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ILLEGAL GAMBLING INVESTIGATION
BORDER WALL
$1.9M SEIZED DURING RAIDS Trump
wants control over lands Activists say it violates liberties, endangers environment By Ron Nixon NEW YORK TIME S
at one of the (gaming) locations … a factory where they manufactured, modified and built 8-liner machines. This is a complex business now where they are actually fabricating these 8-liners in Zapata,” Alaniz said. Other arrests may be possible as officials continue to review the “voluminous” amount of evidence recovered, he said. “As far as other people being involved, we’re look-
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is seeking new authority to acquire land near the Southern border with Mexico as part of its plan to quickly build immigration barriers, angering activists who said it would violate liberties and endanger the environment as a cost of fulfilling the president’s campaign promise. The proposed changes are outlined in a border security budget document that was prepared by an agency within the Department of Homeland Security. It was delivered to Congress last week in a funding request asking for $33 billion for border security over the next decade, including $18 billion for a nearly 1,000-mile wall on the Mexican border that President Donald Trump has made a top priority to combat illegal immigration. The department already has sweeping authority exempting it from a wide range of federal regulations that would otherwise limit its ability to build border fencing and access roads, or add sensors and cameras on land. It is unclear why the requested changes are needed, and a Customs and Border Security spokesman declined to discuss the proposal, “as a matter of policy.” The budget document said the proposal would “clarify and expand” the Homeland Security secretary’s authority to waive federal laws to quickly build border walls. It also is asking Congress for permission to no longer have to work with other federal agencies, such as the National Park Service, to use lands for security purposes. The document said the change in the department’s authority would allow a “more expedited acquisition” of land and “eliminate certain geography limitations.” The current system, the document said, “can hamper or delay border security activities.” Democrats have already cast doubt the budget proposal will be approved, describing it as unrealistic. Civil rights and environmental groups called the proposal outrageous, noting the department already has nearly unlimited authority to waive federal regulations governing land use. Among the laws that the Homeland Security secretary can waive are the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Eagle Protection Act. “They already have the broadest authority given to an agency by Congress and they want to expand it?” said Efrén C. Olivares, a lawyer with the Texas Civil Rights Project in Alamo, Texas. The group has represented landowners opposed to a border wall. “This should set off all kinds of red flags.” Environmental groups said the border walls would not only militarize the Southern border and violate the civil liberties of communities
Cash continues on A3
Wall continues on A8
Courtesy photo / Webb and Zapata County District Attorney’s Office
Law enforcement is pictured at a maquinita business after they executed simultaneous raids on Jan. 5 in Laredo, Zapata and Falcon Heights. A news conference was held Wednesday to announce details of an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling.
$1.5M discovered in Zapata home of suspected head of criminal organization By César G. Rodriguez LA R ED O MORNI NG T IME S
The suspected head of an illegal gambling and money laundering operation had $1.5 million stashed in her home in Zapata, the Webb County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday. The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested the woman, Diana Hilda Guerra Villarreal, 69, on Tuesday. She was charged with money laundering, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She is the suspected head of the Villarreal criminal organization, District Attorney Isidro R. “Chilo” Alaniz said Wednesday during a news conference. Her daughter is Rebecca Lopez Villarreal. She was charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place and engaging in organized criminal activity. Lopez was arrested after law enforcement executed a search warrant Friday at her home in the 3000 block of Robert Frost Drive. About $141,000 was seized from the home. Lopez’s husband is Joel Lopez,
head coach of the Alexander High School football team. In addiLópez tion to the Villarreal Robert Frost residence, law enforcement on Friday raided Guerra Villarreal’s home in Zapata. They also raided Villarreal three maquinitas in Laredo, two in Zapata and one in Falcon Heights. Alaniz said after the raids that the multiple gambling establishments belong to Guerra Villarreal and her family. Alaniz said Wednesday that authorities confiscated $1.9 million in connection with the raids. That includes the $1.5 million from Guerra Villarreal’s home. “This case has ... yielded one of the largest, if not the largest, cash seizure in Zapata,” he said. “These monies were derived, we suspect and allege, from the illegal gambling activities going on in the estab-
Courtesy photo / Webb and Zapata County District Attorney’s Office
The DA’s Office said Wednesday that $1.9 million was seized during the raids of two homes and six maquinitas businesses on Jan. 5.
lishments located in Zapata and in Laredo.” During the news conference, Alaniz showed photos taken during the raids. One showed PVC pipes filled with cash. “We believe (the pipes) were being used to transport currency from Laredo to Zapata,” Alaniz said. Law enforcement discovered something else as well. “What was very interesting about this case is that in Zapata, we located
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Stern ‘do not travel’ warnings issued By Mark Stevenson A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
MEXICO CITY — Five states in Mexico now have the sternest “do not travel” advisories under a revamped U.S. State Department system unveiled Wednesday, putting them on the same level as wartorn countries like Syria, Yemen and Somalia. The five states are Tamaulipas on the U.S.
border and Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacan and Guerrero on the Pacific coast. All the states are hotspots of drug cartel activity, either hosting trafficking routes or extensive drugcrop cultivation. The State Department had previously discouraged travel to all or part of those states but the new warnings are sterner, placing them on a level 4 warning, the highest level
of potential danger. Mexico as a whole has a level 2 rating, meaning Americans should “exercise increased caution” because of concerns about crime. But an additional 11 Mexican states got a level 3 warning Wednesday, which urges people to “reconsider travel” there. Mexico has 31 states, half of which are now under level 3 or 4 warnings. Those states where
Americans are urged to reconsider travel include the State of Mexico - Mexico’s most populous state, which includes most suburbs of Mexico City and Jalisco, home to the city of Guadalajara, the Puerto Vallarta resorts and the lakeside expat community of Chapala and Ajijic. But the travel advisory said there are “no restrictions on U.S. Warnings continues on A3
Enric Marti / AP
Investigators marked spots where spent bullet casing fell in 2017 next to bodies lying on a road in the town of Navolato, Sinaloa, Mexico. Five states in Mexico received stern do not travel advisories.
Zin brief A2 | Saturday, January 13, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
CALENDAR
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
MONDAY, JAN. 15
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Ray of Light Anxiety and Depression Support Group Meeting in Spanish. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Holding Institute, 1102 Santa Maria Ave., classroom #1. The support group welcomes adults suffering from anxiety and/or depression to participate in free and confidential support group meetings. Contact information: Anna Maria Pulido Saldivar, gruporayitodeluz@gmail.com, 956-307-2014
THURSDAY, JAN. 18 Spanish Book Club. 6-8 p.m. Joe A. Guerra Public Library off Calton Road. For more information, call Sylvia Reash at 763-1810
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24 Laredo Gateway Rotary presents Paul Harris Foundation Dinner. 6:30 p.m. Laredo Energy Arena. The Paul Harris Fellow honoree is Juan Francisco Ochoa, restauranteur extraordinaire. For table information, contact Rotarian Bill Green at 956-728-2501 or 956-2379704 or email bbgreen@lmtonline.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 25 Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society Meeting. 3 to 5 p.m. Joe A. Guerra Public Library, second floor. Speakers: Ricardo Palacios, Mary Treviño, Lily Perez. "The Story of the Tomb of Tomás Sánchez, The Founder of Laredo.” For more info, call Sylvia Reash at 956 763-1810.
