FREE
SATURDAY JUNE 26, 2010
DELIVERED EVERY SATURDAY
TO 4,000 HOMES
A HEARST PUBLICATION
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
COMMUNITY SERVICE
DRUG WAR
MORE ZAPATA RESIDENTS Mexican GOING HUNGRY EACH YEAR forces kill Food bank is 11 gunmen a big help By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA By MARIANA MARTINEZ
THE ZAPATA TIMES
ASSOCIATED PRESS
W
ith more than 46.7 percent of residents younger than 18 living in poverty, Zapata ties Brooks County for the sixth-worst poverty in the state, so it should be no surprise that local food pantries are seeing an increased number of people seeking help. More than 4,500 people are living in poverty in Zapata, according to a hunger study commissioned by Feeding America. “It has increased at least 15 percent from one year to another. There are always more families coming in to ask for assistance,” said Elia Solis, agency coordinator for South Texas Food Bank. “Some for a temporary basis, others seasonal, and a lot more families are needing help more often than before.” Feeding America is the nation’s largest hunger-fighting organization. The South Texas Food Bank, which provides services to Zapata and seven other area counties, is a member of Feeding America. Norma Mendoza, responsible for running Helping Hands food pantry in Zapata, reported seeing 1,248 families in the month of May alone. “It varies from month to month,” said Mendoza, explaining the process many residents may know all too well. “When they come in, we
See HUNGRY PAGE 11A
In the border state of Tamaulipas, at least 11 gunmen died in three separate clashes with Mexican navy and Army troops Thursday. The navy said in a statement that six gunmen died in two shootouts in Matamoros, across from Brownsville. Another five gunmen died after clashing with soldiers later that day in Ciudad Mier, also in Tamaulipas, the Mexican Army said in a separate statement. More than 23,000 people have been killed by drug violence since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderón began deploying thousands of troops and federal police to drug hot spots. Mexican officials attribute much of the bloodshed to turf battles between drug cartels, but the gangs are increasingly turning to attacks on
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Armando Tadeo, an employee at the Zapata County Food Pantry, prepares bags of groceries for distribution Monday afternoon. See letter, Page 4A.
COMMUNITY
More than 23,000 people have been killed by drug violence since late 2006. police and prosecutors. Meanwhile, police in the border city of Mexicali have arrested a purported top figure in Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, authorities said Friday. Baja California state police arrested Manuel Garibay on Thursday while he was driving in Mexicali, across from Calexico, Calif., the state public security department said in a statement. Garibay, 52, had been the Sinaloa cartel’s link to Colombian cocaine
See DRUG WAR PAGE 10A
HONORING BRAVE WARRIORS
EDUCATION
Rotary gives Zapata assistant to pantry, coaches lose days other groups By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
By JOE RUTLAND THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Shepherd’s Pantry of Zapata provides nourishment for both body and soul. Last week, it received needed nourishment of its own from the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club. The club’s members donated $5,800 to Shepherd’s Pantry to help support its efforts to help the hungry in Zapata. It was one of four area nonprofit organizations to benefit from donations distributed by Gateway Rotary. Keep Laredo Beautiful received $7,350 from two separate donations. A $5,350 donation was from funds collected by the club’s Paul Harris Fellow fundraiser. Then, a separate $2,000 grant for the “Go Green” program, a community garden initiative, also was awarded. Gateway Rotary distributed $24,000 to other
See ROTARY PAGE 11A
Assistant athletic coaches learned Tuesday night they will be losing their extra days as part of budgetary cuts within the Zapata County Independent School District. Athletic director Mario Arze put forth the suggested cuts for his athletic department during ZCISD’s regular school board meeting. According to interim superintendent Norma Garcia, all department and program heads were consulted for input regarding necessary department budgetary cuts. “When we met with the athletic director and asked for his input, he recommended that if we had to cut anything in his department it would be the assistant
“
I know this was difficult for him, but all programs are being looked at.” ZCISD INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT NORMA GARCIA
coaches’ extra days,” Garcia said. “I know this was difficult for him, but all programs are being looked at.” Most coaches were present at the meeting in hopes of a change but didn’t have success. “I’m really disappointed,”
See ZAPATA PAGE 10A
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Korean War veterans Ernesto Sanchez, right, Reynaldo Reyna and others pause Friday morning at Jarvis Plaza in Laredo to reflect on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The veterans were joined by Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas, representatives of the Korean Baptist Church of Laredo and members of the Color Guard for Constable Rudy Rodriguez.