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MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL
ZAPATA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Two wanted on felony charges arrested
Suspect to see day in court
Suspects, if convicted, could face two to 10 years in jail
By Taryn T. Walters LA R ED O MORNI NG T I ME S
Trial is set to begin Monday in Zapata for a man charged with manslaughter for the shooting death of a 20-year-old Roma man in late January 2014. Alexis Abram Diaz-Reyes faces a second-degree felony manslaughter charge for the death of Irvin Garza. The indictment filed against Diaz-Reyes, 25, alleges he acted recklessly by pointing a firearm with live ammo in the direction of Garza and recklessly discharged the firearm, striking Garza in the head on Jan. 31, 2014. In February 2014, the Roma Police Department requested the Zapata community’s assistance in
By César G. Rodriguez THE ZAPATA TIME S
Two people wanted on felony offenses were recently arrested this week, the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office said Sunday. Osvaldo Valadez, 31, was served with a warrant charging him with assault, a thirddegree felony. Maria Elvira Andrade, 32,
Andrade
Valadez
was also served with a warrant for allegedly assaulting a
family member, which is also a third-degree felony. Sheriff ’s officials had put a lookout for them via their Zapata Crime Stoppers Facebook account last week. Andrade and Valadez remained behind bars as of Friday evening, according to booking records. If convicted, they face two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
WHITE HOUSE
TRUMP WITHDRAWS FROM CLIMATE PACT
Suspect continues on A10
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Jon Elswick / AP
This photo shows people viewing the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court asked to let travel ban take effect By Mark Sherman and Sadie Gurman
Susan Walsh / AP
Protesters gather outside the White House in Washington on Thursday to protest President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the Unites States from the Paris climate change accord.
A S S O CIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — Having so far failed to persuade judges to allow its travel ban to take effect, the Trump administration is turning to the nation's highest court with its slim conservative majority. The Justice Department on Thursday formally asked the Supreme Court to let a ban on visitors from six mostly Muslim countries and refugees from around the world to be put in place. The high court also is being asked to uphold the constitutionality of the Trump travel policy, which lower courts have blocked because it shows anti-Muslim prejudice. Supreme continues on A10
World leaders push back to defend efforts for change By Jill Colvin ASSOCIATED PRE SS
W
ASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's supporters on Friday cast his decision to abandon the world's climate change pact as a "refreshing" stance for the U.S. that would save jobs and unburden industry. In a fierce rejoinder from across the globe, leaders of other nations and scientists pointed to jobs that could be created
in green technology and the edge China could be given as a result. China has overtaken the U.S. in transitioning to renewable energy, generating a fifth of its electricity from renewable sources. The U.S. only sources about 13 percent of its electricity from renewable energy. In television interviews the morning after Trump's announcement, Vice President Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway, a senior White House aide, defended Trump's decision as a reassertion of America's sovereignty. They both appeared on Fox News' "Fox & Friends."
Pence called Trump's decision "refreshing." The Paris deal "really put an extraordinary burden on the American economy while allowing some countries around the world like China and India to literally go a decade or more without any accountability for reducing C02 emissions," Pence said. He said the deal would have cost taxpayers billions of dollars. "In a very real sense, it was a transfer of wealth from the most powerful economy in the world to other countries around the planet," Pence Climate continues on A10
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Zin brief A2 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
CALENDAR
AROUND THE WORLD
TODAY IN HISTORY
MONDAY, JUNE 5
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
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.
Today is Saturday, June 3, the 154th day of 2017. There are 211 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History: On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight boxing champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, died at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, at age 74.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 United ISD job fair. 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. United Middle School (Gym) located at 700 E. Del Mar Blvd. United ISD will host a job fair for current or anticipated vacancies in the following areas: Teacher, Teacher Aides, Substitutes, Police Department, Transportation, Facilities, After School Day Care Program Caregivers, Food Service Employees, and Custodial staff members. Individuals should take their resume to the event as they will be meeting with individuals on site and inquiring about various job vacancies. LCC, Convergys host job fair. 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Laredo Community College’s De La Garza building, room 101, at the Fort McIntosh campus. Convergys Corporation, together with the LCC Economic Development Center and Workforce Solutions for South Texas, are joining forces to hire 200 certified health care agents.
THURSDAY, JUNE 8 Laredo Cardiac Support Group. 6 p.m. Doctors Hospital Cafeteria. To register or more information, call Ana Sanchez, Doctors Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit, at 956-523-2779.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 The Martin High School Class of 1957 60th Reunion. Embassy Suites, 110 Calle Del Norte. Classmates wishing to attend should register by checking the class website at mhsclassof57.org or calling Irma Perales Mireles at 956-286-6385.
THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Why Invasive Species are So Invasive—An Ecosystem Approach. 6:30 p.m. Lake Casa Blanca International State Park Ranchito. Presented by Stephen Lange, Project Leader, South Texas Ecosystem Project, Chaparral and Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas. Free and open to the public. For more information, email: brushcountrychapter@gmail.com Spanish Book Club. 6-8 p.m. Joe A Guerra Public Library. For more info call Sylvia Reash at 956-763-1810.
MONDAY, JULY 3 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.
Shamil Zhumatov / AP
A Russian Soyuz capsule carrying two astronauts descends beneath a parachute before landing in a remote area outside the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Friday.
SPACE CAPSULE WITH 2 ASTRONAUTS RETURNS TO EARTH MOSCOW — A Russian Soyuz capsule carrying two astronauts to Earth after a half-year aboard the International Space Station has landed. The capsule with Russia's Oleg Novitsky and Thomas Pesquet of France descended under a red-and-white parachute and landed on schedule at 8:10 p.m. Friday on the steppes of Kazakhstan outside the city of Dzhezkazgan, about 2,200 kilometers (1,370 miles) southeast of Moscow. Both were extracted from the capsule, which came to rest on its side, within 15
Leaders pledge to boost climate efforts after Trump decision PARIS — A Malian cattle herder, German environmental activists, leaders from Mexico to China — they're among millions on Friday denouncing President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. Many nations pledged to ramp up their efforts to curb
minutes and appeared to be in good condition. Although Soyuz capsules have three seats, one was unoccupied because NASA's Peggy Whitson's mission aboard the space station has been extended by three months. Pesquet and Novitsky spent 194 days aboard the orbiting space laboratory. Pesquet, who reinvigorated France's interest in space with breathtaking tweeted photos and online chats from the cosmos, returned to a presidential welcome. — Compiled from AP reports
global warming instead. Some allies pointedly refrained from criticism, however, and Russian President Vladimir Putin even joked that Trump's move made him a convenient scapegoat for any bad weather. While Trump argued the landmark 2015 accord hurts U.S. jobs and business, others took a more global view. The French president's call to #MakeOurPlanetGreatAgain went viral online, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it's time to look ahead.
"This decision can't and won't stop all those of us who feel obliged to protect the planet," she said. "On the contrary. We in Germany, Europe and the world will combine our forces more resolutely than ever to address and successfully tackle challenges for humanity such as climate change." Merkel, whose country hosts this year's international climate summit, called Trump's decision "extremely regrettable, and that's putting it very mildly." — Compiled from AP reports
SATURDAY, JULY 22 Laredo and South Texas Weather. 2 p.m. TAMIU Student Center, Room 236. Presented by Richard ‘Heatwave” Berler, Chief Meteorologist, KGNS-TV. Free and open to the public. For more information, email: brushcountrychapter@gmail.com
FRIDAY, AUG. 18 South Texas Food Bank Empty Bowls XI. Laredo Energy Arena. Tex-Mex power rock trio Los Lonely Boys will perform. The event includes a dinner, a benefit concert and a silent auction featuring artworks from local and regional artists. Sponsorship tables of 10 that include dinner and access to silent auction items are available. There are different levels of sponsorship available: Diamond $20,000, Platinum $10,000, Gold $5,000, Silver $2,500 and Bronze $1,500. Individual table tickets are $150. Table tickets are available at the food bank, 1907 Freight at Riverside. Concert only tickets are $10, $15 and $25. Tickets are available at the LEA box office, Ticketmaster.com, select Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4 Les Amies Birthday Club monthly meeting. 11:30 a.m. Ramada Plaza. The hostesses are Rosita Alvarez, Marta Rangel Bennett, Imelda Gonzalez and Carmen Santos. The honoree will be Magda Sanchez.
AROUND THE NATION
Joe Hermitt / AP
Stacy Parks Miller, left, hugs Evelyn Piazza after announcing the findings in the investigation of the death of Timothy Piazza.
said the letter dated May 31 and signed by Jim and Evelyn Piazza. Eighteen members of the now-shuttered Beta Theta Pi fraternity face charges in connection with Piazza's death. Police say he drank a lifethreatening amount of alcohol during a hazing ritual. A grand jury report said
Ten years ago: After attending the MTV Movie Awards, Paris Hilton reported to jail to serve a 45-day sentence for a probation violation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. (Hilton was released after three days for what were termed psychological problems, but the sentencing judge ordered her back to jail, where she remained for another 2½ weeks.) Five years ago: A Dana Air MD-83 jetliner carrying 153 people crashed on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria, killing everyone on board and at least 10 people on the ground. The River Thames became a royal highway as Queen Elizabeth II led a motley but majestic flotilla of more than 1,000 vessels to mark her Diamond Jubilee. Tiger Woods birdied three of his last four holes to win the Memorial, closing with a 5-under 67. Olivia Culpo, a 20-year-old cellist from Rhode Island, won the Miss USA crown in Las Vegas. One year ago: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was quoted in The Wall Street Journal as saying that U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who was presiding over a lawsuit brought by former Trump University students, had an "absolute conflict" in handling the case because he was "of Mexican heritage."
