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NASA astronaut visits students Explains how science leads to success By Judith Rayo ZA PATA T I ME S
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are the key to doing everything cool in life. That was the message NASA Astronaut Donald Pettit gave to a group of sixth-grade students Friday afternoon. Congressman Henry Cuellar and Texas A&M International University hosted the 2017 STEM Alliance for middle and high school students in Laredo and Zapata at TAMIU.
The annual event is designed to encourage local students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The 2017 STEM Alliance also included a career fair with presentations from companies, universities and government agencies and two keynote speakers: Dr. Jesus Segovia, post-doctoral fellow at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Astro-
BORDER PROTECTION
Agency plans to award Mexico border wall contracts by April
naut and Engineer Donald Roy Pettit. Students were able to experience the daily activities of an astronaut through photographs Pettit showed students. He showed students how astronauts drink coffee, where they use the bathroom and his second home. Pettit said the journey of studying STEM landed him in space. “You have to study all these cool subjects,” Pettit said. Pettit said NASA curNASA continues on A9
Danny Zaragoza / Laredo Morning Times
NASA Astronaut Donald R. Pettit speaks to a room full of sixth-grade girls and high school sophomores on Friday about the daily routine of an astronaut in the International Space Station at the TAMIU Student Center during a TAMIU STEM Alliance event.
LCC
TRAPPIST-1
‘EARTHLIKE’ PLANETS Board talks DISCOVERED bond By Judith Rayo ZAPATA TIME S
By Elliot Spagat A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Friday that it plans to start awarding contracts by midApril for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall with Mexico, signaling that he is aggressively pursuing plans to erect “a great wall” along the 2,000-mile border. The agency said it will request bids on or around March 6 and that companies would have to submit “concept papers” to design and build prototypes by March 10, according to a website for federal contractors. The field of candidates will be narrowed by March 20 and finalists must submit offers with their proposed costs by March 24. The president told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that construction will start “very soon” and is “way, way, way ahead of schedule.” The agency’s notice gave no details on where the wall would be built first and how many miles would be covered initially. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has sought employees’ opinions during border tours of California, Arizona and Texas. It’s unclear how soon Congress would provide funding and how much. The Government Accountability Office estimates a wall would cost on average $6.5 million a mile for a Border continues on A9
Associated Press
A science fiction poster? No, this is what an artist thinks one of the planets circling TRAPPIST-1 might look like, based on available data about its diameter, mass and distance from the star.
New solar system may hold life beyond Earth WASHINGTON P O ST
A
newfound solar system just 39 light years away contains seven warm, rocky, Earthlike planets, scientists say. The discovery, reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, represents the first time astronomers ever have detected so many terrestrial planets orbiting a single star. Researchers say the system is an ideal laboratory for studying
alien worlds and could be the best place in the galaxy to search for life beyond Earth. “Before this, if you wanted to study terrestrial planets, we had only four of them and they were all in our solar system,” said lead author Michaël Gillon, an exoplanet researcher at the University of Liège in Belgium. “Now we have seven Earth-sized planets to expand our understanding. Yes, we have the possibility to find water and life. But even if we
NASA / JPL-Caltech / New York Times
This is an artist's rendering of the seven planets that orbit the star named Trappist-1. In order of their distance from the star. Seven Earth-size planets that could potentially harbor life have been identified orbiting a tiny star not too far away, offering the first realistic opportunity to search for biological signs of alien life outside of the solar system.
Laredo Community College trustees were set to discuss Friday any potential changes to projects that will be funded by the $100 million bond approved by voters in May 2014. It was not immediately clear as of late Friday what, if any, changes they may propose. Laredo Community College trustees set to have that discussion Monday night, but trustee Cynthia Mares said the conversation was better suited for a later date. Also Monday, they discussed in closed session potential legal issues related to LCC’s facilities master plan. Mares Following the session, Mares said trustees were reminded to remain within the scope of work promised to voters. Originally, Laredo Community College announced the bond would fund construction and renovation projects for LCC South and the Fort McIntosh campuses. Projects at the Fort McIntosh campus included renovations of the Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa Science Building, renovations of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center, expansion of the Yeary Library, new science labs, a new oil and gas program facility and belowground infrastructure improvements. Projects at the South campus included a new health science center, new student union building, renovation of the Billy Hall Student Center and safety, security and technology upgrades Those placed on hold pending additional direction from the LCC board were the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Bond continues on A9
Zin brief A2 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
CALENDAR
AROUND THE WORLD
TODAY IN HISTORY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
Today is Saturday, Feb. 25, the 56th day of 2017. There are 309 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 25, 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, was declared in effect by Secretary of State Philander Chase Knox.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall, First United Methodist Church. Public invited, no admission fee, but freewill donations accepted.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 Book Room open. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Widener Book Room, First United Methodist Church. Public invited, no admission fee. Silvia Izquierdo / AP
SATURDAY, MARCH 4 Improve Health, Delay Aging event. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Laredo Regional Campus of UT Health San Antonio, 1937 Bustamante St. Free community event. This is part of the Stay Healthier Longer Conference Series. The keynote speaker will be Fernando Sanchez, MD, a neurologist at the Laredo Medical Center. To register, call 523-7400 or email laredocampus@uthscsa.edu Book sale. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Widener Book Room, First United Methodist Church. Public invited, no admission fee.
Patients from the Nise da Silveira Mental Health Institute dance during a carnival parade coined, in Portuguese: "Loucura Suburbana," or Suburban Madness, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.
BRAZIL'S CARNIVAL KICKS OFF WITH PARADES AND PARTIES
MONDAY, MARCH 6 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available. Ray of Light anxiety and depression support group meeting. 6:30—7:30 p.m. Area Health Education Center, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430. Every first Monday of the month. People suffering from anxiety and depression are invited to attend this free, confidential and anonymous support group meeting. While a support group does not replace an individual’s medical care, it can be a valuable resource to gain insight, strength and hope.
RIO DE JANEIRO — Revelers all over Brazil were getting Carnival celebrations started Friday, taking to the streets to dance samba, drink beer and other spirits, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal. In Rio, several so-called block parties were underway by the afternoon. Thousands of revelers danced amid 90-degree heat with high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer. At the "Camelitas" block party, rev-
elers dressed up as nuns in Rio's bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Many carried signs with statements ranging from insults against politicians to calls for the legalization of drugs. "The lord says: you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds," read one banner. "Carnival is a very nice and democratic party," said partygoer Nilse Azevedo. "Whoever wants to pray, prays. Whoever wants to have fun in the street has fun."
MONDAY, MARCH 13 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
MONDAY, MARCH 20 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
Nigerian men demand $200K for German scientists KADUNA, Nigeria — Kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 60 million naira (about $200,000) for a German archaeologist and his associate abducted this week from a northern Nigerian village, a worker at the excavation site said. The worker said he heard a man make the demand in a telephone call Thursday to the
Rally at the Border Laredo. 4-7 p.m. Convent Avenue.
site’s supervisor. The caller warned him not to involve police or security forces, said the worker. Police special forces and a special investigative team for kidnappings have been searching around the village of Jenjela in the state of Kaduna, where gunmen on Wednesday abducted Professor Peter Breunig and his associate, Johannes Behringer, and walked with them into the bush. Breunig, 65, and Behringer, who is in his 20s, are part of a four-person team from Frank-
furt’s Goethe University collaborating with the Nigeria’s National Commission for Museum and Monuments to recover relics of the Nok culture. The kidnappers told police to keep away from them or “they will kill the German archaeologists,” said Shehu Musa Tafa, chairman of the Kagarko local government area. Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria, but victims usually are freed unharmed after a ransom is paid. — Compiled from AP reports
MONDAY, MARCH 27 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
MONDAY, APRIL 3 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available. Ray of Light anxiety and depression support group meeting. 6:30—7:30 p.m. Area Health Education Center, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430. Every first Monday of the month. People suffering from anxiety and depression are invited to attend this free, confidential and anonymous support group meeting. While a support group does not replace an individual’s medical care, it can be a valuable resource to gain insight, strength and hope.
MONDAY, APRIL 10 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
White House prohibits major news outlets from briefing
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
Reporters line up in hopes of attending a briefing in Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. White House held an off camera briefing in Spicer's office, where they selected who could attend.
dent Donald Trump delivered a speech blasting the media, Spicer invited only a pool of news organizations that represents and shares reporting with the larger press corps. He also invited several other major news outlets, as well as smaller organizations including the conservative Washing-
Ten years ago: A female suicide bomber triggered a ball bearingpacked charge, killing at least 41 people at a mostly Shiite college in Baghdad. In Detroit, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan stressed religious unity during what was billed as his final major speech, saying the world was at war because Christians and Muslims were divided. “The Departed” won best picture at the Academy Awards; its director, Martin Scorsese, won an Oscar on his sixth nomination. Five years ago: A gunman killed two American military advisers with shots to the back of the head inside Afghanistan’s heavily guarded Interior Ministry as protests raged for a fifth day over the burning of Qurans at a U.S. army base. Lynn D. “Buck” Compton, 90, a veteran whose World War II exploits were depicted in the television miniseries “Band of Brothers,” died in Burlington, Washington. One year ago: Brawling from the get-go, a fiery Marco Rubio went after Donald Trump during their Republican debate in Houston, lacerating the front-runner’s position on immigration, his privileged background, his speaking style and more; Ted Cruz piled on, too, questioning Trump’s conservative credentials. A gunman stormed into a Hesston, Kansas, factory and shot 17 people, killing three, before being shot dead by police.
AROUND THE NATION
News organizations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on-therecord White House press briefing Friday. The Associated Press chose not to participate in the briefing after White House press secretary Sean Spicer restricted the number of journalists included. Typically, the daily briefing is televised and open to all news organizations credentialed to cover the White House. "The AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible," Lauren Easton, the AP's director of media relations, said in a statement. On Friday, hours after Presi-
On this date: In 1905, the Upton Sinclair novel “The Jungle” was first published in serial form by the Appeal to Reason newspaper. In 1922, French serial killer Henri Landru, convicted of murdering 10 women and the son of one of them, was executed in Versailles. In 1940, a National Hockey League game was televised for the first time by New York City station W2XBS as the New York Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 6-2, at Madison Square Garden. In 1956, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev harshly criticized the late Josef Stalin in a speech before a Communist Party congress in Moscow. In 1957, the Supreme Court, in Butler v. Michigan, overturned a Michigan statute making it a misdemeanor to sell books containing obscene language that would tend to corrupt “the morals of youth.” Chicago gangster George “Bugs” Moran, a rival of Al Capone, died in prison at age 63. In 1977, the ice hockey comedy “Slap Shot” starring Paul Newman was released by Universal Pictures. In 1986, President Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines after 20 years of rule in the wake of a tainted election; Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency. In 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, 28 Americans were killed when an Iraqi Scud missile hit a U.S. barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. In 1994, an American-born Jewish settler opened fire with an automatic rifle inside the Tomb of the Patriarchs in the West Bank, killing 29 Muslims before he was beaten to death by worshippers. In 1997, a jury in Media, Pennsylvania, convicted chemical fortune heir John E. du Pont of third-degree murder, deciding he was mentally ill when he shot and killed world-class wrestler David Schultz.
ton Times and One America News Network, whose former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is Trump's chief strategist. When the additional news organizations attempted to gain access, they weren't allowed to enter. — Compiled from AP reports
Today’s Birthdays: Actor Tom Courtenay is 80. Former CBS newsman Bob Schieffer is 80. Actress Diane Baker is 79. Actress Karen Grassle is 75. Movie director Neil Jordan is 67. Rock musician Dennis Diken (The Smithereens) is 60. Rock singermusician Mike Peters (The Alarm; Big Country) is 58. Actress Veronica Webb is 52. Actress Tea Leoni is 51. Comedian Carrot Top is 50. Actress Lesley Boone is 49. Actor Sean Astin is 46. Singer Daniel Powter is 46. Latin singer Julio Iglesias Jr. is 44. Rhythmand-blues singer Justin Jeffre is 44. Actress Rashida Jones is 41. Country singer Shawna Thompson (Thompson Square) is 39. Actor Justin Berfield is 31. Actors James and Oliver Phelps (“Harry Potter” movies) are 31. Rock musician Erik Haager (Carolina Liar) is 30. Thought for Today: “If people behaved in the way nations do they would all be put in straitjackets.” — Tennessee Williams, American playwright (1911-1983).
