HAWKS FOOTBALL OPENER
SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2010
FREE
CHECK THEZAPATATIMES.COM FOR RESULTS FROM FRIDAY’S ZAPATA FOOTBALL GAME VS. WESLACO EAST
DELIVERED EVERY SATURDAY
TO 4,000 HOMES
A HEARST PUBLICATION
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
COUNTY
DISASTER RELIEF
Out of time Commissioners knock budget process By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
News of the budget hearing cancellation scheduled for last Thursday upset some of the Zapata commissioners, who were worried that it only left one day for department representatives and commissioners to review the budget before making any changes and adopting the budget for the next fiscal year. A budget hearing will be held on Sept. 13 at the county courthouse at 9 a.m., and it will be immediately followed by the regular Commissioners Court meeting. According County Judge Rosalva Guerra, several individuals were pushing to have a hearing at an earlier date, but the law states the county is not required to hold two hearings in order to adopt the budget, unless the tax rate is increasing. After clarifying with the county attorney, the county judge sought the opportunity to advise the commis-
See BUDGET PAGE 10A
New budget hikes school taxes, but no jobs are cut
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
FEMA and SBA agents assist residents affected by flooding following Hurricane Alex, on Wednesday at the Zapata County Courthouse.
GETTING STORM AID Feds in Valley helping residents after Alex By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Despite the arrival of state and national aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Alex, Zapata County residents are responding in harrowingly low numbers. “Our busiest location has been Rio Bravo. Del Rio was decent. Our lowest is in Zapata,” said Layne Segda, Disaster Relief Center manager. According to William Koontz, a public information officer for U.S. Small Business Administration, Of-
fice of Disaster Assistance, numbers are usually modest shortly after any disaster. Of the 600 applications already distributed across communities in the South Texas region, less than 30 have been returned. “FEMA is offering representatives from legal aid for those that have lost important documents to hazard mitigation, what to do to minimize damage, to insurance to unemployment issues,” Segda said. For those who may have already applied for aid online or through the
telephone, mobile centers can facilitate the application process. “We complete anything that’s pending,” said Rose Beard, DRC receptionist. “Or if they’re lacking an application, we can help them through that as well.”
SBA activation Alongside FEMA efforts, whenever there’s a presidential disaster declara-
See FEMA PAGE 10A
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
ZCISD adopted the budget for the next fiscal year and, unlike the county, the school district budget was not affected with the decrease of property values because state funding was increased even as local funding decreased. The Zapata County Independent School District Board of Trustees also adopted a higher tax rate of 1.132100 per $100 valuation. Previously, the district held a tax rate of 1.09847, said Laura McCoy, chief financial officer. After hours of deliberation, the Board of Trustees adopted the budget Thursday, Aug. 26, with few changes. “Zapata County ISD is looking at a budget of $42,015,980 with no layoffs,” McCoy said. The district, however, has a debt of $7 million, due to several bonds issued for construction projects, such as the two elementary schools and four pavilions built back in 2005, McCoy said. According to McCoy, the only major budget changes were the reclassification of some personnel, reduction of overtime and reassignments of staff due to elementary school boundary changes. “We don’t have major cuts in the budget; structure was added to problem areas, such as overtime, stipends and additional working days,” she said. However, the transportation department was affected
See TAXES PAGE 10A
Parents’ complaints follow change in school bus routes By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The ZCISD transportation department is facing major bus route adjustments and complaints after the school reconfiguration changed pickup times, neighborhood routes and designated bus stops. Students’ parents have been calling and complaining to the Zapata County Independent School District that their children have to walk three blocks to a bus stop instead of the district picking them up in front of their houses said Romeo Alvarez, support services and operations coordinator. Several board members had strong
Several board members had strong beliefs that the community was going to be receptive of the change. beliefs that the community was going to be receptive of the change. “They were spoiled,” board trustee Ricardo Ramirez said. According to Alvarez, in previous years most students were picked up in front of their homes, and this year the transportation department has decided to designate several bus stops with in the new neighborhood boundaries.
Mid-point stops are also being added to the new boundaries, said Transportation Supervisor Patricia Gonzalez. Due to the district’s budget cuts, the departments had to face a hard decision to either reassign or terminate about nine bus drivers or bus aides. The transportation depart-
See TRANSPORTATION PAGE 10A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marine Corps League will be hosting a BBQ Chicken Plate sale today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the League center, next to Rose Garden Funeral Home. Plates include Mexican rice, frijoles rancheros, bread and jalapeños. All donations go towards community projects. League of United Latin American Citizens Council 14 presents the third annual Football Kick-Off Tailgating Cook-Off today from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at El Metro Park and Ride. Admission will be $3 for adults. Proceeds will benefit the LULAC No. 14 scholarship and general community needs fund. For more information, call (956) 2869055. Sundown Storytelling is today at 7 p.m. at 801 Guadalupe St. (entrance on Logan Avenue). Our mystery storyteller will lift the words off the page during a book reading for our young audiences. Attendance is free, but call Victoria Ortega at (956) 286-2786 to reserve space.
Today is Saturday, Aug. 28, the 240th day of 2010. There are 125 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Aug. 28, 1963, 200,000 people participated in a peaceful civil rights rally in Washington, D.C., where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. On this date: In 1609, English sea explorer Henry Hudson and his ship, the Half Moon, reached present-day Delaware Bay. In 1774, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first Americanborn saint, was born in New York City. In 1910, the Kingdom of Montenegro was proclaimed. In 1947, legendary bullfighter Manolete died after being gored during a fight in Linares, Spain; he was 30. In 1955, Emmett Till, a black teen-ager from Chicago, was abducted from his uncle’s home in Money, Miss. by two white men after he had supposedly whistled at a white woman; he was found brutally slain three days later. In 1968, police and anti-war demonstrators clashed in the streets of Chicago as the Democratic national convention nominated Hubert H. Humphrey for president. In 1973, more than 600 people died as an earthquake shook central Mexico. In 1988, 70 people were killed when three Italian stunt planes collided during an air show at the U.S. Air Base in Ramstein (RAHM’-shtyn), West Germany. In 1990, an F5 tornado struck the Chicago area, killing 29 people. In 1995, a mortar shell tore through a crowded market in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, killing some three dozen people and triggering NATO airstrikes against the Bosnian Serbs. Ten years ago: Authorities in Peru announced that four years after military judges convicted American Lori Berenson of planning a rebel attack, the military had overturned her life sentence, clearing the way for a new civilian trial. (Berenson was later convicted of “terrorist collaboration” and sentenced to 20 years; she was paroled on May 27, 2010, but must remain in Peru until the sentence ends in Nov. 2015.) Today’s Birthdays: Country singer Billy Grammer is 85. Actor Ben Gazzara is 80. Actor Sonny Shroyer is 75. Actor Ken Jenkins is 70. Former Defense Secretary William S. Cohen is 70. Actor David Soul is 67. MLB manager Lou Piniella is 67. Actress Debra Mooney is 63. Actress Alice Playten is 63. Singer Wayne Osmond (The Osmonds) is 59. Actor Daniel Stern is 53. Olympic gold medal figure skater Scott Hamilton is 52. Actor John Allen Nelson is 51. Actress Emma Samms is 50. Actress Jennifer Coolidge is 49. Movie director David Fincher (Film: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) is 48. Actress Amanda Tapping is 45. Country singer Shania Twain is 45. Thought for Today: “The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” — Muhammad Ali, American boxing champion (1942- ).
SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 The new season of the Texas A&M International University Organ Recital Series kicks off with organist Eric Mellenbruch at 4 p.m. today in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 326-2654.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 To jump start Rodeo for Rotary Kick Off Trailride on Saturday, there will be a campout and concert tonight. Join under the stars, with music by Mick Cruz.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Texas A&M International University hosts Autmus Fest 2010. Gate opens at 4:30 p.m. $10 pre-sale tickets are available at all Pocket locations. Tickets are $15 at the gate. For more information, visit their website at www.autmusfest.com. Sponsored by the Laredo Rotary Club, Rodeo for Rotary Kick Off Trailride will start at the Alexander Crossing Golf Center. With free admission, registration begins at 8 a.m. and ride out at 9 a.m. The rodeo will be held at the L.I.F.E. Downs Arena today at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call George Jimenez at (956) 744-2146.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 The South Texas Food Bank Board of Directors meets at noon today at the Lamar Bruni Vergara South Texas Food Bank office, 1907 Freight St. at Riverside Drive. For more information, call (956) 726-3120. The American Cancer Society and Doctors Hospital of Laredo will cosponsor classes for people with cancer and their family and friends. The classes will be offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Doctors Hospital of Laredo. A physician will be present at all meetings to answer cancerrelated questions. The classes are free. Light dinner will be provided. To RSVP or for more information, call Jessica Guajardo at 523-2658 or Diana Juarez at 723-9682. The Texican CattleWomen will meet today at Rudy’s Party Room. The purpose of this organization shall be to advance the welfare of the beef industry. Through education, promotional and legislative activities, the CattleWomen shall strive to maintain and build demand for beef products, address consumer need, and promote a positive image of the cattle industry. The group is accepting new members. For more information, call Cathy Reed at 744-1983.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Texas A&M International University reveals two art collections for the month of September, Fields and Monuments: Paintings by Joey Fauerso and sculptures by Riley Robinson at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery. For more information, call (956) 326-2654. Texas A&M International University will also host a Freedom Walk tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Student Center Rotunda in commemoration of 9/11 and to honor our military past and present who are fighting for our freedom each and every day. Participants will receive a t-shirt. Contact Dan Lathey (956) 326-2892. To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com
Associated Press file photos
Farmers Branch Police Officer Lowell Tribble, left, was shot dead in his patrol car in 1983. Indicted for the murder 27 years later is Gary Wayne Pettigrew, 63, right, who faces a capital murder charge. His bond is set at $5 million. Tribble’s case was the oldest unsolved police officer killing in Texas. It was reopened in 2007.
27 years for indictment By JEFF CARLTON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Exactly 27 years after a suburban Dallas police officer was shot dead in his patrol car, authorities said Friday they have indicted a man for capital murder. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins announced that Gary Wayne Pettigrew, 63, faces a capital murder charge in the 1983 slaying of Farmers Branch Police Officer Lowell Tribble. His bond was set at $5 million. Tribble’s case was the oldest unsolved police officer killing in Texas. It was reopened in 2007. Pettigrew was arrested Friday morning as he was being discharged from a Fort Worth hospital. His lawyer said Pettigrew had stroke and several heart attacks recently. “I do know he is very sick and was taken
from the hospital against medical advice,” Shaw said. “They took him out of the cardiac unit in the hospital. They took the tubes out of his arm and said, ’We’re taking him to Dallas.”’ Watkins said Pettigrew was not surprised by the arrest. “He seemed that he expected it to come,” Watkins said. Police and prosecutors declined to discuss details of the investigation. In June, divers searched a pond in Dallas for evidence they said was related to the killing, but authorities would not say Friday if a weapon or any other evidence was found. The suspect and victim had no relationship to one another, and authorities declined to say what the motive was. Tribble was 37 and married with children when he was killed, police said.
Cornyn backs off citizenship debate
Radioactive waste agreement reached
Holly statue moved in Lubbock, fountain fix
HIDALGO — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is backing off his earlier support of Congress reviewing birthright citizenship. He said Friday that taking another look at the 14th Amendment amid the national debate over immigration “is going after a symptom rather than the cause in the first place.” Cornyn previously backed calls for a review.
AUSTIN — State officials and a West Texas waste processing, storage and disposal facility have reached an agreement that allows hot low-level radioactive material to be stored at the company’s site for up to three years. The agreement Friday resolves a dispute over how long the material could be stored.
