Category: News
Business news: Volunteer recognized and PNW launches Spark Series
Women’s conference highlights leadership
More than 500 attendees explored the power and purpose of leadership in a dynamic business landscape during the 2025 Professional Women’s Conference recently.
The event, presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association and sponsored by ArcelorMittal and ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, brought together rising leaders, seasoned professionals, and changemakers from a wide range of industries for an opportunity to network and become inspired by insights from some of the region’s most motivating speakers, according to a release.
A series of breakout sessions gave attendees the opportunity to learn in areas that best fit their interests and career stages and also provided networking opportunities and an exhibitors’ showcase.
Time management expert Valentine Torres leads a breakout session during the 2025 Professional Women’s Conference, presented recently by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association. (Photo provided by NWIIWA)
Lake Council recognizes volunteer work
Carol Cody was honored by the Lake County Council after she was recently named The Blind Social Center of Gary’s Volunteer of the Year during the center’s 10th Annual Dining in the Dark fundraising gala, a release said.
Cody, who works for the county council, has been a volunteer with the Blind Social Center for more than five years. Each month, Cody supports the Center’s First Friday Fish Fry fundraiser by collecting lunch orders from her coworkers at the Lake County Government Center for the center, the release said.
Carol Cody was honored by the Lake County Council after she was recently named The Blind Social Center of Gary’s Volunteer of the Year during the center’s 10th Annual Dining in the Dark fundraising gala. (Photo provided by Lake County)
Centier again named best place to work
Centier Bank has been ranked the Best Bank to Work For in Indiana by American Banker’s 2025 Best Banks to Work For list, according to a release.
It is the eighth year in a row for the honor, the release said. Centier also ranked No. 5 nationally on the list of the top 90 banks, up from No. 11 in 2024, the release said.
American Banker, a nationally renowned industry publication, partners with Best Companies Group to identify banks that excel at creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees. To learn more about the Best Banks to Work For, visit bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-banks-to-work-for.
Bank adds top staffers in three locations
Centier Bank has announced three personnel updates in Northwest Indiana.
Jerry Del Real has been hired as an Investment Executive, a release said. Sean Highsmith has been hired as the Branch Manager of Centier’s Whiting location and Andrew Santangelo has been hired as Centier’s Director of
Treasury Management.
Del Real, who will be based at Centier’s Merrillville office, 8310 Broadway, is a registered Investment Executive with experience in the investment industry since 2018 and the banking industry since 2008.
Highsmith is the new Branch Manager in Whiting, 1500 119th St. and has more than 15 years of management experience, holding management positions at Heat Wagon Inc. and Walgreens. Santangelo joins Centier
as its director of Treasury Management at the Corporate Center, 600 E. 84th Ave., Merrillville. Santangelo brings nearly 25 years of experience in treasury management prior to joining Centier, most
recently as the director of treasury management at Busey Bank.
Duneland YMCA marks fundraising success
The Duneland Family YMCA’s Dancing Like the Stars – Color Ball generated approximately $250,000 in support of scholarships and financial assistance for childcare, memberships, senior initiatives, and a wide range of community programs, according to a release.
Nine local celebrity dancers, paired with professional partners and performing original choreography by Powerhouse Dance Company, performed at the Nov. 8 event at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City. The release said 750 guests attended.
The event set a fundraising benchmark, making it the most successful philanthropic event in Duneland Family YMCA history, the release said.
PNW Innovators launch Spark Series
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has officially launched the Spark Series, a video library designed to help students, educators and aspiring entrepreneurs learn directly from real-world innovators across Northwest Indiana, a release said.
The series highlights stories, challenges and insights designed to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and creators. Each 12- to 14-minute episode is paired with classroom-ready discussion guides and linked to Indiana’s high school entrepreneurship pathway standards, the release said.
The first season of the series features innovators from a wide range of industries, from food and wellness to marketing and manufacturing. The series is part of the Society’s broader SparkED initiative to strengthen youth entrepreneurship.
Porter County looks to fill board, commission seats
The Porter County Council has a number of positions to fill on various county boards and commissions that need to be filled in January, a release said.
