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Nicaraguans fleeing Ortega regime settle in Indianapolis, tell their story

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Nicaraguans fleeing Ortega regime settle in Indianapolis, tell their story


INDIANAPOLIS — Lucia has recognized turmoil and unrest in her dwelling nation of Nicaragua from the time she was a toddler within the late Nineteen Seventies when Daniel Ortega and the Sandinista get together first got here to energy there.

Her household was against them, and three of her older brothers died consequently.

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“My household suffered at their palms,” stated Lucia — not her actual title — who moved to Indianapolis from Nicaragua in July, in an interview with The Criterion, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

The preliminary rule of Ortega, whom Lucia known as a “bandido,” got here to an finish in 1990, however he was reelected as president in 2006 and has dominated ever since. The legitimacy of the elections which have stored him in workplace have been more and more questioned by worldwide observers.

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Practically 40 years after Lucia’s household was scarred perpetually by Ortega’s authorities, its violence touched her once more — this time by her then-young grownup son.

In spring 2018, college students throughout Nicaragua took to the streets to protest in opposition to authorities corruption and political repression. Greater than 100 college students died within the violent suppression of the protests.

On the time, Lucia’s son was helping an uncle who ran a radio program that was against the Ortega regime.

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Members of a government-affiliated paramilitary unit tracked the uncle and Lucia’s son. The uncle escaped, however Lucia’s son didn’t. He was shot and killed within the streets.

“My son didn’t provoke something. It’s actually arduous and actually tough,” stated Lucia by tears. “God is the one who strengthens us in occasions of anguish.”

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Felix and Paholla Navarrete bear in mind these protests properly. It spurred them to go away the nation. They, too, wound up in Indianapolis.

“Our church buildings had broad open doorways,” Felix stated of the response of the church in Nicaragua to the protests. “They helped the individuals who wanted a secure place to remain. All of the clergymen that I knew had been working very intently with their parishioners. It was so inspiring seeing that our church was very near the individuals who had been struggling.”

Through the time of the protests, Felix and Paholla began to expertise stress to publicly assist the federal government.

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“The political secretary would attempt to entice workers,” Paholla stated. “They’d say that if you wish to hold your job, you need to do no matter must be performed on the protests in opposition to residents who’re marching.”

Felix and Paholla confronted a life-changing selection: keep in Nicaragua with their well-established life? Or depart all of it behind with no going again?

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“We received to the purpose the place we had been excited about what can be higher,” stated Paholla. “To remain for a place with a wage, or to indicate your kids what was the fitting factor to do?”

With such a momentous choice looming, the household went to God in prayer.

“We prayed collectively as a household, and we requested God to information us to take the fitting steps,” Paholla stated.

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“We took a step of religion,” stated Felix. “It was the hand of God that was working in each step. We noticed it. We felt it.”

They left in early June of this 12 months for Costa Rica for what gave the impression to be a trip. Solely their household knew of their plans. Felix and Paholla didn’t stop their jobs on the supreme courtroom or do something with their dwelling to make it seem that they had been leaving completely.

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“If we had performed that, we might have been in bother,” Felix stated. “If we had stayed, we’d most likely have turn into political prisoners,” Paholla stated. “We might not have given up our religion for something. We’d have been thought-about traitors by the federal government.”

In Costa Rica, they had been stunned by having the ability to shortly safe visas for the household from the U.S. Embassy there to journey to the U.S. By the tip of June, that they had arrived in Indianapolis, the place Paholla’s mom lives.

“I’ve all the time been assured in what God has deliberate for me and my household,” Felix stated. “So, even after I thought that I’d be in horrible hazard if I stayed in my nation, I all the time noticed that God was performing in my life.”

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Lucia, in the meantime, is anxious for her daughter who nonetheless lives in Nicaragua together with her husband and youngsters.

She is also saddened by the struggling the church in Nicaragua is present process.