Penn State making changes to Greek system after pledge death STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State is making changes to its Greek system, including taking control of the previously self-governing fraternities and sororities, following the February death of a pledge. The university's board of trustees approved a set of changes during a meeting Friday. Earlier this week, the parents of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza released a scathing letter to the school. The parents of the college sophomore from Lebanon, New Jersey, accused officials of turning a blind eye to hazing and excessive drinking in the Greek system, saying it led to the Feb. 4 death of their son. "Our son died on your watch because of ignorance and denial by Penn State,"
On this date: In 1888, the poem "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer was first published in the San Francisco Daily Examiner. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Defense Act of 1916, which, among other things, created the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). In 1924, author Franz Kafka, 40, died near Vienna. In 1937, Edward, The Duke of Windsor, who had abdicated the British throne, married Wallis Simpson in a private ceremony in Monts, France. In 1948, the 200-inch reflecting Hale Telescope at the Palomar Mountain Observatory in California was dedicated. In 1955, convicted murderer Barbara Graham, 31, was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison in California, as were Jack Santo and Emmett Perkins, for the 1953 slaying of Mabel Monahan. In 1965, astronaut Edward H. White became the first American to "walk" in space during the flight of Gemini 4. In 1977, the United States and Cuba agreed to set up diplomatic interests sections in each other's countries; Cuba also announced the immediate release of 10 Americans jailed on drug charges. In 1982, Israel's ambassador to Britain, Shlomo Argov, was shot and critically wounded outside a London hotel. The assassination attempt was followed by Israel's invasion of Lebanon. In 1989, Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, died. Chinese army troops began their sweep of Beijing to crush student-led pro-democracy demonstrations. SkyDome (now called Rogers Centre) opened in Toronto. In 1992, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton appeared on "The Arsenio Hall Show," where he played "Heartbreak Hotel" on the saxophone.
security camera footage captured events inside the house that night, including pledges being ordered to guzzle alcohol. Piazza appeared to become inebriated and fell facefirst down a flight of basement steps. — Compiled from AP reports
Today's Birthdays: The president of Cuba, Raul Castro, is 86. Actress Irma P. Hall is 82. Author Larry McMurtry is 81. Rock singer Ian Hunter is 78. Actress Penelope Wilton is 71. Singer Eddie Holman is 71. Actor Tristan Rogers is 71. Musician Too Slim (Riders in the Sky) is 69. Rock musician Richard Moore is 68. Singer Suzi Quatro is 67. Singer Deneice Williams is 66. Singer Dan Hill is 63. Actress Suzie Plakson is 59. Actor Scott Valentine is 59. Rock musician Kerry King (Slayer) is 53. Actor James Purefoy is 53. Rock singer-musician Mike Gordon is 52. TV host Anderson Cooper is 50. Country singer Jamie O'Neal is 49. Writerdirector Tate Taylor is 38. Singers Ariel and Gabriel Hernandez (No Mercy) are 46. Actor Vik Sahay is 46. Rhythmand-blues singer Lyfe Jennings is 44. Actress Arianne Zucker is 43. Actress Nikki M. James is 36. Tennis player Rafael Nadal is 31. Actor Josh Segarra is 31. Actress-singer Lalaine is 30. Actor Sean Berdy is 24. Thought for Today: "Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer." — Muhammad Ali (19422016).
CONTACT US AROUND TEXAS Teen fatally struck trying to cross North Texas interstate GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Authorities say a teenager was fatally struck while running across a North Texas interstate with three other teens. Grand Prairie police spokes-
man Lyle Gensler says at least two vehicles hit the unidentified teen. Witnesses told police they saw the other teens huddling in a parking lot, looking over at those who stopped to help the teen who was struck. Gensler says the teens then took off into a residential area. He says police would like for those teens to
come forward to help authorities understand “what happened and why it happened.”
Past winner of Univision reality show found dead ROUND ROCK, Texas — The past winner of a Spanish-language television reality show has been found
dead at her home in suburban Austin. Police answering a report of a woman not breathing found Margaret Ann Garza dead in her Round Rock home early Tuesday. Round Rock police say an autopsy has been ordered on the 31-year-old winner of Miss Texas Belleza Latina in 2007 and Miss Belleza Latina International in 2008. — Compiled from AP reports
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THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, June 3, 2017 |
A3
LOCAL
Pickup truck crashes into house, killing 1 in Dallas A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
MESQUITE, Texas — Authorities say a man died and a woman was injured when an 18-yearold drunk driving suspect crashed into the bedroom of a home in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite. Mesquite police say the driver of the pickup truck crashed into the house Thursday night. The driver, Steven Tutt, was arrested on an intoxication manslaughter charge. He remained in jail Friday morning. Jail records did not list an attorney for him. Police say said 42-yearold Jose Reyes died from injuries sustained in the crash. Police say 43-yearold Yesenia Vasquez was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Claire Ballor / AP
In this Thursday photo, debris is strewn about on the front lawn of a home in Mesquite, Texas. Authorities say Jose Reyes, 42, died and a woman was injured when an 18-year-old drunk driving suspect crashed into the bedroom of a home in a Dallas suburb.
Police say neither Tutt nor his 24-year-old passenger was injured in the
crash. The passenger was arrested on a charge of public intoxication.
Museum exhibit focuses on artists’ use of Polaroid pictures A S S O CIAT E D PRE SS
FORT WORTH, Texas — An exhibit at a Fort Worth museum focuses on how artists used Polaroid’s instant images. The exhibit, titled “The Polaroid Project: At the Intersection of Art and Technology,” opens Saturday at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The exhibit, which makes its U.S. debut at the Amon Carter, features more than 150 images by artists including David Hockney and Andy Warhol. Joy Jeehye Kim, assistant curator of photographs at the Amon Carter, says, “Polaroid was the epitome of instant imaging long before the digital age.” She says the show “reveals the energy of artists who embraced the technology
Barbara Crane / AP
This photo provided by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art shows Barbara Crane's "Private Views," 1981. The photo is part of an exhibit titled "The Polaroid Project: At the Intersection of Art and Technology," which opens Saturday on Saturday at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
as a novel medium of experimentation.” Included in the exhibit are rare artifacts from the Polaroid Corporation
archives that trace the development of the technology. The exhibit runs through Sept. 3.
Police officer accused of stabbing wife on date night A S S O CIAT E D PRE SS
MCKINNEY, Texas — A North Texas police officer is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after his wife accused him of stabbing her in the stomach on date night. Sgt. Audrey Lee Palmer is a 21-year veteran of the McKinney Police Department. He's free on $50,000 bond after his arrest early Thursday. An arrest affidavit says he and his wife were having a date night when a text message arrived on Palmer's cellphone from a telephone number
Texan, 84, accused of killing neighbor, 80, during argument
unfamiliar to his wife. When his wife called the number, a woman answered by saying, "Hey, babe." Palmer and his wife had begun to argue
when, according to the affidavit, his wife picked up a steak knife in the kitchen "out of anger." A struggle ensued for the knife and his wife was wounded.
KILLEEN, Texas — Investigators say an 84year-old Central Texas man has been accused of using a cane to beat an 80-year-old neighbor then fatally shooting the victim during a yearslong dispute. Killeen police on Thursday announced
Santiago Vasquez of Killeen was arrested on a murder charge, with bond set at $1 million. Police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez had no specifics on what she calls a neighborhood dispute going on for years and leading to Tuesday's death of John Wesley Seth Jr. of Killeen.
Miramontez says police believe a verbal argument between the two men turned physical and Seth was attacked. Officers responding to reports of shots fired located Seth's body on a road. Online Bell County jail records Thursday didn't immediately list further custody or attorney details for Vasquez.
Agency monitoring effects of drilling on West Texas springs ASSOCIATED PRE SS
HOUSTON — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has embarked on an environmental study to monitor the effects of oil and gas drilling on the springs that feed a famous pool at Balmorhea State Park in West Texas. Brent Leisure, the state parks director, tells the Houston Chronicle that he could not remember ever launching a similar effort in another of the state’s 95 parks, historic sites or natural areas. Parks biologists, hydrologists, geologists and administrators have mounted an indepth, multiyear effort to monitor plants, fish, insects and water. “We have a rare and endangered resource there at the San Solomon Springs,” Leisure said. “There’s no doubt about it. It’s an oasis. We just want to make sure it’s protect-
ed.” In addition to feeding the park’s swimming pool, the springs also provide drinking water for thousands of people and support one of the most sensitive ecologies in Texas. Apache Corp. of Houston said in September that it had discovered more than 15 billion barrels of oil and gas in a far southern section of the Permian Basin. It plans to drill as many as 3,000 wells over the next 20 years. Apache has promised to keep drilling out of the park and the city of Balmorhea. The San Solomon Springs, among others, support more than a dozen rare, threatened or endangered species. Without the aquifers, migratory fish and birds could not survive in their current numbers. Water flow at the San
Solomon has already begun dropping, likely due to farm, ranch and town use. Scientists say rainwater has a limited ability to refill area aquifers, and worry any more demand could dry up the springs. Apache said it is drilling saltwater wells to avoid the use of freshwater in hydraulic fracturing. The company added that it plans, eventually, to recycle and reuse the millions of gallons of water that come up the well with oil and gas, which would reduce its need to drill for groundwater. The company has also contracted with area scientists to watch for water contamination and map out area aquifers. “Apache understands the challenge of operating in water-scarce regions,” spokesman Joe Brettell said.
