Milwaukee Southside Taco Truck Bandit Identified As 22-year-old Benito J. Herrera-Tonche

Herrera-Tonche is being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and Milwaukee police in connection with the armed robbery of 5 taco trucks in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 29, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and Milwaukee police are looking for an alleged gang member Benito J. Herrera-Tonche, 22, aka, "Junior" in connection with the armed robbery of five Milwaukee Southside taco trucks on August 29. Herrera-Tonche is from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and is considered the main armed suspect that robbed multiple taco trucks with other accomplices. 

Herrera-Tonche is believed to have travelled to Milwaukee from Sun Prairie for the purpose to rob taco trucks, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. A warrant for multiple felonies including attempted armed robbery has been issued for his arrest in Milwaukee County. Herrera-Tonche has several open cases and a warrant in Dane County for OWI, bail jumping, driving while revoked and driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration third offense, all misdemeanors offenses, according to court records.

Herrera-Tonche has a Joker tattoo on his right hand and a distinguishing birthmark in his left side of the face. He is considered armed and dangerous.

The Milwaukee locations of the taco truck robberies are:


• 1600 block of W. Scott St.

• 3900 Block of W. Burnham St.

• 1900 Block of W. National Ave.

• 1600 Block of S. Muskego Ave.

• 1500 Block of S. 6th St.  

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Shaken Over Blue Smoke Releasing Package In An Alleged Attempt On His Life

Barrett wasn't injured after opening a package that he received at City Hall and blue smoke was released.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 28, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, Milwaukee police and other law enforcement agencies including the Milwaukee Fire Department responded to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett's office after he received and opened a package addressed to him and blue smoke was released from the package. Barrett wasn't injured, but shaken and an ongoing investigation has been launched after an attempt on his life was made, according to inside city hall sources.

Former Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy Ann West Gets 2 Years Probation And $2,500 Fine For Felony Election Fraud

West got 2-years probation, $2,500 fine and must do 50 hours of community service for felony election fraud.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 26, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, former Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy Ann West, 48, was sentenced by Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michelle A. Havas to 2-years probation, got a $2,500 fine, must do 50 hours of community service and pay for DNA registration for one felony count of election fraud, according to Milwaukee County Court records. West pleaded guilty under a plea agreement to election fraud on August 8th.

West was criminally charged after allegations were filed with the Milwaukee County Election Commission by then Milwaukee County Supervisor candidate Sylvia Ortiz-Velez for the 12th District who defeated West in the 2018 election.   

Milwaukee police investigators found that West falsify multiple nomination papers by signing that she circulated the papers when in fact she did not and forged signatures of electors were discovered including signing that she circulated a nomination paper that resulted in fake addresses and names of electors who did not live at those addresses. West also forged her daughter's signature as one of the circulators when in fact her daughter told police investigators that it wasn't her signature and she recognized her mother's handwriting in forging her name on the nomination paper.

WI: Listen to Peggy Ann West's sentencing court hearing dated 9/26/2018 by H Nelson Goodson https://bit.ly/2DwHJHO

77 Men And 6 Women, All Undocumented Immigrants From 8 Countries Were Arrested By ICE In Wisconsin, 16 Had No Criminal Record

Of those undocumented immigrants arrested by ICE, 77 were men and 6 women from Colombia, Russia, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Thailand, Vietnam and Nicaragua.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 25, 2018

(Updated)

Milwaukee, WI - ICE/ERO reported that 83 undocumented immigrants were taken into custody in a four-day operation in Wisconsin, 21 had re-entered the U.S. illegally and 16 had no criminal record. Multiple U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) raids were reported in the City of Milwaukee and Madison including 14 counties detaining undocumented immigrants from throughout the State of Wisconsin over the weekend. ICE based in Chicago released the totalled of undocumented immigrants taken into custody and origin of country including their alleged crimes.

U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Milw.) confirmed when he met with ICE officials after the recent raids in Wisconsin that 83 undocumented immigrants of the 250 that were wanted by ICE had been taken into custody over a 4-day raid operation. At least 167 undocumented immigrants are now being sought by ICE and raids will continue to apprehend those wanted by ICE on various criminal and non-criminal violations, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned.

In some cases, ICE/ERO pretend to identify themselves as police. ICE agents have also failed to provide warrants in most cases when asked by those family members that are affected and agents illegally tend to lie or fabricate reasons for arresting someone they come into contact.

At least 20 were arrested in the Dane County, 15 in Arcadia, 15 in Milwaukee and 5 in Greenbay after family members reported that ICE agents had arrested family members at work places, traffic stops and at homes, according to Voces de la Frontera.
ICE reported that 83 undocumented immigrants were taken into custody since Friday during a four-day operation, which many were considered a threat to national security and had prior criminal records. 21 of the ICE detainees that were arrested had re-entered the U.S. without authorization, which is considered a federal felony offense and 16 detained had no criminal record, but were considered immigration fugitives.
Of those arrested by ICE, 77 were men and 6 women during the operation, ICE/ERO officers made arrests in the following 14 Wisconsin counties: Brown (9), Dane (20), Door (2), Eau Claire (4), Kewaunee (4), Marathon (6), Milwaukee (15), Oconto (1), Outagamie (3), Racine (1), Rock (5), Taylor (7), Trempealeau (4) and Waukesha (2). Of the 83 arrested, 44 had criminal convictions.
Undocumented immigrants that were arrested during this operation are from the following eight countries: Columbia (1), Guatemala (6), Honduras (2), Mexico (68), Nicaragua (3), Russia (1), Thailand (1) and Vietnam (1).
More than half of the undocumented immigrants arrested by ICE/ERO deportation officers during this operation had prior criminal histories that included convictions for the following crimes: indecent exposure to a minor (an aggravated felony), assault, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, domestic abuse, larceny, receiving stolen property, driving under the influence, identity theft, illegal re-entry after deportation, indecent liberty with a minor, obstructing police, theft, battery and weapon offenses, according to ICE/ERO.
Those who re-entered the U.S. illegally are facing between 5 to 20 years in a federal prison, if convicted.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office is the only one in the State of Wisconsin that operates a partnership with ICE under the discriminatory and profiling 287(g) program, which those inmates processed at the County jail are vetted for documented status.

Economic impact affect on communities, if most of the undocumented immigrants that were detained by ICE make an average of $30,000 to $60,000 annually, it would be a net loss to the families and area businesses including schools, simply because ICE detentions create an economic void in communities. Those undocumented working immigrants are not easily replace because most do jobs that other Americans don't want to do. The federal government should be forced to replace and fund the loss of economic revenue in the areas affected when ICE arrest household breadwinners forcing families into an economic crisis.

