The Zapata Times 5/28/2011

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LEGISLATION

MEXICO

Board faces funding cuts from state

Cartel activity

By ERICA MATOS THE ZAPATA TIMES

This Memorial Day holiday will be anything but relaxing for Jose Dodier Jr. — re-elected as the District III Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board member on May 3 — as he anxiously awaits the results of this legislative session’s conclusion.

Though plans for the next session are not yet conclusive, Dodier is optimistic about the status of funding for the state program. At the start of the session, the TSSWCB’s funding took a worrisome nosedive from $4 million to nothing at all. However, Dodier said the board has regained some funding, noting the recovery of two employees’ positions.

“The original number was going to be … over $50 million over 10 years,” Do-

dier explained. “Went from (the current) $4 million to zero, and now we’re hoping to get at least half of that back, if not more.

“We’re elated that we got funding restored.”

One of the projects that likely secured the board’s continued existence began in McCullough County in central Texas and spread across the state. That county’s dam, which was over 50 years old, was in a dire state of disrepair and in the hands of county residents for care.

The board decided to take on the project, which, had it failed, could have resulted in nearby homes being washed away if a storm came. The project was turned into a legislative act, garnering it state funding.

“There are almost 2,000

Authorities seize tons of pot, kill gunmen

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES

The Procuraduría General de la República, Mexico’s Attorney General, is investigating cartel related activity in northern towns of Mexico where federal authorities

seized about two tons of marijuana and weapons.

PGR announced Friday it has opened a case in the seizure of a little more than one ton of marijuana in Miguel Alemán, across the border from Roma. Mexico’s army, Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional

or SEDENA, was patrolling the vicinity of Los Guerra in Miguel Alemán.

Soldiers spotted tire tracks heading toward the riverbanks. There, they found an abandoned Ford ve-

See CARTEL PAGE 10A

See BOARD PAGE 10A

2012 ELECTION

Perry may run for president He has never lost an election

RICK PERRY: Will consider seeking the presidential nomination.

By APRIL CASTRO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the longest serving chief executive in the state’s history and a politician who has never lost an election, said Friday he will consider seeking the Republican nomination for president.

The outspoken conservative, who for months said he wasn’t interested in running for the White House, said he will consider entering the race after the Texas Legislature adjourns Monday.

“I’m going to think about it,” Perry said. “I think about a lot of things.”

It was a stark reversal from his previous insistence that he would not seek the presidency, and one that could shake-up the GOP race. Perry would enter with unquestioned conservative bona fides and a proven fundraising record, adding a fresh voice to a field narrowed by the decisions

of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels not to run.

Perry has been the center of a presidential buzz during the past week, kicked up as many Republicans lamented the remaining slate of candidates vying for the opportunity to challenge President Barack Obama.

The talk increased last week after his speech to Republican insiders in Dallas won rave reviews. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh spent 20 minutes on his talk show a few days later espousing Perry’s appeal as a candidate.

When asked about the race before Friday, Perry had said repeatedly he was focused on the state’s legislative session and not the 2012 race. He reiterated Friday that his focus is on Texas, but answered with a swift “yes sir” when asked if he would consider running for president once the

See PERRY PAGE 10A

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

2011 GRADS ALL SMILES ABOVE: Several Zapata High School students from the Class of 2011 react during the 2011 commencement exercises at Hawk Stadium on Friday afternoon. BELOW: Salutatorian Javer Edmundo Zapata Jr. reacts during his speech at the graduation ceremony.

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

AROUND TEXAS

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

ASSOCIATED PRESS

El Centro de Laredo Farmer’s Market is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Jarvis Plaza, in downtown Laredo.

Today is Saturday, May 28, the 148th day of 2011. There are 217 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On May 28, 1961, the human rights group Amnesty International had its beginnings in the form of an article by lawyer Peter Benenson that was published in the British newspaper The Observer. Titled “The Forgotten Prisoners,” the essay called for mobilizing public opinion to defend “prisoners of conscience” worldwide.

On this date: In 1533, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, declared the marriage of England’s King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn valid.

In 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, made up of freed blacks, left Boston to fight for the Union in the Civil War. In 1892, the Sierra Club was organized in San Francisco.

In 1918, the Battle of Cantigny (kahn-tee-NYEE’) began during World War I as American troops captured the French town from the Germans.

In 1934, the Dionne quintuplets — Annette, Cecile, Emilie, Marie and Yvonne — were born to Elzire Dionne at the family farm in Ontario, Canada.

In 1937, Neville Chamberlain became prime minister of Britain.

In 1940, during World War II, the Belgian army surrendered to invading German forces.

In 1959, the U.S. Army launched Able, a rhesus monkey, and Baker, a squirrel monkey, aboard a Jupiter missile for a suborbital flight which both primates survived.

In 1972, Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, who had abdicated the English throne to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson, died in Paris at age 77.

In 1985, David Jacobsen, director of the American University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, was abducted by pro-Iranian kidnappers (he was freed 17 months later).

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush honored America’s veterans with the Memorial Day signing of legislation to construct a World War II monument on the National Mall. U.S. Rep. Joseph Moakley, D-Mass., died at age 74.

Today’s Birthdays: Rockabilly singer-musician Sonny Burgess is 82. Actress Carroll Baker is 80. Producer-director Irwin Winkler is 80. Actress Beth Howland is 70. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is 67. Singer Gladys Knight is 67. Actress-director Sondra Locke is 67. Singer Billy Vera is 67. Singer John Fogerty is 66. Actress Christa Miller is 47. Singer-musician Chris Ballew (Presidents of the USA) is 46. Rapper Chubb Rock is 43. Singer Kylie Minogue (KY’-lee mihn-OHG’) is 43. Actor Justin Kirk is 42. Television personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck (“The View”) is 34.

Actor Jesse Bradford is 32. Actress Monica Keena is 32. Pop singer Colbie Caillat (kal-LAY’) is 26. Actress Carey Mulligan is 26. Actor Joseph Cross is 25.

Thought for Today: “All the troubles of man come from his not knowing how to sit still.” — Blaise Pascal, French philosopher (1623-1662).

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 The March of Dimes’ 2011 March for Babies is today from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas A&M International University. To register your family or company team, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org/. For more information, contact Luis Garcia, division director, at 1-800-580-3256 or LGarcia@marchofdimes.com.

The first Zapata County Scouting Competition pitting the Zapata Girl Scouts vs. the Zapata Explorers, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Zapata County Pavilion. For more information, call the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.

THURSDAY, MAY 5 Photo by Paul Chouy/The Brownsville Herald | AP

Zapata High School is having its annual Scholarship Night ceremony at 6 p.m. today at the high school auditorium. To sponsor a scholarship or for more information, call 765-0280.

SATURDAY, MAY 7 A book sale will be held in the Widener Room of the First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donated books and magazines are accepted.

Call 722-1674 for more information.

Texas author Joe Lopez, author of “The Last Knight,” will be in Laredo from 2-4 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library, 1120 East Calton Rd. He will discuss his book about Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe, a Texas hero who fought for the rights and freedoms of the people of Texas long before the War for Texas Independence was waged in 1836. Copies of “The Last Knight” will be available for purchase, and Lopez will autograph copies for buyers. For more information, contact Robert Brown at the Laredo Public Library at 795-2400, 2234.

MONDAY, MAY 9 The County Commissioners Court will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. at the Zapata County Courthouse.

TUESDAY, MAY 10 The South Texas Food Bank will have a fundraiser at Hal’s Landing, 6540 Arena Road, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. today. Music will be by Ross & Friends. Admission is $10. Raffle tickets are $5 and available by calling 568-3673 or 324-2432.

The Zapata County ISD Board of Trustees will meet at the Professional Development Center at 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 12 The City of Laredo, the Laredo Public Library Wall of Tolerance Center & Museum and Congregation Agudas Achim will host the Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library. This year’s Days of Remembrance theme is “Justice and Accountability in the Face of Genocide: What Have We Learned?”

For more information, contact Pam Burrell at the Laredo Public Library at 795-2400, extension 2268.

THURSDAY, MAY 19 The Laredo Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Melton Logistics at 8618 Las Cruces at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Gina Palma at 7229895.

SATURDAY, MAY 28 The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce invites the community to support local 1st through 5th grade artists who, for the past month, have been participating in a drawing contest for this summer’s Zapata County Chamber of Commerce Kids’ Fishing Tournament. Those interested in participating in drawing selection can call the Chamber at (956) 765-4871 or can stop by at 601 US Hwy 83.

To celebrate the 256th anniversary of Laredo’s founding, the Webb County Heritage Foundation will host a Founders’ Day luncheon at noon in the Student Center Ballroom of Texas A&M International University. The event will feature the inauguration of the new President of the Republic of the Rio Grande, Mrs. Annabelle U. Hall, as well as presentation of the annual Heritage Awards. The event is open to the public. Tickets for the luncheon can be obtained by calling the foundation office at (956) 727-0977 or by email at heritage@webbheritage.org.

University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College senior and student government president Jose Arturo Guerra poses for a photo Wednesday in Brownsville. Guerra is graduating, but could be deported to Mexico for entering the U.S. illegally when he was a teenager.

Deportation possible

By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA ASSOCIATED PRESS

EL PASO — The student body leader from a South Texas university who graduates in December has succeeded in stalling his deportation to Mexico, but his lawyer said Friday that the young man’s future beyond finishing college remains uncertain.

Standing before an immigration judge Wednesday, Arturo Guerra, 21, knew that an unfavorable ruling could mean the end of his life in the U.S. The judge agreed to review the case, putting it on hold indefinitely. Another court hearing has not been scheduled.

Guerra’s attorney Jaime Diez said Guerra will get to graduate in December and hopefully have enough time to complete his master’s degree, too.

The University of Texas at Brownsville senior is also president of the student govern-

ment association. He faces deportation for entering the U.S. illegally when he was 15.

His status was discovered in December when he tried to become a legal resident through his mother’s marriage to a U.S. citizen.

“It feels terrible, you go there and you don’t know what is going to happen,” Guerra said Friday in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “What hurt me the most was thinking that I have my mom, my sisters, my stepdad, my grandma and my school here. My life is here.”

Diez said he and Guerra “hope for the DREAM Act to pass.”

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors would create a way for students who came to the U.S. illegally before they were 16 to obtain citizenship. They would have to have completed two years of higher education or service in the military.

Texas sexting bill sent to governor

Semifinals begin in Cliburn piano contest

Texas inmate to die next week loses appeal

AUSTIN — Texas teenagers 17 or younger could be charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony if they are caught “sexting” under a bill sent to Gov. Rick Perry on Friday.

If Perry signs the change into law, teens caught sexting would face a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine. The bill does not change felony laws covering adults.

FORT WORTH — After Madalyn Bingham Taylor’s youngest son was killed in a freak accident at her family’s Utah tire store 12 years ago, she could barely play her beloved piano.

But she wanted to show her family that “you have to keep the light in your life.”

Taylor is among 25 semifinalists in the Van Cliburn Sixth International Piano Competition for Amateurs.

HOUSTON — A convicted killer has lost an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to put off his execution set for next week in Huntsville for a slaying in Dallas more than two decades ago.

Lawyers for 42-year-old Gayland Bradford asked the high court for a reprieve and a rehearing on an appeal turned down earlier by the justices. The court, in a one-paragraph order Friday, refused both requests.

Legislature passes changes to screenings

VA backs off, will let pastor say ’Jesus Christ’

AUSTIN — The Legislature has passed a bill requiring the state to obtain parental permission before storing a newborn’s blood sample for possible research.