Zopinion
Letters to the editor Send your signed letter to editorial@lmtonline.com
A4 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
COMMENTARY
OTHER VIEWS
A strong VA is essential for our national security By David J. Shulkin TR IBUNE NEWS SE RV ICE
Ever since the draft was suspended in 1973, our military has relied entirely on volunteers. The nearly 1.5 million brave Americans who currently serve in our armed forces represent less than 0.4 percent of our great nation’s total population, and with recruiters struggling to maintain enlistment rates, the growing burden of protecting our country is falling on a shrinking subset of our citizenry. Bolstering our defense will require more than reminding young Americans of why military service is so rewarding. Those considering enlistment must also know their country stands behind them not just during the time they serve, but for their entire lives. This is why the Veterans Administration exists. In 1930, this country created the VA to honor our commitment to America’s best and bravest. As the current secretary of the VA, I can attest that the organization is making great strides in fulfilling our duty to provide the best quality of care for the men and women who have worn the uniform. There is presently a lot of debate on how to best provide the top-notch services these individuals deserve. But when people push for privatization of the VA, I wonder if they have actually spoken with veterans and asked them what they want. Veterans want a VA that respects their contributions and honors the government’s commitment to provide the services they were promised. Health care and disability benefits are among the many types of services we administer and provide to our veterans. It is our job at the VA to deliver these services effectively, efficiently and with a reverence for those who have given this nation so much. The VA’s health care professionals understand service-related injuries and disabilities and can more easily identify and treat these specific conditions than outside practitioners. We are dedicated
to improving the wellbeing of veterans and discovering new advancements in caregiving. This expertise, experience and passion for treating veterans simply does not exist in the private sector. I am, however, the first to recognize that the VA does not always get things right. It has made mistakes - and might make more - as the organization continues to make bold changes to modernize and improve the system. For instance, we recently launched a publicly accessible website that shows wait times for every VA health care facility and lists quality comparisons to private sector facilities. This marks a new level of transparency for the VA, which is the only health care system in the country making such information readily available. But our aspirations for the VA go well beyond reducing wait times. We refuse to settle when the well- being of our veterans is at stake. As part of our ongoing push for improvement, I am working with the president and Congress to pass legislative reform that would result in greater organizational accountability. The VA must have the ability to hire the right people - and to fire those who let our veterans down. We also need appeals reform so our veterans can rely on getting timely and accurate decisions on their claims. Further, we need legislative support for a new Choice Program designed to give veterans access to a high-performing integrated network of providers, affording them the very best care the VA and the private sector have to offer. Support for our veterans is not a partisan issue. All of us can agree that those fighting for our liberties deserve the nation’s highest quality care and services. That is why I am asking for your support - no matter your politics - in helping to strengthen our mission at the VA. It’s a matter of national security. David Shulkin is the U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs.
LETTERS POLICY Laredo Morning Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer's first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the
letter. 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.
EDITORIAL
The necessity of openness WASHINGTON P O ST
The White House on Wednesday disclosed information on 14 waivers it has granted to exempt 17 appointees from government ethics standards. The release itself qualifies as good news. That it took so long is less good news: more evidence that this White House too often sees transparency as a nuisance to be resisted. Persistent pressure from the Office of Government Ethics, led by Walter Shaub Jr., resulted in the waivers’ disclosure. Good for Shaub for sticking to his guns. In the event, there were no blockbuster revelations. The ethics standards generally restrict what former lobbyists, businesspeople and others with preexisting ties can do within an administration. Specific waivers allow an ex-
fossil-fuel lobbyist to advise Trump on energy and environmental issues; no surprise there. Chief strategist Stephen Bannon can communicate with Breitbart News, the conservative website he ran before joining the Trump campaign. Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway is allowed to stay in touch with the conservative groups that had been clients of her polling firm. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus is permitted to communicate with the Republican National Committee, which he ran before entering the Trump administration. Yet the lack of big news underscores an important point. Transparency does not have to expose significant wrongdoing in order to be essential. It clarifies for the public the connections of presidential advisers. If Trump wants
a former oil lobbyist running his energy policy, we think he is entitled to have that, even if it would not be our choice. But the public should know. It should know that Trump’s 14 waivers far exceed President Barack Obama’s pace in exemption-granting, suggesting that Trump cannot boast that he has drained the swamp. Rather, this president will rely on former lobbyists like many of his predecessors. Openness also discourages egregious behavior, particularly among mid- and lowerlevel staff who are not under constant media scrutiny. Presidential advisers will understand that they cannot hold meetings or hire people with the expectation that the public will not notice. For similar reasons, the Trump White House
should accept other transparency measures that it has so far resisted. The president has not released his tax returns, leaving voters with an incomplete sense of how he conducted his business life and what conflicts of interest he brings to the job. The Trump administration has refused to disclose White House visitor logs, which not only obscures who is meeting with whom but also removes an important check on staff behavior; former Obama administration officials report that releasing those logs discouraged meetings that should not have happened. It took persistence from Shaub to persuade the administration to release the waivers. Similar persistence should be applied regarding Trump’s tax returns and other relevant records.
COLUMN
Shutting down a sexist response to ‘Wonder Woman’ screening By Steve Adler THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
On May 26, 2017, Austin Mayor Steve Adler received this email about a women-only screening of the new "Wonder Woman" movie by Austin movie chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: I hope every man will boycott Austin and do what he can to diminish Austin and to cause damage to the city’s image. The theater that pandered to the sexism typical of women will, I hope, regret its decision. The notion of a woman hero is a fine example of women’s eagerness to accept the appearance of achievement without actual achievement. Women learn from an early age to value makeup, that it’s OK to pretend that you are greater than you actually are. Women pretend they do not know that only men serve in combat because they are content to have an easier ride. Women gladly accept
gold medals at the Olympics for coming in 10th and competing only against the second class of athletes. Name something invented by a woman! Achievements by the second-rate gender pale in comparison to virtually everything great in human history was accomplished by men, not women. If Austin does not host a men-only counter event, I will never visit Austin and will welcome its deterioration. And I will not forget that Austin is best known for Charles Whitman. Does Austin stand for gender equality or for kissing up to women? Don’t bother to respond. I already know the answer. I do not hate women. I hate their rampant hypocrisy and the hypocrisy of the "women’s movement." Women do not want gender equality; they want more for women. Don’t bother to respond because I am sure your cowardice will generate nothing worth read-
ing. Richard A. Ameduri Mayor Adler responded: Dear Mr. Ameduri, I am writing to alert you that your email account has been hacked by an unfortunate and unusually hostile individual. Please remedy your account’s security right away, lest this person’s uninformed and sexist rantings give you a bad name. After all, we men have to look out for each other! Can you imagine if someone thought that you didn’t know women could serve in our combat units now without exclusion? What if someone thought you didn’t know that women invented medical syringes, life rafts, fire escapes, central and solar heating, a wartime communications system for radiocontrolling torpedoes that laid the technological foundations for everything from Wi-Fi to GPS, and beer? And I hesitate to imagine how embar-
rassed you’d be if someone thought you were upset that a private business was realizing a business opportunity by reserving one screening for women to see a superhero movie. You and I are serious men of substance with little time for the delicate sensitivities displayed by the pitiful creature who maligned your good name and sterling character by writing that abysmal email. I trust the news that your email account has been hacked does not cause you undue alarm and wish you well in securing your account. And in the future, should your travels take you to Austin, please know that everyone is welcome here, even people like those who wrote that email whose views are an embarrassment to modernity, decency and common sense. Yours sincerely, Steve Adler Steve Adler is the mayor of Austin.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, June 3, 2017 |
A5
INTERNATIONAL
Mexico closes 7 gas stations allegedly selling stolen fuel
Ex-priest alleges Mexican cardinal didn’t report abuse
By Mark Stevenson
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
MEXICO CITY — Mexico closed seven service stations Thursday for allegedly selling gasoline and diesel stolen from state-run pipelines, the first confirmation that large amounts of fuel siphoned from illegal pipeline taps are being sold through officially sanctioned gas stations. An official of the staterun Pemex oil company said authorities had caught red-handed such sales at a total of 14 stations — seven in Puebla, one of the states hit hardest by pipelines thefts, and seven elsewhere in Mexico. The official didn’t say why only seven had been shut down. The thefts were especially brazen, given that the stations were selling fuel stolen from their own supplier. Pemex runs Mexico’s pipelines and supplies the approximately 12,000 official gas stations under a concessionary agreement. Thus, the company knows about how much a station and pump dispatches and whether that matches up with what was supplied. At the 14 stations, the numbers didn’t add up. “They stopped buying (gasoline) and they continued selling it,” said the Pemex official, who was not authorized to be quoted by name. Observers have long said the amount of fuel taken in widespread pipeline thefts is too much to be sold from plastic containers by the side of the road. Many experts have long be-
Eduardo Verdugo / AP
In this 2014 photo, new pipelines to carry gas from Texas to Mexico, eventually reaching the city of Guanajuato, are laid underground near General Bravo, in Nuevo Leon state, Mexico.
lieved some of the gasoline and diesel siphoned off by illegal pipeline taps is being sold to businesses or at gas stations. The phenomenon has become so widespread that officials say entire towns have been involved in protecting fuel thieves or benefiting from the trade. In May, gunmen used residents of a small Puebla town as human shields and opened fire on army patrols investigating pipeline thefts. Four soldiers and six suspected criminals were killed in the clashes. Treasury Secretary Jose Antonio Meade said this week that more than 6,000 illegal pipeline taps had been found in 2016 and officials have been detecting an average of about 20 taps a day this year. Earlier, he
estimated that fuel theft costs the country about $1 billion a year. The closure announcement Thursday was the first significant crackdown on such stations, though at least one station had been detected in the northern city of Monterrey as early as 2012. There have been suggestions before that fuel theft was occurring on an industrial scale in Mexico. In June 2012, the Mexican navy seized a Mexican-flagged ship in the Gulf of Mexico heading toward Honduras with nearly 80,000 gallons (300,000 liters) of stolen diesel aboard, presumably from Pemex. The next month, the navy caught another ship in the Gulf with nearly 106,000 gallons (400,000 liters) of presumably stolen diesel.
MEXICO CITY — A former Roman Catholic priest alleges that Mexico City’s archbishop violated the law by not informing authorities outside the church about at least 15 cases of abusive priests. Alberto Athie says that Cardinal Norberto Rivera first mentioned the cases publicly in December. In defending himself against accusations that he protected abusive priests, Rivera said he had referred at least 15 cases to the Vatican. Athie filed a complaint on Friday with the Attorney General’s Office, saying that Mexican law required such cases also
Marco Ugarte / AP
In this 2014 file photo, former Catholic priest Alberto Athie holds up a book he coauthored during a news conference in Mexico City.
be reported to law enforcement. Archdiocese spokesman Hugo Valdemar said the cases Rivera referenced occurred before the law changed in 2013.
