SATURDAYSEPTEMBER 3, 2011

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DISTRICT STARTS UPLADY HAWKS BEGIN LEAGUE PLAY TODAY, 1B

brush on a hot afternoon.Dodging carrizo and brush is challeng-

ing. A misstep could cause someone to falland get scratched. But that doesn’t hindertrafficking. Throughout the riverbanks,paths and trails used by smugglers tobring across people or narcotics can beseen in the area.

As Alaniz walks along a bank areaknown as Tejon Ranch, north of La Perla,

Thick brush and mesquites scratch aZapata County sheriff ’s Tahoe as it’s dri-ven downriver along the border banksnorth of the town of Zapata. Once there,Sgt. Israel Alaniz pulls out an assault rifle,his preferred weapon when patrollingnear the river. He begins walking the

assorted clothing and inner tubes used bycrossers are left behind. Deputies haveslashed tubes in the past to make sure noone uses them again. Only a stretch of theRio Grande separates Mexico from ZapataCounty.

Once on U.S. soil, smugglers have betterchances of reaching U.S. 83. Alaniz saidmost of the human and drug traffickingactivity occurs north of the town of Zapata

and the San Ygnacio area, where smug-glers take advantage of the walking dis-tance — sometimes a quarter of a mile orless — to reach the highway.

In an area known to authorities as“Gravel Pit Road,” an island is seen on theU.S. side of the Rio Grande. Its water issometimes so shallow, it allows smug-

BORDER LIFE

River crossing challengesLawmen work to keep drugs, people from being smuggled into US

See ZAPATA PAGE 10A

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES

A Zapata Regional Jail detention officer resignedthis week after being arrested for striking four station-ary vehicles while driving drunk, sheriff ’s officials say.

At about 3:38 a.m. Aug. 26, ZapataCounty sheriff ’s deputies responded to ahit-and-run accident at Martinez Apart-ments in the 300 block of Glenn Street.

Sgt. Israel Alaniz Jr. noticed how adomino effect had taken place affectingfour vehicles — an Expedition, a BMW, aFord F-150 King Ranch and a Ford Es-cape. No one was harmed at the wreckscene.

Alaniz said witnesses stated the driver, later identi-

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Zapata jaildetention

officer quitsDeputies: Man was driving drunk

when he struck four vehiclesBy CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

See RESIGNED PAGE 10A

DAVILA

The Zapata County Commissioners Court met Mon-day in special session to discuss the proposed tax ratefor 2011-2012.

Commissioners took no action.“It was procedural,” said County Judge Joseph Rath-

mell. “We were there about 10 minutes,” he said. “Be-fore we decide on anything, we’re going to meet again

COMMISSIONERS

Court takesno action onnew tax rate

By MIKE HERRERA IVTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See TAXES PAGE 9A

ABOVE: A tiger trainer controls five tigers as part ofthe Alzafar Shrine Circus’s early showing at the Zapa-ta Rodeo grounds Wednesday afternoon. LEFT: Atrainer has a dog jump an obstacle as part of the Al-zafar Shrine Circus’s early showing at the Zapata Ro-deo grounds Wednesday afternoon.

Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

ANIMALSTAKE THERING ATCIRCUS

PAGE 2A Zin brief SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

SATURDAY, SEPT. 3A book sale will be held in the

Widener Room of the First UnitedMethodist Church, 1220 McClellandAve., from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thepublic is invited, and admission is free.Donated books and magazines are ac-cepted. Call 722-1674 for more infor-mation.

MONDAY, SEPT. 5This Labor Day weekend, the La-

redo Chamber of Commerce will behosting “one of South Texas’ best golftournaments” today from 7:30 a.m. to1 p.m. at the Laredo Country Club! Callthe Laredo Chamber of Commerce at722-9895 for information.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 6Les Amis will have its monthly

luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the HolidayInn at 800 Garden St. Honorees areViola Garcia, Lydia Linares, Frances Ma-dison and Olga Hovel. Hostesses areOralia Laurel, Leonor (Noni) Daves andMary Perez.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10H.E.A.L., the second annual fit-

ness festival, is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.today at Laredo North Central Park,10202 International Blvd. The festivalwill include activities for people of allages, including zumba, spinning andrelay races. Well-known chefs will dem-onstrate healthy cooking. Healthy foodwill be sold. For more information, call794-1760 or www.laredoheal.org.

The Environmental Medicine andToxicology Conference will be held from8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at theUTHSCSA Laredo Regional campus,1937 E. Bustamante St. The conferenceis free for medical doctors, registerednurses, doctors of osteopathy, licensedvocational nurses, social workers, stu-dents and any other allied health careworkers. For more information, call theArea Health Education Center office at712-0037 or Rodolfo at the South Tex-as Environmental Education and Re-search office at 7537418.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 18The first day of the two-day

South Texas Archery Shootout takesplace today. This will be a 3D pop-uptournament. For more information orto register, call Gil Gamez at 512-426-4255.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 19The second day of the two-day

South Texas Archery Shootout takesplace today.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21The 18th Annual Logistics and

Manufacturing Association’s Symposi-um will be taking place today, tomor-row and Friday at Texas A&M Interna-tional University. The theme, entitled“Mexico’s Top Manufacturing and Con-suming Regions Utilizing Port Laredo,”will focus on the ability for transporta-tion and communications infrastruc-ture, port and border administration,market access, and the overall busi-ness environment to govern a port’sability to become a leader in facilitat-ing global supply chains. For more in-formation, contact info@ldfonline.org.

FRIDAY, OCT 7The first day of the three-day

Bass Champs tournament takes placetoday. For more information or to reg-ister, call 817-439-3274 or check thewebsite at www.basschamps.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 8The second day of the three-day

Bass Champs tournament takes placetoday. For more information or to reg-ister, call 817-439-3274 or check thewebsite at www.basschamps.com.

SUNDAY, OCT. 9The third day of the three-day

Bass Champs tournament takes placetoday. For more information or to reg-ister, call 817-439-3274 or check thewebsite at www.basschamps.com.

FRIDAY, OCT. 28The first day of the three-day

2011 Pro/Am Event sponsored by theCouples Association of Sport Tourna-ments fishing tournament takes placetoday. For more information or to reg-ister, call 281-796-7486 or check thewebsite at www.fishcast.com.

To submit an item for thecalendar, send the name of theevent, the date, time, locationand contact phone number toeditorial@lmtonline.com.

CALENDARASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Saturday, Sept. 3,the 246th day of 2011. Thereare 119 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in His-tory:

On Sept. 3, 1861, during theCivil War, Confederate forcesinvaded the border state ofKentucky, which had declaredits neutrality in the conflict;the incursion prompted thelegislature to seek assistancefrom the Union.

On this date: In 1189, England’s King

Richard I (the Lion-Hearted)was crowned in WestminsterAbbey.

In 1783, representatives ofthe United States and Britainsigned the Treaty of Paris,which officially ended the Rev-olutionary War.

In 1923, the United Statesand Mexico resumed diplomat-ic relations.

In 1939, Britain, France,Australia and New Zealand de-clared war on Germany, twodays after the Nazi invasion ofPoland.

In 1943, the British EighthArmy invaded Italy duringWorld War II.

In 1951, the television soapopera “Search for Tomorrow”made its debut on CBS.

In 1971, Qatar became inde-pendent of British rule.

In 1976, America’s Viking 2lander touched down on Marsto take the first close-up, colorphotographs of the planet’ssurface.

In 1978, Pope John Paul Iwas formally installed as lead-er of the Roman CatholicChurch.

In 1991, Academy Award-winning director Frank Capradied in La Quinta, Calif., atage 94.

Ten years ago: Four daysinto a world conferenceagainst racism, the UnitedStates and Israel walked out ofthe U.N. meeting in Durban,South Africa, accusing Arabnations of hijacking the sum-mit as a platform to embar-rass the Jewish state. It wasannounced that high-tech gi-ant Hewlett-Packard was buy-ing Compaq Computer forabout $25 billion. Movie criticPauline Kael died in GreatBarrington, Mass., at age 82.St. Louis Cardinals pitcherBud Smith became the 16throokie in modern history tothrow a no-hitter, shuttingdown San Diego, 4-0.

Five years ago: Authoritiesannounced the capture of al-Qaida in Iraq’s No. 2 leader(Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saee-di). Today’s Birthdays: “Bee-tle Bailey” cartoonist MortWalker is 88. Actress AnneJackson is 85. Actress EileenBrennan is 79. Country singerTompall Glaser is 78. ActressPauline Collins is 71. Rocksinger-musician Al Jardine is69. Actress Valerie Perrine is68. Rock musician DonaldBrewer (Grand Funk Railroad)is 63. Rock guitarist SteveJones (The Sex Pistols) is 56.Actor Steve Schirripa is 54.Actor Holt McCallany is 47.Rock singer-musician Todd Le-wis is 46. Actor Charlie Sheenis 46. Singer Jennifer Paige is38. Actress Ashley Jones is 35.Actress Nichole Hiltz is 33. Ac-tor Nick Wechsler is 33. ActorGarrett Hedlund is 27. Olym-pic gold medal snowboarderShaun White is 25.

Thought for Today: “Inthe arts, the critic is the onlyindependent source of infor-mation. The rest is advertis-ing.” — Pauline Kael, Ameri-can movie critic (1919-2001).

TODAY IN HISTORY

HOUSTON — Parched Texans hoping fordrought relief from a tropical storm movingslowly through the Gulf of Mexico shouldprepare for disappointment and even theheightened threat of wildfires parts of thestate, experts said Friday.

Tropical Storm Lee could dump as muchas 20 inches of rain once it makes landfallover Labor Day weekend. But it appearedlikely Friday that Louisiana, Mississippi andAlabama would bear the full brunt of thestorm.

Texas is enduring its worst drought sincethe 1950s, and its farmers and ranchers aredesperate for rain. The state endured one ofits hottest summers on record, and but threeof its 254 counties have banned outdoorburning. It didn’t appear likely Friday that

Lee would bring much relief, and some saidthe winds it kicks up could actually bringmore grief.

“I think this one on balance is going tocause more problems than it’s going tosolve,” said John Nielsen-Gammon, the Tex-as state climatologist.

Lee “really has most of its punch on theeast side,” Maureen Maiuri, a meteorologistat the Houston-based Weather Research Cen-ter, said. “There could be a chance we’re notgoing to get much out of it.”

Given the counterclockwise circulation oftropical storms, East Texas would wind upon the dry side of the storm and get buffetedby strong northerly winds exacerbated by awind-producing cold front also entering thestate over the weekend.

“The combination of dry, windy and hotadds up to fire,” Neilsen-Gammon said.

AROUND TEXAS

In this photo made Wednesday, a brush fire truck drives in an area destroyed by a wildfire at Possum Kingdom Lake. Twomassive wildfires in four months have turned much of a picturesque North Texas lakeside community into heaps of rubbleand blackened tree stumps.

Photo by LM Otero | AP

Storm could bring fireBy MICHAEL GRACZYK

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Texas regulators hailclean-air surrender

AUSTIN — The panel incharge of enforcing state envi-ronmental regulations is cheer-ing President Barack Obama’sdecision to scrap a tougherclean-air regulation.

On Friday, the president yield-ed to bitter protests from con-gressional Republicans and busi-ness interests who argued therule would kill jobs in the na-tion’s sputtering economy.

AP Interview: Tough talkfrom Paul on Perry

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Presi-dential candidate Ron Paul is li-kening his home state opponent,Texas Gov. Rick Perry, to a “can-didate of the week.”

Paul, a Texas congressman, alot has changed in Texas underPerry’s watch — and much of itisn’t good.

Paul said Perry could fall justas quickly as he has risen whenvoters get to know him better.

Texas website shuts downafter apparent hackingHOUSTON — The head of a

Texas law enforcement groupwhose website was apparentlytaken over by the hacker groupAnonymous said Friday that theassociation has taken the sitedown to evaluate its security.

Some police departmentsaround the state that were alsothe targets of Anonymous con-firmed Friday the email ac-counts of some of their officialshad been compromised, but saidthey believed their departmentalservers had not.

AMR buying planes backfrom Eagle spinoff

FORT WORTH — AMR Corp.said Friday it has begun buyingthe planes used by its AmericanEagle unit, which it is spinningoff to AMR shareholders.

AMR said in a filing Friday itbegan buying the 263 planesWednesday and expects to com-plete the purchases by Oct. 15.

Teen charged for firingshot on school groundsMCALLEN — A 16-year-old is

in custody on felony gun posses-sion and other charges a day af-ter firing a shot outside his highschool after classes ended.

McAllen Independent SchoolDistrict spokesman Mark Maysays the boy fired a pistol shotThursday, but was quickly takeninto custody by school police.

Mexican policemen crossborder into West TexasEL PASO — U.S. Border Patrol

agents are investigating an inci-dent in which federal police offi-cers from Mexico crossed intoWest Texas.

Mexican police spokesmanJose Ramon Salinas says officerswere responding Thursday to anemergency call about armedmen in SUVs firing their gunson the banks of the Rio Grandebut retreated when they saw itwas hunters.

— Compiled from AP reports

Hiring standstill points togrowing recession riskWASHINGTON — Employers

added no jobs in August — analarming setback for the econo-my that renewed fears of anotherrecession and raised pressure onWashington to end the hiringstandstill.

Worries flared Friday after therelease of the worst jobs reportsince September 2010. Total pay-rolls were unchanged, the firsttime since 1945 that the govern-ment reported a net job changeof zero. The unemployment ratestayed at 9.1 percent.

The dismal news two day be-fore Labor Day sent stocks plung-ing. The Dow Jones industrialaverage fell 253 points, or morethan 2 percent.

Analysts say the economy can-not continue to expand unlesshiring picks up. In the first sixmonths of 2011, growth was mea-sured at an annual rate of 0.7percent.

