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Looking at dialysis
Obama pushes for waiver
County wants old restaurant building for new clinic By MIKE HERRERA IV THE ZAPATA TIMES
Updates on continuing efforts and renewals of an existing partnership are on tap for Monday’s Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting. According to an advanced agenda, the court will hear an update and status report for the proposed county dialysis center, a first for a community with its fair share of diabetics. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jose Vela said he and County
Judge Joseph Rathmell recently made some progress on a potential site for the center: a building in north Zapata along Texas 83. “It used to be a restaurant,” Velas said. “The judge and I met with the owners, and they were open to the idea of selling. It’s an ideal place.” Now the site of Champion Care, a home health service provider, the building has the wide open space a dialysis center would need. “We said we’d be looking for some-
thing like that,” Vela said. “According to my research, a (dialysis) clinic needs about a 3,000 to 3,500 square-foot building. This one has 5,400 square feet.” Vela said he didn’t have confirmation as to the appraised value of the building, but, if approved, the purchase would then allow the county to seek a dialysis center operator who would lease it, offering the county new revenue. “You don’t lose money on a deal like
President seeks keeping families unified
See COMMISSIONERS PAGE 10A
By LUIS ALONSO LUGO AND AMY TAXIN ASSOCIATED PRESS
INCIDENT
EXPLOSION ROCKS NEIGHBORHOOD
Photo by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
ABOVE: Firefighters work to put out the remaining flames from Monday night’s explosion that was heard and felt for miles from the corner of Corpus Christi Street and Meadow Avenue. RIGHT: Debris from the explosion damages nearby vehicles.
Official: Leaking propane meets refrigerator motor By ANDREW KREIGHBAUM AND CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A
uthorities determined a propane leak caused the explosion that shook homes and shattered windows in a Central Laredo neighborhood and its surrounding areas late Monday. Meanwhile, nearby businesses were open Tuesday. Some sustained significant damage from the blast. Fire Chief Steve Landin, who went by the fire location Tuesday morning, said specialists evaluated the scene and determined that a propane cylinder leaked for a long time. The specialists also found an ignition source. “Once the propane leak found an ignition source, the whole building exploded,” Landin said. “There were all kinds of rumors out there that there was a bomb in there, that there was a grenade. All of that is untrue. It was a simple propane leak that found an ignition source. In this case, it was a refrigerator (inside the garage). When
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants to more quickly reunite Americans with their illegal immigrant spouses and children in a move long sought by advocates but panned by Republicans as a way to push unpopular policies around Congress. Currently, many illegal immigrants must leave the country before they can ask the federal government to waive a three- to 10-year ban on legally coming back to the U.S. The length of the ban depends on how long they have lived in the U.S. without permission. On Friday, the Obama administration proposed changing the rule to let children and spouses ask the government to decide on the waiver request before they head to their home country to seek a visa to return here legally. The illegal immigrants would still have to go abroad to finish the visa process, but getting a provisional waiver approved in advance would reduce the time they are out of the country from months to days or weeks, said Alejandro Mayorkas, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The purpose is “to minimize the extent to which bureaucratic delays separate Americans from their families for long periods of time,” Mayorkas told reporters. It currently takes about six months for the government to issue a waiver, Mayorkas said. The waiver shift is the latest move by President Barack Obama to make changes to immigration policy without congressional action. Congressional Republicans repeatedly have criticized the administration for policy changes they describe as providing “backdoor amnesty” to illegal immigrants. The proposal also comes as Obama gears up for a re-election contest in which the support of Hispanic voters could prove a determining factor in a number of states. The administration hopes to change the rule later this year after taking public comments. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, on Friday accused the president of putting the interests of illegal immigrants ahead of those of Americans. “It seems President Obama plays by his own rules to push unpopular policies on the American people,” the House Judiciary Committee chair said
See BLAST PAGE 10A See IMMIGRATION PAGE 10A
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Bullet found inside school By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County sheriff ’s officials say they received reports of two New Year’s celebration incidents regarding firearms. No one was harmed. The first case was reported at about 1:07 a.m. in the 1500 block of Falcon Avenue. According to Sgt. Mario Elizondo, a 41year-old man was discharging a firearm during the New Year’s celebration in the Falcon vicinity. Leeroy Salinas was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. The man was taken to
LEEROY SALINAS: Arrested Jan. 1 and charged with disorderly conduct. the Zapata Regional Jail. “The Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office would like the public to be aware that it is a crime to discharge a firearm in a public place even if it is to celebrate a holiday,” Elizondo states in a news release. A second incident was reported Tuesday when deputies went out to a call at 9:50 a.m. at Zapata South Elementary School. The caller had reported that a bullet was found in the
hallway. A security supervisor told deputies that a .45 caliber bullet was located on the hallway floor by the entrance inside the school’s building. Officials recovered the bullet and logged it in as evidence. According to Elizondo, the recovered bullet was a result of people celebrating New Year’s by shooting into the air. Consequences of discharging a firearm include disorderly conduct misdemeanors to deadly conduct felonies. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Courtesy photo
This bullet was found in the hallway of Zapata South Elementary School on Tuesday morning by school personnel, who then contacted Sheriff’s deputies.
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, JAN. 7
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guerra Communications will present “Parts & Labour,” a solo exhibition of new work by David Berrones. The artist’s reception is from 8 p.m. to midnight today at the Guerra Centre Reception Hall, 6402 N. Bartlett Ave. Refreshments will be provided, and special musical guest the REEN will play live. United Independent School District will hold its first Let’s Move for Scholars Benefit 5K Run or One Mile Walk today, with onsite registration outside the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex, 5208 Santa Claudia Lane, beginning at 8 a.m. at $25 per person. Proceeds will benefit UISD students with college scholarships. The registration fee includes a T-shirt, while quantities last, and a certificate of participation. An awards ceremony will be held following the run/walk at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 956473-6286 or 473-6355.
Today is Saturday, Jan. 7, the seventh day of 2012. There are 359 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Jan. 7, 1942, the Japanese siege of Bataan began during World War II. (The fall of Bataan three months later was followed by the notorious Death March.) On this date: In 1608, an accidental fire devastated the Jamestown settlement in the Virginia Colony. In 1610, astronomer Galileo Galilei began observing three of Jupiter’s moons (he spotted a fourth moon almost a week later). In 1789, the first U.S. presidential election was held. Americans voted for electors who, a month later, chose George Washington to be the nation’s first president. In 1800, the 13th president of the United States, Millard Fillmore, was born in Summerhill, N.Y. In 1894, one of the earliest motion picture experiments took place at the Thomas Edison studio in West Orange, N.J., as Fred Ott was filmed taking a pinch of snuff and sneezing. In 1912, dark-humored cartoonist Charles Addams was born in Westfield, N.J. In 1927, commercial transatlantic telephone service was inaugurated between New York and London. In 1949, George C. Marshall resigned as U.S. Secretary of State; President Harry S. Truman chose Dean Acheson to succeed him. In 1972, Lewis F. Powell, Jr. and William H. Rehnquist were sworn in as the 99th and 100th members of the U.S. Supreme Court. An Iberia Caravelle jetliner crashed into a mountain while on approach to Ibiza Airport in Spain, killing all 104 people on board. In 1979, Vietnamese forces captured the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, overthrowing the Khmer Rouge government. In 1989, Emperor Hirohito of Japan died in Tokyo at age 87; he was succeeded by his son, Crown Prince Akihito. In 2006, Jill Carroll, a freelance journalist for The Christian Science Monitor, was kidnapped and her translator shot dead in Baghdad. (Carroll was freed almost three months later.) Ten years ago: British Prime Minister Tony Blair and nine U.S. senators swept into Bargam Air Base in Afghanistan for an unannounced visit and promised Afghan leaders their full support in rebuilding the shattered country. Yves Saint Laurent announced his retirement and closure of the fashion house he’d started 40 years earlier. Comedian Avery Schreiber died in Los Angeles at age 66. Today’s Birthdays: Author William Peter Blatty is 84. Pop musician Paul Revere is 74. Magazine publisher Jann Wenner is 66. Actress Erin Gray is 62. Katie Couric is 55. Rock musician Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go’s) is 53. Actor Nicolas Cage is 48. Actor Doug E. Doug is 42. Actor Dustin Diamond is 35. Thought for Today: “One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present.” — Golda Meir, Israeli prime minister (1898-1978).
SUNDAY, JAN. 8 High school students interested in joining the Area Health Education Center Youth Health Service Corps are welcome to attend the next training session. It is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the UT Health Science Center Laredo campus, located at the corner of Bustamante Street and Bartlett Avenue. The corps is a health careers recruitment program that engages diverse high school students as leaders in meaningful community service learning that addresses community health issues. Student volunteers are trained using a six module curriculum that prepares them to serve in health care settings that serve the underserved. For more information, call Eloisa Volpe at 712-0037.
MONDAY, JAN. 9 Zapata County Independent School District students will return to their respective campuses today. Tutorials for third, fourth and fifth grades at Fidel & Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School will take place between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., beginning today through Thursday.
THURSDAY, JAN. 12 The Webb County Women’s Bar will host the “Battle of the Politicos” today at Jett Bowl North. The event will also educate the public about the latest voting requirements and registering people to vote.
FRIDAY, JAN. 13 The Eagle Ford Shale Job & Vendor Fair is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Laredo Energy Arena, 6415 Sinatra Parkway. It is hosted by the City of Laredo, the Laredo Development Foundation and the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and sponsored in cooperation with U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Texas Rep. Richard Raymond and the Eagle Ford Shale Consortium, as well as its partners. Job seekers needing more information about how to prepare for the job fair should call Workforce Solutions of South Texas at 956-794-6500, extension 6491.
SATURDAY, JAN. 14 A volunteer opportunity is available from 9 a.m. to noon today for high school students interested in making a difference in their community by cleaning up the main park area. For more information, call 712-0037.
Photo by Heather Leiphart/Odessa American | AP
Patrol Officer and Explosive Ordnance Technician Dylan Hale, center, secures an explosives transport box containing military-grade explosives to the back of a vehicle on Saturday at the Midland International Airport. The explosives, confiscated from a departing passenger, will be taken to a storage facility.
Soldier freed on bond By BETSY BLANEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIDLAND — A soldier arrested at a Texas airport and charged with trying to bring explosives on a cross-country flight was freed on bond Friday and allowed to return to North Carolina, where he is based. David Counts, a federal magistrate judge in Midland, released Sgt. 1st Class Trey Scott Atwater on $50,000 unsecured bond, determining the Fort Bragg-based Green Beret was a low flight risk. Atwater, 30, is charged with trying to bring explosives onto an airplane, which carries a 10-year federal prison sentence. He was detained Saturday at Midland International Airport after authorities say officers found C4 explosives in his carry-on luggage. Atwater grew up in Midland, had his family with him when he was arrested.
Marksman charged in shooting behind school
Funeral Saturday, armed Texas boy shot by police
Houston skyscraper set for implosion Sunday
EDINBURG (AP) — A competitive marksman was charged Friday in a shooting last month in which two teens were severely wounded during basketball tryouts behind their South Texas middle school — a shooting the local sheriff portrayed as unintentional but “very reckless.” Dustin Wesley Cook, who was shooting targets with a friend on ranchland adjacent to Harwell Middle School on Dec. 12, was arraigned on a charge of second-degree felony aggravated assault.
BROWNSVILLE — Family and friends will gather this weekend to remember a 15-yearold South Texas boy fatally shot by police who say the youth refused to drop a weapon. The funeral and burial for Jaime Gonzalez has been set for Saturday in Brownsville.
HOUSTON — A big boom has been scheduled Sunday morning in Houston to bring down a 20story building. The former Prudential Life Insurance Building faces demolition. The structure is being razed to make way for new facilities.
