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BRIDGES
Officials sign CBP pact By ALDO AMATO THE ZAPATA TIMES
Federal and city officials signed an agreement Monday for a pilot program that would allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide expanded services during peak periods of the year. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar joined City Manager Carlos Villarreal and Eugenio Garza Jr., director of Field Operations for the Laredo office of CBP, at City
Hall for the signage of the Section 560 reimbursement agreement. The public-private partnership is expected to allow those in the private sector to use CBP services, increase travel flow at different points of entry and save the economy billions of dollars. “(CBP) is now able to accept funds from the private sector for overtime and infrastructure improvements at the ports,” Garza said. “So it’s very important because when CBP does
not have enough funds, the bridge owner can now request money from the agreement. It’s a win-win partnership for everyone involved.” The program will be evaluated for five years beginning in January to monitor how funds are withdrawn to deal with heavy amounts of traffic on both sides of the border. CBP recently opened all lanes at the international bridges to handle the more than 100,000 vehicles that are expected to pass
through this holiday season. “These partnerships are an example of how stakeholders can come together and find creative solutions to complex problems along the border,” Cuellar said. “Public-private partnerships allow bridges across the U.S.-Mexico border to find innovative ways to use resources in a way that creates jobs and fosters economic development.” Although he is unsure of how much money will be invested in the pilot program, Villarreal
said the ability to use federal money to speed up travel is something the city will only benefit from. “I don’t want to be using local resources when there are federal resources available,” Villarreal said. “With this agreement, the private sector and the City of Laredo are going to be able to extend hours and lanes using federal money. This is something that is going to be good for the public and the local taxpayer.”
CHRISTMAS
TRAFFIC
A CLAUS OF COLOR
1 dead in wreck By ALDO AMATO THE ZAPATA TIMES
A multi-car accident in Frio County claimed the life of a Laredo resident Monday afternoon. Martha Rangel, 48, died of severe neck and head trauma after a vehicle she was riding in collided with an 18-wheeler on Interstate 35.
… the lane change caused Rangel’s (vehicle) to lose control.
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, photo, Pancho Claus, Rudy Martinez, right, visits with students at Knowlton Elementary School, in San Antonio. Pancho Claus, a Tex-Mex Santa borne from the Chicano civil rights movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is now an adored Christmas fixture in many Texas cities.
‘Pancho Claus,’ the Tex-Mex Santa, dates back to 1970s By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI ASSOCIATED PRESS
He usually has black hair and a black beard, sometimes just a mustache. Like Santa, he wears a hat — though often it’s a sombrero. He dons a serape or a poncho and, in one case, a red and black zoot suit. And he makes his grand entrance on lowriders or Harleys or led by a pack of burros instead of eight reindeer.
Meet Pancho Claus, the TexMex Santa. Amid all the talk about Santa Claus’ race, spawned by a Fox News commentator’s remarks that both Santa and Jesus were white, there is, in the Lone Star State, a Hispanic version of Santa in cities from the border to the plains — handing out gifts for low-income and at-risk children. Born from the Chicano civil
rights movement, Pancho Claus is a mostly Texas thing, historians say, though there may be one somewhere in California. Lorenzo Cano, a Mexican-American studies scholar at the University of Houston, says Pancho was apparently conceived north of the border as Mexican-Americans looked to “build a place and a space for themselves” in the 1970s. His rise coincided with a growing interest in Mexican art,
Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day and other cultural events. Now, Pancho is an adored Christmas fixture in many Texas cities. “We have kids that we ask, ‘Did Santa Claus come to see you?’ and they say, ‘No he didn’t. But Pancho Claus did,’” says Robert Narvaiz, vice commander
See PANCHO PAGE 5A
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety in San Antonio said Rangel was traveling northbound as a passenger at around 1 p.m. near Pearsall, near mile marker 103, when two vehicles traveling in the right lane of I-35 changed lanes at the same time. Authorities said the lane change caused Rangel’s 2006 Nissan Sentra to lose control. Both DPS and the Bexar County Sheriff ’s Office said Rangel was the only fatality, while Jose Rangel, also of Laredo, was injured. The extent of his injuries was not immediately clear. The relationship between the two was also unknown as of Tuesday afternoon. (Aldo Amato may be reached at 728-2538 or aamato@lmtonline.com)
INVESTIGATION
Authorities search Rio Bravo mayor’s market By MATTHEW NELSON THE ZAPATA TIMES
A search warrant on Rio Bravo Mayor Manuel Vela’s meat market was executed by the Webb County Sheriff ’s Office on Monday morning. Details on why the property was searched were not disclosed.
The warrant was executed at about 7 a.m. by the Sheriff ’s Office Financial Special Investigations Group Task Force with assistance from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. “We executed a search warrant and it’s an ongoing investigation,” task force Commander Rolando Elizalde said. “There are
no charges at this time. Nobody was arrested.” ICE’s role was to support and assist in the execution of the warrant, agency spokeswoman Nina Pruneda said. While Vela confirmed that his market was searched, he said he does not know and was not told why the store is under investiga-
tion. “I don’t know exactly because they don’t tell me why,” he said. Vela said he asked the Sheriff ’s Office about the search, but law enforcement told him that it was part of an ongoing investigation. “It’s nothing to worry about. Everything is fine,” Vela said.
Neither the Sheriff ’s Office nor ICE has contacted Vela, but he has attempted to contact his lawyer. “I called my attorney just to be sure. I’m waiting for him to call me,” he said. (Matthew Nelson may be reached at 728-2567 or mnelson@lmtonline.com)
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
Thursday, Dec. 26
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Laredo Border Slam Poetry spoken word competition. 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Gallery 201, 513 San Bernardo Ave. Three minutes to perform, two rounds, five random judges from the audience. Cash and quirky prizes. $2 suggested donation at the door. Email juliaorduna@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/laredoborderslam.
Monday, Dec. 30 Laredo Parkinson’s disease support group’s monthly meeting. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Last Monday of each month. Laredo Medical Center, Tower B, First Floor Community Center. Provides information and support for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease and for their primary caregivers. Contact Richard Renner at 645-8649, 7245619 or renner.richard@gmail.com.
Saturday, Jan. 4 First United Methodist Church used book sale. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hardbook books $1, paperback books 50 cents, and magazines and children’s books 25 cents. Contact 956-722-1674 or fumc_office@sbcglobal.net.
Wednesday, Jan. 8 United ISD Uniform Voucher Assistance Program. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex, Fine Arts Rooms 1 and 2, 5208 Santa Claudia Lane. Applications to be accepted. Eligible parent/guardian must bring valid picture ID and copy of one of the following documents: most recent TANF or Food Stamp Eligibility Letter, most current paycheck stub verifying monthly income, copy of most recent W-2 form, Income Tax Return, any other documentation verifying monthly or annual income. Call 473-6349 or 4736480.