Feds sue biggest US banksover risky mortgages

NEW YORK — In a sweepingmove, the government on Fridaysued 17 financial firms, includ-

ing the largest U.S. banks, forselling Fannie Mae and FreddieMac billions of dollars worth ofmortgage-backed securities thatturned toxic when the housingmarket collapsed. The total pricetag: $196 billion.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION

In this Wednesday photo, some of an estimated 4,000 people wait to enter a jobfair in South Los Angeles. Employers stopped adding jobs in August, an alarmingsetback for an economy that has struggled to grow.

Photo by Reed Saxon | AP

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The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the LaredoMorning Times and for those who buy the Laredo MorningTimes 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.

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CONTACT US

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 Local THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A

ON THE RUNWAY IN STYLE

Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Triana Gonzalez, 11, of Zapata, was a model in the "Field ofDreams" student style show at Mall del Norte last Sunday. Theevent was a fundraiser for the Imaginarium of South Texas.

Two Zapata HighSchool graduates havereceived $500 scholar-ships from the ZapataCounty Retired SchoolEmployees.

The are Ricardo D.Martinez, son of JoseLuis and Araceli Marti-nez, and Garret A.Umphres, son of Allenand Melissa S. Umphres.

Martinez will enterTexas A&M Kingsville to

study chemical engineer-ing.

Umphres will enterthe University of Texas-Pan American at Edin-burg to study business.

Scholarships aidtwo graduates

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RICARDO D. MARTI-NEZ: In chemicalengineering atTAMUK.

GARRET A.UMPHRES: Study-ing business atUT-Pan American.

A new $3 million pro-gram called Housing4Tex-asHeroes has been designedto provide temporary andpermanent housing to Tex-as veterans and their fam-ilies. Grants through theTexas Veterans Commis-sion Fund will be availableto organizations that pro-vide housing to veteranswho want to buy or repairtheir homes or to renovatea home to meet specialneeds caused by service-re-lated disabilities.

All eligible organizations

with programs that assistveterans with housing mayapply for a grant from thefund.

For the grant period,Housing4TexasHeroes willallocate the funds evenly in-to two program categories:temporary housing and per-manent housing. Organiza-tions that provide tempora-ry housing to low incomeor homeless veterans, or tothe dependents of veteranswho are undergoing longterm treatment at a medicalfacility in Texas, may qual-ify for grant funds in thetemporary housing catego-

ry. Organizations that pro-

vide permanent housing,such as new home construc-tion or housing modifica-tion for veterans requiringsuch modifications due to aphysical disability or injury,may qualify for funds in thepermanent housing catego-ry.

The mission of the TexasVeterans Commission is toadvocate for and provide su-perior service to veteransand their families in the ar-eas of claims assistance,employment services, edu-cation benefits and grant

funding. More than 200counselors in 75 cities pro-vide one-on-one guidance toveterans and their familiesto ensure they receive allthe benefits to which theyare entitled.

Information outlining thegrant objectives, selectioncriteria and application in-structions can be found athttp://www.tvc.state.tx.us/about/current-grant-pro-cess-and-form. All grant ap-plications for Housing4Tex-asHeroes must be receivedby the Texas Veterans Com-mission no by 5 p.m. Cen-tral Time Sept. 16.

Housing money to aid vetsSPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Zapata County will re-ceive $151,014 from the U.S.Department of HomelandSecurity under OperationStonegarden, an initiativethat funds enhancementsto local law enforcementborder security operations.

Rep. Henry Cuellar saidcommunication among alllevels of law enforcementon both sides of the borderis vital to protecting U.S.cities neighboring violentcities in the northernstates of Mexico, whichhave been plagued by drugwar violence and crime.

“We all know what’shappening over there, butthe crime rate for the bor-

der is lower than the na-tional average,” Cuellarsaid.

According to a news re-lease from Cuellar’s office,funds from OperationStonegarden are allocatedbased on several factors,including threat, vulnera-bility, miles of border andborder-specific law enforce-ment intelligence.

In the 2011 fiscal year,more than $54 million wasawarded nationally to 13border states. Texas re-ceived $17.7 million, ac-cording to a news release.

“Since 2008, ZapataCounty has received fundstotaling $5,346,250,” thenews release states.

“As a border congress-

man and a member of theU.S. House Committee onHomeland Security, seeingthat border communitiesreceive Operation Stone-garden funds, which areappropriated by Congress,is a top priority of mine,”Cuellar said. “These fundswill benefit communitiesin Zapata by supportingand improving law enforce-ment coordination so thatour borders remain se-cure.”

Despite the violenceacross the border, the con-gressman said Laredo andother border cities are stillsafer than most mid-sizedU.S. cities.

Laredo Sector BorderPatrol Chief Robert L. Har-

ris said the security riskcan only be lowered if ef-forts continue to help Mex-ican counterparts fightcartels.

Stonegarden fundinghas been used to increasestaffing, pay overtime andpurchase and use Sky-Watch cameras, a mobilecommand center, patrolcars and other tools.

The Department ofHomeland Security allotted$54.9 million nationally forOperation Stonegarden’s infiscal year 2011. The grantprogram has been cut inthe last two years from $60million in 2009 and 2010.The department has beenadministering the programsince 2005.

County receives security fundsTHE ZAPATA TIMES

MINOR WITH ALCOHOLJesse Sanchez was arrested

and charged with minor in posses-sion of alcohol at about 2 a.m.Aug. 27 in the intersection of Sev-enth Street and Villa Avenue inthe Medina Addition. Sanchez wastaken to the Zapata Regional Jail.

Virgil Alfaro, Daniel Floresand Avelardo Javier Hernandezwere arrested and charged withminor in possession of alcohol atabout 11 p.m. Aug. 27 near Sev-

enth and 10th streets and JuarezAvenue in the Medina Addition. Allwere taken to the Zapata RegionalJail.

NO DRIVER’S LICENSEVictor Alonso Sanchez was

arrested at about 10:45 p.m. Aug.26 near Fourth Street and Mira-flores Avenue in the Medina Addi-tion. Deputies charged him withnot having a driver’s license andpulling away unsafe start. The

man was taken to the Zapata Re-gional Jail.

POSSESSIONNahibit Valadez was arrested

and charged with possession ofdrug paraphernalia at approximate-ly 1:30 a.m. Aug. 28 at Aqua Bar,off U.S. 83. She was taken to theZapata Regional Jail.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

Saul Zuñiga Trejo was arrest-ed and charged with public intoxi-cation at approximately 3 a.m.Aug. 27 near Fourth and Seventhstreets and Zapata Avenue in theMedina Addition. The man wastaken to the Zapata Regional Jail.

Jose Isabel Leal-Navarro wasarrested and charged with publicintoxication at about 1:30 a.m.Aug. Monday near U.S. 83 and FM3169 in San Ygnacio. The man wastaken to the Zapata Regional Jail.

THE BLOTTER

PAGE 4A Zopinion SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

There’s a specterhaunting Ameri-can politics: na-

tional decline. Is Ameri-ca on the way down, and,if so, what can be doneabout it?

The Republicans, andRick Perry in particular,have a reasonably strongstory to tell about de-cline. America becamegreat, they explain, be-cause its citizens pos-sessed certain vigorousvirtues: self-reliance, per-sonal responsibility, in-dustriousness and a pas-sion for freedom.

But, over the years,government has grownand undermined thesevirtues. Wall Street fin-anciers no longer have tobehave prudently be-cause they know govern-ment will bail them out.Middle-class families nolonger have to practicethrift because they knowthey can use governmentto force future genera-tions to pay for their re-tirements. Dads no long-er have to marry thewomen they impregnatebecause government willstep in and provide sup-port.

Moreover, a growinggovernment sucked re-sources away from themost productive parts ofthe economy — innova-tors, entrepreneurs andworkers — and redirect-ed it to the most politi-cally connected parts.The byzantine tax codeand regulatory state hasclogged the arteries ofAmerican dynamism.

The current task,therefore, is, as Rick Per-ry says, to make the gov-ernment “inconsequen-tial” in people’s lives —to pare back the state torevive personal respon-sibility and private ini-tiative.

There’s much truth tothis narrative. Stable so-cieties are breedinggrounds for interestgroups. Over time, theseinterest groups use gov-ernment to establish si-necures for themselves,which gradually stranglethe economy they arebuilt on — like parasiticvines around a tree.

Yet as great as theneed is to streamline, re-form and prune the state,that will not be enoughto restore America’s vig-orous virtues. This iswhere current Republi-can orthodoxy is neces-sary but insufficient.There are certain tasksahead that cannot be ad-dressed simply by gettinggovernment out of theway.

In the first place, thereis the need to rebuildAmerica’s human capi-tal. The United States be-came the wealthiest na-tion on earth primarilybecause Americans werethe best educated.

That advantage hasentirely eroded over thepast 30 years. It will takean active government toreverse this stagnation— from prenatal andearly childhood educa-tion straight up throughadult technical trainingand investments in scien-tific and other research.If government is “incon-sequential” in thissphere, then continuedAmerican decline is in-evitable.

Then there are thelong-term structuralproblems plaguing theeconomy. There’s strongevidence to suggest thatthe rate of technologicalinnovation has beenslowing down. In addi-tion, America is produc-ing fewer business start-

ups. Job creation wasdismal even in the sevenyears before the reces-sion, when taxes werelow and Republicans ranthe regulatory agencies.As economist MichaelSpence has argued, near-ly all of the job growthover the past 20 yearshas been in sectorswhere American workersdon’t have to competewith workers overseas.

Meanwhile, middle-class wages have beenstagnant for a genera-tion. Inequality is rising,and society is stratifying.Americans are less likelyto move in search of op-portunity. Social mobilityhas been flat for decades,and American social mo-bility is no better thanEuropean social mobility.

Some of these prob-lems are exacerbated bygovernment regulationsand could be eased if gov-ernment pulled back. Butmost of them have noth-ing to do with govern-ment and are related toglobalization, an agingsociety, cultural trendsand the nature of techno-logical change.

Republicans have donealmost nothing to grap-ple with and addressthese deeper structuralproblems. Tackling themmeans shifting Ameri-ca’s economic model —tilting the playing fieldaway from consumptiontoward production; awayfrom entitlement spend-ing and more toward in-vestment in infrastruc-ture, skills and technolo-gy; mitigating thoseforces that concentratewealth and nurturing in-stead a broad-based op-portunity society.

These shifts cannot bedone by governmentalone, but they can’t bedone without leadershipfrom government. Justas the Washington andLincoln administrationsactively nurtured an in-dustrial economy, sosome future Americanadministration will haveto nurture a globalizedproducer society. Just asFDR created a welfaremodel for the 20th centu-ry, some future adminis-tration will have to ac-tively champion a sus-tainable welfare modelfor this one.

Finally, there is theproblem of the social fab-ric. Segmented societiesdo not thrive, nor doones, like ours, with di-minishing social trust.Nanny-state governmentmay have helped under-mine personal responsib-ility and the social fab-ric, but that doesn’tmean the older habitsand arrangements willmagically regrow simplyby reducing govern-ment’s role. For example,there has been a tragicrise in single parent-hood, across all ethnicgroups, but family struc-tures won’t spontaneous-ly regenerate withoutsome serious activism,from both religious andcommunity groups andgovernment agencies.

In short, the currentRepublican policy of neg-ativism — cut, cut, cut —is not enough. To restorethe vigorous virtues, thenanny state will have tobe cut back, but the insti-gator state will have tobe built up. That’s the on-ly way to ward off na-tional decline.

COLUMN

What can bedone aboutAmerica?

“DAVID BROOKS

OTHER VIEWS

The Zapata Times doesnot publish anonymousletters.

To be published, lettersmust include the writer’sfirst and last names aswell as a phone numberto verify identity. The

phone number IS NOTpublished; it is used sole-ly to verify identity andto clarify content, if nec-essary. Identity of the let-ter writer must be veri-fied before publication.

We want to assure our

readers that a letter iswritten by the person whosigns the letter. The Zapa-ta Times does not allowthe use of pseudonyms.

Letters are edited forstyle, grammar, lengthand civility. No name-call-

ing or gratuitous abuse isallowed.

Via e-mail, send lettersto editorial@lmton-line.com or mail them toLetters to the Editor, 111Esperanza Drive, Laredo,TX 78041.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

On Monday, Americansthroughout our country ob-serve and celebrate Labor

Day.Labor Day is an opportunity to

enjoy a long weekend away fromwork.

And for most of us, it’ll be a timewhen we look to beat the torridSouth Texas heat that has besiegedour state.

Whether it’s syrup-filled raspas,fruit-flavored paletas, scoops of icecream or frozen slushes, somethingwill provide a reprieve from the tri-ple-digit temperatures this week-end.

And although this is a secularcelebration that honors all thosewho work, Labor Day weekend is al-so an opportunity for all of us to re-flect on the meaning of human work— and specifically our work — inGod’s divine plan.

In the Bible, God gave the humanbeing the mission to work togetherwith Him in bringing the work ofcreation to fulfillment.

The dignity of workThis mission shows the dignity of

human work and just how central itis in the fulfillment of one’s voca-tion.

Our primary purpose is to try tobring God’s greatest work — the hu-man being — to perfection.

Work done well gives the humanbeing the opportunity to cultivateall the physical, intellectual andspiritual potential God has givenus.

We are to put to good use the tal-ents that God has bestowed upon usfor the greater good of all.

As the family of God, we are

called to serve one another with thelove of Christ.

What does this mean?It means we love!Amid diversity and difficulty,

amid possibility and promise, weserve!

And the best example of this isthe greatest laborer of all — JesusChrist.

Recall Jesus’ three years of pub-lic ministry.

During this period, Jesus trav-eled throughout Judea, Samariaand Galilee preaching, teaching,and caring for the sick and thepoor.

What about before his publicministry?

How did the Son of Man spendthe majority of his time duringthose private years?

CarpenterHis fellow Nazarenes knew him

as a carpenter following the profes-sion of his foster-father Joseph. Je-sus entered into the world of hu-man labor to exalt human work ashe prepared to redeem the humanbeing.