The House on Thursday approved changing how parents give the Department of State Health services permission to use a baby’s blood sample.

HOUSTON — The U.S. Veterans Affairs Department will allow a pastor to utter the name Jesus Christ in a Memorial Day invocation at Houston National Cemetery after he sued the agency, accusing it of censorship.

The agency’s attorney informed U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes of the decision Friday.

— Compiled from AP reports

Jury sentences Woodway man to 25 years AUSTIN — A Limestone County jury has sentenced a Woodway man to 25 years in state prison after convicting him of stealing more than $400,000 from clients of his investment advisory business.

Reginald Lee Clark was convicted this week of theft. The jury sentenced him Friday.

Clark was not registered to sell securities in Texas.

AROUND THE NATION Flooding prompts Vt. evacuations, closures MONTPELIER, Vt. — A series of thunderstorms pelted Vermont with up to 5 inches of rain Thursday and Friday, overflowing rivers and streams, ripping roads into pebbly shreds and forcing about 200 people from their homes.

More trouble was on the way: A second round of heavy weather Friday night was expected to move through the same areas buffeted by the Thursday night storms, which lashed an area Montpelier to St. Johnsbury and left roads impassable.

Grocery chain expands $1-a-gallon gas discount CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. is pumping up its fuel discount program, more than tripling the number of grocery stores where regular shoppers can get up to a $1-a-gallon discount on a

CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Classified Manager, Jesse Vicharreli ........... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Managing Editor, Julie Silva ...................... 728-2565 City Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez .................. 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavín-Castillo............ 728-2569 Photo by Toby Talbot | AP

Rene Crete looks over damaged cars at Buy Right Auto on Friday in East Montpelier, Vt. Schools and roads are closed across central Vermont as heavy overnight rains caused flooding that overflowed riverbanks. tankful of gas.

Feds pondering felony in Wis. abortion plot MADISON, Wis. — Prosecutors said Friday they may pursue

a felony charge against a man accused of plotting to shoot Madison abortion providers.

Ralph Lang told investigators he brought a gun to Madison to kill staffers at Planned Parenthood. But his plan fell through.

— Compiled from AP reports

SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted.

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The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

Zlocal

PAGE 3A

Court tables redistricting Some boundaries to change

By CRISTINA FLORES SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

An agenda item that would move redistricting in Zapata forward was postponed at a special called Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday.

Residents within Zapata’s precincts will be redistributed to comply with the 2010 county census data.

Studies showed that 250 residents each will need to be moved into precincts 1 and 2 from precinct 4.

The redistricting is expected to include the expansion of precinct 1 to cover everything in between Hidalgo Boulevard and Glenn Street. The change will be effective this October.

Rolando Rios, representative of Rogelio Rios and Associates, the redistricting consultant for Zapata, was unable to attend the meeting because he was held up in federal court.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jose Vela said the vision for redistricting in Zapata was not finalized during the meeting because the decision needed to be ap-

proached with the appropriate protocol.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal added that each precinct will be receiving 250 residents from Pct. 4 for an equal number of 3,500 residents. He said the boundary changes did not receive any objections

by Pct. 4 Commissioner Norberto Garza.

Garza and County Judge Joseph Rathmell could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Further discussion at the meeting included the approval of county water meter connection for a 2 ½ acre tract of land owned by

Valerie Ann Gonzalez.

“We approved to provide the utilities they requested only as far as where the county boundary goes,” Vela said. “We’ll be supplying the meter; however, the residents will have to do their own trenching because it is out of our jurisdiction.”

Other topics finalized at the meeting were the appointment of County Judge Joseph Rathmell to the Zapata County Commissioners Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group and the approval of the use of Zapata County Pavilion to be the starting point for the Laredo/Zapata fun race.

Association discusses pilgrimage

By EDNA UMPHRES SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Zapata County Retired School Employees met in April at the Holiday Restaurant. Hildegardo Flores and Olga Flores presented the program for the meeting. The presentation was about their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The spectacular buildings of Greece and the Holy Land were filmed by Hildegardo Flores at the time he and Olga Flores were on a pilgrimage in October 2010. The Floreses joined a pilgrimage organized by the Archdiocese of Houston, led by Monsignor Rossi. The focus of the pilgrimage was to follow the steps of St. Paul and to visit the home of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Following the steps of St. Paul, the group traveled to Corinth and Athens, Greece; Ephesus in Turkey; and Jericho, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem in the Holy Land. In Nazareth, the

Courtesy photo

Retired School Employees Association raffle winner Carmen Gonzalez, left, holds a beaded bag brought from Jerusalem. Olga Flores, center, donated the bag from the Holy Land for a raffle to benefit the association’s book project. Cruz Torres, right, directs the project, which benefits the students of ZCISD.

group visited the home of Mary.

The Floreses spoke with admiration for architecture at many sites; one ex-

ample was the Parthenon in Greece. A special atmosphere prevailed at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where they saw

the Unction stone and the tomb of Jesus. (Edna Umphres is the historian for the Retired School Employees Association.)

LCC offers classes at Zapata center

By STEVE TREVIÑO SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Zapata residents can find their futures with Laredo Community College this summer right in their hometown.

To celebrate the launch of the Zapata County Advanced Education Center, LCC will offer for the first time a Summer Bridge Program for adults looking to enroll in coursework to prepare them for collegelevel English, reading and or math.

To determine if the student is ready to take the any of the summer bridge courses, staff from the LCC Assessment Center will be at Zapata High School on Tuesday to offer the ACT COMPASS Placement Examination (TCOMP). Individuals can take the exam anytime from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Prior to taking the TCOMP, the student must have a completed admissions application on file in the Enrollment and Registration Office and a Palomino ID num-

ber to take the exam.

There is a testing fee of $18, which can be paid with a check or a money order.

The summer bridge courses, including ENGL 0373, READ 0375 and Math 0376, will be taught at the ZCAEC from Monday, June 6, through Wednesday, July 6.

All classes will meet Monday through Thursday, with English scheduled from 5-7:20 p.m., reading from 7:30-9:50 p.m. and math from 57:20 p.m.

The courses will be taught by qualified instructors from Zapata.

The ZCAEC is located at 607 U.S. 83 South.

For more information or assistance, contact the office of the dean of LCC South at 794-4002.

(Steve Treviño is the public relations specialist at LCC.)

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

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

COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

Discussion on US debt inevitable

By DAVID BROOKS NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

S

ometime this summer, the Democrats and the Republicans will go toe-to-toe over whether to raise the debt ceiling. At the height of the confrontation, President Barack Obama may well address the country and say that even though he has offered the Republicans more than $1 trillion in spending cuts (unspecified), the Republicans have not been willing to compromise on a deal.

He will then announce that even without an agreement the U.S. will still have enough money to continue payments to its creditors.

Unfortunately, he will go on, the government will not have enough money to continue with many other programs.

Federal agencies will send out letters advising parents that because of the deadlock in Congress, student loans will be suspended. Other letters will advise seniors to make arrangements with banks for credit lines until their Social Security checks can resume. National panic will ensue.

Changing times A few weeks ago, the Republicans might have been able to withstand this. Then it was possible to argue that Americans are so fed up with runaway spending and unsustainable debt that they would support a party brave enough to put the country on a sound fiscal footing. After the Republican defeat in New York’s 26th Congressional District, it is harder to argue that. After these results, 2012 looks more like a regular election — whichever party can be accused of cutting entitlements will get pummeled.

Already many consultants are telling Republicans to drop austerity and go back on offense: Spend 2012 accusing the Democrats of sponsoring death panels. The Democrats will spend 2012 accusing Republicans of ending Medicare. Whichever party demagogues best wins.

But, over the past few days, I’ve spoken with a number of Republicans — in Congress and elsewhere — who don’t want to do that. They fervently believe the country is in peril. They want to find a way to reduce the debt without committing political suicide.

A process Doing that is a twostep process. First, Republicans have to make a grand offer on raising the debt ceiling. This offer should include a bipartisan commitment to reduce the growth of Medicare spending. Republicans need Democratic fingerprints on a plan to restrain entitlements. In exchange, Republicans should offer to raise tax revenues on the rich.

They should get rid of the interest deductions on mortgages over $500,000 and on second homes.

They should close corporate loopholes and cap the health insurance deduction. They

should offer a plan that follows the outline of the Simpson-Bowles report and what the “Gang of Five” in the Senate is working on. (Sen. Mark Kirk has a proposal roughly on this latter point.)

Disagreement Democrats may not agree to this offer. Since the election, Democrats have gone into the fiscal fetal position, hoping to offend no one while Republicans catch all the flak. This week, Senate Democrats voted on four separate budget proposals and not a single Democrat voted for a single one. Even Obama’s budget received zero votes.

The Democrats don’t want to be on record for any governing choice that might be painful.

Moreover, Obama may use this occasion to pummel the Republicans mercilessly on Medicare, no matter what the consequences for the country.

But if the Republicans made an offer that included revenue increases, they would at least show they are willing to compromise to prevent a national catastrophe.

And Democrats might take them up on it. Many Democrats understand the fiscal peril. Many Democrats don’t want to go down in history as the people who did nothing while bankruptcy loomed.

Reconnection More broadly, Republicans need to reconnect with the working class, the sort of people who live in upstate New York congressional districts.

Republicans won in 2010 because the working class fled from the Democrats’ top-down big government liberalism.

But these families have seen the pillars of their world dissolve — jobs, family structure, neighborhood cohesion.

They understandably reject any new proposals that introduce even more risk and uncertainty into their lives. Republicans need to be the party of order, stability and steady growth.

They need to lay out the facts showing that Medicare is unstable and on a path to collapse, as Rep. Paul Ryan is doing.

But they also need to enmesh Medicare reform within an agenda to build solid communities: more money for community colleges and technical schools, an infrastructure bank, a values agenda to shore up marriage and family cohesion, tax holidays to help the unemployed start businesses, tax reform to limit special interest power.

The Boston Consulting Group foresees a manufacturing renaissance as Chinese wages rise and workers in low-cost states like Mississippi find they can compete once again. If Republicans can help foster that, and if they can cut a bipartisan deal that illustrates that we are all in this together, they can do good for the country while doing well politically. If not, it’s the same old story: whoever is bravest on entitlements will lose.

COLUMN

Heroes’ recognition overdue

By ARNOLD GARCIA JR. COX NEWSPAPERS

A

USTIN — Frank Denius, the Austin lawyer, has taken on a new client: the outfit in which he served when he was Franklin Denius, the soldier.

Like many of his World War II contemporaries, Denius was still in his teens when he went away. As a member of the 30th Infantry Division, Denius was only 19 when he saw action on D-Day. He also fought in the hedgerows, in the Battle of the Bulge and battled into Germany.

Among the decorations Denius earned were four Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts.

He was a forward artillery observer — a most dangerous assignment. It’s a wonder Denius survived almost constant combat from the time he landed in France until he came home.

For years, Denius was reticent to talk about his war experiences.

He’s speaking up more these days, not in search of personal recognition but as an advocate for his buddies in the 30th Infantry Division.

The 30th was a National Guard unit that fought with distinction in both world wars. In 1946, S.L.A. Marshall, the officer appointed to write a history of the Army in the European theater, wrote: “ ... we picked the 30th Division No. 1 in the list of (infan-

try) divisions. In no single operation had (the division) carried less than its share of the burden or looked bad when compared with the forces on its flanks. We are especially impressed with the fact that it had consistently achieved results without undue wastage of its men.”

The understated prose carries a message in military dialect: This outfit did its job efficiently and kept its losses to a minimum.

Though Marshall recommended the division for a Presidential Unit Citation, it never got one.

