Since the 2020 earthquakes, which mainly affected towns in the south of Puerto Rico, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated over $810 million for the region, the agency announced Wednesday in a press release.
The funds correspond to some 750 projects, mostly for permanent works such as the reconstruction of public buildings, educational institutions and other spaces in the communities.
For the affected municipalities, the allocations represent about $45.6 million for permanent works distributed in more than 200 projects. The funds will help fuel the revitalization of the region as the long-term recovery continues, FEMA said.
Puerto Rico received an allocation of nearly $716,700 to repair several of its buildings: the Adelina Coppin Alvarado Library, the Ruth Fortuño de Calzada academic building, and the Dean of Student Affairs building, among others. Some work has already been completed on several of the structures, such as the plastering of walls, replacement of tiles and a geotechnical assessment of the latter building.
The southern region of the island also has several structures of historical and cultural value that were impacted by the earthquakes. FEMA’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Division has worked closely with applicants from the Public Assistance Program to ensure that those projects meet current historic and environmental preservation requirements.
“As part of the efforts to mitigate earthquake effects, 84 percent of the projects include funds for this purpose,” Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero said. “The recovery represents an opportunity to build back better, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to help make this happen.”
Dr. Víctor Huérfano, director of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, likewise emphasized the progress made after the earthquakes and added that “in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, we are working to have an updated map.”
“That map is very important, because future structures that carry earthquake-resistant construction codes will depend on that map,” he said. “And of course, that this restructuring that we are going to do — which has to be done well — meets the standards and that we do not have to relive those problems of 2020 or before 1918, when structures also fell.”
Among the most notable projects in the south is Guánica City Hall, which has an obligation of over $4.1 million from FEMA to demolish, dispose of and replace its facilities. Of that amount, about $1 million goes toward reinforcing the floors and roof, as well as anchoring equipment to the roof to withstand high-velocity winds.
Regarding the work in the town, Guánica Mayor Ismael Rodríguez Ramos said the demolition of the structure will take place between now and February. He added that the new city hall will have “some commercial spaces in combination with an activity center … for which we are preparing the design.”
Meanwhile, the Ponce Campus of the University of
The La Resurrección methodist church in Ponce, built in 1907 and part of the National Register of Historic Places, is one of those projects that has received allocations that seek to preserve historical and cultural value. In addition to repairing existing features, its FEMA-funded restoration includes carbon fiber and fiberglass-reinforced polymers that were added to the mortar and plaster inside the building to make it more resilient against future seismic events, all without adversely affecting the historical property.
“Certainly the church community, but also the city community, will be positively impacted and one of the most precious historical monuments of the urban area of Ponce will come back to life,” the church’s pastor, Jeancarlos Ortiz Peña, said regarding the importance of restoring the century-plus-old structure.
The Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS) identified and stopped 600 cyberattacks against government servers and computers in 2022, the agency said in a statement this week.
PRITS provided support to the Puerto Rico Highway Authority with the ransomware that impacted Autoexpreso operations, and also aided the Office of Legislative Services and the Municipality of Vega Alta, among others.
PRITS, which seeks to improve government cybersecurity, has a goal of eventually hiring 100 additional workers to join the 48 employees working at the agency.
Currently, PRITS’ organizational structure has two key concepts that undergird the agency’s main goals and purposes: citizen-centered and secure technology, and collaboration between entities.
“These concepts are the main elements in all the initiatives that we have managed to implement since last year, as well as those that are in the development and launch stage,” PRITS Executive Director Nannette Martínez said in the agency statement.
In May of last year, the full-service Security Operations Center (SOC) was inaugurated with centralized monitoring of cybersecurity
The Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service provided support to the Puerto Rico Highway Authority with the ransomware that impacted Autoexpreso operations, and also aided the Office of Legislative Services and the Municipality of Vega Alta, among others, executive director Nannette Martínez said.
events in government agencies. The monitoring includes alerts of suspicious activity in the networks and in user accounts, and the detection of and protection against attacks
on devices.
In an effort to improve the security of government agencies, PRITS signed an agreement last July with the Multi-State
Information Sharing and Analysis Center to invest $7.6 million to increase protection of government computers and servers, according to the report.
“Thanks to an investment of $7.6 million for the protection of computers and servers, which includes 24/7/365 monitoring services by the SOC of the Multi-State Information Sharing Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), the government of Puerto Rico is more protected than ever against cyber attacks,” Martínez said.
“In the detection and response to incidents, we have the collaboration of authorities such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) and the [commonwealth] Department of Public Safety (DSP),” she added. “All these actions contribute to improving the ability to detect and respond to cyber threats, and it is projected that by 2023 PRITS will be able to identify more cyber security incidents than in previous years.”
The island government’s Cyber Security Program was adopted from the framework of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a government agency headquartered in Maryland, to improve cyber security in critical infrastructures, and from the v7 controls of the nonprofit Center for Internet Security in New York state.
The island Department of Housing has advised more than 51,000 people, through Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, on how to acquire a new home or improve their quality of life by managing their finances.
“We surpassed the goal and continue to offer the necessary guidance that helps families have long-term stability,” Housing Secretary William Rodríguez Rodríguez said in written remarks. “In 2022, the Housing Counseling Program offered over 29,000 courses, and we highlight it because it means that more Puerto Rican families already have the necessary information to achieve the dream of buying their own home, while thousands of other buyers are already living in a new house.”
Rodríguez endorsed a recent law that creates an expedited process for those affected by the 2017 hurricanes and 2020 earthquakes to obtain the title deeds to their homes.
The Housing Counseling Program offers an eight-hour course that, among other topics, guides participants on how to improve their credit and efficiently manage their budget. The course, provided by six advisory agencies authorized by the Housing Department and certified by the U.S. government, culminates in a certificate for the participant that is necessary to access other aid from recovery programs.
Rodríguez said one of the greatest benefits of the Housing Counseling Program is that it encourages Puerto Rico residents to buy their own home using information about opportunities in the market, including those offered by the agency itself through the $60,000 that the Direct Home Buyer Assistance program may award to purchase a new home.
“This advice is part of the requirements that the participant who requests the help we offer to buy a home must complete,” the Housing secretary said about the link between the two programs. “Therefore, we want to
encourage the participants, provide advice, motivate them to complete it, and celebrate each mortgage closing.”
In order to reach more people, the department this year implemented in-person counseling to large groups in an organized manner in one session.
Traffic Safety Commission (CST by its Spanish initials) Executive Director Luis Rodríguez Díaz announced Wednesday that 2022 concluded with 71 fewer fatalities on island roads compared to 2021.
The figure also included a decrease in deaths from highway crashes in December with six fewer than occurred during the same month in 2021.
Rodríguez Díaz attributed the marked reduction to a combination of the education effort of the government agency he leads, law enforcement by commonwealth and municipal police, and agreements with other government entities, both private and nonprofit.
“One death on the road is too many; however, today we are excited to announce this significant reduction that highlights how teamwork and citizen cooperation are key to achieving the goal of reducing fatalities on public roads,” Rodríguez Díaz said, adding that the reduction is also the result of coordinated action plans among agencies related to public safety.
The CST works on crash and death prevention campaigns in the areas of alcohol use, speed, seat belt and
According to a preliminary report by the Traffic Safety Commission, the greatest reduction in traffic deaths in 2022 was seen with those involving pedestrians -- a decrease of 25.
booster seat use, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclist safety and distracted driving with the use of cell phones. In addition, the agency promotes the Educational Park for Traffic Safety in Arecibo, along with implementation of the Standardized Sobriety Field Test.
According to the preliminary report, the line with the greatest reduction was traffic deaths involving pedestrians, of which 25 fewer were recorded, followed by motorcyclists with minus 16, passengers with minus 14, drivers with minus 14, and cyclists and riders each with minus one.
“Strengthening road safety in Puerto Rico is a collective effort, in which each of us plays a leading role,” Rodríguez Díaz said. “We look to the future with the conviction of following the path traced to reduce wrongful deaths on the roads. We will continue to reinforce our educational campaigns and preventive patrolling, as well as the call for prudence and moderation on the part of all citizens.”
“We are confident that this trend of reducing fatalities will continue, always letting it be known that road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he added.
More information on traffic safety statistics and the educational campaigns of the CST can be found at the website www.seguridadeneltransito.com.
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia signed several legislative measures into law on Wednesday, among them House Joint Resolution 229, approved unanimously, which orders the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) to develop and
execute a mitigation plan that addresses sargassum algae on the island’s coasts.
As established in the law, the mitigation plan must include, without being limited to, concrete solutions to address the sargassum issue (including those executed by the private sector), an implementation schedule, and identify the necessary funds to execute it. To this end, the DNER reported that the Auxiliary Secretariat for National Parks is in the bidding process to purchase, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, six specialized tractors, six machines for the industrial processing of sargassum and a mechanized rake that attaches to a tractor. The equipment has the ability to collect sargassum while returning clean sand to the beach.
“This measure is consistent with the actions that we are taking in my Administration to direct our environmental public policy,” the governor said in a written statement. “I have used federal and state funds to address issues such as the accumulation of discarded used tires, as well as for the treatment and conservation of corals, the restoration of beach dunes, the planting of trees and the closure of noncompliant landfills, among other initiatives. Additionally, as a Government we are addressing climate change and protecting our resources by ushering in the first Ranger Academy in over 20 years. I will continue promoting specific actions that result in the conservation
of our environment and the cleanliness of our coasts and beaches.”
According to the legislation’s preamble, a few years ago the accumulation of sargassum in the central-western Atlantic and the Caribbean exceeded previous records. In turn, the large-scale growth of the algae has affected the flow of oxygen on the sea surface, causing strong odors and emitting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a result of its decomposition.
The Financial Oversight and Management Board has barred Gov. Pedro Pierluisi
Urrutia from signing into law new incentives for the film industry because the commonwealth will not be able to offset the additional costs.
The oversight board in a letter dated Dec. 2 conveyed to La Fortaleza its serious concerns regarding Senate Bill (SB) 552.
After consultation with its advisers, the oversight board said “SB 552 impairs or defeats the purposes of PROMESA [the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act] …”
“If you sign SB 552 into law, in violation of PROMESA Section 108(a)(2), PROMESA Sections 204(c) and 108(a)(2) will bar the Executive branch from implementing the law,” the board said in the letter.
The oversight board also noted that the proposed bill amends Act 60-2019, known as the “Puerto Rico Incentives Code,” to increase the current cap on certain film industry tax incentives from $38 million to $100 million per year.
The bill grants the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority, the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, and the Office of Management and Budget the authority to identify and execute all possible actions to implement SB 552.
The 2022 Certified Commonwealth Fiscal Plan focuses on reforming the tax structure established in the Puerto Rico Incentives
Code, including establishing a new standard “so that incentives are concentrated on those projects most likely to provide net economic benefits to the commonwealth.”
The fiscal plan requires that “any tax reform or tax law initiative that the Government undertakes or pursues during a year within the 2022 Fiscal Plan period must be revenue neutral; that is, all tax reductions must be accompanied by specific, offsetting revenue measures of the same amount that are identified in the enabling legislation …”
The current tax incentives for film production in Puerto Rico are capped at $38 million and are not revenue neutral, costing the commonwealth some $23 million annually.
The oversight board’s advisers estimate that the increased cap to $100 million created by SB 552 would not be revenue neutral, and that any increased economic activity from the increased cap would be insufficient to offset the additional cost to the commonwealth from the higher cap, the board said.
By reducing commonwealth revenues by $38 million without identifying offsetting savings or additional sources of revenues, SB 552 is inconsistent with the 2022 fiscal plan, the oversight board said.
Also by reducing commonwealth revenues by $38 million without identifying offsetting savings or additional sources of revenue, SB 552 creates a significant risk that the commonwealth’s expenditures will exceed its revenues in fiscal year 2023, the board noted.
The rebellion against Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California and his bid for the speakership is rooted not just in personal animosity but in a deeply ideological drive by a group of hard-right conservatives to defund, disrupt and dismantle the federal government, and overhaul the way Congress works to make it easier to do so.
The dissidents who have challenged McCarthy have pressed for a balanced federal budget — one that would not permit any deficit spending — as well as for special rules that would make it easier for lawmakers to zero out federal offices and fire government workers.
They also want to make it harder to secure earmarks that would direct federal money to individual projects. And the dissidents want to heavily fortify the border with Mexico, dismantle the Internal Revenue Service and replace federal income taxes with a consumption tax.
To further their policy goals, they have also long pushed for overhauling the way the House operates to allow individual rank-and-file lawmakers to have more influence on what legislation is considered.
Conservatives have long griped about the top-down power structure that has flourished in the House since Newt Gingrich, a Republican and former speaker, took office in 1995 and sought to undercut efforts to negotiate deals and pass legislation.
There is some legitimacy to the claim
that rank-and-file lawmakers have been cut out of most high-level deal-making. The crush of work and the inability to meet deadlines has led to House and Senate leaders making huge legislative agreements among themselves and then forcing approval with little time for review.
The latest example was last month’s passage of a roughly $1.7 trillion government funding package that was thrust upon most lawmakers in the final days of work before Christmas, with little opportunity to review the details.
“America knows that Washington is broken,” Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, one of the ringleaders of the speaker mutiny, said Tuesday in pushing for the election of Andy Biggs, a fellow Arizona Republican. “A wise person once told me that a good
process builds good policy, builds good politics. We have to return to them.”
While McCarthy had already pledged a series of changes designed to give rankand-file lawmakers a greater say in the process, the far-right Republicans want commitments to embrace their policy agenda and give them powerful spots on congressional committees, things the California Republican has refused to do. They also wanted him to cease funding primary challengers in open Republican races, essentially promising not to try to knock out a right-wing conservative candidate with a more mainstream one, as he has often attempted to do.
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., a Freedom Caucus member who is supporting McCarthy, acknowledged frustration among
a broad swath of members and said that a main element of the Republican feud is about “transparency.”
“One thing that people in the Freedom Caucus are asking for is more time to read bills before they are voted on,” said Buck, who said such guarantees could benefit both the supporters of McCarthy and his opponents.
The demands for additional changes come as several lawmakers in the new Republican majority have said they will withhold crucial votes to raise the limit on the nation’s ability to borrow unless Democrats in the Senate and White House agree to steep spending cuts.
The changes would make it vastly more difficult for a divided government to enact any basic legislation, let alone continue federal spending at its current levels and avoid broader economic catastrophe.
Incoming majorities of both parties in the past have promised more participation for rank-and-file lawmakers, more opportunity to offer amendments and more time to study legislation. When McCarthy proposed a rules package to dictate how the House would operate, he included measures that would require 72 hours’ notice before any votes on a bill and guardrails intended to rein in spending.
But leaders of both parties have in the past found that opening up the process slows the legislative work considerably, if not halts it altogether, and the new rules are then jettisoned in the interest of greater efficiency and fewer politically charged votes.
can be passed or resolutions adopted.
The personal and political drama that is playing out on the House floor as Rep. Kevin McCarthy tries and fails repeatedly to become speaker has broader implications for the country, raising questions about what happens when one chamber of the legislative branch ceases to function.
Without a speaker, the U.S. House of Representatives essentially becomes a useless entity. With no sworn members, there are no lawmakers to make an official response to an emergency or a crisis. With no rules adopted, the legislative process cannot move forward; no bills
Oversight of the government or any other entity also cannot be performed. The House cannot haul witnesses before committees, and those elected to serve there cannot set up constituent services operations or even take their oaths of office.
That’s because law and precedents state that the House must elect a speaker before lawmakers take any other action.
“This brings up a ton of legitimate questions,” Billy Long, R-Mo., who left office with the close of the 117th Congress on Tuesday morning, wrote on Twitter. “Who can legally help any and all of our citizens with issues we normally
handle everyday? Passports, IRS, #Veteran’s issues, SBA, Post Office, Immigration issues, Corps of Engineers, etc. who’s getting paid? Outgoing or incoming?”
Long changed his Twitter biography to make light of the predicament.
“Am I Still a Congressman until @EricBurlison is sworn in or not? Who’s minding the store? Welcome to Bizaroland.”
(Long is not a congressman, since the last Congress adjourned for a final time Tuesday, even though Rep.-elect Eric Burlison, who won the race to succeed him, has yet to be sworn in.)
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, one of McCarthy’s detractors, rejected concerns about a nonfunctioning House, and said
Tuesday evening he didn’t think most Americans cared.
“Do you think anybody in America right now is like, ‘Oh my God, there’s not a speaker?’” he told reporters, adding that he believed there were untested legislative maneuvers the chamber could take to respond to an emergency should one arise. “We’re a body. We can go pass motions. We can do whatever. If there’s an emergency, we can do whatever we need to.”
But legal experts doubted whether any action taken by a House without a speaker — who, according to the Constitution, is second in line to the presidency — could withstand judicial review.
The rescue was described as almost miraculous. A family of four whose car had careened off a treacherous cliff-top road in Northern California, plummeted more than 250 feet and trapped them on Monday managed to survive and avoid life-threatening injuries.
But now, authorities say that their car’s dramatic drop wasn’t an accident, but an “intentional act,” and that the father could face charges.
Dharmesh A. Patel, 41, of Pasadena, California, was arrested late Monday on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the California Highway Patrol, Golden Gate Division said Tuesday afternoon. He will be transported to San Mateo County Jail after being released from the hospital, authorities said. The San Mateo County district attorney said that it had not received the case from the Highway Patrol to determine whether Patel should be charged.
The investigation into the crash involved numerous emergency responders and officers and required the use of a helicopter to extract the family from their mangled white Tesla.
Just before 11 a.m. Monday, officers were called to help with the rescue, which was on a scenic stretch of Highway 1, about 20 miles southwest of San Francisco.
The area where the car fell is very high and filled with rocky cliffs that drop down to the Pacific Ocean and beach area, Brian Pottenger,
the battalion chief of the Coastside Fire Protection District’s San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit, said in an email. It is known for being difficult to drive through, and is often referred to as Devil’s Slide. Pottenger said the vehicle landed upright, on its wheels, which made the passengers easier to access through the side windows.
“It is very unusual for anyone to survive an accident of this magnitude in this area,” Pot-
tenger said.
Patel’s wife, 41, and their two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, were trapped in the vehicle when emergency responders arrived, Pottenger said. Firefighters extricated the victims and, using ropes, brought the children to the road on stretchers and then to a nearby hospital. The children were uninjured, authorities said. The adults, who suffered non-life-threatening
injuries, were hoisted onto a helicopter and taken to the highway, where they were transferred to a hospital by air ambulance.
