Mexican federal police captured Teodoro García Simental, a drug trafficker famed for his gang’s alleged brutality, in an early-morning raid on Tuesday in the resort town of La Paz, Baja California, police said. The arrest of Mr. García, known as “El Teo,” is the second big blow to Mexican drug gangs in less than a month. In December, drug lord Arturo Beltrán Leyva was killed in a raid by Mexican Navy special forces. Mr. Beltran was the highest-ranking drug lord taken down by Mexico since 2003. Shortly before 6 a.m., dozens of federal police clad in bulletproof vests and wearing black ski masks raided a home in a posh neighborhood of La Paz, a seaside city that is popular with American retirees. No shots were fired in the raid, police said. continue

Dear Paceno’s, acquaintance, friends – in many cases it’s “all on one” – the La Paz BCS editorial management and staff would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year during this festive season. This festive season is a time to remember the friends and business associates who have helped the La Paz BCS Infotheque website to be where it is today. Your loyalty has been undeniable and priceless. It has been a pleasure doing business with you throughout this year and we believe that next year will not be any different. continue

Are Poinsettia plants an American tradition?? Poinsettias are native to Mexico and where introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsette, the first American ambassador to Mexico. December 12 is the official Poinsettia Day of the year. because it falls during the traditional season for the plant and because it was the day of Joel Poinsettes death. The Aztecs called the poinsettia Cuetlaxochitl and they made a reddish purple dye from the bracts. No, it’s not the l;eaves that are red, those are actually called bracts. These days 90% of all poinsettias continue

With a weather condition probably going to go into the record books as one of the most rapidly intensifying hurricanes “Rick” is the second-strongest hurricane in the eastern North Pacific since 1966, when experts began keeping reliable records. (The strongest was Hurricane Linda, which generated maximum winds of 185 mph (296 km/h) in September 1997). At the current track forecast – bear in mind that significant errors in landfall location and timing are possible in the 4- and 5-day time frame continue

Tropical Storm Patricia headed for a drenching of Mexico’s Los Cabos resorts late Tuesday or Wednesday as it neared the tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The storm had winds of near 60 mph (95 kph) early Monday and slight strengthening was possible, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The winds were not projected to reach hurricane force of 74 mph (118 kph).
The storm was located about continue

Hurricane Jimena has lost more of its muscle, dropping to a Category 1 storm with 90 mph (145 kph) top winds off Baja California. La Paz get off easy as Hurricane Jimena moves north. Government offices and schools remain closed until tomorrow. There has been no reporting of excessive flooding or other hurricane related incidents across a wide spectrum of friends, acquaintance and businesses contacted this morning. There is a report on an arroyo north by Santa Rita that the carretera #1 is flooded. continue

Jimena weakens a little more but remains at category four strength. At 8 a.m. today, the center of Hurricane Jimena, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, was 140 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas and churning toward the Baja California peninsula at about 12 mph. The accompanying image was captured just after 8 a.m. from the area of the old lighthouse at Cabo Falso on the Pacific side of the peninsula north of Cabo San Lucas. Rain comes and goes and wave heights are steadily increasing. Cabo San Lucas is no longer in the projected path of the hurricane. Also saved from the dangerous path of Jimena continue