Texan accused of trying to set girlfriend on fire RICHMOND — Investigators say a Houston-area man has been accused of dousing his girlfriend with a flammable liquid and trying to set her on fire — but the lighter failed. The Fort Bend County Sheriff ’s Office says Kerry Beal of Richmond was jailed Friday.
MONDAY, JAN. 16 Texas A&M International University offices will close in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
TUESDAY, JAN. 17 The Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library will return to its regular schedule, which is Mondays through Thursdays 7:30 a.m. until midnight; Friday 7:30 a.m. through 5 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. through 6 p.m.; and noon through midnight Sundays.
SATURDAY, JAN. 21 The annual Crime Stoppers Menudo Bowl Cook-off Contest is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at LIFE Downs, on U.S. 59. The event includes merchandise and food booths, beverages and live music, including that of Mick Cruz. For more information, email crimestoppers@bizlaredo.rr.com. To submit a calendar entry, visit lmtonline.com/calendar/ submit or email editorial@lmtonline.com with the event name, date, time and location and a contact phone number
According to court documents, Atwater told FBI agents he’s a demolitions expert and had returned from his third tour in Afghanistan in April. He said his Army special forces team always carried C4, which troops use to blow the hinges off doors or destroy unexploded ordnance, and that he didn’t know it was in his bag when he returned from his most recent deployment. Agents said he told them the bag had been in his garage until the trip to Texas, and that he only used the bag’s main compartment when packing. Atwater was detained at the Fayetteville, N.C., airport on Dec. 24 when security agents found a military smoke grenade in his carryon bag. Court documents don’t specify whether investigators now suspect C4 was in Atwater’s bag then or whether he acquired it later.
Texas fugitive turned over Ex-Texas computer teacher to federal authorities guilty of child porn GULFPORT, Miss. — Texas fugitive Steven Ray Milam is now in the hands of federal authorities. Milam appeared in federal court Thursday in Gulfport to face 11 counts of bank robbery. The 44-year-old Milam, of Tyler, Texas, was denied bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert H. Walker. Each bank robbery charge carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
EL PASO — A former computer science teacher in West Texas caught with hundreds of child pornography images faces up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors in El Paso say 46year-old Joachim Rudolf Hees remains in custody after pleading guilty Thursday to receipt of child porn. Sentencing has been set for March 5 for Hees, who formerly taught in the Canutillo Independent School District. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Positive jobs report fails to lift stocks
CONTACT US
The stock market offered a reminder Friday that even if the U.S. job market is improving, there’s plenty to worry about elsewhere in the world. The unemployment rate fell in December to 8.5 percent, the lowest level in nearly three years. Yet stock indexes teetered between small gains and losses all day as traders fretted about Europe’s ongoing financial drama.
NASA questions Apollo 13 commander’s sale of list MIAMI — NASA is questioning whether Apollo 13 commander James Lovell has the right to sell a 70-page checklist from the flight that includes his handwritten calculations that were crucial in guiding the damaged spacecraft back to Earth. The document was sold by Heritage Auctions in November
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In this 1970 photo, Apollo 13 commander James A. Lovell Jr., foreground, speaks during a news conference in Cape Kennedy, Fla., before the spacecraft launched on its ill-fated journey to the moon. At center is astronaut Fred Haise. for more than $388,000, some 15 times its initial list price.
Dog found alive 4 days after Montana avalanche BILLINGS, Mont. — A dog
that was feared dead after he was swept away in a weekend avalanche that killed his owner showed up four days later at the Montana motel where his owners had stayed the night before going backcountry skiing. — Compiled from AP reports
The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
Local
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Gilberto Hernandez Jr., 25, was arrested and charged with assault family violence right after midnight Wednesday in Lot No. 3 of Eagle Street. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. Deputies went out to an “aggressive male” call Monday at 8:46 p.m. in the 1600 block of Guerrero Avenue. There, Juan Ramon Gallegos, 32, was arrested and charged with assault. He was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. He was later released to appear in court on a future date. Jose Eduardo Barron, 20, was arrested and charged with assault Dec. 31 at Seventh Street and Miraflores Avenue. Deputies took the man to the Zapata Regional, where he was later released for a future court appearance.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF A 48-year-old woman re-
ported at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday that someone placed a water hose into the exhaust vent of her dryer in the 1900 block of Del Mar Street.
IDENTITY THEFT A 31-year-old man reported at 8:41 p.m. Wednesday in the 1700 block of Jackson Street that someone from out of state was using his identity.
POSSESSION Deputies pulled over a vehicle for several traffic violations at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Street and Texas 16. After an investigation, Ronnie Lee Guerra, 34, and Roel Ramirez, 29, were charged with possession of cocaine. Ramirez was additionally charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun. Both men were taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. Ramirez had a combined bond of $10,000 and Guerra had a $5,000 bond. Arturo Barrera, 57, was
arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop Tuesday at 17th Avenue and Brazos Street. The man was held at the Zapata Regional Jail on a $3,000 bond.
Oilfield worker makes first foray into politics By MIKE HERRERA IV
PUBLIC INTOXICATION Marco Edixis Discua, 36, was arrested and charged with public intoxication after a deputy saw him walking intoxicated in the 700 block of Ramireño Avenue in the Medina Addition on Jan 1 at 1:10 a.m. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was later released to appear in court on a future date.
THEFT A 21-year-old man reported at 6:17 p.m. Wednesday at West 21st and Elm streets that someone stole a differential from a 1972 El Camino. The item had an estimated street value of $400.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
In his first foray into politics, Randall Ivey is seeking the office of Precinct 3 constable. Ivey, an oilfield man of 40 years experience, said he decided to seek an elected law enforcement office as a way to change his life by helping others. “I needed a change. Not just for me, but to help others,” said the 52-yearold, who said politics has interested him for some time. “I’ll have something to do and at the same time help out,” he said. Though he has no law enforcement background, Ivey, if elected, will take courses on the duties of a
constable, he said. “I shouldn’t have a problem with (getting versed on the laws),” he said. More important to Ivey than experience is the willingness to be visible and responsive to county residents. “We never see anyone that’s in office right now cruising the streets that need to be cruised,” he said. “Over half the people I talk do didn’t know there was a constable in Precinct 3. They saw me put signs up and said, ‘Constable? We have a constable?’” Giving juvenile delinquency as an example of law enforcement-related problems in his precinct, Ivey said he, like other Zapatans, has to take extra
security measures. “I keep at least four dogs at home. I’ve got cameras and everything,” he said, adding that this reflects the level of unease the lack of a constable’s presence leaves behind. “We need more visibility out there from a constable.” Besides incumbent Eloy Martinez, Ivey faces another newcomer to law enforcement, Erica Benavides-Moore. He said he plans to continue talking to Precinct 3 residents and making his case for office. “I’ve been in Zapata all my life. We need a constable that will be out there with the people,” he said. (Mike Herrera IV can be reached at 728-2567 or mherrera@lmtonline.com)
Fed grand jury indicts Alleged assault jails man man on drug offenses By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Mexican national with three narcotic-related offenses on Wednesday. Court documents state Joel Hugo Robles Perez is being charged with possession, importation and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The case dates back to Dec. 9 when in the course of an investigation Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were led to believe that narcotics were being stored at a
home in Zapata. ICE agents, assisted by U.S. Border Patrol agents and Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office deputies, met with a man living in the residence identified as Robles Perez. When authorities obtained consent to search, Robles Perez told agents there was marijuana inside a white 2000 Chevy truck bearing Tamaulipas license plates parked in the back of the house, according to a federal criminal complaint. Agents corroborated the defendant’s statement when they searched the vehicle and found 52 bundles of marijuana with an approximate weight of 595 pounds.
Federal court records state Robles Perez agreed to talk with authorities without a lawyer. He told agents he had picked up the Chevy truck the night of Dec. 8 at boat landing near the Veleño Bridge in Zapata. Court records state that the marijuana was to be transported to Laredo. However, Robles Perez did not know the exact location to take the marijuana, according to the documents. Arraignment has been set for Thursday at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 3C before Magistrate Judge Guillermo R. Garcia. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
A sheriff ’s office incident report states deputies went out to a reported drunk pedestrian call at 10:49 p.m. Dec. 31 near the Aqua Bar near Veleño Bridge off of U.S. 83. Deputies later learned that 23-year-old Ramiro Valadez Jr. was struggling with the security guard. According to Sgt. Mario Elizondo, Valadez refused to leave the premises and attempted to
RAMIRO VALADEZ JR.: Faces two charges from incident near bar.
punch a security guard. Deputies arrived at the location and took Valadez into custody, but not before he resisted, according to the report. The man was charged with assault of a security officer, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and a $10,000 fine.
Valadez is also facing a resisting arrest charge, a Class A misdemeanor which carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Deputies transported Valadez to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a combined bond of $11,000 set by Justice of the Peace Fernando Muñoz. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
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COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Helping the Iraqis who helped us By TRUDY RUBIN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
L
ast week, I spoke on the PBS “NewsHour” about Iraqis who worked for our civilians and military before we left the country — and who now face death threats because we betrayed them. I’ve received a slew of email from Iraqi interpreters who are in hiding because Shiite militias have pledged to kill the “traitors” who aided the Americans. I’ve also received email from U.S. military officers desperately trying to get their “terps” out of the country. And I’ve heard from ordinary, concerned Americans.
Visas needed All ask the same question: How can we get the U.S. government to issue the visas it promised to Iraqis who risked their lives to help us? I’m ashamed to admit that the U.S. government has abandoned these people. No one seems eager to bring more Iraqis into this country in an election year. President Obama has failed to keep his 2007 campaign pledge to rescue these Iraqis. A group of concerned senators, mostly Democrats, including Pennsylvania’s Bob Casey, has made inquiries, but gotten no answers from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta or Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Nor has a peep been heard on behalf of the “terps” from Republican senators who backed our war in Iraq. State Department officials say they’re working hard to expedite the visa process. Yet the number of visas for Iraqis who helped us slowed to a trickle just when they were most urgently needed, as U.S. troops quit Iraq. Nor has the Pentagon made any move to rescue Iraqis who worked with our soldiers. Many U.S. officers moved mountains to get their Iraqi aides out, but others have been thwarted. Moreover, individual officers can’t organize the large-scale evacuation that’s now needed. Official figures show that 39,000 Iraqis (including family members) are in the pipeline in the Direct Access program for Iraqis who worked with us. Only 153 of these visas were issued in December. There are about 15,000 (not including family) in the pipeline for the Special Immigrant Visa program. Only 50 SIVs were issued last month.
More security The supposed reason for the freeze is new security regulations imposed after two Iraqi refugees in Kentucky were accused of having terrorist connections. But these bad apples never worked for Americans. Those who did went through numerous security checks before getting their jobs. A few of the emails I’ve received since the PBS show will give you a feeling for the Iraqis we are betraying. Retired Col. Richard Welch, who served 77 months in Iraq, is trying to help a young Iraqi widow who worked on a U.S.
I’m ashamed to admit that the U.S. government has abandoned these people. No one seems eager to bring more Iraqis into this country in an election year. base. She and her family “are getting direct threats from JAM,” a radical Shiite militia. The widow completed all the formalities and should have long since received her visa. Yet, her case has been on hold for a year. “This is a beautiful family, and I don’t know what I will do if they are killed while waiting for approval,” Welch wrote.
‘Security reasons’ Madeleine Marx, a New York sculptor who voluntarily helps Iraqi visa applicants, emailed about a translator and his family who have been living in hiding for three years: “The translator, after having his SIV application accepted completely (handshakes at the embassy, ‘stand by for travel instructions’), heard nothing for 10 months, then had his approval withdrawn in August ‘for security reasons.’” Never mind that he’d worked for two years with the U.S. military and had outstanding recommendations from his officers. Bizarrely, the embassy then told the translator to reapply, then rejected him a second time, without explanation, even after Marx’s two congressmen made inquiries. “Now he doesn’t want anyone to even mention the U.S. to him,” Marx writes. “And everyone is still in danger.”