The highway patrol said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that investigators had worked overnight Monday, interviewing witnesses and analyzing the crash site, and had determined that it had been “an intentional act.” Authorities said it was unclear if the Tesla was in a self-drive mode, although the agency said it did not believe that was a “contributing factor.”
A highway patrol spokesperson declined to specify what evidence had led authorities to arrest Patel, saying only that they felt the proposed charges were “justified.”
The stretch of highway where the accident took place has been the scene of dozens of fatal accidents in recent decades in which people have driven off the road.
In 2013, a tunnel opened that was designed to make the road safer. Even so, at least nine fatalities have occurred there since, The San Francisco Chronicle reported last year. Monday’s crash occurred just south of the tunnel.
A report published in 2021 by the California Department of Transportation said that run-offthe-road accidents were more common in the area that includes Devil’s Slide than elsewhere in the state because of edge of pavement condition, steep drop-offs and a lack of permanent barriers. Landslides in the area have also caused periodic road closures.
Two men were charged earlier this week in connection with attacks on four power substations in Washington state on Dec. 25 that left thousands without power, a crime that authorities said had been intended as a ruse so that the men could burglarize a local business.
The men, Matthew Greenwood, 32, and Jeremy Crahan, 40, of Puyallup, Washington, were arrested Saturday after an investigation led by the FBI. Both were charged Tuesday with conspiracy to damage energy facilities and possession of an unregistered firearm, the Justice Department said.
After he was arrested, Greenwood told law enforcement officials that he and Crahan had been planning to disrupt power in the area to commit a burglary, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. Greenwood said that he and Crahan broke into
the four substations by using bolt cutters. The men caused the outages using various methods, including manipulating breakers and tampering with switches, according to court documents.
After power in the area was disrupted, Greenwood and Crahan went to a local business, drilled out a lock and stole an unspecified amount from a cash register, court documents said.
If convicted, Crahan and Greenwood could face up to 20 years in prison for the attacks on the substations, and up to 10 years in prison for having an unregistered firearm. It was unclear whether they had lawyers.
The attacks to the Washington substations came a few weeks after two substations in North Carolina were damaged by gunfire in what officials described as an “intentional” attack. The North Carolina substation attacks renewed concerns that extremist groups could target power grids and prompted federal regulators to call for a review of security standards for the country’s
power grid.
“We have seen attacks such as these increase in western Washington and throughout the country and must treat each incident seriously,” Nicholas Brown, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, said in a statement Tuesday. “The outages on Christmas left thousands in the dark and cold and put some who need power for medical devices at extreme risk.”
The federal prosecutor’s office said that Greenwood and Crahan were identified as possible suspects through phone records. At one substation, Tacoma Power captured an image of a man and another image of a truck that was believed to be connected to the attack, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant Saturday and found Greenwood inside a fifth-wheel trailer outside a home, according to court documents. Inside the trailer, law enforcement officers found a short-barreled rifle,
with what appeared to be a homemade silencer attached to the firearm, and a short-barreled shotgun, court documents showed.
When he was found, Greenwood was wearing clothing that partly matched clothing seen in surveillance images captured at the time one of the substations was attacked, and officers found other clothing that appeared to match what was captured by surveillance cameras during the attacks, according to court documents. After Greenwood was detained, Crahan was detained at a nearby home.
Two of the substations that were targeted are operated by Tacoma Power, and the damage at those stations is estimated to cost at least $3 million, the U.S. attorney’s office said. Damage at the two substations will take up to 36 months to repair, requiring the power company to use mobile transformers at each facility, court documents said. The extent of the damage at the two other substations was unclear.
The graduate criminology student accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students agreed in his first public court appearance on Tuesday to be extradited from Pennsylvania to Idaho to face murder charges.
The student, Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested in eastern Pennsylvania on Friday and charged in the overnight killings of four students at a home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13. Kohberger had entered a doctoral program in criminology and criminal justice at Washington State University last summer and moved to Pullman, Washington, a 20-minute drive across the border from the scene of a crime that horrified and confounded the region.
At a news conference on Tuesday, officials provided the first detailed account of the predawn arrest of Kohberger at his parents’ home in suburban Monroe County, Pennsylvania, during which officers broke down the doors and shattered windows to take him into custody.
They said they had executed search warrants to obtain Kohberger’s DNA as well as to search the home and a white Hyundai Elantra that matched the description of a vehicle seen near the crime scene on the night of the killings.
Maj. Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police said Kohberger, whose parents were home at the time of the arrest, surrendered during the raid.
Police have not outlined any motive, and officials in Pennsylvania declined to say on Tuesday whether the suspect had a previous connection to the victims. But authorities in Idaho were expected to release more details, including in a criminal complaint, once Kohberger was transferred to that state.
At the extradition hearing, Judge Margherita Patti-Worthington said Kohberger had to be extradited within 10 days. Paris said he hoped to send him to Idaho “as soon as possible,” though he said it was unlikely to happen on Tuesday night.
The public defender representing Kohberger in Pennsylvania, Jason LaBar, has said Kohberger looks forward to being exonerated.
Kohberger arrived at the courthouse from jail handcuffed and wearing a red jumpsuit. He did not respond to reporters as they shouted questions, including about whether he had
carried out the crime. LaBar said Kohberger had told him that he was shocked to be considered a suspect in the slayings.
In court, Kohberger answered a set of standard questions from the judge and then signed a waiver allowing his extradition. When Patti-Worthington asked him if he was mentally ill or taking any medications that would affect his ability to make a decision, he said that he was not.
A woman in the front row of the courtroom wept as the hearing took place, prompting a sheriff’s deputy to bring her tissues.
Michael Mancuso, an assistant district attorney in Monroe County, said afterward that Kohberger may have agreed to be extradited because of an Idaho law that prohibits the release of an affidavit supporting an arrest warrant until a defendant is in the state.
“I definitely believe that one of the main reasons the defendant chose to waive extradition and hurry his return back to Idaho was to need to know what was in those documents,” Mancuso said. The affidavit was likely to provide more details about what evidence authorities had connecting Kohberger to the crime.
It also emerged on Tuesday that Kohberger had been pulled over twice for traffic infractions by police officers in Indiana on Dec. 15 while he was driving his Elantra with his father from Washington State University back to Pennsylvania for the holidays.
Indiana State Police released body camera footage from the second of the two stops, which was for following too closely behind a truck. It showed that a state trooper had decided to let Kohberger and his father go with a warning after learning that a sheriff’s deputy had also stopped them a few minutes earlier for speeding. There was no reported connection
between the stop and the arrest of Kohberger two weeks later.
A week before the traffic stops, police in Moscow, Idaho, had begun urging the public to contact police if they had any information about a white Elantra in the area of the crime scene. The Indiana State Police said they had no “specific information” about a suspect or license plate that could have helped make the connection.
LaBar said Kohberger and his father had decided in August, when the semester began, that they would drive across the country to Pennsylvania together during the winter break.
The four University of Idaho student victims — Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20 — were killed in a home near campus where three of them lived. The one male victim, Chapin, was there visiting his girlfriend, Kernodle.
Friends and relatives of at least one victim, Goncalves, have said that they are looking to see if they can find any connections.
“I’m biased, but if he’d got to know my daughter, I think it’d be impossible for you to hurt her,” Goncalves’ father, Steve Goncalves, told NewsNation.
Shanon Gray, a lawyer for the Goncalves family, said family members were planning to attend Kohberger’s initial appearance in Idaho and to have a representative at all subsequent hearings in the prosecution.
“They want to look in his eyes and let him know they are there and are going to be there,” he said.
Katie Blomgren, who is studying psychology at the University of Idaho and knew Goncalves and Mogen since they were all 11, said she was among those struggling to understand the connections, if any, between Kohberger and the victims.
“I’ve never seen him or heard of him,” said Blomgren, 21.
After Bankman-Fried was extradited to the United States in late December, he appeared in court and was granted bail under highly restrictive conditions, including the rule that he stay confined to his parents’ home in Palo Alto.
At the hearing Tuesday, prosecutors requested a new bail condition prohibiting Bankman-Fried from transferring any funds controlled by FTX or Alameda Research, a crypto hedge fund that he also founded.
The request came in response to claims that circulated last week that Bankman-Fried was moving cryptocurrencies from digital accounts controlled by Alameda.
Bankman-Fried denied the reports on Twitter. In court, Danielle Sassoon, an assistant U.S. attorney, said that prosecutors had no evidence that Bankman-Fried had moved the funds himself, but that they had reason to distrust his public statements.
When Bankman-Fried was released on bond last month, a magistrate judge approved a bail package that required him to be confined to his parents’ home and to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. Since then, he has been relatively quiet; usually a prolific tweeter, he has posted only twice in recent days, and only to rebut the claims that he was secretly moving crypto funds.
The terms of Bankman-Fried’s bail are silent on whether he is allowed to receive visitors to his home and post on social media. On Friday, he posted the two messages on Twitter, disputing claims that after his release he transferred cryptocurrencies from digital wallets associated with Alameda.
By BENJAMIN WEISER, DAVID YAFFE-BELLANY and MATTHEW GOLDSTEINNearly two weeks after he was released by a Manhattan judge on a $250 million bond and ordered to stay with his parents in Palo Alto, California, Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced cryptocurrency executive, returned to New York and pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges that he engaged in widespread fraud, paving the way for a possible trial.
Bankman-Fried, 30, appeared in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where he faces charges stemming from the implosion of FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded and led. Its collapse resulted in billions of dollars in customer losses.
Bankman-Fried could ultimately change his mind and plead guilty to at least some of the charges. But his initial response tees up a potentially titanic court fight. The judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, set a tentative trial date of Oct. 2.
Bankman-Fried did not speak during the hearing, and the not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf by one of his lawyers, Mark Cohen. Throughout the court session, which lasted about half an hour, Bankman-Fried, wearing a dark jacket and tie, sat between his two lawyers, occasionally scribbling notes and leaning over to consult with one of them.
The hearing was the latest step in an unusually fastmoving investigation. Bankman-Fried was arrested Dec. 12 at his luxury apartment in the Bahamas, where FTX was based until it filed for bankruptcy in November.
An eight-count indictment charged him with a multiyear scheme that defrauded customers and lenders, and with violations of federal campaign finance laws. Prosecutors have accused him of misappropriating billions to buy real estate in the Bahamas, trade digital currencies, invest in other crypto companies and make tens of millions of dollars in campaign donations.
“We don’t put full stock in that simply because our investigation has revealed that he has tweeted knowing false statements before,” she said.
Kaplan authorized the bail condition.
The judge also took up a request by Bankman-Fried’s lawyers to keep secret the names of two people who, along with the FTX founder’s parents, had agreed to sign bonds to help ensure his appearance in court.
In a letter filed with the judge on Tuesday morning, the lawyers noted that Bankman-Fried’s parents — Stanford Law School professors Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried — had in recent weeks become “the target of intense media scrutiny, harassment and threats.”
Among other things, the lawyers wrote, the parents had received “a steady stream of threatening correspondence, including communications expressing a desire that they suffer physical harm.”
Kaplan said he would grant the request, but left open the possibility that he would revisit the issue if there was opposition.
“I anticipate the possibility that members of the media or others may wish to contest the sealing of that information,” Kaplan said.
Bankman-Fried faces an uphill battle fighting the charges by U.S. prosecutors. As he was flown back to the United States in December, prosecutors announced that two former executives of his crypto-trading empire had pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges and were cooperating in the investigation.
They were Caroline Ellison, 28, who was the CEO of Alameda, as well as Bankman-Fried’s onetime girlfriend; and Zixiao Wang, 29, a founder of FTX, who is known as Gary.
At the hearing Tuesday, Sassoon said the government had also amassed hundreds of thousands of documents, including material turned over by banks, employees, political campaigns, internet service providers and the new leadership of FTX.
Those claims started circulating after crypto experts noticed that digital accounts associated with Alameda were transferring funds. The movement of the money was visible because cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a public ledger that anyone can access and analyze.
In court, Sassoon said prosecutors were investigating the transfers. “While we don’t know whether it was the defendant who made these transfers, he did at one point have access to these wallets,” she said.
Cohen denied that Bankman-Fried had made the transfers.
Sassoon also alluded to a brewing jurisdictional battle between FTX’s new leadership, which is overseeing the bankruptcy process in the United States, and the government of the Bahamas. She said that Bankman-Fried had helped foreign regulators obtain FTX assets, and that he had expressed an intention to “stall” the U.S. bankruptcy process.
Since he authorized FTX to file for bankruptcy on Nov. 11, Bankman-Fried has said repeatedly that he regretted the decision. While Sassoon was speaking, the FTX founder looked agitated, shaking his head and scribbling a note to his lawyer. Cohen told the judge that the transfer to regulators that Sassoon was describing had been ordered by a court in the Bahamas.
Kaplan was assigned a week ago to preside in Bankman-Fried’s case after the original judge, Ronnie Abrams, said she was recusing herself because the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, where her husband is a partner, had done work for FTX in 2021. Although her husband was not involved in that representation, she said, she was withdrawing to “avoid any possible conflict, or the appearance of one.”
Prosecutors have vowed to continue investigating, and it’s possible more executives in Bankman-Fried’s orbit could be charged. On Tuesday, Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the creation of a special FTX task force of prosecutors drawn from his office’s units that investigate securities fraud, public corruption, money laundering and transnational crimes. The task force will be led by Andrea Griswold, the chief counsel to the U.S. attorney.
Equities rose and bonds rallied around the world on Wednesday as investors headed into the new year with cautious optimism after a brutal 2022 and hopes of encouraging inflation data that rate hikes may be less aggressive than feared.
The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 1.15% by 11:30 GMT as lower inflation reads from France boosted sentiment and built on positive data from Germany earlier in the week.
Eurozone government bonds also extended their rally from the first two trading days of 2023, with the benchmark German 10-year government bond yield slipping 10 basis points on signs central banks were making progress in fighting inflation.
The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 3.6809% and the 2-year Treasury yield, which normally moves in step with interest rate expectations, slipped 6 basis points to 4.3409%.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside of Japan was 1.69% higher and was expected to rise for the third straight day this year after falling 20% in 2022, its worst performance since 2008.
The modest recovery in stocks and bonds showed optimism about two of the factors that made 2022 such a hell of a year for investors, namely the steady rise in interest rates to fight inflation and China’s anti-COVID lockdown measures.
But jitters in other assets showed the road ahead will be far from smooth as policymakers try to balance encouraging economic growth with curbing inflation.
Oil prices fell sharply as concerns about global demand persisted amid signs of slowing activity in key growth drivers such as the US, Europe and China.
“Fresh warnings about the impact of aggressive rate hikes on the US economy have unsettled traders again as oil prices continue their downward trend,” said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
US crude fell 2.5% to $75.03 a barrel, while Brent was at $80.09, down 2.42% on the day.
Positive market momentum in equities on Wednesday was a prelude to a key data release that could shift momentum back in the other direction.
Minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s December meeting, which warned interest rates may have to stay higher for longer, will be released at 1900 GMT. Investors will analyze the minutes to see if further policy tightening is likely, as well as scan data on US jobs around 1500 GMT.
“The market has started the year quite tentatively… (and) is still struggling to imagine what we’re going to see from the Fed this year,” said Rob Carnell, head of Asia Pacific research at ING.
“There are two camps out there and they are fighting for supremacy in terms of the prospect. Some days the higher camp wins for a longer period of time, some
days the higher camp wins over the lower camp,” said Carnell.
US stocks, which started the year more hesitantly amid sharp falls in key stocks like Tesla, appeared to open with modest gains. E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.44%.
The US Federal Reserve said last month, as it hiked interest rates by 50 basis points, terminal rates may need to stay higher longer to fight inflation.
However, markets are pricing in rate cuts in late 2023, with Fed Fund futures implying a 4.25% to 4.5% range through December.
Hopes of less aggressive rate hikes buoyed underperforming gold, with spot prices for the precious metal hitting $1,858 an ounce by 1148 GMT, the highest since mid-June.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures the greenback against six other currencies, fell 0.6% as commodity currencies like the Australian dollar rallied and the euro rose on positive French and German inflation data.
Sterling was last seen at $1.2055, up 0.74%, while the euro was up 0.6% at $1.0610, hitting a three-week low of $1.0519 overnight.
Russia is struggling to replenish its stockpiles of missiles but still has enough for more large-scale strikes and is rushing new munitions from the production line into use in the war, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said in an interview published Wednesday.
The official, Gen. Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine’s deputy intelligence chief, also said that Russia was compensating for its lack of missiles by increasing its use of drones, including those made by Iran, to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, according to comments published by news outlet RBC-Ukraine.
Russia’s strikes over the weekend could signal a new tactic of using a smaller number of high-precision missiles, especially in front-line areas, followed hours later by volleys of exploding drones, Skibitsky said. “They will combine means to maintain the pace of strikes on our civilian infrastructure facilities,” he added.
Skibitsky said that Russia was straining to produce enough long-range missiles to launch precision strikes, an account that generally matches public statements from
American and British military officials, as well as from independent military analysts. The strikes that Moscow launched Saturday included 20 cruise missiles, Skibitsky said, compared with the 70 or more missiles it used in mass strikes beginning in October.
Moscow is able to produce about 30
X-101 cruise missiles and about 15 to 20 sea-based Kalibr cruise missiles per month, the general noted. Given its current stockpiles, he said, Russia has enough missiles for “two to three” major barrages of 80 missiles or more. His estimates could not be independently confirmed, although they roughly match those that he gave to The New York Times in an interview last month.
Skibitsky told RBC-Ukraine that fragments of Russian missiles found recently in Ukraine bore markings indicating that they were manufactured in 2022, especially in the third quarter. “This means that they immediately go to the army from production,” he said.
Russia’s increased use of the slowmoving Iranian drones has produced mixed results. Ukraine has become increasingly adept at shooting down the drones — downing all of the more than 80 fired its way over the New Year’s weekend, according to the Ukrainian air force. But many have caused damage, and over time, experts say, the drones could pose a severe challenge for Ukraine, in no small part because the weapons it uses to shoot down drones cost much more than the
drones themselves.
Ukraine estimates that Russia has used about 660 Iranian-made Shahed drones so far in the war. Moscow had a contract with Iran for a total of 1,750, Skibitsky said, adding that a new batch of perhaps as many as 300 drones was now arriving as part of that contract. American officials have said that they are aware of reports that Russia and Iran are trying to set up a joint production facility for drones in Russia.
