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SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGES
FEDERAL COURT
Out at Laredo
Roma men in court over drug charges
Javier Reyes quits job in wake of charges By JJ VELASQUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
LAREDO — An Alexander High School teacher and former basketball coach facing two sexual abuse charges resigned Friday from UISD, his attorney and a district official said. Javier Reyes, 55, who was charged with felony sexual assault in Williamson County and indecency with a child by contact in Wilson County, had been
JAVIER REYES: Former Zapata CISD educator quits Laredo post after second accusation. on administrative leave with pay from the district but was proposed for termination. Reyes protested that decision last week by requesting a hearing by an independent examiner, who would have found facts on the case and presented them to
an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge would have then made a recommendation to the board on whether there existed “good cause” to terminate Reyes’s contract. But on Friday, the district received his letter of resignation from UISD, said David Garcia, UISD assistant superintendent of human resources
See CHARGES PAGE 8A
One gets 151-month sentence, another pleads guilty and awaits sentencing SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Two Roma men made appearances in federal courts in connection with drug-related cases, the United States Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
In McAllen, Ricardo Hinojosa was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute in excess of 100
See COURT PAGE 8A
WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ASSOCIATION
HONORING GEORGE WITH MUSEUM
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
The WBCA in conjunction with La Posada Hotel in Laredo and the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum on Friday. On hand for the ceremony were, from left to right, AnaIsabel Alvarez, Enrique Lobo, Veronica Castillon, Pati Guajardo, Bob Weathers, Blasita Lopez, Joe Castellano and Eddie Villarreal.
FALCON LAKE
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Body found is that Solons slam system of Honduran man CSCOPE under fire at Senate hearing By WILL WEISSERT
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County authorities recovered a floating body from Falcon Lake on Thursday morning. At about 11:20 a.m., Zapata County Sheriff ’s investigators were called out to the Roca Real area in Falcon Lake for a floating body. In addition, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens
and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to the scene. Game wardens retrieved the body from the lake, sheriff ’s Sgt. Mario Elizondo said. “There was no foul play that investigators can tell,” Elizondo said. He added investigators found an identification card which stated the man was from Honduras. Authorities are working with consular officials to locate next of
kin. Justice of the Peace Fernando Muñoz pronounced the Honduran national dead at noon and ordered an autopsy. Rose Garden Funeral Home took custody of the body and took it to the Webb County Medical Examiner’s office for the autopsy. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Top education leaders in the state Senate on Thursday grilled the creators of a curriculum system used across Texas that critics claim promotes anti-American values and stifles classroom flexibility. CSCOPE is an electronic curriculum management system that offers Webbased lesson plans and exams designed to help teach-
ers adhere to the state educational requirements. It is now used in 875 school districts — more than 70 percent of districts statewide — and is supposed to be flexible enough for teachers to alter its content to meet their individual needs. But some teachers have complained CSCOPE it too rigid, and conservative activists say it promotes biased, progressive ideology. A string of witnesses before the Senate Education Committee raised those concerns, criticizing the program for its lack of transparency and for pro-
moting liberal values that they said were anti-Christian at best and openly socialist at worst. One witness compared the system to “mind control,” while an algebra teacher wept as he described quitting because he felt he was “aiding and abetting a crime” by using CSCOPE in his classroom. “Discontent is rampant across the state,” said Peggy Venable, a frequent critic of public schools who is the Texas director of Americans for Prosperity. Defending the system
See SCHOOLS PAGE 8A
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Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
Saturday, Feb. 2 First United Methodist Church will hold a used book sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1220 McClelland Ave. Hardback books are $1, paperback books 50 cents, and magazines and children’s books 25 cents. A health fair with free medical screening and a limited pharmacy will be available at Laredo Stepping Stone Mission House, 377 Palomino Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first 100 clients will receive a free blanket. For more information, contact Reymundo Cruz at 956-712-0037 or mrgbahechcop@laredo.twcbc.com. Women’s City Club steak plate sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dr. Ike’s parking lot. Tickets are $5 each. Contact Nancy de Anda at 763-9960 for ticket information. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show: "One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure" at 3 p.m.; "Origins of Life" at 4 p.m.; and "Violent Universe" at 5 p.m. Matinee show is $4. General admission is $4 for children and $5 adults. For more information, call 956-326-3663. The WBCA’s Border Beer Fest is from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Laredo Civic Center. Beer enthusiasts are invited to sample and vote on their favorite brew, listen to live music and eat local cuisine. Admission is $20 pre-sale and $10 for designated drivers.
Monday, Feb. 4 The Teen Dating Violence Proclamation is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at City Council Chambers. Contact Sylvia Flores at 956-725-2522 or sylviaflores@scan-inc.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 Les Amis will hold its monthly luncheon at the Holiday Inn at 11:30. This month’s honorees are Maria Eugenia Garcia, Velia Herrera, Mary Lou Solis and Yolanda Gonzalez. This month’s hostesses are Beatriz Martinez, Viola Moore, Yolanda J. Gonzalez and Rebecca Martinez. The Alzheimer’s support group will meet at 7 p.m. in Building B’s Meeting Room 2 at the Laredo Medical Center, 1700 E. Saunders St. The support group is for family members and caregivers taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s. Call Melissa L. Guerra at 956-693-9991. The Webb County Community Coalition of SCAN will have its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church meeting room, 1704 Sandman St. Sandra Hernandez from SCAN’s Sexual Assault Services and Information Program will speak. For more information, call Veronica Jimenez at 956-724-3177.
Wednesday, Feb. 6 The IBC 2012-2013 Keynote Speaker Series features Dr. Pia Orrenius, assistant vice president and senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the TAMIU Student Center Ballroom. Orrenius will present “What’s Behind High Hispanic Poverty Rates?” The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 3262820 or visit http://freetrade.tamiu.edu/whtc_services/whtc_speaker_series.asp. The pre-Lenten all-you-can-eat pancake supper is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 1220 McClelland Ave. Admission is free, but free-will donations will be accepted.
Thursday, Feb. 7 The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center will host a meet-and-greet for physicians in Laredo and surrounding areas from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dr. Douglas A. Barnes and his staff from the Shriner’s Hospital will provide information on Orthopedic Services. For more information, call 956-722-2431. The Webb County Heritage Foundation will host an opening reception for “Cactus y Caballos (y Cows Tambien),” an exhibit of paintings by Encinal artist Janet Eager Krueger, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St. Contact the WCHF at 956-727-0977, webbheritage.org or on Facebook.
Friday, Feb. 8 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show "Two Small Pieces of Glass" at 6 p.m. and "Secrets of the Sun" at 7 p.m. Admission is $4 for children and $5 adults. Premium shows are $1 more. Call 956-326-3663.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by L.M. Otero | AP
Protests gather outside the hotel where Gov. Rick Perry delivered a speech Wednesday, in Dallas. In a speech to business leaders, Perry outlined how he would continue pressing for spending some of the state’s reserves on water and transportation projects.
Guv praises vouchers By WILL WEISSERT ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry told the State Board of Education on Friday that it’s time for Texas to increase the number of charter schools allowed to operate statewide and embrace a voucher system that would let parents get their kids out of poor-performing public schools and into private ones. “In terms of philosophy, this is really where the rubber meets the road, where the ongoing efforts to improve our public education system occur,” Perry told the 15-member board, which features eight new faces after November’s election. Perry largely repeated the education priorities he laid out for lawmakers in his seventh State of the State three days earlier. He said Texas has about 150,000 students in charter schools but that more than 100,000
others are on waiting lists. “Not every student thrives in the same setting in schools. Texas’ future must be built on the flexibility necessary to serve those different students,” Perry said. “That future will, by necessity, involve more public charter schools, which offer parents a tuition-free alternative to their neighborhood schools.” Texas caps the number of licenses to operate charter schools at 215, though it is possible to operate multiple campuses using one license. Lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills to ease or eliminate the cap, but similar measures have not been approved in the past — despite Perry’s frequent calls for more charters. “It’s also time to introduce scholarship programs that give students a choice, especially those who are locked in to low-performing schools,” Perry added.
Brownsville family charged in tax scheme
2 small planes land safely after colliding mid-air
UT-Arlington honors Columbia alumna
BROWNSVILLE — Federal prosecutors say members of a family sought to collect more than $750,000 in refunds by filing false tax claims using the names of dead people. About 340 claims were filed that used the name, Social Security number and date of birth for people who had died. The information was found online. Judy Lynn McCune appeared in court Friday on a charge of aggravated identity theft.
COLLEGE STATION — Two single-engine planes landed safely after a mid-air collision that damaged the landing gear of one of the aircrafts and shattered the windshield of the other. A two-seat Cessna carrying a Texas A&M student pilot and her instructor was flying southeast of College Station on Friday when its right wheel collided with the other plane.
ARLINGTON — The North Texas university where Kalpana Chawla earned her master’s degree in aerospace engineering will mark the 10th anniversary of her death as part of the Space Shuttle Columbia crew. The University of Texas at Arlington will mark the anniversary at 7:59 a.m. Friday, the moment when NASA Mission Control lost radio contact with the shuttle as it broke up over Texas.
Man admits to making threat against fed judge AMARILLO — A jail inmate pleaded guilty to mailing a threatening letter to a federal judge in Lubbock. Larry Boyd Wren II pleaded guilty on Thursday to mailing a threatening communication. No sentencing date was set, but he could get up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Amarillo ex-teacher pleads to sex charges
2 dead, 2 hurt in fiery suburban Dallas crash
AMARILLO — A former elementary school teacher received six months’ jail time after pleading guilty to engaging in illegal sexual contact with a minor. Julie Ann Moore pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child. Moore was ordered to serve 180 days in jail, give up her teacher’s license and register as a sex offender.
GRAND PRAIRIE — Two people are dead and two injured after a crash in Grand Prairie. The crash happened at 10:30 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 30. Police say the driver of a Dodge swerved and hit a Toyota SUV and a Chevy sedan, causing the gas tank to spill. It was hit from behind when it burst into flames. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Secret Service head set to retire this month WASHINGTON — Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan, who oversaw the agency during tumultuous and challenging times, is retiring Feb. 22 after nearly 30 years of service. Sullivan has led the agency that protects the president since the second half of President George W. Bush’s second term. He oversaw President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, which drew more than a million people to Washington, and nearly two dozen other major events involving the president. His nearly seven years as head of the Secret Service make him the agency’s third-longest-serving director.
