RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2010
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MEXICO VIOLENCE
COMMISSIONERS
Kingpin down
Repairs on the agenda
Reputed Gulf Cartel leader said killed in gunbattle ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Reputed Gulf Cartel leader Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen, one of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords, was killed Friday in a gunbattle with marines and soldiers in the northern border city of Matamoros, offi-
cials said. Cardenas Guillen, also known as “Tony Tormenta” or “Tony the Storm,” is the brother of imprisoned former leader Osiel Cardenas Guillen and is believed to have run the powerful cartel along with Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sanchez. Federal security spokesman
Alejandro Poire said Cardenas Guillen died in a clash across the border from Brownsville, Texas, that also claimed the lives of three gunmen and two marines. Cardenas Guillen has been indicted in the United States on drug trafficking charges and U.S. authorities have offered a $5 mil-
lion reward for information leading to the 48-year-old’s arrest. His death is blow to Mexico’s second-most powerful cartel and a major boost to President Felipe Calderon’s war on drug cartels. Cardenas Guillen’s brother, Osiel, led the Gulf cartel until his arrest in 2003.
PEPSI REFRESH PROJECT
HOPE FOR FUTURE STRAYS
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County might get a facelift after commissioners approve necessary improvements on buildings surrounding the new museum and other buildings in need of remodeling or demolishing at the next Commissioners Court meeting Monday. Buildings behind the Zapata County Museum of History are in need of remodeling to provide additional space required for utilities and the Buckner Housing Assistance Program has also put in a demolition request for a dilapidated building, according to the agenda. “The museum board requested to restore at least one of the buildings behind the museum
See COURT PAGE 11A
GATEWAY CENTER
Clinic aids kids (Editor’s note: This is one in a series of profiles of the 26 agencies funded by United Way. The 2010 campaign is now under way.) SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
As parents, we all worry about our children’s teeth. Maria Gonzalez worries about three children.
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
space to start providing necessary services,” Hernandez said. “The community has grown enough so that these services are required now.” Other supporters include the animal control staff and anyone Hernandez encounters, she added. Educating people on the issue is the key to help solve the problem, she said. “When you have spay and neuter programs, programs that are provided in other cities, you control the population of unwanted pets,” Hernandez said. “This
One of her children, Luz, was born with cerebral palsy, a brain disorder that affects motor movements. In Luz’s case, it has made her blind, unable to talk and unable to walk. Luz can understand others. When she was 10 years old, she was taken to the Gateway Community Health Center for her first dental examination. She had excessive tartar and bacteria, but she had no cavities. All she needed was cleaning and the removal of two baby molars. Gateway was able to show Maria how to care for Luz’s mouth. The center even provided her with some supplies. Since then, Maria has taken
See POUND PAGE 12A
See CLINIC PAGE 12A
This female dog was one of four animals that was euthanized at the Zapata County Animal Shelter on Friday morning.
County employee hopes public supports her challenge By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
With the rising problem of strays and insufficient room in the animal control center, Zapata County employee Audelia Hernandez is attempting to take the Pepsi Refresh Project challenge and win a chance to build a newer, bigger shelter and to provide necessary veterinary services. The Pepsi Refresh Project is a national campaign to fund people’s great ideas in several categories. The categories include health; arts and culture; food and shelter; the planet; neighborhoods;
and education, according to the Pepsi Refresh Project home page. Hernandez decided to take the challenge due to the great need in her community for veterinary and pet adoption services, she said. The current shelter only includes six kennels that only hold animals for 72 hours before they are euthanized, Hernandez said. “They don’t have the space or the funds to provide veterinary or adoption services,” Hernandez said. “Zapata County Animal Control is the only center in a 60-mile radius,” she added. One afternoon Hernandez took
a drive around Zapata and took photos of all the strays she saw, she said. There were approximately 10 to 20 dogs running loose in a twomile radius, Hernandez said. “It’s visible wherever you go in Zapata County. There are stray cats and dogs roaming the streets,” she said. “These pets belong to someone and are not being provided sufficient care.” Hernandez saw the need and decided to write a grant with support from County Judge Rosalva Guerra and Guerra’s assistant, Roxy Elizondo. “It will help build a bigger
PAGE 2A
Zin brief
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
AROUND TEXAS
CALENDAR
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, NOV. 6 There will be a book sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the Widener Room, First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. The public is invited, and there is no admission fee. Harmony Science Academy-Laredo and the Laredo Chess Club will cosponsor the school’s second annual open scholastic chess tournament for all players K-12, to be held at the school’s cafeteria, 4401 San Francisco Ave. Awards are courtesy of Laredo LULAC Council No. 12. Check-in is from 9 to 10 a.m. For more information, contact tournament director Dan Navarro at 722-4600 or dan209@stx.rr.com. Laredo Council 2304 of The Order of The Knights of Columbus will celebrate a memorial Mass at 6:30 p.m. today at Holy Redeemer Church in commemoration of all brother Knights who have passed away. The Mass is open to everyone. The TAMIU Chamber Singers and LCC Mixed Choir will present “A Celebration of American Choral Music” from 3 to 4 p.m. today in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public. The program will consist of choral pieces by Jack Halloran, Randall Thompson, Moses Hogan, William Dawson, Mark Hayes and others. The concert will be conducted by Dana and Joseph Crabtree, TAMIU instructors of music. The group will be joined by Mikolaj Gorecki on piano.
SUNDAY, NOV. 7 The Laredo Community College Fall Dance Concert is at 3 p.m. today in the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus’ Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and those with a valid student ID.
TUESDAY, NOV. 9 The fall Music Student Recital at Laredo Community College is from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. today in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater. The concert is free and open to the public.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 10 The South Texas Food Bank board of directors meets at noon today at Commerce Bank, San Dario Avenue and Mann Road, on the second floor. For more information, call 726-3120. MMAS has extended an invitation to Lynne Nava from the Laredo Nature Center to present their future plans on the Slaughter property from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center at LCC. For more information, contact Raul Delgado at rcdelg@sbcglobal.net.
FRIDAY, NOV. 12 The City of Laredo Solid Waste Services Department will host the fifth annual Recycles Day Fair from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today at the City of Laredo Landfill, 6912 Texas 359. The fair is free for the whole family and will feature a recycling magic show, an environmental puppet show and organizations that help take care of Laredo’s environment. Willie Bote will be there. For more information about the fair, call the City of Laredo’s Solid Waste Solid Waste Services Department at 795-2510. New Beginnings House of Worship Church, 6414 McPherson Ave., will have its first annual Rummage Sale and Bazaar today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be furniture, office furnishings, computer accessories, clothing, unique items, food and face painting. New Beginnings House Of Worship Church will be holding its 1st Annual Rummage Sale/Bazaar from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 6414 McPherson Road. For more information, contact Niffrig Hastings or Nancy Bajarano at office@nbhow.org.
SATURDAY, NOV. 13 Veterans Helping Veterans will meet in TAMIU’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center, Room 126, from noon to 2:30 p.m. today, Nov. 27, and Dec. 11 and 18. Meetings are confidential and for military veterans only. For more information, contact George Mendez at 794-3057 or georgem@borderregion.org or Jessica Morales at 7943091 or jessicam@borderregion.org 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 Kelly West/Austin American-Statesman | AP
Rhonda Thompson gets a hug from Col. Diane Battaglia in front of the memorial stone commemorating the one-year anniversary of the worst mass shooting on a U.S. military base, on Friday, in Fort Hood. Thompson’s son Justin DeCrow was one of the 13 people killed in the shooting, and his name is engraved on the stone.
Fort Hood dead honored By ANGELA K. BROWN ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT HOOD, Texas — Family members of the 13 people killed one year ago during a shooting rampage at Fort Hood kneeled, cried and ran their hands across their loved one’s names etched in a six-foot-tall granite memorial unveiled Friday at the Texas Army post. Many families of the 12 soldiers and one civilian who died on Nov. 5, 2009, met each other for the first time at the anniversary memorial, hugging and weeping together. "It was so emotional to be with the other families and to remember and honor our loved ones we lost on this day," said Leila Hunt Willingham, whose brother, Spc. Jason Dean "J.D." Hunt, was killed. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Army Secretary John McHugh present-
ed awards to more than 50 soldiers and civilians whose actions "went above and beyond the call of duty." Capt. John Gaffaney, who was fatally shot after he threw a chair at the gunman, received an award posthumously. The crowd rose to its feet and applauded, and some cheered when medals were presented to Officer Kim Munley and Sgt. Mark Todd, the two civilian Fort Hood police officers who engaged in a gunbattle with the shooter, eventually wounding him. Munley was wounded by the gunman. Todd said he thought about the shooting every day. "It’s not about us. It’s about the families," Todd said after the ceremony. "You never know what can happen." The victims’ families also talked to the officers and soldiers who were wounded or who helped that day.
SCourt: State can’t take private beach land
State targets Okla.-based payday lending firm
Nuns sell Honus Wagner card for $262,000
HOUSTON — The Texas Supreme Court said Friday the state can’t take over private beachfront land when storms leave houses on sand after washing away coastal plants, long considered the line between public and private property. The ruling could end a decades-long dispute that resurfaced after each hurricane washed some of the Texas Gulf Coast back into the water.
DALLAS — Texas has sued a payday lender that allegedly misrepresented itself as a government agency in some mailings. Investigators say some alleged deceptive collection letters had government seals, plus a clerk’s forged signature. A temporary restraining order was filed against companies that did business as CASHMAX, Fed Cash, TOPCASH and Cash Service Center.
BALTIMORE — A rare Honus Wagner baseball card that was bequeathed to an order of Roman Catholic nuns has sold at auction for $262,000. The Baltimore-based School Sisters of Notre Dame put the card up for sale after inheriting it from the brother of a deceased nun.
Man arrested in homeless woman’s slaying
Execution dates set for 2 condemned killers
HOUSTON — Police have arrested a homeless man in one of three slayings in which the women were found strangled in or around downtown Houston. Investigators on Friday announced the arrest of 46-year-old Lucky Ward over the killing of 52-year-old Reita Long. The body of Long, who also was homeless, was found Sept. 30.
Authorities have set 2011 execution dates for two men who killed teenagers. A July 7, execution date was set for a Mexican national condemned in the 1994 rape and killing of 16-year-old Adria Sauceda in San Antonio. Michael Wayne Hall was given a Feb. 15 date in the torture and killing of Amy Robinson, 19.
Mistrial for DPS trooper in steroids case KERRVILLE, Texas — A mistrial has been declared for a former Texas trooper accused of selling steroids after a juror decided he was guilty before hearing evidence. Judge Rex Emerson on Thursday declared a mistrial in the case of Jeff Jerman, then set a Feb. 1 date for his next trial in Kerrville. The unidentified juror indicated to Emerson that she believes Jerman is guilty. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Gov’t asks judge to deny Navy Seal bail
CONTACT US
SAN DIEGO — Government prosecutors have asked a federal judge to deny bail to a Navy SEAL accused of smuggling machine guns from Iraq for sale and shipment to Mexico. The judge was told Friday that Nicholas Bickle is a flight risk and dangerous.
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No verdict yet on home invasion sentence NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Jurors deciding punishment for a man convicted in a deadly home invasion suggested Friday on their first day of deliberations that they were divided over whether special circumstances existed that could automatically spare him the death penalty. The jury weighing the fate of Steven Hayes sent two notes to the judge before adjourning. They return Saturday.
Today is Saturday, Nov. 6, the 310th day of 2010. There are 55 days left in the year. A reminder: Daylight-Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday. Clocks go back one hour. Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 6, 1860, former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln defeated three other candidates for the presidency: John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas. On this date: In 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was elected to a six-year term of office. In 1888, Benjamin Harrison won the presidential election, defeating incumbent Grover Cleveland with enough electoral votes, even though Cleveland led in the popular vote. In 1893, composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky died in St. Petersburg, Russia, at age 53. In 1900, President William McKinley was re-elected, beating Democrat William Jennings Bryan. In 1928, in a first, the results of Republican Herbert Hoover’s election victory over Democrat Alfred E. Smith were flashed onto an electric wraparound sign on the New York Times building. In 1934, Nebraska voters approved dissolving their twochamber legislature in favor of a nonpartisan, single legislative body (or “unicameral”), which was implemented in 1937. In 1944, British official Lord Moyne was assassinated in Cairo, Egypt, by members of the Zionist Stern gang. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower won re-election, defeating Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson. In 1977, 39 people were killed when the Kelly Barnes Dam burst, sending a wall of water through Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. In 1990, about one-fifth of the Universal Studios backlot in southern California was destroyed in an arson fire. Ten years ago: On Election Eve, George W. Bush and Al Gore campaigned through the final hours of their run for the White House, seeking momentum in a costly and exhausting race to become the nation’s 43rd president. Surgeons in Manchester, England, separated conjoined twin girls, a procedure that involved allowing one of the girls to die. Five years ago: Atornado killed 25 people in southwestern Indiana. In a clear jab at Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, President George W. Bush, in Brazil, called on Latin Americans to boldly defend strong democratic institutions. Today’s Birthdays: Director Mike Nichols is 79. Country singer Stonewall Jackson is 78. Singer Eugene Pitt (The Jive Five) is 73. Singer P.J. Proby is 72. Country singer Guy Clark is 69. Actress Sally Field is 64. Pop singer-musician Glenn Frey (The Eagles) is 62. Singer Rory Block is 61. Jazz musician Arturo Sandoval is 61. TV host Catherine Crier is 56. California’s first lady, Maria Shriver, is 55. Actress Lori Singer is 53. Actor Lance Kerwin is 50. Paul Brindley is 47. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is 46. Thought for Today: “Don’t try for wit. Settle for humor. You’ll last longer.” — Elsa Maxwell, American socialite (1883-1963).