SATURDAY, JAN. 27 Holy Redeemer Church annual dance. Laredo Civic Center Ballroom. Music by Calle 8. Person tickets are $25 per person. For more information call Amparo at 286-0862.
SATURDAY, FEB. 3 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, APRIL 7 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, APRIL 14 Habitat for Humanity Laredo major fundraiser Golfing For Roofs golf tournament. Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course. Hole sponsorships are title $10,000, platinum $5,000, diamond $2,500, gold $1,500, silver $1,000, bronze. For information, call 724-3227.
Nam Y. Huh / AP
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks as he prepares for the communities summit in Chicago. Facebook is once again tweaking the formula it uses to decide what people see in their news feed.
FACEBOOK EDITS NEWS FEEDS AGAIN NEW YORK — Facebook is changing what its users will see to highlight posts they are most likely to engage with and make time spent on social media more “meaningful.” By cutting back on items that Facebook users tend to passively consume, the change could hurt news organizations and other businesses that rely on Facebook to share their content. The idea is to help users to connect with people they care about, not make them feel depressed and isolated. “The research shows that when we use
Flu season in full swing in every state NEW YORK — Flu is now widespread in every state except Hawaii, but the good news is the season appears to already be peaking. It’s been a rough few weeks: Hospitals have set up tents to handle patient overflow. Doctors are putting in double and triple shifts. Ambulances have been sidelined while paramedics waited to drop off patients. But an update out Friday
SATURDAY, MAY 5 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, JUNE 2 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, JULY 7 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, AUG. 4 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions. Submit calendar items by emailing editorial@lmtonline.com with the event’s name, date and time, location, purpose and contact information for a representative. Items will run as space is available.
social media to connect with people we care about, it can be good for our wellbeing,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post Thursday. Shares of Facebook slid more than 5 percent to $177.31 in premarket trading Friday after the change was unveiled. Under the revised regime, there will be fewer posts from brands, pages and media companies and more from people. There will be fewer videos, which Facebook considers “passive.” People will likely spend less time on Facebook as a result, the company says. — Compiled from AP reports
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows patient traffic for flu is no longer skyrocketing the way it was in December. “It looks like it’s starting to level out,” said the CDC’s Lynnette Brammer, who oversees flu tracking. Still, flu is unpredictable. “I don’t know where it will end up,” she added. Many flu seasons don’t really get going until around Christmas, and don’t crescendo until February. That’s how last year’s flu season played out. This season got off to an early start
and cases surged over the holidays. Patients who went to the ER at Palomar Medical Center Escondido, north of San Diego, then had to wait as long as nine hours. The hospital this week took down a tent it used to handle the overflow but is still seeing a lot of patients with fevers, aches, chills and other flu symptoms. “We’re having to treat people in hallways, in chairs, wherever we have space,” said Michelle Gunnett, the director of emergency services. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND TEXAS Father charged with murder in death of Indian orphan DALLAS — The father of a 3-year-old girl whose body was found in a culvert near their suburban Dallas home about a year after she was adopted from an Indian orphanage was indicted Friday on a capital murder charge. Wesley Mathews, 37, was also charged in Dallas County with abandoning a child and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors said the capital murder charge, which could carry the death penalty, was filed after an autopsy determined the girl died from “homicidal violence.” The child, Sherin Mathews, disappeared in early October, sparking a broad search involving numerous law enforcement agencies before her body was found later that month. District Attorney Faith Johnson said evidence in the case was still unfolding Friday, but
LM Otero / AP
Wesley Mathews, whose daughter was found in a culvert near their home, was indicted Friday on a capital murder charge.
that there was no indication anyone else was involved in the death. Mathews had already been charged with felony injury to a child. Mathews initially told police that his daughter disappeared after he punished her by sending her out in the night to stand by a tree near their home. He later told investigators the girl
had developmental disabilities and was malnourished. He described a special diet regimen in which she had to eat whenever she was awake in order to gain weight. The indictment alleges Mathews caused his daughter’s death using a deadly weapon “unknown to the grand jury.” — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE WORLD 3 Chilean churches firebombed, calls for ‘respect’ voiced SANTIAGO, Chile — President Michelle Bachelet asked Chileans on Friday to receive Pope Francis in a “climate of respect,” hours after three Roman Catholic churches were firebombed and a note left at the scene threatening the pontiff. In the overnight attacks in Santiago, the capital and largest
city where the pope will arrive Monday, the churches were hit with firebombs and then sprayed with accelerant. At one, the doors were burned before firefighters extinguished the blaze. “The next bombs will be in your cassock,” read pamphlets found outside one of the churches. Later in the day, police found barrels of flammable liquid at two other churches that had not been ignited. They were handled by bomb squads with-
Today is Saturday, Jan. 13, the 13th day of 2018. There are 352 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 13, 1968, country singer Johnny Cash performed and recorded a pair of shows at Folsom State Prison in California; material from the concerts was released as an album by Columbia Records under the title "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison," which proved a hit. On this date: In 1733, James Oglethorpe and some 120 English colonists arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, while en route to settle in present-day Georgia. In 1794, President George Washington approved a measure adding two stars and two stripes to the American flag, following the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union. In 1864, American songwriter Stephen Foster died in poverty in a New York hospital at age 37. In 1898, Emile Zola's famous defense of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, "J'accuse," was published in Paris. In 1915, a magnitude-7 earthquake centered in Avezzano, Italy, claimed some 30,000 lives. In 1941, a new law went into effect granting Puerto Ricans U.S. birthright citizenship. In 1962, comedian Ernie Kovacs died in a car crash in west Los Angeles 10 days before his 43rd birthday. In 1978, former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey died in Waverly, Minnesota, at age 66. In 1982, an Air Florida 737 crashed into Washington, D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge and fell into the Potomac River while trying to take off during a snowstorm, killing a total of 78 people; four passengers and a flight attendant survived. In 1990, L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia became the nation's first elected black governor as he took the oath of office in Richmond. In 1997, seven black soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for World War II valor; the lone survivor of the group, former Lt. Vernon Baker, received his medal from President Bill Clinton at the White House. In 2012, the Italian luxury liner Costa Concordia ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio and flipped onto its side; 32 people were killed. Ten years ago: President George W. Bush, visiting the United Arab Emirates, gently urged authoritarian Arab allies to satisfy frustrated desires for democracy in the Mideast and saved his harshest criticism for Iran, branding it "the world's leading statesponsor of terror." The winners of the Golden Globe Awards were announced in a dry, news conferencestyle ceremony lasting only 31 minutes, devoid of stars because of the Hollywood writers' strike; "Atonement" won best motion picture drama, while "Mad Men" was named best dramatic TV series. Five years ago: A Cairo appeals court overturned Hosni Mubarak's life sentence and ordered a retrial of the former Egyptian president for failing to prevent the killing of hundreds of protesters during the 2011 uprising that toppled his regime. "Argo" won best motion picture drama at the Golden Globes; "Homeland" won best TV dramatic series. One year ago: Republicans drove a budget through Congress giving them an early but critical victory in their crusade to scrap President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Federal prosecutors in Detroit announced that Takata Corp. had agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal charge and pay $1 billion in fines and restitution for concealing a deadly defect in its air bag inflators. Lord Snowdon, the society photographer and filmmaker who married Britain's Princess Margaret and continued to mix in royal circles even after their divorce, died in London at age 86. Today's Birthdays: Actress Frances Sternhagen is 88. TV personality Nick Clooney is 84. Comedian Rip Taylor is 84. Comedian Charlie Brill is 80. Actor Billy Gray is 80. Actor Richard Moll is 75. Rock musician Trevor Rabin is 64. Rhythm-and-blues musician Fred White is 63. Rock musician James Lomenzo is 59. Actor Kevin Anderson is 58. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is 57. Rock singer Graham "Suggs" McPherson is 57. Country singer Trace Adkins is 56. Actress Penelope Ann Miller is 54. Actor Patrick Dempsey is 52. Actress Suzanne Cryer is 51. Actress Traci Bingham is 50. Actor Keith Coogan is 48. TV producer-writer Shonda Rhimes is 48. Actress Nicole Eggert is 46. Actor Ross McCall is 42. Actor Michael Pena is 42. Actor Orlando Bloom is 41. Meteorologist Ginger Zee is 37. Actress Ruth Wilson is 36. Thought for Today : "A little too much is just enough for me." — Jean Cocteau, French author and filmmaker (1889-1963).
