OFF AND RUNNIN’
SATURDAY APRIL 16, 2011
FREE
ZAPATA MAKES RECORD RUN TOWARD REGIONALS, 1B
DELIVERED EVERY SATURDAY
TO 4,000 HOMES
A HEARST PUBLICATION
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
BORDER PATROL
COMMISSIONERS
1 jailed after agents find immigrants
Debating $315K
By DENISE BLAZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A Laredo woman was arrested Thursday as she headed out of Zapata County and authorities found five illegal immigrants in her minivan, two of which were found lying down on the floor board between the rear passenger seats. Brenda Elizabeth Huerta was arrested around 1:15 a.m. after authorities observed the vehicle she was driving appeared to be riding low and did not contain any visible passengers. According to a federal criminal complaint, Border Patrol agents became aware that the vehicle
slowed down to 45 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour zone, The agents also observed that the car “attempted to veer off the road several times,” states the complaint, which adds that the behavior is similar to that of smugglers realizing law enforcement is onto them. When authorities stopped the car, approximately 25 miles north of Zapata, two people were found lying on the floor board and three people were crouched down on the first row passenger seats. During questioning, Huerta told agents that
‘It’s really unfair’: development center director By NICK GEORGIOU LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Zapata County commissioners had no need to threaten a lawsuit if the Economic Development Center in Zapata didn’t return funds that are owed to the county within 30 days, center officials said Friday. “It’s really unfair to put the EDC in the middle of something like that,”
said Peggy Umphres Moffett, president and executive director of the center. We’re just doing our job. This could have been resolved a long time ago if we had gotten the paperwork (from the county).” The money at the center of the debate is $315,000 owed to the county in reimbursed grant money. Monday, Zapata County Commissioners Court vote to set the 30-day
time limit. Juan Cruz, of Escamilla, Poneck and Cruz, a law firm contracted by the county, said if the center does not send the money to the county within that timeframe, commissioners will authorize him to seek legal action to recoup the funds. Moffett said there was no need for
See LAWSUIT PAGE 12A
CLOWNING AROUND
See WOMAN PAGE 12A
RECREATION
Lake takes the lead Program eyes top areas for anglers By ERICA MATOS THE ZAPATA TIMES
With glimmering Falcon Lake teeming with a variety of large fish, it will come as no surprise that only two days after Tuesday’s voting commenced for the World Fishing Network’s “Ultimate Fishing Town” competition, Zapata was already leading in the Southwest division. Falcon Lake has recently been the site of a number of popular bass fishing tournaments, wrote Zapata County Commissioner Jose Vela in a statement provided by Celia Balderas, membership services coordinator for the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce. “These bass tournaments brought fishermen from all parts of the U.S.,” she said. “We are now better prepared, and there has been a tremendous growth of restaurants, hotels and tackle stores serving all our visiting fishermen.” A total of 29 towns are included in the Southwest region, with cities across
Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arizona participating. The WFN online leaderboard places Zapata just ahead of Grand Isle, La., with 119 votes and 108 votes, respectfully, as of Thursday. “We’re doing pretty good, but I notice that (Grand Isle) is right behind us,” Balderas said. Those who are proud of the excellent fishing Falcon Lake offers are encouraged to vote by May 3, which marks the end of the first round of competition. Two cities will be selected from each of seven regions — Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Florida, Northeast, Pacific and Rockies—which will automatically advance to the finals. In addition, the official website states, six wild card towns will be selected to round out the top 20 towns chosen. “We’re getting our votes in to get into the top 20,” Balderas said. The town that earns the claim to fame of being the “Ultimate Fishing Town USA” will win a grand prize of $25,000 to go toward a fishing-related cause in the communi-
See FISHING PAGE 12A
Courtesy photo
Villarreal Elementary hosted Clown Bolitas in the school’s gymnasium recently. He spoke about the importance of reading and doing well in school. Children also danced and played games. They were motivated to try their best on the upcoming TRPRI exam and the Tejas Lee state reading assessment.
SOUTH TEXAS FOOD BANK
Laredoan becomes next director By SALO OTERO SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Native Laredoan Alfonso (Poncho) Casso Jr. is the new executive director of the South Texas Food Bank. Casso’s appointment was announced at the monthly South Texas Food Bank board meeting earli-
er this week He is replacing Alfredo Castillo, who resigned after 13 years. Castillo, who told the board of his plans three months ago, will remain at the food bank until Dec. 31. Casso starts on May 2. Casso, 60, graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1968 and from St. Louis
University with a degree in commerce, majoring in marketing with a minor in management science. He was involved with Casso Guerra and Co., a family wholesale grocery business, from 1972 to 2002. Casso was president of Casso Guerra from 19852002. He has worked at Lowe’s Home Improve-
ment Warehouse since 2002, serving as manager, operations manager, zone manager, sales manager and assistant manager. Casso’s involvement in the community includes Mercy Medical Center Board of Trustees for 12 years, including six as
See FOOD
PAGE 12A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, APRIL 16 El Centro de Laredo Farmer’s Market is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Jarvis Plaza, in Downtown Laredo. As part of Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge, the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Services Department will hold Zumba classes at North Central Park, 10202 International Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from April 9 through May 21, except Holy Saturday, April 23. To encourage participation, the department is offering the classes for six weeks. Registration is $25, payable at any recreation center this week, including Northeast Hillside Recreation Center, 320 Wyoming St. Payments will also be taken on site. For more information, visit Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge on Facebook. Texas A&M International University will host a performance of the 2011 Spring Dance Concert at 8 p.m. today in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. Admission is $5 per person, with free admission for children up to 10 years old. Proceeds benefit student scholarships and the dance program. Students will perform ballet, flamenco, jazz and modern dance. For more information, call 3262654. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium’s sixth anniversary celebration is today. “The Little Star That Could” will premier, and “Toy Story” will screen. The celebration is from noon to 8 p.m. Admission is $3 per movie. “The Little Star That Could” premieres at noon and also plays at 3 p.m. “Toy Story” shows at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, call 326DOME (3663) or visit tamiu.edu. The Laredo Open chess tournament is today and Sunday at Bravo Care, 6508 N. Bartlett Ave. Onsite registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. USCF registration is required. Several grandmasters will play. For more information, contact Lakshmana Viswanath at 717-8384 or vis@consultant.com or Joel Sauceda at 693-8770 or joel2785@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, APRIL 17 The Laredo Open chess tournament ends today at Bravo Care, 6508 N. Bartlett Ave. USCF registration is required. Several grandmasters will play. For more information, contact Lakshmana Viswanath at 717-8384 or vis@consultant.com or Joel Sauceda at 693-8770 or joel2785@gmail.com.
MONDAY, APRIL 18 The Laredo Community College Student Music Recital is from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater. Sponsored by the LCC performing arts department, the recital is free and open to the public.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Former Texas A&M University students will assemble in Laredo at 6 p.m. today for the annual Texas Aggie Muster to honor Texas Aggies who have passed away in the last year. Muster activities will begin at 6 p.m. at the Dolores Ranch in Laredo. Current and former students, their families and friends of Texas A&M University are invited.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23 PECTO-North, 2450 Monarch Drive, will have an Easter event today. The event will feature a Kids Easter Coloring Contest and adoption of homeless cats. For more information, call the store at 723-3719.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30 The March of Dimes’ 2011 March for Babies is today from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas A&M International University. To register your family or company team, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org/. For more information, contact Luis Garcia, division director, at 1-800-580-3256 or LGarcia@marchofdimes.com. The first Zapata County Scouting Competition pitting the Zapata Girl Scouts vs. the Zapata Explorers, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Zapata County Pavilion. For more information, call the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.
SATURDAY, MAY 7 A book sale will be held in the Widener Room of the First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited, and admission is free. Donated books and magazines are accepted. Call 722-1674 for more information.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Paul Sakuma | AP
In this March 22 photo, job applicants wait in a long line at a job fair in San Jose, Calif. Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that layoffs are dropping and companies may be stepping up hiring.
Texas jobless rate drops ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The unemployment rate in Texas dropped slightly to 8.1 percent in March, marking the first time in four years that the figure has fallen in consecutive months, the state employment agency said Friday. The jobless rate was down from 8.2 percent in February, and the state added 37,200 nonfarm jobs, the sixth consecutive month of job growth, according to figures from the Texas Workforce Commission. The February unemployment rate dropped from 8.3 percent in January. The last time the jobless rate dropped in back-to-back months was February-March 2007. “More jobs and more Texans working are the bottom lines,” said Ronny Congleton, the
Texas dad told 911 he killed his kids GRAHAM — A Texas father accused of killing his two sons called 911 and confessed about 10 hours before the infant and toddler were found dead under their home, according to police documents released Friday. Graham police started investigating Gabriel Armandariz after one of his sisters called Wednesday and reported seeing a picture from his cell phone that showed the infant hanging by the neck, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by The Associated Press.
Southwest CEO 2010 compensation doubled DALLAS — Southwest Airlines Co. more than doubled the compensation for its CEO last year, to nearly $3.4 million, thanks mainly to a stock award worth $1.8 million. Gary C. Kelly was rewarded for a big jump in Southwest’s in-
commissioner representing labor. The U.S. unemployment rate for March was 8.8 percent. Professional and business services led the state’s job sectors with an increase of 10,800 jobs. Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 9,900 jobs, and mining and logging added 4,300. “These job gains occurred across most major industry sectors,” said Andres Alcantar, the commissioner representing the public. Unemployment rates are adjusted for seasonal trends in hiring and firing, which most economists believe give a more accurate picture of the job market. Without the seasonal adjustment, the jobless rate in Texas dropped to 8.1 percent in March from 8.2 percent in February. The preliminary local jobless rates for March for Laredo was 8.3 percent.
come as passenger traffic rose sharply in a bounce-back year for the airline industry.
Paul Quinn College gains new accreditation DALLAS — The only historically black college in Dallas has obtained accreditation from a national agency that certifies Christian schools. Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools says it granted Paul Quinn College full membership Wednesday. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools dropped Paul Quinn from membership in 2009 citing limited finances and other concerns.
Hispanics and Democrats criticize new House map AUSTIN, Texas — Hispanic groups and Democrats are criticizing a new redistricting proposal for the Texas House. The map, being debated Friday in the House Redistricting Committee, is designed to elect a
strongmajority of Republicans. Hispanic groups, including the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, say the proposal should have as many as five new Hispanic-dominated districts. Republicans say their map adds a new Hispanic district in the Corpus Christi area.
El Paso’s Cortez Building undergoes restoration EL PASO, Texas — El Paso’s historic Cortez Building is being restored, gradually being transformed into a first-class office complex that keeps its familiar classic touches. The former hotel is getting the most extensive facelift since a subsidiary of El Paso Electric Co. spent $12 million in the 1980s renovating the 1920s-era landmark in downtown El Paso. El Paso’s Dipp family is not saying exactly how much the Cortez renovation will cost but estimated the total investment will exceed more than $1 million. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Obama: Congress must and will raise debt limit
CONTACT US
CHICAGO — President Barack Obama confidently predicted Friday that a divided Congress would raise the nation’s borrowing limit to cover the staggering federal debt rather than risk triggering a worldwide recession, but he conceded for the first time he would have to offer more spending cuts to Republicans to get a deal. Pushed to the brink, Obama said, the two parties would find “a smart compromise.”