He says that the archdiocese has notified authorities about three cases since then. Athie said he did not know which cases Rivera was referring to.
A6 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
NATIONAL
12-year-old wins national spelling bee By Ben Nuckols A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
OXON HILL, Md. — Ananya Vinay showed little emotion as she plowed through word after mystifying word in the final rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Later, as she stood beside the confetti-covered stage, the newly crowned champion flashed a toothy grin as she inadvertently revealed how much confidence she’d brought to the competition. A Scripps representative told Ananya she’d have to deliver a speech during Friday’s closing ceremonies. That wouldn’t be a problem, Ananya said. She’d written the speech before she arrived at the bee.
“In the last few weeks,” the 12-year-old from Fresno, California, said. “Just to motivate me to study more.” Ananya didn’t come into the bee as the most heralded speller, but she outclassed her betterknown competitors and survived a long duel with 14-year-old Rohan Rajeev to win the 90th Scripps bee on Thursday. She’ll take home more than $40,000 in cash and prizes. Ananya never looked all that impressed by the words she was given. She rarely took even half her allotted 2 minutes to spell. Sometimes she would blurt out questions in a near-monotone — “Part of speech?” “Language of origin?” — and sometimes she didn’t
Parents of disabled child can sue for wrongful birth in Iowa By Ryan J. Foley ASSOCIATED PRE SS Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
Ananya Vinay, 12, from Fresno, California, celebrates with her mother Anu Pama Poliyedathpp, left, and father Vinay Sreekumar, after being presented with a trophy, winning the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Thursday.
even bother. “I knew them all,” Ananya said. She seized the opportunity when Rohan flubbed a simple-looking but obscure Scandinavian-derived word, “marram,” which means a beach grass. She calmly nailed two words in a row, ending on “marocain,” which means a type of dress fabric of ribbed crepe. Ananya’s parents and brother stormed onto the
stage to embrace her as the confetti fell. She took time to console Rohan, who remained in his seat, wiping tears from his eyes. It was the first time since 2013 that the bee declared a sole champion. After three straight years of ties, the bee added a tiebreaker test this year, and it looked like it might come into play as Ananya and Rohan dueled for 21 of the allotted 25 championship rounds.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The parents of a severely disabled child can sue doctors who failed to inform them about fetal abnormalities that, if revealed, would have prompted the mother to have an abortion, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday. The 6-1 ruling marks the first time that a personal injury claim for “wrongful birth” has been recognized in Iowa. The case involves a southeastern Iowa boy born in 2010 with cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and several other impairments that require frequent doctors’ visits in Keokuk and
Iowa City and make it unlikely he’ll ever walk or speak. The boy’s parents allege the mother was assured after an ultrasound during her 22nd week of pregnancy by her doctor that “everything was fine” with the fetus. They claim that, in reality, a radiologist had found that the fetus displayed “head abnormalities” and recommended follow-up; another radiologist didn’t report those findings and instead claimed the head was only slightly smaller than normal. The parents say they were never informed of the problems, which would have led the mother to terminate the pregnancy, and that no further testing was done.
Co-defendant testifies against minister in church abuse case By Mitch Weiss and Jeffrey Collins A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — One of five people charged with trying to beat "homosexual demons" out of a fellow church member in North Carolina testified for prosecutors on Friday, saying she threw the first slap after their minister began the attack. Sarah Anderson took the stand despite defense objections in the trial of Word of Faith minister Brooke Covington. Anderson accused her of starting the confrontation with Matthew Fenner after a January 2013 ser-
vice at the Spindale church. She testified that Covington started pushing Fenner's chest and screaming "Open your heart!" Anderson said she then slapped Fenner in the face, and about 30 church members then joined in, beating, screaming and choking the man for about two hours. Anderson's testimony obviously surprised the minister's lawyers. During opening statements the day before, defense attorney David Teddy said Word of Faith members did not attack Fenner at all. He said they gave him routine
prayer that lasted no longer than 15 to 20 minutes, and that Fenner hugged everyone when it was over. Anderson, 30, left the church in February 2016 after accusing Covington and other church leaders of abusing her 1-year-old son. She said she has made no deal with prosecutors, and gave no reason on the stand why she decided to incriminate herself. She answered their questions in a matter-of-fact, unemotional tone. Anderson was still testifying for the prosecution when the judge took a break for lunch Friday. Covington, 58, faces up
to two years in prison if convicted. She is the first of the five church members charged to face trial. Each defendant will be tried separately. Anderson said church leaders made her a mentor for the 23-year-old Fenner. She testified that in that role, she went to Covington, telling the minister that she thought Fenner had experienced "some kind of sexual sin or thought." Anderson said Covington then confronted Fenner and became the ringleader in the attack. Even after Fenner confessed during the beating to having had homosexual thoughts in a dream,
Kathy Kmonicek / AP
In this photo, Brooke Covington, a member of the Word of Faith Fellowship church in North Carolina, leaves a hearing at Rutherford County Courthouse.
Covington urged them to continue, she testified. "Brooke asked him 'did your body manifest?' which means, did you have an erection? And he said 'yes'," Anderson said. Covington's attorney tried to keep her from
taking the stand, telling the judge that Anderson didn't understand she was exposing herself to legal consequences. But Anderson was allowed to testify after talking to her lawyers, both in the criminal case and a child custody case.
Zfrontera THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, June 3, 2017 |
RIBEREÑA EN BREVE CAMPAMENTO DE VERANO DE TENNIS 1 Hawk Tennis Summer Camp se llevará a cabo del 5 al 8 de junio y del 12 al 15 de junio, de 9 a.m. a 10:30 a.m., para niños desde kinder hasta 9o. grado. Los participantes serán divididos en grupos de principiantes, intermedios y avanzados. Cuota es de 40 dólares y descuentos para hermanos. PROGRAMA DE COMIDA EN VERANO 1 El distrito escolar Zapata Independent School District participa en el Programa de Servicio de Comida en el Verano que se proporciona a todos los menores sin cargo alguno. Las escuelas y lugares participantes son Zapata High School, Zapata Middle School, Fidel & Andrea Villarreal Elementary, Zapata North Elementary, Zapata South Elementary, A.L. Benavides Elementary, Boys and Girls Club of Zapata, Siesta Shores Park, Zapata Community Center y First Baptist Church.
OFICINA DEL ALGUACIL DEL CONDADO DE ZAPATA
HOMICIDIO
Arrestan a supuestos delincuentes
Juicio por muerte de hombre
Por César G. Rodríguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Dos supuestos delicuentes buscados por la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata han sido arrestados esta semana, de acuerdo con autoridades. Osvaldo Valadez, de 31 años, fue arrestado por
agresión, un delito de tercer grado. María Elvira Andrade, de 32 años, Andrade fue arrestada por supuestamente agredir a un familiar, lo cual también es un
delito de tercer grado. Crime Stoppers de Zapata había Valadez anunciado que entregaría una recompensa en efectivo por información anónima sobre el parad-
ero de Valadez y Andrade. Ambos permanecían en prisión el viernes por la noche, de acuerdo con los registros de arrestos. De ser encontrados culpables, ambos enfrentarían condenas de dos a diez años de prisión y una multa de 10.000 dólares.
TAMAULIPAS
POLICÍA ESTATAL ASEGURA ARMAS
CONSULADO MÓVIL 1 El Consulado General de México en Laredo llevará a cabo el Consulado Móvil el 17 de junio en San Diego, Texas, de 8 a.m. a 2 p.m. y en donde se estarán emitiendo pasaportes, matrículas consulares y recepción de documentación INE, en la iglesia St. Francis de Padua, 401 S. Victoria, St. TORNEO DE GOLF 1 Boys and Girls Club of Zapata County invitan al 1er. Torneo de Golf que se llevará a cabo el sábado, 24 de junio en Los Ébanos Golf Course. Registro inicia a las 7 a.m. Para mayores informes contacte a Cipriana GonzálezWells al (956) 8981365. 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. 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.
A7
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Armas largas, cargadores y municiones fueron encontradas en el interior de un bote semi enterrado en un predio baldío de Camargo, México.
Arsenal estaba semi enterrado en lote baldío E SPECIAL PARA TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
CIUDAD VICTORIA, México — Elementos de la Policía Estatal aseguraron cuatro armas largas, dos granadas, cargadores y cartuchos útiles que se encontraban semienterradas en un predio baldío en el municipio de Camargo, informó la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública de Tamaulipas.
El miércoles 31 de mayo a las 3 p.m., efectivos estatales realizaban recorridos de seguridad y vigilancia en la colonia La Misión, por la calle Matamoros en la intersección de Benito Juárez y Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez. Al pasar junto a un terreno abandonado encontraron un bote color azul semienterrado y en su interior había
tres armas largas calibre 7.62 x 39mm; un arma larga calibre 308 con aditamento para lanzar granadas; dos cargadores para arma 7.62 x39mm; un cargador para arma 308; 19 cartuchos hábiles calibre 7.62 x39 mm; 55 cartuchos hábiles calibre 308 y dos granadas calibre 40mm. Tras el hallazgo, los Policías Estatales aseguraron el perímetro para
evitar cualquier agresión, y realizaron recorridos en los alrededores, sin que se lograra ubicar a alguna persona relacionada con los hechos. Las armas, las granadas y municiones fueron puestas a disposición de la Agencia del Ministerio Público de la Federación, instancia que se encargará de emprender las investigaciones correspondientes.
COLUMNA
Tren de Tampico a Monterrey Por Raúl Sinencio Chávez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Introducido por don Benito Juárez, en México el sistema rielero experimenta notable crecimiento durante la dictadura porfiriana. Negocios y política hacen mancuerna, so pretexto de la modernidad. Aprovecha la fórmula el tren que a finales del siglo XIX une el cerro de la Silla con la bocana del río Pánuco. Ya tocaba el sureste tamaulipeco importante ramal. Procedía de la urbe potosina y desde ahí era posible alcanzar el asiento capitalino del país. Inaugurado en 1890, toma 10 años concluir el tramo que atraviesa San Luis Potosí hacia Tampico, puerto marítimo de Tamaulipas, en la margen izquierda del Pánuco.