Aviles Plastics, una Empresa Especializada en Fabricación y Corte abre en Nueva Ubicación en Milwaukee

Aviles Plastics abre una nueva planta de fabricación de pantallas de plástico en Milwaukee.

Por H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

25 de septiembre del 2018

Milwaukee, WI - José Avilés, el ahora retirado fundador y presidente de Aviles & Associates, Inc., en Milwaukee, anunció que Aviles Plastics, una compañía de especialistas en fabricación y corte de pantallas operada por su familia, cual comenzó en el año 1986 en 1531 Sur de la calle 1, luego se cambió a una ubicación más grande en la localidad 1500 al Oeste de la avenida National en el año del 1999 y en marzo del 2018 se ha trasladado nuevamente a una ubicación de 39,500 pies cuadrados en su nueva planta de fabricación en el 4601 Sur de la calle 5 en Milwaukee. Aviles dice que la nueva ubicación ofrece una oportunidad para que su familia que opera la exitosa empresa de fabricación de plástico continúe expandiendo sus capacidades de fabricación. La empresa cuenta con múltiples máquinas de corte por láser de última generación cuyos diseños son programados por su hijo y cuenta con empleados que han trabajado con la empresa durante más de 33 años en el negocio.

Avilés atribuye su éxito al trabajo arduo, la dedicación de la familia y las experiencias aprendidas en la adquisición de contratos para convertir al negocio en un fabricante de pantallas de plástico multimillonario en el medio oeste. Avilés a veces experimentó dificultades para adquirir contratos de grandes fabricantes, pero su determinación de tener éxito dio sus frutos cuando comenzó a obtener contratos y hoy, Aviles Plastics es buscado por fabricantes de todo el país que buscan formas innovadoras de exhibir sus productos, que Aviles Plastics se especializa en el diseño de pantallas de plástico para satisfacer las necesidades de los clientes. Avilés continúa remodelando las nuevas instalaciones e incluirá una sala de exhibición de exposiciones para los visitantes y los fabricantes de productos visitantes (clientes potenciales) que pueden consultar los productos fabricados de especialidad de Aviles Plastics.

Avilés llegó por primera vez a los Estados Unidos desde Tampico, Tamaulipas, México, a la edad de 25 años, y trabajó en varias empresas de fabricación de plástico, donde se convirtió en gerente de trabajos de fabricación de plásticos. Finalmente, abrió su primera empresa de fabricación de plástico en 1986 en el sur de Milwaukee cuando varias empresas donde trabajaba cerraron.

Como fabricante exitoso de exhibidores de plástico, Avilés también es un contribuyente a la comunidad y ha jugado un papel decisivo junto con Dante Navarro, un activista de la educación comunitaria, al abogar para que el gobierno mexicano establecerá un consulado mexicano en Milwaukee en los años anteriores. Aviles recuerda cuando ofreció sus servicios como voluntario en los años 2004 a 2011 y acompañó a Navarro que trabajaba para United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) en todo Wisconsin para visitar a trabajadores migrantes y muchos de esos trabajadores necesitaban ciertos documentos del gobierno mexicano. Entonces, Avilés junto con Navarro comenzaron a abogar para que el gobierno mexicano pudiera establecer un consulado mexicano en Milwaukee, pero no fue hasta un esfuerzo total de la comunidad en los años 2015 y 2016 que el gobierno mexicano finalmente abrió un consulado en Milwaukee.

En los años 1996 a 2000, Avilés, mientras era presidente de la Asociación de Deportes Latinos de Wisconsin, Inc., una organización sin fines de lucro organizó e invitó al Consulado Mexicano en Chicago para que visitara Milwaukee y las reuniones se llevaron acabo en el edificio Aviles & Associates para proporcionar los servicios necesarios a la creciente comunidad Mexicana de habla español. A principios de 2000, Avilés entregó la anual invitación  del Consulado Mexicano a Milwaukee para ofrecer servicios  a la Fiesta Mexicana.

En el año 1998, Aviles se graduó de la Academia de Ciudadanos del FBI. En el año 1994, el Departamento de Policía de Milwaukee (MPD) y la Junta de Consejales de Milwaukee reconocieron a Avilés por patrocinar varias bicicletas policiales totalmente equipadas, que pudieron participar en la Conferencia de Policía y Bicicletas de 1995 organizada por la Asociación Internacional de Bicicletas de Montaña. El patrocinio de las bicicletas de la policía por Aviles, se inició la primera Patrulla policial de la policía y la policía orientada a la comunidad para ayudar a los agentes de policía a trabajar con los ciudadanos.

Avilés también es conocido por sus servicios voluntarios en la organización UMOS y en la Fiesta Mexicana durante su anual fiesta de tres días al frente del lago. Sus logros pasados ​​y su éxito le han resultado en el entregado a Avilés, el premio humanitario de César E. Chavez por SER por el progreso, una organización de fines no lucrativos en el año 1996 junto con la segunda receptora Genoveva Medina, que los premios fueron entregados tanto a Avilés como a Medina en la Mexican Fiesta en Milwaukee.

El Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc. y el Comité Cívico Cultural Hispano seleccionaron a Avilés como el Desfile de la Independencia de México Marshall en el año 1993.

Avilés en la década de los 1990's también ayudó a establecer más de 30 equipos de fútbol para adultos como Fundador / Presidente de Latino Sports Association of WI, Inc. También ayudó a establecer tres campos de fútbol para jóvenes al Sur de calle 6 y al Oeste de la calle Canal en el Menomonee Valley incluyendo torneos de equipos de fútbol en Mexican Fiesta cuando era coordinador.

De 1979 a 1986, Avilés fue el presidente del Club Deportivo Latino, fundado por Pablo Borda. En el año 1979, fue presidente del club de fútbol Club Latino Andecker.

También el modeló camisas para los grandes almacenes de Kolh.

Avilés, como fabricante de plástico exitoso, ha sido miembro de la Cámara de Comercio Hispana de Wisconsin, el Consejo de la Industria Privada (PIC) - Comité de Selección.

Avilés también da conferencias a grupos de estudiantes los conseja que trabajan duro y tengan un plan de negocios, también pueden tener éxito. "Si se puede", dice Avilés. Aviles explicó que los latinos también tienen éxito en fabricar, al igual que cualquier otro negocio, cual rompe las barreras y los estereotipos de que los latinos son simplemente trabajadores, dueños de restaurantes y cocineros.