FDA clears first-of-a-kind device for brain cancer WASHINGTON — Device maker Novocure said Friday that the Food and Drug Administration approved its first-of-a-kind treatment that fights cancerous brain tumors using electrical energy fields. The FDA approved the device
Today is Saturday, April 16, the 106th day of 2011. There are 259 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On April 16, 1789, Presidentelect George Washington left Mount Vernon, Va., for his inauguration in New York. On this date: In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia. In 1879, St. Bernadette, who’d described seeing visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, died in Nevers (neh-VEHR’), France. In 1910, Boston Arena (now Matthews Arena) first opened. In 1917, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin returned to Russia after years of exile. In 1947, the French ship Grandcamp blew up at the harbor in Texas City, Texas; another ship, the High Flyer, exploded the following day. The blasts and resulting fires killed nearly 600 people. In 1960, shortly before midnight, rock-and-roll performer Eddie Cochran, 21, was fatally injured in a taxi crash in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England (he died the next day). In 1972, Apollo 16 blasted off on a voyage to the moon. In 1991, Sir David Lean, director of “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago,” died in London at age 83. In 1996, Britain’s Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah, the Duchess of York, announced they were in the process of divorcing. In 2007, in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history, student Seung-Hui Cho (sung-wee joh) killed 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech before taking his own life. Ten years ago: Israel launched an air strike against a strategic Syrian radar station in Lebanon, killing three Syrian soldiers. The Oregonian of Portland won two Pulitzer Prizes. In breaking news reporting, The Miami Herald won for its coverage of the predawn raid by federal agents who took custody of Elian Gonzalez; the story also produced the breaking news photography award for Alan Diaz of The Associated Press. Michael Chabon won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but did not admit legal wrongdoing.) Today’s Birthdays: Pope Benedict XVI is 84. Actor Peter Mark Richman is 84. Singer Bobby Vinton is 76. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II is 71. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 64. NFL coach Bill Belichick is 59. Rock singer-turned-politician Peter Garrett is 58. Actress Ellen Barkin is 57. Rock musician Jason Scheff (Chicago) is 49. Singer Jimmy Osmond is 48. Rock singer David Pirner (Soul Asylum) is 47. Actor-comedian Martin Lawrence is 46. Actor Jon Cryer is 46. Rock musician Dan Rieser is 45. Actor Peter Billingsley is 40. Actor Lukas Haas is 35. Thought for Today: “The only graceful way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can’t ignore it, top it; if you can’t top it, laugh at it; if you can’t laugh at it, it’s probably deserved.” — Russell Lynes, American writer (1910-1991).
Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 Chief Accountant, Thelma Aguero .............. 728-2553 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Classified Manager, Jesse Vicharreli ........... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................728-2581 City Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez .................. 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Business Journal Editor, Sean Bowlin.......... 728-2529 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Online Editor, Julie Daffern ....................... 728-2565 Photo by Paul Beaty | AP
President Barack Obama walks off Marine One before leaving from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Friday. for patients with brain tumors that have returned after treatment with chemotherapy and other interventions. Patients with recurring brain cancer usually live only a few months. Studies showed that people using the device lived about as long
as those taking chemotherapy, roughly six months. For decades, doctors have treated cancer with three methods: drugs, radiation or surgery. Novocure’s NovoTTF device represents a fourth approach. — 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, APRIL 16, 2011
Zlocal
PAGE 3A
Man jailed after incident By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ
JOSE RAMIRO GARZA: Police charge himwith discharge of a firearm,
THE ZAPATA TIMES
An altercation between two men led a 66-year-old man to pull a rifle and fire a shot in the air the evening of April 8 in San Ygnacio. Jose Ramiro Garza, 62,
was arrested and charged with discharge of a firearm. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. He was held in lieu
of a $1,000 bond. Deputies responded to a shots fired call at 8:57 p.m. in the 100 block of Hidalgo Street in San Ygnacio. According to Sgt. Mario Elizondo, Garza and the 17-year-old male complainant argued because of some sort of “littering”
problem. Elizondo said a witness corroborated the victim’s statement. Deputies recovered a .22-caliber rifle and one spent casing from the scene. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Jorge Javier Jasso, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at about 5:45 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of Falcon Shore Drive. An incident report states Jasso tried to run over a man with a vehicle. He was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail.
BURGLARY
Deputies arrest man found with handgun in car
SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Deputies working on an investigation found a man in possession of a handgun in the early hours of April 9 in the Medina Addition. Arturo Luis Muñoz, 42, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun after a traffic stop at 1:47 a.m. in the 500 block of Ramireño Avenue.
ARTURO LUIS MUÑOZ: Charged with unlawful possession of a handgun,
Deputies responded to a burglary of a residence call at 7:36 a.m. April 10 in the 1500 block of Laredo Avenue. The complainant stated that someone broke into his house and stole several items. A man called deputies at 4:51 a.m. Wednesday from the 2400 block of Del Mar Street to report that someone stole his billfold from his pickup. A burglary of a vehicle was reported at 7:11 a.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of Del Mar Street. Deputies responded to a burglary of a vehicle call at 10:47 a.m. Wednesday in the 2500 block of East Hidalgo Street. The complainant told deputies that someone stole a purse from an unlocked vehicle.
CHILD ABUSE A woman called deputies at
Sgt. Mario Elizondo said deputies investigating an incident noticed a gray 2007 Pontiac, which matched the description of a suspect vehicle. Deputies pulled over the vehicle to investigate. When Garza got out of the car, officials noticed the man had a bulge in his waistband. “They could see the outline of the pistol,” Elizondo added. Deputies say the item hidden turned out to be a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun. Elizondo said the man is not related to the case deputies were investigating. Garza was taken to Zapata Regional Jail. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
9:24 p.m. April 8 from the 1800 block of Siesta Lane to report that a child made an outcry of abuse.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Deputies went out to a call at 11:58 p.m. April 10 in the intersection of Washington Avenue and U.S. 83 in San Ygnacio. The complainant told officials that someone used a beer bottle to break a vehicle’s windshield.
DWI Maria Elena Harsacky, 45, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated at approximately 9 a.m. April 9 in the intersection of Fourth Avenue and U.S. 83. An incident report states the woman was driving a black sport utility vehicle without lights. Deputies say the vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic, changing lane to lane. She was taken to Zapata County Jail, where she was held in lieu of a $1,500 bond.
THEFT Deputies responded to a theft call at 9:27 a.m. Wednesday in the 700 block of Texas 16. A man told authorities that a woman he knows was caught on camera stealing food products from a store.
Jazz musicians to rule TAMIU on Tuesday SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
Jose Fransisco Flores, front center, walks in downtown Laredo as shoppers take advantage of Easter Holiday bargains.
Listen to some of the best jazz musicians in the area at the Texas A&M International University Second Annual Jazz Festival on Tuesday, starting at 4 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Admission is free and open to the public. Five school groups will perform between 4 and 6 p.m. with the performance of the TAMIU Jazz Big Band at 7:30 p.m. Clinician and soloist with the TAMIU Band will be Airman First Class Kenneth Jones.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Obama, Ryan butt heads over beliefs By DAVID BROOKS NEW YORK TIMES
P
resident Barack Obama and Paul Ryan are two of the smartest, most admirable and most genial men in Washington. It is sad, although not strange, that in today’s Washington they have never had a serious private conversation. The president has never invited Ryan over even for lunch. As a result, both men are misinformed about the other, and both have developed a cold contempt for the other’s position. Obama believes Ryan wants to take America back to what he sees as the savage capitalism of the 1920s (or even the 1760s). Ryan believes Obama wants to turn America into a declining European welfare state.
Eye to eye If they met, would they resolve their differences? No, but they would understand them better. Paul Ryan believes five things Barack Obama does not. First, he believes that aging populations, expensive new health care technologies and the extravagant political promises have made the current welfare state model unsustainable. Fundamental reform is necessary or the whole thing will collapse, here and in Europe. Second, he believes that seniors and the middle class cannot be excused from the benefit cuts that will have to be imposed to rebalance these systems. Third, he believes that health care costs will not be brought under control until consumers take responsibility for their decisions and providers have marketbased incentives to reduce prices.
More reasons Fourth, he believes that tax increases should not be part of these reforms because the economic costs outweigh the gains. Fifth, he does not believe government can nurture growth and reduce wage stagnation with targeted investments. Obama, meanwhile, does not believe the current welfare arrangements are structurally unsustainable. They have to be adjusted, but not fundamentally altered. He does not believe the seniors and members of the middle class have to suffer significantly in the course of these adjustments. The approach he outlined Wednesday mostly shields these groups from cuts, even if Congress can’t reach a deal on deficit-cutting and a fiscal trigger kicks in. Obama does not believe in relying on market mechanisms to reduce health care costs. Instead, he would rely mostly on a board of technical experts, who would be given power to force their recommendations upon Congress.
More taxes Obama believes that tax increases on the rich have to be part of a fiscal package. His approach claims to contain $3 in
cuts for every $1 in taxes, but if you count these things the way a normal person would, it’s closer to one to one. Finally, Obama believes that government investments in research and infrastructure nurture broad-based prosperity.
Each is right Personally, I agree with Ryan on items one through three and with Obama on items four and five, and I think an acceptable package could be put together to reconcile these views. But I do not believe there is any chance this will happen in the current climate. What’s going to happen is this: We’re going to raise the debt ceiling in a way that fudges the issues. Then we’re going to have an election featuring these rival viewpoints, and Obama will win easily. It doesn’t take a genius to see that Obama is very likely to be re-elected. Every few years, Republicans try to reform the welfare delivery systems to make them more market-like. Every few years, voters, even Republican voters, reject this. The situation today is slightly less hostile to these ideas, but not much.
Easy cuts The president, meanwhile, hit the political sweet spot with his speech this week. He made a sincere call to reduce debt, which will please independents, but he did not specify any tough choices. He called for defense cuts and asked the Pentagon to find some. He called for a reduction in tax credits but didn’t point to any that should actually go. He called for reductions in Medicare costs and asked his board of technocrats to come up with some. These are exactly the sort of vague but well-intentioned policies that have sold well in election after election. The president is not being cynical about this. He genuinely does believe that seniors and the middle class can be spared from any shared sacrifice. He really does believe in calling together teams of experts to devise proper solutions. Obama’s sincere preferences happen to be more popular.
COLUMN
It’s really time to face the debt By BOB FRANKEN HEARST NEWSPAPERS
W
ASHINGTON — Speaking of his fellow politicians, as they court one fiscal disaster after another, Max the senator summed things up beautifully when he said, “We’re acting like we don’t know how to run the country.” Sen. Max Baucus, DMont., is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, so he should know. It’s a mighty convincing act in a budget melodrama that seems to never end. It moves from one familiar backdrop to another. The script stays the same, though there are a few variations. Take the current horror show over raising the national debt ceiling before it tops out in May — and certainly before it becomes impossible for the U.S. government to borrow any money, probably in July. This time, President Obama has decided to dabble at the role of leading man. Somebody probably reminded him that Harry Truman had a sign on his desk that read: “The buck stops here.” It didn’t say: “Pass the buck.” Before he delivered his speech at George Washington University on Wednes-
Budget Office, lowered the effective rate at the top from approximately 24 to 19 per cent. Speaking of the cumulative effect, he declared: “We cannot afford one trillion dollars worth of tax cuts for every millionaire and billionaire in our society. And I refuse to renew them again.“ By comparison, the Republican plan, which comes from Rep. Paul Ryan, RWis., the GOP’s House Budget Committee chairman, has no tax increase. It claims over 4 trillion dollars in deficit reduction over 10 years. Obama called for “shared sacrifice” as opposed to “sacrifice from those who can least afford it.” Many in his camp complain that Obama has been too willing to sacrifice his principles, that his words would have more meaning if he meant them. To win them over, he would need to act on principle instead of expedience, on effective action instead of re-election timidity. Raise-taxes-on-thewealthy has been boilerplate Obama for awhile now, but each time his boilerplate turns cold when exposed to the heat of opposition politics. Last year, his party was still in the major-
ity in the House of Representatives. Even so, when it came to a tax hike for those who make more than $250,000 a year, he took a hike, and left a revenue shortfall of 700 billion desperately needed Georges. His explanation: The minority Republicans would have forced middle class taxes higher if the rich had to pay more. Now the Republicans control the House and the tea partiers control the Republicans. Once again, Boehner adamantly insists that any tax hike is a “nonstarter.” Still, after the White House meeting, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., described a plot where everyone would “deal with what’s doable,” whatever that means. We can only hope something is “doable.” The stakes are too high for all this suspense. Surely, our performers realize that if they can’t perform and reach agreement and raise the debt ceiling, the entire financial structure will come crashing down onto the national stage. They could not possibly allow that to happen. Or could they? (Email: ob@earstdc.com; online: www.bobfranken.tv)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Possible ruin Hopes of any Gang of 6style bipartisan compromise are being washed away by the partisan fury. After the next election, though, interest costs on the national debt are likely to rise ruinously; global markets might lose confidence in America’s debt, with catastrophic consequences. The coming age of permanent austerity will be terrible for those conventional Democrats and Republicans who propose policies that could pass only if the other party ceased to exist. But it will be a moment of opportunity for us Hamiltonians, who believe, with Ryan, in market mechanisms to allocate resources and control costs and also, with Obama, in government’s ability to selectively nurture prosperity.
day afternoon, the president briefed congressional leaders at the White House. The Republican House and Senate leaders had their reaction to the meeting even before it began. In DC-speak, it was “prebuttal,” as opposed to postspeech rebuttal. In this case, the “buttal” was more like a taunt, with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, offering sarcastic congratulations to a chief executive who had “finally decided to engage.” That was for consumption by his tea party backbenchers in the Capitol. The scene quickly shifted. Obama took his script and teleprompters to nearby George Washington University, which is appropriate because if the entire national debt was individual dollar bills, we’d see Washington’s face more than 14 trillion times. The Obama outline envisions the elimination of four of those trillions over 12 years. Two of them would come with spending cuts and one, as he put it, would be agreement to “reduce spending in the tax code.” That’s his term for higher taxes for the wealthy, putting an end to the Bushera tax rate reductions for the wealthy, which, according to the Congressional
The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
ZAPATA COUNTY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCA TION OFFICE
PUBLIC INFORMATION
CHILD FIND/CHILD SERVE Do you know a child or a student ages 0-21 who shows signs of developmental delay, on-going learning problems, behavioral or medical problems that interfere with learning? Do you suspect the presence of a disability?
