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Hartley investigation Local sheriff says he has info on 2 suspects involved in shooting death By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. said his office recently received information about two Mexican nationals who he says are directly involved in the alleged shooting death of David Michael
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Hartley. The information comes almost two months after Mexican state police ended the search for Hartley’s body. Hartley is presumed dead after cartel members shot him in the back of the head while sightseeing on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake.
Authorities received two names of people, but those could not be released because of the investigation. “We’re determining how the information came about,” Gonzalez said Dec. 11 and added that the information will be corroborated. Gonzalez could not say if the men are
cartel members. However, because the area is known to be controlled by Los Zetas, the men may be linked to the organization, the sheriff said. Back in October, Tamaulipas state authorities identified two brothers — Juan
ADVANCED EDUCATION CENTER
See HARTLEY PAGE 11A
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
Fees top county’s concerns
Trustees discuss student progress
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County Commissioners continue to look for ways to bring in revenue to the county after learning of a $7 million shortfall in county revenues during their meeting Monday. To make up for the shortfall, commissioners approved the purchase of a health clinic, so the county could collect rent on it. They also decided to levy late fees on the more than $2 million in delinquent fines and fees owed to the county.South Texas Community Action Council was renting the building they formerly owned by Gateway Inc., but still owed more than $700,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and filed for bankruptcy, Commissioner Jose E. Vela said. After filing for bankruptcy, STCAC tried to sell the building to Gateway Inc., but could not sell it because it was built on Zapata County land, Vela added. (Eddie) Martinez negotiated the purchase of the building at $650,000,” Vela said. “Once we transfer the clinic to our property, we will continue leasing it to Gateway and whatever rent we collect will now be for the county.” The rent collected by the county will be approximately $5,000 a month , Vela said. “It’s a good business practice by the county,” Vela said. Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved the increase of amounts to be paid on delinquent fines and fees owed by Zapata County residents. Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson, LLP., the firm hired to collect the fees, is still struggling to collect the delinquent fines and fees, and feels Zapata County justices of the peace aren’t giving the firm enough information. “They gave us a report that the amount being collected is ve-
See COUNTY PAGE 12A
Buildings, food service also get examinations By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Several safety concerns found in the awardwinning design of the Advance Education Center by new director David Brown may cause yet another delay in the planned Jan. 3 opening of the center. The AEC was slated to open for the first day of instruction in conjunction with Laredo Community College. “The primary issues are the safety features of the building that are deficient in a number of areas that make it dangerous for the public,” Brown said. “This is a major academic center that we’re creating for this community and the people of Zapata deserve nothing less.” Delays are apparent, but repairs need to be made by first days of three universities who plan to hold classes there: Jan. 3 for LCC; Jan. 17 for Texas A&M University; and the end of January for the University of Texas Health Sci-
Zapata County Independent School District board of trustees focused on student performance and building improvements in the last regular meeting Tuesday. Several reports, including the District Academic Excellence Indicator System report, the annual career and technology education program evaluation, the annual special education program evaluation, and the ZCISD child nutrition report were given to update the board on student performance or areas needing improvement. “We submit monthly reports to TEA (Texas Education Agency) reflecting that we are in compliance with reporting to the board the effectiveness of these programs,” said Superintendent Norma Garcia. The ZCISD child nutrition report confirmed the decline in revenues due to lack of participation, Garcia said. “We are just letting the board know that we are looking at all possible causal factors contributing to the decline of revenues,” Garcia said. The child nutrition program is supposed to be self-sustaining and received a good report by TEA, but students skipping out on meals are causing the decline of revenues, Garcia said. Several board members and other ZCISD administration admitted at the meeting that their children sometimes go home hungry after school because the children did not want to eat the food provided by the school.
See CENTER PAGE 11A
See SCHOOLS PAGE 12A
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
ABOVE: The Advance Education Center in Zapata is almost complete; however, railing was left out in part of the upper deck. BELOW: A part of the upper deck of the new Advance Education Center in Zapata was left without railing.
SAFETY CONCERNS Problems could delay opening of new building By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES