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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
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, OCT. 16 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” at 5 p.m., “Violent Universe: Catastrophes of the Cosmos” at 6 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at 7 p.m. General admission is $5, $4 for children and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 more. For more show times, call 326-DOME or visit tamiu.edu/planetarium. The Laredo Theater Guild, in cooperation with Texas A&M International University, presents “The Lion in Winter” today at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. General admission is $15, and admission is discounted to $10 for students with ID and for seniors. Tickets are available for advance purchase at Foster’s, 1605 E. Del Mar Blvd., Blue Top on Hillside and at the TAMIU Bookstore. Tickets will be available on-site at the box office before show times. For more information, call 956-3198610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com. The Webb County Heritage Foundation presents a demonstration of special effects creation by Mike Castro of “Morbid Mansion” at 1 p.m. as part of the “Haunted Heritage — Myths and Legends of Laredo” exhibit on display at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St. Admission is $5.
SUNDAY, OCT. 17 This is the first day of the Pumpkin Patch, on the lawn of the First United Methodist Church, 1200 McClelland Ave. The patch is open from 12:30 to 7 p.m. The public is invited, and pumpkins of all sizes are for sale. The Laredo Theater Guild, in cooperation with Texas A&M International University, presents “The Lion in Winter” today at 3 p.m. in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. General admission is $15, and admission is discounted to $10 for students with ID and for seniors. Tickets are available for advance purchase at Foster’s, 1605 E. Del Mar Blvd., Blue Top on Hillside and at the TAMIU Bookstore. Tickets will be available on-site at the box office before show times. For more information, call 956-319-8610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com.
MONDAY, OCT. 18 The 2010-2011 Laredo Jr. Bucks’ season (session 1) begins today. For more information, call 645-3899. The Laredo Public Library support group Friends of the Library will try to raise $250,000 to help build two branch libraries for the community. The first project is an all-day fundraiser today at Chili’s Grill & Bar, located at 5702 San Bernardo Ave. On every order, dine in and carry out, 10 percent of every ticket will be donated to the Friends of the Library.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20 The South Texas Food Bank board of directors meets at noon today at Commerce Bank, San Dario Avenue and Mann Road. For more information, call 726-3120.
THURSDAY, OCT. 21 First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., will have a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The public is invited; no admission fee. The Laredo Theater Guild, in cooperation with Texas A&M International University, presents “The Lion in Winter” today through Saturday at 8 p.m. in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. General admission is $15, with $10 discounted admission for students with ID and seniors. Tickets are available for advance purchase at Foster’s, 1605 E. Del Mar Blvd., Blue Top on Hillside and at the TAMIU Bookstore. Tickets will be available on-site at the box office before show times. For more information, call 956-319-8610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com.
FRIDAY, OCT. 22 First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., will have a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The public is invited, and there is no admission fee. 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
Photo by Danielle Villasana, Austin American-Statesman | AP
Texas Tribune editor-in-chief Evan Smith interviews Bill White at KLRU’s Austin City Limits studio on Friday.
White: Respect Obama By JAY ROOT ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Democrat Bill White said Friday he doesn’t think Gov. Rick Perry shows enough respect to President Barack Obama. White told the Texas Tribune he doesn’t think Perry should be referring to Obama in ads without using his title. "As a citizen I call him president. President Obama," White said. "Whoever is the commander in chief, whether it be George W. Bush or President Obama, you need to refer to our president as our president." Later, speaking to reporters outside the studio where the interview was being taped, White referred to the TV ad in which Perry says he "confronted Barack Obama," during the president’s visit to Austin. Perry greeted Obama at the Austin airport and gave him a letter asking the federal government to boost
security along the border. A reporter then reminded the former Houston mayor that he sometimes calls the governor "Rick Perry" without using his title. "That’s true," White said. "The office of the presidency, we’ve always treated as a special office." Perry’s campaign supplied media clips of White calling the president "Barack Obama" without the title, and White saying, "I was in the oil and gas business when he (Obama) was a community organizer." During an interview with the Texas Tribune, Perry was asked why he keeps one schedule for state functions and another for political meetings and personal matters. Perry said he was following state guidelines. "What I do with my private time, frankly, except for the voyeurs of the world out there, is my business," Perry said.
Restaurant turns away vets over dress code
Forensics panel resumes probe of arson case
Prosecutor denies bias in arson case
DALLAS — The manager of a Dallas restaurant is apologizing after a hostess turned away six World War II veterans because she said their unit baseball caps, POW T-shirts and shorts didn’t meet the restaurant’s dress code. The veterans were in town this week for a reunion of survivors of a World War II battle on Oct. 14, 1943 known as “Black Thursday” when they were turned away from Five Sixty restaurant.
AUSTIN — A state forensic science panel will again take up its probe of the disputed arson finding that led to the execution of a Texas man. The Texas Forensic Science Commission is scheduled to meet Friday in Austin and discuss the Cameron Todd Willingham case. The meeting comes a day after a state appeals court in Austin halted a hearing into whether he might be innocent of the 1991 fire that killed his three daughters.
AUSTIN — A prosecutor accused of bias for describing an executed man as a "guilty monster" defended his comments Friday, while colleagues on a commission investigating the case said he might have jeopardized the integrity of their inquiry. Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley said lawyers trying to clear Cameron Todd Willingham’s name are using the case to further their effort to abolish the death penalty.
Two Houston cab drivers killed
Possible explosive device in boy’s backpack
TI opens semiconductor plant in China
HOUSTON — Houston police say two cab drivers were robbed and shot to death this week by passengers picked up from the same gas station after it had closed for the night. Investigators, who say there’s no doubt the crimes are related, are looking for a pair of gunmen in both slayings.
HARLINGEN — A 46-year-old man accused of placing a possible explosive device in a boy’s backpack has been arrested. The man placed a suspicious object in an 11-year-old’s backpack then called authorities. The Brownsville police bomb squad responded and the area was temporarily evacuated.
DALLAS — Texas Instruments Inc. said Friday it opened its first semiconductor-making plant in China. The company said the facility could turn out more than $1 billion in annual production of analog chips and has room for expansion. — - Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Feds oppose Calif. Prop 19 to legalize marijuana
CONTACT US
SAN FRANCISCO — Attorney General Eric Holder is warning that the federal government will not look the other way, as it has with medical marijuana, if voters next month make California the first state to legalize pot. Marijuana is illegal under federal law, which drug agents will “vigorously enforce” against anyone carrying, growing or selling it, Holder said.
Countrywide CEO settles with SEC for $67.5M LOS ANGELES — Countrywide Financial Corp. co-founder Angelo Mozilo has agreed to a $67.5 million settlement to avoid trial on civil fraud and insider trading charges that alleged he profited from doling out risky mortgages. The settlement announced Friday spares the executives the
Today is Saturday, Oct. 16th, the 289th day of 2010. There are 76 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Oct. 16, 1859, radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of 21 men in a raid on Harpers Ferry in western Virginia. (Ten of Brown’s men were killed and five escaped. Brown and six followers ended up being captured; all were executed.) On this date: In 1793, during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, was beheaded. In 1901, Booker T. Washington dined at the White House as the guest of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose invitation to the black educator sparked controversy. In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic, in Brooklyn, N.Y. (The clinic ended up being raided by police and Sanger was arrested.) In 1939, the comedy “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, opened on Broadway. In 1962, the Cuban missile crisis began as President John F. Kennedy was informed that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of missile bases in Cuba. In 1968, American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving “black power” salutes during a victory ceremony after they’d won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter race. In 1969, the New York Mets capped their miracle season by winning the World Series, defeating the Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, in Game 5 played at Shea Stadium. In 1978, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (voy-TEE’-wah) to be the new pope; he took the name John Paul II. In 1987, a 58-1/2-hour drama in Midland, Texas, ended happily as rescuers freed Jessica McClure, an 18-month-old girl trapped in an abandoned well. In 1995, a vast throng of black men gathered in Washington D.C. for the “Million Man March” led by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Today’s Birthdays: Actress Angela Lansbury is 85. Author Gunter Grass is 83. Former presidential adviser Charles W. Colson is 79. Actorproducer Tony Anthony is 73. Actor Barry Corbin is 70. Sportscaster Tim McCarver is 69. Rock musician C.F. Turner (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) is 67. Actress Suzanne Somers is 64. Rock singer-musician Bob Weir is 63. Producer-director David Zucker is 63. Record company executive Jim Ed Norman is 62. Actor Daniel Gerroll is 59. Actor Morgan Stevens is 59. Comedian-actor Andy Kindler is 54. Actor-director Tim Robbins is 52. Actor-musician Gary Kemp is 51. Singer-musician Bob Mould is 50. Actor Randy Vasquez is 49. Rock musician Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 48. Actor Todd Stashwick is 42. Jazz musician Roy Hargrove is 41. ActreSinger Wendy Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 41. Thought for Today: “Life is a solitary cell whose walls are mirrors.” — Eugene O’Neill, American playwright (born this date in 1888, died 1953).
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Bill Gates, left, and Melinda Gates, look at their 2010 J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding during a ceremony honoring the couple’s philanthropic work at the Library of Congress in Washington on Friday. risk of a guilty verdict that could have been used against him.
Army won’t seek death in Afghan killings case SEATTLE — A U.S. soldier
who told investigators in horrifying detail that he and other members of his unit executed three civilians in Afghanistan for sport will not face the death penalty if convicted, the Army said Friday. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
Zlocal
NEW TPWD OFFICE OPENS ON BOB BULLOCK
PAGE 3A
Hartley incident could scare off tourists By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Courtesy photo
Elected officials and representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the new TPWD Law Enforcement District Office. The new facility, located at 5119 Bob Bullock Loop, will serve as a one-stop center where people can purchase their hunting and fishing licenses. Pictured, (l-r) are TPWD Major Alfonso Vielma, District Attorney Isidro Alaniz, Judge Danny Valdez, Sheriff Martin Cuellar, Representative Richard Raymond, TPWD Captain David Murray, TPWD Commissioner Margaret Martin and Webb County Commissioner Rosaura “Wawi” Tijerina. The new office serves Webb, Dimmit, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Zapata and Duval County
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Deputies responded to a fight in progress call at 5:11 p.m. Oct. 9 in the 2500 block of Hidalgo Boulevard. The complainant said he got into an altercation with someone he knows.
