Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More NY1 has obtained a never-before-seen look at Joshua Valles' final moments on Rikers Island Valles died after spending less than six weeks on Rikers Island in the spring of 2023 for burglary His death at the time sparking controversy and outrage exclusive video obtained by NY1 from the Department of Correction through the Freedom of Information Law shows what happened just before Valles was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced brain dead His death is still perplexing his attorney and his family "I think there is a lot of questions around his death and a lot of deaths that have occurred on Rikers Island," Stan Germán of the New York County Defender Services The Department of Correction did not answer NY1's questions for this story A spokesperson only said Valles's death is under investigation Valles' death first came to light in reporting from the court-appointed Rikers federal monitor — the subject of a damaging special report from the monitor in May of 2023 The monitor slammed the department for initially failing to even notify them that Valles was on life support in the hospital and it questioned the department's rationale that there had been no wrongdoing the monitor reported an autopsy revealed Valles died as a result of a fractured skull But the record since has become more complicated the city’s medical examiner found Valles' cause of death was natural — caused by an unknown The city’s Department of Investigation inquiry has closed The state attorney general is still investigating Video NY1 obtained shows a brief fight Valles got into with another detainee shortly after arriving on Rikers in April It also shows Valles on the day he is sent to the hospital then went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated at the hospital The following day he was found to be brain dead Video reviewed by NY1 shows a medical official checking on him The video obtained by NY1 from the Department of Correction does not show any head trauma occurring to Valles that day But NY1 was only given a tiny sliver of video of his time in custody Medical experts who reviewed the records and video obtained by NY1 have said it's inconclusive NY1 was not able to obtain the full medical examiner's report "Whether or not you have a seizure or blunt force trauma the inmate walking and complaining about a headache both could be the cause of the headache,” Angelique Corthals an associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice “Obviously if you have a fractured skull you will complain of a headache But a headache is also very common following a severe seizure." There are lingering questions about his time and treatment in those final days and hours with the city's health care provider on Rikers has called out the department for repeatedly locking in detainees in mental health units in their cells — failing to get them medication "I witnessed a widespread practice known as deadlocking where patients are locked in their cells for weeks and weeks without access to medications,” Rzewinski told the Board of Correction in October “These individuals began to decompensate rapidly." It's unclear if that is what happened to Valles But the testimony is raising questions about how he was treated in his final days "Just the act of locking a seriously mentally ill person in his cell in it of itself is illegal,” Germán told NY1 Valles was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had a history of psychiatric hospitalizations He was housed in a mental health unit on Rikers A Board of Correction report examining Valles' death from last year states Valles was locked in his cell on his mental health unit but it's unclear for how long The report states he was locked in because he was exhibiting “childlike behavior.” Valles allegedly expressed his frustration by banging on the door of his cell But the report could not determine whether he used his head or just his fist Te same report questions whether officers were appropriately checking in on Valles often enough "So simply these benign behavioral attributes and the way he was exhibiting was enough for somebody from the DOC from the video we don't know how long the deadlock took place We don't know whether he was checked on when he was deadlocked We don't know in the throes of trying to get attention he hit his head while he was going through this time of mental instability." The Valles family is suing the city for negligence and wrongful death a 31-year-old man who died after a short stay on Rikers Island recently sued the city for $100 million as part of a wrongful death lawsuit The family of a 31-year-old man whose death in Department of Correction custody remains disputed over a year after it happened recently filed a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city The family of Joshua Valles who died after a short stay in the city’s notorious jail complex in May 2023 said in a recently filed lawsuit that the city’s Department of Correction and New York City Health and Hospitals not only failed to care for Valles in the brief time he was in the city’s custody but also violated the detainee’s constitutional and civil rights “We want justice for Joshua and justice for Joshua’s family,” Milene Mansouri “Joshua was a beautiful soul,” Mansouri added “He should have never been at [Rikers] in the first place and he should have never died.” Valles was the third detainee on Rikers Island to die in 2023 a year in which nine people died in the city’s custody Valles was also one of several detainees whose deaths were not properly reported by the Department of Correction to various oversight agencies effectively sparking an ongoing effort to take Rikers out of the control of the city and hand it over to a court-appointed authority The DOC’s original account of Valles’ death left out a number of details that were later unveiled by autopsy reports and investigations by the DOC’s watchdog group and the federal monitor assigned by a federal judge to keep track of conditions on Rikers Though the agency initially said that Valles had died of a heart attack records later showed that he had suffered a major brain injury that the DOC failed to mention on a number of occasions The circumstances surrounding Valles’ death remain disputed a little more than a year after the incident unfolded A spokesperson for the city’s Law Department told the Eagle that the lawsuit was “under review.” theft-related charges in early April 2023 and sent to Rikers by a judge who ordered he be held on $10,000 cash bail The public defenders who were representing him at that time blamed his arrest on his ongoing struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues – health staff in the jail later confirmed a bulk of his self-reported diagnostic history bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Valles had no visible or serious injuries,” according to the report The next day, correctional officers failed to take Valles to a scheduled medical appointment – the issue has plagued the department, and has been the subject of a lawsuit Valles was placed in “lock in” after DOC staff said he was “exhibiting child-like behavior and attention-seeking and instructive behaviors” toward staff Valles hit the door with his hand and could have possibly banged his head against it the BOC said video footage of the incident doesn’t clearly show whether his head hit the door or not Valles said that he was suffering from a severe headache who called EMS to take the detainee to Elmhurst Hospital because he was experiencing decreased brain function weakness and appeared to be extremely tired Though the correctional officers who were guarding him at the hospital claimed that he appeared to be moving around normally throughout the afternoon His blood oxygen level had dropped to dangerously low levels and he suffered a heart attack A scan of Valles’ head ordered by hospital staff that day showed that he had a major brain injury hospital staff determined that Valles was brain dead the DOC didn’t contact Valles’ family until two days after he had been put on life support But it wasn’t only Valles’ family that wasn’t getting information about the detainee’s condition was being led by former DOC Commissioner and current Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commission Louis Molina did not communicate Valles’ incident with the federal monitor charged with overseeing conditions on Rikers Island The monitor, Steve J. Martin, only learned of Valles’ condition after he received “an external allegation that this individual was in the hospital and on life support,” Martin said in a May 2023 report on five incidents that Molina had failed to communicate to the monitoring team After Martin confronted Molina about the incident the then-commissioner told the monitor that he believed that there was “no official wrongdoing” on the part of DOC officials but added that they knew of few other details regarding the incident “It is unclear how the department was able to reach the conclusion that there was ‘no departmental wrongdoing’ given the limited information available about the underlying incident,” the monitor said in a May report “As the monitoring team received no further details regarding the incident other than that which is stated herein the monitoring team is unable to assess the incident and the veracity of the department’s claims.” Valles was pronounced dead on May 27 after he was transported to another hospital for an organ donation His death was not announced to the media because he had been released from DOC custody by a judge after it had been determined that he was brain dead Mansouri claims that Valles death was a symptom of a number of larger issues plaguing the DOC many of which have been behind the call for a federal takeover of the city’s jail and it's about time that the city does something about it,” Mansouri said is currently being considered by federal Judge Laura Swain in the ongoing civil rights case known as Nunez v Swain said the incident was “disturbing,” and that it “highlighted dangerous conditions and unsafe practices as well as grave concerns related to transparency and the reporting of information to the monitoring team.” Home / Law / Crime / Politics / Communities / Voices / All Stories / Who We Are / Terms and Conditions MexicoChevron Mexico CityChevron ChevronChevronPhotosSave this storySaveSave this storySaveReviewed by Scarlett LindemanWhat were your first impressions when you arrived Mostly Mexicans, tourists and TikTokers, we are on the well-trafficked avenue of Alvaro Obregon in Roma Norte, after all. This restaurant is not good for large groups or spending hours lingering. People are amped up to try the menu and willing to wait. Beer and sparkling water. Agua frescas, one with coconut that's sweet and tasty. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. Beyond tacos, there are flautas swimming in sauce, a roasted onion soused in inky Salsa Maggi, and roasted bone marrow to further gild the lily. Everything is top-notch. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? Helpful and nice. Apologetic when the small kitchen is overwhelmed by the demand. Arrivals of your order can be erratic. This business needed to expand to a larger location. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? Hell yeah. Tacos del Valle is the cream of the crop in the new-wave of taquerias taking the city. Snag a table early in the day or take advantage when you walk by and see the line is short. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Edmond's Anthony Valles gets a hug from his mother HAMPTON — Behind three Top-7 finishes including a runner-up performance from Anthony Valles Edmond boys placed second here Tuesday at the North Central Conference cross country meet Algona’s Gavin Weber was meet medalist finishing just three seconds ahead of Valles Clear Lake scored the team title over the Gaels posted a time of 16:23.7 to finish well ahead of third places Gavin Roske of Clear Lake and Justin Callahan from Webster City came in sixth with a time of 17:36 while classmate Levi Odor-Westrum was right behind in seventh in 17:38 Erik Larson was 27th and Drake Yurkovac gave the Gaels five in the Top-31 “I told the boys they could possibly (finish ahead of) Algona but I wasn’t entirely sure,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said and I give our guys a ton of credit for believing it and accomplishing it “Four of our Top-6 guys had (personal records) and six total including varsity and (junior varsity) We were competing against all (Class) 3A schools despite the fact that the elite runner showed disappointment afterward “He’s disappointed he wasn’t able to (successfully defend) his title but he set a new PR and the program’s junior (time) record,” Szalat said “If you can do that and still be frustrated that speaks to both his talent and his mindset Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to your opponent But this will motivate (Valles) even more heading into the postseason.” Webster City’s Gabe Thumma finished eighth with Clear Lake’s Owen Smith and Daniel Steinbron completing the Top-10 Algona’s Ryley Riggert and Brooks Morgan finished 11th and 12th Webster City’s Jack Barner was 14th and Humboldt’s top finish came courtesy of Justin Ash who was 44th rounded out the Algona lineup Thumma and Barner were followed by Ivan Lopez was 29th Kyzer Zinnel 32nd and Kaleb Draeger 33rd for the Lynx Humboldt’s finishers included Jaden Himrod in 20th Graham Bakken in 45th and Tyler Carlson in 47th Evan Christiansen finished 26th overall and Ethan Cibert was 44th Owen Rutherford finished 57th and Dylan Brokaw was 58th Sam Touney was 36th and Davin Darling placed 38th The Fort Dodge boys and girls track and field teams will get a good look at several state-qualifying meet squads on .. LAKE CITY — It was a fight to the finish in the boys team standings at the Ross Samuelson Co-Ed Relays in Lake .. LAKE CITY — The South Central Calhoun girls placed second at their home Ross Samuelson Co-Ed Relays here on .. LLC | https://www.messengernews.net | 713 Central Ave. Valle Grande is the largest meadow in Valles Caldera There are 15 national parks and monuments across New Mexico But what’s really cool is that three are in very close proximity to each other—and to Santa Fe—which means you can visit all of them in one easy On a recent long weekend, I plunked myself in art-filled Santa Fe (part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network) and in between stops at interactive funhouse Meow Wolf, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and other ideas from Afar’s list of the best things to do in Santa Fe I headed out to explore the state’s special blend of nature and history perfectly exemplified by the trio of Bandelier National Monument and Manhattan Project National Historical Park Word to the wise: The next free-entrance national park days are coming up September 28 and November 11, 2024—a good reason to start planning your fall trips now, whether with the family or solo As if you needed another reason to visit these three national park sites 140 feet up from the floor of Frijoles Canyon was home to about 25 Ancestral Pueblo people About a 50-minute drive northwest from Santa Fe, Bandelier is 33,000 acres of protected canyonlands and mesas known for well-preserved petroglyphs and cliff dwellings The 1.4-mile Pueblo Loop Trail begins at the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center It leads you through remnants of ancient Pueblo villages and homes carved into the rocks I was in awe as I climbed; hikers are welcome to ascend wooden ladders into the cool dark cubby holes (called cavates) that date back 500 to 700 years brave souls with no fear of heights—which rules me out—can opt for a bigger challenge: a series of long steep ladders that snake a half mile along the side of a cliff to the Alcove House a large semicircular dwelling 140 feet up from the floor of the canyon There are many other trails to choose from 22-mile Painted Cave trek (which also has a pretty self-explanatory name) And there are two campgrounds if you’d like to stay overnight Check with park rangers before heading out; flood damage over the years has affected trails and you’ll need the latest safety information Note that during peak daily hours of high season (roughly the end of June to mid-October) guests must leave their cars at an external visitor center and board a free shuttle into the park a program launched to alleviate overcrowded parking lots A 30-minute drive from Bandelier is a completely different type of scenery. This preserve, Valles Caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption about 1.2 million years ago The explosion scooped out a 14-mile-wide crater (or caldera) that’s now a flat expanse of grassy meadows (valles in Spanish) surrounded by the Jemez Mountains The land here has been used by various American Indian tribes for millennia: They hunted the land was taken over by settlers for sheep grazing and cattle ranching logging decimated the majority of the old-growth forest here a government trust has focused on preservation and restoration you’ll see the heavens: Valles Caldera is an International Dark Sky Park and the rangers host night hikes and sky-viewing events during full moons All Manhattan Project workers had to go through a security gate to enter the secret city The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is just a 20-minute drive from Bandelier and Valles Caldera (and about 45 from Santa Fe) and once you’ve seen the other two parks (and even if you haven’t) government put Los Alamos where they put it If it was the 1940s and you were looking for a secret isolated spot to build a highly classified project like the atomic bomb scrubby land surrounded by mountains was the place to do it The park is actually made up of three separate sites spread across the country: a former plutonium factory in Hanford, Washington; a former uranium-enriching complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the old research and lab complex in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Los Alamos arm is often referred to as “Atomic City,” but it’s more like a college campus and visitors can spend a full day wandering among historic buildings and museums but it’s also uncomfortable and incongruous I watched tourists pose for jokey selfies with a life-size bronze statue of Manhattan Project leaders Oppenheimer and General Groves The history museum gift shop sells key chains and stickers printed with Oppenheimer’s pipe-smoking profile The Bradbury Science Museum and the Los Alamos History Museum recount the bomb project from its beginnings through its aftermath (including spy stories and replicas of the Little Boy and Fat Man atomic bombs) But I was most intrigued by all the information about everyday life described throughout the campus’s historic buildings on plaques and displays: the cottages where scientists and civilians lived Roebuck & Company complained about sending 400 catalogs to a single P.O Box (because little did they know that all civilians who lived here shared the same address And if you’d like to walk through movie history, you can do that too. Oppenheimer was made here in 2022, and the National Park Service created a self-guided tour of filming locations via paper pamphlet or the NPS app For those wanting to know more about the scientific history side of things, nab a spot on the rare and popular “behind the fence” tours of the Los Alamos National Laboratory they take guests to infamous spots including Pond Cabin where Emilio Segrè’s plutonium research team worked where scientists studied magnetic field disruptions and implosions Ten Thousand Waves hotel opened as a small bathhouse complex in 1981 Today it still has that Japanese onsen vibe AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site.© 2025 AFAR LLC one of nine people to have died in Department of Correction custody in 2023 sued the city this week.  AP file photo by Seth Wenig The family of a man who committed suicide on Rikers Island last year said in a new lawsuit that the city and its Department of Correction should be held accountable for the man’s death who was the seventh person to die in DOC custody in 2023 filed a wrongful death suit against the city this week claiming officers on Rikers Island violated a number of DOC policies and procedures in the lead up to Davis’ July death the agency failed to get Davis to a number of medical appointments despite warnings from the detainee that he had not only previously attempted to kill himself but that he was considering doing so upon his entry to the troubled jail complex at the start of June 2023 The suit also claims that on the day of his death Davis was left alone and not seen by officers for hours despite requirements that officers frequently walk around housing areas to check on detainees The department also initially gave a misleading telling of Davis’ death an officer said he found Davis unconscious and that he had died of a suspected overdose or heart attack It wasn’t until a subsequent investigation was completed that it was discovered that the officer found Curtis unresponsive leaning against a wall with a sheet around his neck An autopsy later confirmed that Curtis had died of suicide by hanging Davis was incarcerated on Rikers Island for a little over 50 days before his death “The Department of Corrections and thus the City of New York failed to provide even a basic level of care for Mr “They failed miserably…to keep Curtis safe and give him the medicine and care he plainly asked for many times.” which have also been confirmed by a report on Davis’ death by the Board of Correction have also been found as contributing factors in a large number of other deaths on Rikers Island – over 30 people have died while in the DOC’s care in the past two and a half years Three detainees who died around the same time that Davis did also missed a number of medical appointments prior to their deaths They also were nearly all held in facilities where officers failed to take regular tours of housing areas leaving them unsupervised for long periods of time “The Department of Corrections clearly allowed a deadly event to occur because officers and wardens did not do their job and there was what can only be described as a total breakdown of the system,” he added and simply not safe for anyone at this time.” Davis entered the jail complex after having allegedly stabbed a 29-year-old man in the eye in 2023 during Davis’ initial mental health screening he told the DOC and Correctional Health Services that he was having thoughts of killing himself Though he was initially prescribed psychiatric medications for his mental health issues he was not taken to an appointment with CHS to re-evaluate the medication’s effectiveness two weeks after it was initially prescribed to him he missed his June 29 appointment with CHS to re-evaluate his psychiatric medication because he was “not produced” by the DOC Davis was hardly the only detainee not to be brought to a medical appointment by the DOC in 2023 officers with the Department of Correction failed over 35,200 times to get detainees to their medical appointments scheduled with Correctional Health Services in 2023 The number of missed appointments accounted for just under 37 percent of all medical appointment requests made by people in custody that year Davis told a CHS worker that he believed the strength of his medication needed to be increased Davis was not brought to another psychiatric re-evaluation appointment three days later the DOC allegedly failed to bring Davis to six medical appointments that he had requested a DOC log filled out by officers showed that an officer walked the floor of Davis’ housing unit every 30 minutes to make sure that every detainee on the floor was alive and well the lawsuit alleges that records were fraudulent an officer left the housing unit around 2 a.m. who had placed a sheet over his cell’s window – officers are supposed to take down any coverings concealing the inside of a cell At some point during the hours he spent alone Two officers were suspended following Davis’ death Davis’ family are not the only ones to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the DOC this year the DOC initially reported that Valles had died of a suspected heart attack only to have that narrative