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ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
WAR ON DRUGS
Job grievance
Federal court indicts man in marijuana case
Staff member struggles to keep position By RICARDO R. VILLARREAL
The board accepted the findings, but changed the conclusions of law.
THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata County ISD trustees voted on Tuesday to table any decisions relating to a grievance case brought against the district by a fired employee. The board met in closed session for almost three hours, during which they also discussed resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, new employment and contract renewals for teachers and administrators, as well as a second grievance case. After emerging, the board voted to settle the case of Romeo Al-
varez by adjusting his salary, working schedule and duties as transportation supervisor. However, the case of Diana Brandon remained unresolved. The case dates to June 2012 when Brandon claims she was
improperly terminated as a school improvement facilitator. The case was heard in July by Patricia L. Palafox, an independent hearing examiner from the Texas Education Agency. Palafox recommended Brandon not be terminated. In August, the board then accepted the findings of fact, but changed the conclusions of law, rejected the recommendation and upheld Brandon’s termination. Brandon then filed an appeal with Education Commissioner
See SCHOOLS PAGE 8A
Man claims Mexican forced him to smuggle By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man, along with a co-defendant, who claimed unknown gunmen in Mexico forced him to smuggle 273 pounds of marijuana was indicted in federal court this week, according to court records. U.S. Border Patrol agents detained Nelson Alexander Izaguirre-Figueroa and Fulgencio Guerra-Davila on Nov. 3 in Jim
Hogg County when they were allegedly smuggling $218,400 worth of marijuana, according to a criminal complaint. An indictment filed Tuesday charges both men with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
See COURT PAGE 8A
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
HOPING FOR A HOLIDAY BARGAIN
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
Shoppers from all over line up on Mall del Norte Drive for a chance at a Mall del Norte parking space on a busy Black Friday afternoon.
Many turn out for Black Friday deals By ZACH BROOKE THE ZAPATA TIMES
LAREDO — With another Thanksgiving come and gone, people flocked to area shopping centers like Mall del Norte to take advantage of the long weekend and seasonal bargains. Amid the din of tinkling cash registers and pipedin Christmas carols, throngs of holiday shoppers walked off
so many of yesterday’s extra calories in search of new excesses.
Gift hunting Among the patrons in the food court of Mall del Norte who couldn’t resist the siren song of savings was Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas. “I have some gifts in mind
for my children and friends. For myself, I’m very easy, very low maintenance. I just need a couple of shirts,” Salinas said. Though most shoppers seemed to grudgingly contend with the crowds, Salinas said he was elated by the turnout so far. “I want to see people shop in Laredo. Local shopping
See SHOPPING PAGE 8A
Long lines of vehicles with Texas and Mexico license plates wait on Esperanza Drive to enter Mall del Norte on Friday afternoon. Shoppers from all over went to the mall, hoping to take advantage of Black Friday sales.