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FEDERAL COURT
VEHICLE IMPORTS
$1.7M in cocaine seized in county
Mexican vehicles
Weslaco man charged with intent to distribute
Mexico to trump Japan as No. 2 car exporter to US By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON ASSOCIATED PRESS
CELAYA, Mexico — Sayonara, Japan. Mexico is on track to replace the Asian automotive giant as the second-largest exporter of cars to the United States by the end of the
year. An $800 million Honda plant opening Friday in the central state of Guanajuato will produce about 200,000 Fit hatchbacks a year, helping push total Mexican car exports to the U.S. to 1.7 million in 2014, roughly 200,000 more
than Japan, consulting firm IHS Automotive says. And, with another big plant starting next week, Mexico is expected to surpass Canada for the top spot by the end of 2015. “It’s a safe bet,” said Eduardo Solis, president of the Mexican Automotive Industry As-
sociation. “Mexico is now one of the major global players in car manufacturing.” Experts say Mexico’s relatively low wages, closeness to the U.S. and free-trade deals with more than three dozen
See CAR IMPORTS PAGE 11A
HOLOCAUST MEMORIES
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
State and federal authorities seized cocaine worth $1.7 million and arrested a man in connection to the case Monday in southern Zapata County. A federal criminal complaint identified the suspect as Martin Gonzalez-Garces Jr., of Weslaco. He was charged with possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to court documents filed Wednesday. On Monday afternoon, Homeland Security Investigations special agents were conducting surveillance in the Lopeño and Chihuahua area. Then, agents observed a red F-150 pickup operated by Gonzalez-Garces going into a ranch located on the north end of Lopeño, court records state. About 30 minutes later, the F-150 exited the ranch and headed south on U.S. 83 toward Roma. A few miles later, a Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office K-9 deputy pulled over the pickup for a traffic violation. Court records allege that GonzalezGarces was acting nervous. The narcotics detection dog alerted deputies to the possible presence of narcotics in the bed of the pickup. Asked if the vehicle could be taken to another area for better inspection, Gonzalez-Garces agreed, according to court documents. “Upon further inspection, (deputies) discovered tampering and missing screws in the bed liner of the vehicle,” the complaint states. Deputies discovered an aftermarket compartment when they removed the bed liner and found 117.61 pounds of cocaine
See COCAINE
PAGE 11A
MEMORIES GO MISSING Car thief claims Holocaust survivor’s treasures By MARC RAMIREZ THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
D
ALLAS — What Max Glauben waited decades to obtain, thieves took in a matter of minutes. The 86-year-old retired garment-supply store owner survived five German concentration camps and often shares his story with school groups and conference attendees. As part of his talks, he shows a video that German officials recorded of him offering his testimony, or the photos he’s taken with luminaries such as Nobel Peace Prize-winning writer Elie Wiesel and President George W. Bush. But sometime Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning, those items were among other treasures stolen from his car as it sat outside his North Dallas home. He doesn’t care to prosecute. He just wants his prized
Photo by David Woo/The Dallas Morning News | AP
Max Glauben, 86, stands in front of photographs taken of him, his mother and brother in Poland at the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education. Max is in the photograph to his left, standing next to his mother, to her right. collection back. Most of the materials were papers, photos, documents and personal things, some irreplaceable, like the photos
and medals and other crafted items given to him as gifts. “You know, they’re not valuable to them,” Glauben told The Dallas Morning News,
“but to me, they mean an awful lot.” He’d grown up in Warsaw,
See HOLOCAUST
PAGE 11A
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Playing with a child allegedly turns violent
Police: Relief takes threatening turn
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Child play went too far when a man allegedly assaulted a child, authorities said this week. Luis Antonio AriasAleman, 31, was arrested and charged with injury to a child, a state jail felony punishable with up to two years in jail, Feb. 12 in the 400 block of Ann Drive. Arias-Aleman and a
child were hitting each other back and forth with a roll of ARIAS-ALEMAN wrapping paper, according to a Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office incident report. It wasn’t until later when the child hit Arias-
Aleman in the back, causing him to get “enraged,” sheriff ’s officials said. Deputies say Arias-Aleman then hit the child hard enough on the side of the stomach to knock him to the ground. This prompted his arrest. Arias-Aleman was released on a $10,000 bond Feb. 14. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man allegedly caught urinating outside a business pulled a handgun and threatened to shoot people, according to the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office. On Feb. 14, witnesses told deputies that Arnoldo Gonzalez, 38, who was believed to be drunk, was urinating in the parking lot of Lucky Spins in Fal-
con. Gonzalez was told not to do so but he pulled a knife. Gonzalez GONZALEZ then left but he returned armed with a handgun. He began threatening to shoot people until deputies arrived to take him
into custody. Gonzalez was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony, which could carry a punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He was released from the Zapata Regional Jail on Feb. 15 on a $60,000 bond. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
Saturday, Feb. 22
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Spiritual Experiences — Have You Had One?” free bilingual discussion and HU chant. 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Road. Contact Aurora Gonzales or Greg Pape at 210-831-7113 or greg2u4@sbcglobal.net. 38th Annual Noche Mexicana: A Presentation of Señor y Señora Internacional. 6:30 p.m. Laredo Civic Center Ballroom. Sen. Wendy Davis is Señora Internacional representing the U.S., and Senadora Cristina Diaz Salazar is Señora Internacional representing Mexico. Dinner served at 8 p.m. Tickets $50 per person; tables for 10 $500. Call Mace Martinez at 645-2441.
Today is Saturday, Feb. 22, the 53rd day of 2014. There are 312 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 22, 1732 (New Style date), the first president of the United States, George Washington, was born in Westmoreland County in the Virginia Colony. On this date: In 1784, a U.S. merchant ship, the Empress of China, left New York for the Far East to trade goods with China. In 1862, Jefferson Davis, already the provisional president of the Confederacy, was inaugurated for a six-year term following his election in Nov. 1861. In 1865, Tennessee adopted a new constitution which included the abolition of slavery. In 1909, the Great White Fleet, a naval task force sent on a round-the-world voyage by President Theodore Roosevelt, returned after more than a year at sea. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge delivered the first radio broadcast from the White House as he addressed the country over 42 stations. In 1934, Frank Capra’s romantic comedy “It Happened One Night,” starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, opened at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. In 1943, Pan Am Flight 9035, a Boeing 314 flying boat, crashed while attempting to land in Lisbon, Portugal. Twenty-five people were killed; 14 survived, including actress-singer Jane Froman. In 1959, the inaugural Daytona 500 race was held; although Johnny Beauchamp was initially declared the winner, the victory was later awarded to Lee Petty. In 1967, more than 25,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops launched Operation Junction City, aimed at smashing a Vietcong stronghold near the Cambodian border. (Although the communists were driven out, they later returned.) In 1984, David Vetter, a 12year-old Texas boy who’d spent most of his life in a plastic bubble because he had no immunity to disease, died 15 days after being removed from the bubble for a bone-marrow transplant. Ten years ago: Consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced he was running again for president, this time as an independent. Five years ago: “Slumdog Millionaire” won best picture and seven other Academy Awards; the late Heath Ledger won the best supporting actor Oscar for “The Dark Knight.” One year ago: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius walked out of a South African court after a magistrate agreed to release him on bail ahead of his premeditated murder trial over the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Today’s Birthdays: Announcer Don Pardo is 96. Actor Paul Dooley is 86. Hollywood “ghost singer” Marni Nixon is 84. Movie director Jonathan Demme (DEH’-mee) is 70. Actor John Ashton is 66. Actress Miou-Miou is 64. Actress Julie Walters is 64. Basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving is 64. Actress Ellen Greene is 63. Former Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., is 62. Thought for Today: “The passion for setting people right is in itself an afflictive disease.” — Marianne Moore, American poet (1887-1972).
Monday, Feb. 24 Monthly meeting of Laredo Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Laredo Medical Center, Tower B, First Floor Community Center. Patients, caregivers and family members invited. Free info pamphlets available in Spanish and English. Call Richard Renner (English) at 645-8649 or Juan Gonzalez (Spanish) at 2370666.
Wednesday, Feb. 26 Black History Jazz Concert. 7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Laredo Civic Center Auditorium. Jazz musicians from Dallas and San Antonio to join Vidal M. Treviño magnet school’s Jacqui DavisMcCaulley and Ric Cortez. Contact Cortez at 206-0351 or rcortez004@laredoisd.org.
Thursday, Feb. 27 Los Amigos Duplicate Bridge Club. 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Laredo Country Club. Call Beverly Cantu at 7270589. Book-signing with Joe Lopez, author of “The First Texas Independence, 1813.” 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St. Books available for sale that evening. Call 727-0977 or visit webbheritage.org.
Friday, Feb. 28 Christian Life Seminar: What It Means To Be A Christian. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., every Friday until April 11. San Martin De Porres Catholic Church’s St. Elizabeth Room. Free. Light snacks served. Contact Leah Cayanan at 2860654 or leigh.cayanan@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 1 Used book sale, hosted by First United Methodist Church. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hardback books are $1, paperback books 50 cents, and magazines and children’s books 25 cents.
Tuesday, March 4 Pre-Lenten all-you-can-eat pancake supper. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free, but donations accepted. Contact Sue Webber at 722-1674 or fumc_office@sbcglobal.net. Meeting of Alzheimer’s support group. 7 p.m. Meeting Room 2, Building B, Laredo Medical Center. For family members and caregivers. Call Melissa L. Guerra at 693-9991.
Thursday, March 6 Los Amigos Duplicate Bridge Club. 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Laredo Country Club. Call Beverly Cantu at 7270589 “Visiones del Anáhuac” exhibit opening reception. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St. Exhibit features paintings by renowned Mexican landscape artists José María Velasco. Call 7270977 or visit webbheritage.org.
Friday, March 7 Christian Life Seminar: What It Means To Be A Christian. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., every Friday until April 11. San Martin De Porres Catholic Church’s St. Elizabeth Room. Free. Light snacks served. Contact Leah Cayanan at 2860654 or leigh.cayanan@gmail.com.
Monday, March 10 Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting. 9 a.m. Zapata County Courthouse. Call Roxy Elizondo at 7659920.
Thursday, March 13 42nd Annual Zapata County Fair. 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Zapata County Fairgrounds.
Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman | AP
Various Texas legislators, including Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, gathered in the open-air rotunda to show their support for women’s health issues and concerns after the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met at the Texas State Capitol on Thursday.
Panel checks programs By CHRIS TOMLINSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — As a top Republican lawmaker made her case Thursday that women’s health programs in Texas remain effective after the Legislature banned the use of state funding for groups such as Planned Parenthood, critics blasted the GOP majority as placing ideology over best health care practices and leaving women with few choices for routine care. State Sen. Jane Nelson, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said Texas spends more money and provides more access to women’s health programs than before, even after the Republican-controlled Legislature sacrificed federal funding in order to ban state funding of clinics associated with groups that provide abortions. “I realize that 2011 was a difficult budget
year and reductions in family planning had an impact on access to services, but we also made significant investments and significant progress since then,” she said. Nelson and state agency leaders said the Legislature provided $240 million for the 2014-15 budget cycle, compared with $127 million in 2012-13 and $201 million in 2010-11. State agencies shifted the programs from reimbursing single-purpose clinics for treating poor women to individual doctors in private practice. Outside the hearing, Democratic lawmakers and officials with Planned Parenthood and the Texas Freedom Network said the information provided at the hearing was distorted. Activists say poor women in rural areas face major obstacles to getting care since 76 family planning clinics had to shut down for lack of funding.
Hit-and-run suspect pulled off plane at DFW
Abbott: Nugent ‘rightly apologized’ for slur
2 San Antonio residents to receive Medal of Honor
GRAPEVINE — Authorities in North Texas say they had to pull a suspect in a hit-and-run accident off a plane as he was trying to flee the United States. Arlington police say Omar Bashir Mohammed was detained Wednesday night at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Authorities say Mohammed hit a pedestrian on a sidewalk with his car on Saturday.
AUSTIN — Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott says Ted Nugent “rightly apologized” for degrading comments that resurfaced after welcoming the polarizing rocker to his campaign for Texas governor. Nugent last month called President Barack Obama a “subhuman mongrel” in an interview. He apologized earlier Friday after Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky disavowed the remark.
SAN ANTONIO — Two of three living Army veterans to be awarded the Medal of Honor next month live in the San Antonio area. A statement from U.S. Army North headquarters at Fort Sam Houston says President Barack Obama will decorate retired Master Sgt. Jose Rodela and former Sgt. Santiago Erevia at a White House ceremony March 18.
FBI to investigate stun gun incident at school AUSTIN — The FBI will investigate a Central Texas sheriff ’s deputy use of a stun gun on a high school student that resulted in severe injuries to the 17-yearold. Noe Niño de Rivera hit his head on the floor after being shocked in November at Cedar Creek High School. He spent almost two months in a medically induced coma.
Air Force sergeant charged with rape SAN ANTONIO — An Air Force sergeant has been charged with raping three women as long ago as 1992. Master Sgt. Michael Silva serves in a base support unit at what is now called Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. He faces life imprisonment if convicted at court-martial of the charges.
Retail gasoline prices jump 5 cents across state IRVING — Retail gasoline prices this week have jumped by a nickel per gallon across Texas. AAA Texas on Thursday reported the average unleaded price at the pump statewide has reached $3.20. The price rose by 8 cents the prior week. Gas prices nationally also rose by 5 cents to $3.38 per gallon. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION 3 students to be questioned in vandalism OXFORD, Miss. — The University of Mississippi wants to question three white students in connection with the vandalism of the statue of James Meredith, who in 1962 became the first black student to enroll in the then all-white university. But attorneys for the three students aren’t allowing them to be questioned without arrest warrants. The three have not been identified. Police on Sunday found a noose tied around the neck of the statue, along with an old Georgia flag with a Confederate battle emblem in its design. University spokesman Danny Blanton said Friday the school’s findings have been turned over to the district attorney’s office. Blanton said the university will also proceed with internal disciplinary action through a judicial panel.