later disputed Records later showed that Valles had suffered a major brain injury that the DOC failed to mention on a number of occasions Valles’ family’s attorney Milene Mansouri claimed that Valles’ death was a symptom of a number of larger issues plaguing the DOC and it's about time that the city does something about it,” Mansouri told the Eagle earlier this year The Seattle City Council got its first look early this week at the 20-year strategy for housing and jobs growth that Mayor Bruce Harrell has put forward as part of his One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update And while several councilmembers offered hints about what areas they’d like to focus on when the council as a whole gets a chance to review and ultimately approve the plan District 2 councilmember and land use committee chair Tammy Morales made it clear that she thinks the plan is far from sufficient to meet the challenges facing the city today and will take significant revising to get right “My biggest takeaway is that this plan feels like it’s planning for our current conditions and not planning for a vision of what we know is coming in terms of growth and what we could become vibrant well-connected neighborhoods,” Morales said at a briefing Monday on the One Seattle plan represented at Monday’s meeting by deputy director of policy Christa Valles pushed back on criticism of the plan’s ambitions by emphasizing that the 100,000 additional units that the city expects to see in the next 20 years — only around 20,000 more than current baseline projections (and the minimum number assigned by the county) — are not the same as the additional zoning capacity created by the plan even as the City still hasn’t released a firm number on what that additional capacity actually translates to Valles touted the city’s rapid growth over the past decade-and-a-half suggesting the city’s path to success is largely the same one that has been seen “Since our Comp Plan was adopted in 2015 meeting our current 20-year growth target in just eight years,” Valles said “This statistic also illustrates that growth targets are not the same thing as zoning capacity with this rapid expansion of housing in Seattle in recent years our current zoned capacity for new housing stands at 165,000 units This does not include our current proposed plan and the additional capacity that will be added with it.” But Morales didn’t mince words when it came to how she sees the plan as maintaining the status quo She took aim in particular at a lack of expansion plans for the city’s regional centers — currently central Seattle neighborhoods like Uptown as well as Northgate and the U District — do not include the south half of the city Regional centers are areas that traditionally see the most housing and jobs growth and are designated in conjunction with the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) which generally requires a neighborhood level plan separate from a city’s Comprehensive Plan to guide growth in those areas “What we’re doing here is continuing the status quo,” Morales said “We’re excluding the South End from intentionally planning for economic development opportunities We’re doing ourselves to the same mistakes we made in the past and creating deeper economic inequality This area was already identified as an area of low access to economic opportunity in the last comprehensive plan.” But whether Morales will have any true allies on the council when it comes to radically changing the plan remains unclear “The goal is to increase the supply and diversity of housing options,” District 5’s Cathy Moore said Monday. Last year, Moore told The Urbanist that she supported Alternative 5 and even supported studying an Alternative 6 that would have gone even further The current plan falls well short of even Alternative 5 even as it picks and chooses elements from the other options But Moore suggested one of the primary concerns she was hearing from constituents had more to do with aesthetics than anything else “The feedback that I get from District 5 is that [current development is] just too townhouse-specific and too townhouse-centric and that people are really looking and [are] much more receptive to a sense of a housing diversity.” More likely to end up in the mayor’s corner are councilmembers like Bob Kettle (District 7), Rob Saka (District 1), and Maritza Rivera (District 4). Last year, Rivera told The Urbanist that her vision for a growth strategy was roughly in line with what Harrell has proposed now “If we allowed development up to quad-plexes everywhere in the City while expanding transit-oriented development we would address a very significant portion of our housing affordability crisis and preserve the unique character of our neighborhoods,” Rivera said last summer Saka, who told The Urbanist last year that he supports “increasing the most density along transit corridors and in urban villages,” also suggested that the city should be careful about going too far Monday “I strongly support thoughtful growth,” Saka said this week suggesting that neighborhoods needed to have infrastructure like grocery stores in place before they could be asked to take on more density this whole 15-minute walkable neighborhood is a pipe dream unless and until we get a lot of that really important nitty-gritty With most of the council focused on immediate issues like police hiring or immediate budget issues Morales seems to be the one urging the council to consider the long-term implications of the decisions that get made this year and into next year around the Seattle Comprehensive Plan “This plan is about the future of Seattle’s housing and jobs and our climate strategies,” Morales said “We have a once in a decade chance to build more affordable housing to create economic opportunity and bring good jobs to folks across the city more efficient city that is serious about addressing our climate emergency.” Ryan Packer has been writing for The Urbanist since 2015 and currently reports full-time as Contributing Editor Packer has also reported for other regional outlets including Capitol Hill Seattle They live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle The Urbanist hosts social hour meetups every month. In April, we’re hosting four social events and kicking off our urbanism-themed walking tours starting in Kirkland on April 26 we’ll be hosting a booth at the opening celebration at Downtown Redmond Station Check our urbanist events calendar to see everything happening this month, including events hosted by partner organizations. You can submit your event for inclusion one curiosity lingered as I waited for U.S How this weekly miracle comes out every week — and has done so since 2001 — is a tribute to the folks on this page and the many who came before them I’m glad to contribute a few tricks I’ve learned from 55 years in journalism all over the map It is with profound sadness to share the news of the unexpected passing of Dr saved acres of sensitive environmental lands and brought voices to neighborhoods and residents to City Hall There is not a policy that impacted the way of community development that Dr Joe did not have his hand in or if it was not centering community voices he made sure everyone knew it was bad policy where he would let you know if he felt you weren’t doing right by the community and uplifted you if he saw your vision and fight was right for the Westside and the City The loss of such a profound fighter for our community will be felt for generations—not just on the Westside The following is a statement from the Valles family:  "Friends in the broader Albuquerque community This message is to share with you the sudden and unexpected passing of Dr our hearts are saddened and we continue to come to terms with his loss we want to acknowledge that Joe put his heart into a number of community endeavors and that he valued your shared time and passion in service of the mutual goals of community governance thank you all for being part of his extended family and a huge part of his life We are all very proud of him and his commitment to social activism and community participation since his years in college At this time arrangements for services have yet to be determined but we plan to place an obituary in the Albuquerque Journal with further details in the near future was a singular force for neighborhoods in so many aspects of city life and respect for improving the experience of everyday living in the Duke City was unquestioned during good and tough times for decades in our city.”  “It is difficult to express the grief we are all feeling with the loss of Dr and he was a staunch fighter for the good of our neighborhoods who was knowledgeable and not afriad to express his opinion on City issues It is certainly a difficult time for the family and the community "Albuquerque lost an extraordinary community leader Joe Valles was a fighter for neighborhood representation and inclusion in local decision making This is a tremendous loss to our city and community Kory and I send our love and prayers to the entire Valles and Santiago families in this moment of grief an honest counselor to those who sought elected office “A true example of selflessness and courage Valles would take on corporate giants and even his friends to fight for what he believed in A loss on many levels for us on the westside.”  Joe Valles was passionate about his family He was an effective and tireless advocate for the Westside He was a truth teller who cared deeply about those with less He hated unfairness and tried to right wrongs sometimes saying he thought was tilting against windmills He had a wonderful sense of humor and irony His loss leaves a huge void in the community “We are heartbroken that one of our greatest Westside advocates fearless and tenacious in his advocacy for our rights as neighborhoods and communities to have a voice in our government in order to make our neighborhoods a better place to live We will never and cannot forget his accomplishments and what he has done We can hour Dr Joe by continuing his fight to make our communities and neighborhoods a great place to live - APS Board Member Candelaria Candy Patterson and longtime Community Advocate  “A community depends on people who care to move forward A genuine interest in all aspects of Albuquerque life was wrapped up in the life of Dr Community activist isn’t a strong enough word to describe him Albuquerque’s champion community leader left us His passing and his life’s work will alter our present Westside Coalition of Neighborhood Association  Joe had a long term commitment to his community and was very good at expressing the needs and issues of the community through his writing the insight to address all the issues that we face He was a dear friend to all of us and we relied on him to carry us through He held the community together and we are sorely going to miss him."  that if we could include statements from all of those that knew him and were friends of Dr I know that my office did not capture everyone's statements and more will be included in the days that follow but I know that many of us who were privileged enough to know him he knows we are all thinking of him and the profound impact he made in all of our lives The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services © 2025 The City of Albuquerque. All Rights Reserved. The official website for the City of Albuquerque. Recently, Judith Valles, 89, the first Hispanic mayor of San Bernardino and retired president of Golden West College, sat down with Inland Empire Community News and KVCR to detail her family’s experience with segregation at the infamous Perris Hill Plunge and a local cemetery.  Valles, born in 1933, is a San Bernardino Valley College Hall of Fame inductee and author of “As My Mother Would Say: Como Decia Mi Mama,” didn’t achieve this level of success overnight or without a fight through segregation. “I was raised in an eight-parent family with four brothers and four sisters. My parents were proud Hispanics, but my family endured much suffering in the 1940s,” said Valles. She said when she was nine years old, her older brother, serving in the U.S. Air Force, was killed during a WWll training accident in 1942. The following experiences were some of her first remembrances of segregation and discrimination.  “My brother’s body was flown home, and my father went to the cemetery to arrange his burial; everything was set. The next day my mother went to select a casket, and the employee asked, ‘Are you Mexican?’ and my mother said, ‘Si Senor.’ My mother was told that Mexicans could not be buried there, that Mexicans and Negros have to be buried behind the hedge,” continued Valles.  Valles’ father was beyond reasonably upset, and her brother’s body ended up in her family’s living room for a few days.  “My father said, ‘We’re not going to bury him, and he took my brother’s body home. I was nine years old, and I remember in our living room, there was his casket. So my father contacted the congressman, and the congressman made arrangements to have my brother’s body flown to Arlington Cemetery in Washington. My mother started crying, saying, ‘I want my son buried here so I can go visit him,'” Valles said.   With the help of congress and attorneys, Valles’ brother ended up being buried in the San Bernardino cemetery where her mother wanted him.  “My father insisted, and my brother integrated the cemetery. So that was a big deal,” said Valles.  Also in the 1940s, when the Lopez V. Seccombe case was filed, her older brother Mike went to the infamous Perris Hill Plunge with an Italian friend. The Italian friend was let in, but her brother was not – because he was Mexican.  “So they went to the plunge, and at the gate, they let Mike’s Italian friend in, and they asked my brother, ‘Are you Mexican?’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ They said sorry, Mexicans can only swim on Fridays – the day before they emptied the pool. So he watched his buddy swim,” continued Valles.  She said that when her brother returned home, he explained what had happened to their father, and her father was livid.  “My father was furious. So he contacted some attorneys, and we integrated the pool at the Perris Hill Plunge, which explains why when I became mayor, I ensured that we had a swimming pool and a plunge on the westside at Nunez Park. That was a community attribution I knew I had to accomplish,” Valles said.  Valles said that many people didn’t realize how bad segregation and discrimination were back in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.  “It took people like my father to create change, and I didn’t appreciate him then. Sometimes I’d be embarrassed because he was such a fighter, but now I look back, and I say it’s great that somebody did that,” Valles said.  When asked how she thinks her parents would react to finding out that their daughter became the first Hispanic mayor in the city of San Bernardino, she said they’d be proud.  “I would often think about how proud my parents would be to know that I became the city’s first Hispanic mayor when they endured so much discrimination because of our ethnicity. I used to look up and think, ‘I hope they can see this now,'” concluded Valles. Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Marques Valle took a major step up against Damian Sosa in his first scheduled 10-rounder Wednesday night and although Valle handled the two extra rounds just fine he couldn’t quite cope with his experienced At the end of 10 tremendously entertaining hard-fought rounds at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City underdog Sosa captured a deserved split decision by scores of 96-94 97-93 – and a hard-to-figure 98-92 in Valle’s favor had the crowd on his side and flashed his talent from the mid-range in the opening round But it wasn’t long before the slickness let him know just how tough he had been matched Back and forth they went in what seemed a dead-even fight through the first six rounds with “El Samurai” Sosa getting the better of the exchanges in close – especially when he backed Valle to the ropes – while Valle did his best work with a little space separating him from his motivated veteran foe Valle lost his mouthpiece four times in the fight but that was a mere footnote – it was Sosa’s pressure and two-fisted attack that proved the headline they told him to “lay everything on the line right now.” Valle responded seeming to hurt Sosa a bit with body shots in the final rounds and snapping his head back at one point with a heavy right hand After having fought just one eight-rounder Valle saw his record slip to 10-1 (7 KOs) following his first 10-rounder +240 betting underdog Sosa improved to 25-2 (12 KOs) But both fighters did themselves proud in a scrap that led ProBox TV broadcaster Chris Algieri to describe the venue they were in as “the house of action.” former title challenger Ronny Rios got back in the win column in his first fight in 22 months stopping familiar ProBox TV face Nicolas Polanco with a left hook to the body in the fifth round of a scheduled featherweight 10-rounder was in charge with his body attack and pressuring style from the start showing no obvious rust as he upped his record to 34-4 (17 KOs) but Rios calmly closed the distance and fired to the flanks with both fists Both men received warnings from referee Frank Santore Jr with first the Dominican Polanco landing a long right uppercut and then California’s Rios shaking him just a bit with a chopping right it became increasingly apparent that Polanco 31, had neither the firepower nor the slickness to dissuade Rios The +550 underdog Polanco started the fifth round aggressively perhaps sensing it was go-big-or-go-home time – and “go home” was the result A perfectly placed left to the side crumpled Polanco to the canvas where the best he could do was transfer at the count of nine from his knees and elbows to just his knees The end came at 54 seconds of the round – and it was about two more minutes before Polanco was finally able to get to his feet This website may contain adult language. TM & © 2025 BoxingScene.All Rights Reserved. This website may contain adult language TM & © 2025 BoxingScene.All Rights Reserved The restaurateur wants to create a network of community centers in LA Brittney Valles starts her day at Tiago Coffee Bar & Kitchen in Hollywood she heads to Silver Lake to oversee the construction on her next restaurant She finishes the day in yet another location checking in with the team at Guerrilla Tacos the Arts District restaurant she opened with chef Wes Avila in 2018 Almost a decade ago, Valles fell in love with hospitality while working behind the counter at Handsome Coffee Roasters. There, she met regular coffee drinker and seasoned restaurant owner Bill Chait She never missed an opportunity to ask him questions about restaurant operations and when Chait opened Petty Cash Taqueria in 2013 Valles joined the team as a host and later a floor manager Valles started her own bookkeeping business a client who in 2016 would ask her to partner with him at Guerrilla Tacos Valles accepted and worked there full-time as managing partner But running what’s soon to be three restaurants isn’t all the 28-year-old has planned She’s working and fundraising to open a network of independent community centers where young Angelenos can receive holistic care from learning more about mental health and coping skills to the basics of financial literacy Valles hopes to leave a lasting imprint on Los Angeles but we do try to be top of the market and pay We also provide health insurance — medical it’s not so much what’s gonna make us the most money or what’ll look the best but what is literally the right thing to do I lost somebody to suicide during the pandemic And that was really tough for me; I really started to question the meaning of life I knew that in order to get out of that rut I had to figure it out and needed to get meaning And one of the things the practitioner did was have me pick a card “When could somebody have intervened in [his] life?” He and his parents didn’t know the signs of depression That was my upbringing in a lot of ways too The centers that existed like Boys & Girls Clubs of America or things like that...It was a lot like sheep herding; it didn’t feel right or like truly helpful resource “I really want to open a community center.”But I would go to Boys & Girls Clubs of America or things like that It was a lot like sheep herding; it didn’t feel right “I really want to open a community center.” I also knew I wanted to make something that was more of the way I ate and the way my mom fed me because my mom would never come to Guerrilla if it wasn’t mine She’s not interested in foie gras; I had to pay my Uncle Ralph $5 to try the sweet potato taco I always had it in the back of my mind to do something Mexican-American as a scalable taco concept with multiple units In order to protect Gogo’s Tacos and fund my nonprofit the nonprofit has an ownership stake in the restaurant and I finally found an investor who’s interested That’s not how X and Y does this.” That’s not really a thing anymore go after it if you have a very clear vision and direction It’s now such a new world and people have so many ideas and inventions Finding my own voice and identifying my importance in the hospitality world It’s always about the famous celebrity chef my side of the street has come to the forefront and fundamental to making sure people have money Definitely opening Gogo’s and fundraising for the nonprofit so we can start hitting our goal I’ve been doing Re:Her [a nonprofit focusing on the empowerment of female restaurateurs] which has been really great and helped us to give grants to women in business I want to start utilizing my network and the restaurants I know to start to build this nonprofit and this community center It’s really easy to forget that Boyle Heights is across the bridge And there’s still a lot of income inequality so I want to make sure for 2021 and 2022 we really take a stand and we’re not complacent We also want to help others around us and be more vocal and I think we need a little under $5 million And so if Gogo’s achieves the financial goals I’ve set for it and with independent funding — which we have already — I think we can buy a building and be able to create a network of five or six community centers in LA over the next 30 years advocate for restaurants and legislation [that supports restaurants] Support me and women like me who own businesses that are trying to make their way up and don’t just go to the places owned by white men Be a conscious restaurant eater and find places that are owned by women of color Support restaurants that are a little bit off the beaten path Wonho Frank Lee is a photographer for Eater LA If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. For international resources, here is a good place to begin This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page With its diverse landscapes and rich culture, New Mexico offers a unique summer escape for those seeking solitude away from the crowds While popular destinations attract tourists a selection of underrated gems provides a chance to experience the state's beauty and heritage without the chaos of busy streets here are 10 underrated destinations in New Mexico that promise an authentic and crowd-free summer getaway making Taos Pueblo an enriching and picturesque destination for history Valles Caldera is a volcanic wonder with serene landscapes and endless possibilities for adventure and marvel at the remnants of an ancient volcano Stop at the Valle Grande's expansive grasslands Your visit should certainly include a tour of the preserve's geothermal features Valles Caldera preserves the natural beauty of the area making it a tranquil oasis for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat If you are ready to be transported to an otherworldly realm Visitors will lose track of time marveling at the strange rock formations The wilderness area is a paradise for photographers and adventurers looking for surreal scenery Discover the "Stone Wings," a set of petrified wood resembling wings and wander through the Painted Desert for a rainbow of natural hues The rugged terrain offers exploration opportunities while the sense of isolation and the striking formations make Bisti a hidden treasure for a unique outdoor experience with breathtaking views