BURGLARY Deputies responded to a burglary call around noon Oct. 9 at the Zapata Regional Jail, 2300 Kennedy Street. The complainant said someone stole her purse from her truck as she was visiting an inmate. Deputies responded to a burglary call at 12:17 p.m. Oct. 10 in the 200 block of Mango Drive. A man told them a tool box was stolen from his vehicle. A man reported at 8:12 a.m. Oct. 11 someone broke into his residence in the 1800 block of Bravo Street and stole a .45 Colt Auto Double Eagle handgun valued at $500.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Deputies responded to a criminal mischief call at 7:37 p.m. Oct. 9 in the 5200 block of Peña Lane in Siesta Shores. An electrical meter box was damaged.
Garcia set to take helm at ZCISD By LORRAINE L RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County ISD school board is scheduled to appoint Norma Garcia officially as superintendent in its next regular meeting Tuesday. In the last meeting Garcia was recognized as the final candidate after filling in as interim superintendent since the resignation of Romeo Rodriguez last summer. As a finalist, Garcia was required to wait 21 days before signing a contract with the district, according to government regulations, attorney Juan Cruz said.
During that time Garcia and school board members had to agree on a contract suitable to both parties, Cruz said. Garcia was also pulling duty as the district’s chief instructional officer. Upon appointment as superintendent, Garcia will continue to head the instructional department with the help of her staff, she said. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 600 W. 17th Ave., in the Professional Development Center. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
The news of the alleged murder of David Hartley a few weeks ago has deterred regular visitors, such as world-class anglers, and that could cost Zapata County millions of dollars in tourism dollars. However, the local chamber of commerce president stays upbeat by telling people that Flacon Lake is safe and has the best bass fishing in the world. “This is something that won’t be easily forgotten, but I think it’s too soon to tell how much this situation is going to impact our hotel occupancy rate,” Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza Jr. said. Zapata County Chamber of Commerce, responsible for attracting tourism, is supported by a hotel/motel tax which has gradually declined the past few years as the oil industry slowed down. “[Oil field workers] used to occupy hotels on a daily basis,” Mendoza said. “Anglers will typically only stay on weekends.” The Chamber of Commerce staff remains positive and continues to
Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.
“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”
1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160
move forward regardless of the message conveyed in the media, Mendoza said. “Zapata County and Falcon Lake are both safe and are still great places to visit,” Mendoza said. “We continue to encourage both residents and visitors to continue to enjoy the lake because of the fact that we have the best bass fishing in the world and the fact that it is still the record holding big mouth bass lake.” Mendoza said he initially doubted Tiffany Hartley’s story of her husband’s death because it differed from the previous attacks or robberies of lake patrons. “The anglers supposedly getting attacked, they were robbed, but robbery and murder, there’s a serious difference between the two,” Mendoza said. “A lot of people doubt the validity of her story because it only stands on an alleged crime, because there’s no evidence and we’re basically going on her word.” The Hartleys ignored several warnings by authorities to stay on the United States side of the lake, Mendoza said. “There is no reason for residents or visitors to
cross to the Mexican side,” Mendoza said. “The fishing area on the American side is big enough to accommodate everyone so there’s no reason to take a big risk and cross to the Mexican side.” The warnings came after two incidents were reported by anglers who were robbed at gunpoint by men from a Mexican cartel in the same location David Hartley was allegedly shot and killed in. According to news reports, the Hartleys were taking pictures of a church in the old Guerrero area on the Mexican side of the lake. “I’ve told people no matter how big of a history buff you are, no historic building site or building is worth risking your life for,” Mendoza said. The Chamber of Commerce will continue to battle the decline of tourism and will be releasing its newest edition of its visitor’s guide this month. The guide focuses on fishing, hunting, and bird watching. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956) 728-2557.)
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Zopinion
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Reasons why job creation has stalled By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS
W
ASHINGTON — Last week’s anemic jobs report came as a sobering reminder that America’s economic malaise shows little sign of slowing. Overall non-farm payrolls shrunk by 95,000 in September, while private sector hiring decelerated for the third consecutive month. High unemployment is now an acute national headache that won’t go away.
More suffering As the economy suffers this employment migraine, its causes come into sharper focus. Instead of providing relief, President Obama and his party have aggravated an already grim employment picture. Job creators apparently pushed the pause button. Why? Obviously a host of factors contribute to the equation. But two reasons — both produced in Washington — deserve mention: uncertainty and divisive rhetoric. Obama and the Democrats in Congress peddle large dollops of both. Together they produced the real party of “no” — The Party of No Jobs. First, consider uncertainty. Businesses cannot plan effectively in the current environment. Doubt about future tax policy is a case in point. The Democratic majority adjourned to campaign without providing any clarity. No one knows what a post-election lame duck session might concoct. As a result, income taxes, capital gains, dividends and a host of other expiring business incentives are all hostage to congressional fiat.
Wait till Jan. 1 It’s possible nothing happens this year — meaning, major tax increases on income, savings and investments on Jan.1. Uncertainty on the tax front is higher than it’s been in at least the last decade. Job creation suffers in this environment. Health care and environmental regulation also contribute to the uncertainty. The Obama administration continues to implement portions of the health care law. We hear new stories every day about premium increases and employers changing coverage. Major upheaval in this sector of the economy also clouds the jobs picture.
More restrictions Questions about the Democrats’ plans on the environmental regulatory and legislative front produce even more doubt. The administration’s alacrity when it comes to using the power of Washington to step into the affairs of private business is well known. The White House might even redouble its efforts to impose new requirements in the air, water, and energy-producing sectors, particularly if Democrats lose the majority in Congress. But uncertainty is only one front in this war.
The president’s own rhetoric also creates unnecessary and harmful divisions — an “us” vs. “them” mentality that polarizes the country. Taking on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over allegedly using foreign money for campaign contributions is just the most recent example.
A real leader Speaking at the World Business Forum in New York last week, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch summed up the view of many in corporate America when he said the Obama administration is “just plain antibusiness.” Americans want a president that brings the country together, a leader who tries to unify, not divide. But, instead, Obama serves up fiery, campaign-like speeches fingering business leaders as boardroom bogeymen, not job creators. Public policy is often a zero sum game: It produces winners and losers. But it’s not necessary for the president and Democrats in Congress to blame everything that ails us on “big oil,” “Wall Street,” “greedy insurance companies” or “the rich.” That kind of rhetoric might have a place in an election, but this president and his allies in Congress brought the permanent campaign to daily governing. This is very jarring to many Americans.
No confidence The tone and language may be appropriate for a liberal community organizer, but not the leader of the free world — someone who wants to spur economic confidence and increase business investment that produces jobs. The Democrats’ war on jobs is also producing a political backlash of historic proportions. Last week Gallup noted that 54 percent of likely voters now identify as conservative — up from 42 percent in the last midterm election. And 57 percent of likely voters identify as Republicans (including those who say they lean toward the GOP), compared to 45 percent in 2006. But beyond politics, uncertainty and divisive rhetoric produce other, more pernicious, job-killing results. News reports over the last month also show that American companies are sitting on record amounts of cash. Instead of investing in creating new employment, many keep their money idle, waiting to see if the fog of political war will ever lift.
Less excesses The November election should clear up some of this uncertainty. Voters may collectively clip the wings of the Democrats, thus avoiding the most extreme excesses of the current one party rule in Washington. But the current occupant of the White House also needs to understand that an economy will not produce jobs when the president wages war against those that create them.
COLUMN
Borders should be the priority By JONATHAN GURWITZ SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
I
magine for a moment that the New York State Police is warning American boaters to steer clear of the Canadian side of Lake Ontario because they might fall victim to pirates. Imagine that violent gangs armed with military weaponry created a no man’s land along a portion of the border shared by the United States and Canada that challenged the sovereignty of both nations.
A New York problem? Would this for a moment be tolerable? Would the president of the United States or the leaders of Congress simply treat it as a regrettable yet acceptable border problem? Of course not. Yet residents of South Texas are expected to endure precisely this situation on the U.S.-Mexican border. In May, the Texas Department of Public Safety warned boaters on Falcon Lake, which straddles the border, to stay on the U.S. side after a number of armed robberies. The perpetrators, said the statement, were believed to be “members of a drug trafficking organization or members of an enforcer group ... who are heavily armed and using AK-47s or AR-15 rifles.”
Ambush On Sept. 30, these gangs apparently claimed their first American victim on Falcon Lake. According to Tiffany Hartley, several boats of gunman ambushed her and her husband David as they rode their Jet Skis. David Hartley was shot in the head and is presumed dead. More than two weeks later and with threats of violence hampering search efforts, his body had not been recovered. The lead Mexican investigator in the case was murdered last week, his severed head placed in a suitcase left outside a military base.
Close to the US This isn’t Iraq at the height of the al-Qaida insurgency, Afghanistan under the Taliban or the ungovernable tribal areas of Pakistan. It is Mexico, a stone’s throw from the United States. During the first half of 2010, the Houston Chronicle reported, 48 U.S. citizens were killed in Mexico, including an employee of the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez and her husband. That number pales in comparison with the more than 28,000 Mexican citizens who have lost their lives since President Felipe Calderon began to fight back against the cartels in 2006. Taken together, howev-
er, the escalating violence should serve as an ominous indicator of just how lethally serious the border security problem is. But how seriously is the U.S. government taking that problem? Two answers come from the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.
Environmentalists In a draft report released last week, the GAO found that environmental laws are hampering the Border Patrol’s ability to operate on government land along the U.S.-Mexico border. Patrol agents-incharge for 17 of the 26 Border Patrol stations on the southwest border said they had experienced “delays and restrictions in patrolling and monitoring federal lands because of various land management laws.” As an example, off-road vehicles used to patrol and pursue suspects on federal lands may leave tire tracks that disrupt the natural flow of water. “The volume of undocumented aliens crossing federal lands can overwhelm the law enforcement and resource protection efforts,” the report observes. But illegal immigrants and drug smugglers are able to flout the environmental laws that restrict the Border Patrol.
Another GAO report released in July found that two years into the threeyear Merida Initiative to assist Mexico’s law enforcement and judicial agencies, the U.S. government had disbursed less than 10 percent of the $1.3 billion appropriated for the program. Last month, the Obama administration asked Congress to impound $26 million that was to be released because the Mexican government hasn’t made enough progress in addressing human rights concerns in its battle with the drug cartels.