CONTACT US out incident. The pamphlets also extolled the cause of the Mapuche indigenous people, who are pushing for a return of ancestral lands and other rights. Francis will celebrate Mass and meet with Mapuches in the southern city of Temuco on Wednesday. After the previously scheduled security meeting, Bachelet said the Andean nation of 17 million was prepared for the first papal visit since Saint John Paull II came in 1987. “I also want to invite you all
to experience this visit in a climate of respect, solidarity and happiness,” Bachelet said. There were no immediate arrests in the firebombings, and authorities downplayed their significance with Interior Ministry official Mahmud Aleuy calling the damage “minor.” Chilean police did not immediately respond to queries about whether new security measures would be taken after the attacks. — Compiled from AP reports
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THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, January 13, 2018 |
A3
FROM THE COVER CASH From page A1 ing at the evidence. We’re trying to figure out who exactly was involved in aiding or abetting or assisting in this operation,” Alaniz said. Owner/operator During the investigation, authorities identified the owner/operator of Lucky Spins and Magic Spins gaming establishments in Zapata as Guerra Villarreal. “Prior undercover operations conducted by DPS special agents revealed that the Lucky Spins, Magic Spins and Gold Mine Game Room gambling establishments
WARNINGS From page A1
government employees for stays in ... Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic.” Most of northern Mexico, including the border states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Sonora as well as Durango, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi, are under level 3 warnings. Mexico’s federal tourism department was not immediately available to comment on the new warnings.
paid cash jackpot winnings to the undercover special agents,” states the criminal complaint. Guerra Villarreal allegedly stated she takes the earnings from the maquinitas, two discount sales stores and a snack shop and deposits the cash at her account at Zapata National Bank to pay for the businesses’ expenses, according to her arrest affidavit. “(Guerra) Villarreal added that after all the business expenses are paid, (she) then provides (her) children with 50 percent of the cash earning and secures all other cash earnings in several security safes that were located in (her) bedroom
closet,” the complaint states. Deter, prevent and dismantle This investigation, dubbed operation OneArm Bandit, aims to deter, prevent and dismantle illegal gambling in Webb and Zapata counties. “We will continue to investigate and work illegal gambling cases here in Laredo and in Zapata. Make no mistake. Receiving money at 8liner businesses is against the law. If any business out there is paying cash at these 8-liners, you are subject to arrest. It is a crime,” Alaniz said. “I want to warn all the citi-
zens of Webb and Zapata that continue to play at these establishments. You are also risking arrest. “At this time, we continue to focus on the owners, the operators, the principals, who operate these establishments. But there’s no place for
illegal gambling, these maquinitas, in Laredo and in Zapata.” Alaniz said he believes that maquinitas are getting out of hand. “This is an epidemic that has continued to grow in Laredo, Webb County and in Zapata,”
he said. “We know that these establishments continue to commonly pay out cash, which is illegal in the state of Texas. “It’s not a matter of if. It’s just a matter of when your business is going to be raided.”
But the government’s Mexico Tourism Board said in a statement that “Mexico’s major international tourism destinations have been explicitly listed as having no travel restrictions,” apparently a reference to major resorts like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Huatulco. However, at least two Mexican resorts — Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Acapulco — are in a do-nottravel state, Guerrero, and last year, the State Department extended a total ban on personal travel by U.S. government personnel there.
U.S. personnel had previously been allowed to fly to Ixtapa, the last place in Guerrero where they had been allowed to go. Personal travel by land and to the resort city of Acapulco had already been prohibited. The no-travel states had mostly already lost much foreign tourism. Tamaulipas has long been riven by turf wars between rival drug cartels, and Sinaloa is home to the cartel of the same name. Michoacan was so dominated by a drug cartel that vigilantes took up arms in 2013 to drive
them out. Colima has seen homicides skyrocket in recent years due to the growth of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, and the state now has Mexico’s highest homicide rate, with 83.3 killings per 100,000 residents, according to figures for the first 11 months of 2017. The U.S. government did note its employees are allowed to go to the seaside city of Manzanillo, Colima. The state with secondhighest homicide rate — 61.6 per 100,000 — was Baja California Sur, home
to the twin resorts of Los Cabos. The state conserved its level 2 advisory, “exercise increased caution,” despite a series of shootouts and killings in recent months. Rising levels of violence have not so far affected Los Cabos, which saw a 16 percent increase in tourism arrivals and an 18 percent rise in hotel occupancy in 2017, said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. Esponda said local officials and tourism operators are investing in increased security, in-
cluding camera systems and the construction of a new marine base. “We are going to keep working very hard in 2018 to make sure that Los Cabos continues as a safe destination,” Esponda said. Speaking to local media earlier this week, Tourism Secretary Enrique De la Madrid said, “In my opinion, the most important challenge we have in the tourism sector are crime events occurring where they didn’t before, for example in Cancun, la Paz and Los Cabos.”
César G. Rodriguez / Laredo Morning Times
District Attorney Isidro R. “Chilo” Alaniz talks to the media about the most recent information on simultaneous raids at maquinitas businesses that occurred Jan. 5 in Laredo, Zapata and Falcon Heights. Alaniz announced a fourth arrest in the case and the seizure of $1.9 million.
