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ZAPATA COUNTY
COURTS
Careful budgeting
Locals facing federal charges
Commissioners’ expenditures keep county in the black By ERICA MATOS THE ZAPATA TIMES
At the June 13 Commissioner’s Court meeting, the commissioners displayed fiscal prudence when reaching a decision
on five agenda items, managing to stay within the budget outlined for 2011. Two items on the agenda pertained to proposed technological improvements to further transparency of meetings: the re-
placement of all the commissioners’ television monitors with HD monitors, and sourcing Pixl Studios for a backup digital recording hard drive system for meetings. The motions had been pro-
posed — and repeatedly tabled — since before County Judge Joe Rathmell began his term, but was acted upon at this meeting. Combined, the approval of
See COMMISSIONERS PAGE 7A
INTENSE CONCENTRATION
Eight indicted for firearms violations By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Federal authorities have indicted eight people, including a gun shop owner in San Ygnacio, in connection with federal firearms violations, according to court records released Fri-
INSIDE See related story inside on page 3A day. The alleged offenders were identified as Abel R. Arambula Jr., Adrian Bustos, Homero Garcia III, Hector Lozano III, Mario Magana, Raul Martinez, Manuel Rangel and Jose Angel Monsivais. Arambula is a licensed dealer from Abel’s Specialty Guns, a store located in San Ygnacio. Martinez and Arambula unlawfully conspired with each other and with other individuals to impede and obstruct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from
See FIREARMS PAGE 8A
IMMIGRATION
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
ICE to change focus of policies By KATE BRUMBACK
Makayla Reynolds plays a board game at the Zapata Boys and Girls Club on Thursday afternoon.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
highly vulnerable to the Mexican armed forces, even to Molotov cocktails,” reads a statement from SEDENA officials. An analysis made by the Mexican army showed that their “blindaje artesanal” (customized
ATLANTA — Federal immigration authorities said Friday they’re changing the way they enforce immigration policies in an effort to focus on the most serious criminals and to give government field attorneys more discretion. Many of the changes were prompted by concerns from local law enforcement agencies and communities, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton said Friday during a conference call with reporters.
See NARCOTANKS PAGE 7A
See ICE PAGE 8A
WAR ON DRUGS
Mexico says narcotanks are ‘trash’ By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Based on their Batmobile appearance, narcotanks might be intimidating. Don’t tell that to the Mexican army. Military officials recently re-
leased a statement highlighting several flaws in the customized vehicles and labeled them “basura deficiente” (deficient trash). On Wednesday, the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional or SEDENA, Mexico’s defense ministry, posted on its Facebook account a brief analysis of the supposedly
indestructible vehicles. “Indestructible only in appearance for its armory, turrets for shooters, and narrow openings for snipers, the labeled ‘monster vehicles’ seized from organized crime are artifacts that could be better used for movie sets instead of combat. (The narcotanks) are
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, JUNE 18 Veterans Helping Veterans will meet in the Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Road, from noon to 2:30 p.m. today. Meetings are confidential and for military veterans only. For more information, contact George Mendez at 794-3057 or georgem@borderregion.org or Jessica Morales at 7943091 or jessicam@borderregion.org. The Run for Roofs 5K Charity Run/Walk is today at North Central Park, 10202 International Blvd. The event benefits Habitat for Humanity. Registration before May 30 is $15. Otherwise, registration is $20. For more information or to register, call 724-3227, email runforroofs@gmail.com or visit Habitat for Humanity offices at 4703 Warehouse Lane. El Centro de Laredo Farmer’s Market is from 9 a.m. to noon today at Jarvis Plaza, in Downtown Laredo. The Laredo City Chess Club will host its first Summer Open today. Trophies will be awarded. Email Andrew Stock at andrewstock@sbcglobal.net for a registration form. Onsite registration will run from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., with the first round at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Stock at 956-206-5649 or andrewstock@sbcglobal. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “The Little Star That Could” at 5 p.m., “Earth, Moon, and Sun” at 6 p.m. and “Seven Wonders” at 7 p.m. General admission is $4 for children, $5 for adults. Premium shows are $1 more.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24 El Rincon de Los Angeles Restaurant will host the 2nd Annual Scholarship Night event from 5-10 p.m. to help raise scholarship funds. At this event, Border Patrol agents and support staff assist with waiting tables for customers while collecting tip donations to benefit the fund. This year’s event will feature door prizes donated by Verizon Wireless, Southern Distributors and L&F Distributors. For more information, call 956-765-8900. Open Art Studio will host Sundown Story Hour from 6:30-7:30 p.m., during which Mystery Storyteller reads a fun book. Attendance is free, but space must be reserved at www.open2art.com. For more information, contact Victoria Ortega at openart@rocketmail.com.
FRIDAY, JULY 1 Open Art Studio will host Sundown Story Hour from 6:30-7:30 p.m., during which Mystery Storyteller reads a fun book. Attendance is free, but space must be reserved at www.open2art.com. For more information, contact Victoria Ortega at openart@rocketmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 The National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) will host its 2011 Border Summit: Empleos, Empresas y el Desarrollo Económico (A Focus on Solutions for the Border Economy) in McAllen today. Featured speakers include Mercedes Marquez, Assistant Secretary, Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Donna Gambrell, Director, Community Development Finance Institutions, U.S. Department of Treasury. To register, visit www.nalcab.org.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune Herald | AP
DeeAnne Cole, age 31, runs up the bleachers at Baylor University’s Floyd Casey stadium on Friday. Cole was enrolled in a boot camp designed to strength the body and mind. After six weeks she has lost two dress sizes.
Texas jobless rate holds ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The Texas unemployment rate held steady in May, matching April’s 8 percent, the Texas Workforce Commission announced Friday. The commission said 8,800 nonfarm jobs were added, creating a total gain of 205,400 from a year ago. “Texas continues to weather the storm,” keeping its unemployment rate below the national rate of 9.1 percent, agency chairman Tom Pauken said. So far in 2011, the state has added 92,300 jobs. “That is a trend we hope to continue until all Texans have good jobs earning good wages,” Ronny Congleton, the commissioner representing labor, said. Jobs in professional and business services
Red-light camera vote outcome thrown out HOUSTON — A federal judge on Friday threw out the results of an election last fall in which Houston voters decided to get rid of red-light cameras at street intersections in the city, saying opponents of the original ordinance waited too long to act. About 53 percent of voters in November said the cameras should go, but U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes said Friday that the issue as presented on the ballot violated the city charter covering the timing for repeal of an ordinance.
32 South Texans accused of defrauding insurer MCALLEN — Federal authorities have arrested 32 south Texas residents in what they describe as a wide-ranging fraud scheme that bilked insurer AFLAC out of $3 million over a decade. The 32 — including a police of-
grew by 4,300 in May for a total of 53,700 positions added in the past year. Mining and logging jobs rose by 3,000 for a total of 32,700 added in the past year. Manufacturing jobs added during the month totaled 1,900, and construction jobs increased by 1,500. Unemployment rates are adjusted for seasonal trends in hiring and firing, a picture that economists cite as being the most accurate. Without such adjustments, the state’s unemployment rate for May was 7.9, and the national figure was 8.7. Midland continued to show the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 4.6 percent. Amarillo was second at 5.4 percent, and Lubbock was third at 5.9 percent. The preliminary local jobless rates for May for Laredo, with revised April numbers in parentheses, was Laredo 8.1 (7.9).
ficer, teachers and county employees — are accused of making fraudulent minor injury claims.
4 from San Angelo die in 2-vehicle wreck MERTZON — A head-on collision in West Texas has left a driver and three passengers dead and the other driver injured. The Department of Public Safety says the crash happened Thursday night on U.S. Highway 67 near Mertzon, about 25 miles southwest of San Angelo.
Caterpillar plans to expand Texas plant PEORIA, Ill. — Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. says it will expand its hydraulic excavator plant currently under construction in Victoria, Texas, and add 100 more jobs to the original plans for 500 employees. Caterpillar announced the $130 million, 850,000 square foot plant in August. It now plans to add $70 million and 200,000 square feet to that.
5 charged over vandalism Houston police seek ID on body found burning to Kilgore school buses KILGORE — Five graduates will face misdemeanor charges over dozens of damaged school buses that forced classes to be canceled for a day in an East Texas district. The Longview News-Journal reported Friday that the local district attorney says the former Kilgore High School students have been charged with misdemeanor vandalism offenses.
HOSUTON The burning remains of a woman have been discovered in a field in southeast Houston. Police Sgt. William McPhearson says the unidentified body was located late Thursday night. A security guard making his rounds noticed a fire in the field and called 911. Firefighters discovered the body. — Compiled from AP reports
FRIDAY, JULY 15 Open Art Studio will host Sundown Story Hour from 6:30-7:30 p.m., during which Mystery Storyteller reads a fun book and attendees take home a craft. Attendance is free, but space must be reserved at www.open2art.com. For more information, contact Victoria Ortega at openart@rocketmail.com.
FRIDAY, JULY 22 Open Art Studio will host Sundown Story Hour from 6:30-7:30 p.m., during which Mystery Storyteller reads a fun book. Attendance is free, but space must be reserved at www.open2art.com. For more information, contact Victoria Ortega at openart@rocketmail.com.
FRIDAY, JULY 29 Open Art Studio will host Sundown Story Hour from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., during which Mystery Storyteller reads a fun book and attendees take home a craft. Attendance is free, but space must be reserved at www.open2art.com. For more information, contact Victoria Ortega at openart@rocketmail.com.
AROUND THE NATION Wyo. gov signs disaster declaration for flooding
CONTACT US
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead has signed a disaster declaration for damages around the state caused by the ongoing flooding. The state estimates about $6.8 million in damages so far to agriculture and infrastructure.
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AARP slammed for not fighting S.S. cuts WASHINGTON — AARP was hammered Friday by fellow activists for refusing to oppose any and all cuts to Social Security benefits. The group opposes cutting Social Security benefits to help reduce the federal deficit, said David Certner, the organization’s director of legislative policy. But for years AARP has acknowledged that cuts to future benefits may be necessary to improve the program’s finances, he said.
