Mary Dixon+1 (347) 840-1242mdixon@wcs.org Stephen Sautner T: +1 (718) 220-3682C: +1 (908) 247-2585 ssautner@wcs.org John DelaneyT: +1 (718) 220-3275 C: +1 (347) 675-2294 jdelaney@wcs.org Steve FairchildT: +1 (914) 263-8179sfairchild@wcs.org Nat MossT: +1 (718) 741-1897 C: +1 (917) 922-4670 nmoss@wcs.org Max PulsinelliT: +1 (718) 220-5182 C: + (571) 218-7601 mpulsinelli@wcs.org Scott Smith T: +1 (718) 220-3698 C: +1 (718) 220-3698 ssmith@wcs.org Jackie D'Agostino T: +1 (845) 661-9830 C: +1 (845) 661-9830 jdagostino@wcs.org Meghan Gabel+1 (617) 633-8660mgabel@wcs.org Chip WeiskottenT: +1 (202) 347-0672 x8172cweiskotten@wcs.org MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and influential networks building a more just MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges and significantly increasing capital for the social sector In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsible and responsive democracy; the strength and vitality of our headquarters city Chicago; and generating new knowledge about critical issues the ultimate online destination for animal lovers and pet owners; the Animal Planet Go app that allows viewers to catch up on full episodes of their favorite shows anytime anywhere; Animal Planet L!VE the go-to digital destination for round-the-clock unfiltered access via live cameras around the globe in a variety of animal habitats; Animal Planet Social including Facebook Twitter and Instagram via @AnimalPlanet and on Snapchat as AnimalPlanetTV The Mission of ACE is to honor and appreciate a legacy of conservation through recognition of men and women who share their passion to conserve the great outdoors and have made extraordinary contributions to the sustainability of nature and wildlife The Award will recognize a conservationist’s long-term commitment to making our planet a better place and empower people in both local and international communities to advance wildlife conservation Founded in 2012, Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS) is a dedicated non-profit organization based in Denver committed to safeguarding the world’s most vulnerable species and ecosystems We leverage innovative technology and expertise to monitor and help preserve biodiversity across more than 200 locations globally Our mission is to build and deploy practical technology for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems globally. At WPS we understand that the challenges facing wildlife and ecosystems are complex and require smart Our team works tirelessly to develop and deploy wpsWatch a monitoring tool featuring artificial intelligence workflow and integration tools to facilitate the protection of wildlife and their habitats and an EarthRanger implementation provider we help our field collaborators turn field information into actionable insights enabling them to make data-driven decisions to protect endangered species and their environments and drive innovation in the field of wildlife protection  Additional Photos | MPA Maps 2024) – After 16 years of grassroots efforts local communities in northern Puerto Rico are celebrating the creation of a new marine protected area (MPA) – Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí The newly-established MPA encompasses 202.7 km² (77 square miles) of coastal coral reefs and seagrass beds home to more than 14 endangered species The area also hosts vibrant small-scale fisheries and a local ecotourism industry and communities hope that new efforts to formally co-manage Jardines as an MPA will allow its waters to remain a source of food and income for local families for generations "This is a victory for the people," said Ricardo Laureano leading member of Vegabajeños Impulsando Desarrollo Ambiental Sustentable (VIDAS) “These ecosystems nourish us and sustain our quality of life and engaged local and national leaders to highlight the critical need to protect this Reserve." The conservation movement for Jardines was led by a coalition of several local groups spearheaded by VIDAS and supported by international partners like WCS The Jardines MPA represents a critical point of connectivity within the greater Caribbean WCS has joined forces with the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) - an intergovernmental platform that brings together the countries of the Greater Antilles - to advance and scale up marine conservation in the region WCS supported local partners in Puerto Rico that worked with VIDAS to strengthen the Jardines MPA proposal and bring it across the finish line “This milestone was achieved thanks to the unwavering efforts of a grassroots community coalition,” said Pamela Castillo “WCS is honored to provide technical support that helps locally-led efforts like this one reach the national level contributing to the successful designation of the Jardines MPA We celebrate our partnership with the Caribbean Biological Corridor in advancing science-based which brings us closer to the coalition of community groups in Puerto Rico The next step will be the development of a co-management plan for the MPA “Our dream is for Jardines to be co-managed by the people who know it best—the local communities,” said Mariela Declet-Perez “We aim to create co-management agreements that balance sustainable resource use but we are committed to supporting VIDAS and our local partners to ensure long-term success.” securing funding and scientific support for designing a participatory management process is crucial co-management agreements with local agencies and a recurring budget will be essential for the project’s longevity Local leaders view Jardines as a lifelong commitment and they hope their success inspires others to take action: "To other coastal communities around the world our message is clear: never stop fighting for your ecosystems," concluded Ricardo Laureano whose contributions enabled our work on this project This work was also made possible through the support of Oceans 5 and the Bloomberg Ocean Fund Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Jardines Submarinos: Movimiento Comunitario Protege 200 km² de Ecosistemas Marinos en Puerto Rico.  2024) — Después de 16 años de esfuerzos comunitarios comunidades locales en el norte de Puerto Rico están celebrando la creación de una nueva área marina protegida — Jardines de Vega Baja y Manatí.  que abarca 202.7 km² (77 millas cuadradas) de arrecifes de coral costeros ofrece un hábitat para más de 14 especies en peligro de extinción Este área también alberga una vibrante industria de pesquería artesanal y de ecoturismo y las comunidades tienen la ilusión de que nuevos esfuerzos para gestionar de manera conjunta “Jardines” como una área marina protegida permitirán que sus aguas sigan siendo una fuente de alimento e ingresos para familias locales por generaciones.  "Esta es una victoria para la gente" miembro de los Vegabajeños Impulsando Desarrollo Ambiental Sustentable (VIDAS) “Estos ecosistemas nos nutren y sostienen nuestra calidad de vida y colaborado con líderes locales y nacionales para resaltar la necesidad crítica de proteger esta reserva." El movimiento de conservación que resultó en la creación de Jardines fue liderado por una coalición de grupos locales comandados por VIDAS y con el apoyo de aliados internacionales como el Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) El área marina protegida Jardines representa un punto crítico de conectividad dentro del Corredor Biológico del Caribe (CBC) - una plataforma intergubernamental que reúne a países de las Grandes Antillas - para avanzar y escalar la conservación marina en la región WCS proporcionó apoyo a aliados locales en Puerto Rico que trabajaron con VIDAS para fortalecer la propuesta de la creación de Jardines y llevarla hasta la meta.  “Este objetivo fue logrado gracias a los esfuerzos incansables de la coalición de grupos comunitarios,” dijo Pamela Castillo “WCS está honrado de proporcionar asistencia técnica para apoyar esfuerzos locales como este llegar a nivel país contribuyendo a la designación exitosa del área marina protegida Reserva Natural Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí Celebramos nuestra alianza con el Corredor Biológico del Caribe avanzando una conservación marina enfocada en la ciencia lo cual nos acercó con la coalición de grupos comunitarios en Puerto Rico El próximo paso será el desarrollo de un plan de gestión compartida para el área marina protegida.  “Nuestro sueño es que Jardines sea gestionado de manera conjunta por las personas que mejor lo conocen – las comunidades locales,” dijo Mariela Declet-Perez líder de los Descendientes Unidos por la Naturaleza “Nuestro objetivo es crear acuerdos de gestión conjunta que logren un equilibrio en el uso sostenible de los recursos pero estamos comprometidos a apoyar a VIDAS y nuestros aliados locales para asegurar el éxito a largo plazo.”  Con miras hacia el futuro la coalición buscará asegurar financiamiento y apoyo científico para el diseño de un proceso de gestión participativa que resultará crucial para el nuevo área marina protegida acuerdos de gestión conjunta con agencias locales y un presupuesto recurrente serán esenciales para la longevidad del proyecto.  