Local briefs, Nov. 25
Fortuño meets with White House Drug Czar
Gov. Fortuño met Tuesday with White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowski to establish anti-crime strategies for the island, La Fortaleza said.
Kerlikowski, who heads the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, spoke to the governor about various federal programs, such as the Drug Free Communities Program.
Fortuño said White House officials made a commitment to come to Puerto Rico to share their experiences with island leaders, including mayors and community organizations.
De Castro Font investigation concludes; charges to be filed
The president of the Special Independent Prosecutors Panel, Berta Mainardi Peralta, said Tuesday that the criminal investigation against imprisoned former New Progressive Party Sen. Jorge De Castro Font has concluded and that charges will soon be filed.
“The panel received the research report commissioned by the body of prosecutors and all corresponding charges against Jorge De Castro Font will be filed before Dec. 10,” she said in a brief written statement. “What happens now, besides the filing of charges, is to determine if referrals will be made to Justice Secretary Antonio Sagardía, in light of research findings by the SIP.”
Mainardi Peralta added that “until we study in detail the possible referral of third parties and until the filing of charges materializes, it is essential that confidentiality is maintained during these processes in protecting the rights of those involved.”
No further details were available.
De Castro Font pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal charges related to taking bribes while he was a lawmaker. He is awaiting sentencing and is cooperating with authorities, giving the names of lawmakers who allegedly engaged in corrupt acts. Federal authorities are also investigating other NPP senators.
Two more H1N1 deaths confirmed
The Health Department said Tuesday two more H1N1 deaths have been confirmed, increasing the death toll from the virus here to 45.
The two victims — a man, 51, and a woman, 31 — had “chronic [prior health] conditions,” Assistant Health Secretary Concepción Quiñones said in a statement.
Meanwhile, during the week of Nov. 18 to 24, there were 49 new positive cases of H1N1, for a total of 955 cases.
The Health official also noted that on Monday the H1N1 vaccination program will begin in WIC centers islandwide and will run through Dec. 4.
Quiñones said the priority for vaccinations would be pregnant women and children, “as we have seen that these have been the most affected groups in terms of hospitalizations and serious complications from the virus.”
Santini to hand out Christmas bonuses today
San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini will give out Christmas bonuses to 6,965 municipal workers today totaling more than $8.8 million in the city’s ordinary funds.
“We know that many of our employees are counting on this money for their traditional Christmas purchases and so they can take advantage of [Black Friday] sales, so we have advanced the delivery of the Christmas bonus,” he said in a statement.
UPR administration closed today to Friday
The central administration offices of the University of Puerto Rico will be closed Wednesday through Friday for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend.
In a written statement, interim UPR President Miguel Muñoz, said each of the 11 campus chancellors will decide on the operations of their campuses for the three days.
In the case of UPR’s administration office, Wednesday will be charged to vacation days, while Friday will be deemed a holiday.
Gov. Fortuño met Tuesday with White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowski to establish anti-crime strategies for the island, La Fortaleza said.
Kerlikowski, who heads the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, spoke to the governor about various federal programs, such as the Drug Free Communities Program.
Fortuño said White House officials made a commitment to come to Puerto Rico to share their experiences with island leaders, including mayors and community organizations.
De Castro Font investigation concludes; charges to be filed
The president of the Special Independent Prosecutors Panel, Berta Mainardi Peralta, said Tuesday that the criminal investigation against imprisoned former New Progressive Party Sen. Jorge De Castro Font has concluded and that charges will soon be filed.
“The panel received the research report commissioned by the body of prosecutors and all corresponding charges against Jorge De Castro Font will be filed before Dec. 10,” she said in a brief written statement. “What happens now, besides the filing of charges, is to determine if referrals will be made to Justice Secretary Antonio Sagardía, in light of research findings by the SIP.”
Mainardi Peralta added that “until we study in detail the possible referral of third parties and until the filing of charges materializes, it is essential that confidentiality is maintained during these processes in protecting the rights of those involved.”
No further details were available.
De Castro Font pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal charges related to taking bribes while he was a lawmaker. He is awaiting sentencing and is cooperating with authorities, giving the names of lawmakers who allegedly engaged in corrupt acts. Federal authorities are also investigating other NPP senators.
Two more H1N1 deaths confirmed
The Health Department said Tuesday two more H1N1 deaths have been confirmed, increasing the death toll from the virus here to 45.
The two victims — a man, 51, and a woman, 31 — had “chronic [prior health] conditions,” Assistant Health Secretary Concepción Quiñones said in a statement.
Meanwhile, during the week of Nov. 18 to 24, there were 49 new positive cases of H1N1, for a total of 955 cases.
The Health official also noted that on Monday the H1N1 vaccination program will begin in WIC centers islandwide and will run through Dec. 4.
Quiñones said the priority for vaccinations would be pregnant women and children, “as we have seen that these have been the most affected groups in terms of hospitalizations and serious complications from the virus.”
Santini to hand out Christmas bonuses today
San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini will give out Christmas bonuses to 6,965 municipal workers today totaling more than $8.8 million in the city’s ordinary funds.
“We know that many of our employees are counting on this money for their traditional Christmas purchases and so they can take advantage of [Black Friday] sales, so we have advanced the delivery of the Christmas bonus,” he said in a statement.
UPR administration closed today to Friday
The central administration offices of the University of Puerto Rico will be closed Wednesday through Friday for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend.
In a written statement, interim UPR President Miguel Muñoz, said each of the 11 campus chancellors will decide on the operations of their campuses for the three days.
In the case of UPR’s administration office, Wednesday will be charged to vacation days, while Friday will be deemed a holiday.
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