Today is Saturday, June 18, the 169th day of 2011. There are 196 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 18, 1983, astronaut Sally K. Ride became America’s first woman in space as she and four colleagues blasted off aboard the space shuttle Challenger. On this date: In 1778, American forces entered Philadelphia as the British withdrew during the Revolutionary War. In 1812, the United States declared war against Britain. In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte met his Waterloo as British and Prussian troops defeated the French in Belgium. In 1873, suffragist Susan B. Anthony was found guilty by a judge in Canandaigua, N.Y., of breaking the law by casting a vote in the 1872 presidential election. (The judge fined Anthony $100, but she never paid the penalty.) In 1908, William Howard Taft was nominated for president by the Republican national convention in Chicago. In 1940, during World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill urged his countrymen to conduct themselves in a manner that would prompt future generations to say, “This was their finest hour.” Charles de Gaulle delivered a speech on the BBC in which he rallied his countrymen after the fall of France to Nazi Germany. In 1945, William Joyce, known as “Lord Haw-Haw,” was charged in London with high treason for his Englishlanguage wartime broadcasts on German radio. (He was hanged the following January.) In 1971, Southwest Airlines began operations, with flights between Dallas and San Antonio, and Dallas and Houston. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter and Soviet President Leonid I. Brezhnev signed the SALT II strategic arms limitation treaty in Vienna. In 1981, Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart announced his retirement; his departure paved the way for Sandra Day O’Connor to become the first female associate justice. Ten years ago: A judge in Golden, Colo., sentenced two therapists, Connell Watkins and Julie Ponder, to 16 years in prison each for reckless child abuse in the death of 10year-old Candace Newmaker, who had suffocated while wrapped in blankets during a “rebirthing” session. (Watkins was released from prison in 2008 to serve out the rest of her sentence at a halfway house; Ponder remains imprisoned.) Retief (reh-TEEF’) Goosen won the U.S. Open in an 18-hole playoff with Mark Brooks. Today’s Birthdays: Columnist Tom Wicker is 85. Rock singer-composer-musician Sir Paul McCartney is 69. Movie critic Roger Ebert is 69. musician John Evans (The Box Tops) is 63. Actress Isabella Rossellini is 59. Actress Carol Kane is 59. Actor Brian Benben is 55. Actress Mara Hobel is 40. Rapper Silkk the Shocker is 36. Actress Alana de la Garza is 35. Country singer Blake Shelton is 35. Actress Renee Olstead is 22. Thought for Today: “Frailty, thy name is no longer woman.” — Victor Riesel, American labor journalist (1913-1995).
Photo by Blaine McCartney/The Sheridan Press | AP
Cameran Arima, 4, of Riverton, plays around in the rain at the Big Horn Equestrian Center in Big Horn, Wyo., on May 20. Gov. Matt Mead has signed a disaster declaration due to the intense flooding.
Montana deputies still pursuing leads on fugitive MISSOULA, Mont. — Missoula County sheriff ’s deputies are still pursuing leads in the hunt
for David Burgert, the former militia leader who is accused of shooting at deputies this week. The sheriff ’s department said Friday it was patrolling three areas of Lolo National Forest west of Missoula. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
Zlocal
Sheriff eyes aid in solving fishing camp burglaries
PAGE 3A
Feds: Man claims he’s a Zeta By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata County Sheriff’s Office is asking the community for help in solving a rash of burglaries reported in a fishing camp south of Zapata. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said three break-ins were reported at the Twin Coves RV Park. All burglaries happened June 10 during the evening hours. Deputies said the alleged offenders stole fishing equipment worth about $8,000. Deputies received the first call from a 32-year-old man at 7:53 p.m. from Twin Coves, which is approximately nine miles west of Alejandreñas Road. The complainant reported that someone had broken into his property and stolen fishing accessories. The property was valued at $5,000.
Deputies went out to a second call from the same location at 9:23 p.m. Another 32-year-old man told officers that someone burglarized his property. Elizondo said it was unclear if anything was taken from the place. An inventory list is pending. Deputies received a third call from Twin Coves at 10:59 p.m. A 31-year-old man reported a burglary of a habitation. According to reports, the offenders stole a battery charger and fishing rods and reels, among other fishing accessories. All property stolen was valued at about $3,000. To assist the sheriff’s office, call 765-9960. People may also call Crime Stoppers at 765-TIPS (8477), where information leading to an arrest may be rewarded with up to $1,000. All callers may remain anonymous.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
U.S. Border Patrol agents working in the San Ygnacio area detained a man who claimed to work for Los Zetas after he was caught smuggling three undocumented people on a boat, according to Border Patrol agents. The incident was reported during the early hours of June 6. Agents were conducting a line watch operation in a Rio Grande area known as “Hobos Landing,” an area used for smuggling of narcotics and undocumented aliens, federal officials say. A property owner from the area approached agents and told them that he saw a man wearing black
The dog alerted agents to the possible presence of narcotics or people in the brush area. pants, a black shirt and a black ski mask pointing what looked like a rifle at him, a federal criminal complaint states. Agents, assisted by a K-9 unit, searched the area. The dog alerted agents to the possible presence of narcotics or people in the brush area. Agents spread in the brush and detained four individuals. All four men were determined to be illegally in the country, a criminal complaint states. One man was from El Salvador and the
other three were from Honduras. Agents identified the man from El Salvador as Jesus Alfredo PleitezAguilar. “Pleitez-Aguilar stated that he worked for the Zeta Cartel as a stash house operator and was involved in smuggling aliens and narcotics from Mexico into the United States,” a criminal complaint states. The man added that he’d made arrangements to transport nine undocu-
mented people from Mexico to San Ygnacio. Pleitez-Aguilar stated he was in possession of the .22caliber rifle found near the brush area where the four men were apprehended. Agents seized the rifle, 30 rounds of .22-calier ammo and eight shotgun shells. Two of the Hondurans captured were held as witnesses. They stated that Pleitez-Aguilar was in charge of a stash house in Mexico. He also, witnesses alleged, organized the transportation of the nine undocumented people into the United States. A criminal complaint states Pleitez-Aguilar was previously deported on Sept. 18, 1996.
Zopinion
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SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Fannie Mae is the mother of scandals By DAVID BROOKS NEW YORK TIMES
M
ost political scandals involve people who are not really enmeshed in the Washington establishment — people like Rep. Anthony Weiner or Rep. William Jefferson. Most scandals involve spectacularly bad behavior — like posting pictures of your private parts on the Web or hiding $90,000 in cash in your freezer. But the most devastating scandal in recent history involved dozens of the most respected members of the Washington establishment. Their behavior was not out of the ordinary by any means. For that reason, the Fannie Mae scandal is the most important political scandal since Watergate. It helped sink the American economy. It has cost taxpayers about $153 billion, so far. It indicts patterns of behavior that are considered normal and respectable in Washington.
Little attention The Fannie Mae scandal has gotten relatively little media attention because many of the participants are still powerful, admired and wellconnected. But Gretchen Morgenson, a New York Times colleague, and the financial analyst Joshua Rosner have rectified that, writing “Reckless Endangerment,” a brave book that exposes the affair in clear and gripping form. The story centers around James Johnson, a Democratic sage with a raft of prestigious connections. Appointed as chief executive of Fannie Mae in 1991, Johnson started an aggressive effort to expand home ownership. Back then, Fannie Mae could raise money at low interest rates because the federal government implicitly guaranteed its debt. In 1995, according to the Congressional Budget Office, this implied guarantee netted the agency $7 billion. Instead of using that money to help buyers, Johnson and other executives kept $2.1 billion for themselves and their shareholders. They used it to further the cause — expanding their clout, their salaries and their bonuses. They did the things that every special-interest group does to advance its interests.
Plenty of money Fannie Mae co-opted relevant activist groups, handing out money to ACORN, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other groups that it might need on its side. Fannie ginned up Astroturf lobbying campaigns. In 2000, for example, a bill was introduced that threatened Fannie’s special status. The Coalition for Homeownership was formed and letters poured into congressional offices opposing the bill. Many signatories of the letter had no idea their names had been used. Fannie lavished campaign contributions on
members of Congress. Time and again experts would go before some congressional committee to warn that Fannie was lowering borrowing standards and posing an enormous risk to taxpayers. Phalanxes of congressmen would be mobilized to bludgeon the experts and kill unfriendly legislation.
No overseers Fannie executives ginned up academic studies. They created a foundation that spent tens of millions in advertising. They spent enormous amounts of time and money capturing the regulators who were supposed to police them. Morgenson and Rosner write with barely suppressed rage, as if great crimes are being committed. But there are no crimes. This is how Washington works. Only two of the characters in this tale come off as egregiously immoral. Johnson made $100 million while supposedly helping the poor. Rep. Barney Frank, whose partner at the time worked for Fannie, was arrogantly dismissive when anybody raised doubts about the stability of the whole arrangement. Most of the people were simply doing what reputable figures do in service to a supposedly good cause. Johnson roped in some of the most respected establishment names: Bill Daley, Tom Donilan, Joseph Stiglitz, Dianne Feinstein, Kit Bond, Franklin Raines, Larry Summers, Robert Zoellick, Ken Starr and so on. Of course, it all came undone. Underneath, Fannie was a cancer that helped spread risky behavior and low standards across the housing industry. We all know what happened next. The scandal has sent the message that the leadership class is fundamentally self-dealing. Leaders on the centerright and center-left are always trying to create public-private partnerships to spark socially productive activity. But the biggest public-private partnership to date led to shameless self-enrichment and disastrous results. It has sent the message that we have hit the moment of demosclerosis. Washington is home to a vertiginous tangle of industry associations, activist groups, think tanks and communications shops. These forces have overwhelmed the government that was originally conceived by the founders. The final message is that members of the leadership class have done nothing to police themselves. The Wall Street-Industry-Regulator-Lobbyist tangle is even more deeply enmeshed. People may not like Michele Bachmann, but when they finish “Reckless Endangerment” they will understand why there is a market for politicians like her. They’ll realize that if the existing leadership class doesn’t redefine “normal” behavior, some pungent and colorful movement will sweep in and do it for them.
COLUMN
Honoring dads on their day T
omorrow is Father’s Day. And I am sure that many of you are preparing diligently to honor those special dad’s in your life with a sentimental card, a special meal or even a weekend getaway. Some of you might take your dads fishing. Others might take dad to a ball game. And some might play a round of golf or mount the horses at the ranch. Whatever the occasion, you have forged a special bond with your father and he has played a pivotal role in your upbringing. I, too, will spend time with my father on this special day in appreciation for all that he has done for me and for my family. While I am thankful for the all years that God has
“
JAMES TAMAYO
given me with my dad, I am also grateful for another group of special men who also serve an important part in our lives — the priests of the Diocese of Laredo. Although slightly different, it’s also a Father’s Day celebration for these dedicated men situated throughout our seven counties. As you take time to pause, pray and give thanks for your dad, I also encourage you to do the same for all our Fathers of the Church. Just like dad, our priests teach us, feed us, console us and shepherd us.