Actualmente, muchos latinos como Avilés son modelos comunitarios para admirar y seguir en sus pasos y al igual hay muchos profesionales exitosos en todos los campos, incluido negocios, corporaciones, fabricantes, funcionarios públicos electos y agentes del orden en Wisconsin.

Aviles Plastics, A Fabrication And Cutting Specialists Company Opens At New Location In Milwaukee

Aviles Plastics opens new plastic display fabricating facility in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 25, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - Jose Aviles, the now retired Founder and President of Aviles & Associates, Inc., in Milwaukee announced that the Aviles Plastics, a display fabrication and cutting specialists company operated by his family that he began in 1986 at 1531 S. 1st. Street, then move to bigger location at 1500 W. National Ave. in 1999 and in March 2018 has moved its location into a 39,500 sq.ft. manufacturing facility at 4601 S. 5th St. Aviles says that the new location provides an opportunity for his family who operate the successful plastic fabricating company to continue to expand its manufacturing capabilities. The company has multiple state of the art laser cutting machines which designs are programed by his son and has employees that have worked with the company for more than 33 years in the business.

Aviles attributes his success to hard work, family dedication and learned experiences in acquiring contracts to make the business into a multi-million state of the art plastic display fabricator in the midwest. Aviles at times experienced hardships in acquiring contracts from large manufacturers, but his determination to succeed paid off when he began to get contracts and today, Aviles Plastics is sought by manufacturers from around the country looking for innovative ways to display their products, which Aviles Plastics specializes in designing plastic displays to meet the customers needs. Aviles continues to remodel the new facility and it will include an exhibit show room for visitors and visiting product manufacturers (potential customers) that can check out Aviles Plastics specialty fabricated products.

Aviles first arrived in the U.S. from Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico at the age of 25 and worked in several plastic fabricating companies where he became a manager in plastic fabrication work. He finally opened his first plastic fabricating company in 1986 in the Southside of Milwaukee when several companies where he worked closed.

As a successful plastic display manufacturer, Aviles is also a community stakeholder and has been instrumental along with the late community education activist Dante Navarro in advocating for the Mexican government to open a Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee. Aviles remembers when he volunteered his services from 2004 to 2011 and accompanied Navarro who worked for United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) throughout Wisconsin to visit migrant workers and many of those workers needed certain documents from the Mexican government. So, Aviles along with Navarro began to advocate for the Mexican government to open a Mexican Consulate, but it wasn't until a full community effort in 2015 and 2016 that the Mexican government finally opened a Consulate in Milwaukee.

In 1996 to 2000, Aviles while being the President of the Latino Sports Association of Wisconsin, Inc., a non-profit organization organized and invited the Mexican Council based in Chicago to come to Milwaukee and held the gatherings at the Aviles & Associates building to provided the needed services to the growing Mexican speaking community. In early 2000, Aviles turned over the annual hosting to bring the Mexican Council to Mexican Fiesta.

In 1998, Aviles graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy. In 1994, Aviles was recognized by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and the Milwaukee Common Council for his sponsorship of several fully equipped police bicycles, which they were able to participate at the 1995 Police and Bikes Conference organized by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Aviles sponsorship of the police bikes initiate the first Police Bicycle Patrol and community orientated policing to help police officers work with citizens. 

Aviles is also well known for his volunteer services at UMOS and at the annual three-day Mexican Fiesta. His passed achievements and success have earned Aviles, the SER for Progress César E. Chavez Humanitarian Award in 1996 along with the second recipient Genoveva Medina, which the awards were presented to both Aviles and Medina at the Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee.

The Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc. and the Comité Cívico Cultural Hispano selected Aviles as the Mexican Independence Parade Marshall in 1993. 

Aviles in the 1990's also help establish more than 30 adult soccer teams as Founder/President of Latino Sports Association of WI, Inc. He also helped to establish three soccer fields for youths at S. 6th and W. Canal Streets in the Menomonee Valley including soccer team tournaments at Mexican Fiesta when he was a coordinator. 

From 1979 to 1986, Aviles was the President of Club Deportivo Latino founded by Pablo Borda. In 1979, he was the President of the Club Latino Andecker Soccer Club.

He also modeled shirts for Kolh's Department Stores.

Aviles as a successful plastic manufacturer has been a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, the Private Industry Council (PIC) - Selection Committee Board.

Aviles also lectures to groups of students that working hard and having a business plan, they can also succeed. "Si Se Puede", Aviles says. Aviles explained that Latinos are also successful in manufacturering, just like any other business, which breaks down the barriers and the stereotypes that Latinos are just laborers, restaurant owners and cooks. 

Many Latinos today like Aviles are certainly role models and professionals from every field including business, corporations, manufacturers, public elected officials and in law enforcement in Wisconsin.

Stephanie Bloomingdale Elected As First Woman President Of The AFL-CIO In Wisconsin

Bloomingdale to lead the AFL-CIO in Wisconsin.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 25, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, Stephanie Bloomingdale, 51, was elected as the first woman President of the Wisconsin American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (WI AFL-CIO) during the WI AFL-CIO Biennial Convention in Milwaukee. Bloomingdale was the former Secretary-Treasurer of the WI AFL-CIO.
Bloomingdale stated, "Without strong unions, working people are stuck on a treadmill, doomed to chase an American Dream that will never come...Brothers and sisters, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the trust you have placed in me on behalf of your members. I humbly accept the charge as your next Wisconsin State AFL-CIO president."
The WI AFL-CIO is a statewide coordinating council of 1,000 unions representing more than 250,000 union members in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Convention In Milwaukee Drew Crowds

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

September 24, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, the three-day 9th Annual Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Convention ended their event that drew crowds to the downtown Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. There were hundreds of tattoo professionals and specialists that provided the amazing tattoo art work for those tattoo enthusiasts at the event.
An array of items including basic care remedies and creams to heal that newly tattoo art with added consultation by the experts on site to keep a tattoo for ever.
Entertainment by artists, t-shirts and jewelry including getting a massage was provided at the event.