Photo by Alan Diaz | AP
Disabled WWII Army Air Corps veteran Chris Borg, 85, watches a practice run Friday for Wings Over Homestead Air Show scheduled for Sunday, at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Fla.
Catholic nuns sell Honus Wagner card for $262,000 BALTIMORE — Collector Doug Walton heard about a rare Honus Wagner baseball card that
had been bequeathed to an order of Roman Catholic nuns; he had to have it. Walton, of Knoxville, Tenn., will pay $262,000 for the card, auctioned off by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. — 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, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Zlocal
Zapatan now a doc By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ
PAGE 3A
Teen accused of robbery By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES
THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County native Dr. Marissa Garza-Charles has begun a practice at Gateway Community Center in Zapata. Garza-Charles, a doctor of osteopathy, joined the center in July, specializing in family medicine. “I do a little bit of everything from pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, geriatrics. So pretty much everything,” Garza-Charles said. Garza-Charles was born and raised in Zapata and missed home, she said. “This is my home town. This is where I grew up so I was ready to come home and give back to my community,” Garza-Charles said. Before coming to Zapata, Garza-Charles began her residency in family practice at the Corpus Christi Residency Practice at Christus Spohn Memorial in 2005 and finished in 2008. After completing her residency, she decided to commit herself to an obstetrics fellowship, Garza-Charles said. “I’m family practice with a little bit extra training in obstetrics,” she said. At the end of the fellowship Garza-Charles became
A teenager was arrested and accused of robbing the Steak House Restaurant, 111 U.S. 83, at gunpoint and running away with the cash register on Halloween night. Officials arrested Michael Rene Rodriguez, 18, and charged him with aggravated robbery. The man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail and held in lieu
Michael Rene Rodriguez: Accused of robbing a steak house. of a $150,000 bond. Deputies responded to an armed robbery in progress call at 9:47 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Steak House Restaurant. Upon arrival, deputies and investigators placed an all-points bulletin for a man running with the cash register and a rifle in hand,
said Sgt. Mario Elizondo. Witnesses last saw him running toward the brush area near First Avenue and Singer Lane. Minutes later after the robbery was reported, authorities spotted Rodriguez running with a shotgun. Deputies arrested him after a foot pursuit, Elizondo said. No one was harmed. Deputies recovered a black and brown Springfield Savage shotgun and a total of $810.
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Dr. Marissa Charles, right, greets resident Maria Isabel Rodriguez at the Gateway Community Health Care, Inc, Zapata Clinic on Tuesday. a faculty member for the residency program and taught family practice for an additional year before coming to Zapata, she said. Some of her priorities for Zapata include educating the community on the biggest health issues, she said. “Diabetes and obesity are really affecting the community,” Garza-Charles said. “I also want to make sure all the kids are vaccinated so that the parents are aware of all the requirements and how that’s going to keep them healthy the rest of their lives.” After slowing settling in, Garza-Charles is planning
to continue to establish her practice in Zapata and become more familiar with the community she left several years ago, she said. “I’ve been gone for a while so I’m kind of getting to know people again.” she said. Generally, Garza-Charles cares for 15 to 20 patients daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., she said. Other physicians in the clinic are in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., she added. “So we’re seeing people from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Garza-Charles said. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
2 arrested in $1,500 cocaine seizure By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office seized cocaine worth more than $1,500 on Oct. 28 in the Medina Addition and arrested two people officials say are connected to the contraband. The sheriff ’s office’s narcotics task force raided a home in the 800 block of Villa Avenue. Investigators found drugs inside and outside the residence, according to Sgt. Mario Elizondo. Elizondo said officials seized 23 individual plastic baggies of cocaine,
SIMON SANCHEZQUIROZ: Jailed on $50,000 bond. substance weighing 37.9 grams; 68 aluminum foil individual wrappings of crack cocaine, weighing 11.7 grams; and one plastic baggie containing six ounces of marijuana. The drugs had a street value of $1,588. Investigators also confiscated a police scanner and a drug scale. Deputies arrested Simon Sanchez-Quiroz, 49, and his wife, Maria Sanchez, 44, and charged them with possession of a
MARIA SANCHEZ: Jailed on $75,000 bond. controlled substance. Sanchez-Quiroz was additionally charged with possession of marijuana. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of a combined bond of $75,000. His wife, Sanchez, was taken to Zapata County Jail and held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Deputies responded to an incident call at 10:18 a.m. Oct. 30 in the 4600 block of U.S. 83. The complainant told deputies that a person she knows sprayed her with gasoline. Noel Zamora was arrested and charged with assault caus-
ing family violence at approximately 4 p.m. Oct. 30 in the 2400 block of Elm Street after deputies arrived for a reported verbal argument. Zamora was taken to Zapata Regional Jail.
burglary call at 9:31 a.m. Oct. 30 at De Los Santos Meat Market, 1602 Zapata Ave, in the Medina Addition. Deputies say some people possibly used a cement trowel to break into the store and stole several items.
BURGLARY Deputies responded to a
POSSESSION
Deputies responded to a call at 1:40 p.m. Oct. 29 at Valero, 1202 N. U.S. 83. An incident report states that some unidentified people abandoned a marijuana cigarette by the gas tanks. After a traffic stop violation, deputies arrested Michael Ray Alvarez and charged him with possession of a controlled
substance at 1:02 a.m. Monday in the intersection of 10th Street and Miraflores Avenue. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail. Deputies responded to a call at 6:18 p.m. Monday in the 2200 block of Fresno Street. The complainant stated that her grandson was hiding an un-
known amount of marijuana in a vehicle and in the back of the house.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
OTHER VIEWS
Politicians show what’s wrong By JONATHAN GURWITZ
tion.
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
I
n the days leading up to the mid-term elections, two leaders — one a Democrat, the other a Republican — made their closing arguments for the campaign to the American people. And in those arguments can be found everything that is wrong with the current political climate.
Consequences In an interview for a popular Univision radio program that aired Monday, President Obama warned Latinos of the consequences if they “sit out the election” because of the failure of Democrats even to attempt immigration reform while controlling the White House and both houses of Congress. Instead of taking an electoral siesta, Obama urged his Latino listeners to accept this charming mantra: “We’re gonna punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends who stand with us on the issues that are important to us.” The less objectionable aspect of the president’s message was its tribalism. If you’re Latino or black or Jewish or evangelical Christian, then that is the sole determinant of your vote. Individuals don’t matter. Identity politics is the ultimate trump card, putting people into groups of “us” and “them.” The more objectionable aspect of Obama’s message was that the groups aren’t just “us” and “them” — they’re “us” and “our enemies.” Not “the other side.” Not “our opponents.” But “our enemies,” a term normally reserved for nations and groups that want to destroy the United States and kill Americans. And those enemies, beyond being defeated, need to be punished.
No fixes Fix the economy? Nope. Cut wasteful spending and deal with runaway entitlements that threaten to bankrupt the nation? Not a chance. Secure the nation’s borders, improve its defenses against terrorist attacks, defeat its real al-Qaida enemies or support the men and women engaged in the war against them? No, no, no and no. “The single most important thing we want to achieve,” McConnell said, “is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”
No return Americans are crying out for a government that is fiscally responsible and focused on the nation’s needs. But at the top of the Senate minority leader’s to-do list is the trifling goal of making sure that the leader of “them” won’t be back for four more years. No wonder so many Americans are so disgusted with politics. By the end of the week, Obama and, to a lesser extent, McConnell were backing off the tribal politics. But it’s hard to tell which was more revealing — their post-election feints toward common ground and cooperation or their pre-election rhetorical candor.
Bad rhetoric The problem is that when leaders use that kind of rhetoric, it gives a green light to followers to say and do things even worse. In this context, the word “leader” has to be understood in a negative sense — of leading people downward, of lowering political sights and coarsening political discourse.
Nothing united
Difficulties
All this from the man who once denounced the pundits who slice and dice our country into red states and blue states, who said, “There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America — there’s the United States of America.” In an interview with National Journal published days before the Obama radio broadcast, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was asked what the GOP’s primary political task would be after the elec-
“He who moulds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions,” Abraham Lincoln observed, because “he makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to be executed.” When the president and a congressional leader mould public sentiment as they have recently, they are engaging in politics as the art of the impossible. (E-mail: jgurwitz@express-news.net)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-calling 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.
COLUMN
Hope again seems eternal By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS
W
ASHINGTON — Tuesday’s election produced another opportunity for hope and change in Washington. Or at least that’s one way of looking at it. Instead of wallowing in his party’s defeat, President Obama could interpret the outcome as a voter-imposed, political doover — another swing at rising above the polarized politics of the past. Will he use his political mulligan? It’s unclear. The president sounded somewhat conciliatory in his press conference this week, but we won’t know for sure until he and congressional leaders talk specifics.
Agenda Let me offer a couple specifics for that first sit down with legislative leaders. Obama could call for swift congressional action on two items — by providing at least two more years of tax certainty to all Americans and by urging lawmakers to enact a short-term spending plan to serve as a bridge until the new GOP majority takes charge next year. Both issues require a heavy dose of seasoned statesmanship, a refreshing combination in our beleaguered political culture. And there are a lot of reasons why the president should take these steps. Government programs run out of money on Dec. 3 and the largest tax increase in American histo-
ry is slated for Jan. 1. Both parties know there is little margin for error on either front, given the shaky economic conditions. A whopping 87 percent said they were “worried about the direction of the economy next year,” according to Tuesday’s exit polls. Why not do the right thing and show a little bipartisan cooperation in the process?
Chaos Unfortunately, decisionmaking in the post-election chaos is always tricky. But this is where Obama could show some leadership, growth, and maturity. Lame duck congressional sessions almost always over-promise and under-deliver. They normally feature more going away parties for departing lawmakers than serious legislative business. This year is not likely to disappoint aficionados of conventional wisdom.
Call for action But the December expiration of the current federal government funding measure — the “continuing resolution” or CR — and the expiration of the Bush tax cuts at the end of the year create a unique dynamic for action, despite an environment loaded with political bereavement for the current Democratic majority. On taxes, Obama and the Democratic leadership confront a series of decisions. While most of the debate has focused on individual tax levels, capital
gains and dividend rates, the child credit and the death tax all snap back to pre-2001 and 2003 levels on Jan. 1. A host of business incentives — like the R&D tax credit — also expire at the end of this year.
Less taxes The White House wants to extend current tax rates for individuals making $200,000 or less and families earning under $250,000. Republicans say that approach also raises taxes on a lot of small business income (as much as half of all small business income could be subject to these higher levies), further harpooning a bleeding economy. Extending the tax cuts for everyone probably has the majority of votes in both the House and the Senate. Here is where the president could show signs of class, growth, and grace. Why not announce he supports a two-year extension of all tax cuts and urge Congress to pass such a law before Christmas? That would represent a real act of hope and change.