Not to be mistaken with the entertainment city of Nevada the Las Vegas of New Mexico boasts a historic charm and a rich blend of cultures lined with restored adobe buildings and charming shops A must-visit stop is the Montezuma Hot Springs where thermal waters have drawn visitors for centuries a historic landmark with captivating architecture The town's history is woven with Native American The local cuisine is an experience in and of itself after an energizing walk on the Santa Fe Trail This lesser-known gem has so much to uncover With its lively creative scene, the vibrant art-centric town Silver City The historic downtown is a beautiful area where Victorian and Territorial-style architecture line the streets Gila National Forest offers outdoor enthusiasts the ultimate variety of activities Visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument where ancient cliff dwellings tell the story of early inhabitants Silver City's blend of artistic spirit and outdoor exploration make it a treasure for cultural immersion and relaxation Nestled in the Jemez Mountains, Jemez Springs is a haven known for its natural beauty and hot springs Relax in the soothing waters at Jemez Springs Bath House where geothermal pools are a heavenly escape for relaxation and rejuvenation The hike along the Jemez River is especially stunning with quirky trails that lead to waterfalls and breathtaking vistas Visiting Jemez Pueblo is truly a bucket-list essential as it is one of only 19 remaining ancient pueblos where one can gain insights into Native American culture and traditions The Jemez State Monument showcases the ruins of a 17th-century Spanish mission connecting visitors with layers more modern history and natural wonders Ghost Ranch, an inspiration to renowned artist Georgia O'Keeffe captivates with its red rock formations and rugged beauty uncovering hidden treasures like Chimney Rock and Box Canyon Visitors can participate in workshops on art allowing you to engage with the landscape creatively The layers of history preserved in the rock formations are spectacular to witness and the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology supplements your visit with insights into the area's prehistoric past Ghost Ranch's tranquil ambiance and artistic energy provide a retreat gleaming with inspiration and connection to nature Folded into the San Juan Mountains, Chama promises a scenic escape into the beauty of Colorado's southern Rockies. Embark on a journey aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, winding through mountain landscapes and offering historic insights. Fish in the Chama River, known for its trout, or relax on the shores of Heron Lake Hiking trails like the Continental Divide Trail provide breathtaking views and nearby Pagosa Springs offers hot springs relaxation Chama's mountain retreat is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts wrapped in a the sublime tranquility of nature Capulin Volcano beckons visitors to its rim for panoramic vistas of the surrounding plains and volcanic landscape You will want to hike Crater Rim Trail for breathtaking views learn about volcanic activity at the visitor center and marvel at the unique geological features The volcano's history and its impact on the region are brought to life through interpretive programs and exhibits Its thriving wildlife stands out in comparison to the surrounding areas there is a diverse array of plant and animal species that coexist spanning from black bears and pine trees to bees Capulin Volcano's secluded location and geological wonders offer an off-the-beaten-path experience for those intrigued by natural phenomena is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America It is surely worth booking a guided tour to explore the pueblo's adobe structures Absorb stunning vistas of the New Mexico landscape from the mesa's heights and witness the rich legacy of Acoma culture through pottery-making demonstrations and interactions with local artisans The blend of cultural heritage and breathtaking scenery make Acoma Pueblo a hidden gem for those seeking insights into Native American history and a unique perspective on New Mexico's past These underrated destinations in New Mexico offer a variety of experiences from cultural immersion to outdoor exploration these hidden gems provide an authentic and tranquil escape From the ancient Pueblos to the beautiful wilderness areas these New Mexico treasures should be on your summer calendar photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com A new car-sharing service in Santa Monica allows people to drive for free in electric vehicles that are sponsored by advertisers The City of Santa Monica is currently assessing the legality of WaiveCar Officials must make sure the business doesn't run afoul of a maze of local and state regulations regarding transportation and mobile advertising assistant director of the city Planning and Community Development department “There are so many subtleties in the law,” he said “We want to be fair and take a close look at what this is It's not our intent to interfere with the business but we do need to take a look at how they'll be operating and whether or not how they propose to be operating would violate the law it's important to understand exactly what they're doing.” WaiveCar submitted paperwork for a business license Wednesday and the City is seeking additional information from the company about its operation Evaluation will continue over the next couple weeks said he's hopeful that the company and City will be able to work through any potential legal obstacles “With any startup that's new and different you always run into that concern,” Honig said “whether you're Uber or Lyft or what we're doing We feel we're providing a great transportation alternative that's clean and efficient and affordable We're optimistic that the City will be a partner to help us grow so we can be a great service for the residents of the city.” see WaiveCar as a sustainable solution to commuting in and around Santa Monica They chose California as a general target because of the availability of electric cars and they zeroed in on Santa Monica in part because of its charging stations and environmentally conscious reputation Honig noted that electric vehicle drivers are allowed to park for free at on-street meters in Santa Monica (They must obey time limits and other restrictions.) “Los Angeles doesn't have the greatest public transit,” he said WaiveCar currently has 20 cars available and eventually plans to expand its fleet to 200 across Los Angeles Driving a WaiveCar vehicle is free for the first two hours and $5.99 per hour after that users are being asked to return the cars to the company's lot near 7th Street and Colorado Avenue unless they're left with at least a 25-percent charge or at a charging station we needed an area with a lot of traffic and Santa Monica made sense,” Honig said It's a great place to live and a very friendly environment for our business.” Valles, the City planning official, said the advertising element adds a new component to the car-sharing concept. But this isn't the first time he's looked into the soundness of a local transportation-related company. He distinctly remembers Santa Monica's 2014 ban on MonkeyParking a business that encouraged drivers to sell high-demand public parking spaces through an app “We think companies can provide valuable benefits When a new model starts to impact our streets that's when it becomes more of a concern for us Traffic and congestion are of top concern for residents and for the community so those are things we do take a closer look at to understand.” OCEAN CITY — A former teacher at Ocean City High School accused of molesting a student on the last day of school has been sentenced after taking a plea deal was sentenced on July 25 to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to a single count of endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said that the educator admitted to "engaging in sexual conduct with a student." Authorities arrested Valle last year and charged him with two counts of second-degree sexual assault Since leaving his job at Ocean City High School in July 2016 and taken another teaching job at a school in Houston Valle initiated contact with the 17-year-old female student during an overnight class field trip to Washington in March 2016 He was accused of putting his head between her buttocks the complaint said Valle wrote the student notes excusing her from classes on at least ten occasions She would go to the choir room where he rubbed her buttocks Valle told his choir students that he was leaving to pursue a master's degree and asked the victim to stay behind The complaint said that Valle took off her shirt and forced the student to perform a sex act he will have to register under Megan’s Law and have no contact with the student Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story. Gallery Credit: Jordan Jansson, Mike Brant Richard Valle, 35, was sentenced on July 25, 2022, to five years in state prison for having sex with a student while teaching at Ocean City High School in 2016.\nRead More Authorities arrested Valle last year and charged him with two counts of second-degree sexual assault Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story. - Name meaning: The name of the leader of Nazi Germany.\r\n- Reason for ban: It’s offensive Several countries have forbidden future children from being named after the genocidal German dictator, but the United States isn’t one of them. Here, where we’re known for lax naming laws, a New Jersey family created controversy in 2008 when they ordered a birthday cake with their 3-year-old son’s name on it: “Adolf Hitler Campbell.” A former music teacher in Ocean City was arrested Sunday on charges of molesting a student who he forced to perform a sex act on him as part of a "proper goodbye." on charges of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female student in the choir room at Ocean City High School in 2016 according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H Valle resigned from his position effective July 1, 2016, according to the Ocean City Board of Education meeting minutes of June 22 No reason was given for his resignation on the agenda although investigators said in court documents that he told students he was resigning to pursue a master's degree Valle approached the girl during an overnight class field trip to Washington in March and put his head between her buttocks she would hang out with another choir member and Valle in an area of the choir room's storage area nicknamed "La Bodega," which had a futon and refrigerator Valle wrote the girl notes to excuse her from class in order to come to the choir room and on at least 10 occasions put his arm around her rubbed her buttocks and played with her bra strap The assault occurred on the last day of school when choir members learned that Valle was not returning as teacher in order to pursue a master's program Investigators said that as the girl's friends were leaving she agreed to his request to stay behind so he could "give her a proper goodbye." took off her shirt and kissed her left breast so hard he left bruises As she laid on the futon "confused,"  Valle forced the girl to her knees and forced her to perform a sex act The girl pushed Valle away and left the room as he "begged her to let him finish," investigators said in the court filing Mike Emmer of the Cape May Prosecutor's Office told New Jersey 101.5 that Valle was a teacher in Texas at the time of his arrest He was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault one count of second-degree official misconduct one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact He was being held Tuesday at the Harris County Sutherland asked anyone with information about the 2016 assault to call his office at 609-525-9131 Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt A former music teacher in Ocean City was arrested Sunday on charges of molesting his student\nRead More Valle resigned from his position effective July 1, 2016, according to the Ocean City Board of Education meeting minutes of June 22 Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ Angela Valles works as director of finance for the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority Valles started off in corrections as a guard working her way up to the position of warden while attending school where she now serves as president of the board She went on to earn her bachelor's degree at Azusa Pacific University and master's degree from Pepperdine University Q: Please list three specific goals you plan to accomplish during your first year in office A: We need to change the culture in City Hall bringing on passionate and qualified individuals with the spirit to learn I cannot put enough emphasis on how important it is to get the right people on board people who can bring competent staff recommendations to the council that are in the best interest of the people.. I would like to fill the eight law enforcement positions Cameras can't protect our citizens like a highly trained law enforcement officer Become a business-friendly city by supporting public private partnerships when they benefit the public and the private sector takes the risk not the taxpayer Q: The city is currently facing mid-year budget shortfalls What are your thoughts on how this deficit can be closed A: Just because something is budgeted for doesn't mean we have to spend money on it We need to cut wasteful spending such as City Attorney fees The city has spent $9 million in five years The rule of thumb is if your city is costing more than $250,000 in legal fees bring an attorney on board full-time for $250,000 The city has spent enormous amounts of money on consultant fees: For instance (William) Buck Johns (of Inland Energy) was paid in excess of $14 million for failed projects If we have to hire consultants we need to look at who we hire and ensure we have qualified people in-house with the right skills My top priority will be to ensure we have the funds so we do not have to cut vital services such as police Q: How will you make yourself available to residents to voice their concerns and pose questions phone and social networking groups such as Linkedin and Facebook My cell phone number is (760) 662-0152 and my e-mail is Angela.Valles@hotmail.com VICTORVILLE — Eight former Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority employees claim the agency’s top brass engaged in bullying intimidation and other unethical behavior to force their exodus The employees describe working in a hostile environment that they said was predominantly perpetuated by Director of Administration Angela Valles adding that General Manager Logan Olds and Director of Operations Gibert Perez either played an active role in misdeeds or just turned a blind eye to them Seven of the one-time VVWRA workers submitted statements Thursday to VVWRA’s Board of Commissioners while five former employees read their contentions aloud during the regular board meeting Another letter addressed to the board was signed by “concerned past and present VVWRA staff,” suggesting that issues were also resonating with at least some current employees who joined VVWRA in 2005 as the director of finance said Monday that she could not comment on the accusations acknowledging that “some of the issues have already been investigated” while others “are confidential personnel matters where VVWRA is not able to publicly comment.” VVWRA takes these types of allegations very seriously and will be requesting those employees provide evidence of the allegations made so that VVWRA can take any steps that may be necessary to protect the public trust,” he said Some of the more alarming allegations are specific to Valles according to statements provided by ex-employees to the Daily Press on Monday Former VVWRA Public Information Officer Kate Beyer who was employed for seven months before being terminated Sept 16 following a “disagreement about an assignment,” alleged that Valles politically campaigned on company time and resources often missed work and falsified time sheets a former VVWRA laboratory and environmental compliance supervisor who said she resigned after eight years with the agency claimed that Valles released confidential personnel and medical information to unauthorized persons and that Valles Olds and Perez “lied to staff members and investigators about employee complaints using these lies to instigate or coerce counter-complaints against other staff members,” among other things former workers said that following the chain of command to air grievances often led them back to Valles who then engaged in retaliatory tactics and deliberately built a paper trail against employees to justify later firing them two board members who heard the comments Thursday expressed support for a third-party investigation into the claims “There were some charges that need to be investigated,” board member and Hesperia City Councilman Russ Blewett said “The (accusations) with illegalities are kind of disturbing to be honest with you those are serious and have to be dealt with Board member and Victorville City Councilman Jim Kennedy echoed Blewett’s call to investigate saying that not doing so could “expose the organization to all this potential liability,” which was a risk they couldn’t afford Kennedy said he called board Chairman Jeff Rigney after the meeting to discuss the situation and Rigney agreed that the matter warranted attention Board member and Apple Valley Town Councilman Scott Nassif was not present Thursday instead attending a League of Cities meeting but he said Monday that he was “keenly aware of what transpired.” Nassif will meet this week with his board alternate and other town staff who were in attendance Thursday to catch up on the full extent of the accusations He stopped short of recommending a full-fledged investigation but he added that “it’s safe to say the board will look into those issues” in some form Other former employees stepping forward with similar accusations Thursday included former Operations Supervisor James Bryant a former accounting technician who had been commended only last December as part of a team that received a prestigious budget award According to an unofficial survey conducted by former employees involved in the matter 59 positions at VVWRA have gone vacant since 2005 while 29 percent left due to a hostile work environment and just 3 percent moved on for higher pay Blewett confirmed Monday that the board had asked VVWRA about three months ago for copies of exit interviews “because the turnover is extreme and they were always saying the turnover was caused by money issues.” Yet in the joint statement between “past and present” staff it is alleged that “exit interviews are not common practice at VVWRA,” and three of the ex-employees to submit statements asked the board to accept the statements as their unofficial exit interview Olds confirmed that VVWRA staff have indicated their interest in forming a union The reasoning has not yet been publicly disclosed A closed-session board meeting has been scheduled for 7:30 a.m Shea Johnson may be reached at 760-955-5368 or SJohnson@VVDailyPress.com Bullhead City Student Selected as 2025 Commencement Speaker at Mohave Community College MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave.. 2025 Male Arrested for Attempted Murder On May 2 2025 Kingman’s Growth Continues: New Restaurants Set to Open as 2025 Survey Highlights.. You must be logged in to post a comment This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Laughlin Chamber’s most prestigious event of the year – a black tie affair – honors those in our Colorado River Region who have gone above and beyond in their endeavors; making our community a better place with each action they take We are so honored to have won the “Communications Award” Awarded to any formally recognized Kingman business that has made a deliberate and focused effort by its nature or through a specific project to improve our local quality of life while maintaining a rigorous standard of work excellence We are so honored to have won the “Business of the Year” for 2021 Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive Marisol Valles Garcia was given permission to travel to the US last week for personal matters but failed to return to Praxedis G Guerrero as agreed "In the absence of [her] presence on the agreed-upon day and since there was no notification of a need to extend the period of her absence the mayor has decided to remove her from office," the statement read Local media have reported that Valles Garcia was seeking asylum in the US but there has been no confirmation On Friday Chihuahua state human rights commission official Gustavo de la Rosa Hickerson said Valles Garcia's relatives and friends told him she had received telephone threats against her life the previous weekend A local official accompanied the police chief this week to the international bridge connecting El Porvenir to Fort Hancock De la Rosa Hickerson and city officials tried to contact Valles Garcia by phone amid increasing speculation that she was seeking refuge but were unable to reach her Valles Garcia was named police chief of Praxedis G Guerrero in October The town had been without a police chief since her predecessor was shot dead in July 2009 Drug violence has transformed the town of about 8,500 people from a string of quiet farming communities into a lawless no man's land Two rival gangs – the Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels – are battling over control of its single highway a lucrative drug trafficking route along the Texas border A former mayor of Hesperia and a current member of the Victorville City Council are the fourth and fifth people to formally announce their candidacy for the newly created 8th District congressional seat a former Hesperia city councilman and current planning commissioner announced in a High Desert Tea Party's Tea Party News-Advocate email newsletter his intent to run Victorville City Councilwoman Angela Valles officially announced her intentions in a press release issued Sunday The pair joins former Democratic congressional candidate Jackie Conaway Victorville Mayor Ryan McEachron and Gregg Imus former chief of staff to Assemblyman Tim Donnelly in declaring bids for the seat — though McEachron has said he will only run if the current High Desert congressman has not yet said if he intends to run for the 8th District congressional seat He could instead choose to run for the 31st District "I'm in no matter what," Valles said Monday "I will not be the keeper of the status quo 1 candidate," citing both his experience with the local tea party organization his work in real estate and his past military experience The only candidate who might dissuade him is Lewis should he choose to run in the 8th District rather than the more Democratic-leaning 31st "Jerry's obviously a formidable opponent," Jensen said "How do you run against someone who's got $2 million in his war chest?" San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt and Assemblyman Paul Cook have both also said they would run for the 8th District if Lewis does not Lewis is no stranger to districts changing beneath him had its boundaries redrawn earlier this year Beau Yarbrough may be reached at (760) 956-7108 or at beau@HesperiaStar.com Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Hesperia.Star Upon seeing the Cybertruck mayor Adrián Esper Cárdenas decided to secure reservations for 15 examples Tesla has yet to officially start taking orders for the Cybertruck; it has simply started to accept fully-refundable $100 deposits for shoppers to get their names on the list A Truck Unlike Any Other: Tesla Cybertruck Is A Pickup From The Future Now; 0-60 In 2.9s, From $39,900 Speaking to local media outlet El Imparical Cárdenas said he sent Musk a rendering of what the Cybertruck police vehicle could look like in an attempt to get a discount He placed reservations for 10 of the Dual Motor models and five of the range-topping Tri-Motor Cybertrucks and added that he hopes the vehicles will help the city with a reduction in its emissions Tesla claims that the range-topping Tri-Motor AWD version of the Cybertruck will be able to accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.9 seconds and run through