Milwaukee Police Department District 2 Annual Open House Draws More Than 560 Visitors

Highlights of the Milwaukee Police Department District Station 2 Open House 2018  

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

September 23, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) District Station 2 had its annual Open House at 245 W. Lincoln Ave. from noon to 3:00 p.m. where people visiting the station were welcome by the rank and file including police officers, MPD District 2 Police Auxiliary Officers and numerous volunteers that made the event a success. Many sponsors of the event provided community resource information, including complimentary food, soda, water, juices, pizza, roasted corn, carnitas, chicken, delicious Mexican rice, gift prizes, ice cream, pop corn, cotton candy, MPD law enforcement displays and etc. This year, a piñata was enjoyed by the many young children that took turns to break it open for candy.
A tour was also provided to more than 560 people including children that attended the Open House.
Police Captain Alex Ramirez is the commanding supervisor at MPD District 2. Police Officer Ace Acevedo was the Open House event coordinator.

Aramis Jose Vega Quinones And Leonardo Garcia Gamino, Two Security Guards Involved In Altercation With Vulnerable Man In A Wheelchair

Fired JC Public Safety security guards were video recorded striking and kicking one legged man in a Wheelchair outside of the Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant in Milwaukee's Southside.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 23, 2018
(Updated)

Milwaukee, WI - Two JC Public Safety, LLC security guards, Aramis Jose Vega Quinones, 18, and Leonardo Garcia Gamino, 19, could each face battery of a vulnerable person charges, if found that they overstep their duties and committed a crime. Police are investigating the alleged battery case against the suspects and a report of the incident is expected to be sent to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for review within days. Quinones and Gamino were both taken into custody on Saturday after several Facebook (FB) videos went viral on social media showing one of them throwing a sucker punch and striking Jesus Lopez who was in a wheelchair and the other guard also kicking Lopez as well during an altercation while they worked security at Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant at the 1000 block of S. César E. Chavez Drive. The incident was video recorded by Orlando Torres and posted on FB. 

Lopez suffered injuries from the assault and was hospitalized. Lopez work's at El Rey Super Mercado grocery store on Chavez Drive as a push cart handler who recovers empty carts from the parking lot and returns them to the store cart section for customers to use. Lopez is married and has two children.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) broke the story on Saturday making the videos go viral on social media.

The management at Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant announced that they had fired JC Public Safety, LLC, which is operated by Jose Carrasquillo once they learned about the incident and replaced them with another private security company. Carrasquillo told media outlets that both security guards had been fired in relation to the Lopez incident. 

Torres told HNNUSA that Lopez was inside the Jalisco's Restaurant in a wheelchair, seemed intoxicated and was causing problems. Lopez went outside and the security guards had antagonized him to fight.

Update: The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office has not filed any charges against Aramis Jose Vega Quinones and Leonardo Garcia Gamino in the altercation incident at Jalisco's Restaurant.

Altercation Between Man In A Wheelchair And Three Security Guards At Jalisco's Restaurant In Milwaukee's Southside Video Recorded

Several hired security guards kick and punch a one legged man during an altercation just outside of Jalisco's Restaurant in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 22, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, several Facebook videos were posted by Orlando Torres showing a one legged man in a wheelchair involved in an altercation with three hired security guards just outside of the Jalisco's Restaurant at the 1000 block of S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive in Milwaukee's Southide. In the videos the man in the wheelchair confronts the security guards and in one video, a security guard kicks the man in the wheelchair and in the second video, another security guard punches the man in the wheelchair in the face, then the man retreats.

Torres told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that, the man in the wheelchair was inside the Jalisco Restaurant, seemed intoxicated and was causing problems. He went outside and and the security guards antagonized him to fight, according to Torres.
The private security company contracted by Jalisco's Restaurant was identified as JC Public Safety, LLC operated by Jose Carrasquillo.
One of the security guards involved in the altercation was taken into custody at Jalisco's Restaurant by Milwaukee police on Saturday. More arrests by police expected.

HNNUSA has learned that the victim in the wheelchair that was kicked and punched by the JC Public Safely, LLC security guards was identified as Jesus Lopez, who works at the El Rey Super Mercado recovering empty grocery carts from the parking lot and taking them back inside the store for customers to use. Lopez missed work on Sunday after being hospitalized due to injuries.

The Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant management on Sunday released a statement on their FB saying that they have fired the JC Public Safety, LLC and replace them with another private security company.

Dumb Thief Takes Colorful Sarape Art From Bus Shelter And Gets Away In A Milwaukee County Bus With Video Cameras

A dumb art thief ripped off a colorful Sarape art from a bus shelter, then gets into a County bus to flee the crime scene, which video cameras inside the bus recorded the suspect with the goods.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 22, 2018

Milwaukee, WI -  On Friday, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) Facebook account reported that a bus shelter one of kind art piece was stolen by a brazen art thief and apparently the thief used a County bus as a get away. All Milwaukee County buses have video surveillance cameras and in this particular Route 23 bus as well. The suspected thief managed to get off at the S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr. bus stop on W. National Ave. 

Milwaukee police are investigating the theft and the MCTS released video and still photos of the dumb art thief with the goods in his hands. The MCTS hopes the male thief can be recognized.

The MCTS released the following press release. Just weeks after a one-of-a-kind artwork was put up on a bus shelter in the Walker's Point neighborhood, a man tore down and stole the art. While police investigate the selfish crime, the Milwaukee art community is stepping up.

"I've heard from many artists who are frustrated by what happened and are now offering to do anything they can to help," said Gloria Ruiz-Santos, the artist who created the stolen work.

Gloria's piece, 'Colorful Serape,' is part of the popular Bus Shelter Art Project that MCTS kicked off this summer. The innovative program gives local artists access to the most exclusive canvases in town: MCTS bus shelters. Gloria's piece was installed on a bus shelter at 6th and National on July 30th.

"Why would someone tear down something so beautiful? That is what we want to find out," said MCTS' Brendan Conway, who helped start the art program. "Whoever this man is, it's unlikely he's going to get away with it. Not only did the video cameras on our buses catch the criminal in the act, he also escaped the scene on a bus, meaning we have high definition images of the man."

All the video and pictures have been shared with Milwaukee Police who are investigating the crime. Anyone who recognizes the man seen in the images can contact police at 414-933-4444.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele heard about the theft and made a personal donation of $10,000. That money will be used to re-install the stolen art and place more art across Milwaukee County bus shelters.

"We love Milwaukee, we love art, we love Milwaukee art," Abele said about the Bus Shelter Art Project.

"Thanks to Chris Abele's generosity we can immediately right this wrong and also expand the program," said Libby Olbrantz, founder of The Bus Art Project MKE. "We appreciate all the people who are stepping up to donate to this great program that brings art into the community."

