Racist ETSU Student Tristan Rettke Charged With Civil Rights Intimidation Against BLM Protesters

Rettke was video recorded by BLM protesters at the ETSU campus dressed in overalls, bare footed, had bananas, a burlap sack with the Confederate flag with a marijuana leaf and had a gorilla mask on for the purpose to disrupt a peaceful protest on campus.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 29, 2016

Johnson City, Tennessee – On Thursday, Tristan Rettke, 18, a East Tennessee State University (ETSU) student was charged with one count of cvil rights intimidation for his role to disruption a Black Lives Matter (BLM) rally at the campus. Rettke admitted to campus police that he wanted to disrupt the peaceful BLM rally and went to Borchuck Plaza at ETSU dressed in overalls, no shoes, carrying a burlap sack with a Confederate flag and marijuana leaf printed on it, a rope, bananas and wearing a gorilla mask. He attempted to intimidate the participants at the rally, but one of them called ETSU campus police (Department of Public Safety) and complained that Rettke was trying to disrupt the peaceful rally.
Grant Madison video recorded his encounter with Rettke on Wednesday on campus and posted the video on his Facebook account.
Police questioned and detained Rettke. He was booked at the Jonesborough jail and appeared at a Washington County Sessions Court on Thursday where he was charged and has a November 9 hearing scheduled in his case. Rettke has obtained an attorney.
ETSU officials have confirmed that Rettke’s student status has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Angel Medina-Santiago Expected To Enter Guilty Plea For The Anthony Garcia-Cortez Homicide

Medina-Santiago has reached a plea agreement with prosecutor in the Anthony Garcia-Cortez homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 29, 2016

Milwaukee, WI – Angel Medina-Santiago, 35, is expected to enter a guilty plea on October 5 after reaching a plea agreement with a prosecutor for the April 30, 2016 homicide of Anthony Garcia-Cortez, 39. Medina-Santiago fled Milwaukee and was taken into custody in June and charged with one felony count of 1st-degree reckless homicide for the death of Garcia-Cortez. Medina-Santiago remains on a $100,000 cash bond.
According to Milwaukee County Circuit Court records, Medina-Santiago is facing up to 60 years in prison, if convicted.
The criminal complaint states, Medina-Santiago got into an argument with Garcia-Cortez while inside a Milwaukee Southside local bar. The suspect and the victim left the bar after security managed to escort them out.
The suspect along with Garcia-Cortez then got into a heated altercation just outside of the bar that involved at least ten people. Medina-Santiago stabbed Garcia-Cortez twice in the chest puncturing his heart. The victim managed to run about a block, but collapsed and succumbed to the fatal stabbing. Garcia-Cortez died at the scene, according to police.
Garcia-Cortez is survived by seven of his children.

21 People Arrested At Several Native American Prayer Pilgrimages Along The DAPL Construction Pipeline

Morton County Sheriff deputies, law enforcement officers and N.D state troopers blocked a private one lane roadway from both directions and arrested at least 21 people conducting a prayer vigil to protect water on private land.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 28, 2016

