Traffic Violation Leads To $1M Marijuana Bust In Chicago

A 37-year-old Chicago man was taken into custody for driving around with 386 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 25, 2015

Chicago, IL - On Saturday, police arrested James Hargett, 37, for possession of 386 pounds of marijuana with a street value at $1M. Hargett came out from an alley at the 1700 of N. Moody around 7:15 p.m. without a making a complete stop before entering the street.

Police attempted to stop Hargett, but he fled and later abandoned the vehicle at the 6200 block of N. Cortland. Hargett fled on foot, but was later taken into custody by police.

HCCW Announced Partnership With The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel To Publish Visión

The new HCCW Visión newspaper ignites controversy over who will benefit the Hispanic community the most in news publishing.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 25, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Jorge Franco, the President, Chairman and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (HCCW) during their 25th Annual Awards Banquet at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino announced that the HCCW and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) in a partnership deal have decided to publish "Visión" another Latino publication focused on the Hispanic community and Latino owned growing businesses. Franco says, that there are more than 10,000 Latino owned businesses in the state of Wisconsin. 

Franco's announcement was not taken to well by Victor Huyke, the publisher of the local Conquistador Newspaper who is also a member of the HCCW and in 1999 was awarded the HCCW Hispanic Owned Business of the Year award. 

Huyke in his Facebook (FB) posting says that he proposed the same idea to Franco about Visión indicating that Franco might have then decided to partnership with the MJS who would have the resources to actually publish the Visión newspaper. Huyke in a FB comment post wrote, "My staff and I were in shock as he (Franco) said this. When he finished speaking, we loudly left the event. Letting everyone around us know our discontent."

Jessica McBribe an independent journalist posted, "I would think the "Hispanic Chamber of Commerce" would support Hispanic-owned businesses, not help non-Hispanic businesses compete against them. That's pretty shocking, really."

Olivia Villareal, one of the owners of El Rey Grocery Stores posted, "This would NOT be first time Mr Franco kicked a Hispanic business or Hispanic organization in the teeth! Ask him why he made the Cesar E Chavez library NOT HAPPENED ON Cesar E Chavez Drive?...El Rey is tired of lip service and no positive action from this organization for us Hispanic businesses but they're the first to put out their hand for donations!"

Julio Maldonado, the César E. Chávez Drive BID executive posted, "I actually said the same thing to my wife while at the banquet, wow another Aqui! Then again, this move from Franco, is not surprising to me. The only business that is gained from the HCCW is that from the board themselves!...maybe it's time to revive Hispanic Entrepreneurs of Wisconsin! He did ask me this last summer "why don't we merge"? I laughed, as I read right through that.... He wanted our membership numbers and to say they "actually" help out small businesses! What a joke!"

According to Huyke, Visión will focus on local news regarding Latino businesses, entertainment, investigative reporting and etc. Most of the members of the HCCW are Republican and GOP supporters, including Huyke. Huyke has admitted that he donated to Governor Scott Walker's (R) campaign and other Democrats as well. But it seems, Huyke has been left out to dry by Franco, according to FB postings. Huyke believes that the HCCW and MJS Visión partnership will effect him economically, but Huyke has survived and keeps publishing.

Currently in Milwaukee, other Hispanic publications and a popular blog exists, El Mañanero Newspaper (Bi-weekly) , El Corre Caminos Newspaper (Bi-weekly) and the Spanish Journal (Weekly) continue to publish and the Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), a Latino informative, investigative and news blog on the Internet that publishes articles before it is news. The Visión newspaper would just be another alternative publication in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and if it follows the same format and publishing as the former publications Guía and Agui magazine did, it would just fade away in time as well. 

One of the main guests at the HCCW banquet was suppose to be Governor Walker, but he was absent. He received a recognition award by Franco.

A large percentage of the HCCW current membership are White and predominantly White managed corporations and businesses, according to its membership list.

Huyke posted his discontent between the HCCW and MJS partnership to publish Visión in the HCCW Facebook account. Huyke wrote, "I am deeply outraged by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's announcement of their partnership with the non-Hispanic run Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to create Visión, a newspaper to target the Hispanic Community...It seems that El Conquistador is only good enough for free advertisement when it comes to the Hispanic Chamber, while money making ventures are reserved for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which has a staff that employs a very small percentage of Hispanics, with none in leadership positions. I guess it takes a non-Hispanic owned newspaper like the Milwaukee Journal to reach the Hispanic Community...What makes this insult that much hurtful, is that "Visión" mission is what I had proposed to Franco that HCCW do with El Conquistador."