the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds this model will allegedly offer more than 500 miles (800 km) of range from a single charge with prices starting at $69,900 Prices for the Dual Motor AWD and Single Motor RWD variants will start at $49,900 and $39,900 respectively Elon Musk says Tesla will commence production of the Cybertruck in late 2021, with construction of the Tri-Motor AWD variant starting the following year. Before that happens, though, the pickup truck may have to undergo some changes, as safety bodies have expressed concerns about what impact its shape and construction would have in an collision with other road users were booked into the Oklahoma County jail and later released on bail Both were booked on complaints of public drunkenness Valles also faces complaints of discharging a firearm in a public place and possession of a firearm while intoxicated A 911 caller reported an assault at Centerfolds Show Bar Officers approaching the scene saw a speeding black car with its lights off A witness told officers the man who fired the gun was in the car Officers ordered the driver and two passengers Police found a .45-caliber pistol in the car and eight .45-caliber shell casings in the parking lot A security guard told police a group of men were arguing in the parking lot and one pulled out a gun and started shooting The driver was released without being cited The City Bank Board of Directors has approved the promotions of the following people: ¦ Elizabeth Stuart has been promoted to senior vice president Stuart serves as the internal audit manager and has been with City Bank since April 2014 ¦ Margaret Eller has been promoted to loan operations manager Eller is a senior vice president who has been with City Bank for 30 years ¦ Brandon Kidd has been promoted to vice president Kidd is a commercial lender for City Bank Lubbock at the Overton location and has been with City Bank for nine years ¦ Mallory McEndree has been promoted to vice president and new branch manager for the Kingsgate location in Lubbock ¦ Omar Valles has been promoted to branch manager for the Kmart location in Lubbock this sector of Mollet del Vallés will be another major access into the city once the planned changes in the traffic system are carried out Set in a frontier territory whose urban conditions have yet to be defined the park project was tackled with a row of plantain trees as the only pre-given With no identifying features in view that could be used to regenerate the district the project superposes on the profile of the predetermined soil a civic center and toy library building which stretches onto the park like an artificial topography with ramps and footbridges upon which visitors will tread like archaeologists over a yet unexplored substratum a continuous carpet that endeavors to become both a public and shared domain With a row of plantain trees as the only given point of reference this peripheral site creates its own identity by means of a code of signs derived from graffiti strokes and other purely urban images By framing pre-existing activities in different scenographies the proposal explores the place’s precinct character Its limits are marked by successive elevations that alternate with the rows of vegetation in the form of pergolas and screens on pillars designed to evoke graffiti strokes oversized typography throws shadows on the ground which enhance the playful and pedagogical nature of the park A hard pavement induces through its changing colors the diversification of activities The children’s playground safely close to the building etc.: each has its own carpet of concrete and clinker providing a hollow at the center for outdoor theatrical spectacles with brightly colored elements that present themselves like huge fruits seen from the air The compact masses of vegetation affirm the functional division of the park through small forests protecting the benches and sedentary areas the trees contribute as well: willows surround the fountains mulberries border the children’s playground and eucalyptuses are planted in pairs all along the perimeter species which were already on the site have been complemented with samples of the same families the refreshing moisture of dispersed fountains guides movement with water appearing and disappearing in the course of the day The park awaits us like an oasis on the edge of the city with surprises of the kind only possible in an invented place Cliente ClientAyuntamiento de Mollet del Vallés Colaboradores CollaboratorsBenedetta Tagliabue Maurer; Lluís Cantallops (dirección de obra site supervision) Josep Juliol (instalaciones mechanical engineering); Ove Arup (estructura structure); Makoto Fukuda (fotomontajes photocollages)  Contratista ContractorConstrucciones y Obras Públicas y Civiles there arent any match using your search terms the jury found Gilberto Valle guilty of both conspiracy to kidnap several women and unauthorized access of a government database New York City police officer and accused cannibal-sex plotter Gilberto Valle typed this phrase into Google: sound you make with the knife before carving attorney Randall Jackson tells a packed courtroom Thursday as this troubling two-week trial draws to a close Valle had been working up “practical and strategic” plans to kidnap This Google search shows he was looking for audio clips of knives being sharpened or whatever else might serve to whet his violent appetite “Officer Valle is a sexually sadistic individual,” Jackson concludes But if Valle suffers from a mental illness the jury in the Cannibal Cop case began its deliberations the 28-year-old father may spend the rest of his life in prison In the view of Jackson and his fellow prosecutor Hadassah Waxman “That the women were not actually kidnapped is incredibly fortunate,” said Waxman in the opening of the government’s summation nor did he ever buy the large cooking tray or the smoker grill for which he’d also searched online He never squirreled away a coil of rope or jar of chloroform He never built a pulley apparatus in his basement as he’d also claimed to his alleged co-conspirators Yet the government saw him as a serial killer in waiting The fact of Valle’s failure as a kidnapper and a flesh-eater has no bearing on his guilt Some laws exist to prevent crimes before they happen he cites DUI arrests: Even if a drunken driver doesn’t end up in an accident The jury is left to probe the limits of this analogy—is Valle really like an inebriated motorist A driver on the highway can be tested with a Breathalyzer: If he’s above a certain threshold But what about the sexual sadist whose mind is full of fantasy How do you decide when those thoughts have gone too far That’s what makes this case so confusing and upsetting If Valle really planned to kill his wife and friends But if he didn’t plan to kill them—if this was just intense role-playing as his lawyers have alleged—then he is completely innocent might be a little buzzed but not so blitzed that he’s declared a danger to society But Gilberto Valle must be one thing or the other The defendant shows up Thursday morning in his dark-gray suit puffing out his cherubic cheeks in a deep exhale as his lawyers wrapped up their modest case Valle pinched his nose and wiped away a tear and shows a photo of the officer in his uniform holding up the baby girl that Valle’s wife has whisked away to Reno Gatto’s closing claims that Valle is a decent guy who has indecent thoughts The problem is the mooks in law enforcement who aren’t hip to S&M We’ve seen his porn in open court—the ultimate embarrassment for any modern man—and Valle’s stash is pretty gnarly: He’s looked at autopsy photos of women slashed and shot; scenes of people roasting on a spit; a video of a girl who’s chained at hand and foot crying out as a candle-flame effect pretends to burn her crotch but “the government simply doesn’t understand what fantasy role-play is.” She singles out FBI special agent Corey Walsh for this attack, all but calling him a square. He’s the one who went through Valle’s hard drive and testified last week “[Walsh] didn’t understand that stories come in different forms,” Gatto says When the agent uncovered Valle’s online chats Though the acts described therein were violent and illegal and described how he would use chloroform and rope to carry out the crime But he also gave disclaimers: “No matter what I say it’s make-believe,” Valle wrote to one fetish friend “I just have a world in my mind,” he told another “and in that world I am kidnapping women and selling them.” But the remaining chats—three of them—didn’t have those all-important caveats “ARE YOU REALLY RAELLY [sic] INTO IT?” Valle typed that he was “I am just afraid of getting caught,” he said The government cites these back-and-forths as evidence that Valle meant to carry out his plans Gatto says that fantasists are prone to fantasizing that their fantasies are real It’s like “dark improv theater,” she explains: If someone asks you “Are you for real?” then you have to say “yes” or the scene is over Valle didn’t pause to disavow his plans in these three chats Gatto reminds the jury that “80 percent” of Valle’s chats were designated as “fantasy.” It’s a funny piece of rhetoric since it makes it sound as though the rest might be genuine it’s inaccurate: Agent Walsh assigned 21 of 24 to the fantasy pile—88 percent If Valle said he’d like to roast a girl on an outdoor spit with an apple in her mouth Some of the most damning evidence against the defendant was also the most absurd the defense convinced the judge to exclude a portion of a chat transcript in which an online friend claimed to have purchased delicious babies from drug addicts desperate for a fix might so horrify the jury that Valle would himself be blamed Maybe the baby-eating detail would have convinced the jury that this was nothing more than silly make-believe for cybersex and so he never had the chance to look the members of the jury in the eyes and tell them he’s a freak As a self-proclaimed sexual sadist and a cop who chatted about rape and murder while sitting in his squad car his testimony would have been too risky—Valle would have been flayed on cross-examination So Gatto chose to feed the jury more generic facts about her client’s fetish He’s the webmaster of a site called DarkFetishNet It’s like an evil clone of Facebook—a social network where most of the profile pics show a woman being choked or strangled Valle’s handle on the site was “GirlMeatHunter.” Merenkov testified via video link from Moscow sitting in a leather swivel chair and sipping from an “I [heart] TEA” mug Sexual asphyxiation is the main fetish among his site’s 4,500 active users He leaned back and gripped the chair behind his head with both hands and these include “an ever-increasing flood of photos” of private individuals Valle uploaded some of these to the site’s “What Would You Do to Her” forums Then Gatto calls her paralegal to the stand Alexandra Katz looks just like one of the girls that Valle dreamed of cooking and eating (All of Valle’s alleged victims resemble his wife: They’re petite brunettes with long She visited the site “50 to 100 times,” she says and now she’s testifying as to how the site actually works Gatto’s message seems to be: Even this sweet-faced college co-ed visited the site Katz has a tendency to grin while on the stand she gives a sense of how members of the community interact Katz received several dozen private messages One user called “I Eat” wrote to her with the diction of a Muppet: “Would you like talk with cannibal?” he asked All he ever really did was “talk with cannibal,” and then “talk with cannibal” some more Valle and his friends made plans to kidnap and eat women in online chats but when the target dates that they had agreed upon arrived Valle never met his DarkFetishNet friend from Asia in a Pakistan hotel never had a Labor Day rendezvous with his British co-conspirator and never drove a girl to New Jersey in exchange for $4,000 And no one who was involved in these “conspiracies” ever lamented the fact that these plans hadn’t come to fruition They just kept on bantering as they had before the prosecutors assure the jury that the First Amendment is not at issue here What Valle