Interview with Fernando Anaya
By: Eduardo Vallejo Vazquez
As part of our informative work, we have been presenting interviews held with important figures on the economic scene of Puerto Peñasco in order to get their points of view concerning the current situation we are facing. On this occasion, we sat down with Engineer Fernando Anaya Millán, general director of Sonoran Resorts, who has contributed to tourism development of Puerto Peñasco through the construction and commercialization of two of the most important tourist complexes. Read more…
The Larry D. Large Foundation
April 24 & 25th Food Packing/Distribution
1,200 boxes were packed and sealed by volunteers to be delivered to the newest colonias. The Foundation pays all expenses for this huge food distribution two times per year. Read more…
Cliftons contribute $15,000 US for DIF Children’s Shelter
By: Jose Antonio Perez
A recent donation of $15,000 US (approximately 195,000 pesos at an exchange rate of 13 pesos per dollar), will go towards finishing the equipping of the Children’s Shelter for the local office of Integral Family Development (DIF).
Jeannette and Rodger Clifton recently presented a check for the aforementioned amount to Mayor Heriberto RenterÃa Sánchez, accompanied by his wife, Minerva RamÃrez RenterÃa.
The Cliftons, who met with the Mayor in his office, remarked the donation had been with the noble intent of working toward the opening of the Children’s Shelter in the near future. Read more…
Proceeds from Casa Blanca golf tournament, totaling nearly $5,000 US, donated to “Peñasco Children’s Foundationâ€
By: Jose Antonio Perez
A donation of nearly $5,000 US was recently presented to the “Peñasco Children’s Foundation†Association, representing proceeds from a golf tournament put on by the Casa Blanca complex.
A check for $4,945 US was delivered by Jan Miller, Cathy Riedlinger, and Kathleen Mayers, all of whom were volunteers as well as those responsible for putting on the 6th Casa Blanca Golf Tournament in the Sandy Beach Resorts.
Kathleen Mayers is a resident of Phoenix who has worked on numerous altruistic events and generously volunteered for this tournament fundraiser.
SBR Realty and Seaside Reservations, among others, were kind sponsors of the event. SBR and Seaside were generous in donating the largest portions in covering tournament costs. They also provided teams of people to take care of different activities, from the planning to the execution of the event. Read more…
Area tourism increases expected with opening of new flight
Aéreo Calafia launches Peñasco-Hermosillo service.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Luis Carlos Soto Gutiérrez, coordinator for the Commission for Tourism Promotion, along with Mayor Heriberto RenterÃa Sánchez, inaugurated the new route that will connect the state capital to this beach destination.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. the local airport welcomed the Cessna Grand Caravan 208, XA-UGI, thereby officially opening the service that will depart Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, with a ticket price of 1,300 pesos one way.
Following the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, Luis Carlos Soto Gutiérrez noted that with this flight they will continue promoting tourism to Puerto Peñasco. Read more…
More than 80,000 tourists in area during Holy Week holidays
Assuring they come back is now the challenge.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Soaring hotel occupation statistics, high vehicle traffic, and numerous visitors staying with friends in the area, all indicate that during the recent Holy Week holidays (or rather Semana Santa) Puerto Peñasco received more than 80,000 tourists, reported Oscar Palacio Soto, President of the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (OCV).
During a press conference focused on evaluating the Semana Santa period, Palacio highlighted the principal challenge now is to assure that visitors return to Peñasco during the summer season.
He appeared pleased with the number of tourists registered, which was much higher than the 40 to 50 thousand visitors recorded in 2008. This is to say there was a 60% increase in numbers over last year.
Palacio Soto detailed throughout Semana Santa hotels registered a 76% occupancy rate on average, noting that from Monday to Wednesday approximately 50% of rooms were occupied while from Thursday thru Sunday this number reached 100%, as had been expected. Read more…
The opening of redesigned Red Cross facilities
State Representative offers more equipment
By: José Antonio Pérez
With the commitment that there will be more support equipment in order to continue improving the service of the Red Cross, the redesigned facilities of the local Red Cross were recently opened.
The traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the official beginning of operations, was carried out in front of the new and modern façade of the meritorious institution. The new look of the local Red Cross represents an investment of almost 500,000 pesos.
State Representative and National Vice President of the Red Cross, Carlos Freaner Figueroa, coordinator of Civil Protection, Nicandro Cornejo, the representative of Tourism, Ana Laura Sáenz, and the president of the local Red Cross office, Antonio MendÃvil GarcÃa, presided over the ceremony during which a brand new modern ambulance valued at 600,000 pesos was delivered. Read more…
Awaiting support to help conclude History Museum
By: José Antonio Pérez
Important support, that will allow for construction of the Puerto Peñasco History Museum prior to the conclusion of the present city administration, is currently under negotiations revealed Amaranto Celaya Celaya, Municipal Chronicler.
Following nearly 22 months since the beginning of the project, Celaya indicated the project still lacks approximately $600,000 pesos to complete construction on the museum located to the side of Plaza Luis Donaldo Colosio. He noted they are hopeful that shortly these resources will be available.
If the funds become possible, he added, they will be able to complete work on the museum and offer the people of Peñasco and visitors an exposition of the more than 500 pieces already waiting to become part of the museum. Read more…
Equipment donated for children’s shelter
Center expected to open before September.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Donation of furniture, valued at approximately 80,000 pesos was recently presented by the Las Palomas Tourist Resort to the city’s office for Integral Family Development (DIF) to benefit the children’s shelter and Center for Community Development.
In a simple ceremony held at the DIF offices, it was reported that with this, along with other support totaling nearly half a million pesos, the Children’s Shelter is approximately 70% on course towards its opening, which should occur prior to the end of the present administration.
Héctor Vásquez del Mercado, Operative Director of Las Palomas, presented the support to DIF President, Minerva RamÃrez de RenterÃa. The donation consists of two stoves, two semi-industrial dryers, a refrigerator, two industrial microwaves, a living room set, tables and lamps, among other furnishings. Read more…
Fausto Murrieta Ochoa sworn in as Municipal Secretary
City Council unanimously approves appointment.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Fausto Murrieta Ochoa, who served as Director of Municipal Income, was recently sworn in as the new City Secretary for Puerto Peñasco, replacing Heriberto Morales Sobarzo.
The new official steps into the post following the unanimous approval of the City Council of the proposed appointment, made by Mayor Heriberto RenterÃa Sánchez.
Prior to this, the governing body, with a majority, authorized the resignation presented by outgoing municipal secretary Heriberto Morales Sobarzo.
Once legal requirements were fulfilled, Mayor RenterÃa swore in Fausto Murrieta Ochoa as the new City Secretary.
The Mayor thanked all the members of the city council for placing their trust in Murrieta Ochoa, who has the background, ability, and will to step in and carry out the responsibilities as Municipal Secretary. Read more…
Agreement reached for construction of accessible housing
Stress on benefiting those who earn the least.
By: José Antonio Pérez
An agreement with a national company has been established by the local administration for the construction of economic housing, which is set to benefit those who earn the least, revealed Mayor Heriberto RenterÃa Sánchez.
The Mayor reported in addition to investments that have already been done for the construction of housing, there is this new agreement that will allow for there to be housing for everyone in need of such before this administration ends.
He detailed the company that will be in charge of the program bought an area of 38 hectares from the City and will be building homes necessary to meet the demand in Puerto Peñasco.
They will be economic homes, he added, at a cost of approximately 130,000 to 140,000 pesos so that they are accessible for those who earn less than four minimum daily wages. Read more…
Inspection and surveillance operative prepared to monitor closed shrimp season
By: José Antonio Pérez
Beginning April 15th, inspection and surveillance work officially began to assure the closed shrimp season is respected. The season itself ended March 25th reports César Alejandro Villaescusa Fontes, head of the local Fishing Office.