They include:
Porter County Redevelopment Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; CRV – Tourism Board, 2-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Park Board, 4-year term, must be Democrat; Porter County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals board position, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Chesterton Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Porter Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Valparaiso Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary; Town of Hebron Economic Development Commission, 1-year term, no political affiliation necessary.
Individuals interested in being considered for a board position should visit the Porter County Council office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 207, Valparaiso, to obtain an application. The application deadline is Dec. 31.
El Gladbach termina frustrado tras triunfo negado por las revisiones en empate contra Leipzig
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Alemania (AP) — Borussia Mönchengladbach lamentó las decisiones del árbitro de video después de que tomara dos decisivos clave en su contra en el empate el viernes 0-0 en casa contra el segundo clasificado Leipzig en la Bundesliga.
No hubo tiros a puerta en una primera mitad insípida que ambos equipos querrán olvidar, pero Gladbach generó poco después del descanso.
Franck Honorat mandó el balón a la red a los dos minutos de arrancado el complemento, pero las celebraciones de los aficionados locales se vieron interrumpidas cuando el VAR anuló el gol por la más mínima decisión de fuera de juego.
Veinte minutos después, la multitud local estaba furiosa nuevamente cuando se revocó una decisión de penalti después de que el árbitro señalara el punto tras la entrada de Willi Orbán sobre Shuto Machino.
La mejor oportunidad de Leipzig llegó a diez minutos del final, pero David Raum golpeó el travesaño cuando estaba claro frente al gol.
El resultado puso fin a la racha de tres victorias consecutivas de Gladbach y lo dejó en el puesto 11.
Leipzig se mantuvo en segunda posición y redujo la diferencia con el Bayern a cinco puntos, pero el campeón vigente tiene un partido pendiente el sábado contra el modesto St. Pauli.
Fue el séptimo partido consecutivo de viernes por la noche en el que Gladbach no ha logrado ganar.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Cowboys brillan gracias al liderazgo de Brian Schottenheimer
Por SCHUYLER DIXON
ARLINGTON, Texas, EE.UU. (AP) — Brian Schottenheimer tiene tres victorias consecutivas sobre entrenadores ganadores del Super Bowl en su primer año a cargo de los Cowboys de Dallas después de 25 años como asistente en la NFL.
El quarterback estrella Dak Prescott dijo, después de la victoria de 31-28 sobre los Kansas City Chiefs —cuatro días después de que los Cowboys vencieran al otro equipo del Super Bowl de la temporada pasada, el campeón defensor y rival de la NFC Este, Filadelfia— que esas tres victorias en solo 11 días no fueron una coincidencia.
“Le doy crédito por ser el mismo, por ser consistente y es algo de lo que habla, pero verlo realmente ser consistente y ser el mismo hombre a través de la adversidad y ahora a través de algunos éxitos, ¿verdad?” dijo Prescott sobre el entrenador. “Es un gran líder. Es el hombre adecuado para el trabajo. Sé que todos ven clips de las emociones y los muchachos lo siguen, pero eso es a lo largo del día. Si estuvieras en cada reunión del equipo, entenderías que así es Schotty”.
La racha que tiene a los Cowboys (6-5-1) por encima de .500 por primera vez este año y los ha mantenido en la conversación de los playoffs comenzó con una victoria de 33-16 sobre los Raiders de Las Vegas y el entrenador Pete Carroll, quien ganó un título con Seattle.
Dallas se recuperó de un déficit de 21 puntos en la victoria 24-21 sobre los Eagles de Nick Sirianni. Los Cowboys, que visitan Detroit el jueves de la próxima semana, tuvieron otro mal comienzo contra Andy Reid y el equipo tres veces campeón del Super Bowl cuando Prescott fue interceptado en su segundo lanzamiento del juego y Patrick Mahomes necesitó solo dos pases para darle a los Chiefs una ventaja de 7-0.
El propietario y gerente general Jerry Jones recibió muchas críticas por lo que se consideró una contratación poco inspiradora cuando decidió dejar ir Mike McCarthy y terminó eligiendo a Schottenheimer, quien fue coordinador ofensivo sin funciones de llamado de jugadas durante las dos últimas temporadas de McCarthy.
