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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
FALCON LAKE
County told to name directors
Angling for fish
By NICK GEORGIOU THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata County Economic Development Center is at risk of losing funding from Zapata County if it does not allow Commissioners Court to appoint the majority of the nonprofit’s board of directors. That stipulation is spelled out in a proposed memorandum of understanding between the center and the county.
See BOARD PAGE 12A
Sportsmen flood lake despite threat of violence By DUDLEY ALTHAUS HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Casting aside warnings of deadly peril and the ongoing gunbattles just across the water, anglers are pouring once again onto Falcon Lake, the border reservoir that many insist offers the finest bass fishing in the world. The lust for lunkers — as the poodle-sized fish are called — has trumped fear of El Lazca, leader of the gangsters terrorizing the mesquite-choked ranchlands along the lake’s Mexican shore.
“It’s picking up, “ said San Antonian Paul Hulin, 58, who rolled into the town of Zapata this week for three days of bass-chasing with a buddy, a registered firearm and what appeared to be an expensively effective boat. “You can’t keep fishermen away from fish.” The sportsmens’ return underscores the starkly uneven threats faced on either side of the Rio Grande, where U.S. communities live largely free of the gangland rampage snaring Mexican cities, towns and villages. Long tranquil in recent years as
bloodshed flooded other swaths of Mexico, the lands bordering far south Texas have exploded as the Zetas commanded by El Lazca — Heriberto Lazcano — battle former patrons from the narcotics gang known as the Gulf Cartel. The Mexican towns near Falcon Lake have become battlefields as the two groups warred for smuggling routes through them into Texas. Searching for new sources of revenue, the Zetas have branched into kidnap-
See FISHING PAGE 12A
ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
A FAIR WEEKEND FOR THE PARADE Annual parade draws hundreds By DIANA R. FUENTES LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Hundreds of people lined U.S. 83 in Zapata under clear blue skies last weekend, eagerly awaiting the annual Zapata County Fair parade. Kids and adults sat in chairs and on parked pickups’ tailgates. Vendors walked the route, selling souvenirs, snacks and water. The paleta man was particularly popular as the sun grew hotter. Harry and Geneva Zippe, longtime Winter Texans originally from Iowa, were among the spectators. “We’ve seen it a number of times,” recalled Harry Zippe, now 93 and still active. “Sometimes we’d wait for the parade, and then go home the day after.”
The Zippes have spent winters in Zapata for 30 years. “We’ve found a lot of friends here,” said Geneva Zippe, 89. “And we like the fishing.” Finally, the sound of sirens and the beating of the Zapata High School band’s drums could be heard coming down the highway. As the colorful floats and shiny custom vehicles made their way past the crowd, residents and visitors waved. Kids scrambled for candy tossed from the slow-moving vehicles. “This is better,” said Amanda C. Hurtado, 23, of Zapata when asked to compare the parade to those from previous years. Many others agreed.
See FAIR PAGE 11A
ABOVE: Mr. and Mrs. Anguinaldo Navarro, Zapata County Fair Parade marshals, were honored during this year’s parade, on March 12. LEFT: Zapata County Fair Queen Paola Jasso rides on her float during the parade in Zapata.