Among the many duties of a priest, the members of our clergy look after the daily spiritual needs of the faithful of our diocese by celebrating Mass, witnessing marriages, hearing confessions, performing funeral rites and baptizing babies as well as adults. They are the ones who are there in our time of joy and of need. As the spiritual leader of this Catholic community, I have witnessed the many good deeds and the edifying growth of spirituality our priests have fostered among our people. I sincerely appreciate the contributions my brother priests make on a daily basis. And it is as a man of the cloth that I remind you that our clergy are very much human, with the same emo-
tional needs as every one of you. Just as you would for your father, our priests need to be aware of your care, support and appreciation. While priests make very good listeners, they, too, like to engage in conversations where they can discuss hobbies, interests, concerns, etc. Our priests also need time to rest and relax just as we all do. We all need to rest and renew our minds, bodies and spirits. As Father’s Day weekend approaches, please give thanks to God for all these wonderful servants of the Lord. My very best wishes to all our dedicated priests and to all the wonderful dads who sacrifice for their family, Todo Con Amor.
EDITORIAL
Obama needs to follow the law NEW YORK TIMES
I
t would be hugely costly — for this country’s credibility, for the future of NATO and for the people of Libya — if Congress were to force President Barack Obama to abandon military operations over Libya. However, Obama cannot evade his responsibility, under the War Powers Act, to seek congressional approval to continue the operation. The White House’s argument for not doing so borders on sophistry — that “U.S. operations do not in-
volve sustained fighting or active exchanges of fire with hostile forces, nor do they involve the presence of U.S. ground troops” and thus are not the sort of “hostilities” covered by the act. This country’s involvement in the air campaign is undeniably limited. Since the United States handed off command to the Europeans in early April, the Pentagon has provided refueling and surveillance for NATO planes, hit air defenses and sent in armed, remotely piloted drones. But the 1973 act does not
apply solely to boots-on-theground, full-out shooting wars. It says that 60 or 90 days after notifying Congress of the introduction of armed forces “into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated,” the president must receive congressional authorization or terminate the mission. No word games can get him off the hook. We support the Libya campaign, although like many Americans we are frustrated that it has
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
dragged on this long. No matter how one sees this mission, the War Powers Act is an essential balance to the White House’s — any White House’s — power to wage war. Carving out an exception for drones or airstrikes would be a dangerous precedent, especially in an era when so much fighting can be done by remote control. Obama needs to go to Congress and make his case. Congress then needs to authorize continued U.S. support for NATO’s air campaign over Libya.
Local
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
BARBERIO RANCH FIRE BURNS 1,200 ACRES
Six charges catch man after chase By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man landed in Zapata Regional Jail with several charges after deputies say he led them on a chase throughout the county.
Ignores stop try
Courtesy photo
A brush fire sparked June 9, consuming about 1,200 acres, officials say. Firefighters responded to the Barberio Ranch, three miles north of Chihuahua. Zapata, Roma, La Rosita and Salineño fire departments joined forces to battle the blaze with six units. No property damage was reported other than fences. Zapata County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens assisted with traffic control.
Deputies find stolen boat, engine By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Two unrelated incidents led Zapata County sheriff’s investigators to recover a boat and its engine, which had been reported stolen recently. On May 29 at 5:07 a.m., deputies responded to theft call at the Oso Blanco Lodge., where a 54-year-old man told authorities that someone had stolen his 1997 bass boat. It was valued at $12,000. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said investigators received information and a “partial description” of a possible Nissan or Honda vehicle haul-
ing the boat from Oso Blanco. Later in the day, investigators recovered the boat while investigating an unrelated incident at Salvador and Siesta lanes. However, the boat was missing both its engine and the trolling motor. Sheriff’s investigators learned nothing else until June 9. In an unrelated case, Elizondo said officials serving a search warrant at a home in the 700 block of Roma Avenue found an engine motor matching the description of the one taken from the May 29 complainant’s boat. When matched with the
boat, deputies seized it and gave it back to the owner. The case remains under investigation. No charges have been filed. Arrests are
Deputies attempted to pull over a maroon 2006 Ford F150 for a traffic stop at 3:46 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and U.S. 83. The man refused and led deputies on a 23-mile chase around town. He almost crashed into several businesses. He missed crashing into the El Tigre Exxon gas pumps located by U.S. 83 and Texas 16, said Sgt. Mario Elizondo. “He disregarded safety for the public and property … He also (put) himself in harm’s way because of his reckless driving and high speed,” Elizondo added. Reaching speeds of 90 mph, the man eluded deputies and headed toward Bustamante on Texas 16. Elizondo said the man lost control of his truck by mile marker 790 and
spun 180 degrees and traveled backwards off the highway.
Fighting lawmen To keep the man from starting another chase and endangering the traveling public on the highway, deputies rammed the front of his vehicle and then struggled with the suspect when he resisted arrest and refused to be handcuffed, Elizondo said. Deputies identified the suspect as Hilario Rodriguez-Delgado, 26, of Eagle Pass. He was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant after he almost hit four officers with his truck, Elizondo said. He added that the man was also charged with evading arrest with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. Deputies transported the man to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of combined bond of $315,000. No one was harmed in the incident. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
pending in the case, Elizondo said. (Cesar G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR CAR OR TRUCK $$$ I buy cars for cash even if you still owe money$$$ Models 2003-2009
INTERESADO DE VENDER SU CARRO O TROCA? $$$ Compro carros en efectivo aunque todavia deba dinero$$$
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Cassandra M. Chapa, 21, was arrested and charged with assault family violence at approximately 11:15 p.m. June 10 in the 700 block of Guerrero Avenue. The woman was taken to Zapata County Jail and later released, pending court appearance.
BURGLARY A 23-year-old man reported a burglary of a vehicle at 8:17 p.m. June 10 in the 1300 block of Ramireño Avenue. The man stated that someone stole fog lights from his truck valued at about $1,800. A 49-year-old man reported at 8:38 p.m. June 11 at Socorro Ranch by Airport Road, off Texas 16, that someone broke into the ranch house. Deputies say food and clothing were missing but nothing of great value was taken. A 59-year-old man reported at 7:50 p.m. Monday at a ranch south of Zapata, off U.S. 83, that someone pried open the door to steal food and beverages. Nothing of value was taken. A 63-year-old man reported at 10:14 p.m. Monday at Rancho La Fe, south of Zapata off U.S. 83, that someone stole a bench grinder, an air compressor and a wheel barrel.
POSSESSION Jaime Sanchez Jr., 35, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance at about 2:30 a.m. June 11 near the intersection of 12th Avenue and Mier Street. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail and held in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
TERRORISTIC THREAT Santiago Ramirez III, 44, was arrested at approximately 2:30 a.m. June 12 in the 1700 block of Second Street after deputies re-
sponded to a call reporting a man threatening neighbors. Ramirez was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail and held in lieu of $5,000 bond. A 27-year-old man reported at 4 p.m. Monday in the 2100 block of Del Mar Street that someone had threatened him.
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Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 18 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Hoy es el Mercado Agrícola “El Centro de Laredo” de 9 a.m. a 12 p.m. en la Plaza Jarvis. Habrá tomates, chiles, papayas, mangos y calabaza, además de hierbas y plantas. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m., “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 6 p.m. y “Seven Wonders” a las 7 p.m. Costo: 5 dólares. LAREDO — Dirty Black Summer Show es hoy a partir de las 9 p.m. en Sky Club, 301 calle Market. Participarán: Bastard Sons, Full Contact, Dead Albatross. LAREDO — “Hombres G” en concierto hoy en Las Cananas Revolution Bar and Revo, 2331 Endeavor Dr., a las 9 p.m. LAREDO — “Liquid Ice” se presenta en concierto hoy a las 11 p.m. en TKO, 4100 avenida San Bernardo. NUEVO LAREDO — Eliminatoria Estatal de Fútbol, Categoría 45 o mayores a las 6 p.m. en Estadio Unidad Deportiva.
SÁBADO 18 DE JUNIO DE 2011
MILITAR DESERTOR DETENIDO POR MASACRE EN TAMAULIPAS
Revelan detalles ASSOCIATED PRESS
MÉXICO — La policía federal arrestó a un militar desertor, presunto miembro del cártel de Los Zetas, sospechoso de participar en la masacre de 72 migrantes cerca de la frontera norte de Tamaulipas y del secuestro de autobuses de pasajeros en el mismo lugar. Edgar Huerta Montiel fue detenido en el Zacatecas con su pareja Brenda Acevedo, dijo el viernes Ramón Pequeño, responsable antidrogas de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública. Según Pequeño, Huerta
asesinó al menos a 10 centroamericanos en agosto de 2010 y secuestró seis autobuses de pasajeros. En abril las autoridades comenzaron a excavar fosas clandestinas donde han encontrado un total de 193 cadáveres que se cree eran migrantes mexicanos que buscaban cruzar a Estados Unidos. Huerta dijo a la policía que las víctimas secuestradas de autobuses eran llevadas a casas de seguridad y torturadas. Las que morían eran enterradas en fosas. Huerta, agregó Pequeño, buscaba en autobuses a
miembros del cártel del Golfo, antes aliado y ahora rival. Pero agregó que también se cree que muchos secuestros tenían el objetivo de extorsionar a familiares de las víctimas para obtener dinero. Pequeño dijo que Huerta era el brazo derecho del presunto líder de Los Zetas en Tamaulipas, Salvador Martínez Escobedo. Agregó que era jefe del detenido Martín Estrada Luna, conocido como “El Kilo”, acusado también del asesinato de migrantes. Estrada creció en Estados Unidos y fue deportado a México en 2009.
LUNES 20 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m., “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 6 p.m. y “Seven Wonders” a las 7 p.m. Entrada general: 5 dólares.
MARTES 21 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Concierto de Martin Valverde a las 6:30 p.m. en el Laredo Civic Center. Costo del boleto: 15 y 20 dólares. NUEVO LAREDO — Conferencia “Laredo de San Agustín, en la Independencia” por Rafael García Ortega a las 11 a.m. en Estación Palabra. NUEVO LAREDO — Performance de “La Piedra y el Río” de Eduardo Antonio Parra a las 5 p.m. en la Sala Gabriel García Márquez de Estación Palabra.
