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MUSEUM OF HISTORY OPENS
ZAPATA COUNTY
Resurfacing Commissioners OK parking lot project By ERICA MATOS THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
Ana Flores, left, and Corina Lozano look at war medals at the Zapata County Museum of History on July 9. See related story, photos, on pages 8A and 9A.
NUEVO LAREDO
Jail break springs Zetas
Zapata County Commissioners approved the resurfacing of the Zapata County Community Center during their July 11 meeting. The resurfacing will costs $18,810. The community center
is located next to the new Zapata County Higher Education and Advanced Technology Center. For this reason, he proposed an expansion of the parking lot to better accommodate both facilities. The project will be funded using the tax collected on local eight-liner businesses,
which currently amounts to approximately $600,000. Commissioners tabled an item to redistrict precincts 1, 2 and 4, a job which is due by October. According to the 2010 Zapata County census, county resi-
See COUNTY PAGE 12A
‘SAGES’ TAKE THE STAGE
By JASON BUCH SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
About 60 inmates tied to the Zetas drug trafficking organization broke out of a Nuevo Laredo prison Friday, leaving seven members of a rival gang dead in their wake. The late-morning escape is the latest violent episode in a prison that was the site of a massive breakout last year and where the Zetas execute with impunity those that displease them. Five guards are also missing from the Centro de Ejecución de Sanciones No. 2, known by its acronym CEDES, where 151 inmates escaped in December. After that escape, the prison’s warden went missing. His replacement was stabbed to death in March during a confrontation in the prison.
Little known Few details about the escape were released Friday. Officials from the state of Tamaulipas were not available for comment but did confirm the escape with a brief news release Friday afternoon. The state said 59 inmates escaped, but some Mexican news outlets put it as high as 66. “The situation is currently under control and the facts are being investigated in a coordinated manner with local and federal authorities,” the news release read. Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar said that like the December escape, Friday’s was an effort by the Zetas to free members and potential recruits. The
See PRISON PAGE 12A
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Vielka Gutierrez, second from left, of Zapata, is one of the “Sages” in the Laredo Little Theatre’s production of “Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel.” The play is scheduled for 3 p.m. today and Sunday, and also at 8 p.m. today. Other “Sages” are, from left, Allison Guzman, Lauren Enriquez, Carina Guerra and Soleil Perez.
MEXICO
3 sought for organized crime activities By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A Mexican federal judge issued an arrest warrant for three alleged Gulf Cartel members who, officials charge, operated in Miguel Alemán, a border town sitting across the Rio Grande from Roma, officials announced Thursday. Mexico’s attorney general’s office, or PGR, acting through the Assistant Attorney Gener-
GILBERTO BARRAGÁN BALDERAS: Facing organized crime charges. al’s Office for Special Investigations on Organized Crime, found enough probable cause to affect the arrest of Gilberto Barragán Balderas, known as “Tocayo”; Romeo Eduardo Mejía González and Sergio Guerra Castañón. Federal officials are charging
SERGIO GUERRA CASTAÑÓN: Accused of possession of a controlled substance. them for their alleged involvement in organized crime, possession of weaponry exclusively used by military personnel and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. A PGR report states the trio is directly connected to the Gulf Cartel. Federal police arrested
ROMEO EDUARDO MEJÍA GONZÁLEZ: Accused of possession military weapons. them May 20 thanks to intelligence stating the men would be at a party. Authorities alleged Barragán Balderas is a founding member of the Gulf Cartel. The PGR report states Mejía González is
See MEXICO PAGE 12A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, JULY 16 The South Texas Food Bank will hold its 5K Run/Walk for Hunger awareness today at 9 a.m. at North Central Park in North Laredo. Registration is at 8 a.m. Fee is $15 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Age groups include 14 and under to 50+ for boys, girls, men and women. Registration forms are available at Rudy’s on McPherson Road or Fudducker’s on Hillside Road. For information, call Zelina Ruiz with South Texas Food Bank at 956-568-3673 during business hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds go to the South Texas Food mission of feeding the hungry. The Friends of the Library be hold its Last Used Book Sale today through Friday on the second floor of the Laredo Public Library, 1120 East Calton Rd., during regular library hours. will provide funds to enhance library service, augment the library’s book collection and raise community awareness of educational opportunities available at the Laredo Public Library. For additional information, contact Anne Mente, Librarian Manager of Technical Services at the Laredo Public Library at (956) 7952400 ext. 2249 or via e-mail at anne@laredolibrary.org. The Laredo Theater Guild International presents “Annie,” its 2011 summer musical, at the LCC Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Theater. Show begins at 8 p.m. Regular admission is $15, and seniors and students with an ID enter for $10. Tickets are available at the box office one hour before each show. For more information, contact Joe Arciniega at laredotheaterguild@gmail.com. The Laredo Little Theatre is proud to announce that this year’s traditional; summer children’s, “Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel” Today, performances will be at 3 p.m. and at 8 p.m. There will be one final performance, a matinee, tomorrow at 3 p.m. Maria Eugenia Lopez is directing the play with Alma Rangel as Assistant Director. Admission is $5. The Laredo Little Theatre is located at 4802 Thomas. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium invites you to enjoy “The Little Star That Could” at 5 p.m., “Extreme Planets” at 6 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at 7 p.m. General admission is $5 and $4 for children and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 more. For additional show times, call 326-DOME (3663) or visit tamiu.edu/planetarium.
SUNDAY, JULY 17 The Laredo Theater Guild International presents the 3 p.m. matinee performance of “Annie,” its 2011 summer musical, at the LCC Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Theater. Regular admission is $15, and seniors and students with an ID enter for $10. Tickets are available at the box office one hour before each show. For more information, contact Joe Arciniega at laredotheaterguild@gmail.com. The Laredo Little Theatre is proud to announce that this year’s traditional; summer children’s, “Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel.” Today’s final performance, a matinee, begins at 3 p.m. Maria Eugenia Lopez is directing the play with Alma Rangel as Assistant Director. Admission is $5. The Laredo Little Theatre is located at 4802 Thomas.
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011 The Bingo Palace will hold a ribbon-cutting and mixer at 6:30 p.m. at 1406 Jacaman Rd. The Laredo Theater Guild International presents “Annie,” its 2011 summer musical, at the LCC Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Theater. Show begins at 8 p.m. Regular admission is $15, and seniors and students with an ID enter for $10. Tickets are available at the box office one hour before each show. For more information, contact Joe Arciniega at laredotheaterguild@gmail.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 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. The Laredo Theater Guild International presents “Annie” at the LCC Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Theater. Show begins at 8 p.m. Regular admission is $15, and seniors and students with an ID enter for $10. Tickets are available at the box office one hour before each show. For more information, contact Joe Arciniega at laredotheaterguild@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Mona Reeder/The Dallas Morning News | AP
Gov. Rick Perry, left, watches as Texas State Sen. Jane Nelson speaks during a ceremonial bill signing for three environmental bills on Friday in Denton. Perry says Texas continues to be the nation’s oil and gas leader while protecting the environment.
Perry: Law helps air By ANGELA K. BROWN ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENTON — Some new Texas laws will further protect the environment as the state continues to lead the nation in oil and gas production, Gov. Rick Perry said Friday. During the recent legislative session, lawmakers worked to create a fair regulatory climate in the energy sector rather than a “draconian” one that might have prevented expanding fuel sources, Perry said. “The truth of the matter is: America needs all the innovation that we can muster to reduce our dependency on foreign sources of energy. And again our combination of job creation, improved air quality here in Texas (shows) that it can be done, and that is the right way. We refer to it as the Texas way,” he said in Denton before he did a ceremonial signing of the bills that have already become
law. Starting next summer, drillers must publicly disclose the chemicals they use when extracting oil and gas from dense rock formations. The issue has taken on national importance as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is used in more states. Texas was the first state to pass such a law when Perry signed the bill last month. One bill provides incentives for companies to switch their heavy vehicles from diesel fuel to natural gas. It also provides grants to businesses that build natural gas refueling centers along interstate highways connecting Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Another bill provides funding for additional air monitoring in the Barnett Shale, a 5,000-square-mile underground rock formation packed with natural gas spanning about two dozen North Texas counties.
Warehouse worker dies when pinned under crate
2 ‘Texas 7’ fugitives lose federal appeals
Fort Hood suspect’s arraignment is next week
SAN ANTONIO — Federal investigators are looking into a warehouse accident in which a worker was killed when she was pinned under a 1,500-pound crate. Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were dispatched to ConWay Freight after 49-year-old Marissa Garcia was killed on Thursday.
HOUSTON — Two of the "Texas 7" prison escapees have lost federal court appeals, moving them a step closer to execution for killing an Irving police officer more than a decade ago after breaking out of a Texas prison. George Rivas and Donald Newbury were turned down Thursday in appeals to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
FORT HOOD — The Army psychiatrist charged in the worst mass shooting on a U.S. military installation will be arraigned in a military court next week. It will be Maj. Nidal Hasan’s first court appearance since Fort Hood’s commander decided he would face the death penalty. Defense attorney John Galligan told The Associated Press Friday that the military judge will set Hasan’s trial date, possibly as early as March.
Pair sentenced for taking Texas man shot in Mexico EL PASO — Two men have been sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping a Texas man later found shot with his hands chopped off in Juarez, Mexico. Prosecutors say the men took Sergio Saucedo while he was with his family and brought him to Juarez, where he was found dead days later on an unpaved road with his severed hands sitting on his chest.
Officer relieved of duty after punching suspect HOUSTON — Houston’s police chief says an officer seen in television footage punching a handcuffed suspect has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation. A television crew was filming Thursday when police tracked a suspect in a robbery. The film shows two officers with the handcuffed suspect when a third officer walks up and hits the suspect.
46-year-old elephant dies at Tyler zoo TYLER — Chico, a 46-year-old elephant at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo, has died. Chico died suddenly. A necropsy has been performed but zoo executive director Hayes Caldwell says the cause of death is still undetermined, pending further test results. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Airlines seeking to raise fares again
CONTACT US
DALLAS — Some of the nation’s largest airlines said Friday they raised fares by up to $10 per round trip, the first broad increase in three months. United and Continental raised prices on many U.S. routes by $4 to $10 per round trip, and Delta matched the increase, spokesmen for the airlines confirmed. Officials at American Airlines and JetBlue Airways said they had not raised prices. Other airlines did not comment immediately.
Cuomo rakes in $5.5M in campaign cash ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo received $60,000 in campaign money from one of the state’s leading gay rights groups. The Empire State Pride Agenda’s check was one of the biggest among Cuomo’s $5.5 million in
Today is Saturday, July 16, the 197th day of 2011. There are 168 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 16, 1911, actressdancer Ginger Rogers was born Virginia Katherine McMath in Independence, Mo. On this date: In 1790, a site along the Potomac River was designated the permanent seat of the United States government; the area became Washington, D.C. In 1862, David G. Farragut became the first rear admiral in the United States Navy. In 1935, the first parking meters were installed in Oklahoma City. In 1945, the United States exploded its first experimental atomic bomb in the desert of Alamogordo, N.M. In 1951, the novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger was first published by Little, Brown and Co. In 1964, as he accepted the Republican presidential nomination in San Francisco, Barry M. Goldwater said “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice” and that “moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” In 1969, Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on the first manned mission to the surface of the moon. In 1973, during the Senate Watergate hearings, former White House aide Alexander P. Butterfield publicly revealed the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret taping system. In 1981, singer Harry Chapin was killed when his car was struck by a tractor-trailer on New York’s Long Island Expressway. In 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, died when their single-engine plane, piloted by Kennedy, plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Ten years ago: South Asian nuclear rivals India and Pakistan failed to reach an accord on their half-century dispute over Kashmir, ending a landmark three-day summit on a solemn note. Russia and China signed their first friendship treaty in more than half a century. Jacques Rogge (ROH’guh) was elected to succeed Juan Antonio Samaranch (SAM’-uh-rang) as president of the International Olympic Committee. Today’s Birthdays: Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh is 79. Soul singer Denise LaSalle is 77. Soul singer William Bell is 72. International Tennis Hall of Famer Margaret Court is 69. Violinist Pinchas Zukerman is 63. Actor-singer Ruben Blades is 63. Dancer Michael Flatley is 53. Actress Phoebe Cates is 48. Actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell is 46. Actor-comedian Will Ferrell is 44. Actor Jonathan Adams is 44. Actress Rain Pryor is 42. Actor Corey Feldman is 40. Rock musician Ed Kowalczyk (Live) is 40. Rock singer Ryan McCombs (Drowning Pool) is 37. Actress AnnaLynne McCord is 24. Actor-singer James Maslow is 21. Actor Mark Indelicato (“Ugly Betty”) is 17. Thought for Today: “When two people love each other, they don’t look at each other, they look in the same direction.” — Ginger Rogers (1911-1995).
Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Classified Manager, Jesse Vicharreli ........... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Managing Editor, Julie Silva ...................... 728-2565 City Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez .................. 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavín-Castillo............ 728-2569 Photo by Mark Lennihan | AP
Work continues on the National September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site on Friday in New York. The memorial will be dedicated in a ceremony on Sept. 11, the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. contributions since January.
Bulger’s girlfriend to remain held without bail BOSTON — A federal judge has ordered Catherine Greig, the
longtime girlfriend of former Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger, to remain in custody without bail while she awaits trial on charges stemming from allegations that she helped him evade capture for 16 years. — 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
Zlocal
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
PAGE 3A
EMPTY BOWLS RECOGNITION
Tutoring firm offers help in English, math, reading SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
Romeo Salinas, Jackie Umphres, and Elisa Umphres pose after Elisa Umphres was recognized during the South Texas Food Bank Empty Bowls Artist Reception on Thursday afternoon at Laredo Center for the Arts.
Mexico raids 2 labs Feds find pot in greenhouses
2,000 students in the state of Texas. Of those 2,000 students who completed the program, 98 percent improved by one educational level. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/ ProgresstoSuccess or call (956) 489-9433. Tutoring is held at 508 Hawk St. at King’s Way Church in Zapata. “Our business motto says: ‘Teaching Students the Roots of Knowledge,’ and that is truly our goal,” Cisneros said. Progress to Success also offers tutoring services in Laredo, San Antonio, Hebbronville, Rio Grande, Roma and Kingsville.
Mexican troops find weapons, marijuana in border towns
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Mexican federal officials raided two narcotics labs during the week. Mexico’s defense ministry, SEDENA, on Wednesday announced the raid of a greenhouse in Reynosa, which borders McAllen, which was allegedly used to grow marijuana. A second narcolab was targeted in Saltillo, in Coahuila. Military officials said an anonymous tip led them to the Colonia Petrolera in Reynosa, where troops received several reports of ongoing suspicious activity. Soldiers inspected the area to confirm the allegations. They found a greenhouse used to grow marijuana, stated a news release from SEDENA. No arrests have been reported in connection to the case. However, troops seized 325 marijuana plants, five water pumps, five drip irriga-
Progress to Success tutoring company has opened in Zapata. “I grew up in Zapata and realized that many students who struggle in school can succeed if given individual help through one-on-one tutoring” said co-owner Lili Cisneros. Progress to Success offers tutoring to students in grades 2-12 and college remedial courses. Students are given assessment tests on their first day so that the program designed for them is tailored to the student’s specific needs. Tutoring is offered twice a week for two hours each
session. Tutoring primarily focuses on math, English and reading. “All tutors must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or are state certified teachers,” said co-owner Andrew Miller. “In the various communities that we work in we only hire local, well-qualified applicants. Many times our tutors are also teachers in the local schools and already know the students and their families; this helps to make the students feel more relaxed when they show up on their first day of tutoring.” The materials Progress to Success uses as part of its tutoring method have been used with more than
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
Mexico Army troops confiscated 325 marijuana plants, five water pumps, five drip irrigation systems, three air conditioning systems, 21 incandescent lamps, 78 plastic bags of mixed compost and fertilizer in this Reynosa, Mexico, greenhouse on Wednesday. tion systems, three air conditioning systems, 21 incandescent lamps, 78 plastic bags with compost and fertilizer mixer, among other items. The enforcement action was part of Operation Northeast, which is meant to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Soldiers turned over the items seized to the Procuraduría General de la República, or
PGR, for investigation. Earlier in the week, PGR officials announced they had seized a narcolab in Saltillo belonging to Los Zetas. During the early hours of July 10, officials raided a home in Saltillo and arrested Arturo Díaz Mejía y Rubén Martínez Hernández, known as “El Billy.” Federal authorities dismantled the narcolab.
Mexican federal authorities are looking into a case in which soldiers seized close to a ton of marijuana after a gunfight in Ciudad Mier, located about eight miles from Roma and Miguel Alemán, Mexico’s attorney general’s office, PGR, announced Monday. Also Monday, Mexico’s defense ministry, SEDENA, announced the seizure of an arsenal in Reynosa, across the Rio Grande from McAllen. Regarding the Ciudad Mier case, officials with the Procuraduría General de la República say if a person if found in possession
of marijuana, the offender (s) could face federal charges for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. A PGR report states Mexican military troops patrolling in an area near an island in Ciudad Mier spotted a group of men in the area. The men, believed to be involved in organized crime, opened fire on the troops. When soldiers repelled the attack, the alleged offenders swam across to U.S. soil to elude capture, the PGR report states. Troops inspected the riverbanks and found 90 bundles of marijuana, with an approximate weight of 2,072 pounds. Federal authorities
seized the contraband. An investigation continues. Regarding the arsenal, Mexican authorities say the seizure happened July 10 as a result of Operation Northeast, an operation to battle narcotrafficking and organized crime. Officials did not say how they came to seize the weapons. They only mention the firearms and ammo confiscations took place in several areas in Reynosa. A SEDENA report states soldiers seized 3,269 rounds of ammo of different calibers, 37 assault rifles, 18 handguns and 55 ammo clips. No arrests were reported. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON ZAPATA COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT BUDGET The ZAPATA COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on a PROPOSED BUDGET for the 2012 fiscal year. The public hearing will be held on August 10, 2011 at the Zapata County Appraisal District Office at 200 East 7th Avenue, Suite 240 at 9:00 a.m. A summary of the appraisal district budget follows: The total amount of the proposed budget is $569,437.00. The total amount of increase over the current year’s budget is $13,110.00. The number of employees compensated under the proposed budget will be 6 (full-time equivalent). The number of employees compensated under the current budget is 6 (full-time equivalent). The appraisal district is supported solely by payments from the local taxing units served by the appraisal district. If approved by the appraisal district board of directors at the public hearing, this proposed budget will take effect automatically unless disapproved by the governing bodies of the county, school districts, cities and towns served by the appraisal district. A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection in the office of each of those governing bodies. A copy is also available for public inspection at the appraisal district office.
ZAPATA COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT
Zopinion
PAGE 4A
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Overflowing defense plate for Panetta By ANDREW F. KREPINEVICH THE WASHINGTON POST
W
ASHINGTON — Leon Panetta has begun his tenure as secretary of defense with big challenges to manage — conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, and looming cuts in defense spending — and two clouds on the national security horizon he knows he cannot ignore.
Difficult situation These threatening developments are in regions long considered to be of vital interest to the United States: the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf. They will be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. One concerns the U.S. military’s loss of its near-monopoly in precision-guided munitions, or “smart bombs.” China is fielding precision-guided ballistic and cruise missiles in increasing numbers. Their principal purpose appears to be threatening the major U.S. air bases in the Western Pacific, such as the one at Kadena on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
Missiles China is also equipping its air force and navy with high-speed antiship cruise missiles capable of overwhelming the U.S. Navy’s carrier defenses, and it is developing a new anti-ship ballistic missile, the DF-21. Beijing believes the U.S. military has an Achilles’ heel: its “nervous system” of battle networks. Without its satellite and fiber-optic data links, the U.S. ability to coordinate forces, target the enemy, guide weapons to their targets and maintain control over unmanned drones such as the Predator would be severely compromised.
Aiming at satellites The People’s Liberation Army has in recent years fielded and tested anti-satellite lasers and rockets, and it is suspected of probing U.S. defenses with its cyber-weapons. This has led to concerns that the opening moves of a future major conflict would be against America’s information system. As Panetta put it at his confirmation hearing last month: “The next Pearl Harbor that we face could well be a cyber attack.” Does China want war with the United States? Almost certainly not. What China does want, apparently, is to shift the military balance in the Western Pacific so that the United States will not be able to provide credible military support to longtime security partners such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Balance of power We had a word for this phenomenon during the Cold War: Finlandization. Then, the United States sought to maintain a stable military bal-
ance with the Soviet Union. One reason was that if the balance shifted in Moscow’s favor, America’s European allies might conclude that Moscow could not be resisted and would fall under Soviet sway. All of Europe would share the fate of Finland, which remained nominally independent after World War II but abided by foreign policy rules dictated in Moscow.
Mideast worry The second concern is Iran, which, like Beijing, is buying into the precision-guided weapons revolution. Its “poor man’s” version of China’s arsenal includes long-range ballistic missiles, supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, smart anti-ship mines and fast attack boats to “swarm” enemy ships. The apparent goal is to turn the Persian Gulf ’s constricted waters, through which 40 percent of the world’s oil shipping passes, into an Iranian lake.
Iran’s turn This challenge is compounded by Iran’s efforts to acquire a nuclear capability, which may encourage it to become more aggressive in its efforts to undermine regional security. If Iran becomes a nuclear power, the pressure on Saudi Arabia and Turkey to follow suit might be irresistible. With ballistic missile flight times between Iran and Israel less than 10 minutes, warning capability evaporates, greatly increasing the incentive to strike first in a crisis. In these circumstances, regional stability would be severely undermined.
‘Limited’ war While much thought recently has been given to achieving a world without nuclear weapons, more serious consideration should be given to how to prevent — or terminate — a “limited” nuclear war in the Middle East. If the United States fails to respond to these challenges, the strategically vital Persian Gulf and major parts of the Western Pacific will become “no-go” zones for the U.S. military — areas where the risks of operating are prohibitively high.
Less money The U.S. military is likely to confront these growing challenges with significantly diminished resources. The Pentagon budget is projected to be cut by $400 billion, and perhaps quite a bit more, over the next decade as Washington struggles to get its fiscal house in order. Wisely, both Panetta and his predecessor, Robert Gates, have declared that any budget cuts must be informed by a well-crafted strategy, and the Pentagon is working to craft one. A crucial test will be how well it addresses these rapidly growing risks.
COLUMN
Local diocese nears 10th year I
t seems like only yesterday that I celebrated a special Mass of Thanksgiving commemorating the 10th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Diocese of Laredo. Nearly a year ago, on Aug. 9, faith-filled people from throughout our seven-county area gathered with me at San Agustín Cathedral in thanking God for the many blessings in our diocese.
10th anniversary And it was during this Mass that I proclaimed a “Diocesan Year,” one in which we would honor the 10th anniversary of the Diocese of Laredo. One of these endeavors now coming to fruition began in October. In an effort to become a better shepherd for my flock, I have been enrolled in a long-term leadership training curriculum facilitated by the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI). One of the strongest attributes CLI possesses is a clear and thorough understanding of the mission and vision of Mother Church. This foundation allows for the leadership organization to guide and train participants, such as myself, from a strong
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JAMES TAMAYO
Catholic pastoral perspective. This is an extremely important facet as the Catholic Church differs significantly from the private sector and from other traditional non-profit groups. The mission of the Catholic Church is to go forth spread the Good News — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Catholics we are to partake in the sacraments, practice charity and evangelize. In essence, it is to bring others to God. The CLI sessions triggered a personal response in recognizing the need to develop a pastoral vision and identify priorities within the Diocese of Laredo.
The vision I approached CLI leaders Rev. Bill Dickenson, D. Min., Matt Manion and Tim Flanagan and engaged them in conversation about our mission diocese and its needs. I shared with them my desire to develop a vision statement, short-term goals and a strong dioce-
san identification. CLI’s response to my request personified the spirit and mission of the Catholic Church and that of the Catholic Leadership Institute. It was compassionate, pastoral and filled with hope. Fr. Bill, Matt and Tim immediately committed to working with me and explained their process for developing a vision statement, goals and priorities for a diocese. Their spirit of collaboration is unequaled. True to their word, Catholic Leadership Institute began the journey for the Diocese of Laredo in November as Fr. Bill and Barbara Eckert, key facilitator of CLI, initiated a nine-month endeavor. With CLI’s assistance, I chartered a nine-member diocesan envisioning team charged with the duty of creating a mutually shared vision for the Diocese of Laredo. The envisioning team spent one full day every month undergoing this intensive yet fulfilling venture facilitated by Barbara’s knowledgeable, dedication and faithful guidance. Enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, the envisioning team is now reaping the fruits of its labor. After conducting listening sessions through-
out the diocese and extrapolating this feedback with Barbara’s tutelage, the diocese is ready to shape its future. On Aug. 6 at the Laredo Energy Arena I will share with you a pastoral vision for the Diocese of Laredo.
