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Showing posts with label carraizo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carraizo. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 9, 2015


MURDERS IN SAN JUAN AND CAGUAS

















As reported today by El Nuevo Dia, two murders have been  registered
this Friday morning, one each in San Juan and Caguas. In San Juan, a
man in his early 20s was shot to death in a business on Jose De Diego
Avenue in the Puerto Nuevo area at around 6:25 AM. Meanwhile, three
individuals reached  a bakery on Degetau Avenue in Caguas around 6:27
AM.  One man came in with a bullet wound, a woman was unhurt and
a dead man sat in their car. The injured man had gone into the bakery to
call for help. Police closed Degetau, Turabo Avenue and road PR-156 in
order to investigate the incident. No motives are yet known for either
killing.


WATER RESERVOIRS SEE MODEST INCREASE 

















Recent rains brought to Puerto Rico by a tropical wave helped raise
water levels at most of the island's reservoirs. The Carraízo reservoir,
which serves part of the San Juan metro area, rose by nine centime-
ters, leaving the level at 38.47 meters this morning. However, the La
Plata reservoir, which also serves the San Juan area, did not see a le-
vel increase overnight. Users served by La Plata are still under a 24-
hour water rationing plan.


PR RESTRUCTURES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT


From Caribbean Business:

"More than 600 employees from the Puerto Rico Education Department
will be transferred to other divisions and agencies in a push to reorganize
the government. Public Affairs Secretary Jesús Manuel Ortiz said Thurs-
day that more than 400 workers will be placed in administrative positions
at public schools. The remainder will have administrative jobs at the police
department to free some 1,200 officers from desk duties and allow them to
return to the street..."


PIERLUISI FILES BILL FOR LOAN GUARANTEES


From News Is My Business:

"Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi introduced a bill Thursday that
would authorize the U.S. Treasury Department to guarantee repayment
of principal and interest on bonds to be issued in the future by the island’s
bond-issuing public entities, but only if the agency certifies that the co-
mmonwealth has “demonstrated meaningful improvement in managing
its public finances.” The “Puerto Rico Financial Improvement and Bond
Guarantee Act of 2015” would require any Puerto Rico bonds guaranteed
by Treasury to be used solely to meet urgent short-term financing needs
like Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes, to make capital expenditures t
that promote long-term economic growth (as opposed to operating expen-
ditures), or to refinance its existing bond debt at a lower interest rate..."


BOND DENIED TO ACCUSED HUSBAND-KILLER


From 680 News:

"A federal judge on Thursday denied bond to a Puerto Rican woman accu-
sed of offering a hit man $3 million to kill her wealthy Canadian husband.
Aurea Vazquez Rijos pleaded not guilty and was ordered to remain in jail
until her trial, which is scheduled to start Oct. 27. Vazquez arrived in Puer-
to Rico in late September after a court in Spain ordered her extradition. Att-
ending Thursday’s hearing was Vazquez’s mother, who was given custody
of her daughter’s baby, who was born in Spain..."




Monday, October 5, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 5, 2015


TRACES FOUND OF MISSING SHIP


















From Fox News Latino:

Aircraft and ships searching off the Bahamas islands for a U.S. cargo ship
that lost contact during Hurricane Joaquin have found more debris and clues
but no definitive word yet on the fate of the vessel or the 33 people on board.
The owner of the 790-foot El Faro said a container that appears to have come
from the ship was found, while the Coast Guard said it had located a debris
field that included what appeared to be pieces of container. Searchers have
also spotted an oil sheen and found a life ring from the El Faro. Chief Petty
Officer Bobby Nash said it was too early to come to any conclusion. Two
Coast Guard cutters, the Northland and Resolute, were expected to continue
searching overnight Sunday as the aircraft returned to their bases.


POLICE SEIZE $5.4 MILLION DRUG SHIPMENT


From Caribbean Business:

"Authorities are searching for three suspects who allegedly attempted to
smuggle $5.4 million worth of drugs into Puerto Rico from the Dominican
Republic. Police said they arrested Teófilo Tineo González, a 36-year-old
Dominican man, after seizing about 518 pounds (235 kilograms) of cocai-
ne and heroin and a 22-foot (6.7-meter) boat on the coast west  of San Juan,
but three other suspects got away. Police Superintendent José Caldero said
authorities were hunting for three others they believe were aboard the boat
that left the Dominican Republic for Puerto Rico on Wednesday night..."


RESERVOIR LEVELS GO UP OVER THE WEEKEND


Rains over this past weekend have raised the water level at the Carraízo and
La Plata reservoirs, both of which serve the bulk of the San Juan metro area.
La Plata went up by 47 centimeters from Sunday morning to Monday morn-
ing, for a level of 40.50 meters. La Plata's users, however, are  still a ways
away from being taken off the current 24-hour water rationing plan they are
currently under. The reservoir would have to reach at least 43 meters for ra-
tioning to be discontinued. The Carraízo reservoir saw its water level rise over
the weekend to 38.47 meters, staving off for now a return to a rationing plan
for its 160,000 users. Its level rose by 26 centimeters from Sunday to Monday.


EPA FINALIZES PLAN FOR CONTAMINATED WELL


From The San Juan Daily Star:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a plan to use
natural processes along with the continued use of a system that the federal
agency had already installed to treat contaminated groundwater at the Coro-
zal Well Superfund Site in Corozal, officials announced Thursday. Previou-
sly, the EPA installed a system that uses carbon to address pollutants as an
initial step to address the risks posed by people drinking contaminated gro-
undwater. Data collected since EPA installed the system confirms that there
are no levels of concern at the well. The system will remain in place as a sa-
feguard.




