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ZAPATA COUNTY
SOUTH TEXAS
Tax assessor indicted Document details allegations against Gonzalez By César G. Rodriguez TH E ZAPATA T IME S
The Zapata County tax assessor-collector allegedly kissed women on their neck and inappropriately touched them while acting as a public servant, according to court
documents obtained this week. An indictment filed Nov. 29 against Luis Lauro Gonzalez states he kissed two women on their neck and touched them on the “legs, or shoulders, or back knowing that the advances or requests or touching or comments was not wel-
comed by the complainant.” Gonzalez allegedly kissed and inappropriately touched two women and inappropriately touched a third, according to court records. Texas Rangers arrested Gonzalez on Nov. 30. He was charged with five counts of
official oppression, a misdemeanor that could carry a punishment of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Gonzalez could not be reached for comment. The Texas Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case. Indicted continues on A5
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
SOUTH TEXAS GETS RARE WINTER SNOWFALL
Border Patrol / Courtesy photo
On Friday, federal authorities released a picture of agents from the Zapata Station assisting undocumented immigrants.
Border Patrol rescues immigrants Nine separate incidents reported SPECIAL TO THE TIME S
In a 24-hour period, Border Patrol agents rescued over 20 immigrants in Laredo, Hebbronville, Freer and Zapata. The immigrants, who had entered the country illegally, had fallen into distress due to the recent severe cold temperature conditions or after they became lost while walking in the brush. Border Patrol agents, including those assigned to the Laredo Sector Horse Patrol Unit, were deployed to locate the distressed immigrants throughout different locations in the Laredo and surrounding communities. As a result, 25 were rescued in nine different events. Some who were located displayed symptoms of moderate to severe hypothermia; however, after Border Patrol agents certified as emergency medical technicians assisted in Rescue continues on A5
DISTRICT COURT
Courtney Sacco/Corpus Christi Caller-Times / AP
Veterans Treatment Program
Megan Olivarez makes her first snow man in front of her home in Corpus Christi, Texas, following a night of snow on Friday.
NWS: Some areas received over 4 inches of snow
Graduation ceremony held
STA FF AND W I RE RE P ORT
By Joana Santillana
F
rigid temperatures behind a cold front combined with moisture off the Gulf of Mexico yielded a rare snowfall in many parts of South and Southeast Texas. The National Weather Service reports snow from San Antonio into East Texas. National Weather Service meteorologist Brett Williams said up to 2.5 inches of snow had been measured as of 9 p.m. Thursday in the San Antonio area. The most recent comparable snowfall in San Antonio had been in January 1987, when 1.3 inches of snow accumulated, but the most recent major snowfall was 13.2 inches in January 1985. On Friday morning, Laredoans either awoke to the rare sight of snow or were up late enough to see it begin to fall. Snow continues on A5
LAREDO MORNING TIME S
Courtney Sacco/Corpus Christi Caller-Times / AP
Ben Platt caries a surf board up a hull at Cole Park after sledding down it after a night of snow fall in Corpus Christi, Texas on Friday.
Seven South Texas veterans with pending criminal charges had their cases dismissed in the 406th District Court Wednesday after completing a program designed to help them reintegrate into society and start anew. The Veterans Treatment Program held its 10th graduation ceremony. The program is overseen by 406th District Court Judge Oscar J. Hale Jr. and 341st District Court Judge Beckie Palomo. Palomo thanked the staff for their contributions and involvement in “making sure our veterans are not forgotten.” Since the program’s inception in August 2013, there have been 55 graduates. In July, the program was expanded to offer services veterans in surrounding communities from the Ceremony continues on A5
Zin brief A2 | Saturday, December 9, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
CALENDAR
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. - noon. 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, DEC. 16 8th annual Birdies on the Rio golf tourney. 7 a.m. registration at the Max Mandel Municipal Golf Course. Join the Rio Grande International Study Center for the biggest, baddest golf tournament in town. $150 per golfer (all-inclusive). Register at www.rgisc.org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 17 Ring Noel 9th Annual Handbell Concert. 4-5 p.m. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 1220 McClelland. Free and open to the public. Musical selections will include both sacred and secular arrangements of favorite Christmas/Advent carols as well as a Ring-Sing-A-Long with the bells and organ.
MONDAY DEC. 18 Special Screening of Documentary Film "Crazywise.” 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) - Main Entrance (next to Laredo Driver License Office), 1901 Bob Bullock Loop. “Crazywise” adds a voice to the growing conversation that believes a psychological crisis can be an opportunity for growth and potentially transformational, not a disease with no cure. The screening is 82 minutes long, followed by a 20-minute discussion. Event is free. Please RSVP at 956-307-2014. Contact information: Anna Maria Pulido Saldivar, gruporayitodeluz@gmail.com, 956-307-2014
TUESDAY, DEC. 19 Bilingual Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting. 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 1102 Santa Maria Ave., classroom No. 7, the entrance to the parking lot is on Davis Street. 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
Noah Berger / AP
Flames consume a structure as the Lilac fire burns in Bonsall, California on Friday. The blaze burned numerous structures and thousands of acres according to fire officials.
FAST MOVING FIRES FORCE MANY TO FLEE FALLBROOK, Calif. — Flames were practically on top of Dick and Joan Marsala’s home when they got an urgent knock on the door and were told to leave. The couple, in their mid-80s, grabbed only a change of clothes and medications before fleeing Thursday through wind gusts and smoke as fire swallowed the row of mobile homes behind their place in the Rancho Monserate Country Club north of San Diego. It’s a story that has played out in communities across much of Southern California this week as ferocious winds
whipped sparks into massive infernos that have destroyed more than 500 buildings, killed dozens of horses and forced hundreds of thousands of people to run from fires that have burned nearly 250 square miles since Monday. The flames that tore through Fallbrook, self-proclaimed “Avocado Capital of the World,” and nearby Bonsall, home to a premier racehorse training facility, traveled so far that even people who found temporary refuge had to move again when the fires got too close. — Compiled from AP reports
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. - noon. 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.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. - noon. 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, JAN. 6 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, 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, 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.
Trump boasts of defeating ‘savage killers’ here and abroad PENSACOLA, Florida — President Donald Trump on Friday touted his efforts to secure the homeland, telling a raucous rally crowd in the Florida panhandle that his administration is “taking care of our citizens at home” by defeating the Islamic State abroad and expelling violent
street gang members from the U.S. Trump said the U.S. military is dealing the Islamic State “one brutal defeat after another.” “Not only are we defeating these killers, these savage killers, horrible, horrible,” Trump told hundreds of supports at a rally in Pensacola, Florida, a region a White House spokesman called “Trump country.” Florida helped Trump win the White House. “You don’t even want to say people,” Trump said. “These are savage killers over there,
but we sure as hell don’t want them to come over here.” Trump also said he is expelling members of the violent street gang known as MS-13, which has its origins in Central America. “America is being respected again abroad and we are taking care of our citizens at home and we’re going to have safety and we have a lot more now,” said the president, who appeared buoyed as he headlined his first campaign rally in more than two months. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND TEXAS 3rd Zika infection by Texas mosquito reported this year EDINBURG, Texas — Local health authorities are reporting three new cases of Zika infections in Hidalgo County, including one that appears to have been acquired locally. Of the three cases, one is a resident of the City of McAllen and appears to have been infected by a mosquito in Hidalgo County. The two additional travel-related Zika cases reside in Donna and Elsa, and have confirmed frequent travel to Mexico, said county Health and Human Services Chief Administrative Officer Eduardo "Eddie" Olivarez. "We are urging residents to remain vigilant in taking preventive measures, as well as to be aware of the most common Zika symptoms: rash, fever, joint pain, and conjunctivitis," said Olivarez in a news release, adding that anyone with symp-
Michael Stravato / The New York Times
Christy Roberts, an entomologist with Harris County, holds an Aedes aegypti which carries the Zika virus, in Houston.