Gloria is also doing her part. She plans to sell special prints of her 'Colorful Serape' piece at this weekend's Walker's Point 5th Street Fest with proceeds going to the Bus Shelter Art Project.

About the Bus Shelter Art Project

The Bus Shelter Art Project is a collaboration between MCTS and The Bus Art Project MKE to spread art across Milwaukee County. The Bus Art Project MKE works with the artists and raises money to pay for the production and installation of the art, then MCTS provides the space. In 2018, seven original pieces of art were produced and installed in bus shelters throughout the community, with more planned in future years.

Laredo Serial Killer Juan David Ortiz's Last Remaining Victim To Be Identified Is Griselda Alicia Cantu

Cantu was the last victim of serial killer U.S. Border Patrol intel supervisor Ortiz to be identified.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 19, 2018

Laredo, Texas - On Wednesday, the last remaining unidentified victim that serial killer U.S. Border Patrol intel supervisor Juan David Ortiz, 35, murdered on September 15th was identified as Griselda Alicia Cantu, 35. Cantu was the third victim of serial killer Ortiz and her body was recovered at the 21 mile marker on Interstate 35 after 1:30 a.m. when a tip led authorities to the crime scene. Cantu was also fatally shot like the three other victims including a transgender woman.

The other victims were identified as Melissa Ramirez, 29, of Laredo who was found deceased on September 4 at the 300 block of Jefferies Road near the intersection of Camino Colombia and Claudine Anne Luera, 42, whose body was found near mile marker of 436 on Texas Highway 255. Luera was found shot multiple times in the head and barely alive and was transported to a local hospital where she later died. Luera was killed on September 13 after she accused Ortiz of being the last person to be seen with Ramirez before she was found dead. Luera is survived by five children, which two are autistic. Ramirez is survived by two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.
A transgender woman, Humberto "Janelle" Ortiz, 28, was also fatally shot in the head by Ortiz. Ortiz's body was recovered on Saturday after serial killer Ortiz told authorities where to find it.

All the deceased victims including Erika Peña, 26, who managed to escape from Ortiz on Friday around 9:00 p.m. were picked up between the 2700 to 4700 block of San Bernardo Ave., a known prostitution hub near downtown Laredo. The prostitution hub was first exposed in 1997 when a local news article identified the San Bernardo Ave. strip as a prostitution hub for men and women who sold sex favors for money. Law enforcement since 1997 have attempted to eliminate the prositution corridor by arresting female and male prostitutes including John's who pay for sex, but the corridor keeps expanding to downtown Laredo.

Ortiz was charged with four counts of murder, cash bond was set at $500,000 ($500K) for each count and one count each for unlawful restraint, cash bond set at $250K; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, cash bond set at $250K and evading arrest, cash bond was set at $3K totalling over $2.5M, according to the Webb County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). If convicted on all counts, especially capital murder, Ortiz is facing the death penalty or life in prison without parole. 

Ortiz is an intel supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol and is a former U.S. Navy veteran and has a Masters degree. He is also married and has children.

Ortiz was indefinitely suspended without pay from the U.S. Border Patrol, according  to Carla Provost, the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.

Gabriel Lopez, Candidate For The Laredo City Council District 2 Facing Backlash For Mimicking Serial Killings By A U.S. Border Patrol Intel Supervisor

Lopez, candidate for the Laredo City Council District 2 facing backlash from constituents for generalizing all U.S. Border Patrol agents as serial killers with a Halloween character meme on his Facebook account.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 18, 2018

TX: Gabriel Lopez, a veteran and candidate for the Laredo City Council District #2 is getting backlash from constituents after sharing a Facebook (FB) meme "Only in Laredo" post on Sunday of a Halloween movie serial killer character with knife in a U.S. Border Patrol coveralls mimicking the recent serial murders by suspect U.S. Border Patrol Intel supervisor Juan David Ortiz who was charged on Saturday with 4 felony counts of murder after the bodies of four victims including a transgender woman were found in the rural Webb County area.

The meme generalized all Border Patrol agents with a fictional movie character, who is a serial killer.
On Monday, Lopez posted on his FB,  "We must pray for their souls , they were mothers sisters, aunts , uncle , brother and most important    Someone's family.. whatever brought to their lifestyle they are still human beings let's us remember that", no doubt it only shows the hypocrisy.
When contacted by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) about the post, Lopez removed it from his FB account without providing any explaination.
Lopez later posted, "I want to assure you the public that a fake profile about me was created posting a picture of a border patrol. I can assure the public that this is a malice attempt to discredit me and my campaign. Please visit my Facebook so you can see what I have posted about this asking the public for prayers for the now deceased victims. I also urge the creators of this fake profile to please reconsider your actions as they are ill intended and malicious in nature. Thank you"

Lopez also posted the following comment after HNNUSA posted the article on his comment thread, "Sir I had made a statement regarding this fake post and others made this is a sick attempt to ruin my campaign". The question lingers, if Lopez can post on his FB, then why didn't he just apologize for his tasteless share of a Halloween post and move on instead of continuing to say it was a fake post and profile. One thing for sure, Lopez continues to post on his own FB account indicating that he is the only one in control of it.
Lopez also got backlash for attacking Nathan Chu, candidate for Municipal Judge in Laredo. Lopez posted, "So tacos are now the way buy votes...how low can we go!!" Chu on Sunday gave away free tacos in front of his campaign headquarters to people that stopped by to meet the candidate in Laredo. Lopez and Chu later appeared on a Lopez FB post shaking hands and smiling. It seems Chu decided to forgive Lopez for the low blow about giving free tacos.

Lopez on his FB did respond to a follower and posted that "This is not post ma'am it is a fake profile please feel free to visit my Facebook profile thank you." Apparently, it is his FB account and does continue to post and he also attacked a well known FB video independent and alternative news reporter Priscilla Villarreal Treviño, 33, aka, "Lagordiloca" (Lgl) who has more than 104,287 followers in her Lagordiloca News Laredo TX Facebook page account and around the U.S. Lopez posted, "This is a perfect documented example of how a want to be reporter LGL can unscrupulously hurt families including children of innocent people, I am a victim of her careless reporting by reporting lies about me and my campaign just days ago.. what a shame that people fall for this yellow unprofessional journalism(so called ) please citizens of Laredo don’t fall for this nonsense anymore enough is  enough !" What Lopez posted and referred about was an article by LaredosNews dot com, which reported that a Laredo police officer was detained and questioned about the serial killings and Lgl posted on her FB "Lagordiloca" what was transpiring as breaking news and was actually happening at the time. Most mainstream media and alternative news sources do the same. But, Lopez referred to Lagordiloca as "yellow unprofessional journalism" and claimed that he had been a victim also about the way she breaks news. Lgl did respond to Lopez attack and gave him a full exposure of who he is, in other words, it backfired on Lopez. Lgl says that Lopez was arrested for drunk driving, assault and got kicked out from the local American Legion and says that everyone considers Lopez as an "asshole" and no one likes him and no one will vote for him. Lgl also says, that Lopez should stop lying and that his FB account is not fake.
Lastly, Lgl called out the Mayor of Laredo and other local public elected officials on a Facebook video (Warning: video contains adult language) for not taking responsibility as mayor and addressing the recent serial homicides.