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A man vies the fog shrouding Benjamin Franklin Bridge spanning the Delaware River, on Friday, on the Race Street Pier in Philadelphia.
NASA suspends space capsule test in ocean SAN DIEGO — NASA has scrubbed a test involving recovery of a mock-up of its space cap-
sule after it was discovered that the cables weren’t strong enough to handle the turbulence. NASA and the Navy have been practicing for the recovery of Orion, which will make its first unmanned flight this fall. — 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
Local
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
Man accused of striking child By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man who allegedly struck a child with a pair of pliers was arrested Feb. 12 in the 1500 block of Hidalgo Boulevard, according to Zapata County Sheriff ’s officials. That day, a relative of a 9year-old child reported that a neighbor hit the child on the top of the head with a pair of pliers, a report states. Jose Fernando Guerra, 41, was identified as the suspect, according to deputies.
He had allegedly hit the child because he was misbehaving and using vulgarities. Deputies arrested and GUERRA charged Guerra with injury to a child, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 10 years in prison. Guerra posted bond Feb. 13. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Man indicted by feds By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
One man accused of transporting 11 illegal immigrants within the Zapata area to help out his mother economically was indicted Wednesday in federal court in Laredo. Wayne Nicholas Martinez was charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants within the United States, and two counts of transport and attempt to transport undocumented immigrants for financial gain. Each count could carry punishment of up to 10 years in prison. Martinez will be in court for arraignment Feb. 27. A second suspect, Juan Francisco Trejo-Ugalde, mentioned in the criminal complaint and who was identified as
the foot guide, has not been indicted. Both men are in federal custody. On Jan. 25, a U.S. Border Patrol agent in the area of Texas 16, about 7 miles east of Zapata, got behind an older model Ford Expedition which was “heavily latent” in the cargo area, despite the driver being the only person visible in the vehicle, a criminal complaint states. Court records allege the Expedition reduced speed and began swerving. The agent then attempted an immigration inspection on the driver. “Before the (agent) could reach the driver’s window, the driver accelerated and took off,” court documents state. About 25 yards later, several people exited from the vehicle when it slowed down. They ran toward the
Group gets $400K fed grant SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Zapata County Economic Development Corporation has earned a competitive federal grant of $400,000 to fund a part of the Zapata Economic Capacity Building Initiative. The fund will be used to increase the region’s competitiveness, map the region’s assets and develop a list of target industries that will drive economic growth. In addition, ZEDC will identify and develop strategies to address weaknesses in workforce training, infrastructure and other areas of economic development in Zapata County. “I am very happy to announce this investment in Zapata County and look forward to seeing the transformative impact it will have on the community,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “Zapata has huge untapped potential for growth and this funding will pave the way for an increased profile for the county for economic investment.” An economic development corporation official said the grant will benefit the county. “This funding is all about the future, not the past,” said Peggy Umphres Moffett, president and CEO of the ZEDC. “This EDA
The fund will be used to increase the region’s competitiveness.
brush area. While the agent chased the suspected illegal immigrants, the Expedition driver sped off on Texas 16. A Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden stopped the Expedition for speeding in the intersection of Texas 16 and FM 649. Identified as the driver, Martinez told agents he got involved in human smuggling to help out his mother economically. He did not want his mother to drive the immigrants, according to court records. Martinez had been instructed to drive the immigrants to El Campo, a small town southwest of Houston. He then identified Trejo-Ugalde as the suspected foot guide. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Two suspected guides indicted By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
grant helps ZEDC and its partners address the challenges of a sluggish economy and help businesses grow. It is a unique opportunity for ZEDC to demonstrate the positive benefits of unique zoning authority given to Zapata County by the Texas Legislature that no other county has, as a tool for economic development and an example of a rural county innovating.” A federal official agreed. “EDA’s investment in Zapata County will play a crucial role in enabling this community to build a critical foundation for future growth,” said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine. “The potential for economic growth in Zapata and counties like it is there, and EDA is proud to help provide the means to allow this community to reach its full economic potential.” The county judge also agreed. “I would like to congratulate the Zapata County EDC on the receipt of their grant award from
the EDA,” said Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmel. “That funding will play a crucial role in the continued operation of their ongoing projects. We look forward to seeing the benefits of all their efforts.” As part of the grant project, the Zapata EDC will develop a centralized GIS enabled database for mapping, community information and resources, business information, local assets and economic data of the Zapata County and the broader region that will achieve significant improvements in accessing financial resources, services, and opportunities available to the community and business. A selection of the GIS maps may be found at www.zapataedc.com/PublicGallery/maps.html. EDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the applicant’s eligibility, the application’s merit, and the availability of funds. More information on EDA’s grant process and investment priorities can be found at eda.gov.
Two suspected foot guides for a group of 14 illegal immigrants were indicted this week in federal court in Laredo. A grand jury formally charged Pedro Contreras-Coto and Jose Luis Hernandez-Secundino with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants within the United States, and two counts of transport and attempt to transport undocumented immigrants for financial gain. U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Zapata area discovered foot prints of suspected illegal immigrants at about 6:45 p.m. Jan. 28 at Tejon Ranch, off U.S. 83. Agents noticed that those same foot prints had crossed the highway and kept going north. A National Guard chopper was requested for assistance. With air support, agents would then detain 15 people in
the brush area. Further investigation revealed the group walked across the border via a shallow area of the Rio Grande. Agents on the ground received information from air support about another man who had fallen from a creek. The man was located and taken into custody, making it a total of 16 people apprehended, according to court records. Contreras-Coto and Hernandez-Secundino claimed they were the foot guides for the group. Hernandez-Secundino was allegedly training Contreras-Coto, showing him the route and pick up locations. Contreras-Coto and Hernandez-Secundino could each face a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars per count charged if they’re found guilty. Each man has arraignment set for Feb. 27 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Guillermo R. Garcia. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
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COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Presidents’ pals could make good ambassadors By LLEWELLYN KING HEARST NEWSPAPERS
The practice of presidents rewarding political donors and allies by making them ambassadors is under attack because so many are making fools of themselves in their Senate confirmation hearings. Commentators are generally in uproar that such oafs should have been picked by the Obama administration to represent the United States. None of them seems to have traveled nor had any curiosity about the lands that await them. How could former Sen. Max Baucus of Montana have told the Senate that he didn’t know much about China? Is there a more important diplomatic posting for the United States than China? He was confirmed. The nominee for ambassador to Argentina, Noah Mamet, admitted that he hadn’t been there. He did so in a way that implied that while he was a globetrotter, the country in which he has been selected to serve is so hugely unimportant that he skipped it. Argentina is the second-largest country in South America. Somebody get that man a primer on Juan Peron, the Falklands and give him the latest issue of The Economist. It features a cover story on Argentina. The implication of these humiliating nominations is that political appointment of ambassadors should stop. “No, it shouldn’t,” I cry. What would we have done without these great political ambassadors: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Kenneth Galbraith, Felix Rohatyn and Howard Baker? Even Shirley Temple Black? Political appointees bring a breadth experience and open-mindedness to the job that those who have climbed the ranks of the State Department don’t have. The problem, as so much else in the Obama administration, is lousy staff work in picking the ambassadors. Everyone knows that they are primarily prizes for raising campaign contributions for the president. But is the White House so dazzled by the money that it has to nominate any ignoramus who has collected a sack full of it? The right political appointee can bring a richness, a warmth and an unbridled enthusiasm to diplomatic work. Step forward Theodore Sedgwick, our outgoing ambassador to Slovakia. Sedgwick, a former specialist publisher in Washington, may be a model for political-appointee ambassadors. Sedgwick breezed through Harvard and parlayed one small newsletter on coal into an enviable publishing company. I’ve known a bunch of political-appointee ambassadors in such far-
Everyone knows that they are primarily prizes for raising campaign contributions for the president. flung places as Argentina, Ireland,, Morocco and Russia, but Sedgwick is an envoy extraordinaire. He is a history scholar and an intensely curious person. Neophyte U.S. ambassadors take note: Curiosity about a people and an interest in their history will launch an ambassador toward success, Sedgwick’s day is that of an executive dealing with the business of government. He promotes U.S. exports, turns away wrath over Wikileaks and the NSA and stresses the ties between the United States and European countries. And at present, no U.S. ambassador in Europe is not alert and working to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. But after hours, you may well find Obama’s ambassador plenipotentiary to Slovakia playing keyboard as a member of a rock band, Diplomatic Immunity, formerly called Philanthropy Band. The band’s distinguished members include the Romanian ambassador to Slovakia on guitar; the Israeli ambassador on the little drums; the head of the Institute for Public Affairs, the most prominent non-governmental organization in Slovakia, on guitar; an Israeli diplomat on lead guitar and an Israeli IBM employee on bass guitar. The band’s primary drummer is Peter Gogola, the mayor of Banska Bystrica, a major Slovak city and Milan Ftacnik, the mayor of the capital city of Bratislava, sings with the band. The band is a sensation in Slovakia. It has released DVDs and is on YouTube. The State Department doesn’t require that ambassadors should be like Sedgwick, a gifted musician, but it helps. When I visited Bratislava, I found Sedgwick, my old rival in journalism and publishing, is beloved and the most successful U.S. ambassador to Slovakia since it became an independent country in 1993. Play on, Mr. Ambassador, even if the White House sometimes has a tin ear about political appointees. (Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of “White House Chronicle” on PBS. His e-mail is lking@kingpublishing.com.)
COLUMN
Does one crime cancel out punishment for another one? AUSTIN — In his opening statement, defense lawyer Russell Hunt Jr. made it clear his best — only? — chance of saving accused cop-killer Brandon Daniel’s life involves a very basic question: Is somebody somehow less responsible for crimes committed while voluntarily and dangerously self-medicated? The trial started with prosecutor Bill Bishop’s just-the-facts recitation of facts not much in doubt: Daniel shot Austin Police Officer Jaime Padron to death at a North Austin Wal-Mart. “This is the evidence you will hear and, based on that, you will find Mr. Daniel guilty,” Bishop told jurors, who later Tuesday saw the crime on harrowingly silent store security video. Hunt’s opening statement previewed what he hopes is a life-saving case for his client: “What happened to Brandon?” “What happened to Brandon to cause him to do this?” Hunt said. “How did this person go from where he was to where he wound up on April 6, 2012?” Where he was, according to Hunt, was “on top of the world” with a good education and a good job. Where he wound up on April 6, 2012, was pinned down on a Wal-Mart floor next to the
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KEN HERMAN
dying Padron. What happened to Brandon? “The simple answer,” Hunt told jurors, “is he broke up with his girlfriend.” And that, the defense wants jurors to believe, is why Padron is dead. The breakup, according to Hunt, led to “terrible depression,” which led to selfmedication with Xanax, which can lead to personality changes. Which led to the death of an officer routinely responding to what seemed like a routine call about somebody acting weird at a Wal-Mart. “Being at Wal-Mart, you kind of see that stuff a lot,” ex-employee Sean McCarthy testified. Hunt told jurors Daniel was pretty much out of it on Xanax the night McCarthy and co-workers saw stuff they didn’t see a lot. “Am I trying to say that excuses his behavior?” Hunt said. “No. But it does help explain his behavior.” “We’re not saying you should walk Brandon Daniel out the door,” he said. “We are not saying he is
not guilty of anything. We are saying he is not guilty of a capital murder charge.” Texas law says he is if he knew that the man he shot was a cop. The defense seems poised to try to show Daniel was drugged beyond the point of knowing the uniformed Padron was a cop. Austin police officer Albert Arevalo testified Daniel told him that night, “Hey, I killed a cop,” and inquired about a possible sentence. If convicted of capital murder, Daniel faces either death or life in prison without parole. For death, jurors must decide Daniel is a continuing threat and there are no circumstances that mitigate in favor of life without parole. Is Daniel, who has a minor, nonviolent criminal record, a future danger? I could make a case that anybody who kills a cop — including anybody who gets themselves so out of it that he kills a cop — is a continuing threat. The defense’s best chance for life without parole could be the mitigation question, one left to each juror’s personal standards, a point prosecutor Gary Cobb made in recent weeks as he questioned potential jurors. Age could be a mitigating circumstance, he told
them. But should a young person be cut some slack because he didn’t know any better? Or should a young person face a tougher penalty because he’s already is on the wrong track? And does advanced age argue for a lighter or stiffer penalty? And what about someone who commits a terrible crime under the influence of voluntarily imbibed drugs or drink? On Tuesday, as Wal-Mart employees recalled that awful night, some still shaken by the memories, the defense made sure to get them to say Daniel seemed very intoxicated. “He did look like he had a rough night or something,” McCarthy recalled. Barring something that would be shocking even to the defense, Daniel will be convicted, an outcome that would leave each juror to come up with a definition of mitigating. What’s yours? Would you opt for a lesser sentence for somebody who kills after drinking or drugging themselves into a walking stupor? And should committing one crime ever serve as mitigation for committing another, far more heinous one? Ken Herman is a columnist for the Austin AmericanStatesman. E-mail: kherman@statesman.com.
