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HAWKS HEAD TO REGIONALGOLF, TRACK PUNCH TICKETS DEEP INTO PLAYOFFS, 1B

On the eve of an im-pending jury selection, op-posing counsel in a civillawsuit out of ZapataCounty were in court Fri-day afternoon on a motionto disqualify the defenseattorney.

Plaintiff attorney CarlosFlores argued Friday that

defense attorney ElsamarSoto created a disqualify-ing issue after hiring Dia-na Ellington, a former em-ployee of Flores’ legalfirm, Kazen, Meurer & Pe-rez, who was privy to pre-trial preparation efforts.

“She has our entireplaybook, and sheswitched sides thirty daysbefore trial,” said Flores ofEllington. Flores was also

seeking sanctions againstSoto.

According to Soto,Flores based his motion onassumptions and innuen-do, failing to show actualprejudice.

Soto told the court shehad taken additional mea-sures to make sure thecontent of the case wouldnot be disclosed to Elling-ton by privatizing comput-

er system access of thecourt records.

Flores maintained thatin a small law firm of one,there would be no way topolice conversations be-tween Soto and Ellington,and any steps takenwouldn’t be enough.

The disqualification ofSoto would further delaythe trial, already in its10th continuance, as the

defense would need addi-tional time to replace her,said Joe Lopez, 49th Dis-trict Court judge.

Plantiff Maria De LosAngels Bustamente, suc-cessor in interest to JoseLuis Bustamante, has al-leged via a 21-page petitionthat J. Moss Investmentsand its holdings illegallyoperated an oil and gaswaste disposal and truck

and tank washout busi-ness off their property.

The Bustamante proper-ty had been leased out to J.Moss since Nov. 1999 undervarious provisions, includ-ing that J. Moss would op-erate commercial oil andgas water drilling fluiddisposal pits and landtreatment on the property

49TH DISTRICT COURT

Civil land trial sideshowPlaintiff’s attorney wants defense attorney out in hiring dispute

By STEPHANIE IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES

See HEARING PAGE 9A

Zapata County Sheriff SigifredoGonzalez Jr. testified Thursday be-fore state officials that majorproblems could spark from issuesoccurring in border communities.

At the Texas Senate Committeeon Transportation and HomelandSecurity public hearing in Austin,Gonzalez outlined security issuesalong the border, including narco-trafficking. But the concern ispeople coming across with thecriminal element.

Gonzalez said he does not wantto see the child rapists and mur-derers, among other criminals, il-legally entering the United States.He added that criminals involvedwith transnational gangs pose athreat to border communities.

“We’re fortunate it is undercontrol but the potential is therefor major problems to occur,”Gonzalez said.

Texas Agriculture Commission-er Todd Staples also spoke duringthe hearing and added that there’sa critical need to secure the Tex-as-Mexico border to protect thecommunities from spillover drugcartel violence, according to anews release issued by his office.According to Staples’ written tes-timony, Texas farmers and ranch-ers along the border “are regular-ly becoming victims of intimida-tion, aggression and outrightviolence by armed trespassersthat often have direct ties to Mex-ico’s drug cartels.”

Staples testified that there hadbeen at least 10 incidents he de-

BORDER

See BORDER PAGE 9A

Sheriffspeaksout on

securityBy CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

Andrew and Lili Miller have alwayshad hearts for giving back.

The best way they knew how to do thatwas to put food in people’s stomachs.

Simple decorations, such as the restaurant’s nickname printed on the curtains, add to the country atmosphere at God’s Kin restaurant. Owners Andrewand Lili Miller employ 17 workers at the restaurant that opened last month.

Photos by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times

The restaurant offers a Southern cuisine not often seen in South Texas, such as fried green tomatoes.

GIVINGBACK

Restaurant’s owners big ondonating to charities

By JJ VELASQUEZTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See RESTAURANT PAGE 9A

PAGE 2A Zin brief SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

SATURDAY, APRIL 14Saturday academies will be held

at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Ele-mentary School for 3rd grade mathand reading, 4th grade math and read-ing and 5th grade science.

The Juvenile Diabetes ResearchFoundation’s 2012 Rock the Cure isfrom 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at TexasA&M International University. DouglasGonzalez, H-E-B’s director of retail op-eration for the Southwest, is the 2012walk chair, and he will be joined bysome very special family team chairsand walk ambassadors: local kids whohave type 1 diabetes. People can regis-ter on their own, as a team atwww.walk.jdrf.org or in the TAMIU Stu-dent Center the day of the walk. Formore information, call Letty Garcia at712-2900.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15The 4th annual Falcon Lake

Tackle-Bass Blast takes place from 7a.m. through 2:30 p.m. Call 956-765-4866 for more information.

SCAN Inc.’s 10th annual Children’sPlay Day is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. todayat the Laredo Civic Center Ballroomand grounds, 2400 San Bernardo Ave.All children and their families are invit-ed. There will be free games, entertain-ment, prizes and food. For more infor-mation, call Veronica Jimenez or SilviaVega at the SCAN office at 724-3177.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19Power of the Purse is at 6 p.m.

today at La Posada Hotel, 1000 Zarago-za St. It will feature a silent and liveauction of purses of every size andstyle at a cocktail reception to benefitthe Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas.Funds raised will support local outreachin Laredo schools. Tickets are $75each, and sponsorships are available.The council invites all former GirlScouts to participate. Call Norma at723-7251 for more information.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21Saturday academies will be held

at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Ele-mentary School for 3rd grade mathand reading, 4th grade math and read-ing and 5th grade science.

The March of Dimes March forBabies is from 8 a.m. to noon today.Begun in 1970, it has raised $2 billionto benefit all babies. To register a fam-ily or company team, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org/.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24STAAR testing for 3rd- and 4th-

grade math will take place at all ZapataCounty ISD elementary schools.

The trustees of the ZapataCounty Independent School District willmeet a 6 p.m. at the Professional De-velopment Center, 702 E. 1770.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25STAAR testing for 3rd- and 4th-

grade reading will take place at all Za-pata County ISD elementary schools.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26STAAR testing for 5th-grade sci-

ence will take place at all Zapata Coun-ty ISD elementary schools.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28The National Drug Take Back

event is today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.at United Middle School, 700 Del MarBlvd.; Ryan Elementary, 2401 ClarkBlvd.; and Texas A&M International Uni-versity at the Student Center, 5201University Blvd. The DEA, Webb CountyCommunity Coalition of SCAN and oth-er partner organizations will accept un-used, unwanted or expired prescriptiondrugs and over-the-counter medicationfor safe disposal, no questions asked.For more information, call 956-724-3177.

MONDAY, MAY 14The Zapata County Commission-

ers Court will meet at 9 a.m. at theZapata County Courthouse.

SATURDAY, MAY 19The Bass Champs tournament

takes place from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30This is the first day of the Hall

of Fame Big Bass Tournament andCook-off. For more information, call theZapata County Chamber of Commerceat 956-765-4871.

To submit an item for the calendar,send the name of the event, the date,time, location and contact phone num-ber to editorial@lmtonline.com.

CALENDARASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Saturday, April 14,the 105th day of 2012. Thereare 261 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in His-tory:

On April 14, 1912, the Brit-ish liner RMS Titanic collidedwith an iceberg in the NorthAtlantic at 11:40 p.m. ship’stime and began sinking. (Theship went under two hoursand 40 minutes later with theloss of 1,514 lives.)

On this date:In 1775, the first American

society for the abolition ofslavery was formed in Phila-delphia.

In 1828, the first edition ofNoah Webster’s “AmericanDictionary of the English Lan-guage” was published.

In 1865, President AbrahamLincoln was assassinated byJohn Wilkes Booth during aperformance of “Our Ameri-can Cousin” at Ford’s Theaterin Washington.

In 1902, James Cash Penneyopened his first store, TheGolden Rule, in Kemmerer,Wyo.

In 1910, President WilliamHoward Taft became the firstU.S. chief executive to throwthe ceremonial first pitch at abaseball game as the Washing-ton Senators beat the Philadel-phia Athletics 3-0.

In 1931, King Alfonso XIII ofSpain went into exile, and theSecond Spanish Republic wasproclaimed.

In 1939, the John Steinbecknovel “The Grapes of Wrath”was first published by VikingPress.

In 1949, the “WilhelmstrasseTrial” in Nuremberg endedwith 19 former Nazi ForeignOffice officials sentenced byan American tribunal to pris-on terms ranging from four to25 years.

In 1956, Ampex Corp. dem-onstrated its videotape record-er at the National Associationof Radio and Television Broad-casters Convention in Chicago.

In 1960, the musical “ByeBye Birdie” opened on Broad-way.

In 1981, the first test flightof America’s first operationalspace shuttle, the Columbia,ended successfully with alanding at Edwards Air ForceBase in California.

In 1986, Americans got wordof a U.S. air raid on Libya (be-cause of the time difference, itwas the early morning ofApril 15 where the attack oc-curred.) French feminist au-thor Simone de Beauvoir diedin Paris at age 78.

Ten years ago: VenezuelanPresident Hugo Chavez re-turned to office two days afterbeing ousted and arrested byhis country’s military. TigerWoods became only the thirdplayer to win back-to-backMasters titles; he closed with a1-under 71 to claim a three-stroke victory over RetiefGoosen.

Today’s Birthdays: Coun-try singer Loretta Lynn is 80.Actress Julie Christie is 72.Retired MLB All-Star PeteRose is 71. Actress CatherineDent is 47. Retired MLB All-Star Greg Maddux is 46. ActorAdrien Brody is 39. Classicalsinger David Miller is 39. Ac-tor Antwon Tanner is 37. Ac-tress Sarah Michelle Gellar is35. Actor-producer Rob McEl-henney is 35. Actor ChristianAlexander is 22. Actor NickKrause (Film: “The Descend-ants”) is 20. Actress VivienCardone is 19. Actress AbigailBreslin is 16.

Thought for Today:“Courage is not simply one ofthe virtues, but the form of ev-ery virtue at the testingpoint.” — C.S. Lewis, Irish-born author (1898-1963).

TODAY IN HISTORY

HUNTSVILLE — It’s been 70 years sinceDavid Adickes danced the jitterbug in theold Huntsville High School gym.

Now, at age 85, he pauses at a flight ofschoolhouse stairs, uncertain if his kneescan stand the climb.

Still, there’s a rare bond between Adickes— the Houston artist who has charmed andshocked with his giant concrete statues —and this 1931-vintage temple of learning.

Only four years ago, the long-vacant brickbuilding with a leaky roof and cracked wallsseemed destined for demolition. Then Ad-ickes, looking for a suitable showcase for alifetime of paintings and sculptures, learnedof its plight and made an offer.

Later this month, he will host a private re-ception to open the refurbished, 80,000-

square-foot school as a gallery for more than300 paintings and undetermined number ofstatues. Initially, the site will be open to cu-rators hunting works for museum exhibits.Eventually, the Huntsville native hopes toopen the school as a museum of his work.

“‘If not now, when?,’ to quote Jack Kenne-dy,” Adickes said. “I’ve always wanted to dothis. I think every artist is concerned aboutwhat’s going to happen to his work whenhe’s gone. Permanence always has had agreat value to me.”

As a private gallery or a museum, Ad-ickes’ installation will be a welcome additionto Huntsville’s Cultural Arts District, saidcity arts coordinator Linda Pease.

The new gallery will replace Adickes’ stu-dio in a sprawling Houston Heights-areapaint warehouse. The artist plans to spendthree days a week at the new site.

AROUND TEXAS

In this April 11 photo, David Adickes stands in front of his paintings at the old Huntsville High School, which was convertedinto the Adickes Art Foundation Art Museum, in Huntsville. Later this month, he will host a private reception to open the re-furbished, 80,000-square-foot school as a gallery for more than 300 paintings and an undetermined number of statues.

Photo by Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle | AP

New life for old schoolBy ALLAN TURNER

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

2 accused of kidnappingplead not guilty

SAN AUGUSTINE — Twowomen accused of abducting aHouston boy in 2004 when hewas just 8 months old havepleaded not guilty to charges ofkidnapping and injury to a child.

Krystle Tanner and GloriaWalker made their first court ap-pearances on Friday before ajudge in San Augustine.

Tanner and Walker are ac-cused of taking Miguel Morin,now 8 years old, from his Hous-ton apartment complex.

TABC administratorleaving for horse groupAUSTIN — The administrator

of the Texas Alcoholic BeverageCommission is resigning to be-come executive director of theNational Cutting Horse Associ-ation.

Alan Steen said Friday he willleave the agency June 1 to headthe organization based in FortWorth.

Man gets 99 years forwounding Texas trooperODESSA — A Kentucky man

convicted of shooting a Texastrooper during a drug-relatedtraffic stop has been sentenced to99 years in prison.

A jury in Odessa on Thursdaysentenced Marcus ChristopherLott Jr. of Radcliff, Ky.

Lott was convicted of attempt-ed capital murder of a peace offi-cer over last May’s wounding ofDPS Trooper Max Honesto.

Galveston endorses beacherosion response planGALVESTON — A Southeast

Texas city pounded by Hurri-cane Ike in 2008 has endorsed anerosion plan that sets construc-tion limits on the beach front.

The plan approved Thursdayby the Galveston City Councilnow faces state review. The Tex-as General Land Office in Au-gust notified Galveston that thecurrent plan does not meet stateminimum standards.

Corpus Christi childhoodhome of Fawcett for sale

CORPUS CHRISTI — A SouthTexas house where actress Far-rah Fawcett lived as a teenagerhas been put on the market for$215,000.

The four-bedroom, three-bath-room home in Corpus Christiwas built in 1962.

The family moved in when theCorpus Christi native and futureactress was in high school. Herparents owned the house until1966.

South Texas man gets 25years for abusing children

HONDO — A South Texasman has been sentenced to 25years in prison for abusing chil-dren under his wife’s care attheir home.

Prosecutors in Hondo say thespouse of 66-year-old AgapitoContreras apparently was notaware of the abuse at her unli-censed day care facility.