Russia’s goal is to use swarms of drones in such large numbers that they overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses, allowing some to get through to their targets, Skibitsky said. In the recent attacks, he added, so many drones were fired that Ukraine’s National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems — advanced air defense systems produced by the United States and Norway — had to be reloaded with missiles while the raids were ongoing, the first time that has happened in the war.
“If there are a very large number of drones in a particular direction, then they can simply break through the air defense system in that area,” he said. “In this way, they try to achieve their goal of destroying objects.”
Amid anger in Russia over one of the deadliest strikes on Moscow’s forces in the war, official blame has fallen on the targeted soldiers themselves, with the suggestion that their cellphone use enabled Ukrainian forces to home in on their location.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Wednesday that it was clear the “main reason” for the strike, which took place on New Year’s Day in the city of Makiivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, was the collective use of cellphones by personnel within reach of Ukraine’s firepower.
They were using the phones despite a ban, the ministry said.
Russian soldiers’ use of open cellphone lines in Ukraine has been a known vulnerability for its military, often revealing forces’ positions. Intercepted calls have revealed the disarray and discontent in Russia’s ranks.
Some Russian lawmakers and military bloggers have pushed back against the swift assignment of blame, calling it an attempt by the military to fault the rank and file rather than their commanders. A number of influential bloggers criticized commanders for not taking basic precautions to protect troops, such as dispersing the newly arrived soldiers to safer locations and housing them away from munitions.
“This seems like an obvious attempt to spread the blame,” pro-government Russian war correspondent Semyon Pegov wrote Wednesday on Telegram, the messaging app. “The only cure — not to place personnel in masses in large buildings.”
In its daily analysis, the British Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the Makiivka attack showed how “unprofessional practices contribute to Russia’s high casualty rate,” noting the possibility that ammunition had been stored near the makeshift barracks, creating second-
ary explosions, as a main contributing factor to the extent of the damage.
“The Russian military has a record of unsafe ammunition storage from well before the current war,” the statement said.
The strike by Ukraine in Makiivka, using U.S.-supplied guided rockets, hit a vocational school that Russian soldiers had been using as a barracks. The Ukrainian military said that “about 400” troops had been killed but did not claim responsibility for the strike. On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry put the death toll at 89, adjusted from its initial figure of 63, in a rare acknowledgment of casualties. A deputy commander of the regiment was among those killed, the ministry said.
None of the claims about deaths could be independently verified. The unusually quick response by Russia’s Defense Ministry to acknowledge the mass casualties in Makiivka showed the Kremlin’s efforts toward offering greater transparency at home, as President Vladimir Putin seeks to prepare Russians, and his own military,
for a long fight ahead.
Russian generals have spoken over unsecure phones and radios in the war, according to current and former U.S. military officials, enabling the Ukrainians to locate and kill at least one general and his staff thorough an intercepted call.
Andrei Medvedev, a Moscow lawmaker and state television host, wrote on Telegram that it was “predictable” the blame would be placed on individual soldiers.
“Well, of course. It is not the commander who gave the order to place personnel in the vocational school building that is to blame,” he wrote.
A military blogger who writes under the moniker “Grey Zone” called the assessment that phone use led to the strike “99% a lie” and “an attempt to throw off the blame.” The blogger said that an intelligence failing was more likely the cause.
Outrage on Russian social media over the soldiers’ deaths was directed at senior officials but did not seem to extend to Putin.
In footage released by the Kremlin on New Year’s Eve, President Vladimir Putin is seen chatting with soldiers, exhorting them: “We can’t give up anything. We must only fight, only keep going.”
He then adds: “Of course, there is still much that needs to be done.”
As winter sets in and the anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine looms next month, Putin has dropped his earlier efforts to shield the public from the pain of war and is now seeking to prepare Russians, and his own military, for a long fight ahead.
“He’s gotten a lot less relaxed, a lot less optimistic,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, a Russian analyst who studies Putin for her political analysis firm R.Politik. “You can sense a certain anxiety, a desire to mobilize all possible forces to achieve his goals.”
Keeping a low profile this week during Russia’s extended New Year’s holidays, Putin made no statement about Ukraine’s rocket attack in the city of Makiivka last weekend. The resulting torrent of criticism from pro-war bloggers on social media was aimed at Russian commanders and spared Putin himself, a pattern evident over months of blunders by Russia’s military.
Russia’s Defense Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the death toll from the strike had reached 89 servicemen, including the deputy commander of the regiment. Ukrainian officials have said the toll is much higher. Neither claim could be independently confirmed. The statement also said that the main reason the site was able to be targeted was cellphone use by soldiers — a factor that Russian military bloggers had pinpointed as a vulnerability.
A memorial service on Tuesday in the city of Samara, where many of the Makiivka victims were from, called for revenge against Ukraine, according to videos and local media reports. The reports did not mention any criticism of the officials responsible for the war.
Still, the unusually quick response by the Russian Defense Ministry, which acknowledged mass casualties in Makiivka a day after the attack and promised to provide “all necessary help and support” to the families of the dead, showed that the Kremlin is seeking to become more
transparent at home than it was in the early months of the war.
It stood in contrast to the sinking last April of the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, the Moskva. The Kremlin has never acknowledged that it was hit by Ukrainian missiles, or updated the toll it cited of one sailor killed and 27 missing, frustrating family members of the crew.
For much of last year, Putin projected an air of confidence while allowing life inside Russia to go on as normal. His compact with the public was straightforward: Leave the politics and the fighting to us, and you won’t feel significant pain from our justified “special military operation” in Ukraine.
That ended in September, when Ukraine’s counteroffensive stunned the Kremlin and Putin ordered a military draft that the war’s hard-line supporters described as long overdue. Now, Putin is doubling down on his efforts to draw Russian society further into the war effort.
The new approach was on stark display on Saturday, when Putin broke with tradition and gave his widely watched New Year’s Eve address not at the Kremlin, but at a military base, with people in uniform in the background.
The annual speech is typically heavy on apolitical platitudes — New Year’s dinner table fare for millions of Russian families. This time Putin served up his
narrative of a West bent on destroying Russia. “The West lied about peace while preparing for aggression,” he said. “They are cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and divide Russia.”
It was the latest, and perhaps most striking, instance of Putin trying to prepare Russians for a long war.
U.S. officials have said they see the Kremlin finally beginning to learn from its mistakes on the battlefield. Russia is improving its defenses and pushing more soldiers to the front lines, and has put a single general in charge of the war who was able to organize a retreat from the Ukrainian city of Kherson with minimal casualties in November.
Russian commanders are also publicly reining in their ambitions. Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian general staff, said on Dec. 22 that Russia’s current focus was limited to trying to capture the rest of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
“There’s less triumphalism,” Ruslan Leviev, a Russian military analyst for the Conflict Intelligence Team open-source analysis group, said in an interview. He said he was surprised by how quickly the Russian Defense Ministry had acknowledged the Makiivka losses, noting that the ministry usually takes days to admit large numbers of casualties — if it does so at all.
Putin himself appears to be putting
a renewed focus on the homefront: at once seeking to head off any potential discontent over the dire consequences of the war, and trying to mobilize Russians to more actively support it. In Russia, there are widespread rumors that Putin will soon order a new military draft to get more bodies to the front.
Western officials estimate that more than 100,000 Russian service members have been killed or wounded in the fighting, and the Russian Central Bank says the country’s economy contracted 3% in 2022.
For now, though, the suffering brought to Russia by the war has not translated into widespread discontent. The economy has been more resilient to Western sanctions than many expected, while the Kremlin’s television propaganda has been effective in helping convince many Russians that the invasion of Ukraine is, as Putin claims, a defensive war forced on Russia by the West.
While there was widespread outrage on social media over the deaths of Russian soldiers in Makiivka, there was little criticism inside Russia of Putin himself over the incident — and it went largely unmentioned on state television. Military bloggers said the high death toll could have been minimized if commanding officers had followed basic precautions, such as spreading out the recently arrived soldiers in safer locations, instead of clustering them near munitions.
For the Kremlin, it is not only the war that could inject political volatility into this year. Russia’s next presidential election is scheduled for March 2024. While Putin would face no real electoral competition, the date has loomed large because analysts and members of the Russian elite have widely seen it as a moment by which Putin, 70, could make clear whom he wants to eventually succeed him.
Stanovaya, the analyst, said it was very likely that Putin would run again — constitutional changes made in 2020 allow him to stay in power until 2036. And she believes that tensions within two factions of the Russian elite — the hard-liners demanding an escalation of the war and the “pragmatists” seeking to avoid it — will only grow in the coming year.
“I think 2023 will be decisive to a certain degree, determining which way the balance will tip,” Stanovaya said. “We are at a kind of dangerous line.”
Before he led the Roman Catholic Church as Benedict XVI, and before he loomed over the church as a powerhouse cardinal and the Vatican’s chief doctrinal watchdog, Joseph Ratzinger, archbishop of Munich, attended a 1980 meeting about a priest in northwestern Germany accused of abusing children.
What exactly transpired during the meeting is unclear — but afterward, the priest was transferred, and over the next dozen years, moved around Bavaria to different parishes before he ended up in the tiny village of Garching an der Alz, where he sexually abused Andreas Perr, then 12.
“It feels so heavy,” Perr said, puffing cigarettes outside the house where he was molested, just a few steps from the white steeple of the village church. He said his abuse had led him down a road marred by drugs and prison while Ratzinger had risen up the ranks of the church. Speaking of the retired Pope Benedict XVI, who died Saturday, he added, “to think of the power that one person could have over your life.”
A report last year commissioned by the Catholic Church in Munich accused Benedict of mishandling cases of sexual abuse by priests. Benedict apologized for any “grievous faults” but denied any wrongdoing.
The scourge of child sexual abuse in the church haunted Benedict, from the beginning of his rise through the hierarchy to his last year as a frail, retired pope, when the Munich investigators added a final complication to a deeply conflicted legacy.
To supporters, he is the leader who first met with victims and — more than anyone before him — forced the church to finally face its demons, change its laws and get rid of hundreds of abusive priests. He raised the age of consent and included vulnerable adults in laws that protected minors. He allowed the statutes of limitations on sexual abuse to be waived.
To critics, he protected the institution over the victims in its flock, failed to hold even a single bishop accountable for shielding abusers and did not back up his words with action. He preferred to keep discipline in house, never requiring cases to be reported to the civil authorities.
“We can be grateful for what Benedict XVI did in bringing the fight against abuse in the church to a new level by introducing tighter procedures and new laws,” said the Rev. Hans Zollner, one of the Vatican’s top experts in safeguarding minors and in sexual abuse. “He was the first pope to meet with survivors of abuse. At the same time, given the report that during his years as archbishop of Munich he failed to give due attention to victims of abuse and hold perpetrators accountable, we cannot ignore that victims and others are hurting.”
Perr, now 38, is still trying to rebuild a life after what the church put him through. He is no longer a member of the Catholic Church.
As Ratzinger ascended to greater heights, Perr’s life spiraled into an ever deeper abyss. His mother refused to believe him, and he fled home and got into heavy drugs such as heroin, living out on the streets.
“After it happened, I started having nightmares,” he said. “That’s what made me start doing drugs. I wanted to stop dreaming, to stop feeling guilty and disgusting. I just didn’t want to feel anything anymore.”
Accounts such as Perr’s have become painfully familiar in the church over recent decades. The revelation of systemic abuse gutted dioceses and chased away the faithful in countries all around the world.
In the United States, a scandal that erupted in Boston has shaken nearly every part of the country. The church in Ireland, once a fortress for Catholicism, was so decimated by abuse scandals that Benedict in 2010 wrote the first pastoral letter from a pope on the issue of abuse. “You have suffered grievously, and I am truly sorry,” he wrote. A 2021 report in France alleged that hundreds of thousands of children had been abused by the church there.
Church leaders, who once considered the crisis an invention of liberals and lawyers, or a problem of Anglophone countries drummed up by an anti-Catholic news media, now acknowledge that it is everywhere, and Francis, after his own missteps, introduced rules to hold the hierarchy more accountable.
But supporters of Benedict, and even his critics, acknowledge that Francis built on Benedict’s reforms. Before the deluge that overwhelmed the church, the cases dripped in during the 1980s — often from Englishspeaking countries — and fell on his desk at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In 1988, he pressed the Vatican’s canon law department — which required long church trials to address accusations — to give him a freer hand to more quickly remove abusive priests. It refused, arguing that such a move would deprive priests of due process, and as a result, bishops sought to cure them with prayer and therapy or simply relocated abusers to other parishes, where they preyed on more children.
But Ratzinger’s office also failed to act in egregious cases. In the 1990s, it halted a secret trial of an American priest who had molested as many as 200 deaf boys and wrote to the cardinal insisting the priest had already repented. He was never defrocked.
In 2001, Ratzinger persuaded Pope John Paul II to let him try to get the problem under control. He drafted a church law that required bishops to forward all credible allegations of abuse to the Vatican, where his office was made responsible for the cases.
He backed up American bishops who sought to adopt a “zero tolerance” policy that expelled priests who engaged in a single episode of sexual abuse. As John Paul reached the end of his pontificate in 2004, Ratzinger ordered a review of the pending cases in his department.
In 2005 for the Good Friday Via Crucis procession at Rome’s Colosseum, Ratzinger wrote, “How much filth there is in the church, especially among those who, in the priesthood, are supposed to belong totally” to Christ.
When he became pope, he disciplined — and ultimately defrocked — the Rev. Marcial Maciel Degollado, a serial abuser and the Mexican founder of the religious
The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising in Germany. Supporters of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI note that he forced the Roman Catholic Church to make it easier to get rid of abusers. Others say he did not go far enough.
order the Legionaries of Christ. A prodigious fundraiser, Maciel had won the loyalty of Pope John Paul II and his inner circle, which had for years blocked Benedict’s efforts to investigate him.
“The issue is very mixed and complex,” said Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of abuse who resigned in frustration in 2017 from a Vatican commission on protecting minors created by Francis. She said that Benedict’s reading of so many cases as head of the doctrinal congregation made him “grasp the enormity of the problem when he became pope,” and that he brought in new procedures against sexual abuse.
Collins said that it was “unfair to make too much” of the mistakes he made in handling cases during his own personal ministry, when he was a bishop in Germany, but that Benedict, as pope, “didn’t do enough in-depth work on the issue or pursue it to the fullest.”
For many, he did not go nearly far enough.
Anne Barrett Doyle, a co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a victims advocacy and research group, said in a statement the day of Benedict’s death that he “left hundreds of culpable bishops in power and a culture of secrecy intact.”
On Tuesday evening in the Munich cathedral that Benedict led as bishop 40 years ago, the current archbishop, Reinhard Marx, began a Mass in honor of Benedict by inviting everyone to pray, including “those who have experienced abuse and suffering in the space of the church. All those who have received good gifts from Joseph Ratzinger. And all those who now, in this hour, trust that God’s goodness and mercy will heal everything.”
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Americans are furious with Southwest Airlines, and understandably so. Severe weather always disrupts air travel, but Southwest was the only major airline to suffer a near-complete collapse of service in the wake of the recent megastorm, stranding thousands of passengers. As of last Thursday, as other carriers were more or less back to normal, Southwest was still operating fewer than half its scheduled flights. How did this happen? To be honest, I’d love to write a scathing, muckraking column about the destructive effects of corporate greed. But that doesn’t seem to be the main story here.
To be clear, greed surely played some role in the disaster. Most obviously, Southwest hadn’t spent the money needed to upgrade a scheduling system many people inside the airline knew was inadequate. Instead, before the pandemic, it spent billions on stock buybacks.
Let me also add that nothing I say here should be taken as an argument against demanding that Southwest compensate the travelers it failed, not just as a matter of fairness but to create the right incentives. If we want companies that serve the public to spend money to reduce the risks of catastrophic failure, we
need to ensure that they pay a high price when they let their customers down.
Yet righteous anger shouldn’t stop us from trying to understand why, exactly, things went so wrong.
The roots of Southwest’s unique meltdown go back all the way to 1978, when the airline industry was deregulated. Until then, interstate carriers were basically forced to offer direct, “point-to-point” service between cities. After deregulation, most major airlines shifted to “hub-and-spoke” systems, which had many passengers changing planes at major centers such as Chicago’s O’Hare or Atlanta.
Hub-and-spoke has some clear advantages over point-to-point. It lets airlines service the same number of cities with fewer routes; connecting 10 cities pointto-point requires 45 routes, but sending everyone via a central hub requires only nine. The system also creates some inherent flexibility because planes and flight crews based at hubs can be reallocated to compensate for, say, equipment breakdowns.
But a hub-and-spoke system has disadvantages, too. It can force passengers to accept long layovers or, alternatively, miss tight connections if anything goes wrong. (Dear American Airlines: No, I did not appreciate my recent involuntary night in Miami.) Hub-and-spoke has also enhanced airlines’ monopoly power, with each big carrier dominating markets served by its hubs.
In response to these disadvantages, on the eve of the pandemic, some airlines were moving partly back to point-to-point. Southwest, however, had never left that system. Alone among major carriers, it mostly flew people straight from origin to destination, without the need to change planes along the way.
Partly as a result, Southwest had relatively low costs, some of which were passed on in the form of cheaper fares. Patrons generally liked its service: In 2022, Southwest’s economy class (it doesn’t offer business class) led J.D. Power’s rankings for customer satisfaction.
But point-to-point turns out to be especially vulnerable to extreme disruptions. Snow and bitter cold evidently left most of Southwest’s planes and personnel stranded in scattered locations, unable to resume normal service even when the weather let up. Again, as I write this, the airline is still trying to put the pieces back together.
Antiquated technology that left Southwest unable even to find many of its crew members, plus the absence of agreements that would have made it possible to rebook passengers on other airlines, made it worse. But these were only exacerbating factors. Basically, a system that has some real advantages in normal times fell apart when it encountered, well, a
perfect storm.
Are there any broader lessons from this disaster?
Some analysts have suggested that Southwest’s debacle reflected a widespread managerial culture that encourages “cheeseparing” — increasing profits by slicing off costs until there’s no margin for error. For example, a relentless focus on holding down expenses was at the root of worker anger that almost shut down America’s freight railways not long ago.
I’m sympathetic to that view. We’d probably all be better off if corporations were less focused on their short-term bottom lines and more willing to invest in resilience. And public policy should do what it can to promote such investment.