Multi-county event As Catholics from Maverick, Dimmit, Webb, Zavala, LaSalle, Zapata and Jim Hogg counties gather for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, Aug. 6, we are all reminded of our mission to be disciples and to evangelize. As followers of Jesus, he told us to go out to all the world and share the Good News and to tell the people of God’s love. As disciples, invite 10 of your friends, family members or coworkers to join me for this conclusion to the Diocesan Year where I will share a pastoral vision for the next 10-years. Doors open at 9 a.m. at the LEA with live music and performances starting at 9:15. The Mass of Thanksgiving begins promptly at 10:30 on Saturday morning. Together we will praise God and ask His blessings for the people of the Diocese of Laredo — Todo Con Amor.
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phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
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DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Loughner lawyers want testing taped ASSOCIATED PRESS
TUCSON, Ariz. — Attorneys for the Tucson shooting rampage suspect want all clinical assessments psychiatrists performed on him videotaped while he’s at a federal prison medical facility in Missouri. Jared Lee Loughner’s lawyers filed the request Friday in U.S. District Court in Tucson. In another development, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled an Aug. 30 hearing in San Francisco on an appeal by Loughner’s attorneys over forced medication. Loughner’s attorneys said the videos have “likely evidentiary value” and they want to safeguard his constitutional rights. They also want to see copies of all
videos immediately. Loughner has been at the Springfield, Mo., facility since May 27 after a federal judge concluded he was mentally unfit to help in his legal defense. The 22-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges in the Jan. 8 rampage that killed six and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Mental health experts have determined Loughner suffers from schizophrenia and will try to make him psychologically fit to stand trial. He will spend up to four months at the Missouri facility. Friday’s filing by lead Loughner attorney Judy Clarke said the “videotaping is for the protection of the defendant subject to commitment and restoration efforts by the government” and the defense team
wanted copies of all videos. If Loughner is later determined to be competent enough for trial, the court proceedings will resume. If he isn’t deemed competent at the end of his treatment, Loughner’s stay at the facility can be extended. Loughner’s lawyers haven’t said whether they intend to present an insanity defense, but they have noted in court filings that his mental condition will likely be a central issue at trial. A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that prison officials can’t resume their forcible medication of psychotropic drugs. The ruling kept in place an earlier order that temporarily stopped the involuntary medication of Loughner. The order will remain in effect until the court rules
on an appeal by Loughner’s attorneys over the larger issue of forced medication. The appeals court ruled that Loughner’s interest in not suffering the risk of side effects from powerful drugs is stronger than the government’s interest in protecting Loughner and those around him in prison. But it noted that authorities can take steps to maintain the safety of prison officials, other inmates or Loughner, including forcibly giving him tranquilizers. Loughner was forcibly medicated between June 21 and July 1 at the Springfield facility after prison officials determined his outbursts there posed a danger to others. He was given twice daily doses of Risperidone, a drug used for people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe behavior problems.
THE BLOTTER ANIMAL INCIDENT A man reported at 8:46 p.m. Tuesday in the 1700 block of Lincoln Street that his dog was attacked by two pit bulls, which belonged to his neighbor.
ASSAULT
Photo courtesy of Rocco Piganelli | AP
In this July 9, 2011 photo provided and shot by Rocco Piganelli, Piper Piganelli, Marley Meyer, and Maddie Meyer, lower left, pose for a photo Piganelli says was taken moments before a man, in the spray at right, fell to his apparent death in a blow hole at Nakalele Point in Maui, Hawaii. The 44-year-old man, identified as David Potts of San Anselmo, Calif., has not been seen since July 9.
Woman reacts to death By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONOLULU — The fiancée of the Northern California man who was sucked into a blowhole to his apparent death said Friday there should have been signs warning people of the dangers of the geyser-like creation along a rugged stretch of the Maui coastline. Tika Hick told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday from San Anselmo, Calif., that 44year-old David Potts vanished into the ocean during a vacation to enjoy some time in the Maui sun before she undergoes a double mastectomy next week following a recent breast cancer diagnosis. Eyewitness accounts from tourists who were there said Potts was dancing around inches from the hole’s opening and playing in the sprays of water shooting high into the sky when he disappeared. Hick disputed that description and took local officials to task for not posting warning signs at the site. She was not at the blowhole at the time, but said her brother and sisterin-law were there. “He slipped because it
was slippery,” said a sobbing Hick. The incident has served as another tragic reminder of the dangers lurking along undeveloped stretches of Hawaii’s shoreline. Online travel sites warn of the rocky cliffs near the blowhole and its unpredictable eruptions. The blowhole was created by pounding surf that undercut and wore away a lava shelf. Every wave pushes water and air through the hole, creating an eruption similar to a geyser. Then as the water retreats, it creates a strong vacuum-like effect. Maui County officials said the blowhole appears to be on private land, according to property records, but were still in the process of verifying that. The county said people were continuing to visit the area, despite being told of what happened to Potts. Previous injuries and deaths at tourist spots on private land have raised questions of responsibility and liability when visitors are technically trespassing to get there. Landowners are not required to post warning signs. The only signage at the Nakalele blowhole is a quarter-mile away — a handmade sign that cau-
tions visitors, “Blowhole, park and walk at your own risk.” “We urge all visitors to the location to please use caution an as obvious danger exists at or near the blowhole,” the county said in a statement, also noting it and the Maui Visitors Bureau do not promote the area as a tourist spot. There are still questions about who owns the land at the site of the blowhole — and who could be the target of a possible lawsuit over the episode. The county said records indicate the property is owned by Maui Land & Pineapple Company. Kalani Ho, the company’s land and property manager, said the blowhole is on public property because it is on the shoreline. “The blowhole is below the high-water mark,” she said. “State land is below the high-water mark and obviously that’s in the water.” The state is researching the ownership of the blowhole, said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. She said publications that promote the blowhole as a destination present constant challenges for the company.
Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at 10:06 a.m. July 8 in the 1800 block of Roma Avenue in the Medina Addition. Reports state a person assaulted another individual. The offender’s name was blacked out on the report. Deputies transported the arrestee to Zapata Regional Jail. Deputies went out to a domestic disturbance at 12:52 p.m. July 8 in the 2400 block of Brazos Street. An incident report states an individual broke a woman’s cell phone and hit her. Alejandro Garcia-Bravo was arrested and charged with assault at about 10 p.m. July 10 in the 1700 block of Carla Street. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. An assault report was filed at 11:31 p.m. Monday at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Jackson Street. Johnny Ray Scarberry Jr. was arrested and charged with
assault at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of Fourth Street. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail. An assault, domestic disturbance incident was reported at 1:20 a.m. Thursday in the 1400 block of Second Street in the Medina addition.
BURGLARY A burglary was reported at 10:47 a.m. July 9 in the 1000 block of U.S. 83. An incident report states someone broke into a business and stole several items. A burglary of a habitation was reported at 10:18 a.m. Wednesday at El Pedernal Ranch, off U.S. 83. in Falcon. An incident report states money and food were stolen from the complainant’s residence.
POSSESSION Deputies stopped a blue Chevy pickup for a traffic violation at 7:33 p.m. Tuesday about half a mile north of Zapata near the Zapata and Starr counties lines. After further investigation, deputies found two bundles of green, leafy substance sitting on the spare tire under the bed of the truck. Ruben Lee Paredes
and Eduardo Salinas-Gonzalez were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. The men were transported to the Zapata Regional Jail.
PUBLIC INTOXICATION Manuel Almaguer-Ruiz was arrested and charged with public intoxication at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of U.S. 83 and Davis Lane. The man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail.
THEFT A man reported at 4:47 p.m. Monday in the 1500 block of Laredo Avenue that someone stole a 3-month-old goat from his property.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF VEHICLE A man called deputies at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday from the 1400 block of Medina Avenue to report that a man took his vehicle to work but no one has seen him or the vehicle since July 10. The alleged offender did not have authorization to use the truck for other purposes, other than go to work, according to a report.
PAGE 6A
Zentertainment
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011 Cast members of the Laredo Little Theatre’s production of “Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel” pose for a photo Tuesday in preparation for this weekend’s shows.
Courtesy photos
Laredoan Hazel Valdez, foreground right, performs during The Salsa Mambo Showdown, the finale of the 2011 eighth annual Las Vegas Salsa Congress in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 3. She was one of 12 selected.
Dancing with the best Laredoan Valdez and En Fuego take salsa talents to Las Vegas
Photos by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
‘Rapunzel’ is LLT’s kids’ play SPECIAL TO ¿QUÉ PASA?
By EMILIO RÁBAGO III THE ZAPATA TIMES
For some people, dancing can be harder than fixing a car. For others, like Laredoan Hazel Valdez, it just comes naturally. The 26-year-old Valdez has taken the art of salsa dancing to heart, to the point of even teaching it. From July 1-3, Valdez and her dance group, En Fuego, took their talents northwest for the 2011 eighth annual Las Vegas Salsa Congress, held at the Tropicana on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. En Fuego — Valdez, Laura Sanchez, Hilda Barraza and Renee Hinojosa — participated in the showcase portion of the Congress, where they met salsa music enthusiasts from around the world including some from Singapore, Ecuador and South America. The Congress included about 40 workshops, 30 artist performances and dance socials. More than 1,000 people attended the Congress. In order for En Fuego to participate on stage, the
foursome submitted an audition tape showcasing their dancing skills. They got selected, and were on their way. For Valdez, who just opened Baila!, a dance studio in Laredo, the trip was even more memorable. She sent in an individual audition tape for a chance to compete in the Congress’ finale, The Salsa Mambo Showdown. Valdez was selected and went through a rigorous 16hour training session (which usually takes six months) with the masters from Italy’s Tropical Gem Dance Academy, known as one of the world’s top salsa troupes. “It was beyond my expectation, I think,” Valdez said. “It was very, very demanding, but definitely worth every single minute of it. In the end, I was just like ‘wow.’” On top of performing with 11 other dancers who were selected based on their tapes, Valdez got training from the pros, which usually runs around $150 an hour. Another top dance company, Yamuleé, from
Laredo salsa dance group En Fuego also participated in the Salsa Congress in Las Vegas. The group consists of Laura Sanchez, Hilda Barraza, Valdez and Renee Hinojosa. New York, was also at the Salsa Congress. The criteria for auditioning included: at least three years of dancing experience previous performances at a national level an audition video talent dancing individually and with a partner Only the top 12 were selected. Valdez had previously attended another salsa conference in Puerto Rico and is very active in Laredo’s emerging salsa night scene.
Loving salsa Growing up in Laredo, Valdez had never been exposed to the exotic style of movements until high school, when she attended
the World Affairs Seminar in Wisconsin. There, she got acquainted with the music and the sensuality the dancing brings. “It was the first time I met people from Latin America and all over the world,” she said. “We started dancing, and I decided, then, salsa was for me.” Valdez then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she helped form the Texas Latin Group in 2004. Her quick feet and synchronized body rhythm have taken the middle school teacher and cheerleading team sponsor to one of the biggest salsa stages in the country. (Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @3milio956)
COMING UP Make-A-Wish event at Laredo Civic Center City Style Lowrider Car Club, Mayor Raul G. Salinas and Webb County Constable Rudy Rodriguez will host the fourth annual benefit car show on Sunday. The event, which will benefit 5-year-old Ximena and 8-year-old Luis Angel, takes place from noon to 10 p.m. The car show is open to all cars, trucks, motorcycles and bikes, and will feature live music by several local and out-of-town bands. Among those playing will be Los Garcia Brothers, Edgar Vasquez y Sus Muchachos, Fish y Los Favoritos, Ricky Ruiz y Los Escor-
piones, La Experiencia, Ernie Martinez, La Formula, Conjunto Estrella, Zenzible and Grupo Dominio. Also, Los Zamorales, Sonora Sol, D’Kolombia, Destino, Conjunto Los Amores and Wolf. General admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Espinoza Paz tickets at special price Tickets to the Espinoza Paz concert at the Laredo Energy Arena will be 50 percent off today at the LEA box office. For $25, people will be able to get tickets valued at $47 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Espinoza Paz is a pop-
more than 10 million views on YouTube. Espinoza Paz is set to perform at the arena at 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.