Friday, October 2, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 2, 2015


CARRAIZO LEVEL CONTINUES TO DROP


















The Carraízo water reservoir's level dropped dramatically overnight once
again, leaving it less than a meter away from the reestablishment of water
rationing for households served by the lake. Carraízo dropped 11 centime-
ters, to settle at 37.93 meters at 5:00 AM today, according to AAA, Puerto
Rico's water utility. Once it reaches 37 meters, a 24-hour water rationing
program would have to be started again for Carolina and Trujillo Alto, as
well as parts of San Juan, Canóvanas and Gurabo. Copious rains a few
weeks ago had raised the water level enough that rationing could be called
off, but the last couple of weeks have seen little rain over the area, taking
the situation back to square one.


REPORT HIGHLIGHTS PERVASIVE CORRUPTION 


From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Corruption has become so widespread and commonplace that there are
thousands of people in Puerto Rico engaged in corrupt acts, according
to a Civil Rights Commission report. Corruption is closely related to
civil rights because it is anchored to a number of activities that affect
government coffers and services to the people, according to the report
titled “Human Rights and Corruption” that was entrusted to attorney
Víctor Rivera Hernández, former representative Víctor García San Ino-
cencio and the late former Police Superintendent Pedro Toledo, who died
several years ago. Since the study began in 2009, Puerto Rico has been
shaken by acts of corruption including the case of former Sen. Jorge de
Castro Font and revelations about schemes involving the private sector,
federal arrests of offi cials who use the U.S. mail to facilitate the entry
of weapons and drugs, the arrests of some 100 police offi cers for protec-
ting drug traffickers, the arrests of more than 500 residents in Lares for
committing insurance fraud, as well as allegations of corruption against
mayors, public officials and government contractors..."


SUMMIT IN ORLANDO TO ADDRESS PR CRISIS


From Caribbean Business:

"The Summit on Puerto Rican Affairs will hold its annual meeting in Or-
lando this year. The summit, which is slated for Oct. 14, is expected to
host guests from Florida, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Georgia, Cali-
fornia and Illinois at its workshops, as it has in past years. Bond Buyer re-
ported Thursday that retired Detroit bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes and
three U.S. House members will participate in the two-day meeting in Flo-
rida “to come up with some solutions to address Puerto Rico’s fiscal and
health care crises...


ENERGY COMMISSION REJECTS RATE HIKE


From News Is My Business:

"The Puerto Rico Energy Commission issued a resolution Thursday deny-
ing a petition by the National Public Finance Guarantee Corp., which in-
sures $1.4 billion in Puerto Rico Electric Authority bonds, for a rate review
and establishment of a temporary rate increase of at least 4.2¢ per kilowatt
-hour. National, the successor in interest to MBIA Insurance Corporation,
filed the request on Sept. 17, asking for the PREC to also order PREPA to
respond to the petition within 14 days of service, and to complete the con-
solidated rate review proceeding within four months of the filing of Natio-
nal’s petition..."


GDB GOES TO COURT OVER LOCAL TAXES


From The New York Times:

"A new front opened in Puerto Rico’s debt battle as the island’s powerful
Government Development Bank went to court, seeking $400 million in
local property tax revenue it said was being illegally held by a local collec-
tion agency. The development bank said the money was crucial to its abi-
lity to make coming payments to bondholders. The agency that collects pro-
perty taxes on the island, the Municipal Revenue Collections Center, or
CRIM, appears to have the $400 million in hand. But its board decided late
in June not to release the money to the bank. The development bank, which
handles Puerto Rico’s borrowing and cash flows, said the move was illegal
and asked the Superior Court in San Juan to require the agency to turn over
the money. The legal documents were filed Wednesday night..."



Monday, September 28, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 28, 2015


NEVERMIND: CARRAIZO RATIONING COULD RETURN


















Users served by the Carraízo water reservoir could see  a return to 24-
hour water rationing in about 20 days, if its water levels continue to
drop at the same pace that has been seen over the last week, about nine
centimeters a day. Carraízo's level stands at 38.32 meters, about a meter
and a half away from entering Phase I rationing. Recent rains have bene-
fited the La Plata reservoir, while largely bypassing Carraízo. Water ra-
tioning for the area was only lifted about a week ago. The Carraízo reser-
voir serves about 160,000 users in the towns of Trujillo Alto and Caroli-
na, as well as parts of San Juan, Canóvanas and Gurabo. The other reser-
voir that serves the bulk of the San Juan metro area, La Plata, saw its le-
vel decrease by three centimeters overnight. La Plata users are still under
a rationing plan.


COUPLE CHARGED WITH PROSTITUTION, INCEST


From Yahoo! News:

A Puerto Rico couple has been charged with prostitution, incest and human
trafficking in a case authorities say involved their four young children. Police
said Friday that the 30-year-old suspects are accused of prostituting their 11-
year-old daughter in front of the other children who range in age from 6 to 9
years old. The couple was identified as Kenneth Martinez and Tanya Figueroa...


BAR ASSOCIATION SUES TREASURY OVER TAX


From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico Bar Association announced earlier this week that it has
sued the commonwealth Treasury Department to stop the imposition of a
4 percent tax on legal services tax that goes into force on Oct 1. The asso-
ciation says the new tax goes against current laws that protect the access
to Justice. La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Víctor Suárez said there is a bill
pending approval at the Legislature that would amend Law 72 (Tax Re-
form) pending approval but such changes were technical ones to avoid
double taxation...


NASAA HOLDS CONFERENCE IN SAN JUAN


From Caribbean Business:

Experts in finance and investment, securities regulation and public policy
came together for the North American Securities Administrators Associa-
tion’s (NASAA) 98th Annual Conference, themed “Regulation for the A-
ges,” Sept. 27-29 in San Juan’s Caribe Hilton Hotel. The three-day confe-
rence is co-chaired by Damaris Mendoza, director of the Securities Regu-
lation and Registration Division within the Puerto Rico Financial Instituti-
ons Commissioner’s Office (OCIF by its Spanish acronym), and Joseph
Borg, director of the Alabama Securities Commission. Featured speakers
include Arthur Levitt, the longest-serving chair of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), and Chris Farrell, financial commentator
and author...