Revising the budget Spending faces similar hurdles. Prior to the election House and Senate Democratic staffers worked busily on an omnibus spending bill to fund programs through next September. This would replace the current stopgap CR that expires on Dec. 3. These plans, however, included no Republican input and will be
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
rejected by the current GOP leadership and rankin-file. “If they insist on an omnibus bill,” one House GOP leadership staffer told me, “it just gives us an excuse to pass a bunch of rescission bills next year and sets up a bunch of fights over spending.” Here, too, Obama might break the logjam. Why not announce that he looks forward to working with the new Republican majority on a spending plan next year and Congress should extend the current CR until next March. New agendas But there’s another reason beyond economic certainty that Obama and the Democrats should yield on taxes and spending. Both parties on Capitol Hill need time to let the smoke clear over last Tuesday’s electoral battlefield. Republicans and Democrats must choose new leaders, set their agendas, pick committee chairs, and orient the largest class of freshly elected lawmakers in more than a half-century. The president must recalibrate his political and governing tactics. No doubt there will be plenty of fights ahead with Republicans over the next two years. Taking two major fiscal policy flashpoints off the table for now would give him a chance to reset the political GPS system. For Obama Tuesday provides a chance to do a mid-term correction — an opportunity to show he can do more than just talk about hope and change, but also apply it to his governing strategy.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
New equipment helps speed count of 1,300 voters By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by NASA | AP
This image made available by NASA on Friday shows a a 7-inch crack in the insulating foam on the space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank on the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Leak halts launch By MARCIA DUNN ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A potentially dangerous hydrogen gas leak cropped up as NASA fueled Discovery for liftoff Friday, resulting in yet another delay for the space shuttle’s final voyage — possibly until the end of the month. It was the latest problem — and most serious — to hit NASA’s oldest and most traveled shuttle over the past week. Another attempt would not be made before Monday, NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said. Midway through the fueling process Friday, hydrogen gas began leaking from the attachment point for a vent line on the external fuel tank. It’s the same type of problem that forced delays for two shuttle missions last year, and had not reoccurred since then. Managers halted the countdown two hours after fueling began. The six astronauts had yet to board the shuttle. Discovery’s final mission already had been running four days late because of
technical and weather problems. Monday represents the last opportunity this month for NASA to send the shuttle to the International Space Station with a load of supplies and the first humanoid robot bound for orbit. Otherwise, the flight will be off until Nov. 30 because of unacceptable solar angles. Beutel said it will be a challenge to fix the problem by Monday. The leak, described as substantial, was considered serious because of the flammability of hydrogen gas. Friday was the closest NASA had come to launching Discovery on this mission and the veteran crew of astronauts led by commander Steven Lindsey. News of the leak came as a disappointment. All morning, until the leak erupted, the words “Go Discovery” echoed from the firing room, as well as up at the space station, where six astronauts eagerly awaited the shuttle’s arrival. “The Space Shuttle Discovery awaits release on her final voyage. We’ll be watching closely,” station
commander Douglas Wheelock wrote in a Twitter update. Thursday’s launch attempt was thwarted by stormy weather. The cold front quickly moved through, and the weather was looking favorable for Friday afternoon’s try. Three previous delays were caused by gas leaks and a sluggish circuit breaker. Monday was the original launch date. Whenever the launch does occur, it will be the 39th and final flight of Discovery. The shuttle first flew in 1984. The space agency will close out its 30-year-old shuttle program next year. Endeavour is set to lift off at the end of February. Atlantis may make one extra flight next summer, but Washington has yet to provide the money for it. The White House has instructed NASA to shift its focus from launching astronauts into orbit to sending them to the asteroids and Mars. Given the budget limitations, the space agency can achieve that only by giving up the costly shuttle program.
Despite a slow start during early voting, nearly 1,300 voters in Zapata County showed up to cast their ballots by Election Day. “It went well and I’m grateful everything turned out well,” said County Clerk Mary Jayne Villarreal-Bonoan. “You fear malfunctions with equipment, but everything went well with our new equipment.” During the two weeks of early voting approximately 188 voters cast their votes out of more than 7, 200 registered voters. A total of 1, 261 votes were cast in Zapata County, Villarreal-Bonoan said. Zapata County local Hector Uribe ran for Texas Land Commissioner and lost the general election but got the majority vote locally, Villarreal-Bonoan said. Uribe got 883 votes in Zapata County, while his opponents together garnered less than 200 votes. More than 10 local candidates ran unopposed, Villarreal-Bonoan said. Local election winners included Joe Rathmel in the county judge race with 1,078 votes; District Clerk Dora Martinez-Ramos with 1,017 votes; and County Treasurer Romeo Salinas with 1,035 votes, Villarreal-Bonoan said. Villarreal-Bonoan also ran unopposed for county clerk and got 1,019 votes. She starts her second term in January. Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal in Precinct 2, Commissioner Eddie Martinez in Precinct 3 and Commissioner Norberto
Garza in Precinct 4 all ran unopposed. Villarreal received 247 votes, Martinez received 287 votes, Garza received 180 votes in their races. “I feel great. I have four more years to serve and I still have a lot of ongoing projects to finish,” Villarreal said. Villarreal has been on the commissioners court the last four years and pledges to make improvements in Precinct 2, which includes the town of San Ygnacio. However, if the economy does not improve some of the projects may have to wait, he said. “I have a nutrition center to start building this month and also have monies to connect a sewer line for Las Palmas,” Villarreal said. “I don’t think we’re going to do too many improvements after that with the way the economy is.” Villarreal received 247 votes, Martinez received 287 votes, and Garza received 180 votes in their races, Villarreal-Bonoan said. In the justice of the peace race, Anna Guerra in Precinct 1, Juana Maria Gutierrez in Precinct 2, Fernando Muñoz Jr. in Precinct 3 and Clemente Gutierrez in Precinct 4 also ran unopposed. Guerra received 310; Juana Maria Gutierrez received 255 votes; Muñoz received 288 votes; and Clemente Gutierrez received 177 votes for their precincts, Villarreal-Bonoan said. The local proposition for a tax measure was voted down. “Only 373 people voted for it and 564 voted against so it didn’t go
through,” Villarreal-Bonoan said. Judge Joe Lopez of the 49th Judicial District got 1,045 votes in Zapata County. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White received 902 votes and Gov. Rick Perry received 319 votes. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar received 993 votes in Zapata County. Others who won the Zapata County vote in Linda Chavez Thompson with 817 in the lieutenant governor’s race; Barbara Ann Radnofsky with 778 votes in the state attorney general’s race; Susan Combs with 476 voted in the race for state comptroller; Hank Gilbert with 816 votes for state agriculture commissioner; Jeff Weems with 769 votes for railroad commissioner; Jim Sharp with 830 for Supreme Court Justice, Place 3; Bill Moody with 818 votes for Place 5 on the state Supreme Court; Blake Bailey with 742 for Place 9 on the court; Larry Meyers with 487 for Place 2 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Sheryl Johnson with 474 votes for Place 5 on the appeals court; Keith Hampton with 803 for Place 6 on the appeals court; Rene Nuñez with 820 votes for the District 1 seat for the State Board of Education; Ryan Guillen with 1,006 votes for state representative, District 31; Rebecca Martinez with 894 votes for associate justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals District, Place 2; and Sandee Bryan Marion with 557 votes for Place 6 of the Fourth Court of Appeals District. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
PAGE 6A
Zentertainment COMING UP
Ferreyro vs. Fonseca II set for Saturday
2010 Wild-n-Fun Fest at LIFE The Combined Federal Campaign is hosting the 2010 Wild-n-Fun Fest on Saturday at the Laredo International Fair and Exposition (LIFE) Grounds, located off Hwy 59. The event will include a 5k walk and a 10k run, a rib cook-off contest, a car and bike show and a team roping competition. A fundraiser for United Way and other charities, the event will also raffle off a sixyear-old registered American Quarter horse, a gas grill and other prizes. Gates open at 8 a.m. to family and friends of all federal employees in the Laredo area. A $3 donation to CFC charities will be collected at the door and will allow people to enjoy live music by Los Federales, a Tejano music band comprised of off-duty Customs and Border Protection officers. For more information, call 523-7315.
New residents at LCC science center Take out the welcome mat on Saturday for two of the newest residents eager to greet nature lovers at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center at Laredo Community College. It’s the first Saturday of the month, which means that the LCC environmental science center will open its doors to the community for the monthly nature trail work day from 8 a.m. until noon and the tour of its facilities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This Saturday will mark the debut of the center’s newest residents, a young striped skunk and a cottontail rabbit. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call the center at 764-5701.
Center for the Arts presents ‘The Photography Show’ The Laredo Center for the Arts is presenting an all-photography exhibit from renowned artists Josephine Sacabo and Mario Cavazos. The Lilia G Martinez Gallery will host the work of Sacabo, a Laredo native, and the Rosalie Goodman Gallery will host the work of Cavazos, a native of Monterrey. Sacabo’s exhibit is titled “Oyeme con los Ojos” and Vela’s is “Looking Back.” Sacabo lives and works mostly in New Orleans, where she has been strongly influenced by the unique ambience of the city. She is a native of Laredo, and was educated at Bard College, New York. Previous to arriving at New Orleans, she lived and worked extensively in France and England.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
By EMILIO RÁBAGO III LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Courtesy photo
A young nature lover watches as Ariana Gonzalez holds A.J. the skunk during a recent visit to the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center. Vela began taking photographs in Los Angeles in 1992. In 1995, he exhibited for the first time in Santa Monica. He then moved back to his native Monterrey, and taught photography at the Universidad de Monterrey. By 2001, Mario had moved to New York City. Also, the Laredo Center for the Arts will host an opening reception for another exhibit by Imagine Art. The group show is composed of over 40 acrylic and oil paintings produced by artists from both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. Imagine Art’s opening reception is today, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with free admission and complimentary beverages and appetizers.
Guns-N-Hoses Boxing Round 2 Members of the Laredo Fire Department are preparing for another round in the ring against off-duty Border Patrol Agents. The event pits the Laredo Fire Department vs. Bordertown Pugilist (BP agents) and will take place on Saturday. The 10 boxing matches will be at the indoor pavilion, located at LIFE, off Hwy. 59. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the opening ceremonies set for 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission and $15 and $20 for reserved seats. They are available at the Central Fire Station. For more information, call 795-2150 or 489-7880. — The Zapata Times
Laredoan Hector “The Hurricane” Ferreyro is returning to the boxing ring Saturday for a rematch against Homero “El Oso” Fonseca from Kingsville. “Some of the crowd was disappointed last time,” said Ferreyro, who beat Fonseca at the Laredo Energy Arena. Some in the stands booed, judging Ferreyro’s performance negatively. So Ferreyro is eager to get back in the ring for the boxing match, which will be the only one of the night. The non-title rematch is scheduled for 10 rounds at Veterans Field.
HERNAN FERREYRO: Local boxer will be in rematch with Homero Fonseca. Presented by Los Dos Laredos Boxing Productions, the event will also showcase professional MMA (mixed martial arts) fighting with eight matches set up. Fighters from the Rio Grande Valley will be traveling into the Gateway City. Some local fighters will also have a shot in the ring. To accommodate the MMA style of fighting — which allows submission holds, leg kicks and a punches — Ferreyro said the ring will have an extra rope at the bottom. In-
stead of the usual four ropes for boxing matches, the ring will have five and will be in an open-air setting. The official weigh-in is Friday at 3 p.m. at Rumors Country Patio, where the official afterparty will take place on Saturday. Tickets to the event at Veterans Field are $20 for infield bleacher seats and $8 for seats in the stands. Tickets are available at Rumors Country Patio. VIP tables are also available at $700, $500 and $400, and you can reserve by calling Hector’s brother, Hernan, at 337-2720. (Emilio Rabago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)
Globetrotters coming back to arena in January SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Hot on the heels of the most successful year in franchise history, the legendary Harlem Globetrotters will celebrate their 85th consecutive season when their 2011 World Tour stops in Laredo in January. The Harlem Globetrotters, who have entertained families for generations, will take the court at Laredo Energy Arena on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, at 7 p.m. Tickets to the basketball show, which start at $23.75, are already on sale at www.harlemglobetrotters.com, the LEA box of-
fice, or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Information on group and scout tickets is also available at www.harlemglobetrotters.com. “Our 85th season promises to be a landmark year, with never before seen innovations in the game,” says Michael Kenney, the Globetrotters’ senior vice president. “You’ll want to get your tickets now to witness firsthand what we have in store for our wonderful fans around the world.” The North American leg of the World Tour will tip-off on Dec. 26, 2010, and runs through midApril. The team will play more than 270 games in
more than 220 cities in 45 states and six Canadian provinces. The Original Harlem Globetrotters have played in 120 countries and territories on six continents, entertaining more than 132 million fans and breaking down barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life, earning induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official website.