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phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
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.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Justice revises media rules By PETE YOST ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced Friday it is revising its rules for obtaining records from the news media in leak investigations, promising that in most instances the government will notify news organizations beforehand of its intention to do so. The revised procedures are designed to give news organizations an opportunity to challenge any subpoenas or search warrants in federal court. News organizations are to be informed of an impending document demand unless the attorney general determines that notice would pose “a clear and substantial threat to the integrity of the investigation, risk grave harm to national security or present an imminent risk
of death or serious bodily harm,” the new rule says. The regulation follows disclosures that the Justice Department secretly subpoenaed almost two months’ worth of telephone records for 21 phone lines used by reporters and editors for The Associated Press. Separately, the department secretly used a search warrant to obtain some emails of a Fox News journalist. The episodes, which involved leaks of classified material, prompted widespread criticism from lawmakers, the news media and civil liberties groups. President Barack Obama ordered Attorney General Eric Holder to review the Justice Department’s policy for obtaining such material. The department said its changes are designed to safeguard the essential
role of the free press in fostering government accountability and an open society, while protecting national security and law enforcement. The revisions also ensure more robust oversight of the process by senior department officials and extend policies to cover the use of subpoenas, court orders and search warrants, it added. Jane Kirtley, a University of Minnesota professor of media law and ethics, said she was troubled that there remain instances under the new rules in which the government might not notify news organizations of plans to obtain records, such as when the government believes notice would threaten national security. “It seems that in times of crisis, there’s a tendency to see everything as a major national security
breach,” she said. “Obviously the intelligence community is always going to represent security breaches as a big deal. My question is, are they all created equal? Do they all rise to the level of severity to justify what I see as an intrusion into press independence?” The Justice Department issued an unofficial version of the rule on Friday. The official version will be published in the Federal Register, probably next week. In the AP story that triggered one of the leak probes, the news organization reported that U.S. intelligence had learned that al-Qaida’s Yemen branch hoped to launch a spectacular attack using a new, nearly undetectable bomb aboard a U.S.-bound airliner around the anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death.
Internships available for this summer SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Recently announced is a paid internship opportunity for college students with the National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association in Washington, D.C. The seven-week internship program includes a stipend, housing, work placement, domestic roundtrip transportation to Washington D.C. and $400 arrival allowance. Deadline to apply is Friday, March 21. Internship runs from June 16 to July 31. Students depart Washington, D.C. on Aug. 2.
To receive a copy of the internship application, email internship@nmshsaonline.org or monitor the NMSHSA website at nmshsaonline.org. For more information about NMSHSA, contact Executive Director Cleo Rodriguez Jr. at crodriguez@nmshsaonline.org. “This is a unique program geared specifically for students who participated in the Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Program to intern at a nonprofit organization, federal agency or on Capitol Hill,” Congressman Henry Cuellar said.
Law firm’s oil spill claims dispute continues By KEVIN MCGILL ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — BP is pressing a federal court to disallow a $7.9 million Gulf oil spill claim awarded to a Louisiana law firm. Friday’s filing in New Orleans is the latest development in disputes involving the Andry Law Firm, BP and former FBI director Louis Freeh. Freeh was appointed last year to investigate the claims process. In a report last September, Freeh said he found evidence that
Union appeals firm’s workers’ rejection By TOM RAUM AND ERIK SCHELZIG ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The United Auto Workers on Friday challenged last week’s close vote by workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., that rejected the UAW’s bid to represent them. In an appeal filed with the National Labor Relations Board, the union asserted that “interference by politicians and outside special interest groups” had swayed the election. In particular, the appeal took aim at Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican and former Chattanooga mayor, who suggested that a “no” vote would lead a Volkswagen expansion in the state. The UAW bid was defeated in a 712-626 vote, even though the German company generally is considered labor-friendly. “It’s an outrage that politically motivated third parties threatened the economic future of this facility and the opportunity for workers to create a successful operating model that would grow jobs in Tennessee,” UAW President Bob King said. The union had faced a midnight Friday deadline for filing the action with the NLRB. The rejection by Volkswagen workers dealt a harsh setback to the union, especially since Volkswagen did not oppose the unionization drive. “Sen. Corker’s conduct was shameful and undertaken with utter disregard for the rights of the citizens of Tennessee and surrounding states that work at Volkswagen,” the UAW’s filing asserted. “The clear message of the campaign was that voting for the union would result in stagnation for the Chattanooga plant, with no new product, no job security, and withholding of state support for its expansion.”
attorney Jon Andry and others tried to corrupt the settlement process, using a lawyer on the staff of claims administrator Patrick Juneau. Andry’s lawyers have denied he did anything wrong. And they have questioned Freeh’s impartiality, noting Freeh’s acknowledged partnership at a law firm working on an unrelated case with lawyers for a firm representing BP. Freeh re-asserted his allegations in his own filing Friday. Last year, Freeh said Andry
and another private attorney, Glen Lerner, used Lionel Sutton, a lawyer on Juneau’s staff, to expedite their firm’s claim. In return, Sutton received more than $40,000 in fees from payments on claims he had referred to their law firm before joining Juneau’s staff, Freeh’s report said. In that report, Freeh also urged U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to consider disallowing payment on the $7.9 million claim. BP echoed that sentiment in Friday’s filing, saying approving the claim would undermine the
integrity of the process. Sutton’s lawyer, Michael Walsh, argued in a Dec. 18 court filing that Freeh doesn’t have any evidence that his client broke any laws or had a conflict of interest during his work on the settlement. Lawyers for Andry and Lerner said Freeh had a conflict of interest: Before Barbier appointed him to lead the investigation, Freeh disclosed that he is a partner at a law firm that is working on an unrelated case with lawyers for Kirkland & Ellis, a firm that rep-
resents BP. Freeh has said in response that he fully disclosed the “claimed conflicts” before he was appointed and that his fees as a court-appointed special master are approved by the Court, not by BP and its lawyers. In a filing late Friday, Freeh responded to various defenses by Andry, Lerner and others who are seeking to have his report rejected by the court. Freeh said the court should adopt his report and consider sanctions against the attorneys.
State
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Backlash whips GOP By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Mitt Romney rallied with Kid Rock and President George W. Bush had a fan in Alice Cooper. But a Ted Nugent encore in the Texas governor’s race is growing unlikely after blowback from Republican Greg Abbott’s embrace of the ultimate shock rocker. Call it a rare case of veering too far right in Texas this election year. Abbott, the leading Republican candidate to succeed Gov. Rick Perry, acknowledged Friday that inflammatory remarks by Nugent about President Barack Obama and others merited an apology. The brash gun-right activist made several campaign appearances with Abbott this week. Last month Nugent called Obama a “subhuman mongrel” in an interview and he had earlier suggested treating immigrants like “indentured servants.” Nugent apologized Friday after the Obama slur was disavowed by Gov. Rick Perry and Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. But Abbott, who until now had claimed ignorance about Nugent’s divisive comments, didn’t back away from inviting Nugent to rallies in the first place. “This is not the kind of language I would use or endorse in any way. It’s time to move beyond this, and I will continue to focus on the issues that matter to Texans,” Abbott said in a statement. The Nugent flap was the latest example of GOP candidates staying unabashedly to the right as they approach the state’s March 4 primary, which will move Texas closer to its biggest power shakeup in a decade. Every statewide office could change hands this November. Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz could also present two potential 2016 presidential candidates from Texas. The tone of the GOP race contrasts with assertions by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis and her party that
SAN ANTONIO — A candidate for the Texas House wants to see if the state will offer up a new kind of roadside dining. Rack of raccoon or smidgen of pigeon would be on the menu if legislators were to take up a call by Tink Nathan to allow motorists to collect and consume roadkill. Gathering it currently is a misdemeanor. “That meat goes to waste. Why not utilize it?” asked Nathan, 72. The suggestion to expand the state’s culinary options sets Nathan apart from the four other Republicans looking to succeed longtime state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran in District 53, which extends northwest of San Antonio to the border.
Investigation eyes Dem activists By CHRIS TOMLINSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Ron Baselice/The Dallas Morning News | AP
Three-month-old James Bodiford of Lavon is photographed with rocker Ted Nugent, right, as he visits with fans during a stop at a restaurant in Denton, on Tuesday. Texas is becoming a broader political battleground as its demographics change. Provocative conservative proposals to repeal the 17th Amendment, which lets voters — not state legislatures — pick U.S. senators, have been kicked around in the race for lieutenant governor. One of the candidates called the flow of immigrants from Mexico an “invasion.” Anti-abortion credentials are discussed as freely as energy ideas among Republicans vying to regulate the state’s oil and gas industry. Within the last year, Texas passed a divisive 20week ban on abortions, imposed cuts that caused Planned Parenthood clinics to shutter and enacted one of the nation’s most stringent voter ID laws. That hasn’t protected the Republican House speaker, however, from a far-right group that has collected six-figure donations for primary challengers against him and top lieutenants. The tack reflects a clear judgment about Republican voters’ tastes. “All they seem to argue about is who’s the most conservative — which is good for me,” said voter Bob Baker after taking his seat at a Republican primary debate near Austin. “Just as normal as they shouldn’t have any conservatives in New York, we shouldn’t have any liberals in Texas.” But the Nugent episode isn’t the first time a leading Republican may have touched a nerve. State Rep. Jason Villalba, a rising Re-
publican star in Texas, sharply urged his party’s four lieutenant governor candidates to stop using harsh rhetoric about immigrants in the country illegally and “acknowledge the humanity” in an open letter this month. “They’re not war-mongering adversaries. They’re seeking the American dream,” Villalba said. Abbott, who’s been state attorney general since 2002 and boasts of suing the federal government 30 times, has essentially run a general-election campaign from the start. Abbott said inviting Nugent magnified a contrast with his Democratic opponent, who has made her pitch for conservative voters by coming out in favor of “open carry” gun laws before qualifying her stance. But the Nugent appearance left Abbott on the defensive for one of the first times in the race. “I don’t know what he may have said or done in his background,” Abbott said following a rally with Nugent on Tuesday. “What I do know is Ted Nugent stands for the constitution. He stands against the federal government overreaching and doing what they’re doing to harm Texans.” Perry, who isn’t seeking re-election after 14 years in office, said Thursday he’s “got a problem” with calling the president a mongrel and called the language inappropriate. But he predicted voters would not be distracted from Davis’ “liberal” record.
Roadkill seen as food by House candidate ASSOCIATED PRESS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
Nathan pointed out that harvesting and eating roadkill is legal in other states. The Center Point resident told the San Antonio Express-News that each dead deer could yield about 80 pounds of usable meat and cited records that show 1,450 deer were removed from state highways in Kerr County alone in 2006. “Certainly not all of it could be saved. Nobody will take it if it’s stinking,” Nathan said, adding, “Axis (deer) venison sells for $26 a pound.” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman Tom Harvey said the agency has no stance on the idea, but added that there are public health and safety issues. “People stopping on roadsides to harvest dead animals could be struck by
vehicles. Eating dead animals found on roadsides could make people sick,” he said. Allowing the retrieval of animals accidentally killed could encourage poaching with cars, Harvey added. Hunting white-tailed deer by striking them with a motor vehicle is punishable by a fine of up to $500. Using artificial lights, including vehicle headlights, to hunt is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine, he said. Customer requests to process roadkill are rare at Klein Smokehaus in Boerne, owner Claire Klein said. “In the Texas heat, I wouldn’t touch them unless you saw it killed and immediately field dressed it,” she said.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Saul H. Zambrano, Sr., Deceased, were issued on the 23rd day of January, 2014, in Cause No. P-01811, pending in the County Court at Law of Zapata County, Texas, to: Billy Joe Zambrano, Independent Executor. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Brenda Anderson, Attorney Law Office of Brenda Anderson, P.C. 809 Victoria Street Laredo, Texas 78040 DATED the ____ day of _________ , 2014. Law Office of Brenda Anderson, P.C. 809 Victoria Street Laredo, TX 78040 Telephone: (956) 307-3727 Facsimile: (956) 290-8000 ______________________________ Brenda Anderson, SBN: 24057744 Attorney for Billy Joe Zambrano, Independent Executor for the Estate of Saul H. Zambrano, Sr. L-08
The Texas Secretary of State referred three complaints against Democratic group Battleground Texas for possible prosecution as violations of a state election law on Friday. Battleground Texas issued a statement, saying it has done nothing wrong and that the complaints and referrals were partisan attempts to slow the group. Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, which would normally investigate further, recused itself and forwarded the complaints in a letter to Susan Reed, the district attorney in Bexar County, where one of the violations allegedly took place. Abbott is running for governor against Democrat Wendy Davis, whom Battleground Texas is assisting by registering voters, building a supporter database
and ultimately mobilizing those voters for the Nov. 4 general election. Reed said she was looking at “possible penal implications,” including charges of abuse of official capacity or even misuse of official information — a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. But Reed may also have to recuse herself too. “I am in the unique position of being on the ballot myself as a Republican and I want to ensure that I am not in the same situation or feel that I have to take the same course of action as the attorney general,” she said. Reed said the attorney general’s office told her possible violations occurred in Dallas, Fort Worth as well as San Antonio. She said if she does step aside, she may refer the case to Fort Worth, where the district attorney
is not on the ballot — but won’t make a final decision until next week. Alicia Pierce, communications director for the Republican-appointed secretary of state, declined to comment on the referrals. Neither state office released copies of the complaints filed against Battleground Texas. Pierce said the initial complaints were filed after a conservative activist group produced a video that purports to show a Battleground organizer talking about transcribing phone numbers off of voter registration cards. James O’Keefe, whose group Project Veritas made the video, alleges that transcribing the phone numbers off the registration cards is illegal. Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he believed there was enough evidence for a criminal prosecution.
