Puerto Rico News Digest For August 5, 2015

2-DAY RATIONING COMES TO LA PLATA

As announced several days ago by the island's water utility, AAA,  cus-
tomers served by the La Plata reservoir will start to see 48-hour water
rationing starting today. This means that running water will be on for
one day, off for two days, then back on. The affected towns are: Baya-
món, Cataño, Dorado, Toa Alta, Toa Baja and Vega Alta. La Plata's
water levels have been steadily decreasing all summer, as the worst
drought the Caribbean area has seen in decades continues to prevent
significant rainfall over the eastern two thirds of Puerto Rico. The Na-
tional Weather Service has declared this past July to be the fourth driest
month in the island's history. La Plata's level stands this morning at 35.
74 meters, falling 13 centimeters from yesterday.

EARTHQUAKES FELT ON NORTH COAST

Two earthquakes were felt on Puerto Rico's north coast early this mor-
ning. The first one was registered at 3:29 AM, and had a magnitude of
4.5. The quake was centered at latitude 19.5208 degrees north and lon-
gitude 66.3658 and had a depth of 72 kilometeres. The tremor was felt
in several municipalities, according to El Vocero. The second quake
happened at 5:23 AM, and had a magnitude of 3.4, with the epicenter
76 miles north of the city of Dorado. No tsunami warning or watches
have been issued as a result of the quakes.

PIERLUISI CONDEMNS GOVERNOR OVER DEFAULT

From The San Juan Daily Star:

New Progressive Party (NPP) President Pedro Pierluisi on Monday lambas-
ted the administration of Gov. Alejandro García Padilla for causing the first
non-payment of the government’s financial obligations in the island’s his-
tory after missing a $58 million payment on Public Finance Corp. (PFC)
debt, due this past weekend. “Today is a grim day in the history of  Puerto
Rico. For the fi rst time in its history the government of Puerto Rico failed
to pay its obligations. The consequences of this irresponsible act will be
hard on all Puerto Ricans,” Pierluisi said.

LUXURY HOTEL BEING BUILT IN TORO VERDE

From Caribbean Business:

Jorge Jorge, the CEO of Toro Verde, a nature adventure tour company, laid
the first stone in the construction of a new luxury hotel, Nayara Toro Ver-
de, in Orocovis, which is projected to inject some $6 million into the lo-
cal economy. "Thanks to all of your support, and to always thinking about
being innovative, pioneering and at the forefront of ecotourism, we have
joined forces with Nayara Hotel, which is a five-star hotel of internatio-
nal recognition that is highly experienced in giving guests unforgettable
experiences, to build a hotel in the mountains of Toro Verde, which will
bring another perspective on luxury tourism and ecotourism to Puerto Rico,"
the businessman said.

PR FACES LITIGIATION OVER DEBT

From Reuters:

Puerto Rico News Digest For May 4, 2015

PUERTO RICO LEGALIZES MEDICAL POT

From RT:

The governor of Puerto Rico has signed an executive order to allow
marijuana to be permitted for medical uses. Alejandro Garcia Padilla
endorsed the move, which will come into immediate effect, following
a lengthy public debate on the US territory. Governor Padilla men-
tioned that Puerto Rico’s health secretary will have three months to
file a report about how the executive order will be implemented. The
order will also mean that some or all controlled substances that de-
rive from the cannabis plant will be permitted for medical use. "We're
taking a significant step in the area of health that is fundamental
to our development and quality of life," Garcia said in a statement,
cited by AP. "I am sure that many patients will receive appropriate
treatment that will offer them new hope."

PR SCIENTIST SAFE AFTER NEPAL QUAKE

From The San Juan Daily Star:

A young Puerto Rican scientist whose family did not know anything
about him after a strong earthquake hit Nepal last weekend was
reported alive Thursday. Secretary of State David Bernier said
Francis H. González “contacted his family and is alive and well.”
“We are very happy,” Bernier said. The family had been appealing
through social networks and the media for the past week for any
information about González. The earthquake that hit Nepal killed
thousands, with the death toll nearing 6,000 as of Thursday.

