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HARTLEY INCIDENT
Name game
Sheriff: Mexico has given up its search
Meeting may settle what to call ed center By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A heated discussion between commissioners and Economic Development Center President Peggy Umphres-Moffett at the last commissioners court meeting regarding the name of the Zapata County higher education center sparked confusion and the need for a special meeting Tuesday. A meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Emergency Operations Center office on the second floor of the Zapata County Courthouse. Commissioners were upset with Umphres-Moffett, saying that she did not have permission to change the name of the center
and that they were under the impression it was going to be called the “Zapata County Higher Education Center.” Commissioner Norberto Garza quickly called to approve the name as stated on the agenda but was stopped for further explanation by Umphres-Moffett. Umphres-Moffett recently named the center “University Partnership Center,” which raised concerns from Laredo Community College President Juan Maldonado. LCC is a partner in the center. “He felt left out,” Commissioner Jose E. Vela said. Maldonado was concerned with the name including the word “university,” due to the fact that
LCC is a college and not a university, Vela said. In Umphres-Moffett’s defense, she said the name was only to describe the structure and it was not a permanent name. In order to determine a permanent name for the building, the Education Steering Committee would have to agree on it, Umphres-Moffett said. The building was supported by a state and a federal grant, Vela added. The county now runs the risk of the Economic Development Association canceling the federal grant. “Peggy was responsible for the
See NAME PAGE 10A
No body recovered from lake yet By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Tamaulipas state police told Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. the search for the body of David Hartley was finished as of Thursday. Hartley is presumed dead after allegedly being shot by members of the Zetas organization as he jet-ski’d on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake.
TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE
No body has been recovered. “There is nothing to look for in this side of the river,” the sheriff said when asked what U.S. authorities are doing about the search. The search will remain suspended unless there are further developments in the case, Gonzalez said. On Friday afternoon, Webb County officials said they understand the search for Hartley is still ongoing, though there had been reports of Mex-
See SEARCH PAGE 9A
INFRASTRUCTURE
HANDS-ON AGRICULTURE Importance of animals goal of ag program By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County ISD students received hands-on learning about animals and their byproducts during an Agriculture Day presentation by Texas AgriLife Extension Service to raise awareness about farming, ranching, and the 4-H and the Future Farmers of America programs. “The whole goal for the program is to teach these kids about agriculture and how it affects their everyday lives,” said Caleb Eaton, Zapata County AgriLife Extension Agent. “In today’s society less than two percent of our population is involved in production of agriculture, so it’s important that we inform them of where 98 percent of their food and fiber comes from,” Eaton said. Many children are unaware of the exact process or source the food they eat comes from, Eaton said. “A lot of the kids think their food just comes from the back of the grocery store or the refrigerator,” he said. The children were broken into three groups and rotated among the cattle, sheep and goats and grains stations. “We started to inform the kids how much agriculture affects their lives,” Eaton said. “It’s not just plows and cows; there is science behind it. It touches everything in their lives.” At the cattle station, children were taught about beef and dairy cattle and presented with byproducts, such as crayons and shampoo, used in their daily lives.
See ANIMALS PAGE 10A
A small area of cold patch can be seen at the corner of Washington Avenue and Treviño Street in San Ygnacio, in front of the historic Customs House. Zapata County officials are trying to come to an agreement over what to do with the remains of a Native American male buried near the intersection.
Body still creating mound of confusion By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Villarreal Elementary fourth grade student Leslie Alvarez looks on as her classmates Alejandro Guzman and Heryberto Reyes pet a lamb Friday morning at the Zapata County Fair Grounds as part of the school’s Agriculture Day.
The discovery of an Indian burial mound in San Ygnacio has threatened to suspend any progress on a street project now underway. Reim Construction Company found an Indian burial mound under a street while replacing drains and water lines, said Hector Lopez, a member of the Zapata County Historical Commission. “It’s in the west of town on the last street in front of a house on Washington Street and Treviño Street,” Lopez said. The construction company was hired to
See MOUND PAGE 10A