So great was Jesus’ respect forhuman labor that in his teachingsand parables, he favorably men-tions shepherds, farmers, servants,laborers and many more. He com-pares the work of the Kingdom ofGod to the manual labor of the sow-er and of the fishermen.

Jesus called all his listeners, ofwhatever profession, to be saints.He called some to leave their fish-ing nets behind to proclaim theGospel.

Jesus calls us to proclaim theGospel by witnessing to the GoodNews in our profession and work ofmanual labor as well as in our fam-ily life.

ValuesMost of us are called to live out

our vocations and our missions inthe family and in the workplace.Work is not principally about earn-ing a paycheck but about servingand loving others.

When work takes on this mean-ing, and we are strong in our unityby supporting one another despitedifferences and difficulties, theworkplace is evangelized and theKingdom of God is present in ourworkplace and home.

We must be a family united withone another to reflect the presenceand power of God in our midst.

How we behave, act and decide asa family of faith is reflected in thecore values of faithfulness, respect,joy and unity.

I ask that each of you embracethese values with me. I want us tobelieve in them and to practicethem in our homes, at work, in ourchurches and in all that we do.

The fulfillment of our vocation —of God’s mission for us — is that webecome saints and bring others toholiness.

On this Labor Day weekend, adiligent carpenter from Nazarethgreets each of us with callousedhands and asks us to undertake allour labors Todo Con Amor.

COLUMN

Time to reflect on one’s labor

“JAMES TAMAYO

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 State THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

HIDALGO — U.S. Sen.John Cornyn renewed thecall for a $6 billion invest-ment in the country’s portsof entry to improve securi-ty and the efficient flow ofjob-creating commerce atthe U.S.-Mexico border.

Cornyn, flanked by elect-ed officials and businessleaders from the RioGrande Valley, also gave amore restrained explana-tion of spillover violence,which in the past he haddescribed as “real and esca-lating.”

“I think you’d have todraw a very clear line rightalong the border. And onthe north of the border it’samong some of the safestcities and communities in

the nation, including wherewe’re standing today,” Cor-nyn said Tuesday underthe withering heat at theHidalgo InternationalBridge. “I think the Amer-ican people need to be veryclear ... that the bordercommunities themselveson the United States sideare very safe.”

To maintain that statuswhile allowing the 4.9 mil-lion trucks that cross thesouthern border every yearto do so without costly de-lays, Cornyn proposed add-ing 5,000 additional Cus-toms and Border Protec-tion officers spread acrossall U.S. ports of entry. Thefunding also would allowexpansion and modifica-tion of existing ports of en-try, many of which werenot designed for the newer

outbound inspectionswhere officers search forundeclared cash and weap-ons headed into Mexico.

Cornyn said more offi-cers are needed.

“It’s a jobs issue; it’s asecurity issue, but it’s vitalto the economy here in theRio Grande Valley,” hesaid.

Many of Cornyn’s fig-ures echo a 2007 reportfrom the Government Ac-countability Office, whichnoted that the agency’smanagers at land portssaid understaffing contrib-uted to “morale problems,fatigue, lack of backup sup-port and safety issueswhen officers inspect trav-elers — increasing the po-tential that terrorists andinadmissible travelerscould enter the country.”

Cornyn wants investmentat southern US border

By CHRISTOPHER SHERMANASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — The headof a Texas law enforcementgroup whose website wasapparently taken over bythe hacker group known asAnonymous said Fridaythat the association hastaken the site down to eval-uate its security.

Some police departmentsaround the state that werealso the targets of cyberat-tacks by Anonymous con-firmed Friday the email ac-counts of some of their offi-cials had beencompromised, but said theybelieved their departmentalservers had not.

Anonymous appeared totake over the website ad-dress of the Texas PoliceChiefs Association onThursday, replacing itshome page with one listingmore than two dozen Texaslaw enforcement officials,including police chiefs,whose personal or workemail accounts the groupsaid had been hacked.

James McLaughlin, theassociation’s executive di-rector, said the group tookits website offline lateThursday night and didn’tknow when it would beback up. He said some ofthose listed were associ-ation members and othersweren’t. He said their web-site is password-protectedfor members, but even thenonly lists names and con-tact information.

“Technology is great. Wejust keep doing more andmore good things with itand like anything else,more and more bad thingscome along,” saidMcLaughlin, who said theassociation had contactedthe FBI.

FBI spokeswoman Shau-na Dunlap said the agency

is aware of the incident butdoesn’t confirm or deny in-vestigations.

Investigator Joe Baeza, aspokesman for the LaredoPolice Department, con-firmed the email account ofJesus Torres, an assistantchief of police, had beenhacked.

“Since we depend sogreatly on technology, weare all susceptible to thesetypes of breaches,” Baezasaid.

Officer Damon Ing, aspokesman for the SaginawPolice Department in sub-urban Fort Worth, said thework email of his agency’spolice chief had beenhacked into. But he saidthe department’s computerserver wasn’t compromisedand the hackers didn’t getany critical information.

“We’re able to learnfrom such an attack. (Secu-rity procedures) will be re-evaluated. But it will notrequire a dramatic changeof our security proce-dures,” he said.

Anonymous said it tar-geted Texas law enforce-ment officials, most ofwhom were from police de-partments in small citiesor school district policeagencies, in retaliation forarrests of its supportersand what it sees as harass-ment of immigrants by au-thorities in the state.

Dozens of arrests linkedto the loose-knit interna-tional hacking collectivehave been made in recentweeks, including a cross-country FBI sting earlierthis summer in which 14alleged cybercriminalswere arrested. The claimsabout the hacking in Texascame as police in Britainarrested two men as part ofa trans-Atlantic investiga-tion into the attacks.

Cop websitedown afterhacking tryBy JUAN A. LOZANOASSOCIATED PRESS

POSSUM KINGDOM LAKE, Tex-as — Special aircraft capable ofscooping up lake water while inflight will join the fight Fridayagainst a wildfire that has de-stroyed dozens of homes in a NorthTexas lakeside community.

Three of the twin-engine, am-phibious CL-215 aircraft will to bebrought in to help firefighters pro-tect against the remnants of a wild-fire that has charred 6,200 acresnear Possum Kingdom Lake, TexasForest Service spokesman John Ni-chols said.

The blaze started Tuesday andwas about 50 percent contained asof late Thursday night. The fire hasdestroyed at least 40 homes in thisvacation community about 75 mileswest of Fort Worth, and comes justfour months after a wildfire de-stroyed 160 homes in the area andburned across hundreds of thou-sands of acres.

Nichols noted that the latest firewas affecting only a small portionof the 18,000-acre lake, particularlyThe Cliffs Resort on the southernshore. Most of the 310 miles ofshoreline were open for Labor Dayholiday vacationers, he said.

Despite two devastating firessince April in the Possum KingdomLake area, locals expect the commu-nity to recover soon. While fire-fighters worked to contain the blazeThursday, at least one constructioncrew was hard at work rebuilding ahome that had burned downmonths ago.

David Nicklas, Palo Pinto Coun-ty’s chief executive, said it may takeyears, but Possum Kingdom Lakearea’s once-picturesque beauty willreturn.

“The vast majority will rebuild,and there are opportunities for peo-ple who want to buy property fromthose who don’t want to comeback,” Nicklas said. “I think fiveyears from now, this will be just abad memory.”

Ann M. Brown, 46, said she andher husband decided to rebuildtheir weekend home because theylove the area and believe it will re-cover soon enough.

“We really love the people out

there in addition to the beauty,”said Brown, of Dallas. “The beautyis the lake and the limestone cliffs.Fire cannot take that away.”

Texas is enduring its most severedrought since the 1950s, with bone-dry conditions made worse byweeks of triple-digit temperatures

in many cities. Blazes have de-stroyed more than 5,470 squaremiles since mid-November, the typ-ical start of the wildfire season.

The season usually wanes inspring but has persisted this yearbecause of unusually hot, dry condi-tions.

Fighting the wildfire fightSpecial aircraft may help

subdue endless flamesin drought-stricken state

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A helicopter drops fire retardant on a blaze on the south end of Possum Kingdom Lake onThursday. Texas Forest Service spokesman John Nichols told The Associated Press that39 homes have been destroyed by the blaze, which has blackened at least 6,200 acressince Tuesday.

Photo by Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram | AP

PAGE 6A Zentertainment SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

With about four yearsof pageant experience, La-redoan Lauren Guzmanhopes to make historySunday when she com-petes in the Miss TexasUSA pageant in Houston.

Guzman, 21 and a 2008graduate of the AlexanderHigh’s Health and ScienceSchool, will compete asMiss Laredo USA afterwinning the local prelimi-nary competition.

Just last year, Guzmanplaced in the Top 5, finish-ing as third runner-up —it was the same pageantin which Ana Rodriguez,another Laredoan, wascrowned Miss Texas USA.

For Guzman, who wascrowned Miss Texas TeenUSA in 2008, the experi-ence, so far, has been “cra-zy.” That’s because Guz-man has been jugglingher time between classesat St. Mary’s University inSan Antonio and prepar-ing for the pageant. Sheand her mom have beendriving back and forthfrom San Antonio toHouston; this past week,they made three trips.Thursday, they traveled toHouston.

“It’s been crazy. It’s alot of fun. My mom and Ihave gotten to bond on theroad trips,” Guzman told¿Qué Pasa? on Wednesday.“My whole family is verysupportive.

“It’s going down to thewire. I have to focus onschool, but at the sametime, I have to prepare forthe pageant.”

Winning Miss Teen Tex-as USA was somethingspecial, but Guzman hasher sights on winning inthe “Miss” category.

Her third runner-up fin-ish last year has givenGuzman confidence forSunday.

“It was an eye-openingexperience. I expected todo well, because I alreadyhad some experience atthe state level,” she said.

“Being third-runner upwas a great feeling and Igot to represent my citywell.”

About finishing nearthe top and having anoth-er Laredoan win, Guzmansaid it was “awesome.”

“When she and I bothwere called as the finalfive, it was really nice,”she said. “I know Roel(Gonzalez, the Laredo pag-eant director) was reallyhappy. Ana and I arefriends and having her onstage with me made mefeel so comfortable.”

To prepare, Guzman,her mother, Melissa, andsister, Allison, made thetrip to Las Vegas this yearto watch the Miss USAcompetition.

“When I see the girls onstage, I kind of take tipson how they move, howthey walk, how they an-swer — certain thingsthat they do I pick up,”Guzman said.

When she was MissTexas Teen USA, Guzmantraveled to the Bahamasto compete in the nationalpageant.

This is Guzman’s se-nior year at St. Mary’s,where she is studying fo-rensic science and plansto graduate in 2012.

“If I win Miss TexasUSA, I have to take a sab-batical from school,” shesaid.

“I am really excited. Iam pumped, and I hope todo Laredo proud,” shesaid. “I am very thankfulfor my family and all thesupport.”

Guzman has been liv-ing in San Antonio sincegraduating from Alexan-der in 2008, but she hasher Laredo roots well inplace.

“I really wanted to goas Miss Laredo. That’swhere I am from. It’s myhometown,” she said.“Even if I wasn’t Miss La-redo USA, I’d go as a rep-resentative of South Lare-do, Webb County, GatewayCity or something. Laredohas a place in my heart;my whole family isthere.”

Although she’s alwayswanted to work as a foren-sic investigator, Guzmanstarted competing in pag-eants because she wantedto do modeling.

These days, Guzman ismodeling with PageParkes, an agency out ofHouston. Earlier thismonth, she went to Dallasand Atlanta to model forSherri Hill.

Guzman also plans toenroll in a master’s pro-gram at Texas A&M tostudy entomology — thestudy of bugs. The pag-eant is Sunday at 7 p.m. atthe Hilton-Americas Hotelin Houston.

The four other Lare-doans who will competeare: Victoria Bauer, MissCentral Laredo; Leslie Wi-dales, Miss Central WebbCounty; Brenda Carrera,Miss Gateway City; andBarbara Falcon, MissSouth Texas.

(Emilio Rabago III maybe reached at 728-2564 orerabago@lmtonline.com)

Lauren Guzman, 21MISS LAREDO USA

Alexander High School, 2008 Daughter of Dr. Octavio

and Melissa Guzman

Victoria Bauer, 19MISS CENTRAL LAREDO

Alexander High School, 2010 Daughter of Michael

and Denise Bauer

Leslie Widales, 21MISS CENTRAL WEBB COUNTY

Martin High School, 2008Daughter of Mr. Oscar

and Martha Widales

Five locals competeat Miss Texas USAGuzman leads

Laredo group toSunday pageant

By EMILIO RÁBAGO IIITHE ZAPATA TIMES

Brenda Carrera, 19MISS GATEWAY CITY

Alexander High School, 2010Daughter of Nestor

and Patricia Mariscal

Barbara G. Falcon, 21MISS SOUTH TEXAS

United High School, 2008Daughter of Edna Angelica

Prieto

Courtesy photos

A thin but fairly diver-ting entry in the low-fi fa-keumentary horror genre,“Apollo 18” explains what’sreally on the moon andwhy the U.S. space pro-gram decided against fur-ther study. Why? Because a“Blair Witch Project” film-making seminar set upcamp there first, that’swhy!

Spanish director Gonza-lo Lopez-Gallego’s exercisein “found” footage scareswas produced by TimurBekmambetov, who direct-ed the popular assassins’melee “Wanted,” which Ihated. I didn’t hate thisone at all.

Like “Blair Witch” andthe “Paranormal Activity”pictures, “Apollo 18” offerszero characterization andvery little narrative. It’s on-ly about its own DIY aes-thetic taken to extremes,and to the limit of the au-dience’s interest and pa-tience.

Many will find “Apollo18” silly and derivative. Itis. Yet it’s also a breakfrom the usual hyperbolic,down-your-throat brand ofsilly and derivative scaremovies.