MONDAY, APRIL 17 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
MONDAY, APRIL 24 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
AROUND NATION Navy: Arrest of AWOL sailor and new mother was ‘last resort’ FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A 24-year-old U.S. Navy sailor who had a baby in August was arrested and remains on a military hold after being accused of deserting her post, court records show. Ana Lucia Gnecco was arrested Wednesday at her par-
CONTACT US ents’ home in Hollywood, Florida, after failing to report on Jan. 14 to her base in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she is a seaman quartermaster and worked in the reception and medical support at the Naval Medical Center. Her father, Armando Rodriguez, told the SunSentinel he didn’t know she left the Navy earlier than she should have. “She basically went AWOL; that’s what the Navy is claiming,” he told the newspaper. The arrest was the last re-
sort, said Christina Johnson, a Navy public affairs officer. “She was in contact with her command and with the Navy’s arm that would bring her back to duty. All efforts were made to get her back to work, but she chose to stay there.” When someone misses a return day by 30 days, “it’s considered desertion,” Johnson said. — Compiled from AP reports
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THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, February 25, 2017 |
A3
STATE
Transgender boy wins in girls’ wrestling tournament By Kristie Rieken A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
CYPRESS, Texas — Mack Beggs won a match at the Texas state championships Friday. But the larger conflict — over whether a 17-year-old transgender boy should be wrestling girls — remained unsettled. Beggs’ family has said he would rather be wrestling boys. Some girls and their advocates agree, arguing that the testosterone treatments Beggs has been taking while in transition from female to male have made him too strong to wrestle fairly against women. But under the
state’s governing policy for athletics, students must wrestle against the gender listed on their birth certificates. And so Beggs defeated Taylor Latham in the 110-pound class on Friday. The score was 18-7; Beggs’ record reached 53-0. It was a match Latham’s mother didn’t want to happen. Her daughter, she said, was wrestling someone whose body was chemically toned for strength. “I wanted her to forfeit as a protective mom,” Lisa Latham said. “She’s a fighter. She’s not a quitter. She’s a senior. She’s fought for the last three years to get here. She was
going to see it through even though I wasn’t sharing the same opinion.” At match’s end Beggs shook hands with Latham before pointing high in the stands to cheering fans wearing the colors of his school, Euless Trinity. He celebrated for a few seconds. Then Beggs and his grandmother, led by his coach, jogged across the mats and into an area restricted to athletes and coaches. While many cheered Beggs, others said the match was unfair. Patti Overstreet, a self-described wrestling parent, left her seat shouting, “that’s cheating” and “big
cheater!” “Look at how beefed up she is,” Overstreet said, referring to Beggs. “It’s because she’s taking an enhancement. Whether she’s a boy, girl, wants to be purple or blue it doesn’t matter. When you’re using a drug and you’re 10 times stronger than the person you’re wrestling because of that drug that (shouldn’t be) allowed.” The controversy over Beggs’ participation in the women’s sport comes at a crucial moment, as the public and politicians debate how they should react to the growing belief that gender is fluid. Just this week, the Trump
Texan faces deportation after years of protected status A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
HOUSTON — Immigration officials began deportation proceedings this week against a Houston-area father of two who says he had lived for years in the U.S. under a protected status given to some immigrants. Jose Escobar, a 31-yearold construction worker, was arrested Wednesday when he went to federal offices in Houston to provide immigration officials with an annual update on his work status. His wife, Rose Marie Ascencio-Escobar, said although her husband is not a citizen, he was in good standing with immigration authorities as
long as he appeared for an annual review. But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement counters that Escobar had been ordered years earlier to leave the country after getting his affairs in order. Ascencio-Escobar said immigration agents told them the agents were complying with new rules enacted by President Donald Trump. “But we haven’t done anything wrong,” the Houston Chronicle reported her as telling the agents. “He’s not a criminal. I thought you were focusing on criminals.” The Trump administration announced Tuesday that any immigrant in the country illegally who is
charged with or convicted of any offense, or even suspected of a crime, will now be an enforcement priority. That could include people arrested for shoplifting or other minor offenses. Jose Escobar was a 15-year-old from El Salvador when he was sent to join his mother in Texas, according to the Chronicle. Federal authorities at the time granted him temporary protection, which is provided to immigrants from El Salvador and other countries because they may not be able to safely return to their homes. His mother mistakenly assumed his immigration permit would automat-
ically renew and in the meantime the family moved so they didn’t receive the paperwork informing him that he had missed the deadline for renewal. A judge in 2006 ordered him removed, but his case didn’t appear to be a priority and Escobar continued to work and raise a family. He was detained by immigration agents again in 2011 but later released under the condition that he report to them once a year, according to Ascencio-Escobar. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement Thursday that Escobar previously was ordered to leave the country.
Nathan Hunsinger / AP
In this Feb. 18, 2017 photo, Mack Beggs, left, wrestles Kailyn Clay during the finals of the UIL wrestling tournament at Allen High School in Allen, Texas.
administration announced an end to federal protections which allowed transgender students to use facilities based on their gender identity, leaving states and school districts to determine their own policies. Attorney Jim Baudhuin tried and failed to get injunctions before both the district and regional meets to prevent Beggs from competing while he transitions. He told The Associated Press earlier
this week that he doesn’t blame Beggs for the situation, but faults the UIL. “The more I learn about this, the more I realize that she’s just trying to live her life and her family is, too,” Baudhuin said of Beggs. “She’s being forced into that position. Who knows, through discovery we may find out that’s not the case. But every indication is, the way the winds are going now, the blame rests with the UIL and the superintendent.”
Officials: Drone disrupted efforts to control Texas wildfire ASSOCIATED PRE SS
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — State fire officials say a drone being operated near a wildfire southwest of Fort Worth hampered firefighting efforts by forcing aircraft carrying retardant to be grounded. The Texas A&M Forest Service says two air tankers were grounded Thursday in Erath County when the drone appeared at the wildfire’s perimeter. Officials say one aircraft had dropped retardant on flames and the
second plane was following to drop as well when the drone flew into its path, nearly causing a collision. The forest service on Thursday responded to 10 separate fires in Texas covering more than 7,000 acres. Authorities in other states have reported similar problems with drones. For instance, aircraft fighting two fires in 2015 in California’s San Bernardino National Forest were forced to land when unauthorized drones disrupted operations.
Zopinion
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A4 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
OP-ED
OTHER VIEWS
Rising walls, falling bridges By Timothy Egan N EW YORK T I ME S NEWS S ERVIC E
Even more than politics, all weather is local. So, while most of the nation basked in record warmth this week, the West Coast was battered again by a system carrying enough water vapor to equal the flow of about 10 Mississippi Rivers. The storm was the latest hydraulic dump from an “atmospheric river,” a term usually tossed around only by weather nerds like myself, but now part of daily conversations on the West Coast. These airborne streams originate in the Pacific, sometimes 300 miles wide and up to 2,000 miles in length, and become biblical downpours once they collide with coastal mountains. The result is what you saw on the nightly news: dams falling apart, bridges cracking, highways under water, houses sliding down hillsides, gusts topping 190 mph, and people trying to find their way through San Jose, California, in rescue boats. Snow in the Sierra is at Donner Party depths — 53 feet has fallen at Mount Rose, for example. But wait — isn’t all this water from bruised skies a good thing? Didn’t California just go through an existential drought for the ages? Is that the same governor, the unsinkable Jerry Brown, who ordered water rationing two years ago, now requesting a federal emergency to deal with too much water? Yes, and it’s all connected. What we saw over the last seven years — a drought that brought California to its knees, followed by what could be the wettest year on record — is in the climate forecast models of the future. California, and the rest of our poor, fragmented country, is a crippled tangle of old-century solutions to a turbulent new world. Yesterday’s dams are trying to hold back tomorrow’s climate. And what are we doing about it? We’re building a wall along the Mexican border to fix a problem that’s already taken care of itself. A wall that could cost upward of $30 billion. After the latest storm, at Big Sur along the road that hugs perhaps the most beautiful coastline in the world, large cracks forced the shutdown of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge section of Highway 1. It’s now listed as beyond repair. At least the fracture was noticed before cars tumbled into the ravine. An additional 2,000 bridges in California are considered structurally deficient. This is the state that gave us Golden Gate Bridge, that sublime masterpiece, that engineering marvel — built during the
Great Depression. As bread lines formed in cities and 1 in 4 adults were out of work, we constructed Hoover Dam, pinching the Colorado River, and Grand Coulee Dam, backing up the mighty Columbia. We built bridges and roads and dams to make life easier, to light cities, to invest in tomorrow. Grand Coulee’s original project name was the Planned Promised Land — a Pacific Northwest Eden for all those Dust Bowl refugees. In the 1950s, under President Dwight Eisenhower, we constructed an Interstate highway system that was the envy of the world. It connected red states to blue, prairie to mountain. It was all part of the American Century. And you can trace some of that farsightedness to the Brooklyn Bridge, built after the United States tore itself apart in the Civil War. Now, the focus is on a useless wall to salve the delusions of a ranting demagogue. It would be fitting if the only infrastructure legacy of the Donald Trump era was something that did not bring water to a desert, or span a gaping chasm, or electrify a rural state, but was an ugly barrier sending this message: Keep out. On top of that, Trump is taking measures to ensure that the climate gets ever more erratic, ordering federal agencies to allow major polluters to spit more greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. It’s no secret that the physical foundation of the country is falling apart. During the campaign, Trump promised a $1 trillion infrastructure investment. That amount was cut in half in the transition. And now it looks like the administration will propose nothing for this year — kicking the can down the road till 2018, if ever. Their plate is full. In other words, the administration is too busy trying to take away people’s health care, rounding up immigrants and preparing a tax cut to treat our broken system like the national emergency it is. Well, surely Congress will act. I’m kidding, of course. For Republicans on the Trump train, America First is something you shout at foreigners, not a design for a better country. Republicans hated President Barack Obama’s injection in 2009 of much-needed financial support for all the bandaged bridges across the fruited plain. And a huge new investment would surely require the one thing that Republicans hate most: a tax increase. So, we look to the skies, and pray, or curse, or cower.