Rough bunch The cartels are as violent and brutal as any terrorist organization. The Calderon government is fighting against them to uphold law and order. The U.S. government, to the extent that it is engaged in this conflict, is as concerned about the Huachuca water umbel — an endangered plant — and the transparency of Mexico’s military justice system as it is about maintaining stability in a nation of 110 million people that shares a 2,000mile border with the United States. How many more U.S. and Mexican citizens must die before the United States gets its priorities straight? (E-mail: jgurwitz@express-news.net)
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DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
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Zentertainment
COMING UP ‘Elmo’s Green Thumb’ tickets still on sale Sesame Street Live is coming to the Laredo Energy Arena later this month. “Elmo’s Green Thumb” is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 31. Ticket prices will range from $12 to $48.Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and at the LEA box office.
St. Patrick jamaica on Saturday The St. Patrick Catholic Church annual jamaica is Saturday, from 2 to 10 p.m. at the parish grounds, 555 Del Mar Blvd. There will be plenty of fun for the family with food booths and games. Raffle tickets are $5 each for prizes of a 2010 Ford Escape, a Disney World family vacation for four and a 42-inch flat screen TV. Prizes will be given Oct. 16 at 10 p.m. For information call 722-6215.
LCC looking for actors Laredo Community College’s One Act Christmas Plays is looking for local thespians for various roles in “A Miracle on Santa Cleotilde St.” and “Centerstage for Christmas.” Auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 121, located on the Fort McIntosh Campus. “A Miracle on Santa Cleotilde St.” and “Centerstage for Christmas” are scheduled for performances on Dec. 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. in the fine arts center theater. For more information, call 721-5330 or e-mail Joe Crabtree at jcrabtree@laredo.edu.
‘Dining for Books’ is Monday The City of Laredo is adding two new branch libraries, but needs help to fill those shelves with books. To raise about $250,000 needed to supply books, Chili’s Grill & Bar, 5702 San Bernardo Ave., is hosting the first fundraiser on Monday. The restaurant is donating 10 percent of all orders, dine-in and carry-out, to the Friends of the Library. So if you eat or take out food at Chili’s on Monday, you’ll be helping out. Make sure to present your flyer, available at Chili’s or at the Laredo Public Library. For more information, call Nellie Trust at 722-7477. — The Zapata Times
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
‘Lion in Winter’ at TAMIU Tito ‘El Bambino’ coming to arena
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Laredo Theatre Guild International (LTGI) will open its second season of plays, beginning Friday at TAMIU. James Goldman’s dramatic comedy, “The Lion in Winter,” directed by Carllyn Walker and produced by Anastasia Rodriguez Perez, kicks off the LTGI’s second season. The play opens on Christmas Eve in 1183 at King Henry II of England’s castle, upon the temporary return of the calculating and ambitious Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine after a 10year imprisonment, imposed by her husband. At issue is the succession of the crown upon Henry’s death, and their three living sons’ intent to hasten both. Added to the days’ events are the visiting King of France and his sister, who by royal arrangement, is betrothed to Henry’s son, but has since become Henry’s lover. Portraying King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine in the LTGI production will be Joe Arciniega and his wife, Teena Arciniega. Rounding out the cast playing Plantagenet and Capet princes and one princess are five exciting young performing talents in Laredo: Richard Resendez, Rene Mendez, Kevin Jacaman, Santiago Moreno and Casandra Canales.
By EMILIO RÁBAGO III THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
SHOWTIMES Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct, 23, 8 p.m. The play will be performed at TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets are $15, and $10 for students with valid ID and senior citizens.
Joe Arciniega potrays Henry II of England during a rehearsal of “The Lion in Winter” Wednesday at TAMIU.
Armed with a new hot single and a career that spans back to the beginnings of the reggeaton genre, Tito “El Bambino” will be performing at the Laredo Energy Arena stage during his first visit to the Gateway City. Tito, formerly of the duo Hector y Tito, will be at the LEA on Saturday, Nov. 13. Opening up for Tito will be another reggeaton/ Latin music veteran, Big Boy. Born Efraín Fines Nevarez, Tito “El Bambino” recently released the track “Underground,” which samples beats from an oldschool Daddy Yankee song. Tito has previously worked with Yankee on several tracks, and started his career around the same time, in the early to mid-2000s. Along with Hector “El Bambino,” Tito
could be considered one of the first in the genre. He’s recorded with the likes of Don Omar and Beenie Man. As Hector y Tito, both got off to a successful start, earning a Latin Billboard Award and a Tu Musica Award. “Underground” is off Tito’s upcoming album, titled “Invencible” — translated as “unbreakable.” Another recent track by Tito, “Te Pido Perdon,” features la Banda El Recodo. Tickets to Tito “El Bambino’s” show at the arena, which is set for 7:30 p.m., are already on sale. Prices range from $13 to $68, plus service fees, and are available via Ticketmaster or at the LEA box office. For students, promoters are offering a $5 discount with proper school ID, but only at the arena. (Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)
SÁBADO 16 DE OCTUBRE DE 2010
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 16 DE OCTUBRE Hoy es la presentación del artista del maquilla FX Mike Castro de Morbid Mansion Studios de 1 p.m. a 3 p.m. en la Border Heritage Foundation en el 810 Zaragoza. La entrada es de 5 dólares. El equipo de voliból de TAMIU recibe hoy a University of Texas – Permian Basin a las 2 p.m. Entrada general es de 5 dólares. Hoy es la Jamaica anual en St. Patrick Catholic Church (555 Del Mar Blvd.) de 2 p.m. a 10 p.m. en los terrenos de la iglesia. Habrá comida y juegos. Se rifará una Ford Escape, unas vacaciones a Disney World para cuatro personas y una televisión de pantalla plana de 42pulgadas. Costo del boleto es de 5 dólares. Hoy se presenta un programa combina de canciones y arias por alumnos de TAMIU de 3 p.m. a 5 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” a las 5 p.m., “Violent Universe: Catastrophes of the Cosmos” a las 6 p.m., y Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” a las 7 p.m. Entrada general es de 5 dólares. El Laredo Theater Guild en cooperación con TAMIU presenta “The Lion in Winter” el día de hoy a las 8 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performind Arts Theatre. Entrada general es de 15 dólares. Adquiera su boleto en Foster’s (1605 E. Del Mar Boulevard), Blue Top (Hillside) y en la Librería de TAMIU; ó en la taquilla. NUEVO LAREDO — Maratón de Cine presenta “Cementerio Viviente” a las 10 a.m. y 12 p.m.; “Pesadilla en la Calle Elm” a las 5 p.m. y Hellraiser” a las 7 p.m. en Estación Palabra. Entrada libre. Adolescentes y adultos.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
DAVID HARTLEY PUDO HABER SIDO CONFUNDIDO
Suspenden búsqueda en Falcon POR ALEXANDRA OLSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MÉXICO — El turista estadounidense reportado como asesinado por piratas mexicanos en una presa fronteriza pudo haber sido víctima de una confusión, dijo el jueves un funcionario del consulado de Estados Unidos. “Creo que lo que hubo fueron dos turistas estadounidenses inocentes que por error entraron en una mala zona y fueron perseguidos con el consiguiente tiroteo”, dijo Brian Quigley, portavoz del consulado de Estados Unidos en Matamoros. Las declaraciones de Quigley se dieron en respuesta a un reporte de Stratfor, un centro de estudios de políticas públicas con sede en Austin, Texas, que analiza la guerra de México contra las drogas. Dicho reporte sugiere que David y Tiffany Hartley pu-
dieron haber sido confundidos con traficantes de drogas y atacados. Entretanto, el vocero de la Procuraduría Estatal de Tamaulipas, Rubén Darío Ríos López, informó al diario The Monitor de McAllen que las autoridades mexicanas suspendieron el jueves temporalmente la búsqueda de David Michael Hartley para que puedan analizar nuevas estrategias para localizarlo.
Día del reporte Tiffany Hartley dijo que, el 30 de septiembre, ella y su esposo David volvían a Estados Unidos luego de haber ido a México a tomar fotografías de una histórica iglesia que quedó medio sumergida cuando se construyó la Presa Falcón sobre el río Bravo, inaugurada en 1946.
Cruzaban su superficie en motos acuáticas cuando piratas que patrullaban el lado mexicano del lago abrieron fuego y le dieron a David en la nuca. Tiffany Hartley afirmó que a duras penas pudo escapar con vida luego de intentar en vano salvar a su marido. El reporte de Stratfor señala que la camioneta de los Hartley en la que llevaban las motos acuáticas tenía placas del estado de Tamaulipas, México, lo que pudo hacer pensar a los piratas que eran miembros de una banda rival. Los Hartley vivían en Reynosa pero se mudaron a la de McAllen, cuando la compañía petrolera para la que trabajaba David decidió que era demasiado peligroso que vivieran en México.
Otra muerte Esta semana, Rolando Flores,
VISITA INTERNACIONAL
DIÁLOGO DE NECESIDADES
MIÉRCOLES 20 DE OCTUBRE Hoy es el Desfile de Modas “Mom & Me” organizado por Club Una Mirada de Amor y Casa Hogar Mons. Enrique Tomás Lozano en el Salón Paseo Real (detrás de LEA) de 6:30 p.m. a 9:30 p.m. El donativo es de 30 dólares. Adquiera su boleto en Cakes By Design ó llamando al 791-5712. NUEVO LAREDO — Hoy se presenta la obra de teatro “Una Pareja de Tres” en el Teatro Principal del Centro Cultural en dos funciones, 6 p.m. y 8:30 p.m.
JUEVES 21 DE OCTUBRE El Laredo Theater Guild en cooperación con TAMIU presenta “The Lion in Winter” a las 8 p.m. de hoy en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre de la Universidad. La entrada general es de 15 dólares. NUEVO LAREDO — Hoy se presenta “Cuervos, Bestias y Fantasmas”, con relatos de Edgar Allan Poe y H.P. Lovecraft a las 8 p.m. en el Teatro “Lucio Blanco” de la Casa de la Cultura. Entrada libre.
VIERNES 22 DE OCTUBRE Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” a las 6 p.m. y “Wonders of the Universe” a las 7 p.m. . Entrada general es de 5 dólares.
