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RIO GRANDE
CRIME
River bacteria Zapata native says water quality needs study By JJ VELASQUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County faces water quality issues. The Rio Grande in the county hasn’t been found to have exorbitant bacteria levels like it has near International Bridge No. 2 in Laredo. The problem is
that water quality is under-studied, said Maricia Perez Rodriguez, a native Zapatan who does consulting work for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — which regulates water quality, among other things, in the state. Perez Rodriguez said
there are two samplings sites on the river in the county. One test site samples twice a year; the other tests bacteria levels once a year. “We need to keep a better eye on it,” she said. “Somebody’s got to be monitoring it.” She said more testing
would require funding, which can be obtained through grants from the TCEQ. In San Ygnacio, melon and onion farmers draw their water directly from the river, Perez Rodriguez said.
See RIVER PAGE 9A
REMEMBERING VETERANS
Courtesy photo
Authorities say this artifact was made of PVC pipe, duct tape, wires and batteries, but lacked an explosive element.
Deputies say man called in bomb threats ELY ALANIZ JR.: Facing charges related to alleged bomb threats.
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man accused of calling in three different bomb threats around the county was arrested May 17. Zapata County sheriff ’s officials identified the alleged offender as 29-yearold Ely Alaniz Jr. Investigators served him with warrants charging him with two counts of false alarm and one count of hoax bomb, both Class A misdemeanors; one count of false alarm, a state jail
felony; and three counts of terroristic threat by interrupting a public service, a third-degree felony. Alaniz is out on bond from Zapata Regional Jail. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said investigators were busy for the last two weeks pinpointing the suspect who called in bomb threats around town. Deputies say
See THREATS PAGE 9A
CRIME
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This pickup truck, deputies say, had parts stolen from it for resale.
Four facing theft charges By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Gold Star Mother Francisca Martinez sits next to a framed image of her son Guadalupe Martinez, killed in action during the Vietnam War, during a Memorial Day ceremony held Friday at Memorial Middle School in Laredo. Area residents as well as Americans everywhere will honor military veterans on Memorial Day, on Monday.
Four men were arrested this week in connection with a string of thefts of motor vehicle parts and accessories within Zapata County. Ruben Campos, 18, and Aristo A. Villarreal, 18, were charged with theft, a state jail felony which carries a punishment of 180 days to two years in jail and $10,000 fines. Both men were at Zapata County Regional Jail as of Friday evening. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said
Courtesy photo
Shown are emblems allegedly taken in a series of thefts. investigators have had their eyes on thefts of vehicle emblems. According to Elizondo, the thefts had been ongoing for the past six
See ARRESTS PAGE 9A