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Education center on a roll

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES The Zapata County Commissioners Court is two steps closer to breaking ground on the Higher Education Center after Tuesday’s meeting.

The court approved the center’s final design and hired PM2I Construction Management Company as the construction manger that will oversee the center’s construction bids.

According to Mario Gonzalez, county project coordinator, hiring a

construction manager will speed up the time it takes going out for bids.

Gonzalez said the construction manager will work within the county’s budget to find construction companies and bring one final recommendation before the court.

“It is efficient and we want to move forward as fast as we can,” Gonzalez said.

For the past three years, the county has been working with Zapata County Independent School

See CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 12A

Court says pay for burial plots

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES Reserving a cemetery plot in Zapata County Cemetery won’t be as easy as it once was.

Tuesday, the Zapata County Commissioners Court enacted a new policy for purchasing cemetery plots in Zapata County Cemetery on Farm to Market Road 496.

“This is the first time we are

putting a policy in place on how someone can reserve a plot,” said Romeo Salinas, county treasurer.

“We have so many unpaid reservations, pretty soon we are going to run out of space.”

Beginning the first week of May, people will have 90 days after reserving a plot to pay the $150 plot fee.

Also, the amount of plots one person can reserve will be limited to four.

“It is four plots per person, not per family, so each member in the family can reserve four each,” Salinas said.

Salinas added that in the past the county would run into a problem of people reserving up to 10 or 15 plots, never paying for them, and sometimes never even using them.

“People would reserve plots for

See PLOTS | PAGE 12A

PRIVATE PLACE FOR THE BIRDS

Photos by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Left, the San Ygnacio Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary is part of the Upper Rio Grande Valley Biological Station. Right, A dragonfly rests on a branch at the sanctuary Thursday morning.

Donation still needs ramp before it opens

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

W

alking down Washington Street in San Ygnacio, one might be surprised to come across a small sign with the words “Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary” written in red.

With no explanation, no set path and no description, the two acres of land designated for the birds is easy to miss.

This slightly out-of-the-way sanctuary is not open to the public. But, since Zapata County was given the bird sanctuary in 2007, Pct. 2 Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal has had the goal of making it a popular tourism attraction.

“We can’t open it for the public until we install a handicap ramp,” Villarreal said.

The land was originally

owned by Richard Spight, who donated it to Zapata County.

“I am not sure why he gave it to us, but we haven’t been able to open it yet,” Villarreal said.

Villarreal asked the Commissioners Court to install a handicap ramp last year, but it was voted down.

“The Commissioners Court didn’t want to spend money to put a ramp in, and we were doing a lot better last year,” Villarreal said.

Villarreal added he is not going to attempt to ask the court to pay for a ramp this year because of the turbulent economic climate.

“I know we just don’t have the money for it this year,” Villarreal said. “Maybe next year I will try again.”

See SANCTUARY | PAGE 12A

Washington Avenue in San Ygnacio extends to the riverbank where the Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary is located.

Board wants 1-year pacts

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

Zapata County Independent School District is moving toward one-year contracts for all district administrators.

Currently, it is common practice for all new hires to be put on a oneyear contract, after which time, they move into a multiple year contract.

Tuesday, the Board of Trustees voted to keep all recently hired administrators on the one-year term contract.

“This is common practice for many school districts,” said

Romeo Rodriguez, Zapata CISD superintendent. “This will give us more flexibility with hiring and moving people around.”

Working with the district Rodriguez added those administrators who have been working with the district on a multiple-year contract over a long period of time will probably not be given a one-year contract when their contracts expire.

“Some administrators will probably be grandfathered in so they will keep the contracts they have now,” Rodriguez said. “Eventually we’d like to see the district offer

only one-year contracts to administrators.”

Also on Tuesday, Zapata CISD voted to hire Zertuche Construction to do extensive renovations on the district’s tennis courts.

The renovations include the office and concession stand, ticket booths, a concession stand on the visitors side and remodeling of the restrooms on the home and visitors side.

According to Rodriguez, it is estimated the renovations will cost $718,000, and will be paid for from local funds.

(Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

PARKING LOT WORK UNDERWAY

Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Acrew from the Zapata County Maintenance Department works on resurfacing the parking lot of the Henry Mercy Martinez Community Center in San Ygnacio on Thursday morning.

PAGE 2A

Zin brief

CALENDAR

SATURDAY,APRIL 18,2009

TODAY IN HISTORY

AROUND TEXAS

Associated Press

SATURDAY,APRIL 18 Today is the last day of Amnesty Week hosted by the San Ygnacio Public Library as part of its celebration of National LibraryWeek.

For more information, call 765-5351 The Zapata CountyChamber of Commerce will host a fishing tournament for bass champs todayat the Zapata Countypublic boat ramp.For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.

The Boys and Girls Club of Zapata invites you to the Inauguration ceremony for the Devon Energy Soccer Field and Open Pavilion today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration will also be honoring club directors, past presidents, and club contributors.There will be fun, food, and games.For more information call the Boys and Girls club at 956-765-3892.

United Methodist Women are having their 59th annual Flower and Art Showtodayand Sundayat the First United Methodist Church, corner of Guadalupe and McClelland, from 1 p.m.to 6 p.m.each day.Tickets are $3 each and will be available at the door.

The 59th annual Flower and Art Show is today and Sunday. The show is being hosted by the United Methodist Women and will take place in Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.The public is invited, and admission tickets will be sold at the door.

The South Texas Multi-Make Drivers’Club will host an appreciation award breakfast from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The event will be held at Pacho Garcia’s Café on Interstate 35 and Texas 117 in Dilley. This will be a breakfast to honor Joe and Jesse Esquivel,from Carrizo Springs.Joe and Jesse have hosted the Carrizo Car Show, coming up on its 20th year.

This is an order-off-the-menu event, where each party pays their own meal except the honorees. It will also be a car/motorcycle exhibition show.Each participant will receive a dash plaque.

For more information and RSVP, call Juan Dominguez at (830) 879-3256 or David Nittler at (956) 334-5850.

SUNDAY,APRIL 19 The Laredo Entertainment Center is proud to present Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance”today at 3 p.m. The international sensation that has broken box office records in more than 30 countries is returning to North America for an expansive tour. Audiences across the United States, Canada and Mexico will have a chance to experience the extravaganza that has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and created a new wave of Celtic dance mania. For ticket information, visit www.BroadwayinLaredo.com or call the toll-free Broadway Series Hotline at (888) 512-BWAY (2929).

TUESDAY,APRIL 21 The public is invited to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ramiro T. Flores Public Park today.For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871 The Zapata Chamber of Commerce invites the public to the Ribbon cutting ceremony of the Guadalupe Lida Swimming Complex today at 10 a.m. For more information call the Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.

THURSDAY,APRIL 30 The Laredo Entertainment Center proudly announces “Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey,” beginning today at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale nowat the LEC Boxoffice,all Ticketmaster outlets,ticketmaster.com,or charge byphone at 712-1566.

FRIDAY,MAY 1 The Laredo Entertainment Center continues their presentation of “Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey,” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the LEC Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 712-1566

SATURDAY,MAY 2 “Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey,” continues today at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.Tickets are on sale now at the LEC Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 712-1566.

SUNDAY,MAY 3 Today is the last day to catch “Disney on Ice” at the Laredo Entertainment Center. ShowTime is 2:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the LEC Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 712-1566.To submit an item for the daily calendar,send the name of the event, the date, time, location and a contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com

Photo by Carol Lawrence/The Gazette | AP

Brothers Carlos,7, left, and Emilio, 9, Fierro made a snowman across from their house near Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colo. Friday morning, with their cousins who had just arrived from Texas. They said they were excited to see the snow and get a day off school.

Snow plows needed to clear hail in Texas Panhandle ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thunderstorms moved through North Texas on Friday while folks in West Texas were busy assessing the damage from hail damage from the night before.

Hail was so heavy in parts of West Texas that a stretch of Interstate 27 was shut down so snowplows could clear it away. At least four tornadoes touched down in West Texas on Thursday.

No injuries were reported.

On Friday, power was knocked out to about 25,000 Oncor Electric Delivery customers were without power in the DallasFort Worth area. Oncor spokeswoman Carol

Money could lure movie making AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers passed a measure Friday to use more financial incentives to lure movie and television producers back to the state.

The proposal, which passed the Senate on a 27-1 vote, now heads to Gov. Rick Perry, who indicated he would sign the legislation into law. The new legislation would give the film office power to establish a maximum amount of a grant.

Fees on traffic tickets face cuts AUSTIN — A 2003 law that assessed extra fees on traffic citations would be watered down under a bill that passed the Texas Senate on Friday. The fees, surcharges on DWI charges and other violations, were

Peters said most outages were in Dallas and its suburbs, caused mainly by wind and lightning.

Early Friday, one twister touched down briefly north of Kress, about 60 miles south of Amarillo. Another touched down just east of Lubbock, in Crosby County. Two others came down a few hours later near Lake Thomas in Scurry County, about 100 miles southeast of Lubbock.

In Tulia in Swisher County, 3.66 inches of rain fell in about six hours.

After the hail was cleared from I-27, a second storm caused more flooding and the road was reclosed about 8 p.m. from the Hale County line to Randall County line. supposed to raise money for trauma centers but the revenue has fallen far short of projections.

The fees are so high 70 percent of the people hit with them never pay up and end up losing their licenses.

Patients could determine payouts AUSTIN — Medicaid payouts to doctors and hospitals could depend on patient outcomes under a Medicaid reform bill in the Legislature.

The Senate on Friday approved the proposal.

Lobbyist for the medical community have been largely in favor of the measure because studies and pilot programs will gather information before most doctors and hospitals are affected.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION Witness sits behind wall at mob trial CHICAGO — A witness in the trial of a deputy U.S. marshal accused of leaking secrets in a major organized crime investigation testified in a federal courtroom Friday from behind an 8-foot-high wall of screens.

His testimony came in the trial of Deputy U.S. Marshal John T. Ambrose, who was assigned to guard Calabrese, but is charged with leaking infor mation about Calabrese’s cooperation with federal agents.

Regulators close bank in Missouri NEW YORK — Regulators on Friday shut down American Sterling Bank in Missouri, marking the 24th failure this year of a federally insured bank.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver of the bank, based in Sugar Creek, Mo. Metcalf Bank, based in Lee’s Summit, Mo., was chosen to assume American Sterling’s de-

Today is Saturday, April 18, the 108th day of 2009. There are 257 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On April 18, 1906, a devastating earthquake struck San Francisco, followed by raging fires; estimates of the final death toll range between 3,000 and 6,000.

On this date: In 1775, Paul Revere began his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Mass., warning American colonists that the British were coming.

In 1907, San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel opened, a year to the day after the earthquake.

In 1934, 75 years ago, the first laundromat (called a “washateria”) opened, in Fort Worth.

In 1942, an air squadron from the USS Hornet led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle raided Tokyo and other Japanese cities.

In 1945, famed American war correspondent Ernie Pyle, 44, was killed

by Japanese gunfire on the Pacific island of Ie Shima, off Okinawa.

In 1946, the League of Nations went out of business.

In 1949, the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed.

In 1978, the Senate approved the Panama Canal Treaty, providing for the complete turnover of control of the waterway to Panama on the last day of 1999.

In 1980, the independent nation of Zimbabwe, formerly Zimbabwe Rhodesia, came into being.

In 1983, 63 people, including 17 Americans, were killed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, by a suicide bomber.

Ten years ago: NATO launched its most active day of airstrikes in its assault on Yugoslavia, pummeling refineries, bridges and dozens of other targets in the 25th straight day of attacks. Wayne Gretzky played his last National Hockey League game as his New York Rangers lost to Pittsburgh 2-1 in overtime at Madison Square Garden.

Five years ago: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero ordered a withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq, fulfilling a campaign pledge and trying to calm his uneasy nation after bombings that killed 191 people in Madrid.

One year ago: Addressing the United Nations, Pope Benedict XVI said international cooperation needed to solve urgent problems was “in crisis” because decisions rested in the hands of a few powerful nations. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave birth to her fifth child, a son named Trig.

Today’s Birthdays: Actress Barbara Hale is 88. Actor Clive Revill is 79. Actor James Drury is 75. Actor Robert Hooks is 72. Actress Hayley Mills is 63. Actor James Woods is 62.

Actress-director Dorothy Lyman is 62. Actress Cindy Pickett is 62. Country musician Walt Richmond (The Tractors) is 62. Country musician Jim Scholten (Sawyer Brown) is 57.

Actor Rick Moranis is 56. Actress Melody Thomas Scott is 53. Actor Eric Roberts is 53. Actor John James is 53. Rock musician Les Pattinson (Echo and the Bunnymen) is 51. Author-journalist Susan Faludi is 50. Actress Mary Birdsong is 48. Actress Jane Leeves is 48. Talk show host Conan O’Brien is 46. Bluegrass singermusician Terry Eldredge is 46. Actor Eric McCormack is 46. Actress Maria Bello is 42. Rock musician Greg Eklund (The Oolahs) is 39. Actor David Tennant is 38. Country musician Marvin Evatt is 35. Rhythm-and-blues singer Trina (Trina and Tamara) is 35. Actress Melissa Joan Hart is 33.

Actor Sean Maguire is 33. Actress America Ferrera is 25. Actress Alia Shawkat is 20. Actor Moises Arias (“Hannah Montana”) is 15.

Thought for Today: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

— Albert Einstein (1879-1955).

Photo by Seth Wenig/file | AP

This Nov. 18, 2007, photo shows the James A. Farley Post Office on Eighth Avenue in New York. With mail volume shrinking, the city’s iconic postal building will no longer have 24-hour teller windows,leaving Chicago’s central post office as the only with open windows 24 hours a day. posits and buy about $173.6 million of its assets.

Former NY rep.to in jail for weekend NEW YORK — Former New York Rep. Vito Fossella (VEE’-toh

fuh-SEL’-uh) is spending the weekend in a Virginia jail.

The Staten Island Republican pleaded guilty Monday to drunken driving there last May. His lawyer dropped him off at the Alexandria Detention Center on Friday afternoon for a two-day stay.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE WORLD US nuke experts leave N.Korea

Red Cross worker freed by militants

SEOUL, South Korea — U.S. monitors of North Korea’s nuclear program left the communist nation after the regime ordered them out and vowed to restart its reactor in anger over U.N. criticism of its recent rocket launch.

The four Americans arrived Friday in Beijing on a flight from Pyongyang but declined to speak to reporters. Their departure came a day after U.N. nuclear inspectors left the North.

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine officials say a Red Cross worker from Switzerland has been released by al-Qaida-linked militants on a southern island three months after he and two other volunteers were kidnapped.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, a spokesman for military forces on southern Jolo island, says Andreas Notter was recovered by authorities in Indanan township early Saturday.