“Mejor de lo que podría haber esperado”, dijo Jones, quien sostenía una pierna de pavo en su reunión con los periodistas después de la victoria del Día de Acción de Gracias, cuando se le preguntó sobre esa decisión.
Antes de tener que averiguar cómo navegar por los grandes cambios emocionales de la muerte de un jugador durante la temporada, Schottenheimer habló libre y sin disculpas de sentir la presencia de su difunto padre, Marty Schottenheimer, quien ganó 200 juegos como entrenador en jefe de la NFL.
Cuando los Cowboys perdieron en Carolina —un poco menos de un mes antes de la muerta del jugador Marshawn Kneeland—, la tía y el tío de Schottenheimer le dieron una de las tarjetas de juego de su padre. “No. 57. Boston Patriots”, dijo Schottenheimer.
El entrenador dijo que ha llevado la tarjeta en el bolsillo los últimos partidos, incluso tuvo que pedirle a un miembro del personal que la recuperara antes de la victoria sobre los Eagles porque la olvidó.
“Cuando los tiempos son un poco difíciles, hablo con él y ahora puedo sentir su presencia conmigo sosteniendo esa tarjeta de fútbol”, dijo Schottenheimer. “Solo me recuerda que quiero hacerlo sentir orgulloso. Creo que es un entrenador de fútbol legendario, pero como dije, era una persona increíble y mejor padre y líder de hombres”.
Schottenheimer está teniendo que liderar de maneras que no podría haber imaginado en su debut como entrenador en jefe.
Qué funciona
Prescott tuvo su cuarto juego de 300 yardas contra los Chiefs, el mejor en la NFL. Se recuperó de la intercepción temprana para terminar 27 de 39 para 320 yardas con dos touchdowns y registró su séptima calificación de pasador de más de 100 con 100,4
Necesita ayuda
Los Cowboys han tenido suerte en los últimos dos juegos de que los balones sueltos en momentos críticos no les hayan perjudicado. KaVontae Turpin tuvo uno de esos balones sueltos contra los Eagles, luego rescató a George Pickens contra los Chiefs al recuperar el balón suelto de Pickens dentro de la línea de 10 yardas de Kansas City en el último cuarto. Sin el gol de campo de Brandon Aubrey en la siguiente jugada, Dallas habría terminado empatado a 28 cuando los Chiefs anotaron su siguiente touchdown.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Northern Illinois loses season finale 35-31 to Kent State after failing to keep fourth-quarter lead
DEKALB, Ill. — Gavin Garcia rushed for a career-high 151 yards and the game-winning score as Kent State rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Northern Illinois 35-31 on Friday in the season finale for both teams.
The Golden Flashes (5-7, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) trailed 31-20 early in the final quarter, but Cade Wolford broke free for a 31-yard rushing score to cut the deficit to one possession.
Kent State forced a punt and took the lead for good on Garcia’s 26-yard rush with 4:11 left in regulation.
Dru DeShields was 11-of-22 passing for 207 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Dashawn Martin caught three passes for 91 yards and a score, and Wayne Harris had three catches for 46 yards.
It was the first win for the Flashes at Northern Illinois since Sept. 25, 1966, breaking a 59-year drought.
Northern Illinois (3-9, 2-6) was paced by Chavon Wright’s 185 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 30 carries, and Jalen Macon added 65 yards and two scores on 17 carries.
The Huskies are leaving the MAC to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member next season.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/northern-illinois-kent-state-season-finale/
President Donald Trump says he plans to pardon former Honduran President Hernandez for 2024 drug trafficking sentence
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Donald Trump said Friday that he will be pardoning former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who in 2024 was convicted for drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
The president explained his decision on social media by posting that “according to many people that I greatly respect,” Hernandez was “treated very harshly and unfairly.”
In March of last year, Hernandez was convicted in U.S. court of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S.A. He had served served two terms as the leader of the Central American nation of roughly 10 million people.
The post was part of a broader message by Trump backing Tito Asfura for Honduras’ presidency, with Trump saying the U.S. would be supportive of the country if he wins. But if Asfura loses the election this Sunday, Trump posted that “the United States will not be throwing good money after bad, because a wrong Leader can only bring catastrophic results to a country, no matter which country it is.”
Outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro has leaned into a leftist stance, but she has kept a pragmatic and even cooperative attitude in dealing with the U.S. administration and she has received visits from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, when she was the commander of U.S. Southern Command. The president has even backed off his threats to end Honduras’ extradition treaty and military cooperation with the U.S.
Under Castro, Honduras has also received its citizens deported from the U.S. and acted as a bridge for deported Venezuelans who were then picked up by Venezuela in Honduras.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/trump-pardon-former-honduran-president-hernandez/
No. 13 Illinois trails wire to wire in a 74-61 loss to No. 5 UConn at Madison Square Garden
NEW YORK — Solo Ball scored 15 points and fifth-ranked Connecticut never trailed in beating No. 13 Illinois 74-61 on Friday at Madison Square Garden.
The Huskies (6-1) did not dominate Illinois like in the previous meeting — when they scored 30 straight points in the Elite Eight on their way to the 2024 national title — but were more than effective enough until the final minutes, when they let a 17-point lead slip to single digits.
UConn won for the ninth time in its last 11 games at the Garden and improved to 15-8 in the building under coach Danny Hurley.
Ball scored 13 points in the first half and made 6 of 14 shots. Malachi Smith added 14 points and nine assists and Alex Karaban had 12 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Braylon Mullins played 10 minutes and scored two points in his debut.
The Huskies shot 41% and made 10 of 28 3-pointers in their third game against a ranked opponent.
Kylan Boswell led Illinois (6-2) with 25 points and nine rebounds. The Illini struggled to consistently hit shots until making a comeback attempt late in the second half. Tomislav Ivišić had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Leading scorer Andrej Stojaković was held to three points on 1-of-7 shooting.
The Huskies took a pair of 17-point leads midway through the second half before Illinois scored 11 straight to cut the deficit to 64-54 on a jumper by Ivišić with 6:18 left. Illinois sliced the lead to 66-59 on a 3 by Ivišić with 2:56 left. Smith threw in an off-balance deep 3 while being fouled and finished off a four-point play 49 seconds later to extend the Huskies lead.
Up next
UConn: Visits Kansas on Tuesday night.
Illinois: Faces No. 17 Tennessee on Dec. 6 in Nashville.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/illinois-uconn-basketball/
Israeli Troops Suffer Rare Casualties In Brazen Ground Raid On Syrian Town
Israeli Troops Suffer Rare Casualties In Brazen Ground Raid On Syrian Town
Israel on Friday launched another unprovoked major attack on Syria, which has killed at least 13 people, including children – and additionally some 25 have been reported injured.
In this instance, the assault on the southern Syrian town Beit Jinn was a rare ground raid by Israeli forces, likely accompanied by air and artillery support.
“The Israeli military said six soldiers were wounded, three of them severely, by militant fire during the raid in the village of Beit Jinn,” Reuters reports based on official sources. It’s unclear whether the IDF forces incurred fatalities, but if so the Israeli government is likely to keep it under wraps.
The Israeli dawn raid and strikes forced dozens of families to flee from the town in search of safer areas. The Syrian Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned “the criminal attack carried out by an Israeli occupation army patrol in Beit Jinn.”
The statement added, “The occupation forces’ targeting of the town of Beit Jinn with brutal and deliberate shelling, following their failed incursion, constitutes a full-fledged war crime.”
There are reports the Israeli assault also included artillery shelling – which may have been why there were so many civilian casualties:
The remains of at least five Syrians, including two children, were taken to the Golan National Hospital in the city of al-Salam in Quneitra, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
Israeli drones have also been active over the area. In post-Assad Syria, the IDF has encroached more and more on Syrian territory, expanding significantly beyond its Golan Heights occupation.
The Israeli military has described that the high-risk operation was launched to detain suspects belonging to Jama’a Islamiya – a Lebanese Sunni Islamist group which is alleged to have fired rockets at Israel from Lebanon during the Gaza war. The statement further charged the group “terrorist plots”.
This development constitutes a very rare instance of the IDF suffering so many casualties while operating in Syria, per Reuters:
In a statement posted on X, the Israeli military said six of its soldiers were wounded, three of them seriously in an exchange of fire.
The Israeli military added that while the operation has been “completed” and all suspects were either arrested or “eliminated”, its forces are still being deployed in the area “and will continue to operate against any threat” to Israel.