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A4 | Saturday, January 13, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
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Candidate wants end to death penalty By Ken Herman COX N EWSPAPE RS
The anti-capital-punishment plank long has been boilerplate language in the Texas Democratic Party platform. Nevertheless, Wendy Davis, the party’s 2014 gubernatorial nominee, came out in favor of the death penalty. That didn’t work out so well for her. In fact, nothing did, and she got routed by Republican Greg Abbott. On Thursday, Andrew White, now seeking the 2018 Democratic nomination to challenge probable GOP nominee Abbott, said he’d do everything legislatively possible to get the death penalty abolished and as much as he could do as governor to overturn death sentences. “You know what,” White told reporters after he was featured at a Texas Tribune event. “I’m against the death penalty.” There are several realities that would make this an into-the-wind effort by White. First, there’s the limited authority a Texas governor has in death penalty cases. The only unilateral power is the right to issue a one-time, 30-day delay in an execution. And commutation from a death sentence to a life sentence can only be ordered by a Texas governor if recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Conceptually, White said he opposes the death penalty because, “It doesn’t create a deterrent. It’s expensive and it’s a broken system. So I don’t know why we’re still involved in it.” “I will work diligently to change the law. That’s what leadership does,” he said. It’s an ambitious promise, especially against the backdrop that, even if he somehow becomes governor, he’d be working with (or against) a Legislature dominated by Republicans who’ve never breathed a word about doing away with the death penalty. Acknowledging a Texas governor’s limited unilateral power in death penalty cases, White said he’d commute all death sentences -- regardless of the facts of the case -- in which the parole board recommended that action. And, in what could be the most powerful thing he could do as governor, White said he’d only appoint parole board members who oppose the death penalty. “Uh, huh,” he said. “That’s right. It’s a broken system. It doesn’t work.” Another caveat worth noting: Gubernatorial appointees to the parole board must win Senate confirmation. It’s hard to imagine the GOP-controlled Senate approving a nominee who says he or
she would recommend commutation in every death penalty case. White said capital punishment “doesn’t reduce murder. We’ve proven that. So the data say it doesn’t work, right? It’s broken. The data say we’ve put innocent people on death row, and it’s expensive. We have the data for that as well.” “That’s why as a common-sense Democrat I’m against the death penalty and when I’m governor I will work to pass a law to overturn the death penalty, to eliminate the death penalty,” he said. “For instances where someone is on death row and I am governor, I will commute those sentences.” The small gaggle of journalists, including me, failed to press White on whether that meant he’d seek a way to commute all existing death sentences. There are now 237 inmates on Texas death row, down from a peak of 451 in 1999. And there were only seven executions in Texas last year, down from a peak of 40 in 2000. A 2005 law change allowed life in prison without parole as a third option in capital cases -in addition to death and life with the possibility of parole after 40 years. That change has been credited with contributing to the reduction in death sentences. White noted that his late dad, Democratic Gov. Mark White, supported capital punishment when he was in office but later changed his mind and actively advocated against it. “I was a little ahead of him on this issue,” White said. “It’s funny. My dad, when he figured it out, he got behind (abolishing the death penalty) big time.” The current Texas Democratic Party platform says, “Despite 13 death row exonerations in Texas in the last 11 years, the death chamber and its machinery are still fully operational in Texas.” The party calls for legislation to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life in prison without parole. The platform also backs a death penalty moratorium “while an unbiased and objective study of the entire process ... and the execution process itself is shown to be reliable and without such grievous failures as have been evident in the recent past.” The Texas GOP platform says, “Properly applied capital punishment is legitimate, is an effective deterrent and should be relatively swift and unencumbered.” The primary is March 6. Early voting starts Feb. 20. If you’re not already registered, the deadline is Feb. 5. Ken Herman is a columnist for the Austin American-Statesman.
COLUMN
America is going to need immigrants from Haiti By Rob Curran DALLAS MORNING NEWS
On Thursday, President Donald Trump reportedly asked a roomful of legislators why they would allow immigrants from a "shithole country" like Haiti into the U.S. He has denied the epithet but not the sentiment. So allow me to answer that question. First, America should accept immigrants from Haiti because Haiti first accepted immigrants from the U.S. My wife, Texas Woman’s University history Professor Sara Fanning, wrote a book called "Caribbean Crossing: African Americans and the Haitian Emigration Movement." In case Trump did not read the book during his no-doubt exhaustive research on the immigration question, I will break it down to something closer to tweet form. In the 1820s and again in the 1850s, thousands of free African Americans emigrated from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other American cities to Haiti. Following a slave revolt against France in the 19th century, Haiti had become the second republic in the Western hemisphere and one of only three - including the U.S. and France - on earth. Haiti was also one of the wealthiest nations in the Western hemisphere, having retained a big share of the global sugar trade. There were few opportunities for black people in major American cities in the early 19th century. They received a fraction of the wages earned by white peers and faced laws that denied them the right to vote. When then-Haitian
President Jean-Pierre Boyer provided incentives for passage to Haiti, many leaders of the black community, including Philadelphia’s Richard Allen, rejoiced at the prospect of deliverance for their people to a nation where they would be treated as equals. Boyer had his own reasons for attracting immigrants, of course. Among those reasons was a basic economic fact: In a nation shorthanded for labor (as the greying U.S. is today) immigrants, even unskilled immigrants, are a positive for economic growth. If you don’t believe me, ask Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan, who is nobody’s idea of a bleedingheart liberal. "Immigrants and their children have made up over half the workforce growth in this country over the last 20 years. They’re likely to need to make up more than half in the next 20," Kaplan said in August, according to CNBC.com. Second, the U.S. should accept Haitian immigrants because the U.S. was actively involved in the ruin of Haiti. In the 19th century, the U.S. refused to recognize the fledgling nation’s independence or trade with it on equal terms, largely because the Haitian republic was anathema to the slave lobby. Not only did Haitian sugar represent competition to plantation-produced sugar, slave owners were terrified of acknowledging that freed slaves could produce a functioning state. Even as the U.S. imposed tariffs on Haitian goods, it relied on Haiti as one of its biggest export markets. Since then, the U.S. has
had an abusive relationship with Haiti, intermittently steamrolling into and withdrawing from the country. U.S. Marines invaded Haiti in 1915 and occupied the nation for nearly 20 years, killing many who resisted. The U.S. intervened once again in 1994, reinstalling JeanBertrand Aristide as premier. The U.S. takes responsibility for Puerto Rico, another Caribbean island where it asserted its military and economic power. It must take some responsibility for a similar role in Haiti. Third, the U.S. should accept Haitian immigrants because, among them, there could be people like Aubry Ednerson Constant. I accompanied my wife on a research trip to Haiti in 2014, more than four years after the earthquake that encouraged the State Department to give Haitians protected status in the U.S. We stayed in the Delmas section of Port-auPrince, where many of the shacks still lacked roofs and the roads were still clogged with churned-up mounds of earth and debris. We saw people hand-washing their clothes in stagnant pools and we saw sewage trickling along the side of the street. In Delmas, we also met Constant, a man brimming with warmth, smiles and compliments for the U.S. In the wake of the earthquake, Constant had opened up his own home as a charitable community center. Doctors from overseas used his house as a clinic. Food banks distributed food from his home. And in this house, Constant and others taught dance and art classes for
LETTERS POLICY Laredo Morning Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer's first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the
letter. Laredo Morning Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. This space allows for public debate of the issues of the day. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-calling or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Also, letters longer than 500 words will not be accepted. Via email, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
children because, he said, they needed a bit of joy in their lives. I dare Trump to pay a visit to Constant’s home in Delmas. It is, admittedly, not so impressive as Trump Tower. It is only a one-story house and contains few rooms or furniture and yet the president may appreciate how Constant has clearly branded it (though Constant has marked the exterior walls with the name of his charity, ASAPH, rather than his own name). I dare Trump to look Constant in the eye and tell him what he thinks of Haiti. Trump’s rhetoric on immigration may seem original to one who does not read history. He is not, however, the first person to pick on immigrants. Try reading W.H. Auden’s "Refugee Blues" and substitute "Haitians" or "El Salvadorans" for "German Jews." Trump’s not even the first person to pick on impoverished Haitian immigrants. Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo victimized Haitians decades ago. The poverty, violence, despair and dysfunctionality of nations such as El Salvador and Haiti are the very conditions that engendered modern refugee and asylum policies. Picking on these people individually would be an act of bullying. Picking on them as a group is an act of tyranny. Shame on you, President Trump. And shame on us all if we stand by while thousands of the world’s forgotten people are forcibly removed from their homes. Rob Curran wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.