— Compiled from AP reports

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SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of Laredo Morning Times and those who buy LMT at newstands.The Zapata Times is inserted inside.

The Zapata Times is free.

The Zapata Times is published by Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, PO Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956)728-2500 The Zapata office is at 1309 N. US Highway 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2; Zapata, TX, 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes@att.net

The Zapata Times

PAGE 3A

Zlocal

SATURDAY,APRIL 18,2009

Man shows promise in the financial sector

BY DORA MARTINEZ

GENEROUS DONATION OF HAIR

COLUMN

Ruben Mar tine z is a Zapata native with a talent for finance. A 2004 Zapa t a H i g h S c h o o l g r a d u a t e, Ru b e n worked for the Inter national Bank of Commerce as a teller and later worked for Security Finance as an assistant mana g er.

T o d a y, t h e 2 3 - y e a r - o l d i s m a n a g er of Sun Loans Co. He g ets satisfaction helping people during these hard times. He said his invo l ve m e n t i n t h e f i n a n c e i n d u s t r y g ive s h i m a f i r s t - h a n d l o o k at t h e e f f e c t s o f a t o u g h e c o n o m y. H e ’ s seen people laid of f or who had their hours cut back, but he works hard with his clients to help them move ahead.

He’s motivated by hard work and has set high standards for achieving success. Ruben’s had to str ug gle in the past, but he remains optimistic and is striving to reach his goals in life. He wants to study medicine in the future.

I n t h i s d ay a n d a g e, m a n y yo u n g m e n Ru b e n’s a g e t a ke t h i n g s a n d time for g ranted. T here’s a long l i n e o f yo u n g p e o p l e w i t h o u t a n y i n i t i at ive o r i n s p i r at i o n — bu t t h a t ’s n o t Ru b e n . H e ’s g o i n g p l a c e s.

Ru b e n e n j o y s s p e n d i n g q u a l i t y t i m e w i t h h i s f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s, and watching spor ts is one of his f avorite pastimes.

Visitor’s guide coming soon ByZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES After five years, the Zapata Chamber of Commerce will release a visitor’s guide to the county.

The guide will feature community-centered information, such as information for anglers on Falcon Lake, and information for hunters about ranches in Zapata County.

“People that just want to get away to a peaceful town, it gives them information about the housing and lodging, the restaurants,” said Paco Mendoza, executive director of the Zapata Chamber of

Commerce.

The chamber’s board hopes to have the product out in about three months.

The idea for a visitor’s guide started in 2004 under the previous administration of the Chamber of Commerce.

“I know that there’s a lot of businesses here in Zapata that purchased ads from the chamber back then,” Mendoza said.

“A lot of them were very disappointed that the product hadn’t been put out. The present board and the new administration are working hard to make sure that that project gets done and that the public sees the product that they paid for.”

The book will be distributed to cham-

THE BLOTTER ARRESTS Fabian Felipe Treviño was arrested and charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle on Saturday April 11. According to reports, on 10th Street,Treviño evaded deputies with his car, then fled on foot.

Deputies responded to reports of an unknown person driving recklessly traveling South on Highway 83, early Sunday. According to reports, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to make contact when the person evaded the attempts.When the driver finally came to a stop, the deputy found him to be clearly intoxicated and with three children, all under the age of 15. Regalia Gonzalez Jr. was charged of driving while intoxicated, endangering a child and evading arrest.

Deputies arrested Raul Ramos on charges of having fictitious license plates and a fictitious registration sticker.

Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.

“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”

1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160

Uriel Sanchez was arrested on charges of assault Sunday,April 12,in the 1800 block of Medina, after he allegedly attempted to start a fight with a male complainant.

Jose Felix Obregon III was arrested and charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury on Sunday,April 12, in the 600 block of Falcon Mesa Drive.

Deputies arrested Angel Hernandez-Olguin on Sunday, April 12.

According to reports Hernandez-Olguin refused to stop for a routine traffic violation and eventually resisting arrest.

Servando Rafael Garcia was arrested on charges of burglary of a building in the 1200 block of Elm Street on Tuesday April 14.

BURGLARY Deputies responded to reports of burglary of a vehicle at the intersection of Highway 83 and 9th Avenue. According to a male com-

plainant, an unknown person(s) had stolen a weed eater from his vehicle while parked at the Post Office.

A burglary of a building was reported in the 5400 block of Pahrr Lane on Tuesday, April 14. According to a female complainant, several unknown people entered a residence and stole several stereos.

INCIDENT A hit and run offense was reported in the 100 block of Cerrito Drive on Monday, April 13.

Courtesy photo

Melissa Gonzalez, a second grader at Zapata South Elementary School, displays the beautiful braid she donated to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that helps children who are undergoing cancer treatments, have suffered burns or have in other ways lost their hair. Gonzalez has an aunt who recently lost her hair because of chemotherapy, so this cheery student decided to be generous and help those in need by donating her own hair.

Subscribe to LMT at 728-2550

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY,APRIL 18,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

Rescue daring, but more needed HOUSTON CHRONICLE

R

arely do good news and Somalia travel in the same boat. But we’ve seen a notable exception.

In an Easter display of daring and deadeye accuracy, U.S. Navy SEAL marksmen ended a standoff with Somali pirates by killing three of them simultaneously and freeing ship captain Richard Phillips.

The successful operation authorized by President Barack Obama drew an outburst of national pride from countless Americans who had followed the hostage drama for days.

With Phillips, his crew and their cargo ship the Maersk Alabama safe and secure, the immediate challenge for the U.S. and the international community is ending the depredations of the pirates and freeing hundreds of sailors and vessels still held for ransom.

Tough words In hailing the performance and courage of the rescuers and the captain, Obama promised to “work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.”

The difficulty in accomplishing that goal was immediately highlighted by threats of retaliation from the pirates and a new spate of ship hijackings.

The hard reality is that as uplifting as the rescue of Capt. Phillips was, it’s just the start of what needs to be a combined military and diplomatic effort by the U.S. and other responsible nations to treat the infection emanating from Somalia.

Defeating a few bands of seagoing armed thugs won’t get at the root cause of the problem. The pirates are only the latest manifestation of the civil anarchy that has gripped the Horn of Africa for the last two decades, inflicting starvation and violence upon its helpless population and threatening the vital maritime artery that runs from the Suez Canal to the Arabian Sea.

Deadly situation The situation in Somalia has continued to deteriorate despite past attempts by American and Ethiopian armed forces to restore order.

After President George H.W. Bush sent troops to Somalia on a humanitarian mission in 1992, a U.S. raid on a warlord headquarters resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. soldiers in the Blackhawk Down incident a year later.

After more than 40 U.S. fatalities, President Bill Clinton withdrew American forces in 1994.

More recently, neighboring Ethiopia sent its army into Somalia to prop up a weak central government and defeat an Islamic insurgency.

Most of the Ethiopian force eventually went home, but the fighting and instability among Somali factions has continued, allowing terrorists, warlords and pirates to operate with impunity.

Sharp talking skills A similar outbreak of lawlessness on the opposite side of the Indian Ocean in the Strait of Malacca was quelled by a homegrown solution: boosting the ability of the Indonesian military and coast guard to interdict pirates.

Unfortunately, no such authority currently exists in Somalia to train and arm for the task.

Just as terrorists have eluded capture and thrived in the ungovernable tribal areas of Pakistan, so Somalia’s anarchy will continue to spawn new threats to the international community until a functioning government is in place.

Achieving that goal will require diplomats with skills as precise as the sharpshooters who freed Capt.

Phillips.

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EDITORIAL

Economy just plain confusing

By THOMAS OLIVER COX NEWSPAPERS

A

TLANTA — You aren’t losing your mind. This stuff is confusing.

As we continue struggling to get out of here, some attention is being paid to what brought us to this place. In some quarters, though certainly not all, understanding history is still seen as one way to avoid repeating our mistakes.

But along with a sense of history one apparently needs an appreciation for irony. Or bourbon.

For example: The Federal Reserve in many economic circles is being pummeled for creating this mess, certainly the housing bubble, with its too low rates earlier this decade.

The Fed’s solution to the Great

Recession, which was ignited by the housing bust, has been to take rates even lower. And this is making those of a certain age (50plus) and with a sense of history remember the Carter years when inflation and mortgage rates topped 18 percent (1980).

Or, look at housing. The problem was too many houses being purchased by people who were given mortgages modified to make them more affordable. So the solution to the problem is to modify those mortgages even more, so that many of those same people can avoid foreclosure.

Or, take our financial institutions: Banks made too many bad loans, so the solution is to supply them more money and insist they make loans they are uncomfortable with.

Insurance companies covered

risky bets that lost big, so instead of letting the companies learn their lessons in bankruptcy court, the government is bailing them out with money legislated for banks.

Since we are making up the rules as we go along, it’s no big deal to learn these insurance companies bought up small savings and loans last fall in order to qualify as banks and a federal bailout.

Then there’s our government’s most-favored industry: autos.

American auto companies were crippled in the marketplace for years by congressional mandates and unrealistic union benefits, so the solution is to appoint a federal car czar to fire executives, threaten the board but leave union leadership intact, while promising even more congressionally mandated models.

On the personal side, we know the consumer overspent and overindulged and we’re now pulling back, paying off debt and saving more. But this is bad, we’re told, as such thrifty behavior will undermine economic recovery.

Enough. You can read “Alice in Wonderland” or the latest business news if you want more.

In the meantime, take some solace in knowing that you aren’t losing you mind. This is confusing. Counterintuitive at best, if policy-makers are right this time.

It will be a while before our confidence in the system returns, but there seems to be less fear.

Maybe we’re just getting used to this place. Like the frog in the boiling pot of water.

(TReach Thomas Oliver, who writes for The Atlanta JournalConstitution at toliver@ajc.com)

COLUMN

Worthington’s one cool tom turkey

By MARK RUTLEDGE COX NEWSPAPERS

G

REENVILLE, N.C. — Turkey season recently started in North Carolina and runs through May 9. At least one big gobbler here seems to know it’s a good time for him to lay low.

For weeks, a wild turkey known to morning commuters as “Worthington” has strutted and puffed out his tail feathers around the four-way stop at Worthington Crossroads just outside of town.

“Sometimes he’s out in the middle of road,” said Jo Costello, who traverses the intersection on her way to water aerobics class.

“I’ve had to drive around him.

It’s a strange place for a wild turkey.”

Waiting my turn at the stop sign one recent morning, I traded gobbles with the big bold bird himself.

“Gobble, Gobble, Gobble?” I said, which in turkey talk means, “Hey, whatcha doin’ struttin’

around so close to the road there, Worthington?”

“Gobble gobble, cackle cackle, kee kee kee!” he said back.

Translation: “Get, I say, get away from me boy, ya bother me!”

Greg Powers, once a newspaper colleague of mine from Tennessee who now edits magazines for the National Wild Turkey Federation in Edgefield, S.C., helped decipher my brief exchange with Worthington.

There’s only one thing, Greg explained, that would make Worthington display such wild turkey behavior so near a busy intersection: Love.

“Spring is mating season,” Greg said. “It’s not uncommon for gobblers to frequent high-traffic areas if that’s where they’re used to hanging around.”

Worthington’s behavior, according to my friend, is not unlike that of a teenage boy showing off for a group of girls.

“It may look like he’s out there alone,” Greg said, “but I’ll guarantee you there’s probably some hens around somewhere.”

Hens or no hens, Worthington is an uncommon turkey, according to John Deaver, who runs a used car lot at the corner of Worthington and County Home roads.

“I’ve had people call and ask me if that’s my turkey,” Deaver laughed, “because he’s out here every day walking around those cars.”

At times, Worthington has even roosted atop the merchandise.

“I sold a Jeep Cherokee to a woman the other day,” Deaver said. “She said, ‘What’s all this white stuff all over it?’ I said, ‘Ma’am, you’re not going to believe this, but that’s turkey poop.”’

Deaver says a group of young men attempted to catch Worthington in a muddy field across from his car lot one day, only to become so mired in the mud that they lost their shoes, and nearly lost their pants.

“That was so funny,” he chuckled. “That turkey didn’t even run away. He’d just bob and weave and step to the side when they’d

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

try to grab him. He’s one smart turkey.”

Deaver and the regular morning commuters have missed seeing their feathered friend lately, though.

“I hope nobody’s gotten that turkey,” Deaver said, shaking his head with worry. “The first time I saw him was, of all days, the day after Thanksgiving.

“He’s been out here every day since, but I haven’t seen him since Monday.”

Let’s see, this wild turkey shows up a day after Thanksgiving and disappears a few days before the turkey hunters are turned loose.

Something tells me Worthington will be back. I look for him to reappear sometime around May 10.

I can just hear him saying, “Those hunters, I say, those turkey hunters are about as sharp as a bowling ball.”

(To reach Mark Rutledge, who writes for The Daily Reflector in Greenville, N.C., send e-mail to mrutledge@coxnc.com)

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Zlifestyle

Secretaries get ‘style’

By KIRSTEN CROW LAREDO MORNING TIMES

It’s that time of the year again: Employers all over the Gateway City are looking for ways to show their appreciation to their hardworking clerical and front-desk staff for Secretaries Day, April 22.

And instead of sending the traditional flowers, many will send their professionals to the 17th Annual Secretaries Luncheon and Style Show, sponsored by the Volunteer Services Council for Border Region Mental Health and Mental Retardation, a nonprofit organization.

Titled “Spinning and Spanning the Decades of Music and Fashion,” the event, to be held at the Laredo Country Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, is guaranteed to be a spectacular fusion of hot fashion, cool tunes and plenty of fun. It also serves a worthy cause, benefiting the clients of Border Region MHMR. “I promise them that if they go, they will have a good time,” said Molly Martinez, president of the Volunteer Services Council. “People know that every year, it’s a great production — not just because of the fashions, but also the talent and the art.”

The big names in the world of haute couture know that style is cyclical, and nothing is hotter than an item with a retro or vintage flair.

With that in mind, the stylish clothes provided by Macy’s department store will feature fashions from the ‘50s through the ‘80s.

Models, like the decades featured in the show, are of all ages.

Of the more than 100 models who will strut their stuff on the catwalk, some will be community leaders, while others will be the very secretaries who are being recognized, among many others, Martinez said.

Coordinating the music with the fashions of a particular decade is a hallmark of this year’s show, Martinez said.

“We have The Beatles (Texas A&M International University students) and while we’re playing music from that era, we’ll include fashions from that era,” she said.

Among the entertainer-impersonators will be the late Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla Perez, who will be portrayed by the MHMR clients; the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, who will

Photo by Ricardo Segovia | Laredo Morning Times

Melissa and Cassandra Cabello, models for the 17th Annual Secretaries Luncheon and Style Show, pose at Macy’s. be depicted by a surprise guest from the Laredo Heat; and the iconic, platinumhaired Marilyn Monroe, Martinez said.