Líderes locales ven la designación de Jardines como un compromiso de por vida y tienen la esperanza de que su éxito inspire a otros a tomar acción: "Nuestro mensaje para otras comunidades costeras alrededor del mundo es claro: nunca dejen de pelear por sus ecosistemas,” concluyó Ricardo Laureano El área marina protegida Jardines no hubiese sido posible sin el trabajo incansable de una coalición de aliados locales, incluyendo Eukrante PR, Marullo Sostenible, Comunidad Pro Reserva, Movimiento Reflexiona y Actúa, DUNAS, Los Corsario, Outcome Project, and Yo Amo el Tinglar. WCS reconoce el generoso apoyo de Wyss Foundation y el Acelerador del Océano 30x30 cuyas contribuciones permitieron el trabajo realizado en este proyecto Nuestro trabajo se logró también gracias a las contribuciones de Oceans 5 y el Fondo Oceánico de Bloomberg Oceans 5 es un proyecto de Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Cover Page Legal HistorySports SearchMedical device maker Viant to expand workforce at Vega Baja facilityThe San Juan Daily StarApr 82 min readBy The Star Staff The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) led by Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard has announced a significant investment of $5.9 million from Viant Puerto Rico Inc. a prominent manufacturer in the medical device sector The expansion at the Vega Baja facility will create 80 new full-time jobs increasing the workforce from 168 to 248 employees “Viant’s expansion not only boosts our economy but also reinforces Puerto Rico’s competitiveness as an investment destination for the medical device industry,” Negrón Reichard said “This project supports our reshoring strategy by bringing manufacturing operations back to the island and enhancing our productive capacity The relocation of these operations demonstrates the capabilities and efficiency of our workforce.” Jenniffer González Colón also emphasized the positive economic impact of the investment: “Viant’s expansion reaffirms businesses’ confidence in Puerto Rico as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing We will continue to work toward attracting more investments that create high-paying jobs and strengthen our industrial ecosystem.” Viant’s investment underscores its commitment to bolstering the island’s economic growth and job creation The company has initiated three new projects which include expanding injection molding manufacturing and updating facilities to produce combination products -- an essential category within the medical device industry The enhancements will streamline processes and meet the increasing demands of global customers Viant Puerto Rico’s director of operations highlighted the strategic significance of the expansion “Our investment in technology and manufacturing capacity will enable us to provide high-quality products more efficiently,” she said “The support from the government and the DDEC team has been crucial for achieving this expansion and ensuring the success of our operations in Puerto Rico.” DDEC has offered incentives totaling $822,600 for the acquisition of machinery and equipment © 2025 The San Juan Daily Star - Puerto Rico Watch: Psycho Slab Cape Solander Goes Bonkers (Video) Tosh Tudor, Jacob Szekely and Skip McCullough Score an All-Time Indo Swell Run Ari Browne On A Liddle-Influenced Displacement Hull In New Zealand NewsAll NewsEventsBig Wave NewsWorld Surf LeagueEnvironmentalIndustryWave PoolsPosts List More Than $321,000,000,000 At Risk: Deep Sea Controversy Announcing the First UK Surf and Skate Expo in Two Decades Aussies Rescue 10Ft Great White Shark with Bare Hands (Video) LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website and other governmental and official agencies It was signed into law by the Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi “The new reserve serves as a living laboratory under the sea. In this environment, crucial research is carried out and coral restoration initiatives are developed,” reads Surfrider’s press release thousands of coral fragments are obtained that are then used to restore reefs elsewhere in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean This process not only helps to recover damaged ecosystems but also contributes to the resilience of our coasts in the face of climate change and other environmental threats.” the reserve is home to the largest Elkhorn coral garden in the Caribbean The coral is extremely sensitive to the effects of climate change and environmental shifts There is hope that this new reserve will provide a safe haven for the Elkhorn to bounce back and flourish once again It’s also an important component of undersea ecosystems providing refuge to countless species of fish and aquatic life “Elkhorn coral reefs are not only vital for biodiversity but also play a crucial role in protecting our coasts and promoting the overall health of the oceans,” continues Surfrider’s statement “This achievement underscores the positive impact we can achieve when we work together for the sake of nature The creation of this reserve will not only preserve this important coral habitat but will also promote education and awareness about the importance of coral reefs inspiring future generations to continue this essential work.” Illustrating the importance of reserves such as this, as this announcement was being made, Hurricane Ernesto was blowing through the Caribbean exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico have weather forecasters on edge about what could the rest of the year holds in story Hurricane season officially runs through November 30 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 territory of Puerto Rico recently gained ­­­a new marine protected area off the island’s central north coast named Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí or the Vega Baja and Manatí Underwater Gardens spans 202 square kilometers (77 square miles) and is the culmination of a 16-year effort by ­­a coalition of local communities and NGOs It’s comprised of several critically important ecosystems and is home to more than a dozen threatened species including the greater Caribbean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) and several species of sea turtles “Juvenile sea turtles foraging in the shallow coral reef and seagrass habitats will receive added protection with zoning designed to reduce potential conflicts with recreational vessels,” Wildlife Conservation Society scientists told Mongabay in an email “This will also afford protection to various species of corals that grow there,” they added The new MPA is also a site for local small-scale fishing and several ecotourism projects The coalition organized to establish the MPA so it can continue to be used by locals and at the same time protect the resources they rely on for sustenance and revenue “These ecosystems nourish us and sustain our quality of life,” Ricardo Laureano, leading member of Vegabajeños Impulsando Desarrollo Ambiental Sustentable (VIDAS), said in a press release VIDAS is one of the local groups that organized to establish the MPA and engaged local and national leaders to highlight the critical need to protect this Reserve,” Laureano said Vega Baja y Manatí joins more than 30 other marine protected areas in Puerto Rican waters More than 27% of the island’s territorial waters are protected placing Puerto Rico well on the path of achieving the international goal of protecting 30% of the Earth’s land and water by the year 2030 Puerto Rico’s MPAs, including this newest one, are part of the Caribbean Biological Corridor that stretches from Puerto Rico to Cuba The region is a biodiversity hotspot full of endemic and threatened species By establishing a biological corridor of protected areas local conservation advocates say they hope to connect habitats in a way that allows for safe migration between them The coalition that established Vega Baja y Manatí is now working on a co-management plan which will determine what the MPA can achieve in terms of protection “The vision of the plan is to zone areas within the MPA to reduce conflicting uses that affect the flora and fauna as well as their critical habitats (coral reefs and mangroves) in the coastal areas,” the Wildlife Conservation Society scientists said Banner image by Ron Watkins via Ocean Image Bank The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] A new 'small but mighty' Marine Protected Area in Puerto Rico will encompass 202.7 square kilometres of coastal coral reefs and seagrass habitats which play a vital role in the conservation of the some 14 endangered species the area is home to Bringing a 16-year fight for increased conservation efforts across northern Puerto Rico’s coastal coral reefs to a triumphant conclusion local communities are celebrating the creation of a new and vital Marine Protected Area (MPA) they have called Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manati Alongside its local population of Greater Caribbean manatee the area hosts vibrant small-scale fisheries and local ecotourism industries It’s the hope among the local communities that these newly adopted efforts to co-manage the Jardines area as an MPA will allow its waters to remain a source for food and income for local families for generations to come “This is a victory for the people,” said Ricardo Laureano a leading member of Vegabajeños Impulsando Desarrollo Ambiental Sustentable (VIDAS) “These ecosystems nourish us and sustain our quality of life VIDAS has played a fundamental role in rallying neighbours and engaging local and national leaders to highlight the “critical need” to protect the reserve the conservation movement for Jardines encompassed players from Puerto Rico Sea Grant while receiving support from international partners like WCS The creation of the Jardines MPA will represent a critical point of connectivity within the greater Caribbean WCS has been working the Caribbean Biological Corridor to advance and scale up marine conservation in the region the success of the campaign has been laid at the feet of the numerous actors within the local UN deep sea mining body levels criticism at Trump administration How one Pisaster disaster left sea otters with a mussel buffet Physics of folklore: Seeking answers to the 'milky seas' mystery Global fish oil and fishmeal industry footprint exposed in world first Understanding seabird migration crucial to reduce extinction risks “WCS is honoured to provide technical support that helps locally-led efforts like this one reach the national level contributing to the successful designation of the Jardines MPA,” said Pamela Castillo “We celebrate our partnership with the Caribbean Biological Corridor in advancing science-based The next step for local grassroots communities now will be to develop a co-management plan for the MPA “Our dream is for Jardines to be co-managed by the people who know it best – the local communities,” said Mariela Declet-Perez “We aim to create co-management agreements that balance sustainable resource use but we are committed to supporting VIDAS and our local partners to ensure long-term success.” as well as creating the right legal framework This will all be essential to securing the project’s longevity It’s why local leaders view Jardines as a lifelong commitment and they hope their success inspires others to take action “To other coastal communities around the world our message is clear: never stop fighting for your ecosystems.” Click here for more from the Oceanographic Newsroom. Receive the latest from Oceanographic and get 10% off your first order Enjoy 30% off your first year when joining as an annual digital subscriber Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain The Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DofE) continues to make an impact in the Vega Baja region A total of 143 students from El Limonar International School in Villamartín (San Miguel de Salinas) and Murcia are taking on the challenge of developing personal and leadership skills the program has supported youth development since 1956 