¿Conoce Ud. algùn niño o algùn estudiante entre la edad de 0 a los 21 años que demuestre retraso del desarrollo, problemas de aprendizaje, problemas de salud o problemas de comportamiento que se interponen con su aprendizaje? ¿Sospecha Ud. la presencia de algùn impedimento?
Zapata County Independent School District has an on-going process in identifying locating, and evaluating any children/ students residing within the district who are in need of special education and related services. Please contact any of the following for referral information:
El distrito escolar del condado de Zapata tiene un proceso para identificar, localizar y evaluar niños o alumnos dentro del distrito escolar que tienen necesidad de educaciòn especial o de servicios relacionados. Para màs informaciòn favor de comunicarse con alguna de las siguientes personas:
Jose Maria Flores, Jr. Principal Zapata High School Box 3750 Zapata, Texas 78076 956-765-0280
Gerardo H Garcia Principal Zapata Middle School Box 3636 Zapata, Texas 78076 956-765-6542
Deryl Villarreal, Jr. Director of Special Instructional Services P.O. Box 158 Zapata, Texas 78076 956-765-6130
Norma Villarreal-Arellano Principal A.L. Benavides Elementary P.O. Box 219 San Ygnacio, Texas 78067 956-765-5611
Pedro M Morales Principal Zapata South Elementary Box 2030 Zapata, Texas 78076 956-765-4332
Esmeralda Mora Chid Find Specialist Region One ESC 1900 West Schunior Edinburg,Texas 78539 1-800-274-7346
Carmen G Zavala Principal Fidel & Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary Box 3637 Zapata, Texas 78076 956-765-4321
Erica A Ramirez Principal Zapata North Elementary Box 3224 Zapata, Texas 78076 956-765-6917
Ana Perez Project Niño Director 5709 Springfield Laredo, Texas 78041 956-728-1769
DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DEL CONDADO DE ZAPATA / OFICINA DE EDUCACION ESPECIAL
DERECHOS CONFIDENCIALES USTED, COMO PADRE DE UN ESTUDIANTE CON IMPEDIMENTOS, O ESTUDIANTE ADULTO CON IMPEDIMENTOS DE 18 ANOS EN ADELANTE O CASADO TIENE EL DERECHO DE: 1. RECIBIR UNA LISTA DONDE SE LOCALIZA LOS ARCHIVOS Y TIPO DE EDUCACION QUE RECIBE SU HIJO(A) QUE SE CONSERVAN, O QUE SE UTILIZAN EN LAS ESCUELAS (34 CFR 300.565); Los archivos de los estudiantes se conservan en la oficina del Departamento de Educaciòn Especial ubicada en 17 th & Carla asì como en la escuela a la que asiste el estudiante. La informaciòn de referencia, el reporte del comitè de Admisiòn, Repaso, y Retiro (ARD), reporte de servicios relacionados, reportes de evaluaciòn, y correspondencia que estè relacionada con el estudiante se conservan en el archivo principal en la oficina del Departamento de Educaciòn Especial. El archivo que permanece en la escuela contiene copias del reporte de Admisiòn, Repaso y Retiro (ARD), reportes del comitè, y El Plan Individual de Educaciòn (IEP). 2. REVISAR Y REPASAR TODOS LOS ARCHIVOS EDUCATIVOS DE SU HIJO(A) SIN TENER QUE ESPERAR MUCHO TIEMPO, Y ANTES DE CUALQUIER JUNTA DE IEP O AUDIENCIA, Y POR NINGUN MOTIVO ESPERAR MAS DE 45 DIAS DESPUES DE HACER SU SOLICITUD (34 CFR 300.562). Cuando usted o el estudiante hace la solicitud, el Director del Programa de Instrucción Especial, deberà solicitar, ya sea por escrito o verbalmente, que estos archivos le sean proporcionados. El Director se reserva el derecho de pedir identificaciòn al solicitante, si este no es ampliamente conocido. Cada solicitud serà atendida lo màs pronto posible, y siempre antes de los 45 dias. Se darà aviso oportunamente al Superintendente de las escuelas si por algun motivo la solicitud no puede ser atendida dentro de los 45 días. El Director del Programa de Instrucción Especial asignará un lugar apropiado para el repaso de los archivos. El Director anotarà en el archivo del estudiante la fecha en que se llevò a cabo el repaso del archivo, el nombre de la persona que hizo la solicitud, y la razòn por la cual se hizo el repaso. 3. TENER ACCESO A L A LISTA DE PERSONAS, ADEMAS DE USTED O PERSONAL AUTORIZADO DE LAS ESCUELAS, QUE HAN TENIDO ACCESO A LOS ARCHIVOS EDUCATIVOS DE SU HIJO(A) Y LA RAZON POR LO CUAL FUERON REVISADOS (34 CFR 300.563). El distrito no atenderà la solicitud para la revisiòn de archivos con informaciòn personal si no està autorizada por escrito por los padres/tutores o estudiante elegible y solamante se està autorizado por algùn oficial responsable de la escuela que necesite la informaciòn para prestar servicios educativos al estudiante. Oficial responsable de la escuela se considera a aquellas personas que se considera sean representantes de la escuela segùn la lista del Boletìn de la Agencia de Educaciòn de Texas, Centro Educativo Region I, la Agencia de Educaciòn de Texas, y el gobierno de los Estados Unidos. El Director tendrà a su cargo la responsibilidad de verificar que las razones de los representantes de las agencias arriba mencionadas sean legìtimas y necesarias para llevar acabo una auditorìa o para supervisar las actividades. Una lista de las personas que han revisado el archivo de su hijo(a) se mantendrán en el archivo personal del estudiante por un período de siete años consecutivos. El Director del Programa de Instrucción Especial es responsable de mantener informacion confidencial y no podrà dar ninguna informaciòn a la persona sin presentar propia identificaciòn y consentimiento de los padres o tutor. Si tiene alguna duda sobre sus derechos confidenciales, puede llamar o escribir a: DERLY VILLARREAL, JR. DIRECTOR DEL PROGRAMA DE EDUCACION ESPECIAL 17 TH & Carla P.O. Box 158 Zapata, Texas 78076 (956) 765-6130/765-4049 • (956) 765-3967 Fax
ZAPATA COUNTY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT / SPECIAL EDUCATION OFFICE
CONFIDENTIALITY RIGHTS AS A PARENT OF A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY OR ADULT STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY (18 YEARS OR OLDER OR MARRIED), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: 1. RECEIVE A LIST OF THE TYPE AND LOCATION OF YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL RECORDS WHICH ARE COLLECTED, MAINTAINED, OR USED BY THE SCHOOL (34 CFR 300.565); The student’s records are maintained at the Special Education Office located at 17 th & Carla Street and at the school the student attends. The referral information, the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee reports, the related service reports, assessment reports, and any correspondence pertaining to the student is kept in the main folder at the Special Education Office. The school folder contains the copies of the Admission, Review, or Dismissal (ARD), and Individual Educational Plan. 2. INSPECT AND REVIEW ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL RECORDS WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DELAY AND BEFORE ANY IEP MEETING OR DUE PROCESS HEARING AND IN NO CASE MORE THAN 45 DAYS AFTER YOUR REQUEST (34 CFR 300.562). When you and/or a student makes the request, the Director of Special Instructional Services will ensure that before records are made available, identification will be required when the request is received from an individual of the specified classification who is not personally known. Each request will be honored as soon as possible, but the time will be no longer than forty-five days. The superintendent of schools will be notified if a request cannot be honored in time. A suitable place for record inspection will be provided by the Director of Special Instructional Services. The Director will see that a notification is placed in the student record folder indicating date of access, name of individual obtaining access, and reason for inspection. 3. SEE A LIST OF THOSE PERSONS, BESIDES YOU OR AUTHORIZED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, WHO HAVE SEEN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCTIONAL RECORDS AND WHY THEY SAW THEM. (34 CFR 300.563) The district will not honor requests for personally identifiable information or records unless authorized by written consent by the parent/guardian or eligible student unless requested by responsible school officials needing the information to provide educational services to the student. Responsible school officials are considered to be representatives of the school listed in Texas Education Agency, Region One Education Center, and the United States Government. The Director will be responsible to determine that representatives of the agencies listed above have a legitimate need to the information to carry out an audit or monitoring function. The list of the persons who have seen your child’s records will be maintained in the individual student folder for seven consecutive years. The Director of Special Instructional Services assumes the responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality of any personally identifiable information. If you have any concerns regarding the confidentiality rights, feel free to write or call: DERLY VILLARREAL, JR. DIRECTOR DEL PROGRAMA DE EDUCACION ESPECIAL 17 TH & Carla P.O. Box 158 Zapata, Texas 78076 (956) 765-6130/765-4049 • (956) 765-3967 Fax
SÁBADO 16 DE ABRIL DE 2011
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 16 DE ABRIL LAREDO — La Laredo Art League invita a Jardin de Arte a las 11 a.m. en Vega’s Imports, 4002 avenida San Bernardo. Habrá arte y decoraciones mexicanas. LAREDO — Hoy es el 6to Aniversario del Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU. Se presenta The Little Star That Could a las 12 p.m. y 3 p.m.; Toy Story a la 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. y 8 p.m. Costo: 3 dólares por película. LAREDO — Hoy es el Concierto Primaveral de Danza 2011 en el teatro del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU, a las 8 p.m. Costo: 5 dólares, con entrada gratuita para niños de 10 años de edad y menores. Las ganancias se destinarán a becas escolares. NUEVO LAREDO — Rotarac Nuevo Laredo 90 invita a donar un juguete durante el evento “Kilómetro del Juguete” en la Explanada Esteban Baca Calderón, de 9 a.m. a 9 p.m. Los juguetes se donarán el 30 de abril a niños de las colonias Primero de Mayo y Arnulfo Tejada Lara.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
CONTINÚAN INVESTIGACIONES POR MATANZAS EN TAMAULIPAS
Ofrecen recompensa ASSOCIATED PRESS
MÉXICO — Un juez federal autorizó someter a prisión preventiva a tres personas más involucradas en la muerte de al menos 145 personas, cuyos cadáveres fueron localizados en fosas clandestinas en Tamaulipas en un hecho descrito por el presidente Felipe Calderón como de una “barbarie extrema”. La Procuraduría General de la República informó que los tres hombres permanecerán al menos 40 días en prisión preventiva mientras se amplían las investigaciones por su probable responsabilidad de los delitos de secuestro, homicidio y crimen organizado. Los tres son parte de las
17 presuntos miembros del cartel de las drogas de Los Zetas detenidos hasta ahora por los homicidios de las personas que se cree eran pasajeros de autobuses que fueron plagiados y luego asesinados. Los otros 14 arrestados ya estaban sometidos a prisión preventiva. La PGR publicó el viernes en el Diario Oficial el ofrecimiento de hasta 15 millones de pesos (unos 1,2 millones de dólares) a quien dé información que permita la captura de otros cuatro presuntos miembros de Los Zetas vinculados con los crímenes. La procuradora Marisela Morales ya había adelantado esta semana las recompensas. Autoridades continúan
la búsqueda de más cuerpos en San Fernando, donde se han encontrado hasta ahora 26 fosas con al menos 145 cadáveres. La Procuraduría de Justicia de Tamaulipas informó el jueves que 23 de las víctimas habrían sido asesinadas al menos un mes antes de que se iniciaran los secuestros de pasajeros en las inmediaciones de San Fernando. Las autoridades también han detenido a 16 policías municipales por presuntamente encubrir a los miembros de Los Zetas. El subsecretario para América Latina de la cancillería, Rubén Beltrán, informó el viernes que se realizó una reunión con embajadores de Centroamérica para informales sobre el caso. Dijo que en
particular Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras han expresado su preocupación. Entre las víctimas sólo se ha identificado hasta ahora sólo a un guatemalteco, quien llevaba consigo un acta de nacimiento. San Fernando fue escenario en agosto de 2010 de una masacre de 72 migrantes que también ha sido atribuida a Los Zetas. El presidente Felipe Calderón dijo que los homicidios en San Fernando han “enlutado” a México y aseguró que su gobierno capturará hasta el último de los responsables. “Estos asesinatos son actos de barbarie extrema que nos muestran la bajeza, la crueldad que han alcanzado estos criminales,
TRADICIONES MEXICANAS
FISCAL
Torre entrega nuevos cargos
DOMINGO 17 DE ABRIL LAREDO — Hoy se presenta la película “Gasland” a las 2 p.m. en la Sala de Usos Múltiples H-E-B de la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E. Calton Rd. “Gasland” fue nominado al Mejor Documental por la Academia en el 2011. Evento gratuito. LAREDO — Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra presenta su concierto final de temporada “Winning Connections” hoy a las 3 p.m. en el Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center del Laredo Community College, Campus Ft. McIntosh. Costo: 25 dólares, adultos; 17 dólares, seniors; estudiantes gratuitos.