LUBBOCK — A life-size bronze statue of rock and roller Buddy Holly is being moved at his hometown of Lubbock. The transfer process began Friday as workers renovate a nearby broken fountain and prepare to open a new city park named for Holly, who died in a 1959 plane crash in Iowa.
La. man gets 15 years in Texas family deaths
State will seek $830 million in fed ed aid
McKINNEY — A Louisiana man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the 2008 deaths of a Texas family headed home from church. David Calhoun Jones of Metairie, La., was also fined $10,000 Friday during the end of his trial in McKinney. The crash data recorder indicated Jones was going 98 mph when he crashed into Geoff and Christy Hart, their 12-year-old daughter and two foster children.
AUSTIN — Texas will apply for about $830 million in education aid from Washington even though officials are expecting a legal fight over the money. Gov. Rick Perry has said that to comply with a provision in the bill that put stiffer requirements on Texas would be a violation of the state constitution. The money is intended to help districts cope with the economic recession and avoid layoffs. -- Compiled from AP reports
Feds arrest man in powder-filled letters hoax DALLAS — Federal agents have arrested a Dallas man for allegedly conducting a hoax that involved mailing white powderfilled envelopes to the IRS and Social Security Administration in Austin and Maryland. An affidavit states that an envelope containing white powder sent to an Austin IRS facility Aug. 14, prompted that building’s evacuation.
AROUND THE NATION Ex-Army analyst from OK arrested at Minn. airport
CONTACT US
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A former U.S. Army analyst whose security clearance was recently revoked has been arrested in Minneapolis while trying to board a one-way flight to China. Liangtian Yang, of Lawton, Okla., allegedly had multiple data storage devices when arrested. He was charged with theft of government property.
Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 Chief Accountant, Thelma Aguero .............. 728-2553 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Classified Manager, Sandra Valderrama....... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................728-2581 City Editor, Kirsten Crow .......................... 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Business Journal Editor, Joe Rutland .......... 728-2529 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Online Editor, Julie Daffern ....................... 728-2565
NJ schools chief fired after Race to the Top gaffe TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fired his education commissioner Friday, after a mistake on an form might have cost the state a $400 million education grant. The dismissal comes after New Jersey became the top runner-up for the Race to the Top grants, missing by a few points.
Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review | AP
Police block off the driveway of The Plant Farm at e in Spokane Valley, Wash on Thursday. Wayne Scott Creach, 74, pastor and owner of the plant nursery was shot and killed by a Spokane Valley police officer late Wednesday night.
Suit: Priest impregnates Penn. teenager ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Pennsylvania couple secretly videotaped a Roman Catholic priest
having sex with their 18-year-old daughter in their home and are now suing, saying he got her pregnant. The lawsuit alleges the priest carried on a relationship while he was the chaplain of a high school where she was a senior.
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
Zlocal
PAGE 3A
‘Gingerbread Man’ helps teach safety By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photos
Shown is some of the 260 pounds of marijuana worth thousands of dollars two men had in their possession after a routine stop Monday night, north of San Ygnacio.
Deputies seize pot, men By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ
MANUEL EDUARDO ESPARZA: Charged with possession of marijuana.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County Sheriff authorities arrested two men and seized more than 260 pounds of marijuana worth thousands of dollars after a routine stop Monday night, north of San Ygnacio. Deputies identified one the alleged offenders as Manuel Eduardo Esparza, 27. According to authorities, the man was from San Antonio. Officials identified the other man as Laredoan Juan Erasmo Rivera, 28.
Officials charged both with possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony. Esparza and Rivera were booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail. At about 8:10 p.m., deputies patrolling at mile post 742 on U.S. 83, near La Perla Farms north of San Ygancio, conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Nissan Xterra.
JUAN ERASMO RIVERA: Charged with possession of marijuana. As they neared the vehicle, deputies noticed bundles in the back of the vehicle. Officials discovered 263 pounds of marijuana. Its estimated street value was $115,983. Authorities took Esparza and Rivera under custody. Both were held in lieu of a $25,000 bond each. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
In a quest to find the Gingerbread Man, kindergarten students at Zapata North Elementary and A.L. Benavides Elementary were taught lessons on trust, safety and consequences. Zapata North Elementary students began their gingerbread scavenger hunt by taking a tour of safe places with in the school building such as the principal’s office and the school library, said Gerardo Montes, Bilingual/ESL director. “They learned these are people they can trust and safe places they can go,” Montes said. Several clues were read to the students along their little adventure, and eventually their clues led them to other places around town. Students were also taken to the county courthouse, the bank and the public library. “They went on a tour of the courthouse to meet other people and learn about consequences,” Montes said. “The story there was, the Gingerbread Man got in trouble because he went in running and so he got in trouble with the judge and the sheriff.”
These activities are teaching the children that rules and consequences not only exist in the school but out in society, Montes added. Montes said the tour to the public library showed the children there are other institutions and alternatives to learning. “We want to improve our reading scores, and I know most of them did not know a public library even existed because their parents don’t take them,” Montes said. “They can now tell their parents, take me to the library.” At IBC bank, children were provided with a little of reality on top of all the fantasy they were already exposed to. The children were given a $100 check, showing them what the bank is for and why their parents go to the bank. Finally, the story ended up at Los Pasteles Bakery where students were able to cut out and bake their own Gingerbread men, eventually eating it. It was explained early on in the story that although the Gingerbread Man is in the form of a person he is only a cookie and he can be eaten, Montes said. Overall, the adventure is
getting to know places and getting involved in the community, Montes added. A.L. Benavides Elementary in San Ygnacio, about 12 miles from Zapata, did not have the luxury of taking a downtown tour, but instead got a little creative with its Gingerbread Man activity within the school walls. Principal Norma Villarreal Arellano said as part of the improvisation the children were taken to the library where they were able to play with dough, cut out the Gingerbread Man and then put in a magic oven. “We don’t have the facility of a bakery so we provided a magic oven that we said was in the school’s library bringing in the fantasy,” Arellano said. “In a split second we’re going to come out with a product of Los Pasteles. Hopefully, they will still buy into the idea that it came from the magic oven.” Administration later engaged in a little skit with live harmless animals for the children’s entertainment, Arellano said. “That will tie-in the different learning components for the activity and make it even more real,” she said.
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT
BURGLARY
Bobby Joe Green was arrested and charged with assault family violence at 1:30 a.m. Aug. 20 in the 2400 block of Carla Street. He was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail. Deputies responded to a domestic dispute/fight in progress at 4 a.m. Aug. 20 in the 400 block of Papaya Drive. A juvenile was detained and charged assault family violence. He was turned over to authorities.
Deputies responded to a burglary of habitation call at 11:45 a.m. Aug. 20 in the 5100 block of McAllen Lane. A female complainant stated unknown people entered her house but did not steal anything. Officials were alerted to a burglary of habitation at about 12:36 p.m. Aug. 21 in the 100 block of Military Road. A male victim stated someone stole a television from his home. An incident report states it was
later determined a family member took it. The complainant did not want to file charges on the known person.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS A female complainant reported at 11:39 p.m. Aug. 20 at the corner of Third Street and Bravo Avenue a known person was on her property, even though she told the person several times not to enter the premises.
DUI Deputies arrested Osiel Alaniz and charged him with driving under the influence at about 12:15 a.m. Aug. 21 in the 1600 block of Villa Avenue in the Medina Addition. An incident report states Alaniz was seen driving at a high rated speed. Suddenly, he came to a stop at a residence in the 1600 block of Villa Avenue. Deputies approached the vehicle and observed a couple of 24-ounce Budweiser beers. An incident
report states deputies noticed Alaniz had a slurred speech. Officials could also smell a strong odor of alcohol. He was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail.
THEFT Deputies responded to a theft call at 2:20 p.m. Monday at La Violeta Ranch, 14 miles east of Zapata on FM 16. The complainant stated someone stole a drilling bit from the location.
S
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
YOUR OPINION
OTHER VIEWS
Commissioner explains options for county’s new fiscal year budget To the editor: As we fast approach the end of fiscal year 2010, I would like to address the public regarding the proposed annual Zapata County budget. The new 2011 fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2010, and our county confronts distinct challenges in the next few weeks. One tough hurdle ahead of us involves the instantaneous drop of our mineral values, thus creating a $7 million shortfall in property tax revenue. The Zapata County Commissioners Court must now adopt the property tax rate to support and fund all required services and operations provided by Zapata County. A tax rate increase means higher taxes paid by local taxpayers. This unpopular alternative creates a controversial and negative economic impact. Many local residents presently feel burdened and overtaxed with the existing tax rate of $.73 per $100 valuation. Still another option involves a reduction of our county expenditures. This alternative helps thwart any unnecessary spending and help streamline our county departments. Clearly, this can only be achieved with cooperation and support from all county department heads. Anything less will disturb the management and operation of our county budget. As a voting member of the Zapata County Commissioners Court, I plan to fulfill my duties and offer my commitment
to support the most prudent decisions favoring our local taxpayers. We must also keep in mind to defray using the county reserve fund when balancing the county budget. Our fund balance serves to follow our goals and continue with our county master plan. This master plan involves a joint effort realizing those projects desperately needed in the augmentation of our county’s infrastructure. Some of these projects include construction of the new $14 million water treatment plant, the $6 million sewer plant, the $20 million street paving bond, the $2 million county landfill, the $3.1 higher education center, the $2.5 million historical museum and the $15 million county regional jail. All of the above-mentioned projects get funded partly through using our county reserve fund. In closing, I invite the public to attend the hearings and provide their input during the scheduled budget hearings. I thank everyone in advance for attending and giving their time expressing their public concerns. Definitely, I will listen carefully and take your public comments seriously. My final decision on the adoption of our county budget will be determined by those comments and public points of view expressed in the public hearings. Signed, Jose Emilio Vela Precinct 1 commissioner
COLUMN
Don’t expect GOP, Dems arm-in-arm By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS
W
ASHINGTON — Partisan polarization seems like it has purchased a lifetime pass in this city. This won’t sit well with Kumbaya aficionados — those looking for congressional Republicans and Democrats to walk arm-inarm toward a bipartisan Promised Land. Some think the November elections might produce more bipartisan harmony. If political forecasters are correct in predicting Republican gains on Nov. 2, won’t more party parity force the two sides to get along? Probably not. Understanding the roots of today’s polarized landscape explains why partisanship won’t be unearthed anytime soon. The current set of characters in Washington did not concoct today’s political environment nor will they quickly transform it. Polarization is definitely in the lifeblood of Congress. Yet that’s not all bad either. Partisanship gets a bad rap, but it also produces some important unrecognized benefits. Voters certainly believe partisanship is around for the long haul. Maybe they understand its upside better than the wishful thinkers. A Rasmussen survey released earlier in August found that 70 percent of U.S. voters expect partisanship to increase in Washington over the next year, the highest finding since President Obama took office. University of Texas political scientist Sean M.
Theriault, in his book “Party Polarization in Congress,” outlines the causes of hyper-partisanship and why lawmakers are at no risk of comity contagion in the near term. Theriault examines changes in American politics over the past 30 years and documents the spike in congressional partisanship since the 1980s. He argues a two-step process caused polarization. First, the electorate changed. Partisanship increased among lawmakers’ constituents as congressional redistricting created homogeneous electoral populations, districts that were far more solid Republican or Democratic. Voters also “sorted” themselves into more distinct ideological camps. Over the past two decades, he argues, Republicans became more conservative and Democrats increasingly liberal. And party activists became more ideologically extreme. But those electoral changes only explain part of the puzzle. Transformations in Congress caused the rest. “As the constituencies have polarized and sorted, fewer and fewer members are cross-pressured between what their constituencies want them to do and what their parties want them to do. As these preferences become increasingly aligned, rankand-file members have ceded more power to their party leaders,” Theriault writes. “As their power has grown, so have party leadership’s burdens to produce legislative victories.” In other words, leaders had to deliver.