En términos ferroviarios, Monterrey, Nuevo León, queda comunicado entretanto con la Ciudad de México. La referida línea cierra luego en Nuevo Laredo, fronterizo con EU. El municipio neolaredense –antaño modesto y de escaso censo– deviene promisorio cruce internacional, mientras que la comunidad tampiqueña fortalece su pujanza. Las perspectivas cambian al programarse la ruta entre la Sultana del Norte y Tampico, cuyas flamantes escolleras permiten que enormes trasatlánticos atraquen en los muelles del Pánuco. Hacia 1887 nace la Compañía del Ferrocarril de Monterrey al Golfo. Podría explotar 99 años el servicio, apadrinada por el compadre de Treviño. Ni tardo ni perezo-
so, el otrora presidente de la República Manuel González saca tajada. Aparte de embolsarse los derechos relativos al paso del circuito en ciernes por sus latifundios tamaulipecos, éstos aumentan bastante de valor, con énfasis apreciable en la zona meridional del Estado. Al declinar 1888 arranca el tendido de rieles. Las cuadrillas de la empresa avanzan en tiempo récord. Ingenioso trazo vuelve innecesario abrir túneles o desafiar precipicios en las serranías. Demanda empero la mayor cantidad de puentes que cualquier otro proyecto análogo. Puestos los últimos durmientes en suelo tampiqueño, el 21 de octubre de 1891 está por completo listo dicho enlace, más tarde extendido al de Torreón-Piedras Negras,
Coahuila. Con 18 carros de pasajeros y 594 furgones, abre traslados el así conocido Ferrocarril del Golfo. Remolcan sus convoyes 27 locomotoras. De punta a punta el recorrido dura 15 horas, a partir de las 6:15 de la mañana. Cerca del mediodía hace alto en Ciudad Victoria, capital de Tamaulipas. Industriales de Monterrey en breve contratan vehículos del consorcio para el trasiego de metales fundidos. Los exportan por Tampico a la Unión Americana o el Viejo Continente. De aquel puerto vuelven las unidades repletas de coque y distintos insumos para las plantas siderúrgicas de la rama nuevoleonesa. Si bien en menor grado, Tamaulipas resulta favorecido.
Por Taryn T. Walters TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
El lunes comenzará en Zapata el juicio de un hombre acusado de homicidio culposo por la muerte de un hombre de 20 años en Roma, Texas a finales de enero de 2014. Alexis Abram DíazReyes se enfrenta a un cargo de homicidio culposo en segundo grado por la muerte de Irvin Garza. La acusación en contra de Díaz-Reyes, de 25 años, señala que actuó de manera negligente al apuntar un arma de fuego cargada en la dirección de Garza y actuó negligentemente al disparar el arma, impactando a Garza en la cabeza el 31 de enero de 2014. De ser encontrado culpable, Díaz-Reyes podría ser condenado a cumplir hasta 20 años en prisión. En febrero de 2014, el Departamento de Policía de Roma solicitó la ayuda de la comunidad de Zapata para localizar a Garza, de 20 años, después de su desaparición en el área de Zapata. La policía de Roma dijo que Garza, un residente de Roma, fue dejado en una tienda de conveniencia en Zapata el 30 de enero. Sus familiares reportaron su desaparición el 3 de febrero. Su cuerpo fue encontrado a finales de marzo en un rancho en Bustamante, Texas de acuerdo con la denuncia presentada en el caso. La denuncia establece que un oficial de los Texas Rangers notificó al Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata que un cuerpo, presuntamente el de Garza, había sido abandonado en el rancho por Díaz-Reyes. Reportes judiciales indican que Díaz-Reyes acudió junto con agentes del FBI y oficiales de Texas Rangers al rancho donde el cuerpo fue descubierto. Durante una entrevista grabada en video, Díaz-Reyes supuestamente les dijo a las autoridades que había visto a Garza sacar un revólver cuando observó a un individuo apuntar con un cuchillo a José Guillermo Cantú durante una reunión social. Abandonaron la reunión a bordo de un vehículo Ford Expedition, “Posteriomente Alexis Abram DíazReyes dijo que le había quitado el revólver a Cantú…trató de sacar las municiones y accionó el revólver, impactando a Garza”, establece la denuncia. Además, también se menciona que DíazReyes les dijo a las autoridades que después de deshacerse del cuerpo de Garza en el rancho, “no regresaron a verificar si estaba vivo, al contrario solo dejaron el cuerpo ahí y no reportaron el incidente”.
A8 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
NATIONAL
Kathy Griffin fears her career is over By Frazier Moore and Joseph Longo A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
LOS ANGELES — Embattled comedian Kathy Griffin says she's not afraid of Donald Trump and plans to keep making fun of him but maintained that she's sorry for a video that depicted her holding a likeness of the president's severed, bloody head. At a rambling press conference Friday, Griffin tearfully predicted her career is over and said Trump "broke me." Since the video was posted Tuesday, she has lost her job co-hosting CNN's New Year's Eve special and had five comedy shows canceled. Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Donald Trump Jr. have publicly criticized the video. Griffin, who asserted that she has been contacted by the Secret Service, said the Trumps are "trying to ruin my rights forever." The Secret Service declined comment Friday. "The president, the first lady and the Secret Service have all made very clear their view on those thoughts," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said. Griffin, 56, repeated her claim that the video was a parody, meant as a pointed comeback to Trump's remark last summer that former Fox News Channel personality Megyn Kelly had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of wherever." "I'm not laying down for this guy," she said in one defiant moment. "I'm going to keep making jokes about this guy." Republican Party spokesman Mike Reed called the press conference a "desperate attempt" to change the conversation. "Kathy Griffin's career
Mark J. Terrill / AP
Comedian Kathy Griffin wipes her eyes as she stands with her attorney during a news conference.
was over long before she attempted to make a disgusting joke about decapitating the President," Reed said. "What she did was wrong and President Trump and his family have every right to condemn it." Griffin appeared surprised at the number of cameras and reporters in a packed conference room at her lawyer's office, her hands shaking at one point when she took a sip of water. She switched between contriteness to combativeness during the press conference, during which she attempted several nervous jokes that drew laughs mostly from her attorney, Lisa Bloom. Bloom said the comedian has a First Amendment right to make fun of the president. "Whether or not you get, or like, her artistic expression, in America, Kathy has the right to parody the president," Bloom said. "She never imagined it would be misinterpreted as a threat of violence against Trump." Bloom, a former truTV anchor and lawyer Gloria Allred's daughter, has represented Wendy Walsh, who has accused former Fox News Channel personality Bill O'Reilly of hurting her career after she spurned his advances. O'Reilly has denied the accusations Backlash against Griffin has continued to grow. Griffin said five of her
performances have been canceled this week. Venues in New Jersey, New York, New Mexico and Pennsylvania canceled upcoming shows. The Community Arts Theater in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, posted on its website that the show had been dropped "due to the recent controversy surrounding Kathy Griffin and the concern for the safety and security of our patrons and staff." Sen. Al Franken also dis-invited Griffin from an event promoting his new book, "Giant of the Senate." "After hearing from many Minnesotans who were rightfully offended, I've come to the conclusion that it would be best for her not to participate in the event we had previously scheduled," the Minnesota Democrat said Thursday, a day after he had said she was still welcome. "I understand why Minnesotans were upset by this, and I take that very seriously." He said what Griffin did "was inappropriate and not something that should be anywhere in our national discourse." An endorsement deal with Squatty Potty also ended. Though Griffin apologize, they were met with swift and widespread condemnation. Trump later tweeted that Griffin "should be ashamed of herself" for posting the images.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, June 3, 2017 |
A9
BUSINESS
Frozen tuna recalled after positive hepatitis A testing ASSOCIATED PRE SS
OKLAHOMA CITY — Some imported frozen tuna cubes and steaks are being recalled after testing showed they could be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Hawaii-based Hilo Fish Company told the agency in May it had recalled
yellowfin tuna that tested positive for the virus. Hilo says the fish was sourced from Sustainable Seafood Company in Vietnam and Santa Cruz Seafood Inc. in the Philippines. Some products were distributed to retail locations and restaurants in California, Texas and Oklahoma. The FDA said Thursday no reports of illness
have been linked to the tuna. Hilo Fish Company’s recalled products include 8-ounce steaks with label code 627152, and tuna cubes in 15-pound cases with label code 705342. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hepatitis A is a liver disease that can be transmitted through food or skin-to-skin contact.
Matt Rourke / AP
In this March 23 file photo, workers manufacture thermal protection systems for NASA at Bally Ribbon Mills in Bally, Pennsylvania.
Jobs data could signal shortage of qualified workers By Josh Boak A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — Are employers starting to run out of workers to hire? A hiring pullback reported in Friday's U.S. jobs data for May raises that prospect. The economy added just 138,000 jobs, which was still high enough to help cut the unemployment rate to a 16-year low of 4.3 percent. With the recovery from the Great Recession having reached its eighth year, hiring is gradually weakening. "It's definitely becoming an increasing problem for businesses — finding qualified workers," said Stephen Stanley, chief economist at Amherst Pierpont Securities. "The pool has diminished considerably." Not only did employers slow their hiring during May. The government also revised downward its estimate of job growth in March and April by a combined 66,000. Monthly gains have averaged 121,000 the past three months, compared with 181,000 over the past 12 months. As recently as 2015, job growth averaged 226,000 a month. Companies are now choosing from among a smaller pool of applicants, especially for those who have the education or skills they
need. "Given reports that job openings are near alltime highs, it suggests that businesses are struggling to fill these positions," said Beth Ann Bovino, U.S. chief economist for S&P Global Ratings. For now, most analysts think job growth remains solid enough for the Federal Reserve to feel confident about raising interest rates again when it meets in two weeks. One unusual characteristic of today's job market is that the unemployment rate keeps falling even as hiring has slowed. Economists say the main reason is that the proportion of adults who either have a job or are looking or one has remained unusually low. Once people stop looking for a job, they're no longer counted as unemployed. Contributing to the trend has been the continuing retirements of America's vast generation of baby boomers. In addition, companies are increasingly seeking workers with college degrees or specialized know-how — construction experience, for example, or a background in machine automation. As they do, the lessqualified are finding it harder to land work, and some have grown discouraged and given up their searches.