Lew Adams, a documentary film producer and director who lives in Austin, sees that as an injustice to be corrected. When Adams researched the history of the 30th and interviewed its survivors, the respect he had for the men of the outfit became awe.

Adams talks about taking the route the division followed during World War II and how people in the towns they liberated still remember the heroes of Old Hickory — the division’s nickname. As part of the work on the documentary, Adams took some of the surviving 30th Infantry veterans, including Denius, back to Europe.

“These men are rock stars,” Adams said in describing the reverence the division still commands six decades after the end of the war.

Yet for all of its accomplishments and sacrifice,

the division has been denied the recognition of the Presidential Unit Citation.

Individual units were cited, but not the division as a whole. Adams suspects that the reason is that it was a National Guard outfit and, as such, an underdog in an intraservice scramble for postwar glory. Regular Army officers then — and maybe even now — were generally dismissive of reserve outfits.

Yet when Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, the allied commander, needed a battalion to hold a strategic hill near Mortain, France, at all costs, it was the 30th Infantry that delivered. Denius was the artillery observer on Hill 314, critical high ground that Germans applied maximum effort to take. The German commander hurled four divisions — two of them Elite SS units — at Denius’ battalion. Low on ammunition, food, water and medical supplies, Denius and his buddies valiantly — and literally — held their ground for six days, repelling the German onslaught aimed at halting the Allied advance from the Normandy beaches.

There were many more battles to fight after Mortain, including the Battle of the Bulge.

The most famous German counteroffensive began on Dec. 16. By Dec. 18, the 30th Infantry Division moved from the Aachen area in Germany — ground wrested from the Wehr-

macht defenders at heavy cost. It was a trek of 24 miles over icy, treacherous terrain to Malmedy, Belgium. Denius was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds sustained at the Battle of the Bulge.

Denius, an East Texan, rotated home after the war, enrolled in the University of Texas law school and stayed in Austin. Known for his philanthropy, Denius is also pro bono counsel for the 30th, arguing the case for the long-denied recognition of his old outfit.

Denius, now 86, said there are only about 1,700 30th Infantry survivors left.

“I was one of the youngest guys in the unit,” he said, noting that time is now the enemy. The Defense Department wants affidavits to support the petition for a citation. Denius dutifully files the paperwork as he and his fellow 30th Infantry survivors wait. There is also a wait for funding to finish Adams’ documentary.

Denius’ client is in the right. What isn’t right is perpetuating more than six decades of overdue recognition. As Adams correctly noted, the men of the 30th Division have waited long enough.

To see interviews with Denius and other veterans of the 30th Infantry included in the unfinished documentary “Heroes of Old Hickory,” go to heroesofoldhickory.com.

E-mail: agarcia@statesman.com.

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To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The

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Crime & More

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

THE BLOTTER

Zapatan faces theft, possession charges

ASSAULT Deputies responded to an unwanted person call at 6:01 a.m. Wednesday in the 2300 block of Alamo Street. The complainant stated that her ex-boyfriend assaulted her.

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

BURGLARY

A Zapata resident was arrested Wednesday afternoon accused of stealing cameras and a laptop from his place of employment.

In addition, deputies found him in possession of a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana.

Carlos A. Figueredo was arrested and charged with two counts of theft and one count for possession of marijuana. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail.

A Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office incident report states Figueredo had allegedly already pawned two cameras, a Kodak and a Cannon, at a pawn shop on U.S. 83. The report states Figueredo, a reporter with the Zapata County News, was allegedly attempting to pawn a third camera, a Sony.

An employee from the pawn shop called the Zapata County News to confirm that the cameras were given to Figueredo.

Deputies say the man took the cameras without permission.

Deputies responded to an incident call at the pawn shop at 5:07 p.m.

Deputies took Figueredo in for questioning at the sheriff ’s office.

Deputies arrested Figueredo at the sheriff ’s office. While he was being processed, the office received a call from a Zapata County News employee.

The caller stated that a laptop was missing.

Later on, deputies took Figueredo to Zapata Regional Jail. A routine pat down on the man by correctional officers yielded a baggie with a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana.

Authorities recovered the cameras. The laptop had not been recovered as of press time.

A man reported at 8:21 p.m. May 21 in Socorro Ranch, off Airport Road, that someone stole three rifles from his residence.

A man called deputies at 7:55 a.m. Wednesday from the Costa Rica Ranch, off Texas 16, to report that someone broke into his ranch, stole his Jeep and abandoned it at the entrance of the ranch.

A man reported at 12:16 p.m. Wednesday in the 1400 block of Ramireño Avenue that someone he knows burglarized his home.

Courtesy photo | Zapata County Sheriff’s Office

A Zapata County firefighter assists at the scene where two trucks collided on U.S. 83 in San Ygnacio.

U.S. 83 collision sends man, 82, to hospital THE ZAPATA TIMES

A head-on collision Wednesday morning in San Ygnacio left an 82year-old man hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, first responders said.

Zapata County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. at U.S. 83, a quarter-mile north of Valle Verde Road in San Ygnacio.

Deputies found maroon and tan Chevrolet trucks had collided with each other.

Roosevelt Gonzalez, 20, was the driver of the maroon vehicle. A sheriff’s office news release states the man was traveling south toward Zapata and could not stay in a single lane, thus colliding with the tan vehicle driven by an 82-year-old man.

The elderly man was

treated for non life-threatening injuries at the scene.

Zapata Fire EMS crews took him to Laredo Medical Center.

Gonzalez was cited for failure to maintain a single lane and taken to the Zapata Medical Center for minor treatment.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Deputies went out to a criminal mischief call at 6:33 p.m. May 20 in the 1300 block of Guerrero Avenue. The complainant told officials that someone cut off the wire of a video surveillance camera.

Deputies responded to a criminal mischief call at 2:49 p.m. May 20 in the 800 block

of Villa Avenue, where a man told deputies that someone poured sugar in his gas tank.

DUI Gary Alaniz was arrested after a traffic stop and charged with driving under the influence at about 1 a.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of Bravo Avenue.

The man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail.

HIT AND RUN A hit-and-run incident was reported at 6:31 p.m. May 20 in the 800 block of Vista Hermosa.

POSSESSION Martin Emilio Pacheco was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine at about 1:30 p.m. May 20 in the intersection of West 20th Avenue and U.S. 83. The man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail.

THEFT A woman reported at 9:12 p.m. Thursday in the 600 block of Laredo Avenue that someone stole his trash can.

A woman reported at 11:50 a.m. Thursday in the 1400 block of Miraflores Street that someone stole several pieces of jewelry.

PAGE 6A

Zentertainment

World’s most famous DJ, Tiesto, plays at arena Sunday

By EMILIO RÁBAGO III THE ZAPATA TIMES

THE LINEUP

It’s time for Tiesto.

The world’s biggest DJ/ producer will bring the “Club Life” to the Laredo Energy Arena stage Sunday night.

He has been all over the world, and Sunday will mark his first visit to the Gateway City. His stop here will be on Memorial Day weekend, after a couple of shows in the entertainment mecca of Las Vegas.

He’ll follow up with a couple of shows in Italy (Napoli and Rome), Croatia and Denmark before starting his summer residency in Ibiza, Spain. He’s used to playing to hundreds of thousands of fans and constantly tours the globe.

“I can’t believe Tiesto is coming. This is so big; he was the main reason why I started to DJ,” said Jair Nuñez, a local club DJ. “It’s even more exciting that I am going to be a part of the lineup here in Laredo.”

Nuñez, who goes by the name DJ Jair, will be performing in the main lobby of the LEA. Concert promoters Global Groove London and Insomniac have set up three stages at the arena to give it a club-like atmosphere.

Three areas will be pumping out music — the main stage, main lobby and Star Bar for VIPs. The concert will last until 2 a.m., a first for the arena.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Nuñez said. “This is something everyone needs to experience in their life, especially since it’s going to be filmed for the rest of the world to see.”

The concert, which is expected to attract thousands

MAIN STAGE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) Tiesto, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Kevin Focus, 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tanki Pink vs. Laidback Lou, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gruvman Funk and Static, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tonyc, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

MAIN LOBBY Jair, 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

D-Rock, 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Reepr, 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Impact, 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Kickback, 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pumpin’ Pete, 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Necio, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Frankiistylz, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Express-News file photo

DJ Tiesto, the world’s biggest name in electronic music, plays at the Laredo Energy Arena on Sunday. Tickets start at $30. of people from throughout South Texas and northern Mexico, has been approved

by Tiesto’s people for live filming. The video will then be distributed worldwide, via Tiesto’s many web pages.

Nuñez is one of several local and area DJs who will get an opportunity to perform at the arena. The city is abuzz about this concert.

Among the many hits Tiesto, who has remixed for many mainstream artists such as Madonna, has to his credit are “Feel It In My Bones,” “Escape Me,” “I Will Be Here,” “Hello,” “In The Dark,” “Show Me the Way” and “C’Mon,” which he produced alongside Diplo.

Tiesto is known as a trance DJ, but his music transcends all electronic music genres. He’s collaborated with Nelly Furtado, Three 6 Mafia and has a “C’Mon” remix with Busta Rhymes.

If you go back a decade or so, you’ll find his tracks such as “Traffic,” “Adagio For Strings” and “Love Comes Again.”

“Adagio For Strings” is actually a remix of Samuel Barber’s orchestra classic.

“That’s my favorite Tiesto song of all time,” Nuñez said. “I get goosebumps everytime the beat drops and the melody kicks in.”

Due to the high demand that’s likely, the Laredo Energy Arena Box office will

VIP STAR BAR Scorpion, 9:30 to 10 p.m.

Kash Kasanova, 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Banner, 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Juiceman, 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Benny, 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Alx, 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Noizekid, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dutchkid, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. open Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and will be open extended hours on Sunday, the day of the event, from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Tiesto is expected to go on stage at about 10 p.m.

(Emilio Rabago II may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

COMING UP Duelo, La Firma at Papagallos Roma’s mega popular norteño group Duelo will be in town Saturday night.

Duelo, led by singersongwriter Ivan Treviño, will perform at Papagallos USA, along with La Firma.

Duelo is known for hit songs such as “Amiga Soledad,” “Insomnio,” “Bienvenido El Amor,” “El Amor No Acaba” and “Un Minuto Más.” Most of Duelo’s repertoire is perfect for lovebirds, or for those who have lost relationships.

The concert starts at 9 p.m. Papagallos is at 5920 San Bernardo Ave.

Laredo Artists Alliance hosts show The Laredo Artists Alliance is hosting a live music show Saturday at Calalvera’s Sports Bar & Grille, a new bar opening up.

The show will be headlined by This Year’s Fashion of Corpus Christi and Before The Gale from San Antonio.

Local bands For the Taking, Above Reproach, Erebus and Bacchanalian Bliss will also play. Local indie bands Volatile Colour and Sustaining The Balance will start the live music. The event takes place Saturday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

South Texas Collectors Expo set for June 26 The Laredo Civic Center conference rooms will host the South Texas Collectors Expo on Sunday, June 26.

The event will feature all sorts of collectables

ranging from comic books and trading cards to sports memoribilia and anime/ manga.

Organizers are currently looking for vendors for the expo, which is coming back after an 8-year hiatus.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ collectors.expo or call Marco Jalomo at 337-5192.

Barney and Friends to throw bash at LEA The Laredo Energy Arena is inviting everyone to Barney’s Birthday Bash.

The loveable, huggable purple dinosaur and his friends will sing and dance their way into your hearts in a brand-new, interactive concert party tour.