toms is encouraged to contact their health care provider. In the locally acquired case, health officials conducted an epidemiological investigation of the index case household and provided neighboring residents with information about Zika and ensured pregnant women and people with symptoms have had the appropriate test-
ing. People throughout the Rio Grande Valley should continue to remain on guard against Zika and take preventive measures. Of the three cases, one is a resident of the City of McAllen and appears to have been infected by a mosquito in Hidalgo County. — Compiled from AP reports
Today is Saturday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2017. There are 22 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Dec. 9, 1892, "Widowers' Houses," Bernard Shaw's first play, opened at the Royalty Theater in London. On this date: In 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England. In 1917, British forces captured Jerusalem from the Ottoman Turks. In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club of New York honored college football player Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago with the DAC Trophy, which later became known as the Heisman Trophy. In 1940, British troops opened their first major offensive in North Africa during World War II. In 1942, the Aram Khachaturian ballet "Gayane," featuring the surging "Sabre Dance," was first performed by Russia's Kirov Ballet. In 1958, the anti-communist John Birch Society was formed in Indianapolis. In 1962, the Petrified Forest in Arizona was designated a national park. In 1965, Nikolai V. Podgorny replaced Anastas I. Mikoyan as chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, a job he would hold for almost 12 years. "A Charlie Brown Christmas," the first animated TV special featuring characters from the "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, premiered on CBS. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a $2.3 billion seasonal loanauthorization that officials of New York City and State said would prevent a city default. In 1984, the five-day-old hijacking of a Kuwaiti jetliner that claimed the lives of two Americans ended as Iranian security men seized control of the plane, which was parked at Tehran airport. In 1987, the first Palestinian intefadeh, or uprising, began as riots broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank, triggering a strong Israeli response. In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. (The couple's divorce became final in Aug. 1996.) Ten years ago: A young man once affiliated with a missionary school shot nine people at the school near Denver and a megachurch in Colorado Springs; four of the victims died and the gunman killed himself. A British Columbia pig farmer accused of being Canada's worst serial killer was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder; he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. Five years ago: U.S. special forces rescued an American doctor captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan; a Navy SEAL, Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, was killed during the rescue of Dr. Dilip Joseph. Same-sex couples in Washington state began exchanging vows just after midnight under a new state law allowing gay marriage. Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, 43, and six others were killed in a plane crash in northern Mexico. One year ago: The White House said President Barack Obama had ordered intelligence officials to conduct a broad review of electionseason cyberattacks, including the email hacks that rattled the presidential campaign and raised fresh concerns about Russia's meddling in U.S. elections. South Korean lawmakers impeached President Park Geun-hye (goon-hay) over an explosive corruption scandal, a stunning and swift fall for the country's first female leader. Today's Birthdays: Actor Kirk Douglas is 101. Actor-writer Buck Henry is 87. Actress Dame Judi Dench is 83. Actor Beau Bridges is 76. Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is 75. Comedian-songwriter Neil Innes is 73. Actor Michael Nouri is 72. Former Sen. Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., is 70. World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite is 68. Singer Joan Armatrading is 67. Actor Michael Dorn is 65. Actor John Malkovich is 64. Country singer Sylvia is 61. Singer Donny Osmond is 60. Rock musician Nick Seymour (Crowded House) is 59. Comedian Mario Cantone is 58. Actor David Anthony Higgins is 56. Actor Joe Lando is 56. Actress Felicity Huffman is 55. Crown Princess Masako of Japan is 54. Country musician Jerry Hughes (Yankee Grey) is 52. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is 51. Rock singer-musician Thomas Flowers (Oleander) is 50. Rock musician Brian Bell (Weezer) is 49. Rock singer-musician Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers) is 48. Thought for Today: "All sins are attempts to fill voids." — Simone Weil, French philosopher (1909-1943).
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.
AROUND THE WORLD
SATURDAY, JULY 7
JERUSALEM — Large crowds of worshippers across the Muslim world staged antiU.S. marches Friday, some stomping on posters of Donald Trump or burning American flags in the largest outpouring of anger yet at the U.S. president’s recognition of bitterly contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
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. 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.
Worshippers lash out against Trump in Muslim world
In the holy city itself, prayers at Islam’s third-holiest site dispersed largely without incident, but Palestinians clashed with Israeli troops in several dozen West Bank hotspots and on the border with the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes struck Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip Friday in response to a rocket fired from the zone that Israel’s military said was intercepted by its Iron Dome missile-defense system. The Palestinian health min-
CONTACT US istry said at least 15 people were injured in Friday’s air strikes. Earlier, a 30-year-old Gaza man was killed by Israeli gunfire, the first death of a protester since Trump’s dramatic midweek announcement. Two Palestinians were seriously wounded, health officials said. Dozens of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were hit by live rounds or rubbercoated steel or inhaled tear gas, the officials said. — Compiled from AP reports
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SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Wednesdays and Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata and Jim Hogg counties. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times in those areas at newstands, 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. Call (956) 728-2500.
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THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, December 9, 2017 |
A3
STATE
Former priest gets life in prison for 1960 slaying A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
EDINBURG, Texas — A jury on Friday sentenced an 85-year-old former priest to life in prison for the 1960 killing of a schoolteacher and former beauty queen who was a member of the parish he served. The same jurors in Hidalgo County in South Texas found John Bernard Feit guilty of murder Thursday night. Prosecutors asked jurors Friday for a 57-year prison term — one year for each year he had walked free since killing Irene Garza after she went to him for confession at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas. The 25-year-old Garza disappeared April 16, 1960. Her bludgeoned body was found days later. An autopsy revealed she had been raped while unconscious, and beaten and suffocated. Prosecutor Michael Garza, who is not related to the victim, had asked the jury not to view the now elderly and weak Feit as he is today, but to try to imagine him as a 28-year-old man capable of subduing the woman. The jury deliberated just over four hours Friday before deciding on the maximum sentence. Afterward, Garza said at a news conference that he wished that
Nathan Lambrecht/The Monitor / AP
Former priest John Feit sits with his lawyer O. Rene Flores before the start of the sentencing phase of his trial for the 1960 murder of Irene Garza in the 92nd state District Court Friday at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg, Texas.
he could take credit for the conviction and sentence, “but it was Goddriven.” “I can say this: Pigs are flying, and Irene is resting,” he said. Feit, then a priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, came under suspicion in the investigation early on. He told police that he heard Garza’s confession in the church rectory rather than in the confessional, but denied he had killed
her. Among the evidence that pointed to Feit as a suspect over the years: Two priests told authorities that Feit had confessed to them. One of them said he saw scratches on Feit soon after Garza’s disappearance. His portable photographic slide viewer was found near Garza’s body. Feit had also been accused of attacking another young woman in
a church in a nearby town just weeks before Garza’s death. He pleaded no contest and was fined $500. Prosecutors presented evidence earlier in the week that church and elected officials suspected Feit but didn’t want to prosecute him. They feared it could harm the reputations of the church and Hidalgo County elected officials, most of whom were Catholic. Sen. John F. Kennedy, a
Delcia Lopez /The San Antonio Express-News / AP
This photo shows a portrait of Irene Garza displayed at the home of her aunt Herlynda De La Vina in Edinburg, Texas.