— Compiled from AP reports

Stocks fall on higherEuropean borrowing costs

It was another losing week onWall Street after worries aboutEurope returned.

Stocks closed lower on Fridayand closed out their worst weekof the year so far. The Dow Jonesindustrial average lost 1.6 per-cent for the week, the Standard& Poor’s 500 index fell 2 percent.

The Dow is still ahead 5 per-cent for the year after a gangbus-ters first quarter.

Vegas priest arrives atTexas federal prison

LAS VEGAS — A RomanCatholic priest from Las Vegassurrendered Friday at a prisonin Texas to serve his sentence forsiphoning $650,000 from hisnorthwest Las Vegas parish tosupport a video poker and casinogambling habit.

Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe,59, turned himself in at the La

Tuna correctional institution inAnthony, said Bureau of Prisonsspokesman Edmond Ross inWashington, D.C.

McAuliffe was sentenced inJanuary to three years and onemonth in prison, plus threeyears of supervised release and

$650,000 in restitution afterpleading guilty in October tothree federal mail fraud charges.

He admitted falsifying finan-cial documents sent in 2008, 2009and 2010 to the Roman CatholicArchdiocese in San Francisco.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION

In this March 15 photo, Gov. Peter Shumlin, right, holds a news conference inMontpelier, Vt. Shumlin said Friday he was chased and nearly caught by fourbears raiding birdfeeders in the backyard of his Montpelier home late Wednesday.

Photo by Toby Talbot | AP

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 Local THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A

Raquel V. Juarez wasnamed Teacher of the Yearat Fidel and Andrea R. Vil-larreal Elementary School.She is a life-long resident ofZapata who graduated fromZapata High School in 1992.

Juarez graduated from

Texas A&M InternationalUniversity in Laredo in1998 with a bachelor’s de-gree in early childhoodeducation.

Juarez has been teach-ing for 14 years at ZCISD.

She is married to MartinJuarez and has three chil-dren, Martin Juarez Jr.,

Marco A. Juarez, and Ra-qeul A. Juarez. Her hobbyis spending time with herfamily.

The Instructional Aideof the Year at VillarrealElementary is Margarita G.Villarreal, a Zapata HighSchool graduate, who hasbeen working for the dis-

trict 22 years.She is married to Severo

Villarreal Jr. She has threechildren, including Clau-dia, the late Severo III andXavier. She has four grand-children, Aly, Brianna,Brandon and Emma. Herhobby is spending timewith her family.

Villarreal Elementary honors twoSPECIAL TO THE TIMES

A Roma man accused oftransporting ammunitionand tactical equipment toSan Ygnacio to later ex-port into Mexico was sen-tenced to federal prisonthis week.

Chief U.S. DistrictJudge Ricardo H. Hinojosasentenced Enrique Gusta-vo Gonzalez to 36 monthsimprisonment followed bya two-year-term of super-vised release, the U.S. At-torney’s Office announcedTuesday.

Court records state Gon-zalez pled guilty Sept. 8,2010, to attempting to un-lawfully export munitions.

Roma police officersstopped a gold 2001 FordFocus at 5:30 a.m. June 14,2010, for not having a li-cense plate light. The driv-er first identified himselfas Enrique Montalvo, acriminal complaint states.

Weapons, moreAfter a vehicle inspec-

tion, officers found two Re-mington .30-06 caliber ri-fles, two night vision riflescopes, two pairs of nightvision goggles, three stan-dard rifle scopes, two in-frared laser sights, one la-ser bore sighting kit and

7,260 rounds of ammuni-tion.

At the police depart-ment, officers learned theman’s true identity wasEnrique Gustavo Gonza-lez, a naturalized U.S. citi-zen and Roma resident.Officers requested assist-ance from Immigrationand Customs EnforcementHomeland Security Inves-tigations agents.

$500 paymentGonzalez told federal

authorities he was goingto get paid $500 to deliverthe ammo, equipment andweapons to an abandonedhouse in San Ygnacio, acriminal complaint states.

“Gonzalez stated he wasto turn the items over tounidentified subjects fromMexico waiting in thebrush near the abandonedhouse. Gonzalez stated theunidentified subjectswould then facilitate themovement of the items to(Mexico),” court recordsallege.

Gonzalez remains infederal custody, pendingtransfer to a U.S. Bureauof Prisons facility to be de-termined in the near fu-ture.

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

Roma man gets36 months for

weapons exportBy CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

Villarreal Elementary School officials named Raquel Juarez as Teacherof the Year, and Margarita G. Villarreal as Instructional Aide of the Year.

Courtesy photo

PAGE 4A Zopinion SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

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

Now that Rick Santo-rum, the last plausible al-ternative to Mitt Romneyin the GOP presidentialcontest, has suspendedhis campaign, it’s worthrecalling what anothernon-Romney Republicanhad to say about the 2012election — Indiana Gov.Mitch Daniels.

Daniels turned hisstate’s deficit into a sur-plus — during the reces-sion. While the nation’scredit rating was down-graded for the first time,the Hoosier state earnedits first-ever AAA bondrating from Standard &Poor’s under his leader-ship — again, during therecession.

Throughout much of2011, Daniels had the po-tential to enter the racefor the Republican nomi-nation as a serious con-tender. Despite his deci-sion not to do so, he re-mains immensely popularin conservative circles.Republican leaders select-ed him to deliver the GOPresponse to PresidentObama’s State of theUnion address in 2012.

It was what Danielssaid back in 2010, howev-er, that Republicans needto take to heart. In an in-terview with the WeeklyStandard’s Andrew Fer-guson, Daniels said thatbecause the debt crisisand the economic chal-lenges facing the UnitedStates are so dire, thenext — presumably Re-publican — president“would have to call atruce on the so-called so-cial issues.”

“If there were a WMDattack, death would cometo straights and gays, pro-life and pro-choice,” hesubsequently told col-umnist Michael Gerson.“If the country goesbroke, it would ruin theAmerican dream for ev-eryone. We are in this to-gether.”

Mind you, Daniels isstaunchly pro-life. Lastyear, he signed into law ameasure that cut off tax-payer funding for PlannedParenthood.

And he’s not arguingthat social issues or anyothers on the conserva-tive agenda should be for-gotten. Instead, he’s ac-knowledging a soberingfact: With the stakes forthe nation’s future sohigh and in a campaignagainst a skilled and well-financed incumbent presi-dent who has alreadydemonstrated his willing-

ness to engage in a cyni-cal campaign of divisionand fear, Republicans can-not afford to allow any is-sue to distract attentionfrom the growing threatto American economicand national securityposed by endless govern-ment spending and out-of-control debt.

Rather than being aprescription for 2012, Da-niels might easily havebeen providing a descrip-tion of the Tea Partymovement in 2010. Then,social conservatives, na-tional security conserva-tives and economic con-servatives worked togeth-er to create an agendabased on fiscal responsib-ly and government ac-countability that attract-ed independent votersand delivered a historicmidterm loss to Demo-crats and the ObamaWhite House.

Their unifying themewas a common recogni-tion that the so-calledstimulus, Obamacare, tril-lion-dollar deficits and acomplete abdication of re-sponsibility on tax, spend-ing and entitlement re-form had put the UnitedStates on a course thatsignificantly divergedfrom its limited-govern-ment past and was unsus-tainable in the future.

With a Democratic-con-trolled Senate that hasn’tpassed a budget in threeyears, and after the Solyn-dra scandal and a newObama budget that wouldadd $9.5 trillion in debtover the next decade, thistheme is just as compell-ing in 2012.

Conservative criticshave assailed Daniels’ callfor a truce, claiming thateven a tactical retreatamounts to a unilateralsurrender in the nation’sculture wars. But conser-vatives who are less thanenthused with the pros-pect of Mitt Romney astheir standard-bearershould consider that theirissues will be of little con-sequence if the 2012 elec-tion passes without thenation having come toterms with the mortalthreat posed by runawaydebt and the uncon-strained growth of gov-ernment.

“Purity in martyrdomis for suicide bombers,”Daniels told the Conser-vative Political ActionConference last year. “I,for one, have no interestin standing in the wreck-age of our Republic say-ing, ‘I told you so.’”

(Email: jgurwitz@ex-press-news.net)

GOP muststay focused

on goalsBy JONATHAN GURWITZ

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

COLUMN OTHER VIEWS

The Zapata Times doesnot publish anonymousletters.

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

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

We want to assure our

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

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

ing or gratuitous abuse isallowed.

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

AUSTIN — If you knowmuch about the state’s 3rdCourt of Appeals, you’reprobably on it or have acase pending before it.

A seat on this obscure,but important, courtmight be the most pivotalstate post a Democrat canwin in Texas these days.The six-member court hastwo Dems. Four justices(three R’s and a D) areseeking re-election thisyear.

As one of Texas’ 14 re-gional, intermediate appel-late courts, the Austin-based 3rd has jurisdictionin 24 counties, includingTravis, Hays and William-son. It’s important be-cause it handles big-dealcases involving state gov-ernment. You elect its jus-tices, though you know lit-tle to nothing about thecourt or candidates. Out-comes depend heavily onwhat goes on elsewhere onthe ballot. Fine way to runa justice system, isn’t it?

All of this is prelude toa look at GOP Justice BobPemberton’s attempt to gethis only Democratic chal-lenger disqualified. Pem-berton is unopposed in theMay 29 GOP primary. Dit-to for Austin lawyer BryanCase on the Democraticside.

At issue here is a near-the-deadline switcheroothat led to the crossing outof one Democratic candi-date’s name and the inser-tion of another name onthe petitions that got Case

on his party’s ballot.Case, initially running

for a district court seat,said he opted for the ap-peals court race the eve-ning before the March 9deadline when Olga See-lig, who was consideringthe race, deferred to him.

In and outPolitical consultant

Glen Maxey told me hehad printed Seelig petitionforms and had planned togather signatures for herMarch 9 at Texas AFL-CIOheadquarters. But thenight before, at about 11p.m., Maxey was told See-lig was out and Case wasin.

”So I started crossingout Olga Seelig’s nameand getting Bryan Case’sname on,” Maxey said, ac-knowledging it as ”not thecleanest way ever” to do it.

The crossed-out nameraises the possibility sig-natures were affixed whileSeelig’s name still was list-ed. Any such signatureswould be void becausestate law requires the pet-ition language to be readaloud to signers pre-signa-ture.

Maxey said the changewas made before gettingsignatures for Case, savefor a “couple of husbandand wife situations” inwhich folks had printedand signed forms withSeelig’s name on them.

Austin lawyer RobertMeisel and wife Carol didthat. He said his wife wastold about the change

when she dropped off thesigned form. The change,Meisel said, was OK withthem. But those signaturesmay be invalid becausethe candidate namechange was made post-sig-nature.

Maxey said that hap-pened in so few cases that,even if you disqualifythose, Case had more thanthe required 250 signa-tures. However, of the 445signatures Case submit-ted, only 182 were onforms that did not initiallybear Seelig’s name.

Pemberton filed a chal-lenge with Texas Demo-cratic Party ChairmanBoyd Richie, who, by law,is the initial arbiter ofsuch matters. Partyspokeswoman RebeccaAcuna said Richie OK’dthe petitions “because theperson who collected themswears the (candidate)name was changed before”the signatures were col-lected.

Pemberton now canchallenge in state districtcourt, but I’m told hewon’t. The matter, howev-er, is not dead, merelymorphed into an allega-tion of criminal conductby Maxey. And it’s now ina decidedly GOP forum.

Filing with the stateJames R. Clements of

Kyle, who would tell meonly that he is a retiree,filed a complaint againstMaxey with Texas Secreta-ry of State Hope Andrade,an appointee of GOP Gov.

Rick Perry.(It may or may not be

relevant that Maxey is theauthor of ”Head FigureHead. The Search for theHidden Life of Rick Per-ry.” It’s not a flatteringlook at the man who ap-pointed the woman whonow will decide whetherto refer the case to GOPAttorney General GregAbbott for possible ac-tion.)

Clements’ complaintsays Maxey made false en-tries or alterations on thepetitions, including signa-tures gathered “prior toMr. Case even becoming acandidate.” Clementsnotes a page, with Seelig’sname crossed out andCase’s written in, that in-cludes 10 signatures datedMarch 7. Maxey and Casetold me the candidateswitch was not made untillate on March 8.

Maxey, not having seenthe complaint, declined todiscuss it.

”I stepped forward to as-sist a candidate to qualifyfor ballot status for theprimary election who hadto collect 250 valid signa-tures in a single day be-fore the deadline for fil-ing,” he said in an email,adding, ”I do not believe Iviolated the law in anymanner.”

FYI, the Pembertoncampaign says it has noth-ing to do with Clements’complaint. I guess he justcould be a guy who enjoysreviewing petitions. Ev-erybody needs a hobby.

(E-mail: kher-man@statesman.com.)

COLUMN

Race takes controversial turnBy KEN HERMAN

COX NEWSPAPERS

The Obama administration has eased sanctions onMyanmar following its recent elections.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations hasurged lifting all sanctions, but Washington should notproceed in haste. The military still holds the whiphand — along with the vast majority of seats in Parlia-ment, despite gains that gave the opposition most ofthe seats filled in the April 1 election.

One of the winners was opposition leader and Nobellaureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Washington has eased some restrictions on travel tothe United States by Myanmar’s senior leaders and lift-ed a few economic sanctions. Washington will allowthe opening of an American aid office.

The change is welcome and deserves encourage-ment. Eliminating the entire menu of sanctions, nota-bly those on trade in the military-dominated timberand gem industries, will require congressional approv-al. But there’s little reason to rush. The sanction-roll-back process should proceed only so long as the gov-ernment remains on the path of reform.

Opportunitiesin Myanmar

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

When Sylvia Bruni heard Stephen Da-ley’s presentation at a children’s advoca-cy conference in August, she knew shehad to bring his plan to Laredo.

Daley’s presentation broke down theplan developed by radKIDS — an organi-zation based in South Dennis, Mass. thattakes a new approach to protecting chil-dren.