Thursday, September 24, 2015

La Plata Water Rationing Cut To 24 Hours





















Starting tomorrow, the 180,000  water users served by the La Plata reservoir
will see their water rationing plan cut from 48 hours without running water at
a time down to 24 hour cut-offs. This is due to La Plata's water level having
risen by 1.11 meters due to heavy rains yesterday. Between one and four in-
ches of rain fell across the island on Wednesday. With the reservoir's level
sitting as of today at 39.94 meters, it is about 11 meters away from its opti-
mal level. La Plata serves the towns of Bayamón, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa
Baja and  Toa Alta as well as parts of San Juan, Corozal, Naranjito and Do-
rado.

Meanwhile, the Carraízo reservoir has seen significant drops in its water lev-
els since rationing was lifted for customers served by that body of water. It is
currently at 38.65 meters. Some scattered showers are expected over Puerto
Rico over the next couple of days.




Monday, September 21, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 21, 2015


CARRAIZO WATER RATIONING ENDS


















Alberto Lázaro, the President of Puerto Rico's water utility (AAA), has
announced that due to increases in the water level at the Carraízo reser-
voir, water rationing for users served by Carraízo is ending today, Mon-
day. Residents of Trujillo Alto, Carolina and parts of San Juan, Gurabo
and Canóvanas will no longer have to deal with water cut-offs, although
water pressure will be controlled as a precautionary measure. Starting at
9:00 AM today, service is being reestablished in full for all areas served
by Carraízo. La Plata, the other reservoir that serves the San Juan metro
area, is still under a rationing plan, despite some recent gains in the water
levels. In the Carraízo zones, fines for water misuse are still in effect, and
Lázaro discouraged users from watering lawns or washing cars. He also
indicated that the reservoir has enough water to avoid more rationing for
about three months.


TREASURY: MONEY TO RUN OUT IN 6 WEEKS


From The San Juan Daily Star:

Describing the government as “an old car that doesn’t get good mileage
and is running with barely any gasoline,”Treasury Secretary Juan Zara-
goza said Thursday that in all likelihood, in about one month and a half
government coffers will run out of cash. The situation is such that the
Treasury chief said in a radio interview  that “this a chronicle of a death
foretold.” Zaragoza made his co- mments after the government’s liquidity
problems came into sharper  focus in an analysis drafted by Conway Mac
Kenzie (CM), which sets out that the government will have an overdraft
of $765 million by November.


NSF AWARDS $3.8M TO UPR MEDICAL SCIENCES


From Caribbean Business:

The Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) has
received a $3.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
for an international collaboration studying the neural mechanism of deci-
sion-making. The NSF funds are from its Partnerships for International Re-
search and Education (PIRE) program, which supports international activi-
ties across various disciplines. The program's primary goal is to support
projects in which advances in research and education could not occur with-
out international collaboration. PIRE focuses on investment in Science, En-
gineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES) to approach the challenges
of adapting to environmental, social and cultural changes associated with gro-
wth and development of human populations, and attaining a sustainable ener-
gy future, according to the NSF.


KIVA ZIP OFFERS 0% LOANS TO PR BUSINESSES


From News Is My Business:

Entrepreneurs looking to finance their ventures have the opportunity to
borrow from Kiva Zip, a technological platform that connects individuals
and businesses to provide loans at 0 percent interest. “The Foundation
for Puerto Rico, a local organization that works with Kiva.org and promo-
tes the visitor economy as a way to position Puerto Rico as a global des-
tination, has created a seed fund of $ 10,000 to match each dollar loaned
to a local entrepreneur through Kiva Zip,” said Denisse Rodríguez, pro-
gram manager of the Foundation for Puerto Rico. Kiva Zip, program of the
nonprofit Kiva.org, has the purpose of connecting individuals and organi-
zations through the Internet, to grant microloans directly to entreprene-
urs to facilitate and expand their opportunities through the financing of
their business, reduce capital costs and make a positive impact in society.


PREPA AT ODDS WITH INSURERS OVER DEBT


From Bloomberg:

The debt-restructuring agreement Puerto Rico’s main electric utility unvei-
led with great fanfare at the start of the month is turning out to be far from
a done deal. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, known as Prepa,
still needs to come to terms with about two-thirds of creditors, including
bond-insurance companies, or the agreement falls apart. An accord that
keeps the negotiations out of court expires late Friday. All forbearing cre-
ditors except insurer MBIA Inc. are part of that contract, called a forbear-
ance agreement. “They still have to do quite a bit of work,” said Mikhail
Foux, a municipal-debt strategist at Barclays Plc in New York. “They have
only about a third of the people on board. We’re talking about monolines
and bond funds that effectively bought at par.”



Friday, September 18, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 18, 2015


CARRAIZO RESERVOIR KEEPS RISING















The Carraízo water reservoir, which serves a large part of the  San Juan
metropolitan area, registered a level this morning of  38.52 meters, only
48 centimeters away from reaching "Observation Level". That level is
the goal that Puerto Rico's water utility, AAA, had set for ending  the
water rationing plan that thousands of users in the metro area have been
enduring for several months. Water rationing is currently on a 24 hour
alternating schedule. The other major reservoir in the  area, La Plata,
saw gains of 2 inches overnight, but it's levels are considerably lower
than Carraízo's and rationing for La Plata users is not expected to end
any time soon.


GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE TO SHUT DOWN


From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico government will have to decide in favor of a partial
government shutdown or go into default on its general obligations due
in January if the projections of a report by financial advisers materiali-
ze. “If Conway MacKenzie’s forecast materializes, then there is a sig-
nificant risk of at least a partial government shutdown before the end
of 2015,” Center for the New Economy (CNE) Public Policy Director
Sergio Marxuach said. The report of the advisory firm Conway Mac
Kenzie states that the government may have a bank cash deficit of
$29.8 million in November and a peak cash defi cit of $511.6 million
in June. However, it states the commonwealth Treasury single account
will have a deficit of $612 million or $1.788 billion, the last number in
the event of all risks occurring.