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
LUNES 18 DE ABRIL AVISO: El Servicio Postal de Correo de EU anuncia que hoy estarán abiertos hasta la medianoche a fin de responder a la demanda de personas enviando sus declaraciones de impuestos al IRS. Hoy es la fecha límite que da el IRS. Las oficinas de correos participantes son: Oficina central en 2700 calle E. Saunders, que abrirá en horario normal y posteriormente de 7 p.m. a la medianoche; y, The Postal Center Plus, 7917 McPherson Rd # 205, que abrirá de 9 a.m. a la medianoche. LAREDO — Hoy es el Recital Musical Estudiantil de alumnos del Laredo Community College en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center en el Campus Fort McIntosh a las 7:30 p.m. Entrada gratuita.
MARTES 19 DE ABRIL LAREDO — Segundo Festival Anual de Jazz en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. Grupo locales tocarán de 4 p.m. a 6 p.m. y la Jazz Big Band a las 7:30 p.m. Entrada gratuita.
MIÉRCOLES 20 DE ABRIL LAREDO — La Conferencia de Perspectiva Económica Vision 2011 inicia hoy a las 7 a.m. en el Centro Estudiantil de TAMIU, 5201 University Blvd. LAREDO — El Recital de Música de Cámara de LCC es hoy a las 7:30 p.m. en el teatro Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center. Entrada gratuita.
JUEVES 21 DE ABRIL LAREDO — Recepción de apertura de la exhibición de Arte de Seniors por Graduarse en la Galería del CFPA de TAMIU, de 5 p.m. a 7:30 p.m.
con tal de sacar ganancias a costa de las personas honestas”, dijo el mandatario durante una reunión con transportistas. Dijo que ha dado instrucciones para aumentar la presencia de fuerzas federales en Tamaulipas y en general en el noreste del país que ha visto un repunte de la violencia del narcotráfico en los últimos meses. En la última semana también han sido localizados varios cuerpos en fosas clandestinas en Sinaloa y Sonora y sin relación con los hechos de San Fernando. En Durango se encontraron 10 cuerpos completos, tres sin cabeza y cuatro cráneos, en Sinaloa 13 cadáveres y en Sonora cuatro más.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
La Presidenta del Sistema DIF-Tamaulipas, María del Pilar González de Torre, segunda de derecha a izquierda, hizo entrega de los premios y medallas a los triunfadores en la competencia estatal de rondas infantiles y salto de cuerda. La acompañan el Secretario de Educación, Diódoro Guerra Rodríguez; el alcalde de Ciudad Victoria Miguel González Salum y su esposa Adriana Margarita Sáenz de González, presidenta del DIF Victoria.
COLOR Y MÚSICA Premian a concursantes en rondas infantiles TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
C
D. VICTORIA, México — Alrededor de 500 niños participaron durante la semana en el Concurso Estatal de Rondas Infantiles y Salto de Cuerda, organizado por el Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia. Más de 30 mil niños de nivel primaria participaron en las eliminatorias municipales y regionales, llegando a esta etapa los mejores exponentes de rondas y salto de cuerda. Los 500 menores, vistiendo trajes de colores,
bailaron música tradicional mexicana durante las rondas, como “El Son de la Negra”, “La Raspa”, “Arroz con Leche”, “La Víbora de la Mar”, “El Patio de mi Casa” y “Mambrú” Los menores representaban las tres zonas de la entidad: Cuenca central, zona huasteca y franja fronteriza. La Presidenta del Sistema DIF-Tamaulipas, María del Pilar González de Torre, dijo que los menores presentaron una competencia de alto nivel. “El objetivo de este certamen es rescatar nues-
tras tradiciones mediante los juegos individuales y colectivos, donde se propicie la creatividad y la alegría natural de los niños tamaulipecos”, dijo González. “Además nos permite promover la sana convivencia entre los niños y el rescate de los juegos mexicanos tradicionales”. Agregó que las rondas infantiles y el salto de cuerda también motivan a los niños a mostrar sus habilidades físicas, coordinación y talento. Resultados Primer lugar en rondas infantiles: escuela primaria “Himno Nacional” de
Tampico. En salto de cuerda individual la ganadora fue María Isabel Sámano González, del Colegio Ateneo Victoria. En salto de cuerda por pareja ganaron Johann Alcázar Hernández y Beatriz Pérez Gallardo, de la primaria Luis Donaldo Colosio de Ciudad Victoria. Salto de cuerda por grupo, alumnos de la primaria Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, de Tula. Los tres primeros lugares de cada categoría recibieron bicicletas y medallas.
CD. VICTORIA, México — La entidad tiene 41 nuevos jefes de Oficinas Fiscales en igual cantidad de municipios tamaulipecos y cuatro nuevos delegados del Transporte Público. El Gobernador Egidio Torre Cantú les exigió respeto y trato cordial a los contribuyentes, ya que como jefes fiscales aseguró son parte importante de atención al público. “Son la cara del Gobierno de Tamaulipas en la representación cotidiana ante el ciudadano”, dijo Torre. “La gente que va a pagar tienen que sentir esa calidez y trato humano”. Los nuevos Jefes de las Oficinas Fiscales del Estado en la frontera norte de Tamaulipas son: José Cruz Treviño Garza, Camargo; Otilio González Ruíz, Guerrero; Oscar Mario Morales Gutiérrez, Díaz Ordaz; Abelardo Guerra Farías, Matamoros; Abdón Canales Díaz, Mier; Amanda Barrera González, Miguel Alemán; Imelda Mangín Torre, Nuevo Laredo; José Armando Garza Faz, Reynosa; y, Eduardo René López López, Río Bravo. Los nuevos delegados municipales del Transporte Público son: Gonzalo Treviño Alanís, Matamoros; Héctor Tomás Morales Mireles, Tampico-Madero-Altamira; Eduardo Roel Cuellar Puentes, Nuevo Laredo; Oscar Salinas Dávila, Reynosa.
SEMANA SANTA
Diócesis anuncia actividades en Catedral POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
NUEVO LAREDO — Con el inicio el domingo de la Semana Santa, la Iglesia Católica hizo un llamado para que las personas se arrepientan, pidan perdón y se acerquen a Dios. El Obispo de la Diócesis, Gustavo Rodríguez Vega, dijo que, en cuanto a Dios, “nadie es tan bueno que no lo necesite ni tan malo que no pueda afligirse y encontrarlo”. A partir del domingo, con la celebración del
Domingo de Ramos, inicia la Semana Mayor que concluirá el domingo 24 de abril, cuando se celebra el Domingo de Resurrección. “Arrepiéntanse y cambien de vida” pidió Rodríguez especialmente a quienes practican la violencia y a quienes se han involucrado en las diversas formas del crimen organizado.
Programa Domingo de Ramos Gran Caminata del Domingo de Ramos a las 9
a.m. con salida en la Explanada Baca Calderón (Maclovio Herrera y Guerrero). A las 5 p.m. procesión solemne con salida en Paseo Colón y Río Tamazunchale, concluyendo con Misa a las 6 p.m. con grupos parroquiales y sectores. Martes Santo Misa por los enfermos a las 10 a.m. Miércoles Santo Misa Crismal a las 12 p.m. Jueves Santo Misa solemne de la Cena del Señor a las 6 p.m. y
adoración eucarística en Catedral y los nueve sectores a las 7:30 p.m. Viernes Santo Viacrucis a las 10 a.m. con salida en Río Tamanzunchale y Paseo Colón para concluir en Catedral; Celebración de la Pasión a las 3 p.m.; Procesión del Silencio a las 6 p.m. con salida en la Plaza Juárez/Parroquia Santo Niño, concluyendo en el atrio de la Catedral con el Sermón del Pésame; y a las 9 p.m. Rosario del Pésame (Corona dolorosa). Sábado Santo Solemne vigilia pascual
a las 9 p.m. Domingo de Resurrección Misas a las 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. y 7 p.m. “Los hombres deben poner a Dios en su corazón (y) deben dejar de servir al dinero y el placer sin límites”, dijo Rodriguez. “Entonces la violencia de todo tipo terminará”. También valoró las prácticas cuaresmales del ayuno, la abstinencia, la oración y la limosna. (Localice a Miguel Timoshenkov en el 728-2583 ó en mramirez@lmtonline.com)
Zentertainment
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
LPO closes season Sunday THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra’s 32nd season closes Sunday with a 3 p.m. concert at Laredo Community College’s Guadalupe and Lilia Martínez Fine Arts Center. Titled “Winning Connections,” the season’s finale features the winner of the 2nd Annual Laredo Concerto Competition, Justin Balli, a cellist who will perform Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme” for cello and orchestra. Balli is a Texas A&M International University senior majoring in music and a student of Brendan Townsend, LPO music director and assistant professor of music at both TAMIU and LCC. As a senior in high school, Balli was concurrently enrolled at LCC as a cello student, making this “connection” a true reflection of the tripartite agreement between LCC, the LPO
The saying “you are what you eat” is based in truth, and Chef Beto Gutierrez of Zaragoza Grill invites the community to learn more about healthy eating and cooking. La Posada Hotel and Mercy Ministries of Laredo recognize the signifi-
Lazy Daze to host festival SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
File photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Texas A&M International University’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts last season. The orchestra closes its “Connections” season on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Laredo Community College Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center. and TAMIU. Also featured will be music students from area high school bands joining with the LPO brass and percussion sections to perform Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Other works on the program include the world premiere of “Connections” by David Manuel García, director of
bands at TAMIU and the LPO’s composer-in-residence. His work brings out the spirit of Laredo with touches of mariachi, flamenco, and classical music throughout. Sunday’s concert patrons will have the opportunity to sign up for an “Early Bird Surprise.” By reserving their season tickets for next
Laredo Chef Beto Gutierrez to teach healthy cooking THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
cance of healthy cooking and have partnered up to offer a Healthy Cooking Class. The event, set for Thursday, is free and open to the public. The class will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the San Agustin Ballroom inside of the historic La Posada Hotel.
