
and the public. “We want to make sure these are used to back up agents, not to persecute them,” Moran said. "If they’re used correctly by the agency, they will offer an independent account in use-of-force incidents or any type of incident. We do have concerns management would use them to look for administrative violations.” The camera proposal gained traction under Kerlikowske, a former Seattle police chief who has moved more aggressively than his predecessors to address complaints that Customs and Border Protection is slow to investigate incidents of deadly force and alleged abuses by agents and inspectors and lacking in transparency. In May, Kerlikowske ordered the release of a highly critical Customs
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Gutierrez could not immediately provide any figures, but said that one can’t measure success in apprehensions alone. “It deters traffic coming in,” he said. “(Smugglers) won’t try to cross narcotics and immigrants because of the presence.” The agency’s aerostats can rise as high as 1,000 to 4,000 feet above the ground, but officials declined to disclose the cameras’ ranges so smugglers would not learn of any limitations. “We can see out several miles,” Allbee said. “At a certain distance we can see license plates.” Gutierrez said cameras zoom in on smugglers who drop off “mules” carrying drugs to areas south of the Border Patrol’s Falfurrias checkpoint on U.S. 281. “With the aerostat, you’re able to identify whether it’s groups of immigrants or (smugglers) carrying narcotics,” Gutierrez said. “We’re able to see mules put narcotics in their backpacks. We’re able to see the routes. We can visibly see the mules circumvent the checkpoint.” Gutierrez did not respond to later requests for the operating costs of the aerostat program. Officials declined to disclose the material from which the aerostat’s shell is made from, but Albee noted that they are rugged
and Border Protectioncommissioned report that raised questions about the deadly force. The agency’s internal affairs head was replaced in June with a longtime FBI official who said last week that an initial review of cases involving use of force and alleged misconduct by agents and inspectors since 2009 found 155 that merit further investigation. Kerlikowske told activists Tuesday that he wanted to change how authorities investigate possible criminal misconduct by Customs and Border Protection employees, a person who attended the briefing said. Under a longstanding arrangement within the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigates before Customs and Border Protection gets a turn.
survivors of war zones. “These were made for Iraq and Afghanistan,” Allbee said, pointing to patches on the aerostat stationed on Reyna’s ranch. “I can’t tell you the exact number of bullets it would take to bring one down, but one would not affect it.” Although touted as successful, the program has its critics. Tom Hargis, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union in Houston, said the aerial surveillance cameras pose a threat to freedom and privacy. “For border residents, more mass surveillance gadgets in the sky simply add to the sense of being under siege,” Hargis said. “The extraordinary authority that government possesses on this border continues to spill over the lives of regular Americans. Instead of a targeted effort to stop crime, what we’ve been seeing is an approach such as dragnet surveillance that turns us all into suspects,” he said. Border Patrol spokeswoman Shevannah Wray strongly denied that the agency operates its aerostats in manners that violate public privacy. “The specific purpose is not to infringe on people’s privacy,” Wray said. “We use it to secure the border.”
Continued from Page 1A rates are surveyed separately and sometimes show different results. Professional and business services jobs grew by 8,700, with smaller numbers added in education and health service industries, as well as manufacturing, mining and logging. Unemployment remains the lowest in parts of West Texas where oil production is booming. The Midland area had the lowest unemployment rate in Texas last month at 2.8 percent. The jobless rate for neighboring Odessa was 3.4 percent. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area posted a 5.5 percent unemployment rate, slightly higher than the 5.4 percent posted in Houston-Sugar Land. “I commend Texas employers for continuing to grow their investments in the Lone Star State,” workforce commissioner Hope Andrade said in a statement.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS: ZAPATA HAWKS
Hawks rebound Photo by Julio Cortez | AP
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL made mistakes that “can never be repeated” in a press conference on Friday afternoon.
Goodell: NFL made mistakes By BARRY WILNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
File photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Following a loss in their district opener to Port Isabel, Zapata picked up a straight-set victory over Raymondville on Tuesday.