Broken promises I’ve received a sheaf of similar stories you can read on my blog at www.philly.com/worldview. They all send the same message: The United States cannot be trusted to keep its promises to its allies. Afghans, take notice. On Wednesday, I spoke with my former translator/fixer/driver in Iraq, Salam Hamrani, who also worked for other U.S. media outlets and should have been eligible for a U.S. visa. Threatened with death because he helped U.S. troops finger radical Shiite militiamen in his neighborhood, he fled with his family to the Greek Republic of Cyprus. There, he was told by the Interior Ministry he would soon be granted refugee status. Several months later, he hasn’t received it and is extremely worried. Salam asked me, if his Cyprus hopes fall through, should he apply here? I told him, grimly, he’d better keep trying in Cyprus. It seems my country won’t repay those who risked their lives to aid us.
COLUMN
Time to observe the Epiphany M
any are returning to a sense of normalcy after the joyous and celebratory Christmas season. While we’ve spent the last few weeks feasting on just about everything from pozole to buñuelos, now our focus turns to another special and sacred time in the universal Church. Tomorrow, the Catholic Church observes the Feast of the Epiphany, in which the three Magi, or three kings, visit the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.
God’s love The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates God’s love for all humanity. Known in our Hispanic community as el día de los reyes magos, this feast tells a story of faith, symbolism and change. This story about these mysterious visitors from the East serves as testimony that the presence of Christ in our world beckons us to follow the revealing light of God’s truth and love. Their story invites us to seek Christ in our life.
Time to learn What can we learn from their pilgrimage and meeting with Christ? I see the Magi as great examples of stewardship. What is stewardship, you may ask?
“
JAMES TAMAYO
travels as they used the heavens to map their quest and assist them in reaching their destination.
Follow the star The word stewardship refers to one’s response of gratitude to God for the gifts bestowed upon us. Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.
Help to all Profound gratitude, justice and love become the fundamental motives for responding to God. Everything that God has given to us is intended to benefit, not only ourselves, but also the entire community of mankind. Therefore, our life is to be lived in gratitude toward God by sharing our time, talent and treasure to build up the Church and make our world a better place.
Centered on Christ The Magi, then, personified stewardship because they were Christ-centered. Their purpose for the visitation was to pay homage to the King of Kings. They took the time to make the long journey to and from the birthplace of Jesus. Their talent guided them through their night
They recognized that the star they followed would lead them to a servant king, one whose rule would bring justice and peace to the world. And they brought with them gifts of great symbolic value for this newborn king. The gold symbolized that he was a king. The frankincense symbolized His divinity. And the myrrh symbolized his humanity. The Magi came face-toface with Emmanuel, God with us. They understood that He was a servant king born among us in the humble surroundings of a stable in Bethlehem. Having encountered Emmanuel, their path in life changed. The Magi began a new journey that would alter their lives forever. What can we learn from this story? Like the Magi, a good steward makes a conscious decision, carried out in action, to be a follower of Jesus Christ. This begins with a conversion. This change of mind and heart can be expressed through a single action or series of actions that ultimately brings a
change to an entire way of life. It means committing to the Lord. Good stewardship changes how we understand and live our life. Those who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all we have, are and will be. Good stewards become recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. They are grateful for what they have received and eager to cultivate their gifts out of love for God.
Time to begin So how can you start being a good steward? Start by praying with gratitude. Set aside some time for prayer each day. If you are new to daily prayer, find 10 minutes in your daily schedule and begin with a prayer of gratitude. Then, put that gratitude into action. Do something in your parish or neighborhood to share your material blessings with those who are less fortunate. Finally, make gratitude a way of life. Discover ways to thank others everyday for their generosity and kindness. Go forth and become a good steward! We have all received a gift from God and we should use it to help one another. Todo Con Amor.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata 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. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
Local
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
A search of a house in the 500 block of Zapata Avenue late Thursday yielded 33.3 grams of cocaine, 68 grams of crack cocaine and 25.2 grams of marijuana.
Agency: Skeleton is a Mexican issue By MIKE HERRERA IV THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
Warrant yields 2 arrests By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A late Thursday night search warrant served to two people in their arrests and led to the confiscation of small amounts of narcotics, firearms and cash in the 500 block of Zapata Avenue. Deputies charged Eloy Alaniz, 35, and Ana F. Sanchez, 25, with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. A search executed at about 11
ELOY ALANIZ: Faces possession charges after contraband found. p.m. yielded 33.3 grams of cocaine, 68 grams of crack cocaine and 25.2 grams of marijuana. According to Sgt. Mario Elizondo, the contraband seized has an estimated street value of $5,800. Additionally, lawmen also confiscated two handguns, three
ANA F. SANCHEZ: Jailed after narcotics, firearms and cash found. rifles and $8,604. Alaniz was being held at the Zapata Regional Jail. Sanchez was in custody at the Zapata County Jail. Both were held pending arraignment. (César G, Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Incident injures deputy By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Deputies say a man collided with a vehicle occupied by a family of four and dragged an off-duty deputy who held to the side mirror to avoid being run over. At 5:44 a.m. Jan. 1, deputies were called out to the vicinity of Seventh and 10th streets near Laredo Avenue for an aggravated assault incident. Responding deputies found a bloody, off-duty deputy lying on the street with an injury to his leg, among other injuries. According to Sgt. Mario Elizondo, the off-duty deputy, an 8-year veteran with the sheriff’s office, attempted to prevent a fight between two men. A 19-year-old man identified as Horacio Saenz Jr. allegedly struck the deputy while fleeing the scene in a Ford F350.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
HORACIO SAENZ JR.: Jailed on $60,000 bond in assault case. Elizondo added that the offduty deputy was able to grab the side mirror. He was dragged against a brick wall and a chain-link fence. Deputies say he managed to break off and throw himself away from the vehicle to avoid getting run over. Deputies eventually arrested Saenz. Meanwhile, the offduty deputy, a man in his late 20s, was taken to the Zapata Medical Center for assistance. Elizondo said the deputy had to come to Laredo to see a specialist for possible torn ligaments in his right knee and a left shoulder injury. According to sheriff’s officials, Saenz had allegedly collided with a vehicle occupied
by a family of four, including two children. For that incident, he’s facing four counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, a second-degree felony which carries imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for up to 20 years and a $10,000 fine. The family was unharmed. For hurting the deputy however, Saenz is being charged with aggravated assault against a public servant with a vehicle, a first-degree felony that could be punished with up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine. Saenz was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a combined $60,000 bond set by Justice of the Peace Juana Maria Gutierrez. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said this week that the skeletal human remains found on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake last week is now completely a Mexican issue and will likely not involve U.S. authorities. “Those remains were on Mexican soil. It’s not our issue,” said Narcisso Ramos, Laredo spokesman for the agency. “All we can really do is pass the info to the Mexican authorities.” On Dec. 29, professional fisherman Alton Jones alerted U.S. authorities that he’d spotted the remains on the
Mexican side of the water across from San Ygnacio. “The fishing on Falcon was great,” wrote Jones on his Facebook page that evening. “Unfortunately our fun was overshadowed when we found a dead body…all that was left was a skeleton.” The site is 15 miles from where Colorado native David Hartley was last seen over a year ago. News of the find fueled speculation in Colorado media and on the blogosphere that the remains might be Hartley. Neither American nor Mexican authorities have said anything definitive on that point.
Fausto Aguilar of Mexico’s Protección Civil (Civil Protection, a first responders unit) would only say a report on the remains would be available in a few days. This was the agency which first handled the remains. Shortly after the remains were discovered last week, Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo “Sigi” Gonzalez Jr. told The Zapata Times he knew only of the discovery but was waiting on more information from federal agencies. Gonzalez could not be reached Friday. (Mike Herrera IV can be reached at 728-2567 or mherrera@lmtonline.com)
New course set to start SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Two Texas A&M International University professors believe what the world needs now is more leaders … and that TAMIU students are ready to step up to the challenge. That’s why this spring they’ll launch the TAMIU Leadership Initiative, a credit-bearing course sequence combined with community service that will help students to develop their leadership abilities in real-world applications. “The goal of the class is to awaken the leadership abilities of students and to show them that each one of them is a leader and capable, in different ways, of making this a better world,” explained Carol Waters, TAMIU associate vice president for Academic Enrichment and International Development. “The university’s recent experiences with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership and its Latino Leadership Initiative for our students inspired us to create a local leadership development experience. Through this initiative, our students
can discover and enhance their leadership skills, ” Waters explained. Barbara Baker, of University College, will join Waters in teaching the elective course, “Foundations of Leadership.” The class will be delivered as a service-learning experience, said Marcela Uribe, TAMIU program director of service learning who is also assisting the initiative. “This class follows a service-learning model. For the most part, service learning is an educational experience in which students participate in a credit-bearing course paired with an organized community service. Students in this class will partner with Big Brothers, Big Sisters to become mentors to children at risk,” explained Uribe. Waters said students will also be able to earn a Certificate in International Leadership. “Completion of the course and four other designated courses will enable students to earn a Certificate in International Leadership. We are also developing a long-term minor in Leadership,” Waters said.