Acuerdan medidas para seguridad ASSOCIATED PRESS
DOMINGO 17 DE OCTUBRE Hoy es el primer día de la Parcela de Calabazas, en terrenos de la First United Methodist Church, 1200 McClelland Ave. El evento será de 12:30 p.m. a 7 p.m. Todo el público es invitado, y las calabazas se venden de todos los tamaños. El Laredo Theater Guild en cooperación con TAMIU presenta “The Lion in Winter” el día de hoy a las 3 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performind Arts Theatre. Entrada general es de 15 dólares. Adquiera su boleto en Foster’s (1605 E. Del Mar Boulevard), Blue Top (Hillside) y en la Librería de TAMIU; ó en la taquilla. NUEVO LAREDO — Hoy es la 3ª Carrera 5/10 Km. ó caminata de 3 Km. “Corriendo hacia la Gloria” organizada por el Gobierno Municipal y el DIF local. El evento inicia a las 8 a.m. en Paseo Colón y Reynosa. La cuota es de 100 pesos para corredores y 50 pesos para caminantes. Las ganancias se destinarán al tratamiento de cinco niños con cáncer.
comandante de la policía estatal de Tamaulipas que investigaba la desaparición de Hartley, fue asesinado y su cabeza enviada en un maletín al ejército mexicano. La secretaria de Estado Hillary Rodham Clinton condenó el jueves el asesinato del investigador, y calificó el hecho como un ejemplo de “la barbarie” con la que operan terroristas y criminales en todo el mundo. “El cuerpo decapitado del valiente investigador mexicano (...) nos muestra con qué estamos lidiando”, dijo Clinton. Las autoridades mexicanas dijeron que no saben si la muerte de Flores estaba relacionada con el caso Hartley, pues afirman que trabajaba en varias investigaciones vinculadas con cárteles del narco. (La periodista de la AP Judith Kohler contribuyó para este despacho)
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
La titular de la Administración de Servicios Generales de Gobierno de EU Martha N. Johnson y el Gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores se reunieron en Washington, D.C., el jueves. Hernández expuso la necesidad de ampliar los servicios operativos en los cruces internacionales a fin de agilizar el traslado mercantil y de usuarios de ambos países. Johnson dijo que Tamaulipas, por su ubicación geográfica y número de cruces internacionales con EU, es la principal plataforma logística para el comercio internacional.
Presentan presupuesto 2011 RUBROS
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MÉXICO, DF — El Gobierno de Tamaulipas acudió ante la Comisión de Presupuesto de la Cámara de Diputados a fin de presentar su presupuesto para el ejercicio 2011. El gobernador Eugenio Hernández Flores, acompañado del gobernador electo Egidio Torre Cantú, presentó ante el Diputado Luis Videgaray, presidente de la Comisión de Presupuesto y el Diputado Francisco Rojas, Coordinador de la Fracción Parlamentaria del PRI, la Propuesta de Programas y Proyectos de inversión para incorporarse en el Programa de Presupuesto de Egresos de la Federación (PPEF) 2011. La inversión global presupuestada para Tamaulipas en el 2011 comprende una inversión global superior a los 17 mil millones de pesos paTORRE CANTÚ ra el impulso de 14 rubros. El apoyo mayor sería para Agricultura y ganadería” con más de 4’300 millones de pesos y el menor para “Juventud y Deporte” con 95 millones de pesos. En temas sensibles como “Salud” el presupuesto sería de más de 1’500 millones de pesos, en Educación de más de 1’300 millones de pesos y en “Seguridad Pública” de 304 millones de pesos. “Todas nuestras propuestas cuentan con el proyecto ejecutivo, todo es viable, todo se requiere para que Egidio Torre Cantú, ya en funciones de gobernador las aplique para que Tamaulipas siga creciendo en infraestructura, desarrollo y competitividad”, dijo Hernández. Agregó que la ubicación geográfica, la riqueza natural y su gente, hacen que Tamaulipas sea territorio estratégico para el desarrollo del país. Hernández y Torre Cantú coincidieron en que la conclusión de dos nuevos puentes internacionales, los mil 431 kilómetros de carreteras modernizadas, amplias y seguras, son algunos ejemplos y mejores cartas de recomendación que soportan esta solicitud presupuestal para el 2011, las cuales reflejan como se trabaja y utilizan los recursos en Tamaulipas. Torre Cantú dijo estar optimista y confiado con la aprobación del Presupuesto de Egresos de
Programas y Proyectos de Inversión Agricultura y ganadería: 4’340.62 millones de pesos Recursos hidráulicos: 3’310.95 millones de pesos Comunicaciones e Infraestructura Carretera: 2’764.04 millones de peso Salud: 1’581.43 millones de pesos Educación: 1’330.50 millones de pesos Comunicaciones e Infraestructura Portuaria: 934 millones de pesos Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales: 557.04 millones de pesos. Desarrollo Social: 525 millones de pesos Fondo Metropolitano: 583.08 millones de pesos Pesca: 420.52 millones de pesos Seguridad Pública: 304 millones de pesos Cultura: 187.94 millones de pesos Turismo: 115 millones de pesos Juventud y Deporte: 95 millones de pesos FUENTE: Gobierno de Tamaulipas
“
Todas nuestras propuestas cuentan con el proyecto ejecutivo”. GOBERNADOR EUGENIO HERNÁNDEZ FLORES
la Federación 2011. “La propuesta tamaulipeca está muy compacta, muy viable y bien hecha”, dijo Torre Cantú. “Contamos con diputados comprometidos con Tamaulipas, y porque la propuesta de programas y proyectos de inversión, están en buenas manos. Torre Cantú asumirá el cargo de Gobernador a partir del 1 de enero y dijo que se requiere de recursos y apoyo de la federación “para continuar por la senda del progreso”.
MÉXICO — El presidente Felipe Calderón y gobernadores electos de algunos de los estados más afectados por la violencia del narcotráfico firmaron el jueves un acuerdo con el que buscan fortalecer la seguridad y la justicia. Con el llamado Acuerdo de Chihuahua, los gobernadores se comprometen entre otras cosas a aplicar controles de confianza a la totalidad de los mandos superiores en áreas de seguridad y en un plazo no mayor a seis meses poner en operación módulos policiacos bajo un modelo de mando único estatal. También se comprometieron a activar unidades de operaciones especiales para combatir los secuestros y establecer centros estatales de evaluación de control de confianza.
Firma Tamaulipas El acuerdo fue firmado por nueve de los 12 gobernadores electos este año, entre ellos los de Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, y Chihuahua, tres de los estados del norte del país más afectados por la violencia atribuida a carteles de las drogas que se disputan nuevos territorios. La violencia del crimen organizado ha dejado más de 28.000 muertos desde diciembre del 2006, muchos de ellos en esos tres estados. Los otros gobernadores electos que firmaron fueron de los estados de Aguascalientes, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Durango, Hidalgo y Zacatecas. El país cuenta con 31 estados y la capital del país. Los gobernadores ya habían firmado un acuerdo por la seguridad desde 2009. Con el Acuerdo de Chihuahua, denominado así porque se firmó en la capital de ese estado, también se comprometen a avanzar en la depuración de las policías y establecer estrategias coordinadas con el gobierno federal para disminuir la incidencia de delitos como el robo, la extorsión, el homicidio y el secuestro. “Independientemente de la virulencia y de la gravedad de los delitos cometidos por el crimen organizado, debemos recordar que el ciudadano común está preocupado por los crímenes que les afectan”, dijo el presidente Calderón al término del encuentro. Refirió que más del 90% de los delitos que se cometen en México son del orden común, como el robo, el secuestro y la extorsión. El gobierno federal lanzó en diciembre del 2006 una ofensiva contra el crimen organizado, apoyado con un despliegue inédito de las fuerzas armadas, bajo el argumento de que las policías locales no tenían la suficiente capacidad ni preparación para enfrentar a los carteles.
Local
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
China expected to help South Texas’ oil patch
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
ZAPATA MIDDLE SCHOOL VISIT U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar spoke at Zapata Middle School on Friday about the importance of education and work in the government. The event was coordinated by Communities in Schools. Shown with Cuellar is student Mario Mendoza II.
By VICKI VAUGHAN SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Parts of South Texas already in the midst of a historic drilling boom soon will get a boost from an unlikely source: China. China’s national oil company, CNOOC Ltd., will spend $2.2 billion to drill in partnership with Chesapeake Energy Corp. in the Eagle Ford shale, a richly productive oil and gas formation that lies under 11 counties. Exploration in the Eagle Ford already has brought newfound prosperity to South Texas’ hardscrabble farming and cattle country, and Chesapeake said the ramped-up drilling could bring 20,000 new jobs to the region. If the Eagle Ford shale’s production levels reach forecasted levels, “it could definitely be a fairly strong contributor to the economy and to the investor, particularly in South Texas,” said Bob Fryklund, research director at I.H.S. Herold, an energy research firm. I.H.S. has forecast that production from the Eagle Ford shale could reach 1 billion cubic feet a day in 2011, which is pretty robust, Fryklund said. That’s the same level as what’s currently the largest offshore natural-gas gathering spot, Independence Hub in the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Cotulla has been in the midst of an Eagle Ford boom for more than a year, and the promise of even more activity is hard to imagine, said Bill Cotulla, whose great-grandfather founded the town. Rumors had swirled for months that Chesapeake was in negotiations with a Chinese company. The deal is good news “for all of South Texas,” said Cotulla, president of the Cotulla-LaSalle County Chamber of Commerce. “Already we’re running with our tongues out,” Cotulla said. “We’ve had a sleepy little town, now every trailer spot in town, every apartment, is full. “Every other truck you see around here is a welding truck.” The new Eagle Ford wells will be drilled quicker than in the past, and oil field workers can expect average salaries of $53,000 a year with benefits, Chesapeake
Most of the big tracts of land, or the mineral rights on those properties, are owned by people who live far from the town of about 3,500 residents. Courtesy photo
spokesman Jim Gipson said, though the economic impact will extend beyond those jobs. The rigs — 11 are operating now of the 40 Chesapeake hopes to add by late 2012 — will need workers, diesel fuel, portable toilets, pipe, casing and tubing. The workers also will need food and housing, Gipson said. Lee Peters, owner of Cotulla Fish Hatchery and who brokers ranch sales on the side and is trying to lease the minerals on a 160acre tract he owns, said the town benefits most from the oil workers, who spend money. Most of the big tracts of land, or the mineral rights on those properties, are owned by people who live far from the town of about 3,500 residents. “Regretfully, a large percentage of the mineral rights are owned by outsiders,” Peters said. “But there’s still a lot of local people that own minerals that will be able to drill.” Yet some in Cotulla were uncomfortable with the idea of a Chinese company doing business there. John Allen, an 80-year-old Korean War veteran, said he wouldn’t lease his property to Chesapeake because the company is doing business with the Chinese. His friend, William Gierisch, 85, was ambivalent, saying he leases with Chesapeake but his son handles the business. Gordon Meyer, who has leased mineral rights on his 220-acre property and is waiting for drilling to begin, took a more nuanced view than Allen. “Look, this is a pretty big boom for this country,” Meyer said. “I hate to see the Chinese coming in, but it takes a lot of dollars to drill those wells, several million, so they’ve got to go where they can get the money.” Meyer, who also manages a larger property for an ab-
sentee landlord, said that dealings with large companies can get complicated. Some companies put strict rules and security guards on property when they lease the minerals. Mike Whitwell, a 51-yearold rancher who also leases deer hunts on his 11,000 acres, said that he’s waiting for drilling to begin on his property. He thinks the longtime Cotulla residents who are leasing their mineral rights are reaping an unexpected windfall. Recreational landowners, however, are worried about the workers on their land and the damage drilling might do to their property, Whitwell said, not to mention making hunting harder. “It changes a deer hunter’s perspective when you’re used to being out there on like 1,000 acres and not seeing anybody and now you’re running into 100 people,” he said. In Laredo, officials don’t expect a big windfall, but economic development officials said the city will profit indirectly. “The preponderance of this oil and gas field drilling play passes north of us,” said Roger Creery, executive director of the Laredo Development Foundation. “But we’re the largest metropolitan area close by and we’ll get collateral benefits from it.” Laredo hotels already are benefiting because oil field workers can’t find accommodations near Cotulla, Laredo Chamber of Commerce President Miguel Conchas said. Eagle Ford shale development has been a “shot in the arm” for a local oil and natural gas industry hurt by the recent recession, Conchas said. “It’s become larger than we thought at this point.” (San Antonio ExpressNews staff writer Jason Buch and Laredo Morning Times staff writer Sean Bowlin contributed to this report.)