Thursday, Jan. 9 United ISD Uniform Voucher Assistance Program. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex, Fine Arts Rooms 1 and 2, 5208 Santa Claudia Lane. Applications to be accepted. Eligible parent/guardian must bring valid picture ID and copy of one of the following documents: most recent TANF or Food Stamp Eligibility Letter, most current paycheck stub verifying monthly income, copy of most recent W-2 form, Income Tax Return, any other documentation verifying monthly or annual income. Call 473-6349 or 4736480.
Friday, Jan. 10 United ISD Uniform Voucher Assistance Program. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex, Fine Arts Rooms 1 and 2, 5208 Santa Claudia Lane. Applications to be accepted. Eligible parent/guardian must bring valid picture ID and copy of one of the following documents: most recent TANF or Food Stamp Eligibility Letter, most current paycheck stub verifying monthly income, copy of most recent W-2 form, Income Tax Return, any other documentation verifying monthly or annual income.
Monday, Jan. 13 Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting. 9 a.m. Zapata County Courthouse.
Photo courtesy of NASA | AP
In this image taken from video provided by NASA, astronauts Rick Mastracchio, top, and Michael Hopkins work to repair an external cooling line on the International Space Station on Tuesday 260 miles above Earth. The external cooling line — one of two — shut down Dec. 11. The six-man crew had to turn off all nonessential equipment, including experiments.
Rare holiday spacewalk By MARCIA DUNN ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — It’s a wrap for NASA’s Christmas Eve spacewalk. Two astronauts are safely back inside the International Space Station after replacing a pump in a crippled cooling line on Tuesday. Preliminary testing shows the new pump to be working well. NASA expects to have the station’s cooling system restored by this weekend, with all equipment running again. Astronauts Rick Mastracchio (muhSTRACK-ee-oh) and Michael Hopkins braved a mini-blizzard of noxious ammonia as they hooked up the new pump. But in the end, they triumphed in their second spacewalk in four days. It was only the second Christmas Eve spacewalk ever. Mission Control says it’s the best Christmas ever.
Marine gets adopted in Christmas Eve ceremony INEOLA, N.Y. — Lance Cpl. Christopher Mohedano-Hernandez found special significance in being formally adopted during a Christmas Eve ceremony held in a suburban New York courtroom. The deeply religious 19-yearold Roman Catholic drew parallels Tuesday from his adoption by a man who married his mother when Mohedano-Hernandez was a young boy and the Biblical story of Joseph and Jesus. “They weren’t related by blood, but to Joseph, he was his son,” Mohedano-Hernandez said.
Utah turns to higher court to halt gay marriage SALT LAKE CITY — Utah state lawyers have again turned to a Denver-based federal appeals court in their bid to put a stop to gay couples getting married, say-
NASA ordered up the spacewalks to revive a critical cooling loop at the International Space Station. All nonessential equipment had to be turned off when the line conked out Dec. 11, and many science experiments halted. Mastracchio and Hopkins removed the faulty ammonia pump during Saturday’s outing. On Tuesday, they installed the fresh pump 260 miles above the planet. “It’s like Christmas morning opening up a little present here," Mastracchio said as he checked his toolkit. Later, as he worked to remove the spare pump from its storage shelf, he commented: “Now it really feels like I’m unwrapping a present.” “Mike Hopkins taking a special sleigh ride on this Christmas Eve,” Mission Control commentator Rob Navias said as the space station soared over the Pacific.
ing the state should not be required to abide by one judge’s narrow view of a “new and fundamentally different definition of marriage.” About 700 gay couples have obtained wedding licenses since U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby on Friday declared Utah’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional, but lawyers for the state are trying every legal avenue to halt the practice. Shelby on Monday denied their bid to temporarily stop gay marriage while the appeals process plays out, and they quickly went to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mom of tot thrown from NYC building heartbroken NEW YORK — The mother of a 3-year-old thrown to his death from a 52-story apartment building said the father killed the boy — and then himself — out of spite. Svetlana Kanarikov said in a statement that she had been
nervous about her son’s visits with his father, and she initially wanted them to be supervised. But she relented after a Dec. 5 court appearance. “The father never did anything violent against the child before,” Kanarikov said of the two previous visits in a statement issued Monday night.
Holiday power outages challenge Christmas cheer DETROIT — A massive ice storm blacked out homes from the Plains to the far Northeast of the U.S., dealing a big “bah humbug” to thousands of families whose Christmas Eve was shaping up to be very cold and very dark. Utility crews worked around the clock Tuesday to restore service to the more than half a million homes and businesses still without power since the deadly arctic blast slammed much of the country over the weekend. — Compiled from AP reports
Monday, Jan. 27 Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting. 9 a.m. Zapata County Courthouse.
Thursday, Feb. 13 Zapata County Fair. 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Zapata County Fairgrounds.
Friday, Feb. 14 Zapata County Fair. 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Zapata County Fairgrounds.
Saturday, Feb. 15 Zapata County Fair. 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Zapata County Fairgrounds.
Thursday, Feb. 20 Winter Texan & Senior Citizen Appreciation Day. 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Submit calendar items at lmtonline.com/calendar/submit or by emailing editorial@lmtonline.com with the event’s name, date and time, location and purpose and contact information for a representative. Items will run as space is available.
AROUND THE WORLD In typhoon’s wake, Christmas and tragedy TACLOBAN, Philippines — Christmas lights blink in a handful of restaurants in Tacloban, but at nightfall, much of this city flattened by Typhoon Haiyan slips into darkness. A few downtown shops have reopened. Roadside vendors peddle fruits of the season: oranges and red apples. There is rebuilding, though much of it consists of residents hammering shelters out of scavenged debris. The Nov. 8 typhoon killed more than 6,100 people in the eastern Philippines, displaced at least 4 million others and left its most gruesome mark on Tacloban, a city of 240,000.