GOVERNOR MEETS WITH US TREASURY SECRETARY


From Caribbean Business:

Gov. Alejandro García Padilla held several meetings this week in Wa-
shington, D.C., with Obama administration officials and members of
Congress, with the discussions focusing on fiscal and economic deve-
lopment issues, including access to Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection,
Medicare funding, infrastructure projects and corporate tax treatment.
García Padilla met with Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew and National
Economic Council Director Jeffrey Zients Thursday. The group discu-
ssed the recently released Fiscal & Economic Growth Plan. According
to a statement released by Treasury, Lew and Zients "commended the
governor for producing a serious and comprehensive accounting of the
Commonwealth’s overall fiscal position and proposal for how the Co-
mmonwealth can achieve financial sustainability over the next five
years.”


MALL OF SAN JUAN OPENS 18 NEW STORES


From News Is My Business:

The Mall of San Juan announced Thursday that 18 new stores, including
Puerto Rico’s only Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn, along with luxury
brands Bulgari and Gustavo Arango and the 100th Oil & Vinegar store
will join its shopping and dining lineup this month — the majority of
which are exclusive to the market. “Our lineup of premium retailers and
restaurants will become even more distinctive this month,” said Marnie
Marquina, marketing and sponsorship director, The Mall of San Juan.
“From talented Puerto Rican designers to stores exclusive to the island,
we’re excited to offer our customers a truly unique shopping and dining
experience.”


64,000 PEOPLE LEFT PR LAST YEAR


From ABC News:

A record 64,000 Puerto Ricans left the island last year for the U.S. main-
land, the highest number in the past decade, officials said Thursday. The
exodus represents a 31 percent increase from 2013, when some 49,000
people left, according to the island's Institute of Statistics. The surge in
departures comes as the U.S. territory of 3.5 million people struggles with
a nearly decade-long economic slump. The island has a 12 percent unem-
ployment rate, higher than any U.S. state, and has a labor participation ra-
te of less than 40 percent, compared to 62 percent on the U.S. mainland.



Monday, September 14, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 14, 2015


CARRAIZO RATIONING CUT TO ONE DAY


















Alberto Lázaro, President of AAA, Puerto Rico's water utility , announced
that users served by the Carraízo water reservoir in Trujillo Alto will go back
to Phase I water rationing starting tomorrow. This means that water service
will only be interrupted for 24hours at a time, rather than the current 48 hours.
Carraízo serves Trujillo Alto, Carolina and parts of San Juan, Gurabo and Ca-
nóvanas. Lázaro stated that rains produced by the remnants of Tropical Storm
Grace raised the reservoir's level by half a meter.


PROPERTY TAXES COULD GO UP


From The San Juan Daily Star:

Mayors Association President Rolando Ortiz Velázquez said Thursday that if
funds are taken away from municipalities as part of the fiscal adjustment plan,
residents will pay for it through increases in property taxes. The five-year fis-
cal adjustment plan proposes the repeal of subsidies to the University of Puer-
to Rico, to municipalities and to non-profit groups. Ortiz, who is the mayor of
Cayey, said they are waiting for legislation that implements the fiscal adjust-
ment plan but anticipated a fight against the measures that could trigger the
dismissal of municipal employees and curtail direct services to citizens.


POLL: PUERTO RICANS FEELING PESSIMISTIC


From Caribbean Business:

According to a poll conducted by consulting company Gallup, 6% of Puerto
Rico residents believe economic conditions on the island are getting better.
This figure ranks the island far below “the least optimistic state,” West Vir-
ginia, where 24% say economic conditions are getting better. Puerto Rico
also fares poorly compared with countries in Latin America and the Caribbe-
an, where it ranks last in economic optimism, along with Venezuela, Gallup
found. Poll results reveal Gov. Alejandro García Padilla’s approval on the is-
land to be low as well. “Fewer than one in five Puerto Ricans (19%) say they
approve of the way García Padilla is handling his job,” Gallup said in a relea-
se on its findings.


PIRATES, MARLINS MAY PLAY IN PR IN 2016


From Sporting News:

Major League Baseball is headed back to Puerto Rico next season. The Pira-
tes and Marlins will play "all or part" of a scheduled four-game series on the
island in 2016, the Los Angeles Times reports. The teams are scheduled to
play in Miami from May 30-June 2, according to schedules released last week.
The games would be moved to San Juan to celebrate Pirates legend Roberto
Clemente, the island's favorite son.


CRUISE SHIP WORKER ARRESTED FOR RAPE


From Yahoo! News:

A Carnival cruise ship worker was detained Saturday in Puerto Rico on accu-
sations he raped a woman onboard, according to authorities. Police said the
alleged rape occurred in one of the cabins of the Carnival Liberty ship that is
docked in San Juan. The unidentified man has not been charged.





Friday, September 4, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 4, 2015


GANGS TURN AVENUE INTO WARZONE

65th Infantry Avenue Closed For Three Hours



As reported by El Nuevo Dia, Police had to close off a stretch of 65th
Infantry Avenue in Rio Piedras as gang members from  Monte Hatillo
public housing project and the Berwind apartment buildings across the
road traded gunfire on Wednesday night. No deaths or injuries have
been reported as a result of the gunfire. A local school had to be eva-
cuated yesterday due to threats of further violence in the area. Police
believe that the latest outburst of violence came about due to the recent
murder of Héctor Nussa Román, who was the stepbrother of the alleged
head of drug sales in Monte Hatillo. Shootings in the area are sporadic,
but have been happening for years.