"After the recession, we saw employers hire people with higher levels of qualifications, and it seems like that habit has stuck through the recovery," said Cathy Barrera, chief economic adviser at the jobs firm ZipRecruiter. Historically, declining unemployment tends to lead to strong pay raises. So far, that hasn't happened broadly across the economy. Average hourly earnings have risen a middling 2.5 percent over the past year. There were some bright spots in May's jobs report that reflect an economy that continues to run neither too hot nor too cold, with economic growth holding at a tepid 2 percent annual rate. Few foresee another downturn looming, in part because the recovery from the recession has been steady but grinding, and there's been little sign of the sort of overheated pressures that normally trigger a slump. Food services added 30,300 jobs last month, health care 24,300. Construction added 11,000. As energy prices stabilize somewhat, the mining sector added 6,600 jobs. But governments shed 9,000 workers, with the losses concentrated at the state and local level. And manufacturers let go of 1,000. Retailers cut 6,100 jobs.
Mark Lennihan / AP
This 2013 file photo shows the Chrome logo displayed at a Google event, in New York.
Google's Chrome browser to block some ads soon By Tali Arbel ASSOCIATED PRE SS
NEW YORK — Websites that run annoying ads such as pop-ups may find all ads blocked by Google's Chrome browser starting next year. The digital-ad giant's announcement comes as hundreds of millions of internet users have already installed ad blockers on their desktop computers and phones to combat ads that track them and make browsing sites difficult. These blockers threaten websites that rely on digital ads for revenue. Google's version will allow ads as long as websites follow industrycreated guidelines and minimize certain types of ads that consumers really hate. That includes pop-up ads, huge ads that don't go away when visitors scroll down a page and video ads that start playing automatically with the sound on. Google says the feature will be turned on by default, and users can turn it off. It'll work on both the desktop and mobile versions of Chrome. Google says that even ads it sells will be blocked on websites that
don't get rid of annoying types of ads. But there might not be vast changes online triggered by the popular browser's efforts. It's a "small number of websites that are disproportionately responsible for annoying user experiences," Google spokeswoman Suzanne Blackburn said. "I'm sure there are some publishers who will get hurt," said Brian Wieser, an ad analyst with Pivotal Research Group. But in the long term, he says, cracking down on irritating ads should make the internet experience better, encouraging people to visit sites and click on links. That, in turn, benefits Google. The company is also starting a program that could help publishers deal with users who have downloaded popular ad blockers. Some individual websites have come up with their own countermeasures. Forbes.com, for example, won't let you read stories without disabling your ad blocker or logging in with Facebook or Google accounts, so the site can track you. Google would work with websites to set up messages telling users to disable their blockers for
the site or pay for a version of it with no ads. It'll take a 10 percent cut of those payments. To protect its ad business, Google has tried to improve user experiences in other ways. It launched a way for websites to load faster on phones. And it used its sway as the dominant search engine to push companies to make their sites mobile-friendly. Such sites show up higher in mobile searches. Google also has tried to address advertisers' concerns about their ads running next to offensive content by banning its ads from some objectionable videos on YouTube, like those that promote discrimination or advocate illegal drug use. Google also won't place its ads on web pages with objectionable content — porn, for example, and or sites that promote suicide or violence. Facebook, too, is trying to make links from inside its universe less spammy for users. It says it's trying to cut down on posts and ads in the news feed that lead to junky pages with "little substantive content" and "disruptive, shocking or malicious ads."
A10 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
FROM THE COVER SUPREME From page A1 The administration is banking on being able to persuade at least five justices, a majority of the nine-member court, that they should defer to the president's considerable authority over immigration and his responsibility for keeping the nation safe. Trump determined that a 90-day pause on visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen is needed to "safeguard national security," acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall wrote in the Justice Department's filings. "The courts below openly second-guessed the president's finding that those conditions and risks provided the basis for ... (the) temporary pause," Wall wrote. The administration also wants to halt the U.S. refugee program for 120 days. Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said the justices shouldn't disturb court rulings that are keeping the travel ban on hold. "The gov-
SUSPECT From page A1 locating a Garza, 20, after he went missing in the Zapata area. Roma police said Garza, a Roma resident, was dropped off at a convenience store in Zapata on Jan. 30. Relatives of Garza reported him missing Feb. 3. His body was found in late March at a ranch in Bustamante, Texas, according to a complaint filed in the case. The complaint states a Texas ranger notified the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office that a body, presumed be Garza, had been left at the ranch by Diaz-Reyes. Reports state Diaz-Reyes went with FBI agents and Texas Rangers to the ranch where the body was discovered. During a video-recorded interview, Diaz allegedly told
ernment has not set forth any justification for a stay," Jadwat said, using the legal term by which the Supreme Court would block lower court rulings. The administration's Supreme Court filings reflect many of the same arguments that its lawyers have made in the lower courts, including their view that statements President Donald Trump made as a candidate — before he took the presidential oath — should not be considered. Both the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and a federal judge in Hawaii cited Trump's campaign comments as evidence that religious prejudice undergirds the travel ban. Those court orders blocking the ban are the subject of the administration's plea to the Supreme Court. Trump's recent speech to Middle East leaders in Saudi Arabia provides more evidence that Trump's policy was not motivated by antiMuslim prejudice because the president explicitly said the fight against terrorism "'is not a battle between different faiths,'" Wall wrote.
authorities he witnessed Garza pull out a revolver when he observed an individual at a get-together pointing a knife at Jose Guillermo Cantu. Leaving the gathering in a Ford Expedition, “Alexis Abram Diaz-Reyes went on to say that then he took away the revolver from Cantu … attempted to remove the rounds and that the revolver went off, striking Garza,” the complaint states. It futher states that DiazReyes told authorities that after disposing of Garza’s body at the ranch, “they did not return to check if he was alive, rather they just left the body there and did not report the incident.” If convicted, Diaz-Reyes faces up to 20 years in prison. Taryn Walters may be reached at 956-728-2528 or twalters@lmtonline.com.
CLIMATE From page A1 said. Conway made similar remarks in an interview on Fox News, citing "fairness" to American workers and businesses. White House talking points on the decision sent to Republican lawmakers Thursday and obtained by The Associated Press made similar arguments. Scientists say Earth is likely to reach more dangerous levels of warming sooner as a result of the president's decision because America's pollution contributes so much to rising temperatures. Calculations suggest withdrawal from the Paris accord could result in emissions of up to 3 billion tons of additional carbon dioxide a year — enough to melt ice sheets faster, raise seas higher and trigger more extreme weather. While Trump and Pence have suggested the possibility of renegotiating the agreement, the leaders of Italy, Germany and France have said that won't happen. Germany's environment minister told reporters Friday "there will be no new deal with the United States" on climate change and predicted global climate will "survive" Trump's maximum presidential term of eight years. Barbara Hendricks said other countries will fill the leadership void left by the United States but none will be expected to make up the shortfall in emissions reductions caused by Washington's exit. A top European Union official said the EU and China believe Trump made a grievous error. Standing along-
side Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, EU Council President Donald Tusk said Friday, "We are convinced that yesterday's decision by the United States to leave the Paris agreement is a big mistake." Meanwhile, African nations are protesting Trump's decision. South Africa's government calls the U.S. pullout "an abdication of global responsibility." In announcing his decision, Trump said he was "elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." By abandoning the world's chief effort to slow the tide of planetary warming, Trump was fulfilling a top campaign pledge after weeks of building up suspense over his decision. The White House indicated it would follow the lengthy exit process outlined in the deal. That means the U.S. would remain in the agreement, at least formally, for another three-and-a-half years, ensuring the issue remains alive in the next presidential election. However, Trump declared, emphasizing every word: "As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the nonbinding Paris accord." He is breaking from many of America's staunchest allies, who have expressed alarm about the decision. Several of his top aides also opposed the action, including his daughter, Ivanka Trump. Under former President Barack Obama, the U.S. had agreed under the accord to reduce polluting emissions by more than a quarter below 2005 levels by 2025. But the national targets are
voluntary, leaving room for the U.S. and the nearly 200 other countries in the agreement to alter their commitments. But the national targets are voluntary, leaving room for the U.S. and the nearly 200 other countries in the agreement to alter their commitments. At home, the U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly opposed the decision and said the nation's mayors will continue efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. Responding to Trump's pointing to his city, Pittsburgh, Mayor Bill Peduto called the decision "disastrous for our planet, for cities such as Pittsburgh," and a step that "has made America weaker and the world less safe." In a rare statement on his successor's policies, Obama said: "Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future, I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got." The immediate impact of Trump's move could be largely symbolic. The White House said the U.S. will stop contributing to the United Nations Green Climate Fund and will stop reporting carbon data as required by the Paris accord, although domestic regulations require that reporting anyway. The decision has no direct impact on major U.S. regulations on power plants and car rules currently aimed at reducing carbon emissions, al-
though those are currently under review by Trump as well. "This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States," Trump said. Congressional Republicans applauded the decision, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky saying Trump had "put families and jobs ahead of left-wing ideology and should be commended." But House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California called it "a stunning abdication of American leadership and a grave threat to our planet's future." Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who had urged Trump to stay in the Paris deal, did not attend the ceremony, nor did Trump's sonin-law Jared Kushner and his wife, Ivanka, both close advisers to the president who supported staying in the agreement. A White House official said the couple instead attended service at synagogue for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Business investors seemed pleased, with stock prices, already up for the day, bumping higher as he spoke and the Dow Jones industrial average rising 135 points for the day. The U.S. is the world's second-largest emitter of carbon, following only China. Beijing, however, has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its targets under the Paris accord, recently canceling construction of about 100 coal-fired power plants and investing billions in massive wind and solar projects.