SÁBADO 6 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010
Agenda en Breve
Zfrontera Concluye horario de verano POR MELVA LAVÍN-CASTILLO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
SÁBADO 6 DE NOVIEMBRE LAREDO — Hoy es el WildFun Fest de la Combined Federal Campaign en terrenos de la Laredo International Fair & Exposition (L.I.F.E) sobre la Carretera 59, a partir de las 8 a.m. La entrada es de 3 dólares en donación para la caridad de CFC. La música estará a cargo de Los Federales Tejano Band. LAREDO — La Cámara de Intérpretes de TAMIU y el Coro de Mezcla de LCC presentan “Una Celebración de Música de Coro Americana” hoy de 3 p.m. a 4 p.m. en el Recital Hall del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. El recital es abierto y gratuito para el público en general. LAREDO — Hoy se presenta “Bella Gaia: A Poetic Vision of Earth From Space” durante el Green Dependence Day en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU a las 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. y 7:30 p.m. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público en general. LAREDO — Hoy es el partido anual Martin-Nixon en el Student Activity Center (SAC) de la Carretera 359. El juego inicia a las 7 p.m. El evento servirá como un Saludo por el Día de los Veteranos, por lo cual los veteranos entrarán gratis. En el medio tiempo participarán los Batallones de LISD ROTC y las Bandas de las Preparatorias Martin y Nixon. LAREDO — Juego de Hockey. Los Laredo Bucks reciben al equipo de Rapid City Rush hoy a las 7:30 p.m. en la Laredo Energy Arena. LAREDO — El Club Social Elysian tendrá su 40vo Baile anual de Blanco y Negro “Una Tarde con las Estrellas” en el Salón del Laredo Civic Center (800 Garden St.). La presentación de será de 9 p.m. a 10 p.m. y el baile de 10 p.m. a 2 a.m. La entrada es 25 dólares por persona.
PÁGINA 7A
Esta frontera verá el domingo concluir el Horario de Verano. En México el cambio de horario concluyó hace una semana, pero para la frontera norte no fue así ya que decidieron acoplarse al cambio junto con los Estados Unidos. En la frontera ribereña el domingo a las 2 a.m. termina el Horario de Verano, por lo que se invita a la población a atrasar una hora sus relojes la noche de hoy, a fin de reanudar las actividades al día siguiente con el nuevo horario. El cambio de horario, es decir Horario de Verano, inició en México en 1996 y considera del primer domingo de abril y hasta el último domingo de octubre, a excepción de la frontera que es hasta el primer domingo de noviembre. En Estados Unidos, desde el 2007, inicia el segundo domingo de marzo y concluye el primer domingo de noviembre. Expertos sugieren que sea durante la noche anterior ó la ma-
En la frontera ribereña el domingo a las 2 a.m. termina el Horario de Verano. drugada el ajuste “para minimizar los posibles efectos adversos para la sociedad en general por efecto del ajuste de los relojes”.
Estados Unidos “No todos los lugares en EU observan el cambio de horario”, indica la página de Internet de la United Status Naval Observatory (USNO). Por ejemplo, Arizona no lo utiliza. La USNO cita aplicación de cambio de horario desde 1918, con periodos sin respetarlo, y siendo acoplado nuevamente durante la II Guerra Mundial. Fue en 1966 cuando se establecieron fechas, de abril a octubre, y hora específica, las 2 a.m. Ha habido otros cambios, por ejemplo en 1974, que inició el 6 de enero y en 1975 que inició el 23 de febrero.
Ya en 1987 se estableció que el Horario de verano iniciaría el primer domingo de abril para concluir el último domingo de octubre; pero fue en el Acta de Política de Energía del 2005 que se determinó que a partir del 2007 el inicio del Horario de Verano sería el segundo domingo de mayo para concluir el primer domingo de noviembre.
México La Comisión Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía informó que los ahorros acumulados por la aplicación del horario de verano, desde su inicio, en 1996, hasta este año permitieron dejar de consumir 17 mil 387 millones de kilowatts-hora, lo que tiene como resultado dejar de quemar 39.6 millones de barriles de petróleo crudo equivalente, evitando
CAPILLA DE SAN JUAN
ATRACTIVO TURÍSTICO
LAREDO — Más de 40 bailarines participarán en el Concierto de Danza de Otoño del Laredo Community College hoy a las 3 p.m. en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center del Campus Fort McIntosh de LCC. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; 3 dólares para estudiantes y adultos mayores.
MARTES 9 DE NOVIEMBRE
MIÉRCOLES 10 DE NOVIEMBRE LAREDO — Disfrute el partido benéfico Guns ‘n’ Hoses entre el Departamento de Bomberos de Laredo y el Departamento de Policía de Laredo en el Edificio de Kinesiology-Convocation de TAMIU, a partir de las 6:30 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y 10 dólares. En el medio tiempo se presentará el Diana Rendon Gutierrez Dance Studio, además de que habrá juegos y otros atractivos.
VIERNES 12 DE NOVIEMBRE LAREDO — La Iglesia New Beginnings House of Worship (6414 McPherson Ave.) realizará su primer venta de Artículos de Segundo Uso y Bazar hoy de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m. Habrá muebles de casa, de oficina, accesorios de computadora, ropa, etc. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y disfrute “Attack of the Space Pirates” a las 6:30 p.m. y “Bella Gaia: A Poetic Vision of Earth from Space” a las 7:30 p.m. Entrada general es de 3 dólares. LAREDO — Juego de Hockey. Los Laredo Bucks reciben al equipo de Allen Americans hoy a las 7:30 p.m. en la Laredo Energy Arena.
SÁBADO 13 DE NOVIEMBRE LAREDO — Hoy es el Bazar de San Agustin, una exposición de artesanías en San Agustin Plaza. Más información llamando al 7534406 ó al 237-0627.
— Tiempo de Zapata
ITAVU beneficia a 200 familias TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
LUNES 8 DE NOVIEMBRE
LAREDO — El Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU presenta su 5th Annual Band Extravaganza de 7 p.m. a 9 p.m. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público en general. LAREDO — Juego de Hockey. Los Laredo Bucks reciben al equipo de Dossier-Shreveport Mudbugs hoy a las 7 p.m. en la Laredo Energy Arena.
emitir a la atmósfera 24.3 millones de toneladas de bióxido de carbono equivalente. También señala otros avances en materia de eficiencia energética. Un ejemplo es la aprobación del proyecto de la Norma Oficial Mexicana de Eficiencia Energética de Lámparas para Uso General. Tal Norma establece que las lámparas incandescentes de 100 watts y mayores no podrán comercializarse a partir de diciembre de 2011; las de 75 watts a partir de diciembre de 2012, y las de 60 y 40 watts a partir de diciembre de 2013. “Se estima que como resultado de la aplicación de esta Norma, en el 2030 el consumo de energía por iluminación registrará una caída de hasta un 48% en relación a su línea base”, indica un comunicado de la Comisión. En el 2011 el Horario de Verano estará en efecto del 13 de marzo al 6 de noviembre. (Localice a Melva Lavín-Castillo en el 728-2569 ó en mecastillo@lmtonline.com)
Foto de cortesía | La del Miernes
La Capilla de San Juan es uno de los sitios preferidos para visitar por los turistas en Ciudad Mier, Tamaulipas. Su estructura respetada por los distintos gobiernos es una de las muestras por lo cual Mier es reconocido como un Pueblo Mágico de México.
Temporada invita a cuidarse POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Las dependencias de Protección Civil y Secretaría de Salud se encuentran orientando a las familias, sobre todo en suburbios pobres, acerca de cómo proteger a los menores de edad y adultos mayores, el otoño e invierno. Y aunque las altas temperaturas se alejan poco a poco, las autoridades continúan entregando el suero vida oral. En un comunicado de la Secretaria de Salud en Tamaulipas se informó que están capacitando a médicos para disminuir la mortalidad infantil, unificando criterios para el manejo de infecciones respiratorias agudas y enfermedades diarreicas. El Jefe de la Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. V, Jaime Emilio Gutiérrez Serrano sostuvo que en esta temporada algo principal es la prevención. El Subdirector de Protección Civil y Bomberos de Nuevo Laredo, Humberto Carlos Diez de Pinos dijo que en cuatro unidades ocho elementos están visitando casa por casa, orientándoles y explicándoles la razón del uso del sobre. Aun cuando el invierno no ha llegado dijo que se explica a los padres sobre la importancia de no exponerse a los cambios bruscos de temperatura. Pero tener síntomas de tos y estornudo también mantiene en alerta a las autoridades. Por tal razón, la Dirección de Prevención de Salud en Nuevo Laredo organiza una campaña de orientación en las aulas de las más de 240 escuelas públicas. “Entiendo que será una bue-
“
Todos los esquemas que permitan detectar y orientar a los alumnos representará un avance en los tiempos del otoño e invierno”. JEFE REGIONAL DEL MAGISTERIO, AURELIO UVALLE GALLARDO
na campaña, nos ayudará a evitar un contagio mayor en las aulas”, dijo el Jefe Regional del Magisterio Aurelio Uvalle Gallardo. “Todos los esquemas que permitan detectar y orientar a los alumnos representará un avance en los tiempos del otoño e invierno”. El Director de Servicios Médicos Dr. J. Guadalupe Rendón dijo que los estudiantes deben tomar ciertas ciudades al salir temprano de casa. “Ellos deben cubrirse su boca con bufanda lo que evitaría que las partículas suspendidas en el aire ingresen a conductos respiratorios”, dijo Rendón. Agregó que cuando se empiezan a sentir que las cuerdas vocales están cerrándose, también se siente tensión porque los pulmones registran la presión. “Aquí les mostraremos a los alumnos que deben voltear su rostro a donde no se encuentren personas próximas y tapar su boca”, dijo Rendón. “Cuando la saliva se expulsa los microbios están impresos, pero demuestran que esa persona queda con problemas de infección”. Las principales enfermedades esta temporada son amigdalitis o enfermedad en las anginas,
RECOMENDACIONES Cubrirse en caso de salir temprano Cubrir la boca al estornudar Evitar exponerse a cambios bruscos de temperatura Alimentarse adecuadamente Reposar en caso de enfermedad Consumir frutas y verduras Tomar agua Terminar los tratamientos médicos bronquitis y pulmonía Oficiales insisten en que nadie debe exponerse a los cambios de temperatura, pero sí alimentarse adecuadamente y reposar. “Recomendamos que consuman frutas y verduras, tomar agua”, dijo Rendón. Finalmente Gutiérrez dijo que una vez que una persona inicie un tratamiento, debe terminarlo. “Es un grave error que cuando una persona está consumiendo algún medicamento y empieza a notar una mejoría, ellos lo abandonan”, dijo Gutiérrez. “Ignoran que los microbios pueden resurgir”. (Localice a Miguel Timoshenkov en el 728-2583 ó en mramirez@lmtonline.com)
NUEVO LAREDO, México — Tan sólo este año el programa Unidos Avanzamos Más del Gobierno de Tamaulipas está invirtiendo un monto superior a los 18 millones de pesos en esta ciudad. En octubre, el Secretario de Desarrollo Social, Cultura y Deporte, Humberto Valdez Richaud entregó en el fraccionamiento ITAVU una obra de revestimiento de vialidades y más de 40 tanques de almacenamiento, que benefician a 200 familias. “Mediante este tipo de acciones se cumplen los compromisos del gobernador de llevar significativos beneficios a los tamaulipecos para fortalecer e incrementar los niveles de calidad de vida de las familias”, dijo Valdez. El Jefe de Gobierno Ramón Garza Barrios dijo que estas acciones mejoran las condiciones de vida de las familias neolaredenses. “Acciones como éstas son las que demuestran cuándo una comunidad está en unidad, porque aquí se ha avanzado muchísimo”, dijo Garza Barrios. También recordó la introducción del agua potable, del drenaje, la electrificación, los cordones y la pavimentación de la entrada al fraccionamiento ITAVU. Valdez destacó que además de los apoyos entregados las familias de este sector de la ciudad se beneficiaron con una intensa jornada médica y de la salud. Valdez dijo que así se refrenda el compromiso de trabajar hasta el 31 de diciembre.
RECONOCIMIENTO
Foto de cortesía
El Gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores sostiene el reconocimiento de la Secretaría de Salud Federal porque la entidad ascendió del lugar 24 al tercer lugar nacional en materia de salud, el jueves, en Tampico, México.
International
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Obama eyes trip as boost to US By ERICA WERNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
MUMBAI, India — President Barack Obama hasn’t been able to drive down unemployment in America, so he’s coming to India in search of U.S. jobs. Four days after his party suffered heavy, economy-influenced losses in Congress, the president will arrive Saturday in Mumbai, India’s booming financial center, where he will meet with local business leaders and with American executives who have traveled to India in search of billions of dollars in trade deals. The White House hopes to announce agreements on aircraft and other exports, and generally broadcast that America is open for business with burgeoning India and its 1.2 billion residents. The administration says that jobs and the U.S. economy are the focus of Obama’s 10-day Asia trip, a message aimed at inoculating him against any criticism that he is concentrating on foreign affairs while Americans are suffering with unemployment at 9.6 percent. He left Washington shortly after the government reported the economy added 151,000 jobs in October but still not enough to lower the jobless rate. The president said the jobs report was encouraging but “not good enough.” In a gesture toward Republicans who won control of the House and made strong gains in the Senate in elections Tuesday, Obama said he was open to “any idea, any proposal” to get the economy growing faster. Republicans generally say the answer is more tax cuts and looser government regulations. On his foreign trip, the longest of his presidency so far, Obama’s business-first message is aimed particularly at India, where he is spending three full days. That’s the longest amount of time in any one country on a trip that’s also taking him to Indonesia, where he lived for four years as a youth, to South Korea for a meeting of the Group of 20 developed and developing nations and then to Japan for an American Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Obama’s popularity generally has held steady overseas. Nonetheless, he will
be meeting with leaders certain to be aware his political strength has weakened at home. U.S. and Indian officials have stressed the close ties that have developed between the world’s two largest democracies over the past decade. It’s a relationship both countries hope will expand and improve — partly, in the U.S. view, as a counterbalance to China’s growing power. Obama will be speaking to a gathering of Indian and American chief executives on Saturday, and he’s expected to announce the completion of job-producing commercial deals. The U.S. has been looking for India to finalize purchases of Boeing aircraft and marine engines produced by Caterpillar, among other exports. Briefing reporters aboard Air Force One, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said Obama intends the trip to be “a full embrace of India’s rise.” The White House is going to great lengths to bring attention to the economic potential and democratic values that define its relationship with India. Said Donilon: “There’s no more powerful way to do that than a presidential trip.”