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RIBEREÑA EN BREVE Foro empresarial 1 La Ciudad de Roma en conjunto con la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores invitan al Foro Empresarial para Emprendedores que se llevará a cabo el jueves 18 de enero de 5 p.m. a 7 p.m., en Roma Community Center, 502 6th Street. Evento gratuito, para inscripciones llame al 956-6657535.
CASO MAQUINITAS
CONTINÚAN ARRESTOS
Paseo contra crimen 1 Crime Stoppers de Laredo organiza un paseo en motocicleta contra el crimen dentro del evento Menudo Bowl, el 20 de enero. Evento tiene costo. Preregistro el 12 de enero. Mayores informes al 956-724-1876. César G. Rodríguez / Laredo Morning Times
Junta 1 La reunión de la Sociedad Genealógica del Nuevo Santander se ha reprogramado para el sábado 27 de enero, con un recorrido histórico en San Ygnacio, a las 2 p.m.
Exámenes de salud 1 La Ciudad de Roma invita a la realización de exámenes de salud cardiovascular Life Line Screening con tecnología avanzada de ultrasonido que proporciona una visión en el interior de las arterias, en el Centro Comunitario de la Ciudad de Roma, de 8 a.m. a 3 p.m., el 31 de enero, patrocinado por Peripheral Vascular Associates. Se requiere registro previo llamando al 1-888653-6450.
Genealogía 1 ¿Desea saber más sobre su historia familiar? ¿Necesita ayuda para iniciar su genealogía? Venga y reciba ayuda personalizada para investigar a sus ancestros utilizando recursos en línea. Voluntarios entrenados le ayudarán, todos los martes de 6:30 p.m a 8 p.m., en Roma Birding Center. Evento gratuito patrocinado por la Iglesia de Jesús de los Santos de los Últimos Días.
Aviario 1 La Ciudad de Roma invita a visitar el aviario Roma Bluffs World Birding Center en el distrito histórico de Roma. El aviario estará abierto desde el jueves a domingo de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m. hasta enero. Mayores informes al 956-8491411
Botes de basura 1 La Ciudad de Roma informa a la comunidad que sólo estará recolectando basura contenida en botes propiedad de la ciudad. Informes al 849-1411
Pago de impuestos 1 Desde diciembre, los pagos por impuestos a la propiedad de la Ciudad de Roma deberán realizarse en la oficina de impuestos del Distrito Escolar de Roma, localizado en el 608 N. García St. Pago en línea 1 La Ciudad de Roma informa a sus residentes que a partir de ahora el servicio del agua puede pagarse en línea a cualquier hora las 24 horas del día.
El fiscal de Distrito del Condado de Webb Isidro R. “Chilo” Alaníz habla a los medios de comunicación sobre la más reciente información de las redadas simultáneas en las maquinitas que ocurrieron el 5 de enero en Laredo, Zapata y Falcon Heights. Alaníz anunció un cuarto arresto en el caso y el decomiso de 1,9 millones de dólares.
Detienen a mujer y decomisan 1,9 millones de dólares Por César G. Rodríguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Una cuarta persona ha sido arrestada como parte de recientes redadas simultáneas en Laredo, Zapata y Falcon Heights, dijeron autoridades. El Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas arrestó a Diana Hilda Guerra Villarreal, de 69 años de edad, el martes en Zapata. Ella fue acusada de lavado de dinero, una felonía de primer grado que puede ser castigada desde 5 hasta 99 años en prisión y una posible multa de 10.000 dólares. Ella es la supuesta cabeza de la organización criminal Villarreal, dijo el Fiscal de Distrito Isidro R. “Chilo” Alaniz el miércoles durante una conferencia de prensa. Guerra es la madre de Rebecca López Villarreal, a quien arrestó la policía como parte de las redadas del 5 de enero en su hogar en la cuadra 3000 de Robert Frost Drive. Alaniz también anunció que las autoridades confiscaron una gran cantidad de dinero. “El caso también dejó una de las incautaciones más grandes, sino es que la más grande de dinero en efectivo en Zapata”, dijo Alaniz. La cantidad total incautada de Laredo, Zapa-
López Villarreal
Saldívar
Sánchez
Villarreal
ta y Falcon Heights sumaba 1.904.067,79 dólares o 1,9 millones de dólares. Solo en casa de Guerra Villarreal, las autoridades ejecutaron una orden de cateo en donde encontraron 1,5 millones de dólares. “Este dinero derivaba, sospechamos y alegamos, de las actividades ilegales de apuestas que sucedían en los establecimientos localizados en Zapata y Laredo”, dijo Alaniz. La larga investigación comenzó en junio y concluyó con las redadas simultáneas del 5 de enero, que llevaron a los arrestos en Laredo de López Villarreal, Miriam Sánchez, de 55 años de edad y Lucio Saldívar, de 76 años. Cada uno fue acusado de promoción de apuestas e involucrarse
en actividad criminal organizada. López Villarreal se enfrenta a un cargo adicional de mantener un lugar de apuestas. Durante una conferencia de prensa, Alaníz mostró fotos tomadas durante las redadas. Oficiales y agentes especiales encontraron tubos de PVC, supuestamente, llenos de efectivo. “Pensamos que los tubos estaban siendo usados para transportar dinero de Laredo a Zapata”, dijo Alaníz. Pero las fuerzas del orden descubrieron otra cosa. “Lo que era muy interesante sobre este caso es que en Zapata, localizamos una de las locaciones de apuestas… una fábrica donde manufacturaban, modificaban y construían máquinas de apuesta. Este es un negocio complejo donde en sí están fabricando máquinas de apuesta de ocho líneas en Zapata”, dijo Alaníz. Es posible que lleguen más arrestos mientras oficiales continúan revisando la “voluminosa” cantidad de evidencia recuperada, dijo. “En cuanto a más personas involucradas, estamos revisando la evidencia. Estamos tratando de averiguar quién exactamente estaba involucrado, ayudando, encubriendo o asistiendo en esta operación”, dijo Alaníz. Dueña/Operadora Durante la investigación, las autoridades identificaron a la dueña u operadora de Lucky Spins y Magic Spins, estableci-
mientos de apuestas en Zapata, como Guerra Villarreal. “Operaciones encubiertas anteriores realizadas por agentes especiales de DPS revelaron que Lucky Spins, Magic Spins y Gold Mine Game Room pagaban ganancias en efectivo a los agentes encubiertos, indica la querella criminal. Agentes especiales entrevistaron a Guerra Villarreal. Ella se identificó como la dueña de las locaciones y las máquinas de apuestas, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte. Ella supuestamente admitió que empleados suyos pagaban en efectivo y además admitió dirigir a los empleados de Lucky Spins y Magic Spins “tomar la contabilidad de los pagos en efectivo completando un recibo y haciendo a los ganadores firmar por el efectivo recibido”, Ella supuestamente dijo que tomaba sus ganancias de las maquinitas, dos tiendas de descuento y una tienda de snacks y depositaba las ganancias en su cuenta en Zapata National Bank para pagar por los gastos del negocio, indican registros de la corte. “(Guerra) Villarreal agregó que después de que los gastos del negocio son pagados, (Guerra) Villarreal después proporciona a sus hijos el 50 por ciento de las ganancias en efectivo y asegura todas las demás ganancias en efectivo en varias cajas de seguridad localizadas en el guardarropa de Guerra Villarreal”, dice la querella.