Started 17 years ago by Diana Fullerton, the annual Secretaries Luncheon and Style Show originally began as a small project, but has since grown into a “a big production,” Martinez said.

To be a success, the group had to hold it on “a special day,” she said, referring

to Secretaries Day. Tickets are $60 per person or $600 for a reserved table of 10. For more information and reservations, call Martinez at 724-2300 or Sylvia Everett at 794-3126.

“It takes all of the Laredo community to put it together — the businesses, the volunteers and the models — it takes a lot of people to (make it) successful, and it always sells out,” she said.

SATURDAY,APRIL 18,2009

ADVICE

So, where exactly are you from?

DEAR MISS MANNERS — For some time now, I have been wondering how you respond to the question “Where are you from?” if you are not really from one place. I am half American and half Arab. I was born in the Arab country, but I have lived both there and America, and English is my native language.

If I am living in America and someone asks me where I am from, giving the other country will make it seem as though I am a foreigner when I’m not. And if I am in the Arab country, saying that is where I am from always causes people to ask me why I don’t speak Arabic.

In the future, I am planning on living in a state other than the one I have previously lived, so if I stay there for a significant amount of time — say, 10 years — is it correct to say I am from this new state? Or is where you are from referring to your hometown? I am quite confused about this.

GENTLE READER — That is because you are trying so earnestly to answer a question that is probably offhand, although occasionally impertinent. The problem is not that you have mixed ancestry and have lived in several places — most of the American population has — but because you are not looking at why you were asked.

Here is a Miss Manners rule: Don’t pay close attention to opening questions from new acquaintances.

“

JUDITH MARTIN Miss Manners

They are only trying to get the conversation started.

Most of them, that is. She will get to the others afterward.

Depending on what you would enjoy discussing, you might name the country where you were born and say that although you live here, you’ve just been on an interesting trip back there; or you could name the state where you’ve been living and say that you are sad or happy to leave it; or you could say you’re moving to the new state and say why. If none of these approaches appeals to you, you could respond, “I’ve moved around a lot. Where are you from?”

It is only if there are persistent follow-up questions in an attempt to lead the conversation in a nosy direction that the inquiry should be considered offensive. “No, where are you really from?” is a tip-off, with its insinuation that the true ethnic or national identity is being hidden and the outrageous suggestion that it must be disclosed to a new acquaintance.

The answer to that is a conversation stopper (“I’m sorry you don’t believe me”) and the signal that it is time to start a conversation with someone else.

PÁG.6A

Zfrontera

Agenda en Breve ESPECTÁCULOS NUEVO LAREDO — El DIF de Nuevo Laredo invita al Concierto de Ricardo Arjona en su gira “5to. Piso”, el sábado 18 de abril a las 8:30 p.m. en el Estadio de Béisbol de Nuevo Laredo, de la Nueva Ciudad Deportiva. Puede comprar sus bolestos en (Laredo, Texas) en Joe Brand del Mall del Norte.Precios varían de 100 pesos a 500 pesos, más la donación de alimentos.

LAREDO — El sábado 18 de abril salen a la venta los boletos para el concierto de Jason Aldean el domingo 17 de mayo.

Los boletos tienen costo de 46, 32, 22 y 12 dólares, más la cuota de las instalaciones. Solamente hoy: si presenta un dólar de Big Buck, obtenga un 50% de descuentos en todos los boletos,excluyendo los boletos de nivel alto.

LAREDO — Celebre el 4to Aniversario del Planetario y Centro de Ciencias Lamar Bruni Vergara con el Rock It Fest 2009! que se realizará el sábado 18 de abril de 1 p.m. a 10 p.m. en el TAMIU Green. Se estrenará la película “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure”a las 2,3,4, 5 y 6 p.m. Habrá pintura de rostros, brincolín y concurso de color para niños de 4-5 años y 6-7 años, música, juegos interactivos, alpinismo y giras por el planetario. El espectáculo “enTRACEd”será a las 7 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y 4 dólares para niños. De 7 p.m. a 10 p.m.en el TAMIU Green habrá actuaciones en vivo por Fallen on September y Automatic Weekend. Más información llamando al 326-2444.

LAREDO — El Laredo Entertainment Center presenta el domingo 19 de abril el espectáculo de Michael Flatey“Lord of the Dance” a las 3 p.m. Más información visitando www.BroadwayinLaredo.com ó llamando a Broadway Series Hotline en el (888) 512-BWAY (2929).

LAREDO — Pase la tarde del viernes 24 de abril en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “Origins of Life” a las 6 p.m. y “One World, One Sky Big Bird’s Adventure”a las 7 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; en tanto que niños, estudiantes, personal y ex alumnos de TAMIU pagan 4 dólares.El viernes, compre un boleto y obtenga otro gratis.

DEPORTES LAREDO — El miércoles 22 de abril es el partido de exhibición entre los Bravos de Nuevo Laredo y el Heat de Laredo. El juego será en el estadio de Texas A&M Internacional University, a las 8 p.m.

LAREDO — El Torneo de baloncesto de Doble Eliminación 3-sobre-3 del Mike’s Barrio Ball será el sábado 18 y domingo 19 de abril en Points Pavilion ubicado en Jarvis y Cortez. El torneo está abierto a hombres y mujeres, niños y niñas, sin cuota de entrada. Más información llamando al 220-5968.

LAREDO — El sábado 18 de abril hay combates boxísticos en Veteran’s Field. Peleará por el título de Campeón Mundial de Peso Pesados de la IBC, Hector “The Hurricane”Ferreyro; habrá siete peleas más. Niños menores de cinco años entran gratis; la entrada general es de 10 dólares.Las puertsa abrirán a las 6 p.m.

LAREDO — El equipo de softból de Texas A&M International University recibe a St. Edward’s University a la 1 p.m. y 3 p.m., el viernes 24 de abril en el campus local.Los boletos tienen costo de 5 dólares en entrada general; 3 dólares para estudiantes y gratis para cualquiera con ID de TAMIU. Más información llamando al 326-2891.

CULTURA LAREDO — Se invita al público a sistir al 59no Espectáculo anual de Flor y Arte, auspiciado por la United Methodist Women, el sábado 18 de abril de 1 p.m. a 6 p.m. en el Fellowship Hall de la First United Methodist Church (1220 McClelland Ave).

Los boletos se venderán en la puerta. Más información llamando al 722-1674.

Para informar acerca de eventos y actividades envíe el nombre, fecha, hora y dirección, y un número de contacto a tiempo@lmtonline.com

SÁBADO 18 DE ABRIL DE 2009

TAMIU invita al Rock-It Fest 2009 Por MELVALAVÍN-CASTILLO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA LAREDO - Todo empezó como una práctica para su clase, y ahora 12 alumnos de Relaciones Públicas en Texas A&M International University están listos para ver si sus actividades rendirán fruto.

Esta cosecha esperan verla el sábado cuando la universidad celebre el Rock-It Fest 2009 celebrando el 4to Aniversario del Centro de Ciencias y Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara y el Año Internacional de la Astronomía.

“Queremos llegar a tantas familias como sea posible, sabemos que muchas desconocen la existencia del Planetario y realmente es algo que podemos presumir y que no es común en todas las ciudades”, dijo Cassandra Canales, estudiante de Relaciones Públicas y encargada de los medios de comunicación para el evento.

El grupo quiso hacer algo diferente y el Planetario fue el cliente perfecto para organizar una tarde de actividades.

Programa Para el grupo de RP sin duda esta es una práctica real.

“Cada alumno asumimos una responsabilidad”, dijo Canales. “Esta-

mos muy involucrados, nadie se queda atrás (y) todos participan con mucho”.

Rock-It Fest 2009 es el sábado de 1 p.m. a 10 p.m. en el TAMIU Green, frente a la Biblioteca Sue and Radcliffe Killam, con entrada gratuita.

El programa está dividido en dos partes.

De 1 p.m. a 6 p.m. las familias podrán participar en juegos que incluyen pintura de rostros, brincolín, juegos interactivos y premios. Aquí son bienvenidos niños de 4 a 7 años quienes tendrán la oportunidad de participar en concursos de colorear para ganarse una estrella registrada a su nombre.

El Plantetario LBV además estrenará la cinta “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure”, donde los niños podrán explorar el cielo acompañados de los personajes de Sesame Street.

Este evento, dentro del domo de 45-pies tiene costo de 4 dólares para niños y 5 dólares para el público en general, y se transmitirá en cinco funciones, a partir de las 2 p.m.

De 7 p.m. a 10 p.m. los eventos serán exclusivos para jóvenes.

Habrá música en vivo con Fallen on September y Automatic Weekend. No podrá faltar la comida y juegos e igualmente un jóven podrá ganarse una estrella registrada a su

nombre si hace el mejor ‘moonwalk’ al estillo Michael Jackson.

Por 5 dólares además podrá disfrutar del espectáculo “enTRANCEd” en el Planetario con efectos visuales en vivo.

El Director del Planetario, Gerardo Pérez dijo que sin duda somos afortunados de tener este tipo de Planetario.

“Regularmente escucho que la gente se queja de no tener mucho que hacer en Laredo, pero en el Planetario ofrecemos una variedad de espectáculos para todas las audiencias”, dijo Perez.

Astronomía Otra parte importante de Rock-It Fest es el Año Internacional de Astronomía (IYA, por sus siglas en inglés) 2009, iniciada por la International Astronomical Union y la UNESCO. El IYA es un evento que celebran 135 países y celebra las contribuciones a la sociedad y cultura y marca el 400 aniverszario del primer uso de un telecopio astronómico por Galileo Galilei, expone un comunicado de prensa del equipo de Relaciones Públicas.

“Queríamos hacer algo diferente para esta celebración”, dijo Canales. “Queremos que las familias y los estudiantes vengan y este

festival de todo el día nos dará la oportunidad de festejar dos grandes hechos”.

Experiencia El Planetario LBV abrió sus puertas en abril de 2005 y, según Perez solamente había uno de 19 planetarios del tipo que posee TAMIU. Desde su apertura 65,500 de los 95,000 visitantes han sido estudiantes.

El programa educativo contempla áreas del mundo animal, la fuerza de la naturaleza, las maravillas del mundo y microbios.

Las metas incluyen ahora enfocarse en la literatura y programación en español.

Broche de oro Finalmente se dio a conocer que durante el evento del sábado la Union Pacific donará 10 mil dólares al Planetario.

Canales dijo que no es la primera vez que la empresa ferroviaria realiza donaciones de este tipo, las cuales permiten al Planetario de TAMIU seguir ofreciendo espectáculos de calidad para Laredo.

(Puede localizar a Melva LavínCastillo llamando al 728-2569 ó escribiendo a melva@lmtonline.com)

Habrá más vuelos al DF TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Foto de cortesía/archivo El Presidente Municipal de Miguel Alemán, Servando López Moreno, a la derecha, realiza el banderazo de inicio de los trabajos de mejoras a la Carretera Ribereña a finales de febrero. El alcade de Ciudad Mier, José Iván Mancías Hinojosa, tercero de izquierda a derecha, asistió para atestiguar el evento.

Avanza ampliación carretera ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

MIGUEL ALEMÁN — Con los estándares más altos en control de calidad se construye la ampliación de la Carretera Miguel Alemán—Ciudad Mier.

“Esto garantiza el periodo de vida de la Carretera Ribereña”, dijo el presidente municipal Servando López Moreno.

El banderazo de arranque de las obras fue realizado a finales de

febrero, y se trabaja en el tramo de el poblado Los Ángeles, Miguel Alemán y Miguel Alemán-Ciudad Mier.

La obra tiene costo de 150 millones de pesos. “(La obra) vendrá a detonar el desarrollo de las ciudades que comprenden los municipios de la frontera ribereña, una frontera que por muchos años permaneció estática en infraestructura carretera”, dijo López Moreno.

Dijo que esta ciudad así tiene la oportunidad de crecimiento, al contar

con una nueva Aduana, con un libramiento de tráfico pesado y ahora con una carretera amplia y cómoda.

Cuestionado sobre la crisis, dijo que “todas las crisis son pasajeras”.

“Siempre habrá variables en la economía; sin embargo, lo que sí es una constante son estas obras que por su calidad detonarán la economía regional, creando fuentes de empleo temporales y permanentes, tanto directa como indirectamente”, dijo López Moreno.

Entidad desea Fin de semana éxito a Hidalgo de actividades ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

MÉXICO — Al conocer la resolución de PEMEX de instalar la nueva refinería en Tula Hidalgo, el gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores, aceptó la decisión de la paraestatal y dijo que “todos los estados que participamos en los foros hicimos nuestro mejor esfuerzo pero ahora tenemos que dejar atrás posturas regionalistas y unirnos en nuestra identidad de mexicanos para sacar adelante al país”.

Tras el anuncio de que el Estado de Hidalgo fue elegido como sede de la planta, Hernández se comunicó por la vía telefónica con su homólogo hidalguense Miguel Osorio Chong, para desearle el mayor de los éxitos.

Hernández Flores ofreció todo el respaldo a Petróleos Mexicanos en esta importante decisión y externó su certeza de que la elección se llevó a cabo pensando en lo que más conviene al bienestar nacional.

EUGENIO HERNÁNDEZ: Acepta resolución de PEMEX El mandatario se pronunció porque este tema no se convierta en un punto de conflicto, “porque no es sano para el país y menos en estos tiempos de crisis económica”.

Un balance nos queda claro, dijo, “Tamaulipas demostró ser un Estado de vanguardia, con un alto nivel de competitividad, de calidad, de productividad y de preferencia en inversión”.

Para terminar destacó que este proyecto unió a todos los tamaulipecos por igual.

“Este es un saldo sumamente importante porque demostramos que somos un pueblo unido y solidario, con una identidad que nos enorgullece y fortalezas propias, Tamaulipas va a seguir aportando como siempre la parte que le corresponde para la grandeza de México”, dijo Hernández.

NUEVO LAREDO — Un fin de semana de entretenimiento tendrán los neolaredenses con dos eventos deportivos y uno artístico que son organizados por el gobierno municipal.

El primero de los eventos deportivos es la función de box profesional que a partir de las 8 p.m. del sábado 18 de abril, se realizará en la plaza de toros “Lauro Luis Longoria”.

En la pelea estelar Guadalupe “Lobito” Martínez expondrá su título de campeón nacional minimosca ante el retador Francisco “Franky” Soto, mientras en la semifinal se presentará Jorge “Maromerito” Páez.