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Cuts cause leaders to worry By BRIAN MURPHY ASSOCIATED PRESS
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The most potent challenge to Iran’s ruling system may not be international sanctions or the homegrown political opposition, but something as simple as a shopping list. When Sanaz, a 47-yearold Tehran mother, goes to market these days, she digs deeper into her purse for the basics: bread prices up more than fivefold, cooking oil more than double, cuts of lamb about triple from last year. “How much can we stand?” said Sanaz, who gave only her first name because of security fears. “People are very angry and very worried.” It’s just the beginning of more expected price hikes — including for Iran’s cutrate gasoline — as Islamic leaders start trimming an estimated $100 billion a year in subsidies for fuel and food staples that many low-income Iranians consider a birthright. Authorities are treading with caution. They are keenly aware that a popular backlash over prices and living standards may be far more difficult to contain than last year’s street unrest over allegedly hijacked elections. The
Photo by Vahid Salemi | AP
In this Tuesday picture, a man rides his horse-drawn carriage in a street at Tehran, Iran’s old main bazaar. The most potent challenge to Iran’s ruling system may not be international sanctions or the homegrown political opposition, but something as simple as a shopping list. Islamic leaders are starting to trim an estimated $100 billion a year in government subsidies for fuel and food staples that many low-income Iranians consider a birthright. reason is that any pocketbook outrage would likely bring out the workingclass Iranians who have been the bedrock for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the ruling system. Already, powerful merchants in Tehran’s bazaar and elsewhere have staged strikes over what they claim are government tactics to squeeze out more taxes and fees. Couple that with the growing roll call of international companies
pulling out of Iran because of sanctions over Iran’s refusal to halt nuclear fuel production. It adds up to a level of economic insecurity that has officials anxious enough to mount a relentless spin campaign — claiming the subsidy cuts are actually a way to close the rich-poor gap and assuring that the latest sanctions can do little harm after decades of economic curbs by the West.
But there’s also been some apparent muscle flexing to back it up. A noticeable increase in security forces around Tehran this week is interpreted as a blunt message to any groups considering protests over the subsidy cuts. “The economy is the weak link for Iran’s leaders and they know it,” said Mustafa Alani, a political and security analyst at the Gulf Research Center in Dubai.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Cartels disrupt basic services in Mexico By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Five Pemex workers went to their jobs at a governmentowned gas compression plant near the Texas border six months ago and never returned. Masked men, apparently members of a drug cartel operating there, had warned employees of Petroleos Mexicanos that they were no longer allowed to enter the area. Around the same time in May, three inspectors for Mexico’s Environment Department headed into the wooded mountains west of Mexico City to investigate a pollution complaint. Their tortured bodies were found the next day. Authorities said they stumbled onto a drug lab. With killings and disappearances to assert their authority, Mexico’s drug cartels are beginning to interfere with everyday government activities in pockets of the country, keeping workers off their turf and interrupting some of the most basic services. Not only do they maintain checkpoints and kill police or mayors to control territory, they now try to keep everyone from midlevel officials to delivery truck drivers and meter readers out of rural areas they use to transport drugs, stash weapons and kidnap victims, and hide from authorities. In the process, they are blocking deliveries of gasoline, pension checks, farm aid and other services to Mexicans. Cartels also rob or extort people receiving government checks, as organized crime branches out from drug running into other illegal businesses. These interruptions have even affected the U.S., as agricultural inspections at the border have slowed. The recent search for the body of a missing American tourist on a border lake was suspended under threats of drug-cartel violence and the assassination of the police commander in charge of the search. “Everything’s stopped,” said Maria Luz Hopkins, a 69-year-old retiree in Tubutama, south of the Arizona border city of Nogales. “There’s no construction.
Photo by Associated Press
Federal police present five suspects, arrested in connection with the slaying of Mario Gonzalez, the brother of a former Mexican state attorney general, to the press in Mexico City, on Friday. Eight members of a drug cartel were arrested in the torture and slaying of the brother of former Mexican state attorney general Patricia Gonzalez, according to federal police. Nobody is working the fields because they don’t have gasoline or diesel. The people that used to bring gasoline, they don’t come. How can people work?” Hopkins complained to officials in the Sonora state capitol, Hermosillo, when the government stopped delivering pension checks. She said they came last month in a convoy of about 20 heavily armed trucks after missing a bimonthly payment over the summer. Federal officials say these are isolated incidents, and deny there is any area of the country where the government can’t operate; as evidence, they point to the 2009 congressional elections and the 2010 census. “There might have been incidents, but this doesn’t mean that government business is stopping anyplace in the country,” said federal security spokesman Alejandro Poire, while adding, “if and when it happens, federal forces, if need be, will be there to enforce the law and keep government business operating normally.”
But in pockets along the border or in the mountains of the interior, fleeting army patrols and brief visits by census or poll workers can hardly count as government control. Even military personnel are nervous and insist on wearing ski masks to avoid identification. For Pemex, the kidnappings are “a broad problem,” says General Director Juan Suarez Coppel, much larger than one plant and growing, according to figures provided under a freedom-of-information request filed by The Associated Press. A total of 10 Pemex employees or subcontractors were kidnapped in four Mexican states in 2010, compared with only one in 2009, two in 2008 and three in 2007. Pemex, the country’s largest single industry, supplying about 40 percent of the federal government revenues, would not offer estimates on what financial losses such attacks have caused. The company could not say what happened to the victims, or how much
production had been lost because of the security problems in border states such as Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon, and the Gulf coast states of Veracruz and Tabasco. “There have been a series of situations in the northern part of Tamaulipas and part of (neighboring) Nuevo Leon state that have made it difficult to operate,” Carlos Morales Gil, the director of Pemex Exploration and Production, said in a reply to The Associated Press. The problems go beyond Pemex. Vehicles carrying the village of Tubutama’s comptroller and director of public works were attacked by bandits and the officials gunned down in June. Electricity flows freely because meter readers refuse to go there, said one rancher, who asked that his name not be published because he fears for his safety near the Mexico-Arizona border. Doctors don’t show up at Tubutama’s health clinic, schools closed early last year because shootouts
made it unsafe to get kids to classes, and shelves of general stores are bare because suppliers won’t truck in supplies to the town of 1,500. Many townspeople have fled — the rancher estimates 70 percent — because they feel the government cannot protect them, as have their counterparts in Ciudad Juarez and smaller towns along the Texas-Mexico border. The federal government also stopped delivering cash under President Felipe Calderon’s anti-poverty program, Oportunidades, said the rancher, whose extended family fled Tubutama earlier this year. The Oportunidades program says it has suffered 134 robberies of town or village deliveries in the last 2 1/2 years, a loss of about 142 million pesos ($1.1 million dollars). Most robberies occur in the area known as the “Golden Triangle,” where the drugplagued states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Durango meet, according to the federal Department of Social
Development. The loss is a tiny percentage of the program total of about 25 billion pesos (about $2 billion) annually. Officials say they usually try to reschedule a new delivery within days, where the handouts are almost the only source of cash income. But in some cases, it takes weeks. In Chihuahua state that includes Ciudad Juarez, drug gangs — and criminals working for or tolerated by them — have grown so powerful and brazen that they rob aid checks from local farmers. Names of those receiving aid are made public as part of a federal program of transparency and accountability. Farmers say the practice makes them targets for extortion. Federal Agriculture Secretary Francisco Mayorga acknowledged a problem with delivering farm aid to the area. “We are required to publish the names of the beneficiaries, but we unfortunately have a risk to their security,” Mayorga said.
National
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
TIME TO FALL BACK
Study: CT scans modestly cut lung cancer deaths By LAURAN NEERGAARD ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Screening heavy smokers with a special type of CT scan modestly reduces lung cancer deaths, the National Cancer Institute announced Thursday — the first clear evidence that a screening test may help fight the nation’s top cancer killer. At issue are controversial spiral CT scans, where a rotating scanner views the lungs at various angles to spot growths when they’re about half the size that a standard chest X-ray can detect. X-ray screening hasn’t proved powerful enough to reduce lung cancer deaths. Some previous studies had suggested that CTs might go that next step, even as other research questioned whether they’d do more harm than good by spotting too many benign growths. The massive National Lung Screening Trial enrolled 53,000 current or former heavy smokers with no initial symptoms of cancer to try to settle the debate. It found 20 percent fewer deaths from lung cancer among those screened with spiral CTs than among those given chest X-rays, the NCI said Thursday, a difference significant enough that it ended the study early. The difference was fairly modest — 354 died in the spiral CT group over the eight-year study period compared with 442 deaths among those who got chest X-rays. Still, “this finding has important implications for public health, with the potential to save many lives among those at greatest risk for lung cancer,” said NCI Director Dr. Harold Varmus. But stopping smoking remains the best protection, he stressed. And don’t race out for a scan just yet. They aren’t risk-free — giving lots of false alarms that trigger unnecessary repeat tests and even surgery — and doctors don’t yet know who would be the best candidates or how often the scans should be repeated. “We want to make sure
what we recommend is appropriate rather than everybody going out and asking for it,” said Dr. Edward F. Patz Jr. of Duke University, who was on the committee that helped design and oversee the study. “This raises a lot of issues and we need to look at the data carefully to give advice.” “Clearly it saves lives,” added Dr. Stephen Swensen of the Mayo Clinic, among the 33 sites that conducted the massive study. But, because it carries the burden of unnecessary tests and treatment, “society has to figure out if we can afford this.” The NCI will analyze and publish additional data from the study in the next few months so that expert groups can begin making recommendations for screening. About 200,000 new lung cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and the disease kills about 159,000 people annually. It is most often diagnosed at advanced stages, and the average five-year survival rate is just 15 percent. Many smokers already had sought out spiral CTs, even though the American Cancer Society hasn’t recommended the test — citing a lack of clear evidence that they work — and most insurance doesn’t cover the $300 to $400 cost. The latest trial enrolled people ages 55 to 74 who are or had been very heavy smokers, puffing the equivalent of a pack a day for 30 years. They had one scan a year — either spiral CT or a standard chest X-ray — for three years, and then had their health tracked. NCI’s Varmus stressed the study provided no data on whether screening helped lighter or younger smokers. There were risks. The CTs frequently mistake scar tissue from an old infection or some other benign lump for cancer. That triggers additional radiation-emitting testing or unnecessary biopsies or chest surgeries, which themselves can cause infection, a collapsed lung or other problems. About 25 percent of the spiral CT recipients in the NCI-sponsored study had a false alarm.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Maintenance supervisor Brian Streit inspects a clock face as he changes the time on the 98-year-old clock atop the Mitchell County Courthouse, on Friday, in Beloit, Kan. Streit was setting time back an hour in advance of the end of daylight savings time, which occurs at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Photo by Charlie Riedel | AP
Spurt eases job crisis a bit By JEANNINE AVERSA AND CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The jobs crisis eased a bit in October as companies stepped up hiring, suggesting further gains ahead. Hiring remains far too weak to drive down unemployment, now stuck at 9.6 percent. And the newly elected Congress will come under pressure to take action to accelerate job growth. Still, the burst of hiring — 159,000 net jobs added by private employers — raised hopes that companies are finally emerging from the hiring stall seen during much of the summer. The previous big spurt of job growth — a healthy 241,000 — came in April. Private companies have now added jobs for 10 straight months. That shows that recession-battered companies have regained some appetite to hire after slashing jobs for nearly two straight years in a row. While saying he was pleased with the improvement, President Barack Obama conceded the economy still isn’t creating enough jobs for the nearly 15 million people out of work. Reaching out to the new Congress, which convenes in January, the president said he is “open to any idea, any
Photo by Matt Rourke | AP
Dennis Spain, who has been unemployed for two months, listens to others relate their personal stories of unemployment during a meeting at the Philadelphia Unemployment Project in Philadelphia. Employers added the most jobs in five months in October, with the education and health care sectors leading the way. proposal, any way we can get the economy growing faster so that people who need work can find it faster.” Earlier this week, voters angry over the jobs shortage
handed control of the House to Republicans. The Senate stayed in Democrats’ hands. The split will make it harder for Obama to enact any new major economic initiatives. There’s little appetite among Republicans to provide a fresh dose of government spending to stimulate the economy. They warn against further swelling the nation’s $1.3 trillion budget deficit. House Speaker-to-be John Boehner of Ohio said the top of his to-do list is extending Bush-era tax cuts that expire at the end of the year and cutting government spending. “Our economy will ultimately recover, but it will do so because of hard work and entrepreneurship, not more of the same Washington spending sprees and job-killing policies the American people have repudiated so loudly and clearly,” Boehner said after the employment figures were released. When government job cuts — which totaled 8,000 last month — are factored
in, the economy added 151,000 jobs in October, the Labor Department’s report showed Friday. It marked the first increase in total payrolls in five months. All the momentum came from private companies. “Companies are starting to deploy their cash stash and increase hiring, as consumers are opening their wallets a little wider,” said Sal Guatieri, economist at BMO Capital Markets Inc. That all bodes well for helping energize the fragile economy. The Federal Reserve’s announcement it will buy $600 billion in bonds, to lower interest rates and try to get Americans to spend more, might give the economy a lift. Among the newly hired is Kelly Paolino, who said she landed a job last week after looking for more than a year. Paolino, 30, took a 10 percent pay cut to become an entertainment assistant in New York City. Yet after 12 months of job hunting, she said, just about any position seemed attractive.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
FIRST IN THE WORLD
COURT Continued from Page 1A
Swiss pilot Yves Rossy, the first man in the world to fly under a jet-fitted wing, speeds through the air to perform a loop near a hot air balloon in Bercher, western Switzerland, on Friday,
Photo by Laurent Gillieron. Keystone, pool | AP
Old card helps nuns By BEN NUCKOLS ASSOCIATED PRESS
BALTIMORE — As soon as collector Doug Walton heard about a rare Honus Wagner baseball card that had been bequeathed to an order of Roman Catholic nuns, he told himself he had to have it. So Walton put in a bid that far exceeded the amount offered by other potential buyers. Walton, of Knoxville, Tenn., will pay $262,000 for the card, which was auctioned off this week by the Baltimore-based School Sisters of Notre Dame. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the order’s ministries for the poor in 35 countries. The price exceeded the expectations of auctioneers at Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, who had predicted it would fetch between $150,000 and $200,000. Walton, 35, who owns seven sports card stores in the Southeast, said the story behind the card motivated him to make a generous offer. “To be honest with you, we probably paid a little bit more than we should have,” he said Friday. “But with the back story, and the fact that it’s going to a really good charity, to us it just seemed worth it.”