Under cloak of super-se-crecy, three astronautsplayed by Lloyd Owen andWarren Christie and athird, uncredited actor —that’s how super-secret themission is — embark on amoon mission to plantsome sort of antimissile de-fense system up there be-fore the Russkies do. Thetime is 1974. But there’ssomething up there, some-thing besides the remnantsof something human. I willsay no more about it. Themovie, written by BrianMiller, contains only a weehandful of surprises.

Post-”Blair Witch,” it’sremarkable anyone canpull out these old home-movie and security-cameratropes to any sort of decentresult. The reason, I think,the “paranormal activity”films in particular succeed

is simple. They take theirtime before sticking it toyou. Precious little in ourpopular culture todaytakes time for, or with,anything.

“Apollo 18” cannot satis-factorily answer the ques-tion “Wait — who’s sup-posed to be filming thispart?” Yet Lopez-Gallegohandles the sequences setinside one of the moon’scraters well enough to sug-gest he may have a lot oftalent, some of which is onview in this green-cheeseouting.

——APOLLO 182 1/2 starsMPAA rating: PG-13

(some disturbing sequenc-es, and language)

Cast: Lloyd Owen (NateWalker), Warren Christie(Ben Anderson)

Directed by Gonzalo Lo-pez-Gallego; written byBrian Miller; produced byTimur Bekmambetov andMichele Wolkoff. A Dimen-sion Films release. Run-ning time: 1:28

Not much substanceto low-fi ‘Apollo 18’

By MICHAEL PHILLIPSCHICAGO TRIBUNE

VENICE, Italy — Vet-eran action star Jet Liand action director To-ny Ching are expandingtheir repertoire into thechildren’s fairy tale, butwith an adult audiencealso in mind.

Their latest movie,“The Sorcerer and theWhite Snake,” made itsworld premier out ofcompetition at the Ven-ice Film Festival on Fri-day.

The movie is basedon a classic Chinesefairy tale that has en-tered the popular con-sciousness as seamless-ly as Cinderella orSleeping Beauty in theWest, with cast mem-bers saying they re-called hearing it firstfrom their grandmoth-ers.

But Ching said hesought to put a moderntwist on the fable bymixing action with spe-cial effects.

“The idea was toblend Chinese tradition,which is martial arts,with Western technolo-gy,” Ching said in an in-terview.

His goal was to makea movie that would ap-

peal to adults by emphasiz-ing the film’s central lovestory.

“I think first it’s a chil-dren’s fairy tale, but it alsois about the new genera-tion who are willing to giveup everything for love,” hesaid.

In the film, Li plays asorcerer whose job it is tosubdue demons — good orevil — and slay monsters.The White Snake, a benigndemon played by EvaHuang sporting an elegantcomputer-generated whitesnake tail, takes a risk forlove, using her powers tobecome human in her pur-suit of a young herbalistwhom she spies gatheringflowers.

The action takes place

against a fantasy-filledlandscape of mysticalcraggy peaks and a caul-dron of molten lavawhere Jet’s sorcerer de-stroys an evil demon.

Ching said the chal-lenge was to combine theaction with computergraphics.

“We did not want tojump from one to the oth-er,” but fuse them, Chingsaid.

The film is set forworldwide distribution,and Huang suggested itwould help the rest of theworld understand Chinabetter.

“I think people whowant to know Chinashould watch this movie,”she said.

Jet Li subdues demons infantasy action movie

By COLLEEN BARRYASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — Grammy-winning rapper T.I., whowas moved to a halfwayhouse this week aftermonths in prison, islocked up again.

The Federal Bureau ofPrisons website Fridayshows the rapper at the At-lanta penitentiary with arelease date of Sept. 29.

The 30-year-old T.I.,whose real name is Clif-ford Harris, was releasedin Arkansas on Wednesdayand made the 375-mile tripto Atlanta in a gleamingbus.

T.I.’s attorney said therewas an issue involving hisclient’s transportation.

Tricked outride landsT.I. back in

prisonASSOCIATED PRESS

ENTRETENIMIENTO09/03 | LAREDO — La-

redo Community College in-vita a visitar el Centro deCiencias Ambientales “LamarBruni Vergara” el día de hoy.De 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. se tra-bajará en el Paso del IndioNatural Trail; y de 10 a.m. a2 p.m. se podrá visitar lasinstalaciones del centro.

09/03 | LAREDO — ElPlanetario Lamar Bruni Ver-gara de TAMIU presenta DíaFamiliar de Película con lapresentación de: “A Bug’s Li-fe”, de Disney’s Pixar. Laspresentaciones son a las 12p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.y 8 p.m. Costo general: 5dólares.

09/03 | NUEVO LARE-DO, México — Estación Pala-bra presenta “Bazar de Arte”de 12 p.m. a 5 p.m.; FestivalInfantil con cuentos y activi-dades referentes al circo, alas 2 p.m.

09/09 | LAREDO — ElCenter for the Fine and Per-forming Arts de TAMIU invitaa “Beethoven Sonatas” conFriedrich Gechter, profesoradjunto de música y piano,así como Brendan Townsend,profesor asociado de música,hoy a las 7:30 p.m. Entradagratuita y abierta al públicoen general.

EXPOSICIONES09/03 | NUEVO LARE-

DO, México — Exposición2011 de academia Pintarte2011, a las 4 p.m. en GaleríaAntigua Aduana y Sala Ser-gio Peña; Pintarte. Habrápintura, arte objeto e insta-lación.

09/07 | LAREDO —Inauguración de la exposi-ción de los mejores dibujosdel XIV Concurso de DibujoInfantil “Este es mi México”,hoy a las 6 p.m., en el Lare-do Center for the Arts, 500avenida San Agustin.

09/08 | LAREDO — “Ar-tifacts, The Art of Hoarding”por Victor Hugo se presentaa las 7 p.m. en Caffe Dolce,1708 calle Victoria. Una re-colección de recuerdos, imá-genes icónicas y ensamblaje.

09/09 | LAREDO — Hoypodrá disfrutar “Miscelánea”de Olivia Cotton, ilustración,exposición y venta de origi-nales, en Cuadro Café, 1701Jacaman Rd., a las 5 p.m.

DEPORTES09/07 | LAREDO — El

equipo de fútbol soccer fe-menil de TAMIU recibe aUniversity of Incarnate Worda las 6 p.m. en la canchauniversitaria. Costo general:5 dólares.

09/07 | LAREDO — Elequipo de fútbol soccer va-ronil de TAMIU recibe a St.Mary’s University a las 8p.m. en la cancha universita-ria. Costo general: 5 dólares.

TEATRO09/03 | NUEVO LARE-

DO, México — “Resplandor”en concierto en el Teatro Lu-cio Blanco de la Casa de laCultura, Lincoln 821, a las 7p.m. Entrada gratuita.

09/03 | NUEVO LARE-DO, México — Presentaciónde “La Última Letra”, bajo ladirección de José HernándezTovar con el Grupo FacetasTeatro y Pantomima a las 7p.m. en el Auditorio de Esta-ción Palabra. Entrada libre.

VARIEDAD09/04 | NUEVO LARE-

DO, México — Día Mundialdel Migrante invita a las 9a.m., Marcga Migrante encalle Paseo Colón y RuizCortinez; 10 a.m., Caminatapor Paseo Colón para llegara Catedral; 11:30 a.m., Misaen Catedral del Espíritu San-to con el Obispo de la Dió-cesis, Gustavo Rodríguez Ve-ga. Igualmente, de 10 a.m. a4 p.m. habrá una kermessen la Plaza Zaragoza conventa en apoyo a la Casadel Migrante. Informes en el(867) 714-5611.

Agendaen Breve

Zfrontera PÁGINA 7ASÁBADO 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2011

Con el objetivo de poseeratractivos de calidad parael turismo nacional y ex-tranjero que rescaten a Ci-udad Mier en su denomina-ción de “Pueblo Mágico”,autoridades anunciaronobras de infraestructuraurbana y equipamiento.

Igualmente, la Secretaríade la Defensa Nacional(SEDENA), Gobierno de Ta-maulipas y Ayuntamientode Mier, informaron quelas acciones para recom-posición del tejido socialquedan de manifiesto conel retorno de las activ-idades comerciales, educa-tivas, agrícolas y la convi-vencia de las familias.

El Gobierno de Tamauli-pas y la AdministraciónFederal iniciarán este añola restauración del edificiodonde ocurrió la batalla de1824, en el Centro Históricode Mier, con una inversiónestimada de 4.5 millones depesos.

Esto incluirá un museotemático que conmemore,investigue y difunda los he-chos acontecidos en 1824,los cuales tuvieron una in-fluencia decisiva en las re-laciones entre México y Es-tados Unidos de la época.

También está el proyectoejecutivo para la elabora-ción de la museografía, in-teriores y acervo del Museode 1824, que entrará a pro-ceso de licitación en esteaño.

La Secretaria de Desar-rollo Económico y Turismodel Estado (SEDET), Móni-ca González García, expre-só que Mier posee un po-tencial turístico.

Aliento“Desde que la Secretaría

de Turismo Federal (SEC-TUR) ha conocido estosproyectos, ha facilitado to-das las acciones y los re-cursos para la ejecución delos trabajos”, dijo Gonzá-lez. “La prioridad esapoyar los proyectos de in-fraestructura que generen

desarrollo y alienten la ac-tividad turística regional”.

El Gobernador EgidioTorre Cantú informó quecon los trabajos de recupe-ración de edificios y monu-mentos históricos del Pueb-lo Mágico de Mier tambiénse impulsa el desarrolloeconómico y social de loshabitantes en la región.

En el 2007 la SECTURotorgó el nombramiento de“Pueblo Mágico” al munici-pio de Mier por el conjuntode tradiciones, arquitectu-ra y acontecimientos his-tóricos que posee, despuésde llenar los requisitos eva-luados por un Comité Téc-nico.

A raíz de su designación,Mier se constituyó en laprimera población de la zo-na fronteriza del país en al-canzar el reconocimientode Pueblo Mágico.

AccionesEntre las acciones desta-

ca la presencia militar per-manente en la zona ribere-ña, para lo cual se con-struye un cuartel enterreno donado por la ad-ministración estatal y es elprimero de tres cuarteles.Los otros dos se ubicaránen los municipios de SanFernando y El Mante.

“Vemos condiciones pau-latinas de paz y tranquili-dad”, dijo el General Mi-guel Gustavo GonzálezCruz, de la Octava ZonaMilitar. “El papel más im-portante lo realiza la socie-dad al contribuir con lacultura de la denuncia”.

Con el programa Comu-nidades Fuertes para Todosse han reabierto más de 17establecimientos come-rciales y las familias estánregresando ya que tambiénse ofrece empleo temporal,maquinaria, recursos eco-nómicos y material para lareconstrucción de fachadasde casas y negocios.

FORTALECERÁN A CIUDAD MIER

Rescateturístico

TIEMPO DE ZAPATAMÓNICA GONZÁLEZGARCÍA: Dijo queMier cuenta conpotencial turístico.

MÉXICO — El presidente FelipeCalderón anunció el viernes lacreación de una procuraduría so-cial que centrará sus labores en laatención de las más de 35.000 vícti-mas de la violencia en México, enmedio de una tenaz defensa de suestrategia contra el crimen organi-zado.

Con motivo de su quinto y pe-núltimo informe de gobierno, elmandatario ofreció un discurso enel que admitió que varios lugaresdel país viven una “dramática si-tuación de inseguridad” y afirmóque de no haber emprendido uncombate frontal, se corría el riesgode que el crimen organizado seapoderara del Estado e incluso losuplantara.

Lamentó que la inseguridadque padece el país haya opacadosu trabajo en los ámbitos de la es-tabilidad económica, la coberturauniversal de salud y garantizarque todos los niños tengan accesoa la educación primaria.

Para el mandatario, “las vícti-mas deben ser el centro de nuestraatención”. Dijo que la nueva proc-uraduría social “va a unificar ypotenciar la atención del gobiernofederal a quienes han sido lastima-dos por la violencia de los crimi-nales”, señaló. Pidió un minuto de

silencio por las víctimas.Calderón dijo que parte de la vi-

olencia se explica también por lavecindad con Estados Unidos, portratarse del mayor mercado deconsumo de drogas.

La nueva fiscalía, añadió, tam-bién se encargará de la búsquedade quienes han desaparecido a ma-nos de grupos criminales y prestarasistencia a sus familiares.

Dijo que la procuraduría socialse integrará y operará “de la ma-no” de la sociedad civil.

Con la procuraduría “daremosun paso fundamental para cerrarlas heridas que se han abierto enel país”, dijo Calderón. Su gobier-no concluirá a fines de 2012.

El discurso del presidente se daun día después de que entregó porescrito su informe de gobierno alCongreso, que conforme a la leyen las próximas semanas citará alos secretarios de Estado para am-pliar la información contenida.

También ocurre una semanadespués de un ataque incendiarioa un casino en el norte de país quedejó 52 víctimas y que el gober-nante ha calificado como el peoratentado contra población civil in-ocente en la historia reciente.

Calderón dijo que ha ordenadoa su gobierno realizar una inspec-ción de todos esos centros de en-tretenimiento para garantizar queoperen conforme a la ley.

MÉXICO

Presidente hace avíctimas centro deatención nacional

POR E. EDUARDO CASTILLOASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — Un jurado federaldeclaró inocente al piloto de un hel-icóptero del Departamento de Segu-ridad Nacional de haber mentidosobre su participación en el ahoga-miento de una persona que intenta-ba cruzar el río Bravo.

El jurado declaró inocente aJames Peters de un cargo de habermentido a los investigadores feder-ales que indagaban la muerte deCarlos Delgadillo Martínez. Un juezdeclaró juicio nulo en otros tres as-pectos del mismo cargo.

Los miembros del jurado no pu-dieron emitir un veredicto en tresde cuatro cargos.

Peters enfrentaba la posibilidadde hasta cinco años de cárcel dehaber sido declarado culpable.

