San Juan

SAN JUAN — It was my third, maybe fourth trip to Puerto Rico, and unlike my other vacations to the island I was not blessed this time with a string of perfect cloudless days. But the silver lining to all the muggy rain was a chance to explore the city. And it was then that I made a sweet discovery. At breakfast one morning at La Bombonera, I tried my first pan de Mallorca. The not-too-sweet roll, dusted with powdered sugar, is soft, light, buttery, and nearly perfect. I ordered one grilled with butter.

Former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez has been suspended by Puerto Rico boxing authorities after he accused a referee of betting on one of his fights. Puerto Rico's Professional Boxing Commission is investigating the allegations against referee Roberto Ramirez, who stopped Lopez's bout with Mexico's Orlando Salido on March 10. This was the second time Lopez was stopped by Salido. The commission released a statement Friday saying it will ask Lopez to explain why he should not be disciplined for his remarks.

SAN JUAN - An explosion at a fuel storage facility sent earthquake-force shock waves across Puerto Rico’s capital yesterday and created a tower of inky black smoke that forced airliners to alter flight paths. No one was reported killed. The blast shook islanders out of bed across metropolitan San Juan and shattered windows across the bay in colonial Old San Juan, one of many neighborhoods where onlookers gaped at the thick smoke boiling north toward the Atlantic. The fire involved 15 of the plant’s 40 tanks, several of which were no longer...

SAN JUAN - Ruth Fernández, a pioneer Puerto Rican singer who broke racial and gender barriers and was later elected a senator in the territorial government, has died. Ms. Fernández, 92, died late Monday of septic shock and pneumonia, producer Vicky Hernández told reporters. Many Puerto Ricans mourned the passing of the woman with a deep voice known as the "soul of Puerto Rican song. " "Arriba, corazones!" ("Lift up your hearts!") was the trademark exhortation of Ms. Fernández, who was the first woman singer to perform with a Puerto Rican orchestra.

SAN JUAN — A man was arrested this week trying to board a flight from Puerto Rico to Boston while carrying weapons that included a stun gun, a switchblade, and four box cutters, US authorities said yesterday. Jose Pol, 59, a resident of Rhode Island, was passing through a security checkpoint at the US Caribbean territory’s main international airport Monday when Transportation Security Administration agents discovered the weapons in his carry-on luggage, the FBI said. US authorities said they had not found any evidence linking the case to terrorism.

SAN JUAN -- Antonio Maldonado, a Puerto Rican painter and graphic artist who was a prominent figure in San Juan's cultural circles, has died. He was 86. Mr. Maldonado died in his sleep Friday, his daughter said. A series of pictures by Mr. Maldonado depicting island scenes was recognized in 1971 by UNICEF, which chose one of them for a Christmas card that was printed around the world. Mr. Maldonado, who helped organize art festivals for decades in the Old San Juan neighborhood where he lived, had his work exhibited at museums including New York's...

JetBlue Airways says it will launch five weekly seasonal flights between Logan International Airport and St. Thomas International Airport in the Virgin Islands starting Dec. 15. The carrier also said that the service would enable Boston customers to reach St. Croix on JetBlue flights connecting through San Juan.

SAN JUAN — Augusto Marin, one of Puerto Rico’s best-known painters and muralists, has died. He was 89. Mr. Marin, whose work is found throughout Puerto Rico, from museums to the wall of a suburban shopping center, died Thursday at a hospital in San Juan of complications from a lung infection, said Ivelisse Marin, his daughter. He had been hospitalized since last Sunday. Governor Luis G. Fortuño ordered flags lowered to half-staff to mark the death of an artist considered among the leading Puerto Rican painters.

Culebra is reachable by air from San Juan or by ferry from Fajardo. A cab ride from San Juan to Fajardo costs about $30. The ferry costs $2.25 each way. Bags, coolers, and camping equipment are extra. For airline and ferry information, go to tamarindoestates.com. Where to stay Vacation Planners Inc. 866-285-3272, 787-742-3112 culebravacationplanners.com What to do Excetera Computer Cafe 126 Escudero St. 787-742-0844 Supplies Pandeli Calle Pedro Marquez No. 1, Dewey 787-742-0296 El Eden Liquor Store & Deli Cafe ...