the DofE program is structured into four sections: Volunteering with an additional Residency section at the Gold level The programme, present in over 130 countries, is recognised globally as both an academic and personal challenge Many universities and employers value the award with some institutions in the UK even considering the Gold Award equivalent to an academic qualification improving access to further education and career opportunities With its rigorous standards and commitment the DofE Award has become a transformative experience for young people in the Vega Baja region emphasised the programme’s impact: “This award is an exceptional opportunity for our students to develop resilience and a spirit of adventure beyond the classroom We are proud to support them on this journey Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish VEGA BAJA – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says its agents have arrested five undocumented Caribbean nationals at a construction site in Puerto Rico ICE said four Dominican Republic nationals and one Haitian national were apprehended during a targeted worksite enforcement operation in Vega Baja the US Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau assisted in the operation All five Caribbean nationals are being held by ICE pending deportation proceedings “Through worksite enforcement investigations ICE often uncovers more than just unauthorised employment — many cases reveal serious crimes like document fraud and human trafficking,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos “Following the president’s executive order ICE San Juan will continue enforcing the immigration laws in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands,” she added ICE officials emphasised the agency’s continued focus on identifying public safety and national security threats “Individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are encountered during enforcement operations may be taken into custody and processed for removal in accordance with federal law,” ICE said Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. United States cities are among the 50 best places to travel in 2025Travel Lemming’s annual list includes these intriguing U.S The team of travel experts at Travel Lemming pride themselves on basing their recommendations on real-life travel experiences (side-eye to AI travel planning tools) The team has just released its annual list of the 50 best places to travel in 2025 Among the most exciting worldwide destinations destinations the Travel Lemming experts think you should check out in the coming year the city of Vega Baja in Puerto Rico came in at number 10 Travel Lemming describes the historic town as colorful and mysterious It’s a city full of independent businesses an underrated city that comes through with a slate of lively festivals historic appeal and a must-try signature dish known as the garbage plate Other U.S. destinations on the list might be new to you, like Page, Arizona; Grand Valley, Colorado; Harbor Springs, Michigan; and Oak Park, Illinois. Travel Lemming recommends destinations that may not be well known but pack a punch when it comes to adventure and new experiences. Check out the full list of the 50 best places to travel in the world in 2025 here Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterAbout us Contact us SearchPlanning Board projects moderate economic growth for 2025 & 2026The San Juan Daily StarApr 81 min readAs part of the analysis the Planning Board established alternative scenarios The optimistic scenario projects growth of 3.2% for 2025 and 1.6% for 2026 The pessimistic scenario estimates contractions of -1.0% and -0.4% Planning Board Chairman Héctor Morales Martínez on Monday projected moderate economic growth (“Real Gross Product”) of 1.1% for fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 0.5% for FY 2026 in Puerto Rico’s economy reflecting an economic slowdown without entering negative territory director of the board’s Economic and Social Planning Program noted that the projections will be updated as indicators such as the labor market director of the Social Analysis Subprogram emphasized that the model used includes variables such as exports including the potential impact of measures taken under the Trump administration reaching a gross domestic product of $69.869 billion and a total domestic investment of $14.294 billion The Vega Baja coast experienced four low-intensity earthquakes The quakes were located in San Miguel de Salinas according to data from Proyecto Mastral and the National Geographic Institute struck just after midnight at 12:09.AM near San Miguel de Salinas An hour later, at 1:01.AM, a 2.3 magnitude tremor was recorded north of the Los Balcones residential complex in Torrevieja These minor earthquakes fall below the 3.0 threshold of the Richter scale which classifies them as “weak” and rarely causes any damage although they can be felt by those near the epicenters micro-earthquakes like these happen frequently The southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly the Region of Murcia and Vega Baja, is one of the most seismically active areas in Spain the region has experienced larger earthquakes though events like these are common and often pose little risk SearchUS education chief talks decentralization during visit to Juncos high schoolThe San Juan Daily StarAug 29 Education Secretary Miguel CardonaBy The Star Staff Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visited José Collazo Colón High School in Juncos on Tuesday where the official addressed members of the school faculty and students about the island Department of Education’s (DE) decentralization process “The secretary was emphatic in stating that the decentralization of our education system cannot occur without the participation of the teaching profession,” said Víctor Manuel Bonilla Sánchez president of the Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR by its initials in Spanish) despite the controversies regarding the decentralization of the DE the process is necessary to improve public education ensuring that resources reach all school communities in a rapid and effective manner The AMPR leader stressed the importance of teachers being protagonists in decision-making in line with the intentions of Cardona and his team who showed interest in collecting the opinions of teachers and students during their visit Convega has launched a new training program to improve digital skills among residents of Vega Baja through eight centers that are part of Spain’s National Digital Training Network emphasized the organization’s commitment to digital inclusion saying these programs enhance both job prospects and social opportunities across Vega Baja Log in to leave a comment © 2021 The Leader Digital The N-332 road along the Vega Baja coastline has earned the name of the “Golden Mile” thanks to the Christmas Lottery three lottery offices in the region spread fortune and joy with significant prizes worth €500,000 per series (€50,000 per décimo) the children of San Ildefonso announced this winning number bringing luck to these towns and to other parts of Alicante province Torrevieja’s El conejo de oro lottery administration worth €200,000 per series (€20,000 per décimo) This number was distributed in multiple locations including another Torrevieja administration in the Torremarina shopping centre the lucky administrations were La Campaneta in the district of Oriolano and Doña Lidia located in the city centre on Calle Francisco Tormo de Haro The latter gained fame last year by distributing €1.4 million a veteran lottery seller who began his journey with a machine installed in his Torremendo bar The Golden Rabbit also celebrated with another win: number 74778 this office has distributed more than €15 million in lottery winnings Owner Daniel Zapata proudly recalls previous successes including selling the second prize in 2016 Just 4 kilometres away in Playa Flamenca (Orihuela Costa) the lottery office in the Mercadona shopping centre also sold decimos of the third prize 11840 the Super Quixote administration in La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre distributed a complete series of number 77768 Managed by José Luis García and his wife since 2016 the team consistently hands out major prizes every year they sold two fifth prizes along with El Gordo Both the Golden Rabbit and Super Quixote administrations benefit from high sales volumes especially during holiday periods when tourists flock to the Torrevieja and Orihuela’s coastline Their clientele includes not only Spanish locals but also residents and visitors from across Europe and beyond The province of Alicante began the lottery draw on a high note the Christmas Lottery has awarded a number of significant prizes locally: Eight fifth prizes of €60,000 per series (€6,000 per décimo) Two fourth prizes of €200,000 per series (€20,000 per décimo) One third prize of €500,000 per series (€50,000 per décimo) One second prize of €1,250,000 per series (€125,000 per décimo) El Gordo: €4 million per series (€400,000 per décimo) This year’s draw solidifies the Vega Baja region’s reputation as a hub of holiday fortune making it a cherished “golden mile” for lottery hopefuls A 2.