COLUMN
Germany is role model for US D
uring the first half of this year, German and American political leaders engaged in an epic debate. Americans argued the economic crisis was so bad, governments should borrow billions to stimulate growth. Germans argued a little short-term stimulus was sensible, but anything more was nearsighted. What was needed was not more debt, but measures to balance budgets and restore confidence. The debate got pointed. American economists accused German policymakers of risking a long depression. The German finance minister countered, “Governments should not become addicted to borrowing as a quick fix to stimulate demand.” The countries followed different paths. According to Gary Becker of the University of Chicago, the Americans borrowed an amount equal to 6 percent of GDP in an attempt to stimulate growth. The Germans spent 1.5 percent of GDP on their stimulus. This divergence created a natural experiment. Who was right? The early returns suggest the Germans were. The American stimulus package was supposed to create a “summer of recovery,” according to Obama administration officials. Job growth was supposed to be surging at up to 500,000 a month. In-
“
DAVID BROOKS
stead, the U.S. economy is scuffling along. The German economy, on the other hand, is growing at a sizzling (and obviously unsustainable) 9 percent annual rate. Unemployment in Germany has come down to pre-crisis levels. Results from one quarter do not settle the stimulus/ austerity debate. Many other factors are in play. For example, Germany is surging, in part, because America is borrowing. Essentially, we Americans borrowed from our kids, spent some of that money on German machinery, and ended up employing German workers. But the results do underline one essential truth: Stimulus size is not the key factor in how quickly a country emerges from recession. The U.S. tried big, but is emerging slowly. The Germans tried small, and are recovering nicely. The economy can’t be played like a piano — press a fiscal key here and the right job creation notes come out over there. Instead, economic management is more like parenting. If you instill good values and create a secure climate then, through some mysterious process you will never
understand, things will probably end well. The crucial issue is getting the fundamentals right. The Germans are doing better because during the past decade, they took care of their fundamentals and the Americans didn’t. The situation can be expressed this way: German policymakers inherited a certain consensus-based economic model. That model has advantages. It fosters gradual innovation (of the sort useful in metallurgy). It also has disadvantages. It sometimes re-enforces rigidity and high unemployment. Over the past few years, the Germans have built on their advantages. They effectively support basic research and worker training. They have also taken measures to minimize their disadvantages. As an editorial from online think tank e21 reminds us, the Germans have reduced labor market regulation, increased wage flexibility and taken measures to balance budgets. In the United States, policymakers inherited a different economic model, one that also has certain advantages. It fosters disruptive innovation. It also has certain disadvantages — a penchant for overconsumption and short term thinking. Over the past decade, American policymakers have done little to maximize their model’s natural advantages or address its prob-
lems. Indeed, they’ve only made the short-term thinking problem worse, with monetary, fiscal and home ownership policies encouraging even more borrowing and consumption. Nations rise and fall on the intertwined strength of their cultures and governing institutions. Despite all the normal shortcomings, German governing institutions have functioned reasonably well, ushering in painful but necessary reforms. The U.S. has a phenomenally creative culture, but right now it’s an institutional weakling. If you look around the world today, you see that a two-class system is coming into being. Some countries are undertaking fundamentals reforms. In these places, weaknesses have been exposed. Orthodoxies have been shattered. New coalitions have formed. This is happening in Britain, where a center-right government is reining in a government that had spun out of control. It’s also true in Sweden and other consensus-based countries, where there is so much emphasis on consistent, longrange thinking. In other countries, political division frustrates longrange thinking. The emphasis is on fixing things for next month or next quarter. The U.S., unfortunately, is struggling to get out of Group 2.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
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
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
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, AUGUST 28, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Big hair, bigger guitars at ’Power Balladz’ By MARK KENNEDY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Rick Bowmer | AP
Adam Antonucci, 15, of Lake Placid, N.Y., practices on a trampoline at Windells in Welches, Ore. It is Disneyland for action sports nuts, with a dirt BMX track, a 25,000-square-foot skate park, a ski jump covered in a plastic mesh to simulate snow, and the ever-popular BOB (an acronym for Building out Back), an indoor facility that is stuffed with ramps and foam pits for perfecting tricks.
Windells puts board in boarding school By ANNE M. PETERSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MOUNT HOOD, Ore. — While it may be a tough sell for parents, Windells Academy is a dream for every kid who aspires to be the next Shaun White: a boarding school for boarders. For more than two decades, Windells has staged summer camps for skateboarders, snowboarders and skiers on Oregon’s Mount Hood, which has snow year-round. Founder Tim Windell, a former professional boarder, brags that all of the American Olympic medalists — including White — have either spent time at the camp or used its facilities. So it wasn’t that big of a stretch to go to a full-time high school. “I came here just to have fun and I’ve progressed so much I can’t even believe it,” said Jamison Skinner, 17, of Toronto, who starts his second semester at the academy this fall. “It’s just such an awesome place.”
From the outside, it may look as if the academy might be embracing the same training philosophy that elite gymnasts and figure skaters have long followed: taking young athletes and sending them off to train full time — with school on the side. Kind of the Russian model of building an athlete. Windell laughs at the notion. That would be way too traditional. “We’re not going to make guys go out there and jog 10 or 15 miles a day before they go up on this hill and ride. That’s just not what we’re about and that’s just not what action sports are about,” Windell said. The full-time academy started last year with 14 students, with the focus on snowboarding and skiing. Now it has doubled that — with skateboarding added to the curriculum. It’s pricey. Tuition — which includes room and board — is $35,000 for a full academic year, and $20,000 for a semester session. And it’s not for everyone.
The days are long, and while the overriding theme is becoming a better athlete, academy president Mike Hanley said, Windells is more than a “sports school.” “We’re not encouraging kids to drop out of school and cross their fingers they can retire on this because that’s just not going to happen,” Hanley said. “We want our kids to go to a good college — and the X Games.” Skinner, one of 14 students taking part in the academy’s summer session, says it took some persuading to convince his parents. “That’s the question everyone asks. No one takes it seriously, like ’Snowboarding 101,”’ he said. “But the school system is completely separate from the snowboarding. It’s completely detached. ... I think it’s harder than regular school.” Windells is located at the base of 11,239-foot Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak, about 50 miles east of Portland.
NEW YORK — There are people of a certain age who hear the words “Sister” and “Christian” in the same breath and do not immediately think of nuns. These are the hard-bitten hard rock fans, those who instantly recognize the mid-1980s Night Ranger song title. They’re also the folks targeted by a strange little rock show near Broadway: “Power Balladz,” an off-Broadway cabaret besotted by soaring guitars that comes to New York by way of Minneapolis from what seems like a rip in time. To call it a musical might be a misnomer. Two singers (Dieter Bierbrauer and Scott Richard Foster) play longtime best friends who lead a five-piece band through about a dozen very authentic-sounding cover tunes, augmented by a plant — a woman from their high school (Mary Mossberg) who just happens to be sitting in the audience and is plucked on stage to help sing. To see the show, you have to descend into the HA! Comedy Club and sit at a table in the 200-seat Midtown Theater. There are circulating waitresses happy to lubricate the Whitesnake, Bon Jovi and Motley Crue you’ll be ingesting. It all has the feel of a loud rock venue — and that’s the point. Unlike its bigger, richer Broadway brother “Rock of Ages” — the Tony-nominated hit that celebrates hair bands and classic metal — “Power Balladz” doesn’t really have a plot (there’s something about unrequited love, being stood-up on prom night, and learning the meaning of friendship). And while
Photo by Carol Rosegg/Sam Rudy Media Relations | AP
Dieter Bierbrauer, left, and Scott Richard Foster perform recently in the off Broadway production, "Power Balladz," in New York.
the shows might share the same songs, the one performed in a basement on 46th Street doesn’t use them to power drama — it celebrates them. Various skits break up the songs, including a game in which a real audience member must identify a song from its lyrics, and a Yes or No Medley in which various tunes are sung and votes are taken on whether they’re real power ballads. (What’s the definition? The show says they must have three characteristics: an acoustic start; an amazing drum build; and a “face-melting guitar solo.”) The performers, clearly relishing the chance to
strut their inner Vince Neil, change in and out of costumes — cowboy gear for Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” black leather for an Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford duet, and kilts for Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine.” There’s also a Tshirt cannon. You can’t get that at “Rock of Ages.” It may not come as a shock that the creator of the show, Mike Todaro, conceived it while downing a case of Miller High Life. It’s a cheerful homage to a subgenre of rock that’s often maligned, and to those of us who never quite outgrew Whitesnake, it’s a chance to indulge our inner glam.
PAGE 6A
Zentertainment GOOD NEWS FOR MEXICO
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
COMING UP
Miss Universe 1991 Lupita Jones, of Mexico, left, kisses Miss Universe 2010 Jimena Navarrete following the Miss Universe pageant Monday in Las Vegas, Nev. Navarrete, from Guadalajara, Jalisco, beat out 82 other beauties to win the crown, Mexico’s first since 1991. Navarrete became only the second Mexican to win Miss Universe, the pageant owned by NBC and real estate mogul Donald Trump. Photo by Isaac Brekken | AP
Acapulco’s ‘Azteca’ in Laredo By EMILIO RABAGO III
lengthy introduction, complete with fire torches and a storyline that talks about hell. According to Gonzalez, the Azteca likes to travel to represent Mexico and its Aztec tradition, while also entertaining the crowds. He’s touted as “The Best Show in America.”
THE ZAPATA TIMES
With students back in school for the fall semester, local promoter Hugo “DJ Mister H” Gonzalez is hosting an “End of Summer Fest” at Paseo Real on Saturday. The event will feature several local DJs and a special performance by “El Azteca de Acapulco,” a popular figure in the worldwide club scene. There will be a fashion show, a Michael Jackson impersonator, a percussionist, a fashion show and some male dancers. It’s the second big party Gonzalez has organized. The first was last year at Las Cananas and featured music by MC Flipside from Canada. “This is going to be the biggest party of the summer,” Gonzalez said in his native Spanish. “I am trying to bring an out-of-town atmosphere to Laredo.”
The show The “Azteca,” known for performing in Acapulco’s biggest nightclub, Palladium, is covered from head to toe in silver paint — even wearing matching contacts — and wearing flashing strobe lights on his wrists. He is famous for dancing to tracks “Dance with the Devil” and “Judgment Day” by the D-Devils, made popular at
More than ‘Devil’
Courtesy photo
“El Azteca,” famous for his performances at Palladium in Acapulco, will be in Laredo on Saturday at Paseo Real. Tickets are still available. the beginning of this decade. The songs feature a deep voice, demanding the crowd to dance. The sounds are electronic-heavy, a feature from the European trance and house music genres. The Azteca, whose name is Benji, has been working at Palladium, one of Acapulco’s top dance clubs in its heyday, since 2000. At Palladium, the performer would dance on a stage in the middle of the dance floor, which overlooked the Acapulco bay through floor-to-ceiling windows. The spectacle begins with a
The “End of Summer Fest” will also feature a Michael Jackson impersonator from San Antonio. Raul Riojas, part of the Body Language Dance Group, will perform. His professional dance moves have taken Riojas to many venues, where he performs an M.J. tribute.Celebrating music, the festival will have a percussionist from Torreon, Mexico, perform alongside the DJs. Mixton Tim will be mixing his drum beats with the music spinning. Controlling the music will be locals DJ Juice Man, DJ Alx and DJ Mister H, plus DJ Static from McAllen. Paseo Real is located at 2335 Endeavor Dr., near the Laredo Energy Arena. Tickets for the 18-and-up show are $15 and available at Cuadro Café, off Jacaman and Paseo Real. For more information or table reservations, call Paseo Real at 718-4000. (Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)
Express-News file photo
Country artist Pat Green has been booked to perform at the Casablanca Convention Center. Known for hits such as “Wave on Wave,” “Here We Go,” “Crazy” and “Wrapped,” the Austin-based singer will be here Friday, Sept. 11.