Flu shots can offer protection SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Anyone over the age of 6 months should have a flu shot. That’s the message being put out by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Symptoms of the flu include fever, coughing, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigue. Most healthy people recover without problems, but people over 65, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic health conditions are at higher risk for serious complications and even death. It is especially important for people in those high-risk groups to receive vaccinations. “There’s no reason to
wait. The supply is here,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “We usually see an increase in flu cases in late October or early November. It takes the vaccine about two weeks to become effective, so get vaccinated now.” Lakey said this year’s seasonal vaccine also protects against H1N1 flu. In addition, a nasal spray vaccine is an option for healthy people ages 2 to 49 who are not pregnant. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and your health care provider accepts Medicare, your flu shot is free. The Medicare program covers the flu shot and the cost of administration for beneficiaries. Medicaid recipients
will also be covered if they get their flu shots at health care providers that accept Medicaid. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged everyone at least 6 months old to get vaccinated. The agency also says children ages 6 months to 8 years who have not previously been vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 flu should get two doses of the vaccine four weeks apart. A different flu vaccine is produced each year because different strains of the virus circulate. People should contact their health care providers, local health departments or dial 2-1-1 to find out where to get flu shots.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
ALBERTO CANALES Alberto Canales, 77, passed away Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, at Laredo Specialty Hospital in Laredo. Mr. Canales is preceded in death by his wife, Lorenza Canales; parents, Arnulfo (Ignacia) Canales; brother, Ismael Canales; sisters, Berta Canales Ramos, Thomasa Canales Esquivel, and Francisca C. Esquivel. Mr. Canales is survived by his sons, Alberto Jr. (Norma) Canales, Armando (Griselda) Canales; daughter, Rosa Belia (Armando) Ortiz; grandchildren, Armando Jr. (Claudia) Canales, Brianna Canales, Alberto Y. Canales, Armando Ortiz Jr., Sarai Ortiz, Miriam E. Ortiz; great-granddaughter, Aimee C. Canales; brothers, Leopoldo (Alicia) Canales, Abelino Canales; sisters, Susana C. Jimenez, Juanita C. (Luis) Alvarado, Amalia (Jose) Ledezma, Alicia C. Eureste; and by numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends. Visitation hours were
By TRIP GABRIEL NEW YORK TIMES
held Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, from 6 to 9 p.m. with a wake at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. A chapel service was held Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Hwy. 83 Zapata.
RUBEN LUIS CASTANEDA Ruben Luis Castañeda, 58, passed away in El Paso on Oct. 6, 2010. Preceding him in death were his parents, Ernesto and Maria Castañeda; and one brother, Eleasar Castañeda. Survivors include his wife, Rosa Castaneda of El Paso; one son, Ruben Ernesto Castaneda of El Paso; and one daughter, Marissa (Jorge) Benavides; grand-
Union leader defends image
children, Adrianna Benavides and Jorge Luis Benavides; brothers, Angel Castañeda, Domingo (Idelta) Castaneda, both of Zapata; two sisters, Maria E. Moreno (Jose) and Elia E. Torres (Javier), both of Portland, Texas; fours nieces and six nephews. Services were held in El Paso, at Fort Bliss Veterans’ Cemetery.
Photo by Patrick Semansky | AP
On Thursday, an oil-covered crab crawls on a glove worn by Plaquemines Parish coastal zone director P.J. Hahn in Bay Jimmy near the Louisiana coast. Six months after the rig explosion that led to the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, damage to the Gulf of Mexico can be measured more in increments than extinctions, say scientists polled by The Associated Press. The scientists saw a hit for the region’s wetlands, an already weakened massive natural incubator for shrimp, crabs, oysters and fish.
Scientists lower Gulf health grade EDITOR’S NOTE — It will take time to see the full effects of the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. In the second of an Associated Press occasional series, scientists grade the ecological health of the Gulf of Mexico.
By SETH BORENSTEIN AND CAIN BURDEAU
SEARCH Continued from Page 1A ican officials suspending the search temporarily. The attack in the alleged killing of Hartley left Zapata County’s Gonzalez with a dramatic realization. “I learned that a lot of people in the border are living in fear,” he said. Meanwhile, funeral arrangements are still pending for Cmdr. Rolando Armando Flores Villegas, the investigator whose head was delivered to the military headquarters in Miguel Alemán. Flores Villegas led the investigation into the Hartley incident. Arrangements might be made in Flores Villegas’ native town of Tampico, south of Tamaulipas, said Cmdr. Gilberto Lerma in a phone call from Reynosa. Lerma recalled Flores Villegas as a good agent during the time when he headed the agency in Miguel Alemán. “He was a good investigator, a good police offi-
The search will remain suspended unless there are further developments in the case, Gonzalez said. cer,” Lerma said. Lerma and Flores Villegas worked together for eight months. Lerma was in shock when he learned about the Flores Villegas’ death, he said. “It’s something unbelievable that should not happen,” Lerma said. He said state police in Miguel Alemán now have two investigations: the deaths of Hartley and of Flores Villegas. “The investigation cannot stop,” Lerma said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Six months after the rig explosion that led to the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, damage to the Gulf of Mexico can be measured more in increments than extinctions, say scientists polled by The Associated Press. In an informal survey, 35 researchers who study the Gulf lowered their rating of its ecological health by several points, compared to their assessment before the BP well gushed millions of gallons of oil. But the drop in grade wasn’t dramatic. On a scale of 0 to 100, the overall average grade for the oiled Gulf was 65 — down from 71 before the spill. This reflects scientists’ views that the spilled 172 million gallons of oil further eroded what was already a beleaguered body of water — tainted for years by farm runoff from the Mississippi River, overfishing, and oil
from smaller spills and natural seepage. The spill wasn’t the near-death blow initially feared. Nor is it the glancing strike that some relieved experts and officials said it was in midsummer. “It is like a concussion,” said Larry McKinney, who heads the Gulf of Mexico research center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. “We got hit hard and we certainly are seeing some symptoms of it.” Will the symptoms stick around or just become yesterday’s headaches? That’s the question that couldn’t be answered at a conference earlier this month of 150 scientists at a hotel on a Florida beach untainted by the spill. The St. Pete Beach gathering was organized by the White House science office to coordinate research. “There’s the sense that it’s not as bad as we had originally feared; it’s not that worst case scenario,” said Steve Lohrenz, a biological oceanographer at the University of Southern Mississippi. “There’s still a lot of wariness of what that longterm impact is going to be.” Steve Murawski, the chief fisheries scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, compared sci-
entists’ research to a TV crime drama: “It’s the end of the story that counts, not all the steps along the way.” We’re only at the 30minute break in an hourlong drama, Murawski said. And there’s a plot twist. Research findings already released have led scientists and the government to shift their focus from the sea’s surface to deeper waters and the ocean bottom. A month-long cruise by Georgia researchers on the ship Oceanus reported oil on the sea floor that they suspect is BP’s but haven’t proven yet. Government officials still question whether there is oil on the sea floor, but the Georgia scientists say the samples smelled like an auto repair shop. They took 78 cores of sediment and only five had live worms in them. Usually they would all have life, said University of Georgia scientist Samantha Joye. “The fact that there isn’t living fauna is a signal that something happened to these sites and these sediments,” Joye said in a phone interview Friday. “The horrible thing is they’ve been inundated with this oily material... There’s dead animals on the bottom and it stinks to high heaven of oil.”