OP-ED
The Trump White House just inflicted a serious wound on itself Greg Sargent WASHINGTON P O ST
President Donald Trump on Friday unleashed another fearsome fusillade of tweets, this time blasting the FBI directly for failing to control leaks. “The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security ‘leakers’ that have permeated our government for a long time,” Trumpsaid. “They can’t even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S.” Trump closed with a demand that the leakers be caught: “FIND NOW.” Trump’s rage is misdirected. Whatever culpability the FBI bears for its leaking, the better target for Trump’s anger right now is the White House itself. The news Trump was apparently responding to is a selfinflicted White House wound. As CNN first reported, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus personally asked the FBI to publicly debunk recent media reports of contacts between Russia and Trump campaign aides during the campaign: “The FBI rejected a recent White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump’s associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign, multiple U.S. officials briefed on the matter tell CNN. “But a White House official said late Thursday that the request was only made after the FBI indicated to the White
Trump’s rage is misdirected. Whatever culpability the FBI bears for its leaking, the better target for Trump’s anger right now is the White House itself. The news Trump was apparently responding to is a self-inflicted White House wound. House it did not believe the reporting to be accurate. White House officials had sought the help of the bureau and other agencies investigating the Russia matter to say that the reports were wrong and that there had been no contacts, the officials said. “The direct communications between the White House and the FBI were unusual because of decade-old restrictions on such contacts. Such a request from the White House is a violation of procedures that limit communications with the FBI on pending investigations.” The White House has explained this by offering an account that goes this way: FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe told Priebus at a recent meeting that the New York Times report on those contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign was “overblown.” Priebus then asked McCabe to assist in getting the real story out. After mulling the request, McCabe declined, the White House says, because “the FBI did not want to get in the business of calling balls and strikes on reporting.”
By the way, we don’t know whether the FBI actually told Priebus that the Times story was overblown, or even whether the FBI actually concluded this in the first place. All we know is that Priebus says the FBI did these things. But what is not in dispute is that the Trump White House asked the FBI to go public about an ongoing investigation in which the targets appear to be members of the Trump campaign. In particular, Priebus asked the FBI to go public with its supposed belief that the Times’s description of investigators’ determinations was overblown. According to Rep. John Conyers, Mich., the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, that’s potentially a problem: “The White House is simply not permitted to pressure the FBI to make public statements about a pending investigation of the president and his advisers.” Or, as as NBC News’s First Read crew notes, it’s questionable that the White House is now “asking the FBI to publicly knock down a story.” To be clear, this was a request from a top
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letter. Laredo Morning Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. This space allows for public debate of the issues of the day. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-calling or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Also, letters longer than 500 words will not be accepted. Via email, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
Trump adviser that the FBI publicly knock down a story about an ongoing investigation into conduct by Trump’s campaign. And after the FBI refused this request, Trump blasted the FBI on Twitter. Former Justice Department spokesman Matt Miller argued to Chris Hayes last night that Priebus should step down over his conduct, because it was “absolutely inappropriate” and “crosses every line.” All of this provides those who want a full accounting of this whole affair with an opening -that is, to renew demands that the FBI testify as part of ongoing congressional probes into it. Rep. Adam Schiff, Calif., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, is already pushing for the committee’s probe (into potential contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign, or even possible collusion between them) to solicit testimony from the FBI about what it has learned from its own inquiry. It’s unlikely that committee chair Devin Nunes, Calif., the GOP congressman who controls this investigation, will go along with such a request. But this latest turn in the saga invites a whole new round of questions about what the Trump White House privately asked the FBI to do in terms of going public about an ongoing probe into the Trump campaign’s conduct. Theoretically, this should make it harder for Republicans to continue to resist a full accounting, one that includes cooperation from the FBI.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, February 25, 2017 |
A5
STATE
Texas Democrats say emphasizing voter ID fears could drive up turnout in 2018 By Alex Daugherty M CCLAT CHY WASHINGT ON BUR EAU
DALLAS - Melissa Thrailkill witnessed Republicans in Texas win the messaging battle and elections - for years by using immigration as a unifying issue for the party’s base. She said it’s now time for Democrats to unify around a single issue that evokes strong emotion and turnout in midterm elections. And in Texas that issue is voter ID. "It’s time not to be so nice," Thrailkill said. "The whole conversation around voter ID and voter fraud is B.S. from Republicans and that could be a rallying point for Democrats in 2018." The 38-year-old Democratic Party precinct chairwoman and lawyer from Dallas said Democrats in blue areas like Dallas aren’t unified around one or two issues, and instead complain about the Trump administration or Republicans in the state capital of Austin. She said the conversation needs to change, and scaring some voters could be the spark that’s needed for Democrats to make gains next year. "Senate Republicans refused to vote on Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court and now they demand a vote on their nominee," Thrailkill said, arguing that Republicans have no intention of compromising with Democrats when the GOP doesn’t control Washington. "We’ll go nuclear, that’s the way
Alex Daugherty / TNS
Democratic precinct chairs Rebecca Carter, left, and Melissa Thrailkill, shown on Feb. 24, 2017, argue Texas Democrats need to stop playing nice to win in 2018.
Dems need to play." Thrailkill and fellow Democratic precinct chairwoman Rebecca Carter were on hand for a "coffee with your congressman" event with Fort Worth Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey on Friday morning in Dallas. While they were impressed with Veasey, they didn’t like the constant airing of grievances without solutions from some of their fellow Democrats in attendance. "I was frustrated in general with the tone of their dialogue," Carter, 45, said. "It’s the stereotype of Democrats that we complain without
offering solutions. Single-issue voting is powerful." Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, up for reelection in 2018, championed a strict voter ID law while serving as attorney general. If Democrats choose to emphasize voter ID concerns in Texas, Veasey could be a natural face for the movement, as the congressman is the plaintiff in the court challenge to Abbott’s law. "It all comes back down to communication," Veasey said. Veasey remembers the town halls tea party Republicans held around
the country in 2009 and 2010 to protest the implementation of Obamacare, and the fearful message they sent to voters. "Republicans tried to divide the country with talk of death panels," Veasey said. But the tough talk succeeded. Republicans won control of the House of Representatives in the 2010 election, and Democrats have been losing ever since. Thrailkill and Carter said Democrats need to use some, but not all, of the tactics tea party Republicans used in 2010 to spur their own officials into action.
Primary challenges are one tactic the tea party used to push politicians further right and in the case of Ted Cruz, pull off electoral upsets. Thrailkill and Carter said most Texas Democrats don’t need to be challenged by their own party, but red state Democrats like North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who has voted in favor of most of Trump’s Cabinet picks, should face pressure from the left. In terms of electoral gains, unseating Cruz and Abbott is a dream for North Texas Democrats, but party organizers admitted that organizing
at the local level instead of completely focusing on a statewide race will serve the party better in the long run. "If we can’t win local races, we can’t win at the national level," said Denton County Democratic Party chairwoman Phyllis Wolper. "We have to take care of our own backyard." In the Dallas-Fort Worth area multiple Democratic Party operatives named two incumbent Republicans as potential pickups for Democrats in 2018: state Sen. Konni Burton in Fort Worth and U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions in Dallas.
A6 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
BUSINESS
Coal, oil and gas companies to pay less in royalties Juliet Eilperin WA S H INGT ON P O ST
The Interior Department informed coal, oil and gas companies this week they do not need to comply with a new federal accounting system that would have compelled them to pay millions of dollars in additional royalties. The Office of Natural Resources Revenue’s new method of calculating
royalties for minerals extracted on federal land which was finalized last July and took effect Jan. 1 was aimed at preventing firms from underpaying what they owe by selling coal to subsidiaries at an artificially low price. But energy firms, some of whom challenged the new rule in court, called the requirements confusing, complicated and onerous and pressed for a delay. “This rule would have
had immediate detrimental effects to American energy producers and the hard-working Montanans and workers across the country they support,” said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who asked the administration last month to stay the rule. Companies were set to file their first reports under the new rule Tuesday. Lawmakers in both parties have questioned
whether the current method of royalty collection for coal mined in the Powder River Basin accurately compensates taxpayers. Firms are required to pay a royalty of 12.5 percent on the minerals they extract from federal land when they are first sold, but many coal companies initially sell to affiliates at the same price per ton that they pay the federal government for extracting it.
By doing that, they avoid paying royalties on the higher price the affiliated companies receive on the open market. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, 42 percent of coal transactions in Wyoming took place between affiliated companies. President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order Friday that establishes task forces in every agency to identify
regulations that can be eliminated, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of undoing Obamaera rules that constrain coal extraction. “We’re working very hard to roll back the regulatory burden so that coal miners, factory workers, smallbusiness owners and so many others can grow their businesses and thrive,” he told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday.
J.C. Penney to shut 130-plus stores, offer early retirements By Anne D'innocenzio A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
NEW YORK — J.C. Penney is joining its department store rivals in pruning its store numbers in an era of online shopping. Penney said Friday that it will close 130 to 140 stores as well as two distribution centers over the next several months as it tries to improve profitability. The company said that it would also initiate a voluntary early retirement program for about 6,000 eligible employees. The news came as Penney posted a profit for the fourth quarter, compared to a loss a year ago. But total sales were down slightly, and a key revenue metric declined a bit as well. The company issued a conservative annual forecast, sending shares down 9 percent on Friday. CEO Marvin Ellison acknowledged that Penney wasn't strategic with promotions, which hurt profit margins, and said that its level of couponing was "unhealthy." It plans to use a more data-driven approach to pricing this year after testing the strategy in some categories last year. Like other department stores, J.C. Penney is trying to adjust to changing shopping patterns. But it is also still recovering from a catastrophic reinvention plan under a former CEO that sent sales and profits freefalling starting in 2012. Since then, it has focused efforts on its home area, started selling major appliances again and expanded its number of in-store Sephora beauty shops.
Matt Slocum / ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this Aug. 16, 2005 file photo, customers walk out of a J.C. Penny department store in Dallas. J.C. Penney said Friday that it will be closing anywhere from 130 to 140 stores as well as two distribution centers over the next several months as it aims to improve profitability in the era of online shopping.
While its annual sales still shrunk, what's encouraging is Penney's profit picture. Penney was able to pull in a $1 million profit for the full fiscal year, the first time it earned an annual profit since 2010. The stores it is closing represent about 13 percent to 14 percent of its current store count of about 1,000, but less than 5 percent of total annual sales. "With a slimmed-down store portfolio, (J.C. Penney) will be able to focus on making its remaining stores more of a destination," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. "This is essential, as while progress has been made on categories like home, other departments still require attention."
Penney managed to outperform some of its rivals. Kohl's Corp. reported a drop in fiscal fourth-quarter profit as total sales declined. Revenue at stores opened at least a year dropped 2.2 percent. Nordstrom Inc. reported a better-thanexpected quarterly profit with help from strong sales online and at Nordstrom Rack. But at the Nordstrom brand, comparable store sales decreased 2.7 percent. Macy's, the nation's largest department store chain, says its earnings for the quarter that includes the holiday period dropped nearly 13 percent, hurt by lower sales, store closures and other costs. Given the environment, Penney wants to be less dependent on clothing.
It's rolled out major appliances in 500 stores and plans to add 100 more appliance showrooms this year. It has updated its beauty salons, now branded Salon by InStyle. It is also beefing up its store label brands like St. John's Bay. In the fourth quarter, top-performing areas included home, Sephora, its salon business and fine jewelry. Last year, it added 61 Sephora stores for a total of 577. This year, it's adding 77 more. The Plano, Texas-based company has also now armed its store associates with mobile devices to help check out online shoppers who are picking up orders in the store. Ellison said the company decided that coordinating a voluntary early
retirement program with the store closures could lessen the effect on employees. He said the number of full-time workers expected to take advantage of the early retirement incentive will far exceed the number of full-time positions affected by the closures. Penney also emphasized that its stores can be used as leverage against online retailers, especially for picking up online orders, while many solely online companies are seeing dramatically higher fulfillment costs. Ellison said he was pleased by the double-digit growth of jcpenney.com. For the fiscal fourth quarter, J.C. Penney reported net income of $192 million, or 61 cents per share. Earnings excluding
one-time gains and costs was 64 cents per share. Analysts expected 61 cents per share, according to FactSet. Revenue totaled $3.96 billion in the period, down 0.9 percent from a year ago. Sales at stores open at least a year, a key gauge of a retailer's health, slipped 0.7 percent. This figure excludes results from stores recently opened or closed. Penney expects fullyear adjusted earnings of 40 cents to 65 cents per share. Analysts expected 54 cents per share, according to FactSet. The company forecast revenue at stores open at least a year to be down 1 percent to up 1 percent this year. Shares fell 9 percent, or 62 cents, to $6.24 on Friday.