🚨 IDF releases footage of counterterror raid in southern Syria that ended in arrests and a fierce firefight
The IDF has published video showing the arrest of two members of the al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya terror organization in the village of Beit Jinn overnight, along with a clash… pic.twitter.com/eoh20Xsn41
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) November 28, 2025
There’s a certain irony surrounding Israel’s sudden interesting in tracking down and rooting out Sunni Islamists near its border – given that for years during the regime change war against Assad Israel openly tolerated, and in some cases even supported, some of these very same jihadists.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 11/28/2025 – 17:00
Patrick Z. McGavin’s top 5 girls wrestling teams and 25 girls wrestlers to watch in Aurora-Elgin for 2025-26
Kaneland and Hampshire emerge as state contenders while bringing back talent plus depth.
Top 5 Teams
1. Kaneland
Two-time defending state champion Angelina Goochis (120 pounds), who’s only a junior, leads a group of three returning state qualifiers from last season’s team that took third place. Caitlyn Manier (31-14), a sophomore 155-pounder, is a top contender in the middle weights, while junior Sadie Kinsella (31-10) is one to watch at 190.
2. Hampshire
The Whip-Purs welcome back a deep and versatile lineup from last season’s state runner-up. Junior Amelia Nidelea-Polanin (115) and sophomore Samantha Diehl (190) were state placers. Freshmen Annabelle Mueller (100) and Stella Piazza (110) are coming off winning youth age state championships.
3. East Aurora
The Tomcats return a strong nucleus from a three-time defending conference champion. Sophomore Joselyn Llanos (105) is joined by several standout juniors, including Valentina Barboza (125), Lupita Garcia (140) and Lilliana Ortiz (235). Senior Ayelen Higuera (130) offers veteran savvy for the program.
4. Batavia
The Bulldogs boast several elite high-end performers from last season’s team that won a regional championship. A three-time state qualifier, senior Lily Enos was 45-7 in finishing fifth at 100 last season. Senior Anabelle Guthke went 35-13 at 145.
5. Oswego East
The Wolves showcase one of the state’s top wrestlers in junior Quinn Janssens, who finished 48-5 last season at 140. Sophomore Mia Nevarez is another state contender at 125.
Metea Valley’s Ashley Basmajian, top, works for position against Plainfield North’s Meryn Finnegan in the 115-pound final of the Aaron Dudley Invite at Oswego East on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
The 25 Girls Wrestlers to Watch
Valentina Barboza, East Aurora, junior, 125 pounds.
Ashley Basmajian, Metea Valley, senior, 120.
Ruby Bonanos-Carbajal, West Aurora, sophomore, 105.
Samantha Diehl, Hampshire, sophomore, 190.
Lily Enos, Batavia, senior, 105.
Allison Garbacz, South Elgin, sophomore, 145.
Angelina Gochis, Kaneland, junior, 120.
Ruby Gavina, Dundee-Crown, junior, 130.
Anabelle Guthke, Batavia, senior, 145.
Makayla Hill, Oswego, junior, 145.
Quinn Janssens, Oswego East, junior, 140.
Sadie Kinsella, Kaneland, junior, 190.
Joselyn Llanos, East Aurora, sophomore, 105.
Caitlyn Manier, Kaneland, sophomore, 155.
Ryann Miller, Burlington Central, junior, 170.
Madison Minson, Hampshire, junior, 145.
Janiya Moore, Metea Valley, junior, 125.
Annabelle Mueller, Hampshire, freshman, 110.
Mia Nevarez, Oswego East, sophomore, 125.
Amelia Nidelea-Polanin, Hampshire, junior, 115.
Stella Piazza, Hampshire, freshman, 110.
Jasmine Rene, Streamwood, senior, 190.
Azucena Rodriguez, South Elgin, senior, 125.
Violet Wheatley, Dundee-Crown, sophomore, 135.
Lilly White, Bartlett, senior, 125.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Hammond will get new police chief in 2026
The City of Hammond will kick off the new year with a new Police leadership as the city’s first Black Police Chief retires.
