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Disputes boil over
Zapatans thankful for good fortune
Construction, computer companies facing legal action By MIKE HERRERA IV THE ZAPATA TIMES
Two Zapata County legal disputes remained at an impasse after executive session during Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting. The first involves the nearly seventh-month row between the county and Satterfield & Pontikes
Construction, Inc. over what the county calls shoddy work on the new courthouse. “We just gave (commissioners) a status update on the pending litigation,” said Juan Cruz, a Laredo-based attorney representing Zapata County. “The county is going to do some remediation work that is going to need to occur because of the issues of the court-
house.” Earlier this year, County Judge Joseph Rathmell and a county mechanical engineer conducted an inspection to inventory damages to the building. In June, they reported ceiling cracks and lose stone work. The latest inspec-
See COMMISSIONERS PAGE 10A
wounding of Hidalgo Deputy Hugo Rodriguez, was the first incident of cartel “spillover” violence in his county. The initial shooting in Mexico left a Gulf Cartel leader dead. A team of drug smugglers then crossed the border into Hidalgo County to find a stolen load of marijuana when the shootout with Rodriguez took place. Rodriguez, wearing a bullet-
See BORDER PAGE 10A
See THANKSGIVING PAGE 10A
Photo by Elise Amendola | AP
Breeding tom turkeys mill around outside at a turkey farm in Methuen, Mass., on Friday. Americans will observe Thanksgiving on Thursday with traditional fare.
SOUTH TEXAS VIOLENCE
Forum: Democrats say border is safe By GARY MARTIN WASHINGTON — Obama administration officials used a White House roundtable and Democratic forum with South Texas law enforcement officers Wednesday to refute Republican claims that Mexican cartels have turned the U.S.-Mexico border region into a war zone. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said collabora-
tion among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is working to keep border communities safe, while facilitating commerce. “Protecting communities along our borders is vital to our homeland security, as well as economic prosperity,” Napolitano said. She said the Obama administration was committed to working with local law enforcement partners “to strengthen our border security efforts while expanding legal trade and travel.”
South Texas law enforcement officials and Democratic congressmen said claims by Republicans that the border has become a war zone were untrue and unfairly painted the border region as drenched in cartel violence. “The border is not in chaos,” said Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño. “We are not at ‘ground zero.’” Treviño said an October shootout that began in Mexico and crossed the border, leading to the
THE ZAPATA TIMES
With Thanksgiving around the corner, citizens of Zapata expressed their wishes for this American tradition that dates back to the first European settlers. Jose Vela, Zapata County Commissioner, Precinct 1: “I’d like to thank God first of all for giving me the health and the means to be able to serve the public. Two years ago, I had a heart attack, and I had bypass surgery. I’ve been taking care of myself, I thank God for giving me the health to be where I am. I thank my family. I thank them for all the things that I have. I can’t complain. We live in a beautiful country. I’m very thankful.” Joseph Rathmell, Zapata County Judge: “I’m thankful for my family and for our good health.” Roxy Elizondo, administrative assistant and court coordinator for the Zapata County Judge’s Office: “I’m thankful for the good health that my family has been blessed with.” David Brown, dean of the Zapata County Technical and Advanced Education Center: “I am thankful to be alive in God’s world. A world where life’s blessings flow with such abundance they are often imperceptible, whether it be the joy of catching a large-mouth bass on Falcon Lake, petting a loving dog or cat, enjoying food and drink or the beauty of a morning sunrise or evening sunset. Even greater than these blessings are the blessings of human relationships and ties, in spite of the disappointments, occasional hurt feelings or actual wrongs we have suffered at the hands of others, human beings need each other. I am thankful God has abundantly provided me with a network of wonderful, unique and different kinds of friends and people across my path. While there is great blessing in a traditional family, make no mistake about it, God will ‘custom design’ for us our own unique friends and non-traditional families just as Jesus had in Galilee more than 2000 years ago.” Peggy Moffett, CEO of the Zapata Economic Development Corporation: “I’m thankful for freedom, for the rights and privileges
READY FOR THE BIG DAY
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Family, good health tops people’s lists
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, NOV. 19
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hamilton Trophies and Jewelry is sponsoring the 32nd annual Guajolote 10K Run at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Registration is under way at 1320 Garden St. and 607 Flores Ave. For more information, call 724-9990, 722-9463 or 722-9015. Blackstone Dilworth’s honorary dinner will take place at the Laredo Energy Arena from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. This is the Laredo Gateway Rotary’s largest fundraiser for the year. Money collected from this event funds local programs and services. Literacy Volunteers of Laredo will hold a free tutor training workshop Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, to prepare volunteers to tutor adults who need help with English as a Second Language and basic reading. The two-day workshop will be in Laredo Community College’s De La Garza Building, Room 101. Registration ends Wednesday, Nov. 30. For more information or to register, contact Jaime Morales or Gloria Vasquez at 724-5207.
Today is Saturday, Nov. 19, the 323rd day of 2011. There are 42 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address as he dedicated a national cemetery at the site of the Civil War battlefield in Pennsylvania. On this date: In 1600, King Charles I of England was born in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. In 1794, the United States and Britain signed Jay’s Treaty, which resolved some issues left over from the Revolutionary War. In 1831, the 20th president of the United States, James Garfield, was born in Orange Township, Ohio. In 1919, the Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles (vehrSY’) by a vote of 55 in favor, 39 against, short of the two-thirds majority needed for ratification. In 1942, during World War II, Russian forces launched their winter offensive against the Germans along the Don front. In 1959, Ford Motor Co. announced it was halting production of the unpopular Edsel. In 1969, Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean made the second manned landing on the moon. In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev met for the first time as they began their summit in Geneva. In 1990, the pop duo Milli Vanilli were stripped of their Grammy Award because other singers had lent their voices to the “Girl You Know It’s True” album. Ten years ago: The United States accused Iraq and North Korea of developing germ warfare programs. President George W. Bush signed legislation to put airport baggage screeners on the federal payroll. Four journalists, an Afghan, an Australian, an Italian and a Spaniard, were murdered in eastern Afghanistan after an ambush on their convoy. Barry Bonds became the first player to win four Most Valuable Player Awards. Today’s Birthdays: Talk show host Larry King is 78. Talk show host Dick Cavett is 75. Broadcasting and sports mogul Ted Turner is 73. Singer Pete Moore (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles) is 72. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is 72. TV journalist Garrick Utley is 72. Actor Dan Haggerty is 70. Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 69. Former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins is 55. Actress Meg Ryan is 50. Actress-director Jodie Foster is 49. Actress Terry Farrell is 48. Jason Scott Lee is 45. Olympic gold medal runner Gail Devers is 45. Actress Erika Alexander is 42. Rock musician Travis McNabb is 42. Singer Tony Rich is 40. Country singer Jason Albert (Heartland) is 38. Rhythm-and-blues singer Tamika Scott (Xscape) is 36. Olympic gold medal gymnast Kerri Strug is 34. Actor Reid Scott is 34. Thought for Today: “It is always brave to say what everyone thinks.” — George Duhamel, French author (18841966).
SUNDAY, NOV. 20 A Mass in memory of those who have lost their battle to cancer and in honor of those fighting cancer will be held at Mother Cabrini Church, 3018 Davis Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Luminarias can be purchased at the American Cancer Society Office beginning Nov. 1 in memory/honor of your loved one. The music that underscored the wild antics of Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse and The Smurfs will be played during the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Cartoons of Old” concert, which is from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. General admission is $15 at the door, $12 for senior citizens and free for students with a valid ID.
THURSDAY, NOV. 24 Hamilton Trophies and Jewelry is sponsoring the 32nd annual Guajolote 10K Run at 9 a.m. today. Registration is under way at 1320 Garden St. and 607 Flores Ave. For more information, call 724-9990, 722-9463 or 722-9015. The fourth annual Thanksgiving 10K “Race for a Cause” is today. For more information, call Nenita at 2856362.
SATURDAY, NOV. 26 The fourth annual Football Tailgating Cook-Off is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at El Metro Park & Ride. The event will have food vendors, arts and crafts, merchandise and commercial booths, The Outsiders Car Club and more. There will be team cook-off competitions for fajitas, finger ribs and boneless brisket. There will also be a beef steak-eating contest. Tickets are $1 each. Door prizes will be available. For more information or to enter a team in the cookoff, call 286-9055.
FRIDAY, DEC. 2 Literacy Volunteers of Laredo will hold a free tutor training workshop today and Saturday to prepare volunteers to tutor adults who need help with English as a Second Language and basic reading. The two-day workshop will be in Laredo Community College’s De La Garza Building, Room 101. Registration ends Wednesday, Nov. 30. For more information or to register, contact Jaime Morales or Gloria Vasquez at 724-5207.
Photo by Henny Ray Abrams | AP
Republican presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry speaks to a gathering of law enforcement officials on Friday in New York. Perry was given the State Service Award at the 21st annual Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Luncheon.
Perry knocks Obama By BETH FOUHY AND PHILIP ELLIOTT ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry on Friday criticized President Barack Obama for policies Perry said have endangered agents patrolling the U.S.Mexico border, the latest attempt by the Texas governor to shift the focus from his GOP rivals and his struggling campaign to the Democratic incumbent. But several of Perry’s claims are either exaggerated or misrepresented. Perry, in New York City to accept an award from the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, said inadequate funding and “bureaucratic bungling” by Washington had made the southern border more dangerous. In a later interview, he incorrectly said Obama was in Myanmar to ship jobs to Asia. Perry singled out Operation Fast and Fu-
rious, an arms trafficking probe run by the Justice Department that allowed AK-47s and other weapons to leak into the black market. The Associated Press has reported that an investigation into the operation has turned up Justice Department documents indicating that the so-called “gun walking” tactic also was used during the Republican administration of George W. Bush. In the interview, Perry appeared unfamiliar with Obama’s visit to Asia but suggested he thought it was a waste of time. “We’ve got huge issues facing this country today and he’s in Burma talking about relations with a country that — I’ll be real honest with you — I don’t know what America’s interest is there,” Perry told Fox News Channel. Obama was actually in Indonesia, where he signed a trade deal.
9 men indicted in bank robbery spree
Texas AG blasts court’s redistricting maps
AG cites owner after South Texas tires fire
HOUSTON — Nine men have been indicted for their alleged roles in Houston-area bank robberies that included the shooting of a Harris County sheriff ’s sergeant. The 18-count indictment unsealed Friday alleges the crime spree began in 2007 and ended in September when eight of nine suspects were arrested. The other suspect remains at large. Sgt. Michael Ellison was shot when he confronted two suspects after a robbery in Sugar Land.
AUSTIN — The Texas attorney general has blasted a federal court over proposed maps for the state House and Senate districts. A federal court invited parties to comment on the redistricting maps on Friday. Attorney General Gregg Abbott blasted the San Antonio-based judges, saying the court overstepped its bounds. In a court filing, Abbott accused the court of wrongfully overruling the Legislature and trying to set policy, rather than following the law.
SAN BENITO — The operator of an unauthorized waste tire storage facility in South Texas has been cited over a blaze that burned about 22,000 fires. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Friday announced Bobby Ray Waldrep of Waldrep Salvage has been accused of numerous violations of the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act. Investigators say Waldrep allowed dangerous conditions to persist, leading to the fire.
Alleged Texas gang member gets 25 years
Drought continues depleting Texas reservoirs
DEL RIO — Prosecutors say an alleged Texas Mexican Mafia gang member has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on racketeering charges tied to drug trafficking on the border. Valdomero Hernandez Jr. of San Antonio must also pay a $7,500 fine.
FORT WORTH — The severe Texas drought continues depleting water supplies for scores of municipalities statewide. As of October, the total volume of water in 96 percent of the state’s major reservoirs was at nearly 60 percent — a record low since 1990.