Police: 1 killed, 3 wounded in drive-by PHOENIX — A woman was killed and three other people
Today is Saturday, Feb. 2, the 33rd day of 2013. There are 332 days left in the year. This is Groundhog Day. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 2, 1913, New York City’s rebuilt Grand Central Terminal officially opened to the public at one minute past midnight. On this date: In 1536, present-day Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Pedro de Mendoza of Spain. In 1653, New Amsterdam — now New York City — was incorporated. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, was signed. In 1870, the “Cardiff Giant,” supposedly the petrified remains of a human discovered in Cardiff, N.Y., was revealed to be nothing more than carved gypsum. In 1882, Irish poet and novelist James Joyce was born near Dublin. In 1887, Punxsutawney, Pa., held its first Groundhog Day festival. In 1912, Frederick R. Law parachuted from the torch of the Statue of Liberty in a stunt filmed by Pathe News. In 1922, the James Joyce novel “Ulysses” was published in Paris on Joyce’s 40th birthday. In 1943, the remainder of Nazi forces from the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered in a major victory for the Soviets in World War II. In 1961, hijackers of a Portuguese ocean liner, the Santa Maria, allowed the passengers and crew to disembark in Brazil, a week and a-half after seizing the ship. In 1971, Idi Amin, having seized power in Uganda, proclaimed himself president. In 1988, in a speech the broadcast television networks declined to carry live, President Ronald Reagan pressed his case for aid to the Nicaraguan Contras. Ten years ago: The search continued for pieces of the space shuttle Columbia, a day after the spacecraft disintegrated during re-entry over Texas, killing all seven astronauts. A hotel fire in northeastern China killed some three dozen people. An explosion destroyed a bank building in Lagos, Nigeria, killing at least 46 people. The American Football Conference won the Pro Bowl, defeating the National Football Conference 4520. Today’s Birthdays: Actress Elaine Stritch is 88. Former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing (val-eh-REE’ ZHEES’-kahr deh-STANG’) is 87. Actor Robert Mandan is 81. Comedian Tom Smothers is 76. Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 71. Actor Bo Hopkins is 71. Television executive Barry Diller is 71. Country singer Howard Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers) is 67. TV chef Ina (EE’-nuh) Garten is 65. Actor Jack McGee is 64. Actor Brent Spiner (SPY’-nur) is 64. Rock musician Ross Valory (Journey) is 64. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is 61. Model Christie Brinkley is 59. Actor Michael Talbott is 58. Actress Kim Zimmer is 58. Actor Michael T. Weiss is 51. Actor-comedian Adam Ferrara is 47. Rock musician Robert DeLeo (Army of Anyone; Stone Temple Pilots) is 47. Thought for Today: “Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great.” — Bussy-Rabutin, French soldier and writer (1618-1693).
CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Copy Editor, Nick Georgiou ....................... 728-2565 Managing Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez........... 728-2543 Sports Editor, Adam Geigerman..................728-2578 Spanish Editor ........................................ 728-2569 Photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press | AP
Carolyn Insler walks in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn., accompanied by her dog Duece, a Great Pyrenees. “He feels good because he was just brushed," she said. When asked where they were headed, she said, “I don’t know. I let him lead.” wounded Friday in a drive-by shooting in a south Phoenix neighborhood, police said. Authorities were searching for a dark green Ford Expedition after they say four men in the vehicle pulled up to the home around 2:30 p.m. and someone
fired multiple rounds. The four victims were gathered in the home’s front yard just a few feet from the road. A woman in her 50s and another in her 20s were In critical condition. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
Zlocal
State rep gets top post SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Rep. Tracy O. King was selected as chairman of Agriculture and Livestock Committee by Speaker Joe Straus on Thursday. King was also appointed to the Natural Resources Committee. The Committee on Agriculture and Livestock is a seven-member committee with jurisdiction over agricultural production, horticulture, livestock, forestry and rural development. The Committee on Natu-
ral Resources is an 11-member committee responsible for all matters pertaining to KING the conservation of the natural resources of Texas; the control and development of land and water and land and water resources. The committee also has oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as it relates to the regulation of water resources.
“I am very excited about committee assignments for this session,” said King. “As Chairman of Agriculture and Livestock and a member of the Natural Resources Committee, I will have a great opportunity to work on many of the issues important in the district as well as the State of Texas.” King is serving another term and represents Zapata in the Texas House of Representatives. For more information or to contact King, call (512) 463-0194.
2 arrested in drug bust
2 arrested; pot seized By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A routine immigration check on two people yielded more than $86,000 worth of marijuana Tuesday in Southern Zapata County. U.S. Border Patrol agents detained two people — a 20-year-old man and a 15-year-old juvenile. The adult’s name was not released. Border Patrol officials state on a news release
they turned over a vehicle, the marijuana and the defendants to the Zapata County Sheriff ’s office. Sheriff ’s officials did not have records of receiving the detainees or the marijuana. The case began Tuesday when agents with the Zapata Station stopped a white 2000 Ford pickup on U.S. 83 near Mesa Salinas Road for a routine immigration check on the occupants. Agents called in a nar-
THE ZAPATA TIMES
cotics detection dog for an inspection. The police dog gave a positive alert in the back of the pickup. Agents encountered an aftermarket gas tank with 45 bundles. The total weight was 108.2 pounds with an estimated street value of $86,560. The adult and juvenile were determined to be U.S citizens. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Consulate to come here SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Consulate General of Mexico has announced it will provide services at Gymnasium B at the Zapata County Independent School District, 17th Street and Carla, in Zapata on Saturday, Feb. 9.
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ Sheriff ’s investigators arrested two women for allegedly possessing synthetic SAENZ narcotics Jan. 12 at the Oso Blanco Motel and RV Park at 2132 N. U.S. 83. Victoria Discua, 44, DISCUA was charged with two counts of manufacture delivery of a controlled substance, a first- and seconddegree felony. Deputies charged Alicia Saenz, 38, with possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor which carries a punishment of up to one year in jail. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said he could not provide details on the case since it remains open. He added more arrests are pending.
PAGE 3A
The mobile consulate office will issue Mexican identification cards, also known as Matricula Consulars; passports, register children born of Mexican parents in the United States, and provide free legal advice. For more information call (956) 7230990.
Fire destroys old trailer By RICARDO R. VILLARREAL THE ZAPATA TIMES Courtesy photo
Zapata County deputies arrested two women at a hotel and seized about 67 grams of synthetic marijuana identified as K2 brand. On Jan 12, investigators seized about 67 grams of synthetic marijuana identified as K2 brand from a room at Oso Blanco. Deputies there arrested Discua and Saenz. Justice of the Peace Anna Guerra set a $25,000 bond for each woman. K2 or “Spice” is commonly known as black mamba, Bombay blue, fake weed and genie, among other names. A Drug Enforcement Administration drug fact sheet states K2 is typically
sold in “small, silvery” plastic bags and is marketed as incense that can be smoked. DEA officials say K2 products are usually smoked in joints or pipes but some users make tea out of it. Psychological effects can be similar to those of marijuana, such as paranoia and panic attacks, among others, the DEA drug fact sheet states. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
The Zapata Fire Department responded to call at around 5:30 a.m. Sunday at Pharr Lane and Siesta Shores where they found an abandoned mobile home engulfed in flames. “Normally those abandoned houses are used by kids who play in them,” said Zapata Fire Chief Juan J. Meza. The owners reportedly live in Florida. The mobile home measured 60 feet by 14 feet and had been abandoned for many years. In response to reports the house was being used as a drug house, Meza said there was no evi-
Courtesy photo
What’s left of a mobile home was destroyed by fire last Sunday. Authorities said the fire was likely set by a tresspasser. dence to that effect. Comments from neighbors also disputed those claims. He said that although the fire was set, it may have been the result of a smoldering cigarette left by a trespasser.
“There is no definite information as to how the fire started and it remains under investigation,” Meza said. (Rick Villarreal may be reached at 728-2528 or rvillarreal@lmtonline.com)
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Zopinion
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Polarization is reflected in the vote By JONATHAN GURWITZ SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Perhaps you’ve succumbed to the belief that political divisions in the United States are deeper and more rancorous than ever. If so, a group of historians is at the ready to disabuse you of that notion. Whether you’ve arrived at the point of partisan despair from the left or the right, a professional commentary class will remind you that Vice President Aaron Burr, a Democratic-Republican, shot and mortally wounded Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist; that Democratic Rep. Preston Brooks beat Republican Sen. Charles Sumner senseless in the Senate chamber; and that Obama versus Romney or, for that matter, Trump in 2012 doesn’t hold a candle to Adams versus Jackson in 1828.
What’s wrong? A handful of colorful anecdotes, however, don’t dispel the feeling that something is terribly amiss in today’s political environment — something more than a clash of huge personalities, and something less than the big ideas that animated the Republic. Statistician Nate Silver predicted the results of the 2008 and 2012 general elections with remarkable accuracy. In December on his FiveThirtyEight blog at the New York Times, Silver turned his data-driven analysis to the issue of political division. Silver looked at presidential voting by congressional district from 1992 through 2012. He found that the number of districts won by a landslide — those that deviate from the national result by 20 percentage points or more — nearly doubled over that period, from 123 to 242. During the same period, the number of swing districts — those in which the presidential vote deviates from the national result by five or fewer percentage points — fell from 103 to 35.
Redistricting Far more landslide districts on both sides, and far fewer swing districts. What accounts for this? Part of the explanation has to do with redistricting in 2000 and 2010. Republicans and Democrats in state capitals across the nation have gotten far more effective at drawing lines that serve partisan interests. Gerry-
“
Voters may see their choice of where to live as partly reflecting a political decision.” STATISTICIAN NATE SILVER
mandering used to be an art. Now it’s a computeroriented science. “Redistricting alone did not account for the whole of the shift,” Silver wrote, however, while laying out data that should put to rest the anecdotal evidence mustered to diminish the significance of today’s partisan divisions. “Instead, polarization has increased even after accounting for the change in boundaries.” Silver doesn’t offer an explanation for increased polarization, though he points in the direction of one. “The differences between the parties have become so strong and so sharply split across geographic lines,” he wrote, “that voters may see their choice of where to live as partly reflecting a political decision.” This is a theme fleshed out by Bill Bishop and Robert Cushing in their 2009 book, “The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart.” Technology and social media have only accelerated the pace at which this clustering is taking place. In addition to the real world, Americans are increasingly sorting themselves into like-minded, ideologically self-reinforcing communities in the virtual world. The problem of factionalism was foremost among the concerns of the Founding Fathers. “The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular states, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other states,” James Madison wrote optimistically. Today, however, the quality of leadership is demonstrably worse, and anyone with a smartphone or an Internet connection can, as Madison wrote, “practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried.” (Email: jgurwitz@express-news.net)
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-calling 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.