The city announced Wednesday that Chief William “Andy” Short will retire in April after 38 years with the department, with the last four years as Chief. His assistant chief and former partner, Jeff Long, will take over the top spot for Short ON January 1, while Short will assume the role of “Chief Emeritus” until his departure, according to the release.
The department’s Captain for the Criminal Investigations Division, Ezequiel Hinojosa, is also retiring after nearly 50 years with Hammond, the release said. Police Lt. Christopher Gootee will take his place.
Short joined HPD on September 26, 1988, upon graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, according to the release. He served as 2nd class Patrolman, 1st Class Patrolman, Corporal, Sergeant, and Lieutenant before becoming Hammond’s first Black Assistant Chief in 2016. He was a K-9 Handler, Bike Patrol member, and SWAT Officer; in the Special Deployment Division, he worked in the Gang/Narcotics Unit, served on the Lake County HIDTA Task Force and also spent five years in Internal Affairs before being appointed Assistant Chief.
“Chief Short leaves behind a legacy of leadership, service, and positive impact,” the release said. “As he shifts his focus toward family and his beloved grandchildren, the City of Hammond extends its gratitude for Andy’s decades of dedication.”
Long, a U.S Army Veteran who completed nine years as assistant chief, also started with Hammond after graduating from the academy a little more than a year after Short, according to the release. He’s served as Patrol Sergeant, Shift Lieutenant, Field Training Officer, K-9 Handler and a SWAT Officer as well as completing a five-year tenure with Internal Affairs.
Hinojosa, who began his career with the department on November 4, 1978, after graduating from the academy, spent his first 10 years in Patrol, including two years as an Evidence Technician, before transitioning into what would become a 38-year career within CID. He’s worked in nearly every investigative area, including Auto Detail, Sex Crimes, Burglary, Violent Crimes, Arson, and Homicide, the release said.
Gootee joined Hammond in 2005, and has served in the Uniform Patrol Division, Evidence Technician role, Gang Suppression Unit, Special Deployment Unit, and the FBI’s Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) Task Force. He has risen through the ranks: Corporal (2013), Sergeant (2015), and Lieutenant (2023); and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command.
“Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and the City of Hammond commend Chief Short, Captain Hinojosa, Assistant Chief Long, and Captain Gootee for their decades of service, leadership, and commitment to the safety and well-being of the Hammond community,” the release said. “These changes represent both the end of remarkable careers and the beginning of new opportunities for continued excellence within the department.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/hammond-will-get-new-police-chief-in-2026/
Dos muertos y dos heridos en explosión en una cárcel del occidente de México
Associated Press
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — Dos presos murieron y otros dos resultaron heridos en una explosión e incendio ocurrido el viernes en una cárcel de la ciudad turística de Puerto Vallarta, en el occidente de México, informaron autoridades estatales.
El incidente tuvo lugar la madrugada del viernes en un área del Centro Integral de Justicia Regional de Puerto Vallarta, en el estado de Jalisco, que era utilizada por los internos para el reciclaje de plásticos y donde se produjo la explosión e incendio por causas aún no determinadas. El fuego se propagó 40 metros y alcanzó un taller de carpintería dentro de la cárcel.
Los bomberos y personal de Protección Civil se trasladaron al penal para sofocar las llamas mientras policías estatales evacuaron a los presos que se encontraban el área de talleres.
La Secretaría de Seguridad de Jalisco dijo el viernes en un comunicado que en el incidente murieron dos reclusos y otros dos sufrieron quemaduras leves.
La Fiscalía estatal y el Instituto Jalisciense de Ciencias Forenses iniciaron las investigaciones para determinar las causas de la explosión e incendio en la cárcel, donde hay una población de 758 reclusos.
En México hay 276 cárceles con una población penal estimada en unas 252.466 personas para agosto, según cifras oficiales.
Muchos de los reclusos viven en graves condiciones de hacinamiento, en particular en el Estado de México, Morelos, Nayarit y Durango, donde la superpoblación supera en más del 60% la capacidad de los penales.
El hacinamiento, generado en parte por el mecanismo de prisión preventiva que mantiene en la cárcel a miles de reclusos sin sentencia, sumado al escaso personal de custodia —muchos de los cuales tienen malos salarios— ha favorecido la corrupción y la violencia en las cárceles, según analistas.