MIÉRCOLES 22 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Hoy es la última fecha para inscribirse al torneo de boliche auspiciado por Amigos del Agente Especial del ICE Jaime Zapata. El costo es de 25 dólares por persona o 125 dólares por equipo. Informes en el (956) 744-7505 o 956-7918759. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “Black Holes” at 4 p.m. and “Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope” at 5 p.m. Entrada general: 3 dólares. NUEVO LAREDO — Ciclo de cine y literatura presenta “Oliver Twist” a las 6 p.m. en auditorio de Estación Palabra.
Foto por Miguel Timoshenkov | The Zapata Times
Actores de la compañía Teatral del Centro Cultural Metropolitano de Tampico participaron en el homenaje a doña Amalia González Caballero de Castillo Ledón con la obra “Hueso, Carne y Corazón: Llámenme Amalia”, el miércoles en el Centro Cultural de Nuevo Laredo.
Estado rinde tributo a tamaulipeca
CONCURSO
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
DOMINGO 19 DE JUNIO No se pierda la trasmisión por NBC del certamen Miss USA. Apoye a la laredense Miss Texas USA Ana Rodriguez. NUEVO LAREDO — Carrera Atlética Internacional Fundadores 5 Km. a partir de las 8 a.m. Salida del Campo de Veteranos en laredo y meta en la Explanada Esteban Baca Calderón de Nuevo Laredo. NUEVO LAREDO — Concierto de la Banda de Viento de Oaxaca “Oaxaca Fiesta y Tradición” a las 5:30 p.m. en la Plaza Hidalgo. NUEVO LAREDO — Escuela de baile “Danssika” presenta festival en el Centro Cultural de Nuevo Laredo a las 5:30 p.m. Boletos en la taquilla a 100 pesos, planta baja y primer nivel; 50 pesos en segundo nivel.
CULTURA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier
Dibujos de alumnos que participaron en el XXXIV Concurso nacional “El niño y la mar” convocado por la Semar, son parte de una exposición en la Casa de la Cultura de Ciudad Mier, México, durante junio.
NIÑO Y LA MAR Alumna de Mier destaca con dibujo POR MELVA LAVÍN-CASTILLO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
U
n dibujo elaborado por una estudiante del cuarto grado en Ciudad Mier obtuvo el tercer lugar estatal en el XXXIV Concurso Nacional de Pintura Infantil “El Niño y la Mar” convocado por la Secretaría de Marina Armada de México (Semar). Otras dos alumnas de la frontera chica obtuvieron una mención honorífica. Bárbara Ludivina Martínez Rosales, de 10 años, estudiante del cuarto grado en la escuela primaria Club de Leones No. 1 obtuvo el tercer lugar con el dibujo “La vida en el mar”. Las menciones honoríficas fueron para Adriana Lizeth Guerra López, de Mier; y Citlalhy Carolina Reyes Tovías, de Miguel Alemán. Fue en el Centro Cultural Tamaulipas en Ciudad Victoria donde se dio lectura al acta emitida por el jurado calificador integrado por Alejandro Rosales Lugo, Ricardo Cázares Yáñez y Mercedes Medellín Varela. En comunicado de prensa del Gobierno de Tamaulipas se informó que el jurado calificador consideró la calidad artística y el cumplimiento de los puntos establecidos en la convocatoria de la Semar.
NUEVO LAREDO — Tamaulipas está realizando una serie de homenajes a doña Amalia González Caballero de Castillo Ledón. Uno de estos se llevó a cabo el miércoles 15 de junio, en el marco del 163 Aniversario de la Fundación de esta ciudad, en el Centro Cultural, ante la presencia del Gobernador Egidio Torre Cantú y el Presidente Municipal Benjamín Galván Gómez. “Fue un acto conmemorativo del XXV aniversario luctuoso de esta gran tamaulipeca”, dijo Torre. “Doña Amalia se distinguió en la vida diplomática, cultural y social, así co-
DEPORTES
Medallero ubica a deportistas en lugar destacado TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier
Obras de estudiantes de Ciudad Mier pueden ser admirados durante junio en la Casa de la Cultura. El primer lugar fue obtenido por Sebastián Herrera Dávila, de 7 años, originario de Matamoros, con el dibujo “El niño y la mar”; en segundo lugar quedó Kelly Itzel López Balderas, de 7 años, de Matamoros, con el trabajo “Conservemos la playa”. Edson Alejandro Ruíz García, de Ciudad Victoria, también obtuvo una mención honorífica. A fin de reconocer la participación de todos los alumnos de Ciudad Mier en el certamen nacional, durante junio se podrán admirar los dibujos participantes en la Casa de la Cultura. “El objetivo es motivar a todos los niños participantes apreciando los diferentes dibujos tanto el propio, si participaron, como el
de sus compañeros”, dijo el Presidente Municipal, Alberto González Peña. Martínez Rosales recibirá un premio a nivel estado en Matamoros en fecha próxima, además de la oportunidad de participar en la etapa nacional. A nivel estado el Instituto Tamaulipeco para la Cultura y las Artes (ITCA) ayudó en la coordinación del certamen “El Niño y la Mar”. Por otra parte, la Directora de Turismo y Cultura en Ciudad Mier, Carmen Alicia Guerra Rios informó que el 12 de junio dieron inicio en la Casa de la Cultura los talleres para clases de guitarra y coro, a cargo de Mario Cañedo, y el de pintura, a cargo de Arturo Cavazos Peña. Alrededor de 50 niños se inscribieron para participar.
mo en la lucha por los derechos de la mujer”. Merecedora de múltiples condecoraciones nacionales e internacionales por su activa promoción de la equidad de género, Amalia González Caballero falleció el 3 de junio de 1986. Con el apoyo del Instituto Tamaulipeco para la Cultura y las Artes (ITCA), se disfrutó de la representación de la pieza dramática De carne, hueso y corazón: llámenme Amalia, a cargo de la Compañía de Teatro del Espacio Cultural Metropolitano de Tampico “Metro”. El espectáculo combinó música, teatro, danza y poesía.
CIUDAD VICTORIA, México — Tamaulipas puede estar orgulloso del nivel de sus deportistas, ya que al concluir la Olimpiada Nacional 2011, y con 154 medallas, logró ubicarse en el décimotercer lugar del medallero y el octavo en eficiencia. Tan solo en los últimos seis días, los tamaulipecos obtuvieron siete medallas, siendo dos de oro, cuatro de plata y una de bronce. Destacó Carlos Alberto Torres Díaz, de Reynosa, quien obtuvo una medalla de oro en la especialidad de frontenis de la categoría juvenil B; la plata fue para Eduardo Rojas de Nayarit y el bronce para Adani Esquivel de Coahuila. La final se desarrolló en la Ciudad Deportiva “Juan Fernández Albarrán” de Zinacantepec, Estado de México. Por su parte, la pareja formada por Édgar Daniel Muñoz Lara y Rodrigo Án-
gel Jiménez Fragoso se quedó con el segundo puesto y el metal de plata en la modalidad de trinquete mano con pelota gosua en la categoría juvenil C. La dupla tamaulipeca cayó en la final ante los representantes de Querétaro y previamente se habían impuesto a los de Sinaloa, que finalizaron en tercer lugar. Las 154 medallas obtenidas por la delegación tamaulipeca se dividen de la siguiente manera: 45 medallas de oro, 50 de plata y 59 de bronce, que lo ubican en el décimotercer lugar de la tabla general, que encabezan Jalisco, Nuevo León y Baja California. Por puntos, Tamaulipas también se ubica en el décimotercer lugar con un total de 2,654 unidades, mientras que en la tabla de eficiencias, que se obtiene por la relación entre el número de atletas participantes y medallas obtenidas, Tamaulipas ocupa el octavo lugar con 20.5%.
OBRAS
Inversión estatal mejorará varios tramos carreteros ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CIUDAD VICTORIA, México — El Gobierno de Tamaulipas anunció una inversión de más de 22 millones de pesos en carreteras y caminos. “En el sistema integral de carreteras y caminos (se invertirán) más de 20,000
millones de pesos, y más de 2,000 millones de pesos (serán) para la rehabilitación, modernización y construcción de carreteras y caminos rurales”, dijo el Secretario de Obras Públicas estatal, Manuel Rodríguez Morales. Actualmente en el estado hay 2,138 kilómetros de red
carretera federal, 2,584 kilómetros de red carretera estatal y 8,720 kilómetros de caminos rurales. Rodríguez explicó que los planes contemplan la conservación, construcción y modernización de caminos rurales y carreteras estatales, la construcción y ampliación de los libra-
mientos, incrementar los cruces fronterizos, modernizar los ejes carreteros federales en el estado y atender las aeropistas existentes en la entidad. Dentro del presupuesto se contempla que 181 millones de pesos sean para la atención de 167 kilómetros
de carreteras que presentan daños severos. En el caso, por ejemplo, de Nuevo Laredo, se tiene contemplada una inversión bipartita entre Tamaulipas y la federación del orden de los 73.3 millones de pesos para la construcción de dos pasos superiores vehiculares.
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
BARRY E. KLEBAN Barry E. Kleban passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at his residence in Zapata. Mr. Kleban is preceded in death by his parents: Morris and Ann Kleban. Mr. Kleban is survived by his wife, Karan Kleban; children: Mitchell Kleban, Bradford Kleban (Jennifer Youngs), Andrea Kleban (Gregory Brucker) and Melanie (Roger) Rosdahl; grandchildren: Amber (Brian) and Joshua Rosdahl; greatgrandchildren: Anastasia and McKenzie; and by numerous friends. Visitation hours will be held Monday, June 20, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart Monday, June 20, 2011, at 2 p.m. for a graveside service at Zapata County Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Highway 83, Zapata.
JOSE HEBERTO GONZALEZ Jose Heberto Gonzalez, 94, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2011, at Laredo Medical Center. Mr. Gonzalez is preceded in death by his wife, Benilde G. Gonzalez; parents: Jose M. Gonzalez and Adela P. Gonzalez; brother Alfonso Gonzalez; and sisters: Emma (Santiago) Richardson, Otilia (Serapio) Morales and San Juana (Raul) Gutierrez. Mr. Gonzalez is survived by his son, Hector Hugo Gonzalez; daughter, Mirtha Elva Gonzalez; brother Manuel (Elva) Gonzalez; sister-in-law, Socorro P. Flores; and by numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends. Visitation was Monday, June 13, 2011, from 6 to 9 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m., at Rose Garden Funeral Home.