Sports&Outdoors THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, June 3, 2017 |
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: ZAPATA HAWKS
Hinkel highlights Hawks’ honors as MVP
B1
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: HOUSTON TEXANS
TEXANS SIGNING LB SIO MOORE
Alvarez named Coach of the Year By Jason Mack LA R ED O MORNI NG T IME S
After winning the District 32-4A title this season, Zapata took home the top honors in the All-District awards led by Kris Hinkel as the Most Valuable Player. Rene Eli Alvarez was named the Coach of the Year after leading Hin-
kel and the rest of the Hawks to a 12-2 mark in District 32-4A and a 21-12 record overall. Zapata advanced to the regional quarterfinals before falling in three games against Sinton. Pitcher Javier Flores and outfieldHawks continues on B2
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: TEXAS RANGERS
Ben Margot / Associated Press file
Veteran linebacker Sio Moore signed with Houston on Sunday making the Texans his fifth team in as many seasons.
Richard W. Rodriguez / Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Two days after allowing a pair of home runs in the 10th inning, Sam Dyson was designated for assignment by the Rangers.
Houston waives LB Max Bullough By Aaron Wilson
Former Rangers closer Dyson designated for assignment By Stephen Hawkins A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
ARLINGTON, Texas — Sam Dyson has been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers after the latest
loss by their former closer. Texas made the move before Friday’s series opener against Houston, two days after Dyson gave up two home runs and three
runs in the 10th inning of a loss to Tampa Bay. It was the sixth loss of the season for Dyson. The right-hander was removed from the closer role in early May, Rangers continues on B2
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
V
eteran linebacker Sio Moore is being signed by the Texans as a free agent after the AFC South champions cut inside linebacker Max Bullough on Friday, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly. The Texans are also signing wide receiver Dres Anderson, the son of former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Flipper Anderson. Moore and Anderson worked out for the Texans on Friday. Bullough was released Friday. He's suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy.
Moore is a former Oakland Raiders thirdround draft pick from Connecticut. Moore, 27, has also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals. At 6-1, 245 pounds, Moore has run the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds and posted a 38-inch vertical leap. A former All-Big East Conference selection, Moore played in the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine all-star games. Moore had two sacks as a rookie against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two years later, he was traded to the Colts for a sixth-round draft pick. He played for the Cardinals last season and had 35 tackles and two forced fumbles in four games and three starts. For his career, Moore has 218 tackles, four forced fumbles and 7 1/2 sacks. After cutting wide receiver Keith Mumphery in the wake of him being expelled from Michigan State for a sexual misconduct violation, the Texans worked out wide receivers on Friday. That included Anderson and former Texans continues on B2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: DALLAS COWBOYS
Dez Bryant ready for special season By Clarence E. Hill Jr. FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Max Faulkner / Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant logged nine catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns in a divisional playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers last season.
FRISCO, Texas — Excuse Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant for being a little nostalgic and saying a little too much after practice Wednesday. Newly crowned Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato made an appearance at the Cowboys headquarters at the Star in Frisco and Bryant revealed the fastest he’s ever clocked on the speedometer, "back in his heyday." Just know he hesitated. At first. "I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna say it. You
know, I just - I don’t do it anymore," Bryant said with a sheepish grin. "When I first got my license, I got it suspended for a year because I was going a little bit too fast, if you know. The fastest I have been, I have gone probably about 180." It was in his Bentley and he was pulled over by police, but surprisingly didn’t get a ticket. "When I got pulled over it was pretty cool," Bryant said. "The cop said ’I couldn’t catch you. I had to turn my lights off to get up with you.’ He didn’t give me a ticket. He thought it was pretty cool, too. It was good. He was a good sport." After being questioned about
it on Twitter for admitting such reckless behavior, Bryant responded by noting it was in the past. And there ended the first so-called off-field controversy involving Bryant this offseason - save for a few posts about personal accountability within the African-American race. It’s speaks to Bryant’s maturity, focus and motivation at the age of 28, heading into his eighth season as healthy as he’s been in three years and excited about being on the best team of his career. The younger Bryant, who got caught in battles with rapper Lil Wayne, who was banned from
B2 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SPORTS
Heat receive favorable medical ruling to clear Chris Bosh’s salary By Ira Winderman SUN S ENT I NE L
MIAMI — A medical review by the NBA and the players’ union has agreed with the Miami Heat’s position that Chris Bosh has suffered a careerending illness, the Sun Sentinel has confirmed with parties involved with the process. The medical ruling was sought because of the unique circumstances of the case with Bosh, who sat out this past season following a failed preseason physical, after missing the second half of each of the previous two seasons due to blood clots. The ruling leaves only the formality of the team placing the former All-Star forward on waivers to remove Bosh, 33, from their salary cap. The Heat have put off that maneuver until such salary-cap space is required, either for a possible trade at or near the June 22 NBA draft or the July 1 start of NBA free agency. Bosh is guaranteed his remaining $25.3 million salary for 2017-18 and $26.8 million salary for 2018-19, much of it covered by insurance. Once the formal application for waivers is made by the Heat, the team will immediately drop below the salary cap. The Heat will have about $37 million in salary-cap space available at the
COWBOYS From page B1 the North Park Center for sagging pants and had the domestic issue with his mom among other things, is now gone. This Bryant doesn’t go out as much and his Instagram and Twitter timelines are no longer dotted with parties. "I think that is just things that naturally happen over time," Bryant said. "You just start putting things in perspective. All I want to do is be better. You have to go until you can’t go anymore." Bryant’s passion and honesty is what makes him who he is. That’s why he couldn’t hold back about his fast driving. His revelations have gotten him in trouble at times, but it’s why his teammates and coaches continue to stand by him and support him. Coach Jason Garrett said Bryant has grown and matured, like every player does. He knows how to be a professional now and manage better the things in his life. Garrett said the personal relationship he has with Bryant through all their experiences has made his own life better. "I just think we’re closer and closer," Garrett said of his relationship with Bryant. "Dez is such a relational type person. He really loves people, he loves his teammates, he loves his coaches, he loves being around this place. That’s why everyone is so drawn to him. I think that has deepened our relationship. It’s made it a more intimate relationship in such a positive way. He certainly makes my life better." Bryant has shown that passion and growth this
July 1 start of free agency with Bosh’s salary off their cap. The ruling is largely a salarycap mechanism that allows the Heat to enter free agency unencumbered by the possibility of Bosh’s salary returning to their payroll. Bosh nonetheless could return to the league at any time, provided he presents medical evidence of fitness that meets league approval. League executives, however, have indicated a reluctance to take on such a risk, with the medical ruling likely hardening that stance. Unlike the NBA collectivebargaining agreement that expires on June 30, the new agreement does not create the risk of Bosh’s salary returning to the Heat’s salary cap and luxury tax, even if Bosh should return during the remaining two seasons of his contract. Bosh will be waived through traditional waivers, but any team that makes a claim would not be eligible for similar salarycap relief. According to the new collective-bargaining agreement, "A player shall be deemed to have suffered a career-ending injury or illness if it is determined (i) by a such physician or Fitness to Play Panel that the player has an injury or illness that (x) prevents him from playing skilled professional basketball at an NBA level for the duration of his career, or (y) substantially im-
offseason with his attitude and presence in practice since the end of the 2016 season. He has bonded with quarterback Dak Prescott through daily sessions. "I have seen a motivated, hungry go-getter in Dez," Prescott said. "I’m so excited for what he can do this year and how he has handled it all the way back to March." This is his Bryant’s first full and healthy offseason since 2014 because of a contract dispute before the 2015 season and rehabbing from foot surgery last year. And after catching at least 88 passes a season from 2012-2014, Bryant caught a combined 81 passes the past two seasons because of injuries. But he ended last season on a hot streak, including nine catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns in a divisional playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. Bryant plans to build on that this season and regain his place as one of the league’s best receivers. "The way that I feel now, I’m not dealing with really anything," Bryant said. "I feel damn good. I know once I’m 100 (percent), I’m hard to deal with." But it’s not a personal thing with Bryant, it’s about the team. He said this is the best Cowboys team he’s ever played on and can’t wait until the start of training camp with the hopes of going a step further than last year, possibly reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995. "I’ve never been (more) ready for training camp," Bryant said. "I’m ready to lead. I’m ready to get back and I’m ready for the season to start. I’m praying every day. I just want me, this whole team, to be injury-free just because we got something special. The sky can be the limit for us."
RANGERS From page B1 and has blown all four of his save chances this season. “Just hasn’t been able to kind of get back to where he’s capable of,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “Disappointment on that level that we couldn’t do that. At the same time, you just can’t hide that on a competitive club very long.” The Rangers reinstated reliever Jose Leclerc from the disabled list. He missed three weeks with a bruised finger.
pairs his ability to play skilled professional basketball at an NBA level and is of such severity that continuing to play professional basketball at an NBA level would subject the player to medically unacceptable risk of suffering a life-threatening or permanently disabling injury or illness, or (ii) by such Fitness to Play Panel that the player has an injury or illness that would create a materially elevated risk of death for the player." Although a fitness panel eventually will decide such matters, a party involved with the ruling said Friday that individual doctor was utilized with the Bosh case. Due to the timing of Bosh’s episodes during the negotiations for the new CBA, his case was specifically addressed with the league creating oversight for both cardiac illnesses and conditions, as well as for blood clots and other blood conditions and disorders. Under league rules, Bosh had to make his medical records available, with the doctor then determining whether an inperson physical also was required. The Heat had the right to apply to exclude Bosh’s salary from their salary cap as soon as Feb. 9, the one-year anniversary from his last game played, but by working with the league, Bosh and the players’ associa-
Hector Gabino / El Nuevo Herald file
The Heat are expected to have approximately $37 million in cap space available when free agency begins after receiving a favorable ruling Friday on the medical issues with Chris Bosh.
the close of the season, after the Heat finished 41-41 and failed to make the playoffs for the second time in the three series Bosh has been sidelined, that the parties were working toward a resolution. "Look," Riley said, "there isn’t anybody in this organization that feels worse for C.B. than I do. It got a little sideways at the end because of feelings and things of that nature."
tion were able to reach an agreement that did not run the risk of Bosh’s salary-cap hit resurfacing on the team’s books should he return to the NBA at a later date. Bosh is under the NBA-maximum contract he signed in the 2014 offseason in the immediate wake of LeBron James’ freeagency departure to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Heat President Riley hinted at
Beamer, Brown debut on College Football Hall of Fame ballot ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News file
Former Texas football head coach Mack Brown will be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot this year.