Alamo trademark agreement reached SAN ANTONIO — An Alamo trademark agreement has been reached between the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Texas General Land Office. The General Land Office hopes to use the trademark to raise money for Alamo restoration and preservation. — Compiled from AP reports
SATURDAY, DEC. 3 A book sale will be held in the Widener Room of the First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited, and admission is free. Donated books and magazines are accepted. Call 722-1674 for more information.
TUESDAY, DEC 6 Les Amies will have its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn at 800 Garden St. Honorees are Alicia Laurel and Olga Laurel. Hostesses are Consuelo Lopez, Hilda Lopez, Berta Garza and Olga Hovel.
TUESDAY, DEC. 13 Blackstone Dilworth’s honorary dinner will take place at the Laredo Energy Arena from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. This is the Laredo Gateway Rotary’s largest fundraiser for the year. Money collected from this event funds local programs and services. 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.
AROUND THE NATION Fairbanks suffers record-breaker: 41 below FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Alaska’s second-largest city is used to cold weather, but few residents expected record-breaking cold this early in the season. For the second time in three days, Fairbanks set a new low temperature record on Thursday. A temperature of 41 degrees below zero — the first 40 below temperature of the season — was recorded at Fairbanks International Airport at 6:29 a.m. The National Weather Service in Fairbanks says that broke the old record of 39 below set in 1969
House nixes balanced federal budget WASHINGTON — Rejecting the idea Congress can’t control its spending impulses, the House turned back a Republican proposal Friday to amend the Constitution to dam the rising flood
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Lejla Duka, 13, from Cherry Hill, N.J., speaks at a rally of Muslims and supporters in Foley Square, gathered to protest against the NYPD surveillance operations of Muslim communities, on Friday in New York. of federal red ink. Democrats — and a few GOP lawmakers — said damage from the balancedbudget mandate would outweigh any benefits. The first House vote in 16 years on making federal deficits unconstitutional came as the
“supercommittee” appeared to be sputtering in its attempt to find at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions to head off major automatic cuts. The lead Republican on that panel said members work through the weekend. — 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 19, 2011
Zlocal
Multiple charges filed after incident By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Authorities say a man led deputies on a foot chase and, while resisting arrest, assaulted an official, leaving him with cuts and bruises. The case unfolded at 5:51 a.m. Nov. 12 when deputies went to a domestic dispute in the 700 block of Falcon Avenue in the vicinity of the Medina Addition. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said when deputies arrived on scene, a man, later identified as 25-year-old Johnny Ray Scarberry Jr., led deputies on a foot chase. Law-
RAY SCARBERRY JR.: Faces multiple charges over incident. men and Scarberry ran through yards. Deputies canvassed the area and located the man in a residential yard about a block and half from where the alleged offense was reported, Elizondo said. “He resisted arrest, injuring one officer. (He) had minor injures,” said Elizondo. Scarberry is facing one count of assault of a public servant, a third degree felo-
ny punishable with imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 10 years and a $10,000 fine. Scarberry was additionally charged with assault family violence, evading arrest and resisting arrest. All charges are Class A misdemeanors, which carry a maximum penalty of one year confinement and a $4,000 fine. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a combined bond of $55,000. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 orcesar@lmtonline.com)
Courtesy photo
Shown is some of the 1,676 pounds of marijuana Border Patrol agents seized Tuesday on U.S. 83. The pot was wrapped up in 146 bundles with an estimated value of $1,341,280.
Agents seize marijuana 1,676 pounds of pot found in truck SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Border Patrol agents at the Zapata Border Patrol station seized 1,676.6
pounds of marijuana Tuesday. Agents on patrol attempted to stop a white GMC truck traveling north on U.S. 83. The truck subsequently stopped and two subjects ran into the brush. The agents discovered
146 bundles of a substance that tested positive as marijuana weighing 1,676.6 pounds, with an estimated street value of $1,341,280. The marijuana and the vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
PAGE 3A
VETERAN’S DAY AT VILLARREAL ELEMENTARY
Courtesy photo
Villarreal Elementary participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Zapata County Courthouse on Veteran’s Day. Students met guest speaker Tirzo Amequita, a veteran, and his son Eddie Amesquita. The students held a parade for the veterans, sang The Star Spangled Banner, recited poems and played Taps. A student also interviewed veteran Teo Garza. Veterans who attended the event were invited to a reception afterwards.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Case shows fallibility of legal system By KEN HERMAN COX NEWSPAPERS
G
EORGETOWN — The century-old Williamson County Courthouse never has hosted anything quite like the Wednesday scene featuring District Judge Ken Anderson. Through him, the county where tough justice is meted out admitted it messed up in sending Michael Morton to prison. “In hindsight, the verdict was wrong,” Anderson said outside the courthouse where Morton, recently freed after 25 years in prison, was convicted in 1987. “Mr. Morton was, and is, innocent of murdering his wife.”
Acknowledgement Anderson looked down at his text three times as he said this: “As district attorney at the time, and as woefully inadequate as I realize it is, I want to formally apologize for the system’s failure to Mr. Morton and to every other person adversely affected by this verdict.” But, he added, “In my heart I know there was no misconduct whatsoever.” Ongoing investigations will judge the accuracy of that statement. Though the Morton case was not a capital case, it offers an important reminder about the death penalty in that it screams about the fallibility of our criminal justice system. Fallibility, combined with the finality of execution, is something to ponder. “Judge,” I asked Anderson, “how does a case like this impact how you feel about the death penalty?” “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things,” he replied, “but I haven’t had a chance to think about that yet.” I hope he has a chance to do that. After Anderson avoided my follow-up question about fallibility and finality, the news conference returned to questions about the Morton case. A few minutes later, somebody asked Anderson about talk that he might resign from the bench. Somehow, that question led him back to what he had not been thinking about — the death penalty. “I hadn’t heard that speculation,” he said about resigning. “And frankly I don’t want to talk about me right now. What happened shouldn’t have happened. I mean it’s inconceivable that this happened.” Let me interrupt to note that it is not incon-
ceivable. Our criminal justice system, for all its successes, errs. It does so because it depends on humans, a species renowned for fallibility, even under best intentions. And, in cases like this one, errors can be corrected when new scientific techniques become available. Back to Anderson: “And I really want to apologize to (Morton) and everybody else who this affected. The system failed, and it shouldn’t fail.” It shouldn’t. But it does. We correct as best we can when it does. Prison gates swing open. Payments are made. The options are greatly limited if we execute an innocent person. Something about Anderson’s acknowledgment of failure in the Morton case returned him to the topic he hasn’t had a chance to think about yet. “And back to your question,” he said, looking my way, “I suppose the system is fallible. But it’s the system we have. And it’s the system we’ve had for a long time.”
Things can change It does not have to be the system we always will have. I support the concept of the death penalty. I believe there are people who forfeit their right to live as a result of heinous acts they commit. And I’ll support the use of the death penalty when we can excise failure from our criminal justice system. Until then, fallibility and finality add up to a convincing argument against the death penalty in action, if not in concept. Anderson touched on failure and recourse as he wrapped up by saying he is “beating myself up” and is “absolutely sick” about the Morton case. “And I’m apologizing for the system’s failure. But, you know, there is nothing adequate to do (for Morton). In their wisdom, the Legislature has provided a compensation system. Before they had that, he probably wouldn’t have been compensated at all. He’s free to reject that, of course, and file a civil rights suit. But the Legislature actually had a pretty good plan there when they came up with the compensation program.” And what program do we have for when system failure leaves nobody for whom we can swing open a prison gate and write a check? (Email Ken Herman at kherman@statesman.com.)
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 namecalling 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
Thanksgiving is family time F
or me, Thanksgiving has always been a celebration during which friends and family reunite and give thanks to God for His many blessings. The house is filled with warm greetings and laughter, as well as the aroma of the turkey, dressing and all the sides. Every year, we all look forward to our family traditions on Thanksgiving. Every gathering has a special dish that’s only made at this time of the year. Whether it’s a smoked turkey, a special stuffing, an original side or a delectable pie, we all anticipate breaking bread together at the table of plenty and enjoying this special feast. Then for some of us, the big meal goes hand in hand with the big games on the television. And some of us might be rambunctious enough to entertain a real game of football, much like in those nostalgic images of
“
JAMES TAMAYO
boys playing many years ago. This is, indeed, a special time during the year during which life slows down and fortunately, we are able to pause, reflect and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. We all have a lot to be thankful for, and it usually revolves around the invaluable things of life and this world. Our family and friends are priceless, so be sure to count your blessings. However, I also understand that this can be a time when some might become melancholy. Instead of sadness, let us remember our loved ones who have gone before us with laughter by sharing
their stories, their traditions and how they made life all the more wonderful. Others may feel the absence of a loved one serving our country through the military, away at college or living abroad. As our thoughts turn to these loved ones, let us celebrate with them in spirit and, through prayer, keep them close to our hearts and ask God to keep them safe from all harm. As one of the spiritual leaders of this community, I am also grateful for the many people of faith whose tireless efforts, undying support, unselfish sacrifices and constant prayers make present the kingdom of God in our community. They indeed are helping build unity within our diocesan community! Furthermore, as we give thanks to our heavenly Father for the splendor and beauty of all creation, we must remember to receive
all these gifts from God with gratitude. We must also cultivate them responsibly by sharing them lovingly in justice with others. Through this humble gratitude, we learn to share our gifts of time, talent and treasure with others, leading us to make a difference in people’s lives. These actions provide the community with a sense of profound hope and strength. Because of our steadfast faith, we are confident that God will always provide. As we come together with our families this extended Thanksgiving weekend, I hope that you share the joy and generosity of the holiday with all your loved ones. And as we reunite with our families, it is proper for us to express our appreciation to our Heavenly Father. It is God, after all, who has given us all that we have Todo Con Amor!
Delaying pipeline nixes jobs THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
O
nly last month, full of populist fervor, President Barack Obama demanded that Congress pass his job-creation bill: “We can’t wait for an increasingly dysfunctional Congress to do its job. Where they won’t act, I will.” Obama may have been late to the game but appeared to finally get that nothing was more important to Americans than repairing the economy and bringing down persistently high unemployment. Now, as he launched his re-election campaign, he would “pivot to jobs.” So how to explain Obama delaying a decision on the Keystone XL, a privately funded 1,660-mile pipeline to move 900,000 bar-
rels per day of Canadian oil to refineries on Texas’ Gulf Coast? Despite clear evidence of increased American energy security and estimates of 20,000 jobs to build it and thousands more to sustain it, Obama wavered. Caught between two core constituencies — labor unions couldn’t get the work fast enough; environmentalists were aghast — Obama flipped a coin onto its edge. He wouldn’t kill the pipeline, but three years of study and a clean bill of health from his State Department (assisted by his Environmental Protection Agency) weren’t enough? Even with pipes warehoused in Canada waiting only for U.S. dirt to turn — the very definition of “shovel-ready” — Obama
caved to environmental groups that threatened to pull funding and foot soldiers from his 2012 campaign. Obama’s delay would push a decision anticipated by the end of this year into the first quarter of 2013 — and past the election. Energy industry cynics said Obama sacrificed 20,000 badly needed jobs to save one: his own. We can’t wait? Yes, we can, apparently. The net effect is that Obama seriously undercut his own populist rhetoric on jobs with a transparently political stall. As we wrote last month, more important are the benefits to U.S. energy security. The pipeline would help displace crude imported from places unfriendly to the U.S. or in
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
constant turmoil with oil from Canada, a stable trading partner and close ally. Canadian companies already move oil sands crude into the U.S. through other pipelines, and their government wants very much to send more. If not, Canada must sell this valuable resource elsewhere, most likely to China. Canadian officials are disappointed but say, so far, that they will keep trying to work with the Obama administration. One way or another, Canada will make use of its valuable oil sands, and even under the most optimistic clean-energy forecasts, the world will need vast quantities of oil for decades. It would be a shame if the U.S. let this security and stability opportunity slip away.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Two jailed for drag racing Theft ring got By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ
JORGE LUIS FALCON: Faces disorderly conduct charge.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
Two teenagers landed in jail after authorities say they were drag racing at a road north of the town of Zapata. The Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office received calls reporting several ve-
hicles drag racing near the Zapata County Airport Road at about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11. Deputies arrived on scene and identified two
FRANCISCO JAVIER SOLIS: Also charged in the case. people as Jorge Luis Falcon, 18, and Francisco Javier Solis, 18. Falcon and Solis are facing one count each of disorderly conduct, a
Class C misdemeanor punishable with a $500 fine. Both teens were taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. They were later released to appear in court in the near future. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT
BURGLARY
Simon Alberto Martinez, 23, was arrested and charged with assault at about 7 p.m. Nov. 12 in the 1400 block of Ramireño Avenue. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail. Martinez was fined $250. Rene D. Cuellar, 27, was arrested and charged with assault family violence at about 6 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of Lozano Avenue. The man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail. Cuellar was released to appear in court at a future date.