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In latest months, the apostolic nuncio and members of the Missionaries of Charity have been expelled from the nation, clergymen have been arrested, Catholic radio stations have been shut down and out of doors spiritual processions have been banned.

In early August, members of the nationwide police in riot gear surrounded the house of Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, after the federal government had accused him of fomenting violent opposition to the Ortega regime.

On Aug. 19, law enforcement officials in a predawn raid seized Álvarez and the clergymen, seminarians and lay Catholics dwelling with him and took them to Managua, Nicaragua’s capital.

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Álvarez has been stored there underneath home arrest whereas the others seized with him had been despatched to Chipote Jail, infamous as a spot the place political prisoners have been tortured.

In a latest deal with, Ortega described the nation’s Catholic leaders as “a gang of murderers” who function with Pope Francis “an ideal dictatorship.”

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“The hardness of hearts of these in authorities is why they’re doing this (to Álvarez),” stated Lucia.

Regardless of the struggling that Lucia, her household and the church in Nicaragua have skilled, she has remained near Christ.

“He helps heal our hearts, and he offers us forgiving hearts,” Lucia stated, noting that she has forgiven the boys who killed her son.

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“I’d like to return to Nicaragua to be with my household,” she stated. “I’m on the trail proper now that God has me on. The persecution there’s so unhealthy, and I’m involved about my household nonetheless there. I’m afraid for them.”

– – –

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Gallagher is a employees author for The Criterion, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.



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Indianapolis, IN

Who Caused Colts’ Loss to Lions? Not Anthony Richardson

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Who Caused Colts’ Loss to Lions? Not Anthony Richardson


Way too often in the NFL, the quarterback receives too much credit for a win and too much of the blame for a loss.

But that is exactly the opposite of what we will be doing today. Anthony Richardson is not the reason the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Detroit Lions, 24-6. Richardson’s supporting cast failed him too many times to count as the offense repeatedly shot themselves in the foot against arguably the best team in the league.

“We lost, so it wasn’t good enough,” Richardson remarked about his performance. “Just got to get back to the drawing board. Like I said, focus on the details and just be better as a whole, not just individual.”

Richardson’s performance was, admittedly, not one to write home about. The quarterback was 11-of-28 (39%) for 172 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions while adding 61 yards on the ground. But as has been the case for most of the season, the box score does not tell the whole story.

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Richardson was under constant duress as the offensive line produced their worst game of the season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Richardson was pressured on 46.7% of his dropbacks yesterday. Despite taking zero sacks due to Richardson getting rid of the football or evading the rush, he hardly had any time to deliver the football to his receivers.

The offensive line also had killer penalties that negated big plays or stalled drives. Quenton Nelson, who may have played the worst game of his career, was called for three penalties. Holding calls on Braden Smith and Dalton Tucker eliminated plays of 21 and 19 yards, respectively.

Altogether, the Colts had eight offensive penalties on plays that totaled 98 yards. 79 of those 98 were passing yards on four completions by Richardson. That is a lot of yardage and big plays erased by self-inflicted wounds.

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“As a team, it hurts us,” Richardson admitted. “Whenever you’re out there playing a good team like that, you can’t beat yourself and try to beat the other team at the same time. So, the penalties definitely hurt us, but that’s just getting back to the drawing board, just understanding the minor details and discipline between each and every play. Just want to make it work.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) scrambles away in a blue jersey.

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) attempts to tackle Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It was not just the offensive line that failed to provide any help. The tight end group was abysmal as Drew Ogletree and Kylen Granson continued to waste opportunities.

Ogletree was called for a hold that negated a 21-yard gain by Granson and then proceeded to drop a wide-open touchdown pass. Granson failed to look for the ball when he was a wide-open hot read and then cut off his route when he was not supposed to, causing two more incompletions.

While the play of the tight ends was as bad as it has been all season, causing the position to become the top need this offseason amongst fans, Richardson tried to take some heat off of Ogletree after the game.