Zapata sweeps Raymondville in district play By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata volleyball team didn’t start off the district season on the right note, dropping their district opener on the road to Port Isabel. Still, the Lady Hawks were able re-
bound Tuesday night in grand fashion. Zapata didn’t allow Raymondville to obtain any momentum as it controlled all three sets to sweep the Lady Kats 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-19) for their first District 16-4 victory. "I think that the loss against PI
NFL: DALLAS COWBOYS
was an eye opener for us," Zapata head coach Rosie Villarreal said. "The team realized that they have to work harder to win another title." The Lady Hawks (1-1) featured a well-balanced offense that found three
NEW YORK — Commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL wants to implement new personal conduct policies by the Super Bowl. Goodell was short on specifics at a news conference Friday, his first public statements in more than a week about the rash of NFL players involved in domestic violence. More defiant than contrite as he was hammered with questions, Goodell said he has not considered resigning. “Unfortunately, over the past several weeks, we have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong,” he said in his opening statement. “That starts with me.” The league has faced increasing criticism that it has not acted quickly or emphatically enough. The commissioner reiterated that he botched the handling of the Ray Rice case. “The same mistakes can never be repeated,” he said.
See ZAPATA PAGE 2B
See NFL PAGE 2B
NCAA FOOTBALL: NO. 6 TEXAS A&M AGGIES
A&M faces SMU minus Jones By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
File photo by Matt Strasen | AP
Dallas linebacker Rolando McClain is doubtful to play in the Cowboys game in St. Louis on Sunday.
McClain doubtful for Rams matchup ASSOCIATED PRESS
IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys will likely be without middle linebacker and leading tackler Rolando McClain for Sunday’s game at St. Louis. McClain hasn’t practiced
since coming out of last week’s game at Tennessee with a groin injury. He was listed as doubtful for the Rams when Dallas (1-1) released its practice report Fri-
See MCCLAIN PAGE 2B
DALLAS — Coach Kevin Sumlin likes the timing for sixth-ranked Texas A&M’s consecutive games in the Dallas area. The Aggies (3-0) start their North Texas stretch Saturday at former Southwest Conference rival SMU (0-2), whose home opener is its first game since coach June Jones’ unexpected resignation. Texas A&M then has a neutral-site SEC game in the NFL stadium where every college team would like to be in January. Both games have the same mid-afternoon kickoff time, despite being on different national TV networks. “We talked about the preparation this week should duplicate next week,” Sumlin said. “What we’re looking for is the same type of preparation, approach Monday through Saturday, and the same type of performance and effort these next two weeks. Because very rarely in college football, if you’re winning, do you get to duplicate the same situation from a travel and game-time standpoint. So I think we caught a break there.” Texas A&M, going for its first 4-0 start since 2006, is a nearly five-touchdown favorite against the Mustangs. SMU was outscored 88-6 its first two games before Jones left, with the only touchdown a 33-yard pass on the final play at North Texas in their last game. “I don’t know if we’re good
Photo by David J. Phillip | AP
Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill and the sixth-ranked Aggies face off against SMU Saturday in their first home game since Mustangs coach June Jones resigned. enough for them to come in here and us to beat them,” said SMU interim coach Tom Mason, also the defensive coordinator. “We can’t get any lower than we were out of that North Texas game. Let’s just get better, and I want to see us improve. I want to see us compete, I want to see the football team that I think we can become start to emerge.” SMU had an open date and made plenty of changes since its last game, from the coach to a new starting quarterback, but Sumlin said his team can’t be distracted by all that. “There’s a lot of things happening there. ... We worry about us,” Sumlin said. “If you truly look within and try to fix the problems you had a week ago and the things that are going on right now, focus on the things you have to do every week to be
successful regardless of opponent, then you have a chance to win. Our guys, over the course of time, understand that.” Here are few things to know when Texas A&M plays at SMU, before taking on Arkansas the following week in the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium where the national championship game will be played. THRILLING START Kenny Hill, the son of a former major league pitcher, is the first Texas A&M quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in the first three games of a season, and the sophomore has thrown 139 career passes (117 this year) without an interception. The Aggies are only 37 points shy of 200 by the fourth game of the
See A&M PAGE 2B
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Zscores
ZAPATA Continued from Page 1B players putting the ball down consistently for Zapata. Alexis Alvarez, Cassy Garcia and Tere Villarreal filled out the stat sheet combining for 37 kills on the night to lead the attack on the net for the Lady Hawks. Alvarez paced the team with 14 kills while Garcia and Villarreal each picked up 12. Briana Gonzalez worked hard on both ends of the court as the team’s setter as she racked up 30 assists. The offensive trio benefited immensely as she set them up while also picking up 20 digs on defense. Zapata returns to the court this morning as the Lady Hawks attempt to pick up two consecutive victories in a row as they take on Rio Grande City La Grulla. "They need to come out together like they did with Raymondville," Villarreal said. "Play together as a team and play to win. They need to execute the skills with confidence."
