Localidades

The Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco began its season with a concert in Jocotepec. Photo: OFJ.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (OFJ) performed for the first time in the municipality of Jocotepec.

Hundreds of citizens packed the temple of Señor del Monte to listen to the first concert of the orchestra’s tour outside the Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara (ZMG).  With guest conductor Mariana Martinez, the orchestra will visit the 12 regions of Jalisco.

Noé Reynoso Hermosillo, Culture Director for the municipality, said that the 368 tickets distributed by City Hall for the recital were sold out, and additionally, there were people from other delegations or municipalities who attended.  A little less than 500 in total, due to the limited capacity of the venue. 

Full house at the temple of the Lord of the Mountain to listen to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco. Photo: Carlo Cuevas.

«Although this was a municipal event, was more of a regional event, because people came from Ocotlán, from Guadalajara, from Jamay, from La Manzanilla, even from Tizapán,» commented Reynoso Hermosillo.

«They should bring this type of event more often, I loved it, I loved seeing so many people enjoying real music, something other than Maluma,» commented one of the attendees to the musical.

Culture director Hermosillo was satisfied with the results of the orchestra’s first presentation in the municipality.  Previously the orchestra was reluctant to perform outside the ZMG as «it was very expensive.»

This was the first concert of the Jalisco Philharmonic in an «extensive» tour, said Noé Reynoso, which will tour the 12 regions of Jalisco as part of the strategy of decentralization of culture of the Ministry of Culture of Jalisco. 

Translated by Paul Weeks

The mayor of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, during the inspection of the rehabilitation of the Riberas del Pilar park entrance. 

Editor.– The municipal government of Chapala is continuing with the rehabilitation of public spaces in the city and the municipality’s surrounding towns. According to the municipal president, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, one of the locations receiving attention is Riberas del Pilar Park. The park is one of the most emblematic places of Riberas, with the two stone pillars supporting the neighborhood name. 

«The Recovery of Public Spaces program continues throughout the municipality. Soon the public will be able once more to enjoy the Riberas del Pilar Park,» City Hall announced on social media.

Workers of the Municipality of Chapala start with the rehabilitation of the Riberas del Pilar Park.

«The recovery of public spaces is being carried out with the objective that families will be able to enjoy public spaces worthy of our municipality and its people,» the director of Social Communication informed Seminario Laguna. 

In addition to the iconic pillars, the sign for the park also received a freshening up. 

Translated by Rebecca Zittle

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).– Despite some of the Jocotepec boardwalk merchants reporting low sales during the Holy Week and Easter holiday season compared to last year, Víctor Loza Ornelas, Director of Tourism and Artisan Promotion, confirmed that the holiday period brought approximately $1.8M (about US$90,000) to the local community, saying » it’s a very good number.»

Translated by Amy Esperanto

During the last rainy season, Lake Chapala reached 74% of its capacity; it is currently at 67%, informed the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). 

Despite the decrease in the level, it is still up compared to April 2021, when it was at 51% of its capacity.

Translated by Paul Weeks

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).- This Sunday, May 8, the second Fishing Tournament will be held on the San Juan Cosalá boardwalk from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. It will be a free category and the first ten winners will be awarded cash prizes; first place with 1,500 pesos, second place with 1,000 pesos and third place with 700 pesos. The registration fee is 50 pesos per participant.

From left to right Filiberto Pérez Vega, Nadia Vega and José González Valenzuela. Photo: Sofía Medeles

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Three Ajijic runners from the   «Team Jou,» mountain runners  shined  in the competition «Ultra Cerro Rojo» in Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla, which took place on April 30.

They are José «Jou» Valenzuela, Filiberto Pérez Vega and Nadia Vega, who ran in the free category, covering different distances: Jou competed in the 50 km race, reaching ninth place, Nadia in the 15 km race, achieving sixth place and Filiberto in the 30 km race, positioning himself in fifteenth place.

Both Filiberto and José said they were happy with the experience, even though they described it as a «hard» race. For Nadia, this competition is the second in which she has participated outside of Jalisco.  She shared that she found it incredible to go out and see these places that she described as beautiful.

«Because of my injury, the race was a little difficult for me, but I finished it out of pride. On the route, organizers supported me and gave me a pill for the pain to keep me going. Although I did not reach the goal I had set for myself and felt frustrated, it motivates me to continue and to do better in the next races,» said Jou Valenzuela. 

The three mountain marathoners agreed that they will continue running in races outside of their hometown, and that they feel very motivated – as well as grateful – for the support that the people of Ajijic have given them. 

When asked about how runners are selected to represent «Team Jou» in this type of race, Valenzuela said that they are chosen for «the commitment» they put into their training.

He also invited anyone who wants to be part of his team to contact him through his Facebook page, «Jou Valenzuela» so that he can provide them with information about the group.