Mandan, N. Dakota – On Wednesday, the Morton County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reported that 21 people were taken into custody at two private Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) sites. The MCSO in a press release stated, Mandan “law enforcement officers assigned to the Dakota Access Pipeline protest arrested 21 protesters at two construction sites along the DAPL south and west of St. Anthony. Officers arrested the protesters for various crimes including resisting arrest, criminal trespass on private property and possession of stolen property. Tow trucks were called to transport 5 impounded vehicles.
When officers responded they witnessed numerous people and horses on private property. A protester on horseback charged at an officer in what was viewed as an act of aggression. The officer responded with an appropriate show of force by raising his weapon containing less-lethal ammunition.
“Our officers are trained to respond to the threats they perceive and to take appropriate action. A charging horse combined with totality of the situation presented an imminent threat to the officer,” said Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier.
Sheriff Kirchmeier says, that so far 95 people have been arrested since August 16, at protests against DAPL. Kirchmeier didn’t say, if the road that was blocked from both directions was private property.
Some of the protesters were allowed by police to get in their vehicles and leave.
A video released from on of the scene, people are heard telling the heavily armed officers that they were on a prayer pilgrimage at DAPL sites. Several man form the scene who drove off from the area managed to video record the assault by law enforcement officers on DAPL protesters.
A plane is seen dumping some kind of chemical, but Sheriff Kirchmeier said, it was just dusting crops.
Thomas H. Joseph II, a Community Organizer from the People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO)National Network who video recorded the confrontation with law enforcement officers posted on his Facebook account that, “Today’s action where uncalled for, the police was a direct threat to woman and children.
We gathered in prayer un-armed, prayed, sang songs, and attempted to leave. No threats, No vandalism, No violence was taken on our part.”
The DAPL construction pipeline is going on at night as well, according to Joseph.
Joseph did admit that they were in what he believed was on private property and they were located at a dead end one lane road as well, which was not a county or public roadway.

Joseph’s Facebook posted videos: http://bit.ly/2dbgqnh and http://bit.ly/2dbhnvV

Arcan Cetin Arrested In Connection With Five Homicides At Macy’s Store In Cascade Mall

Cetin was taken into custody without incident in Oak Harbor by Island County authorities.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 25, 2016

Burlington, Washington – On Saturday, Arcan Cetin, 20, of Oak Harbor who is originally from Turkey was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m. in connection with Friday’s deadly massacre inside a Macy’s store at the Cascade Mall in Burlington. Cetin went to the store and randomly killed five shoppers, four women, one male ranging from ages 16 to 95 and then fled from the crime scene.
Cetin is a legal resident, according to police.
Police say, that Cetin went to Macy’s first to check out the scene, then went outside and armed himself. After ten minutes, he went back inside and shot most of the victims by the make-up department.
Cetin, as a suspect was first described as a Hispanic male and not as a Muslim. He is not Hispanic, but of the Muslim faith. Turkey follows the religion of Islam.
A tip led authorities to Cetin. Authorities from Island County spotted Cetin walking along the side of a roadway and took him into custody without incident.
The Cascade Mall remained closed on Saturday and will reopen on Sunday.
Macy’s released the following statement, “We are devastated by the tragic events that occurred last night at Cascade Mall. Our hearts are with our Burlington store, the families and loved ones of the victims, and the entire community. We are working closely with local law enforcement authorities as the investigation continues to unfold. They will be providing updates as the situation develops.”

The following five victims were identified by relatives:

• Sarai Lara, 16, of Mount Vernon was a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School

• Belinda Galde, 64, was a the daughter of Dotson

• Beatrice Dotson, 95, was the mother of Galde

• Shayla Martin, 52, of Mount Vernon worked at the Macy’s make-up department

• Willton “Chuck” Eagan, 61, of Lake Stevens worked for Boeing maintenance worker.

31-year-old Illinois Man Travelled To Wisconsin For The Purpose To Engage In Sex With A 9-year-old Child

Alleged 31-year-old pedophile suspect arrested in Racine County in possession of child pornography.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 24, 2016

Racine, WI – On Thursday, the Racine County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) investigators conducted an undercover operation in Eastern Racine County and arrested an Illinois man with child pornography in his possession. David M. Baker, 31, of Wilmette, Illinois, who traveled to Racine County in order to exchange child pornography and engage in sexual activity with a 9-year-old girl was taken onto custody by the RCSD.
According to the Racine County criminal complaint, Baker had made arrangements to meet and exchange child pornography as well as engage in sexual activity with a juvenile who was actually a RCSD investigator posing as a child. Baker traveled to a pre-designated location where he was met by Sheriff’s investigators and was subsequently taken into custody.
Baker was taken to the Racine County Jail without incident and was booked on multiple felony charges. Baker is charged with one felony count for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child, he is facing up to 40 years in prison and four felony counts for possession of child pornography, facing up to 25 years in prison for each count and up to $100,000 in fines for each count, if convicted on all counts. Baker is being held on a $100,000 cash bond and has a scheduled preliminary court hearing for September 28, according to court records.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Nicholson Claims “Dark Money” Attempted To Influence Colón’s Reappointment