“He laid out a plan that was verysmart, very well thought-out and re-searched curriculum-wise,” said Bruni,executive director of the Children’s Advo-cacy Center of Laredo.

The challenge Bruni then faced was insecuring $80,000 in funding. With budgetcuts taking place in many public schooldistricts looking to cut costs in a money-parched economy, she knew she wouldhave to take that portion into her ownhands.

Because the project would encompasstwo age groups in each Laredo schooldistrict, she would need two programsper district.

Webb County District Attorney IsidroAlaniz funded two of the four programs.Sheriff Martin Cuellar funded one of theremaining two. She received the rest ofthe funds from various donors.

In October, Bruni called for a meetingwith both the school districts. Both su-perintendents attended, as well as theprincipals and counselors from each. She

said more than 300 people attended themeeting in which Daley delivered a pre-sentation about the program.

In November, the organization begantraining select faculty members to be-come radKIDS coaches. By February,more than 100 coaches had been trained,Bruni said.

The programThe program is activity-based and

seeks to teach children how to protectthemselves when confronted with dan-ger.

Among the things radKIDS aims toprevent are abduction, bullying, childabuse and neglect, as well as sexual as-sault, according to a document it pub-lished.

According to its website, 250,000 chil-dren have been trained in the program.More than 4,000 instructors of the pro-gram are based in 46 states and Canada.

That radKIDS shows rather than tellschildren how to react in case of abusedeparts from what the Children’s Advo-cacy Center of Laredo has done in thelast three years, Bruni said.

The center has spoken to approximate-ly 22,000 teachers and 33,000 children inthat time span, but radKIDS representsthe next step of outreach for Bruni’s or-ganization, she said.

(JJ Velasquez may be reached at 728-2567 or jjvelasquez@lmtonline.com)

A session of radKIDS can include teaching children how to defend themselves when attacked.

Courtesy photo

Program teaches kidsways to protect selves

By JJ VELASQUEZTHE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 Area THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

Abuse of prescribed andover-the-counter medica-tion can lead to accidentalpoisoning or death, a DEAagent said Monday.

Mindful of the harm, lo-cal and federal authoritiesteamed up Monday morn-ing at Laredo City Hall toannounce the NationalDrug Take Back Initiative,an effort that provides thepublic safe disposal of un-wanted and expired medi-cation.

One collection boothwill be set up from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28,at the Zapata CountyCourthouse. Coalition offi-cials hope to collect morethan the 65 pounds collect-ed in October.

Mel Rodriguez, an as-sistant special agent incharge with DEA, said na-tionwide figures show thatprescription drug abuse issecond only to marijuanause.

“DEA is wanting to pro-vide a way of disposing of(medication) because notonly is it bad for people,it’s also bad for the envi-ronment,” Rodriguez said.“Flushing (the medication)down the toilet where it

can get into the water sup-ply is not an option.”

In a phone interview, Ni-na Gutierrez, program co-ordinator of Zapata CountyCommunity Coalition, saidabuse of prescribed medi-cation is one of the con-cerns in the community,along with the abuse of al-cohol, tobacco and mari-juana.

Though prescribed med-ication abuse is prevalent,coalition officials do theirbest to combat the prob-lem. On April 28, Zapatanshave an opportunity toproperly dispose of un-wanted, expired medica-tion, no questions asked.County residents are en-couraged to bring to theevent prescribed and over-the-counter medication,syringes and liquids.

In Laredo, Melissa Bel-mares-Cavazos, programdirector of Webb CountyCommunity Coalition, saidthe initiative createsawareness about youngpeople misusing over-the-counter medication.

“We do have a problemin our community,” shesaid. “The kids are experi-menting with it, having‘pharm’ parties, Skittleparties. “They take anytype of pill — no matter

what it is, whether it’s co-deine, Xanax — and theydown it with alcohol.”

The Drug InformationOnline website states Xa-nax is used to “treat anxie-ty disorders, panic disor-ders and anxiety caused bydepression.” Codeine be-longs to a group of drugscalled narcotic pain medi-cines. It is used to treatmild to moderately severepain, the website states.

“Do not drink alcohol.Dangerous side effects ordeath can occur when alco-hol is combined with anarcotic pain medicine,”according to Drug Informa-tion Online.

Gutierrez said the Zapa-ta youth is not immune tothese problems. To preventover-the-counter drugabuse, coalition officials inZapata want to work on acounty environmental poli-cy that would require peo-ple picking up prescribedmedication to show identi-fication. But battling theproblem requires a teameffort.

“We need the help of theparents and the kids whoaren’t afraid to speak up,”Gutierrez said.

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

Old medicationtarget of collection

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZTHE ZAPATA TIMES

Texas A&M Interna-tional University will hosta book signing for Laredonative María Hilda Piñon,author of “The Willows ofCorona,” on Tuesday,April 24, from 6:30-8 p.m.in the Helen Richter Wat-son Gallery, inside the Sueand Radcliffe Killam Li-brary.

Piñon, whose educa-

tional background is innursing, spiritual direc-tion, life coaching andpsychology, has been in-volved in ministerial pro-grams for the past 35years, as well as produc-ing programming for thenational television stationEWTN. She holds a mas-ter’s degree in counselingpsychology.

She shared the focus ofher novel, set in South

Texas.“‘The Willows of Coro-

na’ is, at its core, a noveldealing with the complexstructures of subjects suchas love, relationships, andthe perseverance of thehuman heart. It takesplace in South Texas, andhas both a heartbreakingand uplifting narrativethat embodies the fullspectrum of human expe-rience,” she explained.

Author to discuss bookSPECIAL TO THE TIMES

6A THE ZAPATA TIMES SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

The county joined a healthcare part-nership with Webb County on Tuesdaythat will aim to prevent illness beforeit brings people to the emergencyroom.

Commissioners approved a memo-randum of understanding at Tuesday’smeeting to form the partnership, an-chored by Webb County.

“Of course, having strong ties withZapata, it was natural for us to extendour hand to Zapata,” Webb CountyCommissioner Jerry Garza said. Garzasits on the regional health planningboard.

Jim Hogg County signed last weekto become the first outlying area tojoin the regional alliance. Webb Coun-ty will extend invitations to Maverick,Dimmit, La Salle, Frio and Zavalacounties.

The reimbursement-based programwould allow participating counties toreceive $1.50 for every dollar they putin.

Some of that money will be funneledto preventive initiatives as part of astatewide effort to reduce dollars lostbecause of uncompensated emergencyroom care. The other portion of thatmoney will go directly toward mitigat-ing the costs of uncompensated care.

Counties that don’t participatearen’t eligible to receive matchingfunds from the state for providing un-compensated care, said Frank Salinas,director of Webb County IndigentHealth Care Services.

**When the partnership is formed,Garza said representatives from eachcounty will meet to determine whattypes of preventive care should be pro-vided.

For instance, if the partners decidediabetes is a disease they would like totarget, they can supply services to pre-vent diabetes. Funds cannot be usedfor construction, Garza said.**

The State Health and Human Servic-es Department hasn’t set the guide-lines for the program yet, but WebbCounty was given a June 1 deadline topartner up with counties in the region.

According to Garza, the program isslated to kick in Oct. 1.

“Counties still don’t know entirelywhat we’re getting into,” he said. “But(State Health and Human Services) is

giving us good guidelines, and we havegot a good road map to follow.”

The court will appoint a representa-tive from the county to the regionalhealth planning board.

Cemetery improvementsThe court voted to pave a road at

the county cemetery. The project tocreate an asphalt road, beginning atthe main entrance to the end of theboulevard, will cost no more than$20,000, according to CommissionerJose E. Vela.

That money will be taken out of afund that was started in the 1970s spe-cifically for cemetery improvements.Through payments of $150 for eachcemetery plat, the county has accumu-lated $50,000 in funds.

Vela requested the item in responseto complaints from cemetery visitorswho say that the roads become muddywhen it rains.

Vela also proposed section markersso that visitors could find burial sitesmore easily. But those weren’t listedon the agenda, so the court decided totable them for another meeting.

“We have enough money here to cov-er for that,” said Commissioner EddieMartinez. “But the item just says pav-ing.”

In other county business, the courtdecided:

To hold a public hearing to deter-mine hours of operation for the newboat ramp park.

To table for next meeting an ac-tion item calling for the replacementof the courthouse’s phone system. Acounty computer technician says thecurrent system is outdated.

To hire a contractor to remove300 feet of broken pipe, which will cost$4,500. The water pipe is on countyproperty near the county water planton Kennedy Street.

To waive fees for Gateway Com-munity Health Center to use county fa-cilities for the Zapata Health Fun Fest.The event will be held Aug. 18 in theZapata Community Center.

To cover tournament expenses forthe San Antonio Metro League of BassClubs Fishing Tournament. Those ex-penses amount to $8,000.

(JJ Velasquez may be reached at728-2567 or jjvelasquez@lmtonline.com)

County joins Webbin healthcare deal

By JJ VELASQUEZTHE ZAPATA TIMES

GREENLAND, N.H. —Michael Maloney was onlya few days from retirementas chief of a small-townNew Hampshire police de-partment. After more thana quarter-century in lawenforcement, he was eagerto begin the next chapter ofhis life.

But there was one morething he had to do. One fi-nal drug bust that wouldrid a neighborhood of itsmenace.

Maloney was trying toserve a search warrantThursday night when asuspect opened fire, killingthe 48-year-old chief, injur-ing four officers from otherdepartments, and plungingthe southeastern NewHampshire community ofGreenland into a grief thatresidents say they won’tsoon get over.

After a tense overnightstandoff, the suspected gun-man, Cullen Mutrie, and afemale acquaintance werefound dead in the homeearly Friday in an apparentmurder-suicide or doublesuicide.

The chief ’s death rockeda seven-member force moreaccustomed to reports ofburglar alarms and bark-ing dogs than violentcrime. Maloney was liked,respected and less than twoweeks from retirement.

“In those final days, hesacrificed his life in publicservice,” said AttorneyGeneral Michael Delaney.

Maloney had 26 years ofexperience in law enforce-ment, the last 12 as chief ofthe Greenland department.

He was a comfortingpresence in the coastaltown of about 3,500. Malo-ney seemed to be every-where, working traffic de-tails, keeping watch overband concerts at the park,always ready to listen toresidents’ concerns.

“Everybody knew himbecause he knew everybo-dy,” said Cynthia Smith, 73.

Maloney had an especial-ly good rapport with teensand children. He once let abeginning driver off the

hook with a warning in-stead of a ticket, recalledlongtime resident JaneGouzoules, 71. And whenStacie Gregg’s two sonswere young and refused tostay buckled in their carseats, she drove them to thepolice station, where Malo-ney intervened in his typi-cally low-key way.

“He showed themaround the cars and heshowed them the lights andhe sat them up on one ofthe motorcycles. Just sothat they’d feel comfortableand respect him, but not in-timidate them,” Gregg re-called. “And they listened.He was that kind of guy. Hewas genuine.”

Yet Maloney was alsoready for something differ-ent. He said he planned totake a month off beforelaunching a new career.

“I have nine more work-ing days left,” Maloney tolda Board of Selectmen meet-ing Monday night, “and Ihave one more item I’m go-ing to clear up.”

The hulking, 6-foot-2, 260-pound Mutrie lived along abusy street near Interstate95 and had long been athorn in the neighbor-hood’s side.

Anabolic steroids wereonce found in his home af-ter he was arrested on do-mestic assault charges andofficers entered to confis-cate guns, The Portsmouth

Herald reported last year.Next-door neighbor Lee

Miller said she had com-plained to police repeatedlyabout suspected drug activ-ity at the house — and wastold it was under investiga-tion.

Maloney and the fourother officers, all detectivesfrom other departments,were part of a drug taskforce run by the state attor-ney general’s office. Theyarrived at Mutrie’s houseat 6 p.m. Thursday, searchwarrant in hand. Mutriewas ready, authorities said,opening fire as police triedto gain entry.

Across the street, neigh-bor Michael Gordon’s fam-ily was just cleaning upfrom dinner when he hearda loud popping sound. Hethought one of his youngsons was banging on thedining room window andwent to tell him to stop.

“I looked out the windowand saw the shootout hadalready begun,” Gordonsaid. “My first thought wasit was a bunch of foolsplaying paintball in themiddle of the day.”

Police Sgt. Dawn Sawyer,who was one of the sevenmembers of the force andworked with Maloney for19 years, thanked the com-munity for its support andnoted the six were “herefor all of you, just as muchas you are here for us.”

Chief honored withcandlelight vigil

By JAY LINDSAYAND MICHAEL RUBINKAM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Area residents gather at the Town Hall on Friday in Greenland, N.H.,for a candlelight vigil to honor slain Police Chief Michael Maloney.Maloney was trying to serve a search warrant Thursday night whena suspect opened fire, killing the 48-year-old chief.

Photo by Jim Cole | AP

LAREDO04/14 — Planetario La-

mar Bruni Vergara de TAMIUinvita a disfrutar ‘JurassicPark’ a las 12 p.m., 2 p.m.,4 p.m., 6 p.m. y 8 p.m. Cos-to general: 3 dólares. Tam-bién habrá una exhibición dedinosaurios, incluyendo pláti-ca con el experto del tema,Paleo Paul, a las 12:30 p.m.,1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. y 7p.m. Costo: 3 dólares.

04/15 — SCAN Inc.’s ce-lebra el 10mo Día de Juegopara Niños de 1 p.m. a 5p.m. en el Salón de Baile yterreno de Laredo Civic Cen-ter, 2400 avenida San Ber-nardo. Habrá juegos gratui-tos, entretenimiento, premiosy comida. Abierto a toda lafamilia.

04/15 — El pianista An-thony Tobin presentará surepertorio en la Serie Stein-way de TAMIU, de 3 p.m. a5 p.m. en el Center for theFine & Performing Arts Cen-ter Recital Hall. Entrada gra-tuita.