Villaescusa Fontes indicated that following various meetings, which included the participation of all those involved in fishing activities, it was agreed protective actions would go into effect during the second half of April.
He noted, as in previous years, inspection and surveillance work would be done at fishing camps in the area of Desemboque through the use of two smaller vessels. Santa Clara will be observed by one vessel and other points, as well as land routes, will be monitored through the participation of authorities from the three levels of government and producers themselves. Read more…
Shrimp production increases by 20%
2008-2009 season closed out with a total yield of 1,709 tons
By: José Antonio Pérez
With a total yield of 1,709 tons, the 2008-2009 shrimp season came to a close, representing a 20% increase when compared to last season. However, problems in marketing overshadowed this increase in production performance, with prices much lower than last season, said César Alejandro Villaescusa Fontes, local head of the Office of Fishing.
Villaescusa Fontes pointed out in the previous season they registered a volume of 1,420 tons. In the recently concluded season, which wrapped up March 25th, an additional volume of 289 tons was recorded.
He highlighted that, according to the registered arrivals in his department, in September 76.5 tons were caught, in October 457.9 tons, the largest catch came in November with 544.9 tons, and in December the production was 393.8 tons. Read more…
Peñasco to benefit from new Sonora-New Mexico Commission as closest beach to Land of Enchantment
By: José Antonio Pérez
The recently formalized Sonora-New Mexico Commission will undoubtedly benefit Puerto Peñasco as it is the closest beach to the state known as the Land of Enchantment, and therefore represents a tremendous potential in attracting more tourism to the area, stated Oscar Palacio Soto, President of the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Palacio Soto reported that from Las Cruces to the Gulf of Mexico is a trip of approximately 12 to 14 hours while to Puerto Peñasco this is reduced to about 9 to 10 hours, which is a geographic advantage with great potential.
Given this, he added, necessary efforts must be made to reach out to the market of New Mexico and work to bring a greater number of visitors from this state. Read more…
Tendering process to open for construction of new landfill
Expected investment of 25 million pesos.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Through an expected investment of 25 million pesos in a first phase, the tendering process for construction of a new landfill for Puerto Peñasco is set to begin sometime in May at the latest.
The Director of the Operating Body for the Comprehensive Management of Municipal Sanitation Services (Oomislim), Héctor Israel GarcÃa Rojas, reported the city has already set aside land located to the north of the city across the highway on the road to Caborca.
He detailed they, through collaboration with the State Center for Ecologic Studies, are conducting some studies on the property in question in order to assure it meets norms. Read more…
Lion’s Club to sponsor cataract operations on nine older adults
Glasses provided to five others.
By: José Antonio Pérez
As part of their permanent programs to provide care for vision problems, the Lion’s Club of Puerto Peñasco will perform cataract operations on nine older adults through coordinated efforts with their fellow clubs from Caborca, Sonoyta and Pitiquito, reports Rodrigo Peña Campos, local Lion’s Club President.
Peña Campos noted the surgical interventions, provided free of charge for the beneficiaries, are in addition to the provision of glasses for five individuals over the age of 50.
He explained that after carefully analyzing 25 requests for support collected last year at the Club, they decided to provide help for 14 people with true economic and health needs.
These 14 individuals, he added, were taken to vision clinics of the Lion’s Club in Caborca and there doctors from the U.S. stated that nine would require cataract surgery and the others proper glasses. Read more…
Sergio Cuellar becomes mayoral candidate for PRI
Milton Félix declines to run.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Former local representative, Sergio Cuellar Yescas, has become the PRI mayoral candidate for Puerto Peñasco, upon registering as the sole candidate after Milton Félix Reyes declined to run and in the absence of any other aspiring contender.
The session to register mayoral precandidates for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) was held on April 18th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Despite prior rumors surrounding the event, it was held in an atmosphere of calm and without tremendous surprises.