Beyond that, what happened at Southwest is another reminder that, for all the talk of an information age, we’re still living in a material world. Notably, there’s a clear family resemblance between the Southwest meltdown and the supply chain crisis of 2021-22, when a constellation of unusual events left many of the shipping containers central to modern commerce stranded in the wrong places.
If you’re an affluent American, it can sometimes seem as if you’re already living in the metaverse: Click on your mouse, and whatever you need arrives at your door. But there’s a lot of physical action and real-world labor going on behind the scenes. And we forget that reality at our peril.
SAN JUAN – El comisionado de la Policía de Puerto Rico, Antonio López Figueroa informó el miércoles, que un equipo de agentes de la Unifor-
mada se encuentra realizando una operación activa conducente a la incautación de todas las armas y municiones propiedad de la armería Mudafort en Santurce.
Según explicó el comisionado López Figueroa, esta intervención, a cargo de la división de Armas, adscrita a la Superintendencia de Investigación Criminal de la Policía, surge como consecuencia del diligenciamiento de una orden de arresto a cargo de los colegas de la agencia federal de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF por sus gestiones en inglés) el pasado 29 de diciembre y que fuera previamente expedida por un Magistrado federal.
Este indicó que el operativo, el cual se ha prolongado por un periodo de tiempo extenso debido al amplio inventario de la armería, ha generado la incautación de sobre 400 armas de diferentes tipos
de calibres y sobre 40 mil municiones.
Por su parte, Abraham Tanco Nieves, asesor legal de la Policía de Puerto Rico, explicó que la intervención policíaca persigue asegurar que esas armas estén debidamente custodiadas por las autoridades de ley y orden ante cualquier riesgo potencial.
“Como agencia reguladora de las armas en Puerto Rico, la Policía es quien, por ley, mantiene el control de las armas, cuyas licencias emite, por lo que nos corresponde asumir la custodia de las mismas en las circunstancias actuales”, agregó el asesor de la Uniformada.
El jefe de la Policía dijo, además, que las armas y municiones confiscadas a la armería se mantendrán bajo custodia de la Policía, hasta tanto el Departamento de Justicia local y las agencias federales analicen cualquier acción a seguir.
recomienda designación de un FEI para investigar a exsecretario de educación y parte de su equipo
POR CYBERNEWSSAN JUAN – El secretario del Departamento de Justicia (DJ), Domingo Emanuelli Hernández, recomendó a principios de esta semana, a la Oficina del Panel sobre el Fiscal Especial Independiente (OPFEI) que designe un Fiscal Especial Independiente (FEI) para que investigue, por incumplimiento en el deber y malversación de fondos públicos, al exsecretario de Educación, Eligio Hernández Pérez, y tres exfuncionarios que formaban parte de su equipo de trabajo.
Tras finalizar una investigación preliminar, la División de Integridad Pública y Asuntos del Contralor (DIPAC) del Departamento de Justicia concluyó que “existe causa suficiente para creer que el exsecretario de Educación, Eligio Hernández Pérez; el exsecretario de Administración, Osvaldo Guzmán López; el secretario auxiliar de la Oficina de Servicios Auxiliares, Carlos Malavé Irizarry, y; la directora de Finanzas
Evelyn Rodríguez Cardé, incurrieron en los delitos de incumplimiento del deber y malversación de fondos públicos, según tipificados en los artículos 262 y 264 del Código Penal de Puerto Rico, respectivamente”, lee el informe de la DIPAC.
La investigación preliminar del Departamento de Justicia, realizada conforme a la Ley Núm. 2 de 23 de febrero de 1988, conocida como la Ley de la Oficina del Panel sobre el Fiscal Especial Independiente, tuvo su génesis por una misiva enviada por la Junta de Supervisión y Administración Financiera (JSAF) en la cual refirió una situación surgida en la evaluación de los contratos del Departamento de Educación (DEPR), relacionada con el desembolso de fondos públicos, por concepto de pago del canon de arrendamiento de unas propiedades inmuebles cuyo contrato estaba vencido.
La investigación, realizada por el personal de la DIPAC y agentes del Negociado de Investigaciones
Especiales, reveló que, en el periodo que comprende de junio de 2019 a enero de 2021, el DEPR efectuó pagos ascendentes a 4,754,014.81 dólares a favor del ingeniero Luis Rivera Siaca, a pesar de que había vencido el contrato de arrendamiento de dos propiedades, conocidas como la Vieja Sede y el Anexo. “Los pagos se efectuaron mediante órdenes de compra para lograr que el sistema computadorizado efectuara el desembolso del erario para esos fines. El realizar dichos pagos constituye una actuación contraria al ordenamiento jurídico vigente”, explicó la directora de la DIPAC, Yolanda Morales Ramos en declaraciones escritas.
En vista de lo anterior, el secretario de Justicia acogió el informe preliminar de la DIPAC aconsejando la designación de un FEI para estos funcionarios por los hechos investigados. Emanuelli Hernández notificó el referido y envió el informe y el expediente sobre la investigación a la OPFEI.
SAN JUAN – Un “carjacking” fue reportado a eso de las 9:31 de la noche del lunes, en el garaje Total de la carretera 181, en la avenida Park Garden en Río Piedras, informaron las autoridades.
Según la Uniformada, alegó el perjudicado, que mientras laborada como UBER, fue agredido con los puños en el rostro, por dos individuos, los cuales lo
despojaron del vehículo Toyota Rav4, color blanco, año 2021, tablilla JTO-958. Al lugar, se personaron los paramédicos municipales, quienes brindaron los primeros auxilios a la víctima.
A eso de las 2:49 de la madrugada del martes, agentes adscritos al precinto de Guaynabo arrestaron a Erick Z Barriento, de 18 años y a Roberto De León Medina, de 18 años, residentes de Dorado y Guaynabo, en posesión del mencionado vehículo.
El caso fue consultado con la Agencia Federal de Investigación e Inteligencia (FBI), quienes asumieron jurisdicción.
Actor Jeremy Renner, who was critically injured Sunday, was run over by a snowplow weighing more than 14,000 pounds that he had used to tow his car on a snowed-in private road near his home in Reno, Nevada, authorities said earlier this week.
Renner, 51, had been helping a family member who was driving the car and had gotten stuck, Sheriff Darin Balaam of Washoe County said during a news conference at which authorities offered new details about the accident.
After successfully towing the car, Renner got off the plow, which then began to roll, the sheriff said. He said that Renner had attempted to get back into the driver’s seat to stop the rolling vehicle, but was “run over.”
On Tuesday, Renner, who underwent surgery Monday and had “blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries,” remained in intensive care in critical but stable condition, according to a statement from his representative, Samantha Mast.
A photograph posted on Renner’s Ins-
tagram profile showed him bruised, wearing a hospital gown. “Thank you all for your kind words. Im too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all,” he said in a caption,
which included a praying-hands emoji, beneath the image.
Mast said that Renner was “making positive progress and is awake, talking and in good
spirits.”
Renner has played Hawkeye, a member of Marvel’s Avengers superhero team, in several movies and a television series. He has also been nominated twice for an Oscar, for his roles in “The Hurt Locker” (2008) and “The Town” (2010).
Mast said Renner and his family were “tremendously overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from his fans.”
In recent weeks, Renner, who also stars in the Paramount+ thriller series “Mayor of Kingstown,” shared several updates on social media about the wintry conditions in Reno as the region was blanketed in snow.
Balaam said these treacherous conditions had made Renner’s rescue challenging, as several cars had been abandoned along the roadways near his house, and a major highway was closed.
Authorities, he added, had received the first 911 call just before 9 a.m. Sunday, and had arrived at the scene of the accident by 9:30 a.m., before airlifting Renner to a hospital just before 10 a.m.
The César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars, said earlier this week that nominees convicted of or under investigation on sexual assault charges would be barred from next month’s ceremony, in the organization’s latest effort to burnish its image.
The movie industry in France, and the César Academy in particular, have been wrestling with several high-profile accusations of sexual abuse in recent years. In late November, French news media revealed that Sofiane Bennacer, who was considered a favorite for a César Award for his lead role in the movie “Les Amandiers” (“Forever Young”), was under police investigation on rape charges and that rumors about the accusations had circulated in the film industry for months.
“Out of respect for the victims,” a statement from the César Academy read, “it has been decided not to highlight people who may have been implicated by the judiciary in acts of violence.”
The decision so far only applies to this year’s ceremony, and it does not mean that so-
meone convicted or under investigation will be ineligible for an award. The academy said that it was considering a rule change around eligibility and that a decision would be made about that this year.
The announcement Monday came as the academy was still reeling from controversies that have dented its credibility in the past few years. Some high-profile accusations of sexual abuse have emerged from the French film industry, including from Adèle Haenel, a leading actress, who has spoken about being harassed by a director when she was 12.
Perhaps the biggest scandal involving the academy revolved around Roman Polanski, the film director who fled the United States in 1978 while awaiting sentencing for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.
In 2017, the announcement that Polanski would preside over the César Awards ceremony prompted protests that forced him to step down. Three years later, he was awarded best director, prompting widespread outrage. Haenel was one of those who left the room at the ceremony in 2020, waving an arm and appearing to say, “Shame.”
The Polanski scandal, along with longstanding criticism of the academy’s leadership, prompted a major overhaul of the organization. It introduced gender parity on the administration board and dropped nonelected board members, including Polanski.
The investigation of Bennacer, however, has thrown the spotlight back on the academy’s workings.
In mid-November, the academy longlisted Bennacer, 25, for the best newcomer award. A few days later, the newspaper Le Parisien revealed that Bennacer was being investigated on two allegations of rape and another of violence against a partner.
A subsequent article, by the daily Libération, found that rumors about the accusations had circulated long before the academy’s nomination and that the movie’s producers had learned of a rape complaint at the beginning of shooting, in June 2021.
After the publication of the Parisien article, the César Academy dropped Bennacer from the longlist of nominees.
Bennacer has denied any wrongdoing, and the director of “Forever Young,” Valeria
Bruni-Tedeschi, has defended him, denouncing a “media lynching.”
The César Academy said in its statement Monday that the bar on those convicted or under investigation would include a ban on speaking on behalf of them at the ceremony.
Claire Lasne Darcueil, director of the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts, said that she welcomed the academy’s decision, which she interpreted as recognition of the victims’ voices.
Other allegations of sexual abuse in the French film industry remain unresolved. Among major names who are still under police investigation are Gérard Depardieu, who has been accused of rape and sexual assault, and Dominique Boutonnat, a producer whom the French government reappointed in July as president of the National Center for Cinema despite allegations that he had sexually assaulted his godson.
Lasne Darcueil said much still needed to be done.
“The time when we will all roll up our sleeves, get together and say that this will no longer happen is still a long way off,” she noted.
Jeremy Renner at the premiere of the Marvel mini-series “Hawkeye” in Los Angeles in 2021.Goro Idezutsi (Jun’ichi Okada). The death of his sweetheart sends Goro on a yearslong revenge binge that ultimately forces him to change his name to Kanetaka to infiltrate a Yakuza mob.
As is inevitable in a gangland drama, Goro soon loses his identity as he slides further toward the dark side of the law, becoming the trusted bodyguard of the Yakuza don Toake (Miyavi). With his unhinged partner, Murooka (Kentaro Sakaguchi), Goro carries out bloody hits and reprisals with the workmanlike precision of a man on a mission. Alliances are tested and revealed in a “Today I settled all family business” sequence filled with crazed shootouts and distressing assassinations of supposed friends.
‘My Name Is Vendetta’ Stream it on Netflix.
While Italian director Cosimo Gomez’s “My Name Is Vendetta” follows in the footsteps of other “messed with the wrong man’s family” films like “Commando” and “Taken,” it discovers new terrain by focusing on not only Santo (Alessandro Gassmann) but also his daughter Sofia (Ginevra Francesconi).
Santo and Sofia are flung from their idyllic existence when she posts a picture of her father to Instagram. Facial recognition software locates Santo, causing a pair of murderous goons to kill Sofia’s mother. Now Sofia and Santo venture toward Milan in search of the Mafia boss (Remo Girone) who upended their lives.
By ROBERT DANIELSWith comic book heroes, comedic secret agents or family drama, these films bend the genre.
‘Hard Hit’
Stream it on Prime Video.
“Hard Hit,” a remake of “Retribution” by Spanish director Dani de la Torre, is a furious combination of “Speed” and “Phone Booth” that manages to swerve in unexpected ways. In this film, from Korean director Kim Chang-ju, a successful bank manager and father, Lee Sung-gyu (Jo Woo-jin), receives a mysterious phone call while driving his children to school. The voice on the line tells Lee that a bomb underneath his seat will explode if anyone leaves his car. The only way Lee or his children will live, the caller says, is if Lee deposits more than $4 million into the extortionist’s account.
The tight streets of Busan serve as the claustrophobic canvas for big explosions and vast car chases as Lee speeds across the city to procure the ransom and avoid the cops who believe he is behind the resulting destruction. The fear on Jo’s face grips you in the raucous set pieces. And a late appointment with a ghost from the past makes the chases worth every second.
Rent or buy on most major platforms.
After a diagnosis of lung cancer, a young Vietnamese comic book artist named Tam (Curong Seven) is given two months to live. Rather than accepting a fate that will
leave his wife widowed and his son fatherless, he turns to his Uncle Ma (Hoang Son), an experimental surgeon, to transplant his head onto the body of a dead gangster. The surgery magically imbues Tam with superhero strength like the characters in his graphic novels. But his moments of courage, such as saving a child from a burning building, soon bring attention from gang members who murdered the previous owner of his body.
“Head Rush,” from Vietnamese American director Victor Vu, is a melodramatic adrenaline hit that combines soapopera family dynamics — as Tam’s fame grows, his personal life crumbles — with gravity-defying chase sequences atop roofs that lead to balletic fight scenes. Vu’s awareness of how bodies can dynamically move within space is an asset in this action-packed subversion of the superhero subgenre, giving “Head Rush” the kind of pulpy, B-movie fun missing from today’s cinematic landscape.
‘Hell Dogs’
Stream it on Netflix.
Adapted from the manga of the same name by Fukamachi Akio, “Hell Dogs” combines neo-noir sensibilities with spaghetti western tropes for a suspenseful crime thriller filled with double-crosses and more undercover agents than you can count.
At the outset of this film from Japanese director Masato Harada, two gunmen infiltrate a supermarket, murdering three female workers in a black-and-white flashback. One of these employees is the crush of a local cop named
Gomez puts action fans squarely in the carnage: There are close-ups of arms breaking, knives plunging into stomachs and blood dripping from victims’ mouths. Between a tautly edited nighttime showdown in a rail yard and a cathartic final confrontation between Santo and the Mafia boss, there’s no shortage of high-octane brutality. And yet what makes “My Name Is Vendetta” indelible is the close family relationship that gives the bloody proceedings a tangible element of tenderness.
‘Mission: Possible’
Stream it on Prime Video.
A comedic spoof of the espionage subgenre akin to “Get Smart,” “Mission: Possible,” by Korean writer and director Kim Hyeong-joo, entertains a hilarious premise: Yoo Da-hee (Lee Sun-bin), a secret agent on her first mission, teams with Woo Su-han (Kim Young-kwang), a man she thinks is a trained expert in subterfuge, to recover a shipment of stolen guns. There are two problems. Yoo doesn’t know it, but her bosses consider her task a suicide mission. And Woo appears to be a bumbling idiot hoping to grift some cash.
In their investigation, the two meet a band of oddball characters, such as a flamboyant gay psychic and an older woman looking for her lost dog. Throughout, Kim is a master at breaking the farcical mood with lean gunplay captured by cinematographer Nam Hyun-woo’s kinetic use of shaky cam. The editor Heo Sun-mi further switches moods by speeding up or reverting to slow motion. Magically, a satisfying twist turns the climax of “Mission: Possible” into an unforgettable, high-stakes game where love and war hang in the balance.
Bonnie Ronk is something of a public health matriarch at the Mt. Diablo Center for seniors in this liberal Northern California suburb.
When Ronk, a great-grandmother whose red walker bears a sticker saying “El Jefe” (The Leader), tells her peers to pull their masks over their noses, they oblige. When she received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and a booster and told others to do the same, they did.
But even Ronk, 79, has not gotten the latest COVID booster, which was updated to protect against the omicron variant and has been available since September. She said she didn’t know about it.
Across the United States, where about 94% of people 65 and older had their initial COVID vaccines, only 36% have received the updated shot, known as the bivalent booster, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seniors have offered an array of explanations: They were unaware of it, unable to find it or unconvinced of its value.
As the pandemic barrels into its third winter, and COVID hospitalizations and deaths climb once again, medical experts worry that there is no effective plan to update the immunizations of the most vulnerable Americans. Two years ago, when COVID shots were first introduced, the federal government sent teams into thousands of nursing homes and community centers to vaccinate seniors, curbing the devastation of the virus.
But so far this fall, the White House has only offered grants to community organizations to get shots into the arms of older people, without the clear messaging strategy or logistical support that they need most, many caregivers and nursing home executives said in interviews.
“The governmental and philanthropic support feels nonexistent,” said Debbie Toth, the CEO of the nonprofit Choice in Aging, who helped bring thousands of the initial vaccines to adult care facilities and housing complexes in the East Bay of California in early 2021.
The diminishing immunity of seniors has largely transformed the COVID pandemic in the United States from a threat against the unvaccinated to one against the old, many of whom were once well protected. People older than 70 are being admitted to a hospital with COVID at a rate four times higher than that of the general population.
The most recent available death counts by age showed that almost 90% of COVID fatalities were among people older than 65.
“The evidence is clear: Even if you got the shot two years ago, your immunity has waned. But the people who most need to hear that have not,” said Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and the public policy chair of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine.
“When you combine pandemic fatigue with no real plan from the government together, what we have is a perfect storm.”
The Biden administration’s COVID plan for the winter includes $125 million in grants to two community organizations, USAging and The National Council on Aging, for programs to vaccinate older Americans — a far less direct approach than when it dispatched CVS and Walgreens workers into care centers after the first shots were authorized. The plan also includes letters to governors encouraging more nursing home shots and a television ad campaign that targets seniors in racial and ethnic minority groups.
Mary Wall, the chief of staff of the White House COVID response team, said the administration was doing what it could with the limited resources available, but acknowledged that this time, the administration was relying on states to shoulder more of the burden.
“We’re really instead asking them directly, please go and host on-site clinics,” she said.