A 35-year-old woman reported at 7:47 a.m. Nov. 10 in the 900 block of Falcon Avenue in the Medina Addition area that someone broke into her 2002 Ford Truck and stole a Sony five-disc player. Deputies say the perpetrator forced the lock open with a screw driver.
DEER ACCIDENT A 41-year-old man called the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office at 3:50 a.m. Thurs-
day from West FM 496 to report that he was involved in an accident with a deer. He stated his 1999 Ford Ranger sustained damages to the front and left sides.
RESISTING ARREST Deputies responded to a call reporting an unwanted person at 1:47 a.m. Tuesday in the 5400 block of Grande Lane in the Siesta Shores subdivision. Rachel B. Muñoz, 29, was arrested and charged with resisting arrest. She was taken to Zapata Regional Jail, where she was held on a $5,000 bond.
Judge gives suspect life in prison ASSOCIATED PRESS
GALESBURG, Ill. — An Illinois judge on Friday sentenced a man accused of killing eight people across two states to life in prison without the possibility of parole for a 2008 slaying. Judge James Stewart sentenced Nicholas Sheley for his conviction in September in the death of Ronald Randall, 65, of Galesburg. Stewart also gave Sheley concurrent sentences of 30 years for aggravated vehicular hijacking and seven years for possession of a stolen vehicle. Randall was one of eight people to die in Illinois and Missouri during what’s believed to be a killing spree that lasted several days in June 2008. Authorities say Sheley bludgeoned his victims into submission.
Photo by Steve Davis/The Register-Mail AP
Nicholas Sheley was sentenced Friday to life for an Illinois man’s death. He also received concurrent sentences for aggravated vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle. A prosecutor said that Sheley killed Randall because he was on the run from the law and needed money and transportation without being reported. Randall’s body was found behind a Galesburg grocery store. His pickup truck
was stolen and the bloodstained vehicle was later found in an industrial area in St. Louis. The same day, authorities in Missouri found the bodies of an Arkansas couple behind a gas station in Festus, Mo., near St. Louis. Sheley pleaded not guilty in all eight killings. Two years ago, he told a judge he wanted to admit guilt in Randall’s death, only to change his mind two months later. During the sentencing hearing, family members told the court through victim impact statements that Randall was a happy man who loved to work in his yard and attended lots of family sporting events. Sheley has pleaded not guilty to killing the Arkansas couple and five other people in Illinois. He next
faces trial in Whiteside County, Ill. for the death of 93-year-old Russell Reed of Sterling — Sheley’s hometown — that could take place as soon as March. Reed is believed to have been the first victim to die. Randall’s friends and family members released balloons into the air outside the Knox County Courthouse on Friday after the sentences were handed down. Family members then visited Randall’s grave. “Today was the Randall family’s day,” Knox County State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer told WGIL Radio. “It’s their day, what we geared for all along.” Smith told The (Galesburg) Register-Mail in an interview that they wished Sheley was eligible for the death penalty.
waiters to steal card info By JENNIFER PELTZ ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — An ambitious and disciplined identity-theft ring recruited waiters at steakhouses and other highend New York restaurants to steal diners’ credit-card information, then used it for luxury shopping sprees, authorities said Friday. Some 28 people have been indicted on various charges, including racketeering, conspiracy and grand larceny. The group had seven waiters use so-called “skimming” devices to copy at least 50 restaurant-goers’ American Express credit-card data surreptitiously while running their tabs at such powerhouse eateries as Smith & Wollensky and Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said. The ring made up counterfeit credit cards with the stolen information, then had associates fan out to buy big-ticket items, including Rolex and Patek Phillippe watches, Hermes and Chanel handbags, Jimmy Choo shoes, vintage wine and even a Roy Lichtenstein lithography of Marilyn Monroe, making purchases from Boston to Los Angeles to Palm Beach, Fla., Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. Directed by 41-year-old ringleader Luis Damian “D.J.” Jacas, the group was choosy and careful, authorities said. The waiters were told to focus on cards with
high spending limits — such as the Amex gold or jet-black Centurion card — so their raft of pricey purchases wouldn’t prompt American Express to call the cardholders. Even so, Jacas didn’t allow more than $35,000 in purchases on any one card and would ditch each after about three days’ use, Kelly said. The ring’s shoppers were instructed about how to dress and act like customers accustomed to spending big, and they were equipped with fake Maryland and Pennsylvania drivers’ licenses to back up their phony identities, authorities said. They made sure the cards were still valid by using them in a taxi or coffee shop before going into chic stores, and leaders went along to direct the purchases, officials added. “This group was certainly well organized and very selective,” Kelly said at a news conference as he and other officials stood in front of a table strewn with some of the more than $1 million in watches, 100 handbags and $1.1 million in cash they said they had confiscated in various searches.
PAGE 6A
Zentertainment
Officials: Wagner not a suspect
Dresses return to view
By ANTHONY MCCARTNEY
‘The First Ladies’ premiers Saturday
ASSOCIATED PRESS
By BRETT ZONGKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — Actor Robert Wagner is not a suspect in the 30-year-old drowning of his actress wife, Natalie Wood, and there is nothing to indicate a crime, even though the investigation has been reopened, a sheriff ’s detective said Friday. “Her death was an accident, an accidental drowning,” said Sheriff ’s Lt. John Corina. Officials would not say why they were taking another look at the case, although the captain of the boat where the couple had stayed blamed Wagner for Wood’s death. There have always been questions about Wood’s death on Nov. 29, 1981, with renewed attention on the case as the anniversary neared. The case’s re-opening and a public call for information are the first hint that the official account may need revision. Within hours of the announcement, Corina said, several people emerged offering their recollections of what happened in the waters off Southern California’s Santa Catalina Island. But he quickly noted nothing the agency has received so far has prompted it to change the view that there was no foul play. The boat’s captain, Dennis Davern, said Friday on NBC’s “Today” show that he lied to investigators about events on the yacht Splendour when he was interviewed after Wood’s death. Davern accused Wagner of having a fight with Wood before she went missing and delaying the search for her after she disappeared. Wagner’s family released a statement through a spokesman that said they trusted detectives to evaluate any new information and determine whether it came from “a credible source or sources other than those simply trying to profit from the 30-year anniversary of her death.” It did not mention Davern by name, and noted detectives hadn’t contacted Wagner or his family. On the show, Davern mentioned a book he cowrote last year on Wood’s death, but refused to say precisely why he blamed Wagner for the three-time Oscar nominee’s death. Davern also denied that he was seeking to profit from interest in the case. Vanity Fair and the television program “48 Hours Mystery” have teamed up and are including Wood’s case for a television special airing this weekend. Corina said his agency would talk to Davern at some point and other witnesses would likely be interviewed. He downplayed the role Davern’s book or the anniversary would play on the investigation. “We’re not concerned with the anniversary date,” Corina said. “It may have jarred some other people’s memories.” Wood, who was 43 when she died, received three Academy Award nominations, for “Rebel Without a Cause,” “Splendor in the Grass” and “Love with the Proper Stranger.” She appeared in numerous other Hollywood classics, including “West Side Story.” Wood and Wagner were married twice, first in 1957 before divorcing six years later. They remarried in 1972. Her death during the Thanksgiving weekend in 1981 has long sparked tabloid speculation that foul play was involved. Wood, Wagner and actor Christopher Walken and Davern spent time on Thanksgiving weekend 1981 both on Catalina Island and drinking on the yacht. Wagner has dismissed any suggestion that the actress’ death was anything more than an accident. In a
Photo by Associated Press
Actress Natalie Wood is shown on April 9, 1979. Los Angeles sheriff’s homicide detectives are taking another look at Wood’s 1981 drowning death based on new information. 2008 autobiography, he recounted drinking with Wood and Walken at a restaurant and on the boat. Wood went to the master cabin during an argument between the two men, Wagner said. The last time Wagner saw his wife, she was fixing her hair at a bathroom vanity and she shut the door, he wrote. Despite various theories about what led Wood to the water, which she feared, he said, it was impossible to know what happened.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
WASHINGTON — Dresses, china and mementos dating back to days when Americans referred to the first lady as “lady presidentress” or “republican queen” will return to view Saturday at the National Museum of American History, along with Michelle Obama’s dashing inaugural gown as a centerpiece. The new exhibition “The First Ladies” features 26 dresses and about 160 other objects ranging from Martha Washington’s White House collection to a first look at Laura Bush’s china. It’s the 10th version of the first ladies exhibit in nearly 100 years. The last one closed in October as the museum moves historic objects out of its west wing for a major renovation beginning early next year. “We knew that it would be unacceptable during the renovation timeframe for the public to go two years without this popular and almost 100-year-old tradition at the Smithsonian,” interim museum director Marc Pachter said. When it first opened in 1914, the first ladies collection was the first time the Smithsonian Institution
Photo by Hugh Talman/Smithsonian National Museum of American History | AP
The image released by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History shows first lady Caroline Harrison’s evening gown, which goes on display at the museum on Saturday as part of a new exhibition titled “The First Ladies.” gave women a prominent place in history, he said. Every first lady since Helen Taft has followed the tradition of donating her inaugural gown to the collection. Last year, Obama gave the museum her dress designed by Jason Wu. According to the Smithsonian, the term “first la-
dy” was first used in 1849 by President Zachary Taylor in his eulogy of Dolley Madison. Before that, a variety of other terms were used over the nation’s first years. The new exhibit examines how first ladies have shaped their roles as the influence of women in society has changed and pon-
ders what will happen when a woman is elected president. Eight dresses and at least 10 other items, including Laura Bush’s state china service, are on view for the first time or the first time in decades as the museum freshens its display and incorporates new stories. “There is no job description for first lady of the United States,” said Lisa Kathleen Graddy, curator of the collection. “Each one remakes the undefined and challenging position to suit her own interests, the needs of the presidential administration and the public’s changing expectations of women in general and first ladies in particular.” Sections of the exhibition are devoted to the first ladies’ impact on fashion, her role as the nation’s hostess, inaugurations and formal events and the changing role over time. Madison, for example, got engaged in politics early by gathering information and talking about public opinion, and Mary Todd Lincoln was criticized for her attempts at patronage. The museum plans its renovation of the 120,000 square feet of its west wing exhibit space. Construction is slated to begin in spring of 2012 and with the wing reopening in late 2014 for the museum’s 50th anniversary.