COLUMN
Latinos need major reform By O. RICARDO PIMENTEL SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
How cheaply can Latino voters be bought? That is a key question in this latest iteration of comprehensive immigration reform. ”Bipartisan” is the adjective attached to the group of senators whose ”blueprint” for reform opened the discussion last week. But the conditions this group preliminarily imposes on a ballyhooed path to legal residency lean decidedly GOP. They could sentence undocumented immigrants to a residency that is legal — at last — but brands them as ”second class non-citizens,” a wonderfully descriptive phrase I first read in a piece by Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic. Understand, Democrats will also exact their pound of flesh. Fines and the everpopular ”get to the back of the line” could be in a final bill. Variations were part of previous reform efforts. And Latinos decided they
could live with them. But these ”bipartisan” conditions proposed by the senators in their opening gambit differ. A border commission that includes border governors would ascertain whether some magical level of border security has been attained. This would trigger whether undocumented immigrants are eligible for green cards, the first step to citizenship. This could also be conditional on rock-solid worker verification mechanisms and determining if folks who enter on visas leave when they expire. Does anyone have any trouble envisioning bars raised so high that these become virtually unattainable? A case of ”Almost there, but not quite” — forever. You see, the notion of 11 million undocumented people someday getting green cards and then citizenship does not appeal to many. Some see new citizens; others new Democrats, a chief reason also that state-
hood for Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia gets fierce resistance. Immigration isn’t the make-or-break issue with Latinos as believed but is a lens through which Latinos discern feelings toward Latinos. Last year, by executive action, the children of undocumented immigrants caught a break. They would be allowed to stay and work without fear of deportation. But only in two-year chunks, uncertainty still built in. It was Dream Act-lite but this brought the president wide acclaim in the Latino community. It wasn’t the most important factor but didn’t hurt in Barack Obama’s quest for the Latino vote. He got some 70 percent, despite his administration posting record deportations. So, it’s easy to see a scenario in which provisional but legal stays will be cheered by undocumented immigrants and their advocates. If those conditions that trigger green-card eligibility be-
come perpetually unattainable, this may render them ”second class non-citizens.” But at least the threat of deportation will be substantively diminished. This is no small thing. But it is small compared to what might be. Let me suggest that if this lesser measure happens, Latino voters will have been cheaply bought — for the promise of citizenship for immigrant brethren. This should be non-negotiable. We cannot say they are worthy of serving us but not worthy of being us. Not conditionally but guaranteed. Details are missing from the proposals, so it’s hard to say if this will happen. It mustn’t. Arizona’s GOP Sen. John McCain, one of the bipartisan eight, is clear that this latest reform effort wouldn’t be happening if not for Latino clout at the ballot box. He’s right. Latinos should make it count. (o.ricardo.pimentel@express-news.net)
EDITORIAL
No ban is good Scouting SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
By lifting gay ban, Boy Scouts could match their deeds with words The life lessons the Boy Scouts of America teach their members don’t exactly jibe with the organization’s longtime policy of discriminating against gays.
Others A Boy Scout “seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own,” says the Scout Law members vow to obey.
Scouts “are concerned about other people, and treat others as they would want to be treated.”
Decisions Scouting leaders finally seem to have recognized the lunacy of that contradiction. The group said Monday that it is considering allowing the religious and civic groups that sponsor scouting to decide for themselves whether to discriminate against gay and lesbian members and leaders. The national board will make the decision next week, but it’s hard to imagine them backing away
now, after so publicly discussing it. Who knows why the scouts changed course after affirming the gay ban just last year. Perhaps it’s because companies such as UPS and Merck withdrew financial support. Or maybe the evidence that scouting officials covered up sexual abuse by leaders pointed too bright a spotlight on the hypocrisy of the gay ban.
An example We’d like to think the increasing number of local troops refusing to obey the national policy helped. Or
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
publicity around the outrageous case of Ryan Andresen of Moraga, Calif., who did all the work to earn his Eagle Scout badge but was denied it in part because he is gay. All of this has contributed to a nearly 30 percent decline in membership since 1998. No matter the reason, this news is welcome. Scouting always has had a lot to teach boys and young men of America about hard work and respect for outdoors. If the scouts change this policy, troops that admit gay members will have the moral standing to teach members about how to treat others, too.
National
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
NASA honors Columbia, crew By MARCIA DUNN ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Schoolchildren joined NASA managers and relatives of the lost crew of space shuttle Columbia on Friday to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy and remember the seven astronauts who died. More than 300 people gathered at Kennedy Space Center for the outdoor ceremony, just a few miles from where Columbia was supposed to land on Feb. 1, 2003, following a 16-day science mission. It never made it, bursting apart in the sky over Texas, just 16 minutes from home. Representing the families of the Columbia seven, the widow of commander Rick Husband told the hushed audience that the accident was so unexpected and the shock so intense, “that even tears were not freely able to fall.” “They would come in the weeks, months and years to follow in waves and in buckets,” said Evelyn Husband Thompson. She assured everyone, though, that healing is possible and that blessings can arise from hardships. She attended the ceremony with her two children, her second husband and Sandra Anderson, widow of Columbia astronaut Michael Anderson. “God bless the families of STS-107,” said Thompson, referring to the mission designation for Columbia’s last mission. “May our broken hearts continue to heal and may beauty continue to replace the ashes.” A pair of songs added to the emotion of the day. The young nephew of a NASA worker performed a song he wrote, “16 Minutes from Home,” on the keyboard, along with a vocalist. And Grammy award-winning BeBe Winans, an R&B and gospel singer, performed “Ultimate Sacrifice,” which he wrote for soldiers serving overseas. As it turns out, Anderson had taken a CD of Winans’ music into orbit with him. It was recovered in the debris that rained down on East Texas that fateful morning. Winans did not
Photo out of abductor By MELISSA NELSON-GABRIEL AND JAY REEVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | AP
June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee, right, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden visit the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial on Friday at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. know that until it was mentioned at Friday’s ceremony. “I honor you today, I really do honor the families and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” he added. Some in the crowd wiped away tears as he sang. Also present were 44 students from Israel, the homeland of Columbia astronaut Ilan Ramon. He was Israel’s first astronaut. The teenagers were proud to note that they go to the same school as Ramon once did. They wore white sweat shirts with an emblem of their nation’s first spaceman and the religious items he took into orbit. “He represented Israel in the best way possible, so I think it’s an honor for us to be here,” said Eden Mordechai, 15. The other Columbia crew members were co-pilot William McCool, Kalpana Chawla, Dr. Laurel Clark and Dr. David Brown. NASA’s human exploration chief, Bill Gerstenmaier, said no single person or event caused the Columbia disaster. Rather, “a series of technical and cultural missteps” were to blame,
dating back to the first shuttle launch in 1981 when fuel-tank foam insulation started coming off and doing damage. A chunk of foam punched a hole in Columbia’s left wing during liftoff, leading to the catastrophic re-entry. The astronaut who led the charge back to shuttle flight two years later, Eileen Collins, stressed that the 30-year shuttle program had its share of successes along the way and achieved its ultimate goal, building the International Space Station. The shuttles were retired in 2011. “We still miss you,” Collins said of the Columbia seven. “How can we ever thank you for your contributions to the great journey of human discovery.” The hourlong ceremony was held in front of the huge black granite monument bearing the names of all 24 astronauts who have died in the line of NASA duty. The three-man crew of Apollo 1 died in the Jan. 27, 1967, launch pad fire. The Challenger seven were killed Jan. 28, 1986, during liftoff. Husband
and his crew honored them during their own flight, just four days before dying themselves. On Friday, the names of each of the dead were read aloud. Afterward, mourners placed carnations and roses on the grating in front of the mirror-faced monument. “I felt compelled to be here to memorialize those who were a big part of my life,” said David Nieds, 39, a grocery store manager who got up early to drive from Fort Lauderdale with his mother and 16-year-old nephew. He attended dozens of launches. Some people like sports, he explained, while he follows the space program. Memorial services also were held at Arlington National Cemetery, where three of the Columbia crew are buried; in East Texas, where the shuttle wreckage fell; and in Israel. “Space exploration and the sacrifice these pioneers made benefits us all,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. “Today, we honor their lives and recommit ourselves to living up to their shining example.”
MIDLAND CITY, Ala. — After four anxious days, only the slimmest of details has come to light in a police standoff with an Alabama man who is accused of holding a 5-year-old boy hostage in a bunker, a sign of just how delicate the negotiations are. Police have used a ventilation pipe in the underground bunker to talk to the man and deliver the boy medication for his emotional disorders, but they have not revealed how often they are in touch or what the conversations have been about. And authorities waited until Friday — four days after the siege began — to confirm what so many in this age of instant communication already knew: The man accused of killing a school bus driver and abducting the boy Tuesday was 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, a Vietnam-era veteran who was known as a menacing figure. While much of what is going on inside the bunker remains a mystery, local officials who have spoken to police or the boy’s family have described a small room with food, electricity and a TV. And while the boy has his medication, an official also said he has been crying for his parents. Meanwhile, Midland City residents held out hope that the standoff would end safely and mourned for the slain bus driver and his family. Candlelight vigils have been held nightly at a gazebo in front of City Hall. Residents prayed, sang songs such as “Amazing Grace” and nailed homemade wooden crosses on the gazebo’s railings alongside signs that read: “We are praying for you.” “We’re doing any little thing that helps show support for him,” said 15year-old Taylor Edwards said. Former hostage negotiators said authorities must be cautious and patient as long as they are confident that the boy is unharmed. Ex-FBI hostage negotiator Clint Van Zandt advised against any drastic measures, such as cutting the electricity to, or putting sleep gas inside, the bunker because it could agitate Dykes.
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
SABADO 2 DE FEBRERO DE 2013
Zfrontera INTENSIFICA SALUD PROGRAMA PARA PREVENIR CÓLERA
Agenda en Breve
Vigilancia sanitaria
ZAPATA El Consulado General de México invita al Consulado Móvil, en instalaciones del Gimnasio B del Zapata Country Independent School District, Calle 17 y Carla, de 9 a.m. a las 2 p.m. El Consulado Móvil tiene como principal objetivo proporcionar servicios básicos como la expedición de Matrícula Consular (ID mexicana), de Pasaporte para trámites migratorios o viaje y el Registro de Nacimiento de menores de edad nacidos en Estados Unidos, hijos de padre o madre mexicanos, así como prestar asesoría legal y orientación al público que lo requiera en el ámbito de Protección.
