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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