In “Waiting for Superman,” the new education documentary, union leader Randi Weingarten is portrayed, in the words of Variety, as “a foaming satanic beast.” At a two-day education summit hosted by NBC News recently, the lopsided panels often featured Weingarten on one side, facing a murderer’s row of charter school founders and urban superintendents. Even Tom Brokaw piled on. It’s nothing personal, really. Weingarten happens to be the most visible, powerful leader of unionized teachers, and in that role she personifies what many reformers see as the chief obstacle to lifting dismal schools: unions that protect incompetent teachers. A combative labor leader who does not shrink from the spotlight, Weingarten has been fighting back. She issued a written rebuttal to “Waiting for Superman,” and she has debated the film’s director, Davis Guggenheim, arguing that teachers have been made scapegoats. More to the point, the portrait of Weingarten as a demonic opponent of change is out of date. In the past year, for example, she has led her members — sometimes against internal resistance — to embrace innovations that were once unthinkable. She has acted out of a fear that teachers’ unions could end up on the wrong side of a historic and inevitable wave of change. “She has shrewdly recognized that teachers’ unions need to be part of the reform,” said Richard D. Kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, an education research group. Christopher Cerf, a former deputy schools chancellor in New York City who has sparred with Weingarten, offered a more skeptical interpretation. “The earth moved in a really dramatic way,” he said, “to the point that a very successful strategist like Randi has to know that teacher unionism itself is in jeopardy, perhaps even in mortal jeopardy.” Said Weingarten: “We have spent a lot of time in the last two years looking at ourselves in a mirror, trying to figure out what we’ve done right and what we’ve done wrong, and we’re trying to reform.”
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
NAME Continued from Page 1A
ANIMALS Continued from Page 1A The children were also asked general questions about cows and steers, with a steer for presentation. “I learned that the female cows, once they have a baby, they can only produce milk one time,” said Nancy Deleon, a fourth grade student at Villarreal Elementary. The sheep and goats station showed another group of meats and byproducts with two meat goats and a wool sheep for presentation that Eaton brought out for the children to touch. “These animals are also shown by Zapata County youth at the Zapata County fair,” Eaton said. Also, the Farm Bureau, a national association provided a grains demonstration inside the pavilion. Agriculture Day is not only informational, but is a promotion for student involvement in 4-H and FFA in case students choose agriculture as a career, Eaton said. “We’re hoping to make this an annual event,” Eaton said. Deleon especially enjoyed the presentation, as she said she aspires to work with animals when she is older.
“I want to be a veterinarian to help animals,” she said. AgriLife not only works with 4-H and school programs, but also with farmers and ranchers, providing advice on raising cattle and crops and gardening, Eaton said. “We help with anything having to do with agriculture,” Eaton said. After the presentation students will be tested by their teachers in the classroom about what they learned. “I want the students to make observations and listen, because we’re going to do a compare and contrast with humans to animals,” said Maria Luisa Collett, fourth grade teacher at Villarreal Elementary. Students will also be tested on byproducts, she said. During the presentation Collett helped her students with some of the terms used, such as the word “breed.” “I just help them with words they don’t understand and we do a lot of activities to help them learn and understand,” Collett said. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Samantha Heinlein, a fourth grade student at Villarreal Elementary in Zapata, got to pet a goast as Zapata County Extension Agent Caleb Eaton holds it during the school’s visit to the Zapata County Fair Grounds as part of Agriculture Day.
MOUND Continued from Page 1A work on the streets of San Ygnacio and poured asphalt on the Indian burial mound, and Archeology Consultants Incorporated has proposed the body be exhumed. “The (Zapata County) Historical Commission is trying to determine what should be the proper direction to take to satisfy everyone,” Lopez said. The body was initially discovered in 1992 during a sanitary sewer line project, consulting archeologist Jim Warren said. “We moved their trench over so they can miss it,” Warren said. The construction company missed the burial mound that time, but now the mound is in the way of a new drainage project.
The plan is to lower the streets, but the burial mound is located in the middle of the street, Warren said. The body within the mound is also known to be in a shallow grave of “7-10 centimeters,” the proposal states. “If they lower it he has to be moved,” Warren said. “Otherwise we would be glad to just leave it there.” After the exhumation, Indian nations would be contacted and if they take the body in the burial mound, they would give it a ceremony and a proper burial, Warren said. “Sometimes they take him, but if the Indians don’t want him, we turn him in to the Texas Historical Com-
mission,” Warren said. The proposal sent by Warren to Zapata County Judge Rosalva Guerra states, “the Zapata County Attorney will apply and obtain permission from the State Attorney General to exhume the burial…” According to the proposal, “ACI [the archeological consultant] will hire a physical anthropologist to supervise the exhumation process.” ACI will also be on the lookout for other burials or “intact cultural features” near the site in an area of 7 by 9 meters, the proposal states; however, if any artifacts are discovered, they will be hand excavated, all work suspended, and sheriff’s officials and the Texas Historical Commission will
be notified for consultation. . ACI has worked on several projects in San Ygnacio and other buried bodies have been discovered, Warren said. “We found other burials under a church,” he said. During a demolition of the old church floor, five bodies were discovered but were left undisturbed, Warren said. “They were consecrated,” Warren said. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
federal grant,” Vela said. Umphres-Moffett was responsible for providing progress reports on the structure, and when she failed to comply, the EDA claimed it would not reimburse the county for money already spent on the project, Vela said. Umphres-Moffett said she never received help or information from project coordinator Mario Gonzalez-Davis, the person in charge of the state grant. “She claims she was never given any help by the county,” Vela said. The county has already spent the funds allocated by the federal grant on the higher education center, and will not get reimbursed by the EDA due to the fact that Umphres-Moffett did not meet protocol, Vela said. The EDA sent a letter to Umphres-Moffett to give her the news. A meeting is necessary with Davis, UmphresMoffett, commissioners and the EDA to determine a solution, Vela said. Also at the meeting, commissioners approved a resolution for the Texans Feeding Texans: Home Delivered Meal grant program. The Zapata County Nutrition Program received the grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide four meals a week to elderly in the area, not including weekends or ho-
lidays. “It’s a nice program and very beneficial to the elderly,” said Rosalinda Gonzalez, the program’s receptionist. “The county already has a home delivery program, but this was just a little extra.” In other business, the court also approved a resolution for the Las Palmas Project for more than $1.5 million. The sewer improvement project would provide sewer to the Las Palmas community, said Manuel Gonzalez of Premier Engineering. “Most homes along US 83 between Las Palmas and 27th Street will be hooked up,” Gonzalez said. An additional resolution was approved for a wastewater treatment plant. “The plant is approximately 28 years old and in need of major upgrades,” Gonzalez said. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors CROSS COUNTRY
NFL
CELEBRATION SLIP-UP
Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Zapata Middle’s Wendy Medina competes at a meet last weekend.
Hawks slowed Lack of hardware doesn’t deter Zapata By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata girls cross country team continues to have a strong hold on to the No. 4 state ranking in Class 3A, but in recent weeks they have been having problems picking up a team title. The Lady Hawks have only recorded one win, coming early in the season, and two second-place finishes but
have stopped finishing in the top three. Still, that does not deter their motivation for a district and a regional title with state in their sights. “The lack of hardware has not affected their attitude, training or desire to win one iota,” Zapata coach Mike Villarreal said. “The Lady Hawks know that the
Photo by Bill Kostroun | AP
This Sept. 21, 1998, file photo shows Dallas Cowboys’ Deion Sanders celebrating after intercepting a pass from New York Giants quarterback Danny Kanell and returning 71-yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Cowboy’s costly mistake reopens debate By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARLINGTON — From Billy "White Shoes" Johnson to Terrell Owens, from Mark Gastineau to Deion Sanders, NFL players have built their legacies not just as great players but as entertainers — often by punctuating big moments on the field with theatrics. Then there’s Marc Colombo. All he did was slip. Colombo is the Dallas offensive lineman who flubbed the landing on a chest bump with a teammate following a Cowboys touchdown last weekend. What started
as a harmless stunt led to a loss for his struggling team and reopened the discussion about whether the NFL goes too far trying to stamp out showboating. Officials flagged Colombo for unsportsmanlike conduct. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(d) prohibits players "from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground," and Colombo was clearly on the turf. However, it was also clearly an accident which begs the question: Should officials have just let it go? "When a player goes to the ground as part of a celebration, we can’t judge intent," Carl John-
son, the league’s vice president of officiating, said in a video interview about the play on NFL.com. "It’s black and white. It is a foul." Not necessarily, said Johnson’s predecessor, Mike Pereira. "Suppose you’re in the end zone after making that catch and go to shake his hand and you trip over his foot and fall down — is that an excessive demonstration?" said Pereira, now a rules analyst on Fox broadcasts. "You have to allow spontaneity. If as part of a player’s natural, spontaneous celebration he loses his balance, that wasn’t what the league was trying to
stop." Pereira also emphasized there are several rules requiring officials to judge intent, such as intentional grounding. In general, Pereira likes rules with blackand-white interpretations and he’s a fan of curbing celebrations. Yet he believes common sense trumps all, especially in this case. "Any human would privately say, ’I don’t think that’s one that should’ve been called,’" Pereira said. Dallas tight end Jason Witten was the guy who scored this now-infamous touchdown. As
See CELEBRATION PAGE 2B
See CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 2B
NCAA FOOTBALL
COLLEGE
Unsuccessful succession
Bad news Bears stricken by scandal
Heirs struggle at UT and Florida By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The transition was supposed to be seamless. Garrett Gilbert took over at quarterback for Colt McCoy at Texas and John Brantley replaced Tim Tebow at Florida. Those were big shoes to fill, but most assumed two of the most touted recruits in recent years would keep the programs humming in the chase for national championships. Four losses later, Texas (3-2) is out of the Top 25 for the first time in a decade and the No. 22 Gators (4-2) are fading. What went wrong? Both programs are struggling to adjust their offenses to pro-style passing quarterbacks after years of Tebow and McCoy beating opponents with their legs as much as their arms. Both teams now rank in the bottom half nationally in total offense. Texas tried to rebuild its offense around Gilbert with a power running game and play-action passing. Florida has tried to put Brantley in the spread-
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
In this Sept. 25, file photo, Texas’ Garrett Gilbert looks on after a game against UCLA in Austin. Gilbert and Florida’s John Brantley were supposed to be just the right guys to replace Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow and keep the Longhorns and Gators humming toward national championships. Four losses later, Texas is out of the Top 25 for the first time in a decade and No. 22 Florida is fading fast. option that Tebow ran to near perfection. Both teams have lost two in a row, scoring is down and fans are getting frustrated.