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in Torrevieja and along the coast and second line of the Vega Baja region The tremor occurred at 12:23 AM on Tuesday morning of the coastal area of Torrevieja town centre The Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN) received dozens of reports from residents who felt the tremor which took place during the busy Easter holiday season the quake was felt in several other towns and residential areas including Orihuela Costa According to the European Macroseismic Scale which measures earthquake intensity from I to XII based on how people and objects are affected this earthquake was rated between levels II and IV Level IV describes a quake felt indoors by many people and by very few outdoors but the vibrations were only moderate and not frightening dozens of micro-earthquakes occur in the southernmost part of Alicante province only those above magnitude 2 are felt by the public building codes in the Vega Baja were updated in the early 2000s requiring seismic safety measures in construction projects Vega Baja is one of Spain’s areas with the highest seismic risk This risk is recognized both historically and scientifically and is accounted for in emergency and construction regulations The region experienced three major earthquakes in the 19th century The 10 most powerful earthquakes in the world since 1900 Wonder which was the most powerful earthquake in the world on your birthday? Or during a given month or even a whole year? Find it out using the earthquake search tool at this link: Volcano Discoveries Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article As we mark the fifth anniversary of the DANA storms that ravaged the region causing serious damage across the entire Vega Baja the Orihuela council has demanded the completion of structural works necessary to avoid catastrophes such as those that we saw in 2019 “Without the remedial measures we have been demanding since the flood of 1987 Rambla de Abanilla and clearance of the river channels we cannot be at peace because we are still no further forward,” said the Emergency Councillor which was considered to be ‘ground zero’ of the floods in September 2019 Five years on “we still call for structural improvements from the competent administrations because those that are still considered to be the most important have not yet been carried out,” said the councillor Valverde did thank the Generalitat Valenciana and for the planned investment of 7 million euros to carry out the dredging of the Segura River where “we had to help each other to get out of the houses because the priority was to save lives because the water destroyed the houses and we had nothing left.” thanks to all the help received from the Council we were able to recover some normality withing a few weeks.” and that is why we are here commemorating those dark days we are afraid and that it all going to be repeated again.” He added that “the way to avoid this fear is for the administrations that have responsibilities for the treatment of ramblas rivers and flood protection to take the necessary actions,” especially in reference to the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) Vegara said that the City Council “will not stop demanding these measures The Valencian Generalitat and the CHS both have commitments to us and those commitments must be carried out.” local communities in northern Puerto Rico are celebrating the creation of a new marine protected area: the Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí The newly established MPA encompasses 202.7 square km (77 square miles) of coastal coral reefs mangroves and seagrass beds home to more than 14 endangered species These ecosystems nourish us and sustain our quality of life and engaged local and national leaders to highlight the critical need to protect this Reserve.” Para la Naturaleza and supported by international partners like WCS “The Jardines MPA represents a critical point of connectivity within the greater Caribbean WCS has joined forces with the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) – an intergovernmental platform that brings together the countries of the Greater Antilles – to advance and scale up marine conservation in the region WCS supported local partners in Puerto Rico that worked with VIDAS to strengthen the Jardines MPA proposal and bring it across the finish line.” WCS Marine 30×30 Director Pamela Castillo said: “This milestone was achieved thanks to the unwavering efforts of a grassroots community coalition WCS is honored to provide technical support that helps locally-led efforts like this one reach the national level DeeperBlue.com is the World’s Largest Community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving, Ocean Advocacy, and Diving Travel We’ve been dedicated to bringing you the freshest news and discussions from around the underwater world since 1996 Contact us: hello@deeperblue.com MIAMI - Puerto Rican actress Isabel Arraiza was famous even before anyone knew her name. Eleven years ago she was known as "La Chica de los Acentos," as her videos showcasing different Spanish-speaking accents went viral on YouTube. She was quite a sensation thanks to her hilarious and incredibly accurate monologues transitioning from one accent to another while exploring topics and slang from Latin America and Spain but nobody could have imagined that the charming young woman would become a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry she is the only Latina playing a main character in "Outer Range," where she shares the screen with Oscar nominated Josh Brolin and that is just the tip of the iceberg of her successful career In an interview with The Latin Times regarding the second season of the Prime Video's hit series cowboy/sci-fi series Arraiza revealed another interesting fact about her life it's because it's also the hometown of Puerto Rico's biggest music star "I grew up in a very small town in Puerto Rico. Vega Baja is a tiny town in the north of the island, where nothing happens. Well, except Bad Bunny," she jokes but I lived 15 minutes away from his home." "We used to shop in the same supermarket where he used to work But the truth is that it has never happened as adults "it would be a dream to do something together It would be powerful for the children of Vega Baja In Prime Video's "Outer Range," Isabel Arraiza seamlessly blends the cultural zeitgeist of Bad Bunny has further cemented her place in the hearts of fans and critics alike "They called me during covid to tell me that they had given me the role In this life of an actor your spirit breaks so many times and its easy to say 'look I tried but I am going to reinvent myself and do something else The character of María in 'Outer Range' was one of those rescues," she remembered Arraiza felt a mix of relief and confirmation that she was in the right place A post shared by instagram Arraiza's portrayal of María is layered with complexity and authenticity after spending all her life wanting to leave and being pulled back by circumstances beyond her control." Arraiza articulates beautifully how her immigrant experience ties her to María: "I remember being a young girl in in mami's kitchen and telling her 'I feel that I have to leave in my stomach'." This sentiment is a powerful reflection of the internal conflict many immigrants face—yearning for a better future while being tethered to their origins "Outer Range" is not just a western but a sci-fi thriller that challenges perceptions of reality and time Arraiza shared her thoughts on the show's exploration of time travel "I'm going to say that this whole experience.. in the sense that it's opened up conversations inside me about philosophy and spirituality that I don't think I'd otherwise have," she said This openness to the unknown and the metaphysical aspects of the show align with the broader themes of exploration and resilience that are intrinsic to the immigrant experience Arraiza's role in "Outer Range" is a testament to her versatility as an actress including her role in "The Little Things" alongside Denzel Washington showcased her ability to hold her own among Hollywood heavyweights "It was surreal," she said of her experience She was also part of the cast of the NBC series "Pearson," and Crackle's "The Oath," among other projects Although she left Puerto Rico after finishing high school to study acting in the prestigious arts conservatory Julliard School in New York City "La isla siempre será mi casa," she said If there is any doubt it dissapears after looking to her Instagram account where she asked her fans to support "Outer Range" from the iconic Playa Flamingo in Culebra A post shared by instagram A frontal boundary and the associated deep moisture moved over Puerto Rico and the U.S This feature enhanced the low-level moisture convergence over northeast Puerto Rico including the San Juan Metro area producing rainfall accumulations of 1-3 inches in some spots showers that developed early in the week led to locally high rainfall totals in excess of 4 inches in a matter of hours in some areas Therefore saturated soils were observed in many areas especially along the north coast of Puerto Rico and portions of the San Juan metro area These were the antecedent conditions ahead of the more significant event that came during the weekend.  a strong upper trough slowly moved southward over Puerto Rico providing a very unstable environment across the region This upper-level feature combined with the remnants of the front lingering over the region supports the development of another round of heavy rainfall The convergent flow at low levels caused the higher moisture band to remain over northeastern Puerto Rico leading to better precipitation efficiency that resulted in prolonged periods of heavy rainfall especially in the western half of the metro area especially on Saturday where accumulations across these areas ranged between 3-6 inches with a maximum of 10 in some areas several rounds of heavy rainfall over the same areas only aggravated the flood problems.  Conditions gradually improved on Monday as moisture and instability decreased considerably Figure 1: CIMSS Precipitable Water analysis on February 5th Figure 2: GOES-East Water Vapor images on February 5th Figure 3: Atmospheric soundings of TJSJ (San Juan station) from February 4th-6th Figure 4: 72-hours rainfall accumulation associated with the event.  Table 1: Flash flood and flood warnings issued during the event.  