Franco could not be reached by HNNUSA for comment.

HCCW 25th Annual 2015 awards went to:

 ● Workforce Investment Leader of the Year

 Governor Scott Walker

 ● Hispanic Business of the Year

 Physical Therapy of Milwaukee

 ● Hispanic Small Business of the Year Stars

 Landscaping & Snow Removal Services

 ● Hispanic Start-up of the Year

 Terrazas Cakes and Pastries

 ● Corporation of the Year

 Johnson Controls, Inc.

 ● HCCW Manufacturer of the Year

 Schuette Metals

 ● HCCW Lifetime Achievement Award

 Mike Weller, Group President
 Miller Electric Mfg., Co.

 ● HCCW Lifetime Achievement Award

 Major League Baseball Commissioner
 Allan "Bud" Selig

Haruna Yukawa Beheaded By ISIS Terrorist

A video with Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding images of a beheaded body believed to be fellow country man Haruna Yukawa was released by ISIS.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 24, 2015

Syria - A video released by ISIS shows Japanese national Kenji Goto, 47, holding several images including a beheaded body believed to be of fellow country man Haruna Yukawa, 42. ISIS terrorists had demanded for the Japanese government to pay $200M for their release on Monday and gave a 72 hour deadline for the the Japanese government to pay. Later, ISIS demanded a trade of hostages for a female suicide terrorist who is detained by the Jordanian government.

The Japanese government does not exchange money for hostages. ISIS after allegedly killing Yukawa has now demanded for the release of terrorist Sajida al-Rishawi. Al-Rishawi is an Iraqi national awaiting execution in Jordan for her involvement in the Amman 2005 deadly bombings. 

Yukawa's killer is believed to be Adel Majed Abdel Bary, 24, aka, "Jihadi John" who comes out in the video where Goto is speaking and condemning the Japanese government for not paying their ransom. Goto says, to release Al-Rishawi and he will be freed, if not he will be killed as well. So far, ISIS beheadings of journalists and foreign aid workers have failed to get any government to give in to their demands. More targeted bombings are planned against ISIS strongholds as a result of the merciless beheadings of journalists and people.

Most likely, the Japanese government will no longer give in to the ISIS terrorist demands after killing Yukawa.

Jennifer Ricardo Scammed Thousands From NY Affordable Housing Seekers

New York police say, Ricardo believed to have fled to the Dominican Republic after scamming thousands of dollars from at least 15 families seeking affordable housing.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 24, 2015

Inwood, New York - Both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic have joined efforts to locate Jennifer Ricardo, 33, a fake real estate leasing agent who scammed thousands of dollars from at least 15 families looking for affordable housing in Inwood. People presented the victims to Ricardo who promised that if they would pay her between $2,700 to $3,000 she could get them a secure apartment at a newly renovated city Inwood housing development located at 552 Academy Street managed by the city and the Community League of Heights who acquired the building.

One bedroom apartment units are rented for $720 and two bedrooms for $1,059 per month at the affordable multi-apartment complex and can only be acquired through a public lottery. Those selected from a lottery and approved would then get an apartment unit by the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Ricardo promised the victims that she had city connections and once they paid her the entire fee for her service, she would then provide them with false leases and keys to apartment units. When the victims realized that they had been scammed, Ricardo was long gone with their money ($45,000). Police say, there could be more victims that Ricardo took advantage off during the scam operation.

Both New York Councilman Ydanis Rodríguez from District 10 and New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat along with the Dominican Republic Consulate in NY are working together to bring Ricardo to justice in the U.S.

The New York Police Department is also working with the Dominican Republic government to apprehend Ricardo and once arrested to extradite Ricardo to New York to face felony charges.

Unlawful To Drug Test SNAP (Food Stamps) Recipients

Wisconsin Governor Walker Ignorant or just wants to waste taxpayers monies to implement drug testing for Quest Card recipients?