Barney’s Birthday Bash will have two performances at the arena on Wednesday, July 13. Tickets for the performances go on sale Monday, June 6, at 10 a.m.

Christian rock band in benefit concert Fireflight, an awardnominated Christian rock band, will perform at the Laredo Civic Center on Sunday, June 12, at 7:15 p.m., to benefit the South Texas Food Bank.

Fireflight has been nominated for a Grammy as the Christian Rock Band of the Year and the Dove Award. Also on the lineup will be Texas rap-reggaetone award winning artist X-Triste and the Christian rock band Living Water Sound.

Organizers say one half of the proceeds go to The South Texas Food Bank, which distributes food to eight counties from Del Rio to Rio Grande City.

— The Zapata Times

SÁBADO 28 DE MAYO DE 2011

Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 28 DE MAYO LAREDO — La venta y taller de Laredo Art League es hoy de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. en 4002 San Bernardo Avenue. La entrada para el taller es de 20 dólares. Para informes, llame a Vegas Imports al 724-8251.

LAREDO — Show de carros y motocicletas de las 12 p.m. a 6 p.m. en Alexander Park, 6911 Rocio Dr., detrás de Texas Community Bank de McPherson. Donación 1 dólar. Habrá música, juegos y diversión.

LAREDO — Laredo Artists Alliance será anfitrión de un espectáculo musical en vivo hoy a partir de las 5:30 p.m. en Calavera’s Sporst Bar & Grille.Cover de 5 a 10 dólares.

LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m., “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 6 p.m. y “enTRANCED” a las 7 p.m. Costo: 5 dólares general.

LAREDO — Hoy es el Concierto Carnaval de Acero a las 7:30 p.m. en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center, del Campus Fort McIntosh de LCC. Costo: 3 dólares a beneficio de becas estudiantiles.

LAREDO — Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager y Southern Scarred se presentan en concierto en el Casa Blanca Ballroom a las 9 p.m.

LAREDO — Duelo y La Firma en concierto hoy a las 9 p.m. en Papagallos USA. LAREDO — Umano Aché se presenta hoy a las 10 p.m. en Average Joe’s!, 9652 Mcpherson Road # 1.

TAMAULIPAS — Fecha límite para recibir propuestas a la convocatoria lanzada a escritores y estudiantes interesados en participar en el encuentro Voces en la Frontera a realizarse el 10 y 11 de junio en McAllen, Texas.

Zfrontera

PÁGINA 7A

ORIENTAN A RESIDENTES SOBRE CUIDADOS

Esperan lluvia para los PGR siguientes dos meses acusa a POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

NUEVO LAREDO — Pronósticos indican que los meses de junio y julio registrarán tormentas e inundaciones en áreas bajas locales, aunque agosto y septiembre serán secos.

El Subdirector de Meteorología de la Dirección General de Protección Civil de la Secretaría de Gobernación, José Manuel Muñoz, además dijo que habrá 16 eventos climatológicos durante la temporada de huracanes y depresiones.

Muñoz realiza gira a fin de orientar a los habitantes de las ciudades alineadas al Río Bravo.

“Se están previendo cuatro huracanes de categorías 1 y 2, y seis de categorías 3”, dijo Muñoz.

“Los vientos serán superiores ha 178 kilómetros por hora. Los pasados meteoros registraron 300 kilómetros por hora”.

El modelo que están manejando no podría detectar si se precipitaran 200 milímetros de agua en una tormenta, dijo Muñoz.

Las lluvias de junio según la gráfica marcaban intensas para la zona de Nuevo Laredo y áreas circunvecinas.

El Presidente Municipal Benjamín Galván Gó-

mez dijo que la prevención de desastres inicia con el conocimiento y coordinación de instancias.

“Estamos involucrado para mejorar las acciones preventivas”, dijo Galván.

Explicó que se intensificará la publicidad dirigida a las familias neolaredenses para no azolvar los drenajes, buscando mantener arroyos limpios para no represar el agua que pudiera ocasionar daños en áreas bajas.

Uno de los puntos importantes, dijo Muñoz, es concientizar a la gente para evitar lanzar basura que pueda obstruir los drenajes y evitar construir viviendas en áreas identificadas como zona de riesgo y arroyos.

El Subdirector de Protección Civil Municipal, Humberto Fernández Diez de Pinos, dijo que continuarán operativos para mantener antes, durante y después de las precipitaciones pluviales las medidas de prevención.

En Nuevo Laredo existen varios puntos de riesgo, en caso de precipitaciones, como son las colonias: Blanca Navidad, Insurgentes, Francisco Villa, Itavu, Lomas del Rio y Voluntad IV. (Localice a Miguel Timoshenkov en el 728-2583 o en mramirez@lmtonline.com)

TALLER EN CIUDAD MIER

CARTÓN, ALEBRIJES Y ARTE

DOMINGO 29 DE MAYO LAREDO — La Carrera/Caminata 5K de Memorial Day Scholarship es hoy. Inscripciones de 7:30 a.m. a 8:25 a.m. en el Parque Cielito Lindo, 5600 Cielito Lindo Boulevard, y es de 20 dólares. Informes con Alfredo Algredano al 763-2341.

LAREDO — Cabalgata La Sita Rose VIP a partir de las 9 a.m. desde Alexander Park para concluir en Laredo Life Downs. Donación de 20 dólares para cabalgantes y 5 dólares por carreta.

LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y disfrute “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m., “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 6 p.m. y “enTRANCED” a las 7 p.m. Costo general: 5 dólares.

LAREDO — DJ TIESTO se presenta hoy en Laredo Energy Arena de 6 p.m. a 2 a.m. Precios varían de 100 dólares a 30 dólares. Adquiera sus boletos en taquilla de LEA y Ticketmaster.

NUEVO LAREDO — Domingos de Teatro Universario presenta “Confusiones” a las 7 p.m. en Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura. Adolescentes y adultos. Entrada gratis.

MIÉRCOLES 1 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m., “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 6 p.m. y “Violent Universe: Catastrophes of the Cosmos” a las 7 p.m. Costo general: 5 dólares.

JUEVES 2 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Art for Hope y el Laredo Center for the Arts tendrán una exhibición benéfica de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en LCA, 500 avenida San Agustin. Se venderá joyería, escultura, fotografía, pinturas, con lo recaudado beneficiando a la Cruz Roja.

SÁBADO 4 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Una venta de libros se llevará a cabo en el Widener Room de la Iglesia First Methodist, 1220 McClellando Avenue, de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. Entrada gratuita.

LAREDO — Dunamis Ministries presenta Todd Keene y el Original Power Team a las 7 p.m. a partir de hoy y mañana 5 de junio a las 11 a.m. y 6 p.m. en 1601 Shiloh Dr. Informes al (956) 712-1171.

— Tiempo de Zapata

REYNOSA

director de penal Fuga ocurrió el martes 24 mayo ASSOCIATED PRESS

MÉXICO — El gobierno federal acusó el viernes al director y a otros funcionarios de un penal de Tamaulipas por la fuga de 17 reos ocurrida el martes.

Los reos escaparon por un hueco en el área de lavandería que daba hacia un túnel conectado con el exterior del penal estatal de Reynosa.

Tamaulipas es un estado que en los últimos años ha registrado diversas fugas en prisiones estatales.

El viernes, la Procuraduría General de la República informó la consignación de 12 funcionarios del Centro de Ejecución de Sanciones de Reynosa (CEDES), entre los que se encuentra el director Inocencio Almazán Monroy, quienes son acusados por su presunta participación en la evasión de los presos.

Doce de los fugados estaban presos por delitos federales y cinco de fuero común.

Almazán y los otros funcionarios fueron puestos a disposición del juez séptimo de distrito, quien resolverá su situación jurídica.

Tamaulipas es uno de los estados más afectados por el narcotráfico y en los últimos años ha registrado diversos problemas con las prisiones, que autoridades locales han vinculado con la dificultad para manejar a reos procesados por delitos federales.

Otros casos

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

Resultado del taller de Cartonería, Alebrijes y Arte Objeto, dirigido por el Maestro Alejandro Rosales, en Ciudad Mier, el 19 de mayo, se expusieron en una fuente las mariposas, flores y animales, elaborados por los participantes. El taller fue coordinado por el ITCA junto con la Dirección de Turismo y Cultura Municipal. El siguiente paso será montar una exposición con las obras creadas.

En el estado se registró en diciembre de 2010 la mayor fuga de presos en la historia reciente de México, cuando 153 reos escaparon del penal estatal de Nuevo Laredo.

En el mismo penal de Reynosa ya se había registrado otra fuga masiva en septiembre de 2010, cuando escaparon 85 internos.

Autoridades federales han dicho en el pasado que algunas fugas se explican porque los carteles de las drogas buscan recuperar algunos de sus miembros, ante las dificultades para encontrar nuevos reclutas.

Tamaulipas es escenario de una disputa entre los carteles rivales del Golfo y Los Zetas.

EDUCACIÓN

LCC acerca clases TAMIU ofrecerá dos de verano a Zapata clases en Zapata POR STEVE TREVIÑO JR. ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Residentes de Zapata podrán encontrar su futuro con el Laredo Community College (LCC) este verano en su propia ciudad.

Para celebrar el lanzamiento del Centro de Educación Avanzada del Condado de Zapata (Zapata County Advanced Education Center, ZCAEC por sus siglas en inglés), LCC ofrecerá por primera vez un Programa de Puente de Verano para adultos buscando inscribirse en cursos para prepararlos para niveles colegiales de Inglés, lectura y/o matemáticas.

Requisitos Para determinar si el estudiante está listo para presentar cualquiera de los cursos de puente de verano, personal del Centro de Evaluación de LCC estará presente en Zapata High School el martes 31 de mayo, para ofrecer el examen de evaluación académica TCOMP (ACT COMPASS Placement Ex-

amination). Individuos pueden presentar el examen en cualquier momento entre 8:30 a.m. y 2 p.m.

Antes de presentar el examen, el estudiante debe contar con una solicitud de admisión archivada en la Oficina de Inscripción y Matrícula y con un número de identificación (Palomino ID) para poder presentarlo.

Existe una cuota de 18 dólares por presentar el examen, la cual puede ser pagada con cheque o giro postal.

Los cursos de puente de verano, incluyendo ENGL 0373, READ 0375 y Math 0376, serán instruidas en el ZCAEC del lunes 6 de junio al miércoles 6 de julio.

Todas las clases se reunirán de lunes a jueves, con el curso de Inglés programado de 5 p.m. a 7:20 p.m.; lectura de 7:30 p.m. a 9:50 p.m.; y matemáticas de 5 p.m. a 7:20 p.m.

Los cursos serán instruidos por educadores calificados de Zapata.

El ZCAEC está ubicado en 607 Highway 83 South.

Para más información o ayuda, comuníquese con la oficina del Decano de LCC South al 7944002.

POR STEVE HARMON ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Texas A&M International University anunció esta semana que ofrecerá clases para crédito colegial en Zapata durante la Sesión de Verano 2011, del 6 de junio al 7 de julio.

Dos clases, American National Government e Introduction to Sociology serán cátedras de David M. Brown y Cruz C. Torres en el Zapata County Advanced Education Center (Centro de Educación Avanzada del Condado de Zapata), Highway 83 y calle 7, al cruzar la Zapata County Court House.

Brown acreditó los esfuerzos de los oficiales electos del condado y a TAMIU por trabajar unidos para desarrollar una currícula Universitaria viable para la comunidad.

El que continúen las clases dependen de tener inscripciones suficientes, por lo que estudiantes interesados son conminados a registrar lo antes posible.