Detener, prevenir y desmantelar La investigación, Operación One-Arm Bandit, tiene como objetivo detener, prevenir y desmantelar apuestas ilegales en los Condados de Webb y Zapata. “Continuaremos la investigación y trabajando los casos ilegales de apuestas aquí en Laredo y Zapata. No se equivoquen. Recibir dinero de un negocio de máquinas de apuestas es contra la ley. Si un negocio ahí afuera está pagando dinero en efectivo en estos establecimientos Usted está sujeto a arresto. Es un crimen. Quiero advertir a todos los ciudadanos de Webb y Zapata que continúan jugando en estos establecimientos. Ustedes también están en riesgo de ser arrestados”, dijo Alaníz. Agregó, “En este momento, continuamos enfocándonos en los dueños, los operadores y los principales, que operan estos establecimientos. Pero no hay lugar para apuestas ilegales, o para estas maquinitas en Laredo y Zapata”. Alaníz indicó que las maquinitas se están saliendo de control. “Esto es una epidemia que ha continuado creciendo en Laredo, el Condado de Webb y de Zapata. Sabemos que estos establecimientos continúan pagando comúnmente en efectivo, lo cual es ilegal en el Estado de Texas”, él dijo, Alaníz agregó, “No es cuestión de si, es cuestión de cuándo su negocio va ser cateado”.
COLUMNA
DPS
Misa para Don Benito
Muere uno en colisión frontal
Por Raúl Sinencio Chávez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Variadas facetas desarrolla el Benemérito de las Américas. Incluyen las religiosas. Refiriéndose al puerto de Veracruz, las noticias del momento alertan de brote del temible “vómito (prieto o fiebre amarilla) se insinúa ya”. Para colmo, en la madrugada del mismo día “se sintió … un temblor”. Don Benito estaba a punto de arribar. Corre el martes 4 de mayo de 1858. Del “vapor Tennessee … como a las ocho” de la noche –reporta la prensa—desciende el nativo de Guelatao. Lo acompañan destacados colaboradores. Juárez
avanza desde el muelle hasta la Plaza de Armas. Junto al gobernador y al jefe de la guarnición, se dirige luego a insólito sitio: la parroquia veracruzana. Conforme a la Carta Magna, en medio del conflicto asume Juárez la presidencia de México. Emprende fatigoso viaje y se instala al cabo en Veracruz, baluarte del liberalismo. Ahí comienza a expedir las históricas Leyes de Reforma: “Para poner … término definitivo a” la “guerra sangrienta y fratricida que” el alto clero fomenta, “abusando … de su sagrado ministerio … cree indispensable” la autoridad legítima “adoptar … la más perfecta independencia entre los” asuntos “del Estado y los
… eclesiásticos”. No obstante, don Benito permanece activo en la grey católica. Esto se evidencia tras promulgar el 23 de julio de 1858 los dispositivos que instituyen el matrimonio civil. Toca en suerte a la familia estrenar las nuevas prescripciones legales con motivo de contraer nupcias Manuela, primogénita de Juárez y Margarita Maza. El prometido es Pedro Santacilia, patriota de Cuba. José Manuel Villalpando narra: Don Benito “condujo a su hija mayor y a Pedro Santacilia a la oficina del registro civil, donde se celebró el matrimonio según la ley. Enseguida, acompañó a los novios a la parroquia”.
Por César G. Rodríguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Un hombre murió y dos personas resultaron heridas en una colisión frontal reportada el jueves por la tarde en la carretera Texas 359, cerca de 14 millas al este de Laredo, dijeron las autoridades. El Departamento de Seguridad Pública identificó a la víctima como Benny Espinoza, de 29 años de edad, un residente de Mission. Él fue declarado muerto en el lugar de los hechos. El sargento del Departamento de Seguridad Pública Conrad J. Hein
dijo que reportes preliminares mostraban que un vehículo Ford Fiesta 2014 conducido por Espinoza viajaba hacia el oeste en la carretera Texas 359. El vehículo Ford luego circuló por el lado contrario del camino y chocó de frente con una camioneta Chevrolet Silverado 2001 ocupada por dos residentes de Laredo. El conductor de la Silverado fue trasladado vía aérea al hospital San Antonio Military Medical Center mientras que equipos de emergencia llevaron al otro pasajero a Laredo Medical Center vía una ambulancia, dijeron las autoridades.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, January 13, 2018 |
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FROM THE COVER WALL From page A1 there, but also jeopardize wildlife and endangered species in the region. “The administration will stop at nothing to fulfill a political promise to build a border wall that won’t stop drugs or migration,” said Brian Segee, a lawyer with the Center for Biological Diversity, which sued the Trump administration in April over border wall prototypes in San Diego. Previous Homeland Security secretaries have repeatedly used the department’s existing authorities to waive regulations, including to build border barriers. Michael Chertoff, who served that role under President George W. Bush, exempted the department five times between 2005 and 2008, waiving at least 36 federal
laws to build most of the nearly 700 miles of border walls that are still in use. More recently, John Kelly, who was Trump’s Homeland Security secretary before becoming the White House chief of staff, waived environmental and other laws last year to build prototype border walls, access roads and replacement fencing in the San Diego area. In its lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Diego, the Center for Biological Diversity argued that the Trump administration had failed to study the environmental impact of wall prototypes before gearing up for their construction. The lawsuit challenges Homeland Security’s authority to waive more than 30 environmental laws. It said the waiver used to build the proto-
types is unconstitutional and oversteps the executive branch’s reach. Eight border wall prototypes were completed last October. Homeland Security officials said the prototypes would be tested over the next few months to determine which worked best in curbing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. On Monday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus filed an amicus brief in support of the Center for Biological Diversity’s lawsuit against the Trump administration’s border wall and prototype projects near San Diego. In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a similar constitutional challenge by environmental groups and members of Congress to the Homeland Security Department’s waiver authority.
Sports&Outdoors THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, January 13, 2018 |
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
2ND ROUND VOTING HAS GINOBILI RISING
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News file
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said that star forward LaMarcus Aldridge requested a trade last offseason.
Eric Gay / Associated Press file
Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has been rising in the NBA All-Star voting sitting fifth among guards in the Western Conference.