Translated by Rebecca Zittle

La Cristina bridge still obstructed by large rocks. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The streams that until a few months ago were clogged are now in the process of being cleared, so they will be clean before the rainy season, said Maximiano Macías Arceo. the acting delegate of Ajijic. 

He added that work is underway and advancing as fast as possible in the streams of the western zone of Ajijic. These are the most obstructed streams, due to the mudslides that occurred in October of last year. 

«Our goal, and the order of president Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, is to finish the works before the rains arrive. Both Civil Protection and the municipal government agree that Ajijic is a priority, due to the condition of the streams. However, city personnel are also focused on streams throughout the municipality,» he said.

The same La Cristina bridge on the side has already been cleaned. Photo: Sofia Medeles

He commented that in the days that they have been cleaning the first stream in La Cristina, they aren’t dealing much with garbage, but rather with the debris from the mudslides that occurred in October, mainly large stones.

«We are close to finishing and cleaning up,» he added. These works are being carried out by hand because the heavy machinery that they use to clean the riverbeds and bridges cannot reach the clogged areas.

When the cleaning of the first bridge is finished, Macías Arceo shared that they will clean eight more riverbeds and their bridges, from east to west, during the next few weeks. 

Macías Arceo added that he would take advantage of the suitable stones excavated during the cleanup to use them for the paving and patching works in the streets of Ajijic.

Translated by Sandy Britton

El sujeto señalado utilizó la violencia física y psicológica para cometer el abuso en reiteradas ocasiones. Foto Fiscalía.

Redacción.- Un sujeto de nombre Joshua A., quien impartía clases de regularización de matemáticas a un menor de edad y presuntamente abusó sexualmente de él, ya enfrenta un proceso penal luego de los datos de prueba que aportó en su contra la Fiscalía Especial Regional del Distrito V con sede en Chapala.

La persona señalada utilizó la violencia física y psicológica; además, se pudo acreditar que el delito presuntamente lo cometió también en reiteradas ocasiones, en el mes de diciembre de 2021.

La última agresión ocurrió el 24 de abril pasado, en una finca ubicada en la colonia Sabinos II, del municipio de Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, donde dicho sujeto llevaba a cabo la instrucción escolar a la víctima.
 
Ante el temor de que el sujeto le causara un daño mayor, el niño ofendido guardó silencio; no obstante, su hermano se enteró de lo ocurrido, por lo que pidió ayuda a su mamá quien en busca de acceso a la justicia denunció a Joshua A.
  
El hombre fue capturado por agentes de la Policía de Investigación del Distrito V, quienes lo pusieron a disposición de un Juez de Control quien le dictó vinculación a proceso al considerar que los datos de prueba eran fundados. Además, dicha autoridad ratificó la solicitud del Ministerio Público para que Joshua A. permanezca en prisión preventiva oficiosa durante un año, como medida cautelar.

The fundraising event was sold out, attracting both Mexicans and expats. Credit: Asociación Civil Pro México

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).–  At a sold-out event, more than 170 people enjoyed a historical talk, musical presentations, and grape harvests at Raquet Club in San Juan Cosalá. The April 29th event was a fundraiser for Asociación Civil Pro México, an association that strengthens educational processes for socially vulnerable people in Jalisco. The Coordinator of Community Development, María Blanco, was pleased with the turnout; people came from Chapala, Ajijic, El Chante, San Juan Cosalá, and Guadalajara. Both Mexicans and expats attended. «It was very crowded, all the tables were full. Many people who bought tickets, and could not attend, donated their tickets. This allowed others to attend in their place,» she said. 

Gabriel Chávez giving a historical talk about San Juan Cosalá. Credit: Asociación Civil Pro México

María Blanco also acknowledged the work of the entire Asociación Civil Pro México team, as well as the support of the various sponsors and collaborators. The organization’s mission is to continue carrying out projects for the empowerment of local women. «We had support from the entire Asociación Civil Pro México team, but there were also sponsorships that funded a local photographer, chairs, tables, refreshments, floral arrangements, sound system, and more,» she added.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

The events took place in the Colinas de Chapala neighborhood in upper Chapala. Photo: Twitter.

Editorial staff.- Investigators probing the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl in Chapala were forced to call for help after they were confronted by armed men on Tuesday, May 3.

State police reinforcements went to the aid of the investigating team, which included personnel from the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office and the Amber Alert team.

According to eyewitness accounts by residents of the Santa María neighborhood, at least one shot was fired, although state and municipal authorities said no firearms were discharged.

Three suspects were arrested at a house in the area.

A search of the house revealed firearms and bullet-proof vests bearing the initials of an organized crime group.

A bag containing narcotics and a motor vehicle were also seized.

Translated by Alan Ferguson