Tag:

Central America

Southampton, NY
Weather
Potential Tropical Trouble Brewing In Atlantic: Here's Timing Potential Tropical Trouble Brewing In Atlantic: Here's Timing
Potential Tropical Trouble Brewing In Atlantic: Here's Timing A brewing disturbance in the Atlantic has forecasters eyeing a late‑October window for possible impacts along parts of the US East Coast. "Atmospheric conditions are primed for a storm to form in the Caribbean," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "The waters are exceptionally warm since the Caribbean has not been disturbed by a single tropical storm or hurricane so far this season. We do not expect much disruptive wind shear in the region early next week. This tropical wave could rapidly organize into a tropical storm or hurricane next week.”   According to the N…

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by Joe Lombardi
New Haven, CT
Schools
New Haven Teen Arrested By ICE Freed After 44 Days In Federal Custody New Haven Teen Arrested By ICE Freed After 44 Days In Federal Custody
New Haven Teen Arrested By ICE Freed After 44 Days In Federal Custody A New Haven teenager taken into custody by federal immigration officials has been released after spending more than six weeks in federal detention. Esdras R., an 18-year-old immigrant from Central America and a rising junior at Wilbur Cross High School, was freed Tuesday, Sept. 2, after posting a $1,500 bond, according to the advocacy group CT Students for a Dream.  He had been held for 44 days in multiple detention facilities across three states. Original: 'Unconscionable': New Haven High School Student Detained By ICE Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Esdras…

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by Josh Lanier
Windsor Locks, CT
Business
Southwest Considering High-End Perks After Ending 'Bags Fly Free,' CEO Says Southwest Considering High-End Perks After Ending 'Bags Fly Free,' CEO Says
Southwest Considering High-End Perks After Ending 'Bags Fly Free,' CEO Says Southwest Airlines is looking into major perks to entice more travelers, like airport lounges, first-class seats, and flights to Europe, the company's top executive said. CEO Bob Jordan made the comments during an industry conference in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, June 25. His remarks are the latest sign of transformation at the Dallas-based airline, which recently dropped its longtime "Bags Fly Free" policy for most fares and began selling basic economy tickets. Southwest also plans to launch a new premium fare class called Choice Extra later in 2025. "Whatever customers nee…

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by Chris Spiker
Charlestown, MA
Business
New Airline Offering Nonstop Dominican Republic Flights To Boston New Airline Offering Nonstop Dominican Republic Flights To Boston
New Airline Offering Nonstop Dominican Republic Flights To Boston A Dominican Republic airline will soon debut in New England, offering low-cost flights to the Caribbean nation. Arajet will launch service from Boston Logan International Airport to Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, May 7. The Dominican Republic's national airline will start flights on Thursday, Nov. 20. The airline will fly the route four times a week: Wednesdays through Fridays, as well as Sundays. "The Boston area is home to one of the largest Dominican communities in the US and serves as a key hub for education, b…

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by Chris Spiker
Newark, NJ
News
New Airline Bringing Nonstop Dominican Republic Flights To Newark's Airport New Airline Bringing Nonstop Dominican Republic Flights To Newark's Airport
New Airline Bringing Nonstop Dominican Republic Flights To Newark's Airport An airline from the Dominican Republic will soon make its debut in the New York City area, offering budget-friendly flights to the Caribbean nation. Arajet will begin service at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the airline said in a news release on Monday, Mar. 10. The nonstop flights to Santo Domingo will start on Monday, June 16. Newark will be Arajet's second US destination after service launches at Miami International Airport in April. "Arajet is committed to making air travel accessible and affordable for the Dominican community and American tourists alike, and New York is …

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by Chris Spiker
Revere, MA
News
Families Of 3 Revere Women Who Died In Belize Say They're 'Shattered,' Praying For Answers Families Of 3 Revere Women Who Died In Belize Say They're 'Shattered,' Praying For Answers
Families Of 3 Revere Women Who Died In Belize Say They're 'Shattered,' Praying For Answers The families of three Massachusetts women who died in a luxury Belize hotel last month said the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain "unclear and suspicious." The tragedy has left them "shattered, struggling to comprehend" their grief, they wrote.  In their first public comments, the families of Wafae El Arar, Imane Mallah, and Kaoutar Naqqad thanked the community for its outpouring of support after the women were found dead on Feb. 22. The lifelong friends from Revere had traveled to Central America to celebrate Wafae’s 26th birthday. In the weeks since their death, auth…