Mom charged in death ASSOCIATED PRESS
POST — Texas child welfare officials said Friday that the agency last year investigated the family of a 2year-old girl who was found fatally shot in her West Texas home. The todDEAN dler’s mother has been arrested on a charge of capital murder in the child’s death. Garza County Sheriff Terry Morgan told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that Alexandria Lee Courtney-Dean was found
dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head Thursday evening in Post. The girl’s mother, 34year-old Ashlee Anne Dean, is being held at the Garza County jail in Post, about 40 miles southeast of Lubbock. Child Protective Service spokesman Paul Zimmerman said in an email that the agency had a history with the family and it is investigating the death along with the Texas Rangers and the sheriff ’s department. In February 2013, CPS workers found reason to believe allegations of neglect after opening an investigation. Caseworkers
were concerned about substance abuse and poor living conditions in the home, he said. The mother successfully completed services with the agency over a sixmonth period and closed the case in November, Zimmerman said. Her stepmother, Bonita Dean of Lubbock, said her stepdaughter doesn’t yet have an attorney. “All we can do is speculate at this point until they finish the investigation,” she said. “We don’t know what frame of mind she was in when this happened.” Bonita Dean said Alexandria would have turned 3 in April.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
Nation
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
Police: Man had child porn By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A police search of the southwest Missouri home of a middle-school football coach accused in a 10-year-old girl’s kidnapping and death found child pornography and more than a dozen guns, according to search warrants released Friday. Officers retrieved a three-ring binder containing pornographic photos of young children at the home of Craig Michael Wood, the documents released by Springfield police say. Investigators also seized computers, cameras, 30 video recordings, handwritten journals, a spent .22 caliber shell casing and a hat believed to have been worn by fourth-grader Hailey Owens. Wood is accused of snatching Hailey as she walked home from her best friend’s house this week, just two blocks from her own home. Neighbors said they watched in horror and unsuccess-
fully gave chase as Hailey was pulled into a pickup truck that sped away. At a brief hearing Friday, Wood’s lawyer said he plans to plead not guilty. Wood appeared via video from the Greene County Jail, where he is being held without bond. He spoke only briefly to answer several questions from the judge. Hailey’s parents, older brother and five other family members also attended. Court records released earlier as well as the search warrants indicate her body was found in Wood’s basement, stuffed into trash bags and plastic containers. Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson said Hailey was shot in the back of the head and had ligature marks on her wrists, suggesting she was tied up. A preliminary autopsy is complete but won’t be released publicly because the criminal case remains open, according to the county medical examiner’s office. Patterson said he is considering
whether to seek the death penalty. At the arraignment, public defender Chris Hatley said Wood plans to contest the charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and armed criminal action. Assistant prosecutor Todd Myers challenged Wood’s use of a public defender after he said police found evidence of a $1 million trust in Wood’s name. The source of that income is not clear: Both Wood’s father and an attorney representing the suspect’s parents did not return telephone calls seeking comment on Friday. “I think he can afford his own attorney,” Myers said. Hatley replied that he appreciated the prosecutor’s concern for Wood’s rights but that “it’s frankly none of his business.” Circuit Judge Dan Imhof said he would consider the matter. He scheduled a follow-up court appearance in March and a preliminary hearing in April. Wood was a 16-year football coach at a middle school in
FBI: Men wanted bombs By KATE BRUMBACK ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA — Three Georgia men tried to buy pipe bombs and other explosives and discussed attacking power grids, water treatment plants and other infrastructure in a plot to incite other militias to fight the federal government, authorities said. Brian Edward Cannon, 36, and Cory Robert Williamson, 28, appeared in federal court Friday in Rome and were denied bond. Terry Eugene Peace, 45, is due for his first court appearance Monday. A criminal complaint charges them with conspiring to receive and possess firearms, specifically pipe bombs and thermite grenades. Thermite grenades are military-grade weapons typically used to destroy vehicles, weapons systems and other equip-
ment. Christopher Twyman, an attorney for Cannon, declined to comment. Scott Forster, an attorney for Williamson, and Matthew Dodge, an attorney for Peace, did not immediately return after-hours calls or emails seeking comment. The three were arrested Feb. 15 at a meeting they had set up to buy explosives from a man who turned out to be a confidential law enforcement source, authorities said. U.S. Attorney Sally Yates, whose office is prosecuting the case, said in a phone interview with The Associated Press that plots like this one are a stark reminder that terrorism can have domestic origins. “You can see that the plans that they had are really scary,” she said. “There’s no indication that they would not have been successful, and that’s not
the kind of thing where we can wait and see.” Between Jan. 23 and Feb. 15, the three men participated in online chat discussions about carrying out an operation against the government in February, according to a written statement from an FBI agent. The online chats were monitored by the FBI. “Peace encouraged members of the militia to review guerrilla warfare tactics, small unit tactics, accumulate supplies and prepare family,” the agent’s statement says. In a recorded phone call on Feb. 8, an FBI source told Peace he had a contact who could provide the materials the men sought. Peace said during the conversation, “... if he can hook us up with say 12 pipe bombs that will be sweet,” according to the agent’s statement.
Photo by Dean Curtis/The Springfield News-Leader | AP
Lt. Robert Pitts holds the photo of Hailey Owens, 10, on Wednesday in Springfield, Mo. Craig Michael Wood was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder. Springfield, about 160 miles southeast of Kansas City. He also worked as a substitute teacher and teacher’s aide overseeing suspensions. Police said they found Wood holding duct tape as he left his father’s pickup truck parked outside his home Tuesday night, just hours after Hailey went missing. Court records indicate the floor of the basement where the girl’s body was found was still damp
with bleach — presumably used to clean the crime scene. Wood had little criminal history, according to online court records. He pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in 1990 in Greene County and was fined $100. Those who knew Hailey recalled a child who loved to laugh, smile and dance. Thousands are expected to attend a candlelight vigil in her honor tonight.
SÁBADO 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2014
Zfrontera ZEDC
Agenda en Breve
Nuevo subsidio
WBCA 02/22— Ceremonia del Abrazo en el Puente Internacional Juárez-Lincoln, a partir de las 7:30 a.m. 02/22— Desfile del Washington’s Birthday partir de las 9 a.m. al Sur de Avenida San Bernardo. 02/22— Comida de Mr. South Texas, en homenaje a Renato Ramírez, CEO y Presidente del Consejo de IBC-Zapata, a partir de las 12 p.m. en Laredo Country Club. Evento tiene costo. 02/22— Festival Jalapeño se realizará a partir de las 3 p.m. en El Metro Park & Ride (Thomas y Hillside). Pase de dos días a 35 dólares; concierto de grupo Los Tigres del Norte, a 30 dólares. 02/22— Fiesta de Cocktail de la Sociedad de Martha Washington se realizará a partir de las 7 p.m. en Laredo Country Club. Costo: 60 dólares. 02/22— Noche Mexicana: Una presentación del Señor y Señora Internacional LULAC Concilio 12, a partir de las 7 p.m. en el Salón del Laredo Civic Center. Costo: 50 dólares. 02/23— Extravaganza de Fuegos Artificiales de H-E-B de 2 p.m. a 10 p.m. en L.I.F.E. Downs por Carretera 59. Fuegos artificiales a las 8 p.m. Entrada gratuita.
PÁGINA 9A
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
El Congresista Henry Cuellar, D-Tx28, anunció que la Corporación para el Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Zapata (ZEDC, por sus siglas en inglés) ha obtenido un subsidio federal de 400.000 dólares que será destinado a financiar una parte de la Iniciativa de Capacidad Económica de Construcción de Zapata. El subsidio será utilizado para aumentar la competitividad de la región, mapas activos de la región y elaborar una lista de objetivos industriales para impulsar el crecimiento económico. Además, ZEDC ha identificado y desarrollado estrategias para hacer frente a las debilidades de la capacitación laboral, la infraestructura y otras áreas críticas que anteriormente han inhibido el desarrollo económico del Condado de Zapata.
La Corporación para el Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Zapata obtuvo un subsidio federal de 400.000 dólares. “Estoy contento de anunciar esta inversión para el Condado de Zapata y estamos ansiosos por ver el impacto transformador que tendrá en la comunidad”, dijo Cuellar. “Zapata tiene un enorme potencial sin explotar para el crecimiento y este financiamiento colaborará al aumento de la inversión económica en el Condado. Más crecimiento en Zapata significa más negocios, empleo y oportunidades. Felicito a la Corporación para el Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Zapata y al Condado por su dedicación en cuanto a la mercadotecnia de Za-
pata para hacerla un mejor lugar para vivir, trabajar y crear una familia”. “Este subsidio se trata del futuro, no del pasado”, dijo Peggy Umphres Moffett, presidente y COE de ZEDC. “La inversión de EDA en el Condado de Zapata jugará un papel crucial en la habilitación de esta comunidad para construir una base fundamental para el futuro crecimiento”, dijo el Subsecretario Adjunto de Comercio para el Desarrollo Económico de EU, Matt Erskine. “El potencial para el crecimiento económico de Zapa-
SALUD
STFB
FORTALECEN PLAN
Señalan beneficios entregados en 2013
LAREDO 02/22— Taller “Experiencias Espirituales, ¿Ha tenido alguna?” será una discusión gratuita, bilingüe, de 1 p.m. a 2:30 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E. Calton Road. Informes en el (210) 831-7113. 02/27— El Webb Country Heritage Foundation y Villa de San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society presentarán una forma de libros y recepción con José Antonio López, autor de The First Texas Independence, 1813. En Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, ubicado en 810 calle Zaragoza, de 6 a 8 p.m. Más información escribiendo al www.webbheritage.org. 02/28— “Go Red for Women” de la Ciudad de Laredo invita a un evento a partir de las 8 a.m. en el Departamento de Salud, donde se ofrecerá una clase de CPR, por parte del Departamento de Bomberos de Laredo. Inscripción limitada a 50 alumnos. 02/28— Couples for Christ Foundation for Familia and Life invita a una Charla/ Seminario sobre Vida Cristiana con el tema “Qué significa ser un Cristiano” de 6 p.m. a 8:30 p.m., todos los viernes hasta el 11 de abril. El objetivo es fortalecer los matrimonios y familias. El evento es gratuito.
NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO 02/22— Estación Palabra invita al “Bazar de Arte” a las 9 a.m.; Festival Infantil “Amor y Amistad Extravaganza” a las 2 p.m.; “Tertulia en el Jardín” a las 3 p.m. Eventos gratuitos. 02/22— “Pinta de Grafitti” a las 10 a.m. en instalaciones de Sport Gym Papa Milo. Entrada gratuita. 02/22— “Vive 2014: Fiesta Tequila” a las 2 p.m. en el Centro Histórico. Entrada libre. 02/23— El grupo de Teatro Laberintus estará presentando la obra infantil “La Nave”, de José Luis Pineda Servín, a las 12 p.m. dentro del teatro del IMSS, entre Reynosa y Belden (sector centro). Costo 20 pesos. 02/25— El grupo de Teatro Laberintus estará presentando la obra para adolescentes y adultos “Sueño de una noche de verano” de William Shakespeare, a las 7 p.m. dentro del teatro del IMSS, entre Reynosa y Belden (sector centro). Costo 20 pesos.
ta y condados circunvecinos, y EDA se enorgullece de ayudar a proporcionar los medios que permitan a esta comunidad a alcanzar su pleno potencial económico”. Como parte del proyecto de subvención, el Zapata EDC desarrollará una base de datos centralizada para habilitar SIG para la cartografía, la información y los recursos, la información del negocio, los activos locales y los datos económicos del Condado de Zapata y la región más amplia de la comunidad que les permita lograr mejoras significativas en el acceso a recursos financieros, los servicios y las oportunidades disponibles para la comunidad y la empresa. Una selección de los mapas SIG se puede encontrar en: http:// www.zapataedc.com/PublicGallery/maps.html .
Aportarían más de 3.500 libras en comida POR SALO OTERO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Autoridades médicas de Tamaulipas buscan erradicar automedicación a través de campañas, estrategias y planes de prevención.
Campañas buscan eliminar automedicación TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
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ortalecen herramientas, planes y campañas para evitar la automedicación entre la población del estado de Tamaulipas, dieron a conocer autoridades del vecino estado a través de un comunicado de prensa. A través de las nuevas campañas se busca eliminar la autoadministración de medicamentos sin una valoración previa. Laura López Ledezma, Médico general del Centro de Salud América de Juárez, destacó que para erradicar la práctica de la automedicación se llevan a cabo acciones precisas, enfocadas en mostrar los daños que pueden producirse en el organismo como consecuencia de
no tener una prescripción médica para el consumo de medicamentos. Refirió que actualmente se lleva a cabo el programa de educación para la salud, el cual consiste en la realización de pláticas y toma de conciencia con las personas, orientándolas a dejar esta práctica que afecta su salud. Así mismo, por parte de la COEPRIS se cuenta con el programa de fármaco-vigilancia, que de igual forma trata de evitar los riesgos que puedan presentarse. Señaló que “es difícil lograr que la gente elimine la automedicación, ya que viene de tiempo atrás y actualmente todavía existen grupos de fármacos que los pacientes y la población en general buscan de una manera voluntaria e indi-
vidual sin consejo médico”; por esta razón se fortalecen las medidas para educar a la población sobre el correcto uso de fármacos. Explicó que algunos efectos podrían ser graves por ejemplo, el enmascaramiento de alguna enfermedad, el agravamiento de síntomas, la farmacodependencia, la intoxicación por algún fármaco, e incluso precipitar la muerte. Finalmente, invitó a la población a que acuda a las unidades de salud, para que reciba una valoración individual de acuerdo a su padecimiento, que cuente con una exploración y una evaluación clínica, para que tengan un diagnóstico oportuno con una elección indicada del tratamiento, a fin de evitar complicaciones para su salud.
El Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas (STFB, por sus siglas en inglés) distribuyó más de 350.000 libras de productos alimenticios en 2013, a las personas en situación vulnerable en el Condado de Zapata. Un total fue de 360.471 libras fueron entregadas por el Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas con base en Laredo. El monto total invertido fue de 602.271,59 dólares. Lo que se convierte en 300.393 comidas. Alfonso Casso Jr., director ejecutivo ha indicado que la misión del STFB es “Aliviar el hambre en los ocho condados en los que el banco sirve”, al recolectar y distribuir comida a través de agencias compañeras y programas que crean conciencia sobre el hambre existente en la comunidad. El banco de alimentos también sirve en los condados de Webb, Starr, Jim Hogg, Dimmit, Maverick, Val Verde y Kinney. La comida que es destinada al Condado de Zapata es distribuida en tres vías diferentes. La más grande es Helping Hands, ubicada en 8th y Del Mar. La coordinadora es Norma Mendoza. Más de 325.000 libras son distribuidas por esta agencia. El Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas está ubicado en la cuadra 1907 de Freight, en Laredo. Para más información o para contactarse con representante del STFB puede llamar al número de teléfono (956) 726-3120, y visitar la página de Internet www.southtexasfoodbank.org, así como Twitter y Facebook.
COLUMNA
Describe gobierno y obras de Portes Gil (El siguiente es un artículo que trata acerca de hechos trascendentales que protagonizó Emilio Portes Gil, en la vida de los Tamaulipecos y México. Primera de dos partes).
POR RAÚL SINENCIO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Uno de los políticos representativo del México posrevolucionario es Emilio Portes Gil, quien desempeño innumerables cargos, entre los que sobresale la presidencia de la República Mexicana. Este tamaulipeco protagoniza la inopinada legalización de las drogas.
Decreto Emilio asumió la gubernatura de
Tamaulipas el 5 de febrero de 1925. Transcurridas unas cuantas semanas, le turnan el decreto legislativo número 51, fechado el 30 de abril. Previo estudio, puede vetarlo y devolverlo con las observaciones que crea necesarias. Al día siguiente lo promulga y manda que se publique. En consecuencia, el Periódico Oficial atiende la orden el 13 de mayo de 1925. Entra así en vigor el decreto. Contiene que la Ley Sobre Venta y Consumo de Drogas Heroicas. Por demás breve, está desarrollada en 31 artículos, que prescinden de capítulos o secciones, algo poco frecuente. “Comenzará a regir desde la fecha de su publicación”, determina el transitorio único. Al hojearla, asoman normas severas: “Queda prohibido en el estado” –leemos de entrada—“el uso de
las llamadas ‘drogas heroicas’ y de las plantas cuyos efectos son similares”. El incumplimiento conduce a castigos que combinan multas, decomisos y cárcel hasta por cinco años. Las sanciones incluyen “a quien se le encuentre una pequeña cantidad de las drogas o plantas mencionadas, aunque no las use”.
Excepciones No obstante, el ordenamiento despenaliza en algunas circunstancias los referidos estimulantes. Lo anterior, cuando se empleen “con fines curativos y bajo prescripción médica”. Al respecto, los galenos han de ser profesionales, con título registrado, verificándose las adquisiciones relativas en casas autoriza-
das. El artículo 24 previene que “los médicos” guardarán “copias de las recetas en las cuales se” prescriban “drogas y sustancias nocivas para la salud”, expresándose los motivos y “la enfermedad que padece aquel para lo cual fueron recetadas”. Complementa el artículo 23: “Los propietarios de boticas y droguerías o el responsable” informará “al Consejo de Higiene Pública o a sus delegados y a la presidencia municipal la cantidad de drogas y plantas nocivas a la salud que tengan sus establecimientos”. Igual toca a los facultativos que posean “botiquines o despachen recetas en su propio consultorio”. (Contenido cortesía de Raul Sinencio, según fue publicado en ‘La Razón’ de Tampico, México)
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
24 Army vets to receive Medal of Honor By JIM KUHNHENN ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Seeking to correct potential acts of bias spanning three wars, President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans following a congressionally mandated review to ensure that eligible recipients were not bypassed due to prejudice. The unusual mass ceremony, scheduled for March 18, will honor veterans, most of Hispanic or Jewish heritage, who had already been recognized with the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest military award. Only three of the recipients are living. The Army conducted the review under a directive from Congress in the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act. The law required that the record of each Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran who received a Service Cross during or after World War II be reviewed for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor. The Pentagon said the Army reviewed the cases of the 6,505 recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars and found an eligible pool of 600 soldiers who may have been Jew-
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais | AP
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Capt. William D. Swenson of Seattle, Wash., during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, on Oct. 15, 2013. ish or Hispanic. The Army also worked with the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA and the American GI Forum, the largest HispanicAmerican veterans group, to pinpoint potential medal recipients. Of the 24, eight fought in the Vietnam War, nine in the Korean War and seven in World War II. The three living recipients are all veterans of the Vietnam War: Spc. 4 Santiago J. Erevia of San Antonio, for courage during a search and clear mission near Tam Ky, South Vietnam,
on May 21, 1969. Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris of Cocoa, Fla., for courageous actions during combat operations in the vicinity of Chi Lang, South Vietnam, on Sept 17, 1969. Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela of San Antonio for courage during combat operations in Phuoc Long province, South Vietnam, on Sept. 1, 1969. Posthumous recipients: Sgt. Candelario Garcia, born in Corsicana, Texas, for courageous actions during combat operations in Lai Khe, South Vietnam, on Dec. 8, 1968. Spc. 4 Leonard L. Alvarado, born in Bakers-
field, Calif., died during combat operations in Phuoc Long province, South Vietnam, on Aug. 12, 1969. Staff Sgt. Felix M. Conde-Falcon, born in Juncos, Puerto Rico, killed during combat operations in Ap Tan Hoa, South Vietnam, on April 4, 1969. Spc. 4 Ardie R. Copas of Fort Pierce, Fla. killed during combat operations near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia, on May 12, 1970. Spc. 4 Jesus S. Duran of San Bernardino, Calif., for courageous actions during combat operations in South Vietnam on April 10, 1969.
Cpl. Joe R. Baldonado, born in Colorado, killed during combat operations in Kangdong, North Korea, on Nov. 25, 1950. Cpl. Victor H. Espinoza of El Paso, Texas, for courageous actions during combat operations in Chorwon, North Korea, on Aug. 1, 1952. Sgt. Eduardo C. Gomez, born in Los Angeles, for courageous actions during combat operations in Tabu-dong, South Korea, on Sept. 3, 1950. Pfc. Leonard M. Kravitz, born in New York City, killed during combat operations in Yangpyong, South Korea, on March 6-7, 1951. Master Sgt. Juan E. Negron of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, for courageous actions during combat operations in KalmaEri, North Korea, on April 28, 1951. Master Sgt. Mike C. Pena, born in Newgulf, Texas, killed in action during combat operations in Waegwan, South Korea, on Sept. 4, 1950. Pvt. Demensio Rivera, born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, for courageous actions during combat operations in Changyong-ni, South Korea, on May 23, 1951. Pvt. Miguel A. Vera, born in Puerto Rico, killed during combat operations in Chorwon, North Korea, on Sept. 21,
1952. Sgt. Jack Weinstein of Saint Francis, Kan. for courageous actions during combat operations in Kumsong, South Korea, on Oct. 19, 1951. Pvt. Pedro Cano, born in La Morita, Mexico, for courageous actions during combat operations in Schevenhutte, Germany, on Dec. 3, 1944. Pvt. Joe Gandara, born in Santa Monica, Calif., for courageous actions during combat operations in Amfreville, France, on June 9, 1944. Pfc. Salvador J. Lara, of Riverside, Calif., for courageous actions during combat operations in Aprilia, Italy, May 27-28, 1944. Sgt. William F. Leonard, of Lockport, N.J., for courageous actions during combat operations near St. Die, France, on Nov. 7, 1944. Staff Sgt. Manuel V. Mendoza, born in Miami, Ariz., for courageous actions during combat operations on Mount Battaglia, Italy, on Oct. 4, 1944. Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel, born in New York City, for courageous actions during combat operations in Heistern, Germany, on Nov. 18, 1944. 1st Lt. Donald K. Schwab, born in Hooper, Neb., for courageous actions during combat operations near Lure, France, on Sept. 17, 1944.
Firefighters US praises Ukraine agreement knew about man: report By DEB RIECHMANN ASSOCIATED PRESS
By BEN NUCKOLS ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Five District of Columbia firefighters were aware that a man needed medical attention across the street from a fire station, but none of them went to help the man, who later died, according to an internal investigation released Friday. The investigative report recommends disciplinary action against the five firefighters as well as four employees of the city’s 911 call center for their roles in sending an ambulance to the wrong address. Medric Cecil Mills Jr., 77, a longtime city employee, went into cardiac arrest in a shopping center parking lot across from a fire station on Jan. 25. According to the report, at least two people went across the street to the fire station and asked for help, but Mills did not receive aid until a police officer flagged down a passing ambulance. More than 22 minutes after he collapsed, he was taken to a hospital, where he died. Mayor Vincent Gray has called the incident “an outrage” and said the firefighters at the station failed to show “common decency.” According to the report, the people who went to the station spoke to a probationary firefighter, who twice asked his lieutenant over the station’s publicaddress system to come to the watch desk. The lieutenant, previously identified as Kellene Davis, did not respond, the report said. Three other firefighters were in the station and heard the PA announcement. One of them spoke to the probationary firefighter, and then to the lieutenant, telling her that a man was down across the street and asking if she would send them to help, the report said. The lieutenant asked the firefighter to return with an exact address, which the firefighter did not do, and when Davis spoke to him later, he was lying on a bunk bed, studying, the report said.
Meanwhile, the employee who took the initial 911 call assumed that the address was in the city’s northwest quadrant, when in fact it was in northeast, the report said. The caller corrected the call taker, but others did not notice the corrected address until an ambulance had already arrived at the wrong location, according to the report. Paul Quander, the city’s deputy mayor for public safety and the author of the report, said that the problems with dispatching the ambulance can be corrected in part by training. He said there was no excuse for the firefighters’ lack of action. “There was apathy. People knew that there was a human being across the street that needed assistance but took no action to help. Not only did they not take action to help, but they sat down back in the kitchen to carry on a conversation,” Quander said. “That is shocking to me and deeply disappointing. It’s something that I probably never will understand except to say that it’s a character issue.” The report did not specify what discipline the firefighters and call center employees would face, although it could range from a reprimand to firing. Davis and the three firefighters would face a trial board, while the probationary firefighter is subject to a different disciplinary process that could result in him failing to pass his probation. A listed phone number for Davis was disconnected, and firefighters’ union officials did not immediately return message seeking comment. Karen Evans, an attorney for Mills’ relatives, said the family wants assurance that something similar won’t happen again, and she said they’d continue to push for appropriate discipline. “There was a breakdown at almost every step in the process,” Evans said. “From our perspective, it’s just absolutely unacceptable and we still want accountability for all involved.”
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday called for quick implementation of an agreement between Ukraine’s president and the opposition to end violence, yet warned the deal was fragile and that it could prove difficult to persuade hard-line protesters to lay down their weapons. The two sides in Ukraine are fighting over whether the nation of 46 million will have closer ties to the West or to Russia. The protests began in late November after Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych turned away from a long-anticipated deal for closer ties with the European Union. After Yanukovych shelved the agreement with the EU, Russia announced a $15 billion bailout for economically battered Ukraine. White House press secretary Jay Carney said the deal, which restores a previous constitution that limits presidential powers, was consistent with what Washington was advocating, but he added that the U.S. will closely monitor whether there is concrete action to put it in motion. The White House has been considering levying sanctions on officials in Ukraine who were responsible for stoking the violence,
but Carney indicated that the U.S. would hold off while monitoring the implementation of Friday’s accord. “Our focus today is on working with our European partners as well as the government and the opposition in Ukraine to ensure the agreement’s implementation,” Carney said. “We are not ruling out sanctions to hold those responsible for the violence accountable, especially should there be further violence or violation of the agreement.” A senior State Department official, who is closely following the unrest in Ukraine, downplayed tensions that have developed between the U.S. and Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, depicting President Barack Obama’s more than onehour call on Friday to Russian President Vladimir Putin as constructive. The official was not authorized to be quoted by name and would brief reporters only on condition of anonymity. According to the official, their conversation was about the opportunity that the agreement has provided to stabilize Ukraine, end violence and provide a peaceful outcome and that Russia wants to be part of implementing the agreement. It was a commitment that Ukraine has been pulled back from the brink and
Photo by Lefteris Pitarakis | AP
A Ukrainian child holds a lit candle during a protest across from the Houses of Parliament in London, on Friday. that all parties need to be supportive of reaching political unity and getting the economy of the nation back on track, the official said. The official said Putin did not complain during the call that the U.S. was meddling in the Ukraine, once a satellite of the former Soviet Union. The State Department official described the agreement as “very, very fragile” and said that the opposition had a “hard sell” in persuading protesters to disarm and end their standoff with the government. In recent days, there has been a flurry of telephone diplomacy between U.S. officials and leaders in Uk-
raine. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Pavlo Lebedev, by phone on Friday. Lebedev told Hagel that Ukraine’s military won’t use weapons against its people and that their deployment focused on protecting military facilities, the Pentagon said in a statement. Hagel commended Ukraine’s move to keep the military on the sidelines of the crisis, the Pentagon said. The U.S. defense chief had tried several times to reach Lebedev earlier in the week but, according to the Pentagon, those calls were not accepted. In addition, Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on Friday with three senior members of the opposition to express continued support, and Victoria Nuland, assistant secretary of state for Europe, spoke with the foreign minister of the Ukraine. On Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden had a more than hourlong conversation with the Ukraine president — their ninth call since November, the official said. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns is expected to travel to Kiev early next week and Nuland is slated to be in the Ukraine in early March, the official said.
Fannie Mae earns $6.5B in quarter By MARCY GORDON ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Fannie Mae posted net income of $6.5 billion from October through December, its eighth straight profitable quarter. Fannie will have repaid its full government bailout after paying its fourth-quarter dividend. Fannie said Friday that its full-year profit of $84 billion for 2013 was boosted by rising home prices and an accounting move capitalizing on tax benefits it had accumulated from losses on mortgages during the financial crisis. The fourth-quarter profit slipped from earnings of $7.6 billion in the same period of 2012. Washington-based Fannie will pay a dividend of $7.2 billion to the U.S. Treasury next month. With its previous payments totaling about $114 billion, it will have more than fully repaid the $116 billion it received from taxpayers. The government rescued Fannie and smaller sibling Freddie Mac at the height of the financial crisis in September 2008 when both veered toward collapse under the weight of
losses on risky mortgages. Together the companies received taxpayer aid totaling $187 billion. Freddie also has repaid its bailout. The gradual recovery of the housing market has made Fannie and Freddie profitable again. Their repayments of the government loans helped make last year’s federal budget deficit the smallest in five years. Fannie’s $84 billion net income for 2013 compared with earnings of $17.2 billion in 2012. Fannie affirmed Friday that it expects to be profitable “for the foreseeable future.” However, the company said it doesn’t expect to repeat its 2013 results, since they were bolstered by the tax accounting move and a significant increase in home prices during the year. Fannie also gained billions of dollars last year from a number of settlements it reached with major banks over soured mortgage securities it purchased from them before the financial crisis. Fannie said its 2013 earnings also were bolstered by a decline in mortgage delinquency rates. Fannie and Freddie, which is based in McLean, Va., own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages, worth
about $5 trillion. Along with other federal agencies, they back roughly 90 percent of new mortgages. The two companies don’t directly make loans to borrowers. They buy mortgages from lenders, package them as bonds, guarantee them against default and sell them to investors. That helps make loans available. President Barack Obama has proposed a broad overhaul of the U.S. mortgage finance system — including winding down Fannie and Freddie. The goal is to replace them with a system that would put the private sector, not the government, primarily at risk for the loans. The government would still be involved, both in oversight and as a last-resort loan guarantor. Obama also wants a guarantee that private lenders will make sure homeowners have access to 30-year fixed mortgages. A fix to the housing finance system is unlikely to be easy, however. The Obama plan is in line with bipartisan Senate legislation. But most Republicans in the House of Representatives want the market almost completely privatized, while many Democrats insist on government having a larger role.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
EZEQUIEL MEDELES-HERNANDEZ April 9, 1942 – Feb. 16, 2014 Ezequiel Medeles-Hernandez, 71, passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Medeles-Hernandez is survived by his wife, Guadalupe Medeles; sons, Ezequiel Medeles, Kelin Medeles and Juan Carlos (Lisa) Medeles; daughter, Maria Clementina (Luis Alonso) Iruegas; grandchildren, Iliana Medeles and Luis Alonso Iruegas Jr., Brissa Anali Irue-
COCAINE with an estimated street value of $1,707,200. In a post-arrest interview, Gonzalez-Garces admitted he had traveled to Zapata to pick up the cocaine and take it to McAllen. He further told au-
gas; sister, Rosa Maria (Oliverio) Talamante and by numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Services were held in Nva. Cd. Guerrero, Tamaulipas. Committal services followed at Panteon Municipal. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83, Zapata, Texas.
Continued from Page 1A thorities he was to be paid an undetermined amount of money. HSI agents took over the case. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Feds not sure about phones on planes By JOAN LOWY ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — It looks like the government is more conflicted about cellphones on planes than most travelers. Even as one federal agency considers allowing the calls, another now wants to make sure that doesn’t happen. Passengers — particularly those who fly often — oppose allowing calls in flight, polls show. In line with that sentiment, the Transportation Department signaled in a notice posted online Friday that it is considering retaining the 23year-old ban on the calls and asked for public comments. But the notice comes just two months after the Federal Communications Commission voted to pursue lifting the ban. The Transportation Department regulates aviation consumer issues. The FCC has responsibility over whether the use of cellphones in flight would interfere with cellular networks on the ground. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has said he wants to repeal the current ban, calling it restrictive and outdated. He also wants the airlines, not the government, to have final say on in-flight calling. He declined to comment Friday on the department’s notice. Echoing some travelers’ concerns, the Transportation Department said it believes allowing passengers to make cellphone calls “may be harmful or injurious” to other passengers. This is because “people tend to talk louder on cellphones than when they’re having faceto-face conversations,” the de-
partment said. “They are also likely to talk more and further increase the noise on a flight, as passengers would not be simply talking to the persons sitting next to them but can call whomever they like.” Some planes already have seat-back phones in place, but they are rarely used, it said. The “concern is not about individual calls, but rather the cumulative impact of allowing in-flight calls in close quarters,” the department said. In an Associated Press-GfK poll three months ago, 48 percent of those surveyed opposed letting cellphones be used for voice calls while planes are in flight, while 19 percent were in favor and 30 percent were neutral. Among those who’d flown four or more times in the previous year, the rate of opposition soared to 78 percent. Delta Air Lines told the government last year that 64 percent of its passengers indicated that the ability to make phone calls in flight would have a negative impact on their onboard experience. The FCC has already received more than 1,200 public comments on its proposal, almost all of them opposed to lifting the ban. “Nobody, absolutely nobody, wants to be the involuntary audience of another passenger’s telephone conversation,” one commenter said Friday. “It is the equivalent of torture to be forced to listen to the incessant prattling of a seatmate, compounded by the impossibility of escape.” Among the most ardent opponents of lifting the current ban are flight attendants.
HOLOCAUST in what became the overpopulated and diseased Warsaw Ghetto once the Nazis moved in. Life had transformed, as he put it, “from day to night.” One day in 1943, he and his family were carted off in a boxcar with many others. Five days later, the stops began. Glauben gradually saw his mother, father and brother taken away, never to be seen again. The letters “KL” are branded on his arm, a stark reminder of his nightmarish years in the Nazi konzentrations-lagers. At Flossenburg, he was among those directed on a death march to Dachau in April 1945. A week later, he was liberated by American forces. He came to the U.S. and was drafted into the Army, then assigned to Fort Hood. He moved to Dallas in 1953. Even at 86, the fit and compact survivor speaks regularly at the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance and elsewhere, a bit of living history imploring younger generations to never forget the 11 million people who died during the Holocaust, including 6 million Jews. “He remembers everything,” said Errol Jacobson, who’s known Glauben for 30 years and marvels at his still-sharp memory and nonstop energy. “He’s incredible.” Lately, Glauben had begun using his 2012 video testimony
among his visual aids. But just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, as he prepared to head off to another speaking engagement, he went out to his car, parked on the corner in front of his house. He’d left two 10-by-13inch leather satchels in the trunk overnight in preparation for his talk. He opened a rear passenger door to put something inside. The back seat was covered with business cards. Why would he have done that? His eyes shot to the front: The glove compartment had been ransacked, his skullcaps were scattered about. Glauben checked the trunk and the two bags were gone. Inside had been his video testimony; some organized photos of his family, the Warsaw Ghetto, himself with Wiesel and Bush; the medals and gifts. “Everything was nice and orderly,” he said. “It’s just sad that they would do something like that.” Presumably, he might be able to get a copy of his video testimony from German officials in the event the items aren’t returned. But the gifts, the medals and the photos, he said — taken by people he didn’t know or who have since passed on — “are one of a kind.” And because the items are of no use to anyone but him, he worries the thieves will simply toss them into a dumpster. The Dallas Holocaust Museum
CAR IMPORTS nations have made it one of the favorite locations for international automakers to invest since the 2008 global recession and rising energy and shipping prices forced companies to find ways to cut costs. Despite Mexico’s surge, the vast majority of the cars and trucks made in North America, are still produced in the U.S. for domestic consumption and export to other countries. And many of the vehicles built in Mexico are assembled with parts that are produced in the United States and Canada and cross the border without tariffs under the North American Free Trade Agreement. “There was a realization that there were some structural issues that had to be resolved in the auto industry to make it more competitive again. Moving parts, not all of the production, to Mexico was a good way to deal with that,” said Christopher Wilson, an expert in U.S.-Mexico economic relations for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. When NAFTA was signed two decades ago, Mexico produced 6 percent of the cars built in North America. It now provides 19 percent. Total Mexican car production has risen 39 percent from 2007, to nearly 3 million cars a year. The total value of Mexico’s car exports surged from $40 billion to $70.6 billion over that span. Mexico’s government and the car industry say the automotive industry has become the primary source of foreign currency for
Continued from Page 1A placed a notice on its Facebook page, offering to accept the returned items on Glauben’s behalf, no questions asked. “This man devotes a lot of his time inspiring others through his testimony,” the posting said. Though dismayed, Glauben was not going to let the incident slow him down. Other than postponing a couple of talks to meet with Dallas police detectives, he was quickly back on the circuit. By midday Thursday, he was at the Dallas Holocaust Museum again, preparing for a noon address and recalling memories among a flock of touring middleschool kids who were visibly moved by the images of death and misery. Word slowly spread of the special figure in their midst. He was there, they whispered to each other, pointing at the photos on the walls. He was in the camps. There was something about the little man in front of them — a man both humbled and yet made more powerful by his experience — that stirred the youngsters to awe. Afterward, a number of students asked him to pose with them for photos, and he readily complied. One by one, in twos and in groups, they sidled up alongside this rare connection to the past. A young girl of about 12 stood beside him. The two smiled. Smartphones flashed. And then, she gave Glauben a hug.
Continued from Page 1A
Mexico, surpassing oil exports and remittances from immigrants in the United States. Each plant opening is lauded by businessmen and government officials eager to promote international investment in Mexico, which is struggling with stagnant economic growth and widespread, persistent poverty. President Enrique Peña Nieto plans to attend the opening of the plant in the town of Celaya along with the economy minister and top Honda executives. Some people in Mexico worry that the boost in car production is coming on the back of unfair conditions for the country’s roughly 580,000 auto workers, whose numbers have risen by 100,000 since 2008. They are paid about $16 a day, which is about one-fifth of what U.S. autoworkers receive. More than half of all Mexican workers earn less than $15 a day, according to Mexico’s census agency. Car factories in Mexico operate with pro-company captive unions and many workers have fought without success to form independent unions that could bargain for higher pay and better pensions, like the United Automobile Workers union that represents employees at U.S. factories owned by U.S. automakers. Foreign-owned car plants in the U.S. are largely non-union, including a Volkswagen factory in Tennessee where the workers last week narrowly voted against representation by the UAW. “It’s one of the most modern industries that is generating the most money for the country,”
said Huberto Juarez, an auto industry expert at the Autonomous University of Puebla. “It’s not right that these workers are making so little.” Solis, the president of the auto industry association, says wages are low compared to the U.S. and Canada, but says the boom is creating a new generation of young engineers and funding automotive research in Mexico. “It’s not only about lower salaries. That’s short-sighted. It is a component of a larger equation that has to do with the expertise we are developing,” Solis said. Much of the new production is by Japanese companies drawn by the ability to move parts into Mexico without tariffs. Local governments have been competing for new plants by offering tax exemptions, employee training and improved highways connecting the plants to the U.S. border and Mexican ports. Just 25 miles from the new Honda plant, Mazda is set to open a factory next week to produce 230,000 cars a year. Nissan is expected to turn out 175,000 cars annually at a $2 billion plant it opened late last year in the nearby state of Aguascalientes. And Audi will be producing luxury models at a plant in the state of Puebla that is slated to open in 2016. “We have gained momentum throughout the years,” Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajuardo said. “Now Mexico is attracting international attention because it has proven to have quality of production and a friendly investment climate.”
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors MLB: HOUSTON ASTROS
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: ZAPATA HAWKS
Bi-district champs
Young Astros look to rebound By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Danny Zaragoza | Laredo Morning Times
Zapata’s Danny Chapa and the Hawks won the bi-district championship with a 71-69 victory over Rio Hondo in La Joya.
Zapata beats Rio Hondo 71-69 on Tuesday By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
T
he Hawks picked up a bi-district championship after beating Rio Hondo 71-69 Tuesday night in La Joya. Zapata moved on to play West Oso in Falfurrias for the area championship at 7 p.m. Zapata led the entire game and staved off a pesky Rio Hondo team that made a comeback in the second half to even things up at the end of the third quarter. The Hawks had four players score in double figures and were led by Javier Lo-
pez with 19 points. Senior guard Alonzo Gutierrez added 18, Rod Saldivar had 16 and Raul Ruiz chipped in with 10 to round out the scoring for Zapata. Rio Hondo was led by Daniel Hernandez, who led all scorers with 21 points including three 3s and was perfect from the free-throw line in four attempts on the night. The tandem of Lopez and Gutierrez accounted for all of Zapata’s scoring in the first quarter. Lopez scored nine of his 19 points while Gutierrez added three baskets for six points. Zapata took a one-point lead after the first quarter at 15-14 while Rio Hondo
NFL: DALLAS COWBOYS
had five people get into the scoring act. By the second quarter, the Hawks started to put some distance between them and the Bobcats, taking a 36-30 halftime edge. Zapata exploded for 21 points as the quartet scored four points each. Ruiz started to tickle the twine from the 3point line as he hit back-to-back 3s to give the Hawks their biggest lead of the game. Rio Hondo managed only 14 points with nine coming from the 3-point line. The Bobcats finished the night with six
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Stray pen marks covered the hands of Mark Appel, a bead of sweat dripped off the end of his nose and more sweat trickled down both of his arms. Last year’s top overall pick threw for the first time on Thursday since an emergency appendectomy last month, but that didn’t stop the Houston starter from taking time to sign an autograph for each of the dozens of fans who asked for his signature as he left the field. After three straight 100-loss seasons, Appel and other up-andcoming prospects have infused this team with optimism. And, as one of the future faces of the franchise, Appel is more than happy to work both on and off the field to be the kind of player worthy of such a tag. “We want to be successful at the major league level, we want to be in the playoffs year in and year out and we want to win a World Series,” said Appel, who threw a 22-pitch bullpen session Thursday. “Any way I can be a part of that, that’s what I’m here for.” The polished Appel made 10 starts between Tri-City and Low-A Quad-Cities last season and could be on a fast track to the majors, though it’s unlikely that he’ll be in Houston before 2015. But he’s just one of several youngsters who have helped Houston’s minor league system rank as one of the best in baseball. Outfielder George Springer and first baseman Jonathan Singleton could both be ready this season, which would be a boost to a team that lost a franchise-record 111 games last season. Springer hit 37 homers and 108 RBIs with 45 stolen bases com-
See ZAPATA PAGE 2B See ASTROS PAGE 2B
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: TEXAS RANGERS
Choo leads new Texas outfield By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Michael Conroy | AP
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett answers questions at a news conference at the scouting combine in Indianapolis on Thursday.
Garrett focusing on ‘Boys, not future By RAINER SABIN MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE
INDIANAPOLIS - Jason Garrett appeared at ease Thursday no matter where he was inside Lucas Oil Stadium. A rictus smile was plastered on his face whether he was strolling along a corridor greeting people, standing behind a lectern to open a news conference or relaxing into a chair to do a radio interview. This didn’t look like a man
entering a make-or-break season, the final year of a contract that Cowboys management and Garrett haven’t even discussed extending since the end of his third straight 8-8 campaign. "We didn’t really have conversations about that," Garrett said at the NFL scouting combine. "My focus is on being the best coach I can be each and every day."
See COWBOYS PAGE 2B
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Shin-Soo Choo acknowledges he will probably feel some pressure getting started on his big contract with the Texas Rangers to be their leadoff hitter. “I’m human,” Choo said Friday. Choo, the 31-year-old outfielder who got a $130 million, seven-year free-agent deal from Texas, knows there are expectations for him to set a tone at the top of a remade offense. The Rangers want him to go deep into counts, seeing a lot of pitches like he has done in the past, and get on base ahead of fellow newcomer Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre. “The next seven years, starting this year, will be a challenge for me, but I like challenges.,” he said. “I talk to myself, ’Choo, you play Shin-Soo Choo style.’ ... It’s my goal is to be healthy and play every day and that’s how good things happen.” Choo style has been getting on base. He has a .288 career average and .389 on-base percentage in 853 major league games for Seattle (2005-06), Cleveland (2006-12) and Cincinnati (2013). Only Mike Trout (564) and Miguel Cabrera (562) have reached
Photo by Ron T. Ennis | AP
New Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo prepares for batting practice at training camp in Surprise, Ariz. as his first season in Texas is approaching. base more than last two seasons than Choo (556). He also has at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases three times, including last season when he started 150 games in
center field and was the primary leadoff hitter for the Reds. “What’s always impressed me about Choo is the way he goes
See RANGERS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
Manziel all business at NFL combine By MICHAEL MAROT ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — Johnny Manziel shed the Hollywood image Friday — maybe for good. The brash-talking, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Texas A&M entered and exited the Lucas Oil Stadium media room through a back door. He ignored the television screens around him, monitors that provided live coverage of his media availability and that had been showing his college football highlights prior to his arrival. And it seemed Johnny Football had suddenly transformed himself into Johnny Business. “This is a job now. There are guys’ families, coaches’ families and jobs and all kinds of things on the line,” he said in a stern, deliberate voice at the NFL’s scouting combine. “For me, it won’t be a hard thing to kick. I’m extremely focused on whatever organization I’ll be at and really pouring my heart out trying to be football 24-7 with that team.” What he has to prove now is that he means every word. Since bursting onto the national stage in his Heisman-winning freshmen season, Manziel has been liv-
Photo by Michael Conroy | AP
Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is preparing for the NFL Draft attending a news conference at the NFL combine. ing large. He’s been courtside at NBA games, played golf at Pebble Beach, partied in Cabo and become a feature attraction for memorabilia hounds. He’s participated in dunk contests, publicly complained about life in College Station, Texas, developed a friendship with Tom Brady and never been
shy about — anything. But in Indianapolis, none of that stuff means a thing. Here, scouts and NFL front-office executives are treating Manziel as just another draft hopeful in the standard blue-and-green warm-up suit. They’ll see how he runs, how he tests and perhaps most important, how he answers ques-
tions. Most teams want to know whether this 21-yearold, fun-loving football star is mature enough to handle millions of dollars and live up to the tag of franchise quarterback. Friday’s media availability may have been a good start. Rather than showcasing his bravado, Manziel, at times, sounded almost apologetic for some of the things he’s said and done recently. “The main thing I wanted to portray that was more in the subplots of the article,” he said, when asked about a story in which he seemed to warn Houston about bypassing him with the No. 1 overall pick, “was that whatever team I do end up with, whenever I do get to that team, whenever I am in that organization, each one of those guys is now my teammate, my brother and if I’m on the field with those guys, I’m going to try to be the best football player I can be.” Other times, he sounded almost defiant. “I knew who I was meeting with, but I’m not sure of his official title. Something along the lines of just a counselor,” he said when pressed about reports he was being treated for alcoholism and anger management while at Texas A&M. When it became clear the
2012 Heisman winner measured in at 5-foot-113/4 inches, 207 pounds, shorter and lighter than his listed college measurements of 6-1 and 210, and shorter and lighter than many NFL teams seek in a starting quarterback, he wouldn’t confirm the measurements. Instead, he explained that he more heart and passion for this sport than anyone in the draft. Not all the news was bad for Manziel. Though he stands about five inches shorter than Blake Bortles, another quarterback vying to wind up in Houston, Manziel came in with bigger hands — a potentially big advantage on draft weekend. “I think it (hand size) is something that is highly underrated,” said Arizona coach Bruce Arians, who has tutored Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck among others. “It depends on where you play. If you play in Lucas Oil, not too bad. Now, if you play in Green Bay and you struggle with controlling a football when it’s cold and wet, that’s a problem. That goes into the evaluation process hard.” There’s little doubt about Manziel’s skills. In 2012, he broke the SEC’s single-season record for total offense (5,116 yards), became the fifth
player in FBS history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in one season and then set an all-bowl rushing record for a quarterback (229 yards). After his jet-setting offseason and an NCAA investigation into autographs on memorabilia, critics contended a distracted Manziel regressed. But he actually threw for more yards (4,116), more touchdowns (37) and wound up with a better passing efficiency (172.9) in 2013 than he did in 2012. The Texas native believes he will only continue to get better on a bigger stage. But what scouts and team executives must determine between now and May’s draft is whether Johnny Football is for real or whether this personality change is just one more part of his ongoing act. “I’m from a small town of Kerrville, Texas, 20,000 people. That gets lost when people make me out to be a big Hollywood guy,” Manziel said. “Sometimes you get caught up in certain things, but at the same time it’s about continuing to learn and continuing to adapt to everything that’s going on in my life. I’m not saying it’s always easy, but continuing to be who I’ve always been is a big thing for me.”
ASTROS Continued from Page 1B bined in Double-A and Triple-A last year. Singleton, who has been ranked as the top first-base prospect in baseball, looks to rebound from a tough 2013 when he served a 50-game drug suspension. “He’s coming in to compete for the starting first base job,” manager Bo Porter said. “He’s an obvious talent. He’s one of our top prospects and we believe that he has the opportunity to be an impact player for many years to come for the Houston Astros.” Singleton admitted he was nervous before the first full-squad workout and said he can’t help but think of the possibility of making the big league team this season. “That’s always a thought in my mind, but the biggest thing I focus on is playing ball and having fun,” he said. “Everything else you can’t control, so I just try to control what I can control.” Another faucet of Houston’s im-
provement is that the Astros think the young guys who got their first major league experience last year will be much better, too. Porter also believes the revamped bullpen will help get things on track. “It’s our goal to be the most improved team in major league baseball (and) I believe ... we have the group together and we can actually accomplish that,” Porter said. One of the biggest problems for the Astros last season was a bullpen that blew 29 saves. They addressed the issue with the signing of Jesse Crain, who was an AllStar last season and had a 0.74 ERA in 37 appearances for the White Sox. Other upgrades to the group include veteran Chad Qualls and Matt Albers. “It can be frustrating to be winning the whole game and then lose, especially if they did it that many times,” Crain said. “Hopefully me and the other guys that
ZAPATA
they brought in there can help strengthen that and a lot of those games that they lost last year we can win this year and have a quick turnaround.” Catcher Jason Castro was Houston’s All-Star in 2013 after his best season where he hit .276 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs. He acknowledged that the last couple of years have been difficult to deal with, but now he feels like there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel. “The last few years have been the steps necessary to get to where we want to go and now we’re kind of on the upswing of things,” Castro said. “I don’t think we’re going to be like we were in the past. Just with the additions we’ve made already, let alone the guys coming up in the minor leagues, we’re going to see some pretty significant improvements on the field and sustained ones for the years to come.”
Photo by Alex Brandon | AP
Houston pitcher Mark Appel, the No. 1 overall pick from Stanford, is preparing for the upcoming season at Astros Spring Training.
COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B
Continued from Page 1B 3s in the game. Zapata came out cold after halftime and allowed Rio Hondo back into the game as the Bobcats started connecting from behind the arc. Rio Hondo hit four 3s with Hernandez hitting three, to pull the Bobcats in to the game and finished in a deadlock at 47 at the end of the third quarter as the Hawks were outscored 17-11. Zapata managed to dig in the fourth quarter and let the ball fly despite Rio Hondo coming out in a triangle and two defense. "We had a little difficulties adjusting and that’s when they tied the game at the end of third," assistant coach Jose Luera said. Rio Hondo was forced to foul in the final minutes but Zapata held their ground to come away with a victory.
Lady Hawks fall The Zapata Lady Hawks fell to Devine 7333 in Alice to see their season come to an end in the area championship game. Clara Sandoval can be reached at Sandoval.Clara@Gmail.com
Given his current status, Garrett will have to be better than he has been. He seems to recognize that. During his tenure, the Cowboys are 29-27 and have failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, making the natives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area restless. "We have been close each of the last three years to win our division," Garrett said. "We haven’t gotten that done. We have to live with that reality. We are working hard every day to try to be great as coaches to help our football team take the next step." After capitulating to Jerry Jones in 2013 replacing assistants at the owner’s behest and surrendering the play-calling duty to offensive coordinator Bill Callahan Garrett has regained some control that could help him realize a better fate. He retooled the staff, promoting Rod Marinelli to coordinate a defense that was the NFL’s worst under Monte Kiffin. The ancient Kiffin, who presided over the team’s transition to a 4-3 system last season, has a new title as assistant head coach but won’t be as directly involved as he was in 2013. Those changes were announced last month along with the hiring of one of Garrett’s old colleagues, Scott Linehan. Li-
nehan, whose offensive philosophy dovetails with Garrett’s, will assume the playcalling role that Callahan held last season. "As I think Jason used the words, you have to make sure everybody is in the right seat on the bus to really make the team hum," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "I think that’s what we ended up doing. I think we got everyone in the right seat and obviously added a big one in Linehan. I really think we have given ourselves, with our staff, a great opportunity to improve." That bodes well for Garrett. And the 47year-old Ivy League graduate indicated he is happier with the current arrangement, which, he says, resembles the one that existed when he had the dual role of head coach and play-caller through 2012. But while Garrett is more comfortable than he was last season, Callahan isn’t. He’s been placed in an awkward spot, one that Stephen Jones characterized as "unfortunate." The West Coast disciple, working within the parameters of Garrett’s timing-based system, has been marginalized and his job description has been scaled back to what it was in 2012, when he oversaw the offensive line. But if Callahan wanted to leave, he wasn’t going to
be allowed to do so. He was denied the opportunity to interview with Cleveland and Baltimore for other positions. "We just weren’t going to give him up, and Jerry and I have a great relationship and the coaches have a great relationship with him," Jones said. "Everybody wants to go sometimes and try to do what they were doing or whatever. But when we signed him, contracts are two-way streets. They are not just for us to deal with if it doesn’t work out. And Bill is a professional. Are you kidding me? He is working his butt off. Was he disappointed? Everybody has disappointments. I have had it. I’m sure you have had disappointments. Everybody has them." Garrett included. In fact, his tenure has been marked by bitter outcomes most notably losses in three straight do-or-die games for the NFC East title. But if Garrett is a worried man as he enters the final year of his contract, he’s not showing any concern. At least he didn’t Thursday. Instead, Garrett made the rounds at Lucas Oil Stadium, slapping people on the back, shaking hands, telling stories and, of course, smiling.
RANGERS Continued from Page 1B about his business,” manager Ron Washington said. “His professionalism, his work ethic, his willingness to be there for his teammates, those are the things that are impressive.” Sitting down with the media for the first time at spring training — he has been around the complex for a while since his offseason home is nearby — Choo said he feels very comfortable with his new teammates. Choo said he won’t change his approach regardless of where he bats in the lineup — he has batted in all nine spots during his career. But he said he did get
better last year with his two-strike approach, choking up on the bat and widening his stance, especially on 3-2 pitches. He hit .279 on full-count pitches last season up from .191 and .171 the previous two years. Even with his impressive on-base percentage, Choo has struggled against lefthanded pitchers the last two years — more than 100 points lower than against right-handers. He hit .215 off lefties last season, vs. .317 against righters after a .199 to .327 difference in 2012, when he was still in the American League.