WATER CONSERVATION URGED AMID DROUGHT

From Caribbean Business:

Government officials are urging people to conserve water amid a
record-breaking heat wave. The Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer
Authority president said water levels are extremely low for the
season and noted that summer has not even started.

SURVEY: JOBS ARE OFF ISLAND

From News Is My Business:

A recent survey conducted by the Universia-Trabajando.com Labor Co-
mmunity revealed that more than half, or 69 percent, of respondents
from Puerto Rico believe that there are more job opportunities out-
side the island. Of the 593 participants, 46 percent think that
those options are in North America, particularly in the U.S. main-
land, 30 percent looks to Europe, and 11 percent to South America.

SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES BEGINS PR FLIGHTS

From NBC 2:

Service from Fort Myers to San Juan began Sunday according to airport
authorities at Southwest Florida International Airport. The nonstop
service to San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in
Puerto Rico got underway officially Sunday with two weekly flights,
Sundays and Thursdays. This was supposed to be a test run, however
there was so much positive feedback, Sun Country decided to make this
a permanent run right away.

Puerto Rico News Digest For April 27, 2015

PR MAN MISSING AFTER NEPAL QUAKE

As reported today by El Nuevo Dia, Francis H. González, a scientist
from Puerto Rico, is currently missing in Nepal, days after it was shaken
by a strong earthquake which has left thousands dead and injured. A
friend of the young man last heard from González via email on April 16,
two days after he arrived in Nepal during a tour of Asia which began last
year. González may or may not have left the country before the quake.
The Department of State will be holding a conference call with the Ne-
palese embassy in Washington DC today to discuss efforts to find the
scientist.

PERELLO: GOV'T SHUTDOWN OUT OF QUESTION

From The San Juan Daily Star:

House Speaker Jaime Perelló said Thursday that he doesn’t know
the exact date when the government could shut down operations
due to the lack of liquidity at the Government Development Bank
(GDB) “because we are working so that a government shutdown isn’t
even an issue under consideration.” “We are not willing to shut down
the government,” Perelló said. “We are not willing to fire one single
public worker. And we are going to approve what we have to approve
so that our public workers get paid on the 15th and on the 30th of each
month and for government services to continue operating. That is why
we are working with such seriousness.” Perelló was reacting to a letter
sent by the GDB board of directors warning lawmakers of a possible
government shutdown within the next three months as the bank is rea-
ching levels of insolvency with a  little more than $500 million left in
its portfolio.

PR DOWNGRADED TO CCC+ BY S&P

From CNBC:

Standard & Poor's downgraded Puerto Rico's general obligation rating
to "CCC+" from "B." The ratings agency said the downgrade - issued late
Friday and announced again Monday morning - was based on its view that
"the commonwealth's market access prospects have further weakened and
Puerto Rico's ability to meet its financial commitments is increasingly tied
to the business, financial, and economic conditions on the island." It also
placed the general obligation rating on CreditWatch negative.

CULINARY FEST TO BE HELD MAY 16

From Caribbean Business:

Universidad del Este's José A. (Tony) Santana International School
of Hospitality and Culinary Arts will hold its first food festival,
Gastroarte 2015. The event, which promises to exhibit the best of
Caribbean flavors, will take place May 16 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in
Carolina. It will feature music, restaurant exhibitions, artisans, coffee
growers and mixologists, as well as presentations by renowned Puerto
Rican chefs. Gastroarte is the first event to be held with the aim of de-
monstrating the school's academic excellence as the best in hospitality
and culinary arts in Puerto Rico.

OLIVE GARDEN TO HIRE 250 FOR SAN PATRICIO

From News Is My Business:

Looking to promote local economic development and job creation, Puerto
Rican company Restaurant Operators Inc., announced it is looking to fill
250 slots at its second Olive Garden restaurant expected to open this
summer in San Patricio Plaza in Guaynabo. The company is looking for
part-time waiters, service assistants, cooks, hosts and bartenders, among
other employees.