local emergency managers and media reports provided evidence of the impacts and damages that occurred during the event One of the most affected municipalities was Catano and Toa Baja where several reports of flooded streets and houses were affected by the excessive runoff and poor drainage the municipalities of Dorado and Vega Alta reported urban areas flooded as well as major roads impassable and landslides San Juan and Guaynabo emergency managers reported several streets closed including the Kennedy and Baldioroty de Castro avenues due to flooding The Puerto Rico Emergency Bureau is documenting all damages and their preliminary numbers suggest losses could be in the millions Tarps cover damaged homes in Loiza on Puerto Rico’s northeastern coast on Jan 23 Puerto Rico’s Recovery is Slow and Painful Text by Justin Worland | Photos by Ricardo Arduengo for TIME The trip into town used to be a quick affair: a hop over a bridge and 15 minutes on the road was all it took for residents of the village of San Lorenzo to reach the more populated town of Morovis to buy groceries or visit a doctor Hurricane Maria changed that when the Category-4 hurricane slammed into the island in September Not only did the storm—with winds topping 155 miles per hour—destroy thousands of local homes it also caused the bridge into town to buckle All that’s left these days is a couple of battered pillars Now getting to Morovis requires a perilous trek across the river by an all-wheel-drive vehicle if you’re lucky or by wading through deep water The shortest and safest detour through the nearby hills can take three hours they risk their lives or cars to make it to appoint­ments a San Juan-based photographer who was born and raised in Puerto Rico “The bridge was the only way to get where people need to go.” Utility workers replace a power pole in Loiza More than 5,500 workers are employed restoring power The coastal city of Loiza was hard hit by Hurricane Maria with a long-lasting power outage and water and food shortages Arduengo used a drone to capture the wreckage that has become a part of daily life in San Lorenzo and similar communities across the island homes draped in blue tarp to replace broken roofs in Loiza and a damaged sports complex in Vega Baja offer glimpses of the slow trod taking place to get Puerto Rico back on its feet And even in places where roads are operational traffic lights with faulty electricity still trigger frequent traffic jams it gives you a totally different perspective,” says Arduengo who crisscrossed the island taking photo­graphs before and after the storm Traffic lights without electricity snarl cars in a traffic jam in Humacao Residents face daily disruptions even in places where infrastructure remains intact Solar panels left shredded by Hurricane Maria at a utility-scale solar power plant in Humacao And even then Puerto Rico will face deep challenges “We need a strong resilient infrastructure Palm trees left flattened in the southeastern town of Yabucoa where Hurricane Maria first made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sept Vehicles cross a waterway where a bridge once stood connecting the village of San Lorenzo to the more populated town of Morovis where residents could buy groceries and visit a doctor Restoring consistent access to electricity across the island represents the most urgent challenge with more than 5,500 workers dedicated to bringing back power And yet 28% of customers still lack electricity Those with access to electricity have only that with the power flickering on and off without warning Governor Ricardo Rosselló plans to privatize the government-owned and deeply indebted utility company Damaged wind turbines remain standing in the southeastern town of Naguabo remains inoperative after a mudslide triggered by Hurricane Maria The road is a primary thoroughfare in central Puerto Rico A damaged pool is left in disrepair at a sports facility in Vega Baja President Don­ald Trump signed a sweeping budget deal on Feb 9 that includes $2 billion to fix the electric grid and aditional funding for other infrastructure improvements But even when the power is back and bridges are rebuilt the scars on the worst-impacted areas will still be visible “But it’s going to take longer than expected.” Beachfront houses in the northern coastal town of Vega Baja remain unlivable as a result of water damage from Hurricane Maria Justin Worland IS a writer at time. follow him on twitter @JustinWorland Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors 32 earthquakes have been recorded in the Vega Baja area according to data collected by the National Geographic Institute There have been hundreds of them throughout history The most recent major earthquake that remains in the memory of those present is the one in Lorca according to the National Geographic Institute in the area of ​​the southernmost region of the province of Alicante A record that gives good proof of how accustomed the inhabitants are to small tremors that rarely exceed 2 degrees of magnitude The latest major phenomenon occurred last Tuesday when there were four earthquakes that occurred during the night all with their epicentre in the same area: the western shore of Laguna Rosa a seismic swarm which kept many in suspense that day Four earthquakes in a matter of hours shake the night in Torrevieja associated with the disastrous earthquake of 1829 the most devastating earthquake ever recorded in the entire Vega Baja and in the entire province Although the epicentre is believed to have been in the area around Almoradí – it is still not known for sure – it was since practically the entire town had to be rebuilt afterwards Hardly any house was left standing after the earthquake That fateful day was so engraved in the memory of the people of Torrevieja that today the City Council continues to organise conferences on geology and emergencies as well as large-scale drills to mark the anniversary of this event every 21st of March 2024Bad Bunny will be one of the co-hosts at the 2024 Met Gala on May 6.Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicSave this storySaveSave this storySaveNow that Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio it makes sense that he’s been shopping around for trophy properties Bad Bunny’s houses on both coasts are the epitome of luxury and he’s come a long way from where he grew up in Almirante Sur he enjoys frequent visits home: In Puerto Rico he feels comforted by the relative calm and privacy that he experiences with loved ones we’ve rounded up what we know about Bad Bunny’s extravagant dwellings is typically “a beer and some fish—usually mofongo or octopus ceviche “This truck has played such a big role in the concept of my tour and my last album that I want to share this unique experience with them.” Fans can unfortunately no longer book a stay on the big rig There is a sunken living room and chef’s kitchen as well as a wet bar just off the living room The primary bedroom boasts a cavernous walk-in closet with its own lounge area The grounds are dotted with palm trees and an inviting BBQ kitchen area and the centerpiece of the backyard is the infinity pool with an inset spa checks off all of the Bullet Train star’s aesthetic preferences: It is airy and high-ceilinged with spectacular city views and a private 32-foot lap pool There is a total of 4,552 square feet of living space with an additional 4,593 square feet of outdoor space including an outdoor kitchen and a landscaped rooftop with a view of the Hudson River Of note indoors: an eat-in kitchen with terrazzo floors and wood paneling as well as a library with a spiral staircase leading up onto the aforementioned roof and a terrace It appears that the musician still maintains this home reportedly with plans of building a dream home there with her then fiancé The Studio Has Tons of A-List Cameos—Including Some of the Best Midcentury-Modern Architecture in LA 50 Cent’s Houses: Exploring the Rapper’s Over-The-Top Real Estate Portfolio The Full House Victorian in San Francisco Sells for $6 Million The Residence Offers a Peek Inside the White House—but What Really Goes Into Running the President’s Private Quarters? Severance Twists the Mundane Trappings of the Office Into a Mind-Bending Hellscape Inside Lana Condor’s Completely Transformed Dream Home Actor Walton Goggins and Director Nadia Conners Imagine a New Life in the Hudson Valley 5 Secrets of the SNL Sets You Probably Didn’t Know Not a subscriber? Join AD for print and digital access now Browse the AD PRO Directory to find an AD-approved design expert for your next project.  My NewsSign Out Sign InCreate your free profileSections news Alerts Puerto Rico -- When heavy rains begin to pelt a flood-prone neighborhood along Puerto Rico's north coast people start sharpening their knives and preparing their lassoes whose population has exploded in and around the lagoon next to Los Naranjos neighborhood in the coastal city of Vega Baja The scaly reptiles have been spotted prowling around schools and crawling into flooded yards after rains causing both widespread panic and curiosity in the community Calls to government officials to help catch the reptiles and take measures to prevent further flooding have been futile the residents of Los Naranjos have been forced to face their fears and become caiman catchers themselves in this community of scarce resources where some still ride horses bareback as transportation Among the rudimentary equipment at their disposal: Wire People taught themselves the trick to hunting caimans sometimes learning from others how to rope them in and tape their mouths shut They've also mastered the art of flashing lights into the brackish waters of the nearby lagoon until they spot pairs of squinty green eyes gleaming just above the surface Ask anyone in this coastal neighborhood if they know someone who traps and kills caimans and the reply is likely a peal of laughter The question is akin to asking who hunts for crabs but the island's biggest population is in Vega Baja wildlife director of the island's Department of Natural Resources they have always reproduced there," he said lifts a caiman from his backyard holding tank in Vega Baja on Wednesday.Ricardo Arduengo / APAfter seeing a caiman cross a road near the elementary school where she's the director Johanna Rosado ordered chaperones to accompany children when they go to the bathroom following heavy rains She said the school is surrounded by a chain-link fence but is trying to raise money to build a concrete wall "It's one thing to hear about it and it's another to see it with your own eyes," Rosado said The creatures are native to Central and South America but were introduced to Puerto Rico by stores such as Woolworth's that sold baby caimans the size of lizards as pets during the 1960s and 70s The island's government authorizes hunting caimans since they're considered non-native species "They have no natural enemies," Atienza said She was outside with her 17-year-old son a couple months ago when she heard the dogs bark I think there's something back there,'" Otero recalled she saw a 4-foot-long specimen exploring the grounds Otero's father heard their screams from inside the house and called Daniel Montanez a 58-year-old neighbor who has earned a reputation as one of the best caiman catchers in Los Naranjos Montanez arrived with one of his sons carrying a homemade lasso and trapped the caiman as it thrashed its thick tail about where he keeps a makeshift tank filled with nearly 30 caimans all that is for...," he stopped mid-sentence as he pointed to the tank rubbed his stomach and broke into a big grin the Montanez family said the meat tastes like chicken as long as it's marinated in lemon or orange juice to first take away the fishy taste What the family doesn't eat is sold to interested buyers Montanez said the caimans first caught his eye during night fishing expeditions neighbors call him if they have a problem with the reptiles Visitors also stop by to gawk at his teeming tank Montanez grabbed a metal pole with a wire lasso dipped it into the tank and pulled out a nearly 3-foot-long specimen also made a run for it as Montanez laughed Nearly everyone in the family except Santos helps catch caimans She accompanies her father when the waters begin to rise spotting caimans and helping wrestle them until their snout is wrapped shut She then plops them into her car and brings them home Montanez and three of his grandsons caught a 2-foot-long caiman from the tank and spent an hour cutting and cleaning the body said he fishes the reptiles to sell to a taxidermist who in turn sells the stuffed creatures to tourists Rivera recalled that he and a friend recently caught a 6-foot-long caiman on a hunting trip nearly gone wrong As the two pulled the reptile into the boat his friend's grasp slipped and the caiman snapped his mouth shut "That's 90 pounds of pressure in their jaw." Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook The Foundling’s Head Start program operates in Puerto Rico and provides high-quality early education and child development services and emotional growth for later success in school The center-based program embeds responsive and effective teacher-child interactions The Head Start program integrates parent and family engagement strategies into all systems and program services to support family well-being and promote children’s learning and development and linguistically appropriate learning experiences in language To deliver such high-quality early education and child development services the program is staffed by qualified teachers Operating across Puerto Rico Head Start services are provided by The Foundling in five municipalities: San Juan The program educates children ages 3-5 in specially designed early childhood centers Annual Report 2023-2024 Annual Report 2022-2023 Informe Annual 2020-2021 Cataño Coamo Toa Baja San Juan Vega Alta The services featured on this page are supported by Grant Numbers #02CH011266 and #02TD000191 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate or necessarily endorse this website (including and recommendations expressed are those of The New York Foundling and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start came to The Foundling’s Early Head Start Center in San Juan when she learned she was pregnant with her first son for pre-natal guidance and parent resources and support Working in partnership with Head Start specialists Bianca later learned that Kermitt had mild attention deficit challenges Kermitt began to receive the services and help he needed to succeed in school and Bianca’s two younger daughters are currently receiving support and services through Head Start as well Bianca’s three children are thriving today—and she is too Find us   Get on the List   Donate   Employee Login   The winning project of the competition called for the construction of the International Center of Visigothic Culture takes as formal and constructive reference its own architecture – able to inspire modern projects like the residential settlements of Rafael Fernández del Amo or the flower kiosk of the Swede Sigurd Lewerentz – to develop a proposal that moves between a minimum modernity and vernacular tradition; a pragmatic and stimulating architecture, balanced and sustainable. The program is organized from three quadrangular elementary units of sides measuring 14, 17 and 21 meters, containing areas of two-hundred, three-hundred and four-hundred square meters respectively. The repetition of these cells allows to define the characteristics of the different zones that form the complex: the Vega Baja Interpretation Center, the Heritage Research Center, the exhibition areas and the storage and installations rooms. Andrés Regueiro, Carlos Martínez de Albornoz, Marceline Ruckstuhl, Sara Murado, Rubén Arend, Mila Moskalenko, Bryony Roberts, Carlos Cerezo; Arqandgraph.com (fotomontajes render images); HCH Models (maquetas models) J.G. Ingenieros (instalaciones mechanical engineering) Sorry, there arent any match using your search terms, please try again using other terms. United StatesChevron Puerto RicoChevron GettySave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links But as he has skyrocketed to fame on the mainland and well beyond—largely thanks to 2017 collaborations with Cardi B and Drake—Bad Bunny has directed the world’s attention back to Puerto Rico. He led protests to oust then-governor Ricardo Rossello last year, he was outspoken in the wake of Hurricane Maria and his music continues to unapologetically use Puerto Rican slang and Spanish lyrics no matter who’s listening he still says the island is his favorite place in the world—and that he’d happily retire right in his hometown The day before the release of his new album, Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana, we caught up with Bad Bunny to hear about his favorite spots in Puerto Rico what most travelers get wrong about the island and the best shops in San Juan for getting a Bad Bunny-worthy outfit of your own Where's the first place you go when you land in Puerto Rico People usually go to the beach until sunrise, or people will go to the gas station and open their trunk and just play music and drink. Puerto Ricans are so creative Sopita (soup). My mom makes it for me Bad Bunny leading protests in San Juan last year Is there a neighborhood in Puerto Rico you’re really excited about right now La Perla What's a quintessentially Puerto Rican slang word well the most iconic Puerto Rican word is a bad word You can use it for everything—when you’re excited I have traveled around the world, and Puerto Rico is still my favorite place. Maybe the center of the island What do you think most travelers get wrong when they visit Puerto Rico 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 PUERTO RICO - In the northern Puerto Rican town of Vega Baja save me,” using the lights in their cellphones to help rescue teams find them in the darkness a north coastal town that already had been ravaged by Hurricane Irma 90 percent of homes - 3,000 - were destroyed by Hurricane Maria just days later bridges collapsed and highways were severely damaged officials had yet to access a number of families stuck in their homes three days after the powerful storm made landfall When speaking about his town’s destruction his voice catching and his eyes filling with tears Hurricane Maria pounded the entire island of Puerto Rico on Wednesday but the scope of the damage had been speculative and unclear since in large part because towns across the U.S territory have been completely off the grid Though images from the air showed incredible destruction mayors were unable to reach central government for leadership and help because communication was impossible No passage through roads that had been washed away or blocked with trees and power lines mayors and representatives from more than 50 municipalities across Puerto Rico met with government officials at the emergency operations command center here in the island’s capital city Many of the mayors learned about the meeting through media reports over satellite radio the night before One mayor said his staff was informed after a man ran to his offices with a note telling him to make his way to San Juan Approximately 20 other mayors across the island still have not been able to make contact with government officials leaving major gaps in the broader understanding of the damage Maria left behind The mayors greeted each other with hugs and tears and they pleaded with their governor for some of the things their communities need most: drinking water The entire population remains without electricity Families everywhere are unable to buy food or medical treatment and looting has begun to take place at night “There is horror in the streets,” San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz said in a raw emotional interview with The Washington Post “People are actually becoming prisoners in their own homes.” “Whenever I walk through San Juan,” Yulín said she sees the “sheer pain in people’s eyes… not because of what has happened but because of the difficulty of what will come,” she said “I know we’re not going to get to everybody in time… Two days ago I said I was concerned about that Now I know we won’t get to everybody in time.” mayor of the northern coastal city of Vega Alta said many of his community’s families refused to evacuate their flooded homes One little girl was standing barefoot with her family on a roof said even his own wooden home was destroyed and he has since sought shelter with his parents said “hundreds and hundreds” of homes in his town were obliterated The meeting in San Juan came a day after the governor urged residents downstream from Lake Guajataca - a population of nearly 70,000 - to evacuate amid fears that a dam holding the lake back might fail because of damage from Hurricane Maria’s floodwaters Officials said the dam’s structural damage was caused by a “fissure,” a crack that had grown to a significant “rupture” by Saturday The dam’s failure could lead to massive amounts of water flowing through coastal communities along a river’s path to the ocean and authorities believed evacuation was the only option Local authorities said the actual number of residents remaining in those towns at risk of destruction was most likely much lower because of early overestimates The official death toll on the island from Hurricane Maria has risen to 10 One died when he was struck in the head by a panel another died in an accident with an excavating machine and two police officers in Aguada drowned when the Culebrinas River overflowed One person in Arecibo died after being swept away by rising water Officials believe there are probably others they haven’t yet been able to confirm At the intersection of Routes 2 and 1o in Arecibo employees of the Gulf Express gas station and their families - about 20 people in all - were hard at work Saturday Their boots and sneakers were caked with mud because there is mud everywhere: On their pants and shirts in their cars and on the walls of their homes The makeshift cleanup crew was using brooms to sweep out the grayish brown slop that lay two or three inches thick inside maybe seven feet high,” said Nelson Rodriguez Every home and business in this part of Arecibo was affected by the flooding marked where water stagnated for much of a full day as if it had been left open,” Carraquillo said because we were warned about the flash flood that might come except for two older men that lived a few houses away we found out the flood had killed them right there in that apartment.” Some Puerto Rico officials believe