The summit of Cowboy Mountain, about 75 miles east of Seattle, Wash., on Nov. 15, 2012. The Cascades separate the lush western counties of Washington and Oregon from the dry, agricultural counties to the east. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times) By ANNA GRIFFIN Last month, a journalist turned organizer named Andrew Engelson invited friends and fellow Pacific Northwesterners to a small club in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood for an evening of verse, in which his guests would

By THE STAR STAFF The administration of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón briefed a minority delegation of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security over the weekend on the island’s progress in reconstruction, emergency preparedness and energy modernization, as part of the island government’s push to accelerate Puerto Rico’s recovery and strengthen critical infrastructure. On Saturday, the delegation received an update from Energy Czar and Public-Private Partnerships Authorit

By THE STAR STAFF Twenty-two Puerto Rican veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars participated this past weekend in an “Honor Flight” to Washington, D.C., organized by the non-profit Honor Flight Network and sponsored by the PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes. The group traveled from June 12 to 14 and visited national monuments and memorials dedicated in their honor. Since its founding in 2005, the Honor Flight Network has transported more than 339,226 veterans to Washingt

Led by “King of Reggaeton” Daddy Yankee and former beauty queen Dayanara Torres (pictured), thousands of Puerto Ricans flocked to New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue on Sunday for the 69th edition of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. (Facebook via PR Informa) By THE STAR STAFF Led by “King of Reggaeton” Daddy Yankee and former beauty queen Dayanara Torres, thousands of Puerto Ricans flocked to New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue on Sunday for the 69th edition of the National Puerto

By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled late last week that Puerto Rico’s landmark Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) restructuring does not wipe out civil rights lawsuits seeking monetary damages from government officials in their personal capacities. The ruling marks a significant boundary on the reach of the commonwealth’s Title III Bankruptcy Plan of Adjustment. The decision, issued June 12 in Hernández Z

“We must prioritize maintenance of our aqueduct system to avoid further vulnerabilities caused by decades without proper inspection and upkeep,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Sunday, confirming that work is beginning on a full evaluation of the Superaqueduct, one of Puerto Rico’s most critical water supply systems. A damaged section of the Superaqueduct in Bayamón is seen above. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón annou

As new breakdowns and ongoing operational challenges continue to disrupt drinking water service across the San Juan metropolitan region, the municipality has expanded its emergency response to support communities experiencing prolonged interruptions and low water pressure. By THE STAR STAFF As new breakdowns and ongoing operational challenges continue to disrupt potable water service across the San Juan metropolitan region, San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo announced on Sunda

Janelle Martínez of the Leonas of Ponce has been one of the Women’s Premier Softball League’s standout offensive players, leading the league with a .600 average after the first two weekends of play. (@xavv_lenz_) By THE STAR STAFF Janelle Martínez, a utility player for the Leonas of Ponce, has emerged as the top offensive force in the Women’s Premier Softball League (LPSF by its initials in Spanish) following the completion of the first two weeks of the season. The 22-year-ol

Criollos top Mets By THE STAR STAFF The Atléticos of San Germán stormed back from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter and went on to defeat the Gigantes of Carolina-Canóvanas 93-89 in a Superior National Basketball league game at Carlos Miguel Mangual Coliseum in Canóvanas on Wednesday night. The Gigantes saw their advantage evaporate late in the third period due in large part to the elevated play of San Germán’s bench, which scored 43 points in the game -- more than enou