Catholic, was running for president that year. Feit was sent to a treatment center for troubled priests in New Mexico, later becoming a supervisor with responsibility in the clearing of priests for parish assignments. Among the men Feit helped keep in ministry was child molester James Porter, who assaulted more than 100 victims before he was defrocked and sent to prison. Feit left the priesthood
in 1972, married and went on to work at the Catholic charity St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, training and recruiting volunteers and helping oversee the charity’s network of food pantries. Garza’s family members and friends had long pushed authorities to reopen the case, and it became an issue in the 2014 district attorney’s race. Ricardo Rodriguez had promised that if elected, he would reexamine the case.
Almost 500 pounds of pot seized in Lopeño By César G. Rodriguez TH E ZAPATA T IME S
Border Patrol agents in Zapata County seized
marijuana worth about $384,000, federal authorities said. On Tuesday, U.S. Border Patrol agents re-
sponded to the area of Lopeño, south of Zapata, for reports of suspicious activity. Agents said they ar-
rived and encountered 21 bundles of marijuana weighing 479.95 pounds. No arrest were made in connection with the
case. The Drug Enforcement Administration took over the marijuana. To report suspicious activity such as human
or drug smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1800-343-1994.
Zopinion
Letters to the editor Send your signed letter to editorial@lmtonline.com
A4 | Saturday, December 9, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Andrew White launches bid to return to Austin By Ken Herman COX N EWSPAPE RS
A Houston businessman on Thursday announced plans to move back into the Austin home in which he lived as a kid until the people of Texas threw his family out. His mom, Linda Gale White, who also lived in that house, sat in the front row, led the applause and had tears in her eyes when it was over. Linda Gale White says she’d love to spend some more time in that home, this time as a grandmother. The problem is the home’s current occupant has no plans to move out and is prepared to spend tens of millions of dollars to remain there. Andrew White, who announced Thursday that he’s officially a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is the son of late Gov. Mark White, who moved his family to Austin when Andrew, now 45, was 6 months old. The family later moved into the Governor’s Mansion in 1983 when White became governor. Andrew, the middle child, was 10 at the time. He went to Zavala Elementary School and O. Henry Middle School. “Dad lost in my eighth-grade year so we came back to Houston,” Andrew White told me Thursday just prior to announcing a candidacy that came as a surprise to his mom when he first mentioned it to her shortly after his dad’s death in August. On Thursday, Linda Gale White had a mom’s honor of introducing her son to a crowd of a couple of hundred supporters gathered in an office building lobby. Cold, rainy weather had erased the plan to hold the event at Houston’s Mark White Elementary School. For Andrew White (whose campaign logo uses the same typeface and color as his dad’s), getting back to the Governor’s Mansion is a long shot. He’s never run for office and faces an uphill battle to get the Democratic nomination. Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, who announced Wednesday, is the anointed candidate of much of the party machinery, such as it is. The field includes a half-dozen lesserknown candidates. Andrew White made no mention of Valdez in his announcement speech, opting instead to focus on Abbott and position himself as a moderate Democrat (”I’ll work with people on both sides,” he said in his speech) who can do something no Texas Democrat has done since 1994: win a statewide election. Longtime state Rep. Garnet Coleman, DHouston, is backing White and said, “Centrists always do well in governing.” Andrew White told the crowd: “I’m a common-sense Democrat and I can beat Gov. Abbott in November,” later branding Abbott as “not a bad man, but he is the wrong man for the future of Texas.”
“After 22 years serving the state, Gov. Abbott should have more to show for his service than a failed bathroom bill,” he said. But for now, getting into a one-on-one battle with Abbott is Job Two. First, he has to win his party’s nomination. Prior to the speech, Andrew White said he’s “looking forward to hearing what (Valdez) has to say.” “But I’m excited about the attention she’s bringing to the race because the more attention we can have and place on Greg Abbott’s record the better,” White said. “So I’m looking forward to a real race. And frankly, as a newbie coming out of the gate as a politician, when I make it through the primary I’ll be a better candidate in the general because of Lupe.” He acknowledged he has a potentially tricky line to walk on one of the hottest-button issue for Democrats. White believes life begins at conception, a stance that led Wendy Davis, the Dems’ unsuccessful 2014 gubernatorial nominee, to recently blast White as an “anti-choice man asking for our support as the Democratic choice for governor. Uhh-no. Just no.” Andrew White says Davis has it wrong. “That’s a personal religious view I have and I feel strongly about that,” he said. “It’s important to me. So when I say making abortion rare, it’s part of I’d love to find ways to work to make it rare. But it always should be legal and that’s the way the Supreme Court settled it.” He acknowledges the 1973 Roe V. Wade ruling as the law of the land. “My personal beliefs are my personal beliefs. This would pertain to my wife and my children, the beliefs I would grow my children to believe in,” he said. “But as it relates to other people in America, we live in a free country and we’re ruled by law and that rule of law is set by the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court has already determined that law. And I don’t see them overturning themselves any time soon.” I asked if he disagrees with that law. “On a personal level, I do,” he said. “I also believe in Christianity. I don’t enforce my Christian beliefs on others as well.” In his speech, White blasted Abbott’s record on health care and said Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have “dramatically reduced spending on women’s health services, which is why more mothers die in pregnancy in Texas than anywhere else.” “Abortion is legal,” he said in the speech, “and we must all work to keep it safe and to make it rare.” How well White walks the precarious line he’s trying to navigate on abortion could go a long way toward determining whether he gets a shot at moving back into the downtown house that was his boyhood home for four years. Ken Herman is a columnist for the Austin American-Statesman.