AP
Shown is a rare century-old T206 Honus Wagner card. The Wagner card, produced as part of the T206 series between 1909 and 1911, is the most sought-after baseball card in history. About 60 are known to exist, and one in near-perfect condition sold in 2007 for $2.8 million, the highest price ever for a baseball card. A shortstop nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman,” Wagner played for 21 seasons, 18 of them with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He compiled a .328 career batting average and was one of the five original inductees into baseball’s Hall of Fame. The School Sisters of Notre Dame inherited their card from the brother of a deceased nun after he died
earlier this year. The card had been in the man’s possession since 1936 and was unknown to the sports memorabilia marketplace. Although the card is in poor condition, that didn’t deter Walton. He said the high bid was $180,000 when he put in his first and only bid Thursday afternoon — for $225,000. The final sale price ended up at $220,000. Walton said he bought it to honor his uncle, from whom he inherited the chain of card stores. Christopher Walton, who died in 2004, claimed to have owned a T206 Wagner card in the 1930s. “He doesn’t know what happened to it, and it was his dream to get another one of those cards back — in any condition,” Walton said. “I feel like me acquiring this card is continuing his legacy. ... He referred to it as the Mona Lisa. He was so sad about it.” Sister Virginia Muller, the former treasurer of the order who was entrusted with the card, said in a statement that she was thankful for the support she has received. “We may not have known who Honus Wagner was before this, but his name is blessed to us now,” she said. “Now we’re ready to go back to doing our work.”
for utilities,” Commissioner Jose E. Vela said. “They’ve been renting a storage room and want the space for those items.” Buckner Housing Assistance Program, a church foundation, helps disabled people with housing needs, Vela said. Jorge Zapata, a Buckner Housing Assistance Program representative, would like to help a disabled man in Zapata by demolishing his old home and building him a new one, Vela said. Zapata told Vela the old man qualified for a new home, he said. “Maybe we can help out with a tractor to clear the area for them to build a new home,” Vela said. “I don’t see any problem with it.” The Zapata County State Guard Post has also put in a request to repair and upgrade its headquarters, according to the agenda. “We’ve been having problems with old buildings by the state guard with flooding,” Vela said. A line broke and needs repairing, Vela said. The Texas Department of Transportation is requesting clean-up assistance for the picnic areas and rest stops within the county, according to the agenda. TxDOT announced the closures of 11 of 15 picnic areas and rest stops in surrounding counties last summer, and will be forced to close the remaining two in Zapata and one in San Ygnacio if pollution continues, TxDOT Area Engineer Eduardo Gracia Jr. said in a previous article. “They have come in to see if we can help them with the cleaning,” Vela said. “I feel it’s really something we need to help out a little bit in.” “I don’t think it’s a problem,” he added. For the past several years residents of Zapata County have been abusing the rest areas and using them as landfills, Vela said.
The rest areas are for travelers, he added. The rest areas include scenic views of Falcon Lake and the Rio Grande. “It’s a beautiful scenic park: the problem is the littering,” Vela said. “I think our best deal would be to keep them open.” Vela admits the county has not maintained the areas or come up with a solution as of yet, but he will request a solution for clean-up or extension of the deadline to find a solution. “I’m sure we can at least make a commitment if it’s not a big hassle,” Vela said. “I wouldn’t mind a trial basis to see if something will work, but if they continue being abused then it will be time to decide.” Gracia had given the county until September, when hunting season begins to implement a solution, he said. In other business, Vela said he was disturbed to see an item to approve the use of the Nutrition Center for the preparation of the Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 23, he said. “The problem is not that it’s for county employees, the problem is that they want to use county funds — taxpayer money — to do something like this,” Vela said. “I don’t think it’s right.” Vela double-checked with County Attorney Said Figueroa about the issue, he said. Figueroa told Vela that county funds can be used for employee workshops only, the commissioner said. Employees attending a workshop where they sit and learn about insurance or other county issues and where different speakers are brought in from different agencies is acceptable, Vela said. “We can provide funds for workshops, yes, but just to give out a luncheon or party like that and spending county money is un-
lawful,” Vela said. “With so many budget cuts that we’ve been having, I don’t think it’s proper,” he added. Additionally, Vela asked for a report from Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, a company hired to make tax collections and collections on delinquent fines and fees for the justice of the peace office, he said. An unknown company approached the county in 2006 about all the uncollected taxes and delinquent fines and fees, but when the county went out for proposals, Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson was hired, Vela said. “The other company did all the dirty work of finding more than $2 million of delinquent fees in Zapata,” he added. Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson was hired more than two years ago and promised to give a report on collections; however, they have failed to give a report to the county on any collections, Vela added. “We’ve never seen a report as of how much money they’ve collected,” Vela said. “If they give us the run-around, we might have to change to someone that will.” Other agenda items include: The installation of street lights in Precinct 1, on the corner of 1st Avenue and Carla Street, Eighth Avenue between Glenn Street and Delmar Street, and the corner of 1st Avenue and Ramirez Road. The installation of street lights in Precinct 2 on the northwest corner of Benavides Street and Washington Avenue in San Ygnacio, and 211 Elizabeth Lane in Zapata. The installation of four-way signs at the intersection of 20th Avenue and Lincoln Street in Zapata. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
No verdict yet in trial By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Jurors deciding punishment for a man convicted in a deadly home invasion suggested Friday on their first day of deliberations that they were divided over whether special circumstances existed that could automatically spare him the death penalty. The jury weighing the fate of Steven Hayes sent two notes to Judge Jon Blue before adjourning without a verdict. They re-
turn Saturday. The jury needs to unanimously agree if certain mitigating factors specified in the law apply against Hayes, who was convicted of killing a woman and her two daughters in the 2007 home invasion in Cheshire. Among the issues, Hayes’ attorneys say he should get life in prison because his mental capacity was significantly impaired during the crime. Jurors must be unanimous either way, that the so-called statutory mitigating factors exist or they do
not. If the jury does not find unanimity, it could lead to a mistrial on the sentencing part of the trial and a new penalty phase to determine Hayes’ sentence. The first note cited a hypothetical example that a majority of jurors agreed there were such special mitigating factors. But the later note cited different vote tallies, with seven jurors saying Hayes’ mental capacity was not impaired. Blue told the jurors to continue talks,
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Court: State cannot take private beach land By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — The Texas Supreme Court said Friday the state can’t take over private beachfront land when storms leave houses on sand after washing away coastal plants, long considered the line between public and private property. The ruling could end a decades-long dispute that resurfaced after each hurricane washed some of the Texas Gulf Coast back into the water. The state had argued it could condemn the land, saying the homes were
now on a “public beach” and had to be made accessible under a law guaranteeing public access to sandy beaches. However, the Supreme Court said condemning the beachfront land violates the rights of property owners. “This is a big victory,” said J. David Breemer, the attorney who represented property owner Carol Severance. “For 30 years, the state is telling everybody the vegetation draws the public beach line. Not anymore.” The Supreme Court will hand its 6-2 opinion to the New Orleans-based 5th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to make a final ruling. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who was named in Severance’s lawsuit and has been a proponent of the public beach laws used to condemn lands after storms, said his office is still studying the ruling. “We really don’t know what it means or what the net result will be,” Patterson said. The six judges who formed the majority opinion drew from laws and deals dating back to the 19th Century, when Texas was a republic. At that
CLINIC Continued from Page 1A her three children to Gateway Community Health Center for their dental health.
What is Gateway Community Health Center? Gateway Community Health Center Inc. is a nonprofit organization consisting of several public health clinics. Its services include adult medical care, pediatric health, dental work, preventive care and more. Physicians concentrate on meeting the individual needs of the client. Federal and local funding help support the services provided by the agency. United Way of
Laredo helps fund Gateway’s dental program for children.
The Dental Clinic The Gateway Community Health Center’s dental clinic serves people of all ages and income. The clinic charges for its services based on a sliding scale in favor of those with less income. Although the dental clinic specializes more in children, it has recently gained a dentist who specializes in adults.
The Procedure Your first checkup will consist of an examination
of your mouth, including X-rays. Children under 7 years of age are usually exempt from being Xrayed except in severe or unusual cases. In addition, your head and neck are examined for cancer. A professional will then examine your mouth to chart it. With this information, the physician will make a treatment plan for you that will list the services the physician believes you require, such as cleaning or fillings. Over the course of the following weeks or months, you can call to make appointments as you are able. After six months, you will be called for a reminder of your recommended biannual checkup.
POUND Continued from Page 1A grant would allow us to build at least the shell or add on a new building where we can have these animals off the streets.” Pepsi Refresh opens a “window” for submissions over the Internet only once a month for only 30 seconds, Hernandez said. Millions of parties compete to have their requests submitted during that window, she said. She has missed the deadline for the submission twice, Hernandez said. Hernandez and Elizondo shot a video of the animal shelter dogs and submitted it on Youtube.com, Hernandez said. “The video shows pictures of dogs that were out on the streets one afternoon
in Zapata and the dogs in the shelter that were scheduled to be euthanized that same day,” she said. Without Elizondo’s knowledge and computer skills, the video would have been impossible, Hernandez added. Hernandez will resubmit her request to Pepsi Refresh on Nov. 30, she said. “The ultimate goal is to have a shelter but also bring veterinary services for our county,” Hernandez said. “We don’t have a vet in our county and all residents have to travel out for veterinary services or don’t.” The current animal shelter provides shots on a quarterly basis at a low cost, Hernandez said.