04/17 — El Festival deJazz 2012 será a las 7:30p.m. en el Recital Hall delCenter for the Fine and Per-forming Arts de TAMIU, conla participación de gruposde jazz de ambos distritosescolares y TAMIU. Eventogratuito.

04/18 — Apoye aJohnny Peña, en su SeniorRecital, a las 7 p.m. en elRecital Hall del Center forFine & Performing Arts deTAMIU. Evento gratuito.

04/19 — Concierto depiano con Bianca Chou a las2:30 p.m. en el Recital Halldel Center for Fine and Per-forming Arts de TAMIU.Evento gratuito.

04/19 — “Power of thePurse” es a las 6 p.m. en LaPosada Hotel, 1000 calle Za-ragoza. Será una subasta si-lenciosa y en vivo de bolsasde mano de diferentes tama-ños y estilos durante una re-cepción para benenficar alGirl Scouts of Greater SouthTexas. Costo: 75 dólares porboleto.

04/20 — Hoy a las5:30 p.m. es la fecha límitepara nominar a alguien alPremio de Campanas Escola-res, destinado a educadoresque sean modelos a seguirdentro y fuera del aula. Ob-tenga su solicitud en el sitiode internet de Laredo Cham-ber of Commerce, seleccio-nando “Chamber Events” yposteriormente “School BellAwards”.

04/20 — Las estacionesde radio Z-93 y Big BuckCountry, de Guerra Commu-nications, invitan al SegundoRadiotón Anual para benefi-ciar a niños de Laredo y Surde Texas que llegan a sertrasladados al CHRISTUSSanta Rosa Children’s Hospi-tal. El evento será de 9 a.m.a 7 p.m.

04/20 — ‘Cri-Cri: El Gri-llito Cantor’ se presentará enel Recital Hall del Center forthe Fine and Performing Artsde TAMIU alas 7 p.m. Costo:5 dólares. Niños de 10 añosy menores entran gratis.

NUEVO LAREDO04/14 — Estación Pala-

bra presenta: “Bazar de Ar-te” a las 12 p.m.; Lecturasantes de Abordar “BramStroker y el vampirismo” ala 1 p.m.; y festival infantil“Maratón de cine infantil: Elmago de Oz, El Principito,Willy Wonka y la Fábrica deChocolate”, a partir de las 2p.m. Entrada gratuita.

04/14 — Museo para ni-ños: Estegosaurios y Ptero-dáctilo a las 4 p.m. en laSala de Servicios Educativosdel Centro Cultural. Entradagratuita.

04/17 — Grupo de Tea-tro Expresión del ITNL pre-senta la comedia “Cero IVÁNTres” en el caso Torreblanca,a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro delIMSS. Donación: 20 pesos.

— Tiempo de Zapata

Agendaen Breve

Zfrontera PÁGINA 7ADE 2012

AUSTIN — Las recaudacionesmás grandes en las rentas de losimpuestos sobre las ventas si-guieron siendo, durante abril, enlos sectores del petróleo y el gasnatural.

“Las últimas cifras de rentasde los impuestos sobre las ventasmarcan una continuación de lastendencias recientes que hemosvisto en los recibos de impuestosde ventas,” dijo la Contralora deTexas Susan Combs. “Colec-ciones fuertes continuaron enlos sectores del petróleo y el gasnatural, mientras que el creci-miento de los ingresos del sectoral por menor y restaurantes tam-bién se aceleró”.

El anuncio de Combs fue he-cho a través de un comunicadode prensa sobre las rentas de losimpuestos sobre las ventas queen marzo sumaron a 1.87 mil

millones de dó-lares.

“(Es) un aumen-to del 16.9 por cien-to comparado amarzo de 2011”,aclara Combs en elcomunicado.

La Contraloría de Texas envi-ará un monto total de 488.7 mil-lones de dólares en distribu-ciones por los impuestos sobrelas ventas de abril a las ciu-dades, condados, sistemas detránsito y distritos imponiblesde propósito especial, con un au-mento de 17 por ciento compara-do a abril de 2011.

Al comparar el presente mesdel 2011 con el 2012, se observaun alza general en distribu-ciones.

Por ejemplo, para las ciudadirán 321.8 millones de dólares,que comparado con el año pasa-do es un aumento del 15.1%; pa-

ra los condados se destinarán32.8 millones, que en compara-ción es aumento del 22.8%; 110.1millones de dólares se destina-rán a los sistemas de tránsito,un aumento del 15% comparadocon el 2011; y un total de 24.1millones de dólares serán paradistritos imponibles de propósi-tos especial, lo que representaun aumento del 35.6% en compa-ración con el 2011.

En el caso de Laredo, este mesrecibirá 2, 843,196.01 dólares; enel 2011 recibió 2, 515,516.91 dó-lares.

Las cifras de los impuestossobre las ventas representan lasventas ocurridas en febrero.

Para detalles acerca de los pa-gos de los impuestos sobre lasventas en abril a ciudades, con-dados, sistemas de tránsito y dis-tritos de propósito especial indi-viduales, visite http://www.win-dow.state.tx.us/taxinfo

Distribuyenrecaudaciones

TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

COMBS

A pesar de que el plazo de presenta-ción de impuestos este año es mástarde que de costumbre, el 17 de abril,muchos contribuyentes podrían neces-itar más tiempo para presentar su de-claración de impuestos. Si necesitatiempo adicional, puede obtener unaprórroga automática del IRS que le da-rá seis meses para declarar.

Aquí hay siete cosas importantesque usted necesita saber sobre la solic-itud de una prórroga:

Presente su declaración de impuestosaunque no pueda pagar. Si ya hizo su de-claración pero no puede pagar la canti-dad de impuestos debida, no soliciteuna prórroga. Presente su declaracióna tiempo y pague lo más que pueda.Para pagar el saldo por Internet solic-ite un acuerdo de pago, usando la solic-itud en Online Payment Agreement(OPA) en http://www.irs.gov o envíe elFormulario 9465-SP, Plan de Pagos aPlazos, con su declaración. Si usted nopuede hacer los pagos, llame al IRS al800-829-1040 para discutir sus opciones.

Tiempo adicional para presentar su de-claración de impuestos. Una prórroga ledará tiempo adicional para presentarsu declaración de impuestos al IRS, pe-ro no extiende el tiempo que tiene parapagar cualquier impuesto adeudado.Usted tendrá que pagar intereses sobrecualquier cantidad no pagada para lafecha límite del 17 de abril, además deque puede deber multas.

Formulario para presentar. Soliciteuna prórroga para presentar mediantela presentación del Formulario4868(SP), Solicitud de Prórroga Auto-mática de Tiempo para Presentar unaDeclaración Individual de Impuestosde EU, al IRS. Deben tener el matasel-los del 17 de abril de 2012. Tambiénpuede realizar un pago de prórrogaelectrónico con tarjeta de crédito. Paraobtener más información acerca de lospagos de prórroga con tarjeta de crédi-to, vea el Formulario 4868.

Prórroga por medio de e-file. Ustedpuede solicitar una prórroga electrón-icamente usando software de prepara-ción de impuestos desde su propiacomputadora o con un preparador deimpuestos que tenga el software. ElIRS le informará sobre el recibo de lasolicitud si presenta por computadora.Usted deberá solicitar la prórroga has-ta la medianoche del 17 de abril de2012. El IRS le enviará el acuse de reci-bo si solicitó electrónicamente su prór-roga.

Free-File Tradicional y Formularios Rel-lenables de Free File. Usted puede usarambas opciones gratuitas para solic-itar una prórroga. Obtenga acceso a lapágina de Free File visitando: http://www.irs.gov.

Retiro electrónico de los fondos. Siusted pide una prórroga a través de lacomputadora, también puede optar porpagar su deuda al autorizar un retiroelectrónico de fondos de una cuentacorriente o de ahorros. Solo necesitaráel número de ruta y cuenta bancaria.Para más información sobre éstos yotros métodos de pago, visite el sitio of-icial del IRS: http://www.irs.gov ollame al 800-TAX-1040 (800)-829-1040 ex-tensión 8 para ayuda en español.

Cómo conseguir los formularios. ElFormulario 4868(SP) está disponiblepara bajar del sitio Web del IRS opuede conseguirlo en la oficina localdel IRS.

IRS avisacómo pedir

prórrogaPOR IRMA TREVIÑO

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

WASHINGTON — Losprecios de la gasoli-na volvieron a subiren marzo, aunque

con menos fuerza, lo que mantu-vo la inflación en Estados Uni-dos en una tónica generalmentemanejable, según las autori-dades.

El índice de precios al consu-midor aumentó en marzo un0,3%, informó el viernes el De-partamento del Trabajo, frenteal 0,4% en febrero.

Con la exclusión de la energíay los alimentos, bienes de uti-lización masiva, la llamada in-flación subyacente aumentó enmarzo un 0,2%.

InflaciónLa inflación ha disminuido y

las autoridades confían en queseguirá siendo baja, tras alcan-zar el año pasado el 3,9%.

La inflación subyacente haaumentado un 2,3% en los últi-mos 12 meses, frente al objetivodel 2% de la Reserva Federal.

Los precios son “benignos yseguramente lo seguirán siendopor algún tiempo”, dijo el econo-mista Ian Shepherdson, de la fir-ma High Frequency Economics.

Una inflación baja permite alos consumidores mayores gas-tos discrecionales, lo que fomen-ta el crecimiento económico yconcede a la Fed mayor ampli-tud para mantener bajas las ta-sas de interés.

Los precios de la gasolina si-

guen siendo caros y en marzoaumentaron un 1,7% frente al6% de febrero.

La semana pasada, el preciopromedio por galón (3,79 litros)de gasolina bajó 4 centavos a3,90 dólares.

Pese al aumento de la contra-tación laboral, el desempleosigue siendo elevado y pocos tra-bajadores reciben ahora aumen-tos salariales. Por ello, muchosdetallistas no pueden cobrarmás sin correr el riesgo de per-der clientes y ventas.

Los precios de los alimentosvolvieron a subir el mes pasadopero van camino de moderarsetras los espectaculares aumentosdel año pasado.

Una inflación baja puede ben-eficiar la economía, ya que ani-ma a las empresas y consumi-dores a invertir y gastar más yantes. De otro modo, la inflaciónreduciría su poder adquisitivo.

SalariosEmpero, pocos trabajadores

han recibido aumentos sala-riales, por lo que el repunte dela inflación, por modesto que

sea, es un desafío para casi to-dos los estadounidenses. El pro-medio salarial por hora, ajusta-do por la inflación, bajó por ter-cer mes consecutivo, anunció elviernes el departamento.

El presidente de la Fed, BenBernanke, ha reconocido que elencarecimiento de la gasolinaha fomentado la inflación, perocree que se trata de un fenóme-no temporal.

El encarecimiento de las ca-mionetas pickup contribuyó másde un tercio al aumento de la in-flación subyacente. La alimenta-ción se disparó otro 0,2%, debidoespecialmente al alza en los pre-cios de verduras y hortalizas.

La contención de la inflaciónpermite a la Reserva Federalmantener en casi cero sus tasasde interés a corto plazo hasta fi-nales del 2014.

En los últimos 12 meses, losprecios al por mayor han au-mentado un 2,8%, la menorcuantía desde junio del 2010,frente al 7,1% del pasado julio,cuando el encarecimiento de lagasolina y los alimentos fue larazón principal del alza. En elmismo periodo la inflación sub-yacente aumentó un 2,9%.

María Harris llena su tanque de gasolina en una estación Chevron, a finales de marzo, en Richardson. Así como en todoTexas, el precio por galón de gasolina ha alcanzado el precio de 3.90 dólares por galón.

Foto por Tony Gutiérrez | Associated Press

SUBE Y BAJASigue en alza costo de gasolina en EU

POR CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABERASSOCIATED PRESS Una inflación baja permite a los

consumidores mayores gastosdiscrecionales, lo que fomenta elcrecimiento económico y concede a laFed mayor amplitud para mantenerbajas las tasas de interés.

DALLAS — Cuadrillas de manteni-miento despejaban rutas el jueves des-pués de una tormenta en la que auto-movilistas quedaron atrapados entreuna capa de granizo que alcanzaba unaaltura entre la cintura y los hombros.

Era tal la acumulación de granizoque fue necesario utilizar topadoras pa-ra despejarla.

“Fue una locura”, dijo el meteorólo-go Justyn Jackson acerca de la extrañatormenta que se produjo el miércolespor la tarde. El granizo era “muy pe-queño” pero abundante en una zonaconcentrada y alcanzó alturas de hasta1,25 metros (cuatro pies).

La tormenta se produjo en una zonarural, principalmente de ranchos, 40kilómetros (25 millas) al norte de Ama-rillo. El agua de lluvia empapó la tierrareseca y el granizo se mezcló rápida-mente para formar barro sobre lacarretera 287, dijo el comisario del con-dado de Potter, Brian Thomas.

La ruta fue cerrada desde la tardedel miércoles hasta el jueves por la ma-ñana y los servicios de emergencia re-cibieron pedidos de auxilio.

Sorprendetormenta

de granizoASSOCIATED PRESS

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES National SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY — Inan unusually early andstrong warning, nationalweather forecasters cau-tioned Friday that condi-tions are ripe for violenttornadoes to rip throughthe nation from Texas toMinnesota this weekend.

As states across the mid-dle of the country preparedfor the worst, storms werealready kicking off in Nor-man, Okla., where a twisterwhizzed by the nation’s fore-casting headquarters butcaused little damage.

It was only the secondtime in U.S. history that theStorm Prediction Center is-sued a high-risk warningmore than 24 hours in ad-vance, said Russ Schneider,director of the center, whichis part of the NationalWeather Service. The firsttime was in April 2006,when nearly 100 tornadoestore across the southeasternU.S., killing a dozen peopleand damaging more than1,000 homes in Tennessee.

This weekend’s outbreakcould be a “high-end, life

threatening event,” the cen-ter said.

The strongly wordedmessage came after the Na-tional Weather Service an-nounced last month that itwould start using terms like“mass devastation,” “unsur-vivable” and “catastrophic”in warnings in an effort toget more people to takeheed. It said it would testthe new warnings in Kan-sas and Missouri before de-ciding whether to expandthem to other parts of thecountry.