Entertainment
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
There’s lots of variety in the year’s movie crop By CHARLES EALY COX NEWSPAPERS
AUSTIN — Enough with all the looking back at 2011. Let’s see what’s ahead for the movies in 2012. First of all, get ready for re-releases of past Hollywood hits in 3-D, plus a lot of sequels and reboots. The first 3-D re-release comes on Friday, with the animated “Beauty and the Beast,” followed by the 3-D version of “Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace” on Feb. 10. But the biggest re-release will probably be the 3-D version of the 1997 blockbuster “Titanic” on April 6. If that doesn’t get you dreaming of popcorn, then Hollywood has a bunch of surprisingly high-profile movies in the first quarter, and many more in the second quarter. “The Woman in Black” (Feb. 3), starring Daniel Radcliffe as a young lawyer who discovers a mean ghost in a small village. “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” (Feb. 10), with Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine starring in a family action tale about the search for a missing grandfather. “Safe House” (Feb. 10), with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds teaming up in a tale about a fugitive and a CIA agent. “John Carter” (March 9), a live-action film from director Andrew Stanton, who helmed “Wall-E” and “Finding Nemo,” with Taylor Kitsch of “Friday Night Lights” as a Confederate who ends up in another world. “21 Jump Street” (March 16), starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Ice Cube. “The Hunger Games” (March 23), possibly one of the biggest hits of early 2012, with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth as young people who are forced to fight to the death on live television. “Wrath of the Titans” (March 30), starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike, with Worthington playing Perseus, who goes to the underworld to rescue Zeus (Neeson). And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few more, listed by opening dates, which are subject to change. Friday “Contraband.” Mark Wahlberg stars in this thriller about drugs and money in Central America. “Joyful Noise.” Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton team up as two choir members who differ on how to win a national championship. “The Divide.” Survivors of a nuclear attack turn against each other as supplies dwindle, with Lauren German and Michael Biehn in starring roles. Jan. 20 “Underworld: The Awakening.” Kate Becksinsale and Michael Ealy star in this sci-fi sequel. “Red Tails.” Bryan Cranston, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard are featured in this tale about African-American pilots in the Tuskegee training program. “Haywire.” Steven Soderbergh directs Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Gina Carano in this tale about a betrayed black ops soldier. Jan. 27 “One for the Money.” Katherine Heigl stars in this comedy as Stephanie Plum, who works at her cousin’s bail-bond business and ends up on the trail of a man from her romantic past. “Man on a Ledge.” A police psychologist tries to talk down a man who’s threatening to jump from a Manhattan rooftop. Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks and Jamie Bell star. “The Grey.” Liam Neeson and Dermot Mulroney star in this Alaska-set story about an oil drilling team that tries to survive after a plane crash in the wilderness. Feb. 3
Photo by Evan Agostini | AP
Dolly Parton, left, and Queen Latifah appear onstage at “Vh1 Divas Celebrates Soul,” on Dec. 18 in New York. Latifah and Parton team up as two choir members who differ on how to win a national championship in their new movie, “Joyful Noise,” which opens Friday. “W.E.” This historical drama about King Edward’s involvement with Wallis Simpson has been getting middling reviews. Madonna directs. “Chronicle.” Three high school friends gain superpowers and trouble ensues. With Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly and Dane DeHaan. “Big Miracle.” A reporter and a Greenpeace volunteer try to save the whales in Alaska. With Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski. Feb. 10 “The Vow.” Rachel McAdams loses her memory after a car accident, and husband Channing Tatum struggles to win her back. Feb. 17 “This Means War.” CIA operatives fight for the love of the same woman in this romantic comedy. With Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon. “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.” Nicolas Cage hops on his motorcycle and battles the devil. Feb. 24 “Good Deeds.” Director Tyler Perry stars, with Thandie Newton and Gabrielle Union. “Wanderlust.” A downon-their-luck Manhattan couple, Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, head for a rural free-love commune. “Gone.” Amanda Seyfried and Wes Bentley star in this thriller about kidnappings and serial killers. March 2 “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.” An animated tale about a 12-year-old boy who’s trying to win the girl of his dreams. “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.” It has
been 15 years since poor Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) had that unfortunate incident at their gingerbread house. Now, they’re taking vengeance on witches. March 9 “Think Like a Man.” A battle of the sexes, with Gabrielle Union and Chris Brown. “Playing the Field.” Gerard Butler stars as a former professional athlete who coaches his son’s soccer team and thinks he can score with some moms. “Silent House.” Elizabeth Olsen starts going mad while trapped inside her family’s lakeside retreat. “The Raven.” John Cusack and Alice Eve star in this imaginary account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe. March 16 “Mirror Mirror.” An evil queen battles with an exiled princess, starring Lily Collins, Julia Roberts and Armie Hammer. “A Thousand Words.” Eddie Murphy learns a lesson after stretching the truth with a spiritual guru. March 30 “The Pirates! Band of Misfits.” Hugh Grant and Salma Hayek lend their voices to this animated tale. April 6 “American Reunion.” This romantic comedy features the stars of “American Pie” — Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott. “The Cold Light of Day.” Thriller. Henry Cavill uncovers a conspiracy while trying to save his kidnapped family. With Bruce
Willis and Sigourney Weaver. April 13 “Cabin in the Woods.” Chris Hemsworth and Richard Jenkins star in this tale about bad things happening in a cabin. “The Three Stooges.” Moe, Larry and Curly end up on a reality TV show. With Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Sasso. “Bullet to the Head.” Sylvester Stallone tries to make a comeback in this crime thriller with Jason Momoa and Christian Slater. April 20 “House at the End of the Street.” A horror tale about moving to the wrong town. With Jennifer Lawrence, Elisabeth Shue and Max Thieriot. “The Lucky One.” Zac Efron survives three tours in Iraq and returns home to find Taylor Schilling. “Scary Movie 5.” Another spoof. Beware. “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.” A romantic comedy with Keira Knightley, Steve Carell and Connie Britton. “The Wettest County.” Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce and Jessica Chastain live in bootlegging Virginia during the Depression. April 27 “The Five-Year Engagement.” A comedy about reluctant lovers Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. “Safe.” Jason Statham gets mad at the Russian
Mafia, corrupt New Yorkers and Chinese Triads. Dude needs to chill. May 4 “The Avengers.” Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans help save Earth from extraterrestrials. May 11 “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” A mother-to-be comedy with Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. “Dark Shadows.” Johnny Depp goes Goth again, this time as Barnabas Collins of TV fame. Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller and Eva Green co-star. “The Dictator.” Sacha Baron Cohen tries to outrage us again by playing a heroic dictator who battles democracy. May 18 “Battleship.” Peter Berg directs this science-fiction tale starring Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker and Liam Neeson. May 25 “Men in Black 3.” Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith return to their big-
budget franchise. June 1 “Rock of Ages.” In 1987 Los Angeles, people chase their dreams. Lots of big names join the chase, including Tom Cruise, Bryan Cranston, Julianne Hough, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand. “Snow White and the Huntsman.” Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth try to turn the tables on the Evil Queen. June 8 “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo have another adventure. “Prometheus.” Director Ridley Scott has created a very “Alien” look for this science-fiction tale starring Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace and Patrick Wilson. June 15 “I Hate You, Dad.” Or is it titled “Donny’s Boy”? Stay tuned. Things change, but Adam Sandler and James Caan star in this comedy. “Jack the Giant Killer.” The peace between men and giants is threatened in this fantasy. There’s a young farmer. There’s a kidnapped princess. And there’s Ewan McGregor. June 22 “Brave.” Yet another princess learns to be brave in this animated tale that features a beastly curse. “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.” Yep, you read that right. Honest Abe (Benjamin Walker) finds a link between vampires and slave owners and gets mad when they kill his mama. June 29 “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.” Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis show their macho side again. And for your planning later in the year: July 3: “The Amazing Spider-Man,” with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. July 13: “Ted,” starring Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi and Mila Kunis in a tale about a teddy bear that comes to life. July 20: “The Dark Knight Rises,” with Christian Bale, Joseph GordonLevitt and Gary Oldman. July 27: “Neighborhood Watch,” a comedy with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. (Charles Ealy writes for the Austin AmericanStatesman. E-mail: cealy@statesman.com.)
SÁBADO 7 DE ENERO DE 2012
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 7 DE ENERO LAREDO — Hockey: Laredo Bucks recibe a Allen Americans en Laredo Energy Arena a las 7 p.m. Hoy es la Noche de “Girl Scout Cookie Kickoff”. LAREDO — Guerra Communications presentará “Parts & Labour”, una exhibición de David Berrones, a partir delas 8 p.m. en Guerra Centre Reception Hall, 6402 avenida N. Bartlett. Habrá refrigerios. Música en vivo a cargo de REEN. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Estación Palabra presenta “Bazar de Arte” a las 12 p.m. Habrá venta pinturas, artículos de material reciclable y antigüedades. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Estación Palabra presenta “Lecturas Antes de Abordar” a la 1 p.m. Recordando el aniversario luctuoso de Juan Rulfo. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Estación Palabra presenta “Festival Infantil” a las 2 p.m. El tema de hoy ‘Reyes y Magos’. Habrá cuenta cuentos, actividades dinámicas y rosca.
Zfrontera CENTRALIZAN SERVICIO PARA MIGUEL ALEMÁN, GUERRERO Y CIUDAD MIER
Nueva área de salud POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Las ciudades en la frontera chica de Tamaulipas fueron reasignadas a una nueva jurisdicción de salud. Anteriormente pertenecían a la Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. V con base en Nuevo Laredo, México. A partir de este mes, residentes en Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Ciudad Mier y Miguel Alemán, recibirán servicios en la nueva Juris-
La Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. IX con base en Miguel Alemán atenderá a alrededor de 33,000 habitantes de la región ribereña. dicción Sanitaria No. IX. “La creciente demanda de servicios de salud exigía eficiente y mejor servicio”, explicó en un comunicado el Secretario de Salud de Tamaulipas, Norberto Treviño García-Manzo. “Fue
necesario ampliar de ocho a 12 la estructura de las jurisdicciones sanitarias”. La Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. IX con base en Miguel Alemán atenderá a alrededor de 33,000 habitantes de la región
Contraloría organiza seminarios En español serán en tres ciudades
LUNES 9 DE ENERO LAREDO — El programa VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) invita a participar en el Entrenamiento Gratuito para Impuestos. Habrá dos sesiones, del 9 al 13 de enero, en horario de 6 p.m. a 9 p.m.; y del 14 y 21 de enero, en horario de 8:30 a.m. a 5 p.m. Inscríbase visitando: www.laredofesc.org
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MARTES 10 DE ENERO McALLEN — La oficina de la Contralora de Texas Susan Combs ofrece un seminario gratuito en español acerca de los impuestos estatales en Laredo el día de hoy de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m., en la oficina regional de la Contraloría en McAllen, ubicada en 3231 North McColl Road. BROWNSVILLE — La oficina de la Contralora de Texas Susan Combs ofrece un seminario gratuito en español acerca de los impuestos estatales en Laredo el día de hoy de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m., en la oficina regional de la Contraloría en Brownsville, localizada en 1900 N Expressway, Suite C-1. LAREDO — WWE Smackdown Live en Laredo Energy Arena a las 7 p.m. Boletos desde 16 dólares.
MIÉRCOLES 11 DE ENERO LAREDO — La oficina de la Contralora de Texas Susan Combs ofrece un seminario gratuito en español acerca de los impuestos estatales en Laredo el día de hoy de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m., en la oficina regional de la Contraloría en Laredo, 1202 E. Del Mar Blvd. # 1. Más información llamando al (956) 722-2859.
SÁBADO 14 DE ENERO LAREDO — ‘The Canijos of Comedy Tour’ con Raymond Orta es hoy en el Auditorio del Laredo Civic Center. Abrirán: Mario “Superstar” Salazar y Fabian Anthony Rivera. Anfitrión: Berto Garcia. Las puertas abren a las 7 p.m. y el show inicia a las 8 p.m. LAREDO — Un espectáculo de comedia, estelarizado por Sandra Valls y Sara Contreras se realizará en Laredo Little Theatre a las 8 p.m. y 10:30 p.m. Costo: 25 dólares.
las 12 Jurisdicciones Sanitarias incrementen su trabajo para disminuir padecimientos como el cáncer, sarampión, dengue y la obesidad. Gutiérrez explicó que la Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. V atenderá exclusivamente a la población de Nuevo Laredo con los 15 módulos de salud, y sus dos hospitales. Otras jurisdicciones que se integraron a la red, fueron Valle Hermoso, Padilla y Altamira.
TEXAS
LAREDO — Hockey: Laredo Bucks recibe a Allen Americans a las 4 p.m. en el Laredo Energy Arena.
LAREDO — Feria de Trabajo del “Eagle Ford Shale and Vendor Fair” de 9 a.m. a 4 p.m. en Laredo Energy Arena, 6700 Arena Boulevard, auspiciado por la Ciudad de Laredo, Laredo Development Foundation y Laredo Chamber of Commerce.
ribereña. A decir del Jefe de la Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. V, Jaime Emilio Gutiérrez Serrano, la asignación fue oportuna y bien planeada. Uno de los objetivos de la Secretaría de Salud es que
HISTORIA PRESENTE
DOMINGO 8 DE ENERO
VIERNES 13 DE ENERO
PÁGINA 7A
Foto de cortesía | La del Miernes
Panorámica del Palacio Municipal e Iglesia de Ciudad Mier, México. La imagen recuerda el libro “Un pueblo mágico por la gracia de su historia” de Enrique Maldonado Quintanilla y publicado en el 2007, donde el autor rindió un homenaje al recién designado ‘Un Mágico Pueblo Mágico’.