Durante la Sesión Verano, a los estudiantes se les permite tomar una o dos clases, pero no

más de dos, conforme las clases se concentran en cuatro semanas.

“La ventaja es que estudiantes tomando dos cursos de verano en Zapata están clasificados como tiempo completo y son elegibles para recibir ayuda financiera”, explicó Brown.

“Estudiantes y sus familias ahorrarán mucho dinero tomando sus clases de currícula Universitaria en Zapata en lugar de tener que viajar diariamente de ida y vuelta a Laredo”, dijo la vice presidenta asociada de Academic Enrichment and International Development, Carol Waters.

Las clases están enlistadas en el catálogo de Sesión de Verano 2011 de TAMIU como PSCI 2305 American National Government y SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology.

La clase de gobierno de Brown serán de 8 a.m. a 10 a.m. y la clase de sociología de Torres será de 10 a.m. al mediodía. Ambas de lunes a viernes en el aula de herramientas Vocaciones en el nuevo Zapata County Advanced Education Center.

National

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

Gas tanks drain family budgets

By JONATHAN FAHEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — There’s less money this summer for hotel rooms, surfboards and bathing suits. It’s all going into the gas tank.

High prices at the pump are putting a squeeze on the family budget as the traditional summer driving season begins. For every $10 the typical household earns before taxes, almost a full dollar now goes toward gas, a 40 percent bigger bite than normal.

Households spent an average of $369 on gas last month. In April 2009, they spent just $201. Families now spend more filling up than they spend on cars, clothes or recreation.

Jeffrey Wayman of Cape Charles, Va., spent Friday riding his motorcycle to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a day trip with his wife.

They decided to eat snacks in a gas station parking lot rather than buy lunch because rising fuel prices have eaten so much into their budget over the past year that they can’t ride as frequently as they would like.

“We used to do it a lot more, but not as much now,” he said. “You have to cut back when you have a $480 gas bill a month.”

As Memorial Day weekend opens, the nationwide average for a gallon of unleaded is $3.81. Though prices have drifted lower in recent days, analysts expect the average price for 2011 to come in higher than the previous record, $3.25 in 2008. A year ago, gas cost $2.76.

The squeeze The squeeze is happening at a time when most people aren’t getting raises, even as the economy recovers.

“These increases are not something consumers can shrug off,” says James Hamilton, an economics professor at the University of California, San Diego, who studies gas prices. “It’s a key part of the family budget.”

The ramifications are far-reaching for an economy still struggling to gain momentum two years into a recovery. Economists say the gas squeeze makes people feel poorer than they actually are.

They’re showing it by limiting spending far beyond the gas station. Walmart recently blamed high gas prices for an eighth straight quarter of lower sales in the U.S. Target said gas prices were hurting sales of clothes.

Every 50-cent jump in the cost of gasoline takes $70 billion out of the U.S. economy over the course of a year, Hamilton says.

That’s about one half of one percent of gross domestic product.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that consumer spending rose

“

You have to cut back when you have a $480 gas bill a month.”

JEFFREY WAYMAN OF CAPE CHARLES, VA.

just 0.1 percent in April, excluding the extra money spent on more expensive gas and food, while wages stayed flat for the second straight month.

Clipping coupons Mike Nason, a marketing consultant from Laguna Niguel, Calif., says he’s clipping coupons to save money for gas and cutting back wherever else he can.

His daughter Chandler, 17, recently settled for a prom dress that cost $170 instead of asking her parents to spend $400 for another that caught her eye.

“In prior years we would have spent more money on the dress, but money has become a big object,” he says.

The tourism industry is bracing for an uncertain summer. AAA predicts the typical family will spend $692 on its vacation, down 14 percent from $809 last year. Many of those surveyed said they are planning shorter trips and expect to pinch pennies when they arrive.

AAA estimates 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend, an increase of about 100,000 from last year. But they will have to do more complicated math to make the summer budget work.

Photo by Charlie Riedel | AP

A flag files at half staff over devastated Joplin High School next to a portable tornado siren in Joplin, Mo., Thursday. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 125 people.

Joplin tornado death toll rises

By NOMAAN MERCHANT AND ALAN SCHER ZAGIER ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOPLIN, Mo. — Friends and family paid tribute to victims of the Joplin tornado on Friday, beginning the grim task of burying the dead as officials said the savage storm’s death toll had risen to 132 people.

As the first funeral began just over the Kansas border, city officials said the body count had gone up by six from the previous day.

The state meanwhile worked to pare down the list of people missing and unaccounted for since the deadliest single U.S. twister in more than six decades.

The original list of 232 missing or unaccounted for residents had dropped to 156 by Friday, Missouri Department of Public Safety deputy director Andrea Spillars said, adding that at least

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90 people on the initial list had been located alive.

But at least six others were identified as among the dead, and some new names had been added to the scroll of the missing. Authorities had cautioned for days that while they believed many on the list were alive and safe, others likely had been killed.

Significant overlap On Friday afternoon, city manager Mark Rohr acknowledged there may be “significant overlap” between the confirmed dead

and the remainder of the missing list. Still, search and rescue crews remained undeterred, with 600 volunteers and 50 dog teams out again across the city Friday.

Earlier Friday, hundreds of mourners packed Tennessee Friends Prairie Church in Galena, Kan., for the first funeral of the tornado’s confirmed victims.

Few mentioned the deadly twister, or even the circumstances under which Adam Dewayne Darnaby died four days short of his 28th birthday.

Instead, they celebrated the life of a devout Christian who loved his wife of less than three years and was a favorite uncle to nine nieces and nephews.

Darnaby was described as a hunter, former high school football player and avid catfish fisherman who made fast friends. He watched little television because, in the words of a close friend, “he was too busy living.”

The funeral service concluded with a recording of “A Country Boy Can Survive,” a paean to rural life

by Hank Williams Jr.

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

JACK L. MOORE ZAPATA — Jack L. Moore passed away Friday, May 20, 2011, at Doctors Hospital in Laredo, Texas.

Mr. Moore is preceded in death by his parents: Jack B. and Mary Ellen Moore; in-laws, Manuel M. and Araceli G. Lopez; and brother Harvey Jay Moore.

Mr. Moore is survived by his wife, Estela Adelfa Lopez Moore; sons: Jeffrey Lee (Jessica) Moore, Jack Lou (Jeannette) Moore and Jason Lanny (Mandi) Moore; daughter, Jennifer (David) Gonzalez; grandchildren: Jacklyn, David III, Caden, Derek, Collin and Laney; brother Michael (Olga) Moore; and numerous family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers were Enrique A. Lopez, Eloy A. Lopez, Eliseo A.

Lopez, Eustolio A. Lopez, Jay Harvey Moore Jr., Gary Wayne Moore and Ricky Dale Moore.

Pallbearers were Jeffrey Lee Moore, Jack Lou Moore Jr., Jason Lanny Moore, David Gonzalez Jr., Norberto Cantu, Mario Barrera, Ricardo Salinas Jr. and Roberto Peña.

Visitation hours were

held Monday, May 23, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession departed Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Zapata, Texas.

Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery with full military honors.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, Texas.

Courtesy photo | SEMAR

Mexican navy authorities stand guard over two tons of cocaine they say was confiscated from Los Zetas near Monclova, Coahuila.

Cocaine seizure Navy confiscates 2 tons of drugs

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Border security halts immigration reform

By STEWART M. POWELL HOUSTON CHRONICLE

WASHINGTON — The central question of whether the U.S.-Mexico border is secure lies at the heart of an open-ended political stalemate over comprehensive immigration reform.

The facts are in such dispute and perceptions so different that public testimonies and political pot shots tell a tale of two borders.

President Obama and Democrats such as Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, whose district includes Zapata, insist that the border is secure enough to proceed with immigration reform.

The border remains “a safe place for my family and for other families even though crime takes place like any other place,” says Cuellar, 45, son of migrant workers whose brother serves as sheriff of Webb County.

“Critics who don’t want immigration reform just keep moving the goal posts on border security.”

Prominent Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of a House Homeland Security Committee oversight panel, see a dire threat to national security highlighted by cartel-related operations in 276 U.S. cities.

McCaul and other critics point to an investigation by the Government Accountability Office — the auditing arm of Congress — that found only 44 percent of the Southwestern border was under “operational control” by federal law enforcement.

“I’m not looking at this from a partisan standpoint,” says McCaul, 49, a

“

The administration is playing politics with the border, saying it’s secure so we can move forward with immigration reform. In my judgment, the border is not secure yet.”

U.S. REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL, R-TEXAS

former federal prosecutor and deputy attorney general of Texas. “The administration is playing politics with the border, saying it’s secure so we can move forward with immigration reform. In my judgment, the border is not secure yet.”

So who’s right? Who really knows?

Elected leaders enjoy a license to press their own assessments because no data exists “that can definitely answer the question of whether there has been a significant spillover of drug trafficking-related violence into the United States,” reports the Congressional Research Service.

Indeed, there’s not even an agreed definition of “spillover violence.”

No one agency appears to use the same exact criteria to define spillover violence or cartel-related activity, leading to a lack of consistent statistics behind the conflicting portrayals.

In fact, not even Texas border sheriffs can find common ground.

Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez sees “a constant threat” of spillover violence. He cites cross-border gunfire that

has inadvertently hit colleges in Brownsville and El Paso.

“The feds say our side of the border is safe, but we have bullet holes in our schools and businesses that say otherwise,” Gonzalez says.

But in El Paso, Deputy Sheriff Jesse Tovar says mere proximity to Mexico — rather than a concerted cartel attack — accounts for the cross-border gunfire hitting El Paso city hall and the University of Texas at El Paso.

“We cannot attribute every violent crime to drug cartels because that is not the case,” Tovar said.

“We’re not experiencing the level of violence we’re seeing across the border, the beheadings, the bodies hung from bridges, the gun battles on downtown streets.”

For their part, congressional researchers have concluded the scope of spillover violence remains elusive. Experts cannot determine “specifically what proportion of drug trafficking-related violent crimes can be attributed to spillover violence,” the analysts told Congress.

Federal authorities allege they seized about two tons of cocaine, valued at $19 million, belonging to Los Zetas in Monclova in the Coahuila state. This town is located approximately 156 miles west of Nuevo Laredo.

These actions yielded several arrests, weapons and material used for armored vehicles.

The Secretaría de Marina or SEMAR, Mexico’s navy, announced Wednesday they received information about properties owned by Los Zetas in Coahuila. Federal authorities say they targeted ranches, stash houses, vehicles, narcotics, weapons drugs and radio communication devices used by Zeta leaders.

On Tuesday, marines executed a “special operation” in Monclova at a ranch located about 25

miles from the city. SEMAR officials say they landed a “blunt hit” on the criminal organization by seizing 1,057 packages containing a white powdery substance similar to cocaine.

A SEMAR news release states the contraband is valued at $19 million. Officials say the narcotic was well guarded by several men. Marines arrested Lorenzo Villegas Palacios, 58; Pedro Fernández Ramírez, 32; Carlos López Izaguirre, 25; Rubén Fernández Ramírez, 32; Bernardino González Treviño, 38; and Jonathan Agüero Fernández, 27. After canvassing the property, the Mexican navy confiscated five assault riffles, 20 ammo clips, 330 rounds of ammunition and grenades.

That same day, soldiers targeted another ranch in Monclova, alleged to belong to Los Zetas. SEMAR officials say, there, they found “important evidence” indicating the place could’ve been used as shelter. Officials also

found “documents and important information” to locate and follow up on top leaders for the criminal organization.

Mexican marines found a 33-feet deep tunnel with no exit. It stretched about 328 feet underground.

