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CRIME
ZAPATA COUNTY
Sheriff: Zetitas in training 2nd time isn’t Deputies charge men from Acapulco, Toluca in attempted kidnapping By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Four Mexican nationals accused of the attempted kidnapping of a local man in a Zeta initiation rite remained in Zapata Regional Jail on Friday under $75,000 bond each. Arturo Cisneros, 30, a Zapata resident also arrested in connection with this case, was released Thursday after posting a $75,000
Arturo Cisneros, 30, is from Zapata.
cash bond. On April 2, deputies arrested Adrian Gonzalez Morales, 21, Severiano Gallardo Solano, 26, and Juan Carlos Hidalgo Gallardo, 28, of Acapulco, Mexico. The fourth Mexican national arrested was identified
Severiano Gallardo Solano, 26, is from Acapulco.
Juan Carlos Hidalgo Gallardo, 28, is from Acapulco.
Adrian Gonzalez Morales, 21, is from Acapulco.
Ariel Perez Mendoza, 33, is from Toluca.
as Ariel Perez Mendoza, 33, of Toluca. Officials believe Cisneros housed the Mexican nationals as they got ready to kidnap a Zapata man whose name has not been released. The alleged offenders
stated the unidentified man had stolen a load of marijuana, according to the sheriff ’s department. But when investigators confronted the targeted victim, he claimed he
See ZETAS PAGE 8A
INFRASTRUCTURE
WIDER SAN YGNACIO ROAD JUST ABOUT READY TO USE
a charm for candidates Two runoff races draw 223 voters after four days of early voting By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Early voting in the runoff elections in Zapata County has been sparse, officials say. There are two runoffs on the Zapata ballot but in one of those races a candidate withdrew after he discovered he couldn’t run legally. Niko Gutierrez had to withdraw in his bid challenging incumbent Precinct 2 Commissioner Gabriel “Lel” Villarreal because Gutierrez is a government employee and
federal law says no government employee may run for political office. Gutierrez originally had been told erroneously that it was all right to run; when he found out that it wasn’t, it was too late to have his name removed from the runoff ballot. As a result, voters still can cast a ballot for Gutierrez. If Gutierrez were to win, it would be up to the incoming County Judge Joe Rathmell to appoint a new commissioner to re-
See EARLY VOTING PAGE 8A
COMMISSIONERS
Villarreal asks for land for fever tick fight By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photos by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
TxDOT engineer Maritza Ramirez reviews constuction plans for the FM 3169 project at San Ygnacio.
2 miles of FM 3169 are expanded to 4 lanes By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Texas Department of Transportation is nearing the end of a project designed to improve safety on FM 3169 in San Ygnacio. The project consists of widening the existing roadway from the intersection of U.S. 83 to two miles north of U.S. 83 on FM 3169 in San Ygnacio.
After a few delays at the beginning of the project due to weather interruptions and pending construction meetings, the nearly $300,000 project is almost complete. Anderson Columbia Co. Inc. had three months to complete the project but is right on schedule even after the company began a few weeks late and was
See ROAD PAGE 8A
Motorists using FM 3169 leading to San Ygnacio will soon be able to use a wider roadway.
Zapata County Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal will be asking the Zapata County Commissioner’s Court to reconsider leasing a one-acre tract of land at Monday’s meeting after the request was denied at last month’s meeting. “I don’t give up that easy,” Villarreal said. “I want to help these people.” The acre of land would be used for cattle dipping vat located east of Texas 16 and would be leased for 25 years for a onetime payment of $5,000. Villarreal said ranchers have been having problems with fever ticks on their cattle and need the county’s help to designate a piece of land to treat the cattle and eradicate fever ticks. “Ranchers have been having problems with fever ticks for over 100 years,” Villarreal said. “They’ve asked for the county’s help.” At the last meeting, Villarreal’s motion died for lack of a second. Commissioners Court
“
Ranchers have been having problems with fever ticks for over 100 years,” GABRIEL VILLARREAL, ZAPATA COUNTY COMMISSIONER
is scheduled to meet Monday at 9 a.m. at the Zapata County Courthouse, 200 E. 7th Ave., Suite 108. The court also will be deliberating the approval of placing a Manuel Bravo plaque at Bravo Park as well as the purchases of a 2009 John Deere tractor and a 2010 F-150 Ford truck. Several job promotions will be discussed for Environmental Health Services. County Auditor Doroteo N. Garza is propos-
See COUNTY PAGE 8A