Around 6 p.m., the now sole candidate arrived at the facilities of the municipal PRI where, before dozens of followers, he presented documentation to the Municipal Commission of Internal Procedures presided over by Fausto Murrieta Ochoa. Read more…
Vaccination of 4,242 pets
Continued immunization clinics against rabies.
By: José Antonio Pérez
In the city’s most recent rabies vaccination clinic, the program managed to immunize 4,242 pets, including dogs and cats. The program received a very favorable response from the people of Puerto Peñasco, affirmed Eliel Lopez Urias, the head of epidemiology of the Secretary of Health.
Lopez Urias emphasized that, nevertheless, they did not manage to meet the goal of 5,600 vaccinated animals which is why they decided to extend vaccinations for another week.
He detailed the joint efforts of the Municipal Health Organization, healthy “home” centers, the Secretary of Health, and people concerned about health in Peñasco were beneficial in advancing the rabies vaccination clinic. Read more…
858 city residents will be unable to vote in upcoming elections after failing to pick up voter IDs
By: José Antonio Pérez
A total of 858 Puerto Peñasco residents will be unable to vote in this year’s upcoming elections, to be held July 5th, reports Jorge Raúl Barrera Lerma, head of the local office for the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE).
Barrera Lerma indicated this number, totaling nearly 1,000 people, is made up of those who failed to pick up their already processed voter ID cards before the time expired, which was March 31st.
He detailed that among the forgotten IDs were 260 corresponding to procedures that took place in 2007 and 598 belonging to people who processed their voter cards between 2008 and so far in 2009.
Barrera Lerma explained in the case of the 2008 and 2009 IDs, these have been put in safekeeping and can be picked up following the July elections. Read more…
Music band selects new uniform
Adriana Cárdenas’ design triumphs.
By: José Antonio Pérez
Adriana Cárdenas RamÃrez came out the winner of the design contest for new uniforms to adorn the Puerto Peñasco Youth and Children’s Music Band, organized by the Office of Civic and Cultural Action.
Instructor Angela Rojo Ruiz, director of the aforementioned office, accompanied by board members Lilian Castillo and RosalÃa González, presented the winning contestant with a one-thousand peso check. The aspiring designer is currently in her sixth semester at the Bachilleres High School in Puerto Peñasco.
The call to participate in the contest, open to the students of Puerto Peñasco, began on December 1st and wrapped up February 21st after having received a positive overall response.
Presented with five design proposals, the winning design was selected by the judging committee made up of board members and four young band members. Read more…
Raúl Mendez wins Lobo Pick-up
Treasury office picks raffle winner from timely taxpayers.
By: José Antonio Pérez
To the chagrin of many, and the delight of one, on April 3rd, the Municipal Treasury office selected the winning raffle ticket from those representing taxpayers who had paid their property taxes on time. The winner took home a 2009 Ford Lobo pick-up valued at $305,000 pesos.
Ticket 8885, belonging to Raúl Méndez Mézquita, came up the winning ticket from among all those participating in the raffle.
After Mayor Heriberto RenterÃa Sánchez, who hid behind tightly closed eyes, selected the winning ticket from the bin, he handed over the pick-up keys to the winner. Read more…
Overpopulation is minimal at the Cereso
By: José Antonio Pérez
With 273 inmates, overpopulation at the local Center of Social Rehabilitation (Cereso) is minimal and does not represent grave problems, assured the recently designated director of the penitentiary, Eduardo Rene Cortes Morales who replaced Ricardo Felix Rosas at the Cereso.
Cortes Morales indicated that tranquility is the principal characteristic of this city’s penal institution, although they are trying to promote the maintenance and growth of the rehabilitation programs.
The prison director, who held similar positions in the Nogales I and San Luis Rio Colorado Ceresos, specified his arrival to this port came into being as part of a normal rotation in the State Penitentiary System.
He reiterated that a calm atmosphere prevails as much on typical days as on visitors’ days, which are Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with an average of 100 additional people. Read more…
Ernesto Portugal is PAN candidate for local 2nd district representative
By: José Antonio Pérez
Following a resounding triumph in the internal process held on Sunday, March 29th, Ernesto Portugal Garcia is the PAN candidate for local 2nd district representative reported Roberto RamÃrez OlguÃn, municipal delegation president for the National Action Party (PAN).