The class will be conducted by a very popular chef, Beto Gutierrez, who is the lead cook at the award-winning Zaragoza Grill, which is located in downtown Laredo. The event is free, but seating is limited, so those interested must RSVP by calling Roxanna Gonzalez at 753-4401.
season, patrons will receive complimentary CDs with highlights from this season. Tickets will be on sale at the door at $25 for adults and $17 for seniors. Students with current ID can attend free of charge, based on available seating. For more information, call Brendan Townsend at 326-3039.
On Wednesday, Lazy Daze Counter Culture will host a free One Love Art & Music Festival at the El Metro Park and Ride. The afternoon event is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and last until midnight. It will feature many activities and local talents, such as DJs, poetry readers, palm readers, painters, and jewelry makers. The L&F Stage will feature local bands including Automatic Weekend, Bucket of Six, Cloud Nine, Fallen On September, La Mata, Shazz! and Somewhere in Between. There will also be games such as Foxy Boxing, presented by Crossfit Laredo, Tug of War, and others. Four local
food vendors will cater the event. The purpose of the One Love Art & Music Festival is to bring the essence of peace and love to Laredo through the fine arts. Going green is another important element and the event will bring awareness of the environment to the community during the festival. Lazy Daze was established in 2005 and sells novelty items and rock memorabilia. Laredo is a town rich in Hispanic culture and tradition, and the business prides itself in bringing imagination, innovation, and entertainment here. All profits will be donated to the “Keep Laredo Beautiful” campaign. For more information, call 727-5955.
State
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
Bill would nix slower night highway speed By APRIL CASTRO ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Texas drivers would no longer have to slow down for nighttime road trips and some highway speed limits would be increased to 75 mph under legislation approved Friday in the House. The bill, which was approved without opposition, would eliminate the current requirement that drivers slow down to 65 mph when the sun goes down on most Texas highways.
75 mph possible It would also allow the Texas Transportation Commission to set highway speeds at 75 mph, up from the current 70 mph limit on most non-urban state highways. Counties would be eligible for the higher limit only if a safety study deemed it to be safe and reasonable for each portion of highway. Houston Republican Rep. Gary Elkins, the bill’s sponsor, said the changes would increase efficiency and would give Texas speed standards similar to nearby states. Some rural counties already are allowed to post 75 mph limits, but the proposal would make all counties eligible for the upper limit. While lawmakers said the effort would make Texas roadways more efficient, a report by the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University said that higher speeds have been found to sharply increase crash and injury severity. “Anytime you increase the speed limits, you do increase the risk because ... those accidents are going to be more severe in nature,” said Quinn Brackett, senior research scientist for the Texas Transportation Institute. While the likelihood of crashes to occur because of higher speeds was less clear, the institute found “evidence that increases in posted speed limit may result in increases in the number of crashes.” “I think that we have to rely on the transportation engineers that are going to examine the roadways to do a credible job and
Saudi man’s terror plot trial reset for October
Some rural counties already are allowed to post 75 mph limits, but the proposal would make all counties eligible for the upper limit. make sure not to raise the speed limits on roadways that increase risk of injury to motorists,” Brackett said. Legislation also is pending that would allow the state to raise the speed limit to 85 mph on certain future highways. The increase would not apply to highways that already exist. Supporters said the slower nighttime speed is an outdated function put in place when headlights were not suited to higher speeds. A bill analysis drafted by the House Research Organization said Texas is the only state that has retained the dayto-night differential. But the Texas A&M report said slower nighttime speed limits help compensate for reduced driver vision in the dark. Detection of possible hazards in the roadway, for instance, may take longer than during the daylight hours and lower speeds allow drivers to come to sudden stops more quickly. Even though headlights and vehicle safety have improved over the years, “you can’t really make the lights as bright as or equivalent to daylight,” Brackett said. “You still have some limitations as far as visibility that are created at nighttime. “Eliminating the differential we have for nighttime speeds may be a little problematic, particularly for people that have reached the elderly driver age.” The bill must clear a procedural vote in the House before it can be eligible for consideration in the Senate.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Wildfire zaps 30 houses Firefighter loses life fighting blaze By LINDA STEWART BALL ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — A wildfire sweeping across 20,000 acres in North Texas has destroyed at least 30 homes, forced hundreds of evacuations — including an entire town — and closed a state park, state officials said Friday. The blaze was burning in a rural area about 120 miles west of Dallas, but the region also has expensive lake homes and is a popular recreation spot for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Officials closed Possum Kingdom State Park and cleared out its campsites, fearing the fire could block access roads. “The fire, it’s a bad one,” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman Rob McCorkle said. “This is pretty unusual to have this many fires going across the state at the time.” The fire also prompted officials to evacuate Gorman, a city of about 1,200 residents, and set up a shelter at a church in a nearby town for residents who didn’t have someplace
Photo by Heather Leiphart/Odessa American | AP
A half-burned Juniper bush, one of many ignited by fire crews along Ranch Road 2886 to greet the edge of a growing wildfire south of Iraan, burns Wednesday. else to stay. “The school, the nursing home and the whole city has been evacuated,” City Clerk Jill Rainey said. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged, said Eastland County fire official Daniel Morgan. Texas Forest Service spokeswoman Holly Huffman said that since the fire began Wednesday, 30 homes have been destroyed, 200 homes have been evacuated and 275
people have been displaced. A firefighter suffered minor injuries Thursday, but no other injuries have been reported. Huffman said authorities have not yet been able to survey the area to gain a complete count of the number of homes lost. McCorkle said strong winds were increasing the chance that the fire would close off the only roads accessing Possum Kingdom State Park, and as the fire moved closer to the wood-
ed area, county officials asked that it be closed. “This being a weekend, it would probably be pretty full,” McCorkle said. “They wanted to get everybody out.” The blaze also claimed the life of a firefighter. The mayor of the West Texas town of Eastland said 51-year-old Gregory M. Simmons died Friday afternoon. Details haven’t been released. Eastland is about 130 miles west of Dallas.
Psychologist out of prison work By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — A psychologist who examined more than a dozen Texas death row inmates for intellectual disabilities has been banned by the state from performing similar evaluations in the future. George Denkowski of Fort Worth, who has been a witness for prosecutors and defendants in death penalty cases, reached a settlement with the state Board of Examiners of Psychologists on Thursday after other doctors and defense attorneys raised questions about his methods. Denkowski admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to stop performing intellectual disability reviews in criminal cases. Defense attorneys say they hope to use Thursday’s settlement to have appeals courts review the
“
Once again, another junk science scandal has rocked Texas’ death row.” KATHRYN KASE OF THE TEXAS DEFENDER SERVICE, WHO REPRESENTS FORMER DEATH ROW INMATE DANIEL PLATA.
cases of at least 14 inmates now on death row and help those men avoid lethal injection. The order, however, says it can’t be used as evidence to retry cases in which Denkowski has already testified. Psychologists and defense lawyers have complained that he used unscientific methods and artificially inflated IQ scores in determining inmates’ intellectual capabilities. In 2010, the American Association on Intellectual Developmental Disabilities manual urged “strong caution against practices such as those recommended by
Denkowski.” Denkowski has published articles saying that social and cultural factors should be part of the intellectual exam. He argued someone living in poverty or in a community where basics skills, such as using simple tools or personal hygiene, are not valued may lack those skills but not show true signs of mental retardation. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2002 banned the death penalty for people with mental retardation. “Once again, another junk science scandal has rocked Texas’ death row,”
said Kathryn Kase of the Texas Defender Service, who represents former death row inmate Daniel Plata. Denkowski testified in 2005 that Plata did not have mental retardation despite tests that showed his IQ was under 70. Plata’s death sentence was reduced to life in prison on appeal in 2008 because of his intellectual capabilities. He now lives with other disabled inmates. Denkowski’s attorney, Jennifer Andrews, did not immediately respond to a message left at her office seeking comment.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR CAR OR TRUCK $$$ I buy cars for cash even if you still owe money$$$ Models 2003-2009
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INTERESADO DE VENDER SU CARRO O TROCA?
A federal judge has ordered the trial of a Saudi man accused of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction reset for October because the case is complex. The trial for Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari was to begin May 2. It is now set for Oct. 24. U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings ruled the case complex last week after attorneys for the prosecution and Aldawsari filed a joint motion seeking the designation. Designating a case complex suspends the federal statute that mandates a trial start within 70 days of indictment. Court documents allege Aldawsari hatched plans to attack various U.S. targets, including in New York City and at former President George W. Bush’s Dallas home. The 20-year-old, legally in the U.S. on a student visa, was arrested Feb. 23.
$$$ Compro carros en efectivo aunque todavia deba dinero$$$
Models 2003-2009
Call for Estimates/Llama para un Presupuesto
(956) 237-1621
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
Hispanics, Dems criticize House map ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Marco Ugarte | AP
Morgue workers remove a body, found in a mass grave in northern Mexico, from a refrigerated truck at the entrance of a funeral home in Mexico City on Thursday. More bodies were found Friday when authorities dug up a pit in a house in the Mexican state of Durango, authorities said. Durango has been the scene of a bloody turf battle between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Zetas gang.
House yields 13 bodies By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Ten complete bodies, three headless bodies and four severed heads were found when authorities dug up a pit in a house in the Mexican state of Durango, authorities said Friday. Authorities are determining whether some of the heads belonged to the bodies. The decayed corpses were taken to a morgue for autopsies, the Durango state prosecutor’s office said in a statement. Durango has been the scene of a turf battle between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Zetas gang. The
discovery comes as graves with dozens of bodies have been discovered in the northern state of Tamaulipas, where the Zetas are fighting the Gulf Cartel. Also Friday, the army announced it had captured a man who allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of a well-known poet’s son and six others. The March 28 slaying of Juan Francisco Sicilia, the son of poet Javier Sicilia, sparked demonstrations throughout the country against the violence of Mexico’s drug war, which has claimed more than 34,000 lives. But the circumstances of the arrest in the high-pro-
file case immediately drew suspicions. The army said suspect Rodrigo Elizalde Mora was captured Thursday in Cuernavaca, where the killings occurred. He confessed to working for the South Pacific Cartel, and to helping kill Sicilia and a group of friends, according to the army statement. But Elizalde Mora appeared badly beaten, and said he had been kidnapped by unidentified men, who then apparently turned him over to authorities. “They picked me up and they beat me,” Elizalde Mora told local media.
Constable shot after sex act By JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Police say a 31-year-old man wanted for the fatal shooting of an off-duty Harris County deputy constable has turned himself in to authorities. Lee Eldridge Sonier was taken into custody after turning himself in at
Houston police headquarters on Friday. He has been charged with capital murder in the death of 47-year-old Deputy Constable Ronnie Earl Brewer. Investigators say Brewer was shot after getting into an argument with Sonier, accused of being a pimp, over money following sex with a prostitute.
Also charged with capital murder is the alleged prostitute, 40-year-old Judy Lucille Hambrick, who is currently jailed. According to a probable cause affidavit released Friday, Hambrick performed a sex act on Brewer in his car early Tuesday morning. Afterward, police say Sonier argued with Brewer and shot him.
AUSTIN — Hispanic groups and Democrats are criticizing a new redistricting map for the Texas House. The map being debated Friday in the House Redistricting Committee is designed to elect a strong majority of Republicans in the 150-member chamber. Hispanic groups, including the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, say the proposal should have as many as five new Hispanic-dominated districts. Republicans say their map adds a new Hispanic district in the Corpus Christi area. There’s also a proposed new district in the Fort Worth area that is more than 60 percent black and Hispanic. Republicans in slow-growth areas, includ-
There’s also a proposed new district in the Fort Worth area that is more than 60 percent black and Hispanic. ing rural East and West Texas and Dallas, would have to give up seats under the proposal. But the map would draw more GOP-leaning seats in fastgrowing suburban areas. The U.S. Voting Rights Act, written to counter the effects of racial discrimination, requires that lawmakers enhance and maintain opportunities for minority voters to influence the outcome of elections within legislative and Congressional districts and other political jurisdictions. MALDEF, representing
a coalition of Hispanic groups, says the map as drawn violates federal law. Rep. Veronica Gonzales, DMcAllen, said the changes in heavily Hispanic South Texas, including in her district, also violate safeguards against breaking up minority communities and “packing” them into others. Rep. Burt Solomons, the north Texas Republican who drew the GOP-dominated House map, said he didn’t want to pit members against each other but called his map fair and legal.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
JORGE JASSO Jorge Jasso, 77, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Laredo Medical Center. Mr. Jasso is preceded in death by his first wife, Rosa B. Jasso; and a brother, Dagoberto Jasso. Mr. Jasso is survived by his wife, Felicitas Jasso; sons: Jorge Jr. (Maria) Jasso and Florencio Jasso; daughters: Maria Guadalupe Solis, Norma J. Jasso, Estela (Candelario) Herrera and Maria J. Boatright; 14 grandchildren; brothers: Florencio J., Arturo and Armando, Ricardo; sisters: Aurora Vela, Simona Olivares, Sylvia Villarreal, Zulema Rodriguez, Adela Vallejo, Socorro Reyes, Amanda Salinas and Francisca Solis; and by numerous great-grandchildren and other family members. Visitation hours were held Friday, April 15, 2011, at 8 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Friday,
April 15, 2011, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Hwy. 83 Zapata.