The Longhorns won 19 in a row from 2004-2005 and a national championship with the elusive Vince Young running the zone read. Then came McCoy,
who dipped and dashed around the pocket and into defensive backfields for four years. The skinny, small-town McCoy, who many considered an afterthought recruit in 2005, played with a “prove-youwrong” chip on his shoulder. Texas recruited Gilbert, a high-school All-American and son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert, knowing that changes would have to be made. You don’t pass on a talent like Gilbert just because he’s different than the previous guy, said Greg Davis, the Texas offensive coordinator. “It wasn’t a big, long philosophical conversation. It was, ’Hey, we think this guy’s real good, let’s recruit him,”’ Davis said. “We don’t ever want to box ourselves into a philosophical position. We want to always be able to do what our players can do ... the change is your quarterback and what can he do.” The new offense has been a failure so far. The running game ranks No. 82 in the country and Gilbert has yet to find a reliable goto receiver. Texas has scored three or fewer touchdowns in three games this season and Gilbert has
See HEIRS PAGE 2B
By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
WACO — These are supposed to be good times for Baylor basketball. Seven months after their best season in 60 years, the Bears begin practice Friday with their star player suspended after being accused of hitting his girlfriend and reports of an NCAA recruiting investigation. LaceDarius Dunn, the leading scorer from last season’s team that fell one game short of the Final Four, can practice but remains suspended indefinitely from competition. He faces a felony charge of punching his girlfriend and breaking her jaw, which she denies. Foxsports.com has reported the NCAA is investigating the Baylor program over the recruitment of a high school player. Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw did not return a telephone message seeking comment Friday. A
WILLIE JEFFERSON: Ousted from football team for marijuana use school spokesman said coach Scott Drew and his players would not comment on the allegations. Student reaction has been mixed. Walking across campus on Friday, freshman Victor Manon said he and his friends weren’t talking about the problems surrounding Dunn and the alleged recruiting violations. “It’s football season. That’s what people are talking about,” Manon said. “Maybe if we start losing or something.” But K.C, Mangen, a junior who toted a basketball under his arm outside the student life center, said Dunn shouldn’t be allowed to practice until formally cleared of any charges. Mangen said he and his friends find the allega-
See BAYLOR PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
Patrick to race at Daytona By JENNA FRYER ASSOCIATED PRESS
CONCORD, N.C. — JR Motorsports locked in Danica Patrick for the first four Nationwide Series races of 2011, and the rest of her schedule will depend on her IndyCar commitments. Team co-owner Kelley Earnhardt said Friday that Patrick will run at Daytona, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Bristol next season. It will be her first trip to Bristol’s .533-mile bullring. “That will be kind of neat for her to get to experience what NASCAR is all about and that’s basically going around Bristol,” said crew chief Tony Eury Jr. Patrick will take a break from NASCAR after Bristol to concentrate on the IndyCar schedule through the Indianapolis 500 in May. She’ll then resume Nationwide racing that will be coordinated with her IndyCar commitments. Earnhardt said Patrick can run up to 14 races in the No. 7 Chevrolet, but the car will run the full season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to run four races in the car. “I know we’re all anxious to get the whole sched-
ule put in place, but I’m extremely excited to be able to confirm our participation in the first four races,” Patrick said. “We’ll have four extremely challenging and unique races to start our 2011 season, and I’m anxious to return to a lot of those tracks with at least a little bit of familiarity.” Patrick said she knows at some point next season she’ll have to make a decision about her commitment to NASCAR. The race Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway was the ninth of 13 scheduled Nationwide races this season. She ended the IndyCar season two weeks ago, finishing 10th in the final standings. “We haven’t made all of those decisions, 2012 is a little up in the air and it depends on the opportunities, where I could run, what Kelley is doing, what’s happening at JR Motorsports, what’s happening on the sponsorship side,” Patrick said. “If something doesn’t come together, I’d run IndyCar. There’s a lot of things up in the air right now. We’ll see where my heart goes and where the opportunities are.”
Veterans visit Texans practice By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — About 100 soldiers, some who were wounded in combat, mingled with Houston Texans players and coaches after Thursday’s practice as part of the team’s week honoring the military. The local USO branch unveiled a statue recognizing the Texans’ commitment to veterans. A group of wounded soldiers toured Reliant Stadium and met players on Tuesday. “Most of us go about our day without thinking about the sacrifice that other people make for us,” Texans owner Bob McNair said. “This really brings it home. You have a chance to visit with them and learn of their losses, and their friends who didn’t come back. They do it to preserve our freedom, and we owe to them any and everything we can do.” The Texans (3-2) will host about 350 soldiers and their families at Sunday’s military-themed
Photo by Rick Havner | AP
Drivers Danica Patrick, left, talks with Justin Allgaier, right, before qualifying for the NASCAR Dollar General 300 Nationwide series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday.
game against Kansas City (3-1). Former president George H.W. Bush, who owns a home in the Houston area, will serve as an honorary captain. Members of the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights will parachute into the stadium before the kickoff and the Marine Corps’ Silent Drill Platoon will perform at halftime. Col. Mark Campsey, commander of the 72nd Infantry Brigade based in Houston, recently returned with 3,000 soldiers from a tour in Iraq and thanked McNair. KRIV-TV reported that the Texans are picking up all the expenses related to the military-themed events this week. A USO spokeswoman said three other unidentified teams wanted to host similar events, but wanted to charge a fee. “The Texans reaching out and going so far above and beyond — they serve as great role models and let soldiers know that people really care about what they do,” Campsey said.
CELEBRATION Continued from Page 1B he’s done before, Witten sought out Colombo for the honor of spiking the ball. Then they did a flying chest bump, all of which was within the rules. "If he stayed on feet, we wouldn’t have been talking about it," Johnson said. But, since he did fall, what if there hadn’t been a flag? "I don’t think anybody says a word," Pereira said. "Not even Jeff Fisher." Fisher is the co-chairman of the NFL’s competition committee and an advocate of strict enforcement of all rules. He’s also coach of the Tennessee Titans, the team the Cowboys were playing. The Ti-
tans gladly took a penaltyshortened kickoff, got a long return on it and cashed it in for a winning touchdown. "There’s things you can do and things you can’t do," Fisher said. "You can’t go to the ground." Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was angry about losing and furious that a rule he fought to loosen was involved. Jones spent nearly a decade on the competition committee pushing for players to do whatever they want to rile up the fans. He lavished big contracts on Sanders, then Owens, for their theatrics as well as their talents. "I really don’t think somebody falling down
was an intended consequence of this rule," Jones said. "When you draw those bright lines, you’ll have calls or decisions that in the grand scheme of things that weren’t right or weren’t fair to the overall game, and that was one of them." Touchdown celebrations were pretty innocuous in the days of Johnson’s knee-knocking ritual with those white shoes. Then cable networks came along and began immortalizing such routines, so suddenly everyone seemed to be doing it. League bosses didn’t like that, not in a team sport, and they couldn’t allow such look-at-me individuality.
The crackdown began in 1984, targeting Gastineau’s "sack dance" and prompting cries of the NFL being the "No Fun League." Every time a loophole gets exposed, the rules get tightened. The do’s and don’ts for celebrations are located in the taunting section of the rule book. In recent years, the league banned props (such as pens, pylons and pompons), "prolonged, excessive premeditated or choreographed" routines and — as everyone now knows — going to the ground. There are exceptions, like spiking the ball or jumping into the stands, a la the Lambeau Leap. "It’s an emotional game and you can show emo-
CROSS COUNTRY Continued from Page 1B meets that count (district, regionals and state) are right around the corner.” As the final tuneup meets are coming to an end, the Lady Hawks traveled to Harlingen last weekend with a 4 a.m. departure time to compete against every Valley school in the third annual Meet of Champions. Over 1,500 runners were in attendance, with the field comprising of mainly 4A and 5A schools from the Rio Grande Valley. The hometown girls finished a respectable seventh place in the elite division and were once again led by freshman Jazmine Garcia, who blazed the course in 12:02 to pick up a fifth-place plaque. Senior Marlena Garcia remained close to her teammate as she finished eighth in a time of 12:07. Both girls earned an invitation to a banquet in December hosted by the RCVCCCA to be presented along with the top 20 run-
ners in the RGV. The junior varsity team earned a third-place team finish amongst all 3A JVand-under schools. It was led by some gutsy performances by Alba Jasso and Wendy Medina. The freshmen girls continued to dazzle with a second place finish. The team had four medalists, led by Sara Peña, Daniella Soto, Norma Cepeda and Alma Perez. Daniela Vela fresh off a recent injury, rounded out the freshmen top five. The girls will next be in Laredo for the UISD annual meet, their last tune-up before the district meet.
Zapata Middle School The Lady Merlins competed at the Roma Middle School Invitational. Both seventh and eighth grade teams finished in second place and were edged out by their rival, La Grulla Mid-
dle. The seventh grade medal winners were Norma Ramirez (second), Raquel Almaguer (fourth), Alexa Alvarez (sixth), Andrea Garza (eighth) and Janie Guzman (10th ). The top runner, Alexandra Garcia, who continues her assault on winning the district individual title, once again led the eighth grade team. Teammates Evelin Huerta (sixth), Mary Rodriguez (seventh) and Nadya Mercado (10th) were the other medal winners from the eighth grade division. Rounding out the team were Jazmine Velasquez, Daphne Gomez and Corina Martinez. Both teams will be in action this upcoming week in Laredo for their last meet before district. The district meets will be held in Zapata at the high school on Oct. 23 for middle school and Oct. 25 for the high school, with all races starting at 9 a.m.
tion," Fisher said. "But there were things that were getting out of hand." Colombo wasn’t probing for loopholes. In fact, Pereira said it was cool to see a skill position player letting a beefy blocker have some fun. "That’s the act of sportsmanship the league is looking for," Pereira said. Colombo and the Cowboys should’ve known better from T.O.’s tenure. In 2006, Owens was flagged for pretending to take a nap after a touchdown. In 2008, the NFL nabbed him for going to the ground when he dropped into a track stance as part of a tribute to Usain Bolt. This season, Minneso-
ta’s Jared Allen and Buffalo’s Steve Johnson were flagged for going to the ground, although their acts were more elaborate and on purpose. Jets right tackle Damien Woody is among those who learned from Colombo’s mistake. "I didn’t even know that was a penalty," he said. Of course, Woody and the Jets have had fun with it, too, coming up with ways to celebrate and warning, "Just make sure you don’t fall down." More teasing is coming the next time Woody sees Colombo, a fellow Boston College product: "I’m going to tell him, ’Hey, be more of an athlete. Stay on your feet.’"