El mismo sábado, pero en el Estadio de Béisbol de Nueva Ciudad Deportiva, se presentará el cantautor guatemalteco Ricardo Arjona con su tour

EVENTOS Box el 18 de abril Concierto de Ricardo Arjona el 18 de abril Zoqueteadas el 19 de abril FUENTE: GOBIERNO DE NL

“Quinto Piso”.

El concierto iniciará a las 8:30 p.m. y todo lo que se recaude por venta de boletos se destinará a la construcción de una nueva casa hogar por parte del Sistema DIF Nuevo Laredo.

Finalmente el domingo 19 de abril, los aficionados a las zoqueteadas podrán disfrutar de un espectáculo de alto nivel en el estero del Ejido Morelos.

Por cuarta ocasión participarán competidores del Estado de Texas y de la región.

La Línea Aérea Aeroméxico Connect iniciará a partir del lunes 20 de abril, vuelos entre las ciudades de Victoria, Tampico y Nuevo Laredo con la Ciudad de México.

Tamaulipas se convierte en el único Estado de la República Mexicana con conexión aeroportuaria a sus cinco ciudades más importantes a través de esta aerolínea.

El Secretario de Desarrollo Económico y del Empleo de Tamaulipas, Alfredo González Fernández dijo que estos nuevos vuelos se suman a los que ya se venían operando desde Matamoros y Reynosa.

“Con ello, el Estado tendrá 180 vuelos a la semana, convirtiéndose en uno de los cuatro Estados más importantes para Aeroméxico”, dijo.

En el caso de Nuevo Laredo, se tendrán dos vuelos diarios a la Ciudad de México, con precios accesibles en viaje redondo.

La tarifa vuelo redondo será de 2 mil 688 pesos con impuestos incluidos. El vuelo matutino saldrá a las 8:35 a.m. y el vuelo vespertino será a las 4:55 p.m., en una aeronave Jet Embraer 155 con capacidad para 50 pasajeros.

En otras rutas serán ERJ 145 con capacidad para 100 pasajeros.

De acuerdo con Genaro Esparragoza Ruvalcaba, subdirector regional de ventas de Aeroméxico, destacó que con estos vuelos, Nuevo Laredo se coloca en el mapa de las rutas del mundo, pues tienen conectividad con Estados Unidos, Centro y Sudamérica, Europa y Asia.

En tanto, el presidente municipal Ramón Garza Barrios dijo que al estar mejor comunicados se permitirá promover el turismo y comercio internacional.

“Qué bueno que se menciona que mientras en otras partes de la República y el mundo están disminuyendo las frecuencias del tráfico aéreo, en Nuevo Laredo se están incrementando”, dijo Garza Barrios.

El Director Nacional de Ventas de Aeroméxico, Alejandro Pérez Zubiría, dijo que con las nuevas rutas la aerolínea llaga a 40 destinos en el país los cuales junto a los 32 internacionales que opera y la alianza Sky Team, los tamaulipecos podrán conectarse con el resto del mundo desde Victoria, Tampico, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros y Reynosa.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 7A

OBITUARIES EVERETT E. LULOFF

Everett E. Luloff passed away Monday, April 6, 2009, at his residence in Zapata.

Mr. Luloff is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert (Mary) Luloff.

Mr. Luloff is survived by his wife Rita M. Luloff; son Jerry (Joyce) Luloff of Dade City, Fla.; daughter Patsy J. Kepler of Sherman, Texas; grandchildren Jeff (Tisha) Macon of New Hampton, Iowa, Ken (Jackie) Macon of St. Charles, Minn., Teresa (Jeff) Lawrence of Wichita Falls, Texas, Steve (Samantha) Luloff of San Antone, Fla., Brian Luloff of Florida; seven great-grandchildren; sister Lavonne (John) Albrecht of Meza, Ariz.; and numerous nephews, nieces and many friends.

Mr. Luloff was a WWII veteran of the Air Corp. He lived in Brandon, Iowa and

volunteered at the local fire station for 32 years.

A service was held Monday, April 13, 2009, at American Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. in Jesup, Iowa.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Hwy. 83 Zapata.

Fannie Mae CEO named Treasury’s bank bailout chief

By JIM KUHNHENN

HERBERT ALLISON JR:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The White House turned to an experienced former investment banker Friday to run the federal government’s $700 billion bank rescue effort, selecting the head of mortgage giant Fannie Mae as an assistant Treasury secretary.

Herbert Allison Jr., Fannie Mae’s president and CEO, will replace Neel Kashkari, a holdover from the Bush administration.

Allison, who must be confirmed by the Senate,

Would inherit a program sharply criticized in Congress.

would bear the title of assistant Treasury secretary for financial stability and counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

He would be in charge of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the fund that has injected billions of dollars into banks in hopes of unclogging credit. He would inherit a program that has been sharply criticized in Congress and which banks

have come to view warily because of the restrictions attached to receipt of its funds.

President Barack Obama’s administration has been slowly filling Treasury positions, hindered by candidates who have either withdrawn from consideration or been caught up in the vetting process.

Allison’s selection presents the administration with yet another challenge.

If Allison is confirmed, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be without chief executives. David Moffett, formerly Freddie Mac’s CEO, resigned in March.

BEATRIZ FLORES

Beatriz Flores, 94, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2009, at Laredo Medical Center.

Ms. Flores is preceded in death by her husband Romeo T. Flores Sr.; sons Israel Gutierrez and Homero I. Flores; sisters Norberta

(Adan) Gutierrez, Ofelia (Leonardo Jr.) Flores and Dora (Adalberto Jr.) Flores.

Mr. Flores is survived by her sons and daughters Abel Gutierrez; Beatriz M. Bigler, Romeo Jr. (Gloria) Flores, Edmundo (Sylvia) Flores, Sylvia (Joaquin) Solis, Jose Luis Flores; daughter-in-law Elma C. Flores; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Raquel (Hector) Gutierrez and Carmen Flores.

Visitation hours were held Friday, April 17, 2009, from to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession departed Saturday, April 18,

2009, at 8:45 for a 9 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rose g ardenfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Hwy. 83 Zapata.

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8A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

State

Subpoenaed journalists reason for shield law bill

By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by L.M. Otero | AP

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, left, looks at a destroyed home during a tour with Montague County Judge Ted Winn in an area burned by recent wildfires in Stoneburg, Texas, on Friday.

Governor surveys North Texas wildfire damage

By ANGELA K. BROWN ASSOCIATED PRESS

STONEBURG, Texas — Gov. Rick Perry on Friday stepped over mounds of twisted metal and other debris around the shell of a stone house ravaged by a recent wildfire, calling it “the most vicious” he’s ever seen.

Perry also looked at the remnants of a flattened mobile home, a burned-out car and blackened tree trunks as he discussed the damage with officials in Montague County, one of the areas hardest hit by wildfires a week ago.

“What I did see was in Stoneburg — the most vicious fire that I have ever seen in my life,” Perry said later at the fire station in Montague. He said knowing how to comfort victims was difficult, because “‘I’m sorry’ seems such inadequate words as you walk through the remains of someone’s home and then when you think about the lives that were lost.”

Several April 9 blazes in Montague County killed three people and destroyed 76 homes while scorching more

than 60,000 acres, local officials said.

Perry thanked local volunteer firefighters and those who came from 40 departments to help battle the blazes in the rural North Texas county.

“Some of you risked your lives to take care of your friends, and that’s the type of investment in a community that is all too rare in the world we live in today,” he said.

Perry said he hoped Montague and other counties devastated by wildfires would not have to wait on federal assistance. He said he has asked President Barack Obama for an emergency disaster declaration for 199 Texas counties and for a major disaster declaration for six North Texas counties.

This year blazes across the state have burned more than 424,000 acres and destroyed more than 200 homes — most of the damage done in a few dry, windy days more than week ago.

“In times like these we start out as a community, but we end up as a family,” said Thomas Fenoglio, chief of the Montague Volunteer Fire Department.

House begins work on state budget

By APRIL CASTRO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN, Texas — The House version of the next two-year state budget would increase spending by 5 percent — to about $178 billion — including millions more for college financial aid, and would strip the governor’s office of its operating budget almost entirely.

Lawmakers were still sorting through a thick stack of amendments to the budget proposal late Friday, each filed by state representatives trying to direct more money to their priorities. The debate was expected to stretch into the wee hours.

The two-year plan includes spending of $11 billion from the federal stimulus package, money that has helped the state close a multibillion dollar revenue shortfall without cutting into state services. State spending, which makes up about 45 percent of the budget, decreased about 2.5 per-

cent compared to the 20082009 budget.

“This is a conservative budget,” said Republican Rep. Jim Pitts, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “It reduces (state) spending, but not at the cost of essential government services.”

Pitts said the stimulus dollars helped overcome a state revenue shortfall of more than $5 billion. But, he praised the budget because it does not touch an expected balance of more than $9 billion in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which he said would have been irresponsible.

“The budget gap we face this session could very well pale in comparison” to the shortfall the state is likely to face in two years, Pitts said.

“The gap is not artificial nor is it manufactured,” Pitts said. “It is very real.”

By late afternoon, the House had adopted several amendments, including a surprising vote to wipe out the governor’s budget.

Democrats whine about spending stimulus funds

By JAY ROOT ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN, Texas — Several Senate Democrats are complaining that the state budget as currently drafted would inappropriately use federal stimulus dollars to free up money that will eventually provide tax cuts for wealthy Texans.

The partisan bickering derailed an unrelated debate Friday in the Texas Senate, where both GOP leaders and Democrats huddled behind closed doors for more than an hour.

Afterward, members from both parties vowed to patch things up, with one top Democrat expressing regret

about the “tone” of his party’s complaint.

The flap got started when 11 of the 12 Senate Democrats signed a letter sent Thursday to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. It said that the recently passed Senate budget, now facing a work-over in the Texas House, inappropriately spends $3.2 billion of the education dollars contained in the Texas piece of the federal stimulus pie.

Texas is getting almost $17 billion from a federal rescue package for states. Some Democrats say Republican leaders want to use the money to free up state money that otherwise would have been spent.

When asked by a reporter if he was surprised by the widespread media coverage after his remarks about secession at an anti-tax “tea party” Wednesday, Perry said the “real story” is that scores of Americans stood up to protest excessive federal spending and bailouts.

On Wednesday Perry suggested that Texans might at some point get so fed up they would want to secede, although he never advocated that Texas break away from the United States.

VICTORIA, Texas — A former sheriff accused of a sex crime, sweeping indictments at City Hall and the police chief charged with lying to a grand jury. A doozy of a drama in any city and plenty of fodder for the local media.

But at The Victoria Advocate, subpoenas may sideline three journalists when the highly anticipated first trial gets under way. District Attorney Steven Tyler has called editor Chris Cobler and two reporters as witnesses.

Tyler, a first-term prosecutor, says testimony from Advocate reporters is material to the case against Victoria police Chief Bruce Ure, who is charged with aggravated perjury. A central issue is whether Ure lied about who he talked to in an investigation of a former sheriff accused of sexually assaulting a teenager.

To the newpaper, the subpoenas smack of harassment and point to the need for a shield law for Texas journalists.

“We’ve published everything we know,” Cobler said.

“That’s what’s so frustrating about it. By virtue of him harassing us and subpoenaing us, he’s raised this sort cloud of suspicion among some in the community.”

Texas is one of just 14 states that affords journalists no legal protection from revealing sources or notes

“

We’ve published everything we know. That’s what’s so frustrating about it. By virtue of him harassing us and subpoenaing us, he’s raised this sort cloud of suspicion among some in the community.”

THE VICTORIA ADVOCATE EDITOR CHRIS COBLER

in court. Newspapers and media advocates say shield laws provide essential source protection and encourage whistleblowers to seek out reporters and expose corruption.

Two proposals have failed the last two sessions in the Legislature, including one killed in 2007 over a parliamentary technicality. But this year, the House has already overwhelmingly passed a shield law proposal, and a Senate committee unanimously approved the measure last week. It next faces a vote in the full Senate.

Introduced as the Free Flow of Information Act, the bill gives reporters qualified privilege — meaning journalists could not be forced to give up information or testify in court unless a judge deems it reasonable and necessary.

Laura Prather, an attorney for the newspaper who also drafted the compromise

bill before the Legislature, said the proposed law would eliminate the use of subpoeanas as tools to harass journalists.

But Tyler strongly denied the subpoenas are attempts to intimidate the newspaper or retaliation for bad press.

He says he has no grudge against journalists, adding that he spends more time “listening to them and reading what they have to write than my own kin.”

But Tyler says the Advocate’s stories, on its own, aren’t enough. He said he doesn’t think asking a reporter to raise a hand in court and state that what is printed is true is “too much to expect” from a journalist.

“Whether they’re embarrassed or whether they receive accolades is not my concern,” Tyler said. “I’m not a newspaper man. I’m a prosecutor. I have a duty, and I mean to accomplish my duty.”

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 9A

National

Homeowner, nephew spared in crash

By ILEANA MORALES ASSOCIATED PRESS

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. — It’s not unusual for Oscar Nolasco to spend a weekday afternoon watching television on the couch since his employer reduced his hours. But he was needed at the factory Friday, so he poured himself a bowl of cereal, caught the morning traffic report and headed off.

His job might have saved his life.

Hours after Nolasco left for work, an airplane sputtered and dove into his house, slicing the home down the middle into two charred pieces.

“Logically, now I have to thank God I have my life,” said Nolasco, whose nephew also lives at the house and left shortly before the crash.

Pilot Cecil Murray was killed in the crash, which happened shortly after he took off from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport about two miles from the house.

The smell of fuel hung in the air hours after the crash, and the shell of the

“

The truth is, I have to think about what I have to do now, not go into panic.”

OSCAR NOLASCO

aircraft was sandwiched between two walls of the beige house. The home’s driveway was black, but its white mailbox was still standing.

When officials told Nolasco the news, he didn’t shout or cry. When he realized it wasn’t a joke, he thought, “I am left without a house, what am I going to do now?”

“The truth is, I have to think about what I have to do now, not go into panic,” said Nolasco, who added that he and his nephew, Alex Martines, were staying in a hotel and getting assistance from the Red Cross.

Murray’s plane was headed to Fernandina Beach, just outside Jacksonville, where airport officials expected it to land around 1 p.m. The 80-year-old pilot, who had logged about 23,000

hours of flying since 1985, was traveling there to sell it, said Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti.

But after takeoff, something went wrong. Shortly after it got into the air, it reported trouble to the tower, and the tower cleared it to turn around and land, said Chaz Adams, an airport spokesman. It never made it.

When the plane began to fail, Rick Cunningham heard a “spitting and sputtering” while he was painting a house down the street.

Then, he saw the plane coming in sideways, and it nosedived into the ground, he said.

Cunningham, 52, ran over to the house and knocked the bedroom windows down to see if there

was anyone inside, but after a few minutes he had to leave.