did “goes a thousand steps beyond yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theater,” Jackson says “His fantasies point to actual desires.” The closing statement takes a turn and Jackson works himself into an eloquent lather of prudery and indignation First he likens the defendant to a 9/11-style plotter who later claimed that he only fantasized about taking down a plane Then he starts to argue that Valle’s fantasies weren’t sexual at all There’s no pleasure in it for him or you or me Jackson reminds the jury that Valle looked at autopsy photos these images “have no sexual value” at all “This is not normal pornography for any human being,” he says Jackson reminds the members of the jury to use their “common sense.” Finally he tells them what’s been at issue in the case from the very start Gilberto Valle fantasizes about seeing women executed Archbishop Romulo Valles celebrates Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City Aug PHOTO FROM DAVAO CITY GOV’T FACEBOOK PAGE Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao has appeared live in public for the first time more than two months after suffering a mild stroke The 69-year-old presided over the thanksgiving Mass on Monday to kick off this year’s Kadayawan Festival at the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City which is currently under a modified community quarantine status The appearance marked the first time he had been seen in public outside his residence since his illness in May I’m happy to be back!” said Archbishop Valles “Thank you for your prayers.” our joy is to be with you… to be with the people of God,” he said the church leader admitted he thought he was going to die because half of his body was paralyzed both his speech and swallowing were also affected “It was no small sickness… I thought of a great possibility of dying,” said Archbishop Valles who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines The prelate was brought to the hospital in Davao City on May 23 and was discharged on July 6 to take over as acting president of the bishops’ conference on June 28 “I still keep the cane but I can walk already but I’m still perfecting my walk,” Archbishop Valles said “I think I am progressing well as the doctors said I’m still practicing how to kneel but I’m halfway there,” he added The Mass was attended mostly by officials and workers of the city government while observing the health protocols amid the outbreak of coronavirus Archive Architecture MENU DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 22 February) – Archbishop Romulo Valles on Tuesday said the church is non-partisan “but lay members ought to be partisan and should choose and support good candidates.” Sought for clarification, Valles told MindaNews that Church leaders like Bishops and priests, “are not to be partisan,” that they “participate in the political exercise in other very meaningfully and relevant ways,” such as “good political education, rooted in current needs and situation of our people.”  But “the lay faithful of the Church,” he said, “are to be engaged in the political exercise, including partisan engagement – meaning supporting particular candidates that after prayer and discernment, they consider as worthy to be elected into office.” Asked if they had issued guidelines to help voters in their discernment, Valles said these are contained in the the DaDiTaMa’s Pastoral Letter on the elections.   DaDiTaMa refers to the Archdiocese of Davao in Davao City, the Diocese of Digos in Davao del Sur,  Diocese of Tagum in Davao del Norte, and Diocese of Mati in Davao Oriental. On choosing a candidate, the DaDiTaMa in its Pastoral Letter entitled “Tudloan ug Tultulan ko ikaw” (I will teach and guide you), issued a four-point guideline: that the candidate must be God-fearing, values the sanctity of life, loves and protects creation, and has a heart for the country, especially the poor.  The DaDiTaMa cited Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter, Fratteli Tutti on October 3, 2020, calling for “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good.”“Common good” was a recurring theme mentioned by the Archbishop during the “listening session” with Maglana, said Melot Balisalisa, a freelance Consultant on Monitoring & Evaluation, Gender, Social Research and Valles’ high school classmate.  The pastoral letter, signed by Archbishop Valles and his Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando, Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, Tagum Bishop Medil Aseo, and Mati Bishop Abel Apigo, said leaders we choose in the coming elections are tasked to run the economy, cultural, social and political aspects of our lives, craft laws especially on caring for the natural resources, protection of ecology, and giving utmost attention to the sanctity of life. Signed by Valles, the CBCP letter emphasized that “participation in politics for Christian lay people is not just to be limited to non-partisan involvement” but Christians are also encouraged “to engage in principled partisan politics” which means that “they can campaign for good candidates as an exercise of their Christian faith.” The CBCP also heeded the appeal of Pope Francis in his message on the World Day of Peace in 2019 that “good politics is at the service of peace.” Valles said the CBCP is releasing soon a pastoral letter on the 2022 elections. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews) 23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews [dot] com newly elected president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Phils (CBCP) admits being personal friends with Pres Rodrigo Duterte since the latter was still the mayor of Davao City Valles who has been the archbishop of Davao is viewed by some sectors to be the right leader of the Catholic bishops group since his friendship with the President might improve the relation between the Catholic Church and the President The CBCP president who hails from Maribojoc Bohol was the church leader who once advised the President to not only stop using cuss words in his speeches but also to pray the rosary everyday for atonement during a phone interview with the Chronicle last Monday clarified that it was the President himself who told the media of his advice given to Mr Duterte during one of his visits to the Archdiocese of Davao when he was still the Davao city mayor He did not divulge to the media any detail of their personal conversation with then Mayor Duterte In an August 2016 interview, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz had expressed apprehension over the idea of having Valles as CBCP president saying he is “rather close” to Duterte as they are both from Davao City “The closeness has nothing to do with what is right or wrong It will have a relevance on how CBCP will look at the overall value of the actuation of the President of the Republic,” Cruz told ANC last year will definitely be more one with him than otherwise,” he added    Valles will be assuming the helm of the CBCP at a time when the church and the administration has taken opposing sides on critical issues among them Duterte’s fierce war on drugs and moves to revive the death penalty Outgoing CBCP President Villegas has been very vocal against these programs Just this February, the CBCP issued a pastoral letter that said the government’s war on drugs has caused a “reign of terror” among Filipinos You must be logged in to post a comment Copyright © 2021 Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation better life’ is the UN’s slogan for World Cities Day references the idea that urbanisation has immense potential to improve people’s lives Given the UN’s focus on using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to advance global development by 2030 According to the UN over 50% of the world’s population lives in cities, most of which will grow at an increasing rate. In Nigeria, Lagos’s population will double by 2050 Mega-cities (minimum 10 million inhabitants) will also increase with at least 41 projected to exist globally by 2030 In 15 short years many challenges facing humanity as well as the opportunities for addressing them will necessarily be couched within the urban setting tackling societal problems at the level of the city known for their developmentally advanced cities such as Stockholm (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark) Thanks to their decentralised systems of governance municipal leaders are able to engage multiple stakeholders in bettering the quality of life for all City officials’ extensive political and fiscal liberties have enabled to introduce taxes reducing road congestion and enabling transport infrastructure upgrades via the tax’s revenue generation Through policies like these Sweden could well be one of the first countries in the world to achieve the SDGs and other countries are learning from its cities A public school feeding scheme in the Swedish city of Södertälje caught the attention of the international relations department in the Spanish city of Mollet de Valles City authorities adapted the scheme to their Mediterranean milieu by accounting for differences in food preferences and styles of school canteen management Faced with shrinking budgets and increasing needs Mollet de Valles found an ideal solution in Södertälje’s multi-stakeholder partnership linking farmers to provide more services without incurring increasing costs as Södertälje was inspired by the amendments introduced by Mollet de Valles This is one example of how planning and knowledge-sharing at the city level can improve lives The obstacles to development that innovative Nordic cities seek to address are summarised by the Nordic working group Nordregio dense cities that must serve multiple functions and diversified lifestyles and mobility patterns These problems are not unique to the region – they reflect the global social reality. A 2017 World Bank report describes Africa as having ‘crowded and costly cities … [that] inspire low expectations’ The problems facing cities are those facing society on a global scale According to the Open Knowledge Foundation one of the best ways to engage individuals in tackling these issues is localising them urban plans on the continent must be pragmatic World Cities Day is important because it highlights an invaluable vehicle for achieving the SDGs: the city This Day highlights implementable solutions which Good city governance can catalyse broad-based sustainable development The opportunity to realise the potential of cities must be acknowledged but throughout the year as the continent works to realise the SDGs Tel: +27 (0)11 339-2021 | info@saiia.org.za © All rights reserved South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Powered by THINKTEAM​​ DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) –  Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Romulo Geolina Valles of Zamboanga City as the new Archbishop of Davao vice Arcbhishop Fernando Capalla who has retired Valles’ appointment was reported in the Daily Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office also convenor of the Bishops-Ulama Conference celebrated his 75th birthday on November 1 2009  but he continued serving as Archbishop pending the appointment of   his successor whose name was announced at noon in Rome (7 p.m a diocesan bishop who has reached 75 “is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff who will make provision after he has examined all the circumstances  graduated valedictorian at the Maryknoll High School in Lupon He took up his Philosophy and Theology at the St Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary in Davao City Ordained priest in the Diocese of  Tagum on April 6 Valles was named Bishop of Kidapawan on June 24 1997 and Archbishop of Zamboanga on November 13 Capalla was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Davao on June 28 upon the retirement of Archbishop Antonio Ll was installed as the third Archbishop of Davao on November 28 2009 but his successor was not named until Saturday noon in Rome (7 p.m The Archdiocese of Zamboanga has 23 parishes while the Archdiocese of Davao has 34 No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews [dot] com