In 2015 HNNUSA reported that Lopez, as the director of the Veteran's Center illegally evicted an ill 86-year-old Korean War Veteran. Article link:
http://bit.ly/1QqhOiz

Article: Serial Killer And U.S. Border Intel Supervisor Juan David Ortiz Targeted Five Victims From The San Bernardo Ave. Prostitution Hub Near Downtown Laredo https://bit.ly/2D6U30Y

Update: Press release from Lopez

Serial Killer And U.S. Border Intel Supervisor Juan David Ortiz Targeted Five Victims From The San Bernardo Ave. Prostitution Hub Near Downtown Laredo

U.S. Border Patrol intel supervisor Ortiz targeted his victims from the San Bernardo Ave. prostitution hub near downtown Laredo.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 17, 2018

Laredo, Texas - On Monday, during a press conference, Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz called serial killer and U.S. Border Patrol intel supervisor Juan David Ortiz, 35, a cold blooded killer who targeted vulnerable and defenseless victims with very little credibility. Alaniz said that he hasn't decided to charge Ortiz with capital murder and the case is ongoing. Ortiz has confessed to fatally shooting the four victims including a transgender female.
At least one victim victim, Claudine Anne Luera, 42, was fatally shot on September 13th for accusing Ortiz of being the last person to be with Melissa Ramirez, 29, who was killed by Ortiz on September 4th. Alaniz confirmed that Ortiz admitted to fatally shooting all his victims and that he acted alone. 

Webb County Sheriff's Office Chief Fred Garza says, that Ortiz attempted to commit suicide by cop when authorities approached him to arrest him by holding a cellphone to make it look like he had a gun, but he was taken into custody without incident at the Hotel Ava's third floor parking lot.

Chief Carla Provost from the U.S. Border Patrol during the press conference also announced that Ortiz has been suspended indefinitely without pay, but refused to answer questions about why U.S. Border Patrol Agent Romauldo Barrera, 47, who fatally shot Claudia Patricia Gómez González, 20, an undocumented immigrant on May 23rd in Rio Bravo hasn't been officially identified in that case. A spokesman from the U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Professional Responsibility says that the Gonzalez's death in Rio Bravo on May 23rd is still an ongoing investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice and that the CBP is cooperating and that Barrera's name has not been officially released because the shooting incident happened while he was on his official capacity. Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has released Barrera's name in the González murder.

All the deceased victims including Erika Peña who managed to escape from Ortiz on Friday around 9:00 p.m. were picked up between the 2700 to 4700 block of San Bernardo Ave., a known prostitution hub near downtown Laredo. The prostitution hub was first exposed in 1997 when a local news article identified the San Bernardo Ave. strip as a prostitution hub for men and women who sold sex favors for money. Law enforcement since 1997 have attempted to eliminate the prositution corridor by arresting female and male prostitutes including John's who pay for sex, but the corridor keeps expanding to downtown Laredo.

On Saturday, Ortiz, a 10 year veteran with the U.S. Border Patrol in the Laredo sector was booked and charged with 4 felony murder counts, cash bond set at $500,000 ($500K) for each count totalling $2M and one count each for unlawful restraint, cash bond set at $250K; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, cash bond set at $250K and evading arrest, cash bond set at $3K involving four deceased women including a transgender female, according to the Webb County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). If convicted on all counts, especially capital murder, Ortiz is facing the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Ortiz is an intel supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol and is a former U.S. Navy veteran and has a Masters degree. He is also married and has children.
The WCSO says a two week investigation led to the discovery of 2 female bodies in a rural Webb County location and one body was located on Friday night and another body was found around noon on Saturday along Highway I-35 near mile marker 14 north of Laredo. Authorities were tipped off about the serial killer after a fifth female victim identified as Erika Peña who escaped abduction from the killer on Friday and identified Border Patrol Agent Ortiz as the suspected killer. Ortiz apparently pulled a gun on Peña and she escape from the vehicle and contacted the authorities.
D.A. Alaniz confirmed that Ortiz was taken into custody at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Hotel Ava parking lot in the 800 block of Garden St. without incident. According to investigators, all the women that Ortiz targeted were prostitutes and were picked up between the 2700 to the 4700 block of San Bernardo Ave., a known prostitution hub near downtown Laredo. Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar says that a joint team effort by the Webb County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety (State troopers), the Texas Rangers and the Webb County District Attorney's Office were involved in the serial homicides investigation. Sheriff Cuellar also believed that Ortiz acted alone.
Ortiz confessed to the murders according to an affidavit including fatally shooting one female and a transgender victim in the back of the head after telling them to get out of his vehicle, a White truck. Investigators are trying to determine the motive that led Ortiz to target prostitutes and murder them, then dumping and leaving their bodies in rural locations in Webb County. Two of the female victims have been identified as Melissa Ramirez, 29, of Laredo who was found deceased on September 4 at the 300 block of Jefferies Road near the intersection of Camino Colombia and Claudine Anne Luera, 42, whose body was found near mile marker of 436 on Texas Highway 255. Luera was found shot multiple times in the head and barely alive and was transported to a local hospital where she later died. Luera was killed on September 13 after she accused Ortiz of being the last person to be seen with Ramirez before she was found dead. Luera is survived by five children, which two are autistic. Ramirez is survived by two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.
A transgender female. Humberto "Janelle" Ortiz, 28, was also fatally shot in the head by Ortiz. One deceased victim has not been identified by authorities.