UN says mass grave of 34 found in South Sudan NAIROBI, Kenya — Amid the eruption of violence along ethnic lines in South Sudan, U.N. inves-
Today is Wednesday, Dec. 25, the 359th day of 2013. There are six days left in the year. This is Christmas Day. Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 25, 1818, “Silent Night (Stille Nacht),” written by Franz Gruber and Father Joseph Mohr, was publicly performed for the first time during the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Austria. On this date: In A.D. 336, the first recorded celebration of Christmas on Dec. 25 took place in Rome. In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned king of England. In 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, N.J. In 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion that resulted in the Civil War. In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito. In 1931, New York’s Metropolitan Opera broadcast an entire live opera over radio for the first time: “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck. In 1941, during World War II, Japan announced the surrender of the British-Canadian garrison at Hong Kong. In 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed. In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation as the eighth and final leader of a communist superpower that had already gone out of existence. In 2009, passengers aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 foiled an attempt to blow up the plane as it was landing in Detroit by seizing a man who tried to set off explosives in his underwear. Ten years ago: Sixteen people were killed by mudslides that swept over campgrounds in California’s San Bernardino Valley. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf survived a second assassination bid in 11 days, but 17 other people were killed. Five years ago: Pope Benedict XVI urged a world confronting a financial crisis, conflict, and increasing poverty not to lose hope at Christmas, but to join in “authentic solidarity” to prevent global ruin. President-elect Barack Obama spent a private Christmas with family and close friends in Hawaii. One year ago: In his Christmas message to the world, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to the slaughter in Syria and for more meaningful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, while encouraging more religious freedom under China’s new leaders. Today’s Birthdays: Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 69. Actor Gary Sandy is 68. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 67. Actress Sissy Spacek is 64. Former White House adviser Karl Rove is 63. Actress CCH Pounder is 61. Singer Annie Lennox is 59. Thought for Today: “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” — Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997).
CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Managing Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez........... 728-2543 Copy Editor, Nick Georgiou ....................... 728-2565 Sports Editor, Zach Davis ..........................728-2578 Spanish Editor, Melva Castillo-Lavin............ 728-2569 Photo by Majdi Mohammed | AP
Christians pilgrim worshippers visit the Grotto of the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve on Tuesday. tigators discovered a mass grave in a rebel-held city, the United Nations said Tuesday as a possible opening occurred for negotiations to avert civil war in the world’s newest country. The government, meanwhile, announced that its military
forces had taken back another key city, Bor, from the rebels. The bodies were found in Bentiu: one grave with 14 bodies and a site nearby with 20 bodies, said a U.N. human rights spokeswoman. — 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
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
PIEDAD SALINAS Piedad Salinas, passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at Falcon Lake Nursing Home in Zapata, Texas. Ms. Salinas is preceded in death by parents, Juan Manuel and Herlinda Salinas; brothers: Aurelio Salinas, Jose Emilio Salinas and Juan Antonio Salinas; and a sister, Maria Del Pilar Ramirez. Ms. Salinas is survived by her daughter, Lourdes S. (Roel) Mendoza; son, Rafael Lauro (Belia) Salinas; grandchildren: Juana Inez (Mario) Serna, Vanessa (Jerry Jr.) Medina and Marlyna Salinas; great-grandchildren: Marco Antonio Treviño III, Michael Archangel Treviño, Jerry Medina III and
Kaidyn Medina; a sister, Francisca S. Saenz; and by numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation hours will be held Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at Rose Garden Funeral Home.
The funeral procession will depart at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Highway 83, Zapata, TX.
File staff photo
Commercial vehicles line up at the import lot of U.S. side of the World Trade Bridge in 2009
Part of bridge to undergo renovations Mexico’s Tamaulipas government to fund improvements THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
The Legend Riders motorcycle club recently donated gifts to students at Bonnie Garcia Elementary School. Pictured, from left, in the second row are: Rafael Miller, Dan Garza, Nacho Hernandez, Johnny Gregory, Oscar Martinez and Bernardo Mancha. Pictured, from left, in the first row are kindergarten student Julio Briones and fourth grade student Juan Carlos Reyes.
Club donates jackets SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Christmas season is usually a time of cheer, merriment and giving. In that spirit, the Legend Riders Motorcycle Club has been giving to the community via its yearly donation of winter jackets to children. Each year, the Legend Riders selects a Laredo elementary school to participate in the event. Working with a school’s counselors, 50 children are selected to receive jackets. This year Bonnie L. Garcia
Elementary School was selected among several schools that had been recommended. Working with the school counselors, Nelda Ceballos and Lupita Hernandez, Johnny Gregory, Laredo Legend Riders president, along with several motorcycle club members, recently distributed the jackets to the children. At the event, Gregory introduced the club to the children along with a brief history of its formation and evolution. To add to the excitement of the
event, the children were also invited to view and sit on the motorcycles, an activity that even some teachers were able to enjoy. The Legend Riders motorcycle club was inaugurated in 2006 and is composed of approximately 35 members engaged in various occupations and professions. The club has been donating jackets from the onset of its foundation and expects to continue, as it has become one of its signature activities and one in which its members look forward to participating.
Photo by Victor Strife | The Zapata Times
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar greets 8-month-old Renata Sanchez at Doctors Hospital on Tuesday morning. Cuellar and his wife, Veronica, delivered gifts at both pediatric units in Laredo Medical Center and Doctors to bring a smile to ill children who would not be able to spend Christmas at home.
Couple visits hospital By PHILIP BALLI THE ZAPATA TIMES
Eight-month-old Renata Sanchez smiled when she received her own Build-ABear on Tuesday from Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar and his wife, Veronica. Renata was hospitalized when she got pneumonia. She was among the many children in the pediatric units of Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital who received gifts from the Cuellars. This is the sixth year the couple visit the two pediatric units and the second year as part of Star of Hope, the nonprofit they started in October 2012. Renata’s parents, Erika Gonzalez and Julio Sanchez, were surprised about the sheriff’s visit. “It is a very good feeling to know that they care about people that are here in the hospital, especially around Christmas time,” Gonzalez said. Renata, fortunately, was
released in time to spend her first Christmas at home. “I’m so glad we will be with our family for Christmas, and she will be with her brother and sister,” Gonzalez said. Cuellar and his wife stopped by individual rooms to give a gift to the children and to wish the parents a “Merry Christmas.” They say the purpose of their visit is to help bring a smile to these children, who will not be able to spend Christmas at home. “My job is very stressful, as is my wife’s, and this is a time where we can relax,” Cuellar said. “I’m speechless when it comes down to how I feel. I love doing this.” Star of Hope began with the aim of helping children from Sacred Heart Children’s Home, but has expanded to include children from both school districts and the colonias. Veronica Cuellar serves as president of the nonprofit.