“The heat was just too intense,” he said.

Neighbors were amazed the damage wasn’t worse.

“I said, ‘Oh my God, that could have been my house.’

It was that close,” said Bill Slugg, who lives across the street.

“I was on the phone, the phone went dead and there was this loud bang and a lot of black smoke emanating from the area,” said Dorothy O’Brien, 83, who

lives nearby. “Black, black smoke for at least ten minutes.”

Though the fire was quickly controlled, firefighters were trying isolate fuel in the debris, said Oakland Park Fire-Rescue Chief Donald Widing. A utility company also cut power in the area to about 1,645 customers because they were not able to get in to assess damage to power lines.

“The house was a total loss,” said Broward Sheriff ’s Office spokesman Mike Jachles. “The plane went right into the center of the house.”

The crash was at least the fifth involving the airport, which caters to small planes and jets, in the last 12 years.

In 2007, a twin-engine Beechcraft reached about 150 feet after takeoff before the pilot reported he could not maintain altitude and declared a mayday. He

crashed onto Interstate 95, but survived.

A DC-3 cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff into a residential street near the airport in 2005. The pilot, co-pilot and a passenger all survived. The pilot said at the time they chose the street because it was quiet and wide, and has an abundance of tall palm trees he could run into to slow the plane’s speed.

In 2004, a Piper Cherokee crashed into the roof of an auto body shop shortly after takeoff, killing two people on the plane and critically injuring a third. And in 1997, a new pilot died when he crashed his Beechcraft Skipper 77 into a tree near the airport just after takeoff.

National Transportation Safety Board records show that Cessna 421s have been involved in 12 fatal accidents since 2004.

Subscribe to Laredo Morning Times at online at lmtonline.com

“I can hardly remember the heart attack, but I’ll never forget their care.”

–Leo Flores, Webb County Auditor

When Leo Flores had a heart attack, his wife rushed him to the hospital.

“When we got to Laredo Medical Center, they immediately began working on me with lightning speed.”

The staff of experienced nurses and physicians got him stabilized, and eventually got him back on his feet. “What happened to me in your cardiac care center was nothing short of a miracle,” says Leo. Thanks to our advanced technology and skilled physicians, Leo Flores’ heart attack is a distant memory. But he’ll never forget the care he received.

“I am grateful to everyone there, from the custodial staff to the cardiologist.

Thanks for giving me a second chance.” To learn more about the region’s leader in cardiac care, visit laredomedical.com today.

Quality Care. Right Here.

1700 E. Saunders • (956) 796-5000 www.laredomedical.com

10A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

National

Spring snowstorm shuts down Colo., Wyo. roads

By KRISTEN WYATT ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER — More than a foot of wet, heavy snow closed highways and canceled flights in parts of Colorado and Wyoming on Friday, snarling traffic and forcing school closures and flight cancellations.

Up to 3 feet of snow was expected by Saturday night in the mountains above 6,000 feet, forecasters said. Nearly 2 feet already had fallen in Rocky Mountain National Park about 60 miles northwest of Denver.

The chilly weather forced a return to heavy coats and snow boots for some who already had packed away their winter clothes.

“I cannot get used to this snow,” said Myra Gonzalez, 25, who moved to Denver from Southern California two years ago. She usually drives to work but opted for the bus after seeing heavy

flakes outside.

“Now I’m stuck on the bus.

I didn’t even want to mess with it,” the customer-service worker said.

The storm was welcomed at ski areas, though, where the economic downturn has reduced bookings more than 8 percent from last year at some resorts.

On Friday, the slopes were packed with late-season skiers and snowboarders taking their final runs of the season.

Most resorts close Sunday.

“This is why we live here, to have the slopes to ourselves in April,” said Kristen Petitt, spokeswoman at Colorado’s most-visited resort, Breckenridge.

The storm was not without headaches, though. Colorado transportation officials on Friday shut down an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 70 from Vail to Golden and said travel between Vail and Denver was strongly discour-

aged. The American Red Cross opened two shelters in Summit County to help stranded travelers.

A 140-mile stretch of Interstate 80 and many smaller roads in Wyoming also were closed. A 30-mile stretch of Interstate 25 from Wellington, Colo., to Cheyenne, Wyo., was closed briefly.

Authorities had no immediate reports of serious injuries, but a snow plow driver suffered minor injuries late Thursday when his truck rolled down a snowpacked embankment on Red Mountain in southwestern Colorado. A motorist freed him.

Parts of central and southern Wyoming were under a winter storm warning. Federal courts and city offices were closed in Cheyenne, where at least 14 inches were predicted. The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne canceled an Earth Day celebration planned for Saturday.

Sewer system fails in flood-threatened ND town

By DAVE KOLPACK ASSOCIATED PRESS

VALLEY CITY, N.D. — The mayor of a flood-threatened North Dakota town asked all residents to leave Friday after the sewer system backed up, flooding buildings in a four-block area with murky water.

“We had a major main collapse in our sanitary sewer system. When it collapsed, the river came in and it overloaded the sewer system,” Mayor Mary Lee Nielson said.

Nielson urged those of the town’s 7,000 residents who had not already cleared out to leave, but she stopped short of a mandatory evacuation. She said the sewer system would be temporarily rebuilt above the ground and

the city will, for now, pump its sewage into the swollen Sheyenne River.

Officials said the city’s water was still safe to drink but sending it down drains or flushing toilets would make the backup worse. The mayor said 222 portable toilets will be stationed around town.

The sewage should not cause environmental harm because of the large amount of water in the river, said Dave Glatt, the director of the state Health Department’s environmental section.

The Sheyenne River topped out Monday at 20 feet high, a record in the area. It remained Friday at nearly 20.5 feet. Officials have warned that the danger of flooding could persist for weeks.

Julie Nelson, the city

emergency management spokeswoman, said the police station and the Valley City Times-Record’s offices were among the places where sewage had backed up.

At the Barnes County Historical Society, curator Wes Anderson scrambled to plug toilets and control the damage.

“I heard this gurgle, gurgle, gurgle in the upstairs sink and I thought, ‘This isn’t good,”’ Anderson said.

“Then I heard something in the downstairs sink and I thought, ‘This is worse.’

“We’ve got about an inch or more of brown water floating through here,” he said.

He already had moved valuable papers to high ground, he said. But antique farm equipment and other large items were too heavy to move.

Photo by Ben Woloszyn/Laramie Boomerang | AP

University of Wyoming students, from left, Kristen Althoff, Matt Fournier and Jeff Stimson roll up a ball of snow for the base of a snowman Friday, in Laramie, Wyo. Denver and Colorado Springs were expecting 10 to 20 inches of snow by Saturday night. Many suburban Denver schools closed early on Friday.

United Airlines, the dominant carrier at Denver International Airport, canceled 76 flights. The airport urged travelers to check with their airlines before leaving home.

A spring storm last month

stranded hundreds of passengers overnight.

Snow also delayed a bus convoy carrying 60 prisoners from Oklahoma to Wyoming.

The Wyoming Department of Corrections said the convoy had to stop a few miles into Wyoming on Thursday night because of traffic backups. The medium-security prisoners were waiting out

the storm at a county jail in Laramie before continuing to a state prison in Rawlins, said department spokesman Carl Voigtsberger.

In Texas, thunderstorms moved through northern areas Friday. Thursday night, hail was so heavy in parts of west Texas that a stretch of Interstate 27 was shut down so snowplows could clear it away.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

National

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 11A

Academies try to learn from pirate attack Maritime schools debate students’ needs for combat training

By RAY HENRY ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOURNE, Mass.

— Would-be sea captains must master navigation, emergency repairs and boat building. Now maritime schools are debating whether their students need more training to combat the old scourge of piracy.

Following last week’s attack on the Maersk Alabama, the first U.S.-flagged vessel captured by pirates in about 200 years, two maritime academies are considering changing or expanding their anti-piracy training for future seafarers.

Meanwhile, experts attending a national summit Friday at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy discussed the spike in attacks off the Somali coast, improving tracking ransom payments to identify pirates and the possibility of arming sailors.

The discussion hit close to home. An academy graduate, captain Richard Phillips of the Alabama, was held hostage in a lifeboat for five days. He was freed Sunday when U.S. Navy snipers shot and killed his captors. His second-in-command, Shane Murphy, also graduated from the academy.

“You’ve now got vessels passing in harm’s way and, you know, not since World War II were merchant seamen’s lives in ... as much jeopardy as they are today,” Bradley Lima, the academy’s vice president of academic affairs, said in an interview.

The threat is likely to remain for the foreseeable future, said Peter Sarnacki, who teaches engineering at the Maine Maritime Academy and attended the piracy discussion at Friday’s summit on maritime education.

The ransom business earns Somali pirates millions of dollars, money that allows them to grow bolder.

“They have a business plan,” he said. “It’s very sophisticated, and it’s only going to get more sophisticated.”

As pirate attacks escalated off Somalia, the Maine Maritime Academy started developing a new course to teach its students nonlethal ways to thwart pirates, said Ralph Pundt, chairman of the marine transportation department. The instruction might take place on training cruises or in land-based simulators.

“I’m sure there’s going to be more pressure to get it done,” Pundt said in a phone interview.

Massachusetts Maritime is considering adding a course allowing students to conduct case studies on pirate attacks, such as the capture of the Alabama. The course may become mandatory, Lima said.

Mass Maritime already offers a maritime security class, although it has focused more on terrorist and other conventional threats.

While at sea, cadets practice tactics for thwarting pirates, such as keeping vigilant watches, using a ship’s wake to swamp pirate skiffs and thwarting them with highpressure fire hoses.

Last month, the school started teaching interested cadets how to shoot handguns, a shotgun and two military rifles. Firearms training is mandatory for cadets entering the U.S. Navy’s cargo service, but the course is offered to all students.

During Friday’s summit, educators and industry leaders seemed frustrated by the most recent attacks off the Somali coast. Kaveh Haghkerdar, a professor of engineering at Maine Maritime, questioned whether industry or the government could invest in high-tech ship surveillance systems for vessels that have difficulty keeping a 24-hour lookout.

But even alert crews can still be victimized, said Douglas Stevenson, director of the Center for Seafarer’s Rights at The Seaman’s Church Institute. The crew of the Alabama had repelled one pirate attack and drilled frequently on the threat.

“They were still taken,” he said.

Stevenson said more re-

Photo by Lisa Poole | AP

Douglas Stevenson, director of the Seaman’s Church Institute’s Center for Seafarers’ Rights speaks about piracy during a Maritime Education Summit on Friday, at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, Mass. Maritime schools are debating whether their students need new training against the old scourge of piracy.

Photo by U.S. Navy | AP

Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips was rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia on Sunday after being held hostage in a lifeboat for five days. search is needed on how to help sailors taken hostage by pirates once they return home.

“After they come back, they disappear,” he said.

“Where do they go for help?”

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

12A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

CONSTRUCTION | Continued from Page 1A District, Laredo Community College and TAMIU to build the center, to be located in the 600 block of U.S. Highway 83.

The center will give Zapata high school students a place to take advanced courses for college credit.

“It is going to be a really good thing,” said Romeo Rodriguez, Zapata County Independent School District superintendent. “It will give our students a chance to be competitive by allowing them to take college courses here in Zapata.”

The center will be funded through two grants totaling $2.5 million, $100,000 in private funding and $400,000 from the county’s general fund.

After completion, the county will maintain the building and Zapata CISD with help from LCC and TAMIU will be in charge of operation.

“The challenge will be finding people with masters degrees to teach,” Rodriguez said. “Right now we are talking about just the basics, but we are also looking at career and workforce classes.”

The court is hoping to break ground by July and have construction completed about nine months after that.

“This is a great opportunity for the high school students it will benefit,” said Pct. 3 Commissioner Joe Rathmell. “We are excited to move forward.”

Also Tuesday, the court voted to purchase a boring machine for the county. Rathmell said the boring machine will save the county money in the long run by providing a quick and efficient way to repair sewer and water lines.

“If we have a boring machine, we won’t have to cut open the road every time we need to make repairs,” Rathmell said. “We will be able to bore a hole and not damage the streets any more than we have to.”

The boring machine will cost $80,000.

Commissioners will pay $15,000 from their budgets, $10,000 will come from the county’s water plant and Siesta Shores Water District will pay for the final $10,000.

The Commissioners Court approved the purchase contingent on a memorandum of understanding between the county and Siesta Shores.

The court also approved: The appointment of Zar Rodriguez as the Zapata county director/manager for the newly constructed Romeo T. Flores Park including management of the public swimming pool.

The installation of security lights at 4085 N. U.S. 83 in Ramireño, 201 Matamoros St. and 208 Matamoros in San Ygnacio, 1601 Zapata Blvd., between 7th and 10th streets on 711 Villa St. and 406 Ann Drive.

PLOTS | Continued from Page 1A their kids, but their kids would get married and leave the state, and we would still have the plot reserved under their name,” Salinas said.

In 2000, the county purchased approximately 15 acres adjacent to the 30-acre cemetery for more space.

Salinas said that if plots continue to be reserved without any payment or assurance of their use, the county will be forced to purchase more land and once again extend the cemetery.

As it is now, any reservations are only being taken for the new land because, Salinas said, according to the old cemetery ledgers there is no more room.

“People may want to purchase land in the old cemetery but we can’t sell any more plots,” Salinas said. “The ledgers are really old and we don’t really want to mess with that land because it is almost all reserved.”

There is no rule saying people who are not residents of Zapata cannot purchase a plot. But, according to Salinas, the idea is not off the table.

Salinas said that since the plots are so cheap compared to surrounding areas, Zapata County could face a problem of residents having to compete for space with people from outside of the county.

“It may be something we have to bring up in the future where you have to live here or have a relative who lives here to purchase a plot,” Salinas said.

The new cemetery plot policies are as follows: If you want to purchase a plot that has already been reserved, Zapata County requires a letter from the party holding the reservation acknowledging their release of the plot.

Anyone holding a reservation for a cemetery plot must make arrangements to purchase said plot within 90 days from the time of reservation. If arrangements for payment are not made within that time frame, Zapata County has the right to release the reservation and make available for purchase to others.

If payment arrangements are made but not completed within the 90 days, Zapata County will release the plot reservation and return any funds that had been paid to the county for the reservation.

Zapata County will not be responsible for any natural damages such as tomb stones sinking, soil erosion, dirt filling or monument leveling.

If more than one plot is reserved and only one has been paid, no type of improvements can be made to unpaid plots — no concrete slabs, fencing, landscaping to unpaid plots.

Limitation of number of plots to be reserved no more than four and must be paid within 90 days.

(Taryn White may be reached at728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

Texas, N. Leon sign aid pact

By GARY SCHARRER SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

AUSTIN — An informal arrangement for sharing information about child support cases and crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling turned more official Friday when Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and his Nuevo Leon counterpart put an agreement in writing.