Other homicides and deaths by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Laredo sector:

• On June 27, 2018, Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles, 29, a supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol in Laredo sector was charged with capital murder for the April 9th stabbing homicide of his girlfriend, Grizelda Hernandez, 27, and Dominic Alexander Hernandez, 1, their son whose throat was slashed by Burgos-Aviles. Burgos-Aviles was suspended indefinitely without pay from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

• On May 23, 2018, Romualdo Barrera, 47, a U.S. Border Patrol agent in the Laredo sector fatally shot Claudia Patricia Gómez González, 20, an undocumented immigrant originally from San Juan Ostuncalco, Guatemala. González was unarmed and running away from Barrera who fatally shot her behind the head in Rio Bravo, located in Webb County. The CBP hasn't officially released his name because he was involved in a shooting incident while on duty and the FBI has an ongoing investigation. The FBI and the CBP haven't determined whether to charge Barrera with a homicide. The Webb County Medical Examiner declared González death a homicide.

Vandals Spray Paint White Power And Swastika At Pewaukee Liberty Park Grounds

Vandals manage to spray paint the tennis court and basket ball court including the new playground area at Liberty Park with White Power and Nazi swastikas.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 16, 2018

Pewaukee, WI - On Sunday, the Pewaukee Parks and Recreation (PP&R) confirmed after a photo showing a park court depicting vandalism with white spray paint showing White Power and a Nazi swastika at Liberty Park was posted on Facebook (FB) to expose the racist act.  The PP&R around noon posted on their FB account that, "We are devastated to report that Liberty Park was heavily vandalized over night. Crews are on the way to try to remove all of the spray paint which is on the tennis courts, basketball court and all over the new playground. Please be patient as we do our best to clean it up...Crews are working on cleanup of Liberty Park. Good news is that pressure washing is working on the tennis courts. We hope it will work on the rest as well. Thank you parks staff for getting here so quickly!!"

Police were contacted by the PP&R about the mass vandalism by an unknown vandal or vandals.

Serial Killer Juan David Ortiz, A Laredo Sector U.S. Border Patrol Intel Supervisor Charged With Four Counts of Murder

U.S. Border Patrol intel supervisor Ortiz confessed to four murders that included a transgender female among the deceased victims and attempted kidnapping.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 16, 2018

Laredo, Texas - On Saturday,Juan David Ortiz, 35, a 10 year veteran with the U.S. Border Patrol in the Laredo sector was booked and charged with 4 felony murder counts, cash bond set at $500,000 ($500K) for each count totalling $2M and one count each for unlawful restraint, cash bond set at $250K; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, cash bond set at $250K and evading arrest, cash bond set at $3K involving four deceased women including a transgender female, according to the Webb County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). If convicted on all counts, especially capital murder, Ortiz is facing the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Ortiz is an intel supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol and is a former U.S. Navy veteran and has a Masters degree. He is married and has children.
The WCSO says a two week investigation led to the discovery of 2 female bodies in a rural Webb County location and one body was located on Friday night and another body was found around noon on Saturday along Highway I-35 near mile marker 14 north of Laredo.
Authorities were tipped off about the serial killer after a fifth female victim identified as Erika Peña who escaped abduction from the killer on Friday and identified Border Patrol Agent Ortiz as the suspected killer. Ortiz apparently pulled a gun on Peña and she escape from the vehicle and contacted the authorities.
Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz confirmed that Ortiz was taken into custody by Texas state troopers at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Hotel Ava parking lot in the 800 block of Garden St. without incident. According to investigators, all the women that Ortiz targeted were prostitutes and were picked up between the 2700 to the 4700 block of San Bernardo Ave., a known prostitution hub near downtown Laredo.
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar says that a joint team effort by the Webb County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety (State troopers), the Texas Rangers and the Webb County District Attorney's Office were involved in the serial homicides investigation.
Sheriff Cuellar says that they believe Ortiz acted alone. Ortiz confessed to the murders according to an affidavit including fatally shooting one female and a transgender victim in the back of the head after telling them to get out of his vehicle.
Investigators are trying to determine the motive that led Ortiz to target prostitutes and murder them, then dumping and leaving their bodies in rural locations in Webb County.
Two of the female victims have been identified as Melissa Ramirez, 29, of Laredo who was found deceased on September 4 at the 300 block of Jefferies Road near the intersection of Camino Colombia and Claudine Anne Luera, 42, whose body was found near mile marker of 436 on Texas Highway 255. Luera was found shot multiple times in the head and barely alive and was transported to a local hospital where she later died.

Luera was killed on September 13 after she accused Ortiz of being the last person to be seen with Ramirez before she was found dead. Luera is survived by five children, which two are autistic. Ramirez is survived by two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.

A transgender female, Humberto "Janelle" Ortiz, 28, was also fatally shot in the head by Ortiz.
One deceased victim has not been identified by authorities.

Other homicides and deaths by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Laredo sector:

• On June 27, 2018, Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles, 29, a supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol in Laredo sector was charged with capital murder for the April 9th stabbing homicide of his girlfriend, Grizelda Hernandez, 27, and Dominic Alexander Hernandez, 1, their son whose throat was slashed by Burgos-Aviles. Burgos-Aviles was suspended indefinitely without pay from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

• On May 23, 2018, Romualdo Barrera, 47, a U.S. Border Patrol agent in the Laredo sector fatally shot Claudia Patricia Gómez González, 20, an undocumented immigrant originally from San Juan Ostuncalco, Guatemala. González was unarmed and running away from Barrera who fatally shot her behind the head in Rio Bravo, located in Webb County. The CBP hasn't officially released his name because he was involved in a shooting incident while on duty and the FBI has an ongoing investigation. The FBI and the CBP haven't determined whether to charge Barrera with a homicide. The Webb County Medical Examiner declared González death a homicide.

Juan David Ortiz, A U.S. Border Patrol Intel Supervisor In Laredo Facing Charges For Killing 4 Prostitutes And Attempting To Kill Another

Ortiz was taken into custody by Texas State Troopers at the Hotel Ava parking lot structure and later confessed to the murders.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 15, 2018

Laredo, Texas - On Saturday, Juan David Ortiz, 35, a 10 year veteran with the U.S. Border Patrol in the Laredo sector is facing 4 felony murder counts and one count for aggravated kidnapping involving four deceased women including a transgender female, according to the Webb County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). Ortiz is an intel supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol and is a former U.S. Marine veteran and has a Masters degree.

The WCSO says a two week investigation led to the discovery of 2 female bodies in a rural Webb County location and one female body was located on Friday night and another female body was found around noon on Saturday along Highway I-35 near mile marker 14 north of Laredo.
Authorities were tipped off about the serial killer after a fifth female victim escaped from the killer on Friday and identified Border Patrol Agent Ortiz as the suspected killer. Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz confirmed that Ortiz was taken into custody by Texas State Troopers at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Hotel Ava parking lot in the 800 block of Garden St. without incident.

