‘HORNS, AGGIES IN NEED OF WINS
SATURDAY OCTOBER 29, 2016
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COMMUNITY COALITION OF SERVING CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN NEED
Couple arrested for transporting immigrants 44 pounds collected
National Pill Take Back
By César G. Rodriguez
in Zapata County
TH E ZAPATA T IME S
By César G. Rodriguez A husband and wife were arrested for transporting immigrants who are in the country illegally from San Ygnacio to Laredo, according to court documents. A criminal complaint filed Monday charged Steven Medina and his wife Belen SerratoGarza with transporting illegal immigrants. U.S. Border Patrol said the case unfolded Oct. 20. At 5 p.m., when agents responded to San Ygnacio for reports of a gray sedan loading people and traveling north on U.S. 83 toward Laredo. Agents caught up to a vehicle matching the description as it accelerated to Rio Bravo. Agents alleged the vehicle Border continues on A8
THE ZAPATA TIME S
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Zapata County Community Coalition of Serving Children and Adults in Need said this week they collected 44 pounds of expired, unwanted prescribed medication. DEA and the coalition collected the medication Oct. 22 during the National Pill Take Back, which offered Zapatans an opportunity to get rid of prescribed and unwanted medication. Authorities also set up collection points in Cotulla and Laredo. In total, authorities collected 1,366 pounds from all participating locations. “Thanks to the wonderful
support of Zapata County, we were able to collect 44 pounds of unused or expired medications. A huge thank you to all the people who took their unused or expired meds,” the coalition wrote on its Facebook. For those who did not make it out to the take back event, the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office was recently awarded a grant from CVS/Pharmacy to combat drug abuse by installing a drug collection unit, the coalition said. Officials said the box provides the community a safe and proper way of disposing unwanted or expired medication. People can stop by the Sheriff’s Office lobby area to drop off the medication from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Courtesy photo / Zapata County Community Coalition
Pictured are the 44 pounds of unwanted, expired medication collected during the National Pill Take Back.
HAWK STADIUM
BATTLE OF THE BADGES Zapata Fire Hogs claim first place By César G. Rodriguez TH E ZAPATA T IME S
Law enforcement and first responders turned down their badges for flags for a good cause. U.S. Border Patrol, Zapata County Sheriff’s Office, Zapata County Fire Department and the Zapata County Independent School District Police Department played for bragging rights in the first ever flag football tournament. The tourney dubbed Battle of the Badges took place Oct. 23 at Hawk Stadium. The fire department, also known as the Zapata Fire Hogs, claimed first place. Battle continues on A8
Courtesy photo / U.S. Border Patrol
Authorities competed Oct. 23 for a good cause during the first ever Battle of the Badges flag football tournament.
FEDERAL COURT
RED RIBBON WEEK
Man indicted for transporting five immigrants
Presentation encourages students to be drug-free By César G. Rodriguez THE ZAPATA TIME S
By César G. Rodriguez TH E ZAPATA T IME S
A man arrested in Zapata County in September for transporting five immigrants who had crossed the border illegally has been indicted in a Laredo federal court. On Tuesday, a grand jury charged Richard Osiel Ramos with conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants within the United States and attempt to transport undocumented people for financial gain.
Ramos, of Alice, could spend up to 10 years in prison if convicted. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him Sept. 28. Agents manning the intersection of FM 2687 Road and U.S. 83 south of Zapata observed three vehicles driving north in tandem. One vehicle, a beige Chevrolet Tahoe, accelerated, according to a criminal complaint. Agents said the two other vehicles were acting as scout to confuse law enforcement.
The U.S. Border Patrol and the Webb and Zapata County District Attorney’s Office stopped by local schools to tell student to stay drug-free. On Wednesday, District Attorney Isidro R. “Chilo” Alaniz stopped by Zapata South and Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary schools during this Red Ribbon Week. Alaniz presented to more than 1,000 students the importance of making healthy choices, such as saying no to drugs, eating healthy and exercising,
Indicted continues on A8
Ribbon continues on A8
Courtesy / District Attorney’s Office
District Attorney Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz encourages students to make good decisions during Red Ribbon Week.