LAREDO 02/02— Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU presenta: “One World, One Sky Big Bird’s Adventure” a las 3 p.m., “Origins of Life” a las 4 p.m.; “Violent Universe” a las 5 p.m. Costos: 4 y 5 dólares. 02/02— Segundo Festival Anual de la Cerveza en Salón de Baile del Laredo Civic Center, 2400 avenida San Bernardo, a partir de las 6 p.m. Boletos en pre-venta a 15 dólares; 20 dólares el día del evento. Conductores designados pagan 10 dólares. Evento solo para personas de 21 años de edad y mayores. Las ganancias se destinarán al programa South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (S.T.A.R.S.). 02/02— El partido de baloncesto de beneficencia anual Guns-N-Hoses (entre los Departamentos de Policía de Laredo y Bomberos) será a las 7:30 p.m. en el Edificio de Kinesiology and Convocation en TAMIU, 5201 University Boulevard. Costo: 5 dólares. El objetivo es beneficiar al Departamento de Atletismo de la Universidad. 02/04— “Josh Groban en Vivo: All That Echoes” se presenta a las 6 p.m. en Mall Del Norte, 5300 San Dario. Groban es una de las voces más originales de la música popular moderna. Será una transmisión en vivo desde el Allen Room de New York. 02/06— Serie de Conferencistas Principales 20122013 del International Bank of Commerce presenta a Pia Orrenius, Vice Presidente Asistente y Economista Principal para el Banco de la Reserva Federal en Dallas con el tema “¿Qué hay detrás de las Tasas de Pobreza Hispanas?”, a las 7:30 p.m. en el Student Center Ballroom de TAMIU. Evento gratuito. 02/07— El Centro de Rehabilitación Ruthe B. Cowl invita a un evento para conocer y saludar a médicos en Laredo y áreas circunvecinas, de 6 p.m. a 7 p.m. Douglas A. Barnes y sus colaboradores del hospital Shriner en Houston ofrecerán información para servicios ortopédicos así mismo atenderán a pacientes. Más información en 722-2431. 02/07— La Fundación para el Patrimonio del Condado de Webb tendrán una recepción de apertura para “Cactus y Caballos (y Cows También)”, una exhibición con pinturas de Janet Eager Krueger, una artista de Encinal, de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en el Museo Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 calle Zaragoza. Visite www.webbheritage.org. 02/07— “Taste of Laredo” es en Laredo Energy Arena, 6700 Arena Boulevard, a partir de las 7 p.m. Música con The SpaceRockers. 02/07— La Banda “The Koffin Kats”, de Detroit, se presenta en On The Rocks Tavern, 1002 calle Iturbide, a partir de las 10:30 p.m.
PÁGINA 7A
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Ante la proximidad de la temporada de cuaresma y el periodo vacacional de Semana Mayor 2013, la Secretaría de Salud de Tamaulipas reforzará la vigilancia epidemiológica y las acciones orientadas a evitar la aparición del cólera, luego de confirmarse diferentes casos de esta enfermedad en Cuba. Norberto Treviño García-Manzo, Secretario de Salud, dio a conocer que aún y cuando en el Estado no se ha confirmado ningún caso en
más de 12 años, la presencia de la enfermedad en aquel país evidencia que sigue generando riesgos para su diseminación a otros países del continente. Ante ello, el Gobierno del Estado mantiene una estrecha coordinación con los organismos operadores de agua para garantizar las cantidades adecuadas de cloro, y evitar riesgos en la salud de la población por el fenómeno migratorio que se avecina con el periodo vacacional. Tamaulipas cuenta con 12 juris-
dicciones sanitarias, y las mismas cuentan con instrucciones para intensificar las acciones de muestreo de alimentos, mariscos, agua y hielo, así como el estudio y monitoreo de pacientes diarreicos para descartar la presencia de la bacteria vibrio cholerae, causante del cólera en humanos. Treviño añadió que el sistema estatal de salud cuenta con la infraestructura sanitaria adecuada y capacidad analítica de muestras, ya que anualmente estudia un promedio de 17.000 pacientes con en-
fermedades diarreicas, posicionado a Tamaulipas como uno de los estados líderes en la prevención de la enfermedad. La Secretaría de Salud recomienda a la población que siga las medidas necesarias para evitar enfermedades propias de esta temporada, como evitar consumir alimentos en la vía pública y mantener la higiene en el hogar al prepararlos y conservarlos, lavarse las manos de forma correcta y constante, sobretodo antes de comer y después de ir al baño.
COMUNIDAD
ENTRETENIMIENTO
UNA BUENA CAUSA
Foto por Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
Pescadores disfrutan el Lago Falcon, en Zapata. Oficiales del Parque Estatal Falcon invitan a las familias a pasar un día disfrutan las amenidades del lugar.
Foto por Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Samantha Medina, estudiante para Procesamiento de Comida en Nixon High School, remueve la carne de un venado, el miércoles por la mañana. La carne es cortada en cuadros, molida y empacada en bolsas de dos libras para ser distribuida por parte del Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas.
Estudiantes aprenden y al mismo tiempo ayudan a necesitados POR JJ VELASQUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
M
ientras otros estudiantes de Nixon High School tenían la cabeza en libros de texto, los estudiantes de Aucencio López, de la clase de procesamiento de comida cuidadosamente cortaban pedazos de venado en cubos. Esa fue la parte fácil, dijo Pedro Tijerina, uno de alrededor de 12 estudiantes en la clase de López. Antes de eso, los estudiantes en la clase de dos horas tuvieron que cortar la carne de venado para remover los huesos. Eso, dijo Tijerina, fue lo difícil. Sin embargo, procesar por completo al venado gratifica a los estudiantes porque eventualmente es suministrado a las personas necesitadas, dijo. La clase proveerá al South Texas Food Bank (Banco de Alimentos) del Sur de Texas con alrededor de 250 libras de venado como parte de su programa para aliviar el hambre llamado ‘Rancheros por el Hambre’, dijo Ló-
pez. La carne alimentará a alrededor de 125 familias del Sur de Texas ya que cada una recibirá dos libras, dijo. “Es una buena manera de ayudar a la comunidad”, dijo Tijerina. “Es una buena manera de regresar. Me ha enseñado a agradecer por lo que tenemos y a no dar nada por sentado”. La iniciativa, la cual López dijo empezó hace dos años, ayuda a proveer carne orgánica a niños y familias en otros programas del banco de comida, como Kids Café y Adopt-A-Family. El programa también acepta venado durante la temporada de caza, de acuerdo con un documento en su página Web. La mayoría de la comida producida en la clase de López —la cual también incluye carne de res, cordero y puerco— es donada a programas comunitarios, sostuvo. Pero inclusive antes de que Esperanza Ayala se inscribiera en la clase de procesamiento de comida, sabía de todo sobre donar carne para los necesitados.
El abuelo de Ayala, quien es dueño de un rancho en El Cenizo, tiene animales como bueyes y pollos. Ella dijo que él donaba carne a la comunidad ahí. Ayala dijo que la principal voluntad que hace a la clase procesar la comida es que beneficiará a alguien cuyo bienestar estaría amenazado sin ella. “Me ha enseñado muchas cosas”, ella dijo acerca de la clase. “Pero lo principal que hacemos es ayudar a otras personas”. La clase es parte de un programa vocacional de tecnología de la comida en Nixon HS. Ha existido desde 1973, dijo López. Él dijo que varios ex alumnos del programa se han convertido en rancheros y donan venado para procesar. “Es una situación en la que todos ganan”, dijo López. “Los chicos se ponen manos a la obra para aprender, y al mismo tiempo, hacen su servicio comunitario”. (JJ Velásquez puede ser localizado en 728-2579 ó jjvelasquez@lmtonline.com)
Invitan a disfrutar Parque Estatal Falcon ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Acampar, comer al aire libre, o pescar, son algunas de las actividades disponibles para el público en el Parque Estatal Falcon, ubicado 30 millas al sur de Zapata. Carlos Rivas, Superintendente del Parque Estatal Falcon, mostró un video conforme describió las recreaciones en el parque durante la junta en enero de la Asociación de Empleados de Escuela Retirados del Condado de Zapata. Otras amenidades en el parque incluyen el observar aves, pasear en lancha, buscar piedras, excursionismo, y acceso para personas con capacidades diferentes. Se cobra una cuota a la entrada del parque, y se pueden hacer reservaciones para tiendas de campaña y lugares para acampar o cabañas. Esmeralda Pilon, Gerente de Oficina del Parque, explicó que el parque está abierto todo el año, con un oficial apostado a todo momento. Agregó que personas de todo Estados Unidos han visitado el parque, siendo que el lago es conocido por destacar en la pesca de lubina (róbalo). Oficiales del parque sugieren a los pescadores y visitantes conocer las regulaciones del parque por medio de contactar al Departamento de Parques y Vida Salvaje de Texas. Más información llamando al 800-7921112, Parque Estatal Falcon al (956) 8485327 o visitando www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
SERVICIO
BOMBEROS
Procurador solicita voluntarios
Fuego consume casa móvil abandonada POR RICARDO R. VILLARREAL
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
El Procurador General de Texas, Greg Abbott, pidió esta semana que personas destinen algo de su tiempo como voluntarios en la oficina de apoyo infantil del Procurador General en Laredo. Los voluntarios se necesitan de lunes a viernes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m., a fin de que realicen varias actividades, como son, introducir información, archivar y ayudar a los abogados y oficiales de apoyo infantil. La oficina de apoyo infantil en Laredo maneja más de 21.000 casos de apoyo infantil en los condados de Brooks, Jim Hogg, Webb, y Zapata.
“Los voluntarios son cruciales para el éxito del programa de apoyo infantil”, dijo Abbott. “Al donar su tiempo de manera generosa, los voluntarios nos ayudan a proveer a los niños con importantes recursos financieros y médicos. “Gracias a nuestros dedicados voluntarios, la Oficina del Procurador General asegurará que jóvenes tejanos cuenten con los recursos necesarios para crecer sanos y fuertes”. Personas interesadas en ser voluntarios, pueden llamar al (956) 9927531 para hablar con Guadalupe Leal, Coordinador de Alcance Regional, quien puede otorgar información adicional y programar una entrevista.
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
El Departamento de Bomberos de Zapata respondió a una llamada alrededor de las 5:30 a.m. del domingo en Pharr Lane y Siesta Shores, donde encontraron una casa móvil abandonada, envuelta en llamas. “Normalmente esas casas abandonadas son utilizadas por los niños para jugar dentro de ellas”, dijo Juan J. Meza, Jefe de Bomberos en Zapata. Supuestamente los propietarios viven en Florida. La casa móvil medía 60 pies por 14 pies, y había estado abandonada por varios años.