Cross Country
The Hawks are idle this week from competition but will utilize their bye week to prepare for their most important stretch of season. With the district meet six weeks away, the Hawks are reaching mid-season form. "The Hawks are coming along, we are getting better," Zapata head coach Roel Ibanez said. "I have a good number of kids interested in running with 28 runners not bad for a small school. My only senior team captain Danny Hinojosa has been great his been working on keeping the team united and working together. "The rest of the team are juniors sophomores and freshmen. Varsity team members junior Alvaro Rodriguez, junior Jesus Rubio, sophomores Isauro Sanchez and Luis Rodriguez and freshmen Mike Trevino." Clara Sandoval can be reached at Sandoval.Clara@Gmail.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
NFL Continued from Page 1B Goodell said he would meet with NFL Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith next week, and they would work with outside experts to evaluate the league’s policies. Among the areas that will be examined is Goodell’s role in discipline. The commissioner now oversees all personal conduct cases, deciding guilt and penalties. “Nothing is off the table,” he said. Goodell said he believes he has the support of the NFL’s owners, his bosses. “That has been clear to me,” he said. The commissioner and some NFL teams have been heavily criticized for lenient or delayed punishment of Rice, Adrian Peterson and other players involved in recent domestic violence cases. Less than three weeks into the season, five such cases have made headlines. Vikings star running back Peterson and Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy are on a special commissioner’s exemption list and are being paid while they go through the legal process. Arizona running back Jonathan Dwyer was placed on the re-
serve/non-football illness list, meaning he can’t play for the team again this season. Ray McDonald, a defensive end for San Francisco, continues to practice and play while being investigated on suspicion of domestic violence. As these cases have come to light, such groups as the National Organization of Women and league partners and sponsors have come down hard on the NFL to be more responsive in dealing with them. Congress also is watching to see how the NFL reacts. Rice was initially suspended for two games. After defending the punishment at first, Goodell admitted more than a month later that he “didn’t get it right” and announced tougher penalties for future domestic violent incidents. Then when a video emerged of the assault on his then-fiancee, the Baltimore Ravens cut the star running back and the league banned him indefinitely. Goodell reiterated Friday that he didn’t believe anybody at the NFL had seen the video before it was published by TMZ. The Associ-
MCCLAIN Continued from Page 1B day. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on a weekly radio appearance Friday that McClain, who has 22 tackles, wants to play and thinks he might play. But Jones also called the linebacker “doubtful.” When talking to reporters Friday, even McClain sounded unsure of his status. “I don’t know. I’ve been able to do what they’ve asked me to do,” McClain said. “I’m getting better. I’ll do whatever they ask me to do.” Linebacker Justin Durant will miss his second game in a row with a groin injury. Receiver Dez Bryant was listed as questionable after limited participation in practice for the second day in a row. He hurt his shoulder against the Titans last week.
