Flyer Circulating On Recall Elections Set For Nine Wisconsin State Senators

Flyer shows fake candidates in recall elections being circulated on Facebook and the Internet.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 30, 2011

Madison – The Government Accountability Board (GAB) certified recall elections for nine state Senate legislators. The elections will include primaries on July 12 for candidates facing a challenger and elections on August 9, and August 16 for those not facing a challenger from the same political party. The GAB determined there were sufficient signatures for a recall election for each of the following three Senate Democrats, Dave Hansen, Jim Holperin and Robert Wirch. Also facing recall elections are six Senate Republicans, Alberta Darling, Randy Hopper, Robert Cowles, Luther Olsen, Sheila Harsdorf and Dan Kapanke.
The GAB also decided State Representative John Nygren (R) failed to collect the required 400 signatures to challenge Senator Dave Hansen (D) in 30th Senate District recall. The GAB claims Nygren had 398 valid signatures and not enough valid signatures, but Nygren filed a lawsuit challenging the GAB decision to keep him off the ballot.
The GOP encouraged for fake candidates to run in an effort to allow Republicans more time to campaign.
The Republicans have been recall for voting to eliminate collective bargaining rights for most state employees. The Democrats are being recall for leaving the state for a month to stall a vote to eliminate union state employees to engage in collective bargaining.
Governor Scott Walker (R) will be facing a recall himself after he completes one year in office. Walker signed into law Act 10, which eliminates most collective bargaining rights for most state employees. Act 10 became effective on June 29, after it was published in the Wisconsin State Journal. He also signed a two-year budget last Sunday, which eliminates in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and cuts $800 million from public school districts in the state, but boosts tax credits for businesses.
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Public Schools District (MPS) Superintendent Gregory Thorton announced, that the district is sending layoff notices this week to 519 employees affected, it includes 354 teachers, 155 teaching assistants and 96 District Divisions will be eliminated. Thorton blamed Governor Walker’s budget cuts of $89 million from MPS. At least 418 positions left vacant by retirees won’t be filled. About 200 layoff notices could be rescinded, if union workers concede to further contribute to their pensions and health insurance. Union officials say, employees have already conceded to contribute millions into both health and pension plans.

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Click on flyer to enlarge.

Assault Rifle Left On Top Of Seattle Police Squad Trunk

Police department embarrassed about mishap.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 28, 2011

Seattle, WA – The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is trying to do damage control after a police assault rifle was left on top of a squad car unattended. KING 5 News reported that a pedestrian noticed the mishap in front of a hotel on Monday night and took a picture of it. Nick Gonzales took the picture about 9:00 p.m. outside the Roosevelt Hotel.
SPD confirmed that Police Officer William Collins placed the assault rifle outside another squad trunk while loading his squad, then Lt. Deanna Nolette came out and drove away without noticing the weapon on her back trunk. Collins didn’t immediately report the weapon missing, until the department discovered the mishap when multiple citizens called in and reported the weapon on top of a squad car trunk.
Gonzales even flagged down several bicycle SPD police officers and told them about the incident. SPD didn’t confirm, if the weapon was loaded.
The SPD Office of Proffessional Accountability released a statement, “It is unacceptable that a rifle was left unattended on a patrol car and people should expect more from their police department.”
An internal investigation was initiated by John Diaz, Chief of Police, according to KING 5 News.

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Photo: Nick Gonzales/KING 5 News

30-year-old Drunk Woman Sprays Delaware County Sheriff Deputies With Breast Milk

Woman lands in jail for spraying deputies with breast milk.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 28, 2011

Bridgewater, Ohio – On Saturday, Stephanie Robinette, 30, of Westerville was arrested before 1:00 a.m. at the Bridgewater Banquet Facility on Sawmill Parkway after spraying breast milk on Delaware County Sheriff Deputies. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call at the banquet facility.
Robinette’s husband told deputies investigating the call that his wife had become intoxicated at the wedding banquet and began to argue with him. She got physical and struck her husband several times and then locked herself in a vehicle, according to the arrest report.
In a press release, Delaware County Sheriff Walter L. Davis III said, “When deputies approached the vehicle to speak to Robinette she began yelling profanities and refused to exit the vehicle. When deputies attempted to remove Robinette from the vehicle she advised the deputies that she was a breastfeeding mother and proceeded to remove her right breast from her dress and began spraying deputies and the vehicle with he breast milk. After more deputies arrived on scene they were able to remove Robinette from the vehicle and place her under arrest.”
Robinette is currently being held in the Delaware County Jail. She is facing charges of domestic violence, assault, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Sheriff Davis said, “This is a prime example of how alcohol can make individuals do things they would not normally do.”