LULAC No. 14 hosts preseason cook-off Football, beer, fajitas, ribs, music and belly dancers. What more else could a guy want? LULAC Council No. 14 is hosting its third Preseason Football Kick-Off Tailgating Cookoff on Saturday at El Metro Park and Ride on Hillside Street. The event will feature a large Miller Lite trailer, complete with two big screens and covered with Dallas Cowboys emblems. The truck will broadcast the preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texas at 7 p.m. The cookoff competition will have four categories: fajitas, finger ribs, boneless brisket and babyback ribs. Prizes will be awarded for the top three participants, including one for best team showmanship. There will be a beef steak eating contest, open to all football fans. The tailgating begins at 10 a.m., with winning announcements throughout the day. The beef steak eating contest is at 5 p.m., while a performance by Bel’s Dance Studio is at 6 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m., live from Houston. Admission is $3 per person, and children under 12 are free. The cookoff contest fee is $125 per team. The event will benefit LULAC No. 14’s scholarship program. For information, call LULAC No. 14 at 2869055. — Emilio Rábago III
SÁBADO 28 DE AGOSTO DE 2010
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 28 DE AGOSTO ZAPATA — Marine Corps League encabezará una venta de Platillos de Pollo en BBQ hoy de 11 a.m. a 2 p.m. en el centro de la liga, contiguo a Rose Garden Funeral Home. Las donaciones se destinarán a proyectos comunitarios. LAREDO — El Departamento de Parques y Servicios de Entretenimiento de la Ciudad de Laredo, así como el Club Rotario Laredo Next Generation invitan a una carrera de 5K en North Central Park (10202 International Blvd.) el día de hoy a partir de las 7 a.m., para el registro y a las 8:30 a.m. iniciará la carrera. La cuota es de 10 dólares. Las ganancias se destinarán a las actividades sin fines de lucro del club. LAREDO — El Sundown Storytelling es hoy a las 7 p.m. en el 801 Guadalupe St. (entrada por Logan Avenue). El cuento de misterio está dirigido a todo tipo de audiencia y el evento es gratuito. Se requiere reservar el espacio llamando a Victoria Ortega al (956) 2862786. LAREDO — El Concilio 14 de los LULAC presenta su tercer evento anual de Football Kick-Off Tailgating CookOff el día de hoy de 10 a.m. a 11 p.m. en El Metro Park and Ride. La entrada es de 3 dólares por adulto.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
Lamentan muerte de 72 migrantes Autoridades investigan si Los Zetas están involucrados POR E. EDUARDO CASTILLO ASSOCIATED PRESS
CIUDAD VICTORIA, México — Las fuerzas de seguridad traían equipos de refrigeración para los cuerpos de 72 migrantes de centro y Sudamérica masacrados por narcotraficantes en una finca de San Fernando, mientras los investigadores trataban el jueves de determinar sus identidades y por qué fueron asesinados a tiros. El único sobreviviente —un ecuatoriano que escapó con una herida de bala en el cuello hasta un retén de la Armada en una carretera— dijo a las autoridades que sus secuestradores se identificaron como miembros de Los Zetas. Esa banda de narcotraficantes controla algunas partes del estado norteño de Tamaulipas de forma tan amplia y brutal, que muchos mexicanos se abstie-
La masacre de Tamaulipas sería el caso más extremo conocido hasta el momento y la matanza más sangrienta de la lucha contra las drogas en México. nen de viajar por sus carreteras. El migrante ecuatoriano Luis Freddy Lala Pomavilla llegó al retén el martes. Describió una escena dantesca, con una habitación llena con los cadáveres, algunos apilados. De confirmarse que el caso constituyó un secuestro masivo a manos de Los Zetas, la masacre de Tamaulipas sería el caso más extremo conocido hasta el momento y la matanza más sangrienta de la lucha contra las drogas en México. En tanto, el Gobierno de Tamaulipas demandó al Gobierno Federal mayor reforzamiento de elementos del Ejército, la Marina y Policía
Federal en la entidad.
Mayor presencia El Gobernador Eugenio Hernández Flores insistió en que es necesario sellar la frontera al tráfico de armas, por lo que requirió que el Ejército y la Marina sustituyan las funciones de la Policía Fiscal en todas las aduanas del país. El mandatario condenó y lamentó los hechos violentos “cometidos por grupos criminales”, a la vez que destacó la importancia de implementar una política de estado, especial para la frontera norte. Dijo que “la realidad que
viven los estados y municipios de esta región, es muy diferente a la del resto del país”. El presidente Felipe Calderón dijo que los cárteles tratan cada vez más de reclutar a inmigrantes como peones, una preocupación que también ha sido expresada por políticos estadounidenses que exigen mayor seguridad en la frontera. El mandatario insistió en que dichas actividades indican que los cárteles han resultado dañados por la contraofensiva que les han presentado miles de soldados y policías federales en sus bastiones y que están desesperados por medios alternativos de ingresos.
Apoyarán a afectados en campo ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
DOMINGO 29 DE AGOSTO LAREDO — La nueva temporada de la Serie de Recitales de Órganos de Texas A&M International University inicia hoy con la participación de Eric Mellenbruch a las 4 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público en general.
SÁBADO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE LAREDO — Se llevará a cabo una venta de libros en la Widener Room de la First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. La entrada es gratuita. También se acepta la donación de libros y revistas. LAREDO — Hoy es el AutMust Fest en terrenos de Texas A&M International University. La música inicia a las 4:30 p.m. Los boletos tienen costo de 10 dólares en preventa en las tiendas de Pocket y a 15 dólares en la pierta. Niños menores de 12 años entran gratis. El estacionamiento también es gratuito. SAN ANTONIO — Hoy se inaugura “FotoSeptiembreUSA 2010”, con las exhibiciones ‘Slanted Glances: Idiosyncratic Interpretations of Independence & Revolution in Mexico’; ‘Oyeme con los Ojos’; ‘Halfway Child’. La ceremonia es a las 4 p.m. en el Instituto Cultural de México en San Antonio (600 Hemisfair Park). Reservar al (210) 227-0123.
DOMINGO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE SAN ANTONIO — Hoy es la conferencia y evento principal de “FotoSeptiembreUSA 2010” a las 5 p.m. en el Auditorio del Instituto Cultural de México (600 Hemisfair Park). Se presentará Patricia Mendoza con la conferencia ‘Land, Identity & Image’. El evento es gratuito. Favor de reservar al (210) 227-0123.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Esta imagen ofrece un panorama del desbordamiento del Río Bravo en julio. El Gobierno del Estado y CILA anunciaron que las Presas La Amistad y Falcón poco a poco han disminuido su extracción de agua.
Disminuye extracción de agua en Presa Falcón TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
NUEVO LAREDO — Tras la creciente del Río Bravo, a consecuencia de las precipitaciones del Huracán Alex en julio, las presas aumentaron su almacenamiento considerablemente. Debido a lo anterior, el Gobierno de Tamaulipas y la Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas mantienen una supervisión coordinada y directa del cauce principal del Río Bravo. Es para finales de agosto que el Director de Protección Civil Estatal Salvador Treviño Salinas espera que deje de ser necesario utilizar los causes de alivio de México y Estados Unidos, permitiendo que el cauce principal del río tienda a normalizarse. “Hemos mantenido una estrecha coordinación con la CILA, los gobiernos municipales, y con las autoridades estadouni-
dense para asegurar la correcta operación del sistema hidráulico del Río Bravo”, dijo Treviño. En un comunicado de prensa emitido por CILA el 16 de agosto, se informó que continuaba la reducción de las extracciones de las presas internacionales Amistad y Falcón. En reunión sostenida entre los comisionados Roberto F. Salmón Castelo, por México, y Ed Drusina, por EU, las extracciones se reducirían a paso seguro aunque lento. “Se observa que las condiciones de escurrimiento en la cuenca tienden a normalizarse, lo que ha permitido que la Comisión acuerde la reducción en las extracciones de las presas internacionales referidas”, indica el comunicado. “Esta acción tendrá como consecuencia la reducción en los escurrimientos en el cauce principal del Río Bravo frente a Reynosa y Matamoros, y el eventual cese de los
DIÁLOGO CON DIPUTADOS
mismos por los cauces de alivio de ambos países”. Durante las fechas pico de la creciente, a mediados de julio, las Presas Falcón y La Amistad registraron un almacenamiento equivalente al 100.2 y 103.8% con respecto a su capacidad útil, según la Dirección de Protección Civil Tamaulipas. Para el 17 de agosto, según CILA, la Presa Falcón tenía un almacenamiento de 98.6% y la de La Amistad contaba 102.6 % con respecto a su capacidad útil, respectivamente. Para el 18 de agosto, CILA-Estados Unidos informó que la Presa La Amistad reduciría las extracciones de 180 m3/segundo a 60 m3/segundo. “La Presa La Amistad continúa un poco por arriba de su capacidad de almacenamiento normal y continúa bajando de manera lenta”, indica un comunicado de prensa de CILAEstados Unidos.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
A fin de llevar a cabo un proceso claro de transición administrativa, el Gobernador electo de Tamaulipas, Egidio Torre Cantú, a la izquierda, y el Gobernador Estatal Eugenio Hernández Flores, al centro, se reunieron el miércoles con los diputados integrantes de la LX Legislatura del Congreso del estado, en Casa de Gobierno. En la reunión estuvo presente también el Presidente de la Junta de Coordinación Política del Congreso del Estado, Felipe Garza Narváez, a la derecha.
CD. VICTORIA, México — Según el Gobierno de Tamaulipas, 820 productores agrícolas en el norte de Estado registraron siniestros totales en sus cultivos por inundaciones. Productores de Díaz Ordaz registraron inundaciones en sus cultivos por el desfogue de presas y están a la esperan de la llegada de apoyos por parte de la Federación. En el reporte de pérdidas agrícolas presentado por el estudio realizado por el Gobierno del Estado y la Delegación de la SAGARPA en Tamaulipas señala que en el Distrito de Riego 155 “Díaz Ordaz” el total de superficie siniestrada asciende a 9 mil 219 hectáreas, mientras que en Distrito 156 “El Control” se registraron 15 mil 183 hectáreas con pérdidas totales. Por esta razón, se determinó otorgarles apoyo por hectárea derivado del diferencial entre los costos de producción y la indemnización promedio que estarán aplicando los fondos de aseguramiento. En un proyecto entregado por la Secretaría de Desarrollo Rural de Tamaulipas a la Coordinación Regional Centro-Occidente de SAGARPA considera un proyecto emergente de impacto regional para atender las necesidades de productores afectados de los Distritos de Desarrollo Rural 155 “Díaz Ordaz” y 156 “El Control”. En el proyecto, elaborado con el apoyo de los Consejos Distritales, se indica que la pérdida total de cosechas por inundaciones en maíz y sorgo ocurrió en 24 mil 402 hectáreas de los Distritos 155 y 156 que requieren una atención inmediata. La propuesta busca otorgar apoyos directos a los productores para que estos dispongan de capital de trabajo y acceso a insumos para iniciar la preparación del siguiente ciclo de siembra mediante un apoyo unitario por hectárea, dijo el Secretario de Desarrollo Rural de Tamaulipas, Víctor de León Orti.