“Just stick with it,” Richardson said when asked what he told Ogletree after the drop. “He’s not going to catch every pass. I’m not going to throw a great ball every time. So, like I said, it’s the nature of the game. Whatever the game throws at you, you’ve got to just adjust and just play ball. He dropped the ball – so what. I don’t throw great passes all the time, so it is what it is. We’re going to get the next one.”

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Combine the disappointments from the offensive line and tight ends with a failure to get Jonathan Taylor going, not getting two feet inbounds on a dime from Richardson to Ashton Dulin, and continued miscommunication from AD Mitchell, the offense was a brutal mess.

Richardson did his best to take the blame after the game and not single anyone out, but the film does not lie. Michael Pittman Jr. (six catches for 96 yards) and Josh Downs (three catches for 27 yards) showed up to help their quarterback, but that was about it. The supporting cast has to be better.

“Just execution, dropped passes, delivery,” Richardson explained. “I could’ve thrown some better passes, especially the one to the left, to JD (Josh Downs) right there. But just execution, no penalties in the red zone and just finishing. We didn’t finish play calls that we did have. We just didn’t execute.”

The failure to execute and undisciplined penalties also falls on the coaching staff. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. and tight ends coach Tom Manning did not have their groups ready to play on Sunday. But the buck stops with head coach Shane Steichen, who must get his unit better prepared and ready to execute.

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“Penalties hurt us. Starts with myself,” Steichen stated. “We’ve got to get those cleaned up. We had a season-high 10 penalties I believe for 75 yards – that’s on me. We can’t have that. We’ve got to play clean football going forward.”

Those who only look at the box score, did not watch the game, or are trying to push a narrative, will say that Richardson’s accuracy issues reared their ugly head yet again and it doomed the Colts. It is the same lazy analysis that the FOX halftime crew, particularly Michael Strahan, put forth at the break.

Those who know ball and watched the game know the group around Richardson failed him. They failed their quarterback by taking away opportunities or failing to convert plays that legitimately could have changed the course of the game. And when playing a team like the Lions, that cannot happen if you hope to win.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) makes a pass in a blue jersey.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) makes a pass against Detroit Lions during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“We’ve just got to execute,” Richardson proclaimed. “We knew that was a great team right there, but they didn’t really do anything spectacular to beat us. They played that game the right way and we didn’t go out and execute the way we knew that we were supposed to.

“We let them throw a few penalties on us because (of) our discipline and our details. We’ve just got to keep playing, play complimentary football, keep the details the details, and keep trusting the process and just going out there and trying to find a way to win.”

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The difference between a good team like the Lions and a lesser team like the Colts was evident yesterday. One was disciplined, executed, and took advantage of their opportunities. The other could not stop tripping over themselves.

The Colts are now 5-7 and seeing their playoff hopes dwindle by the week as they look more and more like a mediocre team yet again. Since Richardson’s return, he has been one of the few players contributing at a high enough level to win games. But football is a team sport, and one player cannot do it alone when his teammates are failing to hold up their end of the bargain.

Maybe it is time for accountability to be enforced at other positions too, not just the quarterback position.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

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Get exclusive Indianapolis news at a huge discount with IndyStar’s Black Friday sale

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Get exclusive Indianapolis news at a huge discount with IndyStar’s Black Friday sale


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This Black Friday, treat yourself to the gift of Indianapolis and Central Indiana news that you won’t find anywhere other than IndyStar.

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Exclusive insights from columnists Gregg Doyel and James Briggs.

Award-winning visual journalism from eight of the best multimedia journalists in the nation.

Revelatory investigations from Tony Cook, Kristine Phillips, Alexandria Burris and Tim Evans.

In-depth high school sports coverage from Kyle Neddenriep, Brian Haenchen and our newest hire, Charlotte Varnes.

Exclusive politics, business, entertainment and arts news, and insider access to all your favorite college and professional sports teams.