Abbott and Nuevo Leon Attorney General Luis Carlos Trevino Berchelmann signed a memorandum of understanding that formally declares both states’ commitment to work cooperatively and collaboratively to combat transnational crime.

Mexican authorities, for example, are interested in techniques and expertise developed by Texas officials in pursuing child predators, Abbott said.

Texas and Mexico border states, he said, “want to share information from investigations that will allow us to follow up on leads that may go into Mexico and vice versa.”

They have been working together for years without a formal structure.

“We’re pleased that these efforts have led to a forma memorandum of understanding that will memorialize what we have been working on,” Abbott said.

Trevino Berchelmann said “the information exchange will be an important tool in the combat of crimes and in the enforcement of the rule of law. On the other hand, children – one of the most vulnerable groups – will receive protection on both sides of the border.”

Abbott remains particularly interested in child support collection.

“Our office is involved in cases where a child here in Texas may be owed child support by someone who is in Mexico. Sharing investigative and other types of information can assist us in collecting that child support,” Abbott said.

The agreement also stipulates that Texas will provide investigative and prosecutorial training for law enforcement officials from Nuevo Leon.

SANCTUARY | Continued from Page 1A According to Robert Owen, park interpreter at Lake Casa Blanca State Park, this area of Texas is extremely popular amongst bird enthusiasts because of the variety of species who make homes here.

Owen said at any given time there are more than 400 species of birds in the area.

Villarreal hopes eventually the bird sanctuary will attract people from around the country to San Ygnacio.

The Zapata Times SATURDAY,APRIL 18,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors NBA

Spurs paying no attention to doubters

By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN ANTONIO — While everyone else knew the San Antonio Spurs were seconds from winning the division, Tim Duncan had to find out from his wife. Michael Finley stayed clueless until getting back to the locker room.

Typical Spurs. Always the last to know.

Apparently, they also haven’t heard many say they’re far too old, worn down and injured to be as good as the No. 3 in the Western

Conference playoffs suggests. That after four NBA titles in 10 seasons, they’re now a fading afterthought as a championship contender.

If the Spurs are being overlooked when they open the playoffs Saturday against Dallas, Tony Parker doesn’t know about it.

“No, not really,” he said.

Here’s what Parker says he does know: the Spurs are old. That had they not pulled off a miraculous overtime win Wednesday night against New Orleans, they’d be on a long flight to Portland that would’ve been taxing on their aging starting cast that includes

Duncan, 31, and Finley, 35.

Instead, the Spurs will enjoy home-court advantage in the first round for the 11th consecutive season. That in itself is a remarkable testament to their longevity, but even San Antonio is keenly aware that this postseason is going to be unlike than any in the Duncan era.

In other words, much harder.

Manu Ginobili is out with a bad ankle.

Duncan’s knees have been letting him down.

Bruce Bowen was yanked from the starting lineup early in the season, and even off the

bench, the Spurs have considerably shaved the minutes given to their 37-year-old defensive stopper.

Their rotation has been erratic down to the final weeks. Even their usual team-building Rodeo Road Trip failed to pack the “bunker mentality” that coach Gregg Popovich puts a premium on each February.

For the Spurs, it’s been an oddly disruptive year. Nonetheless, here they are, the No. 3 seed in the Wild West and the Southwest

See SPURS | PAGE 2B

NFL

TENNIS

40-yard dash still great equalizer

Getting ready

By DOUG ALDEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY — Just because the 40-yard dash has been around forever doesn’t mean it’s antiquated.

A great time in the 40 still matters, at least enough to get a prospect a look he may not have received if he was just a tenth of a second slower.

“You can always teach them to catch better, but it’s hard to teach them to run faster,” said Gil Brandt, the NFL draft consultant and longtime personnel director of the Dallas Cowboys.

As intricate as evaluating NFL potential has become, the 40 is one of simplest tests there is in football: run 40 yards, we’ll time you. GO! For players who run it fast enough, it’s a possible opening to something more. Former Utah defensive back Brice McCain was considered too small and an unlikely pick before scouts came to town last month to look at him and a few other former Utes.

McCain ran the 40 twice and both times were among the fastest in the country. The scouts looked at their stopwatches and collectively timed him at 4.30 and 4.34 seconds. Suddenly, his size (5-foot9) was much less of a concern.

“A lot of teams are very interested now,” McCain said.

Brandt said McCain could go maybe as high as the fifth round next weekend because he was able to back up his 40 speed with great marks in the shuttle run and other drills that assess quickness more than overall speed.

The 40 is only one part of the complicated formula teams use to evaluate talent. It is more relevant for receivers and defensive backs than linemen, who are evaluated more in drills that demonstrate quick feet and agility.

Paul Brown was credited with first timing the 40 when he was coaching at Ohio State in the 1940s and trying to figure out who could get downfield the fastest to cover punts. It has grown into a football staple, recognized by every player who has had to run it and hold his breath while waiting to hear the time, and by fans in need of an offseason debate topic.

Teams exhaustively break down every aspect of a player — physical and mental — before deciding who they want on future rosters.

The one test that seems to have caught on most in the public is the 40, a much more lively topic than anticipating who will move up in the draft by nailing the team interview.

As much as the times are talked about, they’re tricky to gauge.

Each scout keeps his own, and although the distance is the same, conditions vary from site to site. A player running on grass won’t be as fast as someone on a harder, artificial surface. And nobody is clocked running in the cumbersome pads they wear when actually playing the game and not just trying out for it.

The importance of a distance few players ever have to run during a game is also debated.

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Jimmie Johnson crushed the field at Phoenix International Raceway last fall, running away to his third straight victory in the desert with ease.

He’ll try to make it four in a row Saturday night, but is straying from the strategy that has worked so well for him. Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team came to Phoenix with a brand new setup, hoping it will be enough to equalize any gains made by his competition.

“Just hoping that it’s going to be faster and better,” Johnson said Friday. “I’ve come in too cocky in my own mind,” he said. “I’ve come in not really confident enough in some respects because of what’s gone on during the season.

Through those highs and lows, I’ve kind of found a spot where I come in with confidence, and I feel like we’ve got a good plan.

“I take today as today, and then tomorrow just really try to keep it simple and stay even-keel through it all.”

It’s not clear what more Johnson can do to be better at Phoenix, where he has nine top-10 finishes in 11 starts. Johnson has led 505 miles at Phoenix, and his average finish is a 5.5 — second only to

By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

S

Johnson not resting on past successes

By JENNA FRYER

Senior Gerry Chapa at regional

See NFL | PAGE 2B

NASCAR

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Courtesy photo

Senior Gerry Chapa will represent Zapata at the Region IV 3A tennis tournament Tuesday and Wednesday in Corpus Christi.

Martinsville (5.3) of Johnson’s best tracks.

Despite his successful record, he managed to turn it up a notch in sweeping both races last season. Johnson led 337 of the 625 laps raced at Phoenix last year, and was out front for all but 96 in the fall.

But it’s not enough for a No. 48 team that is always pushing for more. With NASCAR’s ban on testing this season, Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus weren’t positive they’ve maintained their superiority, so they decided to try something new during Friday’s practices.

In straying from what’s worked so well, they are giving themselves an opportunity to be good later in the season at similar race tracks.

“Without testing, it’s a good opportunity to work on our shorttrack program, our mile program,” Johnson said. “What we learn here will cross over to Richmond, will also cross over to New Hampshire to a certain degree.

Even if it doesn’t work, we can go to the shop, dig in deeper and then show up at Richmond a generation ahead of where we’re at now and maybe a step closer to a better package.”

Changing things up a bit also

See NASCAR | PAGE 2B

enior Gerry Chapa will be Zapata’s lone representative at the Region IV 3A tennis tournament next week in Corpus Christi.

The regional tennis tournament will be hosted by Flour Bluff High School on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The results does not really indicate the talent that we have in Zapata,” Chapa said. “Overall I am happy to be representing Zapata at the regional tournament, but I wish more of teammates would have joined me.”

Waiting in the wings will be the

boy’s double team of Angel Ortiz and Estevan Garcia will go as alternates in case one of the other two doubles teams from the district drops out of the tournament.

Chapa will derive from last year’s regional experience to help him get through one of the most challenging tournaments in South Texas.

“I’m excited to be going back to the regionals. The competition will be really tough but I’m going out there and do my best,” Chapa said.

Last year with the help of his mixed doubles partner Monique Garcia, Chapa earned his first trip to regionals.

“I was scared last year. I am now

more experienced and will not be intimidated to go out there and play hard,” Chapa said.

Seeding for the tournament will be drawn Monday at 6 p.m. through a lengthy process that has coaches vying for the best seed in the tournament.

“These (seeding) have turned out lately to be long drawn-out affairs, as the coaches from up north believe their tennis is better than in South Texas,” Zapata coach Robert Alvarez said. “It is funny because a player from La Feria won the region in 2006 and 2007 (Edward Martinez) and a kid from Falfurrias

See TENNIS | PAGE 2B

NBA

Battier, Artest prep for Blazers

In this Nov. 6, 2008 photo, Portland Trail Blazers’ guard Brandon Roy shoots over Houston Rockets’ Ron Artest during overtime of their NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore.

By ANNE M. PETERSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

PORTLAND, Ore. — It will be up to Houston’s physical tandem of Ron Artest and Shane Battier to stop Brandon Roy, Portland’s top scorer and team leader heading into the upstart Trail Blazers’ first playoff appearance since the 2002-03 season.

Bring them on, Roy says.

“I think that just like they’re getting excited about shutting me down, I’m getting excited about not letting them to,” he said.

Roy, a two-time All-Star, has been steadily grabbing the league’s attention since his debut in 2006-07, when he was named Rookie of the Year.

He is averaging 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game this season. He’s had 55 games with 20 or more points, and 12 with 30 or more.

The 24-year-old’s steadiness, however, may be his greatest contribution to the Blazers. If he’s

See NBA | PAGE 2B

Photo by Greg Wahl-Stephens/file | AP

PAGE 2B

Zscores

NBA Playoff Glance All Times EDT FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7) EASTERN CONFERENCE Cleveland vs. Detroit Saturday, April 18: Detroit at Cleveland, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21: Detroit at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

Friday, April 24: Cleveland at Detroit, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 26: Cleveland at Detroit, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29: Detroit at Cleveland, TBA, if necessary Friday, May 1: Cleveland at Detroit, TBA, if necessary Sunday, May 3: Detroit at Cleveland, TBA, if necessary Boston vs. Chicago Saturday, April 18: Chicago at Boston, 12:30 p.m.

Monday, April 20: Chicago at Boston, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 23: Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 26: Boston at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Chicago at Boston, TBA, if necessary Thursday, April 30: Boston at Chicago, TBA, if necessary Saturday, May 2: Chicago at Boston, TBA, if necessary Orlando vs. Philadelphia Sunday, April 19: Philadelphia at Orlando, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 22: Philadelphia at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 24: Orlando at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 26: Orlando at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Philadelphia at Orlando, TBA, if necessary Thursday, April 30: Orlando at Philadelphia, TBA, if necessary Saturday, May 2: Philadelphia at Orlando, TBA, if necessary Atlanta vs. Miami Sunday, April 19: Miami at Atlanta, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 22: Miami at Atlanta, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 25: Atlanta at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 27: Atlanta at Miami, TBA Wednesday, April 29: Miami at Atlanta, TBA, if necessary Friday, May 1: Atlanta at Miami, TBA, if necessary Sunday, May 3: Miami at Atlanta, TBA, if necessary WESTERN CONFERENCE L.A. Lakers vs. Utah Sunday, April 19: Utah at L.A. Lakers, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21: Utah at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 23: L.A. Lakers at Utah, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 25: L.A. Lakers at Utah, 9 p.m.

Monday, April 27: Utah at L.A. Lakers, TBA, if necessary Thursday, April 30: L.A. Lakers at Utah, TBA, if necessary Saturday, May 2: Utah at L.A. Lakers, TBA, if necessary Denver vs. New Orleans Sunday, April 19: New Orleans at Denver, 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 22: New Orleans at Denver, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 25: Denver at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Monday, April 27: Denver at New Orleans, TBA Wednesday, April 29: New Orleans at Denver, TBA, if necessary Friday, May 1: Denver at New Orleans, TBA, if necessary Sunday, May 3: New Orleans at Denver, TBA, if necessary San Antonio vs. Dallas Saturday, April 18: Dallas at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Monday, April 20: Dallas at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 23: San Antonio at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 25: San Antonio at Dallas, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Dallas at San Antonio, TBA, if necessary Friday, May 1: San Antonio at Dallas, TBA, if necessary Sunday, May 3: Dallas at San Antonio, TBA, if necessary Portland vs. Houston Saturday, April 18: Houston at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21: Houston at Portland, 10 p.m.

Friday, April 24: Portland at Houston, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 26: Portland at Houston, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Houston at Portland, TBA, if necessary Thursday, April 30: Portland at Houston, TBA, if necessary Saturday, May 2: Houston at Portland, TBA, if necessary QUARTERFINALS (Best-of-7) CONFERENCE FINALS (Best-of-7) TBD NBA FINALS (Best-of-7) TBD

American League All Times EDT East Division W L Pct GB Toronto Baltimore New York Tampa Bay Boston

8 6 6 4 3

3 3 5 6 6

.727 — .667 1 .545 2 .400 3½ .333 4

Central Division W L Pct GB Chicago Detroit Kansas City Minnesota Cleveland

5 5 5 4 3

4 4 4 7 8

.556 .556 .556 .364 .273

— — — 2 3

West Division W L Pct GB

Seattle Los Angeles Oakland Texas

7 4 4 4

3 5 5 5

.700 — .444 2½ .444 2½ .444 2½

Thursday’s Games Cleveland 10, N.Y. Yankees 2 Chicago White Sox 3, Tampa Bay 2 Toronto 9, Minnesota 2 L.A. Angels 5, Seattle 1 Friday’s Games N.Y. Yankees 6, Cleveland 5 Oakland at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.

Baltimore at Boston, 7:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay, 7:38 p.m.

Kansas City at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.

Detroit at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Oakland (Cahill 0-1) at Toronto (Tallet 0-0), 1:07 p.m.

Cleveland (Carmona 0-2) at N.Y. Yankees (Wang 0-2), 3:40 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 1-0) at Tampa Bay (Kazmir 2-0), 7:08 p.m.

L.A. Angels (Oliver 0-0) at Minnesota (Slowey 1-0), 7:10 p.m.

Baltimore (Eaton 0-1) at Boston (Beckett 1-1), 7:10 p.m.

Kansas City (Greinke 2-0) at Texas (Millwood 1-0), 8:05 p.m.

