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RIO GRANDE RACING THROUGH FALCON
ENTERTAINMENT
Courtesy photo
Hector Benavides, producer of Ze Divaneb Productions, shoots a scene for his upcoming film, "El Peso de Oracion."
Man chases film dream By LORRAINE R. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Laredoan Hector Benavides has long pursued a dream of becoming a filmmaker, and now he is using his own backyard as a backdrop for his latest project. Zapata, along with Hebbronville, Oilton and Laredo, are used as locations as part of his most recent Ze Divaneb Productions filmmaking venture, “El Peso de Oracion.” Benavides always knew he wanted to be a filmmaker. He headed to Dallas at a young age to pursue a career in the film industry. Leaving Laredo
with little money, he spent his first night under a bridge, he said. He later became an entrepreneur in several businesses, but writing remained his passion. He’s living and breathing that passion now as he draws closer to completing his masterpiece. The film should be wrapped by December, and Benavides said he plans to donate all revenue to local nonprofit organizations. “El Peso de Oracion,” a short film scheduled to be an hour long, tells the story of a cold-hearted,
See MOVIE PAGE 9A
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
The International Boundary and Water Commission releases thousands of gallons of water Friday afternoon from Falcon Lake.
Zapata, San Ygnacio expects little flooding By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
COUNTY
Spat brewing over museum director offer By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A proposal made by Chamber of Commerce President Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza to become the new museum curator and simply take on the new duties at no extra cost to the county does not sit well with Hildegardo Flores, Ph.D., chairman of the Zapata County Museum of History. At last month’s regular Commissioners Court meeting, the commissioners put off hiring Amparo Montes-Gutierrez as museum curator at a salary
of $30,000 per year plus fringe benefits due to an advertisement disagreement. Flores had recommended that she be hired. According to Commissioner Jose E. Vela, the ad for the museum curator position was only made available online and people complained because it was not advertised in the local newspaper. “On account of that we decided to rescind to hire a curator,” Vela said. According to Flores, the museum structure alone cost more than a
See MUSEUM PAGE 9A
State officials warned Zapata County residents who have watercraft or other property near Falcon Lake to take prompt action to move them to safety because the water is expected to rise as much as eight feet. “Anyone with boats, docks or other equipment near the lake should take immediate step to move it above the 301 level ... as further rises in the lake are possible,” said state Rep. Ryan Guillen, D- Rio Grande City, who also represents Zapata County. Falcon Lake is expected to reach a depth of 301 feet; the maximum it can hold is 306.5 feet.
Not so bad Residents inside the towns of Zapata and San Ygnacio don’t need to be as worried, county officials said Friday. “We have been meeting with IBWC and other local officials and we’ve come to the conclusion that there is no threat for Za-
pata County,” Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said. Gonzalez and other county leaders said they’re confident Zapata and San Ygnacio are safe from flooding due to high land elevations. “We don’t anticipate an evacuation,” Zapata County Commissioner Jose E. Vela said. “Zapata is one of those areas. We’re lucky.” The areas near the lake are government restricted and land owners are not allowed to build, Vela said, which helps avoid residential flooding problems.
IBWC releases Falcon Lake is 60 miles long and 12 miles wide. The International Boundary and Water Commission has been releasing water from Falcon Dam, connecting Falcon Heights and Ciudad Guerrero, as it pours down the Rio Grande. The water was moving through the structure at a rate of near-
See FLOOD PAGE 9A
People standing at the top of the mighty Falcon Dam look tiny as they watch water rushing through the gates Friday.