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In November alone, IndyStar journalists will publish nearly 200 subscriber-exclusive articles and columns in addition to the thousands of articles, photo galleries and videos that are published free to all IndyStar visitors.

Through Sunday, Dec. 1, new subscribers can get some of our best deals of the year on unlimited access to IndyStar.com and print home delivery by visiting subscribe.indystar.com during our annual Black Friday sale. In addition to exclusive journalism, subscribers get unlimited access to our e-edition print replica, our weekly “Your Week” subscriber newsletter, and much more.

If you’re not yet ready to budget a few bucks for local news this holiday season, read on for a few insights on what your subscriber support means in Central Indiana.

Here’s what you’ve been missing: Exclusive Indianapolis news

It’s no small thing to miss out on 200 or so of IndyStar’s best articles each month. Here’s a sample of the type of work you’ll have access to the moment you subscribe. All 10 of the subscriber-exclusive stories on this list were published in November:

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Subscribe now to access to all of these stories and everything else you’ve been missing.

Indianapolis journalism needs local support, however you cut it

Here’s a simple truth: There would be no local journalism in Indianapolis without local financial support. Whether through advertising, subscriber support or philanthropy, Central Indiana residents provide the vast majority of the money that keeps TV anchors, radio hosts and print and digital journalists employed.

Indianapolis residents have a variety of options for their preferred source of local news. Other communities aren’t so fortunate. More local journalists mean more of a city’s stories are told, more of its viewpoints are shared. That’s a good thing.

But there isn’t another Central Indiana newsroom that can match the scale and expertise of IndyStar’s 60-plus journalists, especially when paired with the USA TODAY Network’s Indiana newsrooms in Evansville, Bloomington, Lafayette, South Bend, Muncie and beyond.

IndyStar subscribers have access to a true statewide network of local news and sports information through universal access to all USA TODAY Network newspaper e-editions and the stories our newsrooms share, including our comprehensive coverage of the Delphi murders trial of Richard Allen and IU and Purdue sports insider exclusives.

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Your IndyStar subscription gives more than 60 of your neighbors the opportunity to tell Central Indiana’s stories with depth and local context, and at the end of the day to go to bed in Irvington, Broad Ripple, Beech Grove, Nora and neighborhoods between.

This holiday season, those of us in the IndyStar newsroom are grateful for all the advertisers and subscribers who support local journalism in Central Indiana. We hope you’ll join them if you haven’t already.

Thanks for reading IndyStar.

Eric Larsen is IndyStar executive editor. Reach him at ericlarsen@indystar.com.



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NOTEBOOK: Lions embracing road warrior mentality

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NOTEBOOK: Lions embracing road warrior mentality


It’s Thanksgiving in Detroit and that means it’s a short week to get ready for Thursday’s game at Ford Field against the Chicago Bears.

The Lions have some new injuries they are dealing with from the Colts game, though Campbell seemed optimistic about a few of them. Montgomery (shoulder), Decker (knee, ankle), cornerback Carlton Davis III (knee) and wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) left the game.

Decker and Montgomery said afterward they could have returned and should be good to go Thursday. Davis was standing on his leg talking to reporters and said it felt pretty good, but imaging would determine more. Campbell seemed more concerned about Raymond’s injury after the game.

“I don’t know Chicago’s deal yet. I don’t know what they’re dealing with, but I’m sure they’ve got injuries,” Campbell said. “Everybody’s got them, and the league doesn’t care. They make the schedule, and we play this and we roll, you know?

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“Seven days later we got Green Bay. So be it, man and that’s the way it rolls, and we’ll be ready. We’ll have our unit ready to go Thursday back home, Thanksgiving, division opponent, and we’ll be locked in and ready to roll.”

Detroit hasn’t won on Thanksgiving since 2016, and that’s a streak they are looking to end Thursday.

“We haven’t won on Thanksgiving in a while and that’s something we want to change,” Goff said.



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