SÁBADO 19 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2011
Agenda en Breve ZAPATA AVISO — Si usted o alguien que conoce tiene Medicare se informa que la inscripción abierta de Medicare termina el 7 de diciembre. Aproveche para revisar las opciones de Medicare y asegúrese de que tiene el plan más adecuado para usted. Llame GRATIS al 1-800-MEDICARE o visite medicare.gov para más información.
LAREDO 11/19 — El Consulado de México en Laredo invita a la Jornada Sabatina de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Habrá expedición de documentación consular, orientación, a quienes requieran hacer trámites de pasaportes o matrículas consulares. 11/19 — Apoya al “Teleton” a partir de las 8 p.m. en Club Cue, 1405 Jacaman Rd. Habrá música en vivo con The Cue House Band (con Aurelio Flores). La entrada será donada al Teleton. 11/20 — El 23er Banquete para Compartir será en el Laredo Civic Center, de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. 11/20 — La Orquesta Filarmónica de Laredo presenta “Cartoons of Old” a partir de las 3 p.m. en el Martinez Fine Arts Center de Laredo Community College. Costo: 15 dólares para adultos; 12 dólares para adultos mayores; estudiantes gratis con ID. 11/21 — Presentación educativa sobre el programa de medicinas de Medicare, Programas de Ahorros de Medicare y Programa de Asistencia con sus primas y costos de los Planes de Medicina de Medicare, de 9 a.m. a 12 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E Calton Road. 11/24 — Hamilton Trophies and Jewelry es patrocinador de la Carrera del Guajolote de 10K, en su 32 edición, a las 9 a.m. Registro en 1320 calle Garden y 607 avenida Flores Ave. Más información en 724-9990, 7229463 o 722-9015. 11/24 — “Banda El Rocodo” en vivo en LIFE Down Indoor Pavillion a las 7 p.m. También estarán los grupos “Los Recoditos” y “8 Segundos”. Informes al (956)2379095. 11/26 — Con motivo de “Navidad en el Barrio”, la Laredo Ranch Sorting Association invita a una Competencia de Ranch Sorting a las 3 p.m. en JB’s Ranch, por la Carretera 83. Habrá premios.
Zfrontera GOBIERNO DE EU NIEGA FRONTERA SUR SEA ZONA EN GUERRA
Caos inexistente POR GARY MARTIN
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS- NEWS
WASHINGTON — Oficiales de la administración de Obama utilizaron una mesa redonda de la Casa Blanca y un foro Democrático con autoridades Sur de Texas para refutar afirmaciones Republicanas sobre que cárteles narcotraficantes mexicanos han convertido la región fronteriza entre EU-México en una zona de guerra. La Secretaria del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (Department of Homeland Security, DHS), Janet Napolitano, dijo que la colaboración entre agencias de ley federales, estatales y locales está trabajando para mantener seguras las comunidades fronterizas, a la vez de facilitar el comercio. “Proteger comunidades a lo largo de nuestras fronteras es vital para nuestra seguridad nacional, al igual que prosperidad económica”, expresó Napolitano. Ella señaló que la administración de Obama estaba comprometida a trabajar con socios de agencias de ley locales “para fortalecer nuestros esfuerzos de seguridad fronteriza a la vez de expandir el comercio y desplazo legal”. Oficiales de autoridades del Sur de Texas junto con congresistas
Democráticos expresaron que afirmaciones por parte de Republicanos sobre que la frontera se había convertido en una zona de guerra no eran ciertas e injustamente pintaban la región fronteriza como un área empapada en violencia relacionada con cárteles. “La frontera no está envuelta en caos”, dijo el Alguacil del Condado de Hidalgo, Lupe Treviño. “No estamos en la ‘Zona Cero’”. Treviño dijo que una balacera en octubre que surgió en México y cruzó la frontera, hiriendo al oficial alguacil Hugo Rodríguez, fue el primer incidente de “derrame” violencia de cárteles en su país. El enfrentamiento inicial resultó en la muerte de un cabecilla del Cártel del Golfo. Un grupo de narcotraficantes cruzó la frontera hacia el Condado de Hidalgo para encontrar un cargamento de marihuana robado cuando la balacera con Rodríguez surgió. Rodríguez, vistiendo un chaleco antibalas, sobrevivió al enfrentamiento. Treviño dijo que su condado ha visto una reducción general en índices de crímenes en años recientes. “Algo estamos haciendo bien”, dijo Treviño durante una discusión de panel realizada por la Nue-
va Red Democrática (New Democratic Network) y el Nuevo Instituto de Pólizas (New Policy Institute). Treviño junto con otros seis oficiales de agencias de ley fronterizas de Texas y California estuvieron presentes en la sesión de mesa redonda en la Casa Blanca con Napolitano. También en asistencia estuvieron el Jefe de Policía de Laredo, Carlos Maldonado; el Jefe de Policía de Brownsville, Carlos García; y el Alguacil del Condado de Webb, Martín Cuellar. Republicanos en el Congreso y el Gobernador de Texas, Rick Perry, quién está en busca de la nominación presidencial republicana, han acusado a la administración de Obama de haber fracasado en el intento de resguardar la frontera EU-México. El Representante Michael McCaul, R-Austin, ha convocado audiencias congresistas para escuchar testimonios por parte de funcionarios estatales de Texas y generales militares retirados que afirman que el gobierno de EU está perdiendo terreno frente a los cárteles en la frontera. Los generales emitieron un reporte que llamaba la frontera una “zona de guerra” en donde la nar-
EDUCACIÓN
coviolencia ha cruzado hacia EU y amenaza comunidades y las vidas de ciudadanos a lo largo del Río Grande. El Representante Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, un ex jefe de la Patrulla Fronteriza, se refirió a las afirmaciones como “retórica política” diseñada para hacer ver mal a la administración de Obama. Y peticiones Republicanas para un muro fronterizo fueron llamadas equivocadas por parte del Representante Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo. “Es una solución del siglo 14 propuesta para un problema del siglo 21”, expresó Cuellar, añadiendo que los fondos serían aprovechados de mejor manera designándolos para agencias de ley locales. Napolitano señaló que el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional bajo el Presidente Obama ha proporcionado 167 millones de dólares en subsidios para agencias de ley de la frontera Suroeste para horas extraordinarias y otros costos relacionados con la seguridad fronteriza. Los legisladores fronterizos y Napolitano dijeron que se tiene que hacer más para facilitar el comercio y desplazo legítimo para impulsar el desarrollo económico en comunidades fronterizas.
SEGURIDAD
Promueven vacantes para policía y custodios TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Claudia Lorena Cabrera Arjona, Bernardo Antonio Tovías Guerrero, Luis Germán Díaz Zúñiga, y Alejandra del Carmen Echavarría durante el abanderamiento a cargo del Secretario de Educación, Diódoro Guerra Rodríguez, a mediados de semana en Ciudad Victoria, México.
COMPETENCIA Alumnos participan en Olimpiada
NUEVO LAREDO 11/19 — La CNOP invita a una función de lucha libre, a beneficio de un pequeñito que sufre de autismo, a las 5 p.m. en las instalaciones de la CNOP, Degollado y Bolívar. Participarán: Laredo Kid, Obscuridad, Marvik, Amenaza del Norte, Zebru Jr., Muerte Súbita, entre otros. Costo: 30 pesos por adulto y 20 pesos por menor. 11/20 — Grupo de Teatro Expresión invita a “Para Morir Nacimos” a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura. Guión de Luis Martín con textos de Sabines, Villaurrutia y Corostiza. Invitado especial “Grupo de Danza Cuicoyán”. Entrada libre. 11/21 — Marcha Civica “Unidos por Jesucritos” de 5 p.m. a 10 p.m. en la Plaza Primero de Mayo. Se espera reunir a 10,000 personas. La marcha incluirá la Avenida Guerrero, hasta la Explanada Esteban Baca Calderón donde se culminará con un concierto con danzas, mimos, carros alegóricos, payasos cristianos, muppetes, grupos musicales, etc. — Tiempo de Zapata
PÁGINA 7A
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
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l adjudicarse la mayor puntuación en la XXV Olimpiada Mexicana de Matemáticas, un grupo de 16 estudiantes ahora se prepara para la competencia nacional. El Secretario de Educación de Tamaulipas, Diódoro Guerra Rodríguez, entregó reconocimientos y además abanderó a la Delegación Tamaulipeca 2011 que participa en la fase Nacional a realizarse hasta el 19 de noviembre en San Luis Potosí. La Selección está integrada por: Bernardo Antonio Tovías Guerrero, del CBTIS 24 de Ciudad Victoria; Luis Germán Díaz Zúñiga, del CBTIS 105, Altamira; Claudia Lorena Cabrera Arjona, Escuela Preparatoria “La Salle” de Ci-
udad Victoria; José Enrique Olvera Vázquez, CETIS 109, de Ciudad Madero; Alma Rosa Meléndez Martínez, CBTIS 103, Madero; y Alejandra del Carmen Echavarría, CBTIS 119, de Victoria. “Haber participado en la Olimpiada los coloca como alumnos brillantes al poner el mayor de sus esfuerzos y dedicación en sus estudios”, dijo Guerra. “Este tipo de encuentros permiten fomentar el desarrollo de habilidades matemáticas útiles para la vida del estudiante y del ámbito profesional”. Desde el concurso municipal se tuvo una gran aceptación por parte de los 1mil 505 alumnos que concursaron de los diversos subsistemas de Educación Media Superior y de Educación Básica, avanzando hasta lograr la participación en la etapa nacional.
Continúa vigente la convocatoria del gobierno de Tamaulipas para afiliar a aspirantes a policías y custodios de las prisiones. La Secretaría de Seguridad Pública del Estado (SSP), en coordinación con el Instituto de Reclutamiento y Formación Policial, convoca a hombres y mujeres de entre 19 y 35 años de edad a inscribirse al curso de Formación Inicial para Custodios Penitenciarios. Rafael Lomelí Martínez, Secretario de Seguridad Pública, dijo que durante el curso a los candidatos se les proporciona, hospedaje, alimentación, servicio médico, y una beca mensual como apoyo económico. Para la selección de aspirantes al curso, se pide que el interesado cuente como mínimo, con estudio de secundaria, contar con su carta de antecedentes no penales, carta de no inhabilitación expedida por la contraloría gubernamental, cartilla liberada, certificado médico del sector salud, entre otros. Si está interesado y requiere mayor información, se puede llamar al Instituto de Reclutamiento y Formación Policial, al 01 800 122 23 36 o bien consultar en la página www.ssp.tamaulipas.gob.mx/policiaacreditable.html.
MÉXICO
Es Poiré titular de Gobernación ASSOCIATED PRESS
PREVENCIÓN Y SALUD El Subsecretario de Reinserción Social, Raúl Platón del Cueto, explica el trabajo para apoyar a los Centros de Ejecución y Sanciones en el área de salud, reforzando programas de prevención VIH/SIDA y Hepatitis B. Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
MÉXICO — El presidente Felipe Calderón nombró al ex director de la agencia de espionaje de México como nuevo secretario de Gobernación. El ex portavoz de seguridad nacional Alejandro Poiré remplaza a Francisco Blake Mora, quien murió el 11 de noviembre en un accidente de helicóptero. Calderón dijo que eligió a Poiré por su profundo conocimiento de los temas y políticas de seguridad. Poiré estará encargado de suPOIRÉ pervisar la ofensiva contra los cárteles del narcotráfico, así como de las elecciones presidenciales del próximo año, y Calderón dijo que la labor de Poiré será asegurar que las elecciones se realicen “en un clima de paz, respeto y de plena legalidad”. Poiré se comprometió a trabajar a través del diálogo y escuchando todas las opiniones.
