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DRUG SEIZURE
SHOOTING SUSPECT
Deputies seize pot Ton of marjuana is valued at $88K By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Due vigilance led deputies to seize approximately 1 ton of marijuana in the Siesta Shores Subdivision on Thursday, said Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. According to Gonzalez, a deputy was parked in front of a house watching traffic. Moments later, the deputy received a report of people running. Thinking the report could’ve been related to criminal activity,
deputies responded and detained three men. Gonzalez said the deputy recognized one of the detainees. According to Gonzalez, the deputy last saw the detainee in the vicinity of an abandoned house in the 5300 block of Davis Lane. There, a fourth person was detained. Gonzalez said deputies found 86 bundles inside the abandoned home. A sheriff ’s office news release states the contraband weighed ap-
See SEIZURE PAGE 10A
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
Demond Bluntson is seen in court in Laredo on Thursday for a bond reduction hearing. Courtesy photo
Shown are the 86 bundles found inside an abandoned home, weighing about 2,080 pounds, with a street value of about $880,000.
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
HISPANIC HERITAGE
Judge denies bond request By JJ VELASQUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The county could incur higher costs if water levels at Falcon Lake rise before the relocation gets underway. So by approving Monday’s measure, county officials hope to expedite the move because it
LAREDO — The suspect in a fatal June shooting remains behind bars as a state district judge denied Friday his request for a release or bond reduction. But that petition is not dead. The attorneys of Demond Bluntson, 36, accused of killing his girlfriend’s 2- and 6-year-old sons in a Laredo Holiday Inn hotel room, intend to re-file the motion requesting his release, on personal recognizance, or a reduction in his approximately $3.5 million bond with the 49th District Court, which now has jurisdiction over the case. In the ruling, Judge Joe Lopez states he does not have jurisdiction to make a decision on Bluntson’s bond because his indictment was handed down in the 49th District Court. “Even though it was heard that day, it was something the court could not rule on,” said Lisa Rogerio, court administrator. “Any motion to be heard has to be heard under the jurisdiction of the 49th District Court with the new cause number.” Lopez is the 49th District Court judge but heard the motion Thursday in the capacity of the 111th District Court judge. Judge Monica Notzon, 111th District Court judge, was absent due to a prior engagement, she said. Cases are assigned randomly, and the petition was filed in the 111th District Court before the indictment was returned in the 49th. Bluntson was indicted Wednesday on two counts of capital murder and two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant. The Webb County District Attorney’s Office, representing the prosecution, has argued that the handing down of Bluntson’s indictment and the seriousness of the alleged crimes renders his
See BRIDGE PAGE 9A
See BOND PAGE 10A
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Members of the Combined U.S. Border Patrol and CBP Honor Guard prepare to present the colors Tuesday morning at the CBP National Hispanic Heritage Month event at the San Agustin Ballroom at La Posada Hotel/Suites, in Laredo.
Fed workers commemorate with music, food and fun By RICARDO R. VILLARREAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
LAREDO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection commemorated National Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday with music, poetry, a video and a brunch menu including flautas, empanadas, flan and fresh fruit at La Posada’s San Agustin Ballroom.
Troy Meredith, director of marine operations for Laredo Sector air and marine support for CBP, served as emcee. Keynote speaker was 49th District Judge Joe Lopez. Ysela Arechiga, director of mission support of the Laredo Sector Border Patrol, read a proclamation from President Obama, declaring Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National
Hispanic Heritage Month. Gabriela Medina, director of policy and compliance at Laredo Sector Border Patrol, invited CBP personnel to share their story. “Hispanic culture is everchanging as is the agency we all work for,” Medina said. Lopez was introduced by Greg Zitkiewicz, from the CBP Office of Assistant Chief Coun-
sel, who outlined the judge’s biography, including his birth in Roma, family life, his education in Laredo and Austin, and his careers in finance and law. The biography noted how Lopez spent several summers of his youth working with his family as a migrant worker in the Dakotas.
See HERITAGE PAGE 10A
ZAPATA COUNTY
Commissioners OK utility line move By JJ VELASQUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata commissioners approved a tentative measure Monday to move forward with the relocation of utility lines at the site of a future TxDOT project.
The Texas Department of Transportation’s spring 2014 project to construct a bridge crossing Valeño Creek could cost the county more than $1 million for construction because of the relocation of sewer and water lines it would require.
The bridge would be adjacent to the current one that crosses the creek, but utility lines are in the way of the project’s designs, County Judge Joe Rathmell said. The lines will have to be moved several hundred feet, he said.