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by Josh Lanier
Revere, MA
Obituaries
Community Rallies For 3 Revere Women Found Dead In Belize; Families Question Official Story Community Rallies For 3 Revere Women Found Dead In Belize; Families Question Official Story
Community Rallies For 3 Revere Women Found Dead In Belize; Families Question Official Story Hundreds of people turned out for a memorial service for three Massachusetts women who were found dead in a beachfront resort over the weekend in the Central American nation of Belize. The women — Wafae El Arar, Imane Mallah, and Kaoutar Naqqad — are all from Revere, in their mid-20s, and of Moroccan descent. They had flown to what was supposed to be a vacation paradise to celebrate Wafae’s 26th birthday but were found dead on Saturday, Feb. 22, according to Boston 25. As news spread of their deaths, Revere, the Moroccan community, and strangers from around the globe offered words of sympat…

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by Josh Lanier
Saratoga Springs, NY
Weather
Potential New Tropical Storm May Form In Same Area That Launched Helene, Milton Potential New Tropical Storm May Form In Same Area That Launched Helene, Milton
Potential New Tropical Storm May Form In Same Area That Launched Helene, Milton The same area that launched two major hurricanes in a two-week span could be the breeding ground for a potential new tropical system. "We expect another gyre to get going over Central America later next week," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, "From this large, slowly spinning area of low pressure, a more distinct area of showers and thunderstorms may form, and from that, a tropical depression or tropical storm may evolve." The system could take two possible paths -- either northern (as Helene and Milton did) or southern. (See the first image above.) Meanwhile, …

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by Joe Lombardi
Brentwood, NY
News
Weight Loss Drug Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Westchester Woman, Feds Say Weight Loss Drug Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Westchester Woman, Feds Say
Weight Loss Drug Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Westchester Woman, Feds Say A wannabe social media influencer from New York hoping to cash in on the medication weight loss craze illegally sold Ozempic and other drugs on TikTok, sickening at least one victim, federal prosecutors allege. Long Island resident Isis Navarro Reyes, age 36, of Shirley, is named in a six-count indictment that was unsealed in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, May 1. Prosecutors allege that Reyes posted dozens of TikTok videos advertising and selling various misbranded and adulterated weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, Mesofrance, and Axcion, between November 2022 and January 2024. S…

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by Michael Mashburn
Brentwood, NY
News
Admitted Child Sex Abuser From Long Island Busted Trying To Flee Country, DA Says Admitted Child Sex Abuser From Long Island Busted Trying To Flee Country, DA Says
Admitted Child Sex Abuser From Long Island Busted Trying To Flee Country, DA Says A Long Island man who admitted to sexually abusing a young child over the course of several years was arrested as he tried fleeing the country, prosecutors said. Yonathan Ramirez Argueta, age 28, of Central Islip, pleaded guilty to multiple child sex crimes in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Prosecutors said Ramirez Argueta began abusing the child in May of 2018, when she was five years old. The abuse continued until April 2022, when the 9-year-old reported it to an adult. Immediately after the child came forward, Ramirez Argueta fled to Georgia and tried to board a one-way fli…

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by Michael Mashburn
Arlington, VA
News
Four In Virginia Accused Of Forcing Undocumented Immigrants Into Labor At Laundry Facility Four In Virginia Accused Of Forcing Undocumented Immigrants Into Labor At Laundry Facility
Four In Virginia Accused Of Forcing Undocumented Immigrants Into Labor At Laundry Facility Four people in Virginia are facing charges for alleged labor trafficking, forced labor, and immigration offenses in connection to a laundry facility they operated, federal authorities announced. A 33-count indictment has been unsealed charging four in the region for defrauding and committing offenses against the US, including human trafficking from Central America, money laundering, benefiting from forced labor, and harboring undocumented immigrants, according to the Department of Justice. Those charged with engaging in a conspiracy to harbor, transport, and benefit from the work of non-cit…

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by Zak Failla
Columbia, MD
Police & Fire
Police Break Up Two Separate Burglary Rings Targeting 'High-Value Residences' In Maryland Police Break Up Two Separate Burglary Rings Targeting 'High-Value Residences' In Maryland
Police Break Up Two Separate Burglary Rings Targeting 'High-Value Residences' In Maryland A pair of burglary groups who targeted and terrorized Maryland families for months have both been apprehended by police in Howard County. The Howard County Police Department announced the arrests of nine men who burglarized multiple homes in the region between May and September, investigators said. According to officials, “detectives worked with neighboring and regional jurisdictions to identify and apprehend the suspects, who originate from South and Central America via New York and Florida.” According to a spokesperson from the department, similar groups have targeted high-value residen…