The funeral procession departed Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. The family of Mr. Gonzalez would like to give very special thanks to Dr. Arturo Garza-Gongora, Mary Plattner, F.N.P. and Falcon Lake Nursing Home of Zapata for their wonderful care. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Highway 83, Zapata.
Border violence to get look on July 20 ASSOCIATED PRESS
BROWNSVILLE — Congressional staff members are finalizing a House subcommittee briefing on border violence scheduled for July 20 in Brownsville. The event will be hosted and led by Rep. Ted Poe, RTexas. Poe spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said Friday the list was still being finalized of witnesses to speak to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. However, confirmed witnesses include Zapata County Sheriff Sigi Gonzalez and Tiffany Hartley, widow of David Hartley. He was an American tourist presumably gunned down on the Mexican side of Fal-
con Lake in 2010.
Ortiz donation CORPUS CHRISTI — A former congressman who served nearly three decades in Washington has donated historic photos, correspondence and other government documents to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Democrat Solomon Ortiz was recognized Thursday as he offered thousands of items marking his years representing South Texas. Thomas Kreneck, associate director for the school’s special collections and archives, said the Ortiz documents range from letters to items on Navy operations to everyday comments from constituents.
COMMISSIONERS Continued from Page 1A these proposals could have cost the county a minimum of $14,000. The commissioners decided against the installation of the new monitors, splitting the cost in half. “The one we have in place is not really old and not really bad … The system as far as communication works well,” said Jose Emilio Vela, Precinct 1commissioner. He explained that the monitors were relatively new, as the current courthouse was built in 2006, making it and its equipment only five years old. The motion made by Rathmell for the digital recording system, however, was approved. The implementation of this system will allow for the meetings to be recorded and placed on the Zapata County website, where they can be easily accessed by citizens or other interested parties. “People many times don’t have a way of going to the Commissioners Court meeting, and with this, people would be able to download the meetings,” Vela stated, making them “accessible to the public” and increasing “transparency.” An item #19 calling for termination of the twoyear contract between Zapata County and Dr. Edmundo O. Garcia was also
approved. Garcia is still eligible to submit a bid for the following term, as the commissioners’ action merely functions a 90-day notice of the completion of the contract, effective Sept. 3. The alternative would have been to extend the agreement. The court agreed to terminate the contract to allow Gateway Health Clinic and Laredo Medical Center to make their proposals for services in Zapata. Eight percent of general revenue generated by Zapata goes toward indigent health care, and for the past few years, the county has surpassed that cost. “This time around, general revenue is going to be lower,” Vela said. Thus, the court found the alternative — having other entities placing lower, possibly more affordable bids for providing services — more favorable than extending the contract Vela expressed the hope that if LMC became the primary healthcare provider for Zapata, it would increase the likelihood that the county would soon gain an emergency health clinic. Currently, all emergencies occurring are sent to Laredo. “(We’re hoping) that the 24-hour healthcare facility will be able to be convert-
ed into an emergency health clinic … There’s a high probability that they’ll be able to provide emergency services,” Vela said. Another budgetary question dealt with the purchase of a dump truck for the San Ygnacio landfill, though the commissioners determined there were, indeed, enough funds to cover this cost. “The landfill is regulated by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality). They come in and check to see we’re compliant with the laws,” Vela noted. Marin Saenz, the San Ygnacio landfill manager, pointed out to the commissioners that the brakes of the truck currently in use were in dire need of repair and posed a hazard for some of the employees. According to Vela, the county has $84,000 allocated for equipment lease; $22,000 allocated for tractor repairs; and $22,300 budgeted for repairs and maintenance of equipment, for a total of $130,000 in funds for landfill operations. To replace the dump truck, the county bids at Buy Board. Estimates for the cost of the truck run to approximately $40,000, putting it well within the budget for landfill operations. In addition to these four
items, the commissioners approved the proposed amendment to the Zapata County and Falcon Lake Zoning Regulations for the creation of a Zapata County Farmers and Ranchers Market District. An ordinance has been in the works since April’s commissioners court meeting. The proposal was a result of the traffic obstructions and disturbances caused by vendors who set up along the highway. “Most of those vendors that come in sell a lot of livestock and feed; it creates a bad image of the community, having those vendors on the side of the road. It’s also a hazard,” Vela said. “We don’t want to run them away,” he continued. For this reason, the county is amending the zoning regulations to allow for a Farmers and Ranchers Market District to be established near the Zapata County Fair Grounds. Those wanting to sell their goods would need to obtain permits, which they’d pay for, in turn bringing revenue in to the county. “At the same time, we’ll be able to know who they are and what they sell,” Vela said. The commissioners have set July 1 for the completion of these efforts.
NARCOTANKS Continued from Page 1A armory) is useless to safeguard passengers from firearms used by troops. Officials say customizing vehicles is “a desperate measure by delinquents to protect their hit men from casualties caused by military personnel.” Recently, the army has found at least eight “monsters” in Tamaulipas and Coahuila. Officials also believed building armored vehicles is an attempt to intimidate rival cartels. A report made by the national security committee states the creation of “monster vehicles” is a direct result of cartels fighting for control over the drug routes to United States. Though there are no reports the customized vehicles have been used in confrontations with the military, SEDENA officials say narcotanks are “extremely vulnerable” to military troops. “The thrown weapons with flammable liquids, such as Molotov cocktails, are effective against (the narcotanks),” according to SEDENA officials. They also said these customized vehicles are not useful for undercover operations for their “obvious criminal aspect.” SEDENA officials pointed out that narcotanks are visible and “highly vulnerable” from air patrol forces. Because of their heavy weight, the “monsters” cannot be easily maneuvered around urban areas. The 1-centimeter steel plates that
Photo by SEDENA | AP
In this image released by Mexico’s Defense Department, SEDENA, on June 5, a makeshift armored truck is displayed after it was seized June 4 in the city of Camargo, Mexico. According to Mexico’s Defense Department, two makeshift armored trucks were found in a clandestine shop that was being used to create these vehicles. Heavy machinery, weapons and 23 large trucks were also seized during the operation. armor the vehicles are incapable of taking gunfire from the Mexican armed forces. In addition, the “monsters” are “so vulnerable” that they can be easily stopped by shooting at the tires. Recently, the army found four dump trucks modified with armor in
Camargo, Tamaulipas, which borders Rio Grande City. More armored vehicles were found in Moclova, Coahuila, about 156 miles west of Nuevo Laredo. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
ICE Continued from Page 1A “We’re listening to those concerns and addressing them head-on and directly today,” he said. Some changes will be made to the Secure Communities program, which enables local law enforcement to share fingerprint information with federal agencies to be checked against the FBI criminal database and against immigration databases. The program is a critical tool for law enforcement agencies but needs to be tweaked to “do a better job of ensuring that the program is more focused on targeting those that pose the biggest risk to communities,” Morton said. Critics have said Secure Communities can discourage immigrants from reporting crimes and can lead to the deportation of people who haven’t been convicted of any crime. Several states have declined to participate.
Examine first A new policy directs ICE officers and attorneys to use appropriate discretion to make sure victims and witnesses to crimes are not put into deportation proceedings. Morton says he’s also creating an advisory committee on changing Secure Communities to focus on serious criminals. A first report, due within 45 days, will provide recommendations on how to avoid deporting people who are charged with, but not convicted of, minor traffic offenses if they have no other criminal history or serious immigration violations. The agency has also revised its detainer form to emphasize the current guidelines that local authorities aren’t to keep any person for more than 48 hours on an immigration hold alone. The detainer form is a document ICE sends to local jurisdictions to signal potentially deportable people to the agency. ICE has also worked with the Department of Homeland Security’s civil rights and civil liberties division to develop a new training program on implementing Secure Communities for state and local law enforcement agencies. Crystal Williams, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said creation of an advisory panel suggests ICE is listening to critics. “There was enough said to make me think this may be more than window dressing,” she said. “Everything remains to be seen, but the thinking is in the right direction.” Attorneys at the association’s annual meeting in San Diego said the more significant development was new guidelines on whom to target for deportation, giving field attorneys and agents more latitude to leave some people alone. Critics have complained that government lawyers have been compelled to cast too wide a net. “It’s going to empower (the field attorneys) to be able to make the right decisions and do the right thing,” said Cleveland attorney David Leopold. Having been in the United States a long time and having family in the country are factors that government attorneys may consider when deciding who to leave alone, said Laura Lichter, a Denver immigration attorney who was briefed by ICE on the new rules. A criminal record or a history of immigration violations would weigh in favor of deportation. Lichter likened the new rules to instructing a police force to go after bank robbers instead of jaywalkers. “This is all very commonsense,” she said. Several immigrant rights and civil liberties groups said the changes were encouraging but not enough. “These changes are nowhere near sufficient to address the well-documented problems with the Secure Communities program that has, thus far, torn apart countless families across the country by funneling people into a detention and deportation system rife with abuse,” said Andrea
Black, executive director of Detention Watch Network, a coalition of organizations and individuals. “The flaws with Secure Communities run so deep that the only solution is termination of the program.” The governors of Massachusetts, Illinois and New York have said their states will not participate in the program. The offices of each of those three governors did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday afternoon. Cities and municipalities in other parts of the country have also declined to participate. The Department of Homeland Security’s acting inspector general Charles Edwards said last week he would begin a review of the program in August rather than later as originally planned. He said the review will determine the extent to which Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses Secure Communities to find and deport immigrants who are dangerous criminals. Immigration officials check fingerprints of all people booked in local jails to find immigrants to deport. California Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren had asked the inspector general to investigate whether Homeland Security employees lied to the public, local governments and Congress about Secure Communities after reviewing thousands of federal emails made public. Lofgren’s office declined to comment on the changes Friday, saying the staff hadn’t had a chance to thoroughly review them.