COLUMN
Star Wars’ galactic problem By Stephen L. Carter BL OOMBERG NEWS
With a week to go before the release of “The Last Jedi,” the Internet is awash in conjecture, much of it couched in an argot that only a truly wonkish Star Wars fan could even begin to follow. Consider this bit, from the venerable New York Times: “It has been speculated that a former Sith Lord caused the virgin birth of Anakin Skywalker by manipulating midichlorians.” Or this, from a Reddit devoted to guessing what comes next: “Kylo’s scar is being used to confuse the timeline.” There’s the above-thesurface anticipation, of course, as experts debate the likely box-office numbers. (Will the film’s receipts eclipse those of 2015’s “The Force Awakens”? Most people seem to think not.) And of course the political arguments fly fast and furious — even if the answers are not always predictable. (For instance: Luke Skywalker’s family would have supported Donald Trump.) Some wonder whether there might not be cosmic significance in the fact that earlier this year, Trump stepped into the main cabin of Air Force One to chat with reporters who were watching “Rogue One” — and at that very instant Darth Vader appeared on the screen. This nonstop chatter is the very definition of buzz. People can’t help speculating. What began as a fairly straightforward Campbellian myth has become an industry. In the words of my Bloomberg View colleague Cass Sunstein, “The release of a new Star Wars movie is a national celebration.” And as in so much of popular entertainment, the industry isn’t just the products; it’s also the conversations they spark. The argu-
ments, the anticipation, the guessing, the hopes, all remind me of how my mother and her friends used to argue over what might happen next on their favorite soap operas. They were sometimes disappointed, but they never stopped watching. Well, all of that can be fun. What I still wonder, even after eight films and counting, is what makes the whole thing go. No, no, not the franchise: the Star Wars universe. This isn’t like Star Trek, which has so proudly dispensed with money. There’s currency in Star Wars, and some people have a lot of it. So how does the economy work? To begin with, the economy of the Star Wars universe seems to rest on relatively free intergalactic trade, although the would-be gains are reduced due to the significant power of guilds and monopolies. Despite the ubiquity of technology, it’s evident that many people and some entire planets are poor. No wonder, with the rebellion somehow never running short of fighters or transports and the Empire using every spare penny to pay for its technological terror. The Death Star and its successors are delightfully, improbably expensive. At current rates of production, it would require over 800,000 years to produce enough steel to build the Death Star, at a cost of $852 quadrillion. Still, in a galaxy of over 3 million inhabited systems, one imagines that the Empire could find enough resources. But the films present us with a larger problem. According to this paper that was all the rage two years ago, the destruction of the first Death Star likely meant the evaporation of 15 percent to 20 percent of Gross Galactic Product, meaning that unless the Rebel Alliance had massive bailout funds ready,
the Empire (or the newly restored Republic) was headed for a deep depression. Now the rebels have destroyed two Death Stars and the even bigger Starkiller Base. How will the galactic economy survive? Then there’s the problem nobody in the films talks about: the existence of slave labor in the galaxy. Anakin Skywalker, before growing up to become Darth Vader, was born a slave on Tatooine. As many commentators have pointed out, when the Jedi arrived on the planet, they made no effort to free the slaves. Neither did anyone else. The Star Wars films have never had a Spartacus. Moreover, there is little on the big screen to suggest that we, the audience, are meant to be outraged by the fairly common ownership of human beings. As the theater arts professor Kevin Wetmore has pointed out, the only “horror of slavery in the series is that Leia, Anakin, and Shmi are subjected to slavery.” What is bad about slavery is not the existence of the institution but the fact that the heroes and their families must suffer through it. Yet the existence of slavery in the Star Wars universe is itself something of a mystery. Yes, economic historians have come around to the view that Southern slavery in the U.S. very likely was profitable, whether or not it was sustainable. But in a technologically advanced galaxy, exactly why human slave labor should be more profitable than droid labor is not entirely clear. One would think that robot miners, for instance, would work more efficiently than humans, and with considerably less attrition. But in the Star Wars universe, mining is done by human slaves. Perhaps the problem is that the droids are lousy
CLASSIC DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
technology. They tend to be built for narrow purposes (protocol droids, battle droids, and so forth) and seem not terribly bright. (Amazon’s Alexa seems smarter.) The Star Wars galaxy has not quite suffered a Butlerian Jihad, the event in the “Dune” universe that forbade the construction of artificially intelligent computers. But something is holding things back. The droids seem sentient. Nevertheless, they are still owned by humans and required to obey their owners’ commands. So it may make sense, as others have suggested, to think of the droids not as machines but as slaves. Now, let’s see. What do we have so far? Under the Republic and the Empire alike, a pretense of free trade corrupted by extensive guilds and monopolies; an Empire that spends enormous sums on military technology; a Rebel Alliance that has no evident plan for making up the enormous economic losses when the technology is destroyed; and an ubiquitous slavery that nobody in the galaxy seems interested in doing anything about. So as we await “The Last Jedi,” let the speculation continue. (Will Rey fall to the Dark Side? Will Rey not fall to the Dark Side? Has Rey already fallen to the Dark Side?) I have no doubt that the movie will be enormous fun. But when I’m sitting there with my popcorn on opening day — I bought my tickets a month ago — the scholarly part of me will also be trying to figure out how the galaxy manages to pay for it all. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Stephen L. Carter is a Bloomberg View columnist.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, December 9, 2017 |
FROM THE COVER CEREMONY From page A1
counties of Zapata, Starr, Duval, Jim Hogg and Jim Wills. The Webb County District Attorney’s Office determines if the veterans referred to the program, which is an alternative to criminal prosecution, are eligible to participate. Participants spend between 13 to 18 months in the volunteer-based program before graduation. Paul Torres, the program administrator, said the program has been immensely successful in aiding veterans who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger issues and other behavioral problems by providing counseling, therapy and helping participants with job applications and resumes. Torres, an Army and National Guard veteran, estimates that over 90 percent of graduates have thrived and not relapsed. He attributes this partly to the fact that the staff is
SNOW From page A1 According to the National Weather Service, an estimated 1.2 inches of snow fell in the city. That was more than enough for residents — both children and adults — to build snowmen and get in snowball fights. Some
RESCUE From page A1 evaluating them and providing initial care, they were able to recover their core body temperatures. The immigrants were determined to be from Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras. Border Patrol agents in the Del Rio Sector said they rescued a family of undocumented immigrants, one of whom died, and found 14 others who were lost in the cold. “Crossing the border illegally poses multiple hazards,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “Sadly another human life was lost (Thursday) while attempting to illegally enter the United States.” In the morning hours of Dec. 7, Eagle Pass
INDICTED From page A1 Gonzalez is out on bond from the Zapata County Regional Jail. His mugshot was not available from the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office due to an apparent system malfunction.
largely composed of veterans who understand the unique challenges that veterans face. They embrace not only the veterans, but the families as well. The family members are the ones who seem them every day and support them at their best and their worst, Torres said. The event’s keynote speaker was Gigi Ramos, the founder and CEO of Volunteers Serving the Need. The non-profit organization’s mission is to serve Webb County veterans and their surviving spouses. “Because of your sacrifice, we are free. We just want to pay it forward,” Ramos said. Testimonies from graduates Several of the graduates were inspired by the second chance at life the program provided, and now want to give back and help others in need. Duane Gary Locke, a former Marine, credits the program counselors with encouraging him turn his life around. He said that the program’s staff treats veterans with honor and dignity.
“I made a bad decision 17 months ago,” Locke said. “It turned out to be one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.” He is back in college and plans to become a chemical dependency counselor. Graduate Ruben Lopez said it was hard for him after leaving the military. He had to be discharged due to an injury, and struggled with anger issues, which landed him in trouble. Lopez said he wants to become a pro-bono lawyer to help people resolve their immigration status. The Veterans Treatment Program was designed to help the men and women who served their country and fought for freedom, but are having trouble adapting to civilian life and have ended up in the criminal system. If you know of a veteran who has been arrested or needs help, contact Paul Torres at 956-5234814 or ptorres@webbcountytx.gov. Joana Santillana may be reached at 956-728-2528 or jsantillana@lmtonline.com
children, upon walking outside to see the snow, screamed with joy. The snowfall was a first for many. Laredo was last covered in a white blanket in 2004, but students of all ages were hopeful for a snow day. However, much to their disappointment, school closures were just as rare as the snow that
had fallen on the ground. The National Weather Service reported that up to 7 inches of snow fell in the Corpus Christi area on Friday morning. Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Wagner said the most recent comparable snowfall in Corpus Christi was 4.4 inches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 2004.