Grupo Fama in Laredo next weekend Courtesy photo
AWKWARD CONFESSIONS: Comedian Nora Velazquez, known on Spanish television as “Chabelita,” will perform Saturday at the Laredo Civic Center at 8 p.m. Her act revolves around an ultra-religious lady who constantly confesses to priests — with double meaning. ular Regional Mexican artist who has some hits, including “¿Lo Intentamos?” The track’s music video has
One of Tejano music’s most popular bands from the 1990s is coming to the Gateway City. Fama will perform at Señor Toros, a Tejano/country bar on the city’s north side, on Saturday, July 23. Fama has several hits under its belt, including “Ojitos Color Cafe,” “Lagrimas De Alegría,” “Querer Tu Amor,” “Boulevard De Sueños” and “Llorando.” — The Zapata Times
The Laredo Little Theatre continues its tradition of having a summer children’s play this weekend with “Lay Your Hair Down, Rapunzel,” through arrangements with Pioneer Drama Co. The book is by Karen Boetcher-Tate with music and lyrics by Scott DeTurk. Maria Eugenia Lopez directs and Alma Rangel makes her directorial debut as assistant director at LLT. “Rapunzel” will be played by Rebecca Ramirez and her Prince Llewellyn by Robert Garza. According to Lopez, the message of the play is “that it really doesn’t matter what you look like, if you’re a little bit different from the rest of the population. What matters is who you are inside.” When asked why Rapunzel was chosen as this year’s children’s play, Lopez said, “I wasn’t too sure about Rapunzel until I read this adaptation of it, and then I absolutely loved it! This play has every-
thing: lively music, humor, craziness, silliness, even a bit of dark spookiness and this particular cast was the perfect cast for it. Each role was played just as Alma and I envisioned it.” Rapunzel’s dad, mild mannered Walt, will be played by Brandon Garza; her neurotic mom by Elle King; the scary Glumpwarts by Amelie Quesada; and the evil Witch Izwitch by Rebekah Rangel. Other cast members are Carolina Ramirez, Marco Vela, Simone Liddell, Nicolas Pena, Jose Roberto Villarreal, Alison Guzman, Vielka Gutierrez, Lauren Enriquez, Victor Gutierrez, Sebastian Luna, Ever Pena, Kyara Carrillo, Zoey Ferguson, Alisa Garcia, Alexandra Hill and Paulita Rios. Also, Martinique De Leon y Pena, Malu Gutierrez, Maya Vela Cuellar, Nina Vela Cuellar, Carla Gonzalez, Lauren Vela, Soliel Perez and Karina Guerra. The Laredo Little Theatre is at 4802 Thomas. Tickets are $5. For more information, call 723-1342.
SÁBADO 16 DE JULIO DE 2011
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 16 DE JULIO LAREDO — Laredo Little Theatre presenta el musical “Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel” hoy a las 3 p.m. y 8 p.m. en el 4802 avenida Thomas. Costo: 5 dólares. Otra función el 17 de julio a las 3 p.m. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m., “Extreme Planets” a las 6 p.m. y Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” a las 7 p.m. Costo: 5 dólares. LAREDO — Laredo Theater Guild International presenta la obra de teatro “Annie” hoy a las 8 p.m. en el teatro Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez del Laredo Community College. Costo: 15 dólares general; 10 dólares para estudiantes con ID y adultos mayores. Otras funciones el 17 de julio a las 3 p.m.; el 21, 22 y 23 de julio a las 8 p.m. LAREDO — Nora Velázquez “Chabelita” se presenta hoy a las 8 p.m. en el Laredo Civic Center. Adquiera boletos en San Ramon Music Shop. Costos varían de 15, 2º y 25 dólares. LAREDO — Rock In Summer Festival en The Cold Brew Sports Bar, 4520 San Bernardo, Suite 18, a partir de las 9 p.m. Se presentarán: Emperial Massacre, Plutonian Shore, Sikmind, Requiem. LAREDO — El grupo duranguense Patrulla 81 se presenta hoy en Papagallos USA, 5920 San Bernardo, a las 9 p.m. LAREDO — Broken Vision y Sounds of Arson se presenta hoy a las 10 p.m. en Average Joes, 9652 McPherson. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Autores a la Obra presenta a la poeta neolaredense Linda González, de Nuevo Laredo, a las 2 p.m. en Estación Palabra. Evento coordinado con Sábado de Música que presenta la voz y guitarra de René Neira. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Musicorum presenta la película “Así en la Tierra como en el Cielo” a las 3 p.m. en Estación Palabra. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Los Héroes Inútiles, obra de teatro.Teatro del IMSS, Nuevo Laredo Grupo De Teatro Expresion. Con la finalidad de recaudar fondos para asistir al Concurso Estatal de Teatro y al Festival Nacional de Teatro Universitario, organizado por la UNAM. Funciones a las 6 y 8 PM. Costo: 50 pesos. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Umano Aché se presenta en el jardín Paseo Colón (Paseo Colón 1445) a partir de las 8 p.m.. Costo: 100 pesos. Evento BYOB y pueden llevar traje de baño.
LUNES 18 DE JULIO LAREDO — Hoy a las 10:30 a.m. será la ceremonia de inauguración de la primera exposición de pinturas del laredense Rafael David Hinojosa en la Biblioteca Yeary en el Campus Fort McIntosh del Laredo Community College. Entrada gratuita.
VIERNES 22 DE JULIO LAREDO — Hoy es el primer día del Festival Internacional de Ciudades Hermanas 2011 en Laredo Energy Arena, a partir de las 10 a.m. y hasta las 7 p.m. Habrá 140 expositores que traerán sus productos de 12 diferentes estados de México. NUEVO LAREDO, México — Olga Breeskin se presenta hoy a las 6 p.m. en el Teatro principal del Centro Cultural. Costo de recuperación: 70 pesos. Más información en el (867) 184-7092 y (867) 184-7093.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
FALLECEN SIETE INTERNOS Y 59 ESCAPAN EN NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO
Violenta fuga de penal TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Siete personas muertas, 59 reos que se dieron a la fuga y cinco custodios abandonando el servicio, fue el saldo tras que ocurriera un enfrentamiento entre reos dentro del Centro de Ejecución de Sanciones (CEDES) Número 2 en Nuevo Laredo, México, al sur de la ciudad, el viernes. Las personas fallecidas eran internas del penal. La información fue confirmada a través de un comunicado de prensa del Gobierno de Tamaulipas y de la Secretaría de Gobernación. Según reportes, alrededor de las 7 a.m. del viernes ocurrió una riña e incendio dentro del módulo Siete, al lado poniente del penal ubicado a la altura del Kilómetro 10 de la Carretera Nacional. El módulo donde ocurrieron los hechos es el de más reciente construcción y exclusivo para hombres. Alrededor de las 10:30 a.m. elementos militares fueron vistos circulando a exceso de velocidad sobre la Carretera Nacional hacia el sur, además dos helicópteros estuvieron
sobrevolando a baja altura cerca del conocido también como Penal 2. Poco antes de las 2 p.m. la situación fue reportada bajo control, mientras la Procuraduría General de Justicia en Tamaulipas se estaba haciendo cargo de las investigaciones, coordinándose con autoridades locales y federales. Desde temprana hora, elementos del Ejército Mexicano y de la Policía Federal reforzaron la vigilancia alrededor del CEDES, impidiendo el paso al área cercana. Elementos de la PGJ estuvieron a cargo del levantamiento de cuerpos y dando fe de los hechos. De los 59 reos evadidos, 35 estaban consignados por delitos del fuero federal y 24 del fuero del común. Según el sitio de Internet de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública (SSP), el Director del CEDES, es Juan Roberto Montes Romero. Reportes indican que tanto él como al menos 20 custodios estaban siendo interrogados acerca de lo ocurrido. El CEDES Número 2 de Nuevo Laredo, México cuenta con una población penitenciaria de 1,238 inter-
nos. A través de la Dirección de Comunicación Social de la Secretaría de Gobernación, el Gobierno Federal condenó los hechos y sostuvo que “es inadmisible la recurrencia con la que este tipo de hechos se presentan en dicha entidad federativa”. Entre enero de 2010 y marzo de 2011 se dieron a la fuga más de 400 reos y tuvieron lugar 84 incidentes en los cinco centros penitenciarios y el reclusorio preventivo administrados por el Gobierno de Tamaulipas, informó la Secretaría de Gobernación. Inclusive a mediados de marzo, Rebeca Nicasio, quien fungía como encargada de la dirección del penal, murió tras ser apuñalada dentro del mismo. “La responsabilidad de las autoridades locales, al mando del Centro de Ejecuciones y Sanciones en Nuevo Laredo, debe ser asumida mediante el desarrollo de una investigación a fondo para llevar ante la justicia a los servidores públicos que han traicionado el servicio a la ciudadanía”, agrega el comunicado
de la Segob. El Gobierno del Estado refirió por su parte que el objetivo inmediato es localizar y reaprender a los internos fugados, así como presentar a los custodios que abandonaron el servicio. “Se fortalecerán los operativos de vigilancia y de seguridad en los demás Centros de Ejecución de Sanciones del Estado”, indicó el Gobierno de Tamaulipas. La Segob acusó que en los penales de Tamaulipas no existen medidas de control adecuadas resultado de una corrupción de las autoridades encargadas de resguardar a los internos. Reiteró el llamado de continuar la depuración de las corporaciones “con el objetivo primordial de que solamente los más confiables y capaces estén entre las filas de quienes tienen a su cargo la seguridad pública”. El Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo, México dijo vía telefónica que no podía informar acerca del incidente debido a que era un asunto externo a su competencia.
CONVENIO 2011
FEDERAL
Sedesol acepta otorgar fondos POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo
El Gobernador de Tamaulipas, Egidio Torre Cantú se reunió en Reynosa, México, con 13 presidentes municipales de la zona fronteriza y de la zona de influencia de la Cuenca de Burgos. Firmaron un acuerdo denominado "Relación Productiva Tamaulipas-Pemex 2011", para realizar obras de beneficio en responsabilidad social; desarrollo comunitario sustentable; obras de drenaje, relleno sanitario y mejoramiento urbano.
TAMAULIPAS
FRONTERA
Promueven Ejército asegura tener menos narcotanques congresistas POR CÉSAR G. RODRÍGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
La Cámara Legislativa Mexicana es representada por 500 legisladores de los cuales 300 son por votación de mayoría y 200 por representación proporcional. A esos 200 se les conoce como diputados plurinominales. Actualmente se está generando una nueva corriente para suprimir 100 diputados plurinominales en el próximo proceso electoral del 2012, dijo la Diputada Federal por Tamaulipas, Cristabell Zamora Cabrera (PRI). “Creemos que con 100 diputados plurinominales la Cámara Legislativa puede operar”, dijo Zamora. “Cuando hablamos de estos 200 diputados ellos no participaron en campaña ni están comprometidos con la comunidad, porque llegan a la posición porque así lo indica la ley”. Zamora Cabrera cree que en el 2012 podrán reducirse los diputados plurinominales lo que evitaría gastar grandes cantidades de fondos del presupuesto. En el 2006, cuando el actual presidente Felipe Cal-
CRISTABELL ZAMORA: Busca disminuir pluris en Congreso Federal. derón alcanzó el triunfo, los electores de Tamaulipas le otorgaron 506,177 votos, cantidad que representó el (41.29 por ciento). Una senaduría del PRI fue plurinominal, la de Amira Gómez. En la elección general el PAN dominó las dos senadurías, además de los distritos electorales para legisladores federales en el V y VIII Distritos de Tamaulipas: Tampico, Madero, Río Bravo, Reynosa y Matamoros. Nuevo Laredo, Victoria y Mante fueron del PRI y, le dieron la senaduría minoritaria o plurinominal a Amira Gómez, de Reynosa. En la elección donde triunfó Garza como diputado federal, las plurinominales fueron para Miguel González Salum por Victoria y Enrique Cárdenas del Avellano por Mante. “Esperamos mantener y sostener que las 100 diputaciones plurinominales deben desaparecer”, dijo Zamora Cabrera. “Existen suficientes argumentos para evitar que en la próxima elección ocurran una nueva camada de pluris”.