M2.8 Quake Registered Near Las Marias

The US Geological Survey has registered a magnitude 2.8 tremor with
an epicenter about 1 mile southwest of the central town of Las Marias.
The quake occurred at about 12:16 AM this morning, with coordinates
of 18.237°N,  67.010°W, with a depth of 3km. No damages have been
reported.

M3.2 Tremor Felt Near Adjuntas

A magnitude 3.2 earthquake was registered by the US Geological
Survey at 12:16 AM AST this morning, with the epicenter located
about 5 miles west/northwest of the town of  Adjuntas. Coordinates
for the epicenter were 18.185°N 66.879°W, with a depth of 17 km.
No injuries or damage have been reported.

2.5M Tremor Registered 7 Miles North of Ponce

The US Geological Survey registered a 2.5 magnitude earthquake last
night at approximately 10:45PM local time, about 7 miles north of the
city of Ponce. The epicenter's coordinates were 18.123°N 66.613°W,
with a depth of 18.0 km. No damages or injuries have been reported.

Puerto Rico News Digest For Nov. 6, 2014

MORE YOUNG PEOPLE CONSIDER LEAVING PR

El Nuevo Dia has reported today on results of its recent poll of

Puerto Rico residents that indicate that an increasing number of

Puerto Ricans, especially the young, are considering leaving the

island. The paper found that when it asked whether respondents

might leave the island in the next four years, 34% said yes, 

compared to 27% last year. Among the 18-34 age group, the 

percentage of respondents saying that they see it as 'somewhat 

likely' or 'very likely' that they'll leave Puerto Rico increases to a 

staggering 45%. If the people who have expressed a desire to leave 

were to indeed leave the island over the next four years, it would 

lead to a population drop of about 1 million inhabitants. 

2.9 TREMOR FELT 14 MILES FROM SAN JUAN

According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.9 tremor

was registered today at approximately 2:35PM AST. The epicenter

was located about 14 miles west of San Juan, with a depth of 63.4

miles. Coordinates are 18.493°N 66.315°W. No damages have

been reported, and are unlikely to have occurred. 

TEXAS CITES PR GAY MARRIAGE DECISION

From The Houston Chronicle:

"Texas officials are citing a federal judge’s decision 

to uphold Puerto Rico’s gay marriage ban in their own 

legal battle over the issue. In a brief filed to the Fifth Circuit 

Court of Appeals on Oct. 28, Texas Solicitor General Jonathan 

F. Mitchell says the judge was right when he ruled Puerto 

Rico’s ban on same-sex marriage should remain intact..."

TRUCKERS PROTEST OIL TAX IN SAN JUAN

From Caribbean Business:

"Traffic was snarled along the rain-soaked streets of San Juan 

on Wednesday morning as hundreds of truckers staged a rolling 

protest against legislation to surge the tax on petroleum.

The caravan, which was centered in a wide area around Capitol

building, also was in protest of an incoming law requiring 

trucks to have double cabins..."

3,000 FEDERAL INMATES MAY WALK FREE

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"The Federal Bureau of Prisons is slated to grant early 

release to more than 46,000 inmates with drug convictions 

in the mainland U.S. and in Puerto Rico after the U.S. 

Sentencing Commission earlier this year agreed to reduce 

draconian drug sentences..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 30, 2014

GOVERNOR HEADS WHITE HOUSE DELEGATION

From Caribbean Business:

"Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla led a high-

level delegation in a meeting at the White House on 

Wednesday to discuss the island’s fiscal and economic 

scene with Obama administration officials..."

PUERTO RICO MAY RAISE OIL TAX

From Bloomberg: 

"Puerto Rico lawmakers are working on a plan to allow 

the island’s Infrastructure Financing Authority to 

sell as much as $2.9 billion of bonds backed by 

petroleum taxes to repay loans from the Government 

Development Bank..."