Zfrontera THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, February 25, 2017 |
RIBEREÑA EN BREVE
A7
TEXAS Y TAMAULIPAS
Pago de impuestos 1 Desde diciembre, los pagos por impuestos a la propiedad de la Ciudad de Roma deberán realizarse en la oficina de impuestos del Distrito Escolar de Roma, localizado en el 608 N. García St. PAGO EN LÍNEA 1 La Ciudad de Roma informa a sus residentes que a partir de ahora el servicio del agua puede pagarse en línea a cualquier hora las 24 horas del día. TRÁMITES CONSULARES 1 El Consulado de México estará en la Ciudad de Roma, el sábado 4 de marzo, donde los residentes podrán realizar los trámites de expedición de matrícula consular y pasaporte, en el Centro Mundial de las Aves, Plaza Histórica frente a la Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora del Refugio, esquina de Portscheller y avenida Convento. Mayores informes en el Consulado de México en McAllen al teléfono 956-686-0243.
Carrera 5 K 1 Roma High School Gladiator Band—Superhero 5 K— el 4 de marzo en la Arena Gladiator. Registro a las 7:30 a.m. Carrera inicia a las 8 a.m.. Cuota de participación 15 dólares. Mayores informes al 849—2440 LABORATORIO COMPUTACIONAL 1 La Ciudad de Roma pone a disposición de la comunidad el Laboratorio Computacional que abre de lunes a viernes en horario de 1 p.m. a 5 p.m. en Historical Plaza, a un lado del City Hall. Informes en el 956-849-1411.
Caminata amistosa 1 El Servicio de Extensión Texas A&M Agrilife invita a la segunda caminata Walk Across Texas que iniciará desde el 1 de febrero y hasta el 24 de marzo. Una competencia amistosa para ver quién acumula más millas haciendo cualquier actividad física como correr, caminar andar en bicicleta, , baile, etc. Mayores informes en Texas A&M Agrilife Service Extension al (956) 487-2306.
Laboratorio Computacional 1 La Ciudad de Roma pone a disposición de la comunidad el Laboratorio Computacional que abre de lunes a viernes en horario de 1 p.m. a 5 p.m. en Historical Plaza, a un lado del City Hall. Informes en el 956-849-1411. MUSEO EN ZAPATA 1 A los interesados en realizar una investigación sobre genealogía de la región, se sugiere visitar el Museo del Condado de Zapata ubicado en 805 N US-Hwy 83. Opera de 10 a.m. a 4 p.m. Existen visitas guiadas. Personal está capacitado y puede orientar acerca de la historia del Sur de Texas y sus fundadores. Pida informes en el 956-765-8983.
Grupos de apoyo 1 Grupo de apoyo para enfermos de Alzheimer, 7 p.m., Laredo Medical Center, primer martes.
Foto por Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
El Comisionado de Agricultura de Texas Sid Miller, izquierda, y el gobernador de Tamaulipas, México, Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca participaron de un abrazo amistoso en la línea divisoria de la frontera entre Texas y México en el puente internacional sobre el Río Grande, el jueves. El propósito de la junta es destacar el valor de una sociedad fortalecida entre los dos estados en una amplia variedad de temas que incluye la agricultura, el comercio y la seguridad en la frontera.
Reiteran lazos amistosos Destacan perspectiva fronteriza Por Julia Wallace TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Mientras un grupo de peatones cruzaban detrás de ellos, el gobernador de Tamaulipas, México, Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca y el comisionado de agricultura en Texas, Sid Miller, se reunieron el jueves a mitad del Puente Internacional Portal a las Américas para discutir la importancia de una relación amistosa entre los dos estados. Tanto Miller como García Cabeza de Vaca coincidieron que desde Laredo se obtiene una perspectiva diferente de la relación entre ambos países, a diferencia de la que se tendría desde Washington D.C. o la Ciudad de México. Ambos líderes extendieron varias veces una invitación al presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y al presidente de México, Enrique Peña Nieto para reunirse en ese mismo lugar y que sean
testigos de la cooperación entre ambos países, estados y ciudades. “Desde este puente que nos úne, desde este mismo puente que nos ayuda a mantenernos en contacto, desde este puente del que dependen muchas personas y empresas de Norteamérica para obtener bienes y servicios, desde este puente de la oportunidades para todos — no queremos mandar un mensaje sino una invitación al Presidente Trump y al Presidente Peña Nieto. Vengan y visiten este mismo puente, reúnanse aquí en la frontera”, dijo García Cabeza de Vaca. Lo anterior fue recibido con aplausos y un “¡Sí!” del alcalde Pete Sáenz. Miller extendió una invitación similar y exaltó su amistad con el gobernador de Tamaulipas como la base de negociaciones saludables en relación a las ideas de Trump para construir un muro fronterizo y una posible
renegociación del Tratado del Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN). “Ya tenemos una asociación. Vamos a hacer que esa asociación crezca cada vez más y sea más grandiosa que nunca”, dijo Miller. “Tengo confianza en que el gobernador aquí presente es el hombre indicado para lograrlo. Entonces, hola vecino, gusto en verte”. Como gesto de buena voluntad, los dignatarios intercambiaron regalos. Miller le obsequió a García Cabeza de Vaca un sombrero vaquero similar a los que él usa. Por su parte, el gobernador de Tamaulipas le entregó a Miller una cuera tamaulipeca, una típica prenda tamaulipeca. Ambos funcionarios ya se habín reunido anteriormente, después de que García Cabeza de Vaca ganó las elecciones en septiembre de 2016. Como comisionado de agricultura, Miller representa a las industrias agrícolas y ganaderas dentro del estado. Además debe promover la alimentación saludable, combatir la obesidad y
COLUMNA
TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Pocos estados hay en nuestra República que, como Tamaulipas, sumen tantas melodías vinculadas al terruño propio. En México quedaba atrás el predominio rural, abriéndose paso la preponderancia urbana. Si bien los típicos acordes rancheros mantienen presencia. Al respecto, los tamaulipecos atraen miradas hacia el último tercio del siglo XX. Distinguiéndolo peculiar sincretismo que abreva en la cumbia y el rock, al frente del grupo Costa azul inicia carrera artística Rigo Tovar. Causa furor en 1973 exitosa balada suya, dedicada a la tierra que lo viera nacer: “A orillas del río Bravo hay una linda región, / con un pueblito que llevo muy dentro del corazón: / mi Matamoros querido, nunca te podré olvidar, / si nací sobre tu suelo y me crie sobre tus playas, / mi Matamoros querido, / mi Matamoros del alma…”. Doctor en medicina y próspero empresario del ramo educativo, aunque de inspiración prolífica, José Sierra Flores le entra al ruedo. Compone “El
Trump y a pesar que el Presidente pidiera un impuesto del 20 por ciento sobre las importaciones mexicanas, el desmantelamiento del TLCAN y un enorme muro fronteriza, Miller dijo que la administración no hará nada dañino. "El TLCAN es como su casa. El TLCAN tiene 22 años. No queremos empeorar la casa. Queremos aplicarle una nueva capa de pintura, tal vez cambiar la alfombra, tal vez arreglar el aire acondicionado. ¡Necesita ajustes! Es hora de echar un vistazo a eso", dijo Miller. Al final, tiene que funcionar para ambos lados de la frontera, dijo Miller. García Cabeza de Vaca dijo que ambos estados trabajarán juntos para crear una asociación aún más fuerte. "Queremos alcanzar la grandeza y la única manera de llegar es trabajando juntos", dijo Miller “No solamente somos vecinos, no solamante somos aliados, somos amigos. Y los más importante, aquellos que vivimos en la frontera sabemos que somos familia, y eso hace la diferencia”.
TAMAULIPAS
Tamaulipas tierra de tesoro musical Por Raúl Sinencio Chávez
nutrir el desarrollo económico de Texas. Cuando se conocieron por primera vez, Miller y Cabeza de Vaca discutieron temas como la erradicación del gorgojo del algodón (un escarabajo que se alimenta de algodón, una cosecha cultivada tanto en Texas como en Tamaulipas). Miller dijo que también sugirió un programa de evaluación previa para camiones de carga que se localizara a 150 millas de la frontera con el fin de perder menos productos. “Él inmediatamente atendió el asunto y se convirtió en una realidad. No ha dejado de cumplir con nada. ... Ese es un ejemplo de la gran relación que estamos construyendo entre nuestros dos estados”, dijo Miller. “Queremos retribuir eso y tratar a nuestros vecinos del estado de Tamaulipas con respeto y hacer todo lo posible para ayudar a construir sobre esta relación aquí", dijo Miller, aunque no pudo pronunciar correctamente el nombre del estado mexicano. Miller es asesor agrícola de la administración de
maderense”, considerado “huapango […] bonito” en 1979 por Rafael Ramírez Heredia. Surgen entretanto similares aportes. Mencionan de pasada localidades tamaulipecas, sin circunscribirse a ninguna. Ciertos municipios los vuelven casi himnos oficiosos, a falta de mejores opciones. Sede capitalina de la entidad federativa, Ciudad Victoria guarda marcadas simpatías por “El cuerudo”. Del renombrado Lorenzo Barcelata y Francisco Flores Sánchez, alardea Emilio Portes Gil que se estrena al despuntar 1926, durante aparatoso cónclave de su Partido Socialista Fronterizo: “Yendo de Tula a Jaumave / me encontré con un ranchero, / iba en su cuaco retinto, / todo vestido de cuero. / Le pregunté pa’ dónde iba / y haciéndose el remolón, / voy pa’ Victoria, me dijo, / a darle vueltas a mi amor…”. De Cuco Sánchez, viene detrás “El mil amores”, remate del filme homónimo que en 1954 estelariza Pedro Infante. Picaresco, se ufana este son huasteco: “Si la vida es un jardín, / las mujeres son las flores, / el hombre es el jardinero, / que corta de
las mejores”. Vibran los coterráneos del autor, pues complementa: “De Altamira, Tamaulipas, / traigo esta alegre canción, / al son del viejo violín, / con jaranas canto yo…”. Modelos en muchos puntos de la geografía nacional, tan exitosas melodías toponímicas arrancan justo con alientos tamaulipecos. Lo hacen a través del corrido, que hasta entonces sólo exaltaba hazañas, personajes, amoríos, etcétera. Pero al despejarse el horizonte posrevolucionario la vertiente daría ingenioso giro, capaz de revitalizar la música popular. Abre los nuevos derroteros Samuel M. Lozano. Bohemio y excéntrico, acumula numerosísimas composiciones que gozan de amplias preferencias. Ahí, hacia 1922 reparte hojas impresas con versos que él canta por las calles, guitarra en ristre. De acentos nacionalistas, sus coplas ensalzan por vez primera una parte específica de la patria, ganándose indeclinable vigencia: “¡Tampico hermoso! ¡Oh puerto tropical! / Tú eres la dicha de todo mi país / y por doquiera de ti me he de acordar, / con tus tesoros al pobre haces feliz…”.