Station agents were relayed a distress call, originating from the local 911 system, from a group of three people lost on a remote ranch. The caller stated they had been separated from a larger group of migrants and that one was suffering in the extreme cold. When agents located the three individuals one had already died. The Mexican Consulate was notified and Maverick County Sheriff ’s Office responded to the area to take custody of the body. At the scene, agents also determined that more immigrants were potentially lost in the surrounding area. After a few hours of searching, agents from the Eagle Pass Station, Eagle Pass South Station, Uvalde Station, and the Del Rio Sector Border Patrol Special Operations De-
tachment located 14 other undocumented immigrants crossing though the ranch. With frigid temperatures, and the first substantial snowfall in Eagle Pass in for than 30 years, agents potentially saved their lives. The group was transported to the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center for treatment, stemming from exposure to the cold. Upon medical release, they will be transported to the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station for processing as per CBP guidelines. For fiscal year 2017, which ended on Sept. 30, Del Rio Sector documented 17 border deaths. The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.
“Our computer booking system did not save any mugshots for about a week. Luis Gonzalez’s (picture) was one that did not make it to the system,” the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office said in a statement. The Department of Public Safety said they initiated the investiga-
tion after receiving allegations of “oppression (sexual misconduct)” involving Gonzalez. At least three female county employees and a fourth woman came forward reporting “unwanted touching” by Gonzalez, according to county officials.
A5
Former aide say Franks offered $5M to carry his child By Juliet Linderman ASSOCIATED PRE SS
WASHINGTON — A former aide to Republican Rep. Trent Franks has told The Associated Press the congressman repeatedly pressed her to carry his child, at one point offering her $5 million to act as a surrogate mother. The eight-term lawmaker abruptly resigned Friday, bowing to an ultimatum from House Speaker Paul Ryan, RWis. Ryan told Franks that he would refer the allegations to the Ethics Committee and urged him to step aside. The former staffer said the congressman at least four times asked if she’d be willing to act as a surrogate in exchange for money. Franks, in his statement announcing his resignation, said he and his wife, who have struggled with infertility, have twins who were carried through surrogacy. The former aide said the conversations took place in private, sometimes in the congressman’s car, and that she repeatedly told him she wasn’t interested. She said she never filed a formal complaint because until recently she didn’t know where to go, but that his behavior had made her feel uncomfortable. The Associated Press verified the identity of the staffer and confirmed that she worked in Franks’ office. She asked that her name be withheld out of concern for her privacy,. “During my time there, I was asked a few times to look over a ‘contract’ to carry his child, and if I would conceive his child, I would be given $5 million,” she said, adding that she refused to look over the contract and has never
seen a copy. The woman said the requests shocked her, and made her feel afraid that if she didn’t agree, she would face professional consequences. She said she spoke to another aide in the office, who had also been approached about surrogacy. The aide cited the surrogacy requests as “a main reason” for leaving the office, adding that she felt retaliated against after turning down the congressman, ignored by Franks and not given many assignments. A spokesman for Franks would not comment on whether the congressman offered aides money in exchange to act as surrogates. Franks, a staunch conservative, said in his statement Thursday that he never physically intimidated, coerced or attempted to have sexual contact with any member of his congressional staff. Franks, 60, said he had become familiar with the surrogacy process in recent years and “became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others.” He said he regrets that his “discussion of this option and process in the workplace” with two female staffers made them feel uncomfortable. Ryan on Thursday said in a statement that he was briefed on the allegations last week, and found them to be “serious and requiring action.” Ryan said that he presented Franks with the allegations, “which he did not deny,” and filed them with the House Committee on Ethics. A senior congressional official said Ryan’s general counsel was contacted
about two weeks ago by someone with information about “troubling behavior” by Franks involving a former staffer. Ryan’s lawyer interviewed two women with similar complaints and verified them through a third party. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the deliberations. Andrea Lafferty, President of Traditional Values Coalition, said she is the one who reported Franks’ conduct to the speaker’s office. Lafferty told AP that the former aide came to her about a year ago and told her about the surrogacy requests. Lafferty said she contacted Ryan’s office last month, after the staffer agreed to discuss the incident with leadership. “I was approached last year about the situation, she came to me wanting some advice about how to handle this. She came to me shaking and sobbing, and she shared a story that I think is horrific, a powerful man hiring young women, procuring staff, to potentially surrogate children for him,” Lafferty said. “I accompanied (the former aide) to the meeting in the speaker’s office where she said Congressman Trent Franks offered her $5 million if she conceived him a child.” Franks’ net worth of nearly $33 million makes him one of the wealthier members of Congress. While surrogacy regulations and costs vary from state to state, services typically run in the range of the low hundreds of thousands of dollars. The former aide said she never received details about payment or where the process would occur.
Zfrontera A6 | Saturday, December 9, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
RIBEREÑA EN BREVE RECORRIDO Y CONCURSO ÁRBOLES NAVIDEÑOS 1 El Museo de Historia del Condado de Zapata invita a su recorrido de casas de campo y recorrido navideño por la ciudad. Se visitará La Hacienda de las Flores, Casa Torres, y Villa Bustamante entre otras. Admisión general 5 dólares. Además Concurso de Árboles Navideños, el domingo 10 de diciembre desde la 1 p.m.
POSPONEN DESFILE DE NAVIDAD 1 El Desfile de Navidad y la iluminacióm de la Plaza del Condado fue pospuesto para el lunes 11 de diciembre. En el desfile, los tres coches alegóricos mejor decorados recibirán trofeos. El desfile comenzará a las 6 p.m. en 17th Ave. detrás de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes. Inmediatamente después se encenderán las luces del árbol de Navidad en la Plaza del Condado donde Santa estará repartiendo regalos.
PATRULLA FRONTERIZA
RECOLECTOR
Rescate inmigrantes
Obtiene cinco cargos
Acciones ayudan a 25 personas en riesgo Por César G. Rodriguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
El inclemente clima no detuvo la actividad ilícita en el Condado de Zapata, de acuerdo con la Patrulla Fronteriza. Pero la unidad de la Policía Montada de la Patrulla Fronteriza estaba lista para asistir. El viernes autoridades federales distribuyeron una fotografía de los agentes en la Estación de Zapata
ayudando a inmigrantes sospechosos de haber entrado al país ilegalmente. En la fotografía, los agentes se ven escoltando a sus caballos mientras los inmigrantes montan al animal en el área de Zapata. Esto fue un resultado de nueve acciones de refuerzos en Laredo, Hebbronville, Freer y Zapata que llevó al rescate de 25 inmigrantes,
de acuerdo con la Patrulla Fronteriza. “Los sujetos se encontraban en apuros debido a las recientes bajas temperaturas o se habían perdido mientras caminaban por la maleza. Agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza incluyendo aquellos asignados a la Unidad de la Policía Montada del Sector Laredo, fueron enviados a localizaron los sujetos en problemas por todas las
diferentes ubicaciones en Laredo y las comunidades a la redonda”, dice la agencia en una declaración. Algunos de los inmigrantes rescatados mostraron señas moderadas a severas de hipotermia. Agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza certificados como paramédicos respondieron y determinaron que se encontraban en buena salud.