Detroit (E.Jackson 0-0) at Seattle (Bedard 1-0), 9:10 p.m.

Sunday’s Games Cleveland at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Oakland at Toronto, 1:07 p.m.

Baltimore at Boston, 1:35 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay, 1:38 p.m.

L.A. Angels at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m.

Kansas City at Texas, 3:05 p.m.

Detroit at Seattle, 4:10 p.m.

East Division W L Pct GB 8 5 4 4 1

1 4 4 5 7

.889 — .556 3 .500 3½ .444 4 .125 6½

Central Division W L Pct GB St. Louis Chicago Cincinnati Pittsburgh Houston Milwaukee

8 5 4 4 3 3

3 4 4 5 6 6

.727 — .556 2 .500 2½ .444 3 .333 4 .333 4

West Division W L Pct GB Los Angeles San Diego Colorado Arizona San Francisco

7 7 4 3 2

Cubs (Zambrano 1-0), 2:20 p.m.

Florida (Nolasco 1-1) at Washington (Lannan 0-2), 7:05 p.m.

Atlanta (Jurrjens 2-0) at Pittsburgh (Maholm 1-0), 7:05 p.m.

San Diego (C.Young 2-0) at Philadelphia (Hamels 0-1), 7:05 p.m.

Milwaukee (Bush 0-0) at N.Y. Mets (L.Hernandez 1-0), 7:10 p.m.

Cincinnati (Cueto 0-1) at Houston (Oswalt 0-2), 8:05 p.m.

Colorado (De La Rosa 0-1) at L.A. Dodgers (Wolf 1-1), 10:10 p.m.

Arizona (Haren 0-2) at San Francisco (J.Sanchez 0-1), 10:15 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Atlanta (J.Reyes 0-0) at Pittsburgh (Snell 0-2), 12:35 p.m.

Florida (Jo.Johnson 2-0) at Washington (Olsen 0-2), 1:05 p.m.

Milwaukee (Gallardo 1-1) at N.Y. Mets (Santana 1-1), 1:10 p.m.

St. Louis (Lohse 2-0) at Chicago Cubs (Dempster 1-0), 3:40 p.m.

Colorado (Cook 0-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Billingsley 2-0), 3:40 p.m.

Arizona (D.Davis 0-2) at San Francisco (Lincecum 0-1), 4:05 p.m.

Cincinnati (Harang 1-1) at Houston (W.Rodriguez 0-1), 7:05 p.m.

San Diego (S.Hill 1-0) at Philadelphia (Myers 1-1), 7:05 p.m.

Sunday’s Games Milwaukee at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m.

San Diego at Philadelphia, 1:35 p.m.

Atlanta at Pittsburgh, 1:35 p.m.

Florida at Washington, 1:35 p.m.

Cincinnati at Houston, 2:05 p.m.

Arizona at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.

Colorado at L.A. Dodgers, 4:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

NFL

National League

Florida Atlanta Philadelphia New York Washington

SATURDAY,APRIL 18,2009

3 3 4 6 7

.700 — .700 — .500 2 .333 3½ .222 4½

Thursday’s Games Florida 6, Atlanta 2 Houston 6, Pittsburgh 3 St. Louis 7, Chicago Cubs 4 Washington 8, Philadelphia 2 San Diego 6, N.Y. Mets 5 L.A. Dodgers 7, San Francisco 2 Friday’s Games St. Louis (Walters 0-0) at Chicago

Free Agent Signings ARIZONA CARDINALS—Signed Anthony Becht, TE; Mike Leach, LS; Rodney Leisle, DT; Keith Lewis, S; Bryant McFadden, CB; and Donovan Raiola, C. Re-signed Ben Graham, P; Clark Haggans, LB; Brian St. Pierre, QB; Kurt Warner, QB; and Dan Kreider, FB. Agreed to terms with Bertrand Berry, DE; Elton Brown, OL; Ralph Brown, CB; and Jason Wright, RB. ATLANTA FALCONS—Signed Mike Peterson, LB; and C Brett Romberg. Re-signed Chauncey Davis, DE; Jamal Fudge, S; Tony Gilbert, LB; Jason Jefferson, DT; Justin Peele, TE; Ben Wilkerson, OL; and Coy Wire, LB. BALTIMORE RAVENS—Signed Chris Carr, CB/KR; Domonique Foxworth, CB; and L.J. Smith, TE. Agreed to terms with Matt Birk, C; and Ray Lewis, LB. Re-signed Samari Rolle, CB. BUFFALO BILLS—Signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB; Drayton Florence, CB; Geoff Hangartner, OL; and Terrell Owens, WR. Resigned Kirk Chambers, OL; and Corey McIntyre, FB. Agreed to terms with Pat Thomas, LB. CAROLINA PANTHERS—Re-signed Jordan Gross, OT. CHICAGO BEARS—Signed Josh Bullocks, S; Glenn Earl, S; Marcus Hamilton, DB; and Frank Omiyale, OL. Agreed to terms with Kevin Jones, RB; Kevin Shaffer, OT; and Orlando Pace, OT. CINCINNATI BENGALS—Signed Laver-

anues Coles, WR; and J.T. O’Sullivan, QB. Re-signed Cedric Benson, RB; Darryl Blackstock, LB; Chris Crocker, S; DeDe Dorsey, WR; and Jamar Fletcher, CB. Agreed to terms with Tank Johnson, DT. CLEVELAND BROWNS—Signed Eric Barton, LB; David Bowens, LB; Noah Herron, RB; Corey Ivy, CB; C.J. Mosley, DT; David Patten, WR; Hank Poteat, CB; Robert Royal, TE; John St. Clair, OL; and Floyd Womack, T. Re-signed Mike Adams, S. DALLAS COWBOYS—Signed Keith Brooking, LB; Igor Olshansky, DE; Gerald Sensabaugh, S; and Matt Stewart, LB. Resigned Cory Procter, G; and Stephen Bowen, DE. DENVER BRONCOS—Signed J.J. Arrington, RB; Correll Buckhalter, RB; Andra Davis, LB; Brian Dawkins, S; Ronald Fields, DT; Jabar Gaffney, WR; Andre’ Goodman, CB; Renaldo Hill, S; LaMont Jordan, RB; J’Vonne Parker, DT; Lonie Paxton, FS; Kenny Peterson, DL; Darrell Reid, DT; and Scott Young, OL. Re-signed Jeb Putzier, TE. Agreed to terms with Chris Simms, QB. DETROIT LIONS—Signed Phillip Buchanon, CB; Grady Jackson, DT; Bryant Johnson, WR; Eric King, CB; Maurice Morris, RB; Will Heller, TE; and Cody Spencer, LB. Agreed to terms with Daniel Loper, OL. Re-signed Aveion Cason, RB; Damion Cook, OL; Jason Hanson, K; and Stephen Peterman, G. GREEN BAY PACKERS—Signed Duke Preston, OL; and Anthony Smith, S. Agreed to terms with Mike Montgomery, DE. Resigned Tory Humphrey, TE. HOUSTON TEXANS—Signed LB Buster Davis; LB Cato June; Shaun Cody, DT; Darrell McClover, LB; Dan Orlovsky, QB; and Antonio Smith, DE. Re-signed Joel Dreessen, TE; Nick Ferguson, S; Chris White, C; Eugene Wilson, S; and Rashad Butler, T. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS—Signed Adam Seward, LB. Re-signed Lance Ball, RB; Buster Davis, LB; Dan Federkeil, OL; Kelvin Hayden, CB; and Jeff Saturday, C. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS—Signed Sean Considine, S; and Tra Thomas, T. Re-signed Brad Meester, C; Scott Starks, CB; and Joe Zelenka, LS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS— Signed Zach Thomas, LB; Monte Beisel, LB; Bobby Engram, WR; Mike Goff, G; Terrance Copper, WR; LS Tanner Purdum; and Rodney Wright, WR. Agreed to terms with Travis Daniels, CB; C.J. Jones, WR; Corey Mays, LB; Jon McGraw, S; and Darrell Robertson, LB. MIAMI DOLPHINS—Signed Joe Berger, G; Eric Green, CB; and Jake Grove, C. Resigned Yeremiah Bell, S; Vernon Carey, OT; and Channing Crowder, LB. MINNESOTA VIKINGS—Re-signed Heath Farwell, LB; Jimmy Kennedy, DT; Jim Kleinsasser, TE; Benny Sapp, CB-OTis Grigsby, DL; and Fred Evans, DT. Signed Cedric Griffin, CB; Glenn Holt, WR; and Karl Paymah, CB. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Signed Chris Baker, TE; Leigh Bodden, CB; Joey Galloway, WR; Nathan Hodel, LS; Al Johnson, C; Shawn Springs, CB; and Fred Taylor, RB. Re-signed Matt Cassel, QB (f), and traded him to Kansas City; re-signed Eric Alexander, LB; Wesley Britt, OL; Chris Hanson, P; Russ Hochstein, OL; James Sanders, S; Ray Ventrone, S; Mike Wright, DL; and Tank Williams, S. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—Signed Darnell Dinkins, TE; Heath Evans, FB; Jabari Greer, CB; Nick Leckey, C; Pierson Prioleau, S; Paul Spicer, DL; Rod Coleman, DT; Darren Sharper, S; and Dan Campbell, TE. Resigned Joey Harrington, QB; Devery Henderson, WR; Courtney Roby, WR-KR; Jon Stinchcomb, T; Jonathan Vilma, LB; and Troy Evans, LB.

NEW YORK GIANTS—Signed Rocky Bernard, DT; Michael Boley, LB; C.C. Brown, S; Chris Canty, DE; and Lee Vickers, TE. Re-signed David Carr, QB; and Brandon Jacobs, RB (f). Agreed to terms with Kevin Dockery, CB. NEW YORK JETS—Signed Marques Douglas, DE; Howard Green, DT; Larry Izzo, LB; Jim Leonhard, S; Bart Scott, LB; and Donald Strickland, CB. Re-signed Ahmad Carroll, DB; Jay Feely, K; Brandon Moore, G; and Tony Richardson, FB. OAKLAND RAIDERS—Signed Jeff Garcia, QB; Khalif Barnes, T. Re-signed Nnamdi Asomugha, DB; Cooper Carlisle, G; Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB; Shane Lechler, P; and Justin Miller, CB. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Signed Stacy Andrews, OT; Rashad Baker, S; and Sean Jones, S. Re-signed Tank Daniels, LB; Joselio Hanson, CB; and Nick Cole, OL. Agreed to terms with Leonard Weaver, FB. PITTSBURGH STEELERS—Re-signed Keyaron Fox, LB; Willie Colon, T; Chris Kemoeatu, G; Max Starks, T (f); Andre Frazier, LB; Trai Essex, T; Fernando Bryant, CB; and Arnold Harrison, LB. ST. LOUIS RAMS—Signed Kyle Boller, QB; Jason Brown, OL; James Butler, S; and FB Mike Karney. Re-signed Ron Bartell, CB; and Mark Setterstrom, G. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS—Agreed to terms with Kevin Burnett, LB. Re-signed Kynan Forney, G. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS—Signed Demetric Evans, DE; Damon Huard, QB; and Brandon Jones, WR; and ; Marvel Smith, T. Re-signed Moran Norris, FB; Allen Rossum, CB-KR; and Takeo Spikes, LB. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—Signed Colin Cole, DT; T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR; and John Owens, TE. Re-signed Ray Willis, OL. Agreed to terms with D.D. Lewis, LB. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS—Signed Byron Leftwich, QB; Angelo Crowell, LB; Mike Nugent, K; and Derrick Ward, RB. Resigned Michael Clayton, WR; Cortez Hankton, WR; Luke McCown, QB; Jermaine Phillips, S; and Jerramy Stevens, TE. TENNESSEE TITANS—Signed Jovan Haye, DT; Mark Jones, WR/KR; Patrick Ramsey, QB; and Nate Washington, WR. Resigned Rob Bironas, K; Kerry Collins, QB; Vincent Fuller, DB; Justin McCareins, WR. Agreed to terms with Craig Hentrich, P. WASHINGTON REDSKINS—Signed Derrick Dockery, G; Dominique Dorsey, KR; Albert Haynesworth, DT; Dirk Johnson, P; Dave Rayner, K; and Renaldo Wynn, DE. Re-signed Ethan Albright, LS; Phillip Daniels, DE; Reed Doughty, S; Alfred Fincher, LB; DeAngelo Hall, CB; and Shaun Suisham, K. f-franchise player

Transactions BASEBALL Major League Baseball MLB—Suspended Kansas City minor league players, Joseph Billick (Wilmington) and Juan Riveray (Burlington), 50 games apiece for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

American League MINNESOTA TWINS—Claimed RHP Juan Morillo off waivers from Colorado. Designated RHP Philip Humber for assignment.

NEW YORK YANKEES—Recalled 1B Juan Miranda from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL). Optioned RHP David Robertson to Scran-

ton/Wilkes-Barre.

National League PITTSBURGH PIRATES—Optioned INF Luis Cruz to Indianapolis (IL). Added OF Delwyn Young to the 25-man roster. Acquired RHP Michael Dubee from the Chicago White Sox for INF Andy Phillips.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS—Called up RHP P.J. Walters from Memphis (PCL). Optioned RHP Josh Kinney to Memphis.

Eastern League TRENTON THUNDER—Assigned C Jose Gil to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL).

American Association ST. PAUL SAINTS—Sold the contracts of LHP Aaron Jenkins to Grand Prairie.

SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS— Signed C Daniel Jordan.

Atlantic League CAMDEN RIVERSHARKS— Agreed to terms with RHP Felix Rodriguez.

Can-Am League BROCKTON ROX—Signed RHP Matt Zachary.

NEW JERSEY JACKALS—Signed RHP Seth Overbey.

SUSSEX SKYHAWKS—Acquired INF Juan C. Diaz from Joliet (Northern) for a player to be named.

Golden Baseball League FOOTBALL National Football League Canadian Football League WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS— Signed WR Justin Surrency and RB Yvenson Bernard.

HOCKEY National Hockey League CAROLINA HURRICANES—Recalled F Drayson Bowman from Albany (AHL).

NEW YORK RANGERS—Agreed to tems with D Matt Gilroy.

SOCCER Major League Soccer NEW YORK RED BULLS—Signed D Alfredo Pacheco. Waived G Alec Dufty.

Women’s Professional Soccer COLLEGE ARIZONA—Named Archie Miller men’s assistant basketball coach.

ARKANSAS—Announced junior F Michael Washington will enter the NBA draft but has not hired an agent.

MACALESTER—Named Tim Whittle men’s basketball coach.

MIDWESTERN STATE—Named Grant McCasland men’s basketball coach.