According to investigators, all the women that Ortiz targeted were prostitutes. Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar says that a joint team effort by the Webb County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Rangers and the Webb County District Attorney's Office were involved in the serial homicides investigation.

Two of the female victims have been identified as Melissa Ramirez, 29, of Laredo who was found deceased on September 4 at the 300 block of Jefferies Road near the intersection of Camino Colombia and Claudine Anne Luera, 42, whose body was found near mile marker of 436 on Texas Highway 255. Luera was found barely alive and was transported to a local hospital where she later died.
Both women apparently died from head trauma, according to authorities. The two other deceased women have not been identified.

Trump Disputes Nearly 3K Deaths Reported In Puerto Rico After Several Hurricanes Struck The Island Including Hurricane Maria

Trump and his administration including FEMA were slow and incompetent in providing aid to Puerto Rico during hurricane disasters.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 13, 2018

Puerto Rico - An independent study found that 2,975 deaths in Puerto Rico were reported in five months after Hurricane Maria struck. Puerto Rico's government official death toll was at 1,427, but a Harvard University study reported 4,645 deaths. Video: Rising Puerto Rico's death toll, stop lying Trump at https://youtu.be/kK8aMLR6szc
On Thursday, President Trump disputed Puerto Rico's death toll of nearly 3K after he and his administration were being blamed for the slow and incompetent FEMA aid response to the island and Trump tweeted that between 6 to 18 people died during and after several Hurricanes struck Puerto Rico including Hurricane Maria. Trump's Thursday tweets, "3000 people did not die in the two hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico. When I left the Island, AFTER the storm had hit, they had anywhere from 6 to 18 deaths. As time went by it did not go up by much. Then, a long time later, they started to report really large numbers, like 3000...This was done by the Democrats in order to make me look as bad as possible when I was successfully raising Billions of Dollars to help rebuild Puerto Rico. If a person died for any reason, like old age, just add them onto the list. Bad politics. I love Puerto Rico!"
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz in response tweeted, "Damn it: this is NOT about politics this was always about SAVING LIVES...Simply put: delusional, paranoid, and unhinged from any sense of reality.  Trump is so vain he thinks this is about him. NO IT IS NOT...Mr Trump you can try and bully us with your tweets BUT WE KNOW OUR LIVES MATTER. You will never take away our self respect. Shame on you!...This is what denial following neglect looks like: Mr Pres in the real world people died on your watch. YOUR LACK OF RESPECT IS APPALLING!"

Mayor Cruz told Anderson Cooper from CNN that Puerto Rican families filed 2,471 applications with FEMA for funeral assistance last month, but FEMA has only approved 71 of those applications for funeral assistance. At least Trump should acknowledge that 2,471 deaths were attributed to the aftermath of several Hurricanes including Maria, according to Cruz.

It was also reported that U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) obtained a government document and told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC that the Trump administration and DHS took $9.8M out of FEMA's budget ahead of the 2018 hurricane season to fund ICE detention and deportation programs for undocumented immigrants.

Ricardo Rossello, Governor of Puerto Rico on Thursday stated in a Facebook (FB) video post on his account that he stands with the independent study of the 2,975 death toll in Puerto Rico and released a press release. Rossello also explained that 20,000 pallets of bottled water left untouched on an airport runway in Ceiba belonged to FEMA who failed to adequately distribute the excess water to those in need after Hurricane Maria struck.  FB video: https://bit.ly/2NInLxA

Marty Bahamonde, the director of disaster operations for FEMA’s Office of External Affairs, told CBS that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Ceiba, Puerto Rico moved the bottled water outdoors in January as a cost-cutting measure, which the hot weather conditions destroyed the water. The 20,000 pallets of bottled water became undrinkable after being left in the heat and sun outside for months and FEMA took responsibility for its spoilage. Ottmar Chávez, head of Puerto Rico’s General Services Administration (ASG) says that 700 pallets of water had been distributed in May, but complaints were raised that the water was smelly and had a bad taste.
FEMA says, that the bottled water was stored in 1,110 containers and cost $300K per day to store, according to the Huffpost.

Milwaukee Southside Taco Truck Worker Killed By Passing Vehicle After Attempting To Escape From Two Alleged Robbers

Cardenas had just left his job at the Taqueria Arandas taco truck at S. 13th Street and W. Cleveland Ave. when he was held up and assaulted by two suspects and as he attempted to escape into the street was fatally struck by a passing vehicle.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 6, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, family members identified Mateo Cardenas, 35, originally from Veracruz, Mexico as the victim of an accident which involved a vehicle while attempting to escape from two suspects who tried to rob him. Cardenas was killed on Tuesday night around 9:30 p.m. shortly after leaving his job at the Taqueria Arandas Taco truck located at S. 13th and W. Cleveland Ave., a popular taco truck in the neighborhood. Cardenas was walking to his vehicle at the 2600 block of S. 13th when several suspects attempted to rob him and Cardenas fled between two parked cars and stepped into the street to escape the assault and was fatally struck by a passing vehicle. The driver of the vehicle stopped and remained at the scene.

Cardenas is survived by two young daughters and a wife. Cardenas was the head of the household and the primary source of income for the family. Family members and friends are working to raise funds to transport his body back to Mexico. A Gofundme account was setup for donations.
Police continue to investigate the incident and crime scene investigators haven't release any information, if there is any connection to recent armed robberies of multiple taco trucks in the Southside.

Apparently, Milwaukee Southside taco truck workers, which includes cooks have been targeted by three suspects who have robbed at least five taco trucks located at different locations, since last week.

The locations of the taco truck robberies are:

• 1600 block of W. Scott St.

• 3900 Block of W. Burnham St. 

• 1900 Block of W. National Ave.

• 1600 Block of S. Muskego Ave.

• 1500 Block of S. 6th St.  

Police described suspect #1 as a Hispanic male, 20-25 years of age, 5'7- 5'9, thin build, with short dark hair, clean shaven and a tattoo on his right hand. Suspect #2 is a Hispanic male, 20-25 years of age. Suspect #3, black male, in his 30's, shoulder length braids. Suspects changed clothing between robberies.  

According to police, the suspects approached the taco trucks, pointed firearms at the victims and demanded money. The suspects were seen fleeing in a newer model red or burgundy, Nissan Sentra, four door, no front license plate with a low spoiler.