Aldridge not getting much love in early NBA All-Star voting By Jabari Young SA N A NT ONI O E XPRE SS-NEWS
With next month's 2018 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles rapidly approaching, the league released its second round of fan returns featuring three members of the Spurs. Manu Ginobili leads the way, coming in fifth among guards in the Western Conference with 657,827 votes. Kawhi Leonard is sixth among frontcourt players with 446,133, while LaMarcus Aldridge is surprisingly 10th (315,918 votes). Similar to last year, fans account for 50 percent of voters, while current players and a panel of media members account for 25 percent each to determine the starters from the two conferences. Entering Thursday's game against the Lakers, Aldridge is averaging 22.6 points 8.7 rebounds in 40 games. Despite a solid start, Aldridge's best since 2014-15, the five-time AllStar is not getting much supports among fans. Aldridge is trailing Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns (ninth), Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma
(eighth), and Oklahoma City's Carmelo Anthony (seventh) among frontcourt players. Asked about the AllStar game in September, Aldridge admitted he would like to return after not being selected last season for the first time since 2011. "I feel like I'm still able to play at that level," said Aldridge. "I don't feel like I've declined to not be in the top 10, 15 guys in the league. I feel like I can still help teams win and bring something that is dominant to the game. I did my part. I went home (last offseason) and worked hard. So, hopefully, it pays off." If Aldridge doesn't collect the votes as a starter, he will most likely get support as a reserve from NBA coaches in the conference who will vote for the remaining players. This year's All-Star format will feature the two captains – players who receive the two highest votes in each conference – who will pick from the pool of All-Stars selected. As of Thursday, Cleveland's LeBron James (1,622,838) and Golden State's Stephen Curry
(1,326,059) lead the way. Voting to select the starters for 67th NBA All-Star Game will end on Jan. 15 for fans, players, and media members. Starters will be announced on Jan. 18 on TNT's NBA Tip-Off show. *NBA ALL-STAR VOTING 2018 PRESENTED BY VERIZON: SECOND FAN RETURNS* Eastern Conference Frontcourt 1. LeBron James (CLE) 1,622,838 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 1,480,954 3. Joel Embiid (PHI) 784,287 4. Kristaps Porzingis (NYK) 640,928 5. Kevin Love (CLE) 458,157 6. Al Horford (BOS) 229,906 7. Jayson Tatum (BOS) 213,499 8. Enes Kanter (NYK) 159,010 9. Andre Drummond (DET) 139,226 10. Dwight Howard (CHA) 111,768 Guards 1. Kyrie Irving (BOS) 1,370,643 2. DeMar DeRozan (TOR) 537,168 3. Ben Simmons (PHI) 397,942 4. Victor Oladipo (IND) 385,448 5. Dwyane Wade (CLE) 353,273 6. John Wall (WAS) 328,215 7. Isaiah Thomas (CLE)
252,552 8. Kyle Lowry (TOR) 176,590 9. Bradley Beal (WAS) 151,765 10. Jaylen Brown (BOS) 103,622 Western Conference Frontcourt 1. Kevin Durant (GSW) 1,326,059 2. Anthony Davis (NOP) 664,687 3. Draymond Green (GSW) 616,730 4. DeMarcus Cousins (NOP) 587,835 5. Paul George (OKC) 547,582 6. Kawhi Leonard (SAS) 446,133 7. Carmelo Anthony (OKC) 378,718 8. Kyle Kuzma (LAL) 325,903 9. Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) 320,884 10. LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS) 315,918 Guards 1. Stephen Curry (GSW) 1,369,658 2. James Harden (HOU) 978,540 3. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 791,332 4. Klay Thompson (GSW) 686,825 5. Manu Ginobili (SAS) 657,827 6. Chris Paul (HOU) 331,522 7. Lonzo Ball (LAL) 294,197 8. Damian Lillard (POR) 266,519 9. Jimmy Butler (MIN) 173,245 10. Devin Booker (PHO) 162,970
Popovich opens up about Aldridge Spurs coach says star forward asked for trade last offseason By Tom Orsborn SAN ANTONIO EXPRE SS-NEWS
LOS ANGELES – It's been well documented that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and forward LaMarcus Aldridge had a clear-the-air meeting this summer. But before Thursday night's game, Popovich added a new twist to the saga, saying Aldridge asked him for a trade during offseason. "He said, 'I want to be traded,' " Popovich said. "And I said, 'Whoa, nobody has ever said that to me before.' He said, 'I'm not enjoying this. I'm not confident. I'm not sure you want me here. I want to be traded.' " The demand led to some frank but fruitful conversations between the two that laid the foundation for the fine season Aldridge is enjoy-
ing. "I was very candid with him," Popovich said. "I told him I would be happy to trade him. You get me a talent like Kevin Durant and I will drive you to the airport. I will pack your bags and I will drive you there,' and he laughed. And I said, 'Short of that I am your best buddy, and you are here for another year and you ain't going nowhere because for you talentwise, we are not going to get what we want, so let's figure this thing out. And we did." That's when Popovich agreed to make some changes to the offense to make Aldridge more comfortable. The talks led to a three-year, $72 million contract extension and Aldridge averaging 22.6 points and 8.7 rebounds entering Thursday's game.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: HOUSTON ASTROS
Astros unlikely to acquire another catcher ahead of 2018 By Jake Kaplan H OUSTON CHRONICLE
While they may still bolster their rotation or their bullpen before spring training, the Astros don't appear motivated to acquire another catcher to spell starter Brian McCann in 2018. Evan Gattis' expected increase in designated hitter responsibilities compared to last season means the reigning World Series champions will likely carry three catchers on their 25-man roster in 2018. Barring an
unforeseen change in their plans, they will fill the backup role internally. Max Stassi is the frontrunner to win the backup job but will compete in spring training with non-roster invitee Tim Federowicz. Stassi has exhausted his three minor league option years, meaning if he doesn't make the opening day roster the Astros will have to pass him through waivers before sending him back to Class AAA. It had been speculated
the Astros might pursue a catcher this offseason on a multi-year deal because McCann and Gattis are in line to become free agents after the 2018 season. But similar to last offseason, when they traded for McCann after losing Jason Castro to free agency, they plan to address the void once it's actually a void. The Astros' front office is still high on the 26-year-old Stassi, who worked last year to revamp his swing under the guidance of Jeff Al-
bert, then the team's minor league hitting coordinator and now the assistant hitting coach on A.J. Hinch's major league coaching staff. Although Stassi compiled only 24 at-bats in the majors last season, he felt it was a transformative year because of the adjustments he made to keep his bat in the strike zone longer, thus increasing his margin for error at the plate. In 241 at-bats in Class AAA last season, he batted .266 with 12 home runs and an .856 OPS.
Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle file
The Astros’ Max Stassi is the leading candidate to be the backup catcher behind Brian McCann next season.
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NOW
NOW
28’ Stainless Steel 93 Samsung French Door Refrigerator $1488 293 $393 Whirlpool® Satina 25.3’ SxS Refrigerator Heartland Twin Bunk Bed $688 Computer Desk, Hutch & Chair $473 Whirlpool® Stainless A.R.T. Bella Traditional Media Chest $473 32’ French Door Refrigerator $988 AICO Skytower Contemporary 7 Drawer Chest $ 593 Maytag® White Maxima 4.2’ Front-Load Washer $488 Rachael Ray Contemporary Jewelry Chest $593 Whirlpool® Chrome Electric Steam Dryer $488 Rachael Ray Contemporary Door Chest $743 Samsung White 7.4’ Electric Steam Dryer $ 488 Allure Traditional King Sleigh Bed, $973 2 Nightstands & Bench GE® 5’ Carbon High-Efficiency Washer $588 Beverly Hills 6 Pc. Contemporary Bedroom $1093 Whirlpool® Stainless Steel 5’ Gas Range $388 Harlow Glam 4 Pc. Bedroom $1593 Bancroft Traditional 6 Pc. Bedroom $1993 NOW MATTRESSES Serta Bluemax 3000 Elite Queen Mattress $888 NOW LIVING ROOMS Sensations Red Brick Microfibre Sofa $288 Saturn 8” Roll-N-Go® King Mattress $236 Sensations Aruba Chocolate Microfibre Loveseat $ $488 188 Restonic London King Mattress Set San Marino Mocha Microfibre 2 Pc. Sectional $ 388 Restonic Millenium King Mattress Set $588 Mover Cafe 2 Pc. Sofa & Loveseat $488 Beautyrest Amberlyn King Mattress Set $982 Manhattan Espresso Chair $88 Natuzzi All-Leather Dragon Red Loveseat $788 DINING ROOMS NOW ‘Texans’ Coach Rocker Recliner $366 Swivel Adjustable Barstools $78 Swivel Recliner with Ottoman $176 7 Pc. Sanibel Dining Set SOLD $788 Modern Style Chairs $128 Silverton Dining Chair $18 West Lake Designer Chair $688 Sonoma Dining Table $198 Cheshire Sand Collage Accent Chair $888 7 Pc. Grayton Grove Dining Set Chantilly Designer Accent Chair $1288 $388 Leather-Match Rocker Recliner $48 $188 Boulder Counter Height Chairs Natuzzi Modern Accent Chair $288 Monarch Black Side Chairs $68 Comfort King Large Size Rocker Recliner $388 Scarlett Side Chairs $48 Leather Match Glider Recliner $388 Columbia White Side Chair $28 Clemson Contemporary Rectangular End Tables $ 48 Howard 5 Pc. Counter Height Dining Set $258 Greensburg Rectangular End Table $128 Ampere 8 Pc. Dining Set Intrique Rectangular Cocktail Table $928 $178 $338 Designer Round End Table $198 Ampere Server 5 Pc. Montibello Dining Set Tower Place Wentworth Lamp Table $598 $68 Clement Nesting Accent Tables $178 NOW ENTERTAINMENT $268 Claire de Lune Hall Chest Brentwood 4 Pc. Entertainment Center $988 Caracole Mezzanotte China $993 Villa Veneto 3 Pc. Entertainment Center $988 Rachael Ray Kitchen Island $1283 Splendor 2 Pc. Base & Hutch $388 Traditional 8 Pc. Dining Set $2973 ALL SALES FINAL - ALL ITEMS SOLD AS-IS
$
Assorted Nightstands & Benches .... Was $299.95 - $499.95 Twin Bookcase Storage Bed with Nightstand $
Ea.