She called the grants “a great start,” but stressed that a more robust financial investment would require cooperation from Congress, which has repeatedly refused President Joe Biden’s request for an additional $10 billion in health funding, a vast majority of it for the coronavirus response.
“Realistically,” she said, “this is not something that we have gotten more money for, for a while, despite repeated asks to Congress. We’ve been trying really hard to look with great sobriety at our resources.”
Public health researchers agree that among all pillars of a national response, widespread vaccination is among the most valuable. They estimate that COVID shots prevented 650,000 hospitalizations and 300,000 deaths among seniors and Medicare beneficiaries in 2021 alone.
But the virus has since evolved, and the original
vaccine formula is no longer a good match for circulating variants, a particular danger to seniors with weakened immune systems and existing health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Even the bivalent shot has limited ability to prevent infections from the latest omicron variants, but it is very effective at preventing serious illness and death. According to CDC data, people 50 and older who received multiple boosters had half the risk of dying from the virus than those with just one booster.
Dr. Sabine von Preyss-Friedman, a geriatric specialist and the chief medical officer of Avalon Health Care Group, said the apathy among some seniors reflected a misconception about the vaccine’s purpose.
“People are thinking, ‘I got the shot, and I still got COVID, so what’s the point?’ They aren’t thinking about the fact that they got COVID and lived.”
As part of the federal push, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also added a recording about the vaccine to its 1-800-MEDICARE line and sent emails to newsletter recipients “to share information on these updated vaccines, including when and how to get them.”
But a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan research organization, found that 40% of people 65 and older said they had heard little or nothing about the new booster. About half of homebound Americans 70 and older don’t have a computer, according to surveys, and more than half have not used email or the internet in the past month.
In Los Angeles County, where an estimated 500,000 residents are homebound, the public health department said it sent only eight nurses to provide in-home vaccinations each day.
“They need to understand that you can’t just tell people to get the vaccine, you have to bring the vaccine to the arm,” said Toth. “And trust me, that last mile is the hardest.”
To many public health experts, the most difficultto-teach seniors are those who doubt the new vaccine’s worth. New survey data from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that about one-third of adults 65 and older who received the original series of COVID vaccines but not the booster said they didn’t think they needed it, and a similar share said that they didn’t think its benefits were worth it.
Dr. Noah Marco, chief medical officer of the senior care nonprofit Los Angeles Jewish Health, said he continues “to be amazed” that the federal government has not enlisted marketing experts to “create updated messaging that actually works.”
“Coca-Cola spent billions of dollars over decades convincing us that we need to be buying and drinking bubbly water with sugar and caramel in it. Come on, is there really nobody around to lend a hand here?” Marco said.
broached congratulated one another and traded war stories about the telescope’s development. They gasped audibly as the youngsters showed off data that blew past their own achievements with the Hubble.
Jane Rigby, project scientist for operations for the telescope, recalled her emotional tumult a year ago as the telescope finally approached its launch. The instrument had been designed to unfold in space — an intricate process with 344 potential “single-point failures” — and Rigby could only count them, over and over. “I was in the stage of denial,” she said in Baltimore. But the launch and deployment went flawlessly. Now, she said, “I’m living the dream.”
ing and nurturing stars faster than battletested cosmological models estimated. “How did galaxies get so old so fast?” asked Adam Riess, a Nobel physics laureate and cosmologist from Johns Hopkins University who dropped in for the day.
Exploring that province — “cosmic spring,” as one astronomer called it — is the goal of several international collaborations with snappy acronyms like JADES (JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey), CEERS (Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science), GLASS (Grism Lens-Amplified Survey From Space) and PEARLS (Prime Extragalactic Areas for Reionization and Lensing Science).
In an undated image provided by NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team, the star-forming region of the Tarantula Nebula, 340 light-years across, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope’s Near-Infrared Camera.
By DENNIS OVERBYE
So far it’s been eye candy from heaven: The black vastness of space teeming with enigmatic, unfathomably distant blobs of light. Ghostly portraits of Neptune, Jupiter and other neighbors we thought we knew. Nebulas and galaxies made visible by the penetrating infrared eyes of the James Webb Space Telescope.
The telescope, named for James Webb, the NASA administrator during the buildup to the Apollo moon landings, is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. It was launched on Christmas one year ago — after two trouble-plagued decades and $10 billion — on a mission to observe the universe in wavelengths no human eye can see. With a primary mirror 21 feet wide, the Webb is seven times as powerful as the Hubble Space Telescope, its predecessor. Depending on how you do the accounting, one hour of observing time on the telescope can cost NASA $19,000 or more.
But neither NASA nor the astronomers paid all that money and political capital just for pretty pictures — not that anyone is complaining. “The first images were just the beginning,” said Nancy Levenson, temporary director of the
Space Telescope Science Institute, which runs both the Webb and the Hubble. “More is needed to turn them into real science.”
For three days in December, some 200 astronomers filled an auditorium at the institute to hear and discuss the first results from the telescope. An additional 300 or so watched online, according to the organizers. The event served as a belated celebration of the Webb’s successful launch and inauguration and a preview of its bright future.
One by one, astronomers marched to the podium and, speaking rapidly to obey the 12-minute limit, blitzed through a cosmos of discoveries: Galaxies that, even in their relative youth, had already spawned huge black holes. Atmospheric studies of some of the seven rocky exoplanets orbiting Trappist 1, a red dwarf star that might harbor habitable planets. (Data suggests that at least two of the exoplanets lack the bulky primordial hydrogen atmospheres that would choke off life as we know it, but they may have skimpy atmospheres of denser molecules such as water or carbon dioxide.)
Between presentations, on the sidelines and in the hallways, senior astronomers who were on hand in 1989 when the idea of the Webb telescope was first
Garth Illingworth, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who in 1989 chaired a key meeting at the Space Telescope Science Institute that ultimately led to the Webb, said simply, “I’m just blown away.”
At a reception after the first day of the meeting, John Mather of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Webb’s senior project scientist from the start, raised a glass to the 20,000 people who built the telescope, the 600 astronomers who had tested it in space and the new generation of scientists who would use it.
“Some of you weren’t even born when we started planning for it,” he said. “Have at it!”
Thus far the telescope, bristling with cameras, spectroscopes and other instruments, is exceeding expectations. (Its resolving power is twice as good as advertised.) The telescope’s flawless launch, Rigby reported, has left it with enough maneuvering fuel to keep it working for 26 years or more.
“These are happy numbers,” she said as she and her colleagues rattled off performance statistics of their instruments. Rigby cautioned that the telescope’s instruments were still being calibrated, so the numbers might yet change.
Perhaps the biggest surprise from the telescope so far involves events in the early millenniums of the universe. Galaxies appear to have been forming, generat-
Webb’s infrared vision is fundamental to these efforts. As the universe expands, galaxies and other distant celestial objects are speeding away from Earth so fast that their light has been stretched and shifted to invisible, infrared wavelengths. Beyond a certain point, the most distant galaxies are receding so quickly, and their light is so stretched in wavelength, that they are invisible even to the Hubble telescope.
The Webb telescope was designed to expose and explore these regions, which represent the universe at just 1 billion years old, when the first galaxies began to bloom with stars. “It takes time for matter to cool down and get dense enough to ignite stars,” noted Emma Curtis-Lake, of the University of Hertfordshire and a member of the JADES team. The rate of star formation peaked when the universe was 4 billion years old, she added, and has been falling ever since. The cosmos is now 13.8 billion years old.
In the closing talk, Mather limned the telescope’s history, and praised Barbara Mikulski, a former senator of Maryland, who supported the project in 2011 when it was in danger of being canceled. He also previewed NASA’s next big act: a 12-meter space telescope called the Habitable Worlds Observatory that would seek out planets and study them.
“Everything that we did has turned out to be worth it,” he said. “So we are here: This is a celebration party, getting a first peek at what’s out here. It’s not the last thing we’re going to do.”
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE PONCE WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES
ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1
Demandante Vs. ZULMA EVELYN TORRES TORRES T/C/C ZULMA TORRES TORRES; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA
Demandados
Civil Núm.: PO2022CV00208.
Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA.
ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO
GENERAL:
Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Ponce, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 2:45
DE LA TARDE, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número “G” guion veinte (G-20) del plano de la Urbanización Paseo del Sol y Mar, que radica en el Barrio Cintrona de Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, con un ara superficial de OCHOCIENTOS CUARENTA Y UNO PUNTO DIEZ METROS CUADRADOS (841.10 M.C.). En lindes por el NORTE, con la calle municipal, en dos alineaciones de dos punto noventa y cuatro (2.94) metros lineales y veintidós punto trece (22.13) metros lineales;
por el SUR, colinda con el solar cuatro (4) y con las facilidades vecinales, en treinta y con el Solar número “G” guion uno (G1), en diecinueve punto treinta (19.30) metros lineales; y por el OESTE, con los solares número “G” guion veintiuno (G-21) y “G” guion veintidós (G-22), y “G” guion veintitrés (G023), en treinta y seis punto sesenta y ocho (36.68) metros. Enclava casa. Finca número 17,041, inscrita al folio 4 del tomo 472 de Juana Diaz, Registro de la Propiedad de Ponce, Sección I. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 95 del tomo 551 de Juana Diaz, Finca 17,041, Registro de la Propiedad de Ponce, Sección I, inscripción 2ª. Propiedad localizada en: URB. PASEO SOL Y MAR, G-20 CALLE ESTRELLA DEL MAR, JUANA DIAZ, PUERTO RICO 00795. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $255,000.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 12 de abril de 2094. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $255,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 1 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 2:45 DE LA TARDE, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $170,000.00, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma
de $127,500.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 8 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 2:45 DE LA TARDE. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $101,906.13 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $72,122.64 en intereses acumulados al 11 de marzo de 2022 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 5.060% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $21,216.87 en seguro hipotecario; $24,015.71 en contribuciones; $4,242.35 en seguro; $1,310.00 de tasaciones; $324.00 de inspecciones; $960.00 en honorarios de abogado; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $25,500.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado, esta última habrá de devengar intereses al máximo del tipo legal fijado por la oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras aplicable a esta fecha, desde este mismo día hasta su total y completo saldo. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Ponce, Puerto Rico, hoy 30 de noviembre de 2022. Jorge M. Hernández Pagán, Alguacil Regional. Manuel Maldonado, Alguacil Placa #820.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
SALA
exterior que da hacia la parte
Demandados Civil Núm.: DCD2014-3091. (402). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA. Yo, MARIBEL LANZAR VELÁZQUEZ, Alguacil de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón, a la demandada y al público en general, les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso, por el Secretario del Tribunal, con fecha 10 de noviembre de 2022 y para satisfacer la Sentencia por la cantidad de $101,361.82 de principal; dictada en el caso de epígrafe el 2 de mayo de 2018, notificada y archivada en autos el 31 de mayo de 2018; procederé a vender en pública subasta, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, todo derecho, título e interés que haya tenido, tenga o pueda tener la deudora demandada en cuanto a la propiedad localizada en el: Municipio de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el bien inmueble que se describe a continuación: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Apartamento número L raya doce (12). Apartamento residencial número L raya Doce del edificio de propiedad horizontal “Condominio Doral Plaza I”, situado en la Carretera número diecinueve (19) del término municipal de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Está situado en el duodécimo piso. Tiene un área aproximada de fabricación de mil ciento veintidós (1,122) pies cuadrados, equivalentes a ciento cuatro punto cuarenta y seis (104.46) metros cuadrados, siendo mayores medidas lineales aproximada de cuarenta y cinco (45) pies en su mayor largo y veinticinco (25) pies ocho (8) pulgadas en su mayor ancho. Colinda por el NORTE, con pared que lo separa de un pasillo de uso común; por el SUR con pared
Sur del solar; por el ESTE, con pared que lo separa del apartamento residencial K raya doce (12); y por el OESTE, con pared que lo separa del apartamento residencial M raya doce (12). Su puerta principal de entrada esta situada en la colindancia Norte y lo comunica directamente a un pasillo común que le da acceso a espacios comunes dentro de los límites del edificio y sus terrenos, que a su vez le dan acceso a una vía pública. Se compone de salacomedor, cocina, balcón, tres (3) habitaciones-dormitorios, dos baños, pasillo y closets. En los elementos comunes generales le corresponde una participación de cero punto cero cero cuatro ocho dos por ciento (0.00482%). Le corresponde un área de estacionamiento marcado con el número L raya doce (12) soterrado. Inscrita al folio 17 del tomo 571 de Guaynabo, finca número 23,081 del Registro de la Propiedad de Guaynabo. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, según la Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, por el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón, cuyas cantidades ascienden a $101,361.82 de principal, 6.95% de intereses, cargos por mora, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda, más costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado. El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $101,361.82 para la propiedad descrita. Si no produjere remate o adjudicación la primera subasta, se procederá a una segunda subasta y servirá de tipo mínimo la cantidad de $67,574.55. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en esta segunda subasta, se procederá a una tercera subasta, en ésta el tipo mínimo será la cantidad de $50,680.91. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta se dará por terminado el procedimiento, pudiendo adjudicarse a opción del demandante. Para el lote descrito, la PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el día 8 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:15 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 15 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:15 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:15 DE LA MAÑANA. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi
oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón. De Estudio de Título realizado, no surgen gravámenes preferentes, surge el siguiente gravamen posterior: Aviso de Demanda dictado el 17 de diciembre de 2013 en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón, en el Caso Civil Núm. DCD20133422, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, seguido por Doral Bank vs. Jeannette Estevez Días, donde se solicita el pago de la deuda garantizada con la hipoteca de la inscripción 6ta. reducida a $84,939.90 o la venta en pública subasta, anotado al Folio 13 del Tomo 1269 de Guaynabo, finca #23081, Anotación “A”. Se le advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, giro postal o cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como, la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere al crédito de ejecutante, continuarán subsiguientes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser ejecutada, se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador
de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores.
Y para conocimiento de la demandada, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 12 de diciembre de 2022. MARIBEL LANZAR VELÁZQUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #735.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE COMERÍO SALA SUPERIOR
Demandante V. IRIS JANET CRUZ REYES Demandado Civil Núm.: CR2022CV00077. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE SUBASTA. El que suscribe, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior, Centro Judicial de Comerío, Comerío, Puerto Rico, hago saber, a la parte demandada y al PÚBLICO EN GENERAL: Que en cumplimiento del Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia expedido el día 5 de diciembre de 2022, por la Secretaría del Tribunal, procederé a vender y venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor la propiedad que ubica y se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar radicado en el Barrio Vega Redonda de la municipalidad de Comerío, identificado con la letra I en el Plano de Lotificación, con una cabida de trescientos veinticinco metros cuadrados con ochenta y cuatro centímetros y con lindes por el NORESTE, en dos lineales de siete metros cuatrocientos setenta y cinco milímetros de otro y de diez metros trescientos noventa y ocho milímetros de otro con el Solar H; por el SUROESTE, en cinco metros ochocientos ochenta y tres centímetros de otra y en diez metros novecientos catorce milímetros de otra, con el solar J; por el SURESTE, en ocho metros ciento setenta y tres milímetros de otro y en trece metros doscientos nueve milímetros y en trece metros doscientos nueve milímetros de otro, con el remanente de la finca; y por el NOROESTE, en doce metros ciento sesenta
y siete milímetros de otro y en tres metros novecientos catorce milímetros de otra, con el acceso al solar H y con carretera estatal setecientos setenta y ocho. Inscrita en la finca número 4,173, al folio 228 del tomo 69 de Comerío. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Barranquitas. La propiedad ubica según pagaré en: Sect. Monserrate Carr 56 KM 3 Ruta 778 Comerio, PR. El producto de la subasta se destinará a satisfacer al demandante hasta donde alcance, la SENTENCIA dictada y notificada en este caso el 21 de octubre de 2022, y publicada en periódico de circulación general, The San Daily Star”, el 27 de octubre de 2022, en el presente caso civil, a saber la suma de $23,714.51 por concepto de principal; generando intereses a razón de 7.95% desde el 1ro de abril de 2021; cargos por demora los cuales al igual que los intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda reclamada en este pleito, y la suma de $4,250.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y demás créditos accesorios garantizados hipotecariamente. La adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el acto mismo de la adjudicación, en efectivo (moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América), giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del alguacil del Tribunal. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a efecto el día 10 DE MARZO DE 2023 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el Centro Judicial de Comerío, Comerío, Puerto Rico. Que el precio mínimo fijado para la PRIMERA SUBASTA es de $42,500.00. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una SEGUNDA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 17 DE MARZO DE 2023 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA SUBASTA será de $28,333.33, equivalentes a dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una TERCERA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 24 DE MARZO DE 2023 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la TERCERA SUBASTA será de $21,250.00, equivalentes a la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca
SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Demandante V. JEANNETTE ESTEVES DÍAZ; JOSÉ MANUEL ALCOCER MARCANO T/C/C JOSÉ M. ALCOCER MARCANO T/C/C JOSÉ ALCOCER MARANO Y LA SOCIEDAD DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS
a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el Tribunal lo estima conveniente; se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si esta es mayor, todo ello a tenor con lo dispone el Articulo 104 de la Ley Núm. 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015 conocida como “Ley del Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”.
La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquiere libre de toda carga y gravamen que afecte la mencionada finca según el Artículo 102, inciso 6. Una vez confirmada la venta judicial por el Honorable Tribunal, se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente escritura de venta judicial y se pondrá al comprador en posesión física del inmueble de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda aquella persona o personas que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de todos los licitadores y el público en general, el presente Edicto se publicará por espacio de dos (2) semanas consecutivas, con un intervalo de por lo menos siete días entre ambas publicaciones, en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico y se fijará además en tres (3) lugares públicos del Municipio en que ha de celebrarse dicha venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Se les informa, por último, que: a. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la secretaría del tribunal durante las horas laborables. b. Que se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes. Se entenderá, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.
EXPIDO, el presente EDICTO, en Comerío, Puerto Rico, hoy día 14 de diciembre de 2022.
ALGUACIL ANDRÉS VÁZQUEZ SANTIAGO, DIVISIÓN DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE COMERÍO.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN
CASITAS BLANCAS, LLC
Demandante Vs. GABRIEL DOLAGARAY
BALADO Y SU ESPOSA
RUTH MARISELA GARCIA SANTIAGO, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDA
COMO MARISELA GARCIA SANTIAGO Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS Demandados Civil Núm.: SJ2019CV07358. (506). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO (EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. Al: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL.
