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New D.A. School eyes top ranking is sworn in By TARYN WHITE
THE ZAPATA TIMES
By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES
Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz only ever considered running for one public office: District Attorney for Webb and Zapata counties. On Jan. 1, the 40-year-old Alaniz stood before supporters and politicos to take the oath of office for his new position from state Rep. Richard Peña Raymond. Alaniz has a history as a criminal defense lawyer and assistant district attorney under former Joe Rubio, the former district attorney who chose not to run for reelection after 20 years in office. “New Year’s is a time we reflect, and make some of the
ALANIZ
changes we want to make,” said Marisela Salinas Jacaman, who served as the master of ceremonies for Alaniz’s inauguration on
New Year’s Day. Rubio was also at Alaniz’s inauguration to see the new blood accept the position. When Rubio stood up to be acknowledged, the crowd exploded into cheers. Many other local officials also showed their faces at Alaniz’s inauguration. Representatives of
See ALANIZ | PAGE 10A
Zapata County Independent School District continues to strive toward recognition and closing the gap between “special needs” students, which at Zapata CISD are students struggling to speak English as well as students who are excelling. During the Zapata CISD board’s December meeting, trustees examined how far the district will need to go to be considered recognized. Based on results of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), a campus is determined to be exemplary, recognized, academically acceptable or academically unacceptable. Currently, A.L. Benavides and Zapata South Elementary Schools are the only two recog-
“Being recognized is saying that we are successfully addressing all of the needs of each of our students. There is a prestige that comes with it, but it is not only about that.” ZCISD ROMEO RODRIGUEZ
nized campuses in the district. According to Superintendent Romeo Rodriguez, Villarreal Elementary School was almost recognized but missed the honor by only one student. Rodriguez said the validation that comes with being considered a recognized district is only an afterthought to what being recognized really means. “Being recognized is saying
that we are successfully addressing all of the needs of each of our students,” Rodriguez said. “There is a prestige that comes with it, but it is not only about that.” The superintendent said at the next board meeting, scheduled for Jan. 13, trustees will hear and discuss details about “Operation Graduation.” Operation Graduation is a detailed plan of action that Ro-
driguez is hoping will boost Zapata CISD up to a recognized district. “Pretty much all the schools have to be recognized for the district to be recognized,” Rodriguez said. In Operation Graduation, Rodriguez wants to give more attention to students who have trouble speaking English by implementing tutoring and smaller class sizes in an effort to improve TAKS scores. Rodriguez said he also plans to spend more personal time in classrooms to monitor and help teachers excel in their strengths and improve on their weaknesses. Within the next year and a half, Rodriguez is confident every school at Zapata CISD will be at a recognized status. (Taryn White my be reached at 728-2568 or at twhite@lmtonline.com)
SAN YGNACIO HOLDS ANNUAL HOMES TOUR By MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV
of fascinating family memorabilia, including furniture, decorations, photographs and kitchenware.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
AN YGNACIO — This historic town in Zapata County has numerous beautiful homes dating back to the 1800s, structures that are in excellent condition and continue to be home to descendants of area founders. Every December, there’s a special tour where the owners of several of these landmark homes open their doors to the public, showcasing their holiday finery and displaying a variety
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The program The program, sponsored by philanthropist Adrian Martinez and benefiting Benavides Elementary School, has been conducted for 20 years. As revelers enjoy the tour, the very essence of the founders seems to be a vibrant, living thing. Many of the historic items used by ancestors that are on dis-
play are actually still being used today. This year’s tour featured a Catholic church — Nuestra Señora del Refugio — and the Plaza Blas Maria Uribe, as well as the homes. The interior is constructed with sandstone blocks, with vernacular Spanish architecture. The church was rebuilt in 1991 after a fire destroyed the altar and damaged the sacristy. The Meadows Foundation contributed funding to help rebuild the church, and parishioners contributed
by holding plate sales and jamaicas (carnivals).
The church The land the original church sat on was donated to the diocese by Blas Maria Uribe. The original church was demolished in 1875. The Association of the Sacred Heart Society is now responsible for the maintenance and care of the present church. The second historic site is the town
square, known as the Blas Maria Plaza. The land has been in use as a public park since 1950, with playground areas and baseball diamonds. The movie “Viva Zapata” was filmed in San Ygnacio in the 1950s, and a kiosk was built in the center of the plaza for scenes filmed there. In the 1960s, Delfino Lozano undertook a project to beautify the plaza. The project included curbs and a
See TOUR | PAGE 10A
Photos by Miguel Timoshenkov | Laredo Morning Times
Scenes from the San Ygnacio historic home tour. Top left, Nuestra Senora del Refugio Catholic Church has an interior made of sandstone blocks with Spanish-style architecture. Top center, This two-story house was built by Trinidad and Francisca Garza de Uribe. Top right, once Manual Maria Uribe’s house, it is now the residence of philanthropist Adrian Martinez. It is located across the street from the Proceso Martinez house. Bottom left, an interior view of the Blas Maria Uribe home. Bottom middle, a mural dominates one wall in a tour home. Bottom right, the Proceso Martinez house was built in 1873. It is now the property of Adrian Martinez, Acela M. Martinez and Adelfa M. Espinoza.
STCADA assists with drug abuse By CHRISTINA ROSALES LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
Counselor Roberto J.Lozano talks with a visitor about a program offered by the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
For one young mother, drugs and alcohol were not a problem — they were a way of life. She grew up in a drug-trafficking neighborhood and received little guidance from her parents, themselves drug and alcohol abusers who were often in jail. Her nine-year history of drug use led to her own incarceration and caused Child Protective Services to remove her children
from her care. “She was very determined,” said Silvia Jones, organizational development director of the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (STCADA). “It was minute by minute for her. To have three children taken away, it’s so tragic and yet she’s trying.”
STCADA is a regional outreach and referral agency that has been serving Zapata, Starr, Webb and Jim Hogg counties since 1990. The woman was skeptical and hesitant to begin treatment when she was sent to STCADA for help. Roberto Lozano, counselor at STCADA, said people go to the agency for different reasons, whether they are forced or selfreferred. “Even though we have different kinds people, we try to deal with all of them in whatever
stage they’re at,” Lozano said. “What we do is help them move toward a greater motivation to change, to recover.” The woman took parenting classes, HIV education and prevention instruction and received outpatient treatment, family counseling and other support services such as food assistance. STCADA also offers youth prevention services in local schools and community centers
See STCADA | PAGE 10A