Hurricane Matthew leaves southwest Haiti devastated

PETIT-GOAVE - Hurricane Matthew churned toward the Bahamas early Wednesday with a spreading mix of high winds, heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge, leaving widespread damage and human suffering behind in Haiti's poor, rural southwestern peninsula.

At least 11 deaths had been blamed on the powerful storm during its weeklong march across the Caribbean, five of them in Haiti. But with a key bridge washed out, roads impassable and phone communications down, the western tip of Haiti was isolated and there was no word on dead and injured.

First for Boston: Early vote hours for Nov. election; Oct. 24 start date

For the first time ever, registered voters in Boston — and across the state — will have the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 8 elections during an early voting period.

Boston City Hall will open up voting booths during normal business hours beginning Oct. 24 and lasting through Nov. 4. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and the first Friday of the 11-day early voting period, City Hall will remain open until 8 p.m.

Aristide returns to campaign trail after fainting at rally

PORT-AU-PRINCE— Former Haitian leader Jean-Bertand Aristide has returned to the campaign trail a day after passing out while supporting his political faction's presidential candidate.

The former president was brought to a hospital in the northern city of Cap-Haitien after collapsing while preparing to speak on behalf of Fanmi Lavalas candidate Maryse Narcisse.

On Sept. 17, Aristide told reporters he was feeling better and would continue stumping for Narcisse.

U.S. toughens stance on Haitians seeking entry from Brazil

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that it was widening efforts to deport Haitians, a response to thousands of immigrants from the Caribbean nation who have overwhelmed California border crossings with Mexico in recent months.

The move lifts special protections that shielded Haitians from deportation after their nation's 2010 earthquake. Since 2011, U.S. authorities have avoided deporting Haitians unless they were convicted of serious crimes or posed a national security threat. Now they will be treated like people from other countries.

Dorcena Forry: Let’s revisit security issues on Uber hires

Disturbed by recent arrests involving Uber drivers accused of assaulting passengers, state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, who backed an unsuccessful effort earlier this year to fingerprint drivers of app-based ride-hailing services, predicts lawmakers will need to return to the issue next session while not ruling out filing a new bill of her own.

“This is a sad day. It’s frustrating and horrifying that this is happening in our streets,” the Dorchester Democrat said of the latest reported assault incident in her district involving a Brockton man who drove for Uber.

Cullinane tops Lacet to win nomination in 12th Suffolk House district

State Rep. Dan Cullinane secured his 12th Suffolk District seat on Sept. 8, beating out second place finisher Jovan Lacet by more than 800 votes after a low-turnout primary.

Cullinane, seeking his second full elected term after filling the post in 2013, faced Mattapan lawyer Lacet and neighborhood advocate Carlotta Williams. No Republican is running for the seat, ending the contest here.

UN acknowledges role in triggering cholera outbreak; vows to help

PORT-AU-PRINCE— A U.N. acknowledgement that it played a role in introducing cholera to Haiti and vows to aid victims were welcomed this week in the Caribbean nation, which has experienced the worst outbreak of the disease in recent history.

While the number of cholera cases has been significantly reduced from the initial outbreak in 2010, the fact that the preventable disease is still routinely sickening and killing Haitians is galling to many.

Preservation tax is on Nov. ballot for Boston voters

City Councillor Andrea Campbell last week pitched Mattapan community members on a November ballot question that would institute a city tax surcharge that would provide funds for historic preservation, parks, and housing.

Boston city councillors voted, 12-1, in May to put the Community Preservation Act (CPA) on the ballot. Mayor Martin Walsh then signed off, bringing the issue to the voters on Nov. 8.

Aristide joins rally to urge voters to back Narcisse in Oct. election

PORT-AU-PRINCE— Twice-ousted Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide has made a rare public appearance at a street rally to support the candidate of the political faction he founded decades ago.

A growing crowd of Fanmi Lavalas party backers chanted and waved pictures of the ex-president Monday as they jogged alongside a convoy.

Aristide and Lavalas leader Maryse Narcisse waved from a car as they headed to the district of Petionville.

Candidate for state rep was fired from BPD; claims he was wrongfully terminated

Jovan Lacet, who is challenging incumbent state representative Dan Cullinane for the 12th Suffolk State Representative seat in the Sept. 8 primary election, points to his experience as a US Marine veteran and a former Boston Police officer in his campaign materials.

What is not mentioned in that dossier is Lacet’s termination from his job as a Boston Police officer in 2004 in the aftermath of a murder investigation and prosecution in which his brother was the chief suspect and defendant in a fatal 1998 shooting in Mattapan. His brother was found not guilty.

This week, a Boston Police spokesman told the Reporter that Lacet was terminated because he “committed perjury.”

Boston Haitian Reporter