San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo (Facebook via Miguel Romero in Ciudades Capitales) By THE STAR STAFF San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo announced on Wednesday the availability of the “Capital Entrepreneurship” program, an initiative designed to support small and midsize businesses facing the challenges of high energy costs. The program aims to strengthen the stability of local businesses, encourage private investment and contribute to the city’s economic development. “Busine

“We are people facing health conditions, physical limitations, and the burden of age,” said Myra Rivera, a spokesperson for the organization Construyamos Otro Acuerdo. “Urging us to return to work is not a policy of support: it is a sign of institutional abandonment.” By THE STAR STAFF The organization Construyamos Otro Acuerdo (COA; in English, Let’s Build Another Agreement), along with representatives from labor and human rights groups, demanded on Wednesday that the island

By THE STAR STAFF Judge Cristina Córdova Ponce has scheduled the preliminary hearing for Dec. 4 in the case of Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, 17, who is accused of murdering 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts Rosario in Aibonito this past August. The hearing will be held at the Aibonito Judicial Center at 10 a.m. Córdova Ponce made the decision during a status hearing on Wednesday. Additionally, the judge has set the dates for the presentation of evidence during the preliminary

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources’ Cessna Caravan 208D aircraft is seen on the unpaved landing strip on Mona Island. The head of the agency called the plane “a unique platform that allows us to be agile at all times.” By THE STAR STAFF Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez said Wednesday that the agency’s Cessna Caravan 208D aircraft has made some 35 flights from March to August, demonstrating the need for a modern and

The Puerto Rico Fishermen and Defenders of the Sea Federation Inc. contends that the Municipality of Ceiba intends to evict the group of fishermen who managed to rehabilitate and reopen the Los Machos Beach fishing village after the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria. By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rico Fishermen and Defenders of the Sea Federation Inc. (FEPDEMAR by its acronym in Spanish) on Wednesday denounced what they said was a betrayal of fishermen on the part of th

The Puerto Rico trade delegation, led by Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and Economic Development & Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard, center background, held more than 200 business meetings with potential buyers, distributors and investors in Madrid and Barcelona. By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rican trade mission to Spain, led by Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard, c

By THE STAR STAFF LUMA Energy, the private operator of the island’s electrical grid, has awarded a $75 million contract to Quanta Services Solutions PR LLC -- a subsidiary of one of its parent companies -- for the replacement and repair of Puerto Rico’s street lighting infrastructure, according to a recent document issued by the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico. The contract, which stems from a competitive procurement process (3PPO-0328-08-DP) conducte

Juan Rosario Hernández, head of the Public Housing Administration By THE STAR STAFF The central government announced on Tuesday a series of initiatives aimed at improving public housing and elder care services across the island. Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes revealed that the administrative amnesty period for elder care centers operating without a license or with expired licenses will conclude this week. The amnesty was designed to help facilities comply with legal an