Officials believed the tunnel was used to escape or to stash weapons or narcotics. In the surrounding area, officials found a small rodeo arena, where they seized some horses.

Later on that day, federal authorities received an anonymous tip leading to a house, which was used to stash weapons and narcotics. Cars, trucks, ammo, radio communication devices were seized from there. Also in Monclova, soldiers found underground shops to craft armored vehicles. Drug gang members craft these vehicles — also known as narcotanks — with steel plates to fight their rivals.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

Lawmakers reach deal Schools to get less funding

By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced Friday that lawmakers reached a deal on a new school finance law that allows the state to legally give schools less money over the next two years.

Dewhurst spoke after hours of closed door negotiations between lawmakers from the Texas House and Senate. Both sides had competing ideas for how to slash $4 billion from public education.

The deal would cut all schools equally in 2012, and then institute a new school funding formula from 20132018.

“We are really pleased,” Dewhurst said, calling it a “darn good agreement.”

The last sticking point had been how long the new finance plan would last.

House lawmakers wanted a two-year plan and the Senate wanted a five-year plan.

Negotiators did immediately release all the details on the plan.

Gov. Rick Perry had joined the negotiations late Friday afternoon to prod lawmakers toward a deal.

Legislators were facing a Friday deadline to reach agreement in order to have a vote by Sunday. The session ends Monday.

Dewhurst said Perry and state lawmakers wanted to make sure they “didn’t leave this session and the schools couldn’t write their budgets.”

If it becomes law, the

plan would be the first major school funding overhaul Texas lawmakers passed without a court order.

House Republicans and Democrats who represent rural districts and poor, urban ones had been frustrated by what they called a lack of information from their colleagues negotiating the deal. They said they didn’t want to be asked to make a last-minute vote on a plan that will cut even more from their local schools.

“This is not a Republican-Democrat issue,” said Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Granbury. “Rural school districts need to be looked at just like the urban, suburban, fast-growth districts, so that all are treated equally and whatever pain and suffering there is spread around.”

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

YEMEN PROTEST

Photo by Mohammed Al-Sayaghi | AP

Anti-government protestors attend Friday prayers during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday. Fighting that rocked Sanaa for the past five days spread beyond the capital on Friday as Yemeni tribesmen opposed to the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh seized a Republican Guard military camp.

BOARD Continued from Page 1A dams like that, and we got around to fixing all of them,” Dodier said. “(But) we had commitments beyond our legislative funding. We kind of had to scrounge around and explain to people what we were doing.”

This program is currently one of the board’s primary concerns regarding funding.

The TSSWCB received significant commendations during its Sunset Review, which authorized the board’s existence for another 12 years. The Sunset Review is a commission formed by the Legislature and comprises senators and state representatives who audit state programs based not only on finances but on policies and objectives. The commission then makes recommendation and presents the review to the House of Rep-

“

The original number was going to be … over $50 million over 10 years.”

TSSWC BOARD MEMBER JOSE DODIER JR.

resentatives and the Senate. Both the House and Senate voted unanimously in favor of keeping the TSSWCB. “We’re good to go,” said a relieved Dodier. “We do a lot with the dollars we get, and that’s what impressed them.”

A project that he is eager to begin is tackling the issue of underground water districts, which Zapata County and Webb County don’t have.

“We’re looking at possibly going in with Webb County, but we also want to make sure we (in Zapa-

ta) don’t lose the effect,” Dodier said. He also noted that Webb has water well opportunities in the northern part of the county.

Plans will commence at the start of the next legislative session, where the board will begin by clarifying the current regulations.

The severe drought affecting the region, which he said is “devastating for agricultural production,” still has Dodier worried.

“That’s been an issue for a lot of ranchers.”

It’s an issue that the board doesn’t regulate.

The board focuses on aggressively promoting water conservation practices, but ultimately, it is the voluntary will of citizens to put them into practice.

But, if there’s one thing that is apparent, it is Dodier’s faith in the value Texas residents place on their property. When describing the beauty of the Texas landscape, Dodier is quick to point out that behind the beauty are people who work hard to conserve it.

(Erica Matos can be reached at 728-2567 or ematos@lmtonline.com)

PERRY Continued from Page 1A CARTEL Continued from Page 1A hicle. An inspection of the vehicle yielded 100 small bundles of marijuana.

Its approximate weight was little more than a ton. Federal authorities also found a grenade and five ammo clips.

On Tuesday, PGR authorities announced soldiers found 1,953 pounds of marijuana abandoned in a brush area. Mexican military personnel say they found the contraband while patrolling the vicinity of Ciudad Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, a town about 24 miles southeast of Ciudad Camargo, which sits across the border from Rio Grande City.

Federal authorities say a rural road on the outskirts of the city led them to the discovery of 121 small packages covered with a camouflage

canvas. The packages contained marijuana and weighed almost a ton.

Ciudad Gustavo Diaz Ordaz saw some action last weekend as well. At about 3:45 p.m., members of organized crime shot at soldiers patrolling rural roads outside of town.

SEDENA officials say a gun battle erupted, killing five alleged offenders.

Federal authorities then seized 27 assault riffles, 94 ammo clips, 4,052 rounds of ammo, two grenades, six vehicles and other tactical equipment.

These actions were executed as part of Operation Northeast, which targets organized criminal activity in the northern part of Mexico.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

session was over.

“There is a huge opening (in) the Republican presidential primary for someone with strong credentials with the tea party and social conservatives,” said Mark McKinnon, a longtime political consultant and former George W. Bush political adviser. “Rick Perry has great credentials with both, he’s the longest serving governor in Texas history and is about to finish what conservatives will view as a very successful legislative session because he balanced the budget through spending cuts.

“The only real question is: Why wouldn’t he run?”

So far, operatives in Perry’s circle are not laying the groundwork and he has yet to make the required trips to the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina.

And later Friday, Perry spokesman Mark Miner tried to downplay the com-

When asked about the race before Friday, Perry had said repeatedly he was focused on the state’s legislative session and not the 2012 race. ments.

“Of course he thinks about it, it’s natural to think about it,” Miner said. “But that doesn’t change the fact that he has no intention of running.”

When asked by The Associated Press if Perry himself would be willing to say he has “no intention” of running, Miner refused to make him available. He later said the governor was in meetings and unavailable.

Perry has been a darling of the tea party and could ignite a groundswell of support among the libertarianleaning, anti-tax movement.

He was an early endorser of the groups that helped Republicans take control of the U.S. House, statehouses and

governors’ offices in 2010.

The loosely organized tea party movement hasn’t yet gelled around a candidate, despite efforts from declared candidates Tim Pawlenty and Newt Gingrich to win them over.

“The candidates that are running are not the candidates that people want,” said Ryan Hecker, organizer of the Contract From America and member of the Houston Tea Party Society.

“They’re looking for someone, almost wistfully.”

Perry, Hecker said, “would be an excellent addition to the field.”

In recent years, Perry has made a sport out of bashing Washington. Most often, he attacks the federal govern-

ment for failing to secure the U.S. border with Mexico.

In November, he published a book, “Fed Up!” It describes the federal government as financially reckless and out of control while calling for a resurgence of state-based power.

Should he decide to run, Perry would presumably come to the table without at least one of the top advisers who helped him win re-election last year by 13 points.

His campaign manager from that bid, Rob Johnson, is with Gingrich. Political adviser Dave Carney, a former aide to President Ronald Reagan, also is with Gingrich — although he still serves as Perry’s senior political strategist.

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors VOLLEYBALL

CYCLING

Critics allege doping scandal Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times

Zapata volleyball coach Rosie Villarreal, far left, poses for a photo with her West All-Star team at this year’s Bosom Buddies All-Star games in Laredo.

ALL-STAR COACH Zapata’s Villarreal lends hand to Bosom Buddies

By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES

LAREDO – The 9th Annual Mercy-Bosom Buddies all-star volleyball game took place on Wednesday at St. Augustine High School.

Zapata coach Rosie Villarreal was tabbed to coach the West All-Stars that comprised of players from six Laredo schools.

Mario Zaragoza and Myra Montez assisted Villarreal at the game.

The game took place in front of a packed crowd that was there to witness some of the best Laredo volleyball had to offer.

Villarreal’s team consisted of Cigarroa’s Raquel Martinez and Alejandra Reyes; United’s Kristen Ovalle, Karina De Anda and Ashley Everett; Nixon’s Celinda Verastigui; Alexander’s Daisy Gonzalez; United South’s Linda Resendez and LBJ’s Stephanie Almanza.

The East overcame a slow

start to overtake the West in five games, 15-25, 25-18, 27-25, 14-25 and 16-14 to claim the victory.

“For a coach to be able to coach a bunch of really talented seniors against another bunch of talented seniors, and be able to gel as a team like they have been playing for a while, was a great way to end the year,” Villarreal said. “Plus this a great cause, and what the Mercy-Bosom Buddies has done for nine years is great.”

All the proceeds from the Mercy-Bosom Buddies all-star games went to the Mercy Cancer Assistance Program that helps out indigent cancer patients in the Laredo and surrounding communities.

“To be able to play for a cause that helps people because they can not afford it, it is awesome,” Villarreal said.

This year’s games raised more than $10,000, putting the nine-year total of the games to more than $73,000.

Officials deny conspiracy ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The head of Switzerland’s anti-doping laboratory on Friday denied claims that Lance Armstrong tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs at the 2001 Tour de Suisse and the results were covered up.

Martial Saugy said his Lausanne lab did find suspicious levels of banned blood-booster EPO in four urine samples from the race that Armstrong won, but he didn’t know if any belonged to the seven-time Tour de France winner.

“The tests were not swept under the table and it’s not true that they could have been interpreted as positive,” Saugy told Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung.

Former teammate Tyler Hamilton alleged in an interview with “60 Minutes” last Sunday that Armstrong spoke of using EPO to prepare for his third Tour de France win in 2001, and that cycling’s governing body helped him hide a positive test at the Swiss warm-up event.

The CBS program also reported that International Cycling Union officials brokered a meeting involving Armstrong and Saugy’s World An-

See ARMSTRONG PAGE 2B

NBA

Nowitzki downplays ’06 rematch

By JAIME ARON

McHale closes in on Rockets job

By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — Back in the NBA finals, back to trying to beat the Miami Heat.

Pretty wild how things have worked out for the Dallas Mavericks, isn’t it?

“It doesn’t really matter that much to me,” Dirk Nowitzki said Friday.

“No thought whatsoever,” echoed Jason Terry.

Oh, well. So much for the story line of the 2011 Mavs seeking redemption for 2006. If the only two holdovers don’t care, nobody else should.

The message Nowitzki and Terry are sending is this club is focused on beating whatever team the NBA playoff bracket throws their way.

They’ve already gone through LaMarcus Aldridge and the Trail Blazers, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Lakers and Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. So, for their final act, they might as well get the team everyone’s been talking about since last summer — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and a Miami franchise that coincidentally was the club that got in Dallas’ way five years ago.

Nowitzki emphasized another point: This isn’t about the Heat and what they do. It’s about the Mavericks continuing to do the things that have helped them win 10 of their last 11 playoff games, including five straight on the road.

“We just got to go for it and do the things that got us here — aggressive defense, rebound the ball and ball movement on the offensive end of the floor,” he said.

The Mavericks locked up their second trip to the finals on Wednesday night. The next night, the Heat wrapped up their second trip to the finals, setting up the ’06 rematch starting Tuesday in Miami.