RamÃrez OlguÃn noted that following a calm electoral process, 164 PAN members from Sonoyta and Puerto Peñasco cast their votes, representing 82% of those with a right to vote.
He detailed that Ernesto Portugal obtained 110 votes, while his opponent Gustavo Pérez Cedrillo received 51 votes, and three votes were deemed null and void.
RamÃrez OlguÃn noted that as San Luis RÃo Colorado is also now part of the second electoral district, they are awaiting the vote of 67 PAN members from that municipality, which in essence would not alter the virtual triumph of Ernesto Portugal GarcÃa.
No outbreak of whooping cough
Two suspected cases tended to .
By: José Antonio Pérez
Although unofficially there is the possible existence of a whooping cough outbreak throughout the city, health authorities have denied the situation and assure there is no cause for alarm.
José Julio Chávez León, director of the General Hospital remarked he is aware of two suspected cases of the illness, among them, a child under the age of one who died; however, he noted, this does not represent an outbreak as there are no confirmed cases to date.
He emphasized that though there have been no cases of whooping cough confirmed, for two weeks they have set up epidemiological care units in areas where symptoms have been detected, as a preventive measure and to prevent any subsequent surprises.
Chávez León acknowledged that in Sonora they have registered 12 cases of whooping cough to date, which is a rate three times higher than that of last year when there were four, but in the specific case of Peñasco there have been no confirmed cases up to now. Read more…
Marina Nacional kindergarten certified as healthy school
4th local institution to receive distinction.
By: José Antonio Pérez
In a joyous and colorful ceremony, the Marina Nacional kindergarten in the Ferrocarril neighborhood recently received certification as a healthy and safe school, becoming the fourth local institution to receive such distinction.
On April 3rd, following intense work during various weeks that included the participation of various governmental offices, parents and the children themselves, a white flag was hoisted above the school, and a plaque unveiled. These are both emblems of an institution guaranteeing health and safety to the school population.
The commitment to continue working to promote health growth was assumed by the young pre-school children who underscored this before those in attendance at the ceremony held on the central patio of the school. Read more…
Stressing the importance of the oil industry as a central pillar of the nation
Celebrating 71 years of the expropriation of oil.
By: José Antonio Pérez
The oil industry is the central pillar of the nation’s economy. Mexicans continue to enjoy dividends derived from its expropriation, as well as the natural riches of our land.
This was stressed during the celebration marking the 71st anniversary of the decree of expropriation of Mexican oil, issued in 1938 by the then President Lázaro Cárdenas del RÃo.
The event was held at the plaza located along Boulevard Benito Juárez and Simón Morúa St., where the bust of General Cárdenas is found, and included the participation of students from the elementary school that bears the name of the former President, the Masonic lodge, and authorities from the three levels of government. Read more…
Appreciating the legacy of Juarez
Celebrating 203 years since the birth of the “Benemérito de las Américas”.
By Jose Antonio Perez
Benito Juarez Garcia (the “Benemérito de las Américas”) left behind a legacy for all generations based on respect, values, and freedom itself that will last a lifetime. This recognition was celebrated in a ceremony commemorating the 203rd anniversary of his birth on March 21st.
At the ceremony, which took place at the Juarez Monument in front of City Hall, young students Angelica Fernanda Murillo Lopez, of the Vicente Guerrero School, and Eyla Jocobi Celaya, of the Nuevos Caminos Kindergarten, participated through a “Poem to Juarez”. In addition, 4th and 5th grade students from the Crece School, in keeping with the celebration, presented an entertaining theatrical performance.
Representing Mayor Heriberto Renteria, City Secretary Heriberto Morales Sobarzo acknowledged that the birth of Benito Juarez constitutes a ray of hope for all Mexicans. Read more…