SEVERIANO RODRIGUEZ JR. Severiano Rodriguez Jr., “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” John 8:12. On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, Mr. Severiano Rodriguez Jr. of Zapata, Texas, made the transition into the realm of eternity at the Laredo Medical Center. Peacefully, the final curtain of his life was drawn at the age of 90. “Chano“, as he was affectionately called by those who knew him was a most humorous and full of life gentleman. His life was characterized by love for others, good deeds for those in need, and positive thoughts of all he worked and lived with. His contagious laughter and humor spread joy to all who knew him, especially while running his fruit stand in Zapata. Mr. Severiano Rodriguez Jr. was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces as a private first class in Company F, 349th Infantry, from Aug. 15, 1941 through Sept. 15, 1945.
His service included battles and campaigns in NaplesFoggia, Rome-Arno and North Apenines Po Valley. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, American Defense Service Medal, Croix de Guerrea with Vermillion Star and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Rodriguez was born in San Ygancio, Texas, Feb. 1, 1921. He was preceded in death by his parents: Severiano and Maria Del Refugio Chapa Rodriguez; his wife, Emma O. Rodriguez; his son, Raul Ignacio Rodriguez;
his in-laws: Delfino and Elosia Ornelas; his brothers: Juan De Dios (Josefa) Rodriguez and Rogelio (Estela) Rodriguez; his sisters: Maria Del Refugio (Olegario) Villarreal, Andrea (Fidel) Villarreal, Lucia (Delfino) Ornelas, Lucila (Miguel) Trevino, Rosa (Manuel) Luna and Jacobita Rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez is survived by his daughter, Jacobita Mirta Rodriguez (Pedro E.) Laurel; his grandchildren: Melissa Emma Laurel, Pedro Eduardo Laurel Jr., Marissa Aida Laurel (Timothy) Wilson, and Melinda J. Laurel (John) Sandoval, Gary Igancio Rodriguez, Raul Ignacio (Blanca) Rodriguez Jr., Gerardo (Jocelin) Rodriguez, Jessica Rodriguez (Elly) Menchaca and Cristina Rodriguez; his great grandchildren: Michael Anthony Cervantes Jr., Jose Fernando Loaiza II, Pedro Cristobal Loaiza, Ricardo Rodriguez, Issac Rodriguez, Gissely Rodriguez, Hazael Rodriguez, Zoe Rodriguez and Denaly Rodriguez; as well as many cousins, nieces, and neph-
ews. Visitation hours will be Monday, April 18, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. with a rosary at 9 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart from Rose Garden Funeral home 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 Co. Cemetery, including full military honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard. The family would like to give very special thanks to the staff at Retama Manor Laredo South fort their time, dedication and support. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez funeral director, 2102 Highway 83, Zapata.
House passes huge GOP budget cuts By ANDREW TAYLOR ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — In a prelude to a summer showdown with President Barack Obama, Republicans controlling the House pushed to passage on Friday a bold but politically dangerous budget blueprint to slash social safety net programs like food stamps and Medicaid and fundamentally restructure Medicare health care for the elderly. The nonbinding plan lays out a fiscal vision cutting $6.2 trillion from yearly federal deficits over the coming decade and calls for transforming Medicare from a program in which the government directly pays medical bills into a voucher-like system that subsidizes purchases of private insurance plans The GOP budget passed 235-193 with every Democrat voting "no." Obama said in an Associated Press interview that it would "make Medicare into a voucher program. That’s something that we strongly object to." The vote sets up the Republicans’ next round of confrontation with Obama and Democrats over mustpass legislation to allow the government to borrow more money to finance its operations and obligations to holders of U.S. bonds. For the first time, Obama acknowledged that raising the debt limit is "not going to happen without some spending cuts" insisted upon by Republicans and some Democrats.
Photo by Evan Vucci | AP
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio looks on at right as House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Friday. The vote came on the same day Obama signed a hard-fought six-month spending bill that averted a government shutdown while cutting $38 billion from the government. Struck last week, the compromise was the first between the White House and the emboldened Republican majority in the House. Under the House Republican plan approved Friday, deficits requiring the federal government to borrow more than 40 cents for every dollar it spends would be cut by the end of the
decade to 8 cents of borrowing for every dollar spent. "If the president won’t lead, we will," Boehner said as he closed debate. "No more kicking the can down the road, no more whistling past the graveyard. Now is the time to address the serious challenges that face the American people and we will." Obama saw the situation differently. In the AP interview, he said the Republicans’ "pessimistic vision ... says that America can no longer do some of the big things that made us great,
that made us the envy of the world." The plan by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., exposes Republicans to political risk. Its Medicare proposal would give people presently 54 or younger health insurance subsidies that would steadily lose value over time — even as current beneficiaries and people 55 and older would stay in the current system. The budget measure is nonbinding but lays out a vision to fundamentally reshape government benefit
programs for the poor and elderly, programs whose spiraling costs threaten to crowd out other spending and produce a crippling debt burden that could put a major drag on the economy in the future. "Which future do you want your children to have? One where the debt gets so large it crushes the economy and gives them a diminished future?" Ryan asked. "Or this budget ... that literally not only gets us on the way to balancing the budget but pays off our debt?"
The GOP’s solution to unsustainable deficits is to relentlessly attack the spending side of the ledger while leaving Bush-era tax cuts intact. It calls for tax changes that would lower the top income tax rates for corporations and individuals by cleaning out a tax code cluttered with tax breaks and preferences, but it parts company with Obama and the findings of a bipartisan deficit commission, which proposed devoting about $100 billion a year in new revenue to easing the deficit. Democrats and many budget experts say this spending-cuts-only approach is fundamentally unbalanced, targeting social safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps while leaving in place a tax system they say bestows too many benefits on the wealthy. The GOP blueprint would cut almost $800 million from the federal-state Medicaid program — which provides health care to the poor and disabled and pays for nursing home care for millions of indigent senior citizens — into a block grant program run by the states. Republicans counter that low taxes and spending cuts would unleash capital into the economy and put it on firm footing — and avoid a European-style debt crisis that could force far harsher steps. Republicans shied away from tackling Social Security shortfalls, steering clear of what pundits sometimes call the "third rail of American politics."
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
LAWSUIT Continued from Page 1A that because the county will soon get its money. “I’m processing the closeout,” she said, referring to the grant that came from the Economic Development Administration. “We’ll be submitting the check as soon as possible.” George Altgelt, the center’s attorney, explained last month that the center had not yet sent the money to the county because the county was not in compliance with the terms of the grant. He cited missing paperwork and questions
over one of the projects. But the center has since confirmed that the county complied with the terms of the grant and is entitled to receive the $315,000, Altgelt said. The reimbursed grant money is in relation to the $1 million grant that the center helped secure to fund the Advanced Education Center in Zapata. Commissioners had considered taking legal action against the center for allegedly withholding the reimbursed grant money, but
they voted to postpone that action Monday in light of the center’s “settlement offer.” On March 23, commissioners cut ties with the center, as they voted to stop funding the nonprofit and ordered the center to vacate county offices within 30 days. Previously, commissioners had sought to execute a memorandum of understanding with the center that would have given the county more oversight of the center and allowed
FOOD Continued from Page 1A them to appoint a majority of the center’s board of directors. Altgelt and Moffett were concerned that such an agreement would compromise the organization’s status as a nonprofit so the MOU was not approved and the relationship was severed. As a result, the Economic Development Center is now a stand-alone agency without county funding. (Nick Georgiou may be reached at 728-2582 or ngeorgiou@lmtonline.com)
REBELS FIGHT, FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET Libyan rebel fighters riding armed pickup trucks join rebels gather by the western gate of Ajdabiya, Libya, on Friday. NATO foreign ministers meeting in Berlin sought to overcome deep differences over the military campaign in Libya on Friday, amid calls for the alliance to show a united front.
Photo by Nasser Nasser | AP
FISHING Continued from Page 1A ty, 10 WaveSpin Reels and an official check presentation and media event with the network in the winning community. In addition, the town will be featured in a broadcast on WFN and WFN HD. “A $25,000 donation would help our local Chamber of Commerce to keep promoting Falcon Lake and our community,” stated Vela. “With new facilities in place, the community of Zapata will bring many visitors and help the local businesses thrive and create muchneeded jobs.” Balderas has been actively circulating e-mail
messages to garner votes for Zapata. In fact, voting isn’t restricted to Zapata locals, so visiting fishing enthusiasts elsewhere are welcome to show their support. “What I’m trying to do is promote that no matter where you’re from, you can vote for Zapata,” Vela said. The deadline to vote is May 3, so to show support for Zapata in this endeavor, one has only to visit www.wfnfishingtown.com. Voting is allowed up to four times a day. (Erica Matos may be reached at 728-2567 or ematos@lmtonline.com)
WOMAN Continued from Page 1A she was a U.S. citizen, but did not know the other people and “was just giving them a ride.” She was going to be paid $100 per person and was instructed to transport them by a person known as “Aldo,” said Huerta. Huerta also admitted to an arrest on similar charges on Dec. 12, when she was caught by authorities at the Interstate 35 checkpoint, but was later released along with her two infants, who were with her at the time. The other individuals found in the car admitted to being Mexican nation-
als when questioned by authorities. A material witness in the case said the group entered the United States on April 10 by wading through the Rio Grande near El Cenizo. They walked to a house and stayed there until Huerta arrived to pick up the group, the material witness said. Huerta faces charges of bringing in and harboring illegal immigrants. Court records show Huerta remains in federal custody without bond. (Denise Blaz may be reached at 728-2547 or dblaz@lmtonline.com)
president. He was on the St. Augustine High School board for 11 years, including two terms as president. Casso, the father of three grown children, is married to Elizabeth (Libbie) Rizer Casso. He served on the advisory board of San Antonio Winston Churchill, a school for students with learning differences, for seven years. He is also a past director of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association. “He (Casso) brings a great wealth of knowledge in warehousing and business,” said Kevin Romo, South Texas Food Bank board president. “We’re confident he will bring the food bank to greater heights.” Casso indicated he’s looking forward to his new role. “I’m humbled and honored to lead this organization,” Casso said. “This is more than a job. It is a mission and a noble cause. It’s good that I will have Mr. Castillo to guide me for a while.” The March service numbers also were released at the meeting Wednesday. The food bank distributed 672,205 pounds, bringing the yearly total to 2.2 million pounds. Through February, 44,499 families, 35,311 children, 70,772 adults and 105,889 meals have been served. The food bank’s next fundraiser is May 10 at
The food bank’s next fundraiser is May 10 at Hal’s Landing, with music by Ross & Friends. Hal’s Landing, with music by Ross & Friends. Admission is $10 and tickets are now on sale. Board member Anna Benavides Galo, co-chair of the Empty Bowls V fundraiser, set for Aug. 11 at the Laredo Energy Arena, announced longtime South Texas Food Bank board members Odie Arambula, Erasmo Villarreal and Galo Garcia as the honorees. The event features a concert by 1980s Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross. New board member Tano Tijerina attended his first meeting. Also, the South Texas Food Bank will soon have a new website format at www.southtexasfoodbank.org and Hopey was introduced as the new mascot. The board also approved at membership in the State of Texas Co-op program. (Salo Otero is director of development for the South Texas Food Bank.)