Friday’s warning, despitethe dire language, was notpart of that effort but justthe most accurate way todescribe what was expected,a weather service spokeswo-man said.

It’s possible to issue earli-er warnings because im-provements in storm model-ing and technology are let-ting forecasters predictstorms earlier and withgreater confidence, saidChris Vaccaro, a spokesmanfor the National WeatherService. In the past, peopleoften have had only minutesof warning when a sirenwent off.

“We’re quite sure tomor-row will be a very busy anddangerous day in terms oflarge swathes of central andsouthern plains,” Vaccarosaid. “The ingredients arecoming together.”

The worst weather is ex-pected to develop late Satur-day afternoon between Ok-lahoma City and Salina,Kan., but other areas alsocould see severe stormswith baseball-sized hail andwinds of up to 70 miles perhour, forecasters said. Thewarning issued Friday cov-ers parts of Illinois, Iowa,Kansas, Missouri, Nebras-ka, Oklahoma and Texas.

The weather service con-firmed a tornado toucheddown about 4 p.m. Fridaynear the University of Okla-homa campus in Norman,where it is based. Non-es-sential personnel at thestorm center and studentswere ordered to take shelter,officials said.

Video from television hel-icopters showed severalbuildings damaged in thecity of about 100,000 about20 miles south of OklahomaCity, but Oklahoma Depart-ment of Emergency Man-

agement spokeswoman KeliCain said there were no re-ports of serious injuries.

“This is just a fraction ofwhat’s to come tomorrow,”Vaccaro warned.

Storms were developingas cold air from the west hitlow-level moisture comingup from the Gulf of Mexico.The difference in wind di-rection and speed was creat-ing instability in the atmo-sphere that can spawn tor-nadoes, said Scott Curl,another weather servicemeteorologist.

Emergency managementofficials in Kansas and Ok-lahoma warned residents tostay updated on weather de-velopments and create aplan for where they andtheir families would go if atornado developed.

“We know it’s a Saturdayand that people are going tobe out and about, so stayweather aware,” Cain said.“Have your cell phone onyou, keep it charged andmake sure you’re checkingthe weather so you don’t getcaught off guard.”

People also should put to-gether an emergency kitthat includes a pair of boots,rain gear, flashlight, battery-operated radio, first-aid kitand a few days’ supply offood and water.

“It seems like it’s kind ofa big deal this time,” saidMonte Evans, a 42-year-oldmiddle school teacher inWichita, Kan., who said heplanned to keep a close eyeon the weather and takeshelter in his basementwith his wife and four chil-dren if tornadoes hit.

This map issued Friday shows a high risk of severe weather in Kansas and Oklahoma today. Forecasterssay there is a 60 percent chance of tornadoes, high wind and hail within 25 miles of a point in an areafrom Salina, Kan., to Oklahoma City. Also, in the area marked with dashed lines, there is a 10 percentor greater chance that storms within 25 miles of a point could be significant.

Photo by NOAA | AP

Forecasters: Storms‘life threatening’

By SEAN MURPHYASSOCIATED PRESS

MODESTO, Calif. — Thebody of a man suspected ofgunning down a deputyand a locksmith when theytried to serve eviction pa-pers was discovered Fridayin the rubble of an apart-ment that was gutted byfire during a standoff withauthorities.

Police said it could takeweeks to identity thecharred remains found af-ter the blaze collapsed thesecond floor

Property records showJames Ferrario, 45, lived atthe address in the Whisper-ing Woods development.

Jonathon Mullinix, 20, aneighbor, said Ferrario wasreserved and often kept tohimself.

He had told Mullinix heworked for a private securi-ty company and had hand-guns, rifles and shotguns.Mullinix said Ferrario alsohad several security cam-eras in windows of hishouse.

“He seemed like some-one who wanted to be leftalone,” Mullinix said.

The Modesto Bee news-paper said the Ferrarioproperty had fallen behindon payments on a $15,000Bank of America mortgagetaken out in 2003. The prop-erty owner also appears tohave defaulted on $13,406owed to the WhisperingWoods Community Associ-ation.

The association fore-closed on the condo lastyear, followed by a bankforeclosure in December,the newspaper reported.

R&T Financial Inc. isnow the property’s legalowner, according to countyrecords. The AssociatedPress could not find aphone listing for the com-pany.

After getting clearance

from fire officials, investi-gators spent Friday after-noon searching the rubblefor evidence in the case. Po-lice spokesman OfficerChris Adams would not sayif any weapons had beenfound.

The standoff beganThursday morning after aman opened fire as author-ities tried to serve the evic-tion notice.

At one point during thestandoff, police broke thewindows of the apartmentwith bean bag shots andfired flash-bang grenadesand tear gas. Authoritiesevacuated nearby residentsin the development of frees-tanding buildings, each di-vided into four apartments.

Around 9 p.m., six offi-cers rushed toward theapartment, the Bee report-ed. Sharp bangs from con-cussive devices were heardfor more than an hour, andofficers used loudspeakersto communicate with theman to pick up the phone.No one came out.

As police shot the flash-bang grenades, they couldsee the apartment lights be-ing turned on and off, con-firming someone was in-side, Adams said.

It was not clear how thefire began, but the Bee re-ported the sheriff has ac-knowledged flash-bang de-vices and tear gas couldhave been responsible.

Officials identified thedeputy killed as Robert Pa-ris, 53, and the civilian asGlendon David Engert, 35,of Modesto.

Paris, a 16-year veteranof the department, is sur-vived by his parents, abrother and two adult chil-dren.

Law enforcement offi-cers said it’s not unusual tohave a civilian, such as alocksmith, brought alongduring the service of aneviction notice.

People stand outside the area where a Stanislaus County deputyand a civilian were killed when gunfire broke out as authorities triedto serve an eviction notice at an apartment complex on Thursdaymorning in Modesto, Calif.

Photo by Joan Barnett Lee | AP

Suspect’s bodyfound after

fiery standoffBy TRACIE CONE

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Afederal judge ruled Fri-day that the NationalLabor Relations Boardcannot require millionsof private employers toput up posters inform-ing workers of theirright to form a union.

U.S. District JudgeDavid Norton in SouthCarolina said the laborboard exceeded con-gressional authoritywhen it approved theposter requirement lastyear.

The decision Fridayconflicts with a rulinglast month by anotherfederal judge in Wash-ington, D.C., who foundthe posters were a rea-sonable means to makeworkers aware of collec-tive bargaining rights.

Both lawsuits werebrought by businessgroups that claim theposters are too one-sid-ed in favor of unions.The labor board con-tends the posters sim-ply explain workers’rights and protections

under federal labor law.NLRB spokeswoman

Nancy Cleeland said attor-neys were reviewing thedecision and had no im-mediate comment. Therule was supposed to takeeffect on April 30.

While the board is ex-pected to appeal the SouthCarolina decision, it is un-clear whether it will con-tinue to enforce the rulein other jurisdictions.

“We would hope theywould suspend the regula-tion until all these legaluncertainties can be sort-ed out,” said Randel John-son, the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce’s vice presi-dent on labor issues.

Labor unions hadpraised the rule, sayingmany workers are un-aware of their legal rightto organize.

In his ruling Friday,Norton said the power tomake employers post no-

tices explaining the lawmust come from Congress,but the National Labor Re-lations Act grants no suchpower to the labor board.By contrast, Congress didgive that power to otheragencies, including thosethat regulate employment

discrimination and work-place safety.

Norton also found ittelling that the boardwent 75 years without re-quiring such a notice“but it has now decided toflex its newly discoveredrulemaking muscles.”

Judge: Union posters not requiredBy SAM HANANELASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — A Texas Su-preme Court advisoryboard on Friday debatedforms intended to make iteasier and less expensivefor poor Texans to get di-vorced — hearing fromproponents who say theforms would make the le-gal system more accessi-ble, and attorneys’ groupswho argue family law istoo complicated to managewithout a lawyer.

Last year, the court cre-ated a task force to designforms so that people whocan’t afford attorneyscould participate in legalproceedings, such as filingfor divorces, especially insimple cases involving nochildren and few assets.

Texas is one of just 13states where couples can’tsimply fill out a court-ap-proved form and file for di-vorce.

But the State Bar ofTexas has opposed the pro-posed forms — arguingthat family law is too com-plex and expressing con-cern that allowing peopleto practice it themselvescould encourage them totackle other legal endeav-ors on their own.

The task force present-ed its proposed forms tothe full advisory board,which spent hours debat-ing them. It’s unclear, how-ever, whether memberswill vote to approve themto the Supreme Court.And, whether they formal-ly approve the forms ornot, the court will still

consider the forms on itsown.

Patricia McAllister, ex-ecutive director of the Tex-as Access to Justice Com-mission, said 6 millionTexans qualify for court-assisted legal aid but thereare only enough pro bonoattorneys and other legalgroups to assist about 20percent of them. She saidthat even if every licensedlawyer in the state agreedto represent a low-incomeclient for free, only about40 percent of demandwould be met.

“What you’re seeing isthat there are more peoplewho are coming to thecourthouse to representthemselves because theycan’t get help through le-gal aid and they cannot af-ford a lawyer,” said McAl-

lister, whose group wascreated in 2001 with thesupport of the state Su-preme Court and the statebar.

Do-it-yourself legalforms are available forpurchase on the Internetor at Office Depot — butthey sometimes are not ad-missible in Texas courts.Steve Bresnen, a lobbyistfor the Texas Family LawFoundation, suggested thetask force’s proposedforms may not hold up incourt either.

Both Bresnen and TomVick, speaking on behalfof the state bar, bristled atsuggestions that attorneysaround the state opposethe forms because theycould ultimately lead todecreased income for fam-ily law lawyers.

Court debates divorce formsBy WILL WEISSERTASSOCIATED PRESS

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

Yolanda De Los Santos,55, passed away Sunday,April 8, 2012, at LaredoMedical Center in Laredo.

Mrs. De Los Santos ispreceded in death by herparents Juan and TimoteaGonzalez; and a brother-in-law, Armando Ortiz.

Mrs. De Los Santos issurvived by her husband,Pedro De Los Santos Jr.;son, Ricardo (Clara) De LosSantos; daughters: Diana(Rudy) Martinez, Erissela(Herasmo) Martinez andYuri De Los Santos (RafaelIsquierdo); grandchildren:Christian, Jocelyn, Diane-lie, Adeley De Los Santos,Rudy Jr., Rene Martinez,Amarili Martinez and Ya-ritza L. De Los Santos;brothers: Mario (Graciela)Gonzalez and Enrique (Me-lissa) Gonzalez; and sister,Graciela Ortiz; and by nu-merous nephews, niecesand many friends.

Visitation hours wereheld Tuesday, April 10,2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.with a wake at 7 p.m. atRose Garden FuneralHome.

A chapel service washeld Wednesday, April 11,2012, at 10 a.m. at RoseGarden Funeral Home.Committal services fol-lowed at Zapata CountyCemetery.

Funeral arrangementswere under the direction ofRose Garden FuneralHome, Daniel A. Gonzalez,funeral director, 2102 U.S.83, Zapata.

YOLANDA DE LOS SANTOS

fined as “acts of violence,” in which trans-national criminal organizations have beeninvolved. Two of those were in WebbCounty.

On Feb. 18, 2011, two electric companyemployees reported that they were assault-ed and robbed in rural Webb County. OnMarch 11, suspected drug cartel membersopened fire and wounded a ranch foremannear a Webb County ranch.

“The bottom line is our border is not se-cure. What we have are transnationalcriminal organizations basing their oper-ations in a foreign country and deployingmilitary-type incursions on American soil.And our president indicates this is okayby saying we are more secure today?” Sta-ples testified.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

BORDER Continued from Page 1A

as authorized by law, documents state. The plaintiffs allege that J. Moss stole

water from a freshwater pond locatedon the premises, and over the course ofthe lease, pumped oil and gas waste intothe lake and nearby areas.

“There is evidence that J. Moss violat-ed the restrictions contained in its per-mits by disposing of high saline contentmaterials, voltaic organic compounds,

and by operating the tank and washoutoperation,” the petition continues, al-luding to potential contamination ofrainfall runoff into other areas at thesite.

Although originally scheduled to go totrial Mar. 16, Lopez ordered the hearingto continue Monday.

(Stephanie Ibarra may be reached at728-2547 or sibarra@lmtonline.com)

HEARING Continued from Page 1A

The Millers opened God’sKin restaurant last month.A percentage of each of therestaurant’s transactions,from a glass of Coca-Cola toa Porterhouse steak, goes toa donation fund for charityorganizations.

The donations go to theSt. Jude Children’s Re-search Hospital, the Nation-al Association for DownSyndrome, King’s WayChurch Food Pantry andJourney to Recovery, a localorganization that helpsdrug addicts.

So when you buy some ofthe restaurant’s fried greentomatoes, you’re being agood Samaritan all thewhile.

Andrew describes the res-taurant’s menu as a mid-point between down-homeand gourmet. He wantsGod’s Kin’s dishes to reflecta country spirit but with atouch of high-end dining.

“We’re taking southerntraditional food, and we’reputting a gourmet twist toit,” he said.

The restaurant’s logo fea-tures a silhouette of a pigwith wings. As the sayinggoes, certain things aren’tpossible until pigs fly.

One of the things theMillers wanted to make areality in their business

was to create a workplaceculture in which the em-ployees felt valued.

For one, the Millers don’tmake any money from theirrestaurant. That all goes topaying 17 employees, dona-tions to nonprofits and gen-eral restaurant expenses,including rent.

At God’s Kin, employeeshave a say in things. Thecooks are given creative li-cense, not to completely al-ter dishes but to add tothem. Front-of-the-houseemployees contribute ideasto improve the atmosphereof the restaurant.

“Everybody is really justcontributing as a team,”Andrew said.