Operaciones militares realizadas a lo largo del norte de México resultaron en toneladas de narcóticos, armas, municiones y vehículos alterados, conocidos como narcotanques, indica un reporte transmitido esta semana por la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional de México, conocida como SEDENA. Oficiales no revelaron a que carteles parecían permanecer los artículos asegurados. Aunque oficiales no mencionaron ciudades especificas en donde los decomisos ocurrieron, dividieron las ubicaciones a través de zonas militares. La 8/a Zona Militar — la cual incluye las ciudades fronterizas desde Nuevo Laredo a Reynosa — estaba incluida en la lista. Las operaciones militares se llevaron a cabo entre el 1 y 10 de julio. En relación a las armas, soldados aseguraron 385 armas largas, 191 pistolas, 124,288 municiones, 1,959 cargadores, 61 granadas y cuatro lanzagranadas. En el reporte, también se incluyen narcóticos. A lo largo de los cuatro estados, tropas militares aseguraron una suma total de 18.82 toneladas de marihuana y alrededor de 8,998 dosis con pequeñas cantidades para uso personal.
Alrededor de 8,926 dosis personales de cocaína y 991 píldoras psicotrópicas también fueron aseguradas. Durante las operaciones realizadas, militares arrestaron a 122 personas y rescataron a 30 personas que supuestamente habían sido secuestradas. En enfrentamientos, tres personas fueron reportadas muertas. No se reportaron elementos militares heridos o muertos. A lo largo del norte de México, también fueron incautados 191 vehículos y dos trailers. Militares decomisaron seis vehículos alterados con placas de acero, conocidas como “monstruos”. En un reporte compilado recientemente por la SEDENA, oficiales militares etiquetaron a los “monstruos” como narcotanques o basura. Autoridades dicen que los carteles utilizan los vehículos como una táctica de intimidación al enfrentarse a organizaciones rivales. Durante las operaciones también se aseguraron cantidades monetarias, persona militar aseguró una suma total de aproximadamente 816,633 dólares. En cuanto a equipo militar, tropas aseguraron 51 uniformes de estilo militar, 20 chalecos antibalas y 16 cascos tácticos. Radios, teléfonos celulares y otros aparatos de comunicación también fueron asegurados.
La Secretaría de Desarrollo Social hizo una excepción a sus reglas para los 12 municipios que reciben fondos para los Programas Hábitat y Espacios Públicos que no habían presentado sus proyectos del 2011. Con la firma de un convenio, ciudades como Nuevo Laredo, México, podrán tener acceso a alrededor de 30 millones de pesos para programas de beneficio colectivo. “(La frontera) ha marcado un liderazgo y presentado proyectos que han impactado en el estado y a nivel nacional, porque su dinámica es envolvente”, dijo el Delegado de la Sedesol Tamaulipas, Humberto Reynoso Ríos. Los proyectos que sean presentados por las ciudades, aclaró Reynosa, deberán cumplirse en un plazo no mayor de tres meses. El Director de Desarrollo Social en Nuevo Laredo, Pedro Robles García, informó que esperan aprobar proyectos ejecutivos en obras de agua, servicio eléctrico y pavimentación. “Esperamos que bajen los recursos para aplicarlos y licitar la obra dentro de los términos federales para su ejecución inmediata”, dijo Robles. Sedesol envía a auditores del gobierno federal para estar presentes en el inicio de las obras, después de dos o tres semanas regresan a las ciudades para revisar el cumplimiento de avances y consecutivamente hasta la terminación del proyecto. “Nos interesa que los beneficios que se han comprometido para la comunidad se apliquen en el contexto”, dijo el Subdelegado de Sedesol, Bernardo Sergio Martínez Urbina. Para el 2012, que es un año político por las elecciones, Sedesol informó que los municipios deberán entregar sus proyectos ejecutivos para febrero 2012, a fin de lograr asignación de fondos.
Zapata
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
Photos by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
Board member Jaime Gonzalez, third from left, board vice president Cruz Torres, board member Anita R. Medina, treasurer Patricia L. Ramirez, board President Hildegardo Flores and Bishop James Tamayo and volunteers take part in the Zapata County Museum of History ribbon cutting on July 9.
Museum offers unique education An art display shows paintings and photographs of Zapata County’s history at the opening of the Zapata County Museum of History on July 9.
Olga Flores lectures guests during a tour of the Zapata County Museum of History after an inauguration ceremony on July 9.
Visitors to the newly inaugurated Zapata County Museum of History saw a Bible on display next to a preserved book of records during a tour on July 9.
By SARAH HERRERA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County has grown tremendously in the past 25 years. With a population of approximately 15,000, Zapata also has more forms of entertainment to offer locals and visitors to the South Texas area. Among those new attractions is the history behind the town, meant to educate as well as entertain. The inauguration of the Zapata County Museum of History took place Saturday, July 9. The turnout was better than expected, with more than 200 people lining up for the grand tour of the museum. “We received good comments from everyone, including people who traveled from bigger cities who spoke superlatively of the museum,” said museum curator Hildegardo Flores. The idea of a museum in Zapata was first brought up five years ago when Flores and other citizens approached the local authorities in order to convince them of the need for a museum in the town. Flores, who was involved in strategic planning for the county, strongly believed that adding a historical gallery would provide local residents with knowledge they were not able to obtain in school.
“We wanted to know how to diversify the county of Zapata and our economy in general,” said Flores. This process wasn’t an easy one, however. With the beginning of any educational exhibit comes the need for money, which is almost always limited. Thankfully, the museum was able to get half of its funds from a local grant and the other half from the county. The 4,000 square foot building itself cost about $2 million to construct. Although the building was originally planned to be 6,000 square feet, funds were limited and the plan to build an auditorium in the museum was dropped, or at least delayed. “We are still in phase one of the museum because it just opened, but once we get to phase two and three I have high hopes that the auditorium will be here soon enough,” said Flores. The Zapata County Museum of History offers countless comprehensive exhibits, all which give a detailed history along with distinct visuals. The museum features the geological formation of the Zapata and surrounding south Texas areas, early plant and animal life, fossils, the founding of the cattle raising industry, replicas of Celtic homes that early settlers lived in,
unique farming utensils, military halls in memory of men who have served in major U.S. wars, and other creative exhibits. In addition to these exhibits, the museum grounds are surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden filled with native plants and trees. All that the museum has to offer is made available to people of all ages through daily tours at a very reasonable price. Adults are charged $7, senior citizens and students are charged $5, and children 5 years of age and younger get in free so long as they are accompanied by a parent or a guardian. The Zapata County Museum of History is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and group tours are held on Saturday and Sunday by appointment. There are also individual and family memberships provided for $40-$60 a year. The addition of the museum has opened doors for Zapata residents. “I feel that every generation, whether young or old, must learn history as it truly happened, and the Zapata County Museum of History does just that,” said Flores. For more information, call 765-8538. (Sarah Herrera may be reached at 728-2528 or sherrera1@lmtonline.com)
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
Zapata
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Photos by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
Ana Flores, left, and Corina Lozano, right, read information on Zapata County’s history after the inauguration of the Zapata County Museum of History on July 9. Olga Flores leads guests on a tour of the Zapata County Museum of History after its inauguration on July 9.
Guests take a tour of the new Zapata County Museum after an inauguration ceremony on July 9.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Zapata County I.S.D. P.O. BOX 158 ZAPATA, TEXAS 78076 (956)765-6546 Zapata County I.S.D. will be accepting proposals for the ongoing purchase of “UNIFORMED STUDENT STANDARDIZED DRESS” FOR PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL in order to continue with the implementation of the District’s student dress code policy for the 2011-2012 school year. RFP must be delivered by THURSDAY, AUG 4, 2011 @ 2:00 pm, and must be delivered to Zapata County I.S.D. Administration Building, 17th & Carla, Zapata, Texas 78076. Zapata County I.S.D. will accept proposals marked UNIFORMED STUDENT STANDARDIZED DRESS. Please feel free to call, FELIPE JIMENEZ @ (956) 765-6546 EXT 2001 for detailed specifications. The Zapata County I.S.D. reserves the right to accept or reject any or all quotes and pricing, and the right to accept the quote and pricing most advantageous to the district.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
Vietnam vet’s remains get burial ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Craig Hartley/Houston Chronicle | AP
Family members, from left, Linda Sanders, niece, Anne Egan, wife, Janet Frisard and Kasie Frisard, granddaughters, accept the remains of Vietnam War veteran U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. William Egan at the Forest Park East Cemetery, in League City. Eagan had just completed a mission when he was killed in April 1966. Although his remains were recovered in December 2009 they were not positively identified with DNA until February 2011
HOUSTON — After 45 years, Lt. Cmdr. William Patrick Egan has finally come home — to the beloved family he left behind when he flew off to serve his country in the Vietnam War. The 35-year-old Navy pilot was killed on a bombing mission in Laos in April 1966. He will be buried today with full military honors in Webster, outside Houston. Anne Egan said she’s never stopped waiting for the military to find her husband. His remains were presented to her in an urn Thursday, shortly after they were flown to Houston. A Laotian farmer discovered bone fragments in a field in 2009 and turned them over to U.S. authorities who used DNA to link them to Egan’s kin. Jerryl Wismer said her father “deserves to be buried on American soil.”
Photo by David Banks | AP
Members of Progressive Change Campaign Committee upset over potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security walk in Chicago on Friday to President Obama’s campaign headquarters to deliver 200,000 signatures from people who are refusing to donate or volunteer for his re-election campaign if Obama cuts entitlement programs.
Obama wants ‘something big’ for debt deal By DAVID ESPO ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Struggling to avert an unprecedented national default, congressional leaders jettisoned negotiations on a deficit-reduction package Friday despite a plea from President Barack Obama to “do something big” to stabilize America’s finances. Instead, lawmakers embarked on fallback plans as a critical Aug. 2 deadline neared, a House version given little chance of success, even by some supporters, and a bipartisan Senate approach holding out more promise. House Republicans announced plans to vote next week on legislation to raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit automatically if Congress approves a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. Senate approval of that amendment seemed extremely unlikely in a vote set for the next few days. Senate leaders from both parties worked on their own measure that would allow Obama to raise the debt limit without a prior vote by lawmakers. That plan was likely to include limits on spending across thousands of government programs, and possibly a down payment on cuts, as well. As part of that proposal, a panel of lawmakers would recommend cuts in benefits programs by the end of the year, with the House and Senate required to vote yes-or-no on the package without possibility of changes. “If they show me a serious plan I’m ready to move,” declared Obama at his second news conference of the week, even though he said he wanted a far more sweeping deal that might even have raised the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67 if Republicans would increase selected taxes. “We are obviously running out of time,” he said. Numerous officials have
cautioned that a default will occur if the debt limit is not increased by Aug. 2, warning also of a calamitous effect on an economy struggling to recover from the worst recession in decades. “Now the debate will move from a room in the White House to the House and Senate floors,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, indicating that the daily closeddoor negotiations at the White House were a thing of the past. The House Republican rank and file were advised in a GOP meeting that, barring action by Congress, the government would be able to pay only about half its bills after Aug. 2, and
separately that a default could cost the government trillions of dollars in the form of higher interest rates on the debt. “No matter what 50 percent you choose to pay, there are things in that 50 percent you don’t pay that would have really severe consequences,” Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif., said afterward. “There are people out there who keep saying we don’t need to increase the debt limit at all. I think this was a way of saying, the people who are saying that need to look at the practical consequences of what they are saying.” Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin, chairman of the
House Budget Committee, told reporters after the meeting he had discussed the additional costs generated by a default — an event that would be likely to raise interest rates. At his news conference, Obama said that would mean “effectively a tax increase on everybody” by affecting car purchasers, students and businesses. The second White House news conference in a week was a testament to the
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overriding political and economic significance of the issue that has convulsed Congress as well as the administration. Urging lawmakers to cut trillions from deficits at the same time they raise the debt limit, the president said he favored a balanced approach that included spending cuts, changes to huge government benefit programs and higher taxes on wealthy individuals and certain industries.