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors SOFTBALL
TRACK AND FIELD
Hawks make history
BROKEN RECORDS
Earn program’s first share of district title By CLARA SANDOVAL
TOP LEFT: From left to right are Zapata Lady Hawks track and field standouts Jazmine Garcia, Marlena Garcia and Cassie Pena. TOP RIGHT: Zapata’s Brandi King has earned four consecutive district titles in track and field.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
History was made Tuesday night when the Zapata Lady Hawks took the field against Rio Hondo in a key matchup that would determine the fate of the softball team. A victory would garnish the Lady Hawks at least a share of the district title and a loss would put them in despair. Zapata did not leave anything to chance, however, as it took care of business and beat Rio Hondo in one of the most anticipated games of the year. Zapata jumped put to a two-run lead and never looked back as it beat Rio Hondo 3-2 to thrust itself into the Zapata history books and become the first softball team to share at least a tie for the District 31-3A title. Zapata’s only blemish on its district record is an early
See SOFTBALL PAGE 2B
Courtesy Photo
Hawks set historic marks at district meet By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Records fell at the District 31-3A track and field meet that was held at Rio Grande City last week. Zapata sent a strong group of track athletes that demolished a few district records along the way to a regional berth. Ten athletes will represent Zapata at the Region IV 3A meet in Calallen on May 2-3 and each one of them took the meet by storm in dif-
ferent events. The Lady Hawks finished the regular season in fourth place, just a point away from third. The night belonged to senior Marlena Garcia, who left her mark at the district track meet for many years to come with a great race in the 3200 meter and 1600-meter runs and saw two records fall along the way. Garcia dazzled and made the crowd gasp with her record-breaking performance in the 3200-meter
and broke a 25-year-old record on Thursday night to kick off her senior campaign and successfully defend her district title in the event. Garcia blazed the track and recorded an 11:50 (personal record) and erased the old mark of 12:00 that stood since 1989. Garcia’s record-breaking performance was not over, however, as she returned to the track on Saturday.
See TRACK PAGE 2B
NBA
The search for staying power Mavericks aim to end cycle of early playoff exits By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — The playoffs are here and so are the Dallas Mavericks. Of course. With 11 straight 50-win seasons, the only question each spring seems to be where they’ll be seeded. Followed by another question: How early will they get bounced? Since reaching the NBA finals for the first and only time in 2006, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs have won a single playoff series. They’ve gone out in the first round three of the last four years. This postseason, they’re seeded third in the Western Conference and will play Portland in a series that begins tonight in Dallas. Sentiment is building that Dallas is as vulnerable as ever. Lakers guard Matt Barnes and Nuggets coach George Karl made comments in recent weeks suggesting the Mavericks are the team everyone wants to play. It’s not just mind games. Four straight wins to close the regular season bumped them to a mere 12-9 since early March. Until beating New Orleans on Wednesday night, they’d lost nine straight against Western playoff teams, including two against the Trail Blazers. “I hope whoever we’re facing is thinking, ’Same old Mavs, a team that’s going to come in and get knocked out early,’ because that’ll give us an advantage,” center Tyson Chandler said. “Sometimes it’s good to be the hunter instead of the hunted.” Then again, Chandler is a newcomer. He doesn’t know the here-we-go-again frustration in and around the organization. A few years ago, in fact, Chandler helped the Hornets add to the Mavs’ misery with one of those first-round oustings. Yet his presence is one of the reasons Dallas is hoping things will be different. He and Brendan Haywood give the Mavericks the best depth and flexibility they’ve ever had at center. “(Chandler) is the most athletic big
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots around Utah Jazz’s Earl Watson (11) during the fourth quarter of an NBA game, Saturday, in San Antonio.
Photo by Jon Eilts | AP
Dallas Mavericks’ guard Jason Kidd (2) drives past Houston Rockets’ defender Courtney Lee in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Houston on Monday. Dallas won the game 98-91. man I’ve ever played with,” Nowitzki said. “If our two big guys play like (Dallas expects), we can beat some people in the playoffs.” So, which is it going to be — same old, same old or something new? Only three other teams have put together as many 50-win seasons as Dallas — Bill Russell’s Celtics, Magic Johnson’s Lakers and Tim Duncan’s Spurs. Each of those clubs won at least three championships along the way. San Antonio’s run is still going. The knock on the Mavericks has always been that they’re soft, relying too much on jump shots. The label will linger until they prove otherwise. Heck,
See MAVS PAGE 2B
Spurs enter playoffs in familiar No. 1 spot By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Bosh was never signing with San Antonio. At least, that’s what everyone figured. “At one time we had certainly considered going after Bosh,” Spurs owner Peter Holt recently recalled. “We didn’t spent a lot of time on that. We didn’t feel like we could compete.” At the time, who didn’t think that about the Spurs? Yet one year after San Antonio appeared to be fading NBA royalty — barely making the playoffs, constant injuries to an aging core, a roster overhaul that never worked out — the Spurs open the playoffs back atop the Western Confer-
ence. San Antonio hosts Memphis in Game 1 on Sunday as the No. 1 seed for the fifth time in the Tim Duncan era. It’s a 14year span that includes four championships and the highest winning percentage in the NBA (.700), but the team appeared on the downside last spring after the worst season yet. Six months later, Tony Parker arrived at training camp predicting this would be the last shot for the Spurs. It was a now-or-never declaration that sounded almost brutally honest at the time. Now it looks like the Spurs could have more chances ahead of them. “Every game, every playoff is special
See SPURS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
NCAA football’s new rules ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — College football could have a very different look next fall. Teams will have the option of shaving 10 seconds off the clock for penalties called in the final minute of each half. They will contend with a more liberal definition of intentional grounding, and they could see points taken off the scoreboard for taunting penalties. The most sweeping change approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Thursday is the 10-second runoff, something the NFL has used for years. College teams will now have the option of taking the yardage and the time, the yardage only or declining the
penalty. The committee also approved a change in how intentional grounding will be called. Previously, the penalty was called if the intended receiver did not have a “reasonable opportunity” to catch the pass. Starting this fall, the penalty will be called only if a receiver is not in the area of the pass — a modification that more closely resembles the NFL rule. And the panel adopted a rule allowing video monitors in the coaches’ booths. The televisions will have access only to any live broadcast of the game — no video recorders — to help coaches decide if they should challenge a call. If the monitors are available to the home team, they must also be available to the visitor.
Those changes coincide with perhaps the biggest change of the season — implementation of the new taunting rule. Last April, the playing rules panel approved a decision to nullify touchdowns if a player is called for taunting before he crosses the goal line. Examples include players finishing touchdown runs by high-stepping into the end zone or pointing the ball toward an opponent. The panel decided then to wait one year before making the change. Previously, the 15-yard penalty was assessed on the extra point attempt, 2point conversion attempt or the ensuing kickoff. Penalties called after the player crosses the goal line still will be assessed on those plays, but live-
ball fouls will be assessed at the spot of the foul and eliminate the score. In addition, the playing rules panel wants to make the game safer. Players lined up within seven yards of the center on scrimmage plays will still be permitted to block below the waist anywhere on the field. But receivers or running backs lined up outside the tackle box will only be allowed to block below the waist if they are blocking straight ahead or toward the nearest sideline. If they go inside and block toward the play, it would be a penalty. The defensive team also will be assessed a 5-yard penalty if three or more players try to overpower one offensive lineman on place kicks.
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER Venezuela’s Caracas FC’s Julio Machado, right, fights for the ball with Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield’s Ricardo Alvarez during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday.
Photo by Fernando Llano | AP
SPURS Continued from Page 1B right now. I understand that,” Duncan said Friday. “This is the end of my career, the last couple of years. I’m not taking anything for granted. Every year we’re given our last chance (to win a title). We’ll take this as it is. “Maybe we’ll get another one. Maybe we won’t.” The Spurs may start the playoffs without Manu Ginobili, who sprained his right elbow in Wednesday’s regular season finale at Phoenix. The All-Star is listed as doubtful for Game 1 but tweeted Thursday that the pain was already almost gone. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Friday that Ginobili will play during the Grizzlies series. It’s one of only a few bumps San Antonio (61-21) has faced while carrying the NBA’s best record until the final
week and posting the thirdbest regular season in franchise history. “I don’t think there’s anybody in or out of the league that thought this team would be the first seed in the West,” Popovich said. “I think that’s a fact. They’ve done a great job. We’ll see if we can build on it.” The resurgence even seems to astonish Holt. “We’re definitely going from the Tim Duncan era to the next era whatever that’s going to be,” Holt said. “We really are going to try to do something that, in the history of the NBA, is very difficult when you lose a Hall of Famer like Tim Duncan to not fall off the map and go through the rebuild process.” According to Holt, that conversation ended something like this: Let’s stick
with who we have. Holt said he met with Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford to talk out the different scenarios. They were in no position to get a big name but already had two on their roster: Ginobili, who would sign a three-year extension last April, and Parker, who came into this season with an expiring contract. The Spurs wanted to get younger and had concerns about Parker and Ginobili holding up after years of injuries. In the end, Holt said, they believed in their health and valued their loyalty. Holt also credited Richard Jefferson, who opted out of a guaranteed $15 million last summer, then re-signed a four-year deal that the owner said helped make all the numbers work and kept the Spurs under the salary cap.
“I’m not New York or L.A.,” Holt said. “I can’t pay those kind of dollars.” In all, the Spurs extended three key contracts in a six-month span that Holt said has established the core of the team for at least the next three seasons. Duncan, who turns 35 this month, has one more year left on his contract but a potential lockout looms next season. So for now, the Spurs want to make the best of the chance they have. “We always have something to prove,” said George Hill, who will start Sunday if Ginobili can’t play. “All year long no one has counted us in. We know that. All year long no one thought we were the best team. We were overrated, old, whatever they called us. But the record speaks for itself.”
MAVS Continued from Page 1B coach Rick Carlisle even said it a few weeks ago. Fingers are mostly pointed at Nowitzki because everything about this club starts with him. While he should be beyond questions about his skills and toughness, his ability to lead will be questioned until he wins a title. In the playoffs, teams have been willing to smother Nowitzki and take their chances with everyone else. Whether he gets enough help this time around might answer the question of how long Dallas lasts. Things were looking good early, when Caron Butler was the wing man. Then he tore up a knee. Jason Terry resumed the role as the second-leading scorer with mixed results. An emotional leader capable of hitting big shots, Terry also can be inconsistent. His emotions have gotten the best of him the last few weeks. He’s started a fight, got a technical foul late in a close game, yelled at a teammate in the huddle and appeared to lose track of the score in the final seconds of a game. The offense runs best when Jason Kidd is going strong, but how strong can his 38-year-old body be this time of year? He missed two recent games for rest and came back refreshed. He’ll need to pace himself to avoid fading in the playoffs like last year. Then there’s the difficulty of the first-round matchup. The Trail Blazers are a tough draw, and their star, LaMarcus Aldridge, is from the Dallas area. Yet there is plenty to rally the pro-Mavs faction. Although Dallas lost both games in Portland this season, the Mavericks tied Miami for the most road wins in the NBA. They also allowed the 10th-fewest points this season, while scoring the 11th-most; only the Heat
and the Lakers were that good on both ends of the court. “We’ve got to play great defense — that’s the thing that’s got to be our calling card in this series,” Carlisle said. “If we do that, it’s always going to enhance our offense.” Carlisle is expected to revert to his best defensive starting lineup, which includes DeShawn Stevenson. Stevenson started most of the season, including the majority of the Mavericks’ 18-1 spurt from late January to early March, then gave way when second-year guard Rodrigue Beaubois returned from a broken left foot. Expectations were high that Beaubois would be a big lift, but he struggled so badly that on Wednesday night he lost his starting job to Stevenson, then wound up spraining his troublesome left foot in that game. Regardless of Beaubois’ availability, Carlisle has plenty of depth and versatility on his bench, from Terry, Haywood and J.J. Barea to late-season additions Peja Stojakovic and Corey Brewer. And, if Dallas can last long enough in the postseason, Butler could return. The Mavericks’ playoff road potentially includes the Lakers in the second round and the Spurs in the conference finals. Should they knock off the two-time reigning champions, they certainly would have the attitude that this could be the year, the chance for Kidd and Nowitzki to finally become champions. Actually, that goes for all of them, as no player on the Dallas roster has won an NBA title. “We know this is not an easy challenge, but we know it’s a challenge that is a great one,” Carlisle said. “So, embracing it and being energized by it is what we’re going to make it about.”