Reconociendo que el comprender las responsabilidades de los impuestos estatales puede tornarse en una tarea desalentadora para los comerciantes, la Contraloría de Texas anunció seminarios gratuitos en español en Laredo, McAllen y Brownsville acerca del tema. La Contralora Estatal, Susan Combs dijo en un comunicado de prensa que los dueños de negocios enfrentan retos y por tanto se tiene la obligación como funcionarios de brindar los recursos necesarios para que logren el éxito. El seminario gratuito en español está programado de la siguiente manera: en McAllen el martes 10 de enero de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en la oficina regional de la Contraloría en McAllen, ubicada en 3231 North McColl Road; en Brownsville, el martes 10 de enero de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en la oficina regional de la Contraloría en Brownsville, localizada en 1900 N Expressway, Suite C-1; y en Laredo el miércoles 11 de enero de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en la oficina regional de la Contraloría en Laredo, localizada en 1202 E. Del Mar Blvd. # 1. Durante el seminario donde los comerciantes podrán orientarse sobre temas que incluyen la manera de completar los formularios de los impuestos sobre las ventas, declarar y pagar impuestos electrónicamente y los servicios electrónicos (e-services, en inglés) disponibles para asistir a los contribuyentes en la administración de sus cuentas en línea.
“
Al conducir estos seminarios y brindar la asistencia de nuestros expertos a los comerciantes proporciona la orientación necesaria”. SUSAN COMBS, CONTRALORA DE TEXAS
Representantes de la oficina de la Contraloría estarán presentes con el objetivo de responder a las preguntas de los comerciantes y servir a los asistentes. “Deseamos capacitar a los dueños de negocios en Texas haciendo recursos e información accesibles”, expresó Combs en el comunicado. “Al conducir estos seminarios y brindar la asistencia de nuestros expertos a los comerciantes proporciona la orientación necesaria”. Combs sostuvo que “una comunidad comercial fuerte y diversa es la solución para mantener sólido el futuro económico de Texas”. La lista completa de lugares, fechas y horas para los seminarios ofrecidos a los contribuyentes en el estado (incluidos los que serán en inglés) se encuentra disponible en www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/ seminars.html.
ATAQUE CASINO MONTERREY, MÉXICO
Capturan a presunto autor intelectual POR PORFIRIO IBARRA ASSOCIATED PRESS
MONTERREY, México — La policía del norte de México detuvo a un presunto miembro del cartel de Los Zetas como sospechoso de ser el autor intelectual del ataque incendiario contra un casino que dejó 52 muertos en Monterrey. El vocero de seguridad estatal Jorge Domene informó el viernes que Baltazar Saucedo Estrada era buscado por el gobierno por el ataque al Casino Royale el
25 de agosto y por él se ofrecía una recompensa de 15 millones de pesos (un millón de dólares), Saucedo, de 38 años, fue presentado el viernes a la prensa. Reconoció haber participado en el ataque incendiario en el Casino Royale y otros crímenes en confesiones que son rutina y no tienen necesariamente validez en la corte. Domene dijo que el detenido también le dijo a la policía que el motivo del ataque es que los dueños del casino no pagaron una ex-
BALTAZAR SAUCEDO ESTRADA: Acusado por ataque de agosto del 2011. torsión, la principal hipótesis de los investigadores. Informó que la policía detuvo a Saucedo y a otro hombre el jueves en las calles de Monterrey al detectar una actitud sospechosa. Los hombres intentaron huir pero chocaron contra otro vehículo y fueron capturados. Horas más tarde, las au-
toridades reconocieron las huellas dactilares y rasgos faciales y se percataron de que se trataba del presunto criminal, también conocido como el “mataperros”. Las autoridades han arrestado a 17 de los 32 sospechosos del ataque incendiario. Pero ninguno ha sido juzgado en la corte aún. Soldados capturaron en octubre a un importante lugarteniente de Los Zetas al que se le acusa de haber ordenado el ataque. El líder de los Zetas, Heriberto Lazcano, también es buscado por
este crimen. El incendio en el Casino Royale fue uno de los peores ataques que ha sufrido México desde que en 2006 se lanzó una ofensiva contra el narcotráfico y que ha dejado más de 35.000 muertos. Hombres armados ingresaron, rociaron gasolina y prendieron fuego al edificio. El fuego atrapó y asfixió a decenas de jugadores y empleados. La mayoría de las víctimas eran mujeres que jugaban bingo, que estaban en las máquinas tragamonedas o que almorzaban.
Weather
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Matt Rourke | AP
Signs from Republican candidates are seen on a grass-covered median Thursday, in Manchester, N.H. In New Hampshire, there’s no snow to slow down Republicans as they zoom across the state to make their last push before next week’s primary vote.
No snow, just the cold By DAVID SHARP ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND, Maine — The big snowstorms of autumn are just memories in New England, where people who make their livings off winter tourism are losing income and New Hampshire primary candidates lack picturesque winterscapes for photo ops. Tourists in the West play golf instead of skiing. In Midwestern hockey country, you can barely slog a puck through the slush. A continuing dearth of snow in many U.S. spots usually buried by this time of year has turned life upside down. The weather pattern that left many northern states with a brown Christmas is still sticking around, and the outlook for at least the next week is bleak for winter recreation enthusiasts. Nationwide, the lack of snow is costing tens of millions of dollars in winter recreation, restaurant, lodging and sporting goods sales, experts said. “It’s Mother Nature. She’s playing tricks on us, or something. Now it’s getting nerve-racking,” said Terry Hill, whose cash flow is nonexistent because her rental cabins are empty at Shin Pond Village, north of Maine’s Baxter State Park,
2011 is driest ever By JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Droughtstricken Texas suffered its driest year on record in 2011 as well as its second hottest, the National Weather Service said Friday. The average rainfall for the state last year was 14.88 inches. The previous driest average total was in 1917 with 14.99 inches. The weather service said 2011’s average temperature was 67.2 degrees. Texas’ warmest year on record was in 1921 with an average temperature of 67.5 degrees. Last year Texas suffered its worst single-year drought, its largest agricultural losses and the hottest summer in U.S. history. From June through August, Texas averaged 86.8 degrees, beating out Oklahoma’s 85.2 degrees in 1934. The drought started in fall 2010 with the arrival of the La Niña weather condition that causes below-normal rainfall. La Niña is back and forecasters say the drought is expected to drag on at least through May. Victor Murphy, a climate service program manager for the weather service in Fort Worth, said forecasters were expecting below normal rainfall across the state in 2011 because of La Niña. “But I think the magnitude of the drought and the severity of the drought was obviously not expected,” he said. Last year scant rainfall and scorching temperatures dried up many riverbeds, prompting some wildlife biologists to rescue threatened fish.
normally alive this time of year with the buzz of snowmobiles. Early in the winter, the Southwest saw some heavy snow, as did parts of the Northeast clobbered around Halloween and Thanksgiving by snow that has since melted. The Pacific Northwest has seen snow recently. And longerrange forecasts predict above-normal or normal snow amounts for much of the country’s northern half for the rest of the season. Many economic losses can be made up, said Charles Colgan, an economist at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie Institute of Public Service. But that’s of little comfort right now in the Northeast, where businesses that depend on winter recreation usually see heaps of snow around the Christmas and New Year holidays as a bonus and it’s critical to have snow by Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, about a week from now. As of Thursday, only 19 percent of the nation was covered in snow, less than half the average snow cover over the past five years on the same date, according to the National Weather Service’s National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center in Minnesota.
Today’s forecast calls for the Northeast to thaw out from its first big cold spell. It’ll be in the 50s and sunny in Reno, Nev., a place that normally sees snow by now. In the Midwest, where the temperature hit the 40s Thursday, the warm weather has turned frozen ponds and backyard rinks to slush, sending ice skaters indoors. “There’s no place that has reliable ice. You’re skating on Jell-O. You try to shoot the puck. It goes a little ways and it gets stuck in a puddle,” said Barbara Garn, who has seen a big uptick in participants in pickup hockey games she organizes at indoor rinks in Minnesota’s Twin Cities region. Tom Buker, a pilot with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said he flew over southern Minnesota on Thursday and saw lots of ice that’s too dangerous for fishing. “There was no snow — zero,” he said. “I was at 2,000 feet; my temperature gauge was reading 62 degrees. That’s more like April weather than January weather.” Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y., normally buried in feet of snow by now, had the third-lightest snowfall on record from October through December.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Marksman charged in shooting behind school By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
EDINBURG — A competitive marksman was charged Friday in a shooting last month in which two teens were severely wounded during basketball tryouts behind their South Texas middle school — a shooting the local sheriff portrayed as unintentional but “very reckless.” Dustin Wesley Cook, who was shooting targets with a friend on ranchland adjacent to Harwell Middle School on Dec. 12, was arraigned on a charge of second-degree felony aggravated assault. He was only charged in the shooting of 14-year-old Edson Amaro. Investigators haven’t been able to test the bullet that wounded 13-year-old Nicholas Tijerina because it’s lodged near his spine. Cook’s attorney, Michael Guerra, said that when the details of what transpired are made public, they will show Cook “didn’t have any criminal responsibility, whatsoever.” He said Cook is a parent and has been praying for the boys and their families. But at a news conference after the hearing, Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said Cook, an experienced marksman, should have known better. “We do not believe that Mr. Cook went out there and intentionally and knowingly discharged this weapon intending to shoot or injure a child, but he did do it in a very reckless manner,” Treviño said. “By his own admission he knew that at the end of his targets, beyond his targets was Harwell Middle School.” The school only opened in the
Photo by Nathan Lambrecht/The Monitor | AP
Dustin Wesley Cook, left, listens to his lawyer Michael Guerra as he is arraigned for aggravated assault Friday at the Hidalgo County Detention Center. Cook is accused of firing the shot that injured a 14-year-old boy at an Edinburg middle school. fall, but police investigated a report of gunshots near the school before the students were wounded and investigated another report Friday that led to the school being locked down again. School district Superintendent Rene Gutierrez on Friday called on state lawmakers to ban hunting and the use of high-powered rifles and weapons within three miles of schools. “Our students throughout the state are going to continue to be at risk if we don’t do something
about it,” Gutierrez said. Classes were finished on the day of the shootings, but there were about 50 students trying out for the basketball team behind the school, where two hoops were set up because the gym was being used. Nicholas, the younger boy, was going for layup when he was shot. Between 20 and 30 seconds later Edson, who had been sitting on a curb waiting his turn, was hit. Edson lost a kidney and shortly before Christmas, Nicholas’
doctor said the boy was unable to move his legs, at least for the time being. Treviño said there was talk of sending Tijerina to a hospital in Houston where the bullet could be removed. If that happened, investigators would try to make a second ballistics match, he said. Authorities questioned three men they found on the adjacent ranchland after the shooting, including Cook and his friend, who were shooting targets about a mile from the school.
Cook had shot there before and had targets set at 100 and 300 yards in a line. It was not a certified firing range and did not include any protective berms that would keep stray bullets capable of traveling up to three miles from escaping. Cook was using a tactical rifle that fires a .308-caliber Winchester round — the preferred type of sniper rifle used in the U.S. military and police agencies, Treviño said. “The damning indictment here is that we have two targets that ... align the shooter with the children, the ultimate targets,” Treviño said. “This is very damning and very telling.” Investigators also have a log that Cook kept of his shots. It shows he took five shots at 4:38 p.m. Treviño said authorities received the first emergency calls around 4:45 p.m. The third piece of evidence is a ballistics report matching the bullet pulled from Amaro to Cook’s rifle. Cook and the other man, who authorities have not publicly identified, told investigators they did not shoot each other’s weapons, Treviño said. “I need the public to know that this was not a deranged shooter out there shooting children or ... some careless hunter shooting in the direction of a school, but it was a target shooter,” he said. Authorities said after the shooting that they had detained three armed men from adjacent ranchland. Cook and the man he was with were released. The third man, an illegal immigrant with an assault rifle, according to authorities, was eventually charged with misdemeanor trespass and poaching.