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by Zak Failla
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Lifestyle
New Coffee Shop In Parsippany Has Mission To Hire People With Disabilities New Coffee Shop In Parsippany Has Mission To Hire People With Disabilities
New Coffee Shop In Parsippany Has Mission To Hire People With Disabilities A new cafe in Parsippany is helping to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. The Clean Water Cafe, nestled inside a converted warehouse within the Liquid Church on Webro Road, held its soft opening on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Our Clean Water Cafe staff are all smiles from an exciting first week of Soft Launch! Huge thank you to all who came out... Posted by Liquid Church on Friday, September 9, 2022 The cafe is a full-service coffeehouse with a mission to provide “supportive employment” for individuals with disabilities, its website says. Clean Water Cafe currently employs …

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by Valerie Musson
Middletown, NJ
Obituaries
Beloved North Jersey Native, Monmouth University Grad Dies Suddenly, 35 Beloved North Jersey Native, Monmouth University Grad Dies Suddenly, 35
Beloved North Jersey Native, Monmouth University Grad Dies Suddenly, 35 Beloved North Jersey Native and Monmouth University graduate Julitta D'Adamo-Filosa died unexpectedly at Community Medical Center on Monday, April 11. She was 35. Born in Secaucus, Julitta attended St. Aloysius Academy in Jersey City before graduating from Mater Dei High School in Holmdel in 2004, her obituary says. Julitta went on to earn history and education degrees from Monmouth University, according to her memorial. Julitta then moved to Lanoka Harbor with her husband, Richard Filosa, and had lived there at the time of her death, her obituary says. Julitta was remembered for her love…

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by Valerie Musson
Paterson, NJ
News
Man Admits Role In NJ/NY Network That Laundered $27M For International Drug Cartels Man Admits Role In NJ/NY Network That Laundered $27M For International Drug Cartels
Man Admits Role In NJ/NY Network That Laundered $27M For International Drug Cartels The takedown of a New Jersey and New York network that laundered more than $27 million for Central and South American drug cartels has produced another guilty plea, federal authorities announced. Gilberto Martinez, 33, formerly of Clifton, "cleaned" more than $1 million himself, both by buying and directing others to buy cashier's checks using drug money, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Morristown police helped the DEA and IRS crack the case, in which more than 1,000 cashier’s checks were bought, he said. The buyers typically were paid a fee of $150 to $200 for each check…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Paterson, NJ
News
Paterson Man Admits Laundering $1.94 Million For Drug Cartels Paterson Man Admits Laundering $1.94 Million For Drug Cartels
Paterson Man Admits Laundering $1.94 Million For Drug Cartels A Paterson man admitted in federal court on Friday that he laundered nearly $2 million for Central and South American drug cartels operating in New Jersey and New York, authorities said. Julio De La Cruz Acosta, 42, accepted the cash to buy 67 cashier’s checks at banks in and around New Jersey and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. He was one of a half-dozen residents from the area accused of laundering more than $27 million for the cartels, Sellinger said. Morristown police helped the DEA and IRS crack the case, in which the defendants and other conspirators converted cash…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Jersey City, NJ
News
MS-13 Members Convicted Of Murder Of Innocent West New York Man, 19, Other Gang-Related Crimes MS-13 Members Convicted Of Murder Of Innocent West New York Man, 19, Other Gang-Related Crimes
MS-13 Members Convicted Of Murder Of Innocent West New York Man, 19, Other Gang-Related Crimes Three ranking MS-13 members from El Salvador were convicted by federal jurors in Newark of the murder of an innocent 19-year-old dishwasher from West New York, among other charges stemming from their participation in the international gang. It was one of many offenses that jurors agreed were committed by Juan Pablo “Humilde” Escalante-Melgar, 31, Elmer “Locote” Cruz-Diaz, 33, and Oscar “Snappy” Sanchez-Aguilar, 25 – among them, extortion, witness tampering, and drug trafficking. Federal prosecutors told the jurors that Escalante-Melgar and Sanchez-Aguilar instructed an MS-13 member and an …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Somers, NY
Weather
After Ida: Three Possible Tropical Systems Churning In Atlantic Basin After Ida: Three Possible Tropical Systems Churning In Atlantic Basin
After Ida: Three Possible Tropical Systems Churning In Atlantic Basin The National Hurricane Center says it's watching three areas of what it calls "potential development" in the Atlantic Basin that could become tropical systems in the coming days. The first is a tropical wave and an upper-level trough producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over portions of Central America, southeastern Mexico, and the adjacent waters of the northwestern Caribbean Sea and the southern Gulf of Mexico.  A tropical depression is likely to form on Sunday, Sept. 12, or Monday, Sept. 13 while the disturbance moves northwestward and then nort…

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by Joe Lombardi
Mount Pleasant, NY
Weather
Tropical Storm Moving Toward US Could Become Hurricane Tropical Storm Moving Toward US Could Become Hurricane
Tropical Storm Moving Toward US Could Become Hurricane A tropical storm that left dozens dead and more than 100 missing in Central America is moving toward the United States and may become a hurricane within hours. Tropical Storm Eta is located over the Florida Straits just north of central Cuba on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 8. (See image in red above.) It could strengthen into a hurricane before reaching Florida late Sunday night. A hurricane warning has been issued for the Florida Keys and other parts of Southern Florida are under a tropical storm warning. Elsewhere over the Atlantic basin on Sunday afternoon, recent satellite-derived wind data…

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by Joe Lombardi
Paterson, NJ
Police & Fire
Six Passaic County Residents Accused Of Laundering $27 Million For International Drug Cartels Six Passaic County Residents Accused Of Laundering $27 Million For International Drug Cartels
Six Passaic County Residents Accused Of Laundering $27 Million For International Drug Cartels Four Paterson residents and two from Passaic were caught laundering more than $27 million for Central and South American drug cartels operating in New Jersey and New York, federal authorities announced Wednesday. Morristown police helped the DEA and IRS crack the case, in which the defendants and other conspirators converted cash from drug sales in the two states to more than 1,000 cashier’s checks that were sent to brokers “acting on behalf of drug trafficking organizations with ties to the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and elsewhere,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. “The cashier’s che…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Newark, NJ
Police & Fire
ICE Arrests Dozens Of Fugitives In N.J, Elsewhere For Human Rights Violations ICE Arrests Dozens Of Fugitives In N.J, Elsewhere For Human Rights Violations
ICE Arrests Dozens Of Fugitives In N.J, Elsewhere For Human Rights Violations Nearly 40 fugitives from several countries were arrested across the United States last month, including in the Newark and New York areas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday.  The roundup resulted in the arrests of 30 men and nine women wanted for human-rights violations, the agency said. They were arrested in a sweep that took place from Aug. 27 and 29.  The operation was carried out under the agency's National Fugitive Operations Program in coordination with the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. In addition to Newark and New York, field offices in Atlan…

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by Paul Milo
Harrison, NY
Politics
President Trump Vows End To Birthright Citizenship, Sparking Democratic Uproar President Trump Vows End To Birthright Citizenship, Sparking Democratic Uproar
President Trump Vows End To Birthright Citizenship, Sparking Democratic Uproar Just when elected officials from both major political parties are calling on President Donald Trump to tone down pre-Midterm Election rhetoric, the Republican vowed to sign an executive order ending the century-old practice of birthright citizenship. Trump's announcement triggered immediate scorn from U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey and other leading Democrats, but praise from congressional Republicans. Trump said he plans to terminate the automatic right to citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizens, a move that some legal experts say would be unconstitutional. "It’s in the process. I…

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by Jon Craig
Armonk, NY
Lifestyle
Westchester Facility With Migrant Kids Working To Find Separated Parents Westchester Facility With Migrant Kids Working To Find Separated Parents
Westchester Facility With Migrant Kids Working To Find Separated Parents Members of Abbott House in Westchester, which is housing migrant children that were separated from their families from the Mexican border amid the recently rescinded Trump administration “zero tolerance” policy, are working to reunite the separated parties in their care. Last week, elected officials in Irvington, led by Mayor Brian Smith, issued a joint statement on Friday on the migrant kids who are being housed at Abbott House off Route 9 (Broadway) in the village in Greenburgh as President Donald Trump continues to vacillate on his administration’s immigration policies. “The Irvington Bo…

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by Zak Failla