Dark Money has no place in County Board proceedings, according to Supervisor Nicholson.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 23, 2016

Milwaukee, WI – On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted 11-6 to reappoint Hector Colón, as the Director of the Department for Health and Human Services in Milwaukee County. Colón was placed on a two year term probation period after Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Colón agreed on a compromised by the County Board.
Multiple supervisors during the full Board meeting on Thursday claimed that Colón was not transparent, had a disrespectful attitude towards Board members, had failed to provide certain reports to the County Board Human and Needs Committee and failed to grant courtesy visits for supervisors requesting inspection of certain County facilities under Colón’s management in the last five years.
A campaign to get Colón reappointed drew controversy when Milwaukee Works, Inc., a pro-Walker right wing non-profit organization spent thousands of dollars in mass mailings to multiple county supervisory districts and placing a half page ad on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which targeted certain supervisors who claimed during Thursday’s County Board meeting that much of the information provided by Milwaukee Works, Inc. was false and misleading. The “Stand with Hector” campaign was included in the allegations by County supervisors, but some of the Latino community leaders and businesses that helped fund the campaign say that they are not connected to Milwaukee Works, Inc. or “Dark Money.” Some of the Latino and business leaders did confirmed that they were just an unofficial group that united to support Colón’s reappointment.
Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson released the following statement about “Dark Money” on Thursday, “As a democratically elected Supervisor, I represent my district and my constituents. The events of this week clearly demonstrated that the vote to reappoint DHHS Director Hector Colon was not intended to be democratic. My name and face were plastered over postcards and sent to my constituents. I was also featured in a half page ad in the Journal Sentinel. These inaccurate and misleading publications were funded by a dark money organization and used scare tactics in attempt to swing my vote in favor of Director Colon’s reappointment. This organization, claiming to be the voice of the people, stifled the voices of concerned constituents not only within my own district, but across the County.
Earlier this week, I also received a letter signed by members of our State Legislature. As a dedicated Milwaukee Public Schools teacher, I am not soon to forget that these same signatories orchestrated the take over and privatization of our school system. Time and time again these State Representatives have inserted themselves into our local governance, impeded in our democratic processes, and consistently voted against the best interests of our children and our County. Not only do I question the motive behind this letter, but I refuse to be swayed by those with a personal vendetta against our great County.
In voting against the reappointment of DHHS Director Hector Colon, I chose not to be bullied and to stand with my constituents and concerned Milwaukee County citizens. I am alarmed by reports of perceived inaction by Director Colon on issues deemed important by my constituents, colleagues, and the general public. I also stand against County Executive Abele and Director Colon’s plan to privatize our mental health division. We need to work for our most vulnerable citizens, not against, and this is something that I plan to share and discuss
with the Director. While I find the result of today’s vote disappointing, in the coming months I will work cooperatively with Director Colon to improve the conditions for our most vulnerable citizens, and hold him accountable for his actions.”Colón released the following statement, “I am thankful to the county board to have the opportunity to work as your director of the Department of Health and Human Services. Thank you Chris Abele for your unwavering support, friendship and service.
This has been a tough process. I am so thankful to the StandwithHector campaign. This effort to get me re-confirmed was pretty awesome and made a difference. But more importantly, this effort brought people together from all walks and sides of life. That is what was most special and impressive to me. Let’s think about ways to keep us together – fighting for people, causes and making our world a better place to live for all. This work isn’t easy but together we can do this!!!
Thank you for your confidence and friendship!”