Girl’s deportation raises questions By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA AND LINDA STEWART BALL ASSOCIATED PRESS
EL PASO — The grandmother of a 15-year-old Dallas girl who was deported to Colombia after giving immigration officials a fake name is questioning why U.S. officials didn’t do more to verify her identify. U.S. immigration officials said they’re investigating the circumstances of the case involving Jakadrien Lorece Turner. But they insist they followed procedure and found nothing to indicate that the girl wasn’t a woman from Colombia illegally living in the U.S. The girl, who ran away from home more than a year ago, was recently found in Bogota, Colombia, by the Dallas Police Department with help from Colombian and U.S. officials. The Colombian government said late Thursday that the U.S. Embassy had submitted the necessary documents for Jakadrien to return to the U.S, though it was unclear exactly when
she might be back. Her grandmother, Dallas hairstylist Lorene Turner, said she’s hoping Jakadrien will soon be home. U.S. immigration officials deferred questions to the State Department about when the teen might return. The State Department declined to comment further. According to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the girl was enrolled in the country’s “Welcome Home” program after she arrived there. She was given shelter, psychological assistance and a job at a call center, a statement from the agency said. When the Colombian government discovered she was a U.S. citizen, it put her under the care of a welfare program, the statement said. Her grandmother called the deportation a “big mistake somebody made” and said U.S. officials need to do better. “She looks like a kid, she acts like a kid. How could they think she wasn’t a kid?” Lorene Turner asked
on Thursday. Jakadrien’s family said she left home in November 2010. Houston police said the girl was arrested on April 2, for misdemeanor theft in that city and claimed to be Tika Lanay Cortez, a Colombian woman born in 1990. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told The Associated Press on Thursday that the teen claimed to be Cortez throughout the criminal proceedings in Houston and the ensuing deportation process in which an immigration judge ultimately ordered her back to Colombia. The ICE official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to discuss additional details of the case, said the teenager was interviewed by a representative from the Colombian consulate and that country’s government issued her a travel document to enter Colombia. The ICE official said standard procedure before any deportation is to coordinate with the other
country in order to establish that person is from there. The girl was given Colombian citizenship upon arriving there, the ICE official said. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Jakadrien was issued travel documents at the request of the U.S. National Security Agency and with information submitted by U.S. officials. Colombian officials are investigating what kind of verification was conducted by its Houston consulate to issue the temporary passport. It was not clear if the teen might be charged upon her return for falsifying her identity in a criminal process. Dallas Police detective C’mon (pronounced Simone) Wingo, the detective in charge of the case, explained that in August she was contacted by the girl’s grandmother, who said Jakadrien had posted “kind of disturbing” messages on a Facebook account where she goes by yet another name.
Photo courtesy of WFAA-TV | AP
This undated photo shows Jakadrien Lorece Turner, a Texas teen who ran away more than a year ago, her family said.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
IMMIGRATION Continued from Page 1A in a statement. Immigrants who do not have criminal records and who have only violated immigration laws can win a waiver if they can prove their absence would cause an extreme hardship for their American spouse or parent. The government received about 23,000 hardship applications in 2011 and more than 70 percent were approved. About 75 percent of the applications were filed by Mexicans, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigrant advocates have long complained about the current system, which can split up families for months or years. And since there’s no guarantee a person will win a waiver to return, many immigrant families refuse to take the risk of going abroad to apply for one. Laura Barajas, a 42-yearold stay-at-home mom in Orange County, Calif., is due to travel to Ciudad Juarez in two weeks to try to get her papers. She and her U.S. citizen husband are trying to stay positive, but
she is afraid to leave him and their two young children behind. “I don’t want to be separated for a long time from my children,” said Barajas, who came to the U.S. illegally to find work, then met her future husband and stayed. “I’m not going to risk taking them to a place that I don’t even know after 18 years.” Pro-immigration activists and lawyers embraced the change, saying it would keep families together and encourage more people now in the United States illegally to emerge from the shadows and apply for visas. Some said it could even save lives. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., recalled the case of Tania Nava Palacios, who went to Ciudad Juarez — a hotbed for drug-fueled violence — with her American husband and son in pursuit of a waiver. Drug cartel members killed her husband last year, his office said in a statement. Kelly Alfaro, of Washington state, said her husband, Guillermo, waited in Mexico for eight months last
year after he had his visa interview in Ciudad Juarez. “I was terrified for his safety because I know how dangerous it is there and I had no way of knowing how long he would have to stay in Mexico,” she said. Democratic lawmakers welcomed the Obama administration’s move to change the immigration system by rulemaking after efforts at a legislative overhaul failed. “Has it taken a while? Yes. Is it happening? Yes,” said Rep. Luis Gutierrez, DIll., who has encouraged such changes. “Am I looking forward to telling people to vote for him? Absolutely.” Immigration has become a difficult issue for Obama ahead of the November election. As a presidential candidate, he pledged to change what many consider to be a broken immigration system. To that end, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced plans last year to review some 300,000 pending deportation cases.
COMMISSIONERS Continued from Page 1A that,” said Vela. Rathmell could not be reached for comment. In a previously tabled item, the court will discuss approving the interlocal agreement between the county and Zapata County Independent School District for the assessment of ad valorem taxes. The county and the district currently share operational funding of the county appraisal district in an informal arrangement. This agenda item, Vela explained, is about putting it in writing. “Under Judge Rathmell’s administration, we’ve been good at formalizing some of these things, and that’s what we seek to do with this item,” he said.
The county and the school district each contribute roughly half of the appraisal district’s funds, added Vela. The court will also deliberate and consider action on several items. It will consider an agreement between Journey to Recovery Outreach Program and Zapata County for the maintenance of the boat ramp on U.S. 83 and Texas 16, not to exceed the amount of $25,000. Additionally, it might approve the Oswaldo H. and Juanita G. Ramirez Exhibition Hall for a wrestling show on Feb. 4 and a “Bully Dog Show” sponsored by the convention and visitors bureau on March 17. The commissioners will consider installation of a
street hump at 124 Flores Street and a street light at 1902 Guerrero Avenue, which is in Precinct 4. Precinct 4 might get two more speed humps, one at 19th Street and Elm Street and another at Alamo Street and Ramireño Avenue. The agenda also lists two line-item transfers up for discussion: $2,500 for bird feed and supplies and $2,500 for “Parks.” Both transfers pertain to Precinct 2. Gabriel Villarreal, commissioner for that precinct, could not be reached for comment. The commissioners court meeting starts at 9 a.m. Monday at the Zapata County Courthouse. (Mike Herrera IV can be reached at 728-2567 or mherrera@lmtonline.com)
BLAST Continued from Page 1A the compressor kicked in, it caused the ignition. It blew (out) the vehicles.” Landin said the public should not be alarmed by the possibility of someone “planting bombs.” He added that it was a blessing no one got hurt, since the incident occurred after hours. “We would’ve had a much different outcome” had the explosion happened during the day, Landin said. Investigator Joe E. Baeza, police spokesman, echoed Landin’s comments and added that the consequences would’ve been worse given that the fire scene is behind Wiggles Children’s Rehab, 1403 N. Seymour Ave. “I don’t want to imagine the results of what (it) would’ve meant if the school (had been) full of children,” Baeza added. “Nobody went to the hospital in this case. … That’s probably the biggest silver lining in this whole story.” Several dozen 911 calls came in right after 11 p.m. Monday. From there, it all went downhill for the Laredo police and fire departments. People in the immediate area and those miles away from the scene reported a “loud explosion,” Baeza said. First responders arrived in the 1400 block of North Meadow Avenue to encounter a wood garage, fully engulfed in flames, in the parking lot area of Family Dental Care and Rathmell Engineers and Surveyors. According to police, the garage was used to store vehicles. The place was rented out to a land surveyor police say has no criminal history. Secondary explosions followed, blasting out the windows of motor vehicles and surrounding homes. On Tuesday morning, the police bomb squad, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and fire investigators could be seen at the location investigating. “All indications right now (are) that they have not found any evidence of any type of explosive material or any type of detonation device,” Baeza said Tuesday morning. One eyewitness account recollected seeing debris falling from the sky. Baeza added that pieces of wood and what had been the garage’s aluminum door were scattered throughout the 1400 block of Meadow. During these types of events, first responders are unaware of the situation until they assess the scene, making it hard for officials to release information on an incident. Rumors of what occurred late Monday spread throughout social media. Posts on Facebook fueled rumors of a police pursuit ending in an explosive collision or a grenade attack. For German Canales, who lives across the street from where the gas exploded, it was quite a night. He was working late installing an air bag on a car. After feeling the chilly weather, he went inside his
home. Twenty minutes later, the explosion shook his home, a few feet away. Canales and his brother went outside and quickly grabbed a cell phone with a video camera to record the incident. “When we heard the truck blowing up, we took cover behind the car, but we never stopped recording,” Canales said, noting that debris was falling from the sky. Canales witnessed motorists abandoning their vehicles and running for cover. Inside his home, Canales said the sheetrock walls cracked and the sinks and some windows broke. When people handle propane for barbecues and cooking outdoors, they need to be aware that leaks might occur. Landin urged the community to close their cylinders properly and completely to prevent an incident such as Monday’s from happening at their homes. Mayor Raul G. Salinas arrived at the scene later Tuesday. He added that it was a miracle no one had gotten injured. His concern now has shifted to propane tanks in the community. “We need to look at that and focus on the causal factor to make a determination to educate the public,” Salinas said. Some surrounding businesses opened for their customers. Mora Eye Clinic, at the southeast corner of Corpus Christi Street and Meadow, saw no interruption of patient visits. The office sustained only a broken window. “I guess we got real lucky,” said office manager Tony Shepherd. “Our office is pretty much unscathed.” Family Dental Care, which is next door to Rathmell Engineering, was also open Tuesday, but an employee said Dr. Carmen Rathmell was unavailable for comment. The back of Wiggles Children’s Rehab faces the site of the fire; it sustained significant damage. “We don’t know the extent of the damage yet,” said Carlos Ramirez, who handles marketing for the business. The Seymour Avenue location is closed for the time being, but Ramirez said parents of clients are being offered services at a second office on Jaime Zapata Memorial Highway. Wiggles is also offering transportation to the alternative location for families who live near the Heights office. The location employs about 25 people and 50 to 75 children attend for rehabilitation sessions each day, he said. Stock Woodwork, directly across Corpus Christi from the blast, had most of its windows blown out Monday night. Owner Shane Stock said the business was not affected very much Tuesday simply because he does not have very many walk-in customers. “We just had to clean it (the glass) up and board up the windows,” he said. Otherwise, the store had fairly normal hours, Stock said.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
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Sports&Outdoors HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Win some, lose some Hawks split district games By CLARA SANDOVAL
Undefeated Lady Hawks take flight
THE ZAPATA TIMES
With the preseason behind them, the Zapata Hawks find themselves two games deep in district play. In the opening district game, Zapata pulled out a 50-41 victory over PSJA Southwest via its ability to hit key 3pointers late in the game. Danny Chapa led all scorers with 15 points, while Alonzo Gutierrez added 12 points for Zapata. PSJA Southwest battled Zapata to the brink of defeat, with the Hawks struggling and regressing into some careless mistakes. “We struggled in the district opener, but we were able to hit two 3-pointers with two minutes left. That gave us a large enough lead to win,” Zapata coach Juan Villarreal. “We improved in some areas, but we fell back in others. It is going to be a tough season, but we’re taking it one game at a time.” The Hawks were able to get a victory after a worrisome preseason that saw them pile more losses than wins. “It was a good feeling to win, but we played a school that has only existed for two years,” Villarreal said. “It was a team of sophomores and freshmen, and they came at us hard. We had a tough time beating them.” The victory was short lived as the Hawks turned around quickly, playing district favorite Rio Hondo — preseason favorite to repeat as district champions. The Hawks couldn’t overcome 31 turnovers, dropping an 82-34 decision. Leading the way for Zapata again, Chapa posted 14 points. “We missed a lot of shots from the paint and had too many turnovers,” Villarreal said. “(Rio Hondo) is a very good team and they out hustled us in every part of the game.” Zapata hosts La Feria on Tuesday in a return to district action.