HEIRS Continued from Page 1B five interceptions to go with his four touchdown passes. Davis admits he has limited Gilbert’s options to throw downfield, often calling shorter routes early in games to help Gilbert find his rhythm. Gilbert went 39-4 as a starter in high school with a 30-game winning streak and two Texas state championships. If Texas loses at No. 5 Nebraska on Saturday, he’ll have Texas’ first three-game losing streak since the end of the 1999 season. Texas had an off week after the loss to Oklahoma. Gilbert said he tried to get away from football for a few days. He played a few rounds of golf with his dad to clear his head. “I think Garrett is fine,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. “He’s smart. He’s tough. He grew up in football and he understands that at Texas, you need to win games.
“He understands that he is going to be scrutinized as the quarterback. We told him that before he came here ... He does want to continue to win like the great quarterbacks before him, and that is something that’s on my plate. It’s on his plate. It’s on Greg Davis’ plate. All of us need to pick it up,” Brown said. At Florida, Brantley is struggling while coach Urban Meyer asks him to do what Tebow did. Tebow, a larger-than-life leader in the huddle and the locker room, was savvy in the spread-option and could pummel defenders with his size when he ran. When Brantley runs the option, the result is awkward at best. The running and poor pass protection have taken a physical toll, leaving Brantley playing with sprained thumb and sore ribs. The rib problem forced him to change his
throwing motion, resulting in a sore shoulder. “He’s a tough guy and played really tough” in last week’s loss to LSU, Meyer said. “That really showed us a lot about who Johnny is.” Meyer laments a “lack of explosive plays” in his offense. Brantley’s longest pass of the season covered 51 yards, but that came on a short route against a blitz the receiver turned into a big gain. “We’re not hitting the home run shots,” Meyer said. Meyer has refused to tweak the offense to fit Brantley’s passing strengths, and said last week the option is “who we are” and “that won’t change.” Brantley says he’s fine with that. “That’s what our offense is,” Brantley said. “It’s been successful for us these last four years so why not keep doing it?”
BAYLOR Continued from Page 1B tions disgusting and there’s a sense of “Oh no, not again.” Baylor, after all, is not that far removed from a scandal. In 2003, Baylor player Patrick Dennehy was killed by teammate Carlton Dotson, and the aftermath caught former coach Dave Bliss in a tangle of lies and financial misdeeds. The NCAA eventually hammered the program, taking away Baylor’s non-conference schedule in the 20052006 after first considering a full-season ban.
“There’s a big sense of that and a lot of distaste for what people are hearing,” Mangen said, noting two football players also were recently arrested on minor drug charges. The Big 12 coaches picked Baylor to finish fourth in the league and Dunn’s absence would be a major blow if it lasts long. He was a second-team AllBig 12 pick last season while averaging 19.6 points and 4.8 rebounds last season for a team that set a school record for wins with 28. He decided to return for
his senior season instead of entering the NBA draft. Since taking over for Bliss, Drew was been slowly rebuilding the program by attracting top recruits like Dunn. Those recruiting methods are now reportedly under scrutiny. Kevin Kunst, athletic director at La Lumiere High School in Indiana, told The New York Times that the NCAA has asked the school about Baylor’s methods recruiting Hanner Perea, a junior transfer from Colombia, over the
summer. Foxsports.com reported that Baylor assistant coach Mark Morefield suggested in text messages that Baylor could have Perea deported if he did not sign with Baylor. Kunst has not returned messages left at his office Thursday and Friday. The timing of the texting allegations is troubling considering they were from July, just weeks after Baylor’s probation from the Bliss-era infractions had ended. Dunn’s problems began
Sept. 27, the day Waco police said he broke the jaw of Lacharlesla Edwards, and he was arrested Oct. 5 on a charge of felony aggravated assault. Edwards, however, has said through statements issued by her attorney that Dunn did not break her jaw and wants the charges dropped. Police have submitted the case to the McLennan County district attorney’s office to determine whether to proceed. Baylor officials had suspended Dunn from class but agreed this week to
reinstate him. Dunn’s attorney has said Dunn is on track to graduate next May. Baylor’s first game is Nov. 12 against Grambling State. The Bears should get a boost from UCLA transfer J’mison Morgan, who was granted an NCAA waiver allowing him to play immediately without sitting out a season. The 6-foot-10 junior center comes in after Baylor lost two starting post players, including Ekpe Udoh, who was the sixth overall pick by Golden State.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE FOOD BUDGET Dear Readers: Pet food can put a strain on your budget, depending on how many animal dependents you have! Watch store fliers for sales on pet food. Buy larger bags or extra cans if your budget allows. Talk to family or friends who have pets to see if they would be willing to split the cost of the larger bag (if it’s a better deal). -- Heloise SAFE THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS Dear Readers: There are many hazards for pets that come with the holidays. Here are some things to keep away from our pets:
“
HELOISE
Candy and other sugary treats; turkey bones, because they can splinter; and garland and tinsel, because cats especially can ingest it. Also bad for animals? Broken ornaments, stringed lights that would cause an enticement for cats, and extra extension cords lying about. Puppies may chew on something that is new and unfamiliar. -- Heloise Central
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4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
Raiders prepare for OSU air raid By BETSY BLANEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Mike Fuentes | AP
Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman after a first half touchdown against Arkansas at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, on Oct. 9.
Aggies bid to upset Mizzou By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLLEGE STATION — Missouri defensive back Carl Gettis was asked to look ahead to his team’s upcoming games, including next week’s matchup against No. 6 Oklahoma and a trip to fifth-ranked Nebraska. Hold it. Gettis said he and the No. 21 Tigers are too focused on maintaining their perfect 5-0 record against the struggling Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday to look past this week. “When you are playing such a good team it makes it hard to look to the next week,” he said. “I can’t even tell you who we play next week because Texas A&M is a good team. So it’s hard to look past any of the teams we have coming up. Each team is good and each week is going to be a big game.” Such is life in the Big 12, where even a team reeling from consecutive close losses and committing more turnovers this season than all but one team in the Foot-
ball Bowl Subdivision is cause for concern. The Tigers opened Big 12 play last week with a 26-0 win over Colorado. Texas A&M lost to No. 12 Arkansas by a touchdown that same day after starting conference play with a 38-35 loss to No. 20 Oklahoma State. It is Missouri’s first road game after opening at a neutral site before playing four straight at home. The Aggies are expecting more than 80,000 at Kyle Field as the Tigers try to start 6-0 for just the fifth time in school history. “We have ways to prepare for games,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “It’s all about focus, preparation and distraction control. It’s a tough place to play, but it’s about focusing and playing your best.” Missouri got a scare against the Buffaloes when quarterback Blaine Gabbert had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with a hip pointer. He is better and Pinkel said he’ll start against Texas A&M.
LUBBOCK — Tommy Tuberville’s Red Raiders face a dual threat Saturday when No. 20 Oklahoma State comes to West Texas, where the Cowboys are itching to break a losing streak that dates to 1944. Undefeated OSU is second in the nation is scoring (52.6 point per game), has the country’s fifthleading rusher — Kendall Hunter’s 140-yard per game average — and has a passing offense (362 yards per game) that’s first in the Big 12 and second nationally. “It is what gives you nightmares,” Tuberville said. “They are very good on the offense line being able to shift from a passing game to being able to run the ball. Maybe the most balanced team we will see all year.” Oh, and Cowboys receiver Justin Blackmon leads the nation in receptions (9.4) and receiving yards (149.6) per game. He had 13 catches for 190 yards in his last game, against Louisiana-Lafayette. “When the ball is in the air and No. 81 is running for it, I am ready to put my hands up for a touchdown,” Cowboys defensive end Richetti Jones said of Blackmon. “Some of the stuff that he does is ridiculous,” What could be ridiculous is the number of points scored on Saturday. Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts and the Cowboys’ Brandon Weeden rank third (330 yards) and fourth (322 yards), respectively, in passing yards per game. And OSU (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) and Texas Tech (3-2, 1-2) both have porous defenses.
Photo by LM Otero | AP
Texas head coach Mack Brown yells on the sidelines during the first half of a football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 2.
Brown must reckon with child of the corn Photo by LM Otero | AP
In this Sept. 18, file photo, Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville leads his team on to the field for a game against Texas in Lubbock. “It’ll be one of those games where you won’t have an opportunity to go to the restroom or get a drink or anything,” Tuberville said. “It’s going to be a lot of excitement, a lot of action, and hopefully we can hold our end of the bargain.” The matchup will be tough on a Texas Tech defense that is doing a little better against the rush than against the pass. The Red Raiders are giving up 126 yards a game on the ground and about 279 in the air. Tuberville wants to see more turnovers forced by his team this week. The Red Raiders (3-2, 1-2) have eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries. They got none the last two games. “If we are a team that gets zero turnovers we are going to struggle,” Tuberville said. “Hopefully we can get out of this rut and get a few turnovers like we did early in the season.”
By ERIC OLSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
LINCOLN, Neb. — Taylor Martinez just might be oblivious to all the fuss about this Texas-Nebraska game. No one knows for sure because the Cornhuskers’ redshirt freshman quarterback doesn’t talk much, least of all to the media. “That dude has major blinders on,” offensive coordinator Shawn Watson told reporters. “He doesn’t want to talk to you because he doesn’t want any distractions. I’ve said it and I know it sounds kind of boring, but he just wants the ball and wants to play.” The fleet-footed Martinez figures to get his toughest test to date in one of the most hyped games at Memorial Stadium in a decade. With dominating road wins over Washington and Kansas State on its resume, fifth-ranked Nebraska (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) believes it has what it takes to win the national title in its last year in the Big 12. The Longhorns (3-2, 1-1) need a win to avoid be-
coming the first of Mack Brown’s 13 Texas teams to lose three straight regular-season games. The Huskers have lost eight of nine meetings with Texas since the Big 12 started in 1996. They’re still aching over their 1312 loss in last year’s Big 12 title game. Texas won on a controversial field goal when 1 second was put back on the clock after it appeared time had run out. Barring a rematch in the Big 12 title game, this game will be the last in the series for a while. Nebraska is headed for the Big Ten in 2011, leaving behind old rivals and a conference where Texas has a lot of sway when it comes to shaping policy. “I personally hate to see Nebraska leave the Big 12 simply because it’s been such a great game between Texas and Nebraska and matchups of two of the winningest programs in college football history,” Brown said. “It’s fun to see the Longhorn on one helmet and the ’N’ on the other.” The ’N’ on Martinez’s helmet has been a blur to Nebraska’s opponents.