it could be months before the island recovers and that it will be at least a year before some sense of normalcy returns Officials estimate it will take three weeks for hospitals to regain power and about six months for the rest of the island to have electricity 25 percent of the population had telecommunications connections Ricardo Rosselló announced efforts to centralize medical care and shelters for the elderly He also plans to distribute 250 satellite phones among mayors to facilitate communication He said he urged the mayors to develop a “buddy system” with other local officials but she also said she has never seen such determination to make it She described a phrase she keeps hearing from residents: “Yo soy Boricua “That has become the very courageous way of saying we are going to overcome anything that comes our way,” she said A janitor stopped Yulín with a request on Friday: “Tell the world we’re here,” he said Tell everyone that can listen that we are going to make it.” Yulín echoed that cry: “If anyone can hear us … help.” “Those are words that no society should have to endure alone or ever,” Yulín said “What I would ask is not only for Puerto Rico but for the entire Caribbean that has been hit so hard by this: Do not forget us and do not let us feel alone.” letting a warm summer breeze waft into Vega Baja American Legion Post 14 paper and resource materials neatly arranged He is patiently assisting a veteran who stopped by the tiny post building with questions about her VA benefits It’s a stark contrast to the life the commander led 50 years ago Jorge Otero-Barreto – who volunteered for five tours in Vietnam engaged in more than 350 combat and aerial missions and was wounded five times – is among the most decorated Vietnam War veterans with more than 40 military honors that include multiple Silver Stars and five Purple Hearts His exploits on the battlefield earned him adulation from his troops and the nickname “Puerto Rican Rambo.” FROM MED SCHOOL TO THE JUNGLE Eloy Otero and Crispina Barreto named the first of their six children Jorge (Spanish for George) His mother wanted him to grow up and become a doctor His father encouraged him to consider a military career After three years of studying biology at the University of Puerto Rico and two years of training at the university He completed basic training at Fort Jackson before he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and later the 101st the Philippines and Thailand before departing for Vietnam serious tone between appointments in Post 14.  “We were prepared to do whatever we had to do against the enemy.” Otero-Barreto helped conduct basic training for anti-communist Vietnamese fighters there trained his infantry teams both mentally and physically to become “jungle rats ... I know that a person has to control his mind and his body Mental and physical courage should prepare you to take care of anything I am still willing to take a pill instead of being a squealer.” MIND OF A WARRIOR Otero-Barreto held himself and his troops to a high standard he expected them to become warriors just like him “A warrior is somebody who is beyond himself,” he says A warrior is a person who is willing to give his life for his people A soldier is not a warrior until he convinces himself of the mission purpose You can see it in their faces – they are warriors.” He recalls one time when his platoon ran into heavy fire from a machine gun “Remember what I taught you?” he said to him you are a dead dog,” Otero-Barreto told his men He made an impression on everyone from privates to commanding officers John Hay was Otero-Barreto’s platoon leader for about six months in the late 1960s “I noticed immediately the first night or so we were out he was very acutely aware of his surroundings,” Hay recalls an extremely professional noncommissioned officer communicating with leadership or calling in airstrikes or directing other maneuvers He says he never worried about what Otero-Barreto was doing.  “While I am looking at the mission and trying to accomplish whatever we were doing Otero-Barreto admonished his troops for not respecting a deceased female Viet Cong fighter “That’s something I demand from my leaders you get tired of the booby traps and you want payback But (what Otero-Barreto did) was never illegal When you are talking about a guy who is as decorated as he is who retired after 31 years of service that included stints as a noncommissioned and commissioned officer said Otero-Barreto was unparalleled on the battlefield “No one was a better platoon sergeant than Jorge – no one,” Hay declares THE ‘REAL RAMBO’ Hay and others attribute Otero-Barreto’s battlefield savvy to his instincts and knowledge but (in Vietnam) I learned about guerrilla warfare there’s a song describing Otero-Barreto as the “real Rambo” – someone who actually saw combat unlike the well-known Hollywood movie character: “He is the one who goes The one with courage and plenty of willingness to fight Otero-Barreto doesn’t like the character’s actions in the “Rambo” movies Otero-Barreto suffered wounds but always returned to the battlefield His men and platoon leaders were counting on him.  UNHAPPY HOMECOMING Otero-Barreto returned home from Vietnam on Dec He remembers being spit on by protesters and people “looking at me like I was a monkey.”  I didn’t fight the enemy when they wanted to fight me Otero-Barreto reunited with his young wife and baby where doctors diagnosed him with combat fatigue – the Vietnam-era term for post-traumatic stress My wife told me that if I didn’t quit the Army mindset we were through He managed to finish his bachelor’s degree Those moments in life will always be with me.” Otero-Barreto took his medals to the downtown market He asked a vendor for a coffee and offered one of his medals instead of the $1 price and eventually Otero-Barreto got them back.  Even without his medals around to remind him of the war Otero-Barreto remained angry and depressed his family got rid of his weapons because they were concerned about his anger Otero-Barreto discovered how to control his demons He looked for ways to channel his leadership impulses into community service and at home he mentored them and taught boxing lessons He also installed a basketball court and created a program for youths in his community Otero-Barreto also credits his family for helping him get through postwar struggles “Those were moments when I wasn’t thinking of my wife and kids,” he says Otero-Barreto is highly regarded for assisting veterans he became the service officer,” says Angel Narvaez-Negron a past department commander for Puerto Rico and he is still the commander and service officer Sometimes I read his positions and he sounds like a lawyer People come from all the towns around his post just to get service from him Otero-Barreto has served as post commander for about 10 years “He uses the same principles for the veterans as the way he runs the post,” Narvaez says is among those who have been helped by Otero-Barreto After he received a less-than-honorable discharge 12 years ago Ramos worked a series of minimum-wage jobs which included stints as assistant manager for a manufacturing company and inventory clerk for a pharmaceutical business “I didn’t know about The American Legion until I met Jorge in February 2012,” Ramos says Ramos began to receive VA benefits and went back to school “My studies lifted my spirits a little bit,” he says “My life has improved since then.” He gives Otero-Barreto credit for turning him around achieved his degree and began helping veterans “I feel happy every time they call me or come to me,” he says Otero-Barreto is many things to many people: honorable warrior But he says there are other roles he cherishes more “I want to be remembered as a good father,” he says Henry Howard is deputy director of The American Legion’s Media & Communications Division The American Legion National Headquarters:  Subscribe to The American Legion's e-newsletters to receive important updates and special offers tailored for veterans and their families A forensic worker photographs a crime scene where a man was found fatally shot 2018.Carlos Giusti | APGo Deeper.CloseCreate an account or log in to save stories We have added it to a list of your favorite stories bullet-riddled body of a man with a snake-like tattoo on his left hand lying beside a road in the Puerto Rican town of Vega Baja two men were found dead with their feet and hands bound in Bayamon a working-class city southwest of the capital Another man was shot to death before dawn in nearby Vega Baja while trying to stop thieves from stealing his generator Thirty-two people have been slain in Puerto Rico in the first 11 days of the year double the number killed over the same period in 2017 If the surge proves to be more than just a temporary blip January could be the most homicidal month on the island in at least two years adding a dangerous new element to the island's recovery from Hurricane Maria While the number of homicides did not immediately spike in the weeks after the hurricane struck on Sept police and independent experts say many killings appear at least partly related to its aftereffects MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all The storm has plunged much of the island into darkness increased economic hardship and contributed to a sickout by police officials say a turf war has broken out among drug gangs looking to grab territory after the storm's disruption including criminals," said criminologist Jose Raul Cepeda the island's overwhelmed government has fallen behind with millions of dollars in overtime payments owed to police officers who have begun calling in sick in big numbers to protest The sickout has taken about 2,000 police off the street each day in a territory that has 13,600 officers It has forced more than a dozen police stations to close for several hours to a couple of days during the holiday period because of a lack of officers No arrests have been made in the 32 killings this year destroyed much of the island's electrical grid the streets are darker and more dangerous because power has been restored to only 60 percent of customers in the U.S Drug gangs are fighting to re-establish territory they lost in the disruption from Maria which pushed thousands from their homes and left entire neighborhoods uninhabitable for weeks Police Chief Michelle Hernandez resigned Monday after only a year on the job and local and federal authorities are rushing from meeting to meeting to debate how to best protect 3.3 million Puerto Ricans "This has been devastating," said Ramon Santiago