Promueven fomento al campo E SPECIAL PARA TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Durante su gira por esta región costera, el gobernador de Tamaulipas, México, Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca, tomó protesta al nuevo Consejo Directivo de la Asociación Ganadera Local que preside Jorge Villafranca Jasso. “Sin duda la organización de los productores es necesaria para potenciar fuerzas, subsanar debilidades y tener acceso a mejores oportunidades”, expresó el mandatario en la asamblea anual ordinaria ganadera. Dijo que un estado con sólidas asociaciones de productores, es uno con sólidos aliados para alcanzar el progreso y reiteró que trabajara en lo esencial para alcanzar el desarrollo del ganadero y el beneficio para ellos y sus familias. Acompañado por el
alcalde de Soto la Marina, Habiel Medina Flores, el Ejecutivo Estatal señaló que conoce los diferentes problemas y adversidades que han vivido los habitantes de esta región, desde crisis económica, sequía y falta de apoyos, desafíos para exportar y de muchos otros retos. Ante este contexto indicó: “Cuenten con mi mejor esfuerzo y la más clara determinación de trabajar juntos a favor de la economía, de las oportunidades que merecen nuestros hijos, así como de la producción competitiva que exige Tamaulipas y México”. Por su parte el presidente entrante de la Asociación Ganadera Local, Jorge Villafranca Jasso, reconoció el impulso que el gobernador Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca ha ofrecido al fomento campo, colocándolo como una de sus más altas prioridades.
A8 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
NATIONAL
Storm-lashed CA roads, dams could cost $1B to fix By Scott Smith A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
FRESNO, Calif. — The bill to repair California's crumbling roads, dams and other critical infrastructure hammered by an onslaught of storms this winter could top $1 billion, including nearly $600 million alone for damaged roadways that more than doubles what the state budgeted for road repair emergencies, officials said Friday. Adding to the problems, many communities have drained their emergency budgets and are looking to the state and federal government for help. But on top of the latest damage, the nation's most populated state is struggling with a $6 billion annual backlog of repairs for roads, highways and bridges that leaders can't agree on a way to fund. Winter storms have dumped enough rain and snow on the northern part of the state to end a five-year drought. But with the wet weather, comes a host of problems for crumbling infrastructure. A section of mountain highway between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe has buckled, with repairs estimated to cost $6.5 million. In the Yosemite Valley, only one of three main routes into
the national park's major attraction is open because of damage or fear the roads could give out from cracks and seeping water, rangers said. On central California's rain-soaked coast, a bridge in Big Sur has crumbled beyond repair, blocking passage on the north-south Highway 1 through the tourist destination for up to a year. Until it is rebuilt, visitors can drive up to view the rugged coastline, then turn back. The total cost for responding to flooding, storm damage and repairs statewide in the first two months of 2017 will probably exceed $1 billion, Gov. Jerry Brown's finance director, Michael Cohen, said Friday. Much of it will be covered by the federal government, which is helping the state recover from severe storms, he said. The tally includes $595 million to clean up mudslides and repair state highways. Costs for evacuations and non-highway damage, as well as for repairs at Oroville Dam, whose spillways threatened to collapse and flood communities downstream, have not been precisely tallied, he said. Early estimates put the fixes at the nation's tallest dam as high as $200 million. Several more weeks
David Royal / AP
In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 photo, Caltrans engineers evaluate storm damage near a large crack on the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge on Highway 1 in Big Sur, California.
remain in California's wet season, which brings the potential for more costly infrastructure damage. The California Department of Transportation, which is responsible for maintaining highways, roads and overpasses, has a reserve fund of $250 million that's far short of what it would cost to fix recent storm damage. "This is for 2017," Caltrans spokeswoman Vanessa Wiseman said. "So, essentially we're talking only two months." Storms across the state have wrecked more than 350 roads, shutting down traffic on at least 35 that
await rebuilding or shoring up of stretches that washed out, sunk or got covered in mud and rocks, officials said. To cover the shortfall for emergency repairs, Caltrans will ask for more money next month from an appointed board that allocates state cash for road projects, Wiseman said. Aside from emergency road repairs, Gov. Brown said Friday that California has $187 billion in unmet needs for water and transportation infrastructure. He suggested tax increases may be the only solution but wasn't prepared to offer "the full
answer" to raising enough money to shore up infrastructure. That's bad news for local communities hardest hit by the storms. They say rebuilding will cost millions of dollars they don't have. In San Jose, where storm flooding forced 14,000 residents from their homes this week, officials say they have not yet calculated the cost of the damage. Some people have not even returned home yet. Storms in January cost Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, $12.5 million, mostly for road work. Spokeswoman
Jennifer Larocque said the county is requesting federal emergency relief funding. Dennis Schmidt, Butte County's public works director, said storms that led to the emergency at Oroville Dam tore out two roads and left potholes that will cost more than $1 million to repair. He said that will wipe out the county's emergency budget. "I'm looking out the window, and it's blue skies and sunny," Schmidt said. "We need it for a couple days to get out and patch some potholes. Our residents will greatly appreciate that."
Mexican sex Government wants appeal trafficker of travel ban put on hold sentenced to 15 years in US prison By Martha Bellisle ASSOCIATED PRE SS
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
NEW YORK — A member of a Mexicobased sex trafficking ring has been sentenced in New York to more than 15 years in federal prison. Paulino Ramirez-Granados was sentenced Friday in federal court in Brooklyn. He had pleaded guilty to smuggling Mexican women into the United States and forcing them into prostitution. Prosecutors say Ramirez-Granados was part of a family-based sex traf-
ficking ring in Tenancingo, Mexico. They say he and other members of the Granados family used false promises of romance and marriage to lure women into relationships and persuade them to travel to the United States. They say the women were forced into prostitution in New York. Ramirez-Granados also was sentenced to five years of supervised release after his prison term and was ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution to a victim.
SEATTLE — The Justice Department wants a federal appeals court to put President Trump's travel ban case on hold until he issues a new order, but the states who sued to stop the ban want the case to move forward. A government motion filed Friday says all actions on the appeal should be stopped because Trump intends to issue a new executive order that addresses some of the constitutional concerns raised by his first action. His executive order temporarily banned travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries and paused the U.S. refu-
Jeff Chiu / AP
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, it wants an end to the legal fight over its ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations and will instead issue a replacement ban.
gee program. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said they want the court to keep the case on track. "Despite tweeting, 'SEE YOU IN COURT,
THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!' President Trump continues to seek delay after delay in these legal proceedings," Ferguson said in an email to The Associated Press.
"We will oppose this latest effort to postpone that day in court." Washington state and Minnesota sued to stop Trump's executive order, and a federal judge put it on hold. The government appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On Friday, the attorney generals for the two states said "there appears to have been a lack of communication between the Department of Justice and the White House." While the Justice Department seeks to stop the appeals case, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters on Thursday that they believe they will prevail "on the merits" of the case before the 9th Circuit.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, February 25, 2017 |
A9
ENTERTAINMENT
Bill Cosby won't face a barrage of accusers at his trial By Maryclaire Dale A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
PHILADELPHIA — In a major break for Bill Cosby, a judge ruled Friday that just one of the comedian's multitude of other accusers can testify at his trial to bolster charges he drugged and violated a woman more than a decade ago. The 79-year-old TV star is set to go on trial in June, accused of sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Prosecutors wanted to put 13 more women on the stand to show that his alleged conduct was part of a distinct pattern of behavior. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill disallowed all but one of those women, saying in a one-page ruling that he carefully weighed the possible value of their testimony against the potential prejudice to Cosby. The one witness who can testify says the comic drugged and assaulted her in 1996 at a Los Angeles hotel. Cosby's lawyer had no
immediate comment, but the actor himself retweeted news stories on the ruling, adding the hashtags "#KeepWatching" and "#PayAttention." The judge's decision is a setback for prosecutors and means the case will now rest more heavily on Constand's credibility. "There is an obvious value to the prosecution when you have numerous accusers. That alone adds tremendous weight to the case," said lawyer Joseph McGettigan, a prosecutor in the Penn State sex abuse scandal. The ruling could also shave weeks off the trial. Cosby, who is free on $1 million bail, could get 10 years in prison if convicted. He is expected in court again Monday to ask that the jurors be selected from another county because of the heavy publicity. Prosecutors compiled the list of 13 potential witnesses from the nearly 50 women who have come forward in recent years to say they were drugged and molested — a barrage that destroyed Cosby's good-guy reputation as the star of TV's "Cosby Show" in the 1980s.
Mel Evans / AP
The judge’s ruling made on Friday means prosecutors cannot call 12 other women to try to show that the 79-year-old comedian has a history of similar "bad acts." Cosby is set to go on trial in June over the 2005 complaint by a former Temple University employee.
His lawyers objected to the testimony about "prior bad acts," saying that in some cases the sex was consensual, while others involved models and actresses falsely accusing Cosby to gain money or attention. His attorneys also argued that some of the allegations were so vague — with some of the women unsure of when the alleged encounters even took place — that it would be impossible for Cosby to defend himself. While the ruling is a big victory for Cosby at his trial, it could deprive him of grounds for appeal if he is convicted. In 2015, a Pennsylvania appeals court threw out a Roman Catholic Church official's conviction because the jury was al-
lowed to hear from 23 priest-abuse victims who were not directly part of the case. "It's the best of times and the worst of times for Cosby. It gives the defendant the opportunity to try the case that should be tried, the lone accuser," said defense lawyer William J. Brennan, who was involved in the church case. "If it doesn't go his way, he probably is limited on appellate issues. However, I'd take this, hands down, over the alternative." The ruling is one of two key pretrial issues in the case. The judge earlier ruled that the jury can hear Cosby's damaging testimony from Constand's 2005 lawsuit against the comedian.
Cosby's deposition runs to nearly 1,000 pages and covers a string of extramarital liaisons dating to the 1960s. It was the release of the sealed testimony in 2015 that led prosecutors to reopen the case. Constand told police he gave her three unmarked pills and then penetrated her with his fingers as she drifted in and out of consciousness. The comedian has said the sexual contact was consensual. The additional accuser who can testify worked for one of Cosby's agents and had known the entertainer for six years when he invited her to lunch at his bungalow at the Bel Air Hotel to discuss her career plans. She said he was in a
robe and slippers when she arrived and offered her wine and a pill that she consumed after he assured her it was safe. She said he then sexually assaulted her on his bed. At a news conference in 2015, she said she wanted to come forward at the time but feared retaliation. She said she left her job at the William Morris Agency because "I did not want to see or work with Mr. Cosby." Among the other accusers who won't be allowed to testify, one said she was an aspiring actress when Cosby assaulted her at a home near Reno, Nevada, in 1984. Another said Cosby drugged and assaulted her in the late 1960s after befriending her and her 9-year-old son.
BORDER From page A1 fence to keep out people who try to enter on foot and $1.8 million a mile for vehicle barriers. There are currently 354 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of vehicle barriers. Republican leaders in Congress have said Trump’s wall would cost between $12 billion and $15 billion. Trump has suggested $12 billion. An internal Homeland Security Department report prepared for Kelly estimates the cost of extending the wall along the entire U.S.Mexico border at about $21 billion. Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell in Washington contributed to this report.
BOND From page A1 Jae C. Hong / AP
In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots' Tom Brady runs onto the field before the team's NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Houston. A new book and a movie are in the works about Brady and the suspension he overcame to earn an unprecedented fifth Super Bowl ring.