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
State’s jobless rate dips in October ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The unemployment rate in Texas dropped slightly to 8.4 percent in October from last month’s 8.5 percent, the state’s employment agency said Friday. Laredo’s unemployment rate dropped 0.5 percent, from 8.2 percent to 7.7 percent. The Texas Workforce Commission said the state added 2,500 jobs in October as private-sector gains outweighed more cuts to the government payroll. Texas’s unemployment rate remains below the national average, which was 9 percent last month. “Private employers continue to invest their capital in the growing Texas workforce,” commission Chairman Tom Pauken said in a statement. Since October 2010, the private sector has added 286,200 jobs, for a growth rate of 3.4 percent, he said. Although six of the 11 sectors shed jobs last month, the largest gains were in leisure and hospitality, which added 14,900 jobs, and education and health services, where payrolls expanded by 6,600 positions. Employers in trade, transportation and utilities added 6,500 jobs. The biggest losses were in construction, which fell by 12,800 jobs, and government, where 11,000 positions were eliminated in October. The payrolls for non-government jobs were boosted by a total of 13,500 new positions last month. Unemployment rates are adjusted for seasonal trends in hiring and firing, which most economists believe give a more accurate picture of the job market. Without the seasonal adjustment, the jobless rate in Texas fell to 8.0 percent in October from 8.4 percent in September. Midland maintained the lowest local unemployment rate at 4.5 percent. The Brownsville-Harlingen area has the highest rate at 11.9 percent, although that’s down from the revised September figure of 12.4 percent. Local figures are not seasonally adjusted. The preliminary local jobless rates for October, with revised September numbers in parentheses, were: Abilene 6.8 (7.1) Amarillo 5.6 (6.0) Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 7.1 (7.5) Beaumont-Port Arthur 10.8 (11.4) Brownsville-Harlingen 11.9 (12.4) College Station-Bryan 6.2 (6.6) Corpus Christi 7.6 (8.0) Dallas-Plano-Irving 8.1 (8.4) El Paso 10.2 (10.5) Fort Worth-Arlington 7.8 (8.2) Houston-Sugar LandBaytown 8.1 (8.6) Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood 8.4 (8.8) Laredo 7.7 (8.2) Longview 6.8 (7.3) Lubbock 6.1 (6.5) McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 11.6 (12.2) Midland 4.5 (4.9) Odessa 5.7 (6.2) San Angelo 6.3 (6.8) San Antonio-New Braunfels 7.5 (8.0) Sherman-Denison 8.5 (8.8) Texarkana 7.4 (7.8) Tyler 8.5 (8.3) Victoria 6.8 (7.1) Waco 7.6 (8.0) Wichita Falls 7.2 (7.6)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
Economy is making a comeback By MARTIN CRUTSINGER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The latest evidence that the economy is making steady gains emerged Friday from a gauge of future economic activity, which rose in October at the fastest pace in eight months. A string of better-thanexpected economic reports this month has led some analysts to revise up their forecasts for growth. Still, they caution that their brighter outlook remains under threat from Europe’s financial crisis. “Things are looking better than we thought they would — not great, but better,” said David Wyss, former chief economist at Standard & Poor’s. The most recent sign was Friday’s report by the Conference Board that its index of leading economic indicators surged 0.9 percent last month. It was the index’s best showing since February. And it was far faster than the increases of 0.1 percent in September and 0.3 percent in August. The index is designed to predict economic activity. The October figure marked the sixth straight increase. The jump reflected gains in nine of the index’s 10 components. Leading the way: a surge in permits for home construction; a narrower gap between shortand long-term interest rates that suggested less concern about inflation; a recovery in stock prices; and growth in the U.S. money supply. A longer average workweek and fewer applications for unemployment benefits also contributed to the rise in the index. All told, the components of the index signaled that the economy is steadily, if still slowly, strengthening. On Thursday, the government reported further improvement in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits for
Photo by Richard Drew | AP
Trader Kevin Lodewick works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Financial markets remained volatile on Friday, in the face of a European debt crisis that has widened and deepened over the past week. the first time. The number fell to 388,000, the fewest since April. In October, the economy added a net total of 80,000 jobs. It was the 13th straight month of gains. Still, the additional jobs were fewer than the roughly 125,000 that are needed each month just to keep up with population growth. Many economists said the October gain in the leading indicators offered further assurance that the economy is in no imminent danger of slipping back into a recession, so long as Europe doesn’t fall into a severe downturn. “This was a very positive reading for the leading indicators,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at
Moody’s Analytics. “The economy seems to be holding its own.” Steven Wood, chief economist at Insight Economics, said the string of positive readings suggests “the economy should continue to experience at least moderate growth over the next six to nine months.” In the first six months of the year, the economy grew at an annual rate of just 0.9 percent. Growth expanded to a 2.5 percent rate in the July-September quarter. Before this month, many economists had estimated that growth in the current October-December quarter would roughly match the 2.5 percent pace of the July-September period. But
in recent days, based on the healthier economic news, some analysts have boosted their forecasts. This week, the government said retail sales in October and factory production were picking up. U.S. builders started slightly fewer homes in October. But building permits, a gauge of future construction, surged nearly 11 percent. That gain was led by a 30 percent increase in apartment permits, to their highest level in three years. Wyss said he expected the annual growth rate in the current quarter to amount to about 3 percent, up from his earlier expectation of 2.5 percent. Economists at JPMorgan Chase
& Co. are also expecting a 3 percent growth rate for the October-December period. Wyss said one reason for his increased optimism is that he thinks a modest rebound in consumer spending will trigger companies to restock depleted shelves. Even so, an economy growing at a 3 percent rate would still fall shy of the 4 percent to 5 percent pace that economists say is needed to significantly reduce the unemployment rate, which remains stuck at 9 percent. And without stronger job gains, analysts say consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity, will remain constrained.
ADVERTISEMENT ZAPATA COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED STATE SET ASIDE FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM. Zapata County has been chosen to receive an additional $ 2,800.00 from State SetAside funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; and, United Way of America. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. A Local Board made up of Thelma M. Garza, United Way of South Texas; Jorge Barrientos, American Red Cross; Captain Russ Keeney and his wife Linda, The Salvation Army; Terri Drefke, Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley; Maribel Navarro, Community Service Agency; Annette Lipschitz, The Temple Emanuel; and Helen Gonzalez, Starr County representative, will determine how the funds awarded to Zapata County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Zapata County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously by South Texas Food Bank. This agency was responsible for providing 53,046 meals. Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Thelma M. Garza or Amelia Rojas, United Way of South Texas: 1200 E. Hackberry, Suite F, McAllen, TX 78501 or 686-6331 for an application. The deadline for submitting applications is November 30, by 5:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
PABLO BRISEÑO SR. Pablo Briseño Sr., 82, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Briseño is preceded in death by his parents: Alberto and Angelita M. Briseño; and by his brothers: Francisco Briseño and Martin Briseño. Mr. Briseño is survived by his wife of 57 years, Enriqueta Vela Briseño; sons: Pablo Jr. (Sheyla) Briseño, Martin (Hilda) Briseño, Roberto (Cynthia) Briseño, Jesus Ruben (Chriselda) Briseño and Adrian Luis (Ana Laura) Briseño; daughters: Margarita (Adrian) Castillo and Marisela Briseño; 23 grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; sisters: Herminia Bustamante, Angelica Ramirez and Maria Villarreal; and by numerous other family members and friends. Mr. Briseño was a lifelong rancher. His hobby was spending time at the ranch and he enjoyed the outdoors. Visitation hours were held Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. and Satur-
day, November 12, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The funeral procession departed at 10:30 a.m. for a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Zapata, Texas. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, Texas.
OSCAR GUTIERREZ Oscar Gutierrez, 100, a long-time resident of Zapata County, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. He was born in Guerrero Viejo, Mexico, on Dec. 6, 1910. His family lineage traces to the original settlers of Old Zapata and Guerrero Viejo. Mr. Gutierrez was a well-known rancher, entrepreneur, devoted son, brother and uncle to his beloved family. Throughout his life, he treasured the company of his many friends by sharing memorable experiences and insightful conversations at his San Bartolo Ranch on the banks of the Rio Grande and by partaking in authentic South Texas lunches and dinners at his business and homes. He was exceptionally talented in reciting by memory poems and passages in Spanish, followed by listening to a friend or family member play the piano, violin or guitar. He lived through the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s with tremendous fortitude and possessed a creative zest of
entrepreneurship, always focusing on providing for the well being of his family through ranching, the restaurant business and other family real-estate ventures. His work ethic was admirable, with his days beginning at the crack of dawn and continuing until sunset. He also served as a mentor to his ranch hands and business employees, teaching them the tools of the trade and sharing his life experiences. He was very fortunate and privileged to have lived a full century and to have borne witness to the most dramatic transfor-
mation of the world as we know it today. Oscar joyfully left us to join his Maker and his departed family and friends in the Kingdom of Heaven. His memory will be cherished by his sister Amanda G. (†Roy) Rash; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents: Carlos and Ana Chapa Gutierrez; brothers: Eloy (†Felicidad G.), Dennis and Sergio Gutierrez; and sisters Blanca (†Salvador) Garcia, Sacramento (†Juan Esteban) Garcia, Gloria (†Flavio) Gonzalez and Ana Iris Gutierrez. The family would also like to thank his loyal and devoted caregivers, David Mata and Raul Marquez, and good friends, Daniel Perez and Mario Martinez. Visitation hours will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at 8 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery. Honorary pallbearer will be Mario Martinez. Pallbearers will be: Robert Russell Aldridge, Guillermo D. Benavides, Guillermo Benavides Jr., Roberto Dovalina, Enrique Garcia, Galo Garcia Jr., J. E. Garcia Jr. and Daniel Perez. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or any charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, Texas.
LUIS R. VILLARREAL
Video causes egg supplier change By STEVE KARNOWSKI ASSOCIATED PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS — McDonald’s Corp. said Friday it has dropped a Minnesota-based egg supplier after an animal rights group released an undercover video of operations at the egg producer’s farms in three states. The video by Mercy for Animals shows what the group calls animal cruelty at five Sparboe Farms facilities in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado. Its images include a worker swinging a bird around by its feet, hens packed into cramped cages, male chicks being tossed into plastic bags to suffocate and workers cutting off the tips of chick’s beaks. “The behavior on tape is disturbing and completely unacceptable. McDonald’s wants to assure our customers that we demand humane treatment of animals by our suppliers,” Bob Langert, McDonald’s vice president for sustainability, said in a statement. The move also followed a warning letter to Sparboe Farms dated Wednesday from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that said inspectors found “serious violations” at five Sparboe facilities of federal regulations meant to prevent salmonella. The warning said eggs from those facilities “have been prepared, packed, or held under un-
sanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.” Sparboe Companies LLC issued a statement calling the video “shocking” and saying an internal investigation identified four employees “who were complicit in this disturbing activity” and were fired this month. “I was deeply saddened to see the story because this isn’t who Sparboe Farms is,” owner and president Beth Sparboe Schnell said in a statement posted on a company website. “Acts depicted in the footage are totally unacceptable and completely at odds with our values as egg farmers. In fact, they are in direct violation of our animal care code of conduct, which all of our employees read, sign and follow.” Sparboe, which is headquartered in Litchfield, also said on the website that it has made management changes, taken corrective actions sought by the FDA, and begun retraining all barn workers in proper animal care procedures. Sparboe describes itself as the fifth-largest shell egg producer and marketer in the United States, operating seven processing plants supported by 33 egg-laying and pullet production sites in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado.