En respuesta a los reportes de que la casa estaba siendo utilizada como un lugar para venta de drogas, Meza dijo que no había evidencia sobre eso. Comentarios de los vecinos también cuestionarios tales reclamos. Dijo que aunque el fuego fue intencional, pudiera haber sido el resultado de un cigarro encendido que haya arrojado un transeúnte. “No hay información definitiva de cómo inició el incendio, conforme continúa bajo investigación”, dijo Meza. (Localice a Rick Villarreal en el 728-2528 o en rvillarreal@lmtonline.com)
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT A 31-year-old woman reported at 2 a.m. Jan. 26 in the 900 block of Texas 16 that someone hit her in the head with a beer bottle. A 13-year-old juvenile was detained and charged with assault, domestic violence at about 2 p.m. Jan. 26 in the 300 block of Gonzalez Street. The juvenile was taken to the Webb County Youth Village. Jesus C. Dominguez, 26, was arrested at about 9 p.m. Jan. 26 in the 900 block of Roma Avenue. He was released from the Zapata County Jail for future court appearance.
BURGLARY A 20-year-old woman reported at 10:15 a.m. Thursday in the 1900 block of Miraflores Avenue that someone broke into her apartment to steal a Nintendo Wii and some video games. The property stolen
had an estimated street value of $365.
DUI Ruben Campos, 18, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence at about 2:45 a.m. Jan. 26 by 13th Street and Villa Avenue. He was fined $250. Jose A. Martinez Jr., 18, and Gerardo Torres, 19, were arrested at about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 26 in the Sierra Vista Subdivision. Martinez was charged with driving under the influence and Torres with minor in possession of alcoholic beverage. Both people were taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. Rodrigo Chapa Jr., 19, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence at about 1:45 a.m. Friday on Siesta Lane in the Siesta Shores Subdivision. Deputies also arrested Valentin E. Cobos, 23, and
charged him with public intoxication. Cobos already served his sentence. Chapa was released for future court appearance.
Barney, former White House Scottie, dies ASSOCIATED PRESS
DWI Carlos N. Gonzalez, 21, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated at about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 27 Wednesday in the 700 block of Juarez Avenue. Gonzalez had a $3,000 at the Zapata Regional Jail. A passenger identified as Genesis del Bosque, 18, was charged with public intoxication. She was released for future court appearance.
PUBLIC INTOXICATION Victor A. Sanchez, 18, was arrested and charged with public intoxication at about 3:30 a.m. Jan 27 in the 700 block of Villa Avenue. She was released for future court appearance.
DALLAS — Thanks to a tiny video camera on his collar, Barney offered a dog-level holiday tour of the White House in 2002 while shuffling from room to room and menacing the Christmas tree. The video starring President George W. Bush’s black Scottish terrier was a hit, drawing 24 million online tourists the first day. It also helped reopen the White House after it was closed to tourists the previous holiday season following the Sept. 11 terrorist at-
tacks. Bush and his wife, Laura, released a statement Friday saying their famous 12-year-old pooch had died after suffering from lymphatic cancer. “Barney was by my side during our eight years in the White House,” Bush said. “He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend. Laura and I will miss our pal.” With public access to the White House more restricted in the aftermath of 9/11, first lady Laura Bush sent Barney out to prowl the building with the camera. Barney Cam’s 4.5-minute video
tour of the mansion decorations was such a hit that his movies became an annual feature for the rest of Bush’s presidency. Later videos later included Miss Beazley, the Bush family’s other Scottish terrier, and even high-profile guests including cameos by country singer Alan Jackson and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. A burial is planned at the former president’s ranch in Central Texas, where Bush says Barney, “a fierce armadillo hunter,” loved to accompany him while fishing for bass.
SCHOOLS Continued from Page 1A was Wade Lebay, director of state CSCOPE at the Region 13 Education Service Center in Austin. He said CSCOPE offers around 1,600 model lessons that districts can access for a fee of $7 per student, though additional training for teachers on how to use the system can increase the per-pupil price. “It’s built by teachers, designed by teachers and that’s what’s powerful about CSCOPE,” Lebay said. His is one of 20 service centers statewide that serve as liaisons between
school districts and the Texas Education Agency, which oversees public schools. Senators asked Lebay about complaints that some lesson plans promoted pro-Islam ideals, or described participants of the Boston Tea Party as terrorists. Lebay was even asked to read part of a sixth grade lesson plan which showed different countries’ flags and instructed students to “notice that socialist and communist countries use symbolism on their flags.”
It went on to ask students what symbols they would use if they were to create a flag for a new socialist country. First-term Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, asked, “Does that sound like we’re sympathizing with those types of countries?” He later said he found the lesson plan “very egregious as a Texan and an American.” Linda Villarreal, director of the Region 2 Education Service Center in Corpus Christi, responded, “We have 1,600 lessons,
COURT Continued from Page 1A kilograms of marijuana. On Sept. 1, 2011, Hinojosa and others agreed to transport about 211 kilograms of marijuana from Starr County to another location for further distribution. The others are identified in court documents as Javier Gonzalez, Ramiro Reyes, Eric Garza, Rogelio Vela and Jose Ibarra. As part of an additional scheme and before the marijuana transportation took place, Hinojosa and others agreed to steal the load of marijuana from the actual owner. They would steal the marijuana and have the actual marijuana owner believe the marijuana was seized by law enforcement. Hinojosa, Reyes, Vela Gonzales and Garza were sentenced to respective terms of prison of 151, 63, 60, 32 and 24 months. Ibarra was previously sentenced to 30 months for his role and activities. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Meanwhile, in Corpus Christi, Alberto Lopez, also known as Alberto LopezReyna, 39, of Roma, entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana. Lopez entered into a written plea agreement before Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack. From November 2010 until his arrest in December 2012, Lopez facilitated the transportation of marijua-
na concealed in the hulls of altered shallow-bottom fishing boats from Port Mansfield to Corpus Christi via the intra-coastal waterway in an effort to circumvent Border Patrol checkpoints in Falfurrias and Sarita. He admitted his role in supplying loads of marijuana over the course of the conspiracy and mapping out boat docks in the Corpus Christi area that would be used to retrieve the marijuana-laden vessels for transportation to Houston. The government detailed how four loads of marijuana were intercepted and 1,600 kilograms of marijuana were seized over two years. Members of the conspiracy who served as drivers were Lombardo Zarate, 49, Rogelio Mendoza, 37, Glen Dial 56, Luz Ramirez, 25, and Hector Perez-Gonzales, 39, all of whom have pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judges in Corpus Christi and have either been sentenced to terms of imprisonment at the Bureau of Prisons or await sentencing. Lopez faces a minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison as well as a possible $5 million fine and a substantial money judgment. Sentencing is pending before Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack. The case is the result of a two-year investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Kingsville Narcotics Task force.
so to take just this one is....” Taylor cut her off asking, “Who is reviewing these 1,600 plans?” Another first-year senator, Donna Campbell, a San Marcos Republican, complained about the uniformity CSCOPE imposes — though Lebay and Villareal argued it was necessary to ensure teachers best-adhere to complicated state curriculum requirements. “Our teachers don’t need to be scripted,” Campbell said. Education Committee
Chairman Dan Patrick said he’d never met a teacher who wasn’t critical of CSCOPE. The Houston Republican also objected to what he called the program’s lack of transparency, complaining that parents can’t access lesson plans. CSCOPE’s creators say such materials aren’t available publicly because of intellectual property concerns, but elected officials should be allowed access. Patrick noted, though, that Barbara Cargill, chairwoman of the
State Board of Education, had requested a password to see the lessons but was ignored for months. “What you all are doing could be great. But it’s obviously not. It’s obviously a mess right now,” Patrick said. “It’s really, really troubling to me.” Returning to complaints about the Boston Tea Party lesson he added: “It’s amazing that when you all called our founding fathers terrorists, in Texas, that you thought that wasn’t going to cause problems.”
CHARGES Continued from Page 1A Garcia said the tone of the letter was “amicable.” “It’s simply a matter of us moving on,” he said. Now that he is no longer employed by the district, Reyes will focus on tending to his criminal charges, said Tony Conners, who represented him in his employment matter. “It’s over,” said Conners. “He just decided to go ahead and resign. He’s had charges against him, and he just decided that it’s best to move on and resign.” Reyes once taught physical education in the Zapata County Independent School District. He also taught in the Roma Independent School District. Reyes’s sexual assault charge in Williamson County stems from an alleged August 2005 inci-
“
He just decided to go ahead and resign. He’s had charges against him, and he just decided that it’s best to move on and resign.” ATTORNEY TONY CONNERS
dent. According to a criminal complaint, Reyes is accused of fondling a 15year-old girl in her Round Rock home, north of Austin, and penetrating her genitals with his fingers as he held her down. The complaint also states the incident happened while Reyes was in
town “possibly for a track meet.” However, Joe Turner, an attorney representing Reyes in his criminal cases, has said his client denies the allegations. Turner has said, further, that Reyes was working in Laredo during the time of the alleged incident.
Sexual assault is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. In Wilson County, south of San Antonio, Reyes is accused of “touching the genitals of … a child younger than 17 years,” according to court records. He was arrested in Travis County last week in connection with that charge. He turned himself in to officials there and posted a $50,000 bond. “Depending on the outcome of the criminal charges, it could have an impact on his certification, which would obviously have greater weight and gravity,” Conners said. (JJ Velasquez may be reached at 728-2579 or jjvelasquez@lmtonline.com)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Clinton resigns as John Kerry sworn in By BRADLEY KLAPPER AND MATT LEE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton formally resigned Friday as America’s secretary of state, capping a four-year tenure that saw her shatter records for the number of countries visited. John Kerry was sworn in to replace her. In a letter sent to President Barack Obama shortly before she left the State Department for the last time in her official capacity, Clinton thanked her former opponent for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination for the opportunity to serve in his administration. Clinton said it had been an honor to be part of his Cabinet. “I am more convinced than ever in the strength
and staying power of America’s global leadership and our capacity to be a force for good in the world,” she said in the letter. Her resignation became effective at 3 p.m. Zapata time, when Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan swore in John Kerry as the top U.S. diplomat. The former Massachusetts senator and 2004 presidential candidate is the 68th secretary of state. “I’m just very, very honored to be sworn in and I’m very anxious to get to work,” Kerry told reporters after the private ceremony at the Capitol. “I’ll be reporting Monday morning at 9 o’clock to do my part,” he said, but he refused to say what global hotspot he would visit first. In the State Department’s main lobby, Clinton
ALAN M. MONTES Alan M. Montes 41, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Laredo. Alan is preceded in death by his brother, Arnoldo M. “Nono” Montes. Alan is survived by his wife, Martha Montes; daughters, Alana M. Montes and Andrea M. Montes; son, Alan Matthew Montes; mother, Mary Montes; father, Arnoldo M. Montes; and by numerous other family members and friends. Alan was a true Hawk “Hawk Pride” Class of 1989. Visitation hours will be held Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Gar-
den Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83, Zapata.