Tulsa Cop Betty Shelby Booked For 1st-degree Manslaughter For The Terence Crutcher’s Homicide

Tulsa Police Officer Shelby says that she fear for her life, even though the deceased 40-year-old victim was unarmed at the time and had his hands up while multiple officers were at the scene.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 23, 2016

Tulsa, Oklahoma – On early Friday, Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby was booked around 1:11 a.m. for one felony count of 1st-degree manslaughter and was released about 20 minutes later on a $50,000 bond. Officer Shelby was charged with the homicide of Terence Crutcher, 40.
Crutcher’s car had stalled in the middle of the road and sought help. Officer Shelby was the first officer at the scene and she claims that Crutcher wasn’t answering and questions and was not following lawful orders when he was shot. Shelby says that she fear for her life when she fatally shot Crutcher after another officer at the scene had tased him first.
Crutcher had his hands up when he was fatally shot. A police squad and a hovering helicopter video cameras captured Crutcher’s deadly cold blooded murder.

Hector Colón Reappointed To A 2-year Term For Lack Of Transparency To Milwaukee County Board

Colón, the Director of the DHHS was placed on what some Milwaukee County Supervisors are calling it a probation period.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 22, 2016

Milwaukee, WI – On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Board on a vote of 11-6 approved a 2-year term reappointment of Hector Colón, the current Director of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for Milwaukee County, which otherwise would have been a 4-year term. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele was forced to take a compromise by the County Board to accept a shorter term for Colón.
Multiple supervisors on the County Board cited a lack of transparency from Abele and Colón for the last 5 years, including Colón’s disrespectful attitude towards members of the County Board Human and Needs Committee and his lack of providing information about the Mental Health facility to other Board members as well, which some claimed that Colón had ignored requests to visit department facilities too.
Supervisor Peggy West introduced a 2-year term amendment and voted for Colón’s two year reappointment. West went on record and told the Board that she was a little jealous after receiving many calls from those supporting Colón to get reappointed, but that none of them ever called her to support her when her salary position was cut in half, position turned part-time and they didn’t even called to congratulate her for becoming the first Latina Vice-chair on the County Board.
Colón will be back in October of 2018 before the full Board for reappointment consideration, if Abele reappoints him once again.
A campaign “Stand with Hector” was questioned by some Board members and asked who was funding it. The Hector campaign to get reappointed spend thousands of dollars to sway public opinion to support Colón.
The County Board can no longer be involved or provide an oversight in private contracts negotiated by Abele regarding Milwaukee County facilities and selling properties.
Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson released the following statement on Thursday, Dark Money has no place in County Board Proceedings. “As a democratically elected Supervisor, I represent my district and my constituents. The events of this week clearly demonstrated that the vote to reappoint DHHS Director Hector Colon was not intended to be democratic.”
“I am disgusted with the dark money that has been spent in an attempt to swing my vote. Instead of swinging my vote, this effort has strengthened my resolve. I should not have to be concerned that my future as a Supervisor is in jeopardy because I didn’t vote the way this dark money group, “Milwaukee Works,” wants me to vote.
“I took a stand today against the privatization efforts that are bleeding our County dry and voted against the reappointment of Hector Colon because I chose not to be bullied. Instead, I chose to stand with my constituents and against the privatization of our mental health services,” Supervisor Nicholson stated.
Colón did affirm that he is more willing to work with the County Board in the next several years.
Colón has served five years as the director of the DHHS and last year in May 2015, Abele gave Colón a 39% raise, his annual salary increased from $126,318 to $175,000 a year, making Colón the highest paid executive at a Milwaukee County department.