Luis R. Villarreal, 49, passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Doctor’s Hospital in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Villarreal is preceded in death by his parents: Gustavo and Blanca F. Villarreal; and a nephew, Eduardo M. “Shagy” Villarreal Jr. Mr. Villarreal is survived by his daughters: Crystal (Nick) Sanders, Melissa Ramirez-Villarreal and Luisa RamirezVillarreal; grandchildren: Eryn, Macey, Harley, Bryce, Bailey and Kinley;
brothers: Gustavo Jr. (Rosenil) Villarreal, Eduardo M. (Gloria) Villarreal and
RAFAEL ALCALA JR. Rafael Alcala Jr. passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at his residence in Zapata, Texas. Mr. Alcala is preceded in death by his daughter Blanca Estela Alcala; granddaughter, Esmeralda Alcala; parents: Rafael and Guadalupe Alcala; sisters Aurora Puente and Alicia Alcala; and a daughter-in-law, Carmen Alcala. Mr. Alcala is survived by his sons: Rafael Alcala III, Jose E. (Josefa T.) Alcala and Juan (Maria Elena) Valdez; daughters Julieta Alcala and Rosa Maria (Raul) Hurtado; by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters Maria Del Refugio (Alfredo) Martinez and Esperanza Alcala Quintanilla; and by numerous relatives and friends. Visitation hours were held Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The funeral procession departed
at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Zapata, Texas. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, Texas.
J.J. (Claudia) Villarreal; sisters: Maria Alba Saenz and Blanca V. (Abel) Rodriguez; and by numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and many friends. Visitation hours were held Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic Church. Committal services followed at El Ranchito Cemetery in Zapata, Texas. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, Texas.
CAPTAIN FRANCISCO BOTELLO Captain Francisco Botello, 55, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas. Captain Botello is preceded in death by his parents: Humberto and Paula J. Botello. Captain Botello is survived by his brothers: Humberto Jr. (Martha) Botello and Andres (Vicky) Botello; sisters: Adriana Botello, Maria Alejandra Botello, Maricela B. Hernandez and Lourdes Botello; and by numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Captain Botello served 25 years with Zapata County Fire Department and obtained the rank of captain. Visitation hours were held Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Friday, Nov. 17, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral
Mass at Mission Nuestra Señora Del Refugio in San Ygnacio, Texas. Committal services followed at Uribe Cemetery in San Ygnacio, Texas. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, Texas.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
BATTLING A WILDFIRE
THANKGIVING
A firefighter tries to keep back the flames, whipped by strong winds, in Reno, Nev., on Friday. Firefighters are battling a windwhipped wildfire that has already burned several homes and caused several injuries. Officials said crews are having a tough time “getting ahead of” the 400acre blaze. About a dozen homes have burned.
Continued from Page 1A
Photo byTim Dunn | The Reno Gazette-Journal | AP
COMMISSIONERS Continued from Page 1A tion, according to Cruz, was done on or about Oct. 17. “We did hire experts that have done a thorough walkthrough of the building, which I’m at no liberty to discuss,” he said. Citing pending litigation, Cruz declined to say much about the status of the issue with Satterfield & Pontikes other than that the next court hearing is set for Dec. 6. At this point, he said, the county needs to hire another company to remediate the building. “We will be brining an agenda item Nov. 28 to the court to take care of the financing,”
said Cruz. “We have to go through a bidding process.” County officials would not comment on the estimated cost of the remediation. The construction contract awarded Satterfield & Pontikes in 2003 was worth $8.7 million, and Precinct 1 Commissioner Jose Vela said he hopes the company eventually takes responsibility. “They tried to blame the subcontractors for the errors, but ultimately they’re responsible,” Vela said. A request for comment was left with the office of Denis G. Ducran, attorney for Satterfield & Pontikes. The company
did not comment by Friday afternoon. Cruz also represents the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office in its claim against Laredo’s M1 Networks Incorporated. The office claims M1 had not delivered computer equipment already paid for; whereas, M1 claims the sheriff’s office hasn’t paid for services rendered. Sheriff’s office communications supervisor Mary Polido declined to comment but said M1 had previously visited to maintain computer equipment. Representatives from M1 declined to comment other than to say they’d done work in Za-
pata. In addition, the commissioners approved an agenda related to increased veterinary service, something Vela thinks the county needs. “We get a vet to come once a month, and we set him up in the county fairgrounds open pavilion. You should see the lines,” he said. “There is clearly a need for veterinary care in Zapata.” He said the goal is to have the county provide adequate space for a veterinarian to visit once a week. (Mike Herrera IV can be reached at 728-2567 or mherrera@lmtonline.com)
BORDER Continued from Page 1A proof vest, survived the shooting. Treviño said his county has seen an overall reduction in crime in recent years. “We must be doing something right,” Treviño said during a panel discussion held by the New Democratic Network and The New Policy Institute. Treviño and six other border law enforcement officials from Texas and California attended the White House roundtable with Napolitano. Also attending were Laredo Police Chief Carlos Maldonado, Brownsville Police Chief
Carlos Garcia and Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar. Republicans in Congress and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination, have charged that the Obama administration has failed to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, has convened congressional hearings to take testimony from Texas state officials and two retired military generals who claim the U.S. government is losing ground to the cartels at the border. The generals issued a report
that called the border a “war zone” where cartel violence has crossed into the United States and threatens communities and the lives of its citizens along the Rio Grande. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, a former Border Patrol chief, called the claims “political rhetoric” designed to embarrass the Obama administration. And GOP calls for a border fence were termed misguided by Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo. “It’s a 14th-century solution to a 21st-century problem,”
Cuellar said, adding that the money would be better spent by giving it to local law enforcement agencies. Napolitano said the Department of Homeland Security under President Obama has provided $167 million in grants to Southwest border law enforcement agencies for overtime and other border security related costs. The border lawmakers and Napolitano said more must be done to facilitate legitimate trade and travel and to encourage economic development in border communities.
and opportunities we have and the men and women defending it.” Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza, president of Zapata County Chamber of Commerce: “I’m thankful for having the opportunity to work and serve the community as great as Zapata that has great people and a very bright future ahead of it. It’s truly an honor to be given the trust.” Celia Balderas, membership services coordinator for the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce: “What I’m most thankful for is my family, especially my mom for being here with my family in Zapata. I’m thankful for my two children and my grandkids.” Aida Garcia, director of the Olga V. Figueroa Library: “We’re thankful for our family. For our beautiful library. Thankful for all the patrons that come and visit the library.” Florence “Flo” Chambers, clerk for the Olga V. Figueroa Library: “I’m thankful for my family. Especially my grandkids. And my job. And the weather. It has been so beautiful, but we could use some rain. And for the safety of all us over Thanksgiving holidays.” Ninfa Solis, secretary for Zapata High School: “My kids, Jamie and Bobby. My son Bobby is coming home from Iraq Thursday. For my health and my faith.” Rosanelia Treviño, special education transition teacher for Zapata High School: “I’m thankful to be blessed. To have the job I have and the students I have.” Mireyda Peña, secretary for Zapata Middle School: “I feel very fortunate to have a wonderful family and we’re going to try to spend the best time of the year.” Jesse Porras, Zapata native and Laredo Community College board member: “We’re so lucky to live in this country. We sometimes don’t realize what we enjoy in this country and how thankful we all should be. I think many of us are generally thankful all the time for what we have and what we love, but around this time of the year, we’re more inclined to talk about it.” Mary Polido, communications supervisor for Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office: “Besides working for the sheriff ’s office, I’m also thankful for helping my food bank. I’m thankful that I can give back and help so many people in the county of Zapata. I’m grateful for the Lord, our God, and for my family.” Norma G. Garcia, superintendent of schools, Zapata County Independent School District: “This year in particular I am thankful because I have learned to apply the ‘Law of Attraction’ and this has made my life much more joyful.”
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors COMMENTARY
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Hawks spread wings for hoops Basketball season is in full swing as a new face will be roaming the sidelines for the Lady Hawks while a familiar face will be heading the boys’ team. Hector Garcia was named the new girls’ coach after Clyde Guerra became the golf coach. Garcia, who has served as an assistant for the boys’ basketball team, will guide the Lady Hawks as they attempt to grab one of the three playoff spots in District 32-3A. On the boys’ side, Juan Villarreal returns to guide the Hawks and has them on track for a run at the playoffs. Garcia and Villarreal know what it takes
See SANDOVAL PAGE 2B
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Photos by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
LEFT: Zapata Lady Hawks’ senior Estella Molina earned Setter of the Year honors as she ran the offense with precision and controlled the tempo of the game. RIGHT: Senior Abby Aguilar was named Libero of the Year for her feisty defense.
HONORING THE LADY HAWKS ON HARDWOOD Zapata earns abundance of accolades after season By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
F
ollowing a banner year where Zapata volleyball captured the District 32-3A title for the second year in a row and was able to go undefeated to become the first team in the school’s history to accomplish that feat, nine Lady Hawks were named to the all-district team announced earlier this week. Zapata picked up three of the big five awards. Junior Kristina De Leon was named Offensive Player of the Year because of her dominating play at the net. Senior Abby Aguilar was selected as the
Libero of the Year for her feisty defense. Senior Estella Molina was selected as Setter of the Year as she ran the offense with precision and controlled the tempo of the game. Molina was able to spread the ball around to her two big hitters, De Leon and Shelby Bigler, who was also selected to the first team all-district. Coach Rosie Villarreal was selected as Coach of the Year by her peers for guiding the Lady Hawks to consecutive district titles and consecutive undefeated seasons. Villarreal was masterful in putting together a team to make another run at a district title after losing last year’s
MVP, Brandi King, to graduation. After the departure of King, not many people gave the Lady Hawks an opportunity to repeat as district champions, but Zapata had its core coming back and that is what Villarreal built her team around. Also picking up a much deserving award was Jackie Salinas, who was named to the all-district second team. Salinas was tested early on in the season as she sat out for almost a month with a foot injury, but she was able to come in and contribute to the team in time for the district season.
See VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2B
Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times
Zapata Lady Hawks’ sophomore Jazmine Garcia ran as the only representative from her school at the state cross country meet in Round Rock.
Garcia stays strong in Round Rock Lady Hawks’ lone representative finishes 16th
OBITUARY
By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Coaches die in OSU tragedy By JEFF LATZKE ASSOCIATED PRESS
STILLWATER, Okla. — Kurt Budke believed in Oklahoma State when no one else did, and he wasn’t afraid to show it. Less than two years after his Cowgirls failed to win any of their 16 conference games, Budke led them up against powerhouse Oklahoma and reigning national player of the year Courtney Paris. He supported his upstart team with quite the fashion statement: the brightest orange blazer he could find.