LEANDRO RAMIREZ FALCON — Leandro Ramirez, 63, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Mr. Ramirez was born Feb. 22, 1949, to Mr. and Mrs. Tomas Ramirez in Falcon. His parents as well as his sister, Ada Ramirez; sister, Ada Ramirez and nephews, Ricky and Edgar preceded him in death. Mr. Ramirez is survived by his wife Lourdes of Falcon and daughters Lourdes Arely (Thomas) Uribe and Alvaly Ramirez; granddaughters, Dielka and Amelie Uribe; sister, Anita (†Valentin) Medina; brother, Tomas Jr. and Selfi Ramirez; brother-in-law, Jose Emilio (Pilar) Treviño; sisters-in-law, Pura (Bruno) Peña and Senovia (†Juan Angel) Garcia; cousins and by friends. Leandro graduated from Zapata High School in 1967. He was a well-known rancher. Visitation hours were held Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.
The funeral procession will depart Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. for an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at Santa Ana Mission. Committal services will follow at Falcon Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 Zapata.
“
I’m just very, very honored to be sworn in and I’m very anxious to get to work.” SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY
pushed through a throng of American foreign service workers who clamored for handshakes and smartphone photos with her and gave an emotional goodbye speech. She told them to continue to “serve the nation we all love, to understand the challenges, the threats and the opportunities that the United States faces and to work with all our heart
and all of our might to make sure that America is secure, that our interests are promoted and our values are respected.” Clinton, however, also left office with a slap at critics of the Obama administration’s handling of the September attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya. She told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that critics of the
administration’s handling of the attack don’t live in an “evidence-based world,” and their refusal to “accept the facts” is unfortunate and regrettable for the political system. Clinton told the AP that the attack in Benghazi was the low point of her time as America’s top diplomat. But she suggested that the furor over the assault would not affect whether she runs for president in 2016. Although she insisted that she has not decided what her future holds, she said she “absolutely” still plans to make a difference on issues she cares about in speeches and in a sequel to her 2003 memoir, “Living History,” that will focus largely on her years as secretary of state. Clinton spoke to the AP
Thursday in her outer office on the seventh floor of the State Department less than 24 hours before she walks out for a final time as boss. She was relaxed but clearly perturbed by allegations from Republican lawmakers and commentators that the administration had intentionally misled the public about whether the attack was a protest gone awry or a terrorist attack, or intentionally withheld additional security for diplomatic personnel in Libya knowing that an attack could happen. An independent panel she convened to look into the incident was scathing in its criticism of the State Department and singled out four officials for serious management and leadership failures.
Report: Job market is strong By PAUL WISEMAN AND CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The U.S. job market is proving surprisingly strong and raising hopes that the economy will be resilient enough this year to withstand a budget standoff in Washington and potentially deep cuts in federal spending. Employers added 157,000 jobs last month, and hiring turned out to be healthier than previously thought at the end of 2012 just as the economy faced the threat of the “fiscal cliff.” Still, unemployment remains persistently high. The unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9 percent last month from 7.8 percent in December. Many economists, though, focused on the steady job growth — especially the healthier-thanexpected hiring late last year. The Labor Department revised its estimates of job gains for November from an initial 161,000 to 247,000 and for December from 155,000 to 196,000. The department also revised its figures for all of 2012 upward — to an average of 180,000 new jobs a month from a previously estimated 150,000. “The significantly stronger payroll gains tell us the economy has a lot more momentum than what we had thought,” Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, said in a research note. The government frequently revises the monthly job totals as it collects more information. Sometimes the revisions can be dramatic, as in November
Photo by Richard Drew | AP
A specialist works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. and December. The January jobs report helped fuel a powerful rally on Wall Street. Stock averages all jumped more than 1 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 14,000 for the first time since October 2007, two months before the Great Recession officially began. Beyond the job market, the economy is showing other signs of health. Factories were busier last month than they have been since April 2012. Ford, Chrysler and General Motors all reported double-digit sales gains for last month, their best January in five years. Home prices have been rising steadily. Higher home values tend to make Americans feel wealthier and more likely to spend. Housing construction is recovering, too. Construction spending rose last year for the first time in six years and is expected to add 1 percentage point to economic growth this year.
The housing rebound appears finally to be producing a long-awaited return of construction-industry jobs, which have typically help drive economic recoveries. Construction companies added 28,000 jobs in January. Over the past three months, construction has added 82,000 jobs — the best quarterly increase since 2006. Even with the gains, construction employment is about 2 million below its housing-bubble peak of 7.7 million in April 2006. Health care employers added 28,000 jobs in January. Retailers added 33,000, and hotels and restaurants 17,000. The job growth in retail, hotels and restaurants suggests that employers have grown more confident about consumer spending, which fuels about 70 percent of the economy. The government uses a survey of mostly large businesses and government agencies to determine how many jobs are added or lost each month.
That’s the survey that produced the gain of 157,000 jobs for January. It uses a separate survey of households to calculate the unemployment rate. That survey captures hiring by companies of all sizes, including small businesses, new companies, farm workers and the selfemployed. From month to month, the two surveys sometimes contradict each other. The household survey for January found that 117,000 more Americans said they were unemployed than in December. That’s why the unemployment rate inched up from 7.8 percent to 7.9 percent. Some economists had feared that federal budget standoffs might chill spending, investing and hiring. They worried that companies wouldn’t hire and consumers would scale back spending in November and December because big spending cuts and tax increases were to take effect Jan. 1 if the White House and congressional Republicans couldn’t reach a deal. It turns out, the fears were overblown. In the midst of the budget fight late last year, employers kept hiring. And Friday’s jobs report showed that average hourly wages — up 4 cents to $23.78 in January — were staying ahead of inflation. They had generally failed to keep up with prices since the recession ended in June 2009. The steady hiring gains should help cushion the economic pain from higher Social Security taxes, which last month began shrinking most workers’ take-home pay.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
Thank You Zapata County Independent School District
School Board Members
Top Row Jose M. Flores, Jr., Member Manuel Gonzalez, Jr., Member Veronica P. Gonzalez, Member Diego Gonzalez, Jr., Member Bottom Row Anselmo Tr evino, Jr., Vice-Pr esident Ricardo X. Ramirez, President Dora O. Mar tinez, Secretar y
Our School Board Members are committed to public education and the continuing success of our students and schools. Take time to thank our local trustees for a job well done!
Rising to New Heights!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Flying highest Photo by Gus Ruelas | AP
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says his head coach Jason Garrett, left, plays a major role in important team decisions.
Jones: Garrett calls the shots Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Zapata girls’ basketball coach Hector Garcia has led his Lady Hawks to an undefeated district record (6-0) as they head into the season’s final games — including a showdown with second place Lyford (5-1) on Tuesday.
Dallas owner refutes criticism, stands behind head coach By SCHUYLER DIXON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zapata hoops hopes to close out strong By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata will be one busy town with high school spring sports tilting into full swing. Basketball is winding down, as one team has fought to the end and still has an opportunity to qualify for the playoffs, but it must win its next three games. The Lady Hawks are on top of
the district with an unblemished record, but Lyford (5-1) is nipping at their heels. Zapata and Lyford will tango on Tuesday night in the Dog Pound at Lyford for a much-anticipated match that will go a long way in determining the district title. A win for Zapata would secure the title and a loss would mean the Lady Hawks will have company at the top.
In the first meeting between the foes came down to the last quarter and the game see sawed back and forth for three quarters. Zapata put down Lyford’s best run of the night in the fourth quarter and outlasted the Lady Bulldogs 49-40. Last Tuesday night, Zapata soundly beat Kingsville 47-15 to
See ZAPATA PAGE 2B
SUPER BOWL XLVII
IRVING — Dallas owner Jerry Jones apparently hears the criticism that he’s calling all the shots for the Cowboys again and undermining coach Jason Garrett as a result. In an interview for the team’s website, Jones said Garrett has a strong voice in an overhaul of the coaching staff and that his third-year coach is “the right man putting
this together.” Jones, the team’s general manager, also said Garrett will decide who calls the offensive plays in 2013. Jones indicated during Senior Bowl workouts that Garrett would no longer run the offense on game days, leading to speculation that the coach was being stripped of those duties at the same time his staff was being dismantled.
See COWBOYS PAGE 2B
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MATCH THEM UP
Photo by Mark J. Terrill | AP
Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz was mentioned in a doping report earlier this week.
AP photos
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) hopes to lead his team to a second franchise championship on Sunday.
Teams face more than position battles By BARRY WILNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
Matchups for the Super Bowl between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in New Orleans: When the Ravens (13-6) have the ball When QB Joe Flacco (5) looks out from behind center Matt Birk (77) on Super Bowl Sunday, he could be seeing two things: $$$$, and the fiercest defense he’s faced all season. Flacco’s contract is up after this game, and while it’s
a near cinch the Ravens won’t let the five-year veteran leave, it’s going to cost a few million bucks to keep him. A victory against San Francisco and its bevy of All-Pro defenders would add even more moolah to the pot. This is one formidable challenge for Flacco because the Niners are more versatile than the defenses presented by Indianapolis, Denver and New England in the postseason. Start with the league’s
See SUPER BOWL PAGE 2B
Doping report revealed A-Rod, Nelson Cruz implicated in alleged Florida PED ring By RONALD BLUM ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) will lead his Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday in New Orleans.
NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez was ensnared in a doping investigation once again Tuesday when an alternative weekly newspaper reported baseball’s highest-paid star was among a half-dozen players listed in records of a Florida clinic the paper
said sold performance-enhancing drugs. The Miami New Times said the three-time AL MVP bought human growth hormone and other performance-enhancing substances during 2009-12 from Biogenesis of America LLC, a now-closed anti-aging clinic in Coral Ca-
See DOPING PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B As assistants were fired and replacements announced, even former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl winner, joined a chorus saying it looked like Jones was making the decisions after the owner vowed to make things “uncomfortable” following consecutive 8-8 seasons with losses in playoffs-orbust finales under Garrett. While there’s still a strong chance Dallas will have a new play-caller, Jones insists that all the changes come with Garrett’s blessing. “However he comes up with how he wants to design how the offense runs, coupled with the fact that we’ve made the changes defensively and with special teams, I’m going to be excited about it,” Jones said. “We’ve got the right man putting this together in Jason Garrett.” Jones has dealt with the perception that his ownership style came at the expense of his head coach’s authority since Jimmy Johnson left nearly 20 years ago after consecutive Super Bowl titles in a public spat over who should get credit. The only exception was Bill Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl winner who stayed four years but quit coaching without a playoff win in Dallas after a painful wild-card loss in Seattle. So far this offseason, the Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and running backs coach Skip Peete. They let special teams coach Joe DeCamillis go to
Chicago a year after not granting him permission to talk to another team. Garrett’s brother, John Garrett, is headed to Tampa Bay as receivers coach after six years with the Cowboys. The status of receivers coach Jimmy Robinson has been unclear since the team’s website reported last week that former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley was taking that job with the Cowboys. Dallas has not announced coaching hires for running backs, tight ends or receivers. Jones told the team’s website there’s no rush to complete the offensive staff because of the “safety net” with Garrett as head coach. “Jason is putting together, as he should be, a staff and philosophy on every phase of the team, and allocating his time, relative to allocating the time of his staff, to helping us win a football game now and in the future,” Jones said. Former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is replacing Ryan, and two members of his staff there are in Dallas now in defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia. Garrett “certainly is excited about the changes we’ve made on defense, relative to how that affects the whole game plan,” Jones said. “One of the things I’m happiest about is who we’ve got putting this together in Jason Garrett.”