La fiscalía acusó al piloto de hab-er mentido al negar que hubiesevolado a baja altura para obligar aDelgadillo y otra persona a regre-sar a México. Las autoridades dije-ron que la turbulencia generadapor las aspas del helicóptero hizoque Delgadillo se soltara de un neu-mático.

El veredicto sobrevino despuésde un juicio breve cuyos testimo-nios duraron poco más de un día.

Durante el alegato final, la fisca-lía dijo al jurado que el video devigilancia muestra claramente quePeters condujo su helicóptero sobrelos inmigrantes, descendiendo has-ta a 30 metros (100 pies) de unpuente internacional en Laredo,Texas, en un intento por hacerlos

regresar a México cuando tratabande ingresar a Estados Unidos el 14de diciembre del 2005. El cadáverde Delgadillo fue hallado horas mástarde.

“Peters decide tratar de hacerlosreplegar, obligarlos a devolverse”,afirmó el fiscal Joseph Magliolo.“Toma acciones cada vez más agre-sivas contra la gente en el agua”.

Los abogados de Peters, de 41años, sostuvieron que el video nomuestra claramente a qué distanciade los hombres voló el helicóptero.

Thomas Berg, uno de los defen-sores, dijo al jurado que el piloto nomintió a los investigadores cuandole preguntaron si ese día había en-contrado inmigrantes sin permisopara residir en el país y si habíavolado cerca del puente. Berg dijoque su defendido no voló demasia-do cerca del puente y no recuerdahaber volado sobre ningún indivi-duo cerca del puente ese día.

“El trabajo peligroso (que pilotoscomo Peters) hacen para tratar dedar seguridad a nuestra frontera espara protegerlos a ustedes”, dijoBerg a los jurados. “Ese día él esta-ba haciendo su trabajo”.

TEXAS

Jurado: Piloto es inocenteen muerte de inmigrante

“Ese día él estabahaciendo sutrabajo”.THOMAS BERG, DE LA DEFENSA

POR JUAN A. LOZANOASSOCIATED PRESS

LUBBOCK — Funcionarios feder-ales preparaban planes paraevacuar a un pequeño númerode especies en peligro en Texas,

en momentos en que una grave sequíareduce los niveles de las aguas y amena-za la supervivencia de la fauna en elenorme ecosistema del estado.

Varios meses con una ausencia casitotal de lluvias han hecho que los nivelesde agua hayan caído más de la mitad enmuchos ríos, lagos y otras reservas, in-cluyendo manantiales en Texas HillCountry, que son el único hábitat res-tante para algunas especies de peces pe-queños, anfibios y otros animales.

Si el agua continúa bajando, funciona-rios del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Sil-vestre se están preparando para capturargrandes muestras de las especies y lle-varlas a un criadero para preservación.

Esas operaciones han sido raras en elpasado, como la ordenada en el 2000 pararescatar varias especies de mejillones enGeorgia, pero medidas así pudieran vol-verse más frecuentes si la sequía en Tex-as continúa durante meses o años, como

pronostican los meteorólogos. Texas eshogar de 86 especiales amenazadas y enpeligro.

“Sin lugar a dudas estamos preocupa-dos”, dijo el biólogo Tom Brandt, del ser-vicio de Pesca. “Pienso que hemos dadoun nuevo paso para asegurarnos de quetodo está listo. Estamos en la etapa pre-paratoria en estos momentos”. Las op-eraciones comenzarían si los niveles deaguas en dos manantiales amenazadoscaen por más de otro 50%, luego de re-ducciones similares en meses recientes.

Solamente 24,38 centímetros (9,6 pul-gadas) de lluvia han caído como prome-dio este año en Texas, un poco más quela mitad de la cantidad normal. Los pec-es están muriendo en lagos y ríos porfalta de agua y bajos niveles de oxígeno.El crecimiento de la vegetación parahábitat de animales ha bajado drástica-mente.

“La flora y la fauna de Texas estánadaptadas a condiciones extremas y difí-ciles. Sin embargo, esta sequía en partic-ular está poniendo a prueba los límitesde las poblaciones nativas”, dijo CindyLoeffler, experta de recursos hidráulicosen el Departamento de Parques y VidaSilvestre de Texas.

CLIMA

Salamandras ciegas de Texas, una especie en peligro de extinsión, pueden ser vistas en el Na-tional Fish Hatchery & Technology Center, en San Marcos.

Foto por Eric Gay | Associated Press

SEQUÍA EN TEXAS Preocupan especies de región

POR BETSY BLANEYASSOCIATED PRESS

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES National SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — AMarine who fought in the Battle ofOkinawa urged Americans on Fri-day to honor those who served inWorld War II now, while veteransfrom that conflict are still alive.

E. Bruce Heilman, speaking at aceremony marking the 66th yearsince the end of the war, noted fewerthan 2 million of the 16 million menand women who served in the warare alive. They are dying at a rate of30,000 per month, he said.

Some 20 World War II veteransboarded the now decommissionedbattleship, the Missouri — the samebattleship where Japanese signedsurrender documents formally end-ing the war — to participate in thisyear’s ceremony in Pearl Harbor.

Heilman, who is a spokesman forthe Greatest Generations Founda-tion, predicted not many would beable to come back in a decade’stime.

“Most of those remaining, includ-ing those in the front row, will havepassed on, so that few, if any, will bepresent for the ceremony of the 76thanniversary of the end of the PacificWar. Those of us still here will be ofage 95 to 101,” Heilman said. “There-fore the importance of rememberingnow the sacrifices and acts of hero-ism representative of their servicecannot be overstated.”

Heilman, who is now the chancel-lor of the University of Richmond,joined the Marines at age 17. He wassent to Okinawa, where one of thebloodiest battles of the war wasfought from April to June 1945, andserved during the postwar occupa-

tion of Japan.Some 300 people — including ac-

tive duty sailors, Marines, airmenand soldiers — joined the veteransat the ceremony aboard the Missou-ri’s teak deck.

The USS Missouri was anchoredin Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945, whenJapanese Foreign Minister MamoruShigemitsu and Army Gen. Yoshiji-ro Umezu came aboard to sign thedocuments. Several Allied leaders,including Gen. Douglas MacArthurand Adm. Chester Nimitz, were alsopresent at the time.

The vessel, the last battleship ev-er built by the United States, is nowa museum called the Battleship Mis-souri Memorial. It has been mooredin Pearl Harbor for the past decade,overlooking the spot where the USSArizona sank during the Japaneseattack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

A crowd listens during a ceremony aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Friday, marking the 66th anni-versary of the end of the war. The battleship has been moored in Pearl Harbor for the past decade. It overlooks the spot where the USSArizona sank during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Photo by Audrey McAvoy | AP

Vet: honor war survivorsBy AUDREY MCAVOYASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — In adramatic reversal, Presi-dent Barack Obama onFriday scrubbed a clean-air regulation that aimedto reduce health-threaten-ing smog, yielding to bit-terly protesting business-es and congressional Re-publicans whocomplained the rulewould kill jobs in Ameri-ca’s ailing economy.

Withdrawal of the pro-posed regulation markedthe latest in a string of re-treats by the president inthe face of GOP opposi-tion, and it drew quickcriticism from liberals.Environmentalists, a keyObama constituency, ac-cused him of caving tocorporate polluters, andthe American Lung Asso-ciation threatened to re-start the legal action ithad begun against rulesproposed by PresidentGeorge W. Bush.

The White House hasbeen under heavy pres-sure from GOP lawmak-ers and major industries,which have slammed thestricter standard as anunnecessary jobs killer.The Environmental Pro-tection Agency, whose sci-entific advisers favoredthe tighter limits, had pre-dicted the proposedchange would cost up to$90 billion a year, makingit one of the most expen-sive environmental regu-lations ever imposed inthe U.S.

However, the Clean AirAct bars the EPA fromconsidering the costs ofcomplying when settingpublic health standards.

Obama said his deci-sion was made in part toreduce regulatory bur-dens and uncertainty at atime of rampant questionsabout the strength of theU.S. economy.

Underscoring the eco-nomic concerns: a new re-port Friday that showedthe economy essentiallyadding no jobs in Augustand the unemploymentrate stubbornly stuck at9.1 percent.

The regulation wouldhave reduced concentra-tions of ground-levelozone, the main ingre-dient in smog, a powerfullung irritant that cancause asthma and otherlung ailments. Smog iscreated when emissions

from cars, power andchemical plants, refineriesand other factories mix insunlight and heat.

Republican lawmakers,already emboldened byObama’s concessions onextending Bush-era taxcuts and his agreement tomore than $1 trillion inspending reductions asthe price for raising thenation’s debt ceiling, hadpledged to try to block thestricter smog standardswhen they returned toWashington after LaborDay.

A spokesman for HouseSpeaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, had muted praisefor the White House Fri-day, saying that withdraw-al of the smog regulationwas a good first step to-ward removing obstaclesthat are blocking businessgrowth.

“But it is only the tip ofthe iceberg when it comesto stopping WashingtonDemocrats’ agenda of taxhikes, more government‘stimulus’ spending andincreased regulations,which are all making itharder to create moreAmerican jobs,” saidBoehner spokesman Mi-chael Steel.

Thomas Donohue, pres-ident of the U.S. Chamberof Commerce, said themove was “an enormousvictory for America’s jobcreators, the right deci-sion by the president andone that will help reducethe uncertainty facingbusinesses.”

White House officialssaid the president’s deci-sion was not the productof industry pressure, andthey said the administra-tion would continue tofight other efforts by Re-publicans to dismantle theEPA’s authority.

But that was little con-solation for many of thepresident’s supporters.The group MoveOn.org is-sued a scathing statement,saying Obama’s decisionwas one it would have ex-pected from his Republi-can predecessor.

The American LungAssociation, which hadsued the EPA over Bush’ssmog standards, said itwould resume its fightnow that Obama was en-dorsing the weaker limit.

Obama yieldsto pressure tokill smog rule

By JULIE PACE AND DINA CAPPIELLOASSOCIATED PRESS

LISA JACKSON: EPAchief told towithdraw newsmog rules.

WASHINGTON — Em-ployers added no jobs inAugust — an alarming set-back for the economy thatrenewed fears of anotherrecession and raised pres-sure on Washington to endthe hiring standstill.

Worries flared Friday af-ter release of the worst jobsreport since September2010. Total payrolls wereunchanged, the first timesince 1945 that the govern-ment reported a net jobchange of zero. The unem-ployment rate stayed at 9.1percent.

The stock marketplunged in response. TheDow Jones industrial aver-age fell 253 points, or morethan 2 percent.

Analysts say the econo-my cannot continue to ex-pand unless hiring picksup. In the first six monthsof 2011, growth was mea-sured at an annual rate of0.7 percent.

Companies are mostlykeeping their payrolls in-tact. They’re not laying offmany workers, but they’renot hiring, either. Withoutmore jobs to fuel consumerspending, economists sayanother recession would beinevitable. Consumerspending accounts forabout 70 percent of eco-nomic growth.

Like a wobbling bicycle,“you either reaccelerate oryou fall over,” said JamesO’Sullivan, chief economistat MF Global. “Somethinghas to give.”

Consumer and businessconfidence was shaken thissummer by the politicalstandoff over the federaldebt limit, a downgrade oflong-term U.S. debt and thefinancial crisis in Europe.Tumbling stock prices esca-lated the worries.

Even before it stalledlast month, job growth hadbeen sputtering. The econo-my added 166,000 jobs amonth in the January-March quarter, 97,000 amonth in the April-Junequarter and just 43,000 amonth so far in the July-September period.

“Underlying job growthneeds to improve immedi-ately in order to avoid a re-cession,” said HSBC econo-mist Ryan Wang.

The dispiriting job num-bers for August will height-en the pressure on the Fed-eral Reserve, President Ba-rack Obama and Congressto find ways to stimulatethe economy.

So far, the Fed has beenreluctant to launch anotherround of Treasury bondpurchases. Its previousbond-buying programswere intended to forcedown long-term interestrates, encourage borrowing

and boost stock prices. On Thursday, Obama

will give a televised speechto a joint session of Con-gress to introduce a planfor creating jobs and spur-ring economic growth.

Even for people who dohave jobs, income growthis stalled. That will holdback their ability to spend.The only sure way to re-duce the risk of recessionis with more hiring, econo-mists say.

“The importance of jobgrowth cannot be over-stated,” said Joshua Shapi-ro, chief U.S. economist atMFR Inc.

The economy needs toadd roughly 250,000 jobs amonth to rapidly bringdown the unemploymentrate. The rate has beenabove 9 percent in all buttwo months since May2009. Roughly 14 millionAmericans are unemploy-ed.

The weakness was un-derscored by revisions tothe jobs data for June andJuly. Collectively, those fig-ures were lowered to show58,000 fewer jobs addedthan previously thought.The downward revisionswere all in governmentjobs.

The average workweekand hourly earnings alsodeclined in August. Cut-backs by federal, state andlocal governments haveerased 290,000 governmentjobs this year, including17,000 in August.

“There is no silver liningin this one,” said SteveBlitz, senior economist atITG Investment Research.“It is difficult to walk awayfrom these numbers with-out the conclusion that theeconomy is simply grind-ing to a halt.”

The unemployment ratefor black men jumped a fullpercentage point in Augustto 18 percent.

Hiring standstill points to growing recession riskBy PAUL WISEMAN AND CHRISTOPHER

S. RUGABERASSOCIATED PRESS

Job seekers fill out paperwork Wednesday on the top of a trash barrel at a job fair called the “For The People Jobs Initiative,” where jobseekers met employers, job counselors, skills trainers and others, at Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. Employers added nonet workers last month and the unemployment rate was unchanged, a sign that many were nervous the U.S. economy is at risk of slippinginto another recession.

Photo by Reed Saxon | AP

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

Antonio Treviño, 91, wascalled home by the Lord onFriday, Aug. 26, 2011, at RioGrande Rehabilitation andNursing Center in RioGrande City, Texas.