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Stephanie Robinette

Photo: Delaware County Sheriff’s Office

Walker Revokes In-state Tuition For Undocumented Students Attending Universities And Colleges In Wisconsin

Undocumented students to pay higher tuition, despite living and paying state taxes along with parents in Wisconsin.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 27, 2011

Ashwaubenon – On Sunday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) signed his two-year 2011-2013 budget, which included ending in-state tuition for undocumented students attending public universities and colleges. In-state tuition for undocumented students was approved two years ago by former Governor Jim Doyle (D) after the Hispanic community struggled for 10 years to pass it.
The State Journal (SJ) reported that about 100 undocument students had applied for in-state tuition at 13-four year University of Wisconsin System public universities in 2010-2011. In 2009-2010, SJ data showed that 70 undocumented students had applied for in-state tuition to attend UW universities. UW-Milwaukee qualified 33 students in 2009-2010 and 55 in the 2010-2011 academic year. Other UW campuses had fewer applicants.
In Wisconsin, undergraduate sudents residing in the state pay more than $8,900 per year to attend UW compared to non-residents that pay more than $24,200 per year. The resident undergraduate pays 60 percent of the tuition and the state pays the other 40 percent of the cost, according to the SJ data.
With Wisconsin ending in-state tuition for undocumented students, only 11 states remain in the U.S. that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students.
Undocumented students and their parents residing in Wisconsin for years, whether illegally in the U.S. do contribute economically and do pay their fair share of state taxes, including sale taxes and other taxes as well. But, they don’t get reimbursed at the end of the year.
The budget takes effect on July 1st. Walker’s $66 billion two-year budget tries to balance and cap a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes. The budget cuts $800 million in public school aid, reduces $250 million from the University of Wisconsin System, cuts 30% or $72 million of aid to technical colleges and limits how much local governments and school districts can raise property taxes. A projected $1.6 billion in reduction of revenues for both local governments and school districts.
Walker signed his two-year budget at the Fox Valley Metal-Tech’s Plant in Ashwaubenon near Greenbay. More than 200 protestors were outside the company with signs calling Walker, “You dirty rat” and “Shame, shame.”
The Greenbay Press Gazette reported that according to Walker’s budget, property taxes on owners of median-valued homes are projected to increase just $54 over two years.

• Income tax credits for poor families with two or more children would be reduced by $56 million over two years, a move Democrats described as a tax increase.
• Household income levels to qualify for a homestead tax credit for poor home owners and renters would be frozen, saving the state more than $13 million over two years.
• Creates a new capital gains tax deferral for investments in Wisconsin-based companies worth $36 million over two years.
• Creates a new tax credit for manufacturers and agricultural businesses worth about $129 million a year once fully phased in starting in 2016.
• Loosens taxes charged to multistate corporations, a break to them worth more than $46 million over two years.
• Cuts $500 million from Medicaid through a variety of reforms including increasing co-pays and deductibles, but not by reducing benefits across the board or cutting provider reimbursement rates.
• Cuts aid to local governments by $76 million.
• Eliminates 1,032 state positions, most of which have been vacant for more than a year.
• Provides $225 million to rebuild the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee.
• Provides $195 million to continue reconstruction of Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Kenosha.
• Closes the Ethan Allen School, a detention facility for boys, and moves inmates to Lincoln Hills School in Lincoln County.
• Closes the Southern Oaks Girls School, a detention facility for girls, and move the inmates to Copper Lake School at Lincoln Hills, the Greenbay Press Gazette reported.

Walker also vetoed 50 items, including ending pay for Milwaukee Police Officers who are fired, while they appeal their cases. The bondsmen provision was also killed by Governor Walker who said, these items didn’t belong in the budget.
Governor Walker is facing a recall for ending collective bargaining and drastically cutting public education funding, once he completes one year in office.

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Governor Scott Walker

Vargas, Pulitzer Journalist In The U.S. Confessed To Be An Illegal Immigrant

Immigrant wanted to come clean about his illegal status in the U.S., after the U.S. Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 25, 2011

Nork – This week, self confessed illegal immigrant and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Jose Antonio Vargas originally from the Philipines admitted that he worked for the San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post and The Huffington Post with altered documents. Vargas on Friday during ABC Nightline confirmed, he has been living illegally in the U.S., since 12-years-old. He even altered documents to a get a driver’s license, including a Social Security card to work and study in college.
Vargas decided to come public after the U.S. Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act in December. He got tired of living a lie and decided to make his status public.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has become aware of Vargas illegal status, but have no comment. ICE hasn’t decided to act on Vargas self confession about his illegal status.
The New York Times is publishing a featured article about Vargas on Sunday.