“That is not enough and we have to be able to provide these services (in Zapata),” she said. Hernandez has been persistent and is confident she will be awarded the grant, she said. If she gets the grant, Hernandez will spread the word via newspaper, Facebook, the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce website and word of mouth, she said. “Pepsi will grant these funds on number of votes, so residents will have to vote for the project in order to be funded,” Hernandez said. “It’s a community project.” (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
time, the court said, the republic agreed that land on Galveston Island’s West Beach could be owned by private people. When Texas became a state, it recognized those beachfront deals, guaranteeing the landowners the protection afforded private property owners. . Hurricane Rita’s winds and rain pounded the Texas shoreline in 2005, leaving Severance’s home along a sandy coast. The state insisted her land was now a public beach and ordered her to demolish the structure. Later, it offered her $40,000 if she removed the home accord-
ing to the state’s timeline. Severance filed suit against the state, arguing the move to take away her land without offering her fair compensation violated her constitutional rights. She also argued the risk she took when she bought a beachfront property was that the home could suddenly be washed away, not that if erosion left her yards within a sandy coast that the state could take her land. The court agreed with her argument, saying “losing property to the public trust as it becomes part of the wet beach or sub-
merged under the ocean is an ordinary hazard of ownership for coastal property owners” but “it is far less reasonable” to change an owner’s rights to land based on gradual, natural beachfront erosion. “On the one hand, the public has an important interest in the enjoyment of Texas’ public beaches,” wrote Justice Dale Wainwright. “But on the other hand, the right to exclude others from privately owned realty is among the most valuable and fundamental rights possessed by private property owners.”
Ortiz to seek recount ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN ANTONIO — Democratic U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz said late Friday that he will demand a manual re-count after losing a South Texas seat, which he has held for nearly three decades, by less than 800 votes. Ortiz trailed his Republican challenger, former small business-owner Blake Farenthold, by 799 votes following Tuesday’s election in the 27th District, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office. But he gained seven votes two days later, when previously uncounted ballots from Robstown — all marked for Ortiz — were found and certified. "We still need to ensure every vote is counted before determining the outcome of this race," Ortiz said in a late Friday statement. He added that "just in the first days of counting, we’ve seen uncounted votes appear" and said he wants to guarantee "no vote be left out." Ortiz, 73, has refused to concede the House seat he has held since it was created in 1982,
maintaining that uncounted absentee and provisional ballots would be enough to overcome Farthenhold’s slim lead. He also has charged that a polling station in the district opened an hour late and that power outages hampered voting in other places — including Robstown, where electricity problems led to the use of the seven paper ballots overlooked until Thursday. A candidate requesting a re-count must pay a deposit for each precinct involved, and must cover the full cost of the re-count if it does not end up changing the election’s final results, according to the Secretary of State’s office. There is no minimum threshold for seeking a re-
count. Some have speculated there are not enough outstanding absentee and provisional ballots to make up the difference in the race, even if all those still out favor Ortiz. Ortiz spokesman Jose Borjon said Friday that "we don’t know for sure how many are out there. That’s a reason why we are going into the recount." Borjon said the Ortiz campaign had prepared the necessary documentation from each county to request a re-count, but would not turn it all in until Monday. Farenthold declined to comment Friday night, Farenthold is a political novice who was backed by tea party supporters.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors CROSS COUNTRY
VOLLEYBALL
Courtesy photo
Zapata standout Brandi King finished her Lady Hawks career with 19 kills in Thursday’s area playoff defeat to Palacios.
Photo by Clara Sandoval | Zapata Times
Zapata cross country coach Mike Villarreal talks to his team following a recent practice.
ZAPATA IN THE CHASE District runner up Hawks vie for a shot at State By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata girls cross country team is in San Antonio early this morning, running at the Regional IV meet on the grounds of Brooks City Base. Zapata is running at 10 a.m. and vying for another trip to the state meet.
The Lady Hawks are the district runners-up after falling short of a district championship. Senior Marlena Garcia is the defending individual regional champion and is set to defend her title this morning. Freshmen Jazmine Garcia and Jessica Hernandez will be making their regional debut and look to
be on pace to finish on a good note. Jazmine finished in third place at the district meet while Hernandez was not far behind in seventh. Also making her regional debut is the district champion out of La Feria, Danielle Rodriguez. The Lady Hawks’ ultimate goal is to return to
the state meet after heading up to Round Rock last year with a finish in the top three spots. Zapata was the only team from the Laredo area to send a full team to the state meet last year. “Our expectation is to run our own race and advance to state,” Zapata
See CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 2B
NFL
Season ends Hawks get swept away in errors By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES
The Lady Hawks’ magical season that had the team ranked in the top 15 in the state came to an end Thursday night at the Alice gymnasium. Zapata (23-5) uncharacteristically committed an array of errors to drop its area game against Palacios, 25-18, 29-27 and 25-14. “We gave away too many points and commit-
ted too many errors and at this level, it is who makes less mistakes that will walk away with a win,” Zapata coach Rosie Villarreal said. Zapata’s playoff aspirations could not get them past the area round and that has become a thorn in the side of the Lady Hawks. Zapata has not been able to get over the area
See VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2B
NFL
Photo by Sharon Ellman | AP
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna (3) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Arlington, Sunday.
Cowboys sticking with Kitna By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
IRVING — Jon Kitna picked up right where Tony Romo left off. What a shame for the Dallas Cowboys. In his first start in place of the injured Romo, Kitna threw a lot because the Cowboys got behind early and their running backs weren’t doing much. Three passes ricocheted off receivers and into the hands of defenders. Another interception was purely his fault. It was all so Romo-esque and so was the result: Solid fantasy football numbers (34 of 49 for 379 yards, with a
touchdown) and another loss, this time at home against Jacksonville. “My job is to give us a chance to win,” said Kitna, who despite the turnovers drew rave reviews from teammates, coaches and owner Jerry Jones. “The reality is, it wasn’t good enough.” Kitna will try again Sunday night in Green Bay. The Cowboys lost at Lambeau Field last year with Romo. Kitna has started there three times, with his lone win coming way back in 1999. He pointed out the victory came in his only night game there, “so hopefully that happens again.”
At 1-6, Dallas’ season already seems a lost cause. Yet the Cowboys are going with the 38-year-old Kitna for at least five more weeks while Romo recovers from a broken collarbone. Turning things over to Kitna either shows the club’s commitment to rescuing this season or indicates what management thinks of Stephen McGee, a fourthround pick last season who has never taken a snap. Maybe both. “He gives us a chance to move the football and throw the football through the air,” coach Wade Phillips said. Kitna has been around the NFL so long that his
performance last Sunday gave him more pass attempts than Steve Young and more yards than Joe Namath. He’s likely to reach career milestones like that each week. At the rate things are going in Dallas, he may find himself splattered across the team record book. The 34 completions in his first start matched the most Troy Aikman ever had, tying for third in franchise history behind a pair of Romo outings. His 49 attempts rank eighth for a single game. Aikman didn’t have to throw as much because he
See COWBOYS PAGE 2B
Photo by Michael Conroy | AP
Houston Texans running back Derrick Ward is tackled by Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea in Indianapolis on Monday.
Texans beware By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Philip Rivers against the Houston Texans’ defense seems like a mismatch. The San Diego quarterback leads the league with 2,649 yards passing through the first eight games, and is on target to break Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 yards in 1984. He al-
so has a touchdown pass in a team-record 21 consecutive games. The Texans? Their pass defense is ranked last in the NFL, having allowed 16 touchdown passes and seven pass plays covering 40 yards or more. There’s been all of four interceptions — and they’ve come in just two games.
See TEXANS PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Seedy allegations arise By JOHN ZENOR ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn has had “no contact whatsoever” with a man who allegedly tried to secure payment from Mississippi State during the recruitment of Tigers quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Cam Newton, according to a person familiar with the situation. Newton also said Friday he has done nothing wrong. The NCAA is reviewing the recruitment of Newton, but Auburn has not received a letter of inquiry, the person told The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to comment publicly. “Cam’s eligibility has at no point been in jeopardy,” the person said. Newton, who will start for the third-ranked Tigers against Chattanooga on Saturday, denied any wrongdoing. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Newton said Friday before stepping on the bus to the team hotel to Montgomery. “I’m blessed to be at Auburn right now and I’m sure the smoke will settle.” Asked about how tough the past two days had been, Newton said: “It’s been all right. I’ve had worse days, but God continues to bless me throughout this process, me and my family and most importantly the team.” Newton, who started his career at Florida, has been one of college football’s biggest sensations since transferring from Blinn Junior College in Texas. He has led the Tigers (9-0) to national title contention, accounting for a nation’s-best 30 touchdowns. He leads the Southeastern
Photo by Ed Reinke | AP
This Oct. 9, 2010, file photo shows Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton looking for a receiver against Kentucky, in Lexington, Ky. Conference in rushing. Former Mississippi State player John Bond has said an ex-teammate was soliciting payment during Newton’s recruitment by that school last season. ESPN.com reported the teammate was Kenny Rogers, citing unidentified people. “He told me that Cam Newton wanted to play at Mississippi State, but that a specified payment would have to be made,” Bond said in a statement on Thursday. Bond said he reported the conversation with the former teammate to thenMississippi State athletic director Greg Byrne. Byrne, who is now at Arizona, declined comment when reached by AP on Friday. As for Newton’s current school, the person told AP,
“There has been no contact whatsoever between Rogers and anyone associated with Auburn.” Rogers has a company called Elite Football Preparation, which holds camps in Alabama, Chicago and Mississippi, and matches football prospects with colleges. Calls to the company have gone unanswered. Rogers has separately come under scrutiny from the NFL Players Association and the NCAA. The NFLPA has issued a disciplinary complaint against contract adviser Ian Greengross, and spokesman George Atallah told The Associated Press on Friday that the union would be looking into Rogers’ involvement with players as well. THE NFLPA identified Rogers as a recruiter for Greengross. Greengross was cited for
VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 1B hump that has eluded the Lady Hawks for the past few years. “That is something that we strive for every year that we are in the playoffs, but this year it did just not happen,” Villarreal said. The Lady Hawks could never jump start their offense as Palacios picked apart the service receive. Palacios exploited Zapata’s service receive with bad passes that did not find the setter and could never
get the Lady Hawks’ offense going earlier in the game. Brandi King did all she could to keep the Lady Hawks in the thick of things, recording 19 kills to end her career at Zapata. King was sensational all season long and was the main reason that Zapata enjoyed one of its most memorable seasons and had it flirting with a season ranking. King will leave Zapata as
one of the best volleyball players to come out of the city. ZAPATA STATS: Brandi King (19 kills, one ace, 15 digs, four blocks), Kristina De Leon (seven kills, one ace, two digs), Shelby Bigler (five kills, four digs, two blocks), Jackie Salinas (two kills, eight digs), Selina Mata (one kill, three aces, six digs), Estella Molina (one ace, 29 assists, four digs), Cassie Qunitanilla (12 digs).
“violating numerous provisions of the NFLPA’s agent regulations while recruiting and representing players,” and, according to the union, is responsible for the actions of his recruiters, employees and associates. Newton’s father, Cecil, has denied the allegations against his son and hired a lawyer, whom he declined to identify. He said he is cooperating with the NCAA in the matter. A lawyer who represented the minister in a past case, George O. Lawson Jr., was out the office Friday and did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Cecil Newton is pastor of Holy Zion Center of Deliverance, a small church located in an old commercial building in Newnan, Ga., southwest of Atlanta. Documents obtained Friday by The Associated Press through an open records request show the city has been pressuring the minister to make some $50,000 in repairs to the structure since June 2008. An inspector found multiple problems, including a lack of smoke detectors, sprinklers and rear exits; moldy insulation; faulty wiring; rotting wooden doors and broken windows. An abandoned structure needed to be demolished behind the church building, according to a letter from the city, and the grass had to be cut because of safety hazards to the public. The city issued the first of three separate permits for work at the site in May 2009, records show. The town’s newspaper, The Times-Herald, quoted Cecil Newton as telling the City Council in September 2009 that the church had the money for the repairs.
make sure you make a little extra effort to squeeze it and hold onto it and make good decisions as a passer. “We are not going to go turnover-free,” Rivers said. “We can overcome them. We just can’t have them at the rate we are having them, because they’re getting us out of scoring situations too often.” The Texans have struggled to force turnovers this season, and coach Gary Kubiak made that an emphasis in practice this week. Houston has forced only two fumbles. “We just have to be more mindful of it,” linebacker Kevin Bentley said. “Guys are making the tackles, but you don’t see many guys stripping at the ball when we get there. We’ve got to do a better job of that, stripping the ball once the first guy has him wrapped up.” Besides Rivers, Antonio Gates poses the biggest matchup challenge for Houston’s defense — if he plays. The 6-foot-4, 260pound Gates has plantar fasciitis in his right foot and was using a scooter to move around the team’s practice facility earlier this week. His absence would be a big break for the Texans.