NB lista para certamen TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MIÉRCOLES 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE SAN ANTONIO — “FotoSeptiembreUSA 2010” presenta la exposición ‘The Casasola Archives: Mexico – Beyond the Revolution!’ a las 6 p.m. en el Centro Internacional de la Ciudad de San Antonio (203 South St. Mary’s.
Calderón hace con frecuencia el argumento, pero sus críticos replican que los cárteles mexicanos se han vuelto más poderosos y brutales desde que el gobierno lanzó su ofensiva antidrogas a finales de 2006. “Son ellos los que están recurriendo a la extorsión y al secuestro de migrantes como mecanismo de financiamiento y de reclutamiento, debido a que están enfrentando una situación muy adversa para abastecerse de recursos y de personas”, dijo el mandatario. “La violencia y la falta de escrúpulos de los criminales debe hacernos entender que los enemigos son ellos. Hay que combatirlos duro”, escribió el presidente el jueves a través de Twitter. (El periodista de The Associated Press Mark Stevenson en la ciudad de México contribuyó con este despacho. Con información del Gobierno de Tamaulipas)
CD. VICTORIA, México — A casi una semana del triunfo de la mexicana Jimena Navarrete como Miss Universo 2010, la emoción en el certamen Nuestra Belleza está a flor de piel. El certamen nacional para elegir a Nuestra Belleza México 2010 será el 25 de septiembre en Saltillo, Coahuila, por lo que las diferentes entidades del país han estado realizando sus certámenes estatales para elegir a sus representantes. Claudia Maribel González Elizondo, Nuestra Belleza Tamaulipas 2010 fue designada tras que la ganadora del certámen Ana Cecilia Ortiz Rodríguez cediera el título por motivos personales. “Voy con todas las ganas, el entusiasmo y la alegría”, dijo González. “Quiero que los tamaulipecos se sientan confiados porque voy a poner todo
CLAUDIA MARIBEL GONZÁLEZ ELIZONDO: Es Nuestra Belleza Tamaulipas 2010 de mi parte para hacer el mejor de los papeles y llegar a lo más alto”. González nació en Ciudad Victoria, tiene 1.76 metros de altura y es licenciada en Administración y Mercadotecnia de la ULSA. “Me siento orgullosa no solo de representar la belleza de las mujeres del estado, sino los valores, las bellezas naturales y todos los atractivos que hacen de Tamaulipas una gran entidad”, dijo ella. “Nuestro estado tiene una riqueza natural impresionante”. Entre los atractivos del Estado, González destacó las playas, la reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo y el sistema de cenotes de Aldama. “Sin duda la final de Nuestra Belleza México 2010 será una gran oportunidad para promover a Tamaulipas y los valores que lo caracterizan”, agregó.
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
Suit: Priest impregnates Pennsylvania teen By MICHAEL RUBINKAM ASSOCIATED PRESS
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Pennsylvania couple secretly videotaped a Roman Catholic priest having sex with their 18-year-old daughter in the basement of their home and are now suing, saying he got her pregnant. The lawsuit, filed Thurs-
day in Berks County Court, alleges the Rev. Luis A. Bonilla Margarito carried on a sexual relationship with the teen while he was the chaplain of Reading Central Catholic High School and she was a senior there. The girl’s parents became suspicious and installed a camera in their basement, where Bonilla and the teen were spending
large amounts of time. The camera recorded the couple having sex in November 2009, after she had graduated, according to the suit. Bonilla and the teen are now evidently living with each other. On Friday, an Associated Press reporter knocked on the door of the apartment in Norristown where Bonilla now lives. A woman an-
Charge: Dealer drugged horses By SUE MANNING ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Natacha Pisarenko | AP
Carola Narvaez, wife of Raul Bustos, one of 33 miners trapped in the collapsed San Jose mine, stands in a shelter for relatives outside the mine in Copiapo, Chile, on Thursday. Narvaez and her husband survived Chile’s massive February earthquake.
Accident brings scrutiny to Chile’s mines By PETER PRENGAMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
COPIAPO, Chile — While 33 men trapped in a mine cling to hope that they’ll get out alive, the company that put them there says it can’t afford to pay their salaries and may go bankrupt. The San Esteban mining company is in such bad shape that it has neither the equipment nor the money to rescue the men; Chile’s stateowned mining company is digging the escape tunnel, which will cost about $1.7 million. In the days after the Aug. 5 tunnel collapse at the San Jose gold and copper mine, company leaders defended their safety measures, but have since gone mum and attempts to reach anyone at San Esteban were not successful. Earlier this week, lawyers for the small mining company said that with
the mine shut down, and no income coming in, the company was at a high risk for bankruptcy. How such a financially unstable business was allowed to operate is a question that is putting one of Chile’s top industries under the microscope, exposing a dark underside of questionable regulation. Sen. Baldo Prokurica, who is on the Senate mining committee, says he has been pushing Congress for years to increase the number of inspectors for the state regulatory agency, Sernageomin. It has only 18, he said, which makes regulating the country’s several hundred mines a daunting task. “The government has abandoned (the regulator),” Prokurica said in an interview with The Associated Press. “If you look at the laws, they are good. We need to enforce the laws, not make more laws or increase fines.”
LOS ANGELES — A Southern California horse dealer has reached a plea deal after being accused of selling animals that were sick, drugged and sometimes painted a different color. Trina Lee Kenney, of Wrightwood, agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of mail fraud, said assistant U.S. attorney Joseph Akrotirianakis. Prosecutors allege Kenney tricked one customer by drugging a horse to make it appear calm and painted at least two others to match the color she advertised. She also was accused of accepting money for horses customers never received. Sixty-one known victims were found in 23 states — from Washington state to West Virginia — and in Canada, he said. Kenney sold horses online. She used a variety of websites to place her ads and used at least 14 aliases, the plea agreement said. The 32-year-old kept changing her name and websites to avoid getting caught. An FBI agent and a U.S. postal inspector set up a sting operation, paying $5,000 for a Friesian mare named “Azure” that did not exist. Kenney took the money but did not deliver a horse and refused to respond to them. “She did do some wrong things and exercise some bad judgment,” said Kenney’s attorney, Joseph Shemaria of Los Angeles. “That’s the reason she got into trouble, the reason the U.S. attorney’s office picked up on it and the reason we decided not to go to trial.”
swered, and identified herself as the teen named in the lawsuit filed by her parents. She declined to comment, and would not get Bonilla to come to the door. But David Weldon, a maintenance man at the apartment complex, said the couple moved in together two or three months ago, and that she had the baby about six weeks ago.
Bonilla was removed from his dual posts as chaplain and pastor of St. Joseph Church in Reading after her parents took the sex tape to the Diocese of Allentown. He acknowledged at the time an “inappropriate relationship” with the teen, according to a diocesan news release from last November. Bonilla was sent to a
treatment facility, but “continued to have intimate contact with (the teen) during this time period and ultimately impregnated her,” the suit said. She gave birth to a girl. Bonilla, 41, left the treatment facility at some point and moved into the two-story complex of brick garden apartments in Norristown, a suburb of Philadelphia.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
Ranchers differ on antitrust rules By CATHERINE TSAI ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Hundreds of impassioned ranchers from around the country clashed at a workshop Friday over a proposed federal rule that aims to preserve competition in a livestock industry dominated by a handful of corporate giants. Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack opened the daylong workshop at Colorado State University, one of five the administration set this year to hear about competition in agriculture. Since the workshops began, the Obama administration has proposed a new antitrust measure for meat companies that reflects a willingness by the USDA to shift the balance of power between farmers and processors. Vilsack said he is “deeply concerned” about consolidation’s impact on rural America if the number of processors, feedlots and producers keeps shrinking. “At that point, consumers will suffer as well,” Vilsack said. Part of the proposed rule would make it easier for farmers to sue under the Depression-era Packers and Stockyards Act by saying they don’t need to prove industrywide anticompetitive behavior to file suit. Other provisions are aimed at keeping markets competitive for livestock producers dealing with meatpackers that, ranchers say, have increased bargaining power over them through consolidation. Since 1980, the number of hog farms has dropped from 660,000 to 71,000, according to the Department of Agriculture. The number of cattle farms has fallen from 1.6 million to 950,000. While hog farmers got 50 percent of the retail value of a hog in 1980, their share was 24.5 percent in 2009, the USDA says. Per-capita incomes in rural areas lag behind those in more urban areas, and the average age of ranchers is rising, Vilsack said. “Producers are worried whether there is a future for them and their children in farming,” he said. Meanwhile, U.S. meatpacking giants like Cargill Inc., Tyson Foods Inc. and National Beef Inc., and Brazil’s JBS SA, have been growing. Cattlemen, though, disagree on whether the rule would help or hurt them.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Beck holds rally at Lincoln Memorial By By BRETT NAFEESA ZONGKER SYEEDAND ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Glenn Beck says it’s just a coincidence his Restoring Honor rally on Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial will take place on the anniversary and at the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. But he’s not apologizing for the connection. “This is going to be a moment that you’ll never be able to paint people as haters, racists, none of it,” he says. “This is a moment, quite honestly, that I think we reclaim the civil rights movement.” Some civil rights veterans are skeptical. “When we heard about Glenn Beck, it was puzzling,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said. “Because if you read Dr. King’s speech, it just doesn’t gel with what Mr. Beck or Mrs. Palin are representing.”
Photo by Jacquelyn Martin | AP
"Thank you, Glenn!" shouts Brenda Herr, of Grant-Valkaria, Fla., as Glenn Beck leaves after visit to the site of the Restoring Honor rally by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on Friday. The rally will take place today. Beck, a popular figure among tea party activists and a polarizing Fox News Channel personality, is headlining the event, and Sarah Palin, the 2008 Re-
publican vice presidential nominee and a potential 2012 president candidate, will be a featured speaker. But Beck says it’s not about politics. The event’s website says
the rally is to pay tribute to America’s military personnel and others “who embody our nation’s founding principles of integrity, truth and honor.” It also is to promote the Spe-
cial Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides scholarships and services to family members of military members. The website urges citizens to attend and “help us restore the values that founded this great nation.” The rally, on the 47th anniversary of King’s plea for racial equality is drawing a strong reaction — and several counter-rallies — as the nation looks toward November’s elections. Beck is known for his strong opinions, including his statement that President Barack Obama is a racist. But organizers of Saturday’s rally are telling attendees not to bring signs, “as they may deter from the peaceful message we are bringing to Washington.” Some tea party event signs have shown pictures of Obama embellished with a Hitler-style mustache, epithets and threats to Democratic officials.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
BUDGET Continued from Page 1A sioners of the change during a walk-through of the water plant, said Commissioner Jose E. Vela said. Commissioner Eddie Martinez did not attend the walk-through and was later notified by phone. Initially, after hearing the news of the cancellation, he was upset and could not accept the 30-minute window given to the commissioners to review and vote on the budget adoption. “The way the law reads is there has to be a hearing, then a meeting to vote on the proposed budget, but it wasn’t posted,” Martinez said. Martinez was under the impression that two hearings were required before the budget adoption.
