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ENVIRONMENT
Pollution TCEQ investigates sewage complaint at Falcon Lake By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photos by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Daniel Rodriguez, left, and Ramon Garza, of Rodriguez Iron Works, paint the finishing touches on a metal sign that was designed and commissioned by TxDOT to welcome visitors to Zapata.
WARM WELCOME
See TCEQ PAGE 10A
COUNTY BUDGET
TxDOT seeks resolution for two rest areas
New signage represents Zapatans By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County welcomes passers-by with a new modern looking “Welcome to Zapata” sign with a little touch of South Texas in it. “This new sign comprises all things that make up Zapata,” said Zapata County Judge Rosalva Guerra. “It involves the water, the sun, and the ranchers that have been here since the beginning of Zapata.” The new sign was drafted by Texas Department of Transportation engineer Steve Walker with Guerra’s input, she said. “They gave us an idea and we duplicated the idea in metal,” said Ramiro Rodriguez, owner
An investigation by the Texas Department of Environmental Quality has been brewing in Zapata County after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was notified about raw sewage discharges possibly contaminating Falcon Lake. “Anytime raw sewage goes into Falcon Lake it is detrimental to the native species in the water,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Sam Padgett. Lake patrons also run the risk of getting introduced to bacteria and other pollutants, making the lake unsafe for swimming, he said. TCEQ is currently investigating several cases, according to spokesperson Andrea Morrow.
News of the pollution came after a local resident notified the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department about changes to the water in a creek located on his property, Padgett said. The land owner informed Padgett that he had notified local officials about the pollution a year ago and nothing had been done, he added. “I went out to look at it and it looked contaminated by possible sewage,” Padgett said. Apparently raw sewage had been spilling from a Zapata County wastewater lift station located on private property, Padgett said. Evidence collected by Padgett confirmed the pollution was coming from the Zapata County Water Works lift station 13, located near
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
This "Welcome to Zapata" sign, which has greeted visitors for years, will soon be replaced with a bigger and more colorful one that has been designed and commissioned by TxDOT. of Rodriguez Iron Works. An old “Welcome to Zapata” sign still stands behind the new mural. “I believe there is no comparison, but the old one remains there as a historical sight for people to see,” Guerra said.
“The goal is of course to welcome all visitors but mainly to make the citizens of Zapata proud.” “We are very pleased with the outcome and it gives Zapata an
See WELCOME PAGE 10A
The Texas Department of Transportation planned to have a meeting with the Zapata County Commissioners Court early this month regarding a solution for the rest areas located in Precinct 2, but with the holidays approaching the meeting seems impossible. “Local officials will probably not be there because of the holidays,” said Marisa Ramirez, TxDOT project manager. TxDOT has closed more than
15 rest stops in Zapata, Starr, Jim Hogg and surrounding counties since last summer and has given the Zapata County Commissioners Court an ultimatum as far as the remaining two rest areas in Precinct 2. At the last Commissioners Court meeting, TxDOT project manager and the Commissioners Court discussed the possibility of maintaining the rest areas and decreasing the trash left at the sites.
See TXDOT PAGE 10A
COLONIA OUTREACH
Community builds home By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Flores family will soon have a new home, thanks to the Buckner Colonias Program, an arm of the Buckner Foundation. The program is known for building new homes for needy families and also helps underprivileged children by providing clothing, shoes, and school suppli-
es. In the last Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting, Buckner Foundation project coordinator Gabriel Flores asked for help with the demolition of the unlivable structure in which Atilano and Rosa Flores lived in. The Flores family is no relation to Gabriel Flores. The county agreed to help if the house was deemed unlivable
by the Zapata County Fire Department. “The house they were living in was old, the electricity wasn’t too good and it also lacked a septic tank,” said Jesus Vega, Buckner Foundation project coordinator. “The old house was in pretty bad shape and falling apart.” “It wasn’t taken care of and it
See HOME PAGE 10A
Courtesy photo
Volunteers work to construct a new home for Atilano and Rosa Flores. The Buckner Foundation supplied a grant for the supplies.