Terry is an emotional player who fires himself up by sleeping in the other team’s uniform shorts the night before every game. So, at the very least, when he saw the Heat wrap up the East title, he probably let out a,

See MAVS PAGE 2B Photo by Eric Gay | AP

HOUSTON — A person familiar with the situation says the Houston Rockets are close to hiring Kevin McHale as their new coach.

The person says the team is negotiating a contract with McHale. The person spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet complete.

McHale would take over for Rick Adelman, who left the team days after his fourth season in Houston.

McHale, a Hall of Fame player for the Boston Celtics, spent 15 years with the Timberwolves in his native Minnesota. He was let go in 2009 and has recently served as a TV analyst.

The 53-year-old McHale would become Houston’s third coach since 2003, when Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down for health reasons. Jeff Van Gundy coached the team from 2003-07, taking the Rockets to three playoff appearances.

Houston has missed the playoffs the last two years as it dealt with injuries that have limited All-Star center Yao Ming to just five games since the 2008-09 season. That year, Houston reached the Western Conference semifinals, breaking a streak of seven consecutive first-round exits for the franchise.

Yao’s contract expires this summer, but he has said he hopes to continue playing for the Rockets when he recovers from the stress fracture to his left ankle.

McHale’s time as an executive in Minnesota was highlighted by drafting Kevin Garnett out of high school in 1995. Other moves and draft decisions didn’t go over as well with fans and he began to draw

See ROCKETS PAGE 2B

Photo by Ann Heisenfelt | AP

PAGE 2B

Zscores

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

Super Bowl lawsuit contested

By DANNY ROBBINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Jose Sanchez | AP

Florida Marlins’ Scott Cousins, top, collides with San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) on a fly ball from Emilio Bonifacio during the 12th inning of a baseball game in San Francisco Wednesday. Cousins was safe for the go ahead run and Florida won 7-6.

Calling for collision protection

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO — Ray Fosse watched the crushing blow to Giants star Buster Posey and wondered why after all these years there are still few rules to protect catchers at the plate.

If there’s anybody who knows about collisions, it’s Fosse.

He was at the center of one of the most iconic hits in baseball history, when Pete Rose barreled over him to score the winning run in the 1970 All-Star game. Fosse’s right shoulder was permanently rearranged, and while he briefly rebounded from the injury, it started a downward slide to a career that was ultimately cut short.

“After Rose hit me in ’70, I had two guys that blindsided me, guys who hit me standing up,” said Fosse, who stopped short of asking baseball to rewrite the rule book. “There’s never anybody ejected for that.”

The clean but cringe-inducing crash between Posey and Florida’s Scott Cousins this week has still reignited the decades-old debate over plays at the plate.

Posey, the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year and one of the game’s brightest young stars, fractured a bone in

his lower left leg and tore three ligaments in his ankle. His season is likely over.

In the past few years, the NFL has cracked down on violent hits and increased fines with an eye on player safety. The league also announced this week a policy of “club accountability” for teams whose players repeatedly are fined for flagrant hits.

Some in baseball are asking for similar action in the wake of Posey’s injury.

Others argue home plate collisions are as much a part of baseball tradition as peanuts and Cracker Jacks and the seventh-inning stretch.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy, a former catcher who had multiple head injuries in his playing days, called on Major League Baseball to explore ideas to protect players.

“I think we do need to consider changing the rules here a little bit because the catcher is so vulnerable and there’s so many who have gotten hurt,” Bochy said. “And not just a little bit, had their careers ended or shortened.”

Even with advances in technology and improved gear, collisions at the plate still cause lasting injuries.

Angels catcher Bobby Wilson had a severe con-

cussion and injured his left leg in a collision with Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira last year. It was Wilson’s first big league start behind the plate.

“The next thing I remembered was sitting in a wheelchair,” said Wilson, who missed 21 games while on the disabled list.

His manager, Mike Scioscia, caught more games than any player in Dodgers history and endured numerous collisions, including a couple of memorable ones with Jack Clark and Chili Davis. He believes there’s an unwritten code of ethics among players, depending on how much of the plate the catcher gives and the situation in the game.

“It’s just like breaking up a double play and what the guidelines are,” Scioscia said. “Running into a catcher, the catcher’s going to stay there and try to block the plate, which you have the right to if you’re fielding the ball. And the runner obviously has a right to dislodge it.”

Those lines can often be murky.

Cousins, for instance, scored the winning run in a crucial game against the defending World Series champions Wednesday night. He might have had room to slide and avoid hitting Posey, but that’s a

split-second decision and almost impossible to discern in the moment.

The only collision Arizona manager and former World Series star Kirk Gibson had in his career came against Pat Borders on July 9, 1995. Gibson remembers the two almost collided at the plate the day before except Borders moved up and allowed him to slide in safely at the last second.

“He told me the next day he didn’t sleep because he chickened out,” Gibson said. “A day later we had the same play, he stood in there and I pounded him.”

The brunt of the blow doesn’t always fall on the catcher either.

After all, the runner is the one not wearing protective gear. And sliding instead of colliding offers no guarantees — Texas slugger Josh Hamilton, last season’s AL MVP, broke his right arm April 12 on a headfirst slide into home at Detroit.

“What do you want them to do? Make guys wear tennis shoes? It’s a Major League Baseball game,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “What do you want them to do?

Sometimes guys break up double plays, sometimes you gotta try to score. Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt, but you got to play the game.”

With Kidd and Nowitzki vs. James and Wade, each team starts two players who are among the best of their generation. coached Avery Johnson of the Mavericks, Johnson may have outsmarted himself by moving hotels midway through their stay in Florida, fearing that South Beach was too much of a distraction.

Johnson’s successor, Rick Carlisle, isn’t concerned about it being an issue this time.

“Not with our curfew,” he said, offering a rare giggle.

With Kidd and Nowitzki vs. James and Wade, each team starts two players who are among the best of their generation.

The clubs have a lot more in common: both 12-3 this postseason, both closing out the conference finals in five games.

In the regular season, the Mavs and Heat tied for the most road wins. There was only a one-game difference in overall wins — 58 for Miami, 57 for Dallas; that’s why the series is starting on the Heat’s

court. Had they had the same record, the Mavericks would’ve had the edge because they won both head-to-head meetings.

Because those games were in November and December, Carlisle insists they don’t matter. Still, it’s worth noting those were Miami’s only two losses in a 24-2 stretch that proved to everyone this experiment of superstars who are good friends teaming up to win a title just might work.

The backlash from that pairing — and the way “The Decision” was handled last summer — produced a huge group of Heat haters. Those folks are now Mavs lovers, a cuddly acceptance that’s unusual for this franchise.

“There’s no good guys, bad guys,” Nowitzki said.

“There’s two good teams that made it to this stage and both want to win. So I’m not really worried about all that stuff.”

ticket holders,” the filing says. “With the eyes of the world focusing on the Super Bowl, it is implausible to suggest that defendants intended what would obviously be a public relations nightmare.”

Plaintiff defends Michael Avenatti, a Los Angeles attorney who is representing the ticket holders, said the motion represents flawed thinking by the league and the team.

“The defendants have a fundamental misunderstanding of what their obligations are under the law,” he said.

Avenatti said more than 3,000 people are covered by the class action, which includes ticket holders who discovered at the game that their seats did not allow them to see the stadium’s giant video board.

ROCKETS Continued from Page 1B criticism.

McHale’s first coaching experience came when he took over the Wolves for the last 31 games of the 2005 season after he fired Flip Saunders. He went back to the front office after that before returning to the position in 2008 after Randy Wittman was fired.

He went 20-43 after taking over that season before the Timberwolves let him go.

McHale was the third overall pick in the 1980 draft, won three championships with the Celtics and was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time in 1996.

ARMSTRONG Continued from Page 1B

MAVS Continued from Page 1B “Here we go again,” with either a smile or a frown to indicate how he felt about it.

But he also explained why it’s so easy to be dispassionate about this.

“Only two people on this team are still playing, Dirk and I,” he said. “For them, it’s Wade and (Udonis) Haslem. It’s really not the same situation.”

Clearly, he’s done his homework, proving he has given some thought to this being a rematch.

“Then, for us, I (was) the point guard. Look who’s the point guard now!” Terry said, laughing. “Big difference.”

Yes, Jason Kidd is an upgrade from Terry, who is better suited for his role as a scorer, specifically the instant-offense guy off the bench. Mavs fans also might chuckle about Dallas’ starting center in ’06, Erick Dampier, now playing for Miami. He’s yet to play this postseason.

In 2006, Dallas won the first two games at home, then went to Miami and melted down. They blew a big lead in the fourth quarter of Game 3 and never recovered. Pat Riley of the Heat not only out-

DALLAS — The NFL and the Dallas Cowboys have asked a federal court judge to dismiss the class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Super Bowl ticket holders who wound up with no seats for the game.

About 1,250 temporary seats at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington were deemed unsafe just hours before the Feb. 6 game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

That forced about 850 ticket holders to move to new seats and 400 others to watch the game from standing-room locations.

A 26-page motion filed by the league and the team on Thursday says the ticket holders aren’t entitled to compensation beyond what they’ve already been offered. It also says the ticket holders weren’t defrauded as a result of the fiasco.

The motion states that the NFL could revoke ticket-holding privileges as long as it provided a refund. In this instance, the league said it went “beyond its contractual obligations” when it offered displaced fans the actual prices they paid for their tickets as well as all documented travel, lodging and meal expenses According to the motion, the NFL and the Cowboys didn’t know until just before the game that the temporary seats would be inadequate and worked into the afternoon that day to deal with the issue.

“Defendants had nothing to gain by tricking

A 26-page motion filed by the league and the team on Thursday says the ticket holders aren’t entitled to compensation beyond what they’ve already been offered.

Nowitzki was a free agent last summer, too.

Teams didn’t pursue him because they were so sure he would remain in Dallas. But he admitted he would have listened had James and Wade invited him to be part of what they were putting together.

“But they didn’t, so it wasn’t really an option,” he said.

For some former MVPs, such a snub would be another reason to hold a grudge against the Heat.

Not Nowitzki.

A few weeks shy of turning 33, all he cares about is winning his first championship and the first for his franchise, no matter who it comes against or how.

“I like how we fought through some stuff, some ups and downs through the years,” he said. “It took us a long time to get back here. Hopefully we can make it count.”

ti-Doping Agency-accredited lab, which tested the Swiss race samples.

Armstrong made a deal with the UCI and “figured out a way for it to go away,” Hamilton said.

Saugy said Friday that he did meet with Armstrong and then U.S. Postal team manager Johan Bruyneel, but not in Lausanne as Hamilton claimed and unconnected to a suspicious test result.

“It also wasn’t about discussing a particular result or to cover up anything,” said Saugy, adding that the 2002 meeting occurred during a collection of blood samples.

Saugy said he gave U.S. Postal his routine presentation about EPO testing at a time when its validity and parameters were still in question.

“I explained how the EPO test worked and why there were suspect samples as well as positive ones,” he told the NZZ. Saugy, whose lab devised the UCI’s biological passport program to monitor riders’ blood, said only the governing body knew who provided the four suspicious samples a decade ago.

On Monday, the UCI said it “categorically re-

jects” Hamilton’s claims that it said were “completely unfounded.”

Hein Verbruggen, who was UCI president throughout Armstrong’s Tour winning streak, said the governing body “never, ever” covered up a positive test under his leadership.

Verbruggen and current president Pat McQuaid are suing cyclist Floyd Landis in a Swiss court after he accused the UCI of protecting star riders from doping allegations.

Landis and Hamilton have both confessed to doping throughout their careers after years of denials.

Both have spoken with U.S. federal investigators who are investigating an alleged doping program in Armstrong’s teams.