CASA DEL ARTE MIGUEL ALEMÁN, MX
PRESENTAN GRAN MUESTRA DE TALENTOS
SERIE DE CONCIERTOS 1 El Centro de Bellas Artes del distrito escolar Roma Independent School District invita a su Serie de Conciertos Navideños 2017: lunes 11, Concierto de la banda de Roma Middle School; martes 12, Programa de concierto de la Orquesta de Roma ISD; miércoles 13, Concierto de Coro de Roma ISD; jueves 14, Concierto de la banda de la secundaria Ramiro Barrera Middle School; viernes 15, concierto del Mariachi de Roma ISD; lunes 18, concierto del programa Folklórico de Roma ISD. Todos los conciertos inician a las 6:30 p.m., en Roma ISD PAC, 2031 North US Highway 83. Evento gratuito pero se aceptan donativos. Mayores informes al 956-8471690.
Foto de cortesía / Gobierno de Miguel Alemán
La Casa del Arte de Miguel Alemán, México, presentó su 6a. Gran Muestra de Talentos, con motivo de la celebración del inicio del mes de diciembre y la magia de la navidad 2017. Los niños y jóvenes mostraron lo que aprendieron dentro de los talleres de canto, violín y piano, así como la presentación del recital de danza contemporánea “Bailando en Navidad”.
Por César G. Rodríguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
El asesor y recolector fiscal del Condado de Zapata supuestamente besó a una mujer en el cuello y la tocó inapropiadamente mientras actuaba como servidor público, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte obtenidos esta semana. Una acusación formal emitida el 29 de noviembre contra Luis Lauro González indica que besó a dos mujeres en el cuello y las tocó en sus “piernas, o hombros, o espalda sabiendo que sus avances o peticiones o tocamientos o comentarios no eran bienvenidos por las quejosas”. González supuestamente besó y tocó inapropiadamente a dos mujeres y tocó inapropiadamente a una tercera, de acuerdo con registros de la corte. Los Texas Rangers arrestaron a González el 30 de noviembre. Él fue acusado de cinco cargos de opresión oficial, un cargo menor que puede ser castigado con hasta un año en prisión y una multa de 4.000 dólares. González se encuentra libre bajo fianza de la Cárcel Regional del Condado de Zapata. Su fotografía al ser fichado no estaba disponible en la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata debido a una aparente falla del sistema. “Nuestros sistema computarizado de fichado no guardó las fotografías durante una semana. La foto de Luis González fue una de las que no aparece en el sistema”, dice una declaración de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Webb. El Departamento de Seguridad Pública dijo que iniciaron una investigación después de recibir alegatos de “opresión (conducta sexual) involucrando a González”. Al menos tres empleadas del condado y una cuarta salieron a la luz reportando “tocamientos no requeridos” por parte de González, de acuerdo con funcionarios del condado.
BINGO 1 La escuela primaria Fidel & Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School invitan al primer bingo Turkey and Roster Holiday Bingo en Zapata County Pavillion, el 18 de diciembre desde las 7 p.m.
COLUMNA
CLÍNICA SOBRE AVES DE CORRAL
Sobre el Tratado MonAlmonte, suscrito en 1859, hablan muy de pasada los textos escolares de nivel básico. Incurren además en garrafal equívoco, pues afirman que nunca llega a concretarse. Surgido del voto ciudadano, el órgano constituyente dicta la Carta Magna del 5 de febrero de 1857. Pese a su carácter moderado, contra ella se pronuncian los conservadores. Asaltan la capital, usurpan el poder y desatan la Guerra de Reforma, con aliento del alto clero. Retratándose por completo, temprano dan muerte en Tacubaya a numerosos civiles indefensos. Ansían el visto bueno de potencias extranjeras, por gravoso que sea. Pro monárquicos de rancio cuño, inician meses adelante pláticas con España, cuya embajada recién había cerrado, so pretexto de haber perdido la vida
1 El Departamento de Ciencias de las Aves de la universidad Texas A&M University invita a su taller sobre Aves de Corral el 19 de diciembre, de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en Oswaldo & Juanita Ramírez Exhibit Hall, ubicado en 23rd. y Glenn Street, en Zapata. El taller proporciona una excelente oportunidad para aprender sobre el manejo y exhibición de las aves de corral. Evento gratuito y abierto al público pero se requiere registro previo. Mayores informes con Joevanna Sanches al 956-437-4822; Fernando Rodríguez al 956-763-1344.
Mon-Almonte, tratado ominoso Por Raúl Sinencio Chávez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
ciudadanos suyos en diversos hechos delictivos. Al cabo de pésimos Juan N. arreglos Almonte obsequian el Tratado Mon-Almonte. Lo negocian Alejandro Mon, representante ibérico, y por los golpistas mexicanos Juan Nepomuceno Almonte. Fijan los términos en París, el 26 de septiembre de 1859. Mandatario de facto, el general reaccionario Miguel Miramón apresura trámites, bastante ufano. A principios de 1860 intercambian las correspondientes ratificaciones él y la reina Isabel II. Formalizan así entendimientos bilaterales. Pudiera creerse que el fondo de los puntos consentidos justifica tanta premura. Examinándolos afloran rudos desengaños. Por medio del Tratado Mon-Almonte las autoridades espurias admiten
compromisos exentos de reciprocidades y asumen posturas indecorosas. En dicho tenor queda prescrito que nuestro país aplicaría “el debido castigo” a los asesinatos de marras, ocupándose también de “indemnizar a los súbditos” peninsulares afectados, cubriéndoles por cuenta del fisco daños y perjuicios. Dizque ello permitiría cortar “de una vez las diferencias que se han suscitado entre” ambas naciones. Almonte vuelve “pública la que es responsabilidad privada” o del fuero común, “pagando México sin obligación lo que España recibe sin justicia”, critica José María Lafragua. El convenio echa peores cargas al de por sí maltrecho erario nacional. Lo anterior, en virtud de reclamar la corona hispana desde tiempo atrás que le pagaran considerable deuda. Inflada con métodos fraudulentos, tornándola dudosa, hacia 1854 el mis-
mísimo Antonio López de Santa Anna propone revisarla, lejos de cubrirla. Ningún abono se registra mientras. Los usurpadores admiten en cambio a ciegas el saldo insoluto. Nada alegan sino que con docilidad ofrecen liquidarlo en breve lapso. Hipotecan al efecto los ingresos aduanales de Veracruz, Tampico, Matamoros y restantes puertos marítimos. Inmiscuida en cuestiones internas, España de inmediato brinda reconocimiento diplomático al bando sedicioso. “Anhelo en el alma saber pronto que Miramón ha logrado por fin consolidarse”, declara Saturnino Calderón Collantes, ministro hispano de Estado. Resultan estos anhelos explicables, puesto que como un cheque en blanco se omite esclarecer los supuestos adeudos mexicanos. Ignorándolos a punto fijo, con altanería Madrid años después aduce que “no eran me-
nores de 10 millones de reales”. Cuánta desfachatez. Tras restablecer la Constitución de 1857, el presidente Benito Juárez rechaza el ominoso acuerdo. Serios motivos tiene para considerarlo “extraño a los usos de las naciones por los principios que establece e ilegítimo por la forma con que ha sido ajustado”. Deviene asimismo “contrario a los derechos de nuestra patria”, remarca el Benemérito de las Américas, quien el 12 de enero de 1861 ordena expulsar al embajador ibérico Joaquín Francisco Pacheco, cínico partidario de los retrógrados. Más claro ni el agua. Ratificándolo, Su Majestad Católica y Miramón concretan las cláusulas del tristemente célebre Tratado Mon-Almonte. Que los textos escolares se hagan de la vista gorda al respecto, impide el conocimiento veraz del pasado, en menoscabo de niños y jóvenes.