“We’ve done these hospital visits for six years, but we wanted to put a name to it with the hopes that community members would take part in it,” Cuellar said. “I am proud to say that this year has been incredible.” The organization receives donations and support from Build-A-Bear, Jett Bowl North, Kohl’s, Mattel, Peter Piper Pizza and Jose Gonzalez, a customs broker who donated about 300 gifts to the organization for distribution. “It has been incredible working with our community,” she said. “We would not have been able to give in the magnitude that we did this year without the help of the community.” Cuellar said she hopes Star of Hope will continue to grow and realize its goal of preventing any children in the community from suffering. (Philip Balli may be reached at 728-2528 or pballi@lmtonline.com)
Infrastructure on the Mexican side of the World Trade International Bridge is scheduled for approximately $1.83 million in renovations in the first half of 2014. Known as international bridge III in Mexico, it has been in operation since 2000, linking Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. It was established for international trade operations with Laredo. A committee called the International Bridge III Trust, composed of state and city officials, performs administrative functions while the Tamaulipas state government collects tolls. According to data presented by the Institute of Competitiveness and Foreign Trade of Nuevo Laredo, also known as ICCE, stated on its website that
the bridge has maintained an annual growth rate of between 7 to 9 percent in cargo trailer crossings, which has helped keep Nuevo Laredo as the leading inland port along the country’s northern border. In the first two months of 2013, Nuevo Laredo contributed 374 billion pesos to the national economy through foreign trade operations at the bridge, according to data from the Department of Tax Administration and the General Administration of Customs in a report submitted to ICCE. The report states Nuevo Laredo handled 35 percent of Mexico’s total in international trade during this period. During a Dec. 18 meeting between Egidio Torre Cantu, Tamaulipas governor and the International Bridge III Trust, represented by the state’s Secre-
tary of Finance and Trust Chairman Alfredo Gonzalez Fernandez, discussion took place about the planned improvements. Improvements include an access road to the Mex II bypass road from the Piedras Negras highway, building a dock for hazardous materials, updating signage to the bridge in the city and on access roads and construction of a wastewater treatment plant, among other projects. “The investment has meant the trust, during 2013, has enabled bridge III to develop logistical advantages that are reflected in the increase of more than 4.97 percent in tariffs this year compared to 2012, which places Nuevo Laredo in the forefront of international trade in our country with the United States,” Gonzalez Fernandez said.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013
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COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Top stories for the year By JOEL MATHIS & BEN BOYCHUK MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
There was no presidential election in 2013, but the year provided America with plenty of stories to care about: The launch of Obamacare, the nearwar with Syria over chemical weapons, the Boston Marathon bombings, and many more. Some stories were oneoffs; others will ripple forward into the future. Which story in 2013 might have the most impact going forward? Joel Mathis and Ben Boychuk, the RedBlueAmerica columnists, debate the issue.
Joel Mathis The most consequential story of 2013? Easy: The so-called “fast-food strikes” that occurred at restaurants around the country. Why the most consequential? Because it threw into stark relief a reality that has increasingly concerned both liberals and economists for years: Income inequality is growing in this country, creating a system in which a few wealthy citizens stand to absorb all the wealth while the rest of us work harder and harder for ever-diminishing returns. That inequality has been growing steadily for 40 years, masked to some extent by the rise of a twoworking-parent middle class, and then to a greater extent by various bubbles — tech, then housing - that made it appear wealth was growing along with productivity in this country. It wasn’t. We know that now. We know that in this painful-
ly pitiful recovery, one of the fastest-growing job segments nationally is in fast food. These are hardworking people who cannot afford to live on the minimum wage that the fast-food restaurants pay them, much less save money to send kids to college, without resorting to public subsidies like food stamps to make ends meet.
Ben Boychuck Tough year, 2013. It’s not easy to pin down just one vital development. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in June on same-sex marriage will reverberate across the legal, political and cultural landscapes for years to come. Next up: the fight over religious liberty. But in the end, it would have to be the self-immolation of Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement that will be remembered as the most important story of this storied year. Obamacare’s spectacular flameout had little to do with a website’s failure to launch. The president drew a preposterous red line with health-care reform, too. “If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period,” he famously said. “If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period.” A few million insurance policy cancellations later, most everyone recognizes the president’s promise was as empty as his threats against Assad. All of the delays and ad hoc fixes are mere palliatives. The law itself is fatally flawed.
COLUMN
Gospels tell another story By JOE NOCERA NEW YORK TIMES
One Sunday morning a few weeks ago, Hal Taussig, co-pastor of the Chestnut Hill United Church in Philadelphia, chose one of his favorite bits of scripture to build his sermon upon. It’s called The Thanksgiving Prayer, and the portion of it that Taussig chose goes like this: “O light of life we have known you/ O womb of all that grows we have known you/ O womb pregnant with the nature of the Father we have known you/ O never-ending endurance of the Father who gives birth, so we worship your goodness.” If you are thinking that you’ve never come across such a prayer in the New Testament, you’re right, of course. The prayer was part of a treasure trove of early Christian documents, written in Coptic, discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945. The Nag Hammadi find was, in turn, among the 75-plus early Christian documents that have been unearthed over the last century and a half. Collectively, these works were once known as The Gnostic Gospels, and they were viewed by many theologians as the work of early Christian heretics, as
their interpretation of the life of Jesus was often quite different than the one recounted in the four gospels of the New Testament. Those early Christian texts can seem quite astonishing. Several of them are told from the point of view of a woman, something that is not true of any of the New Testament. The Gospel of Mary, for instance, tells the story of Mary Magdalene, “who is portrayed as one of Jesus’s closest associates,” as Taussig writes in an introduction to that gospel, and has been given teachings from Jesus that she passes on. One point Taussig and other academics make is that we really have no idea why certain books are in The New Testament and others are not. “The making of the New Testament took 500 years,” Taussig told me, who also notes that we have no idea, in fact, who wrote many of the books that make up the New Testament — or the early Christian texts. What is almost surely true is that they were not written by Luke or Mark — or Mary Magdalene, for that matter. Even the earliest of them was written decades, if not centuries, after Jesus’ life. The matter of heresy came centuries later as well.