MIRANDA SERNA: Oklahoma State assistant coach killed Thursday. Behind a scintillating 45point game from Andrea Riley, the Cowgirls upset the sixth-ranked Sooners for the first time in nine years. Wherever Budke went, he won. The charismatic coach who turned the Cowgirls into an NCAA tournament regular was killed along with assistant coach Miranda Serna and two other people in a plane crash in Arkansas late Thurs-
KURT BUDKE: OSU women’s basketball coach killed Thursday. day. The two coaches, who first united as player and coach 16 years ago, had been on a recruiting trip. Budke frequently offered his players encouragement from the sidelines, but he also could be firm, raising his deep voice. And on more than one occasion, he grabbed a microphone to speak to the Gallagher-Iba Arena crowd after a win. “Coach Budke was a ball
coach. What he did to turn this program around was unbelievable but that’s not important right now,” said Jim Littell, Budke’s assistant who will replace him on an interim basis. “What’s important is he was a father figure for these kids. He had a tremendous knack of taking kids that maybe were struggling in some part of their life and making it better for them. That was his strongest trait.” Serna, 36, was one of his top helpers along the way. Be-
ROUND ROCK — This year, Zapata sophomore Jazmine Garcia found herself in an unfamiliar situation when she ran at the UIL Class 3A cross country state meet last Saturday at Old Settlers Park. Garcia’s first trip to the state meet came last year during her freshman year and she placed in the top 10 to become the first Zapata athlete to earn a medal at state. Last year she was surrounded by her entire team as the Lady Hawks had placed second as the regional meet to punch their ticket to the state meet for the seventh year in a row. This year, however, Garcia was the only Zapata representative at the state meet with her fifth place finish at regionals despite having a nagging illness prior to the race. “It was not her best time (12:10), but she got the job done and earned the right to rep-
See OKLAHOMA STATE PAGE 2B
See CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
MLB labor reaches verbal agreement By RONALD BLUM ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Baseball players and owners have reached a tentative verbal agreement on a five-year labor contract and hope to have a signed deal by next week. Negotiators reached an understanding when they met late Thursday at the InterContinental O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill., a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the agreement still was being drafted. The sides hope to sign a
memorandum of understanding in time to announce the agreement Monday or Tuesday. The last item to fall in place was the luxury tax on high payroll teams. The agreement, the first for the union since Michael Weiner succeeded Donald Fehr as head last year, would replace the deal expiring Dec. 11 and would give baseball 21 years of labor peace since the 1994-95 strike. Under the agreement, there will be a new restraint on the amount of money a team spends each year to sign selections from the amateur draft, with teams going over a
threshold being penalized with a type of luxury tax. In addition, there will be a separate restraint on the amount of money spent to sign international amateur free agents from nations such as the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba. There also will be a committee established to review the system for international signings, leaving open the possibility of a new system during the term of the deal. Negotiators also worked to lower the percentage of major league free agents who require the highest form of draft pick compensation for the teams losing them.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
SANDOVAL Continued from Page 1B to coach a basketball team and understand the sacrifices they must make during the Thanksgiving holidays. Unlike other sports, coaching basketball takes a special kind of individual who is willing to sacrifice their Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. While everyone is getting ready for a much deserved Thanksgiving break, basketball coaches are opening gyms to practice because the holiday happens to fall at the start of the season and you cannot afford to take a few days off. Some teams even practice or play on Thanksgiving Day. During my days at United South, I was an assistant for five years before I was named the head coach. I recall as an assistant, the head coach had scheduled a basketball tournament at Georgetown and we played on Thanksgiving Day. To say the least, I missed my annual Thanksgiving gathering with my family and my parents were not very happy because I had never missed a holiday with
them. Thursday morning, we leave to Georgetown and make it three hours before we are to play so we check in to the hotel. As I sat in my hotel room, I called my parents to see what they were doing and how they were spending the day. Just like every year that I can remember, they were watching the Macy’s Day parade, eating turkey, watching the Cowboys football game and then they were going to play a flag football game. As I talked to my mom, she could hear the disappointment in my voice that I was not there and tried to cheer me up by saying that she was going to save a plate of turkey and all the trimmings. It helped a little. I loved coaching basketball and everything that came with it. At that time, I had coached for five years and I still had the passion for it, so giving it up was not an option. After we had played two games that Thursday, we went back to the hotel. Since I was in charge of ordering food for the team – those are some of the jobs head coaches give their assistants, so not ev-
erything is glamorous in the coaching world – I attempted to call around to see where we could eat. I did not find a single place, because they were all closed because of Thanksgiving. We ended feeing the team sandwiches from a corner store, with a soda and chips, because when I say I could not find one single place to eat, I did not find a single one. Worst Thanksgiving ever. The athletes were miserable. I was miserable and, at that moment, I vowed when I became a head coach I was not going to play during the holidays. Basketball coaches like Garcia and Villarreal should be lauded for taking on a sport that demands such significant time away from their families during the holidays. For a basketball coach, holidays are non-existent and they invest a lot of time to make sure their teams are successful. Fans should keep that in mind before they try to burn any coach at the stake! (Clara Sandoval can be reached at sandoval.clara@gmail.com)
CROSS COUNTRY Continued from Page 1B
Photo by Delcia Lopez | San Antonio Express-News
The Houston Astros have completed their sale to Jim Crane, promising to move to the AL West in 2013.
Astros move after sale, face big changes By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros will soon be playing the American League and new owner Jim Crane is promising many other changes, too. Baseball owners unanimously approved the longdelayed sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Crane on Thursday, a transaction that requires the team to move from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013. As part of the Astros’ agreement to switch leagues, the sale price was cut from $680 million to $615 million, a person at the owners meetings in Milwaukee told The Associated Press. Crane said the reported money totals were “fairly accurate.” Crane, who flew back to Houston from the meetings for an introductory news conference at Minute Maid Park, said the transaction will be completed on Tuesday. “We’re focused on bringing a winner back to Houston,” Crane said. “We’ve got a lot of plans.” McLane, current general manager Ed Wade and president of baseball oper-
ations Tal Smith did not attend Crane’s news conference, and Crane said he will be making staff changes after Thanksgiving. “Starting Tuesday, when we get in the office, we’re going to review everything, not only the baseball operation, but the marketing operation,” Crane said. “From soup to nuts, we’ll sit down with all the executives, ask them what they think we’re doing right, ask them what they think we’re doing wrong, and we’ll make some very, very quick adjustments.” Crane said rebuilding the minor-league system is another top priority. “Once we get that solid, that will certainly help the big team continue to move forward,” Crane said. “Starting Tuesday, we’re going to get in the office and review everything. From scoop to nuts, we’ll sit down with all the executives and ask them what they think we’re doing right, and what they think we’re doing wrong, and we’ll make some very, very quick adjustments.” Attendance has dwindled and the team has finished with losing records in the past five seasons. Last year’s 56-106 mark
was the worst in franchise history. The Astros will be the first team to switch leagues since Milwaukee moved to the National League after the 1997 season. Houston’s move was drawing complaints from fans on local radio call-in shows all day. Crane thinks fans will eventually accept the switch. “The fans are key, they’re buying the tickets,” Crane said. “Over the long period of time, you can make a lot of arguments that the AL won’t be that bad. It does have some positives, and we understand the issues with that. We’re not going to try to look back, we’re going to try to look forward. “When we get the team turned around and we start winning,” he said, “hopefully, that will be in the rear-view mirror.” The Astros joined the major leagues in 1962 as the Colt .45s. They changed their name three years later to honor the city’s connection to NASA and align with the team’s move into the Astrodome. Since 2000, Houston has played in Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston.
resent Zapata High School in Round Rock,” Zapata coach Mike Villarreal said. Garcia did not have the leadership around her when the gun sounded late Saturday morning at the state meet and that cost her at the end as she finished in 16th place. “It was not at all close to the standards she has set for herself, but a good performance nonetheless,” Villarreal said. “The regional and state meet courses are set up to where a runner must get out quickly and then settle into a good position. Our team did not do this well at region and this was Jazmine’s downfall at state.” Two weeks ago, the cross country season came to an end for the Lady Hawks team as it fell short of making another trip to the state meet. The Lady Hawks had a disappointing finish at the Region IV meet in San Antonio, but have vowed to make a strong comeback in 2012. “Each year presents a different challenge in terms of what to expect from the competition around the district, region and state,” Villarreal said. “There are also the obstacles that lay ahead such as, but not limited to, injuries, course conditions, weather and the dreadful psychological game.”
“
Each year presents a different challenge in terms of what to expect from the competition around the district, region and state,” ZAPATA COACH MIKE VILLARREAL
The team was riddled by injuries to three varsity runners early in the season, but had to move forward with young and improving talent. The young girls ran well despite the inexperience from running at a high level of competition. “I know the poor finish hurt our girls emotionally and should light a fire in them to continue to work at being the best they can be. We have no seniors on the girls’ team, so everyone will return in 2012,” Villarreal said. “With the injured girls healthy again and the new girls that ran this season, it will bring about fierce competition to make the varsity squad in 2012. The competition will only make each girl better, faster and ultimately make the team stronger.” Villarreal also noted all the well-wishers and the
people that attended the meet in support of Garcia. “A special thanks to all those people who followed our 2011 season. We had several people attend the state meet in Round Rock as well as many well-wishers that called, texted, prayed for or emailed us,” he said. “Zapata cross country has grown to be a well-respected program throughout the region and the state. It is because of the hard work, time and effort that these young ladies and gentlemen put forth that coaches, parents, teams and colleges have taken notice of our little gold mine in Zapata. “We fell short of our goal, but as life teaches us, we must continue to set new goals and do whatever is in our power to accomplish those goals.” (Clara Sandoval can be reached at sandoval.clara@gmail.com)
VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 1B When Salinas finally made her comeback, she contributed to the Lady Hawks and became Zapata’s third offensive threat at the net. Earning honorable mention was Liana Flores, Aly Jo Gutierrez, Gabriella Gutierrez and
Valerie Gutierrez to round out the all-district selections. The Lady Hawks also took that same hard work from the court to the classroom as eight players were named to the All-Academic team. Aguilar, Bigler, De Le-
on, Liana Flores, Gutierrez, Gabriella Gutierrez, Molina and Salinas were all selected for holding a grade point average of 95 or higher. (Clara Sandoval can be reached at sandoval.clara@gmail.com)
OKLAHOMA STATE Continued from Page 1B fore spending the last seven seasons at OSU, she played on one of his four teams that won the junior-college national title at Trinity Valley (Texas) and was his assistant at Louisiana Tech for the last of three straight trips to the NCAA tournament. The Guadalupita, N.M., native was his recruiting coordinator at Oklahoma State, which has been to the postseason the past five years. University President Burns Hargis said Serna was the first in her family to go to college. “I loved her energy for the game,” Oklahoma State
men’s basketball coach Travis Ford said. “She had a great enthusiasm for the game. She enjoyed recruiting and she enjoyed the process of that and just had a warm heart.” When Budke took over the program, the Cowgirls had finished with a losing record in five of their previous seven seasons and never finished more than a game over .500 during that span. The Cowgirls went 0-16 in Big 12 play in his first season, then secured their first bid to the NCAA tournament in 11 years. The next year brought a trip to the round of 16.
“You learn how to lose, and that’s a bad habit,” he once said of those early struggles. “Sometimes, it’s easier to lose than to fight back, so we had to change habits and expectations.” Budke had little to sell but a dream, but it was enough to convince the WNBA-bound Riley to come make her mark. She left as the program’s career scoring leader. “I came to this league because I wanted to coach against the best, night in and night out,” he once said. “These players that want to come play for us want to play against the
best. That’s how we go out and recruit.” A Salina, Kan., native, Budke was a married father of three, including a daughter currently at Oklahoma State. “I looked at him almost as a mentor,” Ford said. “I can’t tell you how many times I would pick up the phone and ask him how he ran his zone offense. He’d come down to the office or I’d go up to his and we would sit and talk. “Just somebody who I had the utmost respect for as a person and a husband and father and obviously as a coach. In this profession,
the way it gets crazy at times, he had everything in perspective.” Ford called Budke “a complete father figure” for his team. “It’s his personality, his greatest strength,” Ford said. “He just really had great relationships with the girls and could communicate with them.” Budke played basketball for Barton County (Kan.) Junior College and graduated from Washburn in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. After some early small-college jobs, he built the JUCO powerhouse at Trinity Valley
before hooking up with Louisiana Tech, once one of the top programs in the women’s game. “When I first went there and got into the gym office, I saw eight players in the outer office hanging around, enjoying themselves and relaxing,” said Leon Barmore, who made nine Final Four trips with the Lady Techsters and also hired Budke. “This was a player’s coach. The players loved to play for him. He presented an environment which was relaxing. He made you feel warm and at ease, that always stood out to me.”
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE Dear Heloise: Thanks 1,000 times for all the great hints you have given us, including the money we have saved and the chemicals we have left out of our homes. I was just reading your article (Heloise here: about not notifying friends and families about a death), and a thought popped into my head. Write LETTERS OF YOUR PASSING in advance. Direct a trusted person to mail them after you pass on. Treat your friends and family to a nice dinner and a glass of wine at a place of their choice. Tell them how much you love them and cherish their friendship. The acknowledgement alone could mean so much to someone you care for deeply.