8.3 Cu. Ft. Freezer Capacity, 5 Spill-Proof Shelves, 6 Door Bins. 3625-503..............................................................................................Was $3499.95
In a merlot finish. 1301-109 Series.............................................................. Was $699.95
With Ladder. 1307-222-224...........................................................................Was $899.95
Ice & Water in Door, Energy Star® Compliant, Water Filter, Adjustable Spillguard Shelves. 3628-305......................................... Was $1199.95
1316-716 Series............................................................................................Was $999.95
With Infinity Slide Shelf, Dual Ice-Maker, LED Lighting. 3628-773............................................. Was $3699.95
1352-503......................................................................................................Was $1099.95
1343-602................................................................. ....................................Was $1299.95
3-Temperature, 8 Cycle, 3 Spin Speeds. 3700-500............................. Was $899.95
1347-153.................................................................................. ...................Was $1299.95
5-Temperature, Steam, Wrinkle Shield. 3702-241........................... Was $1299.95
1347-303...................................................................................... ...............Was $1499.95
15 Cycle, 5-Temperature, Sensor Dry............................................... Was $1099.95
1340-906 Series....................Was $2299.95
Stainless Basket, Infusor, 13 Cycle, 6-Temperature. 3740-550........ Was $1299.95
Dresser, Mirror, Media Chest, King Bed & 2 Nightstands. 1341-100 Series..........................................................................................Was $3349.95
with Fan Convection Cooking. 3818-303............................................ Was $899.95
Chest, KIng Bed, 2 Nightstands. 1398-182 Series................................ ....Was $3699.95
Chesser, Mirror, Queen Storage Bed & 2 Nightstands. 1370-000............ .Was $3799.95
Plush. TempActivTM Max Gel Memory Foam. 1619-762................... Was $2299.95
0701-010 .......................................................................................................Was $499.95
13 Gauge pocketed Coil. 1629-003.................................................... Was $499.95
0701-021 .......................................................................................................Was $449.95
Pillow-Top With Mix & Match Foundation. 1631-003........................................... Was $999.95
0704-300/301 ..............................................................................................Was $1099.95
Firm With Mix & Match Foundation. 1631-203......................................... Was $1499.95
0725-700/701 ..............................................................................................Was $1174.95
Recharge X-Firm, with Mix & Match Foundation. 1657-003............ Was $1999.95
0725-812 .......................................................................................................Was $429.95
0778-061 .....................................................................................................Was $1899.95
Orange Leatherette 2110-002............................................................................................... Was $149.95
In a Navy & Red Microfibre cover. 0930-105 ................................................Was $839.95
.......................................................................................................................Was $399.95 In assorted Colors 0882-100 series.............................................................................................Was $199.95
Ea.
Includes: 40” X 84” Table & 6 Side Chairs. 2126-900/901................ Was $1299.95
Ea.
2127-303............................................................................................. Was $149.95
0772-802 .....................................................................................................Was $2799.95
78” X 40” Table 2137-101............................................................................................. Was $399.95
0789-810 .....................................................................................................Was $1999.95
With Down seating. 0781-702 ......................................................................Was $999.95
Includes: 42” X 84” Table, 2 Upholstered Side Chairs & 4 Slat Back Chairs. 2145-851/852/853........................................................................... Was $1799.95
0737-702 .......................................................................................................Was $899.95
2101-001.............................................................................................. Was $99.95
Ea.
0778-055........................................................................................................Was $699.95
2107-112............................................................................................ Was $129.95
Ea.
2107-142............................................................................................ Was $149.95
Ea.
0966-700 .....................................................................................................Was $1299.95
0555-902 .......................................................................................................Was $699.95
2107-263............................................................................................Was $199.95
In a medium cherry finish. 1807-401 ..........................................................Was $149.95
Ea.
Includes: 42” x 42” Table & 4 Counter Chairs. 2107-300................. Was $499.95
With Drawer. 1835-251 ................................................................................Was $279.95
Features hickory veneer pattern. 1852-110 ................................................Was $799.95
Round Glass-Top with Metal Base. 1862-102/103 ......................................Was $949.95
1876-502 ......................................................................................................Was $499.95
Includes: Server, 42” X 84” Table & 6 Side Chairs. 2107-400/401G................................................................................ Was $1499.95
2107-400............................................... Was $499.95
Includes: Table & 4 Side Chairs. 2107-846/847.................................. Was $999.95
2403-010............................................................................................... Was $349.95 2408-000................. Was $799.95
Includes Left Pier, Right Pier, Light Bridge & Server. In a mocha finish. 2100-452/2200-451-453...............................................................................Was $2429.95
2173-400/401................................................................................... Was $4999.95
Left & Right Audio Unit Base & Top plus Light Bridge. 2234-551-555.............................................................................................. Was $2,859.95
2147-205/206................................................................................... Was $2199.95
In a silver finish. 2271-200-201......................................................................Was $899.95
China, Table, 2 Arm Chairs & 4 Side Chairs 2007-750 Series............................................................................... Was $4799.95
buy now with X
36 MONTHS NO interest*
305 Lost Oaks, Laredo
Lowe’s
(I-35 N. exit Mann Rd.)
MANN RD.
956-753-5225
*$1499 Minimum purchase. 10% Down payment required. Subject to credit approval. Offer does Not apply to previous purchases. Finance charges will be shown on contract but will be refunded on any length contract if monthly payments are paid on time as agreed and the balance is paid in full on or before 36 months from the date of purchase. 36 Month financing applies to furniture, mattresses and accessory purchases only. Not all applicants will qualify for these terms. Other terms and rates may be available. Interest charges will be assessed from date of purchase at a maximum APR 24%, but the APR may vary. Offer valid Jan. 2nd - 15th, 2018.