Tom Brady: The Movie? Fans divided and foes will pass By William J. Kole A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
BOSTON — Tom Brady: The Movie? A new book and a major motion picture are in the works about the New England Patriots' star quarterback and the "Deflategate" suspension he overcame to earn an unprecedented fifth Super Bowl ring. But Patriots Nation seems ambivalent, and Brady's foes say they'll take a pass. "The Tom Brady movie is such a bad idea! The dude is so uninteresting and has everything," said Trevor Twidwell, a Kansas City Chiefs fan from Tucson, Arizona, capturing dislike for Brady and the Patriots outside New England. Bestselling author Casey Sherman and Boston writer Dave Wedge are collaborating on the book under the working title "Let's Go!" — Brady's rallying cry. The pair co-au-
thored "Boston Strong," which helped inspire "Patriots Day," a 2017 Lionsgate release starring Mark Wahlberg about the deadly 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Sherman's novel, "The Finest Hours," about the Coast Guard's 1952 rescue of 30 crewmen aboard a sinking tanker off Cape Cod, also was made into a movie released by Walt Disney Pictures last year starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. Sherman is working with Academy Award-nominated screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson on the book and film about Brady "and his team's miraculous come-frombehind win" in the Super Bowl in February. After serving a four-game suspension for his role in the use of underinflated footballs during the 2015 playoffs, Brady returned to lead the Patriots to their fifth NFL championship with a stunning 34-28 come-
back win in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons. Sherman, a native New Englander, likens it to Muhammad Ali's epic upset of George Foreman in the 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" fight. "Both men, both athletes had to overcome challenges off the field and outside the ring to achieve sports immortality," Sherman said. But the movie, targeted for release in 2018, already is being panned. And not just by those who take a cynical view of Brady's looks and supermodel wife, or think the Patriots are cheaters. "The worst movies are cheesy and predictable," said Boston sports commentator and blogger Alex Reimer. "The real-life drama of the Patriots storming back from a 25-point deficit in Super Bowl 51, and then accepting the Lombardi Trophy from Roger Goodell, was enough on its own." Brady himself won't have a
hand in the film, agent Don Yee told The Associated Press on Thursday. "We wish the people involved the best of luck on this project, but we are not involved," he said. Unflattering memes and amusing casting suggestions, meanwhile, are circulating on social media. Among the actors some say should play TB12: Wahlberg, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Duhamel and Timothy Olyphant. Some fans like Melanie Hawes say Brady's season is a box office natural — even if "people either love the Patriots or hate them." "As soon as the game ended, I turned to my friend and said, 'I can't wait for this game to be made into a movie,'" said Hawes, 22, a graduate student from Plymouth, Massachusetts. "Everyone can agree that that Super Bowl was historic. That game deserves a movie."
Arts Center, the oil and gas institute, the De La Garza building, signage and marquees, the student union building and the health science center. Mares previously said most of the projects were placed on hold in an effort to prioritize and make sure they are spending their money wisely. For example, she had said that the oil and gas institute was placed on hold due to the decline in the oil and gas industry.
NASA From page A1 rently doesn’t have the technology to reach the seven Earth-size planets recently discovered. “It doesn’t mean we can’t investigate at a distance,” he said. The New York Times reported the planets could potentially harbor water and life. “The key word here is potential,” Pettit said. “If we can see abundance of water or other trace species, that’s a step in the right direction that there’s life.” In 1996, Pettit became an astronaut. He has logged more than 370 days in space and over 13 spacewalk hours. A veteran of three spaceflights, in 2003 Pettit served as a NASA science officer for Expedition 6. He has a bachelor of science in chemical engineering and a doctorate’s degree in chemical engineering.
A10 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
FROM THE COVER PLANETS From page A1 don’t, whatever we find will be super interesting.” The newly discovered solar system resembles a scaled-down version of our own. The star at its center, an ultracool dwarf called TRAPPIST-1, is less than a tenth the size of the sun and about a quarter as warm. Its planets circle tightly around it; the closest takes just a day and a half to complete an orbit, the most distant takes about 20 days. If these planets orbited a larger, brighter star they’d be fried to a crisp. But TRAPPIST-1 is so cool that all seven of the bodies are bathed in just the right amount of warmth to hold liquid water. And three of them receive the same amount of heat as Venus, Earth and Mars, putting them in “the habitable zone,” that Goldilocks region where it’s thought life can thrive. Still, “Earthlike” is a generous term to describe these worlds. Though the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system resemble Earth in terms of size, mass, and the energy they receive from their star, there’s a lot that makes our planet livable beside being a warm rock. Further observation is required to figure out what the TRAPPIST-1 planets are made of, if they have atmospheres, and whether they hold water, methane, oxygen and carbon dioxide — the molecules that scientists consider “biosignatures,” or signs of life. “You can bet people will be rushing to take those measurements,” said Elisabeth Adams, an exoplanet researcher at the Planetary Science
Institute who was not involved in the study. “That’s going to be fascinating to see.” Whatever secrets it may harbor, the TRAPPIST-1 system surely will be a sight to behold. Though the star is small, its nearness to the planets means that, from their perspective, it appears about three times as large as our sun. The outermost planets enjoy the daily spectacle of their neighbors passing across the sky and in front of their shared sun, each world a large dark spot silhouetted against the salmon-colored star. Its dim glow, which skews toward the red and infrared end of the light spectrum, bathes the planets in warmth and paints their skies with the crimson hues of a perpetual sunset. Gillon and his colleagues have been interested in TRAPPIST-1 since late 2015. Using the European Southern Observatory’s Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) in Chile, they sensed small dips in the star’s brightness at regular intervals. These dips were caused by planets transiting — crossing between the star and Earth — and blocking some of its light. Last May, the scientists published their discovery in Nature: three rocky bodies, dubbed TRAPPIST-1b, -1c and -1d, orbited the small star, they said. But right around the time the study was published, Gillon noticed that TRAPPIST-1d was behaving oddly. When he went to get a closer look with the Very Large Telescope, ESO’s gigantic observatory in the Atacama Desert, he realized the dip in brightness he thought came from 1d actually was caused by
Whatever secrets it may harbor, the TRAPPIST-1 system surely will be a sight to behold. Though the star is small, its nearness to the planets means that, from their perspective, it appears about three times as large as our sun. three planets, all transiting at the same time. This happens only once every three years, said Julien de Wit, a planetary scientist at MIT and a co-author on the study. “The chance of catching it is less than one in a thousand,” he explained. “It’s funny because it’s such a huge paper with amazing results, and we got it from sheer luck.” Next the team hurried to request time at the Spitzer Space Telescope, whose Earth-trailing orbit around the Sun offered an uninterrupted view of TRAPPIST-1 and its companions. During 20 days with the Spitzer telescope, the team witnessed 34 transits. These observations “lifted the veil on the architecture of the system,” as de Wit put it. Instead of three, TRAPPIST-1 had seven planets, which were renamed TRAPPIST-1b through -h in order of their distance from the star. The scientists determined the six inner planets are locked in an orbital resonance, meaning that lengths of their orbits are related by a ratio of whole numbers. Because of this, the bodies exert regular gravitational influences on one another. By measuring those influences, the astronomers could determine the mass of the planets, something that’s impossible to figure out
from transiting data alone. That in turn allowed them to loosely calculate their densities — giving a sense of how much iron, rock, water and gas the bodies contain. The fact the planets are in orbital resonance also suggests they formed farther out from their sun and then migrated inward, Gillon said. This makes it more likely that they will contain water in some form, since water and other volatile compounds (molecules that readily turn to gas) tend to concentrate on the outer edges of solar systems. Coincidentally, TRAPPIST-1 is located in the constellation Aquarius — the water bearer. For years, evidence has accumulated that the Milky Way galaxy is full of Earthlike planets. The discovery of seven such worlds around a single, faint star suggests that they may be even more common than originally thought. Gillon and his colleagues plan to seek out similar solar systems with a new project, Search for Habitable Planets Eclipsing Ultracool Stars, or SPECULOOS. Meanwhile, scientists are scrambling to get a better look at the Proxima b, a rocky world that was discovered orbiting the sun’s nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, last August.
But the TRAPPIST-1 researchers, along with several astronomers not involved with the study, say this system is our best target yet to search for extraterrestrial life. Though exoplanet scientists often focus on worlds orbiting sunlike stars, the brightness of those stars makes it difficult to spot small rocky planets. TRAPPIST-1’s planets are easy to find amid its dim, cool glow. And the closeness of the system puts it within the reach of the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be able to detect atmospheric components and thermal emissions from the planets after it launches in 2018. In the meantime, telescopes on several continents have been trained on the system to search for signs of life. Last summer, the scientists published an early analysis of the atmospheres of planets b and c using data from the Hubble Space Telescope. “This is direct exploration of another solar system that is happening right now,” Gillon said. Planets e, f and g are the most intriguing targets for astrobiologists because of their position in TRAPPIST-1’s habitable zone. But even if they turn out to be warm and wet, these worlds might not be great places to live. The planets’ proximity to the star and one another means they’re probably tidally locked, like Earth’s moon. One side of each planet always faces the sun, the other is stuck in constant darkness. This would make for a dramatic temperature gradient that could generate powerful winds — not exactly an Earthling’s idea of a cozy home. And Adams of the
Planetary Science Institute cautioned it’s very hard to tell whether a planet is habitable from a distance. An observer outside our solar system might look at Venus, Earth and Mars and reason that the sun hosts three habitable worlds. The alien would need to travel here in person to discover that Venus is a cloudy hellscape with a runaway greenhouse effect, while Mars is a barren, frozen desert with a defunct internal dynamo. “There are a lot of ways in which a planet could be like Earth, but not enough,” Adams said. Another major caveat, she added, is that the very idea of a “habitable world” is purely theoretical. Scientists have only one source of data on habitable planets, and that’s Earth. “We don’t actually know the parameters that are needed for life on another world,” Adams said, “how much it has to look exactly like Earth, and how different life could be elsewhere.” Still, even if no life is discovered on them, the TRAPPIST-1 planets present an unprecedented new window on how solar systems work. Though each planet is more or less Earth-size, their varying densities and distances allow for detailed comparisons of the worlds. It’s almost as if someone designed an experiment in planet formation, controlling for the bodies’ size. De Wit compared the new planets to seven new languages, each offering a new vocabulary for describing their corner of the universe. “They all have a slightly different perspective on the same story,” he said, “the story of this solar system.”
Sports&Outdoors THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, February 25, 2017 |
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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: DALLAS COWBOYS
Dallas to play in Hall of Fame Game Cowboys heading to Canton again with Jones’ induction By Clarence E. Hill Jr. FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Michael Ainsworth / Associated Press file
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, left, will join former running back Emmitt Smith in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jones is part of a seven-man class as Dallas will play Arizona in the 2017 Hall of Fame Game.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: HOUSTON ASTROS
The Dallas Cowboys can officially set their plans for the week-long Hall of Fame party honoring owner Jerry Jones. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday that the Cowboys will play the Arizona Cardinals in the annual Hall of Fame Game, set for Aug. 3 at the new Tom Benson Stadium. The game will be played two days before Jones will be officially inducted as a member of the Class of 2017 on Aug. 5.
In between, Jones will hold his Hall of Fame party on Friday, Aug. 4. It will result in an extended stay in Canton, Ohio, for the Cowboys, who will likely arrive on Wednesday, play the game on Thursday, have Friday off, conduct a light practice on Saturday and then fly back to training camp on Sunday. It also means that the Cowboys have an earlier than normal start to training camp, not just because they are playing in the Hall of Fame game, but also because the game has been moved from the Cowboys continues on B2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: HOUSTON TEXANS
TEXANS CB BOUYE NOT EXPECTING TO BE FRANCHISED Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle
Astros’ 21-year-old pitcher Francis Martes has drawn rave reviews in Spring Training.