SOFTBALL Continued from Page 1B first round loss to Port Isabel. The Lady Hawks punched their district record to 7-1 after Tuesday’s game against Rio Hondo. The real fight is for second place, after three teams are all in a deadlock for the playoff spot with two district games left in the regular season. Sitting with a 5-3 district record are La Feria, Rio Hondo and Port Isabel. The fate of the Lady Hawks rest in their own hands, as they need to win one more district game to be the outright district champions, a first for Zapata High School. The Lady Hawks will face La Feria on Tuesday night at La Feria and end the regular season against
Rio Grande City La Grulla at the Zapata softball complex. The arm of junior Estella Molina has led the Lady Hawks. She has been a force on the mound, recording a 7-1 district record. Backing Molina is catcher Michelle Arce, who has been steady behind the plate all season long. At the plate is the threeheaded monster of Arce, Molina and Maria Espinosa, who can rip the ball to the outfield. All of Zapata is invited to make the trek to La Feria on Tuesday or catch the Lady Hawks at home on Thursday and be ready to witness some history in the making.
TRACK Continued from Page 1B With gusts of wind reaching close to 20 miles per hour, Garcia managed to put an extra force behind her as she hit the track, determined to capture her second gold medal of meet. She captured the 1600meter run and broke another record along the way and erased the 17year mark of 5:27 and lowered it to 5:24. Garcia was only one story line of the meet as fellow senior Brandi King continued her dominance of the high jump and is undefeated in the event all season long, including a stop at the prestigious Border Olympics in Laredo in March. King’s great leaping ability has helped secure four straight district titles. She is making her fourth straight trip to regionals. Freshman Jazmine Garcia grabbed second place
in the 3200-meter run (12:40) and in the 1600-meter run (5:35, personal record). In addition, she turned around after the mile run and anchored the mile relay to become the only Zapata athlete to advance to regionals in three events. Kristina De Leon is making back-to-back trips to regionals in the triple jump (second, 33’2 ½”) and high jump (third, 4’8”), while Lauren Mendoza is making her fourth straight trip to regionals after capturing third in the 300m hurdles (51.6). The 1600-meter relay that consisted of Gloria Jauregui, De Leon, Jazmine and Lauren Mendoza captured third place to earn a trip to regionals. Kristina Garcia will be making her second trip in the mile relay. The Lady Hawks also received some key points
from Jauregui (sixth, 800meter run), De Leon (fourth, 100-meter dash), Evelyn Mendoza (sixth, 100-meter dash), Cassandra Pena (fifth, 3200-meter and 1600-meter runs). The 400x100 meter relay and 800-meter relay finished in fourth place.
Hawks The Hawks placed third overall as a team and were led by senior Andrew Magee, who is leaving a longlasting legacy at Zapata High School. Magee, who has been stellar all season long for the Hawks and is no stranger to the regionals, secured a spot early in the field events by utilizing his great leaping ability in the triple and long jumps. Magee exploded for a leap of 42’3” to grab his first gold medal and fin-
ished off with a leap of 21’2 ½” to win the long jump and earn his second gold medal of the day. Rookie Jorge Guerra made the most of his first varsity competition by tossing the discus 131 feet for a runner-up medal and earned his first trip to the regional meet. Rafael Benavides captured bronze medals in the 3200-meter run (10:34) and the 1600-meter run (4:37) for back-to-back regional trips. Zapata was instrumental in getting some crucial points from freshman Carlos Rodriguez (fourth, 3200-meter and 1600 meter), Roy Guerra (fourth, pole vault), Raul Hinojosa (fifth, shot put), Epitacio Martinez (sixth, high jump), Michael Alvarez (fifth, triple jump), Jerome Cabugos (fifth, 3200-meter run), Juan Rangel (fourth, 800-meter run), Luis Gar-
za (sixth, 800-meter run) and Josue Velasquez (sixth, 200-meter dash). All three relays (4x100, 4x200, and 4x400) finished in fifth.
Junior varsity The JV girls held their own ground at the meet and were led by the performances of Sara Pena and Erica Hernandez, who both captured three gold medals. Pena grabbed first in the 400-meter dash, 800meter run and the 1600meter relay, while Hernandez exhausted the field in the 3200 meter-run, 1600meter run and the 1600meter relay. Wendy Medina and Angela Darnell also captured gold in the mile relay. Medina also took fourth place in the 400-meter dash and fifth in the 800-
meter run. Scoring for the JV girls squad are Norma Cepeda (sixth, 3200-meter and 1600-meter runs), Christina Garza (third, 200-meter dash and 100-meter dash), Joann Rivera (sixth, 200m dash). The JV boys had their share of medalist including two gold medals from Jose Garcia in the 3200meter run and 1600-meter run. Other JV boys members grabbing top six finishes were Romeo Morales (third, 32-meter run), Luis Lerma (fourth, 3200-meter run), Edgar Hernandez (second, 1600-meter run), Heriberto Perez (fourth, 1600-meter run), Martine Salinas (third, high jump; fifth, 110-meter hurdles), Sam Camacho (third, 800meter run), Jose Resendez (fourth, 800-meter run), Justin Brandon (fifth, high jump).
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE Dear Readers: Do you want to get a SNAKE AS A PET? Do some research beforehand! Nonvenomous snakes are available in many pet stores, and these are some of the species we found available in our area: ball pythons corn snakes king snakes milk snakes rosy boa constrictors sand boa constrictors. Snakes need specific care and supplies to keep them healthy and happy. Some snakes are fed live animals, like rodents (although there are fresh-frozen rodents available at some pet stores). You really need to study up on the snake species you choose beforehand so you know exactly what it needs and the commitment it will take. Some snakes, like constrictors, can get huge! As they grow, they will need new enclosures and more care. Also, you may not be able to house different types of snakes together. Be sure to research before adding a new snake — one snake could kill another or pass along a disease. You must consider carefully before making the choice to bring a snake into your life. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: A trick I have with my dogs is to change the flavor of their food each time they’re done with one can. Most, if not all, canned dog-food brands come in different flavors. Just like we would get bored with eating chicken or beef every day, the dogs do, too. Each time they’re finished with that canned-food flavor, they get a new flavor. It keeps them excited about eating! — Ophélie M. in Louisiana An interesting idea? We spoke to a couple of leading manufacturers of dog foods. One suggested a gradual switch from, say, chicken to beef. However, if the dog is happy with chicken (he gobbles it up), there is no need to change. The other source said food changes depend on your dog. Some are VERY sensitive to change, and it can cause potential problems. So, watch your dog. Changing flavors of wet food in the same brand should be fine, as long as the dog’s system can tolerate it. When in doubt, please check with your veterinarian. — Heloise
PET PAL
SCENTS
Dear Readers: Linda George of Camarillo, Calif., sent a picture of her Australian shepherd cattle dog, Mei Mei, enjoying a warm spring day in the grass with Linda’s other pet, a tortoise named Wilbur. To see Mei Mei and Wilbur, as well as our other Pet Pals, go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise
Dear Heloise: Before we picked up our new puppy, I got a towel and made sure the scent of all our family members was on it. I took the towel to the breeder a week before we picked up Louie. He never whimpered or cried once when he came home with us. I’m convinced it’s because he knew our scents so well and immediately felt safe, secure and at home. — Rhonda in Madison, Ala.
FLAVORFUL FOOD
“
HELOISE
DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:
FAMILY CIRCUS
DENNIS THE MENACE
Basketball
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
Rockets’ season over Lakers’ Jackson prepares for last playoff run
Team must rebuild after bad showing
By GREG BEACHAM
By CHRIS DUNCAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Rick Adelman came to Houston in 2007 hoping to build a contending team around All-Stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Both were stricken with injuries almost from the moment Adelman arrived, and the Rockets played most of the past two seasons without them. McGrady underwent microfracture surgery on his knee and was traded in February 2010, and Yao missed all but five games this season with a stress fracture in his left ankle. The remaining Rockets scraped out winning records the past two seasons, but they’ll miss the playoffs again. Changes are almost certain, and they may start with Adelman, whose contract is up. The 64-year-old Adelman moved into eighth all time in regularseason victories (945) with Houston’s win in Minnesota in Wednesday’s finale. Many players had their end-of-season interviews with both Adelman and team executives on Thursday. To a man, the Rockets raved about their coach and lobbied for the organization to retain him. “I definitely feel that he should be back,” reserve guard Courtney Lee said. “I think that management and everybody up there understands that Rick is a good coach. It’s kind of hard to decide. That’s the job for them. As far as the players, we just went in there and just put our case for him to come back.” Adelman said before Monday’s home finale against Dallas that he enjoyed coaching his undermanned group this season
Photo by Jim Mone | AP
Houston Rockets’ Courtney Lee, right, loses the ball in a race with Minnesota Timberwolves’ Nikola Pekovic, of Montenegro, during the first half of an NBA game on Wednesday in Minneapolis. and still has deep passion for the job. He also said that he was putting off any firm decisions about his future until after he meets with management, possibly Friday. “You have to evaluate everything when it’s all said and done, and you have a chance to sit down and talk about it,” Adelman said. “Now, there’s just a lot of questions and everybody’s future is uncertain with the lockout. That’s going to affect a lot of stuff.” The collective bargaining agreement expires after the playoffs, and a work stoppage is possible. The players are comfortable with Adelman, and the Rockets would be taking a risk by changing coaches and giving the new staff little or no time to teach the players a new
system. General manager Daryl Morey was unavailable for comment on Thursday. Once the Rockets decide on Adelman, they’ll have to determine their future with Yao, whose contract expired this season. Yao had surgery in January to repair the stress fracture in his left ankle, and even he questioned whether he could return from yet another injury. If his rehab progresses without any snags, he could be running again by June. Yao walked past Adelman and a group of reporters before Monday’s game, and Adelman jokingly asked Yao if he was ready to play. But Adelman hasn’t been able to hide his discouragement that he missed his chance to grow the roster around Yao and McGrady.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Phil Jackson showed up for the first day of his final NBA playoff run with the Los Angeles Lakers in a plaid shirt and khaki shorts, lightly leaning on a walking stick. The most successful coach in league history looked a bit like a hiker, or maybe a shepherd — a role Jackson has filled with unparalleled skill over the past 22 years with the Bulls and Lakers. Inheriting two teams with enormous talent and no real success, he patiently nudged and directed them to greatness with his unique combination of basketball savvy and mental manipulation. But the walking stick subtly underlined the 65year-old former Knicks forward’s nagging mobility problems, which are among several reasons he can’t wait to retire this summer. The shepherd is leaving the flock, and he says there’s nothing the Lakers can do about it. “I’m looking forward to going through this thing and giving it every bit of energy I have left until it’s over,” Jackson said. “My thoughts are about tomorrow, about practice.” Jackson clearly has plenty of energy for the last task on his career todo list, and his final team — dominant at times, incompetent at others — certainly has kept him busy. After nearly quitting last summer in the glow of his 11th NBA title, Jackson decided he owed Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and their teammates a chance to finish what they all started, returning to chase No. 12 and an unprecedented fourth threepeat.
AP photo
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant celebrates after scoring a three-point shot during overtime against the Sacramento Kings in a NBA game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday. “He made a decision, and it’s not like we expect him to change his mind,” said forward Pau Gasol, whose arrival in 2008 gave Jackson the tools necessary to build another championship club. “He knows better than anybody that he likes to play mind games with everybody here. I’m not mad at him for that. I know he’s here with us now.” The process continues Sunday in the Lakers’ playoff opener against New Orleans. Los Angeles is the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference after finishing
with exactly the same record (57-25) it posted last year despite a roller-coaster season featuring everything from a 17-1 post-AllStar break run to a fivegame losing streak that ended just last week. Jackson won his 1,155th career regular-season game — fifth-most in NBA history — on Wednesday in Sacramento, the same day he was fined $75,000 by the NBA for discussing the potential league lockout’s importance to his retirement decision. He never had a losing season or missed the playoffs.