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PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
CRIME
Food bank: Increase seen in applications By SALO OTERO
Romeo Salinas, Zapata County treasurer, is on the South Texas Food Bank board.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
More Zapata residents are seeking help from South Texas Food Bank pantries here, and the need is expected to grow through the summer months. “There has been a 15 percent increase in families seeking food assistance from the Zapata pantries,” said Elia Solis, agency coordinator for the South Texas Food Bank. “The demand is expected to further increase during the summer months when the children are out of school.” Solis is originally from San Ygnacio and graduated from Zapata High School.
Local pantries There are five food bank pantries in Zapata County. Helping Hands is the largest and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Norma Mendoza is in charge and the telephone number is (956) 765-9327. The other four pantries, their
Violent death
contact person and phone numbers are: Shepherd’s Pantry, Mary Pulido (956) 765-0123. Concilio El Buen Pastor, Gilberto Hernandez, (956) 765-1300. Boys and Girls Club, Viola Torres, (956) 765-3892. Iglesia Pentecostes Emmanuel, Enedina Morales, (956) 7500182. To get information about a specific pantry’s hours of operation, call the person in charge. Distribution in Zapata in May was 1,446 families, including 2,213 adults and 1,318 children. “ Esta peor que nunca (It is worse than ever),” Mendoza said. “People are coming in to sign up for the various programs. The economy is bad.” Helping Hands also has distribution sites in San Ygnacio, Lopeño, Falcon and Chihuahua (a
See FOOD PAGE 8A
PUBLIC SAFETY
Courtesy photo
This is the scene of the second homicide of 2010 in Zapata County. A ranch hand was found dead, shot several times. The orange cones mark where evidence was found, including spent shells. The body was found slumped in a chair outside, to the right of the building.
Landowner finds helper shot at ranch By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A landowner looking for his ranch hand to arrange for delivery of some items instead found the man dead in a chair outdoors at the ranch Friday morning.
He had been shot several times. The man, believed to be in his mid 20s, is from Mexico. His name was not released Friday, pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy was ordered and scheduled for Monday by the Webb County
Medical Examiner’s office, said Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. Deputies responded to a call at about 11:30 a.m. at Los Potreritos Ranch located on Los Potreritos Roads, 2.5 miles
See SHOT PAGE 9A
PUBLIC HEALTH
Lone Star seeks volunteers By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo/
Zapata County Sheriff’s deputies recently seized 3,580 rounds of ammunition, along with night vision gear and netting after a traffic stop Tuesday.
Each summer with the combined efforts of Texas military forces, a multitude of agencies and civilian personal, Operation Lone Star brings free medical care to the under- and uninsured of South Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services is now
Sen. Judith Zaffirini urges residents to assist Operation Lone Star Zapata County. looking for volunteers to facilitate Operation Lone Star Zapata County. “I certainly encourage everyone to assist in everyway possible. Operation Lone Star offers free critical services for those
that need it most, brining an impressive array of volunteers from across the state,” said State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, emphasizing Operation Lone Star’s underlying mission. Zaffirini, a strong proponent of the program, has been involved since its inception 12 years ago.
See HELP PAGE 9A
Traffic stop yields COMMUNITY AWARENESS ammo, more Educator takes new challenge By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A traffic stop violation led officials to a seizure of more than 3,500 rounds of high-caliber ammunition that could have entered Laredo then crossed into Mexico, officials said. Tuesday afternoon, Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office deputies spotted a 2006 four-door Cadillac heading north on U.S. 83 at a high rate of speed at 12:15 p.m.
Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. said the vehicle was coming from a subdivision in south Zapata, but the exact location was not released due to the ongoing investigation. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of U.S. 83 and Michigan Street. Upon approaching the occupants, the deputy noticed a wooden crate, Gonzalez said.
See BUST PAGE 9A
By JOE RUTLAND THE ZAPATA TIMES
Romeo Rodriguez appears to be a man who relishes a challenge. Whether in the classroom or out in public, this veteran educator has always seemed to welcome tough situations as opportunities to excel. It’s with that same spirit that he’s taken on his new role as executive director with the South
ROMEO RODRIGUEZ JR: STCADA’s new executive director knows Zapata. Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, which needs more funding and seeks increased cooperation with other agencies. While it has a $3.4 million budget, STCADA has numerous responsibilities and operates 12 programs. It’s working at a defi-
cit, Rodriguez said. “It’s harder and harder to get funding for organizations like ours,” the new executive director said. “The majority of our funding comes from the federal and state level. Some funding comes from foundations.” To help raise money from the community, STCADA is having a “Casino Night” on Friday, June
See CHALLENGE PAGE 9A