“
The way the law reads is there has to be a hearing, then a meeting to vote on the proposed budget, but it wasn’t posted,” COMMISSIONER EDDIE MARTINEZ
“At first I was disappointed, but apparently the meeting had been posted incorrectly,” he said. According to Martinez, once the proposed budget is presented, a public hearing is held on the 15th day of the following month, and the hearing is immediately followed by a meeting to
adopt the budget. “I suppose it’s just going to be a lot of work to have to make changes to proposed budget,” he said. “I’m not sure exactly how it’s going to work. We have to hammer it out to have a workable budget.” Commissioners are torn between raising the tax
FEMA Continued from Page 1A rate of 73 cents to the effective tax rate of 83 cents per $100 valuation. Most commissioners have agreed the tax rate has to be raised, but only want to increase it by 2 or 3 cents and no more than that. In previous meetings, Vela has shown reservations of any increase because of the financial burden it would put on taxpayers, especially businesses. Overall, the county will have to work with $7 million less than last year’s budget and face the decision to raise the tax rate to the effective tax rate or keep the same rate and suffer more budget cuts. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956) 7282557)
TAXES Continued from Page 1A with the boundary changes and several employees had to be reassigned to other areas in need, she added. Ninety-five percent of next year’s revenue is expected to be collected with a target total of more than $7 million, McCoy said. “We shouldn’t be alarmed with revenues. We’re going to stay at the same level for the next three years,” she said. “Depending on the appraised value, local revenue is projected to decrease but state funding will increase.” “We have a slight increase on the interest and sinking rate due to the refinancing of bonds and a re-
The Zapata County Independent School District Board of Trustees also adopted a higher tax rate of 1.132100 per $100 valuation. duction in the term of the repayment of the bonds,” she said. According to McCoy, teachers also got a mandated increase in the salary scale of $200 to $900, depending on the year and demand of teachers. The district will be absorbing the increase of the premium in the health in-
surance to $22 a month for each employee, McCoy said. The new baseball field has also been completed and did not affect the budget because it was funded through last year’s excess in the fund balance, she added. According to McCoy, the district is going to have a healthy fund balance of $11
million at the end of the year, but based on policy, there must be at least two months of operations on reserve, which equals to $6 million. In a previous budget workshop, some board members were concerned if having $11 million in the fund balance would raise awareness with the Texas Education Agency. McCoy reassured them, although it is a large amount, as long as it is designated and added to the reserves, it is in compliance with TEA. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
TRANSPORTATION Continued from Page 1A ment addressed the issue to the Board of Trustees and it was recommended to seek positions for those employees in other departments to prevent terminating them. Eight of the nine were reassigned to custodial or security positions, Alvarez said.
“We were told to find where we had the need and find placement. We were in the need of security guards since the reconfiguration,” Alvarez said. The transportation department employs 14 regular bus drivers and three special needs bus drivers and employs six bus aides.
According to Gonzalez, three more bus aides are still needed since the school reconfiguration allowed more Pre-K students to ride the bus along with fourth- and fifth-grade students. Normally, a properly trained bus driver did not require a bus aide, but
since the school reconfiguration, younger students were added to the equation and they require more supervision, Alvarez said. “We’re hoping to get approval to fill in three more bus aides,” he said. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557)
tion, SBA, the government’s long term recovery arm for disasters, is automatically activated. The SBA currently staffs all of the disaster recovery centers open in Texas for the victims of Hurricane Alex, offering low interest rate disaster loans. Though the process to receive government aid has been streamlined, with many temporary centers rotating around areas affected by Hurricane Alex, several misconceptions surround efforts. “Lets say you’re a renter down by the river and all of your belongings ruined were in flood; you can get up to $40,000 at two to three quarter percent, in payment over 30 years — if you’ve got that much damage. If you’re a homeowner, you could get same amount for personal property and you can also get up to $200,000 for homes, including mobile homes,” Koontz said. “We make disaster loans to home owners and renters, as well as business owners.” Only after registering with FEMA, can home and business owners be considered for a grant from FEMA. Those with significant damage will automatically be referred to the SBA. Soon after an application has been filed, a representative will be sent to view the owner’s property to determine the amount of loss. The information recorded is then submitted to a loan officer who will contact the property own-
ers. “Five to ten days after you apply, you should be getting an answer,” assured Koontz, emphasizing the need to dispel rumors that continue to circulate amidst efforts. “In a lot of disasters one person will be turned down and they’ll tell their neighbors ‘Don’t even bother — they turned me down.’ But we look at each applicant on an individual basis. Maybe he was bankrupt last year and you don’t know,” Koontz said.
Deadline For those affected by the hurricane and interested in seeking funds, Oct. 4 is the deadline to apply. There is no fee to apply and, even if approved, property owners are given the option to decline. “Even when (mobile units) close shop in a week, it’s important to know help is still available. My advice would be if you hear rumors of why you can’t get help, ignore them, go and find out for yourself.” Today is the last day to visit the Zapata mobile FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, located at the Zapata County Court House. A mobile disaster assistance unit is scheduled to return to Zapata County Saturday, Sept. 11 through Tuesday, Sept. 14. For more information, visit https://disasterlaon.sba.gov/ela or call (800) 659-2955.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors BOXING
CROSS-COUNTRY
Photo by Clara Sandoval | Zapata Times
Zapata girls track athletes Jazmine Garcia (left) and Marlena Garcia (right) race at the South Texas Stampede cross country track event. Jazmine took first place in the race and Marlena finished in second place. Photo by Chris Farina | AP
In this file photo Antonio Margarito, right, trains to fight Miguel Cotto. Margarito was recently approved to fight in Texas in order for his proposed bout with Manny Pacquiao to move forward.
THE FIGHT IS ON Margarito Pacquiao bout clears hurdles By DAVE SKRETTA ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito was approved to fight in Texas on Thursday, which clears the way for a potentially lucrative fight against pound-forpound king Manny Pacquiao at the opulent Cowboys Stadium in November. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation received an application from Margarito on Monday and decided Thursday to grant his request. The decision came after Margarito was denied an application to fight in California and had another application tabled in Nevada. Margarito is expected to face Pacquiao for a vacant junior middleweight title on Nov. 13. “I want to thank the state of Texas for granting me a boxing license, which enables me to continue my passion for the sport of boxing in the
Margarito hasn’t fought in the United States since January 2009, when a plaster-like substance was found in his hand wraps before a fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. United States,” Margarito said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. “I have dedicated my life to giving the fans of the sport entertainment and excitement. On Nov. 13, this great opportunity will ultimately be fulfilled.” Margarito hasn’t fought in the United States since January 2009, when a plaster-like substance was found in his hand wraps before a fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. Margarito’s license along with that of his former trainer, Javier Capetillo, were revoked for at least one year by the California State Athletic Commission, a deci-
sion that was upheld by other states. The “Tijuana Tornado” honored the revocation, even though he denied knowing anything about the illegal hand wraps. He could have fought outside the U.S. during his yearlong suspension, but didn’t return to the ring until May 8, about 16 months after his fight against Mosley. Moving up to junior middleweight, Margarito coasted to a win over Roberto Garcia in Mexico. It was never a sure thing that Margarito would be licensed in Tex-
See FIGHT PAGE 2B
BIG 12
Hawks soar Zapata performs well at early track meet By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES
The state ranked Lady Hawks cross-country team took the course for the first time this season at the 7th Annual South Texas Stampede. Over 20 schools toed the line, the largest participation ever at the meet. Teams traveled from all over South Texas including Laredo, Rio Grande Valley,
Corpus Christi and Eagle Pass to get a feel for where they team falls early in the season. The Lady Hawks captured second place finishes in three divisions, Varsity girls, Junior varsity girls and the freshmen girls. The Hawks captured the runner up trophy in the varsity boys. The team titles went to
See HAWKS PAGE 2B
BIG 12
Johnson learns to Texas Tech AD Myers lead by teaching announces retirement By BETSY BLANEY
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLLEGE STATION — Jerrod Johnson is always looking for ways to become a better football player and sometimes that happens in unusual places. The star quarterback from Texas A&M spent last spring student-teaching elementary and high school kids, and football wasn’t necessarily the first thing on his mind. Now that he’s back with his teammates, he’s found that the skills he used in the classroom have helped improve how he deals with things on the field. “The biggest thing for me was understanding that people have different strengths and weaknesses,” Johnson said. “Kids have different strengths and weaknesses, and whether it’s in the classroom or on the field, every guy has their strength
See AGGIES PAGE 2B
Photo by Sue Ogrocki | AP
In this Oct. 4, 2008 file photo, Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson carries the ball during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. Johnson, a Kinesiology major, spent the past spring learning from his experiences as a studentteacher at a local Bryan/College Station elementary school.
LUBBOCK — Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers, who brought Hall of Famer Bob Knight to the West Texas campus and got caught up in the contentious final year of football coach Mike Leach’s tenure, is retiring. The school said Thursday the former Red Raiders basketball coach will step down in May. “Together we have accomplished a lot since the Big 12 started in the fall of 1996 and it has truly been a team effort,” Myers said. “I feel like now is the time to turn this job over to someone else and I will be supportive of that person in every way that I can.” The 74-year-old Myers told The Associated Press he chose the timeline for his retirement and wanted to stay for another year to be with Tommy Tuberville in his first season as football coach. He also said the other consideration was the reconfigured
“
Together we have accomplished a lot since the Big 12 started in the fall of 1996 and it has truly been a team effort.” GERALD MYERS, TEXAS TECH ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Big 12, which will soon lose Nebraska and Colorado. “I thought it was not a good to change ADs with all the scheduling and rebranding and revenue sharing and all the new issues that we’ll face with 10 teams,” he said. Texas Tech won two Southwest Conference titles and went to four NCAA tournaments in Myers’ 20 years as coach, but he put the program on the national map by hiring Knight 11 years after he left the bench. Knight led the Red Raiders to 20-plus wins his first four seasons — a
first at the school — and four NCAA tournaments in six years, including a round of 16 appearance in 2005. On Jan. 1, 2007, Knight got win No. 880 on Texas Tech’s home court to surpass former North Carolina coach Dean Smith as the winningest Division I men’s coach. He resigned in midseason in February 2008 with 902 wins. Myers became athletic director in 1996, four years before he hired Leach in hopes that a pass-happy offense would bring life to a football program that
See MYERS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores Texas high schools ranked by AP poll 5. Denton Ryan 12-2; 127;
ASSOCIATED PRESS
7 Here is The Associated Press 2010 preseason Texas high school poll, with first place votes in parentheses, 2009 record, points based on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and last year’s final regular-season ranking: Class 5A School-2009-Pts-Prv 1. Euless Trinity (15); 14-2; 235; x 2. Abilene (10); 15-0; 231; 6 3. Katy; 14-2; 182; 7 4. Austin Westlake; 13-3; 150; x 5. Round Rock Stony Point; 13-2; 117; 9 6. Cedar Hill; 12-1; 89; 1 7. Katy Cinco Ranch; 13-2; 87; 8. Allen; 10-2; 85; 5 9. Beaumont West Brook; 9-4; 48; 10. Galena Park North Shore; 8-4; 36Others receiving votes: The Woodlands 31, DeSoto 28, Cibolo Steele 14, Arlington Martin 13, Converse Judson 10, Lufkin 10, Dallas Skyline 4, League City Clear Springs 2, Klein Collins 1, Coppell 1, Southlake Carroll 1. Class 4A School-2009-Pts-Prv 1. Lake Travis (23); 16-0; 239; 1 2. Aledo (2); 15-1; 223; 6 3. Brenham 13-3; 187; 4. Stephenville 9-3; 134;-
6. Angleton 11-2; 124; 10 7. Tyler 12-2; 79; 8. Kerrville Tivy 9-5; 70; Dallas Highland 9. Park 11-2; 554 10. Smithson Valley 6-4; 33; Others receiving votes: Waxahachie 22, Cedar Park 21, Dayton 10, Austin Travis 9, Everman 9, Friendswood 7, Sulphur Springs 7, Denison 5, Denton 4, Port Neches-Groves 3, Hewitt Midway 3, Pflugerville Hendrickson 2, CC Calallen 1, Texarkana Texas 1. Class 3A School-2009-Pts-Prv 1. Brownwood (9); 10-3; 217; 2. Lucas Lovejoy (6); 12-2; 214; 3. Carthage (5) 16-0; 194; 2 4. Cuero (3 ) 13-1; 174; 3 5. Prosper 11-2; 73; 8 6. Celina 7-5; 71; 7. Gilmer (2) 15-0; 70; 1 8. Abilene Wylie 12-2; 65; 8 9. Sealy 11-1; 63; 5 10. Giddings 9-2; 60; 7 Others receiving votes: Kirbyville 47, West OrangeStark 42, Wimberley 39, Argyle 11, Pilot Point 8, Pittsburg 6, Henderson 5, Bridgeport 4, Snyder 4, Graham 3, Kennedale 2, Monahans 2, Seminole 1. Class 2A School-2009-Pts-Prv
1. Daingerfield (20); 15-1; 245; 3 2. Refugio (4) 14-1; 173; 5 3. Newton (1) 12-2; 172; 10 4. Littlefield 10-2; 135; 5. Arp 12-1; 106; 1 6. Tatum 6-5; 83; 7. Bushland 15-1; 77; 2 8. Godley 12-1; 64; 8 9. New London West Rusk 8-3; 59; 10. Altair Rice 10-2; 46; 9 Others receiving votes: Blanco 42, Cameron Yoe 30, Linden-Kildare 28, Muleshoe 27, Lexington 23, Cisco 16, Gunter 11, Grandview 10, Jefferson 7, Idalou 6, Edna 6, Anahuac 3, Brady 2, East Chambers 1, Callisburg 1, Omaha Pewitt 1, Sonora 1. Class 1A School-2009-Pts-Prv 1. Goldthwaite (19); 15-0; 242; 4 2. Canadian (2); 12-2; 181; 7 3. Mart (2) 9-5; 170; 4. Tenaha (1); 12-1; 156; 5. Stratford (1); 12-2; 140; 10 6. Falls City 13-1; 92; 7 7. New Deal 13-1; 83; 5 8. Albany 15-1; 81; 1 Springlake-Earth 9. 11-2; 56; 10. Alto 8-3; 40; Others receiving votes: Kerens 38, Ganado 29, Lovelady 19, Iraan 11, Munday 8, Sunray 6, Dawson 5, Evadale 5, Plains 4, Bovina 2, Collinsville 2, Wellington 1, Wheeler 1, Archer City 1, Bronte 1, Shiner 1.