FIREARMS Continued from Page 1A enforcing federal firearm laws and in preventing illegal firearms trafficking, according to court records. A federal criminal complaint states the men made false statements with respect to information required to be kept by a federal firearms licensee. The complaint goes on to say the men were part of a conspiracy to complete sales of firearms through individuals who falsely claimed to be the purchasers. Martinez and Arambula created false records of the purchasers, thus concealing the identity of the true purchasers. These records were kept by Arambula since he was the licensed weapons dealer. Bustos, the complaint states, made false statements in the firearms transaction. He is connected with the acquisition of a .38-caliber pistol. The criminal complaint adds that Bustos certified he was the actual buyer, though he
knew that was false. Magana committed the same act when acquiring a .38-caliber pistol. Garcia stated he was the buyer, but was not. Rangel had similar charges, the criminal complaint states. Federal authorities linked Lozano to an unauthorized purchase of a Fabrique Nationale, model FNP-9 .9mm pistol. He also claimed he was the buyer
to obtain the weapon, the criminal complaint states. Monsivais made the same declarations when presenting information. He filed records claiming he was the rightful owner. Arambula is also accused of failure as a licensed dealer to keep proper records. He unlawfully sold and delivered a .38-caliber pistol to a man, a criminal com-
plaint states. If found guilty, each man could face up to five years in prison, a threeyear supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. ATF agents said the cases developed from July 2007 to December 2008. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
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Sports&Outdoors HOCKEY
U.S. OPEN
MAGICAL MCILROY
Courtesy photo by the Texas Stars
In this undated photo provided by the Texas Stars hockey team, Texas Stars’ head coach Glen Gulutzan, standing center, looks on during a minor league hockey game n Cedar Park.
One star to another
Photo by Mike Groll | AP
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his eagle on the eighth hole during the second round of the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament in Bethesda, Md., Friday.
Record setting round displays mastery By DOUG FERGUSON
AHL’s Texas Stars’ coach hired by Dallas Stars By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — As a new general manager, Joe Nieuwendyk tried putting his stamp on the Dallas Stars by making his first coaching hire a well-traveled veteran who’d won a Stanley Cup. That didn’t work too well, so Nieuwendyk took the opposite approach this time. The Stars announced Glen Gulutzan as their new head coach on Friday, tapping a 39-year-old who has never played or coached in the NHL to revive a team stuck in its worst rut since moving to Dallas in 1993. Nieuwendyk called the difference more coincidence than design, insisting, “He’s just the right guy for the job.” The front office knows him well because he spent the last two years
coaching their top affiliate, the Texas Stars of the AHL, taking them to the finals as an expansion team in 2010 and back to the playoffs this past season. “Even though he’s young and hasn’t coached a game in the NHL, his strengths are exactly what we need,” Nieuwendyk said. “He just gets it. He understands players. He understands how to mesh players and how to get the most from their ability. We’ve seen that from talking to players who played for him. We were highly impressed with the structure and the style of play, just the bench demeanor of Glen. I think that’s going to translate well with our players.” Nieuwendyk said it would be a “misconception that we hired a young coach to go with our
See HOCKEY PAGE 2B
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
New venue, new faces at CWS By ERIC OLSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
OMAHA, Neb. — The College World Series opens at the new TD Ameritrade Park on Saturday after 61 years at Rosenblatt Stadium, and coaches are doing all they can to keep their players focused on what happens between the lines. There’s a lot of CWS experience in the eight-team field, with defending champion South Carolina and 34-time qualifier Texas among the entries. Still, the glitz of the $131 million stadium is bringing out the nerves — and not just in first-timer Vanderbilt and a California team that hasn’t been to Omaha in two decades. Longhorns coach Augie Garrido met with his wide-eyed players in the outfield at practice Friday and said he gave a speech like the one in the movie “Hoosiers” in which the coach measures the basketball hoop to make sure his team knows the venue shouldn’t overshadow the game. “Hey, there’s a diamond inside
all this other stuff. That’s where we know how to play,” Garrido said. “The rest of it surrounds it and embraces it. But it was a little bit overwhelming, and in a very positive way. It’s a great endorsement for the future of college baseball.” The CWS opens with Vanderbilt (52-10) playing North Carolina (50-14) and Texas (49-17) meeting Florida (50-17) on Saturday night. Sunday’s games match California (37-21) against No. 1 national seed Virginia (54-10) followed by Texas A&M (47-20) against South Carolina (50-14). North Carolina catcher Jacob Stallings, who played in the CWS at Rosenblatt as a freshman in 2009, will be behind the plate for the first official pitch at the new stadium. That’ll come from Patrick Johnson (13-1, 2.27 ERA) after former President George W. Bush delivers the ceremonial first pitch. “This place, geez, it’s a bigleague park,” Stallings said. “That’s what I said when I walk-
See CWS PAGE 2B
ASSOCIATED PRESS
B
ETHESDA, Md. — In one of those can’t-miss moments in sports, thousands of fans covered every inch of space on the hill behind the 10th green at Congressional. They spilled onto the clubhouse veranda, pressed their faces against the windows and lined up against the balcony railing to watch Rory McIlroy deliver a performance never before seen in the U.S. Open. “It was Tiger Woods of 11 years ago,” Ian Poulter said. In some respects, it was even better.
McIlroy, the sympathetic figure at the Masters, was as close to perfect as golf allows Friday during a stunning assault on the record book. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland became the first player in the 111-year history of the U.S. Open to reach 13-under par, and despite a double bogey into the water on the final hole, his 5-under 66 was enough set the 36-hole scoring record at 131. He went 17 holes without missing a green. He went 35 holes without making a bogey. “It’s very near the best I can play,” McIlroy said. Not since Woods destroyed his competition at Pebble
Beach in 2000 for a record 15shot victory has anyone made golf look this easy, at least for two rounds. As if playing under complete control were not enough, McIlroy hit a wedge from 114 yards some 15 feet behind the flag on No. 8, then watched it roll down a slope and into the cup for eagle. The only time he came close to making bogey was on the par-4 11th, when he blasted out of a bunker to 8 feet and made the putt. He tied the U.S. Open record of 12 under — previously held by Woods in 2000 and Gil Morgan in 1992, both at Pebble
See U.S. OPEN PAGE 2B
GOLD CUP
Mexican switcheroo Five suspended for doping replaced ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Mexico will be allowed to replace the five players who have been dropped from the Gold Cup squad after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. FIFA approved the move and was asking CONCACAF, the regional governing body, to implement it, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said Friday at the Under-17 World Cup. The five players and the Mexican federation are blaming the positive tests on contaminated meat. The players involved are defenders Francisco Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, and midfielders Christian Bermudez and Antonio Naelson. “Given that we still don’t know if it was an accident or not, FIFA has authorized CONCACAF to allow Mexico to replace these five players at the Gold Cup,” Valcke said. “It isn’t a very effective drug, and that’s why this case raises so many questions.” Valcke said the five players would be kept from playing until an investigation is completed. “It’s very strange to see so many players testing positive for a substance like this at the
Photo by Brandon Wade | AP
In this photo taken Sunday, June 5, 2011, Mexico’s Midfielder Gerardo Torrado (6) and Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (1) look on during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. same time, but both FIFA and WADA have decided that these footballers cannot play for the time being,” Valcke added. The players and some officials have blamed the positive results, which occurred during a pre-tournament training camp in May on the outskirts of Mexico City, on contaminated meat. Tour de France champion Alberto Contador also has blamed contaminated beef for his positive test for clenbuterol
last July. Mexican agriculture officials have put the claim in doubt, saying few cases of contamination exist. However, Mexico President Felipe Calderon has acknowledged that contamination is a problem in the country. Mexico plays a quarterfinal against Guatemala on Saturday in New Jersey. Despite missing its top players, Mexico has been the leading team in its group.
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
U.S. OPEN Continued from Page 1B
Photo by Carlos Osorio | AP
Dale Earnhardt Jr., takes in practice laps at Michigan international Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Friday.
Earnhardt chases long lost spark By NOAH TRISTER ASSOCIATED PRESS
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. tries not to worry about his winless stretch, which reached three years this week. Of course, now that he’s back in Michigan, the site of his last victory, there’s no avoiding the questions. “Would like to win a race,” Earnhardt said. “We’re trying to, but we don’t want to get too careless about it and start taking too many chances that are foolish.” The date was June 15, 2008. Earnhardt’s fuel-mileage victory at Michigan International Speedway snapped a 76-race winless string shortly after he teamed up with Hendrick Motorsports. Since then, he’s raced 107 times on the Sprint Cup circuit without finishing first. Despite all that, NASCAR’s most popular driver is a lot more upbeat these days. Although he has yet to win, he has eight top-10 finishes in 14 races this season, equaling his total for all of 2010. He’s third in the points standings entering Sunday’s race. “I think I’m having one of the best years I’ve ever had,” he said. The talk of his drought will persist until Earnhardt wins a race, but at least he’s in contention now on a regular basis. Kevin Harvick passed him with four laps remaining to win at
Martinsville Speedway in April. Earnhardt led on the final lap last month at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but settled for seventh after his gas tank ran dry. He finished second in Kansas and sixth at Pocono Raceway last weekend. Sure, it’s frustrating for his many fans, but it beats being irrelevant. “I felt like last year and the year before that, I wasn’t competitive enough to even worry about it,” Earnhardt said. “Now this year, we’re running good, and I can think about wins, I can think about missed opportunities that we’ve had a little bit more. But they don’t bother me.” And even if Earnhardt does win soon, he won’t be satisfied. “One race doesn’t make a season. One win really doesn’t make a season,” he said. “We would definitely like to win several races, and I would definitely feel like we’re where we need to be, potential-wise. We’re not now. We’re getting there. We’re doing good, but we still know we can do better.” The improvement has been obvious, especially to Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon, who won at Pocono. “Those guys are having a spectacular season,” Gordon said. “I’ve been in that situation before where we’re having a great year, we’re up there leading the points or battling for the championship and we
hadn’t won a race and that’s where the focus was. That, to me, is not right. ... I think if they keep doing what they’re doing, the win will come.” It would be fitting if it comes this weekend at MIS, where Earnhardt has five top-10 finishes in his last nine Cup races. If not, he’ll simply move on to the next race and try to keep putting himself in position to be a factor. He finished 21st in the standings last year and 25th in 2009, but those days feel like a distant memory now, and the support from his die-hard fans remained strong all along. “I know that you don’t get a lot of second chances in this sport, and I could have easily been written off over the last couple years,” he said. “I’m glad to have people that believe in me and stuck with me, and hopefully we can continue to make it pay off. We’re just barely starting to turn the corner, I think.” Now, Earnhardt feels like a threat to contend in pretty much every race, and he can start to anticipate what it will feel like to win again. “I’ve always felt like you celebrate every win like it could be your last. You never know what could happen in this sport. I always have tore down Victory Lane every time we’ve been there,” he said. “We definitely have enjoyed it every time, and if we get the opportunity again this year, we’ll do it.”