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Madison, WI - Governor Walker included drug testing for recipients enrolled or seeking FoodShare aid in the state on the 2015-16 budget. Walker knows the state can not create additional eligibility requirements to apply or receive federal food stamp aid.
Last June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told the Georgia Department of Human Services that states can not create eligibility standards for recipients to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as food stamps) after Governor Nathan Neal (R) signed a law that would be implemented on April 2016 that would require drug testing for recipients. Robin Baily, the USDA administrator wrote, "Requiring SNAP applicants and recipients to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits would constitute and additional condition for eligibility, and therefore, it is not allowable under law." Full story at following link http://alturl.com/oo5q2

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino In Kenosha Proposal Rejected By Governor Walker

The Office of Governor Walker has announced that a proposal by the Menomonee Tribe to built a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kenosha has been rejected.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Madison, WI - On Friday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) announced that a proposal from the Menomonee Tribe to built a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kenosha has been rejected. Walker says, it would have cost state taxpayers more than $100M in the long run.

"After a comprehensive review of the potential economic impact of the proposed Kenosha casino project, the risk to the state's taxpayers is too great," said Governor Walker.  "Due to the compacts negotiated by Governor Doyle, the current cost to taxpayers of approving the proposed casino project is up to $100 million and the long-term economic hit to the state budget would be a potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars."

The Governor Walker's office reported, that the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs took more than nine years to review the proposed casino project.  For over a year, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch conducted a comprehensive economic analysis of the potential impact of the proposed casino project.  In an ideal scenario, jobs could have been created by the casino, the reality of Governor Doyle's compacts with the tribes open the State of Wisconsin up to significant litigation risk, which would put state taxpayers on the hook for up to hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Walker took into consideration the following report and decided to reject the Menomonee Tribe proposal.

In a report to Governor Walker, Secretary Huebsch explained the outstanding issues facing the proposed casino, which could have a devastating impact on the state budget:

Although the Kenosha casino could result in these positive economic benefits, approval also comes with substantial and significant risks.  Our analysis shows taxpayers could lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars of tribal revenue sharing payments as a result of the compact negotiated by Governor Jim Doyle. Due to the legal exposure created by the Doyle compacts, beyond just losing future revenue, approving the Kenosha casino could require taxpayers to pay FCPC [Forest County Potawatomi Community] hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds of previous payments made to the State.  If the Kenosha casino is approved, there are a number of other issues that should be considered:

● the impact of possible expanded gaming in northern Illinois;

● the Menominee's use of more than 220 acres that would likely be put in trust;

● the cost of litigation;

● the consequences of a delayed casino opening;

● the immediate and long-term impact on our state budget and consequently Wisconsin taxpayers; and,

● the cost of indemnifying FCPC.

The Menomonee Tribe leadership criticized Governor Walker's decision to reject their casino proposal and blamed the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe and Walker's aspiration to run for president for rejecting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project in Kenosha. The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe supported Walker's decision to reject the Menomonee Tribe's Kenosha Hard Rock Hotel and Casino project.

Tribal Chairwoman Laurie Boivin told Fox 6 News that the project would have improved the lives of nearly 9,000 Menomonee tribal members.

The project in Kenosha would have created about 3,000 good paying jobs, in addition, 1,400 construction jobs and 1,500 in indirect jobs, which the tribe had a union labor commitment. More than $800M of investment was projected for the hotel and casino plan, according to Boivin.

On the long run, the project would have created about $10,600 jobs and would have been a $1.6B investment in the state, millions in new payments to the state and contributions to schools ($1.5M annually) and charities.

U.S. Filed Extradition Request In Mexico For Sinaloa Drug Lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera

The U.S. has requested for the Mexican government to turn over the Sinaloa Drug kingpin "El Chapo" who is facing several federal indictments.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 23, 2015

Mexico, D.F. - On Wednesday, the U.S. government filed an extradition request in Mexico for Sinaloa drug lord Joaquín "El Capo" Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, 60, who was arrested in February 2014 in Mexico. Guzmán Loera is facing several federal indictments in the U.S. for money laundering, drug trafficking, murder and conspiracy in Chicago, Illinois.

Guzmán Loera is facing life in prison, if convicted of all charges in the U.S.

Since his capture in February, the U.S. Treasury had moved to confiscate and freeze any bank assets or properties in the country tied to Guzmán Loera, the Sinaloa Cartel and his family.

Today, Guzmán Loera is being held in a secured isolation section at the Altiplano Mexican federal prison.