TROPICAL DISTURBANCE FORMS NEAR PR

From WDSU:

"The National Hurricane Center is tracking a 

tropical disturbance forming east of the Caribbean 

this week. Officials began tracking the trough of low 

pressure this week that extends from near the northern 

Leeward Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It has a 30 

percent chance of development within the next few days..."

2.5 TREMOR FELT NEAR CAGUAS PR

The US Geological Survey has registered a magnitude

2.5 tremor about 5 miles southwest of the town of Caguas

this morning at 1:40 AM Atlantic Time. Coordinates are

18.176°N 66.102°W, with a depth of 47.2 miles. No injuries

or damage have been reported. Also, a magnitude 2.9 tremor

was registered near San Juan at approximately 7:19 PM last

night.

POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH MURDER

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"A police officer in Puerto Rico has been charged with 

first-degree murder and weapons violations in a killing 

that authorities say was sparked by a traffic-related 

confrontation..."

2.7 Magnitude Tremor Felt Near Morovis, PR

The US Geological Survey has registered a 2.7 magnitude earthquake
today at 2:47 PM Atlantic Time. The epicenter was located about 1 mile
north-northeast of Morovis, Puerto Rico.  Epicenter coordinates are
18.347°N 66.395°W, with a depth of 72.7 miles. No damage or injuries
have been reported so far.

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 20, 2014

EIGHT KILLINGS OVER THE WEEKEND

Eight violent deaths have been reported in Puerto Rico

over this past weekend. On Friday, a three-year-old girl 

in Maricao died due to abuse allegedly inflicted by her

stepfather. The man, as well as the girl's mother, are in

custody. Fajardo was the scene of a massacre on Saturday, 

in which three young men were shot to death by unknown 

assailants. A roadside vendor was murdered in Juncos on 

Sunday, as was an unidentified man in his early twenties in 

the Caguas area. Another young man was shot to death in 

Carolina on Sunday night, in the Buena Ventura district. 

A few hours before that, a 41-year-old man was murdered in 

a store in Canóvanas, when several men came into the business 

and repeatedly shot at him. 

DECREASE IN POWER COST  MONTHS AWAY

Juan F. Alicea, Executive Director of the island's Electric

Energy Authority, told El Nuevo Dia that a decrease in

electricity bills due to the recent fall in oil prices won't

be seen for another month or two, with users having to wait

until November or December before they see any difference

in their bills. Alicea could not provide an estimate of

how much of a rate decrease can be expected. The utility

expects to pay $89 per barrel during its next fuel purchase.

2.8 TREMOR TEN MILES NORTH OF HATILLO

A magnitude 2.8 tremor was registered by the US Geologcial

Survey at 4:05 AM this morning about 10 miles north of Hatillo,

Puerto Rico. The epicenter's coordinates are 18.634°N 66.799°W,

with a  depth of 47.2 miles. No damage or injuries were reported.

ELI LILLY SHUTTING DOWN GUAYAMA PLANT

From Caribbean Business:

"Eli Lilly and Company said Thursday it plans to halt

production and sell one of its three pharmaceutical 

manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico. The manufacturing 

site, located in the south coast town of Guayama, will 

remain in operation until the end of 2015..."

UNIVISION LAYS OFF EMPLOYEES, REORGANIZES

From TV News Check:

The Univision station in Puerto Rico, WLII Caguas, laid off 

99  employees in its news, production and promotion departments 

today. In doing so, the station nixed its morning, noon and evening 

newscasts. However, Ruben & Co., roundtable discussion program 

hosted by local radio and TV personality Ruben Sanchez, expands 

to one-hour, Monday to Friday and moves to 5 p.m., according to 

Univision.

