Prosecutors in the Parmenio Medina case have presented the long-awaited charges against a Roman Catholic priest and eight others for the hitman-style murder of the popular radio figure.

Those facing the major charges already are in preventative detention. The charges had been expected for nearly a year since agents took the Rev. Minor Calvo Aguilar and businessman Omar Luis Chaves into custody.

Parmenio Medina Pérez died when hitmen in a car fired on him as he drove to his Heredia home July 7, 2001.

The victim was the producer and principal figure in a satirical weekly radio show.

Minor was the leading figure in Radio María, a Catholic-oriented radio station of which Chavez was the financial backer. The charges Tuesday also claim Calvo and Chavez participated in fraud with the radio station as well as money laundering and conspiracy.

Parmenio Medina in his radio show revealed troubling financial information about Radio María, which now is out of business. The Catholic Church also was listed as a victim in the prosecutors’ filing.

The filing by the Ministerio Público officials also cited a reporter for Diario Extra, Adrián Marrero, as a suspect of coercing a witness. The reporter is suspected of smuggling a cell phone into prison for the use of one of the murder suspect. The suspect then used the phone to talk to the witness, according to officials.

The Parmenio Medina case had been the nation’s No. 1 criminal case until former presidents found themselves caught in allegations of corruption.

The nation’s chief prosecutor, Francisco Dall’Anese Ruiz, took personal charge of the case as soon as he was named in late 2003. It was he who triggered the arrests of Calvo and Chavez at Christmastime that year.

The others named either are accused of participating in the murder or helping to arrange it.
 

Rains cause flooding
in northern zone

Heavy rains are causing problems in the northern zone of Costa Rica. A handful of communities in the Canton of Upala have reported flooding.

The Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias said that several rivers there are running out of their banks. A shelter has been set up at the Colegio Agropecuario de Upala, where some 41 residents of the Barrio Los Angeles in Upala Centro are staying.

The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional said it expects unsettled skies to continue through Thursday morning and that rain will continue to fall in the northern zone and on the Caribbean slope.

Union predicts hard year
for those living on salary

The major public employees union is predicting a hard year next year if it cannot negotiate a better cost of living adjustment with the government.

The union, the Asociación Nacional de Empleados Públicos y Privados, said that inflation this year was 11.89 percent, the highest in eight years. A release said that the burden falls disproportionately on the working citizen.

Next year will be hard for those on salary because adjustments have not been adequate. The release predicted an irreversible polarization of the social classes.

The union said it would know in the early days of January if something positive would come out of talks with the government.

Twice a year government officials announce higher salary structures to compensate for the programmed devaluation of the colon. The union was not satisfied with the increase this year and participated in an August blockage of the nation’s roads to protest.

Haiti is primary topic
as regional leaders meet

MIAMI, Fla. — Leaders from Central America and the Caribbean are gathered here for a three-day conference focusing on disaster preparedness and the situation in Haiti.

The conference, which began Monday, brings together government and business leaders to address regional integration efforts in the region.

Officials say participants will be focusing on the Haitian Economic Recovery Opportunity Act. They say an important element of the conference will be on efforts to help Haiti achieve some stability and create positive economic momentum.

Attendees also are expected to address disaster preparedness and the effects of recent natural disasters on the region.

Officials say this 22-member Caribbean Central American Action group is Florida's largest trading partner.

The International Baptist Church, together with Escazú Christian Fellowship, will be presenting another family-oriented musical production in celebration of the Christmas season. 

The production, "Christmas in Our Time," is an original musical play. It is the story of a stressed-out modern family that discovers the true meaning of Christmas. 

The production features a cast of more than 30 people, including singers, actors, dancers, and a chorus, none of whom are confined to the stage but move freely among the audience as well.  All the performers are amateurs who have embraced their new roles with enthusiasm and hard work, to create a truly professional event, said a spokesperson for the church. 

"Christmas In Our Time" is produced and directed by Sharon and Roland Pierrot, and they have adapted music from a variety of sources to fit their original script.  The Pierrots have lived in Costa Rica since 1996 and they have produced similar large-scale amateur musical events here as well as in Canada, the church spokesman said. 

When we think of the meaning of Christmas, for most of us our thoughts usually go back to a manger scene with Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus, more than 

Around this question both this special Christmas musical and the regular Sunday 10 a.m. services during December will be built, said the spokesperson.

The pastor speaks on: "Including Christmas in Your Time," this Sunday, "Christmas Coming at the Proper Time," Dec. 19, and "Christmas All the Time," Dec. 26. 

There will also be a community-wide Christmas Eve service Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. at  International Baptist Church, co-sponsored by Escazú Christian Fellowship.

"Christmas In Our Time," which lasts about 80 minutes, will be presented in English at three times:  Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

There is no charge for this play designed for all ages, and everyone is welcome, said the spokesperson. 

All performances will be at the International Baptist Church in Guachepelín de Escazú, west of Multiplaza on the Santa Ana highway. 

For directions or more information call the church office (215-2117) or Pastor Dreessen (821-3594) or send an e-mail to Paul_Dina@hotmail.com