“
HELOISE
It can release hurt and pentup feelings on both sides. Keep up the truly good work, Heloise; we all love you. — Hermine in Colorado Springs, Colo. Thank you for the kind words, and your hint is a good “heart hint.” — Heloise Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
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Football
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011
UT, A&M set for rivalry’s last hurrah By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
The rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M is one college football’s oldest, a brother-againstbrother grudge game that dates to 1894. It is part of the fabric of this football crazy state, a Thanksgiving-weekend tradition with connections to some of the legends in the sport. Yet all of it — the Aggie fight song call to “saw Varsity’s horns off,” the Longhorns’ pregame candlelight “Hex Rally,” and the raw emotions of the 1999 bonfire game that brought the bitter foes together in a spirit of healing — is about to be torn apart. Texas A&M is leaving the Big 12 for the SEC after one final showdown with the Longhorns on Thanksgiving night, marking the end of a fierce intrastate series that has spawned more than its share of heroes and history. Heisman Trophy winners Ricky Williams (Texas), John David Crow (A&M), Earl Campbell (Texas) had career-defining moments in these games. Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant led A&M to its first win at Texas’ Memorial Stadium in 1956. The next year, firstyear Texas coach Darrell Royal led the Longhorns to a win in College Station. The Longhorns’ home stadium now bears his name. The rivals have played in the same conference since 1915, but as the Texas fight song says, it’s “goodbye to A&M.” “For some people, (the last game) will be so sad,” Crow said. “It will be a game where you don’t know what’s next on the horizon. I wish we could have continued playing the University of Texas, to keep the rivalry going, but that’s not possible.” No games have been scheduled and none is expected to be in the foreseeable future. “It would be a tragedy if that rivalry came to an end,” said Williams, the Baltimore Ravens’ running back who won the 1998 Heisman for Texas. Aggies versus Longhorns has always been about more than football. Though both institutions now rank among the nation’s largest
Photo by David J. Phillip | AP
In this Nov. 26, 1999, file photo, Texas A&M’s Matt Bumgardner (81) leaps in front of Texas’ Ahmad Brooks (5) to catch the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter in College Station. Texas A&M is leaving the Big 12 for the SEC after one final rivalry showdown with the Longhorns on Thanksgiving night. and most-respected public research universities, the rivalry still carries the hint of the culture war pitting the state’s liberal intellectuals at Texas against the farming and military traditions of Texas A&M, which started as a military college and didn’t allow women until the 1960s. When the Longhorns and Aggies clash, it can even shake up the state Capitol. In 2010, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (a former A&M yell leader) squared off against U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (a
former Texas cheerleader) in the Republican primary for governor. Everyone expected a rock’em, sock’em campaign similar to a football game. The Aggie won in a walk. Texas leads the annual rivalry 75-37-5 and got it started by whipping the Aggies 38-0. According to a newspaper account of the first game, A&M was thoroughly outclassed in defeat. “Every time the Varsity boys made a catch-as-catch-can play, the A&M College boys went to the
dust like so many tenpins being knocked down,” the Austin Statesman wrote. The Aggies didn’t beat Texas until 1902. The rivalry inspired Texas A&M’s first pregame bonfire in 1909, which became an annual tradition until the log stack collapsed in 1999, killing 12 people and injuring dozens. The rivalry really took off during World War I and the years just after it. A group of stealthy Aggies branded the 13-0 score of the 1915 game onto Texas’ mascot, a longhorn steer. According to Aggie lore, embarrassed Texas students turned the 13-0 into “BEVO”, creating the steer’s now famous nickname. Texas insists, however, that school records show the steer was first dubbed “Bevo” several months earlier in the campus magazine. The first Thanksgiving game was played in 1918, shortly after the end of World War I. Texas won a 7-0 mudfest played on a field that didn’t have any grass after years of military drills and marches. In 1920, a crowd of 20,000 turned out to watch Texas win 7-3 against an Aggie team that hadn’t been scored on in two years. In 1941, local fortune teller Madam Agusta Hipple told Texas students to burn red candles the week before the game to “hex” the Aggies and break a long losing streak in College Station. The Longhorns beat the Aggies 23-0 and the “Hex Rally” became an annual tradition. Texas owned the rivalry from 1940-1974, going 31-3-1. It’s been much more competitive since then, with A&M holding a 19-17 edge over the last 36 years. The Aggies’ longest run of dominance came when they won 10 of 11 from 1984-94. The 1990s saw two of the most thrilling and emotionally wrenching games in the rivalry’s history. In 1998, Williams broke the NCAA major college career rushing record in Texas’ 26-24 upset of the No. 6 Aggies. Williams surpassed Pittsburgh’s Tony Dorsett with a 60yard touchdown run in the first quarter, plowing over an Aggies defender at the goal line. Even in the loss, the Aggies helped cele-
brate Williams’ Heisman-clinching game with Crow joining Dorsett and Campbell to present him with a game ball. Tragedy struck College Station in 1999 when the 40-foot tower of timber being assembled for the annual bonfire collapsed eight days before the game. Dozens of Aggies players rushed to the scene to help rescuers remove the heavy logs and Longhorns players held blood drives for the injured. Some questioned whether the game should be canceled. Texas’ hex rally became a unity rally that drew more than 10,000 Longhorns fans and 40 busloads of Aggies who made a 105-mile trip to join them. On game day, Texas players and coaches started getting phone calls at 4 a.m. after the numbers of their College Station hotel rooms were posted on the Internet. The pregame meal at the hotel served pancakes without plates and cereal without milk, sending many Longhorns across the street for biscuits at a fastfood restaurant. The game went on and Texas A&M players wore commemorative patches with an image of a burning bonfire on their helmets. Four F-16 fighter jets from the Air Force Reserve flew over the stadium in the missing man formation usually reserved for military aviators killed in the line of duty. The Aggies won 20-16 after rallying from 10 points down at halftime. Randy McCown passed to Matt Bumgardner for the winning touchdown with 5 minutes to play. Texas’ starting quarterback that day was freshman Chris Simms, who would go 3-1 against A&M and was the first Texas quarterback to beat the Aggies three times in a row since Bobby Layne in the 1940s. It was probably inevitable that the Aggies would prevail that day, Simms said. When it was over, tens of thousands of Texas A&M fans stayed in the stadium for almost an hour. Aggies players cried. “We had the thought and memory of those 12 in our hearts and minds,” Offensive lineman Chris Valletta said after the game.
New ’Boys face old foes Romo, Murray take on Redskins By JOSEPH WHITE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Margaret Bowles | AP
The Houston Texans aspire to maintain their strong start to the season after the bye week.
Top-tier Texans head into bye By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Even now, in the best of times, the Houston Texans can’t escape their star-crossed history. The Texans (7-3) are off to the fastest start in franchise history and enter their bye week on a four-game winning streak. And somehow they’ve done it as their best players continue to go down with major injuries. The latest is quarterback Matt Schaub, who may be lost for the season after injuring a Lisfranc joint in his right foot during Sunday’s 37-9 win over Tampa Bay. Houston has already survived more than a month without All-Pro Mario Williams (torn chest muscle) and has won four of the last six games without All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson (right hamstring). Running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate have also missed games, and starting safety Danieal Manning is still out with a broken left fibula. It’s always something with the Texans, whose 10season life span is more defined by epic collapses than milestone victories. The players insist this year feels different, with upgrades in depth, talent and coaching creating confidence and unity in the locker room. But they also can’t help
but wonder why this franchise can’t ever catch a break. “Over the years, it’s been crazy,” said tight end Owen Daniels. “That’s just the way it’s going to be with the Texans. We’re going to have to fight through stuff, we’re going to have some crazy adversity that other teams might not have. The mindset began to change when Houston scuttled its defensive staff after last season and hired Wade Phillips, renowned for quickly turning around bad defenses. The Texans focused on high-energy defensive players in the draft, picked up Johnathan Joseph and Manning in free agency to shore up the secondary and the pieces were suddenly in place. The Texans can also boast the league’s top rushing tandem, Foster and Tate. Both rank among the league’s top 10, and Houston is third in rushing (158 yards per game), behind Philadelphia and Denver. Between the defense and the running game, the players think they’re equipped to withstand the loss of any one player. Even their starting quarterback. “It’s exciting,” Matt Leinart said. “This organization, we haven’t been in this situation before, but we’ve got a great team, we’ve got a great team camaraderie.”
LANDOVER, Md. — The last time they saw the Washington Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys were a bumbling outfit that couldn’t score a touchdown or even find a reliable way to snap the ball to Tony Romo. No one had yet seen much of DeMarco Murray, and Laurent Robinson was catching his first three passes of the season. Now Dallas has won three of four — all by double digits — and is coming off a 44-7 rout of the Buffalo Bills. The Cowboys (5-4) are but one game behind the New York Giants in the NFC East heading into Sunday’s game at Washington (3-6). Murray’s emergence, and Robinson’s as well, has made them look like a different team. “We kind of have a few different guys in different positions,” Romo said. “We’re playing some good football, and I think we’re starting to figure out what some of these guys can do.” Third-round pick Murray is averaging 150 yards over four games since Felix Jones was sidelined with a severely sprained ankle. Fifth-year player Robinson has four touchdown catches in the last three games, doubling his career total. Murray, in particular, adds a new dimension to those studying for a way to beat the Cowboys. His 674 yards rushing lead all NFL rookies. “The way he’s running the ball, it makes Romo’s job a lot easier,” Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “There’s not a lot of pressure on him. He doesn’t have to make a lot of plays in the air. These guys are legit right now.”
Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) faces the Washington Redskins on Sunday, but this time with a freshly revamped offense. They sure didn’t look very legit in Week 3, when center Phil Costa misfired four times attempting shotgun snaps toward Romo. The Cowboys’ only points came on six field goals from Dan Bailey, barely enough to pull out an 18-16 win. The bouncing balls led to allegations by Costa of snap-count mimicking against Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen, who came from Dallas to Washington as a free agent this year. Bowen accused Costa of lying and Costa’s allegations were never proven, but the NFL nevertheless sent a memo to all teams reminding them that defenders can’t shout out fake snap counts. “It’s over with,” Bowen said this week. “I don’t really know what that was about, honesty. I talked to Phil Costa after that game and I respect him calling me and reaching out to me. We squashed it, and there’s no hard feelings.”
Costa hasn’t been charged with a fumble since. “It really hasn’t been an issue. It was just for that game,” Romo said. “That was early in the year and our first home game. Just little things like that, we were still working out some kinks. ... We got it righted and he’s doing a good job now.” There’s not much going right for the Redskins, who have lost five straight. While Murray is taking the league by storm, Washington has no running game to speak of. While Robinson is hauling in TDs, the Redskins keep trotting out different combinations of receivers hoping someone will catch fire and stay healthy. While Romo flirts with a 100 passer rating, Washington has gone from Rex Grossman to John Beck and back to Grossman. Throw the records out the window when these teams meet? Yeah, right.
The Redskins can only wish it were possible. “It’s irrelevant at this point,” Washington tight end Logan Paulsen said. “It’s Dallas, whatever. They’re kind of on the rise right now, but we just need to get a win.” The losing streak is the longest in coach Mike Shanahan’s 18 seasons as a head coach. One more would mark the longest skid since Dan Snyder bought the Redskins in 1999, and history suggests Snyder will again have to put up with the embarrassing sight of large swaths of Cowboys fans invading his stadium on Sunday. Grossman will make his second start since regaining the job from Beck. A modest goal: score a touchdown in the first half, something the Redskins haven’t done since Oct. 2. “We need some type of boost, regardless of who was up,” Orakpo said. “Dallas is the one that’s up this week.”