DOPING Continued from Page 1B bles, Fla., near Rodriguez’s offseason home. The new public relations firm for the New York Yankees third baseman issued a statement denying the allegations. The newspaper said it obtained records detailing purchases by Rodriguez, 2012 AllStar game MVP Melky Cabrera, 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon and 2011 AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz of Texas. Cabrera left San Francisco after the season to sign with Toronto, while Oakland resigned Colon. Other baseball players the newspaper said appeared in the records include Washington pitcher Gio Gonzalez, who finished third in last year’s NL Cy Young Award voting, and San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal. Biogenesis, which the New Times said was run by Anthony Bosch, was located in a beige, nondescript office park. The former clinic is no longer listed as a business in its directory, “There was a flier put out by the building management a couple weeks ago. It was put on all the doors and windows of all the offices,” said Brad Nickel, who works in a group cruise planning company on the floor above where the clinic was located. “It just said this guy’s not really a doctor, he doesn’t belong here, he’s no longer allowed here, call the police or the building management if you see him.” David Sierra, who works in his aunt’s real estate office in the same building, kept a picture of the flier on his iPhone. He recognized the doctor in the picture from passing him in the hallway. Sierra said while he never recognized any of the clients at the clinic, “there were always really nice cars in front — I’m not talking just Mercedes. Range Rovers, Bentleys.” The New Times posted copies of what it said were Bosch’s handwritten records, obtained through a former Biogenesis employee it did not identify. Bosch’s lawyer, Susy Ribero-Ayala, said in a statement the New Times report “is filled with inaccuracies, innuendo and misstatements of fact.” “Mr. Bosch vehemently denies the assertions that MLB players such as Alex Rodriguez and Gio Gonzalez were treated by or associated with him,” she said. Rodriguez appears 16 times in the documents New Times received, the paper said, either as “Alex Rodriguez,” ‘’Alex Rod” or the nickname “Cacique,” a pre-Columbian Caribbean chief. Rodriguez admitted four years ago that he used PEDs from 2001-03. Cabrera, Colon and Grandal were suspended for 50 games each last year by MLB following tests for elevated testosterone. Responding to the testosterone use, MLB and the players’ union said Jan. 10 they were authorizing the World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory
outside Montreal to store each major leaguer’s baseline testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio in order to detect abnormalities. “We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances,” MLB said in a statement. “Only law enforcement officials have the capacity to reach those outside the game who are involved in the distribution of illegal performance-enhancing drugs. ... We are in the midst of an active investigation and are gathering and reviewing information.” A baseball official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements, said Monday that MLB did not have any documentation regarding the allegations. If MLB does obtain evidence, the players could be subject to discipline. First offenses result in a 50-game suspension and second infractions in 100-game penalties. A third violation results in a lifetime ban. Rodriguez is sidelined for at least the first half of the season after hip surgery Jan. 16. A 50-game suspension would cost him $7.65 million of his $28 million salary. “The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true,” Rodriguez said in a statement issued by a publicist. “He was not Mr. Bosch’s patient, he was never treated by him and he was never advised by him. The purported documents referenced in the story — at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez — are not legitimate.” Gonzalez, 21-8 for the Washington Nationals last season, posted on his Twitter feed: “I’ve never used performance enhancing drugs of any kind and I never will, I’ve never met or spoken with tony Bosch or used any substance provided by him. Anything said to the contrary is a lie.” Colon was not issuing a statement, agent Adam Katz said through spokeswoman Lisa Cohen. “We are aware of certain allegations and inferences,” Cruz’s law firm, Farrell & Reisinger, said in a statement. “To the extent these allegations and inferences refer to Nelson, they are denied.” Sam and Seth Levinson, the agents for Cabrera, Cruz and Gonzalez, did not respond to emails seeking comment. Greg Genske, Grandal’s agent, also did not reply to an email. Cruz and Gonzalez had not previously been linked to performance-enhancing drugs. Cruz hit 24 home runs last year for the Texas Rangers, who says they notified MLB last week after being contacted by the New Times. Also listed among the records, according to the New Times, are tennis player Wayne Odesnik, Cuban boxer Yuriorkis Gamboa and Jimmy Goins, the strength and conditioning coach of the University of Miami baseball team.
ZAPATA Continued from Page 1B push its district record to 6-0.
Softball The softball season has been underway for two weeks and the Lady Hawks are looking to build on last year’s success. After all the dust settled in a tight district race, Zapata finished second and headed into the playoffs. The Lady Hawks picked up a bidistrict championship over Rio Hondo and moved into the second round. Zapata returns eight lettermen, including seniors Liana Flores and Daniella Lopez; juniors Clarrisa Villarreal and Secilia Mata,
and sophomores Isela Gonzalez, Daniella Martinez and Lily Garza. Zapata also has three returning starters: Flores, Gonzalez and Martinez. “Expectations are high,” Zapata coach Jaime Garcia said. “We expect get into the playoff race. It’s a tough district with Kingsville, Lyford and Raymondville and La Grulla, so we don’t know what’s going to happen, and that makes it exciting.” Zapata will face one of the toughest 3A districts in Texas as it boasts Kingsville, Lyford and Raymondville — all solid programs that have a history of going deep in the playoffs. All three have made it to the third round and flirted
with a regional appearance in the past few seasons. Scrimmages have already gotten under way, but Zapata is still not playing with a full deck of cards as the team is missing many key players as they attempt to bring a district championship to Zapata on the hardwood. Their absence will give Garcia an opportunity to take a look at some upcoming talent from the junior varsity and see where they fit with his varsity team. “Most of my girls are still in basketball, so I just want experience from this scrimmage,” he said. Zapata’s season opener is Feb. 12 when it travels to Laredo to take on Cigarroa.
AP photo
Dr. Phil McGraw, left, interviews Ronaiah Tuiasosopo and his parents Titus and Cheannie Tuiasosopo in Los Angeles.
Hoax mastermind was molested as child By PAT EATON-ROBB ASSOCIATED PRESS
The man who says he tricked Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o into falling for a fake woman he created online claims the hoax had “everything to do” with escaping from real life because he had been molested as a child. Ronaiah Tuiasosopo spoke publicly for the first time in an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw for the “Dr. Phil Show,” the second part of which aired Friday. The 22-year-old Tuiasosopo told McGraw he was repeatedly molested, beginning at age 12, by someone who was close to his father, a church pastor and youth minister. “I felt that I couldn’t do things, accomplish things, pursue things, live out as
Ronaiah,” Tuiasosopo said. “And I felt the need to create this. It has everything to do with what I went through as a child.” Tuiasosopo did not identify his alleged attacker by name and did not say whether he had told police about his claim. Ronaiah Tuiasosopo said he built the online persona of Lennay Kekua, a nonexistent woman who Te’o said he fell in love with despite never meeting in person. In the McGraw interview, Tuiasosopo said he was the voice of Kekua, and provided samples to McGraw and a producer. One of those samples, McGraw said, was compared by three separate laboratories to recorded voice mails sent by Kekua to Te’o. They were a match, he said.
SUPER BOWL Continued from Page 1B best linebacking corps, featuring two All-Pros in Patrick Willis (52) and NaVorro Bowman (53). Aldon Smith (99) is considered a linebacker, but is a hybrid LB-DE and he led the NFC with 191/2 sacks. Ahmad Brooks (55) comes off a spectacular second half in Atlanta. But Flacco and his targets — WRs Anquan Boldin (81) and Torrey Smith (82), TE Dennis Pitta (88) and do-everything RB Ray Rice (27) — should be encouraged by what the Falcons accomplished in the first half. They found seams and gaps everywhere, and the 49ers’ secondary must be stingier this time. Boldin has been sensational on every route in the postseason (16 catches, 17.3-yard average, 3 TDs). CBs Carlos Rogers (22) and Tarell Brown (25) and Chris Culliver (29) will have a difficult time with the smart, physical Boldin. Smith can get deep on anybody, so safeties Dashon Goldson (38), an All-Pro, and Donte Whitner (31) have to be sharp. In each playoff game, Smith has gotten open for a long pass, even if it wasn’t a completion. And the biggest deep ball Baltimore completed was the 70-yarder to tie the game at Denver late in regulation time. That was to WR Jacoby Jones (12). Pitta against Willis, Bowman and the safeties is a juicy matchup, too. So is the entire offensive line attempting to neutralize Aldon Smith and defensive linemen Justin Smith (94), Ike Sopoaga (90), Ray McDonald (91), and Ricky Jean Francois (95). The main chore will fall to LT Bryant McKinnie (78), who seems to have resurrected his career in the postseason, and RT Michael Oher (74). Right guard Marshal Yanda (73) is Baltimore’s best blocker. When the 49ers (13-4-1) have the ball Everyone tries to run on Baltimore; all three opponents in the playoffs did so and the Niners will, too. The difference: San Francisco has, by far, the best running back in Frank Gore (21), best running QB in Colin Kaepernick (7), and best run blocking, led by left guard Mike Iupati (77) and left tackle Joe Staley (74) that the Ravens will face. But the Ravens have the most physical and fundamentally sound front seven that San Francisco has seen in the playoffs. Ray Lewis (52), the 17-year linebacker playing his final game of a Hall of Fame quality career, looks like he is in his prime and has 44 tackles in the three play-
off wins. Fellow LBs Dannell Ellerbe (59), Terrell Suggs (55) and rookie Courtney Upshaw (91) must be especially active in getting to the holes if San Francisco’s line remains dominant. To prevent the 49ers from winning in the trenches, DT Haloti Ngata (92), NT Terrence Cody (62) and DE Pernell McPhee (90) need to be stout. Gore is complemented by rookie RB LaMichael James (23), who has a nice burst, and, of course, Kaepernick. The second-year QB set a record for the position with 181 yards rushing against Green Bay in the divisional round. He didn’t run much against Atlanta, but presents a major challenge whenever he tucks in the ball. Or when he is throwing it. Kaepernick isn’t just a threat to use his Usain Bolt-style strides to break down defenses. His arm is strong and accurate, and he isn’t timid about letting go into tight spots to connect with TEs Vernon Davis (85) and Delanie Walker (46), WRs Michael Crabtree (15) and Randy Moss (84). Ravens pass rushers Suggs, DE Paul Kruger (99) and McPhee will need help containing Kaepernick, so watch for frequent blitzes from the secondary of safeties Ed Reed (20) and Bernard Pollard (31), CBs Cary Williams (29) and Corey Graham (24). Controlling Davis is a key because he’s a nightmare matchup for Baltimore’s less-than-fast LBs. The Niners could break some long plays in the secondary, too, because many of Baltimore’s backs are mediocre tacklers. But Pollard will rock your world.