COLUMN
No merit to candidate’s anger
“
KEN HERMAN
AUSTIN — The battle against the very real insidiousness of discrimination against women and minorities is greatly damaged by those who rail against it where there is none. Back in January, when she announced for the 2014 GOP gubernatorial nomination, I told you I sensed South Texan Miriam Martinez might be, shall we say, worth watching. In announcing her candidacy, the little-known Martinez told the McAllen Monitor she is “your Hispanic Margaret Thatcher, half Eva Peron and a little touch of Madonna.” I don’t believe we’ve had a governor of that combination, and I, for one, think it might be interesting, though I’d hope Peron and Thatcher could come to some accord over the whole Falkland Islands thing. Martinez also told the Monitor that the then-prospect of running in the GOP gubernatorial primary against Gov. Rick Perry (who’s since said he’s not running) and Attorney General Greg Abbott was a low hurdle. “The difference between them and myself is I’m Martinez. And there are more Martinez(es) in Texas than Abbott(s) and Perry(s),” she said. It’s hard to argue with that kind of illogical logic. My inkling that Martinez bore watching was fed recently when she went off on the Texas Tribune, a respected political news web-
site based here in Austin. “Texas Tribune discriminates against women, minorities by refusing to provide news coverage of Miriam Martinez, Republican gubernatorial candidate for Texas governor, she says,” said the headline on a release from the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Texas governor. And it went on: “The Texas Tribune, which claims to be ‘a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that promotes civic engagement and discussion on public policy, politics, government and other matters of statewide concern,’ is discriminating against women and minorities by refusing to provide coverage on Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Miriam Martinez, she says.” “It seems that out of the 27 million Texans, only one Hispanic, Latina, naturalized citizen is fighting to speak Truth to Power,” the bombastic Martinez said in her bombast-laden release. “History is in the making, and I was very shocked and disappointed with this socalled nonprofit organization, which survives on grants, tax dollars and big checks donations from career politicians.” The Tribune, she said, “is a puppet media disguised as a nonprofit in order to do the dirty deals for the rich and powerful.” And, Martinez said, the Tribune “can’t seem to find women leaders, even though we are half of the population.” Where to begin? The Tribune, an Austin American-Statesman competitor in covering state
government news, does not need me to defend it. We have run stories written by Tribune staffers. The Tribune has garnered national acclaim both for its journalism and its nontraditional business model. And the Tribune has given plenty of coverage to females, Hispanics and folks of all genders, races, ethnicities, heights and weights who really make real news. Tribune CEO/ Editor-in-Chief/all-around man about town Evan Smith noted that a few days before Martinez went nuclear on his publication, Trib staffer Jay Root had profiled Lisa Fritsch, an African-American female seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination, in an article that ran on the Trib site and in The New York Times. “I think that answers the question of whether our coverage of the governor’s race discriminates against women and minorities,” Smith told me. “(Martinez) wants us to pay more attention to her, as every candidate does. You’ve been around long enough to understand that this is all that’s about.” Yes, I have. And it’s also about somebody doing a disservice to the real battle against real discrimination. Pretty much everything about the Trib’s finances is plainly posted for all to see at texastribune.org. I don’t know where Martinez gets the idea the Trib gets tax dollars. Closest I can get to that is that contributions to the Trib can be tax deductible because it is a nonprofit organization. One can make the case that tax-
deductible donations to nonprofits steer money away from the public till. I’m confident when and if she makes real news, as opposed to this kind of nonsense, the Trib will cover Martinez’s quixotic, morethan-longshot bid for governor. Ross Ramsey, the Trib’s executive editor, says that’s exactly the plan. “We cover news in the governor’s race, and when she makes some, we’ll cover it,” Ramsey said. “She hasn’t shown many visible signs of a real statewide campaign: Travel, money, support, polling strength, a wide range of positions or commentary. “She’s received less coverage than some candidates and more than others. ... And the election season is just underway. Her coverage in the Trib is more or less in line with her coverage in other news media outlets outside of her home base,” Ramsey said. In fact, with the count now at two columns, it’s possible I’ve written as much about Martinez as anybody outside of her home base. I’m not sure I’m proud of that. Which takes us back where we started: There’s more than enough real discrimination in the real world to waste much time on the nonsense of a whiny, going-nowhere, self-promoting, delusional gubernatorial candidate who may be prone to seeing it every time something doesn’t go her way. Next time she’s teed up to complain about something, I’d suggest she ask herself this question: What would Thatcher/Peron/Madonna do?
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DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Study debunks theories By ANITA HASSAN HOUSTON CHRONICLE
HOUSTON — A new study suggests that women are more than twice as likely as men to pass on the human papilloma virus, or HPV, the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that 18 percent of women infected with HPV transmitted the virus to their male partners within a year, compared with the 7 percent of infected men who passed on the virus to their female partners. The findings highlight the importance of vaccinating men against the virus, which is the primary cause of cervical cancer, researchers said. “While we’ve thought about vaccination in women for a long time, vaccination in men is also important,” said Dr. Alan Nyitray, author of the study and assistant professor for the Center for Infectious Diseases at UT’s School of Public Health. “So I hope that these results emphasize that vaccination in both sexes is a good idea.” About 79 million Americans currently are infected with HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “HPV is almost part of the human condition because it is so common,” Nyitray said. “It’s almost ubiquitous.” For most, the virus has no symptoms and eventually goes away, leaving no health problems. For others, the virus can cause anal or genital warts, and for some it can lead to cervical, anal, and penile or throat cancer. Since 2006, the CDC has recommended a three-dose vaccine for girls 13 to 26. In 2011, the recommendation expanded to include young men. According to the CDC, about 54 percent of girls and 21 percent of boys 13 to 17 received at least one dose of the vaccine. The recent research, published online in the Journal of Infectious Diseases last
The findings in the University of Texas study highlight the importance of vaccinating men against the (HPV) virus, which is the primary cause of cervical cancer, researchers said. month, uses data collected from a study designed by principal investigator Dr. Anna Giuliano of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. That study examined a group of more than 4,000 men infected with HPV from the United States, Mexico and Brazil over nearly 10 years. In the secondary study, Nyitray examined 99 of those men and their female partners between the ages of 18 and 70 over two years. Nyitray analyzed a subset of 65 of those couples, in which one type of the virus was present in one partner and not the other, to learn how often partners transmitted HPV types to each other. While there are more than 100 kinds of HPV, there are more than 40 types that can infect the genital areas of men and women. The study tested for 37 types. After a year, 18 percent of the infections that women had were transmitted to their male partners, while only 7 percent of the infections that men harbored were passed on to their female partners, according to the study.” Ultimately, it was clear that there was a higher rate of transmission from females to males, than males to females,” said Nyitray, adding that monogamy did not play a role in the transmission occurrence. Nyitray said the study differed from previous research because it included a broader age range of couples. Women are more likely to develop antibodies to HPV as they age, giving them
more immunity to the virus then men, he said. That was “one possibility of why our study with the older couples and generally more established couples had different results than this prior study with brand-new couples that are much younger,” Nyitray said. Dr. Matthew Anderson, an assistant professor at the Baylor College of Medicine department of obstetrics and gynecology, said the findings from Nyitray’s analysis make sense from what researchers and physicians know about the virus. Research suggests that HPV can persist in a dormant-like manner in the cells that line the surface of the body, especially the cervix. It’s possible for that dormant virus to reactive itself when a woman’s immune system is weakened, he said. Researchers also believe that the study debunks any misconception that men are the primary carriers of the virus. When Giuliano started her study 10 years ago, many in the field assumed HPV infections were common in men and that they were primarily transmitting it to women. She was impressed by the findings in Nyitray’s analysis, saying it proves men and women are both responsible for its spread.” “It sorts of breaks the thinking that men are all these evil-doers, they’re carrying all this infection and it’s all their fault that women have this disease,” she said “That’s not exactly true.”