Gates leads all tight ends with nine touchdown catches. He also has 18 career 100-yard receiving games and with one more on Sunday, he can tie Shannon Sharpe for the fourth-most by a tight end in league history. “He’s a huge mismatch for linebackers and safeties,” Kubiak said. “He’s just a heck of a player. He’s a very smart young man. So that makes it even more difficult. He’ll be the best we’ve faced this year.” The Texans’ seventhranked offense has some dynamic playmakers, too, but Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson is still hobbled by a sprained right ankle. Johnson sustained the injury in Week 2, then aggravated it in Monday’s loss to Indianapolis. He downplayed the injury Wednesday, but sat out practice. “They just wanted me to stay off of it and other than that, my ankle still feels the same,” he said. Kubiak caught some flak this week for not using Arian Foster more against the Colts. Foster leads the AFC with 737 yards rushing, but carried only 15 times for 102 yards in Indy. “I guess I just feel like I’m being as productive as they allow me to be,” Fos-
By TOM COYNE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The president of the University of Notre Dame sent an e-mail to students, faculty, staff and alumni Friday saying that the school is responsible for a student videographer’s death because it failed to protect him. “Declan Sullivan was entrusted to our care, and we failed to keep him safe,” the Rev. John Jenkins wrote. “We at Notre Dame and ultimately I, as President are responsible. Words cannot express our sorrow to the Sullivan family and to all involved.” Declan Sullivan, 20, a student videographer was killed Oct. 27 when a hydraulic lift he was on toppled over while he was filming football practice. The National Weather Service reported a gusts of up to 51 mph at the time. The school and state regulators are investigating the accident. Jenkins also voiced support for football coach Brian Kelly, who has said it was his decision to hold practice outdoors on the day that Sullivan died. “Coach Kelly was hired not only because of his football expertise, but because we believed his character and values accord with the highest standards of Notre Dame. All we have seen since he came to Notre Dame, and everything we have learned in our investigation to date, have confirmed that belief,” he said. “For those reasons, I
am confident that Coach Kelly has a bright future leading our football program.” Kelly has had a difficult first season, going 4-5 so far with disappointing losses to Navy and Tulsa. The state is looking at whether federal and state workplace safety rules and industry standards, including a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule barring workers from using scaffolds during storms or high winds, might have been violated. Authorities also planned to review whether Sullivan received training before using the scissor lift. Marc Lotter, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development spokesman, said Friday he did not have a timetable for when the state investigation would be complete. Jenkins also said the school’s investigation is continuing and warned against prejudging its results. “Investigations and external reviews such as this take time, but I assure you that, when complete, we will issue a public report on the outcome, including information on the events of the afternoon of Oct. 27, any institutional ramifications, and recommendations for safety policies in the future,” he wrote. He also said Notre Dame has hired Peter Likins, the former president of the University of Arizona, to provide an independent review of its investigation.
CROSS COUNTRY Continued from Page 1B coach Mike Villarreal said. “We are young with three freshmen and a sophomore, so we are counting on the seniors for their leadership.” The regional meet is a familiar place for the Lady Hawks and it has become a second home to Zapata since Villarreal took over the program. In 2008, the Lady Hawks left the regional meet with a title in their hand on their way to the
TEXANS Continued from Page 1B It may look like a big day for Rivers and the Chargers (3-5) when they visit the Texans (4-3) on Sunday, but the way San Diego’s season has gone Rivers isn’t taking anything for granted. The Chargers have an AFC-worst 19 turnovers, seven interceptions by Rivers and 12 lost fumbles. Rivers calls some of the miscues “just crazy.” In a loss to New England two weeks ago, rookie receiver Richard Goodman left the ball on the ground after a catch, even though he hadn’t been touched by a defender. Fullback Jacob Hester let a backward pass hit the turf in the same game, and the Patriots recovered. “We’ve always been a team that had good ball security,” Rivers said. “Obviously, they’ve creeped in this year.” San Diego had only one turnover against Tennessee last week and beat the Titans 33-25. Rivers said the giveaways haven’t affected the Chargers’ aggressive offensive style. As long as everyone plays with common sense, he says, San Diego will continue to look for big plays down field. “You don’t want to play careful,” he said. “You just want to play smart and
Notre Dame responsible for student’s death
“Our expectation is to run our own race and advance to state.” MIKE VILLARREAL state meet. Now they want to count the state meet as their last race of the season and will be looking to make another return trip when all the dust settles from the regional meet.
“Regional meets are as tough mentally as they are physically,” Villarreal said. “We are excited to be mentioned as the top five team (in the state poll), but we want to earn that trip to Round Rock.”
COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B ter said. “Every time I get the opportunity to get in there and make things happen, that’s what I try to do.” An intriguing subplot will develop if the game comes down to kickers. Kris Brown signed with San Diego on Oct. 20 after he lost his job to Neil Rackers during Texans training camp. Brown is Houston’s all-time leading scorer (767 points) and was the last player remaining from the inaugural 2002 season. Brown appeared in each of Houston’s first 128 games and kicked 10 game-winners in eight seasons. He’s 4-for-5 since joining San Diego, though he missed a 50-yard try as time expired in a 23-20 loss to New England on Oct. 24. Rackers is 4-for-4 on field-goal tries this season, including a 53-yarder in Monday’s loss to the Colts. But Brown knows Reliant Stadium better than the Texans’ current kicker, and hopes he’ll get a chance to use his local knowledge on Sunday. “It’s going to be different, just because I’m on a different sideline,” Brown said. “I know it probably better than any stadium in the league. It’ll just be a different perspective.”
could hand off to Emmitt Smith. Dallas’ trio of running backs produced the seventh-most yards rushing in the NFL last season, but this season the same trio is 31st. Showing a veteran’s savvy, Kitna refused to blame them for the offense’s struggles. “I think the thing that is killing us more than that is our turnovers,” he said. “We’ve got to maintain possession of the football. If you do that, you elongate drives, you have an opportunity to run the football more. That’s basically what it boils down to.” Bringing back the stickum goop might be the best way for the Cowboys to reduce their turnovers. There’s a saying that if a receiver can touch a pass, he should be able to catch it, but the Dallas version seems to be that if a receiver can touch a pass, the defensive back should be ready to catch it. Romo had so many of those he wondered whether he was “snakebit.” Kitna said they’re his fault for not putting the ball in a better location. “It’s a small-window type of league,” Kitna said. “It’s not college. Trying to make it as easy as possible for receivers, that’s my job.”
He’s sure working well with Miles Austin and rookie Dez Bryant. Austin caught seven passes for 117 yards against Jacksonville, gaining more than 100 yards in the first half. Dez Bryant caught the first two touchdown passes of his career from Kitna against the Giants and had a career-best 84 yards receiving against the Jaguars. “I think Dez is certainly a playmaker,” Kitna said. “Certainly he’s a dynamic football player that doesn’t come along very often.” One person who hasn’t benefited from Kitna’s promotion is the person everyone expected to benefit most, Roy Williams. His lone Pro Bowl season came while catching passes from Kitna in Detroit and Williams has been his loudest supporter in the locker room. But Williams has one catch for 21 yards over the last two games. He’s been targeted a total of six times, one less than Bryant got in the Jacksonville game alone. “The great thing about the guys in this locker room and the talent that we have is you don’t have to go looking for a guy,” Kitna said. “Just in the course of the game you’re going to find them.”
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE A GUIDE TO GUIDE DOGS Dear Readers: Most of us who are animal lovers probably want to reach out and PET A GUIDE DOG, but please don’t if it is in work mode — unless you get permission from the dog’s owner. Here are a few hints about guide dogs: When the dog is in a harness, the dog is working and should not be distracted. Never call out to or tease a guide dog. Teach kids that guide dogs are busy helping people and doing their job. If you have the chance to chat with the person using the animal, wait until he or she is at a stopping point, and the person will probably be happy to speak with you. Don’t offer treats or snacks. Service animals are allowed by law to accompany people anywhere the general public is permitted, so don’t be surprised if you see a guide dog in a restaurant. -- Heloise P.S.: There are all types of service animals; I’d love to hear from readers who may have one. COUNTER CULTURE Dear Heloise: No matter how well-behaved and how trained your dog is, cakes, sweets and salty snacks like chips are a great temptation for dogs. I’ve even come home to find the butter on the floor from my dog knocking it off the counter! If you have these on your counter and are planning a trip out, stow the goodies in the microwave
“
HELOISE
so the dog can’t get at them. -- Nancy in New Hampshire CAT TREAT Dear Heloise: My cats get treats every so often, but the cat treats are very expensive. I use a goodquality dry cat food as a treat, and trade some with a neighbor who has a cat, too. -- Florence, via e-mail GEL ICE PACKS CAUTION Dear Heloise: First-aid kits often contain gel-type ice packs. Be careful, because a beloved pet could mistake these for chew toys. Try to not leave them lying about. -- Sandra in North Carolina OUTDOOR HOUSE Dear Heloise: Large, square (so they don’t roll) trash cans make a good temporary shelter for dogs or cats. Add a towel or blanket, and put their food inside so it won’t get wet. A child’s plastic swimming pool draped over the can makes a sort of “covered porch”! -- A Reader in Louisiana LETTER OF LAUGHTER Dear Heloise: When my Labrador was a puppy, we taught him to fetch the newspaper from the driveway and bring it to the kitchen door. One day when he brought us the paper, he went away and brought us another paper! He had gone to our neighbor’s driveway and retrieved that paper, too! -Jean in California
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4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Photo by Nick de la Torre | AP
Texas Tech defensive end Dartwan Bush (54) tries to track down a scrambling Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) in the second quarter on Oct. 30, at Kyle Field in College Station. Photo by Jerry Larson | AP
Texas Longhorns quarterback Garrett Gilbert (7) slips past Baylor linebacker Antonio Johnson, bottom left, in the first half of a football game on Saturday, Oct. 30, in Austin.
’Horns try to get right By DOUG TUCKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State wants to get bowl eligible Saturday night against Texas. Texas just wants to get well. One game will do it for
the Wildcats, who are 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12. All they need is six wins to qualify for a postseason game, which fans will see as a sign of better days ahead. One game will not be enough for the Longhorns, who are 4-4 and
2-3. A year after losing to Alabama in the national championship game, Texas has fallen upon hard times. The Longhorns will have to win two of their last four to have enough wins to qualify for the postseason.
Aggies face Sooners By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLLEGE STATION — Oklahoma’s Ryan Broyles and Texas A&M’s Jeff Fuller will be on the same field Saturday when the Sooners visit the Aggies. The two star receivers almost wound up on the same sideline as teammates. Fuller verbally commit-
ted to Oklahoma in high school, but went to Texas A&M after coach Mike Sherman was hired with the Aggies. So instead of combining for what could have been the most potent receiving duo in the country, the two will lead their respective high-powered offenses in a matchup the Sooners need to win to stay in contention in the Big 12 South race.
Broyles is second in the nation in yards receiving with 1,018 yards and Fuller ranks ninth with 858 yards. Fuller has 11 touchdowns this season and Broyles has eight. Broyles feels like the Sooners offense is still a work in progress. “We’re showing great promise,” he said. “This late in the season, we’re still clicking.”
Bears hope to validate position with win over OSU By JEFF LATZKE ASSOCIATED PRESS
STILLWATER — An upside-down season in the Big 12 South has led to one of the most unexpectedly important games in the conference’s 15-year history. When No. 22 Baylor visits No. 19 Oklahoma State on Saturday, the two teams picked to finish at the bottom of the standings will play for first place in the division. It’s the first time the teams have ever played with both in the Top 25 and it’s a complete reversal in a game that’s decided last place in the division four times before.
“Crazy things can happen in college football,” Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden said. “We knew we were better than fifth in the Big 12 South. That was a no-brainer, and Baylor’s doing the same thing. They’re having a great year. They’ve come a long ways.” Oklahoma State’s rise has been a steady one. Under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) have increased their conference win total each of the past four seasons. The momentum was expected to stop with the departure of quarterback Zac Robinson, firstround draft picks Russell Okung and Dez Bryant, and
nearly all of last year’s starters on the offensive line and defense. Instead, Oklahoma State can do no worse than a share of first place with No. 11 Oklahoma (7-1, 3-1) if it can beat Baylor for a 14th time in 15 meetings as conference rivals. “The Big 12 South is ever-changing,” OSU receiver Isaiah Anderson said. “At any point in time, anybody can be on top. We’re just happy that we have the opportunity to take first and be ahead of everybody in our division.” Right now, it’s the surprising Bears (7-2, 4-2) in that position after they
went on the road to beat Texas last week for their first three-game winning streak in Big 12 play. Baylor had believed better times were ahead after a strong debut by quarterback Robert Griffin III two seasons ago, but that optimism was cut short last year when he suffered a season-ending knee injury before conference play began. The Bears finished alone in last place for the 11th time in 14 years of Big 12 play. Either Baylor or Oklahoma State has finished last, or tied for last, in the South every year since the league was formed in 1996.
Photo by Harry Cabluck | AP
Baylor defensive tackle Courtney Green displays a sign to the crowd during fourth quarter against Texas on Oct. 30 in Austin.