Born Jan. 17, 1920, in Za-pata County (CapitanenoRanch) to Filiberto and Lui-sa Cuellar Treviño, he livedmost of his life in Zapata,Texas. Tony, as he was af-fectionately known to all,dropped out of school at anearly age amid the GreatDepression to help his fa-ther run the family ranch.On Dec. 10, 1941, Tony wasinducted into the U.S. Ar-my. After reporting to FortSam Houston in San Anto-nio, Texas, he was sent toCalifornia for basic train-ing. After basic, he was sta-tioned at Fort Bliss, Texas,and later in Philadelphia,Penn. By then, he was pro-moted to sergeant and thenwas sent to Georgia andLouisiana to train newrecruits. He shipped over-seas in October of 1944 aspart of the 564th Antiair-craft Artillery and proudlyserved his country in Eng-land, France, Austria andHolland. Tony was honor-ably discharged Jan. 6, 1945,after serving four years and26 days. In 1946 Tony mar-ried the love of his life,Evangelina Gonzalez. This

61-year marriage broughtforth four daughters. Tonywas employed by the USDAas a livestock inspectorfrom 1955 until his retire-ment in 1978.

Tony was preceded indeath by his wife, Evangeli-na Treviño; son, AntonioTreviño, Jr.; two sisters Lui-sa Petrita Treviño and Ade-lina T. Ramirez; and threebrothers Jose Manuel, Fil-iberto Jr. and Teodoro Tre-viño.

He is survived by fourdaughters: Vilma (Arnoldo)Treviño, Vangie (Kenneth)Anderson, Thelma (James)McGuffin and Anna (David)Gonzalez; 10 grandchildren;and 12 great-grandchildren;two brothers Anselmo andLeopoldo Treviño; and twosisters Maria ConcepcionRamirez and Luisa Lopez.

The family wishes to ex-

press its most sincere ap-preciation and gratitude toall the members of RioGrande City Rehabilitationand Nursing Center forthree years of outstandingaffection and help, to Dr.Jose Vasquez and to all theclergy who touched Dad’slife.

Visitation hours wereheld Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011,from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with arosary at 7 p.m. at RoseGarden Funeral Home.

The funeral processiondeparted Monday, Aug. 29,2011, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10a.m. funeral Mass at OurLady of Lourdes CatholicChurch. Committal servicesfollowed at Zapata CountyCemetery, including fullmilitary honors by theAmerican Legion 486 ColorGuard.

Condolences may be sentto the family at www.rose-gardenfuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangementswere under the direction ofRose Garden FuneralHome, Daniel A. Gonzalez,funeral director, 2102 High-way 83, Zapata, TX.

ANTONIO TREVIÑO

Ruben Reyes 82, passedaway Wednesday, Aug. 31,2011, at Laredo SpecialtyHospital in Laredo, Texas.

Mr. Reyes is preceded indeath by his son RubenReyes, Jr.; brothers Heri-berto Reyes, Roel Reyes andAntonio Reyes Jr.; and abrother-in-law RodolfoDominguez.

Mr. Reyes is survived byhis sons Glenn Reye and,Raymond Reyes; brotherDaniel Reyes; sisters: Guil-lermina R. (Reynaldo) Sali-nas, Griselda (Omar) Gon-zalez and Maude R. Domin-guez; and by numerousnieces, nephews andfriends.

Mr. Reyes was a WorldWar II veteran.

Visitation was Friday,Sept. 2, 2011, from 8 a.m. to9:45 a.m. at Rose GardenFuneral Home.

The funeral processiondeparted Friday, Sept. 2,2011, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10a.m. funeral Mass at Our

Lady of Lourdes CatholicChurch.

Burial services followedat Zapata County Cemetery,including full military hon-ors by the American Le-gion Post 486 Color Guard.

Condolences may be sentto the family at www.rose-gardenfuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangementswere under the direction ofRose Garden FuneralHome, Daniel A. Gonzalez,funeral director, 2102 High-way 83, Zapata, TX.

RUBEN E. REYES

and solicit public input.” According to the pro-

posed budget for next fiscalyear, available on the Com-missioners’ Court website,the total tax rate will gofrom approximately $0.77per $100 valuation to ap-proximately $0.78, an effec-tive increase of two cents.From this increase, Rath-mell says the court expectsto raise an extra half mil-lion dollars.

“That money will be usedto cover outstanding debt.Paving roads, the regionaljail. Other outstanding obli-gations,” Rathmell said.

Rathmell added that the$4 million shortfall in thecounty’s general funds un-

derscores the need for theincrease, which he’d previ-ously filed along with theentire proposed budget.

“It (the budget) was achallenge this year becausewe lost almost $5 million inmineral valuation,” Rath-mell said. “I asked all de-partment heads to sacrifice.We were able to cut $3 mil-lion, but we’re still going tohave to use part of our ($1million) fund balance.”

Because the court askedeach county department tocut significantly from itsbudget, the commissionersthemselves wanted to cutfrom their own budget. Ac-cording to Precinct 1 Com-missioner Jose Emilio Vela,

each commissioner cut$200,000 from his own pre-cinct’s allocation of the spe-cial road and bridge fund.Multiplied by four pre-cincts, this equals $800,000in overall loses to Zapata’sinfrastructural repair capa-bilities, leaving mainte-nance as the only recourse.

“Every year gravel iswashed off because of therain, and we’d normallyput caliche, but we can’tnow,” said Vela. “Instead,we’ll be out there with agrater to level it. New mate-rials aren’t going to bebought.”

Aside from trying to setan example, avoiding lay-offs also motivated the

court to absorb this lossfrom its precinct funds, ac-cording to Precinct 4 Com-missioner Norbert Garza.

“I wanted to fix some gut-ters, do other repairs in myprecinct,” Garza said. “ButI’m willing to put those offif it will keep someonefrom being laid off.”

Now that the proposedbudget has been filed, thenext step is a hearing, setfor 9 a.m. Tuesday at theCounty Courthouse, duringwhich the heads of each de-partment have one morechance to influence thebudget.

(Mike Herrera IV can bereached at (956) 728-2567 ormherrera@lmtonline.com.)

TAXES Continued from Page 1A

Zapata County GameWardens Stevan Ramosand Carson Wardlow werepatrolling in San Ygnacioon Aug. 18 when they sawa pickup truck stop a cou-ple of blocks in front ofthem.

Wardlow stopped histruck when he saw whatappeared to be a gun bar-rel sticking out of the pas-senger-side window. Asthe wardens watched, thepassenger shot twice andthe driver got out to re-

trieve a white-wingeddove from the bushes justoff the road.

The wardens quicklymade contact and foundthat the passenger anddriver were both juve-niles.

Their father was alsoin the vehicle. One cita-tion was issued for hunt-ing in a closed season anda warning issued for us-ing illegal means andmethods.

Civil restitution was fil-ed for one white-wingeddove.

Wardens nab man,boys shooting a bird

THE ZAPATA TIMES

MOXEE, Wash. — Afarmworker who says helearned how to lasso 30years ago while workingon a cattle ranch in Mex-ico still knows his ropes.

Jesus Villanueva wasworking Wednesdaywhen he heard a disturb-ance along the Roza irri-gation canal. A womanand her husband weretrying to save their twodogs from being sweptaway in the current. Thedogs couldn’t climb upthe steep concrete sidesof the canal.

A Yakima sheriff ’sdeputy had a rope butwas having no luck. Ittook Villanueva just onelasso toss for each dog tobring them ashore.

Noya Deats had runnearly three miles alongthe canal, trying to saveher dogs while callingher husband and the

sheriff ’s office for help,The Yakima Herald-Re-public reported.

Despite signs warningfolks to stay out of the ca-nal, Deats said she haslet her dogs, Fawn andNia, off their leashes be-fore without any prob-lems. But when they de-cided to take a swim theywere swept away.

Deats had run abouttwo miles when her hus-band Matt arrived.

“I was almost throwingup at that time,” she said.“I was running and talk-ing on the phone at thattime.”

Matt Deats climbeddown a canal ladder, hisbody half submerged inthe water, and reachedout to grab one of thedogs. He barely touched acollar as it passed by.

Fawn, a Labrador mix,seemed to be keeping herhead above water. Nia, anAustralian shepherd mix,

was struggling.“I was trying to figure

out a safe way to try andjump in and grab themmyself,” he said. “Youfeel hopeless — you don’tknow what to do, how tohandle it.”

Villanueva was puttingagricultural chemicalsinto a bin when he hearda noise and saw a deputy.He thought he heardsomeone say two carswere in the canal.

“I thought, two cars?”the 54-year-old farm la-borer said through an in-terpreter.

He took a closer lookafter seeing a womanrunning frantically, andlearned that her two dogswere in the water. Afterwatching the deputystruggle to rope the dogs,he took the lasso andsaid: “Let me see.”

Seconds later, he las-soed each dog, pullingthem to safety.

Noya Deats, left and Matt Deats hold onto their dogs, Fawn, right, and Nia, as Jesus Villanueva,right, looks on near the canal where Villanueva rescued the dogs in Moxee, Wash. Villanueva, a farm-worker who says he learned how to lasso 30 years ago while working on a cattle ranch in Mexico,still knows his ropes. It took Villanueva just one lasso toss for each dog to bring them ashore.

Photo by Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic | AP

Former cowpokesaves dogs in canal

ASSOCIATED PRESS

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

between three or fourminutes to load a vehicle.The sheriff ’s office doesits best with 24 deputiesto cover 997 square mileson a 24-hour, seven-daybasis.

Perhaps the second rea-son why authorities don’tget there on time is themore prevalent. San Yg-nacio people are afraid toreport incidents, Alanizsaid. Gonzalez said peo-ple fear retaliation.

Gang claimIn June, U.S. Border Pa-

trol agents were conduct-ing a special operation inan area called “Hobo’sLanding,” an area used tosmuggle narcotics andpeople.

An area property own-er approached agents andtold them that a mandressed in black andwearing a ski mask point-ed a rifle at him. Agentscanvassed the area andfound four undocumentedpeople. One, identified ina federal criminal com-plaint as Jesus AlfredoPleitez-Aguilar, from ElSalvador, claimed heworked for Los Zetas as astash house operator inMexico.

Drug trafficking organ-izations’ presence is prev-alent in Zapata. In June2010, Gonzalez’s officeseized several rounds of.50 caliber cartridges dur-ing a traffic stop from in-dividuals working for LosZetas. The ammo, alongwith camouflage nettingand night vision equip-ment, was believed to beheaded to Mexico. Relia-ble sources told Gonzalezif the ammo was not go-ing into Mexico, therewas speculation itcould’ve been stockpiledalong the border, in casethe war in Mexico endedup in Texas.

In December 2010, dep-uties arrested a LatinKing gang member afteran inspection of his vehi-cle yielded 30 hand gre-

glers to walk across theriver.

A location called “highrest area” sits atop a cliff.Below there’s a roughpath heading down to anobservation area. Alanizsaid people are prone tovisit the area for its sight-seeing since it provides aunique, panoramic viewof the river.

Picnic crossersBut not everything is

what appears to be. Ala-niz said there have beenoccasions when peoplepretend to be having apicnic, only to wait fortheir relatives to swimacross the Rio Grandeand blend in with thefamily. In other instances,the crossers have carriedbundles.

A common smugglingarea in San Ygnacio isnear the intersection ofGrant Avenue and Trevi-ño Street. Grant turns in-to a dirt path that leadsto the Rio Grande. Notlong ago, Sheriff Sigifre-do Gonzalez Jr. receivedreports of an 18-wheelerparking at that intersec-tion.

Smugglers crossed asmall aluminum boatloaded with bundles. In-stead of unloading at thebanks, they grabbed theboat like a coffin and car-ried it inside the 18-wheeler. Alaniz said load-ers in the San Ygnacio ar-ea hit Ranch Road 3169and can connect to otherTexas highways and ru-ral roads.

Two things hinder au-thorities’ response in thearea. One is distance. Apatrol deputy can be inZapata and receive a callfor assistance from SanYgnacio. That’s at least a14-mile drive.

Gonzalez said thatgives smugglers enoughtime to make it to theside of the road while avehicle waits on the fenceline. They load and leave.It probably takes them

nades found concealedunder a spare tire.

But how volatile is thesituation across the bor-der from Zapata County?Ask an out-of-town manwho recently went fishinginto Mexican waters onAug. 12. Gonzalez said theman had gone into theArroyo Salado area inMexico, where David Mi-chael Hartley was shotand killed by drug gangmembers about a yearago. The fisherman saw aman dressed in militaryuniform. Suddenly, aboutseven more men appearedat the scene.

“He got scared andstarted heading towardthe States,” Gonzalezsaid.

A sheriff ’s incident re-port states a shooting oc-curred in Mexican watersof Falcon Lake. Oneround, states the report,hit the fisherman’s boat’swindshield. Unharmed,he stopped. Armed menmotioned him to go to theMexican shore. Notknowing Spanish, he ex-pressed himself the besthe could. Gonzalez saidthe fisherman claimedthose people were Mexi-can soldiers, since he alsosaw a couple of militarychoppers hoveringaround the area.

Gonzalez emphasizedthe incident happened inMexican waters.

“The U.S. side of FalconLake is relatively safe.Don’t go to Mexico.There’s no need to go,”Gonzalez added, notingthe Mexican side is over-run with gang members.

Most of the propertieson the Mexican river-banks have been aban-doned by their owners.Gonzalez said he oncetalked to a Laredo manwho owns a ranch inMexico. He can’t go to hisranch anymore. It’s own-ed by Los Zetas.

But the threat is some-times too close to home.

According to Gonzalez,the Medina Addition inthe town of Zapata is

known for harboring car-tel members from Mexi-co, thus creating a prob-lem for the sheriff ’s of-fice. A few months ago,the sheriff ’s office re-ceived information thatLos Zetas and Gulf Cartelassociates had plans tofight for the Medina Ad-dition “plaza” or turf.