Special teams Baltimore has the edge here on returns and field goals. San Francisco gets the nod in punting. All-Pro Jones led the league in kickoff returns with a 30.1 average and scored twice. He also ran back a punt for a TD. Rookie Justin Tucker (6) has been a stud, making 30 of 33 field goals, including the winner in double overtime in Denver. But P Sam Koch (4) had too many low kicks that New England returned for good field position in the AFC title game. The Ravens were solid on coverages during the season, but fell apart against Denver as Trindon Holliday ran back a punt and a kickoff for scores. They also struggled stopping Wes Welker’s punt runbacks in New England. San Francisco PK David Akers (2) has gone from
All-Pro in 2011 to slumping this season and missed his only try against the Falcons. But the Niners have stuck with him. Andy Lee (4) is among the top punters in the NFL. James and Ted Ginn Jr. (19) have breakaway capabilities on returns, but aren’t consistent.
Coaching Yo, bro! The Har-bowl is unique, but hardly a fluke. Both Harbaughs owe a strong debt to their dad, Jack, a lifelong coach who not only taught them how to play football, but how to teach it. John’s pro resume is record-setting: the only coach with wins in his first five postseasons. He was selected over Rex Ryan and several others to take over the Ravens in 2008 after making his mark as Philadelphia’s special teams coordinator. Unlike John, who did not play in the NFL, Jim quarterbacked 14 seasons with four teams after being selected in the first round of the 1987 draft by the Bears. He has been in coaching a relatively short time, but his meteoric rise took him to San Diego — the Toreros, not the Chargers — and Stanford, where he tutored Andrew Luck. Jim Harbaugh was the 2011 NFL Coach of the Year as a rookie, guiding the Niners to the conference title game. Both of them will make the difficult decisions that sometimes change the course of a season or career. John fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron in December. Jim Caldwell took over and the offense, particularly Flacco, has been strong since. Jim made the move to Kaepernick in November and we all know how that worked out.
Intangibles Baltimore’s additional boost has become tangible, actually, with the way the Ravens have performed at such a fevered pitch during Lewis’ final postseason. Saying goodbye by giving him the Vince Lombardi Trophy to parade around is pretty darn motivating. For the 49ers, a recordtying sixth Super Bowl — Pittsburgh also has six, but has been beaten twice, while San Francisco is 5-0 — and a first since the days of Steve Young is quite an inducement. And, of course, each coach wants to sit atop the family tree.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS | BY HELOISE HELPING MOTHER NATURE Dear Heloise: Magazine articles and news reports of the OCEANIC ZONE of massive plastic trash and the effects on animals and people who depend on the water are heartbreaking. I keep rubber gloves and a bucket that once held dog food as my recycle bin in the trunk of my car. When I stop somewhere like a carwash, park or store and see discarded recyclable products, such as bottles, cans and shopping bags, I collect them, take them home and add them to my recycling. If the object appears dubious, it is left alone. It is a small attempt in a journey of years and miles to try to correct the damage and associated consequences of years. Mother Nature has been kind; the favor must be reciprocated before it is too late. — Margarette in Texas Small good deeds add up! Thank you for your effort. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Patricia Wilson of Bristol, N.H., sent a photo of her cat, Rascal.
“
HELOISE
Rascal came to Patricia from the local Humane Society and is 3 years old. He dressed up for Halloween, and his photo was so cute, I just had to share it! Patricia says: “Rascal has a big heart and loves everyone. He is the mascot for the complex I live in.” To see Rascal all dressed up, visit my website, www.Heloise.com, and click on “Pets.” — Heloise EASY-CHAIR COVER PARKING SPOT Dear Heloise: I’ve read in your column to take a photo of the parking spot when at a stadium or airport parking. You also should take a photo of the view from your car. For example, at the Los Angeles International Airport, when I see that the picture has the control tower behind and to the left of the dome, I know my car is opposite: in front of and to the right. — Brian in California
DENNIS THE MENACE
FAMILY CIRCUS
PEANUTS
GARFIELD
DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:
DILBERT
Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
Soccer’s window closes By BOB BENSCH BLOOMBERG
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) plans on returning to face the Washington Wizards tonight.
Duncan eyes comeback By JEFF MCDONALD SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
SAN ANTONIO — Sidelined for four straight games with a sore left knee, Spurs forward Tim Duncan says watching his teammates run the table without him helped assuage any guilt he might have felt about sitting out. Healed and itching to get back on the floor, however, Duncan on Thursday issued a warning should general manager R.C. Buford get any wise ideas about the 36-year-old captain’s place in the Spurs’ pantheon. “I have a clause in my contract,” Duncan said. “If I get traded, I take a bunch of people with me.” All-Star point guard Tony Parker and standout sixth man Manu Ginobili would be first on the list of hostages, Duncan says. And as for 3-point ace Matt Bonner? “He’d be in the top 12,” Duncan deadpanned. If nothing else, it was heartening to know Duncan’s biting sense of humor required no rehabilitation. Having not played since tweaking his knee in a Jan. 21 victory in Philadelphia, Duncan said after practice Thursday he plans to return for Saturday’s
game against Washington at the AT&T Center. The newly re-established All-Star concedes final say will belong to coach Gregg Popovich’s, but contends he probably could have participated in Thursday’s 102-78 victory over Charlotte that extended the Spurs’ winning streak to a season-high nine games. “We gave it a couple extra days to get back to 100 percent, kind of be smart about it,” Duncan said. An ailment to Duncan’s chronic left knee — which was especially troublesome two seasons ago in the Spurs’ first-round playoff ouster against Memphis — is never a laughing matter. His latest tweak came after he landed awkwardly on a jump shot late in the win over the 76ers. Duncan finished that game with 24 points and 17 rebounds, but left Philly stiff and sore. He doesn’t believe the injury to be a long-term concern. “I just landed wrong. I landed weird,” said Duncan, a 15-year veteran. “I kind of jumped sideways to shoot a shot and came down and my leg kind of twisted.” It helped Duncan’s pysche that the Spurs kept right on rolling with him
in street clothes, notching victories over New Orleans, Dallas, Phoenix and Charlotte. In Duncan’s time on the injured list, the Spurs overtook Oklahoma City for the NBA’s top overall record and on Thursday punched Popovich’s ticket to the AllStar game later this month in Houston. In Duncan’s absence, the Spurs used a patchwork frontcourt rotation featuring increased contributions from Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner, DeJuan Blair and justsigned Australian rookie Aron Baynes to keep their winning streak alive. “That’s another reason I felt OK with sitting another game down,” Duncan said. “Those are playing so well and they’ve got a rotation going. There’s no reason to mess with that at that point.” Diaw, who drew the starting nod in Duncan’s place, said he has no qualms with returning to a reserve role. “It’s going to be good to have Tim back,” Diaw said. Duncan is eager to return to the court and resume a resurgent campaign that will send him to his 14th All-Star game after a one-season sabbatical in 2012.
Mario Balotelli completed his move to AC Milan after two years at Manchester City that were marked by a Premier League soccer title and confrontations with opponents and teammates. Balotelli, 22, signed a contract until June 30, 2017, after passing a medical yesterday, AC Milan said on its website. “Being at City was an important part of my life and career,” Balotelli said on the English clubs website. “I needed to grow up like a player and as a person and it has been a good experience for me.” In other Premier League moves on the final day of the January transfer period, Queens Park Rangers signed defender Christopher Samba and striker Danny Graham joined Sunderland from Swansea. Former England captain David Beckham signed a five-month pact with Paris Saint-Germain after playing out his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Arsenal signed Malaga defender Ignacio Monreal Eraso, known as Nacho, for a fee the British Broadcast Corp. said was 8.3 million pounds ($13.2 million.)
Title Winner Balotelli scored 30 goals in 80 appearances for City. He provided the pass that set up Sergio Agueros injury-time goal that won the clubs first Premier League title in 44 years on the final day of last season. Samba, 28, joins QPR on a 4 1/2-year contract from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. QPR said
Photo by Antonio Calanni | AP
Italian striker Mario Balotelli poses with his new AC Milan jersey during an official presentation at the San Siro stadium on Friday. the deal was a club record without disclosing financial terms. “Chris is just what we need, QPR manager Harry Redknapp said on the teams website. “He’s a proper center half.” Samba played in the Premier League with Blackburn for more than five seasons before joining Anzhi in February. QPR also said midfielder Alejandro Faurlin has joined Italian club Palermo until the end of the season. The west London team also signed Tottenhams Andros Townsend on loan and Jermaine Jenas for an undisclosed fee.
Success Coming “I chose Paris because I can see what the club is trying to do,” Beckham, who will donate his undetermined salary to a childrens charity, said at a press conference in the French capital. “This is a club thats going to have a lot of success for the next 10, 15, 20 years and thats exciting to me.” Nacho, who played with Arsenal midfielder
Santi Cazorla in Malaga, is a 26-year-old leftback who has played nine times for world and European champion Spain. He joined Malaga in 2011 and was in the team that qualified for the Champions League for the first time in its history. Graham, 27, signed a 3½-year deal with Sunderland, the club said on its website. Norwich signed Leeds striker Luciano Becchio and sent striker Steve Morison to the Championship club in return. Defender Paul Scharner joined Wigan from Hannover for the rest of the season, after having previously played with the Latics from 2006 to 2010, and Aston Villa signed midfielder Yacouba Sylla from French club Clermont Foote. In a pair of loan moves until the end of the season, goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes joins German club Hoffenheim from Tottenham and defender Urby Emanuelson goes to Fulham from Milan. Stoke signed Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland for 3.5 million pounds.