Coach Jason Garrett said he believes in players being at practice in some way to determine if they can play in the game. At the same time, the coach left open at least a slight possibility of McClain being able to play Sunday. “We don’t have these hard and fast rules. He’s in the meetings and he’s participating in the meetings. So mentally and emotionally he’s getting himself ready to play,” Garrett said. “We’ll see what he’s physically able to do.” If McClain doesn’t play, his most likely replacement would be Anthony Hitchens, the fourthround draft pick who would slide over from weakside linebacker. Hitchens started against the Titans last week, but was in for only eight de-
fensive plays. Sean Lee would have been the starting middle linebacker this season, but he suffered a knee injury during the first offseason workout. Lee is on injured reserve along with Devonte Holloman, who the Cowboys said in training camp has a career-ending neck injury related to a spinal problem that kept him out almost half of his rookie season a year ago. Hitchens said he didn’t know how much he would play Sunday. “The more you know, the more comfortable you play, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can right now,” Hitchens said. “(McClain) is a good football player. Everyone knows that. The next guy in better step up and carry the load.” Keith Smith, a lineback-
ated Press reported last week that a law enforcement official says he sent the video to a league executive five months ago. Citing Rice’s appeal of his indefinite suspension, Goodell declined to specify Friday how the player’s description of what happened was “inconsistent” with what the video showed — the commissioner’s reason for changing his punishment. The NFL asked former FBI director Robert Mueller to conduct an investigation into the league’s handling of the Rice case. The law firm where Mueller is now a partner, WilmerHale, has connections to the NFL. Goodell insisted Friday that it wasn’t a conflict of interest because Mueller himself has not previously worked with the league. Goodell acknowledged he has learned that interviewing Rice and his now-wife together is an inappropriate way to handle a domestic violence case. The commissioner declined to address whether any women were involved in the decision to suspend Rice for two games, but conceded that’s “exactly what we’re
concerned about.” “We didn’t have the right voices at the table,” he added. The NFL has since added domestic violence experts as consultants. It also announced it is partnering with a domestic violence hotline and a sexual violence resource center. Goodell said Friday that he will establish a conduct committee. One of the key questions is how to balance the league’s desire to take a stance against violent acts with the due process of the legal system. In a memo to the clubs late Thursday, Goodell said that within the next 30 days, all NFL and team personnel will participate in education sessions on domestic violence and sexual assault. The memo said the league will work with the union in providing the “information and tools to understand and recognize domestic violence and sexual assault.” The league will provide financial, operational and promotional support to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
A&M Continued from Page 1B er on the practice squad, took part in practice Friday, and Garrett said it could be necessary to activate him for Sunday’s game. “We’ve been working some different combinations as the week has gone on,” Garrett said. Notes: CB Orlando Scandrick will play at least in nickel formations, according to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Scandrick was reinstated this week after two games of a four-game suspension because of approved changes in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement on the drug policy. ... RB Joseph Randle (concussion) returned to practice. ... DE Anthony Spencer (knee surgery) had a planned day off after limited participation Wednesday and Thursday, and is out again Sunday.
season for the first time since 1917. CASSEL’S CHANCE Redshirt freshman Kolney Cassel takes over as SMU’s starting quarterback after Neal Burcham’s season-ending right elbow injury. Cassel completed 14 of 29 passes for 154 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions while playing in both games so far. BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME SMU hasn’t won in the series against Texas A&M since 1984. The Aggies are 12-0-1 since then, including four games that Texas A&M has won by an average margin of 41 points since the SWC disbanded and they were no longer conference rivals. MYLES BEYOND HIS AGE True freshman defensive end Myles Garrett has played only three
games for the Aggies, and already matched the freshman season sacks record with 5 1/2. “If you weren’t at practice, you’d probably be surprised. If you watched him practice, we’ve got two pretty good tackles ... Our line is pretty good,” Sumlin said. “He’s had his moments with every guy on that offensive line. That’s when you start getting respect from your teammates and people start whispering.” SPEED BUMP Texas A&M freshman receiver Speedy Noil, who has 12 catches for 197 yards already and is their top punt returner, is not expected to play Saturday. He had his first career touchdown catch early last week’s win over Rice before limping off the field in the third quarter.
Josh Gordon’s suspension reduced By TOM WITHERS ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEREA, Ohio — Josh Gordon’s tangled ordeal, full of legal twists and turns, has finally been straightened out. He can run a route back to the Browns this season. Cleveland’s star wide receiver was reinstated into the NFL and had his oneyear suspension reduced to 10 games Friday after the league announced changes to its drug policy. The decision ends months of personal torment for the Pro Bowler, who had been banned for repeated drug violations. Gordon will be eligible to play in Cleveland’s final six games after the league and NFL Players Association agreed on revisions to the substance abuse program two days after announcing changes on performance enhancing drugs. “I’m happy that the NFLPA and NFL worked hard to agree on a new substances of abuse policy,” Gordon said in a statement. “I’m very thankful to my union for fighting for a significant reduction in my suspension. I’m glad I can go to the facility during my suspension. I look forward to going to meetings, working out individually, and learning from my coaches and teammates. I can’t wait until game 11 to get back on the field!” Because he has already served two games of the suspension, Gordon will be eligible to play Nov. 23 when the Browns visit Atlanta. Gordon’s 10-game suspension will cost him more than $800,000. He’ll be paid
File photo by Evan Vucci | AP
Cleveland’s star wide-out Josh Gordon saw his season-long suspension reduced to 10 games under the NFL’s new drug policy. over $300,000 if he plays in those last six games. Gordon’s complicated saga has hung over the Browns for months. He spent training camp with the team and played in some exhibition games as his case remained in limbo while he and the Browns waited for the league to rule. Gordon didn’t speak to reporters for months, and only recently disclosed in an interview that he was depressed. Now, there’s some closure and it may have saved Gordon’s career. The Browns had no immediate comment on Gordon’s reduced suspension.
