Urban News

(MIAMI) -- A Cuban exile accused of once being a torturer is stirring up controversy in Miami. Reporter John-Thor Dahlburg, writing from south Florida for the Los Angeles Times, is reporting that Eriberto Mederos -- who arrived in a boat lift in 1984 and became a U.S. citizen in 1993 -- is accused of being "The Nurse," an official torturer for the Castro government.

His arrest and trial on charges that he lied about his past to get into this country is being hailed by Cuban refugee groups in Miami. One 85-year-old witness has told the court trying the case that he has vivid memories of have been given electrical shocks to private parts of his body by "The Nurse."

Mederos is free on half-a-million dollars bond. His next day in court is scheduled for Nov. 26 before a federal judge who may set a trial date.

(LOS ANGELES) -- A new plan for policing the Boyle Heights enclave of Los Angeles has been announced by the city's police chief, Bernard Parks. Under the new protocols, to be tested for at least a year, bilingual officers would be assigned to patrol an area between the Los Angeles River and the busy I-5 Freeway.

Park's department says the proposal came from a coalition of citizens in the area in the wake of yet another drive-by shooting in the neighborhood. A 10-year-old Boyle Heights girl died.

The department is pledging to work more closely with residents and to provide training for neighborhood watch groups.

(ST. LOUIS) -- There is no joy in "Markville." Fans in St. Louis are wondering what their Cardinals will be like next spring without slugger Mark McGwire. Sure he only hit .167 last season, but he did stun the baseball world in recent years with his home run-hitting prowess. Now, though, according to the Post-Dispatch, Cardinal fans will have to carry on without the man who made them proud of the Red Birds again.

In announcing his retirement to team owner William DeWitt, McGwire noted that he just completed the first year of a two-year contract extension consummated in a verbal agreement. Because of a string of worsening physical problems he decided to call it quits.

He thanked his friends in Los Angeles, where he played college ball, and in Oakland, where he started his career. His final four years, in St. Louis, brought him international attention -- though he noted that he never wanted fame and fortune; he played because he loved the sport. It is likely that, had he played one more season, he would have reached the 600 home run mark.

(NEW YORK) -- Some of the Big Apple's best have been honored by the Pope. A contingent of New York City firefighters went to Rome this past weekend to attend a special mass, celebrated by Pope John-Paul II. During the services, one of the visiting firemen handed the pope the helmet that was worn by Franciscan priest and fire chaplain, the Rev. Mychal Judge; he died in the World Trade Center collapse while ministering to the injured.

After the services, published reports indicate that one of the firemen -- Daniel A. Nigro, who was promoted to department chief to replace Chief Peter Glance, who died on 9/11 -- told the crowd about his experiences. He is quoted as saying that "the pope told us that since Sept. 11, he has prayed for the victims" of the attacks.

The firemen say they will bring John-Paul's blessing back to New York with them.