Beach — on the par-5 16th with a 4-iron from 223 yards that settled 8 feet from the cup. “I told him, ’I don’t think you’ll see a better golf shot,”’ his caddie, J.P. Fitzgerald, said. Then came the 17th, when McIlroy hit 7-iron from 175 yards that covered the flag, barely cleared the bunker and left him 15 feet below the hole for yet another birdie to go to 13 under. That number just isn’t seen on leaderboards at the U.S. Open. “It’s crazy, isn’t it?” Steve Stricker. “Pretty incredible what he’s done so far.” McIlroy knows better than to start the celebration before Sunday. He was buoyed by support coming into the U.S. Open because of the calamity at Augusta National from two months ago, when he led by four shots going into the final round of the Masters and shot 80, the kind of collapse that isn’t easily forgotten. “It’s been two very, very
good days of golf,” McIlroy said. “I put myself in a great position going into the weekend. But I know more than probably anyone else what can happen. So I’ve got to stay really focused and try and finish this thing off.” Woods holds the record for largest 36-hole lead at the U.S. Open, six shots at Pebble Beach in 2000. That record also was likely to fall since Y.E. Yang was six shots behind going into the meat of Congressional’s back nine on Friday afternoon. Sergio Garcia had a 71 and joined Snedeker at 2under 140 among those who finished the second round. Just his luck — and Garcia doesn’t have much of that in the majors — he is playing solid golf at a major where someone else is playing out of this world. Also at 140 were Robert Garrigus and former Masters champion Zach Johnson. “It’s only two days,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to give it to him yet.” It was hard to ignore
what felt like a coronation for McIlroy as he eased his way around the golf course. Toward the end of his round, the gallery in the grandstand gave him a standing ovation as the freckle-faced wonder boy with the bounce in his step simply walked onto the green. McIlroy played with four-time major winner Phil Mickelson, one of the biggest crowd-pleasers in golf who simply was along for the ride. Mickelson, who also made double bogey on the 18th, shot a 69 to finish at 1over 143. “He’s striking it flawlessly and putted great on the greens,” Mickelson said. “His first two rounds were very impressive.” During one stretch on the front nine, Mickelson made three birdies in four holes and didn’t make up any ground. McIlroy laid up from the rough on the par-5 sixth and hit wedge to 5 feet for birdie, then holed out for his eagle on the eighth.
HOCKEY Continued from Page 1B young players.” “He’s going to be our leader,” Nieuwendyk said. “Even though he’s young, has a relationship with some of our guys, they’re certainly going to know who is in charge and they will play hard for him.” Two years ago, Nieuwendyk hired Marc Crawford and the Stars missed the postseason twice, failing to make it this season by blowing a lead in the final period of the final game. The Stars had 95 points, matching the most ever by a team that missed the playoffs. That shows there’s a good nucleus. And Gulutzan is familiar with many of the up-andcoming players, having helped groom Jamie Benn, Aaron Gagnon and Tomas Vincour. It’s getting the older guys to believe in him that could be his biggest challenge, and he knows it. “First and foremost, if you can show the veteran players that what you’re trying to do will benefit them and the team as a whole, if they can truly believe you’re trying to help them, then everyone can grow from those relationships,” Gulutzan said. “The easiest selling point is to have success. That’s what makes everyone buy
in.” Nieuwendyk also interviewed Ken Hitchcock, coach of Dallas’ 1999 Stanley Cup champion club; Montreal assistant Kirk Muller, who was on the 2000 Dallas team that went to the Cup finals; and Nashville assistant coach Peter Horachek. He said the trend of other teams gambling on young, inexperienced coaches — and seeing many of them hit it big — helped his decision. The Stars actually have a long history of hiring first-time NHL coaches, with Crawford among the few exceptions. Gulutzan received a twoyear contract, with a club option for a third. A Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, native, and the son of a longtime hockey coach, Gulutzan played professionally in Europe for two seasons, then played in the West Coast Hockey League and the International Hockey League. He also had stints in Finland and Sweden before his first head coaching job, running the expansion Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. They made the playoffs in five of six seasons and reached the finals once and the conference finals another time.
Under his guidance, the Texas Stars went 87-56-17 during the regular season and 16-14 during the playoffs. He’s also 5-0 in Game 7s. “I think the best way to describe my philosophy is a hard two-way game that has today’s tempo,” Gulutzan said. The Stars have missed the playoffs three straight years after failing to qualify only twice in their first 14 season in Dallas. There were some glorious seasons mixed in, with Nieuwendyk starring on the club that won the Stanley Cup in 1999 and returning to the finals in 2000. Dallas was in the conference finals as recently as 2008, but hasn’t made the playoffs since. In addition to a coaching turnstile — from Dave Tippett to Crawford to Gulutzan — the club is in the process of being sold. Gulutzan (pronounced GULL-it-zen) said he was willing to wade into this sticky situation in part because of what a great opportunity it is. But he also believes the team is on the way back up. “Everyone in the hockey world knows the pieces are here — goaltending, skill up front,” he said. “We just have to add to it now.”
CWS Continued from Page 1B ed in. The old Rosenblatt has a ton of history but this place is just unbelievable. State of the art. It’s overwhelming.” Sonny Gray (12-3, 1.97) will start for Vanderbilt (5210), which broke through with its first CWS berth after losing a three-game super regional last year. The Commodores and Tar Heels, both 5-0 in the NCAA tournament, will meet for the first time. “I thought this group could take a step forward,” Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said. “We’re fortunate to play here, and it’s a relief for some people. Now that we’re here, we just want to play ball.” Texas ace Taylor Jungmann (13-2, 1.38), the Milwaukee Brewers’ firstround draft pick, will try to bounce back from a couple of rocky postseason outings against a Florida team that has hit a nation-leading 67 home runs. Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan said his team should be able to adjust to the spaciousness of TD Ameritrade Park, which has the same dimensions as Rosenblatt and is similar to the site of the Southeastern Conference tournament in Hoover, Ala. “We did some things differently there than we had
Photo by Nati Harnik | AP
California coach David Esquer, left, and Texas A&M coach Rob Childress laugh during the coaches’ news conference at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., Friday, ahead of the NCAA College World Series. been all year long,” he said. “We bunted a bit more, we hit-and-run a bit more. We needed to manufacture some runs. We’ve got that capability. The bottom line is that we have to somehow figure out a way to get leadoff men on and get to one of the best pitchers in college baseball.”
The Longhorns are built on pitching and defense. Garrido joked that his offense is so impotent that the NCAA won’t need to inspect his team’s bats before games to make sure they conform to new specifications. The Longhorns are batting .272 and have hit just 17 home runs in 66
games. “We’ll just have to find a way to score a run every now and then,” Garrido said. “Kevin’s got more guys with home runs than our team.” Cal’s appearance caps a season that started with its baseball program on the chopping block, only to be
saved by a $9 million fundraising effort. The Bears, who won the first CWS in 1947 in Kalamazoo, Mich., haven’t made it this far since 1992. “Any morning you can wake up in Omaha it’s a great day,” Cal coach David Esquer said. Virginia survived a
three-game super regional against UC Irvine in which it rallied with two out in the ninth inning to advance to Omaha. The Cavaliers are trying to become the first No. 1 national seed since Miami in 1999 to win it all. “Any club can win it,” Virginia coach Brian O’Connor said. “It’s a matter of who gets hot at the right time. Hopefully, that’s us.” Texas A&M was the only road team to win a super regional, beating Florida State in three games. The Aggies have survived despite losing ace John Stilson, who tore his labrum before the NCAA tournament. Ross Stripling (14-2, 2.29) will start against South Carolina’s Michael Roth (13-3, 1.02), one of the heroes of last year’s CWS. A reliever, he was called on to make two starts that helped South Carolina become the first team to win six straight games in a single CWS. Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner hopes for a smoother ride this time. “We’re a kind of club that a lot of times when people play us, they don’t think we’re very good,” Tanner said. “We win our share.”