Catching Crabtree By JOSH DUBOW ASSOCIATED PRESS
OAKLAND, Calif. — Ever since the Oakland Raiders surprised everyone by taking Darrius HeywardBey ahead of Michael Crabtree in last year’s draft it was inevitable that the two receivers would be compared throughout their careers. That became the case even more when Crabtree went three picks later to the team across the bay, the San Francisco 49ers. The two second-year receivers will meet on the field for the first time Saturday night when the Raiders host the Niners in the annual Battle of the Bay exhibition game.
“I haven’t even thought about that,” Heyward-Bey said. “There’s no reason to think about it. I’m focused on this team, this offense and what we have to do for this team and the Raider nation.” The comparisons were rather one-sided last year even though Crabtree missed five games in a lengthy holdout that was partly attributable to his desire to be the highestpaid receiver in the draft despite being picked after Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey finished his rookie season with nine catches for 124 yards and one touchdown before missing the final five games with a foot injury. Crabtree had 48 catches for 625 yards
and two touchdowns in 11 games — only adding fuel to the critics who questioned why the Raiders passed up the more accomplished Crabtree for the speedier Heyward-Bey. The idea of altering that perception with a strong performance Saturday is the last thing on HeywardBey’s mind. “I play offense, he plays offense. He has nothing to do with me,” Heyward-Bey said. Heyward-Bey has looked much improved so far this season on the practice field but that has yet to carry over to games. He played briefly in the exhibition opener and did not catch the only ball thrown his direction.
MYERS Continued from Page 1B had grown stagnant under Spike Dykes. Leach’s fan-friendly persona and high-scoring offense did the trick, culminating in the school’s highest-ever national ranking at No. 2 in 2008 before a loss to Oklahoma derailed Tech’s championship hopes. Messy contract negotiations, including testy email exchanges between Myers and Leach’s representatives, became public knowledge the following offseason. Leach was fired late last season after he was accused of mistreating a player with a concussion.
Leach denied the allegations and has sued the university. Myers recalled how he was fired as basketball coach in 1991 and was working as an administrator in the athletic department in 1993 when Marsha Sharp led her Lady Raiders basketball team to the university’s lone national title. Myers said he always had coaching in his blood. “I never intended to be an AD. I intended to be a coach,” Myers said. “I thought I would be one forever.” He has come to view the
job differently after 14 years at the helm. “Looking back on it it’s just as rewarding and gratifying as coaching,” Myers said. “In this job something’s going to come up about every week. If you have a week and nothing happens, that’s unusual.” Guy Bailey, the university’s president, said in a statement that Myers will always be a part of the Texas Tech family. “He is well respected by his peers throughout the Big 12 Conference and across the country, and has represented Texas Tech well,” he said.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
AGGIES Continued from Page 1B and you try to use their strengths and try to build up those weaknesses. It’s kind of parallel in that sense.” Johnson’s mother is a teacher and his late father was a longtime coach, teacher and high school principal. He believes the lessons he took from them along with what he has learned while following in their footsteps has shaped the way he sees the world. “I think it has,” said Johnson, who already has his undergraduate degree and is certified to teach. “I think all my experiences, whether it be working at camps, student teaching, I think all the things I’ve been fortunate enough to do have molded me as a person. I think all of that does help a little bit on the field.” Johnson is hoping to get the best out of himself and his teammates as the Aggies try become one of the Big 12’s elite in his last year in College Station. They’ll get the first chance Sept. 4 in their opener against Stephen F. Austin. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback led the league in total offense last season with more than 314 yards a game. He threw for 30 touchdowns and 3,579 yards and ran for 506 yards and eight more scores. But those gaudy numbers didn’t equate to many wins with the Aggies finishing a disappointing 6-7. “As I told him, his legacy is somewhat like mine, the stats and all that stuff don’t mean a whole lot,” Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said. “The only one that really matters is whether you win or you lose. That’s how they’re going to remember him. No matter how many touchdown passes or how many records he breaks, his legacy will be on whether he won or lost.” Texas A&M coaches don’t like the games last
Johnson is hoping to get the best out of himself and his teammates as the Aggies try become one of the Big 12’s elite in his last year in College Station. They’ll get the first chance Sept. 4 in their opener against Stephen F. Austin. season where Johnson had great statistics, but the team lost. One example that stands out is a 49-39 defeat by Texas where he threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 97 more yards. “The (No. 1) thing is that he does everything he can to win games and not win anything else but games,” quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley said. “Our bottom line every game is to come out with a ’W’ and if it means he throws three passes and completes all three or if he throws 40 passes and completes 39, whatever he has to do to win is more important than anything else.” Johnson is proud of the numbers he put up last season and of the honor of being picked by the media as the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year. Still, his only goal this season is helping the Aggies be better than they were last year and build a foundation for success in the future. “That’s one thing that I feel like I do have a little bit of control over,” he said. “I’m just trying to work my hardest and prepare myself for us to win as many games as possible. I think with all these young guys and the talent we have, I think if we set a good example for them, they can take that and roll with it ... and just kind of put A&M back where it needs to be.” Sherman marvels at how Johnson has grown
into his role as team leader. “His teammates have a lot of respect for him,” the coach said. “He doesn’t mind calling people up and calling them when things aren’t right. He holds people accountable and I think in order to be a great leader you have to really hold yourself accountable first and foremost which he does.” Johnson decided this summer that he needed to improve his skills and found a willing tutor in former Aggie quarterback Kevin Murray, who played for Texas A&M in the 1980s and is now a high school football coach in the Dallas area. “You can never be too fundamentally sound,” Johnson said. “It’s still a work in progress. I’m just holding the ball a little higher and trying to have the urgency of getting it out of my hand and just trying to deliver it as quick as I can.” He believes the work he put in with Murray and in the grueling twoa-day practices of August will pay off when the season begins and the pressure mounts. “You try to put yourself in as many situations as you can and you just try to prepare for the moment,” he said. “You try to get as many triggers for yourself so that you know that when they do this coverage or when that moment comes when you’re tired and it’s on national television that you can just react. So it’s all about preparation.”
FIGHT Continued from Page 1B as, and promoter Top Rank had discussed contingency plans that included taking the fight to Mexico or Dubai. Officials in Texas examined numerous documents relating to the case, including the initial revocation of Margarito’s license in California, transcripts from his hearing, his subsequent application from earlier this month, and a letter from the Association of Boxing Commissions to members instructing them to make their own decision on whether to issue him a license. “After a thorough review of his application it was determined Mr. Margarito met the requirements of the Texas Combative Sports Act and Rules,” Executive Director William Kuntz said in a statement posted on the department’s website. “Based on the review of the above information, I have authorized the issuance of a license to Mr.
Margarito.” The decision was important not only to those involved in the fight, but also to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, his year-old stadium and the state of Texas. Any fight involving Pacquiao means big business for the host, including massive crowds and hundreds of thousands of payper-view purchases. Pacquiao drew 51,000 fans to Cowboys Stadium in March, despite facing the relatively unknown Joshua Clottey. Jones said he’s already been in touch with Top Rank and, although there are still some details to work out, most of the major points involved in the fight have been agreed upon. “We have a few things to work out, then we’ll have an announcement — soon, certainly within days,” Jones told the AP. “It was worth the wait. I’m pleased that we’re in the
position we are.” Fans had been hoping to see Pacquiao face Floyd Mayweather Jr. this fall in what could have been the richest fight in the sport’s history. However, Mayweather has refused to a sign a contract to face the popular Filipino champion and Pacquiao was forced to look elsewhere for a fight, finally settling on Margarito — both fighters are promoted by Top Rank. The choice has drawn the ire of many fans who don’t believe that Margarito should not receive the lucrative payday after what has transpired over the past 18 months. Still, Margarito remains wildly popular in Mexico and the matchup should outdraw the last crowd at Cowboys Stadium. “This is a good one because we know Margarito — with our fan base, in our area — if we do the fight, then it’ll be a big draw,” Jones said.
HAWKS Continued from Page 1B the boys of Eagle Pass and the girls of La Feria. Daniel Garcia was the only Hawk to place in the top ten with his 8th place finish in a time of 18:01. The top six finishers for the Hawks were Jose Garcia (18th, 18:35), Carlos Rodriguez (20th, 18:44), Rafael Benavidez, 23rd, 18:50), Juan Rangel (24th, 18:51), Jerome Cabugos (35th, 19:25). In the varsity boys team standings Edinburg North came in third, Incarnate Word (4th place), McAllen Nikki Rowe, and TulosoMidway. In the varsity girls division, the Lady Hawks
boasted the 1-2 punch in the race. Leading the pack was senior Marlena Garcia who won the race and set the course in 12:37 and was followed by newcomer freshman Jazmine Garcia who placed 2nd with a time of 12:41. The Varsity team suffered a tough loss as district rival La Feria beat them. The Lady Hawks scored 84 points, but look to rebound in next week’s race. Rounding out the top seven Lady Hawks are Kristy Garcia (21st, 13:37), Erica Hernandez (27th, 13:52), Gloria Jauregui (39th,
14:18), Alba Jasso (43rd, 14:34), and Adriana Ramirez (53rd, 14:59). The Lady Hawks were edged out by district rival La Feria for the event’s title but know that the real title is not handed out until November. “We ran well considering the time of the year, but as a team we understand there is a great deal of work to be done,” Zapata coach Mike Villarreal said. “The real champs are crowned in November.” Samuel Camacho led the Hawks in the junior varsity boys division with his 10th place finish with a time of 11:40.