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Jose Antonio Vargas

Photo: Facebook

Mexican Federal PGR Raised Rewards For Suspects In Mother And Daughter Escobedo Homicides In Chihuahua

Rewards for murder suspect in sketch has been raised to $3 million pesos ($230,770 U.S.) and Bocanegra has been raised to $5 million pesos ($384,616 U.S.), the Mexican government announced.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 23, 2011

Mexico City, Mexico – On Thursday, the Mexican Federal Attorney General’s Office (PGR) announced that it had raised the rewards for several suspects connected to the homicides of a mother and daughter. The PGR had released the sketch of the alleged 30-year-old suspect who shot Marisela Escobedo Ortiz, 52, several times including a fatal shot to the head.
The PGR is now offering $3 million pesos ($230,770 U.S.) from $200,000 pesos ($16,000 U.S.) it had previously offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. The suspect is believed to have been working with Sergio Rafael Barraza Bocanegra, 24, the alleged boyfriend and confessed killer of Ortiz’ daughter Rubi Marisol Frayre Escobedo, 16, from Ciudad Juarez.
Bocanegra is accused of taking part in the planned killing of Ortiz on December 16 and the September 2008 murder of Rubi Marisol. He had confessed to killing Rubi Marisol and even led police to a hog farm where her dismembered body was found. Mexican authorities are now offering $5 million pesos ($384,616 U.S.) from $500,000 pesos ($41,000 U.S.) it had previously offered for information leading to the arrest of Bocanegra. They issued an international warrant because Bocanegra could have left the country, but family members of the Escobedo’s believe he is leaving with his girlfriend and several kids in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico.
Bocanegra is an alleged member of Los Zetas and the Cartel de Sinaloa has also joined in the manhunt for Bocanegra, according to several large hand written poster signs discovered around Ciudad Juarez and the Chihuahua Capitol city.
Ortiz had struggled for two years to bring Bocanegra to justice for the murder of her daughter Rubi Marisol in 2008. The day Ortiz was killed, she was outside the Chihuahua state government building in the city of Chihuahua for nine days staging a protest and demanding justice from Governor César Duarte and the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office. (Building video of chase and murder: http://bit.ly/h9EKBP)

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81-year-old Boston Alleged Mobster Connected To 19 Homicides Arrested By FBI

Tips led to Bulger’s capture after FBI publicity campaign on wanted fugitive.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 23, 2011

Los Angeles, CA – The California based Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Wednesday it had arrested James J. “Whitey” Bulger, 81, of Boston, who was wanted since 1999. Bulger an alleged mobster was indicted by feds in connection with 19 homicides, racketeering (RICO), conspiracy to commit extortion, money laundering and drug distribution. He was on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list. He was the alleged leader of the Winter Hill Gang, according to the FBI.
Bulger and his long time girlfriend, Catherine Elizabeth Greig, 60, were taken into custody in Santa Monica, California without incident. The FBI had offered a $2 million dollar reward for information leading to Bulger’s arrest. A $100,000 dollar reward was also offered for any information leading to Greig’s arrest.
On Tuesday, the FBI spent $50,000 for 350, 30 second TV media spots and public service announcements, including digital billboards in major cities featuring Greig and Bulger in 14 cities, including San Diego and San Francisco, California and throughout the U.S. (View FBI video http://bit.ly/kuh66C) The FBI confirmed that tips after the TV campaign publicity to locate both federal fugitives led to their arrests.
Both Greig and Bulger are expected to appear in federal court on Thursday and the FBI rewards are the largest ever offered for fugitives in the bureau’s history.
Bulger’s case inspired the 2006 movie making of the “Departed,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg.

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James “Whitey” Bulger

El Chango Méndez, La Familia Michoacana Cartel Leader Arrested By Mexican Federal Police

El Chango Méndez and Los Zetas agreed on alliance that resulted in sending 200 Zetas to Michoacan to help La Familia regain control of the state.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 22, 2011