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 9, 2014

2.9 Tremor Registered Seven Miles From Mayaguez

A 2.9 magnitude quake was registered about 7 miles northwest
of Mayaguez at 8:54 AM (Puerto Rico time) this morning. The
coordinates for the epicenter are 18.282°N 67.218°W, with a
depth of 75.8 miles.No damage or injuries have been reported
so far.

Spa Owner To Answer Questions About Colombia Surgery

The Hato Rey spa owner who allegedly set-up a trip for a
customer to go to a clinic in Colombia to get cheap plastic
surgery during which the patient Nancy Santana Garcia died,
is to report to Puerto Rico's Justice Department to answer
questions about the case to prosecutor Mario Ramos Junquera.
The spa owner, Katherine Hoggins, denies having recruited
the late Santana to go to Colombia for surgery. Rossymarie
Velázquez, a friend of Santana's, has stated that she overheard
a phone conversation between Hoggins and the deceased
discussing the trip, and that she will be willing to testify,
according to El Nuevo Dia.

Man Kills Wife, Then Hangs Himself

El Vocero and El Nuevo Dia report that a man in the mountain
town of Las Marias has apparently killed his wife and then
committed suicide. The body of the man, who hung himself,
was found early this morning by the couple's 17-year-old son.
Neighbors reported hearing screams at around 5:00 AM. The
identities of the deceased have not been released, and it is
unknown how the woman died. If the incident is found to be a
case of domestic violence, it would be the 15th such case this
year to end in murder.

Dunkin' Donuts To Shut Down In Puerto Rico

According to Noticel, the international donut and coffee chain
Dunkin' Donuts shut down all eighteen of its Puerto Rico
locations on October 5th. The closings happened due to a Federal
Court order, which arose from a lawsuit filed by the parent company
against Wometco Donas, which ran the franchises on the island.
The reason for the lawsuit is unclear, but a spokesperson for
Dunkin' Donuts stated that they hope to come back to the Puerto
Rico market in the future. It is unknown how many jobs have
been lost due to the closings.

Hyatt opens in San Juan Convention District

From Caribbean Business:

The new Hyatt House opened its doors in San Juan’s Convention
District on Wednesday, marking the extended-stay brand’s first
foray outside the continental U.S, and its first foothold in Puerto
Rico and the Caribbean. Hyatt House San Juan offers 126 studio
and one-bedroom suites, and features Atlantic Ocean and San Juan
Bay views. The residentially inspired  suites also feature
contemporary full kitchens. Work started on the $29 million Hyatt
House in late 2012 and met the target opening for fall 2014.

Labor Leader Mario Roche Velázquez Dies

As reported by Claridad, prominent labor leader Mario Roche
Velázquez, age 74, died on Monday at Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in
Rio Piedras. Velázquez was the director or the Industrial Mission
organization in the 1970s and was appointed in the 1980s as a labor
representative by then-Governor Rafael Hernández Colón. He was
also an activist for numerous environmental causes.

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 8, 2014

Former Cop To Be Charged With Murder

El Nuevo Dia reports that Jesus M. Rivera Cruz, a
former police officer, is to be charged today with
first-degree murder, weapons law charges and domestic
violence. The charges arise from a Tuesday incident in
which Cruz and his wife were having an argument in their
house in the Villa Borinquen subdivision of Caguas. During
the altercation, the man's wife ran out into the street in
fear for her life, but Cruz caught up to her, stabbing
her several times. The murder was witnessed by several
neighbors.The victim died later that evening in hospital.

3.2 Magnitude Quake Northwest of Aguadilla

A 3.2 magnitude tremor was registered by the US Geological
Survey this morning at 1:16 AM. The epicenter was located
about 33 miles northwest of the city of Aguadilla. Coordinates
are 18.723°N 67.554°W, with a  depth of 24.2 miles. No injuries,
damages or tsunami alerts have been reported.

Case Of Ebola Is Ruled Out

The state's epidemiologist, Brenda Rivera, dispelled rumors
this morning that there is an ebola case in the island's
southern area, El Vocero reports. Rivera stated that the case
of the 26-year-old woman who flew in from Texas, supposedly
showing symptoms of ebola, does not even meet the criteria to
be placed under observation by the  Health Department. "We
would be the first ones to inform people, but there is no
case here", said Rivera. Ebola has killed at least 3,400 people
in West Africa, and one case is currently under treatment in
Dallas, Texas.

Ethics Office Investigates Red Light Cameras

The Office of Governmental Ethics began an investigation
this past Monday into the process used by the Department
of Transportation and Public Works to hire International
Traffic Systems to run the island's new traffic light
camera and fine system. OGE is looking into whether the
no bid and no requisition award to ITS was a result of
favoritism, according to Metro.PR.

Ex-CEO Sues Over Age Discrimination

From Insurance Insider:


The former CEO and president of Aon Risk Solutions in
Puerto Rico has sued for age discrimination after he was
allegedly "sidelined" in favour of a "significantly
younger" replacement. Iván Méndez López is suing the top-
three broker for $400,000, alleging that he was deprived
of his performance-related salary on the grounds of age.

Puerto Rico News Digest for September 29, 2014

NPP Seeks 100,000 Signatures For Statehood

Yesterday, as the pro-statehood New Progressive Party's convention wrapped

up, a resolution was passed to go forward with an effort to gather 100,000 

signatures from people supporting the full annexation of the Commonwealth

of Puerto Rico as the 51st U.S. state. It is unclear who exactly the signatures

would be submitted to or what the expected result of the collection is.

72-Year-Old Man Shot From Car In Cayey

Raúl Nieves Berríos, 72, was shot in the leg yesterday at 4:50 PM while he

stood in front of his residence in the Monte Llano public housing project

in Cayey. The man was shot by an unknown assailant who was driving by

in a black car. The injured man is currently in stable condition.

Miss Universe  Event Postponed Due to Power Outage

 Desireé Lowry, holder of the island's franchise for the Miss Universe
Pageant, had to postpone the event's preliminary competition on Sunday

night due to a power outage caused by nearby utility work being done 

by the Autoridad de Energia Electrica. The event will instead be held

Monday night at 8:00, at Santurce's Ambassador Theater.

Tremor Felt 40 Miles North of Hatillo

A 2.6 magnitude tremor was 

registered by the U.S. Geological 

Survey 40 miles north of the northern 

Puerto Rico municipality of  Hatillo at 

6:27 AM today. The epicenter's coor-

dinates are 19.079°N 66.800°W, with 

a depth of 26.1 miles. No damage, 

injuries or tsunami activity have been 

reported.

Puerto Rico Hotel Registrations See Modest Increase

From Caribbean Business:

Puerto Rico hotel registrations edged up in fiscal 2014 even 

as the occupancy rate inched down. Total hotel registrations 

rose 1.6 percent in fiscal 2014 (ended June 30), according to 

the latest statistics posted by the Government Development Bank.

The numbers tell a tale of two economies: a U.S. economy that 

continues to gather strength after the Great Recession and a 

Puerto Rico economy that is struggling to find footing amid a 

downturn dating back a decade. Resident registrations dropped by 

1.1 percent while non-resident books climbed by 2.8 percent in 

fiscal 2014.

Magnitude 2.7 Tremor Registered 19 Miles NNE of Fajardo

A magnitude 2.7 tremor was registered by the United States Geological
Survey today at 3:13 AM Atlantic/Eastern Time, approximately 19 miles
north/northeast of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Location coordinates are:  
18.584°N 65.520°W,  depth=23.0km (14.3mi).  No damages or injuries 
have been reported.

Magnitude 2.8 Tremor Registered 32 Miles North of Arecibo

A magnitude 2.8 tremor was registered by the United States Geological
Survey today at 11:19 AM Atlantic/Eastern Time, approximately 32 miles
north of Arecibo, PR. Location coordinates are:  18.933°N 66.729°W,
depth=60.0km (37.3mi).  No damages or injuries have been reported.