Soaring to the top spot By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Zapata Hawk Danny Chapa (11) helped power his team to one win and one loss so far in District 32-3A. Chapa led all scorers with 15 points in the district opening 50-41 victory over PSJA Southwest.
The Lady Hawks remain undefeated in District 31-3A heading into the end of the first round. Zapata beat one of the pre-district favorites, Rio Hondo, 59-50 on Tuesday, pushing its district record to 4-0, staying among the district leadBIGLER ers. Rio Hondo (3-1) dropped to third place behind Zapata and La Feria — the only undefeated teams. The pair of perfects clash Tuesday for an outright hold on first place. Port Isabel (2-2) sits in fourth place, rounding out District 32-3A’s top four teams. Senior Shelby Bigler continues leading the Lady Hawks, pouring in 26 points and 18 rebounds against Rio Hondo for the night’s only double-double. Teammate Estella Molina chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds. It took a while for the Lady Hawks to get going; they missed many offensive opportunities and fell into a 20-5 hole by the end of the first quarter. Zapata coach Hector Garcia Jr. put the Lady Hawks into their signature half-court press, one of their main weapons all season, and they were able to
See LADY HAWKS PAGE 2B
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Best time of year T
here’s only a few days left in Bowl Season, and every year, these few weeks reaffirm my affection for it. This year, I was fortunate enough to cover two bowl games, and I couldn’t wait. The anticipation I felt was like a kid waiting for Santa on Christmas. The first bowl I covered was the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, with Baylor pitted against Washington, and a few days later I headed over to the Meineke Care Care Bowl in Houston that saw Texas A&M versus Northwestern. With the Alamo Bowl game slated for 8 p.m., I arrived at the stadium around 3 p.m. because I wanted to take in all the festivities associated with it. Armed with my Alamo Bowl media credential, I set out to talk to tailgaters, hopefully scoring some food in the process. There’s just something about having a media pass around your neck that makes complete strangers stop and talk with you. In the crowd, I ran into an old high school buddy — Alex Rodriguez (no not the Yankee slugger) — there with his family. He spot-
See SANDOVAL PAGE 2B
Photo by Dave Martin | AP
Members of the LSU football team wait to have their team photo taken following media day for the BCS championship game at the Superdome in New Orleans Friday. LSU is scheduled to face Alabama for the national championship on Monday.
LSU, Bama Ready for the rematch By JOHN ZENOR ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — The head coaches and Heisman Trophy finalists Trent Richardson and Tyrann Mathieu got their own assistants and seats of honor at BCS media day Friday — college football’s downsized version of the annual Super Bowl free-forall. Musical tastes, the rematch and No. 2 Alabama’s spot in Monday night’s championship game against No. 1 LSU were among the topics covered on the floor of the Superdome. Both star players shared Richardson’s sentiment: “We’ve been practicing so long,
everybody’s just ready for this game to get here.” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban expects some pre-game butterflies and figures it does help some to have players who have been through it before. Alabama beat Texas in the title game two years ago. “Regardless of how many times you’ve been in a game like this, there’s still going to be some anxiety,” he said. “I do think that maybe some of the older players on the team that are the leaders on our team who have been in this situation before have certainly helped some of the other players who are looking for leadership.” There was a smattering of light-hearted questions — What’s the most embarrassing
song on your iPod? — but the atmosphere was decidedly lower key than the circuslike feeling at the Super Bowl. It will be the first time under the BCS format that two teams from the same conference have played for the championship, leaving some to wonder whether once-beaten Oklahoma State should have gotten a shot at the title. “The best teams are playing,” Richardson said. “The voters chose right. If we want a ball game that’s going to be 45-13, then put somebody else in the game. But if we want a ball game that’s going to be well played and it’s going to be a slugfest ... no-
See BCS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
Texans enter first playoffs today vs. Bengals By KRISTIE RIEKEN
the Andre Johnsons that have been here for forever and stuck with this organization and waited for a moment like this,” Yates said. “It makes you want to work harder for them just so it can make the moment for them more special.” Cincinnati last reached the playoffs in 2009, but has been to the postseason just three times in the last 21 years. Their last postseason victory came at the end of the 1990 season with a 4114 win over the Oilers. Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said the players don’t talk much about how long it’s been since they advanced in the postseason. “We have some guys who were close to being born when that happened,” he said. “We have some young guys on this team. I promise you some of them have no clue about that. We just focus on what we can do to do our best and win for our city and the Cincinnati Bengals.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Year after agonizing year, Andre Johnson was asked about his goals for the season and his answer never changed. “I want to get this team to the playoffs,” he would say. Now, after years of often terrible seasons, Johnson and the Texans have reached that goal. They will face Cincinnati on Saturday in the franchise’s first playoff game. This is Houston’s 10th season, and Johnson has been there for all but Year 1. That makes him the longest-tenured player on the roster and the only one who’s been in Houston longer than coach Gary Kubiak. The receiver is the face of the franchise. When the Texans were at their worst, he was one of the only recognizable names on the team. Johnson was long considered one of the NFL’s top receivers, and many questioned why he chose to remain with the Texans when they were never even close to reaching the postseason. Some also wondered if this team would ever make the playoffs. Johnson wasn’t among them, though he never thought it would take this long. “I always thought positive about it,” he said. “It’s been some frustrating times and I’ve had people ask me why didn’t I leave? Why did I stay? I just wanted to be a part of something special. I wanted to be here when the Texans got in the first playoff game.” Johnson had chances to leave, but signed two contract extensions. The second one will keep him with the team through 2016. Everyone in the organization is
Houston wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) and the Texans take part in their first-ever playoff game today against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. Houston won the regular season game, 20-19. happy the 30-year-old receiver is finally getting his playoff shot. “Think about how long he’s stuck it out here in Houston,” said Kubiak, who was hired in 2006. “A lot of guys in this day and time move along, go somewhere else, lose their patience. Andre has never done that. He’s been a rock around here.” Johnson has had a tough season, dealing with injuries to both hamstrings. The seven games he’s played this season are a career low. He finished with more than 1,200 yards re-
ceiving the each of the past three seasons, including a career-high 1,575 in 2008, but had a career-worst 492 this season. He played for the first time since Dec. 4 last week against the Titans, but was limited to about 15 plays. Kubiak said he’ll be back at full speed Saturday and expects him to be key in the game. “It all worked out,” Johnson said. “I didn’t get to play much this year, but to be able to be back healthy and get ready for the playoffs is pretty exciting. So
LADY HAWKS Continued from Page 1B hold Rio Hondo to eight points after its initial 20 points. Zapata transformed into thieves, stealing the ball 17 times, causing a momentum shift in its favor. Kristina De Leon, who has become a defensive nightmare, had a team-high seven steals — with most resulting from the half-court pressure. De Leon added seven defensive rebounds, capping a great game for the Lady Hawks. “In the second we went into our half-court press and picked up the tempo,” Garcia said. “As we started running the floor, we closed the lead to 28-19 at halftime.” The offense came around when Bigler and Molina found their groove. The second half saw a new and reenergized team emerge
CINCINNATI (9-7) At HOUSTON (10-6)
Photo by Al Behrman | AP
as the Lady Hawks chipped away at the Rio Hondo’s lead with each passing minute. Zapata clawed within three, 37-34, by the end of the third quarter. Zapata took control of the game in the final quarter, cranking up the ball pressure and forcing Rio Hondo to commit turnovers. “In the end, the pressure was too much for them,” Garcia said. Zapata only has a few days to celebrate its victory, as La Feria waits Tuesday night. The Lady Hawks travel to La Feria for a 7:30 p.m. tip off. “I think we will be ready for game against La Feria,” Garcia said. “La Feria is a very good team, but if we can continue with our pressure defense and work offensively for four quarters, we will be alright for the game.”
I’m going to go out there and give it all I’ve got.” Both quarterbacks in this game share none of Johnson’s history. Houston’s T.J. Yates and Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton are both rookies, the first time two rookies QBs have faced each other in a playoff game. Yates, the former third-stringer, was thrust into the job after season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. “That makes it even more important for the guys that have put in the work on this team,
Today, 3:30 p.m., NBC OPENING LINE — Texans by 3 RECORD VS. SPREAD — Cincinnati 8-6-2; Houston 11-5 SERIES RECORD — Series tied 3-3 LAST MEETING — Texans beat Bengals 20-19, Dec. 11 LAST WEEK — Bengals lost to Ravens 24-16; Texans lost to Titans 23-22 BENGALS OFFENSE — OVERALL (20), RUSH (19), PASS (20) BENGALS DEFENSE — OVERALL (7), RUSH (10), PASS (9) TEXANS OFFENSE — OVERALL (13), RUSH (2), PASS (18) TEXANS DEFENSE — OVERALL (2), RUSH (4), PASS (3)
SANDOVAL Continued from Page 1B ted me and shouted my name. It was great to visit with Alex, and of course, he gave me food as we caught up with each other’s life. I pushed on to see what kind of people were tailgating since 7 a.m. I stopped and talked with a couple of Baylor graduates from Houston there to support their Bears. I found out why people were there — mainly to witness Robert Griffin III, Baylor’s quarterback and first Heisman recipient in school history. Rumors swirled that this might be his last collegiate game, intensifying their want to watch him for the last time before he declared for the NFL. RG3 was all he was cracked up to be, and more, with precision passes and fabulous runs, outgunning Washington 67-56. Griffin was electric, marching Baylor’s offense up and down the field in a marathon race that the Bears eventually won. I was even able to get close to the Heisman trophy, despite having security around it. People on the field were allowed to take pictures with it but you were not allowed to touch it as one man found out. He was tackled to the ground after touching the trophy. Two days later, I headed to the Meineke Car Care
Bowl in Houston, where the Aggies broke a 10-year bowl winless streak. The Aggies enjoyed homefield advantage on their way to a win, and were on the board first. I enjoy watching Aggie nation go crazy over their football team. People from all over Texas — and many other states, at that — were there to watch their beloved Aggies. I also had time to spend with the band, since I was there to interview Laredoan Gonzalo Rodriguez. My main objective was to take pictures, trying out my fancy new lens — a Christmas gift — that I have come to love because of the great productions it creates. The feeling I got covering bowl games is like no other; I enjoy every aspect of it from the pregame festivities through the halftime shows and on to the postgame celebrations. I had to muscle my way into the photo pit to take some postgame celebration shots, even got hit on the head at one point. But it was a great experience — minus the blow to the head — and would gladly do it all over again. And again. (Clara Sandoval can be reached at sandoval.clara@gmail.com)
BCS Continued from Page 1B body has played a game like we have when it comes to living up to the hype.” LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo said, “I don’t think anything can compare to this go-around. It’s the national championship. It’s for all the marbles.” Some highlights from media day:
TESTING THE WATERS Several players from both teams will have to decide after Monday night’s game whether they will declare for the NFL draft or return to school for another season. All-American cornerback Morris Claiborne of LSU is expected to be a top-10 selection if he leaves early, though he insists the riches of the NFL are not on his mind. “I’ve just been brushing it off and not trying to deal with it at this point,” Claiborne said. “As of this moment, I’m an LSU Tiger and I’m trying to win a national championship.” His teammate, defensive end Sam Montgomery, said that he received positive reviews when he asked for scouts to grade his performance this season. But during media day Friday, Montgomery let it slip that he had decided to return to
Baton Rouge for another season. “I’ve got a lot more football to learn,” he said.
