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SIESTA SHORES
ZAPATA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Water shortage
Two drug dealers arrested
Problem temporarily resolved for subdivision By MELVA LAVÍN-CASTILLO THE ZAPATA TIMES
The lack of water in the Siesta Shores WCID Subdivision, about three miles north of Zapata, was temporarily resolved by interconnecting a pipeline from the Zapata County Water System to the residents affected. On Saturday night a problem occurred when the water storage tank at the subdivision began to leak, threatening to leave about 1,000 families without water within 48 hours. “We were able to interconnect the systems with a 700-foot pipe, and at 8 a.m. (Monday) the water began to flow,” Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell said in a telephone interview. “We hope that by the end of the
day (Monday) the pressure “We could perform this will be adjusted.” workaround connecAlso, families tion into an existing need to follow a boil pipeline (from Sieswater alert for one ta Shores) to a pipe more day, or until in our system,” extests indicate that plained Rathmell. the water is fit for A new storage human consumption. tank and water has “The elevated tank RATHMELL been located and the had enough water for Water Work Compatwo days, but I think ny expects to get in early when residents heard that November. the water was running, “The water system in many of them used more coordination with TCQ than the usual, and the will have to provide the stored water only lasted a blueprint and at the same day,” he said. “They used time analyze what kind of twice as usual for a Sun- tank they’re going to get, day.” and consider all the reEven though the water quired specifications,” system is run by Siesta Rathmell said. “Once this Shores Water Work, an in- happens it should take dependent firm, Rathmell about three weeks to set it and the Zapata County up.” Commissioners decided to Employees from the Zatake action. pata County Water System
SOUTH TEXAS FOOD BANK
worked for 24 hours straight to install the temporary pine. “I want to reassure residents that we will do everything in our power to help them,” said Rathmell. “County staff was on hand to help our neighbors, friends and brothers.” Meanwhile, H-E-B donated 7,000 boxes of water bottles to Siesta Shores’ residents and Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina offered his help with a tank truck as well. Rathmell requested that families limit their water use, until the time comes to demolish the affected water storage tank and the new one arrives, and its set up. (Contact Melva LavínCastillo at (956) 728-2569 or mecastillo@lmtonline.com)
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ
juana, 18 Xanax pills, 30 Alprazolam pills and $1,106. Authorities identified Two suspected street-lev- the suspects as Eduardo Jael drug dealers were vier Gonzalez Jr. and arrested following a Amador Jay Salinas. recent narcotics Both were charged raid, authorities anwith two counts of nounced recently. possession of a conThe Zapata Countrolled substance and ty Sheriff ’s Office one count of possesexecuted a search sion of marijuana. warrant regarding Gonzalez and SaliGONZALEZ an illegal narcotics nas were taken to the dealer operating Zapata County Refrom his home in gional Jail. Salinas is the 2500 block of out on bond. Custody Fresno Street, reinformation on Gonports state. zalez was not availaSheriff ’s officials ble. (César G. Rodrisaid they seized 26 SALINAS guez may be reached foils containing crack-cocaine, 12 plastic at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonbaggies containing mari- line.com) THE ZAPATA TIMES
TEXAS TRIBUNE FESTIVAL
BORDER DISCUSSION Courtesy photo
The South Texas Food Bank distributed 9,909,472 pounds of product to families in its eight-county service area this year.
More than 8 million meals served SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The South Texas Food Bank distributed 9,909,472 pounds of product to needy families in its eight-county service area during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The 9.9 million pounds is the highest total since the 10,291,719 pounds distributed in 2011. Alma Boubel, food bank executive director, shared the figure at the monthly South Texas Food Bank board meet-
ing at Commerce Bank. Erasmo Villarreal is the South Texas Food Bank board president. The poundage equals 8,257,893 meals served in one of the most impoverished areas in the state and nation, where the poverty rate is 30-plus percent. The South Texas Food Bank, which opened in 1989 under the auspices of H-E-B as the Laredo Webb County Food Bank, now includes the counties of
See FOOD BANK PAGE 8A
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times file
Mayor Pro-temp Juan Narviaez, City Councilman Alejandro Perez and City Manager Jesus Olivares look on as Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump shakes hands with Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz at a press conference July 23 at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo.
Trump ‘changed his tone a little bit’ after visit By JONATHAN TILOVE AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
AUSTIN — In the middle of Saturday’s Texas Tribune Festival panel on the border and the Legislature, state
Rep. Cesar Blanco, an El Paso Democrat, asked two of his Republican colleagues if there was something they could do to keep Donald Trump from exploiting the border for his own political
benefit. “Do you think any of us can control Donald Trump?” replied state Rep. Larry Phillips, the Sherman Republican who chairs the House Homeland Security
and Public Safety Committee. Perhaps not. But the panel of border mayors that followed in-
See BORDER PAGE 8A