God’s Kin is perhaps theonly restaurant in Zapatafocusing on Southern food.Andrew said until now se-lection has been limited tomostly Tex-Mex. He said heloves fajitas as much as thenext Texan, but he wantshis restaurant to give peo-ple in Zapata options.

Andrew remembers driv-ing around in Zapata in thecold and craving chili, butthere wasn’t a restaurant intown that served it.

“We wanted to createsomething here so that peo-ple don’t have to drive allthe way to Laredo,” he said.

The Millers also want toadd to the entertainment inZapata. They hope to injectmore country music offer-ings into the scene of most-ly Tejano performers. A liveband plays at the restaurantevery Friday beginning at 8p.m.

For now, one percent ofthe restaurant’s transac-tions go to the donationfund. Andrew said that last

month, that amounted to$500 despite start-up costsfor the restaurant.

The Millers said theywant to increase that per-centage as the businessmoves forward.

They said each organiza-tion helps a cause that isclose to their hearts. BothAndrew and Lili have fam-ily members with downsyndrome, they said.

Andrew’s father is a pas-tor at King’s Way Church.Andrew works through thechurch to mentor teenagersin the juvenile probationsystem.

Andrew said the restau-rant’s motivation lies not inincreasing its own revenuebut in donating more mon-ey to charitable causes.

Andrew said jokinglythat maybe one day he’ll

make a couple of dollarsfrom his restaurant. For theMillers, though, that isn’tthe point.

“I can’t picture doing thisfor money only,” Lili said.“There would be no rewardin that for me.”

For more information, goto www.gods-kin.com.

(JJ Velasquez may bereached at 728-2567 or jjve-lasquez@lmtonline.com)

RESTAURANT Continued from Page 1A

A percentage of each of the transactions at God’s Kin, from a glass of Coca-Cola to a Porterhouse steak, goes to a donation fund for char-ity organizations.

Photo by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times

WASHINGTON — Pres-suring Mitt Romney ontaxes, President BarackObama’s campaign re-re-leased more than a decadeof tax records Friday, a po-litical maneuver designedto pressure the Republicanpresidential candidate todivulge tax records beyondtwo years and to stop “hid-ing” details of his hugepersonal wealth.

Obama’s own tax returnfor last year showed thathe and his wife paid$162,074 in federal taxes on$789,674 in adjusted grossincome, an effective taxrate of 20.5 percent. Theirincome plunged from $1.7million in 2010, with de-clining sales of the presi-dent’s books. In 2009, theObamas reported incomeof $5.5 million, fueled bythe best-selling books.

Romney’s campaign hasprojected he will pay more

than $6.2 million in taxeson $45 million in income in2010 and 2011 but has notreleased tax informationprior to the past two years.Romney is expected to pay15.4 percent in federal tax-es for 2011 on income most-ly derived from invest-ments, based on his tax es-timate for the year.

Romney on Friday askedfor an extension for the ac-tual filing of his 2011 re-turn, as he has in the past,and his campaign said hewould file and release thatreturn before the Novem-ber election.

Obama’s campaign re-re-leased tax documents dat-ing back to 2000 with theaim of forcing Romney torelease a similar trove. ARomney spokeswomanshot back that Obama wassaddled with a terrible re-cord on job creation andwas trying to distractAmericans “with a seriesof sideshows.”

Obama’s 20.5 percent tax

rate for 2011 was a bit low-er than the average for afamily in their incomerange, but higher than therate paid by most Ameri-cans. The Obamas helpedlower their tax bill by mak-ing $172,130 in charitabledonations, which were themajority of their itemizeddeductions.

Families making be-tween $500,000 and $1 mil-lion will pay an average of24.3 percent of their in-come in federal taxes for2011, according to projec-tions by the Tax PolicyCenter, a nonpartisanWashington think tank. Bycomparison, families mak-ing between $50,000 and$75,000 will pay an averageof 12 percent, while fam-ilies making between$75,000 and $100,000 willpay an average of 15.5 per-cent.

By contrast, the top ratefor taxpayers with high in-comes derived from wagesis 35 percent.

Obama campaign man-ager Jim Messina saidRomney’s “defiance of dec-ades of precedent set bypresidential candidates onboth sides of the aisle, in-cluding his own father,begs the question — whatdoes he have to hide?”

Former Michigan Gov.George Romney released 12years of tax documentswhen he sought the 1968GOP presidential nomina-tion.

Mitt Romney had notpledged to do the same. Asfor this year, his spokeswo-man said the former Mas-sachusetts governor would“release his full 2011 re-turn when it is filed.”

Obama and Romney areboth at different incomelevels than most Ameri-cans.

Republicans noted thatObama’s annual earningsof less than $1 millionwould help him avoid be-ing affected by the so-called “Buffett rule.”

Obama pays $162,074 in taxesBy KEN THOMAS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

FORT DAVIS — Once-majestic cottonwood treesin Ginger McGough’s frontyard now look as if some-one scorched them with agigantic blowtorch.

The blackened trees, to-wering 40 to 50 feet high,remind McGough of thefast-moving 20-foot wall offire that destroyed herchildhood house and barnon April 9, 2011.

It’s a fire Fort Davis, atourist town of 1,000 peoplein the Davis Mountainsthree hours southeast of ElPaso, is still trying to for-get.

For McGough, the heart-ache is finally over. Fourdays ago, friends and vol-unteers helped her moveinto a 1,650-square- footready-built house withthree bedrooms and twobaths.

“I was very lucky,” shesaid.

McGough’s optimism isevident across Fort Davis ayear after a wildfire of his-toric proportions burned 25houses and two businesses,killed at least 150 head ofcattle and nine horses, andscorched more than 314,000acres of grassland in JeffDavis County. No peoplewere lost.

Some homeowners havestarted fresh lives inhouses rebuilt with assist-ance from the Jeff DavisCounty Relief Fund, a non-profit foundation organizedbefore the fires burned out.

Others still hope andpray for the next big rain,the still elusive rain thatranchers say they desper-ately need to stay in thecattle business in far WestTexas.

The fire started April 9in an unoccupied structure,known as the Rock House,a mile west of Marfa. Itburned for 23 days, in-volved firefighters fromacross the United Statesand cost more than $8 mil-

lion to fight, according tothe Texas Forest Service.

Ranchers who lost fencesand grasslands still strug-gle with the same extreme-ly dry conditions that alongwith strong winds helpedpropel the fire, describedby state officials as thethird-worst in Texas histo-ry.

By some estimates, thetourist trade dropped by 40to 50 percent after the fire.Fort Davis has a state park,a reconstructed Army cav-alry outpost and the McDo-nald Observatory.

McGough, a Texas Parksand Wildlife Departmentemployee, had no insur-ance. A friend lent her ahouse until she could getback on her feet.

McGough cries everytime she mentions the re-lief fund that helped her re-place the rock and adobehouse her grandfatherbuilt. Her parents at onepoint also lived in thehouse, the same house inwhich McGough and adaughter were married.

The wildfire burned 80percent of the grass andtrees and ruined 15 miles offence on Mac Sproul’s16,000-acre ranch north ofFort Davis. The ranch hasbeen in the family since1886.

“We weren’t hit near asbad as some of these peoplein town,” Sproul said. “Wetake it a day at a time. Un-til we get some good rain,it’s just a bad, sad deal.”

Sproul sold most of his200 cattle. He said he’s ex-tremely grateful he re-ceived assistance from thecounty relief fund and theU.S. Department of Agricul-ture. Other ranchersshipped their cattle to fee-dlots or pastures in otherstates.

Sproul estimates the tri-county area — Jeff Davis,Presidio and Brewster —probably now has only 20percent of the cattle thatranchers had a year ago.

“I’m ready to not be in

the cattle business, so it’snot that big a deal for me,”he said. “But some of theseguys are still having tocount on it to make a liv-ing.”

Sproul estimates that re-placing burned or damagedfences throughout thecounty will cost millions. Itcosts a little under $2 a footand up to $3.50 a foot to dofencing in the sometimesrugged, mountain terrain.

To make ranching evenmore difficult, a bale of haythat cost $7 just a little overa year ago now costs $10.50to $22 dollars.

Donated hay and cowfeed arrived by the truck-load from other parts ofTexas, New Mexico andOklahoma to help rancherscope with the fire, whichultimately involved offi-cials at the county, stateand federal levels.

Sproul laments that al-most everything associatedwith cattle ranching hasdoubled in the past coupleof years except the marketprice of cattle.

Sproul worries the

threat of another bad firestill exists as long as itdoesn’t rain.

“What we need is somekind of a master plan to beready for the next fire, butI don’t see that happening,”Sproul said. “There are somany ranches that are nowabsentee-owned that arenot in the cattle businessanymore. So the grass justgrows and grows and waitsto burn. That’s just goingto become a worsening sit-uation as we go forward.”

The scars are very visi-ble in the 100-year-oldMcKnight family house, ahistoric dwelling surround-ed by huge cottonwoodtrees, some still standing asburned and black skele-tons.

Owner Bobby McKnightsaid he plans to rebuild theonce-familiar Fort Davislandmark.

Not far away, a welcomesign is still posted at thegate into Jerry and JeanieYarbrough’s once-pictur-esque property. The Yar-broughs moved to San An-gelo after their house

burned. The property is forsale.

Editor Bob Dillard of theMountain Dispatch weeklynewspaper runs a weekly“pray for rain” message inthe newspaper. Dillard hasalso been urging hisfriends and neighbors tosign up for a new reverse911 program designed tonotify more people in emer-gencies.

“We came together as acommunity. It has causedus to be more alert. But wedon’t feel whole again,” Dil-lard said. “Unfortunately,we haven’t had the rain.There’s still no grass, noth-ing to feed the cattle. It’spitiful from that stand-point.”

Carolyn Miller andAdele Coffey of the Jeff Da-vis County Relief Fundsaid seven families were re-established in new homesand at least five ranchershave received some assist-ance so far.

The fund is still active,but officials said they willnot disclose how muchmoney was raised until

some point in the future.Donors from across Texasand the United States alsogave everything from furni-ture to appliances, food andclothes. Surplus clothingwas donated to tornado vic-tims in Arkansas.

Mennonites and othergroups brought in heavyequipment to help clear therubble.

Relief-fund managerswere criticized for notrushing money to fire vic-tims.

“It was important forpeople to feel secure thattheir money was beingspent correctly,” Millersaid. “We don’t have a nat-ural disaster here very of-ten. But we’re proud thefund made a huge differ-ence in some of the peo-ple’s lives.”

One of those recipientsis Hortensia Rodriguez,who relied on the fund andfundraisers done by herfive children and others topay for a double-wide trail-er that replaced the burnedhouse she and her husbandManuel had occupied for 50years.

“We’ve come a long way,but it’s not the same,” shesaid. “It’s very hard to loseeverything you had formore than 50 years. But atleast we have our lives.”

A huge satellite imagedepicting the enormouswildfire decorates a wall atthe Fort Davis VolunteerFire Department. The de-partment is also selling acommemorative coin andpin.

“It was a pretty intensefire. Six months later, westill had cottonwood treesthat were smoldering,” saidPat Olivas, a lifelong resi-dent and wild line captain.“The people here came to-gether like family.”

Fire Marshal StewartBillingsley figures the RockHouse fire was an eye-opener for many peoplewho thought a fire of thatmagnitude could not hap-pen in Jeff Davis County.

Fort Davis recovering year after firesBy RAMON RENTERIA

EL PASO TIMES

Ginger McGough, right, looks at the living room area of her hew home with friend Adele Coffey in FortDavis, on April 5. For McGough, whose home burned down in the wildfires last April, heartache is finallyover. A few days ago, friends and volunteers helped her move into a 1,650-square-foot ready-builthouse with three bedrooms and two baths.

Photo by Rudy Gutierrez/The El Paso Times | AP

Sports&OutdoorsSATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

The Zapata golf teams were swingingstrong last week, with stellar perform-ances at the District 32-3A tournament onTuesday at the Tierra Del Sol GolfCourse in Pharr.

The Lady Hawks overcame the ele-ments and upset defending district cham-pion Progreso to grab the District 32-3A

championship.Zapata held a six-stroke lead in the end

to dethrone the district champions andpunch a ticket to regionals.

“Progreso is always tough in golf, soour girls were really excited about reach-ing their goal,” Zapata coach Clyde Guer-ra Jr. said.

Leanna Saenz, Leann Hughes, JesseniaGarza, and Kysta Lozano combined for atotal score of 449 to capture the team title.

BoysThe Hawks, too, are headed to region-

als after their second place finish to PortIsabel — which captured the title by 12strokes.

The regional tournament will be heldin Corpus Christi on Monday and Tues-day with a trip to the state meet on the

HIGH SCHOOL GOLF

Hawks fly highGutierrez, Saenz win individual titles in district

The Lady Hawks were crowned district 32-3Achamps at this week’s district golf tournamentafter shooting a team score of 449.

Courtesy photo

By CLARA SANDOVALTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See GOLF PAGE 2B

Coaching requires animmense amount oftime and dedicationto witness the suc-cess inside a sport. It

takes coaches away from theirfamilies.

Many male coaches who aremarried have supportive wives,and vice versa.

But what happens if bothspouses are coaches and theyhave to deal with practices,games and children mixed inwith teaching and carving outquality time for each other?

Juan and Ana Villarreal are amarried couple facing just sucha dilemma as coaches for Zapataschools. They must balance theneeds of their growing children,J.J. Jr. (8 years old), Kiana (5years old) and Alizzandro (3years old) with the demands ofcoaching.

Ana, a sixth grade mathteacher at Zapata Middle, coach-es the eighth grade girls’ basket-ball, volleyball and track teams;while Juan, a special educationteacher at Zapata High, is thevarsity boys’ basketball coachand assistant track coach.

The Villarreals have to juggletheir well-orchestrated sched-ules to make their family work.

Ana’s season starts in Augustwith volleyball, basketball andtrack and finishes in mid-April,while Juan gets going in withbasketball season in Octoberand heads right into track untillate April.

The Villarreals have a com-mitment to their family and

know how important coachingis to each other, since both wereoutstanding athletes at ZapataHigh.

