Daily Archives: August 12, 2011

California pair sentenced in visa fraud scheme

A former supervisor with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and his son have been sentenced today to 60 months and 48 months, respectively, on federal corruption charges. Fernando Jacobs, 72, of Upland, and Patrick Jacobs, 44, of Ontario, were sentenced … Continue reading

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Two invasions of homes reported in Central Valley

There were home invasions in Curridabat and in Desamparados Wednesday and early Thursday. In Curridabat, five men jumped a homeowner about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday as he took out the garbage and forced their way into the home. They tied up … Continue reading

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La Garita man welcomed home with bullets, death

A 21-year-old man with the last name of Abarca died in La Garita Wednesday shortly after returning to the country, said the Judicial Investigating Organization. A friend had picked him up at Juan Santamaria airport and took him to the … Continue reading

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Virginia woman admits she faked her kidnapping

A Virginia woman has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to faking her own kidnapping in Guatemala to extort money from her family in the United States. U.S. prosecutors say 34 year old Sheena Flores was living in Guatemala with … Continue reading

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New book gives advice on emerging new words

WIRED magazine’s Jargon Watch editor Jonathon Keats attempts to guide readers through the thicket of emerging terms in his book, “Virtual Words.” Keats, who tracks such terms for WIRED, offers “spam” as one now-familiar example. It was first used as … Continue reading

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Most scientists endorse Human effects on climate

I am a retired scientist who was associated with the NASA Earth Science Program for 28 years. With respect to Mary Jay’s letter in your Aug. 10 issue, I would like to point-out that some studies challenge certain aspects of … Continue reading

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Developer has to pay tax on 79 corporations

I have been coming to Costa Rica for about 12 years, and were it not for the economy working against me, I would now be retired on the 125 acres I bought and started developing there in 2000.   I have … Continue reading

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European drug problem greater than that in U.S.

If our Canadian friend had not been so bitter about not finding dirt cheap accommodations in order to come down to exploit the Ticos he or she might have done some fact checking. I have cite the United Nations World Drug Report … Continue reading

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Canadians are Americans, and they are Gringos, too

From a letter: ”Many of you expats are not going to like or agree with what I am about to say. But let the Americans remember it is supposed to be their law. (The freedom of speech).” “Americans should clean up their … Continue reading

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Tea baggers are losing credibility and following

I couldn’t disagree more with Mr. McCormick on the Tea Baggers in the U.S.  Bagger leadership are being bought off by the Koch Brothers and other huge national corporations whose only interest is in continuing to make massive profits at the cost … Continue reading

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Lack of consumption is hurting the U.S. economy

What were they thinking? The world, including most of us in Costa Rica, are watching as the United States financial system goes into free fall and the government becomes a shambles. A Tica friend sent me a cartoon of a … Continue reading

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Harper’s visit results in tax, trade and airline accords

Harper’s visit results in tax, trade and airline accords

The government of Canada will open a consulate in Costa Rica to provide visas to Costa Ricans who want to travel north. That was one of the developments that came Thursday from an official visit by Stephen Harper, the Canadian … Continue reading

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Government pays some of its debt to Caja

The government paid part of its debt to the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social Thursday, but it had to borrow to do so. The government transferred 54 trillion colons or about $108 million to the cash-strapped agency. The Caja says … Continue reading

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Man and woman detained in murder at Osa hotel

Investigators have made arrests in the case of the murdered U.S. woman at her family’s luxury hotel in Matapalo de Puerto Jiménez. As most friends and neighbors suspected, agents say the murder was an inside job. The victim was Lisa … Continue reading

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Paseo Colón tower becomes a symbol for optimism

Paseo Colón tower becomes a symbol for optimism

A new high rise, Torres Paseo Colón, will be the tallest building in San José when workmen finish the remaining upper floors. Even more than that, the $45 million project is a beacon in a real estate market that has … Continue reading

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