PANCHO Continued from Page 1A for Lubbock’s American GI Forum and coordinator of that city’s Pancho project. Each city’s Pancho has a unique local flavor, but all share roots that set Pancho apart from Santa. Here’s a look at just a few. Oh, and Feliz Navidad, amigos.
Pancho in the Plains In the West Texas plains, Pancho Claus is Pancho Clos, so as not to be confused with that other Mr. C. “Pancho Claus comes from the South Pole, and Santa Claus comes from the North Pole, and every year they get together here in Lubbock,” says Narvaiz. “Santa ... was he Anglo? Was he black? Was he Hispanic? I guess everybody is trying to do the same thing: Add a little of their own culture.” This city’s Pancho dates to 1971, when the local American GI Forum decided to infuse a little Hispanic culture into Santa. They gave him a sombrero and serape, and held a big party at a park, giving out candy and fruit to 3,000 children. Today, Pancho visits schools, churches and supermarkets, but the biggest event — now supported by three different car clubs and dozens of bikers — remains the party at Rogers Park. There, on the Sunday before Christmas, Pancho hands out gifts. “We’re just trying to reach those kids that might get left out somewhere along the line,” Narvaiz says. Julian Perez, a 71-year-old retired heating and air conditioning repairman, has been Lubbock’s Pancho for 30 years and remembers when three men, all of whom have since died, first came up with the idea. “I wanted to quit, but I just can’t. It just makes me want to do something for the kids,” says Perez, who wears a long salt-and-pepper beard, oversized sombrero and colorful poncho when he assumes the role of Pancho.
Zoot Suit Pancho “Pancho Claus! Pancho Claus!” thousands of children chant excitedly, stomping their feet. Just as the shouting reaches fever pitch, Pancho arrives — this one dressed in his signature red and black zoot suit, fedora perched on head, waving from the back of a lowrider as
he throws stuffed animals into the crowd. This is Houston’s Pancho, aka Richard Reyes. Reyes, 62, transformed into Pancho in the early 1980s, blending his interests in theater with his Hispanic heritage and a desire to work with at-risk, low-income children — a mission he took on after his teenage sister was killed in a drive-by shooting. Reyes put his own spin on Pancho, adopting the zoot suit and fedora, and started producing a short show that was a takeoff on the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” That eventually grew into a play with a 10-piece band and hiphop dancers, many of whom Reyes met while working in detention centers and community centers. His nonprofit endeavor now has a $40,000 budget with three corporate sponsors. “It’s grown amazingly,” says Reyes. “Now we give out hundreds of toys, if not thousands, with other agencies and we also have a big Christmas Eve party for about 300 families ... and then on Christmas Day itself we actually go to the barrios with lowrider cars with sirens blaring ... and give out toys there.” This year, due to what Reyes called a technical glitch, one sponsor dropped out, forcing Reyes to cut back on the number of shows. Still, he says: “Not one child will get less of a toy, which means not one family that calls us and finds us this year is going to be told no.”
Santa and his … Donkey? About 200 miles away is another Pancho. This one wears a sombrero and serape. He hangs out at San Antonio’s River Walk, and poses in front of the Alamo. And, according to fliers that make the rounds, his gifts are carried in a cart pulled by trusty “burritos” — as in, well, burros. Forget Rudolph’s red nose. A head donkey named “Chuy” leads the way for this Claus. In San Antonio, Pancho visits schools and churches to hand out gifts and turkeys with all the trimmings to 50 low-income families. And Pancho, portrayed by Rudy Martinez, has grown so popular he even has a public information officer. “The end result,” says spokesman Patrick Resendez, “is putting that smile on their face.”
PÁGINA 6A
Zfrontera
Agenda en Breve LAREDO 12/26— Se realizará la competencia de Laredo Border Slam Poetry de las 9 p.m. a las 11 p.m. en galería 201, ubicada en 513 avenida San Bernardo. Para participar deberá llevar un poema de tres minutos, y presentarlo ante jurados de la audiencia. Más información escribiendo a juliaorduna@gmail.com. 12/26— La Biblioteca Pública de Laredo invita a los padres a llevar a los niños para realizar manualidades navideñas. Este día se harán unos lentes para el Año Nuevo 2014. Favor de no dejar a los niños sin atender en la biblioteca. Informes con Christine Deffendall en el 795-2400 extensión 2248. 12/30— Se reunirá el grupo de apoyo para pacientes con Parkinson de Laredo a las 6:30 p.m. en el Laredo Medical Center, en la Torre B, en el primer piso del Centro Comunitario. Durante la reunión se dará información sobre esta enfermedad, así mismo apoyo a los familiares y pacientes. Para más información puede llamar al 645-8649, 724-5619 o escribir a renner.richard@gmail.com. 12/30— La Biblioteca Pública de Laredo invita a los padres a llevar a los niños para realizar manualidades navideñas. Este día se hará un salero para el Año Nuevo. Favor de no dejar a los niños sin atender en la biblioteca. Informes con Christine Deffendall en el 795-2400 extensión 2248. 12/31— La Biblioteca Pública de Laredo invita a los padres a llevar a los niños para realizar manualidades navideñas. Este día se hará un sombrero para el Año Nuevo 2014. Favor de no dejar a los niños sin atender en la biblioteca. Informes con Christine Deffendall en el 795-2400 extensión 2248 01/02— Las oficinas de TAMIU y la Biblioteca Sue and Radcliffe Killam reabrirán sus puertas el día de hoy. 01/02— La Biblioteca Pública de Laredo invita a los padres a llevar a los niños para realizar manualidades navideñas. Este día se harán un copo de nieve. Favor de no dejar a los niños sin atender en la biblioteca. Informes con Christine Deffendall en el 795-2400 extensión 2248 01/03— Empieza el primer día de clases para el Wintermester en TAMIU. También es el último día para agregar o dar de baja clases para este periodo especial de Wintermester. Las colegiaturas deberán pagarse en su totalidad para evitar ser dados de baja por no realizar el pago. Informes en 326.2250. 01/08— La Oficina de Admisiones/Asistencia/Recuperación de desertores de United Independent School District estará aceptando solicitudes para el Programa de Asistencia al Código de Vestimenta Estandarizado Estudiantil para estudiantes elegibles inscritos de prekinder a doceavo grado, de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m. en Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex, en los salones de Bellas Artes 1 y 2, situados en 5208 de Santa Claudia Lane (fuera de la carretera 359, al lado de Zaffirini Elementary).
NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO 01/05— El grupo de teatro Laberintus estará presentando la obra infanil “La Nave”, dirigida por Roberto Cruz, a las 12 p.m. dentro del Teatro del IMSS, en Reynosa y Belden (sector centro). Costo por entrada es de 20 pesos.
MIERCOLES 25 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2013
DISTRITO ESCOLAR DEL CONDADO DE ZAPATA
Entablará juicio POR ALDO AMATO
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
El distrito escolar Zapata County Independent School District (ZCISD por sus siglas en inglés), llevará a juicio a una compañía constructora el mes siguiente, alegando que la compañía realizó un trabajo de mala calidad en cuatro escuelas elementales del distrito. En la primavera de 2012, ZCISD presentó una denuncia en contra de Satterfield & Pontikes, diciendo que la compañía realizó un trabajo insatisfactorio de construcción en dos escuelas elementales con pabellones —Zapata South y Fidel y Andrea Villarreal— y los gimnasios de Zapata North y Arturo L. Benavides. El distrito escolar ZCISD está buscando obtener 16 millones de dólares en daños. Otros demanda-
El distrito escolar ZCISD llevará a juicio a una compañía constructora, Satterfield & Pontikes, alegando que realizó trabajo de mala calidad en cuatro escuelas del distrito, tanto en los pabellones como en los gimnasios. El distrito está buscando obtener 16 millones de dólares en daños. Denuncia fue presentada durante primavera de 2012. dos incluyen a Bill Reiffert and Associates, Inc., Robert E. Martínez y Jorge D. Pérez, de Pérez Consulting Engineers. Juan Cruz, de J. Cruz and Associates, con base en Laredo, quienes representan a ZCISD, dijo que el caso está programado para juicio
en enero 13, en el condado de Zapata. “Estamos esperando que llegue nuestro día en la corte”, dijo. Satterfield & Pontikes no pudieron ser contactados para comentarios el viernes. Las reclamaciones por negligen-
cia que aparecen en la demanda incluyen: Incumplimiento para construir los proyectos de acuerdo a los planos y especificaciones Incumplimiento para implementar e instalar los componentes y materiales especificados No sellar apropiadamente las aberturas de los proyectos, lo que ha resultado que plagas de insectos vivan en los ductos de la calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado en el salón Fracaso en el cumplimiento de las normas mínimas de construcción Substitución, sin autorización, de materiales con calidad y precios más económicos así como incumplir en acreditar apropiadamente los artículos de bajo costo a ZCISD. (Localice a Aldo Amato en el 7282538 o en aamato@lmtonline.com)
TAMAULIPAS
COMUNIDAD
HERRAMIENTA MODERNA
Invitan a salvar vidas, al donar sangre TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
La imagen muestra el exterior de las instalaciones de la Casa de la Tierra ubicada en Ciudad Victoria, México, la cual auxilia en cuestiones de fenómenos naturales en Tamaulipas.
Presentan beneficios de ‘Casa de la Tierra’ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
“Casa de la Tierra” es la herramienta con la que cuenta el estado de Tamaulipas para dar seguimiento a los fenómenos naturales como los huracanes o frentes fríos. Apoyados en información que constantemente renuevan los satélites, y en base a datos proporcionados tanto por la NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) y la NASA (Administración Nacional de la Aeronáutica y del Espacio), Tamaulipas dispone de los estadísticas
climáticas que brinda el Centro de Educación y Vigilancia Climática Global “Casa de la Tierra”, la cual puede dar asistencia a las autoridades de Protección Civil Estatal. “Casa de la Tierra” se encuentra ubicada por el momento en la capital del Estado, Ciudad Victoria, pero durante el 2014 se tiene considerado tener otras dos en los municipios de Tampico y Reynosa, explicó Heberto Cavazos Lliteras, Subsecretario de Medio Ambiente en Tamaulipas. El proyecto, que ha sido apoyado por el Gobierno Federal, tiene la intención de buscar con-
cientizar a la población sobre las medidas que se deben de tomar para evitar la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero y con ello, mitigar los efectos del cambio climático, agregó Cavazos. Cabe destacar que aprovechando los mejores avances tecnológicos, apoyados en información de la NASA y la NOAA, Protección Civil tendrá a su alcance en todo momento la evolución de fenómenos meteorológicos que puedan afectar a Tamaulipas, en tiempo real, para poder tomar decisiones que puedan ayudar a nuestra comunidad, concluyó Cavazos.
Durante el 2013 el Centro Estatal de la Transfusión Sanguínea procesó 17.014 unidades de sangre. De las unidades procesadas, 2.327 fueron por donación voluntaria y 14.687 por donación de reposición. Norberto Treviño García Manzo, Secretario de Salud, indicó que es importante crear conciencia entre la sociedad para que done sangre, ya que se requiere cada vez más debido al incremento de los accidentes, la creación de unidades de cuidados intensivos y las necesidades de algunos enfermos de cáncer, aplasia medular, entre otras que antes se consideraban irrecuperables. Para realizar una donación de sangre, es necesario tener una edad entre los 18 y 65 años, un peso mayor a los 50 kilos, así como también, no haber ingerido bebidas alcohólicas durante las últimas 24 horas. De acuerdo al género, los hombres pueden donar sangre cuatro veces al año y las mujeres tres al año, dejando un período mínimo entre donaciones de dos meses. Treviño aclaró que las personas no pueden donar cuando se han inyectado droga alguna vez, si son VIH positivo o padecen SIDA, ellas o sus parejas trabajan en el ámbito de la prostitución, o si han tenido relaciones sexuales con una persona que no es su pareja y no usó preservativo. “Existen razones fundamentales para donar, como: tratamientos del cáncer, cirugías complejas, accidentes, trasplantes de órganos; además de garantizar un buen análisis de la sangre para prevenir enfermedades y sobre todo salvar cuatro vidas con una donación”, concluyó.
SALUD
Actúan ante casos de dengue en Tamaulipas TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Debido a la alta incidencia en el número de casos de dengue que se presentaron durante el 2013, el Gobierno de Tamaulipas emprendió acciones a fin de mantener un control epidemiológico. Las acciones permitieron el índice más bajo de letalidad por dengue de 0.11 con respecto a la media nacional de 0.43, informó Norberto Treviño García Manzo, Secretario de Salud.