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE A CRABBY PET Dear Readers: HERMIT CRABS can make wonderful pets. Why? They require very little maintenance and are interesting to watch. Keep in mind, though, that hermit crabs are nocturnal (they are active at night). Keep hermit crabs in a glass aquarium with sand from a pet shop. Hermit crabs are social, and they prefer to be with other hermit crabs. You can feed a hermit crab fresh veggies and fruit, such as lettuce or grapes. Don’t let fresh food sit for more than a day in the cage, because the food can attract gnats, etc. A pet store also should carry special hermit crab food. The crabs also need a pool of water, and this should be changed every day. What are some negatives about hermit crabs? They MIGHT pinch you, but gentle water will release them. They can get mites because of humidity in the cage. Carefully clean the cage with water and vinegar. Hermit crabs can live between five and 15 years, or longer. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: A reader in Hammond, Ind., sent a picture of her white-andblack cat, Maggie, letting out a BIG yawn after watching birds and squirrels all day. To see Maggie and our other Pet Pals, log on to www .Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — HeloiseHEDGEHOG FOLLOW-UP Dear Heloise: There was a recent article in our daily paper regarding hedgehogs as pets. When my son was little, we had Sophie the hedgehog. I’d like to share a few more hints for those considering a hedgehog. If you live in a colder climate, you need to provide a warming pad for your hedgehog. If hedgehogs get too cold, they
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HELOISE
could go into hibernation. Also, their nails need to be trimmed. — Trisha in Wisconsin Trisha, thanks for the added information. Hedgehogs should be kept at temperatures between 73 degrees and 76 degrees. — Heloise TRAVEL WATER Dear Heloise: I feel that when traveling with your dog, you should carry bottled water with you. Water from a different city water system MAY be chemically different, or water from campsites may not be as clean as that to which the dog is accustomed. If the dog drinks water he’s not used to, it COULD pose a diarrhea risk. — G.M. in California SOLE SOLUTION Dear Heloise: I have discovered that my textured, rubber-sole sneakers can pick up pet hair on the carpet along the baseboards! Who knew? The hair just balls up, and I can suck it up with a vacuum. — Betty in Texas SUPER SCHEDULE Dear Heloise: I work very hard to keep my animals “on schedule.” Every evening when I come home, I take my three dogs for a walk. Then we get home, rest a little bit, and they eat dinner. Then it’s time to go out, followed by bedtime. The dogs seem happier because they know how their days will unfold. — S.J., via email (c)2011 by King Features Syndicate Inc. Photo caption: A reader in Hammond, Ind., sent a picture of her white-andblack cat, Maggie, letting out a BIG yawn after watching birds and squirrels all day.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
NBA trims down demands Non-guaranteed contracts off table By BRIAN MAHONEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — NBA owners relaxed their insistence on non-guaranteed contracts in a new collective bargaining agreement Friday, but players cautioned that isn’t enough because the league is still seeking a hard salary cap. Even so, the proposal by the owners during a 41/2hour meeting was perhaps their most significant movement yet as the sides try to agree to a new deal before the current one expires June 30. “We think it’s significant. Very significant, actually,” Commissioner David Stern said. Much more is needed, though. The sides set up another meeting for Tuesday, which Stern indicated would be crucial for determining if enough progress can be made in time to avoid a work stoppage. “I really think that the time to have an optimistic or pessimistic view is at the close of the day on Tuesday,” Stern said. “I think Tuesday’s a very important day in these negotiations.” Stern said Friday’s meeting, which Knicks star Carmelo Anthony attended along with the players’ executive committee, was the first time the players had expressed so strongly their objection to the issue of non-guaranteed contracts. So the league made a new proposal closer to the current system, which allows players and individual teams the right to negotiate guarantees between themselves. “They said to us that they wanted to look at that and they wanted to reconvene next week on Tuesday and we’re hoping that we will receive from them a proposal directed to the economics,” Stern said. While the players recognized the proposal as a positive step, they downplayed it because it was giving them something they already have — without any
Longest match gets a rematch By CAROLINE CHEESE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Lynne Sladky | AP
The Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Terry (31) shoots past the Miami Heat’s Udonis Haslem (40) during the second half of Game 6 of their NBA Finals game June 12. change to the owners’ stance on the salary cap. “We can’t talk about one part in a vacuum because it impacts the entire system, so we haven’t been at this point inclined to say that’s a huge thing, because without other things it doesn’t mean much,” said Lakers guard Derek Fisher, the union president. Owners are seeking significant changes to the league’s salary structure, and Fisher last week identified the issues of reductions in contract lengths and guarantees, plus the salary cap system as the three areas the league hadn’t budged on. The cur-
rent soft-cap system allows teams to exceed it through certain exceptions, a system the players want to maintain. Also Friday, the league told the players that this weekend it would be canceling its Las Vegas Summer League, which would have started in early July. Deputy commissioner Adam Silver, the league’s lead negotiator, stressed that was simply a function of the calendar, not a threat to the players. The sides met three times during the NBA finals and held a small meeting between Stern and Silver, plus union executive
director Billy Hunter and their staffs earlier this week. The meeting Tuesday is expected to include many players, along with as many owners from the labor relations committee as possible on short notice. Nine owners attended Friday, including Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, a day after his team’s victory celebration in Dallas. The sides are still far apart on numerous financial issues, mainly the split in revenues. Players are currently guaranteed 57 percent, and owners have been seeking a swing of about $750 million annually in player salary costs.
WIMBLEDON, England — The longest-match rematch is coming to Wimbledon: John Isner and Nicolas Mahut will play each other in the first round. Last year, the pair played the longest match in tennis history, with Isner winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68 in a firstround match at the All England Club that lasted 11 hours, 5 minutes stretched over three days. A gasp followed the announcement at Friday’s draw, followed by laughter. “It’s going to be pretty nuts,” Isner said Friday. “I couldn’t believe it. I joked with him earlier in the week, last week, and said, ’Watch us play each other.’ And he said, ’No, there’s no way. That’s not even funny.”’ The two players have become good friends since their historic encounter a year ago. They were to practice together Saturday but canceled those plans once they learned the rematch was on. “We might do dinner (afterward),” Isner said. “We’re really good friends now, but obviously we both want to win. But we’re going to enjoy it and laugh at it at the same time.” Isner couldn’t let go of the oddity, later tweeting a joke: “anyone seen the wimby draw? Who do I play?” He was not the only one buzzing about this on Twitter.
NFL labor deal proves elusive By BARRY WILNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
Astros pin their prayers on Pence By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Hunter Pence ranks in the top five in the National League in batting average, RBIs, doubles and hits. His recent 23game hitting streak is the second longest in the majors this season. So why is Houston’s star right fielder unhappy? Simple. His success hasn’t translated into more wins for the Astros, who have the worst record in baseball. “We’re professional competitors,” he said. “The burden is, we as a team feel like we’re letting the city down. I owe everything and I’m very grateful for all the blessings that baseball has brought me, and I’m not going to do anything other than give everything I have every day. That’s who I am at the core.” The Astros haven’t made the playoffs since reaching their first World Series in 2005. Pence began his major league career in 2007 and hates that he hasn’t been able to get Houston to the postseason. “I feel guilty that we haven’t been in the playoffs since I’ve been here and I have to take that personal,” he said. “It just motivates me further to go harder, to be more persistent, to learn more, to focus more and in the end it’s going to make me a better person.” It would be difficult for the 28-year-old Pence to do more for the team than what he’s done this season. Going into Friday’s games, his .326 batting average was fourth in the NL, his 93 hits ranked second and he was tied for fourth with 51 RBIs. He dislikes talking about personal success and seemed to cringe each time
Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP
The Houston Astros’ Hunter Pence runs in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, in Houston. he was asked about extending his hitting streak. Manager Brad Mills said that attitude is one of the many reasons he’s successful. “He’s going to give everything he has to help the ball club win and when the ball club isn’t winning, it bothers him,” Mills said. “Him always keeping faced forward and working on getting going in this direction rather than reflecting back is probably one of the qualities that keeps him playing so well and doing so well.” Pence had 91 RBIs and 173 hits last season, both career highs. If he continues at his current pace he’ll significantly outdo those numbers this season. “He’s just continued to build on what’s already been a very significant big
league career,” general manager Ed Wade said. “I think he’s turned some very significant corners this year. We see longer at bats. We see him laying off pitches he had trouble laying off of in the past. I just think he’s getting more comfortable in his surroundings and I think the results speak for themselves.” With Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell retiring in recent years, Pence truly became the de facto face and leader of this young team last July when longtime stars Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt were traded. It’s a role the fifth-year player from Arlington, Texas, had to grow into. “My role and what I feel on the inside and what I want to do is everything I
can to help this team win,” he said. “I know that it entails helping some of the young guys.” Wade said he and Pence talked about leadership two offseasons ago and at that time the player told him he knew his time would eventually come. Wade told him if he saw a void, then maybe it was his turn to fill it. To that end, Pence spent much of this offseason at Minute Maid Park working out with younger players including Brett Wallace and Chris Johnson. “I think Hunter’s interested in spending that extra time that it takes not only to make himself better individually, but the team also,” Wade said. “He has a great passion for us to get this thing straightened out and headed in the right direction.” Wallace said Pence has been a major factor in helping him adjust to the majors. His .316 batting average in his first full season in the big leagues ranks fifth in the NL. “Working out with him this offseason we saw the way he goes about his business, how hard he works, the energy he plays with and he just kind of instilled that in us and I think it carried into this season,” Wallace said. “We are all really comfortable with him and he can give us pointers along the way, but he also just leads by example with his energy and passion.” Pence has missed just one game this season, to rest a sore back. He didn’t want to sit out that day and campaigned to pinch hit. “He wants to be out there,” Mills said. “You love guys like that and if you have nine guys like that it would be pretty special.”
“Isner vs mahut drawing each other in the first round after last year is the most amazing thing I’ve seen in tennis! Centre court anyone?!” fourthseeded Andy Murray said. Former U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe borrowed brother John’s famous catchphrase in a posting: “you cannot be serious!!!” The match last year was played on Court 18, and a plaque this year commemorates the epic contest. Isner said he didn’t mind which court they played on. “I don’t care what they do,” Isner said. “It’s going to be crazy, they might put us on a bigger court, (or) put us back on that court (18).” This year’s match is to take place — or begin at least — on Tuesday. Their first-round match was held over twice because of darkness last year. With rain forecast for the opening week of Wimbledon, there is a chance they could be delayed again. Defending champion Rafael Nadal was drawn in the opposite half from six-time champion Roger Federer, meaning there is a chance of a fourth Wimbledon final between the two. Seventh-seeded Serena Williams and big sister Venus Williams, who turned 30 on Friday, are in opposite halves, setting up the possibility for a fifth sibling final at the All England Club. The sisters have won nine of the past 11 Wimbledon finals.
NEW YORK — Reaching a labor deal soon is hardly a done deal in the NFL. Team owners will be updated on recent negotiations with the players when they meet in Chicago on Tuesday. They’ve been told to prepare to stay an extra day because of the complexity of the proposals both sides have discussed in sessions over the last three weeks. Getting the required 24 of 32 owners to agree on anything can be difficult, let alone something as complex as a new collective bargaining agreement. And there has been enough pushback from owners familiar with those proposals that progress made recently might not lead to an agreement in the next few weeks. Still, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations, the faction of unhappy owners that exists isn’t yet large enough to derail an agreement. That could lead to some heavy lobbying in Chicago at the first owners’ meeting specifically scheduled to deal with the lockout. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because details of the negotiations are not supposed to be made public, said a new CBA is not imminent. Owners, Commissioner Roger Goodell and lead negotiator Jeff Pash have been silent about recent developments, citing an agreement with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan not to discuss mediated talks. Players association chief DeMaurice Smith and several players on hand for the negotiations also have avoided comment. Earlier this week,
Goodell responded to a letter he and Smith received from two Congressmen calling for the NFL to adopt a “thorough testing program for HGH.” Goodell said in his reply dated June 13 that testing for HGH “is a critical element of an effective and credible drug testing program” and the league is insisting on “immediate implementation of HGH testing” in the negotiations. Whether or not such a provision makes it into the CBA, it’s clear that deadlines are approaching. Training camps normally would open in about five weeks, and any lengthy delays in striking a deal will endanger them and the preseason. The first preseason game is at the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions; the Bears and Rams are scheduled to play Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio. “I know that we’ve been talking pretty extensively over the last few weeks,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, one of 10 players on an antitrust suit brought against the league on March 11, hours before the lockout began. “It seems like things are moving in the right direction, which is very positive. It’s what we always hoped for as players because obviously we’re getting to crunch time here. We’re nearing July and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done (footballwise) between now and when the season will start, and obviously we’d love to have a settlement in place.” One item of contention likely is the minimum teams can spend on salaries each year and how it is determined, a key for small-market franchises such as Buffalo, Jacksonville and Cincinnati.