Sports&Outdoors THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, December 9, 2017 |
A7
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: HOUSTON TEXANS
Savage looks to limit mistakes as Texans host San Francisco Houston meets 49ers in battle of teams at bottom of the standings did, when he is in that situation, definitely excites everybody,” Shanahan said. “I think everyone knows the potential and the possibilities. It’s not that you have to temper, you just have to be realistic. It was one game.” Here are some things to know about the 49ersTexans game.
By Kristie Rieken A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
HOUSTON — Tom Savage threw for a careerhigh 365 yards last week before the Houston Texans were once again done in by one of his turnovers in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. The latest error left Savage searching for a way to limit his mistakes as the Texans (4-8) prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers (2-10) on Sunday. “Now I’m being labeled as a fumbler and a turnover machine, which I know I’m not,” Savage said. “It comes down to just executing and doing it and then just proving to yourself you’re not a turnover guy.” Savage gained that label by losing seven fumbles and throwing six interceptions in just six starts this season. Ten of those turnovers, including all of his interceptions, have come in the past four games where the Texans have gone 1-3. While acknowledging that he has to cut down on his turnovers, the Texans are also quick to point out the improvement that he’s made in other areas of his game since taking over
Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle
Quarterback Tom Savage and the Texans square off with another struggling squad Sunday meeting the 49ers.
when Deshaun Watson was injured in November. “He does a great job of understanding it’s about winning and it’s about putting the ball in the end zone,” quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan said. “We still didn’t get that done. So, for as good as the performance was, as much as it can help him individually ... he realizes that ultimately we didn’t get done what we needed to get done, so there’s certainly a lot of room for improvement.” While Savage is only filling in for the season as
Watson recovers from a knee injury, the 49ers may have found their quarterback of the future in Jimmy Garoppolo. Acquired before the trade deadline from New England, Garoppolo shined in his first start on Sunday, throwing for 293 yards to help the 49ers to a 15-14 win at Chicago. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if it’s too early to get excited about what Garoppolo could do for the team. “To come in there in that situation and to make some of the plays that he
STAYING FRESH The 49ers defense got a needed break last week in the win over Chicago. San Francisco came into the game having faced the second-most plays in the league with 761. But the defense was on the field for only 36 plays last week, the fewest for any team in a game this season. Much of the credit goes to the offense, which converted 10 of 18 third downs and was on the field for 38:47. “It got us a lot of rest,” defensive lineman DeForest Buckner said. “We almost felt like we were spectators at the game just watching and stuff. It was very motivating to see the offense drive the length of the field to give the defense the rest we need to perform at a high level.” INJURIES PILE UP Houston’s already long list of injuries got even longer when several more
players were injured against the Titans. Receiver Bruce Ellington sustained a seasonending hamstring injury and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz also went on the injured reserve after receiving his third concussion of the season. The Texans are also likely to be without Braxton Miller on Sunday after he also sustained a concussion in last week’s game. Those injuries have left Houston thin at receiver and tight end, but the group could get a boost against the 49ers if Will Fuller can return. Fuller, who returned to practice this week after missing three games with a rib injury, is second on the team with seven touchdown receptions. TOP TARGET Speedster Marquise Goodwin is developing into San Francisco’s top receiver after Pierre Garcon went down with a season-ending neck injury. Goodwin has been able to use his blazing speed to create cushions by the defense that have allowed him to catch more short and intermediate routes instead of just deep throws. Goodwin already has
career highs with 35 catches for 677 yards. He set a personal best last week with eight catches against the Bears. “He scares people with his speed,” Garoppolo said. “No doubt about it. The guy’s a legit, I don’t know what his 100 is but it’s fast. It takes the top off defenses and makes them think about that. It allows him to run some different types of routes. But, he’s an all-around good receiver for us.” CLOWNEY’S CONTRIBUTIONS Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has led the Texans this season with J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus out with injuries. The top overall pick in the 2014 draft has a career-high nine sacks and his 18 tackles for losses are also the most in his career and rank second in the NFL. “I hadn’t seen him on tape for a while and just watching him Monday ... it wasn’t very fun to watch him, to tell you the truth,” Shanahan said. “You get excited hearing that J.J.’s not in there, which thank goodness he’s not, but Clowney is, I think he’s really come through and he’s lived up to the expectations that everybody’s wanted him to.”
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: DALLAS COWBOYS
COWBOYS HAVE TOUGHER TASK FACING GIANTS AFTER CHANGES By Tom Canavan
ish.
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
TIGHT END SOLVED The Giants allowed an opposing tight end to catch a touchdown in each of their first nine games, starting with Jason Witten of the Cowboys. They have stopped that streak in the past three games. Witten is a problem. He has 153 receptions and 14 TDs against Giants, his most against any opponent.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants’ firing of coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese may have made things tougher on the Dallas Cowboys in their fight to stay in the playoff race. A week ago, the Cowboys (6-6) probably looked forward to playing the Giants (2-10) at MetLife Stadium with either Geno Smith or rookie Davis Webb running New York’s offense under McAdoo’s plan to evaluate his quarterbacks after benching Eli Manning. The Monday upheaval in the Meadowlands changed that. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was hired as the interim head coach after the firings and his first decision was to restore the 36-year-old Manning to his familiar starting role. “It’s our hope to unite, restore and find a way to win football games,” Spagnuolo said. “When I mean restore, you know, restore Giant pride. It’s hard to be real prideful when you don’t win a lot of football games. But, I think the guys feel that. They understand it and we’ll function that way going forward.” Having the Cowboys in town will up the ante for the Giants. They are probably New York’s biggest rival and all the players have to remember was that this dreadful season kicked off with a loss in Dallas. “I’m sure they’ll have a different energy,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said. “Like you said, it’s some changes up there. New coach, Eli back in there. It’s also Cowboys-Giants. It’s going to be there, and the
Sarah Warnock / Associated Press file
Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee is expected to return to the field Sunday against the Giants after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury.