“De acuerdo a las estadísticas de julio a octubre del año en curso, en cuestión de actividad hospitalaria se otorgaron 23.863 consultas, se atendieron 1.811 hospitalizados y 152 embarazadas, además de que se dispuso de 100 camillas extra para una mayor cobertura, todo ello para la atención oportuna de esta enfermedad”, dijo Treviño. También se realizaron brigadas, monitoreo de ovitrampas, fumigación, abatización y descacharriza-
ción, lo que a decir de Treviño han permitido el control de esta afección, la prevención de daños severos a la salud y la reducción del índice de mortalidad. Las unidades hospitalarias en Tamaulipas cuentan con un plan de contingencia, por medio del cual se ha capacitado a todo el personal; también se efectuaron 2.500 pruebas rápidas, se dispuso de 750 pabellones, recurso humano, medicamento e insumos.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Un total de 1.811 personas y 152 mujeres embarazadas fueron hospitalizadas debido a ser sospechosos de portar el dengue, informó la Secretaría de Salud en Tamaulipas.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: ZAPATA HAWKS
Gutierrez takes charge Senior anchors offense, Lopez defense By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Zapata senior Alonzo Gutierrez has showed his versatility as a scorer and averages 11.7 points per game.
While the Hawks are on winter break and will not resume practice until late this week, a few players have been leading Zapata through the early stretch of the season. Senior Alonzo Gutierrez has impressed with his play all season and has continued to lead the Hawks after a strong junior campaign. Gutierrez leads the Hawks in three out of the five major offensive categories and works hard on both ends of the court. He has been the Hawks’ offensive machine all season long, and Zapata suffered when he missed time after suffering an injury against St. Augustine. Gutierrez is pouring in double figures for Zapata with 11.7 points per game. He can slash to the basket, hit a running jumper and still has the ability to connect from long range. Just as he can take the ball to the basket, Gutierrez is also ready to dish out a few assists along the way, averaging 3.8 per game. Gutierrez also has quick hands on defense that allow him to pick the pockets of opponents. Through Dec. 20, Gutierrez is averaging 2.7 steals per game.
‘Horns prep for Ducks Texas must slow up-tempo offense By CHRISTIAN CORONA ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Texas must defend a prolific up-tempo offense when the Longhorns face No. 10 Oregon in the Alamo Bowl in coach Mack Brown’s farewell. They have experience after playing Baylor in their last game. The Ducks (10-2) average 46.8 points and 573 yards, which both rank in the top three in the country. Texas (8-4) held the Bears, the nation’s highest-scoring team, to three first-half points Dec. 7 in what was essentially a Big 12 title game. But Baylor scored 17 in the third quarter and went on to win 30-10. Oregon’s Marcus Mariota has been one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks, completing 63.1 percent of his passes and throwing for 30 touchdowns and four interceptions while running for 582 yards and nine more scores. Baylor’s Bryce Petty is the only QB with fewer interceptions (2) among those with at least 30 touchdown passes. Facing a quarterback like Petty, who also has 11 touchdowns rushing, helped prepare Texas for Monday’s matchup with Mariota. “It’s crazy that we’re about to play the same team, almost,” said junior defensive end Cedric Reed. “Those are two quarterbacks that have been in the Heisman running this year. They’re smart quarterbacks. The offense runs through them.” Texas’ best chance at slowing Oregon may be running the ball to keep the offense on the sideline, as Arizona and Stanford did in the Ducks’ only two losses.
Photo by Michael Thomas | AP
A power running game, a la Stanford, has proven to work well against the Ducks. Malcolm Brown leads Texas’ rushing attack. Tyler Gaffney ran for 157 of the Cardinal’s 274 yards on 45 carries in a 2620 win that ended Oregon’s perfect season Nov. 7. Two weeks later, the Wildcats’ Ka’Deem Carey ran 48 times for 206 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-16 trouncing. Oregon had the ball for fewer than a combined 42 minutes in those two defeats. “You can see that teams that have had success against and beat Oregon are teams that have taken pride in a power running game,” senior guard Mason Walters said. “Playing Oregon, if you don’t get pumped up and find a reason to go fight and have it be something that brings out the competitor in you, you can get embarrassed.” For the third time this year, the Longhorns are double-digit underdogs. They pummeled Oklahoma 36-20, but fell to Baylor by 20 points. “We’re going to be
doubted,” junior defensive back Quandre Diggs said. “Some people are going to look at that in a negative way, but I’m going to look at that in a positive way. Y’all keep us as the underdog and we got out and win, then y’all are all shocked in the media. That’s up to y’all.”
While Gutierrez is the Hawks’ offensive leader, Javier Lopez is Zapata’s defensive stopper. Lopez controls the paint for Zapata and is consistently aggressive on the boards for the Hawks. He pulls down 9.5 rebounds per game and is key in getting Zapata’s offense rolling. He also leads the team in blocks with one per game. Hawks’ upcoming schedule After not playing the alumni game this past Friday, Zapata will have a few days of rest as it heads into the mandatory UIL winter break that must include Dec. 24Dec. 26. The alumni game was pushed back and will be played Friday at the Hawks’ gym, so everyone is encouraged to come out and some former Zapata standouts play one more game. The alumni who will play include Edgar Sanchez, Andrew Botello, Andrew Magee, Jose Abel Villarreal, Johnny Villarreal, Jojo Villarreal, Sammy Villarreal, Joey Villarreal, Arturo de los Santos, Ike Gutierrez, Rene Chapa, Sammy Luera, Orlando Martinez, Tony Martinez, Arlo de los Santos, Louie Gonzalez, Ademar Martinez and Rudy Alvarez. Zapata’s next game is against Crystal City on Jan. 3, followed by
a Jan. 7 matchup that will be the Hawks’ final tuneup before the start of District 31-3A action. Zapata opens up the district season with King (Kingsville) on Jan. 10 and four days after that takes on old district foe Raymondville. The Hawks finish the first round of district play with Lyford and Rio Grande City La Grulla. After taking on a St. Augustine squad they lost to earlier this season, the Hawks play the Knights again before starting the second round of district play on Jan. 28 with King. Follow @LMTNews for the latest on all local sports. E-mail: sandoval.clara@gmail.com
Schedule Jan. 3: Crystal City Jan. 7: @ Crystal City Jan. 10: @ King* Jan. 14: Raymondville* Jan. 17: @ Lyford* Jan. 21: La Grulla * Jan. 24: @ St. Augustine Jan. 28: King* Jan. 31: @ Raymondville* Feb. 4: Lyford* Feb. 7: La Grulla* * denotes district game
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013