Astros' Martes displays 'power arm' at batting practice By Jake Kaplan H OUSTON CHRONICLE
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Just before Astros outfielder George Springer stepped in Friday morning for his first look at his team's top
pitching prospect, manager A.J. Hinch got in one last jab. "If you're scared, you can go to the other field," Hinch yelled to Springer from near first base. Springer smiled before Astros continues on B2
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: TEXAS RANGERS
Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle file
Houston cornerback A.J. Bouye enters free agency and doesn’t expect the Texans to franchise him.
Houston’s Bouye expects to hit free agency Aaron Wilson Ron Jenkins / Associated Press file
Rangers’ slugger Josh Hamilton had no signs of damage to his knee after a recent MRI.
Hamilton back in Rangers camp, knee exam shows no damage A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Josh Hamilton was back at Rangers spring training camp in Arizona on Thursday, and feeling confident after an examination in Texas showed
no significant structural damage to his surgically repaired left knee. Hamilton said he was concerned when he felt a sudden pain when doing some running drills Tuesday. He was in the outfield Rangers continues on B2
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
As A.J. Bouye celebrated his father's birthday at dinner Wednesday night, the Texans cornerback contemplated just how far he's traveled to achieve his burgeoning top NFL free agent status. His cousin reminded Bouye, as if he could ever forget, how he was an overlooked recruit to Central Florida, how he had to prove himself as an undrafted free agent with the Texans and how the Georgia native began this season as the fourth cornerback on the AFC South champions' depth chart. Now, Bouye is on the verge of landing
a blockbuster contract to either remain with the Texans or cash in with one of the multitude of franchises holding a surplus of salary-cap space and in need of a shutdown corner. Informed already by the Texans that it's extremely unlikely that he'll be designated as their franchise player because of the prohibitive cost of $14 million against the salary cap for 2017, Bouye is prepared for any possibility. Bouye hasn't closed the door on remaining with the Texans and a dialogue is ongoing following his breakthrough season for the top-ranked defense in the league. Bouye is realistic,
though, about the fluid business situation that awaits him and how the team has other priorities like locking up Pro Bowl alternate wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a contract extension this year and ultimately securing the future of Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who's eligible for a fifth-year team option to be exercised for 2018. The Texans have roughly $25 million in salary-cap space currently. "It's a very cool situation for me to be in," Bouye said in a telephone interview from his home in Georgia. "I totally understand it. Like my agent told me, it's about the market
value. If you're not set to make that amount in the franchise tag, then the Texans have to do what they have to do. We made some moves last offseason and spent some money. We have guys, other corners, No. 25 [Kareem Jackson], No. 24 [Johnathan Joseph] and No. 30 [Kevin Johnson]. On top of trying to bring me back, they also have to take care of Hopkins, take care of Clowney when his deal is up. "It's a business. I understand they have to take care of other people. Whatever happens, I'll sit back and look at what would be best. I'm going to be patient and not stress and leave it all to Texans continues on B2
B2 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SPORTS
Ducks get Eaves from Dallas for pick A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks acquired veteran forward Patrick Eaves from the Dallas Stars on Friday in exchange for a conditional draft pick. Eaves has a career-high 21 goals and 16 assists in 59 games this season for the Stars. His 37 points also are already a careerhigh in his 12 NHL seasons, and he is fourth in the NHL with 11 powerplay goals. Anaheim is in need of goal-scoring threats and veteran tenacity, partic-
ularly while Antoine Vermette is under a 10game suspension. Eaves fills several obvious needs in Anaheim: His 21 goals are more than every Anaheim player this season except Rickard Rakell, while his 37 points match Jakob Silfverberg for the fourthmost on the Ducks’ roster. The Ducks’ power play is in a 2-for-32 slump over the past month, and Eaves has been one of the NHL’s most consistent producers with the man advantage. Eaves is making $1 million this season before
he hits unrestricted free agency this summer, so the Ducks are renting a veteran forward in the midst of a career year. Anaheim is the sixth NHL franchise for Eaves, who has been in Dallas since 2014. The Ducks gave up their rights to a 2017 second-round draft pick acquired in their trade of goalie Frederik Andersen to Toronto last summer. But the Stars said they will get Anaheim’s firstround selection this summer instead if the Ducks reach the Western Conference finals and Eaves
Mike Stone / Associated Press file
Dallas’ Patrick Eaves was sent to Anaheim as the NHL trade deadline nears for a conditional draft pick.
plays in 50 percent or more of their games in the first two postseason rounds. Eaves has 76 games of
NHL playoff experience. The Ducks began Friday tied with Edmonton for second place in the Pacific Division, three points
behind San Jose. The Ducks visit Los Angeles on Saturday before beginning their bye week.
Injured 76ers rookie Simmons won’t play this season A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
CAMDEN, N.J. — Ben Simmons won’t make his NBA debut this season. His surgically repaired right foot hasn’t healed sufficiently for the No. 1 overall pick to play in the final 26 games, the team said Friday. Simmons fractured the fifth metatarsal bone during the final training camp scrimmage in October and hasn’t played a game. A CT scan Thursday revealed his foot hasn’t fully healed. “Unfortunately, Ben is
ASTROS From page B1 focusing in on Francis Martes, the stocky but hard throwing 21-yearold righthander standing on the mound. As Hinch and pitching coach Brent Strom observed from opposite baselines, Martes wound up and fired the first of roughly 25 pitches he threw in his first live batting practice session of spring training. Facing Springer, Josh Reddick and Nori Aoki, Martes mixed his
miss at least four games because of a bruised left knee that has sidelined him for 11 of the last 12 games.
“All signs are he is progressing well,” Colangelo said. Embiid, the No. 3 overall pick in 2014, missed the first two seasons while recovering from foot surgery. The team traded big man Nerlens Noel, the sixth overall pick in 2013, to Dallas on Thursday for veteran center Andrew Bogut, young swingman Justin Anderson and a top-18 protected firstround draft pick. On Wednesday, the Sixers traded forward Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta.
Center Jahlil Okafor, the No. 3 pick in 2015, is still around, even though he was mentioned in trade speculation and hasn’t played much because of Embiid’s emergence. Noel will be a restricted free agent after this season, a major factor in his trade and the reason why the return wasn’t near his value. The rebuilding Sixers have already doubled last year’s win total. They’re 21-35 entering Friday night’s game against Washington.
"electric" and said he has "a lot of life on a lot of his pitches." "He's got good stuff," Springer said. "He's going to be good. Hopefully he can help us out this year. He throws hard, his ball moves. It was good to see him for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing him in some games." Martes, who is expected to begin the season in Class AAA but debut in the majors at some point this season, said he felt good in his first spring exposure to major league hitters. He said he feels
ready to pitch in games, which he could do as soon as this week. "I can see why a lot of people are talking about him," said catcher Max Stassi, who caught Martes on Friday. "The stuff is really, really impressive." Stylistically, Springer said Martes reminded him of the Yankees' Michael Pineda. The most commonly heard comparison for Martes is the Giants' Johnny Cueto because of their similar builds - Martes is listed at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, the 31-year-old
Cueto at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds - and plus fastballs. Former Astros ace Roy Oswalt, who was in camp this week as a guest instructor, said he sees "a little bit of Benito Santiago" in Martes. "Big power arm," Oswalt said. "It's hard to teach velocity, and he's got a plus arm." Oswalt spent time this week working with Martes on his changeup, a pitch that will be pivotal to the prospect's development. Martes throws his changeup with a two-seam grip despite
not throwing a two-seam fastball. Oswalt suggested a four-seam changeup to better deceive hitters. "If he can make it look like his fastball, I don't care about the movement," Oswalt said. "I'm not worried about that. I'm just worried about the speed difference. He's starting to buy into it a little bit. I told him to keep throwing the twoseamer if he feels comfortable with that but just kind of mix that in and work with that a little bit and it's going to make him that much better."
grass simulating running the bases in arcs, not in a straight line or at full speed, when he experienced the knee pain. "I had already run on the treadmill that morning, felt good, and went out there and started running," Hamilton said Thursday while standing at his locker. "About the fourth one I ran, I had a sharp pain on the outside part of my knee. It was
enough to tell me to stop doing what I was doing." Hamilton then went to another field and did some throwing. He was later watching teammates go through the team's first full-squad workout when the pain kept getting worse while he was just standing. The 35-year-old slugger made a rushed trip to Houston to be examined by Dr. Walt Lowe on Wednesday, when Hamilton also had an MRI and a platelet-rich plasma injection in his knee. Lowe
did surgery last June, Hamilton's third knee operation in 10 months and the 10th in his career. When Hamilton spoke with Lowe on Tuesday, the doctor said he was leaving town the next day, and would be gone until Monday, and would be back in Houston for only a day before going to NFL scouting combine. So Hamilton got on a plane, landed in Houston about 10:30 Tuesday night, and was in Lowe's office at 6 a.m. the next day before the doctor left for
his trip. Lowe got the MRI results back while waiting for his flight. "He called me, he was sitting in the airport looking at it on the computer, and said everything looked good," Hamilton said. Hamilton said he felt good riding the bike at his rented Arizona home after getting back Wednesday, and would continue riding the bike and getting treatment for a few days before resuming baseball activity. He hopes to start
hitting again by Monday. Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, is in camp with a minor league contract after not playing in the majors last season. The five-time All-Star outfielder is working out this spring at first base, and said his confidence hasn't wavered. "Everything I've done up to this point, I felt good," he said. "Even groundballs at first base, wearing cleats, going side to side, coming in hard on balls, all that. It's felt great."
he just came out of nowhere, but everybody in the league knows how good he is," said an NFL personnel department executive speaking on condition of anonymity. "I really enjoy watching him play. He's tough. He's fast. He has recovery speed. He can tackle and will stick his nose in there against bigger players. He doesn't play scared. The guy can flat-out play. There's a lot to like about him." Bouye is represented by veteran Dallas-based agent Fred Lyles, who previously negotiated the biggest contract in NFL history for an undrafted free agent cornerback with a $43 million maximum value deal in 2014 that averages $9 million for Denver Broncos Pro Bowler Chris Harris Jr. That contract included $24 million guaranteed and a $10 million signing bonus. Lots of NFL teams need cornerbacks, including the Texans' AFC South rivals, the Tennessee Titans,
Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Free agency begins March 9. "It's kind of tough not knowing what's going to happen and not knowing what the teams think about you," Bouye said. "I just realize the more I focus and think about that, the more frustrating it gets. I'm focused on training and spending my time being a father." Bouye has big plans for what to do with his pending financial windfall. He's already launched a college fund for his twoyear-old daughter, Zoe. He wants to contribute to the AAU team of his father, Steve, a retired former prison guard who once guarded Mafia bosses Nicky Scarfo, John Gotti, rapper T.I., NFL quarterback Michael Vick and former Alabama governor Don Siegelman at the Atlanta federal prison. "I'll be putting a good amount into my daughter's college fund when my deal is done," Bouye
said. "When you've got a two-year-old daughter saying 'no' to everything, it helps you to focus on what's important to be at the top of your game. "My dad isn't into material things. I got him a Fitbit for his birthday and he thought it was expensive. He loves more than anything to get the AAU kids exposure to colleges and I love seeing them get new uniforms. I was in their shoes back in the day." What about Bouye personally? An avid reader of books, Bouye is dreaming of a trip to Santorini, an island in the southern Aegean sea off of the mainland of Greece. "I always liked to travel," Bouye said. "Maybe I could go backpacking in Europe. I'm focused on training right now. There were a lot of plays left out there. There's opportunities to learn and get better, being more hungry, getting my body right, I'm enjoying my time with my
family right now, but I'm staying busy." Bouye declined a small, multiyear contract offer from the Texans last spring. He bet on himself and instead played under a one-year, $1.671 million salary. Bouye led the Texans' second-ranked pass defense with 16 passes defended and had one interception and a sack in the regular season. He had two interceptions in the playoffs, including once picking off New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during an AFC divisional-round loss. The meandering path Bouye traveled to get to this point has made him appreciate his journey even more. "Definitely because my route to get to where I am now is different than most people, because they're first-rounders," Bouye said. "They're always going to make excuses for them or look for positive
things. When you're undrafted, they're waiting for you to mess up. I know I had to prove everybody wrong. You've got to earn your respect in this league. That's one thing I want to do." Once unheralded as a former all-county cornerback at Tucker High School in Georgia, snubbed for an NFL scouting combine invite and having to overcome a pulled hamstring prior to his Pro Day at Central Florida, Bouye's big payday is coming soon. "My cousin said it: I've been an underdog since Little League, high school, college," Bouye said. "Other recruits had more stars than me. I always had to work for everything. Looking back at it, I appreciate even more the situation I'm in. "My dad instilled that drive in me to work my hardest and control what I can control. I feel like my ceiling is even higher. I'm praying for the best."
going to sit out. That’s the bad news. The good news is one day he’ll put on a uniform,” 76ers President Bryan Colangelo said. “It’s not the way you want to start your career, but it happens. We’re not excited about the news today. Ben is heartbroken.” The 6-foot-10, 250pound Australian was Philadelphia’s first No. 1 overall pick since Allen Iverson in 1996. Simmons was going to play pointforward. “Nothing has changed with the plan and the vision,” Colangelo said.