2 facing charges in vet’s beating death ASSOCIATED PRESS
MISSION — One of two men charged with capital murder in the beating death of an 86year-old South Texas man was a friend of the victim, authorities said. Willis Kimmons’ body was found Tuesday at his home in Mission with trauma to his face, head and neck. Authorities said several weapons, including rifles, shotguns and pistols, were taken from his house. Leroy Arista, 23, and David Tarbutton, 19, both arrested Wednesday, have been charged with capital murder with bonds set at $5 million each. Both remained in Hidalgo County Jail Friday. A jail official had no information on attorneys for them. Authorities said Tarbutton and Kimmons were friends, and that the older man taught the teen how to shoot and took him hunting. David Kimmons tells The Monitor in McAllen that his father, a World War II veteran who then served in the U.S. Border Patrol for 20 years, was always helping kids. “His door was always open,” he said. “He believed in education and was willing to share his resources.” Laura Bogert, Kimmons’ daughter, can’t understand why their father was killed, nor why Tarbutton might be involved. “My dad took him in, taught him how to shoot, took him out to the ranch — included him as family,” Bogert said. “Why?” Peggy Sue Arista, 42, who is Leroy Arista’s mother, was charged with tampering with physical evidence in the case. Her bond was set at $200,000. She remained in jail Friday and jail officials had no attorney listed for her. The three appeared before a judge Thursday for arraignment. As Tarbutton was being escorted out of the courtroom, he said he was sorry for his actions. According to a probable cause affidavit, Tarbutton admitted during questioning to his role in the slaying and identified Leroy Arista as the other man who took part.
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
MARIA EMMA G. GARZA Maria Emma G. Garza, 84, passed away Monday, July 11, 2011, at Laredo Medical Center. Ms. Garza is preceded in death by her husband, Alfonso Garza; and her parents: Eliseo Gutierrez and Alicia B. Gutierrez. Ms. Garza is survived by her son, Alfonso Garza Jr.; daughter, Emma G. (Jose) Barrera; granddaughter, Sara Lydia Simmons; and by numerous other family members. Visitation hours were Wednesday, July 13, 2011, from 6 to 9 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Thursday, July 14, 2011, at 9:30 for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Highway 83, Zapata.
Photo by Gary’s Wine & Marketplace | AP
Feds explain US Somalis’ plans By AMY FORLITI ASSOCIATED PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS — A group of Minneapolis-area Somalis, including some who traveled to their homeland to allegedly take up arms against the Ethiopian army, held secret meetings in 2007 to plan the trips, created fake itineraries to fool family members and challenged one another about their commitment, prosecutors contend in a court filing. The document was filed this week in advance of a trial of one man accused of being part of the conspiracy. It sheds new light on how the recruiting operation worked in Minneapolis and how some of the men arrived at safehouses in Somalia, where they received AK-47s and weapons training. Since the fall of 2007, at least 21 men have left Minnesota for Somalia, where authorities believe they joined the terror group alShabab. Eighteen people have been charged in Minnesota in connection with the case, including Omer Abdi Mohamed, who goes on trial next week on terror-related charges. Mohamed never traveled to Somalia, but he is accused of helping others who did. His attorney calls the allegations ridiculous. “Omer was never involved in terrorism,” said defense attorney Peter Wold. “It certainly stirs the public sentiment to suggest that, but it is not part of this case, not a part of Omer, and that will be abundantly clear.” Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords
overthrew a socialist dictator and then turned on each other, causing chaos in the African nation of about 7 million people. In 2006, Ethiopian soldiers, which many Somalis viewed as abusive, occupied parts of Somalia and a militant group called alShabab fought against them. The U.S. declared alShabab a terrorist organization in early 2008. According to prosecutors, starting in September 2007, Mohamed and others conspired to raise money to send men to Somalia to violently oust the Ethiopians. Others were also recruited to the cause. The group held meetings at mosques and restaurants, and took measures to keep things secretive. “The defendant and his conspirators strove to keep the plan secret, reminding members not to discuss it with anyone outside of the conspiracy, and policing entry into the group,” prosecutors said. Mohamed and others went to malls and apartments, falsely telling members of the Somali community they were raising money to build a mosque or help relief efforts in Somalia, prosecutors said. The money actually went to the travelers, who planned to join one group member’s relative — a senior member of al-Shabab — in Somalia. Prosecutors said Mohamed used a contact at a local travel agency to get airline tickets. Members of the group allegedly gave one traveler a false itinerary to mislead his family. The group also kept two recruits from leaving Minnesota in the fall of 2007 because they were too young.
This May 23 image from surveillance video provided by Gary’s Wine & Marketplace shows Mark Lugo walking in the store in Wayne, NJ. Lugo, accused of stealing a valuable Picasso from a San Francisco art gallery, pleaded not guilty Friday to grand theft and burglary charges. Lugo, who has worked as a sommelier in upscale Manhattan restaurants, also faces charges in New Jersey in connection with the theft of $6,000 worth of wine from Gary’s Wine & Marketplace.
Art thefts part of crime spree By TERRY COLLINS AND CHRIS HAWLEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN FRANCISCO — A string of art heists at New York galleries and hotels went unsolved until an arrest in the theft of a Picasso drawing in San Francisco led authorities to a treasure trove inside a nondescript New Jersey apartment. Police believe Mark Lugo is responsible for at least eight thefts since June totaling more than $600,000 worth of artwork, including a $350,000 drawing by French artist Fernand Leger. Pieces from seven of those thefts were recovered during a police raid of Lugo’s Hoboken, N.J., home, as he awaited arraignment in the eighth case in San Francisco. Lugo, 30, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of grand theft, burglary and possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing the 1965 Picasso drawing called “Tete de Femme (Head of a Woman).” Workers at the Weinstein Gallery reported that a young man brazenly snatched the piece, worth more than $200,000, from the wall on July 5 and casually walked away. Surveillance video from a nearby restaurant showed a man matching Lugo’s description strolling by with the framed drawing tucked under his arm. The taking of another Picasso from the William Bennett Gallery in Manhattan’s Soho district went similarly. The thief came into the gallery during business hours on June 27, lifted the
“
We’ve got a Picasso installation downstairs and he sort of went right to the middle of it and basically just lifted the piece off the wall.” WILLIAM LEDFORD, MANAGING PARTNER OF THE GALLERY
piece off the wall and walked out with a rare print of the etching “Sculptor and Two Heads” worth about $30,000, said William Ledford, managing partner of the gallery. “We’ve got a Picasso installation downstairs and he sort of went right to the middle of it and basically just lifted the piece off the wall,” Ledford said. “Soho is such a retail-centric area, and everybody’s got shopping bags. Our best guesstimate is that he just kind of stuffed it in a shopping bag and off he went.” The next day, it happened at the posh Carlyle hotel on the city’s Upper East Side. The 1917 Leger piece, “Composition with Mechanical Elements,” disappeared from a hallway in the hotel lobby around 3 a.m. on June 28, according to Christina Warner, assistant director of the Helly Nahmad Gallery, which had loaned the drawing to the hotel. “He’s got a lot of confidence to do that,” Warner said. Lugo apparently also had good taste. Police who raided his apartment said the stolen works were prominently displayed around his home and may not have been meant for sale.
“The Picasso was hanging on his wall,” said Hoboken Police Sgt. Edwin Pantoja. “The others were displayed all over his apartment. He had a nice little gallery going on.” Lugo worked at upscale Manhattan restaurants, including Per Se, where he was a kitchen server in 2005 and 2006, said its spokesman Gerald San Jose. San Jose declined further comment, other than to say Lugo left his job in good standing. Police say art wasn’t the only luxury for Lugo, who also worked as a wine steward. He faces charges in New Jersey for allegedly stealing $6,000 worth of wine from Gary’s Wine & Marketplace in April. Lugo was caught on security cameras taking two $2,000 bottles of 2006 Chateau Petrus Pomerol on April 25, said Robert Lesnick, the Wayne, N.J., store’s loss-prevention manager. He returned four days later to take another bottle — wearing the same clothes, Lesnick said. “This guy is a habitual thief,” Lesnick said. “He has good taste, apparently. But he’s still a thief.” Authorities in New Jersey and New York will have to wait to prosecute Lugo, who remains in a San
Francisco jail on $5 million bail. He was arrested after police tracked him to a Napa hotel, where the Picasso was found unframed and prepared for shipping. At Friday’s arraignment, Judge Samuel Feng rejected a defense request to have the bail lowered, noting the “brazen” nature of the crime and saying he poses a threat to public safety. He also ordered him to surrender his passport. Lugo’s attorney, Douglas Horngrad, had argued that bail was set too high because of attention from “overhyped media.” “There are murder cases in this county where bail is not set at $5 million,” Horngrad said. But prosecutors said bail was appropriate since Lugo was accused in crimes that spread across multiple states. Horngrad later told reporters outside court that he will look into whether his client may be suffering from any “psychological issues.” Horngrad claims that the evidence will show Lugo’s alleged thefts “speaks more to a burst of compulsive energy than someone who has the ability and the sophistication to go out and fence these paintings.” Lugo is scheduled back in court on Aug. 23.
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
PRISON Continued from Page 1A gang is strapped for manpower as it faces a crackdown by the federal government and a war against its former masters, the Gulf Cartel. The seven inmates killed were Gulf Cartel members, Cuellar said.
In charge The Zetas have effectively run CEDES, executing rivals and disobedient members and orchestrating escapes when it pleases them. Among the 151 escapees from December were men accused of having committed homicides inside the prison on behalf of the Zetas. At the time, authorities said the escape was organized by the nephew of the Zetas’ No. 2, Miguel Treviño Morales. There’s not any evidence that those escapees came to the U.S. to avoid recapture, Cuellar said.
Rumors heard “We don’t have any indication on that,” he said. “We had rumors back then, but we never could confirm any of it.” As it did after the De-
COUNTY Continued from Page 1A
Prison security has become a major challenge amid Mexico’s crackdown on organized crime which has crowded state jails nationwide with tens of thousands of federal prisoners. cember prison break, the administration of Mexican President Felipe Calderón seized on the prison break as an opportunity to criticize the Tamaulipas government. Tamaulipas is a holdout of Mexico’s former ruling party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which will challenge Calderón’s National Action Party for control of the presidency next year.
Many escapees A news release from the federal government said more than 400 inmates escaped from Tamaulipas prisons between January 2010 and March 2011, calling it “unacceptable” and saying the government “strongly condemns” the latest escape. Similar prison breaks in the past three years have led to the firings of four prison wardens and two directors of Tamaulipas’ state
prison system. The breakouts included 41 prisoners who escaped in Matamoros in March 2010, 85 others who busted out of Reynosa’s state prison last September and another 17 prisoners who tunneled out of Reynosa’s prison in late May.
Federal charges Most of the escapees — including 35 of Friday’s escapees — had been jailed on federal charges, usually meaning organized crime. Tamaulipas is divided between the Gulf Cartel and Zetas gangs, onetime allies that have been warring bitterly for the past 18 months, leaving several thousand dead across northeastern Mexico. Many of those jailed in the state’s prisons are affiliated with one gang or the other. Mexican soldiers several weeks ago took over many police functions in 22 Ta-
maulipas cities and towns — including Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Matamoros — while those forces are purged of officers thought to be colluding with the gangs and new recruits are trained.
Crime challenge Prison security has become a major challenge amid Mexico’s crackdown on organized crime which has crowded state jails nationwide with tens of thousands of federal prisoners. Prison riots between gangs and jailbreaks, usually with the participation of wardens and guards, have become common. After the December prison break in Nuevo Laredo, 41 guards were charged with helping inmates escape. (Houston Chronicle reporter Dudley Althaus contributed to this report from Mexico City.)
