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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CRIME
Business booming
Gunfire claims Zapatan
Several new stores, restaurants open in Zapata despite tough economy By JOE RUTLAND THE ZAPATA TIMES
For a town such as Zapata to grow and flourish economically, it needs an influx of new businesses to sprout up … even during these tough times. Fortunately, growth is taking place in the area with a number of new entities opening their doors, according to Peggy Umphres, president of the Zapata County Economic Development Center. “We’re the only county in the State of Texas which has the powers of a municipality, so it’s a very historic event and it’s going to enable us to better direct growth, support business development, entrepreneurialship and
educational opportunities,” Umphres said. “It’s really an exciting time for the county.” Consider these latest additions to Zapata’s economic skyline: Revilla Realty, a real estate office LIFELINE Ambulance Services and ProCare Ambulance Services Convenience stores Hawk Quick Pik and La Esquinita Norma’s Crystal and Silvery Jewelry, a retail business Fashion One, a retail clothing and shoes store restaurants La Hacienda Del Rey and Mi Tierra. “The benefit to doing business in Zapata County is your development and operation costs are
lower due to less regulation and taxes,” Umphres said. “There are many opportunities for small business in Zapata. A lot of that revolves around service business, such as information technology. We also have service, retail and entertainment business opportunities, too.” Umphres said a lot of companies are coming from out of town, so there are a lot of business opportunities. “In today’s economy, we really have to rethink our strategies because it’s also about retaining existing businesses,” she said. “Keeping the jobs that are there is equally important as is job creation, so we’re trying to bring in opportunities for existing businesses also to be sustaina-
ble, grow and expand. That’s as equally important, too, because there are existing businesses which fill in those gaps. “There are definitely retail opportunities and entertainment, both for youth and adults,” Umphres said. The Zapata County EDC will be hosting a number of workshops geared toward specific needs which the local small business industry has in the city, such as marketing. “We want to help people who don’t have Web sites to have an opportunity to develop and maintain them,” she said. Another workshop will be a meet-and-greet event held in
See BUSINESS PAGE 7A
CREEPY CRAWLERS
VETERANS
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Congressman Henry Cuellar, left, stands with Alberto J. Arambula of American Legion Post 486 of Zapata, when the mobile medical unit was unveiled Oct. 12.
American Legion convenes By DIANA R. FUENTES THE ZAPATA TIMES
The American Legion 15th District started its annual convention Friday with registration, a botana and music at a lively event at the American Legion Post 486 hall on U.S. 83. “We’re getting crowded,” said Alonzo Garcia, manager of the Post’s headquarters, as the sounds of merriment and excitement swirled around him Friday night. “It looks good.” While registration continues this morning, there will also be business meetings and a joint meeting at 2 p.m. The barbecue dinner is set to begin at 6 p.m., followed by a dance at 8 p.m. “It’s all like a big family,” said Jane Siler, a past 15th District ALA president and past president of ALA Unit 486. “We all enjoy visiting
See AMERICAN LEGION PAGE 7A
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Giant spiders crawl over this home at 217 Washington St. in Laredo, decked out in Halloween finery. Witches, ghosts and goblins also are part of the spooky, eye-catching decorations.
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
While Zapata residents mourned the lost of a son and father, Laredo Police Department had a busy week pinpointing the alleged offenders in the shooting death of Daniel Perez Jr. Perez was shot dead in an early morning attack on Oct 24. Dr. Corinne Stern, Webb County medical examiner, ruled the death a homicide, making it Laredo’s 17th of the year. According to Stern, Perez died of two gunshot wounds and toxicology results revealed his system was drug-free. LPD’s first arrest in the case occurred Wednesday. Jose Alfonso Pedraza, 35, was charged with murder, aggravated assault, engaging in organized criminal activity and failure to report a felony. Each charge has a $300,000 bond. LPD arrested two more men Thursday afternoon in connection with the shooting death of Perez. Jessie Ancira, 26, turned himself in to authorities Thursday around 5:30 p.m. He was charged with murder, a first-degree felony; aggravated assault, a second-degree felony; engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree; and fail to report a felony, a Class A misdemeanor. Each charge has a $300,000 bond. Also Thursday, Ivan Santos, 22, was identified by police as the man wearing a black T-shirt shown in footage released Wednesday. Santos was known only as “Sortilegio” at the time before officials received several calls identifying Santos, the third suspect in the case. “We appreciate the public’s help. As for the intricacies of the case, it is open due to the pending prosecution, where all will be revealed in a court of law,” said Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman, on Thursday Santos turned himself in around 6:45 p.m. Thursday. He is charged with murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity. Santos has a $1.6 million combined bond. Police say Santos, Pedraza and Ancira were with Perez and an unidentified man at a local bar in the 55100 block of McPherson Avenue in Laredo on Saturday. Perez and his companion eventually left for a get-together in the 8500 block of Rock Spring Circle. Santos, Pedraza and Ancira also drove up to the same address, where they had an argument with Perez, police said. Later, a
See GUNFIRE PAGE 7A
EDUCATION
ZCISD board considers changes to improve By NICK GEORGIOU ZAPATA TIMES
As ZCISD tries to get two underperforming campuses back on track, Superintendent Romeo Rodriguez said Friday that the district is not currently considering any major reassignments. “We’re just trying to be competitive and equitable with schools districts and trying to meet accountability (standards),” he said. Rodriguez’s comments come several days after the Zapata County Independent School Dis-
trict trustees had a special called meeting to discuss personnel. Tuesday’s agenda item read, “…The board will discuss resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, new employment, new personnel positions, return from leave of absence and contract renewal for teachers.” Once back in open session, the board took no action on the item, which usually appears at all the board’s regular monthly meetings. If action is taken, it would happen at the Nov. 17 board meeting, Rodriguez said.
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We’re just trying to be competitive and equitable with schools districts and trying to meet accountability (standards).” SUPERINTENDENT ROMEO RODRIGUEZ
Under the federal government’s accountability system, called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Zapa-
ta Middle was under Stage 2 sanctions for the 2009-2010 school year. The campus did not meet AYP
standards because of the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students’ performance on the math portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Zapata High met AYP standards in 2009, but remained under Stage 1 sanctions because it “takes two years to get in, two years to get out,” he said. Earlier this year, the state rated four ZCISD campuses as academically acceptable. Benavides Elementary was rated exemplary. (Reach Nick Georgiou at 7282582 or nickg@lmtonline.com)