Under Director Colón’s leadership throughout 2015 the, DHHS reached many outstanding milestones…

• At Behavioral Health, we closed our final long term care unit and expanded our support for community based behavioral healthcare.
• With partners across business, government and nonprofit, our Housing Division launched Housing
First, an initiative to end chronic homelessness in Milwaukee County by 2018. We have already seen a 70% reduction in chronic homelessness.
• Disabilities Services began a tremendous program to provide employment opportunities for all exiting high school students with a disability in Milwaukee County.
• Delinquency and Court Services accelerated our juvenile justice reforms while advancing data-driven decision making tools and evidence-based practices that are yielding better outcomes and improved public safety.

Editors note: Hispanic News Network U.S.A. has learned that the “Stand with Hector” campaign to get Hector Colón reappointed as the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services was spearheaded by a unofficial group composed of community leaders and the support of local businesses that funded Colón’s campaign and are not connected to Milwaukee Works, Inc. or “Dark Money” as some Milwaukee County supervisors were led to believe. Most of those community and business leaders were from the Milwaukee Latino community, according to one of those leaders that participated.
They managed to send out several mass mailings to specific Supervisor districts, according to the inside source who wanted to remain anonymous.
The inside source says, “It was a good campaign. Effective, but, honestly, it worked because Hector is honorable. People know him as fair. So when they hear the supervisors trying to smear him, it doesn’t fit.”
According to a flyer supporting Colón, the Milwaukee Works, Inc., a non-profit organization distributed the flyer in Supervisors Jim “Luigi” Schmitt and Eddie Cullen’s districts.
The non-profit group website, Milwaukee Works, Inc. says, the group is committed to educating citizens about the value of good government, risk-taking enterprise, and inclusive communities.
MKE Work is considered a pro-Walker right wing group, according to some Latino community activists.

Major Electrical Blackout In Puerto Rico Due To Central Aguirre Power Plant Fire

Power in most of the Island in Puerto Rico remains out.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 21, 2016

Salinas, Puerto Rico – On Wednesday, a fire destroyed part of the Central Aguirre Power Plant transformers in Salinas and caused a major electrical blackout on the entire Island of Puerto Rico. The blaze began near electrical transformers causing an electrical outage to 3.5 million people including homes, hotels and businesses around the island.
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority officials say that two transmission lines with 230,000 volts each failed and resulted with a 30% of an electrical outage throughout the island.
Workers at the power plant are trying to restore power by Thursday. Authorities say that their first priority is to restore power to airports, hospitals, police stations and water plants.
The power company is facing a $9B debt and its executive management is accused of engaging in corruption, according to a government investigation.

Domestic Terrorist Ahmad Khan Rahami Charged With Bombing Acts Resulting In Mass Injuries

Rahami is charged with several acts to conduct bombings in NYC and New Jersey.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 21, 2016

New York City, New York – On Tuesday, Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, aka “Ahmad Rahimi” originally from Afghanistan was indicted in federal court for conducting and attempting to conduct bombings in New York City and various locations in Elizabeth, N. Jersey on September 17-18, 2016, according to a federal indictment. The U.S. Department of Justice (U.S.DOJ) announced that, Rahami is charged in a Complaint filed in the Southern District of New York with one count of using and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332a, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; one count of bombing and attempting to bomb a place of public use, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332f, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; one count of destroying and attempting to destroy property by means of fire or explosive, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(d), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and use of a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, namely, the use and attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 30 years in prison, all in connection with Rahami’s alleged detonation of an explosive device and efforts to detonate explosives in New York City.
Rahami is also charged in a Complaint filed in the District of New Jersey with two counts of using and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332a, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on each count; one count of bombing and attempting to bomb a place of public use and public transportation system, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2332f, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; one count of attempting to destroy property by means of fire or explosive, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and two counts of using a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, namely, the use and attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), each count of which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 30 years in prison and, if convicted of both counts, a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, all in connection with Rahami’s alleged efforts to detonate explosives in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and Elizabeth, New Jersey, according to the federal indictment.l, according to the U.S.DOJ.
Rahami was taken into custody on Monday morning after a gun fight with Linden police.