MEXICO Continued from Page 1A the brother of Juan Reyes Mejía González, known as “R-1,” a top boss of the Gulf Cartel. During the trio’s apprehension in May, federal police officers seized a black Chevrolet Silverado bearing U.S. plates. Items seized also included a fully loaded AR-15 and two loaded handguns, among ammo clips for the seized weapons. A PGR report states Barragán Balderas acted as leader of the Miguel Alemán plaza faction of the cartel. One of his responsibilities included defend-
ing the turf from their rivals, Los Zetas. In addition, he oversaw drug smuggling operations from Tamaulipas into Texas. According to the U.S. Department of State website, Barragán Balderas was responsible for obtaining advanced notice regarding the movements and locations of military and state police patrols and mobile checkpoints, thus protecting shipments of cocaine and marijuana for the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, at the time when these two crime gangs operated together. Barragán Balderas is
charged in a 2008 federal indictment in the District of Columbia with drug trafficking. The Gulf Cartel controls most of the co-
caine and marijuana trafficking through the Matamoros, Mexico, corridor to the United States, the State website reads.
dents were unevenly distributed among Precincts 1, 2 and 4, with Precinct 4 in excess and Precincts 1 and 2 falling below the appropriate numbers.
Large population “Precinct 4 has the most populated area,” Vela stated. “We need to add more constituents to (Precinct 1’s) district and get some from Precinct 4.” Vela explained that while he and Pct. 2 Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal had collaborated on a plan, the county’s former consultant on the project didn’t agree them. The item was being tabled until August, when the county’s current consultant, Rolando Rios, will have a completed redistricting plan. “Commissioner (Norberto) Garza has already seen that our plan is in agreement. (Rios’) already done the studies. The census data has come in. The commissioners just have to approve a plan.” The commissioners approved spending $20,274.85 to remodel the Little League baseball and softball fields in Precinct 4. The cost includes both material and labor. The costs are within his budget for parks, Vela said. Construction will include building batting cages and replacing du-
“
We’ll be able to serve three times what we’re serving now.” COMMISSIONER JOSE EMILIO VELA
gouts. Finally, the Zapata County Waterworks Water Treatment Plant expansion was formally approved as complete. The new $14 million plant has a 7 million gallon capacity, while the previous plant had only a 2 million gallon capacity. “We’ll be able to serve three times what we’re serving now,” Vela stated. The project was funded through a loan from the Texas Water Development Board, with 0 percent interest for 30 years. The next plan on the agenda is a $6 million sewer plant expansion, also to be funded through a Water Development Board loan. “It’s already on the way. Now, we’re in the process of bidding out for the contractor,” Vela explained. The county has already purchased 15 acres of land, and the completion date is estimated to be in two and half years.
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
5k ready to go Zapata walks or runs for charity By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES Photos by Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP
ABOVE: United States goalkeeper Hope Solo celebrates winning the quarterfinal match against Brazil at the Women’s World Cup in Dresden, Germany on Sunday. BELOW: United States’ Abby Wambach, left, and Hope Solo after their quarterfinal match in Dresden, Germany, on Sunday.
ONE GAME FOR GLORY USA faces Japan in World Cup final
The time has come for Zapata and its surrounding areas to dust off their running shoes and lace them up as one of the most anticipated races is just around the corner. The second annual Knights of Columbus/ Columbian Squires 5K run and 2 mile walk is set to take place on Saturday July 30 at 7:30 a.m. on the grounds of Romeo Flores Park. Pre-registration is already ongoing and forms can be picked up at the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce with the cost being only $15. On the day of the event, registration starts
See 5K
PAGE 2B
NFL LOCKOUT
By NANCY ARMOUR ASSOCIATED PRESS
F
RANKFURT, Germany — A week ago, there were so few people following the Americans they could hold their daily media sessions around a small table in their hotel lobby. Now they need an entire ballroom. The frenzy of attention surrounding the U.S. women ahead of Sunday’s final against Japan is something they’ve never experienced before, and it has the potential to fire them up — or heap even more pressure on what is already the biggest game of their careers. “I don’t think it’s a distraction,” goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “We’ve had the
See WORLD CUP PAGE 2B
COMMENTARY Photo by Richard Drew | AP
Age over beauty at Open Clarke stays relevant against strong weather
Football closer to kickoff
By TIM DAHLBERG ASSOCIATED PRESS
SANDWICH, England — His work done for the day, Darren Clarke trudged into the media center to explain how a portly 42-year-old guy with gray hair was somehow able to escape the wilds of the British Open when a wave of youngsters half his age weren’t nearly as successful. Before he could, though, Clarke was given a gentle reminder of his rightful place in golf ’s new pecking order. “The last person we expected to see in here was you,” a writer told him. No worries, because a few days ago Clarke would have thought the same thing. His putting stunk, and he wasn’t exactly feeling good about his game heading into his 20th Open. His younger countrymen were winning major championships, and Clarke was starting to get the feeling that maybe his time had passed. Then a session with his shrink changed everything. Forgetting for a moment that he’s not the Northern Irishman who is supposed to win this Open, Clarke matched his opening round 68 with the same score Friday to move to 4-under-par. It not only put him four shots up on fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy, but gave him a share of the lead midway through the championship.
Jerry Jones, left, owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, and John Mara, president, CEO, and co-owner of the New York Giants, arrive for labor talks in New York on Friday.
By RACHEL COHEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
long career. Still, a skeptical writer asked, does he really think he can win? “Of course I do,” Clarke replied.
NEW YORK — Significant progress on a major sticking point in the NFL labor impasse — soaring rookie salaries — during marathon talks Thursday raised hopes that a tentative agreement in principle could perhaps come within 24 hours, according to two people familiar with the negotiations. They cautioned, however, that other key issues remained for owners and players to resolve, including free agency and new offseason workout rules. The people spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the negotiations aimed at ending the NFL’s fourmonth-long lockout are supposed to be confidential. After meeting for nearly 15 hours Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith, play-
See OPEN PAGE 2B
See NFL PAGE 2B
Photo by Peter Morrison | AP
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke plays a shot on the 16th fairway during the second day of the British Open Championship at Royal St George’s golf course in Sandwich, England, on Friday. If golf is mostly mental, Clarke could even be considered a favorite going into the weekend. Yes, he’s won only twice in the last eight years, but he’s full of newfound confidence — which he will need if he is to win the first major title of his
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
OPEN
Photo by Natacha Pisarenko | AP
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, center, Costa Rica’s Luis Valle, left, and Costa Rica’s Johnny Acosta compete for the ball during a Group A Copa America match in Cordoba, Argentina, last Monday.
Messi finds form in Copa America By STEPHEN WADE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Fans bombarded Lionel Messi with jeers and graphic profanities last week in a disorganized 0-0 draw against Colombia, illustrating what his father Jorge called the “terrible pressure” on the Barcelona star at home during the Copa America. It could get even uglier if Argentina loses to Uruguay on Saturday in a quarterfinal being played in the northern city of Santa Fe, the same venue as for last week’s debacle and just a short drive from Messi’s birthplace in Rosario. This is supposed to be the tournament Argentina wins to end an 18-year drought without a major international title. But its small neighbor across the River Plate estuary stands in the way with almost the same team that reached
last year’s World Cup semifinals. “Against Uruguay, this is a final,” said Messi, who has not scored for Argentina in his last 15 competitive internationals, including the Copa America, World Cup and World Cup qualifiers. The other three weekend quarterfinals offer more regional intrigue. Colombia faces Peru on Saturday, before two-time defending champion Brazil plays Paraguay and Venezuela takes on Chile on Sunday. The final is July 24, and that’s the first time Argentina and Brazil could meet. Brazil has won the last two titles — both in finals against Argentina — and four of the last five. Messi and Argentina redeemed themselves on Monday, defeating Costa Rica 3-0. After two miserable opening games, coach Sergio Batista dropped Messi back into a playmaker role.
5K Continued from Page 1B at 6:30-7:15 a.m. and the entry fee is only $20 dollars. All money will go toward scholarships for high school seniors who will continue their education at the college level. The race starts at Romeo Flores Park, beginning on Glen and 1st street, and will circle back to the park for the finish line. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category in seven divisions that include 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 4049, 50-59 and 60 and over. They will have men’s and women’s categories. The first six overall walkers will also win an award and the first 100 participants will receive a tshirt. The event is geared to raise scholarships and promote health throughout the community. “We want to make this an annual event to help promote health and to raise money for scholarships,”
Race meet director Homer Carrizales said. “Zapata came out to support us and we are counting on them this year.” Last year the race brought runners from all corners of the world to Zapata and included runners from Brazil and Kenya. Over 142 participants came out and raised over $1,500 for local scholarships that were given out this past May. With the growth of the event, this year the Laredo running group, Run Strong, will send a contingency to the event. In addition, many runners from the Rio Grande Valley and the surrounding areas are expected to descent to Zapata. Anybody needing more information on the race can contact Carrizales at (956) 285-0220 or (956) 7654871. Carrizales can also be reached at the following emailed at customercare@zapatachamber.com
You’re not just saying that? “No, of course I do.” If Clarke does, maybe he should share the claret jug with Bob Rotella, a prominent sports psychologist who has made a career out of convincing golfers that they’re better than they think. Clarke had a session with Rotella on Wednesday, and just like that the putts began to drop. Just what Rotella told him will remain between the guy in the chair and the one on the couch. Clarke joked that he pays him too much to share his secret to success. Whatever it was, it worked. Clarke went out on a windless morning Friday and shook off a double bogey on the fourth hole to play 3-under the rest of the way and get in a tie with Lucas Glover at the top of the leaderboard. Unexpected, sure. While McIlroy came in as the heavy betting favorite off his dominating win in the U.S. Open, Clarke was a 150-1 longshot known more lately for being more of a mentor to McIlroy and Graeme McDowell than a player who could contend in the British Open.
Continued from Page 1B
Anyone who remembers Clarke in the 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland shortly after the death of his wife, Heather, from breast cancer knows he has both the game and the will to compete and win. But impossible, no. Anyone who remembers Clarke in the 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland shortly after the death of his wife, Heather, from breast cancer knows he has both the game and the will to compete and win. Clarke went 3-0 that week to lead Europe to an emotional victory that up until now was the highlight of his career. “Nothing could be more difficult than that particular week,” Clarke said. Though Clarke broke a three-year winless drought earlier this year on the European Tour by taking the Iberdrola Open in Spain, he has been eclipsed in recent years in Ireland by both McIlroy and McDowell, who have both won U.S. Opens. He’s close to both, withdrawing from a tournament in Germany last month at the last moment so he could be home to celebrate McIlroy’s Open win with him. A win here by Clarke would give Ireland three of
the last six major championships — all by different players. “If Darren were to do it this weekend, I think we’d have an influx of golfers moving to Northern Ireland,” McDowell said. McDowell will have to root for Clarke from afar after missing the cut following a fat 77 Friday. But there’s a chance Clarke could be battling McIlroy — who honed his game with support from Clarke’s junior golf foundation — down the stretch. McIlroy shot a 69 in the second round and was four shots off the pace. The scoreboard is crowded, though, and could change quickly. Rain and wind are forecast to return to the English Coast over the weekend, and the tournament may just be won by the player who handles the elements best. Clarke may have an advantage there. He recently moved his family from
London back to Northern Ireland, where he practices and plays at Royal Portrush, a links course that shares many characteristics with Royal St. George’s. Another characteristic it shares is that the weather is often dreadful. “It’s a case of getting used to playing in bad weather on links again, and that’s what I’ve been doing all over the winter,” Clarke said. “Hopefully it will stand me in good stead.” The huge crowds that lined the fairways and crowded the grandstands Friday hope so, too. They cheered him along the way, delighted he was contending for the lead. Maybe that’s because he’s a British subject and a Ryder Cup hero. Maybe they just identify with him because he’s a bit chunky and loves a fine cigar and a drink to go with it. Or maybe they just like their players mentally fit.