SAN JUAN -- Gaspar Roca, a journalist who founded the Puerto Rican daily El Vocero and directed it for more than three decades, died of respiratory failure Sunday at his home in San Juan, his family said in a statement. He was 80. The native of Yauco founded El Vocero in 1974 and worked as its editor until his death. The newspaper ranks among the major dailies in the US territory with a circulation of 132,000. Oscar Serrano, president of the Puerto Rico Journalists Association, credited Mr. Roca with improving press freedom on the island through several court...

ALBANY, N.Y. - Andrew Viglucci, the longtime editor of Puerto Rico's San Juan Star and an early colleague of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist William Kennedy, has died. He was 84. Mr. Viglucci died Saturday of complications of Alzheimer's disease, said an upstate New York funeral home. Mr. Viglucci graduated from Albany High School, served in the Navy during World War II, and earned a degree from Clark University. In the late 1950s, he and Kennedy, a fellow Albany native, helped launch the English language daily San Juan Star.

This commonwealth has long been associated with its busy capital, San Juan, a grid of trendy restaurants and souvenir shops teeming with cruise ship tourists. But what few travelers know is that due east of the city tranquil places such as Río Grande and Luquillo - which meet the foothills of El Yunque rain forest - and such offshore treats as Vieques and Culebra offer a bounty of gorgeous beaches, a growing number of restaurants, beautiful golf courses, and authentic experiences. In these spots, Puerto Rico defines "island time.

Tony Mitchell scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead No. 16 Alabama to a 62-42 win over Maryland on Thursday night in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Mitchell was 7 of 12 from the field, including 3 for 4 from 3-point range, and Trevor Releford scored 10 points for the Crimson Tide (3-0), who grabbed a double-digit lead early in the first half that they would not relinquish. Alabama cruised despite senior forward JaMychal Green heading to the bench early in the game with two quick...

SAN JUAN - Rain and wind gusts from the outer bands of Tropical Storm Emily struck Puerto Rico yesterday as the storm system gathered strength on a track that threatened the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The rain fell hardest in western Puerto Rico, largely sparing the capital, and there were no reports of major damage or injuries and no demand for the nearly 400 schools that were converted into emergency shelters around the island. Emily had been expected to bring up to 6 inches to the island.

JetBlue Airways says it will launch five weekly seasonal flights between Logan International Airport and St. Thomas International Airport in the Virgin Islands starting Dec. 15. The carrier also said that the service would enable Boston customers to reach St. Croix on JetBlue flights connecting through San Juan.

SAN JUAN — Robert Traylor, the former NBA and University of Michigan big man nicknamed Tractor because of his hulking frame, has died. He was 34. Described as a gentle giant with a generous smile, Mr. Traylor played seven years in the NBA. He is perhaps best remembered, however, for his career at Michigan, where he was a standout for three seasons, but became embroiled in a major scandal involving a booster. Police in San Juan said Mr. Traylor was found dead Wednesday on the bedroom floor of his oceanfront...

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Painter Rafael Tufiño, who became a major Puerto Rican cultural figure with his depictions of traditional island life, died of lung cancer Thursday at a hospital in San Juan. He was 85. Known as the "painter of the people," Mr. Tufiño was lying in state yesterday at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture ahead of burial later this week at a cemetery in colonial Old San Juan. "We have lost one of our most devoted artists," said Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila, who declared two days of mourning in the US Caribbean territory.

Bernie Williams and Carlos Beltrán homered and Puerto Rico routed Cuba, 12-2, last night in San Juan. Both teams had already secured spots in the second round. Williams, named the best player in Pool C, hit a two-run homer to right in the second before a home crowd of 19,000 fans. Beltrán hit a towering three-run homer over the foul pole in right field and Alex Cintrón also had a two-run shot for Puerto Rico, which won in seven innings. It was just the second time Cuba has lost by the mercy rule.

SAN JUAN — Augusto Marin, one of Puerto Rico’s best-known painters and muralists, has died. He was 89. Mr. Marin, whose work is found throughout Puerto Rico, from museums to the wall of a suburban shopping center, died Thursday at a hospital in San Juan of complications from a lung infection, said Ivelisse Marin, his daughter. He had been hospitalized since last Sunday. Governor Luis G. Fortuño ordered flags lowered to half-staff to mark the death of an artist considered among the leading Puerto Rican painters.