Armstrong steadfastly denies doping and has never tested positive.

“These most recent developments debunk Sunday’s “60 Minutes” story, and underscore the evil of sloppy, opportunistic attacks on a hero to those battling cancer, based on false, leaked information about long ago bicycle races in Europe,” Armstrong attorney Mark Fabiani said Friday.

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

HINTS BY | HELOISE Dear Readers: One of my assistants recently rescued a sweet female CHIHUAHUA named Daisy from a city shelter. Here are some things you may not know about Chihuahuas: Dressing your Chihuahua may be necessary — they are more sensitive than most breeds to cold weather. (Even in the summer, air conditioning may be drafty and could make the dog cold.)

They are tiny dogs; many don’t exceed 6 pounds. They may be small, but some can have a big personality!

The dog probably needs food that is cut smaller than regular dry dog food, since their mouths are very small and their teeth are not big.

Life expectancy?

There are lots of variables, but most small breeds of dogs can live more than 10 to 15 years.

Always research any breed before you adopt, and make sure the animal will fit in with your family.

Check your shelters and rescue groups for animals in need of a great home. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Marilu of Titus, Ala., sent in a picture of her 18-month-old dachshund mix, Terra, chewing on a rawhide. Terra is very brave and will ride anything with a motor: ATV, tractor or boat.

She has her own flotation device! To see Terra and our other Pet Pals, go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise EXERCISE TIME Dear Heloise: I have a funny schnauzer story for you. I do exercises every

“

HELOISE

day, so when I am on the floor on my back doing leg lifts, my little Mitzi flops on her back and just wiggles and wiggles her whole body. It’s hilarious! The first time I saw her do it, I thought it was just coincidence, but now every time I get ready to do my exercises, I tell her to come on and let’s do our exercises, so she runs in and does her thing while I am doing mine. Just thought you might like a little “schnauzer humor.” — Bev from Kerrville, Texas HOT DOGS Dear Heloise: Summer is coming soon, but many states are warm yearround. Please advise your readers not to leave their pets in their cars while they shop, not even for a couple of minutes. This is so harmful to the pets — it can cause death and damage to internal organs, including their brains.

I cannot believe people who go into a store and leave anywhere from one to four dogs in a locked car. Oh, they say that they were only gone a few minutes. I have sat and watched dogs, left in vehicles with windows down an inch, bark and get excited by folks going by.

This will not cool a vehicle. People who leave pets in a vehicle should sit in a locked car with the windows down an inch or two in the summer for a good 10 to 15 minutes! Spread the word: SAVE A LIFE. — Mary McNeely, via email

DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:

DENNIS THE MENACE

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Sports

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

No. 1 Wozniacki knocked off in Paris

By HOWARD FENDRICH ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS — If Caroline Wozniacki truly was torn up inside about her latest loss at a Grand Slam tournament, she certainly hid it well.

Wozniacki smiled and shrugged while deflecting questions about being No. 1 in the rankings despite never having won a major title. Her wait for a breakthrough was extended Friday, when she was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by 28th-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the third round of the French Open.

After the match, Wozniacki was consoled by her father. She said he told her: “The world still goes on, and we still have the next tournament next week. There is nothing you can do about it now, so just don’t beat yourself up too much.”

Wozniacki’s early exit came a day after No. 2 Kim Clijsters was eliminated by 114th-ranked Arantxa Rus, marking the first time that the top two seeded women failed to make the round of 16 at any Grand Slam tournament in the Open era, which began in 1968. It never had happened at the French Open since it began admitting foreign entrants in 1925.

Add that to the absences of the Williams sisters, who are sidelined by health issues, and there is a real lack of star power in Paris now.

“Kim had a tough loss

yesterday; I had a tough loss today. That’s what happens,” said Wozniacki, a Dane who reached No. 1 in October and has been there every week but one since then. “Since we’re No. 1 and 2, it means that we must be doing something right. It’s just unfortunate to lose in a Grand Slam, but that’s what happens, and we just need to move forward.”

Hantuchova explained the surprises this way: “It just shows how strong women’s tennis is at the moment. It’s very open.”

As if to prove that point, another French Open title contender, 2010 runner-up and 2009 semifinalist Sam Stosur of Australia, was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 by 51st-ranked Gisela Dulko of Argentina. But defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy advanced when her opponent, No. 29 Peng Shuai of China, stopped playing because she has a cold and couldn’t breathe properly.

The most anticipated matchup of the day did not begin until early evening — and did not finish Friday. Two-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who is on a 41-match winning streak, was tied at a set apiece with 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro when play was suspended at 9:15 p.m. because of darkness.

The second-seeded Djokovic won the first set 6-3, but No. 25 del Potro took the second by the same score. Right after del Po-

Photo by Lionel Cironneau | AP

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki returns the ball to Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak during their second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Wednesday. tro held serve to even the match, the chair umpire announced play would stop for the day; there are no artificial lights on the courts at Roland Garros.

Earlier, 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Fe-

derer saved the only break point he faced in a 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 29 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia.

“I’m at peace with my game right now. I’m physically fine. I think I had a

good preparation, so there’s no reason to get nervous,” said Federer, who hasn’t dropped a set heading into his next match, against his 2008 Beijing Olympics doubles partner Stan Wawrinka.

“I’m still in the tournament. It’s always nice to advance in the draw so well, so quickly.”

Schiavone will play No. 10 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, who beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States 6-2, 6-2. Hantuchova, meanwhile, meets No. 13 Svetlana Kuznetsova, who won the 2004 U.S. Open and 2009 French Open.

After defeating Rebecca Marino of Canada 6-0, 6-4, Kuznetsova was asked by a reporter to look ahead to facing Wozniacki, whose match against Hantuchova was barely under way at the time.

The assumption was that Hantuchova wouldn’t present too much of a challenge, in part because she entered the day 0-3 against Wozniacki and 0-6 against women ranked No. 1. But the 5-foot-11 Hantuchova, a semifinalist at the 2008 Australian Open and former top-five player herself, says she is a more mature player and person at 28 than she was at 20, when she famously fought tears while losing a second-round match at Wimbledon in 2003.

“I feel like the experience is starting to pay off.

I mean, I have been around for quite some time. I know what to expect in the big tournaments and I think I’m much more calmer than I was before,” she said. “It’s just about putting it all together and mentally being really strong on the court.”

Photo by Darron Cummings | AP

Jeff Belskus, right, president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Randy Bernard, CEO of IndyCar, talk before the start of a May 15 practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

A very NASCAR Indianapolis 500

By WILL GRAVES ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP

Jordan Spieth leaves a putt short on the 16th green during the second round of the Byron Nelson Championship golf tournament Friday in Irving.

Spieth makes the cut at Byron

By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

IRVING — Jordan Spieth is going to be late for his high school graduation ceremony Saturday, if he makes it at all. The teenager has another round of golf with PGA Tour players at the Byron Nelson Championship.

For the second year in a row, the local Dallas amateur will make the cut at the Nelson. He was at 3 under for the tournament after a 2-under 68 in the second round Friday.

The ceremony for Dallas’ Jesuit Prep’s graduating class of 246 seniors starts at 4 p.m. Saturday, at an auditorium on the SMU campus about 20 miles from TPC Four Seasons.

“Right after the round .... I’m going to shoot over there is quickly as possible,” Spieth said. “I don’t know how long (graduation) usually lasts.”

Since diplomas are handed out in alphabetical order, the 17-year-old Spieth (pronounced SPEEth) figures that will at least

buy him some extra time.

“Exactly,” he said, smiling. “Should be at least an hour into it, be toward the end.”

After finishing in a tie for 16th at the Nelson last year, and still within three strokes of the lead after 10 holes in the final round, Spieth received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the tournament again this week.

Spieth, a U.S. Junior Amateur champion who plans to attend the University of Texas, had one of the larger galleries following him during the second round Friday.

“I want to win,” Spieth said. “I’m confident. Staying loose and seeing my friends in the crowd and feeding off the crowd helps me.”

When Spieth finished his round early Friday afternoon, with a bogey at the 411-yard No. 9 hole, he was five strokes behind leader Ryan Palmer and tied for 10th place.

“To be on this stage as a senior in high school, at 17, it’s impressive,” Palmer

said. “I’m starting to wonder if he’s thinking about four years of college or just one year.”

Spieth’s tee time for Saturday was pending the completion of play by all 153 golfers.

Since his breakthrough in last year’s Nelson, Spieth had played the TPC Four Seasons course three or four more times. He also got to play another round with former President George W. Bush, who lives in Dallas and has worked with Spieth’s instructor.

“If I remember right, he came up to my dad and I right when we got out there and told us what game we were going to play,” Spieth said. “There was no reason to hold back, because he came out calling me names that I shouldn’t mention.

“It was easy to have fun with him out there,” Spieth added. “Hopefully we’ll get to go out there again. It was fun. Didn’t feel like you were playing with anyone extremely important like he is, which is

cool.”

Spieth had an opening 1under 69 at this week’s Nelson that included a double bogey and three bogeys. On those same four holes Friday, he had birdies on each of them. That included a 26-foot birdie putt at the 441-yard 12th hole after a double bogey there Thursday.

He was 5 under before two bogeys in his final five holes Friday, when winds were starting to gust to around 30 mph.

While the pros might have the edge on experience, Spieth has been able to put his entire focus on getting ready for this week.

“For me, I spent the whole entire last month preparing for this, getting out here and preparing my game for this golf course.

That’s a huge advantage,” Spieth said. “Whereas these guys are traveling, you know, sometimes four, five weeks at a time, they get worn out, maybe not playing their best golf here.

And I prepare just to play my best golf for this event.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Controversial new rules.

Grumpy drivers. Backroom deals. Twitter feuds.

Upstart outfits trying to make a name for themselves.

Is this IndyCar or NASCAR? The lead-up to Sunday’s 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 has taken a page from NASCAR’s unique mix of soap opera and speed. When team owner Michael Andretti isn’t taking heat for buying Ryan Hunter-Reay’s way into the race, his son Marco is being attacked for taking to twitter to defend the old man.

Simona De Silvestro — arguably the best female driver in the series — is making fans say “Danica who?” for her cheek-biting toughness as she tries to drive with two badly burned hands. Unlikely pole-sitter Alex Tagliani is breathing much-needed life into a sometimes staid garage with his blunt and heavily French-accented honesty.

And then there’s doublefile restarts, implemented this spring a year after it was introduced by its stock car brethren, the latest step in what some purists consider the “NASCAR-ification” of open-wheel racing.

The move was designed to create added drama as the 33-car field thunders down the front stretch to

take the green flag. Whether it works on an oval remains to be seen, though the across-the-board blowback from the normally laid-back drivers has been considerable.

Tagliani calls it “a terrible idea.” Former 500 winner Dan Wheldon thinks it could lead to the race “being remembered for all the wrong reasons.” Defending race and series champion Dario Franchitti believes it’ll turn the 500 into a “lottery.”

Team owner Chip Ganassi understands the concerns. His advice? Get over it.

“I go back to when you watch an NFL game and then you watch a college football game, it’s the same game; they play by pretty much the same rules,” said Ganassi, a three-time 500 winner as an owner. “To a certain degree I think we need to appeal to all autoracing fans. When you’re trying to appeal to all autoracing fans it has got to look the same so they know what they’re looking at.”

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard defended the move, arguing several high-profile owners came to him with the idea, not the other way around.

“I’m talking to team owners and drivers who have won out there on that track many times, and they always say ‘We race to the rules and what they told us to race to,”’ said Bernard, who recently completed his first year on the job.