By THE STAR STAFF Extreme drought continues to recede in Puerto Rico and now affects 9.3% of the territory, while the total extent of drought conditions has dropped to 54.5%, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor update released Thursday, with data valid as of Tuesday, Sept. 29. The new report reflects an improvement compared to the Sept. 8 update, when 69.1% of Puerto Rico remained under some category of drought and 39.5% was experiencing extreme drought. The reduction betwe

Bayamón Mayor Ramón Luis Rivera Cruz, right, is seen with San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo during Thursday’s wake for Rivera Cruz’s father, former Bayamón Mayor Ramón Luis Rivera Rivera, who died Wednesday at age 97. The public service proceeded throughout the day Thursday at Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón. By THE STAR STAFF On Thursday, during the wake for his father -- former mayor Ramón Luis Rivera Rivera -- Bayamón Mayor Ramón Luis Rivera Cruz recalled the promise h

Johnny Rodríguez Ortiz, president of the Association of Retirees of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority By THE STAR STAFF The Association of Retirees of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (AJAEE) warned Thursday that ongoing disputes among private companies operating critical components of the island’s power system could soon result in higher electricity bills for consumers. The organization argued that Puerto Rico is now confronting the consequences of having han

Engineer Tomás Torres Placa, a former consumer representative on the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority governing board Sector regulator approves smaller‑than‑requested fuel charge By THE STAR STAFF Tomás Torres Placa, an engineer and former consumer representative on the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) governing board, warned on Thursday that the government has the ability to reduce the blow of the latest increase in the island’s electricity bill -- an adjustm