“We have to deal withstuff here in the UnitedStates. It’s been happen-ing. We’ve been able toprevent any (escalation),”Gonzalez said, notingyoung adults claiming towork for trafficking or-ganizations would ramtheir cars at each other.

Medina is a lucrativeplace for criminals be-cause they can hide dopeand humans. Emergencycalls made from Medinarange from shooting inprogress, theft, drug use,reckless drivers, assaults,robberies, domestic vio-lence and more. If thereare six deputies patroll-ing the county, officialsmake sure at least threeare specifically assignedto Medina.

During LMT’s ride-along with the sheriff ’soffice, deputies patrolledthe Medina Addition. It’s10:41 p.m. Aug. 5. A stopsign at the intersection of16th Street and RomaAvenue shows how hos-tile the territory may be.Alaniz pointed to explicitmessages spray-paintedon the stop sign and arow of mailboxes acrossfrom the stop sign. Onthe other side of the stopsign, the graffiti reads,“Locos 4 Life.”

Patrol continues. It’sabout 11 p.m. A few peo-ple are outside their not-so-attractive sheetrock orstucco-made houses ormobile homes. But the re-cent model, brightly pol-ished trucks and carsparked next to thosehouses sure catch the at-tention of curious people.

(César G. Rodriguezmay be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmton-line.com)

ZAPATA Continued from Page 1A

fied as 25-year-old FranciscoJavier Davila, was observeddriving in the wrong laneand disregarding a stopsign, resulting in a collisionwith the Expedition.

Davila’s vehicle contin-ued on the wrong way to-ward Texas 16. Deputiescanvassing the area noticedhis vehicle had a damagedside and made a traffic stop.

Alaniz said deputies toldDavila he had been involvedin an accident. But the manclaimed he was texting.Deputies noticed the al-leged offender had a minor

cut on his leg and called inEMS services.

But Davila refused anytreatment. Alaniz said dep-uties used the breathalyzeron Davila, “due to his intox-icated state.”

Deputies arrested Davilaand charged him with driv-ing while intoxicated andfour counts of striking anunattended vehicle. Davilahad worked with the sher-iff ’s office as a detention of-ficer for about five years.

(César G. Rodriguez maybe reached at 728-2568 or ce-sar@lmtonline.com)

This photo taken by a Zapata County deputy sheriff shows the vehi-cle driven by Francisco Javier Davila after he allegedly ran a stopsign and struck four vehicles on Aug. 26.

Courtesy photo

RESIGNED Continued from Page 1A

HELPING MAKE LIFE PRETTY

Photo by Heng Sinith | AP

Eleven-year-old Pagna joins members of her family in collectingflowers for sale near their village of Prek Eng in the outskirts ofPhnom Penh, Cambodia, on Friday.

Sports&OutdoorsSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

The Hawks’ boys cross country teamhas long-term goals that include a trip tothe state meet in November. They knowthese early practice meets will only en-hance their game plan and set them on

the right path.Just like a mad scientist, coach Luis

Escamilla puts together the rightamount of ingredients and combinationon his varsity team in order to achievewhat they set out to do.

A core of returning lettermen mixedin with a few new faces make up the

Hawks squad that is burning to returnto state.

This past week, Escamilla had theHawks take some time off from compet-ing so they could recover from the firstmeet and have fresh legs heading intoone of the most demanding meets in theRio Grande Valley, the RGV Classic in

Edinburg.The Hawks will be tested from every

class in the state, 1A through 5A, assome of the best teams in the RioGrande Valley – such as Los Fresnos,Donna, Eagle Pass, Sharyland, Edinburg

CROSS COUNTRY

Running for a purposeZapata boys’ cross country team has bigger objectives in mind

By CLARA SANDOVALTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 2B

Labor Day is around thecorner, officially markingthe end of summer. But

don’t tell that to the temper-ature, as it stays a cool 104 thenext few days.

It is a holiday where it got itsorigins in New York in 1882when the Central Labor Unionof New York opted to start cele-brating the day.

Labor Day is solely dedicatedto the social and economicachievement of the Americanworker.

Labor Day also marks thestart of the NFL season and col-lege football, so those twoevents get me excited.

It’s taboo to wear white afterLabor Day and I never reallyknew the reason until I wasprompted to do a little re-search.

As it turns out, it had to dowith some high society circlesin New York that said it wasunfashionable to wear white af-ter Labor Day.

Just to go against the grain, Iwill be wearing some sort ofwhite attire after Labor Day.Take that, New York high socie-ty!

Labor Day also marks the an-nual MDA Telethon and, for thefirst time in many years, it willnot have Jerry Lewis as the of-ficial spokesperson.

Lewis stepped down this pastyear and I do have to say that itwill not be the same withouthim. I recall when Labor Dayhad a different meaning for meas a child. I dreaded when theday came around because itmarked the end of our summerand the start of school.

Blah.In those days, classes did not

start until after Labor Day, sowe knew that when we startedhearing Labor Day Weekendsales on the television or read-ing it in the newspaper, sum-mer was over.

The days of running aroundduring the summer months andplaying with your friends werelong over. No more playing inthe pool or going over to yourfriend’s house for a sleepover.

Now our parents were shop-ping for our school suppliesand you could never forget thatbox of Kleenex, because everyteacher asked for one.

I always wondered why theyneeded so many, so when I wasin fifth grade I decided that Iwas going to write my name onit so I would know if my boxgot used throughout the year.

As it turned out, it never did,so I decided that I was never go-ing to ask my parents to buy

Thelabor ofLaborDay

See SANDOVAL PAGE 2B

The last tune-up before today’s opening dis-trict game against Port Isabel took the LadyHawks to the edge on Tuesday.

Zapata dropped a five set thriller, 24-26, 25-19,22-25, 25-19 and10-15 to Crystal City to head intothe district season.

Kristina De Leon led the way for the LadyHawks with 21 kills while Shelby Bigler added18.

Estella Molina was able to control the offenseand dished out 35 assists, with De Leon and Bi-gler being the beneficiaries.

Abby Aguilar led the defense with 20 digs,

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Estella Molina and the Zapata Lady Hawks are 5-7 overall heading into district play today.

Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times

LADY HAWKS DROPTHRILLER

See LADY HAWKS PAGE 2B

Zapata heads into district play todayBy CLARA SANDOVAL

THE ZAPATA TIMES

The Philadelphia Eagles’offseason overhaul hasn’tgone unnoticed in Green Bay.Neither has the hype that’scome along with it.

While the reigning SuperBowl champion Packers aretaking the Eagles seriously,they’re mildly amused atwhat they see as a rush tocrown new conference favor-ites before the season starts.Given the chance, Green Bayis confident it will bring the“dream team” back to reality.

“On paper, I guess they’rethe ’dream team,”’ Packerslinebacker Desmond Bishopsaid. “You’ve definitely got togo out on the field and makeit happen. So we’ll see.”

The Eagles positionedthemselves as the Packers’top challenger in the confer-ence after adding a wealth oftop-line talent, including cor-nerbacks Nnamdi Asomughaand Dominique Rodgers-Cro-martie. Not to mention for-mer Packers defensive line-man Cullen Jenkins.

The Eagles aren’t thePackers’ only serious chal-lengers in the NFC.

The Chicago Bears beatthe Packers for the NFCNorth title last year, then lostto their rivals in the NFC ti-tle game at Soldier Field. Butthe Bears could be poised totake a step backward unlessJay Cutler’s protection im-proves significantly. With afierce defensive line, the De-troit Lions could become thePackers’ closest pursuers inthe division — providedquarterback Matthew Staf-ford can stay healthy.

The conference’s mostcompetitive division may bethe NFC South. The AtlantaFalcons drafted wide receiverJulio Jones, although it re-mains to be seen if they canto fix a defense that AaronRodgers carved up in theplayoffs. The New OrleansSaints are trying to regaintheir Super Bowl-winningform and the Tampa BayBuccaneers appear to be onthe rise.

Then there’s the NFCWest, a division there for thetaking for any team that canmake even a modest improve-ment. The West was an after-thought last season, andthere aren’t many reasons tothink that will change muchin the short term.

NFL

NFCEastlooks

stackedCowboys have their

hands full in divisionASSOCIATED PRESS

See NFC PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B Zscores SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

NFC EASTThe Eagles already were

heavyweights in the divi-sion, and their offseasonshopping spree only solid-ified that status — provid-ed, of course, that MichaelVick continues to playlike he did last season.

Vick certainly hasenough skill around himto succeed, although someshuffling along the offen-sive line is unsettling. Thedefense is a little light atlinebacker but should begood enough for a seriousplayoff run.

Nobody in Dallas washappy with the Cowboyslast season, but they didgo 5-3 after Jason Garretttook over as coach. Thedefense was miserable,and that needs to changeunder new defensive coor-dinator Rob Ryan. The of-fense should be explosiveagain with Tony Romoback and healthy.

The Giants have beenclobbered by injuries al-ready, ending the seasonsof cornerback TerrellThomas (knee) and defen-sive tackle Marvin Austin(pectoral muscle), the Gi-ants’ second-round draftpick; first-round corner-back Prince Amukamarahad foot surgery andwon’t be ready to start theseason. They should begood on offense, providedthat their offensive linereshuffling doesn’t back-fire. But are Eli Manningand company good enoughto carry the team?

Mike Shanahan is hop-ing to snap a longstandingcycle of mediocrity inWashington. The idea thathe’s choosing betweenJohn Beck and Rex Gross-man at quarterback, how-ever, doesn’t indicate theteam is poised for a majorleap forward.

NFC NORTHStop us if you’ve heard

this one before: The Pack-ers didn’t make any sig-nificant additions throughfree agency. If they’re go-ing to repeat, it will belargely with last year’s

cast. Jenkins and leftguard Daryn Colledge leftas free agents but thePackers get back playmak-ing tight end JermichaelFinley, reliable runningback Ryan Grant andpromising young safetyMorgan Burnett from in-jury.

The Bears should be ve-ry good on defense butwill have to score more tocontinue as contenders —and that starts with doinga much better job protect-ing Cutler. Drafting righttackle Gabe Carimi was astep toward that end, butperhaps not enough. Twowarning signs for theBears: They shouldn’t ex-pect to have as much goodluck with injuries as theydid last season, and thenew kickoff rules encou-raging touchbacks (sorry,Devin Hester) could hurtthem more than any otherteam.

Instead, the Packers’biggest challenge in theNorth could come fromthe Lions, a team ready toshed its reputation as di-

visional doormats. Al-ready strong up front ondefense with NdamukongSuh and Kyle VandenBosch, the Lions will betough to stop if rookietackle Nick Fairley canreturn quickly from footsurgery. A good defensiveline can cover for a sus-pect secondary, and they’llhave to in this case.Again, any serious run byDetroit will require Staf-ford to stay healthy.

The Minnesota Vikingsstill have big-play threatson both sides of the ball.But unless DonovanMcNabb is able to findsome magic late in his ca-reer, it feels like thisteam’s window to contendis closing.

NFC SOUTHTrying to stay on top of

what should be a fiercelycompetitive division, theFalcons went all-in withthe drafting of wide re-ceiver Julio Jones — add-ing yet another big-play

option for Matt Ryan.Atlanta’s addition of

free agent defensive endRay Edwards should helpa defense that struggled tobring pass-rush pressure.The secondary must im-prove behind him.

Right behind the Fal-cons are New Orleans andup-and-coming TampaBay.

The Saints waved good-bye to Reggie Bush butstill might be a better run-ning team than they werelast year. New Orleanssigned free agent DarrenSproles and drafted MarkIngram. The Saints alsobeefed up their defensiveline, hoping to improvetheir run defense.

The most intriguingteam in the division couldbe Tampa Bay. Josh Free-man was impressive inhis first year as a full-time starter, completing61.4 percent of his passesfor 3,451 yards with 25touchdowns and six inter-ceptions. If Freeman’s up-swing continues and otheryoung players mature

quickly, especially upfront on defense, the Bucscould contend.

The Carolina Panthershave a new coach, RonRivera, and a new quar-terback, Cam Newton.Thanks to the lockout,neither one had the bene-fit of an organized offsea-son program. Not a win-ning formula.

NFC WESTThis division is wide

open and presumablywon’t take much to win —so why not the Rams?New offensive coordinatorJosh McDaniels has legiti-mate building blocks withquarterback Sam Brad-ford and running backSteven Jackson. They’restill thin at wide receiverand need to get better ondefense. But it won’t takemuch improvement tograb hold of this division.

The Seahawks unloadedquarterback Matt Hassel-beck and linebacker LofaTatupu. Now they’re bet-

ting big that there’s moreto Tarvaris Jackson’sgame than the quarter-back showed in Minneso-ta. Hmm ...

In Arizona, new quar-terback Kevin Kolb andwide receiver Larry Fitz-gerald form the founda-tion for what could be adecent offense. But lastseason’s unimpressive de-fense must improve —and do so without Rodg-ers-Cromartie, the pricepaid to pry Kolb awayfrom Philadelphia.

Things could be roughin the short term for the49ers, as Jim Harbaughmust adjust to life as anNFL head coach withoutthe benefits of an orga-nized offseason programduring the lockout. And,um, Alex Smith is hisquarterback. A healthyFrank Gore would helpgreatly on offense, andwide receiver MichaelCrabtree could benefit ifHarbaugh’s West Coast of-fense takes root. Line-backer Patrick Willismust carry the defense.

PREDICTED ORDEROF FINISH (with

records):NFC EAST:1) Philadelphia Eagles

(12-4)2) Dallas Cowboys (9-7)3) New York Giants (8-8)4) Washington Redskins

(4-12)NFC NORTH:1) Green Bay Packers

(12-4)2) Detroit Lions (9-7)3) Chicago Bears (7-9)4) Minnesota Vikings (5-

11)NFC SOUTH:1) Atlanta Falcons (11-5)2) New Orleans Saints

(10-6)3) Tampa Bay Bucca-

neers (10-6)4) Carolina Panthers 3-

13NFC WEST:1) St. Louis Rams (8-8)2) Seattle Seahawks (8-8)3) Arizona Cardinals

(7-9)4) San Francisco 49ers

(5-11)

NFC Continued from Page 1B

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) is shown in the second half of an NFL preseason game against the Cleveland Browns,Thursday, Aug. 25 in Philadelphia. The Eagles are sexy favorites in the NFC East.