“The plan is to build and sustain a successful basketball program.” Colangelo also said star center Joel Embiid will
mid-90s fastball with his power slider and his still-developing changeup. Most of the pitches did not elicit swings - a lot of hitters use these early spring sessions to mostly track pitches though Nori Aoki grounded a few toward shortstop that in a game would've likely been turned into outs. All three hitters were seeing Martes for the first time. Reddick, who at the time he faced him was unaware Martes was the Astros' top prospect, described the young pitcher's repertoire as
COWBOYS RANGERS From page B1 From page B1 traditional Sunday slot, one day after the induction ceremony to Thursday, two days before. Teams generally start training camp two weeks before the first preseason game. It’s the Cowboys’ sixth all-time appearance Hall of Fame Game, including 1968, 1979, 1999, 2010, 2013. The past two coincided with the inductions of Emmitt Smith and Larry Allen, respectively.
TEXANS From page B1 my agent. I trust him. I'm sitting back and being patient. A lot of my teammates and outside people say they've been expecting this for me. It's good to see this finally manifest with the money. I want to use those resources to become an even better player and take care of everything on and off the field." Elite cornerbacks command deals averaging between $12 million and $14 million. A good comparison for the range of a potential Bouye deal would be the five-year, $62.5 million contract the New York Giants signed Janoris Jenkins to a year ago. That included $28.8 million fully guaranteed, with a $10 million signing bonus. "Bouye is that guy who's going to get paid a lot of money where it will seem to a lot of people like
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images file
Philadelphia’s No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons will miss his entire first professional season.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, February 25, 2017 |
Dear Readers: HOUSEBREAKING a new dog or a new-to-you dog requires two things above all else: patience and consistency! Here are some doggone good hints to help: >> Make sure that dogs know where they are allowed in the house. Training time is NOT a good time to let your dog have free roam of the house. >> A crate works well as the dog's own space, and for many it's a "safe haven." Line with an old shower curtain topped with plenty of newspapers for easy cleanup. >> Frequent bathroom breaks are a must! Especially upon waking up and an hour or so after eating. >> Positive praise works far better than negative words. Make sure to ecourage your pet often. -- Heloise P.S. Woof, woof from Chammy and Henry VIII, our two dog adoptees!
ID PROTECTION Dear Heloise: I forgo a paper shredder, preferring to tear my bills, etc., several times and toss them into a trash bag, and then I scoop my used cat litter in there. I seriously doubt anyone will riffle through used cat litter to get ahold of my personal information. Cheap and easy. -Betty in Grand Rapids, Mich. EASY GRIP Dear Heloise: After having trouble with my fingers sliding down the barrel of a ballpoint pen, I wrapped a rubber band around the lower part several times. Result: No slipping through my fingers, and more comfortable writing! -- W. Glenn H., via fax
B3
B4 | Saturday, February 25, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SPORTS
Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images
After his trade to New Orleans, DeMarcus Cousins called Kings GM Vlade Divac and majority owner Vivek Ranadive "cowards."
David Zalubowski / Associated Press file
Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio was relieved after the NBA trade deadline passed and he remained in Minnesota.
Cousins calls Kings’ leadership ‘cowards’ By Ailene Voisin
For Rubio and more, passing of deadline brought relief Tim Reynolds A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
MIAMI — Ricky Rubio was trying desperately to take his own advice. Minnesota's point guard told anyone who would listen to him not to worry about the trade deadline, or fret about what moves might be coming. Practicing what he preached was a little difficult. "Until it doesn't go down," Rubio said, "you don't believe it." In his case, nothing went down Thursday and that brought a clear sense of relief. Trade deadline day came and went with only seven deals involving 14 players, the smallest number of players affected since only four got moved on the big day in 2007. Rubio was one of many linked to various moves in the days leading up to the deadline, though nothing wound up happening in most of the high-profile cases. "It was, like, boring," said Miami President Pat Riley, whose team looked and listened but made no
deals. Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose all stayed with their various teams. Cleveland, Golden State, San Antonio and Boston - the top two teams in each conference - didn't make any lastminute trades either, though the Cavaliers are likely to add Deron Williams once he clears waivers in the coming days. The day wasn't much ado about nothing. But it came close. "Like we always say, a lot of times very little happens at the deadline," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said before New York opened the post-All-Star schedule with a loss in Cleveland. "Now that it's over, guys can just go out and play." That's what they're hoping in Indiana, Chicago and other points around the league as well. George and Butler were believed to be under serious trade consideration - with Boston linked to both players, the thinking there being
that either could seriously enhance the Celtics' chances of challenging Cleveland for Eastern Conference honors. But the Pacers kept George, Butler stayed with the Bulls, and both have games awaiting Friday. "You know, it's kind of a dark moment of uncertainty," said George, who didn't know what was really going on regarding any trade talks the Pacers were or weren't having. "That was the frustrating part. You want me to be your guy here, I thought I'd have been in the loop a little more on that." It's been a trying season for Anthony: The Knicks are struggling, some cryptic tweets from Phil Jackson created headlines, and the situation between Madison Square Garden chairman and former Knicks star Charles Oakley - who was dragged from the arena, arrested and briefly banned - created headaches. So that led to talk that Anthony might waive his no-trade clause and look
to begin anew elsewhere. It didn't happen. "I'm at peace. I've been at peace," a smiling Anthony said Thursday night. "I'm happy I won't be talking about trades or any of this stuff the rest of the season." The most prevalent rumor on the Rubio front involved a swap for Rose, who played for Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau for years in Chicago. Rose never heard anything from the Knicks or his agent about the prospects of a move, so he figured nothing would happen. Turns out, he was correct. "I'm happy that it's over," Rose said. "This is the first time I've been through this." It wasn't the first time Rubio has been through this. That didn't seem to make things any easier, and Rubio knows that it's likely his name will be in trade talks again before long - probably when the draft rolls around in about four months. "There's people who decide where you're going to play," Rubio said. "You can't control that."
THE SACRAMENTO BEE
Kings general manager Vlade Divac refuted some of the details but refused to engage DeMarcus Cousins in a nasty public debate after the All-Star center called Divac and Kings majority owner Vivek Ranadive "cowards" for their handling of his trade to the New Orleans Pelicans. In an article published early Friday on theundefeated.com, Cousins told the website’s senior NBA writer Marc Spears that he was assured by Kings officials three weeks earlier that he would not be traded. "The sick part about it is that Vlade came to my house with my agent (Jarinn Akana)," Cousins said. "We sat in the theater and just talked. That was maybe three weeks ago. We sat there and he told me what moves he wants to make. All of that. I just didn’t understand. I got a text from the owner right before I went to the All-Star Game. He was asking me about a player, how I felt about him, and making a move. The owner! When (the trade) happened, I was just in shock. I just didn’t understand." Following his New Orleans debut Thursday night against Houston, Cousins was asked whether he has communicated with Kings officials since Sunday’s trade that sent Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and two first-round
draft choices to the Kings was finalized on Monday, the seven-year veteran replied, "Nah, for what? It was a cowardly move, so I’m pretty sure I’ll get a cowardly response . Act like a man, like a professional. It was just crazy." Reached in his office in the Kings’ practice facility on Friday, Divac said he had no plans to trade the team’s longest-tenured player until talks with the Pelicans heated up about four days before the AllStar Game. "We didn’t have anything going until then, no other team showed any real interest or offered anything that made sense," Divac explained. "DeMarcus was going to be with us, and we would deal with his (contract) situation this summer. It all happened very fast, when the whole approach changed. Then when I told his agents we were suddenly having serious discussions (with the Pelicans), he started called people around the league, saying DeMarcus could not sign an extension if he got traded. They got scared. So I decided not to share anything with the agents (Dan Fegan and Akana) anymore. They were protecting their client, but I had to protect my organization." "And look," Divac continued. "I trust DeMarcus, what he feels, how he feels. It’s hard to get traded. I believe he is a very talented kid, but I felt it would not work out here for us."
NASCAR stars starting to step away By Mark Long A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jeff Gordon is working in the broadcast booth. Carl Edwards is spending time with family. Tony Stewart is hanging out at dirt tracks. Some of NASCAR’s biggest stars have stepped away over the last 15 months, a thoughtprovoking trend that doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. Gordon (2015) and Stewart (2016) retired from full-time racing in consecutive years, walking away with a combined seven championships. Edwards called it quits last month, abruptly leaving before the final year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing. Edwards said his decision was personal and private. What made it so bizarre is that Edwards was 10 laps away from winning his first championship just two months earlier. Even if Edwards returns to the series next year, it probably won’t do much to stop NASCAR’s ongoing face-lift.
Chuck Burton / Associated Press file
Carl Edwards is one of many of NASCAR’s former stars that have retired over the past few years.
“When I first started watching the (Washington) Redskins, a lot of wide receivers and cornerbacks were playing into their mid-30s regularly and now they’re not,” NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. told The
Associated Press this week. “Nowadays, at 30, they’re starting to look for somebody else and wondering how much more mileage they got on them. “I think we’re seeing that in NASCAR as well.”
Other aspects of the issue, Earnhardt said, include drivers starting racing careers much younger than ever and the constant demands on those who reach NASCAR’s pinnacle, the Monster Energy Cup
Series. Earnhardt estimated about 90 sponsor or team commitments during the series’ 36-race schedule, leaving little room for downtime, family time or me time. “Back in the 70s and
80s, when guys were racing into their 50s, they were running 28 races and had a lot of time off,” he said. “They didn’t have sponsor responsibilities. Ninety days of work off the track? What was Bobby Allison doing in ‘83 with Miller? Twelve days off the track, maybe? They had a lot of time to do what they wanted to do to unplug and keep their battery charged.” Throw in escalating salaries over the last two decades, and it should be no surprise to see drivers choosing a less-stressful lifestyle — even with safety advancements making the sport seemingly as safe as possible. Michael Waltrip, a 53-year-old former team owner/driver who has raced a part-time schedule since 2009, is making his final NASCAR start in the season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday. Veteran driver Greg Biffle, 47, announced last week that he won’t race full time in 2017. Biffle accepted a recurring role as a guest analyst on NBC Sports’ “NASCAR America” show.