CARRAIZO GOES TO TWO-DAY RATIONING


Puerto Rico's water utility, AAA, has announced that water levels at the
Carraízo reservoir -- which serves Trujillo Alto, Carolina and parts of San
Juan -- is now high enough that water rationing for areas served by Carraí-
zo is being cut back to two days without water and one day with water. The
change begins today, after several weeks of water users being restricted to
two days of running water a week. About 160,000 AAA customers would
be affected by the change. Recent rains have swollen Carraízo's level to 37.
14 meters. Users of the La Plata reservoir are still also under "phase two"
water restrictions, with water off for two days at a time.


PREPA DEAL CAPS RATE HIKE AT 8¢


From The San Juan Daily Star:

The hike that Puerto Rico consumers will see in their electricity bill, which
must be approved by the Energy Commission, is not going to be higher than
the eight cents estimated in a five-year business plan prepared by the Puerto
Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) following an agreement reached with
the Ad Hoc Group of bondholders. PREPA Chief Restructuring Officer Lisa
Donahue said the final rate structure will be determined by the outcome of
talks with the other PREPA creditors -- banks and the utility’s insurance com-
panies. Those talks are expected to be completed by Sept. 18, which is when
the forbearance agreement between PREPA and its creditors is expected to
expire. TheAd Hoc Group represents 35 percent of the debt.


ARECIBO INCINERATORS GETS FINAL PERMIT


From News Is My Business:

Energy Answers confirmed Wednesday that the Puerto Rico Environmental
Quality Board has granted the final permit to build a facility for the processing
of non-hazardous solid waste at the Cambalache Sector in Arecibo. The review
process of this permit began in 2012 under the administration of Gov. Luis For-
tuño and included two separate public hearings and extended periods of time for
comment in writing, ensuring broad public participation in the permitting pro-
cess. “The periods for written comments exceeded by far the established regu-
latory requirements and what is usual and customary for a facility handling so-
lid waste as proposed,” the company said.


USDA DESIGNATES 17 TOWNS DISATER AREAS


From Caribbean Business:

Although Puerto Rico has received much-needed rain in the past week, primari-
ly due to Tropical Storm Erika and a tropical wave, the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture has declared an additional 17 municipalities in Puerto Rico as natural di-
saster areas due to the ongoing drought conditions. These additional municipali-
ties are: Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Bayamón, Cataño, Ceiba, Coamo, Comerío,
Dorado, Guaynabo, Loíza, Naguabo, Naranjito, San Juan, Santa Isabel, Toa Al-
ta, Toa Baja  and Vega Alta.


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 2, 2015

CARRAIZO RATIONING COULD END SOON


















After several days of moderate to heavy rain, first from Tropical Storm
Erika, and then from a tropical wave which affected the island yesterday,
water levels at Carraízo and La Plata reservoirs have seen significant gains.
Carraízo has gone up by 20 centimeters overnight, with today's level stand-
ing at 37.17 meters. AAA/PRASA, Puerto Rico's water utility, has indicated
that if Carraízo's  level reaches 41 meters, water rationing for its area would
likely end. La Plata, however, would need to reach 51 meters to get to its op-
timal level; it currently sits at  36.65 meters. Yesterday's tropical wave left
up to 4 inches of rain on parts of Puerto Rico.


PRASA DEBT PAYMENT EXTENDED


From The San Juan Daily Star:

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Víctor Suárez said Banco Popular agreed to ex-
tend to Sept. 15 a $90 million payment owed by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct
and Sewer Authority (PRASA) that was due Monday. However, he could
not say when PRASA will go to the market with a $750 million bond issue
it will use in part to pay the line of credit with Banco Popular. “When con-
ditions are ripe, we will go,” he said. STAR sources, however, say that Bank
of America Merrill Lynch will probably cancel the bond issue altogether.
Meanwhile, Suárez refused to reveal whether multinational companies will
assume a greater burden as part of the five-year fiscal adjustment plan, whose
presentation was pushed back to Sept. 8.


FL SENATOR MARCO RUBIO TO VISIT PR


From Caribbean Business:

Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Puerto Rico
this week, his staff said Tuesday. Spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas told The
Associated Press that the Florida senator will meet with supporters on Friday
in San Juan. Rubio's one-day visit will coincide with that of Democrat Hillary
Clinton.  He is scheduled to attend a fundraiser before the rally.


TRUMP GOLF COURSE TO BE AUCTIONED



U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Enrique S. Lamoutte-Inclan signed off Monday an 
order approving the auction of the Trump International Golf Course in Río 
Grande. Bidding will start at $2 million in November, with a final sale hear-
ing slated for December, court documents showed. The property, also known 
as Coco Beach Golf & Country Club, filed for Chapter bankruptcy protection 
in July, citing $78 million in liabilities and $9.2 million in assets.


COP ARRESTED FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING


From Fox News Latino:

An officer of the San Juan Municipal Police was arrested by U.S. federal
authorities on charges of human trafficking for her attempt to bring a Do-
minican citizen from the island of Antigua into Puerto Rican territory ille-
gally. The U.S. attorney in San Juan, Rosa Emilia Rodriguez, said Tues-
day in a statement that police officer Luz Zoraida Rojas was arrested on
Aug. 28 after paying $1,000 to an undercover cop - who pretended to be
an immigration official - for trying to introduce a Dominican male from
Antigua into Puerto Rico.




Monday, August 31, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For August 31, 2015


RESERVOIR LEVELS GO UP AGAIN
















Rains produced by Tropical Storm Erika and a low pressure  system that
passed over the island yesterday have helped  boost water levels at the
Carraízo and La Plata reservoirs. La Plata, the reservoir most affected by
the drought, was  up seven centimeters this morning. Carraízo increased
by 4 centimeters, with a total gain over the last several days of 2.67 me-
ters. Due to the increase, the water rationing plan for users served by Ca-
rraízo has been changed to two days without service and one day with wa-
ter from the recent three-days-off/one-day-on plan. The rationing plan for
users served by La Plata remains unchanged.