“That’s not a mechanics problem. All mental,” he said. “Still I have confidence, still I can hit. ... I’m not worried about it. Just things change a little bit and I’ll be fine.” Asked what part of his game he likes the most, Choo responded that it was that he could do different things at the plate. “I’m not great power hitter, I’m not great high-batting average hitter, but I can do everything. I can walk, get on base, I can steal,” he said. “A lot of people ask me Choo you have a good contract, how do you feel? But I feel the
same. I’m the same person. I do the same routine every day, same approach.” Notes: An initial MRI on LHP Matt Harrison’s lower back showed no major issues, but the pitcher will travel home Monday to be examined by Dr. Drew Dossett. Harrison made only two starts last season before two operations for a herniated disk in his back. ... C Geovany Soto was headed back to Texas on Friday to have his sore Achilles checked out by a specialist. Soto said he could play if this was the regular season, but he and the team want to get it checked now to try to keep it from becoming a bigger issue.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
“
HELOISE
Dear Heloise: I was distressed when an attorney informed me that my older pets could not be included as a part of the updating and finalizing of my WILL. But I was able to include (in the will), as a REQUEST, that my wishes be carried out concerning them. He stated that the request (their euthanasia and cremations at a specified facility) are not enforceable. He stated, "Who is going to check?" I was heartbroken. Laws may vary from one state to another. My dinnerware will be bequeathed, but my beloved pets’ care and final resting place are considered only a request. — Heartbroken in Texas You are a very caring and loving pet owner. I hope my readers will stop and think about this and
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
try to make plans for their pets, just in case something happens. The Humane Society of the United States recommends that you have at least two friends or relatives willing and able to carry out your wishes concerning your pets. Provide them with your veterinarian’s information, keys to your home and care instructions for your pets BEFORE an emergency occurs, because pets need care every day. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: This week’s Pet Pal is the fox that comes to visit Heloise Central. The girls (yes, I can call them "girls"; I have asked, and they are just fine with it) often throw out any leftovers from lunch for the deer in the area, and because of that, the fox has decided to visit Heloise Central on a regular basis as well. To see the fox’s picture, go to my website, www. Heloise.com, and click on "Pets." — Heloise
Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
Giants extend Coughlin By TOM CANAVAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin will be going into the season with a little more job security. The Giants confirmed Friday that they gave the 67-year-old Coughlin a oneyear extension, putting him under contract through the 2015 season. The agreement had been expected since the franchise has a history of not allowing its head coach go into a season as a lame duck. “The Giants have always done that,” Coughlin told reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. “That was always indicated to me. I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to it to be honest with you. We’ve had a lot of work going on in our business and our building, as you know. So I had great confidence that it would happen, and it did.” Coughlin said that his agent and the Giants never talked about getting a longer contract, which is not surprising. The Giants have missed the playoffs the past two seasons and three of four. However, his Super Bowl titles in 2008 and ’12 earned him at least another season. Coughlin and the Giants had wanted to get the deal done earlier, but it was de-
Photo by Bill Kostroun | AP
New York gave head coach Tom Coughlin a contract extension through 2015. The Giants finished 7-9 in 2013. layed while Coughlin reshaped his offensive staff. Coordinator Kevin Gilbride retired after the Giants (7-9) missed the playoffs and two other longtime assistants, running backs coach Jerald Ingram and tight ends coach Mike Pope, were fired. Coughlin also reassigned quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan and receivers coach Kevin M. Gilbride, with Ryan taking over the receivers and the younger Gilbride moving to tight ends. Former Packers assistant Ben McAdoo was hired as the offensive coordinator. Coughlin said making the changes was very difficult. “You have coaches that have, in many cases, been with you a long, long time with Kevin (Gilbride) retir-
ing and with Mike (Pope) and Jerald (Ingram) — they had been with me a long time,” Coughlin said. “I have great respect for them. It’s never easy. It’s very difficult thing for a head coach to do, whether it be a player, whether it be a coach, guys I have respect for. “They were very, very good football coaches. I just felt like in those situations that I needed to make some other changes after Kevin retired in the best interest of our team. And in doing that, we’re back on track now trying to get ourselves ready for the spring.” Coughlin said there will be some noticeable changes to the offense next season, but not everything will change. “I think definitely we would maintain a commitment to the run, and that
Harrison dealing with back issues By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Matt Harrison had been throwing for a couple of months with no problems when he got to spring training, ready to come back after making only two starts for the Texas Rangers last season. On the first day of full-squad workouts Thursday, the former AllStar left-hander had back stiffness that prevented him from throwing batting practice. The Rangers planned an MRI for Harrison. The pitcher is also expected to return to Texas for an examination by the doctor who did two operations on his back last year when he was the team’s opening day starter. “There’s obviously some concern there from what happened last year,” Harrison said. “I just hope that it’s not a serious issue and something I can take a few days down and stay on top of my core program and get right back out there, and hopefully that’s the case. But it’s not fair to say that I’m not worried about it, because I’ve had a lot of issues recently.” Harrison had also been scheduled to throw live BP on Tuesday, but the Rangers held him out of that as a precaution because of neck stiffness even though he still wanted to throw. He first felt the discomfort in his back a day later, and it was worse when he woke up Thursday. “I’m not going to argue with them this time, especially because I know how it ended up last year, having surgery,” he said. “I may have pushed it too far last year. So we’re still in spring training, and get it taken care of now.” General manager Jon Daniels said Harrison “won’t be doing any baseball activities,” but can still do his core program and back strengthening work. Harrison was examined Thursday at camp by team physician Dr. Keith Meister, and is expected to go home to see Dr. Drew Dossett on Monday. “Obviously you hope for the best, but after what he went through last year, there’s a level of concern. I feel terrible for him,” Daniels said. “Hopefully, this is just some kind of irritation involved with getting going, and he can push through it, prescribe some sort of medication or something like that and get him going.” The Rangers are already without lefty starter Derek Holland, who hasn’t even made it to camp yet because he is still at home on crutches. Holland, who had a team-high 33 starts and career-high 213 innings last season, could miss more than half of this season after microfracture surgery on the left knee injured when he was tripped by his dog on the stairs at his home.
Photo by Charlie Riedel | AP
Texas starting pitcher Matt Harrison had another MRI after feeling back stiffness in spring training. Harrison got a $55 million, fiveyear contract after winning 18 games for Texas and being an AllStar in 2012. He had never had any back issues before last spring, when he first felt something wrong while running. But he kept pushing through, and symptoms got worse. Despite lower back soreness, Harrison made his first two starts. He lost both games, then got two epidural injections and a second opinion when he went on the disabled list before two operations in a matter of weeks. The tightness Harrison is feeling this time is in the right side of his back. “It’s the first time I’ve felt it, since I had all the issues with the other side,” he said. Harrison said he’s not sure if something just got irritated when he got to spring training and started going through fielding drills and other things that are part of spring training. But he said he felt nothing wrong on the field while going through any of those exercises. “I felt 100 percent coming in here, but it’s a little bit different,” he said. “When you get out there and you start doing everything 100 percent, your adrenaline going, and so I really don’t know what happened.” Notes: C Geovany Soto has soreness in his left Achilles, but is doing everything but run. While Daniels doesn’t think it will be a long-term deal, Soto may not be ready to play in intrasquad games Monday and Tuesday. ... RH Tommy Hanson, who signed with the Rangers last week, threw five minutes in the bullpen and then faced hitters for 10 minutes. It was the second time he has thrown BP. Hanson said he feels good with some mechanical adjustments he’s made. ... Yu Darvish, already tabbed the opening day starter, also threw live BP.
will be a factor no matter what,” he said. “And that’s been agreed upon by all. But as far as changes, they may be subtle; there may be some drastic ones. “But the number one thing will be the players, the team, the opportunity to again get ourselves back on track the way we need to be, the ball security issues being first and foremost. The obvious questions being made about the offensive line, we’ll see where that goes. Who knows what that would have been like last year had a couple of our guys been able to stay on the field.” The Giants’ offensive line was decimated by injuries last season. Center David Baas and guard Chris Snee missed much of the season and left tackle Will Beatty broke a leg in the final game. Guard-center Kevin Boothe is a free agent, backup Jim Cordle will be coming off a knee injury and veteran David Diehl retired. That leaves only tackle Justin Pugh returning healthy after an excellent rookie season. The problems up front had Eli Manning and the offense being described by owner John Mara as “broken” after the season. “Did I agree that the offense was broken?” Coughlin said of the comment. “I certainly agree that some things have to be fixed, let’s put it that way. But I wouldn’t have used that word.”
File photo by Patrick Semansky | AP
A police complaint alleges Ray Rice knocked out Janay Palmer, his fiancee, during an argument at an Atlantic City casino.
Complaint filed against Ray Rice ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A police complaint alleges Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocked out his fiancee during an argument at an Atlantic City casino. Police charged both Rice and Janay Palmer with simple assault in the incident Saturday at the Revel Casino. A police complaint says Rice struck her with his hand, “rendering her unconscious.” Palmer is also accused of striking Rice with her hand.
Palmer’s attorney, Robert Gamburg, said Thursday he’s certain neither person committed a crime. Rice’s attorney, Michael Diamondstein, has said he hopes the case is shown to be a misunderstanding. TMZ Sports released a video of what it says shows Rice dragging a seemingly motionless woman out of a Revel Casino elevator. Diamondstein told The Press of Atlantic City “this is obviously edited video.” Neither he nor Palmer’s attorney would comment about the video to The Associated Press.
Canada tops USA in hockey By CHRISTOPHER ELSER MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
American Mikaela Shiffrin won the women’s slalom by more than half a second at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Canada inflicted another hockey loss on the U.S., this time 1-0 in the men’s semifinals. The 18-year-old Shiffrin, who almost fell in her second run, finished 0.53 of a second ahead of Austria’s Marlies Schild, whose countrywoman Kathrin Zettel was third. Germanys Maria Hoefl-Riesch, the events defending champion, was fourth. Shiffrin, a native of Vail, Colorado, is making her first Olympic appearance, and finished sixth in the women’s giant slalom in her first event this week. She’s the world champion in the slalom. She told reporters last night after the race that her near crash was a crazy moment. “I was going very fast and I thought I was not going to make it,” Shiffrin said. “It scared me.” The Canadians — whose women beat the U.S. for the gold medal two days ago — got a goal from Jamie Benn, who converted Jay Bouwmeester’s pass one minute, 41 seconds into the second period. The Canadians were little troubled by the Americans in the final period, when both teams had nine shots on goal. Tomorrow’s final will pair Canada and Sweden, which beat Finland 2-1. Erik Karlsson and Loui Eriksson scored in the second period for Sweden, the 2006 Olympic champion. Finland’s top goaltender, Tuukka Rask, didn’t play because of the flu.
which had won at the 2006 and 2010 Games. Norway finished third in the 24-kilometer event. The Ukrainians, who finished sixth in the event in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, won by 26.4 seconds over the Russians, the two-time defending champions. Russias Olga Zaitseva was attempting to be the first woman to win three gold medals in a single event in biathlon. Vita Semernko — who took bronze in the biathlon 7.5- kilometer sprint event — became the first Ukrainian athlete to win multiple medals at the winter Games. Ice skater Oksana Bayul won a gold in figure skating at the 1994 Games for the nation.
Today’s Medals
Doping Cases
Today there are seven gold medal events, including the men’s and women’s snowboard slalom parallel finals and the men’s ski slalom, as temperatures of 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit) are forecast for the mountain. The men’s and womens speedskating team pursuit finals will be held, and the U.S. will take on Finland for the mens hockey bronze. Ukraine yesterday won its first gold of the games, upsetting two-time champion Russia in a biathlon relay, while the hosts won two golds in men’s short-track speedskating. The German and Italian Olympic committees said athletes failed a drug test at the Games, which end tomorrow. Ukraine’s gold medal — only its second in a Winter Games – in the women’s biathlon relay came at the expense of Russia,
In the doping cases, German athlete Evi SachenbacherStehle, a 33-year-old who finished fourth in the women’s biathlon 12.5-kilometer race, failed drug tests, the country’s Olympic committee said on its website. Italian bobsled athlete William Frullani was replaced on the team after failing a drug test, Italy’s national Olympic committee said on its website. The U.S. is atop the standings with 27 medals, one ahead of the host Russians. Canada has 24, two more than the Netherlands and Norway, which has the most gold medals with 10.
Photo by Matt Slocum | AP
Forward Benn Jamie celebrates his team’s lone goal as Canada won 1-0 over the United States and is moving on to the gold medal game.
Ans Exploits The Russians picked up two gold medals in men’s shorttrack speed skating. Victor An won the 500-meter event, and
then set an Olympic record with his teammates in the 5000meter relay. In the 500 meters, Wu Dijing of China was second and Canada’s Charle Cournoyer third. In the 5,000 meters, the Russians broke a Korean record An helped set in Turin in 2006. The U.S. team was second and China third. An won three gold medals and a bronze in Sochi after becoming a Russian citizen. He took three golds and a bronze in Turin for Korea but changed countries when he failed to make the team for the 2010 games. In the women’s 1,000 meters, Park Seung-Hi won, followed by Chinas Fan Kexin and Parks Korean teammate Shim Suk Hee. American Jessica Smith finished fourth. In yesterday’s first medal race, Canada’s Marielle Thompson and Kelsey Serwa swept the top two places in the women’s ski cross finals, with Sweden’s Anna Holmlund taking third. Thompson, 21, and Serwa, 24, led for most of the way as Frances Ophelie David hovered behind before crashing on an attempted landing in the middle of the race, allowing Holmlund to take third. “I’m really excited,” Thompson said. “I’m so glad I get to share this moment with Kelsey. I’m so glad that I could bring it home for Canada.” Canada also won its third straight gold medal in men’s curling, defeating Britain 9-3. Sweden won the bronze, overcoming China 6-4. Canada’s victory means it swept the golds in the event, the country’s women winning two days ago.