NFL Continued from Page 1B ers and owners were back at the negotiating table Friday as they attempted to end the sport’s first work stoppage since 1987. “I know our fans are frustrated and want (us) to get it done,” Smith said as he entered the Times Square office building where the negotiations were being held. “We’ll get everything to the players when the time is right.” Talks gained steam in May, overseen by a courtappointed mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, who is on vacation this week. Boylan ordered both sides to meet with him in Minneapolis early next week, and the owners have a special meeting set for next Thursday in Atlanta, where they potentially could ratify a new deal. Any agreement also must be voted on by groups of players, including the named plaintiffs in a classaction antitrust lawsuit pending in federal court and the NFLPA’s 32 team representatives. Baltimore Ravens defensive back Domonique Foxworth emphasized that when the last of the participants left after 11:30 p.m. Thursday, saying “there’s really no deal until our players approve it.” Even once an agreement in principle on the core economic issues is drawn up, there will be more work to be done. That’s because there are certain issues that won’t be addressed in full until after the NFLPA re-establishes itself as a
The players want to get back to free agency rules similar to 2009, when a four-year veteran whose contract expired was unrestricted. union — a process that might take a couple of days — and can then serve once again as a collective bargaining unit for the players. Items that could fall under that umbrella include the league’s drug-testing program, health insurance, retired players’ pensions and other benefits, none of which is likely to be resolved completely while the union is still dissolved. There’s also a chance the players could pursue a lockout injunction for rookies and free agents after an appeals court ruled last week that the work stoppage could continue. The NFL locked out players in March, after negotiations broke down and the old collective bargaining agreement expired, and now the preseason is fast approaching. The need to arrive at a deal becomes greater with each passing day. The Hall of Fame game that opens the exhibition season is scheduled for Aug. 7 between the St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears, who hope to be able to start training camp at the end of next week. Yet camps will not open without a new CBA in place. Disruptions to the planned preseason schedule would decrease the overall
revenue pie — by tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on how many games are canceled. The parameters for how to divide the more than $9 billion in annual league revenues have been sketched out, but remaining hurdles include the owners’ desire to have more right-of-firstrefusal tags for unrestricted free agents. The players want to get back to free agency rules similar to 2009, when a four-year veteran whose contract expired was unrestricted. That minimum shifted to six years in 2010, when there was no salary cap because owners already had declared they were opting out of the old CBA. On rookie salaries, four people familiar with the talks said Thursday that first-round draft picks will sign four-year contracts with a club option for a fifth year. That represents a compromise; owners were hoping for five-year contracts, while players wanted highly drafted rookies to be under a team’s control for only four years. NFL owners have long sought to restrict the huge bonuses and salaries paid to unproven rookies, particularly those selected at the top of the draft. Quarterback Sam Bradford, taken
No. 1 overall in 2010 by the St. Louis Rams, signed a six-year, $78 million contract that included a record $50 million in guaranteed money. Under the system discussed Thursday, people told the AP, clubs will have an option for a fifth year on a rookie’s contract for a predetermined amount based on the player’s performance during the previous years of the deal. This week’s talks in New York began Monday with two days of meetings involving primarily lawyers. Wednesday’s face-to-face session that was attended by Goodell, Smith, owners and players went nearly 11 hours. On Thursday, Goodell was joined by eight of the 10 members of the owners’ labor committee, including Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys and John Mara of the New York Giants. Two new participants Thursday were Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy and San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos. Smith’s group included Foxworth, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, and Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora. Umenyiora is one of the 10 named plaintiffs in the antitrust case against the league.
series, including a pair of 2-0 victories in warm-up matches a few weeks before the teams left for the World Cup. But this isn’t the same Japanese team the Americans played in May, and they know it. Japan stunned Germany, the two-time defending champ, in the quarterfinals, and then made easy work of Sweden, winning 3-1. The Nadeshiko have wonderful ball control and can hold possession for what seems like hours, and they’ve shown a nice scoring touch in Germany, too. The Japanese are also playing for a greater purpose, hoping their success will provide some relief for a nation still recovering from the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. “They’re playing for something bigger and bet-
ter than the game,” Solo said. “When you’re playing with so much emotion and so much heart, that’s hard to play against.” But emotion can overwhelm, too. “This life, it’s about competition. There’s a lot of pressure and a lot of stress, and of course the players feel the same thing,” U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. Then, a smile playing across her face, the coach who is famous for her unshakable calmness and positive attitude said, “I just tell them, ’Slow down, you move too fast.”’ As reporters laughed, Sundhage sang Simon and Garfunkel’s classic, “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” — the lyrics never more appropriate. “Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy.”
WORLD CUP Continued from Page 1B mentality from day one that we came here for one reason. Our one and only goal was to win this tournament, and I think people are staying pretty true to that.” But the challenge gets bigger with each day. The Americans are used to playing in relative anonymity. Oh, Abby Wambach gets the David Beckham treatment when she goes home to Rochester, N.Y., and Solo has a long had a lengthy list of admirers. For the most part, though, only the most diehard soccer fans could have told you before the World Cup began what position Megan Rapinoe plays (midfield) or what color headband Alex Morgan always wears (pink). Then, with one thunderous header by Wambach, the Americans went Hollywood.
Fans back home are captivated by the team’s grit and perseverance, and charmed by the players’ personalities. And in typical American fashion, when the country gets behind a team, it goes all in. Hollywood celebrities and pro athletes are leading the bandwagon, and the U.S. games are now mustsee TV. Even a little thing like work couldn’t keep fans away, with Wednesday’s semifinal against France — played during the middle of the day back home — drawing the fourth-highest rating of any Women’s World Cup game. Ever. About 100 journalists from all corners of the world turned out for the team’s availability Friday, asking about everything from the first time Wambach headed a ball to
Heather O’Reilly’s plans for her Oct. 1 wedding. No sooner had the media crush ended than the White House announced that Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, and Chelsea Clinton are coming for Sunday’s final. “It’s just amazing that this team has been able to capture the heart of America, because normally we can’t do that,” Rapinoe said. “That’s just been an amazing feeling. We’re just taking it all in. We don’t get it that much, so we’re living it up and trying to keep it rolling.” To do that, though, the Americans have to stay focused on their original goal: winning the World Cup title. This is the Americans’ first trip to the finals since 1999, the last time they won soccer’s biggest prize. Win, and they’ll be
crossover hits like Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain. Come up short, and all that buzz they’ve been hearing will fade to silence. “We want all those things that have happened within the last ... few days to be worth it and to be meaningful,” Wambach said. “And the only way we can do that is to secure a win on Sunday.” On paper, at least, the Americans are heavy favorites — and, yes, there is a betting line on this game. The U.S. is a two-time World Cup champion, defending Olympic gold medalist and the world’s topranked team. Japan has never made the final in any major tournament, and has yet to beat the Americans in 25 tries. The U.S. has a nine-game winning streak going in the
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE Dear Readers: Summertime can pose a potential danger to your pets. Here are a few hints from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help protect your pets in EXTREME HEAT: Your pets can get dehydrated very quickly. Be sure to provide plenty of clean, fresh water when it’s hot. Do not leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes during hot days. When turned off, a car can become a hot oven in less than 10 minutes. Some dogs are good swimmers, and some are not. Don’t leave dogs unat-
“
HELOISE
tended around a pool unless you know that your pooch can swim. — Heloise ESCAPE ARTIST Dear Heloise: My small parakeet is very smart! He has figured out how to open the three doors of his cage. I outsmarted him so that he would not escape. I put paper clips on each door, and twisted them so the clips will stay on. — Harriet in New Jersey
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Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011
Baseball’s midseason review By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
away. Here’s a quick look at the stars, slumps and surprises of the first half of the season:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
From Derek Jeter to Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer, you could put together an All-Star team just from the guys who have been stuck on the disabled list this season. If 2010 was the Year of the Pitcher, 2011 might just be the Year of the Injury. David Wright, Buster Posey and Zack Greinke have missed big chunks of time as well, and the rash of injured stars may be one of the biggest reasons that all six division races are so close heading into the unofficial second half of the season. With so many teams playing short-handed, no one has been able to break away from the pack yet and take command of the pennant race, setting up a 21/2-month sprint to the finish. Jeter spent 21 days on the shelf with a calf injury that slowed his pursuit of 3,000 hits, Pujols stunned everyone by coming back from a broken forearm after just two weeks and Mauer’s seemingly unimpeachable image in his home state of Minnesota took a big hit when he spent most of the first two months of the season rehabbing a mysterious leg injury. The current disabled list is chock full of stars — Johan Santana, Jon Lester, Roy Oswalt, Carl Crawford, Josh Johnson, Justin Morneau. And many of the trips haven’t been quick ones. Wright has been on the list since May 16 with a stress fracture in his lower back, Morneau is not expected back until mid-August after having neck surgery and Johnson was placed on the 60-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation on May 17. Others won’t be back at all this year. Posey, San Francisco’s bright young star catcher, is out after breaking his left leg and straining some ligaments in his left ankle on a home plate collision with Florida’s Scott Cousins on May 25. Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, Yankees right-hander Joba Chamberlain and Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka have all had
Baseball faces deja vu with Clemens By RONALD BLUM
STARS Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets: Electrifying presence has made the Mets worth watching. Leading NL with .354 average and 15 triples, six more than next closest hitter. Matt Kemp, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers: All-around stud. Hitting .313 with 22 homers and 67 RBIs. Been intentionally walked 12 times and leads in many of the stat geeks’ favorite categories, including wins over replacement. Jair Jurrjens, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Leads NL in wins (12), ERA (1.87) to keep Braves within striking distance of the juggernaut in Philadelphia.
SUPRISES
Photo by Kathy Kmonicek | AP
New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter takes a moment before his first at-bat against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning of a baseball game on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in New York. Jeter singled. surgery on their pitching elbows and are rehabbing for 2012. It even sent the All-Star managers searching a little bit to fill a few holes created by injuries. “You are scrambling a bit when you have the number of injuries that we have to deal with before we chose the team,” NL manager Bruce Bochy said on Monday. The Red Sox, Cardinals and Giants have somehow been able to weather a series of significant injuries and sit atop their respective divisions as the second half of the season is about to commence. Others such as the Twins,
who have watched eight regular players hit the DL for extended periods of time, and the Tampa Bay Rays, who saw Evan Longoria miss 26 games with an oblique injury, got off to slow starts in part because of health problems. With the air-tight nature of the playoff chase — all six division leaders have a cushion of 31/2 games or fewer — it is conceivable that the teams who are able to remain the healthiest and avoid any more key injuries will be the ones that advance to the postseason. How teams choose to address key injuries will also add some intrigue to the trade deadline, which is three weeks
Pittsburgh Pirates: The perennial losers are in the middle of a stunningly successful season, riding CF Andrew McCutchen and closer Joel Hanrahan to a 47-43 record, just one game behind the Cardinals and Brewers in the NL Central. Lance Berkman, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: In the middle of a career resurgence, leading NL with 24 homers.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS Jeter’s 3,000th hit: Like everything else in his championshipdrenched career, the Yankees shortstop did it in style, hitting a homer to become the 28th player in MLB history to achieve the feat in a five-hit day. Brewers acquire K-Rod: Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin made the first big splash of the trade season, announcing just after the All-Star game that he got closer Francisco Rodriguez from the Mets to bolster the bullpen and try to make what is expected to be Prince Fielder’s last year in Milwaukee a memorable one.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens remain perfectly bookended, each with seven major awards, one mistrial and no guilty verdict assured of sticking. Victor Conte, whose Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative sparked the government investigations of drugs and athletes, has had enough. Three months and a day after Bonds walked out of a San Francisco court room following a three-week trial and a muddled verdict that could result in a retrial, Clemens hustled out of a Washington, D.C., court room when a judge ruled federal prosecutors botched their case on Day 2, saying they made a mistake unworthy of a “first-year law student.” As baseball’s gray eminence, Yogi Berra, would say, “it’s like deja vu all over again.” When IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, surfing through BALCO’s trash in 2002 or 2003, found a photograph of Victor Conte and Bonds together in the magazine Muscle & Fitness, it sparked a legal pursuit that’s still ongoing. Like a Rube Goldberg machine, one led to another. The BALCO investigation led to the book “Game of Shadows.” A week after the book was published in March 2006, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig hired former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to investigate steroids. Mitchell published his report in December 2007, implicating Clemens based on statements from the pitcher’s former trainer, Brian McNamee, who was forced to cooperate by federal agents after he was tied to steroids by former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski. Clemens’ denials over the following week prompted a congressional committee to ask the pitcher and McNamee to testify, leading to a February hearing where Clemens repeated that he had never used performance-enhancing drugs. The was followed by a referral to the Justice Department, a grand jury investigation and an indictment last August. The federal government charged the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements to Congress and two counts of perjury. Now, the government faces a Sept. 2 hearing when it likely will try to persuade U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton to allow a retrial.