a retiree who lives less than a block from where three bodies were discovered Sunday near a basketball court "You can't sleep peacefully in so much darkness." Puerto Rico's homicide rate is roughly 20 killings per 100,000 residents compared with 3.7 per 100,000 residents on the U.S Puerto Rico has seen an average of 56 homicides a month 3 by a security guard while trying to rob a bakery 8 -- two men found shot to death in a car near an upscale resort on the north coast and two other men discovered sprawled on the street near a public housing complex on the west coast in addition to three people wounded by gunfire during a shootout that night in the parking lot of a strip mall in Bayamon the son of a former judge was killed after trying to write down the license plate number of a car whose occupants were firing a gun "The lack of police is increasing Puerto Rico's safety issues," said legislator Denis Marquez "Everybody is feeling that insecurity." Besides policing and getting the lights back on the government needs to address long-standing issues such as social inequality on an island with a 10 percent unemployment rate where nearly 45 percent of its inhabitants lived in poverty before the hurricane the post-storm conditions have fueled a deadly struggle over drug gang territory vice president of a police officers' advocacy group "There's a war over the control for drugs," he told The Associated Press "They are taking advantage of all the situations occurring in Puerto Rico There's no power and they believe there's a lack of police officers Criminals are taking care of business that was pending before the hurricane." Inspector Elexis Torres heads a unit that is investigating eight homicides in a jurisdiction that includes the working-class city of Carolina near Puerto Rico's north coast One of Puerto Rico's largest cities with nearly 160,000 people Carolina had the triple homicide reported Sunday; a motel employee and a friend were found slain Tuesday in neighboring Trujillo Alto they involve men in their 20s who were shot to death Torres said he suspects both cases are drug related He worries the number of killings will only increase as criminal gangs enter into cycles of revenge "Those victims likely belonged to some organization," Torres said of the triple homicide said drug traffickers have been entering rival territories to increase sales and recover losses after the storm disrupted their business Hurricane Maria caused an estimated $95 billion in damage with 30,000-plus jobs lost in an economy that was already struggling from an 11-year-old recession The last time Puerto Rico saw a spike in violent crime was in 2011 when a record 1,136 killings were reported on an island of nearly 4 million people secretary of the newly created Department of Public Safety met this week with top police officials and federal authorities "We're in a process of analysis and of committed work to fight criminality in Puerto Rico," he said Puerto Rico — Glenda Fuentes thanked God and considered herself lucky when Hurricane Maria’s battering winds finally subsided One of the most catastrophic events to ever hit Puerto Rico battering her home in waves and quickly filling every room of her house waist-high floodwaters had swallowed her home “It was disastrous,” said Fuentes who lives in the Miñi Miñi area of Loíza “It came all at once and went through the entire house.” Hurricane Maria tore through the middle of Puerto Rico early Wednesday with 150 mph sustained winds splintering homes and crippling the island nation of 3.4 million But floods brought on by the storm have been equally destructive and deadly.  Toa Baja and Vega Baja were hit by deadly floods People scrambled to rooftops as floods unleashed by the storm enveloped entire towns and rescue teams fought through the storm’s lingering winds to reach them more than 4,000 people were rescued from the floods including a family of four that sheltered in their home from the storm an elderly couple and a state policeman and his son the town’s mayor Bernardo "Betito" Márquez told El Nuevo Dia.  More: Hurricane Maria bears down on Turks and Caicos islands before heading out to sea More: Will Hurricane Maria hit the U.S. mainland? It's unlikely, but not impossible “Rain, lots of rain,” Márquez told the news site. “The swells go up and down but don’t go back out to sea. They stay. So the water just keeps rising.” While moving away from Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria is so large it was expected to continue dumping rain on the island, with an extra 4 to 8 inches likely through Saturday. In some parts of the island, the total rainfall from the storm is expected to be up to 40 inches. The storm crippled this island nation, leaving many communities completely cut off by flood waters and impassable roads.The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would open an air bridge from the mainland on Friday, with three to four military planes flying to the island every day carrying water, food, generators and temporary shelters. But with government help slow to reach some communities, many residents began the recovery process themselves. The hurricane dumped mounds of sand from nearby beaches onto Route 187, the main road connecting San Juan and Loíza that runs along the coast.  On Thursday, bands of young men carrying machetes and hatchets hacked sections of Route 187 free, while bulldozers pushed the sand off the road and into heaping piles on the shoulder. Roberto Bermudez, 56, lives on that road. He was set to ride out the storm in his one-story concrete home with his wife and mother-in-law. But as Maria’s winds intensified, he saw the palms bend down nearly to the floor and the sea start to swell over Route 187.  He put the family in the car and raced to higher ground in San Juan. “I’m brave, but what was coming our way was braver,” Bermudez said. In Loíza, a staging area was set near a school that doubled as a shelter for displaced residents. National National Guard troops and State Police mingled with worried residents. Just down the street, floodwaters still engulfed the neighborhood of Miñi Miñi. Some people waded into the water to return to their homes or search for loved ones. High-water trucks continuously brought residents out of the flooded area. Others, refusing to leave, waited on the second story of two-story homes, as contaminated floodwater circled their homes. On Thursday, the embattled neighborhood drew a visit from Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, who took part on rescue missions, met with the city’s mayor and spoke with displaced residents. One of them, Fuentes, said she waded out of her flooded home and went to her sister’s house, where a high-water truck picked them up and brought them to a shelter. But the shelter had run out of cots and water and had no baths, she said. She was considering returning to her flooded home and riding out the disaster there. “This is worse than my home,” she said, standing outside the shelter. “I just want to go home.” Embed on your websiteClose×Copy the code below to embed the WBUR audio player on your site<iframe width="100%" height="124" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://player.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/08/03/bad-bunny-un-verano-sin-ti"></iframe> Over the past two months, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has appeared in the Spotify top 100 more times than Harry Styles So what’s behind the reggaeton singer’s massive success Load YouTube videoWriter and translator Carina del Valle Schorske profiled the artist back in 2020 for the New York Times Bad Bunny — whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — champions music that’s both genre-defying and gender-fluid Born to a lower-middle-class Catholic family, Ocasio grew up in Vega Baja, a small town in Puerto Rico. His father drove trucks and his mother taught English. That upbringing weaves itself into songs like “Si Veo a Tu Mamá,” the opening track on his 2020 album “YHLQMDLG.” the title of which translates to “If I See Your Mom” in English Ocasio sings about running into his ex-girlfriend’s mother Valle Schorske says the song plays into Vega Baja’s small-town feel “There is some of the sweetness of island life in that song as well as kind of a clever ear for Latin American songs that go beyond the Caribbean,” Valle Schorske says Valle Schorske notes in her profile that Ocasio largely sings Puerto Rican Spanish: In his words, he cracked “the gringo market” without sacrificing his mother tongue Puerto Rican and Caribbean Spanish are often maligned with critics calling the dialect too playful or saying it uses too much English embraces both playfulness and flexibility in his songs Puerto Rican Spanish is used across the urban Latin genre by artists such as Rosalia and J Balvin [Bad Bunny] is always looking to remind his audience where his music is rooted,” says Valle Schorske Load YouTube videoValle Schorske’s favorite song from Ocasio’s newest album is “El Apagόn,” or “Blackout” in English Luma Energy took ownership of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid there have been blackouts and rising energy prices with Puerto Ricans forced to pay more for less reliable electricity After singing “El Apagόn” during a recent concert in Puerto Rico, Ocasio criticized Luma Energy for the blackouts “He says this country belongs to us and we're the ones who have to take control,” Valle Schorske says “And he says he believes in this generation and he wants to live here with you Ocasio invited up-and-coming queer Puerto Rican artists to share the stage with him while he sang backup to their songs One reason behind Ocasio’s global success is his musicality Even if you don’t understand what Ocasio is saying the pride and playfulness in his songs are contagious “I think that kind of posture of inclusivity that makes no gesture towards assimilation is charismatic and inspiring to people around the world,” Valle Schorske says Chris Bentley produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Peter O’Dowd. Jeannette Muhammad adapted it for the web. Robin Young Co-Host, Here & NowRobin Young brings more than 25 years of broadcast experience to her role as host of Here & Now. Chris Bentley Producer, Here & NowChris Bentley is a producer for Here & Now, where he has produced daily news and features since 2015. Chris came to the show from Chicago. Jeannette Muhammad Freelance Associate Producer Here & NowJeannette Muhammad was a freelance assistant producer for Here & Now Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker