Popular Democratic Party Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame (Facebook via Partido Popular Democrático) By THE STAR STAFF The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the beginning of the process to fill the vacant mayorship in Dorado, following the death of Mayor Carlos López Rivera from cancer on Oct. 17. López Rivera had served as mayor for 38 years and had designated Aníbal José Torres as his successor, according to his brother, Pedro López Rivera. PDP Secretary

Dr. Javier Gustavo Serrano, a forensic pathologist with the Institute of Forensic Sciences (Screenshot via Facebook Live Noticentro por WAPA) By THE STAR STAFF A forensic pathologist testified Thursday that 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario died from a single fatal stab wound to the heart, following a brutal attack that left her with multiple injuries. Dr. Javier Gustavo Serrano of the Institute of Forensic Sciences conducted the autopsy on Aug. 12, the day after the

Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard noted that while the agency aims “to be efficient in the decree-granting process, ensuring compliance with principles of legality, equity, and economic purpose is a priority.” By THE STAR STAFF The Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) announced Thursday that it found 305 deficiencies and repealed some 23 tax credit decrees following an audit of some 1,700 decrees.

“This isn’t a patch, but a major repair,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said. (Facebook via AcueductosPR) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Wednesday that repair work on the 72-inch North Coast Superaqueduct (Superacueducto) pipeline is progressing according to plan and that the partial restoration of drinking water service could begin between Friday and the weekend. “The repair should be completed tomorrow [Thursday]. So, it is being run within the origina

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón confirmed Wednesday that the Puerto Rico Police were investigating an alleged death threat against her posted on social media. “This is a matter the Puerto Rico Police are addressing; I have no further comment on it,” the governor said at a press conference. Agents from the San Juan Criminal Investigation Corps were investigating the messages, described as intimidating statements, according to the preliminary police report. The

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz By THE STAR STAFF Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz has formally requested that the Financial Oversight and Management Board authorize the use of newly secured federal rum tax revenues to bolster public safety and modernize municipal operations across Puerto Rico. In a letter addressed to Robert Mujica Jr., the executive director of the oversight board, Rivera Schatz highlighted the recent federal legislation -- known as the One Big B

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet K. Dhillon (Wikipedia) By THE STAR STAFF A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Luz María Peña López, 55, and her daughter, Tatiana Correa Peña, 36, of Carolina, with forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor, announced Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney for the District of P

By THE STAR STAFF The nonprofit organization Acción Social y Protección Ambiental (ASPA Inc.), which represents residents of the Ranchos Guayama community, has publicly condemned the Municipality of Salinas and its municipal police for what it describes as “negligent inaction” in addressing a persistent and dangerous stray horse problem along Road 706 and surrounding areas. According to ASPA, the uncontrolled presence of free-roaming horses has endangered drivers, pedestrians