Cosío, Aguascalientes, Mexico – On Tuesday, Alejandro Poiré Romero, spokesperson for the Mexican Federal Secretary of Public Safety (SSP) announced in a press conference that José de Jesús Méndez Vargas, 50, aka, “El Chango Méndez,” “El Pastor” or “Médico” was arrested by Federal Police. Vargas, originally from Ahuaje, Michoacan is considered the main leader of La Familia Michoacana Cartel, who was captured without incident in the municipality of Cosío in the state of Aguascalientes.
Vargas is accused of masterminding extortions, kidnappings, drug trafficking and killings. The Mexican Attorney General’s Office had offered $30 million pesos ($2.5 million U.S.) for information leading to his arrest.
Vargas was transported by Federal Police to Mexico City for processing at the Mexican Attorney General’s agency for Special Investigations of Organize Crime (Siedo), according to Romero.
Arrested along with Vargas on Tuesday were four members of his security detail identified as, Luis Alfonso Reyes Ramírez, 32, Luis Paredes Cárdenas, 35, Carlos Vizcaíno Tapia, 29, and Juan José Esquivel Barragán, 25.
According to the Federal Police report, Vargas became the leader of La Familia Michoacana, when he and Nazario Moreno, aka, “El Chayo” founded the criminal organization. They became notorious after the group disposed and threw five severed heads of rival gang members into a crowded night club dance floor in Michoacan.
Moreno was killed in a confrontation with Federal Police on December 9, 2010 in Apatzingán. He apparently was attending his own birthday party at a nightclub.
Vargas is also wanted by the U.S. government for smuggling and trafficking large quantities of marijuana into the U.S.
La Familia Michoacana expanded its operations into the following Mexican states, Guanajuato, Mexico, Guerrero, Colima, Jalisco, Baja California, and Tamaulipas. Vargas and La Familia took over the following cities and townships of Uruapan, Apatzingán, Los Reyes, La Ruana, Buenavista, Tancítaro, Sahuayo, Peribán and Cotíja in Michoacan.
In January 2011, La Familia split up into two separate groups. Vargas remained the leader of La Familia and Enrique Plancarte Solis and Servantes Gómez Martínez, aka, “La Tuta” began Los Caballeros de Templarios, which ignited a drug war between them.
On May 27, 2011, Federal Police arrested 40 members of La Familia, including five leaders in Las Lomas, Jalisco. Information taken from the suspects led to the arrest of Vargas. Vargas admitted to Federal Police that he arranged a meeting with the leaders of Los Zetas and resulted in an alliance between both groups. Los Zeta agreed to send 200 Zetas to Michoacan to help La Familia regain control of the state from Los Caballeros Templarios, according to the Federal Police report.
The Federal Police confiscated two vehicles, two handguns, two grenades, a 9mm automatic UZI, communication equipment and various documents.

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José de Jesús Méndez Vargas, aka, “El Chango Méndez”

Romero Facing Deportation After Serving Time In Marriage Sham Case

Romero and husband Kent Ross convicted in immigration marriage sham serving 15 weekends in jail since last April.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 21, 2011

Los Angeles, CA – Actress Fernanda Romero, 28, or Maria Fernanda Romero Martinez is facing separate immigration charges, which could lead to her deportation from the U.S. Romero, a Mexican national and her husband Kent Ross, 28, were convicted after pleading guilty in April for making false statements to immigration officials. U.S. District Judge Manuel L. Real sentenced both Romero and Ross to 15 consecutive weekends in jail, including five years of supervision and 1,000 hours of community service.
Assistant U.S. Jim Left confirmed that Romero is facing separate immigration charges, which could result in revoking her green card legal status and permanent residency.
Romero’s immigration marriage sham was exposed by her former boyfriend Markus Klinko, a professional photographer after their split-up. Klinko contacted immigration officials and reported that Romero had been living with him instead of her husband.
Both Romero and Ross made false statements when they applied for her green card. They submitted documents to immigration officials, admitting they were living together in 2005 and 2006. When in fact, she was already living with Klinko, according to court records.

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Fernanda Romero

Services Held For Estrada, An U.S. Citizen Killed In Front Of Girlfriend In Mexico By Gunmen

Hundreds attended funeral services of Estrada, former popular D.J. Twist who founded Envisions Clothing.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 20, 2011

Milwaukee – On Monday afternoon, Alejandro “Alex” Guadalupe Estrada, 35, took his final ride through the 1200 block of S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive passing through Envisions Clothing followed by a two mile funeral procession. Estrada founded Envisions Clothing in 1996 and was known as D.J. Twist to many.
He grew up in Milwaukee, but Estrada, an U.S. Citizen was residing in Mexico. He was fatally shot on June 11, while inspecting a home he and his girlfriend, Martha Eugenia González Navarro, 26, were remodeling in the neighborhood of Campo de Polo Chapalita, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
An armed group of men invaded the Estrada home and an altercation ignited over a vehicle when Estrada was shot 8 times in the torso with a high caliber weapon, according to the Jalisco State Attorney General’s Office (PGR).  The PGR investigators recovered between 8 to 17 armor piercing, 5.7MM X 28MM Caliber cartridges at the scene.
Estrada died at the scene, Navarro was wounded on her left leg and a third person was slightly injured. The seven suspects fled the scene afterwards in several vehicles, according to neighbors.
Last week, Estrada’s body was brought back to the U.S. On Monday after a traditional mass service with Mariachi’s at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was taken to St. Adalbert’s Cemetery for his eternal resting place.

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