AP Photo

me a box of Kleenex forschool and did not care ifmy new teacher requiredit.

When my sixth gradeyear rolled around andthe teacher asked for it atthe beginning of the year,I politely declined her re-quest. I told her if I need-ed to use some Kleenex, Ihad my own pocket pack-

age and proceed to showher.

That response gar-nished a call to my mom,who told the teacher that Idid not want to take a boxof Kleenex to school andthat was fine by her.

This year, Labor Daywill just be like any otherday, as some school dis-tricts opted not to even

have it as a holiday andwill have regular classes.

Times have changed,and Labor Day will beclearly marked in our cal-endars, with fond memo-ries of what the summerhad in store for us embed-ded in our minds.

(Clara Sandoval can bereached at sandoval.cla-ra@gmail.com).

SANDOVAL Continued from Page 1B

North and PSJA North –are expected to compete.

Los Fresnos is expectedto make a run at the statemeet in 5A, while Hannawas a state qualifier lastyear.

Escamilla knows that inorder to push the pace atthe meet, the Hawks need-ed to run in the elite divi-sion in Edinburg.

A week off from racingdoes not mean that theteam has been taking iteasy in practice. On thecontrary, the Hawks havebeen pushing the pacewith every step they takeon the course.

Zapata has been usingits off week to work onstrategies and log the nec-

essary miles to keep it inshape and on pace forRound Rock, site of thestate meet.

Escamilla approachesevery meet as if it was thestate meet and does not al-low his team to think any-thing less.

“They’re looking prettygood,” he said of his team.“They will be running inthe elite division and areapproaching the race as if

it were state.”The Hawks are aiming

to finish with three run-ners in the top 20.

“These meets are get-ting us ready for state,”Escamilla said. “We areaiming for three in the top20 and basically challeng-ing our fourth throughseven runners to step up.

“The fifth man caps thescore and determines howwell we run as a team.”

CROSS COUNTRY Continued from Page 1B

Los Fresnos is expected to make arun at the state meet in 5A, whileHanna was a state qualifier lastyear.

while Molina and De Leoncombined for 32.

The pre-season has gar-nished the Lady Hawks a5-7 overall non-district re-cord that includes winsover Laredo Cigarroa, atop contender in District29-5A.

The Lady Hawks arefacing the daunting taskof finding the wall of de-fense at the net and havebeen exploited in the back

row throughout the pre-season.

The defense has been amajor concern for coachRosie Villarreal.

“We are still havingproblems with our defenseand I hope that we put itall together for (today),”she said.

The Lady Hawks suf-fered a blow to the defensewith the absence of seniorJackie Salinas, who has

been out of action sincethe Port Isabel Tourneyand is not expected tomake a comeback untilthree more weeks.

Salinas is out with asprained ankle.

“Opening with Port Isa-bel will be a big indica-tion as to how we will fairin district,” Villarrealsaid. “Everyone is 0-0 andit is a different mind-setwhen it comes to district.”

LADY HAWKS Continued from Page 1B

IRVING — Jason Gar-rett is trying to create apositive mindset in andaround the Dallas Cow-boys organization. Beforehe’ll even answer a ques-tion that begins along thelines of, “Are you con-cerned about ...”, he clar-ifies that he’s excitedabout whatever that chal-lenge may be.

His consistent avoid-ance of those words couldbe considered a little thing— except, there are no lit-tle things for Jason Gar-rett. Everything he does iswith a purpose, everymove likely rooted insomething he saw, did orthought of over the 21½years he spent in pro foot-ball working his way to-ward this job.

Players still rave about

the speech Garrett gavewhen he replaced Phillipsin the middle of last sea-son, with Dallas languish-ing at 1-7 and Romo donefor the year with a brokencollarbone.

Super Bowl hopes werelong gone, replaced bydoom and gloom. Yet Gar-rett began implementinghis way of doing thingsand got immediate results.

Garrett’s culture changebegan with practices be-ing more physical, with aquicker tempo and withreferees on patrol. He haddigital clocks installedthroughout the building,all synchronized so therewas never an excuse forbeing late to a meeting. Heset a dress code for roadtrips.

This season, with Gar-rett fully owning the job,there’s a nice, new lectern,and plenty more changes

at team headquarters —all the way down to newgoalposts on the practicefields being yellow, likethey are at stadiums, in-stead of white.

“I know it’s early, buthe’s got greatness writtenall over him,” said tightend Jason Witten.

But being the most-or-ganized team in the NFLwon’t mean a thing if theCowboys don’t even makethe playoffs.

The Cowboys have toomany players in theirprime for Garrett and Jer-ry Jones to admit this is atransition year, but itclearly is.

“Sometimes players getevaluated based on whatthey’ve done in the past,”Garrett said. “You have tosay ’OK, let’s take thenumbers off these guysand evaluate how they’replaying right now.’”

In this Aug. 11 file photo, Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett gestures during a preseasongame against the Denver Broncos in Arlington. Garrett will never say he’s concerned, anxious oreven frustrated because he’s trying to create a positive mindset among the Dallas Cowboys. It couldbe considered a little thing, except there are no little things for Garrett.

Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP

Cowboys doing it theJason Garrett way

By JAIME ARONASSOCIATED PRESS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it: FAMILY CIRCUS DENNIS THE MENACE

Dear Readers: How isyour day going? Mine isstarting out nice with this“new and updated” col-umn. For many years now,this Saturday column hasbeen all about pets, whichhave such a special spotin our lives. Well, it’s timefor a little change. Your fa-vorite pet hints, from He-loise Central and you, myreaders, are going to bespread throughout mydaily column. However,PET PAL, where you senda photo of a beloved petdoing something silly orgetting caught doingsomething it shouldn’t(and the photo is postedon my website: www. He-loise.com), will stay righthere.

So, please read on forthe new, updated Heloisecolumn. Oh, by the way,your paper may run mycolumn on any day itwishes. Usually, the col-umns run on the day Ihave written them for. So,look for FAST FACTS onMonday, HELOISE’SKITCHENEERING onWednesday and TRAVELhints on Friday. Money-saving and GREEN hintsare sprinkled throughoutthe week. — Your friend,Heloise

NO SOAP?Dear Heloise: I read

your column about wash-ing vegetables and fruit.Why does the Food andDrug Administration rec-ommend against usingsoap to wash vegetablesand fruit? If properlyrinsed afterward, why isthis a problem? — Dave,via email

Great question, Dave! Itcan be confusing, especial-ly since people use theterm “wash” the veggies.The FDA, the UnitedStates Department ofAgriculture and other re-spected sources say to“wash” fruits and vegeta-bles vigorously undercool, clean running waterONLY, while rubbing withyour hands.

DO NOT wash with de-tergent or bleach solu-tions, because fruits andveggies may absorb the“washing” solution. Deter-

gents and bleach are NOTintended for human con-sumption, and they couldpossibly make you sick.There have been numer-ous tests showing thatrunning water and scrub-bing with a vegetablebrush does the job. — He-loise

PET PALDear Readers: Paul M.

of Hammond, Ind., sent apicture of his beautifulblack-and-white short-haired cat, Anna, climb-ing the banister ratherthan the stairs. To see An-na going upstairs andview our other Pet Pals,go to www.Heloise.comand click on “Pets.” — He-loise

FRONT LOADERSDear Heloise: For those

of us who have front-loadwashing machines, theytend to stay “moist” in-side. I use a bowl withabout a half a cup of bak-ing soda and place it inthe washing machinewhile not in use. I pour itin with my towels prior towashing them. My wash-ing machine stays “dry”while not in use becausethe baking soda absorbsthe moisture, there’s nosmell, and my towelscome out smelling fresh.— Ginny Daly, Yorba Lin-da, Calif.

ICE-COLD WATERHi, Heloise: To battle

the heat and stay hydratedhere in South Texas, myhusband places plasticwater bottles half-full ofwater into the freezer, andbefore going out andabout, will top off the bot-tle with water. Then hehas a cold drink for thecar.

Thanks for all your funtips. — Jane, Hunt, Texas

HINTS BY | HELOISE

“HELOISE

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES Sports SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

AUSTIN — The TexasLonghorns will soon findout if all those changes be-hind the scenes will makea difference on the field.

After last season’s 5-7meltdown just one year af-ter playing for the nationalchampionship, coachMack Brown overhauledhis staff, threw every posi-tion open and challengedhis players to earn theirspot on the roster.

Texas opens the seasontonight against Rice, ateam the Longhorns rou-tinely crush. But the Owlshave a veteran team withan explosive offense thatcould disrupt the entireTexas rebuilding project ifthey pull off the upset.

The Longhorns are un-ranked to start the seasonfor the first time since1998, Brown’s first seasonin Austin. Texas playerssay they have a lot toprove after last season’sdebacle.

“Things have got tochange,” senior guard Da-vid Snow said. “And it’stime to change them.”

One thing that didn’tchange was quarterback.

Garrett Gilbert, whothrew 17 interceptionsagainst just 10 touchdownslast season, won a four-way battle for the startingjob in training camp. Hehad to fight for it. AfterTexas’ first scrimmage, hewas bumped down to thirdteam, then won the start-ing job after a better per-formance in the next one.

Gilbert has as much toprove as anyone. The for-mer high school all-Amer-ican who was supposed toslip right into the role ofTexas’ next great quarter-back floundered in one ofthe worst Longhorns of-fenses in 20 years.

If he struggles withturnovers against Rice, acrowd of about 100,000 will

be wondering when back-up Case McCoy, the young-er brother of former Long-horns quarterback ColtMcCoy, will get his turn.

Brown said he’ll keep itsimple: If Gilbert protectsthe ball and gets the Long-horns into the end zone,he’ll play. Last season,Brown let Gilbert playthrough a five-interceptionroad loss at Kansas Stateand he’ll have a muchshorter leash if turnoverproblems continue.

“If he moves the balland scores, he’ll keep it,”Brown said.

Rice coach David Bailiffexpects his team will see amuch better Gilbert thisseason.

“The weight of theworld was on that youngman to perform last year,”Bailiff said. “I’m sure he isa lot more confident goinginto this year.”

Gilbert is far from theonly question mark for theLonghorns.

New coordinators BryanHarsin (offense) and Man-ny Diaz (defense) bringtheir own schemes fromBoise State and Mississip-pi State, respectively. Andthey are just two of theseven new coaches onstaff.

On offense, Texas losttwo of their top three re-ceivers from last season. Arunning game that waspractically non-existentlast year will rely heavilyon often-injured seniorrunning back Fozzy Whit-taker and freshmen Mal-colm Brown and Joe Ber-geron. They’ll be runningbehind a line with just 36career starts from tackleto tackle. Snow has thebulk of those with 19.

For Rice to have a shot,its defense will have to bemuch, much better thanlast season. It surrenderedan average of 449 yardsand 38.5 points per gameas the Owls finished theseason 4-8.

Ready to rumbleRice vists UT to

kick off 2011

In this Sept. 11, 2010, photo, Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbertlooks to throw against Wyoming in Austin. Gilbert has earned asecond chance to be the starting quarterback at Texas.

Photo by Eric Gay | AP

LUBBOCK — TexasTech won’t surprise any-one with its high-flying,pass-heavy offense thesedays.

It will be more of thesame tonight in the sea-son-opener at homeagainst Texas State, butthere’s a twist: There’s anew quarterback and aretooled defense for theRed Raiders.

Quarterback SethDoege hasn’t played a fullgame since his sopho-more year in high school,back when he completed115 of 171 passes for 27touchdowns and 2,439yards. He also ran 78times for three TDs and526 yards. But that was inhigh school, where hetore his left and rightACL in his junior and se-nior years, respectively.

Coach Tommy Tuber-ville said Doege, a junior,won the starting spot be-cause he knows the of-

fense better than backupJacob Karam, a sopho-more.

“We’re going to findout not just how good of afootball player he is andhow good of a leader heis,” Tuberville said. “Howhe can run an offense,how he can get off theground after getting runover by a 300-pounder andmaking a decision 30 sec-onds later and getting thejob done.”

The two teams havenever met and the Bob-cats have new faces oftheir own. Dennis Fran-chione, who coached Tex-as State in 1990-92 when itwas still known as South-west Texas State, is backto lead the Bobcats.

Tuberville and Fran-chione have split the twogames they’ve playedagainst one another. Tu-berville’s 2001 Auburnteam lost at home 31-7 toFranchione’s Alabamateam. The following year,the visiting Tigers beatthe Crimson Tide, 17-7.

Franchione, now coach-ing a Football Champion-ship Subdivision team af-ter 10 years at TCU, Ala-bama and Texas A&M,said he probably won’tannounce his startingquarterback — either Tyl-er Arndt or Shaun Ruth-erford — until game time.

“Sometimes in the firstgame you beat the enemy,and the enemy is you,” hesaid. “We hope that’s nottrue. I hope our guys areable to execute, protectthe ball, play with enthu-siasm and tackle well.”

The Bobcats offensewill be a good test for arevamped Red Raiders de-fense, which was near thebottom nationally in totaldefense last year (456.3yards per game andranked No. 114). First-year defensive coordina-tor Chad Glasgow willuse five defensive backs.

The Red Raiders de-fense is more athleticthan last year’s squad,which was plagued withinjuries, Tuberville said.

This Nov. 13, 2010 file photo shows Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville, left, and Oklahomahead coach Bob Stoops, right, shaking hands following their game in Norman, Okla.

AP Photo

Bobcats visit Red Raidersfor opener in Lubbock

By BETSY BLANEYASSOCIATED PRESS