ERIKA LEAVES $20M IN AGRICULTURE LOSSES


From Caribbean Business:

After estimating preliminary losses at about $6 million in damaged agricul-
tural crops after Tropical Storm Erika’s passage through the island, these
estimates have soared to as much as $20 million, according to Puerto Rico
Agriculture Secretary Myrna Comas. Among the most damaged crops, par-
ticularly due to Erika’s winds, are plantains and bananas, while losses have
also been reported in coffee and orange plantations. Affected municipalities
include Yabucoa, Maunabo, Salinas, Adjuntas, Lares, Maricao and other
towns in the island’s mountainous region. Erika also ruined hydroponic
greenhouses and other shade-house projects.


CUOMO TO LEAD PR ECONOMIC DELEGATION


From NY Daily News:

In the midst of the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, Gov. Cuomo is set to ann-
ounce he’ll soon be leading a delegation to the troubled island,  sources tell the
Daily News. The “solidarity” trip is expected to take place in early September
and involve a group of “financial experts” and elected leaders, including City
Council Speaker and Puerto Rico native Melissa Mark-Viverito, said one sour-
ce familiar with the developing plans. “New York is home to more Puerto Ri-
cans than any other state in the country, and the governor believes we have a
responsibility to support our  friends in times of need,” the source said.


PUERTO RICO DELAYS FISCAL PLAN


From Reuters:






Tuesday, August 18, 2015

List of Water Oases For The Carraízo Rationing Zones


Oases are locations where the island's water provider, AAA, will distribute
potable water from tanker trucks from 9:00 AM  to 8:00 PM daily. Bring con-
tainers for water. The listing can be found in Spanish here. Water rationing 
for areas served by the Carraízo reservoir is currently on a 24-hours-with-
water-on / 72-hours-water-off cycle. The Carraízo rationing area is divided
into two zones, A and B. A map of the zones can be found below. Zone A 
is shaded green, while Zone B is in blue.




Zone A

San Juan

Ave. San Claudio in front of Chalets de Cupey
Barrio Buen Consejo/Venezuela
PR 176 Int 199, in front of Academia Barbara Ann Roessler

Trujillo Alto

PR 181, in front of Urb. Lomas
PR 843, KM 4.1, in front of Urb. Villas de Carraízo
PR 846, in front of Urb. Interamericana

Carolina

Ave. Campo Rico in front of José M. Lázaro School
Ave. Fragoso service road east of Plaza Carolina mall
Ave. Monserrate, corner of Roberto Clemente
Ave. Pontezuela, corner of Calle 1, Jardines de Country Club, in front 
of Mormon church.
Calle 516, Villa Carolina, in front of Municipal HQ.
Laguna Gardens Shopping Center

Urb. Villa Carolina, calle 23in front of Lulo González Voleyball Court


Zone B

San Juan

Ave. Eduardo Conde, corner of Ave. San Jorge
Ave. Gándara, corner of Ponce De León
Ave. Monte Carlo, in front of Portal de la Reina Condominium
Calle Julio Andino, corner of Ana Otero, Villa Prades
65th Infantry Shopping Center, in front of Mickey Mouse court
Residencial Kennedy, Las Casas and Eduardo Conde Final

Carolina

PR 3, in front of Los Colobos Shopping Center
PR 853, Int 852, Barrio Barrazas in front of Emergency Management
PR 860, in front of Metrópolis Shoping Center

Canóvanas

Urb. River Gardens/River Plantation





Monday, August 3, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For August 3, 2015


PR PUBLIC FINANCE CORP DEFAULTS 


















From Bloomberg:

A Puerto Rico agency is poised to default Monday, initiating a clash with cre-
ditors as the struggling commonwealth seeks to renegotiate its $72 billion debt
load. The government doesn’t have the money for the $58 million of principal
and interest that was due Aug. 1 on Public Finance Corp. bonds, Victor Suarez,
the chief of staff for Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla, said during a press con-
ference July 31 in San Juan. The financing corporation’s obligation is part of $
597 million of debt-service payments that the common-wealth and its agencies
owe this month. It would mark the first payment default by a Puerto Rico entity.


O'MALLEY SPEAKS ON PR CRISIS


From Caribbean Business:

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democratic presidential candidate,
arrived Friday night in Puerto Rico, making it his fourth time on the island in the
past two years[...]In Puerto Rico, he intends to reiterate his position regarding the
island’s exclusion from the federal bankruptcy code’s chapter 9 protections and
local Medicare payment rates. The presidential candidate reportedly supports a-
llowing Puerto Rico to declare bankruptcy and backs the island’s call for federal
healthcare reimbursement-rate parity with the U.S. mainland. O'Malley told the
Associated Press that Puerto Rico should receive the same benefits as the U.S.
He said that Wall Street, forces on the mainland and a Republican Congress were
treating the island unfairly.


TOWNS IN EXTREME DROUGHT TRIPLE


From The San Juan Daily Star:

Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Carmen Guerrero Pé-
rez said Thursday the United States Drought Monitor increased the number of
island municipalities under the extreme drought classification to 20 as 2.5 mi-
llion people in 74 towns are living under diff erent drought categories...The 20
Puerto Rico municipalities under extreme drought are now Arroyo, Caguas, Ca-
nóvanas, Carolina, Cayey, Cidra, Fajardo, Guayama, Guarabo, Juncos, Las Pie-
dras, Luquillo, Maunabo, Naguabo, Patillas, San Lorenzo, Río Grande, Salinas,
Trujillo Alto and  Yabucoa.


WATER RESERVOIR LEVELS FOR TODAY
















From AAA. Click graph to enlarge.

UPDATE: 48-hour rationing will start for customers of the La Plata reservoir
starting this coming Wednesday, August 5th.


Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 29, 2015


DOOR OPEN FOR EXTENDED WATER RATIONING 


















From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has already outli-
ned long term plans based on a future scenario in which the island will remain
under drought conditions through the beginning of 2016, which could make
water rationing plans even stricter and extended to more towns. PRASA Sou-
thern Region Director Juan Rodríguez said Monday that the public corpora-
tion has not ruled out a wider water rationing plan than the one currently in
 place for consumers that receive their water supply from the Carraízo and
La Plata reservoirs, and the southern towns of Coamo, Santa Isabel and Sali-
nas. Guaynabo is also on water rationing, going one day with water and one
day without.


MAN MURDERED IN CANOVANAS


An unidentified male was murdered early this morning in the Parcelas Campo
Rico area of Canóvanas, according to Puerto Rico Police and El Nuevo Dia. At
around 6:36 AM, gunshots were  heard in the neighborhood. When police offi-
cers arrived, they found the bullet-riddled body on the grounds of a  residence.
This is the 313th murder to be reported in Puerto Rico so far this year.


SHERATON OLD SAN JUAN CASINO TO CLOSE



The casino at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, in the historic sector 
of Puerto Rico's capital, is slated to close its doors sometime in September, in-
dustry sources told Caribbean Business. An official announcement on  the matter  
is expected later today.


LATINO LEADERS URGE FEDS TO HELP PR



The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 39 of the U.S. main-
land’s largest Latino advocacy organizations, held a press conference Tuesday 
with Congressional, Puerto Rican, and labor leaders today calling on President 
Obama and Congress to take action “to save Puerto Rico from economic disaster.”

As Puerto Rico continues to endure a growing economic crisis that includes a $72 
billion debt, major unemployment, and population drain, Puerto Ricans and Lati-
nos on the mainland are “growing impatient with Washington as leaders have fai-
led to step up to assist millions of American citizens living on the island,” group 
representatives said.




Thursday, July 23, 2015

Maps For All Water Rationing Zones


Carraízo


These zones are under 48-hour rationing (running water is on for one day, off for
two days). Zone A is shaded in green. Zone  B is shaded in blue. PF Canóvanas
is in purple.



Rationing calendar



La Plata


These zones are under 24-hour rationing (water off every other day). North Zone is
in orange, South Zone is in yellow.



Rationing calendar



Guaynabo


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone
is in pink.





Corozal / Naranjito


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone is
in pink.





Eastern Puerto Rico


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. Caguas North Zone 1 is in blue, Zone
2 is green. Caguas South Zone 1 is yellow, Zone 2 is pink. Juncos Zone 1 is in
orange and Zone 2 in burgundy.




Río Grande, Loíza and Luquillo; high areas are in yellow.






Coamo, Salinas and Santa Isabel

These zones are under 12-hour rationing. Zone A is in green and Zone B is
in blue.




All information is from Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.





Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Water Rationing Update (With Zone Maps)


48-hour water rationing continues for areas served by the Carraízo reservoir,
while 24-hour rationing is still in effect for water customers served by the La
Plata reservoir. Yesterday's rains did not raise the levels of either reservoir.


Rationing calendar for Carraízo 



Rationing zone map for Carraízo:




Rationing calendar for La Plata


Rationing map for La Plata:




Today's reservoir levels (click to enlarge):
















Despite the rationing blues, we hope you all have a great Noche de San Juan. And
take advantage of whatever pool or beach you're going to...it'll be a free bath!



Monday, June 22, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For June 22, 2015


LEGISLATURE FUNDS RESERVOIR DREDGING


















From The San Juan Daily Star:

Cancelling public hearings in light of urgency and agreement, senators from
all three parties have voted to immediately begin dredging the reservoirs and
taking other conservation and maintenance measures to ensure the island’s
drinking water supply in the future, the Senate announced Thursday. It is a
measure long overdue, and thrown into relief by the present drought threats
due to lack of rain and rapidly accumulating sediment. The vote on Senate
Bill 1047 Wednesday would create a precedent-setting public drinking-water
policy which has long been needed in Puerto Rico, according to Senate Natu-
ral and Environmental Resources Committee Chairman Cirilo Tirado, who
authored the bill. Bypassing public hearings, a precedent-setting move was
made Wednesday to establish public policy on the use and management of
reservoirs in Puerto Rico.


REP DUNCAN: BOARD SHOULD TAKE OVER PR


From The New York Times:

In one of the strongest bids yet for federal intervention into Puerto Rico’s fis-
cal woes, a member of Congress is calling for a control board to take over the
island’s beleaguered government. Representative Jeffrey D. Duncan, a South
Carolina Republican, sent a letter to his fellow lawmakers on Friday, urging
them for a solution to Puerto Rico’s financial problems that may result in “ma-
nagement changes” in the commonwealth. Mr. Duncan said Congress had the
authority to establish a control board in Puerto Rico, similar to the one it created
in Washington, D.C., in the mid-1990s.


TEACHERS STRIKE OVER SCHOOL CLOSURES


From Telesur:

Puerto Rico’s teachers union went on strike Saturday in protest against the clo-
sure of 63 schools as part of education cuts, which were undertaken to save mo-
ney as the country experiences economic crisis. The affected students also parti-
cipated in the rally against the Education Ministry’s policy that leaves dozens of
teachers out of work for the next term beginning in August.   “This is detrimental
to education, because the necessities of the community, the investment in infras-
tructure in recent years, the technology, have not been taken into consideration,
and neither the parents nor the teachers have been consulted,” said Mercedes Ma-
rines, trade union leader.


SUDDEN CHANGES IN PREPA MANAGAMENT


From Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) confirmed late Friday that
three officials resigned their posts, adding that all of them are retiring  from the
financially troubled utility. Moreover, CARIBBEAN BUSINESS sources and
several local reports indicate that the utility’s executive director, Juan Alicea, is
also set to leave the troubled public corporation, although he has yet to present
his resignation officially. Consumer representative at  Prepa’s board, Carlos Ga-
llisá, has also acknowledged the imminent exit of Alicea. Governing Board Se-
cretary María Méndez Rivera, Finance Director Luis Figueroa Báez and Legal
Affairs Director Jorge Concepción resigned Friday, a spokeswoman of Prepa
confirmed, adding that they were retiring from the authority.


ANNA'S LINENS BEGINS CLOSEOUT SALE


From News Is My Business:

Home goods retailer Anna’s Linens, which made its debut in Puerto Rico a
little more than three years ago, has begun its going-out-of-business sale as
part of a company-wide bankruptcy proceeding. Hilco Merchant Resources
& Gordon Brothers Group will be in charge of the closing, offering discounts
of up to 30 percent on all merchandise including sheets, bed pillows, comfor-
ter sets, bath and beach towels, bed and bath accessories, window treatments,
housewares, decorative home accents, storage, gifts and more.


Monday, June 15, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For June 15, 2015

LA PLATA WATER RATIONING MORE LIKELY


Reservoir levels for today, June 15th. Carraizo is on the far left, La Plata is to its right.
















From The San Juan Daily Star:

The level of La Plata Reservoir continues to descend, which could lead the
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA/AAA) to make an ann-
ouncement next week on water rationing for customers supplied by the Toa
Alta reservoir. “This morning La Plata had fallen 16 centimeters [to 41.39
meters) so the tendency is that it is continuing to descend, which places us in
a position of making some kind of announcement to our clients that receive
their water supply from this reservoir as soon as early next week,” PRASA
Vice President of Operations Francisco Martínez said. La Plata reservoir su-
pplies water to some 70,000 consumers in the towns of Toa Alta, Naranjito,
Vega Alta, Comerío, Barranquitas, Aibonito, Cidra, Cayey, Bayamón, Cata-
ño, Toa Baja and parts of Guaynabo.


PR LAWMAKERS PUSH FOR MEDICARE PARITY


From Caribbean Business:

Puerto Rico legislative leaders participated Friday in several events and meet-
ings intended to push the federal government to address the federal funding
disparity issues on the island under the Medicare programs. The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently upheld its decision to cut by
11% Medicare Advantage (MA) premiums for Puerto Rico beneficiaries star-
ting in January, which pushes local MA rates to $488 per beneficiary per mo-
nth, down from $528 this year and 38% less than the U.S. national average.
Meanwhile, the CMS increased overall rates in other U.S. jurisdictions by as
much as 3%.


MORE THAN 1M ATTEND NY PUERTO RICAN PARADE


From Fox News:

Entertainer Rita Moreno took Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan for
a dancing spin Sunday in the middle of Fifth Avenue by St. Patrick's Cathe-
dral. At 83, atop a convertible car, Moreno was the grand marshal of the fes-
tivities that turned more than 1 million spectators into a sea of red, white and
blue. Topped by a single star, they're the colors of the Puerto Rican flag that
also were splashed across 20,000 marchers moving up the avenue from 44th
Street to 79th Street. Puerto Rico's governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, was
followed by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, a Puer-
to Rico native dancing to the pounding Latino soundtrack of the 58th annual
parade.



Thursday, June 11, 2015

List of Water Oases In Carraizo Rationing Zones


Water Reservoir Levels for 6/11/15 (AAA)

















Oases are locations where the island's water provider, AAA, will distribute
potable water from tanker trucks from 9:00AM  to 8:00PM daily. Bring
containers for water. The listing can be found in Spanish here. Water ra-
tioning for areas served by the Carraizo reservoir is currently on a 24-hours
-with-water-on / 48-hours-water-off cycle. Yesterday and today, Zone A has
no running water. A map of the zones can be found here.


Zone A

Ave. Campo Rico in front of José M. Lázaro School, 246th Street
Ave. Fragoso in front of Plaza Carolina
Ave. Monserrate corner of Roberto Clemente in front of Monserrate Shopping Center
Ave. Park Gardens in front of Res. Jardines del Paraíso
Ave. Pontezuela corner of Calle 1 Jardines de Country Club
Ave. Sagrado Corazón int. Eduardo Conde Zona
Ave. San Claudio in front of Chalets de Cupey
Barriada Venezuela in front of Empresas Díaz
Buen Consejo Río Piedras
516th Street in front of Municipal Police HQ, Villa Carolina
Cambridge Park Río Piedras
Laguna Gardens Shopping Center
Venus Gardens Shopping Center
Parcelas 400 1st Street in front of ballpark
Piñones Pascuala
PR #176 int #199 in front of Col. Barbara Ann Rossler
PR #185 corner of 953 Gomera Joe
PR #843 K. 3.5 in front of Urb. Villas de Carraízo
PR #846 in front of Urb. Interamericana
PR #846 in front of Urb. Lomas de Trujillo Alto
PR #858 Cacao Ballpark
Urb. Villa Carolina in front of Lulo Mendoza Court


Zone B 

Ave Gándara, corner of Ponce de León
Ave. Eduardo Conde, corner of Ave San Jorge Santurce
Ave. Monte Carlo in front of Cond. Portal de La Reina
Ave. Sagrado Corazón Int. Eduardo Conde
Calle Barbé Urb. Monte Flores (rolling)
Calle Castelar Comunidad El Chícharo (rolling)
Calle Eduardo Conde final (fixed)
Calle Julio Andino Esq. Ana Otero Urb. Villa Prades Río Piedras
Centro Comercial 65th Infantería in front Cancha Mickey Mouse
Centro Comercial Los Colobos PR #3
Centro Comercial Metropolis PR #860
Centro de Manejo de Emergencia PR #853 int #852, Bo. Barrazas
Loíza Valley in front of Shell Gas Station
Parcelas Ramón T. Colón PR #852 Km 4.0
Piñones Pascuala
Plaza del Bicentenario
PR #185 Int #957 Campo Rico in front of ballpark
PR #874 in front Parque Pelota La Central
PR #962 in front River Valley
Residencial Bartolomé de Las Casas
Residencial Villa Kennedy