IRVING, Texas — Longtime Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and former Texas coach Mack Brown, along with former players Charles Woodson, Ed Reed and Calvin Johnson, are among those making their first appearance on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot this year. The ballot released Thursday by the National Football Foundation includes 75 players and six coaches who competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA. An additional 98 players and 31 coaches from lower divisions and NAIA are also up for consideration. Beamer coached Virginia Tech from 1987-2015 and won 238 games.
TEXANS From page B1
HAWKS From page B1
Chargers wide receiver Javontee Herndon. Anderson played collegiately at Utah where he caught 134 passes for 2,077 yards and 17 touchdowns. Anderson went undrafted due to a knee injury. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers and spent time on their practice squad. He was with the Chicago Bears on their practice squad last season and offseason roster this year before being cut on May 1.
er Carlos Gutierrez were named to the first team. The Hawks also had four second-team honorees with catcher J.J. Vela, first baseman Ryan King, second baseman Rene Garcia and outfielder Mario Landa. Earning selections on the honorable mention team were third baseman and designated hitter Ryan Guerra, outfielder Carlos Ramirez, shortstop Noe Lopez, designated hitter Louie
Hard-throwing Matt Bush is now the Rangers closer, with six saves and a 1.37 ERA in 20 appearances. Bush did have a blown save after giving up a tying homer in the ninth inning against the Rays on Wednesday night. Dyson had 38 saves last season when Texas won its second consecutive AL West title. He was then a key reliever for Team USA when it won the World Baseball Classic in March, but is 1-6 with a 10.80 ERA in 17 appearances for the Rangers this season. Daniels anticipates being
able to work out a deal to trade Dyson, but said there wasn’t anything pending yet. Texas has 10 days to trade, release or outright Dyson to the minors, though he could refuse an assignment to the minors and become a free agent if he clears waivers. The Rangers informed Dyson of their decision after Wednesday night’s loss to the Rays. His locker had been cleared out before Friday’s game, the opener of a three-game series against the AL West-leading Astros who are 12 games ahead in the division.
Brown won 158 games in 15 seasons with Texas, including a national title in 2005. The newest Hall of Fame class will be announced Jan. 8 in Atlanta, the site of the College Football Playoff championship game. Woodson played defensive back and returned punts for Michigan, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1997. Reed was a star safety on Miami’s 2001 national championship team. Johnson was an All-America receiver for Georgia Tech. Notable players who have been up for consideration previously are Miami stars Warren Sapp and Ray Lewis, Eric Dickerson of SMU and Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch, who won the 2001 Heisman Trophy.
Lopez and courtesy runner Rigo Sendejo. Zapata had 17 players named to the All-Academic team including Hinkel, Flores, Gutierrez, King, Garcia, Landa, Guerra, Ramirez, Noe Lopez, Louie Lopez and Sendejo. They were joined by Eddie Garcia, Role Gutierrez, J.D. Guerra, Carlos Flores, C.J. Garcia and Danny Bautista. Follow @JMackLMT on Twitter for the latest news on high school athletics and other local sports. Email: JMack@LMTOnline.com
“Less than two months ago, he’s mowing through All-Star lineups — Puerto Rico, Dominican and Venezuela — at the WBC,” Daniels said. “I expect he’s going to help somebody else. Wish we would have been able to help him figure it out sooner so that it could have been us. It’s not, so we made the decision to move on.” While Dyson’s velocity has still been in the mid-90s this season, there have been apparent struggles in getting the sinking movement that helped him succeed. Daniels said the pitcher is
healthy. And when Dyson struck out three in 1 2-3 innings at Detroit less than two weeks ago, Daniels thought the pitcher might have crossed a hurdle. The Rangers acquired Dyson at the non-waiver trade deadline in 2015, getting him from the Miami Marlins for two minor league prospects. Dyson took over as the Rangers closer early in the 2016 season when Shawn Tolleson, who had 35 saves in 2015, struggled early. Tolleson had taken over as the closer in the first part of 2015 after Neftali Feliz faltered in that role.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Saturday, June 3, 2017 |
Dear Heloise: We are getting ready to SELL OUR HOME, and first impressions count, right? We decided to upgrade its "curb appeal." There are lots of small details of the house and front yard that we focused on to get the whole house looking great. Here are some ideas we used: • Pink flamingos and other yard art are tacky and do not appeal to the general public. Dump 'em. • Lighting is critical. Lights not only brighten the house, but add to safety. Low lighting can create a dangerous walking situation at night. • The lawn absolutely must be pristine, trimmed neatly, lush and green, flowers planted evenly, and trees should be cut back away from the house, but they should not look raw. • Crisp new paint on the front door is an eyecatcher. • New house numbers look great, and also are
necessary for guests and emergency personnel to find you. • Power-washing the driveway and sidewalk eliminates years of grime, can reduce oil spots and generally makes things sparkle. Ask your Realtor for more hints and ideas to boost your home's curb appeal. These hints helped us tremendously, and made the sale of the property quicker and easier. -- Brenda and Dan in Dallas LOSE THE WRINKLE Dear Readers: Got a deep wrinkle on clothes that you want to banish quickly? Sponge on some white vinegar, use a pressing cloth and press with a warm iron. Voila! Like magic, it's gone! -Heloise
B3
B4 | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SPORTS
All so difficult for Djokovic, easy for Nadal at French Open By Howard Fendrich A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
PARIS — From a tiff with the chair umpire to the big deficit he created and then needed to overcome in a steady rain, Novak Djokovic had an all-around difficult day at the French Open. Rafael Nadal’s journey to the fourth round, in contrast, could hardly have been easier. Indeed, his 100th best-of-five-set match on clay was also the most lopsided. The stark numbers on the scoreboards at Court Philippe Chatrier revealed plenty about how differently things went in the back-to-back contests Friday for defending champion Djokovic and nine-time champion Nadal. First up in the main stadium at Roland Garros was Nadal, who won 82 points and conceded merely 36 in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 victory over 63rdranked Nikoloz Basilashvili. “The score is quite embarrassing, you know,” Basilashvili acknowledged, “but I have to accept it.” Djokovic followed in the main stadium and found himself in quite a bit of trouble right away against 41st-ranked Diego Schwartzman before emerging to win 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. While it took Basilashvili 12 games and 49 min-
Ramos interrupted announcing a code violation warning. Djokovic walked over and barked: “What’s wrong with you? What did I say? What did I say? What did I say? Why did you give me warning? What, do you understand Serbian?”
utes just to claim a single game — which spectators greeted with a roar as he stood motionless and straight-faced — Schwartzman not only took the second game of his match against Djokovic, he grabbed the opening set, too. And then the third, to go up by two sets to one. Schwartzman played well during that stretch, to be sure, but the No. 2-seeded Djokovic’s biggest problem was himself. He wound up with 55 unforced errors to 43
Christophe Simon / Getty Images
Novak Djokovic needed all five sets Friday beating Diego Schwartzman 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the third round of the French Open.
winners, and all sorts of issues on his backhand wing, which produced 33 of those miscues, all under the watchful eye of new coach Andre Agassi. Djokovic, who completed a career Grand Slam a year ago in Paris, eventually managed to figure out how to steady his game, if not his demeanor. As Schwartzman became less proficient and complained about issues in his right hip area — a trainer came out and gave him a massage during a changeover late in the final set — Djokovic became more assertive and more accurate. Still, there were distractions. In the fourth set, with Djokovic leading 4-0 and serving at 30-all, he was given a fault by chair umpire Carlos Ramos for
multiple time violations. After the ensuing point, Djokovic stared in Ramos’ direction. Moments later, just about to face a break point, Djokovic yelled at himself, mostly in Serbian. Then, facing Ramos, Djokovic briefly lifted his racket overhead, before using it to flip a ball backward toward a ball boy. That’s when Ramos interrupted, announcing a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. Djokovic walked over and barked: “What’s wrong with you? What did I say? What did I say? What did I say? Why did you give me warning? What, do you understand Serbian?” Ramos had trouble getting a word in edgewise, but he responded: “Because of what you
did. The gesture you made with the racket. This is not acceptable.” Djokovic: “Did I hit the ball in your direction?” Ramos: “No, you did not.” Djokovic: “Did I hit it? Why did you give me a warning?” Ramos: “Because of your attitude.” Djokovic: “What attitude, man?” When play resumed, Djokovic missed a forehand to drop that game. He would win 8 of 9 games the rest of the way. Elsewhere on Day 6 at Roland Garros, 10thseeded David Goffin stopped playing after turning his ankle when he tripped on a tarp at the back of the court in the first set against Horacio Zeballos; No. 5 Milos
Raonic advanced when his opponent, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, quit because of a left thigh injury; No. 20 Pablo Carreno Busta eliminated No. 11 Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 6-3, 6-4; and No. 6 Dominic Thiem was a 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3 winner against No. 25 Steve Johnson, an American who generated sympathy from fans and foes as he displayed raw emotion while competing just weeks after the death of his father. In women’s play, defending champion Garbine Muguruza beat No. 27 Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 6-2, and a couple of unseeded Americans lost to seeded opponents: No. 13 Kristina Mladenovic edged Shelby Rogers 7-5, 4-6, 8-6, while No. 23 Sam Stosur eliminated qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-2, 6-2.