NEVADA—Dismissed freshman F Ahyaro Phillips from the men’s basketball team for violating team rules.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE—Dismissed QB Troy Jackson and suspended WR Shamen Washington, QB Jose Mohler and DE Garrett Johnson indefinitely from the football team for violating team rules.

TENNIS | Continued from Page 1B (Jarred Salas) won it last year 2008.”

Chapa will start his quest for a regional title Tuesday morning and continue to battle Wednesday.

“I fully expect Gerry to play the best tennis of his life,” Alvarez said. “We have been

working hard to shore up weak areas of his game and polishing up his strengths.”

Alvarez expects the competition at the regional tournament to be aggressive at the net.

“Since players at regionals tend to be more

aggressive and come to the net more often we have really worked on passing shots and offensive lobs,” Alvarez said.

Chapa knows this will be his last shot in his high school tennis career and wants to leave long-lasting memories of his career.

“I am a senior so I don’t get another shot at this,” Chapa said.

He points to his love for the game as the key to his success.

“If you like what you do every day then the results don’t matter,” he said.

NBA | Continued from Page 1B not hitting his shots, he’s able to get the ball to a teammate who is. If Portland falls behind, he redefines the team’s focus.

“He has a great understanding of the game for a young guy, and a great feel for the game,” Battier said. “When you add his athleticism and his ball control, that’s a tough guy to stop. It’s going to be a long series for Ron and me.”

The series gets under way today when the Blazers host the Rockets at the Rose Garden.

Portland surpassed expectations and earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage in the first round.

The Blazers, the youngest team in the playoffs, went 54-28 this season and claimed a share of the Northwest Division title with the Denver Nuggets.

The Rockets, the West’s fifth seed, finished 53-29, second to the San Antonio Spurs in the

Southwest Division.

But while Portland is the higher seed, their youth and inexperience have put them in an underdog role for the playoffs.

Like many teams, the Blazers have historically had trouble with Houston center Yao Ming, but centers Joel Przybilla and rookie Greg Oden could slow him if they don’t get into foul trouble.

Oden, however, did not practice Friday because of a sinus infection. He is considered a game-time decision for the playoff opener.

Roy faces perhaps the toughest challenge in Battier and Artest, who are both taller and bigger than him. Artest outweighs Roy by 50 pounds. Both are considered among the best wing defenders in the league.

“He’s a good player. The coach designs plays around him and he makes Portland what they are,” Artest said about Roy. “I don’t

really have a game plan. I just guard people the same way, for years. I just try to play aggressive and I actually let the coach dictate how we want to guard him.”

The Blazers know exactly what the game plan will be — Battier and Roy will come out bashing.

“They’re big and they’re physical,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “We’re a little smaller and we have more speed. So we’ve got to use our speed to match their physical play. We’ve got to beat them to spots, beat them to the ball.”

In the first meeting this season between the two teams, Roy hit a 31-foot 3-pointer in overtime to give the Blazers a 101-99 victory as the Rose Garden. But that was a very different Rockets team, with Rafter Alston and Tracy McGrady in the starting lineup.

McGrady underwent season-ending microfracture surgery on his left knee in February, while Alston was traded to the Magic in a three-team deal at the deadline.

In the series’ two games in Houston, Roy was held to 24-of-61 shooting from the field.

The Rockets won the first 98-94, led by Artest with 21 points. They won the second 102-88, a night when Roy was 8-for-20 from the floor.

That was on April 4, and it was the last time the Blazers lost. Portland won six straight to close the regular season.

The Rockets lost their final regular-season game 95-84 to Dallas, dropping them from a shot at a second-place finish in the West to fifth.

While Portland hasn’t been to the playoffs in six seasons, the Rockets haven’t advanced in the playoffs since 1997, having lost six straight first-round series.

NASCAR | Continued from Page 1B keeps Johnson humble. He’s won a recordtying three consecutive Cup championships, in part because his team has consistently adapted to the newest technology.

But being so open-minded did not come

easily. It took returning to a race track content with his past success — then watching other cars pass him by — for Johnson to figure it out he must constantly push the envelope.

“We’ve showed up at tracks where we’ve had great success at and didn’t react soon enough (when) the competition caught us, ‘All right, we won here the last three or four times. We’re good. We don’t need to worry

about it. The track will come to us,”’ Johnson explained. “We start the race, we’re going to the back, and guys are going by us.

So we really try not to get caught up in that.”

NFL | Continued from Page 1B Prospects can survive a slow 40 time and still be drafted if that’s their only apparent flaw.

Brandt said Jerry Rice ran around a 4.65, which was obviously not a much of an indication of what kind of receiver he would be in the NFL. Although scouts emphasize there is so much more to evaluations than just the 40, some players feel the 4-plus seconds can decide their future. Many at the annual scouting combine decline to work out there, preferring to run their own on-campus showcase. A bad showing on an unfamiliar surface can cost even the top prospects who were already considered good enough to make the combine.

McCain was among the other players

whose future depended on “pro day,” when scouts make a scheduled stop on campus during the never-ending search for potential draftees. McCain impressed, largely with his two times in the 40, and has been getting calls from teams who weren’t so interested before.

“With my 40 time, I’ve just gotten more looks,” McCain said.

Sometimes that’s all it takes.

“A guy runs a fast 40, that’s going to open eyes,” said Zach Miller, another player who may have run himself into the late rounds of the draft last month when scouts stopped by to see him at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

A lifelong quarterback who ran the option in college, Miller is trying extend his football

career as a tight end and is about as raw as a prospect can be. His 40 time of 4.51 seconds was impressive enough that somebody may take a chance on him with a late pick.

“It doesn’t gauge how good of a football player you are, but getting into that process I think it plays a very important role,” Miller said. “That’s kind of the big thing — how fast did you run your 40? It shows your speed, your explosiveness.”

Miller’s fast 40 will be meaningless if he can’t catch or block, skills he’s been trying to learn over the last few months.

He and McCain both enrolled at TEST Sports Football Academy in New Jersey, where they spent weeks trying to perfect their technique before the workouts that

would decide their draft future.

It’s become a popular business. Players who think they can cut their 40 time and prepare for the other predraft drills will hire a professional trainer. Hey, slight improvement could be the difference between getting drafted and an invitation to training camp as an undrafted free agent.

TEST founder Brian Martin said McCain was able to knock off almost one-tenth of a second from his 40 time with a few adjustments in his stride. Miller was already fast enough to run the option, but also found a few ways to get his time down to the 4.5 range.

“They’re kind of under the radar,” Martin said. “Hopefully with the great results they get on the radar.”

SPURS | Continued from Page 1B Division champions.

Duncan said how far they go will come down to what it always does for San Antonio: defense.

“We’re not as solid as years past,” Duncan said. “We’re going to have to really concentrate on that going through these playoffs. We want games in the low 80s and 90.

Those are the kind of games we like to play and like to win.”

The Spurs grabbed the third seed in the West thanks to Houston losing to Dallas on Wednesday night,

moments before Finley forced overtime against New Orleans with a 3pointer at the buzzer. Duncan said he didn’t find out about the Mavs’ win until his wife told him in the final seconds of overtime.

Based on the way he was playing, the two-time MVP clearly had other things on his mind. Duncan was brilliant in overtime against the Hornets, scoring at will and playing at perhaps his most dominant since his knees flared up around All-Star break.

“Don’t get too excited,” Parker joked after the game.

It was likely a refreshing sight for the Spurs, who as recently as last week pulled Duncan from an important game against Portland in the fourth quarter when he awkwardly lumbered toward a loose ball. After that game, Popovich said he didn’t want a “hero” but a healthy big man.

The Spurs have treated Duncan as fragile since diagnosing him with right quad tendonosis in late

February. Duncan has played on “half a leg” at times his own admission, and coupled with the absence of Ginobili, the weight has fallen heavily on Parker.

But the 26-year-old has responded with his best season yet. He’s posted career highs in scoring (22.0) and assists (6.9), and was showered with “M-V-P! M-V-P!” chants by the home crowd in the finale Wednesday.

“Night in and night out, with all the injuries we’ve had and the guys

playing well and not playing well, he’s been playing consistent all year long,” Duncan said. “He’s been great.”

The Spurs haven’t lost a firstround playoff series since 2000, the year after winning their first NBA championship. They split the season series with Dallas at two games apiece, and enter the playoffs having won four straight.

“To ride this momentum going into the playoffs, and start at home, is good,” Finley said.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

Sports

ADVICE | HELOISE Dear Readers: Have you decided to TAKE YOUR PET with you when you go on your vacation this year? Well, the good news is that there are many hotels that allow pets, so check where you will be staying. Also, be sure to check with friends or relatives — don’t assume that it will be OK to bring your pet.

Take pets on short trips to get them used to the car slowly, especially if you are going on a long trip.

It’s usually best to crate pets.

Dog harnesses (that can be attached to seat belts) can be bought at pet stores. Cats are best crated so they don’t jump out of the vehicle or get injured.

Put two collars with identification on your pet when traveling, just in case one falls off. And please include an area code and phone number of someone who can be reached as well as your cell phone number. A reader said she included the name and phone number where they were staying just in case of a lost pet.

Hopefully, these hints are helpful and all will be well! — Heloise A FURRY LAPTOP Dear Heloise: My granddaughters gave me a black puppy who is a Lhasa apso and poodle mix. My husband was very much against it, as we have been married 59 years and never had a pet.

He works part time, and he went to the shop telling everyone we had a new puppy. He was asked what kind it was. Well, he could not remember, so he told them the first thing that popped into his mind, which was, “He’s half poo-

“

HELOISE

dle and half laptop!” Everyone died laughing. We decided his name had to be Lap Top after that.

He lives up to his name, because as soon as I sit down in my recliner, he jumps up in my lap. I must tell you that Lap Top has stolen my husband’s heart — he takes Lap Top with him everywhere he goes. — Maridell Johanson, La Vernia, Texas PET PAL Dear Readers: Joyce DeShazo of Elkhart, Texas, sent a photo of her granddog Sierra, a 6-month-old chocolate Lab puppy, watching a baseball game on TV. Joyce says: “She enjoys cartoons, but will settle for baseball, especially if it is her home team, the Phillies! She is from Glenmoore, Pa., and lives with my daughter and son-in-law, and she is a little bundle of joy!”

To see Sierra enjoying the baseball game, visit www.Heloise.com.

— Heloise POTPOURRI CAUTION Dear Readers: Many of us use potpourri to scent our homes. Liquid potpourri used in simmering pots is often made with ingredients that could be toxic to pets. If they walk through and lick or put their paws in the liquid, they could get very sick! If your pet has ingested potpourri, take it to the veterinarian immediately! The best prevention is to keep these liquid potpourris out of the reach of all pets and children! — Heloise

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4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

Sports

Gay’s birdie streak lifts him to Heritage lead

By PETE IACOBELLI ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Jeffrey M. Boan | AP

Brazilian race car driver Helio Castroneves gets emotional as his sister Katiucia consoles him during a press conference at the Federal Court House in Miami, on Friday. Castroneves, his sister and attorney Allan Miller were found not guilty for conspiring to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income tax.

Castroneves to race at Toyota Grand Prix

By MIKE HARRIS ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Helio Castroneves will be back on track less than 24 hours after the Brazilian driver was acquitted of tax evasion charges.

Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said on Friday the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner will return to his No. 3 IndyCar in time for practice and qualifying Saturday for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Cindric said team owner Roger Penske has dispatched a private plane from his headquarters in Detroit to pick up Castroneves in Miami, where the trial was held.

Castroneves, who was the series runner-up last year, was expected to arrive in Long Beach on Friday night.

After six days of deliberation and a six-week trial, a jury acquitted the 33-yearold Castroneves, his sister and business manager Katiucia, and an attorney on tax evasion charges. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on conspiracy charges against Castroneves and his sister.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said it will review its options on the hung conspiracy charge.

And Castroneves will go back to racing.

Will Power has been Castroneves’ temporary replacement. He will drive a third Penske entry in Sunday’s race and will race for the team next month in the Indy 500. Cindric would not elaborate on Power’s future beyond Indianapolis.

“I’m very happy for Helio

and his family,” Power said.

“I’ve been aware that this could happen at any time. I just wanted to take it day by day and do the best job for the team. I was ready for it, so it was no big shock to me.”

Castroneves’ team and Indy Racing League officials were overjoyed to learn one of the series’ most popular drivers, and the winner of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2007, would be returning.

“On behalf of Roger and the entire organization, we’re ecstatic with the outcome (of the trial),” Cindric said during a news conference. “It’s been a very difficult time for all of us, obviously in particular he and his family. We’re very, very happy to know that he can go on with his life, business as usual.”

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Brian Gay’s run of five straight birdies lifted him past a revived Todd Hamilton after two rounds of the Verizon Heritage on Friday.

Gay made six birdies on the front nine, including five in a row from the fourth through ninth holes to help him to a 66 and, at 9-under par, a one-stroke lead over former British Open champion Hamilton.

First-round leader Alex Cejka followed his 64 with an even-par 71 and was tied at 7under with two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen.

Janzen’s round of 70 featured an ace on the 17th hole.

Gay has steadily improved over his 11 full PGA Tour seasons. His best came last year with his first career victory at the Mayakoba Golf Classic and a personal high of more than $2.2 million in earnings.

“That front nine was awesome,” Gay said.

Gay’s streak began when he rolled in an 18-footer for birdie on the par-3 4th hole, then picked up steam with a 25-foot putt a hole later. His approach from a fairway bunker landed inside 5 feet for a third straight birdie.

After a birdie putt inside 10 feet on the seventh, Gay closed the stretch with another sizeable putt of 20 feet to get reach 10 under.

Gay had a chance from 15 feet away on the ninth hole to keep things going, but settled for par.

He was well shy of the PGA Tour mark of eight straight birdies, accomplished many times. Last year, champion Boo Weekley and Jay Williamson each had streaks of five consecutive birdies at Harbour Town.

Gay made his only bogey on the 10th hole, then parred in to hold on to the lead.

He’s had his struggles

Photo by Mary Ann Chastain | AP

Brian Gay looks over his putt on the ninth green during the second round of the Verizon Heritage golf tournament, on Friday, at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. here, missing the cut six times in his nine previous trips. And Gay felt as challenged Friday with the swirling winds, despite his charge.

“Heck, I was as surprised as anybody” about his birdie run, he said.

Gay led a strong, if not stellar field, as many of the world’s best players took the week off to recuperate after the Masters.

Green jacket winner Angel Cabrera took a break as

did Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. In all, just six of the top 20 ranked golfers teed it up here.

Hamilton, who tied for 15th at Augusta, may have found his major championship at the right time.

His five-year PGA Tour exemption from that 2004 win ends after this season. And Hamilton had done little in the year’s first three months — seven missed cuts in nine events — to guarantee him a spot beyond December.

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