Linebacker Lee returns to boost Cowboys’ defense energy’s going to be there regardless because it’s a rivalry, it’s in division and it’s two teams that are playing for pride, a lot of pride and then obviously us playoffs.” The Cowboys are two games out of a wild-card spot with four games left in the regular season. Besides the Giants, they also face Oakland (6-6), Seattle (8-4) and Philadelphia (10-2). They have had 10 days to prepare for this game. “I mean it’s just playoff starts now,” said Prescott, who threw two touchdowns in a big win over Washington on Nov. 30. “Simple as that. You’ve got to embrace it. If you play this game and you don’t love ... If you don’t love the fact that your back’s against the wall and it’s about
what you do every week or every day that it pays off on Sunday, that’s what makes this game fun.” Manning is also looking to have a little fun after seeing his streak of 210 consecutive starts snapped last week in Oakland. He ran the scout team in practice last week and served as the backup to Smith. “I’m excited,” said Manning, who has started 27 games in his 14-year career against the Cowboys and thrown 50 touchdowns. “Excited about the opportunity to play this week, get back on the field with teammates and go play against the Dallas Cowboys. I’ve played these guys a bunch and I look forward to going out there in our home
stadium and trying to get a win.” Here are some things to watch Sunday: BACK IN THE SADDLE Dallas linebacker Sean Lee is expected to return after missing three straight games with a hamstring injury. The 2016 AllPro missed two games earlier in the season as well. The Cowboys missed him badly after he left a loss at Atlanta with the injury, and subsequently had lopsided defeats against the LA Chargers and Philadelphia. The defense turned a corner against the Redskins with a season-high four takeaways and key stops to help put the game away. Dallas was 0-5 in games Lee either missed or didn’t fin-
PAIR IN PAIN Dallas tackles Tyron Smith (left) and La’el Collins (right) both are battling back problems that have limited their practice time. Collins didn’t practice at all last week, but played against Washington. Smith had issues last season and missed two games this season when he was also battling a groin injury. Collins hasn’t missed a game and says he doesn’t expect that to change against the Giants. ENGRAM EVERY DOWN Rookie Evan Engram has become the go-to guy for the Giants. The first-round draft pick leads the team with 51 catches for 569 yards. His six touchdown catches are a team record for a rookie tight end. He needs 24 catches and 326 yards receiving to break Jeremy Shockey’s team rookie records (74, 894). PLAY CALLING With McAdoo gone, coordinator Mike Sullivan will continue calling the plays for the offense. Spagnuolo has called the defenses since returning here in 2015. He probably will call the plays Sunday. If not, expect Dave Merritt, who coaches the safeties, to make the calls.
A8 | Saturday, December 9, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
BUSINESS
S&P returns to record after strong jobs report By Stan Choe A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
NEW YORK — Stocks rose Friday following a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report, and the strong finish pushed the Standard & Poor’s 500 index to its third straight weekly gain despite some weakness earlier in the week. The gains were widespread, and telecom and health care stocks helped lead the way. Overseas markets were also higher after negotiators hit a breakthrough in the United Kingdom’s efforts to leave the European Union. The S&P 500 rose 14.52 points, or 0.6 percent, to finish at 2,651.50, another record. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 117.68, or 0.5 percent, to 24,329.16, and the Nasdaq composite rose 27.24, or 0.4 percent, to 6,840.08. The U.S. jobs report, which is the economic highlight of each month, showed that employers added 228,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate remained at a low 4.1 percent. It’s the latest evidence that the U.S. economy continues to
Mari Matsuri / AFP/Getty Images
Men are shown working on a construction site in Washington, DC. The US economy continued to see robust job creation in November, with strong gains in manufacturing, health care and construction, the government reported on Friday.
Michael Nagle / Bloomberg
Mary Ellen Genovese, center, stands for a photograph on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York. on Friday, U.S. stocks climbed along with equities in Europe and Asia as the latest jobs report bolstered optimism in the world's largest economy.
positive growth,” said Erin Browne, head of asset allocation at UBS Asset Management. She said that it’s encouraging that an area of strength in the job market is the manufacturing industry. It’s an indication that companies are spending more on equipment and other things to grow, something that economists had been waiting years to see. The jobs report is the
last major piece of economic data before the Federal Reserve meets next week to discuss interest rate policy. Most economists expect it to approve the third increase in short-term rates for the year. Biotechnology stocks helped lead the market, and health care stocks in the S&P 500 rose 1.1 percent for one of the biggest gains of the 11 sectors that make up the index.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts a driver-side small overlap frontal crash safety tests on a Volkswagen Jetta. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says just 15 vehicles earned its “Top Safety Pick Plus” designation for 2018.
Subaru, Hyundai earn top safety awards DETROIT — Subaru and Hyundai have the most vehicles named top safety picks by the insurance industry. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says just 15 vehicles earned its “Top Safety
By Christopher Rugaber ASSOCIATED PRE SS
improve, in sync with the rest of the world. Paychecks, though, have not been getting much bigger, and hourly wages rose less last month than economists expected. Higher pay would help workers spend more, but it could also lead to higher inflation. “The way risk markets are looking at it is it’s very much a Goldilocks environment: still muted or low inflation and very
IIHS / TNS
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
Strong economies help boost US job market
Pick Plus” designation for 2018. Winners must perform well on crash tests. They also must offer advanced frontal crash prevention technology and good headlights. Subaru has four cars on the list: the Impreza,
WRX, Legacy and Outback. Hyundai has two SUVs — the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport — and two luxury sedans, the Genesis G80 and G90. Other top-performing cars are the Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Toyota Camry, BMW 5 Series, Lincoln
Continental and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a top-performing SUV. Forty-seven vehicles earned the next-best designation of “Top Safety Pick,” including 10 from Toyota and its luxury Lexus brand.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. job market is benefiting from an unlikely source: Other countries. The global economy is showing renewed strength, with Europe, Japan and many developing nations growing in tandem for the first time in a decade. The brightening international picture is encouraging more hiring in the United States — even among manufacturers, which have been hurt in the past by global competition. “We’re seeing demand coming from where we haven’t seen it in a long, long time,” said Scott Anderson, chief economist at Bank of the West. “We’re riding the wave of that added global growth.” In November, U.S. employers added a substantial 228,000 jobs, the Labor Department said Friday. It was the 86th straight month of gains, the longest on record, and a sign of the job market’s enduring strength in the economy’s ninth year of expansion. The unemployment rate held at 4.1 percent, a 17-year low. Friday’s jobs report coincided with other signs that the U.S. economy remains on firm footing. In the past six months, economic growth has exceeded an annual rate of 3 percent, the first time that’s happened since 2014. Consumer confidence has reached its highest level since 2000. Europe’s economy is poised to grow at the fastest pace in a decade, and its unemployment rate has reached its lowest level in nearly nine years. Japan’s economy expanded in the fall for the seventh straight quarter, its longest period of growth
since 2001. Such developing economies as China and India are growing steadily. The overall global economy is expanding at its fastest pace in seven years, according to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, a Paris-based think tank. It should fare slightly better in 2018, the OECD says. Stronger economies overseas have helped boost profits at U.S. multinational corporations, a key reason why the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has climbed 18 percent this year. U.S. companies in the S&P index derive about half their revenue from abroad. Exports contributed 0.43 percentage point to economic growth in the July-September quarter, the most in nearly four years. Factories are making more goods for overseas markets, including agricultural and mining equipment. Exports of aircraft engines are up 13 percent, overseas shipments of semiconductors up 8 percent. Manufacturers have stepped up hiring. In November, they added 31,000 jobs. Over the past year, they’ve added 189,000. “More than anything, a marked improvement in the global economy is what is driving a better US manufacturing picture,” said Cliff Waldman, chief economist at MAPI Foundation, a manufacturing research group. Still, solid hiring and a low unemployment rate have yet to accelerate wages, which rose 2.5 percent in November compared with a year earlier. The last time unemployment was this low, average wages were growing at a 4 percent annual rate.