A: GABRIEL DOLAGARAY
BALADO Y SU ESPOSA RUTH MARISELA
GARCIA SANTIAGO, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDA COMO MARISELA GARCIA SANTIAGO Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS.
Yo, EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, Alguacil de este Tribunal, a la parte demandada y a los acreedores y personas con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, HAGO SABER: Que el día 30 DE ENERO DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico, venderé en Pública Subasta la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria al mejor postor quien hará el pago en dinero en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del o la Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de San Juan durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el día 6 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA; y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: RÚSTICA: Parcela de terreno identificada como solar número Dieciocho (18) del Bloque “CH” de la URBANIZACIÓN CAMBRIDGE PARK,
radicado en el Barrio Sabana Llana del término municipal de Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de TRESCIENTOS NOVENTA Y SEIS PUNTO QUINIENTOS NOVENTA Y CINCO (396.595) METROS CUADRADOS y en lindes por el NORTE, en catorce punto cero veintiséis (14.026) metros, una distancia en arco de dos punto setecientos cuarenta y nueve (2.749) metros y una distancia en arco de cinco punto cuatrocientos noventa y ocho (5.498) metros, con la Calle número Dieciséis (16); por el SUR, en veinte punto cero cero (20.00) metros, con el solar número Diecinueve (19); por el ESTE, en dieciocho punto novecientos setenta ocho (18.978) metros, con el solar número Diecisiete (17); y por el OESTE, con dieciséis punto cincuenta (16.50) metros, con la Calle número Cuatro (4). En dicho solar enclava una casa de concreto diseñada para una familia. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al folio móvil del tomo 957 de Sabana Llana, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Quinta, finca número 29,946, inscripción sexta. La dirección física de la propiedad antes descrita es: Urbanización Cambridge Park, H-18, (antes CH-18), Calle York, Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico. La subasta se llevará a efecto para satisfacer a la parte demandante la suma de $97,937.84 de principal, intereses pactados y computados sobre esta suma al tipo de 8 3/8% (8.325%) anual, desde el día 1ro. de febrero de 2019, hasta su total y completo pago, contribuciones, recargos y primas de seguro adeudados y la suma de $19,885.00, por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado. Dichas sumas son líquidas y exigibles. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta para el inmueble será la suma de $198,850.00 y de ser necesaria una segunda subasta, la cantidad mínima será equivalente a 2/3 partes de aquella, o sea, la suma de $132,566.66 y de ser necesaria una tercera subasta, la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado, es decir, la suma de $99,425.00. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad
a ser vendida en pública subasta se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 19 de diciembre de 2022. EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, ALGUACIL DE LA DIVISIÓN DE EJECUCIÓN DE SENTENCIAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE VEGA BAJA
BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Demandante V. SUCESIÓN DE ALICIA BARBOSA BARBOSA, COMPUESTA POR ARIEL COLON BARBOSA, FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; SUCESIÓN DE JOSE ANGEL COLON CONCEPCION COMPUESTA POR ARIEL COLON BARBOSA, FULANO DE TAL Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES; Y A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA
Demandados Civil Núm.: VB2021CV00748.
Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.E. U.U., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. Yo, EDGARDO ELÍAS VARGAS SANTANA, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #193, Alguacil del Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Sala de Vega Baja, al público HAGO SABER: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que se me libró con fecha 29 de agosto de 2022, por la Secretaria de este Tribunal, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor con dinero en efectivo, cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal o letra bancaria con similar garantía, todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada de epígrafe sobre la siguiente propiedad perteneciente a la parte demandada, la cual se
describe a continuación: URBANA: Lote número quince (15) del Bloque “F” de la Comunidad Vega Baja Lake en el Barrio Algarrobo del término Municipal de Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, con un área de seiscientos treinta punto cero cero metros cuadrados (630.00 m.c.). Lindes por el NORTE, en quince punto cero cero metros (15.00 m.), con Calle Tortuguero; por el SUR, en quince punto cero cero metros (15.00 m.), con el Lote número ocho (8); por el ESTE, en cuarenta y dos punto cero cero metros (42.00 m.), con el Lote número dieciséis (16); y por el OESTE, en cuarenta y dos punto cero cero metros (42.00 m.), con el Lote número catorce (14). Afecta en todo su frente por una faja de terreno de 2 metros de ancho para uso público. Finca Número 7,848 inscrita al folio 73 del tomo 158 de Vega Baja, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección IV de Bayamón. Dirección física: Lote #15 Bloque F, Comunidad Vega Alta Lake, Vega Baja, PR 00693; Urb. Bega Baja Lakes, 6, Calle 15, Vega Baja, PR 00693-3803. La finca 7,848 está gravada con la siguiente hipoteca cuya ejecución se solicita en la subasta objeto de este edicto: HIPOTECA en garantía de Pagaré a favor de Popular Mortgage, Inc., o a su orden, por la suma principal de $141,000.00, con intereses al 7% anual, vencedero a la presentación, constituida mediante la escritura número 113, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico el día 30 de noviembre de 2007, ante el notario Fernando Ignacio Medina Cedeño e inscrita al folio 89 del tomo 434 de Vega Baja, finca número 7,848, inscripción 6ta. La propiedad está afecta a los siguientes gravámenes: A. Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor del Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $141,000.00, con intereses al 7% anual, vencedero a la presentación, constituida mediante la escritura número 114, otorgada en Vega Baja, Puerto Rico el día 30 de noviembre de 2007 ante el notario Fernando Ignacio Medina Cedeño, e inscrita al folio 89 del tomo 434 de Vega Baja, finca número 7,848, inscripción 7ma. La venta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a Popular Mortgage, Inc., total o parcialmente el importe de la Sentencia emitida el 16 de junio de 2022. La venta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a Popular Mortgage, Inc., por la hipoteca de $141,000.00, total o parcialmente. El importe de la Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, ascendente a las siguientes cantidades: $199,106.49 de principal, más
intereses al 7% anual desde el 31 de enero de 2022, así como los intereses acumulados y por acumularse a partir de esa fecha y hasta el total y completo pago de la deuda; cargos por demora equivalentes al % de todos aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha de vencimiento hasta el total y completo repago de la deuda; $14,100.00, es decir, el 10% sobre el principal del pagaré hipotecario para el pago de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, según pactado; 10% de la cuantía original del Pagaré para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca y una suma equivalente al 10% del principal original del Pagaré para cubir los intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley. El precio mínimo de licitación con relación a la antes descrita propiedad y la fecha y hora de cada subasta es como sigue: PRIMERA SUBASTA: Se celebrará el día 24 DE ENERO DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $141,000.00. SEGUNDA SUBASTA: Se celebrará el día 31 DE ENERO DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $94,000.00. TERCERA SUBASTA: Se celebrará el día 7 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 11:00 DE LA MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $70,500.00. Las subastas de dicha propiedad se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina situada en el local que ocupa este Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Sala de Vega Baja, advirtiéndose que el que obtuviere la buena pro de dicha propiedad consignará en el acto del remate el importe de su oferta en moneda legal, en adición a los gastos de la subasta, siendo éste el mejor postor. En cualquier momento luego de haberse comenzado el acto de la subasta, el Alguacil podrá requerir de los licitadores que le evidencien la capacidad de pago de sus posturas. Del producto obtenido en dicha venta, el Alguacil pagará en primer término los gastos del Alguacil, en segundo término las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado hasta la suma convenida, en tercer término los intereses devengados hasta la fecha de la subasta, en cuarto término las sumas establecidas en la Sentencia para el pago de recargos por demora, contribuciones, seguros y en quinto término la suma principal adeudada conforme con la sentencia dictada. Disponiéndose que si quedara algún remanente luego de pagarse las sumas mencionadas, el mismo deberá ser depositado en la Secretaría del Tribunal para ser entregado a la parte demandada, previa solicitud y orden del Tribunal. Se en-
tenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante el título del inmueble y las cargas o gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistiendo, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda responsable de los mismos sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se le aprecibe a los tenedores de gravámenes posteriores al que se ejecuta que, para proteger cualesquiera derechos que tengan sobre el inmueble, deberán comparecer a la subasta, pues de no hacerlo así y de no igualar el precio de venta del gravamen hipotecario que se ejecuta, el Tribunal ordenará la cancelación de todos los gravámenes posteriores. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquiere libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Si se declara desierta la tercera subasta se dará por terminado el procedimiento, pudiendo adjudicarse al demandante la finca dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes, si así lo estimare conveniente, por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si esta fuere igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, y abonándose dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si esta fuese mayor. Art. 221, Ley Hipotecaria y del Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, 30 L.P.R.A. §2721. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento del caso de epígrafe están disponibles en la Secretaría del Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Sala de Vega Baja, durante horas laborables. Para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda persona que tenga interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, si alguna, y para la concurrencia de licitadores y para el público en general el presente edicto se publicará en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico una vez por semana por un término de dos (2) semanas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre cada publicación. Se fijará además, en tres (3) lugares públicos del Municipio donde ha de celebrarse la subasta, estos lugares serán la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía de dicho Municipio. Se notificará a la parte demandada copia del edicto de subasta mediante correo certificado con acuse de recibo a su dirección que obra en autos. Una vez efectuada la correspondiente venta judicial, otorgaré la escritura del traspaso al licitador victorioso, quien podrá ser la parte demandante, cuya oferta podrá aplicarse a la extinción parcial o total de la obligación reconocida por la Sentencia. Colocaré al licitador
victorioso en posesión física de la Propiedad mediante el lanzamiento de los ocupantes en el término legal de veinte (20) días desde la fecha de la venta en pública subasta y para ello procederé a romper candados de ser necesario. El Registrador de la Propiedad cancelará, libre de derechos, todo gravamen posterior a la fecha en que se otorgó la hipoteca que ha sido ejecutada mediante esta acción, y procederá a la inscripción de la venta a favor del comprador en subasta libre de todo gravamen posterior a la fecha en que se otorgó la hipoteca que ha sido ejecutada mediante esta acción. Expido el presente edicto bajo mi firma y sello del Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Sala de Vega Baja. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 09 de noviembre de 2022. EDGARDO ELÍAS VARGAS SANTANA, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #193, ALGUACIL SUPERIOR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE UTUADO FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO
Parte Demandante Vs. MARGARITA GONZALEZ VARGAS, ANGEL GABRIEL COLLAZO QUÑONES
BIENES GANANCIALES
Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: UT2019CV00509. (010). Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA Y COBRO DE DINERO. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
A: MARGARITAHAGO SABER: El Alguacil que suscribe, anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, SALA DE UTUADO, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor postor, de contado y por moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América. Todo pago recibido por el (la) Alguacil por concepto de subastas será en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del (de la) Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera
Instancia. Todo derecho, título, participación e interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Solar rotulado con la letra “A” con una cabida superficial de MIL CIENTO TREINTA Y NUEVE
PUNTO CUATRO MIL CUATROCIENTOS SETENTA Y UNO (1139.4471) METROS CUADRADOS, sita en el Barrio Caniaco de Utuado, Puerto Rico. En lindes por el NORTE, ESTE y OESTE, con la finca principal de la que se segrega propiedad de Dominga Reyes Irizarry; por el SUR, con la carretera número seiscientos diez (#610). Enclava una casa para fines residenciales. Consta inscrita al folio “220” del tomo “517” de Utuado, finca “29918”, del Registro de la Propiedad de Utuado, inscripción 6ta. Dirección Física: Lot A PR 610 KM 1.5, Barrio Caniaco, Utuado, Puerto Rico 00664. En relación a la finca a subastarse se establece como tipo mínimo de licitación en la Primera Subasta la suma de $59,665.00 según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la Escritura de Hipoteca #60 otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 17 de febrero de 2005, ante el Notario Jelissa Velez Quiñones, la cual consta inscrita al folio “220” del tomo “517” de Utuado, finca número “29,918” inscripción 5ta. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el día 7 DE FEBRERO DE 2023 A
LAS 1:30 DE LA TARDE en mis oficinas sitas en el TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, PRIMER PISO, OFICINA DE SUBASTAS, SALA SUPERIOR DE UTUADO. En relación a la propiedad a subastarse, la cantidad mínima de licitación en la Primera Subasta será la suma de $59,665.00. Si la Primera Subasta del inmueble no produjere remate, ni adjudicación, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 1:30 DE LA TARDE, en el mismo sitio y servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes del precio pactada para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de $39,776.67. Si la Segunda Subasta no produjere remate, ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 1:30 DE LA TARDE, en el mismo lugar y regirá como tipo de la tercera subasta la mitad del precio pactado para la primera, o sea, la suma de $29,832.50. Dicha Subasta se llevará a cabo, para con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor, a saber: Dicha venta se llevará a efecto, para con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandan-
te el importe de su Sentencia, a saber: la suma principal de CUARENTA Y UN MIL CIENTO CUARENTA Y SEIS DOLARES CON NOVENTA Y SEIS CENTAVOS ($41,146.96), más intereses a razón del CINCO PUNTO OCHO SIETE CINCO por ciento (5.875%) desde el 1 de Mayo de 2017, hasta el presente y los que se continúen acumulando hasta su total y completo pago, más la cantidad de CINCO MIL NOVECIENTOS SESENTA Y SEIS DOLARES CON CINCUENTA CENTAVOS ($5,966.50) para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, condenándola, además, al pago de cualquier adelanto que haya hecho la parte Demandante. Si no se produjese remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta el tipo mínimo para la segunda subasta serán dos terceras partes de la cantidad fijada para la primera subasta, sino se produjese remate o adjudicación en la segunda subasta, servirá como el tipo mínimo para la tercera subasta, la mitad de la cantidad fijada para la primera subasta. Para más información, a las personas interesadas se les notifica que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal, durante las horas laborables. Este EDICTO DE SUBASTA, se publicará en los lugares públicos correspondientes y en un periódico de circulación general en la jurisdicción de Puerto Rico. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuaran subsistentes. Se entenderá, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente Escritura de Venta Judicial y el Alguacil pondrá en posesión judicial al nuevo dueño, si así se lo solicita dentro del término de veinte (20) días, de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Si transcurren los referidos veinte (20) días, el Tribunal podrá ordenar, sin necesidad de ulterior procedimiento, que se lleve a efecto el desalojo o lanzamiento del ocupante u ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del deudor la ocupen. Se informa que la propiedad objeto de ejecución se adquiere libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Expedido en UTUADO, Puerto Rico, a 6 de diciembre de 2022. ALG. RICARDO ACEVEDO RIVERA, ALGUACIL #414.
Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de CAGUAS. ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC
Demandante Vs. RAFAEL LLERA ORTIZ
Demandado Civil: Núm. CD2022CV00041. SALA 802. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS:
A: RAFAEL LLERA ORTIZ URB FERNANDEZ 7 CALLE PEDRO DÍAZ
FONSECA CIDRA PR 00739-3421
(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 28 de diciembre de 2022, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 29 de diciembre de 2022. En CAGUAS, Puerto Rico , el 29 de diciembre de 2022. F/ LISILDA MARTINEZ AGOSTO, Secretario(a) Regional. F/ MARTA E. DONATE RESTO, Secretario(a) Auxiliar.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
Civil Núm.: NG2022CV00136.
Sobre: CONVALIDACIÓN DE SENTENCIA (EXEQUATUR). ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.
Demandados CIVIL NÚM.: ECU2012-0166 (613). SOBRE: CUSTODIA RELACIONES FILIALES PENSIÓN ALIMENTARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
A:
Se notifica que se presentó en esta Secretaría la Demanda de epígrafe sobre Convalidación de Sentencia de Divorcio (Exequatur). Se le emplaza para que presente al Tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal y notificar copia al Abogado de la parte demandante: Lcdo. Mariano S. Najeraurriola: Urb. Summit Hill, 1647 Calle Adams, San Juan, PR 00920-4510, Teléfono: (787) 640-2056, fax (787) 792-6475, mnajeralaw@ gmail.com. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin mas citarle, ni oírle. El documento judicial del cual se solicita su convalidación es una sentencia de divorcio del 30 de junio de 2019, en el caso número “20C011901-DN-000025” seguido en la Corte de Circuito Superior, de Elkhart, del estado de Indiana, Estados Unidos de América. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, hoy 29 de diciembre de 2022. IVELISSE FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ALEJANDRINA TORRES TORRES, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS.
MARIAELENA LÓPEZ RAMOS Demandante Vs. GILBERTO MANUEL TORRES SERRANO, et. als.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE EDICTO se le notifica de la orden del Honorable Tribunal para que usted comparezca este próximo 6 de febrero de 2023 a las 3:30 p.m. ante la Sala 503 del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Caguas para una vista de alimentos. Al presente, existe una estipulación entre las partes que será objeto de discusión en dicho señalamiento. Su incomparecencia al mismo, equivaldría su anuencia a todos los términos allí discutidos. Este Tribunal ordena la comparecencia remota a dicha vista a través del sistema de videoconferencia. Para ello, deberán cumplir con lo siguiente: 1) Dentro de los próximos cinco (5) días, las partes por derecho propio y los abogados participantes deben informar la dirección de correo electrónico a la que se deberá notificar la invitación a la videoconferencia. La dirección de correo electrónico de los abogados que coincidir con la dirección de correo electrónico primera que surge del Registro Único de Abogados y Abogadas (RUA). 2) Los participantes se asegurarán que cuentan con los medios tecnológicos adecuados para poder participar de la vista o conferencia. Se utilizará la aplicación Zoom para conectarse a la videoconferencia. 3) El Tribunal, a través del secretario jurídico del juez que tiene asignado el caso, notificará a las partes y sus abogados participantes una invitación a través de correo electrónico que contendrá el enlace (link) para conectarse a la videoconferencia el día de la vista. Además, coordinará con las partes por derecho propio y los abogados participantes una prueba con anterioridad al día de la vista para asegurar el funcionamiento adecuado del equipo de todos los participantes. 4) Una vez reciban dicha invitación, es importante que acepten la misma, de modo les aparezca en sus respectivos calendarios electrónicos y puedan conectarse desde allí el día señalado para la vista o conferencia. 5) El Juez podrá presidir esta vista o conferencia desde la computadora en su despacho, para lo cual deberá coordinar con su secretaria jurídica o con el personal de Secretaría que se asigne para que se le-
vante un Acta de lo ocurrido en la vista o conferencia a través de videoconferencia. 6) La parte que no pueda comparecer a la vista o conferencia a través de videoconferencia deberá presentar una moción dentro de los próximos cinco (5) días, justificando las razones que impiden su comparecencia remota. El Tribunal determinará si dicha parte o abogado(a) deberá comparecer personalmente a la sala que tiene asignado el caso o podrá comparecer a través de cualquier otro método, como por ejemplo llamada telefónica.