Ana played volleyball andbasketball and Juan was a starfootball player and comes from a

strong basketball family. Heplayed at Concordia Universityin Austin.

When the time came for themto choose a profession, the Vil-larreals naturally gravitated to-ward coaching.

After earning their college de-grees from Texas A&M Interna-tional University, the Villarrealstook teaching jobs with ZCISD.

While Ana coaches volleyball,

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

BALANCING POWERS

Juan and Ana Villarreal juggle the demands of marriage and parenting with the call of their coaching professions at theZapata middle and high schools.

Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times

Ana, JuanVillarreal do it all

By CLARA SANDOVALTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See FAMILY PAGE 2B

While passing throughZapata on my wayback from my home-town in the Rio

Grande Valley after Easter week-end, I stopped to interview coach-es Juan and Ana Villarreal.

During our conversation, theirconcerns about the lack of ele-mentary sports programs in Za-pata came up after talking aboutLaredo’s strong devotion to theelementary programs.

In Laredo, kids are engagedathletically before they even ar-rive at kindergarten. By the timethey get to the middle school lev-el, they have a great base of fun-damentals.

Currently there are no youthsports in Zapata other than theBoys and Girls Club, and thoseactivities are mostly going onduring the summer.

What about the rest of theyear?

Yes, there are Little Leagueand softball leagues that havehelped develop baseball and soft-ball talent at Zapata High, evi-denced by the high school’s cur-rent successes.

But what about volleyball, bas-ketball, football and even track?

Are there any programs in Za-pata for the kiddos out of the longsummer months?

None.Nada.Zero.Zilch.Zapata athletics — and general

health — would be helped by ele-mentary activities, just like those

“CLARA SANDOVALOVAL

Youthsportsneeded

See ELEMENTARY PAGE 2B

Zapata is putting its best foot forwardat the District 32-3A track meet that start-ed Thursday and continues to today.

Sophomore Jazmine Garcia continuedher success from the fall cross countryseason, when made a trip to the statemeet, by capturing the 3,200-meter run.

“Jazmine continued a streak of fiveyears of having the 3,200-meter champ(from Zapata),” Zapata long distancecoach Mike Villarreal said. “She finishedthird by two tenths at region last year —just missing state — so its a chance to getback and get into the mix and hope to

run. “She has been resting with some nag-

ging injuries, and yesterday was the firsttime she ran the two mile healthy sinceFebruary.”

Garcia has been a force since arrivingat Zapata two years ago when she made aname for herself on a team that was al-ready full of stars.

Despite the time away from the sport,Garcia was ready for the most importantmeet of the season — the district meet —and did not disappoint by notching agold-medal performance.

“She went out conservative and by lap

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELDZapata Lady Hawk Jaz-

mine Garcia did verywell in the 3,200-meter

run despite not beingable to compete sinceFebruary due to injury.

Courtesy photo

Hawks do well at District 32-3A meet

By CLARA SANDOVALTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See TRACK PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B Zscores SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

strong middle school programs help, espe-cially because the coaches have to workhard to get the kiddos up to par with therest.

Zapata needs leagues for the elementarychildren, but it won’t happen without a lotof parent volunteers donating their time tocoach their sons’ or daughters’ teams.

There are enough children in Zapata tomake a successful basketball or volleyballleague.

So why doesn’t Zapata have an elemen-tary track meet instead of the run-of-the-mill field day?

These are issues that have been long ig-nored in Zapata and the time has come tostart some grassroot leagues, but it is goingto take dedication and time to jumpstartthem in Zapata County.

Sometimes the argument is money. But

how much can it cost for the jersey? Maybeit costs $30 or $40 for nice uniforms for bas-ketball?

For volleyball you only need to buy thetop of the uniform, so the cost is slashed inhalf.

It is rare to find a varsity basketball play-er in Laredo who didn’t start their athleticcareer at the elementary level, typicallywith his or her mom or dad as coach.

People always complain there is nothingto do in Zapata, so why not do something tobring families closer together and, at thesame time, enhance their athletic abilitiesin preparation for the next step?

Zapata would benefit immensely fromthese leagues, so let’s turn those talks intoaction because, at the end of the day, it’s allabout the children and enhancing theirlives.

ELEMENTARY Continued from Page 1B

Juan is home tending to their children’sneeds; and when the opportunity arises,he takes the children to watch their moth-er’s games.

When both Ana and Juan are in season,Ana’s mother lends a hand with the chil-dren, becoming a pillar for the family’ssuccess.

Juan and Ana know they have demand-ing jobs, but enjoy being teachers, coachesand parents.

“We enjoy what we do, but sometimes it

can be overwhelming,” Juan said. “We al-ways want to make sure that we devotedtime to our families, our teams, and ourprofession.

“Our kids needs always come first, andthen everything else.”

At the end of the year, the Villarreals sitdown and discuss the possibility of givingup their coaching professions to spendmore time with their children, but the ath-letes in them always move them to givecoaching another year.

FAMILY Continued from Page 1B

three was in the lead,”Villarreal said. “Afterthat, she looked good butuncomfortable due to herlack of racing experiencethis season.”

Garcia finishes themeet with her favoritetwo events this weekend,the mile and the mile re-lay.

“The mile and mile re-lay (are events) sheloves,” Villarreal said“She runs the mile and

then, 10 minutes later,she’s anchoring our milerelay. She is a tough com-petitor.”

Garcia has her eyes seton earning a trip to state— something she missedlast year with a thirdplace finish.

“She realizes it will betough to get to state, butwith 14 days we can makea lot of strides and justget in the mix with twolaps to go and let ability,

strength and experiencetake over,” Villarreal said.

Also putting in greatperformances Thursdaywere Rafael Benavidezand Carlos Rodriguez,who placed second andthird, respectively, in the3,200-meter run to punchtheir tickets to the region-al meet.

Mike Alvarez capturedgold in the triple jumpand came in second inlong jump.

Rafael Benavides finished second and Carlos Rodriguez finished third in the 3,200-meter run tohelp lead the way to a regional run before possibly qualifying for the state meet.

Courtesy photo

TRACK Continued from Page 1B

line.“Both teams have done

better in past tourna-ments, I’m just extremelyproud of both of them foradvancing to the regionaltournament,” Guerra said.“Regionals will be a greatexperience. Golf is a gameof good days and bad days(and) I’m hoping we havetwo good days in CorpusChristi.”

Zapata also won a pairof individual honors whenSaenz captured the indi-vidual girls’ title and TonyGutierrez won the individ-ual boys’ title to completethe Hawks’ sweep.

Ricky Prado was a fifthplace medalists for theHawks.

Rounding out theHawks’ team was VictorGarza, Ramiro Torres andMatthew Lozano for a to-tal 409.

“Tony and Leanna didan excellent job underpressure. They practice ontheir short game on a dai-ly basis,” Guerra said.

Having accomplishedhis goal of earning a tripto regionals, Guerra re-flected on the success hisfirst year at the helm ofthe team and credited thetradition established bycoach David Saenz.

“It’s a great feeling,”Guerra said. “All the kidsare extremely deserving ofthis honor, I’m proud andhumbled to keep the suc-cess that coach DavidSaenz established as a tra-dition.”

The Zapata Boys’ golf team earned a second-place finish at this week’s district 32-3A golf tournament.

Courtesy photo

GOLF Continued from Page 1B

Zapata’s Tony Gutierrez and Leanna Saenz earned first place indi-vidual honors at this week’s district 32-3A golf tournament.

Courtesy photo

MANAMA, Bahrain — Protes-ters hurled firebombs and riotpolice fired tear gas Friday,hours after Formula One chiefBernie Ecclestone declared theGulf nation safe to host a GrandPrix race next week.

All 12 teams told Ecclestonethey were happy to travel to thetiny kingdom despite the politi-cal unrest. He said no extra safe-ty precautions were being put inplace.

“There’s nothing happening(in Bahrain),” Ecclestone said inShanghai before the ChineseGrand Prix. “I know people thatlive there and it’s all very quietand peaceful.”

But clashes broke out afterthe funeral of activist Ahmed Is-mail, who authorities say was

killed late last month by gunfireduring a protest, although it isstill unclear who fired the shots.

“No F1, no F1. ... They killedmy son in cold blood,” sobbed Is-mail’s mother, Makyia Ahmed,who said her son had been a vol-unteer at previous F1 races.

Protesters chanted anti-gov-ernment slogans and riot policeused tear gas and bird shot toclear the crowds. Several peoplewere injured by the bird-shotpellets.

The Grand Prix is the na-tion’s biggest sports event, draw-ing a worldwide TV audience ofabout 100 million in 187 coun-tries.

Organizers canceled lastyear’s Grand Prix after the out-break of violence, which has ledto at least 50 deaths. The crack-down by the Sunni-led govern-ment was imposed after Bah-

rain’s Shiite majority demandeda greater political voice.

Rights groups criticized thereinstatement of the race thisyear, and protesters have galvan-ized supporters by chantingagainst Formula One.

Amnesty Internationalwarned that “the human rightscrisis in Bahrain is not over.”The London-based group saidthat despite authorities’ claimsthat the country is calm andfree of political unrest, the“state violence against thosewho oppose the Al Khalifa fam-ily rule continues,” referring tothe family of the king.

“Holding the Grand Prix inBahrain in 2012 risks being in-terpreted by the government ofBahrain as symbolizing a returnto business as usual,” Amnesty’sstatement said.

A group calling itself the Feb.

14 Coalition — named for theanniversary of the uprising —says holding the race is “againstour wishes and the feelings ofthe people of Bahrain.”

Said Ecclestone: “We don’t getinvolved in politics in a country.We go to a country like we comehere. They will sort out their in-ternal problems, I’m quite sure.”

Firebombs prove Formula One wrong By REEM KHALIFA AND JUSTIN BERGMAN

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bahraini anti-government protesters react to tear gas fired by riot police Thursdayin Bilad al-Qadeem, Bahrain, on the edge of the capital of Manama, where clasheserupted after a march in support of jailed opposition political leaders.

Photo by Hasan Jamali | AP

FORT WORTH — The Busch Brothersare adding a new dynamic to their rela-tionship.

When Kurt Busch gets in the car forFriday night’s NASCAR Nationwiderace in Texas, where he ran in that se-ries for the first time and won six yearsago, it will be his debut driving foryounger brother Kyle’s new stock carteam.

“It is owner-driver, but it is brother-brother, and it’s unique with me havingthe upper hand on age,” 33-year-old KurtBusch said Thursday. “But I respect himfor the guts that he has to jump into thisendeavor, to be the owner.”

After the first of about 17 Nationwideraces driving for his brother, they willbe competitors again Saturday night inthe Sprint Cup race.

It was at Texas last November whenNASCAR barred 26-year-old Kyle Buschfrom driving for Joe Gibbs in the Cupand Nationwide races. That came afterBusch, driving the truck he owned, de-liberately wrecked championship con-tender Ron Hornaday Jr. during a cau-tion in the race that started a triplehead-er weekend.

Since NASCAR’s last trip to the 1 1/2-mile high-banked track, Kurt Busch haschanged Cup teams. He split withPenske Racing after six seasons in whatwas called a mutual parting of the waysand is with the new much smaller andless-funded Phoenix Racing team.

“Both teams that I’m with this yearare very unique circumstances,” he said.“We’ll have chances at winning in theNationwide car, we’re going to have toclaw and scrap and fight real hard withthe Cup car. But we’re going to have ouropportunities to have fun every week.”

After the Easter break, NASCAR re-sumes this weekend with the first sched-uled night Cup race of the season,

though not the first one. (Don’t forgetthat rain-postponed Daytona 500 thatwas run on a Monday night).

Greg Biffle, who has seven consecu-tive top-10 finishes in Texas and won atthe track in 2005, is the relaxed pointsleader.

Biffle took advantage of the time offwith a Bahamas vacation, chartering abig boat that he stayed on during theweek. It was peaceful, with crystal clearwater, pristine beaches and really noone else around.

“I haven’t been on a vacation in quitesome time like that,” Biffle said. “Man,I’m ready to go. I’m fired up. ... I’m pret-ty excited about getting going.”

Texas is the only Nationwide race ina four-week span. There have been twoweeks off in the second-tier series sinceits race at Fontana on March 24, andthere isn’t a race next week.

“It feels like it’s been a while. ... Easybreezy April,” said Danica Patrick, whois in her first full Nationwide season.

After the radiator was punctured bydebris, Patrick dropped out of the Cali-fornia race with engine trouble and fin-ished 35th. She completed only 63 of 150laps on the day before her 30th birthday.

“I was able to give myself plenty ofdistractions over the last couple ofweeks. ... A never-ending birthday par-ty,” Patrick said. “Breaks get me excitedto get back at it again. I think that’swhat it’s done.”

There was a party on her birthday,followed by trips to Cabo and NorthernCalifornia and a surprise party.

Patrick’s limited Sprint Cup schedulewith Tony Stewart’s team won’t haveher driving in Texas until the Novemberrace.

Missing from the Nationwide fieldthis weekend is Trevor Bayne, the No-vember winner who is fourth in pointsthis season. But a lack of sponsorshipforced Roush Fenway Racing to leave theNo. 60 car out of this race.

Busch Brothers worktogether in Texas

By STEPHEN HAWKINSASSOCIATED PRESS

DENNISTHE MENACE

DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES | HERE’S HOW TO WORK IT:

JUDGE PARKER

REXMORGAN M.D.

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

HINTS | BY HELOISE

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

Dear Readers: How toget rid of that slimy, blackgrime on a RUBBERBATHMAT? It’s as easyas 1, 2, 3! Fill your wash-ing machine with hot wa-ter and a glug or two ofbleach, and toss in themat. You might want toadd a couple of bleach-safe towels for scrubbingaction. Run the washerthrough its normal cycles,and let the mat air-dry.

To help prevent mildewfrom reappearing, be sureto pull up the mat afterEVERY shower and let itdry by hanging it over atowel rod, or attach it tothe wall.

Want to clean yourfeather duster? Head out-side with a heavyweightbag, the duster and a boxof cornstarch. Pop theduster and cornstarch in-to the bag, hold the bagclosed tightly and shakevigorously for about 30seconds. You can findthese and lots more mon-ey-saving hints in my He-loise’s Homemade Clean-ing Solutions pamphlet.To order, send $5 and along, self-addressed,stamped (65 cents) enve-lope to: Heloise/CleaningSolutions, P.O. Box 795001,San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. FYI: Sprinkle a bitof cornstarch in socks tokeep feet comfortable anddry, or in smelly tenniesor boots. — Heloise

PET PALDear Readers: Paul in

Hammond, Ind., sent apicture of his rat terrier,Hannah, surrounded byher dozens of bearfriends. You have to lookclosely to see Hannah! Ifyou’d like to try to findher and our other PetPals, visit www.Heloise-.com and click on “Pets.”— Heloise

EASY READHello, Heloise: I met

you last year in Houstonat the Cooking Show. Ihad the hint for wateringplants with ice cubes. Ireally enjoyed the get-to-gether and meeting you— it was the highlight ofmy year!

Here is my latest hint:I can’t see the level mark-ings on the inside of thecaps of laundry-detergentbottles. Before I use thetops, I mark the insidelines using black perma-nent marker on the light-colored caps, and whiteliquid paper on the dark-colored caps. Makes it somuch easier to put theright amount in eachload. — Marlene M.,Pearland, Texas

Hi, Marlene, it’s nice tohear from you. We didhave fun during our girls’meet and greet with youand the other winnerswho had submitted hints!— Heloise

SEPARATE SHEETSDear Heloise: Here’s a

hint I just discovered:When drying king-sizesheets, I separately drythe top and bottom. Itsaves time, and they don’ttangle and bunch up. —Judy H., San Antonio

NIFTY RAIN BONNETDear Heloise: I try to

keep one plastic bag fromthe grocery store (youknow — the carry-outtype) in my purse at alltimes (all crumpled up, itis tiny!) for an unexpect-ed “rain bonnet.” Love allyour hints. Thanks. —Pat K., Cypress, Texas

“HELOISE

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES Sports SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Arkansas put the for-mer mistress of Bobby Pe-trino on paid leave Fridayand disclosed that sheused a $20,000 “gift” fromthe disgraced formercoach to buy a car in herfirst week on the job.

University spokesmanSteve Voorhies said Jessi-ca Dorrell, a 25-year-oldfootball department em-ployee, had been placed onleave but declined furthercomment, calling it a pri-vate personnel issue.

Dorrell, a former Ar-kansas volleyball player,was a Razorback Founda-tion fundraiser before shewas hired as a student-ath-lete development coordina-tor by Petrino on March 28at an annual salary of$55,735. She has not re-turned repeated calls seek-ing comment.

The move came as Petri-no said he would not ap-peal his firing and seekany of the $18 millionbuyout that was part of hiscontract. His agent, RussCampbell, sent an email toathletic director Jeff Longlate Thursday saying Petri-no had accepted “respon-sibility for the events thatled to the university’s deci-sion to terminate his con-tract.”

“Coach Petrino and hisfamily wish nothing butthe best for both the Ra-zorback football programand University of Arkan-sas,” Campbell wrote.

Petrino had the optionto appeal as part of theseven-year contract heagreed to in December2010. The contract was formore than $3.5 million an-nually and carried the $18million mutual buyoutclause in 2011 and 2012.The amount dropped overthe life of the contract, fall-ing to as little as $3.9 mil-lion in 2017.

Long said that Petrinowas fired for cause, mean-ing the coach was not

owed anything.The 51-year-old Petrino

was fired Tuesday for fail-ing to disclose his relation-ship with Dorrell beforeshe was hired, as requiredby conflict of interest rulesat the school. The affairbecame public only afterthe two went for a motor-cycle ride April 1 and skid-ded off the road, puttingPetrino in the hospital andresulting in a police reportthat contained her identity.

Long has said the twowere in a relationship fora “significant” amount oftime and phone recordsshow they exchangedmore than 4,300 text mess-ages and nearly 300 phonecalls over the past sevenmonths, possibly includingphoto and video content.

The termination letterLong sent to Petrino wasreleased by the school Fri-

day and it had more specif-ics.

“(Y)ou deliberatelyfailed to tell me that youhad engaged in an extra-marital affair with Ms.Dorrell over a period ofseveral months leading upto your recommendationto hire her,” Long wrote.“If you had been forthcom-ing with me about the truenature of your relation-ship, I would not have ap-proved the hiring.”

Long also said Petrino“admitting giving $20,000cash to Ms. Dorrell as a‘gift.’ Ms. Dorrell used themoney to purchase a blackAcura during the firstweek that she worked forthe football program.

“Among other concernsrelating to this ‘gift,’ youshould have disclosed thisfact to me ... but you failedto do so,” Long wrote.

Dorrell on paid leaveBy KURT VOIGT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arkansas fired coach Bobby Petrino, above, on Tuesday, publiclydressing him down for unfairly hiring his mistress and in-tentionally misleading his boss about everything from their rela-tionship to her presence at the motorcycle accident that ulti-mately cost him his job.

Michael Orrell / ASSOCIATED PRESSNEW YORK — Tom Ben-

son brought stability to theSaints nearly three decadesago and now plans to do thesame for the Hornets insmall-market New Orleans.

The Saints’ owner agreedFriday to purchase theHornets from the NBA.

“We expect this club to beone of the most outstandingclubs in the league, other-wise I don’t want to get in-volved,” Benson said. “Thisis just a good thing and I’mjust glad to be a part of it.”

A person familiar withthe deal says the purchaseprice is $338 million. Theperson spoke to The Associ-ated Press on condition ofanonymity because the fi-nancial terms have not beenannounced.

The NBA has been tryingto sell the Hornets sincebuying the club from foun-der George Shinn in Decem-ber 2010. While preparingthe team for sale the leaguenegotiated a new lease forthe Hornets to remain inthe state-owned New Or-leans Arena through 2024.

The sale of the team toBenson has to be approved

by the NBA’s Board of Gov-ernors, which is meeting inNew York on Friday.

“The city is one of thecountry’s treasures and wereally have found the perfectowner,” Commissioner Da-vid Stern said. “Our goal allalong has been to get theHornets bought by some-body whose commitment toNew Orleans would be unri-valed.”

The framework of owner-ship negotiations were han-dled in a way that a newHornets owner would haveto accept the lease workedout between the NBA andGov. Bobby Jindal. The leaseagreement also called for$50 million in improvementsto the basketball stadium,which sits right across thestreet from the Superdome.

Once the NBA approvesthe sale of the team to Ben-son, the next step is for thestate Legislature to approvethe arena lease deal becauseof the funding needed forstadium improvements. Butlegislative leaders alreadyhave publicly voiced supportfor the proposed lease deal,which would take effect inJuly.

The 84-year-old Benson, aNew Orleans-native, has

owned the Saints since 1985,when he stepped in to blockefforts by other prospectiveinvestors to move the NFLfranchise to Jacksonville,Fla. Now Benson has madeanother major investment tostabilize the NBA’s presencein the Big Easy on the sameday that the Hornets werehosting the Utah Jazz, thevery team New Orleans lostto relocation in 1979.

Benson helped bring theSaints their first playoff ap-pearance in 1987 and finallya Super Bowl title in 2010.His ownership of the Horn-ets means the two small-market franchises both willbe locally owned and nowcan work as partners intheir efforts to attract corpo-rate sponsorships, andHornets fans can at leasthope that will translate to abetter product on the hard-wood.

At the very least, themove provided Benson withsome refreshingly positivepublicity on the heels of theSaints’ bounty scandal,which led the NFL to sus-pend head coach Sean Pay-ton for the entire 2012 sea-son — the same season thatwill see New Orleans hostthe Super Bowl.

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, left, shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern to sealthe purchase of the New Orleans Hornets at a news conference in New York, on Friday.

Photo by Richard Drew | AP

Benson buys Hornets Off NBA auction block

By BRIAN MAHONEYASSOCIATED PRESS

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES Sports SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Arkansas put the for-mer mistress of Bobby Pe-trino on paid leave Fridayand disclosed that sheused a $20,000 “gift” fromthe disgraced formercoach to buy a car in herfirst week on the job.

University spokesmanSteve Voorhies said Jessi-ca Dorrell, a 25-year-oldfootball department em-ployee, had been placed onleave but declined furthercomment, calling it a pri-vate personnel issue.

Dorrell, a former Ar-kansas volleyball player,was a Razorback Founda-tion fundraiser before shewas hired as a student-ath-lete development coordina-tor by Petrino on March 28at an annual salary of$55,735. She has not re-turned repeated calls seek-ing comment.

The move came as Petri-no said he would not ap-peal his firing and seekany of the $18 millionbuyout that was part of hiscontract. His agent, RussCampbell, sent an email toathletic director Jeff Longlate Thursday saying Petri-no had accepted “respon-sibility for the events thatled to the university’s deci-sion to terminate his con-tract.”

“Coach Petrino and hisfamily wish nothing butthe best for both the Ra-zorback football programand University of Arkan-sas,” Campbell wrote.

Petrino had the optionto appeal as part of theseven-year contract heagreed to in December2010. The contract was formore than $3.5 million an-nually and carried the $18million mutual buyoutclause in 2011 and 2012.The amount dropped overthe life of the contract, fall-ing to as little as $3.9 mil-lion in 2017.

Long said that Petrinowas fired for cause, mean-ing the coach was not

owed anything.The 51-year-old Petrino

was fired Tuesday for fail-ing to disclose his relation-ship with Dorrell beforeshe was hired, as requiredby conflict of interest rulesat the school. The affairbecame public only afterthe two went for a motor-cycle ride April 1 and skid-ded off the road, puttingPetrino in the hospital andresulting in a police reportthat contained her identity.

Long has said the twowere in a relationship fora “significant” amount oftime and phone recordsshow they exchangedmore than 4,300 text mess-ages and nearly 300 phonecalls over the past sevenmonths, possibly includingphoto and video content.

The termination letterLong sent to Petrino wasreleased by the school Fri-

day and it had more specif-ics.

“(Y)ou deliberatelyfailed to tell me that youhad engaged in an extra-marital affair with Ms.Dorrell over a period ofseveral months leading upto your recommendationto hire her,” Long wrote.“If you had been forthcom-ing with me about the truenature of your relation-ship, I would not have ap-proved the hiring.”

Long also said Petrino“admitting giving $20,000cash to Ms. Dorrell as a‘gift.’ Ms. Dorrell used themoney to purchase a blackAcura during the firstweek that she worked forthe football program.

“Among other concernsrelating to this ‘gift,’ youshould have disclosed thisfact to me ... but you failedto do so,” Long wrote.

Dorrell on paid leaveBy KURT VOIGT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arkansas fired coach Bobby Petrino, above, on Tuesday, publiclydressing him down for unfairly hiring his mistress and in-tentionally misleading his boss about everything from their rela-tionship to her presence at the motorcycle accident that ulti-mately cost him his job.

Michael Orrell / ASSOCIATED PRESSNEW YORK — Tom Ben-

son brought stability to theSaints nearly three decadesago and now plans to do thesame for the Hornets insmall-market New Orleans.

The Saints’ owner agreedFriday to purchase theHornets from the NBA.

“We expect this club to beone of the most outstandingclubs in the league, other-wise I don’t want to get in-volved,” Benson said. “Thisis just a good thing and I’mjust glad to be a part of it.”

A person familiar withthe deal says the purchaseprice is $338 million. Theperson spoke to The Associ-ated Press on condition ofanonymity because the fi-nancial terms have not beenannounced.

The NBA has been tryingto sell the Hornets sincebuying the club from foun-der George Shinn in Decem-ber 2010. While preparingthe team for sale the leaguenegotiated a new lease forthe Hornets to remain inthe state-owned New Or-leans Arena through 2024.

The sale of the team toBenson has to be approved

by the NBA’s Board of Gov-ernors, which is meeting inNew York on Friday.

“The city is one of thecountry’s treasures and wereally have found the perfectowner,” Commissioner Da-vid Stern said. “Our goal allalong has been to get theHornets bought by some-body whose commitment toNew Orleans would be unri-valed.”

The framework of owner-ship negotiations were han-dled in a way that a newHornets owner would haveto accept the lease workedout between the NBA andGov. Bobby Jindal. The leaseagreement also called for$50 million in improvementsto the basketball stadium,which sits right across thestreet from the Superdome.

Once the NBA approvesthe sale of the team to Ben-son, the next step is for thestate Legislature to approvethe arena lease deal becauseof the funding needed forstadium improvements. Butlegislative leaders alreadyhave publicly voiced supportfor the proposed lease deal,which would take effect inJuly.

The 84-year-old Benson, aNew Orleans-native, has

owned the Saints since 1985,when he stepped in to blockefforts by other prospectiveinvestors to move the NFLfranchise to Jacksonville,Fla. Now Benson has madeanother major investment tostabilize the NBA’s presencein the Big Easy on the sameday that the Hornets werehosting the Utah Jazz, thevery team New Orleans lostto relocation in 1979.

Benson helped bring theSaints their first playoff ap-pearance in 1987 and finallya Super Bowl title in 2010.His ownership of the Horn-ets means the two small-market franchises both willbe locally owned and nowcan work as partners intheir efforts to attract corpo-rate sponsorships, andHornets fans can at leasthope that will translate to abetter product on the hard-wood.

At the very least, themove provided Benson withsome refreshingly positivepublicity on the heels of theSaints’ bounty scandal,which led the NFL to sus-pend head coach Sean Pay-ton for the entire 2012 sea-son — the same season thatwill see New Orleans hostthe Super Bowl.

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, left, shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern to sealthe purchase of the New Orleans Hornets at a news conference in New York, on Friday.

Photo by Richard Drew | AP

Benson buys Hornets Off NBA auction block

By BRIAN MAHONEYASSOCIATED PRESS