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Jul
24
Drowning victim at Rockin J’s
July 24, 2008 | Tags: Accidents and Natural Disasters | 2 Comments
The tricky waves and currents of our local beaches have claimed another victim. Tony Nicolais, a 38-year-old DJ from Orland Park, Illinois, died Monday while snorkeling in choppy water on the beach near Rocking J’s, where he had been staying.
“It wasn’t (good) snorkeling conditions,” said Joseph John Korchmoros, owner of the Hotel. “There were waves, there was current. You would never go snorkeling in that condition. The visibility was maybe one or two feet.”
A neighbor alerted the hotel staff that something was wrong with a man in the water.
“Someone said there was a man floating strangely,” Korchmoros said. “Me and another guy ran out and tried to resuscitate him.”
The Red Cross of Talamanca and medics arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and also tried CPR to no avail.
“When the Red Cross reached him, there was nothing they could do,” said Melvin Marin of the Puerto Viejo police. “The guy was dead.”
He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m.
Some water safety tips:
• Ask locals or at your hotel about the conditions before getting in the water.
• Remember that other than the beach at Playa Cocles our beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards.
• Go with a buddy!
• If you get caught in a riptide or current that is taking you out, swim alongside the current and try and make your way in diagonally rather than fighting it head on. Whatever you do, don’t panic and exhaust yourself — if you can’t get in, stay calm and try and attract the attention of someone on shore.
Source: Tico Times: U.S. deejay dies on Caribbean beach
Jul
19
Fish Market Opens in Puerto Viejo
July 19, 2008 | Tags: Local Business News | Comments Off
There is finally a place to buy fresh fish in Puerto Viejo. Ricardo Corrales who has been selling fish to the local hotels and out of the back of his white pick up for some time recently opened Mariscos Mopri #2 – Mariscos Mopri #1 is located in Limon.
Mariscos Mopri is located in front of Cutback Camping just across the street from Patagonia Argentinian Steakhouse.
You can call them at 8346-2663 or 2798-4017
Jul
17
Puerto Viejo Open Surf Tournament Set for Aug 9 at Cocles
July 17, 2008 | Tags: Community Calendar, Sports | 1 Comment
| August 9, 2008 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
The next Puerto Viejo Open Pro surf tournament, also known as the Legalize Open Pro, is set for Aug. 9 at 8 a.m. at the beach break in Playa Cocles.
Mark it on your calendars, as these tournaments are always lots of fun. For entry information, contact Beto at 8885-9688, or email reservations@cashewhilllodge.co.cr.
You can see video from January’s tournament on the Videos page.
Jul
9
Marina Update Meeting Next Tuesday
July 9, 2008 | Tags: Community Calendar, Economic Development | Comments Off
| July 15, 2008 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
There’s a meeting for all interested in what’s happening with the Marina.
Next Tuesday, the 15 of July at 6 PM in the Proniño building.
Thanks to Alaine at Greencoast News for the heads up.
Jul
8
Suspected Rapist Still Walking Streets of Puerto Viejo
July 8, 2008 | Tags: Crime & Punishment | 3 Comments
The serial rapist who judicial officials believe has preyed on at least seven women including a 16-year old girl is still walking the streets in Puerto Viejo, they said.
Agents believe they know who the rapist is, said a judicial official Wednesday. But the one case that may have enough evidence for a conviction, hasn’t even gotten the suspect in preventative detention. Instead the suspect must simply sign in to the prosecutor every 15 days, said a court spokeswoman.
In January of 1997, a court sentenced the suspect, Rolando Alonso Brown Humphreys, to 13 years in prison for rape. Brown only served six of those 13 years, said Guillermo Bermúdez, the regional director of the Judicial Investigation Organization in Limón. “His sentence was probably cut in half for good behavior. He may have swept the floors and helped clean,” said Bermúdez. Brown was released in 2003.
Since 2003, eight women have reported rapes or attempted rapes in the Puerto Viejo area, said Bermúdez. Three of the reported rapes were this year, said the Limón judicial director.
And officials believe there may be more victims. “Many may not have reported the crime since they left the country or were scared,” said César Villalobos, the regional judicial director of the Judicial Investigation Organization in Bribri. After numerous lab results came back inconclusive or negative, officials did not have enough evidence to arrest anyone, said Villalobos. Many times the rapist has covered the victims face with a cloth to preserve his identity. He preys mainly on women not from the area, such as tourists, said officials.
Many of the women reported that the rapist approached them and asked them where they were from, according to Bermúdez. He then attempts to speak English with the victim, said the judicial official. The man then covers the victim’s face, many times with an article of their her clothing, said Bermúdez. He proceeds to rape her and ask her questions as he rapes her, said Bermúdez
In 2003, Brown served eight more months of preventative prison in an attempted rape case, said Bermúdez. The outcome was uncertain.
Judicial agents have investigated Brown in the rape of a 16 year old girl and a 55-year-old woman from the United States, among others, said Bermúdez. Five out of the seven victims were foreigners, added the judicial official. The majority of the reported victims are in their 20s, said Bermúdez, there was also a 36-year-old victim, he said.
One victim who fought off the rapist in March, reported the crime and named Brown as the suspect, officials said. However, officials seemed to be confused as to whether the crime was an attempted rape or a robbery.
Somehow when the victim filed the complaint about an attempted rape, the case was filed as a “robbery” by a judge in Bribri, said Eddie Ryan, vice president of the Cámara de Turismo de Puerto Viejo. Whether the woman was in a state of shock, the judicial complaint was unclear or the judge made an error is not known, said Ryan, who has been active in the case. The townspeople have been active, too, and sent a petition to the president of the Corte Suprema de Justicia, Luis Paulino Mora Mora, according to Ryan.
Bermúdez also said he had the complaint listed as a robbery. A court spokeswoman, however said the prosecutor in Bribri is calling the crime a rape. The suspect, must sign in every 15 days, must not approach the victim and must remain at home, said the spokeswoman. The spokeswoman did not know if the crime had previously been labeled as a robbery, she said, but the duration of the restrictive measures have been extended for three more months.
Group of Women form network to support victims of sexual violence
In related news, a group of area women have begun meeting to form a network in order to support women who’ve experienced sexual violence.
They have two main objectives.
1. To create a resource network to help victims of sexual violence both with the legal and therapeutic ramifications.
2. To work with local youth in order to open a dialog about sexual abuse and its prevention.
The group will meet again in September. The group is an anonymous one due to the delicacy of this issue. If you or a friend has experienced sexual violence and need some help, if you have professional experience in situations like this, or if you are interested in getting involved to lend a hand to those in need; contact ATEC and they’ll get you into contact with the group.
Sources
A.M. Costa Rica: Judge declines to confine the Puerto Viejo rape suspect
Greencoast News: Women’s Group Forms
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