BUSINESS, NOT BOURBON STREET The always-focused Saban gets his own brand of pleasure from the New Orleans experience, and it doesn’t involve drinking hurricanes. “It depends on how you sort of categorize enjoyment,” Saban said. “I enjoy the fact that our team has an opportunity to play in such a great competitive venue. I enjoy the work of trying to get the team ready to play the way they’re going to need to play to have an opportunity to be successful. “It’s very challenging. So that’s my enjoyment. Now, maybe your perception of enjoyment is you go out and have a party. Well, that’s not my enjoyment of this experience.” Likewise, LSU coach Les Miles says he’s all about preparation. “Right now there’s no enjoyment,” he said. “I promise you that when we take the field, I will be preparing to enjoy myself for that evening.”
DIGGING THE
HOUNDSTOOTH The snickers floated from Tuscaloosa all the way to the Bayou when LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery was asked about former Tide coach Bear Bryant last November. “I don’t know anything about Bear Bryant,” Montgomery said earnestly before the first meeting between the two teams. “I really haven’t looked at film that much.” Apparently, it takes more than six national championships to get on Montgomery’s radar. He wasn’t going to make the same mistake this week in New Orleans, though. He went to Google and made sure he was prepared the next time the legendary coach’s name was brought up. “I was one of those guys who never watched ESPN, never watched sports. So if they would have read up on me, they would have known why I didn’t know who bear Bryant was,” Montgomery said. “But I took some time out of my day to find out who Bear Bryant was, and I have a lot of respect for that man.”
PLAYER COACH Before blowing out his knee, Josh Dworaczyk was
expected to be one of the leaders of LSU’s offensive line. The senior guard had started 23 consecutive games. Unable to contribute on the field, Dworaczyk became the Tigers de facto offensive line coach, plugging a hole caused by the coaching staff shake-up that developed from a far more serious health issue that confronted LSU leading up to the season. Offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in August and had to relinquish that job. He remained the quarterbacks coach and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa became the offensive coordinator and play caller. That put Studrawa up in the coaches box and away from the sideline during games. “They didn’t have anybody coming off (the field) to make the adjustments with the line, and that concerned me,” Studrawa said. Then, soon after LSU found out about Kragthorpe, Dworaczyk got hurt in practice. “How do you turn tragedy into triumph? There’s the missing piece to the puzzle,” Studrawa said. “He knows this offense as well as I do.” Dworaczyk said after he got hurt he went to the
coaches and told them he wanted to stay involved. “They were like, ‘We need somebody down there. These guys need a familiar face, someone they can talk to,”’ he said. “Just small things. With (fellow guard Josh) Williford on a pull, I might come and say, ‘Hey, Williford, next time you pull around, when you come around, come a little bit tighter.’ “Then I see him do it and the next play springs for 10, 15, touchdown, and it’s like, my small contribution helped this guy out.”
BUSY WEEKEND There will be nonstop activity throughout the weekend inside the Superdome, which is hosting a Saints playoff game on Saturday night and the BCS title game 48 hours later. During media day, the lower edges of field level stands were decorated with BCS banners, while the Saints fleur-de-lis logo on the 50-yard line was covered by a tarp. “What makes this particularly challenging is we’ve got a national championship — it’s not just any college football game on Monday night — and you’ve got a playoff game,” said Doug Thornton, a vice president
of SMG, the company that manages the state-owned Superdome and neighboring New Orleans Arena (which also was hosting an NBA game Friday night). “We’ve got to work around the team practices. We’ve got to work around media day. We have to do a lot of our work at night when folks are not here,” Thornton said. After media day, Superdome crews had to remove the BCS logos from interior facades and replace them with Saints logos. Thornton said stadium crews also had the unusual task of helping two major television networks, NBC and ESPN, set up equipment and run cables for their respective broadcasts. The moment the Saints game ends, crews will removing Saints banners from the stadium as well as NFL and Saints logos from the field, which will then be repainted with Alabama, LSU and BCS logos while BCS banners are rehung throughout the stadium. The NFL hash marks also will be removed from the field, and wider college hash marks repainted. About 350 people will work overnight Saturday and Sunday cleaning the stadium and restocking concession stands, which Thornton described as a “herculean effort.”
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS | BY HELOISE Lipstick Removal From Carpeting Dear Heloise: I read your column every day and am sure you can help me out. I am in dire need to know how to get LIPSTICK OUT OF VERY THICK CARPET. It is rather dark lipstick. I tried ice, and that seemed to spread it even more on the carpet. It is rather new carpet, I rent my apartment, and I am terribly upset about it. Thanks very much, Heloise! — Marilyn, via email Marilyn, happy to help. Sorry, but ice is not the answer, as you found out. That is for candle wax. Lipstick is most likely greasy or oily, although new formulations may not be. Here is my hint: Treat the lipstick stain with a SMALL amount of drycleaning solvent (find this in the laundry-supply area at the store) or prewash spray, using a clean cloth. Rinse, and blot thoroughly. Keep in mind for the future that there are three rules of stain removal: SOON, SLOW and SEVERAL. Work on the stain as soon as possible, work on it slowly, and several tries may be needed. Good luck. — Heloise P.S.: Visit www.Heloise.com for quick links to my Twitter and Facebook pages. PET PAL Dear Readers: Georgiann Eikenbary in Liberal, Kan., sent a picture of her Maine coon cat, Quin, and her other cat, Ursula, who has seven toes on one front paw and eight toes on the other! Georgiann says: “I’m so glad I had my camera ready when I saw these two! They love to ‘play fight’ with each other, then
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HELOISE
they make up by lying really close to each other.” To see Quin and Ursula, go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise LAP AFGHAN Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser. I enjoy crocheting, but sometimes have a partial skein of yarn left over. I use it to make “lapghans” (small afghans for the lap — Heloise). I start with any color and use it till it runs out. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of the row or at the end. I am careful in choosing what colors to put next to each other so they will blend well and match yarn types. When finished, I have a lapghan that can be used by someone in a wheelchair to help keep his or her legs warm. I put them in gift bags and take them to the local nursing home to be given to patients. I sew a blank name label on the lapghan so the nursing home can put the name of the recipient on it. I have made good use of my leftover yarn and given a nice surprise to someone! — P., via email KEEP ‘EM TOGETHER Dear Heloise: My husband’s family taught me this: When at the dinner table and someone asks for the salt, always pass the salt AND the pepper together. You don’t want to “divorce” the two. I thought that was cute and courteous! — Shelly in Texas
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4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
NFL playoffs take center stage By BARRY WILNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
The look of excitement and the eagerness in his voice gave Tom Coughlin away. It’s playoff time, and he loves it that his New York Giants are back in contention after missing out the last two years. Just as spirited is Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. And Pittsburgh nose tackle Casey Hampton. Their teams start down the path to Indianapolis on Sunday when the Giants host the Falcons, and the Broncos host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The playoffs begin Saturday with Cincinnati at Houston and Detroit at New Orleans. “The energy and the excitement are even stronger than yesterday and that’s the way I think it works. I think it goes along,” Coughlin said. When told he looked particularly animated this week, Coughlin threw up his hands and replied with a smile: “How can you say that?” The NFC East champions went 9-7, one game worse than visiting Atlanta’s record as a wild card out of the NFC South. Denver was a mere 8-8 in the AFC West, but that was good enough to win the division in a tiebreaker over Oakland and San Diego. It’s the Broncos’ first trip to the postseason since losing in the 2005 AFC title game — to the Steelers. Bailey remembers that defeat, and that Pittsburgh went on to win the Super Bowl. But he isn’t harping on the past too much; the present is too invigorating. “I’ll definitely be excited. That’s every game,” the 13year veteran said. “I mean this is the playoffs, there’s a little bit more excitement there just because it’s hard to get in this tournament and when you’re in you have to take advantage.”
Photo by John Ehlke | AP
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is one of the headliners on the AP 2011 NFL All-Pro Team.
AP announces All-Pro Team By BARRY WILNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Bill Kostroun | AP
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, right, looks on during practice Friday in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants are slated to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in a wild-card playoff game. Many doubt the Broncos are equipped to do so against a Steelers team that was 12-4, losing the AFC North to Baltimore on a tiebreaker, and allowed only 227 points, fewest in the league. Pittsburgh is playoff-tested, with three Super Bowl appearances in the last six seasons, including a loss to Green Bay last February. “That’s the best thing about being here. We’re usually in the playoffs,” defensive end Brett Keisel said. “When we get here we know what it takes to get going. Hopefully we can lean on that leadership and lean on that experience and hopefully it can lead us to a few wins here.” Watching at home this weekend are the top seeds, defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay in the NFC, and New England in the AFC. Also on byes this weekend are No. 2 seeds San Francisco in the NFC and Baltimore in the
AFC. Coughlin and the Giants recognize the advantages to earning a bye, but also know going all the way hardly is impossible when you have to play four postseason games. Hey, they did it in 2007 as a wild card, just as the Steelers did in 2005 and the Packers last year. Coughlin even sounds as if he doesn’t particularly mind playing this week while four other teams await the winners. “I’ll tell you what, it’s exciting. When you’re sitting there late at night, it’s exciting,” he said. New York hasn’t won a postseason game since stunning undefeated New England for the 2007 championship. Atlanta has fallen in both of its playoff games since Matt Ryan took over as quarterback, including a 48-21 home rout at the hands of Green Bay a year ago — as the NFC’s top seed.
Star receiver Roddy White understands the need for excitement, but also the need to temper it a bit. “Absolutely. When you get into playoff football, you’ve got to be focused, locked in, tuned in,” White said. “You can’t go out there and make mental mistakes because any play can be the play. Everything has to be tight.” Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez, who holds nearly every career record for tight ends, is 0-4 in the postseason. He’s not just looking for one win, but an even higher level of exhilaration. “It would mean a lot to me, but at the same time, that’s not our goal,” Gonzalez said. “After the game if we’re fortunate to win, don’t expect me to be elated. Ask me after the Super Bowl. That’s where I’ll be truly excited. The goal is not to win a playoff game; it’s about winning a couple of playoff games.”
NEW YORK — Calvin Johnson took one look at the voting and smiled broadly. “That’s sweet,” he said, as he studied The Associated Press 2011 NFL All-Pro Team. “That’s one of the best honors you can have other than being a Super Bowl champion. To be an All-Pro is a tremendous honor.” Johnson and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen were the leading vote getters, each just one vote shy of being a unanimous pick. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers made the team for the first time, easily beating Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, 471/2 to 21/2. Rodgers led Green Bay to a league-best 15-1 record this season, after taking the Packers to the Super Bowl title last February. Johnson and Allen received 49 votes Friday from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. It was the fourth All-Pro Team for Allen, who led the league with 22 sacks, one-half short of the record. Johnson made it for the first time after
hauling in 96 catches for a 17.5-yard average and scoring 16 touchdowns. One rookie made the squad: Arizona’s Patrick Peterson was selected as the kick returner. Peterson tied an NFL mark when he ran back four punts for touchdowns, including a 99-yarder in overtime to beat the Rams. Another cornerback, Darrelle Revis of the Jets, was behind Johnson and Allen with 48 selections. Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs got 47. One oddity: Both firstteam guards, Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans, were from the Saints. That hasn’t happened since 1953, with Detroit’s Lou Creekmur and Dick Stanfel. In the All-Pro backfield joining Rodgers, whose quarterback rating of 122.5 broke Peyton Manning’s single-season mark, were Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, LeSean McCoy of Philadelphia, and fullback Vonta Leach of Baltimore. It’s the first All-Pro selections for Jones-Drew, the league’s rushing leader with 1,606 yards, and McCoy. Leach made it last year with Houston.