Along with Gordon, free agent LaVon Brazill also had his suspension lessened to 10 games. Gordon was suspended by the league earlier this year for one season for another failed marijuana test. Gordon appealed the ban, his lawyers arguing he tested positive for secondhand smoke. The appeal was denied on Aug. 22 by an arbitrator and it appeared Gordon would not be able to play until 2015. And even that wasn’t for certain. But thanks to the revised policy, Gordon is coming back, assuming he’ll stay clean during the suspension.
Under the new provisions, Gordon will be allowed to work out and attend team meetings at the Browns’ facility. Before the changes, Gordon was only permitted to meet with his clinician at team’s headquarters. During his suspension, Gordon has been working for a local car dealership. But his locker remained filled with his personal belongings. On Tuesday, Gordon pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in Raleigh, North Carolina, allowing him to avoid an additional twogame suspension under the new policies.
The NFL’s new policy on substance abuse includes two additional disciplinary stages for marijuana positives. A first violation will result in referral to the substance abuse program, which has always been the case. Subsequent violations will result in a two-game fine, a four-game fine, a four-game suspension, a 10game suspension, and oneyear banishment. In addition, the threshold for a positive marijuana test will be raised from 15 nanograms to 35 nanograms, reflecting recent actions taken by other testing organizations.
Once Gordon returns, Browns coach Mike Pettine said he and general manager Ray Farmer plan to meet with the talented 23-year-old. “We’ll sit down with him and just kind of lay the plan out for him,” Pettine said. Despite being suspended for two games — he blamed a prescription codeine cough syrup — last season, Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving and scored nine touchdowns. He became the first player in league history to have consecutive 200-yard receiving games. While the Browns could have him back for the home stretch, his teammates were more excited about having Gordon the person around. “That’s great for him,” safety Donte Whitner said. “That’s great for anybody that’s suspended and can’t be around their second family, and you can’t go to your second home. He’ll be able to lift here. He’ll be able to eat here. He’ll be able to watch film, so that when he’s ready to step back on the field, he doesn’t miss a step.” NOTES: Browns backup QB Johnny Manziel was glad to make his regularseason debut last Sunday, even if it was for only three plays. “It was good to shake a little rust off and just get out and run around,” he said. Manziel handed off twice and threw an incompletion against the Saints. Manziel was happy for starter Brian Hoyer, who drove the Browns 85 yards to set up the winning field goal “ I’m ... proud of him,” Manziel said. “It was really emotional for us.”
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Dear Heloise: I have a SPA TUB in the home we just moved into. I know how to clean the surface of it, but I recall you printing how to clean the "insides." Help? –– Anne P., Austin, Texas How lucky for you! I have one and just love it, especially after a long trip where I have been sitting on too many airplanes! It’s easy, and you should have the items on hand. Use just hot water and fill the tub 3 to 4 inches above the jets. Next, add in 1 to 2 cups of household bleach. Sprinkle in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of powdered dishwasher detergent as the cleaning agent. Turn on and let run 20 minutes or so. Turn off to let the water sit in the pipes for about half an hour. Pull the plug and empty, then fill with cold water and let ’er rip for a few minutes. That’s all you need to do! –– Heloise P.S.: Be sure to turn on the exhaust fan, and keep the kiddos away. BE SAFE
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
Dear Heloise: I read your column about the dangers of tying dogs to a post. May I add my story? We lost our dog Molly when her leash was inadvertently left on after a walk one day. She got caught on something outside and sadly did not survive. Even if the dog is left unattended for only a moment, you never know what can happen. –– Jill in Gainesville, Texas Thank you for writing; hopefully, it will keep another dog safe. –– Hugs, Heloise MEMORY LIST Dear Heloise: Because I put things away in a "safe place" and forget where that is, I have made up a reminder sheet. In one column is the item, and in the adjoining column the place. –– Stella R., Conroe, Texas How many times have we all put something away for "safekeeping," then can’t find it? Start a list, folks, but don’t forget where you put the list! –– Heloise
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014