Rounding out the Hawk JV runners are Edgar Hernandez (19th), Jose Resendez (21st), Tony Mendoza (27th), and Robert Rodriguez (12:42). Team standing in the JV Division Eagle Pass swept first and second place, while Zapata came in third place. Zapata’s Cassie Pena captured the junior varsity girls individual title. Teammate Sara Pena came in second while Wendy Medina finished in sixth place. Dinorah Monsivais (26th), Angela Darnell (27th), Kassy Garcia (28th) and Leslie Juran (32nd)
helped the junior varsity girls capture second place in the team standings. Eagle Pass came in first with 42 points, while third place went to Edinburg North and Falfurrias came in fourth. The Zapata Freshmen boys captured the team title with 28 points. Second place was Martin and Tuloso-Midway came in third place. The Hawks were led by Luis Garza’s second place finish and Heribert Perez third place overall finish. Omar Alfaro (8th place), Mikey Alvarez (10th) and Jose Hernandez (19th) round out the Hawks fresh-
men boys’ team. In the freshmen girls division Zapata placed three runners in the top ten. Zapata’s Clarissa Villarreal came in second overall while Danielle Vela (5th place), Daniella Soto (8th) rounded out the top ten. Bianca Espinoza (13th), Alma Perez (17th) and Norma Cepeda (18th) rounded out the freshmen girls team. Edinburg North captured the team title while Zapata and Tuloso-Midway came in second and third. The Lady Hawks are running this morning at the Nikki Rowe Invitational in Mission.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE PET PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES Dear Readers: When faced with a grab-it-and-go EMERGENCY in your home (fire or flooding) or a natural disaster (tornado or hurricane), you should have a plan in place so your pets will be cared for and safe. Please don’t leave your pets behind. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers some great ideas for your pets in case you have to leave at a moment’s notice. Make arrangements in advance to have a secure place in mind where your pet can go if you have to evacuate your home. (NOTE: Not all Red Cross shelters accept pets; contact your local shelter to check on the policy.) For example, ask your veterinarian if he or she can recommend a kennel. Research which hotels and motels will take pets; many now do. Also call on friends and family members who live outside of the threat area to see if they will keep your temporarily homeless pets. As for supplies, have a bag ready to go that contains the following items:
“
HELOISE
One week’s worth of food and bottled water, food bowl, portable litter pan for cats with litter or paper toweling, leash and yard stake for dogs, photocopies of medical and shot histories, any medication the animal may be on, a blanket, pictures of your pet and other items to comfort and care for the animals. Go to: www.aspca.org/pet-care/disasterpreparedness for the complete list of supplies. In the event of an emergency, you may be out of your house for a time. Be ready for it, especially in deciding who will care for your pet in these circumstances, and have that bag ready just in case. -- Heloise SAMPLE PAD Dear Heloise: I needed a urine specimen from my dog, which is trained to use pads, so I turned one over on the plastic side. I used a syringe to pick up her urine and put it in a specimen jar. -- A Reader, via e-mail
DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:
FAMILY CIRCUS
RENTALS
REAL ESTATE
PETS & SUPPLIES
DENNIS THE MENACE
MISCELLANEOUS
ARTICLES FOR SALE
136
Adult Diapers $20 per box Large 72ct. Call 401-8290
TRANSPORTATION
MOTORCYCLES
2008 Harley Davidson streetglide Anniversary edition, $19,500 call: 220-5193; 324-2800 TRUCKS FOR SALE
MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE
67
17x72 3bd/ 2th in good cond. (956)763-6526 LOTS FOR SALE
70
407 S.Seymour,Reduced $30,000 Owner Financing Available Call 727-5245 5112 Angel Falls, blk 6, 8,498sqft Lakeside Subd., Drastically reduced $59,000! Call 744-5247
UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS
94
1bd Efficency Apt. All Bills pd $425/mo+$250/dep. Pd cable. Los Angeles Sub. Call 722-2882 ROOMS FOR RENT
106
Efficiency apt.,all bills paid,Los Angeles sub., $485/m $250/dep., call: 722-2882
PETS & SUPPLIES
128
Mini Schnauzer 7wks.,salt & pepper color. $200 Call 337-2027 LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES
130
Longhorn Cattle for Sale. $350 & up Call 956-285-2222
Sheep Pelyway white (956) 754-4030
ARTICLES FOR SALE
bimbo1951@yahoo.com
Brand New King Coil full boxspring & mattress, Never used $250 call: 956-286-4226 Gooseneck 30 pies, 6 toneladas, 2ejes, big tex 06, $4,200 call:645-0334
198
1999 Ford E150 Van, grn, 98k, 6cyl, good cond, A/C, equiped w/incalid hydrolic wheel chair lift. $7,000 OBO, call 956-724-7918
136
Billiard Tables, parts, service $25 & up 744-1575,
196
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
194
20inch Chrome Rims with P225-35-20 Tires, new $1,200 call: 235-1081 Diesel engines Chevy 6.6 Ford 7.3 & Cummins 5.9 Remanufactured w/warranty will deliver, $2,950. 713-918-5811.
2002 Montineer, V6, 3 row seats, $5,000 call: 956-774-6167 CARS FOR SALE
200
02’Daewoo Leganza,Great Gas Mileage, 70K,needs transmission work, Maroon CDX Sedan $2500 754-4066
Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
Cowboys return to Texas By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
OXNARD, Calif. — After two weeks of training in cool Southern California, the Dallas Cowboys are headed back to Texas to find out whether it was time well spent. The Cowboys wrapped up practices at their unofficial West Coast base with a walkthrough Friday morning. Leaving the field for the final time, players started at the far end of the field and walked along a fence slapping hands with fans. Then the club headed to Houston to play the Texans on Saturday night in what will be their final meaningful test of the preseason. Tony Romo and the offense could play into the third quarter, “depending on how they’re playing,” coach Wade Phillips said. While Dallas isn’t preparing for this like it’s a regularseason game — especially not since the teams meet again in Week 3 — coaches and players are counting on a better showing than they’ve had the first three games. Starters have played a total of seven drives. Their only touchdown came on a drive that started at the opponent’s 8-yard line. “That’s part of the preseason, the learning curve of people making mistakes,” Romo said. “So, for us, it’ll be important to execute and move the ball and have confidence.” The Cowboys have offered up all sorts of plausible explanations for their sluggishness. But they’d like to taste some success, too, and this is probably their last chance before the opener Sept. 12 at Washington. Starters are expected to sit out the preseason finale Thursday night against
Photo by Dave Martin | AP
Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) looks for a receiver during their preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La., Aug. 21, 2010.
Texans’ Daniels ready to play By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Photo by Mike Fuentes | AP
In this June 1, 2010, file photo, Dallas Cowboys’ Alan Ball gestures at OTA NFL football practice at the team’s training facility in Irving. Miami. “I think it’ll be good,” Romo said. “We’re starting to execute pretty good and that’s a good sign. Usually, how you practice has a little bit of an effect on how you play in the game. If that is the case, then we’ll be ready to go. ... You want to have confidence coming out of the game, but it doesn’t do anybody any good to go out there and have the greatest preseason ever and don’t do anything in the regular season.” Phillips said the preseason so far has been about learning what each player can do. That’s about to change. “Now it’s more of getting our team together, playing well together as a team, those sorts of things,” he said. The higher-stakes rematch a month away also has “a slight effect” on this meeting, Phillips said.
“It’s one-on-one, who whips who, who tackles who, who blocks who — those things are going to come out. Scheme, certainly not,” he said. “We’re not going to show everything we think we can do against them.” For Phillips, the trip to Houston is always nice. He grew up in the area while his father, Bum Phillips, coached the Oilers, and started his NFL career on his dad’s staff after going to college at the University of Houston. His mom and three sisters still live in the area. “I’ve got 50 tickets I’ve got to buy,” he said. “The last count was 50, but we haven’t gotten to the game yet so it might be more.” Dallas was the first team to open training camp and is among the last to end it. Over the last five weeks, the Cowboys have worked out inside the Alamodome in
San Antonio, at home for a few days then in the wonderfully mild climate of Oxnard, an hour north of Los Angeles. It’s been a grind, of course, but nothing compared to the 16 games in 17 weeks that awaits. “I expect them to be tired some,” Phillips said. “You need to play tired and practice tired to get into football shape. That’s all part of it.” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has enjoyed the time out West as much as ever. This is the third time in five years Dallas has used this facility, and he’s thinking about splitting camp between San Antonio and Oxnard every year. The club is certainly popular in both places: about 75,000 fans attended the workouts in Oxnard, just over 200,000 in San Antonio and another 21,000 watched an open practice at home during the week in between.
Texans owner supports 18 game season ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Houston Texans owner Bob McNair wants to see the NFL expand its regular season schedule from 16 to 18 games. Talks on expanding the season gained momentum at the owners’ meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, though the owners held off on voting for a specific proposal that could be presented to the players union. McNair says moving to an 18-game regular season “makes sense,” while acknowledging that several issues still have to be worked out. “I think we can figure out a way to make it work, and everybody will be happy,” McNair said on Thursday night, before he was inducted into this city’s Hall of Fame. Players have raised con-
cerns about the added grind of two more games on top of an already demanding schedule. McNair said the owners have studied injury rates and will seek feedback from players before moving forward with a plan. Another sticking point, McNair said, is when to start and end the season. “It’s difficult, if you try to start before Labor Day, because so many people
are still out on vacation, and so it’s hard to get a good crowd,” McNair said. “And then up north, if you extend the season, you get into bad weather there. “There are a few problems, as it relates to the schedule and the weather and that sort of thing. We’ll just have to work through that, and we can always adjust later on, too.” McNair is confident that
an 18-game schedule will be in place by the 2012 season.
HOUSTON — Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels cut sharply, caught a short pass and sprinted 20 yards down the middle of an empty practice field. The 6-foot-3 Daniels, who made the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season, said Thursday he hopes to be ready for the regular season opener against Indianapolis after getting medical clearance to play again. Daniels tore his right anterior cruciate ligament midway through last season and underwent surgery last November. He visited Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday, and the renowned orthopedist finally declared Daniels’ knee fully healed. Daniels is expected to practice with his team on Monday, ending an arduous 10-month recovery. “It’s going to be interesting, it’s going to be strange, but I can’t wait,” Daniels said. “I don’t know if I’ll sleep Sunday night. It’ll be like my first day of football, back when I was like in third grade.” Daniels was on schedule to be ready for the start of training camp until the spring. He started feeling soreness in the reconstructed knee in April
and May, and doctors found a stress fracture in his right kneecap, a potentially career-threatening setback. “We were blindsided by it, cause we were just going in and expecting to see a little inflammation or what have you,” Daniels said. “When the doctor said it was a stress fracture, we were all shocked.” Doctors were puzzled how Daniels could’ve sustained such a rare injury during his rehab. Daniels said he continued to work as the soreness increased, but doesn’t think he was overdoing it. “I think it was just something that was meant to happen, and the good thing was it could’ve broken all the way through and broken off,” Daniels said. “So we were playing with fire there for a while, really working hard and not knowing what the problem was.” Daniels spent the next two months virtually immobilized, wondering when — or if — he’d ever play again. He consulted with several doctors across the country, and some recommended inserting a screw in his knee, a procedure that might’ve forced him to miss the 2010 season. Andrews suggested the more conservative route, letting the injury heal on its own.