7) Las mociones o solicitudes de suspensión de las vistas a las que le aplican las Guías para participar en los procesos judiciales de naturaleza civil mediante videoconferencia cancelarán el arancel correspondiente a la suspensión de una comparecencia personal. Véase 32 LPRA S 1477. Como parte de la orden antes aludida, el Tribunal le esta ordenando para que usted muestre causa por la cual el Tribunal no deba encontrarle incurso en desacato por el incumplimiento con las órdenes dictadas, entre estas:
• Orden del 19 de octubre de 2020
• Orden del 2 de julio de 2021
• Orden del 14 de febrero de 2022
• Orden del 7 de marzo de 2022
• Orden del 16 de agosto de 2022 Además, deberá también mostrar causa por la cual no deba imponerse sanciones económicas y/o encontrarle incurso en desacato ante su incomparecencia a la vista celebrada el 29 de noviembre de 2022 sobre de la deuda de pensión alimentaria por la suma de $12,165.92 que existe actualmente. EL PRESENTE EDICTO constituye la única citación y requiere para que usted comparezca este próximo 6 de febrero de 2023 a las 3:30 p.m. ante la Sala 503 del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Caguas. Si dejare de así hacerlo, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará Sentencia contra usted concediendo el remedio solicitado sin más citarle ni oírle. NOTIFIQUESE Y REGISTRESE. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal de Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy 3 de enero de 2023. Lisilda Martinez Agosto, Secretaria. Carmen Flores Martinez, Sec Aux del Tribunal.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE FAJARDO
Demandado(a)
Civil: FA2022CV00667. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
A: KAREN JO-ANN CACERES CENTENO.
URB SAN PEDRO C-20
CALLE CECILIO MONTES ALEJANDRO, FAJARDO PR 00738 Y/O URB SANTA MARIA F-37 CALLE 8, CEIBA PR 00735.
(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 29 de diciembre de 2022, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 03 de enero de 2023. En FAJARDO, Puerto Rico, el 03 de enero de 2023. WANDA I. SEGUÍ REYES, SECRETARIA. LINDA I. MEDINA MEDINA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA
FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO
Demandante
(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)
EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 27 de DICIEMBRE de 2022, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 5 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 28 de DICIEMBRE de 2022. E n CAROLINA , Puerto Rico, el 28 DE DICIEMBRE de 2022.
MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA. KEILA GARCÍA SOLÍS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR E.M.I. EQUITY MORTGAGE, INC.
Demandante Vs. SANDRA IVETTE AGUILA RIVERA
BANK COMO AGENTE DE SERVICIO DE THE MONEY HOUSE, INC
Demandante V. ABEL MARTIN MORALES MEDINA; KAREN JO-ANN
Demandado(a) Civil: CA2022CV01601. 401. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA Y COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2022CV01838. Sala: 407. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría
VELÁZQUEZ,
DE
FULANO Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE HÉCTOR DE JESÚS MARTÍNEZ Y DE LA SUCESIÓN DE MARÍA DEL CARMEN VELÁZQUEZ CRUZ, MENGANO DE TAL COMO POSIBLE HEREDERO
SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO
JEFFREY COYNER Demandante Vs. EMILIA LUDOVINA DIAZ BONILLA TAMBIEN CONOCIDA
V. HÉCTOR DE JESÚS MARTÍNEZ, MARÍA DEL CARMEN VELÁZQUEZ CRUZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS
tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, hoy día 29 de diciembre de 2022. JOSÉ M. CRESPO NAZARIO, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ, SALA SUPERIOR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA
Demandante V. KEYLA
Demandada Civil Núm.: FCD2016-1100. (403). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA. Yo, GRETCHEN M. PÉREZ SEDA, Alguacil Supervisor de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, a los demandados y al público en general les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso por el Secretario del Tribunal de epígrafe con fecha 24 de mayo de 2019 y para satisfacer la cantidad adeudada de $144,782.60 de principal mediante Sentencia dictada en el caso de autos el 27 de diciembre de 2016 y notificada y archivada en autos el 29 de diciembre de 2016, vendiendo en pública subasta la propiedad que se describe a continuación: #302-D, Condominio Paseo del Rey, Bo. San Martin González Carolina, PR 00987. URBANA: Propiedad
Horizontal: Apartamento Número D guión trescientos dos (D302) para fines residenciales, localizado en el tercer (3er) nivel de la Torre D del Condominio conocido como Paseo del Rey, situado en el Barrio Martín González del Municipio de Carolina, Puerto Rico. Tiene una cabida superficial de mil doscientos sesenta y cuatro punto cero siete (1,264.07) pies cuadrados, equivalentes a ciento diecisiete punto cuarenta y ocho (117.48) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el Norte, en una distancia de cuarenta y siete pies tres pulgadas (47’ 3”) con pared que lo separa del Apartamento Número C guión Trescientos Uno (C-301); por el Sur, en una distancia de cua-
renta y nueve pies tres pulgadas (49’ 3”) con pared que lo separa del apartamento Número D guión Trescientos Uno (D301), entrada del apartamento, vestíbulo o pasillo comunal y escalera; por el Este, en una distancia de veintiocho pies dos pulgadas (25’ 2”) con área comunal del Condominio; y por el Oeste, en una distancia de treinta y dos pies dos pulgadas (32’ 2”) con el área comunal del Condominio. Consta de principalmente sala-comedor, cocina, tres (3) habitaciones, dos (2) baños, laundry y balcón. Su puerta de entrada y salida comunica al vestíbulo o pasillo comunal del tercer (3er) nivel de la Torre D del Condominio, que a su vez tiene acceso a la calle principal. Le pertenecen a este Apartamento los siguientes Anejos: TERRAZA: Terraza del Apartamento Número D guión Trescientos Dos (D-302) para fines residenciales, localizada en el cuarto (4to) nivel de la Torre D del Condominio conocido como Paseo del Rey, situado en el Barrio Martín González del Municipio de Carolina, Puerto Rico. Tiene una cabida superficial de seiscientos quince puntos ochenta (615.80) pies cuadrados, equivalentes a cincuenta y dos punto veintitrés (52.23) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el Norte, en una distancia de cuarenta y un pies siete pulgadas (41’ 7”) con pared que lo separa del techo del Apartamento Número D guión Trescientos Dos (D-302); por el Sur, en una distancia de cuarenta y un pies siete pulgadas (41’ 7”) con pared que lo separa de la terraza del Apartamento Número D guión Trescientos Uno (D-301); por el Este, en una distancia de diecinueve pies siete pulgadas (19’ 7”) con área comunal del Condominio; y por el Oeste, en una distancia de diecinueve pies siete pulgadas (19’ 7”) con el área comunal del Condominio. ESTACIONAMIENTOS: Le corresponde a este Apartamento, como Anejo, el uso particular y exclusivo de dos (2) espacios de estacionamiento localizados en el área de estacionamiento del Condominio e identificados con los números veintitrés (23) y veinticinco (25), según ilustrado en los Planos de Condominio. Le corresponde el uno punto cuarenta y siete por ciento (1.47%) de participación en los elementos comunes generales del Condominio. Inscrita al folio 109 del tomo 1489 de Carolina, finca número 62772, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección II. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, en el caso de epígrafe, que se desglosan de la siguiente forma: $144,782.60 de principal,
5.50% de intereses, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda, $419.63 de gastos por mora, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda, más costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado. El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $154,700.00 según la escritura de hipoteca para la propiedad descrita. De declararse la subasta desierta, se procederá a una segunda subasta y servirá de tipo mínimo de 2/3 del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $103,133.33. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en esta segunda subasta, se procederá a una tercera subasta, en la cual regirá como tipo mínimo ésta la 1/2 del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $77,350.00. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el 7 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una TERCERA SUBASTA el 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina. Del Estudio de Título realizado surgen los siguientes gravámenes: Servidumbres a favor de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico, Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica de Puerto Rico, Comunicaciones y condiciones restrictivas. Condiciones Restrictivas bajo el Programa “Mi Nuevo Hogar” por un período de 10 años donde expresa que no podrá vender, donar, permutar o de cualquier otro modo transferir la propiedad e impuestas por la Autoridad para el Financiamiento de la Vivienda de P.R. quien aportó una suma de dinero para sufragar gatos de cierre, según Ese. #10 en San Juan el 26 de agosto de 2011 ante Bonnie García Alvarado, inscrita al folio 109 del tomo 1489 de Carolina, finca #62772 inscripción 1ra. Del Estudio de Título realizado surge el siguiente gravamen posterior el cual podrá ser cancelado: Hipoteca constituida por Keyla Santiago Sinigaglia casada con Delvis Santos Suárez en garantía de pagaré bajo aff #2225 a favor de Popular Morgage, lnc., o a su orden por $25,000.00 al 5.50% anual, vencedero el 1 de septiembre de 2041, según Esc. #95 en San Juan el 26 de agosto de 2011 ante Héctor F. Lebrón
González, inscrita al folio 113 del tomo 1489 de Carolina, finca #62772 inscripción 3ra. y úl-
tima. Se advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como, la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Y para conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en Carolina, Puerto Rico, a 29 de diciembre de 2022. GRETCHEN M. PÉREZ SEDA, ALGUACIL.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CIALES
ROSA HAYDEE MONTES MORALESDemandante V. JOHN DOE Y
RICHARD ROEDemandado(a) Civil Núm.: CI2022CV00219. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.
A: JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 23 de diciembre de 2022, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 23 de diciembre de 2022. En Ciales, Puerto Rico, el 23 de diciembre de 2022. VIVIAN FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA. SANDRA I. MALDONADO VEGA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN
BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Parte Demandante Vs. JANA MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC T/C/C GLOBAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION, SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC., THE MORTGAGE HOUSE, INC., WILFREDO PÉREZ RIVERA, EILEEN M. CARLOS GONZÁLEZ T/C/C EILEEN MARITZA CARLOS GONZÁLEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS, FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS DEL PAGARÉ
Part Demandada Civil Núm.: BY2022CV05460. (503). Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO
POR LA VÍA JUDICIAL. EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.E.U.U., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
A: JANA MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC T/C/C GLOBAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION A SU ÚLTIMA DIRECCIÓN CONOCIDA: AVE FD ROOSEVELT #166, HATO REY, PR 00917, THE MORTGAGE HOUSE, INC., A LAS SIGUIENTES DIRECCIONES: COUNTRY CLUB, 915 ROBERTO SANCHEZ VILELLA, SAN JUAN, PR, 00924, AVE. MONSERRATE AB-20, VALLE ARRIBA HEIGHTS, CAROLINA, PR 00983, 915 AVE. CAMPO RICO, SAN JUAN, PR, 00924, 954 PONCE DE LEON AVE., SUITE 400, SAN JUAN, PR, 00917, PO BOX 363823, SAN JUAN, PR, 00936-3823, WILFREDO PÉREZ RIVERA, EILEEN M. CARLOS GONZÁLEZ T/C/C EILEEN MARITZA CARLOS GONZÁLEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS A LA SIGUIENTE DIRECCIÓN: URB REXVILLE, E7 CALLE 5, BAYAMON, PR 009574016.
FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS DEL PAGARÉ.
Queda usted notificado que en este Tribunal se ha radicado demanda sobre cancelación de pagaré extraviado por la vía judicial. El 24 de mayo de 1989, Wilfredo Pérez Rivera y su esposa Eileen M. Carlos González t/c/c Eileen Maritza Carlos González constituyeron una hipoteca en San Juan, Puerto Rico, conforme a la Escritura núm. 61 autorizada por el notario Frank Pola en garantía de un pagaré suscrito bajo testimonio número 1613 por la suma de $44,850.00 a favor de Jana Mortgage Bankers, o a su orden, devengando intereses al 8.50% anual y vencedero el 1ro de junio de 2019, sobre la siguiente propiedad: URBANA: Solar número siete E en el plano de inscripción de la Urbanización Rexville, situada en el Barrio Pájaros de Bayamón, Puerto Rico, con un área de trescientos veinticinco metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, en distancia de trece metros con la calle número cin-
co; por el SUR, en una distancia de trece metros con el solar número doce del bloque E; por el ESTE, en una distancia de veinticinco metros con el solar número seis del bloque E; y por el OESTE, en una distancia de veinticinco metros con el solar número ocho del bloque E. Enclava una casa residencial para una sola familia. Inscrita al folio 171 del tomo 777 de Bayamón Sur, Finca 35359, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección I. La escritura de hipoteca consta inscrita al folio 202 del tomo 1466 de Bayamón Sur, Finca 35359, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección I. Inscripción octava. La parte demandada deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal. Se le advierte que, si no contesta la demanda, radicando el original de la contestación en este Tribunal y enviando copia de la contestación a la abogada de la parte demandante, Lcda. Belma Alonso García, cuya dirección es: PO Box 3922, Guaynabo, PR 009703922, Teléfono y Fax: (787) 789-1826, correo electrónico: oficinabelmaalonso@gmail. com, dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, excluyéndose el día de la publicación, se le anotará la rebeldía y se le dictará Sentencia en su contra, concediendo el remedio solicitado sin más citarle ni oírle.
EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal, hoy 19 de diciembre de 2022, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico. LCDA. LAURA I.
SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IVETTE M. MARRERO BRACERO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE SAN JUAN ELBA VÉLEZ HERNÁNDEZ
Demandante V. BERENS MORTGAGE BANKERS INC., JOHN DOE Demandadas Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV11008. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO POR LA VÍA JUDICIAL. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO
A:
BERENSDESCONOCIDOS DEL PAGARÉ a favor de Berens Mortgage Bankers Inc., el cual
estaba garantizado con una Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Berens Mortgage Bankers lnc., o a su orden, por la suma principal de $37,800.00, con intereses al 10.5% anual, vencedero el día 1 de marzo de 2010, constituida mediante la escritura número 56, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 8 de febrero de 1980, ante el notario Hugo Arana, e inscrita al folio 108 del tomo 258 de Sabana Llana, finca número 11,492, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Quinta Sección de San Juan.
Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Los abogados de la parte demandante son.
DEMANDANTE: Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393
BERMUDEZ & DIAZ LLP Suite 209
500 Calle De La Tanca San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Tel.: (787) 523-2670
Fax: (787) 523-2664
rdíaz@bdprlaw.com
Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal, hoy 23 de diciembre de 2022.
TRIBU-
Civil Núm.: HU2022CV01308.
Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO (AUMENTO DE CABIDA). EDICTO. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
Por la presente se les notifica para que comparezcan, si creyeren que les conviene, ante este Honorable Tribunal, dentro de VEINTE (20) días a partir de la publicación y expongan lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre el aumento de cabida de la siguiente finca: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el #486 en el plano de parcelación de la comunidad rural Punta Santiago del barrio Playa del término municipal de Humacao, con una cabida superficial de 157.46 metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORTE, con calle de la comunidad, por el SUR, con parcela #2 de la comunidad, por el ESTE, con parcela #487 de la comunidad y por el OESTE, con calle de la comunidad. Número 17876, inscrito al folio #175 del tomo #402 de Humacao, sección Del Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao. Catastro Número 284-070-044-11-000. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: httrs://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. La representación legal del promovente Lcdo.
Edgar A. Molina Jorge, PO Box 733, Sabana Seca, P.R. 00952, Tel. (787) 472-3444, emolinalawgmail.com. 9 de diciembre de 2022. IVELSSE C. FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL AUXILIAR.
DALISSA REYES DE LEÓN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA
Civil Núm.: HU2022CV01308. Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO (AUMENTO DE CABIDA). EDICTO. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
Por la presente se les notifica para que comparezcan, si creyeren que les conviene, ante este Honorable Tribunal, dentro de VEINTE (20) días a partir de la publicación y expongan lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre el aumento de cabida de la siguiente finca: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el #486 en el plano de parcelación de la comunidad rural Punta Santiago del barrio Playa del término municipal de Humacao, con una cabida superficial de 157.46 metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORTE, con calle de la comunidad, por el SUR, con parcela #2 de la comunidad, por el ESTE, con parcela #487 de la comunidad y por el OESTE, con calle de la comunidad. Número 17876, inscrito al folio #175 del tomo #402 de Humacao, sección Del Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao. Catastro Número 284-070-044-11-000. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: httrs://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. La representación legal del promovente Lcdo. Edgar A. Molina Jorge, PO Box 733, Sabana Seca, P.R. 00952, Tel. (787) 472-3444, emolinalawgmail.com. 9 de diciembre de 2022. IVELSSE C. FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL AUXILIAR. DALISSA REYES DE LEÓN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO
Civil Núm.: HU2022CV01308. Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO (AUMENTO DE CABIDA). EDICTO. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
Por la presente se les notifica para que comparezcan, si creyeren que les conviene, ante este Honorable Tribunal, dentro de VEINTE (20) días a partir de la publicación y expongan lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre el aumento de cabida de la siguiente finca: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el #486 en el plano de parcelación de la comunidad rural Punta Santiago del barrio Playa del término municipal de Humacao, con una cabida superficial de 157.46 metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORTE, con calle de la comunidad, por el SUR, con parcela #2 de la comunidad, por el ESTE, con parcela #487 de la comunidad y por el OESTE, con calle de la comunidad. Número 17876, inscrito al folio #175 del tomo #402 de Humacao, sección Del Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao. Catastro Número 284-070-044-11-000. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: httrs://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. La representación legal del promovente Lcdo.
Edgar A. Molina Jorge, PO Box 733, Sabana Seca, P.R. 00952, Tel. (787) 472-3444, emolinalawgmail.com. 9 de diciembre
de 2022. Ivelsse C. Fonseca Rodríguez, Secretaria Regional Auxiliar. Dalissa Reyes De León, Secretaria Auxiliar.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO LUIS SALVADOR GONZÁLEZ MOLINA Y WILKINS PENN CEDEÑO PETICIONARIOS
EX - PARTE
Civil Núm.: HU2022CV01308.
Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO (AUMENTO DE CABIDA). EDICTO. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
A: TODO EL QUE TENGA ALGÚN DERECHO REAL SOBRE EL INMUEBLE DESCRITO EN ESTA PETICIÓN DE DOMINIO, LAS PERSONAS IGNORADAS A QUIEN PUEDA PERJUDICAR LA INSCRIPCIÓN SOLICITADA Y EN GENERAL A TODA PERSONA QUE DESEE OPONERSE.
Por la presente se les notifica para que comparezcan, si creyeren que les conviene, ante este Honorable Tribunal, dentro de VEINTE (20) días a partir de la publicación y expongan lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre el aumento de cabida de la siguiente finca: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el #486 en el plano de parcelación de la comunidad rural Punta Santiago del barrio Playa del término municipal de Humacao, con una cabida superficial de 157.46 metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORTE, con calle de la comunidad, por el SUR, con parcela #2 de la comunidad, por el ESTE, con parcela #487 de la comunidad y por el OESTE, con calle de la comunidad. Número 17876, inscrito al folio #175 del tomo #402 de Humacao, sección Del Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao. Catastro Número 284-070-044-11-000. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: httrs://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia
en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. La representación legal del promovente Lcdo. Edgar A. Molina Jorge, PO Box 733, Sabana Seca, P.R. 00952, Tel. (787) 472-3444, emolinalawgmail.com. 9 de diciembre de 2022. IVELSSE C. FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL AUXILIAR. DALISSA REYES DE LEÓN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO
PETICIONARIOS EX - PARTE Civil Núm.: HU2022CV01308. Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO (AUMENTO DE CABIDA). EDICTO. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.
A: SUCESION DE EDUVIGIS OLMEDA CRUZ.
Por la presente se les notifica para que comparezcan, si creyeren que les conviene, ante este Honorable Tribunal, dentro de VEINTE (20) días a partir de la publicación y expongan lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre el aumento de cabida de la siguiente finca: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el #486 en el plano de parcelación de la comunidad rural Punta Santiago del barrio Playa del término municipal de Humacao, con una cabida superficial de 157.46 metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORTE, con calle de la comunidad, por el SUR, con parcela #2 de la comunidad, por el ESTE, con parcela #487 de la comunidad y por el OESTE, con calle de la comunidad. Número 17876, inscrito al folio #175 del tomo #402 de Humacao, sección Del Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao. Catastro Número 284-070-044-11-000. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: httrs://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia
en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. La representación legal del promovente Lcdo. Edgar A. Molina Jorge, PO Box 733, Sabana Seca, P.R. 00952, Tel. (787) 472-3444, emolinalawgmail.com. 9 de diciembre de 2022. IVELSSE C. FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL AUXILIAR. DALISSA REYES DE LEÓN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO GITSIT SOILUTIONS, LLC Plaintiff Vs. CARMEN IRIS VEGA HOYOS, FOR HERSELF AND AS MEMBER OF THE ESTATE OF MANUEL RAMON ALVAREZ ARIAS A/K/A MANUEL ALVAREZ ARIAS; JOHN DOE AND RICHARD ROE AS POSSIBLE UNKNOWN MEMBERS OF THE ESTATE OF MANUEL RAMON ALVAREZ ARIAS A/K/A MANUEL ALVAREZ ARIAS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES
Defendant/s Civil No.: 3:19-CV-2074-DRD. Re: FORECLOSURE IN REM. SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. To: MANUEL DE JESÚS ALVAREZ ECHEVARRÍA, SUSANA ALTAGRACIA ÁLVAREZ ECHEVARRÍA, CELESTE AIDA ÁLVAREZ ECHEVARRÍA, KEVIA NAHEL ÁLVAREZ DENNIS, AND MANUEL NAGEL ÁLVAREZ PACHECO.
The Plaintiff has filed proceedings for the foreclosure of mortgage executed by the defendant(s) on a property described in the Spanish language as follows: “URBANA: Solar radicado en el sitio conocido con el nombre de Barrio Obrero de San Juan, marcado con el número 5 de la calle 8 del plano de Urbanización trazado por el Departamento de Interior, que tiene una superficie de 155.00 metros cuadrados Colindando por el FRENTE, en una extensión de 10.00 metros con la calle número 8; por el FONDO en una extensión de 10.00 metros con el solar número 7 de la calle 7; por el DERECHA entrando, en una extensión de 15.60 metros con el solar número 7 de la calle 8; y por el IZQUIERDA entrando en una extensión de 15.40 metros con el solar número 3 de la calle 8.” Re-
corded at page 174 of volume 45 of Santurce Norte, Property Registry of San Juan, Section I, property number 7218. The said property is subject to a mortgage which secures payments of a mortgage note payable to ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION D/B/A CITIFINANCIAL, or its order, for the principal sum of $131,385.00, interest at 12.035% per annum; lowered to 5.004%per internal agreement and $13,138.50 for costs, disbursement and attorney’s fees, which mortgage and mortgage modification appears recorded in the page 92 of volume 1140 of Santurce Norte of San Juan, Section I, Property Registry of Puerto Rico at San Juan, Section I, Section, property number 7218. Plaintiff intends to file a Lis Pendens on this property. This Court has entered an order providing for summons by publication in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4.6 of the Rules of Civil Procedure for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and pursuant Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e) and Rule 4.6. THEREFORE, you are hereby SUMMONED to appear, plead or answer the Complaint filed herein no later than (30) days after publication of this Summons by serving original plea or answer in the United State District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and serving a copy to counsel for Plaintiff:
ANDRES SAEZ MARRERO, Esq. TROMBERG, MORRIS & POULIN, LLC 1515 South Federal Highway, Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33432 Tel. 561-338-4101 / Fax. 561-338-4077
Should you fail to appear, plead or answer to the Complaint as ordered by the Court and noticed by this Summons, the Court will proceed to hear and adjudicate this cause against you based on the relief demanded in the Complaint, and the court shall proceed to adjudication without further notice. Copy of the complaint in this case was sent to defendant’s last known address by certified mail, return receipt requested, within ten (10) days of the one and only publication of this judicial notice. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 20th day of December, 2022. AGNES L. FERRERAUFFANT, ESQ., ACTING CLERK OF THE COURT. VIVIANA DIAZ, DEPUTY CLERK.
ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE CAYEY ORIENTAL BANK Demandante V. JESSIE G. GUTIERREZ CORDERO Demandado
Civil Núm.: CY2022CV00358. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.
A: JESSIE G. GUTIERREZ CORDERO.
POR MEDIO del presente edicto se le notifica de la radicación de una demanda en cobro de dinero por la vía ordinaria en la que se alega que usted adeuda a la parte demandante, Oriental Bank, ciertas sumas de dinero, y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado de este litigio. El demandante, Oriental Bank, ha solicitado que se dicte sentencia en contra suya y que se le ordene pagar las cantidades reclamadas en la demanda.
POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial. pr/index/php/tribunal-electronico/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente, sin más citarle ni oírle. El abogado de la parte demandante es: Jaime Ruiz Saldaña, RUA número 11673; Dirección: PO Box 366276, San Juan, PR 00936-6276; Teléfono: (787) 759-6897; Correo electrónico: legal@jrslawpr. com. Se le advierte que dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación del presente edicto, se le estará enviando a usted por correo certificado con acuse de recibo, una copia del emplazamiento y de la demanda presentada al lugar de su última dirección conocida: Bo. Toita, Carr. 14 Km 67.7, Cayey, PR 00763; HC 43 Box 10613, Cayey, PR 00739-9637. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal en Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy día 22 de diciembre de 2022. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. ENEIDA ARROYO VÉLEZ, SUB-SECRETARIA.
With Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin still in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital after his collapse during a game Monday night, NFL teams on Wednesday returned to practice, somehow, for the last games of a regular season that suddenly felt stripped of joy.
The family of Hamlin, 24, a secondyear player who suffered cardiac arrest during a nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals, asked for prayers. The most recent update from the Bills on Hamlin’s condition was a statement Wednesday afternoon that said he was still receiving care in the hospital’s intensive care unit, “with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight.”
Week 18 will begin Saturday, but players and coaches across the league were still reeling from Hamlin’s collapse and anxiously waiting for updates on his condition.
“I’m praying that you pull through bro,” Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, the player Hamlin tackled before he collapsed, wrote on Twitter hours after the game was suspended. “Keep fighting 3,” Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox posted, referring to his former teammate at the University of Pittsburgh by his jersey number. Some of the NFL’s biggest stars, including Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Arizona defensive end J.J. Watt, openly pleaded for Hamlin to be OK.
In a memo sent to teams Tuesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the game between the Bills and the Bengals would not resume this week and no decision had been made about when or whether it would be rescheduled. The NFL has also not announced any changes to the Week 18 schedule.
As a result, players returned to work Wednesday, just 36 hours after Hamlin’s medical emergency — the most serious the NFL has seen in decades — unfolded in front of millions of viewers.
Ryan Clark, a retired NFL safety
who is now an analyst for ESPN, wrote on social media that “the next snap of football will be one of the scariest
snaps we have ever watched.”
Nyaka NiiLampti, the NFL’s vice president of wellness and clinical ser-
vices, sent information Tuesday to each of the league’s 32 teams about available mental health and support resources, according to Goodell’s memo. Teams may also request additional resources, such as on-site services, the memo said.
Teams around the league found ways to express their support for Hamlin. Each team changed the avatar of its Twitter account to an image of Hamlin’s No. 3 Bills jersey with the message, “Pray for Damar.” The Miami Dolphins posted a photo of their stadium lit up in the Bills’ blue and red Tuesday night.
The Eagles and the New England Patriots canceled coaches’ press availabilities Tuesday, while Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin opened his news conference by talking about his personal connection with Hamlin, who grew up in the Pittsburgh area.
Tuesdays are usually off days for players around the league, though with games scheduled for Saturday, some teams were on the practice field this week. The Tennessee Titans, who are scheduled to play the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday night, spent time in a team meeting Tuesday talking about Hamlin and praying for him and his family.
This is usually one of the most exciting weeks during the NFL season, with teams jockeying for postseason bids or more favorable seeding. The Bills and the Bengals met Monday night with the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye still in reach for both teams. Hamlin’s collapse rendered those stakes relatively unimportant.
If the Week 18 schedule remains intact, both teams will take the field again Sunday, with the Bills hosting the Patriots and the Bengals set to host the Baltimore Ravens.
The NFL has rescheduled games before. In 2001, after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the league postponed all of its Week 2 games until the end of the regular season. During the 2020 season, the NFL rescheduled 15 regularseason games because of coronavirus outbreaks among teams but completed the season on time.
The city, it appeared, was asleep. The streets were empty, the shops were closed and a dog howled in the distance. Then, a few blocks from the soccer stadium that put the port city of Santos, Brazil on the map, there were signs of life. Lots of it.
Popcorn vendors. Men grilling meat. A group hawking T-shirts. And a hair salon charging for its bathroom.
It was 3 a.m. Tuesday, and thousands of people were queued in an orderly line stretching around two-thirds of a mile, waiting to see the body of one of history’s most magnificent athletes in its final moments before entombment. Soccer star Pelé’s 24-hour wake was in its 17th hour, and by the looks of the crowd, one day might not have been enough. The Santos soccer club estimated that 230,000 mourners had been through the stadium.
“This is no sacrifice,” said Walter Henrique, 35, a tax analyst who traveled three hours to the wake and had to be at work in five hours, yet had another few hours before he would be through the line. “He gave us so much joy that it’s a pleasure to be here.”
The predawn crowd in Santos had different reasons for arriving at such an hour. Mourners had clogged the roads from São Paulo, ensnaring many people in traffic. Some had gotten off work late, or they wanted to avoid the midday sun. And still others had believed that if they came while the city was sleeping, they would avoid the line.
“It was not a good strategy,” said Vinícius Fortes, 58, a software engineer who arrived with his family at 1:15 a.m. local time and found a much longer queue than expected. “I was voting to not stay. I said, ‘Look, we’re going to wait for two hours to be near a box for 10 seconds.’”
He was outvoted. Now his family had waited two hours, and it appeared they had another hour to go. “But every day you go home and sleep,” Fortes added. “This is a moment in your life you are going to remember forever.”
Fortes’ 27-year-old son, Guilherme, was the only one who had to work in the morning, but he appeared unfazed, even when they read on the news that the line had been paused for 30 minutes because officials were changing the flowers. “I’ve made worse decisions in my life,” he said. The mood was not exactly somber, but the crowd was sober. One street ven-
dor, Ednalva Cruz da Silva, had a pile of booze on ice, including cans of Brahma beer and a bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky, but no one was partaking. Instead, she was selling waters and soda. “Usually it’s about 100 beers to every water,” she said. “That’s not the idea tonight.”
Still, the line got a little louder as the stadium approached. One group in particular was leading the way with chants for the Santos soccer team — which included references to the time in 1967 when Pelé’s presence prompted a ceasefire in a civil war in Nigeria.
The group had become something of an attraction at an event where everyone was looking for a distraction. The nine men had met in line, bonding over the previous three hours: a police officer, a supermarket clerk, three high schoolers, two chefs, a Rastafarian carpenter with a soccer ball and the owner of an industrial-automation company in an anklelength robe and headscarf. He had worn the outfit to the World Cup in Qatar, but had sewn on a Santos patch hours earlier, and now had been posing for photos for hours.
“Pelé was the king,” said João de Souza, 58, the entrepreneur in the headscarf, wearing sunglasses at 3:30 a.m. “He showed the Brazilian spirit to the whole world, showed that Brazil has guts.”
Pedro Camargo de Souza, 17, a high school junior in the group, said he had taken public transportation for three hours to arrive. “I came alone because I’m the only Santos fan in my family,” he said. “They thought I was crazy but what were they going to do?”
As they neared the entrance, stadium employees ordered the group in a singlefile line and ushered them along. “Good evening,” one usher said. “Or good morning.”
At 3:40 a.m., they walked through the gate and onto the field. Silence fell over the crew. There was just the faint sound of Pelé singing a samba tune, “My Legacy,” a track that he released in 2006 and that played on repeat at the stadium as he lay in state.
Many of the men held their phones aloft, filming the flowers; the banner that said, “Long live the king”; and the Jumbotron with an image of a crown.
Then, just as they approached Pelé’s body at midfield — lying in a dark coffin, covered in flowers and draped in a veil — the silence erupted in a roar of more than 100 men. It was one of the Santos fan clubs, shouting a team chant, waving four enormous flags and lighting a flare in a before-dawn tribute alongside Pelé’s coffin.
The nine men looked on in awe, but the line kept moving. Within three minutes, the group was back outside. “I cried,” said Camargo, the high schooler. “I would do it 10 more times, a thousand. I would do it as many times as Pelé scored.”
They convened again next to a van selling grilled sandwiches. They exchanged contacts and recapped the moment. Some were headed home. Others would stay on the street or sleep in their car before the funeral procession through the streets later that day, ending at the cemetery where Pelé’s coffin would be inserted into an aboveground tomb.
“Now he rests in peace,” João de Souza said. “But his legacy, his reign, will be eternal.”
Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.
Sudoku Rules:
Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9
Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9
Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9
It’s midweek, and you could be lulled into a false sense of security as Venus makes a buoyant aspect. Today the tie with jubilant Jupiter peaks, which might encourage you to indulge. If you have the option of knuckling down and getting on with something important or doing something more interesting, you’ll go for the latter. Going to an event? Something good can come from it.
You may be eyeing up a bold move, but be sure it’s the right thing to do. The option of getting others on board seems good. And if they are the right match for your project, things could go very well. But with Neptune still in the picture, it’s wise not to make any promises or to have high expectations. There might be something you’ve missed, and it can be the spanner in the works.
Disillusioned with career progress? Today’s upbeat tie between Venus and Jupiter, is a chance to look at other opportunities. You’ll be keen to take an idea to the next level, even if it involves a learning curve. You’ll enjoy the challenge, and going for it could be the best thing you’ve done in a while. There’s no point in continuing with anything that isn’t working out for you, Gemini.
You and another could click right away, and this can lead to positive plans. Ready for romance? The delightful Venus/Jupiter tie might bring the realisation that you were made for each other. And you may be ready to take the relationship further. Keen to do business? It could be a match made in heaven. If you’re hoping for success, keep your feet on the ground though.
Looking for that special person? An encounter today could leave you wondering if you’ve found them. You may get along so well, you’ll likely want to see each other again. It’s also a good day for social events and enjoying great company. Have something planned? It might be a ball, Leo. Keen to collaborate on an idea? It looks to be a good move, and one you won’t regret.
You may be keen to get cracking on a creative project or showcase your talent. And yet there is a sense that progress is being made. Plus, an upbeat alignment could find you ready to lessen your carbon footprint and be more eco-minded regarding aspects of home and lifestyle. A philosophical Venus/ Jupiter link suggests you’ll be very open to taking the ethical route, Virgo.
Someone’s bold and fearless approach to life could be an inspiration, Libra. If they’re not a friend, then you may sincerely wish they were. Still, this is a good time to reach out and break the ice. You’ll be glad you did. With Venus aligning with Jupiter, there is also potential for romance. Whether you’re solo or already entangled, this is a great day for a very special date.
With Venus newly in your home zone, a desire to create harmony and even to beautify your place, may grow stronger. But a link with Jupiter in your lifestyle sector, suggests you might have some big ideas about changes you’d like to make. These can be reflected by alterations to your place that make life easier, more convenient or that add entertainment value for family and friends.
You’ll be filled with energy and a love of life that radiates to those around you. With Venus aligning with your ruler Jupiter, you might experience a stroke of good fortune or find that a budding romance goes better than imagined. This is a time for positive encounters that can add something to your life. A conversation could leave you upbeat with hope for the future, Archer.
A desire to make someone happy could inspire you to give a gift, or do something for them that makes them smile. Venus’s heartfelt link with Jupiter highlights your compassionate side, so you might be ready to get involved with a charity, volunteer to assist others who can’t manage alone and generally spread goodwill. Plus, this is also a chance to do something nice for yourself.
Don’t turn down an invite, as great things could happen if you show up. A warm and convivial tie involving Jupiter, suggests you’re about to get lucky. An encounter might throw up some wonderful ideas that promise much. There’s also a chance of romance, and it can turn out to be a real love adventure. This person may be an inspiration to you in so many ways, Aquarius.
If there’s one piece of advice to take to heart, it’s to trust your gut. A fortunate Venus/Jupiter tie suggests doing so could make a positive difference over the next day or so. Have an intuition to answer a job ad, showcase your work or connect with someone who has influence? Don’t wait around Pisces, just do it. Your dreams might be crucial, and may have good advice for you.
