Daily Archives: August 5, 2011

Salvadoran suspects held in case of murdered priests

Nine former Salvadoran soldiers were in custody Monday for the 1989 killing of six Jesuit priests and two others during El Salvador’s civil war. Five of the priests were Spaniards. The Salvadoran Defense Ministry said Monday the nine soldiers turned … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Park ranger reported missing

A volunteer park ranger, Óscar Cruz Ramírez, has been missing since 4 p.m. Wednesday in Parque Nacional Volcán Poås. Cruz separated himself form several visitors and then never rejoined them Wednesday afternoon. Searchers did not begin to seek him until … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Achiote festival is in Moravia

Moravia will be the scene of the first Festival del Achiote Saturday and Sunday. The event honors those little red seeds that provides coloring to a number of foods. Cooks can get a preview by finding paste made from the … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Parque de Diversiones now off limits to smoking

The Red Nacional Antitabaco claims responsibility for signs being erected at the Parque de Diversiones to prohibit smoking. A law prohibits smoking in places that are primarily used for recreation by minors. The Red complained in January to the Ministerio … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Emily weakens and heads for to sea and eastern Cuba

Tropical Storm Emily brought drenching rain to the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, but has now weakened and moved west into the sea. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says in its most recent bulletin Thursday that … Continue reading

Posted in Latin American News | Comments Off

College loans for illegals becomes U.S. political issue

The Illinois DREAM Act, recently signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn, gives undocumented immigrant students access to privately funded college tuition assistance. Illinois, a state with one of the highest populations of illegal aliens, is the latest to pass … Continue reading

Posted in World News | Comments Off

Very rich should get bill for improved security

If Madame President Laura Chinchilla is serious about security, she will try to finance her security forces with luxury taxes on Costa Rica’s elite instead of through traffic fines. Here the example of Colombia comes to mind. Faced with the … Continue reading

Posted in Reader Opinion | Comments Off

Practice common sense in walking around city

Utopia does not exist! Kudos to Barry Schwartz and Leo Plumley for their letters that appeared in today’s (Aug. 4) edition. They help to put things in perfect perspective. As Sir Isaac Newton theorized, for every action, there is an … Continue reading

Posted in Reader Opinion | Comments Off

Country is not inexpensive, says veteran of 15 trips

Oh boy, here we go again: Another group of Costa Rica apologists denigrating anyone who disagrees that life there is the ultimate, the Pura Vida we all have been looking for. I have been visiting Costa Rica regularly since 1992, … Continue reading

Posted in Reader Opinion | Comments Off

Crime is rising everywhere, and the world is changing

Bill Walkling from Puntarenas is not wrong in his facts on Costa Rica regarding rising crime and the rising cost of living. Considering the fact that he came here seven years ago, I can understand why he is moving out … Continue reading

Posted in Reader Opinion | Comments Off

Will tax plan affect U.S. pension checks?

As I read the few negative and the many more positive opinions about living in Costa Rica, several thoughts come to mind. The entire world is in the midst of an economic crisis, so even though we are paying more … Continue reading

Posted in Reader Opinion | Comments Off

Expats need to tone down rhetoric over living here

Mr. Plumley pretty much sums up what I would say about the gentleman from Puntarenas who painted such a dark side to living in or visiting Costa Rica. I would like to add a few things, however. 1. Crime is not directed … Continue reading

Posted in Reader Opinion | Comments Off

Now dentists can work magic with old, tired mouths

Now dentists can work magic with old, tired mouths

I have been considering different topics to write about this week, but over-shadowing my musings on the meaning of life have been my teeth. Once I was going to write a memoir entitled “Dentists my teeth have seen throughout the … Continue reading

Posted in Friday Column | Comments Off

Tourism chamber opposes big jump in airport landing fees

The national tourism chamber says proposed increases in airport usage fees are disproportionate. The adjustments in fees mainly concerns airports in Pavas, Limón and Liberia. The Cámara Nacional de Turismo said it presented its opposition before the Consejo Técnico de … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Vice president sees convention center completed by 2014

The Chinchilla administration expects to put into service a new national convention center at the beginning of 2014, according to Vice President Alfio Piva. He was speaking Thursday to the Cámara Costarricense de Hoteles. Piva said that the government expects … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

President’s visit to congress results in two approvals

President Laura Chinchilla went to the legislature Thursday to seek approval of various tax bills. The visit met with success. Later in the day lawmakers approved two measures. The first strengthens tax collection, and the second approves a $60 million … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Corruption fighters are working overtime this week

This has been a week for corruption fighters to work overtime. Saturday agents detained three municipal officials in Golfito on the allegation that they sought a $75,000 bribe from two foreigners there to approve a maritime concession. Thursday agents detained … Continue reading

Posted in Costa Rica News | Comments Off

Another tropical storm bypassed country and headed north

The country has dodged another tropical storm that may grow into a hurricane. Tropical Storm Emily is predicted to reach the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, later today. The storm had been off the coast … Continue reading

Posted in Latin American News | Comments Off